THE DEATH EGG SAGA
SONIC AND ALL RELATED INDICA ARE © SEGA/SONIC TEAM
PACKBELL IS © DAVID PISTONE
SPIKE IS © CHRIS CAFFEE
PROLOGUE
Since the Death Egg was rendered totally useless just the week before, Packbell and Spike had been busy getting everything back online. Packbell remained in a secret base in the Titania Desert, Spike was put in charge of the Packbellian fleet, and Molotov oversaw the maintenance of the Death Egg. They were split up, making them more powerful and dangerous. The Meta Junglira Base was deserted by the Mobians in favor of a more remote area- the Snowy Mountains. Packbell had decided to let Spike handle them, while he contemplated his next move. Spike could handle it, he was certain.
PART 2- PACKBELL STRIKES BACK
PACKBELLIAN SPACE ARMADA, SPACE ABOVE MOBIUS, 12:05 P.M.
A small battleship hovered near the planet's atmosphere, slightly lower than the other ships. The cargo bay opened, thrusting out a small ship filled with spy probes sent to scan each area of Mobius. The probes investigated everything in sight. One landed in the Snowy Mountains. It traveled several hundred miles before nearing a small base. Inside, Geoffrey and the others picked up the signal.
***
MOBIAN BASE, SNOWY MOUNTAINS, 12:50 P.M.
"What is that?" Sally asked.
"The language seems to be some sort of Packbellian code." Geoffrey answered.
"I'll go check it out,:" Knuckles volunteered.
He left the base in his jacket, laser pistol in hand. The robot spotted him immediately and fired several shots before self-destructing.
"It was a Packbellian probe," Knuckles said over the intercom.
"Are you sure?" Sonic asked.
"Yes. As soon as it saw me, it fired and exploded. I didn't even raise my gun."
"Well, you can bet Packbell is on to us now."
"Prepare the evacuation," Geoffrey said.
***
PACKBELLIAN SPACE ARMADA, 1:15 P.M.
The large ships flew near each other in the shadow of the Death Egg. Several fighters flew near the ships and Death Egg for protection. The biggest ship was the main battleship, where Spike was located. He walked down the corridors, stopping when he heard several admirals and captains talking about something found in the Snowy Mountains. He glanced at the base.
"That's it! The Mobians are there!"
"Lord Spike, there are so many uncharted settlements. It could be mercenaries or rebels or-"
"Do you doubt my intuition?"
"No, Lord Spike."
"Set your course for the Snowy Mountains, make sure they don't know we're coming!"
"Yes, Lord Spike."
"General Naka, prepare your men!"
***
MOBIAN BASE, SNOWY MOUNTAINS, 1:45 P.M..
The Mobians watched the ships arriving not far from the base, using the radar screen. The transports were ready, and fleets were assembled for the protection. The ships were ready. A general called out to Geoffrey
"Commander, there is a fleet of battleships arriving in Sector X." he said.
"Prepare for ground assault. Get the fighters ready!"
"Yes, Commander."
***
MAIN BATTLESHIP, 2:00P.M.
Spike blasted away at the Captain of the ship using his Dark Legion powers.
"You idiot! You came out of high speed too close to the base! They know we're here! You screw-up!"
The man twitched in pain as Spike took his life. Packbell looked toward General Naka.
"General, prepare your troops for a surface attack!"
"Yes, Lord Spike," he replied.
"Luitenant Poett, you are in command now, Captain Poett!" Spike said.
"Yes, my lord. Thank you."
***
MOBIAN BASE, SNOWY MOUNTAINS, 2:15 P.M.
"The ion laser will fire several shots at the battleships to deflect fire," Sally began. "The fighters will attack only when needed. Get all soldiers to their posts!"
"Yes, Queen Sally."
Several battleships neared the base. The cannons fired at them, blasting the hulls open and destroying the weaker ones. Transport ships left quickly. The fighters were beginning to launch and the soldiers got to their posts outside.
"Blue Team to base, we have spotted Walker Robots and tanks." the guards informed. The tanks and walkers began to fire.
"Go after the tanks first. Green group, go after the walkers!" Sonic commanded from the base.
The fighters blasted at the walkers, barely denting the surface. The guards and laser turrets near the base also fired, all to no avail.
"These are more powerful than the ones they used in the city!" one pilot yelled.
"Go for the legs, it may be our only hope!"
