Following Tributaries (c) 00'-01' by me, A. Fleury

All "Sonic the Hedgehog" characters and related indicia (c) and TM Sega/Archie/and DIC.

Used without permission.

Packbell (c) David Pistone. Also used without permission!

Casssar and Cu Chulainne (c) A. Fleury!

This document may be freely distributed, as long as it's not altered in any way. Ok, peoples, this story contains: violence and gore, swearing, and just a tiny bit of sexual things. Rated *R*...So Beware! (Now go back and reread that warning again.)

Just a note this ** indicates thoughts

And ---- indicates Cu Chulainne's voice

Also, this story follows "The Glow of Something Bright". If you haven't read that, I highly suggest doing it... or this story might be a tad confusing. :)

Lifeblood of Mobius

Story #2

"Following Tributaries"

by A. Fleury

Chapter 1:

tainted

**Daddy is bad.*

That was the child Casssar's terminology for it. Daddy was more than bad.

Daddy was evil.

*Daddy is hurting mommy.*

Well, that certainly was the case. Casssar didn't know why she even bothered cowering anymore. It didn't stop the pain. But she couldn't stop her body from shaking, and seeking out the corner to hide herself in. She thought, maybe, if she folded her legs just right this time...daddy wouldn't be able to get inside...

Daddy slammed mommy against the wall. He used her hair as a handhold. She used to be beautiful, Casssar remembered. But now mommy's face was full of scars, bruises, cuts, and burns.

Her hair used to be thick and full, but daddy had torn most of it out. The rest was thin and ratty.

"No, Henry, please." Daddy threw her into the wall. He kicked her hard. He wore big boots, the kind with the steel in the toe. Casssar covered her ears and rocked back and forth. Mommy scared her when she started crying.

"You whore, you deserve it, you whore." Daddy always called her mommy that strange word. Casssar didn't know what it meant, but it sent terror into her.

Daddy called Casssar that word too, when he was hurting her, but only when he hurt her in the very bad way. Casssar never knew what he did exactly when he hurt her in the very bad way, but it was the worst pain in the world. And not just her body hurt, but it made her hurt inside, and made her feel dirty and used, like the old washrag Mommy used to clean the floor.**

Casssar stared down the barrel of a gun.

She wasn't a child anymore.

She was an adult, a full thirty-five years of age. She was ripe and full, and she made the man in front of her even wilder than he already was.

*He's crazy*, she thought idly, but his insanity didn't really frighten her. She was crazy too, maybe not in the same way, but she understood the warped mind quite well.

They were in a cave. The air was damp, the walls covered with green moss. There was a hole somewhere up in the wall; shafts of light filtered in. It was really quite pretty.

There was a Source pool in the cave. Casssar had just discovered it. The thick silver and gold liquid seemed to light up the cave. It was a strange sight. Green light above, yellow and white light below. It was very trippy.

The man looked like he was tripping himself. Probably been smoking some of that Kudruz plant. That stuff made heads swirl with wild and weird visions, but at the same time, slowly burnt away the flesh lining the lungs. Very unhealthy.

He waved the gun, and it caught the light and glinted.

She remembered...

**Daddy turned away, laughing. He acted angry, but in the end, he always laughed like it was a big joke. He liked to drink or eat after beating mommy or her.

Casssar held out her arms to mommy. But mommy didn't pick her up like usual. She didn't whisper in her ear and stroke her hair. Casssar's tears remained unwiped upon her cheeks.

Mommy crawled over to the old coffee table. It had nicks and scars in it. Mommy once said that the table looked like her. Casssar didn't think it was funny.

Mommy opened the drawer and pulled something out. It was shiny and glinted in the light.

Casssar's breath drew in. It was a gun!

Mommy grabbed it up and yelled at Daddy. She didn't really yell a word. She just made a shrieky kind of noise.**

The man was still waving the gun. His eyes were wide and crazed.

"Hey, lady. This water is mine. So pretty. Silver and gold, silver and gold. It's so pretty."

He came closer to her. She didn't move. "You're pretty too, lady. Maybe I'll let ya go. Maybe..." He laughed. "Maybe nottttttttt."

She didn't twitch a muscle. He looked her over, pursing his lips like he wanted a kiss.

She looked like a queen. Her head was held high, with noble poise. She stood solid, with one foot upon the cave ground, the other immersed in the pool.

She had black fur, but he noticed something strange. Where her foot was emerged, the blackness washed away and left her fur gleaming white.

