Chapter 6: Saving Fiona
2 HOURS LATER
Sleuth Dogg has successfully driven his 4x4 truck through the very long underground tunnel that connects Marble Zone to Green Hill Zone, without attracting the attention of any police. Once they had gotten out of the tunnel, Dogg pulled over and forced Manic to drive the rest of the way to the jail. Scourge sat directly behind Manic, Dogg in the passenger seat and Tails behind him. The green hedgehog had never driven any vehicle that's been modified to this extent, but seeing as he and Tails are currently being held at gun point, he knows he'd better learn fast.
Along the way, Manic decides to make small talk since the was a notable absence of a radio.
"...so, whose the lucky guy?" Manic asks, getting a death stare from Dogg in return "What I meant by that is, who are we breaking out?"
The Hitman leans back in his seat "An old acquaintance. That's all you gotta know"
"Sounds fun. Hey, why is this truck carrying concealed assault rifles hidden in the side skirts?"
Scourge meets Dogg's worried gaze in the rear view mirror before answering
"That easy to tell huh"
"Jeez, it's a wonder how no cops stopped us back there! I mean, based on the bullet proof metal plates all along the body and the illegally modified fun-switch beside the steering column - I'd say you've got your hands on an armoured shit wagon"
"Well, let's just say we're being cautious, in case of attack" Dogg says
Manic glances at him "...that's happened before?"
"Yep. Somebody really doesn't like us, believe it or not"
"Now, who couldn't fall in love with you two class acts..."
Scourge sits up "Wait, you said this was a shit wagon, why's that?"
Tails pokes the barred windows "Probably because this thing is so weighed-down by all the plates that a station wagon could do better numbers than what we're doing"
"Yeah, exactly"
"Look, you focus on the driving and you get that SAGE program ready to work, nerd" Dogg orders
Tails sits back "How'd you know I had-"
"Everybody talks, kid. Even 'ol Warwick"
Manic growls upon hearing that name "How come I knew that pencil-pushing ding dong was involved in this?..."
Scourge puts his feet up on the driver's seat, on both sides of Manic's head "Warwick's got his hand in everyone's basket, shitstick. Only a matter of time before he catches up to you"
"Yeah, forcing me to help break one of your drinking pals out of jail doesn't help either, grease ball!"
"Bloodmoon ain't a friend, she's a piece of the plan that'll be swapped out once she's outlived her purpose-"
Dogg looks back "Don't give them any names, for FUCK sake!"
"What's it matter anyway? Not like they're gonna be around after we're done here"
Manic looks in the rear view mirror and watches Scourge pull out an extended clip Uzi from a gym bag
"...yeah, that's right. And my associate has one, as well. You two stick to the plan, and I'll consider letting you go without a couple bullets. So play nice and everybody gets to go home safe"
"So, just to recap: you kidnapped us, are forcing us to break some Bloodmoon girl outta jail and you're THINKING about letting us go, is that right?"
Scourge and Dogg nod
"Pretty much"
"Yeah"
"Man, you guys really are some intrepid fellows"
Dogg looks up "I feel like that's an insult, but I'm not sure-"
"Ah, you can never tell with this green buttplug. It's best to just roll with the punches" Scourge says
"Whatever. Take this off ramp and go straight up that hill. That's our entry point"
"That's a grass hill I'm looking at, Dogg, the fuck do you mean entry point?"
"Just do it"
"...there's a razor wire fence up that hill, isn't there-"
"There is a razor wire fence up there, yeah, now gun the gas pedal!"
Scourge turns to Tails "Use that hacker to knock out the jail's security system"
The fox types on the A.I device "Okay, just stop waving that gun in my face!..."
The armoured truck barrels off the highway road and up the grass hill at 60 miles per hour, then immediately breaks through a locked chain link fence. The razor wire scrapes along the sides of the bullet proof plates, causing Tails to move away from the barred window.
Upon entering the jail's recreation yard, dozens and dozens of police officers open fire on Dogg's 4x4 but the machine keeps racing across the dirt towards the main building. The bullets rattle off the bullet proof glass and plates so hard, the truck shakes everytime it's hit.
Scourge passes a black metal riot shield to Dogg in the passenger seat, then the Hitman picks up his grenade launcher.
