Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of this story.

Chapter 11

-5:30 P.M. New Mobotropolis Castle-

Sonic was running up the stairs. Water had begun rising in the hallway connected to the stairwell he was currently in. He didn't know where it was coming from, but he had to get away from it. Since nearly drowning at a young age, he'd been deathly afraid of water. If it was any higher than his knees, his mind froze and his body tried to follow. Water rising onto his chest was a definite risk. By then, he'd be virtually unable to move. The freezing sensation of water lapping at his body was too much, even just in his mind. His breathing came faster, his heart started racing, and he couldn't control his thoughts. Just like now. He was worried the water was going to rise far enough to reach him. He should've been worrying whether or not he'd be able to get away from the monster Eggman had transformed into. Whether or not help would come and they'd be able to kill it. If his friends were going to live or not.

Stumbling, Sonic felt water rise to touch the back of his leg. Feeling it weaving between his fur like it had a right to be there... It was enough to entice a shudder of disgust from the hedgehog. Scrambling to the top of the staircase, Sonic found another hallway. It at least put more space between him and the Egg-monster. When he rounded the corner, he slid to a complete stop. Something was standing halfway down the hall. The pink and red was a dead giveaway. Amy had died hours ago, she couldn't be here. Sonic cautiously moved forward step by step. Monsters had been overtaking the city. It must've been one of them. Without waiting for it to make any moves, Sonic attacked. His spines tore through it, causing blood to decorate his back. They fell together and Sonic rolled from it's back. Filling the hall past it was more of the monsters. The water was almost preferable to this situation. Even if it wasn't really them, Sonic couldn't kill his closest friends. Rather than do what he knew he should, Sonic ran down the hall at a speed fast enough to knock everything over. Skidding around the next corner, he found the floor covered in a light layer of water. Small splashes were all he heard for the next few minutes. And those small splashes had his mind all over the place.

Small splashes led to bigger splashes eventually. After bigger splashes came rising water. Rising water led to his death. Blue legs protested as Sonic attempted to make them move faster. Running at the speed he'd been running at for the past few minutes was beginning to take it's toll on him. Sonic suspected it was because he'd ran up the stairs. He had to get somewhere the water wouldn't be able to get to him. Looking at both his sides revealed nothing but a line of closed doors. Those wouldn't help him at all. green eyes slowly filled with fear. This was where he'd die. Not during some act of bravery or valor. Not against one of Eggman's deadly robots.

No, he was going to die surrounded by one of the very things that brought life. It was nothing short of ironic. Sonic, the hedgehog who lived for life itself. Drowning.

It was enough to bring a sarcastic chuckle from him. Since he was old enough, he'd been running off in search of fun and adventure. Sometimes, at the cost of leaving his friends behind. Nothing was more important to him than running and fun. Life and death situation were the best. Now that he had it more than ever, all he wished was to have his friends with him.

Tails... I wonder what he would think of his hero now? Seeing me like this, freaking out over something like water. Afraid...

Sonic kept his feet moving as he thought. It was one of those things people didn't seem to think he did too often. Truthfully, he thought about a lot while running through areas. Whether he'd return to see the place again. The fact that Sally would want him back soon. What his friends were up to. Running helped him think. He just wasn't too good at tactics. He was more of a run-in-and-fix-the-problem kind of guy. Now, he was thinking about his friends. Once they got through this, they were going to need a big party to celebrate. He wouldn't let himself give up. He would get through this, and he would help him friends.

No matter what.

