The atmosphere was electric as the fireworks illuminated the night sky, showering the stadium with vibrant colors. The obstacle course, meticulously designed and set up, was now a stage for the competitors to showcase their skills and determination. The anticipation among the crowd was palpable, and the excitement reached a crescendo as the event was about to begin.
Spectators filled every inch of the stadium, their voices blending in a symphony of noise, screams of excitement from passionate fans mixed with cheers and applause. The sound reverberated through the entire arena, creating a thundering roar that seemed to envelop the surroundings.
Even the most affluent members of society, the wealthy aristocrats, couldn't resist the allure of this competition. Some took the opportunity to place bets, eagerly gambling on which competitor would emerge victorious. The stakes were high, adding an extra layer of tension and excitement to the already-charged ambiance.
As the participants prepared themselves for the challenge ahead, the energy in the stadium was electric. The clangorous firework display was a fitting opening act, setting the stage for the intense competition. The obstacle course became a testament to the competitors' strength, agility, and perseverance, and the anticipation of witnessing their remarkable feats filled the air.
Amidst the sea of spectators, the competitors could feel the weight of expectation. The stadium became packed with people who had come to witness greatness and be a part of something extraordinary. The cheers and applause provided a backdrop of unwavering support, urging the racers to push their limits and strive for victory.
At that moment, the stadium became an arena of dreams, where the convergence of talent, determination, and ambition created an unforgettable spectacle. The firework display was a mere prelude to the magnificent show about to unfold, captivating the hearts and minds of everyone present.
It had a wide shot of a racetrack set up with bizarrely designed maneuvers and tricks as an obstacle course. The immediate surroundings were far more arena-based. Though, everything became a big mix of structures and surfaces. The obstacle course included orange blocks in various forms and enhanced in a pattern of tiny circles, pillars, and vivid meshing.
The internal corridors around the event feature a background pattern of circles carved into the maroon wall. The pathways of the same color stayed decorated with abstract-looking pillars on top. Some are purple or blue, and their sizes vary. Angled chunks of ground near the tops of the acts have become supported by brown pillars and resemble almost casino-like. Flashing neon lights remained above straight areas and usually in pinball bumper areas.
Walking out from a tunnel that leads into the stadium, the competitors in the race were making their way over and lined up at the starting line. They all became busy stretching their limbs to get themselves flexible and eager for the event. The audience's stands had become packed with people of all ages. Everything was finally ready for the racers to give them a much better performance throughout this obstacle course.
Tails, however, became slightly distracted due to the recent encounter with his bullies, each on opposite sides that glared him down. He stayed behind where Sonic stood by the track, trying to collect himself for this moment. He remembered his speedy hero's words about how much it means to be somebody very talented, even if they've come out differently than most people.
When Sonic notices Tails' behavior, he pats his shoulder. "Yo, big guy, what's up with you?"
"O-Oh! Nothing, Sonic!" Tails shook his head, shrugging off Sonic's concern. "Just checking out the scenery for our race, that's all."
When Sonic's expression remained serious, Tails conceded to the speed hero. "Okay, okay! Nobody said it would be easy, but I'm a little afraid of what my friends will do during this event. I mean, you're the Blur Blur. I'm just some weird fox with a mutation. I tried making friends with them, but I'm always an idiot-!"
"Tails, you little pipsqueak, who are these goons kidding when you can beat anything they have? I mean, look at them!" Sonic interrupted his foxy friend with a smirk, picking at his teeth to watch the bullies with their piloting vehicles. "Seriously, these guys are our competition? A couple of slow-mo pinheads with junky jalopies? Of course, they seem a little better, but still, no contest against us and just wasting your time."
Sonic then smirked in a smug mood as he nudged Tails with his elbow. "I mean, come on! Don't these bozos know who they're up against here?"
"Haha, m-me?" Tails nearly laughed at Sonic's enthusiasm, earning a smile from the speedy hedgehog.
"See? Then you got this, big guy! Get your head in the game if you want to do this thing. I know you have it in you. Stop worrying so much about impressing everyone around you. Just do you." Sonic replied, quickly drawing his attention toward the obstacle course ahead.
Tails knew there was nothing to worry about right now for his own sake. His tormentors will see how much he could become to others, and Sonic was here with him too. That left the young fox to only think about winning this obstacle course for the hidden determination he had built up to this point. He could worry about his bullies later after he tries to win the race, which might be easy for someone like Sonic if he wins.
The crowd cheered as Breezie struts out of the stage's curtains with a microphone, doing a twirl. "Welcome, one and all, this is the luscious Breezie! Coming to you live from Spring Yard Casino, bringing the greatest thrills, chills, and spills! How are you all doing tonight?"
Tails looked around, astonished by the overwhelming noise and excitement that filled the air. The dam-breaking announcement triggered a cascade of emotions among the crowd, and their cheers reverberated through the surrounding area. As the fox boy's sensitive ears twitched, he couldn't help but wince at the intensity of the collective cry.
Having spent much of his time in Robotropolis, Tails was no stranger to loud environments. The bustling city had its fair share of noise pollution, but the magnitude of the crowd's reaction surpassed anything he had ever experienced. The roar of the cheering fans echoed off the surrounding mountains, creating a symphony of jubilation that seemed almost surreal.
