-Chapter 96-

Crippling Emotion

Robotropolis

Naugus searched every nook and cranny of Robotropolis. Despite his best efforts, there was no sign of Robotnik.

"So, it seems Julian gave me the slip," he shrugged. "No matter. I will be avenged soon enough. Besides, there are still others who must be punished for their actions against me."

He brought his staff to his face, curling a gnarled hand around the red crystal at the top. An image began to appear, showing a nervous King Max in his throne room.

"What's the matter, Your Highness?" Naugus taunted. "Scared?"

He dug his fingers into the crystal, red light pouring from his nails and into the crystal. "Let's see if I can help."

Mobotropolis

King Max could not quell his uneasiness. It broiled inside of him like a pot spilling over. It seemed to be getting worse with each passing moment, and in his fear, he didn't see a barely perceivable red mist coiling at his feet. Alicia approached, seeing her husband's nervousness.

"Max?" she let out, causing Max to nearly jump out of his skin.

"Alicia…" he sighed.

Alicia looked at her husband with concern. "Max, what's wrong? You're acting erratically."

"Get me in contact with Elias," Max decided. "It's urgent."

"Max, what's-"

"Just do it!" Max snapped.

Alicia jumped, then hurried out of the room. Some of the red mist seemed to trail after her as she did.

Robotropolis

Elsewhere, Naugus grinned, looking it over.

"I've still got it."

Knothole

Sonic and Eggatha arrived at the base, the girl still blindfolded and clinging to him. As he skidded to a stop, he found that everyone was already gathered up, surrounding a trio of people. He moved his way to the front, spotting a familiar redhead and cowboy hat that identified Kat and Knuckles. However, the third echidna they were with made Sonic's eyes narrow and his blood boil.

"Oh good, you finally showed up," Locke remarked. "I was beginning to wonder if you were truly as fast as the stories make you out to be.

"I was collecting Eggman's niece," Sonic explained, setting Eggatha down and removing her blindfold. "Ended up getting a taste of this Naugus guy's power while I was at it."

"Then you are already aware of the threat. Good. I abhor repeating myself."

"Naugus made it to Robotropolis?" Sally asked.

"Yep," Sonic nodded. "Froze me in place while he started messing with the doc. Metal broke me out and attacked him so I could get out with Eggatha."

"Wow…" Shard let out. "Going against his core programming to protect her. Guess he does have a soul after all."

"Silence, machine," Locke snapped.

"His name is Shard, and he's one of us." Kat informed him, a hard edge to her voice.

"Wow," Sonic deadpanned. "How is it that no girl has snatched you up yet with your winning personality?"

Locke gave him a dirty look. "If you're finished with your stupid jokes and quips, maybe we can get on with the situation at hand, please?"

Eggatha leaned in towards Sonic. "He's a serious jerk, isn't he?"

Locke ignored her.

"Now, you already know of the threat Naugus poses. And Sonic here learned the hard way that his magic is beyond your experience."

"How do you know so much about him?" Tails asked.

"Because it was the ancient Echidnas that decimated the order he was once a part of," At the others' looks, Knuckles shrugged. "Long story. Not important right now."

"To summarize, the Order of Ixis is dangerous," Locke began. "And Naugus is the worst of them all. He is responsible for several atrocities throughout Mobius' history, up until the Great War."

That got their attention.

"Are you saying he had something to do with it?" Amy questioned.

"I have a hunch, but nothing concrete," Locke clarified.

"So how do we stop him?" Sonic asked.

"That, I fear, is something I do not know the answer to," said Locke.

"Then it's a good thing I showed up, isn't it?"

Everyone jumped, turning around to see a Mobian panther standing before them. She wore a loose, pink shirt that hung below her shoulders, and a white skirt that looked more like a sarong. She has simple sandals on her feet, and was carrying a large tray with several mugs of steaming coffee and hot cocoa. Everyone was immediately on the defensive.

"Please, calm down," the panther said. "My name is Ebony. I'm not here to fight. In fact, I've made everyone some nice warm beverages. It will help calm your nerves and make my explanation easier. I even added marshmallows for the children."

The Freedom Fighters all exchanged looks before shrugging and deciding to just go with it.

-X-

Some time later, the group was drinking their coffee and/or cocoa as Ebony explained.

"My master Lazaar was once a member of the Order of Ixis, just as Naugus was," she began. "After the war with the Echidnas, he went underground and put himself into stasis. During his sleep, he dreamt and grew to regret his crimes. Barring teaching me over the course of fifteen years, he's largely kept to himself."

"So, you're an Ixian apprentice?" Bunnie asked.

"No, either me nor my master are affiliated with the order," Ebony clarified. "I am merely his apprentice, his conduit of magic. I act in his stead. My master sensed Naugus' resurgence, and thus, he sent me here to aid you."

