{A/N}

Whoah, blatant reference at the title, also the climax for this, uh, arc? Lets call it arc, this was a fun one.

Chapter 9: Thunder, Rain, and Lightning!

Iron Valley – Water Room of the West

"Danger, water rising!" Sonic muttered to himself, trying to maintain his footing as he dodged yet another powerful swing from the Egg-Umibozu's massive arm. Each movement of the hulking mech sent waves crashing through the chamber, the water now reaching Sonic's upper legs. He gritted his teeth, pushing against the water's resistance, his movements becoming more sluggish by the second.

"Hohehaha!" Robotnik's voice boomed from the mech's speakers. "What's wrong, you two? Barely a scratch! You know, I had to use all my resources for the creation of these Egg-Prototypes, which is why this base doesn't hold the same quality as your typical grand Robotnik fortress. But you know what? It's worth it!" The mech's giant arm came crashing down again, narrowly missing Sonic as he scrambled out of the way.

Lilac, noticing Sonic's struggle, maneuvered through the rising water with far more ease. "Sonic! Are you okay? You're getting slower…" Lilac's voice carried a note of concern as she darted around the increasingly turbulent water, her eyes flicking between Sonic and the towering mech.

"Nah, it's fine," Sonic lied, barely managing to avoid another punch from the Egg-Umibozu. The force of the swing sent another ripple through the water, further hindering his movements as he gritted his teeth.

"Well, you clearly aren't!" Lilac said, her voice firm as she analyzed the situation, clearly worried about Sonic's worsening condition.

Robotnik's laughter echoed through the chamber, louder and more grating. "Ohhh, what's this? Did the blue rat not tell his purple companion about his little… issue with water?" His voice oozed with glee as he relished in Sonic's struggle.

Lilac's eyes widened in shock as she processed his words. "YOU CAN'T SWIM?!"

"H-hey!" Sonic protested, trying to put up a brave front despite his growing panic. He lifted a hand defensively before pointing at the mech. "C'mon, not now, Lil! We're trying to survive here!"

"But what about the labyrinth and the aquatic ruins you explored?" Lilac pressed, her disbelief evident. "You were also in Hydro City, too, no?!"

Sonic stammered, trying to come up with an excuse. "Well… yes, but—"

"Hrkk, surprisingly, he always manages to find an air bubble or a handy piece of land to keep from drowning," Robotnik interjected, his tone dripping with mockery. "But unfortunately for you two, there are no air bubbles here to save you!" With a sudden movement, the mech's arm struck out, slamming Sonic into the right side of the arena with a resounding thud. The impact echoed through the chamber as Sonic hit the wall and fell into the water.

"Gah!" Sonic gasped as he was knocked off his feet, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He splashed into the water, struggling to regain his bearings as he tried to surface.

"Sonic!" Lilac cried out.

"Hehaha," Robotnik cackled, relishing his apparent victory. The mech's arms were raised in a mocking gesture of triumph. "My master plan is a success, and you will both soon sink like an anchor." He sneered down at Lilac. "You made a mistake following this nuisance, goat. Hope you regret it!"

Lilac felt a pang of doubt but quickly shook it off, focusing on Sonic, who had risen from the water, coughing and sputtering. "Don't give in, Lilac!" Sonic shouted, his voice hoarse but determined. He pointed at Robotnik, his eyes blazing with resolve. "She made no mistake whatsoever."

Lilac's eyes softened at his words, a small, appreciative smile forming on her lips. She turned her gaze back to Robotnik, her expression hardening. "The moment you messed with our island is the moment you messed with us!"

Robotnik's face contorted in rage. "I am going to make you regret that answer, you scaly goat!" The Egg-Umibozu lunged forward, the water around them surging as it moved.

Iron Valley – Thunder Room of the East

In another part of the complex, just adjacent to the water room, Tails and Carol were locked in their own perilous battle. The Thunder Room, as they had named it, was filled with the constant crackle of electricity. Tails yelped as another bolt of lightning struck dangerously close, the sharp crackling sound making him jump and his heart race.

"Tails, don't jump! You'll get hit!" Carol warned, her voice rising over the chaotic noise as she skillfully dodged another series of electric blasts, her eyes scanning for an opening.

