Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog.

Note: This took me far to long to get the will to write. For that I apologize.

Somewhat fixed: 11/24/11

Chapter 5: Faltering Odds

The poison was harmless?

Then why did the hedgehog's chest ache like this?

"Ro-bo- Robot-" He pulled out the syllables with each short breath, gagging at the taste burning at the back of his throat. "Robot-nik…" It was thick and irony, chopping volumes from his tone as he forced himself to sit upright. There was no one here but he felt a slight tug around his neck with each movement.

Slowly Sonic dragged himself back to his senses, the breathlessness dwindling away. "R-ROBOTNIK!"

The man came too, keeping a good distance between his enemy and him. "Good your awake."

"You used me Robotnik. I want out of here!"

"Then leave…"

The genius was mocking him. There was no way Sonic could leave when he was chained up though he did try. Pulling once or twice upon the chain to test it's strength before running, faster,

Faster…

He gagged as the collar tore back against his throat, and he crashed backwards onto his bottom. "What do you want from me?" Digging his gloved fingers against the firm cement, he knew the forming anger would only burn him up with no release and so tried to relax against the nauseating pain.

His ears were tilting at the words "well I have some bad news about my lies. It turns out things aren't turning out quite the way I planned…"

Sonic scuffed and leaned back against his spikes "do they ever?" Robotnik didn't reply holding up two reddish vials for the hedgehog to see. Ever so slightly he flinched "w-what's that…?"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to you. You're in bad shape as it is. These two specimens of blood just prove that the poison passes my expectations. It seemed the virus evolved quite quickly in your system, perhaps due to your spee-"

"Wait!" Sonic had gotten back to his feet coming as close as he could to the man on his short chain. He wanted to get a better look at these 'specimens', that looked exactly the same to him. "W-wait… Slow down…" At that there was silence and then the soft mumbling of: 'I can't believe I just said that.'

"What is it you are trying to say Robuttnik?"

"It's thanks to you I know that the poison doesn't forever stay a harmless substance. If left unattended to it will go so far to kill a person." Sonic stared at the man for a long moment before his words broke the silence once more. "I don't believe you."

It was impossible to put faith in someone who constantly betrayed his trust. Sonic refused to do it anymore.

Robotnik only sighed, "it's your death then and all the rest of the people." The hedgehog shifted his gaze back to the man. "I really can't believe it… but I guess I have to trust you… again…" He gritted his teeth at the last word, feeling discomfort in such a matter. "What am I suppose to do?"

"I'm sure I can make an effective antidote but I don't have the right ingredie-"

"Why even bother? Wouldn't it be easier to build you city over the dead bodi-"

"Don't interrupt me."

Sonic stiffened, having little reaction to the piece of paper suddenly held out to him. "What?…"

The man shook it slightly "I want you to get these things for me. You are the fastest and this is very dependant on time."

He took the list giving it a quick scan. "I don't know where to find most of these things."

He felt the weight around his neck loosen the man releasing the binds. "Try asking someone." There was still weight there and he fiddled his fingers over the metal collar deciding not to comment, sure he would get some stupid reply like: 'sorry I lost the key.'

"What you said earlier… won't running just…"

"Yes but your out of choices. Try not to die before you win this game…"

He finally decided to accept this was a deadly game, could feel it tearing his insides apart.

If he couldn't make it in time though he doubted anyone else would.


Amy's shoulders shook with sobs, the thought of death was terrifying and Miles had said it so simply 'you die'. Somehow she just couldn't push the words aside. She turned away to hide her fear from her younger friend and stilled herself, hoping for some sort of solution.

Then a blue wind blew in.

The moment she spotted her crush, she threw her arms around him, stopping Sonic from going another step. "A-Amy… you're going to… suffocate me."

She let go and stepped back, happiness turning into a deathly glare. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"

He took a step back from the outraged girl, shifting his sights for support but knew his brother was hiding, those two tails curling around from behind the desk. He jolted, Amy was shaking him "How could you? People trusted you and the police…" she pointed at the television that was playing quietly in the background. "What were you doing with…. Robotnik…"

Her anger had quickly departed for a feeling of betrayal. "Son-Sonic…" She sobbed pulling him down around the neck as she sunk down to her knees. "Why…?"

