Chemical Plant and Oil Refinery Zone
A/N: Starting with this chapter, I'm hoping to be a bit more regular in my output of content: at least one chapter a month, either in this story or others. If I make mistakes while doing so, or forget certain details that I recall later on, I apologise in advance. I'm just trying to boost my confidence and overcome my perfectionism.
Hurit Softshell is owned by Nicky the Bear. Writing rights to my Mobian counterpart naturally belong to me. Everyone else belongs to SEGA.
So, with all that said, let's begin.
Marble Zone
"Come now, Miss Rabbot, surely, we can come to an agreement…"
"How 'bout we agree that you shut yer face, you sneaky Wolf?"
"Hey, that's racist!"
Bunnie ignored Dingo's protest on behalf of his partner as she hauled the two tied-up bounty hunters over to the Tornado. Tails had received his tool kit, and was inspecting the damage done to the biplane.
"How's it lookin', Tails?" the Doe asked, as she deployed her arm cannon and aimed it at Sleet and Dingo as a warning. The two Goodniks had flown off to deal with any further Badniks in the area.
"Not too good, Aunt Bunnie," lamented Tails. "The engine took a pounding, and the chassis isn't much better. I'll do what I can, but I'm not sure how much good I can make out here."
"Well, y'all just do yer best, Sugah-fox," Bunnie cooed, ruffling Tails' head-fur with her organic hand, while keeping her cannon fixed on Sleet and Dingo.
"Oh, stop it, Aunt Bunnie!" Tails whined, batting her hand away and flushing with embarrassment.
"How's a Bunny the aunt of a Fox?" Dingo asked. "Seems too young for that, as well."
"Term of endearment," Sleet answered, with an eye roll.
"And if y'all don't zip it, Ah won't be endearing to you two!" Bunnie warned, as Tails, straightening his bangs, set to work.
"Oh, please, miss," Sleet pleaded pleasantly. "Must you be so aggressive? I know we got off on the wrong foot, but…"
"Wrong foot?!" Bunnie snorted. "You two tried to shoot us, beat us, slash us, capture us, and roast us like meat on an open fire!"
"We were just following Robotnik's orders!" protested Dingo. "He'd Roboticize us, otherwise!"
Bunnie couldn't suppress a wince at the word 'Roboticize', and she thought she felt a twinge of pain shoot through her left arm and legs, but she ignored them. "That hardly justifies tryin' to do us in."
"Hey, in this day and age, you have to do anything to avoid that machine," Sleet smiled. "Surely, you'd agree, Scarlett…"
Bunnie stared in bewilderment. "How-how do you… what are yer talking about?!"
Sleet's grin widened. "Isn't that your name: Scarlett Rabbot?"
"S-so what if it is?" Bunnie protested.
Dingo seemed to have caught on to his partner's ploy. "Weren't your parents two nasty little turncoats during the Great War?"
Tails had looked round anxiously. "Aunt Bunnie, don't let them-!"
"It must be tragic, being the daughter of traitors," Sleet taunted. "Guess your own defection to the Freedom Fighters and desertion of your Uncle must be their genes coming out in you!"
"No!" Bunnie cried, her eyes filling with tears, just as much out of confusion and fear as sadness. How did these creeps know?! "I'm not like mah Mom and Dad!"
Tails, too, was confused by how they knew all this about Bunnie. But he was more afraid of what Bunnie might end up doing to Sleet and Dingo. It also struck him as to why they were doing this. Were they trying to make Bunnie kill them? Didn't make sense for bounty hunters. Then, he noticed that Sleet and Dingo were subtly moving their arms behind their backs.
"Are you so sure?" Dingo goaded. "Your robot limbs remind me of IMP!"
At this, Bunnie let out a cry and took aim with her arm cannon.
"Aunt Bunnie, NO!" Tails cried. But too late! Quick as a whip, Dingo punched Bunnie hard in the stomach. The shot that would have otherwise hit him and his partner instead went into the air. It blasted apart one of the Goodniks that were returning from their reconnaissance. The Flickie powering it flew out, twittering in alarm.
Bunnie collapsed, completely winded. The bounty hunters didn't get time to gloat over it, before an orange-brown and white ball of fluff slammed into them, knocking them backwards. The remaining Goodnik opened fire on them, causing them to take evasive actions.
Tails uncurled himself, and quickly retrieved his backpack. He always carried this kit in case he ever needed to defend himself. The Cub opened the backpack just as Sleet and Dingo managed to take out the last Goodnik, and sent the Flickie inside flying off, twittering in alarm.
The duo rounded on Tails, only to stare down the barrel of a small laser gun.
"Freeze!" Tails ordered, in as hard a voice as he could muster.
Sleet and Dingo stared at the small gun, and then laughed derisively.
"Ooooo, don't hurt us with your little toy gun!" Sleet pretended to whimper.
"We're too young to play pretend!" Dingo taunted.
Tails pointed the gun away from them, and fired. The resultant shot blew a nearby rock to pieces. That shut the duo up at once, and they raised their hands.
"N-now kindly surrender," Tails demanded shakily. "I d-don't want to have to p-pull this trigger."
"Well, of course not," Sleet agreed. "After all, we could help you find your parents, little Fox."
Tails faltered for a moment. If these two knew Bunnie's story, could they also possibly know…?
