Sonic Underground: The Search for Aleena Chapter 3: Fate, a sonic the hedgehog fanfic

Sonic Underground: The Search for Aleena

The ratings and disclaimers from the previous chapter also apply to this chapter and all subsequent chapters.

Reader Descretion is Advised.

Chapter Three: Fate

Locke Hill, Aristocratic District

The next day…

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"'Cocooned in shadows?'" Dann asked rudely after listening to Jake tell him about his dream, "What, do you have a bondage fetish or something?" "What? No! Get your mind out of the gutter!" Jake responded defensively, "I have no idea why it happened that way this time. I mean, each time it usually happens a little differently; two nights ago it had me in an ancient temple of some kind with inscriptions on the walls that looked like mine, Sonic and Sonia's medallions, plus like, two others. One was a drum, and the other was a heart, and these were all inscribed on the stone walls leading further into the temple. Once I reach a certain chamber, I saw my mother floating a a foot in the air, being helplessly mummified alive by some kind of wizard dude or something, I dunno, he was like a mobian toucan or something, with like a huge wart on his left cheek, wearing robes looking like that of Emperor Ming from the Flash Gordon movie we watched a few days ago, and had like, this headdress that looked like it came straight out of Temple of Doom. As the final bandages wrapped overtop my mother's hair, leaving only her eyes open, he then placed her in a stone sarcofigus to his right, and then like, I ended up trying to sword fight him, but then I sort of lost, then ended up being mummified as well, then placed in a sarcofigus next to hers. And then… He dumped a bucket filled with snakes all over me, then put the lid over my coffin, locking me in with those… Things…" Jake started to tremble at the thought of being covered in snakes, his breaths becoming short and shallow.

"Dude, chill out," Dann said suddenly, "Just take deep breaths." Jake did so, then quickly regained his composure as they walked down the block of mansions. Eventually, they reached that of Madame Felicity Feline.

Dann raised an eyebrow. "You're going here?" He asked. Jake nodded, smiling. "I've got a date with my fiance!" He happily replied. "This soon?" Dann asked, "By Aurora, this fic is moving by fast."

"What was that?"

"Um, n-nothing!"

"Well, whatever," Jake then then fist bumped Dann, both of whom did a peace sign immediately after.

"Peace." Said Jake.

"And out." Dann replied.

Dann then walked further down the block, while Jake walked up the walkway to Madame Feline's front door. Once there, he pressed the doorbell button, then waited a few minutes. Before long, he was greeted by the woman who had raised Sonia since she was an infant.

She was a mobian cat, about forty-seven or so, but still had her beauty despite her age, with light brown fur, blue eyes that looked like something out of a centerfold, long blonde hair that was kept in a long ponytail that reach down to the backs of her ankles, bright purple lipstick coupled with blush and eyeshadow, and wore a long-assed day dress that looked formal, beautiful, and looked as though she were going to attend a goddamned tea party.

"Why, Jacob, what a surprise," She said, another example of a posh british accent in her voice, "What brings you here?" "I'm here to go on a date with your daughter, Sonia, Madame Felicity." Jake replied, "Is she home?" "Why yes, of course she is." Felicity answered, "She's in the parlor practicing her piano." "Oh, well I-"

Jake stopped for a moment when he realized what Felicity had said.

"… Wait, she plays piano?!" He exclaimed.

"Why yes, she does." Felicity replied, "There's no need to be all hyper like that." "Oh, sorry," Jake apologized, "I just didn't know is all." He then walked over to the parlor, and stopped in the doorway and listened to Sonia play the piano number from Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind"

He listened all the way through as Sonia hummed the lyrics to it while she played. As he listened, he realized that she would be the perfect candidate for his band's new keyboardist. Yeah, she'd be perfect! He thought, With her piano skills under our belt, we'd be the most raddest band on the face of the planet! Of course, we'd still need a drummer, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Once the song reached it's end, Jake clapped, despite Sonia not noticing him enter the room. Sonia jumped in her seat, then turned in Jake's direction, surprised that he had been there the whole time.

"Oh! Jake!" She said with a yelp, "You startled me. How long were you standing there?" "Long enough, and sorry, by the way." He responded, a sweet smile on his face, "You're pretty good at piano." "Oh, well thanks, I guess." Said Sonia, blushing a little. "So, you ready to go?" Jake asked. "Yeah, just wait here for a moment," Sonia replied, "I need to change into some more 'casual' clothes." She then walked upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her. Jake sat down upon an armchair in the room, surprised at how comfy it was to sit in, his heart feeling as though there were butterflies flying around inside his ribcage, softly tickling it with their wings as they fluttered around.

In short, he was head-over-heels in love with Sonia.

Suddenly, Jake heard the doorbell ring once again.

