--------------------------------CHAPTER 10----------------------------------
Inside the command center in Robotropolis, Robotnick was fuming. He was yelling as a medic system worked on him. After getting his arm fixed he went to his new prisoner. Standing in front of the energy bars, he had Snively scanning the injured overlander.
"Well Snively?"
"I don't know where he came from sir. His biology is slightly different from ours and his clothes are not made from around here."
"Is he the same person who attacked us in the unexplained damages?"
"According to the computers he is sir."
"Good. Wake him. I want to know how he and those accursed Freedom Fighters did it."
"As you wish sir." Snively said turning off the bars and going in. After injecting him in the arm he left to work on some other project Robotnick had him on.
"Ooooooohh. What the hell hit me?" Seeing Robotnick standing a few feet from him he realized what happened. Getting up fast he attempted to attack Robotnick. Robotnick activated the field before he could hit him. Ford was knocked back but didn't fall. "If you think I'm going to talk then your wasting your time. I've dealt with others that are far worse than you. You don't scare me."
"I don't do I. What if I threatened to roboticize you?"
"Go ahead. You still won't get the location of Knothole, how we managed to cause you so much trouble in damages, and anything else you might want from me."
"That is something that has been bothering me. I still haven't figured out how you managed to cause so much damage and still nothing is recorded on my monitors. I've increased security, installed traps, and still you and those miserable rodents have done more damage than ever before. How is it done?" Robotnick said turning off the field and picking Ford up by his shirt.
"Shove it Robotnick! I told you already I'm not talking!" he said as he tried to kick Robotnick in the groin. Instead he kicked his gut. Robotnick grunted and threw him into the wall. Ford tried to get up but was stopped by a couple of Swat-bots.
"Take him to the roboticizer. If you won't talk then you'll make a nice statue next to my brother." he said laughing as he walked away.
Ford was dragged along down several corridors. He kept looking for any of the Freedom Fighters to see if they might be around to help but no one was there. Coming up to a pair of large doors, one of the Swat-bots put in a code to open the door. After placing him in a chair that clamped down automatically on his hands and feet they walked over and stood guard next to the door. Snivley came in looking at a computer pad.
"Hey Snively. I wish I had my books I left in Knothole with me. Robotnick would have killed you the day he met you if he knew how much you truly hate him."
"Shut up! Your lies will get you no where." Snively said walking over to a computer. Robotnick came on a screen as Snively started powering things up. A large glass like tube came down over Ford as he tried to struggle.
"You know Ro-butt-nick. Snively has been planning you demise for years. He's just waiting for the right time to act."
"I told you to shut up! Li..."
"What you going to do? Attack me while I'm in here?! You can't fight cause you're a wuss. A coward! A waste of life! A FREAK like the smeg head on the screen!" Ford was yelling as Robotnick yelled to Snively to start the process. "You want to know where I'm from?! Another time or dimension! I've seen how you took out Mobotropolis, got rid of your friends, and threw the King into the Void, everything from the day you overthrew the House of Acorn."
Snively's hand was over the start button waiting for Robotnick to tell him to start. Robotnick told him to wait because he wanted to hear this. "Go on little man."
"I've seen most of the trouble you've caused over the years and dreamed of coming here and ending your tyranny. Once I got here I vowed to help take your ass out! I would have done it sooner but Sonic wants that pleasure to himself. As for how we managed to cause so much damage...here's the kicker...I have control over time."
Robotnick stared for a moment before bursting out laughing. Snively joined in until Robotnick told him to shut up.
"Interesting story little man, but time travel is impossible without alot of energy. And I would have detected any use of energy on that scale."
"Where I'm from the energy needed is barely register able. I even have the device with me now."
"Then why haven't you used it to escape? You apparently don't have it otherwise you wouldn't be here. Snivley?"
"Yes sir?"
"Scan him for anything unusual."
"Yes sir." he said scanning.
"You won't be able to find it Ro-butt-nick! I turned its masking device on before I was shot earlier."
"There is a strange energy reading coming from him sir but it's impossible to pinpoint it. It's also too low to be anything dealing with time travel sir. I can do a more detailed scan if you wish sir."
"Never mind. Roboticize him."
"Yes sir."
Ford started to panic as Snively activated the roboticizer. Light came down from above him giving him a weird feeling inside. He started to struggle harder when a memory came back to him for one of the comics he read. Sitting back he started laughing. Robotnick was smiling until he saw the overlander laughing. Immediately he called security and had Snively check the system. As the system was being check Robotnick asked the overlander what was so funny.
"What's funny Ro-butt-nick is that you just made a terrible mistake! I know the secret to the roboticizer!" Ford said as the process continued. Several burst of light came down and Ford went from being human to robot. Robotnick came into the room and looked the robotic overlander over before having the glass cover brought up.
"If what he said was true about being able to manipulate time then our worries are over Snively. With this one out of the way Sonic and his rebellious team will have to go back to normal tactics."
"Yes sir." Snively called the Swat-bots over to take the robotic overlander to where Robotnick's brother was. As they were unstrapping him from the chair, "Dr. Robotnick sir. What did he mean by the secret of the roboticizer?"
Robotnick was about to respond when the Swat-bots were tossed aside. Crashing into the computer, one Swat-bot blew up taking the roboticizer offline. The other exploded hitting the wall. Ford's eyes glowed as he spoke.
"THE SECRET IS SIMPLE PITIFUL FOOLS!!!!!! IF YOU ACCEPT THE ROBOTICIZATION PROCESS YOU STILL HAVE FREEWILL! PREPARE FOR EXTERMINATION!" Fords hands began to glow as electrical currents swirled around them. Robotnick and Snivley ran out of the room as Ford sent electrical blast at them. Sections of the walls exploded as each electrical blast hit them. Robotnick called for security to take the overlander out as he ran.
Ford ran through the command center hallways trashing any Swat-bot that he saw. He blasted the main door open and jumped out. Several Swat- bots came at him blasters firing.
"FOOLS!!!!!!!!" he yelled grabbing one. Lifting it high over his head he smashed it into a couple coming at him. Turning around quickly he sent a bolt of electrical energy into another group. Looking toward the forest he ran.
Out on a scout mission, a couple of Mobian's from another village were looking around. They both looked up and took cover, hearing explosions coming from the city.
"Weren't we told that there was nothing planned by any other groups for attacking today?" A beaver asked.
"That's what I heard. Maybe we should check it out."
They headed in slowly as several more explosions went off somewhere. They stopped on top of a run down factory building as a building several blocks away exploded.
"Whoa! Someone's having fun!"
"Maybe. We better get back and tell everyone what's going on."
"Tell them what?"
"That an unknown robot is trashing Robotropolis."
"What robot?"
"That one." the bull said giving the beaver the binoculars.
"I see what you mean. Well let's get out of here before he targets us."
Shelby was parked inside the garage. She had been there for the past two days with no one coming around. She thought of calling out to anyone to just talk but thought better of it. She wanted to talk to Mel, but she was still mourning Ford. Shelby was, sad was what she thought it could be called, that he wasn't around. Since her tires had given out sometime before they got back to Knothole she couldn't go anywhere. She still was capable of monitoring so that kept her busy. She was listening into a conversation that the King and Geoffrey St. John were having.
"You came upon Ford and his car searching around the grounds in that area."
"Yes your majesty. Ford was looking for, what I didn't know at the time, a Chaos emerald. His car mentioned something about those historical books, comics I think he called them, talking about finding one of the emeralds. After he found it I tried to take it from him. He gave it up without fighting, which I should have seen was too easy. When we went to leave his car knocked me and Hershey out with a powerful sleep gas. When I woke up, it was too late to inform you."
"I see. If he were here he would be reprimanded for his actions. Unfortunately......."
"I'm sorry I couldn't have acted sooner your highness."
"No matter Geoffrey. Now about this unusual disturbance in Robotropolis?"
Shelby quit listening in after that thinking it wasn't anything relevant. Switching over to check on Mel she tried checking Ford's just in case. If she were humanoid she would have jumped out of her skin. Ford's tracking device inside his arm and on his watch were active again and on the move. Calling to Mel she began trying to trace it.