The lasers of the walkers and tanks fired rapidly at the turrets, fighters, troops, and base. It was still quite far away from the base, so it concentrated on the ships and troops. The tanks were being easily destroyed, but the walkers seemed invincible. General Naka contacted Spike to tell him that he could land and enter the base soon. The transports continued to leave. Sally and the others gave the command to evacuate. Knuckles and Tails worked on the Mobian One, partially destroyed after the ARK battle. The ships continued to attack the walkers, now using missiles and bombs, which still were no big help.
Inside the main walker, General Naka talked with his troops.
"Prepare your troops for ground assault. I am targeting the main port."
Inside the base, the final stages of evacuation were beginning as the Mobians began to lose. The troops began to retreat, many being squashed under the walker's feet or shot down by the guns. The main walker targeted the base and fired.
Inside, the base shook violently. The alarm sounded.
"PACKBELLIAN TROOPS HAVE ENTERED THE BASE!"
Sally, Amy, Knuckles, Tails, Sonic, and Rouge screamed to the others while running to their transport.
"Get everyone out!"
They ran, but were stopped by an avalanche.
"You guys get out, we'll take the Mobius One." Sonic said over the intercom.
The doors blasted open and Spike walked in with his troops. They marched down the corridors to the docking bay where the Mobius One was located. They began blasting at the ship with guns and laser rifles on tripods. The Mobius One fired at them, narrowly missing Spike. Spike and the others watched as the ship sped out of the bay. The surviving ships flew off to the rendesvous point, the ruins of the Isle of Androsia. The Snowy Mountains were evacuated.
Meanwhile, the Mobius One flew out of the Mountains and over the ocean, pursued by the battleships and enemy fighters.
"I saw them!" Tails yelled at Sonic.
"Saw what?" Knuckles asked.
"Battleships, two of them coming right at us!"
"We can outmaneuver them!"
Sonic turned the ship and spun near the ocean surface, causing three ships to collide in a glorious explosion. The ship began to shake violently.
"That wasn't a laser blast!" Sonic yelled.
"No, it's a typhoon!" Sally replied.
"Tails, set the coordinates 131,120,152."
"Sonic Hedgehog-Acorn, you're not actually going into a typhoon are you?"Sally asked in shock.
The fighters continued to follow and fire at them.
"They'd be crazy to follow us!" he replied with a wink.
"You're the one who's crazy, we're gonna be destroyed!" Rouge yelled.
Fighters behing him were caught up in the wind and smashed in the waves. Hail and lightning pounded several fighters, as well as some battleships.
"Can't argue with that," Sonic replied. He flew lower to the ocean.
"Now what are you doing?" Tails asked.
"We're going under."
"WHAT?!" they asked in unison.
"Hey, this thing is supposed to be an all-terrain ship, so why not?"
"You have lost it, Sonic!" Amy replied.
He somersaulted the ship and splashed into the water.
"Switching to rudder control. The boosters retracted and revealed spinning rudders that propelled them quickly like tentacles in the ocean.
"Let's hope there are no leaks," Rouge prayed. They went a little farther before Sonic settled it in a small trench.
***
ON BOARD THE MAIN BATTLESHIP, 3:30 P.M.
Captain Poett walked into Spike's personal chambers. Spike turned his chair around to face the man.
"Lord Spike, we have spotted the Mobius One, but it has entered a typhoon and we cannot risk drown-"
"Typhoons do not concern me, Captain. I want them and their ship, not excuses and alibis!"
"Yes, Lord Spike."
***
ABOARD THE MOBIUS ONE, 3:45 P.M.
Sonic and Tails began shutting down all unnecessary machines in the ship. Any robots onboard were also shut down. The ship began to tremble.
"Sonic, I don't think this area is stable." Sally whispered.
"I think you're right, but we should hold up for a little while," he replied.
The ship began to shake again. Sonic and Sally sat in the bridge, while Tails and Amy went to check for leaks. Knuckles and Rouge had gone back into the private quarters to talk.
"Knuckles, I know you feel like you failed, but you can't beat yourself up about it." she tried to comfort him.
"But, it's all gone. My past, my future."
"Maybe the Floating Island was not meant to be a part of your future."
"Why not? It was my sole purpose in life to protect that Island and follow in my ancestor's footsteps." he seemed ready to cry. Rouge moved closer to him and kissed him.
"We'll get back at Spike."
