Chapter 36: Following the Leader

At Arsenal Pyramid, Sonny and Ava made their way through hordes of robots together without any difficulty. In fact, they even managed to pull off a move where they both spun simultaneously up the pyramid's side and into the factory itself. Once inside, the two navigated past several clockwork gears until they reached a chamber where giant warheads were being pushed along a series of conveyor belts.

"That was amazing," Sonny said, reflecting on the move from earlier. "I don't think anyone's ever been able to spin at the same speed as me and not fall behind."

"Well, I…did see you on TV a lot," Ava admitted. "Back when you were called the Blue Blur."

"Oh, yeah, it feels like ages since I've been called that." Sonny then shook his head. "Anyway, let's rig this place to blow up and leave before Eggman's bots catch up to us."

"Right," Ava nodded and followed Sonny's lead.

"So I was thinking of calling it the Double Boost," Sonny abruptly said. "That move we pulled off before."

"Okay," Ava responded half-heartedly. "I'm not sure why we have to name it."

"It comes with being a hero, kid," Sonny stated. "You gotta have cool names for attacks."

"I see." Using his wire, Ava swung onto a railing to plant a bomb before coming back down. Then Ava noticed some Badniks heading their way and used the wire to push them back. "Maybe I'll this move the…Wire Attack…"

"That's not a bad start," Sonny complemented and used his Spin Attack to decimate the robots. "You'll get better with more experience."

"If you say so," Ava muttered, using the Wispon to boost himself into the air with flames.

###

"Sonny, Silva is in trouble!" Amelia shouted through the headset, causing Ava to flinch. "You need to get over to the Mystic Jungle, and fast!"

"Okay, we're on it," Sonny replied. He and Ava had left Green Hill after Arsenal Pyramid had blown up several hours ago, as the sun was starting to set. "What was he doing there, anyway?"

"He was investigating some unusual activity that might be caused by one of Eggman's generals or possibly their leader."

"Any idea who they are?"

"We know Zak, or Zavok, was one of them as he kidnapped most of those prisoners you rescued earlier but the others are unknown."

"Including the leader?"

"Unfortunately, yes, so it's important that you collect as much information as possible if the guy Silva's fighting right now turns out to be either a general or the leader."

"Gotcha."

"Same goes for the kid, and make sure he doesn't get hurt. Okay, Sonny?"

"He's been doing fine so far, so there's no need to worry."

"And I sometimes wonder why I dated you," Amelia groaned.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Ava asked after Amelia hung up.

"Yeah, though we've had periods of ups and downs."

"But isn't that normal for a relationship?"

"Sure, though our lives have been far from normal for a while now."

###

Sometime later, Sonny and Ava were traversing the Mystic Jungle which was now overrun by Eggman's robots and casinos.

"This used to be unspoiled greenery, and now look at it," Sonny frowned. "Such a shame…"

Ava was about to respond when a giant snake suddenly appeared up ahead of them. "Sonny! Look out!"

Unfortunately, Sonny was too late as he fell right into the snake's open mouth. Ava swung himself onto a nearby tree and watched as the snake attempted to digest Sonny. But a series of internal ruptures followed, forcing the snake to regurgitate Sonny who leaped out of its mouth and continued onward while Ava followed a few feet behind.

###

Near some ruins, Silva was knocked back against a cliff midair.

"Pathetic," said a menacing voice. "Is this the best the Resistance can do to stop me?"

As Silva watched, a figure floated down from above. It was human in appearance with long white dreadlocks tied back, wearing a mask shaped like a jackal's head with one eye that was black while the other was bright red with a yellow iris. Clothing-wise, it wore a long black trench-coat with matching pants, silver-lined gloves, and ankle-length leather boots. Then on its chest was a pink triangular stone that seemed to glow.

"Who…are you?" Silva demanded wearily.

In response, the figure shook its head. "My name is not important, since you'll be dead soon."

Then as the figure streaked downward, it was intercepted by a blue blur that revealed itself to be Sonny who stood in front of Silva.

"That's enough," Sonny said, staring up at the figure angrily. "No one attacks my friend and gets away with it!"

"So you're the rat who escaped his cage recently," the figure responded in a bemused tone. "I can't tell you how pleased Eggman will be once I eliminate you."

"So you're one of Eggman's generals?" Sonny looked over to the nearby trees and saw Ava press a button on his headset.

The figure huffed. "I'm far above those cretins I have to work with."

"Mind telling me who they are? I might know some of them."

"And what would you gain from such knowledge?"

"A sense of who you are in relation to them, maybe an idea of how you're floating like that."

The figure sighed in irritation. "If you really must know, I am known as Infinite."

"Now what's your power? Normal people don't float unless they're psychic or super-powered like me and Silva."

"My power is not your concern, nor do I wish to share it."

"Well, if you won't tell me, then I'll beat the answer out of you!"

"Your persistence is starting to annoy me."

In his hands, Infinite produced a red orb of energy that encapsulated the whole area. With it came the same humming noise Sonny heard earlier as he involuntarily levitated off the ground.

"Do you need help, Sonny?" Silva asked as found himself floating as well.

Before Sonny could answer, Infinite rammed into him till he landed on the back of the giant snake from earlier. Following Infinite along the snake's back, Sonny dodged several incoming energy orbs and rows of red blocks that attempted to crush him. Fortunately, he dodged them all before Infinite created several copies of himself midair. Sonny in turn used the Homing Attack to destroy every single copy till he hit the real Infinite.

"Impossible," Infinite murmured. "How can you be this strong?"

"I'm not telling unless you share the secret of your power first," Sonny said.

"Over my dead body," Infinite growled and created another orb of red energy around Sonny.

Like what happened before, Sonny was immobilized and got hit by Infinite in the blink of an eye causing him to fall towards the ground face-first.

Chuckling, Infinite remarked, "It seems I had nothing to worry about. You're still weaker than I am, so I'm not going to bother finishing you off."

Then as Infinite flew away, Sonny slammed his fist onto the ground. "I've got to find out the secret to his power, if it's the last thing I do!"

To be continued…