Mogul Rising Saga Episode 5: Confrontation at the Casino
Sonic lets out a groan as he is able to regain his consciousness. He turns his head to see Eve has gained her consciousness as well and is rubbing her head with her right hand. However, Eve seems to still feel very dizzy. He then notices the chains and shackles on both his and Eve's wrist and ankles.
Sonic collects his thoughts, "Ooooookay… we're shackled in a dark and smelly place and surrounded by guys who hated us. How'd we get here?! Okay… back it up a minute. Eve, Sally, and the rest of us got ambushed outside of New Mobotropolis by Bean the Duck and Bark the Polar Bear… We all tried to fight them off and it seems that they are mostly interested in Eve and myself. Then… something… hit us."
Sonic rubs his head, "My mind is still fuzzy, but Eve and I ended up getting captured by those thugs."
He then tries to pull the shackles apart, "I need to get Eve out of here. C'mon, shackles! Break!"
Eve groans and says, "S-Sonic."
"Eve…" Sonic says, in concern.
Then Simian says, "You and your sister are going nowhere. Relax. Enjoy the ride."
Meanwhile in Freedom HQ, Sally explains to the Freedom Fighters about the situation. It is a shock to hear that both Sonic and Eve have been captured. What's more, Maria and Jazz are missing. Shadow, Amy, and Tails walk back into Freedom HQ.
Sally turns her head and asks, "Did you find her?"
"No. We couldn't find her anywhere," Tails says.
"Not even Jazz," Amy says.
"I don't get it. Where could Maria and Jazz have gone off to?" Sally says.
"That's what I wanna know. We left Maria and Jazz out of that fight and yet we couldn't find them! It's bad enough that my sister got abducted by those mercenaries while I'm around," Shadow angrily says.
"Calm down Shadow, we're going to find them both. We know where Sonic and Eve are being taken and so we can go after them. Rotor, Bunnie, and Antoine are looking around to see if she's anywhere nearby," Sally says.
"Or maybe not sugar," Bunnie says.
The group turns their heads to see Rotor and the couple.
"Did you find her?" Amy asks.
"No, but we think we have an idea where she had disappeared to, but um…" Antoine says.
Antoine nervously gulps and says, "I do not think you will be liking it, Shadow."
"What?" Shadow sternly asks.
"We didn't find Maria or Jazz, but we were able to find tire tracks from the Destructix's truck. We looked around the areas where Sonic and Eve have been caught and followed the tracks that lead to different areas… and we found a pair of tracks that is different from the rest," Rotor says.
"And…" Sally says.
"Those shoe prints we saw a short distance away appear to be from Maria," Bunnie says.
"What? Why would Maria's shoe prints be doing near that…" Shadow sternly asks.
He soon comes to realize, "She didn't…!"
"She didn't what?" Tails asks.
Sally soon comes to realize it herself, "No… you don't think Maria and Jazz went into the Destructix's truck?!"
The group becomes shocked to hear what might have happened to Maria, and realizes that she is in as much trouble as Sonic and Eve are.
In the Destructix's truck, Maria and Jazz are still hiding behind the boxes. Jazz sticks her head up and looks around to see no one is in the truck.
She turns her head down and replies, "Chao Chao."
"So, no one is around?" Maria asks.
Jazz nods her head.
Maria walks out of the crates, "Um, good. Let's go find Sonic and Eve."
Maria slowly opens the truck and looks around to see nobody's around. Instead, she sees a large building. Maria and Jazz leave the back of the truck and walk around to reach the front of the building. As people are walking in, Maria and Jazz use the chance to walk inside. Maria and Jazz are surprised to see so many people and Mobians under one roof.
Maria turns to Jazz, "This place seems really big… and crowded. I've never been in um, this kind of crowd before."
"Chao. Chao Chao," Jazz says, hugging Maria.
"Thank you Jazz. Okay. Let's um, go find Sonic and Eve," Maria softly says.
Maria and Jazz begin to look around for any signs of Sonic, Eve or the Destructix and Hooligans. She also worries that will happen if any of them will notice her first. Meanwhile, Sonic and Eve are being watched by Bean who keeps pulling on Sonic's ear.
Eve turns to Decoe and Bocoe, "I'm surprised that you two are working with Mogul."
"True, but at least we don't have to work our robotic necks off," Decoe says.
"Yeesh. Mogul gave us a very good job," Bocoe says.
"That's surprising given his reputation and what he put us through," Sonic says.
