This "maze" was the strangest zone she'd ever been in. And that's saying something. Since she and her friends formed the Freedom Fighters as young kids, wanting to defend their homes, they had seen tons of different zones on Mobius.
Amy was leaning against a wall. Sally had carried her a few miles before deciding to rest in the shade of a wall and try once again to form a plan of escape. This place doesn't seem to end. Eggman said we're going to die in here. I wonder if he meant by starvation or dehydration. She sighed in frustration. We've been in here at least three hours and the suns going down. We have no supplies or a way to make a fire for the night. She kicked the dust and looked back at Amy.
Amy hadn't woken up yet, but her breathing was even and steady. Sally figured she was simply exhausted.
The picnic was supposed to be a way to celebrate and relax after the previous battle that had taken weeks to win. The Freedom Fighters had felt completely victorious, physically drained, and worn only to be attacked again a day later. The team freedom had given it their all, as usual, but it seemed like they were paying for their bone-tiredness and foolish thinking that they had won a battle in the never ending war.
Amy shivered and cracked her eyes open slowly. Where am I? Holy Chaos does my skin burn. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the twilight. Ugh, I feel like I've been hibernating. Amy noticed a gentle weight on her shoulder so she opened her eyes fully and turned her head. Sally was kneeling in front of her with a concerned expression. "Sally, what's going on and where are we?" Her voice was hoarse and her throat hurt along with everything else. Studying Sally, she noticed how rough and beaten up Sally appeared. So before Sally could respond Amy spoke again. "Oh, Chaos, please tell me my hair looks better than yours does right now!"
"It's good to see you too Amy," Sally chuckled then smirked evilly. "Actually, your quills are probably the worst I've ever seen them and your skin is red and puffy due to the chemical pond."
Amy squeaked in horror. "Really?"
Sally sat down next to her. "No, your hair is fine, Amy, but honestly your skin really is that ugly." Her remark earned her a shove and a glare. "Oh, come on Amy!" Sally laughed at the pink hedgehog. "For Mobius's sake, your hair is not a big deal. And to answer your previous questions. I believe we are in some kind of maze zone where Eggman dumps his inventions and broken minions. This must be where he planned for us to die." Sally gestured to the world around them as she finished her statement.
Amy looked at Sally, baffled by the new information. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Sally snorted un-lady like.
"Super," Amy said sarcastically. "What's the plan on getting out of here?" She rubbed the back of her head as her headache disappeared.
Sally glanced at the sky, looking past the clouds. "I know the teams coming for us. We have to both survive and try to escape this place. Eggman said he'd be watching us, I just wonder how his doing that. There's something off about this place. It's so quiet. So I don't think there's any wild life around. In the zones I've seen there is always some kind of . . . movement."
"Yeah, this place is giving me the creeps." Amy rose to her feet without too much of a struggle. "Can we move on now?"
Sally stood up next to her. "Of course, but I think we should find some kind of shelter for the night. We don't know if there's anything in here with us and we need to find water soon. Serious chemical burns and dehydration are real threats right now." Taking charge as usual, she began to walk in the direction of the sun setting on the horizon.
"No, kidding Sally! My skin inches like hell right now." Amy huffed angrily as she violently scratched her arms. "I don't think it's a good idea to sit in one place too long. We'll be sitting ducks!" She ran after her friend.
"Amy, we don't know this place and the sun is going down. We'll be staggering around helpless in complete darkness." Sally didn't slow down her stride as Amy caught up to her. We're running out of daylight. I have a feeling Eggman has a few surprises for us.
Amy matched Sally's fast walk. Ugh. There's no point arguing. She's right . . . as usual. Amy sighed. "True. Alright, let's just get on with it." She sped up, running ahead of her friend.
Sally automatically picked up speed as well. She was not as fast as the pink hedgehog regardless of her legs being longer, but she followed Amy as closely as she could manage. If only we had more time.
Cream made her way out of the kitchen and through the common room to Tail's workshop. The tray she was holding held freshly made sandwiches along with beverages. Her loyal chao followed closely behind her holding napkins. As they entered the workshop they noticed the smell of oil and the sounds of blow torches at work. "Mr. Rotor, Tails, we brought lunch!" The small rabbet shouted loudly over the noise. "I hope you're hungry!"
Rotor appeared from behind the rust bucket of a Hover Cam and walked towards them. "Are we ever! Thanks Cream and you too Cheese!" He took a sandwich in his unwashed hand after giving the rabbet and chao a thumbs up.