Getting out of Robotropolis was harder than he thought. Ford figured he was headed the right way but ended up going the opposite direction of Knothole. Turning around he dodged and weaved through the different buildings causing whatever damage he could along the way. He was counting the number of Swat-bots he was trashing for awhile but lost count somewhere. Finally emerging from the city limits he headed into the Great Forest. He was running through the Great Forest quicker than he ever had been able to do in the flesh. His only thought was getting back to Knothole and Mel. He calculated that it would take him about an hour to get back at his current speed. He tired contacting Shelby through an internal communicator but never could get through for some reason. Almost an hour later, he knew he was getting close when he started detecting life signs. Stopping quickly he hid behind a tree noticing someone approaching. He decided to wait to see who it was.
Mel was sitting in her hut looking at her almost full coffee cup, now cold, when her wrist com spoke. She looked terrible. Her clothes needed cleaning along with herself. Her fur and hair was all disheveled.
"What is it Shelby?" she said with grief in her voice. "I really don't feel like talking or anything."
"I know. That's why I haven't said anything these last two days.."
"If this is one of those lectures about getting on...
"No! No it's not. I wouldn't know what to say anyway. I detected Ford's tracking device that's still in his arm along with the one in his watch. They only way the watch would be active is if he's alive."
Wide-eyed she realized Shelby was right.
"Mel are you there?"
"Yes. I'll be right over!" she said running out the door. Her coffee cup spun a bit before tipping over spilling the black liquid onto the floor.
Geoffrey was headed over to talk to Hershey when he spotted Mel run out of her hut. He was about to leave her be when he noticed she wasn't crying. In fact she almost looked happy. This got his curiosity going and he followed her.
Mel was walking at a quick pace now as she headed for the garage. Since she hadn't got any real sleep the past two days she tired out quickly running. All sorts of things were going through mind about Ford. How he got away, how was he, did he kill Robotnick, that stuff. As she passed by several large trees that grew up together a hand came out grabbing her from behind. One was around her mouth and the other around her arms. She started kicking and trying to scream as her assailant spoke to her.
"Damn Mel. If you're this hard to hold being as I am now, I could never hold you being normal."
She stopped moving and turned around as the he let go.
"Ford?" she said backing up slowly.
"In the flesh! Or well a...." he said looking himself over. "Hmm. Not my color is it?" he said. "Sorry about grabbing you like that. I didn't what you to start screaming."
Mel was looking at him trying to see if it really was him or if she was dreaming a nightmare. "Screaming...?"
"Mel?" he said stepping forward.
She shrank back a little farther as he took a step forward. "Stay back or I will scream."
"Alright Mel." he said putting his hands up and stepping back. "Sorry I didn't get back sooner though. Ro-butt-nick was being difficult so I had trouble getting out of town. Help me out here Mel. If I were to walk into Knothole as I am now they'd attack without mercy."
"So you came to me because I wouldn't hurt you."
"Well I hope not."
"Okay, wait....Shelby do you still detect Ford?"
"Yes Mel and if you are asking for his location it looks like he's right in front of you. But I'm detecting something strange coming from him that wasn't there before. Is he wearing armor or something? Do you need help?"
"Not yet I think. I'm fine at the moment."
"So can I get close again." Ford asked taking a step closer.
"You left me thinking you died and now you come back ask.." she was saying as she stepped back into a tree root. As she was falling Ford ran forward to catch her.
Geoffrey had closed in enough to finally see where Mel had suddenly disappeared to. One moment he was following her and then she disappeared behind several large trees. He could hear voices talking but couldn't make them out. After walking around some he found a place to hide and see what was going on. Mel was talking to what appeared to be a metal man. Seeing the scared look in her face as she started falling and the metal man heading toward her he jumped out and fired.
Ford grabbed her hand as she almost hit the ground just as a crossbow bolt came at him. With his increased hearing due to being changed Ford glanced over to see it come at him. Before he could stop its impact he was hit. There was a short blast as a wave of electrical energy burst out. Ford could fell his systems short out slightly as it coursed through his body. Mel was still holding his hand as Ford was hit which sent a surge through her as well. With a loud piercing scream she twitched a bit before being thrown from Ford from the shock. She landed several feet away. There was a smell of burnt and singed hair as smoke rose from her. How Ford managed to keep from going offline he didn't know. Getting up from bending on his one knee he called out to Shelby or anyone for help. He was running over to Mel when another bolt came toward him. Dodging he grabbed it as it came by. With a flick of his wrist he threw it back at Geoffrey. Geoffrey didn't have a chance to do anything as it smacked him dead in the face. Luckily it didn't go off as he fell unconscious. Blood oozed slowly from his nose.
"MEL!" Ford yelled as he lifted her off the ground into his lap.
Some of the villagers came running to see what the commotion was. Most panicked and fled away screaming Robotnick found them.
Sally and the major Freedom Fighters arrived quickly as the panic started to get out of hand. Guards were mobilizing quickly looking for their attackers as the villagers ran. Asking a fleeing individual were the trouble was Sally and the others headed off.
They came upon strange looking robot holding Mel. The unknown figured was saying something they couldn't hear to her as it ran its hand through her hair.
"You ruthless scum! How could you hurt a innocent woman like this! Get away from her now before...."
"Sonic wait!" Sally said putting a hand on him.
"But it just killed..."
"That doesn't look lika someone who just kill'd." Bunnie said from Sonic's right. "More like a lost...OH MY STARS!" she said covering her mouth.
"What is it Bunnie?!" Sally asked with concern.
"That's Ford Sally! Robotnick roboticized him!" she said taking a step forward.
They started forward when Antoine called for Sally.
"Princezz!"
"What is it Antoine?" she said with slight fear and annoyance in her voice.
"Sir John is unconscious Princezz. It lookz likez he was hit by his own weapon." he said kneeling next to him.
"What?" she said coming over seeing unconscious skunk lying face down. Blood had been running from his nose. Next to his face was a un- detonated cross bolt.
"Ford's leav'n Sally-girl." Bunnie said as she followed him.
Ford could hear talking going on but he ignored it concentrating on Mel. According to his systems he had several problems that were telling him that shut down was imminent. As far as he could tell she was alive and breathing but needing medical attention. Fighting against his system failures he picked her up. Doing a quick calculation he headed for his garage figuring the med kit he had would help her as others got Dr. Quack.
Ford was running hard as the others followed. He had just got inside when his systems gave up. His body shut down stopping him in midstep.
"Shelby....IIIIIIIIII........nnneeeeeeeddd........." he was saying as he shut down.
"Ford! Ford! Nichole come in! Ford just wa.." Shelby was transmitting as the Freedom Fighters walked in.
"Oh my stars! Ford shut down." Bunnie said pushing him slightly.
"Nichole analysis."
"Working Sally.....due to a massive electrical discharge from an EMP device his systems are failing. His higher cognitive functions are still running but I don't have enough data to support why."
"It must have been Geoffrey's crossbow bolt! He uses that sort of weapon!" Sonic said helping Bunnie take Mel from his arms. Dr.Quack came in a few seconds later with a stretcher.
"Where's the patient?" an aide said.
"She's right here sug. See she gets help fast Doc. She was injured by one of Geoffrey's EMP arrows."
"But that can't hurt organics." he said with confusion.
"It can when you're holding a robot at the time." Sally said turning to him. "Ford came back and something happened where Geoffrey must have decided he needed to shoot Ford. Mel must have been too close or touching him when it happened."
"That makes more sense. Any idea how Geoffrey's nose was injured? I had other help with me and had them take him to the hospital."
"Not a clue." Sonic said touching Ford. Ford was standing with one foot in front of him looking ready to take another step. His face was looking at his empty arms that had been holding Mel. He must have been saying something because his lips were stuck in a talking motion.
"Hey car! What was he saying?" Sonic asked.
"I think he was about to ask for help but....."
"Rotor have Ford taken to the lab. We need to see if we can deroboticize him. Failing that see about keeping his systems from crashing permanently."
"Sure thing Sally." Rotor said getting Bunnie to assist him.
As everyone left Sonic leaned against Shelby. Sally closed Nichole and put her away as Sonic spoke.
"Man. She was just mourning him along with the rest of us and then he comes back and this happens. And what hurts the most is I couldn't stop it."
"You can't beat yourself up about this Sonic. You couldn't have known he would be back. After what I saw him do to Robotnick I was sure that he was dead."
It didn't make Sonic feel any better but he nodded anyway.
