-Chapter 99-

Rough Chop

Egg Utopia

In his room aboard the Egg Utopia, Robotnik happily coddled the Chao he'd gotten, ticking its belly.

"Who's a cute little weapon of destruction?" he teased. "You are! Yes, you are!"

The Chao giggled and chirped, happily playing in Robotnik's arms. Suddenly, the door to his room opened and Robotnik yelped, hiding the Chao behind his back as both Snively and Grimer came running in.

"Doesn't anyone knock anymore?!" he snapped.

"Why?" Snively asked. "Were you doing some-"

"What I was doing is none of your business!" Robotnik snarled. "Now, why have you decided to neglect common decency and barge into my room unannounced?"

"Well... we found something you're not going to like." Grimer told him.

He brought up a holoprojection of Floral Forest Village, depicting Sonic and co. looking around the burnt out remains before heading off. Robotnik's jaw dropped before he scowled.

"Sonic's already on the case?!" he shouted. "How'd he find out so quickly?!"

"From what we can tell, a child from the village managed to escape and warn Sonic," Snively answered.

"WHAT?!" Robotnik exclaimed, jumping to his feet, the Chao clinging to the back of his coat. "I thought I made it clear there were to be NO LOOSE ENDS!"

"Snively's the one who decided our job was finished and decided to come back!" Grimer accused.

"What?!" Snively exclaimed. "Like you were picking daisies! You didn't bother to do another sweep either, you green piece of crap!"

"SILENCE!" Robotnik shrieked, shutting them both up. "Both of you, get out and find out where Sonic is headed! Deploy countermeasures! And next time I say no loose ends, I MEAN IT!"

The two quickly raced out of the room, just as the chao popped onto Robotnik's shoulder. He reached up and pulled him off.

"Aww, did I scare you?" he cooed, rubbing the Chao's head, getting a small chirp. "Well don't worry. I'm not mad at you. I could never be mad at you, my little weapon of mass destruction.

-X-

Meanwhile, Vanilla was released from her cell and led to Eggatha's room. She entered the room, going stiff at what she saw. Coco was standing against the wall, a full Robian. His mouth was gone and his body was bulkier and more angular, black screens replacing his eyes. His coloring and robotic clothing were the only indication of who he used to be.

"Coco…" she whispered.

"Oh good, you're here."

Vanilla turned to see Eggatha sitting by her desk, her new Chao in her lap as she stroked him like a cat. She looked between Vanilla and Coco, wincing.

"I'm… sorry you had to see that," she said.

"Is…" Vanilla began, "is he still…?"

"In there?" Eggatha offered. "Honestly, I don't know. I'd like to think he is, so he can see you're okay and still you."

Vanilla slowly approached Coco, who didn't seem to acknowledge her presence. She reached up, placing a hand on his cheek, feeling cold metal where she once felt soft fur.

"Coco…" she said. "I don't know how, but we will fix this. I promise you."

Eggatha gave her a minute, then let out an awkward cough.

"I'm sorry... but I need to get Chao care tips," she told her. "Otherwise my Uncle will get mad and well... you know."

Vanilla turned to her. "Yes, of course."

Vanilla walked over to her, and when she got close, Eggatha took her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Don't be sad," she said gently. "Sonic is on his way. I just know it."

Leaf Forest Zone

Meanwhile, the group had arrived at the Leaf Forest Zone. Hence the name, it was filled with leafy trees, but also had the trademark checkered soil of Green Hill.
"Nice place, wouldn't you agree?" Sonic asked.

"Been a long time since I've been here," Bunnie mused. "I'd forgotten how beautiful it was."

"I'm surprised you ever left," Antoine admitted.

"I wanted some action," Bunnie said, looking at her robotic arm. "And boy, did I get it."

The group scanned the horizon, looking for any sign of Robotnik or his robots.

"See anything?" Hope questioned.

"Nothing so far," Keith replied.

"I got nothing either," Chris reported.

"I'll climb up and see if I can get a better vantage point," Kat decided.

She began clambering up a tree. No sooner had she reached the top, however, than they heard the sound of a blade slicing, and turned to see a massive metal axe chop right through the tree she was on.

"Oh, no!" Keith screamed.

The tree began to fall and Kat began falling as well. She landed hard on the ground, barely rolling out of the way of the tree. Unfortunately, she was holding her arm, which was bent in the wrong way.

"Owwww…" she let out. "I think I broke something."

They ran over to her at that, Keith having a Power Ring ready as Hope knelt over her.

"Okay, I'm gonna set the bone," she told Kat. "Make sure the ring heals it properly. Are you ready?"

"Wait…" Kat grabbed a stick, placing it between her teeth before nodding. With that, Hope gently grabbed her arm, feeling for where the break was.

"One, two… THREE!"

Hope quickly snapped the broken bone back into its socket. Kat screamed, the stick between her teeth cracking as Keith moved in. He held the ring over her arm, watching as it healed her. Seeing the kids handling the situation, Sonic, Bunnie, and Antoine turned to figure out what had chopped down the tree. What they found was a large, black robot that had jet boosters for legs, and a massive axe in its hands.

"So that's the big boss Badnik he sent after us?" Sonic asked. "A bot with an axe to grind?"

"A Badnik with an axe…" Bunnie mused. "An Axenik."

The Axenik chopped off a piece of the fallen tree, lifting it up and sending the chunk of wood flying at the Freedom Fighters. Antoine was quick on the draw, drawing his saber and slicing the chunk in half.

