Bunnie Rabbot in…

Bunnie in the Desert

Roughly a month ago, an event took place… The marriage of Antoine and Bunnie, a union formed from a deepened relationship with each other. The two joined the Freedom Fighters a while back for different reasons, but ultimately for the shared goal of stopping Dr. Eggman. While Bunnie continues to be the muscle between she and her husband, the two support each other without hesitation. That relationship gets put to the test in this chapter…

Badland Wastes - Dingo Camp

*The Dingos were going about their routine of preparing weaponry for the Eggman Empire, with General Stryker looking over the operation whilst others of his troops were either on look out or training. He had received word of Jenni's subordinate, Grimer, was coming in for a meeting with the good general. As he drinks a cup of coffee, the sound of buzzing could be heard as a Hive Ship descends upon the camp. Three Bee soldiers walk out, saluting to General Stryker as he approaches the ship. Grimer himself soon steps out, adjusting his bow tie.*

Grimer: "General! Greetings to you. I hope you are doing well."

Stryker: "We'll be doing better if you don't waste my time. You wanted to meet with me, so what is it?"

Grimer: "Yes, yes. Of course. Let us reconvene to your tent, shall we?"

*The two head to the General's tent, the soldiers ordered to stay outside during this private meeting.*

Grimer: "Now… To get to the point, our surveillance squad picked up an airplane carrying two certain individuals to this location. Estimated time of arrival being about an hour from now."

Stryker: "Tch. So what? Some snot nosed Freedom brats coming around here ain't that important."

Grimer: "Ah, maybe it is. You see, one of those individuals is one certain Scarlet O'Hare."

*Grimer produces a picture of the passengers of the airplane. In the front was the pilot, Antoine D'Coolette. In the back was Bunnie Rabbot, mid-laughter as if the two were talking.*

Stryker: "O'Hare? A relative of the Sheriff?"

Grimer: "Indeed. But also… Notice her limbs?"

*Stryker takes a close look and sees Bunnie with cybernetics, not unlike him and his all purpose arm.*

Stryker: "Okay. She's got cybernetics. What of it?"

Grimer: "Her cybernetics are quite advanced. Far more than the Egg tech that you are equipped with or the Hive tech Saffron and others are equipped with. Buuut… That can change if I get a chance to study this girl's cybernetics. Maybe even discover who has been supplying them with this tech…"

Stryker: "Let me see if I'm understanding correctly… This girl's got tech that you and your boss want to study. And you'll be giving your findings to us?"

Grimer: "Yes. In simpler terms."

*Stryker looks at Grimer with a toothy grin before extending a hand out.*

Stryker: "I expect great things from this partnership."

*Grimer accepts the hand, smiling as negotiations seemed to have gone quite well. Now all that remained was to initiate the plan.*

Badland Wastes - Sky Above

*High above the wasteland that makes up the west side of the country, Antoine and Bunnie take a biplane in order to get to their destination.*

Bunnie: "Antoine hun, I'd like to thank ya again fer flyin' this plane to mah Uncle's place. May've not been that long since I seen him, but it sure feels like it."

Antoine: "Anything for you, mine fluffy bunny. After all, ze plane is no match for my ace piloting skills!"

Bunnie: "Question 'bout that. Where'd ya learn to fly?"

Antoine: "Mine papa owned an old crop plane before joining ze military. I occasionally snuck in some flying practice after doing mine chores."

*Bunnie was quite surprised to hear that, considering Antoine was known for his loyal nature. With a giggle, she sneaks a quick peck to Antoine's cheek, causing him to blush. Bunnie looks down and sees the dusty old town her Uncle Beauregard was the sheriff of.*

Bunnie: "Down there!"

Antoine: "One landing coming up!"

*Antoine prepares to land the plane, finding something of a landing strip as he descends.*

Badlands Town

*Antoine and Bunnie hop off the plane after landing, soon being greeted by three individuals. One being Sheriff Beauregard O'Hare, one being Tekno the Canary, an ally Sonic and Tails had met when fighting the Egg Boss local to the area, and the final was a grey bunny wearing a red jacket and blue pants and holding some kind of staff.*

Bunnie: "Uncle Beauregard! And cousin Lightfoot!"

