The Suki Saga

by Sword Legion

A Dream. A populace. Surrounded by political nightmares, and a mysterious clutic side to the otherwise happy island of Valatise, Suki wonders what she must do. Fleeing from the very people who brought her up? Or staying with them and overlooking past transgressions. A Dark story with Anime like content. OCs a plenty and a few Canon characters, also takes place in the world of Sol.

4. My Eggs have been Scrambled!

Suki sat up in bed. She had awoken that morning with the events of yesterday still on her shoulders. It was something kindof hard to get over, let alone understand. Could someone really become so crazy to where they would just. . . . . out of jeleously. . . No. . . . dispair. . . .

Just. . . .

Shoot someone?

Suki had heard that the people, and soldiers who worked for the Latise were the children of poor families trying to give them better lives. A series of islands existed on the outskirts of Airice. But what Kire had said, about the Latise killing their. . . parents. What happened out there? Suki found herself being haunted by more of her own memories of her own parents.

The ones she never had.

But no, it couldn't be true. Suki was an orphan. She had no parents. She was so young when her human parents got her, that there was nothing she could have possibly remembered about them.

They abandoned her.

Not that she really cared. To her, growing up knowing that she was adopted was just a normal, scientific fact. She. . . kindof felt a gap at times, but it all seemed to slip away once she turned 12. Mami and Uncle Omycied were very positive and loving parents. They may have been only her adoptive ones, but they gave her all the love that she needed. It was all she ever had.

And look at how happy she was.

How she had been. . .

trapped.

Now it felt as though the terrible actions of Kire were somehow partially her fault. His suffering, was her own. . . but no. She couldn't think that way. Doing so she would eventually feel guilty for everyone's problems. If Kire had been done a misjustice, it wouldn't have any bearing on her. She had nothing to do with it.

But who was that stupid?

To threaten someone before even eight o' clock at night. When the lights were still turned on and shining through the windows, not even in an alley. Was he truly mad? Stricken with grief?

No.

Kire was not that stupid.

It was like. . . he was not in his right mind. But the changing, echoing of his voice seemed to be the greatest clue to the truth. Suki slid off her quilted bed covers and walked over to the window. She opened it up and the beautiful sunlight poured in. A stark contrast to her feelings on the inside. Even the flickies singing couldn't get her in a good mood. As she pulled the windows apart, she yelled.

"MAUUGUUSSSS!" her shogen voice echoed. "IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS. . . . HAUNTING THIS CITY NOW. . . . I. . . . I'LL KILL YOU!" She exclaimed.

The wind started to blow into her window. A haughty, deep voice all too familiar from the other day came in. It moved throughout her ear, and told her of just how dark things had gotten. Maugus was far from dead, he was alive. . . and. . . minacious

"ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. . . ." The voice laughed lightly.

"Ha ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HUAAA!" It increased as the wind blew harder in her window and wisped across her face. Sending thoughts of malice and hatred into her heart from the deepest darkest enemy she had ever known.

"You have no idea who I am." He echoed. "I have seen the damnation of this planet, gone to the depths of hell itself, and I watched. . . . I watched it overtake the very earth. The world you call Sol. . ." He menaced. "That you should tell me who will die. . . .when I have shown you your very end. . . is despicable!" He exclaimed. "You are nothing to me. . . . but a misguided child. . . keeper! You will die if you anger me, but that is not why I am here. . . "

"Then why did you reposes KIRE?!" She yelled out into the sunshine. A group of birds flew out her nearby tree and Suki wore a mean expression on her face. Her countenance looked up at the morning sky, refusing to heed Maugus's commands of submission. But she had seen his power. Memories started to come back to her.

"You are lucky that I misssssssssed." He spoke as if a snake flashing images across Suki's mind. The black sword piercing the left side of her suite and sliding right across her skin. . .

"For if I had gone a little farther, you might not still be here today. . ." he reminded. "But I am not responsible for your friend's restriction. It is another. . . . "

"WHO!?" Suki asked in distress. Who would do that to Kire? Who wanted her dead? Why was she so important? Wasn't all she was good for was hunting dream crown parts?! Wasn't that it!? Was there more?! Did her dreams have something to do with it? Could she see the future? Or where these nothing but allegorical visions explaining the insecurities in her life- which there were non before they came.

Suddenly, Suki was forced out of her brief reminiscence, for Maugus again demanded attention. It was a fierce, single phrase marking his command to fix the situation. Or was it just his leading her astray?

"Find out!" Maugus told as the wind blew in one more time before exiting. And Maugus was through with his little conversation. . .

. . .

Suki waited as she looked down in her morning gown. Depressed over these recent happenings. All that could come from her was a whisper. A word of dedication that would find the solution and end her miserable visions of conception.

"I will." She uttered in the lowest voice she had ever done.

It was the end of her uninsurance. If Maugus wasn't it and wasn't lying, then she already might have had an idea in mind. But she just wasn't totally sure. . .

Having gotten dressed and walked outside, Suki stopped at the tree which rested outside her window. She was wearing her spare uniform from the house this time. Psychokinetic gloves and all. She walked up to the tree and looked up inside of it. She shook it, and then let the "cat" from the other day fall.

*boom*

"Eeeeergoo" Narabot stated as he got up and attempted to stay up as his balance sensors were off key.

"You were stalking me again." Suki commented unnamused.

"I. . . . Ergo" Narabot held both hands on his head as he finally balanced out and ceased moving. "What?. . . . that. . . thing that makes you feel terrible?"

"Just like arcade games." Suki reminded.

"Life must be miserable for you beings." Narabot commented in an ordinary fashion. He was getting used to these strange sayings.

"No kidding." Suki muttered. "So. . . what'd you tell the cops the other night?" She asked in a half upbeat, unenthusiastic tune.

"I didn't tell the cops anything." Narabot stated. "Why, was there something I should have said to them?" he asked.

"You mean you just handled everything yourself and didn't get him imprisoned or anything?"

"Who should I have had imprisoned?" Narabot asked. Unsure of what Suki meant. It was all very much confusing him. But Narabot's lack of understanding was confusing Suki even more.

"You know." Suki stated. "The bird who took a shot at me! What did you do with him?"

Narabot paused as if he was processing something very, very hard. Suki was beggining to think that he had forgot. Until suddenly something popped into him. It was something he had remembered regarding the situation wich Suki had recalled.

"You mean when Jake accidentally-"

"No, no, NO!" Suki became frustrated, already stressed out over her conversation with Maugus earlier that morning. "Two nights ago! Don't you remember?!" She was beginning to think that he didn't. But that was just the thing. It was as if he didn't remember. And as Narabot spoke, Suki understood.

"I don't remember anything about what happened two nights ago. I was in the bay, likely being worked on. What, was there something I should have remembered?" He asked precarously. "Am I having memory crashes?" He added on top. "If so-" he began. "Please inform Michad immediately, as this means that I could be getting-"

"I know I know I know." Suki stopped him. "Don't give me the same sales pitch you always do over that. . . stuff." She said upsetly as her voice eased off at the last struggle over words that should be used.

Michad. . . She though. What are you doing. . . . Did you. . . . even do this?

Suki began to muse over what was going on. She had already seen the morning paper, and just as she suspected, the news had organized a full report over the incident, and now she would have to answer a bunch of annoying questions about a squad mate who tried to take her out and was high on cocaine. All just to satisfy the curiosity of traversing strangers. Just wonderful.

"Narabot. . . I. . . " Suki wanted to say something, but then she heard Chryssy come running up from behind, yelling as usual when she was excited- it saved time by allowing her to communicate before coming up within normal talking distance. Or at least that was Chryssy's excuse.

"Suki! Suki!" She yelled running up. "I'm sorry I could be there for you yesterday. My parents told me what happened. I'm soooooo sorry!" She wailed before embracing Suki by giving her a tight, tight hug. Narabot started scratching his head over the situation. Literally. It didn't make sense to him, and a question was certain to proceed from his lips.

"What happened the other night?" He finally pressed. Hoping to glean more information about his previous settings.

"That's what I was gonna ask you!" Chryssy exclaimed as she jumped in. "What were you doing? And. . . you saved Suki!?" she asked with an excited, mouth open wide smile.

"Great!" Narabot exclaimed. "-But I don't remember it." he added in a plain, and defeated fashion.

"WHAT?" Chryssy asked in shock. "But you were. . . . . there. . . but. . . did. . . "

"I think that Michad or someone erased his memory." Suki informed a little quietly.

"Ohhhhhh" Chryssy started to gasp. "But why? Unless there was something to hide. . ."

