Chapter 132: Cool Edge Caper - Part 1

Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, the world was split apart by the evil Dr. Jenni Robotnik. In agreement to save the world once again, the Freedom Fighters split off to destroy the generators used to pull the world apart. Rotor, with his friends from Trenlantis, head to Holoska to accomplish their part…but will they be able to succeed?

Starring:

Rotor the Walrus - Brilliant Mind, Big Muscle

Tsunami the Spinner Dolphin - Aquatic Hero

Echo the Dolphin - Captain of the Trenlantis Guard

Opal the Jellyfish - Reformed Pirate

[Ocean - Approaching Holoska]

*Rotor was on his way to Holoska in order to take care of the generator that split the planet apart. He took his repaired sub, the Navy Walrus, to take him to the frozen wasteland. And aboard with him were the trio from Trenlantis, the Aquatic Freedom Fighters.*

Rotor: "Much as I appreciate the back up, Tsu, you didn't have to come along. And what of Princess Undina and Coral?"

Echo: "The princess is an important figure from our city. Her safety is our priority. Right, Tsunami?"

*Echo gave a subtle hint of a glare at the other dolphin, which Tsunami just rolled her eyes at the slight.*

Tsunami: "Yeah, yeah. She got the hint to standby and Coral is there to keep her company. Meaning it's just you, me, and Opal with Rotor."

Opal: "So we just have to find this awful generator and break it, right? Surely not an issue for the likes of us."

Rotor: "Under normal circumstances, sure. Sadly, because of that detour earlier, we're reaching sundown."

Tsunami: "And according to that cat witch, that's when the monsters come out, right?"

Echo: "That would complicate things, should we try and camp out until morning?"

Rotor: "And have Sonic call me a slow poke? I think not!"

*Rotor laughs at the obvious joke, knowing Sonic wouldn't say that. Tsunami and Opal laugh with him, but Echo seemed lost on the joke.*

Rotor: "We're coming up to Holoska. Once we reach it, we'll be swimming to shore."

*Rotor goes quiet as he starts to recall how he had aspiring dreams to travel beyond the Northern Tundra. Back then, he was with his mom and dad, as well as the rest of his herd. This wistful expression wasn't lost on Tsunami.*

Tsunami: "We'll help you find them, Rotor. I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

Echo: "That, at least, I understand. I sent scouts to report back to the royal guards and the royal family of any sightings of walruses when you left Trenlantis. It was the least I could do."

Rotor: "Guys… I appreciate it… Like a lot… But I've been meaning to ask now… How'd you and Echo meet, Tsu?"

Tsunami: "Eh… Long story. We were friends a while back. She got accepted into the knights academy as a trainee, right around the time I met Undina actually. I did want to join the knights academy too, but…"

Echo: "The academy couldn't accept her due to a crime she had allegedly committed. A minor theft of goods. I knew she didn't do it, and tried vouching for her. But the Captain at the time wasn't having any of it. I was going to quit then and there, but… Tsunami encouraged me to keep going. When I became Captain of the Guard though, I accepted Tsunami immediately."

Tsunami: "Under the condition that we become Freedom Fighters. She's my superior in the castle, but I act as team leader due to my experience."

Opal: "And… Well… I joined, of course. Lady Undina wanted to as well, but…"

Echo: "I wouldn't allow it. It's just too dangerous."

Tsunami: "I would try to bring up a case, since Sally was a princess and a Freedom Fighter, no less the leader of your group of Freedom Fighters, bur Echo just wouldn't budge."

Echo: "It isn't because I don't trust Lady Undina's abilities. It's just she's…very naive. And if she got into harm's way, I wouldn't be able to handle it…"

Rotor: "I get it. Truth be told, Sally is the leader because Sonic just handed that title to her for her resourcefulness and natural leadership skills. She may have been raised in royalty, but from what she tells us, she was usually raised to be leader both in politics and in combat. I can't imagine Lady Undina was raised with the latter in mind."

Echo: "As long as you understand, Rotor."

*As the group near their destination, the sub surfaces, allowing them to swim the rest of the way.*

[Holoska - Iceberg Fields]

*The group arrives to the beachfront where they spot a patrol, robotic penguins that waddle around, scanning the area for intruders. They turn to the direction of the heroes, but find no one. They then waddle on afterwards. The heroes had jumped back into the water, and once the coast was clear, resurfaced.*

Rotor: "Well, there's our hint that Eggman's group is here."

Opal: "If it wasn't for the fact that they'd alert the enemy of our presence, I'd want to keep one of those robots as a pet."

Echo: "Nevermind that, which way do we go, Rotor?"

Rotor: "Let's see…"

*Rotor pulls out a radar he made using a few spare parts after construction of the hard light bridges. It wasn't anything glamorous but it got the job done. On the screen, it spotted the signal of a Chaos Emerald just further ahead.*

Rotor: "Right ahead. Let's go!"

*Rotor started to run, but quickly slipped on the ice, making him slam his head on it.*

Tsunami: "Rotor! Y-You okay?"

