Sonic 25

Level 6: Attack on Scrap brain

Act 1: Sonic and the Evil base

Authors note:

Sorry for the delay with this one, I got sick and I am going to be on a delay for a bit.

The next part will be up in time, but after that things may be held back for a while

Doctor Robotnik looked on, before him was a large robot city where everyone and everything was his robotic slave.

But it wasn't just here, everywhere on Earth was a place like this.

This was Robotniks utopia

"Its beautiful" he said "it's a paradise, the world is finally at peace"

The robots worked endlessly, they worked endlessly and all as one.

"It's my vision, perfection is here at last"

Behind him Tikal appeared "this is who you are" she said

Robotnik nodded "yes, why do you always need to say that when I already know"

Tikal sighed "it's not who you are meant to be"

"You think so, but the world is at peace"

"You are a horrible monster" Tikal sighed "Chris Thorndyke you used to be so much better"

"That name has no meaning for me" said Robotnik "you know that by now"

"You deny your humanity, you deny life its rightful freedom"

Robotnik shrugged "I am giving the world order what is so wrong with that?"

Tikal sighed "you are blind, you have made a mistake. And now the wind is blowing"

Robotnik felt a strong breeze and he heard a wild zooming noise.

"You are not going to scare me" said Robotnik "I know you too well"

"But there is something that does scare you" Said Tikal disappearing

Before Robotnik something appeared, a blue hedgehog that gave him a smile.

"Time to pay Eggman!" said Sonic

"But he is no threat to me and you know it" said Robotnik

"But you fear him" said Tikal's voice "the wind shall be your undoing!"

Sonic smiled as his fur turned gold and his eyes turned red "its endgame time!" he said as he charged at Robotnik and then Robotnik got up.

Robotnik was resting, the dream appeared again and Robotnik just shrugged

"It's no matter, it is only that fool trying to make me stop" he said as he got out of his room in Scrap Brain to look on his great perfect factory.

"That Sonic won't beat me, he will be no match for my great plan" he said as he watched on.

Sonic and his group were gathered at the center of the Labyrinth, all around the refugees waited as the group planned the attack on Scrap Brain and the evacuation of the island.

Sally stood before them and said "the time has come, operation freedom is underway."

She coughed as she began her speech "firstly lets talk about the evacuation, right now we will use the trap rooms as a barrier against the eventual invaders, all civilians will be gathered into the strongest rooms. Lupe, Sticks, Antoine and Marine will go back to guard duty. Everyone else is needed in the Scrap Brain operation"

"Are you sure that we can defend against the robots?" asked Marine

Sally nodded "if Robotnik attacks the traps in this place are suitable, in fact this place is the safest place to be on the island as there is little chance a roboticizer can navigate the tunnels and as for Badniks I have a plan for that. There are many spike traps, revolving spike balls and white spears. Plus we will make some new weapons such as laser turrets. The rest of this place is a huge maze of water filled tunnels and rooms."

"What about our forces?" asked Sonic

Sally nodded "we will take this in teams, first there are the infiltrators who will be roboticized. Tails were you able to modify the roboticizer?"

Tails nodded as he came forward "everything is ready, I modified it so we can appear as workers but not have Robotniks programming. I also have a way to reverse it, but I only have three prototypes and I am unsure if they will work properly."

"Well I know who will be our infiltration force, first Bunnie as she is already a robot" said Sally

"I will have to come up with some way to make you look like a Worker-bot" replied Tails "no sweat!"

"Then there is Rotor, he is good with computers so his expertise will come in handy as well as me" said Sally "Tails you will join us as your great skills can give us an advantage"

Tails gave a nod "no sweat!" as he sat back down.

"Finally we need our fighters, Sonic, Knuckles, Amy and Shadow will be on that team"

"This may be a fools' errand" said Shadow "we may not get out with our lives intact"

"A chance to fight back is what we need" said Amy "this is our chance to take a strike back!"