He looked to the foyer in the other room, then watched Felicity walk over to the door and open it, greeting yet another 'unexpected guest'

He was a lizaldian (1) velociraptor man, looked to be very youthful in age, possible about twenty-nine or so, with dark, forest green scales, yellow reptilian eyes with narrow slit pupils, darker green spines going down the back of his head that resembled hair that had been slicked back, velociraptor-like feet with the talon claw toe curled up, a long, snake-like tail trailing behind him, and wore a deep red dress shirt with a white clavet underneath a long dark crimson coat with bright red non-mobian fox fur lining the collar, waist and sleeve hems, and and these black trousers that stopped a little over his ankles, allowing his raptor-feet to move freely.

Yeah, that's right! This guy ain't wearing shoes of any kind!

Not that it matters. I mean, half of these characters hardly wear clothes as it is!

But, before I go into a rant about that, let's continued the story!

"Lord Scales?" Said Madame Felicity, slightly shocked at this person's sudden arrival.

"Madame Felicity…" Scales hissed, literally sounding out the 's' sounds in Felicity's name with a reptilian hiss (Also, yes, he too has a british accent, but try to imagine his sounding like that of David Tennant's. You know, the guy who played the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who? J-just do it. Seriously, it'd make all of us happy…), "You're looking absolutely lovely today. Is that a new dress?" Felicity looked down at her dress, then back at Scales, blushing and replied, "Wh-why yes! Madame Prowess' daughter made it for me as a gift." "Really now?" He looked it over, then asked, "May I come in?" "Oh, yes of course." Felicity then held her hand daintly to the side of her mouth and called, "Mella! Would you mind coming in here for a second?"

As if on command, a mobian jackrabbit girl entered the foyer from the hallway leading to the kitchen.

She was about eighteen years old, a year older than Jake, with pale, butter yellow fur, green eyes, freckles, long brown hair that draped down her shoulders and back with her long ears poking out the top, and wore a short, dark indigo dress with a wide, ruffled skirt and pettycoats underneath, puffy sleeves, and a wide, silk bow tied around the waist, pale pink tights worn underneath her dress, long, silk opera gloves that matched the color of the tights, a pair of black high-heels, and a black leather collar around her neck with a brass tag attached to the front of it, bearing Madame Felicity's family name engraved upon it, much like that of a pet dog or cat.

Now, just for the sake of the background of this dark, cruel version of Mobian society, Mella's real name was Melliana Rosebud, and she was born in one of the many slums of Robotropolis, which were known as the 'Underground' Districts, to her mother, Rosalina, and her father, Tarrin, who was later arrested and roboticized after a violent spat with an Imperial policeman. She had an older brother, Rival, whom usually went by the street name of 'Jazz' and left after becoming a member of the Chaotix, an Elite branch of the Freedom Fighters, and a younger sister, June, who died one fateful Autumn of pneumonia. Her family was a clear example of how Robotnik's 'Social Favoritism' was affecting people who weren't as fortunate as those of the working, middle and aristocratic classes. She, and her mother, since they couldn't pay their rent one one fateful month, were forced to be sold into servitude to families of a higher class, her to Madame Feline, and her mother to a brothel downtown.

In short, she was a slave.

And Felicity, as well as many other aristocrats like her, were completely ignorant and oblivious to the circumstances that led Melliana, and others like her, to becoming nothing more than property.

(Wow… This has to be by far one of the most darkest things I've ever written… Anywho…)

"Yes, Madame Felicity?" Mella answered, her face showing subtle signs of uncertainty.

"Would you mind taking Lord Scales' coat, then whipping up some tea for us?" Felicity asked. Mella nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She responded obediantly. She then helped remove Scales' long coat, then hang it on the coat rack near the door. After that, she went straight to the kitchen, immediately starting on the tea. Scales and Felicity, on the other hand, walked into the parlor and sat at a tea table in the middle of it, not noticing Jake, who was still standing there next to the doorway. Curious, he silently hid on the other side of the doorway and listened as the two 'friends' had their conversation over tea.

"So, what reason brings you to my doorstep, Scales?" Felicity asked, still a little surprised by Scales' sudden visit. Scales smiled a gentle, dinosaur fang-filled smile, then simply said, "Must I have a reason to visit an old friend of mine?"

Just after he said that, Mella came in with a silver tray with a teapot and two tea cups, as well as a sugar bowl filled with sugar cubes, and a small pitcher filled with milk, then gently placed it on the middle of the table, being sure not to have spilled anything. "Oh, thank you, Mella." Said Felicity. Mella simply nodded, then asked, "M-might I get you anything else, Mistress?" Felicity simply shook her hand dismissively, then said, "Oh, no, not at all-" "Actually," Scales interrupted, "It would be nice if you could fetch me an apple, if you have any, of course." Mella nodded, then replied, "Yes sir, Lord Scales." She then left the room for a moment, going into the kitchen, then opened up the fruit fridge, then got out a red delicious apple, then brought it back to Scales, but nearly tripped on his tail. Feeling this happen, Scales shot her a look, then grabbed the hand of hers that held the apple, then softly said, "Watch it, pet, or you'll be tripping on the steps to the roboticizer." Mella looked at him, horrified at the thought of being sent to that dreaded machine, her eyes wide with silent terror. However, after saying that, Scales simply smiled, then gentle plucked the apple from Mella's grasp, then let go of her wrist. Mella walked out of the room, rubbing her sore wrist from where Scales' claws dug into her skin.

