Sally Acorn completely understood why Sonic the Hedgehog had volunteered to take the morning patrols of the Great Forest himself. Temporarily freeing—and later losing—Uncle Chuck had taken a heavy toll on the hedgehog's psyche and confidence. Patrolling the Great Forest alone would give Sonic the time and solitude he needed to clear his head and regain his bearings.
The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Sonic zipped through the underbrush. The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of blooming wildflowers. Sonic's keen eyes scanned the surroundings, alert for any sign of danger.
By mid-afternoon, Sonic was blazing down the secret path back to Knothole Village to deliver his fairly uneventful report to Princess Sally. The gusts of wind created by his incredible speed swept through the sturdy trees, sending their fragile leaves swirling in a torrent that announced his arrival long before he appeared.
As he zoomed along the path, the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the ground matched the steady thump of his heartbeat. His mind wandered, lost in a speed-induced daydream. About seven miles from Knothole, Sonic's reverie was abruptly interrupted. Two figures materialized ahead, blocking his path and frantically waving their arms to get his attention.
"Whoa!" Sonic yelped, dirt and dust exploding from beneath his shoes as he skidded to a stop. His heels dug into the dirt path, sending pebbles scattering in all directions. The sudden halt caused a whirlwind of leaves and debris to swirl around him.
"What's up, guys?" Sonic asked, recognizing the figures as none other than Bunnie, the half-robotic rabbit, and Tails, the two-tailed kitsune. Relief washed over him at the sight of his friends, a brief respite from the constant turmoil in his mind.
"We got a surprise for ya, Sonic!" Tails quipped, his mischievous grin widening as he walked behind Sonic, pulling out a faded yellow blindfold. The fabric was soft and worn, hinting at years of use in playful pranks.
"Cool, I love surprises!" Sonic exclaimed, excitement bubbling in his tone as the faded blindfold covered most of his eye area, casting the world into darkness. The darkness heightened his other senses, making him acutely aware of the sounds and scents around him. Despite the anticipation, a sliver of apprehension lingered in the back of his mind.
"That's good, 'cause this is gonna put you right up on cloud nine, sugar!" giggled Bunnie, her Texan twang adding a playful lilt to her words. She joined Tails in guiding Sonic forward, Tails pushing from behind while Sonic stretched his hands out in front, gingerly feeling the air for obstacles.
As they moved along, Sonic felt the tall reeds and grass brushing against his fingertips, the sensation tickling his skin. The rustling sounds around him indicated that Bunnie and Tails were walking close by, their footsteps crunching softly on the undergrowth. The earthy aroma of the forest floor and the faint chirping of birds created a serene backdrop to their journey.
"Are we there yet?" Sonic asked, his voice tinged with impatience as the slow pace began to wear on him. The blindfold heightened his sense of time, making each step feel interminable.
"I hate going this slow," he whined, his restlessness growing with each step. The silence, broken only by the crunch of grass and reeds under their feet, seemed to stretch interminably. Frustration gnawed at him, an itch he couldn't scratch.
"Boring," Sonic groaned, longing for the speed and exhilaration that he thrived on. The anticipation of the unknown gnawed at him, making the journey feel even longer. However, beneath his impatience, a spark of curiosity and anticipation flickered, wondering what surprise his friends had in store for him.
"I've examined the computer systems three times, Rotor. It's as clean as we can possibly get it," Tristina finally said, lowering her hand as her irises faded back into view, their usual color returning. A faint hum from the computer system filled the quiet space, a comforting sign of its readiness.
"Okay, Tiff," Rotor replied, nodding appreciatively. He walked around the biplane, his keen eyes scanning for any physical defects or imperfections. His large, sturdy hands brushed over the patched-together metal, ensuring everything was secure and ready for the journey ahead. The cool metal felt reassuring beneath his fingertips, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
"I hope Sonic likes this," Sally said, her voice tinged with hopeful anticipation. She stood back, admiring their creation with a proud smile. The biplane gleamed under the soft light, a symbol of their unity and perseverance.
"I hope he's cheered by this as well, Princess," Tristina agreed, her eyes reflecting the same hopefulness. "Finding his uncle, and then losing him again…" Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head, dispelling the dark thoughts that threatened to cloud her mind. The weight of recent events lingered in the air, but this project was a beacon of hope.
Tristina's ears perked up as the sound of a child's voice cut through the air. "We're here, Sonic!" The voice carried a note of excitement, pulling her back into the present moment.
"Tada!" they called in unison, their voices brimming with excitement as Sonic laid eyes on the biplane standing proudly before him. Its patchy frame of light and dark brown metal gleamed unevenly under the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The plane was undeniably cobbled together from scrap metal—a fact its rugged appearance made no effort to conceal.