"Princess Sally." Shelby called as they started to leave.
"Yes Shelby?"
"If Ford can't be brought back......and Mel....doesn't recover..."
Sonic could almost swear the car was crying from the sound of her voice.
"I.........I want to be shut down and my program deleted. Dulcy should be able to drop me into the volcano where I could never be used for evil."
"But Shelby..." Sonic started saying.
"No. If Knothole was wiped out and only a few Freedom Fighters remained that weren't the core of them and defeat was undeniable wouldn't you do the same for Nichole to keep her from enemy hands."
"Yes but.." Sally started to say.
"No one else, not even Rotor knows how to work me if anything happened. Besides Ford input a encrypted lock on me that makes it so only three people can operate me if something happens to my program. Self- destruct is my only other option but I can't self terminate."
Sonic was opening his mouth when Sally stopped him.
"I'll consider it if things don't work out."
"Thank you Princess."
Inside the hospital Dr.Quack was monitoring the white female fox as others were following his orders. Sally came in a few minutes after they got into the hospital with Nichole as Dr.Quack called for them.
"What did you need Nichole for Doctor?"
"I've managed to stabilize her condition but she in a coma. I don't know when or if she'll ever wake up. I've been getting a strange energy reading from her for awhile and did a blood analysis. I don't know how but she has Chaos energy in her blood."
"How? Wait! Ford found and used a emerald when he was in the race. When Robotnick came and tried to capture us Ford and his car came to the rescue. We all noticed a glow around them both but Mel never got out of the car."
"That's probably what did it. I don't know if it will do anything to her though and I wanted to have Nichole check her out."
"Understandable Doctor." she said taking Nichole out.
Rotor, Uncle Chuck, Jules and a few others were getting the deroboticizer ready for use. Ford was still in the same position as they placed him inside.
"Ready Chuck?"
"Ready Rotor!"
A bright light engulfed Ford as the machine turned on. Bright ringed light beams came down over him. Several seconds passed and then smoke arose from the machine as it finished.
"Ford?" Rotor asked waving at some of the smoke.
As it cleared they saw he was still the same as before but moving.
"Damn man! What happened? Oh SMEG! Where's Mel?!" he said running out of the room. The door bent slightly as he ran through it quicker than it could open.
Several days later.............
Ford had wanted to stay by Mel's side the entire time but Dr. Quack had told him from day one when he rushed in that she was in a coma and that there was nothing he could do till she came out of it on her own. Sitting there 24/7 wasn't going to help him, Ford, or his other patients any. He turned to coming in and sitting the night with her since he wasn't able to sleep. During the day he stayed inside his garage or was looked over by Rotor and the others to see if they were able to deroboticize him. Sonic and a few others tried to talk to him but he mostly stayed to himself and told them to go away. He had even turned Shelby's vocal unit off.
Sally was headed for Bunnie's hut when she saw Ford walk out of the infirmary heading for his garage. Knocking on Bunnie's door she headed in when Bunnie called her in.
"Morn'n Sally-girl. What's on your mind?"
"I'm worried about Ford and Mel. Her condition hasn't changed and he hasn't talked to anyone for days."
"They are very much in love Sal. Ford told me once that he had no one to care for after his papa had passed on. No one liked him very much because he had strange hobbies. Women scorned him so much so he never had anyone to really care for other than his car."
"I didn't know."
"Well I wasn't suppos' to tell anyone but I know that you can keep a secret." Bunnie said pulling a curler out of her hair.
"I'm hoping she pulls through soon."
"What did you have....." Bunnie stopped as they heard a loud noise.
VVVVVVVVVVVVRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
There was a squeal of tires peeling out on a hard concrete like substance as Shelby came out of the garage. Avoiding the tree's she headed out of Knothole and unto a path big enough to be a road. Gunning her Ford headed up north away from Knothole.
"Nichole find out where Shelby's headed and if Ford is with her!" Sally said removing her quickly from her boot. She and Bunnie were watching her drive away.
"Shelby says Ford is driving and there destination is unknown Sally. She thinks he's just letting out his frustrations by testing her systems."
"Ford told me when things got to much for him he'd just drive until he could work things out." Bunnie said.
"Let's hope its just that. Nichole keep a watch on them. I want to know when something unusual."
"Yes Sally."
Mel was looking for Ford as she continued running through the forest. She figured out earlier on she was dreaming and had been able to gain some control in some of the dreams she had. She had one that she had been trying to get back to where she was flying along with Tails. This one was of her looking for Ford and it one was a recurring one. She had been trying to wake up for awhile now but had been unsuccessful. This time things seemed slightly different.
"Ford where are you?" she said in a whisper. "This game isn't funny."
"You aren't trying Mel. You need to look more closely." a voice that sounded like Ford's said but she could tell it wasn't his.
"Who are you and where's Ford?"
"You are in a dream dear child. Ford is unable to help you at this stage."
"Who are you?" she asked as a glowing fox appeared.
"I am Aurora dear child."
"AURORA! Then that means I'm dead." she said as tears started to flow.
"Not yet dear child. Because of Ford coming into your life destiny has chosen you to live. You are going to fulfill a destiny very few have ever done."
"I am." she said more skeptical that believing. "And what would this destiny be?"
"I can see that you have doubts my child. Do not fear. When you wake you will be with friends. Rest now child and be at peace."
"But what is my destiny?" she was asking as her dream faded.
Ford was cruising along at a pace that was making Shelby nervous. He had been driving for hours and would have been lost if not for Shelby's navigation maps. He was mumbling curses as they drove along. At some point he had turned and headed toward Robotropolis.
"Ford what are we going to do in Robotropolis? Taking on Robotnick is not a good idea." Shelby said dragging out the word idea.
"He's the...." he was about to say something foul but kept it back. "REASON that this situation is happening. If I hadn't suggested the race she wouldn't be dying." he said with sorrow in his voice.
"There's no way you could ha..."
"Don't give me that crap about not knowing. I've heard it enough times from my dimension or I should say from people from the past."
"Why didn't you use your time watch?"
"That bastard damaged it when he roboticized me. I can feel the watch systems inside me or inside my wrist I should say. All the things that the watch was capable of is still there, hell I can shoot my laser from my arm with a thought but the time device doesn't work otherwise as soon as she got hit or I got hit as it were, I would have jumped back a few minutes and then went over and stop Geoffrey. I'd like to do more but then I'd be hated among the Knotholers."
Shelby mulled this over as they headed to Robotropolis. She was going to ask Ford something when Nichole signaled her. She set her system up so he wouldn't hear anything.
"What's up Nichole?"
"Sally wants to talk to Ford."
"Not possible."
"Wait........" Nichole said relaying the information to Sally. After a few moments Sally came on a vid screen that Rotor set up.
"Shelby where's Ford?"
"Now's not the best time to talk to him. Talking to me is a better idea."
"Why can't he talk?"
"He's already blown up at me. He wouldn't want you angry with him for losing his temper at you. I can take it and not get too offended since he's just venting but at you, you may take it more personally and he'd hate himself later for it."
"I wanted to find out were he's going since Nichole says you're headed toward Robotropolis."
"He's headed there to take on Robotnick. You better tell Sonic though. He might be able to stop Ford from taking his glory then again it probably wouldn't work."
"No it wouldn't. If he blames Robotnick as you say then only you can stop him right now."
"Actually I can't. He....ah overrode my system using a command sequence and has total control over driving. As for the other systems I have some control."
"Alright then, I'll let Sonic know."
"How's Mel doing? I was monitoring her through the watch she wore but I've lost the connection. That is either because she isn't wearing it or..."
"She's fading fast. Dr. Quack says it could be anytime." Sally's voice said with a sadness in her voice.
"Thanks Sally." Switching to Ford. "Ford, Sally called."
"What did she want?" he said with contempt as he shifted into a higher gear.
"She said Mel took a turn for the worst."
"She died! Oh......." he sounded like he was crying but couldn't being a robotic life form. He pounded on the steering wheel a few times causing it to crack.
"NO Ford! She hasn't yet. Mel's still alive just barely. Sally wanted you to know so you could spend her last moments by her."
Whipping the car into a dangerous spin he headed back toward Knothole. As he headed back he had Shelby tell Sally to have Sonic standing by with a power ring. When she asked why he said that a comic was reminding him of a possible cure.
