Final Endgame: written by Jamie Dowdle [Sonicboom13] on 6/5/99 __________________________________________________________________________________ This is my fisrt attempt at making a fanfic. I think it turned out rather well. This story was originally made for a contest on the Domain of NetRapter site so some of the credit in this story goes to her. If it had not been for the small story sample she gave this story would not be here right now. Comments? Suggestions? Flames? E-mail me at gorjdowdle@earthlink.net __ Legal stuff: This story uses cheracters created and copyrighted by SEGA of America, Inc. and Archie Comics. [Except Sydney] Anyone who wishes to use Sydney in any of their fanfic is free to do so AS LONG as rightful credit is givein and there is no attempt to make profit. __ Note: Many things in this story are in reference to happenings in the Archie version of the Sonic/Knuckles comic books. If you are not up to date with them then most things mentioned in this story will not make sense. [I suggest you read Sonic#39 and #58, Knuckles #10-12 and Mecha Madness #1] Also for those who don't know, in the comic at the time this story was written, Charmy is/was no longer with the Chaotix and that is why he does not appear. Nuff' said! So enjoy the story! _ Sonic couldn't remember the last time he had been this exhausted as he ran though the seemingly tranquil forest. "Got'ta *gasp* keep going, *gasp* got'ta get away!" Sonic said breathlessly. Sonic thought back at what happend. "That 'thing', that horrible thing! Everyone.....everything, gone! My friends, my loved ones, everything I knew and cared for......... gone." Sonic thought. Than visions of the past returned. He saw the day Robotnik took over Mobo-tropolis, [Sonic original mini-series#0] then he saw him and Tails chowing down on chili dogs together, he saw the time when he and Rotor saved Bunnie from being fully robotizied. [Sonic#3] These visions just kept coming as if it were a movie. He saw himself making a fool out of Antoine, he saw his Uncle Chuck and his dog, Muttski. Then he saw Sally. Her beautiful blue eyes stared back at him, so full of love and warmth. He almost lost her once before, [Sonic#47-50] now he was afraid that this was it..... this time........ he'd never see the woman he truly loved again. A tear fell down his cheek at this thought. He looked behind him, he had been running for days. Fleeing the trackless woods, fear pumping throgh his heart like steroids, driving him onward. Sometimes he was nearly asleep on his feet, almost forgetting why he ran. Then he would stumble. His eyes would open, and he would see the clean tear on his shirt. It ran from the center of his chest to the top of his left hip. He bore a cut in the flesh that followed the same course. It was only skin deep and had stopped bleeding, but it ached and burned unnaturally. It frightened him. He kept going. No matter that his clothing was in rags, or that his feet were cut to pieces by the rough terrain. He had to get away--away from that thing. The morning of the fourth day found him still on the move, too exhausted to run and to afraid to rest. He was nearly delirious with fatigue and hunger, but pressed on. His weary feet had found a thin trail through the trees. He instinctively followed it, hoping on the off-chance it might lead to a cottage or settlement where he could rest. Every step was pain, now, even with his bloody feet wrapped in strips of his shirt. He was too tired to notice the faint burn from the lesser slash across his upper body. All he could think of was resting someplace safe. His blurred eyes made out a clearing ahead. He stumbled to the edge of it and paused by a large tree, looking around. At first he thought he was dreaming again. Before him was a small village, much like the one he had fled. But this one was different. And there were people moving around. He rubbed one dirty hand across his eyes, trying to brush away the haze that hung over him. Were they robots? No, they were normal people--different animals, all looking quite, secure and unconcerned. Maybe, just maybe, if he entered, they could protect him. He flagged the next person to walk by, which happened to be a tall female hedgehog, she looked about Sonic's age, but he was so dazed he couldn't tell. She looked at the battered and bruised body in shock. "Please *gasp* help me *cough*!" Sonic managed to choke out. The female hedgehog got over her shock and nodded her head. She ran over to a nearby onlooker and started to say something, tho Sonic was so delirious he couldn't make out what she said. She walked back over to Sonic and knelt down next to him. "Don't worry stranger," she said in a soothing tone, "The doctor and paramedic are on their way." That was the last thing Sonic heard before he blacked out from exhaustion. * * * * * * * * "Wha-where am I ? Sonic said as he began to come to. "Your in the Kingdom of Mercia." [see map of Mobius in SSS#2] Sonic looked up to see the same female hedgehog that helped him before. She wore a hunter green short sleeved dress, with light brown gloves, her quills were the same color as Sonic's and her hair was a rich brown color that covered one eye. She pushed her hair out of the way and looked down at Sonic. "Your lucky, the doctor said if you had gone much longer without rest or food you would have died!" she said looking down at him. Sonic looked over to see the feeding tube attached to his arm. "It may not be a chili dog, but it's better than nothing." Sonic joked. "Ooooohhhhhhh my head! How long have I been out of it?" "Three days!" "What!! Three days!!!!" Sonic yelled. "Calm down! you haven't regained your strength!" she said in a soothing tone. "Where am I again?" "the Kingdom of Mercia." "Why does that sound so familiar? I know, I came here before to find Ixis Naugus!! [Sonic#58] Man, I really moved that first day and a half!" "Who?" "Uh, never mind!" Sonic quickly answered. "Anyway if your from here, why don't you have an accent?" "Because I'm not from here, I'm from Mobotropolis. Or untill it was destroyed that is." she said looking at the ground. "Hey I'm from Mobo-tropolis too!!!! Well I was born there at least. I lived in Knothole untill it was destroyed four days ago, well, seven if you count the time I've been unconscious. I've been on foot since." Sonic said in reply. She looked up at him and said, "That's impossible! No one can run that fast!" "Not unless your me! They don't call me Sonic for nothing!" Sonic said perking up. The female hedgehog looked at him strangely, "Sonic?!? That's your name?" she said looking into his green eyes. "That's impossible!!!! Sonic is the name of my brother!!!!!" she said, her eyes as wide as saucers. Sonic's face went blank, "What's your name?!?" Sonic demanded. "Sydney!" Sonic gulped, "S-Sid? I thought you where killed in an explosion during the cope!!!!!!!!!" "I thought you were too !!!!!!!" "Bu-but how?!?" Sonic asked in shock. "I don't know that one, but what I do know is that when I woke up after the blast I was terrified. There was death all around me, it was too much for my five year old mind to bear. You and the others where gone. I knew I had to go to Knothole but I didn't know the way. So I ran to where-ever. I had to get away, as fast and as far as I could." Sonic just sat there in awe as Sydney continued, "I ran for miles for what seemed like weeks.