Hey yall! Joe Stalin here with the next chapter of 'The Return of Shadow Fox'! For those of you who were slightly offended with the use of bad language throughout, I'll try to tone it down from now on. But it is T rated after all!
I have a question for you all. Would you want to see another story involving Shadow Fox in the near future? Tell me your thoughts!
Anyway, enough talk! Lets get to it!
The Return of Shadow Fox
Escape Velocity
As the military vehicles continued to barrel towards Reaga Fields, Shadow Fox was waiting for them.
''Eggman, get your ass down here!''
Eggman bolted towards the fox, a fearful look on his face.
''How long have we got left? We can't afford to waste time fighting this lot!''
''We've got enough time, my dear Doctor. Besides, it'll be good target practise for your boys! And I'm always up for a good fight!'' Shadow Fox sniggered. Eggman smirked.
''As am I!''
''Assemble the E-950's. Order them to await my orders to fire. And bring me those propane tanks from the plane''
''At once!'' Eggman took off towards the plane. Shadow Fox frowned and pulled out a pistol from his coat pocket.
''Propane and bullets. Not a good combination when your on my bad side'' Shadow Fox sniggered.
Meanwhile, back at Thorndike Manor, the gang were climbing into amilitary helicopter provided by the Mayor. Should the worst case scenario occur, they would evacuate the city. But for the moment, they had no intention of doing that.
''I want you to set an immediate coursefor Reaga Fields'' Chris's grandad ordered the pilot.
''Sir, it'll be a warzone. There is no way whatsoever that...'' The pilot had begun, only to be silenced by a death glare from both Knuckles and Rouge.
''I'll see what I can do'' He replied sheepishly. Within seconds, the helicopter was airborne and setting a course for Reaga Fields.
''Sonic? Sonic can you here me?'' Chris's grandad spoke through the radio.
Out in the open desert, Sonic was speeding down the dusty plains towards the source of the chaos energy. He had no doubt in his mind that there would be traps there waiting for him, but he would think about that once he got there. Attached to his ear was a radio transmitter that kept him in contact with Chris's grandad.
''I hear you Mr Thorndike'' Sonic replied through the microphone attached to his neck.
''Your about 3 miles away from the rig. We're on our way to Reaga Fields, but if you get in trouble do not hesitate to call me. Do you understand?'' Chris's grandad spoke through the communicator.
''I understand. And you be careful down there, all of you. Don't take any chances''
As the communicator went dead, Sonic continued to blast across the desert terrain. In his head he knew what had to be done, but at the same time he was racked with hurt and betrayal. He didn't know what he would do when he saw Tails, but it wasn't going to be pleasant.
At Reaga Fields, the E-950's were dispercing throughout the air fieldat Shadow Fox's order. The fox himself, machine pistol in hand, was standing by the plane, Eggman at his side.
''I always come prepared'' Shadow Fox smirked, gesturing to the array of weaponry in his hand and pockets.
''So do I'' Eggman said, pulling back his coat to reveal a laser pistol.
''Fan out. Make sure they don't get near the plane. In the next few minutes, I want this area filled with lots and lots of dead people'' Shadow Fox snarled, a sickening grin stretched across his face.
Eggman nodded before setting off to position himself. Bokkun flew up towards Shadow Fox.
''What can I do?''
Shadow Fox smirked and handed the lacky a pistol. ''If anyone gets near...annoy them''
''I'm good at that'' Bokkun giggled before taking off. Shadow Fox inhaled deeply as he fumbled in his pocket. A moment later, he pulled out a crumpled cigarette packet.
''The cavalry's on its way, and now the fun can really begin'' He smirked as he lit a cigarette, his eyes glistening through the smoke.
Inside the plane, Shadow was listening intently to the commtion outside. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't know what.
''Somethings wrong. They wouldn't be waiting this long unless somethings up'' Shadow muttered. He was actually speaking to himself, but Tails had heard him.