"True." Suki stated. "But who is Narabot going to tell other than those in the Latise?"

"I'm not sure!" Chryssy exclaimed. "When I heard Narabot was put away yesterday, I was shocked and hoped nothing bad had happened, then my parents told me about what had happened to you! I WAS SO WORRIED! I'm still really sorry I couldn't come over!" She hugged Suki once again to assure herself that her friend was near. Chryssy just couldn't hold back herself.

"I know." Suki smiled, patting her little Ocelot on the back. She appreciated her friend. In fact, Chryssy was perhaps the closest person she knew, outside of Mami, and Omycid anyway. Suki looked up and pondered for a minute.

Well, if I want to make sense of all this, I better start looking around. Ask people who I know and stuff, or else this won't make any sense. . . Suki decided.

. . .

"Um. . . Narabot?" Suki asked in surprise, staring at the robot as he scratched his head over the ordeal, unable to figure out what had happened.

"What?" He asked, noticing Suki's blatant gaze. It was a gaze as if something was wrong, Narabot couldn't understand it. So he did the only logical thing he could do. Ask why.

"Did I say something?" He said, unsure of what he could have possibly done this time to upset her.

"Why are you doing that?" Suki asked.

"Doing what?" Narabot scratched his head after Suki asked him that question.

"THAT!" She exclaimed. "Scratching your head! What's up with that?!"

"Scratching your head helps you think." Narabot stated. "Why, am I not doing it right?" He asked.

"No. . . it's not that. . . " Suki stated. "It's just you're not supposed to be doing it. . . . " She trailed off.

"Why not?" Narabot asked. "I think my processing speed has increased by 0.0000000168 static unites each second." He added. "Not that the humidity could put it off by that little"

"But that's. . . . " Suki froze in a prostrated manner. She was trying to comprehend it, but she just couldn't. Narabot however, seeing this, could not resist assisting her in this dismay.

. . . .

Narabot leans over and scratches Suki's head for her.

"Hey!" Suki pulled back.

"What?!" Narabot exclaimed.

"What are you doing!?" Suki asked in puzzledly.

"Helping you think. You seemed puzzled by what I was saying, so decided to increase your mental power by scratching your head. Did it work?"

"Narabot that-"

"Yes?" Narabot interrupted accidentally.

". . . THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS!" Suki yelled!

---

"So, what do you think we should do today?" Chryssy asked as the three of them walked along the road and through the morning streets.

"I don't know. . . " Suki stated as she went back over her dreams and the strange happenings of yesterday night. It wasn't so much that she didn't know what to do, but that she didn't know where to start.

Plus on top of that, Suki didn't want to get Chryssy involved. If the stress was giving her all these. . . . emotions ready to explode, how good of an idea would it be to let her favorite sister to know? It wasn't an easy burden, and Chryssy might not take it all to well. Not the part about the dream crown piece being hammered into a chain, not about Kire saying he had to kill her to save everyone. Certainly not the part about her speaking to Maugus, who still had some sort of link into her mind.

Definitely not that part. . .

"Suki, are you okay?" She asked looking at Suki staring forward as she thought.

"Huh? Oh." She stuttered, coming out of her thought mode and going back to holding a normal conversation with Chryssy. "I'm just. . . . . . . ."

As Suki said this, she stopped, for above her, in the sky, the sound of a some sort of aircraft penetrated the atmosphere. The thrusters blared as it barraged through the clouds, and every person in the city gazed upwards upon it. A shadow encompassed the town as the stark red metal hovered overhead. Red, yellow and just a touch of black made the biggest air frigate ever seen by Suki and many other members of the Latise. It was none other than the Egg Carrier. A demolition aircraft made by Dr. Eggman, Ivo Robotnik.

"Wooooaaaaaahhhhhhh." Chryssy stated quietly as the ship flew over head. "It's sooooooooo biiiiiiiiigggg." She awed in amazement. The ship was quite a mechanical feat to be sure. Chryssy might be even more amazed if she knew that Dr. Eggman had made two, or if she had seen the entire Battle Armanda finished by Metal Sonic which once flew through the Inosphere of Sonic's home world- Mobious.

"I am amazed." Narabot stated robotically as he looked up at the floating master piece. "Why doesn't Michad build something like that?"

"Who. . . built that. . . ?" Chryssy asked. "It's like something I've only heard of before! Do you think they mean. . . to be hostile. . . ?"

"We haven't fired yet. . . " Suki analyzed. "Neither has he, look, he's moving toward the castle." She pointed out as the airship made it's way.

The white castle was on a more elevated part of the mountain which made up the center of Suki's homeland. Fairly distant from the soldier's base and parliament building, it was less than a quarter of a mile from city limits. The building overlooked the city with it's large white towers made of military grade metal, and was defended with guns, personal, and even aircraft stationed not to far away. The nearby airbase had it's own air carrier, the White Shadow, but it was only 1/6 the size of Dr. Eggman's ship.

"No, wait," She corrected. "It looks like he's not even going there, it's the Parliament he's turning for."

"Let's go check it out!" Chryssy suggested. "It might be fun! It's a good thing you have your tech suite on Suki!" Chryssy exclaimed.

"Yeah." Suki agreed. "I was planning on needing it for something else though. . . "

As the Eggcarrier flew over the yard in front of the Parliament, it circled around and began to look for a place to land. But with all the different buildings surrounding it, no such place was available. So it hovered a ways above instead. The bottom of the ship opened up, and 100s or E-1000 units began to pour out airship. Falling to the ground and rooftops, using their jetpacks just before hitting to cushion the blow of such impact.

People became fearful by the sudden "visit" of strange forces. The robots who had fallen didn't point their guns at any "hostile" forces, they simply assumed positions of stature, as if they were awaiting something. Or someone. Truly, and that someone was their leader, he would be down at any moment now. . .

Down came Dr. Eggman, hovering in his Eggpod. His mustache flowing in the wind, and a look of novelty spread across his face. This mad scientist was also accompanied by a few, better built droids. Escorting him no doubt. To his right was a white E-100 Unit with the Greek letter of the alphabet Φ imprinted on his side. Hovering down with his own jet kit and mounted weapon in his arm. His eyes were blue, rather than the green associated with most E-100 series robots and their cousins, also, his weaponry was lighter. More of a leadership companion or secretary than an extremely physical fighter. E-120 Phi (that being his name in English) was accompanied by a light blue robot. One who had green eyes, a jet booster, and a triple barreled rotating blaster. His number was E-116 ρ, also an E-100 unit. The Greek letter was spelt "Rho" in our native English language, although not the greatest way to learn it's pronunciation. Both automated assistants hovered slightly behind the Doctor as he made his grandeuring entrance. The man was purely mad, but illustrious with power. Dr. Eggman was not about to be unentertained.

"DR. EGGMAN NEGA! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO WITH US NOW!?" A voice came and met him across a loudspeaker. Mobians and Sol dimension inhabitants dressed in uniforms had surrounded the building armed with guns and prepared to react at any false moves. Eggman just gave a grin and hopped out his personal ride. He gracefully gave a deep bow in spite of the obvious look of potential hostility with E-120 Phi and E -116 Rho at his sides.

"Funny that you should ask me that." Eggman began. "For I Have come to offer you something that might be of benefit. Will you hear me out? Or will I just have to leave without offering you the chance to complete your goals" He asked as wild grin spread across his face. Eggman waited their response, knowing that with his cards in play, they would have to at least hear what he had to say first before blasting him off into the Heavens. Moment's later, he was right, as Michad came walking down the steps of his building. He seemed to be in a relatively jolly mood.

Michad was a short, white grey fox with a black coat. He was an odd fellow with a ham like attitude. Full of himself to a certain degree, but also very cunning. He carried some sort of cane with him, or really a scepter. It went well with his eyepiece, and otherwise black top hat. As Michad came forth, the walked by the man with a loudspeaker seemed to tell him to hush up already.

"Now, now." Michad corrected. "This is no way to deal with guests." He chuckled as he pushed the mic away from the commanders mouth and took it for himself. Bravely the short political leader marched forward and began shouting as he made his approach. . . it was really far to loud. . . .

"Ah yes. . . . Dr. Eggman Nega." The loudspeaker creaked over the overly high pitch. "What do you want to do with us?" He asked in higher pitched voice as if teasing and taunting the character all at the same time. Slowly bringing his head over on it's side as he asked the question. Eggman merely widened his mouth as grin would spread side to side.

