"Winds of Change"
Authors: Robert Brown and Francis Tolbert
Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of
America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case
they were created and copyrighted by us or by another and we have
permission to use them). The authors hereby give permission for
this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy per user as
long as (1) no changes to the story are made without our express
written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is made to
profit from this story. If either or both rules are violated, it
will be considered a violation of copyright law.
Author's Note: I'd like to apologize for the amount of time it took for us to
post this story. Fact is, we have both been going through some hard times
right now. It's not important what they were, just that they're (hopefully)
over and we can get back to some kind of normalcy.
Many of you have asked us whether or not we are going to
continue posting on Tyro's page now that Bookshire is back online. Fact is,
I have asked Bookshire if he wants us to continue to post on his page, but
have not yet received an answer. Either way, we will continue to post on
Tyro's page for as long as he will have us.
We've also received a ton of fanmail concerning our last effort,
"Bringing Life into the World-Part II". We're glad that the story was
generally well-received. Truth is, that was one story we were waiting to do.
There are a couple of other stories like that coming up. I hope they're as
well received as that one was. Till next time, Happy Reading!
Cast of Characters(in order of appearance)
Metal Sonic
Princess Sondra Acorn***
Miles "Tails" Prower
Nadia***
Donovan###
Sonic Hedgehog
Princess Sally Acorn
Bunnie Rabbot
Antoine D'Coolette
Uncle Chuck
Maurice Hedgehog***
Patricia Hedgehog***
Rotor
Princess Lydia Evergreen^^^
Dulcy
Knuckles Echidna
Dr. Robotnik
Kelly Min Hedgehog**##
Isabela Evergreen^^^
Dorian Lexford***
Snively
#23
Metal Sonic ran around Robotropolis aimlessly. Ever since the Freedom
Fighters had gotten the Life Emerald and broken the hold he had over Donovan,
Robotnik had been in a really foul mood. Any SWATbots that came too close to
him were getting scrapped, shot, or worse. While Metal Sonic knew that he was
quite a bit more valuable than a SWATbot, he didn't want to take chances.
He turned a sharp corner and nearly skidded out of control. While there
was some snow on the ground, that wasn't caused him to skid; it was his speed.
He had become the fastest thing on Mobius in recent months, even faster than
the real Sonic. But his systems had never quite adjusted to it.
He focused on his running so he wouldn't crash. The next time he turned a
corner, he took it perfectly. But something else made him crash into a wall.
"You seem quite a bit faster than I remember," a nasal voice said.
Metal Sonic pulled himself out of the wall. He knew immediately who it
was who stood before him. "Are you nuts?" the robot whispered furiously. "If
he catches you here--"
"_If_ is the operative word. I still have some failsafes in the
computer. You see that camera?"
"Uh oh."
"Not to worry. A virus I left in the computer automatically deletes both
my image and my voice. For all he knows, you're talking to thin air."
Metal Sonic smiled. "Very impressive. But I don't think you're here just
to chat."
"You're right, of course. I think I've figured out why you've become so
fast lately. If I'm right, I trust I won't have to fight you over it."
Metal Sonic nodded and turned around. He opened his rear panel as the
figure stepped up and reached inside....
Sondra and Tails sped through the Great Forest, heading for the site where
Sanctuary had once stood. Even though Tanis had moved Sanctuary back to its
original location, the clearing where it had stood on the outskirts of Knothole
still remained. It was there that Donovan and Nadia had elected to build their
hut.
They slowed as they came in sight of the area. Sondra was a bit surprised
at how far the construction had progressed in the past two weeks. The hut was
not quite complete, but it was already more sturdy than most of the huts in
Knothole. It wasn't nearly as large as his bases were, and Sondra wondered how
Donovan was going to fit all his computer equipment into it.
"I wonder what Nadia wanted us for," Tails said, landing beside her as
they reached the door.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Miles," Sondra admitted. She knocked on
the door.
The door opened and Nadia hurried them inside. "Get in here before you
freeze," she said, shutting the door quickly.
"Aw, it's not that cold," Tails protested.
"It is for me," she said. "Then again, you two are the ones with the
heavy coats."
Sondra smiled as she and Tails took off their coats. "Where's Donovan?"
she asked, throwing her coat over the back of a chair.
"Working on the computer. He's trying to install the voice and
personality software from his main base."
"What the hell is going on here?"
Nadia and Sondra both looked in the direction of the voice. It sounded
like Donovan's computer, but neither one could remember it talking like that.
Tails, oblivious to the change, just looked at the other two. "What?"
"I see it's not going well," Sondra said.
"Are we there yet?" the computer's voice came again, sounding like an
annoying child.