[remember, I was extremely smart for my age] Anyway I ran into this tribe of echidnas lead by this guy named Athair, Mitre of the tribe of Arakkis. [Knuckles#10-12] Even tho I wasn't one of there kind, seeing that I was so young and alone, Arthair took me in and raised me as if I where his own. Tho just before the tribe found their goal that they searched for since this floating island thing was raised to the sky, [knuckles#10 and Sonic#34], [whatever that ment] Athair gave the title of mitre to his great-grandson. [Knuckles#11] Who was the supposed guardian of this floating island. But I watched sadly as the tribe found the journey's end that they where looking for, [Knuckles#12] and I knew I could not go." Sydney said as a tear ran down her cheek. Sonic could not believe the sad story his sister told him. "So I was taken in by Rob O' the Hedge and Mari-an, [Sonic#58 & Knuckles#12] the only member of the tribe that did not go with the others. And that's where my story ends, so, what happend to you and Knothole?" Sydney asked curiously. Sonic looked up and tought, than fear filled his eyes, "It was horrible! It was thought that Robotnik was dead, that I defeated him. [Sonic#50] But that was not the case. He was hiding waiting for the right time to strike,...... and he did. You see Sid, we had rescued King Acorn from the zone of silence, [Sonic#41] and the free will of the robians was restored, [SSS#2] including our parents. We thought we could just try to live in peace as best we could. Then it happend, Princess Sally had come to visit me and Mom 'n Dad. During that time she was with me, there chaos back in Mobotropolis. Robotnik had put the king in a robotizier that was special built for me. Robotnik knew it be useless to robotizise me since I have this magical aura that would allow me to somewhat retain my personality. [Mecha Madness special #1] This robotizier as I found out was attached to a Super Chaos Emerald. Which made the robot king unstopable. As if anyone would hurt him anyway. A little less than half the population had been killed and the rest where robotizied, I'm the only survivor. I never thought I'd see the day *huff puff* that Robotnik won the ultimate *sniff*. Sonic said choking back tears. "All is lost." Sydney's eyes narrowed to slits, "Sonic, you've changed, your not like I used to know you! The Sonic I used to know never gave up, no matter what." Sonic looked up at his sister, "Your right, I'm not the Sonic you used to know. Because now I realize all I've ever fought for was all in vain." Sonic said sobbing. "That's not true!!!!!!!!!! If there is one thing I've learned from the tribe of Arakkis, it's no matter how hard or impossible a situation may be, NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!! There has to be a way, there HAS to be!" Sydney shouted. "Uh....Sid, maybe you should tell that to someone who cared!" Sonic said looking down. "Sonic, when we where kids, you wanted more than anything to be the best.So you worked hard to perfect your speed skills. It made me so mad how persistent you were! I don't know if you ever achieved your goal, but the point is you tried! You never gave up, and you know what? I admired you for that." Sydney said in a respectful tone. "What?" Sonic looked up. "You heard me, I admired you. I admired the fact the you never gave up and I admired your courage. You remember, I was so shy that your friends never even knew I existed." "Yeah Sid, but I thought you said hated my guts! you were always saying how dumb I was just because I couldn't exactly read sixth grade materiel at five years old!" "Well you were always calling me slow-mo and leaving me in your dust, just because I didn't exactly have super speed!" Sydney shot back. "But even though I hated your _attitude_, I also admired you. Tho now I see what you really are, a quitter! I can't believe the person that inspired me to never give up, has given up! You make me sick! If anyone ask I'll be in my hut! Goodbye!" Sydney said as she slammed the door behind her. Sonic thought to himself, "I'm actually an inspiration to her? I-I don't believe it! Man, I let her down big time. But what can I do?" Sonic thought long and hard, than he shouted, "I know!!" and ran out the door. * * * * * * * * * "Sonic!!" a familiar voice shouted. Sonic turned around, "Rob!!! Long time no see!" Sonic said as he walked up to him. "Aye, Some be here fellow friend!" the cloaked hedgehog said extending his hand for Sonic to shake. "What be wrong with maiden Sydney? She burst out the medical hut weeping!" "That's between her and me, Rob." "Than I will not make it be my business." Rob said respectfuly. "Uh....Rob can I ask you something?" "Why yes, friend Sonic, What do you want to know?" "I'd like to know if you have some way I can communicate with other freedom fighters." "Why of course, friend Sonic! You'll be needing help?" "As a matter of fact yes! Robotnik has destroyed the Knothole freedom fighters, and I need all the help I can get!" "Well I'd be happy to help a fellow 'hog, Come with me!" Rob instructed. Sonic followed him into a command base, where he seen a large T.V. screen with several smaller ones. "Here you go, this is it!" Rob said pointing at the T.V. screen. There was a chair that Sonic sat down in, Rob punched in a button and the T.V. screens hummed to life. "Just speak into that microphone!" Rob said. "Ok, will do!" Sonic replied. * * * * * * * * "Calling all freedom fighters, this is an emergency! Repeat, this is an emergency!" Sonic said into the mic, as three faces appeared on the screens. They were: Knuckles, of the Chaotix [Knuckles, Mighty, Espio, Vector and Julie- su], Lupe, of the wolfpack FF [Lupe, Reynard, Canus, Leeta, Lyco and Diablo] [Sonic#46 and Sonic#67-69], and Walt Wallabee, of the Downunda FF[Walt, Bill, Barby and Guru] [Tails mini-series and Sonic#61]. "Guys....and gals, I need your help A.S.A.P. if not sooner!" "Why, What's up True Blue?" Knuckles asked. "It's Robotnik!!!" "WHAT!!!!!!!!!!" everyone on the screens yelled in unison. "Uh....Sonic you ok? Robotnik's dead remember?" said Knuckles. "That's what we thought too but we were wrong! He attacked us! I'm the only one left!" Sonic said, about to cry. "But Sonic, what do you mean?!?" asked Walt. "I mean, that Robotnik has either killed or robotizied everyone in Mobotropolis! Including King Acorn! I barely made it out alive myself!" Sonic replied. "I need everyone's help! Please, I'm desperate!" Sonic pled. everyone's faces went blank. "Did you just say your desperate?" Lupe asked. "Yes....... I did, please, help me!" Sonic said as tears fell uncontrollanly down his face. He put his hand over his eyes to try to hide it, tho it only made it more apparent. "Anything that would make Sonic act this out of character, has got to bad!" Knuckles murmured to himself. "What about the prince and princess?" Knuckles asked. "they were both was robotizied *choke*! Sally's the one who *sniff* cut me across the chest with her plasma rifle." Sonic replied. "This is serious!" Walt said at the hedgehog's response. "P-please h-help me! Sonic tried to say through his tears and heaving chest. Rob just stood there in amazement, looking at the tear drenched Sonic. "Sonic, where are you