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.

8. Underneath Everything

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

The next morning in the main control of New Mobotropolis, a blue light illuminated through the glass of a door; it was five A.M. to be exact. In Rotor's makeshift room in the control room, he awoke early. He was trying to figure out what to do with the files on the OOS DVD and piece together…well everything about Nicole….

Her memories on the DVDs, her recent actions, the future, etc. He knew there was more to be discovered and Nicole's past was only making him go deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole as he tried to figure out why she had done what she'd done…

So he woke early and began watching the DVDs from where he left off last night. Tails would be at the castle in an hour or two, and unless they figured something out Eggman was inevitably going to take over the city. He figured they must be able to do something with that OOS DVD...

Rotor also felt extremely guilty for telling Sally's things would be ok when they certainly weren't. He had his mind was set on telling Sally the truth this morning; he had to anyway since they had all been discussing the very subject for the last few days. They didn't know what to do since Nicole had left. The Freedom Fighters were all aware of the security problems and problems maintaining the city now that Nicole was gone. They were severely understaffed for such a thing as Nicole did more work than a hundred people or more combined running the city when she did.

Of course only Tails and Rotor himself knew they were losing control the minute Nicole left…

Rotor or Tails hadn't the heart to tell them New Mobotropolis was going down…that they were going down…

Everyone knew they were going to have trouble maintaining the city; they didn't know that they already couldn't maintain the city without Nicole's help. It was all happening so fast it felt surreal that they could lose the city in the blink of an eye. It came out of nowhere. However, there was a sense in all their recent meetings that they knew they weren't going to be able to maintain the city without Nicole…

Though no one said anything…they kept trying any ways…

The citizens needed to be warned so this would be his last chance to get a look at the DVDs. Hopefully, it wouldn't literally be his last chance; Rotor sipped at a cup of coffee and gave his full attention to screen in front of him to DVD two hundred fifty one to DVD two hundred sixty five…

(The computer screen)

Rotor watched a few DVDs from the days in the Knothole. Up until now, watching all these DVDs, Rotor had noticed Nicole never had any feelings for Sonic...well no feelings for anything…

She had never expressed any type of emotion. For example, what he watching right now was just another day in Knothole. Nicole got used a lot of the times but sometimes Nicole was stationary for long periods of time; always close by but stationary. This particular day she was stationary, sitting upright in Rotor's old workshop. Rotor thought it was very reminiscent of Nicole's time with her creator. Rotor tried to remember what happened that day as he watched his past self-solder the motherboard of a computer.

"You're from the future? That's hard to believe." past Rotor said with a skeptical face.

"Yes, I have been sent back through time to aid in the defeat of Dr. Eggman." Nicole said in a neutral tone.

"Hey Nicole?" he looked up from what he was doing.

"Yes Rotor?" Nicole responded.

"If you're really from the future, tell me what kind of technology is from the future?" past Rotor said now looking curious.

"Those files are restricted Rotor." Nicole responded.

"But you just said you came here to help us. Wouldn't better technology help us?" Rotor asked her with a confused face.

"Regardless, records indicate the creation of any type of technology from my time would be impossible due to current insufficient resources." Nicole stated back to him.

"Well why are the files about the future restricted?" Rotor asked her putting down his soldering iron; he smirked looking even more curious.

"It would alter the time line making my efforts fruitless." Nicole responded.

"You know… you couldn't have traveled from the future Nicole..." Rotor said with a bit of sudden irritation on his face; Rotor knew in the past he was even more curious about the future than he was now.

His irritation was lost on Nicole "Why?" Nicole asked him.

Rotor pulled down his face mask and went back to work; sparks flew from the motherboard he was working on; he spoke while not looking at her "Because, your future to me is your present, and you can't travel to the future because you left the present moment. So you couldn't travel to the future because you weren't in the present to travel to the future." Rotor stopped his soldering again to look at Nicole lifting up his mask "And you can't travel to the past because if you left the present to go to the past you wouldn't exist to go to the past. Time is all one moment; you can't travel to where you already are. That's like saying I want to meet my past self, how? I haven't went anywhere. I've always been here...getting older…I have never left this place in time..." past Rotor said with a frown.

"I did not say that it was my time that I traveled to." Nicole responded to him in a neutral tone.

Rotor remembered in his head as he watched his past self realize the gravity of what Nicole had said. He paused before he spoke looking shocked "You're from an alternate time line?"

"Yes." Nicole responded.

"...you left your time line?" past Rotor asked her still looking shocked.

"Yes, I was sent back to aid in the defeat of Dr. Eggman. I was sent to this time because I did not exist in this time line; Dr. Eggman had already taken over my time. Before I was sent here I ran a test on the structure of time lines. If any powerful technology from my time fell into the wrong hands this time line would diverge into a similar fate of my time. I am here to help you create new technology and assist you in any way I can. That is why these files are restricted." Nicole said normal as always.

"What happened?" past Rotor asked her still looking shocked.

"Those files are restricted Rotor." Nicole responded in a neutral tone.

Past Rotor completely stopped doing what he was doing and starred at Nicole; he spoke some time later mumbling to himself "...your time is gone..."

Just then behind him, Sally walked into his workshop, followed by Antoine and Sonic pushing each other to get through the door.

"I could use both of you guys, o need to argue." Sally said calmly, trying to ignore their bickering over her.

As the video faded Rotor watched his past self stare at Nicole and watch Sonic and Antoine try and get Sally's attention.

(In Rotors room)

As Rotor pulled out the DVD two hundred sixty five, he recalled how much he underestimated Nicole over the years. All the Freedom Fighters knew about Nicole was that she was from the future as she had told them herself. But anything past that Nicole would not tell. He exited full screen to see the time; five-fifty a.m. Seeing that he was short on time he skipped a few DVDs, skimming through until he found the next thing he was looking for on DVD two hundred seventy; the thing that ultimately peaked his curiosity. The day Nicole fell in love with Sonic…

(The computer screen)

This day nice and bright sunny day Sally walked into Rotor's workshop; she approached Rotor holding Nicole in her hand "So Rotor, what was so important that you dragged me out of my meeting?" Sally asked with a smirk.

Past Rotor smiled "Well to why you're here; I don't really need you. Its Nicole, I think we have found a way to harness even more energy from the power rings..."

Rotor's voice was muffled as Sally held Nicole. They spoke a bit more until Sally held Nicole up to her face "Nicole run a diagnostic on the power ring and..." Sally turned to walk when she tripped over a cable. The resulting trip caused the cable to electrocute Sally and Nicole. Nicole's screen filled with binary codes then her screen blinked black and came back on.

Then Rotor was quite confused at what he was currently looking at. Sally and Nicole's vision were intertwined. Nicole could see what Sally was seeing and vis versa. So Sally in Nicole's body could see through Nicole's screen and see Nicole walking around in her body. Since Sally was in Nicole's body she was still with Rotor but she could still see what Nicole was doing.

Rotor ran over to them "Princess Sally are you ok? Nicole?"

"I…uhh Rotor I can't feel my legs!" Sally said in distress.

"What?" Nicole said rising from the floor in Sally's body.

"Oh darn...hold on Princess." Rotor picked up Sally in Nicole's body "Nicole, run a diagnostic on yourself." Rotor said with a worried face.

"I cannot." Nicole spoke in a daze looking around the room in Sally's body; she even sounded like Sally.

"Nicole where is the diagnostic?" Rotor asked her with confusion.

"Rotor what are you talking about? What's going on?" Sally asked from Nicole's screen; she sounded like Nicole.

Rotor looked stunned "Princess Sally! Is that you? But how!" Rotor exclaimed to her.

"Yes it's me...but I can see my body moving." Sally said in a neutral tone.

Rotor thought for a second with a puzzled face "I don't know how this happened, but I think you may have..."

"Switched bodies? Sally finished "Rotor?" Sally asked him in a neutral tone.

"Yes Princess." he started to sweat.

"You do have a way of switching us back?" Sally asked him.

"Nicole do you know...Nicole?" Rotor looked around the room; Nicole was absent "Princess, we know Nicole's from the future. I don't know what we're dealing with here. Let's go find Nicole..." Rotor gulped with a worried face as he left the room.

Through the screen Sally could also hear Nicole. Nicole had taken Sally's body for a walk reveling in her first-time use of emotions.

"I cannot believe this." Nicole walked around Knothole. People walked around the Knothole ignoring Princess Sally's strange behavior.

Nicole walked along taking a deep breath; she closed her eyes with pleasure in her voice "The colors are like nothing I have ever seen. My body parts move at my command. I have..." Nicole sniffed opening Sally's eyes again "…never smelt anything before. This experience is intoxicating…" Nicole said in a pleased tone "So this is what it feels to be alive, to feel..."

Rotor felt as he watched Nicole, that it was in slow motion. She turned to her head as Sonic came walking up to her "...To love..." Nicole whispered.

"Hey Sal. What's up?" Sonic grinned at her "Hey Sal is there something wrong?" Sonic asked confused by the look on her face.

Nicole looked down "Sonic...what is this sensation. I feel so warm when I look at you, I cannot describe it..." Nicole said holding her hands to Sally's chest.

"Nicole?" Rotor said running up behind them.

Sally began to stumble holding onto her head and Sonic helped her onto the ground "Hey Rotor Sally seems sick, help me take her to a doctor." Sonic said with a confused face.

Rotor then held Nicole up to his face "Hey Nicole is rebooting. It must have only been temporary. Ummm…I think it was only temporary Sonic…." Rotor said sighing in relief.

"Rotor?" Sally whispered as she blinked her eyes.

Rotor then handed Nicole to Sonic and bent over to Sally shaking her "Sally is that you?"

Sally sat up rubbing her head "Yes, it's me..."

"What's temporary? What's going on?" Sonic asked Nicole with a confused face.

With a hint of emotion gracing her voice she spoke "Suffice it to say, it is a long story with restricted files Sonic...anyone ever tell you, you are a very appealing hedgehog?"

Sonic looked confused and did not respond as he handed Nicole back to Sally who said she had to be on her way. This is when Rotor clearly saw Nicole's change in behavior. The emotion that Nicole temporarily had, had already faded away the next time Sally had spoken to Nicole that day. It seemed like it was a pretty normal day until night time when Nicole was stationary again.

She did something Rotor had never seen her do all of a sudden, something she never did on any of the DVDs he'd watched up until this point…she began talking to herself….

A mute symbol appeared on Nicole's screen though Rotor could still hear her voice "I cannot experience it anymore...I will try..." Nicole ran some programs but to her dismay she felt nothing "It is gone..." her voice was neutral.

Nicole paused for a few minutes then spoke again "The experimental mind map was activated unexpectedly…for energy transfer to organic tissue…the mapping is inefficient as energy will not transfer but link…" there was a long pause "…Sonic…...I must find a way..." Nicole stated suddenly.

And Nicole had spoken to herself on and off through the night, surprising Rotor how fast she came up with a plan to feel again. The she calculated the resources she needed and how to do it. Rotor was most shocked about how Nicole talked about the creation of New Mobotropolis because around that time it hadn't even been built.

All the way back in the Knothole she'd had these plans, she had been planning for years, waiting for the resources to become available. At this point Rotor began to realize, and he couldn't imagine how long Nicole had waited to do what she did; he dared to say how crazy shed become as he watched the progressing DVDs

Rotor then became shocked as he also realized this was why Nicole had did what she did just a few weeks ago; or maybe a part of it. But she created a body because she wanted to feel again...she had fallen for Sonic…

This is what drove to what she had did a few weeks ago. Rotor then wondered how long she waited to express emotion again. Nicole must have been trying to rationalize it all those years…she couldn't feel anymore…that's why she created that body…she had went mad...

