Chapter Text
We see a badger approaching Knothole Village, who is noticed by Sally.
Sally: Hello there. What brings you to Knothole?
Badger: Well, princess, the truth is, I need your help.
Sally: What's the problem?
Badger: It's my village. See, it's been run by this family of royals since its inception. But our current leader, she's... well, she's awful! She forces us to give her food and water, and she forces us to worship her, simply because of her lineage. Everyone is sick of her, but we aren't fighters! Please, princess, help us!
Sally: Alright, I'll do what I can.
Badger: Oh, thank you princess!
Later, we see Sally meeting with the Substitute Freedom Fighters, explaining the situation to them.
Sally: Any questions?
Dylan: Just one. Why aren't you asking Sonic for help?
Sally: Because he just went on a big adventure, and he needs some down time. Any other questions?
They all shake their heads.
Sally: Alright, we'll move out in an hour, so be ready by then.
Later, we see the group making their way through a forest, eventually coming across a village. It is bigger and more advanced than Knothole. Sally spots a sparrow making his way down the street, approaching him.
Sally: Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if you could tell me where your leader is?
Sparrow: Oh, you mean Princess Nova? She's in the large building at the end of the road. Like always...
Sally: Thank you sir.
Sally and the others make their way down the road, eventually coming across a large building that resembles a City Hall.
Hamlin: Subtle.
Sally enters the building, sneaking through it. Eventually, she reaches a large room with a podium at the end of it. In the middle of the room is a cougar, while at the top is a star nosed mole with a bored expression.
Cougar: Please, your highness. If we give you what you asked for, my family won't have enough food to feed us all!
Nova: Well then, maybe you shouldn't have gorged yourselves so frivolously. Don't forget, peasant, that everything in this village belongs to me. The food you eat, the water you drink, the houses you sleep in. You only have those things because I allow you to. Or not, in this case. Now go! I've had enough of your whining.
The cougar hangs his head, before walking out the door, moving past Sally and the others.
Hamlin: Why that- that selfish, greedy...
Sally: Calm down, Hamlin. Getting angry won't solve anything.
They all enter the room, with Nova taking notice of them.
Nova: Who the devil are you lot?
Sally: My name is Sally Acorn, and these-
Nova: Sally Acorn? PRINCESS Sally Acorn?
Sally: Yes, and these are-
Nova: Oh, what a pleasant surprise!
Nova climbs down from the podium. She walks over to Sally and shakes her hand.
Nova: I've heard much about you, but I never thought I'd get the chance to meet you in person! Tell me, would you like a cup of tea?
Sally: Um... sure.
Nova: Delightful! I'll have my butlers prepare some right away. Come with me!
She begins to lead Sally towards another door, opening it and letting her through. When the others try to follow, she stops them.
Nova: I'm sorry, but this meeting is between ROYALTY. Which means there are no presents allowed. Now go.
Arlo: Sally...
Sally: I'll be fine, Arlo. You can leave.
They all hesitate, before making their way out of the building, with Sally following Nova.
Hamlin: Oh, What I'd give to hand that smug, selfish worm a knuckle sandwich!
Penelope: Hamlin, I understand why you're angry, but we need clear heads if we're going to solve this.
Hamlin: I know, I know.
Later, we see Sally and Nova on a balcony, where a butler hands a cup of tea to both of them.
Nova: So, what brings you to my humble little village?
Sally: Well, one of your... subjects came to my village, and he had some complaints about your rule.
Nova: Ugh, so the peasantry are still complaining? Honestly, how ungrateful can you be? I give them so much, and how do they thank me? They whine and complain like children! It's unbearable.
Sally: Well, maybe they wouldn't be complaining if you weren't taking their food.
Nova: Their food? Ha! They might be the ones eating it, but I'm the one who procures it for them. Therefore, it belongs to me, and therefore, I can eat it if I so desire.
Sally: But what about the people?
Nova: If they're really so hungry, they can go out and get their own food.
Sally: Well, maybe you could give them a hand? From what I've heard, you don't do much besides sit in your castle. Maybe you could make a garden, or-
Nova: Are you joking!? That's peasant work! I am royalty, and as such, I shouldn't have to do anything they can't do by themselves! What kind of princess lowers herself to consorting with commoners?
Sally: The kind who realizes that titles don't mean anything in a world ruled by Robotnik-
Nova: Robotnik? I don't care about Robotnik! Why should I let one man undo decades of tradition?
Sally: Because as long as he's in power, the whole world is in danger, including your village!
Nova: Hmph, well he hasn't attacked us yet, so I don't really see the problem.
Sally: Well, if he did attack your village, would you at least try to protect it?
Nova: Oh please, the commoners are more than capable of defending themselves.
Sally: You mean you'd really just leave them all to die!?
Nova: Of course I would! It's their duty, their obligation, to die for my sake! As long as I were to escape this hypothetical invasion, their sacrifices would be worth it! That's how being a princess works! I thought you knew that.
Sally glares at Nova.
Sally: Well, I guess we have different ideas of what it means to be a princess.
Nova: It appears so.
Nova finishes her tea.
Nova: Well, Princess Acorn, since you're so much better at being a leader then I am, how about we see what the people think, hm?
Sally: You mean you want to have a debate?
Nova: Precisely. We'll have it in about, oh, an hour?
Sally: Works for me.
Nova: Brilliant.
