Chapter 2

"Whew!" Sonic said, looking at the mess he made. The compound in which Amy had gotten kidnapped was nearly in shambles, and only the armory, the barracks, and the prison remained. "Ah, explosions. What would we do without you, and your destructive grandeur..."
He looked on solemly at the large fire that had arose from the explosion, along with the massive smoke plumes. He walked towards the armory, and opened the tent. Inside were piles upon piles of guns and ammunition, confirming that they were stolen from G.U.N.
"Whoa, momma," He said to himself. Then he grunted as if he were disgusted with himself. "Remind me never to say that again."
He picked up one of the guns, which appeared to be a standard semi-auto laser rifle.
"It's a shame these babies don't come in automatic, otherwise they could almost go as fast as I do. Even more of a shame," Sonic continued, examining the rifle. "Sal doesn't let us use guns. Not that I would need to."
He gripped the trigger, and with the guard to his shoulder and the barrel facing one of the walls of the tent, he pulled the trigger. A short yet bright red beam shot out, and pierced the tent, leaving a large burnt hole.
"Whoa, man," Sonic said, excited. "I wonder if maybe Sal will let us use 'em if they're altered to shoot sleeping darts instead." He then picked up a shining cannister, which he suspected was the ammo to the laser guns. "Time to get to work."


* * *


Sally had been taught something at a young age while she was being taught the many duties that came with becoming a princess. "You can't always make the right choice." Throughout her time as Freedom Fighter leader, this had been engrained in her, and yet, she always felt in the wrong. She would half doubts about her position as a leader, and now felt to be one of those times.
"Sal?"
She could not face herself if one of her members were to never come back.
"Sally."
Had she not paid the price enough?
"Sally!" Honey yelled. While going through preparation to save Amy, Sally had spaced out.
"What?" Sally said.
"What's the plan, Sally-girl?" Bunnie asked.
Sally shook her head. "Bunnie, you and Honey will take air support while I sneak in through one of the tents. If I get caught, I'll need Honey to be able to spot me quickly in case they have communications jammers directly over the compound. If that really was Sonic who caused the explosion, then we can expect that some of the soldiers will be down, but we don't exactly know how many."
"So where do we take off?" Honey asked.
"We need to find a hill...but one that's close to a tent. This compound is pretty out in the open."
"There was a hill nearby where I found Amy's hammer," Honey said. "That could be a good place."
"Good, good," Sally said. "Let's set out."

* * *


"Hey, Bunnie," Honey began to say as the three neared the hill. Every now and then a laser shot sounded from the compound, but they couldn't see from where.
"What is it, Hon?" Bunnie asked.
"What was with Sally back there? She didn't even answer when I used her nickname..." Honey asked back.
"...she's been through a lot. She's been doin' this ever since she and Sonic were 14 back in the Great Civil War. We're lucky no one's up and died since then, but Sally's had to go through some faulty plans, and she's blamed herself for 'em. She's been through as many bumps and scratches as any of us. Ya gotta commend her though--I don't think I could handle leading us as well as she has."
Honey looked on at Sally, who was about 15 feet in front of them. Was that the 'bad past' Sally was talking about? Honey had assumed it was just involving her time in the Great Civil War, but if it was because of her time as a leader, then that was understandable.
The trio walked up the hill until they got to the peak. "You guys remember the plan?" Sally asked.
"Bunnie will shoot at anyone who tries to shoot at us, and if anyone tries to get you, we'll beat the crap out of them," Honey said.
"...well, at least that was only half as brash as Sonic would've explained it," Sally said, and she slid down the hill as Honey and Bunnie flew over the compound.

