Chapter 43
Shadow leads all of them into the city, most of it in ruins except for the Crimson Tower and the factory down the way. They needed to be quiet during this mission since there were a lot of Robotnik supporters within the city. "There, that's the entrance to get inside the tower." Tails pointed out from their vantage point. They can all see that the tower is heavily guarded,
"I take it those are the drones," Amy pointed out noting the red drones to the side near the tower.
"If we do this right, hopefully the debris from the tower will destroy those drones." Blaze said,
"I say we put a charge in the center of them just to make sure we destroy as many as possible." Shadow said,
"We'll leave that bomb to you then," Cream said as she nods,
"It isn't dark enough to go in stealthy," Tails said trying to think of a plan,
"Then I say we knock the door down," Amy said getting out his hammer,
"I'd agree with you, if it were all seven of us…" Blaze said,
"Then we do it Sonic's way." Shadow said as they all look at her confused, "I be a distraction while you all get in and set the bombs."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Shadow?" Cream asked,
"I'm just as fast as Sonic and I can avoid their fire." She said holding out her hand to Tails, "Give me one of the bombs to set around the drones."
"Alright Shadow," Tails said handing her one of the explosives, "Try to be safe."
"I will," She puts the explosive in her bag, "Wait for the entrance to clear and head inside. Let me know when you set the bombs." She said as they all nod and she warps away,
"I can't believe Shadow is doing a mission Sonic's way…" Amy said sounding shocked,
"It's because Sonic's not here to get into trouble," Tails teased as they hear the sound of gunfire and panicked cries of alarm as robots are destroyed. They look around the tower to see smoke from destroyed robots as they quickly move closer to keep an eye on the door.
"It seems to be working." Blaze said as they see the guards posted in front of the door leave their posts to help with the commotion. They all quickly head inside where there were a few people remaining,
"Stop where you are! You're not authorized to be in here!" One of them said as they point their weapons,
"Amy and I will hold them off." Blaze said as her hands light on fire, "You two get those set." She said as Amy swings his hammer knocking one of the men away,
"By order of Robotnik! We demand you stop!" One of them says as Tails and Cream fly up as Blaze gives them cover with flames.
"Not going to happen!" Amy said swinging at another knocking their weapon out of their hands. Tails and Cream start to set the charges while avoiding fire.
"I got my two in, how are you doing Tails?" Cream called out as Tails was finishing up her last one,
"How's it going outside Shadow?" Blaze asked over the coms,
"Everyone out here is distracted," Shadow said,
"And I'm done! Everyone let's go!" Tails said, "Hey we're bringing this tower down weather you like it or not, so you better run!" Tails tried to warn the people within the tower,
"If we're going down, we're taking you with us!" One of them said aiming a shot at the bomb Tails was close to as it explodes blasting her back and destroying one of the pillars,
"Tails!" Cream cries out,
"You two get out of here, I'll get Tails!" Amy said running over to her.
"Shadow, Tails is hurt! We need backup!" Blaze said as some of the others block the exit. She warps to the entrance and knocks them out of the way.
"I'll keep the entrance clear, go to the rendezvous site!" Shadow said as Cream grabs Blazes' hands and flies her outside.
"What about you?" Blaze calls back,
"I'll get the others," She said as Amy fights his way to Tails and drops his hammer to check on her. She took a blow to the head and was unconscious but was breathing alright. But if he didn't hurry she'd bleed out due to the head wound. He changes his hammer to his staff and tries to quickly heal her enough to move her safely. Shadow notices that they were becoming surrounded, "Amy look out!" She tried to warn him, but it was too late. One of the guards had his weapon to Amy's head.
"Hands up!" The man said as Amy hesitated before he stopped healing Tails and putting his hands up, "You too!" He looks over at Shadow, "If you don't want their blood on your hands, surrender now!" Shadow glared as she assessed the situation. They had Amy at gun point and Tails was out of commission. She puts her hands up knowing she wouldn't be able to take them all out before he injured Amy. She at least knew Cream and Blaze would be able to warn Elias.
