-Chapter 259-

Hooliganry (or All-Tangled Up)


Spiral Hill Village

The Freedom Fighters ran about the Mineral Museum, turning it upside down for clues regarding Fiona's unknown accomplices.

"C'mon, there's gotta be something here!" Johnny insisted. "They couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere."

"Maybe they teleported or something?" Cassia perked. "Maybe they used a Warp Topaz!"

"I don't think so, Cass," Clove said. "Those things aren't subtle, we'd have noticed."

Just then, Sonic zipped downstairs. "Just did a sweep of the second floor."

"Find anything?" Sally asked.

"Yeah, a whole lotta nothing. Not one damn clue. Whoever Fiona was working with, they're good."

"They used a stink bomb," Amy recalled. "Think it might've been those skunk brothers who hassled you through Crystal Cave?"

"It can't be," Hope shook her head. "Rough and Tumble are still in lockdown on Prison Island."

"Ohhh, this is horrible!" Jewel pulled at her antennae in despair. "I never should've put that thing on display! What was I thinking!?"

"Easy there, Jewel," Tangle soothed. "It's gonna be alright. This isn't your fault."

"I tried to exhibit an Ice Diamond, Tangle! The rarest Power Gem in the world! How is this not my fault!?"

"Yeah, about that…" Keith cut in. "What exactly is an Ice Diamond?"

Tekno blinked. "Hold on. You don't know?"

"No, not really."

"Our knowledge of Power Gems and Power Rings is second-hand at best," Chris chimed in. "All of it comes from Aunt Laura, and she's never worked with Ice Diamonds."

"And all the books I've read on Power Gems only describe them as blue diamonds capable of producing cold." Hope added.

"That's...physically impossible." Rotor said.

"That's because of their rarity," Jewel told them. "Nobody really knows what all they can do. And attempts to uncover their mysteries only unearth more mysteries!"

"Okay, we can worry about these freaky mystery gems of mystery later." Knuckles said.

"Hang on," Sally perked. "I think I might have an idea. This Ice Diamond is one of a kind, right? Then that would mean it would have a unique Chaos signature. Something we can track using the Miles Electric."

"Hey, yeah!" Tails pulled out the Miles Electric. "Alright, let's see…" He looked before perking. "What!? That can't be right!"

"What is it?" Sonic asked.

"There's nothing! The Miles Electric isn't picking up ANY exotic energy signatures! Not even from the other gems!"

"That's impossible!" Keith insisted. "Nothing can shield against Chaos Energy."

"It's possible, just really tricky," Hope clarified. "And only a select few people have the means to pull it off on this scale."

"Hey, guys!" Tangle called, getting their attention. "I've got something!"

She held up a green feather.

"Tangle, that's just a feather." Jewel pointed out.

"Hold on…" Shorty said. "Can we see that?"

Tangle handed it over.

"It's not mine," Tekno said. "It's too dark."

Shorty scanned it over. "No, it's not. The scans say a hybrid. Part-woodpecker… part-duck (1)."

"A green duck…" Bunnie and Antoine perked in realization. "Bean!"

"That crazy bomb-loving duck who attacked us during the Phantom Ruby fiasco?" Shorty recalled. "Well, at least that explains the stink bomb."

"Hold up," Bunnie cut in. "Ain't they Eggman's patsies? Why would Fiona work with Eggheads?"

"I don't know," said Sonic, "But we need to find them."

"I got this!" Tails declared. "Shorty, gimme the feather!"

Shorty did so. Tails pulled out T-Pup. "Time to show you T-Pup's new tricks."


Meanwhile…

Bean happily threw the gems around, whooping and hopping around happily (2).

"I'm rich! Rich, I tells ya!"

"Oi!" Nack cut in. "Quit playin' around with the loot, Bean!"

Bean immediately got defensive. "It's mine! It's mine, all mine! You hear me!? You can't have it! Nonono! Mine mine...!" He was promptly clubbed over the head by a big meaty bear fist. "Miiiine…" he slurred before dropping.

"Idiot…" Nack shook his head. "Thank you, Bark."

"Why exactly is he on your team again?" Fiona asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Because I'd rather have him close where I can keep an eye on him, that's why."

"And whose turn was it to make sure he took his meds today?" Bark deadpanned, earning him a stink-eye from Nack.

