Chapter Four: Mojave Desert (Day Time)

Next day arrived. Sonika was wearing her light blue blouse and black jacket given by Sonic. She's also wearing her denim short-shorts. She grabbed her belt pouch and Gunblade. Parasite was waiting for her by the door. "Waiting for me Parasite?" She giggled. "Pika!" He answered. She unlocked the door then went out. She locked the door then waited for Kaz. When Kaz's door was opened, the two were shocked. "Morning Sonika." She greeted. She didn't respond. "What's wrong?" She asked. "You look like…Meta Knight." Sonika answered. "Do I?" She asked. "I think the echidna form is just temporary…" She suggested. "I guess you're right." She agreed. "Maybe I'll hang on to your belt pouch and your guns." She suggested. She gives the belt pouch and guns to her. "Let's go." She said. Kaz used Chaos Control then were transported to MIST HQ.

Inside, they saw Nicholas waiting for them. "I knew you girls would be here." He smirked. Then he looked at Kaz. "What happened to you officer?" He asked. "I've transformed…again…" She groaned. "Never mind about that." He said, "Commander Jordin wants to see you girls." The girls and Parasite followed him.

Commander Jordin's Office. All of the MIST staff were waiting. They heard the door opened then saw the four. "Agent Hedgehog…" Said the commander. Then he looked at Kaz. "Officer…Knight…" He said, "An article was published in the Mojave Desert." He gave the newspaper to Sonika. Kaz jumped on her shoulder then Parasite followed. They looked at the headline. "Cattle mutilation…?" The girls read. "Pika?" He said. "We're going on a UFO hunt?" Kaz asked. "It may lead to that Officer Knight." He answered.

"I trust that you girls know what that means… Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures, NMC's…"

"NMC?" Repeated the girls.

"Pika?"

"We know that they have a vast appetite due to an unusually high metabolic rate… This is your mission Agent Hedgehog, Officer Knight. The necessary documents are in this folder."

"What did you found last night?" Nicholas asked.

"I found a metallic implant on the woman that transformed on her ear." Sonika answered, "Technically, this might be the reason she transformed."

"Let me and Bruce handle this. What'd else you'd found or saw Agent Hedgehog, Officer Knight?"

"We saw a man wearing a mask and military gear." Kaz answered, "He was attacking Static. We yelled at him to stop then Parasite did thunder shock right at him. He stops attacking Static then looked at Sonika. Finally, he jumped above us then slammed the stain glass. I thought to myself, 'Does he have supernatural powers or something?'"

"This is true sir," Static replied, "he tried to kill me with his bare hands."

"This is getting stranger than ever. Agent Pikachu, you join Agent Hedgehog's party."

"Yes Sir Commander Jordin, you have my approval."

"We wish you good luck." Said the entire staff.

At the garage, the three are preparing. Parasite saw Static then approached him. The girls saw him with an air board. "You live in Station Square?" Sonika asked. "Kinda." Static answered. Then they saw Nicholas. "So what's the result?" She asked. "The metallic implant you gave me Sonika isn't ready yet." He answered, "We need to keep in touch." He got out three gadgets from his pocket. The girls remembered those gadgets. "Communicator wristwatches!" They exclaimed. "I knew you girls would like'em." He giggled. He gave the three their wristwatches. They placed it on their wrists. "Good luck you three." He said, "And get cocky." They placed their air boards down then hopped on. Parasite jumped on Sonika's shoulder. The three zoomed out of the garage. They were out of the city. "Get ready!" Kaz shouted. Static was a bit confused. "Get ready for what?" He asked. "Chaos Control!" She shouted. The three were transported.

Area 272: Dry field

Mojave Desert, Nevada.

