Chapter 4:

Unfortunate Occurrences

Sonic was incredibly nervous seeing all of these new soldiers walking around the underground. It unnerved him even more that they all seemed to have the same physique. Tall, strong looking blue eyed warriors. Sonic looked over at Tails. "Yo. Tails…are you thinking what I am thinking?"

"Sonic….they did it…they took the technology we gave them and decided to use it, instead of find ways to destroy it. Those soldiers have all been created, there is no way they found that many new recruits that look like that." Tails sighed deeply. "Sonic…what are we going to do? We promised to fight those who enslaved. Our own people are doing it now."

"Tails…I don't know….If they are really going to do the same thing…then…we have no home anymore." Sonic said searching for someone. "Ahh there is Antoine. Yo! Ant! Can you come over here?"

"Ahh! Sonick! How 'ave you been?" Antoine said as his many medals clinked together on his crisply pressed uniform. "What eez wrong? You look….how do you say it? Down in ze crater?"

Sonic rolled his eyes. "Ant…it's down in the dumps and yes we are. Have you noticed anything…..different here?" Sonic looked around to make sure they weren't being watched. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

"Sure Sonick what ez wrong, you act like you shouldn't be here."

"Well Antoine, we might not want to be here anymore. We need you to tell us some things." Tails said sadly. "Take us to your house and we will explain."

Sure enough Antoine knew what was going on to some degree, but not that the warriors were being created. "I've been training people for several weeks now, and I 'ave noticed how much stronger they are then a normal Mobian….so that's what they 'ave been doing…ahh I am so ashamed." The Mobian looked down at his uniform and began to take off each medal one by one. "I will not support 'dem anymore…Sonick I am going with you. You have one more in the new Freedom fighters."

"Thanks Ant. We will be glad to have you. I think the smartest thing for us however, is to take what they give us and act like we aren't bothered. Do you both agree?" Sonic waited for answers from both warriors and continued. "We could probably do what we did with the others and give back some free will. I don't think their technology will be as good as Robotnik's. …after all Tails isn't the chief engineer anymore.

"Alright then guys….let's go see what Sally has for us….Hopefully she doesn't realize what is going on." Sonic said.

The great mountain pass

"Drago….are you sure that this is the right place?" Kamille said. "It looks really, really, really high. Do you think we can get up there?"

"Kamille….shut up" Char said hitting Kamille on the head. "We need to get this done. Just start climbing and quit your bitching."

Drago laughed. "You know I like you guys." Drago said as he began to climb. Let's see if you guys are as strong at climbing as you are at bitching."

"Funny Drago….really funny." Char said as he put on his climbing claws and began to climb the steep mountain. "You know Drago, not all of us are as strong as you, but for some reason we seem to be keeping up with you." Char was smiling now.

"I'm not complaining, just climb." Drago said watching the two knights climbing and keeping up with him. "It shouldn't take but twenty minutes of fast climbing."

Kamille groaned. "Twenty…awww."

"Just climb"

Back in the underground

Sonic saw Sally waiting outside of the main military building looking around somewhat nervously. "Great…she knows…and she is part of it….I can tell" Sonic thought to himself, making a mental note of the building. "We will be back here one day….unfortunately to destroy it and everything else." Sonic walked up and bowed to Sally. Sally waved off the bow. "Sally…what do you have for us?" Sonic said quite simply.

"Sonic, I have two soldiers for you. Guys come on out." Sally said as she turned and waved to something in the building.

Two very large wolves came out wearing combat boots, camouflaged pants and a tight under armor shirt that showed off their muscles. They were an impressive sight. Although Sonic wondered what their eyes looked like under the dark helmets they were wearing.

"Sally, since when did we have wolves in the military?" Sonic asked.

"Since we got the technology to create new beings to serve in the military. Thanks to Tails that is. Without that tech, we'd never have been able to build up the army again."

Tails felt sick. "Are these people serving…willingly?"

"They don't ask. They are bred to fight. They are the perfect warriors. They don't think, they just do what you want with no questions."

"So…you are doing what Robotnik did….which was immoral…and wrong?" Sonic said angrily. "You are for this Sally?"

