CHAPTER 21
Broken Past
In Robotropolis Robotnik was watching the fight between Mr Snively and the Freedom Fighters taking place. He was furious over his failure, and the loss of the generator. However at this point it wouldn't matter. Over 90% of all his camps and bases that were spread across Mobius he had lost contact with. His sattelites detected that the core of the planet had begun to slow its rotation, and that could mean only bad news. If that wasnt bad enough there was something strange gathering in the center of the planet. He didn't know what but he beefed up security to the max. This all seemed so familar and it began to scare him. Colin entered his halls catching the doctor off gaurd.
" Something wrong, brother? You seem pale "
" Colin. "
He looked around at his work, the entire complex working tirelessly for him. " My, my, look at all these machines. I was never one for machines myself, more of a strategist really. Perhaps thats why I've been able to stay youthful all these years? I've never once needed to rely on a machine to keep me alive. I can also see the growing fear in your eyes each day. You know that you cannot sustain yourself indefinitely. You end is coming I can tell. "
Robotnik gave a strained smile. " That is where your mistaken, dear brother. Nothing ever truly ends, and neither will I! "
Colin took a moment to light himself up a cigarette, giving a relaxed puff. " You can lie to me all you want, but I know you more than you know yourself. It's not the dying that scares you, but what you might endure after. There is a hell waiting for us all, and none of your science can save you from that. "
Colin was hit with a mind burning wave. He dropped to the ground screaming scratching himself all over.
" I am God, the lord of science and creation " Robotnik declared. " And it fears nothing. "
Colin smiled while his face twitched in pain. He laughed insanely. Robotnik cranked up the notch on his torture.
" With my will I can part the oceans. With my will I can make you believe the ocean is blood. With my will I can make you kiss the floor on which I walk. "
Robotnik ignored Colin's curses and went back to his research. He scanned through old history when something caught his eye. He read it softly to himself.
" From the midst of the radiant light the intrinsic sound of Truth will resound like the rumble of a thousand thunderclaps. Do not fear it! Do not try to flee! -Tibetian Book of the Dead "
Outside was a great booming from the sky, followed by shaking. The foundations of his city trembled before the oncoming storm. The storm of all storms. Pipes exploded spraying gas all over the place. Robotnik gritted his teeth.
Elsewhere far away, Sally and the others had recovered from the their battle. They were all wrapped like mummies in bandages. Lupe's spells could only do so much to help along the healing. The exhaustion from fighting Snively and the three generals had taken its toll on them all. They could not stay, Robotnik no doubt was already sending reinforcements to try and regain his grip. As they walked Sally replayed those last scenes in her mind when Mr Snively had them all beat a stranger had saved them. She could have sworn it was Sonic.
The generator was destroyed and the humans had escaped. They managed to find their ship that was locked away in a bunker. Before they left they had offered them the chance to go with them as thanks. They kindly turned down their offer. Earth was not a place for a Mobian. They had headed east, Antoine was leading them to his hideaway hole where they would gather some supplies.
Sally felt something cold drift down and gently land on her shoulder. She looked up and it had begun to snow. Tiny little snowflakes gently fell from the grey sky. It was almost refreshing to see the snow for Sally. But Lupe was concerned.
" This is strange...its out of season to snow here and I have been hearing thunder from far off where there is no clouds and this wind. "
" Wind? There is no wind " said Antoine.
" You cannot feel it but I can. it blows hard and cruel towards the north. If there was wind it would be blowing away from the north and if that were the case then it would bring the cold snow to us. But yet it blows away from us...strange. "
As they were walking Sally looked on at the horizon. There was a dark shadowy figure standing before them. The hair on Lupes neck rose.
" This one looks dangerous " Antoine said as they approached.
As they approached they noticed he was hiding himself behind a tatttered cloak, his face obscured by a draping hood. Only his shoes were visible. Those familiar red shoes. Sally gasped and ran forward.
" What are you doing!? " said Antoine.
Bunnie smiled. " Ah think I might know whats going on here. "
" Sonic! "
The figure put up his left hand, stepping back. " Wait! Don't come any closer! " he said. It was the voice of her love, the blue hedgehog of her dreams, Sonic the Hedgehog. But he seemed shifty, and weaker.
