Saving King Acorn
Note: This chapter was inspired by chapters 48 - 50 of Pinkie pie sweet's story Sonic and Eve the Hedgehogs: Freedom Fighters Continue.
(KC Undercover Theme Song)
(Ayla's POV)
*It's been two weeks since Tyler, Izzy, Jake & I finished our world tour. Today, me, Sonic, & Tails were back in our hometown, Knothole & once again, Tails, Rotor, & Uncle Chuck were working on the Star Posts. Helping them was Uncle Chuck's new robot assistant, Belle (a robot that looks like a marionette doll with orange hair in medium-long braids held up with green hair ties, blue eyes, tan skin with freckles on her cheeks, a pink round nose (akin to a clown nose), buck teeth, an orange thread with a tuft at the end for a tail, & wearing a pointy green cap, green overalls with yellow buttons & short puffy legs over a pink shirt with puffy shoulders & a white collar, white gloves, white socks with frills, & pink Mary Jane shoes with yellow buttons). He built her while I was in the Underground Zone. Shadow, Rouge, Omega, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Cream, Cheese, Cosmo, & the other Freedom Fighter groups were also there, as backup & to see the return of King Acorn*
Rotor: Just one more wire and . . . Done.
Uncle Chuck: Alright. Let's give 'em a whirl.
*Tails & Belle nodded & they all got behind the concrete wall. Rotor pressed a button on a remote & the posts started to spark. We all crossed our fingers. Then, a portal appeared in-between the poles*
Belle: Success!
Tails: We did it!
*Once the cheers & high-fives were done, Sally stood in front of all of us*
Sally: No, first of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to this important meeting. As you all know, for the past few years, we've been working on a way to save my Father, King Acorn, from the Void and keep him from turning to crystal. And now, thanks to the brilliance of Sir Charles, Rotor Walrus, and Tails, we have found a way. The Star Posts. And we have also found a way to heal my Father. *Cosmo handed her a briefcase* Thank you, Cosmo.
Cosmo: You're welcome, Princess.
*Sally opened the briefcase, revealing . . .*
Sally: The Chaos Emeralds. *the other Freedom Fighter leaders were awe of them. during my world tour, I had kept an eye out for them just for this moment* We figured, since they saved Cosmo, they can also save my Father. Since we have everything we need, it's time for us to begin this important mission. Which we will be calling, Operation Save the King. *she brought out her handheld computer* Nicole, can you bring out the plans for the mission.
Nicole: Yes Sally.
*A holographic image of the Void appeared*
Sally: The Void is also where the wizard known as Naugus lives. We don't know who he really is or what his motives are, so I advise approaching him with caution. Since Sonic, Ayla, and I have been there before, we will be going on this mission. But I would like four volunteers to come with us, just in case.
*Knuckles stepped forward*
Knuckles: I volunteer. As a treasure hunter, I have experience surviving in unexplored terrains. I believe I can be of some help.
*Ari stepped up next*
Ari: I'll go as well. I've spent time in the Void so I know my way around.
*Shadow stepped up next, which made my heart pound & my cheeks flush*
Shadow: If this Void is as strange and dangerous as you say, then you're going to need all the help you can get.
Sally: Excellent. Anybody else?
*Amy raised her hand*
Ayla: Are you sure, Amy?
Amy: Yep. You guys are going to need a lot of power for this mission.
Sally: Thank you, Amy. Tails, I need you, Rotor, Uncle Chuck, and Belle at the Star Posts to make sure they stay open. The rest of you will stay here at the controls and keep an eye on our progress.
Tails: You got it, Aunt Sally.
*I giggled. Despite how old he is, he still calls her that. Cosmo giggled as well, making Tails blush in embarrassment*
Sally: Again, I would like to thank you all for coming to this important mission. *she, me, Sonic, Knuckles, Ari, Amy, & Shadow each put on a backpack full of supplies we had prepared for this mission & stepped up to the portal* We'll be staying in touch through Nicole.
Sonic: Alright. Let's do it to it.
*With that said, I closed my eyes as we all stepped into the portal*
*When I opened my eyes, we were in the Void*
Shadow: So, this is the Void?
Sonic: Yep. Just as weird & creepy as I remember.
Ayla: No kidding.
