A/N: It's time for chapter 21. Last time, we saw the Iron Queen demonstrate her control over technology to the heroes, by manipulating Bunnie and Kor's abilities, and later taking full control of Ken. With the heroes reeling from this assault, things are also shaping in the Eggdome: Eggman somehow remembered the code to open his cell. What will the Dominion do next? And what are they gonna do with a madman on the lose? Let's find out.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Archie or Sega except my OC.

A few hours after their battle with the Queen, Sonic and Ken were heading toward Bunnie's room in the hospital. She was moved there a short while after their enemies left so her condition could be checked on. Aside from the fatigue of having her robotics overused, she would be fine. "Hey there Buns. Feelin' any better?" Sonic asked.

"Nearly right as rain Sugah Hog. Just needed a bit of sleep." The rabbit said as she stretched out in her bed.

"I'm sorry for having you go through that...no one should ever have to experience being a puppet to that tyrant..." Ken said solemnly.

"Ah don't fret none Ken. Ah've been through worse than what happened this mornin'." Bunnie assured him. "Ok. If you say so." The monkey replied.

Just then Dr. Quack walked into the room reading a file. "Ok Ms. D'Coolette you should be discharged in another hour, and shouldn't you be resting Mr. Khan?"

"Relax doc. He's been with me the whole time." Sonic said with a smirk.

"And that's supposed to make me feel better? You're a disaster magnet Sonic."

"Aw come now doc. I don't attract that much attention." The hedgehog smirked.

"Sure you don't. Anyway, just wanted to check on Bunnie. I have some other work to do." Dr. Quack said before leaving the room. Just as he walked out, Nicole materialized into the room. "Hey Nicole, what's shakin?" Sonic asked.

"The Great Forest it seems. I've detected something causing destruction in the area near the city." She said. "Well, I'll just juice on out to check the place. Cya guys!" Sonic said before rushing out the room.

-King Fredrick Airfield-

Activity at the New Mobotropolis airport was little to moderate. Soldiers were occasionally moving supplies or just idling and chatting about the day. However, the soldiers would occasionally flinch at the sound of large gun being fired somewhere in the area. If one were to follow the sound, you wouldn't be surprised as to what's causing it.

Kor grinned at his latest creation: the bofors gun-weilding sentry he drew up days before. Currently the new sentry was in its level 2 phase, shredding a target board 50 ft away. Anyone nearby had their ears covered due to the noise, yet still wondered how Kor could stand it since he was right next to the damn thing. The engineer noted that although the fire rate was slower than his previous sentry, it was more accurate, it hit much harder, and it was bigger in size. The level 2 phase reached just under Kor's chest. The reason for this was because the guns used were 40mm instead of the previous 50 calibers. Now one may think this is a tad bit overkill, since a single hit from this turret is likely to kill any living person, but not for this engineer. He believes it'll be useful against robots and aerial targets, and maybe as a last resort if he has to gut someone. He was still working on bringing the level 3 phase into fruition.

However, as Kor looked at his new toy, he couldn't help but think the others probably won't approve of it. He never told anyone aside from Sonic and Tails about it, and even then he didn't give the specifics of it. Plus he was probably supposed to notify the council about anything he decides to build. Not only that, but given what happened that morning he sure as hell didn't want the Iron Queen to get her hands on it. He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt a soft hand tap his shoulder.

"Oh hey Nicole! What brings you here?" The engineer yelled over the noise.

"Well I was getting noise complaints from a few soldiers! So..." The sentry clicked as it kept firing even though it was out of ammo. The target board, as well as the tree it was on was blown to hundreds of pieces. "So you may want to keep it down ok?" Nicole said, lowering her voice.

"Yeah, alright. Least it ran out of ammo..."

The A.I. noticed Kor giving a saddened look as he stared at the turret. "Something on your mind?"

"Yeah...needless to say I'm still embarrassed at being dragged all over the front lawn by my own hand..."

"Try not to worry too much about that. Maybe next time when you and the others confront the Queen you'll have something planned." Nicole said with a smile.

"Well...that's one idea..." The engineer mused.

"So what's really on your mind? I may not understand emotions much but I can tell when Sally is in her 'think tank mode'." She stated.

Kor sighed and sat on top of the sentry as it mindlessly scanned the area. "...After what me and Bunnie went through...I'm afraid of being completely useless during this whole ordeal...most of my strength lies heavily in the tech I use, but how do I fight someone who'll just gain control over it and use it against me?...I ain't strong physically so what am I supposed to do?..."

