A Sonic The Hedgehog Fanfic Story...
"The Darkness Within" Part 3, Shattered Trust
By King Torrid
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Disclaimer:
Sonic the Hedgehog, and all related characters are trademarks of SEGA.
c 1999 SEGA, Archie Comics Publications Inc, Sega of America, and/or DIC
cartoons.
Agress Midnight, Tarlex Starenhilde, Travis Torric, Talkon, Detrao,
and Detrax characters/personality are property of c Robert H. Hasenzahl
Any and all similarities between any characters and actual persons, or
other characters by other authors (Living or dead)in name or in
personality are completely coincidential. No one may use any of the
characters Robert H. Hasenzahl has created, without written permission
of the author.
All rights reserved
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This story is rated PG-13 by the author, due to:
Excessive violence
Adult Language
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Friday
11-16-99 Earth date equivilant
Foreword:
It's been two weeks since Robotnik's return. Bunnie no longet calls
herself Queen Blackhand, or anything. She has given up her will to live,
but is being kept alive by her cellmate Sally.
Antoine hasn't spoken since the incident, and Travis spends most of
his waking time in a meditative trance. Sally seems to be the least
affected.
Robotropolis, cellblock A-4
6:00am
"Bunnie's sick, Travis. I'm asking you again, can you heal her?"
asked Sally.
"I can't heal an unwilling person." said Travis.
"Is it some moral problem?" asked Sally.
"No. That was a literal statement. I can not heal an unwilling
person. It won't work." said Travis.
Robotropolis, control room
6:15am
Robotnik was fixated to the main monitor. The monitor showed
cellblock A-4.
"You're probably wondering why I haven't done anything to them, aren't
you, Snivley?" asked Robotnik
"Actually, I am." said Snivley.
"I've been studying pain and suffering for the past ten years." said
Robotnik.
"You weren't gone for over a season, sir." said Snivley.
"Time flows diferently in the training grounds." said Robotnik "I
spent ten years there, studying under different master vicelords."
"I see, sir." said Snivley.
"In the underworld, I could have returned here at any time of my
chosing." said Robotnik "However, I decided to allow the Freedom Fighters
think I was gone."
"I see." said Snivley.
"If I intervened, they would suffer more. But it's the subtle pain
that interests me." said Robotnik "It's like watching a tree smolder to the
ground, instead of burning it quickly. It smokes more that way, and it has a
more poetic quality to it."
"You know, the starknight's been conjuring food for them, don't you?"
asked Snivley.
"Yes, I do." said Robotnik "I'm curious. How long do you think it
will be before they stop eating, Snivley?" said Robotnik, eating a bowl of
rice.
"I don't know, sir." said Snivley.
"I think it could take from two and a half to four months." said
Robotnik "Depending on how long the princess lasts. As soon as she goes
down, the others will follow."
Robotropolis, Cellblock A-4
7:31am
"Antoine, Bunnie, you need to eat." said Sally "Travis, they're dying.
Can you do anything for them?" Travis broke from his meditative trance.
"Look, I tried to heal them, I've provided food. That's all my powers
can do." said Travis "I can't help them unless they want it."
"How can you be so calm, and emotionless?" asked Sally.
"I have to disconnect from it." said Travis.
"How can you disconnect from... from THIS?!" asked Sally
"It's not easy." said Travis. Bunnie started coughing up blood.
"She needs a doctor." said Sally.
"Move her here." said Travis. Sally mooved Bunnie near to the bars
that separated the two cells. Travis removed his wristwatch, and placed it
against the bars. There was a loud, bright spark.
"I've short circuited the bars." said Travis "Bunnie, listen to me.
Nobody blames you for what happened. Everyone understands that it was the
ring. You did your best to fight it. You even kept the ring at bay."
"Please, Bunnie, we care about you." said Sally "D*MNIT BUNNIE!!!
DON'T DIE ON ME!!!" Bunnie's breathing became more shallow. Sally began
crying.
"I'm going to try something..." said Travis. Travis began mumbling in
lattin. Ten minutes later, a carrot appeared.
"This'll cost us our dinner stuff. It's more dificult to conjour a
piece of fruit, or vegetable than it it to conjour a block of foodstuff."
said Travis "I will give up my rations." Travis picked up the carrot, and
handed it to Sally.
"Bunnie, I have a carrot." said Sally "Her pulse is getting weaker."
"There's a loose pannel here, I think I can pull it loose." said
Travis, pulling at the low ceiling pannel. The pannel broke loose.
"It's a bunch of wires." said Travis "Lots of 'em."
"Try disconnecting them..." said Sally. Travis took a handfull of
wires, yanked with both hands, and yanked as hard as he could. A massive
ammount of current hit Travis, rendering him unconcious.
"Travis!" shouted Sally.
Robotropolis, cellblock A-4
9:23am
Travis awoke, and sat up.
"Travis! You're awake!" said Sally.
"If at first you don't succede, try, try again" said Travis, reaching
for more wires.
"Don't do it!" shouted Sally. Travis yanked out more wires, nothing
happened.
"Please stop!" said Sally. Travis grabbed more wires.
"You're going to get yourself killed!" shouted Sally. The red
displays on the locks all went out.
