Chapter 12 - Revelations
The entire group gathered in the meeting room of the base, watching as city workers began to repair the damage done. Kyle, Hogi-San, and Ryndar also joined the group...mostly because Lisa and Aura were afraid to leave them out of their sights.
Anthony began to address the group, telling them what he had gleaned from the soldier. "The soldier wasn't from GUN...he was a commander of a group called the PHM. Anyone heard of them?"
"I have," Rouge said, and then addressed the group, mostly for Aura's benefit. "It stands for Pure Human Mobius. They're an extremist group that believes Mobius should be populated by the human race and no one else...and believes the native anthro races should be wiped out."
"That's SICK!" Aura said.
"I agree!" Lisa said, placing an arm around Kyle and hugging him close as if to protect him from the PHM.
"It gets worse..." Rouge continued, this time for Anthony's benefit. "They actually helped Robotnik during the coup...offering their help to capture any Mobians for robotization. In exchange, they were given a lot of technology by Robotnik..."
"Which explains how they were able to make all those GUN robots," Tails said.
"Yes," Anthony said. "They are planning to use the Emeralds and Chao for some kind of project...however the guy I scanned didn't give details about it. I did get one item that might help though. Apparently, they took control of the old Prison Island base and made it their base of operation. We might be able to find something there."
"Looks like I'd better get some transportation ready," Ryan said.
"I'd better see if I can contact any members of GUN and see if we can get some additional help," Rogue said.
"Before that...I need to know something..." Sally remarked, looking straight at Anthony. "Anthony...why was your armor glowing and how come you were unconscious during the raid on the base?"
Anthony sighed and said, "I was in Relm. Amy helped me fight the Dark Gamemaster again, which was still present since Crazy Hand managed to create a flesh and blood duplicate, but when Amy left, I stayed in Relm so I can do something..."
"Do what?" Amy said.
Anthony looked at the group and said, "I had to...absorb the Dark Gamemaster. He and I are now one."
"WHAT?!?" Tails said. "Why?"
"When I was meditating to try to control my anger, I was actually trying to eliminate it altogether," Anthony said. "However, I ended up just pushing it to a dark corner of my psyche, thus creating the Dark Gamemaster again. In the process, with all that happened with Alec and Lupe, I also put my courage and willingness to fight in him too...mainly because I was sick of seeing anyone else get hurt and inadvertently pushed those feelings aside as well."
"Oh...Anthony..." Julie-Su said.
"After Amy and I fought and defeated him, it meant the last of the evil within him was gone," Anthony said. "After Amy left, he reformed himself and allowed himself to rejoin me." He then looked towards the entire group and said, "That's why my Armor was glowing...my psyche was finally whole, so the true strength of the Descendancy Powers was revealed."
"Wow..." Amy said. "Does this mean...?"
"Yes..." Anthony said, anticipating what Amy was going to say. "No more self doubt...no more fear of what will happen. Tyreke told me that of all I did...and the thought of what would have happened if I didn't help Arcadia frightens me more than anything...and I now realize I can't just sit on the sidelines, otherwise more people will get hurt."
"THAT sounds like the Anth I know," Sonic said. "Welcome back, Bud!"
"Thanks, Sonic..." Anthony said. "Now...we should..." It was then that he sensed something over near the corner. "Hey...there's someone else here!" Anthony raised a hand towards where he sensed someone, and the whole group was surprised to see Nack being lifted by Anthony's Telekinesis.
"Aw, man...what are YOU doing here, Nack?!?" Sonic asked him, glaring at him.
"Well, I was TRYING to hide if those PHM creeps came back!!" Nack said. "Gamemaster...can you let me down please?"
"He'll let you down...so we can put you right in a cell!" Rouge said. "Or maybe I should let Ryan deal with you!" Ryan reacted to that by cracking his knuckles gleefully.
"Please...I just want to help you guys!" Nack said. "Especially now that I know PHM is involved!"
