Chapter 7: S5 Squad

Bunnie was becoming a bit antsy. It was past time for Sonic and Tails to check in. Antoine scoffed that it due to a lack of professionalism, but was quickly silence by Bunnie. She was about to get on her radio to contact them, when they're attention was drawn to the site of a large explosion near the middle of town. Bunnie quickly got on her radio and tried to contact Sonic and Tails, hearing nothing but static. She was about to call Geoffry's team when she saw the reason for their lack of communication. Two odd looking robots were firing at Sonic and Tails. They appeared to be robians, but more heavily armed, and much more vicious. They seemed almost psychotic. These two robots were unlike anything Robotnik has ever made before.

The hulking mole-bot, Grounder, barreled in on the two mobians like a tank, firing his machine guns wildly. His rooster partner, Scratch, was continued his insane cackling as he launched razor sharp, spinning blades at Sonic and Tails. The two Freedom fighters were only barely managing to dodge the manic robots' attacks. Sonic, however, wasn't about to let them get their claws on the Chaos Emerald. Though, getting out of Furville in one piece would prove difficult with a couple of crazy robians on their heels. The tight quarters limited Sonic's ability to get to full speed, and Tails couldn't risk going higher and making himself an open target. It was going to be a bumpy ride.

"Well, wasn't expecting this!" Sonic said, nearly getting his ear sliced off by one of Scratch's blades.

"Yeah, these guys are tough, and crazy to boot!" Tails replied.

"We need to shake these bozos. C'mon!"

Sonic makes a sharp left, with Tails right behind him. Grounder, however, wasn't able to make the turn, and smashed into a wall. As soon as Scratch caught up with him, the rooster-bot started to berate his slower partner.

"Get up, bolt bucket, they're gettin' away!" Scratch screeched.

"Ah shut up, I know that, chicken lips!" Grounder retorted. After Grounder scrambled to his treads, the two robians quickly resumed their chase.


Bunnie and Antoine were attempting to get in contact with Geoffry's group, with the added hinderence of a dead radio. They eventually spotted them on the rooftops about halfway across the town. Bunnie grabbed Antoine and activated her jets. It took only seconds for them to link up with Geoffry.

"Okay, what in bloody hell are those things?" Geoffry asked.

"Robians," Replied Bunnie.

"Robians aren't that heavily armed, and they're more like mindless slaves. These guys sound absolutely insane!" Fiona chimed in.

Geoffry looked through his scope to try and find Sonic and Tails. He spotted them, and they were being closely followed by the S5 Squad. "Dammit man, you're faster than that..." he muttered.

"Ze 'edgehog has no room to manuvare," Antoine said.

"Then let's get down there and give 'em some bloody help!"

"Zat may more difficult zan you theenk. Ze SWATbuts are closeeng on our position," Antoine pointed out.

"Great. That's all we needed."

The SWATbots were closing in on the Freedom Fighters, forcing them to pull back from their position. It wasn't long before the robots began to open fire. Jumping down off the rooftops, the mobians took cover in one of the abandoned buildings. Soon after that, the SWATbots had them pinned down. If they didn't come up with a plan soon, the Freedom Fighters were going to end up getting turned into piles of ash.

That wasn't the only thing that was disconcerting about the situation. They were only just noticing it since they were focused on recovering the Emerald. Ever since entering the town, they hadn't seen any other mobians.

"What happened to all the people?" Fiona asked.

"Robotnik happened," replied Geoffrey. Dust and debris started flying as the SWATbots began firing in at the Freedom Fighters.

"Alright. Time ta stop holding back," Bunnie finally said.

"What are you talking about?" Hershey asked.

"This." Bunnie's robotic left arm suddenly began to change. Parts rearranged themselves until finally it settled into the form of some type of cannon.

"What the..."

"Cuttin' lasah. Rotor gave it a bit more punch," Bunnie replied. She looked out through the door of the building, taking aim at the SWATbot closest to her and fired, blasting a hole clean through it. A few more blasts, and the way out was clear.

"Alright, y'all, let's go an' give Sonic n' Tails a hand."

"Um, that might be easier said than done," Hershey said, pointing out the legion of SWATbots heading their way.

