Ch. 26
Casino Brawl
Screaming filled the Casino from the poker section as people stampeded their way to the exit. Amy stood in the background as she watched Jet get thrown across the poker table by a swatbot. Storm was hog tied by Caterkiller with Grounder pointing one of his drills at his head, and more swatbots had Wave restrained by her arms.
Jet slowly got up to shake off the pain in his back as he was approached by the owner of the Casino, Mammoth Mogul.
"The Babylon Rogues, I should've known that you band of hooligans would present yourselves in my humble abode, and no doubt cause confrontation with my fellow employees.", Mogul said.
"What are you yapping about old man? We haven't done anything!", Jet said.
"Don't insult me, you lowlife. I maybe old, but I'm far from senile. Firstly, you Babylon Rogues have held a grudge against me for the loss in services of your former ally, Predator Hawk. Second, my eyes and ears are everywhere in my Casino. You make yourselves seem innocent as you bask in the winnings of my money, but I'm no fool. The three of you have been cheating and initially robbing my business since the moment you arrived.", Mogul said.
"Only one problem, Horton, you have no proof!", Wave said.
"I know you've been counting cards, woman. When I received word of your apparent winnings, I observed you through the security cameras. As I witnessed your movements, I noticed how close the two of you have been lately; A little too close from my viewpoint.", Mogul said.
"That's all you have? You just think we've been cheating because of a little flirting?", Jet asked.
Mogul smiled. "I also know that you're treasure hunters, and you'll do whatever it takes for money, even it means having to . . . demoralize yourselves to attain it.", He said.
"You're full of it.", Jet said.
"We'll see who's 'full of it' when my security interrogates you, starting with the young lady here. Take her away.", Mogul ordered.
"No, let me go, you used up pieces of crap!", Wave said as she was being dragged away.
Two loud thuds were then heard from behind Mogul. The chubby mammoth turned to see Amy Rose with hammer in hand, standing over the now wrecked swatbots.
The pink hedgehog looked over to Wave. "You need a hand?", She asked.
"Don't patronize me, I could've taken them out myself.", Wave said as she got up.
"What is the meaning of this!?", Mogul yelled.
With the mammoth distracted, Storm was freed after Sonic jumped in and took out both Grounder and Caterkiller.
"Yo, Dumbo, if you want to threaten other people's lives, you better get ready to deal with the Freedom Fighters!", Sonic said.
"Stop and seize your actions this instant! I never said I intended to take anyone's life. I simply seek retribution for these degenerates cheating in my Casino!", Mogul said.
"If it's retribution you want, don't take matters into your own hands.", Sally stated as she approached the Mammoth.
"Impeccable timing as ever, your Highness. What do I owe this unpleasant visit, not mention damaging more of my security swatbots and my staff members!? Explain yourselves!", Mogul demanded.
"It's a matter of Freedom Fighter business. We came here to search and capture the Babylon Rogues, and incarcerate them for crimes against the Acorn Kingdom. I've already alerted the other Freedom Fighters to move in and transfer them to New Mobotropolis prison. You can take back and void all of their winnings, but let us handle the punishments, agreed? Unless you would like join them?", Sally asked.
Mammoth Mogul glared at the Princess. ". . . Very well, but I better not see them here again, or the Council of Acorn will be hearing from me, your Highness.
"I understand, and you won't, I'll see to that.", Sally said.
Tails, Big, and Rotor were contacted by Sally, and as ordered escorted the Babylon Rogues out of the building. By the time they made it to the FF-Special, The princess proceeded with their original objectives.
"Good work everyone, we got what we came for.", Sally said.
"That was good thinking, Sal. Convincing Mogul that we were arresting them as wanted criminals was pretty slick.", Sonic said.
"Come on, it's me remember? It was just good old fashioned negotiating. Sometimes you can get what you want without having to fight, you know.", Sally said.
"Hmph . . . It wasn't that impressive.", Amy said in denial.
"Hold up, what's going on here? You said you were taking us to prison, right? So what's the deal?", Jet asked.
"Oh brother, weren't you listening earlier, you dolt? They never meant to imprison us to begin with.", Wave said.
"Then, if they aren't taking us to jail, then what they want?", Storm asked.
"Information and some assistance against a common foe.", Sally said.
Jet grinned. "You went to all this trouble to ask for help from us?"
The three bird brains grinned at first, and then laughed at her.
"Now that's funny.", Jet said.
Sally glared at him. "Shut up! You're going to answer my questions whether you like it or not, and you'll either talk to me or you'll talk to her." She said pointing at Amy.
The pink hedgehog padded her weapon in her hand with the other. "By her she means my hammer.", She said.
The Babylon Rogues laughs soon turned to frowns, and their bodies quivered.
"You . . . you don't scare us. We'll never help you no matter what you do to us. Do your worst.", Jet said.
"What!? Speak for yourself! If you wanna get your head pounded into the ground, be my guest, but leave us out of it!", Wave said.
"Wow . . . way to be a team player, Wave.", Jet said.
"I don't wanna get pounded, Jet. That pink girl's scary.", Storm said
"There you have it, Jet. It looks like you're out voted.", Rotor said.
"I still won't talk!", Jet said.
"We will!", Storm and Wave said in unison.
"Would you two shut up!? Man, where's your Babylon pride gone!?", Jet asked.
"It went away along with that ridiculous dream of the Babylon Garden!", Wave said.
"Oh, come on! Jet said.
"We're done, alright? We're through chasing after false myths. You almost got us killed last time, and now because of you, we have little money to eat or even sleep!", Wave yelled.
Jet paused for a moment.
