"Crystalline Beauty" Authors: Robert Brown and Francis Tolbert Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case they were created and copyrighted by us). The authors hereby give permission for this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy per user as long as (1) no changes to the story are made without our express written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is made to profit from this story. If either or both rules are violated, it will be considered a violation of copyright law. Author's Note: Hey to all Sonic fans out there! I'm back for this story, but my friend writes the next two. And by the way, pay no attention to his Author's Note...he'll write the next two, even if I have to tie him up, drag him here, and force him to. Also, I've noticed that we only now are starting to receive a few pieces of e-mail about our stories. My friend and I decided to post these stories to share them with the world. In other words, we want your feedback. Let us know what you think. Give us your ideas. In addition, don't just say 'I like your stories, can you send me the others.' Don't be afraid to point out things that are wrong with the stories; we don't bite. And it will help us learn to write better. Just don't expect us to follow _every_ suggestion made. :) Until next time, happy reading! Cast of Characters(in order of appearance) Princess Sondra Acorn*** Miles "Tails" Prower Princess Sally Acorn Sonic Hedgehog Lupe Bunnie Rabbot Antoine D'Coolette Dulcy Rotor Snively Donovan### Metal Sonic Uncle Chuck King Acorn Naugus Tanis Shi-rat*** #6 Sondra lay silently by the power ring pool, staring up at the cloudless, starlit sky. She had learned all about the constellations, and often sat for hours just watching them speed through the heavens. There was a chill in the air now that fall had arrived, and the forest's trees were ablaze with color. The harvest moon was full this night, and Sondra thought it had never looked more beautiful. She rolled on her side, sighing. She had not been created to appreciate beauty. Her mission was clear: get as many Freedom Fighters into the Void so it could drain their energy away. At first, it seemed easy enough. Make up a story about Sally's father, with just enough truth in it for her to believe it; Sally wouldn't be able to resist. And where the princess went, the others would follow. But then, she had actually met the king, and found herself softening. He had shown her nothing but kindness, and Naugus, even through his anger at Robotnik, had done the same. By the time she had left the Void, she had indeed been adopted into the House of Acorn, and her resolve was weakening. That was why the Void had told her to feign a comatose state while it tried on its own to trick Sally. When that had not worked, she had "awoken" with her resolve intact. But then she met Sally, and saw the love she had for her father, and something stirred inside of her. Thinking of harming her was hard. She tried to force herself to do what she knew she had to anyway, but that was when she saw Tails. As soon as she saw him, the feeling stirred by Sally had exploded throughout her entire body. She quelled it as best she could, hiding it from the Void when it demanded to know why she had disobeyed it. She had wanted time to discover what had really happened, fearing that Tails was some sort of sorceror that could stop her. But that wasn't it. And through the series of events that had followed, she ended up here, trying to decide what to do. She took a power ring out of her backpack and stared at it. Was this her salvation, or a curse? She didn't know. She now had the free will to decide what came next, and it was a decision that would affect the future of the Freedom Fighters. She could either trap them, as was her original intent, or let things continue on indefinitely. There was a third choice that had only recently occurred to her, but she knew that it would demand a heavy price, one that she was unsure if she could pay. "Hey Sondra!" a voice called accompanied by the sound of tails swishing through the air. "Are you ready?" Sondra smiled and put the power ring back in her backpack. She stood up and turned just in time to see Tails wrap his arms around her and hug her. She hugged him back. "Ready, Miles," she said. Tails looked at her. "You know you're the only one that I let call me by my real name, don't you?" "Of course, that's why I do." She gave him a quick kiss on the nose. "Come on," she said, letting him go and starting to walk toward the War Room, "Sally'll be waiting. Tails walked right beside her, keeping one arm around her shoulders. Without realizing she was doing it, Sondra's arm snuck around his waist. They walked like that until they joined the others, and even then still were holding each other, leaning against the wall. Sally was counting heads, making sure everyone had shown up. "OK," she said when she had finished, "remember everyone, this is a recon mission only. Robotropolis has been really active lately, and I want to know why." "Aw, Sal," Sonic said from his position behind her, "you know I can't go to Robotropolis without destroying at least one SWAT-butt. I got my image to think about you know." "Sonic, we talked about this. I just want to get in, find out what's going on, and get out." Sonic walked up to stand next to her. "But Sal, do you really think that ol' Snively will just let us waltz in there without a fight? You need some sort of distraction if you're gonna find out what he's up to." "Sonic's right, Princess," Lupe said, standing up. "We'll stand a better chance if he draws their attention. And you must admit, no one can do it quite like Sonic." "They're right, and you know it Sally-girl," Bunnie said, also standing. "Sugarhog'll get their attention, like he usually does, and end up costing Snively a few SWAT-butts or maybe even a hover ship." "Yeah, but..." Sally started, but couldn't finish. "But what?" Sonic asked. "What's with you lately? You been holding me back a lot lately." "But...I...just don't want anything to happen to you," Sally said finally. "This could all be a plan by Snively just to draw us into the open. I don't want to lose you." "Sal, I been on so many raids, I could go through it blindfolded. Heck, there ain't nothin' Snively can throw at me that'll stop me." "Especially since I'm going with you, Sonic," Tails said. "Don't forget me," Sondra added in. "Say wha'?" Sonic asked, looking at those two. "Sorry you two, but I can move much faster on my own." "I can keep up with you, Sonic," Sondra said defensively. "I won't slow you down." "And where she goes, I go," Tails said. "It makes a certain sense, Sonic," Antoine said thoughtfully. "The more of us that are with you, the less likely it is that Snively will be thinking that it is a divergence...no, diversion, that is it." "And you won't go unless at least two others are with you," Sally said firmly. Sonic grimaced. "All right, you win. Tails, Sondra, you'll be with me." Tails and Sondra high-fived each other. "I'm ready for some serious juicin', jammin', and whammin'!" Sondra said excitedly. Everyone had to stifle a laugh, even Sonic. Though she was a princess, she tended to act more like Sonic than Sally. And she became more like him every day. Some of the animals wondered what would happen if Sondra were one day forced to assume the throne; it would be just like having Sonic as the king, and not all of them were thrilled with either idea. "All right, everyone, calm down," Sally said, motioning for quiet. "Against my better judgement, I'll let you three go, provided there are no heroics. Remember the objective: reconnaissance, not sabotage." "Yeah, yeah," Sonic said, tapping his foot impatiently. "So, are you two comin' or what?" He revved up his legs and took off, leaving a trail of fire behind him. "Show off," Sondra muttered. Aloud, she said, "Grab on Tails! It's my turn! Wait a minute," she said, her attention diverted. