Chapter 12: Mediocre Effort

It was almost dawn on Mobius, which meant the solo star in the sky that glowed faintly was coming up and everyone was still asleep. They would be completely unaware of the rude awakening that was to come. I'll admit I'd rather get my few minutes of sleep in before I go bust heads, but if I'm in a sour mood that may make the job easier. Tails was right beside me and beside him was Knuckles, then Team Chaotix. We were like a chain of strength that couldn't be broken.

The citizens had our backs too. Since many had already linked me to Sonic, they figured I'd be able to take care of Eggman with a cavalry as well. I was going to prove them wrong today.

"Where would Eggman be after the beating we gave him last time?" asked Knuckles.

"The Lost Colony. It's the last of his resources and the only place where he still has some control. My radar already has…two visuals?" answered Tails.

"One of them's gotta be Sonic. Amy…"

"I'm okay with it," I responded swiftly. "so long as he doesn't get in our way."

The Lost Colony, a sad tale behind frosty, steel doors and walls. Shadow knows only too well what happened here and has yet to tell me all the details. Apparently the most obvious of his memories were of Maria, the girl who kept him company and taught him to love and protect humanity. He did so only to sacrifice his life on Earth and unwillingly came here. I owe him this battle to preserve his existence and give him hope.

Knuckles bashed thorough the doors easily, the challenge was getting past the hoard of mechanical menaces that swarmed over us every time we advanced. My Piko Piko Hammer was fixed, and I was back in action. Dashing through the halls lightheartedly I didn't even notice the monitors glare on my person until I reached the next shutter door.

"Darn, he knows we're here already." I moaned.

"Well duh, Amy. If Sonic's parading around this place then he automatically assumes that he's brought us. Maybe it was a bad idea to-"

"To be here when Sonic probably stole the show…" I complained.

When the shutter opened I was caught off guard by a set of blue spikes. Not wanting to see whose head they were sitting on I closed my eyes and passed right by him.

"Let's keep going guys."

"Where are you going to?" came the familiar voice of none other than Sonic, but in a different tone.

I swallowed hard, trying to think of how I could tell him why we were here. "Believe it or not Sonic, but we're here to help you."

It was feint, but I could hear the scoff.

"That won't be necessary. See me and Eggman finally see eye to eye and we've come to an agreement."

Everyone fell to deaf ears.

"Say again?" said Victor, completely shocked. "We bust our asses to come and get you and you're saying Eggman is on our side?"

"Something's not right Sonic…" added Tails.

"Your right Tails…Victor isn't right. Eggman isn't on our side…I'm on his!"

Out of nowhere Sonic tackles Victor in the gut and sends him flying back into the hall. Before anyone could react to this he'd already taken out Charmy and then Espio.

"Sonic! What the hell are you doing?" roared Knuckles while taking flight to catch him.

I could barely keep up with his speed, and Tails was so dumbstruck he didn't even speak. Once Team Chaotix was sprawled on the floor, Sonic stared down Knuckles with the smuggest expression I'd ever seen.

"What's the matter Knuckles? You look like you've been expecting this from me…"

"No, but you've been in here too long for someone who's supposed to be as fast as the speed of sound. I'd just figured you were captured, not possessed. So do the Chaos Emeralds have anything to do with this evil scheme?"

He didn't answer. Instead he created a whirlwind of destruction around the echidna and left him for dead. It was nearly impossible to escape.

"Knuckles!" I cried vainly.

"Sorry about this Amy, but Eggman made an offer I couldn't refuse. And now there's just one more nuisance to take care of."

He pointed plainly at Tails, who was now showing tears.

"Awww, don't cry for me Tails. I'm not of any worth to you now so you might as well grow up and get lost!"

There was no response. It was as if the world Tails knew and loved was crashing down before his eyes, and he had no control. "Tails don't just stand there, move!"

I grabbed his hand and took a turn from the hall past the shutter we were trying to go into. I had to find another way to reach Eggman.

"Don't bother escaping me Amy. Eggman is always ready, always will be ready!" he gloated.

Why would he turn evil? What possible reason could he have for betraying us and crushing poor Tails' heart? I had to know what was going on and fast, because right now, for real, I was the only one who could save Mobius from destruction.

Note: Only 3 more chapters, but they're gonna be good ones! Keep me going!