"And another one bites the dust. Though I guess that's more like thirty."
Things had been going swimmingly at the Ruins. Chirps stood guard at the strip of land leading there. As it turned out, he was all that was needed. He stood right at the edge, almost beckoning any incoming SWATbots or badniks to take a step forward. Eventually, a throng had gathered to fill up the strip like a crowd of ants. And Chirps was only too happy to throw them into the drink. He summoned up two narrow, tall ridges of stone right in the middle that spanned the length of the entire strip, and pushed them along with all of the badniks towards the water. After which they promptly short-circuited like toaster ovens. Rinse and repeat.
"Like fish in a barrel. Ain't I a stinker?"
That said, Chirps wasn't an instant cure-all. He could handle most of them in a heartbeat, but there were some he couldn't take care of so quickly. A horde of buzzbombers soared over the strip and made their way to the ruins, ready to blast away all they could see. "Damn it! Everyone, think you can handle it?! I'm kind of busy over here! Taking care of the main force and all that! Just a FYI!"
Everyone else stood at the ready, though some of them weren't exactly sure what they could do against a bunch of airborne foes." Johnny," said Shortfuse, "go up there and take out as many as you can! We'll do what we can down here!"
"Way ahead of ya!" Shortfuse rocketed into the sky, firing his laser at as many bombers as he could while trying to tear apart the rest. "Think you're hot stuff, huh?!"
Meanwhile, the Golgoboa's put down their swords and picked up their bows before taking cover, trying to shoot down what they could. They knew the ruins well. By and large, they knew how to keep themselves from getting hurt while still dishing it out, and once the Bombers started firing, this proved true. But against laser-fire, not all of their cover could last forever. And some of the Gogobola's were less than fortunate.
"Damn it!" Johnny alternated between protecting himself with his forcefield and blasting away whatever bombers he could.
Big stood his ground, puffing out his chest and taking the brunt of the fire. "Tickles." It stung, but only just. He threw out a line and took out five buzzbombers with one cast, and was ready to catch even more.
Sticks used much the same strategy as the Gogoboas, taking cover and tossing out when she could. "HEY! YOU STOLE 'S LUNCH! HE AIN'T GONNA BE TOO HAPPY ABOUT THAT!"
That just left Mina and Rotor. Seeing as her abilities were mostly based around just moving fast, there wasn't much she could do. Instead, she darted around the ruins, picking up small pebbles or chunks of rubble and hurling them at the Bombers like bullets. It seemed to do the trick. And Rotor, strong as ever, did much the same thing.
The battle raged, with everyone and the Gogoboas doing their best. And their best was all they needed. The bombers were eventually dealt with, and even though the FF were bruised and even a bit burned, they were still standing. Though the same could not be said of some of the Gogobola's.
"Mina, check on the Gogobola's," said Johnny. "Get me a headcount."
"Right." She zipped off, and in seconds she was back. But she didn't seem particularly happy. "Most of the Gogolboa's are fine. Some of them've got a few injuries, but nothing they can't fix. But…"
"But what?"
"Uh, well. Some of them didn't, uh, didn't make it."
Johnny clenched his fist as though he wanted to strangle somebody. "Damn it," he muttered. "Not again." He turned to the others. "Alright. Everyone, make sure the Gogobolas are okay. Then we've got to check on Amy. Make sure they've got things covered." He called over to Chirps. "All done there?"
"Just about." He called up one more wall, tossing the last badnik into the drink. "And that should do it. We done here, boss?"
"Once we check up on the Gogobola's? Pretty much. Though I guess there's nothing wrong with calling Amy first." He took out a small handheld communicator from his pack and placed it to his lips. "Amy? Amy, you there? This is Johnny. You there, Amy? Amy? Come on, talk to me…"
"You there, Amy? Amy? Come on, talk to me…"
Amy didn't even bother to pick up the transceiver in her satchel. She almost couldn't hear Johnny at all. All she knew was that the truck had come to a stop and unleashed its' payload. And said payload was an entire platoon of roboticized Mobians. "Good Gaea."
"He really did it," said Manic, dumbfounded. "He really did it!"
