Chapter Three

"OK, here's what I was thinking," Tails said. "We build a giant robot that looks exactly like Robotnik. When it's driven into Robotropolis, Robotnik will probably stop all SwatBots from attacking, because he loves himself." Krystal nodded.

"Good plan," she said. "But it will probably be just a little too suspicious for Robotnik's tastes. We need something that says "We're on your side, and we want to prove it!"." Tails put his finger on his chin.

"Hadn't thought of that," he admitted. "So, we just need to think of something else to build." Blue blinked and snapped her fingers.

"I got it!" she cried. "We shouldn't build anything at all! How about this: One of us goes in to distract Robotnik by telling him that we want to be on his side. While he's busy, the rest of us can go in and get the components from the robotizer. After that, we can build a derobotizer, and derobotize all the animals that were robotized!" Tails nodded.

"Sounds great," he said. "I can get the components, but who wants to go and distract the big round guy?" Geo smiled.

"I volunteer," he proclaimed. "My Dad was a smooth talking secret agent. I think I take after him." Blue rolled her eyes.

"Dad was also stubborn," she added. "I think you take after him too." Geo hissed.

"Hey!" he snarled. Krystal crossed her arms.

"Calm down you two!" she scolded. "Let's get this show on the road." She turned to Tails, who nodded.

"Right," he said. "I know Robotropolis inside and out, after looking at Nicole's maps. Nicole is Sally's computer, by the way. Anyway, Geo, it should be pretty easy to just waltz right in and have the SwatBots take you to Robotnik. Keep him occupied for about 30 minutes. Krystal, Blue, I'll lead you to the robotizing room. Everyone clear with the plan?"

The two cats and the fox nodded solemnly. They all had grudges against Robotnik. Now it was time to take their revenge.

"Hey, Tails wait!" Krystal leapt up from her seat and grabbed the power ring off of the shelf. "Why don't you take this with you? That way, in case you need an extra boost of something, it's right there for you." Tails grinned and popped it into his yellow backpack.

"Thanks Krystal," he said. "Alright guys, let's go kick some Robo-butt!" the team cheered in unison, and then left the little hollow in search of an adventure of their own.

The outskirts of Robotropolis were already starting to blacken. The grass was dying and starting to look like ashes. Tails shook his head and clicked his tongue. It was starting to seem like every place he loved on Mobius was being transformed into a dead, ash-filled wasteland.

The four crouched down behind a rather large rock and peeked out into the evil land. Tails glanced at Geo.

"Ready?" he asked. The green cat nodded and gave the fox a thumb up. He casually walked into the Robotnik waste land, and was spotted in five seconds flat by the SwatBots. Tails turned to the other girls.

"Let's rock!" he proclaimed.

The three waited until the SwatBots were dragging Geo into Robotnik's lab before dashing out into the city. They traveled over to the back of the main building and screeched to a halt.

On the building was a security device. You had to punch in the correct code to open the back door. "Now what?" Blue asked. Tails was about to try to figure out the code when Krystal pushed him aside.

"Don't worry. I know how to hack," she said. She studied the device for a moment before hitting a few buttons. The device beeped a few times, and then stopped. The door opened up with ease.

"Cools," beamed Tails, sticking up an eyebrow. Krystal walked inside with the others following her.

"Thanks," she said. "Now, Tails, where's this robotizer room?"

Sonic tapped his foot while Sally rummaged around in her house. "Well?" he asked. "I need a ring, Sal." Sally sighed and shrugged.

"Sorry Sonic," she said. "Someone has been stealing the power rings. We don't have any left for this mission. You'll have to go without." Sonic rolled his eyes.

"Fine," he answered. "I'll be back in a Sonic second anyway. Ready Dulcy?" The blue hedgehog turned to the dragon that was resting beside him.

"Ready Sonic. Hop on!" Dulcy crouched down and allowed Sonic to climb on her back. Sally looked up at the two.

"Be careful, both of you," she said. "Remember, in order to derobotize Uncle Chuck, we need a robotizer itself. Got it?" Sonic nodded as Dulcy rose from the ground.

"See ya soon, Sal!" he said.

Geo looked at Robotnik's evil face calmly. The doctor studied the cat's face for a moment before sneering.

"I know you," he spat. "You're that son of that spy, Kris. Aren't you?" Geo closed his eyes.