"Please don't tell me you're so uninformed. . . ." Eggman taunted. This serious situation seemed to be taking a turn for the awkward more, and the sincerity of total obliteration seemed to be passing by.

"A new suite and different color mustache is not enough to fool us." Michad challenged with step back and a mild smile. "Don't tell me, you're non other than Dr. Eggman Ivo Robotnik. From the the other dimension otherwise known as Earth. . . you expect us to believe that?" He joked in a sarcastic fashion.

"But of course." Eggman sneered. "Even if I were Eggman Nega, it wouldn't matter, I'm here to offer you a choice! After all, you're obviously far to powerful for me to combat, so I can't steal the dream crown pieces from you. I'll offer you a trade instead how does that suite you fancy?

"And what might that be?" Michad asked so far amused.

"The Phykosis Emerald, is a powerful artifact, but not necessary for your goals. Presuming you and I are both on the same page of our research. Your people have been looking for the Dream Crown a lot longer than I have." Eggman put softly in their favor. "Even my grandfather didn't care very much for it. It would appear better for me to bargain with you and get what I can out of it. . . " Eggman trailed off as he explained his situation.

"What I really want is that emerald. And if you give me that. . . . I'll give you what you're looking for." Eggman said as he pulled out the shiny white piece of metal. At this moment many onlookers in the audience of normal people and passers by let out a sudden gasp. It was strange that someone else should find a dream crown piece without the proper equipment for it. The Island of Valatise was the only government believed to have the technology to track it, and even then all they were doing was having the resurrected White Gizoids use their copy ability to read the Phykosis Emerald's electromagnetic signature and then copy that with an off boot program the Latise made specifically for that purpose.

With one of the last dream crown pieces revealed, Michad became silent. He began calculating his possible moves in the back of his mind. He also began evaluating his political stature. To make a deal with the Dr. and choose peace over violence would portray him in a good light. Also with this last peice, only one more would be required to complete the object. A crown fit for glory, a crown fit for him. The ruler of Valatise, the heir, after many generations of seeking.

Long live this dynasty.

"Very well." Michad finally spoke, laughing it off a little bit well, perhaps covering how much he really wanted that dream crown piece. "We'll speak about it. . . Come now Dr. Eggman, won't you join me?" Michad asked as he turned around with a spin of his cane. He walked up the steps and Eggman only shrugged a little before following him in. It was uncertain what would become of the negotiations within.

"You see that? What's going on!?" Chryssy whispered as She, Suki, and and Narabot came in closer to the commotion. All they could see was Dr. Eggman bowing before Michad and then walking in the government building after him. Suki wasn't sure what to think, but she figured it was best not to drop her guard. The robots all around were the strangest she had ever seen. Unlike the tacky design of Dr. Eggman Nega, these ones actually looked cool.

Or cruel. . .

As the time passed on, Suki and Chryssy made their speculations of what the mad scientist had planned. Perhaps he only wished to get close enough to cause a fight, destroy the place and take the Dream Crown pieces. But the location in which they were held Suki knew would be hard to find. Unless Eggman had hacked their information systems, he would never find where they were held, even she herself did not know, and she was the one responsible for finding them. Chryssy had been considered for clearance to the Dream Crown piece chamber, but was refused being short of a few votes even though Michad insisted that she had potential and would become a valuable asset to the Latise if she were ingrafted in while she were still young.

Other speculations was that this was just a distraction for some other great crime. Eggman Nega was known for looking of ways to take over the world through power, and Dream Crown may very well be his target. But after a half an hour of waiting outside. Suki began to wonder what was really going on inside, and Dr. Eggman had been speaking for a long time. Finally she threw away the possibility of any kind of theft and wondered what sort of deal Michad and Eggman may have thought up.

"Eggman Nega's been taking forever. I can't believe we'd waste that much time talking to him!" Chryssy squealed angrly. "How can anyone trust him?!"

"I don't know." Suki said quietly. "Perhaps something has come up that's a bit different. I heard some people claim that he said he's not Eggman Nega" Suki informed. "Instead it's his other dimensional counterpart from Earth. I think he's somehow related to him. . . " Suki trailed off.

"Yeah. . . and all his robots are different!" Chryssy exclaimed. "But can we really be sure?"

"You two are too gullible." Narabot stated. Immediately Suki and Chryssy looked over at him in an upset fashion. Natabot explained. "Of course he want's you to think that he is some other dimensional counterpart. It's easy to change outfits and even take in hi concentrated herbal, or synthetic intrusions to make one look younger." He informed in a know it all manner.

"Then what about the robots Narabot?" Suki asked a little upset. Sometime's Narabot objections could get annoying, especailly when he was right, but Suki knew Narabot over analysed, and that he had to wrong somewhere along the lines. If a day came where he criticized her but rightly so, that day would be a great irritance.

"No difficulty in concluding." Narabot responded. "One such as Eggman Nega could easily build as many different looking robots as he wants. Have you seen how large his army has been in certain Zones in the Eastern Sea?" Narabot asks.

"Either way, I don't think that Nega would do something like this." Suki stated as she looked over the government building.

"You clearly do not know Dr. Eggman Nega then." Narabot said sternly. "He is a crazy one. Sometimes he acts as though he himself is the target made to be destroyed." Narabot trailed off. . . . "He starts to destroy everything so that even his less crazy counterpart begins to cringe and ridicule him for his dubiously suicidal schemes." He added.

In a moment, the huge doors of the parliament building were opened. And Michad walked outside. A loudspeaker was brought to him by a police unit of sorts. He turned it on and began to talk, announcing what they had agreed upon.

"Ahem." he said as the speaker screeched a little bit over Suki's and her friend's conversation.

"We have been offered a trade with Dr. Eggman Ivo Robotnik, and- in order to receive the second to last piece to the dream crown- have accepted." He informed. The crowd went silent, and wondered the cost of such a trade. Michad would not have done it, if he thought it wasn't worth it, many people knew that. However, he still had his critics, and at the cost's announcement, reporters would already have their critical essays being lined out inside their minds. They would be posted in the news tomorrow. Truly shocking.

"The cost-" He began. "Is none other. . . than our precious Phykosis Emerald, but only one dream crown piece away, and with our white hedgehog Suki, we will be more able to find it even more easily than our fathers were using only the Phykosis Emerald!" He exclaimed. The crowd began cheering. Suki felt shocked. She had no idea that this day would come while she was still so young. The Dream Crown, pieces of it collected over a century of work. Now to be completed within her lifetime. True, the last piece would take some work, but the black water gauges- a long suspected place of at least one of the places was in their sites. It would come to pass. So long she did it right. Suki was having trouble fathoming it!

"Also." Michad stated. "Dr Eggman Ivo Robotnik will be assisting us in the expedition of the dream world once the crown has been completed." The crowd broke into cheers.

"Thank you, thank you!" Eggman stated with taking a bow. "The dream crown particle is now yours! And this emerald will prove very useful on my ship. I'll be leaving you to your business now, so goodbye my friends!" The scientist rolled off his tongue. And with that, he walked off. Taking long, Eggmanish strides as he began humming to himself in an upbeat fashion. He returned to his form of transportation and flew into the atmosphere. His robots taking off after him. It was quite a sight they had viewed that day. And not one to be forgotten either.

"We. . . . sided with him?!" Chyssy's pupils shrank to a very tiny size.

"I'll tell you." Narabot spoke. "There's no telling what a cornered politician might do."

"I hope. . . " Sui stated. "That this works out for the better. . . "

Suki decided to come home before lunch. Things were happening rather quickly and she needed a breather. Suki still wanted to look into what Kire had talked about before he tried to shoot her, and she still wanted to know who erased Narabot's memory and why. True, it had to be someone in the Latise's government structure, but who ordered it exactly and for what reason? Because what Kire was saying would be too much of a political issue to become noticed? Another factor to consider in all this mess was Maugus made still alive- but only a ghost. Haunting her and giving her cryptic messages about what was really going on, if, he really did know. . . . The vision of her death could have been merely a fabrication. Something false conjured up to create a scheme that lead her astray. Even Maugus himself had stated that this was his goal. So why should she believe him?

Narabot stayed outside while Suki entered upon her home. Chryssy had already bid herself off onto her own cousin's and uncle's place, so that Suki was left alone. The first thing that Suki did when she was all alone was get herself a drink. Already having thought about the issues enough on the way here, she headed upstairs and placed herself near the phone. There was one in her bedroom she could use in manners like this. Immediately, she got out a list and began writing down all the people she began to call.

*beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep* Echoed Suki's beeper. It was the Latise, and they had utilized her on spot communication system beeper to contact her in a hurry. This had only happened once, and up until this point, Suki thought of the little wrist link as little more than a decorative piece on her arm. Quickly she hung up and bit the librarian goodbye before finishing, fumbling the phone in between her shoulder and her head. She put it down and answered the com link. Eager, and shocked to find the Latise needed her so suddenly, but she started to have a hunch on what they needed her for. . .

"Yes?" She asked as the beeping came to a halt. Suki held her breathe as she waited for the contactor to respond. It was only the second or so time this had happened, and Suki didn't think it would ever have to happen again.

"Suki, Dr. Eggman Ivo Robotnik is a traitor, come to base at once so we can send you after him. We must retrieve the Phykosis Emerald at all costs."

"Okay, I'm on my way!" Suki smiled. She knew that Dr. Eggman wasn't trustworthy, and probably wasn't even who he claimed to be.

---

"Ahhh, it feels so good to be evil!" Eggman sneered as he relaxed in his chair at lead of the Eggcarrier command bridge. "Who knows, we may even have company and a bit of action along with it!" he added with a wide grin, Eggman was pleased with the devilish scheme he had cooked up. Giving the Latise an extra dream crown piece that did not fit the crown, and refusing to return it when ordered to do so over the radio. The fat man smiled as he toyed around with the touch pad placed in front of him. Looking over the ships overall maintenance, and viewing how his projects had come along. Eggman was quite surprised that they dealt with him so easily. As if they were unknowing that he was a scoundrel. But when they scanned the particle, and found out that it was in fact a dream crown piece, how could he possibly be fooling him.

Yes indeed, the dream crown particle given to them by Doctor Eggman was nothing close to necessary shard needed to complete the crown. It was a fake conjured up to fool them, only carrying the necessary wavelengths according to Suki's report. And of course, Dr. Robotnik had a no returns policy, even if you didn't get quite what you were expecting from him, but wasn't that the point of Eggman and his enterprises? With that, the twisted scientist laid back and relaxed. He eyes scanned across the bridge of the great airship and began contemplated defenses against a likely counter attack. He had only left 25 minutes before the Latise contacted him and informed him of their discovery. A good outside defense would make a steady precaution, in case fighter planes or some other air units attempted to chase him down. Eggman knew airships his size were not common in the Sol dimension though technology existed which would allow it. Most people preferred ships in sea, where the water did most of the work and maintenance was easy- and cheap. Allowing large armanda to sail and make war in more colonized areas of this watery planet. Much further away from Princess Blaze's boarders. . . .

The Eggcarrier's command bridge had been redone since the mighty Chaos's rerelease. It was an open room with windows out looking the entire vehicle, and few Eggpods to spare, one in each corner of the room. Large military grade metal doors kept people out of the bridge who didn't need to come in. Eggman had upgraded it's interior exponentially since the original defense system had proven less than impenetrable. Even including force fields, and electroshock tiles hidden in sneaky areas which were sure to catch Sonic in a nasty trap if that punitive fox didn't find a way around it!

"Doctor! Incoming message from E-122 Psi." Phi, Φ informed normatively. Phi was Eggman's second in command and secretary. To watch over things and scree them over before alerting him was only normal. Eggman placed a half upset expression on his face, before finally responding. It wasn't that a report meant a bad thing, but Eggman had grown weary of the half useful info pulled from Psi, Ψ and honestly he didn't really need anything more from his outposts now that he had the Phykosis Emerald. But still, Eggman figured he had better hear him our lest he miss something potentially useful for his plans. Who knew, maybe Sonic had already found out and was making trouble. . .

"Go ahead. Send him through." He ordered. Staring bleakly at the projection area waiting for Psi's message. Moments later, the screen came on, all fuzzy at first but eventually zeroing in. Soon the yellow robot appeared before Dr. Eggman and the two could finally communicate. Seeing Psi had no damage on his smooth, reflective metal, Eggman became a little bit. . . excited.

"Ah, E-122. What are you doing?" He asked almost in an upset fashion. Getting reports from Psi wasn't always the most enjoyable. But Robotnik liked it if he got new other than some new boring excavation news, - or worse- that Sonic had shown up.

"Dr. Eggman." Psi's light creaky voice came out. "More valuable artifacts have been found in the Ifrit dimension. Protoype E-series robots are also holding up." He informed in an upbeat manner. Dr. Eggman leaned over and presumed that everything had gone according to plan and began talking, but Psi interrupted him with more information regarding Eggman's archaeological research.

"It appears that the deep fire has awakened." Psi informed plaintively. "Not the being Ifrit whom has been defeated, but a lessar one whom has survived, and thrived upon ages. They move about on the surface now, giving us trouble, we also have new information regarding the history to this place." The robot half quirked in seriousness. Eggman squinted his eyes behind his glasses and looked intently upon Psi's screen. The history of the Ifrit dimension also greatly interested him. If it was all coming together in the way he suspected, then it could change everything. A path left unalone, but forsaken to be traveled. Covered up as if it did not exist, but it's line meaning more things than all the other's subjective to it. The secret's of the Ifrit dimension. Locked away, now possibly discovered? It's only a matter of time now, and Eggman would find out the mysteries of it. . . and then use it. . .

To rule it all. . .

"Did you find the secret to project Y?" Eggman asked.

"No" Psi hummed. "But there is one thing." He added. . . .

"What's that? Eggman asked, but he was interrupted by more prominent matters. The matter of invaders coming upon his ship. He had come for one thing, and Eggman knew it.

The Phykosis Emerald.

"Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder." A light female voice echoed across the Eggcarrier.

"What's going on?!" Eggman asked as the communication display was put off and instead displayed two figures Eggman had never seen before.

Suki riding Narabot's back headed for the Eggcarrier. Eggman had never seen these two before, but he wouldn't forget their shapes or form. A white female hedgehog accompanied by a super robot chasing them down up from behind. This was an interesting situation. And not one Phi was without comment on.

"They are swooping in low to avoid detection. It was our cameras that caught this, not our electronic sensors." E-120 informed.

"Hmmm, seems like they're trying to sneak on board. Oh well, no matter, let's prepare a little. . . welcoming party for them, shall we? Heh heh hehhhh. . ." Eggman laughed. As the echoes of Eggman's ego echoed throughout the minds of Phi, he thought about just how maniacal the doctor could be.

Suki had no idea what she was in for.

---

"You okay Narabot?" Suki asked happily as she landed on top of the Eggcarrier with her metal friend. Suki had ridden here sitting on his back. It was cool getting to ride Narabot in such a way like that, cruising through the skies, and having the wind press upon her face. The high speeds were amazing, and even moreso remarkable was they were able to catch up with the Doctor's airship. But she couldn't go on reminiscing too much now. She had to stay on the task at hand.

"Of course." Narabot replied. "I am built for this sort of action you know." The robot informed Suki as if he she were unaware.

"I know." Suki reformed her previous comment, trying to make it sound more professional. "It's just I don't want to be a burden to you." She confessed in more or less a cute manner. But she should have known better. Acting that way wouldn't affect Narabot. Would it?

"Well. . . . your feelings are appreciated." He stated in return. Suki almost dropped her jaw at that comment.

"Really?!" She asked excitedly.

"Not really." Narabot crushed everything Suki had dreamed of. Hoping and having a polite Narabot who cared about something other than the facts. People's emotions. Love. You know, things that actually make someone a person. But oh well, it was too good to be true, as Narabot continued. . .

"I have a new program that makes me return kind gestures, even though they are irrelevant." Narabot informed. Suki could only react one way.

*Sigh* Suki relaxed. "Well, at least it was worth a try. . ." She decided. Maybe it was half a success. But it would be so much better if it really did come from Narabot himself, and not some program he was aware of and did just because it prompted him too.

"You should get going." Narabot reminded. "It is possible they know we are already here."

He was right. Suki began looking for an entrance immediately lest the two of them get caught and come under fire. Such a situation would not be desirable, and Suki did not wish to create it by musing, wishing for a better Narabot.

It wasn't long before Suki found an entrance point. Although many guns were located on the top and bottom of the said ship, none of them were moving, and it seemed as if they were asleep. Suki lifted on a hatch which was decorated with the eggman empire symbol. The one so commonly used and seen by many of Sonic's friends and those oppressed on other blue world of Mobius. When Suki took a look at it, she didn't find it very amusing. Mostly tacky, and corny. Like it was made by someone who was just too full of himself to realize that he wasn't very good looking, and certainly not attractive. Like a man's ego who was so highly louched that he had to go slathering his face on every major piece of equipment that he built. How instigating.