The boy genius shook himself mentally. These two were trying to get into his head! He could not - would not let that happen! But he also couldn't possibly shoot the duo. He'd built this gun, and his other gadgets, to deal with Badniks and SWAT-bots, not fellow Mobians. Freedom Fighters did not kill. And anyway, you'd have to be really messed up to be willing to kill when you're a few months short of your eighth birthday.
Tails realised he'd have to retreat with Bunnie, and find the others. But first…
"What are you talking about?" Tails demanded, while he reached into his backpack with one of his namesake appendages.
"We're talking about your parents, Amadeus and Rosemary Prower," Dingo replied, frowning. "Surely, you know…"
"Of course, he knows," Sleet hissed. "We have our sources, Tails. If you can just put the gun down, we could share with you what we know."
"Tempting," Tails admitted. "But I prefer to verify my sources before sharing them."
And before Sleet and Dingo could say anymore, he tossed a small disc at their feet with his tail. Next moment, the bounty hunters were sent flying up into the air by a surge of energy.
Seizing his chance, the little Fox lifted into the air with his namesake appendages and quickly scooped up Bunnie. This was by no means easy; when her robotic limbs weren't lead heavy, they were by no means featherweight either.
"Hey, come back here, you little runt!" Sleet yelled, as Tails flew off as fast as he could. Bunnie coughed.
"What's happenin', Sugah Fox?" she wheezed.
"We're going to find the others," Tails asserted. "Don't worry, Aunt Bunnie. I've got you."
Robotnik's Private Laboratory, Chemical Plant IR01, Sector 1
Having initiated a release of a magnetic field through the plant, Doctor Robotnik was now in his private laboratory, preparing to examine the three quills he had obtained from each of the three Hedgehogs. This is also an opportunity for me to correct a mistake I made in a previous chapter, where I implied Robotnik examined the quills immediately after the incident in Robotropolis. He did consider doing so, but actually decided to save it until later, once the Chemical Plant was complete. Robotnik wanted to see what power they could provide to his machines at said Plant, and potentially, the rest of his mechanical empire.
Robotnik slipped some headphones on over the implants where his ears had once been. Bringing up a list of tunes on a screen, he skimmed through them, before selecting one called 'In the Tundra Emperor's Hall' and pressing the play symbol.
As the ominous music began to play, Robotnik had a robotic arm place the three quills under a microscope. Robotnik put his eyes to the ocular lens, and used the fine and coarse adjustments to focus in on the quills.
"Hmmm," he pondered, zooming in to have a closer look at the follicles on each quill. "Looks like I've already found a source of Chaos energy..."
As he watched, bio-electricity sparked along each follicle; blue for Sonic, green for Manic, pink for Sonia.
Grinning, Robotnik had the three quills taken out from under the microscope, and transferred to individual glass containers. Metal hands took hold of each quill, and the containers closed up. A digital readout showed that scanning of the quills had initiated.
While the scanning proceeded, Robotnik decided to pass the time by re-living one of his fondest memories.
Pressing a few buttons on the inside of the glove on his robotic arm, Robotnik had holo-projections built into the walls construct a scene where Robotnik stood within a large throne room. Large, burly guards were bearing down on him from all sides.
As the music started its crescendo, Robotnik acted. He punched at some of the guard projections, and fired on the rest. They all fell with contemptuous ease, just as the real guards had fallen nearly 10 years ago. Robotnik could still see the shock on King Max's face as he and his SWAT bots tore into the palace; still hear his outrage at 'Julian's' betrayal, and the glorious screams of terror that had echoed throughout the city of Mobotropolis as his SWAT bots took over everywhere.
As the music concluded, Robotnik stood proud and tall, overlooking a conquered city, rechristened 'Robotropolis'. The Mobian populace was now Roboticized, and were bowing obediently to their new lord and master. The chant of 'Robotnik rules supreme' warmed the cockles of the scientist's dark heart. He turned grandly on the spot in triumph and-
Robotnik found Grimer standing right behind him. He started a little as the holo-projections vanished and his headphones fell off. However, he quickly recovered, and glared menacingly at his green-skinned subordinate.
"What have I told you about disturbing me?!" he growled.
"M-m-my apologies, sire," Grimer stammered sycophantically. "I was just bringing you your latte, and wanted to watch you re-enact your finest hour."
Sometimes, it was Grimer's impeccable brewing that prevented Robotnik from disposing of him. That and his undying loyalty.
"Next time, leave it outside!" Robotnik snapped, snatching the cup from Grimer.
"Yes, sire," Grimer acknowledged, bowing.
At that moment, the two heard a beep from the glass containers that had been scanning the quills. The process was complete. The digital readout on all three quills said 'Power analysis: unlimited'.
"Grimer, get ready to witness a mass upgrade," said Robotnik. "My machines are about to reach their full potential. With this power, and the Chaos energy, those wretched Freedom Fighters and Eurishians wouldn't stand a chance!"
"The world will truly be yours for all time, sir!" Grimer simpered.
Unfortunately, this moment of glorious realisation was interrupted when a loud klaxon went off.
"What now?!" Robotnik demanded.
Snively, who had returned from Green Hill, hurried in. "Sir, sir, we have intruders in the Plant!"
"The Freedom Fighters?!"
