Author's Note: For those of you who read my stories this is where you can contact me . I would like it some of you do drop me a line. Sonic the Hedgehog: Changing Fate By Jesse Nelson More than a month had passed since Alexander Coon came to Knothole and created havoc. He trial was quick. He pleaded guilty to the charges against him, attempted murder, second degree murder, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and disturbance of the peace. Before the trial it was found out that Uncle Chuck had saved Alex and told him about Knothole. Though most of the evidence was presented and statements said, the conversation between Antoine and Alex was never mentioned. Some of the villagers believed he should have been put to death. Of course Sally didn't like the idea. In the end, Alex received one hundred fifty-six years of imprisonment. With no official prison made, Sally had to improvise. Sally had Alex's robotic arm impounded, and he was sent to a makeshift prison near a vegetable garden with an armed guard. There Alex maintains the garden. Rotor even went to the trouble of creating gardening attachments to fit where Alex's arm once was. The fate of Alexander Coon has been set, but is that all that is in store for him? Maybe. What about the Freedom Fighters? Is their fate set in stone or can it molded through time as the planet has been? Their fate is never seen until it happens. Even then it can be changed. The fate can also be worded as the future. The future may be foreseen as a dark road. Not able to now or see what will happen next. Not even the fastest of all persons can see what is down the road, but they can see everything that has happened. Robotropolis, the city ran undisturbed under its dark cloud of pollution. Patrol bots went on with their routine surveillance, finding no trouble. Maintenance bots on the ground checked and made sure everything was in working order. Few Swatbots on the ground provide enforcement from any hostile threats. Hidden out of sight were Freedom Fighters ready to raid Robotropolis from a hill. This raid is to destroy a glaze factory. Spies in Robotropolis have informed Knothole of the Cloaking Swatbot, or CS bots, importance for glazing. Sally has carefully planned this mission knowing the fact that there are CS bots guarding the factory. "How many do you see?" asked Sally. "Too many," said Sonic wearing the infrared goggles. "You think you can get rid of them?" "I'll do my best, but it's hard to see with the goggles." "Try to come back. We don't have too many of them." "Don't worry." Sally sighed figuring Sonic will show off while making a diversion. She looked down at the rest of the Freedom Fighters that are on this mission. Some of them were wearing the goggles as lookouts for any trouble. Antoine was part of this raid, and so was Bunnie who had fully recovered since the bomb incident. Tails was also there. Sally didn't really want Tails to come, but his ability to fly did come in handy. Both Tails and Antoine were wearing the goggles. There were several others in the group as well. "Ok, here I go," said Sonic before running out in the open. When Sonic got close enough the usual things happened. Sirens blared and patrol bots perused Sonic repeating, "Hedgehog alert!" Sonic knew they couldn't get him, so he went to taking care of the CS bots. Sonic just took them out. None of them followed him, but did fire at him. "Ok Sal," radioed Sonic, "everything's clear." "Ok everybody," shouted Sally, "let's move out." Everyone came running down the toward the glaze factory. Antoine and a gray cat stood guard at the door as everyone went in to plant the explosives. Inside the factory was just as hot as it was outside. The machinery sounded all at once, but not in good unison. Large pots of boiling glaze gave off and unbearable heat and toxic odor. Everyone began to split up placing explosives in certain locations. Tails went up to plant a few explosives in the high areas and to keep a lookout for any CS bots that might be in the factory. Meanwhile Sally went to a computer terminal and linked up Nicole to down load any information on it. Everyone regrouped back near the door they came in. So far everything is going their way. "Are all the explosives placed?" asked Sally. "All have been placed," reported a bear. "Antoine," radioed Sally, "is everything clear out there?" "Zee coast