Just then, Sleuth walks to Bocoe and Decoe and asks, "Now, where's Mogul? I'm ready to be paid."
"Mr. Mogul is busy attending his Casino Night Club. He'll pay you when he is ready," Decoe says.
"Listen you bucket of bolts," Drago angrily says.
Sleuth then sternly says, "Shut up, Drago."
Drago then stops talking and turns his head away with his arms crossed.
Sleuth then turns to Decoe and Bocoe, "Listen here. Sonic and Eve have nasty habits of breaking out at the last minute and the Freedom Fighters like to show up at the worst times. So if your boss wants the hedgehogs. He better pick up the pace."
The two robots look at each other and look a bit weary.
Decoe walks away, "I will inform Mr. Mogul of your impatience. But it is your job to bring them and keep them here."
"That's right. Walk away before I stomp ya," Drago says.
"Can it, Drago. He could take you," Sleuth says.
Still in the casino, Maria and Jazz continue to look around. She is surprised to see so many machines that play games, robots, humans, and Mobians in one place. However, she doesn't see Sonic or Eve around here.
Maria calmly calls out, "Sonic. Eve. Where are you?"
"Chao Chao," Jazz calls out.
Maria looks around and is looking a little nervous about seeing so many people and Mobians around. What's more, some of them are staring at her. That causes her to shake in fright.
Jazz hugs her face, "Chao Chao. Chao Chao Chao."
Maria smiles and says, "Thanks Jazz. I… I feel a little better now. Now let's go find Sonic and Eve. And hope we don't run into the Mobians who took them."
Maria and Jazz continue to look around for Sonic and Eve. Unknown to them, Rouge and Geoffrey are close by and are pretending to have fun, but really to make sure this Casino isn't doing anything secret. Rouge then notices walking around the casino without Shadow or Eve with her for that matter.
Rouge says, confused, "Maria? And Jazz? What are they doing here? And without Shadow or Eve with her?"
"What is it, Rouge?" Geoffrey asks.
Rouge points out, "Take a look over there."
Geoffrey looks to where Rouge is looking. He is surprised to see Maria and Jazz are walking around the Casino on their own.
"What are Maria and Jazz doing in a place like this?" Geoffrey asks.
"I'm not sure, and it's weird that Shadow and Eve aren't with her, makes me wonder if something's up," Rouge says.
While Maria and Jazz are looking for the two hedgehogs, and Geoffrey and Rouge are on their mission. Sally, Amy, Tails, Sonia, and Manic are driving on the hovercraft to get to the Casino Night Club to find Sonic and Eve and hopefully save Maria and Jazz before they get into trouble.
"I can't believe Maria and Jazz snuck into their truck without us noticing," Tails says.
"I know. She's just like Eve when she acts reckless. I wonder if Eve got that from her," Amy says.
"I'm worried that Maria will be in huge trouble if Mogul or the Destructix and Hooligans find her and know she's with us," Manic says.
"Let's worry about it when we find her," Sally says.
"I just hope we're not too late," Sonia says.
Shadow continues to run as fast as he can at top speed.
He says in his thoughts of determination, "I need to get there and rescue Eve from those crooks, and if this Mogul or any of his lackey lay their hands on Eve or Maria, I'll crush them."
Shadow continues to use his speed to head to the Casino Night Club while Sally drives the hovercraft.
Back at the casino, Maria and Jazz continue to look around for Sonic and Eve.
Maria calmly calls out, "Sonic. Eve. Where are you?"
"Chao Chao," Jazz replies.
Maria and Jazz stop to see a robot walking out of the room and closes the door. However, the door slightly opens to reveal a staircase.
"Could Sonic and Eve be in there?" Maria asks.
Curious, Maria walks to the door and opens it. Maria and Jazz look at each other in concern, but Sonic and Eve might be down there. They both take a deep breath and begin to walk downstairs.
Down below, Sonic and Eve are sitting bored since they are unable to use their abilities to get out. Bean is busy pulling on Sonic's ear.
And begins to ask him questions, "Hey Sonic? Hey. Hey Sonic? Why are you so fast? Why are you blue? Are you and the princess going to marry and have mutant hedge-squirrel babies?"
Sonic flinches and his muzzle blushes to hear that last question.
Eve rolls her eyes, "Bean, why would you ask him something like that?"
"I just want to know," Bean says.
"Well don't ask me questions like that," Sonic sternly says.
Eve mutters, "Annoying little duck."
Finally, Maria and Jazz are able to find Sonic and Eve, but can see most of the Destructix are inside the room.