"This won't be easy" said Knuckles "but I will love any chance to knock some robot heads in"

"Well no one said anything will be easy" said Sonic "Robotnik has the advantage and we will have to seek out a weakness in the Scrap Brain"

"I know what it is" said Shadow "I guess this is where my inside knowledge of Robotnik comes in handy"

Sally nodded "what can you tell us?"

Shadow stood up "The place is huge, three times the size of any factory and far more dangerous. There will be Badniks everywhere, plus Swat-bots Robotniks elite forces. Plus we will have to fight the Worker-Bots, we will have no choice but if we are going to destroy Scrap Brain we will have to fight those who Robotnik has taken."

"What about getting them out?" asked Amy

"There is an emergency alert system, Robotnik will not sacrifice his slaves. He may be our enemy but he is not without honor" Shadow replied

"Will you give us a map of the facility?" asked Sally

Shadow nodded "I will compile one for you, but I cannot assure its accuracy as Robotnik probably modified it a little. I know him he will change things by now but I do have many ways to get into the facility. He cannot change everything and he knows it, Robotnik will give us a challenge either way."

Sally nodded "we will use the power ups, the other day we did well enough without them but today I want all of us to be prepared."

"We need to keep an eye on our powers" said Amy "the Genesis point has helped us keep our powers longer so the rings were not as needed but we don't know how long we will be fighting"

"Bring plenty of rings" said Shadow "trust me this is not going to be easy on you, I don't need rings as my powers are artificial but you will need them trust me"

"We will need to bring carry packs" said Sonic "My satchel will come in handy"

"Lets prepare everyone" said Sally "the time to fight back has come!"

Everyone gave a nod and the preparations began.

All around Sonic and his group were taking up what they needed for the big mission ahead.

Tails made several dozen laser cannons mounted on the walls, and many places well protected by the new and old defenses.

Tails, Sally and Rotor were preparing to be roboticized.

They had to move the machine towards the outside of the caves so that the effects would not be canceled out by the Genesis point.

"Well here it goes folks, its showtime everyone."

"Are you sure you made this thing safe for us to use?" asked Sally

Tails nodded "it won't hurt us, my modifications were precise and accurate"

Rotor gave a nod as well "He had me check it over, his modifications do seem correct"

Sally seemed a bit relieved "its not like I didn't believe in you Tails but we are playing with fire. This machine has proven to be a great evil many times and I don't want to underestimate it"

Tails sighed "such a shame with this, if we would use this on the sick and severely injured it would be a benefit. I mean imagine if you had no arms or legs this device can give you a new life. I will make it my goal to make this machine a benefit to both us and the humans rather than its oppressor"

"You are so noble Tails, but I still think these machines need to be destroyed" said Sally

Tails gave an understanding look "no I get where you are coming from, but if I made my own would you let me have it?"

Sally smiled "for you I would do anything, I may hate this machine but I know you are far more worthy of it than Robotnik is"

Rotor gave a nod "you won't hear complaints from me" he said "but would you mind a partner if you ever had your own electronics company?"

Tails smiled "that would be great Rotor! Can I call it the Miles Electronics company?"

Rotor laughed "sure it would be your company not mine"

Tails then nodded as he said "well lets begin" he then got into the roboticizer.

When it was complete Tails looked at his body which was now more robotic than before and looking like all the other Worker-bots.

"The design is not as good this time, this unit is a little sad" he said "but this unit can adapt to the changes"

Rotor nodded "are you sure you can reverse it?"

Tails gave a nod "this unit is sure" he said as he put one on his arm "this unit made the reverse device appear like the other parts, this unit has calculated we shall not be noticed."

Sally nodded "well you have my vote of confidence Tails, come on Rotor lets do this"

Sally got in next and then came Rotor

The three robots gathered as Bunnie came by "well you three look the part, I myself will have to be modified"

Tails nodded "this unit made you a pair of robot like feet and a speaker"

Tails handed her them, Bunnie put them on and looked almost as she did as a slave.

"There is one thing wrong about us" said Tails "go into your sub systems and set eye color to red"

The others nodded and soon all of them had the standard red eyes of a Worker-bot.

