THE DEATH EGG SAGA

SONIC AND ALL RELATED INDICA ARE © SEGA/SONIC TEAM

PACKBELL IS © DAVID PISTONE

PROLOGUE

50 LIGHT YEARS AWAY FROM MOBIUS, 12:00 P.M. MOBIAN STANDARD TIME

The large, horrifying beast rotated through the stars. The ship was perfectly spherical, a mechanical demon. Packbell had the ship constructed far away from Mobius so that their satellites and spies and scanners would not pick it up. Now, after three long months, the ship was completed, it's horrible super laser visible with a hole slightly above the axis. Packbell had the ship created because it was the best of Robotnik's creations ever. The Death Egg, originally created with Robotnik's hideous face, was now like a small planet. As big as a moon, it would not stick out much, except for the fact that it was made of metal and had the large super laser shaft. Now that it was completed, Packbell was ready to bring his army back to Mobius for revenge against his losses. He was now ready for battle. The Death Egg was powerful enough to destroy an entire 500 miles radius, and Packbell already had in mind his first target: Mobotropolis. Packbell had his army, and his recruits from every planet in his way. Packbell now had a team of about 6 billion on his side, in his ships and in the Death Egg. He now had the upper hand, and he felt victorious.

The ship was huge. It had thousands of weapons, including numerous gun towers, bomb towers, and even nuclear weapons holds. It had room for about 100,000,000 fighters, 50,000,000 big ships, and 100,000,000 walkers. The Death Egg had 3 main landing areas, one near the top, one near the bottom, and one near the axis. All 3 were very well defended. If the Mobians dared to attack, the ship could handle quite well. Packbell grew impatient, wanting their arrival to come sooner.

"When will we be near Mobius?" he asked impatiently.

"2 days, 3 hours, Commander." a captain replied.

"Speed it up!"

"Yes, Commander."

***

MOBIAN PALACE, MOBOTROPOLIS, 12:15 P.M.

Sonic and Sally sat in the War Room, facing the generals.

"Are you sure, there is no sign of Packbell at all?" Sonic asked.

"Absolutely none!" Geoffrey replied.

"I have spies in every area of Mobius, even in the skies and surrounding space and there is no sign at all. No fighters, ships, or people. I think we may have won the war." Rouge spoke up.

"That's impossible! There were hundreds of fighters and ships that survived the city battle, and I know not all of his forces were in the Icy Mountains base!" Sonic said.

"Regardless, there are no traces of him anywhere at all."

"I have a bad feeling about something, Sonic" Sally piped in.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I just feel something uneasy. Call it woman's intuition, but I have a very rotting feeling in my gut. I don't think this is over."

"We'll be on constant watch and alert, your highness." Geoffrey pledged.

"Good. I do not want people to get lax and then have Packbell come along and blow us all away!"

"That is understandable, my queen."

"Shall I have scout ships placed in nearby space?" Rouge asked.

"Probably couldn't hurt." Sonic replied.

"Very well, then. I shall go prepare them now, if I may."

"Go ahead Rouge, dismissed."

She saluted Sonic and Sally, and walked out of the War Room.

***

HIDDEN PALACE, FLOATING ISLAND, 12:30 P.M.

Knuckles had had trouble sleeping at home since Julie-Su's death, and the members of the Chaotix were constantly depressed over it. Even so, Knuckles knew he had Rouge, and he really appreciated that Rouge did not mind him talking about her. He loved Rouge and he knew it, but it was too soon to start a new relationship. Besides, his guardian powers were beginning to speak to him. He felt as though something big were going to happen.

Basically, all of Mobius was worried. Anyone with a sixth sense, woman's intuition, or psychic powers were feeling "something," and no one knew what. It was very scary for all, except those skeptics who believed nothing bad could happen because Packbell was dead.

But Knuckles's gut was not telling him about Packbell. There was something more, something sinister. He felt the presence of an ancient evil. Whatever he was feeling, it scared him to the bone.

***

2 DAYS LATER

"We are now entering Mobian orbit, Commander." Molotov informed Packbell.