"Yeah. However, I don't wanna end up like my old man and turn into a robot slave. How's about you an' me strike a deal?" Robotnik arched an eyebrow.

"Deal?" he asked. Geo shook the SwatBots off of his arms and checked his watch. He had about ten minutes to smooth talk Robotnik before making the great escape.

"Sure," he said casually. "I know a few karate moves and junk. I can be your assistant. Any way I can help you, doctor?" The SwatBots latched onto Geo's arms again. He looked back in surprise.

"Well, you can help me by becoming a robot slave!" he cackled. "Sorry, fur ball, but Snively is already my dear assistant. SwatBots! Take him to the robotizing room!" Geo bowed his head and wore a worried expression. Tails and the others had better hurry!

"How's it look?" Krystal asked as Tails lifted his head out of the robotizer's main chamber.

"There's so much stuff in there, to get every thing we need, we'll have to take the whole thing with us!" Blue crossed her arms.

"Might as well. Geo could get here any minute." Tails, Krystal and Blue grabbed hold of the bottom of the machine and lifted with all their strength. Suddenly, with a spark, the machine came loose.

"OK," Tails said, hoisting it on his shoulders. "Let's get back to the HQ." All of a sudden, a noise came out of no where. It sounded like a buzz saw. Blue jerked her head over and pointed to the wall.

"Look!" she cried. The wall seemed to be forming a hole. When a circle in the wall was complete, the section tipped over and revealed Sonic the Hedgehog.

"Tails!" the hedgehog cried in surprise. Krystal shrieked.

"Guys, look!" she squealed. The main door was opening. On the other side was a team of SwatBots with Geo in their clutches.

"Someone, help me!" he cried in alarm. "I can't shake 'im!" Thinking fast, Tails tossed the severed robotizer to Krystal.

"Hold this!" he commanded. Then he whirred up his tails and flew over to the SwatBots, knocking the bot holding Geo over. "C'mon!" he cried. He took back the machine from Krystal and the four made a break for it, leaving Sonic with the SwatBots.

Sonic leapt up and spun into a blue ball. He easily cut all of the SwatBot's heads off. Smiling, Sonic sped away, calling as he passed, "I'd love to stay, but I gotta fox to catch!"

Tails lifted up the rock and watched his tired team mates slide down into the hollow. He then slid down himself, landing on a pile of pillows at the end. The team collapsed while panting. Krystal sat up and squealed.

"That was awesome!" she cried. "I finally got to go on an adventure! I felt like I was in so much danger-it was so cool!" Tails smiled tiredly at his friend's excitement. He got up and placed the de-robotizer in the corner.

"We'll work on it tomorrow," he said. "How about we relax a little? I've got some playing cards, if anyone wants to play poker." Blue and Geo sat down at the table while Tails helped Krystal up.

Geo snickered. "Blue's not very good. Let's just say she doesn't have a very good poker face." As Tails dealt the cards, Blue faced her brother with a challenging glare.

"We'll just see who doesn't have a "poker face"." She turned to face Tails. "So, what are the stakes?" she asked. Tails shrugged.

"How about the last Chocopop in the freezer?"

"Sounds good to me."

It was around 2 'o clock when Dulcy and Sonic returned to Knothole. "Glad to see you back," Sally commented as Antoine, Bunnie and Rotor came out to greet the two. "Where's the robotizer?" Dulcy rubbed her sore knees from her landing.

"We've got bigger news," she reported. "Sonic's found Tails!" Everyone cried out in happiness.

"Where is he?" Bunnie asked. "Ah miss him so much that ah could give 'im my whole carrot garden." Sonic sighed sadly and sat down.

"I failed both missions, Freedom Fighters," he said. "See, I was juicin' in to get the ol' robotizer when I saw Tails with some other people his age. Then some bots came in and tried to put this cat in a robotizer, but Tails saved him from becoming a slave. After that they all ran off with a robotizer of their own. I was too preoccupied with trying to catch Tails that I completely forgot about getting the machine." Rotor thought a moment.

"But why would Tails run away from you?" he asked. "You're his best friend. Surely he would at least explain whatever he was doing to you." Antoine leaned on his dagger.

"If he would have stayed with ze Freedom Fighters, he would have become ze great warrior, like me." Suddenly, Antoine's dagger wobbled and lost its balance. Antoine screamed and fell on his face, again. Sonic rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, a great warrior like you, Ant."