Antoine: "'Cousin'?"

Sheriff: "Howdy, Scarlet, Antoine. Welcome to th' Badlands."

*Antoine bowed to the sheriff before seeing Bunnie approach the grey rabbit.*

Bunnie: "Howdy, cous. Haven't seen ya since we were kids. Antoine. This is Johnny Lightfoot, my cousin and my uncle's son."

Antoine: "A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Johnny: "Can't say the feeling is mutual. Are you even fit to be her husband?"

Antoine: "Excuse moi?"

Sheriff: "Johnny, don't be rude. Fergive him, he's not the best wit' strangers."

Johnny: "After you hit me with the retirement discussion earlier, can you blame me?"

*Beauregard glares at Johnny over that, catching Bunnie and Antoine's attention. Even Tekno seemed kind of curious, but decided not to pry.*

Tekno: "H-Hey! Bunnie, was it? Nice to meet you, I'm Tekno!"

Bunnie: "Hehe! Sonic told me all 'bout ya and how ya help out 'round town! Mind givin' my cybernetics a tune up? Make sure they're workin' right and all?"

Tekno: "Leave it to me!"

Sheriff: "When yer done tinkerin', Tekno, mind sendin' her my way? Need to talk to her, family matters, ya know."

Tekno: "Y-Yes, sir, Sheriff!"

*Tekno leads Antoine and Bunnie to her lab, which was definitely the most out of place building in the town compared to the more western, wooden buildings on the streets. Tekno gives Bunnie's cybernetics a quick scan, fixing any issues that might have cropped up from the trip.*

Tekno: "Wow, whoever designed these cybernetics is a genius!"

Bunnie: "That's Uncle Chuck fer ya. Funny how gettin' half roboticized turned into a blessin' in disguise."

Tekno: "Half roboticized? By Uncle Chuck?"

Bunnie: "Nah, before that. I worked on a farm back home, but the farm got overrun by robots. Sonic, bless his heart, saved mah farm 'n helpers, but I got stuck into a roboticizer and turned into half bunny half robot kind o' girl. But then I joined the Freedom Fighters-"

Antoine: "And we kicked Robotnik's butt hard."

Tekno: "Hehe! You guys are way past cool! Speaking of, Eggman's been awfully quiet. Despite how disconnected this town is from the rest of the world, news does travel fast. And so far, nothing Eggman related has come our way."

Antoine: "No, but a new threat did arrive. In the form of ze Eggman's sister, a girl by the name of Jenni Robotnik."

Tekno: "Eggman has a sister? That's…a shock… What about Eggman himself?"

Bunnie: "Ever since the fight wit' Mogul, he's been very silent. Almost worryin', but wit' Sonic back, we're in high spirits."

Tekno: "Well, that's good and all, but… Oh! Uh… You're done now, Bunnie."

*Tekno reviews the screen showing all of Bunnie's cybernetic limbs. Everything seemed to be functional.*

Bunnie: "Thanks, Tekno. And hey, don't worry. Whether it's Eggman or his family, we'll still come out on top."

*Antoine and Bunnie bid Tekno farewell, but the canary remains looking anxious.*

Tekno: "Something doesn't sit right with me…"

*The married duo head to the Sheriff's office, but with Antoine being left outside by Beauregard's request. Bunnie enters alone, seeing her uncle behind a table, Johnny sitting at a chair across from him and an empty seat beside Johnny.*

Sheriff: "Ah, Scarlet. Good, ya didn't keep me waitin' too long. Have a seat, will ya?"

Bunnie: "Sure, Uncle. But I heard somethin' 'bout retirement?"

Johnny: "Dad plans on retiring from the force and wants us to protect the town."

Sheriff: "Darn it, boy! Let yer old man talk without hearin' smack from yer mouth!"