Her speculation wasn't far from the truth.

After opening up the the hatch, Suki fell through and ignored the ladders to the shaft. She landed in the heart of a hallway, and began sensing for the Phykosis Emerald immediately, revealing it's location. The object in question was apparently important enough to send her in on her own and have Narabot escorting her. A dangerous mission, but everyone assumed that Eggman's tales were a lie. That he was Eggman Nega- and that his robots weren't that tough either. Plus if Suki laid low, stealth would be a more optimum advantage. One that would get her through- to the end if she could find it.

Suki began sensing. She felt that forward was the best way to go. But in the midst of all this, she felt something also important laid behind her. Less than the Phykosis Emerald, but strong in the currents. Now she was confused. Why did she feel two auranating energies of dream crown special energies? Suki couldn't understand it. She almost wondered if the stronger one was some sort of trap, like she should check the auranting field behind her first, and then go for the stronger currents and see if it really is what she was looking for- after she had potentially used up the element of surprise going for the weaker signal, unless. . . some else was at play here. . .

"What are you waiting for?" Narabot asked, noticing that Suki had gone nowhere and stayed put far too long after having fallen down the hatch. "Have you located it yet?" He asked her. Meaning to find an answer and wondering if it would be a mission abort as Eggman had no Phykosis Emerald. Having possible sold it off or sent it elsewhere on a smaller ship. Either way, Narabot calculated the possibilities, and he was ready to make adjustments, of which the most likely was taking Suki back to base!

"No. . . " Suki said with her eyes closed as she began concentrating. Feeling the strange energies around her, pulling her from both ways. "I think. . . he. . . . " Suki quite speaking. She zoned in even more tighter in her concentration, grasping whatever signal that she could. The sensation behind her, she could feel it was different. . . . was it. . . . it was. . . .a dream crown piece? Possibly?!

"Narabot?" Suki asked in dismay.

"Yes?" Narabot asked. Still impatient over Suki's lack off communication and what he percieved as "wasting time being overly sure." Something Suki actually got after him for in the past, but whatever.

"What if it was possible that there was a dream crown piece here as well?" She asked him.

"Directive." Narabot stated. "Your mission is to obtain the Phykosis Emerald. Not any extra dream crown pieces."

"But. . . Narabot, this is the last one we need!" Suki complained. She couldn't believe that Narabot would just say no to that. . . but then again. . . she could believe it!

"Negative." Narabot reminded. "The dream crown piece Dr. Eggman Ivo gave us was faulty. Even if there was one here which you stole, we would not be able to complete the puzzle."

"Yeah. . . but it still is one piece closer!" She spoke out optimistically. But there was no turning over Narabot. . . was there?

"You need to weigh your options carefully." Narabot said in relatively normal fashion. "I must return outside to serve as a distraction. Get going Suki, and think about. Also-" Narabot added as he began another phrase at the end of his last advice. Thrusters turning on and head gazing down into the hole at Suki. Dream Crown hunter standing upright and looking up at him.

"Do not hold it against yourself if you fail. The Latise is asking a lot of you."

"Oh. . . .thanks Narabot!" Suki blushed taken by surprise by these kind words. But without thinking she responded in the same way you or I would when talking to someone else but not in the way you should when speaking to a primarily literal robot at all.

"You too." She added- almost wishing she could take it back after saying it, but a few moment's later, she did. It was fine, and she was even glad she said it.

"Why would I need to worry about failing? I'm the perfect machine!" Narabot gloated as he hovered in place and ceased looking at the white little girl.

"Okay Narabot. . . " Suki chuckled. "Time to get back what's ours!" She exclaimed enthusiastically. It was all over, and Suki had enough time to decided which way she would go. Fighting robots and sneaking around a base was much more ideal that fighting lava monsters. And Suki knew she could pull a lot more moves on automative than living, or, well. . . dead things. But Suki knew her limits, in equality to her skills. Soon she marched on forward and came to her first set of doors.

Through the two she marched making her way to that spot in ship. Her final choice had been given.

She would head south.

---

As Suki went down the passage, she could hear Eggman's announcer box going off telling robots where to go and giving them orders on what to do. Many of the orders based around things like checking up on bombs, ship stability, left and right engine rooms, the core, and so much more. The insides of Eggman's ship was colored with the typical Eggmanish colors. Red as a main, and then white as a supplementary. Yellow was certain to make an appearance as well. The designs were not bad as far as interior walls and such, but rather high tech, and pleasant to the eye.

Suki found herself placed in front of an elevator. She felt she must use it in order to reach her goal. For the dream crown piece she might be sensing came from beneath, obliging for her to take it. The elevator required no password to activate, much to Suki's liking. She hopped inside and pressed the button that would take her too the 2nd level, as she was already on the third. But little did Suki know that Eggman was used to having invaders like her. Quite constantly, in fact, for a little camera had been placed inside the elevation chamber. And Suki was being watched.

"She's so cute." E-116 speculated as he watched her through the camera. His words moved across the Eggcarrier's bridge so that everyone could hear them. Eggman also continued looking into the moniter. He began to grin as a little joystick with trigger slid out from underneath his keyboard and laiden him control.

"So what?" Eggman commented evily. "She won't be anything when I'm through with her!" He assured.

Moments later, inside of the elevator, a gun extended from the camera and began shooting at her.

"Yikes!" Suki exclaimed as she hopped to dodge the blasts. "A camera eh?" She jumped off the wall and burst into it with a homing attack. A big frown came across Eggman as his visuals wen blurry and E-116 began chuckling.

"So what if that device didn't work!" Eggman raged. "I was. . . still working on it!" He made as an excuse. Once again failing to cover his incompetence of which many of his smarter robots already had known about.

"Intruder is headed toward engine room." E-120 Phi informed. "It appears as if she is intending to retrieve the dream crown piece. "The secretary commented.

"Get a squadron assembled, and prepare E-115!" Dr. Robotnik exclaimed. "She'll never get past him!" Eggman immediately changed moods and began laughing at his audible schemes.

"Dr. allow me to deal with her!" E-116 Rho offered, turning to face the doctor reminding him of his equipment and focus on taking care of enemies like this visually with his arms in play.

"No!" Robotnik responded. "If you take her on, you'll probably ask her out on a date! No more funny business out of you! Is that understood Rho!?" Eggman reared in disgust.

"Yes doctor. . . " Rho relinquished. He kindof did want to ask Suki out. . .. but not till he utterly obliterated her first!

"Perhaps project Y would be able to stop her." Phi suggested, prompting the Dr. To play his best cards and ensure a victory, but Eggman only frowned up this suggestion. He explained why in a moment.

"Project Y is nearly complete, but I can't go risking everything right now." Eggman paused for a moment thinking about all the risks involved. No, not yet. project Y was better of saved for another date. Eggman returned to his previous command and dropped the idea rather quickly. "Get E-115 on the communicator with me, now!"

Phi obliged, and soon, the large purple robot appeared onscreen. He was finishing shooting up a dummy of sorts with his right arm built in machine gun. The heavy gunner liked doing that.

"Yes Doctor?" The behemoth, prototype to Omega asked. It was curiosating to him what Eggman could possibly want with him at the moment. Eggman coughed once before informing him of his job.

Suki wondered down the passages even further upon exiting the elevator. She knew that if a camera gun had fired on her, everyone was probably aware of her at this point. Her heart began beating as she realized that her cover had been blown all to soon. Not even halfway to where she needed to go, and now defensive formations likely awaited every new corner around this ship.

Down this new hallway, doors began opening up on the sides. Out popped Eggman's cronies, E-1000s again, just like she had seen earlier that day. The mission was now completely compromised, and Suki knew They were full blown aware of her at this point. Suki, seeing the oncoming barrage of fire shielded herself in reflex, but as she held it out and took in more damage, Suki realized her best bet was to go above them. A leap, and a wall jump allowed her to power through, passing the first line set up by the notorious doctor. Suki kept running once she landed as shots wizzed by and impacted the floor in front of her. It was an unwanted omniscience in this situation. She had to get further in, and now she was on the run, more robots certain to lay ahead of her.