" I waited for you guys to catch up with me...you see I...I was the one who killed Mr Snively, and it wasn't easy as it looked. Him and Robotnik have been tracking me for years. He was too powerful for me to fight so I had to keep running, until I saw you all fight him. I had to help somehow " he shrugged. " I just wanted to say thanks for the help before I move on. "
" Wait, Sonic... "
Sonic turned to her surprised. " How do you know my name? I'm not that famous. "
That hurt for Sally. Her love didn't know who she was but this shouldn't have surprised her. It was not the same Sonic.
" I..I... " she stammered trying to think of something to say.
" It's alright. I actually I've been following you guys for some time now. "
" Oh really? " said Lupe bitterly not trusting him one bit. " I dont trust those who hide their faces. "
" I have my reasons " he said grimly.
Sally approached him to reach out and touch his face. He cringed back.
" No! You mustn't touch me! " he said.
" But why? "
He tucked his hood down, turning the other way. " Please, you really don't want to know. But if you doubt me I can tell you this. I'm on your side but I am not really what you call a team player so I give my thanks and take my leave " he said as he walked on.
Sally gave a dry laugh. " Hah! Thats the first time I've ever seen you walking Sonic Hedgehog. Where's your usual sonic boom? "
Sonic stopped in place. How did she know that? Sally approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He turned, looking into her big crystal blue eyes. There was something different about her he thought to himself. Something pure. What was he feeling now? Something strange in his heart, tight and fluttery. It made him scared, but also interested. The more he started at her, the more potent this feeling seemed. Her short red hair, her long slender hips, those petite breasts. She could possibly be the most beautiful thing he's seen in this hell of a world. He opened his mouth to object to this, but Sally threw herself on him. She planted a hard passionate kiss on him, surpising everyone.
" Well, that's lovely ta see " said Bunnie with a grin.
Antoine and Lupe looked at eachother, confused. Lupe gave a sigh, shaking her head. Better to let her have this moment. Whoever this is seemed very important to her. Neither of the two were about to throw their trust on some stranger, even if they helped them against Snively. Sally parted slowly, giving a relieved sigh. Sonic looked at her, confused and in shock.
" I know you don't know me, but I have missed you. Even if you aren't the same Sonic I know" said Sally hugging him.
At that very moment Robotnik was watching this very moment from afar. After the spectacle Snively raised, tracking them down was childs play. He gave a deep chortle to himself.
" You don't know this hedgehog, Princess. When you know the truth you will reject him. "
" What are we going to do about them? " asked Colin.
" Do? We dont have to do anything, brother. They are going do everything for us. "
" You mean...? "
" Yes... "
" Perfect. Those psychopaths... " he complained.
Robotnik assembled his top elite soldiers. Two killers he had molded to perfection. Both created to have unwavering loyalty, and ruthlessness. The two were kept in cryo tubes, only taken out when he had use for them. The doors to their pods popped open with a cold hiss, smoke pouring out as they awoke for battle. They emerged, walking into the center of the room where two beams of light descended on them, transporting them to their targets. The two beams of light fell from the sky, teleported across the planet to Sally and the others location. Sonic jumped back.
" No! He's caught up to me! "
" Who?! " said Antoine.
" Robotnik! "
They looked on as the light faded, the two agents of death stepped up to bat. One was a mechanized bat girl. Her eyes a passionate deep crimson red, her body petite but powerful. Afterburners adorned her back, with razor sharp claws for hands. Her ears were sharpened fins, able to pick up soundwaves from hundreds of kilometers away. She was from the age of robotisization where Robotnik still used them for slaves. He had taken this one and continously built her up, adding more upgrades to make her the most powerful fighter of the skies. She was one of the few he allowed to retain free will, but remained ever loyal. She was Rouge the bat.
The other was a hedgehog. He looked like a mobian but different from anything natural. He was a biological andriod made in Robotnik's lab. The doctor had made experiments to create new organic life and evolve it into a weapon. Using the base formula of hedgehog dna he was able to create something quite extraordinary. He was quite possibly Robotnik's greatest experiment. He was a black hedgehog with deep red eyes. Red chevrons striped his long quills, bearing deep scars across the side of his head. He seemed like a seasoned warrior. He had lage broad shoulders with bulging arms wrapped up in bandages. He wore an iron plated arm band that acted as a shield. He had a particular small waist. His figure was strangley feminine, his body shaped like an hourglass. On his chest he had a large mane of white fur. He was Shadow the Hedgehog.
