Chapter 11

The early hours of the next morning…

The sky above Mobius was a mix of light orange and yellows, with a blue of darken clouds that still clung to the night. Around the forests, everything was still in slumber; flickys dreamed away in their branches.

The only sound emitting around the area was the crunching sound of morning dew grass, being walked across by the mysterious cloaked figure. The figure continued walking, until they reached the meeting point.

They stepped towards the centre of wet grass, circled by the large palm trees. They kept quiet, until they suddenly heard another crunching sound heading their way as their ears picked up the faint sound.

Another figure in a cloak approached in the centre, looking around to see the coast was clear. A few flickys woke up from the disturbance and flew away.

"Were you followed?" The new figure asked.

The other figure simply shook their head.

"Do you have what I need?" The figure asked.

The other figure lowered down their bag carefully to the ground, but keeping hold of the strap. They lifted their hand and simply called them over to collect.

"Ha! No my friend, you come over to me!"

But the figure did the same motion, beckoning them to over to collect the bag.

"Ha, no no no. I'm afraid this won't do. Hand over the stone to me, or my associates here will blast you from where you stand!" They spoke suddenly clicking their fingers.

Suddenly from behind the figure, two more popped out from behind the trees. They were holding large guns towards the lonely figure, their master stepping forward with their hands on their hips.

"As you can see, I have the power right here, so you will do as I command!"

Suddenly all three figures watched as the lonely figure dropped the bag and pulled their hood away from their face.

"Are you certain about that?" Super Sonic asked.

All three figures stood back in shock and then suddenly, more figures appeared out of nowhere. The three and their guns were nothing against the counter attack, as one was caught up in a vine from a nearby tree, being lifted upside down. Another one was hit by a high kick from above and the leader was hit with the hedgehog's speed dash. All three of them were left defenceless and tied up together on the ground.

"Right, let's see who this boss really is?" The hedgehog asked as he pulled the hood away from their faces.

Then it was his turn to look shocked and oddly, annoyed.

"You got to be kidding me?" Super shouted.

Resting on the ground were three humans. One of them wore a red hat, blue dungarees and white shirt. He was trying to move but the strains were too much for him as he simply wiggled where he sat. The other one wore a green jumpsuit, holding a small trumpet in his hand. As they were discovered, he blew its small sound to greet them with a gentle smile on his face; never spoke a word. As for the leader, he wore a yellow shirt with a strong pink dot tie, wearing red dungarees. He was shifting around, still having the disgusting cigar in his mouth. It could only be the Marxio Brothers; Grouchio, Harpio and Chicio.

"No way these Goons are the bosses!" The hedgehog mocked them, waving to the others.

"Wait my friend, I thought it was you!" Grouchio shouted back.

"What do you mean? Speak up or I'll fry you where you sit!" Super threatened them.

Knowing all too way Super would never do that (well the bothers didn't know that) the group watched as the Brothers fell into pieces with tears in their eyes. Even Harpio showed his sorry by reaching a napkin in his pocket, blowing his nose.

"Oh please Mr Super! We mean no disrespect! You see, we were given this laptop here and followed the instructions. It told us to come here to retrieve some Stone no matter what and head to another location to drop it off; that was it! I swear it on their lives!" He spoke, rising his hands to his brothers, which in return, looked furiously back at him.

As the brothers continued to bicker amongst themselves, Super and the group huddled together. The others played it safe by keeping their identities hidden for the time being.

"You think they're speaking the truth?" Super asked them.

"Not sure, maybe a Mind Link Pyjamas?" Ebony asked.

"That will be annoying, but the best option we have." Pyjamas replied with a hint of annoyance.

The group spread out as they watched the Dog did her work. Unbeknownst to what was to come to them, Grouchio looked confused as the cloaked figure approached his head with their fingers. Then just like with Rouge, he body felt limb as the Mind Link was proceeding. Ebony continued to talk to the other two, which she found very quickly that talking to Harpio was a waste of time as he continued to honk his horn.

Super Sonic watched at the background as the feline moved on to talk to Chicio. But something wasn't right. He had never dealt with them personally before; that would be all down to Sonic. From what Sonic's memories recall, they weren't exactly the smartest of the bunch, but why were they sent here? Lucky for him, Rouge thought the same thing as she moved away from the group and went into her bag pack.

"It seems they speak the truth; none of them have no idea who the boss is either!" Pyjamas said quietly as she approached Ebony.

Pulling out the laptop, she tapped the password in and her eyes open wide in horror. There written in red letters was one message from the boss.

