- Chapter 21 -
Countdown to Chaos
Robotropolis
In Robotropolis, Robotnik was performing some maintenance on his cybernetic arm when suddenly a Klaxon went off, a red light flashing.
"Intruder alert!" a computerized voice went off. "Intruder alert!"
"They've arrived sooner than I thought," Robotnik mused.
He rose to his feet, checking the security monitors. Sure enough, the Freedom Fighters had just arrived within the city limits.
"Doctor, what should we do?" Grimer demanded. "The Death Egg isn't ready yet!"
"Send out our troops to stall them by any means," Robotnik ordered.
With that, he headed out to the back of the lab.
"Sir, what are you doing?" Snively asked.
"Pulling the ace out of my sleeve," Robotnik said simply.
Snively just nodded at that, then ran over to a red button near the monitors and slammed his fist down on it. Swatbots, Troopers, and Badniks galore mobilized and scrambled as Grimer snatched up a microphone.
"All hands on deck! All hands on deck!" he shouted, his voice echoing through loudspeakers. "Sonic has been located within the city limits! Initiate immediate hedgehog countermeasures! This is not a drill! I repeat. this is not a drill!"
Around that time, Sonic and co. had entered the city proper. They saw and heard the alarms going off, hearing Grimer's voice over the loudspeaker as well.
"Well, so much for the stealthy approach," Sally deadpanned.
"They know we're here," Sticks gasped. "They're gonna take us and turn us into more of the metal men! Well, they won't take me alive!"
"They won't take any of us if I have anything to say about it!" Sonic vowed.
Before long, Badniks were coming out of the woodwork, converging on their position.
"Everyone spread out!" Sonic ordered. "Divide their attention and do not leave a single one of these things intact!"
Everyone promptly scattered, and the Badniks scattered as well. Sally ran into an alley, leaping from wall to wall before drawing her Ring-Blade and slicing through a Buzz Bomber. Tails took to the skies, flying around multiple buildings with Buzz Bombers in hot pursuit. He eventually found himself cornered with Badniks on both sides. As they charged in, Tails quickly darted upward, the Buzz Bombers unable to stop in time and slamming head first into each other. Sticks raced up the walls, letting out a war cry before spearing a Caterkiller right through the head. She ripped the head off, then flung it at a buzz bomber above her. Antoine drew his sword and ran it through a Swatbot, kicking him into another Swatbot causing them both to explode. Bunnie and Shortfuse were back to back, fighting off Swatbots that attempted to surround them. Bunnie fired her arm cannon multiple times, but soon the cannon powered down, the rabbit sweating and panting.
"Bunnie, stop using the cannon!" Shortfuse ordered. "You're burning yourself out!"
"I ain't got much choice!" Bunnie shot back. "There's too many of them!"
Sonic, meanwhile, was plowing through one robot after another in rapid succession. He heard Porker scream, and ran to help him, only to find both Rotor and Johnny fighting Swatbots off to protect him.
"Not bad, Rote!" Johnny congratulated, spinning his staff.
"Water may be my element, but I can hold my own on land too!" Rotor replied, punching a bot.
Before long, all the robots were destroyed and broken on the ground.
"Alright, that's the first wave," Sally remarked.
"Meaning more will be coming soon," Sonic realized. "We better get moving."
Tails held up the Miles Electric, scanning until he found a solid reading.
"Got it!" he told them. "The last Chaos Emerald is this way."
They followed Tails until they reached a massive building shaped like Robotnik's head, complete with a metallic mustache. The windows were set in the eyes of the building, and the doors in its teeth.
"Wow," Sonic said flatly. "And people think I'm egomaniacal."
"Talk about being the face of the company," Tails quipped.
"The Eggman's full of himself," Sticks cut in. "We get it."
Antoine perked. "If the Chaos Emerald is in here, then that means-"
"Robotnik found it before we did," Porker stamped in frustration. "Damn!"
"Doesn't matter," Sonic said. "We take it like we took all the others."
"Mind knocking, Shorty?" Sally asked.
Shortfuse smirked. "Not at all."
He aimed both his laser blasters, blowing the door off its hinges.
"I don't think Eggman will mind if we let ourselves in," Sonic mused.
They stepped over the fallen doors, entering the compound.