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to a piece of crumpled paper under Sally's boot. "This? Oh, just garbage," Sally said casually. "Would you mind throwing it out for me on your way?" she asked, kicking it to Sondra. Tails put his arms around Sondra's waist and locked his hands as Sondra caught the paper. Sondra revved up her legs and sped off in the direction Sonic headed, leaving her own trail of fire right beside Sonic's. As she ran, she read the paper. "Beware the laser" was written in a handwriting Sondra did not recognize. "Hmm," Sondra thought, speeding along, "this could be important. But why did Sally disregard it?" She tucked it in a vest pocket and sped up, trying to catch Sonic. Sally watched them go with a fond look. "What am I gonna do with those two?" she asked herself quietly. "The same thing I do with sugarfox here," Bunnie said, grabbing Antoine without warning. "Give 'em all the love you got!" "Umm...Bunnie," Antoine said, coughing, "I cannot be able to breathe!" Sally shook her head as Bunnie released Antoine. "I guess I didn't speak as quietly as I thought," she thought. "I don't mean to interrupt," Lupe said, "but we really need to get going, or Sonic and the others might get in trouble." "All right, then," Sally said, focusing on the task at hand, "let's go." Sonic, Sondra, and Tails sped through the Great Forest, heading straight for Robotropolis. "Gettin' slow, Sonic!" Sondra called as she caught up to him. "Slow? Moi?" Sonic asked, looking at her. "I just got it in cruise control." "Sure you do," Tails said, laughing. "By the way Sonic, you might wanna veer just a little bit to the right." "Why?" Sonic asked, looking forward again just in time to see a tree directly in front of him. He went into a Sonic Spin Attack and plowed through the tree. He started running again as soon as he was through, never missing a beat. "Like I said, why?" "Better save some of that energy," Sondra said, slowing. "We're here," Sonic came to a complete stop and picked something up off the ground. "I always keep a dime here, just to stop on it," he said jokingly. Sondra fought the urge to just bust out laughing, and when Tails started, she couldn't hold back. They kept laughing as Sonic bowed repeatedly saying, "I know, I know. I'm just too much." "Yeah," Sondra said, calming down, "but too much of what?" Sonic gave a half-frown in her direction. "Man, I can't believe I left myself wide open for that one." Tails shrugged. He spied a search beam from a hover ship and brought it to the others' attention. All three ducked behind a metal wall and waited for it to pass. "So what's the plan?" Tails whispered in hushed tones. "Easy little bro," Sonic answered. "All we gotta do is wait for Sal's signal, and cause some random and illogical destruction." "Way past cool," Sondra said, rubbing her hands together, "just the kind I like." After a few minutes, they saw Dulcy flying in carrying Rotor, Lupe and a member of the Wolf Pack Sonic didn't recognize. Sally was flying just behind her holding on to Bunnie and Antoine, one in each hand. Sonic couldn't help but admire Sally as she and Dulcy flew behind a nearby building. She had really grown strong in the use of her powers. Sonic noticed that their powers seemed to be linked; as he got faster, her flight got stronger. He would have to remember to ask Uncle Chuck about that. From around the building, Sonic saw Bunnie's arm wave. "That's our cue," he said, standing. "Ready, guys?" "Ready, willing, and able, Sonic!" Tails and Sondra said together, causing another small outbreak of the giggles. Once it passed, they all ran out from cover, Sonic and Sondra wrecking the nearby SWATbots. Even Tails managed to cause some damage when he flew between two SWATbots and caused them to shoot each other. "Let's move," Sally said from her hiding spot as soon as she saw the robots' attention diverted. "FREEZE INTRUDERS!" a metallic voice droned from behind them just as a siren started blaring. They all turned to look and saw three robots standing behind them and one on a hoversled. All had lasers pointing at them. "RAISE YOUR HANDS," the one in the lead said. Sally raised her hands and motioned for the others to do the same. All did, except for Bunnie and Antoine. "Flip you for it, sugah?" Bunnie asked nonchalantly. "As you wish, my dear," Antoine said, taking a coin from his pocket and flipping it. The robots' attentions were drawn to the coin for only a split second, and that was all they needed. Antoine drew his sword(he had started practicing with it again, and now carried it with him at all times) and slashed open the lead robot's knees. Bunnie grabbed the robot as it fell and tossed it toward the others. The one on the hoversled flew out of the way, but the two on the ground were caught beneath the robot and all three exploded. The one in the hoversled immediately began firing at the Freedom Fighters, who all scattered. Sonic saw the commotion. "The plan's blown!" he called to Sondra and Tails. "The others need our help!" He sped toward the fight with Sondra and Tails in tow. "Lupe, look out!" the unknown wolf said, pushing Lupe out of the way just as the robot fired at her. The laser hit the wolf flush in the chest and he fell to the ground, screaming in agony. "No!" Lupe cried, running to his side. The wolf lay on the ground, still as death. Lupe searched his fallen body for signs of life, and found that they were strong and stable. "Thank the...?!" she began, before her words were choked off by a cry of terror. The wolf's body started to glow purple as metal began to replace flesh and blood. "What in the name of the Almighty...?" Lupe said, not fully understanding what was happening. "Sonic, double ring time!" Sondra called, grabbing the power ring from his backpack. "Just what I was thinking, kid!" Sonic said, grabbing on to the ring as she held it. The power ring glowed brighter than ever, surrounding both Sonic and Sondra in its light. They ran straight for the hoversled and tore into it. The robot exploded, sending parts in all directions. "Omigosh," Sally said, standing beside Lupe as the transformation became complete. "A roboticization gun!" she said softly. "That's what Snively's been up to!" "Umm...hate to point this out, but a whole battalion of SWAT-butts are heading this way!" Sonic said, pointing. "We gotta go, now!" "But we can't just leave him here!" Lupe protested. The wolf-robot's eyes snapped open and glowed bright red. "PRIORITY ONE! CAPTURE AND DETAIN FREEDOM FIGHTERS BY ORDER OF SNIVELY!" he droned, reaching for Lupe's throat. Sally slapped the hand away and hauled Lupe to her feet. "We can't do anything for him now. He's under Snively's control. Dulcy!" "Gotcha, Sally," Dulcy said, picking Lupe up and putting her in her pouch. "Meet ya back at Knothole!" she called, taking off amidst Lupe's continued protesting. "Everyone, grab on to someone!" Sonic yelled just as the first hover units came into sight. Antoine grabbed Sonic, Bunnie grabbed Sally, and Tails grabbed Sondra. "Outta here!" Sonic yelled, taking off with Sally and Sondra right beside him. Snively smiled from his concealed observation point. "So, now they know what I've been up to," he said, as if talking to someone though he was alone. "I believe they'll think twice before trying another raid. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked of his invisible companion, then walked back toward the command center. Donovan frowned and stepped out into the light. "I must be slipping," he muttered. "Snively knew I was here all along. But I can't worry about that now; I'd better get to Knothole and see what they're going to do about this. Device one, activate." Glowing red eyes peered out from a shadowy alcove. "You're slipping more than you realize," Metal Sonic grated as he watched Donovan fly off. "Snively has really gotten to you, hasn't he? I should follow you to Knothole, but I don't want to spoil our _next_ surprise." The robot sped off after Snively, delighted at a job well done. Later, back at Knothole, Sally paced the floor of her hut. "How did we miss it?" she asked of no one in particular. "I mean, it must have taken a long time for Snively to come up with this! How could we not have known about it?" "Calm down, Sally," Uncle Chuck said from his chair. "Remember, Robotnik built the roboticizer with the plans he stole from me without anyone realizing it. We just underestimated him, like we've done with Snively." "Oh, trust me," Sally said, her voice dark and menacing, "I will never underestimate him again." "Yo, Sal," Sonic said, walking into the hut, "Bunnie told me to tell you that Lupe's finally asleep. Seems that sedative Uncle Chuck gave her put her out but good." "Thanks, Sonic. Well, at least something's going right. I just wish we had one of those guns to analyze." Sonic looked at the floor, shuffling his feet. Then, his head popped up as he remembered something. "I almost forgot; I have a present for you, Sal." "Sonic, this is neither the time or the place for this," she said angrily. "Don't you care about what we just saw?" "Of course I do! But fine, if you don't want to think of it as a present, then just consider it a wish fulfilled." Sally looked at Sonic, the expression on her face somewhere between anger and bewilderment. "Sonic, what are you babbling about?" Sonic smiled as he took off his backpack and reached into it. "You'll see," he said as he pulled something dark grey out. "Think fast!" he said and threw it to her. Sally instinctively caught the object, and nearly dropped it because it was so heavy. She looked at her hands and found herself holding the arm of one of the SWAT-bots that had been destroyed just moments ago. "I figured you'd want to take a look at it," Sonic said, "so I picked it up as we ran by it. Am I way past cool, or what?" Sally carefully put the arm on the table and stood facing away from Sonic. "Sonic, you're amazing! I love you!" she said, wiping away a tear of relief. "This is exactly what we need to get the upper hand on Snively. Who knows, we may even be able to reverse it into a de-roboticization gun. And after we get done looking at this, I'll show you just how much I love you!" she finished, her voice dropping to a sultry level. Sonic' face blushed a bright red. "Umm, that's not n-necessary," Sonic stammered, the color extending down his neck. "Let's hold off on the celebrating until we get this done," Uncle Chuck cautioned. He took the arm and opened it up. "Amazing," he breathed. "This is an outstanding piece of work!" "Can you figure it out?" Sally asked, hopeful. "Maybe in time," Uncle Chuck said carefully, looking at it closely. Then his eyes widened. "Uh oh!" he exclaimed. "What? What's wrong?" Sonic asked, moving closer so he could take a look. "The circuitry, it's dissolving! Snively must have put a failsafe in the machinery so that it couldn't be analyzed. It's some sort of acid that must activate when exposed to air." "Damn!" Sonic said, slamming his fist on the table as the last remnants of the arm melted into a pool of goo. "Now what'll we do? Do you think Nicole could interface with one if we get another gun?" "I doubt it Sonic," Uncle Chuck answered. "If Snively had this failsafe, he may also have integrated a computer virus into the program, one that the SWAT-bots would be immune to but Nicole wouldn't. There's only one thing left to do. I'm gonna have to get back inside Robotropolis and see what I can find out." "No way, Unc," Sonic protested. "Snively knows who you are! You wouldn't even get close enough to him to find out." "Yes, but remember, I have a couple of disguises. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to get outfitted with one of those guns." "But...that means we won't be together anymore," Sonic said, saddened. "It was good while it lasted, Sonny-boy, but things change. We have to do what's best for Mobius, no matter what the personal cost is. I'll go now and see if my base still exists." He gave Sonic a quick hug and headed out of the hut. "I'll be back," he called, "count on it!" Sonic stood by the door, waving until he could no longer see his uncle. "Bye, Unc," he whispered. "Oh, Sonic," Sally said, coming up behind him and hugging him. "I'm sorry." Sonic turned into Sally and hugged her tight, crying like a dam had just burst inside his eyes. Sally just held him, telling him everything would be all right between her own tears. Sondra backed away from the window, sniffling. She had seen everything, and there was a terrible ache that filled her being. "Wow," she thought, "I never thought things would turn out like this! How could things go this wrong this fast?" A tear slid down her cheek. Sondra wiped it away, and was surprised to find it was a normal tear, not a crystal one. "Uncle Chuck is right, the future of Mobius and all its creatures is more important than anything that concerns just me. There's only one thing to do," she said, walking quickly through Knothole. "I just hope I know what I'm doing." She walked until the stood at the center of Knothole, close to an old iron bell. She lifted a wooden mallet that lay by the bell and struck the bell sharply. A loud, deep gong sounded through the village. She struck the bell twice more, then replaced the mallet and waited. In minutes, every animal in Knothole was gathered around her. "Sondra?" Sally said disbelievingly, forcing her way through the crowd. "You know that bell is used only to call an emergency meeting. Why did you ring it?" "Sally, please trust me," she said slowly. "All will be made plain, but not here. We must all go to the power ring pool; it is the only place we can talk with assured privacy." "Why the pool? Wouldn't the church be better?" "Not for this. I know I'm asking a lot, but please believe me." "Of course, Sondra. Come on everyone," Sally said, raising her voice to be heard, "Sondra wants us at the power ring pool." Sondra led the way to the pool and stood by its edge while everyone found a seat or got comfortable some other way. Sonic, Sally, Bunnie, Antoine, Rotor and Tails were in front of the others, directly in front of Sondra with Dulcy all the way in the back. Everyone was whispering to each other, trying to find someone who knew what was going on. Sally was surprised that not even Tails knew, and she sensed that this was going to be something that would alter her life forever. Once everyone quieted, Sondra turned to face them. "You all know my story," she began, "how I fell into the Void, was adopted by King Acorn, and made my way to Knothole, right?" Everyone nodded so she continued. "Well, I have a bit of a confession to make. I did not just fall into the Void. I was there on purpose." "On purpose?" Sally asked. "Why would you want to go the Void on purpose?" "That was a lie too," Sondra said heavily. "I did not go to the Void; I was always in the Void." "Sondra, what are you saying?" Sally asked worriedly. "You're not making any sense!" Sondra closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Sally, everyone, what I am about to say will come as a shock and a surprise to all of you, except you, Donovan." "Donovan?" Antoine yelled, standing up. "He would not be so bold as to show up here." "But I am here, Antony," Donovan said, jumping down from a tree branch and walking to the others. "Please, no fighting," Sondra said. "He is not here to harm anyone, and we'll need his help." "Need his help for what?" Sally asked. "I'm getting to that." Sondra opened her eyes, showing irises bright with all colors. "I...I am a creation of the Void, made only with the intent to lure you and Sonic to the Void, Sally." "No," Sally said, shaking her head amidst everyone else's gasps of shock and disbelief. "This can't be happening. I can't lose my family again!" Sondra smiled a sad smile. "I lied about who I am and what I am," she said slowly, "but not about anything else. Father did adopt me as an Acorn, and technically, we are related." "How's that?" Sonic demanded, keeping his anger in check while trying to keep Sally from dissolving into tears. Sondra sighed. "When the Void created me, it combined your and Sally's DNA, which it got from the last time you were there, and gave me of its own substance. In a way, I guess I'm your daughter." Sally just stared at her, disbelieving. "Why? Why are you telling us this now?" "Because I cannot live a lie any longer. You, Father, and Tails have shown me what love is, something the Void did not expect. It changed me, caused me to rebel against my creator. It repeatedly ordered me to capture you, but I couldn't. And then, something remarkable happened. "When I first used a power ring, I found that I had been cut off from the Void. It could no longer talk to me, read my thoughts, or order me around. I was free to make my own decisions about what to do in the future." "Apparently you have made your decision, or you wouldn't have called this meeting," Donovan said. "What will you do now?" "The Void wanted me to bring Sally and Sonic back to it, and I will. But," she continued, cutting off the shouts of protest from the others, "not as it expects me to." "What do you mean?" Sonic asked, motioning for everyone to quiet down. "I believe I know how to destroy the Void, but I'll need your help to do it. And not just you. Bunnie and Antoine will have to come along as well." "Why us?" Bunnie demanded. "And why them?" "The Void is a thing of hate; that's all it knows. The only thing that can destroy it is love. You four have the strongest love out of everyone, and we'll need all of it just to get to its crystalline core. The closer we get to it, the more power it has, and the more crystal normal animals would become. Your love will be the only thing to protect you from its power." "How do we know you're not lying now?" a voice asked from the back. "For all we know, this could be your trap!" "That's where Donovan comes in," Sondra answered. "He once fell in the Void himself, but was able to teleport out using his chips before even two seconds had passed. He'll place a chip on each of us with the orders to get us out in one hour if something goes wrong." "She's right," Donovan said. "I can do that." "But why should we trust Donovan?" that same voice asked. "Can it, shorty!" Dulcy yelled at the voice. "Sondra knows what she's doing, I hope." Sondra pulled the crumpled up paper from her vest pocket and tossed it to Donovan. "That's your note, isn't it?" she asked him. When he nodded, she asked, "And you were trying to warn us of the roboticization gun, weren't you?" Another nod. "That's why we can trust him." "All this is well and good," Donovan said, "but why should I help you? I can do all that you ask, but you haven't given me a reason to." "I saw how sad Sally was today, and I wanted to give her something to be happy about." "Again," Donovan interrupted, "what does this have to do with me?" Sondra's eyes flashed warningly. "If we destroy the Void," she continued, "Naugus and Father will be free from it and able to exist on Mobius for the rest of their lives without fear of turning to crystal. The king will return to Mobius." Silence fell over the crowd as the enormity of what Sondra had said sunk in. Even Donovan appeared stunned by the concept. Sondra regarded the crowd with concern, half expecting them to cheer her, half expecting them to lynch her. Sally stood slowly and walked to Sondra, looking