"Princess Sondra Acorn" 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: Don't you hate that stuff? I know I get tired of typing it. Oh well, certain things can't be helped. And now, down to business. I think it's worthwhile to note that each story we submit is a team effort. Whosever name is first is the one who came up with that particular story and is writing the author's note. The second name listened and pointed out flaws and miscues(an equally important job). If the names are separated by a hyphen, it means it was a collaboration on all points, with the first still being the note writer. One thing that I wonder how many ppl picked up on was that there was a bit of wrestling in our first story, and I don't mean Bunnie's body scissors. :) Antoine used a hip toss on Metal Sonic while they were in the cell. Granted, it is also a judo throw known as the "O-goshi", but we prefer to use the wrestling name. In this story, the wrestling won't be as subtle, and there will often be references to maneuvers by name. Usually it will be a generic name(for instance, you may see a tiger-bomb instead of the "Pearl River Plunge"), unless there is no generic name, or is one of our creations. I'll try to explain those maneuvers as they show up, and if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me and I'll be happy to explain in greater detail. We'd like to acknowledge the invaluable help of legendary fanfic author Dan Drazen. Without his help, much of what you see in these stories would be pretty much confusing(more so than it already is!) He helped answer our questions about facts associated with the comics. Thanks again! Of course, you wouldn't even be reading this without the support of David Pistone. I'd personally like to thank him for finding time in his busy schedule to post these stories. As of now, my friend and I don't have a "mailto" on this page. Any and all commentary should be directed to "robertb@lcvax.lehman.cuny.edu" until David finds enough time to set it up. Last thing, promise, then on to the story. This is the third story we're submitting. All told, we have thirteen stories planned, with at least another thirteen on the way. Till next time, Happy reading! Cast of characters(in order of appearance) Princess Sally Acorn Princess Sondra Acorn*** Sonic Hedgehog Bunnie Rabbot King Acorn Miles "Tails" Prower Antoine Uncle Chuck Rotor Dulcy #3 Sally sat by the hedgehog's bed, staring off into space. She was no closer to solving the mystery of who this girl was than she had been when she had first shown up over a month ago. The girl had slipped into a coma soon after being brought to Knothole and had not yet come out of it. Every day, Sally held a silent vigil, praying that Sondra would make it through. But the strain was beginning to take its toll. Lines of worry etched her face. Purple bags hung under her eyes from lack of sleep. Her hands trembled as reached for a mug of tea, barely able to keep it from spilling in her lap. She looked up at Nicole, hooked up to Sondra, monitoring her vital signs. "Nicole, is there any improvement in her condition?" she asked wearily. "None, Sally," she answered. "Not since you asked fifteen minutes ago. However, my scans of your body indicate it is in a state of sleep deprivation and will soon pass out unless the situation is rectified." "I didn't ask that, Nicole," Sally snapped irritably, placing the mug back on the table. "Just keep me informed of her progress." "Of course, Sally." The hut fell silent as Sally resumed her vigil, waiting patiently for something to happen. She stared at Nicole's monitor so long, she entered a trance-like state, totally oblivious to her surroundings. Consequently, she didn't even hear the succession of sonic booms which approached her hut. Sonic burst into the hut with his usual flair. "Yo Sal!" he exclaimed, walking up behind her. "Bunnie sent me to get you. You're late for your wrestling lessons, again. Wanna ride, or are you just gonna go on your own." No response. Sally just sat there as if Sonic wasn't even there. Sonic waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Hey! Mobius to Sally, come in Princess Sally," he said jokingly. Still nothing. "Sal?" Sonic's voice dropped to a whisper, concerned. He placed his hand lightly on Sally's shoulder. Sally jumped, startled. She glared at Sonic with red-rimmed eyes. "Don't ever sneak up on me like that again Sonic Hedgehog," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Sneak up on you?" Sonic asked, scratching his head. "How can I sneak up on anyone with my booming speed? You were just zoned out." "Whatever," Sally said, turning her attention back to Sondra. "I assume you came here for some reason." "Yeah, but that's gonna wait. How long's it been since you grabbed any decent sleep?" Sally steadfastly ignored him. Sonic asked again with the same result, so he directed his next remark to Nicole. "Yo, Nicole! Wassup?" "Hey there, Sonic. What can I do for my main hedgehog?" "Just answer this question: when's the last time Sally slept?" "Define sleep." "C'mon, Nicole," Sonic said, tapping his foot, "y'know what I mean. I mean when's the last time she actually laid down in a bed and slept for more than two hours?" "Considering.... Analysis complete. The last time Sally complied with your query was five days ago." "What?!" Sonic grabbed Sally's arm. "That's it, it's settled. You're getting some sleep now." Sally shook away roughly. "I'm not going anywhere, Sonic; not until she wakes up." "And what kind of condition are you gonna be in if you don't take care of yourself when she does?" Sonic asked, moving around to stand right in front of her. "Sal, she's been like this for a month now, and you're heading in the same direction! All you've done since she's been here is eat, sleep, train, and sit here. And now you're not even sleeping! I don't even wanna know when the last time you ate or trained was." Sonic dropped to one knee. "Sally, look at me." She did so reluctantly. "I'm worried about you. You haven't been much of a Freedom Fighter lately, much less a princess. Your father wouldn't want you to do this to yourself." Sally slapped him then, hard. "How dare you presume to tell me what my father would