-Chapter 151-
Robian Raids
Knothole
In Knothole, the group threw the Tails Dolls' remains into a pile of wood. Tails soaked the pile in gasoline, and Shard ignited it with a plasma shot. The resulting fireball had everyone cheering.
"I've got weenies and marshmallows!" Johnny declared. "Who wants some?"
More cheers rang out as everyone grabbed skewers and snacks. As everyone ate and danced around the bonfire, Nicole and Omochao were off to the side, searching through the files they hacked out of the Eggnet.
"We were in such a hurry to find the plans, we have so much other data," Nicole noted. "Even with our combined processing speed, sorting this will take time."
"We can do it, Nicole!" Omochao said cheerfully.
-X-
They spent the next hour or so sorting out the data. It wasn't until the fire was burned out that they came across something particularly interesting. Nicole gasped.
"No way…" she let out.
She blinked out of existence, materializing right where Sonic and Sally were snuggling.
"We found them!" Nicole exclaimed.
Both Freedom Fighters jumped, falling off of the log they were sitting on.g Sonic got up, dusting grass and pine needles off his clothes.
"For Pete's sake, Nicole!" he exclaimed. "Can you not pop out of nowhere like that?"
"Sorry, but this is important," Nicole replied.
She held out her hand, and a large roster appeared. Sonic took a look, and his eyes widened. The roster included serial numbers, names, and locations of every single Robian under Robotnik's "employ".
"Yeah, the Tails Doll schematics were far from the only plans and files we got ahold of," she boasted.
"Nicole, this is great!" Sally cheered. "Do you know what this means?! We can finally save all the Robians!"
"And with Eggman in jail, it's the perfect time," Sonic pointed out.
Sally smiled. "First thing in the morning, we're getting everyone together. This may be one of our more ambitious attacks yet."
The next morning…
The group all met up in the war room. Nicole displayed the Robian roster for all to see.
"Today's the day, you guys," Sally declared. "Time to liberate every last Robian in Robotnik's employ."
"Are you serious?" Mina demanded. "All of them?"
"All of them," Sonic confirmed.
Nicole flipped through the roster, stopping when she reached Mina's mother's name.
"Including your mother," she confirmed.
Mina smiled, tears in her eyes.
"Hope, I need you to make copies of Eggatha's override voice recording," Sally instructed. "Keith, gather as many Power Rings as you can carry."
Both kids were off before she even finished speaking.
"My only regret is Eggman won't be there for us to see the look on his face when we pull this off," Sonic remarked.
"Maybe we can go visit him in jail and gloat to his face," Knuckles suggested.
"I doubt it," Tails said. "GUN's keeping his location so far under wraps that not even Tower knows where he is."
"Eh, no biggie," Sonic said. "Let's work out teams. Eggman's divided up all of the Robians up in various factories. He's got them working 24-7 on building Badniks and other weapons."
"Seriously?" Shorty asked. "I thought there were a few combat units."
"There were, but they were recalled after Uncle Chuck and Coco were freed," Sonic explained. "Guess he didn't wanna risk losing heavy hitters."
Sally laid out a map, grabbing a red marker.
"According to this roster, the bulk of the Robian forces are here, here, and here," She made three circles on the map with the marker. The group looked it over.
"Mina's mom is among those who've been moved to the Cocoa Island base the Battle Birds set up," Tails noted. "I'll take that one."
"I'm going with you, Tails," Mina insisted.
"Figured as much," Tails nodded.
"Ant and I will join your group, Tails," Bunnie decided. "Provide some back-up."
"Next up is the Chemical Plant," Shorty remarked. "I'll handle the ones there. My suit will protect me from the Mega Mack."
"Rotor, you'll go with him," Sally said. "Like Shorty, your suit should protect you."
"Count me in too," said Shard. "I just hope we don't run into that Megatox guy while we're there."
"Not likely," Hope chimed in. "According to Eggatha, the guy's been in cold storage for awhile. Apparently, Eggman's become somewhat eco-friendly."
