Chapter 4: A Rumble With Rough And Tumble!
Knuckles was facing off against Tumble who said "At long last, I was itching for a rematch with you, Knuckles!" as Knuckles replied "I was gonna say the same thing, don't think this is gonna end well for you". Tumble just chuckled and said in a gruff voice "Last time, i underestimated you but now, i know well what you are capable of and i will say this, i have gotten stronger than before?". The two then rushed at each other, clashing blows as the others were not doing as well as Knuckles.
Tails was obviously staying out of the way for the time being. Both Sonic and Nova were starting to have trouble with Rough, who has shown to have improved himself in terms of speed and technique. "Ha, how's it feel to lose now blue boy, and do you really think you could beat me with the red noob here" Rough taunted as Nova replied "Hey, i heard that".
Tails then took out his scanner, attempting to scan Rough to check if there are any modifications on him. His scanner detected no modifications whatsoever as Tails said "So they really did train themselves didn't they, i guess training for this long has done wonders for the likes of them." Sonic then says "Geez, they are stronger than last time, okay Nova, we may have to take a short break" as Sonic tripped Rough over, causing Rough to land facedown on the ground, Sonic and Nova then jumped through the trees.
Knuckles and Tumble were still in the middle of their fight. Knuckles then thinks to himself "Everytime i make a direct hit, Tumble reacts with a stronger and sharper blow, whatever hellish training they did is impressive to say the least." Tumble then jumps back and says "For years, all i wanted was a chance to beat you at your best, so that i could help reclaim the honor me and Rough lost years ago, now that i have the chance to best you, i will say that i'm not gonna go easy on you as i have years ago". Knuckles replied "Y'know, i'm actually surprised at your commitment to beating me, now with no further interruptions, let's finish this fight right now!". The two then rushed forward and managed to collide their fists with enough force to blow away several trees.
Rough was having a hard time looking for Sonic and Nova, "Heh, if we're playing hide and seek then you should know that i'm a master at that game". Sonic was sitting on a tree branch as he then signals to Nova to ambush Rough. Sonic then whispers "1…2…3!" when both Sonic and Nova leaped up and kicked Rough simultaneously. "Well, that was way easier than I expected it to be" Sonic says as Nova yells over to Tails "Tails, Is Knuckles doing alright?". Tails then hovers over to Knuckles' location. Tails gave out an 'a-okay' sign.
Knuckles and Tumble are seen slightly worn out. "n..NO!, i have trained alongside my little bro just to prove that we are an unstoppable force, i refuse to lose to you" Tumble growls as Knuckles replies "Okay, i'm starting to get a little bored of this, if you want to get this over with, then i suggest that you move over here and start punching me, that is..if you can anyway".
"WHY YOU" Tumble roared as he ran over and gave out a punch. Knuckles managed to grab the punch with just one hand. "w…What?" Tumble said right before Knuckles retaliated with a massive uppercut that managed to take the skunk down. Sonic, Tails and Nova ran over to see what was happening, only to find that Knuckles didn't have much trouble.
"Wow, for an Echidna, you sure are strong, I really should have kept training" Nova said as Sonic continued "Y'know, me and Nova actually had to do a sneak attack just to win against Rough, you, for the most part, didn't need help".
Knuckles then says "Why did Biotron even send them when he could have just fought himself..unless…" Tails then figured it out "Unless he figured that he may not win unless he improved himself?".
"That may explain it, He must know that his regeneration wasn't up to snuff last time, he may have figured out how to buff himself up" Sonic said as Nova said "And i might know what he wants?"
"What?" Tails says as Nova explains "He might want the Hyper-Go-On circulating in my body so that he can become stronger". "w..What?There is no way that Biotron wants your Hyper-Go-On, sure a small amount maybe, but all of your Hyper-Go-On? A large amount of it is impossible for any sort of machine to harness, less alone Biotron" Tails says as Nova says "He did say that he observed the fight between Me and Infinite so he must want my energy for his plan, that is if he has any?".
The group then ponder what Biotron may gain from Hyper-Go-On when they hear a familiar voice "I see that you have eliminated both Rough and Tumble, just like I have anticipated" as it shows one of Biotron's robot duplicates speaking with Biotron's voice. "w..What?, have you been watching our fight the whole time?" Nova said as the clone said "Yes i have, i actually do have plans involving your Hyper-Go-On but i will reveal no more details beyond that, however i will tell you this, i have indeed realized the error of my perfect machine body, it would appear that Eggman and his two associates at the time, must have realized that my regeneration would've been a little troublesome for them to contain, so they must've made some sort of 'limit' to my regenerative abilities as well as my entire body, limiting me to abilities i do not possess knowledge of yet, however, i recently made a fascinating discovery that will make my dreams of a perfect machine utopia a reality, that is..if you can stop me before that ever comes true, oh and before i end this little chat, i would like to announce that i have a little gift for you". The robot copy then casted a hologram, showing the city's residents still searching for Nova as their fear begins to overcome them, turning man against man.
"Humans, the biggest waste of creation in existence, time and time again, their ignorance and little control over their impulses have led them to commit atrocities against both each other as well as that of other lifeforms, the sin of flesh corrupts their logic and reasoning, making them no more like the creatures they harm and enslave, now witness the first group of humans to DIE BY MY OWN HAND!" as it suddenly shows a recording of Biotron charging a massive energy blast from the energy cannon on his right arm, it began to glow deep crimson as sparks of purple electricity cackled around it. Biotron then shoots the energy as a red bolt of energy that had enough power to destroy the city along with the inhabitants. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Nova were shocked at what they had just seen. Nova then began to well up in tears as he remembered that Lucy and Pyro were in his apartment building.
"w…Why? Why did you kill them, why? BIOTRON!" Nova yelled as the copy said "The reason is quite obvious, they are a stain upon existence and I simply disposed of the garbage" as the robot duplicate flew off.
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles were filled with anger with what they just saw. "h..He will pay for what he did" Sonic said as he notices Nova's tears falling to the ground. "n..Nova? Are you alright?" Sonic said to Nova who just kept weeping as he said "n..No, my friends Lucy and Pyro were in my apartment, i..if only…if only..". Nova then cried out "WHY DOES EVERYONE DIE AROUND ME?" as he fell to his knees with tears in his eyes.
End of chapter 4.