***
INSIDE THE MAIN BATTLESHIP, 4:15 P.M.
The mighty typhoon blasted apart fighters and ships. Wind and hail pulverized the monsters. Inside the main ship, Spike communicated with all ships.
"That was the last time we saw them," said one Admiral.
Captain Poett walked toward Spike.
"Lord Spike, Supreme Commander Packbell commands that you make contact with him!" he said.
"Move the ship away from the typhoon so that we can send a clear transmission!"
"Yes, Lord Spike."
Spike walked into his private quarters and pressed the button, making Packbell's image appear on a screen.
"To what do I owe this honor, Packbell?" he asked.
"I'm just checking up on you, Spike. How is it going?"
"Snowy Mounatins base destroyed, but Sonic and the rest have escaped. I am pursuing them now."
"Good, continue."
"Thank you, Commander.
Over the surface of the water, the ships and fighters blasted lasers and bombs under the surface. The ships dropped depth charges and bombs, and also torpedoes.
Inside the Mobius One, the rockes around them crumbled, and the ship shook. Sonic looked out and screamed.
"My God, depth charges!"
All the others ran into the bridge.
"Let's take off, Tails!"
"Those fighters are still out there!" Sally yelled.
They flew rapidly out of the trench as the depth charges caused the trench to collapse like an earthquake. They sped out of the ocean, changing the rudders back to boosters. They had re-entered the typhoon.
***
INSIDE THE MAIN BATTLESHIP, 4:45 P.M.
Captain Poett looked in disgust at several mercenaries.
"Bounty hunters! What scum! We'll find them."
Spike commanded the hunters to find the Mobius One, but do not destroy them.
"Lord Spike, we found them!" Captain Poett yelled.
Inside the ship, they breathed a collective sigh of relief as they left the typhoon.
The ships and fighters basted at them again.
"Sonic, we've lost our shield!"
"Then we'll go after then instead!" he yelled.
The ship moved and attacked the battleship, blasting its lasers away at the ship. Lasers blasted from both ships, blowing open small sections of the battleships. That's when they seemed to disappear.
Inside the ship, the Luitenants ran to Poett.
"Sir, the ship has disappeared!"
"Impossible! The Mobians have no type of disappearing apparatuses!" he yelled.
"There's no trace of them!"
Spike walked over to them and looked at the screen.
"They won't escape from us, Captain Poett- do not let it bother you. Those mercenaries will take care of it."
The bounty hunters left and went to their ships, among them were Spike's old friend, Ivanoff and an old Mobian enemy-Knack the Weasel.
***
ABOARD THE MOBIUS ONE, 5:00 P.M.
The ship was hidden, attached to the back of the main battleship near the boosters, quite well-hidden. Inside, plans for escape were being contemplated.
"What next, Sonic?" Tails asked.
"Maybe we could find somewhere as a temporary relief." he suggested.
"The fleet is started to break up." said Rouge.
"Is there anywhere around for us to land temporarily?" Sonic asked her.
"We're nearing Andonia."
"They're not very Mobian-friendly, but they really don't know about us probably."
"It's too risky."
"Wait a minute!" Rouge exclaimed.
"What is it?"
"I have some friends in Andonia. Amelia and Robert Powalski! They are the kind and queen of Andonia."
"Can we trust them?"
"Probably not, but they have no respect for Packbell, I'm quite sure. Go ahead. Head for Andonia."
The ship flew toward Andonia.
***
ANDONIAN AIRSPACE, 5:30 P.M.
Andonian ships flew at them, blasting.
"No, we don't have a landing permit. We want to King and Queen Powalski!" Rouge yelled.
"I thought these were your friends!" Sonic snapped.
The ship communicator flashed.
"You have permission to land," the leader said. They landed on the main docking platform.
Ameila and Robert ran up to her and hugged her.
"What the Hell are you doing here?" they said, laughing.
"Refuge. This is King Sonic and Queen Sally Hedgehog-Acorn of Mobotropolis."
"The Mobian monarchs! What an honor! Nice to know the new generation doesn't hate us."
"What do you mean?" Sally asked.
"Long story, we'll tell you later. Come inside, guests. No-come inside, friends," Amelia said warmly.
"Thanks to you all for getting rid of Robotnik!" Robert sighed.
"Oh, that's right. He was starting to get on you guys pretty quickly for a while, wasn't he?" Rouge inquired.
