Chapter 3 - The Spear Strikes

There was a tense silence as Sonic, Tails, the President, and security watched the hovering airship. None of them were sure how Eggman was going to attack. Desks and tables were turned on their sides, and everyone ducked behind them for cover. Ten armed security personnel were on the first floor, ten more were on the second floor. Armed with assault rifles, they were prepared for whatever came their way. Despite the tension, the two-tailed fox had to address an issue that's been on his mind.

"Hey Mr. President." Tails whispered.

"Yes? What is it?"

"If you don't mind me asking, how many people know about the underground vault?"

"Only four. You, me, Sonic, and Rouge. Not even my security guards know."

"If that's the case, then how come Eggman knows about it?"

"I don't think he knows about the actual vault, just the fact that there's an emerald somewhere around here. At least that's what I'm hoping."

"Or maybe Dr. Eggman might've figured it out. We all know how cunning he is."

"Either that or one of us told him, but I don't even want to think about that. I trust you guys."

Sonic scratched his ear. "I'm more worried about this Gungnir. Dude gives off some nasty vibes."

"Hold it gentlemen. Look up there!" the President said, pointing up toward the sky.

It was difficult to see in the night sky, but there were hundreds of tiny blinking red lights appearing around the Egg Carrier.

Tails squinted his eyes, trying to make it out. "What are those?"

The red lights spread throughout the city, and a swarm began to fly toward the Presidential House. There was an odd buzzing noise that started off as soft, but gradually became louder as they moved closer.

"Is that what I think it is?" Sonic asked.

The front door was blown off by an energy blast, and a large group of robotic bees stormed into the lobby. The bugs wore shiny black metal with beady red eyes. Their glowing stingers were ready to fire.

"Buzzbombers." Sonic said with a smirk. "How old school."

The President pointed at the metal insects. "Fire!"

Security and the buzzbombers exchanged beams and bullets. A direct hit sent a security guard to the ground. Sonic knocked three down with quick roundhouse kicks, dashed beneath several blasts and scrapped one more. Tails wasn't too bad himself as he brought the noise with flying punches. The Presidential House quickly became a battleground, as gunfire and energy blasts filled the room.

The President aimed his shotgun and blasted a bee at point blank. He ducked and shot another one rushing his position. He hid beneath a desk and spoke into his headset. "G.U.N. commander, how are things on your end?"

"These buzzbombers are surprisingly strong, but we've suffered minimal losses so far. Our forces are still on the offensive. How about you?"

"It's the same here. We've got a couple of our guys down, but we're still fighting. Sonic and Tails are helping us hold down the fort."

"Should we aim for the enemy ship?"

"Not yet. Concentrate on the buzzbombers for now. We need to thin out their numbers."

"Yes sir. G.U.N. commander out."

G.U.N. forces were battling in the ground and air. Fighter jets roared through the districts, while the tanks rolled through the streets. The armored tanks weren't ideal for taking out the flying insects, but it provided a valuable distraction while the jets took them out. The citizens didn't dare leave their homes. Some simply watched through the windows, hearts thumping and eyes wide, while others hid underneath their beds and tables.

"These things just don't quit!" Sonic shouted as he leapt high and smashed two bugs with a split kick.

Tails clocked one behind him with a clean tail swipe. "Tell me about it."

Sonic trashed another one with an overhead axe kick, saving a security guard's bacon. Tails got a double with a nicely executed spin-dash.

The President and his security force continued firing against the seemingly endless waves of buzzbombers. It had been almost an hour now and they haven't shown any sign of stopping. The first floor was nearly trashed.

Mr. President sat back behind a security guard and began reloading. "You two aren't tired yet?"

Sonic shook his head and bent down to stretch. "Nah. We're used to this, aren't we Tails."

"Speak for yourself." Tails said with a mild pant. "My fur isn't doing me any favors."

The President popped the last shell in the chamber. "I wish I had your stamina."

Another swarm of bombers came in through the windows, but were immediately dispatched by security's precision aiming. Training under G.U.N. had paid off. Just when they expected another enemy wave, there was silence. Sonic and Tails looked out the windows. There weren't any more bees. It was a welcome sight, but something didn't feel right.

"Was that all of them?" Sonic asked.

Tails' eyes scanned the sky. "I don't see any more coming."

