Consequences
Note: Long chapter ahead. And let me just say, for the record, that I HATE Hamlin Pig!
(Theme song - Pokemon Journeys: The Series (Season 23) - English Dub Opening)
(Abigail's POV)
*I don't know how long I was unconscious. But when I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a white ceiling & there was a strong smell of disinfectant & medicine in the air. I also heard beeping. I looked to my right & saw a heart monitor. That's when I realized I was in the hospital. I slowly sat up, still feeling a little weak. That's when one of the nurses came in*
Nurse: Oh! You're awake. Hold on, I'll be right back. Dr. Quack! Princess Sally!
*A few minutes later, Dr. Quack & Sally came into the room*
Dr. Quack: Glad to see you're awake. 2 days is a long time to take a nap.
Abigail: 2 days!? *I turned to Sally* What about the mission!?
Sally: It's okay, Abby. The mission was a success.
*After Dr. Quack left the room, Sally began telling me everything that happened*
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-Person POV)
*Two days after after Abigail left, Sonic & Amy got ready for the mission to invade Moebius*
Sonic: Are you . . . Um . . . Ready to go, Amy?
Amy: I'll be with you, Sonic? I'll be ready for anything.
*Sally entered the room*
Sally: All right, you two. Do you remember the plan?
Sonic: Head over to Scourge's home Zone and find a way to reverse his invasion.
Amy: And cause him problems at home if we can.
Sonic:*whispering to Sally* I thought this was a solo mission.
Sally:*whispering: You'll need back-up on a hostile world we know little about. Besides, Amy's been dying for more time with you.
Sonic:*whispering* You're cruel.
Sally:*to Tails & Rotor* How are the secondary Star Posts looking, boys?
Rotor: I think we're done, Princess.
Tails: All set to head to Moebius!
Rotor:*to Sonic & Amy* Just a heads-up, we don't know where on Moebius the portal will drop you, so be careful.
Sonic: Lovely. Thanks for that, Rotor. On that note, here we go!
*They went through the portal created by the Star Posts, & disappeared*
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
*I giggled*
Abigail: I bet Amy was over the moon to be working with Sonic. Though Sonic was right, that was a bit of a cruel thing to do to your boyfriend.
Sally:*shrugging* I know. I just thought I'd share this one time. So anyway, soon after they left, we got a warning from Nicole saying that Miles was outside the city wall. Me, Tails, Bunnie, & Antoine went to investigate*
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-Person POV)
*Sally, Tails, Bunnie, & Antoine arrived outside the wall to find Miles with a brown bag slung over one shoulder*
Sally: Hold it right there!
Tails: Dibs! Dibs!
Miles:*clapping* A marvelous show of bravado, Freedom Fighters. Now how about you calm down before you hurt yourselves. *he threw down the bag & bombs fell out* I'm here under the pretense of bombing your city. Given that I made no effort to hide and that I'm explaining myself . . . Slowly . . . I'm obviously not intending to complete that mission.
Sally: Then what are you here for?
Miles: The Suppression Squad is less fond of Scourge than you are. You hold a trump card in Sonic. I come here to propose an alliance.
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
Sally: Turns out they us wanted to help them beat him.
Abigail: Wow. Then what happened.
Sally: Just as we were about to leave to help the Suppression Squad, we got the news that you were missing.
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-Person POV)
*Just as Sally, Tails, Bunnie, & Antoine were about to "chase" after Miles. Robert Catz ran up to them*
Robert: Princess Sally! Princess Sally!
Sally: Mr. Catz? What's wrong?
Miles: Whatever it is, it can wait. We've got work to do.
*That was the wrong thing to say. Robert went up to Miles & grabbed him by his jacket collar & pulled him close to his face*
Robert: Listen you little punk! I don't have time for your sass! My daughter is missing!
*That surprised the Freedom Fighters*
Sally: Abby's missing!?
*Robert, still holding Miles by the collar, turned back to Sally*
Robert: Yes. She wasn't in bed when we got up two days ago. I thought maybe she got up early to see Lacey. But when I asked her, she said she hadn't seen her. I've been asking around the city and Knothole for the last two days, but nobody has seen her.