Jake glared in Scales' direction.

'Pet' was a derogatory term used when referring to mobian slaves. It originated from how they were made to always wear collars around their necks, much like pet dogs or cats, and was a slur that sort of stuck for the longest time throughout the rule of both Ivo and Julius Robotnik.

And Scales smiled right after he he uttered that horrible word, like he was proud of himself for saying it.

Besides that, there was something else about Scales that didn't quite sit right with Jake.

Something he couldn't quite place…

Almost as if…

"Hey."

Jake jumped nearly a foot when he heard Sonia address him.

He turned and saw her in by far the most appealing 'casual' outfit he'd seen on any girl ever.

It was a deep red top with long black sleeves, coupled with these matching long vinyl opera gloves that reached a little over her elbows, a short, ruffled skirt that was also deep red, some shiny metallic black tights, and a pair of deep red and yellow boots. Also, she had her hair styled the way it usually was, which was a long, bushy spike going down the front towards the right (2).

Jake simply stared, blushing, his jaw dropped, and slightly aroused.

"Are you ready to go?" Sonia asked.

Still new to the feeling of true love, Jake only managed to get out;

"Buhhhh…"

On top of it all, Scales and Felicity turned to see the two standing there in the doorway, finally alerted to their presence. "Oh, thought you two had left already." Said Felicity. Scales then stood up and walked over to Sonia, towering over her as if he was a giant dragon coming to snatch her away. As he walked towards her, Sonia quickly hid her medallion underneath her top. Jake noticed this, but decided to hold off on asking for a moment. "So," Said Scales, "This is that daughter of yours that you've told me about often at our little 'socials' is she not, Felicity?" "Oh, ah yes! Yes she is!" Felicity sprang up and walked over right next to Sonia, then introduced, "Um, this is Sonia. I sort of adopted her when she was an infant." Scales looked down at her, his eyes scanning her, as if he was trying to see if he recognized her. "Sonia…" He said, placing a claw-finger on his chin, "I feel like I've heard that name once before…"

As soon as Jake heard Scales say this, he noticed immediately that Felicity's behavior had changed, going from her normal, posh self…

To being panicky…

Hesitant…

Dodgey…

Almost as if she was trying to hide something…

"Well, I'm sure it's a common name for an aristocratic girl," Felicity reassured him, "Much like, 'Amy' or 'Gracie' or-" "'Aleena?'" Scales added. Felicity looked at him, trying to mask her worried expression, gulping only once. Scales then smiled, then said, "I'm sure I'm probably thinking of someone else." "Y-yes! That must be it!" Felicity said, breathing a sigh of relief when she was sure Scales wasn't looking, as his gaze then turned to Jake, his expression quickly changing from cheery to stoic. "You…" He said, his tone serious, "You must be Rosemary Prower's child, am I correct?"

Jake remained silent, scowling at Scales.

Scales narrowed his gaze.

"It's rather rude to ignore someone when they ask you a question…" He said.

Jake glanced over at Sonia for a moment, who looked as though she was worried Jake would do something he would later regret.

He then turned his gaze back at Scales and nodded.

"… Yeah." He said.

Scales crouched slightly, lowering his gaze to Jake's level, then said, "I see the resemblance. You have her eyes, as well as her defiance. I'd watch who I looked at like that if I were you, especially if that person happens to be a Regional Boss of a given area, otherwise, you might find yourself glaring at the inside walls of the roboticizer chamber. Do I make myself clear?"

Jake nodded again, then said, "Yeah."

Sonia then tugged on the wrist of his right glove, then mouthed the word, "c'mon." taking a hint, he and Sonia both left, going on to their date as planned whilst Scales and Felicity have their chat.

"Now then…" Said Scales, returning to his seat as Felicity followed suit, "Where were we?"

"Um…" Felicity began, but Scales interrupted as he finished his thought.

"Ah, yes, my reason for being here. Well, see…" He gave a gentle smile, then said, "I have a bit of a 'proposal' for you, Ms. Felicity."

A look of curiousity overtook Felicity's face.

"A 'proposal?'" She said, "Praytell. What sort of proposal?"

Scales gave a short chuckle, then replied, "Well, while it may not be a 'buisiness' related proposal…"

He reached into his pocket, then pulled out a small, dark green velvet box, then knelt down at Felicity's side. Next, he slowly opened it, revealing an illustrious gold ring with a large green emerald encrusted on the front of it.

