Chapter 5

"SONIC!!!!!!!!!"

Sally slammed her fist on the table in shock as the visual of Snively's lab suddenly disappeared. Rotor, in turn, stared at the screen, his mouth hanging open.

"He didn't just do…"
"He did." Sally growled. "I can't believe it…….why?!?!"
"If we're going to attack him, Sal," Rotor turned to her. "We've got to do it now."
"…I know…."
"Freedom Fighters!!!!"

The two remaining Freedom Fighters swung their heads towards the door as Jules and Bernie – Sonic's parents – burst in. Their metallic countenances had definite fear within them.

"Oh, Princess!" Sally and Rotor immediately stood up. "Its terrible! A super robot calling itself Crocbot has just penetrated the forest just beyond the gully. Its on its way here, and its blowing up trees to block anyone trying to approach it!"
"Oh, no…" Sally glared at the screen. "I knew this was going to happen."
"It's planning on destroying Knothole, princess! The people are getting ready to fight, but…" Jules took a deep breath. "Judging by how well its taken our attacks so far, I don't think we stand much of a chance."
"….We'll fight him." Sally started forward. "And I guess we'll have to take our chances….with or without-"
"Hang on, Sally." Rotor's hand was suddenly in front of Sally. "Mr. And Mrs. Hedgehog, will you excuse us for a second? We'll be right out to meet the threat; I won't waste any time."
"…Of course."

With worried nods, the two hedgehogs left. When they opened the door, Sally could see the distant smoke, as well as hear the distant screams and roar of the exploding bullets. She gave a sigh, and looked down to the floor.

"Rotor…"
"Sally." Rotor had a gleam in his eye. "I just realized. With all we were looking for, I think Snively nonetheless gave himself away."
"Huh?" Sally's eyes widened. "How?"
"Well…." Rotor pointed to the screen. "Remember when he was mentioning Mina as being Crocbot's primary energy source?"
"Yes…."
"Well, Snively also mentioned that he was using a relay satellite buffer system." Rotor nodded. "Because the remote battery wouldn't work if its too far from its energy source."
"Wait…..you're saying…"
"The relaying point can't be too far from here." Rotor's eyes seemed to glisten with glee. "All we have to do is take out the relay source that feeds the energy from Snively's lab to Crocbot, and we may be able to beat him easily!"
"But that means Knothole is defenseless while we look for it." Sally took out Nicole. "We have to at least make it look like we're going to try to fight Mogul."
"….Indeed." At this, Rotor took out a laser. "I've been waiting to use this for quite some time…..remember this?"
"The Zone Buster?!"
"Yeah. After Robotnik destroyed the original…" With the click of a button, the laser in Rotor's hand suddenly transformed into a gigantic, gun-like machine. "I decided to create a new model. Its updated in terms of hardware, as well as just how much power it can handle before it shorts out."
"Well, it'll hasve to be out best line of defense…." Sally opened Nicole up. "….Until I can find the relay energy buffer Snively's got. Nicole, scan the area…."

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"Almost there….."

Monkey Khan looked down towards the ground as his cloud flew through the sky. The sun was starting to set over the hills, and the sky was growing darker in shades of orange and purple. Slung on his shoulder still was Mina, whose hair blew in the high winds above the trees.

"………Stupid hedgehog." The cyborg muttered to himself. "He really thought he was going to accomplish anything? Now my masters can just take Knothole Kingdom no sweat……Hopefully, I'll be there in time to help….."

Though his mutterings and musings, Khan failed to take any notice of Mina. Slowly, but surely, the effects of the drain were starting to wear off, at least in terms of rendering her unconscious. Her eyes began to flutter open, only to find herself several hundred feet off the ground.

"Hmmm…..but I wonder what will happen to everyone in the village…."

Mina went to scream, but then heard Khan's voice. Everything that had happened before she went under started to come back; first the attack on her, then the attack on the kids.


"Thunder…..BOLT!"

"NO!!! RORY! SASHA!!"



Her hands balled up into fists of anger. She gave a low growl.

