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Description
This is a collaboration between Me and ArtieCanvas on FA.

I do the story writing and Artie does the picture to go along with it. We work together to come up with the concepts and I write them out for him and we work together to make sure we are both happy and that you are all happy. Please enjoy this continuous story and leave a comment if you enjoy it. These will be slightly lengthy, so be prepared for a read. Have fun and Enjoy, Sonic and the Amulet of Aging.

Sonic and the Amulet of Aging

Part 2: The Freedom Fighter Girls

The next morning at the city freedom fighter hideout, while the boys from the night before continue to rest, more members of the freedom fighters begin to arrive at the hideout. The first to arrive was none other than the princess of the city and leader of the freedom fighters, Sally Acorn. Sally has sort of been a bit quiet as of late ever since she returned to normal after her ordeal not that long ago. Not long ago, Sally had been a robot for the last several months and it was only a few weeks ago that she was returned to normal. Sally still felt a bit responsible for all that had happened, and had been a bit withdrawn after she returned to her normal self. She was starting to come around a bit more now as she has started to come to join the others a bit more now.

As Sally walks into the room for the first time this morning, she does immediately see the clear container on the table inside the room and immediately wonders what this was. She wasn’t aware of them getting anything delivered here, so she was quick to head towards the container to investigate. Right before she was able to open the container though, a figure does soon appear next to Sally.

“I see you decided to come out today Sally.” says Nicole after making herself appear once she was aware of who was in the city hideout.

Unlike some people, Sally wasn’t startled in the least, since she knows Nicole is often around everywhere she goes and knows she could appear at any time. “Yes, I figured I should at least come out today. I know I’ve been hiding out at the castle a lot lately, but I still feel a little self-conscious about walking around after all the things I did.” she says shyly.

“And everyone keeps telling you that it wasn’t your fault for what you did. While there may be some that may still worry, remember, all that know you well enough know that you aren’t at fault for all those troubles that were caused when you were a robot Sally.” says Nicole.

“Yes I know. That’s why I figured I should at least come out and see them today, though it looks like I’m the first to arrive here.” says Sally looking around noticing still that most of the lights in the hideout were all still turned off and that it was pretty quiet there as well.

“Yes, you are the first to arrive Sally. You always were the early riser after all.” says Nicole in response.

“Yeah Yeah, by the way Nicole, what’s this?” asks Sally as she pops the lid off the container on the table and looks inside seeing the gold colored amulet sitting inside of it curiously. Whatever this was, it definitely looked valuable to Sally. She was just wondering what it was and how it got here.

“Oh that? Sonic and Tails brought that back from their expedition last night. That is apparently what was making the weird energy signatures we were detecting over the last few days. I ran some tests on it last night and it does match the energy signatures we were detecting. I’m still not sure what it is though. I just left it where Sonic placed it last night in the meantime though.” explains Nicole running it by Sally to let her know what the boys had found, since she knew the boys had been going out yesterday. She just didn’t know that they had already returned last night.

“This is what was making those energy signatures you were telling us about? But it’s just an amulet. How can it be letting off some sort of energy signature like a machine or something like that?” asks Sally as she reaches inside and pulls out the amulet to look at it more closely.

“I’m not sure Sally, but my tests were conclusive last night that this is what was causing those strong energy signatures. I even strengthened the city walls energy shield detectors to hide the signal here in the city while it is here. If I didn’t, then others would still be able to detect that we have it inside the city.” says Nicole explaining some of the activities she had done during the night while the others slept.

“Hmmm, I trust you Nicole, but why something as simple as some sort of ancient necklace would be letting off such a strong energy signal has me completely perplexed.” says Sally shrugging as she looks the amulet over a bit more closely herself.

“I know Sally. I’ll continue running tests on it as needed until I can figure it out.” says Nicole in response to Sally’s confusion.

“What has you so perplexed as you said Sally girl?” asks a sudden voice to the two of them as the door opens as another member arrives at the hideout.

In through the door walks a half robotic rabbit named Bunnie D’Coolette. Bunny had only just returned to the city not long before Sally was returned to normal. Against everyone’s wishes, after Bunnie had been returned to a normal rabbit by Ixus Naugus, she left the city one day without much notice and didn’t return until she had returned herself back to her half robotic self. She had never explained how she had gotten it done to any of them, but everyone sort of have a clue as to how she could have gotten herself back to her previous state without the wizard reversing the spell.

Both Nicole and Sally turned around seeing the rabbit enter the room, and do both immediately smile as Sally also holds up the amulet that she had been talking about before as well. “Oh hello Bunnie. This is what has us both perplexed. This amulet that Sonic and Tails found last night is apparently the strange energy signature that was detected the other day by Nicole. Yet, neither one of us can figure out what it is nor why it would be letting of such a strange energy signature either when it honestly just looks like an ancient necklace to Me.” says Sally.

Bunnie makes her way over to Sally and holds her hand against the amulet to let herself look at it more closely as well when she hears Sally’s explanation. “This here thing is what was making all them strange energy signals that had you and Nicole all worried the other day?” asks Bunnie looking completely confused as well as she looks at the amulet in her hand.

“Apparently that’s what Nicole was telling me. This is what the boys found using the tracker, so this has to be it.” explains Sally.

“Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you guys will figure it out eventually. It sure has some strange writing and stuff on it.” says Bunnie noticing this as she holds it back out for Sally to take back.

