Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog.

A/N: I rather enjoy writing fight scenes though my fics tend to focus on the psychological aspects of things. Heh, what would be a good story without a little bit of action. Bet you guys weren't expecting this.

Chapter 4

Tails didn't get very much time to think about it because shortly after the hedgehog left, something big happened. The screams came long before he could make sense of the situation. No sooner than he made a move towards the front door to check out the ruckus the whole wall exploded- wood and stone flying inward as he hit the floor.

Hanging around Sonic had fortunately helped to quicken his own reflexes otherwise he might have been impaled by the sharp prongs of the metal claw that was currently hanging over his head. He lifted his arm away from his face and peered up at the machine, instantly recognizing Robotnik's logo, though the man was strangely absent. The world beyond this scene was utter chaos as people were plucked up like play things and tossed into the mass of the main machine.

After several seconds of frozen shock Tails scrambled to his feet and made a beeline for a different room. It was here that Cream was set up in a small crib. He had to fly upward to get to a height that he could reach over and lift her out of it. All the commotion had clearly waken her and she was letting out a large wail, not even silencing once she was in his arms.

As it was he nearly collided into her mother on the way out.

Vanilla didn't debate over which of the children were more important to her, hugging both her own child and Tails at once. "We have to go." That was a statement that didn't need to be spoken. Before she could take Cream from Tails though, a large claw tore the space between them and grabbed her around the middle, lifting her into the air.

Tails couldn't help but tremble, though he tried to step up to the plate in Sonic's absence. "Don't worry Vanilla I'll help you." His gaze darted frantically as he tried to figure out how to do this with a baby in his arms. A loud sobbing baby.

Another claw shot his way and he took to the sky. He climbed rapidly enough that he was at height that he could see the distant hills over the rooftops and the blue speck charging forward. The hedgehog was moving at such a speed that he was difficult to see, a sonic boom cracking the sky.

He sprung onto the closest rooftop and launched over Tails head. With one quick attack he sawed through the arm of the machine, forcing it to release Vanilla before slamming into the main body. Bouncing off he soared towards the containment chamber only to get swatted aside.

Robotnik made his appearance as Tails landed. The man was all 'giggles' seeing as his enemy had just skidded several feet before managing to right himself. "Sonic, I wasn't expecting to see you here." He was visible at the controls of the main machine, the hatch having been drawn back so he could speak.

For all it was worth Sonic didn't retort, he just puffed himself up and addressed the others. "Tails, take Vanilla and Cream and get out of here." This clearly frustrated Robotnik to no end since he shot another claw at the hedgehog. It was a wasted attempt as Sonic leapt over it, landing on the cord that attached it to the machine and dashing up the length of it.

Robotnik only got the hatch partially shut before Sonic slammed into it. His foot leaving a spider web of shallow cracks in the glass. Considering the fact that it was made to withstand bullets, that was pretty impressive.

Tails grabbed Vanilla's hand as she started to her feet. "Alright Sonic but only until they are somewhere safe, then I'm coming right back." He saw Sonic nod and figured he expected nothing less at this point.

How had Sonic known to charge back this way anyhow? He was suppose to be long gone by now. Maybe already two zones over if he was going as fast as he promised to.

"Come on Vanilla." The rabbit looked pale as he lead her away from the scene. Had they put her in danger by staying with her? He wondered if that was why Sonic seemed so unhappy about the setup- he was worried about what might come of it.

And what of Mr. Tal, that ran off before all this even occurred? So many questions.

As it turns out Robotnik played the roll of a coward right then- pulling the hatch down over the cockpit so no more blows could be dealt to it. Which made things a bit of a waiting game. Attacks soared Sonic's way but he evaded them with practiced skill.

He noticed the people that still remained in the village were fleeing the scene rather than standing around and gawking. This was preferred as he didn't want anyone getting hurt. The smaller machines bunched up in a circle around Sonic and Robotnik, probably at their master's command. "You really think this is going to be enough to stop me Robotnik?"

More metal claws shot out but Sonic didn't play games with them. They were made of a weaker metal and as such he smashed right through them, destroying the small 'army' in a heartbeat. "Come on Robotnik, I thought you had a little more intelligence than this. But this… it's just sort of embarrassing."

"Shut your trap you spiny ra- ah ahhh," Robotnik's retort might have sounded odd but that probably had a lot to do with the fact that Sonic flew at him the moment he drew back the hatch. He'd already created a weak spot in the glass and this strike completely obliterated it. Unfortunately Sonic got a nasty surprise in turn, a scream bubbling out of his throat as electricity shot through him.

He probably should feel lucky that he simply 'bounced' off of it. Legs failing him as he landed shakily on his feet. He crumpled forward but braced his hands against the ground to keep from collapsing completely.

His heart was thumping too quickly in his chest and his breath was uneven but he hadn't lost consciousness. As far as he was concerned, that was a good sign at least. "You're quite the resilient little rat but I supposed I already knew that." Robotnik was smug about the whole thing and why not? He'd got Sonic good with that one.

Tails had heard the scream, jerking his hand away from Vanilla as he turned to dash back in the direction they had come from. He hesitated after a moment though. He told Sonic he'd get the two to safety. He glanced back at the rabbit with the baby in her arms and gnawed his bottom lip.