think?" she asked, rising to her feet, her voice hard and sharp as a newly forged sword. "This is a matter concerning the Royal Family, something you are not a part of, or have you forgotten that?" Sonic rose to his own feet, holding his cheek where Sally's handprint was plainly visible. He took a few deep breaths, obviously trying to contain himself. "I will forgive that," he said, his words slow and measured, "because I know you are under a lot of stress. Please Sally, for her sake as well as yours, you have to get some rest." "Leave, Sonic, before one of us says or does something we'll regret later." Sonic sighed unhappily. "Then you leave me no choice." He bent down and picked Sally up by her waist. Holding her over one shoulder, he ran out of her hut and to his own. Once there, he threw her down on his bed. "Now are you gonna be nice about this, or am I gonna have to get rough?" Sally sat up immediately, looking like she would love nothing better than to claw out Sonic's eyes. Before she could get off the bed, Sonic tackled her, holding her down. "Get off me this instant Sonic!" Sally screamed, struggling. "That's a royal command!" "Nuh-uh, Sally," Sonic said, sitting squarely on her back. "You are going to go to sleep, whether you like it or not." Sally struggled a moment longer, then suddenly went limp. Sonic jumped off of her immediately, thinking he had somehow hurt her. But her eyes were closed, her breathing deep and even. She had merely fallen asleep, Sonic realized, letting out a small sigh of relief. He turned her over on her side and tucked the blankets around her so that she could sleep easier. He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. Some of the worry left her face and snuggled down into the blankets. "Sleep well, my love," he whispered softly and tiptoed out of the hut. "Hey sugarhog!" Bunnie called from across the street. "Find Sally yet?" "Sssh!" Sonic held a finger to his lips. He hurried across the street. "I just got Sally to sleep," he said in hushed tones. "She's been up five days straight." "From that handprint on your face, I'd say she didn't go willingly. Listen to me, you need any help dealing with that headstrong princess of ours, you just holler. Ol' Bunnie'll come a-runnin' faster'n you can eat a chili dog." "Thanks Bunnie, but you got your own life with Ant now. I don't wanna go messin' that up for you." "Don't worry about that, Antoine'll understand. That sugarfox'll do just about anything for me and Sally. In fact, we'd all do anything for each other. We're like a family, Sonic; we watch out for each other. That's why we've survived so long, and it's the only thing that'll keep us going long enough to win the war." "You're right, Bunnie," Sonic said, looking hopeful for the first time. "OK, if you wanna help, I need somebody to keep an eye on that kid. What was her name again? Cindy? Sandy?" "Sondra. Will do sugarhog. I'll get some of the menfolk in on it. We'll all take turns watching her so we won't get too tired from it. Now let me go do what I gotta do; you just keep an eye on that girlfriend of yours." "Thanks Bunnie," he said, giving her a quick hug. "That's exactly what I needed to hear." "Anytime, Sonic," she said, hugging him back. "Now get in there." Sonic walked back across the street and into his hut. He put three chairs side-by-side next to his bed and stretched out on them. He was a little uncomfortable, and his cheek still stung from that slap, but it was nothing compared to the relief he felt knowing that Sally would probably be back to her old self when she woke up. Later that night, when all but those guards who had drawn the graveyard shift were fast asleep, Sally was lost in her dreams. She was back in Mobotropolis, four years old, walking down the streets with her father. They were conducting an unofficial tour of the city, and everyone had turned out to see them. It made Sally feel proud to see the love and admiration everyone had for her father. "Daddy," she said, cuddling into his arm, "why don't we do this more often?" "Because Sally," her father answered, looking down at her fondly, "the future did not hold it for us. Remember what happened?" Sally's face fell as reality forced its way into her dream. "Yes, Father," she said, returning to her sixteen-year-old form. "I just wanted to relive some of the happier times." King Acorn turned to his daughter and held both her hands in his. "Sally," he said, looking deep into her eyes, "I have something very important to tell you. Listen to me very carefully. "The Void is stealing away my life energy. Naugus figured out that that's the reason we turn to crystal outside the Void." "Oh, Father, no!" Sally exclaimed, tears in her eyes. "Will you never be able to come back to me?" "There may be a way," the king said carefully. "Naugus and I are going to travel the Void, searching for a way to regain our lost life energy. But I don't know when or if I will be able to see you again. I'd like to see you one last time before we go. Didn't Sondra give you my message?" "Then Sondra was sent here by you? Father, she has been in a coma since she arrived." "I suspected as much. That is why I prevailed upon Naugus to help me enter your dream. Time is short. I must leave now. Farewell, my daughter." "No, Father, don't go," Sally pleaded. "Don't go!" she screamed, as she woke up. Sonic fell from the chairs, startled, and landed hard on the floor. "Ow," he said, rubbing his head. "Hey, Sal, how about warning someone when you're gonna do that?" Sally threw off her covers and stood up stretching. "Sonic, I have to go," she said abruptly. "Go? Go where?" "To my father," she said, walking out of the hut. "Say wha'?" Sonic stood up and hurried after Sally. "Whaddaya mean you're going to your father?" "Sonic, he came to me in a dream. He said he wants to see me." "Slow down, Sal," Sonic said, grabbing her arm. "How do you know it wasn't just a dream?" "Sonic, I know. It couldn't have been. It was him, I'm sure of it." "Then I'm going with you." "No way, Sonic. I have to go alone." "There's no way I'm gonna let you go alone." "What makes you think you can stop me?" "I got you to go to sleep, didn't I?" "Sonic, let's not get into this again. I'm going, by