Scratching at the Box of the emotions she did could not have. And when Sally had awaken the next day to greet her Nicole acted as if nothing was wrong "Good morning Nicole." Sally held Nicole up at face level smiling.

Nicole's mute went off "Good morning Sally..."Nicole responded in a neutral tone; and that was just the first day.

One thing that stood out the most was after Nicole had switched bodies with Sally was that Nicole began talking to herself. Which she had never did...the screen faded...

(In Rotors room)

Rotor leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful face. He had always wondered how Nicole and Sally switched bodies. Though now after watching all those DVDs he knew for sure; he was glad she had explained it even if it was in the creepiest kind of way. Nicole and Sally switched bodies, but it wasn't a transfer; they linked, and the link was only temporary. Rotor guessed it was like the mind maps he had heard about in previous DVDs. Nicole said it was experimental…

Rotor also noted that after entering their time period Nicole never mentioned her creator. Rotor then took a look at the time on the bottom right of his screen; Tails would be here soon; Rotor sat still for a moment taking in all he had seen on the DVD. After a minute or two he sighed feeling a bad feeling in the pit of his gut and rolled his chair over to his telephone next to his bed on a crate and dialed a number….

Ring…Ring….

The phone clicked, and Sally answered drowsy "Hello?" she yawned.

"Sally, its Rotor…." Rotor paused with a frown "…We have a problem…could you meet Tails, and I in the main control room ASAP?"

"Don't tell me R.O.B. is failing." Sally asked him in an upset tone.

"It's kind of hard to explain but…" Rotor paused "…we might need to evacuate the city..." Rotor said in a shaky tone.

Sally was quiet for a moment "…I knew I had a bad feeling about Nicole being gone...is there anything we can do?" Sally said now sounding extremely upset.

"Well, that's why I need to talk to you. I think I found what Nicole said that would help us…" Rotor said with a bit more optimism.

"I'm on my way." Sally said in a serious tone, and the line went dead.

Rotor hung up his phone and got up from his seat with a frown on his face. Once Tails and Sally and the others got here Eggman would have already started his attack if he hadn't already. Once Rotor was done with his morning rituals he grabbed the OOS DVD and left his room. He turned on the lights of the control room and started preparing for the attack from Eggman; though preparing was an understatement. It was more so they were waiting for the city to be overtaken….

On the east side of town Tails jogged; he was running a little late to check on Nicole. He had to be at Castle Acorn like twenty minutes ago. He kept a neutral face as he approached Nicole's new house and jogged all the way up to her door and rang the doorbell. The cool morning air had awoken him quite quick; the rays of morning the sun were warm. There were blue skies today too. Tails rubbed his eyes; he had been up a good portion of the morning working on his computer. Things weren't looking good and wondered how Nicole had been faring these last few days now that she had been living and breathing…

On Nicole's end she was not fairing as well. Nicole sat on her couch with a neutral expression; her television was and she sat in silence; her hands were on her lap. She had gotten dressed and gotten her things ready for the scientist today and they sat in front of her on her coffee table neatly. She had heard her doorbell ring and she turned her head slightly; her face still neutral.

There were many things on her mind at the moment…

She was unsure of a lot of the things right now but she knew one thing for sure. She had come to the conclusion before she went to sleep that her friends were lying to her. She was starting to become more aware of things around her the more she thought and the more she learned…

She liked Sonic...but last night she was sure…after she asked him twice about her amnesia and why she couldn't remember anything…that he was lying to her…

And it hurt her to come to that realization but as she thought of it as she had last night. Why they couldn't tell her of memories didn't make sense…it didn't add up…

She'd made this conclusion by drawing a parallel. If they knew her why could they not tell her who she was? They said they knew her and things they had done in the past but they wouldn't tell her about any of it…

She couldn't remember anything still but she was starting to see as she had awoke a few weeks ago, her comprehension was growing…and she was starting to understand the things around her now…they couldn't fool her anymore…

She was sure she didn't appear out of thin air…

Didn't they want her to remember? Over the past few weeks Nicole listened to Sonic as he spoke to her and one of Sonic's teachings resonated with her as she didn't fully understand it until now…

He said 'Live till you die'…

Nicole then frowned as she stared at her front door; that's exactly what she was going to do today. She now felt confident enough to pursue the reason they were lying to her. Nicole took another deep breathe as she gathered her things and went to open the door. And even though Sonic was lying to her…he still had a spell over her that made her knees weak…

Nicole opened the door and put on a fake smile; holding her paperwork to her chest "Good morning Tails." she smiled at him.

"Hey Nicole! How's everything going? Did you get settled in ok?" Tails asked her with a happy face.

Nicole looked off to the side for a moment then looked back to Tails "Yes but...before I go to school would you mind answering a few questions I have?" Nicole asked and her smile was wiped off her face; her face became upset.

Tails raised an eyebrow at her sudden shift in demeanor as he stopped smiling; he was also surprised that she was speaking so well so quickly too. He was surprised. Her speech had improved drastically…

The scientist did mention that Nicole was not normal…

Tails had a hunch this conversation was no going where he wanted as he simmered under Nicole's stare. He was just here to check on her; he rubbed the back of his head looking uncomfortable "Uh sure Nicole, what do you want to know?"

Nicole's question were clear and decisive just like her computer self "Who are my parents?" she said looking at him in the eyes.

Tails then frowned as she instantly reminded him of her computer self; he thought it would have taken longer to become this aware so quick. They didn't think Nicole was stupid…not even close…just she was inexperienced, and they weren't sure what she would grow into. Though she just reminded him that this was still Nicole; the same they had known for years when she was…a computer…and she was awake now "Robert and Lily Lynx." Tails answered with a frown and a straight face as he stopped rubbing the back of his head.

"Where are they?" Nicole asked keeping her upset face.

"There were here...in the city..." he inched out; Tails began to sweat and he frowned; that was a weak answer.

"Why haven't they come to see me?" Nicole asked him keeping her upset face; she squeezed the papers she held to her chest closer.

"You saw them a few days before you developed your amnesia…they had left for central city…" Tails said trying to keep a tough face but he could feel Nicole looking right through him.

"I do not remember that..." Nicole shook her head and her frown deepened.

"You can ask the guys…they remember…" Tails frowned trying to cover himself, but Nicole was dangerously close to finding out the truth.

Nicole stayed quiet this time staring at Tails; her upset face Tails nervous. Then she spoke again "Why do I have amnesia?" Nicole asked him.

And Tails knew he could not answer this one as he gritted his teeth "Look Nicole…I was told by your doctors not to talk about that because it could make you have a relapse..." Tails darting his eyes away from her briefly.

But Nicole was persistent "Then tell me what we all did when we were younger." she frowned and her tone was even more upset.

Tails looked away from Nicole completely stumped; Nicole wasn't as naive as he or anyone thought anymore all of a sudden Her questions were precisive. But just as those thoughts passed through Tails mind he darted his eyes up and away from Nicole and noticed the city's force field was flickering…

"Oh no..." Tails looked up completely and his eyes widened in shock.

"You did not answer my question Tails." Nicole ignored what she thought was him trying to ignore her questions. She stared at him with an upset face.

Tails face became serious as he looked up at the dome of the city "This wasn't supposed to happen this early." Tails looked at Nicole "Nicole we'll have to talk about this later. Leave your things, you're coming with me." Tails pointed at the city's force field.

Nicole frowned even more as she thought he was still trying to avoid her questions. But she slowly broke away from her questions and looked up. But she blinked still unsure of what she was seeing; she had seen the same thing yesterday but she didn't know what Tails was talking about

Nicole's face softened, and she looked confusedly at him "Is that bad?"

Tails frowned and stayed silent as he turned and began walking down the path of her house. Nicole then frowned herself as she could see the tone of his seriousness was not a joke. She quickly went back into her house and put her things down and closed her door as she followed Tails back outside to Castle Acorn. Completely unaware that everything that was happening right now was by her hand…

Elsewhere in the city, Sonic was heading to Castle Acorn. He frowned as walked down the streets watching the citizen's move about around him going on with their lives unaware of about to happen. He was awakened early as he and the rest of the Freedom Fighters were briefed this morning. For the first time since Nicole created the city…it might be lost today…

It made him sick to his stomach to think of it. It was their second home after the Knothole got destroyed by Eggman…now he might do it to their second home…

Sonic watched the few people out this morning as he walked towards Castle Acorn. A male pig and his son happily walked down the street past him and Sonic shook his head with a frown on his face…the people had no idea how quick and hard whatever was about to happen was going to hit…

Sonic and the others still didn't know what to do with her. But as Castle Acorn came into view the New Mobotropolis alarms started to blare echoing through the entire city. Sonic then frowned as he took off running and dashed off in the direction of Castle Acorn.

He ran there without stopping in a few minutes he reached the castle and made his way through the inside. It was chaotic inside as the guards ran through the castle; he even bumped into a few. Sonic ran up the repaired stairs, down the hall, and into the control room. Everyone was here, and they all looked at him worried…

"Sonic..." said Sally with a worried face.

"What's the plan? This is happening even faster than I can run." Sonic said grinning at them all.

Then all his friends smiled; Sonic was always ready; no matter the situation. Nicole just smiled because it was Sonic.

Sally then looked around at the Freedom Fighters with a determined face "The plan is to do what we do best! We're losing control of the city at the moment...but that's ok…" Sally slammed her fist into her hand "First we need to evacuate the citizens before Eggman gets here. Then we need to give Rotor and Tails time to do what they need to do. We don't have any backup this time but Rotor and Tails may have found what…" Sally had to stop herself from saying Nicole's name as she was in the room with them; she glanced over at Nicole who looked upset; the other Freedom Fighters all what Nicole did and might have left behind now and looked reviled that Sally had caught herself.

Sally coughed looking around at everyone again as she continued "…we may have found something that could help us. We knew it was coming…now it's time to deal with it. It's time to fight!" Sally said with a determined face and confidence in her voice.

Rotor, Tails, Bunnie, Antoine, Amy, and Sonic all acknowledged Sally's speech.

"Do not worry Sally. We will not let fail!" Antoine nodded with a serious face.

"Behind ya one all tha way guys!" Bunnie said aloud with a serious face.

"We got this!" Tails and Rotor said in union.

"Sonic and I are ready!" Amy said grabbing onto Sonic's arm; Sonic looked annoyed, and everyone chuckled; Nicole remained silent looking upset.

"Before you go, take these watches. There the only way we have left of communicating." Tails said handing the watches in his hand to everyone.

Tails handed them to the team "There only two way too but at least well know if someone needs help."

Sally gave them one more nod "Alright! Move out!"

Amy, Bunnie, and Antoine stormed out of the room. But Sally grabbed Sonic's arm, and she whispered to go talk to Nicole before he left; they all knew Nicole had a thing for Sonic and she might listen to him more than anyone else.

Sonic nodded and they both glanced over at Nicole who was looking at the floor still looking upset. Sally then walked over to Rotor and Tails "Could one of you silence the com chatter on all the P.A.'s; I have to give orders to all personal and alert the citizens."

As Sally, Rotor, and Tails got busy Sonic made his way over to Nicole who still looked at the floor upset. Nicole's usual reserved self was replaced by a more serious looking Nicole. Sonic held a sympathetic face "Nicole?" he asked her.

But as Nicole looked up at him she went straight to questions; she didn't know how naive people thought she was but she did not care to hide how much she had developed; she kept her upset face "Sonic, Sierra said that I am the age of an adult; that we are the same age. Why can't I remember anything? You said you knew me before, what did we do before I couldn't remember anymore. Doesn't that mean we grew up if you knew me, and we are the same age?" Nicole asked almost looking desperate.

