-Chapter 128-
Ain't no Mountain High Enough
Robotropolis
In his cell, Sonic slumped back, half-dozing when he heard a voice at the door.
"Chow time."
Sonic perked, seeing Eggatha entering the cell. She had a plate with the usual brown goop on it, but Sonic was hungry enough he'd go on and eat it.
"I'm going to release your hands, but try anything and no food," Eggatha warned.
Sonic just nodded. Eggatha did so, and he took the plate, choking the paste down. Once he was done, he handed the plate back.
"I uh... don't suppose you could do me a solid and let me outta here?" he requested.
"Nope, not a chance," Eggatha shook her head. "We caught you fair and square. Besides, with that leg, you're not going anywhere."
She sighed, then adjusted her shades before speaking somewhat quieter.
"Sorry, Sonic. I can bring you food and medicine when you need it, but otherwise, my hands are tied."
"I thought that'd be the case," Sonic shrugged. "Well, it was worth a shot."
"Speaking of hands being tied…"
Sonic groaned in annoyance.
"Oh come on. You just said I'm not going anywhere with the bum leg."
"Sonic…" Eggatha sounded stern, crossing her arms.
Sonic slumped. "Oh, alright."
He allowed her to strap his arms back down.
"And for the record, you and I both know you don't need my help to bust out," she pointed out. "You're Sonic. You'll find a way, you always do."
"I know, I know," Sonic replied. "I was just seriously hoping for at least one ally here."
"I may curb my uncle's more destructive ideas, and occasionally send you intel, but at the end of the day, my loyalty is to my family."
Sonic nodded. "Fair enough."
With that, Eggatha walked out of the cell, locking it behind her. Once he was sure she was gone, Sonic began focusing his Chaos lightning on his leg again, healing it a bit more.
"Just a little farther…"
Polly Mountain
Back on Cocoa Island, the group had reached Polly Mountain.
"We'll cover more ground if we split up," Hope pointed out.
"Agreed," Tails nodded. "Hope, you and I will take the mountain itself. As the only ones with air capabilities, it's tactically the best move."
"That leaves me and Johnny for the tunnels," Sally noted.
"Here," Hope said as she handed them two Flame Shield capsules. "Tails called them the Volcanic Tunnels. Better safe than sorry."
"Forgot about these," Johnny remarked as he took them off her hands.
"Thanks Hope," Sally told her, "You two be careful."
Tails took off up the mountain, Hope following on the Extreme Gear. T-Pup did the same, a little propeller coming out of his back so he could fly as well. As they went, Hope looked at the robotic dog.
"Can I just say your T-Pup is adorable?"
"Thanks. I'm quite proud of him."
"So, how long have you been working on him?"
"Whenever I wasn't working on the X-Tornado while Sonic was on his world tour. I just finished him before this all went down."
"Huh. I imagine he and Muttski will become fast friends."
"I hope so."
Volcanic Tunnels
Sally and Johnny descended into the Volcanic Tunnels, finding green rocks and platforms scattered amidst lava pits and jumping fireballs reminiscent of the Marble Zone.
"Is it hot in here, or is it just you?" Johnny quipped.
Sally looked at him, a deadpan expression on her face. He just shrugged.
"This is usually the part where Sonic makes a quip based on our situation. Just trying it out."
"I get that, and I appreciate your attempts, but it's not helping," Sally replied.
"Hey, we're gonna get your boyfriend back," Johnny assured.
"I know we-" Sally froze, turning red. "He's not my boyfriend!"
Johnny just smirked.
"I heard about how you acted when Deena gave him CPR in Meropis," he teased. "Everyone can see it. You wanna smack lips with Sonic!"
He made kissing sounds, and Sally scowled.
"Johnny Lightfoot, if you don't stop doing that right now, I will push you into the lava pits."
"No you won't. Besides, you're only saying that because it's true. You love him, and you're worried about him."
"Of course I'm worried about him," Sally justified. "I've known him since we were kids. He's one of my closest friends. And now he's hurt, and in the hands of the most depraved man on Mobius."
"Sal, Sonic is the most stubborn, hardheaded hedgehog on the planet," Johnny pointed out. "And Eggatha's there to keep an eye on him. He'll be alright."
Sally took that in, nodding as she seemed to relax. "Yeah... you're right."
Before they could go on, the tunnels around them began to shake ominously
"Uh…" Johnny began nervously, "anyone order an earthquake?"
They looked down, seeing the ground beginning to crack.
"Move!" Sally screamed.
