The Road We Take

(Theme song - Pokemon Journeys: The Series (Season 23) - English Dub Opening)

(Sonic's POV)

*It's been a week since we kicked the Iron Dominion's butt. Today, me & Tails were zooming through New Megaopolis, looking for Eggman & Snively. I was holding Nicole's handheld computer in my hand*

Tails: Sonic! Wait up! What's the big rush?

*I stopped when we arrived at the Eggdome, at the hole Bunnie & Mighty made during our last invasion*

Sonic: Nicole, start scanning on all channels or wavelengths or whatever it is you can do.

Nicole: Leave it to me.

Tails: Whew! I understand being cautious, *we went in through the opening* but the Iron Dominion was taken down almost a week ago. *we started walking down the hallway* And I know it's really suspicious that Dr. Robotnik and Snively have been missing since then, but you would think they would have attacked by now, right? *he put a hand on my shoulder* I'm worried that you're too preoccupied with this . . .

*I ruffled his hair*

Sonic: Don't worry about me, man. It's just that everyone else seems busy with something, so I don't want to be the only guy doing nothing, y'know? That, and I'm tired of all these surprise invasions lately. *to Nicole* Anything yet, Nicole?

Nicole: Negative.

Sonic: Yeah, Well, scan harder or something. We'll check a few hallways and then call it quits.

Tails: That's what you said yesterday. And the day before that, and the day before that . . .

(Abigail's POV)

*Today, me, Huck, & Sally were visiting Ken in the Dragon Kingdom. We were now standing on a cliff, overlooking Stormtop Village*

Monkey Khan: I've got a lot of rebuilding to do. I have to rebuild the people's trust in me as their new King. I have to maintain peace between the various Clans, and I have to make sure the Iron Queen stays locked up where she is. And then I need to look into that "other Khans" thing Espio mentioned.

Sally: You certainly have your plate full. But I have the utmost confidence you can do it.

Abigail: We both do.

Huck: Chao-Chao.

Monkey Khan: Oh, yeah? Why's that?

Sally: When we first met, you were a swaggering, overbearing hot-head. Today, you're a thoughtful, loving person who's learning to master his temper and has learned humility. You've grown up a lot since we first met.

Monkey Khan: We've grown a lot since we first met. You wouldn't even give me the time of day. But now . . .

Sally: Now . . .?

Monkey Khan: Ever since that day, I've always had feelings for you. But I can see now that your heart truly belongs to Sonic and only him. And now . . . . *he turned to me* I can feel feelings of affection for another growing as well.

Abigail: Wait . . . Ken . . . What are you . . .

*He took my hand & got down on one knee*

Monkey Khan: Abigail Catz, in the short time I've met you, you've shown to me that you are a strong warrior, with a kind and brave heart. These people need someone strong, compassionate, and capable. I've still got a lot to learn. They could benefit from a Queen of the Free People.

*My cheeks turned red & I turned to Sally, who looked as surprised as me. Huck was the most surprised out of all 3 of us*

Abigail: Ken . . . I . . . I'm sorry. I can't. I mean, I'm flattered, *I took my hand away from him & turned away* but I just can't. Because like Sally, my heart belongs to another man. And he feels the same way about me. So, again, I'm sorry.

*At first I thought Ken was going to fly into a jealous rage, but he surprised all 3 of us by standing up, taking a deep breath & clearing his throat*

Monkey Khan: I understand and I guess appreciate your being up front with me.

Abigail: Thank you, Ken. This means a lot to me.

*The 4 of us stood together on the cliff, enjoying the view*

Monkey Khan: But when either Sonic or this boyfriend of yours screw up, you know I'll be right here waiting.

Sally:*laughing* Stop it! *Huck & I giggled* We'll stay just a bit longer, but then we need to get back home and start rebuilding there.

(Sonic's POV)

*Tails, Nicole, & I were still searching through the Eggdome for any traces of Eggman*

Tails: Oh, come on, Sonic . . .? Running around like this won't find anything any faster!

*I screeched to a stop*

Sonic: I'm sorry, Tails. I thought for sure we'd find something this time.

Tails: It's okay, Sonic. It never hurts to . . .

BREEP! BREEP! BREEP! BREEP!

*That was the sound Nicole was making*

Sonic: Warn me before you do that!

Nicole: Sorry about that, Sonic. I am picking up something.

Tails: R - Really? Is it Eggman?

*We all took off down the hallway*

Nicole: I do not believe so. The signal is extremely weak. Turn left at the next junction.

Sonic: Right!

Nicole: No, left.

*I stopped in front of a door*

Sonic: No, I meant . . .

Nicole:*laughing* Just a bit of directional humor.

Sonic: Hardy - Har - Har. We'll make a Mobian out of you yet.

Tails: I think I can override the lock. I'll need Nicole to interface with it. *he connected Nicole to the door & typed on the keys. just then, the door opened* Got it!

*We entered a room filled with crates*

Sonic: Some kind of store room? Bor - ring

Tails: Somebody went to a lot of trouble encrypting the lock to such an out - of - the - way - room.

Sonic: Huh. Looks like a set up you or Rotor would use. Doesn't look Eggman's type, though - too subtle.

BREEP! BREEP!

*Nicole was going off again*

Tails: Sonic! I found the source of the signal!

*I picked up the crate Tails was pointing at*

Sonic: All right! Let's see what we've got in here!

Tails: Careful! *we opened & what we saw made our eyes go wide with surprise* Whoa, wait . . . Is that . . .!?