"Makes sense," said Cream. "Pollution and Chao don't mix."
"Still can't believe he has a Chao," Keith said. "Eggatha, sure, but Eggman?"
"Focus, everyone," Sally cut in. "We've only got one chance to pull this off."
Amy looked at the map herself. "The last base on the map is an island off the coast of Yurashia. Sakura Island."
"Sakura Island?" Kat perked. "I went there on vacation once. It's beautiful in the spring."
Amy squinted at the map. "Huh. The Press Garden Zone is part of the island. That explains a lot, actually."
"Then Amy, you, me, Sticks, and Kat will be handling that one," Sally said.
"While they focus on the larger operations, the rest of us will divide and conquer the smaller ones," Sonic chimed in. "With any luck, we'll have the Robians back and fitted with Power Rings in time for dinner."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Tekno demanded. "We've got work to do!"
They all dispersed off in different groups.
Chemical Plant
In no time at all, a Warp Ring deposited Shorty, Shard, and Rotor outside the Chemical Plant.
"Ah, the Chemical Plant," Shorty mused. "Just as dank and metallic as ever."
"It is looking better than last time," Rotor pointed out. "Cleanup efforts seem to be successful."
"More eco-friendly or not, there's no doubt in my mind Mega Mack is still in production or storage," Shard said. "Good thing Sonic isn't here."
"Just keep your eyes open," Shorty warned. "For both Badniks, and the Flock."
"The Flock?" Shard asked.
"Sheep who used to live here before Eggman paved over to make the plant," Shorty explained. "They're the local Freedom Fighter squad."
Rotor then froze.
"Hang on…" he said. "Last time we met them, you nearly got taken apart, Shorty… and we have a Metal Sonic with us."
"Easily rectified." Shorty removed his helmet. "We can vouch for Shard."
"I hope that'll work," said Shard. "I like being in one piece."
They slipped into the Chemical Plant, only to find themselves held at gunpoint by several Flock members. The one in the head was a ram with light gray wool, dark gray eyebrows, dark gray hair, a small dark gray beard, and a pink nose surface. He also had pale yellow curled horns and golden eyes. For attire, he wore a red shirt and matching pants, a black belt with a yellow buckle, and black gloves and shoes.
"Identify yourselves," the ram demanded.
"Whoa, whoa!" Shard exclaimed. "Same side! We're with the Knothole Freedom Fighters."
Shorty cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the ram.
"I'm Shorty, the former Cybernik. The walrus is Rotor, and the robot is Shard the Metal Sonic."
Rotor removed his helmet as well. A tense moment or two passed before the ram lowered his gun.
"My apologies."
"Hey, better than the last time we crossed paths with your Flock," Shorty told him.
"Listen," Rotor spoke up. "We've come for the Robians working in this facility. We have a way to free their minds."
"You do?" the ram asked.
"Yep. We can prove it".
"Follow me."
As they went down into the tunnels, the ram turned to the group.
"I'm Ari, by the way."
"Pleasure to meet you," Rotor replied.
-X-
They entered the Flock's base, where Ari led them to the room where Bunnie and Shorty were strapped down a year earlier. Much to their shock, they saw Sab strapped down this time, now a Robian herself.
"Sab…" Shorty gasped.
"A raid on the base went south," Ari explained. "She stayed behind so we could get away. We found her like this within the week."
"Damn…" Shard let out.
"If you've truly found a way to break the Robian programming, here's your first patient," Ari declared.
Shard ejected a Power Ring pod from his chest, handing it to Rotor, who approached the prone ewe.
"Stand back," he warned.
He opened Sab's access panel, installing the ring.
"All right, now all we need is some emotional stimuli to get her out of this."
"I got this," Ari assured, walking forward. "Sab... It's me. It's Ari. I need you to come back to us. The Flock needs you. We need you. I... I need you."