"No sir; surprisingly not," Snively answered. "We have two hooded figures with swords in Sector 4, sir! They appear to be Foxes!"
Robotnik's red and black eyes widened. "The Blackthorns!"
IR01 Sector 2
The unpleasant scent of chemicals was enough to make your eyes water. The whirring, hissing and clanking of machinery reverberated off the various silos, gilders, and tubes. Warning signs hung over vats of chemicals, though they seemed more of a mockery to Sonic than everything else.
Robotnik's pollution was always guaranteed to make his stomach turn. And he wasn't the only one.
"Ah, man, would I like to turn Robotnik into a can-opener!" Rotor snarled, as the Freedom Fighters entered the Chemical Plant.
Sonia had a hand over her nose. "Ugh, how does Robotnik endure such foul odours?"
"Probably doesn't realise, since he himself stinks so much already!" snorted Sonic, scowling.
"I've grown up in sewers, and even I find this a bit much," Manic shuddered.
"It certainly doesn't meet occupational hazard guidelines," Sally agreed.
"Well, looks like we'll have to deliver a very serious review of this place," Sonic declared. "One that involves tearing it down!"
"I think my Masters may have beaten you to that delivery," Hurit noted, as they passed some sliced up 'bots. "But…" she smiled, "That doesn't mean we can't give our own review."
"Now you're talking my language!" Sonic acknowledged with a slightly grim smile. "Once we free all the Mobinis here, we're gonna see one heck of a light show!"
"Wouldn't it be better just to blow this place immediately?" Rotor proposed. "The longer we deliberate, the more pollution this Plant puts out."
Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Have you honestly forgotten who you're talking to, Rote? This place will be a wreck before you know it!"
He turned at Manic and Sonia. "You sibs up for helping me and Hurit bust this place?"
"You got it, bro!" Though Manic was still a little surprised by Sonic's earlier confession, he was still willing to fight alongside him.
"Of course, if it means ridding us of this stench!" Sonia still wasn't sure whether she accepted Sonic and Manic as her brothers, but at the very least, they were friends and she should look out for them.
Sonic and Manic, for their part, were slightly taken aback by how Sonia's resolve seemed to have changed so quickly after Labyrinth; even Sonia herself was puzzled. Perhaps what Antoine had said back in Green Hill was true: maybe Sonic was psychic after all? It would explain a lot.
Sonic looked back at Sally, Rotor and Antoine, his green eyes lingering momentarily over their still-bandaged injuries.
"You guys alright if we zip ahead to deal with any lingering 'bots?" he offered.
"By all means," Sally conceded. She glanced at NICOLE. "There's a segment of this place where Robotnik is creating synthetic oils. We'll head over there and shut it down."
"Okay, but be careful-"
"We will, Sonic," Sally forestalled. "But when this is over, we should talk. Nothing serious, I promise."
Sonic was about to object, but one look at Sally's expression made the words die in his throat. He nodded in acknowledgement as Sally passed them devices that would generate protective suits if worst came to the worst.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sonic noted the frown on Rotor's face as he, Sally and Antoine departed. He was looking around contemptuously. Sonic hoped his old friend didn't try anything extreme; at least, not before he did.
"Masters," Hurit spoke into a com-link of her own. "The Hedgehogs and I are at the Plant now. Where are you?"
'We're in Sector 4, Hurit,' answered a male voice. 'We've already drawn the attention of a lot of the 'bots here.'
"If it's alright with you guys, we're going to start taking this place down," Hurit said.
"S'cuse my eavesdropping," Sonic interjected, "but who on Mobius are you?"
'Errol Blackthorn, your Highness, and with me is my sister, Morain. I realise you must have questions, but save them for later, okay?'
And before Sonic could ask any further, the connection ended. Sonic rolled his eyes. He understood the 'save questions for later' reasoning, but then, why did the questions have to crop up during dire situations? Ah well, best get some 'bot-busting done; it would help him feel better.
"Okay, sibs; and Hurit," Sonic added. "Let's do it to it!"
As the other two Hedgehog and Turtle grabbed onto him, Sonic gave a curt nod to Sally and the others to wish them luck. Then, he revved up his legs, and took off.
The four youngsters raced along a long, narrow, yellow gantry set on top of a large tube ferrying some blue chemical around the plant. The tube and gantry rose and fell, making Sonic's passengers feel as if their organs were bouncing about inside them. Hurit was whooping with joy; Manic was laughing; Sonia was moaning in protest.
When they came to a large gap, Sonic instinctively took a massive bound. The gap was nearly 10 metres across, but for Sonic, jumping across it was as easy as when he did hopscotch with Sal and the others at school.
Manic and Hurit were amazed; Sonia was screaming, in both fear and delight. The orchid Hedgehog was sure she should be terrified, but Sonic's adrenaline was infectious. She could literally feel it as if it were her own.
The moment his sneakers touched terra firma again, Sonic stopped. One reason was because his stomach felt a little uneasy, and he was sure it wasn't actually sickness on his part.
"Pretty awesome ride, innit, sis?" Sonic prompted.
Sonia staggered out of Sonic's arms, covering her mouth in the hopes of reducing the chance of puking.
"You… really need… to work on your… smoothness," she gasped.