eez clear," radioed Antoine. "We're finished here Sonic." "Just when I was having fun," radioed Sonic. "Sonic," groaned Sally. "I'm coming." "Lets go," said Sally to the others with her. Everyone began to run out of the factory. They were showered in blasts from above before they could reach the hill that they came down from. After the shooting had stopped a large, winged Swatbot came floating down between the Freedom Fighters and their escape route. As it landed its wings folded up into its back. "Freeze," shouted the Swatbot, "you are all prisoners of Ivo Robotnik." "Never shouted," someone as he tried to run past the Swatbot. The Swatbot just shot him as a quick reaction. Antoine, Tails, and the others with the goggles had fear filled expression on their faces. At the moment, uncloaked CS bots began to pour out of the factory. They managed to escape the infrared goggles by standing near hot areas in the factory. "We are surrounded," shouted Antoine. "Give up," demanded the large Swatbot. "No way chrome dome," shouted Sonic began barging through the cloaked CS bots. "Everybody scatter," shouted Sally, "regroup back at Knothole!" Everyone began to run trying to avoid the CS bots. Sonic tried to take out the CS bots and guide others away from them. Antoine managed to get near the hill. "Hurry up Antoine," shouted Bunnie from the hill, "there's one right behind yuh." Antoine's expression changed. He drew his sword and threw it toward Bunnie. The sword missed her, but was stuck in something. A Swatbot appeared behind Bunnie then fell just Antoine got there. "Are you alright?" asked Antoine. "Yuh could uh warned me," said Bunnie. "I, ahhh!" Antoine ducked as Bunnie threw her left arm. Her arm extended out until hitting a Swatbot. "We're even," said Bunnie just as Antoine got up. Bunnie left while Antoine stayed for a moment to get his sword. Then he followed Bunnie. Sally had a hard time escaping. It seemed that the majority of the CS bots where after her. Suddenly the explosives that where planted in the factory blew. All that were near the factory were thrown to the ground. Sally was thrown to the ground as debris fell on and around her. Many of the Swatbots were destroyed or damaged from the explosion. So for no one was captured. Only Sonic and Sally were left. Sonic continued to take out the CS bots. Sally began to reach out from the rubble. As she did a large metallic hand grabbed her arm and pulled her out. Sally dangled as she was held, but was still about to talk, "Who are you?" "I'm Colonel Striker," said the bot, "and you are going to help me find Knothole village." Before Sally could say anything Striker took off into the air. The higher altitude didn't bother Striker, but the polluted air made Sally feel a little nauseous. "Freeze hedgehog," shouted Striker, "or the princess gets it." Sonic stopped just as the last CS bot fell. Sonic looked up as rage began to fill him. "Drop her," shouted Sonic. "As you wish." Striker switched hands now holding Sally by her neck held her out then dropped her. "No!" Sonic ran out and caught Sally. "Sally?" "You got to choose your words more wisely," joked Sally. Striker had flown off to a ledge. He landed then picked up a gun that had been lying there. Sally began to feel the back of her neck. She soon felt something, but could get a word out about it. Sally felt something pierce her back three times. Sally twitched each time she felt it. Sonic saw the twitching and was worried. He was scared when Sally brought her hand from her back. There was blood smeared on her hand. "Sonic," called Sally. "Sally," called Sonic, "Sally everything's going to be alright." "Sonic I, I can't feel my legs." "Don't worry, I, I'll get back to Knothole." Sonic tried to keep a smile on his face as he held Sally. "I, I'm getting tired." "No Sally, don't fall asleep." "Just for a second." Sally closed her eyes. "Sally, Sally? Sally wake up!" Sonic began to shake her. Sally's eyes opened. She didn't speak, but moved her hand to remove the goggles on Sonic's face. "Sally?" Sally weakly touched Sonic's cheek then closed her eyes again. "Sally? Sally? Sally?" Sonic laid her down. He checked her pulse. Still alive, but weak. Sonic looked up. Sonic could see a large figure standing on a building. Anger began to fill Sonic. This was more than what he had ever felt before. Sonic jetted out to the