Sonic the Hedgehog Online Issue 250

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***Sonic the Hedgehog Online Issue 250*** is the two hundred and fiftieth issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog original continuity and the third issue of STH Online continuation series. It is also the tenth landmark issue in the main series.

## Summary

### Official Solicitation

*At last, our heroes can enjoy a well-deserved moment of respite in this special 250th issue of the world's most way past cool comic! Sally Acorn is a robot no more, and the Freedom Fighters are eager to welcome their beloved princess home. But while her body is restored, what state is her mind in after the horrific ordeal, and how may Naugus take advantage of it? Then, as Metal Sonic returns from his failed mission to the Death Egg, how will Dr. Eggman react to the news? Finally, Sally gets a much-needed pep talk from Knuckles!*

### Story One

*Turning Point*
After the ordeal with Mecha Sally, Sonic and Sally begin to head out of New Mobotropolis' lab, along with Tails, Rotor, and Jules. Sonic and Rotor support the princess, and Sally brushes off her wooziness as her being a little exhausted. As she finishes her sentence though, many citizens of New Mobotropolis await and cheer and their restored princess as the group heads out of the lab. As Sally begins to tear up, Silver and Amy arrive, and Sonic gives a thumbs-up to both of them. As Sonic is reunited with his mother, Tails goes to greet his own parents. Sally finished crying and thanked everyone for their concern, assuring the crowd that she will return to active field duty soon--but "right now, she's just happy to be home".

Meanwhile, at Secret Freedom HQ, the Secret Freedom Fighters and NICOLE observe Princess Sally's return. Shedding a tear, Elias tells his sister that it's glad to have her back. Harvey Who soon interrupts Elias, reminding him and the rest of the team that their problems are still not over, stating that he finds it odd that Geoffrey entered the battle only to flee moments after. He also noted that Geoffrey seemingly mastered the Ixis Magicks overnight, despite his master Naugus being incapacitated. Shard agrees with the weird news, asking what Geoffrey's deal is, to which Harvey replies that is what they'll find that out, and displays a video of Geoffrey collapsing. Elias notes that Geoffrey looks injured, while NICOLE belives that he may have fallen ill. Harvey tells NICOLE that if both Geoffrey and Naugus are sick, it may be the team's chance to reclaim the Kingdom of Acorn as public opinion will sway in the Acorns' favor due to Sally's return. Harvey then assigns her to check on Geoffrey and try to see what caused his illness. With a sigh, NICOLE agrees.

Meanwhile, within Geoffrey's mindscape, Naugus wonders how the backfiring of his possession of Geoffrey is possible, stating that the transfer should've been perfect, unless something went wrong. Agunus tells Naugus that he failed again, with Nusgau pointing out that his new bod is even weaker than his last one. Suguna asks Naugus what made him think it could stop his mutations. Then, Geoffrey himself appears, demanding Naugus to give him back his body, saying that it obviously isn't helping the wizard and restates that it's still not to late to change his ways, but Naugus tells him and his past incarnations to be quiet. NICOLE then enters, asking Geoffrey if he's alright. This scares Naugus, who instantly slams the door on the Holo-Lynx. As Naugus tells NICOLE to not sneak on him like that again, NICOLE requests an audience with the king. In a fit of rage, Naugus refuses, before regaining his composure and saying that the king humbly requests that she keeps out. As his mutations grow stronger, Naugus asks how the progress on the Power Ring Energy Converter he requested is progressing. Unfortunately for him, NICOLE tells him it's going very slowly, as it takes 24 hours to produce even a single ring, and they haven't collected nearly enough. Naugus than tells NICOLE to findmore elsewhere, only for her to reply that it's proving difficult even with their allies in the United Federation and Dragon Kingdom working as hard as they can. She then reassures him that they should have enough by the end of the week. As Naugus keeps his mutations at bay, he accepts NICOLE's progress with a sigh. Opening the door a little, he thanks NICOLE for her hard work, and tells her that if there's any new breakthroughs, she should let him know, to which NICOLE agrees. Changing the subject, NICOLE asks "Geoffrey" if he's feeling alright, to which he excuses his condition as a slight cold, telling NICOLE how much the king loves his privacy. NICOLE then leaves "Geoffrey" to tend to his needs. As he slams the door, Naugus mutters about NICOLE's insolence.