Despite the intensity, Tails couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement himself. The fox boy had never witnessed such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm. It was a testament to the power of unity and the shared joy after something extraordinary.
"And now, viewers, the inception, the piece de resistance, the event you've been waiting for: the obstacle course! Can our contestants show an iron will and a wolf's cunning to become the winner of this year's race? I wonder...!" Breezie stands by the starting line as she continues speaking. "There will be a trophy and a cash bonus for whoever crosses the finish line."
All the spectators seemed to roar and cheer louder with delight when they saw a golden trophy cup full of money, not to mention Breezie holding up a purple Chaos Emerald. "As well as the prize of a Chaos Emerald!"
Breezie walked over to where Sonic stood, proud of himself as he made two peace signs with his hands. "In the corner right here is our mysterious speedster: The Blue Blur!"
Sonic basked in the crowd's adoration as they erupted into cheers and applause. His cocky yet heroic attitude only seemed to fuel their enthusiasm further. With a confident expression on his face, he reveled in the recognition of his fans.
The sound of clapping hands filled the air, blending with the excited chatter of the audience. Among them, Sonic could hear the distinctive voices of fangirls eagerly vying for his attention. Their pleas for pictures and autographs reached his ears, a testament to his status as a speedster.
While Sonic smiled back at the excited crowd, he soon noticed Breezie coming over to introduce his twin-tailed friend. "Well, well, well. Who is this? A little shy, are we? No matter! The next newcomer over here, a young, cute underdog with big hopes and dreams: Turbo Tails!"
Once the revelation was done by Breezie, Tails' face turned into a deep scarlet, stuttering out as attention was on him. The audience seemed to get mixed between agreeing or disagreeing with the strange arrival of a young fox with two tails. Some of the crowd then burst into shouts, questioning the twin-tailed boy's appearance until it made Tails try to ignore the people and their opinions of him.
Even Bearenger stared wordlessly at his pathetic punching bag alongside Falke and Carrotia. But surprisingly enough, as Tails struck a confident pose, imitating his idol Sonic, the crowd's mixed reactions began to shift. The sight of the young fox displaying such determination and resilience resonated with others in the audience. They started to appreciate his boldness and saw him in a new light, recognizing the potential within him.
Even Breezie became taken aback by Tails' sudden change in attitude. She had expected him to shrink away under the scrutiny and criticism, but instead, he found strength within himself and embraced it. She saw a spark in his eyes that she hadn't noticed before, making her genuinely pleased as she continued with the other contestants. Encouraged by Sonic's approving gaze and the newfound applause from the crowd, Tails started to regain his confidence.
As Falke revved the engine of his yellow hoverbike, the crowd's attention shifted to him. The sound of the motor filled the air, creating an electric atmosphere. He skillfully maneuvered the hoverbike, showcasing its agility and speed. With a mischievous grin, Falke unleashed a volley of mines that scattered across the track, ready to explode upon impact. The crowd watched in awe as the mines floated midair, creating a challenging obstacle for the other contestants.
Following Falke's performance, it was Carrotia's turn to shine. She took control of her unique vehicle, resembling a carrot, which drew laughter and intrigue from the audience. As she skillfully navigated the track, Carrotia demonstrated mastery over the vehicle's abilities. She fired crossfires of small carrot-shaped homing missiles, aiming them precisely at her targets. To add some flair, she blew a kiss, causing the projectiles to explode in kiss-shaped blasts of pink energy. The crowd cheered, captivated by Carrotia's whimsical and powerful display.
Finally, it was Bearenger's turn to showcase his skills. He confidently took control of a sizeable, light blue rocket with a fierce shark's face painted on it. The anticipation grew as the crowd wondered what this unique vehicle could do. Bearenger wasted no time demonstrating its power, firing a barrage of tiny projectiles through the air. Each object hit its mark, impressing the onlookers with Bearenger's accuracy and control.
With each contestant's performance, the crowd became more engaged and excited. They marveled at the variety of skills and abilities on display, appreciating the creativity and uniqueness of each vehicle. The competition had become a spectacle, and the audience awaited what would come next, ready to cheer for the contestants.
"Now, it's Robecca's honor and mine to announce that you can now, if you don't run off scared and wet your pants or scream, "Oh! Mommy, make it stop!" Start the obstacle course! And inside, you might come out on top and win your rewards! But I think I'll get to keep them because nobody has ever come out of this maze alive, of course! Ohohohoho, yes, that's entertainment!" Breezie struck a pose, her palm vertically to the side of her mouth as she hollered.
As Robecca held the blank starter pistol, she addressed the participants. With a smile, she explained the race rules or the lack thereof. "There are no rules in this race except to stay on the marked course," she declared, her voice filled with excitement. The participants gathered around, eagerly awaiting further instructions.
"On your marks...!" Robecca called out, preparing to kick off the race. The racers shifted their weight, poised and ready to begin. Anticipation filled the air as everyone braced themselves for the start.
On a large board, the screen countdown from ten as Sonic and Tails waited patiently so the race could start. Each racer began to prepare themselves. They got into their positions, ready to race through Spring Yard Casino's obstacle course. Sonic was already circulating his feet hastily while at a standstill. Tails spun up both his namesakes like a helicopter with enough speed like Sonic. When the large board reaches zero, that shows the initiation.