"….Ah well. Like I care-"
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

With a scream of anger, Mina took an elbow straight to Monkey Khan's back.

"What th-AAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!"

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"Ahh, poor fighters." Another tree trunk suddenly fell down towards the village. "Where's your spirit? I thought Knothole Villagers could do anything! Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, Crocbot started to spasm. He began to glow bright blue, and his eyes flashed.

"Ah, yes. This is a much better improvement." Crocbot could almost feel each and every ion of Sonic's energy being transferred to him. Looking over, he saw Sally and Rotor running towards the edge of the gully below. "Now begins the real battle…."

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"Hurry, everyone! This way!"

As the battle raged on, several groups began to leave Knothole through other ways – particularly through the great oak slide. Slowly, one by one the normal citizens who couldn't fight jumped out of the end of the slide.

"The secondary shelters are over here!" Rosie turned towards Snaggle. "Come on, dear! We haven't much time."
"….Ok…."

Snaggle started to follow as Rosie turned back to lead him, but stopped. His eye caught something over the horizon of the trees. He could almost see the two silhouettes of Mina and Monkey Khan, and the cloud beneath them as it disappeared.

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"Aaaah!"

Mina felt Monkey's grip loosen up around her waist; she was free once more. However, it was little consolation, as, when Mina had elbowed him, it caught the cyborg off guard. As a result, he lost concentration on keeping the cloud under them, and so it simply vanished, leaving the two to fall several hundred feet to the ground below.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!"

Monkey Khan's eyes flashed as they fell towards on of the trees. He swore as he lost his grip on his rod, which fell into the tree below. In revenge, he tried to grab Mina by the hair.

"NO!!!!"

With a definitive push of her foot, Mina kicked the monkey away just as they landed in the trees. Branches and twigs snapped from their weight; Mina threw her hands up to try to keep the sticks from getting her face.

"Aaaah!"

She gave a gasp of pain as she finally landed, stomach wound first, on a large branch. Tearing up, she hoisted herself up onto it, planting her feet onto it. Fortunately, the branch held.

"…..Yes…."
"STUPID FEMALE!!!!"

Mina clung to the trunk of the tree as she saw Monkey Khan several branches down. His eyes flashed angrily; his body was sizzling with electricity.

"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!!!!!"

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*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ-FOOOOM*



Rotor's laser shot right into Crocbot's armor; the laser blast left a gigantic dent in the robot's chest.

"Come, walrus." Mogul simply yawned as the dent cracked itself back to normal. "If this is truly all you have, I suggest you simply surrender to me…..I may spare your life, after all….."
"Ha!" Rotor mumbled. "I'd rather not; I know what would be in store for me."
"Do you, now?"

Suddenly, Rotor found himself the target of ten exploding bullets. He managed to dodge at the last minute, though the tree behind him was not so lucky. It was incinerated when the bullets exploded.

"GAAAH!"

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"RAAAAAAH!"

Mina jumped down to the next level of branches when Khan jumped up and slammed his hand onto the branch she was on. It shattered upon impact, throwing splinters everywhere. Growling, Khan descended instantly upon that branch.

"You stupid robot!" Calling up her adrenaline, Mina flung some of the splinters back into Khan's eyes before jumping down onto the next branch. "Without your stupid rod, you're nothing!"

Wiping the splinters from his eyes, Khan gave another roar and beat his chest. He jumped down towards Mina, enraged beyond consolation.

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"Come on, kids!"

Rosie got each of the kids into the cave, one by one. As she gave a final head count, she called out everyone's name.

"Frenchie!"
"Here!" A turtle piped up.
"Kyla!"
"Here, Ms. Rosie!" A horse raised its hand.
"Melissa!"
"I'm here!" A small bumblebee buzzed around Rosie's head. "I'm ok!!!!"
"Right, young lady…" Rosie gently whisked the bee away. "Snaggle!"

There was no reply. The little kids looked around quizzically after a moment, each repeating the dog's name.

"Snaggle? Where is he?"
"He was right behind me…."
"I thought he was with you…"
"Snaggle!!!!"