anyway?" Lupe asked. "I'm in the kingdom of Mercia!" "A little far away from home don't ya think? Knuckles asked. "Considering if my home was still in one piece!" Sonic responded sightly annoyed. "Knuckles looked down, "Sorry!" then they all hard a knock on the door, "Rob O' ? Rob O', It's me, Sydney! I need to talk!" "Maiden Sydney, do come in!" Rob said as he opened the door to the hut. "Thank you--SONIC!! What are you doing in here?!? You supposed to be in sick bay!" Sydney shouted as Sonic looked behind his chair. "Uh....Sid your not my mother!" said Sonic slumping back down. "No, but I'm your sister!" Sydney replied, "Are you crying!!!!!!!!!!!" "yeah, so what." Sonic muttered. "*sigh* I wish I had a camera!" Sydney smiled. "Shut up Sid!" Sonic yelled. "I think friend Sonic is a bit depressed!" said Rob sympathetically, Sydney giggled. Everyone on the screens just stared, Knuckles smirked. "Excuse me, but could you two quite ruining my reputation?!?" Sonic shouted. "Looks to me your doing a good job by yourself!" Sydney smirked. "As I was saying, I need help to get rid of Robotnik and save Mobotropolis! I can't do it alone!" "Please." Sonic said looking up at the screens. "Well I don't know about the other groups, but the Downunda Freedom Fighters or more than up to it! Well be there A.S.A.P.! said Walt. "Make that double for the Wolfpack Freedom Fighters!" replied Lupe. "Count me and the Chaotix!" Knuckles said grinning. As all freedom fighters agreed. "Thank you all." Sonic said, he was happier than he had been in quite awhile. "Sonic out!" he said as he got up from his seat. "Sid, why did you have to do that?!?" he yelled. "Do what?" she said playing stupid. "Never mind!" Sonic muttered. "It'll be awhile before they get here, so I guess we wait!" said Rob. "Oh,...Sonic, I knew you wouldn't give up!" Sydney whispered, Sonic smiled. * * * * * * * * In Downunda...... "Freedom fighters get ready! We'er going to the Kingdom of Mercia!" Walt said. "What? Why? How are we going to get there?" Duck 'Bill' Platypus asked. To answer your questions: What: can't answer! Why: I'll explain on the way. How: in Crockbots hover craft! Let's move!" yelled Walt. * * * * * * * * Area unknown........ "Wolfpack! there has been a large crisis with our Knothole freedon fighter friends. And we are going to help them!" Lupe barked. "But Lupe! we'er so close to reaching home[Sonic#67-69]!" Reynard said. "I realize that, but a friend needs our help, desperately, and we will not let him down!" * * * * * * * * The Floating Island....... Vector, Espio, Mighty, Juli-su, we'er going down to Mobius, get ready!" Knuckles shouted. "Knucles are you alright?" Juli-su asked. "I'm fine, get ready!" Knuckles repeated. "Sonic has informed me that Robotnik is still alive, and that he has destroyed Mobo-tropolis again! From What he said he is the only survivor, and we'er going to help him!" knuckles said. "But what's it got to do with us?" asked Vector. "Look, if Robotnik destroys Mobius than it's guaranteed that we'er next! And I wont let that happen! Knuckles said gritting his teeth. "But who's gonna' watch the island?" asked Espio. "Constable Remington!! I want you and your troops to whatch the island while we'er gone! got that?" "*sigh* yes guardian." Remington replied. "I never thought I'd see the day that I'd be ordered around by a teenager!" Remington thought to himself. "according to where Sonic said he was and everything else, we could be gone for possibly even a month. So be prepared! Let's go Chaotix!" Knuckles said as they got into a hover craft. * * * * * * * * A week lator, 30 miles from Knothole........ "This is it people! There no turning back!" Sonic said to the large group before him. "This is the plan, but before I explain, put these on!" Sonic said handing out neuro-overrider's [Sonic#29] to everyone. After everyone was wearing one Sonic began again, "Sydney, I want you, Knuckles, Walt and Espio to come with me to shut down the main generator. Wolfpack, I want you to shut down the backup generator. The rest of are to be a distraction! Does everyone have their orders down?" Sonic asked. Everyone did. One more thing people! Don't, I repeat DON'T hurt any robians![SSS#2] Swotbots, I don't care about, but don't hurt any robians!!!!!!" Sonic ordered. "And what if they attack us?" asked Vector. "Do what you have to, Just don't hurt them!" Sonic said behind gritted teeth as he stomped the ground with his foot. To his surprise he heard a cracking sound. He looked down to see a small computer slightly hidden in the grass. "Nicole?!?" Sonic exclaimed as he picked up the computer. "Thank you for cracking my screen, Sonic!" said the small computer. "Well excuse me! I didn't know you were down there!" Sonic shot back. "I aplogize, Sonic." "Apology excepted! I thought you were with Sally when she was captured!" "I was, producing 3D projection." Nicole said as she began to hum. Everyone just watched in amazement as the little computer worked. It showed an image of Sonic running through the forest carrying Sally in his arms. "Sonic he's gaining on us!" the image of Sally yelled. "Nonsense Sal, he's nowhere near us--" Sonic's image was interrupted by a blast. "No way he could keep up with me!!!!" "Nonsense huh?" "Okay, so I was wrong, So what?" "SONIC LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sally screamed, as another blast was fired. Which sailed past Sonic, Knocking him off his feet. Sonic recovered to see an unconscious Sally being lifted up by a robot composed of sleek black metal. A green circle appeared around the area where Nicole fell. "SALLY!!!!" Sonic's image screamed. His image gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he ran off. * * * * * * * * "End of 3D projection. You see Sonic, I was with Sally when she was captured, I just did not remain with her." said Nicole. "Well thanks for reopening an already gaping wound Nicole!!!!!!!!" Sonic yelled in disgust. "Your welcome Sonic!" "Grrrrrr, I'm gon'na haft'ta beat whoever programmed you over the head with a stick!!" Sonic shot back. "Will you stop fighting with that thing so we can get on with it!! Knuckles yelled. "What was that weird robot?" Mighty asked. "That was, and still is King Acorn! But Butt-nik likes to call him Dark-Knight!" Sonic replied. Everyone's faces went blank. "That is King Acorn?!?" Leeta said in shock. "Yes it is, sad but true." said Sonic. "Now, lets go people! We'er not getting anything done standing here!!!!!" Sonic said as everyone took off. * * * * * * * * Sonic and co. were walking down a dark alley, when Knuckles asked, "Are you sure this is the way to the main generator?" "Knuckles, you've been complaining forever! Why don't you lead, if you think you know the way?" Sonic replied. "Never mind." Knuckles said giving up, suprised Sonic didn't start an all-out war. "That hedgehog is really starting to spook me!" Knuckles said under his breath. "He's not acting like himself." "What's that noise? It sounds close!" asked Espio a little worried. "Everyone get down!" said Sonic as a robot walked by. The robot looked around it's shoulder, as everyone ducked down lower. "Heat sensors detecting non-robotic life!" the robot droned. Sonic looked as if he'd seen a ghost, "That's Sally!" he thought in his mind. "I think we'er in trouble, mate!" said Walt