"Yeah right..." Red Sonic said. "You were willing to sell us out to Buttnik for a Mobium and NOW you want to help us? What's the catch?"
"Just this..." Nack said. "My sister was caught and killed by the PHM, and I want to bring them down as much as you guys do!"
"Whatever..." Sonic said, not believing a word of Nack's.
"Besides...a sneaky guy like me might be able to glean some info from their computers," Nack continued. "All I'd need is a distraction..."
The group all looked at each other, and then they focused their attention on Amy, Anthony, and Tyreke. Amy and Tyreke both nodded. "He's telling the truth," Amy said. "He wants to help...I don't sense any deception."
"Neither do I...but if he's going to help..." Tyreke said, walking straight up to Nack and staring straight at him. "I INSIST that I keep an eye on him."
"Probably a good idea," Anthony remarked, releasing Nack and causing him to fall to the ground with a thump.
"OOF! Thanks...I think..." Nack said, rubbing his hindquarters.
"Alright, Nack...we'll trust you, for now..." Sally said.
"Good..." Nack said. "Hey...guys...consider this a start for making it up to you for my past deeds."
"It will take a lot more than this one act, Nack..." Rouge said, giving him a sideways glance and then turning her attention towards the group. "We'd better make plans to raid Prison Island."
"Well, we'll obviously need air transport," Ryan said. "Tails and I can take care of that..."
"Actually..." Tails said, getting the attention of the group. "I've been working on something that might help us take care of the ground troops...along with my Tornado 3's Cyclone mode. Let's head to the workshop."
The group all nodded and started to head out. Nack, however, found himself being restrained by a paw on the shoulder.
"I'm sticking to you like glue, Nack," Rouge said, tightening her grip. "Just in case you even THINK of double crossing us..."
"Don't worry...I won't..." Nack said, almost sounding a bit more dark than usual. "The only thing I want is to take those PHM buttmunches down."
Even without psionics, Rouge could sense the raw hatred in what Nack said. As such...she was inclined to believe him, a fact that surprised her to no end.
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As the sun was beginning to set, the entire group waited anxiously to see what Tails had made. Anthony was especially curious...considering the fact that Tails wanted to work on it since he first came to Arcadia.
Ryan was busy looking over his scaled down F-15E, making it ready for flight. He was also checking the weapon systems, since he figured he was going to get into a serious firefight upon reaching Prison Island. He looked at the Sidewinders and AMRAAM's loaded on the pylons, and checked the external fuel tanks under them as well.
Suddenly, the door to the hanger opened and all eyes turned towards it. They then gasped when they saw Tails, piloting the Cyclone, towing what appeared to be another version of the Tornado...except there was no cockpit, just a couple of what appeared to be human sized foot pads on the main body.
"What the HECK is that thing, Tails?" Sonic asked. "Another version of the Tornado?"
"Yes...one I made for Anthony," Tails said.
Anthony raised his eyebrow at that. "For me?!? I'm no pilot."
"You don't have to be," Tails said. "This is the Tornado GM. It was built to be controlled just like the jet sled built into your armor, Anthony, but it can be used for longer range transportation."
"Nice..." Anthony said, looking over the Tornado GM. "How does it work?"
"You have to activate your full armor, Anthony," Tails explained. "The synaptic relays in your armor can then attach to those footholds in the TGM and control it."
Anthony looked at the TGM and said, "ARMOR, ACTIVATE!" After the full armor covered him, he attached himself to the TGM and then activated it, rocketing off into the sky. He practiced some maneuvers in the air and after a while, landed back on the runway.
"VERY nice, Tails," Anthony said. "This should definitely help getting to Prison Island."
"And more," Tails said, grinning a bit. "Give the voice command, 'Tornado engage!'"
Anthony's eyebrows raised underneath the helmet of his armor and then he said, "Tornado, ENGAGE!"