"Until that Isle of Androsia thing. We considered talking with you guys, but given the combined history of Mobius and Andonia, we thought not." Amelia said.
"We'll have to discuss that later," Sally promised.
***
ANDONIAN PALACE, 8:00 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING
Sally looked out the window of the beautiful palace. Rouge walked in.
"Well, how do you like my friends?" she asked.
"They seem very friendly, but a bit too friendly in my opinion." Sally replied. Sonic and Knuckles walked in.
"Have you guys seen Tails lately?" Sonic asked.
"No, why?"
"He's disappeared. I haven't seen him since 7 last night. That's too long to have simply gotten lost."
"We could ask Amelia or Robert," Rouge suggested.
"I don't trust them," Sonic and Knuckles said in unison.
"Why not?"
"They seem to friendly about the past persecutions." Sally replied.
Tails walked in, dazed.
"Tails, where were you?" Sonic asked.
"I don't-remember."
"What? Last thing I remember is walking down the corridor then-nothing."
Amelia and Robert walked in.
"Would you guys like some breakfast?" Robert asked.
"Sure!" Rouge piped in.
"Come, join us, please," Amelia backed him up.
They all walked out together and strolled down the hallway to the banquet room. Robots and people walked down the hallways.
"We've heard about your troubles with this Packbell guy," Robert began.
"Yeah, he's a real pain!" Rouge exclaimed.
"Luckily, we've managed to avoid him, but now it seems as though he rules Mobius now."
"I know what you mean," Sally replied.
"Aren't you worried he will find out about you?" Amy asked.
"No. We've just completed a development that will kepp them away forever!" Robert replied.
The banquet doors opened and Sonic looked up. He saw Spike at the table. Tails grabbed his laser and fired, but Spike used his powers to throw it away.
"Join us, please." he said smoothly.
"I'm sorry Rouge. He got here just before you did." Amelia apologized.
Several troops piled in, pointing blaster guns at them.
"So am I." she replied gravely.
Sonic and the others sat in the jail cell while Spike talked with Knack.
"I appreciate your information. Here is your reward" he handed him several hundred Mobes.
Robert walked up to him.
"Lord Spike, what about the rest?" he asked.
"They must never again leave Andonia.
"That was never a part of the deal, nor was giving Rouge to this piece of scum!" he screamed.
"Do you feel unhappy?"
"No, my Lord."
"Good. I'd hate for Andonia to suffer the same fate as Mobotropolis!"
Robert walked to the prison area and enetered the cell.
"You bastard!" Rouge yelled.
"Shut the hell up and listen! The others have to stay here. You have to go with Knack."
"Never!"
"You did a great job, didn't you?" Rouge yelled.
"I've done all I can. I'm sorry but we have our own problems!"
"Whatever! Get out!"
***
NITROGEN FREEZING FACILITY, 10:00 A.M.
"Very crude, but it should freeze Sonic for his trip to Packbell." Spike hissed.
"This is not safe for living matter!" Robert interjected.
"Then we will test it. On Sonic."
Several minutes later, he had all enter the room, with Sonic in chains.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"You're going to be frozen in liquid nitrogen." Amelia replied.
"What if he dies?" Robert asked.
"Packbell will destroy you. Put him in!"
Sally ran up to him and kissed him.
"I love you!" she yelled.
"I love you too!"
He was lowered into the hole and the nitrogen engulfed him. The machine then lifted him up, now in a block of ice. Robert walked over to the block and listened.
"He's alive, just in a deep sleep."
"Very good! Powalski, take the others to my ship."
"You said they'd be left here!"
"I am altering our deal, live with it or die with it!"
***
MAIN HALLWAYS, 12:00 P.M.
The guards forced them down the hallways, with Sonic in front of them in his block of ice. Robert tapped a button on his watch, and several of the city guards rushed in, blasting. The others grabbed the lasers of the fallen guards and rushed the troops. As Knuckles ran, the floor collapsed and sent him back to the freezing room. Spike faced him.
"I see you fell into my trap." he hissed.
"What do you mean?"
"I have not forgotten about our last fight on the Death Egg. Or our battle on the ARK."
"That reminds me, how did you survive?"
"By my own willpower. I felt the Dark Legion calling me. That is why I sought out Kragok. Now, my destiny is being fulfilled. The Floating Island is gone, and you shall be too!"