"I-I'm trying, but the sound is just… Ah!" Tails stammered, flinching as another thunderous boom filled the air, his nerves fraying further with each burst of sound.

Serpentine, piloting the Egg-Raijin, laughed cruelly. The mech, designed to harness and manipulate electricity, stood tall with tambours on its back crackling with stored energy. "Tsyahahahaha! He wasn't lying when he said you were just a coward, mutant freak! Your fear of thunder and storms really makes you look pathetic!" Serpentine mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

Tails flinched, not just from the sound of the thunder, but from the cruel words. The snake's disdainful use of "freak" stung, reminding Tails of the insecurities he had long tried to bury. Carol, however, wasn't having any of it. She wasn't about to let anyone insult her new buddy like that.

"Hey, he's no coward nor freak! Get over here!" Carol shouted, leaping into action. She charged at the Egg-Raijin, her claws extended, but Serpentine was quick to react. The mech's tambours emitted a burst of electricity, forcing her to dodge. Undeterred, Carol landed a solid kick against the mech's belly, but the heavy machine barely budged.

Serpentine sneered from inside the cockpit, using the mech's lanky arm to grab Carol by the leg and hurl her across the room. She crashed into the left wall with a painful thud, the impact knocking the wind out of her. She could hear the sound of water splashing from the adjacent chamber. "No, Carol!" Tails shouted, worry etched across his face.

"Tsyahaha!" Serpentine cackled, reveling in his apparent victory. "What now, fox freak? Ready to meet your inevitable doom?" The mech's tambours crackled with electric energy, the air buzzing with power.

"I-I won't let you get away with this," Tails said, trying to muster up courage, though his voice still trembled.

"Ohhhh? You won't?" Serpentine mocked, his tone taunting. "You can't even move ten centimeters without your knees trembling, let alone scratch my mech! Might as well wet yourself!" He laughed evilly, enjoying the fox's struggle.

Tails stood frozen, his fear of thunder paralyzing him. Memories of his lonely childhood flashed before his eyes—nights spent hiding in fear during storms, the thunderclaps that left him trembling, back before he met Sonic. But as he looked at Carol, struggling to stand, something shifted inside him. The fear was still there, but it was overshadowed by a growing resolve, a determination to protect his friend.

Tails leapt into the air, narrowly evading another electrical surge from the Egg-Raijin. His teeth clenched, his eyes focused. Serpentine sneered, launching a direct blast of energy at the fox, sending him stumbling back.

"Tsyahaha, that was entertaining, to say the least," Serpentine jeered. "But it's over now!" The mech charged its tambours again, the electricity crackling with even more intensity. "Perish, you disgusting mutant!" he roared, the mech surging with power as it prepared to unleash a devastating attack.

Carol, still dazed from the impact, watched in horror as Serpentine aimed his attack at Tails. But just as the mech was about to strike, Carol sprang up, ignoring the pain. With a burst of speed, she leapt behind the Egg-Raijin and delivered a powerful kick to one of its tambours. The impact cracked the device, sending sparks flying and causing the mech to stumble. "What the?!" Serpentine exclaimed, his confidence shaken as the mech lost its charge.

Carol landed beside Tails, extending a hand to help him up. "Hey, uh, I'm not good at giving speeches and stuff," she began, still unsure of what to say. But as she looked into Tails' wide, frightened eyes, she found the words. "But from what I've seen and what Sonic says, you're pretty brave for someone so young. You're way smarter than that oversized battery pack could ever be," she said, jerking her thumb toward the hulking mech. "And you've got more guts than most people twice your age. You've already faced so much, and you're still standing. You've got this," she added with a smirk, her voice filled with encouragement. "C'mon, let's kick his butt."

Tails looked at her, surprise and a touch of awe in his eyes. Her words resonated deeply with him as he slowly raised his hand and took hers, feeling a surge of strength as he stood tall despite the fear still lurking within. "That wasn't half bad," he admitted, a small smile forming on his face. "That's a C in my book."

Carol sagged, feigning disappointment. "C'mon, at least give me a B, I tried."

Tails chuckled, the fear starting to melt away. "C?"

