Sonic, Tails, Sally and the rest of the Resistance loaded up and headed back for the mine where Uncle Chuck was working. Tails had loaded the De-Roboticizer – which resembled a circular pad with some crude bits and bobs attached to it – into the gun truck.
"Tails, if this works, we could become Mobius' biggest heroes!" said Sonic.
"And if it doesn't, then what?" asked Tails.
"Well, it better! I mean, I saw how ya managed to get the Tornado back into flyin' shape, so I'm sure this new gizmo will be dy-no-mite!"
Tails tilted his head slightly. "You really think so?"
"I wouldn't say that if I wasn't sure!"
Tails said nothing further.
Soon enough, the Resistance reached the mine, and Sonic's Hedgehog Sense confirmed what he figured was going to happen: a bunch of Badniks were waiting for them at the mine, including a couple of hovertanks, but most importantly…
"I knew you'd return, you over-engineered pincushion!" said Dr. Robotnik. "And I see you've brought some new companions with you! No matter, they shan't be of any assistance against my Egg-O-Matic Big Arm!"
"Come on!" said Sonic. "Was havin' the Death Egg destroyed not enough for ya? Ya really think your Empire's gonna Strike Back?"
"Oh, I know it will!"
"Doctor Robotnik, for the good of my family and the people of Mobius, we WILL stop you!" said Sally.
"That's what you think, Princess Acorn!"
With that, Robotnik charged ahead with his Eggmobile – which now had two massive arms attached to it, two red thrusters on its back and a red dome on top with silver spikes – and the area outside the mine erupted into a war zone. The Resistance gave it their all, firing whatever munitions they had against Robotnik and his Badniks. However, despite some casualties on the Eggman side, the Doctor grabbed an MP with the Eggmobile's arms and slammed him against the ground, thereby ending him.
"What are we gonna do!?" said Tails.
"Tails, you and Sal work on tryin' to de-roboticize Uncle Chuck!" said Sonic. "I'll stay up here and take on Robuttnik!"
"Right!" Sally motioned to a group of Constables. "Constables, you're with me!"
"Right!" said the lead Constable, a Sergeant Major judging by the rank insignia on his BDU.
With that, Tails, Sally, the RMC and a few Marines bravely charged forth towards the mine. Sally chucked a Mk 2 "pineapple" grenade at a few Badniks – having grabbed a few such grenades earlier – and blew them to kingdom come. With Tails, the Constables and the Marines laying down serious covering fire, they made it into the mine. Meanwhile, Sonic continued to battle Robotnik on the surface with the remaining Marines and the MPs.
"Hey Robuttnik, ya want some!?" said Sonic. "Well, come get some!"
"As you wish!"
Robotnik charged at Sonic and attempted to grab him. However, Sonic used a Homing Attack to dodge the Big Arm's arms and land a shot on the Eggmobile's cockpit. Not helping Robotnik was a shot from the Resistance's Abrams.
"YOU FOOL!" said Robotnik. "Do you think you can maintain the upper hand for long!?"
"Hey, ya failed in the past, so what makes ya think you're gonna win now?" said Sonic.
Robotnik said nothing else; he simply growled and tried to make another pass for Sonic.
Meanwhile, as Tails, Sally and the rest of the Resistance forged their way deeper and deeper into the mine, they found that the path wasn't easy, mainly because they were encountering more elite Badniks such as Heavy SWATbots. Not helping was the fact that Heavy SWATbots were largely immune to 9mm bullets.
"It's no use!" said one Constable. "Our bullets won't penetrate!"
"Aim for the heads!" said the lead Constable.
"Don't give up now!" said Sally. "The whole world's counting on us!"
"Not to mention Sonic!" said Tails.
And so, Team 2 continued their fight through the mine. However, it would be slow going not only due to the presence of such elite Badniks, but also because of how many of them there were. Aside from the fact that Sally had hand grenades and Tails had his blaster pistol, one Marine was armed with an M60, whose 7.62mm NATO rounds could damage the Heavy SWATbots. Thus, Team 2 had somewhat of an advantage.
While Team 2 continued to forge their way further into the mine, Sonic and the rest of Team 1 continued to battle Robotnik and other Badniks on the surface.
"Give up, Sonic!" said Robotnik. "Your friends have no hope of success! This mine will remain operational!"
"Yeah, and you'll win a billion Mobiums in a contest ya didn't even enter!"
Sonic landed another hit on the Eggmobile, being careful not to get hit by friendly fire in the process.
"I have faced my fair share of annoyances from you, but this is by far one of the most pestilent that you've doled out yet!" said Robotnik.
"Then that means I'm doin' my job!"
"Well STOP!"
"Not in a million years, Robuttnik!" Sonic struck the Eggmobile again.
Team 2 continued venturing into the mine. They were still going strong, although some of them were wondering how long it could go on:
"Your Majesty, how much further do we have to go!?" said a Marine Corporal. "We're takin' pretty heavy losses here!"
