Chapter Twelve – The Mobian Authorities
There was always plenty to do there, and Sukko found himself spending all of his time at the Loading Bay. His Telekinesis proving vital. Nobody feared it, and actually people were asking for it. Soon Sukko was creating his own group of friends, just like Sonic had, except Sukko's were largely about pulling pranks with his Magic. He was very reluctant as first, but when he insisted no one would get hurt, he agreed. It made the Loading Bay work very fun, and even better when Sonic was the victim, the butt of the joke, when he came back for a visit. They were outside the Restoration, in the warm daylight, watching the trucks come and go. It was the first time since Eggman's death, that Sukko had stepped foot outside of the Restoration. Sonic was glad to see that Sukko had settled in so well, and told him that their campaign had gathered steam.
Suddenly Sukko was surrounded by people wanting more Magic, but Sonic immediately stopped them. Sukko was staring into the distance. Sonic instantly recognised the look. His Telepathy was being triggered. There was a road that ran into front of the Loading Bay. Suddenly a completely blacked-out van drove past them at top speed, and sprayed them all with bullets from a sub-machine gun out of an open window.
"Get Down!" Sonic cried, but Sukko got there first. He'd seen them coming, and had built up the Chaos Power inside of himself, for what he was about to so. He raised both his hands and pushed his Magical Telekinesis as hard as he could. He surrounded them all with his luminescent vapour of bright blue hue. He caught all the bullets, easily enough. But stopping a speeding bullet dead, takes an enormous amount of force. It was the reason why Silver didn't bother, he just diverted them. Sukko didn't have that luxury, to many people about. He groaned at his pushed his Magic hard against the bullets. He screamed with anger, closing his eyes until finally they had all come to a complete stop, hovering just inches from his hands. He looked up, panting and now smirking.
Immediately, the others backed off from Sukko, including Sonic, at such a demonstration of sheer power. He was growling under his breath. He walked out onto the road, the bullets still hovering at his hands. He let go, and they fell to the ground. Sukko noticed the black van was parked some distance away, watching the whole thing, and upon seen Sukko's immense show of strength, immediately fled. Sukko's anger was getting the better of him, but someone stopped him. It was Sonic, panting down the Psychic Link.
{Sukko. No.} He warned. Sukko growled. He had the speed. Sonic had taught him that. He could have caught them. He could have destroyed them, for putting so many people in danger. But Sonic grabbed his arm.
{Sukko. Do this and you'll never get your freedom.} He spat. Sukko stopped, Sonic was right. Heroes don't attack. Defending yourself was one thing, but outright brutally attacking the enemy was another and something Sonic never did. Sukko, however, was still fuming. Sonic tried to ease his anger.
{Look, I'm follow them.} He suggested, and immediately vanished in cloud of dust, speeding away, as Sukko was grabbed and ushered back into the Restoration. He didn't stop them. That was because he'd noticed something. The drain, or more specificity, the lack of it. After that show of immense power, he should be struggling to stay awake, but nothing. Sukko had noticed his powers had been growing almost exponentially since his arrival here, for what seemed like an age ago. But now he was worried. The world was finally trusting him as a Sorcerer, but what if he was just too powerful? It was a problem that Shadow was well know for having, it took him years to find acceptance. Time Sukko suspected he didn't have. He remembered that he'd told himself that he was going to do this without using Magic. But they were trying to kill him, and didn't care who got caught in the crossfire. Time to change his mind. He had an idea.
As soon he was cleared as fine, by the Doctor, at the Sick Bay, and finally alone, he contacted Sonic. From the sound of his voice in reply, he was some distance away.
{I've followed the black van all the way back to the Mobian Authorities' Headquarters.} He spat. {I knew it was them.} He growled. Sukko rolled his eyes.
{Take that as given.} He shrugged. {Can you sneak in?} He asked. Sonic was shocked. That wasn't the plan. Sukko tried to calm him.
{Look, they have just tried to kill us. How long before they try again? Will they go for you alone? We can dodge the bullets, but not those around us. Someone is going to get killed. We have to speed this up.} He argued. Sonic sighed. He agreed.
{What did you have in mind?} He asked. Sukko gritted his teeth.
{Do you trust me?} He asked. But Sonic giggled in response.
{Yes, you idiot.} He laughed but Sukko was unimpressed.
{No. Do you trust me?} He growled. The tone of Sukko's voice in his head, scared Sonic. He gulped.
{Sukko, what are you planning?} He stammered. Sukko rolled his eyes.
{No, I'm not going to kill anyone, so don't panic, but our campaign had been great and the petition that Jewel put together got over a million signatures.} He said, but Sonic cut across him.
{Wow.} He gasped. But Sukko continued with his plan.
{But that's only half the story. That many signatures will trigger a debate in the Mobian Authorities, over the law's change.} He said. Sonic immediately growled.