myself, and that's final," she said, her voice rising. "And I'm not gonna let you, and that's final," Sonic said, his voice louder than hers. They continued to argue, in the middle of the street, and probably would have spent the rest of the night arguing if Bunnie hadn't stepped out of her hut at that moment. Clad only in a nightgown and yawning, she stepped in between the two. "What the hoo-ha are y'all arguing about this early?" she demanded through her yawns. "Sally wants to go to the Void, on her own, because a dream told her too," Sonic scoffed. "Sonic thinks he can stop me, like he owns me or something," Sally retorted. Bunnie gave a long-suffering sigh. "Look you two," she said, "you're both acting like kids. Why don't you two just go home and we'll all talk about this once the sun comes up, ok?" "No Bunnie, I've made up my mind. I'm going." "Sally, please listen to reason," Sonic pleaded. "You said before that I should go before one of us said or did something we'd regret later; please don't make me follow through on that." Sally smirked at Sonic. "There is nothing you can say or do to stop me, Sonic. Why don't you just accept that?" "Then once more, you leave me no choice," he said sadly. Sonic drew himself up to his full height. "I, Sonic Hedgehog, challenge you, Princess Sally Alicia Acorn, to a duel of honor." Sally and Bunnie both looked askance at him. "Sugarhog," Bunnie whispered, "you can't mean it." Sonic fixed them both with a cold stare. "If this is what it takes to stop Sally, then I mean it." Sally glared at Sonic. "Very well, Sonic, though I hope you know full well what you are doing. According to the rules of combat, I choose where the battle will be held: here at Knothole. I also choose what the duel is...." "Not so fast, Sally," Sonic said, looking smug. "Antoine said you might try to get away with that. I consulted him about this last week, on the off chance you would need to be stopped. He said I choose the number of contests: the best two out of three. He also said I decide who picks what. You choose the first, I choose the second, and Bunnie chooses the third, if necessary." "Now just hold on a second," Bunnie said. "Y'all are not dragging me into this foolishness." "No choice, Bunnie," Sally said simply. "You witnessed this, now you have to referee it." "Very well, even though this is against my better judgment. What are the stakes to be?" "If I win," Sally said, "I can do as I like, and you can't stop me," pointing a finger at Sonic. "And if I win," Sonic said, pushing aside Sally's finger, "until Sondra pulls out of her coma, you have to start acting more like a Freedom Fighter and the princess, and you cannot go to the Void." "So noted," Bunnie said. "Sally, as Sonic said, you have the first choice." "Then I choose a game of chess." "No fair! That's playing mondo dirty Sal. I barely know the basics of that game." "Too bad Sonic. You shoulda thought of that before you challenged me." "Enough you two," Bunnie interjected, casting a glance at the crowd that was beginning to form. "She's right, Sonic. The contest will take place at noon in Antoine's hut. You two are to have no contact before then, or the duel is forfeited, is that understood?" Both nodded. "Good, now go to your huts and prepare, I will send someone to fetch you when the time is at hand." Sonic and Sally both turned on their heels and ran toward their huts, catching Bunnie in conflicting sonic booms. "I better ask for Antoine's help on this one," she muttered. "He's more up-to- date on matters of honor than I am." Sonic paced his hut, watching the clock as the hands slowly moved toward noon. He couldn't stand the waiting, but forced himself to. He had spent the better part of the morning trying to work out a battle plan, but couldn't think that far ahead. He had decided to counter her moves one by one, watching for a plan to unfold. Sonic glanced at his watch again. It read 11:55. "Five more minutes," he thought. "I hate doing this, especially since I might lose Sally as my girlfriend in the process. But better that than to let her risk losing her life." "Hey, Sonic!" someone called from outside the window. "Bunnie said it's time." "Be right there, little bud," Sonic called. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He went outside and slowly walked to Antoine's hut with Tails flying along beside him. The little fox had a long face, and seemed near tears, but Sonic couldn't offer any words of encouragement. He was just as near to tears as Tails was. Sonic walked into Antoine's hut, his face a mask of determination. Already seated at the chessboard, Sally was deep in thought. Without a word, he sat down directly across from her and folded his hands on the table, staring into Sally's eyes. He saw that this was hurting her, that she really did not want to do this. But he knew she would. It had become a matter of her family's honor now. "Whatever it takes to keep you safe," he thought. Antoine walked up to the table, standing at a point directly between the two duelers. Sonic noticed he was wearing his best uniform, the one he had said he would wear only on the day of Sally's coronation as queen. "At ze request of mademoiselle Bunnie," he began in his most official tone, "I have agreed to be the second to her officiating this duel." He pushed his coattails out from underneath him and sat down on a chair Tails brought. "If zere are no questions at zis time, allow me to be turning over the speaking to your chosen referee." "Thank you, Antoine," Bunnie said from the doorway. She walked in gracefully, dressed in a martial arts gi that Sonic had only seen her wear once before. It was one of her most prized heirlooms; it had been handed down from mother to daughter in her family for many generations. Sonic suddenly felt that no matter how this turned out, things might never be the same in Knothole again. She sat down in a chair Tails brought directly opposite Antoine. "Y'all both know the rules," she said, looking from one to the other, "so I don't have to explain them. Sally, you have drawn white; your move is first. Now shake hands, and begin." Sonic and Sally shook hands crisply, once. Sally moved her king's pawn two spaces forward, then sat back. Sonic