She shoved him aside before diving away herself, seconds before a massive mech emerged from the ground. It was a large, round, blue bot with golden accents, the Battle Bird insignia on its head, a drill for a nose, and large limbs. The cockpit opened up, revealing the face of Dr. Fukurokov.
"Ah, Princess Sally Acorn," he greeted politely. "I feel I should be honored."
"Uh, should I know you?" Sally questioned.
"I am the supreme intelligence behind the Battle Bird Armada, and the reason your father's army got as far as it did during the Great War," Fukurokov boasted. "The great Dr. Fukurokov!"
Johnny blinked. "Führer-caw?"
"No, no," Sally shook his head. "It's Flurry-claw."
"Fukurokov!" Fukurokov snapped. "Why can nobody get it right?!"
"Maybe because no language on Mobius contains it?" Johnny suggested.
"I'm from Ruskia! (1)" Fukurokov hissed.
"Good to know," Sally replied before pointing at him dramatically. "Now what have you done with Sonic?!"
"He's in Robotnik's citadel now. If you're asking for his physical condition, the good doctor insisted on treating his wounds and stabilizing him."
"See?" Johnny said. "I told you he was okay."
Sally nodded. "Still, confirmation is nice."
"I'd be worried about yourselves if I were you," Fukurokov shot back. "You face the might of my Mole Mech, the greatest war machine ever created!"
He let out a hooting, maniacal laugh as the cockpit closed.
Sally held out her hand as Johnny handed her a Flame Shield. They both put them on, Sally readying her Ring Blades.
"You ready?" Johnny asked.
Sally nodded. "More than."
Polly Mountain
On the mountain, Tails and Hope landed, looking around as Tails pulled out the Miles Electric.
"I've got the Chaos signature," he perked. "Hmm... that's odd."
"What's wrong?" Hope asked.
"According to the radar, the Emerald's on the move... and coming right at us."
"Enemy?"
Tails nodded. "Enemy."
They scanned the skies, searching for any signs of the Battle Birds. That's when they heard the sound of trees being knocked over. They whirled around to see a green battle mech at least twice their size marching their way.
"Huh," Hope began casually. "Not what I was expecting."
"Me neither," Tails agreed. "I figured given their claim on the sky, they'd use more sky-based weaponry."
"The Kukku Walkers are an exception!"
The cockpit opened up, revealing Speedy to be the pilot.
"Hey!" Tails exclaimed. "You're the bird who bombed Sonic!"
"I was aiming for you, freak," Speedy retorted. "Not my fault the hedgehog got in the way."
Hope scowled. "Why do you hate Tails so much? What'd he ever do to you?!"
"He was born with the ability to fly without wings or being a bird, that's what!" Speedy snapped. "And just to clear the record, I don't hate the sinner. I hate the sin. And yours, my furry friend, is existing."
"Seriously?" Tails rolled his eyes. "I've been dealing with bullies like you my entire life. I'm not afraid of or intimidated by you and your supremacist B.S."
"That's why I brought this!"
Speedy closed the cockpit, preparing to fight.
"This'll be fun," Hope mused.
The walker began firing lasers at the pair, forcing them to fly to dodge them. They flew around, trying to see any weak point on the mech they could use.
"Think we could trip it up?" Hope offered.
"We have nothing to trip it up with!" Tails exclaimed.
They heard a bark, looking to see T-Pup bravely staring the Kukku Walker down.
"What's he doing?!" Hope demanded.
"Giving us an opening!" Tails realized. "Do it, T-Pup!"
"Stupid dog!" Speedy roared. "Get outta my way!"
He raised the walker's foot to stomp on the bot, but T-Pup suddenly sprouted what appeared to be an electrical node from his back, unleashing electrical bolts that connected with the Kukku Walker and stopped it in its tracks.
"A stasis field?" Hope realized. "Awesome!"
"Yep!" Tails agreed. "Now, let's get that bird out of the walker!"
He flew at the walker, tucking into an aerial Spin Dash before launching himself at the cockpit. The hatch snapped open, exposing Speedy. Tails grabbed him, yanking him out as Hope dove in.
"Hey Tails!" she called. "This thing actually has a self destruct button!"
"You're kidding!" Tails realized.
"Well, saves us the trouble."
Hope slammed her fist on the button. She then flew out of the cockpit as the walker began to spark, its internal mechanics completely frying as it fell over and exploded.
Speedy scowled before yanking himself free of Tails' grip.
"So what if the mech failed? I'll whup you myself!" he declared. "You want the Chaos Emerald so bad, Tails?"
He displayed a yellow Emerald before pocketing it. "You're gonna have to take it from me!"
