The Freedom Fight Saga Episode 20: Friends, Foes & Family

Out in the Badlands, the Chaotix are with the Sand Blasters and they drive through the desert to the Dark Egg Legion's base for the 'exchange.' The Chaotix are still concerned about how Jack plans to take action.

Jack says, "Fancy drivn' there, boys! HAHAHA!"

Espio grits his teeth as he drives, "This is no way to behave before a prisoner exchange."

"You mean ambush of Eggman's troops," Vector replies. And starting to feel sick to his stomach, "Ugh - all that swervin is making me ill…"

Vector hears the walkie talkie and picks it up.

He soon hears Jack say, "Keep up, boys! We need y'all to get Flex back in one piece 'till then, stick to the plan and do what I say."

"Sure thing… boss," Vector replies.

Then Ray says, nervously, "W-we've g-got to d-do something! I-If Jack f-finds out mighty waslying and using him to find his sister…"

"I know, I know. Here's what we're gonna do…" Vector says with a plan in mind. "We'll stay undercover for now, but if things get back - when they get bad - we'll grab Mighty and his sis," And Vectors out the Warp Ring, "Then take the Warp Ring back to Angel Island. Jack and his thugs can fend for themselves!"

"Woo! Undercover escape plan!" Charmy cheers.

Meanwhile, at the Rendezvous point…

"Front and center, Mister 'Flex,' The Baron says.

The Legionnaire escorts Mighty out in the open and into some kind of strange restraint.

"Is that thing for me?" Mighty asks.

"Ah'm afraid so, and that ah must insist," The Baron says, "If we're to preserve your cover, we've got to put on a show. Jack knows no puny handcuffs can hold you."

He turns to see the depressed look on Mighty's face, and remembers what happened the night before.

"Buck up, son," The Baron reassures, "We'll trade you back to Jack's gang, then you can escape home."

"Without Matilda," Mighty says.

The Baron lowers his head and knows that Mighty is unable to take his sister with him.

Moments later, Mighty has been put in the restraint to continue his ruse.

Mighty says to himself, "All my searching and struggling was for her. To give her the family she never had. To give her peace, and a little bit of happiness."

"Ah, sympathize more than you know," The Baron says.

He remembers the situation with Bunnie, and how their last meeting has gone off too.

Soon, Matilda walks over and says, "The Sand Blasters are here, Baron." and passes him the megaphone.

"Good. The sooner we're done with this, the better," Baron says.

Then calls out through the megaphone, "Send out the prisoners!"

Soon, the Legionnaires release the prisoners and the prisoners begin to walk out.

The Baron calls out, "Let's keep this civil like before, Jack. You line up yours, ah'll line up mine, and we cross 'em nice and easy."

Jack calls out through the Megaphone, "This time's different, old man. I want Flex! End him over first!"

"And risk him tearin' this whole carrier in half?" The Baron questions. "No, sir. We do the trade, then ah drop him off in this here ring, and we part ways."

"That's it? No demands?" Jack questions, "That's awful generous. What's the catch?"

"Catchin' your best and havin' you beg for him back is payment enough for me!" The Baron says.

That displeases Jack, "Why you smug…"

And with that, the groups from separate sides begin the exchange. The Legionnaires walk towards the Carrier while the captured Sand Blasters walk towards the rest of the group. However, unknown to them, one of the captured Legionnaires is really a Sand Blaster and winks towards one of the comrades as he smirks. Once the exchange has finished, Jack shouts, "Aaaaaand… NOW!"

And with that, those disguised as Legionnaires remove the hood and begin the attack.

One of the captured Legionnaires panics, "It's a set-up!"

Seeing the situation, the Baron glares at Jack, "This is low… even for you, Jack."

He then calls out, "Fire all cannons! All troops to the front lines! Check your fire - some in the robes are ours!"

Soon, the Baron fires the Sand Blasters vehicles and the Sand Blasters fight back. Meanwhile, the Chaotix are watching everything that's happening.

"This is the part where things get bad, right?" Charmy asks.

"Right," Vector says.

Vector jumps off of the jeep and says, "We got our boy, grab his sister, and get out! Keep it quick and simple, Chaotix!"

And with that, the Chaotix head off on the rescue mission.

Unfortunately for them, Jack happens to be nearby and hears the conversation, "Chaotix…?"

"Hang on, Mighty! We're coming!" Charmy calls out.

"'Mighty'?" Jack says, confused, "Why are they calling him…?"

And soon, the realization clicks in his head and has anger in his eyes.

He shouts, "Run 'em down!"

"Boss?" Avery questions.

"They're the famous Freedom Fighter Teams! They've been lyin' to our faces since day one! RUN. THEM. DOWN!"

And with that, Avery drives the jeep right towards them.

Charmy turns his back to see the Sand Blasters, "Behind us!"

Vector turns around and quickly grabs the jeep, "HRGH!"