"Be… careful." The rabbit seemed to be having a mental debate of her own but she had practically told him to go. It must have tore her apart but she clearly understood.

"I will." Tails promised and took off, spinning his namesakes as he ran.

"Tha… that," Sonic swallowed hard, stilling his shaking slightly as he forced himself back to his feet. "Was… a cheap shot." His teeth gritted together as he eyed his foe. The man was practically unguarded now, aside from the countless claws protruding from his machine. "You're finished Robotnik."

Sonic couldn't help but bristle as Robotnik laughed. "You think so hedgehog?" He would like to believe so and as such, launched himself in Robotnik's direction. This was clearly just the reaction the man had been waiting for though as one of the claws slammed into Sonic headlong- ensnaring him its grasp. "You're a lot bark but I'm not seeing any bite now that you can barely move."

At that point Sonic's ear tilted slightly at a faint yet familiar sound.

Admittedly he was in a fair amount of pain since the claw was rather tight, to assure he wouldn't escape… still, he seemed in pretty good sorts mentally. He didn't struggle in any case and replied with a confident breath: "I don't need to."

Before Robotnik could figure that out something came rocketing through the air, colliding with the machine. All at once a blast of chaos occurred in the form of an explosion and Robotnik was sent shooting upward. The containment chamber at the back of the machine toppled sideways, spilling the people out and the 'arm' holding Sonic went limp.

He struggled to pry himself free for several seconds before Tails landed beside him. Seeing the screwdriver in his hand he rose a brow but didn't say anything on the matter. His gaze shifted sideways towards the wreckage instead. "You destroyed the Tornado."

Tails responded with a dry sob. "I didn't know what else to do. I'm really sorry Sonic I know it was important to you."

It was true that it was one of Sonic's only possessions, second to his shoes but he valued his life much more. They could always get a new plane. "Don't worry about it Tails, it's replaceable."

"You're not mad?"

Sonic glanced sideways at the fox as he finally straighten, wrapping his arm around his middle as he waited for the pain to subside. "No. I'm glad you did what you did." He grinned. "Thanks for coming Tails."

The villagers examined the remains of their homes. There wasn't much left.

"Did you already make it to Casino Nights and back?"

"No." Sonic replied in a stiff sort of way as his smile faded. "I only went as far as the next village. It's like a ghost town Tails. There isn't a living thing left there." He knew because he had checked the remains of every home. Fortunately there didn't seem to be any corpses either but then again… was that really good thing? Where had all the people gone. "I don't know what Robotnik is up to but we need to stop him."

Some would say they already had by destroying the man's 'harvesting machine' but Sonic knew better. This was far from over.

"What about the people here Sonic?, they're homeless now."

So were they and they seemed to manage just fine. "There's not…" He winced softly, curling in on himself in the slightest before continuing without fault. "Much we can do for them."

"Are you hurt badly Sonic?" Tails voice trembled as if the concept was unthinkable. Or he simply didn't want to hear it. That was fine because Sonic probably would have never admitted to it if he was.

"Nah. I'm just a bit sore." A normal kid would probably cry but him on the other hand, he just grinned and bared it. He lead a dangerous life and he wouldn't let it get the better of him. "No need to worry about me Tails. I heal fast."

Tails seemed to have calmed down at the assurance, though there was still a faint edge of concern it his tone. "Okay…"

That was about the time Vanilla showed up. She bundled her baby up in one arm and hugged Tails. "I'm so glad you're alright." He mumbled something into her shoulder and she straightened, blinking away a few tears.

Guessing at what was coming next Sonic turned away in the slightest, attempting to politely refuse the gesture before it came. At this angle he could see her coming closer and stiffened in response. In the end she simply set her hand down on the top of his head though. "I'm proud of what you did." Her voice was soft and supportive.

He tilted his gaze her way, eyes wide with disbelief. What was she playing at? Parents were suppose to scorn their children for stuff like this but then she had never lectured him for risking his neck to save her daughter… He figured that was different though. That was someone important to her.

"It was really brave." Did his parents ever say stuff like this? He struggled to remember but found he could hardly even recall their faces. Anything beyond that was out of reach. His shoulders quivered- he didn't need anyone to tell him things like this. He wanted her to stop.

"We…" He swallowed hard to regain his strength, nameless memories stirring around in his head. "We should get going. It's going to be a long journey with so many people but we better hurry… before Robotnik comes back."

Tails blinked owlishly at him. "Where are we going?"

Sonic glanced at him for the briefest second before starting off with a soft utter of: "Knothole." He only knew scarce details about the place, things he had been told by the people that lead him there so long ago. They'd supposedly been the great grandkids of some of the original Freedom Fighters. As far as he was concerned, it could all be lies though.

Either way it was a good place to hide, miles of underground tunnels weaving their way under a massive forest. These people could stay there for awhile. Robotnik would never find them.

A/N: Yes, Knothole but not as it is in the comics or show. Let's just say it was a different set a freedom fighters that manned it, long before their time, in a war against the overlanders. Either way, it's all abandoned now… which is why it's assumed that Robotnik wouldn't know about it.

This story is getting messier by the minute.