-Chapter 149-

Sonic Slander, Part 3

Knothole

In Freedom HQ, the group was crowded around the TV as the next half of the documentary began, this one displaying footage of Station Square University during the fateful ROCC explosion.

"Once upon a time, Dr. Ivo Robotnik was kindly Dr. Julian Kintobor, working on a way to rid Mobius of all evil forever... until a freak lab accident turned him into the monster you know. And who was present in the lab at the time? Who helped him with this experiment?"

The camera zoomed in on Sonic.

"Your beloved Sonic, that's who. Could it be that Mobius' greatest hero was responsible for creating our greatest threat? The answer may surprise you."

That set Sonic off. He grabbed one of Chails' plastic toys off the ground, throwing it clean through the TV and shattering the screen with a crash. Vanilla covered Cream's ears, the kids all doing the same as Sonic let out a string of curse words at the now broken TV. After a good three minutes, he finally stopped, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a twenty Mobium bill and sticking it in a jar marked "swear jar". Sonic sat down, rubbing his temples as he tried to compose himself.

"Alright, now I'm mad," he growled. "It's bad enough he blamed me for what happened to Kat's hometown, that he twisted me into some cultist who turned her, Hope and the boys into child soldiers. But blaming me for the ROCC accident that created Robotnik?! That's the last straw!"

"Seems I got here just in time."

Everyone turned to see a green hedgehog leaning in the doorframe. His spines were gelled into a wild fringe style and he was wearing a black t-shirt that said "Underground Life", an orange vest, torn jeans, and red sneakers with white soles. His gloves were fingerless and decorated with spikes on the wrists, and he had a necklace with a glittering gem hanging around his neck.

"Yo Sonic," he greeted. "Long time no see."

"No way…" Sonic stood up. "Manic?!"

They laughed, embracing before pulling away, exchanging a secret handshake that consisted of multiple high-fives, fist bumps, and tapping their feet against each other's before pulling away and making finger guns at one another.

"Good to see you, Big Green!" Sonic exclaimed. "It's been ages!"

"Tell me about it," Manic agreed. "Look at you, the big hero. Step up from the troublemaker I used to hang out with."

"Um, I seem to recall you coming up with half of the trouble we got into."

"Hey, Sonia helped."

"She's the one who kept bailing us out."

"That's helping!"

They heard a throat clearing, and turned to see the others looking at them in confusion.

"Oh, right," Sonic facepalmed. "Guys, this is Manic. One of my old pals from Christmas Island."

"Hang on…" Amy perked. "You're Manic? Sonia would never shut up about you."

Manic smiled. "Ah, you must be Amy, her sister."

Sonic's jaw dropped. "You're Sonia's sister?!"

"Yeah," Amy nodded. "We moved in with Rob a few years back. Before that, we lived on Christmas Island."

Sonic looked her up and down. "Wow. You look a lot like her. I never put it together."

Anyway, True Blue, as good as it is to see you, we can catch up later," Manic cut in. "I believe I have the answer to your Kane Broadcasting problem."

All eyes turned to him. "Started making my way here after the first edition of his documentary. Your folks pointed me this way."

"Hang on, Manic," Sonic said. "Just what exactly are you planning?"

"Figuring out exactly where he got his info, and making sure he ain't gonna get anymore," Manic replied.

"Manic, this isn't Mobodoon," Sonic pointed out. "He's not just gonna hand it over out of the goodness of his heart."

"Which is why we're gonna take it," Manic said simply.

A few gasps sounded.

"Yeah…" Sonic sighed. "Manic styles himself as a gentleman thief. We got into a lot of trouble back in the day due to his sticky fingers."

"I live by Thieves' Honor," Manic clarified. "Never steal what cannot be held, and definitely not from those who can't afford to lose it. And right now, Kane is high on my list of targets."

He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolding it and showing a list of people. Kane's name was at the top, underlined, circled, and the letters bolded.

"Sleazy gossipmonger tryin' to ruin my pal's good name for a profit. Of course, I'm not gonna pull off this caper without getting your okay, Sonic."

