"Do we have him?"
"One Sonic the hedgehog, captured."
Sonic was dragged before him.
"Well, isn't this a surprise?"
"You won't get away with this," Sonic snapped.
"Oh, but I already have. Allow him to see behind him, gentlemen."
The two men holding him turned around.
Knuckles was already out cold, and heavily bound. Aqua, Shadow and Morph were being handcuffed.
"A shame they had to be involved. Knuckles, of course, will be kept under heavy guard. The two cats and the hedgehog will have separate cells. A shame we couldn't catch you with Shadow, but we'll catch him later, no doubt."
"Don't bet on it," Sonic seethed. They didn't know about Morph or what had happened to Shadow. "We'll be out before you know it."
"Oh, your much vaunted over-confidence. Misplaced by a long shot here, I'm afraid."
Some uniformed men returned. "No signs, sir."
"Very well. No Tails? No Silver? No Espio, Charmy or Vector?"
"I don't know where they are," Sonic replied.
"I think you do."
"Even if I did I wouldn't tell you."
"Perhaps. However, you'll find that cooperation is very much in your best interests. I can become quite generous, given the right circumstances. Your dear Amy, for example, lives in a slightly modified suite of mine. True, she is held there, but as she stopped trying to escape, I've treated her with respect, if not kindness. If you show the same, I can arrange for a meeting."
"I won't work for you."
"You need not. You merely need cooperate."
"Never!"
"How inconvenient. Take them away."
Sonic struggled, but between the burly men holding him, the handcuffs and the effects of the nanomachines still afflicting him, he didn't have the strength.
Aqua also struggled, with a lot more strength than the others. He threw off those trying to bind him, hissing and slashing away with his claws, but was ultimately brought down and captured after being hit with a tazer. Considering he was still damp, it was conducted well, and he gave in without any further resistance.
Shadow and Morph, still Leo and Jules to the outside world, shared a grin, already planning for their epic escape they'd no doubt have to do, then also put up a light struggle so as not to seem out of place.
The four of them were roughly thrown into the back of an armoured vehicle, with Knuckles unconscious body thrown in after them.
Sonic felt his stomach churning again.
Several guards came up. One stepped forward.
"No trouble now. We wouldn't want you to end up the same was as your red friend. Understand?
Sonic threw up over him, much to the amusement of everyone else.
The door was then slammed on them, shutting them into almost total darkness.
A few moments later, the engine started, and they all worked to keep balance for a moment.
Then Morph beckoned for them to gather around.
"They don't know about me and Shadow yet," she whispered "So far as they know, I'm Jules, and he's Leo. I'll be able to get myself out in short order, depending on the kind of cell I get. Shadow will be next, because I can morph him easier now I've done it before."
"I don't really like the idea of having to be morphed again," he complained.
"We might need it. Aqua will be third, because he's got the strength, as we saw. Sonic, you'll be last, unless we can break out Knuckles earlier."
"Find Amy," he managed around feeling more unwell.
"We will, don't worry. And if you're not well enough to go, we'll leave you until we've got her."
"You make good plans," Aqua murmured.
"Thanks. No one try to break out before I've reached them unless you're absolutely certain it will work. No more now. We never had this conversation."
They sat in silence for the rest of the trip. Knuckles didn't wake up. Aqua checked to make sure he was still alive, and they were relieved to know he was.
No one had any idea where they were when they were brought back out again, and with soldiers both in front and behind, led down narrow corridors. The first stop was for Knuckles. His cell, understandably, was reinforced.
They just threw him unceremoniously in.
Next, two down, was Sonic.
On the next floor down, they were led to a semi-circular room. Three cells were inset into the walls, one beside another. They were just far enough from each other to prevent contact.
Aqua was put in the first, Shadow in the second, and Morph the last. Their bindings removed at gunpoint to ensure cooperation, they exercised their aching arms while they waited for the guards to leave.
Aqua, impatient as ever, was the first to react when they had, but Morph gestured for him to sit down.
"Not too soon. They're still there. Give them time to think we've given up hope."
"Amy," he greeted his guest again.
"I heard about it already." Her voice betrayed her newly rekindled hatred of the man.
"Good. Then it won't come as a shock. As you have been polite with me, I'm willing to take your word that you won't escape in a moment."
