War for Mobius Side Stories
Friendship, Duty, and Sacrifice Part 002


The bright lights rays cut through the cold and wet night.  Probably the way Robotnik designed them, both to harm and intimidate.  However the that wasn’t the worst part of it.  No, the worst part was that Sally was so close to finally making the traitorous overlander pay for the pain and suffering he’s caused, and he is still just out of reach.  
The small group of Freedom Fighters is in the center of the lights, their enemies surrounding them.  However to the shock of many of them, it wasn’t robots.  These enemies were flesh and blood, fellow Mobians.  
“Mercenaries and Bounty Hunters by the looks of it,” Rotor mutters as he looks around.  The angle of the lights makes it near impossible to make out their faces, but they are too well armed to be anything but criminals who were profiting from Robotnik’s takeover.  
While most Mobians were against the idea of Robotnik’s takeover, some allied themselves with him to avoid being Roboticized or forced into labor camps.  Many criminal groups actually benefitted by allying themselves with Robotnik, and since Robotnik held all the money, Bounty Hunters and Mercenaries flocked to him whenever he offered work.  While many Mobians still lived in small cities Robotnik ruled over, they had strict curfews and were more like prison camps.  A few tried to rebel but Robotnik managed to squash them each time.  
This had been one of the reasons the Knothole Freedom Fighters were lucky.  Knothole was a hidden safe haven.  So not only were the Freedom Fighters out of Robotnik’s reach, so was anyone they had rescued or anyone who sought to just escape Robotnik.  They could have relatively normal lives.  
And rumors had spread that the leader of the village was none other than King Acorn’s daughter, Sally.  Many Mobians were inspired by this rumor.  
“You know Princess,” Robotnik’s voice echoes as a large Holographic projection of him appears in the sky, “I was quite pleased to hear you were still alive.  I had worried that none of the House of Acorn had survived my take over.  Unfortunately it saddens me you’ve seemed to have chosen to fight against me.  I can’t have the populace thinking that there is a rule that challenges mine now can I?”
“Stuff it Eggbelly!” Sally growls back, “Your reign of tyranny ends tonight!”
“Oh dear me,” The dictator mocks, “I was not aware of this.  And to think I promised these nice gentlemen a large sum of money if they captured you and your friends.  Of course I did actually say alive or otherwise...”
The Mercenaries chuckle around them.
“And since we’re the only two who know about that,” Robotnik continues, “If you were to be eliminated nobody else would ever find out.  Of course that would have to be after your watch your friends suffer slow and agonizing torture before they are roboticized!”
“I’m not too fond of torture,” Jack smirks, “However it’s gotta be better than listening to you gloat.”
Sally doesn’t waver, “When we take you down, you’re the one who will really be suffering.  Suffering the same pain you’ve caused all of Mobius!”
Rotor and Bunnie turn to look at Sally, not really approving of such a threat; however the Princess just shrugs it off.  Apparently so does Robotnik.
“I see, well it looks like we won’t become friends,” Robotnik feigns disappointment, “I so did want to roboticize you, however I think a public execution might be a more fitting punishment.  Aw what does it matter really?  You’re not even going to make it through tonight.  Sleet you have your orders, alive or dead, it doesn’t matter.”
“With Pleasure,” one of the mercenaries cackles gleefully, “Never did like your father for banning us from Mobotropolis anyways.”
The Mercenaries move in.  Sally didn’t want to waste one of the few bullets she has with her but she has no other option if she wanted Robotnik.  She fires a shot into the spotlight near the Sleet.  It explodes into sparks causing the others nearby to short out as well.
All the Mobians scatter and the giant Hologram of Robotnik fades away.  Luckily Robotnik’s paid troops weren’t as organized as the Freedom Fighters were.  Most ran for cover worrying more about being alive for the money they’d earn rather than actually earning it.  
The Knothole Freedom Fighters instead ran for the nearest cover to make their stand.  Unfortunately they had no firearms of their own except Sally’s.  They’d only be able to fight back when the Mercenaries neared them.  Ben draws the Machete he carries, while it wasn’t going to deflect bullets, it probably could reflect or redirect any beam weapons.  Jack pulls out his metal bo-staff.  Since he was the fastest he could probably steal a weapon of one of the distracted mercenaries and bring it back.  Also when he was lucky, he could deflect a few bullets with the thing.  Bunnie crouched behind the remains of one of the lights.  It sparks slightly possibly still functioning.