Spike grabbed a sword off the wall and threw it at Knuckles. He grabbed one for himself as well. They clashed their swords together. Spike thrusted out at Knuckles, and Knuckles returned each blow.
***
The guards continued to run at the troops, and all of the others rushed them, blasting.
"What are you doing?" Sally spat.
"Do you think after what you did to Sonic we can trust you?" Tails yelled.
"There's still a chance to save Sonic. Knack is bringing him to Packbell."
They looked at each other.
"Let's go!" Sally yelled.
They ran, blasting guns, to the ship and watched it take off.
"There's more coming!" Amy yelled.
Lasers blasted through the air.
***
Knuckles lashed out violently at Spike and threw a block of ice at him. Spike sliced open a small tube, causing nitrogen to spray out, and it narrowly missed them. Knuckles struck again, then kicked Spike down the shaft. He walked down a flight of stairs, before seeing him again near a window. Spike used his powers and created a field of wind.
"What are you doing?" he asked Spike.
"Getting rid of you!" Spike snapped back. They ran out the window into a larger, cylindrical shaft dotted with windows of the palace.
***
Robert and the others ran down the halls, still blasting. Robert and Amelia grabbed an intercom.
"Packbell has taken over the city, I advise everyone to leave immediately!" she said.
The troops began to fire more rapidly, while the doors to the outside opened.
"Yes! Let's go!" Amelia yelled.
They ran out the door and into the ship, still firing at the troops. The final checkouts on the ship were complete, and Tails took off in a flurry of smoke.
***
Spike jumped out with his sword at Knuckles, and Knuckles returned the favor. The clanking of the swords echoed in the hollow shaft. They were locked in mortal combat.
"You are beaten!" Spike yelled as he knocked Knuckles's sword out of his hand and watched it fall down the shaft.
"Now, you have nothing to live for! The Floating Island is gone!"
"SHUT UP!"
"YOU HAVE LOST!" Spike yelled.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"Knuckles jumped down the shaft, and fell hundreds f feet to the bottom. The bottom hole opened, dropping him and the other garbage out the shaft. He held on tightly and saw the Mobius One coming at him.
Inside the ship, Rouge yelled in glee.
"There's Knuckles! Tails, go get him!"
"Sure thing, Rouge!"
He opened the door and turned the ship sideways. Knuckles let go and fell inside the ship. The Mobius One blasted away from Andonia, watching as the other ships escaped from the city. Some others were not so lucky and were blasted down by Packbellian fighters and battleships.
Spike walked quickly down the halls to the landing deck.
"Get my shuttle ready!" he yelled at those who accompanied him.
Inside the ship, Knuckles laid down in the medical room, getting treatement for the wounds he acquired from the long fall. They sped away, into the clouds.
Several fighters attacked the Mobius One, but they blasted back.
***
ANDONIAN AIRSPACE, 5:50 P.M.
The main battleship flew gracefully through the clouds, using it's magnet to attract the Mobius One.
"Get the high-speed engines ready!" Tails told Rouge.
"You got it!"
She pushed several buttons.
On the main battleship, Spike was getting a landing party ready to board the ship and take them prisoner.
The magnet drew the ship nearer and nearer to the much larger ship. Tails blasted a missile at the magnet as a last-ditch attempt. The magnetic field disappeared and the Mobius One sped away. Spike watched angrily as he lost his prey.
***
ISLE OF ANDROSIA, 8:25 P.M.
The Mobius One was preparing to take off.
"Tails, we'll contact you when we find Packbell's desert base," Rouge said.
"Very good. You and Robert take care."
"Thanks. Sally, we'll find Sonic and rescue him."
"Please do."
"I won't fail you, Queen Sally," Robert added.
Knuckles, Amy, Tails, Geoffrey, Amelia, Sally and the other Mobians watched as the Mobius One took off to search every desert on Mobius. They stood in the Command Center, a makeshift base in the ruins of Robotnik's old base. For once, they had lost a battle. Knuckles was not sad, however, because he knew soon they would destroy Packbell and Spike once and for all. Packbell would be gone forever. He wished he could be the one to destroy Spike. The beast had killed his wife and was responsible for the destruction of his home and his past. It was also because of him that one of Knuckles's best friends was in a state of slumber. To add insult to injury, Spike was now the last member of Knuckles's sworn enemies, the Dark Legion. Knuckles walked back to his room, while the others still stood there, watching the Mobius One fly off…………