Sab struggled against her restraints, the Power Ring glowing and flowing through her body before she stopped, panting.
"Sab…?" Ari asked.
"Hey, Ari," Sab greeted. "I told you I'd be fine."
Ari gasped, smiling before releasing her from her restraints. Once free, they hugged.
"You're back," Ari sighed. "And if you can come back, then so can everyone else."
Sab turned to Rotor and the others. "You found a way."
"Still working on actually curing roboticization, though," Rotor noted.
"All we need are our minds, and our free will," Sab assured. "The rest will follow."
Shorty nodded. "That's what we said."
"Then there's no time to waste." Sab insisted.
"Luckily, I already have a plan," Shorty assured.
-X-
Inside the factory, all of the Robians were hard at work, building entire platoons of Badniks. Many worked with the Mega Mack, stirring large containers of it. As they did, the speaker system in the factory started squealing. Then, Eggatha's pre-recorded voice rang out throughout the building.
"Admin Override A-0113. All Robians are to stand down and report single file to the nearest Freedom Fighter."
The Robians immediately stopped. Shorty appeared, waving them over.
"Alright everyone, you heard the boss," he urged. "Come on over here! I've got Power Rings for everyone!"
They followed him out as Rotor did the same with another group.
"Stop right there!"
Loud footsteps sounded, and they spun around to see a large robot appear. The bot was easily twice the size of Rotor, with a gorilla-like appearance, and several badnik heads strung around his neck.
"I got this," Shard assured. "You keep freeing the Robians."
Shard went to face him as Shorty and Rotor went about the work.
"And you are?" he asked.
"I am the great Nutzan Bolt. The Horde Commander for this chapter of Dr. Robotnik's army."
"Nuts and Bolts?" Shard questioned. "You're kidding. Did Eggatha name you?"
He scoffed. "If Sonic was here, he'd have a field day with this."
Nutzan scowled, steam slightly billowing from his head as buzzsaws protruded from his arms.
"If you know what's good for you, pal, you will not use the 'S' word in my Chemical Plant."
Shard's optics flickered as if blinking, then he grinned.
"What, Sonic? But it's in my name. I'm Shard the Metal Sonic."
Nutzan came down with a buzzsaw, Shard darting out of the way.
"DON'T SAY THAT NAME!"
"Or what?"
"Then I'll add your head to my collection!" Nutzan tapped the necklace of Badnik heads around his neck. "They made the mistake of either failing me or mentioning…" He let out a few hissing S's before managing to spit it out, "Sonic's name as well! And they paid the price for it!"
"You chopped off your fellow Badniks' heads and turned them into a necklace because they mentioned Sonic in front of you?" Shard asked. "And I thought Eggman was batshit crazy. But you? You really are nuts."
The buzzsaw shifted, forming into a cannon. Nutzan fired on Shard, sending him on the defensive.
"What's with all the Sonic hate?" he went on. "I mean, a lot of Badniks hate him, but not this much."
"I was built that way! Everlasting, red-hot sizzling hatred for Sonic to ensure his demise at my hands would be as painful as possible!"
Shard blinked. "That's it?"
"What were you expecting? That he killed my family, that he humiliated me in battle? I've never even met him in person! Besides, this is the real world. Hatred and disgust are good enough reasons to want to kill people. Especially stinking blue hedgehogs like him!"
"Even if you've never met him?" Shard questioned. "Seriously, that makes no sense. I mean, if you've never met Sonic, how do you know you hate him?"
"Because I was programmed to do so by the doctor. I know full well of their little feud and his heroics. Now stop saying the 'S' word!"
By this point, steam was venting out of Nutzan's head, which was turning red-hot both figuratively and literally
"I'm not gonna stop saying Sonic's name," Shard insisted. "Sonic's my friend. I don't hate Sonic. I like Sonic."
Nutzan finally snapped, howling in anger.
"STOP SAYING IT!"