as the robot blasted the area they were in. Knuckles jumped out to slug the robot when Sonic yelled, "NO!!! It's Sally, don't hurt her!!!!" Knuckles stoped in mid air and took a good look at the robot. Indeed it was Princess Sally. Her once cheerful blue eyes had been replaced by dark black spots with a glowing red half circles. Her brown fur had been replaced by cold steel. Everyone just stared. A tear fell down Sonic's cheek as he looked at her cold, expressionless face. "Freedom Fighters! Must destroy!" Sally droned. "No Sal, it's me, Sonic!!" he yelled as he stood up waving his hands. "Where on Mobius is Sydney?" Walt asked noticing her absence. Then out of nowhere, Sydney leaped onto Sally's back. She smashed her hand into a screen on Sally's arm. "There now you can't call for backup!" Sydney smirked as Sally fired her rocket boosters. "Yee haw! Ride 'em hedge-girl!! she yelled as she held onto Sally's neck. Then Sally began to spin wildly. "S-someone he-help m-me I'm go-gon'na th-throwup!!!" Sydney yelled as she hung on for dear life. Then she lost her grip and slamed into a wall. "Sydney!!!!!!!" Sonic screamed as he ran over to her. "Sydney, are you alright?" "I-I wi-will b-be after I-I ge-get over th-the sh-shock!" Sydney stuttered. Sonic shook his head, "Boy, be glad you don't have super speed! It would kill you!" "O-oh sh-shut up!" Sydney shot back. Knuckles had grabed Sally by the arm at this time and was tying to get her under control. While Walt had grabed a boomering attached to a rope and had thrown it around Sally's legs causing her to fall. Sonic had quickly jumped into the fight and had grabed Sally by the other arm. While Espio jumped onto her back so she could not get back up. Then Sydney began to think. "Guys, keep her on the ground! I have an idea!" she yelled. Sydney ran up to them. She plucked a quill from her head and grabed Nicole from Walt's pouch. She began to open a panel in Sally's head as Sally struggled. "Sid! What are you doing?!?" Sonic shouted. "You'll see!" was all the she said. She took a wire out of Nicole and connected it to Sally. "Uh, Nicole, do you think you can temporarily deactivate her?" Sydney asked. "Can do, Sydney!" said the little computer. Sally's red eyes began to fade out as she shut down. "Sid?!?" Sonic yelled wide eyed. "Will you just chill!! Sydney shot back, "I know what I'm doing!" She began to poke around inside Sally's head with the quill she plucked from hers. "Ah ha! I've found it!" Sydney said with glee. "Found what?" asked Knuckles. "Hold on." She said as she pulled out a microchip. "This is what Robotnik uses to control Sally's mind!" she said as she grabbed her neuro-overrider from behind her left ear. "And this is what will bring her back!"she said as she began to install the tiny microchip in the place of the old one. She closed the panel on Sally's head and took a wire from Nicole, "do your stuff Nic! And cross your fingers guys!" she said as Nicole began to hum. All at once Sally's eyes lit up again, she sat up and rubbed her head. "What happend?" A tear fell down Sonic's face as he hugged his sister, "Sid, your a genius!!!" he said as happy as he could be. Knuckles and Espio high fived each other and Walt just stared in amazement. "Excuse me, but what is going on here?!?" Sally asked confused, then she looked down at her metal body and nearly screamed. "W-what happend?!?" she said bugeyed. "And who are those two?" Sally said pointing to Sid and Walt. "That is Walt Walaby leader of the downunda freedom fighters, and this is my sister, Sydney!" Sonic replied. "Sonic....what happend to your chest?" she said pointing to the large cut aross his upper body. Sonic looked down at the ground and pointed at the plasma rifle on Sally's arm. Sally had a smitten look on her face, when he did this. "Oh my,.....Sonic I-I'm so sorry!" she cried. "Think nothing of it Sal." Sonic said warmly, "I'm just glad to have you back!" "Sonic, are you crying?!?" Sally asked surprised. Sonic put his hand on his cheek, he did not care about his reptation anymore. "Yes,...I am. I was afraid I'd never see you again." he said looking at Sally. Everyone's jaws practically hit the floor when he said this, except Sydney. A tear of joy ran down her face as she smiled at the couple. "Now I know that hedgehog is sick!" Knuckles thought as he stared bugeyed. "Yo Sonic you OK? You realize what you just said don't you?" Knuckles said with a concerned look on his face. "Yes I do Knux!" Sonic said as he hugged Sally, not caring if she was a robot or not. "How romantic!" Sydney sighed as she watched the two. "Bleeee!!!!" Espio pretended to throwup. The two separated. "OK guys, we still need to take out thet main generator!" Sonic barked. "Hey Sid, give me Nicole!" "Will do bro!" Sydney said handing Nicole over to Sonic. "Yo Nicole, bring up a map of the city and our location!" "Processing, Sonic." said the little computer as she began to hum. A 3D map of the city appeared. Sonic looked it over, than turned around to face thr others. "OK gang, we'er going to take this route." Sonic said pointing out the path. "When we get there Knuckles, Espio and Walt are to act as a diverion, while me, Sydney and Sal go overload the generator! Everyone got that?" Sonic asked. Everyone nodded there heads as they took off. "I hope the others are having as much luck!" Sonic thought. * * * * * * * * About 35 miles south.......... A plasma rifle fired. "Yo, fire in the hole!!" Vector yelled. "Why can't we all get along?" Guru asked. "I can answer that one! Robotnik's a greedy power hungry creep!" Julie-su said as she shot a swotbot with her hand laser pistol. "I have to agree with you Julie-su!" Mighty agreed as he smashed a swotbot with his powerful strength. "What are we doing again?" Vector asked for the billionth time. "_Hector_, we'er supposed to be a diversion for the others!" yelled Bill. "The name is Vector! Not Hector!" Vector yelled showing his sharp teeth. "OK! OK! Don't _bite_ my head off!!!" Bill said as he laughed at his pun. "That was a terrible joke!" Barby _snapped_. "I must say I have heard better!" Rob agreed. "Oh man! Here come some more goon-bots!" Julie-su yelled. "*sigh* Like I said, why can't we all get along?" Guru repeated. * * * * * * * * About 40 miles east.......... "Lupe, let's find this thing and plant the bomb so we can get out of here!" said Diablo. "Diablo, once the bomb is planted we are not going to leave!" Lupe replied. "The freedom fighter have helped us many times, helping them is the least we can do!" "Lupe, how do you know we'er gonig the right way?" asked Lyco. "One must take such things on instinct Lyco." "There it is!" exclaimed Reynard. "Good! let's plant this thing!" said Leeta. They snuck into the large buliding where they would find the backup generator. Canus and Leeta took out the swotbots that were guarding the door, as the rest went inside. "There!" "Good let's get rid of this thing!" said Diablo. "It's in place Lupe!" said Canus. "Then let's get outta' here!!!!!!!!! yelled Lupe. * * * * * * * * Ten minuets later..... "Ya' know Sid, for someome who's been away from civilization as long as you have, your pretty smart!" Sonic said as Sydney rapidly typed down words on a keyboard. "I remembered alot of stuff from when I lived here as a kid!" said Sydney "You mean