?: A prolonged investigation is underway regarding the halt of the recently defunct 'Reason' project. Interviews have covered several bizarre claims surrounding the story's missing crewmen. There are gruesome reports of a 'glowing' individual being sacked in an alley north of the town steeple. The victim was allegedly…sweetened? Um…was I supposed to be cooked?
Tails Doll: *Dilates pupils, shrugging in innocence*
Metal: *Grunts* Desist, there's no point. Devising a plot of this scope would require a more original concept. Natural killer dolls do not have the thriller punch they once did.
Tails Doll: :'( *Jabs Metal feebly*
Metal: I know little one, I know. You'll always be the scariest little nightmare-fueled robot to me.
Tails Doll: :D *Hugs the hedgehog mimic*
?: Aww! Lousy writer he may be, but he's got a nice family!
Metal: *Growls in humiliation* Why don't you STAY dead, you trait…or?
?(Silver): Hah! It's just me! Made you blink, huh?
Metal: Ngh…no, I knew it was you. *Emits exhaust (sighs)* Well, time for us to leave.
Silver: Yup, and it's back to cameo gigs for this hedgehog. See ya around, Met, TD.
Tails Doll: *Waves*
Metal: Yeah…let's go *shuts and locks studio door*.
…
…
…
"Am I late?"
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Innocent Deception
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Now was not the time for an extended respite. After rubbing away the dried sweat from his brow, Sonic instantly turned his attention back towards his silent companion. Barring the compassion he felt for the suffering fox, Sonic knew he had nothing to offer Miles; no words could sum up what either of them had been through. Dejected, the hero knew the best he could hope to offer his friend's counterpart was safe passage out of this now dead facility.
Staring into the dark corridor, at the same time, triggered a distant memory; one that sent a faint shiver down the hedgehog's spine: Being the foreigner that he was, his time left in this world remained yet uncertain; shrouded in confusion brought on by Shadow's words under possession, and by the many mysteries surrounding Robotnik's now-foiled schemes. Assuming the threat had not been just a ploy to play tricks on his mental acuity, Sonic knew he had to take this small window of opportunity to regroup with the others, before it was too late. There was no room for further delays.
However, a stirring behind the worn down hero warned him that an unhindered departure would likely be out of the question.
"So many pacifistic, optimistic, idealistic notions…" A voice rumbled from behind the now wide-eyed hero "In a world so spoiled by idiocy and complacency, you would ruin our future's one good hope of salvation for mere friendship? YOU DAMNED FOOL!"
Sonic's attempt to turn back came much too late, as he suddenly found himself caught in the iron grip of the supposedly defeated, Robotnik.
With his iconic goggles cracked, exposing irises aflame with a demented red glow, the doctor brutally slammed the hedgehog into the cold tile below. Such unnatural might jolted Sonic's muscle memory into action, prompting his delivery of a sharp kick to the large man's torso. The result was less than favorable; the act seemingly caused Sonic more pain than his intended target, and effectively earned him another ground slamming in retaliation.
While suffering from a throbbing head and ringing ears, Sonic narrowly caught sight of several, corrupted streams of liquid Chaos coursing through the doctor's veins.
Grimacing at the sight, Sonic barely managed to comment "That's a sad low I never thought you'd hit, doc. You'd even experiment on yourself? What were you trying to prove?" His backtalk was well-timed, as it prompted so much infuriation that the mad doctor loosened his hold; allowing the hedgehog just enough room to wriggle free. Back on his feet and gradually regaining his bearings, Sonic spoke again "What do you think Maria would say if she saw you like this? Do you really think, after seeing you so jacked up, she'd give a crap about growing up in a 'perfect' world?" Down to his core, the otherworldly mobian could not believe Robotnik, even his Robotnik, would be capable of such a senseless act.
Meanwhile, heavy breathing and empty grunts were all Robotnik would say at first, but after rather long minute of pause, a decently intelligible reply followed "You know nothing, hedgehog. You fail to understand how despicable this world has become. Perhaps in the land you call home, facing a crisis means suffering through a poorly managed theme park at worst. Here, however, we define crisis as endless deception, deprivation and death, while coping and compensating for all the pain those lovely factors entail."