building where the figure was at. After landing on the roof Sonic rushed the figure. Before reaching the figure, Sonic was thrown backward as something hit his shoulder. "It's over hedgehog," said the figure. "You've lost." Sonic looked up at the figure. It was the robot that dropped Sally. It had a gun pointed at Sonic. Although the bot didn't have a mouth Sonic knew that he was smiling inside. Wings extended out from the bot's back then it took off. Sonic watched coldly as it disappeared towards the center of Robotropolis. ******** Robotnik watched the viewing monitors. Some were replays of what happened to glaze factory while the others were on the current events. "Snively, report," shouted Robotnik. "Glaze factory totally destroyed sir," reported Snively, "thirty-three CS bots terminated." "What about Striker?" "Undamaged sir." "He'll wish he was when I'm through with him." "Robotnik," came a metallic voice. "Striker," Robotnik turned and faces the large bot, "you have failed the stop them." "It was a sacrifice that had to be made." "Sacrifice?!" "If you would allow me to explain." "You are on thin ice, Striker." "For years the location of Knothole has eluded you." "And?" "I have placde a tracking beacon on one of the Freedom Fighters." "How will this help? They will surely find it before they ever reach the village." "Not if the person were dying. Replay camera two five zero at time thirteen twenty eight." One of the viewing screens changed to a picture of Sonic and Sally. Robotnik watched as he saw Sally mysteriously fall. "Interesting," said Robotnik in a calm mood, "but how, I saw no blaster flashes." "That is because I didn't use a blaster." "A projectile?" "Rail gun. They are silent and lethal. They are big and use more power, but I think it is worth it." "I underestimated you, but you should've saved the factory." ******** Sonic paced uncontrollably outside the medical hut. He ignored the pain in his shoulder. Everyone else in Knothole was worried also. Only the younger ones had not been told what had happened. Then a white furred cat walked out of the hut. "Kathy," called Sonic, "how is she?" Kathy held her head low, "I did all I could." Sonic stood there not believing what has happened. Sonic slowly walked by Kathy into the medical hut. He slowly walked up to Sally. Next to her was a monitor showing her heart rate. It was very low. Sonic lightly brushed his hand over Sally's face when her eyes opened. "Sonic," she called weakly. "I'm here," said Sonic as he gently held her hand. "Everything's going to be. ok." "Don't lie to me," she smiled. "Does everyone know?" "Everyone except the kids." "Tell Tails that I went to sleep. He's..." "I... I know... I will." "I love you Sonic." Sally closed her eyes. "I know... I..." Sonic was cut when a high tone rang out. Sally's heart rate had gone flat. Sonic gazed at the meter as a tear ran down his face. Sonic put his arms around her and hugged one last time, "I love you Sally, I always will." Sonic stood up straight and gathered himself. He slowly walked out of the hut. It was quiet outside. Everyone saw how Sonic was acting and knew what had happened. As Sonic walked by Kathy walked back in. Tails came running up to Sonic wondering what was wrong. "Sonic," called Tails, "what happened? Where's Aunt Sally." Sonic sighed for a moment, "Sally's...sleeping." "Is she tired?" "Yeah." "Sonic," called Kathy, "could you come here for a minute." "Stay here Tails," said Sonic as he entered the medical hut with Kathy. "What is it Kat?" "Sonic I think we're in trouble," said Kathy, "I found this on the back of Sally's neck." She held out a small round disc. "What is it?" "A homing beacon." Before anything else could be said screaming was heard outside along with the sound of blaster fire. Suddenly a Swatbot tore into the medical hut. "No way!!!," shouted Sonic. "Freeze or you will be terminated," voiced the Swatbot. Sonic replied by buzz sawing through the bot. "Get out a here Kathy," shouted Sonic. Kathy quickly ran out of the hut. Outside Swatbots were everywhere. The residents tried to fight back, but they were outnumber. Sonic run out to take down as many as possible. But he was soon lifted off the ground. "Hello, Hedgehog," come a metallic voice, "how's your shoulder?" Sonic looked up and the large Swatbot that had shot him before. "I'm going to tear you apart," growled