"Well... I would like to know how Kane's been getting that footage and the like," Sonic admitted. "Nobody outside of Uncle Chuck's team and us should know about the ROCC incident, for one."

"See?" Manic nodded. "So I figure we go in, just us hogs. Your speed and my skills? We'll never be caught."

"Just how good are you?" Keith asked.

Manic smirked. "I believe these are yours."

He held up a pair of white boxers, adorned with an emblem consisting of a giant Power Ring with wings, Sonic in the center giving a thumbs up (1). Keith blinked, feeling his sides and hips before snatching them back

"How did you-?!" he shook his head. "Never mind. I don't wanna know."

Sonic nodded. "Sonic Boom-brand undies. Nice.

"Very nice," Kat remarked with a cheeky smirk.

Keith turned bright red.

"Glad I could knock your sandals off, kid." Manic dangled Kat's sandals in his hand and Kat blinked, looking down to see she was now barefoot.

"How the-?!"

Manic wiggled his fingers. "They're like little magnets."

He handed them back.

"Can we just move forward with Manic's caper before one of us winds up naked?" Keith requested.

"Yeah, nobody wants to see that." Manic deadpanned.

"Honestly, we've tried diplomacy already, and that failed," Sonic noted. "And I refuse to let myself backslide into anger."

Knuckles coughed, pointing at the smouldering TV.

"Any more than I already have," Sonic amended. "If breaking into Kane's office is the only way to stop this campaign, I suppose we have no other choice."

"Alright!" Manic clapped his hands. "We'll head out right after closing. The sooner this guy goes down, the better." He perked. "Oh yeah… can I crash on the couch until then?"

"Go ahead," Sonic assured.

"As for the TV, I can fix it up no problem," Tails assured Sonic.

"Then I guess that's that," said Sally. "Good luck, you two."

Manic grinned. "We got this, Princess. Trust me, when this is over, Kane's gonna wish he'd never even heard of us."

Studiopolis

That night, Sonic and Manic crept towards the KBC building. They made it to a door, Manic pulling a few lockpicks from his vest. A few flicks of them later, and they were able to make it inside. Creeping down the halls and dodging the night guardsmen, the two began making their way to Kane's office. Once inside, Sonic looked under and around Kane's desk for any kind of safe, while Manic checked the paintings on the walls.

"It should be here somewhere," Manic insisted. "Just keep your eyes peeled."

At that moment, the light flickered on, blinding them. They turned to see Kane at the door, backed by security guards.

"Well, looks like we have a hedgehog investigation," Kane remarked. "Looking for these?"

He pulled the files out of his suit, waving them mockingly.

"The files!" Sonic exclaimed.

He made to run, but Kane pulled a pistol.

"Ah-ah-ah," he warned. "Don't even think about it."

"'Fastest thing alive,' Kane," Sonic said flatly. "You really think you can hit me with a bullet?"

"Maybe not you," Kane pointed at Manic. "But him, most certainly."

Sonic glared at him, gritting his teeth.

"I hold the cards here, Sonic," Kane bragged. "You're breaking, entering, and committing robbery. I could shoot you and your pal, and the law would support me a hundred percent."

"Not that it matters," Manic scoffed.

"Excuse me?"

"We're hedgehogs," Manic retorted. "We don't recognize any authority in this region. Besides, Sonic here is buddy buddy with every cop in the city. Hell, the country!"

"Manic, what are you doing?" Sonic demanded.

"Hey, I'm just telling it how it is," Manic defended. "Now, if he brought us to Mobodoon, that's another story. Queen Aleena would wring our necks."

"Mobodoon. The capital of Christmas Island, correct?" Kane smirked. "Well then, I'd say it's time we pay a visit to the queen."

Manic blinked, tugging at his collar awkwardly and chuckling as Sonic gave him a dirty look. Kane cocked his gun, getting his attention.

"Alright, Sonic. Take one of your Warp Rings, and open a portal to Christmas Island. Any funny business, and I kneecap your green friend."

