Chapter 15: Knothole Knots in Old Friendships.
Knothole City. 2:30 pm.
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy managed to get Valkyr's cabin up and going before having to leave for something… seemingly important. Sonic wasn't wearing his spiffy suit and tie, but he DID bring it with, just in case. Tails and Amy wore something nice, but Sonic and Knuckles were the only ones who didn't wear their fancy clothes.
Tails: We're right above Knothole City.
Sonic: City? Did Sally do some renovating?
Tails: Yep. Turned the village into an entire city with its own defense grid. Best one on Mobius, aside from Metropolis.
Knuckles: It's gonna be great seeing Sally again.
Sonic: Y-yeah…
Amy: Sonic? You okay?
Sonic: … Is it that obvious?
Tails: Yeah, it is.
Sonic sighs.
Sonic: … I'm scared. You guys remember what happened the last time I saw Sally.
Amy: Time can change people, Sonic. You might be surprised.
Sonic: I hope so…
Tails: Coming in for landing.
Just as Tails was about to begin descent, a laser flew past the Tornado! Sonic and Knuckles held on tight.
Sonic: What the hell?! I thought we were supposed to be here!
Loudspeaker: Unidentified aircraft, you are trespassing in Acorn Kingdom territory, turn around and leave immediately!
Sonic: Tails, radio!
Tails tossed Sonic a radio, and the blue hedgehog tunes into the right channels… Or what he thought was the right ones.
Sonic: This is Sonic the Hedgehog, former Knothole Freedom Fighter, we're requesting permission to land!
Radio: Tune into channel 1998 for secure comms.
Sonic changes the channel on the radio, sighing.
Radio: Sonic the Hedgehog, do you still have your old passphrase?
Sonic: "Priority One Hedgehog alert!"
There was silence and Sonic cringed a bit. God, that line was so cheesy… Part of his past though.
Radio: Alright, defense turrets recognize you as friendly, you may begin your descent. Sorry about that, Sonic. Welcome back to Knothole.
Sonic: We're here to see Queen Sally Acorn, requesting permission to land at the Acorn Castle.
Radio: Stand by.
Sonic sighs, then looks at the others.
Sonic: Next time? Let's just fucking call Sally directly?
Knuckles: Can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Sonic.
Tails: It'll be fine you guys.
Radio: Permission granted. Proceed to landing pad 317.
Sonic: Copy. Tails, bring us down.
Tails: Roger that!
Tails begins the descent again, Knuckles and Sonic hold on as this happens. After about 5 minutes, the Tornado came down onto landing pad 317, made the landing strip, and then came to a stop. Plenty of engineers and pilots came out as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy hop off and out of the Tornado.
Sonic: Smooth landing as always, Tails!
Tails: Damn straight!
Sonic and Tails fist bump. Just then, a fox in a white suit and a cane walked up.
Fox: Sonic the Hedgehog, General Bouchard, Acorn Kingdom Defense Force, formerly Knothole Freedom Fighters.
Sonic: Nice to meet you, General.
Sonic and Bouchard shook hands. The man had plenty of medals, an air of charisma, was a Snow Fox, and was missing an eye.
Bouchard: Sorry for the inconvenience. We didn't think you would take up the queen's invitation.
Sonic: About that… Can we meet with her?
Bouchard: Of course, follow me.
Bouchard taps the floor with his cane, everyone stands to attention as Sonic and co. walk past. The Acorn Castle had undergone some SERIOUS changes. Just before they went further in, Bouchard hands everyone some ID cards.
Bouchard: IFF tags. You'll be able to enter and exit this place, so long as you carry them. Once activated properly, our sensors will pick them up.
Tails: Huh? But the Tornado still has its old IFF tags…
Bouchard: They're outdated, I'm afraid, Mr Prower.
Tails: Tails. Call me Tails.
Bouchard: Right. Sorry, Tails.
Tails gives Sonic a quick glance. One Sonic recognized instantly. Something was up, as even Sonic knew that the Tornado's IFF tags were up to date… That didn't matter much, as they continued through the castle, eventually coming to the dining room. Once there, they see Sally eating with her staff, and… A small child. Sonic gulps nervously…
Bouchard: Your majesty, they're here.
Sally: Thank you, General Bouchard. You may return to your duties.
Bouchard nods and walks out…
Sally: Everyone, I have to discuss a few things with Sonic and his friends in private please.
Sally's staff leave, and the much older Sally Acorn stood up… Then she smiled. Sonic gulps again.
Sonic: Uh… H-hey Sal–
Sally had run over and proceeded to give Sonic the tightest hug imaginable! She nearly knocked him on his ass!
Sally: Shut it and let this happen.
Sonic was about to say something, but then he just smiles, laughs and hugs back. He was expecting a slap in the face. Not THIS!
He won't object though.
Sally: Well, join in everyone! There's room for you all!
Tails, Amy and Knuckles join in soon after, and they all share a laugh of happiness before they finally let go of eachother.
Sally: How have you guys been? It's been nearly…
Tails: 20 years?