"Anyway..." the weasel said. "I need to get ahold of the client, so we can drop these off and get our pay." He held out his hand. "Fiona, gimme the phone."

Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Where would I keep a phone? In the pockets I don't have?"

"Crazy thought, you could always wear pants."

"I have legs the world needs to see, Bark." the vixen scoffed. "I don't do lunges for nothing."

"Yeah...it's your legs people want to see."

"Yeah, and it's your mouths people want you to close!" Nack snapped. "Now hurry up and gimme the damn phone so we can get outta this podunk dump and get paid!"

"Ugh…fine."

Meeting him square in the eye, Fiona unzipped the top part of her body suit, then reached in. She pulled out a phone, tossing it to him before zipping back up again

"There," she said. "Happy?"

Nack and Bark just stare, blushing.

"Yeeeeah..." Nack said. Bark simply lowered his hat over his eyes.

"Perverts…" Fiona shook her head in discontent.

Nack cleared his throat. "Now, I'm going to go over there for a few moments of peace and quiet while I make this call."

"Whatever. I need some girl time anyhow. Way too much testosterone in the air."

"You're worse than my sister…" Nack muttered before walking off. Once he was at a safe distance, he made the call.

"What is it?"

"It's me. We got the goods. We're in the woods just outside the village. Meet us there and bring the money."

"Excellent work, Nack. And congratulations. You're about to become a very rich weasel."

Nack chuckled darkly. "That I am."

With that, he hung up before making his way back. "Alright, I just finished talkin' to the big man. He should be here in about-"

Something zoomed past him, knocking him down. He blinked, trying to get his bearings as three shadows fell over him.

"Nack the Weasel, I presume?"

Nack stiffened, looking up to see Team Sonic looming over him.

"What the-?!" he exclaimed. "What the bleeding hell are you doing here already!?"

"Stopping you," Sonic replied. "What's it look like?"

"And to answer your question..." Tails held out T-Pup. "Your pal dropped a feather in his escape."

Nack scowled. "Damn it, Bean…"

Knuckles bumped his fists together. "Now, how about you and yours hand over Jewel's gem collection, and you won't have to say goodbye to a lifetime of eating solid food?"

"How about this? Bark! Code Blue!"

Sonic groaned. "Priority One, Code Blue." He sighed loudly. "Alright, whatcha got big-"

Suddenly, Sonic was launched away with a loud boom, crashing into a tree.

"Guy…" he wheezed, sliding down the tree.

"Sonic!" Tails and Knuckles cried.

Hearing a chuckle, they turned to see Bark with his fist outstretched, a glove with a pinkish-red gem mounted on the back.

"Damn, these things are cool!"

Bean was on his feet as well, laughing hysterically and spinning several bomblets on his finger.

"Nice to meetcha, Sonic and friends! Say hello to my little friends!" He promptly chucked the bombs at them.

"Move!" Knuckles yelled, the two dodging out of the way. Nack pulled a raygun out of his pocket as Sonic got to his feet, wiping his lip.

"You're interfering with our biggest score, Hedgehog! So if you value your life, get lost!"

Sonic scoffed. "I fight robots and god-tier people on a regular basis, Nack. You think a mangy weasel with a pea-shooter scares me?"

"Hmmm...you're right, let's kick things up a smidge!" Nack popped the gun open, pulling a blue gem out of the loot bag. "I was gonna hand this over to the boss, but I'm sure he won't mind me takin' it for a spin."

He inserted the gem into his raygun, then closed it, the gun's power lines glowing blue.

"Uh-oh…" Sonic managed.

Nack pulled the trigger, firing a large beam at Sonic, who narrowly darted out of the way. Once he regained his bearings, he gaped in disbelief. Everything in the beam's path had been frozen solid. Even Nack was shocked.

"Whoa…" Sonic managed. "That must be the Ice Diamond. So, that's what it does."

Nack chuckled. "Wow…Power Gems…" Nack chuckled. "Mother Nature's little party favors." He turned to Fiona. "Hey, Fio! Show 'em your goods!"

"Wow, phrasing much?" Fiona deadpanned.

"Just get your knives out and shank 'em!"

"Right…" Fiona drew her daggers, along with two small Heat Opals, which she slotted into the pommels. As soon as she did, the blades glowed red-hot. "Like I said, nothing personal."

"We don't have to do this, Fiona," Sonic said. "Just give us back Jewel's exhibits and walk away."