copied her move, sticking to his defensive plan. They played for over a half-hour, Sally slowly unfolding her offense while Sonic scrambled to counter her moves. At one point, he thought he had broken through, and made a play for her king. But Sally deftly avoided his attack and managed to recapture the advantage, and several of Sonic's pieces. Abruptly, Sonic saw his danger. He was down to only three pieces: his king, a knight, and a pawn. Sally, by contrast, still had half of her major pieces. He had been so preoccupied turning aside Sally's main thrust, he had never seen her true plans. She would have checkmate in three moves if he did not do something. He scanned the board quickly. Her king was in a corner, flanked by two rooks and a bishop. His pawn was diagonal from the bishop, and should have been taken by now, but Sally did not seem to care that it was there. If he could sacrifice it to get a rook and draw out the king, he might just have a chance to attack one last time. He moved it forward to the seventh rank, trying not to draw too much attention to it. He failed. Almost carelessly, Sally used a nearby knight to take his pawn and smirked. She had this game well in hand, and she knew it. In anger, Sonic used his knight to take hers, deriving a small bit of satisfaction from that move. Sally just stared at the board, mouth open in shock. "Well?" Sonic asked. "What are you waiting for? Finish the game." She did not answer. For the first time, he noticed that Antoine had the same look on his face. "Zees eez impossible," he whispered. Bunnie nudged Sonic in the ribs. "Ain't you forgetting to say something, sugarhog?" she inquired gently. Sonic looked at her questioningly, then back at the board. Suddenly, he saw what had happened. His knight now occupied the only defenseless square on Sally's half of the board. But more than that, his knight could take her king on his next move. The king was trapped with no way out, and no piece of hers could take his knight before the damage had been done. "I believe that is check, and mate, Sally," he said, hardly believing that he was saying those words. Sally studied the board intently, not willing to accept defeat. After a moment, she sighed and tilted over her king, resigning. Bunnie stood and turned to Sonic. "I hereby declare the winner of the first contest to be Sonic Hedgehog," she said. "The choice for the second contest is yours." Sonic stood, pushing away from the table gently. "I choose a race," he said simply. Bunnie nodded. "So be it. Return to your huts. The race begins at 3:00." Sonic bowed to Bunnie, then Antoine, then Sally. He walked out of the hut and toward his. "That was awesome, Sonic," Tails said, joining Sonic as he walked. "I didn't think you'd have that much patience in you." "Neither did I, little bro," Sonic said, his voice hushed. "I guess when it's important enough, you do what it takes, no matter what the cost." "Wow, Aunt Sally's that important to you?" "Yep. She's the most important thing in my life right now, that's why I have to do this." Tails looked down for a second. "I hope things will be OK between you two, Sonic," he said quietly. "I hope so too, Tails. Now, would you mind if I said I wanted to be alone? I...need time to get myself ready." "Of course, Sonic. I'll get you when it's time." Tails flew off as Sonic entered his hut. Once inside, he threw himself down on his bed and tried to get some sleep. Just before he drifted off, he thought of when he had first told Sally he loved her, and how he may never be able to again. Two hours later, Tails came in and shook Sonic awake. Sonic sat up sleepily, blinking his eyes rapidly. "C'mon, Sonic," he said, "you only got five minutes to get there. Let's go!" "Alright, alright. I'm coming." Sonic stood and stretched. "Grab on to me Tails. Juice..." "Hey Sonic," Tails interrupted, "you okay?" "Sure little bro, why you ask?" "'Cause your pillow is wet." Sonic looked. His pillow was a sodden mess. He wasn't sweating, though. But what else could it be? He lifted his hand to his face and felt a tear there. Had he been crying in his sleep? "Sonic?" Tails pulled on his arm, worried. Sonic brushed away the tear and took a deep breath. "Aw, don't worry about me, Tails, I'm OK. We'd better get going. Juice time!" Sonic ran outside, following Tails' instructions, and soon arrived at the race course. All of Knothole had turned out to watch this, and Sonic wondered whether or not they knew what was truly at stake. But then, Sonic wasn't sure himself if he knew exactly what was at stake. He walked to the starting line and did some warm-up stretches, just to give himself something to do. Sally had not yet arrived, and he did not want to dwell on the situation any more than he had to. Bunnie walked up to him. "Sally'll be here soon," she said. "She said something about changing her clothes." Sonic shrugged, not paying much attention. In moments, Sally walked calmly up to the start line. Sonic looked at her and caught his breath. She was wearing the jogging suit he had had Rosie make her for her birthday last year. She had been thrilled to get it, and said she would always think of him when she wore it. Why was she wearing it now, especially since they were opposing each other? Bunnie sensed Sonic's discomfort and quickly moved to take up her position just to the side of the race course. "Here are the rules," she said, snapping Sonic out of his reverie. "This is both the start and finish line. The course is a circle, marked by the yellow flags you see here. Rotor and Dulcy will fly above you to make sure you follow the course. Now I don't wanna hear of no cheating from either of you. Sally, that means no flying allowed. Sonic, you can't use your power rings either. Got it?" Sonic and Sally nodded, and started revving up their legs. Sonic looked up and saw Rotor and Dulcy circling above them. They gave a quick thumbs-up and flew off. Bunnie raised her robotic arm. "Ready? Get set...GO!" Both racers took off as the arm dropped. Sonic took an early lead, but Sally was keeping pace. Sonic knew she was giving this her all, but he was still just that little bit faster than her. He picked up his speed, starting to leave Sally behind. He just