Villagers scattered as Shelby tore through Knothole. Skidding to a stop where he bumped into the hospital with the passenger side he hopped out. Ford ran past everyone inside including Sally and Sonic who where talking to Dr. Quack.
"Mel." he said softly as he walked in. Mel was still unconscious with a hospital gown on and an IV in her left arm. The burn marks and other injuries where not apparent anymore. Taking her right hand he knelt down.
"From reading the first comic I always dreamed of ways I'd stop Robotnick's and anyone else's attack's upon everyone here. When my dream came true that day so long ago now, I helped the best I was allowed even though I knew I could do more. All I ever wanted was to see the fighting stop so that all Mobians could have peace again. And then I met you. I still care for Knothole and would do anything to save it but I'd give my life to save you. Damn Mel, your all I love in this life. Don't leave me." he said feeling something that must have been tears falling.
Sally, Sonic and Dr. Quack were watching from outside. They did manage to hear everything he said. When he quit talking Sonic walked in.
"Sally said you wanted to try something with a power ring?"
"Yeah! It may or may not work. Remember when you were robotocized and a power ring turned you back to normal."
"Yeah. I fought Knuckles that day."
"I want to try the same thing here." he said swiping the ring from Sonic. Before Sonic could say anything he put Mel's hands on it. As both their hands touched the ring it glowed brightly. A blinding flash came from both of them as the ring disappeared. Shielding his eyes Sonic backed up a bit. Sally and the doctor entered the room after the light disappeared.
"It worked." Sonic said speechless.
Ford was holding her hands with the hands he had before. He was wearing his sweat suit which looked new. Mel opened her eyes looking around cautiously. When Ford leaned over her she acted instinctively and clocked him one. As Ford's eyes rolled up and his body hit the ground Mel sat up quickly realizing what she just did.
"OH SMEG!!" she gasped covering her mouth. Everyone outside the room heard her as she screamed. Sonic and the other two in the room helped get Ford onto a bed next to her. Several others came in to see what the commotion was.
"Nice right hook there sug?" Bunnie said walking in. "But why did ya do that?"
"I....I was having a nightmare I think. When I saw him over me I panicked. I hope he won't be mad. You think he'll leave." she said looking ready to cry.
"Heck no sug. He was here looking over you for ah long time. Dr. Quack made him leave every morning and then he'd come back every night." Bunnie said placing her arm around her.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely sugah-fox."
"Okay then. If he doesn't though.."
"He won't leave Mel." Bunnie said with a serious voice and look. Nodding her head at Bunnie she turned back to looking at Ford. She could see a bruise forming on his face.
"Wait a minute.." she said getting up and going over to Ford. "When did he get back to normal?"
Sonic explained what happened while she was still out and how Ford used a power ring.
"That would explain the tingling sensation a feel. Feels a lot like when we used one for the car." As she examined her hands several others in the room saw her hands slightly glowing.
"Sally look at that."
"Hmm." she said now noticing Mel's hands. "Mel what are you doing?"
"Just thinking, why?"
"What are thinking that might cause that?" she said turning Nichole to scan Mel.
"I tired it once after the race and managed to burn a branch I was holding. I have the same feeling right now as I had then. I think I absorbed the power ring." she said before shaking her hands. The glow disappeared.
"Wow! So I'm not the only one who can use them." Sonic said surprised.
"No your not." a low voice said from the bed. "Antoine used one once to."
"Ford!" Mel said grabbing his hand. "How is he?"
"Other than a large bruise he'll have for a couple of days and a few loose teeth he's fine. You're lucky she didn't break your jaw." Dr. Quack said tossing some gloves.
"Yeah. I saw it in time to barely move." Sitting up slowly he appeared disorientated. "Hey there's double of everything."
Shining a light into Ford's eyes he did a another examination. Dr. Quack had everyone wait outside until he was done except Mel who refused to let go.
"Well you're seeing double because you hit the floor headfirst. It's not permanent so you'll have to wait till it passes. A couple hours of sleep will do it....AND that's an order for both of you." he said turning off the light and leaving.
"I though I lost you." Ford said patting her hand. He had his eyes closed because the double vision was giving him a headache. "I'd love to talk more but this vision problem is giving me a headache."
"We'll talk later then." she said giving him a kiss. Laying back on her bed she watched him. A nurse came in a few minutes later with some pills for Ford to take. After he took them she left. Ford listened to Mel as long as he could before passing out.
Outside Sonic and Sally where talking with Shelby.
"Do you still have a reading on the energy that you used in the race?" Sally asked Shelby.
"Actually I still have some of it still running through my systems. It's quite a rush. I know you would like to have the ring device I'm using back but there's a problem there."
"you're addicted to speeding like me." Sonic said.
"Bingo!" she said and then after a moment, "No actually it's because it fused with a few other components. It can't be taken out without causing me significant damage."
"Some of the energy was transferred to Ford and Mel." Sally explained as Nichole transferred medical scans to her. "After Ford was restored with a power ring he was radiating a bit. Mel's capable of transferring energy into her hands and possibly able to use it as a weapon."
"I knew that Mel had changed. I saw her use it on a large branch. I did a scan and found some disturbing results."
"What where they?" Sally asked as Sonic decided that he wasn't interested in hearing anymore and took off. He gave her a thumbs up sign before heading off.
Shelby transferred information to Nichole as she explained.
"She now has the ability to cause things to combust. Anything she touches she can, command for lack of better wording, to explode. BUT only if she emits a energy field into it. Kinda reminds me of a story of another comic hero Ford told me. Didn't get a name though."
"How many others know she can do this?"
"Just us three. I haven't told her what she can do."
"Why not?"
"She was in mourning and I wasn't actually close enough to really talk to her. I was monitoring from the garage."
"I'll tell her in the morning then." she said walking away.
"Suit yourself princess. Better you than me."
"Why is that?" she said turning back around.
"Her so-called power doesn't work on organics such as life forms and such. But a tree, rock, metal, things like that will be effected. That includes me."
The next day Shelby, Ford, Sally, and Mel got together. For Ford the absorption of the power ring did nothing apparent so they just decided to wait till something happened with him. He had was registering a power reading but that was it. Shelby and Sally told the other two about Mel's newly acquired gift. At first she didn't believe it until they had here try it on a pine cone. They figured if it exploded it wouldn't do much harm. Shelby said she'd be the shield they could use for when it exploded. She assured them she'd be fine.
Shelby was wrong. She was so wrong.
Mel focused on the pine cone in her hands. A few seconds went by and it started glowing. Tossing it under Shelby like she said they backed off quickly.
THOOM!!!!
Shelby was lifted off the ground about three feet and slammed on her right side. She leaned for a second before tipping over onto her roof. Sonic came racing up thinking they were under attack. Other came running along behind. Sally nearly dropped Nichole. Mel covered her face and started saying sorry. Ford lost it. He fell over and laughed so hard tears were coming out. Shelby was trying to get someone to tip her back onto her wheels. Sally managed to quiet everyone down and told them they were experimenting something and that they were not under attack. Everyone believed her and left.
"What are you doing Sal? I could here that in Butt-nick-vil."
"Doubtful hedgehog." She tried to explain what they were doing but the scientific angle lost him.
"Say what?"
"Mel has the power to make objects explode by touching them. It won't work on us though. Just inanimate objects."
"Why didn't you say that before."
Sally shook her head and had Nichole check for damage. Other than the four foot deep hole and slightly damaged undercarriage there was nothing needing serious attention.
"Ford it wasn't that funny." Mel said trying to help him to his feet. He could see she was disturbed by it.
"Sorry Mel. And I'm so sorry Shelby. I couldn't help it." he said wiping his face.
"You thought that was funny huh! For that you're not driving for awhile. Now get me turned over!"
With Bunnie's help they managed to get her back on her wheels. Shelby didn't hold Mel responsible for what happened since Shelby thought she could take it, but Ford she was almost tempted to run over instead she made him walk back to the garage.
"What? I couldn't help it." he said as Mel and Shelby drove away.
"Never laugh at ah woman sug. Electronic or otherwise."
Ford was left standing alone and shaking his head as they all walked away.
Over the next couple of weeks after that day Mel managed to control her new power better. Sally decided that Mel should really keep it to herself for the time being. She agreed and barely used it unless necessary.