Sally: She told us that she had some personal business to take care of.
Robert: What kind of business?
Antoine: She did not say.
*Miles tapped on his shoulder*
Miles: If I may? *they all turned to him* I know where she is.
Robert: You do!? *he started shaking Miles* Where!? Tell me now!
*Bunnie ran over to Robert & pried his hands off Miles*
Bunnie: Take it easy, Mr. Catz. Let the boy speak.
*Miles straightened his collar & turned to the group with a smirk*
Miles: The girl has been in the "care" of our "King" for the past two days.
*The whole group was shocked*
Robert: What!? *he grabbed Miles again* What has he done to her!? Tell me now!
*Miles pulled himself out of his grip*
Miles: To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. What our "King" does is his business. Though I'm not really surprised he's interested in her, especially with those powers of hers. What was it called again? I believe it was . . . "Future Sight"
*Again, the group was surprised*
Tails: How did you know about that!?
Miles:*smirking* Your former "teammate" was more than happy to share that juicy piece of information with us.
Sally:*fists clenched & teeth gritted* Fiona . . .
Miles: Yes, what some people won't do. Now then, I believe we have some business to attend to
*Miles started to walk away. The Freedom Fighters were about to follow him, when Robert grabbed Sally by the shoulder*
Robert: Please, Princess. Bring my Abigail back safely.
Sally: Don't worry, Mr Catz. I promise we will.
Robert: Good. *he began to walk away, looking angry* Cause those punks are going to be the least of her worries when I get my hands on her.
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
*I gulped. I was so grounded*
Sally: After that, we went along with Miles' plan. We pretended to chase him back to HQ. When we got there, we all attacked Scourge together. Then Sonic showed up. After he fought Fiona for a bit, he attacked Scourge. But then the Suppression Squad attacked both of them, knocked them unconscious, threw both of them through the Star Posts, & shut them off.
Abigail: Typical. Can't trust evil twins.
Sally: I know. After that, we were less than pleased.
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-person POV)
Sally: Stranding Sonic and Amy on your world was not part of the plan!
Alicia: The plan for us was to be ride of Scourge and your plan was to send him back to Moebius, we all win!
Sally: I should've expected - YEEP!
*A big gold floating ring suddenly appeared between the two Princesses. Rob O' the Hedge walked through it.
?:*off-screen* . . .Straight there.
Rob O': Gadzooks!
Sally: King Rob O' the Hedge?
*Rob took Sally's hand & bowed. A male silver hedgehog with peach skin & yellow eyes (14 yrs old) wearing white gloves with gold cuffs and circular aqua symbols & white, navy, aqua, and gold boots appeared behind him*
Rob O': Princess Sally. My apologies for the unannounced visit. Prithee, where are Sonic and my dear cousin?
Sally: The Suppression Squad here helped us turn back the invasion on Moebius. Only they sealed Sonic and Amy off in that zone too.
Miles: Expertly executed nevertheless.
Silver:*inspecting the Star Posts* Moebius, you say?
Sally: Y - Yes. Rob, who is that?
Rob O': Silver. But I know not from when he came.
Sally: All right - Wait, when?
Rob O': Apologies again, Your Highness, but I suspect his mission to be of dire importance. *to Silver* You know of this "Moebius"?
Silver: Unfortunately. Here we go.
*Both hedgehogs went back through the floating ring & it disappeared*
Sally: It can never be simple can it? Tails, Rotor, I want those Star Posts up and running, now.
Rotor: You got it!
Tails: Yes, Ma'am!
Alicia: Five more minutes. Sonic should have ground Scourge into the dirt by then.
Sally: The ends don't justify the means here! We cannot leave Sonic and Amy stranded on Moebius!
Alicia: Complain all you want. You wanted Scourge sent home, and you got it.
Sally: Not good enough. Tails! Rotor! Get those Star Posts running!
Alicia:*bringing out her whip* I said - !
Miles: Please, Your Highness. The "Heroes" have had plenty of time to pulverize our former King.
Sally: One more thing. Where's Abby!? We know she's here!
