Scratching the Box

by TheMaxx

Being able to think, but not being able to feel is a madding feeling. After temporarily switching bodies with Sally, Nicole cannot not stop thinking of the experience. Even years after that fateful day, she can not forget, she thinks but she cannot feel. Unable to control herself or her thoughts any-longer, she acts on ulterior motives.

7. Capricious Signs

Disclaimer - I do not own sonic or any other characters. They are property of SEGA and anything sonic the hedgehog affiliated with it.

A few days later New Mobotropolis was starting to get back into the swing of things. After the Halloween Festival a few days ago the citizens seemed to be rejuvenated. Refreshed after the city's force field shut down and their home was almost destroyed. The people went back to work, and the construction of the city went smoothly though the citizens continued to be ever aware of Nicole's missing presence in the city. She had always been a noticeable figure around the city, and now she was abruptly missing. They knew she was an AI and her holographic form was part of her persona, but she had been gone for almost three weeks now, and the citizens were starting to get antsy.

The government would not disclose what had happened three weeks ago when Eggman attacked the city, and people were starting to see the effects of Nicole being gone. Nicole built New Mobotropolis with nanites and she maintained the city; without her none of it would have been possible. She maintained it but now people were starting to see the nanites in the city acting up. Being that the city was made up of eighty percent nanites, including the many buildings and homes were people lived in; the nanites were starting to not function properly. Nicole had controlled the nanites directly but without her input, the nano machines that built up the city were starting to fall apart. Meaning that people's homes were starting to fall apart as well…

They rebuilt as best they could with real construction material in the meantime. Though the citizens hoped that she would return, and things would get back to normal but the hope was just a fleeting fear and desperation that things might get worse and Nicole might not be coming back…

At the K-College school grounds Sonic sat outside leaning back onto one of the many picnic like tables around the school grounds; sitting on the outside of it. The sun was high in the sky, and it was a warm temperature out. He glanced around watching the many students go from one building to another; his expression neutral.

Today Nicole was going back to Sierra and the other scientist. They had also been moving out of the castle today too. Now that the city was making progress at being rebuilt Nicole was also getting her own house; his house had also been rebuilt too. Sonic was waiting for Amy and Nicole; glancing around every now and then.

Sonic leaned forward looking around and minutes later Amy and Nicole showed up. Sonic smiled and got up from his seat as they approached.

Nicole greeted him with a smile "Hello Sonic."

"Hey Sonic." Amy said with a big smile on her face.

Sonic raised an eyebrow but smirked "Let's get going guys."

Amy and Nicole nodded in agreement and fell into step with him; they walked on each side of him. They walked for a minute in silence with Amy still being her usual flirty self and Nicole quietly content as she walked alongside him.

When they reached the main building Sonic noticed Nicole's face become nervous. They walked inside past the main desk, to the elevator, and rode it down to the bottom floor. Amy waited by the elevator while Sonic and Nicole walked down the white halls to Sierras new lab.

Nicole had not spoken much, and she had a frown on her face now. Nicole did not look at him as they walked and Sonic noticed as they stopped in front of Sierras lab.

She did not look at him as he spoke, instead she looked at the floor as Sonic spoke "Nicole…I know things are moving a bit fast for you…change is uncomfortable, but you'll thank us later…" Sonic said with a frown.

Nicole kept her frown as she finally looked at him "…I don't feel good…" she inched out

Sonic then smirked "You're nervous, but you'll be alright. Trust me." he grinned at her "You'll gain confidence and independence."

Nicole's frown turned into a weak smile as she began to reconsider things. If anything she figured it would make him happy, and it might also be good for her too as she could even see how uncomfortable she was; being more independent would make her grow…and she might even remember her past…

She also just liked making Sonic happy…

Nicole weakly smiled back at him "…I will go…"

Sonic nodded and Nicole nodded back at him with a smile, and she turned and knocked on the door to Sierra's new lab and they both heard faint voice say 'Come in!'

"I'll see you later Nicole." Sonic smiled as she opened the door and stepped inside.

Sierra and the other scientist looked up from what they were doing and looked towards the door; Sierra smiled and waved at Sonic "Good afternoon Sonic! Please come in Nicole, we've been waiting for you."

Sonic waved back at Sierra and Nicole glanced back at Sonic still smiling "Yes, later Sonic." Nicole then closed the door behind herself and disappeared behind it.

Sonic shook his head with a grin; he was starting to get attached. Then he walked back down the white halls to the elevator with Amy waiting…smiling...

Once he got close she pressed the up button, and as they waited for the elevator, Amy sparked a conversation; she glanced over at him as they stood facing the elevator doors "So what are doing today Sonic?" Amy's voice was questioning.

Sonic looked at her suspiciously "I've got to help some citizens with...stuff…"

"Oh…." she paused "…I thought we could go for a walk today. It's warm out." Amy scooted closer to Sonic.

"Well I wish I could Amy, but I'm gonna be busy today with work around the city…" Sonic said still looking suspicious.

"You bet you are." Amy giggled looking away from him.

"Okay Amy what's the deal?" Sonic asked confused by the way she was talking.

Amy held a gentle smile, her voice was as clam as water; stared at the elevator doors "I saw your schedule Sonic. You're off today."

Sonic went wide eyed and smacked his forehead. The doors to the elevator opened, and Amy locked arms with Sonic "Let's go." Amy said just as calm as before, dragging him in with a huge grin; Sonic groaned as the elevator doors closed.

Back in the New Mobotropolis control room Rotor sat at his desk as Tails walked around the room telling the trainees what to do. But as Tails and Rotor knew it wouldn't be long before Eggman took control of the city. Rotor sighed deeply and stood from his chair.

"Tails I'm gonna take my break now; tell me if anything goes wrong." he said with a frown.

Tails nodded with a determined face "Sure thing Rotor." he returned talking to a trainee.

Rotor turned around and walked into his makeshift bedroom right behind his desk though his heart beat fast as he entered his room. He had not told anyone yet about the files on the DVDs...about the future...

Over the last few days Rotor had watched over forty DVDs. Closing the door behind himself, he quickly walked to his personal computer and turned it on. He popped open the DVD tray to see disc forty-six was in the drive. He carefully took the disc out and placed in its place disc forty-seven and closed the drive. As he waited he thought of the main reason he was so desperate to watch these discs. One, Nicole said it would help them, and to that effect, it was supposedly finding him a way to escape the problem he was in; being the maintenance of New Mobotropolis.

The people that he and Tails had gathered were nowhere near enough skilled to help. Not to mention they would need ten times more people to maintain the city at all times. It was too much and Rotor hoped that there was more on these DVDs except Nicole's recorded memory. He seriously doubted that he would find anything to help him, but anything was better than nothing. Rotor watched as the DVD started to play he froze, paused it, and lowered the volume of his speakers. He went over to his door and made sure it was locked; it was secure. And he went back to his seat and pressed the play button...

(The computer screen)

This particular day was Nicole's one thousand and ninety-fifth day of operation. Roughly three years from what Rotor had seen from the day she was created; there was a time stamp on the bottom right of the screen counting and recording. And Nicole had changed her creator's life tremendously; to trumping every OS in the world of her time to earning the respect of everyone around him. People had even tried to use Nicole, but Nicole did not respond to anyone but her Creator. But this day Nicole asked the questions...

Nicole watched as her Creator walked busily around his lab. Nicole then scanned him and Nicole's Creator noticed, and he stopped what he was doing "Did you just scan me Nicole?" he said with a curious face.

"Yes creator." Nicole stated simply.

"You don't have to call me that. You can call me by my real name." Nicole's Creator said with a smile.

"It is the most appropriate name since I came to be because of you creator." Nicole said in her usual neutral tone.

"But what I am saying is that you don't have to Nicole. I think we have grown close enough not to use formalities." Nicole's Creator said with a thoughtful face.

"I wish to creator." Nicole responded.

Nicole's Creator looked a bit surprised "You wish to?"

"Yes." Nicole stated.

Nicole's creator paused; it looked like he was pondering from what Rotor could see. Then he went back to what he was doing and finished it. Then he walked back over to Nicole "Why did you scan me Nicole?" he asked with a curious face.