They glared at the Freedom Fighters with cold empty stares. Shadow turned to Rouge.
" I call dibs on the hedgehog. You can have the rest. "
" Fine with me. I'll start with Bunnie first " said Rouge cracking her knuckles.
Bunnie was shocked. " Who are you and how do you know my name and...howcome your a machine like ah I am too? "
" Your questions will be answered in death " Rouge said as she said shooting like a jet towards her.
" I vwill not allow zees! " said Antoine stepping in. She cocked her wrist and shot a net pinning him to the rock wall nearby. Lupe went to smite her with her hammer but moving at incredibly speed, much faster than Bunnie could fly, blasted Lupe with a energy pulse from her chest sending her to the ground. She eyed Sally and then at Bunnie.
" I'll save the squirrel for last. She's not going anywhere. I've been wanting payback for what you did to me! " she snapped.
Bunnie cocked her head, confused. " What ah did? Ah don't even know you, lady. "
" You cannot lie your way out of this " she said angrily. " Perhaps it is fate I've been chosen as your executioner. "
Bunnie and Rouge flew at eachother with a loud sonic boom, slamming heads into each other. Niether one refused to back down. Rouge threw a punch which Bunnie caught and Bunnie threw hers with Rouge caught. They grappled, trying to dominate the other, none able to get the upper hand. A long curved blade unsheathed from the side of Rouge's arm swinging around to take her head off. Bunnie's wrist blades blocked them as they both came at eachother in a mad fury of swipes, sparks now flying. Rouge was relentless in her assault against Bunnie. She wanted her dead no matter the cost. She was able to land a kick under her gaurd, hitting Bunnie square in the chin knocking her airborne. Rouge took to the sky coming up behind her and locked up her shoulders.
" Tornado storm! "
She twirled around faster and faster till the wind began to blow around her, forming a tornado. She pressed on, the tornado growing even bigger and electricity crackling off it. She finally let go sending Bunnie like a torpedo into the ground face first smashing into the rocks below. Her arms unfolded into two large cannons, blasting away furiously at her opponent. Wave after wave of explosions rocked the dry countryside, kicking up clouds of dust. Bunnie had tunneled underground and came out behind Rouge. The robot bat was caught off gaurd as Bunnie delivered hard punch to her jaw sending the bat tumbling backwards. She didnt let up, delivering a spinning kick to her that Rouge countered with a block. Rouge had not been paying attention and didn't see Bunnie's hips shift, delivering another powerful kick to her side stunning her. She ended her assault by delivering a crushing final drop kick to Rouge's stomach sending her crashing to the ground below. Rouge got up looking undamaged and was ready for more.
Meanwhile the battle with Shadow and Sonic began. Shadow was as quick as lighting unleashing a barrage of hits on Sonic. Sonic had no choice but to ditch his cloak, exposing his horrible secret for everyone. As Sally gazed at him her mouth opened to scream but no sound came out. On the left side of Sonic's head which he had covered up was a large growth attached to him. It resembled skeletal muscle and organ tissue intertwined together. It spread across his body like a sick disease. Even his heart seemed grossly huge as its beats made ripples on his skin. His right arm was warped from a normal limb to a long tentacle-like appendage with threw razor sharp metal claws at the end. But all this was not what made Sally horrified. The growth on his face had taken on an identity of its own. It had the features of Dr Robotnik's face, clinging to the side of his skull. It was horrible and demonic and repulsive. When Sonic spoke Robotnik's face moved along with his muscles, mimmicing facial movements.
Shadow rushed in throwing a punch at Sonic which he ducked back to avoid it but suddenly was nailed from behind the back. He was moving so fast he was creating optic illusions. Sonic felt himself getting pelted from every direction. He couldn't even keep up with Shadow's movements and he seemed to be getting faster. Sonic's mutated arm shot out on instinct grabbing Shadow by the neck, catching the black hedgehog by surprise. Using the limbs enormous strength, Sonic slammed him to the ground and then flung him. Sonic took off with a sonic boom and landed on Shadow as he was still flying backwards. He grabbed onto him feeding his fists into his face. Shadow headbutted him off of him, planting his feet back on the ground. Shadow rushed forth to land a haymaker to the side of his head, as Sonic dodged with a hard kick to his knee. Shadow buckled, as Sonic slammed into him with a spindash. Sonic's power and speed was catching up to Shadow, dragging him through the dirt and mud.
