Chapter 4:
A failure to communicate
King Acorn had been bathing peacefully when someone had jumped him as he emerged from the pool. At first, he thought it was someone, Sally maybe, playing a joke. But when he found out who exactly the joker was, he was enraged.
Snively punched King Acorn in the face. Casssar remained by the pile of rocks, watching in amusement.
King Acorn growled, slamming Snively stomach-down beside the Source. Grabbing him by the shirt, he forced his head underneath the liquid.
"Traitor!" The muscles of his arms were firm and hard as he fought to keep the human under the Source.
Snively scrabbled for traction under the liquid. His hands slid on the slick bottom, then his fingers hit a crack in the floor. Putting all his weight into them, he pushed up with all his might, sending King Acorn toppling backwards.
"Drown me, will you?" he sputtered, kicking the king hard in the stomach. "I think not!"
The king skittered backwards, fumbling in his robes, where he drew a dagger from its sheath. It was really for ornamental purposes, with a blunt edge and a dull tip, but it was a weapon nonetheless.
Snively jumped backwards as the king slashed. "Your highness, how uncivilized!"
"Fight fire with fire," the king grunted, swinging again. This time the knife struck Snively hard in the elbow as he threw his hands up to protect his face. The blow spun him around and into a stone outcropping.
"Ow!" Snively moaned, tears welling up in his eyes. He turned in time to see King Acorn barreling towards him. He rolled along the wall, wincing as the blade struck the wall where he'd been.
King Acorn struck again. This time the knife was true to its target, heading straight towards Snively's left lung, when suddenly the king's hand froze, inches from the tiny human's chest.
Snively's breath blew out, high and scared, and he moved only his eyes to see Casssar casually flick her hand. King Acorn crumbled to the ground in pain.
"You don't think I'd let him stab you?"
Snively blew out another nervous breath. "Well, you took long enough to step in!" He moved away from the wall and stood next to the ermine, rubbing his elbow.
King Acorn lay motionless, breath coming out in angry pants.
"Let me up, witch! Release me!"
"Silence!" Casssar snarled. "Be glad I haven't harmed you further!"
"I am the king!"
"You *were* the king, and I do not govern myself by your obsolete rules!"
King Acorn sputtered. "But you work for *that* wretch?!" He grimaced in pain as she flicked her fingers.
"I work for no one!"
"Then why do you..."
"Shut up," Snively said. "You stupid old coot." He stomped his foot dangerously close to the king's face. Then he knelt down in front of the monarch and pulled his head up viciously by the hair.
"Now, I want to know where Knothole is..."
"You won't get anything out of me, whelp!"
A slow evil smirk crossed Snively's face. "As usual, you're wrong, your highness..."
******
Antoine shivered in the interrogation chair. Under his fur, he could feel the sweat beading up.
The one before him grinned calmly, red eyes glimmering in the dimmed lights. Packbell never thought the typical bright lights used in interrogations were scary. *Make it dark...more like a grave. Dark so they can't see what's coming...*
He stood, sliding one scalpel against another. The fox trembled, wincing at the whispering of the metal, the sweet nothings of bloody cuts and gut-wrenching pain.
"You scared," Packbell glanced at the info screen, "Antoine?"
Antoine 'eeped' at the android's low menacing voice. "N-n-n-n-noooo," he stammered, but failed to convince Packbell or himself.
The android set one of the scalpels down and advanced on his prisoner with the other in hand. Antoine squealed and struggled against his bonds.
"Nonononono! To be please not hurting me!"
Packbell placed the scalpel under Antoine's chin, titling his head up. The fox's teeth chattered in fear as Packbell's eyes met his. "But that wouldn't be any fun!"
Up in the airduct, Sonic smiled. This was a perfect time to leap to the rescue, cheesy line in place.
"Sorry to spoil your fun, Pack*smell*, but it's time for your nap!" Sonic was through the air grate in seconds, plowing into Packbell. The android hit the wall hard, neck snapping back and his skull making a large dent.
An ordinary creature might've been killed, but Packbell was merely dazed. Sonic struck him again, while Tails undid Antoine's restraints.
Then he zoomed back, grabbed up Tails and Antoine and was gone.
Packbell growled, standing up and calling up security. "One prisoner escaping, in the company of Tails the fox and Sonic the hedgehog. Detain at all costs!"
Then he contacted his leader, knowing Robotnik would be none too happy about this.
*Another day, another slipup,* Packbell thought sourly.
******
Robotnik sighed. The hedgehog. Again. After contacting several SWATs and Spy Eyes, he learned they were heading west to elude the troops Packbell had alerted.
*They'll be heading right into that dolt Snively and his crew.*
He smiled darkly. There were a lot of bots there. The hedgehog could possibly be in for trouble...if his moronic nephew could handle it properly.
"Not bloody likely," he growled, but at least he could look forward to bashing the little bastard's head against the wall when he failed...
He contacted the site. "Snively, come in."
There was no reply.
"Snively, come in!"
No answer.
"Snively! Where are you?!" Now he was getting annoyed.
"SNIVELY, ANSWER NOW OR SO HELP ME I'LL SEND YOU TO THE INTERROGATION ROOM FOR A WEEK OF *HELL*!"
But the only sound over the COM link was the quiet crackle of static.
Robotnik sat back, eyes narrowed, and teeth clenched. His anger was growing steadily, and soon there would be no way to contain it...
********
King Acorn struggled in Casssar's grip. The witch. The bitch!
Ordinarily, he might've found her attractive. But not now, not when she was holding him, and that blasted needle-nosed prick was smirking in front of him.
"Where is Knothole?"
"You go to hell!" King Acorn spat, making sure spittle sprayed the human's face.
Snively slowly wiped his sleeve across his face, and eyed the glaring king calmly. Then his fist shot out, nailing the king squarely in the nose.
King Acorn jerked and screamed curses and oaths, threatening Snively with a long existence in a very hot place, but Snively merely scoffed it off.
"If I believed that bullshit, then I figure I'm already going..." he shrugged, blue eyes insolent. "So your threats really don't frighten me."