Sonic: Give or take, yeah.
Sally: I'm so glad you all could make it. Honestly, I was thinking you guys wouldn't.
Sonic: Why wouldn't we? You're one of our best friends, Sal.
Sally smiles… Then her expression turned fearful…
Sally: … Sonic uh… Can we talk alone later? It is about our… Last time seeing each other.
Sonic KNEW she was gonna say that, but was hoping she wouldn't.
Sonic: Y-yeah. Sure.
Sally: Don't worry, it's nothing bad. I promise. Anyways. You guys DID bring your formal wear, right?
Tails: They did, don't worry Sally.
Sally: … Comfort issue?
Sonic and Knuckles: Comfort issue. Jinx!
Sonic: You owe me a soda!
Knuckles: Son of a bitch!
Sally: Careful with that language, please. My son is in the room. And before you ask, no he isn't yours, Sonic.
OH THANK CHAOS! Sonic exhaled in relief, he already had a daughter on the way, he did NOT need a son.
Sally: That being said, Amy? Sonic? Congratulations in both regards.
Sonic: H-huh?
Sally: Getting married and the baby?
Amy: How did–
Sally: Your belly makes it obvious, that's not average body fat.
Amy: Touché.
Sally: Anyways… We have about 4 hours before the ball starts. Get comfy, mess around but… Don't get too messy? My staff work hard.
Sonic: That I can do.
Sally: Wait, really?
Sonic: Yeah, because if I don't, that piko piko hammer is gonna be sending my sorry butt into orbit.
Amy has her hammer appear and she smirks.
Amy: He isn't joking, Sally.
Sally goes pale and sweat drops as Amy did this, but then both laugh. Tails, Knuckles and Amy all leave the room to go see the rest of the castle and what it had to offer. Sonic smiles as they leave, but then he gets serious.
Sonic: … Why are we really here, Sally? You wouldn't just ask us here by letter if it wasn't important.
Sally: … Follow me. It's my son's nap time. I'll explain later.
Sonic: Okay. Just… Don't lie to me?
Sally: Why would I?
Sonic: … Touché.
Sonic walks with Sally, keeping his hands in his coat pockets as he goes with her. Plenty of people, guards, maids and butlers, as well as other people whispered about Sonic walking the halls. Sonic smiled a bit, but kept walking with Sally, watching her put her son to sleep. After, they exit the bedroom he had, and she sighs.
Sally: … Sonic… You aren't going to like what I have to say. You remember Charles?
Sonic: Uncle Chuck, yeah. How could I forget?
Sally looks down at the floor, and Sonic sees a tear fall from her face.
Sally: … He's on his last legs, Sonic. He'll pass any day now.
Sonic went wide eyed. The entire world had stopped moving the moment she had uttered those words. It felt like his heart had stopped… Then a familiar sensation washed over him. Anger. But not natural anger. His fur visibly darkens, but he gets a reign on his anger, then takes a deep breath. Once he calmed down, he looked at Sally.
Sonic: … Where is he now?
Sally: He's in the medical ward. I asked you guys to come because…
Sonic: … He wants to say his goodbyes.
Sonic tried his damndest to hide his sadness, but even with a stoic expression, Sally could hear the shakiness in his voice as he said that. Sonic sighs, finally letting a tear fall.
Sonic: … Take me to him?
Sally nodded, and she took his hand, leading him. He didn't know how, but he had a feeling Sally could identify he was upset and didn't want to do this alone.
Her taking his hand, even if they weren't romantically involved anymore, let him know there and then that she had gotten over what happened and was willing to be friends again. Something that made his mood drastically better as they went through the castle halls, took an elevator down, and entered the medical ward. It wasn't hard to find Sir Charles, as he was currently the only patient in the place. He was lying in a bed, hooked up to a IV machine, pale as all hell in terms of skin and fur, but the ONE thing that was still in shockingly good condition? The ever so glorious mustache he had.
Sonic couldn't help but smile at how well his uncle had managed to take care of that damn mustache. He said it looked goofy when he was younged, but now?
Now Sonic agreed with Chuck fully: that mustache was truly glorious, as was often the running joke with them. Because that damn thing even got roboticized!
Sonic: Go get the others for me?
Sally: Already on it. I'll leave you two be.
Sally exits, and Sonic walks up to the bed, taking a seat. Charles stirs from his sleep, his eyes having a black outline and heavy bags under them.
Charles: … Sonic? Is that you my boy…?
Sonic: It's me, Chuck.
Sonic gently took his uncle's hand, smiling softly at the old timer.
Charles: Ahh… Look at you… You're so big… And strong…
Sonic: Thanks to you and other people like you.
Charles: Thought you weren't too big on old clichés?
Sonic: Hey, just because I don't like that crap sometimes doesn't make it any less true.
Charles laughs, then coughs.
Charles: Ah… Don't make me laugh please…
Sonic: Sorry.
Charles: No no, it's not your fault, my boy. So. How have you been?
Sonic: Well, I've been great!
Charles: Tell me about it then.