What happened next surprised him to no end. The TGM appeared to be transforming and attaching to different parts of his Mastertech armor. Parts of it began to cover the legs, arms, and upper torso of Anthony. When the transformation was complete, Anthony found himself in what looked like his own mech. His arms has what appeared to be arm mounted guns, his right arm had a single hole and his left arm had several. He also noticed that he had what appeared to be shoulder mounted missile launchers similar to what Tails had on the Cyclone, and the rockets of the TGM repositioned themselves to the bottoms of Anthony's legs.
"Holy...SHIT!!!" Anthony said once the transformation completed. "I feel like I'm in an Exo-Squad style E-frame!"
"In a way, you are!" Tails explained. "This is the Cyclone Mech Armor. It's got missile launchers like the Cyclone has, as well as an arm mounted rapid fire blaster on the left arm and a lightsaber mounted to the right arm. You can even use the rockets attached to your legs for extra ground speed or an aerial boost."
"WAY...PAST...COOL!!!" both Sonic and Red Sonic yelled.
"I agree with that..." Anthony said, activating the lightsaber attached to his right arm. "How do the missile launchers work?"
"You can use the sensors in your helmet like a targeter," Tails explained.
"Nice...well, TORNADO, DISENGAGE," Anthony said, causing the TGM to revert to its original form. He then deactivated his armor.
Ryan was confused by Anthony's actions. "We aren't heading out immediately?"
"You kidding?!?" Anthony said. "We've already been through a lot today and need to regroup and recuperate. Besides, look..."
Everyone looked where Anthony was indicating. Lisa was currently holding both Kyle and Hogi-San, both of whom was asleep. Aura was also holding a sleeping Ryndar and Amy was starting to yawn as well.
"Good point," Knuckles said. "Let's head back to the hotel. We can all rest in the room and leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"What about me?" Nack asked.
"Oh, I'm sure we can find someplace for you, Nack," Rebecca said. "I think a few of the prison cells in the Freedom Fighter base are still intact..."
Nack sighed in exasperation and shook his head in disbelief.
The entire group gathered in the meeting room of the base, watching as city workers began to repair the damage done. Kyle, Hogi-San, and Ryndar also joined the group...mostly because Lisa and Aura were afraid to leave them out of their sights.
Anthony began to address the group, telling them what he had gleaned from the soldier. "The soldier wasn't from GUN...he was a commander of a group called the PHM. Anyone heard of them?"
"I have," Rouge said, and then addressed the group, mostly for Aura's benefit. "It stands for Pure Human Mobius. They're an extremist group that believes Mobius should be populated by the human race and no one else...and believes the native anthro races should be wiped out."
"That's SICK!" Aura said.
"I agree!" Lisa said, placing an arm around Kyle and hugging him close as if to protect him from the PHM.
"It gets worse..." Rouge continued, this time for Anthony's benefit. "They actually helped Robotnik during the coup...offering their help to capture any Mobians for robotization. In exchange, they were given a lot of technology by Robotnik..."
"Which explains how they were able to make all those GUN robots," Tails said.
"Yes," Anthony said. "They are planning to use the Emeralds and Chao for some kind of project...however the guy I scanned didn't give details about it. I did get one item that might help though. Apparently, they took control of the old Prison Island base and made it their base of operation. We might be able to find something there."
"Looks like I'd better get some transportation ready," Ryan said.
"I'd better see if I can contact any members of GUN and see if we can get some additional help," Rogue said.
"Before that...I need to know something..." Sally remarked, looking straight at Anthony. "Anthony...why was your armor glowing and how come you were unconscious during the raid on the base?"
Anthony sighed and said, "I was in Relm. Amy helped me fight the Dark Gamemaster again, which was still present since Crazy Hand managed to create a flesh and blood duplicate, but when Amy left, I stayed in Relm so I can do something..."
"Do what?" Amy said.
Anthony looked at the group and said, "I had to...absorb the Dark Gamemaster. He and I are now one."