The three appeared the entrance. The girls jumped down. Static jumped down next. "Did she do Chaos Control?" He asked. "Of course." Sonika answered. Parasite jumped on Static's shoulder. "Parasite likes you." She giggled., "You're a Pikachu like him, but your anthropomorphic." Kaz looked around while the two are chatting. "It's so quiet…" She thought. She suddenly heard footsteps. "Who's there?!" She shouted. The two looked at her. "Something wrong Kaz?" Static asked. "Someone's approaching." She answered. The three saw two figures. Static got out his gun then was ready to shoot. Parasite know them then stopped Static. "Pika, pi!" He said. "They're not the ones who was responsible?" He asked. "Pika." He answered. He placed his gun back to his belt pouch. The girls looked at them. It was Miyu and Sapphire. "Miyu, Sapphire!" Exclaimed the girls. "Hey!" They said. "What're you girls doing here?" Sonika asked. "We had a job here." They answered. "Who are you working for?" She asked. "Mr. Derick Clark." They answered. "He owns this place." Miyu added. Then Sapphire looked at Kaz. "What happened to you?" She asked. "I don't know how to express it Sapphire, sorry." She answered. "It's alright." She replied. "Where is Mr. Clark?" Sonika asked. "He's in his garage." Miyu answered, "Follow us." Sapphire and Miyu headed inside then turned right. Suddenly they heard the girls screaming. "Miyu, Sapphire!" The girls shouted. "C'mon! Let's go!" Static shouted. "Pikachu!" Parasite added. He starts to run then jumps over the fence, leaving his gear behind. Sonika made the three gears disappear. Kaz's cape shift shape into bat wings then ascended. She turned right. Sonika got out Kaz's gun, M93R, then loaded it with 9mm P.B. She headed to the entrance then turned left.

Miyu and Sapphire are frozen with fear. Static and Kaz are already by their side. Sonika appeared then went to the two. She suddenly heard strange noises. Suddenly a creature was by the roof then jumped down. The girls screamed again. "It's one of the NMC's!" Static announced. The creature looked at Sonika then starts to charge. "Get out of the way!" She shouted. All of them ran to the corner. She starts to shoot it. Static placed down Parasite. He ran to the creature then jumped on it's back. He starts shooting it, followed by Sonika. Then it died. "Static, you're just like my friend Sonikku." She giggled. "I know about him." He smiled. "C'mon, let's go!" Said the girls. They opened the gate to the right then left. Kaz and Parasite followed them, followed by Static and Sonika.

Behind, the girls opened the door then let the four in first then them. They were in the workshop of Derick. They saw the girls doing something. They're pushing buttons and raising levers. "I wonder what they're doing." Kaz whispered. The two shrugged. Then the two approached them. "We did a little adjustment." Sapphire said, "He's in the garage over there." Miyu opened the shutter then they all went in. Inside the garage, they looked around without moving. Sonika grew a little curious then approached. Suddenly they heard guns ready to shoot. Sonika saw three people from the shadows. "Who's there?!" Asked one. "What're you doing in my garage?" Asked another. "Don't shoot." She answered. The three approached her. They saw an angel, a man, and an echidna. "I'm not one of them." She said, "I'm the special agent from G.U.N." The three lowered their guns. "You're alone?" Asked the man. "No," She answered, "I have Officer Knight, Officer Pikachu, and my pet with me." "That's good to know." He said. "Are there any NMC's…strange creatures around here?" She asked. "The place is crawling with creatures." Answered the echidna. "Few were killed, others fled." The angel added, "The ones who lived here I meant." "What's your name?" Asked the man. "I'm Agent Sonika Jenita Hedgehog." She introduced, "Behind me are Officer Meta Kaz Knight, Officer Static the Pikachu and my pet, Parasite the Pikachu." "My name's Derick Clark." He introduced, "Behind me and you are my co-workers, Miyu the Cabat, Sapphire the Hedgehog, Inferno the Echidna and Stalin Usher II. I have another co-worker, you can only see her in the night. Her name's Stella the Wolf." Then he looked at his watch. "Time for my rounds." He said, "Stalin, you give them their rooms. Inferno, you show them their rooms. Ladies, take care of Jolteon for me." "Alright." They said. Derick went to his truck then starts the engine. Inferno opened the gate then the truck left. "Let's go." Stalin said. The four split up then the four followed the angel and echidna. "Follow Stalin, I'll meet you later." Said Inferno then left.

