When It's Least Expected

"Okay, let's go over this plan once more before we go out tomorrow night," Sonic said. "Antoine and Bunnie, you are going to follow me into the heart of Robotropolis. You're there to keep me informed of anything that looks suspicious. We will have radio contact, don't be afraid to tell me about anything you see that doesn't look right. Sally, you have to wait at the edge of the Great Forest, when you see the flare go off, detonate the bombs. Rotor, I need you to stay in Knothole, just so it isn't completely defenseless. It's not likely Robotnik even knows we exist, but I'd rather be safe than fucked. Finally Tails, you are to stay in your room, and don't fuckin' leave. Does everyone understand?"

"Why can't I help, Sonic?"

"Because you'll fuck everything up, anyone else?"

"Zis is confusing, what is it I am to be doing again?" Antoine asked.

"You're going to warn me if some funky shit is happening outside, asshole. It's a pretty simple fuckin' plan, you guys shouldn't even have questions."

"Then why did you ask if we had any?" Sally questioned.

"I don't want to get royally fucked over when we actually try and pull this shit off, that's fuckin' why. With questions like this I might as well swallow the last fuckin' mine, and go up in flames. Whatever, I'm not gonna sit here and argue with you guys. I'm leaving tomorrow night, if you don't know the plan, don't fuckin' show up," Sonic said and then stood up and left.

"Well since he left, I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone else has," Sally said.

"Why can't I help, Auntie Sally?" Tails asked.

"Don't worry Tails, you can come with me," Sally said, "Just don't tell Sonic."

"Why is ze 'edgehog so bitchy, I think someone took ze shit in his Cheerios."

"He told me not to tell anyone, but Sonic has an insurance policy. If he takes longer than two minutes, I was told to detonate the bombs anyway. Sonic said that if he was in there for longer than two minutes it means he was either captured or killed. I can't say I agree with that, but as soon as Robotnik knows Sonic is alive, he will not stop until all of us are dead."

"Are you certain he said two minutes, Sugar," Bunnie asked and Sally nodded her head. "There are roughly fifty mines he has to plant, on who knows how many floors, even with his speed that's pushing it, Hun."

"I know Bunnie, I tried to get him to change his mind, but…"

"It's okay, Hun, we'll get him out alive. I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired. If we're going to do this tomorrow it would be best if we got some sleep."

"You're right," Sally said, "We need to be well rested and prepared for tomorrow."

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Sonic stood at the meeting area, waiting for the others to arrive.

"I guess I'll be doing this shit by myself," Sonic mumbled to himself.

"No Sonic, we came here to help you," Sally said as she came walking up with Antoine and Bunnie.

"Bitchin, let's get moving," Sonic said as he prepared to take off.

"Wait! Sonic I…" Sally began.

"Owe me ten bucks, and I expect it paid in full when I get back." With that Sonic grabbed Bunnie and Antoine and took off. He raced into Robotropolis, avoiding the cameras and swat bots. He stopped right in front of Robotnik's fortress. "Alright, you guys hang tight here, and give me the heads up if anything happens. This place is going to blow in two minutes, so stay for 90 seconds then get as far away as you can." Sonic picked up the pack of mines and raced inside the fortress.

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"Hey Auntie Sally, can I hold that?" Tails asked.

"No Tails, this is something very important, Sonic's life might depend on it."

"Come on Auntie Sally, I just want to help."

"Okay, but don't press that button unless you see Sonic's flare." Just as Sally finished speaking, a shooting star shot across the sky. Tails pulled the trigger on the detonator, and there was a huge explosion in the distance. "Tails that wasn't the flare! We have to make sure no one is hurt, HURRY!"

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"Justice is balance," Sonic said as he walked over to Robotnik, in the command center of the fortress.

"What the fuck? How did you get in here you filthy bastard?"

"You burned down my house and left me for dead. Consider us even," Sonic said as he tossed the last mine at Robotnik, it exploded just before impact. "Oh shit, that was a quick two minutes, I better get the fuck out." Sonic took off down the stairwell, as the whole structure was collapsing down upon him.

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"Hun," Bunnie said to Antoine, "I don't think that was two minutes."

"Ze shit, we must be leaving now, zis is going to kill us."

"We are just going to leave Sonic?"

"Well zis was the insurance policy, WE ARE GOING TO DIE!!" Antoine screamed just as Sonic grabbed the both of them and burst into the forest. On his way he ran into Sally coming toward him, with Tails just behind.

"I don't owe you ten dollars," Sally said when they met up.

"What? I at least rounded third base."

"Are you okay? I've been so worried since the premature detonation."

"I don't know, I'm kind of fucked up in general, so it's hard to gauge. Why did it blow early? Ten bucks is no reason to kill me. And why the fuck is Tails here?"

"I don't know why it detonated early," Sally lied. "Tails is here because he wanted to help, and I thought he could. And for the record I don't owe you anything."

"Well you'll be owing me ten bucks after tonight. Let's get the fuck out of here."

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Knothole was completely rebuilt, and Sonic was very happy with the final result. He was sitting on a bench in the center of the village when Sally came walking over to him.

"Do you think he's still alive?" She asked.

"Who?"

"Robotnik."

"Probably, that son of a bitch just never dies. After what happened, I'm sure it'll be a long time before we have to worry about him."

"Last time you said that he burnt Knothole to the ground."

"Really? I better not say that shit anymore then. By the way, what's for lunch?"

"Veggie burgers, with all the trimmings, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles…"

"But Auntie Sally, Sonic ate the last pickles," Tails said walking up to them.

"Fucking snitch," Sonic said.

"I'm sorry Sonic, I'm sorry. I brought you guys some burgers," Tails said handing them off.

"Are you gonna munch this or what?" Sally asked looking at Sonic.

"I'm gonna…what?"