Meanwhile, back in knothole village, Princess Sally sat with Bunnie Rabbot talking about Sonic the hedgehog. at least, Sally was talking about Sonic...Bunnie was just trying to sleep! "Its bad enough Sonic doesn't help out." grumbled Sally, staring at a small picture of the hedgehog in her hand.

"Now I'm worried about him...and Tails." "I'm sure they're fine, Sally. Tiffy girl's on her way to Robotroplis right now to help out." Yawned Bunnie.

"Do you think Sonic does all those childish things just to make me mad?" Sally asked with a glance to the window outside. "Oh, Honey pie, I think thats just Sonic..." said Bunnie, rolling over to reveal a avocado face mask and and ears in curlers. "Its what makes him special." she added comfortingly.

At Bunnies last word, two Sonic booms...one after the other...exploded in the air. Sally gasped, and a relieved smile appeared on her lips. "Sonic!" she gasped happily

As she rushed outside, however, it became apparent that Sonic and Tiffany had returned with less than good news. "-And Buzz bombers are on their way here right now with some chemical Robotnik invented. it's gonna kill all the trees and expose Knothole." Sonic explained.

"Somehow, we have to stop him!" Tiffany encouraged, sitting beside Sonic. Sally put her hand to her muzzle in thought, then smiled. "I have a plan." she said, a determined gleam in her eyes.

the following dawn found the freedom fighters hiding just within the Great Forests boundaries, each with a catapult. Rotor was walking along the catapults, inserting one of the metal cotter pins Sonic had retrieved from Robotropolis. "Okay, thats all of them!" Rotor called back down the line towards the 1st catapult.

"Tay-all's, see anything?" Sonic called up to his two tailed friend, who was sitting high on a branch in a large pine tree. "Sure, millions of things!" Tails called back, looking around him with the binoculars. "Rocks...mountains...trees!" Sonic rolled his eyes while Tristina...who was sitting nearby...suppressed a snigger.

"I'll handle this, big blue." said Tristina, looking back to the control panel on the wheelchairs right arm. amid the array of square buttons, slightly above the golden ring she had used last night, was another purple button that had a pair of wings etched into it.

Tristina pressed the button, then looked down as four metal poles extended from both ends of the arm rests. touching the ground, the metal poles lifted Tristina's wheelchair slightly above the ground.

Tristina then looked behind her as mechanical arms moved her wheelchair wheels to both underneath and behind her. upon hearing two 'clicks' underneath and behind her, Tristina felt a surge of wind begin to emit from the wheel on the bottom. the surge of air pushed her even more into the air, so the metal poles that had been supporting her chair could now retract.

Tristina's left hand gently nudged the control stick, and another boost of air sent her skyward towards where Tails was perched. Sonic rolled his eyes to the heavens, but looked down as Sally called his name. "Sonic, the new cotter pins really helped. Plus, Rotor re-enforced the throwing arms...but their range is still limited. the buzz bombers have to fly close enough." "Hmm. Problemo." said Sonic, scratching his head.

suddenly, Sonic smiled and snapped his fingers. "whoa, the ol' light-bulb just went on in my head. The Buzz bombers hate my guts, right?" Sonic asked. "Yes, so?" Sally asked. "what'dya mean 'so'?" Sonic asked, frowning. "'so', as in so what?" Sally asked. "'So'," Sonic continued. "they'll follow me anywhere...including inside our catapult range!" said Sonic triumphantly, grinning.

The hedgehog then began to take a mock bow. "Thank you, Thank you. I am humble!" said Sonic. "I hate to admit it, but your right." said Sally, rolling her eyes to the heavens. "Right about what, Princess?" Sonic and Sally looked up as Tristina slowly descended to where they were talking. the metal poles extended once again, and her wheelchair wheels shifted back into place.

Sally quickly explained their plan (As Sonic grinned the entire time). "Oh. Okay. I guess you want me to just stay out of the way." said Tristina, her light blue ears drooping slightly. "Whoa, not true, Tiff!" Said Sonic, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I need your help getting the buzz bombers into our firing range."

Sonic's grin then turned challenging. "Unless of course, you don't think you can handle it." "I can handle anything Ro-butt-nik dishes out!" Tristina said triumphantly, clenching her fists. "Thats the spirit!" said Sally, grinning. "I'll launch Sonic towards the buzz bombers, Tiff. you can follow on the ground. then, you two work together to lead them back here." Sally explained.