"You did it! The locks are out!" shouted Sally "Bunnie! We're out!"
the light on the survailance camera went out.
"From what I remember of the layout of this place, I'd say we have
twenty minutes untill we're up to our armpits in combots." said Travis.
"Let's get out of here!" said Sally
"Antoine, you're going to have to walk." said Travis "I can only carry
Bunnie." Sally helped Antoine to his feet. The four ran down the hall to
the property storage area.
"Why are we here?" asked Travis.
"Nicole." said Sally, rifling through the piles of clothing.
"Hurry up, Sally!" said Travis, impatiently.
"I found her!" said Sally, holding Nicole.
"Sally, do you know anywhere we could hide in this place?" asked
Travis.
"There's a small ventilation shaft here, but it's too small for you."
said Sally.
"And if I can't go, neither can Bunnie." said Travis. "What about the
hangar?"
"There have been too many escapes from there, it's probably heavily
guarded." answered Sally. "When this city was called Mobotropolis, there
were underground tunnels leading to different places."
"I can't carry Bunnie for three hundred miles." said Travis "But we do
need a place to hide."
"Follow me..." said Sally.
Robotropolis, underground sewer tunnels
10:02am
"She needs medical atention..." said Sally, with tears in her eyes.
"Bunnie, in order for me to help you, you need to want to be helped."
said Travis
"If you die, everyone in Knothole will be very sad. You hear
me?!" shouted Sally. Travis took the ring from his pocket, and looked at
it.
"I don't know what to do." said Travis "Looks like all I did coming
here was make things worse."
"Oh, Bunnie..." said Sally "Please don't die!"
"I have an idea, but it's a longshot, and it's risky." said Travis.
"What?!" asked Sally.
"If she becomes unconcious, I might be able to heal her. It won't be
much, but it will give her another twelve hours or so."
"What's the "risky" part?" asked Sally.
"If she looses conciousness, she might not wake up." said Travis.
"Since you're her best friend, the decision is up to you. Either keep her
awake, or let her sleep."
"Sleep." said Sally.
Robotropolis, underground tunnels
11:15am
"That's all I can do, the rest is up to her." said Travis. Two
swatbots entered the tunnel.
"Swatbots!" muttered Sally. The two swatbots fired stun beams at
Travis and Sally, rendering them unconcious.
Hidden report area
2:07pm
"Where are we?" asked Travis
"Uncle Chuck?!" asked Sally
"You four should have stayed in your cells, it would have made finding
you a lot easier." said Uncle Chuck "I got there right after you left.
"Bunnie needs a doctor." said Sally.
"I'm getting you a ride home, to Knothole." said Uncle Chuck.
"Knothole's abandon." said Sally.
"Everyone moved to the underground caves." said Uncle Chuck.
"Next time you decide to save us, could you do it within a week?"
asked Travis sarcastically.
"It's a lot harder to get around than you'd think." said Uncle Chuck
"It took me a whole week just to find out that you four were imprisioned in
the first place." Sally checked Bunnie's pulse.
"She's still got a pulse, but it's very weak." said Sally. There was
a loud wooshing sound outside.
"That's your ride." said Uncle Chuck "Try not to get captured again."
"Thank you, Uncle Chuck." said Sally.
"Stop by Sonic as soon as you get there." said Uncle Chuck "I wasn't
able to contact Knothole to tell them you're all doing well. I hear Sonic's
not taking this well."
"I will." said Sally.
Antoine, Travis and Sally left, and got into the hovership. Travis
carried Bunnie. The ship automatically departed for Knothole.
Knothole Subteraine
3:57pm
"How's Sonic doing?" asked Tails.
"Not too good." said Doctor Quack "You can see him if you want." Tails
walked into Sonic's chamber. Sonic was huddled in the corner.
"Sonic?" said Tails. Sonic didn't hear him.
"Sally's going to be okay." said Tails.
"You'd better be here to tell me that Sally's back in Knothole." said
Sonic "If not, go away." Tails left the room.
"He can't handle all this." said Tails.
"I know. It's worse than he was last time." said Doctor Quack. "He's
already got ulcers, and he hasn't eaten since he found out about Sally's
failed escape attempt." Geoffery entered the room.
"Tails, do you know when lunch will be?" asked Geoffery "Even though
it's going to be mushrooms again."
"Come to think of it, I've been to busy to eat..." said Tails.
Lightning came into the room.
"A hovership just landed in Knothole!" said Lightning "And I saw
Blackhand!"
"Great!" said Tails, sarcastically.
"I'm going back up. If I'm not back in ten minutes, get all available
units up there to guard the entrance." said Lightning.
"Will do!" said Tails. Lightning left the room.
Knothole
4:10pm
The sky was dark as night. The wind was howling loudly.
"Be careful with Bunnie." said Sally
"I am!" shouted Travis. Travis felt something cold and metalic
touching his back...
Robotropolis, control room.
4:11pm
Robotnik was sitting in his recently remodeled chair, stairing into
the gem on the pomel of his sword, grinning.
"Sir, you've been looking into that thing since lunch time." said
Snivley.
"I can sense their pain, their uneasiness..." said Robotnik.
"But sir, we've lost the starknight." said Snivley.