Sonic. "Oh, I'm scared," said the bot sarcastically. The bot activated his jet pack a flew far from Knothole. They flew until they reached a grass covered cliff over seeing an ocean. The bot dropped Sonic then landed. "Allow me to introduce myself," said the bot, "I am Colonel Striker." "So, you're a bot with a name," said Sonic as he got to his feet, "you're still scrap." Sonic charged at Striker, but Striker to stepped to his left tripping Sonic as he did. Sonic got back up and charged again. Striker again stepped aside, but this time quickly grabbing Sonic's injured shoulder. Sonic screamed out in pain as his feet went up in the air. Striker tightened his grip and raised Sonic then looked at him. "Hedgehog," called Striker. Sonic slowly turned his head and face Striker wincing at the pain in his shoulder. "Do you know how I found Knothole?" Sonic just continued to stare. "I placed a homing beacon on your girlfriend. To make sure it stayed on her I fatally wounded her with one of my new inventions. Knowing you would try to keep her alive anyway possible you never bothered to check her for it." "We, we found it," gritted Sonic. "But far too late to do a thing about it." "I'll get you. I'll make sure you pay." "Empty threats." Striker brought up his other fist and hit Sonic in the face. Sonic quickly fell limp. Striker stared at Sonic for a moment then dropped him. He slowly turned around and jetted off. ******** Hours had past before Sonic began to move around. He slowly got on his feet. He stood and gazed at his surroundings. He gazed over the cliff toward the ocean. Sonic wondered if this real or not. It seemed so peaceful. Just then he felt a stinging pain in his shoulder and grabbed it. Sonic then remembered how he got here. "Sally," said Sonic, "Knothole! No, I have to get back!" Sonic ran into forest. He navigated until he finally reached Knothole or what was left of it. All the huts have been destroyed. Bodies lying everywhere. Some were robots, most were villagers. Sonic searched the village. He was hopping there was someone alive, hiding somewhere. His hopes fell when he saw a familiar orange furred fox lying lifeless, Tails. Sonic turned around and began to dig through the rubble of one of the huts. Sonic found a trap door and was curious as to why it was there. Sonic opened the door. The first thing he saw was the business end of a blaster. "Sonic," called a female voice? "Kathy," called Sonic? "Sonic, where have you been." "Taking a nap, that big Swatbot decked me. Is anyone else with you?" "Just Antoine, scared stiff." "It's safe to come out." Sonic helped Kathy out, but Antoine stayed. "Hey Ant," called Sonic, "there are no more Swatbots. You can come out." "Are, are you pozitive?" asked Antoine. "Positive." Antoine slowly walked to hatch and got out. Antoine got a first glimpse at the devastation that had happened. Kathy went to what remained of the medical hut hoping that there were still some supplies just in case anyone was still alive. Sonic went to his Uncles hut, because he was in the village when the attack occurred. Near where Sonic was, at Rotor's workshop, stirred a body. A metallic hand reached up and grabbed a bench top. Slowly the arm pulled itself up along with the body. The figure planted itself against the bench leg and looked around. He saw Sonic then called out his name. "Sonic," the voice was scratchy, "Sonic!" Sonic hear his name being called and turned to see who it was. "Unc? Uncle Chuck?" Sonic ran to him as fast as he could. "Unc you're alive." "I'm running on back up power," said Uncle Chuck. "Sonic, go to Rotor's closet and look for a box mark TT." "But why?" "Hurry Sonic!! I don't have much power left!" Sonic did as he was told. He opened the closet and pile of devices fell on him. Sonic searched the pile until he found a box marked TT. He brought it back to his uncle. "I got it Unc." "Open it." Sonic opened it and a pair of gloves and a helmet with wires and circuitry on them. "Now what Unc?" No answer. "Unc? Uncle Chuck?" Sonic looked at his robot uncle. He wasn't moving his and eyes were dark. "No. Not you Unc." "Sonic," called someone. "First Sally, then Tails, now Uncle Chuck. I got no one left." "Zat eez not true. Kathy an I are still here." "I've lost everyone that has meant anything to me." "I have lost my mother when Robotnik attacked." Suddenly another body