to say you rememberd all this from watching Uncle Chuck work when we were kids?!?" "Well.... not just, remember echidnas are the most advanced species on Mobius. You can't live with them and not gain knowledge from them. And the ones I lived with weren't even the smartest of their kind." "Point taken." said Sonic, "I can't believe I just said that!" Sonic thought to himself. Sydney was almost done with the process of overloding the main generator when they heard the blast from the backup generator. "We got to hurry before the 'bots come looking here!!" "Never mind before,...their here!!!" yelled Sally. "Oh man!!!!" There were at least fifty swotbots that entered the room Knuckles, Walt and Espio were in. "There's too many of them, we need backup!!" yelled Espio. "Sis, you finish overloading that thing! I'm going down to help the others!" Sonic said as he ran off. "I'm right on it bro!" Sydney said as she flicked her hair out of her eyes. "Sydney, Sonic said that you were his sister." Sally said watching Sonic speed off. "That's right Princess, I am!" Sydney said not taking her eyes off the computer screen. "Than how come sonic never mentioned you?" Sally asked. "Simply put, I was very shy and never wanted you people to know about me. Than after we were separated during the coup eleven years ago, I guess Sonic figured you didn't know about me then, so why tell you now." "And what was that about spending time with echidnas?" "That is a very long story Princess, one that I'll tell later." The computer screen began to flash the words 'SYSTEM OVERLOAD' in red letters. "That's it!!! One minuet till this thing blows!!!!!!!" Sydney shouted. Sally who had Sydney on her back began to fire her rocket boosters. While Sonic, along with Walt on his back raced out, Knuckles, who was carrying Espio glided out as fast as his dreads would carry them. "Someone's been eating too many chocolate bars lately, huh Espio?" Knuckles said as he looked down at his passenger. "Oh, shut up!" Espio snapped. A few seconds lator there was another loud explosion. Everyone looked back to see the fireworks everything in Mobo-tropolis went out. "No, don't stop!!!! We'er in more danger now then before!!! We have to get out of here!!" Sonic yelled. "What?!? Why?!?" Walt asked confused. "We have to get out before----" Sonic's words were cut off by a sonicboom. "What the heck was that that?!?" Knuckles said, his eyes as wide as saucers. "NOOO!!!! He's found us!!!!!!!" Sonic yelled. A sleek black robot appeared, it's plasma rifle ready to fire. "It's Dark-Knight!!" Sonic yelled. Sally looked down at her metal body and got an idea. "Guy's play along!" Sally whispered to the others. Everyone nodded their heads. "I have captured the intruders!" Sally droned trying to sound convincing. She wanted to cry knowing that that robot was her father, but her robotic body wouldn't let her. "I was taking them to the roboticiation chamber!" said Sally. Dark-Knight glared down at them. "Than hurry it up you metallic moron!!!!" Dark-Knight yelled. "Yes sir!" Sally forced herself to say, she could not believe that her father had said that to her. When dark-Knight was out of sight, Sally turned around and hung her head in sorrow. "There, there Sal, we'll get him back. I promise!" Sonic said in a soothing tone while resting his hand on her shoulder. "Thanks Sonic, but it seems hopeless." she groned. Sonic looked over at Sydney, she had a look of encouragement on her face. Sonic lowerd his eyebrows. "Sal, we can't give up!! We'er this close!!" said Sonic almost making a ring with his thumb and index finger. "Yeah, well except for you all the freedom fighters have been roboticied!" Sally said looking up. "Not so! What about the Wolfpack FF, the Downunda FF and the Chaotix! Not to mention that Rob O' the Hedge is here as well! There all in this city trying to help!!" Sonic said looking at Sally. "Look, Robotnik is vulnerable right now. He has no power in this city and now's the time to strike. But we have to do it before he gets those generators running again!" Sonic said putting his hand on Sally's cheek. "Oh..? Well what about that?" Sally said pointing her clawed finger towards the main tower. "What the?!?" everyone said as they looked up. "The lights are on in the main tower!!" said Knuckles shocked. "Robotnik has a third generator built special for his main base and robotiziation chambers." Sally said looking down. "Well, we'll have to take him on anyway!" Sonic said through clenched teeth as he tightened his fists. "Walt, give me your communicator!" Sonic orderd as Walt took one out of his pouch. Sonic took is and turned it on. "Hey people, start moving in to attack the main tower! But be careful, the power is still on there!" Sonic said into the communicator. "But how can that be?" said Barby's voice through the communicator. "I'll explain later just do it!" Sonic yelled, it was apparent he was under alot of stress. "I'm sorry.....but be careful at the main tower! Sonic out!" Sonic sighed then shook his head. "What is wrong with me?" he tought to himself. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Sonic said as they set off. * * * * * * * * 30 minuets lator.......... Sonic, Sydney, Knuckles, Espio, Walt and Sally came running up to the large group hidden up ahead. Everyone gasped when they saw Sally, But Sonic quickly explained everything. "OK, we'er going to sneak in there and take Robotnik by force!" said Sonic. "Sonic are you nuts?!?" Knuckles asked stunned, "For one he's probably expecting us, and for two--" Sonic interrupted him, "I don't care!!! We have absolutely nothing left to lose!!! If anyone wants to back out now than do it!!!!!!!!! I don't care for my safety anymore!!!!!!!! It's either win or lose, live or die!!!!!!! Understand that echidna?!?!?!?!" Sonic screamed, his mouth foaming. Knuckles nodded, terrified at Sonic's actions. "That hedgehog is serious!!!!!!!!!!!" Knuckles thought. Everyone was stunned. "Those of you who are still in this, we attack Robotnik head on!" Sonic yelled, his mouth still foaming. "But you just said--" Julie-su tried to say, "I don't care what I just said!! We attack head on!!!!" Tears fell down Sonic's face like a waterfall. "I've NEVER seen Sonic this way! It's like he's a different person!!" Sally thought as she watched Sonic sob. Sydney walked up to Sonic and put her hand on his shoulder, "I don't know about the others,....But I'm with you 100% brother!" Sydney said as Sonic looked up at her, his eyes were as red as Knuckles fur. Sonic smiled, "Thank you Sydney. Well, is there anyone else?!?" Sonic yelled. Everyone looked at each other, and then slowly everyone steped forward. "Good! Then let's get this show on the the road!!!" Sonic exclaimed as they ran toward the main building where they would find Robotnik........... * * * * * * * * Robotnik was sitting on the kings thron when he seen the mob show up on the surveillance screen, then he saw something that enraged him. "That hedgehog?!?!?!?!?!? That little rodent found help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Robotnik screamed. "GUARDS STOP THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!" "Yes oh ruler of the spare tire!" Dark-Knight droned. "That hedgehog will not defeat me again!!!!!!!" Robotnik yelled. Just then the group outside was