“Tails also took plenty of pictures of the walls around where he found this artifact, but strangely, I can’t decipher what any of it says. The language on the walls is not in my databank, so this is going to take a lot longer for me to figure out what a lot of this stuff says. I can likely crack the language eventually, but having nothing to go by at all, it is going to take quite some time before I can give you a full report on it Sally.” says Nicole bringing up a new point for the both of them after the writing on the amulet was mentioned.

“Well I’m sure you will figure it out eventually Nicole. You have always been persistent in figuring things out that have had you stumped.” says Sally chuckling a bit knowing that Nicole wouldn’t let something out wit her if possible. Nicole was quite the persistent type after all being a computer program after all.

“Yes Sally. I can always get back to that if you wish?” asks Nicole wanting to know if she should return to her calculations and research or stay here with the two girls.

“Get back to what?” asks yet another voice as a third person enters the hide out.

This time it was a pink colored female hedgehog who was carrying a long tray that looked to have cups and a tea kettle sitting on it as well. This was Amy Rose. She was one of the younger members of the freedom fighters, but not one that should be underestimated as she could easily keep up with Sonic now that she had trained more specifically to do so. Her hammer skills and strength was quite impressive for someone of thirteen years old, so for many, it was easy to underestimate her.

“Oh hey Amy.” says both Sally and Bunnie pretty close to the same time when they see Amy enter into the room, and with refreshments from the looks of it as well.

“Hey girls. I brought some tea curtesy of Ms. Vanilla.” says Amy explaining why she was carrying a tray of tea and cups that looked to be enough for everyone in the group if they had all been here.

“Now that sounds like a good idea. Come on Sally girl, let’s get some tea.” says Bunnie liking the idea of getting some fresh hot tea first thing in the morning.

“Hehe, sure thing Bunnie. Pour us some then Amy.” says Sally as she sits the amulet down onto the table and watches as Amy sits the tray down onto the table as well before she starts to pour tea into a few of the cups that had been provided for them to use.

“So you are still staying with Vanilla I see Amy? Where’s Cream?” asks Sally as she waits for her glass to be poured by the hedgehog.

“Yeah I’m still staying with the rabbits. After letting the two of them stay at my place for so long after bringing them here after their house got wrecked, Vanilla was so grateful that after she finally got a house of her own, that she offered to let me stay there with them. Her house is a lot bigger than mine was as well, and now there is only one bill to pay as well instead of just one. Oh, and as for Cream, she won’t be coming in today. She and Vanilla had some things to do today, so that’s why she sent us this tea as I was heading out.” explains Amy letting them know why she was living with them and why Cream wasn’t there today.

“Makes sense to me. Your generosity led to better things for the both of you, plus, I think it is better if Cream doesn’t come here every day anyway. She is still so young, that she shouldn’t have to come here all the time.” says Sally smiling as she hears this from Amy.

“Yeah, I hate that she has to be involved with all this fighting as well, but you have to admit, she is stronger and craftier than you think. Age apparently can hide all sorts of talents.” says Amy chuckling as she takes a sip of tea.

“You got that right sugar. You would be just the example for that statement. We have a few years on you, and you are just as strong as us now that you have gotten the proper training.” says Bunnie in agreement as she does know that age shouldn’t be taken into consideration when it comes to people’s talents.

“Hehe, thanks Bunnie. So what are you girls doing this morning? Did I interrupt anything with my arrival?” asks Amy curiously as she takes a drink from her cup while asking her question.

“You didn’t interrupt anything Amy. we were just talking about this thing here. It is what Sonic and Tails found last night that apparently was what was making that strange energy signal we detected. We can’t figure out what it is, and Nicole is going to be busy for a while figuring it out due to the language that more than likely tells was what it is not in her databanks.” explains Sally as she picks up and shows the amulet to Amy as well to explain the situation to her.

“This pretty necklace is what we were worried about? Aww, too bad we don’t know what it is as it looks pretty. I’ve love to get something like it.” says Amy as she gets close to it and pokes it a few times while looking at her reflection in the gold of the amulet Sally was holding.

“Yes well, as nice as it may look, there has to be something special about this.” says Sally looking at it just as curiously as Amy was still as well.

“It must have been of great importance. The pictures Tails provided did show it on a special pedestal in the location where they found it. What purpose it was used for, I’m sure it likely explains in the pictures he provided as well, but until I can translate, I can’t tell any of you.” says Nicole interjecting once again to give another small explanation of what she had learned so far.

“I see, well until we figure this out, it should likely stay here in the container until we know what to do with It.” says Sally as she lets Amy look and poke at it a few more times before turning and placing it back into the clear container that Tails kept it in while transporting it here.

“I will get back to work Sally. You girls enjoys your morning and I’ll be around if you need Me.” says Nicole with smile before waving and quickly disappears to get back to her main mainframe in the control center under the city.

“Nicole works too hard at times.” says Bunnie right after Nicole was gone from the hide out. She knows just how hard Nicole works to get them the information they needed, even if it means not resting that often. She didn’t need the sleep they all needed, but she did need to power down from time to time to keep herself functioning at full power and often times she didn’t get those resets as often as would be healthy for her circuits.

“I know, but you have to admit she does a good job in helping us out. I do agree she likely should power down a bit more and rest.” says Sally knowing that Nicole likely should be allowed to rest from time to time, but she keeps this city running so efficiently that powering down does slow her down, but also means the city defenses have to be temporarily deactivated as well, which she hates having to do at any time.