Sonic was taken aback; he looked surprised. She was asking questions again, and it was a constant reminder of her computer self; Sonic frowned "I'm sorry Nicole we can't talk about that right now…I have to get going..." Sonic said as he got ready to turn around.

But Nicole grabbed his arm, and he looked even more surprised at the determination on her face "Right now…it would not take long Sonic…" Nicole said with frustration; her brow furrowed.

Sonic frowned as he quickly thought of a lie "We used to hang out on the beach a lot. Do you remember that?" Sonic asked her.

Nicole blinked her eyes, and she released his arm and thought…

A brief memory popped into her head of a beach. Nicole didn't remember ever going to a beach but she had learned with the scientist what a beach was. And the anger in her face softened but she still looked upset; her eyes opened slightly as she recalled this memory "Yes..." she looked at Sonic but she still did not looked convinced. She remembered the beach but she didn't remember herself on the beach; only vision of the beach.

Sonic frowned as turned and finally walked away "Stay safe Nicole…we'll talk later…"

Nicole stood still in her spot looking at Sonic with an upset face as he walked away; she still didn't believe him. And as she watched Sonic walk out of the room she frowned seeing now that they weren't going to tell her directly.

She was going to have to find out another way…

So she quietly walked over to Rotor, Sally, and Tails as they busily worked on what they were doing. They all had their back turned to her. Sally was ordering the guards to help the evacuate the citizens through the P.A.; the alarms still blared loudly through the castle. Rotor and Tails were busy working on the computers and did not even notice her.

Nicole waited for Sally to be done then spoke "I am going to the restroom Sally." she said with a frown.

Sally took notice of her glancing behind herself and nodded turning away from her. Nicole then walked out of the room and walked just far enough were they could not see her anymore; she could still hear them fine though. And she quickly pressed her back against the closest wall and not long later they did began talking...

"Can you get any of the tech trainees you've been training here?" Sally asked Tails and Rotor.

"No, they wouldn't be able to help anyway. After Tails and I finish putting up a few more blocks were going to try to use the files." Rotor spoke to Sally.

"Speaking of Nicole, Sally, I think Nicole has caught on." Tails said to her.

In the hallway Nicole's ears had bent backwards listening intently now that they had mentioned her; she wanted to know what they were hiding….

"Well...that's ok. It was bound to happen. We'll deal with it later. What are those files anyway?" Sally asked them both.

"I'm not sure exactly…from the DVDs, I watched Nicole wasn't the original OS. I'm guessing and hoping these are the files for Nicole's OS…even though she's not there anymore…it might be the OS Nicole's Creator originally used." Rotor said responded.

"Those DVDs must be really interesting. What did her creator look like?" Tails asked Rotor.

"It's a long story...but it is the future…" Rotor said to Tails.

"The future? Are you serious?" Sally asked now sounding interested.

"Let's just say the first time her creator was a guy. The future wasn't terribly different but there were flying cars though!" Rotor exclaimed.

"Now I want to see it." Sally said in a curious tone "What did the inside of homes look like?" Sally asked him.

"Well where Nicole lived it was just a regular apartment..." Rotor responded "But I'll tell you guys about it later, we have to focus…"

But even as they went on doing what they were doing Rotor went on and on about Nicole as Nicole listened in the hallway. Nicole had not moved an inch; her ears still bent back; but now she had a look of surprise on her face. She knew they were lying…

Because this time…she remembered having a dream about what Rotor described to Sally and Tails…

But she remembered what Sonic had said as well. That means it couldn't be true...why did she remember then? Nicole listened in the whole time they talked. She stayed by the hallway wanting to know more of what they were hiding but now she wasn't so sure how far she wanted to go to as it kept getting deeper. It was scaring her….

Meanwhile at a unknown location on Planet Mobious, wireless transmissions were being sent from a giant egg shaped metal dome hidden in mountain plains. The EggDome! Inside of the massive structure at the very top Dr. Eggman sat in front of a computer console. With his hands resting on his arm rest, the screen in front of him was full of static…

With an angry face he moved his hand to press a button on the console "Snively! Are they ready?" Eggman spoke in an irritated tone.

A moment later Snively responded cowardly tone; his voice trembled "…Yes sir! Your forces are stationed just outside New Mobotropolis, they were no errors. The factory is also ready, no errors." Snively responded through his computer.

Eggman grinned evilly "Excellent! Initiate the hack factory Snively! I have so many robots hacking New Mobotropolis that they will never be able to resist. Something has happened there and that AI Nicole has something to do with it. Something has happened to her and I want to know." Eggman laughed manically while Snively listened "The city will be mine! Muhahahah!" Dr. Eggman howled in his chair.

But Snively interrupted him "Ummm…sir…the Destructix are on line two."

Eggman abruptly stopped his laughter and raised an eyebrow; a scowl came upon his face "Hmm?" Eggman typed a few commands into the keyboard in front of him "Arggh! Patch them through Snively."

A few beeps later "Done sir." Snively said responded.

Eggman got up and picked up a phone near his console and sat back down "Hello...yes I'm ready here..." Eggman said leaning back in his chair "Your first mission is to attack them directly…get to their control room so I can make sure they're down this time…your second task is to search for Nicole…I don't know what's happened there but I have a hunch that she had something to do with New Mobotropolis suddenly losing all the defenses they've had over the years…I've had limited control but I have full control of New Mobotropolis as of..."

Eggman look at his computer just as it finished what it was doing "Now!" Eggman grinned evilly Eggman paused to listen "Yes yes very good...Lighting Lynx? He hasn't offered me anything...do as you please with him. He is off no concern to me. Your mission is first...ETA is in five minutes. Be ready." Eggman said in a threating tone as he clicked off the phone.

Eggman then leaned back in his chair with an evil smile on his face "Excellent." he whispered.

The mystery surrounding New Mobotropolis was more intriguing every day to Eggman as he struggled to piece it together. Out of the many years he'd tried to take New Mobotropolis, this was the first time he was able to get through their defenses. Mainly because the AI program NICOLE had always thwarted him. He admitted she was good as he'd never been able to hack her. Since he already had control over the city he wanted to see what had become of the AI program NICOLE; as it was a mystery even he could not solve. These last few weeks all the defenses she had put in place over the years seemed to be gone…and Eggman was making sure he took the opportunity…

Down in the jails of New Mobotropolis Lighting Lynx peered around the green force field of his cell. It looked like the guards had forgotten about him and all the other prisoners. That was perfect as the Raiju clan could sneak right into the midst of battle and dominate. Lighting Lynx went over the phone and dialed the number for his clan again. He waited a moment as the call failed and an incoming call came on screen.

Lighting Lynx bowed and the wonderful scowling face of Conquering Storm cam onscreen "Lighting Lynx..."

"Bride of Conquering Storm..." Lighting Lynx said with his head bowed.

"We are ready. On your command Lighting Lynx our technicians will begin and our assassins will infiltrate the city." Conquering Storm said with an upset face.

Lighting looked to his cell door as it started to flicker "Ok..." he said offhandedly "The power is going…" then his cell doors force field shut down and he looked back at the screen with a serious face "...the defenses are down."

Conquering Storm then looked off screen and Lighting heard a voice "We are in…"

Conquering Storm nodded and the screen cut off. Lighting Lynx ran out of his empty cell and down the halls with the other prisoners as they sprinted out of their cells. Before long all the jail cells were empty and they all made their way aboveground to the sound of blaring alarms.

Lighting Lynx looked up to the city's force field and a grin came across his face…it was gone…

But he calmed down, and his face became serious. He jogged out into all the chaos, with the guards of New Mobotropolis helping the terrified citizens away from Eggman's robots as they rampage through the city; destroying buildings and attacking the citizens. The city's alarms blared loudly as he looked around. He remembered that the jails were just below the castle, and he turned around and looked up at the castle; trying to block out all the noise around him. If his clan failed to gain control or he failed to capture Nicole or both; he would be in deep trouble. He frowned as he took off running around the castle looking for an entrance. He had to find Nicole…he hoped Sonic wasn't with her…

Not long later Lighting Lynx made his way inside the castle. There were guards everywhere fighting Eggmans robots and he silently maneuvered around them searching the castle for Nicole. Eggmans robots were persistently annoying though…

Before long he made his way upwards even having to fight off some of Eggmans robots as he moved up the stairs.

Up on the third floor, not long before Nicole had returned unbeknownst to others that she had heard them talk about her. Now that robots had infiltrated the castle though and they were everywhere there were many guards stationed just at the entrance of the control room. Sally stood up from next to Rotor and Tails working on their computers with a determined face and began walking to the exit of the room; she glanced over at Nicole who still looked upset "Nicole walk with me; Sonic is going to meet us in a minute; we have to go to the top floor." she waved.

Nicole nodded obeyed though she still looked upset but before they could get walking they saw the guards run into the hallway and get knocked down. Sally looked shocked as Lighting Lynx steeped into the main control room with an evil grin. They just have time to account for everything and Lighting Lynx showing up was a possible uncertainty…

Tails and Rotor saw as well and got up from their seats to attack Lighting Lynx. Lighting Lynx dashed at them kicked Sally way from Nicole, and she rolled onto the floor. Nicole looked her upset face and looked worried as she stepped back and Tails and Rotor attempted to stop him. Rotor was less successful as he quickly maneuvered around and knocked him to the ground with a fast punch.

But Lighting Lynx had trouble stopping Tails. Tails punched him and knocked Lighting Lynx back as Sally and Rotor got up. Lighting Lynx tried attacking Tails again but Tails was able to easily dodge him and attacked him again this time knocking him down onto the floor.

Lighting Lynx rubbed his jaw as he stood and Sally, Tails, and Rotor converged on him but Lighting Lynx lunged at Sally and threw her into Tails and Rotor knocking the three onto the floor. Lighting Lynx growled as he dashed over to Nicole and picked her up as she instantly struggled.

But as Lighting Lynx dashed off into the hallway with Nicole, he screeched to a stop when Sonic ran into the hall. They locked eyes and Sonic held an angry face seeing Lighting Lynx and seeing him hold Nicole.

Lighting Lynx gritted his teeth but two of Eggman robots then burst out of a door behind Sonic. Sonic turned to the surprise and Lighting Lynx quickly ran to the nearest doors with Nicole struggling and yelling for help. Sonic felt frustration as he dealt with Eggman robots shredding them in half then ran into the control room looking confused.

Sally kept her serious face as she Tails, and Rotor ran to the entrance of the room "I don't know either Sonic…go get her…"

"We have to stay here get this thing running." Tails said with a serious face.

Sonic nodded silently as he hesitantly stepped away from the m and quickly dashed down the stairs after Lighting Lynx. The guards that had been knocked down got up as well rubbing their heads.

Tails and Rotor went back over to their computers, and Sally helped the guards stand. But just as she did she noticed someone other than Eggman's robots "Look out!" Sally pushed the guard she was helping back to the ground.

Her push made the guard stumble, and a shuriken just flew by their head. As they got up Sally saw a group of Raiju Clan members walking down the hall over the wreckages of Eggman's robots. The guards quickly gathered themselves and formed a defensive position around Sally with Tails and Rotor worked. Sally frowned as they now had to deal with the Raiju Clan…this was Lighting Lynx's doing for sure…

They held out their katanas and shurikens in their hands as they slowly approached. But as they got closer more of Eggman's robots entered the hall and started firing at Sally, the guards, and the clan members. The Raiju clan members jumped out of the way and the guards went to attack them. Much to Sally's relief more guards came rushing down an opposite hall and helped the five guards that had been protecting them. In no time they subdued the clan members and Eggmans robots and went back to guarding the control room's entrance. Sally ordered them to keep guard while they worked and they all compiled stopping any robots or Raiju clan members who came into the hallway.

