-Chapter 142-
Fake Emerald Faceoff
Space Colony ARK
Back in the computer room, Hope was in the middle of copying the files to Rouge's flash drive when an alarm went off.
"Intruder alert!" a computerized voice went off. "Intruder alert! Sector M-14!"
Security footage popped up. Hope's face lit up at the sight of Sonic and the Freedom Fighters fighting past the Artificial Chaos.
"Looks like they made it," Rouge noted.
"Yes!" Hope cheered. "Can I leave the rest of the download to you?"
"I got this," Rouge assured. "Go join your friends, kid."
Hope immediately took off, leaving Rouge to manage the download. She didn't get too far before literally running into Shadow. She bounced off, hitting the floor before looking up to see him.
"There you are," Shadow helped her to her feet. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Well, I've been avoiding you," Hope said simply. "I thought you were different from Eggman, that you actually care. But your heart is just as cold and empty as his."
Shadow remained silent.
"You're planning to kill innocent people for something that happened fifty years ago, Shadow," Hope went on. "Ultimate Life Form or not, that doesn't give you the right to decide who lives and who dies."
That set Shadow off. He scowled.
"The decision is mine!" he spat. "It became mine when the people of Mobius murdered my best friend right in front of me, without mercy or regret and in cold blood!"
"I know what you lost," Hope said calmly.
"And you judge me?!"
"Yes, I do!" Hope snapped. "I'm alone too, Shadow! And the man who took my family from me is the man you're working with! And yet, I don't let myself wallow in hatred and misery because that's not what they would want for me!"
"The dead want for nothing," Shadow shot back.
Hope scoffed before walking past him, bumping him aside with his shoulder. Shadow turned after her, reaching out.
"Hope, please," he insisted. "I do care! I saved your life, remember?"
Hope stopped, turning her head only slightly.
"Did you do it because it was the right thing to do? Or because I remind you of Maria?"
That threw Shadow for a loop. As he tried to respond, Hope walked away. He went to follow her, then his ear perked as he heard typing. He walked into the server room, finding Rouge at the tail end of the download.
"And what do you think you're doing?" he asked.
"Just enjoying some light reading," Rouge replied. "What's it to you?"
"How did you access this database?" Shadow demanded.
"Your little friend," Rouge said. "Or ex-friend from what I heard."
Shadow flinched before shaking his head.
"So that was your plan all along. You're a spy for GUN, aren't you?"
"So you did your homework, is that it?" Rouge questioned. "I would say that's an invasion of privacy."
"It wasn't too hard to figure out," Shadow said simply. "How else would you be able to get the Chaos Emeralds from the base so easily? Unless you had connections and clearance."
Rouge clapped a few times. "Bravo, you found me out. But it's not like you're going to do anything. After all, you've got bigger problems. Like getting your friend back on your side, or Sonic and his friends."
Realizing that she was right, Shadow headed for the door.
"This discussion is far from over," he warned. "I'll be back."
He headed off. As Rouge oversaw the download, she perked, seeing Knuckles searching the colony.
"And it seems the Guardian's back for round two," she noted, smirking. "This should be fun."
In the central control room, Robotnik and Amino were looking over the computer as Shadow rejoined them.
"Strange," Amino mused. "The scanner's showing energy readings from two different Emeralds."
"They brought an eighth?" Shadow wondered.
"No, that's impossible," Robotnik insisted. "There's only ever seven at play."
It hit him, and he chuckled.
"So... they thought they could trick me with a fake Chaos Emerald. Clever trick. But not clever enough."
"What do you plan to do, Doctor?" Shadow asked.
Robotnik grinned. "They want to play? Let's play."
Shadow started to leave, intending to stop Sonic and the others.
"Hold it, Shadow," Robotnik insisted. "I'm the one who should be telling them the end is near, not you. From the very beginning, Sonic has been a thorn in my side. Now is the time to end this long drawn-out battle, and mark myself a place in history as the ultimate genius. If something happens to me, it's up to you to finish the job."
"It shall be done," Shadow swore.
Meanwhile, Knuckles made his way through the colony, eventually finding himself in a massive bottomless room with four intersecting catwalks above it. At that very moment, Rouge dropped down, the bag she stole over her shoulder.
"Long time no see, Guardian," she greeted smugly. "I don't suppose you brought the rest of my Emeralds?"
"That's a good one. 'Your Emeralds'." Knuckles scoffed. "Talking to you is a waste of time. Now give. Them. Back."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll pry them from your hands after beating you to a pulp!"
Rouge scoffed. "Now that's no way to treat a lady. Didn't you learn any manners?"
"I've got manners, but you're no lady!"
"How rude!" Rouge exclaimed.