“Should tell her that later. If she was up all night working on translation, then she likely should at the very least take a quick break from that soon. We don’t need to burn her out after all.” says Bunnie knowing full well that Nicole can easily stay at full power for days and it not affect her, but even then, a little power down from time to time keeps her in tip top shape.

“I’ll keep that in mind, but speaking of resting, how is Antoine doing?” asks Sally curiously knowing that Antoine was still technically in recovering after what she discovered had happened to him while she was gone.

Bunnie couldn’t help but smile a little bit here. “Thankfully, he’s doing a lot better now. After he finally woke up a few weeks ago he has been recovering nicely. He’s still a bit woozy at times and needs regular doctor checkups, but he seems to be getting around much better now.” says Bunnie happily.

Bunnie was glad to see Antoine getting up and around after his bad accident that sent him into a coma for a few months. When he finally had awoken and found Bunnie back the way she was, he had been worried a little angry that she had done that without speaking with him first, but she had been so guilty about him ending up in the condition he was in in the first place, it was the main reason she had disappeared and returned herself to this state in the first place. Antoine ever since waking up had spent a few weeks in recovery at the hospital before being allowed to finally go home with Bunnie. He is now up and about, but he is still off active duty and also still wears some bandages around his head just in case as his head was still pretty sensitive at the moment due to how severe that head injuries he had sustained in that battle were. He would likely be back on duty with everyone else eventually, but right now, Bunnie had him staying home resting as much as she can keep him doing so until he is cleared by Dr. Quack to return to duty.

“Well I’m glad to hear that he is doing better. I still wish it had never happened though…” says Sally looking down again a bit as she says this part as she does still know why he was in there in the first place.

Both Bunnie and Amy look over to Sally when they hear and notice the sadness in Sally’s voice. Both of them remember that the attack that left Antoine in the state he was in was due to Metal Sonic and Mecha Sally, but Sally couldn’t have done anything about that. Sally had still been feeling really depressed and responsible for many of the things that had occurred while she was in that robotic state, even with her friends constantly telling her that it wasn’t her fault. No one can blame her for feeling bad for all the things that happen, but at the same time, everyone was trying to help her get over it and let her see things are returning to normal now as well.

“Sally girl, you know that it wasn’t your fault. It was that robots fault after all, and even then, it was Metal Sonic that was the one that blew up, not you.” says Bunnie knowing it wasn’t Sally that hurt Antoine, but the other metal robot.

While that helped a little, the fact that she was even a part of the attack still always made her feel responsible for it. “Yes I know. I know we have both gone over this several times as well. I guess I will feel better once I can finally face Antoine and tell him myself that I’m sorry for everything that had happened was all.” says Sally

“I’m sure he will forgive you for everything Sally girl. Heck, I’ll if he is alright enough to come by tomorrow and you can tell him yourself. He is starting to be able to walk around again on his own now, though not very far just yet. He was in that bed for quite a while, and he is still building his strength back up. He is getting there though.” says Bunnie trying to show Sally that Antoine was recovering and getting better again and that nothing seemed to be permanently wrong with him.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea Sally. I’ll even go by and help Bunnie get him here if he needs any help.” says Amy perkily as she figures she could find a way to help Sally out as well if she could.

“Thanks girls. I know I’ve been pretty down since my return, but it isn’t every day you turn into a robot and turn against your friends like that. It was bad enough the first time it happened to me, as short as it was.” says Sally remembering the one time that a failed plan ended up with her being roboticized temporarily before in the past.

“I don’t remember that?” asks Amy curiously not knowing something like that had happened before to Sally in her past.

“Yeah, that was not long after we first met you the first time Amy before you moved to Knothole permanently. We were trying to find a way to turn someone into a robot and keep their freewill so that they could turn on Robotnik back then, but it backfired on us and Sally was turned into a normal robot. Luckily we were able to reverse the process quickly before it got too far out of hand, but still, I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant.” says Bunnie remembering that plan and situation perfectly, despite it being a little while ago.

“Yeah, it’s not a pleasant experience. You pretty much are stuck inside this shell, unable to move or do anything on your own. Everything is done for you and you can’t do a thing to stop it, no matter what you think or try and do. You can just watch it happen, and there is nothing you can do. That’s the worst part of it. The change isn’t pleasant, but the results are much worst.” says Sally knowing all too well at this point how hard it is to just have to watch and not be able to do a thing about the bad things happening all around you during it.

“Well in any case, let’s get off this subject and just get to our meeting that we had planned for today, so that we don’t have to think about nasty ole robots anymore, despite how I may look.” says Bunnie knowing that she may look partially like a robot, but that it was likely best they move on to another subject so that Sally doesn’t get any more upset than she possibly is at the moment.

“Yeah, a good idea. I already had all our plans already worked out and was going to go over them with the group so that we could get them over with and not have to go all the way out to headquarters to deal with them.” says Sally remembering that she had some business she wanted to go over with her group today after all.

As Sally was about to sit down at the table they had been standing in front of this whole time, Amy does suddenly bring up a point that was on her mind for a bit.

“What about Sonic and Tails? They aren’t here yet. Neither is Rotor.” says Amy noticing that they were pretty short on group members today, which did include Cream, who wasn’t here today either, but that had already been explained to the others.