Nadia winced. "That's an understatement. Let's see what we can do to
help." She led the way into the main room where Donovan was sitting at a small
mainframe, typing away furiously. "Any luck dear?" Nadia asked.
"Get your grimy hands off my keyboard," the computer interrupted. "Now it
has to be fumigated."
"What do you think?" Donovan asked as Sondra and Tails stifled a laugh.
"Let me handle this," Nadia said, walking next to the table where the
computer sat.
"Oh great, not another germ-infested creature touching my keyboard," the
computer said. "Have you ever heard of soap and water?"
"Who said anything about touching your keyboard?" Nadia asked sweetly.
Without warning, she lashed out with her fist and slammed it down on top of the
computer.
The computer's screen scrambled. "Did you have to hit me so hard?" it
asked after the screen cleared.
"Sometimes you had to have been a computer to understand one," Nadia said.
Donovan stared over at Nadia. "Why couldn't you have done that fifteen
minutes ago?"
Nadia jumped lightly into his lap and hugged his neck. "Maybe because I
enjoy seeing you squirm?"
Donovan tried to get mad, but he couldn't hold it. "I just can't do it,"
he said, hugging her back.
"I know," Nadia murmured. "And I plan to take full advantage of it."
"Umm, hello?" Tails said, getting annoyed. "We are still here you know."
"Oh, sorry," Nadia said, but she didn't look sorry.
"Listen, we are here for another reason," Sondra said. "Sally finally
pinpointed the Wind Emerald's location."
Donovan and Nadia grew abruptly serious. "I was wondering how long it
would take you," Donovan said.
"You mean you knew?" Tails asked. "Why didn't you say anything? You are
on our side now, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. It's just that I'm not used to being on anyone's side.
I've also been distracted you know."
"I can guess," Sondra said, looking right at Nadia.
Nadia and Donovan blushed beet red. "Not like that," Donovan protested.
"Well, not all the time. To be honest, we've spent most of our free time
building this and trying to track down the Kavenoff. Which reminds me;
computer, how long before the uplink to the main consoles are in place?"
"Approximately five hours, Donovan," the computer answered.
"Uplink?" Sondra asked.
"We don't have the room for all his stuff here," Nadia said. "And even if
we did, the Race would probably be over before we got everything moved and
operational. So I suggested having a small terminal here while keeping the
bulk of his stuff at the main base."
"Makes sense. But then I guess you two wouldn't be interested in coming
along."
"Well, we do have five hours before we can do anything...." Nadia began.
But then she got a sly smile. "But I think we'll be busy in another way."
Donovan smiled and held her closer. "I don't think I'll mind this kind of
work."
"Let's go," Tails said, dragging Sondra out of the room. "Those two are
hopeless."
"Oh, I don't know Miles," Sondra said as they got their coats on. "I have
a feeling we'll be worse."
"If we ever get to that point," Tails grumbled as they headed out.
In Knothole's War Room, Sonic was pacing impatiently. "I wish they'd get
here," Sonic said. "I want to get going!"
Sally looked up from the holographic projector. "Sonic, you haven't been
this anxious to go on a mission in months. What gives?"
"Sal, look, you know I've always said I'm the fastest thing on Mobius.
Now you tell me that this cheap imitation is faster? I gotta see about that
firsthand."
Sally sighed. "Sonic, we both know it's because of the Wind Emerald," she
began soothingly.
Sonic cut her off. "Sal, we both know my speed is important, especially
once all the Emeralds are claimed and we can go all out again. If he's gotten
faster than me, how are we going to compete?"
"You have a point," Sally admitted grudgingly. "But I get the feeling
it's more a matter of pride to you."
"Of course it is! My speed is the thing I'm second most proud of."
"Second? Then what's first?"
Sonic didn't say a word. All he did was point at the ring of Sally's left
hand. Sally blushed a little and just looked back at the holograph.
Nearby, Bunnie and Antoine chuckled. "He's got ya there, Sally-girl,"
Bunnie said, smiling.
"Oui," Antoine said. "It is only natural for an animal to be proudest of
his love. Especially when they have consented to wed."
Bunnie smiled at Antoine. "Are you saying you're more proud of me than
anything else?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
"OK, OK, enough you two," Sally said. "We have to concentrate on getting
this Emerald. This will be our first concerted effort to get one of Robotnik's
Emeralds. Sondra got lucky; I don't want to rely on luck."
"Did I hear my name?" Sondra asked, bursting through the door with Tails
right behind her.
"Great timing, Princess," Uncle Chuck said. "We were just talking about
you."