As she made her escape, Suki came into a more open area of the ship after passing through the hall. This area had glass panes making up part of the floor, and it was possible to see gears and other parts of machinery moving underneath her feet. To her left and right, more, better, newer robots filled the room. They were E-1000 variations. Some taller, some bulkier, some shorter, and some faster. Some were equipped with longer legs and three eyes. Some strange ground treading units, and the classic Orbonauts that one might find In Sonic Adventure, or Sonic Adventure 2. Eggman had really beefed up his forces, not that Suki could really know. She hadn't seen them previously, but it would have been something Tails might have commented on if he had seen it in. Eggman's new army was the completed "E project." A project of creating robots not so heavily based on animals for design, but rather on more original ideas of their creator. The E project was scrapped when Metal Sonic impersonated Dr. Eggman and he began resurrecting old designs from Sonic's younger days. The Egg pawn completely made up to serve as a basic soldier replacing the E-1000 unit, which was only in the testing stages. In fact, Metal Sonic was not a big fan of the E-100 series. He often felt like they were infringing on his space, of taking on Sonic. Eggman had even giving him his own division of Eggrobos at request because of their familiarity. Metal Sonic liked that decision, though at the same time, it he preferred doing things on his own.

Suki moved through the corridor, leaping over, and smashing into robots as she attempted to make her way. These robots were much smarter than ones she had fought in the past in other areas, they certainly were more in form than many of the Sol Dimension outcasts and other odd mechanics, which seemed to all but come up on their own. As Suki approached a column in the center, rate of fire by the enemy increases. Her every move being carefully calculated so that she doesn't get hit.

From behind the column, an does fly. It is from an obronaut, and it does what and orbonaut orb does when it hits the ground nearby.

Explode.

The shrapnel causes Suki to stop and place her hands in front of her eyes, but the sound of rapid fire blasters by the heavy enforcers of this group of automatives seek to kill her heart. Suki ducked as the blasts moved on over head, she looked behind her and to her left to see a robot cooling off his cycling gun and getting ready to fire again. Suki wouldn't give him that chance as she curled up into a ball and blasted forward making a leap into the air, more enemies moving out from behind columns and taking the offense. It seemed as if time slowed down for Suki as the heat grazed across her skin. These robots were more accurate than previous ones she had fought, and Suki knew it. Evading them was a chore, and she felt like she was running out of stamina from all the running. Or was that just the heat?

Gazing forward as she landed, Suki saw her exit. An open door beckoning her goal, she could see the dream crown piece inside some kind of a glass capsule on the other side, all she had to do was get to the end of this very corridor, then her special objective would be complete!

Suki ran for it, but the door was not without guard. Four more E-1000's entered the room. Two of them were a light blue curiously. And as they stepped into the room, the doors began to close behind them. Suki didn't sweat however, she had one move up her sleeve, and she had been waiting to use at opportune time which would justify it and the energies that it took up.

Boost.

Casting overhead, Suki made it to the other side. The doors failed to meet each other in the middle and she crashed into an energy column supporting the next, darker room. Somehow she smashed into it upside down and had to slide down a ways before coming to a stable balance again. Feeling a little bit goofy, if not dizzy, Suki shook it off and saw her prize. A gleam came into her eye and a big smile spread across her face. The last dream crown piece! Or. . . well. . . sortof. The one Eggman gave them didn't match, but that would stop her from taking one that would! If it did that is. . .

Suddenly, Suki heard the sound of mechanics coming from the ceiling. Suki didn't have to guess on what it was, she was all to familiar with this trap.

Mounted guns.

Suki quickly immobilized two of them with her psychokinesis, ripping them out of the ceiling, and tossing them at others as the rest began to fire off. Machine guns of sorts, the eerie sound of bullets ricocheting riddled across the room, bullets bouncing everywhere and few safe places to stand. Our heroine then took the form of a ball and pounced the remaining guns, sending them flying across the floor in many different pieces. Now having eliminated the threat, and feeling quite proud of herself, Suki then returned to her original point of interest, and reason that she had came.

The dream crown piece.

As she peered into the glass, she studied the object curiously. Would this piece fit the dream crown? And better yet, how was it that a dream crown piece could exist that didn't fit? Was it fabricated by the evil doctor and passed off as something other than the truth?

Suki didn't know, but she did know that this might help if she obtained it. She pressed a button on the glass to open it. And, almost just. . . swiped it away.

*POOOOWWWWW*

Heated shrapnel came from behind, Suki immediately turned around to face it. Shielding herself until the shrapnel had subsided, and smoke had gone away. A robot emerged from the blast field. Although it looked like the robots Suki had been fighting earlier, Suki could tell this one was different from the other mass produced soldiers. Suki tried to make it out in all the smoke as she came to and locate all it's weapons, strengths and weaknesses.

It was an E-100 series robot.

"Target white hedgehog acquired." Pi Π stated. "Annihilation in procession."

Suki looked upon the purple monster. He had a body frame very similar to Omega's, though is arms were quite different, being a bit longer than Omega's. Also, his main frame and armor had a few different characteristics. Anyone could see while the traits were meant to be more heavy, he was still quite fast and was capable of hand on hand combat. Suki gathered all these details quickly as she was ready take him down, but the robot moved first and barreled down a series of shots.

"They. . . just keep coming!" Suki thought to herself out loud as she moved out of it's way. "I can't. . . allow my self to get cornered in here." She leaped from the left side of the chamber to the right, grabbing the dream crown piece with her psychokinetic powers and carrying it to her up against the side of the wall.

More blasts than earlier came in from approaching reinforcements. E-1000s, trying to get in through the doorway. Suki decided she didn't like sticking around and that she had had enough. Running was a better strategy than fighting anyway. Bursting forward, she curled into a ball, and blasted through them all, knocking E-115 aside, but nearly destroying the other droids. As she ran forward, one of the E-1000s radioed into the doctor, telling him of their failure to protect the crown. a report he wouldn't be pleased to hear.

"WHATT?" Eggman yelled as the report from a lowly E-1000 came in. "No way! No one could defeat him! I spent 4 month re beefing his programming before I let him lose again!" Eggman exclaimed.

"Except Sonic." Rho stated almost electronically snickering. Phi just turned his head from the keyboard and looked at him.

"SILENCE!" Eggman yelled. "I don't see YOU building all the robots around here!" He enraged with a huff. E-120 waited for the doctor to end his tantrum before speaking. It could take a while for his blood pressure to lower enough for him to speak, but Phi didn't mind it- after all, he was programmed too.

"Perhaps I would utilize Temo in this situation" Phi suggested. For E-120, as Dr. Eggman's second in command was given skills as a builder, and a constructor of robots. Using the gizoids as a template, Ego had envisioned his own design, and was sub-eager to test it out. But the doctor would not have it today. The glory would be his, or no one's, even if it meant letting Suki get away. But the doctor was certainly not going to let one his own creations make a better robot than him and use it to stop the hedgehog from leaving. Not when he was the boss!

"I won't have it!" Eggman exclaimed. "My robots are invincible! Whoever you are white hedgehog you're going to pay for this! PHI!" he cried. "What of our strange guest flying around outside?" Eggman sneered.

"No successful damage given yet!" E-120 responded. "He acts as though he wishes to attack our engines, but he stays a far distance back. . . ."

---

Outside the ship, Narabot continued to play with the turrets which were trying to shoot him down. Flying in place and moving as he was needed, Narabot looked at his wrist projector to see if Suki had turned on her beacon or not.

Hmmm. Strange that she hadn't requested a rescue yet. Usually in such missions, Narabot served as a distraction while she did the dirty work inside, and when Suki was finished with her goal, she would summon Narabot with a magnetic sequence given only by the communicator built into her suit. It allowed Narabot to locate her easily, and she could be pulled out with little trouble, success, or failure regarding the mission objective.

But this time it was taking to long. Finding a free moment and backing off from the Eggcarrier's cannons, Narabot radioed in and attempted to contact Suki over her wrist communicator. The device began beeping for a few moments, but no such call went through. Narabot questioned at the amount of time it had taken Suki at this point, and began to contemplate reasons. Perhaps she had been found out to easily, blew her cover, and was killed in action. Maybe she was stopped and made prisoner before she could contact him in any way. Even desertion over mental overload was a slight possibility Narabot considered. All these different plays running though his wires, before Suki finally picked up, twenty two seconds to late exactly. Narabot noted.

"What is it?!" Suki complained over the intercom as she ran through the corridor. She didn't like being interrupted while she was in the middle of something. Especially over Narabot's dumb protocol. Suki's attitude seemed to have little effect on Narabot's starkness he demanded answers- and data as to how far Suki was along with the procedures. Now.