“Sonic and Tails got in so late as Nicole explained that they are likely going to still be in bed for quite a while. I won’t be expecting those two to show up until the middle of the day. As for Rotor, ever since he was invited back to the council after my brother was returned to his position, he has been busy getting back into the loop of what needs to be done with the city.” says Sally explaining where the boys are that are missing from the meeting.

“I didn’t think Rotor was going to go back to the council after he stormed out last time like he told us.” says Amy remembering that was why Rotor had come out of retirement before to try and get back into field work.

“That was before my brother got back into power and offered it back to him. Plus, everyone wanted him back as well in the neighborhood. I can’t blame them. With half the council having had field experience in the past, and others not having any, he is a nice balance for someone that has both field and non-field training.” says Sally going over why their friend had returned to his previous job once things had calmed down.

“I guess that makes sense. Just seems we are a bit short today here.” says Amy nodding as she takes a seat looking ready to hear whatever it was that Sally was going to be going over with them today.

“Yeah, I know we are short, but we can easily tell everyone else what we discuss today. Amy can tell Cream. Bunnie can fill Antoine in. I can tell Rotor when I head home, and whoever runs into Sonic and Tails first can fill them in as well. So, in any case, everyone should still get filled in on the details without everyone having to be here.” says Sally as she takes her seat as well.

Both Amy and Bunnie and nod understanding as they all look ready to finally get ready for their meeting. With no one else there, the meeting did go easily, and also quickly. Sonic wasn’t there to cause any distractions. Tails and Rotor weren’t there asking for more details on any given situation, and Antoine wasn’t constantly worrying over the safety of the situations of what they may be doing.

After the meeting was eventually done, the three girls did finally disperse to go back to their day and to do whatever it was that they had planned for that day. Amy went shopping in the city. Bunnie returned home to look after Antoine, and Sally returned to the palace to do a few things she had planned for the day. Nicole would continue to switch between checking on things that needed dealing with in the city and researching the amulet to try and get Sally the answers she would need on it. It wasn’t going to be easy though.

Four hours later, it was around noon at this point now and people were just getting more active as the middle of the day was going on at the moment. While most of the people of the city were already up and about having their lunches and entering into the middle of their day, there was still one blue hedgehog that was curled up in his bed still fast asleep. Sonic had gotten in so late last night that was only now that his body was starting to tell him it was time to wake up. Even then, it wasn’t odd for Sonic to lounge around in bed for a long time when he wasn’t exactly needed at the moment.

It was another fifteen minutes before Sonic was finally stirred enough that he began to wake up from his long slumber. He had slept longer than he thought, but in any case he was finally ready to be up and about and begin his day. He first had to make himself get out of bed first though, which was hard enough for him as he wasn’t exactly a morning person.

There was one thing that he knew could help him out a bit, and that was the music from his boom box next to his bed. Sonic, who still had his face in his pillow quite comfortably, does soon reach his hand out to try and turn the music on, but for some reason he couldn’t reach it and was only hitting the bed and not even reaching the nightstand table where the boom box was sitting. Sonic didn’t think anything of this though as he just assumed he had shifted to the far side of his large race car shaped bed and was out of reach of the nightstand.

Sonic flipped over once and tried to reach the nightstand once again and still found that he was unable to reach it without having to get up and this time felt a little annoyed that he still couldn’t reach it. He didn’t want to get up and reach out for it, but Sonic needed some music in his mind to get him up and about for the morning. He finally figures he should just get it over with. He could always then just lie there in the bed for a few minutes before getting up and moving on with his day.

Sonic finally pulls himself up and reaches out for the boom box he can see next to him and tries to turn it on, but strangely, even when he was sitting up now, he still couldn’t reach the boom box. Something was completely weird about this as Sonic had always been able to reach it from where he was sitting in his bed before today. Something was wrong.

It was at about this time when Sonic looks down at his hand and notices that it looks smaller than usual. “What in the world is wrong with my hand?” says Sonic to himself curiously at how small it was.

At the same time, that is when Sonic heard his own voice as well. It was slightly higher pitched than it normally was as well, and this completely caught him off guard as he was so used to the voice he has had for a few years now. This voice wasn’t the same. This had Sonic even more worried as he then looks down more at himself and gets one of the biggest shocks he had gotten in years.

Not only were his hands smaller and his voice more high pitched, but his entire body was smaller as well. Sonic looked nearby to a mirror he keeps him his room to make sure he looks good before heading out for the day and can finally see his entire body. Everything about him looks smaller. His hands, his body, his legs, his feet were all smaller. Sonic looked exactly like he looked back when he was a toddler just before he was put in daycare when he was younger and right before his mother disappeared and he started to stay with his Uncle Chuck.

“This can’t be real.” says Sonic pulling on his cheek a little bit to try and wake himself up as he first assumes this has to be a dream. There was no way this could be real life. Mobians couldn’t just suddenly return to looking like they did when they were a toddler.

However, when Sonic pulls on his cheek, he immediately gets a sharp pinch that makes him let go as the pinch hurt, but also didn’t wake him up either. This is when he started to realize that what he was experiencing wasn’t a dream. This small body of himself that he was in at the moment was the real thing. There was no waking up from this. Sonic tried to hold himself together and keep himself calm the best he could, but just looking at himself sitting there on the bed in this new smaller, but familiar body of himself, he eventually couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

End of Part 2

Description
This is a collaboration between Me and ArtieCanvas on FA.