"No matter." said Robotnik "I've got more important things to deal
with than a puny starknight."
"What do you mean?" asked Snivley.
"One of my comrades from my training course will be visiting tonight."
said Robotnik.
"A friend?" asked Snivley.
"My closest." said Robotnik "His name is Agress. Agress Midnight."
Knothole subterraine, infirmery
5:32pm
"You should be more alert, Travis." said Lightning "If that were a
combot back there, you'd be dead right now."
"How's Bunnie?" asked Travis.
"She's in shock." answered Doctor Quack, shining a light into Bunnie's
left eye "I have her on intravenous feeding. And I still can't figure out
why her irises are red, nor do I understand why her cuspids are an entire
half centimeter longer."
"So she's on the needle?" asked Travis, holding Bunnie's hand "Her
hand feels like ice. I'll bet that cold air didn't help."
"No, it didn't help." said Doctor Quack, in an annoyed tone.
"Am I getting on your nerves?" asked Travis.
"No." answered Doctor Quack "I'm just sick and tired of living
underground, and I'm not to happy to be working on this particular patient."
"It was that d*mn ring!" snapped Travis "Can't you get that through
your thick skull?!"
"For your information, my brother lives in NeMagnika." said Doctor
Quack "NeMagnika was destroyed by her orders! I haven't heard from my
brother for over five months!"
"It was the..." said Travis.
"I know that!" snapped Doctor Quack. Travis tried to slip out of the
infirmery.
"Stay here!" snapped Doctor Quack "There are some people here now who
might not feel safe with an overlander lurking around."
"New residents?" asked Travis
"Yes" answered Doctor Quack.
"I'll have to meet them." said Travis.
Knothole subterraine, Sonic's chamber
5:45pm
Sonic was in his bed, tossing and turning.
"Wake up." said Sally, rocking Sonic's shoulder "It's almost
dinner."
"Sal'?" said Sonic in disbelief "Is it really you?"
"Mmm-hmm." said Sally "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too." said Sonic. Sonic gave Sally a hug.
Knothole subterraine, messhall
6:09pm
Almost everyone was in the messhall, unaware of the safe return of
Sally and the others.
"Where's dinner!?" yawned Nicolette
"Does it really matter?" said Nack "It's going to be mushrooms again."
"You should be happy we have mushrooms." said Nicolette "You know,
we're lucky to have what food we do." Doctor Quack walked into the
messhall.
"We have a special guest this evening" said Doctor Quack.
"It better be a good cook with a big bag of something other than
mushrooms!" said Nack.
"You've got half of your wish..." said Doctor Quack. Travis walked
in.
"OVERLANDER!!!" shouted Nack, pulling out his pistol.
"TRAVIS?!" exclaimed Rotor.
"ALRIGHT!!" exclaimed Tails "No more mushrooms!"
"Hi, I'm Travis." said Travis.
"The Travis who cooks?" asked Nack, puting his gun away.
"Uh, yeah." said Travis.
"Cool!" said Nack "Cook our dinner!"
"Remember your manners, Nack" said Nicolette "I'm Nicolette."
"I'm Nack." said Nack. Amy walked into the room.
"Travis!" said Amy "I'm so glad you're here! How have you and Gen,
er, Jackie been doing?"
"We're doing fine." said Travis
"I hope you didn't bring those bratty robots with you." said Amy.
"No, I left them at home." said Travis.
"I've been working on a project" said Amy "I didn't say anything about
it untill now because I wasn't sure it would work, and I didn't want to get
everyone's hopes up..."
"Spill it!" said Nack
"The shining lights we found give off enough light to grow vegetables
and spices" said Amy "In fact, they grow faster then with normal sunlight!"
"You mean you've been hoarding food?!" snapped Nack
"Nack! Lay off the kid!" snapped Nicolette.
"Would you be able to make us something to eat, like pizza?" asked
Amy.
"Got anything to make the crust?" asked Travis.
"No." said Amy "It all got eaten up."
"I can go home and bring some food back here, if you guys would like."
said Travis
"Where do you live?" asked Nicolette.
"A place called Earth." answered Travis. Sonic and Sally came in.
everyone surrounded Sally, amazed at her well-being. After the commotion
died down Sonic spoke.
"Hey! Travis! Thanks for bringing Sally back again." said Sonic.
"Your Uncle's the one who got us out of Robotropolis." said Travis.
"I hear ol' eggbelly's back." said Sonic.
"Some of him." said Travis.
"Cool! What's missing?" said Sonic.
"The fat. He looks like he could pick up a main power transformer
with one hand." said Travis.
"You're kidding, right?" said Sonic.
"Nope." said Travis.
"Is he still bald?" asked Sonic.
"Sorry, no dice." said Travis.
"This sucks!" said Sonic.
"I know, he's worse than he was before." said Travis.
"No, I mean it sucks that I can't call him any names anymore, but that
sucks too." said Sonic, smiling.
"Amy, what kinds of vegetables do you have?" asked Travis.
"Spinach, potatoes, bellpeppers, carrots, tomatoes, onio..." said Amy.
"Carrots!" exclaimed Travis "Could you get a carrot for me?"
"Sure! Why?" asked Amy.