"What about when you fought with Theron? You seemed to have handled him well." The A.I. pointed out.

"That's because he was an engineer like myself, and he was pretty much me. When it came to fights back in my world, I could handle other engineers, scouts, spies, especially spies, and a pyro and medic occasionally because having physical strength isn't their main focus for various reasons. When it came to heavies, soldiers, and demos though, I normally ended up being sent back to the respawn room since they were stronger than I was physically. Sure they didn't use their heads much but still. Hell, I was practically tired after my fight with Theron even though I didn't show it...basically if I got no tools to use I might as well be a dead man, er, fox...walking..." He explained.

Nicole looked as the engineer lied back on his machine after he finished. She read over his words before coming up with a response.

"Kor...from what I've seen in the past 5 months since we've met, I've taken note of one feature about you: You tend to plan ahead. When we built Hornet, remember what you said its purpose is? It was made to give Eggman hard time and aid us greatly. Although it wasn't used as often as you would have liked, it still did its job. You've even built turrets into the walls to help protect us, and whatever plans you have for this sentry you're sitting on, I believe its for a good cause. Sure you may lack physical strength, but ever notice most people who come up with plans don't rely on brute force either? In most cases they help lead those who do have the strength to where they can be very effective. That's what Sally does, and I'm sure you can do the same." She stated thoroughly.

Kor sat up. "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying you can use your tools to their best ability, and I'm sure you can figure out something to counter the Queen..." Kor thought over it for a minute, but then he remembered something Sonic did an hour earlier. "You're right Nicole. I should stop dwellin' on that and focus on the future. And I got an idea."

"Aren't I always?" She said with a smirk. "Heh, yer pretty cute when ya smirk like that." The engineer said before realizing what he said.

The A.I. blushed a bit before changing the subject. "S-So what plan do you have?"

"Well, earlier when Sonic had placed that power ring band on Ken's head to get his senses right, I'm wonderin' if it's possible to put it on my sentry and hornet so they could resist her calls as well." The engineer said.

"Hmm...while that's possible to work in theory, it'll take some time to generate even one power ring..."

"Well just take your time. Hopefully the Dominion won't attack any time soon..." Kor said. "Right." Nicole pauses for a moment. "That may have to hold. Sally needs you and the other Freedom Fighters." She said before disappating.

"Ugh...what now?..." The fox sighed as he packed the sentry into its toolbox and carried it back to his hangar.

-Outside the city's walls-

The rest of the Freedom Fighters met with Sally, Ken, and Tails, along with a surprise guest: Eggman. The doctor appeared to be unconscious. "What is he doing here? Didn't Snively say he would take care of him?" Kor asked.

"I was getting to that. Me and Sonic found him ripping out trees in the forest. He said he was searching for Knothole, and he even referred to himself by his real name! It was weird, but then the Iron Dominion showed up. Sonic told me to take Eggman here while he held them off." Tails stated.

"Great...just what we needed...Ken, Kor, take Eggman to the prison. Everyone else, we're going to give Sonic some help." Sally ordered.

While the monkey and red fox hauled the obese overlander to jail, the rest went to the airfield to retreive a hover vehicle before setting out. Elsewhere in the forest, Sonic was still battling the Dominion's forces. He takes out ninjas one by one with spin attacks as they attempt to surround him. "I can see why you rely so much on controlling machines. These guys are pretty weak!" Sonic taunted.

The Iron Queen glares as the hedgehog as she and Snively observe from their hover pods. "That hedgehog will not make fools out of us as he did at Mount Stormtop..." She said with venom laced in her words.

"Now now deary. I'm sure he won't hold an edge for long." Snively said. "Now isn't the time for your words Snively! Jun Kun! End this foolishness!" Regina ordered.

The ox grinned before jumping into the fray. Just as the Sonic knocked away another ninja, he found himself blind-sided by the much larger Iron King. Before he could react, Jun swung his mighty hammer right into the the hedgehog's cheek, sending him flying into a tree. The ox grinned as he noticed Sonic was unconscious. "I expected better resistance from you Hedgehog. Oh well, you shall pay for the humilation you wrought to us years prior!"

Unfortunately for Jun, he would never get his revenge. Just as he was about to finish the blue blur, a saucer suddenly flys right into him. Then he finds himself being attacked by Antonie and Amy, forcing him on the defensive. "Ugh! You pests dare defy me?! You will learn the strength of the Iron King!" Jun yells before retaliating. He swings his hammer at the duo, who easily dodge out of the way before resuming their attacks.