-5:30 P.M. New Mobotropolis Castle-

Sally ran into the kitchen. The dress she had on refused to come off. It was disgusting to be covered in someone else's skin. Blood had seeped into her fur and probably wouldn't come out for a while. A knife would get it off, if she was careful. Bringing a hand to her mouth, Sally ran her fingers along the unneeded stitches. She was going to need a sharp knife for those too. With any luck, it wouldn't take her long to find a mirror. Breathing through her nose while running for her life proved itself difficult. NICOLE and her father had done this to her. Her voice had been unable to break through whatever was wrong with the lynx. As her mouth had been sewed shut, Sally had seen NICOLE turn her back on her and leave. Even with the knowledge that the program wasn't herself, it hurt. Abandoning a friend was unthinkable. Sally had done everything in her power to ensure NICOLE understood that as well. That action alone would've had the princess convinced that someone had done something to NICOLE.

Tripping over the doorstep, Sally found the kitchen and interrupted her current thoughts. Eagerly searching, Sally came up with nothing. Not a single knife lay anywhere within the kitchen. If she'd been able to use her mouth, she would've pouted. A blast destroyed the wall at her side. The laser cutting through the stone of the castle gave off it's own heat. The fur of her arm was singed as well as some strands of hair. For a few moments, she'd hoped the monster had given up. There was no reason for it to be going after her. Sonic was Eggman's enemy, not her. It should've been going after him. On her own and without a single form of protection, Sally was useless. All she'd ever been good for was tactical advice and cheap wins. Without a voice, she couldn't give tactical advice. Wearing a dress, she was also unable to kick anything in a manner that would actually help someone.

Another laser shot by. This time, Sally had to throw herself onto the floor to avoid it. Without thinking much of it, Sally ran back toward the monster. It wouldn't dare try and hit her if she was under it. At least, that's what she was counting on. Sliding under it, Sally found that the dress was surprisingly resilient. Any other dress would've lifted with the movement. This one somehow remained in place. Scrambling, it took her a few moments to get to her feet once more. The nearby stairs would bring her to safety. With how large the monster's body was, it wouldn't be capable of following her.

Once she reached the top of the stairs, Sally stopped and leaned against the wall. Her legs needed a break. Sliding into a sitting position, she tilted her head back. Breathing through her nose was becoming annoying.

"Sally?" Sonic's voice came from down the hall. "What are you doing here?"

Sally looked over as Sonic rushed to her side. Relief brightened her eyes. His hands cupped her face and she leaned into one of them.

"Couldn't find a knife?" Sally nodded. "Let's find Antoine. He should be bale to cut them with his sabre."

Sonic bent down, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to her feet. Sally willingly got pulled down the hall. So long as this Sonic didn't turn out to be a monster using his form as a disguise, she would be fine. All she could do was hope.

-5:30 P.M. New Mobotropolis Castle-

Antoine was tired of running. He'd done so much of it in his life, his long-forgotten ancestors were probably ashamed of him. He'd let down everyone who'd ever counted on him. His father wanted him to uphold the title of a knight. He wanted him to protect the royal family. Now the king and queen were dead. Sally had been kidnapped while under his protection. He run from more battles than he'd actually fought.

One zing, Antoine! Just one! You couldn't even do zat? Antoine felt his ears go back at the voice. 'Ow ashamed of you I am. Eet can't be zat 'ard to protect one princesse. Razer zan keep 'er safe, you allowed somezing 'orrible to 'appen to 'er. Ze king and queen, zey were getting older. Wiz ze 'appenings around ze city, zeir deaths can be forgiven. And now, look! You once again run from what id most important in life. Ze princesse, she is not even wiz you!

Antoine blinked and sent tears tumbling down through his fur. There was nothing he could've done when Sally'd been kidnapped. It had happened too suddenly and without any warning. He'd went right after her, which was exactly what had needed to be done.

Yet here he was, once again running from danger. Not like he had a choice in the matter. How was he supposed to take on that thing? It was too large and too dangerous. Even with Sonic, they wouldn't stand much of a chance. That laser took care of most any plan they could come up with. The fact that it had been Eggman didn't change that fact. It wasn't as simple as destroying his robots and watching him run away. This time, the robots were part of him. Antoine shut his eyes as he continued down the hall. He had no idea where Sally had gone or how to find her. Tails was also by himself somewhere. Sonic could take care of himself. But Antoine was useless to everyone. He always had been and always would be.

