-Chapter 148-

Sonic Slander, Part 2


Knothole

The day after the CPS incident, the Freedom Fighters found a bit of a reprieve from the smear campaign from a report by Scarlet.

"It is now day three since the Kane Broadcasting Company launched their smear campaign against Sonic the Hedgehog. While a few have been swayed to his side, they remain in the minority, and many are in fact furious at the company for such slander. People of Mobius, I implore you to consider this: even if what Kane's company claims is true, does one mistake or lapse in judgment truly negate all of Sonic's good? Don't we all have regrets?"

"Thank Aurora, someone's on our side," Sally sighed.

"Yeah, after the shitshow yesterday, some good press is desperately needed," Sonic agreed.


At primetime, however, Mobius tuned in to the next episode of the Comedy Chimp Show. Their hopes to alleviate boredom and get a good laugh were soon replaced with annoyance when most of the latest episode consisted of Comedy Chimp making potshots at Sonic.

"What a month it's been, huh? Particularly for Sonic- he's gone from hero to weirdo ever since that documentary lifted the lid on his secret life! What kind of hero recruits emotionally unstable kids to fight evil dictators? What's next? Recruiting junkies in the back-alley to serve as cannon fodder?"

Canned laughter sounded at that.

"And you'd think he'd change his shoes once in a while! That's just lousy hygiene, folks!"

Off to the side, Kane watched the show with a smirk. One of his workers stood next to him.

"Mr. Kane, is it really wise to be making fun of Sonic like this? Many people still see him as a hero."

"Well, Hal, I think you underestimate people," Kane replied with a smirk. "The only thing they love more than a hero... is a fallen hero."


Knothole

At Freedom HQ, the group watches with more annoyance than anything. Sonic just shrugged, seeing this as a lesser evil compared to the documentary.

"Eh, Comedy Chimp roasts everybody. It doesn't make much of a difference."

"I guess we're all just sick of this," Tails remarked.

"I'd like to punch someone, if I didn't think it would just prove all the bullshit right," Knuckles grumbled.


Station Square

Outside Comedy Chimp's studio, several protestors were assembled, wearing shirts that spelled out "Mobians Against Sonic Hatred" and waving picket signs. Before them was a nerdy man with red hair and taped glasses

"Fellow members of MASH!" he declared. "This TV station dares to mock Sonic the Hedgehog, Hero of Mobius! We can't let them get away with this! Down with KBC!"

"Yeah!" one man declared. "We'll show 'em what happens when you mess with Sonic!"

In the distance, Tom and his deputy, Wade Whipple, watched from their car nervously

"Wade, this is escalating far too quickly," Tom noted.

"I doubt they'll listen to us." Wade pointed out. "Half the city is after blood at this point."

"Damn that Kane…" Tom sighed. "Well, if they won't listen to us, there's only one option."


Knothole

Back at Knothole, Sonic got a call on his com.

"Hello?" he greeted. "Oh hi, Donut Lord. Just watching Comedy Chimp, and-"

He blinked. "What? It's getting that bad?"

He sighed. "Morons… alright, I'll handle it."

"What's going on?" Amy asked.

"A protest group calling themselves Mobians Against Sonic Hatred is outside of Comedy Chimp's studio," Sonic explained. "According to Donut Lord, they're just about to riot. That's all we need."

"Let's get moving," Sally said. "We need to end this before things get even worse than they already are."


Station Square

Back at the studio, Comedy Chimp looked out, sweating at the sight of MASH about to break in.

"Oh, no... I didn't expect them to react like this." he let out.

"You idiot…" Hal spat. "You insulted Sonic the Hedgehog on national television! What were you expecting? Roses?"

All of a sudden, a blue blur shoved all of the protestors away from the doors. Sonic stood between them and the doors.

"Alright, people!" he shouted. "Enough!"

The redhead went forward, grabbing his hand and shaking it.

