Ch. 12
True Colors
Morning had arrived in New Mobotropolis. Sonic was sleeping like a rock in his bedroom no doubt dreaming about a certain girl chipmunk he's crazy about. The door then opened slowly as someone walked in gradually. She walked up towards the blue hedgehog as he began talking in his sleep.
"Whoa, Sally . . . slow down, baby. You're . . . goin too fast even for me!", Sonic mumbled.
A loud pounding sound echoed throughout Sonic's room before the Blue Blur cried out in pain from the instant stinging in his skull.
Sonic managed to regain his vision as he felt a lump on top of his head. "Ow! . . . My head! What the heck was . . .", He paused in shock to see Sally standing at the side of his bed, blushing in her face.
"Whoa! Sally!", Sonic yelled as he fell off his bed in surprise.
Sally was glaring at her blue boyfriend as he regained what little composure he had, and returned to his feet.
"Uh . . . Sally? What are you doing here, and why'd you hit me in the head? That didn't tickle, you know.", Sonic said.
"I came by this morning to pay you a little visit before we went on our next mission. I was going to surprise you with a nice morning wake up call, just like any girl would do for her boyfriend. That was until I heard you . . . talking in your sleep.", Sally said.
Sonic's eyes widened as he also began to blush until his face was as red as Knuckles.
"You mean . . . you heard me . . ."
"Yes, I heard everything.", Sally said as she folded her arms.
"Oh . . . I'm sorry, I don't really think you that way! It just . . . happened.", Sonic said feeling nervous.
Sally sighed as she smiled. "It's okay. Let's just pretend it didn't happen. Also I probably should've knocked first.", She said.
Sonic looked at his alarm clock to notice that it was 6:30 in the morning.
"What's the deal, anyway? Why'd you get me up so early?", Sonic asked.
"Didn't you listen to me earlier? I said we have a mission. Last night, after relaying information to the President of Station Square about Fiona, he told me they had already captured her after she tried to steal their chaos emerald last night.", Sally said.
"What? What about the other guy we're searching for. Did they find him?", Sonic asked.
"No, apparently she acted on her own. What I want to know is what she wants with the chaos emeralds. Also it seems fishy that she would try to steal from a military facility all by herself. That's not her style.", Sally said.
"You're right. Well, we won't find out by sitting around asking questions. It's time for action.", Sonic said as he cracked his knuckles.
"I agree. There's no telling what Fiona or her partner could be planning. The sooner we investigate, the better.", Sally said.
"Let's do it to it then. Shall we go, me lady?", Sonic asked jokingly as he presented his arm.
"Wow . . . you're such as class act.", Sally said as she chuckled before kissing him on the cheek. They both then walked out to get some breakfast.
Soldiers of G.U.N. were gathered in the briefing room. They stood proudly as they saluted Commander Tower as he walked by them. Their commander stopped, and turned to face his men. They were well focused as they stood by to receive his orders.
"At ease, men!", Tower said. The soldiers did as they were told.
"We have an emergency situation. The Princess of the Acorn Kingdom notified me last night that Fiona Fox, the fugitive we recently captured has been in league with another criminal. No one knows his name or what he looks like. However, he's killed an entire team of Freedom Fighters from Sand Blast City, and is now likely hiding somewhere in this city waiting to rescue his partner, Fiona Fox. The only assumption I can give you is that the individual is likely a Mobian who is considered armed and dangerous. Eventually, he will come to us, so I'm ordering all of you to double your security as well as your weapons. If you spot the terrorist, do not confront him directly, but alert your fellow troops and we'll overwhelm him with our vast numbers. You have received your orders. Now move out.", Tower said.
"Yes, sir!", The soldiers all said in unison before marching out of the briefing room.
Commander Tower smiled as he felt confident in his men, and soon, the man who everyone is hunting will soon be sharing a cell with his vixen friend.
Commander Tower had already sent Shadow, Rouge, and Hope a distress message, filling them in on the same details he previously went over with his men. After hearing Tower's message, Shadow knew there was more to this situation than it seemed.
"I don't like the looks of this.", Shadow said.
Rouge was confused by Shadow's tenseness. "What's there to worry about? The Commander and the other soldiers of G.U.N. are on this crisis like glue on paper.", She said.
