Within the heart of Robotropolis, the ever scheming Dr. Robotnik is seen playing… ahem, strategizing with a box set of dolls representing a different female member of the Freedom Fighters.

Robotnik: "Oh those foolish Freedom Fighters get under my skin. But nothing more so than these girly teens!"

Robotnik then leans in, starting to play as each character in a mock version of their voices.

Sally (Robotnik): "Look out, Sonic! Robotnik has you under his thumb!"

Bunnie (Robotnik): "I can't look. Robotnik is too strong for us, Sal!"

Sonic (Robotnik): "Don't worry! I'll find out a way out of this!"

Robotnik: "Oh you won't this time, you spineless twerp! Not with my higher intellect and the power I hold!"

As he chuckles, he tosses the Sonic doll across the room, which ends up bouncing from the wall, to the floor, then to the ceiling, then directly into Robotnik's face. Angered that even a doll version of his most hated enemy can beat him, he grabs the doll off his face and places it next to the others.

Robotnik: "How humiliating… I've seen that scenario end exactly like that so many times that even a doll can replicate it to a science… But don't worry, Freedom Fighters… I do have plans set for you yet…"

He says as he starts puppeting the girls, causing them to fight each other. As he starts to laugh, Snively comes in, catching his master in the act.

Snively: "Um… Sir?"

Robotnik: "SNIVELY!?"

Robotnik quickly hides the dolls behind his back, trying to resume his intimidating composure.

Robotnik: "Ahem… Ah, Snively! Excellent timing! Is the… uh… trap ready yet?"

Snively: "Uh, yes, sir. The trap is ready as per your specifications, Lord Robotnik. But I have… er… questions about the design…"

Robotnik: "Let's just say I have been doing my research into the way girls think based on various bits of research. There is a commonality in all of them, my assistant. And it's that commonality that I intend to exploit."

Snively: "I see, sir. This may be your most ingenious plan yet."

Robotnik: "Oh it is, Snively. It very much is…"

The two begin to share a laugh as lightning strikes behind the citadel…

At the Freedom Fighters HQ, a bored Sonic is seen flipping through channels on the TV. Each channel contained nothing but shows made by and to celebrate Robotnik only.

Sonic: "You know, I'd find these shows funnier if the robots weren't so wooden in their acting."

She says, flipping through channel after channel. That is until Sally and Bunnie walk into the room, noticing Sonic's boredom.

Sally: "Nothing good on TV?"

Sonic: "Nope. Just a whole lot of Robotnik. What's up with you two?"

Bunnie: "We're goin' on a patrol. Wanna come, sug?"

Sonic looked at the TV, then at the girls before just shrugging.

Sonic: "Eh, better than doing this all night."

She turns off the TV and stands up, joining Sally and Bunnie as they head outside for their night patrol. As Bunnie takes point to watch their surroundings, Sonic and Sally begin to discuss some things as Sonic lays on the grass.

Sally: "So? Sonic. How do you feel about some girl talk?"

Sonic: "Well, we are girls and we are talking."

Sally: "You know what I mean."

Sonic: "Fine fine. What's on your mind?"

Sally: "Well, let's talk boys. Anyone catch your eye?"

Sonic: "Not particularly. I'm not really one for just dating anyone. I'm not against it, but… you know…"

Sally then smirks.

Sally: "Just haven't found that special someone?"

Sonic: "...What about you, princess? Since you want to talk all high and mighty on your throne."

This causes Sally to get a bit flustered.

Sally: "I… er… Well, I… I mean…"

Sonic: "Yep, I suspected as much. Can't talk dirt when mud's flung back at ya, huh?"

Sally: "Um… What about you, Bunnie?"

Bunnie turns to her friends from where she was standing.

Bunnie: "Oh, Sally. Ya know 'Ah'm not one to kiss 'n tell. 'Ah prefah to keep it to mahself, ya know?"

Sonic: "I respect that."

Bunnie: "What about yer looks? Like clothes or make up?"

Sonic: "Not a fan of make up. Heck, I never style my quills any differently. Clothes though… I could use something different, I guess. I do like my simple tank top-shorts combo."