He couldn't look at her right now but there was no where else to look not when she was directly in front of him. He closed his eyes not able to look into hers, not now… What was he doing?

Then he remembered, time wasn't on there side.

"Listen Amy I had reason for all of that I just can't tell you right now…" He tried to squirm free but her fingers had a death grip around the collar that was clasped around his neck. "Sonic… is that why you came to the pier last night, because you knew all this would happen?"

Sonic averted his gaze, hoping someone would help him out. "Tails?…" he acknowledged hopefully.

The fox perked his eyes over the desk, large ears drooping. "Amy told me about the people at the jewelry store… now their life is ruined…" The hedgehog watched him blankly. "How could you?" He wanted to explain but neither of them was giving the room and he didn't have the time. "How could-"

"TAILS!"

Amy slid her fingers off the smooth metal at a yell so near to her ears. Then she stared at the addition to Sonic's normal simple attire. "Why do you have-"

"Amy! PLEASE!"

She flinched, they all did. Sonic silently aching with breathlessness that he covered so carefully. "I need your help Tails… I'll explain everything else later…"

"What about me?" At the question he ran his finger against the side of his nose with impatience "I hid the real diamonds in the forest." She hugged him hard enough to cause his quills to bristle. Pain slunk into his chest at her squeeze and he felt that a cry might rise in his throat so tugged back. "You should go find them?…"

"I'll be right back my Sonic." With that she had departed and the fox wandered cautiously over.

"What do you need help with?…"

The hedgehog handed over the list as he got back to his feet "where can I find that stuff?"

"None of them are really close but I guess that doesn't matter for you." With a small smile the fox stepped away, a frown replacing his amusement as silence settled in. "What's really going on around here? I mean you already told me about the poison… but… but…" the words faded off with engulfing despair. "What are we suppose to do about it?… It's not like anything we faced before… Robotnik is on a whole different league now…"

"I'll handle it. Just tell me where I can find the stuff on that list."

After a moment the fox was smiling again "alright." Unfolding a map across the scattered table top he knocked papers and pens aside. "I'll circle where you can find each item." He paused and glanced at his friend "you want some help gathering at all? It might take till the evening tomorrow though."

A chill crept of Sonic's spine. "That's alright Tails…"

"There is at least fifteen things on this list. Are you in some sort of rush? Maybe you should ask Knuckles for some help? He is pretty good at finding things…" Tails was rambling on but Sonic didn't mind, watching as each spot on the map was outlined in marker. Then he set down the list circling seven of the names "I'll get these. They are closest and it will give you more time to find the other things…"

Sonic pulled a small smile "Thanks Tails… but I really could handle this alone…"

"No. You're my best friend and I'm going to do what ever I can to help at this point." The hedgehog only nodded at his friend's decision knowing there would be no changing it now.

With a quick examination of the clock he scooped up the map and muttered firmly. "Meet me here in four hours?" Everyone else would probably just begin to feel the starting effects of the poison by then.

Seeing Miles nod he turned away knowing he better get started if they wanted to make it in time but at the door Tails had called for him to stop. Sonic for once heeded, tilting back his head to glance at him. "What?…"

The two tailed fox shifted uncomfortably. "Are you okay?… you have been acting sort of strange."

For a second there was silence before it was broken by Sonic's soft laugh "yeah I'm fine bro. I'll see you in a few." Then he had gone too.

Tails had to believe it. What was life if you couldn't trust your best friends?

Sonic could take care of himself.

Robotnik sat back and listened to the muffled ticking of a clock. There was no way Sonic would make it in time but then he had underestimated him before. This time though…

Even if the hedgehog won, he lost.

Sliding his thick finger over a button the genius spoke calmly into the intercom his voice ringing through the base. "Go get me the girl."

I can't judge how fast I am going to update from now on but I hope to finish this story before the end of summer so all my readers and reviewers; just try to be patient with me.


Next chapter: They Bite

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