Sonic 16
CH.4: Assault on the Thorndyke home
Chris Thorndyke heard the fire of weapons before the vase fell; it wasn't territory he hadn't been there before. His grandpa jumped over the couch and not a minute too soon as bullets tore through. Lucy ran to Chris and he led her up the stairs and to his room. "Stay in my room until the coast is clear ok?" She agreed and with two stairs skipped he made it back to the stand off before he saw the scientist. Helen smiled at Chris but found his attention on the threat and nothing else. I'd smile back but all I would manage is a tight grin, he thought but shook his head in disgust. Looking over at the hole in the side of the house his hands became iron cold fists and his eyes locked with the scientist. "Stay back or-."
"Nice threat, but hardly suitable for one in your position boy," he shot back coldly. "The Chaos emerald, or do you wish for your friends to face a more…unlikely end." Pulling a futuristic video recorder out he showed them the hedgehog and fox. They were strong for the two, but he sensed resistance in the boy. He could accuse me of falsifying the video, but any stall from him may lead to deathly consequences. The young rabbit and Chao are weak; the old man a weak fight, the boy…a struggle, but then there's the girl. As he thought about his next move he never felt the hammer blow to his chin sending him from his perch on his robot to the cold deck. As he recovered he saw the fiery green eyes of the female hedgehog and the rabbit…who if he had not just mistaken taken witness to the blue blur of the Chao take out his armed party.
"Harm Sonic and face my wrath!" Amy raised her hammer high above her head and as she brought it down met the arm of his back up force. A battle ensued with ringing bullets and smashing; Chris himself kept the battle going by doing what martial arts Tanaka taught him. Amy leaped over the robots swinging arm and swung her hammer in a fast swing taking off its head. Cream threw Cheese and watched as the Chao bounced from robot to robot then caught her friend just as a robot made a lunge. The scientist got up slowly and as he observed the melee around him he realized two things; one was even outnumbered they still fought, and that no good for nothing hedgehog had an admirer. The pieces were now complete.
"Forget the Chaos emerald…just get the female hedgehog!" The battle became desperate now, but he knew it was favorable for him. The hedgehog fought well sending some of his best work scattering to the floor and even when one got a hold of her hand she threw it over shoulder and smashed it with a downpour of hard hits. It took 10 robots to take away her hammer; even then her screams made his ears ring in protest. The house was in shambles and he had no Chaos emerald to prove himself, but if the brave hero wanted to see her again he'd give up the girl. The island in the sky is the next target, and the prize if done right will be one Chaos emerald…and master emerald. "Thank you for inviting us in to your lovely home, but as you can see duty calls and any plans of reunion will be put on hold. Tell the hedgehog (if he survives) that I'll be at the water tower, I'm sure you'll make sure he goes alone, otherwise your friend here may drown."
"You sick man, look deep inside your human heart and realize that what you're about to do will alienate you from Earth forever. The place where you were born; do you really want to give that up so you can have power and a new home in the cold reaches of space?" Helen was in front of the man who had once gone by the name Professor Smith, but now that evil claimed him he was now just a scientist with no name nor identity. She saw his hand raise and if she could she would've backed away; but it was too late. The slap across her cheek sent her to the ground and as she stared into his cold eyes she saw no apology. The next thing that happened came fast, but Helen knew in her heart that the preteen hero of her dreams took charge. Chris smashed his knuckle into Smith's face cracking bone and teeth. "Chris!"
"Helen what's-?" Chris held his stomach as the blow came and felt electrical currents play across his body as he flew through the air and into the dining table. When he awoke after what seemed to him a day (which turned out to be 4 hours) he saw the relieved faces of his friends and Helen. His grandpa Chuck explained to him that they left in a hurry dragging Amy away. Helen put her hand in his and the warmth eased his suffering away and for what seemed forever he held onto her.
"Chris I have to know…do you like me?" By now everyone had cleared from the room leaving the two alone. I have to know; she thought desperately, where I stand with him. Lucy was a pretty looking girl and he'd be lucky to have her, but she would only be jealous so that notion seemed awkward. His hand shifted in hers and it seemed to her that he was avoiding the question.