Sally: "Nothing wrong with wearing simple and casual, but there are times where you may need to wear something different."

Sonic understood the sentiment, but then Bunnie chimed in.

Bunnie: "Sugahs! There's somethin' down that way!"

Sonic stood up as Sally pulled out her binoculars. Spotlights in the distance, leading to a building… A mall of some kind.

Sally: "A mall? What's a mall doing over there?"

Sonic: "And with Robotropolis nearby? Something doesn't smell right…"

The trio head towards the mall in order to check it out, though wary of it being a trap.

The trio approach the building which Sally identifies as a mall. The building was simple in design, with the 'Grand Re-opening' sign being displayed over the entrance and spotlights just on the grass outside the building.

Sally: "Wow… I do remember this mall… It was a rural mall that Sonic and I would visit before the coup. Remember, Sonic?"

Sonic: "Yeah. Place got torn down during the coup… Or so I heard. Why is it open when Robotnik is just around the corner?"

Bunnie: "Keep yer eyes peeled fer any bots."

The trio enter through the front doors. The mall was very empty, but the displays were certainly very real. They examined the area for a bit before they spot a clothing store.

Sonic: "Huh. A clothing store."

Bunnie: "Feelin' like tryin' some new clothes, sugahog?"

Sonic: "You know it. What about you, Sal?"

Sally: "Well… It's just clothes, so I see no problem. But I'm gonna make sure the area up ahead is clear, okay?"

Sonic: "Got it! Meet up with you soon!"

Sonic and Bunnie enter the clothing store, being greeted by a dispenser labeled 'Pay Here', a red carpet room, brown wooden walls, and very bright lighting. The clothes on display were certainly stylish, but the duo ignored the more extravagant clothes for something more simple.

Bunnie: "Well howdy! Look at this!"

Bunnie pulled out a very cowgirl-ish outfit. A short sleeve, brown jacket and cowgirl hat combo, with a pair of blue jeans being optional. Sonic could only chuckle at how that matched Bunnie's style before she herself found a track suit that matched her own style - a red, white striped sweater and a pair of matching sweat pants.

Sonic: "Oh these would match my shoes so well. What do you say, Bunnie? Wanna try 'em on?"

Bunnie: "Ya know it!"

The duo enter the vacant dressing rooms to try on their new outfits. Upon coming out, they looked quite satisfied by the comfort and style.

Sonic: "Whoa. This tracksuit feels incredible. Almost like I could jog a thousand miles and still have the energy for more."

Bunnie: "Sounds like ya on a daily basis, sugah. But 'Ah admit, we both look good."

Sonic: "Ain't that the truth. Anyway… We probably shouldn't keep Sally waiting."

As Sonic walks towards the dispenser, she is clocked in the head by Bunnie's extended arm, much to the rabbit's own surprise.

Bunnie: "Wha-!? Sugah!? Are ya okay!?"

Sonic: "I will be if you tell me why you hit me…"

Bunnie: "'Ah… 'Ah didn't…"

Sonic then suddenly jumped at Bunnie and slammed a dive kick to her face, knocking her off her feet.

Bunnie: "Gh! H-Hey! 'Ah know it looked like it was me, but…"

Sonic: "N-No! That wasn't me! Th-These clothes! They-"

Voice: "Are quite a marvel of technological advancement, aren't they?"

The duo look towards the counter as a new - but familiar rotund - figure appeared behind it, laughing at the two's misfortune on their faces.

Sally roams the mall more, checking out the stores as she went. On the surface, it seemed like any other store, just with a lack of people… Which on her own, made the experience feel a lot more chilling.

Sally: "Brrr…Maybe I should go back and see how Sonic and Bunnie are doing… They should've caught up by now…"

Sally heads back the way she came, moving a bit faster than she did… mostly from how unnerved she felt all by herself.

Sally: "Alright, you two. Are you done playing dress-"

Sally stops short in her jab as she sees Sonic and Bunnie fighting each other, with Robotnik watching this fight like it was some gladiator fight to the death. But he spots Sally and smiles.