He charged at Shard in a blind rage. Shard smirked, then stepped to the side to reveal a large vat of unstable Mega Mack. Nutzan ran right into it, and was covered in the stuff. It began literally eating through him, making Shard wince.
"Rough way to go…" he muttered.
Eventually, all that was left was Nutzan's head. Much to Shard's surprise, it suddenly sprouted wheels, the head glaring at him.
"You haven't seen the last of Nutzan Bolt!" he swore.
The head revved off at that.
"Well... that happened," Shard remarked.
"Forget him!" Rotor insisted. "We're almost done!"
"Once we get everyone out, what do you say we burn this place down?" Shard suggested. "Mega Mack is flammable."
"Sounds like a plan." Shorty agreed.
Cocoa Island
Meanwhile, Tails' group had arrived at Cocoa Island. It didn't take long for them to find the base, built atop Polly Mountain.
"I see they've done some work since the last time I was here," Tails mused.
"Do you want to check on your folks?" Mina asked.
"They're fine," Tails assured. "If anything was wrong, they would have contacted me."
They headed for the base, creeping in. They found numerous Robians working the Badnik assembly lines. Mina let out a gasp at the sight of one Robian in particular sweeping the floors.
"Mom…" she let out.
The Robian was an older version of Mina wearing a simple dress with long purple hair. She continued her mindless chore, her eyes dull and lifeless.
"What's the plan, Tails?" Bunnie questioned.
"Simple," Tails replied. "Play the override code and get everyone out of here."
"With all the Robians here, the intercom is our best bet," Antoine said.
"Then that's where we go," Tails decided.
They made a beeline for the control room at that. Just as they reached it, they were intercepted by a familiar figure.
"Well, well, well," said Commander Brutus. "What do we have here?"
"Oh, it's you, Brutus," Tails said casually. "How've you been?"
Brutus scowled. "Have you forgotten who I am?"
"No, I called you by name," Tails retorted. "So, you're in charge of this place now. With Eggman gone, Eggatha must be taking pity on you."
"Why, you little! I'll-"
"You'll what?" Tails cut in. "Hate to break it to you, 'Commander,' but you're not the Big Bad of Eggman's army anymore. Hell, you're barely the Kinda Naughty."
Brutus let out a furious growl. "THAT'S IT!"
He created his arm cannon, firing on the group and forcing them on the defensive.
"See?" Mina said flatly. "Now you made him mad!"
"Yeah…" Tails rubbed the back of his neck. "We've beaten him so many times I forgot he's actually a threat."
"Of course I'm a threat!" Brutus ranted, floating overhead. "Have you forgotten that the first time we ever fought, I defeated Sonic trivally and cast him into the Special Zone?"
"Actually... Yeah," Tails confessed.
"You only beat me those other times by using Chaos Emeralds and fancy technology! It's as simple as that."
"Well this time, we're beating you because you're standing between me and my mother," Mina replied. "I'm not leaving without her!"
"Yes, you are," Brutus said flatly.
Mina's expression was downright murderous.
"You're mine," she hissed. "Tails, free everyone."
"Are you sure you don't-" Tails cut himself off with a simple look from Mina. "Yeah, okay. I'm on it."
He slipped off as Brutus turned to face Mina.
"Save yourself some embarrassment, child," he ordered. "Walk away now."
"Forget it, Brutus," Mina snapped. "I'm gonna take you down and save my mom, even if it kills me."
"Have it your way."
He aimed his arm cannons and fired, shocked to see her move fast enough to dodge.
"So, you're fast," he noted. "Still, nowhere near as fast as Sonic."
"Who do you think taught me how to manage it? Among other things."
She knelt before revving in place, becoming a yellow ball before launching herself at Brutus. Brutus got hit hard, rebounding off the wall and groaning.
You call that a Spin Dash?" he scoffed. "Pathetic. And you honestly expect to save your mother?"
"Damn right I do."
She charged up again, determined not to fail.
