Dear friends, I've re-loaded this chapter as it was too long and confusing in some parts. Next chapter is in the works and will be up-loaded soon.
I stand by my promise that I will finish this story, how ever long it takes.
If you are still following I thank-you from the bottom of my heart and please know I have not given up.
Many thanks, Mazz.x
Chapter 14
On board the Eggscalibur red lights were flashing and alarms were blaring.
In the midst of all the chaos Eggman was running for his life.
He knew that Celosia would find the over-ride code, given time, and use it to turn his wonderous creations against him.
He had to hide!
The mad doctor ducked behind a pillar and peeked out only to dive back under cover as EK's stomped closer to his location. Eggman closed his eyes and held his breath...
The EK's stopped inches from his spot and bleeped. Upon receiving new orders they turned and headed in a different direction. Risking another peek Eggman saw they were heading towards the Throne Room, where Sonic was trapped with no way out.
There was a plan to save the rodent...well, not much of a plan as an idea, one he thought was highly unlikely to work...But he'd try anything once, he was a scientist after-all.
Because of the mystical qualities of Sonic's one billionth ring, the other Doctor had manage to modify the mirror, rigging it up into something called a 'Time Bubble' which allowed Sonic to appear as an echo of his former self. The mirror, was in fact, a Stasis Cube, a tiny pocket universe where the hedgehog would be safe until they reunited him with his body, or a body capable of housing the energies he gave off without burning out.
The Doctor had been quiet while they worked. There was something in his eyes, a sadness of sorts. They were nearly finished and ready to activate it when everything went to hell.
When he was sure the coast was clear Eggman pulled himself up and waddled for the nearest Lab as fast as his thin legs could carry him. Reaching said Lab he grabbed as many items he could carry, rolled up his sleeve and activated his short range teleporter.
Oh well...he didn't feel like risking his skin for a little piece of jewellery that could have saved the hedge-rat anyway.
…The Black Asteroid...
It wasn't the hard surface of the rocks beneath him or the terrible headache that woke him up.
It was the smell.
He opened his eyes slowly, the harsh glare making him grimace. When he did manage to focus what he saw made him wish he hadn't. "UGH!"
"There you are! Rise and shine, Doctor!"
The Doctor recoiled in shock, smacking the back of his head against the rocky formation behind him. Reaching up and around he could already feel a nice goose-egg forming under his hair. The man in front of him grinned showing yellow stained teeth under a ginger moustache. He was bald and very fat. At his groan the man giggled.
"You're awake! Good, very good. Now, who are you? I know him and I know her," he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, "but who are you?"
The Doctor looked over the other mans' shoulder to where both TARDISes stood. His other self was leaning against one of the blue boxes with his arms folded with Amelia standing next to him looking battered and bruised, rubbing her arms nervously. He shrugged, "I'm the Doctor."
"Yes, I know that. But what one? What number?"
"I guess you could say 8."
A nod, "Good, good. Now...up you get." The bald guy grabbed him by the lapels and hauled him to his feet. Amelia rushed to his side and buried herself into his chest with a whimper. The new-comer watched the whole thing with amusement but said nothing. 10 just smirked warmly. The bald man coughed, "Well, now that's out of the way let's get on with the plan. It will takes all 3 of us to help the others."
8's eyes narrowed over Amelia's head, " 3 of us? Just who are you, my good man?"
10 snorted, "Good? He's anything but..." 10 grunted, pushing himself away from his TARDIS, taking slow and measured steps towards them. "He's the reason we're here. He's the reason Sonic isn't with us. He's the reason the whole universe is going to Hell." 10 stopped beside them, slowly taking Amelia's hand and pulling her close, knowing what was coming next," This man...is the Doctor."
"Doctor Ivo Robotnik, at your service." He said with a small bow.
A beat and then 8 went, "Oooohhhh..." He quickly glanced at his older self, "If you don't mind?"
"Hm? Oh! Oh no. You go ahead, don't let me stop you." Eggman didn't have time to react. 8 reached back a fist and punched him squarely in the face. The mad doctor went down with a grunt and the other Time-Lord grimaced. "Normally I don't approve of such actions, but..." He winked, "Good shot."