"We must wait for the others" said Sally "keep away from Genesis point"

They nodded and waited for the rest.

Sonic, Shadow, Amy and Knuckles were getting ready as well.

"I feel like I am on fire" said Sonic "we are gonna knock that buttnik so hard he will regret ever laying eyes on South Island!"

"Don't get too cocky now" said Amy "but have to say I am excited"

"It's the thrill of fighting back" said Knuckles "get your mind and body ready and you will be like a force of nature!"

"No its fear" said Shadow "we all have fear to fight but we all deny it, fear and hate are the only feelings one must have in war"

Sonic looked at him "man you really got to learn how to be more positive, lighten up already?"

Amy shrugged "he has a point, I am scared all the time. In fact, I am terrified all the time we fight"

"You are?" asked Knuckles

Amy nodded "I rather just sit back and relax and maybe break out my Tarot card set now and then"
"wait you use Tarot cards, what a load of nonsense they are" said Shadow

Amy shrugged "its just a hobby, and it kind of did lead me to someone. You Sonic in fact"

Sonic laughed "you are kidding me right, a serious minded girl like you saying that Tarot cards lead you to me"

Amy shrugged "they just said that death would come but be met by justice and the knight of swords, something with the pairing of both the three and seven of cups meaning victory. But I think you are the Knight of swords Sonic"

"Sounds more like Antoine" said Sonic "that guy is really good with swords"

Amy smiled "well again its just a hobby but foresight is a part of my chaos powers to a point."

"Well how do you know it's not me?" said Knuckles "I am not such a bad fighter you know"

Amy gave a shrug "it's all for fun in any case, I am just really good at reading the cards"

"Feh!" said Shadow "bunch of nonsense!"

Amy shrugged one more "perhaps it is" as she said "well come on the others are waiting for us."

"Wait, lets make this all official" said Sonic as he went over to Shadow

He then shown off the moves to the double fist pump of freedom and said "can you do that?"

Shadow shrugged "why, it seems silly"

"Its for good luck" said Amy "come on don't be such a jerk all the time"

Knuckles laughed "looks like our friend here doesn't want to touch us, come on if I do it will you do it too?"

Shadow shrugged "fine"

The four then did the double fist pump of freedom and Amy and Sonic said "lets do it to it!"

"Lets do it, to it?" Shadow scoffed

"Hey that's really cool!" said Knuckles "maybe I chose the right side after all!"

"Whatever" said Shadow with a huff.

Antoine was practicing his swordplay, he was slicing away at a dummy as Sticks, Lupe and Marine looked on.

"You are very good at that" said Sticks "you are perhaps the greatest fighter I have ever seen"

"Thanks mademoiselle" said Antoine "all a part of my diligent training"

"Who taught you?" asked Marine

"My father, he was ze best swordsman before me and I know almost everything he does"

"Is he still alive?" asked Lupe

Antoine nodded "he is in ze mainland, he sent me here as my family has ties to the royal family"

"You must be very brave" said Sticks "a noble knight like you fearless and faithful"

"Actually I was quite a coward before now" said Antoine "I didn't even want to leave my home or fight, I just wanted to stay in the château and never leave."

"Quite brave of you to admit that then" said Lupe "courage is not only by action"

Antoine nodded "that is what Amy taught me, but it was Bunnie who shown me. Both of them made me who I am right now"

"You still did some of that yourself" said Sticks

Antoine smiled "yes I did but I still owe Amy and Bunnie for much, they made me realize something in me I didn't know I had."

"And what was that?" asked Marine

"Bravery, they made me realize that I was braver then I thought I was and I am. Now I fight to keep my fears in check and use those fears to guide my blade. I will never let my fears rule me again, the enemy will realize that those fears are in my blade and they will learn to see that fear isn't just there to scare me but others."