"You are late for the speculated time to undertake this mission by 4 minutes." Narabot stated technically while he dodged some new incoming blasts from the cannons. He seemed relatively unfazed as he continued. Just as Suki expected him to act. "I need to know your current mission status and how much it has been compromised from the original plan, so that I can judge whether or not it is worth continuing." He added. Unimpressed by anything which Suki could do. But Suki didn't care how much Narabot acted like a snob. She just wanted to get back to the mission and get Narabot to trust her with the specs. She knew she could make it, it was just going to take a little bit longer, and Suki had the patience. In an irritance, Suki made her responce.

"Well, I'm almost there so stay with me, I've gotten a load of robots on my back and one heavy hitter if you know what I mean behind me, I won't be much longer." She added half enthusiastically, as if trying to get Narabot to cheer up some.

It had no effect.

"Just remember that my programming dictates I must abandon mission after 10 minute duration beyond objective time if I am without communication with you as our agent or I do not have clearance form Valatise special DC operations bureau." Narabot reminded. "If you're stranded on that ship, it isn't my fault, but yours." He added in a matter of fact tonage which really ticked Suki off.

"Ya think?" Suki said in a mockful manner, but Narabot didn't take it as so.

"Yes." Narabot stated. "I would not say it if I didn't think it first, although some beings are capable of spitting out words without taking any rational thought-" Suki had heard enough, and she cut Narabot off of transmission.

Her favorite way to end an argument.

---

"White hedgehog coming for the bridge." E-120 informed Dr. Eggman, as he cooly tampered with the Eggcarrier's map, gaining more and more information on Suki's attacks and whereabouts, gleaning what potential strategy might work against her if Suki got this far.

"The Emerald. . . ." Rho speculated looking over at Dr. Robotnik. . . waiting for his answer on the bold actions of a young little girl coming for their headquarters. Rho could see that Eggman was thinking.

"Well, what have you to say about it?" Eggman challenged his robot underling. "Are you going to act like it's already over or do something about?!" He demanded angerly. Rho stepped back and sub- corrected his mentality. Suki had gotten this far, but to breach the bridge would be a challenge.

"I will prepare to combat white intruder." E-116 suggested taking two steps forward. "Doing this would be quite fun." He added in that odd way Rho could contemplate things at times. Eggman put his hand up to his chin and began rubbing it. Soon his commands echoed forward. . .

---

After running through the Eggcarrier for a series of minutes, taking twists and turns, attempting to fool the large purple robot behind her. Suki found success in her strategy and left the mechanical behemoth behind. She had been following her Dream Crown senses which had lead her thus this far. In a hallway much wider than previous ones, she felt the Phykosis Emerald was just behind a set of doors in front of her. And she had to get it. But as she walked forward, the large double doors from further down the hallway opened. And out came the same robot whom she had faced earlier.

E-115.

"Target acquired!" The robot quirked happily, as he laid down a barrage of shots. "Thought you could get away from me? The square root of fear is death, as you will soon find out

"Really!? Again?!" Suki asked upsetly.

"Two times makes for twice the fun!" E-115 stated as he launched a spherical bomb out of his right arm.

"Then you can have it right back!" Suki exclaimed as she grabbed it with her psychokinesis and sent it back. However, the robot was a little more cunning to be destroyed by his own weapons. Ducking, he launched another such explosive from his left arm. This one, Suki did not recover for her own.

Boom!

The bomb exploded right in front of her and caused her to wince back. The next thing she thought to do was to jump, but as she did, a bullet imploded upon her backside, something Suki had not felt in a long time since being out of action. The shock made her eyes pop out in slow motion, and the painful, magnetic vibration zinged throughout her body. But it wasn't the last. A string of shots hit her as she fumbled across the ground, until E-115's machine gun had to cool down. Suki clutched her back as she got up. Her suite immediately began cooling her down, but it still hurt.

Suki knew it was only temporary. Her outfit was one of the best. It had anti plasma material and a spectacular cool down ability. Plus she was a mobian. The bad effects would go away.

Eventually.

"Target hit!" Pi exclaimed as he approached from behind. His other hand folded into a machine gun and began railing. Suki created an energy shield and watched the particles ripple and absorb into her little bubble until Pi was quite through. Then Suki took her turn to attack. Three psychokinesis blades were sent flying Pi's way. The first one struck his right side, the second one he dodged. The third one hit it's mark on Pi's head. And a fourth one, knocked him out as Suki replaced her wayward projectile.

"Sorry, I can't stick around and play." She mocked. Turning around and entering the next room. As she did so the door's opened up behind Pi, and more robot's walked in. Suki didn't get a close enough look at them.

Suki now stood in another hallway before Eggman's headquarters. It would be the last room traversed before she would meet the fat man herself. Suki stepped forward, but the smile on her face began to disappear as she heard something moving in the vents above her. The sound stopped, and Suki froze for a moment, until the door burst open behind her, and E-116 Rho and E-120 Phi came forth and started shooting. Though at this point, as far as Suki was concerned, they were just more lackies. She didn't know that they were much more than simple E-1000 captains or whatever. But it was little to her concern.

Suki clutched her head and ran forward. However, as she ran down, one of the metal tiles on the ceiling popped out, and something glowing red fell right behind her. Suki was so shocked by the sight that she turned around to see just what it was.

Maugus.

She couldn't believe it.

"Y-y-y-YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!?" She yelled in shock as the great warrior stood tall overhead her.

"I am, but it doesn't work that way." Maugus sneered.

"Unidentified heat source on board identified!" Rho sparked in surprise.

"Fire!" Ego commanded as more robots marched in behind them. E-115 still trying to get in on the action, but he was being crowded out by basic sentries. . .

"Good idea." Maugus applauded. Soon his arm stretched forward and nearly clobbered Rho who jumped to the side, several enemy E-1000s, however, were not so lucky. Suki, upon seeing Maugus again was so afraid that she turned around and ran. She had been having trouble with Eggman's robots, but Maugus, in these closed quarters would dominate. No one could evade his fists and fire.

"Why are you running?" Maugus asked almost as if he was playing. Suki couldn't tell, but she did see him turn and start to chase her! The white hedgehog ran forward and tipped some sort of device, activating a series of shields dividing the room into separated slots capturing each individual save the robots on the far side. Suki had two panels keeping her from her goal. However, only one panel behind her kept Maugus's gaping hands from coming any closer. Behind Maugus was Phi, and Rho, who had kept up behind him. And then at the beginning of the room was a group of bashed E-1000s, some recovering and getting up. Other laying there and not moving much, but lights still flickering in their heads.

Suki closed her eyes. Come on, don't sweat it, think, think thiiiinnnnkkk! Suki had an idea. She kept her eyes closed and found the source of the shield panels. She could deactivate the two in front of her. But something else caught her ears first.

"Remove panel 4." Phi commanded over the intercom. Maugus was staring at Suki intently. But suddenly, the panel separating him from Phi went down. E-120 quickly sprayed him with an ice compound before he could even turned around, and Maugus froze into some sort of lava rock of a black color. The next thing Suki saw looking back was a light blue blade slash through him and cut the mighty being in half. She then watched in pale expression as the upper half of his solidified body slid off and broke into many pieces on the floor. Rho walked forward and folded up a spinning blade of sorts back into his arm. It was him to had ended Maugus's stature. E-120 Phi put his hand up to his head to contact security again, or just command it directly. Suki didn't know, but she didn't want to share Maugus's fate. Quickly, Suki closed her eyes and sensed. . . . the right device to move. . . . yes. . . . turn it off. . . now!

"Remove panal 5." Phi commanded. He marched forward and prepared his clouder.

Phi's commands took were partaken just as Suki removed the remaining two panels. She leaped as the ice gas came forward and she boosted into the bridge, she smashed into the main control panel and was surprised to see that no one was here. Quickly getting up and looking where her dream crown senses pointed her, there was Eggman in a glass capsule, holding the Phykosis Emerald. He grinned shyly as he looked at the little girl after his possession, however, it wasn't long before he pressed a button and began to plummet through the floor- almost.

"I don't think so!" Suki teased as she caught the elevator halfway down. Eggman didn't move for a moment, but suddenly his face became red. It's all Suki could see as he blurted out the following words, realizing his defeat.

"Why does it always have to be a hedgehog!?" He cried. But it wasn't long before he commanded his robot's once again.

"I'm not finished yet!" Eggman sneered resiliently. "RHO! PHI! PI GET ME OUT OF HERE!-" *SLAM.*

Suki had pressed a button on the control panel to close the doors before the two robots could come in. Eggman looked up through the glass with a frown painted on his face. Suki looking back down at him with a smile.