" Chaos control! "
A light shined from Shadow's eyes, instantaneously teleporting out of his spindash. Sonic's body froze, grinding to a complete stand still. Shadow was snickering.
" What? Whats going on?! "
" Heheh...they call me Shadow for a reason. "
Sonic looked down and he saw his shadow pinned to the ground by his. He leapt at the pinned Sonic and pounded away on him. His punches felt like being hit by an iron pipe all over. Sonic struggled against the hold he had on him, his body refusing to move. After feeling a chop to the back of his head, Sonic felt his mind go numb. The pain was gone and he was starting to lose consciousness. The deformity of his face suddenly sprang to life with a life of its open, a hand shot out of its mouth and grabbing Shadow by the face. It clamped down, attempting to crush his skull. He squirmed, feeling its grip tightening like cement. He lost concentration and dropped the shadow trick and kicked himself away. Shadow made a few hand movements and his shadow changed shape. He made it turn solid and reshaped itself into two black triangles floating in mid air.
" Die you freak! "
They exploded into a forest of a thousand black spears coming down on him. Sonic did a back flip, speeding off. The spears followed him, slicing into the ground wherever they landed. They were able to keep up at his speed as he zig zagged across the battlefield, each second he felt one graze his body. Shadow was impressed he was able to keep this up so long. He snapped his fingers, warping another piece of his shadow into a square. They broke off into tiny littler squares and came at him. They were razor sharp Sonic realized as a stray one had managed to slice through the side of his shoulder. They surrounded Sonic trapping him.
" You got no way out now, blue hedgehog! " he said with a sneer.
" Oh yeah? "
Sonic sprung high into the air leaping above his trap and raced like a speeding bullet at Shadow. He flicked his wrist, recalling his shadows and reshaped them into a new form. He had made them into a layer of armor around himself. When Sonic went to strike him in the face he almost busted his hand against his hard shell.
Meanwhile Bunnie and Rouge were still battling it out. Both exchanging punches back and forth, metal pounding against metal. Rouge was a great fighter, possibly more than herself. But there was a ferocious anger in her eyes. There were questions that needed answering.
" Ya really don't seem to like me. Not that ah take it personal, but you seem to know some things ah don't. "
Rouge stopped her attack. " How dare you forget " she said, now fuming. " Don't you remember me? Us? What we had? "
Bunnie looked at her liked a deer in headlights. What the hell was she talking about?
" We used to be best friends a long time ago. We were partners in crime. The best treasure hunters in all of Mobius! But then one day Robotnik came and did this...to us! "
She looked down at her metal hands in anger and disgust. Bunnie still wasn't quite understanding where this was going.
" Did what? "
"He robotisized us! We were the last ones! "
Bunnie was stunned. " You mean...you remember? "
" I remember everything. I was going to tell you something important on this one day. I told you to meet me at the top of the hill but you never came. Robotnik's forces took me and I called out for you but you did not abandoned me, and now I am like this because of you! "
" Wha-wait Rouge, I- "
She didnt wait for her to finish, delivering a hard kick to her groin. Though she wasn't a guy and was mechanical, it still hurt just as bad. Bunnie couldnt fight her any more. She had to know the truth.
" Wait Rouge! Ah really have no memories of you or how this happened to me. "
" I don't care. Just shut your cow mouth! " she snapped, giving her a hard slap across the mouth.
Nobody. But. NOBODY. Hits Bunnie. She went ballistic slapping Rouge back. Rouge responded back with a harder slap and they exchanged furious slaps. Sonic had his hands full trying to escape Shadow's blows. Everytime he punched back it felt like hitting a wall made of diamond. But he soon spotted his akilles heel. His eyes were not protected. How could he make this work? Then he got a plan. He let Shadow get close to him and he made himself a dirty snowball and whipped Shadow hard in the eyes.
" Augh! You cheap bastard! " he cursed as he was blinded momentarily. Sonic didnt waste no time and came at him with a hard punch slamming into his face breaking through the armour. It cracked and crumbled off his body, his concentration now lost. Sonic's hands became a blur pounding away on his face. Shadow dropped to the ground spititng blood from his mouth. As Sonic leapt, Shadow attacked with razor sharp hairs sticking into him. He wasn't hurt all that bad but god did the sting.
