Chapter 13: A Titanic Issue in the Criminal Underworld.

Metropolis Red Light District. 8:00 am.

Surge had been busy since last night. From meeting a copycat green Sonic, to moving valuable equipment, making new deals with other crime bosses, and of course, making phone calls to people who were looking for work.

There was plenty of work now. Surge was currently sitting in her office, having just wrapped up a final call with another crime boss. She quickly dialed up another number, putting her phone to her ear.

Surge: It's me. Is the suppression chamber ready?

???: It's ready boss but transferring the big lady is gonna be a hassle. She tore up 56 of our guys…

Surge: Don't remind me… I'll be there to help with the transfer. Get the Zap team ready while you wait for me.

???: Already on it, boss lady. How long?

Surge: 5 minutes, tops.

???: See you then.

Surge hung up, and with a pop of her neck, she sighs, getting her coat ready.

Surge: Can't let Sonic and his team know about this… Otherwise shit's gonna hit the fan FAST. Especially when it comes to aliens from another world.

Surge was out the door and speeding through the district in seconds… She better not find her goons dead on arrival.

Unidentified Bunker. Metropolis Red Light District. 8:05 am.

Several of Surge's goons were running around the warhouse, scrambling to get everything ready for their boss's arrival. Shen the Peacock was overseeing everything, as he was still trusted among Surge's allies, despite the fact he was a hidden informant for G.U.N. He was fast, efficient, and knew his way around the criminal underworld like the back of his hand.

Today however, he found something he was NOT prepared for. Apparently, over 3 months ago, a meteorite had crashed into Mobius, and Surge was first to respond, trying to find SOMETHING to use to get an advantage over Eggman and Sonic.

What she found instead was a 12 foot tall, winged and tailed redhead woman with pointed ears, gibbering in an unknown language. And Shen was looking at said woman through the security cameras as she was being held down by some energy chains and gravity weights made using Void Whisps to make them heavier and keep her down. The wings and tail looked draconic, with bronze scales that had green stripes. Clothing wise, the woman had simple white clothes that seemed to be durable enough to survive a fall from orbit. Dull golden boots and bracers were among her clothes, made from an unidentified material that was deduced to be native to a different planet entirely.

Aliens weren't a rarity to Mobius, as the Black Arms invasion can attest, but this? There was NOTHING ordinary about this woman, as according to Surge's guys? This one behemoth of a woman killed FIFTY SIX of their absolute best. That was over one HALF of the Zap team Surge had personally trained, and this one redhead woman tore through them like they were tissue paper before she was finally subdued.

Shen couldn't release her without exposing himself, but he already had a plan in place. Said plan involved the most disturbing individual Shen had EVER met: Doctor Starline. Someone that virtually EVERYONE, even Surge, thought dead. The irony is that he tried to return and hypnotize Surge again. She beat him down and forced him to work for her.

The logic here was that if Starline messed up trying to hypnotize this woman, she would be angered. Many of Surge's people tried numerous mind tricks but they only accelerated the woman's rage. If Starline messed up, there would be a chance that this woman could escape.

And maybe, just maybe, Starline would be caught in the ensuing bloodbath, removing an obstacle in Shen's way, as well as ensuring his role wasn't compromised. Just as Shen was about to page him, Starline had stepped into the cell, already ready and willing to try his hypnosis on her…

Dr Starline: Alright. Let us begin. Professor Shen, are you observing?

Shen: I am, yes.

Dr Starline: Good. Subject ID number 263, no name, race unidentified. Let us see if she can speak plain English.

Starline held his hands in front of the woman, beginning to hypnotize her. After a brief moment, he stopped, resting his hand at his side.

Starline: Now then, my dear, can you understand me? If so, could you tell us your name?

Alien Woman: … V-Valkyr…

Starline: Valkyr… Good. Now what are you? What is your species?

Valkyr: I am a Haldarian… Half Dragon, half elf…

Starline: … I would argue and say such a phenomenon should not be possible, yet here you are, an excellent specimen of your own race. You caused quite a bit of trouble upon arrival.