Then Rex and some of the Sand Blasters begin to attack the Chaotix, but they begin to fight back.

"This isn't quick and simple!" Vector says, irritated, "Somebody get Mighty over here!"

"Already covered!" Charmy says. "Ray's on his way!"

And Charmy's right, Mighty is taking chances in the battle field to glide across the fight to get to Mighty with determination.

Meanwhile, at the carrier, The Baron, Mighty, and the other Legionnaires are seeing what is happening.

Mighty struggles to break free, "Let me loose! I can help!"

"You think Jack will ever let you go if your cover's blown?!" The Baron questions.

"It's blown!" Mighty says, "Look, even if Matilda's rejected me, don't leave me hanging here to watch her get attacked!"

Just then, Ray lands on the carrier and demands, "Let him go! NOW!"

"Ray?!" Mighty exclaims in shock, "You're supposed to be somewhere SAFE!"

Just then, Matilda grabs Ray by his scarf, "You will not threaten The Baron."

"Ray! Tilly! Stop it!" Mighty cries out.

Even the Baron tries to stop the potential fight, "Hold on! HOLD ON! Children shouldn't be fightin' like this!"

Hearing the name and seeing the Armadillo girl's face, Ray asks in shock, "T-Tilly? Y-you're his sister?!"

"So he says. The Baron agrees. Sonia of the Freedom Fighters confirmed it. I suppose it's true, then," Matilda says.

"Th-then let's g-go! W-we'll rescue your brother and well all g-go home!" Ray says.

"I have no home. I have no feelings for this 'brother' despite my appreciation for his search for me. Do what you want, but leave me alone," Matilda says in a calm, cold tone."

"She… she doesn't remember much of anything," Mighty says as tears fall from his face.

Ray turns to see Mighty looking very heart broken.

Mighty continues, "She was roboticized, too young, and… "

But Ray shouts, "NO!"

That catches everyone off guard.

And then confronts Matilda, "D-do you know h-how l-long h-he looked for you?! H-how much i-it hurt him to th-think you were d-dead or gone forever?! Y-you may n-not remember him, but he remembers YOU! He LOVES YOU!" Matilda is taken back by what Ray says.

The young Flying Squirrel continues, "I-I was lost, too1 D-didn't age r-right, a-and with no one l-left to call family! Mighty took m-me in. Th-thanks to HIM, I've g-got a life n-now! He w-wants the s-same for YOU! Y-You d-don't remember him? SO WHAT? Y-yo remember being alone, r-right? S-SCARED? H-he won't ever leave you alone again. H-How can you n-not want that? H-He will always be th-there for you."

As Ray talks, Matilda remembers her days with the Legionnaire, always fighting and seems to keep her distance from others. When she's been roboticized. And when she's alone during Robotnik's invasion, and when she's in the orphanage. However, Ray's words touch Matilda and it awakens some of her lost memories, remembering how Mighty has been with her, taking care of her, playing with her, helping her. Ray's words crack the shell within her heart, and open her eyes.

Still in tears, Ray says, "L-Like h-he's a-always there f-for m-me!"

"Wow. Mighty says, moved by Ray's speech, "That was beautiful."

Even the Baron smiles to hear Ray's speech and how much Mighty means to him, and soon notices Matilda mode has changed. He soon comes to see that Ray's words have gotten through to her.

Just then, Jolt the Road the Runner comes speeding in, "One side! Comin' through!" and then punches the Baron and Matilda out of the way. "Nice distraction, kid!" And punches Ray out of the way.

He then stops in front of Mighty as he brings out the blaster, "Enemies are one thing… but Jack hates traitors!" and points the blaster towards Mighty as the armadillo tries to break out the restraint.

Jolt laughs and says, "Hasta la vista, Flex! You're my ticket to some respect around here!"

Seeing Mighty in trouble, Matilda takes action, "Get away-" And clenches her fist in anger, "-From my-" and charges in for the strike, "BROTHER!" And punches Jolt that sends him flying.

Mighty is surprised to see his sister attack Jolt and protect him. Seeing how hard she punches him and sends him flying, Mighty is actually very impressed. Of course, the Sand Blasters see Jolt is sent flying and crashes into the sand.

Now Jack is really mad, "That tears it…" and brings out his walkie talkie, "Murphy? You still running?"

"Sure am, boss," Murphy says, "Firing at will!"

But Jack says, "New orders! Fire on Flex and the Baron!"

"Flex?" Murphy questions, "And I see kids up there…"

And Jack angrily says, "Don't you dare deny my orders! I said FIRE!"

And with that, Murphy fires the missile directly at the carrier. Matilda notices and decides to take it out herself as she winds up for the hit.

Mighty cries out, "Tilly-!" MOVE!"

But Matilda doesn't back down. She then slams her fist at the missile with all her might and explodes. But the explosion causes Matilda's arm to shatter and pushes her back against the restraint beam, hitting her head and knocking her out.

