The Knothole Mobotropolis Exploits: New Teams Arise
(A/N: Okay, the way I have them depart from each other, at the end, is reminiscent of the way it would happen in Sonic Underground, the way it would happen in Sonic Heroes, and the way it might happen in the comics; one of which is cheesy, another which is quick and to the point, the last of which is a finishing conversation then racing off. Enjoy.)
Chance Encounter: Team Acorn Arrives On The Scene
After Sally had dragged Bunnie away, the two walked through Knothole in silence. Bunnie watched Sally carefully. It was obvious the princess was thinking deeply on something. After a while, Bunnie finally dared to ask, "Sal-gal, what is it darlin?"
"Hmm?" Sally asked, snapping out of the daze. "Oh, Bunnie, it's nothing. Just, why all of a sudden have swat bots come here? There's no reason anymore, is there? What is Eggman planning that he would suddenly send them back here after so long? I don't like it."
"What's our plan suga?" Bunnie questioned.
"Where there's robots, there's Eggman, or someone else who knows how to work with bots. I think it's time we called in our resident bounty hunter slash flight member," Sally replied, eyes sparkling.
"Ya mean Nic? Got ya covered Sal-gal," Bunnie replied, smiling. "Ma stars, I hope this don't turn inta anotha woah." With that she pulled out a communication device. "Nic, come in, Nicolette, I repeat, come in," Bunnie said.
Nic quickly flashed onto the screen. "What can I do you for Team Acorn?" she asked. "Do we have a plan?"
"You bet we do. Sally will explain it," Bunnie replied, sharing the screen with the princess.
"Nic, my brother Elias, Antoine, and Rotor, were just attacked by swat bots for some unknown reason. Something's up, and we need a bounty hunter on this. Meet Bunnie and I at the palace in ten minutes. We need your help to track the trail of robots. Maybe they'll lead us to whoever's sending them out," Sally explained.
"I've got you," Nic replied. "This is going to be fun. It's about time we got somewhere." With that Nic signed off. Bunnie and Sally looked at each other grinning, then raced to the palace.
Nic smirked, then turned on the device again. "Team Vile, I've got news," she said in a sing song voice.
Almost instantly Nack's face appeared. Quickly he demanded, "What's up? Are they finally making a move?"
"You bet they are," Nic replied.
"Well, talk," Sleet said, as suddenly he and Dingo appeared as well.
"First of all, let me say that your random attack by swat bots was brilliant. It jump started Sally all right," Nic replied.
Sleet looked confused, as did Dingo and Nack. "Ya mean some swat bots attacked Knothole already?" Dingo asked.
Now confused, Nic answered, "Yeah, didn't you send them out?"
Team Vile exchanged nervous looks. Finally, Sleet replied, "Funny, we haven't deployed any squadrons yet Nic."
Nic started, surprised. After a moment she asked, "What?"
"We haven't sent out any robots," Sleet repeated.
"Then who?" Nic questioned.
Fang grimly replied, "I think I have an idea."
"Who mate?" Dingo asked.
"You don't mean…" Nic began.
"I mean," Nack confirmed.
"Who?" Dingo repeated.
"I'll tell you later," Fang said.
"What should I do Sleet?" Nic asked.
"Have fun, go along with their plan. Maybe we'll find out who this mysterious rival is," Sleet answered. "Now if you'll excuse us, we need to talk," he finished, looking pointedly at Nack. With that the screen went blank.
Nic hurried to meet the girls, flying up into Sally's bedroom. Sally and Bunnie were waiting. "About time Nic. We've got to get going," Sally declared.
"All right, I'll fly us out of the city, then you can take over," Nic replied.
"We'd bettah make sure we ain't seen ya'll," Bunnie said.
"You're telling this to me?" Nic incredulously asked.
Bunnie grinned sheepishly, replying, "I guess ah never thought that one through."
"As long as we get out," Sally hurried.
"Right, hold on girls," Nic said. With that they flew out of the city.
Nic watched closely for any signs of robot activity, as did Sally and Bunnie. The bounty huntress, however, was way ahead of them. She steadily found little clues that the other two would never have considered. However, soon enough they found a clue none of them could miss. The three were staring at a scattering of metal remains. After a moment, Sally remarked, "Looks like Team Gentry came through here."
"Who?" Nic asked.
"Elias foahmed a team with Antoine and Rotor hon. Didn't we mention that?" Bunnie explained.
Nic smirked. "That's an odd team up if I've ever heard of one," she remarked.
"There's probably been stranger," Sally said with a smile.
"Like us foah instance," Bunnie smirked. "Come on gals, let's keep goin'," she prompted.
"Right," Sally replied. Now clues came far easier. Every little ways they found another scrap heap. It didn't take long for them to realize where they were going.
"Looks like they're headed foah Annes," Bunnie declared.
"Too easy," Nicolette complained.