"Very good. Send a transmission to the planet informing them."

"Yes, Commander."

***

MOBIAN WAR ROOM, 12:05 P.M.

"Send a ship up there to see what the Hell that is!" Sonic yelled.

"Yes, your majesty," Rouge replied.

"What is the problem Sonic?" Sally asked.

"They are jamming our scanners," he replied.

"Jamming us? How?"

"All our satellites have been jammed. No signals can get through."

"I'll have a ship ready in 5 minutes," Rouge replied.

***

DEATH EGG CONTROL ROOM, 12:10 P.M.

"A ship?" Packbell asked.

"Yes, Commander, a ship." Molotov replied.

"Get my shuttle ready, we must not allow it to get through."

"Are you sure you do not want us to blast it?"

"We've tried that twice with spy ships, they always manage to escape. Besides, if we capture the passengers, they may be used as a bargaining chip."

"Yes, Packbell."

Packbell threw his cape around and disappeared in a puff a smoke. He reappeared in his private chambers, facing a dark figure.

"What did you need, Spike?"

"I need your approval."

"My approval?" Packbell looked at him with a confused face.

"I have decided to join the Dark Legion

"The Dark Legion?"

"Yes," Spike seemed graver than he had originally been when hired several months before.

"For what? You are the best mercenary I have ever met."

"It is in my destiny. My future is with the Dark Legion

Packbell thought for a moment. If he did follow through with the Dark Legion he would definitely be of use to Packbell, but he may prove to be unruly.

"Does this have anything to do with your defeat at the hands of Knuckles, the Guardian?"

"A little."

"You do know that the Dark Legion is mainly a cult against the Order of the Guardians of the Floating Island?"

"I know. Master Kragok has shown me the powers of the Dark Legion. Those powers are more useful than any weapon I could ever use."

"I thought Dark Legionnaires had to have a special sense inside them."

"I do, Packbell. I always have, I just never knew how to concentrate on them until Master Kragok showed me my powers."

"You request is granted."

"Thank you, Packbell."

Packbell watched as Spike walked out of the room and headed for the docking bay. He hoped that this was a good idea. If not, he'd hate to have to kill Spike. If it worked, Molotov could be demoted in favor of Spike.

PART 1-THE RISE OF REBELLION

ABOARD THE MOBIAN SPY SHIP, MOBIAN ATMOSPHERE, 12:30 P.M.

The Mobian ship flew gracefully through the clouds, despite the fact that it was being fired upon by Packbell's shuttle, closing in fast behind it. Lasers rang out from both ships at each other, striking holes in both. It was the spy ship, however, that fared the worst, with holes constantly ripping open on the hull. The ship grew closer to Packbell's shuttle, which was slightly larger than the small spy ship.

Inside the ship, the blasts were easily felt. Rouge and her spies yelped at each blast. One huge blast completely rocked the ship, causing the lights and electricity to go out in some areas.

"There went the main power generator!" Rouge called out.

The shuttle neared the ship and drew it into the gravity of the small shuttle. Spies and guards rushed to the main door, prepared to fire at will. The door blasted open, and several Packbellian soldiers rushed in, blasting. The Mobian guards blasted back and both teams suffered losses. Finally, the Mobians ran as more and more robot soldiers piled into the ship, followed by Packbell. He entered the door, looking around. The soldier commander walked up to Packbell.

"Search the ship and get back to me!" he commanded.

"Yes, Commander!"

Rouge ran toward the escape pods, smacking into a guard.

"Well, well. Hello, Miss Bat." he mumbled.

Packbell stood in the bridge with the commander of the soldier and the captain of the ship.

"What have you seen and heard in your little trip?"

"Nothing," he said, choking.

"My ship scanners picked up a transmission to the palace. Where are those transmissions you sent? What have you done with those messages?"

"We sent no transmissions, this is a simple ship sent to check on our satellites."

"If this is a maintenance ship, where are the mechanics?"

The captain chocked, letting go of his last breath. Packbell through his lifeless body into the wall.