"Yo, Twan!" Sonic's voice cut through everything else. Antoine turned to see him approaching with Sally at his side. "Cut these off her, would ya?"

Antoine swallowed a sudden lump in his throat. It would be difficult to slice through strings sewing someone's mouth closed. Sally closed her eyes in anticipation. Antoine pushed her to a sitting position on the floor. Kneeling in front of her, he could feel sweat beading on his forehead. Since it was under his fur, it was quite uncomfortable. Gripping the sabre in both hands, he slowly and carefully sliced through the strings. Sally opened her mouth a few times before she said anything.

"Thanks Antoine. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to get them off."

"We're never too busy to think about your happiness, Sal." Sonic laughed. "We just had to find you first."

Sally gave him a smile as Antoine tried to pluck the remaining string from her lips. A look of pain went across her face.

"Where's Tails?"

"I'm right here, guys!" Tails ran over waving Sally's console in the air. "And I've got assistance coming."

"How did you-"

"Well, I figured Sally'd have something liking her and NICOLE in her room. So I went there before doing anything else. Luckily, I found this lying on the bed. It didn't take much to contact her. Something's happened. She's back to normal. Anyway, she's coming here with Zonic."

"When?" Antoine was so relieved to hear that help was coming.

"She told me to hold out for ten to fifteen minutes. That was seven minutes ago." Tails looked around as a roar echoed around the castle. "I hope they get here soon."

"Don't worry Tails." Sonic took Tails in his arms. "They'll get here, and Zonic will take care of big and ugly for us."

Tails buried his face in Sonic's chest. He'd missed his hero the few minutes they were apart. Sonic pet the back of Tails' head. Low purring calmed Tails, even if marginally. Four pairs of ears perked as a loud roar of pain tore through the castle. NICOLE was in their presence a moment later.

"Zonic's killed it." She looked directly at Sonic then. "He asked me not to tell you how."

The group got up and returned to the main hall. Zonic stood there, speaking to someone over what looked like a phone. Spread across the room was blood and lumps of flesh. The way he stood in the center of the rom ignoring it was amazing.

"... happened, why are you calling me?" He was silent a few moments. "Yes, I'm fine."

If they didn't know any better, they'd think he was exasperated with whoever he was conversing with.

"Zespio, for the last time, I can't come back yet. The problem hasn't been fixed. It's only worsened since I got here." A frown presented itself on his muzzle. "Tell Zector that it isn't funny. Mobius Prime as we know it may not survive this catastrophe. Time is running out and we have yet to get to Angel Island."

"Thing you can help us out with that, NICOLE?" Sonic asked. He made sure he wasn't loud enough to disturb the zone cop's call.

"Perhaps. If it's close enough."

"Just stay there," Zonic said. "I'll be back soon." With that, he hung up on Zespio. "All right, we need to get onto Angel Island. That's where everything started."

"Shouldn't we see who else has survived?" Sonic asked. "That way, we'll know who we're saving?"

"Shadow, Scourge, Knuckles, and Big are all fine," NICOLE said. "If you'd like, I could get them to come here and everyone can go to Angel Island together."

"That'd be nice." NICOLE vanished then. Sonic looked around at everyone. "You think it'll really be this easy?"

"Of course it will," Sally said. "We've been through plenty of though times before. Now isn't any different." Looking at Zonic, she smiled. "Except for the zone cop being here. That'll probably help with this."

"It's my job to protect the zones. I couldn't ignore this catastrophe."

"So what happened to Mina, anyway?" Sonic asked as he took a seat on the floor. Zonic looked over at him.

"She's dead. You'll have to ask NICOLE if you want anything more specific than that."

Everyone was silent. The fact that she had died was unexpected. She was always such a nice woman. Nothing in her past, to their knowledge, would single her out as someone with a reason to die. Except for petty jealousy. But monsters didn't kill people out of jealousy. Even in a screwed up world like this one.