"Get us as close to the front gates as possible, then stop the truck but keep the engine running. I can remotely lock the doors once we jump out. This is straight in and out, so don't die or get busted" Dogg orders while loading his weapon
"Oh gee, when you put it like that, it makes so much sense!..." Manic says sarcastically
"Just stay behind us and you'll be fine" Scourge says through an evil smile
Dogg opens his door and fires off two grenades, knocking most of the cops off their feet immediately. The ground shakes as the Hitman clears a path for the group, forcing the cops to retreat around the building.
Inside, the technicians try to sound the alarms but their security system has been disabled by Tails' SAGE program. They try desperately to reboot but nothing will work.
Dogg enters the jail first "Nerd, you're with me! Now!"
Tails flies over "I guess that means me..."
Scourge and Manic run inside and slam the front gates shut
"You guys are FUCKING INSANE!" Manic shouts
Scourge scoffs "Call us what you will, you know you'd do the same if you had to"
Manic gets back to his feet and is handed a machine gun
"I'm not shooting anyone, asshole"
Scourge grins "We're on crowd control. I'm only asking you to pop a cap if anybody tries to be a hero"
"You got a funny way of asking-"
Both green hedgehogs aim their weapons at each other once again
"Your little girlfriend Cee wouldn't like my associate coming to pay her a visit if you did that"
Manic's eyes widen "What did you just say?!"
Scourge puts his gun down "If I don't get outta here, or I go down, Dogg is gonna find your girlfriend and kill her. Does that make more sense"
"You're nothing but a scumbag piece of shit, Scourge"
"It's called a contingency. And don't think that's my only card, either. I know about your family in Mushroom Hill, so don't screw around"
The evil hedgehog shoulder blocks past Manic and he reluctantly follows behind.
On the other side of the jail, Dogg fires warning shots at the guards down these hallways and protects Tails with the riot shield as a hail of gun fire erupts. The Fox uses his hacking device to turn out the lights and distract the guards while Dogg non-lethally takes them down. The smell of blood causes Tails to gag as he walks past the downed guards and through the halls behind the Hitman.
"...where are we going?" Tails asks
"The server room, first, then after you do your magic with that A.I, we'll know which cell is where" Dogg replies while dragging two unconscious guards to a jail cell
He throws them in, takes their guns and slams the gate shut
"I want you to search for a Maggie Bloodmoon in their database. That's who we're here for"
Tails looks inside the next jail cell over, noticing it's all female inmates
"...oh Christ, are you telling me we just broke into-"
"A GOD DAMN WOMEN'S JAIL?!" Manic exclaims "You're kidding me, right? This is so messed up!"
"Relax. It's only one broad, not the whole place. I thought you would've liked it better, anyway" Scourge says
He pushes wounded guards inside a large holding cell and slams the gate. The cell is over crowded and a few female inmates start pulling out their sharpened weapons.
"You ladies play nice, now!" Scourge laughs "...best place in the world to be. Women's lockup, am I right"
Manic looks away from him "Fuck yourself!..."
The two hedgehogs begin walking the halls once more
"Alright, so what I did to you last year was wrong, sue me"
"You killed Cass, you murdering bastard, I have nothing to say to you, Scourge"
"Look, it's not like you loved her, right? She sure as hell didn't love you-"
Manic throws Scourge against a cell "You got into her head and manipulated her because thats what you do! Yes, I did love her, and you ruined that for me, then you MURDERED her!"
Scourge looks down for a moment, then back up once he thinks of a response
"...yeah, I guess I am pretty good at that, eh"
Manic lifts his fist and Scourge sticks his chin out
"Go ahead, gimme a little WHACK! I'm sure what's her face - Mitzi would love to meet Dogg with that same attitude"
Manic releases the evil hedgehog and heads for the end of the hallway
"Good move, shitstick" Scourge says as he fixes his jacket
"Scourge?" A female voice calls out
The evil hedgehog tries to ignores this, but curiosity gets the better of him. He walks over to this cell, one with a bullet proof glass door instead of metal bars.
On the other side of the glass stands Fiona Fox in an orange jumpsuit.
"Fiona, babe, I heard you were eating out of the chain gang's hands, in this facility. I like the suit, really brings out the blue in your eyes. Ooh, and by the looks of it, hands aren't the only thing you've been eating out"
"Fuck you, I'm not a lesbian. What are you doing here? You'd better not be here for me, I told you we're FINISHED! I never wanna see you again!" Fiona shouts
Scourge laughs "She thought I was actually here to break her out, that's rich. Hey Shitstick! Come over here and say hi to the girl I used to plow on the daily!"