“Rotor, you think you can get this bad boy up and running again?” She asks the Walrus.
“Just give me a minute and we’ll find out.” He replies.  He pulls a screwdriver from his pocket on his jacket.  He begins pulling the back off the light.  
“Don’t just stand there you fools,” Sleet howls to his companions, “Take them!”
“You heard him,” Sleets partner shouts out to the rest, “Charge!”
While Sleet may be the brains behind the current group of Mercenaries, his partner Dingo, was definitely the muscle.  He is huge, towering a good two heads over most of his fellow Mobians.  He was also built like a tank.  He was going to be a pain to take down, but if the Freedom Fighters wanted to best the group, he was the priority target.
Fiona grabs a chuck of metal and hurls it at a large pig that seems to be not paying attention to the group.  The chuck bounces off the pigs noggin, knocking the porker out.  Taking advantage of the situation, Jack runs from cover and picks up the ham’s weapon, tossing it back to the group. Bunnie catches it and take aim.  She fires a few shots over their head to drive them back.  Most of the Mercenaries expecting an easy job fall back a bit, but Dingo keeps charging.  Bunnie didn’t want to put the big lug down, but she has to stop him before it’s too late.  
Ben doesn’t give her the opportunity.  He hurls himself from behind the spot light slamming himself into the big bruiser.  Moments later Jack slams into Dingo’s back.  It stops him, but not for long.  He grabs jack’s staff and swings it around, the rabbit still attached, crashing it into Ben.  Dingo then resumes his charge.
“Fiona, let’s get him,” Sally orders.
“Are you crazy!?” Fiona snaps back, “Didn’t you see what he just did?!”
But Sally wasn’t listening.  She charges the larger mobian without a second thought.  The red fox chooses to remain in cover to avoid pain.  Bunnie tosses her the rifle.
“Here,” the southern belle snaps, “At least pretend you’re useful!”  With that the she rushes off after her friend.
Sally jumps and slams her foot into Dingo’s stomach.  The big guy howls in pain or rage, Sally can’t tell, but it doesn’t stop him from grabbing her and tossing her into the air.
Bunnie slams into him right after that.  He’s about grab her too when a bright light blasts his eyes.  It only lasts a few seconds but the light blinds him temporarily.
“Now guys!” The walrus calls, him now too jumping from cover and charging the beast.  Fiona still remains behind but she shoots a few rounds in the air to drive other Mercenaries back.  
Bunnie slams her fist into Dingo’s gut.  Rotor then bulldozes him over while he is unbalanced.  Jack managing to recover, then smashes his bo on Dingo’s head.  The big Mobians groans but doesn’t get back up.  
“Oh man,” another mercenary panics, “They took down Dingo!”  They begin falling back for cover.  
The Freedom Fighters take a moment to cheer.  Sally doesn’t join them.  Instead she turns her attention back to Fiona.  However before she can say anything Ben slams into her.
“Look out!” he cries but she doesn’t hear it.  Instead she hears the loud crack from a sniper rifle and sees the blood splurt from the wolf’s shoulder.  
To the wolf’s credit he doesn’t howl in pain, but rather chokes it back.  Fiona turns and fires in the direction of the sniper, but the distance is too great and she can’t even tell if she’s hitting near him.
“Fiona get over here!” Sally hollers at her.  The acting medic pauses for a moment and then rushes over.  She begins working on Ben right away.  
“We need to get out of her,” Rotor decides, “If we stay here we’re sitting ducks.”
“We can’t just leave now,” Sally counters, “This may be our only chance to take down Robotnik!”
“Sally be reasonable,” Bunnie shakes her head, “We don’t even know if he’s here!  The hologram could have been coming from miles away!”
Sally turns to Rotor, “Was it?”
“Not likely,” Rotor sighs, “In this weather, the quality wouldn’t have been that good if it was.”
“Then we need to go after him,” Sally continues.
“It took all of us to take down one guy,” Rotor disagrees, gesturing to Dingo, “and we don’t know how many are still here.  With Ben wounded and without weapons we’re just asking for Robotization!”
“We can’t let Robotnik get away with all that he has done,” Sally argues, “We need to take him now while we have a chance!”
“But we can’t!” Rotor counters, “With Ben injured and no weapons, even if this is our big chance, we wouldn’t stand a chance!”