"I'll kill you myself, traitor!" King Acorn howled. "And that's a threat that should scare you!"
In response, Snively drew back a fist and broke the king's nose.
While King Acorn moaned, Cass released him. One fist was clenched, sparkles of light circling it like rings of a planet.
King Acorn found himself paralyzed from the chest down. He cradled his nose with one paw.
"I see no entrance," she said, "except for the one we came through, and I know you didn't come from there. So, how did you enter?"
King Acorn drew his hand away. Blood coated the fur, and he felt more oozing from his nostrils.
"Well?" Snively demanded.
"I came the way you did."
"You liar!" Snively's voice rose. "It'll do you no good to be stubborn, you old coot! Tell us and maybe I'll spare your life." His teeth shone in a sudden smile, thin and predatory as a snake. "And maybe that of your daughter as well..."
"You won't touch her!" King Acorn screamed, then received a hard smack and a cheap stomach shot.
He moved forward, enraged, breaking free of the paralysis. He slammed his fist into Snively's stomach in a vicious uppercut, lifting him right off his feet.
Snively staggered backwards. King Acorn got a hold of his arm, drawing the human towards him, then punching him in the face and kneeing him in the belly.
The human screamed as King Acorn grabbed his arm again, twisting nearly hard enough to break, and then the king was on the ground again, writhing in pain.
Cass's olive eyes were neutral. Snively wheezed and managed to stand in a painfully hunched position. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain in his gut, but he felt like vomiting or crying or both.
"Thanks for jumping in so soon," he hissed at Cass. She shrugged.
"I did not expect him to break my paralysis spell. His anger made his strength incredible!" She wagged her finger. "You should not have threatened his child."
Snively scowled. "But that's what 'bad guys' do, Cass."
She snapped her fingers. "He will not break this spell." King Acorn was pulled to his feet and as Cass walked, forced to follow her. "It's an invisible leash."
"Great, but make sure he stays that way." Snively limped painfully to the wall and pressed against it. "There has to be a secret door here somewhere..."
*******
Bunnie was very content.
The power ring pool was cradled on one side by forest, on the other, by a cliff. She had walked the narrow strip of land between the pool and the cliff side to a stone ledge there.
Now she was perched on the ledge, leaned against the stone wall, which was sun-warmed beneath her back. Sunglasses shaded her view, and a fruity drink cooled her throat.
*Ah, these are the days,* she thought, smiling.
Then suddenly, the rock rumbled. She jumped, nearly spilling her drink, and then lifted her sunglasses to stare in amazement. A door was opening in the cliff side!
*Mah goodness! Ah didn't know that was there!*
She set down her drink and rushed over, too curious to be cautious.
She wasn't prepared for who came out...she heard the sound of footsteps and her mouth practically dropped at seeing Snively!
Then she snapped her mouth shut and rushed him. His hand moved up in a quick motion, and she felt something cold press against her chest. Looking down, she saw it was a laser pistol.
"Back off, rabbot," he hissed. "Unless you want a new hole to breathe through..."
She took a step back, fists clenching helplessly. "What are ya'll doin' here?" she demanded.
He ignored her as a black ermine came up beside him. Behind her, Bunnie could see the shadowy figure of King Acorn.
"Your highness!" she exclaimed, taking a step towards him, but Snively jabbed the gun into her chest, making her retreat.
"Put the gun away, Cast," the ermine said.
Snively shrugged and obeyed. Casssar didn't like guns, or so she'd said. The first time they'd met, she'd shot him in the shoulder.
*Well...I did shoot her first...*
Cass flicked her fingers and Bunnie grimaced. Snively saw nothing, but figured Bunnie was in an invisible leash just like the king.
"How'd ya'll get here?" she asked again, then addressed the king. "Yer Highness, where the hoo-haw did that door come from?"
King Acorn looked weary, and his nose seemed strangely out of place, like it'd been knocked slightly to the side. "Now is not the time to explain. We must try to get free."
Snively turned around and slapped the king. "Shut up."
"How dare ya!?" Bunnie was highly angered by that action. One of her metal feet came forward, kicking Snively hard in the shin. He howled, hopping around on one foot.
She smirked.
"Bitch," he snarled. Her head snapped sideways from his vicious backhand, sunglasses went flying and splashed into the pool. She saw stars momentarily, stunned. She never knew the pipsqueak could hit so hard...
Casssar grabbed him by the shoulder as he went for the rabbit again. "Enough, Cast. Calm yourself down."
Snively sighed a little, then smiled. "Alright...I'm calm."
Bunnie rubbed her cheek, eyeing Cass. "Who are ya'll, anyway?"
"Casssar!"
Bunnie raised an eyebrow. "All rait...should I know ya?"
Cass's mouth curved in a grin. "No."
Bunnie noticed the ermine had a fang exposed at one side of her mouth. It reminded her, although it was much smaller, of Nack the Weasel's ridiculously oversized tooth.
"Do ya work for Robotnik?"
"No."
"Well, it seems yer workin' for Needle Nose here!"
Snively was rubbing his shin, and the look he cast Bunnie could've turned lava into ice. But then his demeanor changed and he threw an almost perverted smile at the ermine.
"I wish," he said.
The ermine laughed. "Oh no, I do not work for Castdecass! He's my friend."
"Castdecass?" King Acorn mouthed. Bunnie shrugged.
"Whatever he told ya, ole *Snively* is evil, and he'll hurt our village!"
"I care not about that."
Bunnie glared at Snively, who still had the sick grin plastered on his face. "Why are ya'll helping him then...Ah mean, he might be yer 'friend', but he'll hurt the people here..."
Casssar shrugged. "Whatever Cast does isn't my business."
Bunnie was at a loss for words. "But he'll..."
"Shut up." Snively stepped between them, making sure to elbow Bunnie as he did.
She glared, clenching her robotic hand. She could punch a hole clear through his head if she wanted.
She didn't want, but she wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson.
He seemed certain she would not, and his sneer reinforced that confidence. "Now, walk, Ms. Rabbot."
"Where to?"
"Where I tell you to go!" he snapped, withdrawing his pistol again.