"We brought Bunnie back with us. She's in the infirmery. I tried to
cast create food for a carrot, but all I get is tofu, and..." said Travis.
"Blackhand?!" snarled Sonic "I've got a score to settle with ol'
blackhand!" Sonic headed for the infirmery.
"Sonic! Stop!" shouted Travis, trying to keep up with Sonic.
Knothole subterraine, Infirmery
6:24pm
Sonic arived in the infirmery...
"I'm gonna' rip her to shreads!" said Sonic "I'll... I'll... Oh my..."
Bunnie was lying on a raised cot, surrounded by life support machines,
wrapped in blankets, an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose, and a feeding
needle in her right arm.
"How could I even think about hurting her...?" mumbled Sonic, in awe.
Travis ran into the infirmery, trying to catch his breath.
"This... place... is like... a... maze..." said Travis, wheezing.
"I..." said Sonic. Amy walked in.
"Amy, you might not want to see Bunnie like this..." said Sonic, in a
quiet, serious tone.
"I'm not a baby." said Amy. Amy walked up to Bunnie's cot and held
her hand.
"Feels like she's dead, and her nose is purple." said Amy, starting to
sniffle. Doctor Quack entered the chamber with a sad look.
"She's dead, isn't she?" asked Travis.
"No, she's not. But I can't figure out what's wrong with her." said
Doctor Quack. Sally and Tails entered the chamber.
"How long does she have?" asked Sonic.
"I DON'T KNOW!!!!" Shouted Doctor Quack "I'M ONLY ONE PERSON D*MMIT!!"
"Doctor Quack, I'm going to have Lightning escort you to the surface."
said Tails "You've been down here waaay too long. Doctor Quack regained his
senses.
"But I'll have to come right back down here." said Doctor Quack.
"You deserve a break from your work." said Tails.
"Can't stop..." said Doctor Quack.
"I wasn't kidding when I told you to go easy on the coffee. I meant
it." said Travis. Fiona walked in.
"I've been listening to your conversation. I can pick up for Doctor
Quack for a few days. I've been working here for several months, I know the
beat." said Fiona.
"I..." muttered Doctor Quack.
"She knows what she's doing." said Tails.
"Alright." said Doctor Quack, staggering away towards the door.
"I'm going with him." said Tails.
"I'll take you to the carrots." said Amy. Amy and Travis left the
chamber. Nicolette walked in and sat down on a chair in the waiting
chamber, she was wearing an air cast. Fiona went to the waiting chamber.
"Where's Doctor Quack, he said he was going to check out my sprained
ankle." said Nicolette.
"The doctor isn't here." said Fiona.
"Then I'll be on my way." said Nicolette.
"What's the rush, and why are you always avoiding me?" asked Fiona,
cornering Nicolette.
"I know who you are, and I know who you aren't." said Nicolette.
"What are you talking about?" asked Fiona.
"You were an auto automation, correct?" asked Nicolette.
"Your point being?" asked Fiona.
"You still don't understand, do you?" asked Nicolette.
"I can't say I do." said Fiona.
"I knew the Fiona you were modeled after. She was my best friend, and
she's still out there, somewhere." said Nicolette.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." said Fiona "I could have Travis look at
your ankle if you want."
"What good would that do?" asked Nicolette "He's not a doctor, and
he's not one of us."
"He's good at what he does." said Fiona.
"Which is?" asked Nicolette.
"He has a gift. He can heal wounds by putting his hand near them."
said Fiona.
"Whatever." said Nicolette sarcastically.
"What are you two up to?" asked Travis, entering the chamber.
"Nothing, I was just leaving." said Nicolette. Nicolette walked off
for her chamber.
Knothole subterraine infirmery
9:29pm
Sally was sitting next to Bunnie's cot.
"You need to get some rest, Sally." said Fiona. Fiona was wearing a
white shirt and holding a clipboard with pen.
"I can't sleep." said Sally.
"I'd send you out under hospital policy, but your being here is
probably benificial." said Fiona "You may stay."
"Thank you." said Sally. An orderly came in.
"Ma'am, I have the book you asked for." said the orderly, holding a
heavy book with almost no markings on it other than a few numbers.
"Thank you." said Fiona.
"I have no idea how you know what book you wanted, there are over
sixty others like it in the hospital library." said the orderly.
"I have a very good memory." said Fiona "I remember skimming through
this book before we went underground."
"I'll take your word on that one, ma'am." said the orderly, returning
to his rout. Fiona thumbed through the book, stoping at the desired page.
"What are you looking for, Fiona?" asked Sally.
"An entry on a pathagenic bacterium that causes hypothermia." said
Fiona "Here it is... It's a plague that was eraticated over two hundred
years ago. It matches every detail of what Bunnie has, according to what
you've told me. Depression, followed by loss of appetite. Resulting in
hypothermia, discoloration of palms feet and nose, and a smell similar to
ammonia. It says magic was credited for it's total disappearance.
Unfortunately, we don't have access to the books at the great library to
persue this matter any further."
"And nobody remembers back that far..." said Sally.
"LIGHTNING!" said Sally and Fiona in unison.
Lightning's chamber
9:57pm
Lightning was busy studying one of the orbs found deep in the caverns
when Sally and Fiona entered his chamber.