"I wish to understand how the world outside works." Nicole responded to him.

Once Nicole's Creator had somewhat understood what Nicole had said, and he genuinely laughed "You want to know how the world works?" he chuckled.

"I understand how my world works. I do not understand your world." Nicole said in a neutral tone.

Nicole's creator then understood her question and began to explain; he paced the floor not looking at Nicole "I understand now Nicole...well the first thing you should know is that we organic beings live in a very advanced time for ourselves. If this had been any other time in our history it would not be possible to create you for two reasons." Nicole's Creator stopped for second and looked at her "The first reason being, the technology is now available to create such a thing."

"I am a thing..." Nicole said interrupting; Nicole's Creator looked confused as she responded a moment later "…the definition of 'thing' contradicts with...me...I am not an inanimate object..." Nicole responded.

Nicole's Creator nodded "And you are right Nicole. But the second reason is organic beings have evolved pass our previous capacity. In this time period we are all for a lack of better words...evolved..." Nicole's Creator said with a somber face.

"All organic's were not evolved?" Nicole asked him.

Nicole's creator laughed again "Oh no, far from it. In fact, all we did was destroy each other; genetic evolution has also made us much more intelligent. We do not destroy each other anymore as much..."

"Organic beings do not fight?" Nicole asked him.

"Oh we fight, just not as destructively. We have not had a war for at least four to five hundred years. Society has changed much too. In the past some people were very greedy and took money all for themselves. As a result people suffered for a long time." Nicole's Creator said with a smirk.

Then Nicole beeped "Records show there was enough currency to supply all organics...why do organics use trade to do what other organics cannot do? Then harm each other if not?" Nicole asked him in a neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator smiled "We organics comply with each other by collective agreements."

"Laws?" Nicole responded.

"A good example Nicole. Laws, like many of our other collective agreements, are not an actual thing, they do not exist. Laws are just agreements made with other organic beings that are the most logical and most advantageous route for organics and all things around them. One of the great evolutions of our society was the organics ourselves. We organics in the past only lived seventy to one-hundred years tops."

"I do not wish you to disappear so quickly creator..." Nicole responded.

Nicole's Creator chuckled "Nothing to fret about Nicole. People now live for up to three hundred to three hundred seventy years. Our life span has extended enough to the point where..."

Nicole's Creator paused looking at Nicole with a serious face "…you can be created. If I only had one hundred years to live you would cease to be, never conceived. Genetic evolution has made all organics advanced. The defeat of Eggman in the year two thousand three hundred fifty by Sonic was also another reason why organic beings still exist to this day. A hefty six thousand years has passed since, and our society still grows."

"Do organic beings of this time still steal wealth from others?" Nicole asked him.

"No. In our new society structure we give people money. Everyone has enough money. Everyone one is equal so we all grow together." Nicole's Creator stated.

"There are no anomalies?" Nicole asked him.

"There are people who waste their wealth but there is a way where they can be given their wealth back. But for..." Nicole's Creator started.

Nicole cut him off "For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction."

Nicole's creator blinked and nodded "As always Nicole you are correct. Some organics won't conform. Which is ludicrous in my opinion compared to the horrible living conditions of the past where one individual would horde all the wealth and everyone suffered because of it."

"In an economy currency must flow freely for the economy to sustain itself. " Nicole said as a statement "When the organics in the past held onto all the wealth the economy suffered, correct?" Nicole asked him.

"Correct Nicole." Nicole's Creator stated with a curious face.

Then from What Rotor could hear he heard Nicole's hard drive writing data "New folder created. Creators Teachings...adding notes from our conversation to analyze." she stated.

"Sometimes Nicole you are still so innocent." Nicole's Creator said smiling at her.

"I do not understand." Nicole responded to him in a neutral tone.

As the video began to fade all Rotor could see was Nicole's Creator rubbing his chin with a smile on his face…

(In Rotors room)

Rotor leaned back in his chair, letting sink in what he just saw; but one thing escaped him. If the future was so great why was it so horrible now? Why was Eggman not defeated? Why was Nicole, the most advanced computer in her time sent to the Freedom Fighters time? Rotor exited full-screen mode to look at the time; six-fifty pm. He still had forty minutes on his break, so he reached to grab DVD forty-seven and place it back in the pile on his desk. He was about to put in DVD forty-eight but stopped short getting an idea…

He then spun around in his black leather chair and got up from his seat to search many piles of Nicole's DVD's around his room; the three hundred and twenty DVD scattered around his room in piles. Rotor didn't know what was going to happen in the next few days so he figured he had better speed things up and try to find whatever it was Nicole said would help them…

So he got up and shifted through the DVDs looking for DVDs one-hundred through one-hundred five. He decided to watch those instead on his second break as his first one was about to end. It was a large jump from forty to one hundred, but he knew he had to move faster…

Later in the day, back at the K-College school building, Nicole stepped out of the elevator onto the main floor once again. The elevator door closed behind her and she fumbled with the few papers she carried and the key to her new house; there was slight worry on her face on her face as she walked towards the exit doors to her left.

All the courses she learned today…she had nearly mastered…

Which shocked the scientists...they didn't believe it…they believed such a feat to be impossible…

They were in shock in disbelief that she had learned advanced math, English, and other subjects and retained the subject's information all in one day. They had went over what she learned in a review, and she recited everything nearly perfectly…

They told her they needed to run extensive tests on her tomorrow. She would also be moving onto to real-life practical things like computers and see what her interests were so they could gauge more from her….

But as she walked out of the exit of the K-College building she kept her worried expression on her face. She looked up to the sky to see the sun starting to get low as a few students walked past her to the doors of the school. They hadn't told her that when she left her session today they she was supposed to go home alone…

They gave her a map which she was easily able to decipher but the action of doing it alone is what she feared. She couldn't remember the last time she did something all by herself because she couldn't remember anything...

But as she looked around at all the strangers around her the frown on her face was replaced by an idea as her eyes lit up…she remembered that she had done something alone…she had went and got Sonic's bed not long ago...

Then Nicole smiled as she began walking down the path that lead to the streets. Sonic was going to meet her at her new home. Because Sonic was the only one with no real responsibilities, he was the only one who had the most time to help her.

Learning English had boosted Nicole's comprehension of the things around her, and she felt a lot more confident. She hoped it would help her fit in around people more because she still felt a strange sense that she didn't belong. She also fully comprehended why Sonic was always around to help her now; basically because he had nothing else to do.

And she was glad he didn't have anything to do…now that she understood words better she knew that she had a 'like' for Sonic…

Though she knew she still didn't have a full grasp on the understanding of everything yet; though she felt she made progress today. Nicole was so caught up in her thoughts and musings she snapped back into reality as she reached the street sidewalk. A few students walked past her as she looked up at the setting sun in the force field dome of the city. The dome of the city was flickering a bit…

Nicole held a curious face as she didn't know what it that meant so she dismissed it for the moment. She then looked down and unraveled the map they had given her. Her face became determined as she read over the map and looked around herself. She re-read the directions a few times then folded the papers and placed it with the others she carried. She kept her determined face as she crossed her first street and began to hopefully go in the right direction of her house…

She looked forward to seeing Sonic…

Back in Rotor's room he found DVDs one-hundred through one-hundred five just as his first break ended. Though in his search, he found another DVD that was not labeled with numbers; it was labeled OOS, and Rotor gained hoped it was what he thought it was. Hoping it was the thing Nicole had said that would help them; he placed the stack of DVD's on his desk. It was now later in the day and he re-entered his room for his second break and immediately walked back over to his computer and inserted DVD one hundred into his drive. He switched to full-screen and watched closely; he didn't have much time for his second break….

(The Computer screen)

Nicole's Creator looked directly at Nicole; the computer screen; as he spoke; he smiled "Yes Nicole?"

"How old are you now creator?" Nicole asked him.

Nicole's Creator smiled as he stretched "I am three-hundred." he stated.

There was a short pause before Nicole spoke again, and Rotor noticed that Nicole's Creator looked much older after he made the large jump in DVDs; he even had some gray hair "…You will disappear creator?" Nicole asked him in a neutral tone.

"In a sense yes Nicole...I won't be here anymore..." Nicole's Creator said with a smile.