"Mr. Hedgehog, I'm Norris Wimple," he greeted. "I'm your biggest fan! When Comedy Chimp roasted you, I had to do something, and-"

Sonic yanked his hand away. "By triggering a riot and trying to kick Comedy Chimp's door in?!"

"But-" A second protestor tried to argue, only to be cut off by Sonic.

"No! Just what do you people think you're playing at? Just because that goofy monkey makes fun of me doesn't mean it's okay to lash out violently in response. He's just doing this to boost his ratings. Not everyone has to like me or approve of me. I'm still gonna do my best to be the hero Mobius needs."

"We were just doing what you thought you'd do, Sonic!" a third protestor called out. "We used to live in fear of people like Robotnik, but you taught us that fighting is the way to bring about change!"

"What?! No! There's a difference between what I do and what you were doing! Eggman is evil, an actual threat! Comedy Chimp doesn't deserve to be attacked for telling bad jokes and taking a pop at me! Besides, there's a difference between fighting and standing up against something wrong. Mindless violence won't solve anything. Now please, just go home and calm down. I'm on thin ice as it is without you guys making things worse."

"I never wanted it to come to this," Norris spoke up, looking genuinely remorseful. "I just wanted to help…"

"I understand that, and that's why i'm giving you a chance to end this now. Go home, all of you. And if you don't like what's on TV, change the channel."

"...Yeah," the first protestor let out, "he's not wrong. It's just, between this and Kane's stupid smear campaign, I went a little nuts."

Murmurs of agreement sounded amongst the crowd as they walked away, picket signs in hand. Sonic sagged against the building, wiping his brow.

"That could've been worse."


Studiopolis

Breezie made for Kane's building, murder in her eyes. She stalked past the secretary, who tried to stop her but was shoved aside. When she reached the doors, Breezie threw them open, stalking towards Kane and slamming her hands on his desk.

"This ends now, Kane," she spat.

"Ah, Breezie," Kane greeted casually. "What can I do for you?"

"You can stop your stupid smear campaign against Sonic, that's what!" Breezie shot back. "I know you were the one behind Comedy Chimp's roast. A freaking riot was almost kicked off because of you!"

"I can assure you that Comedy Chimp was not my doing, nor was the riot," Kane insisted. "I have no control over how people react."

"But you did have control over Comedy Chimp's act. The roast was broadcast on your network! Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes!"

"Once again, that falls under the 'reaction' category. And as for my documentary, I'm merely stating the facts."

"No, all you're doing is taking everything Sonic and his friends are doing and twisting it to make them look bad! In case you haven't forgotten, they in the reporting industry call that libel!"

"It is not! I resent that!" Kane objected. "Libel is in print. When spoken, it's slander."

"That's even worse!" Breezie retorted. "End this now, Kane, or I swear I will drag you to court myself! I'll take this to the highest court, and I swear to Aurora I will ruin you!"

"Do that, and I'm afraid I'll have to counter such slanderous accusations with the revelation of your consortment with Robotnik," Kane warned.

Breezie perked, blinking in shock.

"Wasn't too hard to figure out," Kane went on. "Sonic Man was altered into that grim and gritty crap right around the same time people around Studiopolis began to go missing in and around your office. And when it goes back to normal, almost all of your staff have been turned to Robians, and you're suddenly donating half your proceeds to the Freedom Fighters? You're many things Breezie, but charitable is not one of them."

"I just lost sight of what was really important." She leaned forward. "Look, Kane. I don't care what you do to me. But Sonic doesn't deserve this. He's done too much for Mobius to wind up in the middle of a media circus."

"He means a lot to you, doesn't he?"

"He's my little cousin. Of course he does."

"I believe you. I really do." Kane struck a match, lighting his cigar. "That's the trouble with this business. You meet so many liars you forget what sincerity sounds like. Want to say it all again while I've got the camera running?"

Breezie scowled before pulling away.

"Fine, keep it up, Kane. But nasty, sleazy creeps like you always get their comeuppance in the end. It's just a matter of time."

She walked out, slamming the door behind her.