Rosie ran back outside. There was no trace of Snaggle anywhere. Frantically, the old chipmunk turned towards the group.

"Kids, stay here! I'll find him! Don't move from this spot!"

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"Nicole, hurry!"
"Scanning, Sally…."

Sally crossed her fingers as she hid in the brush. Closer and closer, Mogul was getting closer to Knothole, and though Rotor's laser had been so far effective, she knew that it wasn't enough.

Sometimes… Sally gave an angry sigh as she ducked to avoid flying shrapnel. Sometimes I wished I relied on some more weaponry. I hope Rotor's right on this; I don't like hiding from my enemies. But whe-

"Confirmed." Suddenly, Nicole flashed. "Energy buffer located. Scan confirms energy two miles east of current location…."

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"Aaaaah!"

Mina suddenly lost her footing on the branch. It was a twenty-foot drop, broken only by a bush.

"I don't care what Snively said now!" Mina shook her head, only to see Khan jumping down towards her, his wide eyes filled with pure hatred. "I'll tear you apart, mongoose, piece by piece!!!!"

Mina squirmed to get up, only to find that her clothing was snagged and caught by the bush's branches. Her eyes darted frantically for a solution. Seemingly, there was none.

Then her eye caught something under the bush.

……His rod……!!!!!

She went to grab for it, but even she knew it would be of no use. As her arm stretched into the darkness to grab the staff, she was suddenly seized by the hair and violently dragged up. Her clothing almost ripped off from the sudden tug. She screamed in pain.

"Oooh, little girl…." Khan positioned her so that she was eye to eye with him. "I will make you regret ever crossing me like that. They'll never get all your remains; let alone be able to identify your body when I'm through with you. I'll make sure your limbs are scattered from the Great Forest to the Northern Seas!"
"No!!!!"

Suddenly, a stone smacked Khan in the ear. He swerved around, dropping Mina to the ground.

"Why you…!!!!!!"

Mina's eyes widened as she saw her protector. The stones dropped from his hands as he realized what was about to happen; he gave a whimper and started to run. But it was no use.

"Liittle brat!!!!" Snaggle was instantly grabbed by Khan, who hen pummeled his free fist into Snaggle's stomach. "I'll teach you!!!!!"
"Mina!!!!" Snaggle gasped. "Ru-"

*POW*

Mina's eyes widened at Khan's fist slamming into the dog's face. Almost instantly, he was out, blood dripping from his mouth.

"…..No……..Snaggle……"

She saw the look of triumph on Khan's face, and the helplessness of the kid who was risking his life to protect her. At this, her fear and doubt began to melt. Her fright was replaced by vengeance; her shock, by anger. The cyborg had gone too far this time.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

This time, it was her who gave the scream of rage. Still on the ground, she jammed her hand into the bush, producing the staff from it as she jumped up. Her hands began to burn from the electric power that was bouncing through the rod; she didn't care. All she could think of was one thing.

"LEAVE…..HIM…….ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Khan turned to meet her, but it was too late. There was no remedy for her scorn, and the look of fright on his face told her he had no time – and, if she was frightening enough, no will - to muster up a defense. The adrenaline pumped into her arm muscles, and with a scream she turned the sharp end of the staff and plunged it into the monkey's unprotected chest.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR-*BZZZZZZZZZT-CRACKLE*"

The effect was almost instantaneous. The staff's electricity caused him to short out, convulsing to the ground as he did. His body shakily heaved up and down several times, and his eyes bulged out. Oil began to pour from his body en masse.

"Snaggle!!" Quickly, Mina ran behind the scene and grabbed Snaggle. "Hurry – he may blow up!"

Finally, after another moment Monkey Khan lay still, unmoving. Dense black smoke came from his body, muddying up the air around him. He was still in one piece, but he made no movements, no sounds. On top of it, the staff had fused into his body from all of the electric heat.