Manic pushes open the hallway doors "I'd rather just get this done and over with-"
Scourge lifts his gun "I think we got time for introductions"
Manic sighs and makes his way back down the hall, dragging his feet like an annoyed child would. He reaches the cell and his eyes widen
"Oh, hey, you're uh - Foxy Lady! I remember you!"
"You're one of Miles' friends! Manic, that's right!" Fiona says "What're you doing with this slime ball?"
"Oh, you know, he abducted me and Tails to help him break some chick outta jail. The usual"
"Miles is with you?!"
Scourge pushes Manic forward "I think we'll end this conversation right here. Gimme that gun back, now, and let's move"
The fox bangs against the glass "Manic, you have to help me escape! This bastard will kill you and Miles once you leave!"
Manic looks back but Scourge shakes his head no ashe takes the Uzi
"I'm sorry, lady, but I - can't"
"PLEASE!"
"He's got someone I care about, Fiona ...sorry"
"Manic, you can't trust him! He'll kill you!" Fiona desperately shouts
Manic stops abruptly, causing Scourge to push him with the barrel of his Uzi
"I said leave the bitch! Move!"
We'll come back for you, Foxy. I promise...
As both green hedgehogs make their way through the halls, Sleuth Dogg and Tails have tracked down Maggie Bloodmoon's jail cell and freed her.
A short female hedgehog with auburn hair stands face to face with the large hitman, and teenage fox behind him.
"Hello Sleuth. It's been awhile" Maggie says
"Yeah, it's been about 2 years since you had Enerjak shoot me in the head" Dogg responds "I remember that night like it was yesterday, you bitch"
"I missed you, too. Ooh, whose your friend? Wait - is that who I think it is?"
Maggie playfully pinches Tails' cheek, making him look away
"Miles Prower, Maggie Bloodmoon. Now let's move"
"You're even cuter in person, Mr. Prower. You look so innocent, what are you doing with this monstrosity?"
Tails sighs "He ambushed me while I was walking home from school. Told my friends it was a prank and they laughed. I wasn't laughing so much when Scourge put a black bag over my head and knocked me out..."
Maggie turns back to Dogg "You're working with that snake, again? Thought you would've learned your lesson last time"
"Well, seeing as three quarters of The Destructix are either dead or incarcerated, I had no other choice but team with the green slime ball"
Maggie laughs "Yeah, then me and Harris took the gang over and put you guys outta business"
"And look where you two ended up. Oh, right! Harris is dead and you're rotting in jail! But thanks to me, you're walking outta here, and it'll be you begging, from now on"
"Yeah, no, I don't think so. Dogs beg, not queens like me"
Tails steps between them "Can you guys kill each other after we get outta here? I don't wanna be around when those guards wake up!"
Dogg points towards the hallway door "Move, bitch"
"Whatever..."
As the trio go through the halls, something crosses Tails' mind and he decides to ask, knowing he most likely won't get a chance to again.
"...I get how you and Scourge found me, but how did you guys find Manic? He was off the radar for well over three months!"
Dogg spits on the ground as he walks "There are a lot of rats in Springyard City, but none more so than the hustlers your boy has crossed. I'll leave it up to you idiots to figure out the rest"
The trio meets Scourge and Manic in the final corridor before the front gates, and they look outside to see what they're up against.
By now, the jail guards who fled have now surrounded the only exit Dogg's group can take, and Tails' SAGE program is able to intercept police transmissions. He reads the screen to see exactly what's been intercepted and shakes his head nervously.
"...they've just called in SWAT and air support. War Choppers"
Scourge slightly peaks his head out the window to get a good look, only to be shot at immediately. The bullet proof glass saves him from taking a head shot and he backs away.
"Okay, so they're not screwing around, out there. But we've still got the advantage" Scourge points out
"What's that?" Manic asks
"It's dark out, their backup ain't here yet and we've still got a whole gym bag full of ammo. If we can clear some space and get inside the truck, we can slip into the darkness and then we're home free" Dogg answers
Maggie bites her lip nervously "...I really hope you boys know what you're doing, I had 13 months left on my sentence and I don't plan on dying in here!"
Manic faces Tails "Bro, your girlfriend is in here"
"Fiona?!"