Sally: "Sonic!? Bunnie!? What did you do to them, Robotnik!?"

Robotnik: "Oh ho! Welcome, princess! Perhaps you'd like to join me as your friends tear each other apart?"

Sonic: "S-Sal- URGH!"

Bunnie: "Th-The clothes… Gah!"

Sonic and Bunnie were ruthlessly beating each other up against their will. Sally glared at Robotnik, pulling out her slingshot at him.

Robotnik: "Ah ah, princess. You don't want me to do something drastic, do you?"

He smiles as Bunnie is forced to grab Sonic in a bear hug, Sonic unable to struggle as she is kept perfectly still.

Robotnik: "With the rabbit's cybernetics, I wonder just how much pressure Sonic can withstand before she goes… pop."

Sally: "...Tch…"

Sally lowered her slingshot, unwilling to risk her friend's life like that. Robotnik laughs before he then approaches Sally, looking down at her.

Robotnik: "Allow me to make my demands clear. You three will be the first Freedom Fighters to become a part of my army. Once you have fallen, the other three will join and soon… the rest of the world will become mine! Otherwise, I have no qualms making you watch as the last signs of life fade from your friends' eyes, princess."

She remained silent, glaring up at Robotnik before then seeing the sprinkler system. It wasn't that simple, was it? She turned her eyes back to the dictator, looking determined.

Sally: "Yeah, sure. How about I choose a third option instead!?"

She lands a knee on Robotnik's gut, causing him to reel forward in pain before she slams an uppercut on his chin, knocking him to his back. She lands on his fat stomach before aiming an explosive pellet at the pipes on the ceiling with her slingshot and fires. The sprinkler system malfunctions as Sonic and Bunnie get rained on. The clothes they wore start to loosen their grip on their bodies as they tear them off, returning to their old clothes.

Sonic: "Smart thinking, Sally!"

Bunnie: "Looks like these clothes can't handle a lil' rain."

Sally: "Surrender, Robotnik! I've got you pinned down!"

Robotnik: "Oh do you?"

Robotnik then grabs Sally's slingshot arm with surprising swiftness and tosses her at Sonic, pushing them both back as Bunnie runs in for a punch. Her attack is blocked by a shield generated by Robotnik's robotic gauntlet.

Robotnik: "Another time, rodents! For now, enjoy the closing shift!"

He says as he pushes Bunnie back, pressing a few buttons on a nearby keypad next to the exit of the clothing store in order to open a trapdoor under his feet while the store initiates a security protocol, closing off the entrance to the mall that they came from.

Bunnie: "We're trapped!"

Sonic: "Not if I have anything to say about it! Malls have more than one entrance!"

Sonic grabs Sally and Bunnie, running fast enough to lift them off the ground behind her as she ran. The hedgehog stayed ahead as the shutters throughout the mall began to close one after another behind them, with the building seemingly coming down on top of them. With quick speed and reflexes, Sonic manages to get herself and her friends out of the mall just as the building collapses. As the dust settles and the adrenaline slowly starts to drain out of their systems, the girls let out a collective sigh at how close that encounter was.

Sally: "Everyone still in one piece?"

Bunnie: "'Ah'm still here, Sal…"

Sonic: "Just a little tired is all… Remind me to never go shopping ever again…"

Bunnie: "Sorry fer gettin' caught up in that trap, Sally. We probably shoulda been more careful."

Sally: "Don't worry, Bunnie. We're all safe and that's what matters."

Sonic: "Robotnik made one big mistake though… He underestimated the skills and tenacity of the female members of the Freedom Fighters. Next time he pulls this stunt, we'll be ready to knock him down his throne for good."

Sally: "Hear hear."

The girls then start making their way home in the night, Sonic deciding to ask one little favor as they walked.

Sonic: "B-By the way, Sal… Mind keeping that whole tracksuit business a secret from Antoine? I won't hear the end of it if he found out…"

Sally: "Hehe… Of course, Sonic. Secret safe with me."

The girls share a hearty laugh, growing closer together thanks to this event. A fine reward after such an odd and harrowing experience such as this night…