*Johnny just crosses his legs as he stares at his dad with a defiant glare.*

Sheriff: "Ahem… What Johnny said is…half true… Bunnie, dear. I ain't gonna be around ferever and this town needs a protector from those darn dingos."

Bunnie: "Then why not escort them to Mobotropolis? King Acorn won't mind takin' some citizens needin' protectin'."

Sheriff: "As an old Baron from way back when, my pride to my beliefs of democracy over monarchy reigns true. The South shall rise again!"

Johnny: "I agree with dad on this one. Those Acorns have done nothing for us. And look at you. Turned into a cyborg freakshow, serving some dictator who ignores everyone not in that guy's precious city, and married to some military dog who probably couldn't find his sword even if it was on his face."

*Johnny is lifted up and tossed to the wall in quick succession, Bunnie pinning him to the wall.*

Bunnie: "Talk about my Antoine like that again and see what happens! Family or not!"

Sheriff: "Enough! Both o' ya!"

*Beauregard slams his hands on his desk as he stands up, glaring at the two other rabbits to pipe down. Bunnie nods before letting Johnny go.*

Sheriff: "Ugh… In any case, Bunnie… Movin' ain't much of an option anyway, what with the dingos patrollin' areas outside town. If we move to another place, we'd be causing some other town trouble."

Bunnie: "But… Uncle…"

Sheriff: "Sorry, kiddo. But that is why I invited Johnny here. So he'd be takin' up the mantle."

Johnny: "Which I don't want. Dad, why don't we just take out those dingos if they are such a pain? Just end them."

Sheriff: "Because my days of pourin' blood over trivial matters are long behind me! I protect my people without causin' harm to my enemies!"

Johnny: "And that's why your town's gonna suffer! Because you are too weak!"

Bunnie: "And you're even weaker fer suggestin' bloodshed, Johnny."

Johnny: "Say that again, Scarlet and I will shove this staff right down your gullet!"

*As the three began to argue, Antoine knocks on the door before opening it.*

Antoine: "Sh-Sheriff! Ze dingos! They approach with tanks!"

*Bunnie looks at Antoine before racing out with her rocket feet and heading toward the dingos herself.*

Antoine: "Bunnie! Wait for moi!"

*Beauregard sits back down before sighing. He rubs the bridge between his eyes.*

Sheriff: "Johnny…"

Johnny: "Fine. We'll discuss this more later."

*Johnny pulls out his staff, the ends of it starting to spark with electricity, as he runs after the married Freedom Fighters.*

Badlands - A few miles outside town

*Bunnie and Antoine make it to confront the dingos, indeed seeing them in battle tanks fitted with tough looking metal. General Stryker appears in his own personal tank.*

Stryker: "Hah! So the sheriff's twerp niece comes to me after all! You must want to meet your maker faster than I thought!"

Bunnie: "Sorry, bucko! But we're turnin' that big bad tank o' your's into scrap!"

Antoine: "Zis shall be a quick fight, for my blade shall be your destroyer!"

Stryker: "Save the Shakespeare until after I've turned you into mulch! Boys! Get 'em!"

*The tanks begin to approach as Bunnie turns her arm into an arm cannon, firing blasts at the tanks. The blasts reflect off the metal though, almost hitting Bunnie right back.*

Bunnie: "No dice wit' the blaster!"

Antoine: "Then I will dice zem up!"

*Antoine runs at the tanks, dodging the tank shots being fired at him. He jumps at one tank and slices the barrel off, disabling its ability to shoot. Bunnie smiles before running up and picking up the tank and using it as a battering ram at the other tanks, or a shield if the tanks fired at her.*

Bunnie: "This all ya got, Stryker? No wonder ya couldn't be my uncle!"

Stryker: "I wouldn't get cocky, kid. Especially since I haven't shown all my hand."

*Stryker smiles as more troops join in, getting into position to shoot from long range. Bunnie sees this and uses an energy shield to protect Antoine.*

Bunnie: "We're pinned down!"