"COMMANDER TEAR THIS SHIP APART UNTIL YOU FIND THOSE RECORDS AND BRING ME THE PASSENGERS-I WANT THEM ALL ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!"he screamed.

"Yes, Commander," he said, shuddering.

***

THE PALACE, 12:35 P.M.

"There seems to be a problem with the communications, Queen Sally," the chief communications officer said.

"What do you mean?"

"We got some kind of transmission, but it was incomplete."

"Send a team up there to check it out!"

"Yes, Queen Sally."

***

ABOARD THE PACKBELLIAN SHUTTLE, 12:40 P.M.

Packbell faced Rouge and the other passengers.

"No transmissions, were there?" he yelled.

"What are you talking about?"

"I found the message that you sent to the palace! Did you honestly think you could lie to me and get away with it!?"

"I don't know what you are talking about, Packbell!" Rouge said in defiance.

"YOU LYING BITCH! TAKE HER AWAY AND PUT HER IN THE PRISON DECK ON BOARD THE DEATH EGG AND SHOOT THE OTHERS!"

"Yes Commander."

***

HIDDEN PALACE, 1:30 P.M.

Knuckles walked into his bedroom and plopped onto his bed. He laid back and jumped up when he saw his father appear above him.

"Knuckles…" Locke said.

"Dad?"

"Knuckles, listen to me. A great danger is about to befall the Floating Island. The Dark Legion is prepared to rise up again."

"Another Dark Legion?"

"No, THE Dark Legion."

"Kragok?"

"Yes. Kragok is desperately attempting to restore the order to its origins- pure evil by the power of the Dark Forces. He is training the recruits, one of which you must fight. This is your test as a Guardian. You must defeat the Dark Legion before they succeed in the destruction of the Floating Island!"

"I will not fail, Father."

"I pray that you do not, my son."

***

DEATH EGG CONTROL ROOM, 1:45 P.M.

A most unusual paring stood before Packbell. Dark Legion master and student. Kragok and Spike stood before the robot.

"I have instructed my pupil to you, Commander Packbell." Kragok said in a grave voice.

"You have?"

"Yes. He has informed me that you too, have been his teacher."

"I suppose, perhaps."

"Remember your teaching, Spike. You were a fast learner, and you are ready."

"Already?" Packbell asked in shock.

"I have done all that I can do for him. His destiny is what has guided him and shall guide him further. You are in his destiny and I am not. I must go now."

"Goodbye, my old master," Spike hissed.

Kragok walked out of the room back to the landing deck.

"Shoot him down." Spike told Packbell.

"What?"

"He is a liar and traitor. Shoot him down. I am the true future for the Dark Legion, not him!"

"Certainly."

***

MOBIAN PALACE, 2:00 P.M.

Knuckles stood in the throne room with Sonic and Sally, discussing his father's visit and how they were going to rescue Rouge.

"We cannot do the same type of mission that we did on the ARK," Sonic said.

"I agree," Knuckles replied.

"However, if we could get by their shield, we could go in and rescue her. We could also learn quite a bit about the structure of that ship!" Sally spoke up.

"Perhaps we had better."

"Good, I want a ship ready in 15 minutes."

"What are you doing? You cannot possibly be wanting to join us!" Sonic yelled at his wife.

"Well, I am."

"Fine, but you are bringing a laser blaster with you!"

"Fine with me, Sonic."

"Shall we be ready in 15 minutes?" Tails and Amy asked.

"Yes," Sally replied.

"Well, I suppose 5 people are better than 2." Sonic looked at Knuckles.

"I'm ready now!"

"Good, we shall meet at the landing deck in 15 minutes!" Sonic ordered.

***

15 MINUTES LATER

The ship took off and blasted through the Mobian skies, headed for space. The ship went as fast as it could, entering the vicinity of the Death Egg in less than 5 minutes.

"I can't control it!" Tails yelled.

"What do you mean?" Sonic asked.

"There seems to be some kind of gravitational field. I can't avoid it."