"… I'd assume that it's a proposal worth talking about, am I right?" He finished.

Felicity's eyes went as wide as her best china dinnerplates that she only used for special occasions as she gasped in awe.

"… Is…" She managed to get out, "… Is it…"

"'A 24 Karat gold band with a perfectly cut green emerald.'" Scales finished, "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Felicity eyed the gem-encrusted ring hungrily, looking as though she was considering Scales' proposal.

"… Why…" Felicity stammered, "… Why Scales… This is so sudden… I-I don't know if… If I…" "You don't have to answer right away," Scales reassured her, "You can sleep on it if you wish. Just make sure you have an answer by the time I come to your daughter's birthday party tomorrow night. Does that sound to your liking?" Felicity nodded, still mezmorized by the beautiful wedding band Scales presented her. Scales then stood back up and closed the small box, placed it back in his pocket, then picked up his apple and took a large bite out of it, his dinosaur-like teeth leaving a huge gap in the side of the apple where he bit into it. "Now then," He said, "While I'd like to stay and chat some more, there's somewhere I need to be right now." He then took Felicity's left hand and planted a kiss on the back of it, making her blush. "Oh, my," Said Felicity, highly flattered, "Scales, you charmer, you!" Scales smiled, then retorted with, "Always my pleasure, Madame Felicity." He then walked out of the parlor, then collected his coat and put it back on, then walked out the front door, where a flying limo lay parked out in front of the large manor. When he walked up to it, the back passenger door opened, gullwing style, then he climbed inside, closing the door behind him, fastening his seatbelt short,y after. The limo then took off, flying only a few feet off the ground.

"Did she accept your proposal, sir?" The driver asked, making small talk. "Oh, she will." Scales answered, "Don't worry about that." Still, though… He thought, That Sonia girl… Why does she sound so familiar… His reptilian eyes went wide with realization. Could… Could she be… He frowned concerningly as he continued to think. No, she has to be. She looks exactly the same as Queen Aleena's daughter, Sonia. The only proof I'd need that it's her would be to see that medallion that was worn around that tiny babe's neck.

He drummed his claws on the arm rest on the door.

"Driver," He said, "Take me to Emperor Robotnik's palace. I need to have a word with him…"

Primrose Café

Weatherly Hills Shopping district

Locke Hill Aristocratic Community

A few minutes later…

"So, you like coming here too?" Jake asked, surprised that Sonia was a regular at the very same café he happened to like a lot. She nodded, then said, "They have the sweetest strawberry smoothies, as well as some good milkshakes, too. And plus, it's within immediate walking distance to the beauty salon and the H&M Store!" Jake looked across the street to where Sonia had pointed, and sure enough, both installments were in fact in the immediate area. "So they are…" He said. Just then, a waitress came over and placed their orders right in front of them.

Sonia had ordered a strawberry and bannana smoothie, while Jake had ordered a chocolate and peanut butter milkshake. Jake then plucked the cherry off of the top of the whipped cream topping his milkshake, then offered it to Sonia, who happily popped it in her mouth, smiling while she did so (3).

"So, I wanted to ask earlier," Jake began, "Why did you hide your medallion when Scales came over to you? And why have you kept it hidden since?" Sonia swallowed the cherry, then answered, her face somewhat serious. "Well," She explained, "You see, for the longest time, Ms. Feline always told me to keep my medallion hidden whenever I went out in public, or whenever we had guests, and to never show it to anyone unless I knew for a fact that I could trust them." "Like me?" Jake asked. Sonia nodded. "I feel like I could tell my most deepest and darkest of secrets to you and you wouldn't tell a soul." "Could you tell me one right now?" Jake asked, "'Cause if you do, I'll tell you one of mine." Sonia glanced around the café to see if anyone was listening, then once she saw that the coast was clear, she leaned over to Jake's left ear and whispered, "I'm very, very afraid of bugs and jellyfish." Upon hearing it, Jake raised an eyebrow and softly asked, "Why jellyfish?" "I had nasty run in with one when I went to the beach when I was fourteen. An old friend of my mother's took me scuba diving, and we were exploring a beautiful shipwreck. I asked him if I could check out a coral reef I saw on the way, and he said yes, but to also make sure that I stayed where he could see me.

"However, on the way, I accidentally swam face-first into a small field of jellyfish. At first, I thought I had been stung by only one, but suddenly I opened my eyes and saw that I was completely surrounded by these creatures. I tried to swim out, but every time I was met by rows of brightly colored, stinging tentacles. The more I tried to escape, the more I got stung, and before long, I was tangled in a forest of jellyfish tentacles, stinging my entire body swollen. Eventually, I had been stung so much that I passed out.

"I woke up much later on my mom's friend's bed, swollen and covered in bandages. I ended up having to stay there a few extra days as to spare me the embarassment of walking around looking like a bloody, pus-filled sore-covered mummy."

