Chapter 9:

Sonic looked up, thinking he had heard whispering.

"What is it?" Alice asked.

"I think we have company," Sonic replied, standing.

"ATTACK!" Commander Zac shouted as he and the Ring of Justice burst into the clearing.

"It's the Ring of Justice!" The Professor shouted as he and the other stood up, ducking behind the tents as the robots and ringers began firing.

"You guy get out of here," Sonic ordered the others. "I'll take care of these bozos."

The others ran to the trees as Sonic charged the Ring of Justice. He was about to attack the first ringer when Commander Zac grabbed his arm. He threw Sonic back, but Sonic managed to land on his feet and glared at Commander Zac. Commander Zac was wearing large metallic gloves and boots. Wires connected the gloves and boots to a chest plate and a jet pack on his back.

"Go after the others," Commander Zac ordered, never taking his eyes off Sonic. "I'll take care of Sonic and the emeralds he's acquired."

"Yes sir!" the ringers replied, going into the trees after the others. Sonic wanted to go after them, but knew he had to take care of Commander Zac first.

"Lucky grab," Sonic said, getting in a fighting stance. "How do you know I have the emeralds?"

"I know much about you Sonic," Commander Zac replied calmly. "More than you can recall. If you come with me peacefully, I'll tell you your past."

"That's not happening you Justice Freak!" Sonic replied.

"Then we do battle," Commander Zac said, also getting into a fighting stance.

Sonic rushed at Commander Zac and attempted to punch him, but Zac caught Sonic's fist. Zac tried an upper cut, but Sonic dodged and countered with a kick to Commander Zac's chest. Zac staggered backwards and let go of Sonic. Sonic jumped and preformed a homing attack, but Commander Zac managed to catch Sonic much to the hedgehog's surprise.

Commander Zac tossed Sonic into the ground and was about to punch him, but Sonic managed to flip out of the way. Sonic rushed behind Commander Zac and rushed him, raising his fist to punch him. Commander Zac turned around at the last second and caught both of Sonic's fists. Their hands were locked, both struggling to get the upper hand but neither succeeding.

"Your skills are every bit as impressive as the legends say," Commander Zac said.

"You're not too bad yourself," Sonic replied, smirking.

"You are the most worthy opponent I have ever faced," Commander Zac continued. "Bu this suit was designed to be the best."

With a surge of power, Commander Zac lifted Sonic up and threw him across the clearing. Sonic skidded across the ground, tearing up grass and dirt with his sharp quills.

"You can't win," Commander Zac commented as Sonic started to get up. "Though I admire you're fighting spirit, you'll never be able to beat me."

"We'll see about… AARGH!" Sonic shouted as he felt a shot hit him in the back.

Sonic fell to his hands and knees, his body going numb and blackness swimming on the edge of his vision. With his failing strength Sonic turned his head to see ho had shot him.

"Who…" Sonic began before his vision came into focus. Standing behind him, holding a blaster, was Alice.

"Alice?" Sonic asked in confusion. "Why?"

"Because… I'm a member of the Ring of Justice," Alice explained. "When I was little, me and my sister were playing in the woods. A gang attacked us and… they killed my sister. They were going to kill me too, but members of the Ring of Justice saved me. I joined their group soon after that."

"But why did you betray me?" Sonic asked.

"After spending time with you, I knew you would never help us willingly," Alice replied, avoiding Sonic's eyes. "This is the only way… I'm sorry."

Commander Zac went over to Alice, Sonic had to fight to hear what he was saying.

"You did well Alice," Commander Zac said. "It is time for all of us to return to base."

Sonic blacked out completely and collapsed as the rest of the Ring of Justice returned from the trees, failing to have captured the Professor and Sam. Commander Zac walked over to Sonic.

"He put up a great fight," Commander Zac said, picking Sonic up. "He'll be an excellent addition to our team."

Commander Zac turned to the ringers.

"Mission Accomplished," Commander Zac informed. "Move out Ring of Justice."

The Ring of Justice left with their robots and hover ships, Alice included. Commander Zac led the way, flying with his jetpack and still carrying Sonic.

Soon after the Ring of Justice was out of sight, Sam and the Professor came out of their hiding places in the trees.

"Their gone," Sam stated numbly. "I can't believe Alice betrayed us."

"I know lad," the Professor agreed sadly, looking at the sky where they had disappeared. "All these years and I never really knew her.

"What are we going to do?" Sam asked, panicking. "Sonic's been kidnapped and is being taken to the Ring of Justice's main head courtiers. We'll never be able to reach him so he'll be brainwashed into working for them and they'll be unstoppable. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO! WE"RE DOOMED!"

"Calm down Sam. CALM DOWN!" the Professor said soothingly, stopping Sam's hysteria. "Alice may have betrayed us, but we're not giving up on Sonic. We'll go back to the lab. We'll find some way to help. Just you see!"

A/N: I've pretty much have caught up with what I had planed, so it's time to wing it.