Ch. 37
Fallen Queen
Chaos was everywhere within a sea of Mecha Knuckles, and the Freedom Fighters along with the rest of their team could do nothing but struggle. Even Sonic was being given a run for his money. Sally and Rotor were checking on the Dark Legion members whom have passed out after activating the frequency jammer.
"We need to check all of them Rotor. Make sure there are no serious injuries.", Sally said.
"Right, but do you think it worked? If they wake up still under Eggman's control, then we'll be surrounded.", Rotor said.
"It's a chance we're just going to have to take. Right now, they're defenseless in the middle of a battlefield, and we can't just leave them here.", Sally said.
"It's not their lives you should be worried about right now!", A voice said from behind them.
The two Freedom Fighters turned to see the Iron Queen draw a knife from her dress robe. She swung the dagger at Sally who dodge rolled to the side.
"Princess, be careful!", Rotor said.
"Don't worry about me, just look out for the wounded!", Sally said.
"You're all alone now, your Highness. Soon this frozen waste land will become your grave!", Regina said.
"It's not the first time someone's threatened by life. As long as there are people on Mobius who are in need of protection from villains like you, I won't be dying anytime soon!", Sally said.
"Fool, don't be so sure of yourself. The strong decide the fate of the weak, and I decide you die here, right now!", Regina yelled before she charged at her.
Sally prepared herself for a fight while her other friends and other allies fended for themselves against the Mecha Knuckles units.
Espio was still running from a pair of Mecha Knuckles with the Iron Queen's staff in hand. The chase went on outside the entrance of the base. Espio tried to lose them with his camouflage ability. Unfortunately, that would not help him even the slightest due to the Mecha Knuckles robots being equipped with heat vision. One of the robots managed to fire a binding cable that tied around Espio's body, instantly. The Chameleon dropped the staff before falling into the snow.
Espio struggled to get loose. "No! I can't let this happen!", Espio said to himself.
One of the robotic Knuckles duplicates retrieved the staff just meters away from the Chameleon.
"Transport the staff back to Grand Master Regina. I will terminate the pest.", One of them said.
"Affirmative.", The Mecha Knuckles responded to the other. It flew off back to return the staff, while the other slowly approached Espio who was still unable to move.
The Knuckles robot aimed its arm at the Shinobi, ready to administer the killing blow. "It is now time for your demise.", It said.
Espio closed his eyes bracing himself for death when suddenly in a flash something swooped by passed the Mecha Knuckles from the side, across the front. The evil robot's next realization was that its arm was chopped off, cleanly. Right after that, the rest of its body fell to pieces into the snowy ground.
Espio smiled. "You're the best, Gust. I was hoping you'd show up right about now.", He said.
Gust cut the cable, freeing Espio as Shadow, Rouge, and Omega arrived.
"You look like you had some fun.", Rouge said in a sarcastic tone.
"Just a few bruises, I'll survive. Wasn't Omega after you earlier, Gust? Why's he with you?", Espio asked.
"Omega seems to have some unsettled grudge against Eggman, so he's helping us now. What's up with this robot version of Knuckles?", Gust asked.
"Mecha Knuckles, and that wasn't the only one. There are at least a half dozen more of them fighting Sonic and the others. I managed to steal the Iron Queen's staff, but now soon she'll be getting it back.", Espio said.
"WHAT!? The Iron Queen is here!?", Gust yelled.
"Yes, she's the Grand Master who's been leading the Dark Legion. There's really not much time to talk. We need to help our friends.", Espio said.
"Right! Shadow, when we go in try to retrieve the chaos emerald so, that we can make our escape. Espio, you, Rouge, and Omega . . .", Gust said.
"Destroy the Mecha Knuckles Squad.", Omega interrupted
"Yes, I was just about to say that myself. You do that, but no casualties. The Iron Queen and the Mecha Knuckles army are our only enemies for right now.", Gust said.
"Affirmative.", Omega responded before it flew off to join the battle.
"What about you?", Shadow asked.
Gust smiled. "I'm gonna kill the Iron Queen. Everyone has their orders. Let's go!", Gust said before they charged into battle.
The battle between the Iron Queen and her Mecha Knuckles team, and Sonic's team went back and forth. Although Bunnie and Fiona didn't like each other even the slightest, they started to enjoy how well they fought as a team. Hope was forced into a corner until Julie-Su and Lien-da finally found some weapons, and saved her. For a moment, Tails thought he had the upper hand, but he was mistaken when his Mecha Knuckles opponent forced him into the ground. Sonic though was able to multitask in forcing the robot off him, while fighting off his own robot. Sally and Rotor had their hands full with the Iron Queen herself. The heroes were eventually forced into the middle of the camp, and were surrounded.
"Oh man, these Mecha freaks get tougher every time I face them.", Sonic said.
"Come on, I'm not even a fighter. What am I supposed to do; think them into submission?", Hope said.
"I feel the same way. I wish I had my suit with me, but I left it at New Mobotropolis.", Rotor said.
"Don't count ya eggs before they hatch, y'all. As long as Ah'm still standin. I will never quit.", Bunnie said.
"Says the bunny who has a cannon for an arm. I have to use my bear fists . . . against metal.", Fiona said.
"I've been . . . hit by metal.", Tails said as he held his head in pain.
"Don't worry team. At least all of us are still here in one . . . wait where's Amy!?", Sally yelled.
"What!? How should I know. She was with us when we got here!", Sonic said.
"You don't think she ran off again do you?", Tails asked.
"No, I don't think so. After the punishment I gave her last time. I don't think she'd do something like that a second time.", Sally said.
"Damn it! She must've been kidnapped or worse!", Sonic said.
The Princess frowned with worry. "That . . . will have to wait for now. We'll look for her after we save our own skins.