"Let's take this moment to prepare and recover. We don't know when they'll strike again." the President said. "Sonic, Tails, did you want a drink?"

The two nodded. "Sure."

Mr. President raided the barely functional mini-fridge and grabbed two bottles of water. "Here. Catch." He tossed one to Sonic, and the other to Tails.

The hedgehog chugged his down, while the fox took a swig and poured the rest on himself. He was soaked but relieved.

"Whew." Sonic said, waving the air. "You smell like a wet dog."

Tails wore a smug face. "It's hot. Sue me."

"Look alive gentlemen." The President pointed outside. "Something's coming out of the airship."

Everyone looked straight at the Egg Carrier. A certain doctor riding the Eggmobile casually floated down from the ship. He looked toward the Presidential House, and then sped off toward the northeast district. Another swarm of buzzbombers were following right behind him.

"That was Eggman." Sonic said. "But why is he going that way? Does he not know where the emerald is?"

"Good question. What's in the northeast district that's so important?" Tails asked.

The President shook his head. "Nothing that I know of. Just a movie theater, some stores, and apartments."

Sonic appeared deep in thought. "Apartments...apartments...wait a sec President."

"What is it Sonic?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you sent Rouge to get me, Tails, and Amy right?"

"That's correct."

"Amy lives in an apartment in the northeast district."

Tails instantly became worried. "They're not safe. Eggman might be after them."

"Agreed. It would be a good idea to check up on them." the President suggested.

Sonic began to pace around the room. "If it was just the buzzbombers, then Amy and Rouge could've handled them no problem. But since Eggman's in the mix, I'm not so sure."

"So what should we do?" Tails asked.

"I'm going to find Amy and Rouge. I'll help them if Eggman decides to attack. Tails, you stay here and help the President. I'll be back as soon as I can."

The fox gave a thumbs up. "Will do, Sonic."

The President nodded. "Good luck Sonic."

The blue hedgehog left the Presidential House in a hurry, speeding out through the front gate. He was out of sight in a matter of seconds.

Mr. President spoke into his headset. "G.U.N. commander, what's your status?"

"We've got a few demolished buildings, minimal damage and a few casualties. We're holding our own but I must be honest, I'd thought Eggman would bring more resistance. These buzzbombers are hardly putting up a fight. It's like he holding back. He's hiding something and I'm not liking it one bit."

"I agree. Don't let your guard down. Keep the channels open."

"Yes sir. G.U.N. commander out."

"Mr. President." Tails pointed outside. "Something's coming out of the ship."

A single mobian exited from the Egg Carrier, and leapt all the way down to the street with a sizable thud. Everyone in the lobby watched with a mix of curiosity and fear. They could see its body pulse with a red and blue glow. He didn't waste any time in walking toward the Presidential House.

Tails suddenly realized its identity. "Wait a minute...it's him...it's..."

"Everyone take your positions!" the President ordered.

He and security took cover behind tables, desks, and whatever they could find. Their guns were pointed right at the front entrance, not sure of what this lone stranger was capable of doing. The mobian clad in steel and carbon entered the lobby, his eyes as ferocious as ever.

"Stop right there!" The President shouted, aiming his shotgun dead at the target. "You must be Gungnir, correct? Eggman's little pet project. What are you doing here?"

Gungnir just stood there, looking at all the guns aimed straight at him. He didn't mind them one bit. "Where's the emerald?"

The President wore a look of confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't have time for games, old man. Eggman said the sooner I get the Chaos Emerald, the sooner I can get to Sonic. You know where it is. Now tell me."

"What does Gungnir want with Sonic?" Tails wondered.

Mr. President held the gun steady. "That's a shame, because I still don't know what you're talking about. The emerald isn't here. Now leave."

"You want to play ignorant? Fine. I'll just have to tear the truth out of you then." Gungnir said, and then took a step forward.

Mr. President cocked his shotgun. "That's far enough! You take one more step and I'll shoot. This is your only warning."

"I guess you'll have to shoot me then, old man."

Gungnir took another step forward and the President immediately opened fire. The bullets hit their mark. The masked mobian stopped in his tracks and casually looked at himself. There wasn't even a scratch on his body.

The President was in disbelief. "H...How? How are you still standing?"

The President pumped the shotgun and fired again. The bullets simply deflected off Gungnir's armor. The mobian was a little surprised himself, he couldn't help but give a slight chuckle.