In case of emergencies the steel security doors would come down to protect the control room. But they were disabled temporarily for the moment; they did not bring them down yet. They could still access a few things wirelessly around the city but because they were dealing with Nicole's hardware, they had to leave the room and could not keep the security door down…

Lighting Lynx sprinted out of the castle as headed straight out into the city trying to hold onto Nicole was struggling even more. He'd had trouble getting out of the castle getting past Eggman's robots. He figured it would even be hard to get out of the city even though his clan had already shown up. It was noon, and he was supposed to be out of the city about an hour ago.

While Lighting Lynx was busy looking for a way out of the city Nicole thrashed around harder "Let go!" she yelled.

Lighting Lynx looked irritated ignoring her as he reached the streets. Just across the street from him his fellow clan members were fighting one of Eggman larger robots. As Lighting Lynx looked to his left and right thinking of where to go Nicole thrashed around enough where he started to lose his grip and Lighting Lynx looked angry now "Settle down you idiot!" he yelled at her.

But Nicole as thrashed around she grabbed ahold of one of his ears and bit him "Yweeoch! Lighting Lynx yelled with wide eyes immediately losing his grip of her as she fell to the ground.

Nicole got up with a terrified face not knowing where she was going as Lighting Lynx head onto his ear. But she didn't not get far, not because of Lighting Lynx, but because of Dr. Egmman. His voice boomed through the blaring alarms and citizens screaming and the robots everyone were fighting.

"Greeting's whomever is left! This is your digital ruler! This city is mine now! So drop to your knees and forsake all others! Muhahahahah!" Dr. Eggman voice bellowed through the city.

Lighting Lynx soon recovered and growled dashed in front of Nicole; he sneered "Were not doing this again! You're coming with me!" he said angrily.

Nicole looked around for help with a worried face but there was no one, and she slowly backed away looking back at Lighting Lynx "No I will not..." she said in a scared tone.

And Dr. Eggman spoke again making Nicole stop in her tracks "Looks like Nicole isn't here to protect you all this time! Do you remember the time she brought down my third attempt to revive the Death Egg? No more cross wire firewalls! Oh I hated those things!" Dr. Eggman yelled through the city.

Nicole looked up with confusion and worry now on her face as Lighting Lynx approached; Eggman said her name "I'm going to take you to a better place." Lighting Lynx said in a twisted tone and an evil grin.

Nicole looked back down at him with a sour face "You are lying..." she said in an upset tone.

"Hmmm...what's this? The Raiju clan?" Eggman paused "Their making leeway! Well just don't stand there! They're trying to do what I'm trying to do! Destructix get a move on! They're probably going after Nicole too!"

Snively could be heard on the mic as well; the sounds of shuffling paper could be heard "Records show Nicole has done considerable damage to them. What could they want with her sir?" Snively asked him in a dry tone.

Eggman sounded angry "Don't be an idiot Snively. Was else are they going to do? They're going to destroy her or kill her! If she's alive I want her a test subject, and if she's still the AI I want her information! The only way to get that is by taking the city!" Eggman yelled "Get these codes to the factory! I'm going to..." then static filled the air and then the harsh voice of a woman filled the city.

"Greetings whoever is left...I am the Bride of Conquering Storm. I am your new leader. If you do not resist your death will be painless." Conquering Storm could be heard through the city.

Lighting Lynx's face became ill "The Destructix are here..." he mumbled looking shocked.

He didn't have to guess that even if they were here for another mission for Eggman, if they saw him they were going to get him too. He'd been trying to run away from them but somehow he'd run full circle right back into them. If they saw him they'd be coming for him as well as Nicole. As if Sonic wasn't enough to worry about….

And Nicole for the second time that day was shocked again. Her eyes wide…kill? Kill...that's what Lighting Lynx and Dr. Eggman and all these people were trying to do to her? Lighting Lynx had had her before...she remembered!

Nicole looked even more terrified. And the strange things they were saying about her... Firewall? Her protecting the city? She didn't know what they were talking about and how it related to her. But now she wanted to pursue what everyone had been lying about even more now.

But Lighting Lynx was done playing, and he quickly grabbed Nicole's wrist "You're going to regret that!" Lighting Lynx said in a menacingly tone; his face angry.

Nicole looked terrified again as she tried to break free from his grasp but then someone called her name "Nicole!"

They both turned to the sound to see Sonic running towards them not far from the entrance of the castle's grounds; he had a frown on his face.

Nicole's face brightened almost looking happy "Sonic!" she yelled happily; happy to see him despite all that was going on.

But now Lighting Lynx looked afraid as he scooped up Nicole and made another run for it; Nicole looked surprised. And Sonic was right on his tail as Lighting Lynx ran. They ran through the chaos of the city with Lighting Lynx trying throw Sonic off but Sonic was too fast. He tried to distract him by running past his clan members, the citizens of the city and even Eggman robots but they did not slow him down one bit. He was much faster than him or anyone on Mobious….Sonic was fast…

Soon they were in the business district and Sonic was about to catch him; Nicole cheered continuing to yell for his help. Lighting Lynx ran into an enclosed factory shipping area in the back of a big building and Sonic followed.

Lighting Lynx tried to lose him in a maze of huge crates and for a moment he didn't see Sonic as he ran back to the open doors of the area. But Sonic jumped up onto a large green metal case and spotted him instantly. Lighting Lynx was startled as he saw Sonic dash right after him as he ran back outside. Lighting Lynx ran down a conveniently placed alleyway in the area with Sonic hot on his heels.

As Sonic neared behind himself with a panicked face as Nicole reached for Sonic, they made their way out onto an open street, and Lighting Lynx screeched and ran to his left with Sonic about to tackle him; Sonic just missed him dodging the big robot.

A giant robot had detected him but it turned its attention back to the ninjas of Raiju clan attacking it; the clan members jumped onto the robot making it swing around violently. Lighting Lynx looked behind himself and Nicole struggled to break from his grasp as Sonic neared even faster this time as they neared the corner of a street.

But as Lighting Lynx turned back around he screeched to a full halt this time as he almost bumped into the people that he wanted to avoid; it made him sick to his stomach. He stepped a few feet back trying to hold onto Nicole with a growl on his face; Sonic screeched to a halt behind him looking curious at the predicament he was now in.

The Destructix walked into view, and they all grinned when they saw Lighting Lynx, Nicole, and Sonic. Sergeant Simian cracked his knuckles with a serious face "Well lookey what we have here."

The rest of what remained of the Destructix shuffled up from behind Sargent Simian. Sleuth Dawg, and Flying Frog "Give us Nicole, and we might let you go." Sleuth said evilly; he ignored Sonic.

Lighting Lynx held on tighter to Nicole "Let me go!" she thrashed around.

The Destructix laughed and Sonic kept his frown "Don't worry Nicole…I got you…"

Lighting Lynx took a defensive pose between Nicole and them since he was now surrounded with the Destructix in front of him and Sonic behind him ready to attack; Lighting Lynx sneered at them "Your nuts! Nicole's sacrifice is my salvation back into my clan!" Lighting Lynx growled at them.

Sergeant Simian looked unhappy "You know Lighting...since Predator Hawk and Drago are gone you're not making this any easier. I could be on the beach right now; instead I'm working for that blowhard Eggman again! You know too much about us."

"We need to make a deal." Flying Frog said in a silly tone hopping in place.

Sleuth looked to Sargent Simian their faces hardened "I can't believe I'm saying this but Frogs right." Sleuth said in a begrudging tone.

"Hey don't I get a say?" Sonic joked but still frowning.

Sleuth growled looking behind Lighting Lynx "Your next hedgehog!" and he looked back at Lighting Lynx "We are running out of time and we have other things to take care of…" Sargent Simian said with a hard face.

"Look Lighting, if you don't hand her over we'll still come after you. But if you do we will drop everything against you. Deal?" Sleuth Dawg said with a serious face.

Lighting Lynx looked at his previous team as if they had lost their minds. It might have been a decent proposal if we're not for Conquering Storm new offer to be let back into his clan. It was a ridiculous proposal. How many times did he have to remind them it was their fault he was in the predicament he was in, in the first; he yelled at the top of his lungs with an angry face "I can't let you take her! I must sacrifice her to Conquering Storm...I will be reunited with Conquering Storm!" Lighting Lynx said not backing down.

"Ok Lighting...you made a choice." Sleuth said in a final sounding tone, and the Destructix prepared to fight.

Sonic was ready to jump all of then when three of Lighting Lynx's clan members ran over to him; they signaled that they would for fight with him; they readied their weapons and Lighting Lynx held onto Nicole tighter.

Sergeant Simian pulled a gas canister from his belt and tossed it at Lighting, his clan members, and Sonic. Then one of the clan members tossed a gas bomb at the Destructix, and a large cloud of smoke erupted in the area as everyone went into attack mode.

Sonic dashed right into the smoke and spindashed into all of them knocking them down. In the chaos of the smoke Sleuth Dawg grabbed Nicole by one arm, and one of the clan members grabbed Nicole by her other arm pulling her back and forth. Nicole was in a panic. She couldn't see and their people all around her trying to kill her. Along with all the chaos going in the city she didn't understand; the constant sound of static as Eggman and Conquering Storm struggled to gain control of New Mobotropolis continued.

"New Mobotropolis will have enough resources to bring down the Eggman Empire!" Conquering Storm yelled in angry voice.

STATIC…

"My robots are going to turn you dated backwards civilization back into dust!" Eggman screamed back at her.

Nicole's squeezed her eyes shut and coughed through the cloud of smoke; listening to all the things around her as she was yanked back and forth. Then her ears perked up her as she was swept off her feet, and she was lifted into the air by a pair of arms. As they landed Nicole rubbed her eyes and her vision came back to her. She felt relief at the concerned face of Sonic as he looked down at her.

Nicole remained silent as she mustered a weak smile; despite what was going on she was glad he was always around for her. She still liked him…

Sonic smiled as they both looked over at the cloud of smoke, and Lighting Lynx came out of it looking angered. But so did the Destructix; Sargent Simian pushed Lighting Lynx out of the way looking just as angry.

Sonic grinned at him "You guys are to slow; you're gonna have to kep up!" Sonic said quickly taking off and running down the nearest street; Nicole wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on.

And the Destructix, Lighting Lynx, and his clan members took off after Sonic. And Sonic was just glad Nicole was safe; he wouldn't let anybody hurt his friends as long as he had any say about it. Though Nicole still had a lot to answer to she was still their friend, and they weren't going to turn their back on her. It wasn't that she hadn't done anything for them; she created this city and was the reason they survived so long. But what she did had also caused the mess that was happening right now, and she was totally unaware that it was by her hand. And Sonic knew that others were going to be less forgiving than him. So Sonic ran around the city looking for his own backup, Amy, Bunnie, and Antoine as he protected Nicole. He just hoped Tails, Rotor, and Sally were making some progress on whatever they were doing…

Meanwhile at Castle Acorn Rotor, Sally, and Tails were about to turn the tides. In the main control room Tails and Sally stood behind Rotor who was busy trying to format R.O.B with the files from the OOS DVD. But it was proving to be quite the task as neither Tails or Rotor could decipher how to use the setup for formatting of the files of the OOS DVD.