Seeing Matilda hurt and knocked out, something in Mighty snaps. He gathers every once of his strength and breaks apart his restraint as tears fall down his face. He then swings the part of the large metal ring at one of the Sand Blaster's tanks, destroying and knocking it down in the process. Mighty then uses the other strap of his restraint to charge at the jeeps and uses it to strike at it with full force.

He grabs the engine of the jeep as he lets out a cry of pure rage, "JACK!"

And then throws the engine at Jack's Jeep, knocking him out of it as the jeep crashes to the ground.

Soon, Jack begins to run away in fear, "Retreat! For the love of everything - RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

And soon the Sand Blaster runs away in terror with their tails between their legs as Mighty continues to go on a rampage. Soon, Vector and Espio grab Mighty and try to hold him down, but Mighty refuses to stop as he struggles to break out.

Vector cries out, "Let 'em go, man! It's over! It's over!"

"You're scaring us! Calm, blue ocean! Happy thoughts!"

"Mighty, don't do something you'll regret!" Espio says.

Soon, Ray flies over as he cries out, "But M-Matilda! She n-needs you-!"

Hearing Matilda's name is enough to get him to stop and replace his anger with worry, "Tilly-?"

Soon, the Chaotix rushes to Matilda's aid as the Baron reaches her first to check her condition.

Later, the Chaotix are waiting outside of the medical tent of the Dark Egg Legion Chapter. Mighty waits anxiously for progress of Matilda's condition.

Vector feels weird on how this day goes, "Battling against Freedom Fighters. Hanging out with Eggman's flunkies. So… weird."

"No crack about my allegiances?" Espio questions with his arms crossed.

"Eh, not the time," Vector says.

Soon, the Baron walks out of the tent, "We're finished."

"And?!" Mighty asks as he quickly stands up, "How is she?!"

"Listen, we've done all we can for her-" The Baron says, but Mighty rushes into the medical room to see his sister.

Matilda has regained consciousness, and is lying in bed after the impact of the missile, but her right arm has been destroyed.

Mighty walks to Matilda and asks, "How do you feel?"

"Okay. Weak," Matilda answers, exhausted, "Are you okay."

"Yeah. Thanks to you," Mighty says.

"Good. I… I don't want to lose my brother again," Matilda says.

"You've got more than one," Mighty says.

Then calls out, "Ray! Get over here!"

Ray hears his name and becomes confused.

Vector smiles, "Toldja so. Get over there, kid," and then gently have Ray go inside."

Ray then walks inside to meet with Mighty and Matilda. Mighty then presents Ray to Matilda.

Then introduces them to each other, "Tilly, this is Ray. Welcome to the family,"

"H-hi, Matilda. I-I always w-wondered what it'd be like to h-have a sister!" Ray says.

Matilda smiles, "Hello, Ray. Thank you for… making me see. I'm happy to have such good brothers.

Soon the rest of the Chaotix and the Baron walk into the camp.

The Baron clears his throat, "Ahem…" and places his hand on Mighty's shoulder and says, "As ah was sayin' - we've done all we can for her for now. She'll need a new arm, which needs balancin' and calibration'. There's systemic damage that will take care, precision and tools we only have here."

"What…" mighty asks, worried, "What are you saying?"

The Baron walks to Matilda as he says, "Matilda needs to stay with us and for everyone's safety, you have to go."

Then sadly says to Matilda, "Ah'm so sorry, darlin'."

"I… I understand," Matilda says.

Upset about hearing this, Mighty tries to reason with the Baron, "I… I can put on a robe! Take on another name! Just don't make me lose her again!"

"That kind of ruse, won't last, and you know it. You're not losin' her, son," The Baron says, "We'll take of her here… and you can always visit… carefully."

Mighty soon feels Vector's hand on his shoulder.

The crocodile says, "And don't forget…"

And soon notices the rest of the Chaotix surrounding him.

"You've got us too, big guy. The Chaotix take care of their own," Vector says.

"Yeah…" Mighty says, and smiles, "You found me… helped me… Thanks guys."

He then approaches Matilda and says, "This isn't goodbye, I promise you. We will be together," And tears begin to fall from his face.

Matilda smiles, "I… believe you. I look forward to it… big brother."

Mighty then gives Matilda a gentle kiss on her cheek and heads to the others. Espio uses the Warp Ring to open the portal back to Angel Island.

Vector then says, "C'mon Mighty. Let's get back to the island. The Master Emerald isn't gonna guard itself!"

"Alright," Mighty says.

The Chaotix then walks through the portal after saying their goodbyes and the Wapr ring closes behind them.

The Baron turns to Matilda, "You've got a fine family, Matilda. We'll get you healed up and back to them as soon as we can!"

"Thank you, Baron," Matilda says.

"Thanks nothin' of it, sweetheart…" The Baron says, "f there's anything I know… it's the pain of a family divided."

And thinks about his niece Bunnie, and there is a hope that one day, they'll be together again.