"Shadow, run! Get out of here!" Amy yelled,
"Shut your mouth!" The man yelled striking Amy in the back of the head with his weapon,
"Hey!" Shadow yelled as two of the men grab her arms,
"Make sure they are restrained and locked up." He gave orders as two other men grab and restrain Amy as he picks up Tails,
"Don't you hurt her!" Shadow yelled as they cuff her wrists behind her.
"Oh, I'm not going to hurt her, she's just incentive for you two to behave while I report all of this to Dr. Robotnik." He smiles,
"Captain Fang, the other two got away." One of the men said,
"It doesn't matter, Robotnik will be happy either way. Take them away!" He said. They drag Amy and Shadow to a locked room as he takes Tails upstairs.
"Blaze, they're all captured what do we do?" Cream said letting her down as they look back,
"We get to the helicopter and report back to Elias on what he wants us to do next. With the tower still up they will be mobilizing the new drones soon and we shouldn't be here when that happens… right now there's nothing we can do for them." Blaze said as Cream nods and they head back to the helicopter.
"I really hope Tails is okay…" Cream said,
"We heal fast, so she'll be okay." Blaze said, "I'm more worried about what Elias is going to say,"
Back at Freedom HQ, Saya and Kolt left the Alter room to go spar for a bit as everyone else in the training room can't help but watch them. "You're getting faster!" Saya said,
"I've been practicing, too bad it's still not enough to land a hit on you." He said as she ducks under his swing and trips him.
"Still need to be better at keeping your footwork," She said holding out her hand to help him back up, "But I'm still impressed, Espio is definitely training you well."
"Thanks, I did have a bit of some free time." He said taking her hand and she pulls him to his feet. "Maybe he can give you some pointers."
"I'll take any pointers that'll help me not get captured." She jokes as both of their communicators start buzzing, "Hey Elias, what's up?"
"Get to the briefing room now." He said as Saya looks at Kolt and they both sprint to the briefing room.
"What's going on?" Kolt asked as they burst through the door.
"I just got word from Blaze that the mission was a failure." Elias said,
"What happened?" Saya asked as both of them look concerned,
"Shadow was keeping most of the guards distracted while the others set up the bombs. One of them shot a bomb and it knocked out Tails. She, Amy and Shadow have been captured…" He said,
"Tails got hurt?" Kolt said,
"Amy was attempting to reach her when they got surrounded." Elias explained as Saya's face goes dark,
"You're letting us go help right?" Kolt asked,
"I would rather not risk more of you getting caught. Blaze and Cream are waiting for Rogue and Omega to get there so we can come up with a plan," Elias said,
"You can't expect us to just sit here!" Saya yelled,
"Did you already forget the amount of targets on your back? I understand you want to help but getting yourselves captured along with them won't help. Especially since now the drones are online." He said,
"All the more reason for us to go. You said it yourself the drones aren't as fast as me, I can get past them. What are you going to do if the others get caught?" Saya said,
"I'm sorry, but it's far too risky for you to go out there." Elias said as Saya clutches her fist, "You both will be confined indoors until they are rescued. In case you get any bright ideas to go off on your own."
"C'mon Saya, we can go to the computer room and keep an ear out for them." Kolt said putting his hand on her shoulder trying to calm her down. She brushes his hand away and storms out of the room,
"Please keep an eye on her." Elias asked,
"She's not the only one that's mad," Kolt said as he goes to open the door and breaks the handle, "Damnit!" He yells as he forces the door open. Elias lets out a sigh as he leaves,
"Why are they all so hot headed?" He said to himself,
"Saya wait!" Kolt runs after her as she turns to him,
"You're not going to stop me." She said,
"Stop you? Saya, Elias just told us we're not allowed to go outside. How exactly do you expect to get there?" Kolt asked as she grins,
"Did you forget that I'm the fastest thing alive? Who said I was going out the front door?" Saya chuckles.
"What about your Emerald? Tikal said it might take time to charge." He said,
"Good thing we spent all that time hanging out next to the Master Emerald." She said showing her Chaos Emerald was fully charged. Kolt knew at this point there was no changing her mind and the best thing he could do was try to stay with her and keep her safe.
"Let me come with you. Elias did say I should keep an eye on you." He grins back,
"Deal! But we gotta get going now before Elias tightens up security around the hangar bay." She said transforming and holding her hand out to him as he transform. "Hang on tight we gotta pick up speed for this to work." She said as he grabs her forearm and starts to float.
