Nicole the Holo-Lynx

"...I wanted to see the stars. Really see them...the way you do."

- Nicole the Holo-Lynx, Sonic Universe #73

Nicole the Holo-Lynx is one of the main characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics. She is an artificial intelligence created by Dr. Ellidy which was entrusted to Sally Acorn as a portable hand-held computer, and has since become both Sally's loyal friend and a trusted member of the New Freedom Fighters. She is incredibly versatile and able to interact with and manipulate most machinery and computer systems due to her advanced technology and is capable of mental and emotional growth. Due to the latter, she has gradually become more and more lifelike in demeanor during her time interacting with the Freedom Fighters. With the help of a Power Ring, she is able to create a complex holographically simulated body-based on that of an anthropomorphic lynx projected from her hand-held.

Appearance
As a computer unit, Nicole’s design is slightly inconsistent. In general terms, her hand-held is relatively compact, grey in color, and features a flip-top, a screen, two buttons and a small keypad. However, the number of keys, size and general positioning of the unit varies from artist to artist. The unit also has an attachable hook on the top screen where a Power Ring can be inserted.

Nicole’s simulated/projected body takes the form of a brown anthropomorphic lynx; the ends of her ears are black, and her face features a stripe along the bridge of the nose as well as one under each eye. Her eyes are green and her black hair is medium-long with splits at the ends. For attire, she wears a shoulder-less, sleeveless and purple dress with split tails, decorated with a small broach. She has black pants, white gloves, and shoes, the gloves featuring round gold cuffs while the shoes had silver cuffs and toes.

Origin
Nicole was created by Dr. Ellidy, a top scientist of the Kingdom of Acorn, who hoped to digitize the consciousness of his dying daughter Nikki. Upon Nicole's activation, Ellidy hoped for a reaction of some sort from her; he was disappointed when she responded with no emotion and noted that she had no designation. Despite this, he chose not to delete her, and he later gave her handheld form to Sally. Sally quickly identified her by gender and asked Dr. Ellidy what "her" name was. Ellidy started to respond but hesitated, struggling over his loss of his daughter, which prompted King Acorn to suggest the name Nicole after a past queen of the House of Acorn. Sally became quite fond of her new device, though she quickly learned-with some help from Rosie Woodchuck-that Nicole responded to all situations with logic rather than emotions.

Though Nicole would retain memories of these events, it would be with a different perspective than after she gained sentience, which took place some time after Sally fled to Knothole, taking Nicole with her. Eventually she manifested her holographic form to Sally, and demonstrated her first signs of real emotion by expressing a desire to see the stars. For the early part of her existence Nicole spent time with the Freedom Fighters without being able to see the world as they saw it. However, after discovering how to manifest her holographic form and developing sentience, she made the most of her new found lease on life. She shared in many of their experiences, from helping Tails build T-Pup to informing Antoine of the death of his parents.

Countdown to Chaos

 * Note: From the readers point of view, this picks up from where Nicole's original history ended.

Nicole was at some point captured by Walter Naugus, who had lost his powers as a result of the first Genesis Wave. Holding King Acorn captive, he attempted to force Nicole to create a Super Ring that would restore his lost magic, though Nicole informed him several times that she was unsure that she could pull the task off. When the Tails Doll arrived in Mobotropolis and became engaged in battle with Sonic and Tails, Nicole mocked Naugus, referring to him as "Wally" and claiming he deserved his misfortune. An enraged Naugus grabbed her computer body, the contact had the unexpected effect of reawakening Naugus' memories from the original reality. Terrified by the experience, Naugus threw Nicole's computer through a nearby window, where it was discovered by Tails. Nicole attempted to warn him off, apparently fearing that he would be affected just as Naugus was, but damage incurred from the treatment of her computer form made it so that Tails could not understand her. His old memories were restored, and Tails later reluctantly plugged Nicole into Tails Doll, allowing them to shut the monstrous machine down. After assuring her friends that her programming was undamaged, Nicole-her ability to speak somewhat repaired by her contact with Tails-suggested that the confused pair go looking for the missing Freedom Fighters. After rescuing a rejuvenated King Acorn, who blamed himself for NIicole's captivity, the trio set out to do just that.

