(Well, I hope you liked the opening chapter; because here comes the next one! Robotnik's seen Riku in action now, so what plans does he have for the Key bearer of the Twilight? Read and find out my friends. I don't own Kingdom Hearts or SatAM as you know.)
CHAPTER 2
Riku huffed and panted lightly as he looked about the mess of SWATbot remains around him. Tucking his Keyblade into his belt for the time being, Riku bent over to pick up one of the SWATbot's dome shaped heads and examined it closely. He ran a hand over the dark blue metal, right up to the pointy tip, and took a close look at the infrared visor "eye" of the head. "What the hell are these SWATbots, anyway? They're really nothing like the Heartless and Nobodies, that's for sure. I wonder who built these things…" A loud whirring noise suddenly caught Riku's attention, making him drop the robot's head. When he looked to his right, a strange flying machine was hovering towards his direction.
The egg-shaped flying machine was bright red up top around its cockpit, while the underside was black. The cockpit sported a five window windshield; two smaller windows on both sides with one large window in the middle. A searchlight was mounted on the bottom right below the cockpit. Finally, there was a small laser cannon mounted on the top of the ship.
Riku placed his hand in the handle of Way to the Dawn, wondering if reinforcements were arriving. "That's the trouble with robots," Riku remarked, "They don't know WHEN to quit." He watched as the small ship landed right in front of him and he pulled out his Keyblade; raising it above his head in a thrusting position once more and ready to attack whomever emerged from the door on the side. With a small hiss, the circular doors at the side of the ship opened wide, revealing a large obese mustachioed man in black and red spandex with a long yellow cape flowing behind him.
Robotnik stepped out of his ship and began to walk towards the mysterious boy. 'There he is,' the mustachioed man thought to himself, 'now to put my plan into action.' He put on a seemingly friendly and apologetic smile. "Greetings, my boy," he spoke with (mock) friendliness, "oh I'm so sorry about my SWATbots attacking you like that."
"Those were YOUR robots?" Riku asked with disgruntlement evident in his voice, "they seemed hell-bent on frying me with their lasers."
"Ah, well you see," Robotnik explained, "my city of Robotropolis has been under tight security as of late due to terrorism. I had given them strict orders to subdue and bring in any foreign intruders."
"Robotropolis? Is that what this place is called?" Riku asked, lowering his Keyblade. "I've never heard of any city with that name. But then again, I'm not exactly from around these parts," he admitted as he looked around the city, "so I've never seen anything so…industrial looking."
'Not from around here, is he?' Robotnik thought with glee, 'that will make it all the more easier.' "Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself," Robotnik exclaimed with fake realization, "My name is Doctor Ivo Robotnik, formerly known as Julian Kintobor. I am the rightful ruler of planet Mobius," he grinned proudly yet arrogantly and bowed.
'Planet…Mobius?' Riku thought with confusion, 'so I've been warped to another world again.' This all seemed too familiar for Riku, as if it were a repeat of what happened when he opened the door to Destiny Islands, thereby releasing the Heartless into his world; when he was swallowed up into the darkness, slowly consumed by the darkness in his heart and becoming a pawn of Ansem/Xehanort's Heartless. Yet this time seemed different, as he was not consumed by his own free will and there were no Heartless present; nor were there any Nobodies. Something different had transported Riku here; whether it was good or evil he wasn't sure, but he was determined not to be used for evil again.
Unfortunately, Riku's confusion at the name "Mobius" did not go unnoticed by Robotnik, who couldn't have been more ecstatic. 'So, he knows nothing of me or Mobius, hm? And by his clothes and that strange sword he wields; he's most likely not even of this dimension or planet,' he snuck a look at Riku's Keyblade, 'what an odd looking weapon, that is; a sword shaped like a key. Snively's reading stated that a strange unearthly power was emanating from it. I must have this boy's power on my side, before the Freedom Fighters get a hold of him.' "Well, now that you know who I am, would you care to tell me your name?" He held out his right hand of flesh and blood to Riku for a handshake.