"Hey!" Bunnie exclaimed, as he jabbed it, none too gently, into her ribs.
"I said no guns." Casssar's voice was calm on the surface, but underneath a threat rippled like a hidden undertow.
Bunnie nodded, pushing the barrel away from her. "Ah agree!"
"Shut up!" Snively shoved the barrel viciously under Bunnie's chin. She gasped, relieved when Cass pulled his arm away.
"Put it away, Cast."
Snively kept his snarl and his gun trained on Bunnie.
Casssar sighed, looking down at the ground.
*He's got her wrapped rait round his finger.*
Then Cass raised her eyes, then her hand, slapping Snively across the face so hard he stumbled to the ground. He sat dazed while Casssar took the gun from his unresisting hand.
*Ok, maybe Ah was wrong!*
Casssar tossed the gun into the Power Ring pool. Snively stared at the spreading ripples with a scowl on his face, rubbing the red mark Cass had made across his cheek.
"Great, Cass. Just throw away my best gun." He stood up, fists clenched.
Casssar snarled back, thrusting her face into his. "If you'd kept it away, you'd still have it."
Bunnie watched as they stared each other down. Snively looked away first, eyes narrowed in anger. Then he shoved Bunnie forward.
"Show's over, rabbot. Take me to your meeting hall. Now."
Snively strode towards the village, with Casssar following.
Bunnie set her feet, but whatever spell the ermine had cast forced her, and King Acorn, to follow her wherever she went...
*******
"'Allo? What's this?"
Geoffrey St. John peered through the bushes, amazed at the sight before him. Snively and a strange lady, leading Bunnie and King Acorn!
"How did 'e find Knothole?"
He frowned.
Seemed like Bunnie and the king were following them, with no threat of weapons. Following willingly?
"A right couple o' traitors, eh?"
But he couldn't quite believe it. Sure, they walked after Snively and his unfamiliar accomplice. Sure, there was no weapon, or seemed to be none... Bunnie and King Acorn's faces were angry. Definitely not supportive of the bad guys.
"They aren't traitors. But why don't they run...or fight?"
Geoffrey remembered what Snively had done the last time they'd had an encounter.
They had fought. Something was weird about Snively. He'd had hair, been taller, not to mention was traipsing around the woods with Sally, who seemed to be in love with him.
For some reason, Geoff had never questioned her about it. He figured it was a mission of some sort.
But Snively had possessed magical powers. Geoff could vaguely recall, but he was sure Sniv' had zapped him... unimaginable pain...
The skunk shuddered.
He didn't want it to happen again.
*I'll need some back-up.*
He slipped away.
*******
Bunnie grunted as the pipsqueak shoved her into a chair in the meeting hall. King Acorn sat on his own, glaring icily at the ermine and the human as they stood in front of their captors. Snively was smirking.
"I would like a communicating device," he said.
Bunnie narrowed her eyes.
"And," he smiled a rather lovely smile, eyes sparkling, "your exact coordinates as well."
She leaned forward, her teeth bared in a snarl. "In yer twisted little dreams, Needlenose!"
He drew back his hand as if to hit her, then dropped it back to his side, looking over at Casssar. "Cass, zap her!"
Casssar looked back at him, olive eyes calm. She folded her arms across her chest, glancing over at Bunnie.
"No."
Snively's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"No."
He scowled. "Do it!"
Her voice growled back in her throat. "No."
"Why not?"
"You're mixing *your* business with *my* pleasure, and I don't like it. It's no fun."
"You're still mad about the gun."
"No."
"Then what is it?" he growled, exasperated. "You like zapping people!"
Bunnie snickered. "Ya'll don't have very good control of yer girlfriend, Needlenose."
"Shut up," he snapped. "Or I'll break that loud mouth jaw of yours."
He turned back to Casssar, tilting his head and letting his lips pout. "C'mon Cass...just a little zap for me...?"
She looked away, then back, finding his pitiful expression hard to resist. She extended one finger. A tendril of electricity leapt forth, landing upon the rabbit's chest. Bunnie shrieked and fell from the chair.
"NOW, RABBIT, GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! NOW!!" He kicked her in the ribs.
King Acorn rose up, bellowing in rage. "Stop it, you bastard! I won't have you treating her that way!"
Snively whirled around, but didn't seem angry now. He tilted his head back arrogantly, giving the king a haughty stare. "You can't stop me, 'Your Majesty'. It's funny how you're supposed to be the king, but you haven't ever been able to protect your people."
"You insolent traitor. How dare you speak to me that way?!" King Acorn met Snively's gaze, holding it with such intense fury that the human took a step back. "When we regain the kingdom, your uncle will be the first punished, but you will follow very soon after. And your punishment will be most severe, it would do you well to remember that..."
Snively leaned forward, resting his hands on both arms of the king's chair, and staring the king in the eye. "You won't ever get it back," he whispered. "It'd do you well to remember *that*."
The king's hand was fast. It struck like a viper, grabbing Snively by the collar. In a flash of robes, the king hurled the human into the wall. Snively sat dazed for a moment, then threw his arms up against King Acorn's next assault of kicks.
He tried to skitter away, but one of the kicks caught him, slamming him into the wall, and driving the air from his lungs.
King Acorn kicked him again, but suddenly froze in place. Casssar strode over, and led the magic-bound monarch back to his seat. "You will not break my spell again," she growled.
Bunnie couldn't help but smirk as Casssar helped up Snively. He was whimpering and tears had made wet tracks down his cheeks. He saw her looking and glared, although his trembling lower lip broke any illusion of toughness.
Casssar raised her hand to his cheek, gently wiping away one of the tears, and staying his lip with her finger.
Bunnie watched curiously...just moments ago the ermine was hitting him, and now she appeared to be as nurturing and caring as a mother.
He accepted her touch for a moment, then batted her hand away. "I'm fine," he growled.
He wiped his face with his sleeve, eliminating the tear-tracks, then turned to King Acorn.
"I want a communicator. NOW." He gestured towards Casssar. "If you don't get me one, I'll have her work her magical 'charms' on you." He glared at the ermine. "Right, Cass?"