*The Suppression Squad all looked at each other*
Alicia: Scourge locked her in the blue hedgehog's room. Oh, and you can have these back
*She threw them Huck, who was still in the birdcage, tied up, Abigail's hook swords, backpack, & pendant. Antoine opened the cage & untied Huck, who flew into his arms, crying*
Antoine: Oh, zere zere. Were zose big bullies mean to you?
Patch: Oh, cry me a river.
Sally:*holding the pendant* Why give this back?
Alicia: To be perfectly honest, we're not really interested in being able to know the future. Not knowing what's going to happen next is the spice of life.
*Sally gave Alicia a suspicious look & handed the necklace to Tails*
Sally: Bunnie, with me! Boys, keep an eye on our "guests".
*She & Bunnie ran down the hallway until they came to Sonic's room. Bunnie kicked the door open. They bother gasped when they saw their friend lying on the floor, unconscious & her hands tied behind her back. While Bunnie gathered up her socks & boots, Sally untied her*
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
Sally: After we untied you, we discovered that you had been drugged. I then had Rotor take you to the hospital. While he was doing that, the rest of us went to Moebius with the Suppression Squad.
Abigail: So, what did I miss there?
Sally: Let's just say, I'm glad you didn't get to meet Super Scourge.
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-person POV)
*When the Freedom Fighters & the Suppression Squad arrived in the Castle Moebius throne room, they found Amy, Shadow, Silver, Rob, Rosie (a female pink, green eyed, peach skinned hedgehog (11 yrs old) wearing a red hairband, a green and white shirt, white gloves, & blue shoes), & Metal Sonic lying on the floor unconscious. Scourge (who was floating in the air) had Sonic by the throat. Only he looked different, his fur was purple & his eyes were black with red pupils. He looked at the group with a smirk*
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
Abigail:*interrupting* Wait! Shadow was there! Why!?
Sally: I'm not really sure. Anyway . . .
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-Person POV)
Super Scourge: Oh good! Fresh meat to soften my knuckles on. *he flew towards Bunnie & elbowed her in the stomach* Ladies first! How's this for southern comfort?
Antoine: Bunnie!
*Scourge then slammed his foot on Antoines' back*
Super Scourge: You want yo get stepped on next Ant? Happy to oblige!
*Tails then flew towards Scourge*
Tails: Stop!
*Scourge just slapped him away*
Super Scourge: Shut it, ya mutant brat! *he flew towards Sally & grabbed her by her shirt, lifting her in the air* No Rotor, Princess? Your team isn't the same level of "lame" without him.
Sally: I . . . He . . .!
*Scourge threw her across the room*
Super Scourge: Wow. How can Sonic resist a wit like that? HA! *he then went for the Suppression Squad. he threw Alicia at the throne* You wanna rule, Ally? Here's your throne! *Patch & Boomer tried to attack him from two different sides. Patch's sword was broken into pieces* You really want to lose that other eye don'cha? Is Fiona with you?
Patch: Non! Il est impossile!
*Scourge grabbed him & threw him into Boomer*
Super Scourge: Got out when the getting was good, huh? Makes her smarter than you. *he then turned to Miles* And you. I know it was you. Who else could it be?
Miles: N - N - No! I didn't - Please!
*Suddenly, a blue light appeared around Scourge & he stopped moving. He turned around & saw Silver using his powers on him*
Silver: That's enough! You may be faster, stronger, and invulnerable, but I have telekinesis!
Scourge: Not bad, kid. You actually brought me to a full stop.
Silver: Heh. Thanks, I suppose.
*Suddenly, in a burst of power, Scourge broke free*
Scourge: But "invulnerable" means nothing can stop me!
Silver: N - No! How - ?
(Present Time - Abigail's POV)
Abigail:*interrupting* So this Silver guy has telekinesis powers?
Sally: Yep. Now where was I . . . Oh yeah! After Sonic wrestled with Metal Sonic & Shadow teleported them both away, I managed to get back on my feet & came up with a plan.
Abigail: Which was?
Sally: We all dog piled Scourge while Silver held him in place.
*I looked at her like she had grown an extra head.
Abigail: You and the Suppression Squad all dog piled him.