"Why? What'll happen?"
"I believe you'd like to be reunited with your lover? If only through a glass screen, of course. I can't allow direct contact, you understand."
Sonic lay curled up. His stomach wasn't the only thing hurting now. Whatever Tails had done, it surely wasn't good for him.
"Sonic?" a voice through a tinny intercom sounded. It was familiar.
He shifted uncomfortably to see the viewing window in the room. Kept just out of his reach.
"Amy?"
"What've they done to you?"
"This wasn't them. It was Tails."
"Tails? But I thought he was working with you?"
"I dunno anymore. What about you?"
"I'm alright. They've treated me fine, so long as I do the same back."
"I guess he wasn't lying about that."
"He's insane, but he's not a liar."
"You make him sound like Robotnic."
"They're similar, I guess. This guy's worse."
"He can hear us, you know."
"Yeah, I don't care much right now." Some men tugged her away. She resisted a moment to say, "Hang in there Sonic. We'll be together again yet."
"Yeah..." he trailed off, thinking again.
He was going to have some serious words with Tails if he ever got out of this.
Very serious words.
Knuckles woke up, shackled to the wall, and unable to move.
"Ah, you're awake."
"Who's there?"
"Your captor. My name is Bane Scott."
"Aren't you the mayor?"
"I'm touched you remember me."
"You won't-"
"Get away with this, yes, yes, can we dispense with that? I already have. Oh, and your colleagues heading northbound are due to run into a facility of mine, in which they'll also be captured."
"You monster!"
"Quite. However, I'm also quite generous, if treated correctly. For example..." he plucked at a chain. "I dislike such things as these. However, given your earlier break out, you can hardly blame me. Prove to me they are unnecessary, and I'll have them removed."
"You think you can just turn me into some trained pet?"
"I see your reason is still clouded by contempt. Good day to you, Knuckles."
Bane left Knuckles. He hardly expected the Echidna to cooperate so soon. Stubborn and proud, it'd take some time. No matter. He had plenty.
He walked calmly down the corridor leading to the remaining three prisoners.
It seemed unusual Shadow hadn't been with them. It also seemed unusual that nothing was known about two of the three.
He opened the door quietly, letting himself in, then stood waiting.
Aqua, of course, recognised him instantly. They had met once before, very briefly. Unlike last time, the tiger showed no reaction.
The unfamiliar cat snarled at him once, then glanced over at the remaining hedgehog. "Jules."
The hedgehog's eyes snapped open.
"It looks like we have a visitor, Leo," he said finally.
"Know him?"
"Nope. I doubt he knows us either."
"It's not polite to talk about your host while he's stood in front of you," Bane told them.
"Oh, do forgive me," Leo replied sardonically. "Most good 'hosts' don't imprison their guests."
"It's most intriguing," Bane continued, ignoring Leo's comment. "There were two others I was expecting. Perhaps you know of them? A hedgehog named Shadow, and a wolf named Samantha."
"Who doesn't know Shadow? Never heard of the other. Jules?"
"I know of them," the hedgehog replied calmly. "Little more. Aqua?"
"Nothing you haven't already said."
"How inconvenient," Bane murmured. "I also know little of you two. Clearly I have a hedgehog and a cat-"
"Panther!" It appeared to be a sore point with this one.
"Panther," he corrected, not missing a beat. "But a hedgehog and a panther that I know nothing about, and appear on no records at all."
"Isn't that inconvenient?" Jules replied, smiling. He turned to the other two. "No need to be rude to him boys. I'm sure he's not as bad as he looks."
"Thank you."
"Very, very deep down, that is."
"You have a sharp wit, Jules."
"Thank you. What do you want from us?"
"I assume that if I asked, you would not be able to tell me the whereabouts of Shadow, Samantha, Tails, Silver, Charmy, Vector or Espio?"
"Correct."
"Then I will not ask. Instead, I'd like to know what appears to be wrong with Sonic."
"Couldn't say. Probably just a mild illness."
"Indeed? Perhaps if he were more cooperative, I would assign a doctor to examine him. In his present condition however..."
"I wouldn't bother. He wouldn't let anyone of yours near him."
"As you wish. If you should change your mind, however..."
"Just stop by. I'm sure we can come to some arrangement. Isn't that right, Leo?"