"Is it possible to organic body's life?" Nicole asked him.

Nicole's Creator smirked weakly at her slowly shaking his head "No..."

"I see…" Nicole responded a moment later.

Nicole's Creator rubbed his chin "But we are going to try something today. It is possible that you could scan my energy signal or I should say the electrical force that makes my body and all organic life move. The soul…" he paused as he stared at the computer screen "You could identify it. Because as we've already discussed many times. Everything is energy; even you Nicole." Nicole's Creator said with a smile.

Nicole's Creator "After we discovered that you have the same electrical force around your hardware as organics Nicole, I believe this will work. I want to thank you for all your help in creating this x-ray Nicole. I couldn't have done it without you." he smiled at her.

"You are welcome creator." Nicole said with her usual neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator nodded, and his expression became serious "Nicole activate the new high density x-ray!"

Nicole executed the program; letters began to fill her screen "Initiating." she stated.

Nicole then shot out a green laser beam from the screen. The green laser stayed on Nicole's creator while Nicole gave him the readouts "Energy signal detected from creator...loading...detecting creators mass...saving energy waves given off by creators body." the green laser stopped "Program complete." Nicole stated.

Nicole's Creator nodded still looking serious "Now to test this. I have brought a few test subjects." Nicole's Creator walked off screen and a buzz was heard off screen. Then not long after he brought three people in front of Nicole. Rotor did not recognize them and figured they were just volunteers for Nicole's Creator experiment; it seemed they didn't know what the experiment was exactly about either. When asked about it Nicole's Creator simply told them he was testing an experimental laser that would help in the medical field. They didn't question much as the three people stood in front of Nicole's screen.

Nicole's Creator stepped aside and looked at Nicole "Nicole begin the scan."

The people looked confused as who he was talking to but remained quiet the green laser beam shot from the Nicole's screen and scanned the three people. In a minutes time Nicole had scanned them and saved the results as Nicole's Creator escorted the test subjects out of the room. When he returned he stood back into front of Nicole.

"Did any match? Nicole's Creator asked her with excitement on his face

Nicole responded moments later "…Synching with creator's results. Negative...Negative...Negative All three subjects do not match creators energy."

"Scan me again Nicole." he said with as the excitement of his face became serious again; Nicole did so and he waited for the results…

Nicole responded moments later "Energy signal detected from creator...positive from saved results."

Nicole's creator sighed in relief; he went over to a chair and sat down "I had planned to put you in trusted hands when I passed…"

"Creator? Is it true that others would not have the best intentions for me?" Nicole asked him.

Nicole's Creator looked over at her and nodded with a frown on his face "Yes Nicole. I would never let anything happen to you but some people might even go as far to destroy you."

"Then the high density x-ray would keep the only person who would never truly harm me; you. It is the most rational course of action." Nicole stated.

Nicole's Creator paused and he smirked at her "This is your idea Nicole. If you insist on keeping me around I will comply." he chuckled "Though sometimes you have to let things go Nicole…"

"I do not wish for you to go creator…" Nicole responded in a neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator smiled "I'll be here for as long as I can Nicole Now!" he got up from his seat "Let's begin on our next project. A portable version of you."

"I am ready creator." Nicole responded as the screen faded….

(In Rotors room)

With an intrigued face, Rotor quickly pulled out disc one hundred and placed in DVD one hundred three; skipping over one. The drive whirred up as Rotor waited patiently...

(The Computer screen)

In Nicole's Creator's lab, Nicole's Creator had a table sitting in front of Nicole. From outside the windows in the lab it seemed to be a cloudy day but every now and then sunlight would flush through the windows behind Nicole's Creator. He was sitting at the table working on something. On the left side of the table there were things pushed to the side, it looked like blueprints and a purple colored motherboard. It looked just like Nicole's…and Rotor quickly realized it was Nicole's! It was probably the first designs of her portable form the Freedom Fighters knew her by. On the right of the table where Nicole's Creator sat in front of an opened laptop, and he scribbled on a notebook on the table next to it.

Nicole spoke sometime later in the DVD "Am I a female creator?" she asked out of the clear blue.

Nicole's Creator looked up at her with confusion "Well technically you are neither. Are you asking because of your feminine voice emulation?"

"Yes. I have went to my System files and found the voice imaging software used to create my voice, and it was labeled . I searched for the definition of female and have come to this conclusion." Nicole stated.

Nicole's Creator closed his laptop "When you first emerged Nicole your voice was not set as the default female voice. It was a male voice but your systems glitched, and I decided to just let your voice just stay female."

Nicole's Creator stared at the screen for a minute before Nicole spoke again "…I am a female." Nicole stated in a deciding tone.

Nicole's Creator chuckled "You never cease to surprise me Nicole."

"Creator? As I understand you are dying because your body has been alive for a lone period of time, and organic bodies expire after a certain period of time. Maybe creator should take time off extend creators body..."

Nicole's Creator held a sympathetic face and cut her off "Oh Nicole, my death is inevitable. Besides we organics have all the free time we desire. We only work for ten to twenty years, and then we have enough money to retire; but we still have to work to maintain things. But you see Nicole, as organic beings we like change. Most people after their years of work take time off then they become bored. But no one works full time anymore. It's inefficient. Some people never work again, but most people get bored then go find something they like to do. They are never stressed, and they do things they are passionate about and do great things. Like me creating you...it is because I wanted to..."he then smiled "So With the high density x-ray we've made I won't be going anywhere provided you find me again."

"Yes, that is the only anomaly that is unavoidable." Nicole responded.

Nicole's Creator reopened his laptop "Nicole, could you print me the mind map for the councilman Jacobs. These mind maps are becoming even more popular as the years go by..."

Nicole's Creator got up from his seat and walked over to a table not far away from Nicole; there were printers on the table "Fifty years ago I would have said this would never took off. The copied data from an organic brain put it into a robot...I admit it sounds interesting, but it's just not practical..."he said with a frown.

Nicole's Creator picked up the papers that began printing out of the printer; he spoke aloud "The data in the robot will act as the organic being temporarily. But eventually it behaves less and less as the organic over time and eventually gets stuck in a loop; this mind simulation technology is of only temporary use. You know Nicole…" he looked up from his papers and glanced over the Nicole; the computer screen "The only reason organics explore and continue to explore this technology is because many people fear death. Hopefully, it will also fade into a fad of temporary use. They are only advertised everywhere." Nicole's Creator said sarcastically.

"Yes they are advertised frequently creator." Nicole responded in a neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator paused after her statement, and he smirked "Nicole...I don't know how…but somehow I think you have grown..."he smiled then looked back down at his papers "One more thing Nicole." he walked over to her computer screen, picked up a flash drive off the table in front of her, then inserted it her usb port "Take this data about your motherboard. Since we have discovered you have the same electrical force around your hardware, like an organic body it is self-sustaining. You do not require an external source of power, and I believe I cannot call you AI but AL…." Nicole's Creator said walking back over to read the papers Nicole had printed out.

"Download completed creator." Nicole said a moment later as the screen faded…

(In Rotors room)

Rotor looked at the time on the bottom right of his screen; eight p.m. He switched out DVD one hundred three for one hundred five skipping over another DVD. He doubled clicked opening full-screen mode...

(The computer screen)

It was Nicole's Creator lab again, but it was gray in the room. There were many men in Nicole's Creator's lab moving things out of it. This time though Nicole was at a different angle. It was dark, gray, and raining outside of a window on the corner of the screen. From what Rotor could see she sat on a table, Nicole's Creator must have finished her portable design, and on the corner of the screen were wires heading leading up and out of view; Nicole was probably still hooked up. This went on for a long time until a man stood in front of Nicole; a male lion; he was wearing a fancy brown suit and glasses.

The man looked down at the screen curiously; he then typed some things on the keyboard that lay in front of Nicole, but it gave him no response "Umm...is Nicole there?" the man asked her with a confused face.

"Yes, I am Nicole." Nicole responded.