"WHAT?!?" Tails said. "Why?"
"When I was meditating to try to control my anger, I was actually trying to eliminate it altogether," Anthony said. "However, I ended up just pushing it to a dark corner of my psyche, thus creating the Dark Gamemaster again. In the process, with all that happened with Alec and Lupe, I also put my courage and willingness to fight in him too...mainly because I was sick of seeing anyone else get hurt and inadvertently pushed those feelings aside as well."
"Oh...Anthony..." Julie-Su said.
"After Amy and I fought and defeated him, it meant the last of the evil within him was gone," Anthony said. "After Amy left, he reformed himself and allowed himself to rejoin me." He then looked towards the entire group and said, "That's why my Armor was glowing...my psyche was finally whole, so the true strength of the Descendancy Powers was revealed."
"Wow..." Amy said. "Does this mean...?"
"Yes..." Anthony said, anticipating what Amy was going to say. "No more self doubt...no more fear of what will happen. Tyreke told me that of all I did...and the thought of what would have happened if I didn't help Arcadia frightens me more than anything...and I now realize I can't just sit on the sidelines, otherwise more people will get hurt."
"THAT sounds like the Anth I know," Sonic said. "Welcome back, Bud!"
"Thanks, Sonic..." Anthony said. "Now...we should..." It was then that he sensed something over near the corner. "Hey...there's someone else here!" Anthony raised a hand towards where he sensed someone, and the whole group was surprised to see Nack being lifted by Anthony's Telekinesis.
"Aw, man...what are YOU doing here, Nack?!?" Sonic asked him, glaring at him.
"Well, I was TRYING to hide if those PHM creeps came back!!" Nack said. "Gamemaster...can you let me down please?"
"He'll let you down...so we can put you right in a cell!" Rouge said. "Or maybe I should let Ryan deal with you!" Ryan reacted to that by cracking his knuckles gleefully.
"Please...I just want to help you guys!" Nack said. "Especially now that I know PHM is involved!"
"Yeah right..." Red Sonic said. "You were willing to sell us out to Buttnik for a Mobium and NOW you want to help us? What's the catch?"
"Just this..." Nack said. "My sister was caught and killed by the PHM, and I want to bring them down as much as you guys do!"
"Whatever..." Sonic said, not believing a word of Nack's.
"Besides...a sneaky guy like me might be able to glean some info from their computers," Nack continued. "All I'd need is a distraction..."
The group all looked at each other, and then they focused their attention on Amy, Anthony, and Tyreke. Amy and Tyreke both nodded. "He's telling the truth," Amy said. "He wants to help...I don't sense any deception."
"Neither do I...but if he's going to help..." Tyreke said, walking straight up to Nack and staring straight at him. "I INSIST that I keep an eye on him."
"Probably a good idea," Anthony remarked, releasing Nack and causing him to fall to the ground with a thump.
"OOF! Thanks...I think..." Nack said, rubbing his hindquarters.
"Alright, Nack...we'll trust you, for now..." Sally said.
"Good..." Nack said. "Hey...guys...consider this a start for making it up to you for my past deeds."
"It will take a lot more than this one act, Nack..." Rouge said, giving him a sideways glance and then turning her attention towards the group. "We'd better make plans to raid Prison Island."
"Well, we'll obviously need air transport," Ryan said. "Tails and I can take care of that..."
"Actually..." Tails said, getting the attention of the group. "I've been working on something that might help us take care of the ground troops...along with my Tornado 3's Cyclone mode. Let's head to the workshop."
The group all nodded and started to head out. Nack, however, found himself being restrained by a paw on the shoulder.
"I'm sticking to you like glue, Nack," Rouge said, tightening her grip. "Just in case you even THINK of double crossing us..."
"Don't worry...I won't..." Nack said, almost sounding a bit more dark than usual. "The only thing I want is to take those PHM buttmunches down."