"Yeah. She asked me to help her escape. Said our boys are gonna clip us anyway if we help them, so... I'm down for either option, but it's your call"
It takes Tails 3 seconds to decide
Fuck it
He hacks into the jail's power system and shuts off all the lights, giving Manic a split second opportunity to strike.
"NOOOOO!" Scourge shouts
He turns his uzi towards the fox, but Manic is just quick enough to push the barrel towards the gates. Scourge pulls the trigger and accidentally shoots Dogg in the back of both of his legs, earning a loud pained howl. He falls to one knee and blood pours onto the tile floor, while both green hedgehogs fight for control over the machine gun.
"You guys are clowns, ALL of you!" Bloodmoon shouts
She tries to run away but Dogg grabs her wrist
"You stay right here!..."
Manic knocks Scourge down with a powerful elbow strike, and manages to rip the gun away as he backs up. The evil hedgehog is able to lift Dogg's riot shield just in time to protect the trio as Manic sprays bullets everywhere.
"Tails RUN!" he shouts
The duo take off the opposite way, while Scourge shouts every curse word he can think of in their direction
"He got my gun!"
"Forget them, if they wanna stay here, that's their problem! We gotta go!"
Dogg stands up, passes Scourge a pistol from the gym bag and opens the front gates to face the wall of armed police officers.
Meanwhile, Manic leads Tails back to Fiona's cell while also firing a few warning shots to the unarmed guards they pass.
Fiona bangs on the glass again "MILES!"
"Hey, hang tight, I'll get the door open!" Tails exclaims
He uses the SAGE program to unlock the bullet proof glass door and both foxes embrace, while Manic guards the hallway.
"Miles, oh my god, I thought I'd never see you again! Fiona clamours while caressing his face "I've missed you so much!"
She brings him in for an unexpected kiss, earning a nod of approval from his best friend.
Suddenly, they hear chatter on the intercom
LOCKDOWN ALL WINGS OF THE JAIL!
WE CAN'T, THE SYSTEM IS STILL REBOOTING!
GOD DAMNIT, I WANT THOSE IDIOTS TAKEN DOWN NOW!
"Do you guys have a way out of here?" Fiona asks
Manic looks around the cell frantically "Uh... not at the moment, no-"
"You guys have to leave before they get here!" Fiona pleads
"No! I'm getting you out of here!" Tails says
"Miles, if they catch you, they're gonna take you away and they'll never let us be together!
He lightly grasps her cheeks "Then I won't let 'em catch me. None of us are going down. We made it this far, and we're making it home tonight!"
A dozen guards enter the hallway and start firing at Manic, so he steps back inside the cell and Tails shuts the glass door just before they get shot. The guards' angry voices are muffled but the trio know they're shooting to kill.
"We need a way out NOW!" Tails shouts
Manic points the uzi at the barred window and opens fire. He uses all of the bullets in the clip,
and thankfully 4 bars are broken out.
"Alright, it's a tight squeeze, but I think we can make it" Manic says "...ladies first"
Fiona climbs through the gap in the window, then Tails next and finally Manic gets through. They grab the teenage fox' wrists and Tails propels them off the ground as fast as possible.
Manic ejects the empty magazine from the uzi and holds the gun in his mouth while he fishes out another clip from his pockets.
Tails looks down "How'd you get a second one?"
Manic loads the clip in and grins "Years of pick pocketing will give ya fast hands, my guy"
Tails uses the nearby canyons as cover while SWAT and air support finally arrive. The red and blue lights illuminate the pitch black country side, but they're too late as the trio successfully escape. They fly another quarter mile before Tails finally sets them down to walk.
He definitely didn't think this was how his day would go when he woke up this morning.
Fiona wraps her arms around Tails and kisses him as they walk through the sand, while Manic watches for cars along the roadside. They've had to have been walking for at least 15 minutes by now, leaving the search parties in the dust. He engages the safety on the uzi and puts it in his waistband for now, feeling much more relaxed than he was 20 minutes ago.
"I missed you every day, Miles" Fiona says in between kisses "And I want you to know - I love you"
Tails stops "D-do you mean that?"
She smiles "With every piece of my heart. I love you, Miles Prower"
As the fox locks lips with Fiona again, he receives a fist bump from Manic as they continue down the road.
