Chapter 4 – The Robot Masters

As Eggman continued laughing menacingly during his message, the people started to panic and scurry for their lives while Sonic, his friends, and the dragons glared at the screens.

"We won't be intimidated by you, Eggman!" declared Sonic. "You clearly are underestimating us! No matter what your threat is or what you throw at us, together we are strong!"

"By the way," went on Eggman. "In order to ensure that you will submit to me and that I get rid of any noncompliant rebels, I have dispatched five of my very finest and powerful robots known as the Robot Masters! They will also take care in completing my second phase for world dominating, and that is to find all the seven Chaos Emeralds!"

"The Robot Masters?" wondered Draco after the screens flickered off. "What could that mean?"

"Uh-oh," said Tails. "This does not sound good. It means that Eggman has built some robots that will prove to be more cunning and lethal than those regular ones we've fought."

"That sounds very serious," said Cynder. "We're going to have to put a lot effort and truly work as a team in order to defeat these Robot Masters."

"Heh, these Robot Masters will be a piece of cake for me," said Sonic confidently. "I will not let that egg-belly get the best of me as he truly has no idea how much more motivated I am now in saving the world!"

"Let's not try to do anything rash, Sonic," warned Tails. "Keep in mind that those Robot Masters sound a lot like the ones that you've confronted many years back, and having been the wiser from his many defeats, Eggman must have made sure that they will be more powerful and ready for your tricks."

"All the more incentive for me to put my skills to the test," said Sonic as he became more eager to take on the Robot Masters. "I always love a good challenge as that would give me such satisfaction."

"This is something that makes me relate with you, Sonic," said Torden. "I truly admire your courage and determination, which is something I have inside of me as well."

"Good for you, Torden," smiled Sonic. "Maybe after this, I can give you some tips on what it takes to be a strong leader and hero."

"You bet I'll be up for this kind of thing," said Torden.

"I don't really like the sound of that," Tails whispered to Draco. "Sonic may have grown over the years, but I could sense that he still has a knack for being reckless in the face of danger, and Torden seems to be admiring him a little too much, even more than how I used to be when I was a smaller fox."

"Guys," began Cynder. "I think I could see several figures heading towards the city."

"What's that?" asked the group, including Sonic and Torden.

"It looks like there are five of them in total," continued Cynder. "And I have no doubt on what they are."

"You mean it's them?" asked Lily worryingly.

"I'm afraid so," replied Cynder. "They're all coming by very quickly."

Cynder was right. In no time, five large robots came into view and when they stopped, they hovered in the air, looking down at Sonic and the team. One was a huge metallic reindeer with razor sharp antlers and glowing red eyes. It had a large jetpack with a bazooka mounted on its back. The second was an eagle-like robot, also with glowing red eyes, but outfitted with a series of laser blasters at the tip of its wings. The third was a robotic praying mantis armed with razor sharp blades and laser cannons serving as its antennae. The fourth was a mechanical elephant with missile launchers for arms, and finally, the fifth and last was a robotic shark with a mouthful of sharp metallic teeth. Laser cannons were outfitted inside the mouth. All five robots have very mean expressions, which made them all the more intimidating.

"So you're the troublemakers who have been interfering with our doctor's plans," began the eagle robot. "We're going to see to it that you will not prevent him from conquering the world."

"What are you?" asked Percival.

"We are the Robot Masters," replied the eagle robot. "Elite generals of the Eggman Empire, and we have learned a lot about you."

"I should have known," said Sonic. "Well, if you're here to fight us, then we'll give you one!"

"Foolish hedgehog, we won't be fighting you just yet," said the reindeer robot. "However, we will be letting you that it will be impossible for you to free the nations of Eggman's robot army as you'll have to face masses of them, and they're all heavily armed."

"If you know what's good for you, you might as well give it up and submit yourself to Eggman," the mantis robot added. "You can just sit back and watch as we'll reshape the planet to our doctor's vision!"

"That is not going to happen!" declared Blaze. "It doesn't matter the number of robots, for we all are well-trained and ready to take them out!"

"We shall see," said the shark robot. "But for now, we better be on our way to Station Square. We can't be wasting anymore time, and Eggman has plans for the city."

"Already we have managed to find four of the Chaos Emeralds," said the elephant robot. "Once the last one is discovered and after we get the other two from you, Eggman will finally realise his long-desired dream to rule the planet."

With that, the five Robot Masters powered up their jets and whisked away into the horizon. Sonic and his friends realised that they now have bigger complications to deal with.

"We've got to stop Eggman from levelling Station Square!" exclaimed Sonic. "There's no way I will let them be in jeopardy twice!"

"Tails and I will be there to accompany you, Sonic," said Blaze.

"Cream and I are coming with you too!" declared Amy.

"I don't think it's a good idea that you come with us, Amy and Cream," said Tails. "Things might get very dodgy over at Station Square, and we can't afford to have anything bad happen to you."

Amy fumed as she wanted to spend some time with Sonic, but she did not object.

"Well, how are we supposed to get back home without the Tornado?" she fumed.

Klump looked at Krusha, and they both nodded as they thought what they were thinking. "Tell you what, Amy," he said. "We'll get you and Cream to the Anthro League and Jimmy Lionheart can escort you both back home."

"Okay then," agreed Amy. "We'll follow you crocs to the place."

"Everything is settled then," said Sonic. "Now, let's get the show on the road! It's time to put that Eggman in his place once and for all!"

So Sonic boarded on the Tornado as soon as Tails and Blaze got in, and the dragons set up their Transporter Device to head for Station Square. Klump, Krusha, Amy and Cream waved goodbye to the group until they disappeared out of sight.

Author's Note: Looks like our heroes have more enemies to face! The Robot Masters sound very tough, so let's hope the team got what it takes to defeat them!