* * *


"Man, these laser ammo holders could double as fireworks," Sonic said as he gathered up the rest of the ammo in a large bag. "Good thing they aren't too heavy. I haven't built my strength stat up to par just yet."
"Freeze!" A voice said behind him. He turned around with the bag still in his hands. Two soldiers, a male and a female, stood in front of him With the barrels of their rifles pointed at them. They didn't look as modern as the laser rifles he had just messed with, so he predicted that these guns they were holding had bullets, and there was another armory with regular ammunition somewhere.
"How does one freeze exactly?" Sonic asked coyly. "We aren't exactly in Holoska, if you haven't noticed."
"Stop talking!" The female soldier said. "Hands in the air!"
Sonic did as he was told. He would play along, like he always did, and then come out as the hero. It was a formula that had been detrimental to his success for so long. Sucker the bad guys in, and then complete the task anyway. "If you say so, lady." As she neared him, it seemed all too familiar. In a flash, he was now at the fire pit that he had created. The two soldiers looked confused for a moment until he called out to them. "How bad would it be if I burned this stuff?"
"Damn it! He has the ammo!" The female soldier said. "That's our last stash until the next raid!"
"So, we can always get some more. Let's just focus on this guy!" The male soldier replied.
"You idiot! Don't you know who we're dealing with? And do you remember what happened last time? Half our crew was jailed, and a quarter were wounded! We couldn't possibly pull another one off!"
"Hello?" Sonic said. The two looked towards him, and then proceeded to point their rifles at him.
"Don't drop that!" The male soldier said.
"Oh, so now you agree with me," The female soldier replied frustratingly.
"Why would I listen to you? If you tell me you need it I'm obviously gonna drop it," Sonic said. He loosened his grip, but caught the bag at the tip.
"NO!" The two yelled out in unison.
Sonic gave the two one last look before speeding away, and the two soldiers sighed. Suddenly, the flames erupted, and the smoke turned red. Sonic had tossed the bag of ammo into the fire anyway.

* * *


This was the type of work Sally was familiar with. If there was one thing she was good at, it was stealth. And she would make sure not to mess up this time, whether it be due to her own carelessness or to an oversight. She realized that she did what she did for all these years because she cared about the people of Mobius. They were eventually going to be her people, after all. She was still a princess, and she had a duty to them and to everyone under her care. She didn't deserve anything for it.
She peeked inside a tent, and once she saw it was empty, she slipped inside and zipped it closed. She held two fingers to her left ear where her earpiece was. "Bunnie, are you there?"
Static.
"Damn it," Sally cursed. It was a good thing she had loaded Nicole to another handheld. "Nicole, are you there?"
"Of course, Sally. You did put me on this spare handheld after all," Nicole replied.
"Can you pinpoint my location?"
"No. Whoever we're dealing with knows their stuff. We're lucky Amy was caught where she was, otherwise we might not have caught her signal, and we would've been too late," Nicole explained.
"Have any leads?"
"Whoever these people are, they just came back from an unsuccessful raid on one of G.U.N.'s resource supply centers. A quarter were K.I.A., and half were captured, but it seems they don't know that a portion of their soldiers aren't coming back."
"So whoever we're dealing with must have soldiers to spare regardless if G.U.N. sees them as a threat."
"Possibly."
Sally saw that the stakes were much higher now. If this was only one branch of these rogue G.U.N. soldiers, how many others could there be? "Nicole?"
"Yes?"
"Position the Sky Patrol near Amy's last recorded position, and activate cloaking. I'll let you know if we need backup."
"Roger that."
Sally closed the handheld, and unzipped the tent. She took off her vest, and placed it on the ground. A soldier would find this eventually, and while they were distracted, that would give her more than enough time to get Amy out.