-X-
Meanwhile, Tails had gotten the override over the intercom and was already beginning the process of freeing the Robians. Eventually, he got to Mina's mother, placing a Power Ring in her core.
"Isabella Mongoose?" he asked.
She turned to him, reacting to her name.
"I'm Tails. A friend of your daughter Mina."
"M-Mina…" Isabella managed.
"She's here right now, fighting to save you and the other Robians. And she's dying to see you again."
Her eyes sparked and flickered before going from red to blue.
"Mina…" she let out. "Where is she?"
They heard clashing and laser blasts before Tails could answer.
"You just don't know when to quit, do you?!" Brutus roared. "Sonic's gotten to you, hasn't he?!"
"Yep!" Mina replied bluntly. "And like him, I will never give up! I'm Mina Mongoose, Freedom Fighter!"
"I... think that answers your question." Tails remarked.
Isabella was already gone, racing towards her daughter.
-X-
By this point, Mina was running around Brutus, dodging laser fire and landing whatever hits she could.
"Ha!" Brutus taunted. "You may be fast, but your blows are weak! Face it, little girl! You're outmatched!"
He backhanded Mina, knocking her to the ground. As he prepared to land a final shot, something grabbed his cape, slinging him back and slamming him into the ground. He got up to see Isabella standing before the downed Mina, glaring at him.
"You get the hell away from my daughter," she growled.
Brutus took one look at the pissed off Robian and quickly got back on his feet.
"Seems the odds aren't in my favor today," he muttered. "Go on and take the Robians. We'll have replacements by the end of the-"
Isabella ripped a part of the console out of the wall and chucked it at Brutus, hitting him squarely in the chest. He let out a growl.
"...Women," he spat before flying off. As soon as he was gone, Isabella turned to Mina, who was just staring in surprise.
"M…" she managed, "Mom?"
Isabella smiled, offering her a hand up.
"My precious girl," she said. "Look how strong you've become. Arthur would be so proud of you."
Mina burst into tears, launching herself to her feet and hugging her mom.
"Mom!" she sobbed happily. "It's you! It's really you!"
They embraced, Isabella petting Mina's head gently. Off to the side, Bunnie, Antoine, and Tails watched, smiles on their faces. Bunnie sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Y'know, it's moments like this that make all this fighting worthwhile," she remarked.
"Took the words right out of my mouth, mon cherie," Antoine agreed.
Press Garden Zone
Around the same time, Kat's group arrived in the Press Garden Zone. Sticks looked up at the old temple.
"Guess Eggman gave up on the phony newspaper business," she noted.
"Seriously, what was he thinking with that one?" Amy asked. "Those posters were unflattering as best."
"At least you got one," Sticks grumbled.
"...You're still hung up on that?" Amy questioned.
"Alright, focus," Sally cut in.
Kat was looking around the island, her eyes wistful.
"I haven't been here in years…" she let out.
"It definitely is a beautiful place," Amy agreed. "Especially when it's not covered with snow."
"You should see it in the spring," Kat remarked. "The flowers are blooming and the entire air just smells clean and beautiful. It just takes your breath away."
They stood there for several minutes, taking in the atmosphere. After a minute, Kat nodded.
"Alright, I'm good. Let's go save the Robians."
They headed into the temple, seeing the printing press had been replaced with Badnik assembly lines, Robians hard at work. In the back of the room was a Robian dragon, powering the furnace with her fire breath.
"That's gotta be Dulcy's mom," Sally deduced.
"And I see why you brought me here," Kat realized.
"Yep," Sally passed her a Power Ring. "You get to wrestle the Robian Dragon."
"I am so gonna break something," Kat sighed.
Kat crept up on Sabina, darting behind cover as she got closer. As this went on, Sally played the override recording for each Robian, leading them out of the temple.
"Ten Mobiums the dragon eats her," Sticks said bluntly.
"Sticks!" Amy admonished.
"What?" Sticks defended. "I don't care how strong she is. She's a kid and that's a dragon. A robot dragon. She's gonna get eaten."
