SONIC RESURGENCE

Chapter 8

Sand Blast City, Great Desert, Acornia

"...They are the local militia that my father was talking about. They are the Desert Raiders." Sally stated impassively.

Sonic and his friends looked at each other, not knowing who the team was even with the name that Sally gave.

"...Desert...Raiders?" Amy echoed.

"You got that right, little lady," Spike said, giving Amy a flirtatious wink before turning to Sally. "We're a Freedom Fighter group like the one from Knothole. One of the best in Acornia."

Spike walked up to Sally and Bunnie with his usual swagger as he said, "Speaking of ladies, how are you two doing? It's been a while since we've met up like this. Did ya miss me, Sarah?"

Sally saw the way that Spike placed his hand on her shoulder and glanced at the smug porcupine. Such an act had internally forced her to refrain from slapping him across the Desert Raider's face, so Sally simply shifted her shoulder to avoid the teen's touch. This action did not go unnoticed by Bunnie, Amy, the rest of the Desert Raiders, and surprisingly, Sonic himself.

"Just fine," Sally said evenly, setting her own personal feelings aside. "And as I told you before, Spencer, it's Sally."

Spike flinched mockingly, feigning heartbreak while keeping up the same energy.

"Ouch! You wound me with your cold words! But come on, you have to admit that there's still a soft spot for ol' Spikey deep down." The porcupine teased, much to the irritation of Sally.

Sally simply rolled her eyes, not paying him any attention.

Bunnie then took over the conversation to decrease any tension, saying, "Nevur mind Sally-Girl, Spike. Whut is yawl doin' ovur in Acornia territory? Ah thought yawl went back tuh Shamar."

Sonar then stepped forward to them while speaking softly, "Um, well, Miss Bunnie, we c-came back here because o-of a distress call we've received from Lord Lightfoot. We were a-able to intercept the c-call since we were nearby."

Bunnie nodded, saying, "Okay. It's good tuh say you, Sophie— Ah mean, Sonar."

Sonar simply smiled, but none seemed to have noticed the undertone of anxiety and guilt that were present on her face. Tremor remained silent but nodded to the two original Freedom Fighters members. Spike, noticing how close Sally was to Sonic, turned to the azure hedgehog with a bit of a so-called "macho" antagonistic aura surrounding him. Sonar glanced at Spike with a worried expression, but then grew shocked at the realization of whose presence they were in.

"I haven't seen you around my turf before. What are you supposed to be, anyway?" Spike said with pride etched in his voice, initially unaware of who he was speaking to.

Sonic grinned at the Mobian porcupine and casually answered, "Just an adventure passin' by."

While Sally and Bunnie shook their heads as they pondered how oblivious Spike could get, Sonar gasped as her timid personality shifted into that of an excited tween.

"Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh! Spike! Don't you guys recognize who they are?" She said excitedly as she went over to Spike's side. "That's Sonic and Tails ! They saved Station Square a few years back, remember?"

Spike and Tremor, looking at Sonar, then to Sonic and his friends, staggered a bit before humbly composing themselves.

"Oh ho ho, snap! No way!" Spike said, letting his inner fanboy out as he pointed to Sonic. "You're him?"

"Guilty as charged," Sonic smirked casually, extending his hand forward. "What's happenin'?"

Spike quickly took his hand, seemingly honored to shake his hand, saying, "Dude, you have no idea what this means to us. You're like our inspiration."