-Chapter 92-
A Cold Day in…
Misty Peaks
Robotnik held a newly completed Silver Moon Ring, the 6-S Squad off to the side as he looked it over.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked them.
"Seems just like a normal purdy ring to me," Cubot noted. "Y'all reckon you'll be able to get yerself 'nuff o' them there rings to take over the whole dang planet?"
"Yes, I 'reckon' I will," Robotnik deadpanned. "Where is Agatha with your new voice chip?"
"Right here!" Eggatha piped up, entering with the new chip, Metal in tow. "This one should be better than cowboy."
Cubot turned around as Eggatha popped open his access panel, fiddling with the chip as Metal turned to Robotnik.
"Doctor, why do you insist on sidelining me and sending out shoddy knock offs like the Mecha Sonics to fight Sonic?" the robo-hedgehog asked. "I'm clearly superior to them in every way."
"It's simple, Metal," Robotnik began. "Combat data for your potential upgrades."
Metal looked confused. "Upgrades? What happened to scrapping me and building another just like me?"
"I'm feeling generous, if only because Agatha keeps vouching for you. And despite your setbacks, you're still one of my strongest Badniks. It'd be a waste."
Metal let this sink in, but still didn't seem entirely convinced.
"And… done," Eggatha said, closing the access panel.
"Good," Robotnik sighed. "Nothing could be more annoying than that cowboy chatter."
Cubot turned at that, giving a salute.
"Heil Robotnik!" he declared in a German accent.
Robotnik went flying out of his seat as the others looked on. Cubot turned to the rest of the 6-S.
"What are you just standing around for?" he demanded. "We need to get after that dummkopf (1) Sonic and destroy him for our Führer!"
He flew off at that.
"I… think that was the wrong chip," Orbot remarked.
"Could've sworn it was the right one," said Eggatha.
Off to the side, Snively snickered. Robotnik turned to him at that.
"Is something funny, Snively?" he asked.
Snively gulped. "No, sir. Not at all."
The 6-S turned to him at well, before Grounder perked.
"Hey, wait!" he declared. "You swapped out the voice chips for a cheap laugh, didn't you?"
The others looked at him, surprised, before Orbot leaned over to Scratch.
"He does have his moments," he whispered to the chicken.
"Is that why my lab was a wreck?" Eggatha demanded. "I spent three hours just trying to clean it."
Robotnik turned to Snively, gritting his teeth. "So I've been forced to endure Cubot's cowboy lingo all because you wanted a cheap laugh?!"
He slowly rose from his chair as Snively began to sweat.
"Snively…" Decoe began, "I think now's a good time for you to run for your life."
Snively immediately ran out of the lab as Robotnik took off after him.
"Seriously, Snively," Eggatha sighed, shaking her head. "When will you ever learn?"
"I guess he's just a glutton for punishment," said Bocoe.
"In the meantime, let's get after Cubot and fix that chip," Coconuts suggested.
"Right," Eggatha nodded.
With that, they went after Cubot.
Crystal Frost Zone
Meanwhile, Sonic and his friends had left the Red Sands Zone behind, and found the air beginning to get colder as light snow began to fall.
"Of course," Sonic sighed. "A snowy Zone."
"Don't worry, guys," Tekno assured them. "I came prepared."
She pulled a bag off her shoulder, opening it up to reveal several snowsuits.
"Whoa, what?" Chris asked. "You've been carrying all that this entire time?"
"It pays to be prepared," Tekno said simply. "Where do you think I got the canteens of water from before?"
Everyone looked down at the canteens Tekno had passed out not long ago. With that, the canary passed out the snowsuits one at a time, before realizing she was one short.
"Crap…" she sighed. "I only packed enough for Sonic, Longclaw, and us brains. Sorry, Kat."
"She can take mine," Rotor decided. "The cold never bothered me. Besides, my suit comes with a heating system."
"You're the man, Rotor," Kat said with a smile.
She took the coat, slipping it on. Of course, since it was meant for Rotor's bulk, it hung down to her ankles like a duster, and she had to roll the sleeves up quite a bit to free her hands. Nonetheless, she shrugged.
"At least I'm warm."
"Oh, Sonic!" Chris perked. "I just remembered something. Tekno, did you also happen to grab-?"
"Your little side project?" Tekno asked. "You bet I did."
She pulled a strange capsule from her bag. It looked like Keith's Power Ring capsules, but about twice the size.
"What's that?" Sonic asked.
Chris took the capsule, popping it open to reveal a pair of slip-on ice cleats perfectly sized for Sonic's sneakers.
"Ice cleats!" he boasted. "Enhanced with Power Rings and custom made for your sneakers. Slip them on and no slipping for you."
Sonic grinned, taking the cleats and putting them on his shoes.
"How and when did you whip these up?" he asked.
"He's been working on it for a while," Keith explained. "Grandpa kept ahold of the research notes your uncle had on the Power Sneakers, and Chris got the idea to whip up special custom shoes here and there. He made the cleats after your little... mishap in the Diamond Dust Zone on Flicky Island."