Even without psionics, Rouge could sense the raw hatred in what Nack said. As such...she was inclined to believe him, a fact that surprised her to no end.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the sun was beginning to set, the entire group waited anxiously to see what Tails had made. Anthony was especially curious...considering the fact that Tails wanted to work on it since he first came to Arcadia.
Ryan was busy looking over his scaled down F-15E, making it ready for flight. He was also checking the weapon systems, since he figured he was going to get into a serious firefight upon reaching Prison Island. He looked at the Sidewinders and AMRAAM's loaded on the pylons, and checked the external fuel tanks under them as well.
Suddenly, the door to the hanger opened and all eyes turned towards it. They then gasped when they saw Tails, piloting the Cyclone, towing what appeared to be another version of the Tornado...except there was no cockpit, just a couple of what appeared to be human sized foot pads on the main body.
"What the HECK is that thing, Tails?" Sonic asked. "Another version of the Tornado?"
"Yes...one I made for Anthony," Tails said.
Anthony raised his eyebrow at that. "For me?!? I'm no pilot."
"You don't have to be," Tails said. "This is the Tornado GM. It was built to be controlled just like the jet sled built into your armor, Anthony, but it can be used for longer range transportation."
"Nice..." Anthony said, looking over the Tornado GM. "How does it work?"
"You have to activate your full armor, Anthony," Tails explained. "The synaptic relays in your armor can then attach to those footholds in the TGM and control it."
Anthony looked at the TGM and said, "ARMOR, ACTIVATE!" After the full armor covered him, he attached himself to the TGM and then activated it, rocketing off into the sky. He practiced some maneuvers in the air and after a while, landed back on the runway.
"VERY nice, Tails," Anthony said. "This should definitely help getting to Prison Island."
"And more," Tails said, grinning a bit. "Give the voice command, 'Tornado engage!'"
Anthony's eyebrows raised underneath the helmet of his armor and then he said, "Tornado, ENGAGE!"
What happened next surprised him to no end. The TGM appeared to be transforming and attaching to different parts of his Mastertech armor. Parts of it began to cover the legs, arms, and upper torso of Anthony. When the transformation was complete, Anthony found himself in what looked like his own mech. His arms has what appeared to be arm mounted guns, his right arm had a single hole and his left arm had several. He also noticed that he had what appeared to be shoulder mounted missile launchers similar to what Tails had on the Cyclone, and the rockets of the TGM repositioned themselves to the bottoms of Anthony's legs.
"Holy...SHIT!!!" Anthony said once the transformation completed. "I feel like I'm in an Exo-Squad style E-frame!"
"In a way, you are!" Tails explained. "This is the Cyclone Mech Armor. It's got missile launchers like the Cyclone has, as well as an arm mounted rapid fire blaster on the left arm and a lightsaber mounted to the right arm. You can even use the rockets attached to your legs for extra ground speed or an aerial boost."
"WAY...PAST...COOL!!!" both Sonic and Red Sonic yelled.
"I agree with that..." Anthony said, activating the lightsaber attached to his right arm. "How do the missile launchers work?"
"You can use the sensors in your helmet like a targeter," Tails explained.
"Nice...well, TORNADO, DISENGAGE," Anthony said, causing the TGM to revert to its original form. He then deactivated his armor.
Ryan was confused by Anthony's actions. "We aren't heading out immediately?"
"You kidding?!?" Anthony said. "We've already been through a lot today and need to regroup and recuperate. Besides, look..."
Everyone looked where Anthony was indicating. Lisa was currently holding both Kyle and Hogi-San, both of whom was asleep. Aura was also holding a sleeping Ryndar and Amy was starting to yawn as well.
"Good point," Knuckles said. "Let's head back to the hotel. We can all rest in the room and leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"What about me?" Nack asked.
"Oh, I'm sure we can find someplace for you, Nack," Rebecca said. "I think a few of the prison cells in the Freedom Fighter base are still intact..."
Nack sighed in exasperation and shook his head in disbelief.