Instead, he found himself ducking an attack from Fiona, the daggers leaving behind a trail of scorching heat that singed his hoodie. Meanwhile, Tails regained his bearings.

"Oh man… that was close…"

"I'll say," Tails turned to see Bean casually throwing a bomb up and down. "I actually thought this was gonna be boring, right J.T.?" He held his bomb to his ear. "What's that?" He slowly nodded as if the bomb was talking to him. "Really? You think I should? I dunnoooooo..." He scratched his chin. "Okay!"

Tails gave him a deadpan look. "Bean, right? You mind coming back to earth with the rest of us, please?"

"Let me think… NOPE!" Bean pulled out a green Power Gem before sticking it on his glove. "I'd rather use this Dreamy Aventurine to do something stupid!"

Green energy flew into the bomb, which began to glow red. "Big Bomb!"

Bean threw the bomb at Tails, who spun around, knocking it back at him with his tails. "Nice try!"

"Uh-oh…" Bean managed before the bomb exploded in his face. When the smoke cleared, Tails just stared blankly at the sight of a blackened Bean, his bill spinning around his face cartoonishly before slowly coming to a stop at the back of his head. He gave the fox boy a dirty look as he reset his bill back into its normal position with a click, holding up a shaky finger.

"You're… despicable…" he let out with a thick, wet lisp before dropping like a load of bricks.

"Wow…" Tails deadpanned. "That was stupid."

"Damn it, Bean…" Bark spat before perking, spinning around to block a punch from Knuckles. "Nice try, Rad Red."

"Okay, how are you still standing!?" Knuckles demanded. "I put all my strength behind that punch!"

"You tell me." The gem in Bark's glove began to glow.

"Oh, no!"

The gem unleashed a burst of force, knocking Knuckles back. The echidna managed to right himself, landing on his feet.

"So, it's the gem. I recognize that now, it's a Force Garnet."

"Yep. This thing absorbs the impact of anything you throw at me. And I can turn it all against you..." He raised his hand. "With a flick of the wrist!"

He gestured, unleashing a wave of force. Knuckles dug his claws into the ground, keeping him from being blown away.

"Damn… this isn't good…"

Suddenly, Bark ran over and grabbed him, suplexing the echidna. As this went on, Fiona and Nack continued to fight Sonic. As Nack shot at him, she kept attempting to slice him, but he kept dodging.

"You can't keep dodging forever, Sonic. If the blades don't get you, the scorching heat will!"

"That or my new freeze way!"

Sure enough, Sonic's hoodie was slowly getting crispier.

"Damn…I gotta do something about those–!"

Sonic's train of thought was interrupted by another fiery swing from Fiona's daggers, forcing him to stop dead in his tracks; something Nack took advantage of to freeze his foot. Unable to keep running, Sonic fell to the ground.

"Oh geez!" Sonic shouted. "That's cold! How can something be that cold!?"

"Sonic!" Tails called out as he ran to help him.

"Don't move!" Nack shouted, prompting Bark to hold up a beaten Knuckles.

"Make one move and dread head's gonna be dead head. Got it?"

Tails grimaced, but ultimately wielded.

"Good."

With that out of the way, Fiona and Nack returned their attention to Sonic, weapons drawn.

"Game Over, Hedgehog," Nack said with a grin as he opened up his gun and removed the diamond and putting it back in the bag. "Fiona, the client should be here soon. Make sure he doesn't try anything."

"You got it, Nack."

Nack nodded, walking off.

"Fiona, listen!" Sonic pleaded. "You don't wanna do this! You're making a big mistake!"

"What I'm making is twenty million Mobiums! That Diamond is my ticket to early retirement!"

"Yeah, too bad you're stealing it for the guy who had you locked up in his dungeon in the first place!"

Fiona stopped, blinking. "...Say what?"

"Oh, so you didn't know Nack and his pals were on Eggman's payroll? Oh yeah. It's how my pals and I first met them."

Nack stopped at that. Fiona slowly turned to him.

"Uhhh…" he managed. "I can explain."

"So it's true? The client for this job was Eggman?!" Fiona got in Nack's face. "I told you not to deal with him! That I wouldn't take any of his dirty money after what he did to me!"

Nack rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... see, Fiona, this is why Bark, Bean, and I agreed not to tell you who the client was. Our general consensus was that you might overreact."

"OVERREACT?!" Fiona shrieked. "Oh, I'll show you overreacting!"