"The name's Riku," Riku introduced himself and shook Robotnik's hand. The moment his hand touched Robotnik's however, his mind froze as he suddenly felt Robotnik's heart essence; an essence of pure malevolence and hatred, with the desire to dominate over all living things. 'This essence,' Riku thought, 'It feels just like when I first Ansem…or rather, Xehanort's Heartless,' he recalled, remembering the Heartless leader who had seduced him to the side of the Heartless. Putting the warning thoughts on hold for a moment, Riku noticed Robotnik's cybernetic left arm; his eyes widened at the very sight of the mechanical arm. "What in the-"
"Ah, you're probably wondering why my left arm is mechanical," Robotnik assumed and immediately thought up of a good lie, so as not to arouse Riku's suspicion, "years ago a group of eco-terrorists had stormed my laboratory, demanding a halt to my research and mechanics. I tried to reason with them, saying that my machines were for the good of Mobius, but they wouldn't listen; they said that planet had no need for machines and that I was "tainting the soil." So, they brutally severed my left arm off," Robotnik feigned disgrace and shame, "ever since then, I had this robotic one grafted on. But it hasn't ceased… There have been sabotages, bombings, and other terrible acts on my fair city for all the wrong reasons. The offenders merely use "for the good of nature and the planet" as an excuse for their atrocities."
Riku narrowed his eyes as Robotnik's deceitful words washed over him. "That's terrible! They don't even sound like they're for the planet at all!"
"They're not," Robotnik lied even further, "They're merely a techno phobic group who has the false assumption that we'll all become too dependant on machines, and want to put a stop to progress using the most violent methods possible." He watched as Riku's eyes narrowed further in anger and his lips curved into an angry scowl. 'The fish has taken the bait,' he thought with satisfactory, 'now it's time to reel in today's catch.'
'These guys sound no better than Organization XIII,' Riku thought angrily, 'but I don't know…is what he's saying true? I don't want to jump into any wrong conclusions…'
"Riku, perhaps we should take this conversation elsewhere," Robotnik suggested, "in case the Freedom Fighters might be listening."
"Freedom Fighters…so that's what they're called?" Riku snorted, "Some freedom THEY'RE fighting for. Alright, I'll come with you. I want to know more about these "Freedom" Fighters."
'And the fish has been put on the ice,' Robotnik thought in triumph, "Excellent. Come with me to my inner sanctum, Riku," he ordered as he walked through the open doors of his ship.
Riku followed close behind and entered the ship, the circular doors closing behind him. He saw Robotnik seated in the pilot seat on the left hand side, and walked over to sit in the right side seat as Robotnik switched on the engine.
The pod ship began to whir again as it lifted up off the ground, blowing a cloud of dirt around as it took off. The ship then turned around in mid air and hovered deeper into the city of Robotropolis.
"Feel free to look out the window and see the sights of Robotropolis," Robotnik offered.
Riku was already looking out the window, however, and was amazed by the mechanical city below them. He had never seen anything so metallic and mechanical in his life; not in any of the worlds he had traveled to. The giant metal buildings, the machines moving and flying about the streets and air, and the robots that patrolled the various sectors of the city all seemed so foreign to him.
"Amazing isn't it?" Robotnik asked Riku rhetorically as they neared the tallest building in the center of Robotropolis, "what you see before you is an example of the wonders of technology and science."
The red pod ship hovered through the air and to the top of the central citadel of Robotropolis; a long runaway was seen sticking out of the side of the citadel and leading to a doorway to the building structure. The pod lowered itself onto the far end of the runaway, releasing a small gust of wind as it landed near a small set of stairs.
"We're here Riku," Robotnik announced, "follow me into my chambers and I will explain it all to you." He stood up from his seat and walked towards the ships doors, stepping down the steps where he was met by a set of saluting swatBOTs and an eagerly awaiting Snively.
"Dr Robotnik, sir, welcome back," Snively saluted, "what is the status of the mysterious boy, if you don't mind my asking?"
"The "mysterious boy" has a name," Robotnik simply barked to Snively, "and I expect you to give him the same amount or respect as you give to me."
"The name's Riku," Riku announced as he stepped out.
"Ah, yes, Riku," Snively bowed, "Welcome to Robotropolis, sir. I hope you enjoy your stay… As long as you don't irritate that fat fool," he muttered the last sentence under his breath.
"WHAT was that Snively!?" Apparently, Snively did not mutter quietly enough to go unheard by Robotnik.
Snively squeaked a bit before trying to cover up his muttered insult, "I-uh-said, as long as you don't fall into any oil pools," he lied, sweating a bit.
Robotnik just growled before heading down the runaway, his yellow cape flowing out behind him.
Riku cast an uneasy look between Snively and Robotnik, also overhearing Snively's muttered insult. 'Eesh, for Snively being a right-hand man, he and Robotnik don't seem to have that good of a relationship,' he thought as he quickly ran and caught up with Robotnik, followed by Snively close on his heels.