Backed into a corner, Sonic tossed a Warp Ring, opening the portal.

Mobodoon

They walked into the portal, finding themselves in a city bearing a similarity to Spagonian architecture, with colorful crystals decorating it. At Kane's direction, they headed to the palace in the center of town.

"This time, Sonic, you will not outrun the law," Kane declared.

"Don't listen to him," Manic insisted. "We'll be okay. I promise."

At the gate, the guards mysteriously stepped aside and let them in without a fight. They headed straight into the throne room, where a purple hedgehog with blue eyes sat, donned in a white dress with golden jewelry.

"Good evening, Queen Aleena," Kane greeted. "I am Percival James Kane. These two juvenile delinquents broke into my office and tried to steal my property, so I brought them here to be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

He was grinning smugly all the while, and Sonic was resigned, closing his eyes and waiting for the end. What Manic did next threw everyone for a loop.

"Hi, Mom!" he declared, waving cheerfully.

Sonic's jaw dropped and Kane looked shocked.

"Manfred, are you all right?" Aleena asked.

"I'm okay, Mom," Manic assured. "Though, this guy here threatened to kneecap me, if not shoot me out right if we didn't bring him here. He's got illegal documents that he's been using to completely slander Sonic, and when we try to reclaim them he threatens to kill us!"

Kane began visibly sweating as Aleena glared at him. Sonic turned to Manic.

"You're the freaking prince? Queen Aleena's your mom?" he demanded. "Why didn't you ever tell me that?!"

Manic shrugged. "You never asked. Besides, I'm wearing the Crown Jewel around my neck. I thought you'd recognize it."

Sonic took a look at the gym around his friend's neck. Sure enough, upon closer inspection, he could see that it was the Mobodoon diamond.

"I... never really paid that much attention to it," he confessed.

"It was my mom's one condition for me being able to go out and pretend to be a normal kid," Manic added.

"Your… Your Highness, I can explain-" Kane began.

"You can explain yourself in the dungeons," Aleena spat. "Guards! Take him away!"

Kane was immediately grabbed and dragged away. Sonic perked in realization.

"This was your plan all along, wasn't it? Getting Kane to take us to Queen Aleena so he'd end up screwing up and getting himself locked up."

Manic nodded. ""That's another reason I didn't tell you who my mom was. I needed you to think we were really toast. Sell your reaction."

"Is this why you're able to get away with half the stuff you pull?"

"Well, when I do make legitimate mistakes I do get punished. But, my mom knows that whatever I pull stuff like this, it's usually because the guy deserves it and this is the only way they're ever going to get the punishment they deserve."

"He targets the wealthy and corrupt, that is all," Aleena added. "And usually donates what he takes to charitable causes."

"I do keep a bauble here or there, mostly just small stuff. Small trophies. Majority of it does go to charity. After all, I sure as heck don't need it."

Sonic nodded. "Well, now all that's left to do is get him to spill where he got those files. No matter how good a reporter he is, he couldn't have gotten footage like the Chun-nan attack without help."

"Let me change into something a bit more princely," Manic decided. "Then we'll go talk to our new friend and make him spill the beans."

Sometime later, Sonic, Manic, and the queen all made their way down to the prison. Manic was now dressed in a regal uniform, his spines now combed out to look more refined. Sonic had to do a double-take, not recognizing his wild friend underneath the princely attire. They headed for the cell where Kane sat nervously.

"Percival James Kane, you face very serious charges for holding my son at gunpoint," Aleena began. "I have half a mind to have you escorted to the gallows."

Kane stiffened, a hand going to his neck.

"But I may be persuaded to lessen your sentence... if you tell us who was giving you the information you've been using to smear Sonic in the media."

"This is a very limited time offer, so I suggest you start talkin'," Manic added.

"I'll sing like a bloody canary if you want me to," Kane insisted. "It started the night before I began the campaign. Some human guy approached me, offering me info for a juicy story that would skyrocket my business to new heights. I took the chance, and he gave me the files and camera footage I used."