wanted to get this race over with so everything could return to normal. At the halfway marker, Sonic had a comfortable lead on Sally. He put it in cruise control and let his mind wander. Sally was wearing that jogging suit for a reason. Maybe she was doing it to distract him; take his mind off the race. If she was, it was working. That jogging suit had been an expression of his love for her. Maybe that's why she was wearing it, to show that she still loved him, and would, no matter how this turned out. He smiled. Yes, that must be it. After this was over, he would go to her, tell her he loved her, and... SMACK!!! The next thing Sonic remembered, he was lying face-up on the ground, with a very sore nose. He sat up, holding his nose, and saw a tree directly in front of him with the impression of his face in its trunk. Apparently, he had drifted slightly off-course and ran straight into the tree. He stood up and ran for the finish line, hoping that it was not too late. When he came in sight of the finish line, he saw that Sally was already standing on the other side. He slowed to a walk as he crossed it, upset at himself. "The winner of the second event, Princess Sally Acorn," Bunnie proclaimed. "According to the rules, I choose the final event. Return to your huts once more. You'll find out what it is when you get called." Sally smiled at Sonic as she walked off to her hut. Sonic ran off, making sure to punch every tree in between. He knew he should have won that race, but he had let himself be distracted. There was no excuse he could make. Now Sally had a good chance of winning this thing, and anything that happened to her would be all his fault. Sonic ran through his door, not even bothering to open it. He ran around his hut so fast, a small tornado formed, totally wrecking the inside. Then again, the hut was so messy to begin with, it actually looked better than it did before. Sonic stopped after a few minutes, when he noticed Uncle Chuck standing outside the window. "Something wrong, Sonny-boy?" he asked, walking through the remnants of the door. Sonic sat down on the bed and motioned for Uncle Chuck to do likewise. "I guess you heard what's going on, huh Unc?" "Yep, but there's more to this than you think. I've been getting some really weird readings from the Void lately, and it's centering here at Knothole. I think it might have something to do with that girl that showed up." "Well, Rotor did say he saw a Void portal closing where he found Sondra. Maybe she really was in the Void, and was sent here by Sally's father." "I don't know, Sonic, but I do know this. Sally cannot be allowed to enter the Void again. We may not get her back this time, even if you do go with her. You both are the key to beating Snively, but you have to do this together. For all our sakes, you have to win." "I know, Unc. I just hope I don't lose her in the process." "Hey Sonic!" Tails called, flying into the hut. "It's time!" "Already? OK little bro, be right there. We'll finish this later, Unc." "No problem, Sonic. You go do what you have to." He gave his nephew a quick hug and watched him walk off. "Good luck." "So, where we off to this time?" Sonic asked as he followed Tails. "The center of town," Tails said, smiling happily. "But why?" Sonic asked, scratching his head. "You'll see." Tails was obviously enjoying the fact that he could keep Sonic in the dark about this. Sonic sighed and just followed, wondering what Bunnie could have possibly come up with. He got his answer. There, in the center of Knothole, a wrestling ring had been constructed. Sonic stood open-mouthed in awe at the sight. For most of the past month, he and Sally had been learning how to wrestle under Bunnie's watchful eye. They had had many sparring sessions in the past, but never a real match. Apparently, that was going to be the third contest. "You got it, sugarhog," Bunnie said next to him, startling Sonic. She now wore a black and white striped shirt common to most referees. "I figured you both chose something you were supposed to be the best at, and lost, so you'd probably both have better luck with something that neither of you are all that good at yet. Rotor and Antoine put this thing together pretty fast." "Are you sure it'll hold up?" Sonic joked. Bunnie folded her arms across her chest. "Be careful o' what your sayin' sugarhog," she said softly, but with an edge to her voice. "Antoine can be all thumbs sometimes, but I won't stand for nobody disrespecting my boyfriend, got it?" Sonic held his hands up in front of him. "Just joking, Bunnie," he said. "You know I know better than that." "Humph. Well, go change into your wrestling gear," she said, indicating a nearby hut. "Sally's already getting ready." Sonic obediently went to that hut and donned a pair of red wrestling trunks he found there. He left the hut and climbed into the ring, bouncing off the ropes a few times. It felt great. "This is perfect," he thought. "Finally, I get to show what I'm really made of." All of Knothole had arrived, watching and waiting. Sonic jogged a few times around the ring to get a feel for it. He heard the crowd draw in a collective breath and fall silent. He turned to look, and just stared. Sally was making her way toward the ring, dressed in one of Bunnie's purple jumpsuits. Though she did not quite fill it out the way Bunnie did, it still made her look good. Sonic had thought she was going to wear her usual workout sweatsuit, but this definitely wasn't it. Sonic almost drooled as Sally jumped on the ring apron and vaulted over the top rope, landing lightly on her feet right in front of him. "You like?" Sally asked, slowly turning around. Sonic felt like a stick of butter left out in the sun on the hottest day of the year. He managed to stammer something out, though he was never quite sure what he said. Whatever he did say made Sally's cheeks turn a bright red and caused her to back off a few steps. Bunnie stepped into the ring and stood between them. "I've drilled these rules in your heads so many times, I ain't even gonna waste my breath by repeating them," she said. "Now for the restrictions: no super speed from either of you, no flying, no spin attacks. Make me proud you too. Go to your corners and