Disclaimer : Sonic the Hedgehog is owned by Sega Corporation. I do not claim ownership of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Adventure, or any characters, locations, or concepts contained therein. I do assert ownership of any characters, locations, or concepts originating within this work.

I would like to thank my Beta-readers, The Great Gonzales and Bruce Pendragon. Never could have done this without you.


Chapter 12: For Want of a Shoe

"Lay on Macduff, and damned be him that first cries 'hold, enough!'"

Macbeth


"Damn that rodent!" Robotnik shrieked. "How did he manage to find me?"

d-113 cocked its head. "It is possible that-"

"I wasn't asking you!" he snapped, then paused. "Though I suppose I should ask why you didn't stop him. I made his destruction your highest possible priority!"

"Sir," it pointed out, "You yourself specifically limited my interaction in this mission to those which you assign me. And as you know, while undergoing a mission, it is impossible for me to violate a direct order. I could not intervene until instructed to."

Robotnik ground his teeth. "Then consider this a direct order," he snarled, spittle flying from his mouth as he flung his arm out to point at the blue fur-ball. "Kill that hedgehog!"

"As you command, Master Robotnik," the robot replied immediately. Its turbine began to spin-

"Wait!" Robotnik cried out suddenly. As he watched the shop Chaos had been thrown into, a rivulet of water began to stream out of the wreckage, pooling on the sidewalk outside. It surged up into a column, sprouting arms and legs, and suddenly Chaos stood there, seemingly unharmed. "It seems our friend has some fight left in him."

"So you do not wish for me to intervene?" d-113 asked.

"No," Robotnik said with a frown. "In fact, I should probably modify your original protocol. Your model has already shown it is not an effective match for Sonic, and you are far too valuable of an asset to waste. I want to know how Chaos fares against him. And I want to see how loud he screams before he dies," And with that he leaned back in the chair, waiting to see how it all unfolded.


"Thanks for helping me out," Andrew said as he retrieved his service pistol. Hefting the comforting weight, he slid it into his holster with a sigh of relief.

Sonic shrugged. "It was nothing."

"No, it wasn't," Andrew protested. "That was incredible! It-" He stopped. "I must have hit my head or something. Do you have a phone I can borrow? I need to contact my superiors."

"Sure," said Sonic. "I emptied it out of the bag around the corner." He grimaced. "Before I do that, though I've got this thing in my shoe that's-Look out!"

Andrew dove to the ground, dodging the spear of water by mere inches as it swept through the spot where he once stood. Rolling to the side, he sprung to his feet just in time to see the same tentacle reach out to grasp at Sonic, who dodged nimbly out of reach. The appendage sprung back, retracting back into the amorphous arm of the creature, standing on the other side of the street.

"What are you made of?" demanded Sonic irritably.

The creature's only response was to fling out another tentacle, which swept around in a wide arc. Sonic leapt into the air, alighting softly on a nearby light-pole. Without pause the creature flung out both arms, bringing them together to crush the pole between them. Sonic waved his arms to keep his balance as the pole fell, then hopped back onto the ground.

"Can't we talk about this?" he asked shakily.

The creature ignored him, suddenly leaping into the air. Sonic crouched down, ready to spring, when suddenly it seemed to explode, sprouting a dozen appendages at once. Sonic leapt back as at least half of them stabbed through the space he'd just stood in and embedded themselves in the ground and the rest swept inward, coming at him from all sides. In desperation, he jumped into the air, using his powerful legs to propel him out of the way. But the creature had evidently anticipated this and was already reforming on the ground. All too soon the creature stood once more, while Sonic was still on his way down. As he descended, the creature brought its hands together with a smack, the two sinking into each other to form a single oversized arm. From this mass, a much longer tentacle erupted, crossing the distance between them with deadly accuracy. Instinctively, Sonic kicked out at it, knocking it away just as it came into range and allowing him enough time to reach the ground.

Andrew watched in awe as the hedgehog leapt forward, darting beneath savage blows with wild abandon as the creature renewed its assault. The attacks came faster as he closed in, but he dove through them with incredible speed, dodging what he could and deflecting what he couldn't, each move bringing him closer to his goal. It was a dance of death, where one missed step could be his last.

Then he was through them, dashing across the open ground as the racing appendages fought to keep up. But before he could get close enough to strike, the creature's chest exploded, sending a storm of needle-sharp protrusions flying outward and forcing him to throw himself out of the way. As he struck the ground, the pursuing arms dove in, coming from every direction at once. There was a blur, and then a buzzing blue ball drove through the grasping limbs, bouncing erratically off of them before being thrown clear. On reaching the ground, it ceased to spin, and Andrew saw Sonic stand once more and brush himself off. I can see how he defeated Robotnik, he thought. He's certainly doing a better job than we were. But he's got to do more than just dodge if he's going to win.

"Why don't you try that first thing you did?" he called out helpfully.

"I don't have anything to cover my foot!" Sonic hollered back, ducking beneath a sweeping arm. "If I do it again, It'll be shredded!"