Back at Sonic's house, Sally notes that New Mobotropolis looked the same as it did when she left, noting that everything is here--her home and her friends, thinking that maybe nothing has changed. Sonic points out that even if that's the case, they're still in a pretty bad spot. Sally acknowledges that there’s still much work left to be done, and then changes her subject to the Freedom Fighters, only for Sonic to stop Sally and tell her that they got her back, and they could get everyone else too, assuring that there's nothing to worry about. However, Sally, on the verge of tears, yells to Sonic about telling her that after all she's done, reminding him that she hurt the people she swore to protect, the people she cares for the most, and she wanted to keep doing those things, believing she's not deserving of them. Sonic then replies that Sally she did it to save everyone, proceeding to tell her that that thing wasn't her--it never was, and it never will be, saying that she can believe that, and that she should try to. These words calm Sally down a bit. Bernadette then comes in with Sally's parents, telling the two that they might want some company. Sally rushes to hug Maximillian and Alicia as they finally reunite. Sonic decides to leave his room to give Sally some alone time with her parents, not wanting him to get in the way. However, Sally pleads Sonic to stay with her, which he accepts, telling Sally that he'll stay with her as long as she wants. As Sally thanks Sonic for those words, the Acorns and Sonic huddle together in a group hug.

The next day, Sonic (with his forehead bandage now gone) and Sally head to New Mobotropolis's coliseum for a Forget Me Knots concert in celebration of Sally's return. While Sally claims that they didn't need to do something like that, Sonic rebuffs that the Forget Me Knots would take any excuse to party (although he notes that he can't blame them for that). Tails, Rotor and a rebuilt T-Pup arrive to greet the couple, with Sally stating how nice it is to see them again, but when Sally greets the robotic pup, T-Pup begins to whine. As Sonic asks what the matter was with him, Sonic remembers Mecha Sally disabling T-Pup during their earlier fight. Changing the subject, Sonic asks Rotor about Eggman's copy robot. Rotor replies that it's still offline from the previous battle: He and Tails have been studying its components, but it's extremely complex, noting that the encryption on the copy robot is so advanced, he thinks that even NICOLE's handheld form would've been unable to decipher it at all. Tails continues by thinking that the robot's far too advanced to be an Eggman's, so he must've found it somewhere but wonders whether he managed to reverse-engineer the design. Sally interrupts, telling her friends that they need to know the truth, telling them that she was fully aware of everything she said and did while she was roboticized, before quietly apologizing to them. Rotor dismisses the apology, remarking that Sally wasn't in control of her actions, telling her she doesn't need to apologize, while Tails adds that they're just happy to have her back, to which Sally thanks them. Rotor proceeds to introduce Sally to Team Freedom--the team protecting New Mobotropolis in her absence. Cream and Cheese, though still scared, step forward welcoming her home and telling her that they're all very happy to see her again. Tearing up at this, Sally thanks Cream, saying that she's happy to be home as well. Sally tells Team Freedom's members that she met them all before, but she's very happy to see them working together as Freedom Fighters. Sally finishes by stating that she looks forward to working with the team in the future.

NICOLE suddenly appears to greet Sally, and the two share a tearful hug as the two companions are reunited. As NICOLE joyously tells Sally that she's happy to see that she's safe, Silver arrives, asking to join the reunion. Sally obliges, as she just remembers Silver's name. Silver further apologizes to Sally for knocking her out, explaining that he didn't mean to cause any harm. Sally assures Silver that it's fine, thanking her. Amy soon arrives to greet Sally although the latter is too ashamed to look her in the face and the former mistakes it for annoyance. Mina the Mongoose soon follows, leaving Sally confused at how Mina's comfortable around NICOLE now, but Mina assures the princess that they worked out their differences, and that she's been trying to get the people to understand as well, with NICOLE backing her up. Sally becomes delighted at this, hoping to spend more time with Mina together soon.