at her eye-to-eye. Sondra looked back, not flinching in the least. "Well, there's only one thing I can say," Sally said, placing her hands on Sondra's shoulders. "If I ever do have a daughter, I can only hope she'll be as loyal and loving as you." Sondra stared for a moment, then hugged Sally. Sally hugged her back, crying. "You are still my sister, in every sense of the word. Though I cannot speak for the others, if there is any chance that Father can be freed, I want to go for it." Sonic walked up to them and hugged them both. "You know I'll always be there for you Sally," he said. "If you want to do this, we do it." "The same goes for me and sugarfox, Sally-girl!" Bunnie said, standing. "Oui, let us be doing what we must for you, Sondra," Antoine added. "I'm going too," Tails said quietly. "No," Sondra said, pulling away from Sally and going to Tails. "It's too dangerous for you to come. Don't you remember what I said?" "I know exactly what you said, and I don't care. Remember what I said before? Where you go, I go. Nothing's changed." "But, now you know who and what I really am. Doesn't it matter that I've lied to you almost from the moment we met?" Tails looked down at his feet for a moment, then stared at Sondra with a look that told of a wisdom far beyond his years. "Sondra," he began quietly, but with a lot of emotion, "I love you; the whole you. I never really knew what that was until I met you. I used to think love was something disgusting that I never wanted to deal with. But when you showed up, that all changed. "I don't care what you are or anything like that. I fell in love with you because of the real you, the Sondra I learned about from playing with you, talking with you, even just being with you. It never mattered to me who you said you were, it just mattered who you were." Tears welled up in Sondra's eyes, and she just hugged Tails. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear. "And know this, I love you too; that was never a lie. But that's why I want you to stay here. If anything happened to you, I could never forgive myself. Please, stay here; for me." Tails looked down again. "I wish you wouldn't put it that way. But OK, I will." "Thanks," she said, kissing his cheek. To the others, she said, "We'll leave in five minutes, so get ready. We meet back here then." Everyone left to do what needed to be done. Sonic put his hand on Tails' shoulder. "That was really moving, little bro," he said, wiping away a tear. "I never knew you had it in you." "Thanks, Sonic," Tails said, smiling. "I just hope she don't expect that all the time from me." Sonic laughed and mussed up the little fox's hair. "You're OK, kid." Sondra held Donovan back as he was about to take off. "I need a favor from you," she said when everyone else had left. "If you can return the king to Mobius, ask anything of me," Donovan said. "I need you to make sure Tails doesn't come. I wasn't completely truthful before. I didn't say everything that would happen if the Void was destroyed." "I thought as much. This will cost you, won't it?" "I don't want him there to see what will happen. I want him to remember me as I am now, not..." She couldn't finish for the lump in her throat. Donovan nodded. "Consider it done, Princess," he said and saluted. Sondra nodded and smiled. "You have payed me a great compliment today, Donovan, and I thank you. Now go and get your chips; we don't have much time." Donovan activated his rocket boots and headed off. Sondra watched him go then stared at her reflection in the pool. "I wish it didn't have to be like this, Tails," she said, crying. "I wish we could have lived a full life together, but it has to be like this. It's the only way." Exactly five minutes later, everyone was ready to go. While they were making last minute adjustments and equipment checks, Sondra scanned the crowd for Tails. She wanted to at least tell him goodbye, but he was nowhere in sight. "He probably can't bear to see me go," she thought sadly. "I wonder if he has any idea of the truth." "Are you guys ready?" she asked the four gathered in front of her. "Ready," Sonic said, adjusting his backpack again as if it was unusually heavy. "Ready," Sally said, cracking her knuckles. She was wearing the outfit she wore when she wrestled Sonic during the duel. She handed Sondra her backpack and she slung it on her shoulders. "Ready...ready," Bunnie and Antoine echoed. Sondra nodded. She motioned to Donovan who walked forward and placed a chip on each of the heroes. He also handed Sally a communicator. "I'll try to track you through the Void and offer what help I can," he said a little awkwardly. "I'll set up a communications array with Rotor. It also has a countdown of the one hour I can give you; start it when you get in." Sally nodded and thanked Donovan stiffly. Sondra could tell that she still did not trust Donovan. She hoped her sister would be able to put it aside soon; they would need his help in defeating Snively once she was.... Why did she keep thinking about it? It was inevitable, she knew that. Whatever happened to her, Mobius would be the better for it. She forced it from her mind and turned to the power ring pool. The water of the pool swirled and churned as she approached it. A power ring floated to the surface and hovered there for a moment. Sondra grabbed the ring and opened a small portal to the Void, large enough to accomodate her and the four who would accompany her, but small enough not to pull all the rest of Knothole in after them. "Let's do it to it!" she yelled, jumping through the portal. The others followed suit. Donovan was about to usher everyone away from the area when something caught his attention. The white tips of two plumy tails were sticking out of Sonic's backpack. But before he could warn him, the portal closed and they were gone. "Uh oh," he thought, reaching for the communicator. "Come in, Princess," he said, pressing the button. "We read you, Donovan," Sally's voice answered. "Everything looking good here." "Warn Sonic. Tell him he has a stowaway in his backpack." "What??!" Sondra screamed, grabbing Sonic's backpack and dumping it out. Three power rings fell out, accompanied by some odds and ends and half a chili dog. Sondra shook it and Tails fell out. "Hi guys," Tails said innocently. "Tails, no!" Sondra yelled, opening an exit portal quickly. "You have to get out of here!" "What's the big deal?" Sonic asked, eating the chili dog and putting the rest of the stuff back in his backpack. "He's here now, so why not let him stay?" Tails yelled in pain and grabbed his stomach. "That's why," Sondra said, closing the portal dejectedly. She ran to Tails and made him lie on the ground. "Easy, Tails," she said soothingly. "It'll be over soon. Just hang on." "What's happening to him?" Sally asked, concerned. "Remember what I said? I'm supposed to be eleven, but I have the mind and body of a sixteen-year-old." "Oh no," Sally said, lifting her hand to her mouth in surprise. "You don't mean....?" Sondra nodded, then focused her attention on Tails. It was plain to everyone that Tails was changing, though he did not grow even half an inch taller. His hair became thicker and bushier. His face lost some of its youthful curves as the aspect of adulthood set in. Underlying muscles formed throughout his body and his tails, giving him the appearance of a hidden strength. His fur deepened to a rich orange-brown color, and even his screams deepened as the change took place. Sondra knelt next to him until it was over, then brought him up to a sitting position. "Miles?" she whispered in his ear. Tails' eyes fluttered open. "Sondra?" he said softly. "What happened to me? Why is my voice so deep?" Sondra shivered involuntarily. Tails' new voice was rich and deep; just hearing it sent a chill up her spine. She helped him to his feet and supported his weight as he swayed unsteadily. "Remember what I said the Void did to me?" she asked. "Well, it just did that to you; you're now an eleven-year-old trapped in the body of a sixteen-year-old, just like me." Tails looked at himself in surprise. "I just wanted to be with you," he said, moving and bending his various body parts. "I had no idea this would happen. Frankly, I thought it was just part of that story you told." "Well, there's nothing to be done about it now," she said heavily. She looked to the others, who were all standing there with their mouths wide open. "Are you coming or not?" she asked impatiently, starting to walk off with Tails. Sally was the first to shake off her shock and hurried after them. Sonic followed immediately after, with Bunnie and Antoine close behind. They walked for a few minutes, walking somewhat behind Sondra and Tails until they turned a corner of the path. "I recognize this place," Sally said, stopping short. "This is where Naugus brought us last time we were here, but that means..." "Sondra!" a nearby voice exclaimed. "What are you doing back here? And who is your friend?" "Daddy?" Sally whispered. She ran down the path and saw her father and Sondra talking as she turned a corner. "Daddy!" she yelled, tears streaming