"Good work Nic," Sally said, putting a hand on her teammates shoulder. Nic smiled at her, and the group ran towards Annes.
Meanwhile, Cyrus asked, "Renee, Sario, Mindy, how did you girls find us?"
"Well, me and Team Heart got a call from the freedom fighters here about a robot attack," Renee replied.
"Renee was worried, so we headed right over. We were headed for Knothole to ask about Eggman's newer robots before that," Sario elaborated.
"The bots on the way here weren't too bad though. It was kind of fun," Mindy admitted.
"And you never even messed up your hair or clothes Mindy darling," Bartleby said.
"I know, right? Isn't it amazing?" she asked, flipping back her hair.
"It's a good thing we came when we did," Renee seriously said, worriedly looking at Trevor.
Catching her eyes, he assured, "I'm fine Renee."
"Trevor saved my life," Cyrus admitted.
"A good thing too," Elias said.
Just then a voice cried, "Elias!" Team Gentry turned.
"Sally, what are you doing here?" Elias asked. Just then he saw Nic, and his eyes narrowed. "She's your third member!" he exclaimed in disbelief bordering outrage, mouth dropped.
"Sally, are you insane?" Rotor asked, just as shocked if not more.
"Zat weasel ees not to be trusted. She ees Nack's sister," Antoine declared, pointing his sword at her.
"Hey, back off Antoine," Bunnie sharply reprimanded. Putting her arm around Nic's shoulders, she added, "Nic's one of us foah now."
"She's on our side guys. We only found you because of her. She's a valuable asset to Team Acorn," Sally said, putting her own arm around Nic's shoulders. Touched, albeit surprised, Nic grinned at the two, putting her own arms around them.
"No way, get rid of her!" Elias shot.
"Forget it! We need her help to find Sonic and Eggman," Sally protested firmly.
"You know she could betray you at any time," Elias warned, frowning at the weasel.
"Frankly, ah wouldn't doubt that she's betrayin us now," Bunnie remarked. Nic stiffened, but quickly covered, relaxing once more. She suspiciously looked at them. Did they suspect? How could they? No, they didn't. She had been too careful. She grinned innocently once more.
"Sally…" Elias began to argue.
Cutting him off, however, Sally questioned, "Who are these guys?"
Elias sighed, giving up and shaking his head. "Sally, Team Acorn, meet Teams Dash and Heart," Rotor introduced.
"They're Sonic's old friends, Cyrus, Trevor, Bartleby, Renee, Mindy, and Sario," Elias elaborated.
"Yoah kiddin us," Bunnie exclaimed.
"Ave we ever keeded you?" Antoine asked.
"Lots," Sally said.
"Pleased to meet you all," Cyrus said. With that, the introductions were made.
"So, what are you three doing here anyway?" Elias finally questioned Sally.
Sally answered, "We're tracking these robots and following their path. Hopefully they'll lead us to Eggman."
"They went that a way," Sario directed, pointing in the direction the bots had disappeared in.
"Thanks Sario," Sally said. "Now, what were you two teams doing, heading to Knothole?"
"We wanted information on these newer bots of Robotnick's. We've never dealt with them before," Mindy said.
"We'll tell you what, we'll go tale for tale. We want to know more about the swat bots. We never dealt with them for as long as you guys," Elias said, striking a deal.
"Fine by us," Cyrus replied. With that the four groups began to exchange tales.
Soon enough they were caught up with each other. Finally Elias said, "That's all we can tell you about Eggman's robots."
"Same with the swat bots," Cyrus said. "We're not sure how useful the information will be with the newer swat bots, though, whenever they begin to attack."
"Frankly I don't see why they haven't already," Bartleby remarked.
"At least it's something," Sally declared. "Now if you'll excuse us, we've got robots to track. It's been great meeting you all. Hopefully everyone can get together someday."
"The pleasure's all ours," Renee remarked. "Now we can go back home."
"You're staying in Mobotropolis?" Trevor asked.
"Just for a little while. I'll be back and forth," Renee replied.
"Be careful little sis," Elias worriedly warned Sally.
"You too big bro," Sally replied with a smile. "Come on girls." With that, Team Acorn ran off to follow the trail.
"She's going to regret having Nic around," Elias ruefully said.
"Let's hope things don't get too bad. Goodbye Team Gentry. Hopefully we'll meet again," Cyrus said, Team Dash shaking their hands.
"Hopefully," Elias agreed.
"Come on guys, let's go home," Cyrus said. With that, Teams Dash and Heart walked off in a line, arms around each other, Cyrus, Sario, Trevor, Renee, Bartleby, then Mindy.
"I guess we should head back too," Elias said.
"We are not going to walk arms around each other, are we?" Antoine asked. Elias and Rotor couldn't help but laugh. "What? Eet ees a legitimate question," Antoine defended.
"Let's go Antoine," Rotor said, putting a hand on his shoulder. With that the three ran off.