Sonic winced. "Yeah, that was unpleasant. Thanks, Chris."
With that, the group headed deeper into the Zone. The rocks were colored blue, snow covering every inch, and pine trees dotted the landscape.
"Freezing cold or not, you can't hate this view," Tails mused.
"It definitely is beautiful," Longclaw agreed.
Tenko nodded. "No argument here."
Rotor shrugged. "Eh, you've seen one snowy peak, you've seen 'em all. Give me lush greenery any day."
They soon came to an open field, seeing multiple snowmen scattered about.
"Snowmen?" Hope asked. "Who could've made them?"
Sonic and Tails exchanged looks, having a sneaking suspicion what was up.
"Diamond Dust Badnik rehash?" Sonic asked.
"Diamond Dust Badnik rehash." Tails nodded.
"Wait…" Porker began. "Are you saying those snowmen are robots?"
"Yep," Tails confirmed.
Kat grabbed a rock, chucking it as hard as she could at one of the snowmen. Its head came off with a loud, metallic thunk and the sound of sparking metal.
"The snowmen are robots," Porker mused. "Huh."
"Gotta wonder what Eggman will think of next," Hope said.
"For now, let's focus on smashing these bots," Sonic decided.
Everyone spread out, dealing with the bots in their own way. Chris and Keith used their Nitro Gloves, Kat threw more rocks, Longclaw sliced them to ribbons with her talons, Rotor shot them with his suit, and Tekno removed her earring, tossing it at one and causing it to explode. The others looked at that in surprise.
"Yes, my earrings are hidden bombs," Tekno said casually. "Fashionable, functional, and they work as a weapon or escape plan in a pinch."
She fished one out of her pocket, replacing the earring. "I learn from my mistakes and plan ahead."
Before long, the Badniks were all scrapped. Sonic thumbed his nose.
"Well, that was fun," he remarked. "Wonder what Egghead will throw at us next?"
Just then, the snow exploded upward as something appeared from beneath the drift. It was a red robot with spikes for hands and two claws on each foot. It had glowing yellow eyes and a bulbous forehead.
"A new bot," Hope noted. "What's this one called, Hammer Head?"
"Drillbot, maybe?" Porker offered. "Those spikes look like drills to me."
"No," the bot replied. "I am Mecha Sonic Mark III."
A moment of silence followed, before Sonic began gagging on his words in disbelief.
"Mecha Sonic Mark III?" he demanded at last, offended.. "Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! You don't even look like me! What, does Eggman just name his robots whatever he wants no matter what they look like or what their weapons are?!"
"Yeah," Kat agreed. "I mean, seriously? How are you a Mecha Sonic? You're not even blue."
"The red coloring is fitting," Mecha III retorted. "Considering it will flow from your lifeless bodies once I'm finished with you."
"I can't tell if that was gross or lame," Hope said simply.
Mecha III boosted into the air, scraping his blade-hands together before charging at the group. With a chorus of yelps, they all dove for cover. Mecha III landed in the ice blade-first, cracking it.
"Everyone, look out!" Rotor shouted as the ice split apart. The gang scrambled to escape the increasingly unstable ground as Mecha III took to the air again.
"This isn't good!" Keith shouted. "Only three of us will be any good against this guy!"
Mecha III went for Sonic, hacking and slashing at him furiously as the Blue Blur performed multiple back handsprings to evade.
"You call yourself a mecha me?" he taunted. "You're pathetic! The 6-S were tougher than you!"
"You have no idea what I'm truly capable of, Sonic," Mecha III retorted. "And what you don't know could hurt you."
"Is that so?" Sonic asked. "Well then, why don't I show you a thing or two? Keith!"
Keith popped open one of his capsules, pulling out a Power Ring and tossing it at Sonic. Mecha III vented as if in excitement before jumping into the air and sparking, an electrified shield surrounding him. Much to their surprise, the Power Ring flew right past Sonic and toward the bot as if magnetized.
"What the-?!" Keith exclaimed.
"Thank you," Mecha III laughed as the ring slipped over Mecha III's outstretched arm, the power within flowing into the robot. "So many times, you have gained the upper hand over Dr. Robotnik using the Power Rings, Sonic. But with my Ring Magnet, I can turn your own tactics against you, and beat you at your own game!"
"Okay, for the record, it's rare that I use the Power Rings," Sonic said. "I can count the number of times I've used them in combat on one hand. And another thing…" He rammed right into Mecha III. The two landed in a snowbank as Sonic jumped up, launching a downward Spin Attack into his chest. "You can't win a game you were never a player in."
Mecha III snarled. "Clearly it will take more than a single ring to stop you."
His optics locked on Keith. Before Sonic could do more than register that, Mecha III kicked him off before flying at the boy. The spikes stabbed right through Keith's coat, pinning him to a tree. He shrieked in both pain and fear, the spikes ripping his coat apart and making him drop all of the rings he had on him. Getting what he wanted, Mecha III tossed the boy aside. He landed in the snow, some blood on his arms and no coat to stave off the cold.
"KEITH!" Kat screamed.
Sonic gasped in shock, which immediately turned to rage as he watched Mecha III magnetize the rings.
