-Chapter 131-

Jungle Birds


Green Island

The Sea Fox docked at the Green Island, the group disembarking to see a sizable jungle as far as the eye could see.

"Well, I see why they call this Green Island," Hope remarked. "It's a jungle out here."

"Guess it's a good thing I came along," Sally mused, drawing her Ring Blades.

With Tails directing them with the Emerald Radar, Sally hacked through the thick undergrowth. The signal eventually led them to an old tree. Tails scanned up and down.

"According to the radar, the Emerald's under this tree."

"I got it," Johnny walked over to the tree, checking the roots. It took a little looking, but he found the silver Chaos Emerald entangled within them. He tried to pull it out to little avail.

"Little sucker's stuck tight," he grumbled. "Must have had this thing growing around it for decades."

"I'm on it," Sally assured.

She came over, carefully cutting away pieces of the roots to clear an opening for the Emerald. Once they'd gotten a big enough opening, Johnny pulled it out.

"And baby makes five," he boasted.

At that moment, they heard a sawing sound, whirling around to see a massive chainsaw ripping through multiple trees. Through them stomped a heavily modified Kukku Walker, this one having arms, the right one ending in said chainsaw, with the other possessing a rocket launcher. At the wheel was a figure Sally and Johnny recognized.

"I was hoping we'd seen the last of you, Dr. Flamingo," Sally remarked.

"It's Fukurokov!" Fukurokov snapped.

"We don't care," Hope retorted.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Hand over the Chaos Emeralds you have, unless you want to suffer a horrific death!"

"How about this?" Tails offered. "You bring us Sonic and leave this place, and we won't pluck your feathers for new pillows!"

"I don't answer to ground-dwelling primitives!" Fukurokov roared.

They were forced on the run as he fired the rocket launcher. Tails flew around as one chased him before getting an idea and flying at Fukurokov's walker.

"Time to take one from Sonic's playbook," he decided. "Hey Flying Cork! Over here!"

"Gah!" Fukurokov slammed his fists on the console. "You dense, irritating, miniature freak of nature! My name... is... FUKUROKOV!"

He launched another missile. Tails grinned.

"Just what I wanted you to do," he bragged.

He flew around, getting the missile to chase him before flying at Fukurokov and darting to the side.

"Oh, fu-" Fukurokov began.

The missile hit the walker, knocking it off balance. Seizing her chance, Sally ran at the legs, Ring Blades at the ready. Her blades sliced through them like they were nothing and the Walker fell.

"Well... I feel useless right now," Hope deadpanned.

"Now you see how I feel half the time," Johnny remarked.

Fukurokov scowled, jumping out of the downed walker with a cane in his hand.

"It's not over yet!" he shouted before yanking a concealed blade out of the cane, brandishing it. Johnny drew his staff, charging and clashing with the old bird and his sword stick.

"Guess we get to be useful after all," he mused. "Thanks, Flurry Cold."

"It's Fukurokov, you mangy, flea-bitten rabbit!" Fukurokov spat.

He managed to kick Johnny back, sending his staff flying off to the side. As he landed near a tree, he found the sword at his throat.

"Any last words before your tracheotomy?" he questioned.

"Yeah," Johnny replied. "Duck."

Fukurokov looked confused, then Hope came zooming in on her Extreme Gear board, ramming right into the doctor. She landed heavily, the two rolling across the ground before coming to a stop near a tree. After a few minutes, stood up, sighing and patting Omochao on her head.

"And that's why you wear a helmet." Omochao declared helpfully.

"You dirty rats!" Fukurokov ranted. "Mark my words, you'll rue the day you-"

He was cut off by a tinkling sound, and everyone turned to see T-Pup hiking his leg and peeing on the doctor.

"Oof," Hope remarked. "Good luck getting those stains out."

Tails gave a mocking salute. "So long, Dr. Fartknocker."

"It's Fukurokov! Fu-ku-ro-kov! Get it right!"

"Nobody freaking cares," Hope said bluntly.

They all just left at that as Fukurokov flopped onto the ground. As they went back to the Sea Fox, Tails checked the Miles Electric.

"Next stop is back to the main island. Lake Crystal in the center of Caron Forest."

"Sounds beautiful," Sally mused.

"Then after that, only one more Emerald between us and those birds," Johnny added.

"Then we can finally get to Robotropolis and save Sonic." Hope concluded.


Robotropolis

In Citadel Robotnik, Robotnik was on the com with the Swatbot legions.

"Don't tell me you haven't found the hedgehog yet," he growled.

"Somehow, he's eluding us," Metal admitted. "It doesn't make sense. We know he's in the village, but can't find him."

"The village is less than ten square miles across, with a population of three thousand at most! How is it you haven't found him?!"

"I don't know, Doctor," Metal confessed.

"Have you tried the Chaos Detector?" Eggatha questioned.

A moment of silence followed.

"You haven't, have you?" Robotnik sighed.

Metal sounded almost sheepish as he answered.

"I... forgot I had one installed, and that it would work in this instance."

"Sonic is brimming with Chaos Energy," Eggatha mused. "He'll light up like a Chaos Emerald."

"Now use the damned detector and find him already!" Robotnik demanded as he pressed the com button before slumping back and rubbing his eyes in annoyance, letting out a sigh. "Agatha, it's at times like this that I find I must ask myself again and again... Do I really want to collect the Chaos Emeralds and establish the Robotnik Empire this badly?"

Eggatha just patted his back.


Springtrap Village

In his hiding spot, Sonic continued vibrating his leg. The pain was almost completely gone by this point, his cast beginning to crack apart.

"Finally…" he sighed. "Come on, just a little more."

The cast broke apart completely, revealing Sonic's foot. He wiggled his toes before carefully putting pressure on it. When he felt nothing, he practically flopped onto the ground in relief.

"Finally!" he exclaimed.

He heard more footsteps approaching, and quickly slipped on his other sneaker before darting to the door, pressing his back against it. Outside, Cubot and Orbot were approaching the door themselves.

"Dunno if we'll find anything, but the third time's the charm." Orbot mused.

He reached for the doorknob, only for two small knocks to sound from within..

"Knock-knock!" came Sonic's voice.

"Uh…" Cubot scratched the side of his head. "Who's there?"

"Boo."

"Boo who?"

The door was violently kicked open, catching Cubot and smashing him against the wall as Sonic stepped out, grinning.

"Don't cry," he quipped. "It's only a mild concussion."

"Oh, there you are," Orbot remarked.

"Are my circuits scrambled, or is he standing upright?" Cubot asked, dazed.

"They're always scrambled, but yes," Orbot confirmed. "But... your leg. How did you-?"

"None of your business, that's how. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a flock of angry birds to shoo out of Cocoa Island."

He took off, leaving the two bots spinning out on the floor.

"This makes no sense!" Orbot insisted.

"Oh good, so I'm not the only one who's confused," Cubot remarked.

-X-

Sonic made it as far as the town square before something tackled him, knocking him aside. Metal loomed over him, optics glowing.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked.

"Actually, yeah," Sonic replied. "This isn't really my scene. Too many bots."

"You can't go until I say you can go, Sonic. And I say you can go when you're dead."

Sonic scowled, standing up and staring his doppelganger down.

"I don't have time for this. I've got friends to protect, an island to save. Now beat it, Metal. Or I'll scrap you where you stand."

Metal scoffed. "Like I haven't heard that before."

He kicked at Sonic, who just grabbed his leg and flipped him over.

"Just remember... I warned you."


Author's Note:

Sonic's back in action! But he's gonna need to escape Metal before he can rejoin the others.

Please R&R. Until next time!