"I am for anything that let's us win this war. We've been fighting for over a decade Sonic. I'm tired. You are tired. Aren't you ready to end this."

"Yes….but not this way. I'll take them, only because I can release their minds. But, we are finished after today. Do not expect any help from us again. At least until you get rid of this Genetic factory you are building."

"But Sonic….do you not want to end this?"

"I do…but I will do it with my morals intact. I don't want the history books to have my name and genetic experimentation near it."

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll give you ten minutes to get what you need and get out." Sally said sadly.

"Well if you ever come to your senses you can join us." Sonic said. "But I doubt you will." Sonic gave Sally a hug. "Be prepared…you have unleashed the storm." Sonic looked at her with fire in his eyes. "I warned you, so when we come at you don't be surprised."

"Ant, Tails…..you two….let's go. We don't need anything else from them."

"Aunt Sally…how….could you….." Tails said with tears in his eyes.

Sally couldn't answer the tears had come and she ran back into the base. "Oh Gods…what have I done….what have I done?"

Floating Island

Tails, Elias and Bryson had been walking the jungle like Island for several hours. Elias was the first to finally make a comment.

"Tails….you have all of the real Tails's memories and he had been here. Do you know where Knuckles would be at on this Island?"

"I know I was here….but everything looks different. He probably changes things so people can't find the emeralds."

"Look guys…a hut…I think it has smoke coming from its chimney. Perhaps he is home?" Bryson said.

"Tails, you and Bryson need to go and find out. He will know something is wrong if I am with you guys."

"Alright I'll lead, Bryson, you need to stay behind me."

"Alright"

Tails knocked on the door. He heard a voice inside the door. "Just a minute I'll be right there." Footsteps were heard running around and papers were scuffled around. Knuckles opened the door with an angry look that quickly changed to joy. "Tails! Its been a long time. How are you? Come in! I've missed you. Is Sonic around?"

"No, but I've got a friend here that would like to meet you."

"Really who is it?"

"Hi I am Bryson." The boy brought his hand out to shake hands.

Knuckles looked carefully at the boy. He found it strange that Tails was friends with an overlander. The boy's eyes made his mind foggy. He tried to look away but couldn't look away from them. He couldn't think. "Those eyes….I must…keep looking…"

"Knuckles….who is your master?" Bryson said.

Knuckles couldn't think as the eyes were all he would focus on. "uhh…you?...can't…look away…."

"That's right Knuckles I am. I want you to listen closely can you do that?"

All knuckles could focus on was the eyes and the voice. "Yes…." Knuckles said staring at Bryson.

"Alright…you are now working for us. You are going to help lead our troops do you understand?"

"I think….I am…your…slave….and…I…am….going…to lead an army?" Knuckles slurred.

"Close enough. You are also to tell Sonic you do not want to help him."

"Tell…Sonic…not help…"

"That's right Knuckles…now if I let you look away will you still be under my power?"

"Yes" Knuckles said.

"Very well Knuckles…" Bryson looked away and everything Bryson had imprinted into him stayed.

"Knuckles looked at his new masters. "What do you want me to do?"

"You are to go find Sonic and Tails, and tell them you do not wish to get involved with the war."

"Then can I see the eyes again?" Knuckles asked slurring his speech.

"Yes you can."

"Then I will obey."

Tails was curious. Bryson could change anyone's mind. There were several times he had gone to ask Bryson a question and yet he couldn't remember we he had gone to him. "Is he hypnotizing me every time I try and talk to him? If he is he will pay."

At the top of the Great Mountains.

Drago was out of breath. "Those damn kids beat me up here….this is ridiculous. They are just kids."

"What's wrong Drago, we too fast for you?" All three boys laughed.

Kamille stopped laughing when he saw a six foot tall heavily muscled Dragon boy come up and grab him.

"You are intruders. You must come and talk to the Elder. He will decide your fate."

"Hey! We are from Knothole! We are Freedom Fighters we just came to request aid!" Char said trying to fumble for his papers. "Look see!" "We aren't evil…I promise."

"Well….." The Dragon said thinking. "How about I just take you to the Elder and he can decide if we should believe you or not."

"I like that better."

"Good. You didn't have a choice."

End Chapter 4