"I had my doubts, but Eggman truly is remarkable. This armor he created renders me invulnerable. It'll take more than bullets to stop me."

The eight remaining security guards in the lobby immediately lined up in front of Gungnir, separating him from the President.

"We'll hold him here Mr. President." one of them said. "You need to evacuate immediately."

At first the President was going to object, but it appeared Gungnir was no ordinary threat. Security's sole purpose was to protect him, and he wasn't going to deny them their duty.

"Just go, Mr. President."

He sighed. "Okay, fine. I'm counting on you. Let's go Tails."

"I'll be right behind you."

The suited man and the fox hightailed up the stairs to the second floor, which was quite the luxurious living quarters. It was a single hallway, with three rooms on each side. On the left side were the study, a bathroom, and a bedroom. On the right side was the game room, the bar lounge, and the storage closet. Straight at the end of the hallway was a staircase, it led up to the heliport. Second floor security agents were lined up on both sides of the hallway.

"The helicopter is waiting for you on the roof. Get to it quickly!" a guard told him.

Mr. President and Tails began to run down the long hallway to the staircase. The man almost tripped on his way up to the roof. There was the heliport. A helicopter awaited them, all ready for takeoff. The pilot inside signaled for them to come aboard.

The President waved back. "There it is, Tails. Let's hurry and get on!"

But before the two could approach the copter, it suddenly exploded. The force of the blast sent both of them to the ground. They shielded their eyes from the roaring flames, and now their escape route was no more than a smoldering rubble. The pilot didn't make it.

"What the...damn it! What happened?" the President asked.

"I don't know. Wait a minute..." Tails pointed to the sky. "Look up there!"

Another swarm of buzzbombers, numbering about fifty, hovered all around the heliport. They began to fire upon the president and fox. The two had no choice but to get up and run back downstairs. Once they were inside, the President shut and locked the door.

"We heard an explosion." a guard informed. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, barely. We were ambushed by buzzbombers. Eggman must've planted them there. The helicopter has been blown to bits, pilot included. We can't evacuate."

Inside the first floor lobby, Gungnir just looked at the wall of security and sighed. "Were you idiots not paying attention? Bullets can't stop me. You can't stop me. The President knows where the emerald is and I'm going to get him. So move."

"We won't do that. Leave or we will fire."

"I'm not leaving without that emerald. So give me your best shot."

The guard gave the order. "Ready! Aim! Fire!"

The eight guards unloaded their assault rifles right into Gungnir. The mobian simply laughed out loud at the spectacle. He almost had to wipe a tear from his eye. The bullets were nothing but wet noodles against his armor. The looks on their faces once they've emptied their magazines were priceless.

"Okay? Are you done? You got your rocks off? Now it's time to see what this suit can do."

Gungnir grinned like a Cheshire cat. He threw a massive straight punch that sent a security guard flying into the wall. The impact was so hard that it left a huge crack, and the man simply fell down to the floor. He was unconscious instantly.

"Oh my God..." a guard stuttered. "Spread out and keep firing! We have to stop him!"

Gungnir threw an uppercut that sent another one crashing into the desk, followed by a vicious back fist on another that was an immediate knockout. He leapt forward and grabbed one by the neck. He threw him straight through a window, shattering the glass. A split second later, he dashed across the room and knocked a guard down flat with a clothesline. The mobian turned to his left and took out yet another guard with a wicked right cross. Gungnir just took out six armed guards effortlessly. His strength and speed were unreal.

Gungnir howled with delight. "Do you see me now, Sonic? Do you?! You don't stand a chance!"

The remaining two guards could barely hold their guns, their grip weakened and trembled. They had every right to be terrified.

One spoke into his headset. "All security personnel, we need assistance down here in the first floor lobby immediately! I repeat..."

Gungnir just shook his head. "Take a hint you idiots."

On the second floor, Tails and the President stood in the hallway as all of the remaining security began to move down to the lobby.

"You two better stay up here." a guard nodded. "We'll take care of him."

The second floor's only occupants were now Tails and the President. It was ominously quiet, but they could still hear the activity going on downstairs. To both of them, the sounds that came in the next fifteen seconds had to been some of the most frightening they have ever heard. They could hear the screams from the guards, the impact of bodies on walls, gunfire, more screams, the crashing of furniture, cries of mercy, sadistic laughter, and then...nothing. A deafening silence had taken over the entire Presidential House.