Antoine: "Bunnie! Can you give us ze smoke screen?!"

*Bunnie looks at her arm cannon but then looks at the soldiers.*

Bunnie: "We need these soldiers off us first!"

*As Bunnie's shield was cracking under the pressure of the gunfire, the soldiers are suddenly flung into the air. Stryker looks back and sees Johnny, mid swing, sending his troops to the ground.*

Johnny: "Get off my cousin, losers!"

Stryker: "Tch. More rabbits. Must be rabbit season!"

Bunnie: "Actually, it's Dingo Season!"

*Bunnie flies into the air and lets off a sweeping laser, flipping the tanks on their backs and causing a smoke screen. But Stryker smiles as he vanishes in the dust. The trio fight off the dingos, knocking the soldiers down until the last one drops. They stood their ground, huddled together as they looked around for any movement.*

Antoine: "Was that all of them?"

Johnny: "No… Where's Stryker?"

Bunnie: "If he was smart, he'd have left wit' his tail between his legs."

*As Bunnie says this, a grenade is sent to the heroes' feet. But rather than letting out a blast, a shock goes through Bunnie's entire body, or rather her cybernetics, causing the energy to drain from them. She is forced to the ground, the metal too heavy for her body to support.*

Stryker: "Direct hit."

*Stryker suddenly rushes at Antoine, punching him in the gut before turning and firing a net from his cybernetic arm at Johnny, pinning him to the ground while Antoine collapses from the gut punch. With a smile, Stryker orders his troops for a full scale retreat, taking Bunnie with them.*

Johnny: "Darn it all! Hey! Accent guy! Wake up! Bunnie got taken away!"

*Johnny shouts as he struggles with the net. Antoine wakes up slowly, holding his gut in pain before looking around, realizing Bunnie was missing.*

Badland Wastes - Hive Ship

*Within Grimer's Hive Ship, General Stryker had put Bunnie on an operating table, strapping down her one still normal limb so she wouldn't struggle. Grimer, standing beside his three Bee Guards, smiles with an evil smirk as he stares at the cybernetics.*

Grimer: "Perfect, General. You did very well indeed. With this, I can study the technology used by the Freedom Fighters and apply it to our creations. Those tanks you used earlier will look like scrap compared to what I shall supply you, General."

Stryker: "I hope so. Those tanks aren't cheap and getting new ones will take a while."

Grimer: "Now, my Bee Guards… Time for us to…take her apart."

*Grimer and the Bee Guards went to work, taking Bunnie's cybernetic limbs off as they studied the components. General Stryker, both bored and a bit busy, leaves the room to let the scientist work and to make sure he isn't disturbed. As Grimer worked, he discovers the metal used for Bunnie's cybernetics was…original metal.*

Grimer: "Material unknown? Hmm… I see. So this metal is a fusion metal."

Bee Guard: "Fusion metal, sir?"

Grimer: "When you smelt two different metals together, you can create a new material. This isn't a new process, since the scientific table was created by developing new materials and chemicals by mixing atoms to create new atoms. …A long explanation to be sure, but not an uncommon practice. But according to this, the metals used are common metals such as copper, steel, and iron which then merge together under a staggering 300 degree oven. …This sounds very familiar…"

*Grimer begins to think on these methods, recalling an old memory from his days studying in the scientific field in the university. He knew a hedgehog who had studied in the field of material research and development. The most he could recall though was a brown mustache and the fact he had blue, almost teal-ish fur.*

Grimer: "...Couldn't be."

Bunnie: "Ugh… What happened…?"

*Grimer hears Bunnie awaken, giving him just the opportunity he needed.*

Grimer: "Ah, you're awake. Good to see that."

Bunnie: "Wha…? Who are ya? Where am I?"

Grimer: "I am Grimer Wormtongue. And you are within my personal ship."

Bunnie: "Ugh… My limbs! Where…"

*Bunnie looks around and starts to panic as she finds her legs and arm on a table, guarded by a trio of bees.*

Bunnie: "My limbs! Give 'em back, you green toad you!"