Andrew gritted his teeth as he remembered the flaming sack, now completely burned out. "Isn't there anything else you can do?"

"Not really!"

Andrew watched the battle unfold, helpless to intervene. My bullets can't hurt the damn thing, and neither can Sonic. If he's going to do something, he'd better do it fast. It was, however becoming rapidly apparent that the hedgehog was running out of options. Even from this distance, Andrew could see that the he couldn't keep this up. The creature's attacks were relentless, and it was taking all Sonic had to keep from getting skewered. His mind went back to his old plan, and he wondered idly if it could still work. Nothing had really changed. In fact, with Sonic to help, it might be a bit easier. If I can just…


Sonic cried out as a grasping limb finally broke through, wrapping itself around his leg. He shivered unconsciously as the watery substance flowed over his skin. Yanking up sharply, it threw him off balance, sending him falling to the ground before it started dragging him across the asphalt. The rough surface burned he slid over it, but he quickly realized he had more important things to worry about as the creature pulled him in. Grasping at the ground frantically he sought something, anything to slow himself down, but he found nothing. He grabbed at the tentacle, almost letting go as it quivered sickeningly at his touch. He pulled at it, trying to unwrap it, but to no avail. It ignored his efforts, dragging him inexorably closer.

Just then a shot rang out, then another. The creature flinched back as Andrew's shots struck it in the face unexpectedly. For a moment, it was distracted, and its grip on Sonic loosened just enough for him to kick it free. Instantly, it turned back to its opponent, grasping out with the tentacle, but Sonic managed to evade it and get back to his feet.

"Nice shot!" he shouted gratefully as he scrambled back.

"Now we're even," the officer called back. "Listen, I've got a plan. Can you lead him over to the barricade?"

Sonic glanced over at the pile of cars in question. "I think so. What for?"

"Just get him as close as you can. I don't have much ammo, and we'll only get one shot at this."

Sonic nodded once before turning back to the creature, which was once more fixated on him. It wasn't attacking yet, which he hoped was a good sign. Slowly, never taking his eyes off it, he took a step back, then another, slowly making his way towards the barricade. The creature watched him impassively for a few moments, then started to follow, slowly then with greater speed. Sonic smirked as he led it onward, watching for any sign of attack, but it didn't seem like the creature was interested in its pervious strategy. In fact, Sonic was beginning to suspect it wanted to settle things up close.

He wasn't sure he liked the idea.

Finally, he reached the barricade, whistling appreciatively as he saw the cars, some stacked five high. "My, you have been busy," he taunted. "Do you know any other tricks?"

"Sonic," Andrew shouted as he jogged along behind the creature. "When that thing gets there, I need you to get clear. And stay out of the line of fire; I only have two shots left."

"Got it." Sonic replied, somewhat confused. Get clear of what? There's nothing here but cars, and we already know his gun doesn't-

And then he saw it.

There was more than just cars here. As he watched, a trickle of fuel dripped out of a gas tank onto the pavement. He took a closer look at the ground and saw that it was completely covered with the stuff. Those tanks must have busted when that thing started throwing them.

Oh.


Andrew lined up the shot as he watched the creature charge onward into their trap. He'd spotted the leaks just as the creature made its move on the barricade before. And with so many overturned cars, it hadn't taken long for him to find a good shot: Squad Car 379, lying on its side on the edge of the pile with its tank completely exposed. He hadn't really thought it all out before the hedgehog arrived, but if he could ignite the gas while the creature was there…

Boom.

Finally, the creature reached the pile, and without pause leapt upwards to where Sonic perched. At the last second, the hedgehog jumped off. The creature landed on the cars, and Andrew gave him to the count of three before he opened fire.

Both shots hit their mark, boring into the tank with the sharp crack of metal on metal. Andrew braced himself. Sonic curled into a ball. The creature began to turn.

And nothing happened.

Oh, come on, he thought petulantly. It always works in the movies!


"That usually works in the movies," Sonic muttered. As he watched, the creature turned first to look at the source of the shots, then at Sonic. For the first time, it seemed undecided as to who to go after. That was our last shot. Sonic thought bitterly. What are we supposed to do now? How are we supposed to defeat it now? And just what is in my shoe?!

That finally did it. If he was going to die, he'd at least get something done first. With a feral growl, he tore his shoe off roughly and upended it, allowing the offending pebble to tumble out.

Except it wasn't a pebble. He stared down at the box of matches, stamped with the Station Square Family Resort logo.

But...how?

Back in the café, he realized numbly, when I was showing Julian my shoes. It must have gotten knocked off the table and fallen in. And now-

He bent over and picked the book up, staring at it reverently before turning to face the creature, still standing on the pile of leaking cars. Bad idea, he told himself as he slid his shoe back on. This is a Very Bad Idea! You are going to get yourself killed!

Gripping the matches tightly, he reached in and pulled out one of the slender sticks, weighing it in his palm. To think, he thought with a chuckle, such a small thing…funny how these things work out. He looked up the street, where the monster still hand't moved. With a sigh of resignation, he gave his legs one last stretch, wondering if it would be the last time he ever would.