"You are not the only one good with a blade, la ferraille (1)," he informed it.

"Careful where you sink that axe of yours, Tin Man!" Sonic shouted before charging at the Axenik. The bot swung at him, determined to take Sonic's head off. The hedgehog dodged, and only a tree got toppled. It aimed at the kids, but thankfully they moved before they got crushed.

"Okay, that thing needs to go down," Chris insisted.

"I can't risk using my arm just yet," Kat objected. "Bones take longer to heal, even with Power Rings."

Bunnie tried her luck next, lashing out with her extendo-arm. The Axenik lashed out as well, his blade cutting into her arm. She screamed and recoiled her arm, clutching the sparking metal.

"So it is connected to my nervous system," she hissed. "Great."

Sonic and Antoine both scowled, glaring at the Axenik

"Don't you know how to treat a lady, punk?!" Sonic exclaimed.

The Axenik remained silent, just continuing its attack. Antoine parried its axe strikes with his saber, laser-focused.

"It would seem that you only understand destruction," he mused.

He launched forward, curling into a ball and rapidly spinning with his sword extended, chopping the Axenik's axe in two. He then landed. with a flourish of his blade at the end, the bot falling aside before exploding. Sonic nodded, applauding.

"I see you finally perfected the Spin Blade Ball Attack," he noted. "Nice work."

"Oh, oui!" Antoine cheered, thrusting his sword excitedly. "Months of practice finally pay off!"

With the battle over, Hope dispersed from the group, heading for Bunnie.

"Let me see that arm," she urged.

Bunnie held it out, allowing Hope to take a look.

"You're in luck," she said. "Some wiring got nicked and it caused a feedback. I can fix this with some electrical tape."

Chris tossed her a roll from his backpack.

"You carry electrical tape?" Sonic asked.

"It comes in handy," Chris defended.

Hope wrapped Bunnie's arm up, the rabbit flexing her fingers and moving it about.

"I'll do a more thorough repair job back at Knothole, but this'll do for now," Hope said.

Bunnie smiled. "Thanks, sweetie."

"Arm buddies," Kat quipped, shrugging her arm a bit as Keith helped her make a makeshift sling from her jacket.

"How's it feel?" he asked.

"Not bad," Kat replied. "I just hope I'm not dead weight for this mission."

She perked. "Hang on. Sonic, check the Axenik. I sense something."

Sonic nodded, going to check the Axenik's remains. It didn't take long for him to find what she was referring to, the yellow Chaos Emerald,.

"A Chaos Emerald!" Chris exclaimed. "No wonder it could chop down big trees so easily."

Sonic smirked, pocketing the Emerald. "Well, even if you can't fight, you can still help, Kat. You're our Emerald Radar."

Kat smiled at that.

"Either way, let's try not to let anyone else get hurt," Bunnie said. "Beyond these woods is the Hot Crater."

"Hot Crater?" Sonic repeated. "Let me guess, volcanic area?"

"Yep," Bunnie confirmed. "Very dangerous."

"Hope, did you happen to pack any Flame Shields?" Chris asked.

Hope nodded. "I've got a few on standby."

"You kids sure come prepared," Sonic remarked.

"Of course we do," Keith said. "It's our job."

"Alright, enough chatter," Antoine cut in. "We have a village to save."

Egg Utopia

Meanwhile, Vanilla continued giving Eggatha advice on Chao care.

"Keep them clean, with plenty of fresh water on hand."

"Fresh… water…" Eggatha jotted that down before nodding. "Thanks again. I'll make sure this little guy has the best home."

She patted the Chao, who chirped. Vanilla smiled slightly.

"What will you name him?" she asked.

Eggatha looked him over, taking in his darker coloration. "Pitch."

Pitch seemed to cheer at the name, hugging Eggatha. She returned the hug and Vanilla felt her chest ache, her mind drifting to Cream hugging Cheese.

Eggatha saw that, tilting her head.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Vanilla shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking."

About your daughter?"

Vanilla nodded

"Do... Do you know if a little girl named Cream was taken?"

Eggatha thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"The name doesn't sound familiar. I don't think she was brought to the Egg Utopia."

"Then... she's safe." A weight seemed to be lifted off Vanilla's shoulders. "Praise Aurora…"

Eggatha gave her a small smile, then saw the time.

"Uh-oh, we better get you back to your pod. "Coco, please escort her for me, and be gentle."

"Yes, Lady Agatha," Coco replied, his voice a robotic monotone.

He gently took Vanilla by the arm, leading her back to her cell.

"Coco... I don't know if you can hear me, but Cream is safe," Vanilla informed him. "Our daughter is safe, and I will ensure we keep our promise to her. Just be strong for me."

They reached the pod, Coco opening it. Vanilla went to step in, but Coco maintained his grip. His eye screens flickered for a moment, then just as quickly as it happened, he let her go. Vanilla entered the pod, letting it seal behind her as Coco walked away. She looked at her arm, thinking it over.

"He's still in there…" she realized, managing a smile. "There's still hope."

As Coco walked away, he looked at his own hand, the fingers twitching.

"Van...illa…" he managed, his voice shifting to his normal Mobian tone for a split second before continuing on his way.

Author's Note:

(1): French for "scrap."

Well, not bad for my 100th chapter, no?

The Axenik is basically Hei Hou, the axe-wielding boss of Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1 in Sonic & Knuckles. Seemed fitting for a forest boss.

Please R&R. Until next time!