Author's note.
I'm back guys and girls with a new chapter for you all to hopefully enjoy. This is the last chapter before the main event that is Operation Big Wave as you will not have long to wait for it at all.
I have to give a big thank you to Dark Magician Leaf, stephanieeiche10, and nicolepokemon7 for leaving a favorite on this story. I genuinely appreciate the support.
As always I have to give a big thank you to The GameNguyener, SpiderDom321, KeybladeWrtier of the dawn, bajy, Supreme Serious, Yami Chaos 27, Pyrein, Alexandria Prime, and Sharp Dragon Klaw. You guys have given me the motivation to keep going on this long story, and we're on the eve of Operation Big Wave, and things are going to get darker from here on out.
Well without any more delays I present to you the next chapter.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 56 hours remain.
Mystic Ruins. The massive tropical rainforest was located just south of Station Square in the deepest parts of the rainforest an ancient temple stood in the center of the rainforest. Lengthy winding trials weaved through the dense undergrowth leading to several Mobians getting lost in the brush, and there were rumors that Big the Cat had made his home in the dense forest. It had also been one of the first places Eggman attacked leaving most of the once peaceful rainforest decimated due to Eggman deciding that there would be no point of adding Mystic Ruins to his ever-expanding list of conquered cities. Several refugee camps had been set up in the thickest part of the forest, hidden from Eggman's grasp of the world.
The Tornado flew over the ocean. The sight of the gray runway came into view as the Tornado came into for a bumpy landing skidding almost of the runaway. Gadget frowned, noticing several Flapper robots flying in low overhead their heads turning from side to side scanning the area for any signs of intruders.
Sonic jumped out of the wings of the Tornado with Tails climbing from out of the cockpit jumping on the rough surface. Gadget looked around spying a small orange building sitting parked not too far away from the runway.
"Ah, there it is, home sweet home," Sonic said, breaking into a run with Tails and Gadget following him as the door swung open with a creak the sun's light spilling into the dark room. Gadget looked around at the two floors; a simple living arrangement had been set up with several pieces of furniture consisting of a small dining table, all the essentials needed for living and a flight of stairs leading up to where Gadget only could assume where the bedroom was.
"Well, this is my home and Sonic stays with me on occasion," Tails said. The lab's through this way," Tails walked through the house coming to a metal door with a small keypad in front of it. The young fox keyed in combination with several small beeps signaling the password input was successful. The door slowly opened as Gadget, Tails, and Sonic stepped into the large lab area. Never before in all of his life Gadget had seen so many computers all along one wall.
The boy genius sat down in the chair, reaching down underneath the desk, pressing the button booting up the computers withdrawing a small device that looked big enough to contain the Phantom Ruby.
"Okay, I've just got to focus on the Chemical Plant's main database server," Tails said. The young genius typed in several keys. Gadget watched the monitor screens. Several security cameras mounted on the wall, no doubt to keep track if there were any intruding robots. With Eggman anything was possible.
"Gadget, do you have the prototype with you?"
"Of course I do," Gadget replied. The wolf reached down into one of his pockets at his utility belt withdrawing the Phantom Ruby handing it over to Tails. Sonic was pacing back and forth in small circles impatiently, the tips of his shoes scuffing on the floor.
"Sonic, if you're just going to pace around impatiently can go outside, and patrol, the area for any of Eggman's robots," Tails replied with a slight hint of irritation in his voice. "Knuckles wanted me to lead a small group for Operation Big Wave."
Sonic's head shot up in surprise at the news. Knuckles had never told the speedster about Tails leading a group for Operation Big Wave. Sonic saw the young fox humming to himself typing in several keys on the keyboard his attention focusing on the computer screen.
"So, which group are you leading?" Sonic asked, fighting to keep his tone even trying not to show a hint of panic.
"Well, it's a small team that is made up of myself, Amy, Rouge, Espio, and Sahara. Our goal is to find the Phantom Ruby's power source if it has one and destroy it," Tails explained not looking up from the computer screen various images flashing by on the computer screen. "That's why hacking into Eggman's database at the Chemical Plant could provide us with some clues to the Phantom Ruby."
The silence fell over the room; Gadget tilted his head, glancing up at the security camera feed, recognizing the shape of Eggman's Egg Mobile hovering over the area. He stretched out his arm the wave of energy radiated from the Phantom Ruby clutched in the Doctor's hand before a blob of water slowly rose up from the ground, standing there looking up at Eggman, the long appendages hanging down at the blob's side as Gadget felt his breath hitch in his throat. The wolf recognized the precisely what stood before Eggman awaiting the mad tyrant's next command.