"Uh-oh…" Nack gulped. "Bean! Bark! Little help here!"

He ducked a furious slash from Fiona. "Fiona, c'mon! We're making out like bandits here! So what if it's an Eggman Empire job?!"

"He's a monster!"

"Yeah, a monster with fat stacks of cash! Team Hooligan takes any job from anybody as long as it pays!"

"You really surprised, Fiona?" Sonic crossed his arms. "From what I've heard, Nack would sell his own mother for a grape."

"You makin' an offer, Spikeball?" Nack's eyes widened. "I mean… no, I wouldn't!"

"Yooooou...!" Fiona let out

Before she could do anything though, the sky suddenly went dark. Everyone looked up to see the Egg Carrier flying overhead.

"Right on schedule," Nack remarked, smirking in response. Bark mirrored his grin; throwing Knuckles aside.

As the ship pulled up, Bokkun flew down with an Egg Robo by his side, coming right up to the heroes.

"Message for Team Hooligan and Sonic and friends!" Bokkun reported, pulling out a TV.

It turned it on, revealing Eggman's laughing face.

"Ohhhohohohohoho! Hello there, boys and girls."

"Eggman..." Fiona growled.

"Ahh, Miss Fox! So you're the newbie Nack was so dead set on keeping in the dark. I can see why. Tell me, how did you enjoy your first job for the Empire?"

"About as much as I did being in your sweatshop, you fat bastard!"

"Oh come now, no need to be so hostile."

"I was your prisoner for MONTHS!"

"And your point is?"

Fiona growled and lunged at the Egg Robo. However, Nack blasted her in the leg with his raygun, freezing it solid from the knee down. She screamed as she fell, Nack clicking his tongue derisively before turning towards the robots.

"Alright Doc, we got the goods, including your fancy, blue diamond."

"Yes, yes. Bokkun, their pay."

"Okay!" Bokkun replied. Bokkun pulls out a cartoony sack of money and drops it on the ground. "One, fat sack of cash for Nack the Weasel!"

"Sweet!" Nack declared. "Looks like our job is done. "Bean! Bark! Let's bounce!"

"Ummmm..." Bark gestured to the unconscious Bean, causing Nack to roll his eyes.

"Oh for the love of...WAKE UP!"

Bean suddenly snapped awake. "Pat, I wanna buy a vowel!"

"The answer is Bomb!" Nack snarled. "Stink bomb! NOW!"

"Oh! Right!"

Bean quickly pulled out a huge bomb. Nack and Bark quickly covered their noses.

"Oh crap!" Fiona let out. "Cover your noses, now!"

"Smell ya later, Freedom Finks!" Bean let out, dropping the bomb onto the ground.

The second the bomb hit the ground, another cloud of gas sprang out, and farting noise echoed through the air.

"Aaagh!" Sonic let out.

"Not again!" Knuckles lamented, coughing in response.

Sonic dispersed it this time, spinning his arms so the cloud dissipated

"Whew!" he let out, working a kink out of his shoulder. "Agh...I gotta start lifting weights or something…" Sonic perked. "So that's why Longclaw had me wearing them."

"Sonic!" Tails creed out, getting his attention

Sonic turned as Tails pointed to Bokkun and Egg Robo flying away, the former carrying the sack of gems.

"Oh man, this thing's heavy!" Bokkun commented.

"Oh no you don't," he declared. "Knuckles! Fastball special!"

Knuckles nodded, catching Sonic as he rolled into a ball. He lobbed Sonic up at Bokkun and the Eggrobo.

"Uh oh!" Bokkun cried.

The Egg Robo intercepted Knuckles, knocking Sonic aside.

"Nice try, echidna!" Eggman mocked through the Egg-Robo. "Maybe next time, you won't telegraph your attacks!"

Knuckles grinned. "Good idea. And maybe you should pay closer attention to your surroundings."

"Huh? What are you-?"

"EEEEK!" Bokkun let out.

The Egg-Robo turned to see something orange fly into Bokkun.

"Gotcha!" Tails let out, causing Bokkun to drop the bag of gems.

"No!"

Tails quickly pulled out his Miles Electric. "Deploy, Big Hand!"

Suddenly, a hole opened up in the ground and a large, cartoony white glove popped out to catch the bag. The hand grabbed the gems, bringing them down to the ground for the others to grab

"Got it!" Sonic reported, giving a thumbs up. "Nice job, Tails!"