Casssar noticed his gaze and looked down. She cursed inwardly. The purity of the pool washed away the taint on her fur; the black dye that she soaked herself in. She didn't want white fur. It was too pure, too virginal for her. She liked the black...the night's color, the deepness. It held her secrets and mysteries inside her.

**Mommy waved the gun like a madwoman. Her eyes were insane. Casssar could see the white showing round the entire colored part of her eye.

Mommy turned the gun towards Daddy. But he wasn't afraid.

"C'mon, you whore, do it. Fuckin' bitch. Yeah, ya can't, can ya." He spat onto the floor. "You know you're nothing without me."

Mommy held the gun more tightly. Casssar curled up tighter, waiting. She almost wished Mommy would do it. She wished Daddy would die.

Mommy waved the gun again. Casssar found herself looking down the barrel. It was like a long black tunnel. She whimpered.

Mommy pointed the gun at Daddy.

He kept taunting, making a 'come an' get me' motion. Mommy cried and screamed. Then suddenly, the gun turned inward. Casssar barely saw it.

But she heard the explosion... Mommy dropped down with a thud. Casssar flinched, moaning...as the wetness of mommy's blood and brains splattered her hair and face.

Daddy wasn't like Casssar. He didn't cry or curl up or even seem sad. He thought it was funny. He dropped down and tore mommy's clothes off. Casssar knew what that meant, but she couldn't believe it... How could daddy do the very bad thing to mommy when mommy was dead?**

"NO!" Casssar, the adult, Casssar the powerful, flared out with her magic like a firebomb. The cave incinerated. The Source rippled and hissed, the green moss burnt to black, and the man collapsed. He whimpered and twitched, near death.

Casssar crouched down and pried the gun from his hand. The Source made hardly a splash as she threw the gun in.

*************

"NO NO NO!!!" A terrible shriek echoed off the buildings in west Robotropolis. Water washed up onto the feet of an enraged Robotnik, tyrant of the dark city.

"HEDGEHOG, YOU WILL DIE!!" His old and tired threats reverberated in the air, then were drowned out as he grabbed one of the few remaining sentry SWATs and trashed it with a few powerful blows.

The streets were flooded in west Robotropolis. The Freedom Fighters had come in, and with devastating, and unusual precision, they'd wrecked the water refineries.

Snively looked down at his feet. He and the tyrant were on higher ground, and only a few inches of water washed the streets here. He shifted a little, hearing it splash under his boots, and winced. His side hurt; Robotnik had been angry earlier. A quick glance to his furious uncle confirmed that Robotnik was indeed unhappy again, and he sighed.

He suspected they'd been led by King Acorn. It seemed too well-thought out, and...professional to have been thought up by the children. But he wasn't very concerned with that right now, because right now...Robotnik was pissed, and he was running out of things to scrap.

Soon his attentions would turn to a softer, and more responsive target...

"Why," hissed Robotnik, "didn't you **do** anything, Snively?!"

Snively was looking down at the flooded streets, and he looked over at his uncle nervously. "I tried, sir, but they were fast...we didn't have time..."

"I am so tired of your excuses." The tyrant timed his words to each thundering footstep towards his nephew.

"Sir...sir please..." Snively backed away, wincing as his foot slid into one of the deeper puddles. There were craters all over the place. Big ones, small ones. They were made from the explosives the Freedom Fighters carried.

"You have not one excuse left that would get you back under my good grace, Snively, and do you know what that means?"

Snively shook his head. He wanted to move, but couldn't. When his uncle's eyes got mad and wild like this...they petrified him. He was frozen, save his shivering with fear. He didn't want to be hurt again, not today...

"It means you're no good to me anymore! You're disposable!" Robotnik laid a vicious backhand on his nephew's cheek, snapping his head to the side. He collapsed to the ground, moaning.

Three hard kicks followed the slap. Robotnik turned away, fuming. He put a dent in the wall, then turned back to his nephew. Snively was doubled over, clutching at his ribs. Robotnik sneered at the sound of his crying.

He tried to crawl away as his uncle came near, but was knocked down again by a kick to the belly. He lay, sprawled and gasping, clothes soaked by the wet ground.

Robotnik turned away again, and looked towards his command center. The sight of it, still standing tall and forbidding, calmed him a little. The Freedom Fighters could win the battles, but they would never win the war.

But he didn't like them to win the battles. It ticked him off. He heard whimpering and turned. His nephew had risen to his feet.

*They wouldn't win the battles if that idiot had done his job.*

He went towards his nephew to further abuse him. Snively tried to flee. Ahead of him was a large explosion crater. He tried to veer around, but his foot slipped on the wet ground and he tumbled in.