"Oh yes. Some... arrangement." the panther grinned a disturbingly evil grin, examining the claws on one hand.
Slightly unnerved, Bane left again.
Tails pulled to a stop. The holding base. Fully intact, and heavily guarded.
"So, how do we get in?"
"Watch and learn, bat girl."
Tails pulled out the bag, and from it, what looked like some kind of launcher. He dropped something else into one end, hefted it on his artificial shoulder, and fired.
The something flew right over the base,landing not far from the far corner.
He pulled out a remote, and pushed one of many buttons on it.
The far corner of the base vanished with a small detonation. Almost everyone went running.
Tails next pulled out a lighter weapon, and took careful aim, picking off anyone who didn't go.
"You've got a good shot."
"Target practice."
"I thought you didn't like doing this?"
"Cream."
"Ah."
He slung the bag over one shoulder, and led the way down to the fence, tearing through it as if it was paper.
"That arm of yours is handy, isn't it?"
"Did you mean that pun?"
"Of course."
Tails handed her a weapon of her own.
"Let's find Cream."
"I've got no problems with that."
Vector stopped sharply.
"What's up?"
"Tails' bike," he replied.
"We'd better hurry before he does something rash."
"It may be too late. We'll wait here."
"Fine. Don't go anywhere without me."
"Naturally."
Silver headed toward the snow covered base. There were signs of Tails' entry everywhere. Clearly he wasn't himself, or at least was extremely upset, as it looked like he'd actually attacked people – rather fatally. He dreaded to think what Cream would say.
It was impossible to tell where they'd gone from the outside, so he picked a door, flinging the guards aside, closely followed by anything else in his way.
There were sounds of gunfire in the distance, along with various other sounds usually found from those getting shot.
Silver caused similar sounds, just without the fatalities, and without physically touching anyone.
He knew where Cream was. If he could get to her before Tails did, he could warn her about Tails' being... unstable.
He didn't get the chance. Tails and Rouge were already headed toward him. They were going to meet at the corridor leading to Cream.
Silver tried to stop them by creating a wall out of nothing.
They stopped before him.
"Tails, stop what you're doing."
"Get out of my way."
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Get out of the way!"
"Tails!"
"What?"
"Think about what you've done. What will Cream say?"
"Nothing if you don't tell her."
Rouge shook her head behind Tails, signifying there was no reasoning with him.
"I could stop you right here."
Tails pulled something out of a bag, stepped back and tore apart the wall next to him with it. It also tore apart a few more walls in the same general direction.
He marched on past Silver, undeterred.
"Can't you reason with him?"
"Not while he's like this, hun. He's dead set on reaching Cream."
"He's going to end up more wanted than Knuckles!"
"He's nothing if not determined."
Tails kicked in a door. On the other side was a debris strewn room. There was a cell on one side. Hiding from the flying debris, curled up in one corner, was Cream.
Tails had planned to find her, then talk to her after composing himself. As it was, she was could see exactly what he'd done.
Realisation dawned on him, but he ignored it and went straight to the lock on her cell, and joined her.
"At least they're happy," Rouge said.
"Cream won't be in a while."
"They'll both get over it in time. What say we get out of here?"
"What about them?"
"Tails!" Her voice cracked.
"Huh? What's up Rouge?"
"You're going to pay me back that favour you owe me for coming with you. We're going back. Now."
"But-"
"Of course Cream is coming too. You are, aren't you dear?"
"Uh... of course. In a moment." Tails backed away. Cream could get a little nasty when annoyed. "You two might want to wait outside and pretend you don't hear anything next."
"Of course. You have your privacy for a few moments."
Silver winced as she started berating Tails.
"Why did you come along?"
"Someone had to watch him. He was out of control."
"Did you hear what he did to Sonic?"
"He admitted to doing something he shouldn't have."
Silver told her what'd happened. Cream's yelled comment at Tails echoed Rouge's thoughts of the incident.
"You're sure they'll make up?"
"Of course. They're in love with each other. That has a tendency to keep things going. Surely you can tell that even without your psychic powers?"
"I'm not a love doctor like you."
"Love doctor. I've been called a lot of things, but never that."
Cream and Tails joined them. Tails looked like a schoolboy who'd got in trouble and been caught.
"Can we go now? I've had enough of this place."
"Of course, dear."