The entire city was based around Nicole's hardware and the reason why R.O.B even worked was because of Nicole. She created R.O.B as a backup if something ever happened to her and R.O.B was coded with similar structural coding as Nicole; it was the only reason it worked. Nicole's OS didn't use any programming language that Tails or Rotor ever saw; which only made them believe in the past that she was from the future even more. But along with her own set of coding in her portable forms hardware and software, Nicole had created coding specifically for the city because she had to…

She had to very complicated coding for all the software in the city to run because it was based off technology from her time…but there was a difference…

Nicole did not use her own coding as that coding was from the future…

And she did not use any dangerous technology from her time; only the nanites in a forced position to protect them. She had told them herself that the coding of R.O.B was not the programming language of her OS. All the coding in the city was translated from her programing language to the programming language of their time as hers was too complicated to understand anyway. They were glad because their programming language was something they could understand. And it's also why the programming for the city was so complicated…because it had been translated from Nicole OS by Nicole herself…

But at the moment it was proving to be difficult. They couldn't fix the problems with R.O.B because it took time because the coding was so complicated and. And without help from something like Nicole they didn't nearly have enough time in the last few weeks. Rotor had also told them that Nicole's portable form, her hardware, that all her files had gone corrupt when she left. They unhooked after she left as her portable form had stopped working, and Rotor had inspected her portable the last few weeks, and it had been with him.

"This isn't working! These files are too complicated...I think we're going to have to format Nicole's portable and integrate it back into the city. I've tried everything!" Rotor said with frustration on his face as he pushed away from his computer.

"I was sure deleting R.O.B's partition would have worked. Even fully formatting R.O.B hasn't worked." Tails said rubbing the back of his head with a frown.

"We don't have choice…let's get upstairs right now…" Sally said with a frown on her face; she held Nicole' inactive portable form in her hand.

Rotor pulled the OOS DVD disc out of the drive it was in and he; Tails and Sally ran to the room's entrance; they had to get to the top floor in. They ran past the seven guards fighting Raiju clan members and Eggman's robots and ran down the hall to the staircase. The blaring alarms were even louder as they entered the staircase as the sound vibrations were amplified in the tight and long corridor. As they ran up the staircase the damage Eggman's robots had done was horrific. The staircase ad the walls had all been damage considerably. With holes in the walls and stone stairs were broken and missing pieces. They were destroying the castle from the inside out.

There were guards all through the castle on all the floors they ran past fighting the robots that had infiltrated the castle. Some doors had been ripped off their hinges, and they ran pat more Raiju clan members fighting with guards as they ran up the stairs.

The blocks Rotor and Tails put in place earlier was enough to keep Eggman shutting down the power; obviously if the power went out it would have been over. But now with the unexpected surprise attack of the Raiju clan fighting Eggman, it gave them even more of a distraction for them to try and use what Nicole had left behind.

Soon though they made their way to the top floor when a guard burst through the door and landed on her back in front of them. Tails, Rotor, and Sally got ready to fight when a Raiju clan member came through the door readying his weapon when he saw them. Tails, Rotor and Sally rushed him, and it was enough to get him out of the way as they pushed the clan member back through the doorway.

But the Raiju clan member got up off the floor ready to attack again when five guards came to Tails, Sally, and Rotor's aid. They knocked him out and formed a protective perimeter around the three as more of Eggman's robots came to attack; even more guards came up behind those robots and helped them.

One of the guards; a female commanding guard glanced back at the trio "Princess, it seems like you need to be somewhere. Do you need assistance?"

Sally nodded with a serious face "We need all the help we can get. Watch our backs while were in the containment room and help us back down stairs."

The female guard nodded with a determined face "Yes Princess!" she exclaimed then turned her back to the other guards "Form defensive line!" the commanding guard yelled to the other guards.

They began pushing back the robots as Sally, Tails, and Rotor ran in the opposite direction down the hall which was just in seeing distance; the five metal security doors they once protected Nicole were all open in this emergency. Once in the five block containment room they all went through the steps of disabling the networks so they could format Nicole's portable form. It took a minute or two but soon they had Nicole's portable form hooked back up and integrated into the city again. Then they went to the last step and of trying to use the OOS DVD to restore Nicole's portable OS to that of which Rotor described on the DVDs; the OS before Nicole. It was a long shot but they had nothing to lose.

To their surprise though, none of that was needed for once Tails initiated the OOS DVD with Nicole's files the setup immediately worked and the disc asked if Tails wanted to replace the missing files needed for operation "Hey guys look!" Tails exclaimed; his face had a look of surprise.

Sally and Rotor stopped what they were doing and ran over to him; when they saw the setup screen they all smiled "Of course we do." Rotor said looking shocked.

"Well these OS files were designed for Nicole…it makes sense that it works. This software was designed for her hardware…" Sally said blinking her eyes in curiosity.

Tails still looking surprised immediately hit enter and Nicole's portable processed his request and began formatting Nicole's hard drive; in under a minute all the files were replaced.

But momentarily all the power shut off, the blaring alarms stopped, and Eggman and Conquering Storm's bickering was made quiet around the city though the sounds of fighting could still be heard.

In the dark Rotor spoke first "Before you ask Sally, I have no idea." he said aloud.

"Thanks for the heads up." Sally stated sarcastically as she looked around in the dark.

"I wonder if Nicole heard what Eggman was saying?" Tails said aloud in the pitch dark room.

"..." Rotor and Sally did not respond as they searched around in the dark wondering what happened. But soon the power shot back on, and all the lights began flickering back on. The screen on Nicole's portable lit up and showed it starting its boot.

"Uh oh!" exclaimed Tails as he ran over to one of the many computers in the room began typing on its keyboard "All the computers are rebooting but we haven't set up any protection protocols yet. We formatted…this computer is blank…" Tails said with a serious face.

"Oops…" Sally said grabbing ahold of her head looking surprised.

Tails started to sweat "None of the commands are working guys! They must be different…I don't know anything about this OS!" Tails turned around and looked at them with slight panic.

Sally looked at a loss but Rotor looked strangely clam. He held a curious face as he rubbed his chin "….Computer… initiate firewall…" he said with an uncertainty in his voice.

But the trio all looked up as a male robotic voice suddenly echoed through the castle "There is no known firewall installed."

"What was that?" Tails said with confusion.

Rotor then smiled "That was Eggman and The Raiju clans snuff ticket." he looked up still looking curious and Sally and Tails watched him in confusion "Computer? Are all computers in this building operational by you?" Rotor asked the New OS.

"Yes." it responded "There are multiple IP addresses asking for access to change the state of system operation. Allow?" it asked Rotor.

Rotor continued to smile and shook his head "Deny. Oh and limit your voice to wherever we are accessing you unless otherwise noted."

A moment later the New OS responded, and its voice was only hearable in the containment room "Settings set." is responded.

Sally and Tails looked shocked "Who is that Rotor?" Sally asked him.

Rotor looked at them with a smug face "…I suppose its Nicole's Original Operating System…"

"Maybe we can still wing this!" Tails said now smiling.

Rotor looked back up again and spoke aloud "Computer, we need to set up a basic firewall. Search our back up servers in this room for the programing languages we use and download them."

"Searching…" it responded; Sally, Tails, and Rotor waited and a moment later it responded "Twenty five PDF file formats found…downloading….download complete." it responded.

Rotor frowned a bit "…Ummm…store information for C++…"

And a moment later it responded "Information saved successfully."

Rotor nodded "Good." Rotor looked at Tails and Sally "Now we have backup security protocols and just about everything we set up before Nicole left. They were stored on our servers; not Nicole's hard drives." Rotor said with a serious face.

Sally nodded with an intrigued face "We could restore everything that Nicole made for the city…"

Tails held a determined face as he looked up and spoke aloud "Computer, install security protocol Kernel-Mode Sockets Filter."

They all looked up "Installing…" it said but a moment later a loud error beep filled the room "Error…C++ not recognized…"

They all looked down at each other with worry as Sally spoke "This New OS only understands Nicole's coding."

Tails nodded "Right. But Nicole made a translation program for it." Tails said with a grin as he looked back up and Rotor and Sally did as well as he spoke "Computer search for Compiler Sky IDE."

"…Searching…" it responded and spoke again moments later "Folder found. Forty five results."

Tails kept his smug grin "Computer initiate and download and install all security protocols from our severs." he said aloud, and a frown came across his face.

Tails, Rotor, and Sally looked up in anticipation when it responded "…Installing…" Sally looked glanced down the hallway at the guards dealing with more Raiju clan members; they all sweated as they dreaded the error beep. But it did not come, instead the New OS responded "…Install progress one percent…"

Rotor, Tails, and Sally looked at each other as unbelievable relief washed over their faces. They almost didn't believe it…but they still had work to do as they had already run out of time…

Sally finally smiled "Let's get back to the control room and rein in control!" she exclaimed.

Tails and Rotor nodded with a smile and spoke in unison "Right!" they exclaimed bolting out of the room.

They ran back down the hall, and the guards blocked the incoming attacks of the Eggman robots and Raiju clan as they reached the staircase and descended. They ran down the stairs and back into the control room, maneuvering past Eggman robots until they reached the control room. The guards on the floor continued to fight Eggman robots and the Raiju clan members that had infested the castle. There were at least fifteen near the control room.

As they ran back into the control room Rotor, and Tails ran back to one of the many computers in the room that had just rebooted; Sally stood behind them em "Your right Sally. I'll take any break we can get right now." Tails said, and Sally nodded.

"Now open the shutters in here Rotor." Sally said in a commanding tone; her face srious.

Rotor rubbed his hands together "Ok..." he spoke aloud "Computer, open shutters in main control room on third floor..."

"Opening shutters." the New OS responded.

Shooouup, shooouup, shooouup! The shutters that had been activated and shut in emergences re-opened; the broken glass from the windows slipped onto the floor as they opened.

"I wonder how many of Eggmans robots, and the Raijus clan members are still pouring into the city?" Rotor said offhandedly as he typed into his computer.

Sally crossed her arms and spoke aloud "Computer show all border cameras for New Mobotropolis."

But an error beep filled the room "Error…permission denied…." the New OS responded.

Sally frowned knowing that was Eggman "We'll deal with that in a second….try and get the force field back up." Sally ordered Tails and Rotor.

"Computer, reinitialize the force field for the city." Rotor spoke aloud while typing into his computer.

Another error beep filled the room "Error…permission denied..." the New OS responded.

Sally looked a bit irritated, and Tails looked up from his computer with a frown "Computer… scan outgoing IP addresses and remove all viruses…" Tails said in a cautious tone.

The New OS responded "…Starting security measures…scanning a deleting all threats…..initiating force field…...accessing all border cameras…."

Tails sighed, and Rotor chuckled; Tails glanced back at Sally with a grin "One of our old commands that we used to use with Nicole."

Sally smirked as she looked over at the big security screen seeing different video feeds all around New Mobotroplis; Eggman's robots were still coming into the city.

Then Sally walked over to the opened shuttered windows pushing the broken glass out of it; it fell outside. She looked saddened, and her brow furrowed. Then sun was starting to get low, and half of the city had been leveled, huge explosions could be seen from in the distance. A few building that still stood were on fire and various fire could be spotted in the distance "Guys? What's the ETA on those security protocols?" she said aloud taking in the horrific damage that been done to the city.

Tails responded to her "It's at twenty five percent; we're already regaining some control over the city." Tails said distractedly.

Sally whispered to herself as she looked out the window "This isn't good..." she said shaking her head and briefly closing her eyes. It was just like when the knothole was destroyed by Eggman.

Sally opened her eyes with a frown and walked away from the window; the city's forces field was starting to flicker back on. She walked back over to watch Tails and Rotor do their thing; Rotor spoke off handedly "Our old firewall is being installed again right now…" he said as he typed into his computer.

Sally smirked a bit "I think we might make it out of this one alive…"

But the trio heard a sudden large ruckus in the hallway behind themselves. They all whirled their heads around to see a huge robot and Sargent Simian rushing down the hall pushing at each other heading right for the control room.

Sally's eyes widened in shock as she ran over to the entrance o the control room "Get in here!" Sally yelled at the guards in the hall. The Guards pushed back who they could and crowded into the room.

Sally gritted her teeth as she looked up and spoke aloud "Computer, shut the emergency door in the main control room!"