Sally: Yep. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It seemed to work, but with a burst of power, he broke free. He then dragged Sonic outside & they took the battle from there. From what Sonic told me, he tricked Scourge into powering down. Since his Super Form is the opposite of Sonic's, he figured out how it works. Scourge's super form is powered by something called Anarchy Beryl. They get tons of that stuff while we only get seven Chaos Emeralds. And when Sonic powers down, he gets a small boost. But when Scourge does . . .
Abigail: He gets burned out.
Sally: Exactly. After that, we returned the Suppression Squad's Star Posts to Dr. Kintobor, Sonic turned Scourge over to the Zone Cops, & then we all headed home.
Abigail: Wow. So Scourge is behind bars now?
Sally: Yep. And I don't think we'll be seeing him again for a long time.
Abigail: I hope it's never again.
*Just then, three royal guards came into the room*
Guard: Forgive the interruption, Princess, but the Council of Acorn wishes to speak to you & Miss Catz immediately.
*Sally & I looked at each other nervously. We were in trouble*
(Castle Acorn - Council Room)
*Later, me & Sally were standing in front of the Council with two guards on either side of us. (I had changed into my usual clothes & we agreed that Sally would do most of the talking)*
Sally: I would like an explanation as to why it feels like we're under arrest.
Dylan: You're not under arrest. We . . . We've not pressed charges.
Rosemary: Yet. That is the purpose of this hearing.
Sally: What - !? I just got back from Moebius two days ago and Abby just got out of the hospital. How . . .
Hamlin: Precisely Princess. The charges under discussion are subverting the Council's authority and going rogue.
Sally: Treason. You're accusing us of treason.
Hamlin: The Council of Acorn voted to not take action against the Suppression Squad. The active Freedom Fighters were to focus on pressing the assault against Dr. Robotnik.
Sally: The Chaotix have been here to . . .
Hamlin: You led the Freedom Fighters into Freedom HQ and across Moebius. Yes or no?
Sally: . . . Yes.
*Hamlin then turned to me*
Hamlin: And you, Miss Catz. Though you were not part of the invasion of Moebius, you decided to take matters into your own hands and sneak into Freedom HQ to savatage the equipment there, delaying the Suppression Squad's plans. Yes or no.
Abigail: Well . . . Yes . . . But I wasn't going to face them directly, I swear.
Rosemary: The Council voted also for Sonic's insurrection to be punished. Given that he met with both you and the King before leaving for Moebius, one begins to wonder if this isn't all one large royal conspiracy.
Sally: That's ridiculous! I created the specifics of Sonic's "punishment" and sent him on his mission under my authority as field leader,
Hamlin: Not under your authority as Princess?
Sally: No.
Hamlin: So you are saying you hold no power outside of being the field leader?
Sally: . . . I suppose so, yes, since my Father is the King.
Hamlin: So let me put this straight, you made your decision as field leader of the Freedom Fighters . . . A group that answers directly to the Council of Acorn. So you have admitted to us that you went against direct orders of your superiors and purposely let one of your own agents act of her own accord?
*Slowly, I felt a knot growing in my stomach*
Abigail:*in her mind* Now what?
Uncle Chuck: We need you to provide some answers, Princess. Otherwise it seems Hamlin's charges are . . . Accurate.
Sally: It was the Council's decision to punish Sonic. The specifics were left up to me. So any choice I made would have technically been approved by the Council.
Hamlin: The Council wouldn't approve actions that undermine it's own authority.
Sally: Then why did a councilor help with the help of the new Star Posts? That seems like support to me.
Hamlin: The Star Posts are meant to go to the Special Zone, which is an ongoing mission. That, and that councilor can fall under your command as field leader. You're just outlining how far your rogue actions went.
Sally: There was no larger invasion plan! An opportunity presented itself and we acted! Now Freedom HQ is ours again and the invasion from Moebius has been driven back!
Hamlin: The ends do not justify the means! If we accept that, then you can do anything in the name of the "greater good" and we become redundant!
Sally: Fine. Then I'm guilty.
Abigail: And so am I.
Hamlin: Well! In that case, I move that we . . .