Inside the command center in Robotropolis, Robotnick was fuming. He was yelling as a medic system worked on him. After getting his arm fixed he went to his new prisoner. Standing in front of the energy bars, he had Snively scanning the injured overlander.
"Well Snively?"
"I don't know where he came from sir. His biology is slightly different from ours and his clothes are not made from around here."
"Is he the same person who attacked us in the unexplained damages?"
"According to the computers he is sir."
"Good. Wake him. I want to know how he and those accursed Freedom Fighters did it."
"As you wish sir." Snively said turning off the bars and going in. After injecting him in the arm he left to work on some other project Robotnick had him on.
"Ooooooohh. What the hell hit me?" Seeing Robotnick standing a few feet from him he realized what happened. Getting up fast he attempted to attack Robotnick. Robotnick activated the field before he could hit him. Ford was knocked back but didn't fall. "If you think I'm going to talk then your wasting your time. I've dealt with others that are far worse than you. You don't scare me."
"I don't do I. What if I threatened to roboticize you?"
"Go ahead. You still won't get the location of Knothole, how we managed to cause you so much trouble in damages, and anything else you might want from me."
"That is something that has been bothering me. I still haven't figured out how you managed to cause so much damage and still nothing is recorded on my monitors. I've increased security, installed traps, and still you and those miserable rodents have done more damage than ever before. How is it done?" Robotnick said turning off the field and picking Ford up by his shirt.
"Shove it Robotnick! I told you already I'm not talking!" he said as he tried to kick Robotnick in the groin. Instead he kicked his gut. Robotnick grunted and threw him into the wall. Ford tried to get up but was stopped by a couple of Swat-bots.
"Take him to the roboticizer. If you won't talk then you'll make a nice statue next to my brother." he said laughing as he walked away.
Ford was dragged along down several corridors. He kept looking for any of the Freedom Fighters to see if they might be around to help but no one was there. Coming up to a pair of large doors, one of the Swat-bots put in a code to open the door. After placing him in a chair that clamped down automatically on his hands and feet they walked over and stood guard next to the door. Snivley came in looking at a computer pad.
"Hey Snively. I wish I had my books I left in Knothole with me. Robotnick would have killed you the day he met you if he knew how much you truly hate him."
"Shut up! Your lies will get you no where." Snively said walking over to a computer. Robotnick came on a screen as Snively started powering things up. A large glass like tube came down over Ford as he tried to struggle.
"You know Ro-butt-nick. Snively has been planning you demise for years. He's just waiting for the right time to act."
"I told you to shut up! Li..."
"What you going to do? Attack me while I'm in here?! You can't fight cause you're a wuss. A coward! A waste of life! A FREAK like the smeg head on the screen!" Ford was yelling as Robotnick yelled to Snively to start the process. "You want to know where I'm from?! Another time or dimension! I've seen how you took out Mobotropolis, got rid of your friends, and threw the King into the Void, everything from the day you overthrew the House of Acorn."
Snively's hand was over the start button waiting for Robotnick to tell him to start. Robotnick told him to wait because he wanted to hear this. "Go on little man."
"I've seen most of the trouble you've caused over the years and dreamed of coming here and ending your tyranny. Once I got here I vowed to help take your ass out! I would have done it sooner but Sonic wants that pleasure to himself. As for how we managed to cause so much damage...here's the kicker...I have control over time."
Robotnick stared for a moment before bursting out laughing. Snively joined in until Robotnick told him to shut up.
"Interesting story little man, but time travel is impossible without alot of energy. And I would have detected any use of energy on that scale."
"Where I'm from the energy needed is barely register able. I even have the device with me now."
"Then why haven't you used it to escape? You apparently don't have it otherwise you wouldn't be here. Snivley?"
"Yes sir?"
"Scan him for anything unusual."
"Yes sir." he said scanning.
"You won't be able to find it Ro-butt-nick! I turned its masking device on before I was shot earlier."
"There is a strange energy reading coming from him sir but it's impossible to pinpoint it. It's also too low to be anything dealing with time travel sir. I can do a more detailed scan if you wish sir."
"Never mind. Roboticize him."
"Yes sir."
Ford started to panic as Snively activated the roboticizer. Light came down from above him giving him a weird feeling inside. He started to struggle harder when a memory came back to him for one of the comics he read. Sitting back he started laughing. Robotnick was smiling until he saw the overlander laughing. Immediately he called security and had Snively check the system. As the system was being check Robotnick asked the overlander what was so funny.
"What's funny Ro-butt-nick is that you just made a terrible mistake! I know the secret to the roboticizer!" Ford said as the process continued. Several burst of light came down and Ford went from being human to robot. Robotnick came into the room and looked the robotic overlander over before having the glass cover brought up.
"If what he said was true about being able to manipulate time then our worries are over Snively. With this one out of the way Sonic and his rebellious team will have to go back to normal tactics."
"Yes sir." Snively called the Swat-bots over to take the robotic overlander to where Robotnick's brother was. As they were unstrapping him from the chair, "Dr. Robotnick sir. What did he mean by the secret of the roboticizer?"
Robotnick was about to respond when the Swat-bots were tossed aside. Crashing into the computer, one Swat-bot blew up taking the roboticizer offline. The other exploded hitting the wall. Ford's eyes glowed as he spoke.
"THE SECRET IS SIMPLE PITIFUL FOOLS!!!!!! IF YOU ACCEPT THE ROBOTICIZATION PROCESS YOU STILL HAVE FREEWILL! PREPARE FOR EXTERMINATION!" Fords hands began to glow as electrical currents swirled around them. Robotnick and Snivley ran out of the room as Ford sent electrical blast at them. Sections of the walls exploded as each electrical blast hit them. Robotnick called for security to take the overlander out as he ran.
Ford ran through the command center hallways trashing any Swat-bot that he saw. He blasted the main door open and jumped out. Several Swat- bots came at him blasters firing.
"FOOLS!!!!!!!!" he yelled grabbing one. Lifting it high over his head he smashed it into a couple coming at him. Turning around quickly he sent a bolt of electrical energy into another group. Looking toward the forest he ran.
Out on a scout mission, a couple of Mobian's from another village were looking around. They both looked up and took cover, hearing explosions coming from the city.
"Weren't we told that there was nothing planned by any other groups for attacking today?" A beaver asked.
"That's what I heard. Maybe we should check it out."
They headed in slowly as several more explosions went off somewhere. They stopped on top of a run down factory building as a building several blocks away exploded.
"Whoa! Someone's having fun!"
"Maybe. We better get back and tell everyone what's going on."
"Tell them what?"
"That an unknown robot is trashing Robotropolis."
"What robot?"
"That one." the bull said giving the beaver the binoculars.
"I see what you mean. Well let's get out of here before he targets us."
Shelby was parked inside the garage. She had been there for the past two days with no one coming around. She thought of calling out to anyone to just talk but thought better of it. She wanted to talk to Mel, but she was still mourning Ford. Shelby was, sad was what she thought it could be called, that he wasn't around. Since her tires had given out sometime before they got back to Knothole she couldn't go anywhere. She still was capable of monitoring so that kept her busy. She was listening into a conversation that the King and Geoffrey St. John were having.
"You came upon Ford and his car searching around the grounds in that area."
"Yes your majesty. Ford was looking for, what I didn't know at the time, a Chaos emerald. His car mentioned something about those historical books, comics I think he called them, talking about finding one of the emeralds. After he found it I tried to take it from him. He gave it up without fighting, which I should have seen was too easy. When we went to leave his car knocked me and Hershey out with a powerful sleep gas. When I woke up, it was too late to inform you."
"I see. If he were here he would be reprimanded for his actions. Unfortunately......."
"I'm sorry I couldn't have acted sooner your highness."
"No matter Geoffrey. Now about this unusual disturbance in Robotropolis?"
Shelby quit listening in after that thinking it wasn't anything relevant. Switching over to check on Mel she tried checking Ford's just in case. If she were humanoid she would have jumped out of her skin. Ford's tracking device inside his arm and on his watch were active again and on the move. Calling to Mel she began trying to trace it.