Robotnik went to the edge and peered down. The hole was not very deep. About a foot higher than Snively.

"Snively, get out of there this instant."

His nephew was cowering against the wall of the hole, sobbing and crying for all he was worth. "Sir...I'm stuck," he whined. "My foot is stuck." He cried harder as he tried to tug his foot free.

Robotnik sighed. There was a slight incline leading down into the hole where the ground had collapsed. He went carefully down, angered by the fact his boots were getting dirty.

The hole was quite wide. He stood, glaring at his pathetic kin. How he cowered, how his clothes were wet and sticking to his body. He looked like a drowned rat. He was streaked with dirt, cheeks all red and sticky with tears.

Robotnik slapped him across the face, making him wail and press himself against the wall.

*A stupid rat caught in a trap*, Robotnik thought.

"Owww, sir...please. I'm stuck..."

"I should leave you down here to rot, you imbecile!" Robotnik roared. His hand lashed out again. "I've good mind to do so!"

"Ohhh sir, please! I'm s-s-sorry! There wasn't anything I could do..."

"SHUT UP!!" Robotnik grabbed his nephew and shook him roughly, before throwing him against the wall. Then he sighed and wiped minute sweat off his brow. "It's over and done. Next time, Snively, I will not be so lenient with you."

He grabbed Snively by the wrists, and with a good hard tug, yanked him free.

Then he turned and went back up the incline, leaving Snively to rub his foot and sigh in relief.

Snively frowned. When he bent down to rub his foot, he saw the hole his foot had been trapped in. A few feet below the surface of the hole was liquid. He thought maybe it was water, but it gleamed in a strange way.

He crouched down, thrusting his arm into the hole. He had to strain to reach it, but at last he felt the liquid on his fingers. He drew his arm out.

It was not water. He recognized it instantly. The liquid that beaded on his hand, gold and silver, was the Source!

"What's this doing here?" he whispered.

He heard Robotnik bellow at him to get his ass out of the hole and start cleaning the damage up. He wiped his wet hand off on his pants, and eyed the Source hole one more time.

*This'll be my little secret for now... Robotnik doesn't need to know everything...*

*******

The glasses were lifted; the sweet wine sloshed as they toasted, then dribbled down the chins from the mouths that drank eagerly.

The village celebrated its victory as it always did, with much cheer, wine, and food. The children ran and played their games of tag and hide-and-go-seek merrily, while some people brooded, knowing they may have won a battle, but still there seemed to be no end to the war.

Sally and her group, the leaders...Sonic, Bunnie, Rotor, Tails, Dulcy, and Antoine, along with her father, celebrated too. They held both the cheer of the children, and the melancholy of the brooders. They knew that it was important to celebrate, for it raised the morale of their little village. People who were depressed could not fight.

Sally giggled and took a bite of the roasted corn on the cob that Antoine handed her. Sonic was telling jokes as usual. Some were corny, others quite raunchy, to the amusement of the young Tails. Bunnie shook her head disapprovingly.

"Honestly, sugah-hog, li'l Tails here shouldn't be hearin' that kinda stuff!"

"Aw, lighten up, Bunnie. The Big guy prolly already knows all that stuff, anyway."

"Well, that don't mean that ya should be encouragin' that kinda talk!" But Bunnie's tone was more lighthearted than scolding. They had done good today. The end of the war might not be in sight yet, but it felt great to put a kink in the smooth operation of the hated city.

Sally moved down the table to get more salad from the large green bowl in the center of the table. Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation within her. It was like the hairs rising on the back of her neck, but inside her, in her heart and stomach. She shivered a little and ran her hands down her arms.

*I know this feeling. It's coming from the Source pool.*

Yes, their very own Source pool in Knothole. Only she and her father knew about it. It looked like gold and silver water, but it was supposed to be the lifeblood of Mobius. Sally wasn't sure about that. But she had made friends with the purifier of the Source, a strange glowing entity of light who called itself Cu Chulainne.

She knew that this was Cu calling her now.

She looked across the table at her friends. They were busy eating and talking. They didn't notice her absence, and probably wouldn't for some time. She had time to sneak away to the pool, if she hurried.

She turned away, and felt a hand on her arm. She jumped a little, then smiled at her father.

"Did you feel it?" he whispered.

"Yes."

"Let us go."

She looked back at her friends, and nodded. "C'mon."

****

Sonic wiped a stray piece of chili bean from his lip. He'd piled a little too much of the thick red sauce onto his hotdog. He chewed loudly, earning a distasteful look from Antoine.

"Ya got a problem?" Sonic stuck out his food-covered tongue at the fox.