"….M-mina…." Eyes widened, Snaggle started to cry. "You saved me….!!!"
"Snaggle, you're ok!" Mina felt herself start to tear up; she was also exhausted, as the rush she had was wearing off. "No, I have to thank you…..you saved me…."
"Mina?!?!?"

Mina's head turned to see Sally burst through another bush. She was covered in leaves and brush, and she gasped for breath as she stared at Monkey Khan's impaled body.

"Mina, did you…?!?!?"
"P-princess!!!" Mina quickly stood up. "How'd you find us?"
"I had to use Nicole to track down the buffer Crocbot was using." Sally slowly approached the cyborg. "I figured Monkey Khan was connected to it somehow, as he seemed to be around quite a bit, and I planned on figuring out a way to ta-"

Suddenly, Khan's body convulsed again, and from his chest popped a small white object. Giving an uneasy and sheepish chuckle, Sally picked it up. It was a battery chip with a tiny antenna on it, and it glowed blue in her hands.

"……Well…." Pressing her palms together in a clap, Sally smashed the chip. "Like I said, I was ready to fight him, but it looks like you two took care of him for me."

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"Aaaaaaaah!!!"

Rotor slid back first on the ground, and slammed into the tree hard. Sweat, burns and cuts dotted his entire body, and he gave a groan of pain as he struggled to stand up.

"Come now, Rotor…." Instantly, Mogul was standing over him in the Crocbot suit. "Be a sport and give up….I have no desire to kill you at this moment!"
"Ha." Rotor grit this teeth. "Guess you'll have to swallow your pride, Mogul. I'm not giving up."
"Rotor, Rotor, Rotor…" The robot gave a sigh. "So stubborn. Just like a rebel; you never know when to quit, even after I destroy your easily destructible machine that was designed to be indestructible. But if you're so eager to die, I might as well….I know I won't miss this time."

Great. Rotor shut his eyes as he heard Crocbot load his fingers with more bullets, chuckling as he did. I guess I bit more than I could chew this time. I'm sorry, guys….

He waited for the impact of the bullets, waited for the swallowing billow of flames to engulf him in some final gust of life. It never came.

"W……wha…….VraaaaAAAAAA!!!!!"

Opening one eye, Rotor nearly gave a start. Crocbot was glowing again; however, it was a dark red, and he was convulsing.

"WARNING." A computer-like voice came from the body. "POWER SUPPLY UPLINK CUT OFF. CLASSIFICATION: MALFUNCTION NUMBER 46-RUA. SHUTDOWN IMMINENT IN FIVE…..FOUR…..THREE….."
"Nooooooooooo!!!!!" Mogul's mechanic screams were filled with anger and agony. "How can this be?!?!?!? This body……..my power…..I'm losing control…..!!!!!!"
"SHUTDOWN COMMENCING."

Suddenly, the body jerked upright for a moment. Then, with a humming electric sound, the body was still.

"…..Phew!!!!" Opening his other eye, Rotor wiped his brow. "That was too close….."

Suddenly, the body glowed again, this time a bright ivory hue. Smoke began to pour off of it, dissipating into the air. Some of it began to materialize, and for a moment, the smoke formed the silhouette of Mogul's head, glaring down angrily upon Rotor.

"You may have won this round….." Mogul's voice seemed distant as the smoke lifted up higher into the air. "But mark my words, this is not….the end….."

There was a gust of wind, and Mogul's spirit was carried off to wander to the west. With a sigh of relief, Rotor stood up.

"It looks like my theory was vindicated after all…." Rotor looked at all of the downed trees around him. "Wow….I've got more than I thought! I didn't think I'd last that long…."
"Rotor!"

Rotor turned to see Sally, Mina and Snaggle running towards him. In Sally's hand was a small black box.

"It was Monkey Khan." Sally handed the box to the walrus. "He held the energy relay chip. Mina busted the body up, but I doubt we could have gotten it any other way."
"And this?"
"Khan's tracking system – his mapping mechanism." Sally looked up at the walrus. "You think you can crack it to get Snively's location?"
"….Do cows fly?" Rotor adjusted his cap. "Stand back ladies. This shouldn't take long at all….."