Nicole provided some guidance to Sonic and Tails as they tried to find Rotor in the vicinity of the Mystic Ruins, though her ability to communicate remained impaired. With some help from Big the Cat, the trio managed to locate Rotor just in time to save him from a group of Spinner Badniks and their commander, Silver Sonic. Afterwards, the group were taken aboard Sky Patrol, and aircraft that Tails and Rotor had built in this reality as a counter to the Death Egg and other aerial threats. Tails handed Nicole to Rotor, which restored Rotor's memories of the original timeline as well as improving Nicole's condition, though not completely restoring her. After being updated by Rotor on the last known whereabouts of the other Freedom Fighters, the group set out again, leaving Big behind to assist Rotor.

Nicole continued to have impaired speech until they restored Antoine's memories outside Knothole. At that point, she found the lingering energy she possessed from the second Genesis Wave was waning. Her condition further improved when she restored the memories of Bunnie after recovering her from her mission in Metropolis Zone. Although her speech was restored, and she could partially project her lynx body again, Nicole's database was still scrambled, limiting her usefulness for the time being. Seeing in particular Bunnie's reaction to the restoration, Nicole expressed regret at what it was doing to the mental well-being of her friends. She also revealed she likely only had enough Genesis Wave energy for one more memory restoration, meaning Sonic would probably have to choose between restoring the memories of Sally or Amy.

Fortunately, by having Sally and Amy touch her at the same time, Nicole was able to restore the memories of both Freedom Fighters. While they were recovering, however, Nicole reappeared in her holographic form and demanded Sky Patrol be launched immediately. She revealed that the Super Genesis Wave had altered the entire multiverse, and had caused it to collapse upon itself. Horrified, she told the Freedom Fighters it was already too late to save the world, as it began to break apart underneath them. The Shattered World Crisis had begun.

Shattered World Crisis
The Freedom Fighters quickly traveled to Station Square, which had suffered heavily as a result of the planet breaking apart. While most of the group split into Team Freedom and Team Fighters to help with the rescue effort, NICOLE remained aboard the Sky Patrol with Sally and Cream in order to coordinate their comrades. When Sally suffered a breakdown as a result of the pressure of the situation and her difficulty in processing her conflicting memories, Nicole brought her out of it by reminding her of what she had accomplished, notably with Lupe and Dulcy. Fortunately, help soon arrived in the form of the G.U.N. Air Force vessel Letter of Gabriel. Unfortunately, the Freedom Fighters were then forced to contend with another problem: the abduction of Uncle Chuck and Professor Dillon Pickle by a Badnik Horde.

The group soon intercepted the Egg Train carrying the captured scientists and their research, and endeavored to stop it and free the hostages. After reaching the engine compartment, Sally attempted to access it through the best available means: dropping Nicole's computer form into it. After briefly complaining about the risk of damage to her unique components, Nicole manifested her hologram form and attempted to access the train's computer systems. However, her presence activated Badnik Horde Commander E-106 Eta, who attempted to destroy the intruder and took out the train's controls in the process. Nicole, who threw her computer self back up to Sally and dissipated her hologram to escape Eta, reported that the train was accelerating uncontrollably as a result. However, the Freedom Fighters managed to rescue the captured scientists, and soon found themselves with a new mission: locating the Chaos Emeralds and Gaia Temples in order to restore their broken planet. While traveling on this objective, Nicole kept her friends in shape by running a training simulation for Team Freedom, Team Fighters, and Team Rose, and while observing them began pondering her history with them. The group soon accomplished their assigned tasks, and Nicole congratulated them on their success.