This time she seemed cooperative. "All right."
"Do what you will." King Acorn held his head high, looking every inch the noble monarch. "I will not give in to your twisted whims."
Snively threw his hands in the air in frustration. "You don't have a choice!"
"Yes I do. I chose to oppose you."
"Will you please cut the noble king bull...you can't do anything about your lost kingdom, and you know it. Pretty soon, all of your subjects will be crushed by Robotnik's..." he smiled deviously, "or rather *my* might."
"Ever the backstabber... you'll pay for that, you know. Everything comes back in a circle..."
Snively jabbed his finger at the king's nose. The monarch yelped in pain. "I've *had* my hell, you bastard. I'm going to get what I deserve all right...the planet of Mobius under my rule!" He snarled, fists clenching. "I've been in a hole my entire life, and I'm not going to take it anymore. YOU HEAR ME?!"
Bunnie couldn't help but snicker. She tried to keep it quiet...there was no use evoking the little guy's rage.
He whirled to face her, cheeks turning red. "You think that's funny? You won't be laughing when Robotnik gets here."
"But ya don't have a communicator."
He clasped his chin, gazing at her contemplatively for a moment. "We seem to be at a stalemate, my furry friends," he finally said, voice void of his previous anger. "What can I do to convince you to hand over a communicator?"
"Nothing," said Bunnie.
King Acorn nodded.
"Hmmm...well, that's where I think you're wrong. You see...I've long since learned your weakness. You can't stand to see another suffer. With Robotnik and I, it isn't a problem. I would enjoy seeing him hurt, and he...well, you all know how *that* goes."
He reached out, latched his little hand on King Acorn's nose, and twisted. King Acorn screamed.
"Ya stop that!" Bunnie yelled.
King Acorn tried to strike the small human, but this time Casssar's spell worked. He couldn't move.
Snively picked up a gavel from the podium at the back of the meeting hall. He hefted it in his hand, throwing King Acorn a devious glance.
Casssar pulled a chair from the meeting table and sat, looking back and forth between the king and Bunnie.
"A communicator would be handy."
"We said no." Bunnie frowned.
He shrugged. "Oh well." He swung the gavel hard, right upon Bunnie's flesh hand.
She howled, clutching it to her chest. "Ya...ya bastahd!"
He just laughed. "Broke some bones, I hope." He crossed his arms over his chest. "A communicator?"
"NO!" She spat. "Ya can take that gavel an' shove it!"
"Not the answer I wanted."
The gavel swung again, this time connecting with her jaw. Her head snapped back; blood splattered the floor.
Casssar clapped. "Very nice, Castdecass!"
He shook the gavel at the glaring king. "If you don't want *all* her teeth knocked out, I suggest you give me what I want!"
"Don't give it ta him." Bunnie coughed, teeth smeared red.
King Acorn found it hard. He knew there were bigger things at stake. Like the secrecy of Knothole, the largest and most important Freedom Fighter base. But still, he nearly handed it all over when he saw the tears run down Bunnie's face. When he saw the little bastard swing, and delight in hurting such a sweet creature.
He struggled, but the witch's magic held him still. He'd gladly kill them both...if he could break free.
Snively let the gavel clatter onto the floor. He paced the room, booted feet squeaking upon the worn floorboards. His gaze traveled to Casssar. He wasn't hurting them enough. He had to really torment one of them, and surely the other would crack.
*Damn Freedom Fighters. Why do they have to be so difficult?*
Robotnik was going to win. It was inevitable. Why drag it out?
He scratched out his previous thought. Robotnik wasn't going to win. He, Snively, was.
*As soon as I take control*, he thought, eyes wandering from Casssar to King Acorn.
*Control...*
His eyes darted back to Casssar, and a cunning grin darkened his pale face. He had a thought, a wicked idea...
But first he needed a communicator!
He went over to Casssar, hugging her shoulders and whispered to her. "I want you to zap one of them...take your pick. Do something nasty. Shouldn't take long for one of them to break."
"Oh, black flower..." Her breath hissed into his ear. "I'll be expecting payment for this..."
She stood; he eyed her a little nervously. Who knows what Casssar would want in retribution?
She circled the two captives, then flicked her hand towards King Acorn. He yelped and thrashed as if invisible whips were lashing him; he slipped from the chair and writhed as if burning.
Bunnie watched, green eyes wide, blood-speckled lips drawn between her teeth. She looked away, but it didn't help much. She could still hear.
"Make her watch," Snively ordered.
Bunnie tried to fight it, but her neck wouldn't obey. Her head swiveled, her eyes took in the spectacle of her beloved monarch in the throes of agony.
"We don't have a communicator!" she lied desperately. "We don't contact people that way. We use messenger birds an' thangs like that!"
"I believe you do," he said. "But I also believe you have the other sort as well."
"We don't!"
"Lying is not your strong point, Ms. Rabbot." He looked at Casssar pointedly.
Her fist clenched. In response, King Acorn's thrashing increased and he howled.
Snively glanced towards the window. "He sure is making an awful lot of noise. Can't you quiet him?"
"Of course."
King Acorn's yelling became strangely muffled.
Bunnie bit her lip harder, trying to close her eyes, but the longest they stayed shut was for her regular blinking. "Ya won't be able ta get through anyways! It won't work!"
"I'll figure it out, I'm sure," shrugged the small human, watching as King Acorn's hands clutched at his chest. "I think he's going to have a heart attack."
"Stop it." Bunnie's metallic foot stomped down, rattling the floorboards. "Ah'll get ya a damn communicator."
*Don't worry, hun...he won't make it through. Ah'll stop 'im before that...or someone...someone'll come in here...or..* She hung her head, hoping that would be the case. If he told Robotnik their location...
********
Snively waited impatiently while Casssar accompanied Bunnie to wherever the communicating devices were kept. Casssar would fit in, or at least, he hoped she would. Couldn't have his cover blown now.
He rubbed his hands together excitedly. How Robotnik would praise him! Then he flashed back to his earlier idea.
Robotnik would praise him, yes...if the fat old toad got the chance...