"Any luck getting Donovan and Nadia to come with us?" Sally asked.
"Nope," Tails replied. "They're busy 'working' on some things."
Looks of jealousy crossed many faces at that remark, but they quickly
passed. "Looks like we're going to have to do this with only five teams then,"
Sally muttered. "That's going to cut our chances."
"Count us in," Patricia said, walking into the War Room with Maurice.
"Say wha'?" Sonic asked, confused.
"We've been here for a while, and I've been too pregnant to help out. Now
I want to do something."
"I don't like this," Maurice said. "It's only been a month since you gave
birth."
"Was I any easier with Sonic?"
"No," Maurice conceded. "In fact, you were worse. But then we had my
brother to take care of him."
"I'll stay behind," Uncle Chuck offered. "Might give me a chance to get
to know my niece better."
Sally shook her head. "Sorry Uncle Chuck, we need you out there in case
something goes wrong. You have those scramblers ready, right?"
"Right here in this bag," Uncle Chuck said, holding a bag up. "I've built
in some communicators so we can keep in touch. I just hope they're legal in
the Race."
"I don't see why not," Rotor said. "All we're doing is disabling the
robot, not taking it out of commission permanently. No matter how much some
of us here might like to." There was something odd in his voice, like he
wasn't feeling quite himself.
Sonic frowned. He was about to make a sharp retort but his father cut
him off. "So then who are we going to get to babysit Kelly Min?" he asked,
bringing the conversation back into focus.
"I'd say get Rosie to do it," Lydia said, "but I haven't seen her around
lately. Anybody know where she went? She promised to watch Isabela for me
today."
"She had me fly her to Sanctuary," Dulcy said. "She said something about
Tanis having some problems that she wanted to help him through. I don't know
what's going on, but I did feel a very strong presence there, moreso than
usual. And it didn't seem happy."
Sally winced. "I hope it doesn't have anything to do with him helping us
with Donovan. I'd hate to think of him getting in trouble for us."
"Either way, we're back at square one," Patricia said.
"I guess I can stay behind to watch over them," Bunnie said.
"You think you can watch two kids by yourself?" Lydia asked.
"Who said anything about by myself? Sugarfox'll stay and help me, won't
you?"
"I will?" Antoine asked, flustered.
"Won't you?" Bunnie asked, snuggling her head into his chest. She looked
up at him with those beautiful green eyes and his heart melted.
"That is playing very dirty," Antoine scowled. Sighing, he added, "But
you are knowing full well that I cannot say no to you when you are being like
this."
"Now that that's settled," Sally said, "let's decide on the teams."
"What?" Sonic asked. "You mean we're not pairing up like we usually do?"
Sally shook her head. "Not this time Sonic. We can't afford to get
distracted like we sometimes do. For one thing, you're teaming up with Sondra.
We might need both your speeds to take care of him."
"Makes sense," Sondra said. "If anyone can outrun Metal Sonic, it's one
of us."
"So who do I go with?" Tails asked.
"You'll go with Uncle Chuck," Sally said. "Patricia, you're with me. No
arguements, Maurice. I'll take care of her. Besides, you're going with Lydia.
Rotor, you and Dulcy make a pretty good team lately, you'll be the fifth.
Everybody OK with that? Good," she said before anyone could respond.
Sally plugged Nicole into the projector and a red line appeared on it.
"This is the path he tends toward when he's out on his runs. There are some
variations," she said, indicating some dark blue areas, "but he always passes
these six points." Six yellow dots appeared on the map. "This is why I was
hoping for six teams, but five will have to do. Each team pick a spot to lay
in wait for him and get there. His next run is in two hours; we need to be in
position by then, got it?"
"We got it Sal," Sonic said. "Now let's stop talking and start acting."
"A word of warning," Knuckles said, stepping out of the shadows to no
one's surprise. "While it is true that Sir Charles' scramblers are within
the bounds of the Race, you must remember to deactivate them before you leave
Robotropolis. Failure to do so might result in you forfeiting the Emerald."
"Whatever," Lydia said testily. She still had not forgiven him for the
incident with the Water Emerald. "I just hope you're not trying to manipulate
us again."
"I assure you, I'm quite serious about this. Farewell for now."
"Is anyone else annoyed when he does that?" Lydia asked as Knuckles
disappeared.
"A better question could be 'Is anyone here not annoyed when he does
that?'" Sonic joked.
"Let's do it to it," Sally said, stifling her own laughter.
Everyone who was going headed off to Robotropolis. Patricia stayed behind
a few seconds to give Bunnie and Antoine some last minute instructions, then
grabbed on to Sally who flew off. Bunnie and Antoine waved goodbye. "I hope
you know what you have gotten us in to," Antoine remarked.