Knuckles charged at her, throwing a punch. She ducked, then kicked him in the stomach. Knuckles skidded back before punching her in the face, knocking her on her back. She wiped her mouth, snarling before backflipping onto her feet.
"Last chance, Rouge!" Knuckles warned. "Give me the bag or else!"
"Forget it! Those belong to me!"
She tried to land a kick, but Knuckles blocked it before trying to punch her. Rouge backed away, only for her foot to slip off the ledge and her to lose her balance. As she fell, Knuckles threw himself over the side, digging his fist spikes into the side of the platform and grabbing her arm with her free hand.
"I've got you!" he called. "Don't let go!"
She looked surprised as Knuckles pulled her back up onto the platform. Once they were safe, she pulled her arm free.
"Oh, get your hands off me!" she snapped.
"Is that your way of saying thanks to someone who just saved your life?" Knuckles demanded, annoyed.
"I have wings, you knucklehead. I can fly." Rouge smirked. "Were you really trying to save me, or were you just trying to be fresh? I wonder."
"Fresh?!" Knuckles spat. "As if! You can think what you want. I was saving the Master Emerald."
"Well if that's all you want, then take it."
Rouge threw the bag at him and Knuckles caught it, blinking.
"That's it?" he asked.
"That's it," Rouge confirmed. "That old bag's not really my style. And honestly, those shards have been more trouble than they're worth. Now then, I have a job to finish. Here's hoping we meet again under different circumstances."
Knuckles shrugged. "That's up to you."
With that, they went their separate ways. Once he was outside, Knuckles set the bag down, opening it up before beginning to put the pieces of the Master Emerald back together. As soon as he was finished, he heard footsteps approaching and turned to see the Chaotix round the corner, Kat in the lead. Without breaking stride, Kat walked right up to him and bodily yanked him up by the neck.
"You complete and utter idiot!" she ranted. "You crashed our shuttle, then ran off without so much as a word of warning!
She started shaking him, Knuckles' hands on her wrist as he choked and gagged.
"We're supposed to be a team! Teammates don't run off like that without a warning or leave their friends to find them in an unknown space colony!"
"Alright, alright!" Julie-Su shouted, running over and grabbing her arm. "I think he gets the point."
Kat snorted before dropping Knuckles. He coughed, rubbing his throat.
"Alright, I'm sorry," he managed. "In the future, could you at least try to vent your anger in a way that doesn't involve choking me half to death?"
"Sorry, sorry," Kat sighed, rubbing her necklace.
"In any event, he got the bag Rouge stole back," Espio pointed out.
"Yeah, so let's just put the Master Emerald back together and be done with it." Vector insisted.
The bags of shards were tossed on the ground, the two Guardians getting to work repairing it in full. The last shard slid into place, completely reforming the Master Emerald. Knuckles sighed in relief.
"Finally…"
"It's whole again," Kat let out. "Now, we just need to get Hope, and catch up with the others."
They hurried along, hefting the Master Emerald between them.
Meanwhile, Sonic and the others were heading through the ARK.
"How much farther until we get to the control room?" Sonic asked.
"It should be just up ahead." Tails replied.
Unknown to them, Robotnik was watching from afar. Suddenly, a massive claw shot out, grabbing Sally and yanking her into the air.
"Sally!" Sonic screamed.
A bright light shined on them as Robotnik revealed himself, laughing.
"Drop her right now, Eggman!" Sonic ordered. "Or I'll-!"
"Or you'll what?" Robotnik interrupted. "I hold all the cards here, Sonic. But I'm a reasonable despot, and willing to make a trade. The princess for the Chaos Emerald. That is, if you really care about her."
"You dirty son of a-!"
"Ah-ah-ah," Robotnik wagged his finger. "Watch that tongue of yours, and do what I want."
"Sonic, no!" Sally cried. "Don't give him the Emerald! You do that, he'll be able to destroy the world!"
"I'm not risking anyone's life!" Sonic declared, turning to Robotnik with a snarl as he pulled out an Emerald. "You win, Eggman."
"Good boy." Robotnik pointed at a circle on the ground. "Now, put the Emerald down right there and back off."
Sonic walked forward obediently.
"Planet-busting weapons, hostage situations. You've turned into a big-time villain, haven't you doc?"
"Indeed I have."
Once Sonic stepped onto the circle, a pod slammed down around him, trapping him inside. Robotnik cackled maniacally as Sonic looked shocked
"What the-?!"
"Ha!" Robotnik scoffed. "Did you honestly think I would fall for your fake emerald ploy?!"
"What?!" Tails cried. "How did you know it wasn't a real Emerald?"
"I didn't. I scanned two Emerald signatures. But thanks for telling me which one was the fake, Tails! I owe you."
Tails facepalmed, realizing his mistake.