{They will never agree to it.} He spat. But Sukko smirked. The Mobian Authorities had every right to turn down any debate.
{Not if we get into the chamber and subtly influence the result. Then they will have no choice.} He leered. But Sonic was shocked.
{But Sukko, you don't have the power to mentally control that many people plus your stuck at the Restoration.} He stammered. Sukko rolled his eyes, again. Sonic had obviously forgotten the Telepathic mental manipulation incident he'd had not long after his reveal. Oh, yes, he did have the power, and as for being stuck at the Restoration...
{Sonic, my powers have been growing exponentially since I came here. I don't know what's going on, but I believe I don't have much time. I have the power to influence them, and as for being stuck here, I can channel the Chaos Sorcery through you, down the Psychic Link. That's why I asked you to trust me.} He panted. Sonic was stunned and fell silence. There was a long pause. Too long. Sukko was beginning to believe he'd gone to far with his brother. But Sonic actually agreed with him and as to Sukko powers, he to had felt the increase. This was Sukko's only chance for freedom. He sighed and finally answered.
{What do I have to do?} He asked.
The plan was for Sonic to sneak into the building and find out when the debate over the Chaos Sorcery was to take place. To their relief, it was that evening so not long to wait. Then Sonic had to find a way into the empty Chamber and hide. Somewhere safe, where he could hunker down, as he knew having that much Magic flow through him, was going to exhaust him and quickly. Sonic was somewhat excited. He's always wondered what the Magic really felt like. His ability to Teleport, was over so quickly, that he didn't really feel anything, just the drain afterwards. He got into position and waited.
Sukko had a bit of time to kill, and realised that they couldn't do this alone. He ran the Main Control Room, to find it empty, Jewel was elsewhere. Perfect, the less that was known the better, and got onto the phone, using the computer console to look up the number. The person on the other end, were confused at first, but then were more then happy to help them in out in their predicament. Satisfied, Sukko hung up and went somewhere in the Restoration where he could concentrate in peace and not be disturbed. As Sukko was about to set up, he heard Sonic down the Psychic Link.
{I'm bored, now!} He said, impatiently. Sukko giggled.
{Just hang in there.} He smiled. {I know this isn't the high octane fight your used to, but trust me on this.} He sighed. Then Sonic suddenly perked up.
{Hey, we've got movement. The chamber is filling up with people.} He hissed. Sukko smirked.
{Showtime.} He announced, and he concentrated. Sonic could just about overhear the debate in the chamber. It was indeed about the law on banning Chaos Sorcery. But there was no debate, as suspected. It quickly went to a vote to keep the law or not. It was a simply matter of formality for them. Sonic panicked.
{Quickly, Sukko, they are already voting!} He hissed. Sukko swore, and increased the Magic hundred fold, but instead of sending out into the world around him, he turned it inward, sending it straight down the Psychic Link and Sonic.
He groaned and swore, very loudly, as the Magic hit him and hard, with Sukko telling him to keep quiet. The power and the energy was so strong that Sonic had grit his teeth to stop himself from screaming. On his hands and knees, violently shaking, his entire body was covered in the luminescent vapour of bright blue hue. The Magic was so wild, untamed and so unpredictable that he was unable to control any of it. But that was where Sukko came in. As though reaching through the Psychic Link itself, Sonic felt his brother's touch, and witnessed him beautifully and delicately control the Magic sending it into the Chamber so subtly, that nobody noticed it's presence. Sonic was amazed. He knew Sukko was good, but not this good. All he had to do was maintain the vessel, and stay awake, which with the drain, was getting harder by the minute. He watched stunned, as the thin slivers of Magic went into the Chamber and into the minds of those attending, gently influencing the vote. Absolutely nobody knew.
Within minutes, the votes had been electronically cast, and the results would automatically write or rewrite any laws. Laws the Mobian Authorities were bound by. With the vote cast, Sukko immediately pulled all the Magic from Sonic, but he was left extremely dizzy with the drain. He groaned, as he was severely struggled to stay awake. He vaguely remembered Sukko telling him to {Get out!}, but everything became so blurry and hazy, that he couldn't recall. He did remember a lot of noise, of shouting, and of the chamber emptying of people.
Suddenly he was being grabbed by the scruff of his neck and pulled through a secret doorway. The extremely large Dog in a long black gown, grabbed Sonic by the middle and muzzle, so he couldn't move or speak. The drain was so bad, that Sonic couldn't have fought back even if he wanted to. He spoke to Sonic in a rough, deep, whisper as he carried him down one secret passageway after another.
"I don't know what you did up there, but they are not happy at all. Thankfully, their hands are now tied." He sighed. "I have to admit, I am a fan of yours, but I'm surprised to see you here, as your not the one with the Magic. But hell, who cares, I'm getting paid." He added. Then he stopped, by a wall, and pulled a lever. A secret doorway, suddenly appeared, opening up onto the now dark, outside world. Sonic was thrust through it, in return for a large quantity on money, and the door immediately slammed shut, the Dog disappearing.