* * *


Honey and Candy were about as close as twin sisters could get. They both shared some of the same aspirations. Candy inspired Honey to become a fashion designer after seeing her sister make a few dresses for a party they had went to when they were children. They had trained each other in different forms of marital arts, especially Honey's neko-stance karate that she used so often. But if there was one thing that was distinctive about Candy, it was that she was a scoundrel. She got involved with the wrong crowd, and she hated any and all forms of authority, getting involved in some major trouble throughout the years. But Honey stood by her through thick and thin, no matter what. That is, until, Candy dressed up as Honey and stole something. Of course, the locals knew it was Candy, but that didn't matter. Honey was embarassed that she had defended her sister, and she ran away from her old home, leaving a note for her sister in case she ever came back.
I can't take this anymore, CC. You made me a promise not to ever get me involved with your crimes, and you broke that promise in the worst way possible. When you read this, hopefully I'll be far away. You're my sister, but I can never forgive you for this. - H
And now, as Honey flew over the compound, trying to keep up with Honey as the covered Sonic, she couldn't help but play that scene out again. She didn't know if maybe she was too hard on her sister. But after all, tough love is the best medicine, right? She didn't know the answer to that question anymore, but she knew that she didn't want to talk to her sister anymore. It was a flat out betrayal that deserved a flat out betrayal, plain and simple.
"Hon! Do you see the princess?" Bunnie asked.
"No," Honey replied. "And she hasn't communicated with me either. There must be a jammer down there."
Honey looked back down towards the buildings. The roofs of them were flat, and entirely made of cement. And Honey felt as if she were hullicinating...but something inside her had to make sure.
"I'll be right back," Honey said. "I have to check something."
"Ah'll hold it down her, since it's gotten quiet," Bunnie replied. "But what're you--"
Honey zoomed down towards one of the larger buildings. It looked like a command center, and it looked as if someone familiar was standing on the roof. But before she went down, she pressed a button on her wrist communicator that Rouge had given her. She felt her heart race. Her eyes were laser focused now on her target. She was set on her goal, and she would not stop until it was completed. The cement roof came near her fast, and as she came closer, she flipped so her feet would land on the floor, and she touched down gracefully.
"Candy," Honey called out. "Enough of this."
The figure in front of her turned around, wearing the same dress as she did, with the exception of it being sky blue. Her hair was also in the same style of Honey, except her hair was blonde, and her fur was pink like Amy's.
Honey gritted her teeth. She was prepared to fight now.
"Long time no see, sis," Candy replied. "What are you doing here?"
"You know why," Honey said. "I came to get my friend back."
"Friend? You haven't even known her for a full day, and yet she's your friend?" Candy asked. There was a jealous hostility in your voice. "You chose these Freedom Fighters over me."
"No," Honey said. "I chose my life over you. You could've gotten me killed with your little stunt you pulled."
"That doesn't matter now," Candy said. "Big things are happening. Too big for us to handle alone."
"What are you talking about?! Just what are you doing?!" Honey exclaimed.
"...you would be eager to know, after all this time, wouldn't you?" Candy said, turning her back. "It started a year ago. Long story short, I caught wind of something dark. But I knew it was real. So I gathered all the AWOL soldiers and told them what was happening. I promised to take care of them, and in return, we would save the world when it was time to do so."
"From what?" Honey asked.
"I can't explain it. You'd have to experience for yourself, which you haven't," Candy said. "But if you would excuse me--"
"You aren't going anywhere!" Honey said. She walked up to Candy, and was about to grab her shoulder until Candy grabbed her arm and slung her over, slamming her back-first into the concrete. Honey's head bounced off, but she rebounded, her back now facing the railing while Candy's back was facing the entrance way. Before Honey could react, Candy turned around and began to run, but Sally had appeared, her plasma blades at the ready. Candy stopped in between them, an even amount of distance between her and both of her adversaries.