-6:00 P.M. New Mobotropolis-

Shadow and Scourge walked through the open doorway nearly twenty minutes later. The group looked up to see the two of them. Scourge didn't look well, almost as if he'd been through hell to get there. Shadow had his usual grumpy expression on his face.

"NICOLE said you'd be here," Shadow said. "We need to get moving. I left Big alone with Knuckles and now they aren't here. Most likely, they've gone to Angel Island."

"And what makes you say that?" Sonic asked. He'd stood up, crossing his arms as he did so. "I mean, we've got to go to Angel Island anyway, but we need to-"

"There isn't time for that, and you know it." Shadow was staring at Sonic. "Big isn't who we think he is. He brought Knuckles to Angel Island. That's where everything started and where everything will end."

Sonic laughed. Chuckles came from nearly everyone else in the room as well. Big the cat was too dumb to have anything to do with anything going on. Scourge glared at his blue twin as he continued laughing.

"He's serious," he snarled. "That echidna's in danger. Angel Island is where this crap came from. If he's brought there, wouldn't his connection to the Master Emerald cause something?"

"I'll handle it," Shadow said. "Something happened on Angel Island. I believe it's safe to assume the Master Emerald is being used in some way. The only thing we can do is prevent any farther misuse. Knuckles may be strong, but-"

"I'm telling you, Big is on our side. The two of them are probably just somewhere we aren't expecting. Or better yet, they went there together!" Sonic smiled. Sometimes Shadow thought everything was one big happy fairy tale to him. "Knuckles has been wanting to go there since it started."

"Sonic, not everything works out the way you hope it will. If Big happens to be some kind of evil mastermind, you're just going to have to accept that fact and move on. It's really not that difficult."

"Big is one of my friends, Shadow. How can I accept that all this time he's been wanting something like this to happen? It doesn't fit with how he is."

Shadow walked forward until his nose was touching Sonic's. Looking into his eyes, he growled.

"Everyone has something they keep hidden away from others, don't they? Some people even go so far as to act differently around others. Sometimes, it's because they're afraid of what they might think. Other times, they have no choice in the matter if they want to get by without landing in trouble or ridicule." Sally tried to pull Shadow away from Sonic, but only got shrugged off. "Sometimes, they have feelings about something they just can't say because they're too afraid of what people might think. How they might be treated. If someone's trying to cause a situation such as this one, they sure as hell aren't going to be telling people about it. Don't you think being seen as an idiot is the perfect way to cover up something like that? Especially if they're close to the hero of Mobius?"

"I guess... Shadow, some of that didn't have anything to do with Big."

"They were examples. Honestly, don't people use examples when they explain things to you?"

Shadow turned and started back toward the door. Sonic stared after him in disbelief. Ignoring everyone else, he went after the other.

"Hey! You can't say something like that and just leave!" Sonic caught up to Shadow halfway across the drawbridge. Grabbing his arm, he forced the other to turn and look at him. "Of course Tails gives me examples. But his choice of examples actually makes sense to me. Your examples had nothing to do with Big or the current situation."

"Well, how about this then. Some people use their alternate masks to get close to the people who can stop what they're planning. That way, they can get away with it because nobody will suspect them. Think about it. If you all think he's a clueless moron, why would you suspect him of having anything to do with this?"

"Shadow, what do you really want to say?" Sonic was frowning now. Not as badly as Shadow, but it got his point across. "I get that you were trying to say something. I just don't know what."

"It's not important." Shadow turned away and began the rest of the way cross the drawbridge. "Right now, we should focus on fixing our world. It is our job."

Sonic watched Shadow walk away. He knew the other hedgehog was right. After everything that had happened, he wasn't sure what the world would be like. Or if he even wanted to see what it would look like. But he didn't want to let his friends down. Whether Shadow was right about Big or not, they needed to get a move on.