"Get set...GO!" Robecca finally fires the starter pistol into the air, signifying the starting time.
All the contestants surged forward, with Sonic taking the lead as he could feel all his worries and doubts fly away from him with the wind. But even though he was already quite ahead of everyone else, he slowed a bit to allow a few racers to pass. After all, what fun would a race be if there wasn't any challenge at all?
"And we're off! It's every man for himself now!" Breezie's voice sounded off from the microphone. "This is highly irregular, but it's great for ratings! So, let's watch them have at it for the Chaos Emerald!"
"This…this is exhausting! How is he able to keep going at a maximum rate? Maybe if I…!" Tails pondered in thought before swinging his twin tails faster this time and traveling alongside Sonic.
The duo was already the first to take the front while the hovercrafts moved behind. Not to mention the Fly-Bots that secretly follow the racers for video recording on a widescreen show, specifically Sonic and Tails. Speaking of the blue hedgehog, he couldn't help but grin at how much impressive speed the two-tailed fox had when propelling himself.
"Huh, this small-timer's keeping up with me pretty good. Nobody's been able to do that with me before. Well, as long as this kid sticks by me, he won't worry about those so-called friends of his. All he has to do is keep up in this race." Sonic deliberated as he looked surprised at how fast Tails was and could keep up with him.
Sonic soon came to rethink that thought as he and Tails almost got hit by one of Falke's mines. But the blue hedgehog swerved with the young fox beside him, causing it to collide through a wall nearby.
"Heh, don't get too pumped, you bunch of loonies! We're just cruising along here!" Sonic smirked at the deranged wolf, who giggled sinisterly at the duo.
"Oh, look, it's a hedgehog! Tee-hee, hedgehogs! I like hedgehogs! Hedgehogs are fun! YAY, FOR FUN! I LIKE FUN! Woohoo! Yeah! Are you a hedgehog? Cause you look like a hedgehog! Hedgehogs generally look like hedgehogs! YAY! I have to put you to sleep now! Yay for sleep! Yay, in general! YAY!" Falke rambled quickly, looking like he had eaten enough candies to cause a major sugar rush.
"Okay, this guy is scaring the heck out of me...!" Sonic continued to run away with Tails beside him.
"Aw, I'm not scary! I'm fluffing adorable! Don't you think so? CAUSE I DO! And so do so many people who I don't know! YAY! I LIKE SAYING YAY! Do you? Yay!" Falke shoots mines at Sonic and Tails multiple times on his hoverbike.
The duo kept their pace as they struggled to evade the wolf's mines, still in the lead with each tormentor hightailing after them. Sonic and Tails kept their pace next to each other, approaching a set of floating blocks moving over a deep gap. The racers had to proceed carefully between these large blocks as the outer ones moved oppositely to the middle ones. Sonic knew it would be easy to get caught just between the edges.
"Blue Blur and Turbo Tails are in the lead, and they're now approaching the first obstacle: the Crush Cubes! Timing is crucial here to avoid getting squashed like a pancake!" Breezie's voice boomed.
Soon, Sonic and Tails started leaping on top of the boxes, with Sonic slightly in the lead. Meanwhile, Carrotia had crashed onto one of the blocks in the back, looking nauseous.
"Th-this isn't at all what I had in mind!" Carrotia complained.
"News flash, little miss schoolgirl! You snooze, you lose!" Sonic smirked at the white rabbit, who looked away for her goon friends to arrive.
Sonic and Tails continued their descent down the long shaft, maneuvering carefully from one block to another. Tails found Sonic's antics amusing and nearly giggled at his friend's playful nature. Meanwhile, Bearenger, Falke, and Carrotia had a rough time fitting themselves and their hovercrafts through the narrow shaft. Frustrated, Bearenger cursed loudly at Sonic and Tails up ahead, vowing to make them pay.
"ARGH! I'll make you fail so hard you'll die under my shoe!" Bearenger shouted arrogantly, baring his sharp teeth in anger.
Falke chuckled at Bearenger's outburst, finding his aggressive attitude amusing. However, Carrotia reprimanded them, reminding them of their mission.
"Cool it, you two! We won't disappoint Granny Witchcart," Carrotia scolded, giving Falke a smack on his head. "She ordered us to enter the obstacle course and win the Chaos Emerald! Once we correct our mistakes, that fox is not crossing that finish line."
The two cohorts fell silent, understanding they needed to focus on their objective. They were determined to prove themselves to Granny Witchcart and ensure the two-tailed fox won't succeed in this race.
Finally hopping down below, the duo accessed much narrower internal passages that feature several spiky traps and steep slopes on the entrances and exits. As Sonic and Tails hurried through a section, passing a couple of dangerous spiky objects, they stopped short at a squad of Buzz-Bombers appearing out of nowhere onto the track, each with a spiked ball and chain attached to their abdomens.
"Well, look what we have here! A few of our fans have turned the tables on our little game!" Breezie's voice sounded, much to both Sonic and Tails' annoyance.
"Of course, I should've guessed Butt-Nik would pull a fast one by giving beeswax droppers some new kicks!" Sonic frowned, suddenly getting his hands full by dodging spiky balls flung at him by the Buzz-Bombers.
The bee-based Badniks began rapidly swinging the spiky balls at Sonic, who dodged around left and right before tucking into a ball and smashing several of the Buzz-Bombers. However, more bee-based Badniks showed up. They buzzed around to hold Sonic at one spot.
