Author's Note: 8/4/2017 UPDATE: After a bunch of work, it's finally here. The Brawl Before The Tournament. Enjoy.
Soon enough, nightfall came as our heroes decided to call it early tonight due to hectic events that happened throughout the day. After having a toast to their success, finishing the Zombie Zin Red Wine in the process, everyone headed off to their rooms to go to sleep.
Tails was getting the room setup before bed, while Cream was changing into her pajamas in the bathroom. When she was halfway done, with her dress and other accessories off, she took a look in the mirror and thought about something. "We may be in a different world, but that doesn't mean I can't be natural. I mean, I do look like Tails, nothing wrong would be showing." After a short amount of time passed, she made up her mind. "Alright. I'll sleep natural tonight. I trust Tails, and Michael."
As Tails was finishing setting up the bed, removing his shoes, socks, and gloves in the process, Cream hopped onto the bed with her shoes, socks and gloves already off leaving her in her natural mobian body. As he looked up, he began to feel a red blush creep upon his cheeks at the sight of seeing his girlfriend being natural. He sheepishly asked her, "Um, Cream, are you sure you want to sleep natural tonight?" She replied, "Of course. Why, is there a problem with it?" He replied back, "It's not so much that I have a problem with that, which I don't. I'm more worried about Michael's reaction." Cream pulled herself and Tails under the covers snuggling together and assuringly whispered into his ear, "Don't worry, he won't know about tonight." Tails replied, "You're right. And I don't think he'll worry too much if you decide to be natural like me and Sonic already are. Good night Cream." Cream replied back, "I'm sure of that too. Good night Tails, sweet dreams." The two shared one last passionate kiss before falling asleep within each other's arms.
While any fuss that may have been a short lived thing between Tails & Cream was just that, none of that existed between Sonic and Amy as she already stripped out of her outfit into her natural mobian body before hoping under the covers and snuggling up with Sonic. "Oh Sonic, that was quite a day wasn't it?" Sonic replied back, "Yeah, it sure was Ames. It sure was." She replied back, "Sonic, how long do you think we'll be here?" "I'm not sure Amy, but I do know, we'll get home safe." She replied back, "You're right." Before yawning a bit. "Good night Sonic." "Good night Amy." The two then shared a kiss before falling asleep within each other's arms like their friends.
While Sonic and company may have fallen asleep by 9:00, Michael was still up. Observing the moonlight and the blanket of stars that surrounded it from his balcony, already wearing his athletic shorts and black graphic t-shirt from earlier in the day, he thought to himself, "What the hell did I get myself into? Why does trouble always have a way of finding me? I never actively go looking for these situations. They just seem to find me one way or another. I just hope, I can escape my troubles, and that these animals will aid me during the struggle. Them, and my special someone." After enough self-reflection regarding his life, Michael closed and locked his balcony door, closed his bedroom door, turned on his air machine, and crawled under the covers before a sleepy inducing trance took over his body.
Meanwhile, the darkness of the night had consumed the city with only moon and the surrounding stars giving it any illumination alongside street lights. Within the vastly empty city though, was Knuckles. He found himself standing around near an alley not doing much with nowhere to go. As the wind blew a piece of a newspaper that hit his leg, he noticed, looked at it, and he saw a picture of Sonic battling Eggman. He sighed and let it go. All he could think about was his main priority, guarding the Master Emerald.
Out of nowhere, Eggman walked from the shadows of the alley. Knuckles uttered the name of the doctor upon seeing him. "Dr. Eggman!" As soon as Eggman was noticed, he was down on his knees. "Please help me!" He grabbed Knuckles hands which didn't please the echidna one bit. "The Chaos Emeralds are all lost somewhere in this world. With the 7 Chaos Emeralds all together, Chaos Control would happen again, and then I could go back to my world." This triggered a flashback with Knuckles remembering what happened that night. "That as…what Sonic did?" Eggman was fake crying by this point to further trick him. "Lost somewhere in this world, I have finally awakened. I want to spend the rest of my life quietly in my homeland! However, Sonic won't hear my story, because he believe I'll only profit myself with the Chaos Emeralds. Even though he has the emeralds, he's not planning on going back! And with his fast feet all he's doing is playing around in this world!" Sure enough, Knuckles bought it. "That bastard!" Eggman asked, "You haven't heard anything from Sonic? Doesn't he know that I want to go home soon? And you're supposed to be friends with that guy" Knuckles replied, "We aren't friends at all! He was once my ally because he needed my knowledge of certain places. If I get the Chaos Emeralds, will you really bring me back?" Eggman replied, "That's right! I'll do anything so please believe me!" Knuckles replied, "All right! I'll settle this once and for all!" Eggman muttered under his breath, "Too easy."