Then he charged.

The creature seemed as surprised as he, and froze at the hedgehog's mad scream of defiance. But soon Sonic was dodging a flurry of tentacles. Bloated fists smashed down, seeking to pummel him. Spear-points jabbed furiously as they strove to skewer him. Sweeping whips swung around him, seeking to catch him in their wet embrace. Barreling through the chaos around him, he soon found himself at the outer edge of the gasoline pool. With a silent prayer, he kicked off with all his strength, at the same time dragging the match-head across the bottom of his shoe. The head burst into flame, and he let it drop as he rose over the top of the pile.

The creature watched him jump, and Sonic could almost imagine he saw a flicker of amusement as it lined him up. Its arm shot out, ready to deliver the final blow he could no longer avoid.

There was a flash of light as the burning stick ignited the fumes. Fire raced across the surface, spreading over the ground and into the ruptured fuel tanks.

And then all hell broke loose.


"No!" Robotnik gasped as the barricade exploded, sending plumes of fire and fury clawing into the night sky. Shrapnel peppered the buildings surrounding the explosion, and the shock wave shattered what little remaining glass remained intact. The doctor gripped his seat as the wind buffeted his chair, and even d-113 had to struggle to stay upright.

Robotnik stared at the gutted hulks of the police cars, hope fading within him as the flames grew higher, continuing to feed on the fumes. Had he been too confident in his creature's abilities? Or had he underestimated the hedgehog? It didn't matter. Months of work and tedious research now burned within the inferno.

Abruptly, something stirred within the flames. From the heart of the fire came a high-pitched shriek, not unlike the sound of a tea kettle boiling. But no tea kettle could make a sound with such agony. The flames burst outward, and a figure leapt from the holocaust, completely engulfed in flames. It writhed as it burned, and Robotnik could see steam pouring off of it as it tried desperately to beat out the flames, but the gasoline fueled fires would not extinguish. Finally, with one last scream, it scrambled to one of the storm drains and threw itself into the sewers and, the rancid waters therein. Robotnik stared at the drain, eyes wild with hope.

There were bars covering that drain! he realized excitedly. Nothing could have gotten through them! Except…

"I think," he began slowly, "What was Chaos."

"It would appear so," d-113 confirmed.

Robotnik shook his head. "Incredible. Simple incredible," He turned to the robot. "Analysis. Could it survive the trauma?"

d-113 cocked its head. "Insufficient data. But based on its body composition, and the average depth of water in a sewer, the possibility exists."

Robotnik stroked his mustache, eyes narrowing. "d-113, I want you to retrieve our friend. It should have some small amount of the traceable radiation in it, so it shouldn't be hard to find. If it's dead, bring it back so we can study it. If it's alive, then bring it back as well." He bit his lip, and then held out the remote to the micro-probes. "If it gives you any trouble, use this. Priority is to take it back alive."

"As you command, Master Robotnik," the robot answered as it took the remote. "And the hedgehog?"

Robotnik fingers froze in their stroking at that, and then resumed their ministrations. "Chaos is the priority here. We can always kill the rat later, but your sensors will have a limited range underground. If it evades use here, we may never find it again."

The robot bowed. "Yes master."

Robotnik watched his servant depart, and then turned back to the street, where fire-control vehicles were already starting to arrive.

"Besides," he assured himself, "he was probably killed in the blast."


The flames rose as they fed on the burning gas. An undamaged tank exploded as the fire reached it, adding its own contribution to the holocaust that reached upwards into the sky. Steam hissed as jets of water were directed into the flames, dimming their fury, but not able to extinguish them. More streams arced upward, raining liquid down and sending up clouds of vapor and smoke that swirled and eddied as the heated air rose into the night. The fire snarled and writhed as it was buried beneath uncounted gallons of water, but it would continue to burn for some time, fed by the fuel that had helped create it. The men attacked the flames with methodical efficiency, working their way around the edges before focusing their efforts on the center. Each man knew his job, thanks to countless drills, and every one of them was watching the fire intently.

So it was that no one noticed the dim light shining within the smoke. Floating without support, the ethereal form drifted through the blackness, occasionally changing direction, as if it were following something. Abruptly it shifted, turning towards the west, where a silvery object could be seen rising above the rooftops, carrying a glass capsule that swung from side to side as it flew. The light made as if to follow, then stopped and sank slowly to the ground, moving away from the site of the fire. It eventually came to rest atop a building that overlooked one of the adjacent alleys, where someone could be seen running from the scene, carrying a limp blue form over its shoulder. It came to a parked car, idling just off the road, and carefully placed its burden in the passenger seat before getting in and driving off with a squeal of rubber.

The light hovered overhead as it watched the car turn the corner and roll out of sight. For a moment it hung there, turning briefly back to the west, where the silver object continued to rise slowly into the night sky. Then it whirled around and floated the other way, following after the car as it raced down the dark city streets.