"Son-eek, dat ees disgusting!"

The hedgehog laughed.

Antoine sighed, his turquoise eyes wandering over the party. He frowned a little as he saw King Acorn and Sally disappear into the trees.

"Where are dey going?"

"Who?" Sonic turned around, but saw only a stretch of empty forest.

"Mah princess and zee king. They just went into zee forest."

"Huh." Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Wonder where they're off to."

"Eet ees most unusual dat they would just get up and leave."

"Sal has been actin' kinda funky lately," the hedgehog agreed.

"Maybe because her father is cure-ed."

"Maybe. I know I'd be happy if Uncle Chuck was deroboticized, so I can imagine that Sal's happy her pops ain't made outta rock candy anymore."

Antoine nodded, accepting the explanation. He didn't want to think anything was wrong with Sally. It was just too much. She had been through so much danger. Always going into that city. Being captured, replaced by automations. They were so lucky that she hadn't been killed or roboticized. He shuddered. They were lucky that any of them hadn't been. Even him.

*I just wish we could win theese war and be done. I just wish eet would end.*

"Still," Sonic narrowed his eyes. "She still is acting all weird and stuff."

"She ees just tired, Son-eek. She ees just happy to see her fathair healthy again."

Sonic nodded, but his eyes were not reassured.

**

Sally and her father entered the Source room through the secret door, which was located in the large boulder cradling one side of the power ring pool.

There was a short walk through a cramped and damp passage, and then the cave spread out in a cavern. In the middle of the floor was the Source pool. It would've been dark in the cave, but the Source lit up the walls with a soft glow.

They stood silently. A ball of light manifested itself above the pool and floated towards them.

---Hello, my friends.--- Cu Chulainne did not speak aloud. They heard it in their minds. Such a powerful, magnificent, yet gentle and warm voice could not exist in the world of sounds...only a mind could hold such a voice.

"Hello, Cu," said Sally aloud. King Acorn nodded.

"What is the matter?"

---There is a disturbance in the Source. I sense a hidden part of the Source has been opened to the surface. It is being tainted.---

"By what?" King Acorn asked.

"Is it Casssar?"

---No, I do not believe so. This is not evil. It is more like dirt.---

"Will it corrupt the Source?"

---I do not know. I do not believe so. Still, I must purify any intrusion to the Source. That is not the problem. I can cleanse the Source from here, but the opening must be sealed.---

"Why? If it's just dirt, it isn't going to hurt anything."

---It must be sealed, for I felt a malevolent presence close to the opening. I do not believe the being sensed the Source, but it is possible it may find it. This being is a threat to the Source.---

"Huh."

---Also, someone has come in contact with this Source. I recognized who it was immediately. It was my old host, the small one.---

Sally frowned. "Snively?"

---Yes.---

King Acorn looked startled. "Snively has touched the Source?"

---Yes.---

The two squirrels exchanged horrified glances. "Has Robotnik found it?"

---The malevolent presence has not discovered it, as far as I can sense, but should the small one tell...it could mean disaster for the Source. I know what this malevolent man does. He brings corruption to the land.---

"Yeah, we know," said Sally, sighing a little. "Well, shall we go and find this opening?"

--Yes. I will guide you.---

Sally laid her hands upon the ball of light three times. Three was the link. She relaxed, letting her mind grow blank. In a moment, she felt warmth inside her, and knew Cu Chulainne had entered her, clinging gently to her mind.

Sally took a jar from a niche in the wall and filled it with Source. Cu could not stay away from the pool for long. The entity needed to refresh itself. But now, with the jar, it was like bringing along a fresh pack of batteries.

"Let's go."

King Acorn laid his hand on her shoulder. "Be careful, Sally."

"I will." She kissed her father on the cheek and left.

Chapter 2:

dark and delicate

The Source flowed past her like a river. Casssar sat silently. She looked over at the body of the man. Smoke was still oozing off him, but he did not scream.

Cass shook her head. "Fool," she scoffed. She stood up and stretched. Blinking her olive green eyes, she looked down the Source's path, then followed.

The stream went for a long long way. The cavern grew narrower, but Casssar was not worried. She kept going, even when she had to squeeze to get through spots.

She stopped to rest after an hour. Above her, she could hear strange sounds; rumbling and whirring. The rock walls around her vibrated from it.

"I wonder what that is," she questioned aloud. The air did not answer.

She continued following the stream's run. The tunnel narrowed, no longer was there dry land. She waded through the Source, enjoying the coolness on her legs. The tunnel ended rather abruptly. By this time, Cass was waist-deep in the Source. The liquid felt like silk on her body.