"Ugh, notheeng eez ever seemple," Antoine grunted.


The S5 Squad was still in hot pursuit of Sonic and Tails. As dangerous as these two robians were, they weren't very smart. They would insult each other whenever they missed their shots, which was quite often. However, the mobians' luck would run out eventually, and those two manics would get in a good shot. They had to come up with a plan soon.

"Okay, we need to shake these guys!" Sonic yelled to Tails.

"We could try cutting through the buildings!" Tails replied.

"Good idea!"

Sonic made a hard right into one of the buildings, followed closely by Tails. The two began weaving through the inside of the buildings. As expected, Scratch and Grounder were too big and clunky to follow them effectively. They just smashed their way through the buildings. Even being slowed down, they just kept going after the two Freedom Fighters. These robians were relentless. Sonic's mind was racing to figure out a way to take them out. Tail's tactic had bought them a little time to think of something. Sonic quickly grabbed a piece of rubble. Tails looked at him, thinking that he was getting desperate, but the hedgehog spun around and ran straight at Grounder, hurling the rock at such hi speed that when it impacted, it knocked his head clean off. Grounder, however, didn't go offline. In fact, his body got up and started feeling around for his dismembered head. Seeing this, Sonic bolted off again.

Scratch caught up with his partner again, finding him decapitated and flailing around. His head was yelling at his body to try and get it's attention. Scratch, however pick up the screaming body part and forcibly slammed it back on his body, backwards. Grounder grumbled and twisted his head back into position.

"You idiot, don't get your head knocked off!" Scratch yelled.

"Don't call me an idiot, bolt brain!" Grounder retaliated.

"Come on, we can't lose them!" With that, Scratch and Grounder renewed their chase once again.

Up ahead, Sonic and Tails saw them coming for them again. With an exasperated grunt, the two picked up the pace.

"Dang, these guys don't quit!" Sonic said.

"What are we gonna do? We can't charge them without getting riddled with bullets," Tails replied.

"We'll think of something."


Sally was getting anxious. She sat at her desk in Freedom HQ, staring into space, her thumbs twiddling. It had been far too long since the team had checked in. She knew that there was a possibility that this had been a trap, but they couldn't allow Robotnik to get his hands on something as powerful as the Chaos Emeralds. They had only seen the golden ring work, and that had been only a fraction of what the Emerald could potentially do. It was a necessary risk.

That's what she told herself, anyway. She hated sending her friends out on missions. Even on simple reconnaissance. She sent good people into dangerous situations while she cooled her heels in the safety of Knothole. She once insisted on going along, but Bunnie wouldn't let the princess risk her life. It had always been like that. People coddling and pampering her because of her position as the princess of the Royal Family, and in recent years as the leader of the Freedom Fighters. Though she had lived a life of luxury before the coup, she almost resented it. She was given everything she wanted. At least, everything her father thought she wanted. What Sally really wanted more than anything else was to make friends.

And now after finally making some, she was sending them on missions that they may not return from.

Her thoughts were cut off by a familiar disembodied voice. "Sally, Dylan has returned from the grotto."

"Thank you, NICOLE. Let him in."

"Princess," the porcupine said as he entered. "The device made another ring."

"Did you bring it here?" Sally asked.

"I certainly did," he replied, handing her the ring.

After taking it, the princess took a long look at the ring. It represented the one thing they had that Robotnik didn't. The second true hope that they might actually win this war. The first, of course, being the blue hedgehog with an obviously made up name who could run faster than the speed of sound. Almost as soon as Sonic showed up, they had begun to gain more ground against Robotnik than ever before. She couldn't sit by and let him, and all of her friends go it alone anymore. She knew what she had to do.

"NICOLE, tell Rotor to prep the Whirlwind."

"Sally, you don't intend to..."

"Just do it." Sally got up from her desk, taking the ring with her as she went out the door. "It's time I stopped hiding, and started fighting."


Blaster fire filled the air with the scent of ionized oxygen. Sweat stung their eyes as they held out against the machines. The Freedom fighters were standing their ground, but they were quickly running out of ammunition. Over all, the situation seemed quite desperate. However, they weren't about to give up. It wasn't even an option. So many had already surrendered to Robotnik. They had no intention of following that example. It was either win or die.

