Sonic the Hedgehog's relationship with Princess Sally has always been a rollercoaster for fans ever since Sally's character debuted in Sonic's cult classic Saturday morning cartoon before crossing over to Archie's now discontinued series. But that emotional ride took a blistering nosedive during a pivotal issue that fans will always remember. They broke up seemingly for good over Dr. Eggman.
Sonic and Sally were originally more flirtatious than an actual couple in the Saturday morning cartoon, and for a vast majority of the comic book series. Romance didn't really play a factor in the comics until issue #73 with the introduction of another character and possible love interest for Sonic, which only served as a means to freak out readers who wanted Sally and Sonic to get together, Mina the Mongoose. And Mina wanted Sonic badly. There was even a moment in issue #93 when Sonic and Mina seemed to have a love connection after bumping into each other accidentally.
During this heightened time of romance, the comic puts a major wedge in between Sonic and Sally when her brother ascends the throne and falls under the influence of Geoffrey St. John, a royal skunk who has always despised Sonic and makes it impossible for the hedgehog to interact with Sally. Of course, Mina takes advantage of this and even goes so far as to pass a stereotypical love note to Sonic during class, asking if he would help train her in issue #96. This tension reaches its climax when Sally finally has a chance to sneak out to meet Sonic but comes at the worst moment when Mina kisses Sonic in issue #99.
Of course, Sonic doesn't reciprocate, but Sally, like in all great love stories where miscommunication is the main source of conflict, leaves before she sees this and treats Sonic coldly whenever they have a chance to see each other. It is only after Sally finally tells Sonic that she loves him and they kiss in issue #123 that they officially become boyfriend and girlfriend. Incredibly, their problems had only just begun. Sonic soon gets transported light-years away in issue #125 and everyone, believing that he died, holds a funeral for him.
Even though he would return and become Sally's royal consort in issue #130 one year later, his relationship with Sally doesn't last. Only four issues later, Sally's parents decide to go on a tour of the kingdom to gain more support, leaving Sally to rule in their stead, and Sally asks that Sonic rule alongside her, but that's when trouble arises. Sonic declines because they are still in the midst of a war. But from Sally's perspective, she is afraid of losing him again. When she thought he died, it had broken her heart, and she refuses to go through that again. It all comes to a screeching halt when Sonic is unable to answer Sally's next most important question: "What's more important to you, anyway?! Punching out Robotnik's lights, or being with me?"
It's truly heart-wrenching, especially knowing that Sonic the Hedgehog and Princess Sally never get back together before Dr. Eggman's Super Genesis Wave completely rewrites their entire world. The two would go through many trials and tribulations before then, and everything suggested they would get back together as well. Even when they lose their memories and believe they've only known each other for a few days, something tells Sally in issue #229 that Sonic should be with her. It's even more incredibly sad when, after getting separated during a battle against Dr. Eggman, Sonic writes "Hi Sal" on a window to let her know that everything is going to be okay. But everything wasn't. Fans are still waiting for Sally to come back into Sonic's life ever since IDW Publishing revamped the series.