"Don't you see, Rouge. It's like you said last night, this is about something more than the chaos emeralds. Fiona obviously knows something that we don't.", Shadow said.
"So, what we you do about it? She's still incarcerated, and Commander Tower wants everyone to focus more on keeping the headquarters secure.", Hope said.
Shadow sighed. "Yes . . . I know. I can't believe I'm saying this but, we may need Sonic's help with this one.", He said.
"If Princess Sally is after him, I'm sure she's already sent help for us. For now, the only thing we can do is just follow the Commander's orders.", Rouge said.
"I think in the mean time, I'll guard Fiona to make sure she stays in that cell.", Shadow said as he walked off.
"Good, idea. Rouge, maybe you should go with him?", Hope asked.
"No way, I don't like the thought of you being here alone with a killer running around in Station Square.", Rouge said.
"What? . . . I'll be fine. You're over protective sometimes, Rouge.", Hope said.
"Like it or not, I'm still staying by your side, missy.", Rouge said.
"Actually, I agree with Rouge, Hope. I'd feel better if you did have someone with you.", Shadow said.
Hope sighed, knowing she couldn't argue with her best friend. "Alright, I'll cooperate for you.", She said.
Shadow grinned as he walked out knowing at least Hope would be safe.
Before the G.U.N. soldiers went to their assigned posts, a small team of them gathered secretly in their locker room.
These particular soldiers at one time we're captured and legionized by Dr. Eggman as his slaves. However, like Sally and many others, they were also saved from his tyranny. This team of soldiers is known as the Paladin Team Sigma-Alpha: Dutch, their captain along with Vincent, Rico, Spike, and Honch.
"Ok, gentlemen we obviously have a problem. This whole thing couldn't have happened at a worse time.", Vincent said.
"That stupid fox ruined our preparations! We we're going to carry out the job today, but now that security has to be doubled, we have to wait, now! These Mobians have been a nuisance since the day that fool, Nate Morgan brought them here.", Spike said.
"Indeed, it was bad enough we forged an alliance with those fur balls, but they had the nerve to dump that little Kintobor brat on us.", Rico said.
"Commander Tower is a softy. G.U.N was much stronger before he showed up. Now while our forces become weaker, people like Eggman and the Acorn Republic have grown stronger.", Honch said.
"The last time Eggman invaded, he used us as puppets against our comrades. We now know just how ruthless Eggman A.K.A. Ivo Kintobor really is. Just imagine what would happen when Hope Kintobor gets older, and eventually moves up our ranks. If a Kintobor were to gain control of this organization, well . . . I don't even want to think what would happen. It would be a dark day for Station Square as well as G.U.N. This is why it's come this, am I right, men!?", Dutch asked.
The others began to rally up.
"Hope Kintobor has to be taken out of the picture, permanently. Our plans won't change. In fact, we can use this to our advantage. We'll eliminate her and any of her friends who get in our way, and make it look like the work of the terrorist we're after. We just have to time it, perfectly, and no screw ups.", Dutch said.
Commander Tower heard some of his men rallying in the locker room, assuming they were showing dedication to their jobs, unknowing of their treasonous plot.
Tails had already landed the Freedom Fighter Special inside the mountain, and Sonic was ready for action. He was flat out bored at Sand Blast City, but this time he could feel confrontation just around the corner at Station Square. As usual, the FF-Special was too big to maneuver inside, so they could only get in so far before landing. Sonic could have just ran the rest of the way, but Sally wanted everyone to stick together. Sonic, Sally, Tails, Bunnie, and Amy just couldn't ever get used to the amazing sight of Station Square. The thought that there were many more Overlander cities like this one across the world before the Days of Fury was interesting to them. Not only that, but there were some cities bigger than Station Square itself.
They would've liked to explore the city more, but their job came first. Sonic and the others instead just immediately went to G.U.N. headquarters. They noticed two guards at the entry way as they approached it.
"Halt, this building is off limits. Only G.U.N. personal are allowed into the facility.", One of the guards stated.
"Chill, boy scout, we just need speak with your commander, like yesterday.", Sonic said.
"We sent the distress message to the President from last night. Didn't he notify G.U.N. of our arrival?", Sally said.