"Helen…are these your true feelings? Or is this just a feel sorry for the guy who got his butt beaten by three ugly robots?" I like you too Helen, he thought, but why did it take you…no that's not right, why did it take us so long to admit what are hearts told us? Struggling into a sitting position he gave her a smile, "heck Helen, I liked you since the 2nd grade."
"You did…you actually like me?" Tears welled in her blue eyes and Chris wrapped his arms around her. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Lucy and the defeat in her eyes made her sorry…but only for a second.
"Michelle get out of here!" Knuckles yelled as the soldier robots began to bombard the island. Trees fell with a loud thump and the echidna had to keep on his feet or his very consciousness…and life would end. Sonic had sent Michelle to the island so she could have protection, but it seemed it was wasted. Michelle proved to be quite a speed demon as she sped under falling trees and jumped over incoming lasers. Knuckles tackled any close by intruders and as he made it to where the master emerald was located he stood back as a huge arm crashed into the ground. Michelle was inside a protective cage and the master emerald was being torn into by robotical contraptions. Knuckles flew forward with his fist tearing through the barrier; no luck of getting through…this is great, he thought in despair.
"Well if it isn't the knucklehead of the Floating Island, you don't mind if we borrow this do you?" He smiled as the echidna glared at him; it was good he was where he was, otherwise his strings would be rerouted causing him to do…some despicable thing. Michelle was suspended in a cage like prism and in her hand was the silver Chaos emerald sought after by the evil scientist and Colonel. Their work was done and when they left Knuckles was left in loss and anger. Loss at failing to keep the master emerald from harm's grasp and anger for failing to protect Michelle. It was all over.
They wouldn't trick me…no because if they did I'd unleash my fury upon them, Shadow thought while speeding through streets. The cars that honked at him were but a whistle in the wind and all that Shadow heard was the sound of his heart. I hate Sonic…but deep down I feel a connection…like he is my equal…but no I wouldn't believe it! An explosion occurred behind him and ahead of him was a rain of fire. Cars came to a crashing halt and when the drivers poked their heads out their jaws dropped at the huge blue machine with huge arms and 6 stump like legs. Shadow turned his back on it but his red eyes took in the destruction and deep down he could've swore he heard Maria Robotnik's voice. It told him to take care of the people, are you…he cut off the thought and sped towards the robot. "Destroy the hedgehog!"
"Listen you oversized blue monstrosity; you came to wrong planet…now face the wrong hedgehog!" The robot flipped the car in Shadow's direction but he landed on it; with a flip he soared through the air and with his right hand grabbed hold of the robot's shoulder. The ear of the robot opened and revealed 6 tiny bots; each carrying a tool; it seemed he had no choice. Pulling himself up he homed in on the nearest robot and cracked its robot exterior. With his hand extended up he caught the gun and turned loose on the retreating robots. The blue lasers tore through them in a fiery blaze and with the cartridge dead he threw it aside with indifference. Jumping to the streets he began to run again and as he was about to warp out of there he saw across the street a gain robot ready to squash a blue animal and a tailed fox….Sonic and Tails! He could leave them to die…but still would it be unjust if he just warped away? The robot was readying its beam and with a last minute decision used the Chaos emerald and flew across the busy traffic right to where Sonic and Tails lay. Grabbing both their hands he pulled them aside and in exhaustion lay a few feet away. "Sonic…you owe me…" The beam tore through the cement sending debris towards the fallen heroes and as luck ran way a white blur came-.
"It never ceases to amaze me Shadow how a cold hearted ultimate life form risks his neck for the enemy, not to mention use up any possible escape in the process," a nagging voice said. As Shadow began to lose consciousness he could've swore Rouge the bat was over him, but then again it could be some image he…no he didn't have feelings for her…or did he? Rouge had been on an assignment to keep an eye on Eggman, but when she saw the fight she had to get a clear picture. "Wake up fox boy!"
"Uhhh…where am I?" Blinking his eyes a few times he held his head and the mist around him cleared. He was carrying Sonic through the air and beside him was Rouge carrying an unconscious Shadow. "Rouge what happened…I…"
"Relax Tails; you just had a near death encounter, by the way who was that?" As they through the city Tails filled her in on the arrival of Michelle and Lucy and the bad guys who wanted their jewels. Rouge nodded her head and after Tails thanked her he flew away. So Eggman has found an alliance with a washed out scientist and a more diabolical genius then himself, this could get interesting. I hate to leave Shadow here, but I have to report to Topaz. Rouge put Shadow down in an alley way then flew away not looking back.