''I know what you mean. Maybe they're waiting until the last minute'' Shadow shook his head.
''He's playing it very fine if that true. He may be insane, but he's not that crazy. If you've only got a few minutes before an atomic explosion, you want to have plenty of time to get away'' Tails sighed. Shadow noticed.
''Look. I know what your going through. But Tails, none of this is your fault. You have to understand that'' Tails sniffed.
''All I know Shdow is that if I hadn't of been so pathetic and attention seeking, none of this would be happening. And because of me, Station Square is going to be destroyed. And its all my fault'' Tails lowered his head to the floor. Shadow wanted to comfort him, but his limbs refused to cooperate.
Shadow snarled in frustation. If he was able to, he would be taking advantage of this apparent distraction. He knew deep down that the E-1000 wouldn't try to stop him if he was capable of escaping, and with Shadow Fox apparently pre-occupied for whatever reason, he and Tails could make it to one of the cars and escape.
With nothing else to do, Shadow turned his focus to the E-1000. There was something odd about the biped. Although it refused to admit it, it obviously felt remorse for their plight. If only Shadow could break through its rock solid loyalty to Eggman and Shadow Fox, they had a chance of stopping the villains from escaping. But how?
Several miles away from Reaga Fields, Sonic had arrived at the oil rig. According to Chris's grandad, the chaos emerald was inside. But Sonic wasn't kidding himself. Tails would have known beforehand that the emerald would have been found, and he would have made sure that it was heavily protected.
''I'm ouside the rig. If you don't hear from me in the next few minutes...get out of the area as fat as you can'' Sonic spoke into the microphone.
''Understood. But be careful Sonic. Don't take any unneccesary risks'' Came the reply. Sonic asn't sure whether it was Chris's grandad who had spoken, or Knuckles. His mind was set on the object in hand.
He was either going to save Station Sqaure, or die trying.
Without another word, Sonic walked into the rig.
At Reaga Fields, the first of the military vehicles began to slow down as it approached the airfield. The apparent lack of activity unnerved the young soldier at the wheel. According to the Mayor, Shadow Fox and Eggman were planning to make their escape from here. But there was no one about. Not a single living soul.
This thought continued to run through the minds of the other soldiers as the exited their vehicles and, rifles in hand, began to cautiously enter the air field. Little did they now, they were in terrible danger.
Behind the large Semi Truck they had arrived in, several E-950's were huddled, they're gattling guns primed and ready. All they needed was the order to open fire.
A the other end of the airfield, Shadow Fox smirked as the soldiers cautiously entered the airfield. In his hand was a flare gun, and he was waiting for something.
Where the soldiers were approaching, several canisters of propane gas had been positioned. Even now, the gas was slowly venting from the canisters, creating the perfect recipe for an explosion. And Shadow Fox was waiting for the perfect opportunity to set it alight.
''Closer. Closer'' The fox muttered, one eye closed in preperation. As he watched, the first of the soldiers passed across the area where the gas was venting. With a smirk, Shadow Fox tightened on the trigger.
''Now''
Without hesitation, Shadow Fox squeezed the trigger. The flare blasted from the end of the gun, and cut through the air towards the cannisters. Within seconds, it set alight.
The soldiers were taken completely by surprise, with no time to react, as the propane gas surrounding them caught ablaze and engulfed them. Those just out of reach from the fire dove for cover as shots began to ring out throughout the airfield. Without hesitation, they too opened fire.
Within seconds, Reaga Fields had become a warzone.
Inside the rig, Sonic was cautiously approaching the room where the reactor was situated. So far, he had avoided any resistance, but something in the back of his mind told him that something was inside with him, waiting to attack.
Within moments, he entered the reactor chamber. There in front of him stood the reactor, the countdown continuin got tick away.
9:59, 9:58, 9:57...
Sonic sighed with relief. He had been expecting to have had less time to deal with. But he would have to work fast all the same.