Valkyr: Was looking for a new home… Had a falling out with a sibling then…

Valkyr stopped for a moment before she started to snarl loudly. Starline tried to hypnotize her again, but seeing as he had to be in close proximity, Shen could already see what was about to happen. She bit his hand. HARD. Damn near took the platypus's hand off! Starline backed up, holding his bleeding hand, looking at her with a mix of anger and fear. Valkyr roared, actually ROARED, at him, her body tensing up as she tried to rush him but found herself being held back by the energy chains and weights. She couldn't move very far, but she snapped her jaws angrily.

Shen smiled inwardly, as his plan was now set in motion. Valkyr was a ticking time bomb of fury now. Just then, Surge showed up.

Surge: Shen.

Shen: Surge. Starline got a bit of information out of our guest. Her name is Valkyr, and she is a Haldarian.

Surge: Great, the new pet has a name.

Shen: … Pet?

Surge: Yeah. We're gonna train her to work for us. Starline is gonna be key to that, so good thinking on getting started with that.

Shen: Why thank you. You'll be happy to know the suppression chamber is ready for transportation. We can move her safely.

Surge: Good.

Surge pushes the intercom button, turning on the loudspeakers.

Surge: Alright, gagglefucks, get the final preparations ready, we're moving the big lady out of here to a more secure spot. Zap team, stand by for safety measures.

Surge stops and she turns around, looking at Shen.

Surge: You're in charge of the final prep phase. Get her to the new location safely.

Shen: You can count on me.

Shen smiled and nodded as Surge walked out. Shen knew Surge would stick around for a while longer, but by the time the final prep phase was done, it would be too late. Some of Surge's goons went into the chamber, and got to work on tweaking the energy chains to allow Valkyr to move. As they did, Valkyr steadily got more and more angered, snapping at the goons as they worked, making most jump back.

Then came the straw that broke the camel's back: one last violent jaw snapping made a goon jump at the wrong time… And one of the energy chains went offline.

One chain was enough for what followed next.

As soon as that happened, Valkyr grabbed the nearest goon with her free hand, throwing him into the others, causing a panic! As soon as the others had been sent back, Valkyr focused on one thing. Getting free.

Which she did. As soon as she did, the alarms went off, and the entire bunker was set to seal itself.

What followed next was a bout of carnage Shen had only ever seen once in his life, as Valkyr had used this opportunity to kill any goons that got in her way, breaking out of the cell using her absurd strength! She was so physically strong, Knuckles would be blushing at how quickly she tore through bulkheads, shredded armored Zap team members, and even ripped TANKS to shreds, as there were areas in the bunker big enough to house full sized tanks.

Shen's work was done, and he took his leave. He noticed Starline had escaped, but it mattered not to him. If Starline died here, it would have been a bonus, but him living mattered little. He would get his comeuppance.

Shen was just about to make his way home when Valkyr burst out of the cement road, grabbing him, and FLYING off! Once a fair distance away, the tall redhead held the peacock in her hand, her eyes blazing red! She was snarling. Uh oh…

Shen: Wait, just calm down–

Valkyr: You were watching from the shadows. Give me one good reason why–

Shen: Because if I hadn't sent Starline, you wouldn't have gotten angry enough to escape! Think about it! You were sitting in silent anger prior, so I needed to get you to act!

Valkyr stood in silence, and then she carefully set Shen down. Her eyes slowly turned from red to blue as she steadily backed away.

Valkyr: … Don't bother me.

Valkyr took flight before Shen could even respond. Shen was grateful she listened, but now he felt bad for tricking her… He sighs and dusts himself off. Now for the final touch. Shen contacted Surge.

Shen: Surge, Valkyr broke free.

Surge: I know. Starline told me. He's gonna be a bit of a sorry bitch in the next hour.

Shen: I doubt we will be able to find her, she took off faster than anything we've seen.

Surge: We'll find her when we find her. I got a LOT of tracks to cover up, get your ass to the Bar With No Name.

Shen: Understood.

Shen hung up, and he sighs. Today was going to be a LONG day indeed.

Angel Island. 8:40 am.

Valkyr had flown for a good while before she finally decided to land near a body of water. Once down on the ground, she scrambled to get as much water in her system as possible, downing what felt like gallons to her. She had been given very little during her time in Surge's custody, and her first impressions of her soon to be new home weren't great. Chances were she would try the next planet if things got too ugly… She HATED violence.