Tristina nodded, still grinning, then spun her wheelchair around so her back was to the forest. Sonic meanwhile, jumped into one of the catapults facing the buzz bombers, which were just coming over the horizon.

"Activate defoliant in ten seconds bomber one. ten...nine-" Snivleys voice was cut off as Sonic flew up to him with two balloons and hung there a moment. "You look a little hot, buzz brain. better cool down with some ice water." with that, Sonic hurled the two water balloons at the robotic hornet, drenching his face with water and acid.

"The hedgehog, Where is he?" Robotnik demanded from his command chair. "Where is the hedgehog?" "I-I'm searching your egg-celency." Snivley stuttered, grinning nervously as one hand twisted a dial. Robotnik took a shaky, anger laden breath before whispering "find. him."

As Snivleys camera desperately searched for Sonic, a second hedgehog wheeled towards the center of the buzz bomber brigade. pressing a button which featured a pair of feet running in a circle, Tristina let go of the wheels. as two small robotic arms came out from the sides of her chair, Tristina began to load up her lap with water balloons. the two tiny arms pushed two tiny metal plates against Tristina's wheelchair wheels.

Instead of slowing down, Tristina noticed with satisfaction that the plates maintained her speed. looking up, Tristina took a water balloon in one hand, and grabbed her joystick with the other. using the joystick to steer, Tristina hurdled the water balloon at the buzz bomber. scooping up another one, Tristina hurdled another balloon at another buzz bombers.

realizing their comrades were being attacked, surrounding buzz bombers began to fire their laser stingers at Tristina. the super fast (despite being wheelchair bound) hedgehog merely grinned. "come on, come on, hornet heads!" Tristina taunted the flying robotic insects. "I'm not even working up a sweat here!" weaving out of the swarm, while shortly followed by laser fire, Tristina headed for Sonic. said hedgehog was blowing a raspberry to the lead buzz bomber.

"Here I am, slug head! give me your best shot!" Sonic called, wiggling his gloved fingers around peach muzzle. the buzz bomber complied, firing a laser right at the taunting hedgehog. Sonic easily leaped out of the way, then smiled at the buzz bomber. "Ooh, I'd like to hang but I gotta juice!" Sonic called, revving up.

"Ditto!" Tristina called, catching up with Sonic as he ran. "Yo Tiff, you alright?" Sonic asked as they ran (and wheeled) side by side. Tristina pressed the running feet button again, and retook control of her wheelchairs wheels. "I'm cool." said Tristina, flashing Sonic a grin.

"Use the hedgehog missile!" Robotnik demanded. the black nose of the missile beeped 3 times, then took off from the buzz bombers back. Hearing a faint whistling behind them, Tristina's bluish gray eyes shrank. "Sonic, look out! its that hedgehog missile thing!" Tristina cried. "Got it, Tiff." said Sonic, slamming a finger on the button with the wing symbol.

"Sonic!" Tristina cried as her wheelchair rocketed off into the air. Sonic, meanwhile, had stopped and was now tapping his foot. "Come on, missile head, I'm getting bored!" Sonic then let out a exaggerated yawn. the missile zoomed past, with Sonic unknowingly grabbing one of its 'spines'.

"Dang it, hedgehog." Tristina growled as she finally retook control of her wheelchair. spinning around in mid air, Tristina gasped as she saw Sonic riding the back of the missile! "I'm coming, Sonic!" Tristina declared, shoving the joystick as far forward as it would go and flying towards Sonic.

said hedgehog was whistling to get the missiles attention. "Looking for me?" Sonic asked the wiggle turned the upper part of itself towards Sonic. the blue hedgehog then leaped off the missile and landed on the back of the lead buzz bomber! "Yo! back here, needle nose!" Sonic taunted. at the last second, he leaped off the back of lead buzz bomber as the missile destroyed the robots carrying the defoliant.

"Hello!" Sonic called as he fell past the lead buzz bomber. "get that hedgehog bomber one!" Robotnik's voice echoed in the buzz bombers head. the lead buzz bomber shook its head then, glaring at Sonic, rocketed towards him. "or I will turn you into a can opener!" Robotnik threatened as the lead buzz bomber took chase.

Meanwhile, still falling, Sonic gave a yelp as someone grabbed his wrist and flew lower to the ground. "Thanks Tiff." Sonic breathed as Tristina pressed the winged button again, reverting her wheelchair to ground mode. "Don't thank me just yet." Tristina warned Sonic.

once they were a few inches from the ground, Tristina let go of Sonic and began wheeling. "We still have a job to do for Sally." Tristina continued as Sonic raced beside her. "Yeah," agreed Sonic, grinning. "lets give these buzz heads a bath they'll never forget!"