"…Eh, I'll take it," Carol replied, her spirits lifted, and the two shared a brief, encouraging nod, ready to face whatever came next.

Serpentine, infuriated by their resilience, hissed in frustration as the Egg-Raijin's tambours crackled ominously once more, though with less power than before. "Enough games!" he roared, his voice trembling with anger as it prepared for one final, desperate attack. "Disappear!" Serpentine charged forward, the room lighting up with electric arcs as he barreled toward them, determined to crush their newfound courage beneath his mechanical might.

Tails and Carol exchanged a determined look. "Got any ideas?" Carol asked, readying herself for another attack.

Tails nodded, a plan forming in his mind. He remembered the sound when Carol had impacted the mech earlier—the sound of water. "I think I might," he said, his mind racing as he devised a strategy.

Iron Valley – Water Room of the West

The water in the chamber continued to rise, now reaching Sonic's neck. He gasped for breath, struggling to keep his head above the surface as the Egg-Umibozu's relentless attacks made it nearly impossible for him to stay afloat. Robotnik watched from the safety of his mech, a twisted smile playing on his lips as he relished his apparent victory.

"Bu hah, oh boy," Sonic groaned, trying to jump out of the water to get a breath of air, but the weight of the water pulled him back down each time. The Egg-Umibozu's arm swung down at him again, and Sonic barely managed to dodge it, his movements becoming increasingly desperate.

Lilac, swimming gracefully through the rising water, tried her best to divert Robotnik's attention. "If I don't do something fast… Sonic will end up drowning," she thought, her heart pounding. "And it doesn't help that I could end up like him if this keeps up." She gritted her teeth, circling around the mech as she searched for a way to turn the tide.

Lilac launched a series of swift kicks and hair whips at the mech, but Robotnik ignored her, his focus solely on Sonic. "Even if this mech lacks heavy combat capabilities, it's designed to keep me safe and you two in the ground," he sneered as he swiped at Lilac, sending her tumbling through the water. Sonic, seeing her struggle, tried to push toward her to help, but the rising water made it almost impossible.

"Take this!" Robotnik cackled, grabbing Sonic with one of the mech's massive arms. With a malicious grin, he punched Sonic toward the right wall, slamming him into the metal with another hollow thud and holding him underwater.

"No!" Lilac gasped as she saw Sonic's head go under. She swam as fast as she could toward the Egg-Umibozu, her mind racing. "I need to do something, but what? Its armor is too tough! If only we could get rid of all the water… Wait!" An idea sparked in her mind as she reached the mech. She knew she couldn't break through the armor, but maybe she didn't have to.

Robotnik looked down at the struggling Sonic, his sadistic smile widening. "Any last words before I end you and start on the girl?" he taunted, knowing full well Sonic couldn't respond. The hedgehog could only thrash weakly, his lungs burning as the last of his air slipped away.

As Sonic struggled, Lilac swam around the mech with newfound determination. She noticed the mech's powerful arms and how they connected to its bulky frame. A thought crossed her mind, and she acted quickly, kicking and striking at the mech's legs.

Clank!

"Huh?" Both Robotnik and Sonic looked toward the sound. It was Lilac, diving with a series of rapid kicks and hair whips.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The sound of metal striking echoed through the chamber, growing louder and more irritating with each hit.

"Stop that!" Robotnik snapped, his irritation rising. Lilac smirked, realizing she had successfully drawn his attention. She continued her assault, targeting the same spot on the mech's legs repeatedly.

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

The repetitive noise started to grate on Robotnik's nerves. "QUIET! I am supposed to enjoy this!" he shouted, swinging the mech's arm toward Lilac in frustration. She narrowly dodged the attack, the force of the swing causing more cracks to form in the wall behind her.

Taking advantage of Robotnik's distraction, Sonic managed to pull himself up, gasping for air as he broke the surface. "Lilac, whatever you're doing, keep it up!" he shouted, his voice strained but filled with determination as he jumped away to safety as Robotnik had his full attention towards the dragon.

Lilac nodded, a determined smile on her face. She continued to taunt Robotnik, dodging his attacks with ease despite the water slowing her down. "You really should work on your aim, Eggman!" she teased, her voice carrying a playful lilt as she bounced around the mech.