I do the story writing and Artie does the picture to go along with it. We work together to come up with the concepts and I write them out for him and we work together to make sure we are both happy and that you are all happy. Please enjoy this continuous story and leave a comment if you enjoy it. These will be slightly lengthy, so be prepared for a read. Have fun and Enjoy, Sonic and the Amulet of Aging.

Sonic and the Amulet of Aging

Part 2: The Freedom Fighter Girls

The next morning at the city freedom fighter hideout, while the boys from the night before continue to rest, more members of the freedom fighters begin to arrive at the hideout. The first to arrive was none other than the princess of the city and leader of the freedom fighters, Sally Acorn. Sally has sort of been a bit quiet as of late ever since she returned to normal after her ordeal not that long ago. Not long ago, Sally had been a robot for the last several months and it was only a few weeks ago that she was returned to normal. Sally still felt a bit responsible for all that had happened, and had been a bit withdrawn after she returned to her normal self. She was starting to come around a bit more now as she has started to come to join the others a bit more now.

As Sally walks into the room for the first time this morning, she does immediately see the clear container on the table inside the room and immediately wonders what this was. She wasn’t aware of them getting anything delivered here, so she was quick to head towards the container to investigate. Right before she was able to open the container though, a figure does soon appear next to Sally.

“I see you decided to come out today Sally.” says Nicole after making herself appear once she was aware of who was in the city hideout.

Unlike some people, Sally wasn’t startled in the least, since she knows Nicole is often around everywhere she goes and knows she could appear at any time. “Yes, I figured I should at least come out today. I know I’ve been hiding out at the castle a lot lately, but I still feel a little self-conscious about walking around after all the things I did.” she says shyly.

“And everyone keeps telling you that it wasn’t your fault for what you did. While there may be some that may still worry, remember, all that know you well enough know that you aren’t at fault for all those troubles that were caused when you were a robot Sally.” says Nicole.

“Yes I know. That’s why I figured I should at least come out and see them today, though it looks like I’m the first to arrive here.” says Sally looking around noticing still that most of the lights in the hideout were all still turned off and that it was pretty quiet there as well.

“Yes, you are the first to arrive Sally. You always were the early riser after all.” says Nicole in response.

“Yeah Yeah, by the way Nicole, what’s this?” asks Sally as she pops the lid off the container on the table and looks inside seeing the gold colored amulet sitting inside of it curiously. Whatever this was, it definitely looked valuable to Sally. She was just wondering what it was and how it got here.

“Oh that? Sonic and Tails brought that back from their expedition last night. That is apparently what was making the weird energy signatures we were detecting over the last few days. I ran some tests on it last night and it does match the energy signatures we were detecting. I’m still not sure what it is though. I just left it where Sonic placed it last night in the meantime though.” explains Nicole running it by Sally to let her know what the boys had found, since she knew the boys had been going out yesterday. She just didn’t know that they had already returned last night.

“This is what was making those energy signatures you were telling us about? But it’s just an amulet. How can it be letting off some sort of energy signature like a machine or something like that?” asks Sally as she reaches inside and pulls out the amulet to look at it more closely.

“I’m not sure Sally, but my tests were conclusive last night that this is what was causing those strong energy signatures. I even strengthened the city walls energy shield detectors to hide the signal here in the city while it is here. If I didn’t, then others would still be able to detect that we have it inside the city.” says Nicole explaining some of the activities she had done during the night while the others slept.

“Hmmm, I trust you Nicole, but why something as simple as some sort of ancient necklace would be letting off such a strong energy signal has me completely perplexed.” says Sally shrugging as she looks the amulet over a bit more closely herself.

“I know Sally. I’ll continue running tests on it as needed until I can figure it out.” says Nicole in response to Sally’s confusion.

“What has you so perplexed as you said Sally girl?” asks a sudden voice to the two of them as the door opens as another member arrives at the hideout.

In through the door walks a half robotic rabbit named Bunnie D’Coolette. Bunny had only just returned to the city not long before Sally was returned to normal. Against everyone’s wishes, after Bunnie had been returned to a normal rabbit by Ixus Naugus, she left the city one day without much notice and didn’t return until she had returned herself back to her half robotic self. She had never explained how she had gotten it done to any of them, but everyone sort of have a clue as to how she could have gotten herself back to her previous state without the wizard reversing the spell.

Both Nicole and Sally turned around seeing the rabbit enter the room, and do both immediately smile as Sally also holds up the amulet that she had been talking about before as well. “Oh hello Bunnie. This is what has us both perplexed. This amulet that Sonic and Tails found last night is apparently the strange energy signature that was detected the other day by Nicole. Yet, neither one of us can figure out what it is nor why it would be letting of such a strange energy signature either when it honestly just looks like an ancient necklace to Me.” says Sally.

Bunnie makes her way over to Sally and holds her hand against the amulet to let herself look at it more closely as well when she hears Sally’s explanation. “This here thing is what was making all them strange energy signals that had you and Nicole all worried the other day?” asks Bunnie looking completely confused as well as she looks at the amulet in her hand.

“Apparently that’s what Nicole was telling me. This is what the boys found using the tracker, so this has to be it.” explains Sally.

“Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you guys will figure it out eventually. It sure has some strange writing and stuff on it.” says Bunnie noticing this as she holds it back out for Sally to take back.