"Wow…" Jake said finally, "Rough." "So, what kind of secrets do you have, Jake?" Sonia asked, resting her head on the table with her hands. Jake sighed, then leaned over to Sonia's ear and whispered, "I'm deathly afraid of snakes, and I once had to model for my cousin Gracie's summer line of clothing." Sonia nodded her head in interest, then responded with, "Can easily understand about the snake thing, as they are horrible, slimy, disgusting creatures (Just then, a mobian snake woman, whom happened to be passing by them just as she had said that, scoffed, then said, "Well, I never!" then stuck her head up in disgust and slithered away.), but would you mind elaborating on the modeling bit?" Jake winced, then looked around to see if anyone was listening just as Sonia did, then explained.

"When I was fifteen, Gracie was designing a bunch of dresses, swimsuits and stuff for a summer line she was making for her new 'Boutique' that she had just opened up, and she needed someone to model them for her. However, seeing as I was the only one around who could fit into any of the garments she had made, she forced me to model for her. For hours I stood in front of her, wearing dress after dress, bikini after bikini as she took picture after picture, claiming she would edit the photos to make me look like an actual girl and thereby protect my identity. It was easily one of the most degrading moments in my entire life, and it has never once left my lips to anyone."

"I see, I see." Sonia responded, "So, here's another question deserving of an honest answer; If we ever went shopping together, would you try on stuff for me?" "Uhhmmm…" Jake began, but thought long and hard about what to say before he said it, then said, "As long as I never had to leave the changing booth, but I would do it for you in a heartbeat." "Well, that's sweet of you." Said Sonia, blushing a little, "Say, would you like to hit up this beauty salon and spa down the street after this? I'm a regular there, so I could easily get us both a discount if I told them you were my new fiance." "S-sure, I guess." Jake quickly replied. The two then finished their milkshakes, paid, then walked down the street to the salon and spa that Sonia mentioned.

Roboticization station 12

22nd street, Robotropolis

That very same moment…

A prisoner transport cruiser pulled up to the entrance of the roboticization station, greeted by a couple of armed guards. The back of the cruiser opened, allowing a couple prisoners to get off, heavily monitored by the soldiers accompanying them. However, among these prisoners was a certain individual with a thirst for danger.

He was a mobian jackrabbit, about nineteen or so in age, with bright, emerald green fur, green eyes, and wore a bright red bandana around his head, as well as a grey tanktop and some jeans. His hands were bound with a pair of binders, and he seemed so suspiciously acceptant of his capture…

Almost like he had been through this before…

He was then ushered over to a desk where he was to give his name and ID number.

"Name?" The clerk asked.

The jackrabbit smirked, then replied,

"Rival. Rival Rosebud."

The clerk looked to him, then asked, "You wouldn't happen to have a mother named Rosalina, would you?"

"And a father named Tarrin," Rival answered, "And a sister named Melliana. Your point?"

"I think I might have had sex with her at this brothel I went to once." The clerk replied.

"Really now?" Rival asked, his ears perking up with interest, "Care to tell me the name of it?"

The clerk looked at him, his eyes narrowing, then said, "Keep the line moving, undergrounder."

"Sure you don't wanna tell me?" Rival asked, his eyes narrowing suggestively, "'Cause I don't mind a little 'milf-based incest'" He was then poked in the back by a the barrel of a nearby guard's rifle. "Keep moving, undergrounder!" The guard yelled. "Alright, alright, jeez!" Rival replied, "No need to be so pushy. I mean, I know it's your job, but for Aurora's sake, could you not fucking poke me with your big-assed rifle or whatever?" The guard then pushed him forward, using the rifle almost like a two-handed nightstick. "Alright, I'm going!" Rival yelled, "God, fucking imperial assholes! Don't you whitemeats have better things to do? Like maybe kissing Robotnik's bo-Mmmhhhh!" He was then finally silenced by another guard slipping a muzzle over his mouth, locking it shut until he was ready to be roboticized. "Urrgh, finally!" Said the immediate guard escorting him, "Some peace."

As they went down the hall, Rival took note of where each holding cell was, as well as their occupant, and was also sure to take note of where the armory was, and what kind of lock was on the door, which in this case, was a simple card-key locking mechanism. Suddenly, he and his escort came upon a guard, who happened to be a familiar mobian alligator wearing his standard issue hat over his face, coupled with a clever black hair wig, making out with a female guard, who was a mobian jaguar with pale pink hair and purple eyes.

"Hey, get out of the way, you two." The guard instructed. The alligator then turned to him and snapped, "Hey, do you mind? Me and my girl here are tryin' to make out!" The guard then narrowed his gaze, as if to get a better look at the 'guards' in front of him.

"State your names and ranks." The guard instructed solemnly.

"How about this?" The alligator responded, "How 'bout we skip the names, and my friend that you're escorting, whom you've just stopped paying attention to, I might add, kicks you in the dong?"