Knothole

That night, Sonic was on the phone with Breezie, who was telling him everything.

"I tried, Sonic. I really did. Kane's completely incorrigible. He won't stop."

"Thanks for trying, Breeze. Sorry he did that to you."

"This has to end, Sonic. At this rate, I might as well take him to court over this."

"But he'll sell you out."

"Like I told Kane, I don't care. You don't deserve this."

"Let me handle this one, Breezie. No need for you to get involved. This is my problem, and I'll deal with it."

"But-"

"Yeah, I know. Sally already mentioned this. He's not a supervillain. He's just a reporter gathering info for his stories, even if he is a sleazebag. But there are other ways to deal with people like him besides a punch in the face. I'll work it out. Have some faith, and relax. Sooner or later, he'll crash and burn. Just you wait."

He hung up, heading into the TV room where Sally was seated. She made room on the couch, the Blue Blur kicking back.

"Ugh…" Sonic sighed. "What a day."

"Hey, it's alright," Sally assured. "The girls are alright and right where they belong, the people are still on your side. Kane's smear campaign isn't doing much other than kick up dust." She rested a hand on his arm. "We'll find a way to stop this. We always do."

"Thanks, Sal," Sonic smiled. "I don't know if I'd be able to deal with all this without you."

"Hopefully, you'll never have to find out."

The two leaned in, sharing a kiss. Unbeknownst to them, outside the door was Amy. Seeing this was too much for her to take, and she walked out of Freedom HQ, crying. As she left, she caught the eye of Vanilla and Uncle Chuck, who had been conversing off to the side.

"Oh dear…" Vanilla let out.

"I was wondering when this was going to happen," Uncle Chuck said.


Amy made her way to her own house in the village, where she buried her face in her pillow and broke down completely. After a few minutes, she heard a soft knock on the door. Amy pulled herself up, wiping her eyes and face.

"Who is it?" she called.

"It's me and Sir Charles," came Vanilla's voice. "Can we come in? We just want to talk."

Amy opened the door, letting them in. "I suppose you saw my little display there."

"Yes, to be honest," Uncle Chuck admitted.

"We came to make sure you were alright," Vanilla added.

"Okay? Would you be okay if the one you loved didn't even know you existed?" Amy asked. "Or if you had to watch them be with someone else...?"

She sighed, sitting down.

"I haven't exactly kept it a secret how I feel about Sonic. I wanted to join the Freedom Fighters so I could be closer to him, so he'd notice me. And to see him choose Sally over me…" She sniffled, wiping her eyes. "It feels like my heart's been ripped out. What do I do now?"

Vanilla sat down next to Amy, putting an arm around her. "Well, you cry a little. Then you wait for the sun to come out. It always does."

"And as for my nephew, if you truly do care for him as much as you say, then you'd want him to be happy, yes?" Uncle Chuck asked.

"Well… yes," Amy admitted.

"You don't always get the one you think you deserve. That's how life works, Amy," Vanilla lifted Amy's chin up to look her in the eyes. "But when you really care about someone, you forget about what's best for you, and you do what's best for them."

"Even if it hurts?"

"Even then," Vanilla nodded. "The pain will fade, and you will find someone new. Someone who will love and cherish you the way you deserve. Just keep your eyes and heart open. You'll find someone who loves you the way Sonic does Sally."

Amy sniffled, then nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Thank you… both of you," she managed a small smile. "You're right... Sonic made his choice. As long as he's happy, that's what really matters."

"Atta girl," Uncle Chuck nodded. "Now, dry those tears and come join your friends. The latest edition of Kane's documentary is about to start and we're going to need everyone."

Amy nodded, standing up and heading out with them, feeling much better than she had in days.


Author's Note:

I'd planned out that scene with Amy for a while.

The character of Norris Wimple is from Sonic the Comic; his role is much the same as in the Online continuation.

Next chapter is the end of this mini-arc. Stay tuned.

Please R&R. Until next time!