Sonic merely chuckled. "If I had a chilli dog every time someone said that the first time they rode with me…"
"SWAT bots and Badniks at twelve o'clock!" cried Hurit, drawing her thin sword, or her rapier, to use the correct term. This was the other reason Sonic had stopped.
"Allow me to kick things off!" Sonic offered, before Spin-Dashing into the nearest 'bot: an Urchin-like red and grey model with grippers around it and spike-like flippers on top, called a Spiny. Several SWAT bots opened fire on him. Sonic pin-balled between them.
A Spiny hovered rapidly towards Hurit. The flappers opened and a ball of energy flew out. Hurit back-flipped away, and her webbed, clawed feet latched on to an overhead pipe. The Spiny moved to release another ball. Hurit thrust her rapier down its hole. The Spiny's eyes flickered and died. Two SWAT bots fired at Hurit. She batted the shots away with her blade. She then drew her crossbow and fired back. Their heads were blown clean off.
Sonia and Manic were about to take their turn at the action, when Sonia felt another shard of pain lance through her head. Next moment, something grabbed her with eight, long, spindly, metal legs and lifted her off her feet.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, struggling furiously, ignoring an odd pain in her arm. "Put me down, you big spider!"
That description was pretty apt, because the Badnik that had seized Sonia was a Grabber, which was built to resemble an orb-weaving yellow-and-black Spider. Its body began to flash red. Sonia kicked its legs open and dropped down, just before the Grabber exploded.
"Whoa, that was a close one, sis!" Manic cried. Just then, another Grabber came down at him. Instinctively, the green Hedgehog dropped and rolled away, narrowly avoiding its legs. Drawing his drumsticks, Manic twirled them in his fingers and sent them spinning through the air. They struck the cable the Grabber had lowered itself on and it broke. The Grabber fell to the ground, landing nimbly on its feet. It started flashing red.
"Oh no, you don't!" Sonia cried. With an extension of her hands, the Grabber was flung off into the gap behind her. It exploded in mid-air.
"Good show, sis!" Sonic praised, though he seemed to be nursing a small burn on his arm. A Grabber came down at him. He dropped onto his back, raised his legs, and caught the Grabber between him. With a sharp twist, the Badnik was torn in half.
Manic dodged around an energy ball from a Spiny and kicked it hard in the faceplate. Hurit followed up by cleaving its top off, allowing the Flicky inside to escape. Sonia grabbed a SWAT bot by the arm as it reached for her and flipped it over her shoulder. It hit the floor and shattered. When a Grabber swooped towards her, she reached out and it crumpled with tin foil.
They had just finished with the last 'bot when there was a massive explosion from the gap behind them. A column of fire rose and fell.
"What on Mobius caused that?" wondered Manic.
Sonic did a very brief glance into the pit. "Looks like there were some chemicals down there that just got lit up."
Sonia raised her hands, hoping to create a cover of sorts for them with the surrounding metal. Unfortunately, nothing happened. The metal didn't respond.
"Umm, if you're gonna go magnetic, sis, you might want to pick it up!" urged Manic.
"I'm trying!" Sonia snapped. "But I can't get anything!"
"What? Are you only attracted to the 'bots then?"
"Is this really the time?!"
"Yeah, best move away from here, sibs!" Sonic agreed.
And he rapidly chivvied Manic, Sonia and Hurit to a safe distance in quick succession. He also rushed the Mobinis released from the Spinys to safety as well. Soon, a klaxon had started up, as a few containers had been ruptured, their contents leaking rapidly.
"Let's get outta here," Hurit declared. "Looks a wicked big explosion may happen soon."
"But how?" Sonia asked. They were at a dead end, with no yellow gantries, or pipes or corridors. Or was there?
"With this!" Sonic answered. He curled into a ball and jumped onto some kind of cylinder in the floor. It broke open to reveal a hole, through which air now seemed to be sucked in.
"Warp tubes," Sonic explained. "Rapid means of transport through Buttnik's bigger factories. Follow me!"
And he jumped into the tube, curled in a ball.
"He's serious, isn't he?" Manic mused, impressed.
"Wicked serious," Hurit agreed. "Well, let's go."
Manic and Sonia jumped in after Sonic, curling themselves up as well. Hurit followed, retracting her head and limbs into her shell.
Sonic knew this ride off by heart. It was essentially like being a marble or a pinball that was getting sucked through a pipe at high speed. The blue Hedgehog found it such fun.
Manic and Sonia were less enthusiastic, despite feeling Sonic's exhilaration. They particularly didn't like banging off the corners, even if it was just for a moment. They could hear Hurit rattling along behind them, much less smoothly than the Hedgehogs were going. And yet, she seemed to be enjoying herself, like Sonic was.
They raced forward, then up, then left, then right, then down, then in a circle, and then straight up, shooting out of the pipe. Sonic landed on his feet easily, while Manic, Sonia and Hurit all flopped onto the ground in a heap.
"Wow..." gasped Hurit, coming out of her shell. "That was wicked fun."
"I wish… I could say the same," Sonia groaned.
"I certainly can," grinned Manic.
Sonic chuckled, until his com-link started beeping.
'Sonic, are you there?'
"Tails?" Sonic answered. "What's wrong?"
'Where are you guys? Aunt Bunnie needs treatment and I can't carry her for much longer.'
