Central Town: New Objective
Two ambulance trucks wailed their sirens into the midst of the forest as Knothole construction crews continued on a nearby bridge. Sonic stared into the sky even after realizing that Dr. Eggman had long gone. Sally went over to Zest, who was still breathing. Heavily, but breathing nonetheless.
Zest was badly burned and scarred from the blast and was forced to tear off his army jacket and undershirt. The wolf had two long trails of chest fur running down his abdomen and converted at his lower area. The shot had burned about half of it to ashes. He had just been adjusted to an ambulance cot by two paramedics with the letters KHS (Knothole Health Services) on the back of their coats.
"Zest, you're gonna make it, okay?" Sally said softly. Zest held out his furry right hand toward the princess. She held onto it.
"Shit…I'll be outta the clinic before you can howl my name, your highness…" Zest said and gave a low howl.
"But you took a shot in the heart, Z. Will you-" But Zest just hushed her as he pointed to the slightly conscious salamander on a separate cot, which was resting meters away from another ambulance. She looked over at the soldier than back at Zest to give him a kiss on the forehead.
"I'll never wash my face again…" With that, Zest slipped into a short-term coma. A paramedic told Princess Sally that they needed to take him back to the mainland now. Sally nodded and went over to Wail, who was talking to Sonic.
Wail was already having a conversation with Sonic as Sally came over, a large bandage wrapped around his head covering his compromised eye, "…So I guess she knew what she was talking about. The prince is still out there somewhere." Wail and Sonic looked up at Sally.
Sonic stood out of the stooped position he was in as Wail was taken to the back of the ambulance truck. "I'll be seein' ya, Princess! Stay high and mighty!"
"Get better soon, Wail!" Sal blew a kiss at the salamander just before the ambulance doors shut.
Sonic, getting more annoyed, crossed his arms, "So is Z, okay?"
Sally looked confused, "Why'd you say it like that?" The speed demon rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean. The screaming in terror as Zest got shot; the kiss on the forehead; Z!? He's your boyfriend, isn't he?"
Sally sighed, "You still haven't changed after five long years, have you? Still the same self-centered, pre-Madonna, jerk you always have been!"
"Is that a yes?"
Sally walked toward the totaled buggy and snagged a wallet in the turret seat, "So what? I got another guy while you were gone…It's not like me and Zest did anything serious like you and I did…Besides, now that you're back, we don't have to worry about Zest, will we? It was practically a one-way romance, anyway."
Sonic walked closer to her, "So you're saying that you're willing to break-up with a crushing fan-boy, just so you can get back with a person that you really and truly care about…Don't that sound familiar?"
Sally picked out pictures of Zest and herself together since Sonic was gone. Including a birthday party, a wedding and even a baby shower. But she never really seemed happy in any of them.
Sonic was beginning to get it as the ambulances pulled away. He walked up behind Sally, embracing her and closing his eyes as she closed hers. As they were about to kiss again, a loud beeping noise startled them. Sonic looked at Sally as she pulled a device out of he jacket pocket. It was light blue and had a few buttons with a small computer screen.
Sonic's eyes widened a bit, "Is that-?"
Sally nodded, "N.I.C.O.L.E. 2013. A lot more advanced than my former model. It now has Internet, Cell and a little something you might like…" She pressed a button and a slot in the back opened releasing a Chaos Café Chili Dog with Mustard and Shredded Cheese, "Chaos Café To-Go Application!"
"Aw, man!" Sonic complained as he took the Chili-Dog from Sally, "I hate Mustard, hate it! Do you know where they get mustard from? All I know is that…Hey, where'd the dog go?"
Sonic felt his mouth and found yellow spice all over his lips. Sally sighed as the beeping continued. She then pressed another button and a hologram suddenly appeared on the N.I.C.O.L.E. 2013's screen. It showed a preteen fox standing next to a Mech Walker - a bit like Dr. Eggman's - looking into his own communication device.
"Hey, Tails! How's it been, buddy!?" Sonic exclaimed.
Tails waved to Sonic, "Same old, nerd stuff, Sonic. You know how it is." Sally waved at the device.
"Wow Tails! Is it just me, or are you getting some baritone in your voice?" She asked.
"Hey, you'll have plenty of time to complement me on my manly voice once you get yourselves to the Downtown area. We've got a bit of a problem here."
"What kind of problem, big guy?" Sonic asked.
"All I know is that if you don't get here soon, I may need to use my little friend here." Tails said banging his right fist against the tall mech.
The transmission ended and Sonic dashed off. But Sally called out to him, "Hey, can I join you?"
Sonic ran back to Sally's position, "You and me on another adventure? After all this time? When legal disputes over land could be the least of our problems and the fate of Knothole's future depends on your safety?!" Sonic said dramatically.
Sally walked ahead of Sonic, switching her hips lightly, "Is grass green? Is water wet?"
Sonic sighed as he quickly followed, "I'll take that as a yes…"