Chapter 44: "A Dark Bargain"

The cold, sterile light of the Egg Dreadnaught's lab flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows across the room. Tails lay strapped to a metal table, his limbs bound tightly, though no devices were connected to him. He was simply there, as if pinned like a specimen for Robotnik's amusement. His breathing was shallow, and his vision blurred, slipping in and out of consciousness. Every small breath felt like a struggle, and the world around him faded in and out, the sharp edges of reality blurring into a haze.

Across the room, Robotnik stood before a series of monitors, each one displaying streams of data. The screens flickered with old, archived footage and schematics, some taken from the darkest days of the war—scenes of battle, of Mario's final moments, and of Bowser's ultimate defeat. Robotnik's fingers danced across the console, typing commands with a practiced ease as he hummed to himself, the sound eerily cheerful.

"Well, well, well... it seems I'm finally closing in on the prize," Robotnik said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "The Power Star, nestled so nicely within Peach's castle, just waiting for someone with the right... persuasion to come along and take it." He chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at Tails, as if expecting a response. "Oh, don't look so glum, Tails. You're still here to witness history in the making. You should feel honored."

Tails's eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus. Every word Robotnik spoke echoed painfully in his ears, but he couldn't quite piece them together. Still, he found the strength to mutter, his voice barely a whisper, "It... it won't work... Peach... will stop you."

Robotnik paused, turning slowly to face Tails, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Ah, there's that spark I was hoping for. And you make a valid point, my little friend." He stepped closer, leaning down until his face was inches from Tails'. "Peach is a problem. She and her friends has proven remarkably resilient. But don't you worry. I have just the solution to take her out of the equation."

Robotnik straightened up and stepped back to the console, his fingers dancing across the keys again. "You see, I've had plenty of time to study the data I took during the war. When Mario was killed, when Bowser was defeated... so many valuable lessons. And now, I've devised a method to use the Master Emerald to open a rift—one large enough to transport the entire Egg Dreadnaught directly to the Mushroom Kingdom."

The monitors displayed diagrams of the Master Emerald, alongside energy readings from past battles. "With a few adjustments, the Master Emerald can create a rift that bypasses every obstacle between me and the Power Star. I will arrive at Peach's castle before she even has a chance to react."

Tails's breathing hitched, and he forced out another weak protest. "You... won't... win..."

Robotnik's smile faltered for just a moment, but then he chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "I admire your spirit, Tails. Truly, I do. But I think it's time you understood that I always have a contingency plan." He turned away from the console and, in a louder voice, called out, "Medusa!"

For a moment, the room was silent, save for the hum of the machines. Then, as if the shadows themselves had been summoned, dark, decaying hands began to materialize around Robotnik, curling and clawing at the air. The hands seemed to emerge from nowhere, decomposing flesh stretching across skeletal fingers as they reached for him. Robotnik's expression didn't change; if anything, he seemed almost bored by the theatrics.

"Always with the dramatics," he muttered under his breath, just as the hands wrapped around his body and began to pull him down, dragging him into the shadows. The room grew cold, and the faint sound of whispering filled the air as Robotnik was pulled into the Underworld.

When the darkness cleared, Robotnik stood before Medusa, her form towering over him, her eyes burning with a cold, predatory gaze. "You called for me, Doctor?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. "What is it you want?"

Robotnik's expression twisted into a reluctant smirk. He hated needing anyone's help, let alone hers, but he had little choice. "I need you, Medusa. I need you to get Peach out of the way, just for a while. It will scatter her friends and give me the perfect opportunity to seize the Power Star."

Medusa's eyes narrowed, her lip curling. "And why should I care about doing this for you?" she asked, her voice icy. "What's stopping me from simply killing her and ending your little game?"

Robotnik's eyes flicked with irritation, but he forced a grin. "Because, as much as you may enjoy the thought, killing her would disrupt everything. No, she must be taken out of play, but not eliminated. I need her... alive." He took a step closer, his tone hardening. "Besides, keeping the living in the Underworld for too long isn't something you can do without Hades noticing, is it?"

Medusa's expression darkened, a flicker of anger flashing across her features. "True... I can't keep her forever. But if you think I'm going to just play along with your little scheme, you're mistaken. I don't enjoy being told what to do."

Robotnik's smile widened. "Oh, I'm not telling you what to do, Medusa. I'm offering you a chance to strike at the heart of these heroes' resolve. Removing Peach—temporarily, of course—will serve both our interests. She needs to be somewhere she can't interfere. Somewhere that'll remind her she's powerless to stop us."

Medusa's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she considered his words, a dark smile forming. "So, you want her caged, left to stew in her own despair," she mused, the idea clearly appealing to her.

Robotnik's evil grin looked more menacing than ever. "Yes, make sure she's kept far from her allies… someplace that will drain any hope she has left." His eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "No need for bloodshed—at least, not yet. Let her sit and watch as her precious kingdom crumbles, while we do what needs to be done." He leaned in closer, his tone taking on a sinister edge. "I want her to see everything she holds dear slipping out of reach as I break her, tearing her into pieces."

Medusa gave a satisfied nod. "Consider it done, Doctor. But remember, if you underestimate her, this little game of yours may come back to bite you."

Robotnik's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "I have a plan for that as well. I know just where I want you to put her.", as he moved closer to Medusa to explain his plan

As Robotnik reappeared on the Egg Dreadnaught, he immediately brushed at his sleeves, as if trying to rid himself of the lingering stench of the Underworld. With a smug smile, he took a slow, prideful spin around his lab, savoring the moment before stopping beside Tails. Leaning down, his voice low and mocking, he said, "Hang in there, little fox. You'll want to stay alive just a bit longer... you're going to see your friends very soon."