Someone caught Sonic the other side of the door, picked him up and carried him off, as quickly as possible. Sonic didn't find out who, as he passed out at that point. He came too a few days later, not at the Restoration, but at somewhere he did instantly recognise. The Chaotix Detective Agency at Sunset City. To say Sonic was confused was an understatement, and he wasn't the only one. Vector rounded on him.
"Ok." He spat. "We're asked to go to the Mobian Authorities to rescue one Sorcerer, and come back with one Speedster." He huffed. "Our contact at the Authority didn't understand it either, but thankfully, he didn't any ask questions." He added. Sonic giggled, thinking back to the large Dog. Not the first time a 'fan' of his had gone out of their way for him. But now he understood, who was at the door waiting for them. The Chaotix, and Vector being to one who carried him home. He should have seen it, paying people was very much their style of working.
As for rescuing the wrong Hedgehog, Sonic asked the Chaotix, who original asked them to help. Vector shrugged.
"No idea who he was, just that the Sorcerer had been captured, and sent to the Mobian Authorities. He also said that was about to be either murdered or turned in the main chamber. He sounded desperate, as he didn't want you involved out of fear of you being captured, so we agreed." He signed. Sonic stared and then began pacing the room, rubbing his eyes. He ran his fingers through his quills on his head and swore, very loudly. They all stared, Vector putting his hands over Charmy's ears.
"Sonic! Language!" He spat. "We have a kid in here." He said, stunned. Sonic was heaving at just how sly someone could be. They all stared at him. Sonic gritted his teeth.
"I think a certain brother of mine has been messing you about. He prayed on how much you cared for me, to help him." He growled. Sonic was somewhat shocked by this level of deception from Sukko. But it was not unheard of, it was just was extremely rare. With him working in Intelligence, especially when Eggman was around, he would do anything to get the job done, short, of course, of seriously hurting someone. Lying and bruising a few egos was perfectly acceptable.
Sonic knew why he'd done it. Sukko didn't want to tell Vector the truth of what was really going on. He genuinely had, at the time of the phone call, no idea if their scheme would even work. He didn't know the Choatix even though Sonic had spoken very highly of them. Would they come through on their agreement? Would they rescue him? It was a long shot. Sukko suspected that if he told the Choatix the truth, that Sonic was the one in the Mobian Authorities, then that would have caused outright panic, and would have gotten more people involved then was necessary. What Sukko needed, was a subtle go in, a quick grab, and a get out. Saying that he was the one who was captured would trigger such as rescue, especially due to the law surrounding Chaos Sorcery. Thankfully, they were three Detectives of their word. But Espio frowned.
"Yes." He agreed. "But that doesn't explain why you were there, and he was not." He exclaimed. Espio was right. No, it didn't. But then Espio growled. "Where is he anyway?" He demanded. Sonic rolled his eyes.
"Sukko. Safe at the Restoration." He huffed. Vector got off his chair and marched up to the Blue Blur.
"So why were you at the Mobian Authorities?" He grilled. Sonic scoffed.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He sniggered. He barely believed it himself. He was still trying to process it. The sheer raw power of the Chaos Sorcery. The Magic and Sukko's incredible ability to wield it. It completely overwhelmed him. The most similar thing he could think of was a Super Transformation, with all seven Chaos Emeralds. But that power was very streamlined, linear, pure, not the extremely wild nature of the Magic, but it was effectively the same stuff. Chaos Energy. Now Sonic understood why Sukko couldn't wield the Chaos Emeralds, it was simply to much, on top of the Magic, for one person to handle. He also now understood Sukko's struggle with it, and finally got why he was the way he was. The Magic took so much out of you, that you craved simple peace and rest.
Sonic told the Chaotix what happened at the Mobian Authorities, and he was right, they didn't believe him. No one was that good. He sighed, then suddenly a news bulletin showed on the television behind Vector's desk, who immediately grabbed the remote and turned the volume up. The news reader was a mouse in rather nice grey suit. He read the news, completely straight faced, looking directly at the camera.
"Breaking News. They are calling it the 'Power of the People' today, as literally just now, released by the Mobian Authorities, Chaos Sorcery is now legal. It had been more then fifty years since the ban was introduced. Today, cheers erupted as the Sukko The Hedgehog, brother to the famous Sonic The Hedgehog, Mobius' last Sorcerer, and the Hedgehog behind Eggman's defeat, was able to leave the Restoration today, finally free to use his powers." He smirked. The news reader looked very happy at that.
The news then moved to a camera was right outside of the Restoration, showing Sukko impressively taking to the sky, a Sonic Boom behind him. Sonic was dumbfounded.
It worked.
They had actually done it.