began to move in the rubble. A tan furred hand reached up in the air. Antoine and Sonic went to help the person up. They soon found out who it was. "Bunnie are you alright?" asked Antoine. "Oh," groaned Bunnie, "Antoine?" "I am here." "Kathy," shouted Sonic, "we found someone!" The cat rushed over carrying a first aid kit. Kathy quickly went and treated the cuts and scratches on Bunnie. Sonic knew he did what he could and left. He stopped to pick up the box his uncle told him to get. Sonic went to what remained of his hut and sat. Sonic sat on a chair staring at the contents of the box. "Sonic," called Antoine, "Sonic?" Sonic shook out of his trance and looked the fox, "Yeah?" "You've been staring at zee box for two hours." "I have?" "I never thought you could stay still for zat long." "Neither did I." "What eez in zee box?" "I don't know." Sonic picked up a glove from the box. He stared at it then put it on. He noticed a blinking button. It wasn't there when it was in the box though. Instinctively Sonic pressed the blinking button. Suddenly a hologram image appeared from the glove. The hologram was of Uncle Chuck. "I guess something big must have happened for you to be seeing this Sonic," said Chuck. "Sonic, this helmet and gloves are a time travel accelerator. It allows you to travel in time. You are probably wondering why I didn't tell you about it before. To tell you the truth, you could be killed using it. Time travel gives out extreme g-forces, more than what you can survive." He paused for a moment. "Sonic you must use a power ring when go through time. Take two. One for the trip in time one to return to the present. With out it, you will probably be crushed and killed. When you are in time, in the past, remember this," his voice became more serious, "You must not encounter anyone, especially yourself." He paused again. "One more thing, the accelerator will put you out of normal time. Should you change the past and return, you, and only you will remember the present that you have changed. I hope you do the right thing." Uncle Chuck lowered his head then the hologram flickered away. "Sonic," called Antoine, "Sonic?" Sonic was stunned. He didn't know what to say. "Antoine," called Kathy as she walked over, "what's wrong with Sonic?" Antoine explained to Kathy about the recording. As Antoine was explaining Sonic stood up and took out the rest of the contents in the box. He put on the other glove and helmet. He began to walk away. "Sonic, wait," called Kathy. "What?" "You have to think this through." "I know what I'm going to do." "What?" "Save Sally. When's the next ring due?" "In a few minutes, why?" Later at the ring pool Kathy, Sonic, Antoine, and Bunnie waited. During the wait Sonic programmed the time travel accelerator and thought about the things that had happened. Mainly about the ones around him. Kathy and Antoine survived because a hidden basement, thought Sonic. Since when did Kathy have a basement and when does a doctor have a gun? The sound of bubbling took Sonic's attention. Sonic stood up getting ready to grab the ring from the pool. A pillar of water rose from the pool. The water flowed back to the pool leaving a power ring floating above. Sonic quickly grabbed it before gravity could take it back to the bottom of the pool. Sonic stared at the ring for moment then straighten his face. "Good luck Sonic," said Kathy. "Thanks," said Sonic. Sonic glanced back at Antoine. He turned back and took a deep reath. "Three," counted Sonic, "two, one." Sonic sped off toward the setting sun as the power ring surrounded him in a gold glow. The time travel accelerator glow bright white then opened a tunnel. The tunnel was bright white. It was so bright that Sonic had squinted eyes. Sonic could also feel the crushing g-force against his body. It felt as though a giant hand was squeezing his body. In the brightness of the time tunnel Sonic was able to see brighter flashes almost like stars. In an instance Sonic managed to catch a glimpse of a black object before streaking past it. Finally the tunnel ended. Sonic found himself in the Great Forest. The sun was up high in the sky. Sonic only hoped that he came to the right time. He sped off to where the glaze factory was, if it was still there. He found it, it was. At that moment the Freedom Fighters came out of the factory. Sonic also saw Striker fly down in front