"Don't stop till we're outside." He said as she nods, her eyes start to glow with energy as she quickly starts running towards the hangar bay building up momentum. Everyone throughout the halls moves out of the way not knowing what just went past them as they make it to the Hangar bay. Sally sees the blue streak pass her.
"Close all outside exits!" She demands as Sonic and Knuckles were already running up the wall as they see the ceiling door beginning to close.
"Knux, Close your eyes!" Sonic said. Knuckles does so as she begins to glow with blue energy bursting forward at supersonic speed. They reach the surface going flying into the sky. Knuckles opens his eyes and begins gliding them back down to the ground as Sonic cheers and laughs,
"Elias is going to kill us later…" Knuckles said as they land,
"He'll have to get over it. I'm not sitting around while my best buddy is injured, and the others are captured." Sonic said stretching really quick as they see some of the guards leave the surface entrance running towards them yelling for them to come back, "Time to go!" She grabs Knuckles' hand and bursts forward towards Central City.
"They did what?" Blaze yelled hearing the news over the coms as she quickly facepalms… "Yes we'll keep an eye out for them…"
"What's wrong?" Cream asked,
"Sonic and Knuckles just ran out of HQ after being told to stay put…" She said, "Elias suspects we'll see them here in the next few minutes…"
"I expect this from Sonic… but Knuckles too?" Cream said,
"If Elias told them Tails was hurt then there's no way they were staying put. You saw how Knuckles reacted when Amy was injured, he took a bullet just to get him back." Blaze said,
"I'll keep an ear out if I hear them." Cream said,
"Hopefully, they try to find us first before running in…"
Back inside the tower, Captain fang was waiting for a response from headquarters as one of the other men tends to Tails' wounds as she lay unconscious. "After you're done be sure she's restrained, though I doubt she'll be waking up any time soon." Captain Fang instructed as the man nodded. The monitor changes as Dr. Robotnik appears on screen,
"Captain Fang, you had better have a good reason for contacting me at this time." He said as Captain Fang's posture stiffens up,
"I contacted you for a few reasons sir. The first is to inform you that earlier we were attacked by the Freedom Fighters." He said,
"What? How did they know the test launch was today? What's the damages?" He asked,
"A little over fifty percent of the Drones were destroyed." He said as Robotnik rages for a moment,
"Blast that blue Hedgehog!" He yells,
"Actually Sir, Sonic wasn't here." He said as Robotnik tilts his head,
"Is that so? I assume Knuckles wasn't there as well?" Robotnik asked as Captain Fang nods his head. "So I was correct in thinking if I put out bounties the boy would keep them hidden." He chuckles,
"I have even better news sir." Captain Fang said as Robotnik turns his head with intrigue.
"And what would that be Captain?"
"Not only were we able to prevent the Freedom Fighters from blowing up the tower. We captured three of them." He said stepping aside showing Tails to Robotnik as he grins from ear to ear.
"My lad you are well on you way for a promotion! But I only see the Fox, you said you had three of them."
"I have Amy and Shadow locked in another room, I thought it best to separate one of them to keep the other two from attempting anything." Captain Fang explained as Robotnik laughs joyfully.
"Impressive! I'm having a shuttle sent to you immediately. If we're lucky, The lad won't let Sonic come to their aid giving us a short timeframe before she breaks out and comes after them on her own."
"Do you believe she'd really come here without backup?" He asked,
"I've known her for a long time and one of the things she could never do is stay put. Besides, we have her best friend. There's no way she wouldn't come." He said,
"How do you suggest I proceed while I wait for the shuttle to get here?" Captain Fang asked,
"First, separate Amy and Shadow. Make sure they don't know each other's locations. It will make it more difficult for them to attempt to escape. Use the experimental neutralizer I sent to all the locations on Shadow. It might not knock her out but should make her easier to transport. She'll be the most trouble and as the Ultimate Lifeform if she sees an opportunity she will take it. On top of that she's not as morally obligated as the others. If she has the means, she will kill you." Robotnik said,
"So use the others to keep her from resisting."