Having fully rehydrated herself, she finally stopped, breathing in relief as her body had finally gotten enough liquid back in its system to work. She sat there for a full two minutes before she stood up, wiping her face with a small cloth she kept on hand.

Manners maketh the man and the woman, and she couldn't forget hers, even if she was alone.

Well. She WAS alone. Then she heard a twig snap, and she was instantly on high alert.

A small bubbly creature had come flying out of a bush, holding a fruit in its small hands. Valkyr tilted her head as it flew to her, holding the fruit out.

Chao: Chao chao!

Valkyr: … Um… Thank you…

She carefully took the fruit, and then she bit into it… And scarfed it down as it was a damn good fruit. She stopped before she finished, as she realized she had an audience in the form of the Chao floating next to her. The Chao simply gave a cute smile, which Valkyr took as a sign that she could keep eating. Which she did. Slowly.

Once finished, she held a hand out to the small thing, which she decided to set in her hand, smiling at her. She smiled back, and then she went to the nearest tree, climbed it, and sat upon the largest branch that could support her weight.

Valkyr: … You are a smol one. I like you. I'm naming you Cheddar.

Cheddar: Chao.

She smiles and pats Cheddar on the head, sitting there. She then heard movement elsewhere, on high alert again as a red echidna came into view.

Knuckles: Pretty decent haul today. Julie's gonna be happy. Now I just need to–

Knuckles stopped, he too was now on high alert, because he saw Valkyr. She saw him. The two stared at each other but neither made a move. Valkyr broke the silence.

Valkyr: … Can… Can you help me?

Valkyr quickly realized she had spoken in Haldarian, not English. Knuckles looked at her confused.

Knuckles: Uh… Sorry but… I can't understand you.

Valkyr sighs, then she tries again in English.

Valkyr: Can you help me?

Knuckles: Oh! Sorry, I've just never heard your language before. But I do happen to know what you are. You're a Haldarian, right?

Valkyr was excited now. Finally, someone who knew WHAT she was!

Valkyr: Yes, yes I am! How do you…?

Knuckles: My dad, Loke, met one of you guys, said you were great warriors. Honorable, mighty. Very protective of friends and family.

Valkyr was astonished. But where had she heard the name Loke before…? Questions for later.

Knuckles: Anyways, what do you need help with, miss?

Valkyr: I… I need a temporary home. I had a falling out with my younger sibling and… I wanted to avoid hurting her so I came here.

Knuckles: Well… I don't have room at my cabin here on Angel Island. But, I can get a couple friends over and we can build a home for you. Sound good?

Valkyr: Thank you, thank you!

Knuckles: Oh, before I forget, I'm Knuckles. Knuckles the Echidna.

Valkyr: My name is Valkyr Aurelius.

Knuckles: Well, Valkyr, it's nice to meet you.

Knuckles offered a handshake. Once down from the tree, Valkyr knelt down and shook it. Both had immense strength, so they were equally surprised at each other for it…

Sunset Heights. Sonic and Amy's house. 9:30 am.

Sonic: You want my and Tails's help building a new cabin on Angel Island?

Knuckles was on the other end of the phone.

Knuckles: It isn't for me, if that's what you're wondering, Sonic.

Sonic: … Are you and Julie fighting?

Knuckles: No! Look, we have a VERY special guest here. It's a temporary home for her.

Sonic: Her? Ohh boy…

Knuckles: Cut the crap Sonic, I'm NOT and never will cheat on Julie! Besides, she's aware of this new guest too!

Sonic: Oh, okay. Sorry…

Knuckles: It's fine. Seriously though, can you please help?

Sonic: … I'll call Tails about it and we'll swing by, but I'm not making any promises. Who's the special guest, anyways?

Knuckles: Her name is Valkyr, she's a Haldarian!

Sonic: … Say what?

Knuckles: A Haldarian.

Sonic sat in stunned silence. He saw a mural about Haldarians more than a year ago. They ARE real?!

Knuckles: Oh, and you owe me 500 rings.

Sonic: SON OF A BITCH, of course you'd remember the bet!

Knuckles: Not such a knucklehead after all, huh chucklenuts?

Sonic: Fuck you!

Sonic hung up. He sighs, and smiles a bit.

Sonic: … Tails is gonna have a field day.

/And so appears a tall (angy) cuddle monster! :3