"I'm in!" Tails' voice distracted Gadget momentarily from the monitor seeing the Eggman Empire's logo flash on the screen and an image of the chemical plant with its infamous purple water and the massive blue pipes with some liquid flowing through them, "All right Tails! I knew that you could do it, little buddy!"
Gadget shifted his attention back to the screen, seeing the Egg Mobile taking off into the air with Chaos turning his attention towards the train station before it dove down heading in the direction of Tails' workshop. Gadget's heart leaped into his mouth. His brain was on autopilot; Gadget leaned forward to tap Sonic on the shoulder.
"Uh, Guys, I hate to interrupt the celebrations, but we've got Chaos incoming," Gadget said. "He's coming in fast."
Sonic turned around spying Chaos making his way towards the workshop. "Ah, of all of the things that could go wrong, we now have to deal with Chaos. Don't worry Tails, Gadget and I can handle this one."
Tails paused, his fingers flying over the keyboard before he came to a stop slowly standing up his fingers clenched ever so slightly. Not too long he'd sat on the sidelines watching Sonic, risk himself over and over again. The memories flashed into Tails' mind one by one. The time when Sonic had lost to Infinite and had become Eggman's prisoner for six months, watching Sonic stumble to his feet, fighting against Zavok. Decision made, Tails clenched his fists with a small, determined frown on his face.
"Gadget, how much do you know about hacking into someone else's server?"
The question caught both Gadget and Sonic by surprise. The silence was tense that you could hear a pin drop until Gadget pushed the bridge of his glasses up his muzzle almost lost for words.
"Yes, I do know a little about hacking into a mainframe," Gadget said slowly caught by surprise. "Why do you ask that question Tails?"
"I'll take this fight with Sonic. I've fought Chaos Zero before," Tails said fiercely clenching his fist. "I'm not going to cower in a corner and beg for someone to save me." Tails replied. "Gadget I'm sure that you can handle it. Just follow the follow the instructions that I've written down for you."
"All right, let's do this Tails," Sonic forced as a smile on his face. "Gadget are you sure that you can handle this?"
"Of course I can," Gadget said confidently. "You two go deal with Chaos, and I can see if I can extract any secrets about the Phantom Ruby."
Sonic and Tails hurried out of the workshop spying Chaos racing towards them The God of Destruction towered above both Sonic and Tails the small droplets of water dripping down all over his body. Chaos took several steps forward before he lashed out with his arms the watery appendages slammed into the ground, ripping up dirt and soil, sending it upwards in a brown sludgy mess the water and soil slammed into Sonic knocking him off his feet.
"Oh, I see he's already playing dirty, then," Sonic said, turning his head to spit out small clods of wet mud. "Well, two can play at that game."
Sonic curled up into a ball homing attack dodging the bursts of water sending droplets of cold water into the air. All of the memories of being submerged by Chaos flashed through Sonic's mind. The sheer terror he'd felt his limbs thrashing struggling to breathe. Sonic shook his head, dismissing those memories noticing like Zavok Chaos was glitching the small red particles dancing along his skin.
"Hey, Chaos!" Sonic called out catching the God of Destruction's attention. "Let's play a game called see if you can catch the hedgehog!"
In answer, Chaos bubbled charging forward into Sonic the hedgehog at breakneck speed submerging Sonic. Sonic thrashed weakly the small bubbles of oxygen escaping his lips. Sonic was now fighting a losing battle to stay alive. He merely lifted a hand to the surface before his fingers grasped uselessly at the water racing into his lungs. The Sonic's lungs burned with the water racing into his throat, lungs, and stomach. Small black spots danced before Sonic's eyes. Sonic made one last feeble struggle to break through Chaos' appendages to feel the life-giving oxygen race into his lungs.
"Sonic!"
Suddenly he felt Chaos stiffen jerking back his arms swinging at Tails who hovered just out of reach. The watery arm vanished around Sonic letting out a deep gasp of oxygen landed on his stomach on the hard ground. From the corner of his eye, he made out the shape of the Egg Mobile speeding away into the distance. Sonic gagged vomiting up the water feeling Tails deliver a slap to his back below two of his spines helping him drive out more water out of his lungs the blue liquid that was soon absorbed by the ground.
"Sonic, are you okay?"
Sonic turned his head to see Tails looking at him with concern in his eyes. The hedgehog let out one last cough expelling the last of the blue liquid he'd swallowed.
"Thanks, for the save Tails," Sonic said weakly shaking Tails' hand allowing Tails to pull him to his feet.
From the corner of his eye, Chaos lunged again forcing both Sonic and Tails to avoid his attack.