"You can give up now." She said with a smile. Suki gestured with her hand for him to hand her the Phykosis Emerald which she could sense that he had with him. Eggman looked down at it in his right arm wrapped around the precious jewel. He had to give it up. He knew it. E-120 couldn't blast down the doors to the bridge even with E-115's help. E-120 didn't have administration clearance to override his own order to close it. And since Suki had used, Eggman's control panel with he himself logged in as the username, Eggman knew there was no way out of it. The bridge blast doors were invincible. Eggman began to sigh.

"All right. . . " He started. "Just please. . . I beg of you. . . leave me in peace!" He groveled.

Suki moved the capsule and opened it up. Eggman stepped out and walked over to the little girl, handing her the Phykosis Emerald. Suki smiled politely As Eggman grudgingly placed his hand in Suki's general direction. But before she could grasp it a new motion caught her eye. The main doors to the Eggcarrier's bridge were suddenly pierced, but not by an electric blade- by Maugus's sword!

"I knew they'd find a way through!" Eggman gawked as he almost started to party. His dance was interrupted by Suki making an *ahem*. She still had her arm stretched out to receive the Phykosis Emerald. For a moment, Eggman looked at it in his own hands thinking about the situation. .

"It's mine!" He yelled as he jumped up, clutching the Phykosis Emerald and started to run. "And you'll never get it from-"

Suki gripped the Dr. with psychokinesis. Suspending him overhead and upside down, Eggman floated over like a balloon.

"Offf!""

The Phykosis Emerald fell to the floor- As did the doctor. . .

"Narabot, come pick me up!" Suki commanded as she bent over and picked the beautiful white gem up. Maugus's sword was making more of a way through, and Suki began to wonder if it was Maugus himself, or just one of the robot's attempting to use it for their own gain- or rescue.

"Coming in." Narabot stated as the black sword of Magus finished cutting a straight line down the center. Suki began to think about how dumb that cutting strategy was, until the center of the door blew away from some sort of blast taking place on the other side. Red hot chunks of glowing metal flew across the room as if from some kind of blunderbuss. Immediately the tripled barreled gun of E-116 popped in and began firing as the robots and several other tried to crowd in. Suki could see they were having a hard time on account of the open way's strange shape. . .

Any much longer and Suki might have been gone. A few bullets wizzed over her head, causing her to duck lest she might be shot. More robots poured in throughout the chaos. Eggman couldn't stand still nor hardly bear being so close to their designated target. He had to voice his concerns.

"Don't shoot at me you blubbering idiots! Get the hedgehog! Or else!"

*Crash*

Narabot flew in through the window. Suki's eyes met his as she rolled over on the floor. The action was tiring to her, and it was about time that she got to the end of this mission.

Narabot flew over and grabbed her hand by hand. Pulling her up and making a large U-turn. As he turned around, Eggman began shouting more commands in vain. "Stop them! Don't let them get away!" But it was too late. Suki and Narabot flew off into the evening, and Eggman wouldn't see them again. At least not for a while anyways. . . .

"Good going Suki." Narabot complimented once they were far away from Eggman's ship. Getting away was easy as the Eggcarrier couldn't turn around very quickly. Suki on the other hand was somehow surprised by Narabot's comment. Even so, it somehow fit the android's personality.

The wind blowing against her eyelids somehow felt refreshing, but combined with victory, that made it even better. -

"Thanks Narabot." She smiled with both eye's closed. "But I couldn't have done it without you."

"No problem." Narabot stated in return. "Keep it up. Michad likes such production. It took you a bit longer than it we speculated, but we knew relatively nothing about the aircraft you were infiltrating." Narabot explained.

"Yeah. . . " Suki trailed off. "I got caught up in a little bit of. . . fighting but it worked out." She said with a smile yet again. He eyes closed with delight in her success. And somehow her mind traveled back to what she had to look forward to at home. It was so nice to have the life she did. It was so wonderful the family and friends that she had, even if they were very few. The mission was a little stressful, but definitely not as bad as going back to that darkened place. The caves of the forbidden Ifrit Dimension. Suki was too well off. She had so much to be thankful for. It really was unfortunate that others couldn't have what she did in life. Was that really the cause of Kire's actions the other night? No one would try to kill someone in a well lit street like that unless they were outright stupid. Something different was up, but what it was she wasn't sure. Nor was she able to search for answers today.

But Maugus! How did he get here?! He wasn't dead. . . . all along?! Was he manipulating her? Was he leading her astray, just as he said he was? No. . . . Suki couldn't trust him. It would lead to her betray. Or was he the only one who knew what was really going on? More importantly. . . . was he still. . . . trying to kill her?

Oh yes, he had tried.

It wasn't much longer now before she would arrive home. How strange the events of the last few days had been. It was as if they had been leading up to something. Her dreams foreshadowing the future consequences of her actions. The dream crown piece. . . .

Suki looked down and clutched the dream crown piece tightly. . . .

. . . .

What is. . . . the Dream Crown. . . .

"We are here Suki." Narabot informed as he flew over the top of the large building that was Suki's home. It wasn't far from the coast and Suki could see the Ocean from here, an ideal place for her family to live. Quickly she hopped off so that Narabot could land on his own two feet as they came to the landing spot.

"Thanks Narabot." Suki said with a smile. She put both hands behind her back and bowed forward in an attempt to look cute. But no such actions would work on Narabot however, unless his more recent programs had changed that.

"I need the Phykosis Emerald. Hand it to me please." Narabot stretched his hand forward. Open to receive the mission object that Suki had worked so hard to get a hold of. Any other day, Suki might have given Narabot their goal without hesitation, but she struggled as she began searching her pouch for the Phykosis Emerald to hand him.

For a bleak moment, Suki stared forward. A starkly accepting expression spread across her face. As she looked at Narabot, she noticed that the robot was analyzing her. He was reading her emotions, and yet displayed no readable body language of his own. Suddenly, and faintly, behind Narabot's left shoulder, Maugus appeared. Manifesting himself in a manner as if a dream. Suki could only see him faintly, and she could tell it was just a vision of him, but he whispered something. Something that urged Suki to go on with it. Something that Suki wouldn't forget either from this persistent foe.

"Do it."

Maugus faded away. And a half shocked, half unexplained expression spread across her face. Even beckoning Narabot to carefully look behind him. . .

. . . .

"Suki." Narabot stated.

Suki gasped to herself. She had been stalling way to long. Narabot would pick up on this and find her suspect of something, maybe even treason. She had to comply.

Now.

"Here." She said, snapping back to normal. She handed him the Phykosis Emerald as if nothing unusual had been going on. Smiling after placing it in Narabot's hand.

"Anything suspicious going on?" Narabot asked carefully.

"No. . . . Just. . . spacing out." Suki said, hoping to hide what was really going on. Talking in her "I'm a lighthearted good girl voice!"

"I know what's going on." Narabot stated.

Floored.

. . .

"It's been a while since you were on your own." Narabot started "And that you would be rusty at this sort of work is only bound to happen. Don't take it so hard, and keep trying." Narabot added optimistically. As if he meant to encourage his mobian sister.

"Oh. .. I mean- Really?" Suki asked. Surprised that Narabot wasn't on to her or anything. That he hadn't suspected she was keeping things from him.

"Yes." Narabot stated. "I know you must have had a few close calls in there, but do not fear, I am here to protect you."

"You. . . really mean that Narabot?"

"Of course!" Narabot stated. "It is in my new programming Chryssy downloaded remember?"

Suki immediately let go of all her gratefulness to Narabot and just stared at him with squinted eyes and a pessimistic "up and down frown" as she had called it.

"Oh." She said in a ticked of manner. Resuming her normal posture and body language. As if she wasn't used to this stuff by now. . .

"Just doing my programming." He added. "I will see you later. Bye!"

"Bye Narabot. Suki said starting to smirk subtly, but still somewhat holding onto the grudge of the fact that Narabot's caring about her was apparently nothing genuine. But it couldn't all be fake. . . . she lamented as he walked and stated to take off.

As she turned around she looked up at the evening sky.

"I'm sorry Narabot." Suki said to herself. . . "But I couldn't give you this. . . " She spoke softly, looking at the other dream crown piece she had found inside Eggman's airship.

"I feel that something is. . . . . . " Suki started to say as she walked toward the entryway which would take her inside of her parent's house from on top of the building. . .

"Amiss." She stated finally.

And as she walked inside. Suki began contemplating. . .

Just how the further events might play.

And just what she would do. . . .

. . .

Hiding a dream crown piece form the Latise.