Sally: But understand this, we will not go through this again. I will not act, I will not give any order, until I've had direct approval of the Council. Even if we're in the middle of a fight. You can discount any help from the Chaotix. They are free agents, beyond my control. I will refuse to give them any orders. Or - You can trust me. I've been defending us all my life. I wouldn't do anything to endanger my people.
Abigail: And even though I only been here less than a year, I would never put anyone in danger either.
*The King & Uncle Chuck looked at us proudly*
King Nigel Acorn: All for dropping the investigation and all charges leveled at Princess Sally Acorn and Abigail Catz?
Dylan: Yea.
Hamlin: Nay.
Uncle Chuck: Yea.
Rosemary: Yea.
Isabella: Yea.
Penelope: Yea.
*I breathed a sigh of relief*
Abigail: That was amazing, Sally! I thought Hamlin had you.
Sally: He did. I just managed to convince everyone to let me go. *to Hamlin* But it still begs the question: why? You used to be one of my best Freedom Fighters.
Hamlin: Substitute Freedom Fighters. Trained by the best, only to be forgotten and left behind every time.
Sally: You were never forgotten . . .
Hamilin: Don't placate me. I ran for office so I could finally make a difference in everyone's lives. If I can't fight for my people, I'll make sure you fight for them correctly.
*I put my hands on Sally's shoulders & glared at him. As he was leaving, my parents & Grandpa came running in*
Laura, Robert, & Lawrence: Abigail!
Abigail: Mom! Dad! Grandpa!
*All 3 of them wrapped their arms around me*
Robert: We heard everything from Charles, what were you thinking!?
Abigail: Like I explained to the Council, I wasn't going to face them directly, I was just going to do a little savatage.
Lawrence: Maybe so, but did you even think about what would happen if you got caught?
Abigail: Okay. Maybe I wasn't thinking about that. But -
Robert: I don't wanna hear it! You are officially grounded for one full month! And that means no missions or dates!
*I was about to say something when my Mom stepped in between us*
Laura: Alright, that's enough. What really matters now is that she's safe . . . And sound . . .
*Suddenly, she clutched her stomach in pain & sunk to her knees*
Robert: Laura?
Abigail: Mom?
*Rosemary, who was leaving, turned back towards us. When she saw my Mom, her eyes went wide with worry*
Rosemary: Oh my goodness! Princess, have Nicole call the hospital, quickly!
Sally: Right!
*She took out her handheld computer*
King Nigel Acorn: Someone get the Mobo-Cruiser ready, now!
Lawrence: Laura, hold on!
Rosemary: Please, lay down. We'll be leaving for the hospital soon.
Robert: Laura! Laura!
*While everyone was running around, I stood there frozen, not knowing what to do. I snapped out of it when I heard my Mom let out another cry of pain*
Abigail: Mom!
*Soon, we were at the Hospital. Mom immediately went into the maternity ward*
Robert: A cesarean section!? But she's only in her seventh month!
Dr. Quack: This is an emergency, Robert. We have no choice.
*The next thing I knew, we were all in the waiting room*
Penelope: Dylan, would you stop pacing? You're making me nervous.
Dylan: Oh, sorry.
*Sonic & the rest of the Freedom Fighters then came running into the room*
Sonic: We came as soon as we heard! How is she?
Sally: We don't know. She just went into the operating room.
*I sat in my chair, shaking*
Abigail: What have I done?
Uncle Chuck: Abigail, don't worry. Your Mother's going to be alright.
Abigail: Because I wouldn't listen, I took matters into my own hands and made her worry. And now . . .
Robert: Sweetie, none of this is your fault.
Abigail: No! I was stupid. I just wanted to make things right, but instead I made them worse.
Hamlin: Well, then let this serve as a lesson the next time you decide to - EEP! *he stopped when he saw everyone glaring at him* Uh . . . I'll just be quiet now.
*My Grandpa then kneeled in front of me*
Lawrence: Angel, I promise. Your Mother will make it. She's one of the strongest people I know. And I know that for a fact, because you're just like her.
*That made me feel a little better. I smiled & hugged him*
Abigail: Thanks, Grandpa.
*We stayed there all night. The next morning, Dr. Quack came into the room*
Dr. Quack: They're both alright. And it's a boy. *we all smiled in relief* Your Mother's resting now. She's had a long night.