"That was the plan!" Tails shot back.
Volcanic Tunnels
The Mole Mech stomped after Sally and Johnny, lashing out with its extendable arm and trying to drill them with its nose.
"Do you see my technological might?" Fukurokov gloated. "One day the world will tremble at the name of Dr. Fukurokov!"
"Maybe, but they won't be able to pronounce it!" Sally retorted.
"Now that is a Sonic worthy quip," Johnny complimented.
"Thanks," Sally agreed. "Seemed appropriate."
They deftly avoided another attack, Johnny hopping onto one of the extended arms and running towards Fukurokov in the cockpit.
"You're a doctor, right?" he asked. "'Cause it hurts when I do this!"
He swung his staff with all his might. There was a satisfying smack sound as Fukurokov went flying out of his mech. He ended up smacking the wall of the tunnel and sliding down into a feathery heap.
"Time to shut this thing down," Sally declared.
She rushed forward, using her blades to slice and dice the mech. It sparked and sputtered before falling into a pile of scrap. She landed in a hero pose, smirking as she straightened up.
"I can see why Sonic loves that girl," Johnny mused.
He then turned to Fukurokov, picking him up and shaking him.
"Hey! Fork-over-cob! Wake up!"
Fukurokov snapped to, glaring at him.
"Now, there's a Chaos Emerald in these tunnels," Johnny said. "Where is it?"
"Like I would ever tell you," Fukurokov shot back.
"You don't know," Johnny sighed. "Great."
"I never said that!"
"Yeah, you did. Sal! This guy's useless!"
"That's okay!" Sally replied. "Look at the tunnel he left in his wake!"
Johnny dropped him, looking down the tunnel. Sure enough, there was the familiar glow of an Emerald near the bottom.
"He must have just missed it," Sally mused.
Johnny carefully climbed down, returning back up with a cyan Chaos Emerald in hand.
"Well, we're outta here," He gave Fukurokov a mocking two-finger salute. "It's been fun beating you, but we gotta be moving along, Dr. Fuggetaboutit."
"It's Fukurokov!"
"Jeez, you kiss your mother with that beak?" Sally mocked.
They departed, leaving Fukurokov to fume on his own.
Polly Mountain
Back on the mountain, Tails and Speedy were engaged in an aerial battle, dodging and diving at each other as they flew around. Speedy came at him, spinning like a corkscrew with his beak extended. Tails narrowly managed to dodge, the bird drilling through the rocks behind him instead (2).
"Yipes!" cried Hope. "This guy sure is fast!"
"Well, we've seen faster!" Tails insisted. "And he can only move in a straight line when he uses that move."
Hope looked around, her eyes falling on the woods nearby.
"Tails, I've got an idea!" she cried. "Get him into the woods! He's got your number out in the open!"
Tails perked. "But in close quarters... good thinking!"
Both of them quickly sped towards the woods.
"Come back here, you cowards!" Speedy screamed.
"Come and get us, Chicken Legs!" Tails shot back.
Speedy came after them in a rage, chasing after Tails in particular. Tails easily maneuvered around the trees in his way, while Speedy struggled to do the same.
"What's the matter? Getting claustrophobic?" Tails mocked.
"SHUT UP!"
He flew furiously at Tails, trying to tackle him, only for Tails to duck to the side and Speedy to slam face-first into the oak tree behind him .
"Ow, my beak!" he let out.
He fell down, hitting multiple branches on his way and naming the body part he injured on the way.
"Wing! Tail! Ribs!"
Near the bottom, he found himself in the undesirable position of a branch being slammed in between his legs. He gasped, eyes twitching as he slid off, Tails and Hope wincing in sympathy.
"Giblets…" he wheezed in a pained falsetto voice.
"Ouch." Hope let out.
"Well…" Tails began, "there probably won't be a Battle Kukku XVII after this."
"No, probably not," Hope agreed.
She approached the bird, gently frisking his jacket and finding the Emerald. He let out a pitiful whine as she gently patted his head.
"You uh… you just rest here," she said.
"In case of severe groin trauma, just relax and put some ice on it to relieve the pain!" Omochao offered helpfully.
"Yeah, what he said," Hope agreed.
"Just… get outta here," Speedy managed. "You're gonna pay for this, Tails." He winced, curling up on himself. "Ugh… just as soon as I can move."
Tails and Hope departed, reconvening with Sally and Johnny.
"You got yours?" Tails asked.
"Yep," Johnny confirmed. "That makes three."
Tails scanned with the Miles Electric.