Rotor: "Ow… Yeah. Not quite used to the whole ground being ice. I lived in a tundra, not on an iceberg."

Tsunami: "Then we'll need to be careful."

*Tsunami picks Rotor up as the group skates this time to hurry along.*

[Holoska - Eggman Base]

*Within the base belonging to new Egg Boss, Abyss the Squid, the aforementioned boss was currently in contact one of the penguin scouts.*

Abyss: "Nothing to report? You better be right, P-028. I don't want to be made a fool of on my first job. Or so help me… I'll turn you to scrap!"

P-028: "Yes, madam. I shall continue my scouting."

*As communication was about to go off, another robot, this one an octopus-like monster robot came on. This one held Rotor's sub.*

Octobot: "Oi, boss! Found this here sub! Me thinks there be intruders abound!"

Abyss: "Wait… That's no ordinary intruder… It's that blubber butt, Rotor! Which only means that landlover dolphin and traitorous jellyfish are with him too…"

Octobot: "Should I smash this thing and smash them afterwards? I can do that!"

*Abyss begins to think before smiling evilly.*

Abyss: "No. Pursue but standby. I have a little idea. Those idiots are as good as captured. And I'll happily present them to Jenni's feet! Then she'll rain riches upon me! I'll be praised for my good work! As for you… P-028…"

*The penguin robot starts to visibly shake in fear, droplets of oil in place of sweat coming out as Abyss leaned in.*

Abyss: "Self destruct. Mobini included."

P-028: "Yes, mad-"

*The signal suddenly cuts out, but Abyss just shrugs, thinking the self destruct went off without any real countdown. Either way, she stood up and smiled, walking away to prepare.*

[Holoska - Beachfront]

*At where the penguin bots were speaking with Abyss, an actual penguin is seen with a large muscular polar bear, having just smashed up the robots and freed the Mobinis inside. They then turn to the direction of where Rotor and his group left.*

Penguin: "Hey. We should tell th' others 'bout this."

Polar Bear: "Right. Otherwise, things might get ugly."

*The two leave in the opposite direction to reconvene with the 'others'.*

[Holoska - Base Approach]

*Rotor and his team continued their way towards the location of the Chaos Emerald and the generator, finding the base of operations for this Egg Boss. The base designed like a metal shark, its mouth open like a Jaws poster while the teeth, which acted as the entrance, were closed and guarded by robots on the patrol.*

Rotor: "You know, if there's anything I have to give Eggman or his cronies… It's that they are not subtle in their base designs…"

Tsunami: "Even that cult in Soleanna was more subtle."

Echo: "What's the plan, Rotor?"

Rotor: "Well… If we assume the Egg Boss is anything like Eggman, the generator will be guarded by the big boss themselves. It might be in our best interest to sneak in."

Voice: "Tsunami? Opal?"

*A voice calls out to the dolphin and jellyfish, catching their attention as they recognize the voice. It was…Abyss! Alive and in Mobius! And wearing some new clothes that seem to come from some coastal town. The last they had seen Abyss, she vanished when Ahklut went mad with power and tried to kill everyone in the treasure chamber. Tsunami and Opal are reasonably confused but happy to see their friend alive.*

Tsunami: "Abyss! You're alive! How are you here? What happened back in Tartara Island?"

Abyss: "A lot. A wall where I stood collapsed behind me and I was dragged out into an underground river, which led me to the ocean. When I woke up, I was stranded on a beach, no one around me. Some time passed as I regained my strength and thoughts, the world started to shake. Tremors formed and the world was split apart. Thankfully the area I was in at the time happened to lead here to Holoska, which is around the time the Egg Boss here took root. I've seen him too; a truly terrifying member of Eggman's list of enforcers."

Opal: "I see… So what are you doing here now?"

Abyss: "Well… I spotted you approaching and figured I'd come help. I've discovered a way in and figured working with you all would be better than going in alone."

*Tsunami and Opal cross their arms, looking at each other before looking back at Abyss.*

Opal: "...Okay. Why the sudden interest in helping us? Before all you cared about was saving your own skin and just dragging me along for the ride. Now you want to help us out of the kindness of your own heart?"

Abyss: "I admit that my attitude before was…not good. I was selfish and that selfishness not only almost killed me, but left me with no one for a while, unsure of anyone's fate. I looked back at my prior actions and have realized how horrible a friend I was… So… I want to make amends. To start over."

*The two aquatic Mobians went silent before Tsunami pulls Abyss in for a hug, seemingly forgiving the squid for what she did.*

Tsunami: "Aww… I couldn't hold it against you, Abyss… To me, you're an important friend…"

Rotor: "Abyss, can you really help us into the base?"

Abyss: "Of course. There's a secret tunnel that leads directly into the base. The robots use it as a deployment method for the ground troops and scouts, but right now, its on standby. If we go through there, we'll be in the heart of the base."

Opal: "Sounds like a plan. Any objections?"

Rotor: "No. Sounds doable, compared to going through the front."