Soon enough, morning had arrived. It was around 8:30 when Tails & Cream had awoke. Tails was able to open his eyes, but Cream's eyes were still shut. He took a bit of time to admire his girlfriend's beauty and give her a small kiss on her forehead. That was enough to wake her up. Tails whispered in her ear as she rose from her slumber, "Morning Cream." She replied, "Good morning Tails." The two then shared a short but sweet kiss. Tails asked, "Sleep well?" She replied back, "Yeah. Being in your arms helped a lot." She kissed his forehead before the two got out of bed. They walked around to meet each other and discuss plans while holding hands. Cream asked, "So what do you think the plan is gonna be for today?" Tails replied, "I'm not sure. It all depends on what Michael finds." Cream replied, "Yeah. I wonder if he's already up."
They walked out their door to meet Sonic and Amy who also were out at their door. They looked at each other and simultaneously asked, "What's the plan?" Michael then appeared from out of his room and told them, "That's what I was just about to tell you all. Come on. Let me show you all something." They all headed into his room. As Michael sat down, he pulled up what he was shown at his computer while Sonic and company gathered around. "Look. Just Look." Tails read parts of what was sent out loud, "King of Iron Fist Tournament 4 Announcement." Tails asked, "Does this have to do with Heihachi?" Michael replied, "Yeah. He's announcing the annual fighting tournament. But there appears to be something extra. A note attached with this announcement" The note read, "I know you're a Force soldier. You appear to have survived the raid on G-Corporation, but you seem to have been helping the animals if my sources are correct. This will interfere with my plans, but you seem to still be capable. Re-join with me, and everything will be fine, or take the hard route and hope for the best. Heihachi Mishima." They all couldn't believe it. Sonic asked, "Does he think you're…" Michael finished, "Still alive? Yeah. Quite frankly, I feel like I'm walking into a trap." Cream asked, "Think about what's the best move possible." Michael replied to her, "I'll try. But, it will have to wait later. Something came up. Check it out." He pulled up an article showing something interesting. The article read, "Around Silver Valley, along with some strong energy reactions, there have been confirmation of some machine. Right now, an investigation into the correlation between that and yesterday's destructive power shovel incident." Tails asked, "Is the Chaos Emerald so far away?" Michael replied, "Silver Valley is not very far from here. We'll need to scout it out. But we might need to keep a low profile. You guys can take to the skies. Just fly low and stay out of sight. I'll take my Evo IX and meet you there."
After showering, eating breakfast, and gearing up, the gang headed to the roof, with Amy & Cream deciding to only don their shoes and gloves for the day. As they got the plane ready for takeoff, a dark colored robot flew down with a video message addressed to Sonic. The robot, named Bokkun said, "I'll put this here." Before putting it in front of Sonic while the others stood back. Bokkun pushed a button that turned on the device. "Look." Sonic looked and saw Knuckles eyes. "Sonic! We'll settle things today. You know what I think of you, and I'll fight you to fix this! I'm waiting for you in Silver Valley. You'd better come. Now this message will explode." The device soon enough exploded in Sonic's face as Bokkun flew away laughing. Michael yelled out, "Hey! Come back! Stupid thing. An exploding small TV. That's almost as excessive as an exploding doormat." Sonic uttered, "How dare he do such a thing to me!" Amy replied back to Sonic, "Sonic, don't lose focus. We'll deal with him when that happens." Sonic let out a sigh knowing nothing could have be done, "You're right Amy." Replied Sonic. Michael told them, "Alright guys. This is it. Get down there, and find the emerald. I've already sent the coordinates. See you when I get there." After getting adjusted, the Tornado 2 took off as Michael took off in his Evo IX.