"Wait, is Bunnie hurt?" Manic interjected swiftly. "What happened?"
'Dingo got her in the stomach after they delivered a few choice words.'
Sonic frowned. If Sleet had managed to get to Bunnie with words, then clearly, these two were definitely more trouble than they looked.
"Okay, little bud, lock on to Sal's location," Sonic advised. "My sibs and I have gone on ahead. Sal and the others will take care of Bunnie. Then, come and join us. I think it's best you stick with us, little bro."
'But won't Aunt Sally object?'
"Most likely, but it can't be helped. See you soon, bud!"
"They better take care of Bunnie!" Manic asserted as Sonic terminated the link.
"Hey, we always take care of each other, bro," Sonic pointed out. "Don't worry; we'll ensure your girlfriend doesn't die."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Manic snapped. "Although I wouldn't mind if she was…" he added.
"Very well, but I gotta warn you: Ant has his eye on Bunnie too," Sonic pointed out, grinning. "So be careful."
Manic frowned.
IR01 Sector 6, Oil Refinery
The Oil Refinery segment of the Chemical Plant was distinguished by the presence of synthetic oil running through the tubes and simmering in large pools, along with the purple and yellow platforms, and green and gold silos. Just as with the rest of the plant, an acrid smell, this one of oil, hung in the air like noxious gas.
"I am 'oping we are not 'aving far to go," Antoine groaned, his face going slightly green. "Ze smell of zis place ees making me sick."
"Me too," Rotor grumbled. "Sick of what Robotnik is daring to do to our beautiful home!" He drew his hand-crafted pistol. "Where are those Badniks? I'm itching for some target practice."
"Over there," Sally answered, pointing towards a group of Aquises, modelled after Sea Horses, and Octuses, styled after Octopi. Upon spotting them, the aquatic-looking Badniks started shooting balls of energy from snout-like cannons on their faces.
"Oooh, these are mine!" Rotor grinned. He took aim and fired, while Sally and Antoine ran for cover behind a container. Antoine winced and clutched at his bandages.
"I am zinking, Preencess," he proposed, "zat we should be using firearms, like Rotor. I do not zink eet ees wise to go all close-quarters right now."
"You're right, Ant," Sally agreed. "Hopefully, there'll be some laser rifles to spare."
"All clear, guys!" Rotor called, as a few Mobinis scampered past their cover. "Let's go!"
Sally and Antoine darted out from their cover and followed Rotor as they hurried onward. They reached an enclosed platform, and it ascended a few stories. At the top, SWAT bots were waiting to catch the lift. Rotor downed them with laser shots. As luck would have it, two of the 'bots had been carrying laser rifles. Sally and Antoine scooped them up as they proceeded.
Two Aquises soared into view and fired at them. Sally summoned enough energy to cartwheel out of the way. As her world turned upside down, the Princess aimed at the nearest Aquis. Her shot didn't quite hit it squarely in the chassis, but it did clip one of the dorsal fins. It was sent spinning into its fellow. This gave Antoine an opening to annihilate it with his own rifle.
When more SWAT bots came up, accompanied by hovering Octuses, more laser shots flew towards them. Sally, Rotor and Antoine backpedalled evasively, returning fire. The Octuses took evasive action as they flew through the air.
Sally almost fell over backwards when her boot suddenly found no solid ground beneath. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that they had come to a gangway where a large set of spikes was moving back and forth. Another security measure, no doubt…
Rotor jumped down onto the gangway as the spikes moved away from him. He grabbed hold of them, with the intent of stopping them from moving. Unfortunately, they were too slick with oil to grip properly. Nevertheless, Sally and Antoine covered him.
A shot passed so close to Antoine that it singed his blonde hair. He cried out and ducked down instinctively, leaving Sally alone to cover them. There were too many!
Just then, an orange-brown and white ball of fluff slammed into the Octuses, destroying them. Sally gasped.
"Tails?!"
The Cub Sally had helped raise unfurled to shoot at the SWAT bots, which had been caught off-guard by his arrival. This, combined with Sally's continuing fire, left the SWAT bots mere spare parts in seconds.
"Tails, que faites-vous ici?" Antoine asked, as Rotor climbed back up to join his friends, having had no luck with the spikes.
"It's Bunnie!" Tails replied. "She's hurt!"
Sally gasped. "Where is she?!"
For an answer, Tails offered Sally a lift over the spike-blocked gangway. He did the same with Rotor and Antoine, and then, led them to where he had left Bunnie. The cyborg Lapine was clutching an ice-pack to her stomach, groaning.
"Bunnie, mon ami!" Antoine fretted.
Rotor bent over Bunnie. "What happened? And where are Sleet and Dingo?"
"They managed to free themselves," Tails recapped. "And Dingo nailed Bunnie hard in the stomach."
"But 'ow ees zat possible?" wondered Antoine, as they bent over their cyborg friend. "Bunnie ees such a vigilant Lapine!"
Tails looked uneasy. "Sleet… Sleet seemed to know about her parents, and where she came from."
Sally stared at Tails in confusion and disconcertion, as Rotor applied an ice pack to Bunnie's stomach. "How did he know?"
"I… I don't know…" Tails admitted. "We didn't even know until Bunnie told us herself."