"What do you me-AUUUUGGHHHEERGGHEE!"

Rival then proceeded to kicking the guard square in his testicles, causing him to fall over. The alligator then grabbed the guard's keys, using them to unlock Rival's binders and his muzzle.

"Took you fucking long enough, Vector." Said Rival, "I almost thought I would actually get roboticized this time!" "Hey, admittedly Jazz," Vector responded, "It took me a little longer than I thought it would, plus we had to find guards whose uniforms we knew would fit me and Holly here, and not only that…" Vector pulled out a familiar card key from the left pocket on the uniform. "…. But we also had to get this." Jazz grabbed it out of Vector's hand, knowing immediately what it went to, then lead him and Holly over to the armory, then slid the card through the slot, and threw open the door. His eyes went wide with pure, unadulterated joy.

Every wall in the room was lined with weapons of various assortments, classes and calibers, as well as ammunition for each and every single one of them. Immediately, Jazz went straight for the one M60 machine gun laying on a rack on the left wall, then loaded a belt into it, then slipped two more belts around his chest in a criss-cross fashion. Vector on the other hand, grabbed an AK-12 assualt rifle, as well as an RPG, and three extra rockets for it, and Holly grabbed a Vektor CRB SMG with an attached tracker sight and foregrip.

"Ready?" Vector asked taking off the wig and hat and slipping on some triangle shades.

Jazz simply smirked, then pulled on the loading handle of the M60 and said,

"Let's do it to it, bitches."

Gentle Paws Salon and Spa

Weatherly Hills Shopping district

Locke Hill Aristocratic community

A little bit later…

"See? Didn't I tell you it was worth it?" Sonia asked, whilst laying on a louge chair as she had her nails filed by one spa attendant, whilst having her hair shampooed by another and her toenails painted by a third.

"I'm starting to see you were right," Jake replied as he had his hair shampooed by one attendant, while another shampooed his tail, "It's like they're washing all my troubles away."

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he finally noticed this one particular customer off to the far right.

He was a mobian wolf, looked to be almost in his late twenties, like almost borderline thirty, with grayish-blue colored fur, and yellow wolf eyes, and was laying on a lounge chair, sipping a soda he bought from a vending machine in the lounge, subtly staring at Sonia, which he looked as though he had been doing the entire time, whilst an attendant filed his toenails.

"Say," Jake asked, Sonia, nudging her elbow, and directing her attention to the stranger gawking at her "Who's that guy over there?" Sonia glanced at the wolf for a moment, then replied, "I dunno. All I know is that he's a regular here, and he's been going for quite a while, most likely after I started coming here. I think he might be a pervert." Jake shot a subtle glare at the wolf, then said, "Well, all I know is that he'd better not try anything funny, or I'll seriously kick his ass."

Sleet took another sip of his drink, then sat it back on the table next to his lounge chair. "Alright," He said to the attendant, his voice slightly raspy-sounding, "That's probably enough. On to the polish." The attendant then put away the filer, then got out a case filled with various colors of nail polish. He then pointed to one that was a shade of dark violet labeled 'Nocturnal Purple' "That one," He said, "That's the one I wanted to get the other day I was here." The attendant then got it out then started painting his toenails.

Still, though… That girl… He thought, There's something about her that I can't quite place… Almost as if she's… Familiar somehow…

"Do you want your fingernails painted too, sir?" The attendant asked, snapping Sleet out of his train of thought.

"Oh, yes please!" Sleet answered, "Same shade as the toenails, actually. Not that it matters, though. They'll still be covered by these…" He then pulled out a robotic-looking armored glove and slipped it over his right hand, then pressed a button on the wrist, making it lock in place. "I know," He said, assuming the attendant was listening, "Looks real, doesn't it? It's actually a special type of armor made of a super-strong alloy. It sort of came with the rest of my body armor, which I always wear when I'm out bounty-hunting. I got it back when I became a member of this super-secret underground clan of bounty hunters and assassins known as the 'Lunar Wolves' but I digress…"

He then pressed the button on the wrist of the armored glove, unlocking it, then pulled it off of his hand.

"Enough about me…" He said, "Paint away, my dear. Make me pretty."

Urban Brotherhood hideout

2212 Ervin Street

Downtown Mobotropolis

A little bit later…

Manic's POV

The mind of a thief is usually pretty mentally linear.

You see something pretty or expensive, you steal it. No questions asked.

However, in most cases it's easier said than done.

Sometimes, there'll be some kind of super-tricky lock or a high-tech burglar alarm or even a big-assed rottweiler guarding it, seperating you from the shiny treasure within.

But thankfully, the mind of a thief is also a clever, sneaky, and sly one.

Locks can be picked.

Alarms can be disarmed.

And rottweilers can be distracted with a Milkbone.