"It shouldn't be too much farther!" said Sally. "If Sonic and Tails could make it this far, then we can make it, too!"
Despite the losses they'd taken so far, the rest of Team 2 continued to follow Tails' and Sally's lead. Even if they were fearful that they wouldn't make it out of this mission alive, they nevertheless elected to face their fears, knowing that the future of not only their country – but possibly even the world – was at stake. Besides, the Badniks seemed to have undergone training at the Imperial Marksmanship Academy for the most part.
Though his Eggmobile was taking its fair share of damage, Robotnik refused to give up.
"Why, Sonic!? Why do you continue to fight!? Do you not comprehend that this world is doomed!? I will defeat you, and all of this world's citizens will kneel before me!"
"Ya wanna know why I fight!? Because I know that no matter how crappy this world may be, there are enough good people and things in it that it's worth savin'!"
"HA! Such single-minded naïveté! No matter, it shall make your inevitable demise all the more pleasurable!"
"Ya wanna piece of me!? Then show me what ya can really do!"
"As you wish, you pathetic rodent!"
Robotnik continued charging at Sonic. Occasionally, he would attempt to take out other members of Team 1, but this only afforded the Blue Blur some easy shots at him.
Finally, after dogged persistence, Team 2 reached the control center, where Uncle Chuck was located.
"Intruders have reached the control center!" said Chuck. "All units, respond immediately!"
While Sally and the rest of Team 2 focused on taking out the Badniks in the room, Tails laid down the De-Roboticizer and fired it up.
"I'm going after Chuck!" said Tails. "I could use a little help!"
Tails grabbed Chuck, who proved quite strong in his roboticized form.
"What are you doing!?" said Chuck. "Unhand me this instant!"
"No can do!" Tails attempted to drag him. "You're coming with me whether you like it or not!"
A Constable and a Marine grabbed Chuck as well, and the three got him over to the De-Roboticizer.
"This is madness!" said Chuck. "You'll never win!"
"I hope this works…"
Tails pressed a couple of buttons on a remote control, and the De-Roboticizer fired up. Tails, Sally and the other members of Team 2 watched intently, hoping that somehow, this machine would work. In but a few seconds, as the electricity stopped flashing and arcing, they would have their answer as Chuck emerged from the process looking almost like Sonic, but with light blue quills, bushy white eyebrows, blue eyes and a white mustache.
"Wha…?" Chuck looked himself over. "Tails…did you actually create that machine?"
Tails smiled. "Sure did!"
"I don't know how I can thank you!"
"We'd better get going," said Sally. "We have several more people left to de-roboticize."
Unaware of what had been going on, Sonic and the rest of Team 1 continued to put the heat on Robotnik.
"Give up already!" said Robotnik. "My roboticization will remain permanent, and this country will remain under my control!"
"Angel Island didn't remain under your control, so what makes ya think this is gonna be any different!?" Sonic struck the Eggmobile again.
"SILENCE! You cannot stand against me forever! I have the greatest scientific mind and the technological superiority!"
Just then, Sonic got a call over his watch communicator:
"Hey, I'm a little busy at the moment!" said Sonic.
"Sonic, I used the De-Roboticizer on Uncle Chuck!" said Tails. "It worked!"
"Groovy! Just lemme finish with Robuttnik, eh? I think I almost got him!"
"OK!"
Giving it his all, Sonic charged at Robotnik again, only briefly stopping when an Abrams round struck the Eggmobile, and then launched a fierce Homing Attack. That did it, for not only were the Eggmobile's Big Arm attachments destroyed, but Robotnik and the Eggmobile were sent hurtling across the sky.
"I HATE THAT HEDGEHOG!" shouted Robotnik.
Having defeated Robotnik yet again, Sonic hurried into the mine with the rest of Team 1, and when he finally saw Chuck in his natural state…
"UNC!"
Sonic rushed over to Chuck and gave him a big hug, which the latter gladly returned.
"Unc, I'm so glad you're OK!"
"I'm glad you're OK too, Sonic!"
And so, Sonic and Chuck remained locked in their embrace. Having been a street kid on the run for many years, Sonic felt as though he was coming full-circle not only by fighting to defend the Kingdom of Mobius, but also saving Chuck. Granted, there were still many more people that needed to be de-roboticized, but he was already feeling that much more confident about getting it done. As for Chuck, having been worried about where his beloved nephew was for such a long time, holding him in his arms once again brought him an indescribable joy, made even more joyful knowing that the Blue Blur had risen up to a greater calling and saved the day, not only for him and the Royal Family, but for Mobians all over. As Tails, Sally and the rest of the gang watched, they couldn't help but behold how those two hedgehogs loved each other. To them, it was worth all the brushes with death that they underwent recently. Eventually, Sonic and Chuck broke away from the hug, but not without smiles on their faces.
"Come on, Unc; we got a lotta work to do!"
BUT WAIT! This story's not done yet! Tune in next week to see what comes next!
Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.