The man jumped in surprise and adjusted his glasses "Oh...yes. I am sorry about Bernard passing Miss Nicole. As requested by Bernard you will be moved to the World Museum and begin your project of finding Bernard...I mean finding your creator again. Again, the world owes you and Bernard a great debt. We of the World Museum have agreed with Bernard to do whatever you say. You will be heavily guarded twenty-four hours a day. Once you have been moved you can begin your project as soon as you please. Is that alright Miss Nicole?" the man asked her with a curious face.

"Yes." Nicole stated simply.

The male lion looked a bit confused but he straightened his tie and stood upright "Alrighty then. In a few minutes we will have some technicians here to move you. Is that also ok Miss Nicole?" the man asked her.

"Yes." Nicole said again in her usual neutral tone.

Then the man thanked Nicole and went on his way. Rotor felt the mood of the video was melancholy even though he knew Nicole remained neutral of her creators passing because she couldn't feel in her computer form. Nicole watched as the men as they removed the remainder of her creator's belongings out of his lab. Once they were done they stood by the door until two women in lab coats came in and unhooked her; they carefully took her out of the apartment in a translucent container. Rotor was a bit upset by this because it was hard to see what the outside of the future looked like. The two technicians walked out of the room and locked the door with the large men behind them; they must have been bodyguards.

It looked like an apartment building. Rotor was glad to know that the people in the future were still piratical. Why would such advanced people build their homes in the sky? That would be ludicrous! They left the hallway, caught an elevator, and exited the building. There was ground! But it was blurry as they walked to a hovering vehicle as they walked outside. It looked to be a busy city as many people walked around them but seemed to ignore the people holding Nicole. Once they got into the vehicle the screen faded…

(In Rotors room)

Rotor's break was over but he ignored the time and put in the last DVD; the strange DVD labeled OOS. The drive spun, and he waited with an intrigued face then the drive stopped. Rotor cocked an eyebrow as he went to My Computer. Drive E read DVD-ISO, and Rotor felt his heart jump…that meant there were files on this disc...

He quickly right clicked and opened it to find...to find...Rotor squeezed the leather on his seat as he waited for the DVD to load...his eyes widened…

And it was a directory folder that was labeled OOS. Rotor opened that folder to find many files! They were operating system files! Rotor's were wide in shock for a moment; he to get back to work. So he opened the disc tray and took the DVD out and placed it on top of his computer. He did not say a word as he got up and left his room for his final shift. He did his best to hide his surprised face…

Meanwhile on the east side of town Nicole shivered a bit as looked at what seemed to be her house across the street. It was dark out now, and the street lights had come on and there were not many people out; she had guessed it shouldn't have have taken an hour to walk three blocks. The concrete felt cold on her feet as she crossed the street. She pulled out her map again and read it for the sixth time, looking at what she thought was her house.

She walked down the sidewalk past two other houses, and stood in front of it; there was a white fence surrounding the house. Nicole did not move to the house though because the lights were on.

She wondered why would the lights be on and if there someone in her house; she began to feel a bad feeling in her gut, and a frown came over her face. Had she read the directions wrong? This area she was in looked familiar, and she could not believe she had messed this simple task up. She stared blankly at this house in front thinking of what to do next when she heard someone call her name.

"Yo Nicole? What are you doing?" an enthusiastic voice said just to her left.

Nicole blinked in surprise whirling her head to her left in confusion. Sonic sat on the stairs of a beige colored house grinning at her. Nicole instantly smiled and quietly walked over to the house next door.

At the house she just left staring at, a male and female dog peered through their blinds, watching the strange girl go next door.

Nicole smiled as she approached him "This must be my house." she said looking up at it with intrigue.

Sonic looked impressed after Nicole spoke; he hadn't expected Nicole to able to talk so fluently yet, and it surprised him "Sounds like you got words down, your speech is like almost flawless now; that's amazing!"

Nicole smiled, and she looked a little embarrassed "You weren't worried I would get lost?" she asked putting her papers under her arm.

"Nope. I knew you'd do fine. How was your day?" Sonic asked but in truth Sonic wasn't she how she'd do but he knew it would boost her confidence.

And it did; she smiled proudly "Thank you." she said nodding her head "Everything is fine. I walked home after I left Sierra, and I have accomplished my task."

Sonic stood grinning at her "No prob. Did anyone bother you on your way back?" he asked her curiously.

Nicole shook her head still smiling "I encountered no strangers."

Sonic smirked feeling a bit of relief; he was glad that no one recognized her. They were still hiding the truth of what happened to Nicole from the people. And they knew it was risky for Nicole to be walking around alone because she looked like Nicole…because it was her…

But he was at least glad to know she was not noticed yet; he also noticed how she was starting to talk like her old self too. Sonic turned around and looked back at her "Great, now let's cook you something and get you settled in. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow so I need to get home soon."

Nicole nodded walked up the small stone steps to use the key that was given to her and unlocked her front door. She went inside and Sonic followed. Nicole looked around for a light switch on the wall to her left and flipped it on. As the lights came on Nicole observed her living room with a curious face. There was a couch, a coffee table, a rug, and lamp and a television.

"These are mine?" Nicole asked as she walked over to her couch and placed her papers on her coffee table.

Sonic stepped in after her with a smirk looking around "Yea, Sally set it up, and they just finished building this house with real materials a few days ago. You got the essentials for now; I brought some groceries over earlier." Sonic closed the front door and walked into the kitchen I didn't know what you liked so I brought a variety of things." Sonic pointed at her from the kitchen "Hand me that remote Nicole."

She did, picking up the remote off the couch and walked into the kitchen to give it to him; Sonc flipped on the TV, and a news program came on babbling about new happenings in New Mobotropolis.

Nicole looked at the television lost in thought when Sonic called her; she glanced back him "Come on Nicole, you've got to learn how make food for yourself."

Nicole nodded with a curious face as she turned back around ignored the television. Nicole noticed the many groceries spread over her counter top "Can we make sandwich's again?" Nicole pointed at the clear package with bread.

Sonic smirked at her "Don't you mean can you make it? You're going to make it."

Nicole looked a bit frustrated as she doing something new again and the change made her feel uncomfortable. But Sonic only continued to grin at her and gestured with a bob of his head to get started. Then slowly the look of frustration was washed away and replaced with a smile. She recalled all the things she did today, and it made her feel even more confident in talking on a new task. In the experience she gained today she figured if she could adapt to all the change that had been thrown at her today; learning how to cook was be easy. In forcing her to be independent she could actually see it herself now; even she admitted that she felt more independent. So Nicole nodded with a smile and Sonic and she…mostly her prepared her first meal in her new home…

And Nicole had a feeling of content around Sonic that she couldn't put her finger on…and though her memories of him like everything else felt disconnected…she had feeling of déjà vu about him…

And an hour later they ate and talked a bit to Sonic's surprise; Nicole was becoming more aware. She even broached the subject of her amnesia which Sonic was able to talk around and lie to her about what had really happened still. But when he was ready to go he waited downstairs while Nicole had got ready for bed.

Once she was done she came downstairs and Sonic was ready to walk out her door; she still wore her purple robes "Tails is going to going to come check on you in the morning." Sonic stepped outside and Nicole followed; he glanced back at her with a grin "If you need me I live right down the street." he pointed down the street in the general direction of his house.

Nicole stepped outside with Sonic, and blinked with a curious face nodding at him. She knew this area was familiar….

Sonic saw her blush but ignored her "Yep. Don't hesitate, I'll see you later Nicole." Sonic then left her yard and walked down the sidewalk.

"Goodnight Sonic." Nicole said as her face became neutral.

Sonic grinned and waved back at her as he walked down the stone steps, down the path of her house, and down the sidewalk until he was out of sight. It was quiet as she stared at where he'd gone for a moment then she slowly closed her door and turned out the lights in her house. She glanced at the dirty dishes in her sink as she walked past her kitchen; she was going to do that in the morning.

She made her way to her way back upstairs to her room and laid down in her new bed; it was still firm. Her eyes stayed were wide, and her face was neutral as she pulled the white covers up to her neck. She immediately began thinking in the new silence she was in…trying to adjust to all the fast happening change around her…

With her gain of comprehension more pressing questions came to mind; too many to question at once. She begun to take notice about…why was everyone leading her around like a child?

