Chapter 4

As I flew aimlessly, I couldn't help but think about what the echidna had said. He can't be right, no way. It's impossible! But then, how could have Sonic known about what I was thinking? Man, I am so confused. Even though it defied every ounce of logic I possessed, I knew, deep in my heart, that he was right. I stopped and hovered, realizing that I was over Knothole Village. I flew low, and activated my cloaking shield, so that I would not alert them to my presence. I landed gently on the grass, at the edge of a hut I recognized to be made of some organic material. On one side there was a transparent panel, from which light poured from and illuminated the darkness. I peeked inside. Lying on a bed inside, was Sonic. His arm was wrapped in some sort of white paper, and he had cables attached to his head and chest. He seemed to be in a deep sleep. There were others accompanying him inside. I recognized Knuckles and Tails, but the other two I had not seen before. One was a purple walrus that was looking at a status report, while the other was a brown squirrel, which was perched on the edge of the bed, stroking Sonics head gently. She looked as though she cared about him more than the others. I leaned my ear against the glass, and listened in to their conversation. "He's been hurt pretty bad, but he should make a full recovery," said the purple one. "That's great, Rotor!" said Knuckles. "And it's no thanks to Mecha Sonic, who made him like this." Tails looked worried. "That's not cool," he said. "What would have happened if you didn't get there when you did, Knuckles?" The squirrel shook her head. "I don't even want to think about what would have happened," she said. She returned her gaze to Sonic. "I'm just glad he's alive." A single, solitary tear ran down the side of her face, and plinked to the ground. Don't worry, Sally," said Rotor. "He'll be fine." She gave him the smallest hint of a smile. "Thanks," she said, looking at them. "I don't know what I would do without you guys. Ever since Robotnik invaded my fathers' kingdom, sealed my dad into the Zone of Silence, and took over with his evil reign of terror, I've always hoped that we will regain it back from Robotnik and free my father, but if things like this keep happening." she trailed off, gazing at Sonic that lay at her side. Returning her gaze to the others, she continued, "How will that ever happen?" Her voice echoed of a bitterness that went deep into her soul, as if she were ashamed of how things were going. Knuckles walked up to her, and placed his arm around her shoulder. "I don't know, Sal," he said. " I just don't know." I lifted my head away from the window, unable to listen in further. I felt as though a ten thousand pound weight had been dropped onto my CPU. I slid down the side of the hut, not really caring that doing so was damaging my circets more, and I sat on the evening grass, not yet fresh with dew. Robotnik had invaded? He took over their peaceful home, and caused their live to be turned inside out? They are just trying to regain their true home, so why did Robotnik lie to me? Is he just using me, a tool in his efforts to keep them from returning and kicking him out of the city for good? Or did he send me purposely into battle to see that I never came back? Thinking of this filled me with inexpressible anger and rage, and I hated him and everything about him. All this destruction, all this suffering, just because he wanted to rule. Well, I would no longer do his dirty work. He has made innocents suffer, and by god, he will pay for it! I got up, jumped into the sky, and flew off to Robotropolis. I devised a plan that would bring an end to him, and his evil reign. I would allow him to repair me, and then.I would destroy the city, and it's ruler. Little did I know that things weren't going to go exactly as I first thought. As the lights of Robotropolis rose over the horizon, I felt my anger increase. It must have been a beautiful city once, with children playing in the streets, without a care. Now, SWAT-bots patrolled the streets, and the many factories belched smoke into the air. It sickened me to return, but if my plan was to work, I had to. As I approached the main building, the window retracted, granting me access to the chambers within. I slowed down as I sailed through the opening, and landed with a clink on the metal floor. By now my energy was drained by close to 70 percent, and rising. I noticed that small sparks kept spitting out from my exposed insides. I realized that I was not alone. I turned, and saw Robotnik. "Mecha, you have returned!" he said gleefully. "My, you've taken quite heavy damage. Come. I will escort you to the restoration chamber." I followed him down the narrow corridor. I did not trust him one bit, but I didn't have a choice right now. Sparks were coming from my back more viciously now, and I my arm was spasming worse than ever. He stopped in front of a door, opened it, and went inside. I followed, and inside this dark room was a tall, circular chamber, much like the one I first came on- line in. An opening appeared in the tube, and it seemed to be the right size for someone about my size to fit into. I looked at Robotnik, not knowing what to do. "Step inside," he said, motioning the machine. "Why?" I asked. "You shall be fully repaired, and recover your lost energy," he replied. This seemed a little fishy to me, but I decided to play along. "Alright," I said. I stepped gingerly into the machine; I couldn't help but wonder what would happen. Robotnik seemed to read my thoughts. "You will go into stasis, also known repair mode," he said. "You won't feel a thing, or know what is going on until your repairs are completed, much like being in a deep sleep. You'll be fine." The door slid shut behind me, and I was trapped inside. Long robotic arms reached down from above, and attached themselves to various parts of my body. I tried to see what they were doing, but my vision was darkening, and I no longer could move any of my limbs. I slumped forward, unable to keep my head up, and I was no longer aware.