The God of Destruction bubbled in response attacking Tails once more. The young fox dodged and weaved making sure to stay out of the God of Destruction's reach avoiding the long escalating arms as Sonic ran around in a tight circle feeling those bright green pupilless orbs focused on Tails.
Sonic took the opportunity to curl up for a homing attack landing a direct hit on Chaos' brain. The God of Destruction let out a muted cry of pain racing towards both Sonic and Tails extending his arms lashing them out sending them crashing into the ground, sending up more dirt covering both Sonic and Tails in the dirt, as Tails darted in landing a hit on Chaos' brain with his tails.
Chaos began to glitch out even faster with more red cubes leaking from all parts of his body. The God of Destruction bent over slightly before he broke into a desperate run, for he was determined to finish off Sonic and Tails.
"So, then let's show Chaos how the professionals do it."
Sonic looked over at Tails, the two of them clasped their hands leaping into the air curling up into a pair of balls as they spin-dashed past Chaos' frantic attacks landing a direct hit on the brain. The force of the impact cleaved through Chaos sending small droplets of water racing past both Sonic and Tails as they uncurled seeing Chaos, beginning to rapidly glitch out even more until he broke apart in a shower of red cubes.
"And that, my friend is how we take down Chaos," Sonic said, giving Tails a fist bump. "After nearly several half drownings, that felt so good, dealing out payback to Chaos."
"I'd imagine it did," Tails added in panting slightly. "I wonder if Gadget's found any information on the Phantom Ruby yet. It still doesn't explain why Chaos and Zavok were glitching like that."
"We need to move quickly," Sonic said. "I saw Eggman's Egg Mobile in the area, so we need to get that information and get out of here before Eggman comes back."
Sonic and Tails wordlessly headed back in the direction of Tails' workshop. Both of them knew that they couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 54 hours remaining.
Gadget tapped at the keys on the keyboard his eyes flickering back and forth at the screens. The wolf clicked through several photos and sifting through various images his eyes darting all over the place looking for the files that containing any information on the Phantom Ruby.
"Come, on, come on," Gadget muttered. "Let's see, scrapped robot designs. Location of the generator in Metropolis supplying power to the Phantom Ruby. Ten terabytes of mustache selfies, okay, didn't need to see that. Ah, here we go, Phantom Ruby."
The image of the Phantom Ruby appeared on the monitor. Gadget fought to keep the smile from his mouth doing a fist pump in triumph. The words flashed onto the screen with Gadget hastily sliding the flash drive into the open socket transferring the data from the computer screen.
"Subject the Phantom Ruby. This gem was discovered by me six months ago, when it crash-landed right outside my front door," Gadget reads the words on the screen, "When I bent down to touch the Phantom Ruby it showed me a vision of Eggmanland. It was glorious, and then it vanished, leading me to the conclusion, which the Phantom Ruby can feed false information to the brain thus creating a virtual reality for the victim."
Gadget paused in reading the words on the screen, his brain slowly processing the information. The wolf looked over at the Phantom Ruby prototype resting in the small case next to him, and he continued to read.
"I've created several prototypes of the Phantom Ruby," Eggman's voice continued. "However, unlike the original Phantom Ruby, they are extremely unstable, which means they can only be used for a few times before they collapse on themselves and only a being with a strong will can activate them."
The door slammed open, startling the wolf. Both Sonic and Tails staggered in dripping wet the hedgehog groaned, giving himself a little shake, sending water droplets all over the place.
"I hope that we never have fight Chaos again," Sonic mumbled. "So Gadget how is it going? Did you find any info on the Phantom Ruby?"
"I did and Tails, you need to have a look at this," Gadget vacated the seat, allowing Tails to slip into it. The young fox read the words on the screen.
"So, that explains why Zavok was glitching out on the Death Egg," Tails breathed out. The Phantom Ruby can create a virtual reality where it feels so real that if you hit yourself, it feels like that you're sleepwalking. Except you're not and that so, that means, Chaos, Zavok, and Shadow are all fakes. Metal Sonic is the only one that's real and with this information we now finally have a strategy to deal with the Phantom Ruby."
"Great, now that we know what we're up against, Eggman no longer has the advantage," Sonic said smiling. "Knux is going to be happy with this news, and we need to head back so that we can end this war."
Tails unhooked the Prototype Phantom Ruby handing it back to Gadget watching it glow in the palm of the wolf's hand before Gadget pocketed it. The three of them left the lab with Tails sitting down at the table, removing the flash drive from its slot in the computer. Tails then shut down the device walking out of the room. The trio left Tail's workshop. The late afternoon skies were beginning to gain an evening hue as the Tornado took off heading back towards Angel Island and with it, the key to winning the war was in the Resistance's hands.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 49 hours remaining.
