ACT II
Chapter 5
A single rock flew through the air and parted the hologram for a brief moment. Scowling, the large dictator scanned the area for the culprit, finding the accursed rodent firing yet another projectile at him. "Hedgehog... I'd say it's nice to see you again, but we both know better!"
"Go back to where you came from, Robuttnik! I hope ya didn't forget that you got limited time here!" Sonic rubbed his nose with a knowing smirk, and pointed at the pod.
"Foolish little rodent. I'm not here in person, of course. This is a remote vessel!" He cackled as he watched the blue blur's expression go from a smile to a disappointed frown.
Sally was next to step forward, pointing accusingly at the man who haunted them all those years. "Give it up, Robotnik! We stopped you and squashed your legacy as well. It's only a matter of time before-"
"Before you take back your precious city...? No. It's only a matter of time before I correct my mistake!" Robotnik rubbed his portly chin and looked at the lynx moored to the spot near the cave entrance. "I assume you were not talking about Snively when you mentioned my legacy. I could care less about that little turncoat! However, you...!" He pointed an equally massive robotic finger at the lynx, and a quick transparent beam washed over her. "...You interest me."
The doctor continued to ignore the numerous impacts that the impatient hedgehog was now inflicting on his hull. "No good, Sal. This thing is as hard as diamonds!"
"Crystal, you ignorant mammal. Now, I see you have two designations... Nicole...Sally's precious computer, and something else!" His face broke into a menacing grin. "Oh! Ooh...very interesting indeed. The fake Sally too? We meet again, my progeny. My...infiltrator!"
The Wolf-Pack and Lupe tensed up at this. They had remained silent to maintain their element of surprise, but the leader of the group could no longer contain herself. "What? You didn't tell me that she was...!" A single beam erupted from the pod suddenly, hitting the ground close to her! The surface turned to pure crystal... "Back in the cave!" Turning to the Freedom Fighters, she cried, "We'll regroup when we've come up with a plan!"
Nicole, attempting to distract him, faced down the horrible man and gestured to herself with a determined look. "I am more than both of my past selves were—something new. Something -not- under your control!" She pointed her finger at the ship, and fired a concentrated beam! Much like the lightning before it spread over the entire ship, and dissipated just as harmlessly.
"Ah...! An improvement to that old laser unit I installed! Couldn't let some memories go after all?" A small flinch came from the AI. "My scans show you are outfitted with a brand new power source as well!" The lynx drew her hand up to her heart, as it pulsed slightly in a green color. "Sustainable, but still limited. What a shame. Had you stayed by my side, you would have been given quite the overhaul!"
"You can stuff your overhaul, Buttnik! Nicole has always been a Freedom Fighter and will continue to be, no matter what you say!" Sonic came up on the AI's left side and gave a reassuring shoulder pat.
"Robotnik, you lost her when you stopped looking for your precious infiltrator all those years ago! She and Nicole have a much better home now. With us!" Sally walked up to her friends right side and grasped her hand tightly.
"Pathetic. Well, can't say I didn't try... Failures will always be failures after all, and you know what I do to those who fail me!" With that, more beams fired out, as Sonic grabbed the two girls with one arm each and sped down the canyon. The pod remained close behind in pursuit!
"Thanks Sonic...Sally. I knew you guys had my back the entire time!" Sonic turned to Nicole with a confident smile as she vaulted onto his back! She was surprisingly light! "Now let me help you."
Another scan shot out from her finger, highlighting a nearby cave in purple light. "There!" Speeding into the opening, the three stopped to take a well earned break.
–
"I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, Nic but...!" Sally tapped Sonic's shoulder and drew a finger to her lips. Whispering now, he crossed his arms and pouted. "Was just trying to give a compliment..."
"Got a plan, Sally?" The lynx looked to the chipmunk for some sort of guidance at this point. While she was slowly getting better at it, quick thinking was not Nicole's strong suit. "Sorry for wasting my energy on that blast, by the way."
"Don't worry about it, Nicole." Sally tensed up and shook her fists, trying to get a hold on her emotions. "Oh...it just had to be him, Sonic. I can't believe it..." She buried her head into her lap and grabbed at her hair.
Both the hedgehog and lynx moved up to comfort her in an impromptu hug. "Thanks. I needed that." Pausing for a moment to collect herself, she turned to the AI at this point. "Nicole. Tell me you picked up something else in your scans."