"You have disappointed me Rouge, time to clean up this little mess."

Then suddenly as she saw the message, it had disappeared and the screen went fully black. Then everyone stopped talking as everyone heard a tiny beeping sound, coming from the brother's laptop. Rouge stormed towards them and pulled out the bag pack that Chicio, ignoring his protest. There, she did the same thing and just before she could read their message from the boss, another message popped out.

"Nice try Rouge, but I will be always be one ahead of you. Now you can join those who have failed me!"

Then the beeping got louder, the screen suddenly shut down and red dials popped onto the laptop, quickly depleting in time. Rouge was only able to turn in a second to cry out to the group-

"RUN!"

In a heartbeat, the yellow hedgehog dashed towards the group, grabbed hold of Ebony and Pyjamas and made a run for it. Ebony managed to vine her magic around the brothers and pull them with her. Pyjamas reached out and grabbed Rouge as the hedgehog ran through the forest. The beeping from the laptop continued to go faster and louder; until suddenly

BOOM! The trees and the earth shook from the blast, as the group fell forwards from the shock; letting each other go. They all fell to the ground in a heap, trying their best to cover themselves from the flying branches and trees. Moments later, each one poked their heads up from their cover, to see the damage.

Those two laptops had caused enough damage to make a new open plot of land. No trees were left rooted. As the group got up, the hedgehog scanned the area.

"Get back down!" He called out as he saw something flying towards them.

A small robot? A Badnik? He couldn't tell. But it was hovering around the area, most likely checking for signs of life. Super Sonic could just detect the small red rays, displayed towards the ground. Hearing small beeps, all of them kept quiet and still, until the robot did its job. Satisfied, everyone stayed rooted on the ground as the robot zoomed away to the skies.

Relief, everyone stood up.

"Are you alright?" Super asked as he carefully pulled Pyjamas up.

"That's gonna leave a mark, but I'm alright." Pyjamas replied as she rubbed her elbow.

Sure enough, Rouge and Ebony stood up. Looking around, they were very lucky to come out of that unscathed. If the hedgehog weren't there, they would have been goners for sure. But then they turned to see that the Marxio brothers were nowhere to be found. The feline looked down and saw that her magic vine was broken.

"They must have made a run for it. We better do the same before that Robot comes back." The Bat spoke.

All agreeing, the group decided to make tracks as well. Looking back at the wreckage, whoever this boss was, certainly meant business. The group just left as Mobius welcomed the fresh morning, the flickys all up ready for the new day...


One week later…

The Groovy Train was back into full busy service, as the customers came into the café, to enjoy a nice cup of coffee. While Rouge continued to heal her wing, she was put into work as the dishwasher, but lucky for her, Super Sonic helped her along the way.

Everyday as Super Sonic went to collect the newspapers, he constantly looked to find any news about them. To his relief, the only news he saw was the successful arrest of the Gorilla Brothers; but no sign of the other two robbers. Looking at the article, the arrest was achieved by the fantastic work of the Metropolis Police and department and the help of the freedom fighter, Johnny Lightfoot. Which the hedgehog was more then happy to let his friend get the glory.

Speaking of the rabbit, Super Sonic had to explain to him everything. As he came for his carrot cake, the hedgehog was able to introduce him to Rouge. He could have arrested her right there, but seeing she had turned over a new leaf (which Ebony wasn't so sure about that) Johnny decided to leave her out of it.

As for the Stone? Well that was another mystery on it's own.

But that wasn't what the hedgehog was concerned with. As he explained to Johnny about this Boss, the rabbit listened with a serious look. As Rouge explained her knowledge of the Boss, Johnny simply nodded and finished his cake.

"This crook, whoever they are, seems serious. If they did get a hold of that Stone, they could change anytime they wish."

"What do you think we should do?"

"Well keeping low for a while is a good option. But at the same time, if we leave it too long, this Goon could be working on another plan, right at this moment. We need someone to infiltrate them; find out what their next steps are. But that could be dangerous."

"Well danger is in my job description." Rouge said with a smile.

"Are you sure about this? You only just got out of this mess." Super asked.

"Well the good news is that the boss thinks I'm blown into smithereens! So it be someone he least expects. Plus, I bet they have a few safe houses, I can have a little dig in."

"So what do you say Rouge? Want to the work for the freedom fighters?"

"Oh no sweetheart, I don't do this for free! Sure you can, treat a girl to something nice. A Chaos Emerald perhaps?" Rouge smirk in front of the boys.

When Super heard that, he nearly spat out his coffee. Johnny simply made a nervous laugh, not knowing if the Bat did a joke or was serious? After the conversation was over, Johnny took his leave.