You could hear a pin drop. The fox swallowed a lump in his throat. The President was hesitant. Neither of them was fond of the idea of going to the lobby to check. They knew the outcome. There was a certified monster downstairs. The man took a deep breath, and slowly pressed a button on his headset.

"...Hello? Security? Can anyone hear me?"

No answer.

"This is the President. Can anyone hear me?"

Still, there was no response.

"If anyone's there...please respond. This is the President."

"Hello Mr. President. I'm coming for you now."

"Oh dear lord." Mr. President grabbed Tails by the hand. "We need to hide. Follow me."

The President ran back down the hall toward the staircase and opened the door.

Tails kept pace with him. "Why are we going back up to the heliport? Aren't the buzzbombers up there?"

"We're going a different way. I'll show you."

Instead of going upstairs, they went down the green painted stairwell. They took quick but careful steps. After descending one flight of stairs they reached the bottom and a wall.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Tails asked. "It's a dead end."

"Just watch."

Mr. President pressed a tiny mark on the corner of the wall, and a hidden hatch slid open in the floor. A ladder lead into a dark passage below.

"This used to be a service tunnel over three centuries ago. It should lead outside of the Presidential House, though I'm not exactly sure where. We need to reach Sonic and his friends."

The man paused and listened. There were the sounds of footsteps from above, faint at first but steadily getting louder.

"Hurry Tails. He's coming. Get in."

Tails ducked onto the ladder and climbed down, but before he could descend to the fourth rung, the hatch above suddenly closed.

"Hey! Mr. President! What's going on up there?"

Tails climbed up and opened the hatch ever so slightly, barely a crack. The fox's eyes widened. The President was caught. Gungnir had a tight grip around the man's neck and lifted him up in the air.

"Caught you, sneaky little rat. Where's your fox friend? I saw him with you."

"We got separated."

"I know you're lying. But it doesn't matter anyway, the buzzbombers have this place surrounded. The fox isn't going anywhere."

"What do you want?"

"Playing ignorant again? You know exactly what I want, but let's have this conversation somewhere a little more pleasant."

The President struggled and shouted as Gungnir dragged him up the stairs. Tails' heart raced as he heard the man trying to escape, but to no avail. At first, he didn't want to move. The fox waited two minutes before climbing out of the hatch. He was at a loss of what to do. He could try to either reach Sonic, rescue the President, inform the G.U.N. commander, or wait it out. He wasn't sure what Gungnir was going to do, and it made him worry.

Suddenly, a voice spoke on the intercoms above. It was Gungnir.

"May I have your attention please. Miles Prower, report to the Oval Office at this time. I repeat, Miles Prower, report to the Oval Office at this time. I know you're still here, boy. Be here in five minutes, or else I can't guarantee the President's life. His fate is in your hands, little fox."

Tails grumbled. "I hate that name."

It looks like the choice was made for him. Tails didn't waste any time moving back up to the first floor. To get to the Oval Office he had to go north through the lobby, and the fox surely wished he hadn't.

"Oh my gosh." he whispered.

The unconscious bodies of the security force laid everywhere. On the floor, in the wall, through a table, hung out a window, it looked like they were hit by a tornado. Gungnir was a force of nature. Tails felt a bit guilty, but he was glad he wasn't there to witness the one-sided thrashing unfold. He picked up the pace and knocked on the Oval Office's door.

"Come in."

Gungnir leaned back in the President's chair, relaxing with his feet on the desk. The President sat on the other side of the desk, facing Tails with a panicked look on his face. The cautious fox slowly entered the room.

Gungnir pointed to an empty chair right beside the suited man. "Sit."

Tails obeyed without question and sat down.

"Miles Prower...I didn't recognize you at first. You're Sonic's friend. Interesting. Anyway, the President here is proving to be a waste of time. He won't reveal the emerald's location no matter how many bones of his I threaten to break. So, I'll just get straight to the point."

Gungnir leapt over the desk and wrapped his steeled arm around Tails' neck, rapidly cutting his supply of oxygen. The fox's arms and legs thrashed as he gasped for air.

"Stop that!" the President yelled, sitting up in his chair. "What are you doing?"

