Ch.4: Fangs of Fire

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Manic thought the least he could do before he left was help out Rose with some of her daily chores. Rose gladly accepted Manic's help and gave him a small list of chores she could use help with.

Manic took the list and immediately went to work. After finishing with all his chores around the house, Manic snuck outside and sneakingly made his way to the grocercy store. It was the only place around that Manic knew he could find a farewell gift to Tyler.

Mr. Bean was arranging things by the counter when Manic came in, and as soon as the old pairie dog spotted the green hedgehog enter his store his eyes widened with surprise.

"You're that green hedgehog the Freedom Slayers are looking for," Mr. Bean said to Manic.

"They've been here?" said Manic, looking at Mr. Bean.

" Been here?" said Mr. Bean " they've been looking everywhere ever since yesterday, saying that thier leader wants to pay you back for a favor,"

"Where are they now?" asked Manic.

" Last time someone came in" said Mr. Bean " they said the Freedom Slayers had been hanging out in the west part of town,"

Manic's mind suddenly exploded with worry, Rose and Tyler lived in the west part of town. Forgetting all about buying a present Manic raced all the way back to Tyler's house.

As soon as Manic stepped inside the house, a shocking sight lay before him. The whole place had been completely ransacked, leaving quite a mess on the clean, polished floors.

Crying came from the living room. Manic stepped inside to see Rose, on her knees, trying fruitlessly to stop the tears from coming out of her eyes.

"Rose, what happened?" said Manic, walking over and placing a hand on the female cat's shoulder.

"The Freedom Slayers came" said Rose, sniffling " they took Tyler. They were looking for you...couldn't find...left this,"

Manic took the note she handed to him, unfolded it, and glared as he read the words.

Triator,

If you really care what happens to this little brat, meet me at the old steel plant round midnight. Its time we settled this once and for all.

Sincerely Yours,

Girder

Manic crumpled the note in anger. Girder had gone to far this time. Threatening Manic's life was one thing, but threatening the life of an innocent child? Before, Girder had been an honorable Freedom Fighter, working to save the lives that were in danger. But now, he was on Robotnink's side, the fox didn't have honor any more.

The Freedom Slayers stood waiting at the old steel plant with thier prisoner in tow. Girder had climbed up to the spider catwalk, hanging above a lake of molten steel to wait for Manic. The green hedgehog had five minutes to show up, or else Tyler would pay the price.

There was no need to worry though, because Manic showed up right on time. Girder was smug as the green hedgehog approached.

" I see you gathered enough courage to show up" said Girder " ready to pay for your crimes?"

"Let Tyler go Girder" said Manic " you have me,"

"Oh, I'll let him go alright" said Girder " 'cause after I finish you off I'm going to destroy that pathetic brat and his mother. Any one who makes friends with you is an enemey to me,"

With a scream of rage at that statement Manic lunged at Girder, which the yellow fox simply jumped over his opponent and aimed a punch right at Manic's back. Two pairs of eyes met, glaring at each other. The rematch everyone had been waiting for had finally begun.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Rose was quietly making her way to her son who was tied up on a pole. The Freedom Slayers were all to busy watching Girder go toe to toe with Manic to notice the female cat's presence, which gave Rose just the oppurnity she needed.

Tyler wanted to shout for joy at seeing his mother, but quickly stopped himself from yelling out. Just one sound could alert the other Freedom Slayers that someone else was there to help Tyler escape.

Rose managed to get to the pole and used her claws to rip Tyler free. But just as the two were making thier escape Tyler's foot stepped on a twig alerting the Freedom Slayers wolf member, Jackal.

When Jackal saw that Rose and Tyler were trying to get away he quickly alerted the other Freedom Slayers and they gave chase. Although both Rose and Tyler both tried thier best to run, they were soon circled around by the remiander of the Freedom Slayers.

"You two just stay put now" said Fang the crocodile " when the fight is over you'll get your just rewards,"

Back on the catwalk Manic and Girder still battling it out. Punch, kick, punch, thier moves seemed just about even with each other no matter how much force they put behind it. Girder was getting sick of this little dance and started to lure Manic onto one of the spider catwalk's wide and most dangerous limbs.

It didn't take long to find out what made this limb so dangerous. Rust had eaten away at the metal of the catwalk leaving soft spots everywhere. One wrong step, and you would be swimming in the molten lake.

Jumping back in order to aviod one of Girder's punches, Manic's foot landed on a soft spot and got stuck in the catwalk. Manic tried desperately to get his leg free, while Girder smiled at his struggle.

Sporting an evil smile Girder drew out his gun and aimed it at the hedgehog's heart. As soon as he saw what Girder was planning, Manic knew he wouldn't be able to move out of the way in time.

"Sorry Sonia... Sonic... I failed," whispered Manic, to what he thought would be his last words.

But it wasn't meant to be. For as soon as Girder stepped forward, the metal beneath him gave way, making the fox plummet down to the molten lake below.