A few days later…

Rouge finally no longer felt the pain on her wing as Pyjamas took off the bandage. To her amazement, the disgusting herbal tea did the job well. Stretching out her wing, it was a little tight but sure with enough flying, it would be as good as new. Making sure her bag was full of needed stuff and extras given to her, she took the bag over her back and headed to the rooftop.

It was just becoming nightfall as the sun was setting down over Metropolis city. There waiting for her, was the Groovy Train squad; all there to say goodbye to her.

First one was Super Sonic as he sat on top of the roof wall.

"Right, this is it. Thanks for the help Golden Boy; I owe you one." Rouge spoke with a wink.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked her, looking concerned.

"Well if you can turn over a new leaf, why can't this girl?" She smiled back.

Super simply smirked and agreed. Then it was Ebony, watching her with folded arms.

"Look, I get it. You don't trust me and I don't blame you. I can't promise I won't say no to something shiny and sparkly, but I will try my best to keep the straight and narrow. You have my girl guide honour."

Ebony couldn't help but smirk as the bat stepped towards Pyjamas, who was waiting for her. But instead of bringing a joke, the Bat simply smiled to her.

"Thanks for the help; I appreciate it. Not the whole "going into my mind part"; but everything else."

Pyjamas smiled.

"Well if you need a hand, you know where we are." The Dog smiled.

The Bat looked towards the others, waved her hand to them all and took flight; flying high enough to reach over the buildings. The group watched her fly away, until they no longer saw her and went back inside. But Ebony stood next to Pyjamas and quietly whispered in her ear.

"One thing I don't get, what made you changed your mind about her? What did you see in that head of hers?"

But Pyjamas simply smiled.

"She reminds me of myself in my youth; adventurous, daring and mysterious."

"Oh come on! How long have I known you for? Mysterious is certainly not a word I would use." Ebony joked.

"Well, you don't know everything about me, do you?" Pyjamas looked at her friend with a wink.

But Super Sonic turned around to both of them.

"Well, there is one tiny question I got to ask, something been nagging me all day."

"Which is?" Pyjamas replied.

"How did you not tell the difference between a butterfly and a pterodactyl?"

Ebony couldn't help but burst into laughing as Pyjamas had to explain how her visions work, with the argument of misleading what is considered a "tiny winged creature" ….


Meanwhile in an unknown location, the small robot was being scanned as someone watched over the footage it had recorded. There was no sign of Rouge and the Marxio Brothers in the aftermath of the explosion. One detonator would be insufficient; two was to make sure the job was done. But of course, no one would be able to get away the blast quickly enough as they finalised the data. No sign of life detected.

Rouge had left them disappointment, as they were so close to the Time Stone. It was a small price to pay, but knew the mission had failed when she decided to hire Omen and his Gorillas. Her skills had become sloppy and thus, no longer required their assistance. As for the brothers, their mission was doomed from the start; as they were even stupid enough to not retrieve the important documents they required. Looking through their documentation with Robotnik, it was better to simply wipe them off existence; seeing now their loyalty has been dwindled from Robotnik's era.

They turned and looked onto the large computer screen ahead of them. There, everything they required was up there. Copies and downloads of the assistant of Robotnik, Grimer and his work. Documents were taken from the now isolated Citadel Robotnik, and everything they could grasp on about Sonic and the freedom fighters. It seemed the fools of DRAT did pay off in the end, as their loyalty to Robotnik had never ceased; even if some were caught by Robotnik's own henchmen, they foolishly employed themselves; thinking all of their sacrifices, would help bring the doctor back to his overload status.

"The fools they truly are." They spoke out.

This small delay will not falter their master plan, as they continued to proceed with their schedule. There on the screen, they enlarged the important drafts of the old Design of the Matallix. All they needed now was the perfect place for materials and the place to make their army. Clasping their hands together, the play had gone into motion. Turning around from the monitor screen, they looked towards their biggest prize.

Chained up and out of action, was the very last remnant of Grimer's most successful invention. The Knuckles Matallix lay dormant, only being held up by the chains caught up in its body. Clasping its metal head in their hands, it was the perfect base for their operations. But they will make it better, tougher and faster then that blue rodent.

Oh yes, they had plans for Mobius…BIG PLANS…

THE END…FOR NOW?

BUT PLEASE STAY TUNED AS THE NEXT SAGA OF MY FNAFICTION WILL RETURN IN…

"A WHOLE NEW WORLD"

COMING SOON A NEW ADVENTURE!