Meanwhile, far away from the events going in Mystic Ruins, Kaito stirred ever so slightly in a strange bed. He opened his eyes, feeling a faint throbbing pain in his chest. With a low moan, he began to sit up in the bed, his gaze traveled around the small bed, with the thick blanket pulled up to his chest. Kaito gazed around the luxurious penthouse the red sheet was halfway up on his chest, and he noticed the fresh bandages wrapped around his chest. He looked up at the open window, seeing the first of the stars in the nighttime sky.
"Where am I?" Kaito asked himself Kaito sat hunched over resting his head in his hands, his brain struggling to recall what's happened in the last day. Then a rush of memories hit him. Kaito's kidnapping by his half-brother was still fresh in his mind. He'd watched Eggman and Infinite discussing destroying the world and the sharp stabbing pain of Metal Sonic ripping out his Phantom Ruby gem fragment and the raw grief and anger at hearing the news that the rest of the Resistance were dead.
He allowed his gaze to wander around his bizarre, strange new location until his eyes fell on the short crimson sword resting against a bookcase. Kaito felt his breath hitch in his chest. That sword once belonged to Zerinn, and he pushed himself painfully out of bed limping towards the red short sword. Eggman's robots must've brought him here.
"You should be resting," Infinite said, looking at Kaito. "I heard from Eggman, that there was an accident when you tried to escape."
Kaito whirled around fear in his eyes seeing Infinite sitting down on the other end of the table with two plates of toast in front of him. The pieces of toast smothered in honey. The masked jackal wordlessly pushed the second plate towards Kaito. Infinite shifted slightly on the seat observing Kaito. Kaito noticed the half eaten pile of toast on Infinite's plate.
"It's not poison," Infinite spoke stoically. "You need to eat."
Kaito took a close look at Zerinn's fur. It did look a little pale, and Kaito could see Infinite's ribs were beginning to show through on his sides. Kaito noticed his brother wasn't looking too well. Infinite looked exhausted now Kaito thought about it.
"Says the monster who is killing everyone," Kaito said, shooting a glare at Infinite. He pushed the plate off to the side. "So, I guess that you're happy now. You have everything, and you're still as weak as ever just like our father was."
That was the wrong thing to say as Infinite teleported right next to Kaito. Kaito wanted to tell Infinite the truth of how'd he was injured, but feeling the cold steel mask pressed up to his face Kaito felt his confidence ebb away. Infinite remained silent his fingers flexed slowly in a threatening gesture.
"I am nothing like our Father," Infinite growled. "He is somewhere in Shamar, a broken wreck while I am strong. The Resistance is not dead. Eggman lied to you, but they have two days left to stop our plan, and they will all perish in the end. They are nothing, but ants frantically racing about delaying their inevitable demise."
Kaito's ears twitched in surprise at the news that the Resistance was still alive. That meant Gadget, and the others were still alive. It didn't ease the stab of pain he felt in his chest at the fact that Zerinn his older half-brother had become so cold towards him.
"It'll be a show that I think you'll enjoy," Infinite said, walking out of the room tilting his head. "Even if the Resistance chooses to fight back, soon they will be forced to yield to the power of the Phantom Ruby. I will soon be the strongest being in all of Mobius."
"Zerinn, please don't do this," Kaito said desperation clinging to his voice. "That thing on your chest is screwing with your mind. You're confusing your strength with weakness. You were strong before that ruby, but now you've given into your fear. You've convinced yourself that you're weak."
"I am not weak," Infinite snarled."You, on the other hand, failed to tap into the power of the Phantom Ruby fragment on your chest, and it shows that you are weak."
Zerinn turned on his heel walking away across the room heading towards the door pausing. Something else was on his mind. Kaito saw the masked jackal's shoulders slump slightly.
"No, the old me was too weak to save half of the members in our squad," Infinite replied tiredly his hand resting on the door handle. "The Resistance have less than two days left to prepare for the end. In the end, they will all submit to the power of the Phantom Ruby."
Infinite traced the Phantom Ruby Prototype on his chest with two fingers. The masked jackal left the penthouse. Kaito huffed in annoyance wincing ever so slightly, feeling a stab of pain in his chest where he made his way reluctantly back into the bed, grabbing the small plate of toast sitting down on his temporary resting place as a plan slowly began to form in his mind.