"Oh, thank, chaos," Tails sighed in relief. "We could do with a break. Thanks guys!" He also took a sandwich without hesitation. "Any news on Sonic," Tails questioned with a mouth full of food.
"Yes," Cream squealed excitedly. "Nicole talked to him! He's till with the Death Egg, but Eggman might have taken Mrs. Sally and Amy somewhere else."
"What," Rotor coughed out his food in shock causing Cheese to kindly hand him a napkin.
"Yes," Cream explained with confidence. "That's what Mr. Sonic said. He couldn't find the Death Egg for over an hour so we don't know what to think. Don't worry though I'm sure Mrs. Sally and Amy can take care of themselves and after you guys finish the Hover Cam we can go help Mr. Sonic track them down."
"Yeah, they're fine," Tails spoke with hesitation and doubt layering his tone.
Rotor put a comforting hand on the two tailed fox's shoulder. "We'll save them, Tails. Now hurry up we've gotta finish this dang hover saucer before Sonic's legs cave underneath him. "Right," Tails said with more confidence. He finished his lunch eagerly then followed the walrus's lead back to tools to begin repairing the hover machine again.
Cream smiled at them before skipping off back to the kitchen. She still had to make lunch for herself, Cheese, and Mr. Big. "Come on Cheese, let's go and leave them to work."
The chao wearing his red bow tie nodded in agreement and followed his companion.
Sonic glared at the ground in frustration. Why are they taking so long? I have to rest soon before my legs fall off. His uneven breathing and stomach had become louder, demanding to stop and eat. There was nothing he could do though. The Death Egg hadn't slowed down or sped up; it was as if it wanted to torture him. The farther away we get the longer it's going to take them to catch up.
Eggman seemed to be avoiding the more dangerous zones since they had left Aquatic Ruin Zone. It made Sonic think he had something was up, but he wouldn't stop. I wouldn't stop even if they hit the ocean. Although, he'd never admit it, he cared about the both of them more then he should. I'll keep on running. He hadn't been surprised when Amy wouldn't let Sally go either, but he knew it wasn't like that. She's just too selfless. It made his ears itch and stomach drop when he really considered what was happening.
"Sugar Hog!," his watch shouted as Bunnie's face appeared on it, interrupting his train of thought.
"I got you Bunnie," He panted with a weak smile.
"How are ya holdin' out? Sorry, I'm not Nicole, but the old girl had to help Rotor and Tails. They're almost finished. We should be after ya'll before the sun sets."
"I'm fine, just a little tired and hungry. That's good to hear, Bunnie, cuz I'm getting a bad feeling Eggman's got something planned for me." He smirked confidently. "Not that it isn't something I can't handle."
"Take it easy, Sugar Hog. Yer pushing yerself to the limit as it is, don't go and do somethin' stupid. We'll be there soon so ya can rest and eat so just hang on. If ya really need to stop or turn round', do it. We've already lost Sal and Amy don't let us go loosin' you too."
"I'm fine, Bunnie. Don't worry about me. Can't wait to see you guys so stop talking to me and get on with it. Oh, and tell Tails I'm alright. My buddy worries too much too."
Bunnie laughed. "Sorry, for caring bout' you, Sonic. I'll tell him. Bye, Sugar Hog." Her face disappeared. '
Sonic smirked to himself. Finally! I'm dying out here.
Tails slammed the back hood of the Hover Cam, feeling pretty proud of himself. He walked around it to stand beside Rotor and Nicole. "I think that's it," He said happily with a large smile.
"Ok, let's start loading up the stuff and get out of here," Rotor shouted as he ran out of the workshop, probably to get the rest of the team informed.
"Wait a moment, Tails," Nicole said softly. "Here I'd like you to install this." She handed him the light blue Chaos Emerald they had stolen from Eggman only a few days ago. "It will be much easier and faster to catch up to Sonic with it powering the Hover Cam."
Tails smile brightened. "That's a great idea! Thanks Nicole!" He ran quickly back to the Hover Cam to install it.
Nicole smiled at him. We have to hurry.
They were losing light as the sun continued to vanish from the sky. They had run for a few minutes then settled into a jog. A comfortable silence had fallen between them as they tried to complete their task. Both of their legs were burning from exhaustion and chemicals.