"You miserable little...Those gems are the property of the Robotnik Empire! My henchmen stole them fair and square!"

"Yeah, and we just stole them back," Sonic replied before pulling down an eyelid and sticking his tongue out.

"Why yoooou..."

"Just give it up, Eggman," Knuckles insisted. "You lost. So do yourself a favor and beat it."

Eggman fumed angrily, but then calmed down.

"Very well. Go ahead and take them back to the museum… Assuming it's still intact."

Team Sonic suddenly perked up.

"What do you mean by that?" Sonic asked.

"Well..."

Suddenly, the Egg Carrier fired several rockets.

"No!" Sonic vibrated his leg, allowing him to burst free. "Dammit, we gotta get back there!"

"Go!" Knuckles said, "We'll take care of Fiona and the gems."

Sonic nodded, then instantly ran back to the museum.

"Alright…" Knuckles turned to the foxes. "Tails, you have anything to keep Fiona–?"

But to his shock, Fiona was gone. All that was left was a puddle of water.

"What the…where did she go!?"

"I don't know!" Tails shouted. "Least she left the gems."

"We'll worry about her later!" Knuckles darted off. "C'mon! We gotta save the village!"

"Right!"

With that, they were off.


A few seconds later, Sonic busted into the museum, much to everyone's surprise. "Guys!"

"Sonic!?" Sally exclaimed.

"Eggman just launched missiles at the city, we gotta get everyone outta-!" Sonic was cut off by a loud smash. "...here?"

Everyone looked outside. To their surprise, the missiles had landed, but hadn't exploded.

The townspeople looked on nervously.

"What the heck?" Sonic said.

"Not to look a gift Pasha in the mouth," Porker chimed in. "But why haven't we been blown to bits?"

"Cuz those missiles aren't explosives." Cassia piped up, getting their attention.

"How can you be sure?"

"Look."

Cass pointed to the rockets. Everyone watched with bated breath as a hatch opened on each of them.

"They're dropships!"

Suddenly, a swarm of Badniks burst out. Motobugs, Caterkillers, Egg Pawns, Egg Hammers, and more burst out. The machines immediately got to work ransacking the town, sending people fleeing for their lives.

"Alright! Split up!" Sally ordered ."Get civilians out, herd the bots, and smash em!"

"Got it!" Sonic declared. "C'mon team, let's do it to it!"

The Freedom Fighters broke off.

"Alright, it's go time!" Tangle declared.

"Tangle, you need to go!" Sally ordered.

"What!? Are you crazy!?"

"This is way too dangerous!"

"She's right, Tangle!" Jewel insisted. "We need to go!"

She grabbed the lemur's wrist, pulling her away.

"H-Hey! Jewel!"

"Help!"

Tangle perked, turning to see a child who tripped being menaced by an Egg Hammer. Her eyes grew wide. Without a second thought, Tangle broke free from Jewel's grip and ran off.

"Tangle!"

Sonic performed a set of Homing Attacks off several Badniks. As he finished, he turned to see the child about to get crushed. He was about to run…

"Hey! John Henry Ironing Board!"

Only for the Egg Hammer to get wrapped up in Tangle's tail.

"Smash someone your own size!"

Tangle let out a warcry as she twisted her body, lifting the Egg Hammer off the ground and throwing it into one of its fellows, to the shock of everyone present.

"Holy..." Johnny breathed numbly. "She did that... with her TAIL?!"

"Well, it makes sense, given her earlier swinging," Tekno said, equally stupefied. "She'd need incredibly strong muscles for her tail to stretch that long, that fast."

"Fight now, science later!" Shorty cut in.

Tangle popped her back, wincing.

"Ow… I think I dislocated my butt..." she turned to the kid. "You okay?"

The child nodded.

"Good. Now, go and get outta here, it's not safe."

The girl got up and ran off, but not before turning toward Tangle one last time.

"Thank you," she said.

With the child safe, Tangle's attention returned to the robots, who were starting to close in on her.

"Alright, you giant, metal dipsticks. You picked the wrong town to mess with." Her tail flexed and stretched. "Hope Eggman made you guys out of the good stuff…cuz it's time to Tangle!"

A swarm of Moto-Bugs charged at Tangle. Without missing a beat, she leapfrogged over one, grabbing it with her tail as she did, She then proceeded to spin, using it as a flail to scrap its fellows.