"Hello, and welcome to Citadel Robotnik,"
Everyone jumped, turning to see a robotic secretary at a lone desk on the wall.
"How can I help you today?" the robot asked.
"Didn't see this coming," Sonic admitted.
"Uh… who are you?" Tails asked.
"I am Receptionik, Dr. Robotnik's secretary and personal assistant," the robot replied. "Do you have an appointment with the doctor?"
"We're… walk-ins," Sally replied.
"Receptionik." Everyone turned to see Uncle Chuck walking into the area, completely emotionless as he approached the desk. "Dr. Robotnik has been expecting these guests."
Sonic locked eyes on his robotic uncle, his heart dropping into his stomach. "Uncle Chuck…"
Sadly, Uncle Chuck didn't even bother acknowledging him.
"Oh, right!" Receptionik perked. "The Freedom Fighters. Go on in. Charles will escort you."
"Follow me," Uncle Chuck ordered.
Sonic just stood there for a moment, until Sally put a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her, not saying a word as she took his hand. After a minute, he nodded, and they followed Uncle Chuck into the back room. Sonic walked up next to Uncle Chuck, looking at him in desperation.
"Uncle Chuck," he began, the older hedgehog slowly looking at him. "It's me. Sonic. Your one and only too-cool nephew. Don't you remember?"
"You're like a shadow to me now," Uncle Chuck said callously. "I live to serve Dr. Robotnik."
Sonic ran in front of him. "Come on, Uncle Chuck! Snap out of it!"
Chuck showed no emotion. "Do not impede my duties."
Sonic grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him.
"I know you're in there somewhere!" he pleaded. "Fight it, man! Fight it!"
Chuck grabbed his wrists, easily breaking the hold before pushing him away.
"Do not provoke me further, Sonic," he warned. "It is by the doctor's will alone that I do not destroy you here and now. He wants that pleasure for himself."
Sonic looked at him in despair, before clenching his fist and gritting his teeth in anger.
"Then I better not keep him waiting," he spat.
With that, Sonic ran off. leaving the Freedom Fighters in the dust.
"Sonic!" Sally screamed. "Sonic, come back!"
Uncle Chuck watched, his mechanical hands clenching slightly.
"...fool..." he said, almost too quietly to hear.
Sonic reached a massive door, kicking it in violently before storming inside to find himself in a large open room.
"Show yourself, Robotnik!" he screamed.
"Welcome, hedgehog," came the doctor's voice. "I've been expecting you."
"Have you also been expecting me planting my sneaker up your flabby ass?!" Sonic demanded.
"Actually, I was expecting to snap your spine with my bare hands," Robotnik replied.
"Hand over the Chaos Emerald, release my Uncle, and maybe I'll let you off with only a mild concussion," Sonic growled.
"I don't think so," Robotnik answered. "But I can see you're itching for a fight, so who am I to deny you?"
Sonic heard the sound of jet boosters, and looked up to see Robotnik swooping down in a new suit of powered battle armor. The suit was a large, mechanical monstrosity with a red chest plate and lower section. There was a glass dome covering his head, and what looked like golden pipes on the shoulders. There were a few more golden adornments on the suit, no doubt different weapons Robotnik had installed.
"Nice threads," Sonic said, unimpressed. "Must've cost you an arm and a leg."
Robotnik growled in response. "Joke while you can, Sonic. But with my Eggs-O-Skeleton, I'll have the last laugh!"
He revealed an opening in the chest plate, in which the yellow Chaos Emerald sat.
"So that's where it is," Sonic popped his neck. "Thanks for making it easy to find, Eggman."
Robotnik scoffed.
"I'm well aware you beat me to the other Chaos Emeralds on the island," he confessed. "But it seems you've overlooked one small detail, you little blue delivery boy."
"And that would be?" Sonic questioned.
"Now that you've gathered all the Emeralds…" Robotnik stood in a fighting stance, numerous armaments popping out of the shoulders and arms of the suit, "All I have to do is take them from you!"
Sonic snorted, getting down low and into a jogger's stance. "You'll have to catch me first."
With that, the showdown began. Robotnik aimed directly at Sonic, firing a missile from his shoulder. Sonic performed a backflip, landing on the missile and bouncing off it before landing a Spin Dash to Robotnik's chest. He was knocked back, but otherwise unfazed.