"What can I do for you two girls?" asked Lightning.
"Do you remember a plague around two hundred years ago?" asked Sally.
"That was a very long time ago, but I think I do remember." said
Lightning.
"Please tell us everything you know." said Sally.
"It was after I joined the windmage's guild. The demon Talkon had
amassed a large army in the underworld. He had a portalstone to open a huge
portal, which was to be the gate for his army to enter this world. The
elder mages shattered the stone while Talkon was on the other side, trapping
him and his army in the underworld." said Lightning "I got credit for more
than I deserved, all I did was hold a mirror to get the sunlight to hit
Talkon, keeping him on the underworld side of the portal long enough for the
stone to be broken."
"The plague, we need to know about the plague!" said Sally
impatiently.
"I was getting to that!" snapped Lightning "anyway, one of the demons'
weapons had made it to Mobius, don't ask me how, but one of the children of
the time picked up the black blade, and got cut from it. After a few years,
the plague had spread, and killed many people."
"How was it cured?" asked Fiona.
"It's strange that you ask, Fiona. I wouldn't have remembered any of
this unless I had been studying this stone." said Lightning, holding the
crystaline orb "If I remember correctly, it was an orb exactly like this one
I'm holding that cured the disease. I remember it all so clearly now.
Thank you very much for helping me remember! Both of you!"
"You're welcome." said Fiona.
"What brought you to inquire of this informatioin anyway?" asked
Lightning.
"We think that's what's wrong with Bunnie." said Fiona "How do we use
the orbs?"
"The orb only needs to be near her for a day or two to stop the
infection." said Lightning, handing the Sphere to Sally.
"So she'll be okay in two days?" asked Sally.
"She won't get any worse." said Lightning "I don't remember how long
full recovery took. I was only about eighteen."
"Thank you." said Sally as she ran out the door.
Knothole subterraine, Infirmery
10:18pm
Sally walked into the room where Bunnie was, and placed the orb on
Bunnie's chest. Sally heard a familiar voice.
"Hello Sally." said the voice, it sounded to Sally like her father.
"Daddy?" asked Sally.
"Sally, I'm ashamed of you. You can't do anything right." said the
voice.
"That's not true!" said Sally.
"You're a poor excuse for a leader!" said the voice.
"No!" said Sally, filling with sadness and pain.
"I wanted a son, but I had to settle for a daughter." said the voice.
In the corner of her eye, Sally cought a glimpse of a shining scalple lying
on a tray.
"You don't deserve Sonic." said the voice. Sally picked up the
scalple.
"If it weren't for you, your mother and I would still be around." said
the voice. Sally looked into the mirror-like blade of the scalpel, and held
it to her left wrist.
"You know what you have to do." said the voice. Sally closed her
eyes...
"What the H*ll are you doing?!" shouted Sonic, snatching the scalpel
from Sally's hand. Sally came out of her stupor.
"I... you... I'm..." said Sally. Sonic was very upset. Sally was
crying.
"What were you thinking?!" said Sonic.
"I heard my father, he said I was a poor excuse for a leader, and that
he was ashamed of me!" said Sally, still crying.
"You know those things aren't true." said Sonic "And your Father would
be very proud of you."
"He was here, and that's what he said!" said Sally. Fiona entered the
chamber, followed by Lightning.
"She's delusional." said Fiona.
"I love you, Sally" said Sonic, embracing Sally.
"Sally's infected with the same thing Bunnie is." said Fiona
"Lightning, how contagious is this disease?"
"It takes prolonged exposure, about a week of close exposure." said
Lightning.
"I was kept in the same cell as Bunnie, and we had to use the same
drinking cup." said Sally "So did Antoine."
"Want me to check out Travis?" asked Fiona.
"I don't think he's at risk." said Lightning, with a disturbed look on
his face.
"What's wrong, Lightning?" asked Sonic.
"There's a plague blade on this world somewhere." said Lightning.
"Plague blade?" asked Sonic.
"Yes!" said Lightning "My mentor told me about a weapon used by
vicelords. It's called a plague blade."
"Get to the point!" said Sonic impatiently.
"That means chances are, there is a vicelord here also." said
Lightning.
"What's a vicelord?" asked Sonic.
"An unholy warior, the opposite of a starknight." said Lightning.
"What's this about vicelords?" asked Travis, entering the chamber.
"I think there's a vicelord on Mobius." said Lightning.
"It must be Robotnik, I saw him wearing some armor pictured in my
roleplay book." said Travis "He also had a green cape."
"How would a rollypolly like Robotnik fit into a suit of armor?" asked
Fiona.
"He's lost a lot of weight." said Sally "Taller, too."
"This confirms my worst fears." said Lightning "Robotnik IS the
vicelord."
"This sucks!" said Travis. Bunnie began coughing.
"Bunnie!" said Sally, turning her atention to Bunnie. A tiny bit of
blood trickled from Bunnie's mouth.
"This is normal." said Fiona, thumbing through the medical book "She's
going to be in a lot of pain.
"Is there anything we can do for her?" asked Sally.
"It says something about a mixture of gin, hot water, sugar, and
lemmon." said Fiona.