"Heeeere's the windup, and the PITCH!" She spun around a few times before releasing the Moto-Bug, sending it flying into a swarm of Buzz-Bombers. "GOOOOAL!"

Suddenly, a particle beam whizzed past her. Tangle turned to see a group of Egg Pawns preparing to fire at her, promptly scrambling to dodge. The Egg Pawns began shooting, sending her hopping about the area to avoid getting blasted. Thinking quickly, she used her tail to grab a nearby street lamp and pull herself up.

"Whew… close one." She looked down to see the Egg Pawns aiming at her. "Oh, hell…"

Suddenly, a blue blur whizzed by, tearing the Egg Pawns to shreds. Sonic skidded to a stop, dusting his hands off.

"I know this is the wrong time to be starstruck…" Tangle grinned, "But the Sonic just saved my tail."

"Remind me to give you an autograph after we save this place," Sonic quipped before several spiked balls whizzed past them. "Whoa!"

Sonic and Tangle turned to see a group of Orbinauts heading towards them, spiked balls still orbiting them.

"Okay, that's a lotta spikeballs." Sonic noted. "No biggie."

He tucked into the ball and began revving up, but instead of launching into a Spin Dash, he ground his spikes into the ground, unleashing a burst of compressed force at them. The burst tore through the Orbinauts, ripping them apart.

"Whoa!" Tangle exclaimed.

"I call that the Sonic Wave."

Several Swatbots swarmed around them, reciting "Hedgehog, Priority One". While they were focused on Sonic, Tangle used the opportunity to snake her tail under their legs and around them.

"PULL!" she shouted before slinging them into the air. Sonic Spin Dashed after them, before jumping into another string of Homing Attacks and unleashing another burst of force to finish them off. Tangle watched as it rained scrap metal.

"Wow…" she let out as Sonic landed. "Okay, since when the heck could you do that!? That was awesome!"

Sonic shrugged. "I've been working out."

"Okay, you have GOT to show me how you do that!"

"Well…"

"SONIC!" Sally came running over. "We've got a situation!"

"What's up, Sal?"

"There's a giant Moto-Bug heading straight for the town!"

"A giant what NOW?" Sonic sped over to the city walls, looking down. "Oh, crap…"

Sure enough, there was a giant Moto-Bug driving towards the town.

"What kinda steroid oil is Egghead feeding these things?" Sonic pondered aloud.

"Holy…" Tangle gaped. "How are we gonna take down something like that!?"

"Easy. It may be giant, but it's still just a Moto-Bug, right?"

"I know, I was asking for specifics."

Sonic grinned, turning to Sally. "Sally, how are we on the bots in the village?"

"We're whittling down their numbers, but there's still a lot of them," she replied.

"Alright, I'll make it work. Tangle, feel like taking on the big boss battle?"

"Wait, what!?"

"Do I!?" Tangle exclaimed.

"Sonic, are you nuts!?"

"Just trust me, Sally. I have a plan. Tangle, follow my lead and stay close!" Sonic jumped off the wall.

"Woohoo! Go time!" Tangle leapt after him, using her tail as a bungee cord. As soon as they landed, the two immediately made for the giant Moto-Bug.

"Tangle, use your tail to grab onto me!" Sonic ordered.

"Okay!" Tangle wrapped her tail around Sonic's waist.

"Now hold on!" Sonic raced off, dragging the lemur after him, Tangle cheering all the while. As they ran, the giant Moto-Bug produced a set of turrets from the top of its head and began firing on them. Sonic weaved back and forth, dodging the shots.

"Damn! We gotta do something about that gun!"

"Can you keep it busy!?"

"I'm Priority One!"

"Good! Now slow down so I can chuck ya!"

Sonic did so, allowing Tangle to wind up and throw him at the Moto-Bug. Sonic curled up into a ball and plowed into the Moto-Bug's face.

"Gotcha!"

"Hedgehog, Priority One!" the Motobug declared in a deep, booming voice.

Sonic leapt off, allowing the bug to start shooting at him.

"What's wrong, big boy?" he taunted. "You're a lousier shot than I am!"

As Sonic continued to evade, Tangle crept up the bot's side. Just as it charged up another bullet, she lashed out with her tail, curling around the turret before forcing it down toward the Motobug's head.