Watching Sonic avoid such harm from the bee-based Badniks, Tails couldn't help but wonder why the Badniks were attacking him and Sonic. And when the speedy hero spun into a ball and destroyed one Buzz-Bomber, he saw a little critter escape from it.
"What the...? Why are there animals inside the Badniks? Dr. Robotnik told me that they were programmed to help the world! What's going on here?!" Tails pondered loudly within his thoughts.
Nevertheless, some of the Buzz-Bombers gave their attention to Tails, who was still in his racing persona, causing him to back away a bit.
Tails dropped his persona and pleaded fearfully. "W-Wait, Badniks, stop fighting! It's me, Miles-!"
Suddenly, Bearenger piloted his rocket vehicle to strike Tails harshly down from behind, and the other contenders took their opportunity to leap ahead, unbothered by the Buzz-Bombers. Meanwhile, Sonic's eyes widened as he whirled around to see Tails' bullies emerge from the blocky trail behind him.
"AHA! THAT'S RIGHT, EAT MY DUST, FREAK!" Bearenger snickered cruelly, with Falke tittering in acknowledgment.
"Aw, you look so sad! Some candy will cheer you up, freaky boy! It most certainly cheered me up! I like candy! CANDY IS SO GREAT!" Falke blew a raspberry at Tails, chucking some sweets harshly at his face.
"Bye-bye, cuties! It's every mobian for themselves!" Carrotia gloated as she blew a kiss at the duo.
"Hey, that's cheating! Get back here!" Sonic shouted at the eccentric goons, watching them laugh wickedly at their amusing ways to get ahead.
"It's anything-goes in Spring Yard Casino! The other contestants are in the lead while Blue Blur and Turbo Tails are left to strive, but it's anyone's game now!" Breezie speaks into her microphone while Sonic struggles against the Buzz-Bombers with balls on chains.
"You're not helping, lady! Let's get this goofy game over with, win the Chaos Emerald, and get out of here." Sonic then curls into a spiky ball and rams into several more Buzz-Bombers, destroying them as cute animals pop out.
"Tails?" Sonic shouted back over where Tails remained, raising an eyebrow credulously at how silent yet troubled he was acting. "TAILS! Get a hold of yourself! We gotta get going!"
"H-Huh, w-what? Oh, right! Sorry!" Tails questioned, snapping out of his anxiety while sounding alarmed by this discovery.
Sonic watched as Tails made his way over to follow the speedy hedgehog. But suddenly, on cue, a trapdoor opened up beneath Sonic's feet until he got dropped down a dark chute. Sonic screamed as he fell inside, alarming Tails when he tried to catch his idol's hand, only for the trapdoor to close shut.
"SONIC!" Tails shouted with a hint of fright in his voice, staring at where Sonic was getting taken to right now.
But much of that would have to wait for Tails as fewer Buzz-Bombers tried attacking him from behind, just in time for the young fox to jump out of the way. Stepping back for this moment, Tails quickly pulled back his hood, placing his goggles back onto his forehead until each Buzz-Bomber stopped altogether.
"Y-You know me, d-don't you?" Tails muttered.
The bee-based Badniks scanned the young fox's appearance for a few seconds and buzzed off elsewhere, leaving Tails to glance at where the trapdoor remained.
"Don't worry, Sonic. I'll do something about this!" Tails pondered what had just happened, remembering there was no time to be a crybaby. "I'm going to win this race! That's right! I can do this! Even without Sonic, I can keep calm all on my own!"
Tails had a look of determination to replace his fearful expression previously, knowing every detail of what he had to do now: win this race just like his idol said he would do. He had already made up his mind. Tails energetically winded up both his namesakes again before blasting off at full speed down the racetrack, hoping to find Sonic once this was all over.
"You followed me and saw me change into my true identity, mobian! Now, you die!" Meta-Morphia intends to crush Bunnie, having turned her hand into a giant hammer.
Bunnie gritted her teeth as she flinched, using enough energy to bounce off to the side when Meta-Morphia pounded through the ground and caused a tiny tremor. Meta-Morphia scoffed and then raised her hands, two metallic blades morphing from her arms to prepare for battle.
"You're not gettin' away with that Chaos Emerald, you clodhopper!" Bunnie frowned.
"Oh, please," Meta-Morphia mocked. "I've been able to trick you and that stupid little princess an hour ago. What makes you think you have a chance against one of Dr. Robotnik's elite?"
"Because missy, I've already found you out soon after that creepy gig of yours earlier," Bunnie remarked, flexing her robotized arm with a fist. "I also busted a lot of bots all day here and there. So it's easy to assume you're tryin' to be the bee's knees for some egg-shaped fat boy."
"NEVER INSULT DR. ROBOTNIK'S NAME!" Meta-Morphia growled lowly. "You've all faced something like his power before, considering your robotized status as of now?"
With that comment, Bunnie's heart ached madly. She nearly felt like a part of her had almost died, creating a scowl as tears welled while Meta-Morphia giggled evilly.
"Struck a nerve, didn't I?" Meta-Morphia grinned wildly. "Well, why don't you use your robotized powers, thanks to your most wonderful ruler, and take the Emerald from me-?"