of them. Someone tried to charge at the large bot, but was shot down. Sonic soon felt himself being lifted off the ground. "What the." shouted Sonic as he struggled. "Hedgehog captured," came the voice of a Swatbot. "No way, Motor-Mouth." Sonic went into his sonic spin slicing on what ever was holding him. Sonic fell to the ground along with the forearms of a Swatbot. Suddenly Bunnie came running past Sonic. Sonic was about to run down to the fighting when he ran into Antoine. "Hey," shouted Sonic. "Sonic," said Antoine, "I thought you we're fighting zee Swatbots." Before Sonic could answer the factory exploded . The explosion caused Sonic and Antoine to cover their heads. "Catch yah later Ant," said Sonic before running off. Antoine watched as Sonic ran, but another fast moving object caught his eye. He looked at the rubble from the factory and saw Sonic. "I am seeing two Sonics?" Antoine asked himself? Sonic ran down making sure no one else saw him. Sonic looked around from where he hiding. He looked up and saw Striker flying off to a building. He looked in the opposite direction. He saw himself holding Sally. "Uh oh." Sonic looked back at Striker. The bot was already aiming something. Sonic gritted his teeth and ran for Striker. Striker aimed his new weapon down at Sonic and Sally. As he pulled the trigger something shot up throwing his aim off. "What?!" shouted Striker. "What's this?" asked Sally as she pulled something from her neck. In her hand was a small round disc. "I don't know," said Sonic. "How did you get here," demanded Striker as he looked toward where he was aiming? "What?!" Sonic charged Striker, but the bot stayed in place. Striker swung his arm knocking Sonic away. He quickly took aim again at Sally. He didn't have much time to carry out his plan. As he fired Sonic again knocked off his aim. Sonic tried to grab the gun, but Striker held on tightly. Several more shots were fired in the direction on the this present Sonic As Striker and the future Sonic fought for the gun. Striker soon stopped fighting and took off leaving the gun with Sonic. "Wha, what?" Sonic looked as Striker flew off. "Why's he leaving?!" Suddenly Sonic looked in the other direction. He saw Sally, but not himself. He picked up the gun and looked threw the scope. Sally was on the ground, but the bullet wound wasn't where he remembered it. Instead of being in her back it was in her head. Just then Sonic remembered something else. "Better move." Sonic dropped the gun and ran off. As Sonic left the other Sonic, of this time, reached the roof. "Where is the guy?!" shouted Sonic enraged. ******** In the Robotropolis communications center. Snivily locked on to signal the Striker claimed to lead to Knothole Village. Snivily found the signal, but it was nowhere near the Great Forest. "Striker," groaned Robotnik, "you said that this signal will led me to Knothole Village. It's nowhere near the forest!" "I assure you." began Striker. "I assure you this! The next time you foul up you will regret being created!" Robotnik stormed off out of the room. As Robotnik left Striker could hear some laughter. "You really got on his bad side, Striker," laughed Snivily. "Note this little man," growled Striker as he picked up Snivily by his shirt, "you get on my bad side you will regret being born." "Am I suppose to be scared?" Suddenly Striker's arm shook then lowered Snivily to the floor then released him. Snivily brushed himself off then pulled out a remote from his pocket. Surges of electricity flowed threw Striker causing him pain. "Robotnik isn't the only one with power," said Snivily, "I just have the brains to use them." ******** Sonic hid himself in the great forest. He hadn't fulfilled his mission. Sonic shook his head. Sadness and guilt filled Sonic. He was near the point of crying. "Not again," sobbed Sonic. Sonic stayed leaning against a tree for a time. Sonic stood up and straightened his face. He looked at one of the glove to the time travel accelerator. He set the destination. He took out a power ring from his back pack then ran. A few moments later Sonic appeared in the Great Forest in another time. The sun was high in the sky. Instantaneously Sonic ran toward Robotropolis. The glaze factory was standing. At that moment the Freedom Fighters rushed out. Sonic didn't wait to see what was going to happen. He already knew. Sonic ran off