Inside the office, Stalin's looking for the keys. He found them then gave Sonika the key. "I've only found one." He said nervously, "The rest are still with the owners who fled. You three have to stay in one room, room seven." The four left then saw Inferno. "Follow me." He said. The four followed him upstairs. Second floor of the motel, Inferno stopped. "What's the room number?" He asked. "All of us will stay at room seven." Kaz answered. "Room seven, go left then find the number." He said. He went downstairs then looked for Stalin. Sonika unlocked the door using the key then the four went inside. Parasite jumped on the bed then went to sleep. Kaz felt a little sleepy then went to the bed with Parasite then slept. Static and Sonika looked at the room. "This room reminds me of my room in the Estate." Sonika recalled. "Really…?" He asked. She only giggled. The two headed to the balcony to have a little fresh air. "Are you always on the run Static?" She asked. "I always like to see new places to see or discover." He answered, "I temporarily live in one spot then I'm off." "You should visit Thorndyke Estate sometime." She said, "My family and friends live there, Sonic the Hedgehog also. He lived since he's a baby." "Sure I'll visit you, your family, your friends, even Sonic." He replied, "He's my hero." They looked at the water tower from their left. Sonika saw something from above. "Static, look!" She exclaimed. He looked up then saw a figure above the water tower. "Who's he?" He asked. "We'll find out soon enough." She answered. They looked at the ladder. Static climbed down first, followed by Sonika. When she climbed down, she saw him ready with his gun, M4A1 Javelin. Then she saw the same NMC. One of them is digging, the other suddenly looked at Static. "Come and get me!" He smiled. He starts shooting the NMC that's digging. She got out MP5A5 then shot the NMC about to charge. Both NMC fell then died. Static went around then saw a switch. He placed it up then the alarm sounded. The gate was opening. He starts to run then grabbed her. He went in the gate then it starts to close automatically. He placed her down. They suddenly saw them again. This time, they're entering from the hole. The two starts shooting them. After they died, the ladder from the water tower descended. They both approached then climbed up.

They saw the same figure then approached. "I'm really sorry for not helping you guys." He said, "I was afraid I might hurt the both of you. My name's Mitchell, Mitchell Hedgepine. My dad's a porcupine and my mom's a hedgehog, this is why I'm this way." "My name's Static the Pikachu." He introduced, "I'm one of the agents from MIST." "My name's Agent Sonika Jenita Hedgehog, special agent of G.U.N." "Nice to meet you." He said, "You two married?" "I'm single, she's married." He replied. "My apologies." He said.

"Do you know what NMC is?" Sonika asked.

"Those NMC you killed are called pumas." Mitchell answered, "They're NMC's with a human face."

"So you're a MIST agent before, am I correct?" Static asked.

"You've done your research. I'm now a P.I out of L.A. My mission is to check out a shelter. What my boss gave me is that it's here in Dry field. I ran into one of the pumas on my way here then here I am."

"You're a private investigator for the president are you?"

"Pretty smart are you Sonika. Yes, I worked for the president."

"I have an idea, let's work together to find those NMC's and destroy them for good."

"That's a nice idea Static. Sure, I'm game. Let me know if you found any of them."

Mitchell went ahead then climbed down. Static saw a ladder from his right then climbed up. Sonika looked at the view of Dry Field. "It's really deserted…" She said to herself. She suddenly saw the same truck from the garage. Then she saw Miyu, Sapphire, Stalin and Inferno from afar. "Mr. Clark's back." She said. When she turned around, she saw Static gone. "Static, where are you?" She asked. "I'm up here!" He shouted. She looked up then saw him, waving. "What're you doing up there?" She asked. "I need to know who's up there or not." He answered.

"Is there anyone?"

"Yeah…but he's dead…"

"Poor guy…"

"I checked his pockets then found a key and an ammunition box contained 5.56 mm Rifle. It's perfect for my gun."

"You come down, I'm getting worried…"

"Don't worry so much Sonika. I'm a bit like Sonic, everything will be fine."

Sonika looked at the control panel. She flipped the switch then the gate opened. She went to the ladder to waits for him. When he climbed down, they both went to the ladder below them then climbed down.

She suddenly heard someone digging out. She was ready with MP5A5. Static was ready also. NMC's that had the close resemblance to the deadly scorpion went appeared then looked at her with their jewel-like eyes. He starts shooting. She starts also. They start decreasing. As soon that no creature was sighted, they lowered their guns then started walking. "So where should we go Sonika?" He asked. "To Mr. Clark." She answered, "I saw his truck." "Sure." He replied, "I saw his truck also, let's go there through that door." He pointed the door next to her. She turned around then turned the knob. Nothing. "It's locked." She said. He got the key from his belt pouch. "Maybe this will work." He said. She stepped away to give room. He inserted the key then unlocked it. He turned the knob then the door opened. He went in, followed by her then closed the door. They suddenly heard buzzing noises. "Where are those noises coming from?" He asked. She slowly raised her hand then hit's the NMC with her fireball from the ceiling. A loud thud was heard. He looked up then down. He saw an NMC, burned like paper. "What happened?" He asked. He looked at her. "Did you did that Sonika?" He asked. She nodded no. She looked around. "This looks like a dead end Stat." She declared. "Okay, I was wrong." He said nervously, "But at least we can find something useful in here." They start to look around. "So what'd you find?" He asked. "Only a box of ammunition…" She sighed. "For me, a big magnet." He sighed. She opened the door then they headed outside. "I saw a gate over there." He announced. He started to run to the gate then opened it. "C'mon Sonika!" He shouted. She starts to run to him. He went through the gate with her behind. He was at the door. "I'm first!" He declared.