"Speeding up the process. Now give me the emerald, or I snap this little fox's neck."

Mr. President sneered. "You're a damn coward!"

"No, it's called being smart. Now the emerald if you please."

Tails struggled for his life as his vision began to darken. His face became more blue by the second. He tried to talk, but all he could utter was a tiny squeak. The President stared at Gungnir in disgust. He wanted to punch that mobian's masked face.

Gungnir gently pet Tails' head as he continued to choke his life away. "Can you really live with your friend's death on your conscience?"

"I'll take you to the emerald." Mr. President maintained eye contact. "Now let go of him."

The mobian loosened his grip on Tails, but still had his arm around his neck. "Until the emerald is in my hand, Miles is staying with me. Can't have you attempting something stupid."

"Whatever. Follow me."

The man went ahead with Gungnir and Tails behind him. The trio went up to the second floor storage closet, the smallest room in the house. There was barely enough room for the three. Junk and miscellaneous doodads were strewn everywhere.

Gungnir became slightly suspicious. "In here? What game are you playing, Mr. President?"

"Just watch."

The man opened a red toolbox which was actually nailed down. Inside it was a keypad that beeped to life. He entered the ten digit password and shut the toolbox. The back wall split open to reveal an elevator.

Gungnir raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."

The President stepped inside first with the two right behind him. An uncomfortable silence settled in as the elevator descended into the underground. The door slid open upon reaching the bottom.

"Here it is."

Before them was the Vault, in its entire chrome glory. It was twenty by twenty feet across, with a six-inch thick steel door, and four miniature but deadly turrets planted in its corners. The President's presence had deactivated them. Another keypad below the handle required a password for entry, which the man didn't hesitate in entering.

A single beep sounded off, and he pulled the massive door open with both hands. There was the prize, sitting on a pedestal. A yellow Chaos Emerald shone bright. The President grabbed the jewel and tossed it to Gungnir.

"Take your emerald. Now let him go and get the hell out of my house."

Gungnir took a moment to take in the emerald's shine. True to this word, he released Tails. The fox stepped away from him. He rubbed his neck to try and ease the pain away.

Mr. President was concerned. "Are you okay Tails?"

"I'm fine. Sorry about all this. I know this was difficult for you."

"Don't apologize. We all know who's to blame for this." The President looked over at Gungnir. "What are you still doing here? I said get out!"

"Now Mr. President, it would be rude of me to take my leave without thanking you."

"I don't need your thanks."

"But I insist..."

Gungnir walked over to the president and paused for a moment. Tails curiously looked at the two staring each other down. In a flash, the mobian punched the man in the abdomen. He collapsed to the cold steel floor, unconscious in an instant. Gungnir tossed the emerald up in his hand a couple times and turned around. Before he took another step, he looked right at Tails. The fox quickly darted his eyes away from him, not wanting his attention.

Gungnir kneeled down close and looked him in the eye. "Are you afraid of me, Miles?"

Tails continued to avoid eye contact. "Don't call me that."

"You shouldn't be afraid of me. If anything, you should be afraid of Sonic. He'll treat you as your best friend one day, and then throw you to the wolves the next. Having a spineless bastard like him so close to you is more dangerous than anything I would do."

"You attacked the President and were about to kill me over a Chaos Emerald. I'd say you're plenty dangerous."

"Yes, but have I ever single-handedly ruined your life by pretending to be your closest buddy and then snatching it all away in the blink of an eye? No, I haven't and I never will because I'm not a pathetic, two-faced weasel like Sonic is."

"What are you going on about? Sonic's always been good to me. He gave me a home and a great new name. We've been best friends for years now and that's not going to change."

Gungnir chuckled for a moment, and then he leaned back with hearty laughter.

Tails turned to him with a dirty look. "I don't see how that's funny."

"It's very funny. You just reminded me of myself when I was younger...and more naive. So happy and stupid I was. Those were simpler times."

The fox just looked confused. "Who are you anyway?"

"Don't bother. That part of me is gone. I'm someone who's going to end Sonic tonight, and that's all that matters."

Gungnir punched Tails in the abdomen, knocking him out as well. He picked up and carried the fox in one arm, the President in the other. He held the emerald in his hand as he carried the two bodies back with him. The mobian stepped into the elevator and it soon began its ascent.

"Sorry Miles, but you don't want to be awake for this."