*Sally oil out Nicole*
Sally: Tails, we're in. Close the portal. I'll call you when we're ready to leave.
Tails:*off-screen* On it, Aunt Sally.
*The portal closed behind us*
Sally: Alright. Let's move. We have to hurry and find my Father.
*We all started to make our way through the Void*
Ayla: And we should be extra careful if we run into Naugus.
Amy: Why do you say that?
Ayla: I don't know. There's just something about him I don't like. He just gives me the creeps.
Sonic: Yeah. The way he tricked us by pretending to be Sally's Dad was just plain creepy.
Knuckles: I was wondering. How did you guys get here the first time?
Sally: Naugus captured me and Bunnie so he could lure Sonic here and use his speed to escape the Void.
Ayla: But as soon he and Sally's Dad stepped into the real world, they both started to turn to crystal. Which meant they couldn't survive outside of this place.
Amy: How awful. *she turned to Ari* But why didn't you turn to crystal when you came out?
Ari: Probably because I hadn't been in here as long as the King and Naugus.
Sonic: And that's why we have the Chaos Emeralds. So we can use their power to save the King.
Sally: Right. But we still have to find him first. And let's hurry. I'd like to get out of here before you-know-who finds out what we're up to.
Ayla: Right.
(Third-Person POV)
*Meanwhile, back in the lab, everyone else was either at the controls or waiting for the team to contact them or come back*
Cream: Oh, I hope they're okay.
Cosmo: Me too.
Cheese: Chao-Chao.
*Rouge patted both of their heads*
Rouge: Don't worry, you two. I'm sure they're fine. Don't forget, they've got a whole squad of power-houses with them.
Antoine: Oui. Sonic, Ayla, and ze Princess are the most experienced fighters I have ever known.
Vector: And Knuckles can handle anything that comes his way.
Rouge: Not to mention they've got Shadow with them. And we all know how powerful he is.
Bunnie: That's right, darlin's. They'll be okay.
*That made the girls and Cheese feel a bit better*
Cream: Yes. You're all right.
Cheese: Chao-Chao.
Cosmo: We just have to have faith in them.
(Ayla's POV)
*We made our way through the Void until we found the Crystal version of Acorn Castle*
Amy: Wow! This place is beautiful.
Ayla: I know. And I bet Rouge would absolutely love this place.
*Knuckles smirked*
Knuckles: I can already picture her flying all over this place, going gaga-gaga over all the crystals.
*We all laughed. Shadow even smiled a bit, which made my heart pound*
Sally: Alright, enough fooling around. Let's go in, find my Father, and get out of here.
*We went into the castle & split up to cover more ground. We checked every room in the castle, but couldn't find the King or Naugus anywhere. We met up again in the foyer. All except Shadow*
Ayla: Any luck?
Amy: No. I couldn't find anything.
Knuckles: Same here.
Sonic: Ditto.
*Sally started to look scared*
Sally: I - If he's not here . . . Then . . . Could he . . .
*Sonic wrapped his arms around Sally*
Sonic: Hey, hey, hey. Sal, let's not jump to conclusions. Let's keep looking before we make any assumptions.
*She took a deep breath & calmed down*
Sally: You're right. Thank you, Sonic.
Sonic: That's what I'm here for.
*They hugged. I looked at Amy & saw that she was looking away*
Ayla:*whispering* I'm surprised you're not trying to stop this.
Amy:*whispering* She's upset. So I'm letting it slide this time. But that doesn't mean I'm letting her win that easily.
*I rolled my eyes*
Knuckles: Alright, alright. Can we save the hugs and kisses for later.
*Sonic & Sally blushed & let got of each other*
Sally: Y - You're right, Knuckles. We better keep moving.
Amy: If they're not here, maybe they're in a different part of the Castle.
*Suddenly, Shadow appeared in front of us, startling all of us*
Sonic: Geeze! Somebody ought to put a bell on you!
Shadow: The idea is to have the element of surprise. Anyway, I found something I think you'll find interesting, Princess.
*He took out a gold crown, making Sally gasp in shock*
Sally: My Father's crown! *she took it from him* Where did you find this?
Shadow: I'll show you. Follow me. *we all followed him to the West Wing of the Castle* It was on the floor in that room.
*He pointed to a half-open door*
Ari: That's the King's bedroom.