Shutting his fire-bleeding eyes for a moment, the scientist's tone began to swell with a rising sense of wrath as he explained "Maybe even your current 'friends' do not see the difference, but I do. I know this world was once a place where ideals like my grandfather's could be embraced. Where hope meant more than begging for scraps in the putrescent halls of the Underground, or clamoring for false 'peace' provided by corrupt political patrons like the G.U.N.!"
Surging with another growl, Robotnik's body abruptly gave out several stomach-churning snaps. Caught in one of the patches of darkness, the scientist revealed no visible changes as he went on to say "Understand, Sonic, that even if I with all the love of a father provided for Maria, I would be forcing her to live in a world overrun by crime and governmental tyranny. In its current state, the world would sooner experiment on her ageless innocence rather than give her the dignity of a peaceful life!"
Crackling such energy, seemingly on the verge of bursting, Robotnik's words rose almost to a scream "Only the way of the Ancients, the way of purification, can save us now. Only power, power enough to bring the world to its knees, can secure her, no…everyone's future!"
Having finished his bizarre proclamation, the doctor stretched out his hand without warning; out of his palm came a wildly unpredictable wave of chaos energy, directed towards Sonic. Evading the initial arcs was simple enough, but became increasing less so once the insane fool started unleashed even more rapid discharges of the vile substance. The situation was terribly unfavorable for close quarter combat, as the doctor's hands had become chaotic imitations of pincers, razor-edged and studded with spikes. On the whole, his newly distorted frame grew vaguely similar to that of a crustacean-like machine.
Whether truly robotic or not, the mad man now suffered from same the lethargy most machines did. Thus Sonic, with his mind perfectly clear for the moment, frowned grimly and took the chance to say "Maybe you're right, doc: Maybe this world isn't the same place you knew and loved. Maybe it is just a modern mess you barely recognize. I can't say I know why because I really don't understand how higher up schemers think, or why they love screwing with peoples' lives."
Collecting his thoughts fully, the hero lunged forward and physically restrained both of Robotnik's 'arms'. Harmful as the contact was, the hero gritted his teeth and endured as memories of his adventure came flooding back "But I've learned that sometimes…sometimes you only have time to worry about the things you do understand: Things like protecting friends when they're in danger, being a good role model, or heck, just lending a hand when someone needs it." Stopping for a moment, Sonic placed his full strength forward as he shouted "That's why I keep on my path, no matter what! And if that leads me to fight against this world, or even my own someday, so be it! At least I'll be doing it alongside those I love and with my own strength, instead of giving into betrayal and living on borrowed power!"
Glowing with the same strength granted to him by yet unknown means, the hero fixed his mind on Tails specifically as he said with certainty "Think about it, Robotnik! While you were busy hating the world, didn't you forget to keep loving the only family you've got left? I've got wonder: Are you really doing this out of compassion, or have you just lost it all to vengeance?"
Robotnik, now indeed given over to his self-induced madness, had no answer to offer. Sonic in turn shook his head sadly at the senseless man before him, and continued to defend himself. Eventually the pair separated and glared at one another in a classic faceoff. Though the deranged man had stayed calm long enough for him to speak, Sonic knew the battle was about to heat up again.
With his only true concern being for his prone friend, Sonic led his enemy's dangerously misguided projectiles as far away as possible. Pleasingly, the doctor seemed abandon all strategy whilst focusing on the hedgehog, making himself an easy target for the hero's immense dexterity. Using his innate/provided skill to the fullest, Sonic hurdled his way past a collection of claustrophobia-inducing electric currents. There was soon no room left to continue circling his foe, leading the hero to make another rash dive for the doctor himself. In defense, the mad man's ghastly body revealed a gruesome array of spikes protruding from his stomach, of all places. One of these said pointed objects was now clearly on a crash-course with Sonic's cranium. Yet not even a trace of fright ever passed through Sonic's fearless mind as he charged forward.