"Are the three of you done, quarreling now. Look, I know the idea of you helping us sickens you, and I don't like it much either, but what if I told you what we discovered on Angel Island just yesterday?", Sally asked.
"That boring old hunk of land in the sky that red echidna lives on? What's his name?", Jet asked.
"Knuckles . . . He and the Chaotix were attacked by Scourge and his Suppression Squad, A.K.A. the Destructix. They also had the Eggman Empire supporting them.", Sally said.
". . . Yeah. Predator Hawk left us to join those overrated posers. What about them?", Jet asked.
"We know that Hawk left you to join Mammoth Mogul, but . . . technically he was still one of you, right?", Tails asked.
". . . I . . . we will never forget the way he betrayed us, but . . . yeah, he's still one of . . . wait, what do you mean, was?", Jet asked.
"Predator Hawk is dead . . . He along with most of the Destructix were killed, including their leader, Scourge.", Sally said.
"What? What do you mean, Hawk is dead!? That's . . . not possible.", Jet said.
"Like it or not it is. They were killed by the Underdogs, a team of rogues led by an Overlander, named Gust.", Sonic said.
Jet growled. "Predator Hawk was killed by an Overlander!?", He yelled.
"Like Sonic said, he wasn't alone.", Sally said. She then gave them more info on the details of the Underdogs.
"So the Overlander scum had some cronies helping him. He doesn't sound that tough to me.", Jet said.
"Take my word for it. He is . . . So don't even think about trying to challenge him by yourselves. He'll kill you, plain and simple. We'll help you avenge your fallen friend after you assist us in our current mission", Sally said.
Sally gave them the specifics about their new mission to help Knuckles rescue his people from extinction.
The Rogues felt nothing but anger towards Sally and the others.
"Unbelievable! . . . That's a low for you, Princess. Siding with that scumbag! You should've taken the bastard down!", Jet yelled.
Sally paused for a moment until the muscles in her hands tightened.
Sally then, growled. "You think I enjoy this? That evil Overlander corrupted our friends, turning them against us, and humiliated and embarrassed me out of spite. I . . . never thought could ever truly hate anyone else other than Eggman, but . . . Gust has made things personal for me, now. He'll get his just reward soon enough.", She said.
"I don't get it, if this Gust guy is so evil, then why is he helping Knuckles?", Wave asked.
"I don't really know, to be honest. The guy is out of his mind. However, we couldn't turn our backs on Knuckles, so we had no choice in the matter.", Sally said.
"So, what do you want from us?", Jet asked.
"We're trying to find this Grand Kukku guy or whatever, and make him tell us where Eggman is hiding a chunk of Knuckle's remaining peeps.", Sonic said.
"Grand Battle Kukku? . . . You want us to help you find G.B.K.? What's in it for us?" Waive asked.
"You'll be pardoned of all crimes against the Kingdom, including . . . the Babylon Garden incident, which would've been a life term sentence.", Sally said.
"You'll have to do better than that. You're talking about fighting G.B.K. and his army.", Jet said.
"We could always take back the offer and throw you straight to prison.", Amy said.
Jet and the others shivered at the thought of spending the rest of their lives in a prison cell.
Jet sighed. "Alright . . . we'll help you. We know a place where G.B.K. would be hangin out. Since the Babylon Garden was destroyed, the Gigan Mountains was the only area on Mobius with any trace of Babylon history left behind. That crazy koo-koo bird still believes the power of the Babylon Garden is still out there somewhere, and he's obsessed with getting his claws on it." He said.
"Wow . . . that's kind of sad.", Sonic said.
"And everyone says I have problems.", Amy said.
"At least, we know now where he is. So . . . can you help us get past his armada? After we make the old bird sing, the three of you will be let go, and we'll work together to capture Gust.", Sally said.
Jet and his comrades smiled. " . . . Ok, it's a deal.", Jet said.
The Freedom Fighters and the Babylon Rogues then, left in the FF-Special to the Gigan Mountains.
Although, the Freedom Fighters were one step closer to accomplishing their mission, the Underdogs weren't having as much luck. As they were continuing their quest in the Black Phantom, a severe storm began to brew on top of them, so they had to land, and take refuge inside a small cave until the weather would calm itself. The Underdogs sat in a circle around a built camp fire as Gust thought to himself about his last conversation he had with Knuckles before their departure. However, that would only last seconds before his train thought was broken when somebody called his name.
"Gust!", Shadow said.
The Overlander turned his attention to the black hedgehog. "Something on your mind?", He asked.
"You told us back on Angel Island that you would tell us soon enough about your past. Since, we're all here, now would be a good time to fess up.", Shadow said.
Gust smiled. "You're interested so suddenly? That's odd coming from you. I didn't think you really cared.", He said.
"Don't take it the wrong way. From the start, you've been gathering information on all of us, but we don't know a single thing about you!", Shadow said.
"Calm down, Shadow. I know you don't like him, but it doesn't mean you have to be rude.", Hope said.
"He does have a point, though, Gust. I'm the only one who knows even a little about you, and that's not fair to the others.", Espio said.
"Ah can understand why he would keep his life a secret. He's a shinobi like Espio and an Overlander. He couldn't jeopardize the well being of his own clan . . . his family.", Bunnie said.
Shadow paused at Bunnie's sentiment.
"I was the first to be recruited by Gust, and ever since then, I'd been curious about his past as well, like what exactly made him form this team of ours.", Fiona said.
"My, my, you're all just full of curiosity aren't you . . . Very well, I've put it off long enough. Now that our team is complete, I have no reason to. So, sit back, relax, and let me begin from 12 years ago during the cold and bloody era that was the Great War.