"Oh c'mon sugarfox," Bunnie said, nudging him with an elbow. "How hard
could it be to take care of two kids?"
Just then, a loud cry sounded throughout Knothole. Antoine winced and
backed up a few steps. "I am thinking I will go get Isabela," he said,
hurrying off.
"Thanks a lot, Ant," Bunnie muttered, running toward Patrcia and Maurice's
hut.
In Robotropolis, Robotnik was drumming his fingers against the side of his
chair. He knew that there was still one Emerald out there that he did not know
the location of. All his searches had come up negative so far, but he could
not stop until he had tracked it down. The Freedom Fighters now had a three
Emerald to one advantage over him; he had to even it up soon. With luck, they
would come into Robotropolis for an Emerald, not find one, and leave. Then he
could claim that he had defended one of the ones in his possession.
He casually flipped the monitor nearest him onto Metal Sonic as the robot
ran through Robotropolis. He didn't seem to be moving as fast as he usually
did, but Robotnik figured he was conserving his energy. The robot had
complained that the runs were becoming tedious, but Robtonik had forced him to
continue. "It is better to have him in motion instead of being in one place,"
he reasoned. But even Robotnik was becoming bored. Something would have to
give soon. Turns out that Robotnik didn't have to wait that long at all.
Metal Sonic ran around a building, just as he always did. But this time,
Sally was standing in front of him. The robot paused, startled, and skidded
out of control. "Pretty bold, Princess," Metal Sonic said, pushing himself out
of the wall.
"You should know by now that I'm only bold when I know I have the upper
hand," Sally returned. "You want to make this easy?"
Metal Sonic smirked. He had a sharp reply ready, but stopped. Sally was
not looking at him, but at a point just behind his left shoulder. Her gaze was
focused, indicating she was looking at something specific. Something, or
someone.
Metal Sonic rolled to the side just as Patricia landed on the spot he had
just occupied. "Nice try girls," the robot said, revving up his legs, "but not
nearly good enough." He sped off, leaving them in his wake.
Sally rushed to Patricia, who was having trouble standing. "You OK?" she
asked worriedly.
Patricia grimaced in pain. "Think I turned my ankle. Must be more out of
practice than I thought."
Sally took the scrambler from Patricia and activated the communicator.
"We blew it," she said. "Team 2, get ready."
"We're ready, Sally," Lydia said. "Wish us better luck. How long before
he gets here?"
"About 3 minutes."
Lydia flipped off the communicator and took up a position to watch the
street without being seen. Maurice knelt next to her. "You sure you're up for
this?" he asked.
"I'm fine, but what about you? You seem nervous."
"Not really nervous, just excited. It's been a while since I've seen any
action. Besides, I just want this over and done with so I can get home to my
daughter."
"I know the feeling," Lydia said. "I wonder how Bunnie and Antoine are
doing."
In Knothole, Antoine was running as fast as he could, trying to catch
Isabela. "It is time for your nap!" he called to her. "Come back here right
now!"
Isabela waited until he got close before making a quick turn. Antoine
wasn't so quick and ended up sliding face-first on the frost-covered ground.
Isabela stopped just long enough to look at Antoine and make a face at him.
She then took off for the forest, leaving only her laughter behind.
Antoine pushed himself up to his feet and ran off after her. "I hope
Bunnie is having an easier time of this than I am," he thought, starting to
close the gap again.
Unfortunately for Bunnie, Antoine couldn't have been more wrong. Kelly
Min had apparently determined she did not like her formula, and was letting
Bunnie know that in no uncertain terms. No sooner would Bunnie get her to take
a mouthful from her bottle than Kelly Min would push the bottle aside and spit
it right at her. "You're getting my ears soaked," Bunnie complained after the
third time.
Kelly grinned at Bunnie and babbled away. Bunnie sighed and tried again.
This time, Kelly settled down and finished the bottle. "About time," Bunnie
muttered, putting the bottle down. Kelly looked a little uncomfortable so
Bunnie put her up on her shoulder and patted her back.
Kelly belched once, then made a sound somewhere between a belch and a
cough. Bunnie's ears went up in surprise, then her eyes went wide with disgust
as she felt a liquid travel down her back. She held Kelly at arms length and
saw some of the milky formula dripping from her mouth. "Ewwww!" she
exclaimed, setting the baby in her crib.
Kelly laughed and clapped her little hands as Bunnie ran for a towel.
"This ain't as easy as I thought," Bunnie said, wiping off her back as best
she could. "Maybe Antoine was right about not being ready yet."
