DP 9

Chapter 9

Sonia wanted to confront Leo again, this time about his obvious lie. Why did he want her to think that Bartleby was dead? Thus she found herself looking around the tree-tops for him. Until she passed by Sally.

"He's not here Sonia," Sally told her plainly.

Sonia stopped. "He isn't?"

"No, he went to make some final preparations for the assassination tomorrow night," Sally explained. "Look, I wish you wouldn't think too badly of him. He really is a good man and he's got a good heart."

"Sally, did Bartleby crash here a year ago?" Sonia asked. "Leo told me he did, that Bartleby died and HE'S the one who's sent the letters and flowers throughout the months. But it can't be true. The handwriting on his most recent note was Bartleby's handwriting."

Sally sighed. "Leo has no reason to deceive you. If he says that this Bartleby is dead, then that is the truth. But you certainly don't need to believe it." She answered cryptically.

Sonia felt the hope her brother gave her wane but remembered and held tight to the knowledge that note had definitely been in his handwriting. "You're hiding something! Aren't you? And so is he. Sally, you keep telling me to trust you but I can't if you insist on keeping secrets."

The squirrel stomped her foot hard in exasperation. "Damn it Sonia! Friends don't tell each other everything you know. Leo has his secrets. They are his own. As in not mine to share. Do you understand that?"

"But Sally, why would he say that Bartleby is dead when the evidence says differently?" Sonia asked.

"Are you sure you're reading the evidence correctly?" Sally asked. "Handwriting can be mimicked. I'm sorry Sonia but I can only say that I trust Leo would never lie to you. I'm sorry."

Then that meant Sally was lying to her, Sonia decided. She was determined not to believe he could possibly be dead. "Fine, play your games. Keep your secrets. But Bartleby is not dead."

In his private workshop, Samuel Codeine put some last, personal touches onto the new SWATBots. "Tomorrow night, Part A of my plan will see completion. Part B will be a little more trying but...I can make it work. Either way, this city will be mine."

The next day Sonia watched as each person, each adult did the same thing to prepare for the coming event. She nor her brothers spoke to Leo at all the previous day.

So when the three hedgehogs were directed into the Head Tree-House, they were rather surprised. Leo stood before them, a serious expression on his face. Sonic didn't like how Sonia seemed almost afraid of him. He and Manic drew closer to her, as if to protect her.

"You have a lot of nerve calling us in here!" Sonic snapped. "Keeping us here against our will, hurting our sister! You're nothing but a selfish prick!"

Leo showed no visible reaction to Sonic's words. He knew they were true. "You will come with me tonight. Tonight, Robotnik will die and you three must be there to claim the throne afterward."

"We'll claim the throne when Mom tells us it's time!" Sonic declared.

Leo glared. "Your mother lost her chance to claim the throne. She has given no real aid to this fight at all. You three have done at least eighty percent of the work. The throne is yours alone."

Sonia snapped. "That's not up to you! The people love Mother!"

"Perhaps," Leo corrected. "But any woman who would leave her infants to strangers has no place governing a city. And you must accept the throne to save your people from descending into civil war over who will rule." His logic effectively shutting them up. "We leave in one hour. Prepare yourselves."

"Okay, I officially hate him," Sonic said. "Who does he think he is!? Why doesn't he just take the throne himself! I don't want to rule without Mom."

Sonia wanted to agree but something stopped her. She remembered what Sally said earlier. But… "We can't just let him kill Robotnik."

Sonic and Manic looked at her and she continued. "Not onlu is killing wrong but… Robotnik is Bartleby's godfather. I'd never wish him dead, as bad as I hate him. And I know despite everything, Bartleby would never want him dead either."

"Don't worry sis," Sonic said. "I think this Leo might be worse than Robotnik. I can easily see him using us to take control of Mobotropolis."

"But what can we do?" Manic asked.

Sonia pondered the situation. "We need to protect Robotnik and I think I know what to do…"

That night, they indeed accompanied Leo to the palace ballroom. He hid them in a nearby broom closet. "Stay in here, you'll be safe until its over. Remember, Möbotropolis needs you." The door could be heard locking.

Manic grabbed a pick from his wallet of them and started picking the lock. "Okay, so what's the plan again?"

"It's simple. We do what we do best." Sonia said.

Sonic fist pumped the air, "Drive Robotnik insane!"

"Precisely. If we crash the party, Leo's plan will be ruined." Sonia explained.

Leo got himself in position as Robotnik began one of his puffed-up speeches to the nobility. He readied his crossbow.

"Citizens of Robotropolis," Robotnik began. "Today is a monumental day for my, I mean, the regime." He walked to a cloaked form. "I introduce you now to the fall of the Resistance!" He pulled off the sheet to reveal the new SWATBot model.

"So you think that hunk of tin's gonna stop us huh?" Sonic asked, announcing his arrival.

Leo gaped as Sonic, Sonia and Manic raced into the ballroom. "No!" He whispered. "Those idiots!" He didn't know if he should stop their attack or just take the shot.

Robotnik grinned an arrogant grin. "Ah, Hedgehogs. You're right on time for a demonstration. Codeine, activate the Bots!"

From backstage, Codeine lifted the curtains revealing a dozen of the advanced robotic soldiers. Red robotic eyes flashed and the SWATBots moved into position.

"Attack!" The Scientist commanded. "Priority One, Hedgehogs."

"Priority One, Hedgehogs." The Head Bot said. "Capture hedgehogs."

Together the Bots advanced on the Hedgehogs. Sonia aimed her weapon at the torso only for the shot to be deflected. "What the?!"

Robotnik laughed. "Did you really think that I would leave that weakness once exposed? Foolish Hedgehogs. Get them!"

With now no vulnerability to exploit, Sonic, Manic and Sonia were quickly captured as they were surrounded by the new bots. Sleet walked up to the Bots and helped them bring the three up to Robotnik.

Robotnik turned a smile to the nobles as he continued. "See citizens?" Robotnik said to the aristocracy. "Thanks to these new toys, the Rebellion is now over."

Leo cursed under his breath. Sonia was placed in the way of the shot. He had no other option. He leapt down from the rafters. "Let them go, Robotnik." He aimed his crossbow at his foe.

Robotnik recognized the voice. "Ah Gold Lion, how nice of you to drop in. Of course, I know you can't take that shot with Sonia right here." Since Leo dropped down, he had finally got a clear shot. Robotnik realized it immediately as he grabbed the pink hedgehog from Sleet and held her right in front of his chest in a headlock as she struggled to free herself.

Suddenly Sonia wasn't sure about this plan as Robotnik began overextending her neck, lifting her up off her feet.

Leo stepped up quickly, horror evident in his eyes. "Let her go Robotnik!"

"Oh? Are you really giving me orders you fool? The tyrant asked. "Surrender and maybe I'll be merciful."

Leo considered his options. He saw Dingo clearly thinking about blowing his cover. He couldn't let the Resistance lose their spy. Giving a small, unnoticeable gesture to Dingo, he dropped the crossbow to the ground in surrender. Robotnik dropped Sonia.

With a snap of his fingers, a bot grabbed Leo and forced him to his knees. "Now let's see just who thought he could defeat me." He grabbed the mask and ripped it off with the black bandana. Long, blonde hair fell from the bandana, framing tan and yellow cheeks and setting off emerald green eyes.

AN: Who's that Pokemon? Take your guesses now who this is.