“Tails also took plenty of pictures of the walls around where he found this artifact, but strangely, I can’t decipher what any of it says. The language on the walls is not in my databank, so this is going to take a lot longer for me to figure out what a lot of this stuff says. I can likely crack the language eventually, but having nothing to go by at all, it is going to take quite some time before I can give you a full report on it Sally.” says Nicole bringing up a new point for the both of them after the writing on the amulet was mentioned.

“Well I’m sure you will figure it out eventually Nicole. You have always been persistent in figuring things out that have had you stumped.” says Sally chuckling a bit knowing that Nicole wouldn’t let something out wit her if possible. Nicole was quite the persistent type after all being a computer program after all.

“Yes Sally. I can always get back to that if you wish?” asks Nicole wanting to know if she should return to her calculations and research or stay here with the two girls.

“Get back to what?” asks yet another voice as a third person enters the hide out.

This time it was a pink colored female hedgehog who was carrying a long tray that looked to have cups and a tea kettle sitting on it as well. This was Amy Rose. She was one of the younger members of the freedom fighters, but not one that should be underestimated as she could easily keep up with Sonic now that she had trained more specifically to do so. Her hammer skills and strength was quite impressive for someone of thirteen years old, so for many, it was easy to underestimate her.

“Oh hey Amy.” says both Sally and Bunnie pretty close to the same time when they see Amy enter into the room, and with refreshments from the looks of it as well.

“Hey girls. I brought some tea curtesy of Ms. Vanilla.” says Amy explaining why she was carrying a tray of tea and cups that looked to be enough for everyone in the group if they had all been here.

“Now that sounds like a good idea. Come on Sally girl, let’s get some tea.” says Bunnie liking the idea of getting some fresh hot tea first thing in the morning.

“Hehe, sure thing Bunnie. Pour us some then Amy.” says Sally as she sits the amulet down onto the table and watches as Amy sits the tray down onto the table as well before she starts to pour tea into a few of the cups that had been provided for them to use.

“So you are still staying with Vanilla I see Amy? Where’s Cream?” asks Sally as she waits for her glass to be poured by the hedgehog.

“Yeah I’m still staying with the rabbits. After letting the two of them stay at my place for so long after bringing them here after their house got wrecked, Vanilla was so grateful that after she finally got a house of her own, that she offered to let me stay there with them. Her house is a lot bigger than mine was as well, and now there is only one bill to pay as well instead of just one. Oh, and as for Cream, she won’t be coming in today. She and Vanilla had some things to do today, so that’s why she sent us this tea as I was heading out.” explains Amy letting them know why she was living with them and why Cream wasn’t there today.

“Makes sense to me. Your generosity led to better things for the both of you, plus, I think it is better if Cream doesn’t come here every day anyway. She is still so young, that she shouldn’t have to come here all the time.” says Sally smiling as she hears this from Amy.

“Yeah, I hate that she has to be involved with all this fighting as well, but you have to admit, she is stronger and craftier than you think. Age apparently can hide all sorts of talents.” says Amy chuckling as she takes a sip of tea.

“You got that right sugar. You would be just the example for that statement. We have a few years on you, and you are just as strong as us now that you have gotten the proper training.” says Bunnie in agreement as she does know that age shouldn’t be taken into consideration when it comes to people’s talents.

“Hehe, thanks Bunnie. So what are you girls doing this morning? Did I interrupt anything with my arrival?” asks Amy curiously as she takes a drink from her cup while asking her question.

“You didn’t interrupt anything Amy. we were just talking about this thing here. It is what Sonic and Tails found last night that apparently was what was making that strange energy signal we detected. We can’t figure out what it is, and Nicole is going to be busy for a while figuring it out due to the language that more than likely tells was what it is not in her databanks.” explains Sally as she picks up and shows the amulet to Amy as well to explain the situation to her.

“This pretty necklace is what we were worried about? Aww, too bad we don’t know what it is as it looks pretty. I’ve love to get something like it.” says Amy as she gets close to it and pokes it a few times while looking at her reflection in the gold of the amulet Sally was holding.

“Yes well, as nice as it may look, there has to be something special about this.” says Sally looking at it just as curiously as Amy was still as well.

“It must have been of great importance. The pictures Tails provided did show it on a special pedestal in the location where they found it. What purpose it was used for, I’m sure it likely explains in the pictures he provided as well, but until I can translate, I can’t tell any of you.” says Nicole interjecting once again to give another small explanation of what she had learned so far.

“I see, well until we figure this out, it should likely stay here in the container until we know what to do with It.” says Sally as she lets Amy look and poke at it a few more times before turning and placing it back into the clear container that Tails kept it in while transporting it here.

“I will get back to work Sally. You girls enjoys your morning and I’ll be around if you need Me.” says Nicole with smile before waving and quickly disappears to get back to her main mainframe in the control center under the city.

“Nicole works too hard at times.” says Bunnie right after Nicole was gone from the hide out. She knows just how hard Nicole works to get them the information they needed, even if it means not resting that often. She didn’t need the sleep they all needed, but she did need to power down from time to time to keep herself functioning at full power and often times she didn’t get those resets as often as would be healthy for her circuits.

“I know, but you have to admit she does a good job in helping us out. I do agree she likely should power down a bit more and rest.” says Sally knowing that Nicole likely should be allowed to rest from time to time, but she keeps this city running so efficiently that powering down does slow her down, but also means the city defenses have to be temporarily deactivated as well, which she hates having to do at any time.