She purred, twirling in a circle. She halted, noticing a hole in the ceiling, only a few inches above her head. It was a small hole, about wide enough for her to reach two hands through. A shaft of light shone down.

She moved below it, titling her head back, but could see nothing but a gray sky.

"Hmmm. Wonder where I am." She noticed the loud rumblings and churning noises were louder here.

She put her hands up through the hole and pulled, trying to enlarge it. The earth crumbled into her eyes, making her curse loudly. She fell backwards into the pool, immersing herself completely. She gasped and sat up quickly. She rubbed her eyes, surprised to find the dirt gone. *The Source has taken it away*, she mused. *How strange.*

She rose up again, prying at the hole. The ground was stubborn, refusing to move. She pulled hard. A chunk came loose suddenly, sending her tumbling back under the liquid. She stood up, sputtering.

"HEY!" Somebody screamed outside. She heard the pounding of feet on the ground above her.

"Who's in there?" a voice demanded. "Answer or we'll shoot!"

Her ears perked up. That voice! That irritating, yet lovingly familiar voice.

"Castdecass!" she cried.

She heard a slight gasp, then a pair of eyes peered down at her. They widened and the face drew away. She grinned. It was truly the face of her old friend.

"Casssar!" he cried. "SWATbots! Enlarge this hole!"

She stood away as the robots ripped away the earth. They reached down and grabbed her, not exactly being gentle, but she didn't mind. Too much.

They dragged her out, then released her at Castdecass's command.

"Leave now," he demanded of them, and they obeyed.

Casssar looked around. Yes, it was the same. The city. The smog was thick, the mood was dark and threatening. She loved it.

Her eyes rested on Castdecass. That was her name for him. It meant 'of the blue eyes', which, at the moment, looked tired. But he smiled, glad to see her.

He stepped closer tentatively, and embraced her rather awkwardly. She leaned her head down, not realizing he'd turned his head up to her. Almost shocked, they touched lips, then drew back. He blushed.

"Oh Casssar," he sighed. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"I am happy to see you," she said, voice filled with rare warmness.

He nodded, then raised an eyebrow. "I see you kept yourself white."

She looked down at her fur, sighing loudly. "No. I was black-furred, but the Source has taken it away." She growled a little. "I hate being white."

Eyebrow stayed quirked, and he smiled wryly. "Aw, Cass, you look fine either way."

She shook her head. "No... not agreed. I will remedy this soon." A swish of her magic could turn her black again, as she'd recently discovered. Although she preferred using the dye... it was just an old habit, she supposed. But this would work as well. And so, hand was swiped, magic glimmered, and white fur darkened.

His eyes widened, and he stared at her.

"Well! That was quite a trick."

*******

Sally ducked behind a pile of scrap as a group of SWATs walked by.

"So, are we close yet?"

---Yes. A few more paces to the west.---

Sally adjusted her backpack so it hung more comfortably. She crept westward, then hid.

"It's Snively," she hissed. "Is the hole near here?"

---Yes.---

The small man had his back to them, so Sally risked peeping out. She gasped. A tall black ermine was seated on a pile of scrap near Snively, and they seemed to be having a conversation.

"That's Casssar! I thought you said she wasn't here!"

---She was not before.---

"Great," mumbled Sally. "Just great. She gives me the creeps."

She scuttled low, creeping closer to the two. Their words traveled clearly to her.

"You found that Source, obviously," said Snively. "Did you taint it yet? That's what you do, right?"

"Yes, I did recently discover this Source river," nodded Cass. "I followed it to here. But I did not contaminate it yet."

"Well, that's a good thing," Sally said aloud.

Casssar's ear twitched, and Sally ducked, afraid the ermine had heard her. She started to turn their way, but was stopped by a soft voice.

"I...I really missed you," Snively said. He turned away from Cass, head bowed.

Sally, crouching behind a large crate, discovered a crack to peer through. She could see her enemy's face clearly; and was surprised to see the sparkle in his eyes. Tears.

She frowned.

---He is very hurt inside. He has affection for the woman. She soothes him.---

*Puh. He's a little bastard.* Sally's frown turned to an angry scowl.

Snively tried to discreetly wipe his eyes, hoping Cass wouldn't see.

Sally scowled harder, feeling the skin between her eyebrows bunch together. Anger rolled through her. How dare he cry? She felt such hatred at seeing him act hurt. How dare that little punk feel that way? He was the one who caused the Mobians to hurt, him and his vile uncle. He had no right to be sad.