Suddenly an NMC jumped down then looked at him. She stopped then looked at the creature. "It's the puma!" They exclaimed. She started shooting it then it fell. Now it's his turn. Then it died. "Thanks for that." He said. "You're welcome." She answered. He pushed the button. "This is Miyu the Cabat." She said. "Miyu this is Static." He said. "Oh, hi Static," She said, "Mr. Clark is in his office. The key to the door is just below you. Go get it then open the door." Then she was out. He grabbed the big magnet then knelt down. He placed it near the key then it reacted. He lead the key to the gap then grabbed it. He opened the door with the key then went in. Sonika followed him. They saw the boys. "Hey guys." They said. "Hey!" They replied. "Where's the other two?" Stalin asked. "Inside, sleeping soundly." She answered. "We're just going to see Mr. Clark." Static replied. "I see…" Said the boys. The four went to the garage then outside. They saw the girls with Jolteon. They saw the four. "He's inside." Miyu answered. Sonika and Static headed to the building then he knocked the door. "Come in." He said. He opened the door then they went in.

Everything in his office, full of guns in display. "I see that my gun collection can be good in display." Derick smiled. Then he remembers. "Oh yeah," He said, "one of the MIST agents called me from nowhere when I entered my office." "That might be Nicholas." Sonika recalled. Then she remembered something. "Static, does Nicholas doesn't keep his promises?" She asked. "He's sometimes sidetracked." He answered nervously. "He said that the metallic implant you found, which I don't know what it is or what it does, is actually a micro-transmitter." Derick said. "Micro-transmitter…" She repeated.

"He said that someone's controlling those NMC's you've mentioned."

"Controlled…?" Static repeated.

"Anything…they can control?" She asked.

"Probably… He also mentioned that there are a bit sand intact on the transmitter."

"Sand…?" They repeated.

"To what he said to me…when he analyzed it, it matched on Mojave. I was wondering why would those creatures could survive in this heat. Then he answered that someone made a few changes on the experiment he's doing. Anything else?"

"Well, Static and I found a hybrid Hedgehog-Porcupine trapped on top of the water tower. His name's Mitchell Hedgepine. He's one of MIST before and now he's a P.I for the president. He mentions about the shelter, which we don't know, and he said it's here in the vicinity…"

"A shelter…?"

"Yes…" They answered.

"Is it the one that militia group dug to prepare for 'nuclear winter?' I remember that, it's out in the hills."

"Is it still in use?" Static asked.

"I heard that some huge company bought it a few years back."

Suddenly, she heard a faint scream. "Did you hear that?" She asked, "Someone's screaming for help." The two listened. "I don't hear it." Derick answered. "I can only hear it a little bit though." Static replied. "So where's it coming from anyway?" Derick asked. She pointed east. "Right over there…" She answered. "That's the empty house." He said, "I thought I blocked that place up to keep people out…" "Probably some of the tourist." Static suggested, "Where is it anyway?" "From the town center, you'd go through the general store, but I warned you, the owner trusts no one. He can't even give me anything. Of course, there's a well behind the garage. You two might get to the general store from below. It smells, but it's the best way to go there." "Alright, thanks." He said, "Let's go Sonika." He left first. "Don't worry sir," She said, "we know where the well is." Then she left.

Outside, the four were relaxing. They saw the two. "Where are you going?" Inferno asked. "To the well." Static answered. "Okay, good luck." Stalin said with a smile. "You might need rope." Sapphire announced, "It's over there." Miyu got up then got the rope. She gave it to Sonika. "Thanks." She said. "You're welcome." She replied. When they're about to go, she remembered something. "Oh one more thing." She said. The four looked at her. "If Parasite and Kaz are awake," She said, "please tell them not to worry about us." They nodded then the two went inside the garage. They opened the shutter then opened the door to their right. They saw the well. Sonika gave the rope to Static then he started to tie strong knots. He pulled the rope. "It's nice and strong." He said, "Let's go." She grabbed the rope then went down followed by him as she went down.