However, in the current situation, the latter was far more likely. The SWATbots had them pinned down again and it wasn't looking good at all.

"Okay, this isn't going well," Hershey said.

"We just have ta hold out a little longah," Bunnie assured.

"We don't have the ammo for that," Geoffrey pointed out.

"Just say it. We're dead," Fiona brooded.

"Don't talk like that, we'll make it out of this mess!"

Truthfully, Bunnie didn't exactly believe her own words. She knew full well that it didn't seem that they would make it out alive. It would take a miracle to get them out of there.

And that miracle came, in the form of Sally hanging out the side of the Whirlwind brandishing a plasma rifle. Shots rained down on the SWATbots, which were completely unprepared for the onslaught that the princess wrought. Before the machines could recalibrate their aim, the other Freedom Fighters used the confusion to their advantage, catching them in a crossfire. Soon, the rest of the SWATbots were down, and Sally touched down.

"Thanks for the ride, Rotor," Sally said as she stepped out.

"No problem, Sal," replied rotor.

"What are you doeeng here, Preencess?" Antoine chided. "Eet eez much too..."

"I'm here to fight for our freedom, Antoine. I'm through just sitting around while you guys risk your lives. I'm coming with you on missions from now on, and I'm not taking no as an answer. Am I clear?"

"...Yes, Preencess," Antoine relented.

"Where's Sonic and Tails?"

"They're runnin' for their lives from some crazy robians," Bunnie answered.

"Robians?"

"Long story. Nuff said that they could use some help."

"Alright. Bunny, I need a lift."


Scratch and Grounder were closing in. Sonic and Tails have done everything they could without getting blasted. No matter how damaged they were, the two robians would just put themselves back together. The hedgehog and fox were starting to run out of steam. They reach a dead end, slowing them just enough for Scratch and Grounder to catch up.

"Ha ha ha haaaaa! We've gotcha now!" Scratch screeched.

"Yeah, so give up while ya can!" Grounder followed.

"Not gonna happen, bumble-bots," Sonic sneered.

"Yeah, Freedom Fighters never surrender!" said Tails.

The robians just cackled and moved toward them. Before they could get very far, Bunnie came flying towards them with Sally in tow. For a brief moment, the princess locked eyes with Sonic, just before tossing the golden ring she was holding to him. Promptly catching it, he immediately began to feel it's power coursing through him. Strength back, the hedgehog launched toward Scratch, blasting him apart with the sheer force of his Spin Dash. Grounder attempted to attack him with his drills, but was met with the same fate as his partner. Sonic quickly grabbed Tails, and ran out towards the vehicles before the two robians could put themselves back together again. A quick radio call from Sally had the rest of the Freedom fighters doing the same. Scratch and Grounder were left in pieces in the alley.

"Well this is just great!" Scratch's dismembered beak screeched.

"What're we gonna say to Dr. Robotnik?" Grounder asked.

"Why don't you start with an explanation?" Robotnik said, as he approached the sorry scene.

"Ah nuts"


Back at Freedom HQ, the FF were having a small celebration for their retrieval of the second Emerald. Small being the operative word, as many of them were completely pooped from the mission. It pretty much consisted of soda and chili dogs, prepared by Sonic. Rotor had taken the Emerald for study, leaving the rest to enjoy Sonic's cooking. After some reminiscence about the mission, the conversation shifted to Sally's unexpected appearance in Furville, with her long time friend Bunnie giving her some light scolding.

"Now Sally-Girl, you had no ideah what you were walkin' into. You could have gotten yourself killed."

"I know. But I meant what I said. I'm tired of just sitting in here and sending you out knowing that you might not come back. I want to do my part in fighting this war."

"Besides, she kicked but out there!" Tails said.

"Yeah, and she really came through with that Power Ring," Sonic added.

"We have to be ready for anything. You all saw those two robians. Robotnik is getting bolder, no doubt in response to Sonic. If we want any chance of winning this war, we have to unlock the secrets of the Chaos Emeralds. And our best chance of doing that is to get the guy who's been studying them for almost twelve years."

"The robian hedgehog," Sonic said.

"Yes. That means we're going back to Robotropolis."