"Who was the guy?" Sonic asked.

"I don't know. He never told me his name. He was a secretive type, wearing hoods and sunglasses whenever we talked."

"C'mon, Kane," Manic said. "You're gonna have to do better than that."

"That's all I know! I swear!" Kane cried. "Look, look, you can take the files. Do whatever you want with them! Hell, you can even take my office security footage! Just don't hang me!"

He handed them the folder containing the files.

Sonic nodded. "Alright, I'll take what I can get."

"But, given what we plan on making you do Kane, I think you might actually want the rope," Manic mused.

"I take it I can leave this part up to you?" Sonic asked.

Manic nodded. "Yeah, I got this. You go find the SOB who did this."

They exchanged a fist bump.

"I owe you, Manic," said Sonic. "Big time."

Manic grinned. "Hey, if you can't count on a friend to help put an end to a sleazy gossip-monger who's slandering you on national TV, what kind of friend are they?"

The two shared a laugh, and Sonic headed out.

Knothole

One Warp Ring later, and Sonic had returned to Knothole. Sally quickly rushed over to him, looking relieved.

"What happened?" she asked. "Did you get what you needed?"

"Long story short, yeah." Sonic pulled the folder out of his pocket.

"Perfect!" Sally clapped her hands.

"Now, we just need to solve the mystery of who gave this stuff to Kane," Sonic said. "Unfortunately, he doesn't know who it was. All he knew was it was a human man."

"That doesn't narrow it down much. Let's get the brains on it."

-X-

Later, the Brain Trust was working on the files. Half were examining the folder, while the other half were examining the security footage from Kane's office.

"Figure appears to be male," said Hope. "I'd say late twenties, early thirties. Can't get a good angle on him to get any distinguishing features."

"My guess is he has to be in some position of power to get documents this classified," said Keith.

Chris held one up himself. "Just about all of these papers have the United Federation presidential seal."

"Maybe it was Agent Johnson?" Tails suggested. "Or one of his men? Retaliation for the ARK reveal?"

"They would have targeted Tower, not us," Rotor pointed out.

"The only other person who could have access to these documents is the President himself," said Tekno.

"Or one of his aides." Porker offered.

"Question is, which one?" asked Sally.

Hope squinted at the footage, looking it up and down. "The man in the recording is a bit too young to be the President."

"Hang on…" Chris perked. "Look at his hand. He has some sort of ring."

They looked closer. Hope gasped.

"That ring... it's the insignia of Uncle Colin's garrison during the Great War!"

She removed the bandage on her right cheek, revealing a bruise, as well as a small mark of a ring, an insignia depicting a Mobian rat's skull on the United Federation flag. The others winced before comparing the insignia on Hope's cheek to the one on the man's ring.

"It's a match," Chris confirmed. "Now we just need to figure out who in the White House was part of Colin Kintobor's unit."

"No need," Hope said, replacing the bandage. "There's only one man I can think of. The President's aide and press secretary. Jerome Wise."

"That guy?" Knuckles asked. "I remember him. Sonic, wasn't that the guy who refused to shake your hand after you saved the President?"

"Yeah, it was," Sonic realized. "Well, I'd say it's time we pay a visit to the capital."

"I'm so punching him into next week," Knuckles swore.

"I have something else in mind," Sonic told them. "Sally, you're with me. Hope, we'll have Omochao hack the airwaves, and Nicole will record everything and broadcast it back to him. If Wise wants to slander me on national TV, we're giving him a dose of his own medicine."

Central City

Jerome Wise walked into his office, stirring a cup of coffee. As he looked up, he jumped in shock upon seeing Sonic and Sally sitting on his desk.

"How did you get in here?" he questioned.

"You left the door open," Sonic said simply.

"We have a few questions about some files that ended up in the wrong hands," Sally added.

Wise steeled himself, sighing. "And what would that be?"

"Those files were what the CEO of Kane Broadcasting was using in his smear campaign against me over the past week," Sonic explained. "All of them had the presidential seal on them."