"Shutting door..." the New OS responded.

Everyone in the room looked on in horror as Sargent Simian screamed and the robot fired its lasers as them as they careened down the hall. They smashed robots and knocked Raiju clan members out of the way as they speed towards them. But the giant metal security door slammed down just in the nick of time Sergeant Simian banged on the door, and they all sighed in relief. Now that they were starting to get control over their city again it was time to see what they could do about the nanites….

Back on Sonic's end, he had got his much needed backup. He found Amy, Antoine, and Bunnie, and they fought Lighting Lynx, his clan members, and Eggman's robots. They all kept Nicole safe but after fighting the Destructix for a while they went missing. Although Sonic and the others saw that it seemed to be less of a problem as the city's force field had cut back on.

And not minutes ago the Raiju clans members had started to retreat. And Eggmans Robots had also shut down…they didn't know what going on…

The only one left still trying to fight was Lighting Lynx. He stood glaring at Nicole, Sonic, Amy, Bunnie, Antoine and they stared him right back down; they held determined faces. Then static filled the city again and Conquering Storm's angry voice echoed through the city…

STATIC…

"Lighting Lynx! A hacker from New Mobotropolis is causing us serious damage. We are pulling out; all reaming of members the Raiju clan your mission is complete." but she paused, and venom dripped on her voice "Lighting...I want to see you personally…" Conquering Storm said angrily and the line cut.

Lighting Lynx growled still staring the Freedom Fighters down; they remained unmoving. Conquering Storm did not sound happy…he sweated knowing what was about to happen to him…he was in serious trouble…

Lighting Lynx fist trembled in rage as he knew he had failed his mission horribly and now everything for him had reached the end of the line. He had nothing left…Nicole was his only ticket out and he could see from where he was standing he wasn't going to get anywhere near her…

He had to accept his fate…

Lighting Lynx slowly turned away from them with an angered face, still gritting his teeth, and dashed in the opposite direction.

The Freedom Fighters then looked at each other, beaten and bruised, and they all smiled at each other not believing they had pulled off the biggest attack on New Mobotropolis ever. Now that the Raiju clan had retreated, and Eggman's robots had shut down the citizens began rushing back out onto the streets looking at the damage that had been done. Some began to gather around the Freedom Fighters; though some looked suspicious of the Lynx that looked like Nicole, because it was her; they were still in too much shock about the demolished to recognize her. They all looked up and listened again as static filled the city's p.a's…

STATIC…

"Next time Hedgehog...next time..." Eggman grumbled under his breathe.

But as his static cut off another one came on…

STATIC…

"Hello...you know I think it fixed everything! We've got a New OS everyone!" Tails voice said happily "Computer, find Nicole...there at the south side Sally...hey guys, we scanned the city, and it looks like all of Eggmans robots have been shut down. " the line went dead.

As the line went dead everyone stayed silent…and just as quickly as they were attacked it was over...

They looked at the decimated homes…whatever they did they did it in a nick of time….

But more important than what just happened was what was going to happen now. The city was gone again….

Sonic frowned as he glanced over at Nicole standing next to him. She looked off into the distance with a neutral expression looking at everything around herself…

And more citizens came out onto the broken streets in droves. The nearby citizens walked around with shock on their faces…even though they had defeated their enemies yet again…there was no cheering….

The citizens took in the sight of everything that took years to build destroyed….it could take years to rebuild the city in this state…

It was a silent and deadly attack their enemies had unleashed upon New Mobotropolis. But Rotor's voice came over the city's p.a again…

STATIC…

"Let's see if that still works. Computer, initiate the nanites to rebuild...hey!...look at that!" Rotor exclaimed, and the line went dead again.

Then all around the Freedom Fighters and citizens, everything around them started to reform and repair itself…

The buildings, the homes, the roads, and everything that was built of nanites; which was eighty percent of the city. Nicole backed up closer to Sonic with a cautious face as the tiny machines reformed as house near them. Even the road beneath them began to repair itself.

The many citizens watched around themselves as everything in the city began to reform itself right in front of their eyes. And in a matter of minutes a big chunk of the city had been repaired. The citizens all screamed in joy but Antoine, Bunnie, Amy, and Sonic remained in their spots with frowns on their faces with knowledge of what really happened and what might happen now. They all looked at one another with worry as they still didn't know what to do with Nicole.

Knowing that the Nicole standing right next to them was the same Nicole; the AI Nicole they used to know; the one that used to run the city was now alive…

And the consequences of that were still unknown…

Nicole's expression remained neutral as she watched a nearby house be rebuilt not knowing what was going on when a nearby citizen yelled out "It's just like when Nicole was around!"

Sonic, Antoine, Bunnie, and Amy flinched as they glanced over at Nicole and her ears bent back as she shot her eyes in their direction; her upset face returned. With frustrated faces Sonic, Antoine, Bunnie, and Amy knew the gig was up.

Sonic gulped at the look on Nicole's face…they had never really seen her angry before…

It was time to deal with her…

The warm orange glow of the sun setting on New Mobotropolis was lost on the citizens. Only one hour had passed, and the city had been fully rebuilt as when Nicole was the AI of the city. Most citizens had gone home and locked themselves inside. Although the nanites had rebuilt their homes they could not replace their possessions which for the most part had been destroyed during the chaos.

Although it did not bother them as much knowing they were not going to go back to fleeing for their lives every day from Eggman before Nicole showed up. At least they still had a place to call home.

In the middle of New Mobotropolis, at the newly restored Castle Acorn the Freedom Fighters all stood in the main control room discussing additional things they needed to do now that the city was safe…all but Nicole who stood in the room staying quiet and listening to them talk….

Nicole held an upset face standing off the side of the control by Rotor's desk; she was ready to make her move. What she wanted to know lied in Rotor's room on the DVDs he spoke of. He said he had watched her on them when she overheard their conversation about her earlier.

And she saw they were not paying her any attention anyway so she slowly slipped her way into his room and grabbed the closest DVD lying on his computer desk. She grabbed it and stuffed it into her robes and exited his room before anyone noticed.

Sally did glance back at her every now and then but once Sally had returned her attention back to the conversation Nicole's frown deepened. They hadn't said anything since they returned to the castle about her questions so she was now taking matters into her own hands…she was becoming increasingly confident…

But observing everyone's behavior since she woke up, more importantly Sonic, if Sonic didn't want to tell her about her past…he was trying to protect her from something…

Nicole stretched feeling tired; that meant the others were as well…

Just then Sally finished speaking telling everyone they would convene tomorrow. The Freedom Fighters all but Rotor, Sally, and Sonic took their leave. Rotor had went into his room closing his door; he did not look at her but Nicole did with her upset face.

"Nicole?" Sally asked her.

And Nicole turned to look at Sally "Yes?" she said with a frown.

Sally held a weak smile "Do you want Sonic to walk you home?" she inquired.

Nicole felt her heartbeat increase, and she shook her head "…No…I am able…."

Sally and Sonic looked surprised as Nicole walked past them out of the control room; they noticed her upset face. They did tell her they would talk tomorrow about things…

And Nicole did not look back as she walked down the hall…she knew Sonic and Sally were close, and she did not want to see it…

She did not show it but she was quite nervous about what she might see on the DVD she had taken…

Sometime later it was getting on into the night at Castle Acorn and Sonic was starting to get back into the swing of things. He decided to take the plunge once more with Sally…

In the castles full lunch room it was quite noisy but he was in high spirits tonight. Most castle employees were most likely tired from the craziness of the day and were eating what food they could before they headed off to bed. The noisiness didn't bother him much though as he finished his food and headed down the hall of the lunchroom to the elevators.

Sally had told him to meet her in her quarters in the control room a little earlier. With a smile on his face Sonic finished his food rather quickly feeling excited about his meeting with Sally. She told him to come to her in an hour but Sonic felt a few minutes early wouldn't hurt.

Nicole had still not left his mind either, she was going to need to be dealt with first thing tomorrow, and he still didn't have a coherent plan. But done with that jazz of those thoughts Sonic rode all the way up to the sixth floor to the Castles Chambers.

As the elevator doors opened Sonic calmly walked down marble hallway to the very end of the hall. These hallways were illuminated by fine crafted stained glass lamps and luxurious furniture. All the doors in the hallway were huge wooden oak with a red tinge. Sonic stopped at Sally's door but did not knock on the door as heard Sally talking to someone. Eavesdropping was something he wouldn't normally do but he could already hear the conversation clearly through her door…

In Sally's room she walked back and forth across her room past Bunnie with a blue silk dress in her hands. Bunnie sat idly on Sally's bed. Sally's room was all that you would expect from royalty. A huge bed with a huge frame and her bed covers were made of the finest red cloth. Plush gray carpet, stuffed animals everywhere, fancy wallpaper designs, and clothes everywhere.

Bunnie and Sally were just conversing casually "Its great being married and all. But now I've been in a consammation so long I've notaced thangs about Antoine tha I didn't before..." Bunnie said sitting on the edge Sally's bed swinging her legs with a neutral expression.

"You're the perfect couple. What else could be wrong other than a few minor disagreements?" Sally asked her with a curious face as she stopped her pacing and stood in front of her.

"Nothan is perfect, ya kno that Sally girl." Bunnie paused looking at the floor "For one I've noticed tha Antoine has got a wandaring eye..." Bunnie said with a frown.

"Guys are always curious. What's wrong with a little natural curiosity?" Sally asked standing in front of Bunnie looking over her blue silk dress.

Bunnie shifted on her bed still looking down at the floor "Well...I've been starin too…."

Sally giggled with a smirk "At who?"

"Sally! This is serious I shouldn't be lookin. I'm happily married!" Bunnie exclaimed finally looking up at playful expression.

"Sounds like something deeper...so just tell me someone who hooked your attention." Sally giggled again placing a hand over her mouth.

Bunnie chuckled "You wont stop askin will ya?"

"Nope." Sally said smilied.

Bunnie sighed sounding nervous looking at the floor again "Thas some guys down the gym...and at the library there was one handsome fella with these glasses and…" Bunnies voice descended "Sonic...a few times...one time..."

There was a long pause, and Sally gave her a dry look and Bunnie looked back up her with a worried expression "But don't misundastand me Sally. I love Antoine but sometimes I just can't contol maself….I want to make things stronga between Antoine and me….but I am jus losing mah intrest…" Bunnie then dawned a curious face "How did you get Sonic following your tail again?"

"What do you mean again?" Sally said with a smile as she held up the blue silk dress in her hands and help it up in the air.

Bunnie smirked "Sonic has always was crazy about you sugh. I'm surprised he hasn't nabbed up none of those crazy little thangs chasing him."

Sally lowered her dress "I just couldn't do it before Bunnie. Sonic...he was just a friend…" she finished.

"I wouldn't ave guessed ya friend zoned Sonic." Bunnie said smiling at Sally.

"Sonic just wasn't attractive to me back then…" Sally smirked.

Bunnie stood from Sally's bed "I dont kno about tha but you're lucky enough tah hav a guy lik Sonic chasing ya so long. I wish I had someone watching mah back lik Sonic did to ya. Sonic has always been loyal to ya." Bunnie said with a smrik.

Sally sighed walking over to a huge mirror and sitting down in front it with her silk blue dress in her hands "I know…Sonic's been there for me even when I wasn't for him…." Sally looked into her reflection in the mirror as Bunnie walked over and stood behind her "I was selfish…but I do truly love Sonic now. I mean I loved him before too…sort of…" Sally struggled for words.

Sally looked down then back up at Bunnie in the mirror; Bunnie had a frown on her face. Sally looked for any kind justification of what she just said but they both knew there was none…she did love him before…

The look on Bunnies face said what she was thinking "Did you?" Bunnie asked cautiously.