Rotor clenched his fist. "Have these guys been spying on us or something? If so, they might know where Knothole is! Could they have told Robotnik?!"
Sally considered the idea for a few moments, as she helped bandage a fresh ice pack over Bunnie's stomach. "No," she concluded. "If they did know and had told him, he'd have attacked the Great Forest at once, not waste time building this plant."
"Well, regardless, I don't like it," Rotor affirmed. "Those two need to be put away."
"One thing at a time, Rotor," Sally soothed. She looked back at Bunnie. "Just lay still, Bunnie. Save your energy. You'll be alright."
Bunnie smiled weakly at her best friend. "Long as Ah'm with you, Sally-girl, Ah'm always alright."
Sally smiled back.
Her ears twitched at the sound of Tails taking off again. She looked round. "Tails, what's up?"
Tails didn't answer. He knew he couldn't say why he was flying off - Sally wouldn't approve. But he wasn't going to openly lie to her face either. So he said nothing, and just flew off as fast as he could, locking onto Sonic's location as he went.
"Tails?!" Sally called after him. "Miles Prower, you get back here right now!"
However, by this point, Tails was too far away to hear her. Just as well, because if he had, he might have obeyed.
IR01 Sector 3
A SWAT bot and Grabber were smashed to bits in a rush of blue. A Spiny was disoriented by two flying sticks hitting it on either side of its faceplate, before being grabbed and flung through the air to smash into a nearby wall. Another SWAT bot was jabbed through the torso and then blasted straight in the face.
Hurit and the three Hedgehogs came to a door that led into what looked a lift shaft, except instead of cables, there were large yellow blocks, grouped in fours, and moving back and forth.
"What's this?" Sonia wondered.
"Supply route," Sonic replied. "Bots use 'em to move stuff about. Except this time, it's our way up! Follow me!"
He leapt onto the nearest block as it edged towards him, and up he went. Hurit instinctively followed, grabbing onto the block with clawed hands.
"Something wrong, sis?" Manic asked, as they waited for their turn.
"This is supposed to be a supply route," Sonia recalled, "and yet, there are no 'bots using it. Seems too convenient…"
"Maybe, Sonia," Sonic acknowledged, leaping onto the next lot of blocks, "but hey, doubt it'll be anything we can't handle…"
At that moment, the door behind Manic and Sonia slammed shut. Simultaneously, a hatch closed some way below them, sealing off the rest of the shaft.
Purple, gluttonous liquid began to flood into the shaft.
"I knew it!" Sonia exclaimed, as she and Manic jumped on their set of blocks to ascend. "What is that purple gloop?"
"Must be more chemicals," Hurit assumed. "We should be careful not to fall into it. Who knows what it might do to us?"
"Yeah, at best, you'd get an unwanted dye-job done to your hair and fur," Sonic commented.
"What do you mean?" Manic asked.
"Talk later!" Sonic replied curtly. "The level's rising! Come on!"
The purple chemical was indeed rising up the shaft. Manic and Sonia made a jump for the next set of blocks up, but their block suddenly shot forward. They were very nearly thrown off.
"Uh oh, looks like things are getting wicked fast!" realised Hurit. "Sonic, you find a way out! I'll go help your brother and sister!"
"One exit coming up!" Sonic grinned.
It was no trouble leaping up the moving blocks, despite their acceleration. Sonic could have leapt up this shaft in his sleep!
At last, Sonic came to a door some ways up. He Spin-Dashed into it hard. It didn't yield. But Sonic wasn't going to let that stop him.
Meanwhile, his two siblings had managed to climb a couple more levels without too much difficulty. That said, it had only been when Sonic was climbing; now that he had stopped, Manic and Sonia's reflexes suddenly weren't so sharp. And the liquid was catching up.
Just then, Hurit slid down the wall, one hand holding her rapier that was sticking out of the wall and the other scraping the wall with her claws.
"Grab on!" she ordered. "I'll carry you!"
Neither triplet hesitated. Before their block could move down again, dunking them in the liquid, Manic and Sonia jumped. They grabbed onto Hurit's cloak, and she began to climb with her rapier and claws. Of course, carrying two Hedgehogs about the same age as you are up a wall is extremely difficult, even if you'd been doing exercise since you were a hatchling. Hurit struggled to keep moving, but she could not avoid slowing down.
Back with Sonic, the blue Hedgehog had just managed to break open the door. He looked down to see his siblings and Hurit struggling up the shaft.
"Hang on, guys!" he declared. But before he could act, Tails suddenly swooped into the shaft and flew down towards Manic, Sonia and Hurit.
"Someone need a lift that's not too far?" he offered, a little breathlessly.
Sonia accepted his offer at once. Hurit and Manic quickly followed. The young Cub struggled to lift the three of them, but, having already carried Bunnie a long way, he didn't have the strength. Furthermore, Hurit's webbed hands were slippery with condensation from chemical fumes. She couldn't grip Sonia's dress, and she and Manic fell.
For a heart-stopping moment, Sonic felt his fur prickle with dread. Luckily, Manic and Hurit quickly activated their protective suits just before they hit the chemicals. They emerged, fully covered, and reached for the nearest block.
The world suddenly slowed down for Sonic. This always happened whenever he was thinking very quickly; when his mind went into overdrive, his perception increased so that everyone else stood still. This didn't happen much, though, and you'll soon see why, in a fraction of a second, from Sonic's perspective.