Robotnik growled in frustration, focusing all his efforts now on crushing the agile dragon. "How can a lizard like you be able to swim so swiftly?!"

Lilac laughed as she continued her evasive maneuvers. "Never heard of a water dragon?" she replied with a wink. "This is practically my element!" She dove back into the water, circling around the mech and causing more cracks in the already weakened wall.

"Water dragon…? Huh? But I thought that you were all…" Robotnik muttered, caught off guard by the revelation. "Interesting…No! It Doesn't matter!" he snapped, his rage boiling over. "Whether you're a supposed water dragon, I'll make you extinct!" He unleashed a powerful punch at Lilac, but she deftly dodged, causing the mech's fist to slam into the wall behind her.

CRACK!

The impact caused the wall to buckle, and a deep fissure appeared where the Egg-Umibozu had struck. The weakened metal gave way with a groan, and water began to pour through the cracks, gushing into the adjacent chamber.

Iron Valley – Thunder Room of the East

Meanwhile, in the adjacent chamber, Serpentine was reaching his limit. The Egg-Raijin's tambours were malfunctioning after the damage inflicted by Carol, and the mech was losing power. But the snake general was determined not to go down without a fight. "Stop dodging!" Serpentine hissed as he launched another electrical attack. Carol and Tails narrowly avoided the blast, the cat jumping away and the fox flying out of reach.

"Try aiming better!" Carol taunted, her voice laced with mockery, which only served to infuriate Serpentine further.

Serpentine launched another energy blast, but Tails swooped in and scooped Carol up just in time. They flew up high above the room, evading the crackling energy that shot out in all directions.

"Launch me!" Carol called to Tails, her eyes gleaming with determination. Tails grinned and spun around, building momentum before launching her like a missile toward Serpentine. Carol delivered a powerful kick to the mech's glass belly, causing it to crack as the Egg-Raijin was pushed backward.

Serpentine panicked, his confidence quickly eroding as he realized he was losing ground. How could he, a general, be losing to these mere children, after that ridiculous speech!? The thought enraged him, but he wasn't ready to admit defeat.

His eyes fell on a large red button with a skull on his control panel, and a wicked grin spread across his face as he slammed his fist down on it. "Yes! Full power!" he roared as the tambours on the Egg-Raijin's back roared to life, surging with a renewed burst of electricity.

Carol and Tails looked on in surprise as the electricity surged higher and higher, crackling dangerously close to the metal walls of the chamber. "He's going all out," Tails muttered, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a way to counter the attack. Behind them, the sound of water pouring through the walls grew louder, catching Carol's attention.

She glanced at Tails, who met her gaze with a knowing smile. If the other side of the wall was filled with what they thought, it was going to be a shocking revelation! Heh, good one Carol, she praised herself before focusing. "Let's finish this!" she called out.

Serpentine reared the mech back for a final, devastating charge, raging like a bull. "DIE!" he screamed as the Egg-Raijin surged forward, electricity crackling violently around it.

"Now!" Tails shouted. Carol nodded, and with a quick motion, they both moved out of the way just as Serpentine's mech collided with the wall.

CRACK!

The force of the punch shattered the weakened wall, and a torrent of water burst through, flooding the chamber and short-circuiting the Egg-Raijin's electrical systems. The black arm of the Egg-Umibozu emerged from the other side, the two mechs colliding in a chaotic burst of water and electricity.

The Doctor and viper looked at each other in panic as the water and electricity mixed, their fists colliding with a thunderous impact. The moment their mechs made contact, a massive explosion erupted, sending shockwaves through the chamber. The explosion was deafening, a blinding flash of light consuming the entire room as both the Egg-Umibozu and the Egg-Raijin were torn apart by the violent energy.

The two mechs were thrown back, crashing down with a series of earth-shaking thuds. Sparks flew from the shattered remains as the once-powerful machines sputtered and fizzled, their systems overloaded and completely fried. Inside their respective cockpits, both Robotnik and Serpentine were left charred and frazzled, their once-powerful machines reduced to scrap.