"You know her?" Sally asked.
"Yeah," Honey replied, rubbing the back of her head. "She's my sister."
"Well, I can see why you wouldn't wanna talk about her."
"Sally, I am sensing an anomaly within the pink one. Something is off about her," Nicole announced.
"Like what?" Sally asked.
"Don't worry about that, princess," Candy said grimly. Suddenly, a red aura surrounded her, and the tip of her tail split in two as her eyes turned red and her teeth sharpened.
"What?" Honey said. She recognized this, as her mother and father both told of the power that she and her sister had. A fearsome power that could turn the tables in even the most troubling of situations.
"WORRY ABOUT ME!!" Candy yelled, a strange demonic tone in her voice. She rushed at Sally, the heel of her right foot colliding with Sally's muzzle, creating a large smacking sound as Sally's head jerked back. But Candy wasn't done. She lurched towards Sally once more, and grabbed her head. Then she slammed her head first into the ground, knocking her unconscious on impact. Sally was all laid out like a cross, with the exception of her left leg being bent at the knee, her foot level with the ground. She looked almost peaceful, but that was anything but what Honey was feeling right now. Candy looked back at her sister, and sighed, the same demonic tone taking control of her voice. "Sorry you had to see that. This princess though...she's stronger than I anticipated. I expected her to be dead, or at least paralyzed from the neck down, but she's still kicking."
"...w...what happened to you?! How...how can you access the Nekomata so easily?!" Honey asked.
"Because," Candy began to say. "I hate your fuckin' guts."
Candy rushed at Honey, and before she could do anything, Candy's fist slammed into Honey's stomach, making her double over. She gagged as her pupils shrunk down, and then Candy pulled her hair and slammed the back of her head into the railing that was behind her. Honey's upper body sprung forward, and Candy prepared to finish her off. She lifted her right leg up as high as she could, and as Honey was doubled over once more, her heel met with the back of Honey's head with a crushing dropkick, and Honey's face slammed into the ground as she fell unconscious as well, her arms at her side and her legs closed together. Her ears drooped down onto the concrete, as did her tail, and there were crack marks near the impact zone. Candy used her foot to turn Honey onto her back, and she had the same peaceful expression as Sally did, a tick of blood running down the side of her mouth while she was marked with dirt and ash along with some minor bruises, as was Sally. Suddenly, Candy heard some footsteps touch down. Who else could it be? The rabbit? Candy turned around, and saw a white female bat with a black chest-high jumpsuit and a pink heartshaped chest plate. And in Candy's eyes, she also looked like a giant slut.
"You know, if you were a guy, I could make a point out of making you look like the worst of gentlemen," The bat said. "But unfortunately you aren't."
"Why are you here, Rouge? Decide to play heroine with your ex?" Candy said, referring to Honey.
"I received a distress signal from Honey. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure after seeing this, I can't beat you," Rouge admitted. "But I'm never one to give up in a fight, and even if you do beat me, by that time, you'll be on a one-way trip to a G.U.N. Prison. Now tell me, do you want that?"
Candy hesitated for a minute, then sighed. The red aura around her disappeared, and her split tail went back into one-full entity, and her tail dulled, as well as the color of her eyes. She pulled out a walkie-talkie, and clicked down on the receiver. "All remaining soldiers at outpost C, retreat to outpost A. That's an order." And with that, Candy had jumped from the roof, landing on her feet on the soft grass, and she ran off.
Rouge walked over to Honey, and placed to fingers on the side of her neck. She was still alive, fortunately. Rouge heard a sound behind her, and she saw Sally begin to stir. Rouge went over to her as she tried to sit up, and helped her onto her feet.
"You alright?" Rouge said, slinging her left arm over her shoulder.
"I'm not gonna lie...no," Sally replied. She seemed a bit out of it, but she had just woke up from her head being practically massacred.
"Sally, we need to get you and Honey aboard the Sky Patrol," Nicole said, concern in her voice.
"N-no," Sally strained. She unwrapped her arm from Rouge, and walked a few steps before collapsing onto her stomach. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she slammed her fist into the ground. "D...Dammit...!"