As Mina and NICOLE share a fist bump, "Geoffrey" arrives claiming that it's wonderful to have her back and that King Naugus offers his regards to both her and her bravery, strength and heroism, concluding that the King only wishes he could be here to thank her in person, which Sally can only meekly thank the skunk. Sonic suddenly intervenes, telling Sally that there's more people who want to welcome her back over at Uncle Chuck's diner. Sally agrees, but Sonic asks her to give him a minute so he can have a word with Geoffrey. As Sally goes away, Sonic strictly tells Geoffrey to chat, to Geoffrey's nervousness. Sonic begins to tell Geoffrey that he couldn't help but notice how he's been acting strange lately, backing this up with the fact that it wasn't that long ago that he was fighting Sally when he greeted her and asks him what's going on. "Geoffrey" sheepishly claims nothing's going on and asks why Sonic would think that, to which Sonic replies that he thinks that Geoffrey might be having having second thoughts on Naugus, and reprimands him, saying he finds it hard to believe that he's still on board with Naugus after everything he's done. "Geoffrey" then gloats that Naugus is the true king and has given far greater protection and stability than the Kingdom of Acorn ever could, and insisting both he and Sonic should be proud to serve him. Sonic rebuts, saying that he can't serve someone who only serve himself. As "Geoffrey" becomes visibly irked at that comment, Sonic heads off to his uncle's diner--but not before telling Geoffrey that Hershey would have wanted differently. Within his own body, Geoffrey tells Sonic that he knows as he watches on helplessly...

#### Appearances

##### Characters

* Alicia Acorn
* Amaudeus Prower
* Amy Rose
* Arlo Armadillo
* Bernadette Hedgehog
* Big the Cat
* Bomb
* Bunnie D'Coolette *(Flashback)*
* Chao *(Cameo)*
* Cheese the Chao
* Cream the Rabbit
* Cyril Eagle
* Doctor Eggman *(Mentioned)*
* Doctor Quack
* Duane Quack
* Dylan Porcupine
* Egg SWAT *(Flashback)*
* Elias Acorn
* Elizabeth Quack
* Emerl *(Mentioned)*
* Forget Me Knots
	+ Ash Mongoose
	+ Mach the Rabbit
	+ Max the Monkey
	+ Mina Mongoose
	+ Sharps the Chicken
* Froggy
* Geoffrey St. John
* Hamlin Pig
* Harvey Who
* Heavy
* Hershey the Cat *(Mentioned)*
* Hubert Quack
* Isabella Mongoose
* Ixis Agunus
* Ixis Naugus
* Ixis Nusgau
* Ixis Suguna
* Jules Hedgehog
* Larry Lynx
* Leeta Wolf
* Louise Quack
* Lupe Wolf *(Flashback)*
* Lyco Wolf
* Maximillian Acorn
* Miles "Tails" Prower
* Muttski
* Nicole
* Rotor Walrus
* Rory Bear
* Rosemary Prower
* Rosie Woodchuck
* Sally Acorn
	+ Mecha Sally *(Flashback)*
* Sasha Cat
* Shard the Metal Sonic
* Silver the Hedgehog
* Sir Charles Hedgehog
* Snaggle Tiger
* Sonic the Hedgehog
* T-Pup
* Vanilla the Rabbit