And other than her like for Sonic she began to question…who was she? Why could she not remember anything? Why wouldn't her friends tell her who she was? They obviously knew her…

Nicole closed her eyes for a second but opened them not too long after. All was quiet and dark in her room; the moonlight spilled onto her floor and bed through the city's dome…she still couldn't remember anything, and it was dark even her mind….

It was late in Castle Acorns control room, and every new technician was just getting off work "Tomorrow guys….Tails and I have something we need to discuss with you all…so get some rest…" Rotor spoke to the trainees.

The trainees ambled out of the control room, yawning and stretching. Tails stood next to Rotor was about to leave as well when Rotor caught his shoulder "Tails I know I can trust you right?"

Tails looked at Rotor quizzically "Of course. You can trust me. Is there something wrong?"

"Well other than Eggman gaining control over us and that message he sent us. No, it's actually something that could possibly help us. I haven't had time to talk about…it…yet…so tomorrow get here early..." Rotor held a serious face taking his hand off his shoulder.

"Ok Rotor. I'll be here." Tails said with a serious face looking Rotor in the eyes as he slowly exited the room.

However, unbeknownst to them their conversation had been heard by none other than Lighting Lynx, in his jail cell illuminated by a green force field below Castle Acorn. Lighting Lynx sat in his jail cell in a meditative pose. His heightened hearing continued to give him great advantage over his enemies; he was listening to everything around him when his ears twitched hearing a very faint conversation through a vent in his cell...

"Of course. You can trust me. Is there something wrong?"

"Other than Eggman gaining control over us and that message he sent us. No, it's actually something that could possibly help us. So tomorrow get here early."

"Ok Rotor. I'll be here."

After the guards had thrown him into the dungeon with many other prisoners they gave him medical attention had questioned him for and since he broke into the city; they decided to transfer him to the high-security jail in another mobian territory where Predator Hawk and Drago had been sent. It was a little earlier than expected but not to setback his plan…which just got better…

Lighting Lynx opened his eyes with an evil grin crossing his face. Everything had had done up to this point was part of his plan. It wasn't exactly what he planned and with that little development he just heard his plan just got better.

Lighting Lynx got up and paced his cell with his hands behind his back. After he escaped his former teammates he knew he had nowhere to go. Even in his blind attempt to persuade Conquering Storm...he knew she wouldn't just let him back in…

In Raiju Clan there were a few ways to get your banishment lifted but it came at a huge price. At the time he had nothing to offer. That's why he came to New Mobotropolis...to kidnap Nicole...

Lighting Lynx thought of the day the city was in chaos. He had her! He had her right in his fingertips! He was going to take Nicole to Conquering Storm that day! But even then he was not sure how far he would have gotten with Sonic on his tail. Though as he thought back on it, it was actually a good thing what happened. Now he was sure he could convince Conquering Storm to lift his banishment, especially with what he just heard; he had to call Conquering Storm.

Lighting Lynx went to his cell door and peered around... no guards...

All he could see was another prisoner in his jail cell across from him. In Mobious the legal system was much more lax then while Eggman was still around. There was a two way phone in every jail cell; you were allowed to make as many phone calls as you wanted...only into the city though...

Any signal sent out of the city was blocked. Lighting Lynx grinned evilly as he went over to the phone in the corner of the room. Lighting Lynx then held a frustrated face as he dialed the coordinates for the Raiju Clan; he had no experience with computers. After he finished typing he added a few extra keystrokes and hit enter, and the call rang a few times until the phone stated the call was blocked.

But Lighting Lynx knew anyone connecting to the Raiju Clan would get a call right back as only few knew the coordinates; it was also sometimes used as a distress call to the clan. It was not long when the screen on the phone popped up with a member of his clan appearing on screen; dressed in black head to toe; even the clothing covered there face covering their mouths and only their eyes were visible.

"Who is this?" the clan member asked; dressed in a black with a red bandana wrapped around her head.

"I am the banished Lighting Lynx…" he said with a frown "I have a proposal for clan leader Conquering Storm." Lighting Lynx said with apprehension in his voice.

"What could you offer that could possibly be worth bothering Conquering Storm with banished one?" the clan member asked him with puzzlement in her eyes and sarcasm in her voice.

"The takeover of New Mobotropolis." Lighting Lynx said seriously.

"New Mobotropolis is weak? Are you sure? I cannot bother Conquering Storm if you are not sure." the clan member said sounding surprised and less condescending.

"I swear on my honor." Lighting Lynx said bringing his fist up to his chest.

"Then I will inform her. You wait." the clan member said with a serious face and went off screen.

Lighting Lynx fidgeted as he waited; it took a minute or so but non-other than Conquering Storm herself appeared on the screen.

As soon as she saw Lighting Lynx a scowl came over her face "What are you doing? Why are you contacting me in the middle of the night!" she screamed as she became angrier.

Lighting Lynx looked fearful and shrank under her gaze before she spoke again "This had better be good Lighting..." each word dripped in threats.

And Lighting Lynx gulped; he still thought she was beautiful; his face became serious again but he sweated as he spoke "…I assure you it is. The Raiju Clan has a chance to seize New Mobotropolis…"

Conquering Storm stared angrily at him, and he swallowed another lump in his throat as he continued; she at least seemed to be listening "…I have overheard technicians talking about the imminent shutdown of the force field multiple times. Eggman has hacked them and is planning to take complete control of them. So he is going to leave them vulnerable for attack. We...I mean you have the best hackers in the Dragon Kingdom. You should surely would be able to dominate New Mobotropolis and even take a stab at Eggman. Plus the resources you gain from the city would be enough to expand the Raiju clan and take control of everyone!" Lighting Lynx finished starting to look fearful again.

Conquering Storm closed her eyes and pondered for a moment; her face still angry. It was a win-lose-win situation. If they were able to hack New Mobotropolis and Eggman they could take the city, and the resources would make Raiju clan a superpower. But if not she could lose a lot in the process though...only if she allowed herself to…

She opened her eyes still looking angry. She did not speak immediately and silently nodded "This information is unexpected, and I do not like surprises…but if there an opportunity here I would be a fool to pass it up. I do not like that Eggman will be present but it could not be helped. This is an opportunity to cripple Eggman while his pants are down and maybe even take control of him and gain unfathomable resources. This is a... great..." she begrudgingly smirked "…plan..." she inched out with displeasure "The city's resources will be extremely useful."

Conquering Storm's face became irritated again as she thought it over once more and Lighting Lynx had a weak smile before she responded "Fine. I accept." she said with an upset face; Lighting Lynx looked surprised "As you know I will not fully throw myself into the fire. If things get too hot I will pull out." she said with an angry face, and Lighting Lynx nodded.

"And to your banishment…if you are successful…it will be reviewed..." she said with an angry face and displeasure in her voice; Lighting Lynx nodded quietly with surprise still on his face "Before I cut this line….tell me…why you are in the New Mobotropolis jail?" Conquering Storm asked him with the tiniest bit of curiosity.

Lighting Lynx suddenly tried to look tough; he frowned "I am in the city because along with what is happening to New Mobotropolis I'm here to gather a sacrifice."

"A sacrifice? Of who?" Conquering Storm said now looking interested; she looked slightly less angry.

"Nicole. The living Nicole." Lighting Lynx said keeping a straight face.

Conquering Storm lifted an eyebrow "The same Nicole that thwarted our attempts to overtake New Mobotropolis in the past? The computer program?"

Lighting Lynx nodded "Yes….but she's a computer program no longer…I have seen it with my own eyes…I'm not sure what happened but it is…" Lighting Lynx then smirked "...for her life to be taken under you…" he spoke with confidence.

Conquering Storm then smirked for the second time "I would take pleasure in that. She has put the Raiju clan back with her hacking of our systems. We are still recovering from the single attack she unleashed on us years ago…"

"My only intention is to be accepted by my clan again." Lighting Lynx said taking control over the conversation.

Conquering Storm liked that; but she hid her emotions as she spoke again; her face slightly less angry "We will contact you tomorrow to discuss details..." she nodded and the line cut.