"You catch on quick! One last thing be sure that the drones are activated. They may not be able to catch Sonic, but the rest of her friends are not as quick." He said as Captain Fang salutes him, "I will be there shortly. Make sure the Fox stays alive." He ends the call,
"Go and separate Shadow and Amy. Make sure they are on different floors." He ordered as the men quickly move.
Downstairs Shadow and Amy were sitting against a wall as two men have their weapons aimed at them. Shadow was attempting to think of an escape plan. She knew that Captain Fang would keep Tails close to him as a hostage and if they attempt anything and fail it could cost her, her life. "At least let us know if our friend is okay." Amy glared,
"Shut up!" One of them yells,
"Captain has one of the men patching her up." The other said,
"Dude!"
"What? I'd want to know if one of you guys were okay." He shrugged, as both Shadow and Amy let out a sigh of relief, "See? Now they won't ask any more questions."
"You made me look bad!"
"Both of you shut up!" Another man walks in, "Cap want's them separated. Make sure he's blindfolded so he doesn't know this location." He said walking over to Amy and pulling him to his feet. Shadow was starting to realize how bad this was getting. If they are all separated it will be more difficult for rescue.
"Don't really feel like going somewhere else with you guys." Amy said resisting as one of the guards strikes him in the head with the back of their weapon.
"Try that again and I'll knock you out!" He yelled as Shadow attempts to stand up and gets pushed down,
"You knock him around again; you'll deal with me!" Shadow glared making her body glow threateningly as they all flinch for a moment feeling the malice coming from her.
"We know how to deal with you too." He pulls out a syringe,
"I dare you to try it." Shadow snarled,
"Resist and I shoot him." He threatened The other guard aims the weapon at Amy's head as she stops,
"Shadow don't!" Amy yelled, she stops fighting as he stabs the needle into her neck and injects her with an unknown substance.
"This should keep you foggy enough to stop you from fighting back," He said with a chuckle, as she shakes her head as she starts to feel drowsy,
"Shadow!" Amy yelled as they blindfold and drag him out of the room,
Cream and Blaze see a blue blur quickly approach them and stop as they see Sonic and Knuckles. Knuckles takes a moment to get his footing, "Chaos… I never want to run that fast again it feels like I have whiplash…" Knuckles said holding the back of his neck.
"Sorry, but we're a little pressed for time." Sonic said as Blaze smack her upside the head, "Ow!"
"Elias told you to stay put!" She yelled as Sonic's ears pin back looking at her with anger.
"Would you sit by if it was Cream in there and Elias told you the same thing?" Sonic growled as Blaze stops for a moment, her ears lower looking defeated,
"No…" she said letting out a sigh,
"You need me to get rid of those Drones. I can at least help with that." Sonic said,
"She has a point… They probably activated them already…" Cream said,
"Don't you side with her too…" Blaze moaned, "Fine! What's the plan?"
"Do you know how far out Rogue and Omega are?" Sonic asked,
"We're right here darling," Rogue said as her and Omega walk up, "But you're not supposed to be here." She crossed her arms,
"Save the lecture for later. If I know Egghead. Which I do. He's already on his way here to grab our friends. Meaning we're already pressed for time. On top of that, that Tower is mondo huge!" She said pointing at the tower,
"They could be anywhere…" Knuckles added,
"So we'll have to split up…" Blaze said,
"Groups, no one on their own," Sonic said, "Blaze and Cream stay together, Knux and I will stay together and Rouge and Omega your job is to get those drones offline."
"You came up with that plan fast!" Rogue said sounding impressed,
"I had some time to think on the run over here." Sonic smiles,
"You ran all the way here?" Omega said,
"My best friend, my girlfriend and Amy are in there. You better believe I ran the whole way here." Sonic said,
"Your plan doesn't take into account for the drones." Knuckles said,
"I'll run each group to the entrance and then we break the doors down and save our friends. Those guys won't be able to keep all of us pinned down."
"Sounds like a solid plan, I guess we're ready when you are." Cream said,
"Alright! Let's do it to it!"