### Story Two

*On the Backburner*
On the Death Egg Mk. II, Dr. Eggman is busy repairing the ship after Team Fighters rescued Mecha Sally. As he repairs his communications pad, Eggman mutters how Sonic always makes a mess of things. Orbot advised Eggman that if he dedicated more thought to his strategy rather than Sonic himself, he'd have a higher degree of success in his attacks. Eggman shouts at Orbot that he didn't ask for his opinion, before accidentally banging his head on the control pad. Cubot then arrives, stating that Metal Sonic has arrived unconscious on the hangar. Recovering, Eggman tells him to bring him and the others for a mission report, thinking that they captured one of Sonic's friends. However, a worried Cubot tells Eggman that Mecha Sally and the copy robot from Soumerca haven't arrived, much to the doctor's fury. Eggman mutters to himself that even weaponizing her was still inefficient, reminding himself that the constant is the chaos. Orbot then interrupts Eggman's train of thought, revealing that he got the communications working again. Eggman immediately tells him to contact all available D.E.L. chapters.

First contacting Mordred Hood, Eggman tells Mercia's Grandmaster to have all his fuel and supplies shipped to Artika now. Hood apologizes, saying that something far more pressing has his attention at the moment. Next, Bill the Platypus tells Eggman that things aren't doing to well in Downunda, with trouble keeping his legionnaires in line. He also stated that all of their fuel was stolen by the Downunda Freedom Fighters. In Eurish, Regina Ferrum says she's just settled into her position as Grandmaster, so it'll take her some time to get used to understand the system. Diesel the Bear confirms that he gained some extra fuel for his chapter's bikes, and he'll send them over to Eggman. The Bride of the Conquering Storm adds that she just revived an oil shipment, but it'll take two weeks to send to Artika, with Diesel also telling Eggman this. Frustrated, Eggman tells the two Grandmasters to send the fuel and oil now, before ending the feed.

Orbot tries to cheer Eggman up, telling him to not be so despondent, and how they can begin repairs on the Death Egg while the fuel is in shipment. Cubot adds to this, saying they could also begin works on other projects Eggman has put off, handing him one of his blueprints. Looking at his plans, Eggman suddenly grins before telling Orbot and Cubot to come with him. He tells them that they've got a lot of repair work to do and he wants Metal Sonic up and running tomorrow. As he prapres his next plot, Eggman tells Sonic that the Death Egg will fly again--but until then, he'll keep coming for him and his friends. He concludes by saying that the hedgehog's team is still in pieces--and Eggman intends to make sure it stays that way...

#### Appearances

##### Characters

* Bride of the Conquering Storm
* Diesel
* Doctor Eggman
* Downunda Freedom Fighters *(Mentioned)*
* Duck "Bill" Platypus
* Emerl *(Mentioned)*
* Metal Sonic *(Mentioned)*
* Mordred Hood
* Orbot & Cubot
* Regina Ferrum
* Sally Acorn *(Mentioned)*
	+ Mecha Sally *(Mentioned)*
* Snively Robotnik
* Sonic the Hedgehog *(Mentioned)*
* Talia Lilac (*First Appearance*)

### Story Three

*Birds of a Feather*
Sally stands alone in Freedom HQ, thinking how unreal it is to see the old base again. Sally begins to doubt how everyone has had time to use the base recently, but notes that they made sure it looked nice and tidy. She guesses that they never stopped believing that she would come back, even though she was supposed to. Suddenly, NICOLE contacts Sally, startling the princess. Pardoning the intrusion, NICOLE tells Sally that someone wanted to see Sally immediately. Looking behind her, Sally sees Knuckles coming out of a Warp Ring. Before she could react, Knuckles rushes towards her and gives her a big hug. As things get awkward for Sally, NICOLE tells Knuckles that despite him being happy to see Sally again, he's making her feel uncomfortable. Knuckles asks Sally if it's true, apologizing for getting caught up it the moment. Sally just states that she's fine, greeting Knuckles and saying that he just startled her. A relieved Knuckles states that he's happy to see Sally again and see that she's safe. Sally playfully tells Knuckles to not scare her again, or she'll give him another flip back kick. Knuckles ribs back about her prodding him with a stick, in which Sally reminded that Knuckles was spying on her at the time.