"And now, Sonic, I'm gonna take you for a little space ride."
"What?" Sonic asked. "Shoot me out of the colony and leave me to drift in space forever?"
"Not even close," Robotnik answered. "I learned my lesson after ditching you in the Special Zone didn't stop you. You see, the escape pod you're currently in is rigged. The minute it clears the colony…"
He mimed an explosion with his hand. "BOOM!"
"No!" Sally cried. "Please, don't!"
"I'm finally gonna be rid of that blasted hedgehog, once and for all!" Robotnik gloated.
Sonic took a deep breath, composing himself.
"I'm counting on you, Tails," he said calmly. "It's all on you now. Sally... take care of yourself."
He glared at Robotnik defiantly. "As for you, Robuttnik… I'll see you in Hell."
"Tell Julian I said hello," Robotnik replied casually. "Now, farewell, Sonic the Hedgehog!"
He hit the button, ejecting the pod.
The Freedom Fighters could only watch helplessly as the capsule flew away from the ARK and exploded in space. Robotnik solemnly removed his goggles, holding them to his chest in a show of respect like one would their hat.
"And so passeth a worthy opponent."
He bowed his head, seeming to sob... before breaking into maniacal laughter at his victory.
Out in the halls, Hope saw the explosion and came to a stop. She gasped, looking out the window in shock.
"What… what was that?" she managed.
"That was Dr. Robotnik's ultimate victory."
She turned to see Shadow approach, the black hedgehog looking out the window.
"I guess he was just a regular hedgehog after all." he mused.
Hope gasped, a hand going to her mouth.
"No… are you saying Sonic was in that thing?!"
"Yes, I'm afraid he was," Shadow confirmed. "Perhaps Sonic was not the great hero you thought him to be."
"No…" Hope shook her head, tears beginning to flow. "No, no, no, NO! Sonic! SONIC!"
She ran from the room, crying hysterically. "It can't be true! He can't be dead!"
Shadow watched her go, feeling a tightness in his chest at the pain on her face.
Elsewhere, the Freedom Fighters could only look out the window in silent horror at where Sonic seemingly exploded, Amy and Sally outright weeping as Robotnik cackled.
"I finally did it! I've defeated Sonic!" he cheered. "That annoying hedgehog is now gone forever! He's nothing but floating chunks in space, now!"
He cleared his throat, turning to the others. "Now, in the wake of my triumph, I'm in a good mood. Give me the real Chaos Emerald, and I'll let you all go. I'll even throw in Hope as a bonus. You have my word."
Tails, who had fallen to his knees upon Sonic's demise, slowly got to his feet.
"Sally, take the others and finish the mission," he ordered. "Eggman's mine."
Sally stood up, wiping her eyes before nodding and hurrying out, motioning for the others to do so.
"I see Sonic has taught you well," Robotnik mused. "Never to give up without a fight. It's quite noble. Stupid, but noble."
"Sonic just asked me to do something for him," Tails snapped. "I won't let him down! I'll never surrender to you!"
He hopped into the X-Cyclone, preparing his weapons. "And I'll make you pay for what you've done!"
"All this fuss over one damn Mobian!" Robotnik growled. "It's tragic."
"That 'one damn Mobian' knew more about being human than you ever will, Eggman!" Tails shot back. "His name was Sonic! The planet you're threatening is my home! Was his home! And he was my best friend!"
He rushed forward, letting out a yell as he attacked.
Outside, the others heard the fight, the weight of what just happened crashing down on them. Chris doubled over and retched on the floor, shaking at the realization Sonic was truly dead.
"This... This can't be real…" he managed. "This can't be real!"
Keith rubbed his back as the others took in the knowledge. Bunnie buried her face in Antoine's chest, Rotor removed his helmet solemnly, putting an arm around, Omochao rested sadly on Shard's head, Tekno outright broke down and hugged Shorty, Porker and Johnny comforted Amy and one another, and T-Pup let out a sad whine as Cheese wrapped his nubs around his neck, Cream pulling them both close. Even Sticks was fighting back tears.
"He was the first guy who was ever nice to me…" she let out, "and now he's gone. He didn't deserve that…"
"No... no he didn't," Sally agreed.
Nicole appeared, hugging Sally gently. She returned the embrace before pulling away, steeling herself.
"We still have a job to do," she insisted. "Eggman will pay for what he's done after we shut down the cannon."
"Right…" Bunnie wiped her eyes and steeled herself. "Right."
"Let's do this," Amy declared, hefting her hammer. "For Sonic."
Author's Note:
Oh, no! Is this the end of Sonic the Hedgehog? Has our hero been blasted to space dust by the cruel trap of Dr. Robotnik?!
Stay tuned to find out.
Please R&R. Until next time!