~A Push Forward~
In the Golden Circle District, Knuckles had already taken a chunk out of paradise by the time police were alerted. It was Silver the Hedgehog's arrival he awaited so he continued the destructive rampage. His ally's guided him via a conference call as he tore past LED boards of the upper class streets but corrupt law enforcement was quickly closing in.
"What happens if the cops take me down before he shows up?" The echidna asked while smashing glass storefronts.
"You'll most likely be turned over to Nega's guardsmen, and I'm sure you know how that story ends." Vector P. answered.
"Yeah, he seems like a public execution type of dictator."
"Look, just keep wrecking shop 'til Silver arrives, they can't touch him without risking a war with Blaze."
Cruisers quickly cut off the intersection he planned to cross and officers immediately opened fire while angrily shouting over each other.
"SHIT, they're going for the kill!" Knuckles exclaimed as he ran for cover.
"Stay in it, Knuckles, the whole planet is counting on you."
He was forced to bumrush through an antique shop to avoid gunfire, and look for something he could use as a shield. The owner cursed when his reinforced back door was kicked off it's hinges and swiped away. The thickened plates stopped the hailstorm of bullets fired Knuckles' way while he sprinted through the neighborhood businesses.
Swat teams arrived on scene, helicopters patrolled the sky and he was boxed in between buildings. "I got the whole department out here, where the fuck is this guy?!"
As Vector P. tried calming him, Knuckles heard officers telling each other to stand down. He kept his shield up while hoping Silver had finally arrived. Instead, Patch's broadsword whipped through the air toward his head. He avoided the decapitation but took a steel toed boot to the stomach and his shield was ripped away. Nega's second pulled his sword back but missed the impalement as Knuckles pivoted, grasped the handle and headbutted Patch before throwing the sword out of reach.
O'nux overlooked the fight from a rooftop, but when his captor lost the advantage, he screamed for suppressing fire. As O'nux drew his pistol, he heard footsteps running from behind. Showing no resistance, he allowed Juliette to disarm him and pressure point attack his wrist.
"Good technique, apply that pressure." O'nux said while grunting.
"I've picked a few things up since you've been gone." She replied. "Sorry they put you in this position, and for what we've gotta do."
"Me too."
Ray ran in with a heavy drop kick that knocked his former friend off of the rooftop. "Nothing personal, O'nux!"
Police ordered the pair to the ground, while the echidna took his time climbing out of the dumpster. "Kinda feels personal."
Patch continued brawling with Knuckles a few alleyways over, but without his blade he was losing this close quarters encounter. He resorted to a knee strike to the groin and swept the echidna off his feet. The coyote ran for his sword and sneered once he lunged for the final slash. A deafening gunshot rang out and Patch bounced off a brick wall.
Knuckles looked up and laughed once he saw Vector P. aiming a heavy blaster from his position.
"Yeah, that's what you get, ya cheapshot coward!"
Patch felt his body armour was compromised from this blast and cursed once the pain set in. Before they could engage once more, both combatants laid eyes on the vortex that ripped through the sky above. Police were about to apprehend the group when Silver called out.
STOP! PUT YOUR WEAPONS DOWN!
Knuckles sighed and leaned against a wall. "About time!..."
The coyote grudgingly sheathed his sword but stood firm. "You don't have authority here so your word means nothing, ARREST these bastards!"
Vector P. climbed down to street level with his briefcase ready. "I have evidence of Emperor Nega's war crimes and intergalactic insurrections. He's become a tyrant of Moebius whose people suffer under his rule-"
Patch reached for the crocodile's throat but was shoved to the ground by a finger poke from Silver.
"You can't touch me, I'm Nega's Commander of operations! The council is going to hear about this!"
The glowing hedgehog took the briefcase and flipped through. "...indeed they will. These are punishable atrocities, D'Coolette."
Patch was livid. "You're not actually falling for this shit, are you?! We've shut down these rebellion outfits for years, this is just another attempt-"
Silver's annoyance was felt as the ground shook under his feet. Patch was silenced by the power on display, then the hedgehog pointed out the members of this rebellion outfit.
"I'm summoning all of you to speak before the council. Release them at once."
Knuckles nodded and police unhanded his allies. Silver turned to Patch next.
"Have your Emperor join us to explain himself. Failure to comply will result in immediate expulsion from this dimension."
Patch held his tongue and turned around, but Ray had one more demand in mind.
"And bring everyone you took, too! Nega isn't hiding from this!"
O'nux made eye contact with Knuckles briefly before his captor snapped his fingers, signalling him to follow. Juliette and Ray could hardly contain their joy but Vector P. reminded them the task wasn't complete just yet. Together, the group walked with Silver through the portal, fully confident this would be the winning play.
"...you think we're wasting our time?" Sticks asked.
"Nah. Saffron seems like she wants to impress us."
Bokkun scanned the patio while he and the badger waited outside of The Midwest Jazz Lounge. They'd flown in while their new friend called in sick and was picked up by her mother, though she wasn't happy about missing work.