"Kind of hard to do that with robots though" said Sticks

Antoine nodded "it's the thought that counts, I will still use my blade to make others think twice robot or not"

"Well nice to have you with us" said Lupe "brave warriors are hard to come by"

"Thank you madame Lupe, your compliments are most kind"

"Well your wife will probably come to see you before she leaves, she is a very good person even as a robot" said Marine

Antoine nodded "Bunnie is one of the kindest and compassionate people I know, I know she will make it back fine Bunnie is a strong person and she will survive I am sure"

"Well sure I will sugah" said Bunnie "how do I look honey?"

Antoine looked at her and said "you still look wonderful, Tails knows how to do lots of things doesn't he?"

Bunnie took off her fake speaker mouth and said "yes he sure does"

The two kissed and Bunnie placed her fake speaker mouth back on "we are ready, I promise we will return safely"

Antoine nodded as Bunnie waved goodbye.

It was time.

For some time the team walked across the outside to the outer reaches where the Scrap Brain factory sat.

"There it is, our goal. I was able to compile a map before we left" said Shadow pulling out a map from his backpack "scan this please my robot friends"

Sally nodded as she grabbed the map and scanned it with her robotic eyes "it is now in this unit's database, we shall use its data greatly."

Bunnie, Rotor and Tails then scanned it.

"Good luck you four" said Sonic

"Thank you" said Sally "this unit appreciates the well wishes"

"Well it's not going to be safe even for insiders" said Amy "keep low and blend in"

"Do not worry Amy unit" said Tails "we shall not draw attention"

"I just hope you can get back to normal" said Knuckles "doesn't seem fun to stay a robot"

Rotor nodded "if Tails says he can reverse this then this unit believes him"

"Just don't get too comfortable either way" said Shadow "this is not a game"

"Don't worry sugah" said Bunnie "we will make sure we will not get caught"

"That place is pretty huge though" said Sonic "it will take some time to even reach somewhere we can find a weak spot"

"This unit has calculated the weak spot is the main computer" said Sally "the scan of the map suggests that we can penetrate several points"

"There is one at the right corner of the base it seems" said Tails "this unit scanned that it should be easy to penetrate"

"This unit scanned that if there is any defense it is small" said Rotor "this unit suggests it would be a tough squeeze for our enemy"

"Well I got us covered" said Bunnie "if everything goes pear shaped this Bunny bot will make sure we can get out"

Shadow nodded "there is another spot on the west end which is the main entrance, I suggest our team use that one"

"Are you sure about that?" asked Amy

Shadow nodded "its more than likely Robotnik is expecting us but the welcome mat he has might as well work to our advantage"

"You mean we can walk in the front door?" asked Knuckles

"To a point" said Shadow "we should use Robotniks pleasant nature to our advantage, he does not like sneak attacks unless they give him the advantage but he knows I think like he does. More than likely he won't do anything until he lets us see what he has done personally"

"That works for me" said Sonic "front door it is"

"But be warned he is not stupid" said Shadow "he knows what I know and will probably pull out the stops when he feels like its time, he will let us feel safe for as long as he is willing to. I plan on trying to stay one step ahead of him"

"Well if you think like him that gives us as great edge" said Amy "we shall take it"

"Hey as long as I bust heads in its fine with me" said Knuckles

"Just keep tactical and practical" said Shadow "do not let your guard down, I expect Metal is with him and he will act on his own we have seen it"

"So the bigger danger is Metal than" said Sonic

Shadow nodded "Robotnik has showmanship, his ego is quite large and he won't do anything until he shows off his great plans but he will not harm us personally. Metal however is another story, just keep your eyes peeled folks"

"Well guess its time to move in" said Amy "here goes nothing"

The others nodded and soon operation freedom began.

Sonics group arrived at the so called "front door" and saw its massive front end.

"Guess Robotnik doesn't worry about any armies invading this place" said Sonic

"He doesn't need to" said Amy "he's got the advantage"

"Seems like arrogance to me" said Knuckles

"No it's an invitation" said Shadow "Robotnik likes to show off to those who are able to get this far"

"Why doesn't he just force us inside then?" asked Sonic

"Or attack us?" asked Knuckles

"No he would consider that rude, it's not his style. He will play with us first before attacking us" said Shadow

The doors then opened as Robotniks voice emanated from nearby speakers.