"Um, now that I found them… how am I going to get them out? Shadow and the others don't even know I'm here. And I'm still learning how to fully control my powers." Maria nervously thinks.
Maria takes a deep breath and whispers to Jazz, "Jazz, I'll try to see if I can talk them into letting them go, and well, you try to reach them and uncuff their chains. I know it sounds dangerous, but we need to try."
Jazz reluctantly nods her head in reply. Jazz then flies to the counter while no one is looking. Maria looks out to see Sonic and Eve still rather chained up. Bean continues to pull on Sonic's ear and smile.
"Bean, cut that out!" Eve sternly says.
Suddenly, a soft voice says, "Um excuse me, can you um, let go of my friends."
Everyone in the room turns their heads to see the blonde hedgehog, that is a big shock for the two hedgehogs being held captive.
"Maria?!" Eve says, shocked
"What are you doing here?" Sonic asks.
Sleuth smirks and says, "So this is the rescue team, a little blonde hedgehog?"
"Um, yes. I've come to rescue my friends. Please, let them go, or you'll be in trouble. And um, when my friends arrive," Maria says, trying to sound brave, but also very nervous.
Bean then runs over and hugs Maria, "Aww, isn't she the cutest, adorable, yellow, sweetest, and cuddliest little blonde hedgehog you've ever seen."
"Uh… um.. Thank you," Maria says, confused.
Bean then turns to Nack, "Oh, can we keep her boss? She can be our mascot. I'll feed her and take her for walks, and name her um, Mary."
"Mary?" Sonic says, confused.
Eve sternly says, "Bean! She's not a pet, you, you lunkhead!"
"Um, my name is Maria. Not Mary," Maria says.
"Who cares, you're still cute and adorable," Bean says, snuggling Maria's cheek with his own.
Nack then drags him away, making him let go, "Knock it off, Beam. We have no time for your brand of crazy today."
"Relax. It's just a little girl, it's not like she can do much," Sleuth says.
Then the other Destructix walks over to Maria as the little hedgehog becomes frightened. Unknown to them, Jazz is able to sneak past them as she brings out a knife.
Eve whispers, "Hey Jazz, you plan to get us out?"
"Chao," Jazz softly answers with a nod.
Jazz then begins to work on the lock with the knife. At the same time, The Destructix and Hooligans are starting to give poor Maria a hard time.
Predator asks, "So what do we do with the kid?"
"I must agree. Since she knows Sonic and Eve. It will assume that she knows the Freedom Fighters. it won't be a matter of time before they show up as well," Lightning Lynx says.
"So what do we do with her?" Nack asks.
"We'll just simply keep her here. She's not part of our payroll, but we don't want her telling anyone. Besides, what kind of trouble can she give us?" Sleuth says.
Maria brings up some courage, "I'm… I'm brave. I… I think… no… I will stop you and you will release my friends."
Soon, the mercenaries begin to laugh and that makes Maria a little discouraged to see them laughing at her. As they laugh, Jazz is able to unlock the cuffs and shackles from Eve and from Sonic's legs. Now Jazz begins to use the knife to unlock the chains from Sonic's wrists.
"Alright kid, you best get comfortable cause you're not leaving this place," Sleuth says.
Just then, Predator grads her by her arm and tries to pull her away. Suddenly, Eve jumps at Predator and slams her foot at his face, forcing him to let Maria go. Then Eve lands in front of her, causing Maria to be surprised. At the same time, Sonic's cuffs from his wrists are finally off.
Sonic laughs and says, "I think you discover one of Eve's rules: Never attack or scare Maria."
Sonic spin dashes at Simian and lams him to the wall.
He then grabs Bean and slides him on the table shouting, "Order's up!"
Bean screams, "Wheeeee!"
Then Bean slams to the wall and wishes his beak stuck in it. Eve then kicks Drago in the face and then spin dashes Bark. Sonic and Eve continue to attack the Destructix and the Hooligans until they are all knocked out.
Eve turns to Maria, and asks, "Are you okay, Maria? They didn't hurt you?"
Maria shakes her head.
Then happily says, "Thank you for saving me."
"Hey, we're the one who is thanking you for the rescue. How did you get here?" Sonic says.
"And where's Shadow and the others?" Eve asks.
Maria blushes and says, "Well… they didn't know I was even here… I kind of stowed away in the Destructix and Hooligans truck."
"You did what?!" Eve asks, shocked.
"And no one has any idea you were even in there?" Sonic asks.