met by about a hundred swotbots, led by Dark- Knight. "This is bad!" Vector said. Sonic went into a spin and took out about ten of the 'bots, while Knuckles fired up his buzzsaw-kncuckle maneuver [formerly known as the hyper-knuckles, see Sonic Triple Trouble] and took out three swotbots. "Enough!!!!!" shouted Dark-Knight as he tried to blast Sonic with his plasma rifle. Sonic easily dodged. "We have to get inside that building!!!!!" Sonic shouted to the others. Sonic zoomed ahead of the group. Sally followed him using her rocket boosters. He ziged then zaged untill he came to the main control room, lights on and everything else. Robotnik's eyes about poped out of his head when he saw Sonic. "GET THAT HEDGEHOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Robotnik screamed at the top of his lungs. Then fifteen swotbots came into the room. Sonic went into a spin and all of them hit the floor decapitated. "It's over Robotnik, it ends here!!" "You couldn't be futher from the truth hedgehog. Dark-Knight!!!! Get in here and destroy the rodent!!!!" Robotnik yelled as the robot King Acorn zoomed in. "Your fate is sealed Sonic the Hedgehog!" smiled Robotnik. Dark-Knight began to fire at Sonic, he barely missed it as he dodged. Sally stood hidden waiting for the right time to stike. She didn't want to hurt her father but she had to help Sonic. Sonic took off running and was stunned to see Dark-Knight keep up with no problem. "What the?!?" Sonic cried. "It has to be the super emeralds powers that are allowing him to keep up!" Sonic thought. Sonic jumped high in the air. That was a mistake. Dark-Knight fired his plasma rifle and shot Sonic to the ground. You could hear a loud snap as Sonic hit the ground breaking his leg. Sonic cried in pain. He knew this was it, he was defenseless. Sally gasped in shock, then she leaped out and hit Dark-Knight in the head. Robotnik looked at the princess in shock. "He-how did you regain your free will?!? Robotnik said in a shocked tone. "No matter, it will be amusing to see you destroyed by your own father!!!!Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Dark-Knight kicked Sally sending her flying across the room. She laid there, her eye lights flickering. "Poo! That was easer than I tought!" Robotnik said disappoinyed. "Oh well, Dark- Kight take the hedgehog to the robotiziation chamber! I'll enjoy having my greatest enemy as a mindless robot! Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!" Robotnik said as tho it were the funniest thing in the world. Sally sat there trying to get control of her body again [which is harder then sounds for a robot]. Dark-Knight went and grabbed Sonic who tried to muffle a scream with no luck. He was brought into the roboiziering chamber and thrown into one of the robotiziers. Sonic let out a blood-curdling scream in pain as the glass lid lowerd over him. "Ahhh! That's music to my ears!" Robotnik said as Sonic moaned. "You'll *nug* never *whimper* get away with this!" Sonic tried to say. "I'd like to see whose gon'na stop me!" Then Sonic noticed something. "This robotizier was the same one the king was put in!" Sonic thought as he looked at the super emerald the Robotizier was hooked up to. Sally had managed to regain control of her body and took off in the direction that they took Sonic, but she was too late. By the time she made it into the room the robotizier had been activated. She watched in horror as Sonic lay there in agonizing pain. He was slowly transformed from flesh and blood, to metal and oil. Sally's eyes burned a deep crimsom color, as she clenched her fists together. She attached Dark-Knight, he flew into a corner and temporarily deactivated. Then she realized what she had done, and wanted to cry. Then she realized she forgot about Sonic. She turned around to see the tube rise, and steam came out. Then Sonc began to step out. "YEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! The hedgehog is finally mine!!!!!!!!!! YIIIIPPPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!" Robotnik wailed swinging his arms with joy. Sonic stoped when he heard this. He looked down at his hands for a few seconds then looked back up. "Oh my lord..... what have you done to me? Sonic said to himself. "What have you done to me?!?" Sonic said much louder. Robotnik stoped what he was doing. "He still has his free will?!" Robotnik said a little worried. "YOUR GON'NA PAY ROBOTNIK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sonic said his eyes glowing as bright as they could. Then faster than he ever has before or since ran over and grabed Robotnik by the throat. The power of the super emerald combined with his already powerful robot strength made him unbelievingly strong. He had lifted the 700+ pound human high over his head. Robotnik tried to break free but with no luck. Sonic had him in a death grip. "Sonic no!! Your not a killer!!!" Sally yelled. Without loosening his immense grip on Robotnik, Sonic turned his head to look at Sally. "But Sal, I have him! We can finally be rid of this slime!" "Sonic no!! Don't do it!! Do you want that on you for the rest of your life?" Sonic thought for a second then gave in. He threw Robotnik across the room. Robotnik slamed into a steel wall, he was gasping for air like a fish out of water. "I hope you know what you just made me do!" Sonic said looking at Sally. "Yes, saving your soul!" Sally looked back at him. "What I'd like to know is how you got your kept your free will even with the brain burn through. [Sonic#39] A neuro-overider couldn't have worked!" "I guess that with this magical aura I have _combined_ with the neuro-overider I'm wearing must have had a strange effect with the magic of the super emerald." Sonic said thoughtfully. "Mmmm, I don't know." said Sally. "You fools!!! You forgot about me!!!" yelled Robotnik as he put on a rocket pack. "Sal, you go back and help the others I'll handle Robotnik!" Sonic said as he fired his rocket boosters. Sally nodded her head and ran off. Robotnik broke through the ceiling followed by Sonic. Everyone who was on the ground fighting swotbots were surprised to see the pair. "Is that SONIC?!?!? You don't suppose....." Mighty said pointing to the hedgehog shape in the air. "I don't know, Mighty-Man." replied Vector. * * * * * * * * "Your going down Ro-butt-nik!!!!!!" Sonic yelled as he chased after him. "Do you think you can really defeat me?" yelled Robotnik. "I'll die fighting if I have to!" "That can be a arranged hedgehog!!" Robotnik began to drop altitude. He landed and ran into a near by factory. Since the power was out it was pich black. Sonic landed right behind him but lost him in the darkness. "Switching to infrared" said Sonic. Robotnik panicked when he heard this. he ran over and turned on the emergency lights so he could see, and began to run again. "Yo Ro-butt-nik, you forgot me!!!" Sonic said in a real smart tone. Robotnik ran up a flight of stairs to a bridge that was over a ten thousand gallon tank of acid. Sonic flew up and stoped him. Then Robotnik had gotten an idea, he tried to push Sonic off the bridge and into the acid! Sonic dodged and Robotnik hit the railing. He tried again, and Sonic dodged again, tho this time he fell over the railing! He grabbed the railing with his real hand. Sonic seeing this ran over to help. "Robotnik