toward where Striker will land and shoot Sally. He was on the roof of a building. Nearby was a gun. The gun Sonic knew would kill Sally if he didn't something about it. Before Sonic could pick up the gun an explosion rang out. This startled Sonic. Looked toward the explosion and saw Striker holding Sally in the air. Sonic turn around and grabbed the forks at the end of the gun. He raised it over his head and slammed it on the roof. The gun cracked, but was still usable. Sonic raised it again and slammed it. This time the gun shattered in a shower of sparks. The forks remained in his hands, but the gun was no longer usable. At that moment Striker landed on the roof. "What have you done?!" demanded Striker. "Saved the future," with that, Sonic ran off. Sonic reached the forest. He set himself against a tree. I save Sally and Knothole, thought Sonic. But how do I get back. The next ring won't be due for hours, and I can't go take one from Knothole. Too many people will see me. Sonic went into deep thought. Uncle Chuck said that I could be killed, thought Sonic. He didn't say it will. "Well Sonic," he said, "you've always lived on the edge. This will top it all." Sonic went to one of the glove and pressed the button that said home. "Three. two. one. GO!" Sonic sped off. He soon found himself in the tunnel. The g-force that he was warned about was soon crushing him. Even though Sonic was going at super speed he felt as he was moving slow. Everything he lived for, everyone he knew ran through his mind. Tails, Uncle Chuck, Sally, the Freedom Fighters. Sonic's vision soon blurred. It was starting to get dark as he felt his head being pounded. Before reaching the end of the tunnel Sonic blacked out. ******** "How could you let them destroy the factory?!" imposed Robotnik. "I...." began Striker as he was cut off. "You let those accursed Freedom Fighters destroy the factory and failed to capture any of them." "I termin..." before Striker could finish Robotnik's robotic fist slammed into his head. Striker fell to the floor limp. "Snivily!" "Y, yes sir?" "Take Striker away." "Yes, sir." Snivily took a couple of Maintenancebots with him to Striker. The Maintenance bots carried Striker out of the command center. As Striker was being carried his crushed head slowly turned to Snivily. Snivily looked back. "Be fortunate that you're not totally off line. You will be repaired, but I would suggest that you not go off your own plans. Your rail gun is a excellent idea. I've seen the plans. You are well in creating weapons." Snivily smiled. Striker turned his head so that he was facing up. Then, he shut himself down. ******** Sonic slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a couple times before they stayed open. "Oh, my head." Sonic sat up holding his head. "How are yuh feeling," came a voice. "Sally?" Sonic sat upright and looked for her. "Sonic what's wrong with you?" Sally walked up to him. "You, you're alive." "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" "How, how did I get here?" "You mean you don't you?" "I don't think so." "You tripped on an exposed root and hit your head on a tree." Sonic felt his head. It hurt. Then he looked at his shoulder. His shoulder was fine. Sonic got up off the bed then walked to the door. "Sonic, you need to rest." Sonic opened the door and looked out. Everything was normal. Sonic walked out holding his had as he did. He looked around. Tails was playing a game with some of the other kids in the village. He soon found Antoine sitting keeping to himself, but looking at Rotor's workshop. "Sonic, where are you going?" asked Sally as she caught up to him. "I need to check something," said Sonic. "What?" Sonic didn't answer. He just walked on to Rotor's workshop. Inside the workshop Rotor was working on Bunnie's arm and Uncle Chuck was there. "Sonic," said Uncle Chuck as he placed a box on the floor, "you shouldn't be up like this." He nudged the box with his leg under the work bench. Sonic caught a glimpse of the box the letters TT was on it. "I had to see my only Uncle before he left," said Sonic. "I was going to go see you before I left. Thanks for saving me the trip." "No prob Unc." Sonic turned and left. As he left the work shop he saw Antoine still looking even with Sally outside. "It did happen," said Sonic to himself. Sonic pressed the memory away and walked to Sally, smiling.