Tails starts to open her eyes as her head throbs, she attempts to grab her head but realizes her hands are restrained behind her. She tries to move her head to get a better look at her surroundings, but the throbbing made her feel heavy. "You woke up faster than I was expecting." Captain Fang said,
"What happened? Where am I?" Tails asked trying to get free of the restraints,
"You're still in the tower, You got knocked out by that bomb you planted. It wasn't bright to warn your enemies and give them a chance to counter." He said,
"What happened to my friends?" She said,
"Two of them escaped, two of them are in separate places within the tower." He said as the computer blinks with a message, "And it seems your ride will be landing soon. Dr. Robotnik is overly excited to see you all. You'll be the perfect bait for Sonic." Tails looks worried hearing him say that.
Sonic quickly runs Blaze and Cream near the entrance of the base and does the same with Rogue and Omega before taking a quick breath after grabbing Knuckles, "You alright Hun? You're looking a little burnt out," Rogue asked as Sonic gives her a thumbs up,
"Takes a lot to carry five people across a city. I just need to take a moment." She said as they wait for a moment as she exhales, "All better, you all ready? I'll keep the drones off everyone as we charge inside." She said as they all nod,
"We better start now." Knuckles said pointing at the aircraft flying towards the tower,
"You heard him! Time to juice!" Sonic said as they all charge towards the tower as she destroys any drones before they get a look at the rest of the group. Knuckles reaches the door first and with one punch, the door flies off the hinges and halfway into the room as people walking around stop and look shocked at what they just witnessed.
"Intruders!" One of them yells as some of them start shooting,
"Knux, now the drones can get inside!" Sonic yelled annoyed as she runs and grabs the guns out of the hands of some of the guards as they look shocked and confused to where their weapons went. She stands next to Knuckles dropping all on them at her feet.
"But you said break the door down." Knuckles said,
"It's a figure of speech…" Sonic facepalms with a sigh, "The rest of you head up the stairs, we'll keep them busy until you're about halfway up and then we'll start our search." She said as they nod and head towards the stairs.
"You all be safe!" Cream said as they run off.
"I'll get those drones offline pronto!" Rogue said running after them.
"Think you can handle these goons Red?" Sonic said teasingly to Knuckles as he smiles,
"Bet I can take out more that you before we get the clear to look for our friends Blue." He said as she smiles,
"You're on!"
Shadow was starting to shake off whatever drug they gave her. She didn't understand how a drug could make her feel this out of it. She was immune to poisons being the Ultimate Lifeform, but this was enough to make her drowsy. The door quickly bursts open as one of the guards moves over to her, "We're moving her to the back now," He said pulling her to her feet as she elbows him, "Damnit! Hold still!" He said as he stabs her with another needle,
"Shit," She tries to get away, but he injects her with the drug again as she starts to stagger,
"Help me with her. Dr Robotnik wants her ready for transport." He said, as the other guard grabs her other arm Shadow felt so dizzy she couldn't fight their grip as they dragged her out of the room.
In another part of the tower Amy sat still blindfolded trying to figure out what to do when his ear twitches hearing the door open. "Alright buddy, time to go." A guard said as Amy heard him stepping closer.
"That's a hard pass for me!" Amy said breaking the cuffs restraining him, pulling off the blindfold and summoning his hammer.
"H…he could do that the whole time?" One of them said looking shocked,
"Yeah! Now tell me where my friends are before I smash you!" He glared as they all laugh, Amy noticed one of them holding a syringe similar to the one they used of Shadow, "And you're not getting anywhere close to me with that thing."
"They're being moved to the shuttle now, you're too late." one of them said,
"You'll have to get past us and we're not going down without a fight." He said as they all get ready to jump him.
"Fine, don't say I didn't warn you." He said,
"Up we go," Captain Fang said helping Tails to her feet, "Let's go see your friends." He said as she tries to fight back but her head was throbbing too much that straining herself made it worse.
"Shadow will stop you." She glared.
"Hard for her to do that when she's on her way to Dr. Robotnik's ship right now." He said as Tails looks shocked, he pulls her out into the hallway, and he hears the sounds of commotion from the first floor. "Looks like he was right about Sonic showing up." He chuckles,
"Son…" Tails tried to scream but he quickly covered her mouth,
"Now stay quiet little fox, you'll see her soon." He said dragging her to a side elevator,
"Blaze! I heard Tails!" Cream said as she points up, "Three floors up!" She points up as Blazes feet burst with flames as she speeds up getting up there quickly. "Rogue, the electrical buzz I'm hearing from the computer room might be on the same floor."