They arrived around the same time, parking their vehicles in a safe but subtle area to where they would remember them. They scouted around the area for a bit, but came up empty. "Damn. No luck finding the emerald. Maybe we should take a break?" Michael suggested. Tails replied, "Sure. Say. I have an idea. You guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Amy replied, "What?" Tails pointed to a lake, "Over there. Let's take a swim in the lake." Cream replied back, "That's a wonderful idea Tails. What do you think Amy?" Amy replied, "I'd love it. Wouldn't you as well Sonic?" Sonic replied, "Yeah. That'd be nice." Soon enough, Sonic, Tails, Amy, & Cream removed their shoes and gloves before hopping in the lake. Tails called out, "This is great. You gonna join us Michael?" Michael replied, "Nah. I'm fine. You guys go on ahead. I need to do some self-reflection." He then started walking opposite of the lake throughout Silver Valley.
Michael eventually came near the bank of a different lake and thought to himself while observing everything around him. "Heihachi is trying to force my hand. He wouldn't have attached that note if he didn't think I was alive. What do I do? Do I play into his trap? Or do I go rogue. If that's the case, he'll sic the whole Force on me. Should I enter under a disguise? Damn it! I just don't know." It then hit him, "Maybe, I need some protection. That's it! I'll ask them to be my bodyguards. I just hope they understand." At that point, he decided to head back to where Sonic and company were to tell them of his plans.
As he headed back, Sonic had already donned his shoes and gloves before leaving to fight Knuckles. Tails, Cream, and Amy donned their shoves and gloves as well as they were resting on the bank of the lake after finishing their swim. At that point, a large red-violet robot with an all-around glass encasing center and large construction digging claws for arms and feet and one large green eye on its top emerged from the water, Type E-47 Pumpty. They tried outrun it, but got caught as the robot scooped them up and put them in its encasing center. At that point, Eggman flew down. "Look what I caught." Tails uttered, "Eggman. I see… So that report was nothing more than a sham." Eggman replied, "That's not entirely right, I was just using the mass media like it's supposed to be." Tails asked, "Humans always jump to conclusions like that, eh?" At that point, Amy thought of an idea. She equipped her Piko Piko Hammer before announcing her plan. "I should be able to break this you know." She took several swings at the glass to no avail. As she caught her breath, Eggman chuckled and said, "You guys… will watch Sonic be defeated from there." Amy asked, "What do you mean?" Eggman replied, "I wonder? Where's that pipsqueak who's always with you guys." Out of nowhere a voice yelled out, "HEY!" It was Michael, wearing a black multipurpose bandana with a skull design like a face mask. "Who the hell are you calling pipsqueak?!" Eggman was shocked. "You again?! Don't worry. While Sonic is occupied, you can deal with Type E-47. Don't even think of trying to break them out. The inside is practically destructible." Michael replied, "You know, they might not be able to break it from the inside, but I sure as hell can break it from the outside." He donned his swords to form his double ended katana as he readied up to face the robot.
Meanwhile, in the distance not far off, Knuckles sat on a rock, waiting for Sonic. "He's late…Again!" uttered Knuckles. Though soon enough, Sonic arrived. "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Knuckles replied, "You're late Sonic!" Sonic replied, "Oh my! What an unwelcoming face! And the weather is so nice…" As he finished, he lifted a flower to nose and smelled it. "Mmm! What a nice smell! IT just makes me feel great to be alive." But Knuckles had enough. "Sonic…you bastard!" Sonic replied, "Don't be like that. Be a little more cool, partner." Knuckles replied back, "I don't recall ever being your partner! Come on, Sonic. We'll settle this right now!" Sonic further replied, "Really…and why? You don't really want to fight me." Knuckles had finally snapped from Sonic's taunts, "Shut up! The Chaos Emeralds are all over the place! Give them back!" But Sonic knew the truth. "You're being deceived again!" Afterwards, Sonic threw the flower in the air as Knuckles charged at him ready to strike. But he missed. Knuckles tried to strike Sonic down again, but his rapid punches missed, As Sonic was on a rock above Knuckles.