"A hot toddy." said Travis "I have the stuff at home to make them.
Besides, I need to get to Jackie."
"When will you be back?" asked Fiona.
"I'll leave in the morning." said Travis.
"Get Antoine in here!" said Fiona "He's most likely infected too."
"Will do!" said Lightning
Robotropolis, Control Room
11:59pm
Robotnik was sitting in his chair, stairing at the clock, and tapping
his fingers on the base of his control pannel.
"Sir..." said Snivley
"Leave me." interupted Robotnik. The room darkened, the lights could
be seen, but nothing else could. About fifteen seconds later, the room
returned to normal. A large Human with glowing green eyes stood in the
middle of the room.
"Greetings, Agress! Welcome to Robotropolis!" said Robotnik.
"Well met, Jullian!" said Agress. Agress turned his attention to
Snivley. Snivley scampered away.
"What is that N.G. doing here?" asked Agress.
"That's my nephew, Snivley." said Robotnik "He won't give you any
trouble.
"He'd better not." said Agress "Anyway, I'm assuming you're up for a
good hunt."
"Actually, I've been looking foreward to it." said Robotnik, walking
to the intercom.
"Grounder! Have the combot guards bring the cat to my control room!"
said Robotnik.
Grounder's weapons hangar
12:05am 11-17-99 E.D.E.
"But I'm busy playing with it!" said Grounder, in a cruel lilt.
"Let me GO!!!" shouted the black and white furred cat
"Send the cat NOW!" shouted Robotnik.
"Almost done, M'lord." said Grounder, holding an acetylene welding
torch, and preparing to disect the cat.
"If you damage that cat, I'll disassemble YOU!" shouted Robotnik.
"Can't I just cut off an ear?" asked Grounder.
"NO!" shouted Robotnik.
"Alright!" pouted Grounder, as he turned off the acetylene cuting
torch and placed it on the floor. "Escourt this... plaything to the control
room!"
"YES-MASTER-GROUNDER." said one of the COMBot guards. Two of the
guards carried the cat away, kicking and screaming.
Robotropolis, Control Room
12:09am
"Did you say cat?" asked Agress.
"Yes, why?" asked Robotnik.
"Cats aren't the most delectable creatures." said Agress "I was
expecting rabbits, squirrels, and Hedgehogs. However, cats do provide a
better challenge to stalk."
"When do we begin?" asked Robotnik.
"I'd like to speak to the subject before we start." said Agress.
"I've tried every type of non-lethal torture on that creature I could
think of. You're not going to get any information from it. It has no
important information." said Robotnik.
"You lack persuasive charm." said Agress, smiling cheerfuly.
"Go ahead." said Robotnik "I still say you're wasting your time."
"May I have a look at your enemy database?" asked Agress.
"Yes." said Robotnik. Agress began looking at the pictures and
profiles of various Freedom Fighters, and other non-human Mobians.
"Have the animal taken to confinement room thirteen." said Agress
"Just give me a head start there."
"I don't know what you're going to do, but I'll do it." said Robotnik.
Agress turned into a bat and flew out the door. The two Combots brought the
cat into the control room.
"I'm not tellin' you nuthin, B*stard!" said the cat.
"Take her to confinement room thirteen!" said Robotnik.
Robotropolis, confinement room thirteen.
12:21am
Amy Rose was quietly sitting on a bench, wearing a long black shirt.
A combot opened the barred door, and threw the cat in.
"My name's Amy." said Amy "What's your name?"
"Hershey." said the cat "Wait! I've seen you before! Do you remember
me?"
"I have a hard time remembering stuff now. They don't treat me very
good." said Amy
"That's awful!" said Hershey, sitting next to Amy.
"How did they get you?" asked Amy.
"When the robots attacked NeMagnika, I was captured." said Hershey.
"Got a boyfriend?" asked Amy.
"Yes, but Robotnik roboticized him a long time ago. His name's
Geoffery. We hadn't been going out for very long." said Hershey.
"We need to get out of here. This is the place they put you before
you get roboticized." said Amy "Do you know anything that could help us get
out?"
"No." said Hershey, nodding off "I'm tired."
"When's the last time you slept?" asked Amy.
"A week ago." said Hershey.
"You should get more sleep." said Amy.
"That monster Grounder kept sticking me with electric prods, poking me
with wires, singeing my fur with heating coils..." said Hershey. Amy
snickered, then sniffled.
"Is something wrong?" asked Hershey. Amy burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" asked Hershey.
"You are!" said Amy, with her voice deepening. Hershey backed away
from Amy. Amy's fur turned white, her irises turned red, the black shirt
turned into black armor and black combat trousers. her shoes turned into
combat boots, and Amy's form became that of Agress Midnight's.
"Saaaprise!" said Agress "How pathetic. Is this the best prey you had
Jullian? This should be easy enough for you to get." Robotnik walked out
from behind the corner.
"At least you got it's name." said Robotnik in a pouting voice.
"I'll tell ya' what," Agress began "I'll let you have this hunt."
"I'll get my laser rifle!" said Robotnik.
"Nononono..." Said Agress, in his cheerful tone "You'll use my
crossbow!"
"A CROSSBOW?!" muttered Robotnik.