" When hedgehogs feel threatened their fur become sharp needles as a natural defense. "
" You wanna play hardball, eh? Well I'll give you some motion. "
He blindly charged forward. Shadow didn't have time to attack as Sonic pinned him to the ground. One arm around his neck and another under his chest fur. But then Sonic went pale. He had felt something, something that was not supposed to be there. Something soft and squishy. Shadow's face went red and he punched him off.
" Y-your...a girl..! " he stammered.
Shadow frowned, brushing the snow off himself. " Of course I am you nimrod. Don't I look like one too you? "
" To be honest, you could pass for either " he replied, looking him over. " Robotnik made you to look like an ambiguous shim, huh?"
Shadow shrugged. " I don't care for petty things like gender, blue hedgehog. The doctor designed me to be perfect, and I am! "
Shadow came at Sonic to deliver a smashing blow. He caught her punch, holding her in place.
" Wait! Why are we fighting? We don't have to be doing this! "
" I have my orders, nothing personal " Shadow replied as she kneed Sonic between the legs.
Rouge and Bunnie were down on their hands and knees now panting hard. Their faces were dented in from getting hit and they were sore all over. Sparks flashed from damaged joints.
" I..have to get..revenge! " said Rouge through her breaths.
" Stop it! Ah...dont want fight...anymore! "
" You deserve every bit of this and more! "
" Listen! Ah was willing to be your friend back then and ah'm willing to be yours now. Why do you defend Robotnik for what he did to you? "
" Robotnik is all I have left in this world. He gives me purpose, he keeps me alive. I could not rise against him if I tried. The man is just too powerful. "
Bunnie got to her feet. " We can beat him if we all work together. "
Rouge gave a dry laugh. " It doesn't matter how many of you there are. He's crushed all the rebellions that have risen against him. Do you not think he would take counter measures against treachery? All of us have safety chips in place to deactivate our minds if we ever tried. "
Rouge slowly rose, trying to pull out her arm blades for use. They were broken, and so were many of her other weaponry. One of her afterburners was damaged in the battle as well.
" Rouge, you said their was something you wanted to tell me that day. What was it? Ah need to know. "
She went silent, a look of shame washed over her. Bunnie went wide eyed when she saw her shed tears. " You weren't there! And what I wanted to say is ancient history. "
Bunnie pleaded for her to open up, but she was more angry than ever with her. She approached Rouge, one of her legs limping as she came closer. Those eyes infuriated Rouge. They still held that same innocence she knew her for. Not even the robotisizer could mask that. Bunnie placed one hand on her shoulder, giving her a deep knowing look.
At that moment Sonic was also trying to negotiate with Shadow to stand down. He had no problems dealing with machines, but a living being was something harder for him to deal with. Shadow was not one of Robotnik's usual toadies, nor was he another power hungry dictator trying to wrestle control for the land.
" Please Shadow, Robotnik experimented on me. I know the kind of life your living. You don't need to serve him. "
" Do not compare yourself to me. I was made glorious and perfect. You are just another one of his stepping stones. "
Sonic was getting angry now. This damned idiot was either blind or stupid. Robotnik wouldn't have made someone greater than himself.
" I don't want to kill you, but if you aren't going to listen to me then I'll have to make you!"
Shadow gave a stifled laugh, placing her hands on her hips. " You are running out of steam, Sonic. I have no such limits. If you give up now you'll make things easier for yourself. "
Sonic shook his head, smiling. " You go on and on about being perfect, but your just like everyone else. A dog who begs for scraps at his masters feet. "
" A dog?! "
That comment really made her mad. Using chaos control she teleported herself in front of him and made him her punching bag. Sonic kept smiling, letting her deliver punches and kicks to him. He gladly took the pain, enduring the punishment. This was infuriating Shadow further.
" Why dont you fight back! "
" I don't like hitting girls, especially damaged goods. "
Rouge pounced on Bunnie, her claws out trying to rip her eyes out. Bunnie grabbed her wrists and held her back.
" I'm not going to fall for your tricks, cow! " she snapped.