A failure to communicate
King Acorn had been bathing peacefully when someone had jumped him as he emerged from the pool. At first, he thought it was someone, Sally maybe, playing a joke. But when he found out who exactly the joker was, he was enraged.
Snively punched King Acorn in the face. Casssar remained by the pile of rocks, watching in amusement.
King Acorn growled, slamming Snively stomach-down beside the Source. Grabbing him by the shirt, he forced his head underneath the liquid.
"Traitor!" The muscles of his arms were firm and hard as he fought to keep the human under the Source.
Snively scrabbled for traction under the liquid. His hands slid on the slick bottom, then his fingers hit a crack in the floor. Putting all his weight into them, he pushed up with all his might, sending King Acorn toppling backwards.
"Drown me, will you?" he sputtered, kicking the king hard in the stomach. "I think not!"
The king skittered backwards, fumbling in his robes, where he drew a dagger from its sheath. It was really for ornamental purposes, with a blunt edge and a dull tip, but it was a weapon nonetheless.
Snively jumped backwards as the king slashed. "Your highness, how uncivilized!"
"Fight fire with fire," the king grunted, swinging again. This time the knife struck Snively hard in the elbow as he threw his hands up to protect his face. The blow spun him around and into a stone outcropping.
"Ow!" Snively moaned, tears welling up in his eyes. He turned in time to see King Acorn barreling towards him. He rolled along the wall, wincing as the blade struck the wall where he'd been.
King Acorn struck again. This time the knife was true to its target, heading straight towards Snively's left lung, when suddenly the king's hand froze, inches from the tiny human's chest.
Snively's breath blew out, high and scared, and he moved only his eyes to see Casssar casually flick her hand. King Acorn crumbled to the ground in pain.
"You don't think I'd let him stab you?"
Snively blew out another nervous breath. "Well, you took long enough to step in!" He moved away from the wall and stood next to the ermine, rubbing his elbow.
King Acorn lay motionless, breath coming out in angry pants.
"Let me up, witch! Release me!"
"Silence!" Casssar snarled. "Be glad I haven't harmed you further!"
"I am the king!"
"You *were* the king, and I do not govern myself by your obsolete rules!"
King Acorn sputtered. "But you work for *that* wretch?!" He grimaced in pain as she flicked her fingers.
"I work for no one!"
"Then why do you..."
"Shut up," Snively said. "You stupid old coot." He stomped his foot dangerously close to the king's face. Then he knelt down in front of the monarch and pulled his head up viciously by the hair.
"Now, I want to know where Knothole is..."
"You won't get anything out of me, whelp!"
A slow evil smirk crossed Snively's face. "As usual, you're wrong, your highness..."
******
Antoine shivered in the interrogation chair. Under his fur, he could feel the sweat beading up.
The one before him grinned calmly, red eyes glimmering in the dimmed lights. Packbell never thought the typical bright lights used in interrogations were scary. *Make it dark...more like a grave. Dark so they can't see what's coming...*
He stood, sliding one scalpel against another. The fox trembled, wincing at the whispering of the metal, the sweet nothings of bloody cuts and gut-wrenching pain.
"You scared," Packbell glanced at the info screen, "Antoine?"
Antoine 'eeped' at the android's low menacing voice. "N-n-n-n-noooo," he stammered, but failed to convince Packbell or himself.
The android set one of the scalpels down and advanced on his prisoner with the other in hand. Antoine squealed and struggled against his bonds.
"Nonononono! To be please not hurting me!"
Packbell placed the scalpel under Antoine's chin, titling his head up. The fox's teeth chattered in fear as Packbell's eyes met his. "But that wouldn't be any fun!"
Up in the airduct, Sonic smiled. This was a perfect time to leap to the rescue, cheesy line in place.
"Sorry to spoil your fun, Pack*smell*, but it's time for your nap!" Sonic was through the air grate in seconds, plowing into Packbell. The android hit the wall hard, neck snapping back and his skull making a large dent.
An ordinary creature might've been killed, but Packbell was merely dazed. Sonic struck him again, while Tails undid Antoine's restraints.
Then he zoomed back, grabbed up Tails and Antoine and was gone.
Packbell growled, standing up and calling up security. "One prisoner escaping, in the company of Tails the fox and Sonic the hedgehog. Detain at all costs!"
Then he contacted his leader, knowing Robotnik would be none too happy about this.
*Another day, another slipup,* Packbell thought sourly.
******
Robotnik sighed. The hedgehog. Again. After contacting several SWATs and Spy Eyes, he learned they were heading west to elude the troops Packbell had alerted.
*They'll be heading right into that dolt Snively and his crew.*
He smiled darkly. There were a lot of bots there. The hedgehog could possibly be in for trouble...if his moronic nephew could handle it properly.
"Not bloody likely," he growled, but at least he could look forward to bashing the little bastard's head against the wall when he failed...
He contacted the site. "Snively, come in."
There was no reply.
"Snively, come in!"
No answer.
"Snively! Where are you?!" Now he was getting annoyed.
"SNIVELY, ANSWER NOW OR SO HELP ME I'LL SEND YOU TO THE INTERROGATION ROOM FOR A WEEK OF *HELL*!"
But the only sound over the COM link was the quiet crackle of static.
Robotnik sat back, eyes narrowed, and teeth clenched. His anger was growing steadily, and soon there would be no way to contain it...
********
King Acorn struggled in Casssar's grip. The witch. The bitch!
Ordinarily, he might've found her attractive. But not now, not when she was holding him, and that blasted needle-nosed prick was smirking in front of him.
"Where is Knothole?"
"You go to hell!" King Acorn spat, making sure spittle sprayed the human's face.
Snively slowly wiped his sleeve across his face, and eyed the glaring king calmly. Then his fist shot out, nailing the king squarely in the nose.
King Acorn jerked and screamed curses and oaths, threatening Snively with a long existence in a very hot place, but Snively merely scoffed it off.
"If I believed that bullshit, then I figure I'm already going..." he shrugged, blue eyes insolent. "So your threats really don't frighten me."