"You rock doll face!" Rogue said. They all run to catch up to Blaze. She's already down the hallway as Captain Fang sees her coming,
"How'd she get up here so fast?" He said out loud as Tails uses the opportunity to stomp on his foot taking him off guard. The Elevator door opens, and he quickly throws Tails in as her head hits the wall knocking her unconscious. He takes a shot at Blaze as she dodges and takes cover while he jumps into the elevator and shuts the door.
"Sonic do you read me? A man in a red uniform just took Tails into the Elevator and is heading down towards you guys." Blaze said as the others catch up to her, "the elevator's down the south hallway."
"We got the computer room!" Rogue said as they run past them.
"Thanks for the heads-up Blaze! Keep looking for the others, we'll grab Tails." Sonic responded they hear what sounds like someone being tossed to the ground.
"On it!" Blaze said looking at Cream, "Where to next?" She asked as Cream concentrates.
"I hear a scuffle up two more floors." She said as they head in that direction.
Sonic and Knuckle quickly rush down the south corridor as the elevator door opens and they see Captain Fang exit with Tails under his armpit. "Crap…" Captain Fang said as both of their eyes fill with rage seeing Tails limp in his arm.
"You better not have hurt her." Knuckles said as Captain Fang steps back,
"I… I will if either of you…" But before he could finish his threat. Sonic was already in front of him quickly slamming him into the wall causing him to drop Tails,
"You wanna run that by me again pal? I don't think I heard you from all the way down the hall." She said getting ready to punch him, A rage radiating off of her that he didn't think was possible.
"Son…ic…?" She hears Tails say. She snaps out of it turning her head giving him the opportunity to punch Sonic and slip free of her grapple as he runs down the hall,
"Tails?" Sonic kneels down and removes her bindings as Knuckles runs up, "You okay buddy?" She asked as they both help her sit up.
"My head hurts…" Tails said grabbing her head,
"You're looking really banged up…" Knuckles said looking worried. Elias said she was injured but they didn't know she was this bad.
"Never mind about me they have Shadow and Amy!" She said trying to stand up,
"Easy there, we'll find them but you're in no shape to be moving around." Sonic said, "Cream and Blaze are looking too so you rest."
Back upstairs Blaze and Cream are just about to enter the hallway when a guard is thrown out of it hitting the banister, "That's for hitting me in the head!" Amy yelled as Cream and Blaze look down the hallways to see Amy as they make eye contact, "Man am I glad you guys are here!" he runs over to them.
"Are you okay?" Cream asked,
"Yeah, I broke free before one of them tried to drug me." He said resting his hammer on his shoulder.
"Rogue to Freedom Fighters. Drones are shut down and I've placed a virus into the system to prevent them from being reactivated any time soon." They all hear her over the coms,
"We need to hurry, The leader has Tails and they separated me from Shadow," Amy said,
"Tails is okay, but the guy got away because someone got sloppy." Knuckles said over the coms as they hear Sonic yelling in the background,
"Who's going after Shadow?" Amy asked,
"We're still looking for her." Blaze said,
"Can everyone hear me?" Amy asked over the coms,
"You okay Ames?" Sonic asked,
"I'm fine don't worry about me; we need to find Shadow pronto! They drugged her so she wouldn't be able to fight back. They almost did the same to me which means they are probably moving her now." Amy said.
Sonic looks at Knuckles and Tails with fear in her eyes as Knuckles gives her a thumbs up. "I got Tails; go find Shadow, you'll be faster without us." He said as she looks to Tails who nods at her.
"I'll find her!" Sonic said as she runs down the hall.
Just outside the two guards were dragging Shadow along as she shakes her head trying to clear the fog. The aircraft lands as Captain Fang runs up to the two of them. "Let go…" She tried to break free from their grip, but she was so disoriented she was having trouble seeing straight,
"Hurry up! She brought reinforcements and if we can't at least deliver one of them it'll be our heads." He said helping them pick up the pace as a blue blur rushes out of the tower and kicks him away from Shadow,
"Get your hands off her!" Sonic yells as she spins and knocks the other two away grabbing Shadow before she could fall over, "Easy there." She goes to break the restraints,
"Sonic?" Shadow asked confused unsure of what just happened, "How are… What are you…?"