Getting out of Robotropolis was harder than he thought. Ford figured he was headed the right way but ended up going the opposite direction of Knothole. Turning around he dodged and weaved through the different buildings causing whatever damage he could along the way. He was counting the number of Swat-bots he was trashing for awhile but lost count somewhere. Finally emerging from the city limits he headed into the Great Forest. He was running through the Great Forest quicker than he ever had been able to do in the flesh. His only thought was getting back to Knothole and Mel. He calculated that it would take him about an hour to get back at his current speed. He tired contacting Shelby through an internal communicator but never could get through for some reason. Almost an hour later, he knew he was getting close when he started detecting life signs. Stopping quickly he hid behind a tree noticing someone approaching. He decided to wait to see who it was.
Mel was sitting in her hut looking at her almost full coffee cup, now cold, when her wrist com spoke. She looked terrible. Her clothes needed cleaning along with herself. Her fur and hair was all disheveled.
"What is it Shelby?" she said with grief in her voice. "I really don't feel like talking or anything."
"I know. That's why I haven't said anything these last two days.."
"If this is one of those lectures about getting on...
"No! No it's not. I wouldn't know what to say anyway. I detected Ford's tracking device that's still in his arm along with the one in his watch. They only way the watch would be active is if he's alive."
Wide-eyed she realized Shelby was right.
"Mel are you there?"
"Yes. I'll be right over!" she said running out the door. Her coffee cup spun a bit before tipping over spilling the black liquid onto the floor.
Geoffrey was headed over to talk to Hershey when he spotted Mel run out of her hut. He was about to leave her be when he noticed she wasn't crying. In fact she almost looked happy. This got his curiosity going and he followed her.
Mel was walking at a quick pace now as she headed for the garage. Since she hadn't got any real sleep the past two days she tired out quickly running. All sorts of things were going through mind about Ford. How he got away, how was he, did he kill Robotnick, that stuff. As she passed by several large trees that grew up together a hand came out grabbing her from behind. One was around her mouth and the other around her arms. She started kicking and trying to scream as her assailant spoke to her.
"Damn Mel. If you're this hard to hold being as I am now, I could never hold you being normal."
She stopped moving and turned around as the he let go.
"Ford?" she said backing up slowly.
"In the flesh! Or well a...." he said looking himself over. "Hmm. Not my color is it?" he said. "Sorry about grabbing you like that. I didn't what you to start screaming."
Mel was looking at him trying to see if it really was him or if she was dreaming a nightmare. "Screaming...?"
"Mel?" he said stepping forward.
She shrank back a little farther as he took a step forward. "Stay back or I will scream."
"Alright Mel." he said putting his hands up and stepping back. "Sorry I didn't get back sooner though. Ro-butt-nick was being difficult so I had trouble getting out of town. Help me out here Mel. If I were to walk into Knothole as I am now they'd attack without mercy."
"So you came to me because I wouldn't hurt you."
"Well I hope not."
"Okay, wait....Shelby do you still detect Ford?"
"Yes Mel and if you are asking for his location it looks like he's right in front of you. But I'm detecting something strange coming from him that wasn't there before. Is he wearing armor or something? Do you need help?"
"Not yet I think. I'm fine at the moment."
"So can I get close again." Ford asked taking a step closer.
"You left me thinking you died and now you come back ask.." she was saying as she stepped back into a tree root. As she was falling Ford ran forward to catch her.
Geoffrey had closed in enough to finally see where Mel had suddenly disappeared to. One moment he was following her and then she disappeared behind several large trees. He could hear voices talking but couldn't make them out. After walking around some he found a place to hide and see what was going on. Mel was talking to what appeared to be a metal man. Seeing the scared look in her face as she started falling and the metal man heading toward her he jumped out and fired.
Ford grabbed her hand as she almost hit the ground just as a crossbow bolt came at him. With his increased hearing due to being changed Ford glanced over to see it come at him. Before he could stop its impact he was hit. There was a short blast as a wave of electrical energy burst out. Ford could fell his systems short out slightly as it coursed through his body. Mel was still holding his hand as Ford was hit which sent a surge through her as well. With a loud piercing scream she twitched a bit before being thrown from Ford from the shock. She landed several feet away. There was a smell of burnt and singed hair as smoke rose from her. How Ford managed to keep from going offline he didn't know. Getting up from bending on his one knee he called out to Shelby or anyone for help. He was running over to Mel when another bolt came toward him. Dodging he grabbed it as it came by. With a flick of his wrist he threw it back at Geoffrey. Geoffrey didn't have a chance to do anything as it smacked him dead in the face. Luckily it didn't go off as he fell unconscious. Blood oozed slowly from his nose.
"MEL!" Ford yelled as he lifted her off the ground into his lap.
Some of the villagers came running to see what the commotion was. Most panicked and fled away screaming Robotnick found them.
Sally and the major Freedom Fighters arrived quickly as the panic started to get out of hand. Guards were mobilizing quickly looking for their attackers as the villagers ran. Asking a fleeing individual were the trouble was Sally and the others headed off.
They came upon strange looking robot holding Mel. The unknown figured was saying something they couldn't hear to her as it ran its hand through her hair.
"You ruthless scum! How could you hurt a innocent woman like this! Get away from her now before...."
"Sonic wait!" Sally said putting a hand on him.
"But it just killed..."
"That doesn't look lika someone who just kill'd." Bunnie said from Sonic's right. "More like a lost...OH MY STARS!" she said covering her mouth.
"What is it Bunnie?!" Sally asked with concern.
"That's Ford Sally! Robotnick roboticized him!" she said taking a step forward.
They started forward when Antoine called for Sally.
"Princezz!"
"What is it Antoine?" she said with slight fear and annoyance in her voice.
"Sir John is unconscious Princezz. It lookz likez he was hit by his own weapon." he said kneeling next to him.
"What?" she said coming over seeing unconscious skunk lying face down. Blood had been running from his nose. Next to his face was a un- detonated cross bolt.
"Ford's leav'n Sally-girl." Bunnie said as she followed him.
Ford could hear talking going on but he ignored it concentrating on Mel. According to his systems he had several problems that were telling him that shut down was imminent. As far as he could tell she was alive and breathing but needing medical attention. Fighting against his system failures he picked her up. Doing a quick calculation he headed for his garage figuring the med kit he had would help her as others got Dr. Quack.
Ford was running hard as the others followed. He had just got inside when his systems gave up. His body shut down stopping him in midstep.
"Shelby....IIIIIIIIII........nnneeeeeeeddd........." he was saying as he shut down.
"Ford! Ford! Nichole come in! Ford just wa.." Shelby was transmitting as the Freedom Fighters walked in.
"Oh my stars! Ford shut down." Bunnie said pushing him slightly.
"Nichole analysis."
"Working Sally.....due to a massive electrical discharge from an EMP device his systems are failing. His higher cognitive functions are still running but I don't have enough data to support why."
"It must have been Geoffrey's crossbow bolt! He uses that sort of weapon!" Sonic said helping Bunnie take Mel from his arms. Dr.Quack came in a few seconds later with a stretcher.
"Where's the patient?" an aide said.
"She's right here sug. See she gets help fast Doc. She was injured by one of Geoffrey's EMP arrows."
"But that can't hurt organics." he said with confusion.
"It can when you're holding a robot at the time." Sally said turning to him. "Ford came back and something happened where Geoffrey must have decided he needed to shoot Ford. Mel must have been too close or touching him when it happened."
"That makes more sense. Any idea how Geoffrey's nose was injured? I had other help with me and had them take him to the hospital."
"Not a clue." Sonic said touching Ford. Ford was standing with one foot in front of him looking ready to take another step. His face was looking at his empty arms that had been holding Mel. He must have been saying something because his lips were stuck in a talking motion.
"Hey car! What was he saying?" Sonic asked.
"I think he was about to ask for help but....."
"Rotor have Ford taken to the lab. We need to see if we can deroboticize him. Failing that see about keeping his systems from crashing permanently."
"Sure thing Sally." Rotor said getting Bunnie to assist him.
As everyone left Sonic leaned against Shelby. Sally closed Nichole and put her away as Sonic spoke.
"Man. She was just mourning him along with the rest of us and then he comes back and this happens. And what hurts the most is I couldn't stop it."
"You can't beat yourself up about this Sonic. You couldn't have known he would be back. After what I saw him do to Robotnick I was sure that he was dead."
It didn't make Sonic feel any better but he nodded anyway.