Fractions of a second before impact, the hero saw the sharpened device reach between his eyes…and shatter into a dozen or so pieces; the defensive measure had been decimated under the hero's assault.
In that exact moment, Robotnik looked on in horror as the hedgehog's blunt impact had sent him crashing to the ground. His short-lived burst of energy fizzed out as he lay dejected and defeated on the cold floor of his lifeless facility.
Sonic at first, half-considered going to check on the downed doctor, but ultimately rejected this notion in favor of fulfilling his original goal. All the while, he struggled to not let his mind be overwhelmed with all the surprises he'd faced thus far.
Spirits, cataclysms, and plots aside, something more important was right in front of him: Sinking down on one knee, the strong-willed hero beckoned to the listless fox. Having received no reply, Sonic found himself overcome with sadness at the sight of his suffering partner. With a downcast face, matted fur, and cuts and bruises aplenty, Tails looked to be completely broken. Sonic would never wish so much pain on anyone, even Eggman himself, much less his closest companion. Beyond his sympathies, there was yet little the hedgehog could do besides shoulder up the fallen fox. Warm nostalgia eased the hero's nerves when Tails unintentionally brought his near-lifeless head to rest against Sonic's chest.
Welcome calm though this was, the hero was quick to remember Robotnik, who was still sprawled out on the dark floor, bemoaning his 'terrible' loss. For a split second, picturing the torment of his comrades and the death of his best friend's would-be fiancée, the hero darkly considered his old nemesis' life to be…forfeit. Grimly enough, this problem was resolved when the mad man ripped out his trademark mustache and cried out in anguish. It was clear now that the doctor's mind was completely destroyed, shattered by very the power he hoped to wield. There was no punishment worth wasting on him, a babbling madman.
Sonic never did figure out how the doctor hoped to harness the 'Power of Chaos', or what this nonsense of being a conduit was all about. Additionally, Chaos' plea regarding the spirits left a bad taste on the hedgehog's tongue. However, Sonic was more than willing to assume that all was well after those evil beings had left his subconscious for good.
Amid these thoughts, the hero was morbidly befuddled when he heard Robotnik muttering "Ah they whisper to me…in darkness…tell me where I have erred. And now I see…you…you carry it…weight of the world….on your shoulders…" Rasping curiously between breaths, the scientist kept babbling "Grandfather…this land…soon be…free. Experiment is underway…this hall has no further purpose. Reveal the Power of…Cha…os…!" No sooner had Sonic heard the doctor finish his deranged ramblings than did a stomach-twisting gurgling fill his perked ears. Snapping head back, he saw Robotnik, spread out on the ground, breathless and perfectly motionless.
Perhaps due to the general lack of light, Sonic's sharp gaze could see no noticeable wounds or blood spilt by the doctor. Nevertheless, his search was interrupted by an unexpected alarm that echoed around the supposedly shutdown facility; this was followed by a message that gave Sonic an even greater reason to depart from these cursed grounds with all haste:
-Warning. Security Anomaly Priority 4 detected in the Sable Crossing Chamber. Purging sequence initiated. Evacuate immediately-
"Let's kick it up to the max. Hang on, big guy. We're outta here." Sonic assured his catatonic comrade before jetting off in a stream of blue light.
L
*With Tikal/Amy's group*
L
A prolonged silence passed as the unnerved mobians waited on their supernatural informant to bring news of Sonic and Tails. It was in this undefined time that Maria started, without much prior indication, to let out a number of stifled gasps. When a curious Charmy hovered in to investigate, these little 'gasps' turned out to be sobs. Concerned for her in his own way, the simple-minded bee looked over the kindly girl with invasive sympathy, asking repeatedly why she was crying.
"I-I don't know… I don't know what's wrong with me." She answered truthfully, ashamed for blubbing at such an inconvenient time. It made no sense to her logically, as she had no data or statistics to go off of. By raw deduction, she could have argued that stressful circumstances might have been the cause, but if she was truly honest with herself, Maria would admit that it was something else. She couldn't place it for any ounce of exactness, yet she could swear for a fact that something terrible had happened.