Bunnie became saved the trouble the moment when Sally's explosive arrow, who saw Meta-Morphia get blown off through a tree as she ran to her rescue.
"Bunnie, are you okay?" Sally asked worriedly as she then leaned in closer to inspect her best friend, who nodded quietly.
When Sally noticed Bunnie had tears wiped from her eyes, she looked at her softly yet firmly for an answer. "What did that thing do?"
But much had to be done once Meta-Morphia climbed out of her impact spot. She transformed into an orange-like monstrosity and tried to claw at the princess. Thankfully, Bunnie glared over at Meta-Morphia, unleashing a spinning kick that struck the shape-shifting Badnik's left cheek.
"Good work, Bunnie." Sally admired.
"Shucks! Don't mention it, Sally-Girl." Bunnie rolled her eyes with a slight blush.
"Now, what did you hope to gain by posing as a random girl, whoever you are?" Sally was then giving Meta-Morphia a death glare as she held her bow and arrow.
"Dr. Robotnik sent me to disguise myself, gain each of your trust, and destroy you ONE BY ONE!" Meta-Morphia pointed at the princess before lunging after the two girls. "NOW IT LOOKS AS IF I'LL DESTROY YOU ALL AT ONCE!"
"Look out!" Bunnie warned. "She's chargin' again!"
Meta-Morphia had every intention of doing that, and she raised her claw. But Sally was too quick and silently shot the shape-shifting Badnik with her arrows, completely pinning Meta-Morphia's limbs to a tree. Meta-Morphia's head shot up, and her eyes had a frantic look as if she was getting ambushed. Then, Sally begins to aim a bomb arrow directly at where Meta-Morphia endured.
"Give us back the Emerald you stole, NOW!" Sally's glare hardened as Meta-Morphia smiled nervously at the furious princess.
Hesitating, Meta-Morphia struggled herself out before reverting and making a run for it across Jungle Labyrinth. Each with a frown, the two girls pounced their way to chase after Meta-Morphia while she held the blue Chaos Emerald. Meta-Morphia moved onward at a fast pace. Sally had enough and shot off an arrow straight after Meta-Morphia, who dodged it.
Meta-Morphia then jumped to seize one of the trees, but Bunnie grabbed both Meta-Morphia's legs. That made her give off a small cry and land on the ground. She looked up to see that Sally was getting closer, as Meta-Morphia then turned back at Bunnie and kicked her hands away to do a slide-kick to her feet, but Bunnie backflipped.
The southern belle slid underneath, grabbing Meta-Morphia's arms and pulling her under until crashing on her back. Meta-Morphia growled at Bunnie before her face dropped in shock to see the smug rabbit holding out the blue Chaos Emerald. The shape-shifting Badnik then turns into an amorphous mass of orange goo, surprising Bunnie to her core.
"Oh, my stars!" Bunnie exclaimed as she stood back a bit.
"I can quickly take any shape, you outlaws! How well can you fight in sticky goo?" Meta-Morphia smiled as if nothing weird is going on, wrapping her clinging tendrils onto the muffled Bunnie to release the Chaos Emerald.
"Well, I'm sure I can stir things up a bit!" Sally quickly took her bow and shot Meta-Morphia with two bomb arrows.
Each small explosion caused Meta-Morphia to cry out and let go of Bunnie on the ground, who eventually gasped for air. As she begins to recuperate herself, the southern belle snatched a nearby vine long enough for Sally to grab the other side. The duo started sprinting around Meta-Morphia, wrapping the vine around her to prevent her from escaping while she protested.
"Sorry to give you the ol' runaround..." Bunnie smirked when she finished sprinting. "...but you've gotta face the fact that you just got outnumbered!"
And with that, Bunnie used all her might to pull the vine and cause Meta-Morphia to twirl extremely fast until she collapsed, dizzily.
"C-Curse you, Freedom Fighters! But I'm still lucky enough to have the Chaos Emerald!" Meta-Morphia murmured, getting herself back up with the gemstone in hand.
Shaking off the daze with a slight groan, Meta-Morphia reverted again before retreating to climb up a giant waterfall up ahead by jumping from platform to platform. Sally and Bunnie quickly pursued Meta-Morphia, where Jungle Labyrinth's enormous waterfall took place. Bunnie hoisted Sally alongside as she hopped onward. Increasing enough energy from her robotized abilities, Bunnie carried Sally along the trip up the platforms from left to right.
"Bunnie," Sally told her best friend, reloading an arrow to her bow. "I need you to throw me up onto one of the stages so I can catch up to the Badnik!"
"Gotcha, Sally-Girl!" Bunnie replied before letting out a loud shout. "YEE-HAW!"
After Sally's direct order, Bunnie used her robotized arm to spin like a tornado. She shot her leader beyond ahead to soar after Meta-Morphia. The shape-shifting Badnik clenched her teeth in a frightful rage as Sally shot an arrow through one of the platforms underneath Meta-Morphia's next step, causing her to slip off with a shriek.
Once Sally landed on a platform where Meta-Morphia was beneath her, the shape-shifting Badnik morphed her arm into a grappling hook to seize one of the rocky stagings. And with a snarl, Meta-Morphia bounced straight up until she uppercuts the princess in the chin, sending her flying to the very top of the waterfall.