Bunnie was quivering, as though just seeing an entire small army of fully robotized Mobians was enough to make her shiver. "My stars. That could've been me. That could've been, could've been…" She nearly collapsed. Antoine rushed in to hold her though seeing as about half of her body was metal, it was something of a struggle.
"I have got you, mon cherie Bunnie! Although you are very, very heavy!"
Bunnie breathed deep, nearly hyperventilating before getting herself together. And being held by Antoine didn't hurt any. "T—thanks, Ant. I think I've got it together now. Still though. It means a lot, really."
"Uh, I hate to ruin the mood," said Tails, "but shouldn't we do something about the group of Robians coming our way?"
'Robians?" said Amy.
"You know, 'Mobian'+'Robot'. I just think it makes it a bit easier to say, is all. Anyway, those Robians aren't really a match even with most of us so tuckered out. But the problem is, well. They're still Mobian."
"Yeah," said Amy. "That's gonna be a problem. If we could tear into them, we'd practically have a field day. But as is, I don't know if there's much else we can do. Not without killing them."
"Actually," said Thunderbolt, "there is."
As if saying the magic words, Tail's brains began to whizz and whir like clockwork. "Hey, you don't mean—"
Thunderbolt stepped forward, practically ignoring him. "Listen up! I'm an Egg Boss! Or was anyway. So I was given the frequency for all of the Robians. Which is essentially the same for each. And I can also send out shockwaves. So if I can send something that really confuses the heck out of them—"
"—then you might be able to stop them from moving! Maybe even shut them down!"
"Just that! I really am a little genius, aren't I?"
"Less thinking, more acting!" said Amy.
"Right! Time to light 'em up!" Thunderbolt's eyes began to glow with an awesome power, crackling with electricity. She started to focus, putting her all into such a wave of static that everyone who was stupid enough to get caught up in it would find their hair standing on end for weeks.
Sonic and Sonia finally came rushing in, less in awe at Thunderbolt's display and more utterly confused that she hadn't been punched unconscious yet. "Uh, Amy?" said the former. "How come the chinchilla's helping us? Or at least I think she's helping us anyway. Could be part of some evil scheme or something for all we know."
"Hey, you're back!" said Manic. "I was startin' to get worried.
"Uh, yeah," said Sonia. "Hi, Manic."
"Lookin' good! And purple. But still good."
Sonia blushed. "Thanks, Manic. It means a lot."
Amy sighed. For all Thunderbolt had told her, she could scarcely believe her either. "Honestly, I'm not really sure. All I know is, we've got a small horde of Robians coming our way, and none of us wants to thrash them. For obvious reasons. So this is the only thing I can think of. All I know is, if she pulls through, well, maybe she was telling the truth after all.
The wave soon became more focused and intense, shrinking and narrowing until it was small enough to cover the Robians and ONLY the Robians. Thunderbolt then closed her eyes and focused as though she were searching through the airwaves, trying to find just the right signal to shut them down without doing any serious harm.
"Got it!" The field emitted a low whine like a dying animal's distress call. It didn't affect the Freedom Fighters in the least. (Other than perhaps giving a few of them a small headache.) But it did have an effect on the Robians. As though hitting a wall, they stopped dead in their tracks. For a while, they just stood there. There weren't any deep thoughts in their heads, nor did they do anything that grabbed anyone's attention. They were simply… there.
As Tails observed the Robians, he noticed that something was beginning to change. As if there was some small detail that wasn't there before. "Uh, Amy? This might be a bit too early to tell, but I think it's working."
"Huh?" Amy took another look at the Robians. Slowly but surely, the light began to dim from their eyes. Their bodies began to slack, and their torsos' started to slump as though they just didn't have the energy to keep them up. It was slow and it was tedious, but eventually, they were down for the count. And without a single shot fired.
"It worked!"
This much was true. None of the Robians were moving, and all of them seemed to have been rendered offline. With any luck, a simple fix by Eggman could get them back up and running in a jiffy.
"Sacre bleu!" Antoine could scarcely believe it. For more reasons than one. But there it was.
Thunderbolt lowered her arms and opened her eyes. She bent over slightly and put her hands on her knees, as though she had just run an entire marathon. "Whew! Didn't even really do that much! Except I guess I did! Or else I wouldn't be so pooped!"