The back door was opened and Saffron greeted the duo. "Come in, guys, Espio is on stage right now!"
Sticks high five'd the bee while entering. "Nicely done, kid!"
"Grab a seat before the afternoon crowd arrives."
Inside, sunlight illuminated the entire lounge and the smokers weren't present so the air was far more breathable. Bokkun laid eyes upon this Espio Ocelot; white button up shirt, black slacks and suspenders loosely hanging from his belt. He played a melancholic rendition of Metallica's "Unforgiven III" on the grand piano while his bandmates waited for their cue to join.
Sticks chose a table close to the bar, so the messenger bot and female bee joined her. "Not quite my sound, but this is LEAGUES above that pop crap Mina Mongoose was spewing downtown!"
"He mixes up the setlist based on the venue he plays." Saffron said. "And this is his favorite spot in town so he'll be up for awhile."
Susan, Saffron's mother, walked over to their table. "You shouldn't even be in here but I can't miss anymore work and I left my spare apartment key at home. You have yours?"
"I told you I lost mine."
"Great. I'll have to send you back with mine."
"I'm so sorry for bothering you mom-"
"Well, you're here now.." the waitress handed out menus. "...eat something, Saff, but no alcohol. Gino's got his eye on this table for me. I'll come back in a minute for your orders."
Bokkun smiled and Sticks waited for Susan to leave before speaking. "Wish my mom was as cool as yours."
The bee sighed passively. "She has to be at work. The divorce made both my parents insufferable. I think I prefer being a loner at school than being at home with either of them."
"Ah come on, now, they can't be that bad, at least your mom anyway."
"You don't know the whole story, Sticks, you just read the headlines."
"Yeah, I guess. But she's putting up with our shit right now so maybe cut her some slack."
"Sure. If you say so."
Bokkun stayed out of this discussion and watched Susan bring Espio's band their refills. The waitress chuckled at something the chameleon whispered while staying in-time with the song. She left a pack of cigarettes next to his ashtray and walked toward the bar.
"They seem close." Bokkun pointed out.
"He's been friendly since we moved in, and he's a hotshot musician so mom's got a crush on him."
"You don't think they're-"
Saffron shook her head. "God no! She's a minimum wage waitress, he hangs with royalty. Besides, mom knows I don't trust him. I know what these rockstars get up to..."
More internal warnings caught Bokkun's attention but he still couldn't see any sign of danger. He stood up to scan the entire lounge, prompting Sticks to grasp his arm.
"What is it?"
A warp ring materialized and he pulled both girls toward the bar just seconds before massive blocks demolished their table. Nega's guardsmen hopped through the ring and the patrons jumped out of their seats screaming. Espio stopped playing but froze when Patch lunged forward with his broadsword, forcing Bokkun to scramble.
"What the hell?!"
"Saffron, NO!"
Susan reached out but was knocked backward by a guard, violently smacking off the brick wall.
"Mom!" The teenage bee called out.
Bokkun used his jetpack to fly the girls up to a balcony, dropped them off and continued evading Nega's second. Espio ran over to Susan but was grabbed by the same guard who injured her.
"DON'T touch me, asshole!"
"Stay back."
"Stay back? You coulda killed her! What're you-"
The chameleon was tripped and held down, while Patch jumped on stage. He destroyed the grand piano and ordered everyone to freeze.
"...I told you I'd find you, little shit, now get down here or my men will keep going!"
The messenger bot was confused. "I don't even know who you are!"
Patch pulled a musician to the floor and raised his sword. "Wanna play games? TRY ME!"
Espio got loose, raced over and punched the coyote in the face before he was roughed up by more guards. Patch spit blood onto the stage and snarled.
"Douchebag rockstar wants to be a hero? Hold his hands up!"
"You're a coward, man! Leave us alone!" Espio shouted while trying to fight back.
The entire lounge screamed out as he swung down, but Bokkun stopped the blade with his forearms. Sticks and Saffron shouted their friends' name, but he was unfazed.
"Take me and leave them alone."
"Good choice." Patch said while turning to his men. "Unhand 'em but burn this shithole to the ground!"
"No, you can't do this!"
"Gotta learn not to cross authority, Ocelot. Get your losers outta here while you still got time."
Saffron flew down to where her mother laid, and Espio helped her up. "Mom, you're gonna be alright, I'm right here!"
Sticks looked into Bokkun's eyes as he was escorted toward the warp ring. "I knew your story didn't add up!"
"I'm not one of them!" He desperately claimed.
The badger helped others get to the exits but listened to what Patch said to Bokkun.
"You thought you could outrun us? We had you scoped at that hicktown jail!"
"I reset my system, I don't have a clue who you are or what you want with me!"
"Heh, yeah okay. I'm sure your doctor can get you up to speed. Move it."
"Where are you taking me?"
"The emperor's been summoned before The Council and you're on his list."
Nega's guardsmen soaked the lounge and threw matchboxes around to start the fire. Sticks made sure everyone got to safety, and Espio Ocelot watched his lounge go up in flames. Bokkun's last image was of the raging inferno and sirens wailing, then he saw outer space.