* * *


When Honey opened her eyes, she was aboard the Sky Patrol in the infirmary, along with Sally. Despite not wanting to stay there, Sally was forced to because of the injuries she sustained. She tried to sit up, but a massive wave of pain entered her head, and she slumped back onto the bed again.
"So you're awake," Sally said, sitting up. It seemed she had a better time recovering than Honey did.
"Yeah...I guess so," Honey said. She realized that she was just in her panties, but that was the least of her worries at that point. Her stomach was all bandaged up, and she felt some cloth on the back of her head as well.
"Looks like you got the worst of it than I did. I only got a broken nose and a hairline facture, but you have three broken ribs...along with the fracture."
Honey sighed. "I...should tell you what I know about her then."
"You said she was your sister," Sally recalled.
"Yeah. About two years ago, she went around as me trying to rob some people. They knew it wasn't me, but I couldn't let it stand. By the time she returned from jail, I was gone. But it looks like she amassed an army, and now she can use the Nekomata..."
"Nicole," Sally said. "What was that, anyway?"
"A kind of cat spirit, either benevolent or domesticated. But I can't find anything to do with a transformation..." Nicole explained.
"It's complicated. There wouldn't be anything about it in databases or anything. Thousands of Mobian and Anthropomorphic cats can use it, but not a lot really know they have the ability nor how to use it. Me and Candy were taught from our parents, but when I left she didn't know how to use it. It's supposed to triple our power, speed, agility...you have to be prepared for anything."
"I hate to interrupt, but..." Nicole seemed off. "We're receiving a transmission. in the meeting room...and everyone all across the world is receiving it as well."

* * *


"Attention, everyone and anyone who is currently seeing this," A voice said on the transmission. It sounded eerily similar to Candy's voice. "For too long we have been under the supervision of these false authority figures, who have only proven to hurt us, rather than help us. But there is an impending danger that not even they can save us from. But who will take their place? I have a solution...me, and all the rogue G.U.N. Soldiers I have rounded up in the past year. We have an army that rivals G.U.N.'s. And with it, we will crush this threat, and receive the good will of the people while G.U.N. cllapses under it's own weight. And if you wish to prove me wrong, G.U.N., then by all means, do. We'll see if you are actually up to the task of protecting the people like you so boldly declare! You have one full year."
And with that, the transmission cut out.
Rouge sighed, and the others did not know what to say.
"That is certainly troubling," Nigel Acorn said through the communications Nicole set up. He was Sally's father, and the king of Mobotropolis, the governing body that Sally was from.
"Yeah. And ah think whatever this thing is, it won't be too much fun to deal with," Bunnie added.
"I'm always up for a challenge," Sonic said. "It doesn't matter if it's family or not."
"Maybe not this challenge," Miles Prower, otherwise known as Tails, rebutted. He wore blue overalls and red and white shoes, as well as some brown goggles with blue lenses. He held a strange handheld that was different from the one Sally used for Nicole. "Candy could have almost as many as an eighth of the forces that G.U.N. has. And if she has other outposts, it could be impossible to take them all out if she's getting more every day."
"Have you spoken with my daughter yet? Is she alright? I heard she took a nasty bump in the confrontation."
"She's alright, kingy. A broken nose and a hairline fracture, but nothing she can't come back from," Sonic explained.
"But we still have to figure out how to deal with this 'threat' that Hon's sister is talkin' about," Bunnie interrupted. "Not to mention why she's trying to use it against us and G.U.N.--"
The door opened, and in walked Honey wearing her signature dress, using one crutch to support her. Sally walked in as well wearing her normal clothes, a strip on her slightly crooked muzzle.
Honey winced as she sat down in an empty chair. The table looked like a half circle, and the chairs were the tiny puzzle pieces that completed it. Sally sat down next to her, holding the back of her head.
"Are you alright, dear? And your friend, too..." Nigel asked.
"I'm fine dad," Sally replied.
Honey had to think before she spoke. If she did this, she would be ousting her own sister yet again. But did she really have a choice?
"Candy...my sister...she hates all forms of authority. That explains why she would use this to her advantage and try to overthrow G.U.N. herself," Honey explained. "But my sister doesn't know how to lead. Chances are if there are multiple outposts, she's only stationed at one."
"According to my calculations, there could be as many as thirty outposts. How do we know which one to look for?" Tails asked.
"Candy tried to use brute strength to take us both out," Sally said. "That means that she's probably at the one that is the most guarded out of all of them. We also have to take into account that with an operation on this large of a scale, she might not even be on this world right now."
"That would cut it down to 7," Tails said.
"How'd ya get to that?" Bunnie asked.
"It's Tails," Sonic said.
"True."
"...anyway," Tails continued. "Since this would be home base, it would be safe to say that three of them would be here, and there would be two each on Moebius and Sol."
"Okay then," Sally said. "Then it's set. Nicole will search through any databases to find out where these major bases are, and once me and Honey are healed up, we'll set out to find them."

