CHAPTER 22

Friends

As night fell they managed to find some shelter to escape the cold. Everyone was very quiet that night. They spoke very little. Bunnie had taken Rouge's body and buried her deep in the ground and Lupe. Sally and the others gave their own respectful burial rights to Shadow. As Bunnie sat in the dark corner the moments of a few hours past played over in her mind. Sonic who had slain them both in one strike and then that smile she gave her.

' I wanted to tell you..I wanted to tell you...I love you. '

The words were kind and pure. Bunnie had healed her of her bitterness, but now those kind words stung hard against her heart. She tried with all her might to hate Sonic but she knew to hate him was to hate Robotnik. The monster who destroyed their lives, and separated them. Antoine looked at the faces of everyone as he was lost in his own confusion and contemplation. What happened was a rude wake up call for what Robotnik was doing. It wasn't just conquest, but the slow death of everyone on Mobius. He wanted to make them all suffer until the end. Antoine himself thought back to his past, how he had no family to speak of. He came from royalty, a family that had been murdered by Robotnik's generals in a long struggle.

He had to fight on his own to survive mostly. He wandered the world, often joining in rag tag groups like these to fight Robotnik. It seemed each time he would make friends they would be taken away from him, one by one. Their faces still haunt his dreams at night. Seeing their faces contorted in shock and horror, theirs eyes pleading for him to save them. He often heard stories about people who had been able to sneak into the capital and escape, but none have ever laid eyes on its dark lord.

He became a great warrior, able to fight off the most dangerous of creatures that roamed the lands. His adventures could fill a library of books, ones that would be told to many future generations. Deep down he never wanted the mantle of a hero or champion, just to be a simple man and to have a family one day. Long gone were the great kingdoms of old, no longer were there mobians who lived in bristling metropolis's and skylines. It seemed their race was facing its end soon enough. By Robotnik's hand, or by nature itself, Mobius was doomed.

He looked over at Bunnie, sitting alone in a corner away from the group. He didn't blame her. He too knew the pain of losing people. She seemed so frail and small to him. She always acted tough and confident, but now she had withdrew into herself. He slowly got up and sat beside her. She didn't move or make eye contact. There was a long silence between them, until he spoke.

" In zee the end we never remember the words of our enemies but zee silence of our friends. "

" Antoine... "

" As warriors we often lose the ones we love zee most...but we must not abandon who we are of where we come from. As long as we keep fighting we are saving others from suffering zee same fate, mah ch'erie. "

" Ah know." she said clenching her eyes shut trying to hold back the tears.

" There eez no shame over mourning a loved one " he said, sympathetically holding her.

Bunnie cryed in Antoine's arms. This was the least he could do for not being much help then. Sally seemed lost in a world of her own. Lupe silently sang a small song that seemed to fit the moment.

" Riding so free,

So far,

Into the morning stars of tomorrow.

Their journeys come to an end,

They have fallen,

But have risen to another road ahead.

The sun shines with grace,

So soft and warm.

Filling its love on us,

Comforting our hearts and drying our tears.

So far they ride,

Into the stars of tomorrow,

Shining so brightly in the blanket of heaven,

Singing and shining so happily.

Now we sleep,

Sleep our troubles away and calm our hearts,

For they will be our guides for the journeys of tomorrow,

Riding so free."

She finished and said no more. They simply watched the fire crackle and flicker against the night. At this time Robotnik's blood was boiling over the recent turn of events.

" That hedgehog...DAMNIT! "

Robotnik growled in fury as his best warriors lay dead before them. Not only had had they been defeated but they had betrayed him. Electricity crackled up and down the walls with hot steam blowing out from the holes in his machine. Colin looked at the monitors and then at his brother. They seemed formidable and they might give him some fun.

" Well, well, quite resilient aren't they? They've taken out Snively, Cirus, 8 Ball, Grim, Jives, Trainman, and now Shadow and Rouge. It looks like they're working their way up the food chain. Why not send me? I can deal with this lot. "

Robotnik raised his eyebrow at him surprised of his gesture. " So eager for the action my brother? "

Colin only grinned dryly at him. Robotnik chuckled to himself.

Colin chimed in. " You have weapons capable of destroying them from orbit. Your being an idiot for not using them. "

" Do not question my judgment! " he roared making poor Colin agonize some more.

" Now go! Bring back the princess unharmed and if you fuck up this time...I'll paper the walls with your hide, dear brother... "

Colin got up trying to salvage his tattered dignity that was torn day in and day out by his loathsome brother and walked out. Although only Robotnik would suspect, nobody knew that Colin was subjected to powerful morphine drugs to suppress any form of pain at all. Pain would only slow him down and make him weak and his one goal was to become strong. He assumed his body would eventually adapt to the pain, thinking little of any side effects it might have on him. However, the damage Robotnik would do his psyche was something unfixable. The more he suffered beneath his brothers iron fist, the more he could feel himself slipping.