“You can’t be serious,” Sally is shocked, “Don’t you want to return things back to the way they were when we were kids?”
“Yes I want to fix things,” Rotor sighs, “But stopping Robotnik here and now isn’t going to help do that if we’re all dead.”
Sally just shakes her head and growls, “I don’t believe this.  I’m going to stop Robotnik and save Mobius.  Anyone who wants to help can come with me.”
With that Sally marches off towards the facility entrance.  Only when she reaches the door does she look back to see who followed.  To her shock none of them did.  Instead they’re making their way towards the Great Forest.  Bunnie pauses to look back at Sally before continuing with the rest.  Sally stands motionless.  She said she would do this on her own if she had to, and it looks like she’ll have to.  She just wishes deep down she didn’t.

The facility seemed empty, adding more to the notion that the ordeal was a trap.  Sally regrets not taking NICOLE on this mission due to the weather.  Actually, she regrets being unable to convince any of the other Freedom Fighters to continue onward with her, as well.  Part of her wished to curse them for being cowards, but part of her believed they weret he ones who made the right decision.  Part of her still said none of it would matter when Robotnik has finally paid for all the suffering he’s caused her.
She reaches a large metal door.  She can hear Robotnik’s voice seep through it as he barks orders to someone.  Sally takes a moment breathing heavily, readying herself for the coming confrontation that awaited beyond the large metal doors.  She pushes on the door but it doesn’t seem to open.  She looks for a switch or a nob or some other method to open the door.  She can see none.  
“There must be a way in,” She tells herself.  She feels the wall around the door for a hidden panel.  She finds none.  Perhaps it was a hidden floor panel.  Sally takes a few steps back but the Princess once again comes up empty handed or footed as the case may be.  This was infuriating, there had to be a catch.  Robotnik wouldn’t seal himself off without some method of escape.  She takes another look around the room, pausing when she notices a plate marking the name of the room.  The Roboticizor.  
Now she had to get in.  Robotnik was likely trying to dismantle the device before the Princess or any of the other Freedom Fighters broke in to steal its data.  The others would surely have come if they knew what an opportunity they’ve now missed.  
But still the problem of opening the door presents itself.  There had to be another way in.  Sally scans the room a final time.  This time she spots a small air vent above the door.  Reaching into her pockets she pulls out a grappling hook with a clawed end.  Rotor had specifically developed these to climb into Robotnik’s fortresses using the claws to which would automatically drill their way into the metal.  It hadn’t been field tested, and this challenge proposed the perfect opportunity to do so.  Besides, Robotnik would get away again if she didn’t speed things along.
Using the small launcher that came with the hook, the Princess Launches the hook to the ceiling.  She then climbs the small rope hanging from the hook up to the vent.  Luckily the Vent Cover wasn’t sealed very tight and she was able to pry it off.  She barely manages to catch the cover before it falls to the ground by grabbing it between her feet.  Not wanting to lose time but not wanting to let alert Robotnik of her position, she lowers herself to set the cover down, before climbing back up and through the shaft.  She makes her way to the other side, considering it’s not long due to the short distance of the door way, and drawing the small firearm she carried with her she kicks the through the second cover and hops into the room.  
The Roboticizor sits by inactive in the middle of the room.  There are also five robians in the room.  Robotnik is behind a glass barrier on the other side.  
“About time you showed up,” The Overlander cackles, “I was beginning to wonder if you had decided to ignore my invitation.”
Sally doesn’t say anything.  Instead she fires three rounds at him.  The shots are deflected off his glass barrier and bounce harmlessly, well as harmlessly as deflected bullets can be, away.  
“Diamond Glass,” Robotnik explains, “One of my own creations.  As strong as diamond you could say.  Nothing will get through it.  Make this easier on yourself would you?  I am in a bit of a hurry you might say, so I don’t want to waste any more time making a full out of you.”
Sally pulls the trigger one more time out of anger.  Again the bullet just bounces away.  He wasn’t bluffing.  There is only one bullet remaining in her weapon.  She couldn’t waste it.  The Princess holsters her weapon.
“I’ll make you pay for hurting us,” She growls at him, “You’ll feel the wrath of Acorn, and wish you ever attempted to rule over Mobius!”
“Bold words Princess,” Robotnik spits back to her, his patience is starting to wear thin, “However utterly useless.  Take her.”