Bunnie sighed and looked out the window. "I'll get the hang of this if
it kills me," she said, determined. She marched back toward Kelly and picked
her up. "All right you," she said. "It's naptime!"
Back in Robotropolis, Metal Sonic continued along his run, now searching
carefully for Freedom Fighters. He was already halfway through the run, so it
didn't make sense to turn back. Besides, that might be what they expected.
But if they thought he would lay down without a fight, they had another thing
coming.
His audio sensors picked up voices to the side of the road. They were
definitely two of the Freedom Fighters, and they seemed to be arguing. His
main computer told him he should continue on and leave them to their
bickering. But he did have a sense of curiosity, and he stopped to see what
the arguement was about.
"Lydia, you should listen to me," Maurice said. "I've been doing this a
lot longer than you have."
"Maybe," Lydia said, "but you've also been out of it longer than I have.
I should be the one telling you."
Metal Sonic watched their arguement, smiling. The Race was starting to
tear the Freedom Fighters apart, and it made him very happy. Without their
organized resistance, there would be an easy victory. He scowled for a
moment, not liking the idea of Robotnik winning. But then he just settled
back to watch.
Lydia threw up her arms in exasperation. Something flew from her hand
and struck the robot in the chest. Metal Sonic yelled as electricity coursed
through his metallic body. Frantically, he grabbed at the device and ripped
it off.
"Grab him!" Maurice yelled, tackling Metal Sonic. Lydia followed suit,
and they forced the robot to the ground.
"Hold him down!" Lydia called, trying to turn Metal Sonic over to get at
his access panel.
"I don't think so!" Metal Sonic said, curling up into a ball. He
extended his metal quills into Maurice's and Lydia's hands and rolled away,
moving almost as fast as he did when he ran.
Maurice quickly bandaged his hands and helped Lydia with hers. "We almost
had him," he said.
"It was a good plan," Lydia said, wincing. "Too bad I threw it somewhere
he could reach it." She picked up the scrambler, but saw it was busted.
"Great," she muttered. "Now how are we going to tell the next team to get
ready?"
Maurice shrugged. "Let's just hope they're keeping a good look out for
him."
Rotor and Dulcy had their ambush ready for Metal Sonic, but they had no
idea he was on his way. "Hope he gets here soon," Rotor complained.
"What's with you lately?" Dulcy asked. "You've been on edge the last
month or so. What gives?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing Dulce," Rotor said, looking down.
"Yeah, and I always make perfect landings," Dulcy said, rubbing her sore
knees. "Out with it."
"It's nothing, really," Rotor insisted. "But if you must know, I guess
I'm feeling like the odd one out here."
"What do you mean? You're a valuable member of the team."
"Was a valuable member," Rotor corrected bitterly. "Ever since we got
Uncle Chuck back full time and alive, everyone's going to him for things they
used to come to me for. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's OK. Gives me hope
that I'll get my family back one day. But the fact remains that now most of
my time is spent sitting around staring at a wall."
"Why don't you become Uncle Chuck's assistant? I'm sure he'd be glad to
have you."
"Dulcy, I've been the main engineer in Knothole since we moved there. To
have to pull back and be someone's assistant...." Rotor's voice trailed off
and he sighed. "It's gonna take some time to adjust. A lot of time."
"I guess I understand," Dulcy said, looking a bit uncomfortable. "But
don't you think you're being a little hard on everyone? I mean, we're all
still your friends."
"Oh, I know you don't mean to forget about me. I'm glad I have friends
like you. But it still hurts. I almost wish there was something else I could
do."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. I'm not as fast as Sonic or as smart as Sally. I can't
fly like Tails or throw crystals like Sondra. Bunnie is a great fighter and
Antoine's come into his own in that respect too. Even you have your place with
being a Protector. Me, all I had was my workshop. And now I don't really have
that anymore." Rotor said nothing more, growing deep in thought.
Dulcy hardly noticed, consumed with her own thoughts. She felt bad for
Rotor, he had been as much a friend to her as everyone else. She wished there
was something she could do for him, but she didn't know what to do or even if
he'd let her.
So preoccupied were they that they failed to notice a certain hedgehog-
shaped robot speeding by their location.
In Knothole, Bunnie was just sitting down. Trying to get Kelly Min to
take a nap had worn her out, and the baby was still awake. "At least she can't
get around on her own yet," she thought. "I wonder if Antoine caught up to
Isabela yet."
As if on cue, Isabela came running through the door with Antoine right
behind her. "Thank you...for finally...listening...to my reason...." Antoine
said between gasps for breath. "You have been running me around Knothole all
day!"