from her eyes. King Acorn looked up. "Sally?" he whispered. "Sally!" He ran to his daughter and hugged her close. "But what are you doing here?" he asked, worried. "Daddy! We're here to save you!" "I thought you understood," a raspy voice said behind her. "We cannot leave the Void, or we will turn into crystal again." "Oh yes you can, Naugus," Sonic said, coming into view with Bunnie and Antoine close behind. "Sondra's got a plan, and we're gonna spring you from this prison." "Sondra?" the king asked wonderingly. "I thought I told you never to return here. And what's this about a plan?" "Father, it's complicated," Sondra said carefully. "Perhaps I better start at the beginning." She spent the next fifteen minutes or so detailing everything that had happened since she arrived in Knothole, revealing who and what she really was(to which she got the same reaction she got from Sally), and outlining the plan of action. "So you see," she concluded, "only the love shared by Sonic and Sally, and by Bunnie and Antoine, will be enough to overcome the Void and set you both free." "The suggestion does have merit, Your Majesty," Naugus observed thoughtfully. "If they can survive the challenges, they may very well do it." "Challenges? What are you to be meaning, challenges?" Antoine asked worriedly. "Oh, I thought I mentioned them," Sondra said casually. "The Void can attack us four ways, and it will probably do all of them. It can attack us physically, mentallly, spiritually, and emotionally." "I don't like the sound of this," Sonic said darkly. "Remember, Donovan's only gonna give us an hour. Can we do all this in that time?" "Oops, I forgot," Sally said, taking the communicator out of her pocket. "I'd better start the timer before Donovan gets worried and pulls us out now." She pushed a button and the timer began counting down. "And another thing," Sondra said, walking to Tails, "you get this." She took the chip from her vest and placed it behind his ear. "I don't want you getting left behind." "But how will you get out?" Tails asked. "I can open a portal and run out if necessary," she said, looking away from him. "C'mon," she said abruptly, "we'd better get going." "Wish us luck, Daddy," Sally said, giving him another hug. "Good luck to you all," he said, waving as they walked off. They waved back until they were out of sight. "Don't worry, Sally," Sondra said comfortingly. "You'll see him again, I promise." <<>> a voice boomed from an unseen source. "Damn," Sondra swore, staring at a nearby crystal. "How long have you known we were here?" A ghostly face formed in the crystal. <<>> it sneered. Though the mouth moved as the words were spoken, it seemed more that the voice emanated from the crystal all around them. <<>> A light shot out of the crystal in which the figure appeared, engulfing Sondra. "NO!" Tails screamed, running to Sondra. When he touched her, he was thrown back by a powerful force. "Tails!" Sondra cried, struggling to free herself from the beam. "Sonic, throw me a power ring!" Sally reached in Sonic's backpack and pulled out a power ring. She threw it frisbee-style to Sondra. When the ring hit the beam, it reflected it back to the crystal, shattering it instantly. Tails ran up to Sondra and caught her as she fell. "Sondra? You OK?" Sondra shook her head and blinked her eyes rapidly. "Unnh....yeah, I think so." She picked up the power ring and stood. The power ring glowed and surrounded her in its light. But instead of speeding off, she seemed to be gaining strength from it. "You can't harm me now!" she yelled, putting her arm through the ring. "This protects me from your magic!" <<>> Four crystal walls sprang up from the ground, surrounding them immediately. <<>> the voice said as the walls slowly closed in, <<>> "Sacre bleu!" Antoine yelled, bracing himself against a wall in a futile attempt to stop its movement. "We will be crushed like ze grapes for ze wine!" "Antoine," Bunnie said, wagging a finger at him, "calm down. Just leave everything to li'l ol' me." She punched one wall with her robotic arm with as much force as she could muster. The wall cracked slightly. Bunnie punched again with similar results. "I don't think this is gonna work Sally-girl!" she said worriedly. "Mind if I have a go, Bunnie?" Sonic asked. "My pleasure, sugarhog." Sonic walked up to the wall and began tapping it, listening to the sounds the wall made at different points. When his tapping produced a hollow sound, he backed up a few steps. "Cover up, guys," he called, revving up his legs. "Everyone behind me!" Sondra called. She waved her hands in front of her and a crystal shield formed. When everyone was behind the shield, Sondra gave Sonic a thumbs-up. Sonic curled into a ball and plowed through the wall, sending shards of crystal everywhere. When he was through, Sondra and the others came out from behind the shield and dived through the hole Sonic had created as it closed up around them. The hole closed on the tip of Tails' tails, pulling a bit of hair out but doing no other damage. The walls continued to move toward each other until they collided, crumpling immediately into a formless mass. <<>> the voice called mockingly. <<>> "What are we to be doing now?" Antoine asked. "Since zis thing obviously knows we are here and why we are here, are you sure it is wize to continue?" "It was bound to find out sooner or later, Antoine," Sondra said, peering down the path ahead. "If you thought this was gonna be a cake walk, you shouldn't've come." "It is not being that, my princess, I am just playing...." "I believe the term you're lookin' for is 'devil's advocate' sugarfox" Bunnie supplied helpfully. "Oui, zat is it." "Well, we're through the first challenge; the physical one," Sally said. "We might as well keep going." "Well then, let's stop talkin' and start juicin'!" Sonic said excitedly. He revved up his legs to take off, but Tails grabbed him and pulled him back. "Hey, what'd you do that for little bro?" "Sonic," Tails said carefully, "we don't know much about the Void, and we definitely do not know our way around. We gotta take it slow, or we could get lost." Sonic looked at Tails as if just now noticing the change that had taken place in him. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he mumbled, looking at his feet. "Man, I hope he changes back to normal when we leave here," he added silently. "I'll lead," Sondra said. "Stay close to each other, and stay on the path, no matter what happens." She started down the path with Tails next to her. Right behind them were Bunnie and Antoine, and bringing up the rear were Sally and a disgruntled Sonic. Sally noticed the change in Sonic and sidled closer to him. "What's the matter, Sonic?" she asked in a whisper. Sonic looked at her for a second, then back at his feet. "Huh? Oh, nothing's wrong, Sal," he answered. Sally smiled. "It bothers you, doesn't it?" "What bothers me?" "The fact that Tails grew up like he did. You wish he was that same little kid he was before he came here, don't you?" Sonic tried to say, "Course not! Where'd you get that idea?" But he couldn't get the words out. Sally nodded. "I thought as much. Underneath, Tails is still Tails. Sure, he may look sixteen and have the mind of an adult. But in his heart, he's still the Tails we all know and love." "Yeah, I guess you're right, Sal," Sonic said reluctantly. "It's just so weird. I mean, I'm used to seeing him as my little brother. But now, he's more on our level, and it freaks me out." "You'll get used to it, Sonic," she said, taking hold of his hand. "We'll get used to it together. Now we'd better hurry up or the others will leave us behind." Sonic was about to make a smart remark when a piercing scream broke through the air. "That sounded like Sondra!" Sally exclaimed, flying toward the sound and pulling Sonic along with her. When they got there, they saw Tails, Bunnie, and Antoine lying on the ground holding their legs. "Stay back!" Sondra cried. Sally landed with Sonic right next to her. "What happened to them?" Sally asked. "We must be closer to the Void's core than I thought; it's stealing their energy at too advanced of a rate! They're turning to crystal!" "Oh no!" Sally exclaimed. "But I thought you said they'd be safe from it because of their love!" "I thought they would be, but the Void is just too powerful!" "Wait a minute," Sonic interrupted, "why ain't Sally and I turning? I mean, we're just as close as they are!" Sondra looked at them for a moment, then her eyes widened. "I think I got it. Sonic, Sally, let go of each other's hands for a second." Sonic and Sally separated, and immediately fell to the ground, their legs turned to crystal. "What the...?" Sonic yelled, trying to stand. Sondra ran to them and put their hands together. Instantly, their legs returned to normal. "I thought so," she said, going to Bunnie and Antoine. She put their hands together with the same results. "You must keep in contact with each other to fight this off. Your love can keep the Void at bay, but it will only work when there is a physical link between the two of you." Bunnie and Antoine stood up