"Commander Tower didn't mention anything about . . .", The guard was interrupted by the sound of his Commander's voice through his ear piece communicator.
"It's alright, soldier.", Tower stated.
"Sir?", the guard asked, confused.
"Allow them to enter. They're here to assist us.", Tower ordered.
"Yes, sir.", the guard responded.
"The commander said to allow to you entry, we'll stand aside.", He said to Sonic.
"Cool, thanks.", Sonic said as he let himself in as the others followed.
They were welcomed by Commander Tower who came down to the lobby by elevator. He stepped forward to Sally Acorn and saluted her.
"I'd say good morning, your highness, but ironically, it hasn't been a good morning for us.", Tower said.
"No doubt, it hasn't I bet. With a wanted killer roaming Station Square who's trying to steal chaos emeralds, I can see why.", Sally said.
"It was Fiona who tried to steal the emerald, but we don't know for sure if she was acting alone or not. When you told the President she was likely working with a dangerous terrorist, we assumed he might try to attempt a prison break.", Tower said.
"Shadow was the one who captured her, right? Did he see anyone else who looked suspicious?", Tails asked.
Tower stared a little at Tails and said, "I know you're Freedom Fighter, child, but please . . . just let the grown-ups talk.", Tower said.
Tails twitched as though he has smacked across the face. "What did you say!? You come and say that to my . . ."
Bunnie interrupted Tails as she covered his mouth. "Pipe down, sugah, and just let them finish.", Bunnie whispered in his ear.
"Shadow and his team didn't see any other potential threats other than the vixen we caught earlier. However, just in case, we doubled our security. There's no way anyone's getting in without me knowing about it.", Tower explained.
"Where's Shad right now?", Sonic asked.
"He's guarding Fiona's cell. In case you may be wondering where the rest of his team is, Rouge decided to stay with Hope for her protection.", Tower said.
"I say we go pay Fiona a visit, first. Uh . . . Amy, Tails, why don't the two of you go see Hope and Rouge, while we question Fiona? I know Hope must miss you two, a lot.", Sally said.
"Yeah, good idea, where do we find them?", Amy asked.
"You'll find their room on the 10th floor, which is where some of the G.U.N. apartment rooms are located. Room 1022.", Tower said.
"Come on, Tails!", Amy yelled as she forcefully grabbed Tails arm, and ran into the elevator. After it closed, Sonic was dumbfounded by Amy's strange behavior.
"Why did Amy just run off with Tails like that?", Sonic asked Sally.
"You know how emotional Tails gets around Fiona, It'd be better if he didn't come with us.", Sally whispered to Sonic.
"I see.", Sonic said.
Sonic then turned to the Commander. So, where's Fiona being kept?", He asked.
"15th floor, our prison sector. Follow me and I'll take you her cell.", Tower said.
Sonic groaned, because he just didn't like elevators. "Forget that, I'll just take the stairs. Sonic said before he sped off to the stair case area.", He said.
Sally sighed as the elevator doors closed, and she turned to Tower. "Please, excuse Sonic's impatience. He can only stand in one spot for so long without going crazy.", Sally said.
The elevator continued to move up as Tower grinned. "He sort of reminds me of Shadow excluding the cranky attitude.", He said.
The doors re-opened at Floor fifteen to reveal Sonic who was leaning casually against the wall, waiting.
"Hey, what kept ya?", Sonic asked.
Sally nudged Sonic in his arm. "Don't do that again. We're supposed to stay together.", She said to him. Sonic just smiled as they followed Tower.
They continued following the Commander until they noticed a black hedgehog just ahead. Shadow was standing in front of a prison cell, silent with his arms folded when he saw Commander Tower, Sonic, Sally, and Bunnie coming towards his location.
"Hey, Faker, what's up?", Sonic asked.
Shadow growled. "Would you stop calling me that? My name is Shadow.", He said.
"Whoa, relax, Shad. We're here to help you, not fight you.", Sonic said.
Shadow growled again. "My name isn't Shad, either.", He said.
"Don't mind him, we're here to talk to Fiona.", Sally said as she stepped forward.
"Someone say my name.", A creepy voice said from within the cell. Sonic and the others shot glares at the sight of Fiona Fox.
Fiona smiled at Sonic. "Hi, Big Blue, did you miss me?", She asked.