The room was eerily quiet; her not being able to say it said volumes about her true feelings. She had no attraction to Sonic…at least before…

But suddenly the sadness on Sally's face was washed away, and she smiled at her reflection the mirror picking up a brush off the dresser in front her "I do now." Bunnie smirked "Help me with my hair Bunnie….I mean this time, and I can't wait to start things over."

Bunnie took the brush feeling happier at Sally's statement "What are ya gonna do to him Sally girl?" Bunnie chuckled.

Sally had a big grin on her face as she explained to Bunnie what she had in plan for Sonic and herself. But unbeknownst to them Sonic had just took off feeling as if he just crashed into the ground…

In a silent coma Sonic made his way down the elevator, out of the castle, and into the newly restored streets of New Mobotropolis. The night was warm and somewhat cool; it was most Autumns in Northhammer.

The red, orange, and other colored leaves blew across the ground, and the street lamps had been fully repaired and lit the streets. But the whole world was a blur around Sonic as he stumbled around not sure of where he was going; he still had disbelief written all over his face.

He wasn't gonna say he knew because he didn't, but a lot of Sally's behavior over the years now made more sense. All the turmoil they had gin their relationships and all the breakups they had gone through. All the drama their relationships had caused…

And all the years…he had wasted his time…

The streets were mostly empty, only with a few citizens still wandering around after their victorious battle today. He wandered to the east side of New Mobotropolis into the outskirts of the city where there were less houses; it was an area with more forest than city. Although even in an area like this in New Mobotropolis there were still light poles that illuminated bits and pieces of the area.

He spent some time wandering lost in his thoughts when he reached a river. He sighed with a frown on his face plopping down near the edge and crossing his legs. He was getting tired…

And this life was getting old…

Before he met any of his friends he had to start over many times. Even though he stopped Eggman, Eggman had gotten the upper hand when Sonic was alone and Sonic had to leave wherever he was and start over. The constant destruction of his home's got old after a while, just like dealing with Sally felt like right now.

But even now that he had a mostly stable home he found himself staring over again only in a different way. He guessed it was true that you only trade on hell for another…

He grabbed a nearby rock and tossed it into the river with another grimacing sigh. It never felt good when talked behind your back…

But then he heard his name being called "Sonic?"

Sonic looked behind himself with a curious face to see Mina looking curiously at him "What are you doing out here?" he asked with confusion.

"Well there's only a few places you used to go when you weren't home. So I checked them." Mina said brightly as she walked over to him and he stood; he hid his depression.

"Is there something wrong?" Sonic asked confused.

Mina shook her head with a smile "Well Ash didn't want to have some fun and just walk around, you know? I mean the city looks great but I just wanted to move around. Thought you might to." Mina said closing the distance between them.

Sonic then frowned "I think I'm gonna pass…." he held his hand up "I just had some bad news so I'm just gonna hang out alone tonight…"

Then it was Mina's turn to look confused "What's wrong Sonic?"

"…I don't want to talk about it…" Sonic kept his frown.

"Come on Sonic, I know you better than that. You can talk to me…" Mina said with a determined face.

But it was at this point when the turmoil from Sally got the better of him and Sonic felt anger rise up within himself. He didn't know who Mina was trying to kid but he didn't like it; especially with he was going through right now; he frowned at her "Mina...go….." he stated simply.

Mina looked taken aback as he continued "…Look…I'm sorry…I'm sorry alight…I'm sorry I hurt you in the past but I don't care about your problems…"

Sonic looked at the ground with an angry face "After you got hurt…you blew me off. I mean we haven't we talked in years!" Sonic said almost raising his voice looking up at her; Mina still looked surprised "How can you possibly say you know me? You ignored me, you turned your noise up at me, and now you're here using me to escape your problems."

Mina looked speechless as Sonic continued "You don't know me…you didn't want to know me…you not even here because you want to be. You didn't really want to talk to me…" Sonic looked away from her.

Mina held her hands up to her mouth with wide eyes; she knew it was all true; Sonic continued to look away from her "You don't do that to friends…that means..." Sonic paused "…were not friends…." he finished "You have Ash now…just go…" he said not looking at her; his face upset.

Mina then frowned feeling a tinge of anger; but she frowned knowing everything he said was true. Though a small part of her hoped to make it better with Sonic she knew good and well she was just here to project her problems onto him. And how she'd treated him over the years she understood his anger.

Mina quietly looked at him as he avoided eye contact with her, and she slowly turned and walked away; she frowned "Later Sonic…" and a little while later she was out of sight

And he stood in his spot closing his eyes feeling even more upset thinking about what Sally. Remembering his history with Mina only made him feel worse. Then Sonic ran in the opposite direction running just anywhere to get away for the night….

Back at Castle Acorn, in the main control room, Rotor was busy packing his things. With glee on his face he packed his manuals and his new ram chips. He glided around the makeshift room happy that he was finally going to be able move back into his house. He had packed other miscellaneous things in the last few hours.

Right now he looked around the neatly packed room and decided to take a break. He went to his mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of grape juice. This small bottle of juice was expensive, and it was thick, fresh squeezed grapes. Rotor grabbed a glass and sat it down next to his computer as he sat down in his chair and switched on his computer. Then without looking he reached for the DVD he sat on the edge of his desk next to his monitor.

He patted his hand there a few times, and he looked away from his computer booting up. He could have sworn that's where he left it. With a frown his placed his bottle of juice down and got up and searched his room.

But after a lot of searching with no luck he boiled it down to only three places were the disc could have been. He was very organized so it was either in the last box of DVDs that he hadn't closed up because he was going to watch a few more before he went to bed. He went to check the box, and it wasn't there.

He went to look in his DVD tray; it was not there. The last place where it could have been was next to his monitor but it was not. Rotor rubbed one of his tusk with a curious face; everything was organized to go back into his house so without a word ran into the main control; the lights were still on.

Rotor looked up and spoke aloud "Computer, show me the security camera in my room starting at seven p.m."

"Initiating…" the new OS responded.

It brought up a video on the big screen and Rotor walked over to it. Rotor watched for a few minutes and when video showed nothing happening Rotor spoke up again "Computer, fast forward."

The New OS did and it fast forward from seven p.m. To seven forty when the camera reviled Nicole entering his room and taking the DVD he was looking for off his desk. Rotor jaw dropped and his eyes wided "Computer, close video…"

"Closing…' the New OS responded.

Without another word Rotor ran back into his room grabbed a jacket and ran back out of the main control room, out of the castle and made his way to Nicole's house on the east side of town. He made his way there about twenty minutes later out of breathe.

He puffed as he made his way up the path to Nicole's house. Her lights were off, and he'd had a feeling of inevitability knowing that however Nicole found out it, it was not going to turn out good…

So Rotor knocked on her door and waited for a response; he was sure she had caught on a while ago but they weren't sure how to break the news that she used to be a computer...

Rotor knocked on the door again but there was no response….

So with a worried face he turned the door handle, and the door creaked open. Rotor slowly steeped in to see Nicole's stare at the black and white static of the TV screen illuminating her living room. Nicole slowly got up from her couch and walked over to Rotor where her face was visible…she was angry…"Is this true?"

Rotor rubbed his arm with a frown on his face; he tried to find a lie but at this point it was obvious she had seen the DVD; he slowly answered "…We were trying to find a way to tell you…"

Nicole's face was furious "That's not what I asked…is this true?" Nicole took a step forward "Is that why I cannot remember anything? What am I?" she asked in a low tone.

Rotor stayed silent, and she continued looking him in the eyes "…I did something bad didn't I? That's why the city is like it is, isn't it?"

Rotor looked her straight into her enraged eyes, and he sadly nodded "You didn't do it intentionally….as far as we know anyway…"

Nicole huffed out with tears now flowing from her eyes "I used to be a machine?" Nicole said wiping tears from her eyes "Don't lie to me!" she raised her voice, and the anger on her face was mixed with confusion.

Rotor took off his spectacles and put them into his jacket; he responded apprehensively with a frown "….Yes Nicole…you created this city…..everything in it and you protected us….."

Tears flowed from Nicole's eyes still looked angry "That's is more than enough for now Rotor…please do not watch anymore of those DVDs. I will watch them when I return…."

Rotor looked puzzled "What are you talking about Nicole? Are you going somewhere?"

Nicole sniffled wiping more tears from her eyes "….I will explain to everyone…." she started to convulse "….I did appear out of thin air..." Nicole cried even more; she now looked saddened and she dropped to her knees dipping her head and Rotor stepped closer with a pained face "….These memories are real..."

Rotor held a hand outreaching to her but he stayed in his spot as Nicole spoke once more "….I never had a chance with Sonic...I will never fit in…."

Rotor watched as she trembled, and she burst into hysterical crying, and Rotor rushed over to console her. Rotor held her, and she held onto to him. He stayed with her until she got it all out of her system…she'd taken that as well as he or anyone else would expected when you find out that you used to be a machine…

Back at Castle Acorn it was getting later into the night, and Sally had left her quarters and scoured the castle which was mostly empty now. Most people had retired to their rooms and Sally who had adorned a blue silk dress was starting to get worried. Because Sonic hadn't shown up, and it had been hours since she told him to come to her chambers….

Sally was currently walking down the hall of the third floor to the main control room; she held a frown on her face. She had guessed Rotor was still up because the lights were on as she walked down the hall but she found that he was not present.

But she got an idea as she looked up and spoke aloud with a smirk on her face "Computer, find Sonic the Hedgehog."

"Searching..." said the New OS.

Sally tapped her foot; surely Sonic was just out for a walk. Or maybe he was headed to the castle no; she thought with glee.

The New OS responded "Sonic the Hedgehog is not currently in New Mobotropolis."

Sally stood still as her eyes widened in shock. Her mind went blank and the only conclusion she could come up with Sonic not being in the city was out there...

But what other reason could he have for not showing up? After how close they had got in the last few weeks him missing their first night together meant for sure something had happened. Her stayed wide…had he heard Bunnie and her talk...

If he had it had to be the worst timing in history. But Sally's shock wore off, and she left the main control room in a fit as she marched all the way over to the east side of town in her blue dress to his house; it took about twenty minutes.

Once there she walked straight into his house; his lights were on. When he returned she was gonna give him a piece of her mind "Sonic!" Sally yelled as she slammed his door and walked into his house.

With an angry face she began looking through the house, walking into the kitchen she peered around for anything blue "Who do you think you are standing me up!" Sally screamed with less strength in her voice; she began to look worried.

After checking the whole down stairs Sally heard a door slam upstairs. She smirked as she run to the stairs and up them seeing a light from under the door. She burst into the room and with her mouth open ready to berate Sonic for standing her up but the room was empty. She walked in and jumped in the surprise as the door slammed behind her. She then noticed the open window and sighed looking sad now.

Then she looked to his bathroom, the lights were off. The confidence on her face drained, and she looked to his bed and the lamp on the night stand next to it. Sally walked over and sat on the side of the bed; the bed creaked as she sat down. The cool autumn breeze was the only sound of noise in the quiet house. Her head dipped low; at this point Sally had only guessed something had happened.

Maybe he only heard a little...

Sally's face became depressed as began blinking her eyes to stop her tears. He wasn't supposed to hear that….

She did love him and when he came back tomorrow she was going to prove it to him. By Mobious she hoped he believed her because they were going to talk until he did. Until then, Sally remained motionless sitting on his bed…hoping and waiting knowing he was not coming back tonight…

The next day in the Dragon Kingdom the sun was rising. At the mountain base of the Raiju Clan Lighting Lynx sat inside a jail cell wrapped in many bandages. Sitting on the floor and his back against the wall he contemplated what had happened yesterday.