Sonic: It sure is.

(Abigail's POV)

*Sally, Huck, & I covered our eyes as we walked out of the Warp Ring connecting to the Dragon Kingdom*

Nicole: Welcome home, Sally. Abby. Huck.

Sally: Oof. Thanks, Nicole. I forgot it was day on this side of the world.

Nicole: I hope everything is going well in the Dragon Kingdom.

Abigail: So far, so good. We think they're in capable hands.

*Sally caught the Warp Ring as it shrunk*

Nicole: I do, too. It's nice to have a happy ending. Will you both be returning the Warp Ring to Knuckles now?

Sally: In a bit. But first, um, is Sonic . . .?

Sonic:*off-screen* Did somebody say my name?

*We both jumped as he zoomed in behind us*

Sally: It wasn't an invitation to spook us.

Sonic: As I ever needed on. How's Monkey Fuzz?

Abigail: Ken is doing fine. Thank you.

Sonic: Good. I wish him luck. He's gonna need it.

Nicole: Excuse me, Sonic? Has Tails . . .?

Sonic: He's over at the Science Center giving our new friend an emergency power boost.

Nicole: Very good. I'll see if I can lend a hand.

*She disappeared*

Sally: Wait. What? Who? *I looked just as confused* Care to explain what happened while we were away?

Sonic: Sure. But after lunch. I am one hungry hedgehog!

*He was about to zoom away, but Sally took his hands, stopping him*

Sally: How about we talk over lunch? My treat.

Sonic: Wh . . . Really? Sure "Monkey Ken" won't get jealous?

Sally: Relax, there's nothing to be jealous over. *she turned to me* Care to join us, Abby?

*I was about to accept her offer, but suddenly, Nicole reappeared*

Nicole: Oh, I almost forgot. Abby, you have a visitor.

Abigail: I do? *she motioned towards a patch of trees behind her & a familiar black & red hedgehog came out of the shadows* Shadow! *I ran into his open arms & hugged him* I've missed you!

Shadow: Same here. Listen, I'm sorry I wasn't able to help with the Iron Dominion. The Commander just kept piling on the missions, and the training, and then I had a mountain range of paperwork, and then . . .

*I put a finger to his lips, stopping him*

Abigail: It's okay. You were swamped, I understand.

*He smiled at me, tenderly*

Sonic: Long time, no see, Faker. What brings you here?

Shadow: Is it against the law to visit your girlfriend, who you haven't seen in almost three weeks.

Sonic: Anyway, Sal and I were just about to go get some lunch, who wanna come?

Shadow: Sorry, can't. Abby and I are going on our own lunch date. I got us reservations at a restaurant in Empire City. *he turned to me* That is . . . If that's okay with you.

Abigail: It's a date.

*I took Shadow by the arm & we walked in the opposite direction of Sonic & Sally*

(Third-Person POV)

*Sally looked back at Abigail as she walked away with Shadow, worried*

Sonic: What's wrong, Sal?

Sally: I don't know, Sonic. It's just . . . I just hate keeping secrets from my friends. Especially one who we've only known for a short time.

Sonic: Yeah, I don't like it either. But we promised Espio we wouldn't tell her.

(Flashback - Almost 1 week ago)

*The day after the defeat of the Iron Dominion, Espio called an emergency meeting of the Freedom Fighters, Monkey Khan, & the Chaotix at Freedom HQ. The only one not present was Abigail, by Espio's request*

Sonic: Alright Es, what's the emergency? And why couldn't we tell Abby about this meeting?

Espio: Because this meeting is about Abigail.

*Everyone looked at him in surprise & confusion*

Monkey Khan: What do you mean? What does this have to do with Abigail?

*Espio looked down, not sure how to put this*

Espio: The Bride of my Clan has given me a new mission along with the one I already had.

Sally: And that mission would be . . .?

Espio: To protect Abigail.

*That left everyone even more confused*

Sonic: Heh. No offense Es, but I don't know if you've noticed. Abby's pretty capable of protecting herself.

Antoine: Oui. She is possibly one of the strongest warriors I've ever met.

Sonic: I'm not surprised you would admit that after she beat you in, what was it, 8 sword fights in a row.

*Everyone chuckled as Antoine's face turned bright red*

Espio:*clearing his throat* That's not what I meant. *everyone stopped laughing & looked at him* I know Abigail is a strong fighter. But this isn't about any of that. This is about the power that stone around her neck gives her.

Tails: What do you mean?

Espio: After Mrs. Catz told us about the stone & the power it gives to whoever wears it, I knew I had to report it to the Bride of my Clan. After I did, she instructed me to keep an eye on her as well as keep her informed of any changes. After we defeated the Iron Dominion, I was summoned back to the Dragon Kingdom for an important meeting between my Clan and the Gossamer Clan. The Bride of Endless Reach told us the vision she had of Abigail and her pendant. In the end, they decided to appoint me as Abigail's bodyguard. And should our enemies learn of Abigail's powers, I must take her to the Dragon Kingdom to be placed under the protection of my clan. *everyone looked at Espio in shock & surprise* I was also instructed to keep this a secret from Abigail. And now, I am asking you all to do the same.

(Present Time)

Sally: I know we promised. But I still don't like it. Plus, I'm worried. What if Eggman really does find out about Abby's powers?

Sonic: Well, then we'll just have to be careful and make sure he doesn't. And if he does find out, we'll do whatever it takes to protect our friend. Right?

*Sally was quiet for a few minutes. Then she smiled*

Sally: Right.