* * *


One Month Later
Blaze was someone who did not care much for hassles, and this seemed to be the greatest hassle of all.
"Um, in order to pass through the Atlantic Gate, your highness," One of her advisors explained. "We must choose someone who is more...used to this kind of work."
"A pirate?" Blaze asked. She looked a bit frustrated.
"Yes...none of the Navy Captains have ever dealt with the Atlantic Charters, so it would be wise to find someone who would be...one of them."
"What about the global call?"
"Well, only one person happened to show up, and she's been...vigilant..."
"Bring her in."
The advisor left, and Blaze went back to thinking about the invaders that passed through. To raid a local barracks was one thing, but to steal the Sol Emerald was as if they were asking for a death wish. One that she would be happy to fulfill.
"PRINCESSSSSS!" She heard a voice call out. Blaze turned around, only to see a girl running towards her. She was a light brown raccoon, and she wore a light green top excentuated with a white trim, and black spank shorts. The shirt did a strange job of showing off her midriff.
"Who would you be?" Blaze asked.
The girl seemed erratic, trying to catch her breath from running all that way. "Ma...Ma...Mari..."
"Mary?" Blaze asked, not sure of what she was trying to say.
"Marine! The Raccoon!" The girl yelled out, and then she collapsed onto the desk.
"...this is who answered the call?" Blaze said to herself. Suddenly, Marine perked up, startling the princess.
"Strewth! I'm the best bonnie lass to be sailin' these Seven Seas, and I can get ya to and through the Atlantic Charter, no problem!" She exclaimed.
"...you do seem rather perky. And perhaps that's what I need to cheer me up. I'll hire you under a few circumstances," Blaze said.
"Really?" Marine replied, looking excited.
"Yes. Refrain from speaking," Blaze said.
Marine grumbled. "Yes ma'am..."

* * *


"This is a mess," The commander said. She was a white bat like Rouge, and her hair flowed down to around the middle of her back. This woman was Rouge's mother, a bat named Noir, but where her daughter fell short with self-control, she made up for in condescension.
"So what do we do?" Rouge asked. "I know you don't bring me here for my own health..."
"That's why you're my daughter," Noir said. "There's no room for idiots in this family. You and your boyfriend--"
"He isn't," Rouge interrupted. She could only deduce that her mother was talking about Shadow.
"Sure he isn't. But you and Shadow are going to assist the Freedom Fighters in whatever they need, and report back as soon as you can," Noir commanded.
"Why me?" Rouge asked. She wasn't against it, but this seemed to be a bit too much for just her and Shadow alone.
"I want this to be handled as soon as possible," Noir said. "I doubt this is any big event. And if they are as big as they say they are, all the more reason for us to handle it in an efficient manner."
"But shouldn't we--"
"Are you questioning me, dearie?" Noir asked. She looked a bit unsettled.
"...no, ma'am," Rouge replied.
"Good. You two leave tomorrow," Noir said, and she walked away.
Rouge couldn't help but feel like her mother was underestimating the whole situation. People in positions of power had a trend of doing that, in Rouge's eyes at least, but this involved not just Mobius, but the fate of three worlds. Not only were those anarchists led by Honey's sister trying to overthrow G.U.N., but now they were bringing the world of Sol and Moebius into the mix. But if Rouge's mother wouldn't pick up the slack, she would have to--something she was fine with doing.