Abigail:*crying* Thank you so much.
*Soon, we were all outside the NICU, looking at my new baby brother, who was in an incubator, through a window*
Tails: He's so tiny.
Dr. Quack: Well, he is one month premature. *I looked at him, worried* He's alright, Abigail.
*Bunnie put her hand on my shoulder*
Bunnie: Why don'cha go see yer Mom, Abby-Girl?
*I nodded & walked down the hallway. When I got to her room, she was sleeping. But she woke up just as I sat down next to her bed*
Laura: Abigail. I gave you all a scare, didn't I?
Abigail: Mom, I . . . I'm so sorry.
Laura: For what? Sweetie, nothing that happened today was your fault.
*I shook my head*
Abigail: But Mom . . . I ran away and acted on my own. I made you, Dad, and Grandpa worry. And now this.
*I started to cry. My Mom just smiled & reached her hand out to me*
Laura: Sweetheart, come closer. *I took her hand & kneeled down next to her* It's true we were worried about you. After all, that's what parents do. They worry about their children. Even though your all grown up, you'll always be our baby. And we're very proud of you. I also knew in my heart that your friends would save you.
Abigail: How?
*Mom gave me a wink*
Laura: Call it Mother's intuition. I think the reason your brother came early was because he couldn't wait to come out and join us.
Abigail: You think so?
Laura: I know so. *I smiled. that made me feel a lot better* Abigail?
Abigail: Yeah?
Laura: I want you to name your brother.
*I looked at her surprised*
Abigail: Really? Are you sure?
Laura: Of course. After all, your the only sister he has.
*I smiled at her & stood up*
Abigail: Thanks Mom. I think I already have the perfect name. *I gave her a kiss & walked back to the NICU. when I got there, I was met with a pleasant surprise* Shadow! Guys! *yep. Shadow, Rouge, Hope, & most of the Chaotix were standing outside the NICU. I ran up to Shadow & hugged him* What are you all doing here? What about the Master Emerald?
Rouge: The Princess called Shadow and told him everything. He insisted I come with him.
Robert:*muttering* Even though I told her it wasn't necessary.
*Shadow let go of me & gripped my arms*
Shadow: Are you alright? Did that green scum hurt you?
Abigail: I'm fine, Shadow. Really. *he then pulled me back in & hugged me tighter* Shadow?
Shadow: It's nothing. I'm just glad you're okay.
Knuckles: As for the Master Emerald, don't worry. Espio's guarding it as we speak.
Abigail: That's good.
*Saffron flew up to me & gave me a big hug*
Saffron: Congratulations on becoming a big sister!
Abigail: Thanks Saffron. And thank you all, for everything.
Sonic:*wink & a thumbs up* Anything for a friend.
*I then turned to my Dad*
Abigail: Dad, I thought of a perfect name for the new member of our family.
Robert: Really. What is it?
Abigail: Toby.
Robert:*nodding* It's perfect. *he looked back through the window* Welcome to the world, Toby.
*As everyone was giving their congratulations, I found myself wondering about my evil twin, Olivia*
(Flashback - 2 days ago - Third-Person POV)
Alicia: Please, Miles. I may be a figurehead, but we both know who's in charge around here. *a wicked grin grew on Miles' face. suddenly, Olivia fell from the ceiling & landed in front of them* What are you still doing here?
*Olivia didn't say a word & kneeled in front of her*
Miles: Hmm, if I'm correct, I'd say our little "friend" is saying that she wants to join us.
Alicia:*to Olivia* Is this true? *Olivia gave a silent nod**smirking* Well, you've definitely proven yourself more than worthy. *as Olivia stood up, she put a hand on her shoulder* Welcome to the Suppression Squad.
(Present Time - Sonic's POV)
*That night, we were at Abby's house to celebrate Toby's birth. But my mind kept wandering elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking about what Scourge told me as Zonic was taking him away*
(Flashback - 2 days ago - No Zone)
Scourge: Oh, and tell Kitten, I'm looking forward to our next "play-date".
(Present Time - Mobius)
*Should I tell Abby what he told me? And what did he mean by "play-date"*