Nicole joined Sally, Antoine, and Tails on a mission to recover a Chaos Emerald from Crystal Cave. With Nicole's help they easily reached the Emerald; much to her surprise, however, Sally insisted upon activating the security system to make sure Dr. Eggman knew they had taken it. At first considering this a foolhardy move, Nicole was made aware of the stakes when Sally activated her hologram and showed her the beauty of the cave. Realizing that Eggman's forces would strip mine the beautiful cave if they believed the Emerald to still be there, Nicole agreed to reactivate the security in order to spare the location. While making their way out, the group ran into an E-1000 robot, who dissipated Nicole's hologram with a laser. Unharmed, Nicole was later reactivated by Sally after they returned to the Sky Patrol, and thanked her friend for helping her think more like a living being. Later, she informed her teammates of the Chaos Emerald Championship being held by Breezie the Hedgehog in Casino Park. She was rather amused when Sonic questioned Sally regarding her requests to King Acorn for use of the kingdom's funds, and later watched with the other Freedom Fighters as their friends took part in the tournament.

Spark of Life
Some time later, the Sky Patrol was attacked by several Dark Gaia Creatures of, forcing several of the Freedom Fighters to do battle with them. Despite Nicole's noting that the creatures would disappear at sunrise, Sally dove off the aircraft to aid a beleaguered Tails, who later saved her from falling. Nicole later berated her for this action, but was soon distracted by a more urgent matter: a distress call from Dr. Ellidy, her creator. Transporting herself into the Digital World, she found the aged Lynx at the mercy of several strange creatures, and quickly rescued him. Ellidy was stunned by her arrival and appearance, having not seen her since leaving her with Sally, and informed her that he had been cut off from returning to the real world by a firewall. Nicole swiftly brought down the barrier, and the two traveled to Ellidy's home of Isolated Island-he back to his body and she to his computer system. Sally, Big the Cat, and Tails entered Ellidy's home at roughly the same time, and Nicole surprised Ellidy yet again by manifesting her hologram form. Ellidy questioned what had prompted Nicole's form, and became distant after learning that she had "chosen" it. His distance disturbed Nicole, who was comforted by Sally, which prompted Nicole to reveal her fear that some power had attempted to ensnare Ellidy in the Digital World and may have followed them.

After being told about the Red Star Ring and several issues that had cropped up since the Shattered World Crisis had begun, Nicole expressed her fears to Dr. Ellidy that someone or something was trying to take over his systems. Reluctantly acknowledging the theory, Ellidy agreed to let Nicole and Tails look over his systems, with Nicole locking down her handheld form and downloading herself into Ellidy's computers. As she worked, Phage and the creatures from before kept appearing just beyond her perception, and she and Tails decided to partition the system to make it more difficult for any foreign invaders to move freely about the system. Ellidy also questioned when she had gained her sentience, and Nicole confessed that she had difficulty identifying the moment, and also that she recalled things from before that time with a different perspective than she now possessed.

Later on she was confronted by Phage, who identified herself as the perpetrator of the attack on Ellidy and a later attack on Sally and Big. She attempted to contain the evil A.I., but found Phage's power greater than her own, and was attacked in turn. Phage briefly held her captive in an effort to force Sally and Ellidy to cooperate with her, but when Phage toyed with the notion of destroying Nicole and impersonating her she broke free and fled into the system. Phage was quick to pursue her, and Nicole desperately took refuge in a curious digital structure, where she found images of Ellidy's daughter Nikki. Her curiosity over the identity of the strange girl was put on hold as Phage found her and attempted to absorb her into herself. However, Sally then arrived via the Digitizer to aid her beleaguered friend, allowing Nicole an opening to strike Phage. However, Nicole ignored Sally's suggestion to return to her computer, instead remaining in the system.