Sonic froze. He didn't know what to say here…
Charles: Relax, I got the time my boy. Tell me about what went on.
Sonic: Well… In that case, I hope you have enough time.
Sonic sat next to the bed, telling Charles about what he had been up to. The fight with Perfect Chaos, meeting Shadow for the first time, his trip through time on Little Planet when he was younger, the time Eggman tried using a Time Eater, and even told Charles about the trip to the Starfall Islands. By the time he was done, Sonic was happy again, Charles was smiling the entire time as he laid there and listened.
Sonic: And then the End was destroyed by Sage in the Supreme Titan!
Charles smiles and claps softly.
Charles: Well done! Well done indeed, my boy!
Sonic: Heh. Yeah. I wish you had been there to see it all, Chuck. It was awesome.
Charles: I know Sonic.
Just then, Tails, Knuckles and Amy all returned with Sally. They all gave Chuck a somber smile. He smiles at them in return.
Charles: Been a good while since I last saw you all. My, how you have grown up…
Charles looks at Tails first.
Charles: Oh, Tails… How you grew into a fine young man. Genius inventor of Mobius. You're really something.
Tails: I don't think I would have made it far without your help, Charles.
Charles: Call me Chuck, Tails.
Tails: Okay, Chuck.
Charles: Good old Knuckles… How have you been, big guy?
Knuckles: I wish the circumstances were better, Chuck.
Charles laughs lightly.
Charles: Well, what can I say? If there's one thing that's common in the family, it's that we're stubborn to a fault!
Charles, Sonic and Knuckles laugh at that.
Charles: Ahh… Knuckles. Your father would be proud of you.
Knuckles: I know.
Charles: Last but not least, the ever lovely, bubbly Amy Rose.
Amy smiles as she sits next to Sonic, taking one of Charles's hands.
Charles: You better keep Sonic's ego in check, young missy. And keep your daughter's ego in check too.
Amy: I promise.
Charles smiles, and then he has a big coughing fit. He covers his mouth as he did this, and once finished, he gasps for air, relaxing in his bed after. He looks around the room, smiling, and then everyone carefully took a hand.
Charles: I'm proud of you all… I hope you know that.
Sonic was the first to start sobbing, tears already streaming down his face. Everyone else cried in silence as they held Charles's hands, watching him close his eyes with a smile.
Charles: See you all… On the other side…
With one last exhale, Charles flatlined. He was gone… Sonic was the first one to break down fully, as he rests his head on Chuck's body, sobbing his heart out. Amy stayed by him, whilst Tails, Knuckles and Sally left.
Loss wasn't new to Sonic. 4 years prior, his father, Jules, decided that he didn't want to live as a machine anymore, and died breathing genuine air, and surrounded by loved ones. That hit Sonic hard.
This was something different altogether, but not even Sonic could describe what it felt like.
Once he stopped crying, he and Amy walked out and left Sally's nurses and doctors to begin preparing Charles's body for the eventual funeral.
Sonic knew deep down, however, that Charles wouldn't want him to mourn the loss.
He would want Sonic to celebrate and remember the way he lived.
The following hour after, Sonic sat on a balcony overlooking Knothole, soda can in hand. He managed to finally get a grip on himself, but he still couldn't quite believe Charles was gone…
Sonic: … Hope you can see things from up there, Chuck…
He raises his soda can, then downs it, then tosses it into the garbage can inside.
Sally: Nice shot.
Sally walked out, leaning on the balcony railing.
Sally: Thought I'd find you out here. You okay?
Sonic: About as okay as I can be.
Sally: He had a good life, Sonic. Some rough spots here and there, but overall, he had a good life.
Sonic: Yeah… I know. I think I know why you asked us to bring the formal wear now.
Sally: It's strictly for his funeral in the next two days.
Sonic: Two days?
Sally: Yeah. It gives everyone time to process it.
Sonic: So… No ball?
Sally: Not quite, no. We're gonna throw a party for Chuck.
Sonic: … Count me in.
Sally: Wait, really?
Sonic: Yeah, he would want us to smile, not be downers. I'm gonna say a few things about him too, probably near the end. Probably near the start. Dunno yet.
Sally: Fair enough.
Sonic sighs and looks at Sally.
Sonic: So uh… How old is your kid?
Sally: Oh, Francis? He's 2.
Sonic: Damn. Who's the dad?
Sally: You uh… Let's just say he was some pompous prick who only got in my pants to try and take the throne.
Sonic: … And he left you with a kid?!
Sonic was angry at that. So much so that his fur darkened again.
Sally: Relax, he didn't get away scott free. He was in prison for a year.
Sonic relaxes a bit and takes a deep breath.
Sonic: Sorry…
Sally: Don't be. Now here's a question. Why did you fur darken just now, and when I told you Chuck was on his last legs…?
Sonic froze up. He was hoping beyond hope that she wouldn't notice…
Sonic: … It's… It's not a story for your average person.
Sally: I'm not your average person, blue blur.
Sonic: Trust me, this one is NOT a good one…
/I'm not crying, you are