-Chapter 93-
Slowing Sonic
Misty Peaks
In the forge, Gazebo pounded away at yet another Silver Moon Ring, a small pile off to the side. He heard the sound of the door being unlocked and stopped his work, turning to see Robotnik walking in.
"Morning, Gazebo," he greeted. "Hard at work, I see."
He eyed the pile of Moon Rings and grinned. "And with quite alot to show for it. See what you can do with the proper motivation?"
"I've done what you've asked," Gazebo spat. "Now show me my daughter."
"Alright, alright," Robotnik said. "A deal's a deal."
He led him through the village, to the prison area. He opened the prison, where the wolves and Tiara were being kept.
"Father!" Tiara cried, smiling.
"Tiara!" Gazebo let out, sighing. "Oh, thank goodness."
He rushed inside, holding his daughter. As he hugged her, the prison door slammed shut.
"What a touching reunion," Robotnik mused, twirling a ring of keys.
"Wait!" Gazebo shouted, rushing to the door and grabbing the bars. "You said if I did what you asked-!"
"That I would not hurt your daughter and you would be able to see her." Robotnik gestured toward Tiara with a cruel smirk. "As you can see, I've held up my end of the bargain."
"Then let us go!"
Robotnik tsked, wagging a finger.
"Now why would I hand over one of the only ring smiths on Mobius? Letting you go would be a waste, so I'm afraid it's out of the question."
They all glared at him in disdain.
"Robotnik, you are the most disgusting, heartless, double-crossing meanie I've ever met!" Aerial shouted.
Robotnik grinned. "I try, my dear. I try."
He walked off laughing as Marcos growled.
"We have to get out of here," he insisted. "Mom, tell me you have a plan."
"Have faith," Lupe assured him. "Sonic and his friends are not far. They will ensure Robotnik gets his."
Metal Blade Zone
Meanwhile, the Freedom Fighters had arrived at a hill overlooking Misty Peaks. What was once a peaceful village was now a heavily patrolled military base, Badniks, Swatbots, and Troopers walking the streets. A sign that once said "Misty Peaks" was now stamped over with Robotnik's insignia, reading "Metal Blade Zone".
"Wow, I wonder if Eggman's here," Sonic deadpanned.
"What's the plan?" Hope asked. "It's locked down tighter than, well... tighter than something."
"Tails' database security?" Sonic quipped. "Eggman's pants?"
That had all the kids snickering.
"Our first step would be casing the joint," Chris decided.
Kat looked at the oversized coat she was still wearing and grinned.
"Hey Sonic," she began, "I heard rumors of someone called Bob Beaky."
Sonic winced. "Oh, no…"
"Oh, yes," Rotor declared. "Grab him!"
Sonic made to run off, but Kat was quick on the draw, grabbing his arm. He tried to pry himself free, but her grip was like iron.
"There's no escape," Kat told him. "You're doing this."
Sonic slumped in resignation.
-X-
Some time later, he was once again donned in the Bob Beaky disguise he used during their first visit to the Chemical Plant Zone. Having an idea, Tekno dug in the disguise kit, pulling out a trenchcoat and fedora before handing it over to Tails.
"More eyes on the inside," she insisted.
Tails took them, looking confused
"Just a trench coat and fedora? Are you sure this will be enough?"
"Positive," Tekno nodded.
"She's got a point," Sonic admitted. "I'm the famous Sonic the Hedgehog, recognized wherever I go. So long as you keep your head down and your second tail hidden, you're just another fox Mobian."
"I feel like I should be offended by that," Tails muttered.
Nevertheless, he slid the coat on and pulled the fedora on over his head.
"Stay tuned," Sonic told the others, tapping his communicator.
With that, he and Tails headed for the gate, where two Swatbots stood guard.
"Halt!" one ordered. "State your designation and purpose."
Sonic grabbed Tails by the collar of his coat.
"Bob Beaky," he greeted. "Found this guy attempting to sneak through the blockade. I'm bringing him to Robotnik."