Personality
Originally, Nicole's behavior was completely logic-orientated, with logic being the only motivation behind any decision, and she seemed lacking in autonomy. As time went on though, Nicole became more lifelike, and currently possesses many of the traits of a living being which she is fully regarded as by her friends. She is friendly, helpful and a loyal member of the New Freedom Fighters, having helped her friends at her own risk more than once. She is also able to express concern and support for others, and feeling guilty at risking the mental stability of her friends when restoring their old memories, and is not without the ability to mock or express defiance.

Despite her experiences, Nicole is at times out of touch with the life-like side of herself, reverting to the more logical thought processes of a machine as she dismisses the illogical nature of magic and wishful thinking, and initially seeing the beautiful Crystal Cave as little more than a mineral deposit. Despite this, she is capable of appreciating beauty as she experiences the wonders of having an actual body, and of helping others in times of difficulty. In addition, Nicole has become somewhat philosophical, realizing how important it is to preserve the wonders of the world they are fighting for.

Nicole also seems to resent her previous emotionless self as she states to Dr. Ellidy that while she can recall past memories, she does not like looking back to them as she now sees them in a whole new perspective.

Powers and abilities
As a computer, Nicole possesses a variety of abilities. In her handheld form, she can interface with other mechanical systems, allowing her to access and download information or even provide the Freedom Fighters with control over various unfriendly technologies. She also possesses a genius-level intellect, as she can process information and possess knowledge far beyond the average person.

Nicole is able to project a small hologram of her lynx form from her hand-held. When fitted with a Power Ring, she can fully assume her lynx form, though it dissipates if the Power Ring runs out. In her holographic form, she has fully functional limbs and the use of several senses. Her hologram form is vulnerable to attack, but no damage is incurred to Nicole so long as her handheld form remains unharmed. Nicole also is able to create barriers of an unknown greenish energy, which are strong enough to block laser fire. In the Digital World Nicole's abilities are expanded remarkably to the point she is capable of virtually anything she wishes, making her a fierce opponent. In the Digital World Nicole's powers are incredible, ranging from modifying and controlling existing virtual structures to creating new material, such as weapons-she seems to favor a pitchfork-like implement. She is also capable of producing digital energy blasts and creating firewalls, though her strength is not unlimited.

When reality was reshaped, Nicole somehow absorbed residual energy from the Super Genesis Wave, which severely compromised her systems. However, contact with her computer body allowed inhabitants of the altered reality to regain their memories of the unaltered Mobius, as seen with Walter Naugus and the Freedom Fighters (sans Sonic), though the process would be mentally overwhelming and even threaten their mental stability. Once all the leftover Genesis Wave energy had been spent, she lost this ability.

Overclocked Nicole
With a Red Star Ring hooked up to Nicole's handheld, Nicole can become Overclocked Nicole. In this form, Nicole's powers in the Digital World is greatly enhanced, reaching the point where she can easily overpower Phage.

Trivia

 * Nicole's holographic form is comparable to the holograms seen in the Star Trek television series, which would fit with the comics' tendency to make references and parodies of various science-fiction genres. Her computer form is also reminiscent of the tricorders used in that series.
 * Fans question whether Nicole's Mobian lynx form was a bit of a joke, since Nicole is a handheld computer, and the Atari "Lynx" was a handheld game system.
 * In Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, there is a device called the Med Emitter which bares a striking resemblance to Nicole's computer form.
 * Nicole's name can be spelled in all capitals or like a normal name, as Ian Flynn has stated "I suppose if you wanted to make the distinction between the computer and the soul, you could say the computer was all-caps. But at this point I consider her a "normal" part of the cast, so it'd be "Nicole.""
 * NICOLE's present holographic form is comparable to the holograms seen in the Star Trek television series, which would fit with the comics' tendency to make references and parodies of various science-fiction genres. Her computer form is also reminiscent of the tricorders used in that series.
 * Nicole is the first non-Sega Sonic female character to undergo a transformation, namely into Overclocked Nicole, and the second overall; the first is Blaze the Cat.