Lighting Lynx looked at the black screen now that it had shut off. The cool confident look on his face was replaced with a look of shock. He could not believe what he just did. He actually spoke with confidence towards Conquering Storm…that had only happened once before…

He thought he even might have had her attention there for a second. He slowly inched back away from the phone screen and sat down on his bed. And he would have thought it would have been a great time to rejoice but it was not. He did not have to worry much about Eggman as he figured those things would take care of themselves with his clan behind him. The only thing that clouded his mind was how was he going to get Nicole? As much as he hated to admit it, Sonic was the best. And if it was anything like last time if he tried to get anywhere near that Lynx…whatever she was…Sonic was going to be all over him…

So Lighting Lynx stretched out on his bed thinking of a way to pull this off because if he did, Conquering Storm would accept him again. If not he would be right where he started with the Destructix. Nowhere...

After Tails left Rotor tidied up the control room and turned off the lights. He went to his makeshift room behind his desk; switched on the lights, closed the door behind himself, and went over to his computer and started it up. While he waited, he came to an impasse.

Look at the files on the OOS DVD or see what happened to Nicole's Creator because it left him with so many questions…

One being, how did Nicole get to this time if Nicole's Creator died? Ultimately his curiosity won out. He still had a few hours left before he had to go to bed; it was only nine-thirty. Anyway, he was too tired to look the files on the OOS DVD; although Tails and he did not have much time tomorrow due to Eggman…Rotor was sure they could come up with something...well at least he hoped…

Rotor rubbed his temples as he walked past his computer and searched the piles of DVDs scattered across his room for DVD one-hundred six. When he found it, he went back over to his computer, sat down, and placed it in the drive of his computer, and it started up….

(The Computer screen)

It was video again but it was not what Rotor had expected. The whole DVD was Nicole getting moved to this World Museum that had been talked about in the previous DVD; which admittedly intrigued Rotor as he watched them set her up in the Museum. He got to see a little bit more of the future world as Nicole was moved around. It looked like his time only just a bit more futuristic. Again, the outside looked mostly normal; like an urban city except the flying cars and people looked the same though Rotor knew now they were genetically evolved and lived much long than the likes of he. The World Museum was huge...

It had gigantic ceilings and large circle shaped glass enclosures lined up and down the stone ceiling. He'd seen a whole lot of different people, but they looked just like normal people. While getting moved into the museum he saw again that everything looking mostly normal on the inside of the building, except basic technology looked unlike anything he'd ever seen. As light fixtures were shaped in different ways, and their electronic equipment varied much from things in his time. As they move Nicole into the main hall with all the exhibits, Rotor's curiosity went into overdrive seeing the strange things he had always envisioned and built up in his head whenever he thought of the future. Some exhibits and very large and intricate machinery behind the ropes and others had taxidermy of…well things and creatures that only his imagination could come up with…

One was very tall, blue and black, had sharp claws and a scary looking face…it was creepy…

The Museum also displayed art from the future and other varying forms of strange technological marvels that intrigued Rotor even more. Because the Museum was very busy with people all around from what he could see; the video was very noisy. Though halfway through the DVD they set Nicole up at her own display, and soon she began getting visitors to scan. Rotor also figured that this was the first day she started scanning as on the previous DVD, she was just moved out of her old home; Nicole had been mostly quiet while they moved her unless asked something.

The rest of the DVD was of Nicole scanning people. From what he had seen on previous discs, Nicole's Creator had created a scanning device to detect and identify a person's soul; their energy. Rotor watched the video carefully as Nicole scanned people who walked up to her and greeted her. Rotor then quickly understood; that's how she possibly found her creator. As Rotor watched more and the days went by as he skimmed through the DVD, Rotor overheard that people from all around the world were starting to come to the Museum to visit Nicole and get a scan. People were eager to participate in her experiment so one day she might be reunited with her creator.

Before people could talk to Nicole they were scanned by two huge men, and a few scientists were always nearby. Nicole sat on a table next to the scientist in her display; which was an open area surrounded by red velvet ropes; she was hooked up to nearby computers...

(In Rotors room)

But the more Rotor watched the more bored he became until the DVD stopped. Rotor got up from his chair searched the piles of DVD's in his room the next DVD, DVD one-hundred seven, suspecting that this scanning thing went on for a long time…and he was right….

Rotor went from DVD one-hundred seven to DVD two-hundred. Skimming through them until sometime later he finally found a DVD that had something happening other than Nicole scanning people. DVD two-hundred...

One a side note, people coming to visit Nicole became a thing in her world. Everyone knew Nicole. Bernard was famous for creating her, and Nicole was famous because…she was who she was…

(The Computer screen)

It was another day in the World Museum. It was bright and sun cascaded through the windows in the Museum. In previous DVD's Rotor saw the many things Nicole did to get such respect in the world of the future. Solving the world of the future's problems...

Nicole had single handily cured a deadly virus that was spread in another part of Mobius and a sickness even where she was located. Another amazing thing she did was stopping a rogue hacking group that tried to hack many important places in the world. They tried to hack Nicole but Rotor it didn't go well for them. Nicole had also designed buildings and solved many problems in many areas of expertise. Her mathematical modeling was one of a kind.

She could process things no super computer in her world could and because of it she solved any problem. No other super computer in her time came even close to her problem-solving abilities. Rotor wasn't sure as he hadn't seen from the DVDs he had watched already, if Bernard had told others that Nicole was AL. But from the things he had seen he was sure he did as people knew she was not a regular computer.

Many people still looked shocked when they came to visit her as she responded to them like they were talking to another person. Though as the years went by Rotor guessed that people didn't truly know the extent of what Nicole really was. With the reason being, Nicole's mathematical modeling was much more advanced even for her time. It was because Nicole was not a regular computer. It was because Nicole was alive…an artificial life…

She was a strange entity there was no doubt about it…

Rotor figured her advanced processing power was expanded when she…came to life…

She was already an organic OS and organic computers are much faster than analog computers. She was a living machine…and she was able to control the digital environment to her will…

It gave her unlimited limitations in the computer world…

And even Rotor wasn't sure if that was exactly right but looking at the anecdotal evidence in front him; it was the only conclusion he could come to. How else could computer become such a powerful processor? He'd known Nicole…and he'd seen her do her thing…it was because she was alive that she was such a powerful computer…

Rotor didn't know exactly why being alive made Nicole such a powerful computer, but he couldn't argue with her results…her actions spoke for themselves…

And Rotor wasn't sure of the time span of all the DVDs he had skimmed through, because he had lost count, and he guessed that with so many DVDs skipped that it was longer than he could imagine…

Because Nicole was alive her processing power and mathematical modeling was unlike anything ever seen…

Though this day, Nicole scanned many different people who came up to her just like the many DVD's before. A little boy and his father got scanned, a couple, then a lone female dog approached Nicole; a dalmatian. She wore a pink sweater, a red dress, a purse over her shoulder, and glasses on her face.

The men scanned her and let her pass "Hello Nicole." the woman said with a happy face as she approached Nicole's screen.

"Greetings visitor." Nicole said in her usual neutral tone.

The dalmatian looked impressed "Oh my...so it's true...there's no external source to make this device talk?" the lady asked glancing over at the scientist, and they nodded at her with a smile.

And Nicole responded "I operate of my own will."

"This is adorable." the woman dalmatian said with a big smile as she leaned down closer to Nicole's screen.

"Are you here to receive a scan?" Nicole asked the woman.

The woman nodded with a smile "Yes, I came from far away to visit the World Museum. So I thought I might see Professor Bernard's experiment while I was here. Do you think the scanner even works anymore? I mean you have been here for over seven hundred years." the woman asked Nicole.

"It works." Nicole stated "Initiating." Nicole said, and the woman stood straight up as Nicole scanned her "…scanning...detecting energy signal..."

While being scanned a line began to grow behind the woman "Synching with saved results...energy signal detected from visitor..." and there was a long pause that made the dalmatian woman look confused; it even made the scientist look confused as they leaned over and looked at Nicole on the table.

Nicole responded a moment later "….positive from saved results." Nicole held a long pause again until she spoke "….It has been a long time creator….." Nicole spoke in a neutral tone.

As Nicole said that everyone in the immediate vicinity froze with shock and fear on their faces. The dalmatian woman went wide eyed blinking her eyes surprise; and she did not speak; instead she fainted collapsing onto the floor in front of Nicole.