"Princess Sally." Shelby called as they started to leave.
"Yes Shelby?"
"If Ford can't be brought back......and Mel....doesn't recover..."
Sonic could almost swear the car was crying from the sound of her voice.
"I.........I want to be shut down and my program deleted. Dulcy should be able to drop me into the volcano where I could never be used for evil."
"But Shelby..." Sonic started saying.
"No. If Knothole was wiped out and only a few Freedom Fighters remained that weren't the core of them and defeat was undeniable wouldn't you do the same for Nichole to keep her from enemy hands."
"Yes but.." Sally started to say.
"No one else, not even Rotor knows how to work me if anything happened. Besides Ford input a encrypted lock on me that makes it so only three people can operate me if something happens to my program. Self- destruct is my only other option but I can't self terminate."
Sonic was opening his mouth when Sally stopped him.
"I'll consider it if things don't work out."
"Thank you Princess."
Inside the hospital Dr.Quack was monitoring the white female fox as others were following his orders. Sally came in a few minutes after they got into the hospital with Nichole as Dr.Quack called for them.
"What did you need Nichole for Doctor?"
"I've managed to stabilize her condition but she in a coma. I don't know when or if she'll ever wake up. I've been getting a strange energy reading from her for awhile and did a blood analysis. I don't know how but she has Chaos energy in her blood."
"How? Wait! Ford found and used a emerald when he was in the race. When Robotnick came and tried to capture us Ford and his car came to the rescue. We all noticed a glow around them both but Mel never got out of the car."
"That's probably what did it. I don't know if it will do anything to her though and I wanted to have Nichole check her out."
"Understandable Doctor." she said taking Nichole out.
Rotor, Uncle Chuck, Jules and a few others were getting the deroboticizer ready for use. Ford was still in the same position as they placed him inside.
"Ready Chuck?"
"Ready Rotor!"
A bright light engulfed Ford as the machine turned on. Bright ringed light beams came down over him. Several seconds passed and then smoke arose from the machine as it finished.
"Ford?" Rotor asked waving at some of the smoke.
As it cleared they saw he was still the same as before but moving.
"Damn man! What happened? Oh SMEG! Where's Mel?!" he said running out of the room. The door bent slightly as he ran through it quicker than it could open.
Several days later.............
Ford had wanted to stay by Mel's side the entire time but Dr. Quack had told him from day one when he rushed in that she was in a coma and that there was nothing he could do till she came out of it on her own. Sitting there 24/7 wasn't going to help him, Ford, or his other patients any. He turned to coming in and sitting the night with her since he wasn't able to sleep. During the day he stayed inside his garage or was looked over by Rotor and the others to see if they were able to deroboticize him. Sonic and a few others tried to talk to him but he mostly stayed to himself and told them to go away. He had even turned Shelby's vocal unit off.
Sally was headed for Bunnie's hut when she saw Ford walk out of the infirmary heading for his garage. Knocking on Bunnie's door she headed in when Bunnie called her in.
"Morn'n Sally-girl. What's on your mind?"
"I'm worried about Ford and Mel. Her condition hasn't changed and he hasn't talked to anyone for days."
"They are very much in love Sal. Ford told me once that he had no one to care for after his papa had passed on. No one liked him very much because he had strange hobbies. Women scorned him so much so he never had anyone to really care for other than his car."
"I didn't know."
"Well I wasn't suppos' to tell anyone but I know that you can keep a secret." Bunnie said pulling a curler out of her hair.
"I'm hoping she pulls through soon."
"What did you have....." Bunnie stopped as they heard a loud noise.
VVVVVVVVVVVVRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
There was a squeal of tires peeling out on a hard concrete like substance as Shelby came out of the garage. Avoiding the tree's she headed out of Knothole and unto a path big enough to be a road. Gunning her Ford headed up north away from Knothole.
"Nichole find out where Shelby's headed and if Ford is with her!" Sally said removing her quickly from her boot. She and Bunnie were watching her drive away.
"Shelby says Ford is driving and there destination is unknown Sally. She thinks he's just letting out his frustrations by testing her systems."
"Ford told me when things got to much for him he'd just drive until he could work things out." Bunnie said.
"Let's hope its just that. Nichole keep a watch on them. I want to know when something unusual."
"Yes Sally."
Mel was looking for Ford as she continued running through the forest. She figured out earlier on she was dreaming and had been able to gain some control in some of the dreams she had. She had one that she had been trying to get back to where she was flying along with Tails. This one was of her looking for Ford and it one was a recurring one. She had been trying to wake up for awhile now but had been unsuccessful. This time things seemed slightly different.
"Ford where are you?" she said in a whisper. "This game isn't funny."
"You aren't trying Mel. You need to look more closely." a voice that sounded like Ford's said but she could tell it wasn't his.
"Who are you and where's Ford?"
"You are in a dream dear child. Ford is unable to help you at this stage."
"Who are you?" she asked as a glowing fox appeared.
"I am Aurora dear child."
"AURORA! Then that means I'm dead." she said as tears started to flow.
"Not yet dear child. Because of Ford coming into your life destiny has chosen you to live. You are going to fulfill a destiny very few have ever done."
"I am." she said more skeptical that believing. "And what would this destiny be?"
"I can see that you have doubts my child. Do not fear. When you wake you will be with friends. Rest now child and be at peace."
"But what is my destiny?" she was asking as her dream faded.
Ford was cruising along at a pace that was making Shelby nervous. He had been driving for hours and would have been lost if not for Shelby's navigation maps. He was mumbling curses as they drove along. At some point he had turned and headed toward Robotropolis.
"Ford what are we going to do in Robotropolis? Taking on Robotnick is not a good idea." Shelby said dragging out the word idea.
"He's the...." he was about to say something foul but kept it back. "REASON that this situation is happening. If I hadn't suggested the race she wouldn't be dying." he said with sorrow in his voice.
"There's no way you could ha..."
"Don't give me that crap about not knowing. I've heard it enough times from my dimension or I should say from people from the past."
"Why didn't you use your time watch?"
"That bastard damaged it when he roboticized me. I can feel the watch systems inside me or inside my wrist I should say. All the things that the watch was capable of is still there, hell I can shoot my laser from my arm with a thought but the time device doesn't work otherwise as soon as she got hit or I got hit as it were, I would have jumped back a few minutes and then went over and stop Geoffrey. I'd like to do more but then I'd be hated among the Knotholers."
Shelby mulled this over as they headed to Robotropolis. She was going to ask Ford something when Nichole signaled her. She set her system up so he wouldn't hear anything.
"What's up Nichole?"
"Sally wants to talk to Ford."
"Not possible."
"Wait........" Nichole said relaying the information to Sally. After a few moments Sally came on a vid screen that Rotor set up.
"Shelby where's Ford?"
"Now's not the best time to talk to him. Talking to me is a better idea."
"Why can't he talk?"
"He's already blown up at me. He wouldn't want you angry with him for losing his temper at you. I can take it and not get too offended since he's just venting but at you, you may take it more personally and he'd hate himself later for it."
"I wanted to find out were he's going since Nichole says you're headed toward Robotropolis."
"He's headed there to take on Robotnick. You better tell Sonic though. He might be able to stop Ford from taking his glory then again it probably wouldn't work."
"No it wouldn't. If he blames Robotnick as you say then only you can stop him right now."
"Actually I can't. He....ah overrode my system using a command sequence and has total control over driving. As for the other systems I have some control."
"Alright then, I'll let Sonic know."
"How's Mel doing? I was monitoring her through the watch she wore but I've lost the connection. That is either because she isn't wearing it or..."
"She's fading fast. Dr. Quack says it could be anytime." Sally's voice said with a sadness in her voice.
"Thanks Sally." Switching to Ford. "Ford, Sally called."
"What did she want?" he said with contempt as he shifted into a higher gear.
"She said Mel took a turn for the worst."
"She died! Oh......." he sounded like he was crying but couldn't being a robotic life form. He pounded on the steering wheel a few times causing it to crack.
"NO Ford! She hasn't yet. Mel's still alive just barely. Sally wanted you to know so you could spend her last moments by her."
Whipping the car into a dangerous spin he headed back toward Knothole. As he headed back he had Shelby tell Sally to have Sonic standing by with a power ring. When she asked why he said that a comic was reminding him of a possible cure.
