Chapter 4 – Reinforcements

The team looked around at the horde of robots and then faced Pachytron who loomed right before them. They knew that they were in for a huge battle.

Cynder narrowed her eyes to Tails, Draco, Percival, Lily and Amy. "We're going to have to distract the robots so that your group can hurry for the control tower and stop the warheads from being launched," she whispered.

"How are we going to do that?" asked Draco.

"This will require us having to take down the army of robots," said Sonic. "Once we've managed to defeat enough of them, I'll give the signal for you guys to carry out your objective."

"Sounds like a plan," said Percival. "It does seem rather risky, but I guess it's the only chance we have at saving the people."

"Don't look now, but those robots are about to attack!" said Jakkin.

Everyone turned around, and in an instant, the robots aimed their guns and poised their lances, awaiting Pachytron's command.

"Open fire!" the Robot Master announced, and with that, the robots begun their strike.

"Break for it!" shouted Tails, and the team spread out to evade the attacking robots. In response, they fought back. While Tails stood back from the fray, Sonic, Amy, Rouge, Jimmy and the dragons battled the army of robots. Amy spun her Piko Piko Hammer around, knocking several Egg Pawns and just when an Egg Knight sneaked up from behind, it was intercepted by Lily. Cynder led the other dragons the way as they charged through another robot horde. The robots were tossed into the air and smashed to pieces upon crashing. Sonic stood boldly in front of some robots and jeered at them. "You guys want a piece of me? Well then, here's your target!" he shouted as he mooned at the robots patting his buttocks. Provoked, the robots ran towards him and he sped along before reaching the edge of the battleship. Sonic then pretended to be frightened as he feigned looking for a way to escape. The robots advanced on the hedgehog, and when they lunged at him, Sonic leapt out of the way, resulting in the robots plummeting down into the ocean below.

Meanwhile, Knuckles punched and kicked several Egg Pawns while Rouge looked on admiring him from afar.

"What incredible strength, such fine machismo," she said lustfully. Just when a couple of Egg Hammers were about to attack Rouge from the sides, she rolled forwards, and they struck each other on the head at the same time, short-circuiting their insides before they exploded. Grinning deviously, Rouge surveyed the downed robots, and then she joined in the battle. After wiping out a good deal of the battleship's forces, the team found themselves battered, but determined to succeed in their mission.

"You may have fought well against my squadron," said Pachytron. "But I'm afraid you are in way over your heads, as I have saved the most elite members for last."

"I don't think so," said Sonic. "You're the fourth of the Robot Masters, so you must be powerful. What could possibly be stronger out of Eggman's usual junk?"

"Perhaps when you fight against a group of the doctor's latest creations, the E-50000, you'll be eating your own words," replied Pachytron. "They'll be dispatched right this instant."

With that, a series of hatches on the battleship opened, and some large bronze and brass humanoid robots emerged from them. Their right arms were outfitted with cannons while their left sported shields. All of the new robots had mean expressions in their visors.

Sonic looked at the robots and laughed. "Big freaking deal!" he snorted. "We've faced these types of robots years ago and they posed no problem! This will be a piece of cake!"

"Hold it, Sonic," warned Tails. "I don't think these robots are to be trifled with, and even though they beared a resemblance to the E-2000 class we've tangled on the Final Fortress, there's no doubt that Eggman has upgraded the models in order to eliminate their weaknesses."

"That fox friend of yours is right, hedgehog," said Pachytron. "Doctor Eggman has reworked the old E-2000 and programmed them to be ready for your tricks. Suffice it to say that you and your team will stand no chance."

"Oh yeah?" said Sonic. "I'll show you that I'm still unstoppable!"

Sonic performed a Spin Dash and shot straight towards the E-50000 robots, but immediately they fired their shield arms and intercepted the hedgehog, knocking him backwards.

"Let's get them!" urged Torden, and he raced towards the robots to help Sonic.

"No, guys!" shouted Tails. "We need to use strategy to beat those guys!"

But Torden continued on and the other dragons pursued. They tried their best to defeat the E-50000 robots, but they soon found that they were unable to dent their armour. The robots then proceeded to fling the dragons back. Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge and Jimmy could only watch with horror, unable to intervene.