Colin was an extremist, pushing the limits of his body to the brink and beyond. Through Robotnik's machines he was able to enhance his muscles and senses. He was determined to become what people would often fantasize about throughout history and science. To evolve oneself to a super human. Though Colin was not a man or science or religion he was convinced that put under the right circumstances it would be possible to surpass the might of homo sapien and become something far greater. Only a super human had the right to wear the status of godhood.

Due to Colin's unusual genetic makeup and him not aging beyond his mid 20's, Robotnik was convinced that Colin somehow inherited a cell that obtained the recipe ot the fountain of youth. Eternal youth went hand in hand with his idea of true immortality. Something he was confident he would eventually crack the formula to.

Colin himself was always considered to be the true genius in the family. Despite this, he always felt there was something missing in his life. A greater calling. He may not be as egotistical as Julian but he considered mobians and humans alike to be irrelevant irritating pests who do not deserve the chance to live. Colin helped bring both their doom, all insects to him. He would stomp them flat without a second thought while Robotnik would like to watch them squirm under a magnifying glass.

He took the elevator to top ground where he came to a private garage of his filled with all sorts of his own little gadgets he made. He plopped himself down into his motorbike. The front resembled a sea shell and the back looked like a bat outstretching its wings. He planted himself down firmly, the bike coming to life with a belch of fire. The hunt was about to begin.

When morning came Antoine showed them a passage way underneath the caves that had lead to catacombs under the ground that went all over Mobius.

" Antoine, why didn't you tell us about this sooner?" asked Lupe annoyed.

" There was no accessible entries, my dear. "

" So where are we going? " asked Sally.

" A safe place. I want you to meet a friend of mine. He has helped me out many times and I'm sure he will help you. "

" I've heard stories of tunnels underneath the ground where the breath of Mobius blows" said Lupe stroking her hand along the smoothened walls.

Antoine lead them through a maze of darkness, a place where one could easily get lost and die in. Many tunnels had collapsed, as others had remains of bones from mobians who hid down here. After following a stream, he lead them to a wide open room with a large dome roof. A single beam of light shined down on a black pool in the center of the room. Sally looked at the still water, unable to see anything. She then turned to Antoine confused.

" So, where is he? " she asked.

" He'll be along " said Antoine with a smirk.

They looked at the water and saw a great dark figure move in the water. Lupe jumped back startled grabbing hold of her hammer. Then with a great splash of water drenching them the figure showed himself. Sally's jaw dropped in disbelief. Antoine had lead them to her old friend, Rotor. But this Rotor looked almost nothing like the one she knew and worked with. This Rotor was an absolute giant! He was around eight feet tall in height, extremely built and strong. His shoulders were massive, with long arms that draped down to his feet. His front features were chiseled like iron, his chest and muscles shaped to perfection.

His eyes were deep white pearls, with two long curled tusks hanging from each side of his mouth. He wore a small black bowler hat on his head, giving him a comical air of a gentleman. He glared at Antoine, his giant fists tightening.

" Who are these people?!| " he demanded. " Why have you brought them here? "

Antoine approached him, removing his helmet. " Calm down, my old friend. These are my friends! "

Rotor slammed his fist against the wall, giving the room a shake.

" I don't care who they are! This place is secret. It was meant to be shared between you and me only. Now you have brought strangers into my home. "

Antoine gave a nervous laugh, trying to break the tension. " There eez no reason for hostilities my friend. They are all great fighters who have helped save my life! "

Rotor frowned, his rage subsiding. He climbed out of the pool, towering over them. He approached Sally, eyeing her up. One thing he had noticed was how ' clean ' she seemed to look. No sign of scars, or slave numbers. He wanted to hear their story before he made any decision.

Each of them made their introductions to him, giving abridged details of how each of them and their travels up into this point. Rotor listened, nodding slowly. He trusted Antoine, and each of their stories seemed to connect. If he was willing to give them a chance then they should be safe to speak with.

" Very well, you can stay " he said. " Since I have heard all your names, you may call me Rotor. "

Sally shook his large hand, extending a smile to him. She found another piece to the puzzle. One more freedom fighter reunited with. But would he help them?

" So, you have been helping Antoine? " she asked, trying to spark conversation.

" Antoine saved me from capture a long time ago. After the ice caps melted I migrated down south looking for civilization. I was unaware of what had happened in the world, and was captured for slave labor. Luckily there weren't many SWaT Bots at the time. Antoine had lead them away and was able to break me out of a pod I was placed in.

After that, I followed a river into a channel of caves that I knew would hide me from further capture. There I could be safe and observe the world privately. I might not look it, but I am a quick learner and was quickly able to figure out Robotnik's machines and adapt them to my own uses. "

Sally gave a slow nod. It made sense, Rotor from her world was also an inventor. But she couldn't tell him that, not yet.

" So you always stay inside these caves? "

" I am safe inside these caves " he said. " If Robotnik ever tried looking for me in here it would take him years to navigate every inch of these tunnels. I have devices planted all over the countryside that let me tune in to his stations. "

Sally reached out and held onto his large hands. She looked up into his eyes, him looking at her puzzled.