Villagers scattered as Shelby tore through Knothole. Skidding to a stop where he bumped into the hospital with the passenger side he hopped out. Ford ran past everyone inside including Sally and Sonic who where talking to Dr. Quack.
"Mel." he said softly as he walked in. Mel was still unconscious with a hospital gown on and an IV in her left arm. The burn marks and other injuries where not apparent anymore. Taking her right hand he knelt down.
"From reading the first comic I always dreamed of ways I'd stop Robotnick's and anyone else's attack's upon everyone here. When my dream came true that day so long ago now, I helped the best I was allowed even though I knew I could do more. All I ever wanted was to see the fighting stop so that all Mobians could have peace again. And then I met you. I still care for Knothole and would do anything to save it but I'd give my life to save you. Damn Mel, your all I love in this life. Don't leave me." he said feeling something that must have been tears falling.
Sally, Sonic and Dr. Quack were watching from outside. They did manage to hear everything he said. When he quit talking Sonic walked in.
"Sally said you wanted to try something with a power ring?"
"Yeah! It may or may not work. Remember when you were robotocized and a power ring turned you back to normal."
"Yeah. I fought Knuckles that day."
"I want to try the same thing here." he said swiping the ring from Sonic. Before Sonic could say anything he put Mel's hands on it. As both their hands touched the ring it glowed brightly. A blinding flash came from both of them as the ring disappeared. Shielding his eyes Sonic backed up a bit. Sally and the doctor entered the room after the light disappeared.
"It worked." Sonic said speechless.
Ford was holding her hands with the hands he had before. He was wearing his sweat suit which looked new. Mel opened her eyes looking around cautiously. When Ford leaned over her she acted instinctively and clocked him one. As Ford's eyes rolled up and his body hit the ground Mel sat up quickly realizing what she just did.
"OH SMEG!!" she gasped covering her mouth. Everyone outside the room heard her as she screamed. Sonic and the other two in the room helped get Ford onto a bed next to her. Several others came in to see what the commotion was.
"Nice right hook there sug?" Bunnie said walking in. "But why did ya do that?"
"I....I was having a nightmare I think. When I saw him over me I panicked. I hope he won't be mad. You think he'll leave." she said looking ready to cry.
"Heck no sug. He was here looking over you for ah long time. Dr. Quack made him leave every morning and then he'd come back every night." Bunnie said placing her arm around her.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely sugah-fox."
"Okay then. If he doesn't though.."
"He won't leave Mel." Bunnie said with a serious voice and look. Nodding her head at Bunnie she turned back to looking at Ford. She could see a bruise forming on his face.
"Wait a minute.." she said getting up and going over to Ford. "When did he get back to normal?"
Sonic explained what happened while she was still out and how Ford used a power ring.
"That would explain the tingling sensation a feel. Feels a lot like when we used one for the car." As she examined her hands several others in the room saw her hands slightly glowing.
"Sally look at that."
"Hmm." she said now noticing Mel's hands. "Mel what are you doing?"
"Just thinking, why?"
"What are thinking that might cause that?" she said turning Nichole to scan Mel.
"I tired it once after the race and managed to burn a branch I was holding. I have the same feeling right now as I had then. I think I absorbed the power ring." she said before shaking her hands. The glow disappeared.
"Wow! So I'm not the only one who can use them." Sonic said surprised.
"No your not." a low voice said from the bed. "Antoine used one once to."
"Ford!" Mel said grabbing his hand. "How is he?"
"Other than a large bruise he'll have for a couple of days and a few loose teeth he's fine. You're lucky she didn't break your jaw." Dr. Quack said tossing some gloves.
"Yeah. I saw it in time to barely move." Sitting up slowly he appeared disorientated. "Hey there's double of everything."
Shining a light into Ford's eyes he did a another examination. Dr. Quack had everyone wait outside until he was done except Mel who refused to let go.
"Well you're seeing double because you hit the floor headfirst. It's not permanent so you'll have to wait till it passes. A couple hours of sleep will do it....AND that's an order for both of you." he said turning off the light and leaving.
"I though I lost you." Ford said patting her hand. He had his eyes closed because the double vision was giving him a headache. "I'd love to talk more but this vision problem is giving me a headache."
"We'll talk later then." she said giving him a kiss. Laying back on her bed she watched him. A nurse came in a few minutes later with some pills for Ford to take. After he took them she left. Ford listened to Mel as long as he could before passing out.
Outside Sonic and Sally where talking with Shelby.
"Do you still have a reading on the energy that you used in the race?" Sally asked Shelby.
"Actually I still have some of it still running through my systems. It's quite a rush. I know you would like to have the ring device I'm using back but there's a problem there."
"you're addicted to speeding like me." Sonic said.
"Bingo!" she said and then after a moment, "No actually it's because it fused with a few other components. It can't be taken out without causing me significant damage."
"Some of the energy was transferred to Ford and Mel." Sally explained as Nichole transferred medical scans to her. "After Ford was restored with a power ring he was radiating a bit. Mel's capable of transferring energy into her hands and possibly able to use it as a weapon."
"I knew that Mel had changed. I saw her use it on a large branch. I did a scan and found some disturbing results."
"What where they?" Sally asked as Sonic decided that he wasn't interested in hearing anymore and took off. He gave her a thumbs up sign before heading off.
Shelby transferred information to Nichole as she explained.
"She now has the ability to cause things to combust. Anything she touches she can, command for lack of better wording, to explode. BUT only if she emits a energy field into it. Kinda reminds me of a story of another comic hero Ford told me. Didn't get a name though."
"How many others know she can do this?"
"Just us three. I haven't told her what she can do."
"Why not?"
"She was in mourning and I wasn't actually close enough to really talk to her. I was monitoring from the garage."
"I'll tell her in the morning then." she said walking away.
"Suit yourself princess. Better you than me."
"Why is that?" she said turning back around.
"Her so-called power doesn't work on organics such as life forms and such. But a tree, rock, metal, things like that will be effected. That includes me."
The next day Shelby, Ford, Sally, and Mel got together. For Ford the absorption of the power ring did nothing apparent so they just decided to wait till something happened with him. He had was registering a power reading but that was it. Shelby and Sally told the other two about Mel's newly acquired gift. At first she didn't believe it until they had here try it on a pine cone. They figured if it exploded it wouldn't do much harm. Shelby said she'd be the shield they could use for when it exploded. She assured them she'd be fine.
Shelby was wrong. She was so wrong.
Mel focused on the pine cone in her hands. A few seconds went by and it started glowing. Tossing it under Shelby like she said they backed off quickly.
THOOM!!!!
Shelby was lifted off the ground about three feet and slammed on her right side. She leaned for a second before tipping over onto her roof. Sonic came racing up thinking they were under attack. Other came running along behind. Sally nearly dropped Nichole. Mel covered her face and started saying sorry. Ford lost it. He fell over and laughed so hard tears were coming out. Shelby was trying to get someone to tip her back onto her wheels. Sally managed to quiet everyone down and told them they were experimenting something and that they were not under attack. Everyone believed her and left.
"What are you doing Sal? I could here that in Butt-nick-vil."
"Doubtful hedgehog." She tried to explain what they were doing but the scientific angle lost him.
"Say what?"
"Mel has the power to make objects explode by touching them. It won't work on us though. Just inanimate objects."
"Why didn't you say that before."
Sally shook her head and had Nichole check for damage. Other than the four foot deep hole and slightly damaged undercarriage there was nothing needing serious attention.
"Ford it wasn't that funny." Mel said trying to help him to his feet. He could see she was disturbed by it.
"Sorry Mel. And I'm so sorry Shelby. I couldn't help it." he said wiping his face.
"You thought that was funny huh! For that you're not driving for awhile. Now get me turned over!"
With Bunnie's help they managed to get her back on her wheels. Shelby didn't hold Mel responsible for what happened since Shelby thought she could take it, but Ford she was almost tempted to run over instead she made him walk back to the garage.
"What? I couldn't help it." he said as Mel and Shelby drove away.
"Never laugh at ah woman sug. Electronic or otherwise."
Ford was left standing alone and shaking his head as they all walked away.
Over the next couple of weeks after that day Mel managed to control her new power better. Sally decided that Mel should really keep it to herself for the time being. She agreed and barely used it unless necessary.
