Time Stands Still- A Sonic and Sally Archie Short
(This story takes place just after the events of 175-177. Enjoy...)
"Thanks Nicole, I just...need some time to myself for a bit." The Holo-Lynx hesitantly drifted away from the embrace as Sally brushed flecks of tears from her eyes. Her ears drooped to the side as she felt the wood grains of the entrance on her hands, turning to give her life-long friend one last somber gaze before leaving to tend to her new city.
A choked sigh left the chipmunk's lips, as she slumped into the manufactured bed before her. The red sheets and extravagant mattress was recreated perfectly, and yet... "Knothole's gone. All of it..." She caught herself speaking aloud and shook her head in disgust. She put on a brave face for Sonic and the rest, but there was still conflict boiling in her breast. The past year was a whirlwind of despair and drama, painful memories that would stick around for the foreseeable future. Words that she couldn't take back. Regrets that would remain entrenched in that anxious brain of hers.
"Knothole's in our hearts, Sal. I won't forget it...ever." The sudden voice echoing from the portal leading to the outside caused her to wrench her head around to see...him. The blue hedgehog that addressed Sally leaned against the wall with arms crossed, fixing her with that familiar wide grin of his. Yet, his eyes told a different story and that knitted brow caused her to tear up again, in spite of herself. He had a penchant for bringing that out...the true self she kept bottled up when assuming the mantle of leadership.
"Sonic... I know why you didn't tell me about Nicole's plan, but..." She turned her head downwards, bringing an arm up to her face to wipe it clean. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sonic inching toward her with his own hand outstretched. "All these nightmares went through my head all at once. My friends... My family... All lost to that horrible battery." The Egg Grapes had to have been the worst invention that Robotnik had made in recent memory, even more so than the dreaded Roboticizer.
"Sal, I'm sorry. Hey..." She felt his gloved hand under her chin as he raised it upward, allowing her to look into his emerald eyes. A familiar weakness overtook her, a distant memory of times gone by. It had been too long... "Look. We're safe now and that's what counts right? You can replace the buildings but the people...?" He motioned outside the window, as kids ran down the golden road that flowed down the center of New Mobotropolis, launching into an impromptu game of hopscotch led by the delighted Holo-Lynx. "Those are harder to get back."
"One little victory. Isn't that right, Sonic?" It was a phrase that she picked up from Julayla almost a lifetime ago. A saying that she found herself mentally channeling when things got tough, and during the fight with Robotnik, that was almost every single day. Grasping his hand, she held tightly in her own, almost painfully so. When she looking the mirror earlier, it almost felt like that year he was gone, presumed dead, never happened. They were to be betrothed, a power couple to beat all others.
"Yeah. That's right. Y'know..." He looked around the recreated castle bedroom and exhaled sharply. "I think your bed got a little bit bigger." She blushed at the comment, trying desperately to find the meaning behind his words! Sometimes he just said things without thinking; maybe this was one of them. "Nicole did a good job with the place. She even caught me by surprise, and that's saying something!" Oh my gosh, thank you for not elaborating further on that thought...
"Speaking of which..." Sally had some ammunition in her belt this time to fire back at the hedgehog. "A little Holo-Lynx told me that you really liked her new look, back when you were helping Shadow out with his memories." Now it was time for Sonic to blush, his tan features turning a beet red! He waved his arms frantically as he shut the door behind him. The chipmunk giggled at his clear embarrassment as she rose from the mattress she sat upon. She raised a single eyebrow and continued. "I don't know how I'm supposed to compete with an AI of all things. That's a new one!"
"Look Sal, I was just helping her with some 'body positivity'." A grin formed on her face as the excuses began to flow. "Especially since, well you know, she now has one!" That giggle turned into full blown laughter as he capped off his defense. Sally had to admit that Nicole really went all out with that audacious outfit of hers, and those little poms on her ears...?
"She's attractive, Sonic. Admit it. I won't judge." Sonic stared at her incredulously, and shook his head in response, making an "X" with his arms.
"No can do, Sal. She's too smart for me, and lest we forget." He leaned in for effect, with his eyes trained on the window leading to the outside world. "She's a computer. Duh."
The mirth that she was experiencing had dulled the pain she felt previously as she allowed her shoulder to fall, completely relaxed. Sally wouldn't readily admit it, but Sonic always had that effect on her. Even during her darkest moments, the fact that he always rose to the occasion despite all barriers... A pensive sigh escaped her, and the hedgehog turned to her expectantly, as if he knew what was coming next. "Sonic... I'm sorry for how I treated you. Back in Knothole."
A surprise embrace was the last thing she was expecting, and Sally Acorn stood there in shock, rooted to the spot. "When I saw you being ported away by Robotnik's beam, that was one of the worst feelings I had. Just a minute ago, we were celebrating Buns and Ant's wedding. Looking at each other like we used to." A tear streaked down his cheek, coming to rest on her arm and she leaned into him, returning the gesture. A moment of silence passed between them, as she gave him a peck on the cheek and he in turn rubbed the small of her back. She gave him a look that screamed, "I'm here Sonic. We all are. No regrets to be had here." He nodded and pressed his forehead against hers, and they shared a familiar handshake between them. Like old times. "The future's full of endless possibilities, Sal."
"I know Sonic... I know..." They pulled themselves in closer once more, as time stood still for what seemed like eternity.