"You can be mad at me later," Sonic said finishing removing the restraints, "Are you okay?" She asked placing her hand on Shadow's cheek as she leans into it subconsciously.
"Head's blurry, some kind of drug… You shouldn't be here… Not safe…" Shadow said as Sonic puts her hand around Shadow's waist and her arm around her shoulder,
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry I got you, let's bail before…"
"Before I show up?" Sonic's ears lower as she hears Eggman's voice behind her. She turns around and sees him exit the craft. "Always so predictable Sonic, I knew you'd come if your friends were in danger."
"Hey there Egghead…Fancy seeing you here… Whatcha doin?" Sonic said as she starts backing up,
"I was about to ask you the same thing. That concern for Shadow seemed a little more intimate than friends." His eyebrow raises as he grins,
"Shucks, you know me Eggman, I'm full of love." She jokes trying to play it off stepping back again as four Swatbots walk out of the ship,
"I'd love to hear more details." He said, "Why don't we talk about it more. Perhaps Knuckles would like to join us?"
"Thanks for the offer but that's a no for me and Shads here bud… we're just gonna…" Sonic was so preoccupied with keeping an eye on Eggman and the Swatbots that she didn't notice Captain Fang sneak up behind her and stabs a syringe into her neck. "Ow!" She turns and kicks him away before he could inject the entire drug into her. "And with that, we're out of here!" She panics as she quickly picks up Shadow and runs back to the door.
"After them!" Eggman pointed as the Swatbots chase after her. She get them back inside and continues running,
"Anyone nearby? I have incoming!" She yelled as it started to look like the room was tilting almost causing her to slam into a wall, "Crap…"
"Sonic?" She hears Cream's voice up ahead as she pushes through the dizzy feeling. The Swatbots burst through the door running after her.
She reaches the others in the front entrance, "Four Swatbots on my tail!" She said running past as Amy and Knuckles jump in their path stopping them.
"Is Shadow okay?" Cream asked as Sonic puts her down next to Tails who was sitting against the wall by the door.
"Drugs… Still in her system…" Sonic said shaking her head, her body was starting to feel heavy.
"Sonic?" Blaze notices her struggle,
"I was too… focused on Eggman…" She puts her hand on her neck, "Something…" She falls to her knees,
"Sonic!" Cream helps her as she staggers,
"Injected with something…" Sonic was having trouble thinking, "I got away… before he full dosed me…" She shakes her head again, "Man this stuff is strong… Hard to think…"
"Cream keep an eye on them, we'll take care of these guys and get out of here." Blaze said,
"On it!" Cream said, "You sit down," She said moving her to sit next to Shadow,
"We can't stay here… Eggman's coming…" Sonic said trying to shake off the drug, Knuckles takes down one of the Swatbots as Omega and Rogue come down the stairs,
"What happened?" Rogue asked as she stops and looks at Omega, "You can go throw explosives at the robots." She said. There's a sparkle in his eyes as he runs over and joins the others fighting,
"They both got injected with some kind of drug," Cream said, "Sonic said she was able to stop from getting a full dose.
"Idiot…" Shadow said as Sonic chuckles, Rogue starts to check them both,
"If that's the case this drug is no joke. If it's able to disorient Shadow these guys weren't messing around. We need to get them out of here, they're too vulnerable." Rogue said turning around as the others are fighting off the last Swatbot, "You all need to hurry it up!" She said as Omega pulls out explosives as the rest of them get away. He throws it and it explodes in the Swatbots face. The Swatbot falls and they can see more Swatbots coming,
"Time to go, now!" Knuckles said as he and the others run over. Knuckles picks up Sonic, Omega picks up Shadow and Amy picks up Tails and they all run out the entrance.