Meanwhile, Sally and Tails awaken a dazed Sonic. "You alright Blue?" Sally asked.

"Yeah, he just got a lucky hit that's all." Sonic replied, rubbing his sore cheek.

"Right. It seems Regina and Snively are distracted. Now would be the best time to put them on our level." She stated.

"Got it covered! Let's go Tails!" The hedghog said. Tails grabs his hands and flies them both up to the Queen and her lackey. The two were busy watching Jun Kun fight off Antoine and Amy when suddenly, both Sonic and Tails spin dash through their hover pods. The Queen lands on her feet, though Snively is less fortunate.

"And you said I was nothing but a 'mere nuisance.' How was that for an annoying blue hedgehog?" Sonic taunted.

"Don't believe we are through yet Hedgehog. You have yet to see the full strength we have at our disposal." Regina retorted.

"Oh yeah? Then bring it!"

"Actually Sonic, it would be best if we retreat." Sally said.

"Aw come on! We can totally take these guys! I knocked out like...", he paused as he counted his fingers, "10 or 15 ninjas."

"Then you got blind-sided by the Iron King. Also they heavily out number the 5 of us." The chipmunk pointed out. Sonic sighed. "Alright. Let's get out of here."

The hedgehog then ran around, picking up his comrades before running back to New Mobotropolis. They entered the city just as the shield was raised. The Dominion caught up and immediately tried to mount an offensive. The Iron King struck at shield with all his power, but even he couldn't pierce through the tough defensive layer. The Iron Queen then tried to manipulate it through magitek but found herself unable to as well. Not only that, Ken and Bunnie took the prime opportunity to taunt her for the Dominion's failure at breaching the city, similar to how she humiliated them earlier in the day. Fuming, Regina ordered everyone to retreat.

Nicole materializes next to Sally as their enemies leave. She looked like she had a small headache. "The shield will hold. The Iron King's blows aren't as bad as when the Egg Fleet was constantly blasting it." She stated.

"You ok?" Sally asked in concern.

"I'm fine, although for a few moments I felt a strange distortion. I can't pinpoint its source but it's gone."

"Alright, but if you detect it again let me know ok?" Sally said with a smile. "Will do." The A.I. smiled back before vanishing.

Meanwhile, Sonic went to check on Eggman. He was in a cell currently being watched over by Kor, who was wearing a set of earphones to block his hearing. Sonic gives the fox a questioning look. "He kept askin' me stuff I didn't know, couldn't stand it anymore..."

"Don't worry bud. I'll handle this." Sonic said before turning to Eggman. For the most part he still looked crazed, although possibly less so than when he accidentally 'broke' him. The hedgehog still felt bad for driving the doctor to such an extent.

"Ah hello there Sonic! I see your friend Tails has brought me to Mobotropolis! However I do wonder why I have been placed in a cell. Your red friend there wouldn't tell me anything." Eggman said.

"Well doc, that's because the Great War is still going on. To protect you from the other overlanders, we just put you in protective custody! In fact, I think the King may want to speak with you at some point." Sonic lied.

"Ah yes, That's brilliant. Well, I better rest up for the King. My brain is rather exhausted from earlier." Eggman said before attempting to nap.

Sonic sighed in relief before he and Kor made their way out of the specialize cell area. Ken heard everything and had a question on his mind. "I just don't understand you Sonic. Even after all he's done to you, why show Eggman any mercy?"

Sonic shrugged. "I just do what I think is right at the time. I still feel a little guilty for making him snap days ago. It's the least I could do." Ken smiled with newfound respect for the hedgehog. "I see."

"Want my opinion?" Kor asked. "No." Both Sonic and Ken said with a smirk.

"Yeesh fine, but I just wish we had a few days to relax. Can't believe I'm gettin' a damn headache from all this fightin'..." Kor said with a hand on his head.

"You know, I thought for a former mercenary like you, you'd be used to this." Sonic laughed with Ken beginning to chuckle.

"Hey, fighting gets tiring at times." The fox retorted.

"True. Maybe Nicole can give you an ice pack, and maybe stroke your fur while you sleep." The hedgehog added with the biggest shit-eating grin he could muster. "...Shut up..." Kor said with a glare and blush on his face, causing the other 2 to laugh harder.

A/N: That's all for chapter 21. With Eggman in better protection, and the Dominion successfully driven off, the heroes can finally catch a breath. However, make no mistake, things are about to get really hard for these guys.