"What's going on?" Sally asked as the trip got bumpy.

"It's sucking us in!"

The ship drew nearer to the Death Egg docking bay.

"We're nearing the station," Amy said gravely.

The ship entered the docking bay, and the 5 of them hid in the back closets.

"Maybe he won't find us in here," Knuckles said at his idea.

Packbell and Spike walked toward the ship.

"Search the ship for the passengers," Packbell commanded.

"We have, Commander, and there are no signs of life at all. Also, all escape pods have been jettisoned."

"I see. Well, there must be something, check again!"

"Yes Commander.

"I sense something. A presence that Kragok had taught me to feel."

"There must be something in there-his senses are never wrong!"

"Yes, sir."

Packbell and Spike stood there while the robots searched again. A few minutes later, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Sally, and Amy walked out with their hands above their heads and a laser blaster pointed in their backs.

"I knew it, the Guardian!" Spike called out.

"Spike? You're the new Dark Legionnaire?"

"Yes. Your point?"

"Nothing."

"Enough chit chat! General, go get Rouge the Bat. I think it is time we demonstrated this station's power."

"Yes, Commander."

***

MAIN CONTROL ROOM, DEATH EGG, 2:30 P.M.

All 6 stood with Packbell and Spike as they looked out the Control Room window at Mobius. Mobius was beautiful from space, but the group was worried as to what Packbell was going to do.

"The recent events of the past few months has led me to this. The Ambush, the Icy Mountains base, the ARK, my ships, ET cetera- I have faced many losses. Now I have the upper hand with this super weapon."

"And?" Sally interjected.

"In a way, you guys have helped choose the target that I will use first."

"What do you mean?" Tails asked fearfully.

"Molotov, set target Mobotropolis."

"NO!" Sonic screamed.

"Continue with the operation, you may fire when ready!"

The technicians pressed all buttons, turned all knobs, and pulled levers. Each technician had a station with controls to utilize in preparation for the blast. After the weapon charged, the laser began to charge. Each of the smaller laser beams converged at one point, and a larger beam shot out through the center point. The deadly blast struck the palace violently, the explosion spreading throughout the city.

Sonic, Sally, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, and Rouge all screamed while Packbell and Spike just smiled.

"General, take them back to the Prison Deck." Packbell ordered.

"Yes, Commander."

They walked with the guards to the elevator and down to the Prison Deck. When on Level 6, all of them looked at each other, hinting at an attack on their captors. Sonic, Sally and Knuckles all punched their guards and grabbed their lasers, then shot the other guards. Robots and guards came running out, blasting at them. Red laser fire flew through the air, striking robots and guards. Several shots grazed by the heroes' heads, but none managed to make impact on them.

"Some plan, your Majesties!" Knuckles said sarcastically.

"Why did you get us into this if you didn't have a plan for getting out?!" Rouge yelled.

"I didn't know the place was crawling with guards!!!!" Sonic yelled back.

Red lights flashed and alarms blared.

"Intruder breach! Intruders are in Block A, leaving the Prison Deck, they are headed for the main elevator shaft, stop them!" the mechanized voice blared.

They ran down the hallways, escaping the hundreds of robots and guards that ran after them, blasting. Several threw grenades. Sonic felt one hit his foot and quickly kicked it back at them, taking instead, several guards.

"Intruders have breached Sector 5, Get them!"

They ran faster before they arrived at a fork in the trail.

"Knuckles and Rouge, take the left, Amy and Tails, go to the right, we'll take the center!" Sonic screamed. The guards also spilt up and followed them.

The alarm continued to sound.

"They are splitting up, they are now in Sectors 6,7, and 8 now."

"They're getting faster!" Amy yelled.

"Not if I can help it!"

Tails grabbed her and used his Tails to fly down the hallway, glancing back to shoot at the guards.

Knuckles and Rouge ran down their hallway, also only looking back to shoot at the guards. They seemed to be the closest to the ship, until Knuckles ran into Spike.

"Rouge, get to the ship! I'll take care of him!"

"Got it!"