Amy Rose heard the drop of water on the cold floor, she heard the whispers of the past, and what she saw was a cell that neither showed her where she was or offered comfort. The cell was closed in on size and she sat in a corner holding herself. Where am I? The sudden appearance of the mean looking scientist outside the door caused shivers to climb up her skin. "My friends will come for me, then you'll be sorry," Amy said expecting to see fear in the man's eyes, but his frosty glare made her heart weaken.
"Listen well young hedgehog, we have already captured one girl…the next is in the mansion of your friends. Oh and I do expect your friends to come, because by now they should know I never bluff. Sleep well hedgehog, come morning if all is not seen successfully, then the consequences will be grave. Now get some rest…and a shower, you wouldn't want Sonic to think you died of a foul odor?" Stepping back he smiled in amusement as he saw the hedgehog reach through the bars in a fit of fury. A silent beep brought the scientist's gaze to his watch which alerted him of his partner's arrival. Taking his time Smith looked into each cell lined against the wall and smiled at the prisoners; many were worn down and old, if all went well he could even add the hedgehog Sonic to his big collection.
"Do you remember the battle of Silia 4?" Smith had opened the door and already knew the Colonel sat in his chair. "We tore up that planet for the most powerful emerald in the galaxy, that time however we faced two males; both met an end that still today lingers in my soul. But, let us not…linger in such past issues, will this Sonic really intervene?"
"The hedgehog named Amy believes he can outrun any of our galactic creations. And yet you had him crippled beyond recovery…what went wrong?" The Colonel turned around to face him and much of his wiring hung down from his eye socket.
"The ultimate life form…it is real. Gerald Robotnik had perfected his earlier flaw and now it lives among the people of Earth. He moves faster then Sonic and is not afraid to use artillery…but he denied us any chance to learn more of him after he saved the hedgehog. We will launch another attack on the boy and his friends…then once we have both Chaos emeralds the world will be ours!" The Professor regarded his partner with suspiciousness, but put it aside…for the time being. He sat there fore another minute and when the Colonel said no more he left. "The fool doesn't realize what's to come, but he will soon…they'll all find out eventually…in the end."
The next attack caught the Thorndykes by surprise and Lucy was kidnapped in the melee. Tails arrived after and landed near the cracked pool where his eyes beheld flames eating at the roofing. Sonic got up and he slowly rose to his feet…only to fall down again. 10 robots were thrown out the backdoor and the first to burst through was Knuckles. Sonic realized right away that something was wrong and with a reserve power and a need of urgency he run up a building and with a huge leap made it onto the burnt land. His world was out of control and the fact that two powerful Chaos emeralds were in the enemy's hands made the game in their ballpark. The Tornado landed behind him and he didn't turn around. "Knuckles did they steal the-?"
"Yeah…and I'm sorry for letting you down Sonic. I should've stopped them…there is no excuse for my failure." Sonic walked over and gave him a grin before meeting Chris and Helen. Sonic shouldn't say I'm forgiven, not until I have rescued Michelle and retrieved the master emerald. With a quick dash he ran through the forest until he found the vehicle wrecked. With a little hot wiring he had the ship online; the navigation was set and the destination was Colony 55…near Space Colony Ark. I hate flying, he thought miserably, but to redeem myself I have no choice. Flipping the ignition he was pushed back into his seat and watched as space filled his cockpit.
"Sonic Knuckles just took off!" Chris paid attention as the blue hedgehog looked to the sky for the briefest minute, then marched over to the edge of the island. Station Square is in danger again and Sonic must comply, he does so much for us…it should be time we repaid him. "Sonic we have to rescue-."
"Chris…I know," he said. The weight of the world is in my hands again; Lucy and Michelle held the greatest Chaos emeralds in the universe; now in the hands of the enemy. Amy is gone and if I don't rescue her I'll never forgive myself. Sonic's gaze shifted to the sky and watched as Knuckles left to retrieve the emerald.