With a new lease of confidence, Sonic walked upto the reactor.
''HALT! DO NOT MOVE!''
Sonics head snapped to the side, and what he saw made his blood run cold.
There before him, its metallic casing glistening in the light, was a fully armed E-950. It stood a good 6 feet higher thn Sonic himself, and on each arm was a gattling gun each aimed at his head.
Within seconds, Sonic dove for cover. Just in time. Where he had jsut been standing was now a smoking crater, and the E-950 wasn't finished yet.
And all the time, the countdown continued.
Inside the plane, Shadow and Tails had been alerted by the explosions and gunfire occuring outside.
''Whats happenign Shadow?'' Tails shouted over the noise. Shadow shut his eyes tight as an explosion rocked the plane.
''YOU WILL REMAIN HERE. PLEASE DO NOT ATEMPT TO ESCAPE. I DO NOT WIHS ETO CAUSE YOU UNNECCESSARY HARM'' The E-1000 ordered as it made its way to the back of the plane.
''No worries mate'' Shadow shoued back sarcastically. He couldn't move even if he tried.
Outside the plane, the E-1000 looked on upon a sight of unimaginable carnage.
Fires were raging throughut the airfield, from exploded military vehicles and in some cases the odd E-950. As the E-1000 looked on, a direct shot to the fuel tank of the Semi Truck engulfed the entire truck and the E-950's crouched behind it in flames.
''OH MY...'' The E-1000 couldn't beleive it. Was this what was going to happen to Station Square in a matter of minutes? For the first time, the biped thought long and hard about which side he was actually on.
As the battle raged on, Shadow Fox fired volley after volley of machine gun fire at the oncoming soldiers. The military was taking cover behind the burnign wrecks of their vehicles, and Shadow Fox was having a difficult time aiming as shots contineud to clang off his makeshift barricade. As he paused to recharge the magazine clip, a single shot aimed for his head sent the fox diving for cover. When he next stood up, there was a smoking bullet hole at the top of his hat.
''Close, but not close enough I'm afraid'' Shadow Fox snarled as he pulled the trigger and fired a fresh round of bullets.
Nearby, Eggman watched on in staisfaction as another military truck exploded from a direct impact from his laser pistol. Soldiers dove for cover as more and more ammunition was fired in their direction. Eggman however was almost out of ammunition, and he took this opportunity to make his way towards the plane. As he ducked from a hail of bullets, he made his way to the cargo ramp.
''WHAT IS HAPPENING MASTER?'' Eggman was taken aback by the sudden appearanc eof the E-1000.
''We're losing! Thats what happening you tin plated buffoon! And a right load of good you've been!'' Eggman fumed.
''I WAS ORDERED TO KEEP GUARD OVER THE PRISONERS. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING'' The E-1000 replied.
''Sod your orders! We're being pummelled back there! Get inside and make yourself useful before I decide to use you for target practise!''
''I OBEY, MASTER''
As the E-1000 made its way back into the plane, Eggman pulled out a radio transmitter.
''Shadow Fox! We've only got minutes before the reactor goes off! We need to leave NOW!''
In the sky above, Chris's grandad and the gang looked on at the carnage beneath them.
''There is no way that I'm landing through that lot! We're turning round right now!'' The pilot shouted, only to be glared at by the entire gang.
''We can't allow Eggman to escape! Now either you land on your own free will, or we will do it for you!'' Knuckles snarled.
Inside the rig, Sonic dodged another close shot from the E-950. The wall behind him collapsed into mortar within seconds. Sonic was now getting desperate. The reactor was going to blow within minutes, and there was no way he would be able to disconect it in time before he was wasted by the biped.
Suddenly, he had an idea.
''Aye! Bolt head! Is that all you've got? Come on!'' Sonic jeered. The E-950 fired again, only this time Sonic was ready.