However, Maria's sinking intuition was readily interrupted when Amy piped up "I…think I… Yeah! Guys, I hear her again! Um…let's see. Tikal says we should-huh? But…why? W-What do you mean by THAT?" Everyone, including the still-weakened Knuckles, shot up in surprise at Amy's distress. A few pestered her for answers until at last they heard the pink hedgehog clarify "Um…everyone? Tikal says we'll be d-d-dead if we don't leave this place, now!"
"Huh? Why's a shiny lady seal-barking orders like Mr. Boss?" Charmy incoherently addressed the shared opinion of Tikal's unnervingly urgent message. Despite the questions they all had, Knuckles fortunately understood the danger well enough to get moving at once. Though still crippled, the maroon echidna waited until the blond Robotnik had everything she needed before scooping both her and Amy up on his dash out. Charmy too impulsively clung to the back of the ex-criminal's quills while shouting "If gloomy place goes pie-bye, I'll never see big sky shiny again! Hurry scurry, Chuckles! Make like the wind and break bad!"
Besides grumbling out a mild correction to his namesake, Knuckles dutifully, albeit painfully, sprinted down through the silent halls, still unsure what he was running from until he heard a mechanical voice distortedly call out:
- Purging sequence initiated. Evacuate immediately-
L
*With Shadow's team*
L
"Evacuate? But we're not finished here!" Vector voiced his indigence at the top of his lungs, as if to challenge the repetitious warning "Hey, spirit girl, you listening? What about all that prayer-time crapola, huh? Did it help our pals or what? Hey! YOU LISTENING TO ME?" No one could convince the crocodile to be silent, for the other had to agree: What had been the point of all this waiting around? Did Sonic come out alive, and what about Tails and the rest of their team? Too many unanswered questions left the fighting team unwilling to budge.
Shadow too had it in mind to perform a quick sweep for their allies before heading out, but was suddenly halted by a spectral being. Pausing for a moment, giving the situation a brief assessment, the dark hedgehog offered a stoic nod and greeted the being with a curt "You're late, Tikal."
The ghostly figure made no effort to reply; it merely lifted it's partially transparent hand, gesturing towards a nearby hallway. Shadow soon took note of this and unquestionably rounded his three companions up. While the three of the four heroes were ready to move out, Espio made no initial advance forward, seemingly skeptical of 'Tikal' voicelessly giving the team orders. Upon holding the team up with his suspicions, the chameleon felt a crude shove from behind, as if the ghostly echidna was getting impatient with him.
Edgily, Espio took this uninvited contact as a threat, defensively readying his arsenal. Shadow, Rouge and Vector, despite having found his rashness ill-advised, rushed in to back him up after they saw the chameleon enveloped by the glow emitted by their ghostly visitor. Any fears surrounding this event were never realized, as Espio emerged from the strange light seemingly unharmed, except that his right cheek looked slightly reddened, as though it had been stung. For some reason or another, the ex-ninja's hesitation took an about-face as he then furiously prompted the rest of the group to follow him.
Partly concerned that he had been possessed, or at least confused by his rapid change of heart, the remaining three did pursue. Eventually, after a trek that seemed to take mere seconds the rest of the team found themselves coming face-to-face with not just Espio, but also with a weary Knuckles carrying Maria, Amy and Charmy in tow. The timing of their meeting seemed almost too convenient, too coincidental, but no one complained as the newly reunited heroes knew they had to make their escape. Amy, however, stubbornly refused, hastily voicing her concern for Sonic and Tails.
Strangely it was Espio who put her fears to rest, in a rare moment of sensitive encouragement "I assure you, both your hero and Miles are in good hands. Those two…have an angel watching over them." She gave him a look of stunned incredulity, given how uncharacteristically feathery the normally sober-minded ex-ninja's statement was. Though perplexed, Amy drew enough confidence from Espio's almost embarrassing sincerity to keep moving.