"Hold on." She closed her eyes as a hologram extended out from her fingertip. A blueprint of the Doomsday Pod popped up, now with added crystalline armor. A red mark appeared toward the north end of the saucer shaped vehicle. "I noticed just a little too late that Sonic's repeated strikes were creating small striations in the protective casing."
"In normal speak, Nicole." Sonic replied, tapping impatiently on the rock wall.
"She's talking about grooves. You left a mark on his precious pod." Sally was now in full pondering mode and after a brief moment, snapped her fingers with a grin forming on her face! "That's it. We just need to keep hitting it until it opens up. We were on the right track!"
Sonic patted the AI on the back, causing her to almost lose her balance. "Okay, I get it now. Thanks Nicole!" The lynx gave the hedgehog a warm smile and a thumbs up.
"You're welcome, Sonic. Also, I believe you were going to tell me that I'm 'way past cool' too. Right...?" She stifled her giggle with her free hand.
"You got it, you awesome android. Now, you both sit tight and lemme handle this!" He felt an arm grab his as he prepared to jet out of there.
"Sonic. I think now's the time." Sally said as she gave him a glowing ring flowing with golden energy.
"Let's do it to it...!"
Chapter 6
"Can't hide forever, you miserable little Mobians!" The large man piloting the craft took a ragged, exasperated breath as his anger began to overtake him. "Come out, come out wherever you are..." Robotnik scattered the hillside with multiple blasts, painting it in crystal dots. Suddenly out of his peripheral vision, he saw him. "Miserable little hedgehog! Come out to play!?"
Sonic deftly dodged the incoming projectile with a well timed mid-air cartwheel! "Oh...come -on-, Robuttnik! Your aim's gotten a lot worse! Oh wait...it already blew chunks!" Another blast met the rock wall as the blue blur sped up the canyon wall!
"Stand still hedgehog...!" The dictator continued to fire beams before a sharp impact struck his pod! "D'oh...! Why...you...! Agh!" The numerous hits gave him a massive headache and blurred his vision.
He briefly removed the helmet interface from his eyes, as his improvised control station deep with the void came into view once more. The crystals reflected directly into his eyes, temporarily blinding him and adding to his frustration. Looking at the makeshift computer next to him, he saw a flashing red circle on the Doomsday Pod's status screen, near the front of the craft. "Clever, hedgehog... I believe it's time I stopped toying with you, for the moment."
–
With the last strike, Sonic admired his handiwork as a small crack began to form. While it consumed energy just fine, it didn't stand up to physical punishment the same way! "Time to crack this egg open! …Whoa!" He narrowly dodged another incoming beam from the portly one as he appeared again as giant floating head near the cockpit of the ship.
"I think it's time you pulled your power ring out, hedgehog. Or do you have three of them this time!?" Robotnik stated, noting how the blue rodent got out of being roboticized; the closest he had ever gotten to a complete victory over the Freedom Fighters.
"I only need one this time to take you out, fatso." Sonic said as he pulled the speed booster from his backpack. Holding it high above his head, he was bathed in energy. "This one's supercharged, Robuttnik! Hope you can take the heat!"
A wide flurry of beams pockmarked the ground as the hedgehog danced between each blast, occasionally finding an opening to widen the crack on Robotnik's new toy. "Stand...still!"
"I'll do you one better Robuttnik. Hope you're ready for this!" Launching into a golden spin-dash, Sonic used the natural terrain to launch himself sky high! "Ready or not, here I come!"
The two clashed as the pod sped forward to meet with him mid-air, with Sonic continuing to punish the fractured spot. However, as he prepared for another strike he noticed the void crystal beginning to spread across his quills!
Deranged laughter erupted from the pod. Apparently, Robotnik had noticed as well. "Got you now! Your rebellion ends here...!"
"Not so fast, large and not-in-charge!" Sonic moved into a desperate spin, launching the hardened material off him and multiple crystal spikes impacted the hull, causing the hologram to temporarily phase out! Whew! That was a close one... Ain't gonna tell ol' baldo that he almost got me that time!
A low chuckle reverberated throughout the canyon as the hedgehog watched the pod itself phase out of existence! "Oh...come on...!"
"Let's test your reactions, rodent. Get a load of this...!" An array of beams assaulted Sonic, causing him to backpedal over a nearby mountain! His breath became shallow as the rings power began to wane...
–
"Come on, we have to go help Sonic!" Nicole pleaded as Sally shook her head in disapproval.