Without hesistation, the hedgehog made a sharp dash to the side, dodging the shot and hiding behind the reactor. Without hesistating, the E-950 fired once more, too late realising is mistake.
The resulting explosion blew the reactor clear into the air, dislodging the chaos emerald. The whole device crashed to the floor in a smouldering heap. The countdown however continued.
The E-950, suspicious as to why the countdown continued to tick away, approached the reactor. What happened next took even Sonic by surprise.
All of a sudden, the countdown stopped, and the apparently dead reactor began to vibrate. Realising the danger, Sonic dove for cover. But for the slower E-950, it was too late.
The reactor exploded, the resulting fire ball engulfing the E-950. The biped crashed to the ground, flailing madly as its internal circuitry melted from the intense heat. After a few moments, it came to a smoking rest.
A second later, Sonic cautiously approached the now dead reactor. After a brief examination, he picked up the fallen chaos emerald. Even after the intense heat of the explosion, the emerald continued to glisten brightly. Sonic smirked as he he pocketed it. But his smile faded as he remembered that Eggman and Tails would be making their escape at Reaga Fields.
Without hesistation, Sonic took off for the airfield. He wasn't looking forward to it in the slightest, but Tails had to be stopped before he could escape.
As the battle raged on, Shadow Fox realsied that it was a hopeless. The E-950's were malfunctioning, and he was all but out of ammunition.
''Get back to the plane!'' Shadow Fox ordered. As he took off towards the plane, the helicopter above the airfield came into land. All of a sudden Amy, hammer in hand, jumped out and took offafter Shadow Fox.
''Amy come back!'' Knuckles shouted, but to no ovail.
As soon as she caught up, Amy pile drived Shadow Fox to the floor.
''Allright Tails! The games over!'' The pink hedgehog said as she pinned Shadow Fox's hands to his sides.
All of a sudden, Amy froze as an armed Bokkun came to Sadow Fox's aid.
'''Put your hands up pinky!'' Bokkun giggled as Shadow Fox pulled himself off the floor. With a sickening grin, Shadow Fox turned to Amy and gestured towrds the plane.
''Miss Rose. Care to join us for the ride?'' Shadow Fox sniggered as he shoved Amy towards the plane.
''Tails, why are you doing this? Why do you want to hurt all those people? Amy pleaded as she was shoved up the cargo ramp and into the plane.
''Amy!'' A small voice spoke out. Amy turned to whoever had spoken, and was stunned by what she saw.
''Tails?''
In the cockpit, Eggman started up the planes engines. As the propellers spun into action, the plane began to move down the runway.
Unseen by anyone, a bright blue flash streaked through the airfield towards the taxiing plane. As the plane began to pick up speed, Sonic sped up the lowered cargo ramp and into the plane. In a split second, Sonic dove for cover. His apperance had not been noticed by anyone.
Within seconds, the plane had reached the end of the runway and into the air. Down below, the military helicopter carrying the rest of the gang and now the surviving soldiers took off in pursuit.
Inside the plane, Shadow Fox snarled in frustration. Tails noticed.
''Your finished Shadow Fox! Your entire operations down the plug hole and you've got the entire military on your tails!'' Tails snarled sarcastically.
''Tails, don't anger him!'' Shadow said. Shadow Fox twitched in anger, unable to control himself.
Tails took no notice to Shadow's warning. ''Pretty clever aye?'' Tails smirked. What happened next wiped the smile off his face.
Without hesitation, Shadow Fox span round and fired at Tails. The bullet hit the fox square in the chest. Amy shrieked.
''Jesus!'' Shadow cried out as Tails slumped into him. Shadow Fox wlaked uto the gasping Tails, and pointed the gun to his head.
''No! Thats clever! And now your gonna get it fox boy!'' Shadow Fox snarled, his finger squeezing on the trigger.
Next Chapter: Impact
Will Tails survive? What will happen to the plane? Find out next chapter!
Please R&R and tell me what you all think!
Joe.