This story was originally made for a contest on the Domain of Netraptor site so some of the credit to this story goes to her, as a small portion from the beginning of this was written by her.
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Legal stuff:
This story uses characters created and copyrighted by SEGA Co. and Archie Co. with the sole exception of Sydney. She is copyright © to myself and may NOT be used without my expressed written permission.
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-A week and a half later, 30 miles from Knothole-
"This is it people, there's no turning back." Sonic said moreso to himself than to the large group he had his back turned to, he let out a deep sigh. His nerves were shot and he had had little sleep the past few nights. He tried his best to maintain his macho image but it was obvious he was under alot of stress.
He turned around eyeing everyone who made it and bit his lip, "This is the plan; but before I explain I need you guys to put these on." Sonic held out his hand offering a tiny microchip to everyone "These are neuro-overriders, put them behind your left ears and make sure they'er secure. I took the chance of swipping them from Knothole yesterday. These are in case the worst happens..." he paused "They'll enable you to keep your free will after robotization., although I'm hoping that doesn't happen..." he looked down at his palm counting the number he held then glanced up mentally counting the number of people in front of them. He was short by a few "That's great. I hadn't expected those two human girls of Lupe's and never thought to take too many extra of these things."
"Sonic," Lyco spoke out "I'll stay here and watch them, there's no need to involve them out there."
"That helps, but it still leaves one person without one." He twisted his mouth to the side "I'll take the chance and go without. You'er all more important." he paused "Knuckles; I want you, Walt, Espio and Sydney to come with me, we'er going to shut down the main generator. Wolfpack, I'll need you guys to take down the backup so Robo-tub's systems will be out of commision for awhile. I need the rest of yo to serve as a distraction. Got that?"
A sea of nods were exchanged.
"Good. Now, I have one other thig to say before we move out. Please, PLEASE try not to hurt any of the robians if you can help it. If they attack you try to hold your ground, just please try not to hurt them."
"Yeah, and what happens if any of us 'accidentally' did?" Vector wrinkled his nose.
Sonic glared at the croc growling "I said hold your ground. Do what you have to, just try not to hurt them. It's not their fault they'er attacking you, respect that."
Vector parted his lips in a slight snarl at the hedgehog's tone "Yeah, sure. Whatever."
Sonic snorted at the croc's challenge trying hard not to loose his temper as he took a step forward, to his surprise he heard a loud crunch under his feet in doing so.
"What in the...?" he asked to himself reaching down toward the object turning out to be a tiny computer. "Nicole?!" he exclaimed nearly dropping her.
"Thank you for cracking my screen, Sonic." the computer replied scarcastically.
Cocking his head Sonic blinked, wrinkling his nose "Well excuse me. I only didn't see you down there!"
"My apologies, Sonic. But it would have been nice if I had been found sooner instead of left out in the elements."
Sonic snorted at the compter's rudeness "I thought you were with Sally when she was captured?"
"I was, but I did not remain with her. Observe." Nicole said as she began to produce a 3D projection.
Everyone watched with amazment as the little computer did so, showing Sonic running through the forest carrying Sally in his arms.
"Sonic, he's gaining on us!" Sally's tiny projection self yelled.
"Nonsense Sal, no way anyone can keep up with the hedg--" Sonic's projection was interrupted by a blast "--Whoa! How's he managing to keep up at this speed?!"
"Nonsense, huh?"
"So what? He's nothing I can't shake off with a little zig and a--"
"Sonic--LOOK OUT!!"
"Huh?" Sonic turned his head just in time to see a plasma blast sail painfully close to him knocking the hedgehog off his feet and tumbling several times, dropping Sally as he did so.
Spitting out dirt Sonic jumped to his feet in time to see an unconscious Sally being lifted up by a robot conposed of sleek black metal. His features were hardly distinguishable in his projection form. As the robot securred Sally under it's arm a green circle appeared around the idea where Nicole slipped out of Sally's vest pocket and landed in the grass as the robot sped off in a trail of dust.
"SALLY!" Sonic's image yelled gritting his teeth with clenged fists as he sped off after the fiend.
"End of 3D projection." Nicole said suddenly as the image vanished "You see Sonic, I was with Sally when she was captured, I simply did not remain with her."
Sonic gave a hatefull snarl to the computer "Well thank you for widening an already gaping wound!"
"You'er welcome, Sonic."
Sonic let out a disgusted screech throwing Nicole to the ground at this remark.
"Will you stop it with that thing?" Knuckles yelled picking up Nicole "If we'er going to do this, let's go already."
"Say, what was that weird robot?" Diablo asked out of curiosity.
Sonic pased obviously not wanting to answer "That was, and still is, King Acorn."
Just as Sonic expected, looks of disbelief and shock spread over everyone's faces "Word of advice, keep a sharp eye out for him. He's fast and strong, and he's going to be a ton of pain if he shows up," Sonic paused "Well, what are we waiting for? We'er wasting time, let's go!"
Everyone nodded parting their separate ways.
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Crawling along, doop-de-do... It'll pick up soon. Hang in there. *watches people run away* ... Bleh.