"I'll kill you myself, traitor!" King Acorn howled. "And that's a threat that should scare you!"
In response, Snively drew back a fist and broke the king's nose.
While King Acorn moaned, Cass released him. One fist was clenched, sparkles of light circling it like rings of a planet.
King Acorn found himself paralyzed from the chest down. He cradled his nose with one paw.
"I see no entrance," she said, "except for the one we came through, and I know you didn't come from there. So, how did you enter?"
King Acorn drew his hand away. Blood coated the fur, and he felt more oozing from his nostrils.
"Well?" Snively demanded.
"I came the way you did."
"You liar!" Snively's voice rose. "It'll do you no good to be stubborn, you old coot! Tell us and maybe I'll spare your life." His teeth shone in a sudden smile, thin and predatory as a snake. "And maybe that of your daughter as well..."
"You won't touch her!" King Acorn screamed, then received a hard smack and a cheap stomach shot.
He moved forward, enraged, breaking free of the paralysis. He slammed his fist into Snively's stomach in a vicious uppercut, lifting him right off his feet.
Snively staggered backwards. King Acorn got a hold of his arm, drawing the human towards him, then punching him in the face and kneeing him in the belly.
The human screamed as King Acorn grabbed his arm again, twisting nearly hard enough to break, and then the king was on the ground again, writhing in pain.
Cass's olive eyes were neutral. Snively wheezed and managed to stand in a painfully hunched position. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain in his gut, but he felt like vomiting or crying or both.
"Thanks for jumping in so soon," he hissed at Cass. She shrugged.
"I did not expect him to break my paralysis spell. His anger made his strength incredible!" She wagged her finger. "You should not have threatened his child."
Snively scowled. "But that's what 'bad guys' do, Cass."
She snapped her fingers. "He will not break this spell." King Acorn was pulled to his feet and as Cass walked, forced to follow her. "It's an invisible leash."
"Great, but make sure he stays that way." Snively limped painfully to the wall and pressed against it. "There has to be a secret door here somewhere..."
*******
Bunnie was very content.
The power ring pool was cradled on one side by forest, on the other, by a cliff. She had walked the narrow strip of land between the pool and the cliff side to a stone ledge there.
Now she was perched on the ledge, leaned against the stone wall, which was sun-warmed beneath her back. Sunglasses shaded her view, and a fruity drink cooled her throat.
*Ah, these are the days,* she thought, smiling.
Then suddenly, the rock rumbled. She jumped, nearly spilling her drink, and then lifted her sunglasses to stare in amazement. A door was opening in the cliff side!
*Mah goodness! Ah didn't know that was there!*
She set down her drink and rushed over, too curious to be cautious.
She wasn't prepared for who came out...she heard the sound of footsteps and her mouth practically dropped at seeing Snively!
Then she snapped her mouth shut and rushed him. His hand moved up in a quick motion, and she felt something cold press against her chest. Looking down, she saw it was a laser pistol.
"Back off, rabbot," he hissed. "Unless you want a new hole to breathe through..."
She took a step back, fists clenching helplessly. "What are ya'll doin' here?" she demanded.
He ignored her as a black ermine came up beside him. Behind her, Bunnie could see the shadowy figure of King Acorn.
"Your highness!" she exclaimed, taking a step towards him, but Snively jabbed the gun into her chest, making her retreat.
"Put the gun away, Cast," the ermine said.
Snively shrugged and obeyed. Casssar didn't like guns, or so she'd said. The first time they'd met, she'd shot him in the shoulder.
*Well...I did shoot her first...*
Cass flicked her fingers and Bunnie grimaced. Snively saw nothing, but figured Bunnie was in an invisible leash just like the king.
"How'd ya'll get here?" she asked again, then addressed the king. "Yer Highness, where the hoo-haw did that door come from?"
King Acorn looked weary, and his nose seemed strangely out of place, like it'd been knocked slightly to the side. "Now is not the time to explain. We must try to get free."
Snively turned around and slapped the king. "Shut up."
"How dare ya!?" Bunnie was highly angered by that action. One of her metal feet came forward, kicking Snively hard in the shin. He howled, hopping around on one foot.
She smirked.
"Bitch," he snarled. Her head snapped sideways from his vicious backhand, sunglasses went flying and splashed into the pool. She saw stars momentarily, stunned. She never knew the pipsqueak could hit so hard...
Casssar grabbed him by the shoulder as he went for the rabbit again. "Enough, Cast. Calm yourself down."
Snively sighed a little, then smiled. "Alright...I'm calm."
Bunnie rubbed her cheek, eyeing Cass. "Who are ya'll, anyway?"
"Casssar!"
Bunnie raised an eyebrow. "All rait...should I know ya?"
Cass's mouth curved in a grin. "No."
Bunnie noticed the ermine had a fang exposed at one side of her mouth. It reminded her, although it was much smaller, of Nack the Weasel's ridiculously oversized tooth.
"Do ya work for Robotnik?"
"No."
"Well, it seems yer workin' for Needle Nose here!"
Snively was rubbing his shin, and the look he cast Bunnie could've turned lava into ice. But then his demeanor changed and he threw an almost perverted smile at the ermine.
"I wish," he said.
The ermine laughed. "Oh no, I do not work for Castdecass! He's my friend."
"Castdecass?" King Acorn mouthed. Bunnie shrugged.
"Whatever he told ya, ole *Snively* is evil, and he'll hurt our village!"
"I care not about that."
Bunnie glared at Snively, who still had the sick grin plastered on his face. "Why are ya'll helping him then...Ah mean, he might be yer 'friend', but he'll hurt the people here..."
Casssar shrugged. "Whatever Cast does isn't my business."
Bunnie was at a loss for words. "But he'll..."
"Shut up." Snively stepped between them, making sure to elbow Bunnie as he did.
She glared, clenching her robotic hand. She could punch a hole clear through his head if she wanted.
She didn't want, but she wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson.
He seemed certain she would not, and his sneer reinforced that confidence. "Now, walk, Ms. Rabbot."
"Where to?"
"Where I tell you to go!" he snapped, withdrawing his pistol again.