Grunting, Sally soon picked herself up from the ground and ran over to check if Meta-Morphia was coming up next. The princess kept an arrow on the bow as it pointed directly toward the same stepping spot, fully ready to take on Meta-Morphia when the chance came. However, surprisingly enough, Bunnie's organic hand seized onto the waterfall's peak and gasped for a turn to puff some air in her lungs.
"A-A l-little...help, Sally?" Bunnie wheezes as Sally descends her bow and arrow to grasp both her best friend's hands.
"Bunnie, are you okay?! I thought you were still down below when you threw me! Where did that Badnik go?" Sally exclaimed, using enough of her strength to pull Bunnie up onto the surface.
"S-She nearly tripped me, though, I got here as fast as I could! I thought I saw Meta-Morphia change form from a rocket into a thistle! It's over the edge of the waterfall!" Bunnie interpreted as best as she could, though Sally was still a bit dubious of how quick her best friend got here.
"Okay, I'd better take a look then!" Sally said with a glare, stepping a bit close enough for her to find no sight of anything below the waterfall. "There's no sign of a thistle, Bunnie...or should I say...!"
Before Sally could say anything more, the copy's robotized arm became morphed into a scythe blade and lunged after. "TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, PRINCESS!"
Thankfully, Sally's other hand caught the morphed robotized arm as the fake counterpart reverted into Meta-Morphia. As the shape-shifting Badnik had pinned down Sally and was about to stab the chipmunk girl through the eye, she kept the scythe blade away to prevent any harm.
"Grr, Bunnie is never that helpless! What did you do to her?" Sally struggled against Meta-Morphia's powerful grip.
"Bad luck for your half-cyborg friend! And now, it's all over for you, princess! Dr. Robotnik's plans will come to fruition by the time you and your little Freedom Fighters are right in the palm of his hand." Meta-Morphia scowled at her while the blue Chaos Emerald was in her other hand.
"S-Shut up! We will always be able to stop him, just like Sonic will too! I already trust him just as much as he trusts me to put an end to Robotnik's plans and his contraptions like you!" Sally countered back at the shape-shifting Badnik, who just so happens to giggle at such absurdity.
"Do you believe that you can trust that miserable hedgehog? Robotnik should've known that he was nothing more than a deceitful punk, especially for the poor life he had spent in once was Mobotropolis!"
"W-What are you talking about?" Sally asked through gritted teeth, yet somewhere in her mind was wondering what the shape-shifting Badnik implied.
"The hedgehog had lied to you, princess. Robotnik's plans for Mobotropolis were going to be perfect! Until that annoying klutz showed up and ruined everything, filled him with such EVIL! Robotnik will get payback at the hedgehog for doing this to him! Mobius all shall feel pain as my master feels NOW!"
Sally's expression stayed firm, yet it started to crack a bit when hearing Meta-Morphia speak about Sonic like that. She didn't know what to believe right now. Meta-Morphia mentioned that Sonic lived in Mobotropolis with Charles. The speedy hero had lied to her and Bunnie somehow.
Sally could tell from Sonic's actions when he told them about his story, whether personally or in terms of his family of related inferences. Before Sally could ponder a bit more, her eyes sneakily took a glance down to see Bunnie's stretched robotic arm wrapped around Meta-Morphia's ankle.
"Well, then go ahead and tell your master how Mobius feels about his plans!" Sally shouted, knowing that she needed to get away from the shape-shifting Badnik.
Perplexed, Meta-Morphia didn't catch Sally's words until Bunnie flung her above them. Using enough time to step back up, Sally aimed and shot an arrow to strike the Chaos Emerald out of Meta-Morphia's claws. Having Bunnie's stretched robot arm come forth and catch the gemstone naturally, the duo moved away as Meta-Morphia impacted onto her feet to cause a tiny tremor.
The shape-shifting Badnik turned around to snarl, "WHY YOU! GIVE ME THE EMERALD-!"
An immediate crack came from beneath Meta-Morphia's feet, starting to break off as she suddenly began to slip away from the waterfall's peak. Her eyes could only widen in confusion and fear before shrieking and falling off the enormous waterfall down below the bottom of the river.
"I WILL GET YOOOOU...!" Meta-Morphia manages to yell out before disappearing.
Sally and Bunnie panted after watching the shape-shifting Badnik trip and fell from their viewpoint. They both step over to the edge of the waterfall again and then glance at each other, embracing with relief that they are okay.
"You good, Sally-Girl?" Bunnie asked shakily.
"Yes, of course," Sally answered, yet everything that had transpired now had stressed her deeply as she tries to hide it. "Bunnie, we got the Chaos Emerald, right?"
"That's right, Sally," Bunnie held out the Chaos Emerald that had an azure glow in her robotized hand, in which Sally quickly checks the gemstone.
"Good...that's good." Sally nodded, seeming a bit downcast to Bunnie's attention.
"You sure you're okay, Sally? We got the Emerald back, and we only need to find one of them chunky Super Badniks too." Bunnie asked as she puts a hand on her shoulder, receiving a single nod from her best friend.
"I know, I know, I'm just a bit...overwhelmed, but I'm fine. Thank you, Bunnie." Sally stated, earning a concerned nod from the southern belle.
"Anytime, Sally-Girl."