While they were battling, Michael was dealing with Type E-47. He surprisingly managed to hold his own. Eggman told him, "See, I told you that you wouldn't get the robot. Now, GET HIM!" E-47 attempted to scoop up Michael to no avail as he dodged it. Michael replied back to the doctor, "This isn't the last you've heard from me, I'll be back!" He then threw a smoke grenade down and retreated into the forest to regain his strength.
While Michael was in recovery mode, Sonic & Knuckles were still fighting it out amongst each other dodging every blow thrown, and Sonic also used his speed to his advantage. This helped him climbed up a hill and to the top of the tree to see a view he couldn't help but admire. "Oh! What a great view!" However, Knuckles used this distraction to his advantage by taking the tree out from the ground and throwing Sonic off it, though Sonic did manage land and remained un-harmed. Knuckles continued to punch trees in the hops that one of them would land on Sonic who continued to outrun him. As Sonic slid to the edge of a tree, another tree fell on the opposite end sending him flying. He managed to land the tree that Knuckles was attacking as he went into his spin mode as he went down the tree trunk to attack Knuckles. He kept pushing against Knuckles in his spin mode as they went over the edge. They continued to brawl until Sonic landed in the shallow end of a river. Sonic looked for a minute realizing what happened. "I already had one swim today, but I guess another one wouldn't hurt." He then hopped out taking a fighting stance calling out to Knuckles, "What's wrong? You had enough?" Knuckles simply smirked and replied back, "This will be the end!"
Meanwhile, Eggman was watching and cheering Knuckles on. "That's it Knuckles! Get that annoying hedgehog!" Cream cried out, "Sonic!" Amy followed up with, "Geez, Knuckles is such a moron! Eggman is just using him!" At that point, Tails opened the box thanks to his screwdriver. Cream asked, "What are you doing Tails?" Tails replied, "Nothing much, just gonna loosen this a bit." Cream replied back, "You're very reliable." Tails told her, "It's just what I do best darling. Let's see now…after these wires there should be..." Unfortunately, Amy was becoming more impatient. "Argh! This is irritating! Move for a sec!" She had walked over, with her Piko Piko Hammer in hand, ready to smash the box. Tails & Cream got a nervous look on their faces as Tails cried out, "Ah! Don't!" Regardless, she took a swing anyways damaging the box in the process. A flash of yellow happened before an explosion that not only damaged the box further, but it shattered part of the glass.
The machine had let out some smoke from the explosion. Sonic caught that in the corner of his eye. As he looked over, Knuckles landed a punch that sent him flying. Sonic regained his balance and saw Eggman in the distance yelling, "Don't break it! Hey you, stop it!" Sonic looked close enough to get a better view as he uttered, "Eggman!" As he landed, he headed off to take out the robot. Knuckles yelled, "You're running away!? Fight me!" as he started chasing after Sonic. Sonic replied, "Ah…well excuse me for a bit." Meanwhile, Tails, Cream, and Amy were still trapped. Tails yelled, "It's too dangerous to jump!" Amy yelled, "This is hopeless! Sonic, help me!" Eggman had focused his sights on them and scolded them for taking a shot at the robot. "You guys! How could you do such a thing? In that case…" Then, out of nowhere, a blue flash flashed by them quickly. It was Sonic. At the same time, Michael reemerged from recovery jumping on Eggman's Egg Mobile. It wasn't until he jumped off that Eggman noticed him. Eggman yelled out, "YOU!" But it was too late. Michael took a stab at Type E-47's eye with his katana before hopping off. As he finished, Sonic rammed through Type E-47's legs knocking it on its back. Sonic moved in front of the bot before turning around and calling out to his friends. "Hey guys!" Tails called out back, "Sonic!" Michael then called out to them "Guys! Jump!" before breaking the glass with his katana. Tails, Cream, and Amy proceeded to jump out Type E-47 and retreat back to allow Sonic & Michael to finish the robot. Eggman then yelled, "Damn you Sonic! E-47! Show your true form!"