With this, Nova walks away. Sally glares at her, before throwing tea off of balcony. Later, we see her meeting up with the others.
Hamlin: Just when I thought she couldn't get any worse...
Dylan: Do you think you'll be able to beat her, Sally?
Sally: I hope so...
Later, we see the town gathered in the Hall, with Sally on one side and Nova on the other. In the center of the room is Nova's Butler, a duck.
Butler: The debate regarding the leadership of this village begins now. Our princess Nova will start, as always.
Nova walks to the center.
Nova: People of this village. My people. For generations now, my family has ruled over this village and all who dwell within. We have fed you, let you build your homes on our land, and protected you from those who would do you harm. Is it so wrong, then, that we ask that you obey us in turn? We have given you so much. Should you not, in return, give to us? Is that not more favorable than what she offers you? Princess Sally is a known enemy of Dr. Robotnik, and if you stay with her, you will be placing yourselves directly in his cross hairs! Please, do not place yourselves at risk like that. Stay with me, and I promise that you will be protected.
Nova returns to her side of the room, giving Sally a smug smile. Sally takes her place on the stand.
Sally: Listen, I won't deny that Nova had a point regarding a few things. Robotnik is an enemy of my village, and yes, you will be put in danger if you stay with me. But isn't it worth the risk? At Knothole, you won't have to worry about giving your food away, or about appeasing someone who doesn't care about you. And make no mistake, Nova does NOT care about you.
She pulls out Nicole, and begins to play back parts of Nova's conversation on the balcony, particularly the part about Robotnik. The audience gasps, before turning to NOva with glares.
Nova: That- that was taken out of context!
Sally: Nova would leave you all to Robotnik if it meant saving her own skin. Is that the kind of person you want as a leader? Wouldn't you rather be protected by someone who views you as an equal, rather than a disposable prop? I won't tell you what to do, but please, think about what you really want.
Sally sits back down.
Arlo: That was a brilliant speech, princess.
Sally: Thanks, Arlo.
Butler: With that, the debate is concluded. Now, it is time to vote. All in favor of returning to Knothole with Princess Sally, raise your hand.
Everyone in the audience raises their hand.
Butler: All in favor of remaining here, raise their hand.
Only the butler raises his hand.
Butler: Ah, I thought so.
Nova: No! You can't do this! You can't just leave! It's outrageous! It's unacceptable! It's not fair!
One of the citizens stands up.
Citizen: Aw, put a sock in it, your whiny-ness!
Citizen 2: Yeah, you're not our princess anymore!
Citizen 3: Let's get her!
The population begins to approach Nova.
Nova: No! Stay back! I'm warning you!
Penelope: Oh my gosh, they're gonna tear her apart!
Hamlin: Great, let's watch.
Sally: Hamlin, I know what she's done, but she doesn't deserve this.
Sally runs in front of the mob.
Sally: That's enough! I know she's wronged you all, but this isn't the way! Besides, she'll face true justice if she's alive. Because she'll be all alone, with nobody to rule.
With that, the mob back up. Sally turns to Nova.
Sally: Are you alright?
Nova: Alright!? Of course I'm not! You took everything from me!
Sally: No, you did that yourself. But you don't have to be alone. You can come back with us to Knothole. I'm sure you'd find somewhere to fit in.
Nova: Ha! I think I'd rather be torn apart by the commoners! I don't need you, Princess. I don't need any of you! I'll find my way back to the top, and I'll do it without your "generosity". Butler, we're leaving!
With that, Nova stomps out of the building, followed by her butler.
Hamlin: Hmph, good riddance to bad rubbish, I say!
Sally: Alright, everyone, let's head home.
The crowd leaves the building, and make their way to their new home. Elsewhere, in the middle of the forest, Nova is resting by a campfire with her butler.
Nova: I can't believe this! After everything I do for those worms, they throw me away as soon as some random girl walks in and makes a speech! And now, I'm a princess with no subjects!
Butler: Well, you'll always have me.
Nova rolls her eyes, before she hears the sound of a branch cracking.
Nova: Who's there!? I'm warning you, I know how to defend myself!
Suddenly, from the other side of the camp, she hears someone walking closer, she turns, seeing Evil Sonic leaning against a tree.
Evil Sonic: Man, that was a heck of a show you put on, your highness. I mean, the part with the recording? That was brutal. And I gotta say, I was almost disappointed when the mob didn't go all "Frankenstein" on you.
Nova: Who the devil are you?
Evil Sonic: I'm the man with the plan. You see, we both want the same thing; for Sally and all her pals to get what's coming to 'em. And I think you can help me out with that. You see, I'm putting together a team to take on her prissey-ness and her little fan-club, but I'm missing someone with a bit more... tactical know-how. I need someone with a brain to make sure my plans run smooth.
Nova: And you think that's me.
Evil Sonic: Bingo.
Nova: And why should I help out a commoner like yourself?
In response, E. Sonic grabs onto her and the butler's arms, and runs them to the middle of a desert. Then, he runs them to the middle of a snowy field. Then, he runs them back to the campsite.
Evil Sonic: That answer your question?
Nova, disoriented, collects herself.
Nova: Well. It seems that I have... underestimated you. Very well, I will join you in your cause.
Evil Sonic: Perfect. Now old on, there's someone I want you to meet.
E. Sonic grabs them again, before running off, putting out the fire in the process.