Amy took a deep breath. And then she made a choice. A choice she wasn't sure was the correct one. But she felt if she didn't make it, she might as well have been sent to the Abyss for all she cared. She was still giving Thunderbolt a glare of death, but she was no longer on her potential hit list. "Thanks. You didn't have to do any of that. But you did. And it means a lot."
Thunderbolt blushed. "Uh, well, that is to say, of course I helped! Why wouldn't I? I'm one of the greatest Mobians you'll ever see! Thunderbolt, bane of evil everywhere!" She laughed like a mad woman, creeping even Amy out.
"Um, okay? That said, I still can't completely trust you. You understand. But I'm willing to give you a chance. Sides, after you pulled something like this, Eggman's not gonna be too happy with you. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he saw the whole thing. Wouldn't put it past him."
Amy couldn't have known just how accurate a statement that was. Because as it turned out, he had.
Eggman was fuming. Almost as though he were an active volcano. Everything had been going so well. Some villagers had been slaughtered, an army of bots had been sent their way, some of his most crack troops were on the scene, and he had even sent a surprise or two their way. And they still lost. Even Venue B at the Ruins seemed to have a hard time of it.
In fact, why DID Venue B have a hard time of it? Shouldn't the Eggbosses have gotten there by now? He pressed a button on the keypad below the monitor, a loud crackle briefly popping like static before ceasing to be. "Snively?"
Snively's voice could be heard on the other end, even if it was clear it didn't wish to be. "Yes, sir?"
"What's the status of Squad B?"
"I was just about to tell you, sir. Apparently, their truck fell into a mud-pit. They'll be right as fine given some drying off, but for all intents and purposes, they're stuck in the middle of nowhere."
"Can't they at least walk? Just how far away are they?!"
"Far enough. Although if you're so insistent on them getting there, something must have gone wrong somewhere. I suppose you really can't make an omelet without breaking a few—"
Eggman slammed down on the button, firmly turning the communication system off. And like a boiling pot of water, he began to fume even worse than before. Almost as though he were enraged.
"Something wrong, Julian?" Chuck had his arms crossed, or at least as much as he could with his hands tied together. "Or did you just have some indigestion?"
"YOU. SHUT. UP." He couldn't conceive it. Even discounting Squad B, there should have been no way they could have lost. None. No matter how powerful they were, no matter how strong or skilled on their own, no matter how good the other side was, at the moment, there were only so many of them and oh so very many of him. Or rather his forces. And yet, they just. Kept. WINNING. And that was WITHOUT an island-wide militia. If they managed to rally one together…
Something had to be done. If he couldn't win, then at the very least he still couldn't lose. He had to show that when it came down to it, he was still their better. He needed something to prove to the Freedom Fighters and himself that he was something to be feared. That he could take away everything and everyone they loved in an instant. That no matter what they did or how hopeful things may have seemed, he could still throw each and every one of them right into a ditch.
"Well," said Chuck, "if you so wish. Mind you, it's starting to get kind of boring standing around here all day with nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs, so if you could kindly throw me back in the room, I wouldn't mind in the least."
And that was when it him. He ever so slowly turned towards Chuck, his toothy smile shining in the light like a row of giant white bones. "Troopers?" said Chuck. "Take Sir Chuck to the roboticization chamber if you please."
Chuck didn't have to hear another word. His eyes widened in horror and his quills began to bristle. But one look through Eggman's glasses was enough to know one thing. That his fate was sealed. "Julian. Please. I don't know what's going through your head, but—"
"You know, Chuck, I really did like you. I really did. But in the end, you were mocking me too, weren't you?! Like all the rest."
Chuck was dumbfounded. "Excuse me? Julian, I never—"
"Laughing behind my back. Calling me names. Pretending I wasn't good enough! You're doing it now! And you did it then too. Didn't you?"
"Julian, I never—"
"Troopers! You heard me." The Troopers didn't need to hear another word. Without hesitation, they grabbed Chuck by the arms and dragged him towards the doorway to the hall. And Chuck knew just where they were going.
"JULIAN! PLEASE! IF THERE'S ANYTHING DECENT LEFT IN THAT OVERSIZED HUSK YOU CALL A BODY—"
"Wrong move." Eggman turned away from Chuck, not even bothering to face him as he was carried away. Of course, he'd have to follow after him at some point. He couldn't call Grimer. Otherwise, he'd be more liable to rig it so Chuck wouldn't be affected than anything else. So he'd just have to do it himself.