She continued on, blasting at the guards behind and ahead of her.

Knuckles looked his foe in the face.

"So, you're a Dark Legionnaire?" Knuckles spat.

"Yes, Guardian."

"What makes you think you are cut out for it?"

"Master Kragok has instructed me in the areas necessary for my powers."

"Powers of evil, Spike!"

Knuckles leapt at him, and they struggled.

"You should not have come back for me!" Spike told him.

They punched and kicked at each other, engaged in a mortal hand-to-hand combat. Spike chanted something in an ancient language that knocked Knuckles back into a wall.

"You can't win, Guardian."

"Neither can you, Spike!"

They continued to fight at each other until Knuckles grabbed a bar off the ceiling and struck Spike in the chest. Spike too grabbed a stick and the two of them fought as knights with swords. Knuckles continued to strike at him, and he returned each blow, also using his evil magic.

"Knuckles, we're at the ship. Where are you?" he heard Tails's voice.

"Sorry, but that's my cue to leave!" Knuckles caught Spike off guard and slammed the stick into his head, knocking him unconscious.

He ran back to the ship, and they all took off before the doors even closed. Guns still blasted at them, both from guards and towers. They left the Death Egg just as quickly as they had entered it.

"Sonic, I have 4 fighters on the radar!" Tails yelped.

"Get to a gun post. I'll grab the main gun controls!" he replied.

The fighters flew by rather quickly, blasting at the ship. Sonic and Tails blasted randomly at the ships, striking one, but not destroying it. The fighters blasted away at the ship, hitting the main communications dish. Sonic pressed hard on the gun controls, striking one fighter dead center.

"I got one!" Tails yelled at the same time.

"Awesome, so did I!"

The ship still lashed out at the fighters, which still came back forcefully at the ship.

"I'll launch a missile!" Tails yelled.

"Go for it!" Sonic called back.

Tails launched the smart bomb and it detonated on the wing of one of the fighters. The blast spread to the other fighter, and both were destroyed.

"We did it!" Sally, Rouge, and Amy yelled.

The celebration was short before they entered the atmosphere.

***

DEATH EGG CONTROL ROOM, 3:30 P.M.

"They escaped?!" Packbell screamed in anger

"Um- I'm afraid so, Commander.

"You idiot! How could you let them escape?"

"We managed to place a tracking beacon on the ship."

"I KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING! THAT WAS POINTLESS! YOU LET THEM ESCAPE DAMN YOU!"

"I am sorry, Commander."

Packbell grabbed a laser from a guard and blasted the man before him, reducing him to a dead, limp body on the floor.

"Damn fool!" Packbell spat on his body.

***

MOBIAN AIRSPACE OVER META JUNGLIRA, 3:45 P.M.

"Head for our Base Delta Zero," Sonic told Tails.

"Sure thing," he replied.

They flew toward the base and docked in the main port. Geoffrey welcomed each of them with a hug.

"Thank God you are all alive. When I heard about Mobotropolis, I feared the worst."

"Speaking of which," Sonic interjected, "were there any survivors?"

"Not many, I am afraid," Geoffrey replied.

Sally winced.

"About how many?" she asked, afraid of the answer.

"Only 10% of the population survived. Some escaped when the blast hit, some managed to find some type of shelter. The whole city, though, is gone. All of it. Gone…"

Sally cried. Sonic cried. All of them cried the day that Mobotropolis died.

***

DEATH EGG CONTROL ROOM, 4:00 P.M.

"Get me a connection to the base!" Packbell snapped at Molotov.

"Yes, Packbell."

Packbell's face appeared on the screen in the Meta Junglira base. He was filled with rage, anger, and hate.

"I thought Mobotropolis would be a suitable enough target, but I suppose that has not dampened your spirits!" he yelled.

"You won't get away with this, Packbell!" Sonic spat.

"I did not contact you for a threat. I contacted you for a more emotional demonstration!"

"What do you mean?" Sally asked.

"Watch." he replied.