"Oh." The single word fell from Sonic's lips like a pebble dropping into a still pond, its ripples laden with disappointment. Tristina's ears twitched, and her brow furrowed slightly as the faint sting of his reaction settled on her. For someone who thrived on energy and enthusiasm, Sonic's lackluster response felt like a blow.
"Where'd that come from?" Sonic asked, stepping cautiously toward the plane. His sharp eyes scanned its every detail with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
"We built it from scratch," Rotor replied with a quiet note of pride, his hand running over one of the plane's patched wings as though reassuring himself of its craftsmanship. Sonic reached out, brushing his gloved hand over the cool, uneven surface, feeling the texture of the welded seams beneath his fingers.
"Sonic, isn't it past cool?" Tails asked eagerly, his twin tails swishing with excitement. His wide, hopeful eyes searched Sonic's expression for approval.
"Yes, yes, way past coo-el," yawned Antoine, his exaggerated drawl causing the young kitsune to giggle despite himself.
"We call it the Freedom Stormer," Sally announced, barely able to contain the pride swelling in her chest. The name rolled off her tongue like a declaration, and her tone caught Sonic by surprise. Though he saw the passion in her eyes, he quickly decided that the best way forward was to mask his true feelings. He adopted an exaggerated grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It's...really great," Sonic said weakly, his voice betraying his forced enthusiasm. Tristina's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. Five weeks had passed since she had joined the Freedom Fighters. In that short time, she had gone from being just another citizen to earning the rank of "Priority Two Hacker." Even now, she wasn't sure how she had accomplished so much so quickly—but being here, in moments like this, reminded her why she kept pushing forward.
"We're flying it to Maga to look for the secret scrolls, Blue," Tristina said, rolling her wheelchair alongside Sonic as they walked toward the edge of the small clearing. Her voice carried a note of confidence that contrasted with the apprehension flickering in Sonic's expression.
"What's a Maga?" Sonic asked, scratching his head, his tone laced with uncertainty.
Tristina paused to take in the majestic view before them. The sheer cliffs and dense forest stretched out below, a sea of green and shadows. Sally's voice brought her back to the moment. "It's an ancient city deep in the Great Mountains," the princess explained, her eyes shimmering with determination.
"So, uh, what's a secret scroll?" Sonic asked again, his tone shifting to one of mild curiosity. Tristina turned her chair to face Sally as the princess answered.
"My father told me the scrolls have great powers, but no one has been able to find them," Sally said, her voice a mix of reverence and conviction.
"Sure," Sonic replied with a smirk. "That's why they're called 'secret' scrolls, right?" His light sarcasm brought a brief smile to Tristina's face. "The princess believes we can find them, Sonic," she added gently, her tone supportive yet firm, a subtle nudge to keep him focused.
"So, you guys are gonna fly there in that air jalopy?" Sonic frowned, casting a dubious glance at the plane. "You can only see Maga from the air," Sally stated matter-of-factly, crossing her arms. Her scowl deepened at Sonic's dismissive tone. "And it's not a jalopy," she growled, crouching to pull her trusty computer, Nicole, from her blue boot.
The soft click of the computer opening was followed by Sally's calm command. "Nicole, boot up the map of Maga."
"Accessing, Sally," Nicole replied, her precise tone emanating from the device. Tristina wheeled closer as the holographic map projected into the air, glowing softly in the fading light.
"This is Maga," Sally said, gesturing to the vibrant display. "I really researched this and found these markers." Three dots flashed on the map, pulsing faintly.
"Those will lead us to the temple where the scrolls are, right, Princess?" Tristina asked, pointing to the markers. Sally nodded. "Right," she affirmed, her voice steady.
Sonic, arms crossed, shook his head. "Plane won't fly, Sal."
"Yes, it will," Sally replied sharply, her tone brooking no argument. The tension in the air crackled as their voices rose in a volley of debate.
Tristina, sensing the storm brewing, slowly backed her wheelchair away from the two of them. Her sharp eyes darted between Sonic and Sally as their voices overlapped in rapid-fire retorts. A hint of amusement tugged at her lips—this was Sonic and Sally in their purest forms: unyielding.
When Sonic finally turned to her and asked, "What about you, Tiff?" Tristina shrugged lightly. "Any blow we can take against 'Buttnik is worth it to me, Blue," she said with a soft smile. She gestured to the plane with a faint sparkle of determination in her eyes. "As for my chair, Rotor tweaked hover mode so it can carry me higher and for longer distances. Not to mention, the king's notes hinted that Maga's residents might've had ties to the Mikantueans. So, I guess I'm in. Sorry."
As she wheeled over to Sally, the princess cast a grateful glance in her direction. Together, they looked at the Freedom Stormer, their minds united in the hope that this journey might bring them one step closer to victory.