"Hey!" Bunnie exclaimed, as he jabbed it, none too gently, into her ribs.
"I said no guns." Casssar's voice was calm on the surface, but underneath a threat rippled like a hidden undertow.
Bunnie nodded, pushing the barrel away from her. "Ah agree!"
"Shut up!" Snively shoved the barrel viciously under Bunnie's chin. She gasped, relieved when Cass pulled his arm away.
"Put it away, Cast."
Snively kept his snarl and his gun trained on Bunnie.
Casssar sighed, looking down at the ground.
*He's got her wrapped rait round his finger.*
Then Cass raised her eyes, then her hand, slapping Snively across the face so hard he stumbled to the ground. He sat dazed while Casssar took the gun from his unresisting hand.
*Ok, maybe Ah was wrong!*
Casssar tossed the gun into the Power Ring pool. Snively stared at the spreading ripples with a scowl on his face, rubbing the red mark Cass had made across his cheek.
"Great, Cass. Just throw away my best gun." He stood up, fists clenched.
Casssar snarled back, thrusting her face into his. "If you'd kept it away, you'd still have it."
Bunnie watched as they stared each other down. Snively looked away first, eyes narrowed in anger. Then he shoved Bunnie forward.
"Show's over, rabbot. Take me to your meeting hall. Now."
Snively strode towards the village, with Casssar following.
Bunnie set her feet, but whatever spell the ermine had cast forced her, and King Acorn, to follow her wherever she went...
*******
"'Allo? What's this?"
Geoffrey St. John peered through the bushes, amazed at the sight before him. Snively and a strange lady, leading Bunnie and King Acorn!
"How did 'e find Knothole?"
He frowned.
Seemed like Bunnie and the king were following them, with no threat of weapons. Following willingly?
"A right couple o' traitors, eh?"
But he couldn't quite believe it. Sure, they walked after Snively and his unfamiliar accomplice. Sure, there was no weapon, or seemed to be none... Bunnie and King Acorn's faces were angry. Definitely not supportive of the bad guys.
"They aren't traitors. But why don't they run...or fight?"
Geoffrey remembered what Snively had done the last time they'd had an encounter.
They had fought. Something was weird about Snively. He'd had hair, been taller, not to mention was traipsing around the woods with Sally, who seemed to be in love with him.
For some reason, Geoff had never questioned her about it. He figured it was a mission of some sort.
But Snively had possessed magical powers. Geoff could vaguely recall, but he was sure Sniv' had zapped him... unimaginable pain...
The skunk shuddered.
He didn't want it to happen again.
*I'll need some back-up.*
He slipped away.
*******
Bunnie grunted as the pipsqueak shoved her into a chair in the meeting hall. King Acorn sat on his own, glaring icily at the ermine and the human as they stood in front of their captors. Snively was smirking.
"I would like a communicating device," he said.
Bunnie narrowed her eyes.
"And," he smiled a rather lovely smile, eyes sparkling, "your exact coordinates as well."
She leaned forward, her teeth bared in a snarl. "In yer twisted little dreams, Needlenose!"
He drew back his hand as if to hit her, then dropped it back to his side, looking over at Casssar. "Cass, zap her!"
Casssar looked back at him, olive eyes calm. She folded her arms across her chest, glancing over at Bunnie.
"No."
Snively's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"No."
He scowled. "Do it!"
Her voice growled back in her throat. "No."
"Why not?"
"You're mixing *your* business with *my* pleasure, and I don't like it. It's no fun."
"You're still mad about the gun."
"No."
"Then what is it?" he growled, exasperated. "You like zapping people!"
Bunnie snickered. "Ya'll don't have very good control of yer girlfriend, Needlenose."
"Shut up," he snapped. "Or I'll break that loud mouth jaw of yours."
He turned back to Casssar, tilting his head and letting his lips pout. "C'mon Cass...just a little zap for me...?"
She looked away, then back, finding his pitiful expression hard to resist. She extended one finger. A tendril of electricity leapt forth, landing upon the rabbit's chest. Bunnie shrieked and fell from the chair.
"NOW, RABBIT, GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! NOW!!" He kicked her in the ribs.
King Acorn rose up, bellowing in rage. "Stop it, you bastard! I won't have you treating her that way!"
Snively whirled around, but didn't seem angry now. He tilted his head back arrogantly, giving the king a haughty stare. "You can't stop me, 'Your Majesty'. It's funny how you're supposed to be the king, but you haven't ever been able to protect your people."
"You insolent traitor. How dare you speak to me that way?!" King Acorn met Snively's gaze, holding it with such intense fury that the human took a step back. "When we regain the kingdom, your uncle will be the first punished, but you will follow very soon after. And your punishment will be most severe, it would do you well to remember that..."
Snively leaned forward, resting his hands on both arms of the king's chair, and staring the king in the eye. "You won't ever get it back," he whispered. "It'd do you well to remember *that*."
The king's hand was fast. It struck like a viper, grabbing Snively by the collar. In a flash of robes, the king hurled the human into the wall. Snively sat dazed for a moment, then threw his arms up against King Acorn's next assault of kicks.
He tried to skitter away, but one of the kicks caught him, slamming him into the wall, and driving the air from his lungs.
King Acorn kicked him again, but suddenly froze in place. Casssar strode over, and led the magic-bound monarch back to his seat. "You will not break my spell again," she growled.
Bunnie couldn't help but smirk as Casssar helped up Snively. He was whimpering and tears had made wet tracks down his cheeks. He saw her looking and glared, although his trembling lower lip broke any illusion of toughness.
Casssar raised her hand to his cheek, gently wiping away one of the tears, and staying his lip with her finger.
Bunnie watched curiously...just moments ago the ermine was hitting him, and now she appeared to be as nurturing and caring as a mother.
He accepted her touch for a moment, then batted her hand away. "I'm fine," he growled.
He wiped his face with his sleeve, eliminating the tear-tracks, then turned to King Acorn.
"I want a communicator. NOW." He gestured towards Casssar. "If you don't get me one, I'll have her work her magical 'charms' on you." He glared at the ermine. "Right, Cass?"