One of the Mecha Knuckles robots from earlier returned with the Iron Queen's most prized possesion. "Here is your staff, your Excellency.", it said.
With a devious smile, the Iron Queen gladly reclaimed her weapon. "Thank you so kindly my trusted henchman.", She said.
Sally gulped the moment the villain shifted her attention to herself and the others.
"A valiant effort, but you only prolonged the inevitable. Now, Sonic, you and the rest of your pathetic friends will suffer a most sufferable death.", Regina said as she prepared to attack.
The action stopped when grumbling sounds were coming from the Dark Legion members. They began to stand up while shaking off any pain they've had.
"What happened? Is this real?", One of the Legionnaires asked.
"Yes, it is. We're back to normal! We have control over our bodies, again!", Another yelled.
Julie-Su smiled at her half-sister. "Do your thing. You're their leader, right?", She asked.
Lien-da sent at smile back at Julie. "Attention, my Dark Legion! You're free now! Pick up your weapons, and help us take down the Iron Queen!", She yelled.
"Huh? Wait, that's right! That monster tried to make us kill Grand Master Lien-da!", A third Legionnaire said.
All of them gave the Iron Queen cold stares as they growled out of anger.
"Don't look at me like that! You pledged your services to Dr. Eggman. Therefore, you will obey me! Kill Lien-da and her allies!", Regina yelled..
"Shut up! The only one we obey is Grand Master Lien-da! You will pay for your treachery!", A fourth Legionnaire responded.
"Attack!", Lien-da ordered.
"Yes, Sir!", They all yelled in unison before charging and firing their weapons at the Iron Queen.
The techno witch reacted by using her magic to force the Mecha Knuckles to gather around her, and deflect the Legion's attacks. The Iron Queen would then, counter their strike as she used more of her powers to gain control of their robotic limbs.
The Legionnaires struggled to maintain control.
"No! I can't move!"
"Me neither! She's doing this to us, somehow!"
The Iron Queen grinned. "Yes, with my staff, I am able to control any form of technology including your robotic limbs. You cannot resist my will! Obey me! As I said earlier, KILL THE INTRUDERS ALONG WITH LIEN-DA!", She yelled.
The Dark Legion members tried to fight her magic off, but it was too strong. They were forced to aim their weapons at Sonic and the others.
"No! Lien-da, please forgive us!", one of the Legionnaires said.
A beeping sound then distracted the Iron Queen, which was coming from one of the Mecha Knuckles. A small and heart shaped object was on its back, but without warning, it exploded, converting the robot into scrap metal.
What!? What happened?", Regina said in confusion.
Suddenly, Rouge the Bat revealed herself as she flew over the Iron Queen, giving her a taunting wink.
The Iron Queen started grinding her teeth. "Shoot her down!", She yelled.
Rouge swayed back and forth, dodging the Mecha Knuckles' laser fire.
Little did they know, Rouge was merely a distraction for Omega, so he could fly by and unleash his barrage of gun fire on more of the Mecha Knuckles robots, destroying three of them in the process.
The last two didn't even notice the whirling blade that was Gust's sword as he sliced the last remaining Mecha Knuckles into pieces.
Gust stared down the Iron Queen as she remained dumbfounded. At first glance, she had no idea who this Overlander was?
"What? Who? Who are you!? How dare you interfere!? Who the hell do you think you are!?", Regina yelled.
Gust just smiled, satisfied that he made it just in time.
"Gust! Shadow! Rouge! You're alright! Thank goodness!", Hope said.
"Of course, we're fine! Long story short, Omega's now on our side. So, what did we miss?", Gust asked.
"Gust! Destroy that staff of hers! She's controllin the Legion against their will!", Bunnie yelled.
"Ah yes, I heard about your magic. The power to control technology as if it were an extension of your hand.", Gust said.
"And just who are you? I don't . . . wait!", Regina stopped at mid-sentence when she realized who this Overlander could be.
"I see. It's you isn't it? The one from Eggman's report! The one who decimated the Sand Blasters; it was you. Eggman believed they were all killed by one man who used a cutting weapon similar to that of a sword. You saved us the trouble of finding you. All forces aim your weapons at this nuisance!", Regina ordered.
Gust gave a smug grin. "Wow, she's really not that bright is she?", Gust thought to himself.
Sonic noticed their aim was no longer focused on him, and he saw an opening. He quickly ran as fast as he could without slipping on the snow to spin dash into the Iron Queen knocking her down on her rotten behind. She dropped her staff when she landed, causing her to lose focus in her magic.
The Legionnaires were able to move again, and were relieved that they didn't harm Lien-da.
The Iron Queen crawled as she tried to reach for her staff. Just when she was close enough, the Iron Queen stopped at the sight a sneaker pressed down on the staff. The Iron Queen looked up to see Sonic the Hedgehog standing above her.
He grabbed her staff. "Looks like you lose again, Queeny.", Sonic said.
Sonic's gloating was interrupted by the sound of drawn steel as Gust had is sword pointed at the neck of the Iron Queen.
"How'd he get over here to fast? I didn't even notice him.", Sonic thought to himself.
"This is the end for you. You can rule as the Iron Queen when I send you to hell.", Gust said.
Sonic grabbed his wrist. "Don't do it, Gust! She's already beaten.", He said.
"Don't be a fool! She's too dangerous to be kept alive, and you know it.", Gust said.
"You won't, or you'll have to deal with all of us.", Sally said referring to herself and the Freedom Fighters.
"P-please . . . please . . . don't kill me.", Regina uttered.
"Why shouldn't I? People like you don't deserve to live. You deserve to be exterminated!", Gust said.
"Snively needs me! I won't be able to save him!", Regina said.