*But...then, shouldn't I feel glad he's in pain?* NO. Because it wasn't good enough. If the little bastard was going to feel pain, she wanted it to be physical, and she wanted it to be eternal.

Casssar ran her eyes over her small friend. He was standing rather stiffly. She turned him around gently, then crouched to look in his face. His eyelashes were damp. She slid her hands over his chest. She loved how slender he was.

He winced as she pressed her fingers into his ribs. She liked the feel of the bones. She pressed harder. He cried out loudly, stepping away from her.

Cass tilted her head, looking shrewdly at him. "You are still employed to your master?"

"Uh...yes." He rubbed his side, whimpering.

"He hurt you again, didn't he? What did he do?"

Snively frowned. Casssar was disturbing in that way...she liked to know the gory details. She almost seemed excited when she saw somebody being hurt, or even hearing about it. But he didn't like it. She was supposed to be his friend...and here she was, wanting to know all about how Robotnik kicked the shit out of him.

"Someday, I'll bring that fat slob down, and he'll be the one getting hurt." His voice was razor-edged.

"I'll help you," Cass purred. "I would love to slit his throat." She fondled the knife in her belt; the only thing she wore. His eyes widened as she cut her finger, but she didn't seem to mind. Her tongue flicked out, cleaning the blood away.

"Maybe," he said, voice trembling slightly, "But I wouldn't want you to get hurt...or roboticized."

"Why?" growled Sally, "does he care so much about that skank?"

---Their pasts connect them.---

"Oh, so they knew each other?"

---No. But they are familiar with the similar emotions in each other's pasts. The small one has had a painful past, and I suspect she has also.---

"Who gives a crap?" the squirrel hissed furiously. "*I've* had a painful past. So has Sonic, and all my friends. And it's because of him and that damn Robotnik."

Sally shook her head, fuming. "I don't see how you can feel sorry for them, Cu, honestly I don't. She's the one who goes around messing up your Source pools, and he's done all sorts of rotten things."

---I only state what I know. It is not my place to judge.---

"Well, it is mine." Sally was firm. "They're evil. And evil things don't deserve to live."

"So..." Snively looked up at Casssar. "What are you doing in the city?"

"Well, the Source river I followed led here."

"Yes, I saw it down in that hole... where did the river start?"

"Just a cave out in the forest." Casssar blinked and pressed her hand to Cast's cheek. He was so warm. He cradled her hand in his, averting his eyes almost shyly. It made her smile.

"There was a tributary off the main river," she said. "I was going to go back and follow it once I found the end of the river."

"So?" He rubbed her hand against his cheek. The fur was silken, and smelled lovely.

"Will you follow it with me?"

Snively peered around the city. The wreckage was amazing. The SWATS were working, (*for once*, he thought), and had made decent progress so far. The streets in West Robotropolis were almost dry now.

He debated. They'd be fine without him, wouldn't they? He looked over at Cass. She had a little red smeared on her lips. He flashed back to the image of her licking the blood off her fingers. He shivered. *It's not sexy. It's blood. But the way she did it*.... He tried to shake away the thoughts.

He couldn't leave. Robotnik would be furious. He rubbed his aching side. This was nothing. Robotnik would hurt him ten times worse if he took off with Casssar.

But he couldn't help stealing another glance at the slinky woman, who at this moment, was rolling her tongue along her lips, removing the last traces of blood.

"All right," he said. "I'll go." He paused. "Wait here a second."

He trotted down the streets until he came to a group of SWATs. "Keep working," he demanded of them. "I will be away for a short time."

"Yes, sir."

Sally waited until Snively had returned. He and Casssar went over to one of the craters that Sal and her group had caused early with their explosives.

---There is the opening.---

*Really?* Sally watched as Casssar leapt down into it. *Why's she going down there? Is she going to contaminate it?*

---I was worried she would, but I do not sense that intent within her.---

*Yeah. Yet.*

She saw Cass's black arms reach up to help the little human down into the hole.

Sally waited for a few minutes, then strode to the hole. Cu assured her the two were out of earshot. She grabbed whatever dirt and rocks she could and filled in the hole.

She stamped her foot down upon it a couple minutes later, satisfied. It just looked like a crater hollow full of debris. Robotnik wouldn't look twice at it.

"Are Snively and Casssar trapped in there?" she asked.

---No. The Source river they are following opens in two places.---

"So, Snively will be able to get out, come back here, and blab about the Source to Robotnik?"

---Yes.---

"Great. So what do we do about him?"

---We must capture him. I can wipe the memory from his mind.---

"Why not just wipe him from the planet?" Sally snickered.