"Welcome friends" he said "please come in"

Uneasy the four walked in, the doors closing behind them.

"The only good thing about a trap is to know that it is there" said Shadow "Robotnik you know why we are here"

"Indeed I do" said Robotnik "and yes taking the front entrance was indeed a trap well done"

"Well we didn't want to disappoint" said Shadow "sneaking in would have been rude now wouldn't it?"

"Indeed" soon Robotnik came into view "you four are very brave I give you that, but we have much to discuss."

"Why not cut to the chase Eggman, we don't have all day" spat Sonic

Robotnik smiled "oh yes Sonic I knew you would want that but allow me to show you my great facility. I assure you no harm will come to you"

"Then why did you break your promises before?" asked Amy "roboticizing Rouge and attacking my friends at Marble town you don't seem you are that honest to me"

Robotnik shrugged "My dear princess sometimes the ends justifies the means, in Marble town you had something I wanted and I took the advantage. As for Rouge it was regrettable to break my word but Shadow is to blame as well, he did not follow up on his promise on giving me the emeralds plus I could not let your spy just go off. I assure you I value honesty more than anything, but my goals sometimes take value over my values."

"You are still a two timing snake to me" said Sonic

"Shame you feel that way, anyhow may I ask who is that red echidna is he is new and I wish to properly meet him"

"Name is Knuckles pal" Knuckles spat "what of it?"

"I notice you are of the blood of the Mystics, I knew your people very well" Robotnik said musingly

"Yeah pal I am from the bloodline of Tikal, you had that bat of yours steal my emerald"

"Indeed I did" said Robotnik "how she found Angel Island is beyond me but it is no matter she is mine now as well as the emeralds"

"Why do you have to refer to someone as property Eggman, she was a living breathing creature before you made her into a robot!" Amy spat

"Sorry princess I meant not to offend but I assure you the new life she has is better, she is free of all her emotions and is one with my great over mind"

"Whatever" Amy huffed

Robotnik shrugged "come everyone please see my great project and your future, consider it a courtesy"

"Some courtesy" said Knuckles "but fine we are your guests"

"Indeed we are" said Shadow "please Robotnik show us what you have"

Robotnik nodded and said "follow me please" the four than followed him into the factory waiting for Robotnik to make his move.

"Okay before we move in we must have a way to communicate to eachother without being hard" said Tails "this unit has another tool for us to use"

He then pulled out four small disks and said "put these in your ear, they will allow us to communicate using the cyberspace we have inside our robotic brains, we too shall be linked as one but still keep being ourselves."

"So its like what Scrap Brain is doing" said Rotor

Tails nodded "this unit has researched on the roboticizer helped here, this unit learned that Worker-bots can be linked by cyberspace which is why I think Robotnik made Scrap Brain to take advantage and suppress the original wills of those he enslaved even more. With these devices we can use the same ability but use it as a communications net"

"I am not sure I like that" said Sally "what if we fall into one mind as well?"

"Well it's not without risk" said Tails "but we must try to keep low and this is the only way to do it"

"This unit agrees" said Rotor "the risks are huge but we must keep low"

"Well if we do wind up as one mind being with you three isn't so bad" said Bunnie "you three are so wonderful in your own way"

"Thank you Bunnie" said Tails

"Your welcome" said Bunnie "well guess there is no time like the present"

The four than popped the devices in their ears and the four soon found themselves in as unified cyberspace.

The four looked at each other, here they all appeared as they did before they were roboticized.

"Wow this is really neat" said Tails "I could have fun here!"

"Tails you speak normally!" said Sally

Tails nodded "the robot personalities are not present here, Bunnie must be neat to be normal again here huh?"

Bunnie nodded "yeah but it its not real, still its neat to look normal again"

Rotor said "so from here we are in control of our original bodies still?"

Tails nodded pointing up "just watch!"

Before them came a shot from Tails point of view as he moved his arm inside the cyberspace his robotic counterpart moved as well.

