Chapter 6

"You may have obtained the emeralds, hedgehog, but you are now in my element!" Robotnik declared with a snicker. His hand was resting on a switch that would release the water from the flood channels and into the labyrinth. He wouldn't let his enemy escape. Not this time. "I would consider sparing your life in exchange for your current possessions, but to tell you the truth, you are far too great a threat to my plans. Goodbye!"

Robotnik clicked the switch and the sound of water rushing down the labyrinth corridors could soon be heard.

Well, this could pose a problem, Sonic thought as he saw the torrent of water coming toward him. He began climbing on the open ledges of the walls, attempting to keep away from the water until he could come up with a decent plan of escape. Robotnik was nowhere in sight, having left him to die. At least he didn't have to worry about anything other than the water rising toward him. So sure, Sonic had nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.

Why didn't I stay home?

An opening in the labyrinth's ceiling caught Sonic's eye. He collected dust off the walls to give his hands better traction before he jumped to grab the edge of the opening.

His right hand barely caught a hold on the edge, leaving him hanging above the still-rising water. Sweat began beating down his face as he held on. C'mon, Hedgehog, pull yourself up or you're gonna be fish food!

With a scream of anguish, Sonic pulled himself up toward the ceiling with his right arm. The muscles were burning with exhaustion, slowly weakening despite the rush of adrenaline that kept him going.

Finally, Sonic was able to climb into the opening and wedge himself by pressing his legs up against the walls. He rubbed his sore arm. He had definitely pulled a muscle in trying to hoist himself up.

Okay, he thought with determination, let's get out of here.

"Bring up camera three," Robotnik instructed as he sat at his computer console. His aircraft was now on auto-pilot, its destination was toward his command center which was several hundred miles away.

An image of one of the labyrinth's chambers filled Robotnik's computer screen. The sight revealed no sign of the blue hedgehog. Only ancient walls and ceiling-high water.

A small twitch could be seen at the corner of Robotnik's lips. Yes, he thought with a quiet chuckle. At last my problems are over.

Despite the trouble the hedgehog had caused, the fat scientist had to admit that the experience was beneficial. If anything, it made him aware of the modifications he would need to make on his security systems.

"Exit," he commanded, which closed the surveillance window. He lied back in his seat, closing his eyes as the aircraft continued its flight.

Sonic emerged from the labyrinth's roof, dead tired. "When this over… I'm taking a vacation away from my vacation."

He lied down on the roof, letting the final rays of the sun beat down on him as it started to set. He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.