"You so shouldn't have done that," he spat, his voice eerily calm.
His entire body sparked with blue energy, Longclaw going wide-eyed.
"Sonic…?" she let out.
Sonic charged into a Spin Dash. Mecha III whirled to face him, brandishing his blades. Sonic didn't even seem to notice. He tore through the snow, determined to mow the bot down. As he dealt with Mecha III, the others gathered around Keith.
"Tekno, please tell me you have a medi-pak," Hope pleaded.
"You got it," Tekno nodded.
She pulled out a medi-pak, getting to work as Sonic pummeled Mecha III.
"I am super charged by so many Power Rings, you don't stand a chance!" Mecha III gloated.
Sonic just grabbed Mecha III by his leg, slamming him into a rock. When he did, several rings went flying.
"I'll just have to beat them out of you, then," the hedgehog said casually.
"Sonic, be careful!" Tails cried.
"I'm staying in blue, Tails!" Sonic called back. "I promise!"
He then smashed Mecha III again, more rings flying into the air. Hope finished bandaging Keith up, who by this point was beginning to shiver. Kat undid her walrus sized coat, wrapping it around the both of them.
"Here, lean on me and warm up," she insisted.
Keith nodded, putting an arm around her. Both of them turned red before Kat did the same.
"Better?" she asked.
"Yeah…" Keith sighed. "Much better."
With their injured member taken care off, all attention went to Sonic and his fight. Mecha III was knocked back by a punch, even more rings flying out as he looked at Sonic in disbelief.
"How?!" he demanded. "I was empowered by dozens of Power Rings! You should be nothing more than a peon to me!"
"You made one fatal mistake, you walking junkyard," Sonic shot back. "You hurt my friend."
"Then... this is what the doctor warned me about," Mecha III realized. "Your Chaos Lightning…"
"Oh, yeah," Sonic agreed. "Here, let me give you another taste!"
Large bolts running off of him and his eyes glowing blue, Sonic charged. Mecha III crossed his blades in a last-ditch attempt to defend or fight back, but it did no good. Sonic plowed into him, sending robot parts flying all over the place. The last of the rings came raining down, blinking out of existence. Sonic came to a stop, letting out a breath as his Chaos Lightning faded. He then walked back to the group, eying Keith over.
"You alright?" he asked.
Keith nodded. "I'll live."
"The cuts aren't that deep," Tekno assured. "He'll heal."
"Sorry I couldn't save the Power Rings," Sonic told him.
Keith waved a hand, dismissing it. "Eh, I've got an entire garage at home full of them. I'll replenish when this is over."
They heard someone's throat clear, and turned to see Longclaw standing there, her wings crossed as she waited for an explanation.
"Sonic…" she began, "since when could you do that?"
"Oh…" Sonic pulled at his collar. "Um…"
He started thinking for a bit. "Since the Phantom Ruby incident."
Longclaw raised an eyebrow.
"A few months," Sonic clarified. "I just started sparking in the middle of a battle. Apparently I've absorbed so much Chaos Energy I can literally manifest it in the form of lightning. It was blue, right?"
The others nodded in confirmation.
"You've been exposed to that much Chaos Energy?" Longclaw asked.
"Tends to happen when most of Eggman's schemes revolve around getting the Chaos Emeralds," Sonic replied.
"He's got a super form and a hyper form," Kat added. "It's seriously cool."
"Hyper form?" Keith asked.
"Super Emeralds instead of normal Chaos Emeralds," Kat clarified. "He's basically swirling multicolored light."
Longclaw took a minute to register all that information.
"It appears you've had quite the exciting life since I've been away," she mused at last.
"You could say that," Sonic agreed. "But more on that later. From what I can remember of Mecha II's AI, Eggman's base isn't too far from this Zone. He's set up shop in and around Tiara's hometown."
"That makes sense," Porker remarked. "If he wants Gazebo to make more Moon Rings, his own facilities will work."
"Let us be off," Longclaw insisted. "It's time to put an end to this."
Misty Peaks
Back at his base, Robotnik looked around Snively's lab, seeing no sign of him.
"I know you're in here somewhere, Snively," he spat. "Come out and take your punishment like a man. Every second you keep hiding will just make things worse!"
Snively was cowering in a box, covering his head and shivering. The lid opened, and he looked up to see Metal lording over him.
"He's in here, Doctor," the robot reported.
Snively scowled. "I hate you."
The feeling is mutual," Metal retorted.
Robotnik stormed over, grabbing Snively by his collar. As the pummeling began, Metal let his own words sink in.
"I... hate him," he realized. "I feel hatred."
He walked off, confused as Robotnik continued to throttle Snively.
"C-C'mon, Uncle!" Snively managed. "Can't you take a joke?!"
"The only joke is you, Snively!" Robotnik shot back.
Snively let out a whimper, resigning himself to his inevitable beating.
Author's Note:
(1): German for fool.
Well, we're on the home stretch for this arc. Will Sonic and his pals be able to stand against the power of the Silver Moon Rings?
Please R&R. Until next time!