"It's not that," Isabela said, peeling off her coat. "I just have to go
potty. Aunt Bunnie, can you help me? This dress is really hard to get out
of."
"Sure thing," Bunnie said, rising wearily to her feet. "Think you can
handle watching Kelly sugarfox?"
"Anything has to be easier than running around after her," Antoine joked.
Bunnie smiled and wakled Isabela to the bathroom. As soon as she closed
the door, Kelly Min started bawling. Antoine hurried to her and picked her up.
But no matter what he did to soothe her, it just didn't work. "What is being
the matter?" he asked.
Of course Kelly couldn't answer him. But at that moment, Antoine figured
it out. A very specific smell reached his nose, almost causing him to gag.
He realized immediately where it was coming from and ran to the bathroom door.
"Umm, Bunnie," he called, "the baby needs her diaper changed."
"Change it yourself, Antoine," Bunnie called. "I'm more than a little
busy right now."
Antoine held the screaming Kelly at arms' length and sighed. "How am I to
be letting her get me in these things?" he wondered, walking over to the crib.
Tails hovered over the streets of Robotropolis, using binoculars to peer
off in the distance. "He's coming," he said excitedly, giving Uncle Chuck the
thumbs-up.
"Get out of sight," Uncle Chuck called. Tails nodded and flew around the
side of a building. But Uncle Chuck was worried. "Why didn't they call?" he
wondered. "The plan was to let the next team know to get ready, but I haven't
heard anything since Sally radioed. Hope nothing's wrong."
Metal Sonic came zooming by, starting to relax a bit. He had expected at
least one more attempt by the Freedom Fighters, including one by his namesake.
But here he was, only about 10 minutes from base. Surely they would have tried
it by now.
The sound of falling metal stopped him cold. Just in front of him, a pile
of scrap metal carelessly left by the roadside had fallen over, effectively
blocking it. Metal Sonic cursed in a low voice and detoured around it.
Standing in front of him was Uncle Chuck. "I think this is the first time
I've seen you up close," he said. "You do look a lot like my nephew."
Metal Sonic just stood there, mouth open. "But how did...." he began.
"Never mind. Just get out of my way."
Uncle Chuck smiled and obligingly stepped to the side. Metal Sonic was
sure he was up to something, but didn't want to miss his opportunity. He
revved up his legs and shot past Uncle Chuck. To his surprise, Uncle Chuck
just stood there and watched him go.
Something dropped on him from above as he rounded a building. Within a
second, he felt electricity coursing through him, followed by someone diving
on him. "I got him, Uncle Chuck!" a voice he recognized as Tails' said.
"Hold him while I get the Emerald," Uncle Chuck said, rushing to them.
Metal Sonic pushed up to his feet and threw Tails off. He punched Uncle
Chuck in the stomach, instantly deflating him. "You had your chance," he said,
pulling off the scrambler and tossing it to them. "But after the first time,
I modified my circuitry so your scrambler is ineffective. Bye now."
Tails walked over to Uncle Chuck and helped him stand as the robot sped
away. "Sonic and Sondra don't stand a chance without those scramblers," he
said.
"My nephew's quick-thinking," Uncle Chuck said, grabbing the scrambler.
"He'll think of something."
"And if he don't, Sondra will," Tails said, smiling.
Metal Sonic ran at a slower speed than he had been, watching the roadside
carefully for Sonic. He could almost feel the hedgehog's presence. And there
he was, standing right in the middle of the road. "We meet again," Metal Sonic
said, coming to a stop. "You gonna try to scramble me too?"
Sonic looked at the scrambler in his hand, and tossed it aside. "I won't
even bother," he said.
"Then you concede?"
Sonic shook his head, his expression very serious. "Look, we both know
that if we fight, Knuckles is going to interfere eventually. He'll declare a
winner and nothing'll be settled between us."
"So what do you suggest?"
"A race. You and me, one-on-one. To decide the fastest thing on Mobius."
"Two-on-one," Sondra said, stepping into view. "You got the Wind Emerald,
so you gotta race us both."
"Who says I gotta race you at all?" Metal Sonic asked, tapping his foot.
A bright glow surrounded Sondra's hands. "I could just crystallize you,
get the Emerald, and restore you. That wouldn't do anything permanent. But
Sonic wants this race, and so do I. The choice is yours, of course."
Metal Sonic smirked. "Some choice. All right, what are the rules?"
"Simple," Sonic said. "Here to the command center, along this road. You
win, we leave. One of us wins, we get the Emerald."
Metal Sonic started to protest, but stopped. "Very well," he said, taking
up a starting position.
Sondra formed a crystal and tossed it high in the air. "When it hits the
ground, we start."