take my hand!!" he shouted. Robotnik looked up and grinned, he grabbed Sonic's hand and let go of the bridge with the other. "If I go down, your going with me hedgehog!" Robotnik yelled as the two fell toward the acid. Sonic tried to pull free but Robotnik had a firm grip on him. Finally Sonic fired his rocket boosters into Robotnik's face. Robotnik cried in pain and let go, Sonic flew upward untill he was high enough that the acid would not splash on him. Robotnik on the other hand, fell in. "OOOHHHH! I can't watch!" Sonic said covering his eyes. He heard Robotnik fall into the acid, he began to scream in agonizing pain. Sonic coverd his ears, his eyes tightly shut. After a minuet had passed that seemed like an eternity, the screaming stoped. Sonic looked down, there was nothing. Absolutely no sigh of Robotnik. He had been completely dissolved in the acid. "Now there's a twist!" Sonic thought, "Robotnik's own pollution is what destroyrd him." Sonic pondered about this, then he looked down. "Too bad about this." he tought in reference to his body. He was in deep tought as he landed back on the bridge. Then he rememberd a door he had seen in the robotiziation chamber. He'd never had seen that door before, it made him curious to know what was behind it. He shook the creepy feeling about Robotnik off and ran back to the main tower. The others were still fighting swotbots when Sonic ran by. Everyone just stared at Sonic in disbelief. "What?" he asked. Then he lowered his eyes and droped his lip, "Oh, Do I really look that bad?" he asked. He ran over and grabbed Sally by the arm. "C'mon Sal!" "Sonic what's going on?!? Where's Robotnik?!?" She asked. "I'll tell ya later Sal, C'mon!" he said as he tugged on her arm. Sally went with him. "Sonic why are we going back in there?" "Well for one your dad is still in there. For two I seen a hidden door that I want check out in the roboiziation chamber!" "A hidden door?" "Yeah, and I hoping what I think is behind that door!" Sonic exclaimed. Sally just looked at him. They burst through the door to the robotization chamber. "Now where was that door?" Sonic said looking around. They seen the king sitting on the floor still out of it. "Let's see I was laying over there when I looked.... here! I found it!!" Sonic exclaimed. Sally ran over and helped Sonic push the door open. There was a large hidden chamber inside. They seen a large computer that was connected to two tubes. Sally ran over to the computer to examine it. "Oh my gosh! Sonic this is a de-robotizier!" Sally exclaimed happily. "No way! My gut feeling was right!" Sonic said in disbelief. "I got an idea Sal!" "What's that?" "Remember when this place was hit by an earthquack?" [Sonic#38] Sonic asked. "Yes so? Oh I get what your saying!" Sonic nodded his head. "We call the robians into this chamber and then overlode the machine so it explodes causing a sheeting effect!" Sonic said happily. "It worked once before is all I can say." Sally replied. "Then let's do it to it Sal!" "Mmmm... OK let's do it to it Sonic!" Sally repeated. Sally punched a few buttons on an alarm so that it would only call robians. "Sally you go tell the others to steer clear of them, I'll go get Dark...I mean King Acorn." said Sonic. Sally nodded her head and ran off. Sonic walked into the robotization chamber to get the king, he stoped short. He looked at the robotizier that was hooked up to the super emerald. He walked up to the glass tube and looked into it, he saw his reflection,..... it frightened him. He was the same shade of blue he always was, his eyes were a deep crimson red. His ears were probably a foot long, on his face were there used to be a peach color there was gray. He looked down at his grey metal hands, they were attached to yellow arms equipped with plasma rifles [to see what he looked like, read Mecha Madness Special #1]. He sighed, then walked over to get the king. Then Sally ran in. "Sonic get ready their comeing!" Sally said as she ran past Sonic. "Gotcha' Sal!" Sonic said as he followed with the king in his arms. Sally ran over to the computer and began to type letters down as if she'd gone insain. while the robians charged into the chamber. Among them Sonic saw his Mom, Dad and Uncle Chuck [whom Robotnik had regained control of]. Sonic smiled when he seen this. An alarm went off as the computer overloaded. "That's it! Get ready!" Sally yelled as she ran over to Sonic. "De-robotizier will explode in 10... 9... 8... 7... 6...-- I'm waaaaaaaiting!!!" Sonic said tapping his foot. "5...4...3...2...1... KAAAAAAA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!" * * * * * * * * The next thing Sonic knew is that a hand was being waved in front of his face. "How many fingers am I holding up?" Sonic heard Sydney's voice say. "Uuuuuhhhhh!" Sonic groaned "Uh, Six?" Sydney was holding up two fingers. "He'll be OK!" Knuckles smirked, walking up to Sid. Sydney glared at him. "What?!?" Knux asked as if he didn't know. "*Sigh*" sighed Sydney as she helped Sonic get up. Sonic looked at his hands, they were made of flesh and blood again. "It worked!" Sonic exclaimed. "I don't know what you and Sal did, but I'm impressed!" Knux said putting his mitten on sonic's shoulder. "Yo thanks Knux!" Sonic replied. "Uh about all that crying I did...... That was just strategy." Sonic lied. "Yeah right Sonic! I know better!!" Knuckles said to a Sonic who was looking down at the ground. "Now you'll probably taunt me with that huh?" Sonic asked. "Who, me?!? Maybe occasionally, But you know, you took that like anyone would in you shoes. Maybe better." "Where's Sally? "She's chating with Bunnie! I'll take you over there!" "Yo, thanks Rad Red!" Sonic said smiling. "No prob True Blue! Right this way!" Sally was sitting off in the corner of the room talking with a fully de- robotizied Bunnie. "I'll leave you two love birds be! *wink, click, click*" Knuckles said as he walked off. "Sonic!!" Sally exclaimed as she got up and hugged him. "Hey there suger-hog!" Bunnie said waving with her _normal_ left hand. "Not too bad looking huh suger-hog?" Bunnie asked displaying her flesh and blood arm and legs. "I prefer it to your half robotizied look!" said Sonic, as the three of then began to laugh. Just then Tails came out of nowhere and landed on Sonic shoulders. "Hi Sonic!" he barked happily. "*oof* Hey Tails! Long Time no see bro!" "What do you mean? It hasn't been that long!" Tails asked confused. "To me it has, Li'l bro!" "Hey Sonic! so that's where you went off too!" Sydney said as she came up and hugged Sonic. "Who's that?" Tails asked even more confused. "Oh! Uh, Tails this is my sister Sydney!" Sonic said pointing at Sid. "Thank you, thank you!!" Sydney said bowing as if she were on a stage. "Ugh! She sounds just like Sonic!" Sally said as if it were a big deal. "Don't worry Princess, I was only mocking him!" Sydney exclaimed. "Hey!!!" Sonic yelled, Tails giggled. "*giggle* I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!" Sydney taunted. Sydney ran off, Sonic followed her at a speed that Sid could just keep out of reach. "Sonic! Sydney?" Two voices said at the same time. Sonic and Sydney both turned around to find their de-robotizied parents walking towards them. "Mom! Dad! Your OK!" Sonic exclaimed as he ran up and hugged them. Sydney just kind of