Sonic first glanced at Tails and Sonia. Both were looking worriedly down at Manic and Hurit. Given Tails' fur was slick with sweat; he'd be no good carrying three people. No matter! Sonic was happy to lessen his load.
Looking back at Manic and Hurit, the block they were reaching for was in a position to rise up momentarily; for them, anyway. And the suits weren't designed for long-term exposure, and it was preferable to keep them around, as the materials for new ones were getting harder to come by.
Sonic donned his own suit (just in case), and began to run down the wall towards his brother and Turtle ally. For him, this was just like running across any surface.
He grabbed Manic and Hurit and heaved them out of the chemicals and onto the block. Then he ran back up the wall until he was near the top. Taking very careful aim, he angled his body so that the soles of his feet pointed straight at the block on the end of Manic and Hurit's bunch, and shot straight down. As he went, a blue aura gathered around him.
Sonic's sneakers hit the block. At that moment, the world around him ground back into motion. Manic and Hurit shot upwards and away.
The Hedgehog and Turtle soon drew level with the door Sonic had busted open. Though initially perplexed at how they'd suddenly got up here, they quickly angled themselves towards it as they began to fall again. They narrowly grabbed the edge, just as Tails flew over them with Sonia. Before either Manic or Hurit could pull themselves up, Sonic came racing up the wall below and pushed them both to safety.
Sonic and Tails hurried their friends along the corridor, before finally finding a large enough elevated platform to rest on. Tails put Sonia down, and collapsed to the ground, panting.
"Phew!" he gasped. "I hope no one else will be need carrying for a bit, 'cause I'm tuckered."
Sonia edged over to Tails, and patted him gratefully on the head. "Hey, you rest those little tails now. Your big sister is here."
"That was wicked close," Hurit panted, glancing back along the corridor as chemicals began to spill along the passage.
"Very close," Manic agreed. "Thanks for the save, bro. How did you do that?"
"Yeah," Sonia added. "I swear, for a moment, it seemed as if everyone else was standing still."
Sonic was massaging his temples. "It's a trick I call 'Mondo Sonic Time'. My brain can see things at the speed at which I run. However…" He winced as pain shot through his skull. "It takes a lot out of me. I'll be fine," he added, when Manic and Sonia looked concerned, "a few minutes rest will do me good."
He turned to Tails. "Bunnie's with the others?"
"Yes," Tails confirmed. "And Sonic, next time you want to involve me in a mission, please talk to Aunt Sally beforehand. I hate being dishonest with her."
"Did you actually say anything dishonest to Sal?"
"No, but it's still lying by omission."
"Like I said, can't be helped. But you'll be fine, lil buddy. You're with us."
"Okay," acknowledged Tails, with a small smile. He always felt safer with Sonic around.
"I can double that protection," Sonia assured, petting Tails on the head.
"Like, make it triple," Manic added.
Tails flushed red. "I can take care of myself."
At that moment, Sonic's com-link started beeping insistently.
"Uh-oh," Tails mumbled, his ears folding backwards and his namesakes wagging side-to-side. "Sonic, I've had to deactivate my com-link on my way. Should we…?"
Sonic shook his head as he deactivated his com-link. "Leave it. Next time we see Sal, I'll cover for you." He stood up. "Come on, guys. Let's find Buttnik!"
Sally fumed when no answer came from her com-link. "Those two are in so much trouble when I find them!" She blithely punched an Aquis that dared to approach her.
She, Rotor and Antoine were dealing with more 'bots in their search for the main valves of the refinery. Bunnie was limping in their wake, still clutching an ice pack to her stomach.
Just then, some kind of telescopic laser cannon rose up out of the nearest oil lake, and started squeezing off rounds. This forced the four friends to dive for cover. Sally and Rotor tried taking pot shots at it, but this proved no good as the laser cannon simply manoeuvred out of the way.
At that moment, a large shape swooped out of the sky in a brown-purple and gold blur. It slashed at the laser cannon, and it split cleanly in two.
"Sacre bleu!" exclaimed Antoine. "Ees… ees zat…?"
"Oui, Antoine," Sally confirmed, as Longclaw landed in front of them, her wings spread out in defence.
Energy blasts shot towards her from Aquises and Octuses. The Great Horned Owl deflected the shots away with her wings. Then, she darted forwards and swiped at them with her wings and her talons. With small pops, the 'bots burst open to release their Mobini batteries.
Longclaw then dived towards the oil lake, and a moment later, reappeared, carrying a 'bot designed to resemble some kind of submarine. Longclaw dropped it to the ground, allowing gravity to finish the job.
A smile on her beak, Longclaw soared down to meet the Freedom Fighters.
"Can you children really not keep out of trouble without me?" she teased.
"Longclaw!" Sally cried in greeting. Then she remembered. "Wait, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in bed? We agreed it'd be better for you."
Longclaw frowned. "Hmm, funny you should say that, Sally. I remember agreeing with you on that, but as to why, I'm mystified."
"Because you had amnesia?" Rotor prompted.
Longclaw shook her head. "Nope, don't recall being told that either. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I remember everything and am back on my talons. Where are Sonic, Manic and Sonia?"