Their hearts pounding with excitement and curiosity, Sally and Bunnie finally reached the location of the long-lost ancient ruins. Standing before them was the entrance, a square-shaped cavern that seemed to swallow the cascading waters of the majestic waterfall. This enigmatic portal marked the beginning of going into the cryptic maze concealed within.
With every step they took, an aura of ancient secrets enveloped them. The air seemed charged with mystique as they entered the labyrinthine corridors of the forgotten crypt. The walls were adorned with faded symbols and inscriptions, remnants of a civilization long gone. As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the daylight faded, and darkness clung to every corner like a shroud.
"...wwWHOA-! OOF!"
In due time, Sonic hurtled into a small, circular pit, landing face-first with his spines blown back into their usual position. Though momentarily dazed, he mustered the strength to rise to his feet, steadily shaking off the disorientation. As he gazed upward, he noticed the trapdoor had resettled above him.
"Jeez, was that all they've got? Maybe I rushed into this a bit too hastily," Sonic remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice as he shook his head. "But hey, if any of these jokers think they can take a cheap shot at me during the race, they've got another thing coming."
The ground beneath him began to sink just as Sonic was speaking. "This can't be good-!"
The floor shot up before Sonic could finish his sentence, forcefully launching him into the air.
"WHOA!" Sonic yelled out as he got flung around like a pinball, peering below to spot numerous star-adorned red bumpers and flippers.
Sure enough, he had been thrown into a colossal pinball table. Drawing on his instincts, Sonic quickly curled himself into a ball of destruction, bounding off the bumpers with the skill of a ricocheting bullet.
"Okay, I've had my fill of this!" Sonic grunted, feeling the strain from the relentless bouncing.
After a wild yet thrilling ride, the swift hero expertly launched off the flippers, landing safely back on the ground.
"Well, what do you know! I made it out of that hectic flurry! Man, this place looks pretty old and boring for my standards." Sonic muttered, spotting a few cobwebs with a slight cough, clearing them away, and walked around on a walkway composed of brown blocks. "It'll be over soon once I find a way out of this crummy bin."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that! Cause your troubles are just-a starting, hedge-a-hog!"
Hearing that strange voice, Sonic whirled himself around and saw the Marxio Brothers just standing there like they have been waiting for him. The speedy hedgehog blinked in a blank surprise at these parody-looking humans, observing them up and down.
"I mean, is this a throw of the dice or what, boys?" Grouchio smirked at his two siblings, snickering like some swindler.
"Uh..." Sonic began, looking unamused. "...who the heck are you showtime-rejects supposed to be?"
"I'm-a Grouchio and this is Chicio and Harpio! And we're the-a Marxio Brothers!" Grouchio declared, grinning like it's no big deal.
As Harpio tooted his horn once for effect, Sonic rolled his eyes before ignoring the siblings toward another exit. "Yeah, sorry, but I don't like clowns as much, so I got a race and a Chaos Emerald to win. You know a way out of here, or should I find one myself-?"
Out of nowhere, an enormous, metallic claw-like pincer slammed down in front of Sonic as it startled him back a few feet. His eyes reached up to where he spotted a massive Crab-Meat scuttled nearby the Marxio Brothers, towering over Sonic.
"Holy...crap...!" Sonic mumbled with another step back, just as the monstrous Crab-Meat glowers down toward the speedy hero.
"We're-a getting paid a pretty penny that's worth a king's ransom by Dr. Robotnik to fix-a this place up for Breezie the Hedgehog!" Chicio told Sonic, crossing his arms proudly. "And that also includes-a taking you out as well, hedge-a-hog!"
"Uh, say what now?!" Sonic shouted, glowering at the siblings with his arms crossed. "Seriously, how many times do I have to teach that fat dude a lesson, and here you bunch of bad apples are helping him through a mondo beating?!"
"Please! It's only business, kiddo," Grouchio replied with a wave of a hand calmly. "It's nothing personal against the likes of you unless you're getting in our way of making a profit. So, let's see how you handle our big boy!"
"Yeah, with pleasure," Sonic beamed a challenging look at the Crab-Meat as it placed its gaze on the speedy hero, firing two balls of energy from inside its pincers.
Sonic quickly zipped to the side, coming around to dodge each point from where the Crab-Meat's energy balls plowed through the ground. Just then, homing missiles had gotten launched from the Super Badnik, destroying the place around as it missed Sonic each time.
"Who'd have thought that we'd be the ones to polish off the famous Blue Blur!" Chicio gloated.
"With my brains, how could we lose?" Grouchio puts his hands on his hips.
"What-a you mean?" Chicio looked confused. "This-a trap, she was my idea!"
"Oh, trying to take all the credit for yourself, eh?" Grouchio glared as he pointed his cigar at his sibling, who recoiled. "We'll discuss this later after this hedge-a-hog meets his demise, Chicio!"
After a few moments of Sonic evading each attack, the Super Badnik fired one more homing missile as it eventually caught the blue hedgehog in his shoulder, knocking him against a wall.
"You clowns aren't going to beat me any worse than Dr. Robotnik tried to last time!" Sonic shouted, hissing in pain with a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, you can't blame us for trying, spikey!" Grouchio crosses his arms with a smirk.
"Besides, we don't-a know what that Chaos Emerald is, but it seemed pretty important for us than letting you have it all-a to yourself," Chicio added.