Abyss: "Then follow me."

*Abyss leads ahead, Tsunami and Opal following close behind. Echo though, who's been silent, only glares at Abyss.*

Rotor: "What's up, Echo?"

Echo: "Might be just me… But I don't believe her story… Tartara Island was, according to Tsunami, in another dimension, right? So how did Abyss come out?"

Rotor: "Well… There's sometimes a breach between dimensions… But I do agree… There's something not adding up…"

Echo: "So why agree to the plan?"

Rotor: "...Benefit of the doubt. But I'm ready in case of a trap."

Echo: "That's what I like. Okay, let's hurry."

*The two catch up to the rest, cautious of any kind of treachery from Abyss. The squid herself though, only hid her smirk as she was planning on how to deal with the two who didn't fully believe her.*

[Holoska - Eggman Base]

*Abyss led the group through the tunnels, which seemed to be offline at the moment due to no robots needing deployment. She opens a door hatch leading outside, revealing a room of offline robots.*

Tsunami: "...Okay… We're in. What now?"

Abyss: "We head past the hangar bay to an elevator. Once there, we'll be heading deeper in."

*The group nods as they continue to follow Abyss. The group enter through the hangar bay's back entrance, seeing a large pool with all kinds of vehicles and ships for underwater deployment. As they run across this gargantuan room, Abyss smiles as she stops.*

Tsunami: "Abyss? What's up?"

*As Tsunami got close, Abyss turns and electrocutes her with her tentacles, causing Tsunami to scream out in pain. Opal watches in shock before she's knocked down by Tsunami's limp body.*

Opal: "What the…!? Abyss, what is the meaning of this!?"

Abyss: "Oh please. Don't act like this is a surprise. After all… I run this base as its Egg Boss… Or Hive Mind in this case."

Rotor: "You were right, Echo. She was lying."

Abyss: "Hmph. To be a captain of the Royal Guard means you have half decent perceptive skills. But oh well… I didn't put much thought into my lie. Just enough to fool a simple minded idiot like Tsunami."

Echo: "You'll pay for harming my subordinate, Abyss! Under order of the Tenlantis Royal Guard, I am demanding you to surrender, Abyss the Squid!"

Abyss: "Don't make me laugh…"

*Suddenly, a few tentacles slam down, surrounding the Aquatic Freedom Fighters and blocking both exits. Octobot rises from the deployment pool and glares down at his prey..*

Octobot: "Looks like my turn to have some fun! Prepare to be crushed, Freedom Dummies!"

Echo: "Opal! Get Tsunami behind something to recover!"

Opal: "But what about you two!?"

Rotor: "We'll handle this bozo and make an opening for you two to get out of here!"

Opal: "What!? No, we will not abandon you!"

Echo: "That's an order, Opal! Get out once we give you an opportunity!"

Opal: "B-But…"

*Octobot begins his attack by attempting to slam his tentacles at Opal, but Echo tosses her bident at the appendage, knocking it to the side. Opal grits her teeth before grabbing and running with Tsunami behind cover. Rotor pulls out a little capsule before it enlarges into a large laser gun.*

Rotor: "Hey, bot! Eyes over here!"

*Rotor fired his heavy blaster, sending explosive shot at the mechanical monstrosity to get its attention. Octobot retaliates by swinging his tentacle at the walrus, slapping him across the room and slamming into a wall from the force. This distraction allowed Echo to jump at the head of the robot beast and stab her bident into its eyes.*

Octobot: "Ah! Hey! Get off! My optical receptors are pretty sensitive, you know!?"

*Octobot began to flail wildly, destroying vehicles and objects alike. Rotor thought fast as he ran to a vehicle, a snow speeder, that was still intact and hot wired it. Once it was turned on, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal and drove the speeder at a makeshift ramp. The speeder slammed into Octobot as Rotor jumps off it and Echo jumps off the robot, blowing up and destroying the robot.*

Abyss: "Annoying little… But no matter… He wasn't my only defense force."

*The doors to the other deployment room, the one with the tunnel, opened as Snowy modeled robots came in, rushing at the two fighting Freedom Fighters.*

Echo: "Opal! Now! You and Tsunami get out of here!"

*Opal looks at Echo and Rotor as they struggled to keep the big bear robots at bay. With tears in her eyes, Opal grabbed Tsunami and ran at the pool, diving in to swim away.*

Abyss: "Tch. I want to see ther dead bodies! Send in the Egg Navies!"

*As Opal swims to get away from the base in a hasty retreat, three robots with jetpacks designed for underwater came from other deployment tubes, chasing after the fleeing duo. Opal could only try and dodge oncoming blaster shots before one landed at her back. This caused her to drop Tsunami's still limp body as she herself starts to fall.*

Opal: "Tsu…nami…"

*Opal's vision fades as three figures come in and destroy the Egg Navies. A fourth larger figure comes closer, but she fades from consciousness… Her fate, as well as the fate of the Aquatic Freedom Fighters, unknown…

To be continued…