"Okay, maybe I went overboard! But can you blame me? Julian, the way you're acting, the way you're going about things, it's horrific! You may have loathed what everyone did to you, but here and now, you're even worse than them!"
"Do. I. Care? Troopers? If you please?"
The Troopers continued dragging Chuck away to an inevitable fate as though he were cattle. "JULIAN! PLEASE! IF THERE'S A SINGLE SPECK OF DECENCY LEFT IN YOU—!"
And then the doors slam shut. And they were gone. And Chuck got his answer.
Manic looked around, not really sure what was going to happen next. "So, now what?"
Amy slipped her communicator back into her satchel, as though she were done with it for the day. "Well, I know what Johnny's group is doing for one thing. Apparently, they just wrapped up their own squad of bots a little while ago, so I guess—" Just as she seemed to about to put a little bow on it, the communicator beeped like an alarm, giving nearly everyone in the area a headache. Antoine almost screamed like a girly-girl, though Thunderbolt wasn't much better off.
Amy ripped the communicator out of the satchel and slammed down on the 'ON' switch, breathing a sigh of relief when the beeping finally stopped. "Okay, who is this? Sally? Another set of bots headed this way? You serious? Oh. The militia? You serious?! Well, whatever you say. Amy out." Amy threw the communicator back into the satchel, almost ecstatic. "Okay, people. We're heading out! The bad news is there's another group of bots heading this way. Good news is, they've finally got the Island Militia together and they'll be here any minute! So we are longer the be-all end-all."
"Thank Gaea!" said Sonic. "To be honest, I was getting a bit tired of zipping around all over the place whenever Eggman so much as sneezed. I love adventure as much as the next guy, but a hedgehog's got to breathe!"
"Yeah, well, they'll be talking about it after we get back. Now that we don't need to be everywhere and anywhere, we might end up being a bit more specialized. But that can wait." She turned to Thunderbolt. "Hey, Thundy. Got a minute?"
"Uh, yeah?" She nearly stumbled towards Amy, almost afraid of the fact that she was talking to her while she was holding a crossbow to her face.
"Look. Normally this wouldn't be my place to say, but I'm about the closest thing to authority out here. So. You did good. Without you, I don't know what we would've done about those Robians. I can't say I fully trust you yet, but I'm willing to give you a chance. And I think Eggman's probably going to eat you alive if he catches you after pulling that stunt. It might take a bit to really win us over, but it's still somewhere to start." She raised her hand, opening her palm in the hopes that Thunderbolt would take it. "What do you say?"
"Hey, hold on a second!" said Sonia. "Look, I get that she helped us out and all, but she's still working for Eggman! Or was anyway! How do we know this isn't some sort of evil plan or something that we don't know about?"
"Hey, come on, Sonia," said Manic. "I get where you're coming from, really. But she did keep us from having to fight those Robians. And she didn't so much as lift a finger against us. I say give her a chance."
"I agree," said Antoine. He was still quivering after the shriek, but only slightly. And it wasn't as though he was letting it get to him. "I do not fully trust her either, but assuming this wasn't all some ridiculously overly-complicated plot, she could be incredibly useful. She WAS one of Eggman's top agents after all. If she decides to join us, who knows what we could learn from her."
"Hey," said Bunnie, "all I know is, I couldn't do a darn thing! Kinda ashamed 'bout that. But she did somethin'! And she helped us when she really didn't have to. So that makes her okay in my book."
"Honestly," said Tails, "I've got my doubts. But it's probably better to have her with us than running around with Eggman. At least that way we can keep an eye on her. As long as we make sure she doesn't have any high-tech tracking devices on her."
"Hey," said Sonic, "if my lil' bro and our fearless leader are okay with it, then I'm okay with it too. I'm easy!"
Amy raised her hand further, even more sure of her decision than before. "Well? How about it?"
Thunderbolt stared at Amy's open hand. She gulped as her eyes widened, and her fur bristled all over her body with static. She started to hold out her own shaking hand, slowly but surely.
