Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, Ray is defeated thanks to the combined efforts of Team Freedom and the newly arrived Team Fighter. With Knuckles and Kicks' hospitality, the heroes take a much needed rest, only for news of Eggman's next plan to come to the fore… But before continuing with that story, there is one little story element that was likely forgotten by you, dear readers~ But I didn't~ Sit back and relax as we go back in time a little bit…


In an undisclosed location in a city, a goat dressed in simple village attire enters a room decorated with red carpet and a blue rug. A figure is seen sitting on an elaborately designed chair, with a desk between the figure and the goat as the latter sits on a much less impressive chair. Two human men in black business suits stand on the other end, stoically standing to observe.

Female Voice: "Barnel Milda… Or the Barnyard Basher. I must say, you look a lot more… peasantry than I was hoping for."

Barnel: "Ya'll find that I don't like that kind of talk. Now if ya don't mind… I'd appreciate it if we cut to the chase."

Female Voice: "Fine fine. I hear in the grapevine that you used to be quite a fine member of the Southern Baronies… An ace combatant and an excellent stealth expert."

Barnel: "That life is behind me. If it's muscle work, fine, I can do some heavy liftin'. But as far as doin' shady jobs, I left that when I had my daughter."

Female Voice: "Ah, yes, Lam, right? Well… I'm a fair business woman. You help me in my business and I can assure you and your daughter's well being away from that filth fest of a village on South Island… Otherwise, I can't promise what comes next."

Barnel looks at the figure in the chair before realizing what she meant, standing up in anger.

Barnel: "You better not hurt my little girl, or you will-"

The click sound of a gun is heard as one of the men places the muzzle of his glock to her head. Barnel slowly sits back down… only for the man to slam his fist onto her face, knocking her out of the chair.

Female Voice: "Miss Barnel, I can be a very polite woman on the surface, but trust me when I say that I can get very… very mean if you choose to go against me. And you wouldn't like me when I'm mean…"

Barnel spits out some blood on the floor, glaring at the woman as she had her hands behind her back.

Female Voice: "There's an island my men spotted around this area of the Mobius Ocean. Right from the get go, I recognize it as a facility run by one certain Ivo Robotnik. I want files on his equipment. All of it."

Barnel: "Wh-What for?"

The female figure smiles before stepping closer, revealing herself as Breezie the Hedgehog.

Breezie: "Insurance. That's all the information you'll get."

Receptionist: "Miss Breezie. Miss Honey is calling you about the next sponsor."

Breezie smiles before walking back to her desk, sitting down. The two security personnel grab Barnel as she's escorted out of the room.

Breezie: "I'll take her call now. I just finished my meeting a little early."

Receptionist: "Of course, Miss Breezie."


At Robotnik Island, Barnel arrives at her destination. She sips some tea as she looks at the island from her boat as it came into view. The calm of the sea was thankfully her one source of mental recovery, away from her 'partners'.

Barnel: "Things have gotten a bit noisy lately. Better dock… and see what's up."

She tosses off a weather cloak she was wearing, now covered in more military attire, including combat boots, and being equipped with tools necessary for this mission. With a sigh, she dives into the ocean and swims under the island, entering from the bottom, much like her daughter much later.


Robots worked within the base, with one squirrel in black giving the orders. But Barnel gave no mind to this; she was after one thing - info on Robotnik's tech. She snuck her way to a computer room, guarded by two robots. She pulled out an EMP grenade and tossed it down, electrocuting the robots.

Barnel: "Stupid metal things… I dunno much about this Robotnik, but if he made these machines, then Breezie could use better…"

Barnel plugs in a USB, using it to hack into security with slight ease before finding the files she needed. All kinds of technological data, ranging from data on weaponry, to different robot models - ones that have been built and ones currently in beta testing. The sound of metal stomping coming to the room caught her attention as she quickly dismantled the nearby Egg Robo and fitted herself in it. An Egg Robo patrol enters the room, being greeted by a clumsier Egg Robo.

Egg Robo: "ER-008-253. How is progress on Project Feint for Lord Robotnik?"

Barnel was sweating in the robot suit she was in, nervous as she put on her best robot impression.

Barnel: "O-Oh! It's going great, sir! U-Um… I was… uh… J-Just checking up on Lord R-Robotnik's other projects, see if they are ready for deployment."

The Egg Robo looked at the disguise, approaching with slight suspicion.

Egg Robo: "ER-008-253. Your voice sounds unusual. Is something wrong with your voice module? Do we need to do a check up on your systems?"