wait for the bell." Sonic and Sally went to their respective corners. The bell sounded, and the crowd came alive. Sonic and Sally circled each other, then moved in for a collar-and-elbow tieup. Sonic had the strength advantage, so was able to push Sally back to the ropes. "Alright, sugarhog," Bunnie said, "gimme a clean break. One...two...three..." Sonic let Sally go and was going to back up, but Sally placed one of her feet in the back of one of Sonic's knees and pushed him down to the mat. "Hey!" Sonic yelled, getting back to his feet, "Bunnie said 'a clean break'!" "Just keeping you on your toes, Sonic," Sally said, smiling innocently. She started to circle again, and Sonic eyed her warily. The next time they locked up, Sonic forced Sally into a side headlock, leaning all his weight on her. Sally bowed down with the pressure, pulling Sonic off-balance. She took advantage of that and pushed him off, into the ropes. Sonic bounced off and Sally threw herself flat, causing Sonic to run over her. When he came back again, she leapfrogged him. Just as he bounced off the ropes for the third time, she ran up to him and locked her arms around his waist. In one fluid motion, she used his momentum to throw him in an over-the-top belly-to-belly suplex. Sonic landed hard on his back, the breath temporarily knocked from his body. Sally tried to follow up with a pin, but Sonic kicked out before Bunnie was even in position to count. He rolled to his stomach and slid out of the ring, slapping the apron in frustration. He had forgotten how much Sally liked using those suplexes; she liked them almost as much as the submission holds. He walked around the ring as Bunnie started her ten-count. He, on the other hand, preferred using a high-flying, high-impact, high-risk type of wrestling. His favorite spot was the top turnbuckle, from where he could launch any number of attacks. But he had to wear her down first, or he would just end up hurting himself. Sonic rolled into the ring at Bunnie's count of nine. He got to his feet and they started circling each other again. Sonic tried to catch Sally unaware with a flying Frankensteiner as she moved in, but she caught him and powerbombed him. The match lasted for over an hour, with Sally dominating most of the way. She was using her technical skill to keep Sonic grounded, as well to soften up his left knee. Sonic attempted a comeback many times, and once almost got a three-count, but a well-timed suplex, or a poke to the eyes, always stopped him dead in his tracks. Sally buried a knee in Sonic's midsection, and grabbed him in a front- facelock. She put Sonic's arm over her head and grabbed a leg with her free right arm. She lifted Sonic up and over, going into a full neck bridge as he landed, keeping his leg hooked and locking her hands. Bunnie got down to count. One...two.... Sonic kicked out just as Bunnie's hand came down for three. Sally released Sonic and nipped up to her feet, pumping her fist in the air. Sonic slammed his fist into the mat. He had lost, and now nothing would stop Sally from going to the Void. He had done what he could, but it hadn't been enough. Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention. Bunnie was repeatedly crossing and uncrossing her arms, holding up only two fingers. Sally went over to argue the point, and Sonic seized the opportunity. He crawled behind Sally and grabbed a leg, rolling her up into a cradle. Bunnie got down to count. One...two.... Sally kicked out and struck Sonic with a double ax-handle to the back of his head before he could get to his feet. She stood and grabbed his left leg. She stomped the inside of the knee and yanked on it, stretching out all the muscles in it. She drew her thumb across her throat and spun around, going for the figure-four leglock. This was what Sonic had been waiting on. He had seen Sally practice this move on practice dummies many times, and he knew what to do. He placed his free foot on Sally backside and pushed, kicking her off. Sally landed face first into a turnbuckle. Stunned, she staggered out toward Sonic, who was now on his feet. He grabbed Sally as she came within range, and powerslammed her right in the center of the ring. Sonic jumped to his feet, not even feeling the pain in his knee. He went to a corner and ducked between the ropes, standing on the apron. He climbed up to the top turnbuckle, crouched and ready to fly. He straightened slowly and jumped off, hunching into a ball. Just before he hit Sally, he uncurled forcefully, arching his back. He landed flush on Sally's stomach, hooking a leg as soon as he landed. Bunnie dropped down to count. One...two... Three. Bunnie called for the bell and raised Sonic's arm in victory. The crowd went absolutely wild with cheers. Bunnie helped Sally to her feet as Sonic played to the crowd. When she was to her feet, she pushed away from Bunnie and walked slowly to Sonic. A hush fell over the crowd as Sally neared Sonic from behind. Sonic turned around and saw Sally standing there, shivering slightly. "You won, Sonic," she said, her voice also shivering slightly. "Congratulations. As per our agreement, I will not travel to the Void and will act more like a Freedom Fighter and a princess." "Is...is that all you have to say?" Sonic asked, mentally holding his breath. "Yes," she said simply, and turned as if to walk away. Sonic hung his head in despair. Then Sally whirled around and grabbed Sonic and hugged him tight. Sonic hugged her back, and the crowd went crazy again. "All I know," Sonic whispered in her ear, "is that I'm glad I still have you as my girlfriend, and that I'll be soaking in the hot springs for a week." "Mind if I join you?" Sally asked, her breath soft against his ear. "Sonic! Aunt Sally!" Tails yelled before Sonic could respond, flying up to the ring. "What is it, Tails?" Sonic asked, still hugging Sally. "It's the girl. She's waking up!" Sonic and Sally stared at each other. "Sonic," Sally began, "you get things under control here. This is something I have to do on my own." Sonic nodded and gave her a quick squeeze. Sally pulled away and flew to her hut, with Tails right beside her. Meanwhile, Sonic started banging his head into the nearest turnbuckle. "All that grief," he thought as he was restrained and forced to the mat by Bunnie and Antoine, "and she wakes up now!? If I didn't know better, I'd swear she planned it like this." "Stay here, Tails," Sally said as they reached her hut, opening the door. "And no peeking in the window!" "Yes, Aunt Sally," he said in that voice children use when grown-ups tell them not to do something they really want to. Of course, as soon as Sally was inside, Tails used his tails to boost himself up so he could see through the window. Once her eyes adjusted to the relative darkness inside the hut, Sally saw the hedgehog sitting up, wide awake, and searching for something. "Where could it be?" she asked herself, searching under the covers of the bed. "Did you lose something?" Sally asked quietly, trying not to startle her. The hedgehog looked up at Sally. Sally was taken aback at the bright blue of her eyes, almost like they shined with an inner light. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, her voice a little higher pitch than Sally's, "I didn't see you there. I'm looking for my ring." Sally raised one eyebrow. "Could you describe this ring?" she asked, sitting down near the bed. Sondra closed her eyes. "Hmmm, let's see. It's a small golden ring, with an onyx setting and two small diamonds set to the left of it. Etched on the onyx is a white, winged snake in the shape of an 'S' near the bottom of the ring. Have you seen it?" Sally studied the girl closely. Nothing about her indicated a trick, yet. She noticed with some confusion that her fur had lightened to a very light blue, almost the same color as her eyes, while her hair-quills had deepened to a brown a couple of shades lighter than Sally's. The purplish color Sally had observed must have been bruises which have since healed. Sally reached into the top drawer of her nighttable and pulled out two rings. "This one?" she asked, holding one out to her. Sondra took it and examined it, checking for the inscription on the band. "Yes," she said, placing it on her finger, "this is it. How can I thank you?" Sally placed her own ring on her finger. "You can start by telling me your name." "Oh, where are my manners. Forgive me. I am Sondra, Princess Sondra of the House of Acorn, second in line to the throne of Mobius. And you are?" Sally smiled slightly. Her answer was in the correct form, but that could just be luck. "I am Sally, Princess Sally, also of the House of Acorn, first in line to the throne of Mobius." Sondra's eyes widened. "Of course!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands. "How could I not recognize you? You look exactly like your father said you would. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you!" Sally lowered her eyelids halfway. Something about this girl was not fitting in. She was acting in a manner inconsistent with her age. Sally had guessed, and Nicole had confirmed, Sondra to be about sixteen. Certainly her body was well-formed enough to be that age. But here she was, acting like a little kid scarcely older than Tails. Even her face had assumed a childlike quality. "I hope you don't mind," Sally said carefully, "but the feeling is not mutual, yet. I am still uncertain whether or not to believe you." Sondra's demeanor immediately became more muted and some semblance of maturity returned to her features. "Yes, of course. I know this is difficult to believe, but please hear my story. "My family was living in the northern provinces when the coup happened. They hid for a few years, without being discovered, and I was born in the meantime. Everything would have continued along fine, but we were betrayed. My village was obliterated; almost everyone captured or killed. My parents ran with me, trying to hide from the SWAT-bots. But they couldn't outrun their hover ships." Sondra took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "They wanted to save me, even though they would be captured. They knocked me out and hid me in the trunk of a tree while they led the bots away. But I wasn't knocked out for long. I can still hear their screams." Sondra shuddered, remembering, and Sally couldn't help but put a comforting arm around her. "When it was silent, I crawled out, calling for my parents. But they were gone. Taken away to be roboticized I assume. I was scared, frightened, but what do you expect from a three-year-old?" "You've been on your own since three?" Sally asked, shocked. "How old are you now?" "Eleven. Yes," she continued, forestalling Sally's next question, "I know, I don't look it. But that is in the next part of my story. "I learned to survive in the wilderness, and I did for almost eight years. I had somehow developed the gift of super speed, or maybe I had it all along. I used it to avoid detection at first, but eventually I stopped using my speed just for avoidance, and started using it to annoy the SWAT-bots." "Sounds like another hedgehog I know," Sally thought. Aloud, she said, "Continue." "A couple of months ago, I was speeding along, pestering some SWAT-bots, when I forgot to watch where I was going. I fell into a crack in the ground and found myself falling through what I can only describe as a purple tunnel with yellow bands." Sally was surprised. She had just described a Void portal. Things were making more sense all the time. "When I awoke, I found myself lying on a bed of crystal with an odd looking human with a crab's claw for a hand looking over me. He said his name was Naugus, and that I had nothing to fear. He introduced me to a kind fox whom he said was King Acorn. At first, I didn't believe him, but he convinced me. "It was then that my body started to change. Apparently, the Void, as they termed it, will automatically force any child who enters it to attain physical maturity. The effect is also mental, but I think emotionally and height-wise I am still eleven." "That would explain your childish outburst before but your relative maturity now," Sally said, nodding. Sondra colored slightly. "When I told them my story," she continued, choosing to ignore that comment, "they helped comfort me. The king offered to adopt me as his own daughter, so that I could have a family if I ever got out of the Void. I agreed and that's how I became an Acorn." Sally