"Gosh dang it! Ah already told you I got nothin' to do with you gettin' robotisized. Now are you gonna tell me what I want to know or do ah have to hog tie ya? "
Rouge headbutted Bunnie in the noggin, sparking something deep inside. Memories long since buried and forgotten came rushing back into her like a dam bursting. She remembered being normal once upon a time, and there being another with her. The cloud started to lift. Yes, there was another, it was her that had stuck with her through the years. They had met when they were cornered by a group of Robotnik's forces. SWaT Bots had ambushed her village, and gathered up the citizens for robotisization. She had fled, powerless to fight them off but they caught her. Things seemed bleak until a winged mobian came down from the skies to her aid. They escaped together, and had become good friends. Rouge was a thief who thought of herself as a treasure hunter, stealing riches from wherever or whoever. Bunnie had lost her village, and didn't want to go back to being alone. She stayed with the bat thief, becoming her partner in crime.
They became an infamous duo, robbing sacred temples and Robotnik's storehouses. Despite the growing threat of Robotnik from all sides, Rouge seemed to not care. Bunnie had discussed on more than one occasion of joining the resistance groups but she didn't want none of it. Obligations and duty were something she wanted no part of. As long as they were together, nothing else mattered. They were often called the agents of hope, able to dig deep into Robotnik's territories and gather intel for freedom fighters and sovereign nations. For the right price of course.
But one fateful day changed everything for them. It was a clear autumn day, Bunnie had taken some time off from adventuring to make a home for herself. It wasn't fancy, a small burrow with a round door for the entrance. It was well hidden, far from civilization and the growing reach of Robotnik. It seemed like a safe place to be. One day Bunnie heard a knock at her door. When she opened it she found a note had been left for her. She kneeled down and picked it up. It had been a letter from Rouge. She was overjoyed, she hadn't heard from her in months. The letter was however cryptic and short. All it read was ' meet me at the hill - Rouge '. As Bunnie climbed out and made her way through the tall grass she was suddenly struck in the back by a gun shot. The very breath was sucked out of her as she fell to the ground paralyzed. Who should be holding the gun was General Colin Kintobor. He looked down on her frozen body with utter hate.
" Julian, I have the rabbit. Due to pick up " he said talking into his radio.
He grabbed her by the ears and dragged her like a sack of potatoes along the ground where he was picked up by the SWaT Bots. When Bunnie awoke she was inside a glass tube. The room was dark, and there were rows of empty pods waiting to be filled. A monitor activated showing Robotnik's face.
" You...! " she said with a dry whisper feeling a stab of pain where she was shot.
" Don't worry, my dear. I promise what comes next will be painless. "
Bunnie stared at the monitor as it switched to a camera view of Rouge inside a different robotisizer. She kicked and screamed banging on the glass but her cries went unanswered. A energy ring slowly emerged tearing at the clothes and flesh, replacing it with a cold metal frame. Bunnie banged on the glass as hard as she could in a fury to save her but the same thing was happening to her.
" Noooo! " she screamed.
She felt a sharp cold run through her body, slowly losing feeling. She ignored the numbing sensation, futilely pounding away on the glass. She watched her body begin to stiffen, her mind going dim. Robotnik walked out of the darkness. He was a younger man back then, healthy enough to not need the aid of machines to keep him alive. He was dressed in a dark red cloak with metal fins over his shoulders. He gave a sneer, toying with his mustache.
" Freedom is not for the weak. "
He grinned tapping the glass taunting his newest robotisized subject. Bunnie's eyes lit up red in fury and her fist smashed through the glass inches away from Robotnik's face. Steam leaked out fogging up the room with alarms now blaring. Bunnie pried open the glass and delivered a sharp blow to Robotnik knocking him out. Now free from her cage she began a wreckless rampage, tearing down everything before her. She escaped through an emergency hatch, falling through a long shaft. The city was raised high in the sky as she found herself falling out of a water chute, the ground quickly catching up to her.
Her metal body helped her survive a fall that would have meant instant death, but she did not walk away from it undamaged. After laying for what seemed like days almost, she managed to pick herself up and trek aimlessly through the harsh barren lands. Robotnik soon caught up with her, his forces unrelenting to destroy the mistake he made. A stray missile opened up a crack in earth, swallowing the metal rabbot up. They searched the hole for her, and any openings nearby to see if she had escaped. Unable to find a body, they relented, believing the renegade creation to have been destroyed.
