Author's Note: Please R&R, Thanks for reading

Chapter 5: Insanity is …

A moment of silence passes as everyone begins to process the news. Suddenly, Sonic begins to laugh.

"If that is what you were worried about, don't worry. Besides our fat bald friend, I have whole civilizations full of people who want to put my head on a platter. How is this little show any different?" Bunnie shoots him a cold look.

"How many of'ems got the balls to tell ya they gunnin for ya. Either he's stupid as hell, crazy as hell, cocky as hell or hell, all the above. I don't care who ya are, nobody just ignores somebody who's callin you out."

"Bunnies' right," Sally intervenes "If they're giving up the element of surprise, they don't care about their own wellbeing let alone anyone else. With that in mind, I think Elias should set a mandatory curfew should be put into place until things calm down."

Elias thinks for a moment then finally speaks "Sis, the last time a curfew was in effect the Iron Dominion had enacted it. People still remember those terrible days and are still uneasy about the idea of one. Sonic does have a point that this is a threat, a very elaborate one, but a threat none the less with no major evidence that this is just a weak attempt at intimidation."

Sonic smugly grins "Yeah the king is right, it's not like this punk is going to actually gonna get on that phone and ..." a ringing sound interrupts the hedgehog. "Come on guys, I thought Sal said no phones in a meeting."

As people check their phone for the one that is ringing, everyone's eyes fall on the little black phone. With all eyes on Sonic, he picks up the phone and opens it. As everyone waits for a sound, a monotone and auto toned voice is heard from the device.

"Put the phone's speaker on full, I want to be sure I am not misheard." With a nod from everyone, sonic complies. "You're on speaker, what do you have to say that's so important?" At the same time, Tails and Rotor pull out devices and attempt to track the call.

"Instead of blind-siding you with an ambush, I've decided to formally inform you that yes I do plan on collecting the bounty on your head. I just want you to know ..."

"Hold up," Sonic interrupts as he looks to the two geniuses as the signal is all but found. Suddenly, the signal moves and they are forced to try again "First off, who are you. Second, your telling me all this, why?"

"I'd hate to have you feel that this is just another loon or coward trying to psyche you out. I'm giving you fair warning so you would be ready."

A cold laugh comes from the blue hero, "Yeah, because all this doesn't make you look completely insane."

"This isn't insanity, insanity is ..."

"Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." Sonic interrupts, "If you're trying to look smart by quoting some basic psychology, a game beat you to it"

"I was gonna say insanity is two of the smartest people in the world wasting time trying to track my phone's location and failing for the third time in this call." Tails and Rotor both stare at the phone with a mix of shock and anger. He was completely right on the futility of their attempts. "You don't have to come looking for me, I'm going be polite and come to you."

"Name the time and the place," Sonic growled into the phone.

"I'll give you the home field advantage this time. You have until midnight to choose a location for the two of use to have our, "exhibition" fight." Sally looks to Sonic and whispers "we'll be ready for him" then the voice continues. "I only want you Sonic but I could care less if anyone else wants to join. However, I can't promise that there won't be any collateral damage from it. So it may be best for your friends to just step aside and let us have our bout."

"And if I don't believe you?"

"That's your choice, but I'm still gonna be there at midnight sharp and we're going to fight be it in the streets or at your home. Either way, I'll see you then." The phone finally goes silent.

None spoke for a while, what was there to say. A madman was coming for Sonic and despite their best efforts he not only evaded being located, he knew and toyed with them.

With the meeting adjourned, Elias summoned the council for an emergency curfew at 8pm. While many were hesitant, eventually the curfew was accepted by all at 6pm. At the same time, the remaining Freedom Fighters aided in preparation for the curfew while Sonic and Bunnie searched for Knuckles. King Elias, prodded on by Sally, calls GUN to gain the assistance of Team Dark. GUN agrees but says it may be some time after midnight before they arrive. With the city slowly locking down and as many heroes available to help, they attempt to ready themselves for the battle to come.