shakily. "Man, you'd think it wouldn't affect me 'cause of my robotic parts," Bunnie said. "But what about poor li'l Tails?" Sondra walked to him and took his hand. Tails' legs returned to normal as quickly as the others. Smiling, she helped him stand. "I guess you weren't kidding about how you felt, were you?" Tails asked. "And neither were you," Sondra returned, flicking his nose with her finger. "And I wasn't kidding about staying together," she told the others. "As we get closer to the Void's core, it will affect you more and more. Now it's just your legs that turned crystal. Later, it could be your whole body." Sally shivered at the thought. But then she noticed the others were shaking too. In fact, the whole ground was shaking. Giant walls of crystal sprung up once more, almost completely surrounding them. But Sally noticed that the ground continued to shake long after the walls surrounded them, and that the shaking appeared to be going off into the distance. "This place is getting sloppy," Sonic remarked. "I mean, last time it had us completely surrounded. Now it leaves us a way out!" "I don't trust this, Sonic," Sally said. "There has to be a reason why it left that way out." <<>> the voice answered. Sally was disturbed to notice that it seemed somehow stronger than before. <<>> Sally looked at the timer. It showed roughly 48 minutes left. "Well, I've always been good at solving puzzles," she said brightly, feigning confidence. "Let's see how I do with this one." "Why don't I just bust through it like I did the last one?" Sonic asked impatiently, revving up his legs. "Because, Sonic, I might have the speed, but I can't do a spin attack like you do," Sally explained patiently. "Remember, we have to stay in contact or we turn to crystal." Sonic looked at Sally, then stopped his legs. "Yeah...I guess. So c'mon, we'd better get moving before we're out of time." "Do you have a problem with having to hold my hand, Sonic?" Sally inquired as they set off. "I could think of things I'd rather do," Sonic grumbled, looking away from her. "Oh really?" Sally asked with fake surprise. Sonic looked away a moment longer, then turned to Sally with a big smile. "Gotcha." Sally was about to either kiss him or hit him, but Bunnie intervened. "I'm sure glad y'all can joke at a time like this," she said, "but dontcha think we should really get moving?" Sally and Sonic led the way, with the other four close behind. "This seems like one of the mazes I enjoyed solving as a child," Sally said wistfully. "Father loved giving me these puzzles, he said they'd improve my thought processes and make me a better ruler." Then concern showed on her face. "Wait a minute, I just remembered. This is the one I couldn't solve!" "The Void can read our minds," Sondra cautioned. "It must have known that this maze would upset you; that's why it's using it." "Pardon me, Princess," Antoine interrupted, "but exactly how close did you be coming to the solvent...um...solution of zis maze?" "Getting better, Ant," Bunnie whispered, squeezing his hand encouragingly. "I think I got about three-quarters of the way through, but that was on the day of the coup! Sonic had just come to get me, saying he wanted to show me something. I never had the chance to finish it." "Well, let's get through what you remember, and we'll wing it from there," Sonic told Sally. "Let's see, if I remember right, we should take this corridor," Sally said, pointing to the left. They travelled for about ten minutes, Sally taking them as far as she could remember. She noticed that a doorway always shut as they passed through it, blocking their way back. "Well, this is as far as I got," she said finally. "Now what?" Sondra held up her free hand and closed her eyes. Her hand began to glow and she slowly turned around in a circle, her hand brightening and dimming as she turned. "The Void's energy is strongest in that direction," she said, stopping when her hand was brightest. Sally nodded. "I can picture the rest of the maze in my mind, I just hope I can find the right way." She walked through the doorway closest to where Sondra had pointed, wishing for a little luck and guidance. Sally led them on, keeping to the general direction Sondra had pointed out. Occasionally, she would take a path going opposite of the correct direction, but she did seem to be leading them out. Or at least, she did not lead them into any dead ends. Finally, the path spilt in three, each fork appearing to lead out of the maze. The left fork passed through a large and rather ornate archway. The middle one simply continued out of the maze and off into the distance. The one on the right had rubble almost completely blocking the exit so that only a small crawl space remained. Sally looked from one to the other to the third. "Hmmm," she said, "the Void said that only one path would lead out of here, so only one of those exits is real. Any guesses which one it is?" "Seems obvious to me that the rubble is only an illusion so that we won't go that way," Sonic said smugly. "Now hold on there, sugarhog," Bunnie interjected. "Usually the most ordinary path is the right one. I vote we go straight." "You both are having good points," Antoine said diplomatically. "It is common knowledge zat the most beautiful choice is not ze correct one. However, if the Void is as intelligible...intelligent as it seems to be, then it may be expecting us to avoid zat one." "You guys were a lot of help," Sally said sarcastically. "Sondra, can you get a fix on the right path?" Sondra held up her hand and closed her eyes as she had done before, but her hand glowed equally bright along each of the paths. "Sorry, Sis," she said, shrugging. "No can do this time." Sally groaned. "Any ideas, Tails?" Tails rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, considering everything that was just said, I don't think any of these are the way out." "Say what?" everyone said together. "Sondra, where is the Void's energy strongest?" "I told you, it's equal from all three this time." "That's not what I'm asking," Tails said patiently. "I mean, overall." Sondra looked at Tails as if she wasn't quite sure what he had in mind, but shrugged and raised her hand. She spun around slowly, but stopped short. "That's odd," she remarked. "It's strongest from that blank wall," she said, pointing. Tails smiled. "I thought so." He walked with Sondra to the wall and placed his free hand on it. It stayed there for a moment, but then passed through it. "This is the real way out," he said, walking through the wall and pulling Sondra after him. The other four walked where they had seen Tails go and passed through the wall in similar fashion. After walking for a few seconds in total darkness, they emerged from the maze. Sondra and Tails were waiting for them, smiling. "How'd you know to do that?" Sally asked. Tails shrugged. "I just had a gut feeling about it, that's all. Those exits seemed too easy to be the real one, no matter which one we chose. I figured it had to be something harder. I mean, the Void wouldn't offer us a real chance of getting out, so the real one had to be hidden." "See, Sonic," Sally said, poking Sonic in the ribs, "Tails' newfound maturity is really becoming a big help." "Yeah, yeah," Sonic grumbled. "Don't worry, Sonic," Tails said, laughing. "Once we're outta here, things'll get back to normal. I still know how to have fun, I just got a better mind for it now." Even Sonic had to smile at that. "Still best buds?" he asked, holding his fist up. Tails bumped Sonic's fist with his own. "Still brothers," Tails answered. "Umm, I hate to interrupt," Sally said, tapping the timer, "but we only have around thirty minutes left." "Halfway through our time, halfway to the end," Sondra said. "Seems appropriate." "I am wondering what the Void will try to do to us next," Antoine said as they started walking. "Well, sugarfox, we'll get to it when we get to it," Bunnie said almost cheerfully. "I mean, how bad could it be?" They continued walking down the path and soon left the maze behind. They walked for quite some time, Sally urging them to try to walk faster because they were running out of time. But Bunnie noticed that no matter how fast they walked, they did not seem to be getting anywhere. Huge crystals now bordered the path to either side, and continued as far as the eye could see. Bunnie found it disconcerting that she could no longer tell where they were or how close they were getting. Even Sondra seemed bewildered by this, and that was a very bad sign. As they continued on, Bunnie felt a sort of apathy settle in on her. "Why am I doing this in the first place?" she wondered to herself. "It all seems so hopeless all of a sudden." Bunnie looked to her friends and saw the same doubts mirrored on their faces. "Maybe we should just give this all up and try again another day." All of a sudden, Bunnie saw Sally drop down to her knees. Sonic picked her back up to her feet. "C'mon, Sal," he said, shaking her. "We can't quit now!" "Oh, Sonic, what's the use?" Sally asked, dropping back to her knees. "There's no telling how far we have to go, or what we'll find when