"I will find a way to escape," Kaito vowed to himself, spying the red trail of light indicating Infinite's departure. Kaito clenched his fist in determination. "The Resistance will find a way to prevail, and I will do everything I can to help them."
Kaito winced, feeling a fresh stab of pain. He didn't care what happened to him. For now, all he needed to do was to bide his time and wait for the right moment to strike.
Knuckles paced back and forth barking commands as the rest of the Resistance hurried towards one of the several large white ships resting on the edge of Angel Island Silver was with him a tense frown on his face along with Espio. The two of them had been in an in-depth discussion with each other for the last few minutes.
"Knuckles, you have been a fine leader commanding the Resistance for the last six months," Espio began his sentence looking over to Silver who nodded encouraging the chameleon to continue his sentence. "Are you sure that it's wise to act on a plan that you thought up in a minute and a half?"
"Of course I'm sure," Knuckles replied eagerly. "I've heard a rumor from several of our scouts that Eggman was in the Mystic Ruins on patrol there earlier today. Wherever Eggman goes Infinite is sure to be with him, and it's the perfect time to launch an attack."
"Okay, but what if you're wrong and both Eggman and Infinite are in Metropolis then?" Silver asked. "I was able to hold my own, against Infinite, but he overpowered me, and I nearly died. I'm not about to fail in my mission, to save the future. What if something goes wrong in this assault and even more people die Commander?"
"I'll try not to let any more people die," Knuckles grimly replied. "Even so it's a risk we have to take."
The tense atmosphere between the three Resistance members was broken when the Tornado came to a stop on the ground, allowing Sonic, Tails, and Gadget to leap off the plane. Knuckles came running up to them a look of relief passing over the echidna's face.
"Finally, it's about time that you're back," Knuckles said impatiently. "G.U.N's already gone ahead as they're heading to Metropolis right now as we speak. Did you find anything out about the Phantom Ruby?"
"We did, and it's able to create a virtual reality that can feed false information to the brain," Tails answered Knuckles' question with excitement in his voice."Also, it's powered by a generator in Metropolis, and we have now the generator's location thanks to Gadget."
"Well, then that's great to hear," Knuckles said smiling."If Gadget keeps up the good work like this, we can't call him a rookie anymore."
Cheers erupted from all around the listening Mobians as Knuckles had a broad smile on his face at the news. Gadget blushed slightly at the praise in his direction s Mikhail stepped out from the crowd giving his brother a small pat on the shoulder mouthing well done. The little sparks of hope which were dimmed by the loss of Sunset Heights came alive once more in the members of the Resistance's hearts.
"All right, then we can launch a full frontal assault on Metropolis and bring an end to this war!" Knuckles cried out encouraging the crowd to cheer even louder than before. The sound of their cheers erupted all around the small clearing.
"Let's move out then!"
Sonic called out the spark of hope building up in his chest as the resistance boarded the several large white ships taking off into the skies departing Angel Island heading in the direction of Metropolis. The Resistance felt nothing but hope at this point. If they were successful in their mission in capturing Eggman, then the cruel war which ravaged the planet would soon come to an end, and its people would no longer have to live in fear of the Eggman Empire's cold iron grip on the world anymore.
Author's note.
Well, then I promised that Chaos would be back in this story and here he is once more. This isn't even the last time that we're going to see Chaos since I do have one final battle involving Chaos later on. I've always planned for Tails to fight Chaos Zero at some point in the story because I wasn't going to have him sit there and cower in fear since that moment did irk me a little bit.
The reason that Eggman was at the Mystic Ruins was that he was inspecting one of his prisoner of war camps there and he noticed the Tornado arriving and so he decided to use the Phantom Ruby to send a fake Chaos to eliminate Sonic, Tails, and Gadget.
The combination Spinball attack is a move that Sonic and Tails use in Sonic four episode one and two. I figured it would be an excellent way to show their teamwork in defeating Chaos Zero.
I wanted the focus to be on the Phantom Ruby since we can all agree that it's overpowered and I wanted to have the Resistance discover it's secrets and all I can say for now is that even though they have this knowledge, it's still not going to help them that much. All I can say about Operation Big Wave is that things are going to get a little crazy.
Kaito was transported to Metropolis after receiving the blood transfusion after what Metal Sonic did to him in the last chapter and Kaito is not having a good time at the moment. He feels as though he has lost Zerinn since he refuses to associate Zerinn with Infinite. There is tension between these two half-brothers who were once so close to each other and things are going to get even tenser between Kaito and Infinite in the future.
As per usual Constructive Criticism/thoughts and reviews are welcome and appreciated as always, and I will be back to you guys with the next chapter hopefully soon.