"No. I thought maybe I can see what they're doing and um, want to be a part of the team. I didn't do so well did I," Maria says, feeling a little sad.
"It's okay Maria. You did your best, but I was very worried when you were trying to take on those jerks. The Destructix and the Hooligans are very dangerous mercenaries," Eve says.
"I know. I'm sorry. Shadow and the others probably know that I'm gone by now. They must be so worried," Maria says.
"What matters is that Maria and Jazz ended up rescuing us and I think we need to complain to the management," Sonic says.
Eve firmly says, "Actually no."
"No? Why not? We can't be bullied by him knowing he's free to attack us anytime," Sonic says.
"I know. I don't like it either. I just… don't want to deal with him more than we already have. He already put Mina, Tails, and Mighty involved in his threat against the both of us, and I don't plan for him to do the same with Maria," Eve says.
Sonic sighs and admits, "You're right about that. It would be bad if Maria ended up being involved in this fight. I don't even think Mogul even knows she's here. So it's probably best to leave it the way it is."
Then Sonic places his hand on Eve's shoulder, "But still, I don't like it either, especially what he put you through, but I guess it is for the best to leave as soon as possible."
"Thanks Sonic. Now let's get out of here before Mogul found out what we did to this place," Eve says.
"Yeah. He won't like the party we trashed," Sonic says.
Suddenly, Bocoe walks over and asks, "What about me?"
"Well. Since you're not working for Eggman and you're a waiter, we won't beat you or anything. Can you at least promise us to not tell Mogul until we're going. I like to get my friend as far from here as possible," Eve says.
"No promises on how long until Mogul will discover you're gone, but I'll see what happens," Bocoe says.
"Thanks," Eve says.
In the Casino Night Club, the people and Mobians who come to the casino are having a great time. At the same time, robots are serving them food and drinks. The door that leads to the Bar and Grill opens and Sonic sticks his head out.
He looks around a little and whispers, "Okay, the coast is clear."
Sonic then walks out with Eve, Maria, and Jazz walking out from behind. Jazz closes the door behind her and sits on Eve's shoulder.
Maria looks around as she says, "This place is still looking very big to me."
"I remember coming here a long time ago when Eggman ran this place. But we need to be quiet. We don't want Mogul to see us," Eve says.
"Right," Maria says.
The three hedgehogs and Chao calmly walk through the crowd and try their best not to catch their enemy's attention. Unknown to them, Rouge and Geoffrey notice Sonic, Eve, Maria, and Jazz leaving the room and secretly walking through the crowd.
"Hmm, something's up," Rouge says.
"Something has. It will be best to see what all this is about," Geoffrey says.
Rouge and Geoffrey begin to follow the three hedgehogs and Chao. Unknown to them, Mogul is standing a short distance away to see Sonic and Eve are able to get out and to have an unknown hedgehog with them. He decides to use this to his advantage.
Soon outside the casino, Sonic, Eve, Maria and Jazz are able to get out of the casino.
"Well that was close," Eve says.
"I have to agree. I don't like just leaving without saying a word, but it will be a good idea to get Maria out of here and back home," Sonic says.
"Yeah. I just want to leave before he finds out we got out and see what we did," Eve says.
Suddenly, someone says, "A little late on that my dear."
The three hedgehogs and Chao quickly turn around to see Mammoth Mogul. Eve quickly acts and stands in front of Maria and prepares to take her sword out. Sonic is also ready to fight back in case Mogul tries something.
"Do calm yourselves, I don't have much intention of fighting you. However, I do have to question what the ruckus was about," Mogul says.
Sonic quickly confronts him, "As if you didn't know. You have your delivery boys abduct me and my sister."
"You seem quick to judge, boy. I didn't have any involvement with whoever you speak of," Mogul says.
"Then why did you have the Destructix and the Hooligans target us?! And have us placed in your bar. Our friend was nearly attacked by them because of you," Sonic angrily says.
Mogul himself is rather confused, but soon notices the young blonde hedgehog behind Eve, who seems to be very protective of her.
"Well, we can have young kids snooping around," Sleuth says, walking out of the casino.
Soon enough, Shadow and the others are able to reach the casino to see the three hedgehogs and Chao are out and are being confronted by Mogul. The three hedgehogs and Chao turn their heads to see the others.
"Shadow. Sally. Guys," Eve says.
"Sonic," Amy quickly says, and hugs Sonic.
Shadow quickly comes to Eve and Maria, "Are you alright?"
"We're fine," Eve says.