"Is that all you got?" the hedgehog taunted.
"No, but thank you for asking."
Robotnik then fired several smaller missiles right at Sonic. The hedgehog avoided them all, smirking. However, that's when the missiles turned around, heading back for Sonic. He immediately took off running, the missiles following.
"Good luck shaking them!" Robotnik mocked. "They're locked onto you now!"
After running around for a while, Sonic jumped over Robotnik. Seeing the missiles headed his way, Robotnik raised his hands, firing lasers from his palms and shooting them down.
"Nice try, Sonic!"
"Hey, I got them off my tail, didn't I?"
With that, Sonic delivered a hard kick to Robotnik's back. He immediately went on the offensive, landing kicks and Spin Attacks that forced Robotnik back. Eventually, Robotnik caught the spinning Sonic in his hand before tossing him aside.
"It appears it's time I trigger the secret feature," he mused. "Get a load of this!"
He slapped a hand on the Chaos Emerald in his chest, and it began glowing. This spread to the entire armor, it beginning to glow orange. Sonic snorted before moving in for another attack. However, the armor suddenly darted aside, avoiding the strike. Sonic stood there silently, taking in what happened.
"What the hell…?" he let out.
Before he could do anything, Robotnik got behind Sonic, knocking him to the ground. Sonic tried to get up, only for Robotnik to kick him hard in the stomach.
"You're too slow!" Robotnik taunted, grabbing Sonic by the neck. "C'mon, step it up!"
Sonic struggled in Robotnik's grip. "Put me down, you overgrown rotten egg!"
Robotnik just punched him in the face again, sending him across the room to slam into the wall.
"With just one Chaos Emerald, my machines have finally reached their full potential," he gloated. "Just imagine how powerful they'll be with all seven. Though you won't live long enough to witness it."
He grabbed Sonic by the leg, turning him upside down. "Now, let's see how many you have."
He began shaking Sonic hard, only for Sonic to start laughing. Robotnik stopped shaking him, holding him up at eye level.
"Why are you laughing?!" he demanded.
"Did you honestly think I'd be stupid enough to run in here alone with the Chaos Emeralds?" Sonic asked. "Come on, Eggman."
"So they're with your friends," Robotnik realized. "Well, I'll get to them soon. The only question now is how to dispose of you." He looked him over. "Hmm... I could chop off one of your arms. Eye for an eye, after all. So many options." He perked. "Actually, I know just what to do."
With that, he snapped his fingers, summoning Uncle Chuck. Sonic went pale, all his bravado leaving him."Charles, dispose of this pest," he ordered. "I have Emeralds to collect."
"You dirty rat!" Sonic shouted.
Robotnik just tossed Sonic to the ground, heading out of the room. The door closed and locked, leaving Sonic and Uncle Chuck alone.
"Uncle Chuck, please," Sonic pleaded, raising a hand. "Don't do this."
Uncle Chuck's eyes began glowing red. He rushed at Sonic, attempting to tackle him. Sonic dodged quickly.
"C'mon!" Sonic begged. "Robotnik's messed with your head! You gotta fight it! Are you just gonna live your life like this?! Like his tool?!"
Uncle Chuck just turned to Sonic, eyes still glowing. "It is my purpose to serve the doctor,"
He swung his fist, Sonic ducking.
"I'm not gonna fight you!" Sonic shouted. "You're my uncle!"
"That old fool doesn't exist anymore,"
Meanwhile, the rest of the Freedom Fighters were discussing what to do.
"We can't just leave him in there alone!" Sally insisted.
"I toldja he was crazy!" Sticks cut in.
"I'd be more worried about yourselves if I were you."
They tensed, turning to see Robotnik strolling up to them.
"Robotnik…" Tails gasped.
"In the flesh," Robotnik boasted. "Now, which one of you has my Chaos Emeralds?"
"Forget it!" Sally snapped. "We'll never give them to you!"
"What have you done with Sonic?" Tails demanded.
"He put up a good fight, but in the end, he fell to my power," Robotnik replied casually. "Right now, he's spending some quality time with his dear old uncle."
"No…" Sally let out. "You monster!"
She charged at Robotnik in anger. He casually grabbed her arm before tossing her back to the crowd.