The circular door opened up for the trio breaking into four quarters and opening up, letting the three males inside Robotnik's chambers. Inside there was one large padded mechanical chair with a control booth, surrounded by a great computer with many surveillance monitors.
Robotnik walked up to his chair and seated himself in it, before turning it towards Snively and Riku. "Welcome, to my inner sanctum, Riku. Here is where I run all my base of operations and monitor my city. I also record and store every security tape onto the computer. It's here where I'll show you the faces of the ones who smear the name of Planet Mobius." Robotnik pressed his index finger against a bright yellow button underneath a camera shaped icon. "Computer! Play security tape H-84," he ordered.
PROCESSING, the mechanized voice of Robotnik's computer echoed, and one monitor started to fizz and crackle with snowy static, before turning black as it uploaded a video.
Riku watched the monitor closely as the video picture flickered on.
The first image was of a small blue anthropomorphic hedgehog with white gloves and red sneakers, battling against SwatBOT guards. What was amazing about this video was HOW the hedgehog was fighting; running as fast as the wind, spinning around like a buzz saw through the robots, dodging laser fire with unseen grace and agility.
Riku's eyes widened as he watched the hedgehog fight; he had never seen any creature move at such a speed or seen a creature be so agile.
"That, Riku, is one of the "Freedom Fighters," and my arch nemesis, Sonic the Hedgehog," Robotnik explained, "His name, Sonic, is fitting as he can run at the speed of sound."
"Speed of sound!?" Riku was shocked as he watched the recording of Sonic run right through the SwatBOTs. "Damn, that's fast." He then watched as the image flickered to another recording, this time of Sonic with two females; one being a beautiful anthropomorphic ground squirrel with long ruby red hair, dressed in blue boots and a blue vest; the other being a cute anthropomorphic bunny girl dressed in a purple leotard, who seemed to have a robotic left arm, along with robotic legs.
"The squirrel is Princess Sally, the leader of those rambling rodents," Robotnik pointed to Sally, "she's the brains of the outfit along with her little handheld computer, Nicole. The other one is Bunnie Rabbot, the muscle; you'd best take care should you oppose her. Her metallic limbs can do some deadly damage to anything metal, so you wouldn't want to know what it could do to flesh and blood," he warned.
"I'll keep that in mind," Riku nodded. "Any others I should know about?"
"There is also Rotor," Robotnik pressed another button on his chair's control panel, and showed the image of a light purple anthropomorphic walrus with a yellow cap and utility belt across his shoulder. "He is the mechanical wizard of the group and has built many destructive yet intelligent devices; a lot of them have contributed to the sabotage of my fair city. The other two, you need not worry about," Robotnik clicked the button again showing the image of a small brown anthropomorphic fox, with white sneakers and two tails. "This is Tails, he can fly with those two tails of his, but he poses no threat whatsoever, unless it included worshipping that blasted hedgehog." Robotnik then switched to the image of an anthropomorphic coyote dressed in a red and blue guard's jacket and brown boots; he had yellow hair that was done in a 1920's hairstyle and bore a snooty look. "This is Antoine Depardieu, a pathetic excuse for a guard who's an absolute guard and speaks in EXTREMELY broken English," he switched the video off. "Those are the six main members of the "Freedom Fighters," Robotnik explained, "There are many other branches of this group and I'll fill you in on them later."
"So," Riku crossed his arms and spoke in a business tone, "What exactly is it you need me to do?"
"It's simple really," Robotnik grinned, "I need you to travel to the Great Forest, and find their base of operations, "Knothole Village." Once there you are to find and destroy the village, and bring me those meddlesome rodents for "interrogation." In exchange, if you tell Snively and I a little more about yourself, we may be able to find a way to transport you home." He held out his right hand in a handshake of agreement. "So, do we have a deal?"
Riku thought for a moment; he had only just met this Robotnik character, and didn't exactly know the full situation of what was going on in this planet. What's more was the dark aura around Robotnik; it seemed too familiar, as if trusting him could lead to another Ansem incident. But, since he was stranded in a world he knew nothing about, not knowing when or how he could go home, he didn't have many options available to him, nor did he know who exactly was good and evil; even if he had that feeling that Robotnik was definitely evil. "Alright, Dr Robotnik, we have a deal," he shook the doctor's hand in agreement…for now.
TO BE CONTINUED