And then she grasped Amy's as though she were holding on for dear life. And small tears slowly started to trickle down her cheeks like a summer drizzle.
"T-thanks. It's just, no-one's really done anything like this for me before. I mean, I thought Eggman did, but I suppose he didn't, really. But don't misunderstand! I'm not gonna be someone you can just push around! If I'm coming along, it's gonna be on my terms! You understand me?!"
Amy chuckled, taking Thunderbolt's tirade in stride. "Whatever you say. Anyway, like I said, it'll take a while to win everyone over. And you'll still have some explaining to do. But—"
Just then, a light suddenly shone down from above. Everyone looked up at the source. It was a small, tiny device, almost like a beetle. And there was a round red face with a mustache painted square on its surface. And Tails knew just who had built it. "Eggman!"
An image appeared within the light. It was flickering and faint at first, but it soon solidified into existence like making out a mirage. And it was none other than Eggman himself.
"Well! Greetings and salutations, my friends! It's been a while since we've met one another face to face, hasn't it? Of course, we aren't REALLY face to face, are we? But that's nothing worth fretting over!"
"EGGFACE!" Sonic rushed towards Eggman, only to find himself skidding on the grass as he ran straight through him. As though he were passing through a veil of fine mist.
"Ah! Nice try, hedgehog, but as you can see, I'm not actually here. And all the better, I'd say. If I were, you might just slice me in half! So I'd say it's better if I kept my distance."
"Son of a—"
"SONIC!" Amy gave Sonic the glare of death. Running off his mouth halfcocked wasn't going to get anyone anywhere. Even if she almost wanted to do the same. She turned to Eggman. "You know, you've got a lot of nerve showing yourself around here, even if it is just a hologram. In case you haven't noticed though, we've sort of trashed most of your troops, and any others you send our way are just gonna get mopped up in short order. So if there's any reason you're showing yourself like this, it can't be just to gloat."
"Indeed. I actually have two reasons for my impromptu appearance. One is to bid my darling Thunderbolt farewell. Oh, yes, my sweet little Thunderbolt. I saw EVERYTHING. And you can rest assured that if I ever get a chance, I'll skewer you in the gullet. Assuming I just don't roboticize you first."
Thunderbolt gulped.
"Still, there's not much I can do to you just now, so. Water under the bridge! Until you dare show your face anyway."
"So what's the second thing?" said Amy.
"This." Eggman stepped aside. The image panned back, revealing a larger room. One some of them knew very well.
Antoine stepped forward, his knees oh so slightly knocking. "Wait. Is that not—"
He didn't even need to finish his sentence. Bunnie did it for him. "The roboticizer!"
Sonic nearly gasped. He almost couldn't believe it. "It can't be." But it was. Standing in the Roboticizer pounding on the glass was the one person he thought would never be in any danger. Would never stand a chance of being killed or robotized or whatever else. Because he wasn't there. Because he couldn't be. Because he was safe and sound wherever he was.
He couldn't be more wrong.
"UNCLE CHUCK!"
Sonia clasped her hands over her face, almost yelping in shock. "UNCLE CHUCK!"
Manic simply stood there. He wasn't shocked. He wasn't stunned. He wasn't sad or angry or even happy. He just was. As though he wasn't there at all. As though he wasn't sure what to think.
"Sonic!" said Chuck. "You're alright! And you too, Sonia! Thank Gaea."
And then he saw Manic.
"Oh. Oh, Gaea. I… Manic, I—"
"CHUCK!" said Sonic. "What are you even doing there?! The hell are you doing in the roboticizer?! What—"
"Ah, ah!" said Eggman. "That's enough time for family reunions, I think. Don't you? Now, let's get on with the show. Shall we?"
With what were quite possibly his last moments of being himself, Chuck pressed his hands to the glass, desperate to get in a few last words. "Sonic! The ring! Find the ring! You too, Sonia! If you can find it, you might have a chance! We all might! And Manic. Manic, I… there's so much I want to say. So much I want to—"
"Time's up!" Eggman pounded on a button on the control panel. Chuck began clutching his head, groaning as though his entire body was aching. He started to scream, even as parts of his body gradually began to transform from flesh into pure metal.
"UNCLE CHUCK!" said Sonic.
"CHUCK!" said Sonia.