Both Sonic and Metal Sonic nodded, waiting for the crystal to drop.
It hit the top of a snow heap and stayed there. Sondra blushed, muttered some
apology, and threw up another crystal. As soon as it shattered against the
cold ground, they all took off, leaving behind a huge sonic boom that shook the
nearby buildings to their foundations.
The race was very even near the beginning, but Sondra took an early lead.
Sonic and Metal Sonic stayed back, conserving their energy for a final sprint.
It seemed odd to Sonic that Metal Sonic would be racing conservatively,
especially since he had the use of the Wind Emerald. But then, nothing about
this robot seemed to make sense.
With one mile left to go, Metal Sonic made his move. He took off past
Sondra and started to leave her behind. But Sonic was right on his tail.
Metal Sonic kept weaving across the road, trying to shake Sonic. But Sonic
stayed with him, matching him move for move.
Just before they reached the command center, Sonic used all the energy he
had left in reserve to slingshot past Metal Sonic and beat the robot by only a
matter of inches. To their surprise, Sondra was third by not much more. "By
that much," the robot said, holding two metallic fingers close together.
"Hey, it don't matter if it's half that," Sonic said. "I am the fastest
thing on Mobius."
"Way to go, Sonic," Sondra said, giving him a high five. "You know, if
you two had weaved any more, I would've beat you both."
"In your dreams," Sonic said, laughing. "Now, if you'll abide by our
deal," he said, turning to the robot.
"But of course," Metal Sonic said, turning around and opening his access
panel.
"Not so fast, hedgehog," Robotnik said, emerging from the command center.
"Do you honestly think I will just let you take the Emerald?"
"Anytime you're ready, Buttnik," Sonic said, revving up his legs.
"Save your strength," Sondra said, disgusted. "The Emerald's not here."
"What?" Robotnik and Sonic said together.
"It's not here," Sondra repeated.
"Is this some sort of trick?" Sonic demanded. "What did you do? Move
the Emerald after we figured out where it was?"
"You're the one playing tricks here, hedgehog," Robotnik said, his eyes
glowing red. "Don't toy with me. I know you've already taken the Emerald."
"What's the problem now?" Knuckles said, emerging from the shadows.
Sonic and Robotnik started talking at once, each accusing the other of
cheating. Knuckles tried to piece out the information, but they just kept
talking over each other. Finally, he made a throwing motion at each of them
and their mouths were covered in a sticky substance. "Now that I have some
quiet," he said, "I'd like to hear this story one at a time."
"I'll go first," Sondra said.
Knuckles jumped. "Oh, sorry Princess. I didn't see you there."
"No problem. Fact is, Metal Sonic doesn't have the Wind Emerald. Neither
do we, and apparently neither does Ro-butt-nik."
Knuckles turned to face both Robotnik and Sonic, looking from one to the
other with an intense stare. "Something is going on here that I don't like,"
he said, destroying the substance that covered their mouths with a wave of his
hand. "I was hoping I could keep the Race between two factions, but it seems
there is now a third. And this third is not bound by the rules. I must return
to the Floating Island. You Freedom Fighters return to Knothole. This contest
is over." With that, he walked into a shadow and disappeared.
"I am going to get to the bottom of this," Robotnik said angrily. "Even
if I have to take this robot apart...."
"What gives?" Sonic asked.
"It seems my robot has left," Robotnik said, pointing where Metal Sonic
should have been, but wasn't. He turned and stalked into the command center,
slamming the door behind him.
Sonic and Sondra just stood there, openmouthed. "Do you have any idea
what's going on?" Sondra asked quietly.
Sonic shook his head. "Nope. But I'll bet that Sal will want to know
about this pronto. Race you back to Knothole."
"Sorry Sonic," Sondra said, revving up her legs. "I'm heading over to
Donovan's. If anyone knows what's going on, he will."
"All right, see you later." The two hedgehogs sped off, parting ways
after they left Robotropolis.
Sally paced around the meeting place, getting more worried with each step.
"Where are they?" she wondered. "We should've heard something from them by
now."
Patricia sighed. "Sally, come with me. You need to burn off some energy.
Besides, I want to check on my baby and I'm still having a little trouble
walking. You coming, Lydia?"
"Sure," Lydia said. "Anything's better than waiting around here."
The three women walked off, heading for Patricia's hut. "So what gives,
Sally?" Lydia asked.
"I can't help thinking about what Sonic said earlier," she said. "Maybe I
was wrong to mess with the way we usually team up. We might've worked better
if I'd just left well enough alone."