"Bang," she remarked as the Motobug fired, blasting its processor out. It went on for another few feet before wavering and toppling over. Tangle lost her balance before falling off, Sonic quickly charging in and catching her.

"Gotcha!"

Tangle turned, staring at Sonic for a moment. "My hero!"

"Sorry, I'm spoken for."

"Sarite, you're not my type anyway."

The two shared a laugh at that.


Later…

As Sonic, Tangle, and Jewel finished placing all the minerals back in the cases, the others took a moment to admire the beetle's newest exhibit.

"So, that's the Ice Diamond?" Porker said in wonder. "Kind of small for a Power Gem."

"Yeah," Tails chimed in. "Nack was able to fit it into his blaster like a power cell."

Rotor leaned in close to the gem, then breathed. To his surprise, he could see his breath. "Whoa…it really does generate cold!"

"Kinda wish we'd brought Aunt Laura," Chris said excitedly. "She'd go gaga over this thing!"

"She'd probably try to buy it," Keith chimed in.

Suddenly, Sonic bolted downstairs, dusting his hands off in satisfaction. Tangle and Jewel in pursuit.

"And there," he wiped his forehead. "Alright, I think that's the last of them!"

"Mission accomplished!" Tangle declared.

"Indeed." Jewel turned to the Freedom Fighters. "I can't thank you enough for your help," Jewel told them gratefully. "This is the second time I'm in your debt."

"Don't worry about it," Sonic assured. "It's just what we do."

"And it was awesome!" Tangle exclaimed. "We go to fight robots and bad guys and make cool poses! BOOM! POW! BLAM! BWOOOOSH! Oh man...I can't wait to tell my dad!" Her face slowly fell. "Oh man... I'm gonna have to tell my dad."

That got everyone's attention.

"You don't sound too thrilled about that," Johnny said.

"Cuz I'm not.' Tangle massaged her temples. "Oh man, he's gonna freak…"

"If you don't mind me asking, who exactly is your dad?" Sally asked.

"Colonel Scrape the Lemur of GUN," Hope recited. "Chamber 5. Beetle Troop."

Everyone perked, Tangle blinking.

"Hold up," Tangle cut in. "You know my old man?"

"Kinda," Hope clarified. "I've seen pictures of him in Area 99. And you look a lot like him. Took me a bit to put it together."

"Hold up, your dad's a GUN agent?" Knuckles let out.

"Yep. One of the first Mobians to join up. After the War, the Feds started letting Mobians enlist. He joined up cuz he felt the perks could give him and Mom - and later, me - a better life." Tangle grinned. "I'd say it worked."

"So, why would he freak?" Sonic asked.

"Well… let's just say he's dead set on keeping his baby girl as far away from the battlefield and danger in general."

"Not that it's entirely unwarranted." Jewel remarked.

"Jewel!" Tangle exclaimed. "Who's side are you on!?"

"I'm just saying you have a penchant for finding trouble."

"Yeah, that's what heroes do!"

"She's not wrong," Sonic noted.

Tangle nodded. "I've been meaning to ask you guys something ever since I saw that TailsTube episode on the web, and what happened here today only reinforced my desire: I wanna join the Freedom Fighters."

"You saw the broadcast?" Sally asked.

"Yeah. Would've come to sign up, but couldn't find a ride out to South Island," Tangle turned to them. "I'm a thrill-seeker. I wanna travel around the world and get wrapped up in as many crazy adventures as I can. And if I help people along the way, then that's even better. Win-win, y'know? And more than that, this is my chance to show my dad that I can handle these kinds of things. He's my freaking hero, and I wanna be as awesome as he is."

"How serious are you about this, Tangle?" Sally asked. "Being a Freedom Fighter isn't all fun and games. Once you say yes, you're a part of this for life… and there's a very real possibility you could die."

Tangle's expression turned serious. "I've seen the news, how dangerous things are getting and how Eggman's been branching out. You guys need all the help you can get. I wanna help you, make a difference. I know the risks, I know the dangers, and I'm ready to put my life on the line." She smiled. "I-if you'll have me."

The Knothole group exchanged looks, thinking.

"I'm all for it," Sonic said. "She helped us save the town, and I wouldn't have taken out that Motobug tank without her. What do you guys think?"

"Eh, let her join," Knuckles decided. "We could use the extra hands, and she's good with that tail. Worse case, we give her the boot."

"Hey!" Tangle objected.