As for Manic, he wasn't sure what to say. Not at first. What could he have said? But then Chuck began to groan. And started to scream. And he could no longer hold it back.
"DAD!"
Everyone except for Sonia and Sonic turned to Manic as though they couldn't quite believe their ears. But as Chuck continued to howl in misery, they knew there were more important things to worry about.
"Screw this!" said Sonic. "I'm going over to Mobotropolis! I'm gonna save Chuck and smash Eggman's face in and—"
And then it was done. The process had ceased. And when Chuck slowly raised his head, he was no longer Chuck. Not the Chuck they knew. Every single part of his body had become robotized. And as Chuck's red eyes sparked to life, it was clear that his mind was now the same way.
"Oh, Gaea!" said Bunnie. She nearly did a repeat of her previous collapse, though Antoine was again there to catch her in case she fell. Not that she did, but it was the thought that counted.
No-one could say a word. How could they? Even if most of them hadn't met Chuck before, they had still seen someone fully roboticized before their eyes. And those who did? They sorely wished they hadn't.
"All done!" said Eggman. "Now, Chuck! Who's your bestest friend in the whole wide world?"
"DOCTOR EGGMAN." His voice was cold and robotic like a machine. Which was what he was. Not a single trace of Chuck's personality was in there, if there was a speck of personality at all.
"Very good! And who do you serve?"
"DOCTOR EGGMAN."
"VERY good! And tell me. Who do you hate the most?"
"ANYONE WHO DOES NOT SERVE DOCTOR EGGMAN."
"Very. Good." He turned to the Freedom Fighters, still in shock. "Well. I hope that'll serve as a lesson. That no matter how many bots you thrash, no matter how much it seems like you're winning, I still hold the cards." He held up his hand, almost as if holding a heart. "Because I can always take whatever you treasure most…" And then he squeezed it. Hard. "…AND CRUSH IT. Do we understand one another? Good. Now, if you please. GET OUT OF MY LIFE." And with one momentary flicker, the hologram winked out of existence. And was gone.
No-one was sure what to say. Sonic was speechless. Sonia wasn't much better off. And Manic might as well have been dead. Amy didn't know if she should have said anything at all. But she had to say something.
"Sonic. Sonia, Manic. I—"
"Don't," said Sonia. "Just don't. Please."
"Uh, I hate to say this," said Tails, "but we need to get moving. More bots might be here any second. Along with the militia. We—"
Suddenly, Sonic sprung to life as though he'd just been fitted with a shiny new battery. And he wasn't happy. "I'm going. I don't care if they shoot me down or not, I'm going. I'm not letting Chuck—"
Bunnie grabbed him by the shoulder. "Hold it, sugar. I know how you're feelin', hon, I do, but there's nothin' you can do. He's gone. Take it from someone who knows."
"You want me to just stand around while he's doin' who knows what to Chuck?! ARE YOU NUTS?! I—"
"Sonic!" said Sonia. She gestured to Manic. Who still was no better than a walking corpse. "Sonic, I feel the same way. I really do. But don't think you're the only one who's hurting! Or who's hurting the most."
"I— no. No, you're right. Sorry." He briefly turned to Manic. "Oh, Manic."
Amy turned to the village. "Anyway. Tails is right. We've gotta get out of here." They all started walking towards the village. Some of them slower than others. Except for Manic. Still kneeling on the grass like a ragdoll.
"Don't worry, cuz." Sonia lifted Manic on her shoulders, carrying him like a sack of meat. "I've got you!"
They continued walking back to town. All except Thunderbolt. She looked back to where the device had been, now far out of sight. And she couldn't help but shed a tear. She dried her eyes and hurried back to the others. And as the sounds of more trucks started to come from either side of the plains, all anyone could wonder was what any of them had done to deserve this.
Hi, everyone! That was Chapter 50. To think it's not even a full year and we're already that far along. Anyway, I just want to thank everyone who's stuck around so far as well as anyone who may be checking out this series for this first time. Blue Horizon means a lot to me. It started out as just a mishmash of all the different versions of Sonic and it's still that in a number of ways, but it's since become something more. It's my own take on Sonic and his world, and it's something I look forward to working on every day. Again, thanks to everyone for reading this series. Here's to another 50 more.