The view switched to the Floating Island, with the Chaotix and other inhabitants sitting at a table talking. Knuckles felt a burning deep in his soul. He knew what was going to happen. They all watched in horror as another blast rang out form the Death Egg. This time, it hit the Floating Island. The camera view Packbell had allowed them to see the Chaotix and the other inhabitants be incinerated, as well as the desolation of all on the island. Knuckles's life, his past, was gone. His purpose for living, his whole existence-gone in a flash of fire and light. He screamed so loudly that the windows shook, and then he collapsed into tears on the floor. He wanted to die. The Floating Island was gone.

***

MAIN WAR ROOM, META JUNGLIRA BASE, 7:00 P.M.

The entire Mobian military sat in the room gathered in front of a large screen showing the structures of the Death Egg. Knuckles and Rouge sat together, him with a sad look on his face. Geoffrey and Sonic stood on the catwalk above the group.

"Thanks to the disk stolen by Rouge on board the Death Egg, we have been able to analyze the Death Egg composition." Sonic began.

"Our attack plan is simple- we will have 30 fighters total attack the Death Egg. I want three teams, one lead by King Sonic, one led by Knuckles, and one led by Chancellor Prower. Sonic's team will go after the main power generator, which should knock out all weapons, including the super laser," Geoffrey continued.

"In case of enemy fire, Knuckles's team will protect us so we can deal with the tower." Sonic said.

"Chancellor Prower's team will be responsible for taking out the gun turrets and batteries," Geoffrey commanded.

"We attack tomorrow morning!" Sonic shouted.

"That's right. Get your rest, men- you will need it! The battle will be long and hard, but we can win."

"Why are we not just going after the whole thing?" one soldier asked.

"We do not have the power at this time to attack the whole thing. Many of our soldiers and ships were destroyed when the city was destroyed." Geoffrey replied.

"Are you sure that simply destroying the power generator will help?" another spoke up.

"It will do for now," Sonic replied, "because all power will be knocked out. The super laser will be rendered totally useless, and the other weapons will be offline. This will give us time to plan our big attack to destroy it completely."

"I see. What if the tower is not the only source of power?"

"It isn't. It is the main source. It controls all the smaller units that provide power to their respective areas. Destroying this one will cause the others to be disabled as well."

"What about their war ships?"

"Some of them may be there for protection, but we do not anticipate that to be a problem. This attack is only for a temporary victory- the real battle will come later," he reiterated.

"Now men, prepare for battle tonight. Lights out for all of you is 2100 hours! The battle will launch at 800 hours tomorrow morning!" Geoffrey called out to the room's contents.

***

BASE LAUNCH BAY, 7:50 P.M.

The pilots ran to their ships, putting their helmets on along the way. Each one piled into his or her ship quickly, awaiting Geoffrey's command to begin attack. Finally, he dropped his hand, and Sonic, tails, and Knuckles took off, followed by their respective teams.

Geoffrey, Sally, Rouge, and Amy walked back into the base into the Command Room.

"Here we can watch and hear the entire battle," Geoffrey informed them.

***

DEATH EGG MAIN CONTROL ROOM

"Commander, we have Mobian ships coming in fast!" Molotov shouted.

"Prepare the turbo lasers and charge up the cannon. If they still have not gotten the point, perhaps only one more demonstration is required- their own destruction!"

"Packbell, perhaps we should go," Spike volunteered.

"Never! I will not succumb to idle threats. Only 30 ships? Bah! Wipe them out, Molotov!"

"Commander, there seems to be a problem with the super laser- it needs to be charged." a technician called out.

"Then charge it! Quickly!"

"Yes, Commander."

***

DEATH EGG AIRSPACE, 8:05 P.M.

The ships drew closer to the Death Egg, most just now realizing its horrifying size and power.

"My God, that thing is huge!" one pilot exclaimed.

"Team one, follow me to the tower, team two cover us. Team three, go after those gun batteries!" Sonic commanded.

"Roger, Team Leader."

"Roger, Team Leader."

"Orange fleet, do you copy?" Geoffrey asked over the intercom.