"We require no such aid from you, witch," Locke snapped.

"Locke, shut your mouth," Sally shot back. "You don't speak for us."

Locke turned to her. "Excuse me?"

"You heard her, old man," Sonic got in Locke's face. "I don't care how you do things with your little Brotherhood. This is Knothole, we're the Freedom Fighters, and we do things our way, not yours. So unless you're gonna actually be helpful and not a first-class jackass, sit your ass down and shut up!"

The two stared silently at one another before Locke turned away indignantly. Kat fist-bumped Sonic with a smile.

"I see you are a reasonable leader, Princess Sally," Ebony mused.

"I'm not about to spurn the one person who may actually be able to help us," Sally said.

"Wise," Ebony nodded.

"So... what do we do?" Chris asked.

"First, you must know what Naugus is capable of. He is a master of the Ixian Magic. The primary application of the Ixis arts are manipulation of the five elements of Mobius: earth, water, fire, air, and Chaos energy. But there are other applications. Naugus specializes in controlling emotions. He can stir them up, turn them against you."

"So... he gets in your head, creates crazy feelings?" Keith tried.

"No. He merely stirs up and amplifies what's already there." Ebony was met with a confused look from Sonic, as well as a few others. "Allow me to clarify. Have you ever said something you knew you shouldn't have? Something really hurtful?"

"Well, yeah," Sonic answered. "A lot of people have those days."

"What made you do it? Too little sleep? Low blood sugar? Maybe you were just in 'one of those moods' you get into every so often. Naugus' magic affects those moods, opening the door that most people keep locked. He amplifies the negativity and dark emotions you already have inside, and blows them out of proportion."

"So, what you're saying is that he can make a sad person utterly miserable, an annoyed person utterly enraged, and a nervous person a terrified wreck," Eggatha surmised.

Ebony nodded. "Precisely."

"That adds up with a lot of the records I could find of him," Locke mused.

"That's how he pulls off most of his stunts, isn't it?" Sonic deduced. "Dial everyone's emotions to eleven and then watch the fireworks."

"Indeed," Ebony confirmed.

Unbeknownst to any of the Freedom Fighters, a small pool of red mist was beginning to coalesce under their feet.

"Now, we've dallied long enough," Ebony went on. "I have no doubt in my mind that Naugus will strike at Castle Acorn soon. We must hurry if we wish to intercept him and prevent a slaughter."

"Then let's motor," Sonic said.

They opened up a few Warp Rings, everyone hopping through. The mist followed them, swirling around the feet of a few key members of the group.

Mobotropolis

At Castle Acorn, Max was speaking to a recent arrival, a Mobian squirrel with brown fur, red hair, and blue eyes. His eldest child and only son, Elias.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice, son," Max said.

"Father, what's wrong?" Elias asked. "You don't look so good."

"Ixis Naugus has returned," Max explained. "I'm preparing the kingdom for the worst."

"Naugus?" Elias asked. "Are you sure? I thought he was banished."

"He escaped the Zone of Silence, and is most likely on his way to Castle Acorn as we speak," said Max. "In the event something happens to me during his attack, Elias... I want you to claim the throne."

"Father, don't speak like that," Elias pleaded. "We've beaten Naugus before, and we will again. Don't let yourself give into fear and hopelessness. I will not be taking the throne this day."

"No, you won't. Because I will."

They both whirled around to see Naugus materialize. He held his staff out threateningly.

"It's time you stepped down, Maximilian." the evil sorcerer declared.

Max was on his feet in seconds and Elias was on the defensive, a simple rapier being drawn from his belt.

"You are not welcome here, warlock!" he shouted. "Leave this place while we still allow it!"

Naugus just cackled. "Fool. You hold no power over me."

"I'd listen to him if I were you!"

Naugus turned to see the Freedom Fighters appear, ready for a fight.

"Persistent, aren't you, Quickster?"

"I'm not the kinda guy who gives up," Sonic shot back.

"So much like Sir Charles," Naugus grinned maliciously. "Then again, that didn't save him from his own invention, did it?"

Sonic's fists clenched, his teeth gritting.

"Sonic, don't listen to him!" Sally pleaded. "Don't give him what he wants!"

"Ah, little Sally Acorn," Naugus mocked. "The Princess pretending to be something more than a scared little girl."

He looked at each member of the group. "You claim to be heroes, but all you really are are children playing at being soldiers. Is this all the House of Acorn has to oppose me?"

"We're a lot stronger than you think we are, you oversized goblin!" Kat snapped.

"Such fire," Naugus mused. "Such rage."

Naugus grinned as red mist poured out of his staff, blanketing the room. "Let's see just how fast it burns."