8 stepped back straightening his coat, "Thank you."
Amelia let out a choked sob, running to 8 and flinging her arms around him. "I thought you'd died!" She cried into his chest. "You...you wouldn't wake up!"
"SShhh, my Amelia." He cooed softly, " It's OK. I'm getting on in years, the blow to the back of the head must have started a healing coma."
A strange look passed over 10s features before it quickly disappeared. "Close?"
8 nodded unhappy, " 'Fraid so."
Amelia was confused, "What are you..?"
Eggman coughed getting to his feet. "That was uncalled for."
10s eyes darkened, "Uncalled for?" He growled dangerously. "Uncalled for? You've just popped out of no-where and told me you failed. Sonic is dead because of you!"
8 frowned, "He's dead? But I just saw him. He was in a Time-Bubble. Unless..."
10 nodded, "Yep. It wasn't activated. Even if we had another Stasis Cube it wouldn't be worth it. We've lost Sonic's body to Nazo, and now we've lost the ring containing his soul." He started to pace, reaching into his hair and tugging it hard. "Let's face facts: Sonic is gone. We've got an army of EK's kicking seven-bells out of our friends and nothing to counter it. This was all for nothing. Nothing!" 10 stomped over to the nearest TARDIS and kicked its base.
Amelia came over to him as he bent over rubbing some feeling back into his sore foot. "Better now you've hurt your TARDIS?"
"Yes..? No..?" 10 sighed leaning against the wooden shell of his ship, rubbing a hand over his face. "I don't know. What do we do now? What would Sonic do?"
Amelia smiled, " My husband would think of a way to help his family, defeat the bad guys and save the day."
"Sounds smart and we could, you know, if he was here."
A far-away look crossed Amelia's face, "If only..." She snapped herself out of it and headed towards 8's TARDIS. "Well, things to do."
"Wait...Wha..?"
"Time is of the essence, gentlemen," said Eggman setting up a crude work station on the flat rock in the middle of the clearing, " and we have lots to do if we're going to pull this off."
"Right. Best get to it then." Said 8, with a box full of spares parts from his TARDIS. "The green tool-kit, Amelia and the thin coloured wire bundles, if you please." Amelia gave a muffled reply from inside the Old Girl before reappearing a few moments later with a knowing gleam in her eyes and said equipment. 8 gave her a bemused glance before taking her load and kneeling on the ground. Muttering under his breath, he began hooking up wires from the computer Eggman was working on to a metal disc on the floor using his sonic-screwdriver. "We stick to the plan. Get everyone out of harms' way, re-group and figure out a way to fix this mess."
"And how do we do that?" Amelia was now peering over Eggman's elbow and the rows of numbers on the screen. "Wait...Are those are co-ordinates?"
"Well done, Rose." 10 fumbled with the circuit board he was fixing. 8 raised a questionable brow but he waved it off. Eggman stepped away from the computer so Amelia could get a closer look. "These are the locations of the others. Now, the two Doctors are wiring up a trans-mat to this computer. This mini-cannon," He held up a small gun, Amelia frowned at it. "Really, my dear? I want to help." Amelia shrugged, "As I was saying...Ahem...This mini-cannon shoots out short-range teleporters. They stick onto the subject and beam them back here."
"Sounds simple enough." She looked around the site, "So...How do we get the teleporters onto the others?"
Eggman grinned, "The Doctors will do it."
"Sure will." They said in unison and then, "Wait? What?"
TARDIS communications systems active...
...Over-ride code needed...input code...
...B-A-D W-O-L-F...
...Code accepted...
...SOS sent...
...
...
...Beginning inter-dimensional scanning...
...
...
...Scanning complete...Multiple subjects identified...
...WARNING! High levels of Chaos energy detected...
...
...Secondary subject identified...
...Scanning...
...Huon energy detected...analysing...
...Confirmed...
...TARDIS located...
...The Doctor is coming...
Things just got a whole lot complicated.
HA-HA!
Mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Stay safe everyone.