*Sally immediately bolted towards the door & threw it open*
Sally: Daddy!
*We went inside, to find the room completely ransacked. The bed, pillows, sheets, & curtains were ripped to shreds, half burnt books were all over the floor & all the windows were mostly broken*
Sonic: Whoa! Looks like a tornado went through here.
*I picked up one of the half-burnt books*
Ayla: A tornado with fire in it.
Knuckles: Who or what could have done this?
*Suddenly, we all heard a loud clanking sound*
Amy: Wh - What was that?
Shadow: I don't know. But something tells me that it's not good.
*Then we heard more clanking sounds that seemed to get louder & louder as it got closer to the room. We all got ready to fight as the sound got closer & closer. Just then, a knight wearing dark purple/red armor & holding a silver sword (look up "Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 36" on "Mobius Encyclopaedia") stepped into the room*
Knight: Who dares intrude upon Lord Naugus' castle!?
Ayla:*in her mind* Huh? That voice sounds familiar.
Knuckles: What is that!?
Sonic: Trouble, that's what! *he scooped up Amy & Sally. Shadow quickly scooped up me, making me blush* Let's juice!
*We all zoomed out of the room, Knuckles holding on to Sonic & Ari holding on to Shadow. We zoomed through the castle until we arrived at the crystal gardens outside the castle & hid behind a big crystal statue*
Ari: Who or what in the world was that?
Sonic: Probably another poor sap Robuttnik banished for ticking him off.
Amy: I guess this means we have two people to save.
Ayla: Or that thing is just an empty an suite of armor that Naugus enchanted to attack any intruders.
Sally: Either way, if we want answers, we'll have to capture that knight.
Amy: But how? That thing looks really powerful.
Knuckles: She's right. We need a plan.
*We all thought for a moment, until I got an idea*
Ayla: Guys! I think I got something.
Shadow: What?
Ayla: One of us will find the knight and lure it out here. Then, once it's out in the open, Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles can team-up and attack all at once. After all, there's no way it can take one the three most powerful fighters in all of Mobius all at once.
*Everyone thought for a moment & then smiled*
Sally: That's a good plan.
Sonic: I agree.
Knuckles: If it means I get to smash something, I'm in.
Amy: As long as I get to join the fight too.
Ayla: Don't worry. Once the boys finish softening it up, you can take a quick wack at it.
Amy: Yay!
*Shadow just smiled & nodded in approval, making my blush*
Ari: I agree it's a good plan, but who's going to be the one to lure the knight here?
Ayla: Easy. Me.
*Everyone looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears*
Knuckles: You? Why?
Ayla: One: because it was my idea. And two: *I summoned my Ring Blades* I'm the only one here with actual swords.
*Everyone seemed to agree with that. But Sonic still looked a little unsure*
Sonic: I don't know, Ayla. I mean, I only got you back a few weeks ago and you used a lot of energy when you fought against Dark Gaia. I . . . I just don't know if I can let you risk yourself like that again.
*He & I had both made a deal to keep what happened during the battle a secret. I smiled & stepped up to my brother*
Ayla: Hey, come on. I've dealt with a lost worse than a walking tin can. I can take care of myself. *he still wasn't convinced* Tell you what. I promise I won't fight it alone. I'll just get it's attention & lead it here. Then we'll all take it on together. *I held out my hand to him* Deal?
*Sonic hesitated. But then he smiled & shook my head*
Sonic: Deal.
Ayla: Alright. I'm off.
Sally: Ok. Be careful.
Ayla: You got it. *I ran into the castle & started searching for the knight. soon, I found it wanderings the halls, with it's sword out* Hey, tin can! Over here!
*It turned to me*
Knight: Surrender or else, intruder!
Ayla: Gotta catch me first!
*I ran through the castle, towards the garden, with the knight still behind me. Suddenly, Ari, Amy, Sonic, Shadow, & Knuckles attacked him all at once*
Sonic: Surprise!
*They knocked it back a bit before it got it's footing. I stood with them as we got ready to fight*
Knight: You all dare challenge me!?
Sonic: Anytime. Anyplace.
Knight: Fine. Challenge accepted.