The Five Robians charge Sally.  She re-draws her pistol and clubs the handle into the robotic eagle’s face as it swoops at her, redirecting it into the nearby wall.  Next she sweeps the legs of the second robian, a raccoon, tripping it.  
Ignoring the pain in her legs for kicking the robot, she kicks the raccoon again, sending it careening into a robian horse.  The two crash hard and tumble down.  Sally looks to the others.  Something about them looks familiar.  She couldn’t place it however, so she shrugs it off.  She looks around for another weapon to use against them.  In the corner she spies a wrench, medieval but it’ll do.  She dives for it.
These Robians weren’t combat models; they could barely take crashing into walls or each other.  The Wrench was probably the Princess’s best chance to fight them, hopefully she wouldn’t have to resort to wasting her bullet on them.  
She picks up the Wrench just before one of the two remain robians tackles her.  She manages to kick it off.   She then charges the other striking it hard with back of the wrench.  The Robot falls back.  She hits it again, anger filling in her wishing she was smashing Robotnik instead.  
She is about to hit again when the robian who tackles her grabs the wrench in her hand holding so she can’t swing.  Without thinking Sally draws her gun and aims at the robot, looking in its glowing red eyes.
Sir Charles?  Sir Charles Hedgehog?!  There he was in the robotic flesh.  She hadn’t been good acquaintances with the Knighted Science Master, former lead Scientist in the Kings Court before Robotnik took the position.  Sally had heard rumors that Sir Charles had escaped with his family, but here he was, Roboticized.  And he wasn’t just attacking, he was protecting the other Robian, either by orders to protect Robotnik’s resources or by his own will, Sally couldn’t tell.  
She looks back at the one she had attacked so harshly and horror fills her face.  It was Juliana.  Juliana along with Sally’s nanny Rosie, had a hand in raising Sally.  She had been both a friend and a Mentor figure to her.  It was her wisdom and advice that guided many of Sally’s decisions and actions today.  
And here Sally was, attacking her while she was being forced to do the biddings of a madman.  
The Princess lets the Robian Hedgehog take the wrench.  She had forgotten in her desire to stop Robotnik that Robians were once Mobians who had been forcefully turned to Robots by Robotnik to help provide cheap labor and soldiers for his armies.  Many had been political rivals, or leaders that Robotnik turned to machines as a warning to those who would oppose them.  Others were soldiers who failed jobs for him and others still were just everyday mobians who just were unlucky enough to be a victim of Robotnik’s tyranny.  
Sally felt like puking.  These were her people too.  People she had sworn to free from Robotnik’s rule.  People who had served her father, who had families, lives, and dreams denied them by Robotnik.  Like herself.  She had wanted to destroy Robotnik so much she had put the lives of her comrades in danger recklessly, ignored all warnings, and passed a line that made her closer to being like the dictator than she had ever wanted to be.  The Princess falls to her knees over Juliana who barely was functioning.
“I’m sorry,” She cries, “I put my own desires above those of Mobius.  I not fit to liberate my Kingdom if I have to resort to the brutality of this man.  I can’t stop to his level!”
“Touching,” Robotnik interrupts, “But unfortunately I don’t have a heart for you to break.  Roboticize her immediately.”
Sally turns to the Robotic Sir Charles, and the other Robians who have now managed to return to their feet.  The Move towards her, arms outstretched to grab…Juliana?
“All Units,” Sir Charles states robotically, “Fall back.”
The Robians move to a maintenance tunnel near Robotnik’s diamond glass wall, and retreat against their orders.  But why?  How?!  The tunnel is sealed behind them.
“Blasted Machines!” Robotnik howls, “When I get my hands on them I’ll….”
The Overlander sighs, “No matter.  While you may not be Roboticized, you’re not out of the woods yet your highness.  FANG!”
Sally looks up just in time to see a Weasel, probably one of the Mercenaries, fire a Rocket Launcher from a balcony above.  The Princess had been so focused on the Robotnik she had forgotten to check for other dangers besides the main ones she had seen in the room.  
The Missile flies down towards her as Robotnik’s laughter fills the room.  In a rare moment she panicked, unable to fathom what she could do next.  
“Sally-Girl!” a familiar voice calls and then everything blacks out.