“Should tell her that later. If she was up all night working on translation, then she likely should at the very least take a quick break from that soon. We don’t need to burn her out after all.” says Bunnie knowing full well that Nicole can easily stay at full power for days and it not affect her, but even then, a little power down from time to time keeps her in tip top shape.

“I’ll keep that in mind, but speaking of resting, how is Antoine doing?” asks Sally curiously knowing that Antoine was still technically in recovering after what she discovered had happened to him while she was gone.

Bunnie couldn’t help but smile a little bit here. “Thankfully, he’s doing a lot better now. After he finally woke up a few weeks ago he has been recovering nicely. He’s still a bit woozy at times and needs regular doctor checkups, but he seems to be getting around much better now.” says Bunnie happily.

Bunnie was glad to see Antoine getting up and around after his bad accident that sent him into a coma for a few months. When he finally had awoken and found Bunnie back the way she was, he had been worried a little angry that she had done that without speaking with him first, but she had been so guilty about him ending up in the condition he was in in the first place, it was the main reason she had disappeared and returned herself to this state in the first place. Antoine ever since waking up had spent a few weeks in recovery at the hospital before being allowed to finally go home with Bunnie. He is now up and about, but he is still off active duty and also still wears some bandages around his head just in case as his head was still pretty sensitive at the moment due to how severe that head injuries he had sustained in that battle were. He would likely be back on duty with everyone else eventually, but right now, Bunnie had him staying home resting as much as she can keep him doing so until he is cleared by Dr. Quack to return to duty.

“Well I’m glad to hear that he is doing better. I still wish it had never happened though…” says Sally looking down again a bit as she says this part as she does still know why he was in there in the first place.

Both Bunnie and Amy look over to Sally when they hear and notice the sadness in Sally’s voice. Both of them remember that the attack that left Antoine in the state he was in was due to Metal Sonic and Mecha Sally, but Sally couldn’t have done anything about that. Sally had still been feeling really depressed and responsible for many of the things that had occurred while she was in that robotic state, even with her friends constantly telling her that it wasn’t her fault. No one can blame her for feeling bad for all the things that happen, but at the same time, everyone was trying to help her get over it and let her see things are returning to normal now as well.

“Sally girl, you know that it wasn’t your fault. It was that robots fault after all, and even then, it was Metal Sonic that was the one that blew up, not you.” says Bunnie knowing it wasn’t Sally that hurt Antoine, but the other metal robot.

While that helped a little, the fact that she was even a part of the attack still always made her feel responsible for it. “Yes I know. I know we have both gone over this several times as well. I guess I will feel better once I can finally face Antoine and tell him myself that I’m sorry for everything that had happened was all.” says Sally

“I’m sure he will forgive you for everything Sally girl. Heck, I’ll if he is alright enough to come by tomorrow and you can tell him yourself. He is starting to be able to walk around again on his own now, though not very far just yet. He was in that bed for quite a while, and he is still building his strength back up. He is getting there though.” says Bunnie trying to show Sally that Antoine was recovering and getting better again and that nothing seemed to be permanently wrong with him.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea Sally. I’ll even go by and help Bunnie get him here if he needs any help.” says Amy perkily as she figures she could find a way to help Sally out as well if she could.

“Thanks girls. I know I’ve been pretty down since my return, but it isn’t every day you turn into a robot and turn against your friends like that. It was bad enough the first time it happened to me, as short as it was.” says Sally remembering the one time that a failed plan ended up with her being roboticized temporarily before in the past.

“I don’t remember that?” asks Amy curiously not knowing something like that had happened before to Sally in her past.

“Yeah, that was not long after we first met you the first time Amy before you moved to Knothole permanently. We were trying to find a way to turn someone into a robot and keep their freewill so that they could turn on Robotnik back then, but it backfired on us and Sally was turned into a normal robot. Luckily we were able to reverse the process quickly before it got too far out of hand, but still, I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant.” says Bunnie remembering that plan and situation perfectly, despite it being a little while ago.

“Yeah, it’s not a pleasant experience. You pretty much are stuck inside this shell, unable to move or do anything on your own. Everything is done for you and you can’t do a thing to stop it, no matter what you think or try and do. You can just watch it happen, and there is nothing you can do. That’s the worst part of it. The change isn’t pleasant, but the results are much worst.” says Sally knowing all too well at this point how hard it is to just have to watch and not be able to do a thing about the bad things happening all around you during it.

“Well in any case, let’s get off this subject and just get to our meeting that we had planned for today, so that we don’t have to think about nasty ole robots anymore, despite how I may look.” says Bunnie knowing that she may look partially like a robot, but that it was likely best they move on to another subject so that Sally doesn’t get any more upset than she possibly is at the moment.

“Yeah, a good idea. I already had all our plans already worked out and was going to go over them with the group so that we could get them over with and not have to go all the way out to headquarters to deal with them.” says Sally remembering that she had some business she wanted to go over with her group today after all.

As Sally was about to sit down at the table they had been standing in front of this whole time, Amy does suddenly bring up a point that was on her mind for a bit.

“What about Sonic and Tails? They aren’t here yet. Neither is Rotor.” says Amy noticing that they were pretty short on group members today, which did include Cream, who wasn’t here today either, but that had already been explained to the others.