"Here comes Sonic and Tiff! Buzz bombers are right behind them!" Sally announced, raising one hand as she waited. Sonic skidded to a stop and, leaning casually against the catapult, began to examine the back of his gloved hand. Tristina skidded to a stop later, whooping as she did a complete turn around.

breathing hard more from adrenaline than effort, Tristina flipped her light blue bangs out of her eyes. "Whoa. whatta rush!" Tristina panted, smiling to Sonic. Sonic merely gave Tristina a smile, wink, and a thumbs up as Sally commanded "Fire!"

Several catapults near them let loose their throwing arms, hurling the water balloons at the incoming swarm. While many of the water balloons hit their intended targets, the other buzz bombers continued to advance. "Fire!" Sally shouted again, and more catapults hurled their payload at the robotic insect army.

Tristina smiled at the progress. several buzz bombers were now on the ground, short circuiting, while others flying away with their stingers underneath them. As Tristina scanned the skyline, she noticed a sight that made her heart fly into her throat.

Tails flying as fast as he could, the lead buzz bomber hot on his trail. slamming all fingers down on the winged key on her wheelchair, Tristina waited impatiently as the mechanical arms did their job. Tails cries for help echoed in her ears and her heart as Tristina felt her wheelchair finally begin to hover.

"Tiff wait!" Sonic cried, but Tristina paid him no mind. Instead, she slammed her joystick as far forward as it would go and shot towards the paniced kitsune. "Sonic help me!" Tails cried as the buzz bombers stinger glinted menacingly in the sunlight. "Ahhh, Son-"

Tails was cut off as one peach arm grabbed him and held him close. the other slammed the joystick forward as far as it would go, rushing back towards the surface. Tails trembled against the torso of his rescuer, his racing heart nearly matching her own.

"Its okay, Tails." Tristina whispered as water balloons sailed over her head. "I've got you. I wont let anything hurt you." she whispered soothingly. Tails choked back a sob and looked up into Tristina's bluish silver eyes. she smiled gently at the kit, her light blue bangs forced back by the wind. For a moment...for one precious moment...Kit and hedgehog stared at one another, one craving love and protection from a harrowing chase.

The other, offering it. As Tristina pressed the winged button again and let her wheelchair revert to ground mode, Tails hugged her again, fresh tears sliding down his face.

"Thank you...Aunt Tiffany."

"Your welcome, Tails."

"Now," said Tristina, raising her palm at the still pursuing buzz bomber "for a finishing touch." Tristina grinned to Sonic as she closed her eyes, then re-opened them to reveal they had faded to a white glow. Tristina then looked at the lead buzz bomber as her hand began emit a white glow.

as her finger's began to 'type' on the light keyboard, Tristina's grin broadened. With a shudder, the buzz bomber first veered left then right. "Tiffany, hold it still!" "I'm trying, Sally." Tristina replied in a monotonous tone. "The flight command is...difficult to...control..." Tristina continued through gritted teeth, although in the same monotonous tone.

Finally, with much effort, Tristina made the buzz bomber fly straight. "Fire!" commanded Sally. three water balloons hit the buzz bomber, one after the other. "I'm...losing it..." Tristina reported, gritting her teeth. with one final effort, Tristina made the buzz bomber veer left again...right into a waiting pine tree.

as the buzz bomber slid down to the ground, Tristina lowered her hand and closed her eyes with a sigh. lowering her hand, Tristina opened her eyes to reveal they had returned to their normal bluish silver. "Are you okay Aunt Tiffany?" Tails, who was still sitting in Tristina's lap, asked worriedly.

"Yeah. you seemed to be having some probs with that buzz brain." said Sonic, placing a gloved hand on her shoulder. Tristina held her head a moment and blinked. "I..." Tristina began, blinking as the fatigue passed. "I'm only used to controlling spy orbs. the buzz bomber was more...advanced." Tristina said, gritting her teeth.

"Its just tired right now. I'll be okay." Tristina finished, smiling to Sonic and Tails. the two slowly relaxed, seeing their friend was in no immediate danger, and smiled as well. Upon hearing a buzzing sound, Tristina looked up to see the cause. the lead buzz bomber was taking to the air once again, sparking wildly. Tristina bared her teeth and started to raise her hand when Sonic stopped her.