Grimer: "Oh, no, my dear. You are in no position to make demands of me. For you see, I want some very critical information out of you."

Bunnie: "Like I'd tell ya anythin'."

Grimer: "Perfectly fine. We could always go for the more torturous method. My mistress desires progress be made… And I hate wasting time with stubborn Mobians."

*Grimer pulls out a helmet connected to wires and smiles even wider.*

Grimer: "The classics always make me smile."

Badland Wastes - Dingo Camp

*Outside the camp, patrolling the entrance, were two dingos. One lets out a yawn as boredom sets in.*

Dingo 1: "Hey, shape up! You know what the General will do if he catches you getting lazy on the job?"

Dingo 2: "Sorry, but trying to stay on the look out is pretty boring. So why'd we choose some dusty town to fight against? Are we that desperate for a fight?"

Dingo 1: "Idiot. The people living in that 'dusty town' used to be Barons. As in enemies of the Kingdom of Acorn back when the General served."

Dingo 2: "So? We were kids back during that war. Does the General have some vendetta against him?"

Dingo 1: "Maybe. Rumor has it that one Baron spy snuck into his tent and took out his eye. It's why he wore an eyepatch before Robotnik showed up."

Dingo 2: "Really? I thought it was because of how much he loved hearing the Barons beg for mercy. …Ugh… Kind of cruel thinking about it…"

Dingo 1: "Yeah, I hear ya… But still, being betrayed by the Kingdom ain't a good thing either."

*As the dingos talk, they are both bonked on the head by two assailants. The guards are propped against the entrance, looking like they were sleeping on the job as the assailants sneak into camp. Antoine and Johnny had arrived to save Bunnie.*

Johnny: "Not a bad plan, but what next?"

Antoine: "We must look for ze obvious place where Bunnie would be. A medical tent maybe?"

*Johnny looks up and sees a strange ship hovering above the camp. The ship itself resembled some kind of metal bee hive, being quite sizable, but not quite the size of a base.*

Johnny: "How about there?"

Antoine: "...Oh. Oui. That'll do. But now ze question of…how do we enter?"

Voice: "How about we kick ya like a football and see if you can fly?"

*The two immediately freeze as they turn to see a dingo, who had already called for backup.*

Johnny: "Crap… We were careless…"

*Antoine and Johnny immediately get into fighting positions and attack, stealth no longer being an option. Antoine slashes at a group of dingos' guns before kicking one in the gut and backing off when another retaliated. Johnny bashed his group of dingos around with his staff before shocking one that tried to jump him from behind.*

Stryker: "Boy, you two don't know when to quit, do you?"

*Stryker approaches the two, cracking his knuckles as he does.*

Antoine: "Where did you take my wife, you hooligan mutt!?"

Stryker: "Heh. Right in that ship above us. The boys from the lab wanted some privacy and so decided to fly up their lab from ground level. Unless you two can fly, you aren't reaching that ship."

*Stryker then lunges at the duo, turning his cybernetic arm into a chainsaw.*

Stryker: "NOT LIKE I'D LET YOU ANYWAY!"

Badland Wastes - Hive Ship

*Back within the ship, Bunnie is heard screaming as bolts of electricity are poured into her via a helmet that was forced on her. Grimer, taking pleasure from this torture, turns off the machine as he extracts the data collected.*

Grimer: "If you won't tell me directly who built your cybernetics, then I'll just force it out of you."

Bunnie: "Wh-What does it matter!? Aren't ya gonna just roboticize me completely like Eggman!?"

Grimer: "Oh, my mistress has no interest in roboticization. Especially since you Mobians now have an immunity to it. How tragic, but not unexpected. Instead, my mistress has something else in store for this entire planet."