"The next Emerald is in the Cavern Island off the northeast. The only way in is through the tunnels underwater."
"How quickly can you get the Sea Fox here?" Sally questioned.
"I can have Shard deliver it via warp ring in a matter of minutes," Tails replied. "Maybe even see if Knuckles and Kat can lend a hand delivering it."
He felt something pawing his leg, and looked down to see T-Pup whimpering, seeming uncomfortable. Tails got what his pet project wanted.
"Just a sec."
He took T-Pup over by a tree. The robo-dog hiked his leg up, a stream of some kind of fluid shooting out onto the tree as he let out a sighing whimper. The others just blinked.
"You actually gave T-Pup an excretion system?" Hope questioned.
"I wanted the full pet experience," Tails explained. "Bad and good."
"So he pees oil?" Johnny questioned.
"Lubricant, actually."
"Not that this isn't fascinating, in a somewhat gross and disturbing way, but Sonic needs us." Sally reminded them.
"Right," Tails nodded. "Just let him do his business, and we'll be on our way."
Robotropolis
Eggatha was heading into her Uncle's lab, having received a summons. The doctor was sitting in his chair, stroking Nik in his lap.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked.
"Close the door, Agatha," Robotnik ordered.
Eggatha did so. "What's up, Uncle Ivo?"
"How long?" Robotnik asked.
Eggatha blinked. "Excuse me?"
"How long have you been feeding intelligence to the Freedom Fighters?"
Eggatha's eyes widened behind her shades.
"Y-you know?" she let out. "I was so careful. How did you-?"
"When Lien-Da insulted you, you spent months tormenting her and ensuring that she feared you above all else," Robotnik explained. "And yet, when the Winters girl broke your rib and held you hostage, you insisted we let them all go."
He stood up. "You didn't want to punish her because there was nothing to punish. It took me longer than I care to admit to catch on, but then I remembered the rabbit's new limbs."
He set Nik down. "Did you really think I wouldn't recognize my own niece's handiwork?"
Realizing she was cornered, Eggatha gave in.
"Since the second Death Egg," she confessed. "Snively didn't lose my data sphere; I let the Freedom Fighters take it. Hope and I share emails. Sometimes chatting, sometimes intel leaking. But Uncle, I swear to you that at the end of the day, my loyalty is to you and the Robotnik Empire, not Sonic and his friends."
Robotnik bent down, reaching for his niece. She flinched, then felt a gentle hand on her head. She peeked a bit, seeing Robotnik looking... proud?
"Look at you, playing both sides like a fiddle," he noted. "Is that how you knew about their success in freeing the Robians? And their creation of the knockoff Metal?"
"You... you're not mad?" Eggatha questioned.
"Had you freed Sonic, I would have been," Robotnik confessed.
"So when you sent me to feed him, that was a test," Eggatha deduced. "If I let him go, I'd be seen as a traitor to the empire. But if I didn't…"
"I'd know where your loyalties truly lied," Robotnik concluded. "With me." He picked her up. "So I'm not going to punish you. All I'm going to say is this. Do not make your little acts of rebellion open. And when I give you an order, I expect it to be obeyed to the letter."
"Are loopholes allowed?" Eggatha questioned.
"Should you find one, I will allow it," Robotnik answered. "Depending on the situation."
He set her down. "I'm overlooking this because more often than not, your contributions have proved useful to my plans, and even when you do pull these little rebellions, they tend to work out in our favor. The Freedom Fighters may know how to break through the Robian slave programming, but we know they know, so it evens out."
"Of course!" Eggatha exclaimed. "It's give and take. They won't tell me where Knothole is though. Hope's not an idiot."
Robotnik shrugged. "Eh, it wouldn't be much of a challenge if they just told us anyway."
"I'm just glad you're not mad at me," Eggatha admitted.
"How could I be mad at my favorite niece?" he leaned down, gently kissing her forehead. "That'll be all, Agatha. Now run along."
Eggatha grinned before scampering off happily. Unbeknownst to the two, Snively had overseen the entire exchange. He gritted his teeth, his eyes widening, nostrils flaring, and face turning beet-red.
"Why, that conniving little brat…" he growled. "And he just gives her a slap on the wrist! Well, I'm not taking this lying down."
Author's Note:
(1): Mobian Russia.
(2): Think like the Bill Drill from Banjo-Tooie, as well as Arlong's Shark on Darts and Shark on Tooth attacks in One Piece.
Seems Eggman truly is playing favorites, and despite her treachery being revealed, Eggatha gets to stay. Wonder what Snively's gonna do about that.