"Enough babbling, Chicio! Crab-Bot, attack him!" Grouchio dictated.
As the menacing Crab-Meat charged relentlessly toward Sonic, he instinctively winced, anticipating the imminent clash. Without hesitation, he coiled into his signature ball of destruction, gathering energy as he prepared to strike. With a powerful surge, Sonic lunged forward, ramming into the front of the Crab-Meat with tremendous force, momentarily stunning the robotic adversary.
Seizing the opportunity, Sonic nimbly rebounded off the Crab-Meat's metallic exterior, utilizing the surrounding elements like a seasoned acrobat. He transformed into a blur of motion. Sonic launched a rapid barrage of spin attacks. Each spin attack hit its mark with pinpoint accuracy. He unleashed a fierce force that tore through the Crab-Meat's vulnerable eyepieces. The mechanical opponent faltered under the relentless assault, its movements slowing until it eventually crashed heavily to the ground.
"T-This idea of yours was dumb, Chicio!" Grouchio grumbled in defeat as he hurried away with his siblings.
"Oh, so it is-a my idea again, is it?" Chicio rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Utilizing his remarkable speed and agility, Sonic leaped skyward from the Crab-Meat's head and swiftly curled up before descending at a tremendous velocity. As Sonic struck through the Crab-Meat's head, it shattered into fragments and exploded. That prompted the Marxio Brothers to shield themselves from the debris. Once safely on the ground, Sonic took a brief moment to catch his breath before stopping. He noticed a shadowy figure emerging from the wreckage, accompanied by a swarm of tiny critters escaping their confinement.
A male walrus, plump and tall compared to the other Freedom Fighters. He had violet fur with darker toes and fingers. Peach skin on his chest and muzzle, two ivory tusks, and green eyes. He sported a backward yellow cap, teal overalls, a reddish-brown tool belt with equipment and gizmos, red and white sneakers, and yellow fingerless gloves with white buckles.
"Ugh, I'm going to feel that one in the morning...!" The walrus groaned, rubbing his head to try and alleviate the migraine.
"You cool, dude?" Sonic called out, catching the walrus's attention.
He came over as he wiped some debris off himself. "Y-Yeah, it nearly felt like I was napping way too long. But really, thanks for getting me out of there, pal! My name is Joe Sushi, but you can call me Rotor, by the way. Who are you-?"
Before the walrus could utter another word to Sonic, their attention was diverted as the Marxio Brothers advanced on them. The three siblings brandished a motley assortment of objects, such as staffs, pipes, and wrenches, poised to attack and unleash their aggression upon Sonic and Rotor.
"Of course, you realize this means war, you blue runt!" Grouchio frowned alongside two of his brothers.
"Well, er..." Rotor tried to say, unsure of his words.
"Listen up, mustache-chops," Sonic sighed, rolling his eyes as he reminded Grouchio. "I just took down another one of Butt-Nik's lame Super Badniks by myself, and all three of you bozos are just human electricians with useless pieces of sticks and other stuff. I mean, what do you expect is going to happen next if you wanna' throw down on me and my pal, Rotor here?"
With that said from Sonic, the Marxio Brothers glanced at one another and back at the blue hedgehog in a sweat as they soon lost their bravado. They immediately dropped their weapons and ran away as far as they could from Sonic, who smirked in response while Rotor seemed intrigued by Sonic's actions.
"Ha! Thought so!" Sonic said with a snicker.
"Whew, that was a close one!" Rotor smiled with a hint of relief in his voice. "I almost thought those weirdo humans had us for sure."
"It's no problem unless some bullies start picking on my friends, Rote." Sonic then exchanges a friendly handshake with the walrus, who finds his comment heartwarming. "Sonic the Hedgehog, by the way. Sally and Bunnie are alright too, in case you're wondering."
"That's awesome! Thank you, Sonic!" Rotor exclaimed with a smile on his face.
"I know, I know," Sonic rolled his eyes, stepping past Rotor while he waved a hand for him to follow. "Come on, we better find a way out of gloom-burg here so I can touch back with my friend in the race!"
"Wait a sec, Sonic!" Rotor grabbed the speedy hedgehog to an abrupt halt, pulling a device from his tool belt to show him. "I heard that the games and slot machines here became rigged, so I made this disruptor."
"Huh, so you can make gizmos and whatnot?" Sonic asked, growing interested.
"You can say that," Rotor responded. "Sally and I designed it to re-program a master computer around here. So that way, the gaming machines will payout to those who have gotten duped out of their money. Make this a surprise for iron-lips."
Before Sonic could say something else, he soon settled to think this through. That mobian dog from earlier got cheated out of his money and house. He needs to stop all of this hypnotizing gambling nonsense. Not only that, Tails might probably be all alone in this race for the Chaos Emerald, but this still could be a chance for the kid to win against his bullies on his own.
As much as Sonic's ego was all about being the fastest thing alive right now in this race, lives must always come first before anything else. Sooner or later, he will get that Chaos Emerald when the people here are safe and sound.
With nothing more to think about the race, Sonic then nods. "Good backup call, Rotor! Let's do your plan and waste that main computer of Butt-Nik's!"
Rotor nodded in acknowledgment, walking over to hop on Sonic's back as the speedy hero charged up to zoom away and find the main computer room.
TO BE CONTINUED...