"We've got the override," Sally said. "It'll be fine."
Kat made it closer to Sabina, held up the recorder, and began playing it. The second it began, Sabina roared, drowning out the voice as her tail smashed Kat into a wall, the recorder shattering. Kat looked at it, then at Sabina as she loomed over her, and could only say one thing…
"Shit."
-X-
Outside of the temple, the three Freedom fighters heard a massive, mechanical roar, as well as a terrified scream.
"Called it," Sticks remarked.
Sabina then shot through the roof, Kat just barely clinging to her tail.
"Oh, Aurora…" Sally gasped. "KAT!"
Kat was digging her fingers into Sabina's metal plating, her eyes screwed shut as she tried not to look down. Clinging with all her might, she began climbing the dragon, trying to get to her chest plate. With a lot of effort, Kat made it to Sabina's chest plate, opening it up and slamming the Power Ring home.
"Sabina!" she shouted in Chun-ese. "Stop fighting me! I'm not your enemy! I'm a friend of Dulcy!"
Sabina stopped, looking down. "Dul… cy?"
"Yes! Dulcy! Your daughter! She's so worried about you! She misses you so much!"
"My daughter…" Sabina repeated. "Dulcinea…"
Kat lost her grip and plummeted. The Freedom Fighters on the ground ran to catch her, only for Sabina herself to swoop down, catching the girl on her back. Kat let out a sigh of relief, sagging onto the dragon's back.
"Thank you…" she managed.
"No, thank you," Sabina replied. "You saved me."
Kat smiled.
"It's what I do," she assured. "Now, I know you want to see your daughter, but we need to run some tests to ensure full integration of the Power Rings. Mandatory for all freed Robians."
"Yes, of course," Sabina nodded. "Ensure we don't revert."
She landed, gently placing Kat on the ground. Kat just sagged, her legs like jello and her hands bleeding.
"Well…" she began, "I think I hit my quota for reckless moves for the week."
Knothole
Later, the Robians were all escorted back to Knothole, where tests were run on each of them to ensure the Power Rings were fully integrated. After that was done, Uncle Chuck stepped forward.
"Everyone…" he began, "there's something you all need to know."
"Unc, what are you-?" Sonic started.
"Sonic, please," Uncle Chuck cut him off. "I need to say this."
Sonic hesitated before stepping back. The Robians all turned to Uncle Chuck, their attention grabbed.
"Dr. Robotnik didn't invent the Roboticizer that made you what you are now," Uncle Chuck confessed. "He stole the idea and plans... from me."
There was a collection of murmurs and some gasps. Uncle Chuck let it go for about a minute, then started back up again.
"Please, understand. I came up with the idea with the best intentions. To heal the sick and wounded, prolong the lives of the elderly. I scrapped the project once I realized the cons outweighed the pros, but Robotnik got ahold of the blueprints and made his own."
They all looked at him with unreadable expressions as Chuck knelt before them, his voice stricken with remorse.
"My single greatest regret is inventing that damned machine. All it did was make Robotnik's job that much easier, and condemn Aurora knows how many to a fate worse than death." He sighed, looking down and closing his optics. "All I want is to be forgiven…"
A moment of silence passed before a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see Sab by his side, a sympathetic smile on her face.
"How can we do that if you won't do it yourself?" she asked.
"You may have made the machine, Charles, but your intentions were noble," Isabella assured. "It was Robotnik who bastardized it, turning it into what it is. You have nothing to apologize for."
"You're not our attacker," Sabina chimed in, Kat translating. "Merely another victim."
"Robotnik's actions aren't yours, Chuck," Coco added. "He did this to us, not you."
One by one, the other Robians agreed, insisting that Uncle Chuck was not responsible for their fates. Had he the ability to cry, he would have been in tears. Sonic came over, giving him a smile.
"See, Unc?" he asked. "None of them blame you."
Uncle Chuck smiled. "Thank you... all of you."