The green hedgehog begins walking backwards and looks up at the stars "Ah, young love. Always good to see it happen to a good couple... now, let's see if your boy Manny can find some before he goes down-"
A black moving object gets his attention from the road, then he realizes too late that Dogg and Scourge have caught up to them.
The passenger side door is swung open as the armoured truck drives by, making a loud CLANG sound as it knocks Manic down.
Tails and Fiona jump back "MANIC!"
Scourge grabs a hold of the green hedgehog's jacket, and Dogg steps on the gas pedal, dragging Manic through the rough sand as they go off-road. He reaches for the uzi but Scourge knocks it out of his hand and they drag him face-first up a tall sand dune.
"We gotta stop them!" Tails shouts
Fiona grabs his forearm and they fly after Dogg's truck as they race through the night desert. Manic's weak groans of pain aren't enough to satisfy Scourge, so he directs Dogg to an abandoned gas station nearby and aims for the front door.
The truck skids to a stop and Scourge throws Manic with enough momentum to break down the old brick wall.
Scourge steps out of the truck "Keep it running..."
The evil hedgehog climbs over the rubble, while Manic struggles to get to his feet. He is met by a furious combination of punches that draw blood upon impact. Scourge blocks the only punch Manic throws and counters with an uppercut that sends the weakened hedgehog flat on his back.
"Betcha thought your little stunt was funny, huh! Well, are ya laughing now?!"
Manic rolls out of the way before Scourge stomps on his head, but the evil hedgehog is able to land a soccer-kick to his injured ribs, stunning him on the spot. Scourge knees him in the face and Manic is lying on his back once more.
"You know, you're real lucky we ran outta ammo, otherwise I'd just shoot you right here and now. But I think I can make due with what I have"
Tails flies in and drop kicks Scourge from behind, sending him face-first into an old wooden shelf
"Leave us the hell alone, you psychopaths!"
Scourge is now bleeding from his forehead, but doesn't retaliate. Instead, Dogg back hands Tails across the gas bar and he smashes into the boarded up front window.
"You little shits should've just stuck to the plan, you could've avoided this altogether!... but, we're in the shit now, so we might as well get this over with!..."
Before Dogg can grab Tails, Fiona enters and raises the uzi Manic dropped, firing a few shots into the Hitman's chest.
"Get away from them, you bastards!" She shouts
Dogg falls to one knee, but he shrugs this off and takes a few more bullets before knocking the gun out of her hands.
"It's because of you we almost got busted, you lousy BITCH!" Dogg growls "This is all YOUR fault!"
He wraps his massive hands around Fiona's neck and begins strangling her, forcing Tails to jump up and attack the Hitman with everything he's got.
Unfortunately, it's not enough as Dogg easily swats him away with one hand. Scourge starts beating Manic once more, while keeping any eye out for his uzi in the corner of the room.
Finally, Maggie Bloodmoon enters "Guys, a helicopter's spotted us!"
Dogg looks up in the sky and sees one single helicopter shining a blinding white search light on the gas station, so he releases Fiona and grabs Scourge.
"...better make sure you never run into me ever again, you little punk shits... never again"
Dogg leaves the trio with the warning, while Scourge quickly swipes his machine gun off the floor and checks the magazine for ammo, 1 bullet left.
He fires this bullet into Manic's right hand and listens to his quick but loud shriek.
"A parting gift from uncle Scourge" The evil hedgehog says while wiping blood off his face "...consider us even, boys"
He jumps back inside the armoured truck and it speeds off into the darkness once more. The helicopter keeps it's light on the truck for as long as it can, but it loses sight once they slip through the tall canyons.
Tails crawls over to Fiona "Are you okay?"
She coughs and nods "Yes..."
The fox turns to his best friend "Manic, you okay?"
The green hedgehog can't hold back tears as the pain shoots through his right hand, now permanently damaged. He stops the blood from pumping out of the wound, and he's glad it's dark out because nobody can see the tears stream down his face.
He inhales sharply "I'll live. I say we camp out here, I'm in no shape to walk right now... (sniffle)... at least we're alive..."
Tails leans against the brick wall and Fiona rests her head on his chest
"I'm sorry you had to go through this, Miles"
"Ah, I'm used to this, by now. And besides, having you back is more than worth it"
Fiona grasps his arm a little tighter and smiles as she drifts off to sleep, followed by Tails shortly after.
Manic lies flat on his back and shuts his eyes "What a fuckin' day..."