This time she seemed cooperative. "All right."
"Do what you will." King Acorn held his head high, looking every inch the noble monarch. "I will not give in to your twisted whims."
Snively threw his hands in the air in frustration. "You don't have a choice!"
"Yes I do. I chose to oppose you."
"Will you please cut the noble king bull...you can't do anything about your lost kingdom, and you know it. Pretty soon, all of your subjects will be crushed by Robotnik's..." he smiled deviously, "or rather *my* might."
"Ever the backstabber... you'll pay for that, you know. Everything comes back in a circle..."
Snively jabbed his finger at the king's nose. The monarch yelped in pain. "I've *had* my hell, you bastard. I'm going to get what I deserve all right...the planet of Mobius under my rule!" He snarled, fists clenching. "I've been in a hole my entire life, and I'm not going to take it anymore. YOU HEAR ME?!"
Bunnie couldn't help but snicker. She tried to keep it quiet...there was no use evoking the little guy's rage.
He whirled to face her, cheeks turning red. "You think that's funny? You won't be laughing when Robotnik gets here."
"But ya don't have a communicator."
He clasped his chin, gazing at her contemplatively for a moment. "We seem to be at a stalemate, my furry friends," he finally said, voice void of his previous anger. "What can I do to convince you to hand over a communicator?"
"Nothing," said Bunnie.
King Acorn nodded.
"Hmmm...well, that's where I think you're wrong. You see...I've long since learned your weakness. You can't stand to see another suffer. With Robotnik and I, it isn't a problem. I would enjoy seeing him hurt, and he...well, you all know how *that* goes."
He reached out, latched his little hand on King Acorn's nose, and twisted. King Acorn screamed.
"Ya stop that!" Bunnie yelled.
King Acorn tried to strike the small human, but this time Casssar's spell worked. He couldn't move.
Snively picked up a gavel from the podium at the back of the meeting hall. He hefted it in his hand, throwing King Acorn a devious glance.
Casssar pulled a chair from the meeting table and sat, looking back and forth between the king and Bunnie.
"A communicator would be handy."
"We said no." Bunnie frowned.
He shrugged. "Oh well." He swung the gavel hard, right upon Bunnie's flesh hand.
She howled, clutching it to her chest. "Ya...ya bastahd!"
He just laughed. "Broke some bones, I hope." He crossed his arms over his chest. "A communicator?"
"NO!" She spat. "Ya can take that gavel an' shove it!"
"Not the answer I wanted."
The gavel swung again, this time connecting with her jaw. Her head snapped back; blood splattered the floor.
Casssar clapped. "Very nice, Castdecass!"
He shook the gavel at the glaring king. "If you don't want *all* her teeth knocked out, I suggest you give me what I want!"
"Don't give it ta him." Bunnie coughed, teeth smeared red.
King Acorn found it hard. He knew there were bigger things at stake. Like the secrecy of Knothole, the largest and most important Freedom Fighter base. But still, he nearly handed it all over when he saw the tears run down Bunnie's face. When he saw the little bastard swing, and delight in hurting such a sweet creature.
He struggled, but the witch's magic held him still. He'd gladly kill them both...if he could break free.
Snively let the gavel clatter onto the floor. He paced the room, booted feet squeaking upon the worn floorboards. His gaze traveled to Casssar. He wasn't hurting them enough. He had to really torment one of them, and surely the other would crack.
*Damn Freedom Fighters. Why do they have to be so difficult?*
Robotnik was going to win. It was inevitable. Why drag it out?
He scratched out his previous thought. Robotnik wasn't going to win. He, Snively, was.
*As soon as I take control*, he thought, eyes wandering from Casssar to King Acorn.
*Control...*
His eyes darted back to Casssar, and a cunning grin darkened his pale face. He had a thought, a wicked idea...
But first he needed a communicator!
He went over to Casssar, hugging her shoulders and whispered to her. "I want you to zap one of them...take your pick. Do something nasty. Shouldn't take long for one of them to break."
"Oh, black flower..." Her breath hissed into his ear. "I'll be expecting payment for this..."
She stood; he eyed her a little nervously. Who knows what Casssar would want in retribution?
She circled the two captives, then flicked her hand towards King Acorn. He yelped and thrashed as if invisible whips were lashing him; he slipped from the chair and writhed as if burning.
Bunnie watched, green eyes wide, blood-speckled lips drawn between her teeth. She looked away, but it didn't help much. She could still hear.
"Make her watch," Snively ordered.
Bunnie tried to fight it, but her neck wouldn't obey. Her head swiveled, her eyes took in the spectacle of her beloved monarch in the throes of agony.
"We don't have a communicator!" she lied desperately. "We don't contact people that way. We use messenger birds an' thangs like that!"
"I believe you do," he said. "But I also believe you have the other sort as well."
"We don't!"
"Lying is not your strong point, Ms. Rabbot." He looked at Casssar pointedly.
Her fist clenched. In response, King Acorn's thrashing increased and he howled.
Snively glanced towards the window. "He sure is making an awful lot of noise. Can't you quiet him?"
"Of course."
King Acorn's yelling became strangely muffled.
Bunnie bit her lip harder, trying to close her eyes, but the longest they stayed shut was for her regular blinking. "Ya won't be able ta get through anyways! It won't work!"
"I'll figure it out, I'm sure," shrugged the small human, watching as King Acorn's hands clutched at his chest. "I think he's going to have a heart attack."
"Stop it." Bunnie's metallic foot stomped down, rattling the floorboards. "Ah'll get ya a damn communicator."
*Don't worry, hun...he won't make it through. Ah'll stop 'im before that...or someone...someone'll come in here...or..* She hung her head, hoping that would be the case. If he told Robotnik their location...
********
Snively waited impatiently while Casssar accompanied Bunnie to wherever the communicating devices were kept. Casssar would fit in, or at least, he hoped she would. Couldn't have his cover blown now.
He rubbed his hands together excitedly. How Robotnik would praise him! Then he flashed back to his earlier idea.
Robotnik would praise him, yes...if the fat old toad got the chance...