Two words. Writer's block. I had no idea where i wanted to go with this story. After all, I don't prewrite. I come up with stuff while trying to sleep and rely on my memory, which isn't always that reliable. That's why the plot is all over the place. For a first story, i basically experimented with different genres a bit and tried to see if i had any potential with them. You tell me.
The thought of a deserted ship fled through Tails' mind for a split second before the truth became obvious to the genius. He wasn't alone. The defense was invisible. The only question remaining was, how many robots were there?
The young fox had a fleeting thought. Things couldn't just become invisible. There had to be some logical, scientifical explanation. Like... matter vibrating at different frequencies! Yes! That was it! Two objects vibrating at different frequencies could theoretically be in the same physically place! And, in a way, that idea could be manipulated in order to allow being hidden by what seems like an empty space. In fact, that "empty space" is filled with air, which, acting as the thing hiding something else, would cause that something else to appear invisible!
One last thing entered Tails' mind. If the gun in his hand caused robots to become "invisible," would it work on something else? Say, a Mobian?
Only one way to find out.
Sonic and co. were still laughing at the pitiful wreck of a villain before them. Poor Eggman (not!) was becoming outraged at being ridiculed so badly.
Sonic's mind, however, was elsewhere. Tails was taking too long. He never took more time than was needed, and he should've only needed a few minutes. Almost ten minutes had passed. No kitsune.
Then a beak came from a small watch on Eggman's left wrist. He glared at it in surprise. Then he turned his head accusingly towards Sonic. "What's your little fox friend think he's doing? Little kids shouldn't play with big weapons."
Sonic immediately returned the angered stare. "What did you do?" he said, with a slightly threatening undertone.
Eggman rolled his eyes. "He's gone, right?" the villain stated simply as he glanced at the group in calculating manner. "And from your expressions, he's been gone for a while."
Sonic shrugged in a seemingly carefree manner. "Sure. He went looking for your invisibility ray. Is that what that beeping meant? That someone took it?"
"I wish. That beep means that someone used the gun without my authorization."
Everybody else's eyes widened. "So, Tails used it?" Knuckles asked.
"I guess," Eggman replied.
"On what?" inquired Amy.
Eggman scoffed. "How am I supposed to know?! I've been stuck here with you flee-bitten animals!
Sonic put his hand to his chest sarcastically. "Aww, Eggy! I'm hurt. Easy on the insults!"
Shadow snorted. "Yeah, because your so sensitive, Faker."
"What's with you people and insulting me?! Do you enjoy my pain?"
"Nope," answered Rouge with a smirk. "Just your replies."
Everybody else (excluding Eggman) laughed at Sonic's offense.
The villain cleared his throught with annoyance. "Still here, you know."
"Oh yeah, we know," said Knuckles. "We just don't really care."
Eggman sighed, and then, shockingly, chuckled. "Well, you're about too."
That put everyone on their guard. "What did you do?" Amy demanded. She brandished her pink hammer threateningly above the doctor's head.
Eggman didn't even flinch. "You don't wanna do that."
"Oh, I think I really do."
"Not if you want fox-boy to live." In his big, gloved hand, he held a simple little box with one small button. His thumb hovered an inch above it.
"What is that?"
"Like I'm going to tell you, rodent."
Shadow joined Sonic's side in front of Eggman. "Tell us. Or you'll regret it."
"Fine. This is the weapon's self destruct button. The blast won't be deadly. I think."
Sonic sucked in a breath. Shadow shot a death glare at the villain. "If you press that, I'll kick your fat ass into another, much less pleasant, dimension."
"Eggman, you might wanna take that to heart. A pissed Shadow can quickly turn deadly," Rouge said humorlessly.
Tails could feel himself vibrating. It was a strange feeling, almost like constantly shivering. However, it wasn't all that noticeable after a while.
And the best part was that he could now see the three robots rushing towards him.
The genius fox immediately turned and ran back the way he had come.
Pretty soon he was back in broad daylight. All of his friends were standing in front of Eggman in a half circle. They each had looks with varying levels of anger. Tails hurried over, completely silent so no one would notice, and went directly behind the human. He placed the gun at the bottom of the occupied seat, where it would be hidden from everyone's view. That way, when the gun stopped vibrating as it was in Tails' hands, no one would see it.
Especially not Eggman.
Hoping the invisibility wouldn't wear off yet, Tails snuck over to Knuckles, who was on the left end of the half circle. He tapped Knuckles hand lightly, hoping the echidna wouldn't punch him out of instinct. Luckily, he just jolted a bit, and ignored the looks he got from the others. He tilted his head just enough for Tails to reach on his tip toes. The fox whispered as quietly as possible while still making noise.
"Listen closely. I'm here, the gun is underneath the chair, and you need to get the idiot to detonate. I only hear the last bit of your conversation, but it was enough."
Knuckles gave an almost imperceptible nod. Tails mentally sighed and stood behind his friends.
Knuckles knew what he had to do. He hoped Sonic wouldn't hate him or attack him, but it was necessary.
In a red blur, Knuckles surprised everyone by rushing over and snatching the device from Eggman's hand. Or, he attempted to.
Eggman barely saw it coming, but was able to snap his hand back, and the echidna grabbed at air. He skidded to a stop and bumped into Sonic. The blue blur stared in shock at him.
"Knuckles? Why would you do that? Why would you risk it?!"
Knuckles shook his head, seemingly in defeat. "I'm sorry. I had to try."
Eggman cackled. "Well, you failed!" His finger stabbed down and pressed the button.
Sonic shouted no, and leapt at the villain. Knuckles tried to hold him back, and out of the blast zone, but the hedgehog was just to quick.
The hero grabbed at the device, which Eggman covered, so he just started punching at it. It finally shattered, and only then was a quiet beeping heard.
The doctor looked around in confusion. "I shouldn't be able to hear that..." He glanced behind his chair. His eyes got big.
A lot of things happened in that quick second. Eggman looked at Sonic with terror in his eyes. Sonic adapted the expression as well. Shadow and Knuckles, who appeared to be the closest, reached forward simultaneously for their blue friend, but not fast enough. The two friends ducked, Amy and Rouge dove down and covered their heads, and Tails jumped off the edge of the ship, unseen.
Then, the ray gun exploded.
Well, only one more to go. Please tell me what you think.