"Stop them!" They hear Eggman down the hall,
"They're just going to follow after us!" Amy said,
"On it." Omega tosses smoke grenades behind them covering their escape,
"Sorry for the trouble…" Shadow said to Omega,
"Just glad we got to you all in time." He said,
"Though somehow you still end up needing rescued." Knuckles glares at Sonic as she chuckles,
"There was a lot going on… I got a little hyper focused… Girlfriend was in danger" She said,
"Don't use me as an excuse." Shadow said,
"We all got out of there, that's what counts. Let's just get to the helicopter and face the music." Knuckles said as they continue to the Helicopter.
"I'm feeling better Knux, you can put me down now." Sonic said as he lets her down, "How you feeling little buddy?" She walks over to Amy and looks at Tails,
"Sore and ready for a nap." She said as they both chuckle, "Thanks for coming to save me."
"Hey, There's no way I'm letting Egghead get his slimy hands on any of you." She smiles,
"But it's okay if you get caught?" Amy said, Sonic flinches at the call out.
"I deserve that one." She chuckles uncomfortably. "But that one was a little too close for comfort…"
"At least we got the drones offline." Rogue said,
"Yeah, we wouldn't have been able to escape if they were online…" Knuckles said as they get to the Helicopter. "Since our speedster was out of commission."
"Hey! Eggman was there and four Swatbots and Shadow was practically unconscious. I thought I knocked the other guy out when I kicked him, but he must have been faking it…" Sonic said,
"That's because it was a trap…" Tails said,
"Makes sense, he did say he knew I'd show up for you guys." Sonic said. They all climb into the Helicopter as Omega sits Shadow down. Sonic steps over and helps her buckle in as Shadow rubs her temples. "You feeling okay?"
"It feels like when Abyss was in my head…" She said as Sonic looks at her concerned, "What did Knuckles mean when he said face the music?" Sonic's expression changes to discomfort,
"We… kinda left without permission…" Sonic said as Shadow facepalms,
"How?" She was afraid to ask,
"I… ran up… the hangar bay wall…" Sonic said with an uncomfortable chuckle,
"You did what?" Rogue said sounding surprised, "How on earth… You know what? I should expect the fastest thing alive has the ability to defy gravity."
"That was incredibly risky." Blaze said crossing her arms,
"Worth it." She said kissing Shadow,
"You're not getting off the hook that easily, I'm still going to punch you when I figure out which one of you to punch." Shadow glares shaking her head as Sonic chuckles,
"That'll be the least of our punishment…" Knuckles said as they lower down back into HQ. They see all of their parents waiting for them along with Elias and Sally and Dr. Starline.
"Oh we're way beyond past trouble… we're dead…" Sonic said as her ears lower looking terrified. "Let's get you back on your feet Shads," She goes to help her up as Amy carries Tails off the Helicopter.
"Cream, Blaze, please help Shadow to the infirmary." Elias said hearing the cold tone in his voice making all of their ears lower.
"Of course…" Cream said as she goes to help Shadow as Shadow leans over and kisses Sonic's cheek.
"Thanks for the save." Shadow said letting her go as the rest of them walk away leaving Elias and Sally alone with Knuckles and Sonic and their parents.
"Conference room, now." He said. They silently followed as they all entered the room.
"You both are in serious trouble!" Sonic's mom yelled, "Running up the wall like that? You could have fallen and gotten hurt!"
"Why didn't you try to stop her?" Knuckles mother yells at him as their fathers just give the silent look of disappointment,
"I won't apologize for disobeying orders Elias… Punish me however you want but I dragged Knux along with me." Sonic said,
"Don't go trying to take all the blame, we're in this together." Knuckles said,
"Do you both realize what type of predicament you have put me in? This type of behavior could insight more disorder. Other Soldiers could break rank and destroy an entire mission just because of your actions." Elias said sternly not raising his voice. "You both will be confined to your room effective immediately for the next week." He said,
"Elias wait you can't do that! Sonic..." Knuckles tried to reason with him as Sonic stops him.
"I can survive a week knowing those I care about are here and safe." Sonic said turning around but she stops just before leaving, "Shadow was steps from being in Eggman's clutches… if I had been a moment later she would have been gone." She turns back and looks at him, her ears bent back in anger. "That would have been on you." She glares and turns away leaving as two guards escort them to their room.