Barnel: "N-No, sir! Just a little worked up, you know? But hey, you know? ER-009-752 is quite a jerk, putting me on this lame computer business, right?"

She literally pulled that number out of her butt, hoping it would be a believable bit of chatter. The Egg Robo stares for a moment then starts letting out the most stoic robotic laugh ever.

Egg Robo: "Ha-ha-ha. Yes, ER-009-752 is indeed a jerk. Interestingly, he was sent to South Island as part of a capture operation."

That caught Barnel's attention, causing her to slightly panic at Lam's safety. But she kept her cool and decided to inquire about that operation.

Barnel: "Oh, do tell. How did it go?"

Egg Robo: "Extraction of all fleshy personnel was successful. Current objective now is to convert all captured into robots through Roboticization. They will be happy to serve under the great Lord Robotnik."

Barnel: "Y-Yes… All hail, Lord Robotnik…"

Egg Robo: "All hail, Lord Robotnik. …In any case, I must resume patrol. Resume your job as well, ER-008-253. Good day."

The Egg Robo then leaves, satisfied that everything was in order. Once the Egg Robo was well and thoroughly gone, Barnel gets out of her disguise before collapsing to the floor, the realization of her home being gone hitting her hard. Yes, she didn't love her village, but her daughter… Her precious little Lam was… potentially a robot now… She was, however, unaware of the truth of the matter, that her daughter was looking for her mother. Angered and bitter, Barnel copied all the information she could before taking back the USB, pocketing it away. She then pulled out a satchel charge… several of them. She placed them all on the computer before crawling back through the vent duct she entered through, heading back outside from the bottom again.


Once back on her boat, she glared at the island before pulling out the remote for the satchel charges.

Barnel: "Take my baby away, will ya? I'll see ya'll in HELL!"

She pressed the button, causing a huge explosion to take out part of the mountain, setting off a huge alarm. She cut the rope of her anchor before driving off, a look of fury in her eyes as she made her way back to the waiting Breezie Inc. hired security on a submarine.

Barnel: "I got your information. But ya'll have nothing on me anymore."

Security: "Oh?"

As Barnel glared at the security personnel, she is hit in the back of the head by someone, knocking her to the floor of her boat. She looked up, her vision blurry, but a bat-like woman with a pink heart on her chest could be seen.

Bat: "Sorry, dear. It's just business for me."

Barnel glares at the bat before finally blacking out, feeling someone loot her body before everything shut off.


Barnel wakes up hours later, but she was blindfolded, unable to see her surroundings. But she did hear the sound of high heels, along with the sound of guns being prepped.

Breezie: "My, my, Miss Barnel, you certainly did a fine job. Too bad a hedgehog never forgets a threat."

Barnel: "Where am I? Why can't I move my arms or legs?"

Breezie: "Oh I have you tied down. You know, just in case. Now… One of my personal security told me an interesting tidbit… That I have 'nothing on you'?"

It took a second for Barnel to remember, but once she did, she growled.

Barnel: "My daughter… She's been taken by that Robotnik! Turned into one of his mindless slaves…"

Breezie: "Oh… How sad…"

Barnel is then hit by the swing of a baseball bat to her stomach, causing her intense pain as she felt something break.

Breezie: "But never claim I don't have anything on you. You don't seem to understand just who I really am. I may seem like a typical corporate tycoon - and that is my day job. But when no one is looking, I run a criminal syndicate. Perhaps mention of the mafia comes to your little burnt down village?"

Barnel wasn't able to answer, but even she knew the mafia were bad news. Another bat swing, this time to her leg, causing her to cry out. Her face was then grabbed as Breezie spoke.

Breezie: "Now listen here. I own you now. No matter what you say, I own you, down to your pitiful, broken soul. Your daughter is gone? Don't worry… We'll make the pain go away. In fact, you won't even remember her once we're done with you."

Barnel: "Wh-What…?"

Breezie: "Take her to the Pit, boys. Be sure to treat her… 'nice and gently'."

A couple of laughs are heard as Barnel was dragged away, unable to struggle or do anything to fight back. Breezie simply smiles as one of her underlings approaches.

Underling: "Boss? What about that cat?"

Breezie: "Honey? Hmph. As long as she's raking in money and she doesn't start snooping, she's fine as is. Of course… If the angel ever starts getting too close…"

Breezie pulls out a poster, featuring Honey that Cat in her red dress and angel wings outfit. With lit lighter, the poster catches on fire.

Breezie: "Then those wings may burn off, Icarus…"

She tosses the poster, leaving to a nearby elevator, an evil smile on her face as the elevator doors close.


To be continued…