"Have ye no sense of adventure?" asked Agress. Hershey was tearing
up.
"I'll let you use some of my plague-blade arrows." said Agress.
"You remember the last time we did this, don't you?" asked Robotnik.
"Yes, you casted a lightning spell and exploded the prey's head. Man!
That was PRICELESS!" laughed Agress "You failed the test, but I'd say the
'SPLAT' effect got you a bonus in your intimidation score. SPLAT!" Agress
made an 'explosion' hand motion. Robotnik started to laugh. Agress noticed
that Hershey was crying.
"Awwwwww... Is da' widdle kitty gonna cwy? Boo hoo hoo..." said
Agress, mocking Hershey. Hershey lashed out and sliced into Agress' face.
"Temper temper temper..." said Agress. Hershey could see Agress'
wound healing.
"You think you can take me, 'Hershey'?" asked Agress.
"You're nothing without your armor and weapons!" shouted Hershey.
"Care to make a wager? If you can beat me, tomorrows hunt is off, and
you go free." said Agress.
"And if I loose?" asked Hershey.
"Then you're going to be VERY sore tomorow night." said Agress.
"You're on, freak!" said Hershey. Agress took off his upper body
armor, steeltoe combat boots, and gauntlets. Agress was only wearing his
combat trousers and a t-shirt.
"Open the door, Jullian." said Agress "And seal the ends of the halls,
I don't want this animal escaping." Robotnik opened the cell door. Hershey
jumped at Agress' face, but Agress dodged it.
"So, the kitty thinks it has skill..." said Agress. Agress did a mid-
level kick, hitting Hershey in the face. Hershey got back to her feet.
"I hate you overlanders!" shouted Hershey.
"Hate's a wonderful thing, isn't it?" said Agress, raising his hand to
cast a pain spell, and a green ball of energy was shot at Hershey. The ball
hit Hershey in her left hand. Hershey screached in pain.
"Still want more?" asked Agress, picking Hershey up by her neck with
his left hand. Agress' right hand started to glow purple. Hershey began to
panic.
"I thought we were going to use it for hunting." said Robotnik.
Agress' hand quit glowing. Agress carelessly threw Hershey back into the
cell.
"You're right." said Agress "I can drain its psyche after you kill
it tomorow." said Agress.
"Let's go." said Robotnik. Agress put his armor back on and left with
Robotnik.
<> Hershey
thought to herself <> Hershey curled up on the floor and went to
sleep.
Knothole Subterraine, infirmery
5:00am
Travis awoke to noises in the kitchen. Travis went to the kitchen,
and saw Bunnie holding a fillet knife. Bunnie was wearing a hospital gown.
"I see you're feeling better." said Travis.
"Better?!" said Bunnie accusingly "You call THIS better?!" Travis
removed the towel from the light orb.
"Put that BACK!" shouted Bunnie. Travis looked at Bunnie's face, but
wasn't able to get a good look.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME!!!!!" shouted Bunnie. Travis placed the towel over
the orb.
"What are you doing with that knife?" asked Travis.
"Mah' hand..." Bunnie muttered.
"Why don't you want me to see you?" asked Travis.
"Mah' eyes... Mah' mouth..." muttered Bunnie.
"C'mon," said Travis "It can't be that bad."
"Ah'm ashamed of mah'self" said Bunnie.
"There's nothing you can do about the past." said Travis "And you
fought that ring very well. You handled the situation better than anyone
else would have."
"You don't understand." said Bunnie "Ah' was gonna... eat..." Bunnie
started crying.
"If Sally still held that incident against you, you'd be on the floor
of that cell dead right now." said Travis.
"Bunnie! You're up!" said Sally.
"Don't look at me!" said Bunnie.
"Okay Bunnie, here's what we know." said Travis "Your eyes are red,
and you have fangs. Is there anything else you don't want us to see?"
"No. Ya'all can take the towel off tha light." said Bunnie. Sally
took the towel off of the orb. Bunnie blocked the light from her eyes.
"What did you do with the cloths Ah had?" asked Bunnie.
"You mean that black and blue synth-leather outfit?" asked Sally
"I'll get them for you."
"No!" said Bunnie "Ah' want it burned!"
"Your cloths are all topside." said Sally.
"Then Ah'll go up and get them." said Bunnie.
"And what's with the knife?" asked Travis.
"Mah' right hand..." said Bunnie. The fur on her right hand was all
black.
"Shaving off your fur will only make it come back thicker." said
Travis.
"Ah'..." muttered Bunnie.
"And if you cut off your hand, it'll be worse." said Travis "I'll tell
you what, if you stay here and behave, I'll bring a bottle of haircolor."
Bunnie sighed then handed the knife to Travis.
"Thank you, Bunnie." said Travis "By the way, Amy has something for
you."
"Ah'd rather not have anyone else see me like this." said Bunnie. Amy
walked in.
"Hi Bunnie." said Amy "I'm happy to see you're you're not sick
anymore."
"Hi Amy." said Bunnie.
"I brought you something." said Amy "A carrot. I know you like them."
"Why, thank you!" said Bunnie. Amy gave Bunnie a large carrot.
"It's a little one, I didn't know how hungry you would be." said Amy.