"Well, she does have skills," Sally mused. "A bit rough around the edges… but with a little bit of polish, I think she'd make a splendid addition."

"So then…?"

Sally cleared her throat. "Tangle the Lemur, in recognition of your bravery, I hereby extend you an invitation to the Knothole Freedom Fighters. Do you accept?"

"YES!" Tangle cheered. "YES! YES! ALLLLLL THE YES! ALL THE YES AND MORE! YES!"

She happily bounced on her feet, only stopping when Jewel placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Settle down," the beetle said. "There's still the issue of breaking the news to the Colonel."

Tangle froze at that. "Oh… shit." She took a breath. "Alright! Well guys, I gotta get going! Gotta a lotta packing to do!" She began to sweat. "AAAAAnd some calls to make. Enjoytherestofyourmuseumtripgottagonowbyyyyyye!"

She took off at that.

"Wow, she's fast," Tails mused.

"Yeah…" Sonic agreed.

"That reminds me," Cassia cut in. "Whatever happened to that Fiona lady?"

"She got away while we were distracted by the missiles," Tails said.

"Can't believe we didn't even notice," Knuckles groused.

"Relax, guys," Sonic said. "Just let her go. I doubt she'll be causing trouble any time soon."


Meanwhile…

The Hooligans hid out in the forest, Nack laughing.

"I can't believe it!" He cheered. "We actually pulled it off! We got away from Sonic AND struck it rich!"

"Shame about Fiona though," Bean mused. "That girl was a real fox, know what I mean?"

He nudged Bark, winking.

"She was a fox." Nack deadpanned.

Bean blinked. "She was? I thought she was a pomeranian. Didn't she look like a pomeranian, J.T.?" He listened to the bomb again. "A poodle? That's just stupid."

"You're stupid…" Nack shook his head.

Bark grimaced.

"Oi, what's eatin' ya, Bark?"

"Something's wrong," Bark insisted.

"Yeah, if she were a poodle, she'd have an outrageous accent and be pink!" Bean remarked.

"Not that, you moron," Bark clarified. "Something this whole job just feels...wrong."

"The hell are you talkin' about?" Nack questioned. "We grabbed the gems, we got 'em to Eggman, and he gave us twenty million smacker-ACH!"

He looked into the money bag, gasping before pulling out a gray-toned dollar bill, this one displaying Robotnik in the middle with the Citadel in the background. "Robuckniks" was written on it, along with the Robotnik Empire logo on either side of Robotnik's image and the words "Not legal tender" written on the bottom.

"Ro-Robuckniks?!" Nack exclaimed.

"Yeah...that's what I was afraid of," Bark remarked. "He gave us the money, but it's only valid in Empire territory. Which, last I checked, is just Robotropolis."

"That fat lard…" Nack cursed. "He had the nerve to fleece us?! To fleece me?!" He screamed, throwing the bag into the air.

"Ooh, make it rain!" Bean exclaimed, frantically scrounging the cash.

"Well, this job went down the crapper real fast," Nack grumbled. "Well, at least it can't get any worse."

"Ohh, I dunno…"

Nack perked, everyone turning to see Fiona, her leg wrapped in gauze as she walked toward them.

"I still think there's room for one more stinker."

"Fiona!" Nack exclaimed. "O-oh, hi!"

Fiona grinned like a feral beast, punching her fist into her palm. "Hey."

"So…" Nack grinned nervously, "Still sore about us lying about this being an Eggman job and me freezing your leg, huh?"

"That's part of the list, yeah."

"Yeeeeah…" Nack looked around. "You...wanna roast marshmallows and burn some Egg Money?" He held up a stack of bills, only for Fiona to pull out her daggers.

"Oh, the money's not the only thing that's gonna burn."

"Yeah…" Bark picked up Bean. "We're just gonna leave you two alone."

He took off at that.

"Bark!" Nack shouted. "Come back here, you coward! Don't leave me!"

Nack turned around, shaking as Fiona approached him.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not gonna kill you, Nack. But you can consider this little ass-kicking my resignation from Team Hooligan."

All across the forest, Flickies were scared from their perches as Nack's screams of pain and fear resounded through the sky.


Author's Note:

(1): Based on recent statements that Bean is a woodpecker, and Archie claiming he was a duck; we decided to split the difference.

(2): Yep, he channels Daffy Duck.

And there we have it. Tangle joins the crew!

Please R&R. Until next time!