The mist washed over everyone, coalescing around everyone.

"Everyone remain calm!" Locke cried. "Do not let your emotions get to you! Control yourselves! Don't let him- GAH!"

Suddenly, Kat's hands were wrapped around his windpipe, her face a snarl of pure animalistic rage.

"I've heard enough from you!" she screamed before throwing him into a wall. "I'm going to make you feel just as small and insignificant as you've made me feel!"

Locke could only look on in shock as Kat advanced on him. Before long, the Freedom Fighters were overwhelmed by uncontrollable emotions, some bawling in fear, some insane with rage, and others just reduced to cowering on the ground. Naugus cackled at the sight, only to be shocked when Sonic and Knuckles both rose to their feet, seemingly unaffected. Sonic's hands visibly shook, before he clenched his fists to calm down .

"Nice try, Noggy. But I've had worse."

"What?!" Naugus shrieked. "How?!"

"You've clearly been watching us," Knuckles retorted. "You know the shit he's seen and done. You think your stupid spell can touch him?"

"And you?!" Naugus demanded.

Knuckles scoffed. "I'm always angry. Nothing new there."

Naugus scowled. "Then it seems it's time for my trump card."

He snapped his fingers, and a window was smashed as Metal Sonic flew in. However, every part of his blue armor had been covered by light blue, jagged crystals.

"Metal Sonic?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"No, Crystal Sonic," Naugus clarified. "Reborn through my Crystalmancy, loyal only to me."

"Oh, crap…" Knuckles managed.

Crystal Sonic charged at the two, only for a new figure to drop down before him and backhand him aside. Everyone took in the sight of Robotnik, donned in green holographic armor consisting of Spring-like shoulder and ankle pads, along with a helmet and torso armor piece resembling the Big Arm mech he used during the Angel Island incident. It covered his head, shoulders, arms, hands, torso, ankles, and legs.

"Sorry about that, Metal," Robotnik told his crystallized bot. "I'll repair you later."

"So, finally decided to come out of your hidey hole, Julian?" Naugus mocked.

"It's Ivo Robotnik!" Robotnik snapped. "And I wasn't hiding, I was preparing. I knew you'd come for me, so I had this Hard-Light Armor built just for such an occasion." He turned away, facing Crystal Sonic and pounding his fist into his palm. "Now, I'll leave you in the capable hands of the Freedom Fighters while I deal with my enthralled mech."

"Fine," Naugus scoffed. "But once I'm done with the Quickster and his little friends, you're next."

Sonic and Knuckles prepared to fight, Ebony stepping up to bat as well, making hand seals similar to the metal horns as her fingers sparkled with magic.

"You're not the only mage here, Naugus," she informed him.

"You're playing with the big boys now, little girl," Naugus scoffed. "Let me show you what a real Ixian mage can do!"

Ebony launched multiple fireballs as Sonic and Knuckles double-teamed Naugus. Naugus proved to be a slippery character, teleporting out of the path of the fireballs from Ebony, as well as using a simple shield spell to block attacks from Sonic and Knuckles. Robotnik was having similar luck with Crystal Sonic, his creation's new armor too strong to do more than crack. It was eerie, seeing the usual vocal mech so silent and deadly.

To make the bad situation even worse, the rest of the Freedom Fighters were essentially useless, none of them able to control their emotions. Shard, the one Freedom Fighter member unaffected, was too overwhelmed just trying to keep his friends from killing one another. Locke was in similar straits, in control of his mind, but at the mercy of the merciless child who wanted his blood.

"Listen to me, Kathryn!" he shouted. "Naugus' magic is corrupting you! You need to fight it!"

"SHUT UP!" Kat screamed. "You've had this coming for a LONG TIME NOW!"

Locke rolled out of the way of a punch that shattered the floor where his head used to be.

"I'm going to make your death slow and tortuous, Locke!" Kat ranted. "And I bet all of Angel Island will celebrate!"

She grabbed him by his ankle and pulled him back, slamming him into another wall. He fell with a groan, then felt a vise grip on his throat. He was lifted up, Kat meeting his eye as she pulled back her fist.

"ENOUGH!"

That commanding shout caused all in the room to freeze, turning to see Max enter with an ancient, ornate looking sword. He drew it, the blade crackling with arcane power.

"This is between you and me, Naugus. Now step forward, if you desire a royal beating."

"The Sword of Acorns…" Naugus let out, fear creeping into his voice. "Do you have so little confidence in your fighting ability that you have to fall back on it?"

"I'm no fool," Max snorted. "I wouldn't face the likes of you without a little... mystical advantage."

The red mist launched at him, but Max brought the blade up, the arcane power humming with life before he gave a diagonal chop. The mist ignited, burning away and clearing the air a bit.