Bunnie squinted her eyes so that Amy wouldn't see the discoloration.
"Guys, it's been nice seeing you all again, but I REALLY need to get
home." said Travis.
"We understand." said Amy.
"I'll be back with some groceries." said Travis. Travis left the
Kitchen.
Robotropolis, confinement room thirteen
6:00am
Hershey was sleeping soundly, when she awoke to Agress' sinister
voice.
"Here's your breakfast." said Agress, sliding a plate with a blob of
canned cat food on it, minus the can. Hershey opened her eyes and looked at
Agress.
"Why are you being nice to me?" asked Hershey.
"I'm not. It won't be much of a task for Jullian to track you down if
you don't eat." said Agress.
"I am not a game animal! I am an intelegent being!" shouted Hershey.
"Sure." said Agress, sarcastically "You lack psionic potential, you
have no magic potential, you can't even shapeshift your features in the
slightest way. And the thing is, you'll never be able to do these things
regardless of how much training you get. I have no respect for you nor do I
have any respect for your ilk. I see you for what you are... a useless
animal. You'd better eat if you want to have any chance of survival."
"Can I have a fork?" asked Hershey.
"Don't push your luck, feline." said Agress as he left the hall and
went out the door. Hershey smelled the cat food.
"This is humilliating!" said Hershey as she began to eat the food.
Knothole Subterraine
7:00am
Travis was heading out the door, when he was stoped by Sally.
"Where are you going?" asked Sally.
"Home." said Travis "But I'll be back with some groceries."
"Be careful." said Sally.
"I will." said Travis.
Robotropolis, Snivley's bedroom
7:21am
Snivley was packing a small backpack.
<> Snivley thought to himself.
Snivley placed a few items into his bag, a picture of his mother, a
few cans of high-density rations, a map, and a water cantine. A combot
knocked on the door. Snivley stuffed the backpack under his bed.
"LORD-ROBOTNIK-REQUESTS-YOUR-PRESCENCE-IN-THE-CONTROL-ROOM" said the
combot.
"Tell him I'll be there in fifteen minutes." said Snivley.
"AFFERMATIVE." said the combot, walking out the door. Snivley grabed
the backpack, and headed towards the hangars.
Robotropolis, control room
7:40am
"Where is Snivley?!" shouted Robotnik.
"Looks like your nephew's defected." said Agress, looking at one of
the security monitors.
"SECURITY! aprehend Snivley!" shouted Robotnik. The alarms went off.
Robotropolis, hangar
7:46am
Snivley was at the enterance of the hangar, and the alarms were going
off.
"Crap!" muttered Snivley. The combots started firing at Snivley.
Snivley took a plasma rifle from the gun rack and returned fire. After
about five minutes of gunfire, Snivley saw an oporitunity to get to a
stealthbot, and he took it. Snivley took off, shot the door, and flew the
craft out the hole.
Robotropolis, control room
9:03am
Agress Midnight was sitting in Robotnik's chair, drinking something
very red, and licking his fangs.
"This chair isn't as comfortable as my office chair..." said Agress.
"That's because it's made for me." said Robotnik "I'd like you to see
something..."
"What?" asked Agress. Robotnik walked to the monitor and brought up
an immage.
"This is my ultimate weapon... The sky titan!" said Robotnik,
pointing to a monitor showing a giant robot "It will despose of that pesky
hedgehog once and for all!"
"How cliche. Giant robots are the oldest 'ultimate weapon' in the
book! The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
"That's a cliche too." said Robotnik.
"Anyway, giant Robots are hard to make, and use up lots of material."
said Agress.
"What would you suggest?" asked Robotnik.
"This!" said Agress, holding a tiny vial full of golden liquid.
"What is that?" asked Robotnik "It looks like a urine sample."
"Sonic the Hedgehog poision." said Agress.
"No, really, what is it?" asked Robotnik.
"It's a culture of highly transmittable pathogens in a solution of
apple juice" said Agress "It's designed to attack Sonic, and only Sonic. It
will recognize him by his genetic pattern."
"Biological weapons." said Robotnik "Where did you get the hedgehog's
genetic material?"
"His genetic material should be identical to his reverse dimention
counterpart, you know, the one in the morgue with the missing arm." answered
Agress.
"I wonder why I didn't think of that?" said Robotnik "How do we get
the hedgehog infected?"
"Just leave that to me..." said Agress, grinning ear to ear.
Knothole subterraine, Bunnie's chamber
10:00am
Bunnie had finished arrainging her belongings which were brought down
from her hut, with the help of Sally, Fiona and Dulcy. Bunnie looked around
her room and sighed.
"Ah' guess Ah'm... home." said Bunnie as she put a utility glove over
her right hand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's it for "The Darkness Within".
What will become of Hershey? How long can Bunnie cope with the fact that
she almost destroyed the Freedom Fighters before she snaps? And where is
Snivley going, now that he's left Robotropolis?
The answers to these questions and more in "The Thrill of The Hunt" (coming
soon)
Oh, by the way, yes I DID use grounder. He's been rebuilt into a formidable
war machine. Same with Scratch. They look like those giant anime robots
now.
Later!
(
geocities.com/timessquare/lair) (
geocities.com/timessquare)