At that point, E-47 used its claws to become legs as it fixed itself, and aimed its guns at Sonic and Michael. Eggman yelled, "Go!" It then proceeded to fire its guns at them both. Sonic jumped out of the way, while Michael spun his double ended katana to deflect the bullets. Sonic looked over before the robot continued to fire more bullets. Out of nowhere, Knuckles came in with his foot to one of the cannons destroying them in the process. At that point, Eggman was shocked. Knuckles told him, "This is my fight with Sonic! Don't get in my way!" Eggman replied, "What!? Before you said you would, but you still haven't defeated Sonic! Why?" At that point, E-47 re-aimed all guns Sonic, Knuckles, and Michael before exclaiming, "You want to walk out of here alive, you better give me the Chaos Emerald!" Knuckles, uttered, "Eggman…Did you say you wanted to spend your final years in peace?" Sonic replied, "Seems like he doesn't." Knuckles then couldn't believe it, "So you mean, I-!" Sonic replied, "Well, you can say that!" Michael then uttered, "Enough fooling around. Let's blow this robot to pieces. Get it!" He then charged at Type E-47's legs to immobilize the robot. Eggman uttered, "Shit…" Tails, Cream, and Amy came out from hiding after the battle. Michael asked, "Are you three okay?" Tails replied, "Yeah, thanks!" Tails then shared a kiss with Cream. Amy then lunged into Sonic's arms crying out, "Sonic!" It caught a little off guard, but he accepted her hug nonetheless. He called out to her, "Amy!" She replied, "Thank you." before sharing a kiss with him.
However, those kisses were short lived as the robot started moving again. Michael yelled out, "Oh my god! That robot is still alive! Get back!" They then started running in the opposite direction of the robot as it re-positioned itself. Eggman said, "If this is the case…I'll defeat Sonic with my own hands! Go E-47!" E-47 then launched its missiles towards them while firing its machine guns. Eggman yelled, "That's it! Now you can see E-47's power!" While, Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream, and Michael hunkered down behind some rocks for the cover, the robot was firing all ammo it had on it. Knuckles appeared in front of them and told them, "Leave this to me!" Sonic replied, "OK!" Knuckles then charged at the robot dodging all gunfire thrown at him before charging at it and throwing several strikes at it. He then hopped up in front of the Egg Mobile. Eggman uttered, "Oh no!" Before Knuckles cried out, "Cut that OUT!" before punching the Egg Mobile sending Eggman flying off into the distance as he yelled, Damn you Soniiiiiiiiiic!" Afterwards, Knuckles landed back on the robot, and sent a powerful punch that cracked the robot in half causing it to blow up. Everyone emerged from cover to meet up. Michael said, "That was close. Everyone okay?" They all replied, "Yeah."
At that point, Knuckles started walking off. Michael cried out, "Knuckles wait!" He then caught up with Knuckles and said, "I can't believe you got so tricked easily. I'm surprised you didn't thank Sonic for showing you the truth." Knuckles replied, "A little too late for that." Michael replied, "Oh really?" At that point, Knuckles called out, "Hey Sonic! Thanks!" He then left the area to be on his own as Michael walking backed to join the others.
When he joined them, he told them his plan. "Guys. I have a proposition. After much careful consideration, I've decided that I'm going to enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament 4." They were all shocked. Sonic said, "But…" But before he could finish, Michael continued, "And that's not all. I've decided to enter with protection. You guys, as my bodyguards." They all said in unison, "What?!" Tails asked, "You want us to be your bodyguards?" Michael replied, "Yeah. If Mishima sees my entry, he might send someone to take me out before I get to him. If I have protection, I'll stand a chance." They thought for a bit. Sonic then said, "Okay. We'll do it. You've helped us out, so we'll return the favor for you." Michael replied, "Thanks guys."
Amy asked, "Just one question. What's in it for us?" Michael replied, "The whole Mishima fortune. Let's go home and get some lunch. I'll explain it there." They then went into their vehicles, and headed home to discuss it further.
Author's Note: Boy. That was crazy. It was also nice to see Amy & Cream go natural and be like their boyfriends. Anyways, apologies in advance for any future delays that happen. See you in the next chapter, whenever that is.