we get there. Why don't we just leave?" "Sal, think about what you're saying! I mean, don't you want to rescue your father?" "Of course I do!" Sally snapped. "I'm just being realistic." She held up the timer. "We have only about ten minutes left. How are we going to finish all this in time?" "Then why don't you contact Donovan and have him give us more time?" Sally shook her head. "No good. I tried to get a hold of him, but there's some kind of interference." "So what do you want to do? Just sit here and wait for him to pull us out? Even though I must admit, I find that suggestion somewhat appealing," Sonic ended with a sigh. "Oui," Antoine said, sitting down and almost letting go of Bunnie, "I do not have the willpower to be continuing myself." Bunnie looked askance at everyone. "What the hoo-ha is the matter with y'all?" she demanded. "We've got to keep going until we can't go no more!" "Easy for you to say," Tails muttered, sitting down with Sondra. "You got those robotic parts to keep you going." "Yeah," Sondra said. "If you want to waste your time, fine. But count me out." "I don't believe my ears!" Bunnie yelled, pulling Antoine to his feet roughly. "You make us come all this way, and then quit on us? Well, I'm not gonna give up that easily. It takes more than a long road to break ol' Bunnie Rabbot's spirit!" A lightbulb just went off inside Bunnie's head. "Spirit? That's it! The spirit challenge! The Void is making us feel this depressed! It's tryin' to stop us from beating it!" "Maybe so, but that doesn't make a difference," Sondra said, lying down. "That's where you're wrong!" Bunnie said heatedly. She picked up Antoine on her shoulder, then proceeded to do the same to the others. They offered a token resistance at first, but as depressed as they were, it wasn't much. Bunnie made sure she had them all balanced, then started running down the path. She couldn't move very fast carrying all that weight, but she did the best she could. She ran for a few minutes, then collapsed under the strain. She pushed them all off of her, with the exception of Antoine, who she made sure to keep in contact with. Everyone sat up, holding their heads. "Unnh, what happened?" Sally asked. Bunnie sat up, panting heavily. "Still wanna sit here and give up?" she asked between puffs of breath. "What are you talking about? No I don't want to give up!" Bunnie breathed a sigh of relief. "Then we must be past that challenge." "That's right, I remember now," Sondra said. "The Void must have sapped our will to go on. Lucky for us Bunnie was too stubborn to give in to it." "Um, Bunnie," Tails began, looking ashamed, "about what I said back there..." Bunnie waved it aside. "Don't you worry none about that, Tails. I know you didn't mean it; you just weren't feeling like yourself. Like Sondra said, it didn't affect me none because of how stubborn I am. I mean, look how long I waited on Antoine before he came around." "Zat is true," Antoine said, drawing Bunnie close and hugging her. "And every day, I thank ze Almighty zat you did wait." He kissed her tenderly on the lips, putting his whole heart into it. <<>> A booming voice yelled, nearly knocking everyone off their feet and causing Antoine and Bunnie to look up. "We're here!" Sondra cried, hurrying down the path with the others right behind her. Soon, they came within sight of the largest and most beautiful crystal anyone had ever seen. It towered over all their heads; it would have taken Sally standing on Sonic's shoulders just to reach the middle of it. It had many different facets, and almost all glowed with a vibrant light. "Look!" Sondra said excitedly, pointing to a couple of facets that had gone dark. "I was right! Love can destroy this thing! All of you, look at the one you love and tell them how you feel!" Sonic took Sally in his arms and looked in her eyes. "Sally, you know I love you," he said. "I may not always be able to say it, but I feel it every minute of every day. You've become like a part of me, a part I wouldn't be able to live without." "Sonic," Sally said, rubbing his cheek with her hand, "I love you too. When we were growing up, I could never decide whether I wanted you around me or I didn't. You always seemed to know the perfect way to annoy me. But when we had to come to Knothole, you were always there for me, comforting me, caring for me. I've known that I've loved you for a long time now, and like you said, you're a part of me that I could never live without." She drew his head to hers and they kissed deeply. <<>> the same voice yelled as more facets of the crystal went dark. "Keep it up!" Sondra encouraged. "Bunnie, Antoine, your turn!" <<>> Sally moved her head back a few inches, but still hugged Sonic. "But I will get that anyway if you are destroyed," she countered. <<>> Sally looked at the crystal and faltered a bit. "Well..." "Nuh-uh, Sally," Sonic said, holding her closer. "We can beat Snively even without its help." <<>> "My parents...alive?" Sonic whispered disbelievingly. His arms trembled and his will faltered. <<>> the Void asked just as she was about to speak. Bunnie's words caught in her throat. She looked at Antoine with that pleading look, begging him to say something. Antoine faced the crystal, still holding Bunnie. "I notice that you have not called my name yet," he said quietly. "Perhaps it is being because you know that my fondest wish has already been realized? Having Bunnie by my side is my fondest wish, and no trickery or promises by you can change that. I love her with all my heart and soul. And I know what it is like to not be with her, and I shall never feel like that again!" <<>> the Void screamed as more facets went dark. It was about halfway dark right now. "Antoine's right!" Bunnie said with confidence. "I can figure out some other way to get back to normal. All that really matters is that I got Antoine back and that's worth more than all of your promises!" She kissed him with such fire and passion that even Antoine was taken aback by it for a moment. Sonic and Sally looked at each other again. "What you offer is tempting," they said together, "but we can work for it on our own." They kissed again, putting all their emotions into it. "And don't even try to convince me," Tails said, hugging Sondra close and looking in her eyes. "My life is perfect now that Sondra is in it, so you have nothing to offer me either!" <<>> the Void asked calmly, which was surprising seeing that the crystal was now over seventy-five percent dark. <<>> "You lie!" Tails screamed, glaring at the crystal. But then, he felt two droplets of water fall upon his chest. He looked back at Sondra and saw her crying. "Is it true?" he whispered. "Oh, Miles, I didn't want you to know!" she sobbed, burying her head into his chest. "Yes, it is." "No..." the others murmured, breaking their kisses and staring at her. <<>> "Sondra, no," Tails whispered, hugging her closer. "I can't lose you!" "Miles, listen to me," Sondra said, holding his face and looking directly in his eyes. "I love you. I love you so much that I want you to be happy, even at my own expense. I knew the risks when I came here, but the greater good must be served. Mobius needs its king, and Sally needs her father." "But..." Sondra laid a finger on his lips. "Please, Miles, it is already done. The Void is now too weak to keep me alive, even if it ever intended to. Let's finish it now, and put an end to this evil." She moved her finger and kissed him. Tails kissed her back, crying as though his heart was breaking. The crystal began to shake as the final few facets went dark. A high- pitched wail resonated from the crystal as the shaking increased. At once, the crystal was enveloped in a column of light and exploded upward, leaving no trace behind. "It is over," Sondra said, pulling back from Tails. She stood for a moment, smiling at him, and then collapsed. "Sondra!" Tails yelled, catching her as she fell. "Miles," she said weakly, "the time has come when we must say goodbye." She held up a hand and a small crystal formed in her palm. "Take this, and wear it always in memory of me," she said, pressing it into his hand. "I won't leave you," he said, his tears coming more freely now. Sondra glanced over at Sally and smiled. "It seems...you have...no... choice," she whispered. Tails looked at Sally, and saw the timer she had read only a few seconds. He reached for the chip to pull it off, but was enveloped in a white light just as he touched it. "Farewell, my love," Sondra said as he disappeared. With her last bit of strength, she opened a portal under the king and Naugus. Sighing her last breath, she closed her eyes and was still. Tails struggled to his feet, fighting off the dizziness the teleportation had induced. He looked around and saw Sonic, Sally, Bunnie, and Antoine also rising to their feet. Donovan and Rotor was checking them to see if they were all right. "SONDRA!!!!!!" he screamed into the night sky, falling to his knees. A Void portal opened, and Naugus and the king stepped out. "It is good to be back home," the king said, looking around as the portal closed. "Daddy!" Sally cried, pushing