"Once everyone's checked out, we'll begin sending everyone home," Sally said. "I imagine there are many families eager to be reunited."
Chuck nodded, standing up.
"All of you, know this," he told them. "We're working on a way to reverse the process as we speak. Once it's complete, we'll call you all back for deroboticization."
"We can be patient," one Robian assured. "We waited this long for freedom, after all. And it was worth the wait."
Dragon's Nest
After the checkups were complete, Sabina made her way back to Dragon's Nest, Kat on her back.
"Why the escort?" she asked.
"Dragon's Nest came under attack some time ago by Eggman's forces," Kat explained. "I imagine they would be distrustful of you given your... nature."
Sabina nodded at that. Once they got close enough, they heard a draconic roar, and looked to see several dragons flying out to confront them, Dulcy in the lead. Kat immediately stood up, waving her hands.
"Dulcy!" she cried. "Dulcy, it's okay!"
Dulcy stopped short. "Kat? What's going on?"
"It's your mom! This is Sabina! She's free!"
Sabina moved down, descending to the ground. She lowered her entire body in a show of submission. Dulcy slowly approached, taking her mother's face in her hands.
"Ma…?" she let out.
"Dulcinea…" Sabina remarked.
The two bumped heads lovingly. Dulcy had tears in her eyes as she turned to Kat.
"How did you-?" she began in English.
"Power Rings," Kat said simply. "Who knew? I have to say, your mom did not make it easy on me."
She showed her bandaged hands. "I see where you got your fighting spirit."
They headed into Dragon's Nest, where Sabina was happily welcomed back. Kat watched with a smile before hearing a small crack. She turned to Cinder's egg, seeing it was beginning to wobble back and forth.
"Uh, I think there's something going on with the egg." she informed them.
Cinder turned, gasping.
"Dulcy!" she cried. "Shield her! It's hatching!"
Kat was suddenly plucked off the ground, clutched in Dulcy's hand as the dragon curled around her.
"Cover your ears," she warned.
Kat did so, just in time for a small explosion. Dulcy slowly uncurled, seeing the egg was in fragments, a small scorch mark around the new baby, whose body was largely concealed by the top half of the egg shell. Kat blinked, in shock at the realization.
"Yes, dragon eggs explode when they hatch," Dulcy confirmed. "Comes with the territory of being fueled by Chaos energy."
"I do not remember learning about that in class," Kat muttered.
Cinder approached the hatchling, gently pulling the egg shell off of it. The baby bore Zan's red coloration, but was otherwise a spitting image of Cinder. It blinked, taking in its surroundings with a cute yawn. Cinder seemed to sigh in relief, picking up and cradling her child.
"My son…" she remarked.
The dragon pup squeaked, nuzzling his cheek against his mother as people oohed and awwed. He let out a sneeze, small plumes of smoke spouting from his ears.
"What the…?" Kat managed.
"The sign of a Protector-class," Dulcy explained. "That used to happen to me a lot when I was little."
Sabina approached Cinder, smiling. "What will you call him?"
Cinder thought for a minute before nodding.
"Kaen (1)," she turned to Kat. "Would you like to see him, Kathryn?"
Kat blinked. "Me? Are you sure?"
"Of course. You and your friends are the reason his egg survived long enough to hatch, after all."
Kat approached carefully. Kaen looked at her and cooed happily, reaching for her. She took him, the hatchling curling around her.
"He's so warm…" she remarked.
"He's drawn to your Chaos Force," Dulcy mused. "It's similar to our own."
Kat smiled, patting Kaen's head. "Welcome to Mobius, Kaen."
She handed the child back to Cinder. As she turned to leave, Cinder's tail stopped her.
"Here," She took a shard of the egg shell, a single scale that looked like a crescent. "Take it, so you can remember the life you and yours helped bring into this world."
Kat looked at the shard, smiling with a tear in her eye as she took it. She bowed in gratitude, then left.