"wait Tiff, look!" said Sonic, pointing. the buzz bomber hovered in mid air for a moment, looking punch drunk. Then, miraculously, the lead buzz bomber turned and began to fly away from the Great Forest. "What are you doing, bomber one?" Robotnik demanded in the buzz bombers head. "get back there! get those hedgehogs! do you read me? I want the hedgehogs!" Robotnik roared. Tristina raised her hand and reproduced the keyboard, then closed and re-opened her eyes to reveal two white orbs.

"I knew it." Tristina announced in a monotone voice. "Whats up?" asked Sonic as Tristina pulled back to her own mind. "Its a retreat command from the lead buzz bomber." Tristina said once she opened her eyes. "'Attention all units. Abort mission. Abort mission. return to base' it said." Tristina reported grinning.

"We did it!" Sally called to the other freedom fighters, who began whooping and cheering along the forest edge. Tristina grinned to Sonic and Tails, the former who gave a thumbs up and his signature smile. The latter, who laughed and leaped into Tristina's lap. wrapping his arms around her, he hugged the disabled hedgehog with glee.

Meanwhile, In Robotropolis, Robotnik was less than pleased. "Come. here." he purred, curling his finger towards himself. "Oh...Al...right...eee..." Snivley stammered, walking defeatedly towards Robotnik. Robotnik rose from his seat and walked toward Snivley, leaving Cluck on the arm of his command chair. A moment later, Cluck squawked as a red remote control flew past it, a loud 'thump' coming from the remotes owner.

In the Great Forest, Sonic and Sally gave each other a high five and began walking towards the village. "You were really great today." Sally commented appreciatively. "Thanks." said Sonic. "what about yesterday?" "What about it?" Sally asked as they walked "Wasn't I great yesterday too?" Sonic asked. "hm. So-so." said Sally thoughtfully. "So-So?" Sonic repeated "Is there an echo?" Sally asked mildly "Well, what about the day before yesterday?" "Well, what about it?" "Was I great or so-so." "I don't remember the day before yesterday." said Sally. "Well, I do, and I was great!"

Tristina sighed at the two, shaking her head, then quietly began to wheel towards the power ring pool. As she arrived, she wheeled as close as she dared and placed a thoughtful hand on her lap, staring at her robotic hips and legs.

"So it begins." she said quietly, looking up at the water trickling down the gentle slopes into the pool. As she listened to the water splash and gurgle into the pool, Tristina felt a sense of peace wash over her. As she closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the water and its surroundings, a quiet noise began to approach behind her.

Tristina's left ear turned towards the noise, and she sniffed the air. "Hello Tails." she said quietly as the kitsune landed with a soft thump beside her. "How'd you know it was me?" Tails asked, climbing into Tristina's lap. Tristina was about to explain, when she stared into those sky blue eyes and changed her mind.

"Lucky guess." she said, deciding to save teaching Tails about tracking for another day. "Aunt Sally said she wants to talk to you." Tristina sighed and thought She wants to know why I lied to her and Sonic about my true name.

As she reached for her wheelchair wheels, Tristina stopped when Tails gave a slight start. "Aunt Tiffany...can I ride with you?" he asked innocently. Tristina looked down at the kit, startled, then gave a hearty laugh. "Of course, Tails. I wouldn't have it any other way." she laughed, revving up. Tristina's smile broadened as she took off, Tails whooping from her lap. As she wheeled and listened to the young kitsune's laughter, Tristina spontaneously decided that it was time. Time to tell Sally, Sonic...and Tails...the truth about her real name.

Tristina the hedgehog.

The end

Authors Notes: I hope you enjoyed my first SatAM story, but unfortunately, I cant take all the credit for its creation. So, without further or do, I would like to give special thanks to the following people/places:
Special Thanks

[*]tails: for all the help he's given me in working out the bugs in this story. especially if there was something I forgot to mention, or if there was another obvious plot hole. even if it was just providing a laugh. I cant thank you enough, tails!
[*]Vindicator: For encouraging me to write this story from a 3rd person perspective instead of 3rd person limited. Doing this really changed what information I could give out, and I have you to thank for it, Vindi!
[*]FUS: For providing the transcript for the original SatAM episode 'Heads or Tails'.
[*]Hawki: for writing a Novelization of 'Heads or Tails' and providing inspiration for some of the more detailed scenes.
[*]God: for giving me the idea to write this fan fiction in the first place!
[*]My parents: for supporting me during this project, and letting me fill them in (even if it was unwanted ;) ) on every little detail.
[*]You: for reading!

Thank you to everyone who helped out, and I promise Book 2 will be out as soon as I can manage!