"Nicole, we can't risk getting crystallized. If that happens, we might as well kiss Sonic's chances goodbye..." The lynx poked her head outside briefly, watching the battle unfold, completely ignoring her companion.
Left alone to her thoughts, a plan of action started to form in the chipmunk's mind. "However..."
"Was waiting to hear you say that, Sally. What have you got planned?" Nicole was all ears at this point!
Tapping on the rock wall for emphasis, the chipmunk continued as her hand returned to her chin, "Well, I couldn't help but notice your scans have increased tremendously in range. How about a long range interface?"
The AI buckled at this, not sure what to think. "That is even more risky than helping Sonic fight Robotnik directly! It would leave me wide open for attack."
All of a sudden, as if summoned by the impromptu meeting, the blue hedgehog appeared in the opening, nearly out of breath. "Things...are getting complicated, Sal. He's able to hide his ship!"
Lynx and chipmunk stared at each other in terror. The auburn-one spoke up first. "We have to get him to lay off of us for a little longer, Sonic! How's the fight coming along?"
"I got the saucer to crack, but my juice has run out. The power ring kind, at least! It ain't gonna mean much if we can't get through the pod's armor though." He pinched his nose as he tried to weigh his options.
Sally snapped her fingers once more as a realization hit her! "Nicole. We need to find the remains of the test pod. A fragment at least!"
The lynx nodded and closed her eyes, and scanned her memory banks. Numerous images flooded past of their first outing in the Great Unknown, until she found what she was looking for! "The dead end where you and the Wolf-Pack fired on the pod with that makeshift laser cannon! A big chunk fell away! That's our target!"
As soon as she said that, a tremendous impact shook the area near their cave, and numerous rocks fell from the ceiling, threatening to trap the group in a cave-in! "Bailing warp 7, hold on guys!" Sonic shouted as he propped them both on his shoulders, speeding towards the relative safety of the cave entrance!
"STOP HIDING, YOU FILTHY RODENT...!" Robotnik was clearly losing his patience.
"It's now or never. Okay, you two..." The hedgehog suddenly felt lighter than before. "Uh, where's Nicole!?" Sonic stared in horror as he realized the lynx was now missing and peered up at Sally, who had her hands cupped to her mouth. "Oh man, she didn't...!"
–
"Look down, Robotnik. You can't hide from my sensors." His floating head appeared once more as the pod phased back into existence. The massive gaze fell upon Nicole who stared him down unflinchingly.
"So, accepted your fate at last? Or have you come to bargain...?" He stared at the lynx with a widening grin, his eyes narrowing menacingly.
"Neither, chrome dome!" The man's grin quickly turned into a frown. "In fact, I dare you to strike me down where I stand!" She held her arms out confidently and waited for his response.
"As you wish. Consider this a gift from me to you, infiltrator." A concentrated beam shot out as a static infused shield shot up, blocking the blast! The crystal material quickly spread across it as Nicole sidestepped the blast.
"Oh, but I have one more party trick before the presents arrive!" Manipulating the metal within, she turned the mass of junk into a crystal spear, hurling it at the ship. It struck the cracked spot directly, piercing the pod! Surprisingly, the entirety of the gem armor also fell away!
"What...!? You... How dare you...!" She waggled her finger at the apoplectic doctor and tutted, as Sonic sped over to her side.
He stared at the damage in wonder. "Whoa. Okay, maybe you didn't need my help after all!"
This startled her for a brief moment. Shaking her head, she pointed at the point of impact. "Finish him, Sonic!" Nodding silently, he found a nearby incline and launched toward the craft, only to be met with something hitting him out of the air, launching him far away!
Nicole stared in surprise as she saw the pod rotate at high speed, static sparks flying off the hull and being flung in different directions! Shielding herself with the remains of the borrowed metal, she cried out for the fallen hero! "Sonic...! Are you okay!?"
The ship sped off over the horizon as Robotnik got his last word in. "I also have some new tricks as well! This isn't over...!" As the ship disappeared once more, the lynx dropped to her knees as her light flickered on her chest.
Chapter 7
"Ooh... What hit me..." Blackness gave way to a cold feeling on his forehead. His eyes focused on Sally applying a compress, gasping sharply as he came to. "Hey Sal.", the hedgehog said weakly, getting a hug from the relieved chipmunk.
"Oh...Sonic! When I saw you hurtle past the cave, I thought...!" That's right. Buttnik pulled a fast one on me. Didn't see that coming! He gripped her tightly, letting the tears come from her.