"Creator? Nicole asked her as the two big men bent down to help the woman.

The scientist shot up from their seats and quickly scrambled away from Nicole's display. An alarm went off and in a few minutes the whole Museum was in an uproar when an announcement went over the p.a. in the Museum that Nicole had finished her experiment…

After several hundred years of searching she had found a matching energy signal of her creator. It caused quite a ruckus as security and scientist escorted the passed out dalmatian woman and Nicole out of the main hall of the Museum with many people surrounding them trying to see what was going on. By the time they took Nicole and her Creator, who was previously Bernard, to a private area of the Museum; there was a mass hysteria going on in the Museum at the news of Nicole and her creator being reunited.

Because Nicole had been in the Museum so long she'd become a spectacle of their culture and everyone all around her world knew her; and this news was shocking because of that. The news was spreading so fast as Nicole's newly incarnated Creator woke up she was informed of what was happening. What was going to happen to her, the implications of what just happened, and that she had a few choices to make now.

One of the biggest implications of Nicole's successful experiment was that it was the first time ever in all of recorded history that there was proof of reincarnation of an organic being. It broke all kinds of barriers and opened up new topics. It was going to advance the way people thought about Meta physical subjects.

Then she had instantly become famous in the blink of an eye. Once the news that Nicole's Creator was found after several hundred years, every news source on the planet was gonna want to get the scoop. Everybody was going to want to meet her and see who she was. They wanted to see who was previously Professor Barnard had become…

She was now Nicole's Creator…

They left her in a private room with Nicole so they could talk…while they sorted things out outside…

Nicole's screen faced up at the female dog holding her "This is all too strange...I still feel light headed…" she paused closing her eyes; then she opened them looking down at Nicole with a worried face "…so I used to be Professor Bernard?" Nicole's Creator asked Nicole.

Nicole responded immediately "Yes, your energy signal is identical to my saved results creator..." Nicole paused "You do not remember me?" Nicole asked her in a neural tone.

Nicole's Creator looked distressed "No Nicole." she stated simply.

"What is your name now creator?" Nicole asked her.

"Arien, my name is Arien." Nicole's Creator said still looking distressed.

"Noted creator, now I must know more about you so we can continue our projects again." Nicole said in a neutral tone.

"You know you don't have to call me creator." Nicole's Creator said with a worried face as the screen faded…

(In Rotors room)

Rotor got up from his seat and searched his room for the next DVD; DVD two-hundred one; when he found it, he eagerly put it in the DVD drive of his computer as he sat back down…

(The Computer screen)

As Rotor began watching the next set of DVDs, he did not know how long he had watched because he was completely enraptured. Nicole had found her creator again several hundred years after his…or her…death...

And it still shocked him, because they thought they knew Nicole all the years they had known her. He or the guys would had never guessed…

She was over seven hundred years old…

And Rotor watched as Nicole's Creator grew to love her just the same just as he/she did before. Rotor went through a few more DVDs; from DVD two-hundred fifty-six to two-hundred fifty-nine when something significant happened again. On this current disc Nicole's Creator had moved back into the same lab where Bernard her past life had lived after the shocking new a few DVD's ago; Nicole had been transferred back to her big screen computer. And the few discs that Rotor had watched he figured to be a few years.

From the few DVD's Rotor had watched Nicole's Creator had been dealing with the aftermath of discovering she was Nicole's long lost creator. She dealt with a lot of press and accolades for being Nicole's Creator. Rotor could tell it stressed her out a bit, but she seemed to be adapting to the sudden shift in her life.

This particular day it was bright and sunny as Nicole's Creator walked around her lab doing things just like when Bernard was around. From what Rotor had watched Nicole's Creator was similar to her previous life as in she was also a scientist.

Rotor couldn't tell if it was a strange coincidence or not as he wondered how Nicole would deal with her creator if he or she was not in a technical field. Would they neglect her if they were not interested in computers? Did people come back the same? It was something that was impossible to answer and to fathom. Though Nicole's Creator was a scientist…despite whatever he thought though…

And albeit Nicole's Creator was even clumsier than her previous life she was almost the same person. Well…technically she was the same person...

Rotor did not get to hear as many details about Nicole's Creator this time around as Nicole's Creator was a bit shyer. But non-the less she agreed with Nicole to continue with her projects from a previous life after much consideration.

Nicole's Creator finished what she was doing and walked over to Nicole's screen "Nicole...I am becoming worried." she said with an upset face.

"Why creator?" Nicole asked in a neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator crossed her arms as she looked up at Nicole "I fear people are messing with a power beyond themselves. This recent time travel technology could destroy us all. People have been tampering with the time stream Nicole" Nicole's Creator turned her back to her "Sending objects into it and changing our own time... I don't think this will end well..." Nicole's Creator spoke in a troubled tone. Nicole remained silent as the screen faded…

(In Rotors room)

Rotor got up from his chair and gathered more DVD's from around his room. He still hadn't found out why the future was so bad, how Nicole's Creator sent her back, why, and many other pressing questions. He was now in the two hundred DVD range, and he went from DVD two hundred five to DVD two hundred fifty when he finally saw why Nicole's Creator sent her back; and why the future had become bad? Along the way, Rotor saw the time-travel issue arise more and more as Nicole spent time with Arien. Time travel did not seem to be an issue on the DVDs with Bernard. However, not long after Arien inherited Nicole back it became a major issue of the future world as more and more people began gaining aces to the technology. On DVD, two hundred fifty Rotor finally found out why she had been sent back…

(The Computer screen)

Outside the windows of Nicole's Creator's lab were giant robots and fire. Destroyed buildings could be seen Nicole's Creator lab was rocking back and forth as Nicole's Creator watched the television with a frown on her face…

A news woman looked horrified from what Rotor could see "Irreparable damage has been done to the time stream; even with our combined intelligence and technology in a time as advanced as ours we don't know what is going on. We do not know how to fix it. We don't know what we changed. We have sent so many things back to fix what has been damaged we have lost track and control...Eggman has taken control…." the screen flipped off as Nicole's Creator used her emote to cut the TV off.

Nicole's Creator then ran to the right side of the room to barricade her door; screams could be heard just outside of it "Nicole have you downloaded the coordinates I gave you?" Nicole's Creator said in a serious tone off screen.

Nicole responded immediately "Yes creator. The time machine is ready with the set coordinates." Rotor or noticed there was a white and bright glow on the left side of the screen he could not see.

Nicole's Creator quickly walked back in front of Nicole and bent down "I have added some of the strongest metal materials to your new portable chassis. Your new motherboard should protect you through the time stream as well." Nicole's Creator looked up at her screen "Nicole begin transfer of energy from the desktop to your portable... I hope this works better than when I was Bernard." Nicole's Creator said with a frown.

"Initiating... transfer will complete in exactly one minute." Nicole responded in a neutral tone.

Nicole's Creator stood and wiped her forehead with a serious face "Ok, I'm also going to monitor the transfer Nicole. Remember this is extremely dangerous but I do not have a choice. The data I wrote when I was alive before…showed that if you were to move energy, and it became unstable the energy would move somewhere else."

"Move to where creator." Nicole asked her.

"You would disappear." Nicole's Creator said seriously.

"I see." Nicole responded.

"You have been transferred to your portable form and back many times. But this is entirely different new hardware that we just built and have not tested yet. I have not had time to test transferring your energy to a new portable Nicole. Your old portable that Bernard created was not strong enough to traverse the time stream…this is by my design, and I hope it works…" Nicole's Creator held a determined face.

"I trust your judgment creator." Nicole responded.

Nicole's Creator frowned "I have no choice Nicole; they are coming for us. They are going to kill us…but I can still save you…" Nicole's Creator then smiled weakly at her "The time stream is so messed up right now I could not tell you what went wrong. It's all happening so fast. But we must do something to fix the damage done to the past and save the future. Sending you back in time may help the one who defeated Eggman. The one named Sonic the Hedgehog. Nicole...I want you to go back and help the…the...oh what did they call themselves..." Nicole's Creator frowned as she walked over to a fallen bookshelf.