"Zey're een Sector 2, ma chouette gardienne," Antoine replied.
"And Tails is with them," Sally added, frowning.
"Ah, that little Fox is growing up so fast," Longclaw smiled.
"Please don't encourage him," Sally groaned. She sighed. "Anyway, we're looking for the main valves so as to cut off Robotnik's oil supply. You with us on that?"
Longclaw tilted her head. "That's a trick question, right?"
Sally shook her head in mild exasperation. Sometimes, she forgot where Sonic got his sass from.
She beckoned a Pocky over.
"Excuse me, little one," she enquired in Pocky language, "My friends and I are looking to shut this place down and save everyone. Would you happen to know where the main valves are?"
The Pocky nodded and pointed with his flipper.
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere," Sally grinned.
Sector 1
Despite Sonic's suggestion that he stay behind them, Tails was all too keen to utilise his gadgets on actual 'bots.
The Cub blasted two SWAT bots to bits with his laser gun. He beat a Grabber trying to snatch him up to the punch with a thrown pulse disc, which sent it crashing back up towards the ceiling. And he popped open a Spiny with a Spin Dash.
"I taught him that," Sonic mused to Manic and Sonia, rather proudly. Sonia was amazed.
At last, the group reached the main control centre, where they were sure Robotnik would be.
"Hey, Buttnik!" Sonic called out. "The Hedgehogs and their friends have just declared this place way past dangerous! So why not come out so you can receive our rating in person?"
There was no answer.
"Oh, are you too chicken to receive bad news?" piped up Sonia. "Does that mean all those threats to me and my friends were just gassing?"
Sonic, Manic and Tails snorted with laughter. Even Hurit smiled amusingly.
"I think that assumption might actually be somewhat apt… whatever it means," said a familiar male voice. Two Foxes were approaching - a Tod in an armoured hanfu and a Vixen in green and purple armour. Both were carrying swords. Behind them lay the remnants of a craft styled like Robotnik's Egg Pod, with smashed glass canisters attached.
"You mean Buttnik's done a runner?" Sonic wondered. "And who are you two? Are you Errol and Morain?"
"Yep, that's us," Morain confirmed grimly, sheathing her sword. She looked very disgruntled. "And you've already met our young protégée, Hurit; albeit sooner than we intended."
"Well, it was wicked lucky I went to their aid when I did," Hurit shrugged.
"Indeed it was," Errol agreed, rather absently. His gaze had found Tails and his twin namesakes. The Cub, in turn, was regarding Errol, as if there were something familiar about him.
"Neat swords," Manic complimented.
"What exactly brings you guys here, anyway?" Sonic asked.
But neither Errol nor Morain was listening.
"Where is that egg-headed tyrant?" Morain hissed. "Scurrying back to Robotropolis?"
"I don't think so, Morain," Errol countered. "Robotnik would never pass up the opportunity to acquire Chaos energy. I think it's more likely he's gone on ahead into the Mystic Cave. We have to follow him."
"And hopefully, bury him in there!" Morain said icily.
"Okay, first of all, I agree with the move of following after Buttnik," Sonic cut in. "But secondly, and more importantly, who exactly are you guys and what are you doing here?"
"Questions, questions," Morain scoffed. "We have bigger Jaws to bust!"
"No!" Sonia objected firmly. "We want answers now!"
"Watch your tongue, Princess!" Morain retorted.
"Ladies, please!" Errol intervened. He sighed. "Your Highnesses, I promise we will explain everything on the way to Mystic Cave. But time is of the essence."
"Well, okay, that's my way of talking," Sonic acknowledged.
Oil Refinery
With huffing and sweat and grit, Bunnie, Antoine and Rotor closed off the oil valves, while Sally worked the main console. The valves were large and heavy, clearly designed for bots to handle, not young Mobians. Bunnie winced every time she pulled her robotic arm down.
"And there!" the Princess declared, as the oil readings on the display hit zero. "That should do it."
Her three friends all slumped in exhaustion.
"Hoo-wee!" gasped Bunnie, clutching at her stomach. "Robotnik sure is upping his game lately!"
"Zis… is no game… mon cheri," panted Antoine.
"Well, regardless, our work here is done," Rotor affirmed. "Robotnik's sources are finished. Now, let's blow it to Gaia and remove any traces of it ever being here!"
"Agreed," Sally said. "Just make sure we're out of here before you set anything off."
Rotor scowled at her. Antoine and Bunnie grinned in amusement.
Sally's com-link began buzzing. "Oh, now Sonic wants to talk!" The Princess frowned as she pressed the answer button. "Sonic Hedgehog, is Tails-?"
'Sal; my sibs, Tails and I are headed for the Mystic Cave,' Sonic interrupted curtly. 'Two Foxes named Errol and Morain Blackthorn have told us that Buttnik has gone in there in search of this Chaos energy. I mean, he wasn't here waiting for us. Meet us in the Cave. And be careful!'
And he ended the connection, before Sally could ask about Tails, or say anything about Longclaw. At that moment, Longclaw herself had just finished fending off SWAT bots and Badniks. Sally noted that the Owl was a little worse for wear; some of her feathers were singed, and blood was running down her face.
Longclaw had heard everything Sonic had said. She looked worried.
"If Robotnik acquires that power," she contemplated, "this Plant will only be the beginning."