"You felt like you were doing the right thing, Sally," Patricia said,
forcing a smile. "It was a good idea, I guess."
Sally shook her head. "I tried to do too much, and now it might've cost
us an Emerald, or worse."
"Well, just learn from your mistakes," Lydia said encouragingly. "After
all, isn't that what being a leader is all about?"
Sally mulled it over. "I didn't think of it like that," she said. "I
just hope I get a chance to use some of what I've learned today. Remember, the
Race only has a few months left."
They made it to the hut and opened the door. Inside, on the bed, Antoine
and Bunnie sat leaning against each other, sound asleep. Kelly Min and Isabela
were on their laps, also sound asleep. "Looks like they wore each other out,"
Patricia whispered, smiling.
"Hope it wasn't too much for them," Lydia whispered. "They look sort of
happy, though."
"Yo Sal!" Sonic yelled, bursting through the door. "We need to talk,
now!"
"Sssh!" Sally tried to shut Sonic up, but it was too late. Bunnie,
Antoine, Isabela, and Kelly Min all woke up with a start. But while Bunnie
and Antoine merely looked around confusedly, Isabela and Kelly Min started
crying at the top of their lungs.
Lydia and Patricia hurried over and scooped their daughters into their
arms, trying to calm them. Bunnie and Antoine slowly turned their heads to
glare at Sonic.
"You wanted to say something, Sonic?" Sally asked, oblivious to the fact
that Bunnie and Antoine were getting up.
"Umm, later Sal," Sonic said, not oblivious at all. "I think I'd better
leave now, while I still can."
"Get back here!" Bunnie and Antoine roared. Antoine ran after Sonic as
best he could while Bunnie ran inside her hut. She emerged a couple seconds
later with two swords, one of which she tossed to Antoine. Sonic tried to
run away, but Bunnie and Antoine kept cutting off his escape.
"You might want to go save your fiance before you become a widow before
you're even married," Lydia said, smirking.
Sally sighed and took off after them. She really didn't think they'd
hurt Sonic, but why take chances?
Sondra burst into Donovan's hut, not even bothering to knock. "Wake up
you two," she said, slamming the door behind her. "There's a problem."
"Wait out there," Nadia called. "We'll be out in a bit."
"No time," she said, walking right into the bedroom.
Nadia yelled in anger and pulled the blanket up around her and Donovan.
"Can't this wait until we get dressed?"
"Sorry, but seeing that the Wind Emerald was gone before we even got
there, and not even Knuckles has an idea of where it got to, I'm a little
short-tempered right now."
"It was?" Nadia asked, calming down at once. "Donovan, you got any idea
what happened?"
Donovan sat up, still covered by the blanket. He levelled a cool gaze at
Sondra. Sondra waited for him to say something. "Well?" she asked when he
didn't.
"You mean to tell me you don't have a clue?" Donovan asked.
"Would I be here if I did?" she snapped.
"First of all, calm down. Second of all, seeing that Metal Sonic didn't
have the Emerald, that means someone would have had to be able to get it from
him without Robotnik knowing. Do you know anyone other than the Freedom
Fighters who could do such a thing?"
"The only one who would have an easy time getting anything from that robot
would...be.... Oh no," she said, realization hitting her like a lead weight.
"Correct," Donovan said simply.
"Everyone's gonna hate this," Sondra muttered. "But I got a feeling
Robotnik's gonna hate it even more."
At that exact moment, Metal Sonic came upon a small hole in the ground
covered by an illusion generator. He was able to see right through it, but
it would be able to fool even Robotnik unless he was searching for it. He
looked around to make sure no one was watching, then jumped down.
"You could have used the ladder," a nasal voice said next to him as he
landed. "You can't afford to get damaged here, especially since we don't have
anything to repair you with."
"I'm fine," Metal Sonic said. "Just out of favor with a certain Fatboy."
Snively shrugged. "That is not your concern any longer. I think I might
have found a way to harness the Wind Emerald's power to our advantage."
"That's great. So when are we going after the other ones?"
"I say we lay low a while," Dorian said from a nearby chair. "Sonic's
not stupid, and neither is Robotnik. They have to have figured out by now that
we're behind all this. Let them get back into fighting each other, then we
make our move against Robotnik."
"Why not the Freedom Fighters too?"
"They have more Emeralds from what I understand. We make sure to take
Robotnik out of the picture, then we go after the others. Besides, I'm not
convinced attacking Knothole is a good idea."
"Is that your brain talking or your heart?" Snively asked.
"Both. But it's my honor that I listen to; you should know that."
Snively nodded. "Still, you're probably right. We'll play a part in all
this eventually, even if we weren't among the original participants."
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