She bent over and picked up a book and read it walking back over to Nicole "Oh yes...help the Freedom Fighters. I hope in that them you helping them might defeat Eggman; they were pivotal in his defeat. You are the most advanced super computer in the world. With your help they surely could surely defeat Eggamn. I hope..." Nicole's Creator said with a frown as she closed the book and let it drop to the floor.

Then Nicole's screen went black then came back on at a different angle; Nicole was picked up and was now facing the black and white polka dotted faced of her creator "Nicole? Are you there? Are you okay?" she said with a worried face.

"Transfer successful, saving data." Nicole said, and Nicole's Creator sighed in relief as her building shook again.

"I guess I am just as smart as before." tears suddenly fell down onto Nicole's screen "Creator your body is leaking." Nicole said as she was still unaware of organic emotions.

Arien sniffled "Oh Nicole..." she wiped tears from her eyes "It is time to say goodbye. I have learned so much from you my only friend. All have abandoned me…my family…my friends. But these years spent with you have been the most refreshing experience in my one-hundred twenty years of life. Good-bye Nicole." Nicole's Creator hugged her.

"I do not understand this gesture creator." Nicole said in her usual neutral tone.

With tears still freely flowing from her face, Nicole's Creator walked over to the time machine, and Rotor looked on in awe. The machine was a large metal oval, and it glowed a bright white clear color.

Just then the door behind Nicole's Creator bust open and two big robots came into the room. Nicole's Creator turned her back to them and with one last look at Nicole; held her right in front of her face. Nicole's Creator smiled at her "I hope someday Nicole that you will."

Then Nicole's Creator tossed Nicole into the machine and the last thing Nicole saw was the beginning of the tunnel where Nicole's Creator was at last turn black. And Nicole spun for at least a minute with many images Rotor could not make out happening fast around her. Everything around Nicole was a bright white clear color. From what Rotor guessed he figured he was looking at a time stream…though he didn't really know what he was looking at…

Then soon Nicole's spinning slowed and Rotor began to recognize what he was seeing as things slowed down around Nicole. Nicole then landed on the ground in grass as the bright colors around her dissipated. It was dark out and there was explosions and screaming all about in this forest. Rotor then realized it was the night they found Nicole at the Knothole. Some people ran past Nicole but one redheaded squirrel didn't.

"What in the?" Nicole was picked up and was face to face with Sally "What is this?" a green beam came out of the screen and scanned Sally. Sally screamed dropping Nicole in fear. Nicole was face front on the ground…other voices were heard…

"Sal are you okay?"

"What happened sally girl?"

"That thing right there just scanned me!"

"Let me check it out." Rotor heard his voice.

Rotor then watched in intrigue as his past self picked up Nicole, and he was scanned by her green beam as well "It's a computer of some sort...I've never seen anything like this..."he said with a puzzled face.

"Record scan complete. You are Rotor Walrus of the Freedom Fighters." Nicole said in a neutral tone. As Rotor remembered he did not even understand how advanced Nicole "Hey guys! This thing knows my name." Rotor said with a surprised face.

"Are you sure that's a computer? It only has a few buttons. It's probably a trick from Eggman." Tails said in a cautious tone and a curious face as he looked down at Nicole in Rotors hand.

"I wonder if this could be integrated to my computer, we could use this to fight back against Eggman..." Rotor said with a thoughtful face.

Nicole responded to his statement "I am universally integrable into to any software or hardware provided the software or hardware meet the necessary requirements by my OS and hardware, depending on the type of software or hardware that is to be integrated." Nicole responded.

The Freedom Fighters stared at Rotor and then surrounded him "Let me see that." Sally said, and Rotor handed her Nicole. Then Nicole scanned Sally again; a green beam shot from the screen "Record scan complete. You are Sally Acorn of the Freedom Fighters." Nicole stated.

Sally looked suspiciously at Nicole "Where you built by Eggman?"

"I have no affiliation with Dr. Eggman." Nicole responded to her.

"Do you have a name?" Sally asked raising an eyebrow; all the Freedom Fighters were gathered around Sally.

"My name is Nicole. I have been..." Nicole was cut off by but a huge explosion in the immediate area. The Freedom Fighters around Nicole got on their guard.

Sally looked down at Nicole as she began to run along with everyone else "I'm sorry Nicole but we'll have to talk when we get back to the Knothole. It's too dangerous here..."

Sally heard Nicole speak once more as she ran "Yes." Nicole said as the screen faded...

(In Rotors room)

Rotor leaned back in his chair exiting full-screen mode; it was eleven thirty p.m. on the bottom right of his computer screen; it was time to go to bed. Rotor got up from his black leather chair and got ready for bed all the while absorbing things he had witnessed today; his face somber. Once again he was at a loss for words. Now that he was at the point where Nicole was in their time he would see what lead up to Nicole carrying out her recent plans that caused so much damage to the city; and maybe even see what was going on with her and Sonic. Though he also felt the dread of lying to the others about the imminent take over city saying it was going to fine when it most certainly was not. Unless they did something tomorrow New Mobotropolis would be gone…there only lied in the OOS DVD had left behind….

Sonic had not gone home immediately like he planned, instead Tails contacted him, and they went and hung out for a few hours. Discussing what was going on with the city and just life in general before making his way back home at eleven thirty p.m. The night skies were clear through the cities force field and the stars were visible tonight. He turned the corner to his street to see someone sitting on his stairs…he couldn't completely make out who it was…so he jogged until he saw who it was…

"Sally? What are you doing here?" Sonic asked entering his yard with a confused face.

Sally ran her hand through her hair she stood from his steps with smile and met him halfway "Were have you been Sonic? I've been waiting for a long time."

"Sorry Sal." he grinned rubbing the back of his head "I was just out and about…"

But Sally caught Sonic's hand and pulled him closer to her; she held a tender smile "You can keep me warm while we talk." she smiled at him.

Sonic went wide eyed and gulped "Ta..talk?"

Sally nodded with a sly smile "I've freed my schedule after we discussed what was going on with the force field earlier today. It's time we had this is personal time…us time..."

Sonic's voice cracked as he spoke; he looked worried "We agreed to talk about this after things had calmed down."

Sally continued smiling gently at him; she shook her head "No time for it. After tomorrow Sonic were going to my chambers, and we are going to talk. No matter what. Understand." Sally said sweetly.

Sonic frowned "I don't know about that Sally…"

But Sally sealed the deal pulling him closer and briefly pecking him on the lips; and Sally could tell as that he finally gave into her. He was hesitant but accepted her kiss; he looked embarrassed as she broke away. Their faces were close as she looked into his eyes "Understand?" she said again with a smile.

Sonic looked surprised and nodded silently "Good, I love it when you play hard to get." she giggled.

Sally hugged him before she left, and she casually walked out of his yard glancing back and smiling at him before she was gone. Once she was gone Sonic sighed and slowly went into his house and got ready for bed.

He knew he was going to have to deal with Sally; she was after him hard. But he was happy that the day was over as he retired to his bed and closed his eyes. But just as he laid down his doorbell rang and his eyes slowly opened again. But he didn't get annoyed or angry; he just sighed as he was defeated with all the craziness of the day as he got out of his bed and slowly ambled his way down stairs and opened his front door.

He rubbed his eyes in confusion when saw Nicole standing at his door with a worried facer "Nicole? What's wrong?"

Nicole kept her upset face as she spoke; looking him in the eyes "I cannot sleep... not alone..."

Sonic then frowned and invited her in "Wanna talk about it?"

Nicole nodded quickly entered his house. They talked about a wide variety of things but the subject of her memories continually came up. But Sonic was fast enough to keep dancing around the subject until she passed out.

Sonic then took her sleeping form back to her house and placed her back in her bed. And for the final time Sonic made his way home and went straight to bed exhausted from the day. Though he was starting to get a bad feeling about that last little encounter with Nicole; she was starting to ask questions, and he knew sooner or later something was going to slip….

If not from him somewhere else…

What is going to happen between Sally and Sonic? Will Nicole find out what's going on? What is Lighting Lynx up to? What is Rotor going to do? What else will we learn about Nicole? What is Eggman planning? Just how much Danger is Nicole in? Will Sonic ever escape Amy? Find out next time! Later.