"It's okay. I'm okay, but...what about Nicole?" The auburn-haired one sniffed and rose, pointing towards the opening where they found the Wolf-Pack's "stash", seeing the lynx sitting over by their computer with eyes closed.
Feeling a burst of energy surge through him, he leaped out of the guest bed and sprinted over to the limp body of the AI, only see a faint glow from her chest. "Oh man! Nicole! Yo, wake up girl..." Sally rushed over and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "What's going on with her, Sal?"
"She's in her "sleep" mode, Sonic. When were finding new clothes for her, she mentioned that her core would need time to recharge if she used too much power." The chipmunk directed his gaze to a cable linking Nicole to the machine. "Usually, it recovers with solar energy, but lacking that, there are other options just in case of an emergency."
Sonic wiped his moist brow in relief and patted the unconscious lynx on the shoulder. "Don't worry Nicole. We'll figure out a way outta this mess. Like we always do..."
"That will have to wait until the sun rises, hedgehog. Luckily, Robotnik has chosen not to pursue us further at this time." He turned to see Lupe peering around the corner of the room, cautiously eyeing the fallen lynx. "For the record, it took great convincing from your leader to even allow this in the first place."
The blue blur was immediately in her face and snarled, "You back off of Nicole! She saved all of you. Without her, you would all be...!"
Sally once again rushed into part the two warriors. "That's enough! Would you two both cut that out!?" Sonic backed off, wiping his nose disdainfully and the she-wolf followed his gaze as he found a corner to stand against. "Lupe, once this situation is resolved, there will be time for you and the Wolf-Pack to see that Nicole is far from a threat. Maybe you might even enjoy her company..."
"Give it up, Sal. Clearly, they want more from their "fortune teller" than what she's able to give!" He huffed dramatically, and began to tap his feet against the wall of the base.
Lupe closed her eyes and grimaced as she ran a paw against the scar on her face. "I apologize. To all of you... A life is still a life after all. She's brave and I respect that, but you have to understand we have been fighting against bots this entire time. To side with one..." She peered over at Nicole once more, as the lynx's fingers twitched and the computer flickered from the loss of power.
"I think a meeting would be a good way to move forward. Right now." The chipmunk remained firm with her winning smile.
Surprisingly, Sonic drew up alongside Sally, gesturing to the lynx. "Yeah! Remind them that we're all in this together, including her!" He continued to glare at the she-wolf and she chuckled in turn.
"It might not be that simple, but it's worth a shot Sonic." Lupe shook his hand, as he relaxed his expression.
"Took you long enough!"
–
Everyone present, sans Nicole, gathered around the central fire-pit, with Lupe at the head of the group. The hall rumbled with murmuring and discussions filling its interior. Motioning for silence, the she-wolf addressed her audience, "I know it's very late for all of you, but this is a matter of great importance!" She paused as the noise completely died down. "Now, you know the routes leading out of the cave. We have numerous ways to leave the Great Unknown without detection..."
"Whoa whoa!" Everybody turned to face Sonic, who rudely interrupted the proceedings. "I didn't know we were turning tail and runnin'! We had a plan to put him on the ropes!"
"Silence, hedgehog! When the leader speaks, don't interrupt!" A yellow wolf replied with irritation.
The brown wolf was next to stand, surprising the rest of the Wolf-Pack! "Forgive me, Lupe. He's right. While the power she wields is fearsome, I saw the light in her eyes. She's no seer, but she has the heart of one! Maybe that's what we need right now!"
"Diego. You speak out of turn, but if what you say is true..." The hedgehog barely spotted the hint of a sly smile forming on her lips. "...we have to stand and fight! It's the Wolf-Pack way!"
"You gotta be kidding." Sonic watched as one by one, each member of the pack stood up and began to howl, with Lupe being the last to join in.
Sally sidled up to him and gestured outward towards the wolves. "And that's how diplomacy works. Great concept...right?"
He clutched his head, feeling the call of the bed once more. "Diplomacy makes my head hurt, Sal."
The she-wolf walked over to the both of them and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Then you can sleep it off for now. We act in the morning! Just remember we have a Plan B in case things fall through!"
"You won't need it, Lups. We're dusting this "ghost" once and for all! For freedom!" He raised a fist in the air as the words echoed back at him from the crowd and they mirrored his gesture.
"This time, Robuttnik... It ends here."
END OF ACT II