away from Rotor and running to him. She hugged him with all her might, crying. "Sally!" the king exclaimed, hugging her back. He looked around at the others, and his brow furrowed in concern. "But where is Sondra?" "She is gone, my liege," Donovan said, falling on one knee and bowing his head. "She gave her life so that you and Naugus could be free." "What??!" Tails screamed, pouncing on Donovan, his hands reaching for Donovan's throat. "You knew this would happen? Why? Why did you not tell me?" Donovan offered no resistance. "She asked me not to tell you," he said. "You can fight me if it'll make you feel better. But do not in any way lessen the sacrifice she made." "Easy there Tails," Sonic said, pulling him off Donovan. "C'mon, calm down." "Calm down? Calm down! How would you feel if you had just lost Sally like this?" he screamed, rounding on Sonic. "I guess like you do now," Sonic admitted. "But you have to come to terms with this. It's gonna be hard, but you know we'll all be here for you." Tails' anger melted away, leaving behind only an aching emptiness. He started crying again, as tears seemed to be the only thing to ease the pain. "Oh, Sonic," he said between sobs, "it hurts so much! I almost wish I had never met her!" "Oh, honey, don't say that," Sally said, letting go of her father and hugging Tails. "You two shared something very special; don't ever wish that away. She did what she did out of love, and that's the greatest gift anyone can ever give." "But why?" Tails demanded. "Why her?" "I don't know, Tails. Things sometimes just have to work out that way. Like Sonic said, we'll all be here for you, whenever you need us." Tails looked down, sniffling. "Thanks...Aunt Sally," he whispered. He pulled away from her embrace and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "Excuse me, but I think I need to be alone," he said, twisting his tails and flying up a few feet. "I'll be back soon," he said as he flew off. "He'll be OK, Sal," Sonic said, hugging Sally close. "He just needs some time to deal with it." "We should be going too, Your Majesty," Naugus said, walking next to the king. "Going?" Sally asked. "Where?" "Naugus and I think it might be a good idea to reacquaint ourselves with Mobius and see what has changed since we were banished," the king explained. "Yes, we will travel for a time, getting ourselves used to this world. It has been a long time for us, and we need to take it slow." "Oh, Daddy," Sally said softly, "must you go right away? I just got you back!" "Don't worry, Sally," the king answered. "We won't be gone long. And we'll be safe. Naugus' magic can protect us." "Oh, all right," Sally said reluctantly. "But I want you back here as soon as you can manage." The king laughed, and it lit up his eyes. "Sally, you remind me so much of your mother right now. We'll be careful, I promise." He gave Sally another hug and turned away. "Farewell everyone!" he called as he and Naugus walked off, waving. "We will return with the spring!" "Bye, Daddy!" Sally said, hugging into Sonic. "Oh, Sonic, I don't know whether I should be happy or sad! So much has happened! I have my father back, but he won't return for about four months! And we lost Sondra; that's gonna hurt for a while." "Looks like Tails isn't the only one who needs to get his emotions straight," Sonic remarked. "Hey wait a minute," Bunnie said, looking around. "Where'd Donovan go?" Everyone looked, just noticing now that the squirrel had vanished. "If I recall," Antoine said, "Donovan was not one animal to be waiting around to get praised. He will probably be showing up if we are in need of his services." "You're probably right, Antoine," Sally said. "And I think next time we see him, we might be able to trust him a little more easily." "Maybe," Sonic said doubtfully. "But I do know one thing, you're gonna have a hell of a time explaining everything that just happened. I mean, you gotta explain where your father is, what happened to Sondra, and everything else; I don't envy you in the least!" "What do you mean I have to?" Sally asked playfully as they started walking back to Knothole arm in arm. "You're helping, you know." Bunnie and Antoine followed, also arm in arm. "I think those two are gonna need some time to themselves," Bunnie said. "It's not hitting them yet, but it will!" "Oui," Antoine answered. "And of course, we will be there to help them." Meanwhile, back in the remnants of the Void, Sondra's lifeless body floated upon the currents of chaos that the Void was now overrun by. Her body twisted and turned in every possible direction as the swirling madness began erasing every trace that the Void had ever existed. As she was caught in a cross-current, her backpack unfastened and a power ring fell out. The ring caught a stray current and somehow made its way to her hand. As it touched, her body was surrounded by a yellow glow that lit up the area. The ring then vanished, releasing all its power in one second. Nearby, a crystal started resonating as a sound began to pass through what was left of the Void. It was a sound rarely heard in this place of death and evil. It was the sound of a heart starting to beat.... The next day, Tails was still flying through the Great Forest. He had flown aimlessly for most of the night, stopping only when he was too tired to continue. When he had fallen asleep, he dreamt of nothing but Sondra. And when he awoke, he started flying again, as he could somehow escape the memories that haunted him. He lifted weary eyes and saw that he was approaching Sanctuary. He was about to veer off, not really wanting to talk to anyone at the moment. But then he realized that maybe it was for the best that he did talk. Certainly it couldn't hurt. He flew up to the door and landed. He tried to get himself to open the door, but couldn't. He turned around at sat down on the steps, crying again. A light hand rested on his shoulder. "Forgive me, Tanis," Tails said without looking up, "I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just that, well, I'm in a lot of pain right now." The hand on his shoulder squeezed gently, indicating that he was to continue. "Sondra is dead," he said, his voice thick from crying. "She gave her life to bring back Naugus and the king from the Void. It's too complicated to go into now, but she's gone, and I miss her so much." Tails sighed and looked at the crystal he held in his hand. "I know I'm only eleven, and that the Void somehow changed me into looking older, but I did love her. There's no other way for me to describe how I felt about her. Sally told me once that the only way to solve a problem is to talk about it with someone. But I don't want to solve it; I want Sondra back! "I know I'm being selfish, but that's the way I feel. I wish we hadn't gone to the Void, or that she didn't have to die, or any of a million other things that would have kept her here with me. Why? Why did she have to die?" Tails dissolved into tears again, and shuddered uncontrollably. When he felt better, he wiped his nose and took a deep breath. "Anyway, thanks for listening," he said, coughing. "Do you have any advice for me?" "I don't know about advice, Miles" a dulcet voice said that made Tails freeze in disbelief, "but I think you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and enjoy this beautiful day." Tails stood up and turned around. There, in front of him, was Sondra. She looked healthy, happy, and more alive than he had ever seen her. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she remarked, smiling. "Sondra?" Tails whispered, tears filling his eyes again. "Sondra! You're alive!" He grabbed her and hugged her tight, spinning her around. "But how?" "I don't know, Miles," Sondra confessed, hugging him back. "One minute, I'm watching you and the others get teleported from the Void, and the next, I wake up in the middle of the church!" Tails set her back on her feet, but didn't let go of her. "I don't care how or why," he said, tears of joy streaming down his face, "I'm just glad you're back!" "And here's the best thing," Sondra said, taking one of his hands and placing it on her chest. Beneath his fingers, Tails could feel a heart beating. "I'm not even part crystal anymore! Whatever brought me back made me whole!" Tails picked her up in his arms and flew off toward Knothole. "Wait till everyone sees you," he said happily. "They'll all be so surprised and glad to see you!" Sondra threw her arms around his neck and buried her face into his neck. She knew as they flew that something miraculous had happened. And no matter what, she would never leave Tails again. Tanis watched them go from the doorway of the church. He bent down and picked up the crystal Tails had dropped in his excitement and smiled. "It is so good to see young animals happy," he thought walking back into the church. He knelt before the altar and placed the crystal on it. "Thank you, Almighty One, for answering my prayer," he prayed. "Only You could have saved her from a place of such evil. All honor and glory belong to You." He stood and walked back to his room to meditate on the day to come.