They soon hear Mogul questions, "Sleuth… what have you been using the old bar for?"
The three hedgehogs and Chao turn to see the villains with confused expressions.
"Oh, nothing much. Just using your old bar to keep these two hedgehogs down there until we can figure out what to do with them, but we ended up with a stowaway in the process. We were going to make sure she sticks around," Sleuth says with a smirk on his face.
"You can drop the act Mogul, we know that you hired those creeps," Sonic angrily says.
"Well then, where is your proof? Do you have any proof I hired them?" Mogul calmly questions.
Sonic and the others look rather dumbfounded. They have no evidence that he hired them, but they feel that they know he has.
"I suspect as much. I suggest you all will take your life. I have business elsewhere," Mogul says.
Shadow begins to walk over, "You expect us to believe anything you and Sleuth say…"
Before he can press further, someone grabs his wrist. Shadow turns to see it's Eve. She has her head lowered and has her hand gripping his arm.
"Eve?" Sonic says, confused.
Eve softly says, "Can we just go?"
Shadow sees the sadness, concern, and fear in her eyes.
Shadow sighs and tells the others, "Come on, let's just get back to the city."
"I have to agree," Sonia says, walking to Eve and Maria.
Manic says, "Come on, let's go."
Sonia and Manic help Eve and Maria into their ride as Sonic and the others follow. Shadow turns his head to Mogul and gives him a vicious glare. Then Shadow heads off with the others. Soon, the group are heading back to the city and to get away from the Casino as possible.
Sleuth then questions, "You sure about letting those guys go? That Shadow guy seems to have it in for you, especially with that vicious glare."
"Yes. We accomplish our objective, and it seems that we gain a bit of knowledge from this," Mogul says.
Then turns to Sletuh, "That young blonde hedgehog Eve seems to be very protective of... she's his girl, Maria Robotnik, correct?"
"Yeah. From what I heard she's actually related to Eggman and a very close friend to those two black and red hedgehogs," Sleuth answers.
Mogul simply says, "That is all I need to know."
Sometime later, everyone is able to get back to New Mobotropolis without too much trouble. However, they still can't get over how their enemies are able to get the drop on them from earlier and yet, they're able to get away scott free. Rouge and Geoffrey join them sometime later.
Geoffrey says, "Don't take it too hard, mates. So the Big Bloke got to poke some fun. Everyone got out safe and sound and that's what counts."
"I guess so, but I just can't believe all that happened. The Destructix and the Hooligans got the drop on us and caught us, and Maria and Jazz were almost put in danger," Eve says.
Shadow turns to Maria, "She is right, what you did was reckless and dangerous."
"Sorry," Maria says, feeling guilty.
Shadow then places his hand on Maria's shoulder, "Sonic and Eve told us that you wanted to help us, but how about next time, don't try to do those kinds of missions on your own. There are still powerful threats here."
"Faker is right, but we had some laughs and knocked some heads. And I'm not being used to being rescued," Sonic says.
"Yeah. I was actually worried, and yet, proud that you decided to try to help us. But I'll feel much better when you're with some backup next time," Eve says.
Maria smiles and says, "Right."
"Well the good news, we manage to get back in one pieces," Amy says.
"The bad news is that Mogul and those mercenaries are still free. We need to keep an extra close eye on them in case they begin to start trouble," Sally says.
"You're right. We also still need to worry about Eggman and his robot," Eve says.
Sonic lays on his back and says, "Well, this was an eventful day. On the plus side… today can't get any crazier."
"With our line of life and work, things always get crazy," Eve says.
Eve then lays down and begins to shut her eyes. She is tired after a long day. Maria does the same and falls asleep too.
Somewhere far over the ocean and past the city of Soleanna, there is an abandoned building that looks like it hasn't been touched in centuries. Inside one of the buildings, it has ancient machines and equipment with old wires and other machinery. It looks like an old lab.
On the table there are a few papers and ancient manuscripts along with herbs, liquid and cups, and other strange items. There are footsteps entering the room and showing glowing green eyes. The being has a few black chalks and looks around the room.
The creature says, "Soon… I will have everything I need to revive Iblis. And soon, we will become whole. However. I just need two more things for the ritual to work."
Suddenly, the creature steps into a small bit of light to reveal a hedgehog that looks like Shadow, but has pale muzzle, blue highlights, and glowing green eyes. That being is Mephiles.
With an evil smirk, he says, "A pair of souls… and a vessel for Iblis…"
He then maniacally laughs for he is close to get what he needs to become whole.