******

Sonic and Tails arrived on the outskirts of Robotropolis.

"Sonic, this is so cool! My first real mission!" The fox was silent for a moment. "But didn't you guys just finish a mission here?"

"Yeah, but hittin' ole Buttnik when's he's down is the best thing we can do. As long as you don't tell your Aunt Sally." Sonic winked.

Tails froze. "Ummm... Sonic. There she is..."

"What?" Sonic looked in the direction of Tails' pointing finger. "Oh man. You're right."

They watched as Sally came striding out from the city, looking neither right nor left. Her attention was focused on the ground. Sonic followed her path with his eyes, but saw nothing. But she walked like she was following a trail.

He sped over to her. Tails followed, protesting that they should just hide and wait till she left.

"What's up, Sal?"

She screeched and snapped into a fighting position, fists clenched.

"Oh, geez, Sonic." She relaxed. "You scared me."

"What's up?" he repeated.

Tails cringed, expecting her to start scolding.

"Sssssh, Sonic hedgehog. I'm busy. Go do whatever you were gonna do."

"What?" Sonic was stunned. "Whaddya mean, go away? Aren't ya even gonna yell at me?"

"Do you want me to yell at you?"

"Well, no..."

"Good, then go away."

Sonic frowned, and fell back a little. Sally didn't seem to acknowledge him still following her. She bent her head down, muttering to herself as they entered the forest.

The city was out of sight when she stopped suddenly, and exclaimed, "We're heading back to Knothole! Crap!"

Sonic looked at her curiously. "Well, duh, Sal. I thought that's where you were going?"

She stood still, frowning. *The tributary they're following must connect to our Source pool. If Sniv and Casssar discover the cave...*

Snively and Casssar had been in their cave before, about a year ago. But Snively had no idea that the cave was so close to Knothole. He'd never seen the secret door that led out through the rock cliff by the power ring pool. But with enough time, he could possibly find it. And then he'd find Knothole...

"Damn," she swore, and took off in a trot. She howled as she was pulled back roughly by the arm.

"Sonic!"

"What's your problem, Sal? You're acting like a big weirdo!"

"There's nothing wrong," she sighed.

"Whatever. Why are you acting so strange, huh, Sal? What's your rush to get to Knothole?"

"Nothing, Sonic hedgehog. I just have work to do."

"Well, how come you want me to go away?" he pouted.

"Cause maybe I wanna be alone."

He looked at her shrewdly. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if you're another robot clone?"

Tails gasped and took a step back.

"Oh puh-leese, Sonic, you really think I'm a robot? That's retarded!"

They heard a buzzing noise. Something brushed over Tails' head. "A bee!" he shrieked. "A huge bee!"

The bee turned and headed towards them. Tails continued to shriek, until the 'bee' landed on Sally's hand and revealed itself to be Uncle Chuck's messenger, a little flying lizard-bird.

"Calm down, T2," chuckled Sonic.

"I hate bees!"

Sally slid a tightly-rolled note out of the messenger's carrying tube. "Great," she said flatly. "Antoine's captured."

"WHAT?" Now it was Sonic who was shrieking. "I told that big dork to stay put in Knothole!"

Sally put her hands on her hips.

"I did! I told him not to follow us, and he didn't listen...he never listens."

"Well, Sonic, I guess you oughta go and save him."

"Ahhh, man! We should just let him get roboticized. He ain't any use anyway."

"SONIC!"

"Ok...ok!" He waved his hands around. "Geez, I was just kiddin' around..." His blue face wrinkled into a worried frown. "But what...what if you're a robot?"

"If I was a robot, would I know how to do this?" She leaned forward, rubbing her nose against Sonic's. Then she kissed him on each cheek, and finally, on the lips. They kissed for only a few moments, but it seemed like forever to Tails. He turned away and pretended to puke.

He drew away, grinning in delight. "Ok, ok! You're not a robot! And if you are, you're good."

"Look, I'll explain everything later. Now, you guys get going and rescue Antoine."

Sonic prepared to rev off.

"...and you be careful with Tails! Make sure he doesn't get hurt."

Sally grabbed hold of a tree while Sonic took off. She smoothed down her hair, watching him disappear.

"Ok, now, let's get to Knothole!"

---Yes. And hurry.---

She broke into a run towards the village.

******

Casssar was leaning back against the tunnel wall, legs folded. The tunnel would've been somewhat dark, but the Source lit up the walls a bit. Castdecass also had brought a miner's hat along, complete with the flashlight built into the front.