Bunnie had not died. Her body was buried under piles of rocks, inadvertently saving her from detection. She didnt know how long she had been down there for. Days? Months? Years? Time seemed to not exist down there, in the cold darkness. When she came to she stumbled around blindly. Her vision systems had been damaged and she could not see very well. She felt her way through the blackness, clutching at the slick walls. A small stream pooled down here where small creatures had taken up home, undisturbed.
She found a small crack in the wall the lead into a narrow tunnel. She followed the tunnel as it weaved through the earth until she came across a light at the end. She had crept slowly towards it. She felt the batteries on her begin to shut down, feeling so very very tired but pressed on. She looked up to where this light was coming from. There was no hole in the cieling for daylight to creep in and there were no mirrors present she could see that would be reflecting the light from anywhere else. She felt her legs give out and she then crawled into the small beam of light.
" So...tired...visions getting blurry..so cold... " she whispered to herself before lying still. A large being emerged from the light. He was a large creature who was the oldest myth of Mobius. He bore two powerful tusks with two great big ears for hearing. It was the same being that had visited Sally at the begining stages of her journey. It was Mogul. He looked down upon her broken heavy body.
" Such sorrow...such pain... " he said. " Your will to live has brought you here. A path between beginnings and endings...a pity you are not awake to realize this moment. Your strong will to live has fought against the shackles placed on you, it would be a shame if your journey were to end here. You have earned the right to go on to fight another day. Your memories up until you wake up will be put away until the time is right for you to know the truth...now go! "
He outstretched his hands, a white heavenly light filling the room. Bunnie opened her eyes, back to reality. She looked at Rouge not knowing what to say. She tried to speak but no words would come out. She looked blankly at Rouge still locked fiercely in battle. Bunnie grunted and shoved her off.
" CHAOS CONTROL! " Shadow commanded. Time froze around Sonic for a split second, as he felt himself hit all over by punches and kicks. Shadow grinned and dark flames lit up in her hands and began to throw them at the hedgehog. He evaded easily enough, but then she revealed another one of her talents. Her body morphed into a long growing consuming shadow. Sonic could do nothing but run and so did the others. As he looked behind all he could see was a growing forest of black tentacles swarming after him.
" Think hedgehog! Think! If she uses shadows then what can beat a shadow? Light would, but where am I gonna find light around here? "
His mind raced and he looked up in the sky and saw a sliver of light seep out of the cloud covered sky but it wasnt doing anything. He had to somehow escelate the brightness but that's when he got an idea. He rolled into a buzzsaw and tunneled into the ground. Generating intense heat from his speed he was able to incinerate the sand and rock around him forming a deep hole. The sandstone walls turned to glass, reflecting the light. Sonic had created the perfect trap that Shadow had fell for. Her shadow trip had been trumped. Shadow merely grinned once she realized what happened.
" Alright hedgehog, I admit that was impressive. However I am still more than a match for you! "
Both hedgehogs came flying towards eachother, slamming into eachother head first and then flying backwards. Shadow was the first to get to her feet staggering slightly. Sonic was losing his patience now, knowing this opponent was wearing him down and was not going to stop. The fight with Rouge and Bunnie was still at a stand still, with Rouge waiting for her to make her next move. Bunnie just let her arms go to her side and gave her a warm grin.
" You win " she said pleasently.
" W-wha? "
" Ah don't wanna fight you no more. That bump on mah noggin' helped me remember some things. You win. "
" So not only are you a coward for not saving me but your a quitter as well! "
Bunnie gave a deep sigh, nursing her damaged arm. " Your right...ah am a quitter here, but I ain't a coward. It was 'cuz of you that ah fought so hard to go on. Ah'm sorry I wasnt there for you that day. Ah saw you robotisized and mobius knows ah would've done anything to be able to have the power ah have today then so none of us would suffer like this. "
Rouge looked at her with the haze of confusion clouding over her eyes. She blinked a couple times and stepped back. " You mean that? "
Bunnie smiled warmly. " Robotnik hurt us both. There's no reason for us to blame each other for what happened. When he's gone we can go back to the way things used to be. "
" Robotnik is not one to be taken lightly " she warned. " He is most likely monitoring us this very moment. His genius is matched only his maliciousness. "
" Robotnik isn't as scary as you think he is. He couldn't take away our freedom, nor the love that we share as friends! "
Another tear leaked from Rouge's eyes. Listening to her was making her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time; Hope.