Robotropolis
Later, at Citadel Robotnik, Robotnik fumed, smashing a cup bearing Sonic's face. Having discovered the loss of his Robian workforce and the fire at the Chemical Plant, he was furious. As he breathed heavily, he turned to Grimer, who was standing behind a line-up of Sonic action figures, cups, and the like.
"PULL!" he roared.
Grimer launched a cup into the air, which Robotnik immediately shot.
"Nice shooting, Tex!" Cubot declared in his cowboy voice.
"Dozens of Robians, and the primary Mega Mack production facility, lost in one day!" Robotnik ranted. "Is it too much to ask that I-"
He was cut off by the sound of rubber squeaking, and turned to see the 6-S at the door. Scratch was wearing a replica of Sonic's Power Sneakers made by Honey Clothing.
"What. Are. Those?" he hissed.
"Uh, I dunno," Scratch said sheepishly. "I thought they looked kinda… dashing."
Robotnik began pulsing with rage. Sensing his rising anger, Metal grabbed Eggatha by the arm and ran out immediately with her in tow, Grimer following.
"So, let me get this straight," he advanced on Scratch, who began to sweat and back up against the wall as Robotnik went on. "The hedgehog is my sworn enemy, the sole reason why the Robotnik Empire repeatedly fails to spread across Mobius, a royal thorn in my side… And YOU... ARE WEARING... HIS... MERCHANDISE?!"
He was about to blast Scratch when the door opened. He turned to see Coconuts with a tray containing cans of Chao Cola, also bearing Sonic's image. He chuckled awkwardly, offering Robotnik a can.
"Thirsty…?" he let out.
Robotnik ripped off his glove with a scream of pure anger, revealing a newly attached missile launcher…
Angel Island
Meanwhile, Kat joined Knuckles and the Chaotix at Azure Lake. An explosion suddenly sounded, a mushroom cloud emerging from the area of Westside Island as Echidnaopolis itself shook. They looked at one another, wondering what it was, before shrugging.
Robotropolis
Back at the citadel, Coconuts and Scratch were both covered in soot. They fell to the ground, coughing as Metal and Eggatha peeked in.
"Uncle?" Eggatha let out cautiously.
"Eggatha, my dear," Robotnik began. "Please tell me you are not responsible for this... unseemly incident."
"Of course not!" Eggatha assured. "They may be using my override, but I never told them where the Robians were. Cross my heart."
Robotnik slowly turned to her.
"I'll show you my inbox with Hope if you don't believe me!"
Metal then stepped up, putting himself between Eggatha and Robotnik.
"She's telling the truth," he insisted. "We know the Freedom Fighters hacked our systems to get the Tails Doll plans. Perhaps they also grabbed the roster when they attacked."
Robotnik looked into Eggatha's eyes before nodding. "Alright. I just needed to be sure."
Eggatha sagged in relief.
"Unfortunately, the loss of the Robians means a large dent in our workforce," he remarked. "We need more manpower, and Robians are no longer an option. It seems Cyberization is the way to go now."
"All we need are more people to recruit," Eggatha nodded.
"Indeed," Robotnik said. "In the meantime, you continue with Metal's upgrade. If Sonic thinks I'll let this go unpunished, he hasn't thought at all."
Author's Note:
(1): Japanese for "burn."
Yay! The Robian workforce is free! But Robotnik will not take this lying down. What will happen next?
Ari is from SatAM, whereas Nutzan Bolt is from Sonic the Comic. And yes, that ending scene with Robotnik was taken from Hercules.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Ari - Ike Amadi (Javik from Mass Effect 3, Martian Manhunter in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Man-Ape from Avengers Assemble)
* Sabina - Karen Huie (Yuriko from Ghost of Tsushima)
* Isabella - Cynthia Cranz (Chi-Chi from Dragon Ball Z, Botan from Yu Yu Hakusho, Tsurara Shirayuki from Rosario + Vampire)
Please R&R. Until next time!