Rule Number 5 of the Thieve's code: 'Never steal anything without a plan'

Thief King Lars taught me that years ago, as well as the rest of the thieves code.

It's basically the rules we tend to live by in our day to day lives.

To break even one is just dishonorable, and bro, that's no good.

…

I feel strange for saying that last part.

Anywho, today, I was hanging out in my room, tapping on my desk with these sweet new drumsticks I found in the hall closet. I'm guessing that those were one of my birthday presents, but you know me…

Literally the 'Prince of Thieves'

"I see you found your birthday present from Thief King Lars."

I turned to the direction of the speaker to see my caretaker, Taskmaster Bakura.

He was Overlander, but he was cool in my book. He had this long black hair that went past his shoulders and hung down his back, and like had green eyes, light skin, and was pretty tall for his age of 22.

I smirked, then responded with, "Well, you know me… heheh…"

"Well, regardless," Said Bakura, obviously cutting right to the chase, "I have an assignment for you." I put away the drumsticks, then turned my seat in his direction. "What do ya want me to steal this time, boss?" I asked him. He simply handed me a slip of paper with an address written on it. It read:

782, South, McCalaster street

Raudeway Village

There was also something written on the back.

"All that glitters isn't gold. Oftentimes, the most valuable items don't sparkle or glisten."

"A riddle?" I asked. He nodded. "If you remember your training," Bakura told me, "You'll know what it means." He then handed me my thieves's tool pouch, then said, "You will be paired with Millie tonight, seeing as how you two tend to work together so well."

I nodded. "Aigh't, cool."

782, South, McCalaster street

Raudeway Village, South Mobotroplis

That evening…

Still Manic's POV

Millie is this cute mobian squirrell girl who was about a year younger than me, which since I'm still fourteen, was thirteen, with her birthday being next month.

She had this cute mint green colored fur, coupled with blonde hair that was held back with a cute blue ribbon, blue eyes that were the kind that personified the term 'Childlike innocence' and she usually wore this light green vest overtop a short-sleeved emerald green spandex bodysuit, coupled with a pair of light green boots, and a few carrying pouches for tools and stuff, and a few throwing knife holders here and there, and a short dagger held in a sheath worn on a belt she wore around her waist.

'Course, I usually thought of her as a close friend and nothing more, but I swear, it seems almost like every chance she gets she's trying to come onto me.

Well, anyways, we had successfully managed to break into the flat, and were both very fortunate that the owner was out on vacation (One of our own members of the Urban Brotherhood had done some recon yesterday to confirm this.). As we looked through the rooms of the luxury apartment room, the riddle given to me by my father echoed through my mind over and over again like a broken record.

"All that glitters isn't gold. Oftentimes, the most valuable items don't sparkle or glisten."

"So, any idea on what we're supposed to be stealing tonight, Manic?" Millie asked me. I shook my head. "Not a clue." I answered.

At least, not yet.

To help me think, I decided to stop for a moment and enter my place of zen.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then crouched on my knees, and held my hands out, palms up, crossing my fingers on both hands.

This was a zen position I used to help me concentrate, and it really does help a lot in most situations.

I then emptied my mind, focusing only on the the thoughts that were important.

After what seemed like minutes, I then opened my eyes.

I knew what I was supposed to steal.

I got back up, then walked over to the living room of the apartment, then walked over to this plain-looking vase, then reached inside it, and pulled out what looked like some kind of bug fossilized in a very dull chunk of amber.

Didn't sparkle.

Didn't glisten.

I placed the fossil in my tool pouch, then climbed out the window from which me and Millie came in from, which directly faced the building's fire escape. After Millie was out, I then gently shut the window, beind sure to let it lock once it was shut tight enough.

And now came the hard part.

Getting back down to the ground…

Which was two stories down from my exact position.

I gulped, then took another deep breath.

I never did like heights.

Not once.

I suppose you could call it a phobia, even though parts of my training involved great heights.

Usually, I'm fine, I'm able to easily regain focus, and end up making smart choices.

Just don't look down… I told myself mentally.

That's making a smart choice.

However…

As we descended on the ladder, I suddenly lost my footing and slipped, falling down to the concrete alley below me.

As I fell, it seemed as though time had slowed down just for my descent.

However, my breathing and heartbeat picked up speed as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

I passed out before I reached the ground.

I woke up much later, my head pounding like a thousand drums as I struggled to regain conciousness. I looked up, however, and saw that same strange woman in the cloak I saw yesterday.

"… What happened?" I asked, my head still spinning a little.

"I caught you before you hit the ground." She told me, "You could've gotten seriously hurt."

I looked up at her familiar eyes.

"Are you an angel?" I asked.

The way she seemed to look at me seemed as though she wanted to tell me who she was, but couldn't. She also looked as though she was going to cry.

She then stood back up, then told me, "I have to go."

I then watched as she ran off, once again leaving my life.

"Manic, are you okay?!"