Tails replied: "Copy, Commander."

"Team Blue, do you copy?"

"Copy, Commander," Sonic replied.

"Team red, do you copy?"

"Copy, Commander," Knuckles called.

"Tails, about how many guns do you see?"

"About 50 guns, some on the surface, some on the tower." he replied to Sonic.

"Orange Fleet 1-10 take the left, 11-20, go right, the rest of you follow me!" he commanded.

"Roger, Orange Leader!"

Geoffrey looked closely at the radar.

"I'm picking up a new group of signals- enemy fighters coming in fast!"

"I see them, Geoff. Knuckles, can you guys take care of it?"

"Got it Sonic!" he replied as he blasted two near the surface.

"Blue 1-15, go after the cityscape, 16-30, follow me to the tower!" Sonic commanded.

"Roger, Blue Leader."

The fifteen followed him as they neared the tower, blasting their laser cannons at full blast. Fighters spun through the air, blasting lasers and missiles at the Mobian ships. Knuckles and his team attacked the enemy fighters, drawing their fire away from the Blue Team's ships. Tails's fleet attacked the numerous gun batteries, lasers blasting at the turrets. Several fighters that had been hit plunged forward into the towers as well.

Packbell watched as his fighters began to lose quickly. He had three other pilots enter, including Spike.

"Several fighters seem to be stronger than the others," he announced," all others follow me!"

They walked after him to the fighter bay.

"More fighters coming in!" Sonic yelled.

Sonic and his team flew down to the surface, shooting at the grand city-like sprawls, the explosions knocking back some people and robots inside and killing others. They drew nearer to the Tower, when the guns grew more rapidly in their firing.

"There seems to be a high concentration of guns on the tower; can I get some help, Tails?" Sonic asked.

"Sure thing. Oranges 11-15 go help him, the rest of you split up and go for the guns!" Tails ordered.

"Roger, Orange Leader!"

Packbell and Spike flew at the other ships, while those with them were quickly blasted down into the surface. Packbell and Spike were fiercer than the other fighters. Mobian fighters began dropping quickly. The guns were being destroyed more quickly when Tails's fleet began using missiles, bombs and warheads on a large area.

"I'm nearing the tower!" a blue Team Member called out. He flew nearer to the tower, blasting away. He watched as the tower flashed, apparently from explosion.

"It's a hit!" he yelled.

"Negative, negative!" Sonic yelled back.

"What?"

"You just pecked the surface!"

"Damn!"

"I'll take care of it!" Sonic replied. He flew closer, but felt a stray blast shoot by his cockpit. He looked behind him and saw Packbell and Spike closing in on him.

"I've got him!" Packbell yelped in glee.

"Oh, no you don't!" Knuckles yelled as he launched a missile at the ground beneath Packbell. Packbell screamed as the force of the explosion threw him in a tailspin, falling to Mobius. Spike retreated to the main docking bay when he realized that the battle was being lost. Sonic blasted the tower with a nuclear warhead, causing it to collapse. They watched as all the lights on the Death Egg flickered out. The super laser had begun to fire, but the beams faded out and also flickered.

"We did it!" Sonic yelled.

"Wait a minute!" Geoffrey called from the planet.

"What?"

"Guys, retreat. I'm going to see if I can take care of the other structures."

They flew away, each one launching bombs and missiles at different parts of the Death Egg. They watched as the explosions broke out on the surface. Geoffrey launched bombs and laser blasts at the Death Egg as well. The Death Egg ripped apart in some places, but it was not destroyed. It was still there, but harmed very much.

"We won!" all Mobians shouted with glee.

***

THE NEXT DAY

The celebration was massive. Parades were spread through the streets of the destroyed city, and also at the base. The parades were not all; concerts, speeches, and fireworks displays also characterized the mood. Rather then begin rebuilding the city, they knew they must wait until they had completely destroyed the Death Egg. It still loomed in the sky, but so damaged that it would take weeks and months to fix. The battle had been won, but it was a temporary victory. The true battle had just begun………………….