Sonic was through playing around, making one last attempt to change Shadow's mind about serving Robotnik.
" I really dont want to hurt you, Shadow. But if you keep this up...I just might lose control and that's something I dont want to do " he said, his face tightening. Shadow just scoffed at his words and came at him, her fists charged up to pound his skull into a pulp. Sonic growled, the growth on his face cracked a devilish grin. Sonic's eyes went small with bloodshot veins crawling along white eyes. He burst out laughing insanely with his tongue hanging, an evil bloodlust taking over. He came at Shadow, his speed now twice as fast it was before. His mutated right arm grabbed Shadow by the face and slammed her through the wall. His grip held on, yanking her back out slugging her hard in the stomach making her cough blood up. Sally gazed on in horror. Sonic had suddenly switched from a cool compassionate hedgehog to a complete psycho.
" WHASSA MATTER SHADOW?! IS THIS NOT WHAT YOU WANTED? " Sonic screamed sending blow after blow to Shadow.
The claws on Sonic's right arm slashed her back open, sending her down onto her knees.
" No..I have to stop this" Sally said to herself.
She took off after them running as hard as she could. The more blood Sonic drew from Shadow the more dangerous he became. Sally slid down the still warm glass slope Sonic had carved out of the rock.
" Stop! " she yelled racing towards them.
Lupe had just noticed what Sally was doing as she finally managed to yank the net off of Antoine. Sally threw herself between the two of them, trying to stop the match.
" Stop it! Snap out of it! " she pleaded.
Sonic snarled, raising his deformed claw in the air.
" G-get out of here...he's a monster.. " said Shadow pleading her to run.
" No, I've been watching you and Rouge this whole time and I can tell you two aren't evil like your master. Please stop fighting! "
Shadow smiled weakly at the princess. ' She has spirit, I'll give her that ' she thought to herself. She looked back at Sonic, about to rip Sally apart. Shadow moved quick and yanked Sally out of harms way.
" The princess must not be harmed! Not by anyone. "
Sonic gave a crazed laugh, the growth spreading across his face further. His arm was also growing longer, the claws curling outwards. Rouge saw what was about to happen, and threw herself into the fray. The bat girl came down like a stream of light to Shadow and Sally's aid. Sonic's razor claws shot forward like a bullet, Sally shutting her eyes waiting for the inevitable. Time seemed to slow down in these next few moments. Rouge pushed Sally out of the way, Sonic's arm tearing through her chest and through poor Shadow. Bunnie's eyes widened in horror. Images of her pounding on the robotisizer trying to save Rouge and Rouge getting hit just now shot through her mind violently. Tears fell from the sides of her eyes and she collapsed ot the ground.
" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! " she screamed.
Antoine and Lupe were horrified at what Sonic had done. Sonic looked on at as if waking up from some kind of dream, his bloodlust subsiding. He blinked and looked at what he had done. His face went pale and his jaw dropped. Rouge looked up at Bunnie giving her the smile she gave her.
" I'm sorry...that day when we were taken...I wanted to tell you..I wanted to tell you...I love you. I always have ever since you the day you treated me with kindness that nobody else showed...I-I.."
The lights in Rouge's eyes went out and her body went limp. Shadow looked up at the sky.
" At last...we are free " she said letting go and slumping over dead. Sonic's arm retracted to its original length, the face on his growth grinned wickedly. Sonic collapsed to the ground shaking staring at the blood on him.
" Omygod...what have I done.. "
He looked over at Sally who was now full of fear. A tear fell from his eye.
" I'm sorry...please just stay away! I'm a monster and I'll end up killing you all! Please just everyone leave me alone! " Sonic said choking up at what he had done and then blasted off to the horizon.
Sally didnt know what to think now. He was not the Sonic she loved, he tried to kill her. But it was as almost as if he was being controlled against his will...as if he was being posessed by some kind of demon. But then she remembered the terrible face he tried to hide under his hood. The face of Robotnik.
" Robotnik... " Sally uttered to herself. She stared at the horizon, Sonic already gone from sight. She looked down at the two bodies layed out before her, feeling anger. These two had been tortured their entire lives by him, broken and forced to be slaves. They did their duty, but they were not evil. She made a promise that day to avenge them, and to never again let Robotnik destroy another life.