"Bob Beaky…" the second Swatbot mused. "Isn't he that penguin who went into the Chemical Plant after the Mega Mack flood?"
"Oh, that was horrible!" Sonic exclaimed, thinking quickly. "That pink water was leaking everywhere. I was lucky to get out! But here I am, continuing to serve our glorious emperor, Dr. Ivo Robotnik!"
"A true, dedicated soldier," the first Swatbot said. "You may pass."
The Swatbots parted. Sonic entered, dragging Tails along. Once they were away from prying eyes, he let the fox go.
"Now you know why I don't care for being Bob Beaky," he sighed. "Even if it's just pretending, praising that sleaze Eggman... I feel dirty. And not in a fun, 'let's-go-clubbing' way."
"I'm surprised you didn't barf," Tails remarked.
"It was a close call, believe me," Sonic confessed. "Now, let's see if we can find where Gazebo's being held, and anyone else trapped in this place."
With that, the two began searching, Tails making sure to keep one of his tails hidden under his coat. They checked every nook and cranny, while also hiding out of sight to listen in on Badnik conversations.
"Man, I've still got dents in my fender from the battle," said a Buzzbomber.
"Who would think a bunch of wolves armed with sticks and stones could put up a fight?" mused a Trooper.
"Sure stopped when we grabbed their leader," the Buzzbomber said. "With her on lockdown, we don't need to worry about Wolf Pack retribution."
"Just wish we hadn't had to grab those brats as well." the Trooper grumbled. "That human girl kept biting me. I think she tore the hydraulics in my arm."
Sonic and Tails perked, exchanging glances.
"Hey, look on the bright side," the Buzzbomber pointed out. "The whole lot of them, even Gazebo and his brat, are safely locked up. So unless it's for the slave lines or the Roboticizer, they're not getting out."
Sonic and Tails retreated at that, having heard enough.
"This isn't good," Tails whispered. "They got Tiara and Lupe!"
"As well as her kids…" Sonic muttered.
His fists clenched and Tails saw a spark of light go off behind the shades. He quickly started taking deep breaths, composing himself.
"C'mon, let's find a place we can let Longclaw and the others in. We're shutting this base down."
They began heading off, unaware of something watching them from a rooftop.
-X-
The disguised duo soon found a back gate that was barely patrolled, the two opening it up to let the rest of the Freedom Fighters in. Once everyone was in, Sonic got them caught up.
"It's more than Gazebo we need to find," he told them. "Lupe's village was attacked. She, Tiara, and at least one of her kids was taken.
Kat went stock still at that. Keith put a hand on her shoulder, getting her attention.
"Easy," he soothed. "We'll get them out."
Before they could do anything else, Longclaw looked up, her eyes widening.
"Above us!" she cried.
They all looked up to see another Mecha Sonic, this one with long red spikes for legs and a row of silver spikes running down its head. For a face, it had a silver screen with a single red eye and a long mouth.
"Mecha Sonic Mark IV, I presume?" Chris asked.
"Indeed," Mecha IV confirmed before glaring at the disguised Sonic. "Bob Beaky... traitor. It's the Roboticizer for you!"
"Yeah…" Sonic began. "About that…"
He whipped the disguise off, revealing himself.
"Sonic?!" Mecha IV exclaimed.
"In the flesh!" Sonic declared.
He started revving up before launching himself at Mecha IV. Rather than dodge or make any effort to avoid, Mecha IV held out his hands, catching Sonic with ease.
"What the-?!" Sonic managed
"If you think I will let this end like my previous three incarnations, you're wrong," Mecha IV said.
He tossed Sonic aside. He rebounded before shaking his head and getting up.
"Oh, yeah?" Sonic spat. "Let's see how you handle this!"
His legs began spinning as he initiated the Figure-Eight Peel Out, dashing at him before jumping and spinning with his leg extended; Mecha IV raised his arms, blocking every strike.
"Pathetic," he scoffed. "Just pathetic."
A green laser was fired from his chest, knocking Sonic back, much to his shock.