Afterwards, though aware that they were still running for their lives, the chameleon lowered his gaze thoughtfully and calmly whispered "You never cease to amaze me…"
L
*With Sonic and Tails*
L
Whatever that warning meant, it obviously stood as another good cause to go a little faster. Of course, trouble arose regarding one tiny little detail:
He had no idea where he was going!
Sonic had come this far into these forsaken depths by following the negative impulses (which now felt incredibly close by), but without them or some other beacon to trace, he was totally lost. Ascending seemed to work for a time, right up until the winding passages started to look all too familiar, if not exactly the same. Having fared no better with his drilling technique, the hedgehog hero grew a bit frantic in his search; but no matter how he tried pounding on ever wall, scaling every structure or opening every door, these valiant attempts only left him increasingly hopeless.
"Come on, COME ON!" He growled in a ragged voice, not willing to give up and let the fox on his back die in this desolate hell hole. Angry almost out of his rational mind, the hero set his brother-like friend down and resorted to shouting until he nearly collapsed "Tikal! Chaos chick! Anyone! ANSWER ME! W-What am I supposed to do now? Please…just tell me…" Expectedly, no response came, aside from the automated voice that kept replaying its dreaded message.
Without any steam left to scream, the hero slumped down next to his best friend. He had tried everything, everything he could think of. Waiting seemed just as pointless, yet it was far better than passing out from exhaustion before an answer presented itself. If nothing happened…then he would be willing to try again in a moment. One way or another, giving up right at the end of his quest just wasn't an option.
"So…what do you want to do when we get out of here?" Sonic half-asked Tails, who simply hung his head in silence. Smiling to himself, the hero went on to say "Yeah I agree, taking a long nap sounds about perfect, but I don't want you slacking off on me yet. We've still got a job to do, right?" The fox let out a wheezing sigh in response, while Sonic, after a short pause, proclaimed "I think I'll take a nice jog around the globe first, just to get a feel for all the quirks this crazy world has. But...I don't know if I want you slowing me down by tagging along!" He grinned, elbowing the fox's arm playfully. Leaning further back, the hero continued musing with a small grin "Nah, I'm only messing with ya. I'm not going to leave you hanging by running off. It wouldn't be cool of me to ditch you like that."
Realizing it was about time for them to leave again, the hero quietly concluded "Best friends stick together, right?"
Just as he was about to sit up, the finally took notice of a strange light that had, unbeknownst to his fatigued mind, been hovering over the two of them for quite some time. Sonic, startled by the being's sudden appearance, gave a startled shout and demanded "Geez, what the heck, Tikal? Do you always have to sneak up on me like that?" The spectral figure let out an unusual sound in return, similar to grunt of annoyance.
Regretting his rudeness, Sonic put his mind back on the matter at hand and asked "Can you help us get out of here? Just tell me where to go and I'm gone." His spiritual companion seemed nod in reply, moving several paces down one of the hopelessly identical passages. Eventually, the figure returned and motioned for Sonic. Wasting no time, the hedgehog complied; picking Tails up and sprinting on ahead. His partially transparent guide was only barely able to keep to the front as both furiously raced against the clock.
…
Meanwhile, Tails had stirred slightly during Sonic's exchange with the spirit. His eyes barely fluttered open, their pigment now a dimly flashing myriad of randomly clustered colors.
"Son…ic…"
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End of Chapter Fifty-two
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No sleep was lost over this chapter, none at all…honestly. Half a year late, yes, but surely that's no issue. I'll rest easy knowing I waited nearly a year to update *yawns*. Well, it's back to hibernation for me. See you all next year!
…and if I meant that, I give you all permission to cripple your fingers writing hate-PMs to your heart's content (not that any of you do…but I invite disaster nonetheless XD). Assuming anyone is left, contrary to statements in the pre-chapter inanities, I WILL still be trying to finish this project off. I rewrote the ending a bit; I wasn't pleased with how nasty this story's prior chapters have been (not to mention convoluted), but maybe I can slightly remedy that with what I have in mind. Not that it still won't be sad, as all my works are (in many ways, really! XD *tranquilized*). Either way, that's enough kvetching for me. I hope you enjoy the chapter, whoever is reading this!
Until next time.