"Don't toy with me, you little brat!" Robotnik shouted. "Give me the Chaos Emeralds if you value your pitiful lives, or I'll take them from your charred remains!"
"Not a chance, Eggman!" Sticks declared. "You're not taking any Emeralds from us!"
Robotnik scowled, aiming a laser.
"Have it your way," he spat. "Remember, I gave you a chance to end this without bloodshed. Whatever happens to you now, you brought it on yourselves."
Sonic was thrown against a wall, bruised and struggling to stand. Uncle Chuck didn't have a mark on him, and continued to close in on him.
"Remember who you are!" Sonic shouted. "You're not a robot! You're Sir Charles Hedgehog, hero of the Great War!"
"That man is gone," Chuck threw a punch, slamming into the wall where Sonic's head was mere seconds before. "You do not comprehend the doctor's true brilliance. Mobius is imperfect, afflicted with the cancer of organic life. In its ruins, he will forge a new planet, remade in our image. In steel, free from the sins of the flesh."
"Are you even hearing yourself?!" Sonic demanded. "Mobians aren't perfect, you're right. But what Robotnik wants is the complete and utter subjugation of all life. If he gets what he wants, the carnage of the Great War will be nothing compared to what he'll do!"
Chuck stopped his assault before clutching his head in pain. Sonic saw his chance and took it.
"You fought on the front lines to stop monsters like Robotnik! Do you wanna keep serving as a mindless machine under him, or do you wanna do something about it?!"
He got to his feet, meeting his uncle's eyes. "Please, Uncle Chuck. Please…"
Uncle Chuck's eyes flickered between glowing red and a dull maroon, before settling into the maroon color. His entire body seemed to shudder, before he looked up.
"...Sonic?" he managed.
"Uncle Chuck-" Sonic began, before his uncle held up a hand to silence him.
"I don't know how long I can keep this up…" he struggled to speak. "Go… quickly…"
"No way am I leaving you here!" Sonic insisted. "You've gotta come with me!"
"Sonic…" Chuck let out, his eyes flickering red. "Run…"
Realizing he had no choice, Sonic ran to the door, busting it down with a Spin Dash. He stopped only briefly, looking back at his uncle.
"I promise, Uncle Chuck," he began. "Someday soon, I'm coming back for you."
With that, he took off down the hall.
When he got back to the Freedom Fighters, all of them were on the ground. They were still alive, thankfully, but most were barely conscious. There was also a torn brown bag on the ground.
"Guys!" Sonic shouted.
Sally let out a soft groan, struggling to sit up.
"He took then…" she managed. "He took them all…"
"No…" Sonic let out. "He took all the Chaos Emeralds?!"
"We tried to stop him…" Tails wheezed.
"Don't blame yourself," Sonic insisted. "He baited me and I fell for it."
"He has all seven Emeralds, Sonic," Rotor lamented. "We lost. It's all over…"
"No," Sonic swore, everyone looking up in surprise. "It's not over yet. I refuse to let Eggman win and dominate Mobius! We're gonna find him and stop him, no matter what!"
Elsewhere, Robotnik walked in a room with the Chaos Emeralds in hand.
"Like taking candy from a baby," he bragged.
"Well done, sir," Snively congratulated.
"Our moment is at hand," Grimer declared. "The Death Egg is complete."
Robotnik grinned. "And not a moment too soon. It's a good day to be a villain, wouldn't you agree?"
They all cackled before Robotnik held up a hand.
"Prepare the launch sequence immediately," he ordered. "Now begins the glorious era of the Robotnik Empire."
With that, the Chaos Emeralds were inserted into the main engine, which immediately began powering on. Outside of Citadel Robotnik, a massive metal hatch opened up, from which the Death Egg began to emerge.
"Let no joyful voice be heard!" Grimer declared triumphantly. "Let no one look to the sky with hope! And let this day be cursed for those who witness the rise of… THE DEATH EGG!"
All three villains laughed diabolically as the horrible space station took to the skies…
Author's Note:
Say it isn't so. The Death Egg is active! Could this be the end of Mobius?!
Who knows? But Sonic ain't goin' down without a fight.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Receptionik - Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz from Ghostbusters, Bo Peep from Toy Story)
Please R&R. Until next time!