" I need your help. I'm looking for someone out there. He's all alone and he needs our help. "

Rotor looked at her questionably and saw a stone cold iron will behind those eyes. He gave a wry smile, giving a sigh.

" That is easier said than done. It's hard tracking individuals down. "

Antoine looked over at Sally giving her a glare.

" You cant be serious. "

" Yes...yes I am, Antione " she said glaring at him back.

Antoine shook his head and crept back inside himself listening to the conversation play out among other things. As Sally explained Rotor's face seemed to show more and more interest hanging off to every word she was saying. He didnt get many visitors so when they talked he listened.

" Well if he's fast then that could be a problem...he might move quicker than my computers can read for movement " he said rubbing his chin. But then he smiled.

" But I'm sure Robotnik could lend us a hand! "

He pressed against the wall which slid in. The sound of gears within the wall were heard cranking and turning. The stone walls around them unfolded revealing computers.

" Wow! " said Bunnie, who couldn't find any other words.

Rotor quickly went to work typing away on many keyboards for their hedgehog. It was almost dizzy to watch how fast his hands moved on them. Rotor sent a jamming signal to Robotropolis blocking out all firewalls and trackers so that Robotnik couldn't home in on him. He only had a minute before he would get found out so it was very risky business. He successfully was able to take control of one of the satellites and scanned the areas of Mobius for any high speeding objects.

" This is odd. I'm detecting two high speed objects. Ones far away approaching our way and another nearby approaching some mountains. I'd say the one nearby is our target. Probably looking for shelter" Rotor said shutting everything down just before the timer ran out.

" Well this Sonic person is about half a days walk from here east towards the Black Mountain. The mountain emits powerful magnetic waves, so Robotnik cant get near that area. "

Sally formally bowed.

" Well that's that I guess " said Lupe tiredly turning to leave.

Sally looked at Rotor with her big glue eyes. She shook, feeling like crying.

" Um, is there something wrong? " he asked.

Sally collapsed crying. The others had rushed over.

" Vwat is it? Vwat is zee matter? " asked Antoine.

Sally smiled letting her tears flow.

" I'm just happy that I was able to find all of you! " she said happily.

Lupe and Bunnie gave warm smiles while Antoine and Rotors shared some sort of puzzlement. Sally got to her feet regaining her composure and blurted out what had been laying heavy on her heart. She told them both the truth. Of how she woke up transported into another world where they all were alternate reality versions of her friends. Of how they all shared a tight bond as close as any family. That her quest had been to find them all. Rotor was absolutely stunned by this revelation. Antoine's eyes that were hidden under his helmet were wide.

" Another world... "

Rotor was long and silent eyes blank and open. Antoine was the first to speak up.

" So that's zee story huh? What bull. "

Those words stung hard for her.

" So I am to believe that you are magically poof to here yet you know all of us. I say hah! and hah! to you again. "

Bunnie angrily glared at him.

" Vwat? She is obviously crazy. How can you all believe a story " he said waving his arms.

Lupe spoke up.

" Because, when someone tells the truth you can look into their eyes and you just know they are being honest and they can be trusted " she said.

"Ah honestly didn't expect you to be a jerk but ah guess we lucked out " said Bunnie.

Antoine tried to muster something convincing to say to prove them wrong but nothing came. This all sounded so ridiculous to him. How could anyone believe her story. He looked up at Rotor.

" Rotor! Are you with them as well? " he said angrily.

Rotor looked down at Sally looking into her eyes carefully. He patted her on the head smiling.

" It doesn't matter, Antoine. If that's what she thinks I have no issue with it. "

Sally smiled warmly at him. " Thank you. "

They all looked at Antoine. He sighed heavily.

" I refuse to believe the story " he said shrugging. " I retract my insult, but I refuse to accept such a foolish tale. "

Lupe and Bunnie gave him nasty looks. He glared back. " I don't have to believer her story, but that doesn't mean I am still not going to help her! "

That seemed to be the best answer they were going to get out of him. As he said, it didn't really matter what he believed. They were all here, and that was enough for Sally.

" Well then friend, will you accompany us? " said Lupe outstretching her hand.

Rotor had a look of worry and of unease. The world outside was dangerous, but he could not hide forever. He had to take action, perhaps helping them would be his chance to do some good.

" I suppose you could use my help " Rotor said. " At least, until we find you a way home. "

" Don't worry, Rotor. I won't let you ever get captured " Sally said, promising.

This gave him some confidence, nodding in agreement. He picked Sally up like nothing and propped her on his shoulder. Sally had a content smile on her face. Another one found. All that was left was Sonic. But things would not be so easy from here on out.

Colin was on his bike blasting across the badlands. He had a devious smirk on his face thinking of what he'll do to them once he catches up with them.

" You had better gather up all the friends you can find Princess!"