thought over the story. It had the ring of truth, but she had to be sure. "But how did you escape the Void?" she asked. "When they found out about my speed, Naugus offered to open a portal to let me out, if I had the speed to escape. The king, who I hope you don't mind if I refer to as Father now, gave me this ring and told me to seek you out, that you would accept me and bring me up in the ways of a princess. Unfortunately, the portal started closing before I was all the way out. I remember it collapsing all around me, and the next thing I know, I'm waking up in this bed." Sally nodded. All the answers made sense, but there was one more test. "If Father did give you that ring, and made you an Acorn, he would have told you our greatest family secret." She held Sondra's hands and looked deep into her eyes. "What is our family's sacred credo?" Sondra leaned forward, putting her mouth near Sally's ear. "To rule...with honor," she whispered. Sally closed her eyes and hugged Sondra tight. The only way she would have known that was if she was, in fact, an Acorn. A great weight had just lifted from her shoulders. She had a family again. Sondra hugged her back, smiling. "Oh, I almost forgot," Sondra said quickly. "Father gave me a message for you." "He did?" Sally asked, remembering her dream. "What is it?" Sondra opened her mouth to say, but then looked out the window behind Sally. Sally turned to look and saw Tails hanging on to the window, tails wagging. "Tails!" she yelled, startling the little fox. "Go on, get out of here." "Oops," Tails said, flying away from the window. Sally turned back to Sondra and saw a silly look on her face. "He's cute," she said softly, smiling to herself. "Uh oh," Sally thought. "So, what was the message?" she asked again. "Huh? Oh, that. It's...." She looked in Sally's eyes, and then a sad smile crossed her face. "He told me to tell you that he loves you and every day thinks of you." Sally broke down in tears. Any questions she had retained about Sondra's identity were just blown away. Those words were a code known only to her father and herself that they used whenever he went away on business. "It'll take some adjusting to, having a sister around," she said, "but it'll be fun. I got to tell everyone that a new princess is here." Then a realization forced its way into Sally mind. Sonic had been right; that dream had only been a dream, and she had risked herself and everyone in Knothole with her foolishness. "I have to find him and apologize," she thought. "I owe Sonic a debt of gratitude I may never be able to repay, but that won't stop me from trying." Sondra just smiled, watching those emotions play out on Sally's face. She raised her hand to her head and winced in pain. "I'm sorry," she said, "but, I think I need some rest. I'm getting a very bad headache." "Of course, of course," Sally said, wiping away her tears and pushing her thoughts aside for later. "This must be a terrible strain on your system. You can use my bed tonight; I'll just have another one made tomorrow. I'll leave you alone now." She stood and walked out the door. "Good night, Sister." "Good night, Sister." Sondra replied, laying back down. She closed her eyes. <<>> a voice demanded inside her head once she was alone. <<>> "Calm down," she thought back. "The plan has changed. I may be able to trap more than just her and the hedgehog at one time. Just give me time to work on it." <<>> "No, but you did give me a keen mind for finding the best possible way to go about things." The voice was silent for a time. <<>> it said reluctantly. <<>> "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she thought. "You'll have them, mark my words." "Um, excuse me," a voice said by her head. "Are you awake?" Sondra opened her eyes and saw that two-tailed fox standing by her. "Oh," she said, affecting to be startled, "you're Tails, right?" Tails nodded, fidgeting slightly. "Um...I just wanted to be the first to welcome you to Knothole. And I wanted give you these." He held out a small bouquet of wildflowers. Sondra stood up and took them. "Why they're lovely! Thank you." Tails blushed a little, and seemed a bit surprised by the fact that Sondra was only a little taller than him. He was about to say something else when a commotion outside caught his attention. He and Sondra walked to the window and saw Sonic and Sally talking to each other. They both looked sad, and Sonic's head was bandaged up. It seemed as if they both were trying to say something, but neither one could find the right words. "Who's that?" Sondra asked, pointing at Sonic. "Him? He's Sonic, the way past coolest guy here. He can run fast enough to turn a SWATbot inside-out. You gotta meet him." "Maybe later; I'm pretty fast myself. What do you think they're doing?" Tails shook his head. "They had a big fight just before you woke up, and it looks like they're about to make up." As if on cue, Sonic and Sally hugged each other and started kissing, deeply. "I never understood what they see in that," he remarked off-handedly. Sondra looked at Tails, smiling. "Have you ever been kissed like that?" she asked in a soft voice. Tails stared at Sondra, eyes wide in a mix of surprise and fear. "Um...er ...uh...well," he stammered, backing up. "I gotta go. Bye!" he said quickly and flew through the wall, missing the window entirely. Sondra watched him go, still smiling. What she hadn't told the Void was that he was the reason she had changed the plan like she did. Seeing him had done something to her, and she was determined to find out what. Maybe he was a spellcaster like Naugus, and had cast a spell on her. In any case, he might be of use to her in trapping the creatures of Knothole. She laid back down on the bed. She already had developed somewhat of a plan of action. She would make it her duty to get close to Tails and try to get him to tell her all the Freedom Fighters' secrets. Once she had all the information she needed, she was sure she could pick them off one by one. The last thing she thought about before she fell asleep was Tails, and the last thing she did was smile. But it wasn't an evil smile, like she thought it was. Instead, it was a sweet smile, like the one Sally gets when she thinks of Sonic.