The jail cells were craved into the mountain in an outside enclosed area on the ground floor or just the ground. His eyes were closed, and his arms were crossed. The warm beams of light from the morning sun hit his face, and he listened to the others imprisoned around him make racket as he waited for his fate...

His clan was most likely going to execute him because of his failure. Back in New Mobotropolis…everything...it all happened so fast...

He knew he wasn't going to get far with Sonic, his loser friends, the remaining Destrutix in the city on his tail, he had all his hopes dashed. While he was attacking them and trying to get to Nicole the Destruix were attacking him and his clan members.

Even with his clan behind him…he thought about many different ways he should have reacted but it probably would have turned out the same…

Lighting Lynx opened his eyes with a frown on his face as he inhaled and took a deep breathe. He wondered if anything good would ever happen to him…if all his hard work would ever get him anywhere….

It always seemed not matter what he did something would come along and slap him right back in face. His lifestyle was all he knew. He had been stealing and lying his whole life, and he felt nothing wrong with that. He had always felt what his clan said was right so he did, but he didn't do what the clan said so well…

"Ah well…" he shrugged and mumbled to himself "…at least this pain will go away..." his face neutral; hiding his true feeling of fear and hurt.

He thought back to before he fled New Mobotropolis. When he stared down Sonic and his friends…he wanted to keep fighting…but he was sure they had their own equal resolves for their causes….

Even when he was so sure they would not be able to hack them back; he wanted to run to them and take Nicole. Kill Nicole…so Conquering Storm would look upon him once more. He turned away though...

That hedgehog had beaten him again but this time Lighting Lynx didn't mind as much. After living this type of life so long he just wanted to get it over with…no more doubling down to make it better….nothing would make it better…

Then Lighting Lynx looked up as two guards approached him; he smirked. Deep down in his gut he just didn't feel the drive to pick himself up anymore so maybe in a way his leaving was for the best.

So the guards opened his cell and handcuffed him. The other imprisoned people hooped and hollered but Lighting Lynx didn't hear them as he held his head low; the guards escorted him inside. The inside of the Raiju clans base was reminiscent of small dojo but ten times the size. They walked past the training area and sparing areas and past many different areas. The inside of the mountain had been fortified so most of it was hollow. Allowing the many flights of stairs and many floors that Lighting Lynx walked upon to be created to the throne room at the highest point in the hollow mountain; where the Bride of Conquering passed all judgments.

The guards walked into the stone marbled room with Lighting Lynx down the giant red rug. Other than a few pillars, the oval craved holes made to be windows, and many ancient decorations the room; it was more lavish than other parts of the base. There were many guards stationed near each pillar ready and waiting at Conquering Storm's command.

Conquering Storm sat atop large flight of stairs in a golden chair covered with many pillows and other luxuries and amenities. Her legs were crossed and as usual a scowl was on her face. The guards and Lighting Lynx looked up to her as she spoke not long after.

She looked down at him "Lighting Lynx. Your broken promises have led to the only punishment fit for what you have done. Death." Conquering Storm said with an angry face; Lighting Lynx face was neutral.

"I would have found the most pleasurable death for you to be the death of one thousand cuts or the death of poison darts." Conquering Storm smirked.

Lighting Lynx raised an eyebrow as he looked up at her…had he heard her right?

Conquering Storm looked displeased as she spoke this time "During out stint in New Mobotropolis we have come upon some valuable information. Our hackers have uncovered information about Eggman that we have sold and made a substantial profit. Not as much as New Mobotropolis would have provided or pleasure in taking the living Nicole's life..." Conquering Storm folded her hangs together in front of her face. Lighting Lynx began to show hope on his face as she continued.

"…But this information we have gathered in the chaos was enough profit to sustain the Raiju clan for the next seventy-five years." Conquering Storm's face remained the same and Lighting Lynx smiled.

"As you know our resource issue has big a problem ever since the Yagyu Ninja had invaded our home in the year two thousand two hundred thirty four. We have been struggling to maintain..." and Conquering Storm sounded even more displeased as she unfolded her hands and looked down at him "…but you've managed to solve all of this in one clean stupid lucky swoop…." Conquering Storm looked even angrier saying this "Your banishment has been lifted Lighting Lynx of the Raiju clan." Conquering Storm said with displeasure waving her hand.

The guards behind Lighting Lynx un-cuffed him and Lighting Lynx dared not move as Conquering Storm had not dismissed him; she frowned "To work off your debt for the damage you have caused to our networks you have been assigned to janitorial duty for the next seven years or until I see fit. You are dismissed." Conquering Storm she said waving her hand at them again dismissing them.

Lighting Lynx looked up at her as the guards hauled him away with a look of disbelief and an uncontrollable smile on his face. It was clear that she hated him even more his failure. But his heart beat strong; she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Lighting Lynx smirked and Conquering Storm showed no emotion as he was dragged out of the throne room. His mind had changed completely now that he had a second chance. His blind love towards her had given him one step closer to regaining what was left of his life…one step closer to her again...in a few years anyway….

The next morning in New Mobotropolis was a breath of fresh air for everyone but the Freedom Fighters….

Sally had called Bunnie the next morning and told her what happened. But more than Bunnie's embarrassment was that Bunnie had told Sally that Nicole wanted to talk to them all; it was something big too. Nicole was making orders…

Bunnie had also asked what Sally was going to do about Sonic and Sally told her what she was going to do and that Sonic, and she were going to meet them all once they were done.

Sally was down stairs now and it was still early in the morning. She waited patiently on Sonic's couch for him to return running many different ways to approach the subject. Sally's hair had all but been ruined combing through it with her hands.

And after what seemed like an eternity Sonic's front door opened and Sonic stepped inside looking worse than she did. Sally got up and rushed over to him but as he looked up into her eyes Sally stopped in her tracks. He didn't look angry, or upset, or even annoyed by her. He just looked tired….

"Sonic? Where have you been? Have you gotten any sleep at all..." Sally asked him with a frown.

Sonic looked depressed and shook his head "I slept..."

Sally sweated; she held a worried face "Where were you? I waited all night..."

"..." Sonic remained quiet looked at her with a frustrated face.

"I was worried..." Sally keeping her worried face.

Sonic turned is head slightly closing his eyes for a moment then turned back to her "I..." Sonic sighed "I think I'm done Sally…"

Sally looked distressed and walked over to him a grabbed Sonic's hands which he did not protest "Sonic..." she squeezed his hands "Did you hear me last night?"

He nodded, and Sally frowned "How much?"

"I heard enough…" Sonic said looking sad again; he looked her in the eyes.

Sally stuttered as her worried face returned "I...I...Sonic...I did love you, and I love you now…" said Sally trying her best to show him.

Sonic frowned "I don't think so Sal..."

"Well I did!" Sally said with determination; Sonic turned away from her "Look at me!" Sally said as he tried to turn away again, she moved his face with her hands "I told you before. I admit my mistakes, and I want to move on...with you…" Sally said sincerely.

"..." Sonic remained quiet with a frown on his face; he didn't know what to think at that point. Sally looked deeply into his eyes; she had confused him again. Her sweet words warping his mind again….

Sally moved closer to him and hugged him, and they stood in a silent embrace. For a long time…Sally knew it was over…

A little later in the day, Sonic and Sally after have talking, made their way to the vehicle transportation building at north exit of New Mobotropolis. The building had been cleared for them because people still did not know about Nicole so it was only the Freedom Fighters, Nicole, and the building employees in the building. It was another beautiful day with warm weather and blue skies but everything was somber around the city as the citizens began to restore what been lost. There weren't any transport vehicles left after the battle yesterday but instead one had been called from another city to New Mobotropolis.

All the Freedom Fighters were in the building waiting to hear her important news; but Nicole wanted to speak to Sonic first alone…

They all did not know what was going on; once they walked into the building all they saw was Nicole with a suitcase, and no one had a clue to what Nicole was up to. The Freedom Fighters also saw the tension between Sally, and Sonic but Sally did not say anything on the matter, she looked just fine, but looks could be deceiving.

So just in seeing distance, Sonic walked over to Nicole looking confused; Nicole had a weak smile on her face. By her stood a gentleman in a black suit and behind them was a small transport plane just on the platform behind the gentleman and Nicole.

Sonic had not thought too much about Nicole after last night but she had been in the back of his mind as all his problems were. But after he was informed that she wanted to speak to him alone he knew something was up with her "What's going on?" he shrugged still looking confused.

Nicole smiled weakly at him holding her hands together "I wanted to thank you…." Nicole stumbled on her words and looking at the floor still smiling; Sonic then smirked "…for watching over me…I don't want to think of what would have happened if anyone else would have had watched over me…" Nicole looked up at him "…You have kept me safe and I appreciate it...and I appreciate you..."

Sonic nodded with a grin "It was no problem Nicole…" but his grin slowly disappeared, and he looked puzzled again "…what's going with this though?" he waved his hand in a gesture at her suitcase.

It was then Nicole's smile left her face, and she looked saddened as she stared into his eyes "…I cannot stay…is not the right time for me..." she looked away from again and Sonic frowned "….Once I have grown…when I feel it is right….I will return…." she said looking back at him.

And Sonic rubbed his chin thinking it over; he did not protest. He could see her making leaps and bounds already on her own; there was no need to slow her down to what she felt was right; Sonic held a serious face "…Do what you feel is right Nicole…"

Then Nicole's weak smile retuned as she reluctantly closed the distance between them and flung her arms around him; she felt nervous doing it but she relaxed as Sonic returned the brief hug; she closed her eyes "I will miss you Sonic….I will miss everyone…" and Sonic smirked as he patted her on her back.

But as she hugged him the rest of the Freedom Fighters ran over tired of the suspense. They all wanted to know what was going on; Sally spoke first with confusion on her face "What is going on Nicole?"

"I am leaving..." Nicole said as she released Sonic looking to all her friends with her weak smile; they looked completely surprised by the revelation.

"...Just what is going on? You just can't leave Nicole..." Sally looked exasperated.

Antoine, Tails, Bunnie, and Amy silently agreed with their jaws dropped. But Rotor already knew the deal and spoke up "I hope you have a safe trip Nicole...I've already got some security setup for you…." Rotor looked over at Sally with a smile "Sally we can sort out the details later…"

Sally nodded still looking surprised "…I'll see what we can do…."

"This is so sudden..." Antoine said still looking shocked.

Nicole smiled weakly at them all "I am leaving…" she repeated.

And Nicole picked up her suitcase next to herself, and they followed Nicole and the gentleman in the suite over the platform with the small transport plane. The gentle man in the suit opened the door of the plane, and Nicole stepped inside and waved at them blinking her eyes to hide her tears. The Freedom Fighters still looked shocked all the sudden decision Nicole had made but it seemed to be in place already and with all that happened they figured it was best just to let things be and let the chips fall where they may…

And that was the end for now. The Freedom fighters watched Nicole go away for the first and long time. Nicole was headed to Central City; a neighboring city of New Mobotropolis. She said she was gonna live there for a while…until she grew and felt she was ready to return…

It was a bold move on her part it surprised everyone; and it was without warning. It forced them to think more and more about Nicole as time went on. The more they thought about her and her behavior they started to notice the distinct mannerism's Nicole had displayed while she was alive. She was acting more and more like when she was a computer or maybe that was just her personality coming out. It made them wonder more about Nicole since for the most part they had been dealing with the damage she had left behind and caught up in their own lives. Because while she was away…things just weren't the same….

Foggy closure. Things have finally resolved themselves…or have they…

The city is saved due to everyone's efforts! Even Lighting Lynx got lucky! So what happens now that Nicole has left? When will Nicole return? What damage has been done between Sonic and friends? How will New Mobotropolis fair? Find out next time! Later.