“Sonic and Tails got in so late as Nicole explained that they are likely going to still be in bed for quite a while. I won’t be expecting those two to show up until the middle of the day. As for Rotor, ever since he was invited back to the council after my brother was returned to his position, he has been busy getting back into the loop of what needs to be done with the city.” says Sally explaining where the boys are that are missing from the meeting.

“I didn’t think Rotor was going to go back to the council after he stormed out last time like he told us.” says Amy remembering that was why Rotor had come out of retirement before to try and get back into field work.

“That was before my brother got back into power and offered it back to him. Plus, everyone wanted him back as well in the neighborhood. I can’t blame them. With half the council having had field experience in the past, and others not having any, he is a nice balance for someone that has both field and non-field training.” says Sally going over why their friend had returned to his previous job once things had calmed down.

“I guess that makes sense. Just seems we are a bit short today here.” says Amy nodding as she takes a seat looking ready to hear whatever it was that Sally was going to be going over with them today.

“Yeah, I know we are short, but we can easily tell everyone else what we discuss today. Amy can tell Cream. Bunnie can fill Antoine in. I can tell Rotor when I head home, and whoever runs into Sonic and Tails first can fill them in as well. So, in any case, everyone should still get filled in on the details without everyone having to be here.” says Sally as she takes her seat as well.

Both Amy and Bunnie and nod understanding as they all look ready to finally get ready for their meeting. With no one else there, the meeting did go easily, and also quickly. Sonic wasn’t there to cause any distractions. Tails and Rotor weren’t there asking for more details on any given situation, and Antoine wasn’t constantly worrying over the safety of the situations of what they may be doing.

After the meeting was eventually done, the three girls did finally disperse to go back to their day and to do whatever it was that they had planned for that day. Amy went shopping in the city. Bunnie returned home to look after Antoine, and Sally returned to the palace to do a few things she had planned for the day. Nicole would continue to switch between checking on things that needed dealing with in the city and researching the amulet to try and get Sally the answers she would need on it. It wasn’t going to be easy though.

Four hours later, it was around noon at this point now and people were just getting more active as the middle of the day was going on at the moment. While most of the people of the city were already up and about having their lunches and entering into the middle of their day, there was still one blue hedgehog that was curled up in his bed still fast asleep. Sonic had gotten in so late last night that was only now that his body was starting to tell him it was time to wake up. Even then, it wasn’t odd for Sonic to lounge around in bed for a long time when he wasn’t exactly needed at the moment.

It was another fifteen minutes before Sonic was finally stirred enough that he began to wake up from his long slumber. He had slept longer than he thought, but in any case he was finally ready to be up and about and begin his day. He first had to make himself get out of bed first though, which was hard enough for him as he wasn’t exactly a morning person.

There was one thing that he knew could help him out a bit, and that was the music from his boom box next to his bed. Sonic, who still had his face in his pillow quite comfortably, does soon reach his hand out to try and turn the music on, but for some reason he couldn’t reach it and was only hitting the bed and not even reaching the nightstand table where the boom box was sitting. Sonic didn’t think anything of this though as he just assumed he had shifted to the far side of his large race car shaped bed and was out of reach of the nightstand.

Sonic flipped over once and tried to reach the nightstand once again and still found that he was unable to reach it without having to get up and this time felt a little annoyed that he still couldn’t reach it. He didn’t want to get up and reach out for it, but Sonic needed some music in his mind to get him up and about for the morning. He finally figures he should just get it over with. He could always then just lie there in the bed for a few minutes before getting up and moving on with his day.

Sonic finally pulls himself up and reaches out for the boom box he can see next to him and tries to turn it on, but strangely, even when he was sitting up now, he still couldn’t reach the boom box. Something was completely weird about this as Sonic had always been able to reach it from where he was sitting in his bed before today. Something was wrong.

It was at about this time when Sonic looks down at his hand and notices that it looks smaller than usual. “What in the world is wrong with my hand?” says Sonic to himself curiously at how small it was.

At the same time, that is when Sonic heard his own voice as well. It was slightly higher pitched than it normally was as well, and this completely caught him off guard as he was so used to the voice he has had for a few years now. This voice wasn’t the same. This had Sonic even more worried as he then looks down more at himself and gets one of the biggest shocks he had gotten in years.

Not only were his hands smaller and his voice more high pitched, but his entire body was smaller as well. Sonic looked nearby to a mirror he keeps him his room to make sure he looks good before heading out for the day and can finally see his entire body. Everything about him looks smaller. His hands, his body, his legs, his feet were all smaller. Sonic looked exactly like he looked back when he was a toddler just before he was put in daycare when he was younger and right before his mother disappeared and he started to stay with his Uncle Chuck.

“This can’t be real.” says Sonic pulling on his cheek a little bit to try and wake himself up as he first assumes this has to be a dream. There was no way this could be real life. Mobians couldn’t just suddenly return to looking like they did when they were a toddler.

However, when Sonic pulls on his cheek, he immediately gets a sharp pinch that makes him let go as the pinch hurt, but also didn’t wake him up either. This is when he started to realize that what he was experiencing wasn’t a dream. This small body of himself that he was in at the moment was the real thing. There was no waking up from this. Sonic tried to hold himself together and keep himself calm the best he could, but just looking at himself sitting there on the bed in this new smaller, but familiar body of himself, he eventually couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

End of Part 2