They sat silently, listening to the Source river as it gurgled past them. Cass closed her eyes contentedly. She led a leisurely life, free from people and work and a home. But it was also, at times, a lonely life, and sometimes, a painful life. Her past was sometimes her only company, and it was company that she did not invite.

The silence was soothing to Snively at first. But eventually, he felt his old anxiety clawing its way up from his stomach. He hugged himself. What if Robotnik discovered he was missing? Oh, the pain, the pain. He looked over at Cass, then drew in a breath.

The soft white light filtered over her body. Her black fur caught it, and gleamed. The lines of her body were etched bright in some places, others the light barely touched. Her breasts rose full and soft.

He tried to calm his breathing. *It's just this tunnel air. Too damp and rich. Too different from the stale city air.* His lungs were weak, besides. That's all it was.

But he knew that wasn't it.

She opened one eye, smiling. "You are staring at me, little one."

"No, I...I..." He finally managed a weak smile.

"Awww, don't be shy, now, Cast. We are good friends."

She pulled him over to her, wrapping him in her muscular arms and cradling him to her chest. He found his head resting on the pillow of her breast. It was quite comforting and he sighed, letting one of his hands wander onto her thigh. She purred, gently raising his head up to hers. They kissed for a long moment.

"Cass," he drew away, voice a whisper. "You...you don't honestly like me...do you?"

She put her hands to his cheeks, lifting his downturned face to hers. She

probed his blue eyes, seeing the uncertainty, and deeper below, the fear.

"Listen to me, little one....I am a loner. I don't have any friends. But I picked you, Cast, I like you very much."

"But, look at me!" he protested. "You can't honestly...be attracted to me..." He bit his lip. "I mean...you're so beautiful..."

"You're so insecure," she laughed. "You have a cute face. Pretty eyes, as well."

"Oh please," he whispered. "You're just being nice."

She chuckled, then pinched his cheek like an old grandma would, but hard. "I'm never nice!"

"OWWW!" He pulled away from her with a shriek. "That hurt! Why'd you do that?!" He rubbed at the red mark her fingers had made.

"You have a very nice scream," she said, her eyes narrowing. She ran her hands down his chest, then pressed hard on his ribs. He let out one of his nice screams, kicking to get away from her.

"STOP IT!" he shrieked, "Stop it, Cass! That hurts!" His eyes shone with tears.

She hung her head, suddenly quiet. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

He whimpered, then touched her arm. It was a rare sight to see her subdued like this. "Why are you so weird?" he hissed. "Why do you like to hurt people?"

She looked up, eyes still narrowed. "Why do you?"

"I don't..."

"Your city does no harm?"

"Well...uh..." he looked away. "I don't...get off on hurting people."

"I know you do... "

"Alright!" he snapped. "Maybe...sometimes. But you're just mean."

"Oh-ho-ho," she laughed, "my little black flower...you cannot tell me your heart and soul are clean. You are dark inside."

"Like a bruise," he muttered. He took off the miner's hat and twirled it on the floor. The light spun off the walls crazily. He turned to look at Casssar again. She smiled, the light glinting in her eyes and off her teeth.

He suddenly felt wild...his lips and thighs tingling. He leaned forward, kissing hungrily at her mouth. They were wild for a moment, panting, kissing, his hands squeezing her breasts, and hers groping the front of his pants...then they fell back from each other.

"Oh my," he said.

*******

Robotropolis was grim and dirty as usual, and Tails scowled because his shiny shoes were now smudged with grime.

"Where's Uncle Chuck's hideout?" he asked.

"You'll see."

"Is it really cool?"

"It's kinda neato inside, but don't touch any of his stuff."

"What do ya think I am, a little kid?"

Sonic snickered. "No way, big guy. That's Sally's job."

They both laughed.

They reached the junk pile that housed Sir Charles's spying headquarters. After looking carefully around, Sonic picked up a brick and pinged it against a pipe protruding from the heap. A second later, the hidden door opened and they entered.

"Hey Unc...where's dufus...I mean Antoine?" greeted Sonic.

His uncle sighed. Whether it was Sonic's teasing of Twan', or the fact that Antoine seemed to get captured more than **all** of the Freedom Fighters combined, Sonic couldn't tell.

*We should just tie him to a chair and stuff him in a closet, somewhere. He'd do about as good in there as he does out here, hell, he'd do more good not being able to get his butt into trouble.* He rolled his eyes, but knew Chuck probably wasn't thinking along the lines of himself. Chuck always said there was some good to be found in everyone. Well, with the exception of Robotnik.

"Antoine's in the holding cells right now. But hurry, they may be transferring him to the interrogation room at any time."