watched, a little more then confused. She grew up with Athair as her parent. She didn't know is she should run, or stay. And if she stayed what would she tell them? "Yo Sid, you Ok?" Sonic asked. "Mom? Dad?" Sydney asked. "Oh Sidney, we thought you were dead!" said Bernie [Sonic's mom] [SSS#2] Sydney just looked at them her eyes began welling with tears. She put her arm over her eyes and ran off. "Sydney!" Sonic yelled. Sonic's parents looked at each other. "Maybe I should go talk to her." Sonic said walking off in the direction Sydney ran. Sydney was sitting behind a building when Sonic came up to her. "Sid, what's wrong?" Sonic asked. "Sonic the last time I seen Mom and Dad I was a baby, I don't even know them." said Sydney. Knuckles was walking over towards Sonic when stoped to listen to them. "I know Sid, I didn't know they were still alive untill eight months ago. I felt the same way that you do right now!" "It's not just that, I feel as tho I don't belong here!" "And why is that?" "When you and me were separated during the coup, we both thought that each other had been killed. I lived with the tribe of Arakkis, while you lived in Knothole." Knuckles eyes narrowed to slits when he heard this. "I don't know, I'd like to stay here now that I know our family is alright, but at the same time I want to go back to Mercia. My best friend, Mari-an is back there." Sydney said looking down at the ground. "Well you two can write to each other, and visit every now and then." "I guess your right, and I kindda' would like to get to know Mom and Dad. And making new friends sounds like fun, but I still don't know." Sydney said looking at the ground. "What do you know about the tribe of Arakkis?" Knuckles said while walking up to the two. "Knux? You were spying on us?!" Sonic said looking at the echidna. "Heck no! I seen Sydney run off and went to see if she was all right! Then I heard the mentioning of the tribe and became curious!" "Sounds like spying to me!" Sonic thought. "What do you know about the tribe?" Sydney asked looking up. "I was mitre of that tribe at one time!" Knuckles replied. "Your Athair's great-grandson?!?" Sydney asked surprised. "As a matter of fact I am! How do you know Athair?" Knuckles said looking Sydney. "I can tell this discussion will take awhile, so I'll leave you two." Sonic said walking off. "Sonic, wait!" Sydney said running up to him. "I'll think about what you said." Sonic smiled and began to walk off again. He walked back over to Sally and snuck up behind her. "*gasp*!" Sally cried as Sonic put his hands over her eyes. "Guess who?" Sonic asked in a mischievous tone. "Sonic!" Sally yelled slightly startled. Sonic leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, then he let go. "And what was that for?" Sally asked smiling. "I'm just happy to have you back." Sonic said in a warm tone. "I should say so with the way you cried and carried on!" Sally smirked. Sonic had a smitten look on his face when he heard this. "Well...um..uh....what can I say? I have a soft side. Just don't go broadcast that!" Sonic said in jerkish manner. "You have my word." Sally said smiling. "But what I would like to know is what happend to the Robotnik?" "That is a little gruesome *shudder* even for me! I'll tell you later *gag*" Sonic said practicality turning green. Sally just looked at him. "It couldn't have been that bad!" "Sal, if I wasn't a robot at the time, I would have gone deaf, blind and I would have lost my lunch to boot! I don't want to get into that right now!" Sonic said as his emerald green eyes began to water and he began to gag at the thought. "But what I will tell you now is that he _IS_ gone. I guarantee that we will never see his mug again!" "I hope so." Sally said looking down at the ground. "I know so!" Sonic quickly replied. They looked at each other for a few seconds, tho it did not last long. "Freind Sonic! There you be!" yelled Rob walking up to him and Sally. "Yo Rob! Howz it hanging?" Sonic asked. "As well as can be expected. And you?" "I'm way past cool here!" "Uh, Sonic who is that?" Sally asked. "Oh, jeez! How rude of me! Sal, this is Rob O' the Hedge, king of Deerwood forest [Sonic#58]. And Rob, this is Princess Sally Acorn!" Sonic said to the royals. "King?!?" "Princess?!?" "Oh, boy!" Sonic said putting his hand on his head. "Well anyhow, Sonic, I came to tell you I must be on my way back to Mercia." Rob said looking at Sonic. "So soon?" "Aye, Mari-an worries so when I am away too long. Where is maiden Sydney? I wish to bid her good bye." "Last I saw she was talking with Knuckles over there!" Sonic replied pointing off to the side. "Thank you, I must be on my way then. I hope to see you again, Sonic." "Yo! Untill next, provided there is one!" Rob nodded his head as he and shook Sonic's hand. Then the cloaked hedgehog turned around and began to walk in direction Sonic pointed. * * * * * * * * "Hey Sonic, could you give me a hand?!" Rotor asked while trying to lift a large piece of metal. Sonic ran over to help. It had been a month since the defeat of Robotnik and reconstruction of Mobotropolis a begun again. The other freedom fighter groups had gone back to their homes. Sonic, tho only sixteen had been kighted by the king for his act of bravery. The king had finally seen the good in Sonic and gave his blessing for him to marry Sally on their eighteenth birthday. Prince Elias had had a talk with his father and admitted he had no desire to rule the kingdom. The king was hesitant at first, but decided Sonic and Sally would be good rulers. Sydney had decided to stay in Mobo-tropolis with her family, tho she still kept in touch with her old friends. She began to sing county music at night clubs, it drove Sonic crazy. Tho Sonic did _not_ like it, it was apparent that Sydney and Geoffrey St. John were beginning to like each other personally. It was also apparent that Bunnie and Antoine were also seeing each other more and more. Tails was a little upset, for Amy Rose had gone back to Mercia with her cousin Rob. Tho he knew she would not stay forever, he could not help but feel that way. Uncle Chuck had resumed his place as the administer of science, with Rotor and Sydney as his students. Knuckles had taken the super emerald back to his island for safe keeping. All the freedom fighter had once again been disbanded, and all were going to school. It seemed like all was well, not a soul had a care in the world. All was peaceful. "Sonic! Are you in there?" Rotor asked. Sonic snaped out of his daydream and began to help Rotor again. "Hey buddy you've had your head in the clouds quite often lately, what's on your mind?" Sonic just looked at Rotor. "I just can't believe that Robotnik is _truly_ dead this time." "Yeah, I know what you mean. According to what you said it must have been quite an experience!" "It was, believe me it was!" "I'm just glad you pulled through!" "Yeah, me too. So let's get this thing in your work shop already!" Sonic looked up at the sky and smiled. He had new hope and a new look towards life. He could not wait to see what the future held for him. And so as this story comes to a close, let's wish Sonic and his friends the best of luck in the peaceful years to come. Good bye SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, may you find happiness in your new life. THE END