Amidst the chaos, Sonic and Lilac were swept into the adjacent chamber by the flood of water. They tumbled across the floor, drenched and disoriented as they tried to regain their footing. Lilac managed to land gracefully on the metal floor, while Sonic slid across the ground, dripping with water.

"Sonic! Lilac!" Tails called out as he and Carol rushed over to their friends, surprised to see them.

Carol smiled in relief. "Hey! Seems like we weren't that far apart after all," she said, approaching the soaked dragon and hedgehog.

Lilac, wringing the water out of her hair, returned the smile. "Guess not!" She glanced at Sonic, who was still lying on the ground, spitting out water like a fountain. "How are you holding up?" she asked with a teasing grin.

"Cough, cough!" Sonic sputtered as he expelled the water from his lungs. Tails helped him up and patted him on the back. "Great, cough, just great," Sonic wheezed before turning to Lilac with a smirk. "You really did great, Lilac," he added, giving her a thumbs up and a wink.

Lilac smiled, feeling relieved that Sonic was okay. "It was a team effort. We all did our part," she said modestly, trying to downplay her role in their victory.

"Nah, you were the real hero today," Sonic said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I mean it, Lilac. You took charge, kept your cool, and pulled off some incredible moves. If it wasn't for you, I'd be fish food right now." He flashed her a grateful smile.

Lilac's smile widened, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment. "After this, we're getting you swimming lessons," she teased, nudging him playfully.

Sonic grimaced. "Please don't," he groaned, flopping back onto the ground in exhaustion.

The group shared a laugh, the tension of the battle finally lifting. Carol wiped the sweat from her brow, looking at Tails with a grin. "You did good, Tails," she said, her voice filled with pride.

Tails smiled back, a bit bashful as he remembered the fear he had overcome. "Thanks. You too. So, how was your first 'storm the evil base' adventure?"

Carol gave a mock sigh, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Well, I wasn't impressed at first, but now? It's totally awesome! You guys do this every other week? I'm in. Three point two stars out of five. Needs more evil death traps maybe."

Lilac chuckled. "I think we just saved Avalice. That's got to bump it up to at least four stars, right?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the groans of their defeated foes. Robotnik and Serpentine lay on the ground, battered and charred, their mechs destroyed.

"You… think this is over… animals…" Robotnik rasped, his clothes singed and his mustache frazzled.

"I will… not be defeated… by a bunch of brats…" Serpentine wheezed, swirls in his eyes as he tried to get up.

TSSSSS

Everyone stopped for a moment as they looked at the Egg-Raijin, which was now making a strange noise, steam hissing from its damaged tambours.

"…Serpentine…" Robotnik began, glancing at the viper with an irritated brow twitch.

"Yeah…" Serpentine replied, equally nervous as he eyed the mech.

"You didn't push the big red button with a skull on it, did you?" Robotnik asked, his irritation growing as the sound intensified.

"…Maybe." Serpentine answered sheepishly.

BOOM!

The group watched in shock as both mechs exploded, sending debris flying through the air. As the dust settled, they heard the distant, furious cries of Eggman and Serpentine, who had been launched into the air by the explosions, creating a hole in the metal and rock ceiling. The villains soared through the sky, their voices fading into the distance.

"I HATE THAT GOAT AND HEDGEHOG!" Eggman screamed as he spiraled out of sight. Serpentine's screeches were equally distant, the pair reduced to tiny specks against the sky.

The four stared up at the deep hole in the ceiling, the rays of the setting sun now illuminating the chamber with natural light.

Sonic and Tails shared a triumphant smile, proud of yet another successful win. Lilac and Carol, though exhausted, felt a deep sense of accomplishment. They had helped stop these madmen, and in doing so, had proven their worth as something more. Both girls thought the same thing in unison: We should totally do more of this.

As they stood there, the serene moment was suddenly interrupted by a loud noise.

GROWL

The sound broke the silence, and everyone looked around in alarm, searching for the source.

GROWL

They all turned to look at Sonic, who clutched his stomach sheepishly. "…You girls wouldn't happen to have chili dogs back at your place, right?" Sonic asked, his sly smirk returning.

They all looked at him with a smile, and then burst out laughing as the sunset bathed them in its golden light, signaling the end of one adventure and the promise of many more to come.