The Pain throbbing in her head was unbearable.  Sally groaned as struggled to move, her body sore all over, blood tasted in her mouth, and her head aching.  The Princess manages to dizzily bring herself to her feet.  She was still in the same chamber she had been in, though it was more damaged from the explosion.  Behind her the Diamond Glass still stood, but Robotnik no longer waited on the other side.  Sally tried dragging herself to the door when she hears a low moaning.
“Sal….Sally-Girl….is that you?  Are you okay?”
Bunnie!  Sally remember just before the missile detonated, Bunnie had pushed her out of the way.  The Princess looked around the room frantically before finding spotting the Rabbit next to the roboticizor.  Ignoring the pain through her body, Sally makes her way over to her friend.
“Bunnie!  You saved me, Mother of Mobius, you came back for me!  Why?” Sally choked.
“We’re friends,” Bunnie manages to sputter out; “I couldn’t….let you face Robotnik alone.”
“Oh Bunnie, I’m sorry this is entirely my fault,” Sally sobs.
“It’s okay,” The rabbit struggles to continue, “It doesn’t hurt bad….I don’t even feel any pain in my arm or my legs….”
Sally can only sob as the rabbit smiles up at her, consciousness fading away.  Sally looks over her friend’s body.  
“That’s because they’re gone,” The Princess Wails to the unconscious rabbit.

“Bunnie,” Rotor’s voice breaks the silence, “Can you hear me?”
Bunnie opens her eyes.  Pain seemed to be the main feeling, but pain was good, it meant she didn’t die.  Though the way it was feeling she might as well had.  Her right arm felt fine, but the other and her legs felt heavy.  She turns towards Rotor who sits next to the bed she’s in.
“Rotor?  Where am I?”  
“Knothole,” Rotor smiles, it’s a grim smile, “In the Medical Ward.”
“Knothole?” The Southern belle relaxes for a moment but only just, “What about Sally?  Is she alright?”
“I don’t know,” Rotor shakes his head, “She snuck out while they were checking on you and locked herself in her hut. That was a yesterday.”
“Locked herself in her hut?  Why?”
“She blames herself,” Rotor sadly shakes his head.
“So one mission got botched,” Bunnie tries to smile but deep down she knows something is amiss, “She can’t think that’s a big deal can she?”
Rotor sighs and sits there for a long time before answering, “Bunnie, about your injuries….”

Sally returns to her hut while after it had become dark.  She had slipped out during the day and had hid out near the Lake of Rings, more of a pond that produced the Magic Rings that powered the village, keeping it off Robotnik’s grid.  She had screwed up badly on the mission, and she had been working on the courage to deal with it, but has found she could not.
She unlocks the back door to her hut and goes inside.  She doesn’t even turn on the lights to avoid anyone who might be watching trying to talk to her.  Hopefully they’d stay away for now. They didn’t.
“Sally-Girl, you don’t even look like you should be outta bed with all those bandages,” Bunnie’s voice comes from the dark.  The one person Sally wished not to see the most.
“Bunnie, please….” Sally starts but when the lights are flipped on the sight makes her unable to finish her sentence.
Bunnie stands before her, her legs and left arm replaced with robotic counters parts to replace the ones she had lost saving Sally’s life.  The Princess in return had dragged her friend back to Knothole as best she could.  With Rotor and Doctor Quack’s help, Bunnie would be able to live a relatively normal life, as they told her, but even if they found a way to cure those who had been made machines by Robotnik, Bunnies wounds would show forever.  
Sally wanted to run, to turn and look away, but she could not.  Bunnie stands there for a moment, but then wraps her arms around her friend.
“I saw and heard what you told Juliana,” the rabbit explains, “I’ve known you far longer than any of the others.  I knew what you were going through.”
“Bunnie,” Sally sobs, “I let everyone down, but I promise I won’t do it again.  I can only offer you my word that I won’t let this happen again.”
“Then I can forgive Sally,”  Bunnie cries as well, “If you can promise that then I can forgive you!”  

After a while and talking, Bunnie heads for home.  For the most part Bunnie explains what Sally missed through the day.  For the most part they hat left on good terms again, friends even.  But when Bunnie was out of sight, when Sally was alone again she spoke the truth.
“You can forgive me, but I can never forgive myself.  I doesn’t matter what we fight for, if we fail to protect our fellow Mobians we’re no better than Robotnik.  I promise no mobian will suffer on our watch.”