"Oh," groaned the dragons. "Those robots are stronger than we have anticipated."

"I told you not to attack them," said Tails. "I know you want to help Sonic, but we've got to make a plan to take out these robots."

"Foolish pieces of flesh," said Pachytron. "It is useless to keep on trying. I think the time has come for you all to meet your demise."

"Not on my watch!" called a voice.

Everyone looked up, and they saw that Moonracer had reappeared, but there was a figure that was riding on the back of the Night Fury. It was a male human in a black clad outfit and a mask which covered his face. He also brandished a rifle.

"Moonracer!" called Cynder. "Good timing that you're here!"

"We couldn't let you and your friends get hurt by these mechanical monsters," said Moonracer. "This guy here is also eager to help as he claims to have dealt with Eggman before."

"Oh yeah," said Draco. "Just who is this dude?"

"My name is Viper, young dragon," replied the stranger. "And yes, I am all too familiar with the evil Eggman and his attempts at world domination, but it's a very long story. There is no time to talk, however, and right now, you guys look like you need some help."

"That is an understatement, partner," said Jakkin solemnly. "If ya came to help us, then we'd surely appreciate it."

"So you got some reinforcements," said Pachytron. "That should not be of a huge concern for us as we are still powerful robots."

"Humph! You talk big, just like any other evildoer I've faced," said Viper. "You and your creator are going down, I promise you that!"

"Arrogance will get you nowhere," retorted Pachytron. "Now, prepare to learn what happens when you dare to interfere in the plans of the great Doctor Eggman! E-50000 Squadron, prepare to open fire on that mysterious stranger! I shall deal with the hedgehog and his crew myself!"

The E-50000 robots aimed their cannons at Viper and began to fire away. However, Viper was very agile that he avoided the laser shots with ease as he rolled around. He then fired away with his rifle, stunning the robots. Meanwhile, Pachytron made his way towards Sonic and his friends, ready to battle them in a showdown. The team knew that the time has come to take on and defeat the fourth and second-last Robot Master.

"This is where we can set our plan to action," whispered Sonic. "My team will have to distract Pachytron long enough for Tails' team to sneak past and infiltrate the Egg Convoy's control tower."

"I want to help Draco in this mission," said Jeremy.

"Okay then, Jeremy," said Tails. "That means you'll come along with my team. We're going to have to find a way to get to the tower without Pachytron noticing us."

"Not a problem," said Sonic. "I'll give the signal with my thumb when we have the Robot Master's attention completely focused on me and the others."

"Sounds all good," said Knuckles. "But now we mustn't waste any time! Pachytron is ready to fight us!"

The team turned to face the elephant robot as he stared at his foes. While Sonic was determined to bring down Pachytron, he was also concerned about how Viper was handling the E-50000 robots.

"A shame that you have come so far only to be foiled," said Pachytron. "And even if you manage to defeat me, you are too late, for it is only one more hour before the nuclear warheads are launched, and by then, the cities and everything and everyone you hold dear will be decimated."

"One hour is all we need to get the job done," replied Sonic. "After all, I'm the fastest thing alive, and nothing can slow me down!"

"Enough talk, let's battle!" declared Pachytron.

So Sonic and his friends squared off against the evil Robot Master. Pachytron attempted to blast Sonic with his missiles, but the hedgehog evaded his attacks and raced around in a zigzag pattern which kept the robot occupied with shooting him down.

"Cynder, you and your team help out Viper with the E-50000 robots!" he called. "Knuckles, Rouge, and Jimmy, you try to hold Pachytron at bay!"

"Got it," said Cynder and she beckoned her team to follow her to the battle between Viper and the robot squad. As soon as Knuckles, Rouge and Jimmy hurried and attacked Pachytron, Sonic looked at Tails and lifted his thumb to give the signal for his fox friend.

"Now's our chance," whispered Tails. "Let's go and hurry to the command tower!"

Author's Note: Jeez, I took my time getting this chapter done, but it's all down to wire! Sonic and his friends face off against Pachytron and the E-50000 robots while Tails and his team begin their task to save the cities from being nuked. We are also introduced to a new character who belongs to fellow FanFiction writer General Viper. Time is at the essence on the next chapter!