Amy with her energy boost gone was staggering behind Sally. She panted and dragged her feet after herself. "Sally, can we please take a break!" She grabbed Sally's arm to anchor her to a stop.
Sally turned to her and sighed. "We don't have the time, Amy."
Amy squeezed her arm. "It's all ready to late. We'll be in complete darkness soon. We need to do like you said and stick through the night."
Sally nodded. "Alright, let's go." She ran with Amy in tow.
"That's not what I meant!" She exclaimed with frustration. "I meant we should sit through the night right here! Not keep going and find some other place!" She stopped completely, halting Sally. "My legs are killing me! Can we please just rest?" She sunk to her knees in exhaustion. Chaos, I'd kill for a bed and some water right now.
Sally wasn't even paying attention to her; she was too busing staring at something past her. She had this stunned look on her face like she'd she a ghost.
Amy swung her head in the direction of her stare to find the oddest badnik she'd ever seen staring back at them. What is that thing? Can I even call it a badnik? She slowly rose back to her feet and squeezed Sally's hand again because neither of them had let go.
Sally hadn't broken her staring contest with the humanoid gray and black soldier like machine. "It can't be," Sally whispered softly. "They were all destroyed during the Great War."
Amy looked at her with a confused expression then looked back at the machine's red visor. "Sally, what is it?" Fear starting to build up in her chest.
The machine came to life. It advanced toward them with its feet thundering the ground. "Priority One, located," Its voice droned as it raised its arm, pointing its wrist at them.
Sally broke out of her trance and turned to the confused pink hedgehog. "Run."
Metal Sonic left the Death Egg in great heist. "Priority One, targeted!" His voice echoed through the trees of the forest that the Death Egg had come to rest over. Eggman had halted the sky station to enjoy the show and wait for his right hand robot's return.
Sonic's head shot up at the familiar voice. "Metal Sonic!" I knew it! I knew he was going to try something! He brought up clouds of dust as he slid across the ground to a stop. "Bring to on you hunk-a-junk! I'm not done for yet!" He swung his head around, preparing himself for whatever direction his machine doppelganger came from.
The forest was quiet, nothing but the wind blowing through leaves and birds singing softly. He turned in circles, staring at the sky, but it was clear besides the Death Egg that glared down at him.
Metal Sonic had the advantage due to his night vison in the darkness. He watched as his opponent spun around stupidly under the dim light of the moon. He bitterly hated the mad doctor he served, but his hatred for the hedgehog he was built after was on a much higher shelf. Metal Sonic triggered his back rocket with maximum power, shooting himself straight into his target's side.
Sonic was thrown into a pine tree with enough force to break it in half. He could feel the broken wood rip into his back and his worn body being slammed onto the ground face-first. Sonic cried out in agony. Holy Sol Emeralds! Holy Chaos! Holy Power Rings! He gasped at the pain that swallowed his body. Black dots clouded his vison as he staggered to his feet. Walk it off, Sonic. You can do anything. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his vison and head. He looked up from the ground to meet the lifeless eyes of evil machine before him.
"Mission: Severely injure Sonic the Hedgehog!" Metal Sonic marched through the trees toward his waiting victim.
Sonic brought his fists from his sides of his body to his chest. "Bring it on, you fucking robot!" His voice was hoarse and full of pain.
Metal Sonic did what the blue hedgehog asked. He left the ground in flight, aiming himself at his target with amazing speed. Sonic easily dodged to the right as Metal Sonic flew past him. You can do anything. He took advantage of Metal Sonic's back being turned and spin dashed through a bush straight into his head. Metal Sonic was caught by surprise at this action, thinking his opponent was too weak to strike back. He smashed to the ground then rolled out of control into the thick trunk of an oak tree. Sonic ignored the pain flowing through his body as he landed on his feet again. He jogged to his enemy's position, preparing himself for a homing attack. Before Sonic could attack again Metal Sonic raised his arm and blasted his hand gun into Sonic's face. Sonic's hands instantly came to his face as he felt the fire burn through his flesh. He screamed as he collapsed because his body was betraying him. Metal Sonic rose to his feet. Sonic's vison became darker and darker until he saw nothing at all as he gave into his exhaustion.
The last thing he could hear was Sally laughing. "Sonic, you can do anything." Can anybody guess what oh so special machine is after Sally and Amy?
Next time: The Freedom Fighters finally catch up to the Death Egg only to find Sonic, dead or dying? Sally and Amy survive another day or are terminated by an old foe?