*He charged at us while Sally watched from behind a pillar. I was evenly matched with him I fought him with my Ring Blades. Sonic hit him with spin dashes, Amy got him with her hammer, Ari & Knuckles threw punches at him, & Shadow used his Chaos Energy to weaken him. Then, with one final blast, he hit the knight in the chest with a burst of energy & he fell on his back, his helmet coming off as he hit the floor*
Knuckles: Alright. Let's see who you really are.
*When the knight turned to face us, our eyes went wide. The person under that helmet was actually King Acorn (a brown male squirrel with blue eyes), Sally's Dad*
Sally: D - DADDY!?
King Acorn: S - Sally? Is that you?
Sally: Daddy, what happened to you? Why are you wearing that armor? And why did you attack us?
*The King groaned & held his head*
King Acorn: I - I don't know. The last thing I remember, I was talking to Naugus. Then everything went black. But what are you all doing here?
Sonic: We're here to rescue you.
King Acorn: But you all know I can't leave the Void without turning into . . .
Ayla: Don't worry. We're already prepared for that. We're going to use the Chaos Emeralds to cure you.
*The King's eyes went wide*
King Acorn: You mean the legendary Chaos Emeralds? But how did you find them all?
Knuckles: It's a bit of a long story. But right now, we have to get out of here.
King Acorn: You're right. *he started to stand up* We should leave before -
*Suddenly, the King put his hands to his head & fell back to his knees, looking like he was in pain*
Sally: Daddy! What's wrong!?
*He looked at us, his blue eyes turning red*
King Acorn: S - Sally . . . All of you . . . R - Run!
*Suddenly, he picked his sword & started attacking us again*
Sally: Daddy! What are you doing!? Stop!
*I pushed her out of the way & blocked an attack with my Ring Blades*
Ayla: I don't think he can hear you, Sally! Or any of us! Something tells me right now, he only listens to one person.
?:*off-screen* You are correct, little hedgehog.
*Suddenly, Naugus appeared out of the shadows behind one of my ripped curtains*
Naugus: The King only answers to me now.
Sally: Naugus! What have you done this my Father!
Naugus: Simple. I used my magic to turn him into my puppet. And once I finally escape from this place, I'll use him as a figurehead. He'll sit on the throne while I rule the Kingdom! And once I get rid of all of you, there will be no one to stand in my way!
Ayla: I knew it! I knew there was something fishy about this guy!
Sonic: Why you sick, conniving . . .!
*He was about to do a spin dash, but Sally stopped him*
Sally: Sonic! Don't!
Ayla: She's right. We can't attack Naugus without attacking the King.
Naugus: That's right, little hedgehog. You've all played right into my hands! Now I have the power I need!
*Naugus singing*
Make way
I'm in charge
Your fate is looming large
It won't do you any good to flee
My concoctions never fail
So you'd better watch your tail
No, you wouldn't want to mess with me
When you think I'm on the brink of going under
I've a way of coming out on top
Oh my darling débutantes
*He made three crystals rise out of the ground around him. My face appeared in one of them & Sally & Amy's faces appeared in the other two*
I always get just want I want
*Three more crystals rose out of the ground around me, Sally, & Amy. His ugly face appeared in all of them*
And I want this mucky luck to stop
I'm the master of mystique
With a slender slim physique
I'm an idol in the sea of infamy
I admit I'm quite a catch
But I've never met my match
So you shouldn't test the best
'Cause you couldn't stand the stress
No, you wouldn't want to mess with me
Note: I had writer's block on this part.
*Then, with a wave of his hand, the King charged at us, his sword ready to attack. I blocked him with my Ring Blades & we started to clash with our weapons*
Ayla: I'll take care of the King! You guys get Naugus!
Knuckles: You got it!
*They all attacked Naugus at once, him blocking their attacks with his magic*
Naugus: You're all was to your efforts! The Kingdom of Acorn will be mine!
Sally: Not as long as I'm alive!
Naugus: That can be arranged!
*He sent a sharp crystal shard straight at her*
Sonic: Sally! *he zoomed towards her & got her out of the way. then he turned to Naugus with a glare* That does it, Naugy!
*He zoomed towards Naugus with a spin dash, but it was blocked by magic*
Sonic: None of you are a match for me! But if you surrender now, I just let you all live. As my slaves!
Ari: Not in a million years!