*Grimer soon finds the data he was looking for, which is then given a visual form. A teal blue hedgehog with a white mustache. This makes Grimer scowl.*

Grimer: "I should've known… Charles. He may look older, but I wouldn't forget that look. So even after all this time, he still finds ways to thwart me…"

*Grimer growls before turning back to Bunnie, walking over to her and taking off the helmet.*

Bunnie: "Do yer worst, green boy. Once Antoine and Johnny get here, yer in fer a beatdown…"

Grimer: "Oh such bravado. How sickening it truly is to hear."

*Grimer then grabs Bunnie by the cheeks and glares at her.*

Grimer: "Like I said, you are in no position to make demands. Are they ready?"

Bee Guard: "Yes, sir."

*The Bee Guards brought back the cybernetic limbs belonging to Bunnie, but the rabbot knew something had happened to them while she was being tortured. She was scared to find out what…*

Badland Wastes - Dingo Camp

*The fight with Stryker, Johnny, and Antoine continue as the duo of heroes try to fight back the dingo general with what they could. However, pure strength wasn't going to be enough for someone like Stryker. Thinking this, Antoine immediately swung his sword to block Stryker's chainsaw, managing to hold him.*

Antoine: "S-Strike at his metal parts! Quickly!"

*Johnny nods before running at the big dingo, aiming to shock his cybernetic arm. This does cause Stryker some pain, but he quickly jumps away from Antoine's attempted slash, landing some distance away from them.*

Stryker: "Tch. Not bad… The son of a Baron and the son of that wuss captain of the guard. What a team up…"

*Stryker's words hang in the air for a moment before Bunnie flies out and lands onto the battlefield between them. Silence fills the air as Stryker scowls at the inconvenience.*

Antoine: "Bunnie! You're okay! I was zo worried for you!"

Bunnie: "...A-Antoine… Run!"

*Bunnie then turned her arm into a cannon and started blasting at Antoine and Johnny, splitting them apart. Stryker is shocked by this until the ship comes down, Grimer coming out with a calm smile.*

Grimer: "General? I got what I needed, so it is time to pull out. Unless you don't want your upgrades."

Stryker: "Heh. So the girl turning on her friends was your doing, eh? Fine. Dingos! Abandon camp! Get to your vehicles and move out! NOW!"

*The dingos in the camp started to scramble for their vehicles as Bunnie continues to fire at the heroes. Stryker climbs into the ship and smirks as the heroes are unable to fight against their friend. The ship closes as the enemy flees.*

Johnny: "Bunnie! What's happening!?"

Bunnie: "Th-The doctah the ship! He did somethin' to my cybernetics! I can't control 'em!"

*Bunnie fires another blast at the duo, forcing Antoine to take cover. Johnny though goes around the blast and tries to fight her. But as he swings at her, Bunnie's rocket feet force her to jump over the swing and kick him to the ground.*

Bunnie: "J-Johnny! I'm so sorry, cousin!"

Antoine: "Johnny! I'm coming!"

*Antoine charges at Bunnie and kicks her back from Johnny. He then leaps at her in order to tackle her down.*

Antoine: "Bunnie! Take control of your limbs! Your cybernetics don't control you!"

Bunnie: "Honey, that's sweet an' all, but I wish I could control my limbs! I really do!"

*Bunnie's arm grabs Antoine by the neck and forces him into the ground. However, a recovered Johnny shocks Bunnie with his staff, getting her attention as her arm cannon tries to shoot him, forcing him back.*

Johnny: "Darn it, we're losing ground! We need to do something!"

*Antoine looks at Bunnie, then at his sword. He could disable her mobility and bring her back to Tekno, but… What if something went wrong? What if he accidentally…kills her? But as he hesitates, he sees Johnny and Bunnie fighting, with Johnny losing a lot of ground. With no other choice, Antoine runs at Bunnie…and slices off her legs.*

Antoine: "...I'm…so sorry, Bunnie…"

Bunnie: "Antoine! Look out!"

*Antoine looks up, his eyes widening as he sees a bright light, Bunnie's arm cannon charging up…and firing. Antoine collapses onto his back from the force of the blast with a thud, the air growing silent after.*

Bunnie: "ANTOINE!"