Changing the subject matter, Knuckles tells Sally that he and the Chaotic are getting ready to go on important mission soon. But when he learned that Sally was back to normal, he rushed over to see her as soon as he could, to Sally's shock. Knuckles continues, saying that not to say that Sally was getting in the way, both of them are still friends. As Sally thanks Knuckles for that thought, Knuckles continues that he's not looking forward to give Sonic an apology, only to see Sally tearfully apologizing to Knuckles. Sally tells the Guardian that she can't take it that everyone has been so nice to her ever since she came back, believing to not deserve their sympathy. Sally explains about the things burned into her mind--all the horrible things she said, all the people she nearly killed, and being forced to watch Eggman turn me into a monster. As Sally continues crying, Knuckles begins to console her, deciding to sit down and talk with her.

Soon, Knuckles tells Sally that she didn't kill anyone Mecha Sally. Sally states otherwise, saying that in Silver's future, everyone was dead because of her, and would've done so if he hadn't come back to stop her. Knuckles thoughtfully tells Sally that he knows what she's going through right now, having not forgiven himself for what he did before as Enerjak. He was turned into a weapon and turned against everyone while he was completely aware of it the whole time, comparing it to no agony quite like it. Knuckles then states that dealing with the aftermath is just as hard. Continuing, Knuckles recalls that he and his father never really saw eye-to-eye, but Locke sacrificed himself to give his son a second chance. But Knuckles instead chose to wallow in self-pity, turning his back on his people when he needed him most. However, his friends went and knocked some sense into him, allowing him to own up for what he did and make things finally look up for him. Knuckles notes that with his friends beside him, there's nothing he can't do.

Knuckles suddenly apologizing for talking a lot about himself, stammering as he tries to get to the point of what he was saying. But Sally tells Knuckles that she knows exactly what he meant, and how the talk made her feel a little better now. Knuckles becomes relieved again, stating that pep talks aren't his specialty. But he reiterates to Sally that she isn't alone, noting that Sonic and his friends never gave up on her before and how they won't give up now either. Knuckles also assures Sally that she's got him, saying that if she needs his help, no matter where she needs it, he's always a call away. Giving her another hug, Knuckles tell Sally to never forget that. Sally says that she won't forget his advice, before thanking Knuckles for everything.

#### Appearances

##### Characters

* Chaotix
	+ Archimedes *(Flashback)*
	+ Charmy Bee *(Flashback)*
	+ Espio the Chameleon *(Flashback)*
	+ Julie-Su *(Flashback)*
	+ Knuckles the Echidna
	+ Mighty the Armadillo *(Flashback)*
	+ Ray the Flying Squirrel *(Flashback)*
	+ Saffron Bee *(Flashback)*
	+ Vector the Crocodile *(Flashback)*
* Enerjak *(Flashback)*
* Kage Von Stryker *(Flashback)*
* Locke *(Flashback)*
* Nicole
* Sally Acorn
	+ Mecha Sally *(Mentioned)*
* Silver the Hedgehog *(Mentioned)*

### Off-Panel

* **Script:** SonicWindAttack
* **Pencils:** Fritzy
* **Inks:** SpeedySpikes
* **Colors:** KomoriArts
* **Letters:** Dr. Z

Sally tries to apologize to Cream for her actions as Mecha Sally. Cream then forgivers her and tells Sally about what her mom taught her that if someone misbehaves, they go into a time-out. Sally sits in a time-out corner with a danger cone hat and a sign saying "Evil Robot" with Tails Doll caged and Cream and Cheese on guard duty.

## Key Events

* Metal Sonic returns to the Death Egg, albeit wounded from his past fight.
* Eggman prepares to begin a put-off plan of his.

*Sonic The Hedgehog Online Issues*

 *Sonic Universe Online* (SUO)