"But how do we control our bodies and what runs this place?" asked Rotor

"I do" said a voice, before them a lynx appeared

"Wait that's Nicole isn't it?" asked Sally

Nicole nodded "here I exist as my own being, do not worry Sally I am only here to monitor you and give you controls that Tails has instructed me to"

Before the others more shots appeared, now four screen like objects appeared with control centers below them.

Each control center appeared like an arcade cabinet with two joysticks with three buttons next to each joystick and another button near the top.

"What can I say I am a nerd, thanks Nicole!" said Tails as he grabbed the joysticks while propping his virtual body up on a virtual stool

"You are welcome Tails" said Nicole

"Are you sure these controls will work?" asked Sally

"They are symbolic, so you can feel more in control of yourself" said Tails

"Got to say little buddy this is a little silly" said Rotor

"For me this is actually kind of neat" said Bunnie as she used her arcade like controls on her body "let the kid have his fun as long as it does the job"

Rotor shrugged as he grabbed the controls.

Sally joined in at last and the four began to control their bodies with the virtual arcade machines.

Outside their bodies went inside the Scrap Brain to start their half of the mission.

Sonics team stood in front of a very large central area, all around Worker-bots glared at them but did nothing. Before them stood a massive machine, Robotniks supercomputer the Scrap brain.

"So that is your control computer" said Amy "it makes me sick"

"Yeah Eggman keeping those poor people even more enslaved don't they suffer enough!" Sonic spat

"They don't seem to suffer to me" said Robotnik "do you suffer Worker-bots 20007 and 79229?"

Both Rouge and Uncle Chuck came forward

"Suffering is not a part of the great unity, we are one" They both spoke at once with no individuality nor personality.

"This is terrible" said Knuckles "they now are the same being aren't they?"
Robotnik nodded "yes only their bodies are different but inside they have the same mind as do the others. The great unity combines them into one single unit, my greatest achievement!"

Shadow shrugged "doesn't impress me, if you order one to jump off a bridge they all do"

Robotnik tilted his head "if you say so Shadow, but you should appreciate the grand vision"

Shadow gave a nod "in a way I do, with this all the rage and hate I have in me would be gone, that is why I wanted to be a robot. Robotnik your skills are in many ways impressive and wonderful, but you made a mistake by making me your enemy"

"I see how things are for you" said Robotnik "rest assured I do forgive your rebellion and I do want you back on my side"

"I don't think so Eggman" Shadow spat "I am done with you"

"Suit yourself" said Robotnik "so any thoughts' anyone?"

"Yeah when are you going to send your goons against us already?" Sonic spat

"I am tired of waiting too" said Amy "you shown us your evil sickening machine are you done now?"

"Yeah this is not my style, pony up and fight already tubby!" Knuckles spat

"Well the team seems eager" said Shadow "what do you have for us?"

Robotnik sighed "you really want me to show you my playing cards well then fine but you will not enjoy it!"

Suddenly the floor below the group opened and they all fell downwards into some waters below.

"Have a nice swim!" Said Robotnik as he looked down at the heroes splashing down to the waters below.

"So there it is" said Tails "its pretty big"

He looked at the massive computer before them via his controls and said "wish I could see it with my own eyes there is much to study"

"Stay focused little buddy" said Rotor "keep to the mission"

"Sorry" said Tails

"Do you know where the main interface is Tails?" asked Sally

"Sure do" Tails replied "Rotor there is a junction ahead I want you to monitor it"
"got it" said Rotor

"How do I help?" asked Bunnie "this computer stuff is over mah head"

"You can keep an eye out for the enemy" said Sally "just in case we are discovered"

"Tails the brainwave signals are at 99%" said Nicole

"What's that?" asked Sally

"Nicole is keeping watch, the longer we stay in this cyberspace the more chance we will begin to go into one mind, do not start to worry until it reaches 30%" said Tails

"Well we seem okay so far" said Rotor

"I estimate that you will reach critical levels within 12 hours" said Nicole "this cyberspace mind is still stable"

"I got the junction open" said Rotor "I am moving my body inside the tunnel"

"Did anyone notice?" asked Sally

"No I am watching all sides" said Bunnie

"Okay lets move our bodies ahead a little into the central complex of the computer"

"What is keeping this thing running?" asked Sally "a machine this big must generate heat"

"Probably a water cooled system but on a massive scale" said Rotor

"Seems logical, this unit sees we can take it out easily… uh oh"

Tails looked at himself a little and said "this unit has referred to itself in the third person!"