I glanced to my right to see Millie standing next to me.

"… Y-yeah." I answered as she helped me back up, "I'm fine…"

I wanted to tell her about the strange woman. I wanted to tell her so badly. But something kept nagging at me from the back of my mind not to.

So, instead, I simply said, "Let's go back to the hideout. I'm about ready for some dinner."

And with that, I put the woman out of my mind again, and replaced it with thoughts of what might be for dinner tonight.

After all, I was so hungry, I could eat an octorok!

… I gotta stop getting my series' mixed up.

Aleena watched from behind the corner as Manic ran off with his friend.

She'd been really cutting it close that time.

If she'd stuck around longer, she'd have risked premature exposure, then all would be lost.

It's not fair… She thought, None of this is. To put one's own children through something like this their entire life is just completely unfair.

Tears escaped her eyes as they streamed down her cheeks.

I want to be with them again so badly…

She then pulled out a small music box from underneath her cloak. It was round and white, and was lined embelished with gold and silver, and had these three gems encrusted on the top of it.

One sapphire.

One Ruby.

One emerald.

She turned the key on it, and it opened, playing a soft, gentle tune as a small figure of a chao danced in a circle in it.

Years ago, she used to use this music box to lull her children to sleep when they were but newborns.

Now, it only serves to help Aleena find the strength in herself to keep going.

She looked up at the constellation of the three stars above her.

"… Soon…" She whispered to herself.

Castle Robotnik

Central Robotropolis

That same moment…

Years ago, Castle Robotnik used to belong to the Hedgehog royal family, at which time it was called 'Mobodoon Castle'

But after Ivo Robotnik staged his coup, what was once a beautiful, peaceful palace had become a desolate, sinister fortress.

Now, years later, Julius Robotnik, Robotnik's only son, inhabited this castle.

Far unlike his father before him, Julius was a young, thin, musclar man, about 25 or so. He had light skin, piercing red eyes, long, crimson hair that flowed past his shoulders and down his back, and had a bionic left arm, which could turn into a either a gun, or a roboticizer cannon.

He wore this dark crimson body armor, coupled with a long, black cape.

Also, did I mention that he kept a panther as a pet?

Anyways…

"So, that's your report, then?" He asked Bruiser, who stood cowering in front of him as he sat in his throne, gently stroking his pet panther.

Bruiser nodded.

"Y-yes sire." He stammered in response.

"So, a single Freedom Fighter broke into the base you were assigned to guard," Julius continued, "Somehow managed to not only get past the base's defences, plant an immense amount of plastic explosives in various points of it, and even steal some valuable, sensitive information from it's computer mainframe, but also managed to escape with his life?"

Bruiser gulped.

"… 'Her', sire."

Julius raised an eyebrow quizacly.

"… Pardon?"

"The freedom fighter who broke in, it was a girl, the uhhh… Princess Sally Acorn, I believe."

"… Maximillan's daughter?"

"Sh-she's more cunning than she lets on, sire."

"I see."

Julius then rose sharply from his throne, then stormed right up to Bruiser, then grabbed him by his throat with his bionic arm and held him up to his eye level.

"Then clearly tonight is a very sad night if one of my most skilled soldiers cannot manage to guard a fortress that could be easily guarded by a mere child!" He bellowed, his voice hot with anger.

Bruiser simply gurgled and sputtered as his master held him in a choke-hold.

Julius then threw him to the ground, then motioned for two swatbots, who then grabbed Bruiser by his arms, forcing him to his feet.

"Take him to the roboticizer." Julius commanded, "Hopefully he'll be more reliable once he's roboticized."

Bruiser's eyes went wide with terror.

"No, please!" He begged as he was dragged out of the throne room, "Anything but that! Give me another chance! I won't mess up again I swear! I'll do anything! ANYTHIIIIIIINNNNGGG!"

Scales walked by Bruiser as he was being escorted out, taking a quick glance at what he might call an 'example' of what happens to those who make too many dire mistakes.

After doing so, he then approached Julius with a bow.

"Sire, I wish to speak to you about something that may require attention." Said Scales. Julius motioned for him to stand back up, then said, "Very well. Proceed."

"Sire…" Scales began, "… Do you recall the 'prophecy' made by the Oracle of Delphius during the beginning of your father's reign of rule?"

Julius was silent for a moment, then simply responded, "Somewhat. Go on."

Scales took a deep breath, then continued.

"I think it may holds more truth than we had anticipated."

"And just why is that?"

Scales narrowed his eyes solemnly.

"Because I may have found one of Aleena's children…"

To be continued…

(1) For those of you who haven't read my other fic, Evil Never Dies, Lizaldians are basically an super advanced race of Mobian dinosaurs and reptiles.

(2) This is my best attempt at describing Sonia's outfit in the actual show. You know, the one she wears nearly the entire length of the series.

(3) Lolz, subtle innuendo.