Chapter 5: War

Cream was nearly done putting the finishing touches to her new costume: a yellow and red jumpsuit with a matching mask. Forbidden by her step-father to join the police, Cream found good money and comfort in Chaotix Escorts: a successful tourist and trade company founded by her mother, where Big worked as well. Although Cream understood Vector's good intentions, her meeting with the Witchcarts showed her she needs to fight back against the Little Planet's criminals like Sonic had chosen. On her bed layed her pet Chao Cheese and Chocola, watching her dress-up.

"How do I look" Cream asked them.

They squealed in approval.

"Thank you. Can you watch the apartment while I'm gone?"

Cheese and Chocola nodded. Leaving through the window, she then headed out to fight crime. stealthily attacking one criminal at time without attracting public scrutiny. Until she saw two Witchcarts talking to another two more Witchcarts in a nearby car. Hiding in the shadows, Cream caught wind of what they were saying.

"Witchcart says everyone at the junkyard in one hour. We're going to war so get in" said the driver as his friends did so.

Intrigued, Cream decided to follow the car to the dump.

At a G.U.N. base in south Metropolis, yellow mongoose General Issac Roosevelt arrived in his office. Looking out his window, he saw his soldiers marching to the mess hall in orderly fashion. However he was aware that there was someone else in the room with him.

Pulling his gun out, he asked "Now what brings you her".

His gun swept aside, the werehog spoke "You supplied Tower's terrorist plot. Didn't you?"

"Tower. Witchcart. The Battle Birds. There all the same scum to me. I sell them what they want, they pay me back. And all that money goes to my wife's medical bills. She's dyeing you see. And after all my years of service they wouldn't pay for the treatment."

Seeing Roosevelt hold the picture of himself and his wife, the werehog said "I understand what you're going through, but this won't help anyone but you." Sighing, he continued "How about this? I have good ties with Commissioner Vector and some other big people. After your clients are taking down, you'll turn yourself in, testify against all of them, get protection, and I'll see to it your wife gets back in top shape. Okay?"

"I don't know if I can let Amanda see me after this. Probably best to end it now."

"Do some good and she'll forgive you."'

"You can't fight Witchcart. I gave her enough firepower to stage a small war."

"If it's war she wants I've got just the thing." Placing the gun on Roosevelt's desk he finished by saying "Suicide's too much of bad thing don't you think" before leaving with a small, but genuine smile.

Heading for the dump was a large, tank-like vehicle. Black in color and heavily armored. It drove straight for the Witchcarts hideout. Inside, Sonic was driving the ST Earthquake forward into war.

"Sonic" Tails exclaimed over the speaker.

"Who else" Sonic sarcastically replied.

"Are you driving the Earthquake?"

"It's been awhile since we took her out. I've added some changes so nobody will recognize her. She still purrs, like it was yesterday." And Sonic remembered the past. When the Earthquake made it's debut in the Eggman Wars. Blue and Orange in color. He remembered when Amy got him alone in it. Where she gave him their first kiss. But the past was the past, and Sonic moved forward.

At the dump entire scores of Witchcarts gathered around their leader, who presided over them atop a hill of junk. "The people of this world call us a gang" she boasted loud enough for all to hear. "They think you are just noisy children and I a crazy, senile woman. I was once the ruler of a whole island, until the actions of a mere boy and the Federation drove me out. Forcing me into this life of poverty. But I found you and regained power over this satellite. And only when the delusional fools die by our hands will they know: the Little Planet belongs to the Witchcart Clan!"

Giving her followers time to cheer, she continued "Take every last gun and bomb you can carry my people! For tomorrow night we shall storm police headquarters and kill everyone in our path! You shall bring me the head of the crocodile Vector. I shall carry it through the cities. And the werehog abomination, who thinks he can interfere with us, I shall tear him limb from limb!"

Unexpectedly flares erupted in the night as the Earthquake arrived right on the Witchcarts doorstep.

"Witchcarts" said Sonic, "This is the werehog. Surrender now or be destroyed."

"Fire" Witchcart ordered.

"Why am I not surprised" said Sonic from his cockpit, unaware that a young women was behind him, ready for battle.

Sonic was quick to fire knockout gas missiles and rubber bullets from the Earthquake at the Witchcarts. Some tried to get to Sonic from above, only for them to be electrocuted. With Cream using acrobatics and ninjitsu learned from Espio, the tide was turning for the Witchcarts. With everyone either down or running away, all that stood was Witchcart herself.

"All this metal, and you don't use it to kill?" she boomed, "It's just a shell to keep you safe?! What's the matter now, you don't have the true warrior spirit. You are nothing more but a coward! Come out here, and face me like a true warrior. I will kill you and eat your heart. Unless you can prove you can take me with your bare hands. Come on child you're boring me."

"Talk to me Tails, what am I dealing with" Sonic asked.

"With her wand she can turn people to crystal and use fire energy. You have to remove the wand and get her out of her cart" Tails replied.

Getting out of his tank, Sonic dashed for the old witch. As she fired spell after spell, Sonic dodged each one until he grabbed hold of the cart and tossed it aside. Caught off guard she was unprepared for the punch delivered to her face. Knocking her wand out of her hands, Sonic became ready for another punch before he was surprised by a karate kick from Witchcart.

"I've been around for so long I've learned other things besides magic" she said.

Undaunted, Sonic grabbed hold of her and hitting her face again three more times.

Her nose bleeding quickly, she cackled "Is that it? Are you getting tired animal?"

"Shut up and fight you ugly crone."

They battled for the next few minutes. Savage attack after savage attack. Until Witchcart, grabbed a huge piece of metal, and hit Sonic's face with it. Intent on squashing him into nothingness. Cream, having seen the whole thing, decided enough was enough and attacked Witchcart. As the elderly woman was gaining the upper hand, Sonic threw a compressed tar-like substance at Witchcart's face. After struggling with it, Witchcart then fell unconscious. Sonic nearly equally tired as well, was surprised to see Cream coming forward.

"Sonic are you okay" Cream asked.

"I'll be better when Tails gets a look at me."

Cream then carried Sonic over to the Earthquake.

"Cream? What are you doing here" questioned Tails.

Ignoring the question, Cream said "Sonic needs help badly."

"I'll see if there's a hospital available."

"No hospital. You're going to have to treat me old buddy" said Sonic weakly.

"All right" said Tails at last, "Just hold on tight. I'll get you home."

To be Continued