"Are we becoming robots in this cyberspace?" asked Sally

"This unit does not know" said Tails but then noticed his hands were now robotic

"This unit calculates time is not on our side" said Rotor

"Brainwave signals are at 87%"

"What?" asked Bunnie

"It must be Scrap Brain!" said Tails

"Better hurry this up then" said Sally as they went father into the central core of the Scrap Brain.

"Oh no there is so much water here" said Sonic panicky "I can't swim!"

"Calm down Sonic!" said Amy "Shadow where are we?"

"The cooling base of the Scrap Brain, a massive tunnel that is a fragment of the labyrinth. It is well protected down here everyone" Said Shadow

"Water everywhere and not a drop to drink" said Knuckles "as the cliché says"

"Sonic can you try to stay calm here, we may have to swim far and I need you"

"Okay but only because I want to destroy this place, I also want to save my uncle if I can!"

"Well its not easy to get out of here" said Shadow "and we will be going to the more protected parts of the base."

"And you decided to take the front door, wow what a trip" said Knuckles

"Who's more the fool, the fool or the fool who follows him?" asked Shadow

"Okay fair enough but we need to get out of here somehow" Knuckles replied

"Down is your answer" said Shadow "I know these tunnels well"

"Is there any other way?" asked Sonic

"If you wish to stay here be my guest" said Shadow

"Okay I get the point" said Sonic

"Well time to dive in then" said Knuckles as he dove into the water

The others soon followed except Sonic

"Here it goes" he said as he dove in

The four dove into the waters, swimming deeper and farther.

Shadow seemed to head up and the others followed

They reached a chamber filled with air and all took in some deep breath except Shadow

"You don't need to hold your breath do you?" asked Sonic

Shadow shook his head "I still need the air but not as much as you need to"

"I envy you then" said Sonic

"Don't, my body may be superior but it has its drawbacks, I can hear the Scrap Brain and its calling to me"

Amy looked at Shadow and said "wait are we in danger from you too?"

Shadow nodded "that's another reason why I am here, I will not let machines like this control me if I can help it"

"I will keep an eye on you then" said Knuckles "but you are not a problem right now are you?"

Shadow nodded "It will take a while, but believe me if I fight against you it won't be of my own free will this time"

"Well good to hear that at least" said Sonic

"Are there more chambers like this ahead?" asked Amy

Shadow nodded "there is one ahead of us, the first of the big ones and the best place for the first trap"

"So you know where most of the traps are then?" asked Knuckles

"A few here and there, the one that got us here I did not know about" Shadow replied

"Well lets swim oh anyhow, Robotnik seems not to worry about us being down here so might as well work into his plans" said Sonic

"Works for me" said Knuckles

"Lets go on then" said Amy

The four then dove into the waters once more hoping escape Robotniks obvious trap.

Robotnik looked on at the monitors, they detected Sonic and his group in the first chamber of the cooling tunnels.

"Guess its time to spring the first trap then" he said

Metal came from behind "may I go and fight them Master?"

Robotnik nodded "do as you wish Metal, they need to be weakened before I roboticize them"

"Yes Master" said Metal as he walked off

"Things are going to be very exciting I think, best keep an eye out" Robotnik said as he looked at his monitors.

Unknown to Robotnik Metal had gone to anther section of the Scrap Brain, he took off his left arm and replaced it with a new one and then replaced his right.

He now had new robotic arms that contained weapons, weapons to destroy.

"I will eliminate that hedgehog" Metal droned as he went down to try to destroy his foes.

End of Act 1