"Now," Max began, "face me, and accept your fate."

Naugus scowled, facing him, the two circling one another.

"I want what I came here for, Max!" Naugus ranted. "THIS IS MY KINGDOM! MY DESTINY!"

They clashed furiously, Naugus' magic being deflected or absorbed by Max's sword.

"This kingdom was never yours!" Max shot back. "And it never will be!"

He slashed out with the blade, sparks dancing as he destroyed every spell Naugus threw at him. The warlock was beginning to sweat.

"Crystal Sonic!" he screamed. "Defend your Master! Destroy this usurper!"

Crystal Sonic turned, preparing to obey only to be faced with the business end of an arm cannon from Robotnik's armor.

"I don't think so," the doctor spat. "It's time you remember who your real boss is, Metal!"

Setting the cannon to full power, he blasted Crystal Sonic with everything he had. The crystal shattered and Metal dropped, his exo-frame singed, but mostly undamaged.

"METAL!" Eggatha shrieked.

The second the bot had control of his processor again, he materialized by Eggatha, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"NO!" Naugus screamed.

Max saw his chance and took it. With a mighty swipe, he slashed Naugus' scepter clean in two. The red ball on top went flying, rolling over to Sonic, who raised his sneaker.

"You like magic tricks, Noggy? Here's one of mine!"

He slammed his foot down on the ball, shattering it. A deafening boom sounded as the mist cleared completely, the Freedom Fighters regaining their senses as Sonic grinned, thumbing his nose.

"Abracadabra."

Naugus looked at his broken staff, then at all of the now cognizant fighters surrounding him. It didn't take a genius to realize he had lost. Quickly, he began fishing into his robe, pulling out a small vial.

"This isn't over!" he vowed. "I will return! And I will destroy all of you!"

He threw down the vial and a thick cloud of purple smoke engulfed the room. Everyone with lungs coughed and struggled to breathe before the gas cleared, revealing Naugus to have vanished.

"Damn!" Sally cursed. "He got away!"

"For now, yes," Max said. "But now he knows that his ambitions will not be so easy to accomplish."

Robotnik went over to Eggatha and Metal, looking them over.

"Agatha, my dear, are you alright?" he asked.

Eggatha nodded. "I'm alright, Uncle."

He turned to Metal at that.

"I'll live," Metal clenched his fists. "That wizard's power... I couldn't stop myself, Doctor."

"I know," Robotnik told him. "I'll need to install some magical safeguards. This will not be happening a second time."

He picked up Eggatha before flying away with Metal in tow, the others watching him go.

Some time later, the others were discussing things. Locke approached Knuckles and Kat, rubbing his bruised neck.

"I need to speak with you," he wheezed. "If… that is alright."

Kat and Knuckles exchanged glances before shrugging and following him to the side.

"I know Naugus' magic merely brought out what was already there," Locke began. "That's why you've been leaving the island so often... isn't it?"

"So she doesn't snap and try to kill you?" Knuckles offered. "Yes."

"I have anger issues, I know it," Kat admitted. "It's part of the PTSD package I have, and the last thing I want is blood on my hands. Even yours."

"I… understand I have been harsh," Locke admitted. "And clearly, I have pushed you too hard. I will... make an effort to be less... abrasive. Just understand, what I want is what's best for the Brotherhood. That is my priority."

Kat took that in before nodding. "I'm sorry I almost killed you. Like I said, it's not what I wanted."

Locke nodded, extending a hand, which Kat shook. Off to the side, Ebony spoke with Sonic and Sally.

"Thanks for the help, Ebony," Sonic told her. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"Anything to assist in the take-down of the Order of Ixis," Ebony replied. "Next time you're in town, drop by the Groovy Train. I'll give you a discount on coffee."

"Just might take you up on that," Sonic said.

"Good luck," Sally told her.

"Good luck to you as well," Ebony replied.

With that, Ebony departed. Sonic stretched his arms.

"Well, another day, another world-conquering wack-a-doo dealt with," he mused. "Anyone for chili dogs?"

Everyone nodded in agreement and cheered.

Author's Note:

Well, another one bites the dust. But we haven't heard the last of Naugus.

Ebony and her coffee shop, the Groovy Train, are from Sonic the Comic, while Lazaar, only mentioned here, is from SatAM.

Next chapter, I begin an adaptation of Sonic Advance 2, where we'll finally be introduced to our favorite rabbit-and-Chao duo!

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Elias - Eric Vale (Future Trunks from Dragon Ball Z, Sanji from One Piece, Yuki Sohma from Fruits Basket)

* Ebony - Danielle Nicolet (Jacqui Briggs from Mortal Kombat, Cecile Horton from The Flash, Storm in multiple X-Men games and the Marvel Anime)

Please R&R. Until next time!