"How in Aurora's name are you-?!"
"Dr. Robotnik's latest upgrade," Mecha IV boasted. "The Sonic Radar. Most radars track all moving objects... but the Sonic Radar tracks only one kind: those travelling at supersonic speed."
Porker perked.
"Then that means…"
"Exactly," Mecha IV declared. "No matter how fast you may be moving, Sonic, I can sense you and guess every move you'll make. Your greatest asset, rendered useless!"
"Not good…" Sonic muttered.
"You may track Sonic's super speed, but how about the rest of us?!" Rotor challenged.
Mecha IV turned towards the rest of the group, all of them prepping weapons or getting into fighting stances.
"So, you all want to play?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah!" Tails exclaimed.
"I'll bring the doctor your heads!"
From Mecha IV's back extended long metal tentacles like those used by Mecha II, forcing them on the defensive.
"Kat, grab those things and don't let go!" Rotor ordered.
Kat cracked her neck and knuckles before catching a tentacle in each hand. She then planted her feet, tightening her grip as Mecha IV tried to free his tentacles.
"Not… gonna… happen." she spat.
Rotor, Chris, and Keith immediately began pelting him with shots from their suit and Nitro Gloves, respectively. Sonic watched his friends wail on the robot, grinning.
"You said my greatest asset was my speed?" he questioned. "Well, you're wrong. They are."
He revved up before plowing into Mecha IV with a Spin Dash, finishing him off. "But I'll admit the speed is a hell of a perk."
They all cheered, high-fiving as the bot fell.
"Don't mess with the Freedom Fighters!" Tekno gloated.
"Okay, now we gotta find out where Eggman's keeping Tiara and Lupe," said Hope.
"I have an idea," Kat decided. "But you're all gonna think it's stupid."
-X-
The two Badniks who had been talking before heard a crash in a nearby alley. There, they found Kat standing alone over the broken Mecha IV.
"Whoops," she quipped. "Someone broke that."
"Freedom Fighter, priority one!" the Buzzbomber shouted.
"Alright, fine, you got me," Kat said, putting her hands behind her head. "Take me to his royal dopiness."
The Trooper cuffed her before dragging her off. As they led her off, the rest of the Freedom Fighters stuck their heads out of various obscure hiding places.
"Remind me how she convinced us to go along with this?" Keith asked.
"Well, she was very persuasive," Hope admitted.
They followed from a safe distance.
Misty Peaks
It wasn't long before Kat was dragged into Robotnik's throne room. The doctor spun around in his chair to see her.
"Kathryn Winters," he mused, rising from his chair. "So nice of you to drop by. I do love surprises. Now why are you here?"
"Oh, no reason," Kat replied. "Aside from running into all these horribly shoddy remakes of my friend. I mean, seriously, they look nothing like Sonic, and Mecha III wasn't even the right color."
"It's called a creative license. Now stop avoiding my question."
Kat put on a sad face, with big eyes and a quivering lip.
"Alright, I cave. I can't take it anymore! All this fighting and these constant clashes… it's too much! My nerves are shot, I tell ya. Shot!"
She buried her face in her hands, peeking through her fingers with a smirk.
"Oh, please," Robotnik scoffed. "Something is rotten in Topeka... wherever that is. Now, what are you up to?!"
"Eh, about 4'9, give or take an inch," Kat chuckled. "Little joke there."
"Very little," Robotnik deadpanned. "Someone's been taking comedy lessons from that meddlesome hedgehog."
Kat smirked. "Indeed, and from that vein bulging on your forehead, it was time well spent."
Robotnik sighed before inputting commands into his glove controller.
"Whatever you're planning, it won't work," he told her. "Take her to the cells."
Two Swatbots came and escorted her off. Once she was safely out of his line of sight, she grinned.
"Keep thinking that, Eggman," she muttered.
Author's Note:
We're on the home stretch. Can Sonic stop Robotnik's diabolical plans for the Silver Moon Rings?
Please R&R. Until next time!