Naugus: So be it!
*He & the King continued to attack us. This went on for a while until Amy hit Naugus in the face with her hammer, sending him flying into a wall & knocking him out. Then the King fell unconscious as well*
Shadow: Now's our chance! Grab the King & let's get out of here!
Ari: Right!
*He scooped up the King into his arms & we all ran out of the castle. We were halfway to the rendezvous point when I heard a scream behind me. I looked & I saw Naugus flying towards us*
Ayla: Speed it up, guys! Tall, dark, and ugly is right behind us!
Sonic: You got it, sis!
*He & Shadow scooped all of us up & zoomed towards the spot*
Sally: Tails! Open the portal! And hurry!
Tails:*off-screen* On it, Aunt Sally!
*In a quick second, the portal opened in front of us & we all jumped through it, the King still in my brother's arms*
Sally: Now close it, quick!
*Tails pressed a button & the portal started to close. Suddenly, just it was about to close, one regular hand & one claw hand grabbed the edges of the portal & started to pry it open. Naugus' ugly face poked out, making us all scream*
Naugus: I am an all powerful sorcerer! You can't keep me in here!
*Most of our friends screamed at this. But Sonic & I just smirked. He put the King down & we up to Naugus*
Sonic: Sorry, Naugy. But I think one crazy maniac on Mobius is more than enough.
Ayla: So consider this your eviction notice.
*Then with one combined punch, we sent him back through the portal, as he screamed, & it closed. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Sally knelt down to her Father, who was already starting to turn to crystal*
Sally: Daddy . . . Daddy, can you hear me?
*He didn't wake up. Rotor pur two fingers to his neck*
Rotor: This is bad. His plus is weak.
Sally: Get the Emeralds out! Hurry!
*Knuckles opened the briefcase & held out the Emeralds to me, Sonic, & Shadow. We touched the Emeralds & turned into our super forms. Then we turned to the King*
Sonic, Shadow, & Ayla: Chaos Heal!
*The King started to glow gold. Then the crystal started to fade away. Soon, it was gone. Once the light died down, all the Emeralds fly away in different directions. Then the King started to stir & his eyes slowly opened*
King Acorn: S - Sally? Is that you?
Sally: Oh, Daddy!
*She & her Dad hugged each other, tears in their eyes. We all smiled, wiped away happy tears, as we watched this happy reunion.
*The next day, we took King Acorn to a hospital in Station Square. The doctors checked him out & told us that he would have to stay there for a few weeks to fully recover. Sally moved in with the Thorndyke family so she could be close to her Dad while he was recovering.
*A week later, everyone, friends & family, were gathered in the park for a small concert I had organized to welcome King Acorn home. Me, Tyler, Izzy, & Jake stood on stage. Sally sat next to her Dad in the front row, who was in a wheelchair & Sonic sat next to her*
Ayla: Thank you for coming, everyone. This song goes out to Sally's Dad, King Acorn, as well as all Father's with little girls. Welcome home, Your Highness.
*Tyler, Izzy, & Jake started to play. Then I sang*
*Ayla singing*
From pigtails to perfume
I'm growing up so soon
Going to parties
I love having my own room
Don't spend as much time at home now
There's so much to do
But I know, it's true
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
Out in the great big world
He's taught me what's right from wrong
I feel so strong
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
I fill up my diary
With all my dreams and hopes
The future keeps changing
Like a rainbow kaleidoscope
A special boy waits just for me, but
Even though he's nice
I know, inside I'll always be Daddy's Girl
Out in the great big world
He's taught me to believe in me
And I'll succeed
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
Soon I'm gonna be all on my own
I feel 10 feet tall
I'm not that little girl anymore
I can do it all
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
Out in the great big world
He's taught me what's right from wrong
I feel so strong
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
The greatest gift in the world
Is being Daddy's Girl
He's given me the perfect start
Right from the heart
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
I'll always be Daddy's Girl
Daddy's Girl
*Everyone cheered when I finished singing. In the audience, I saw Sally hugging her Dad. I smiled at them & looked up at the sky, thinking about my own Dad*
(Third-Person POV)
*Meanwhile, in the Void, Naugus was screaming in agony because his plans had failed & he was still trapped*
Naugus: No. No! NOOOOOOOOOO!
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