"I'm afraid I can't help you," Wise insisted.

Sonic hopped off the desk, walking toward him.

"My friends also reviewed security footage of the night Kane got the files. The man who did so matches your height, build, and age."

"And?"

"That, and he wore a ring that was used by soldiers in the Great War who were members of Colin Kintobor's unit. One just... like…"

He grabbed Wise's wrist, yanking it up to show his ring hand.

"This!"

Jerome scowled, yanking his hand free.

"Keep your filthy, stinking paws off me, you mangy, flea-bitten rodent!" he shouted.

Sonic smirked. "Well, I believe we've found our culprit."

"Yes!" Wise ranted. "I'm the one who gave Kane the files and footage! You're a filthy Mobian! You should be rummaging in the dirt eating berries and struggling to survive like the rest of the animals on the planet, not stealing the fame and glory from real heroes!"

"I see Colin's bigotry sank in deep," Sonic said flatly.

"You're lucky your human resources guy isn't here to see this." Sally deadpanned.

"So that's it," Sonic deduced. "You spilled to Kane to try to make me look bad, so humans could take my place as heroes of Mobius."

"That's right!" Wise admitted. "Not that it matters. You have no witnesses, no actual proof. It's your word against mine, hedgehog."

"Actually…" Nicole shimmered into view, smirking. "It's your word against yours."

"What the-?!" Wise exclaimed.

"Meet our AI friend Nicole," Sonic explained with a smirk. "She's been recording everything you said and sending it back to our friends, who just patched into the airways. Everyone who's listening to the radio or watching TV knows what you did and what you're really like, Wise. It's called a hustle, pal."

He snapped his fingers for emphasis. "Boom!"

Wise scowled, but he was unable to do anything when the door was kicked open, the President and security behind him. The blood drained out of his face at the sight.

"Wise!" the President howled.

"S-sir," Wise stammered, backing away with hands raised, "let me explain! Sonic's fame and authority could eclipse yours! I did it for you!"

"You did it because you're a racist bastard who can't handle a Mobian actually doing good in the world, and I don't need someone like you working for me!" the President snarled. "You're history, Wise! Finished! FIRED!"

Security grabbed Wise, dragging him to the door.

"And if he ever shows his face near here again, you have free reign to shoot him," the President said with finality. As Wise was thrown out, he sighed, turning to Sonic and Sally.

"You have my sincerest apologies, Sonic," he told him. "I knew Wise wasn't a fan of Mobians, but I never thought it was this bad."

"I suggest screening your help better," Sonic offered.

The President nodded. "Believe me, I will."

"C'mon, Sonic," Sally said. "Let's go."

Knothole

That evening, at Freedom HQ, the group tuned in to the next part of Kane's documentary, the wolf himself seated and looking utterly humbled.

"Hello, people of Mobius," he began. "My name is Percival James Kane. I have come to offer my sincerest apologies to Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as the Freedom Fighters. In my efforts to boost my own ratings, I accepted illegally acquired documents and used them to manipulate information to suit my means. Kane Broadcasting's entire smear campaign against Sonic was nothing but a publicity stunt, meant to make my career. But recent circumstances have forced me to rethink my business practices."

"Whoa, a full blown apology," Sally mused.

Sonic smirked. "Just wait."

"As such, I am taking an extended sabbatical," Kane went on. "I do not know when I will return, but I leave my company in the hands of my assistant. I retract everything I said about Sonic. He has his rough edges, but he's the hero Mobius needs and deserves. That will be all."

With that, the transmission ended.

"By 'extended sabbatical', he means a few months or so of hard labor at Mobodoon," Sonic clarified.

"How the hell did you pull that off?" Sally asked.

"Turns out, you're not the only royal I know," Sonic admitted. "Kane had us take him to Queen Aleena on Christmas Island... and it turns out Manic's her son."

A dead silence followed.

"So he's the prince of Mobodoon?" Mina questioned.

"Yyyep," Sonic confirmed. "I only found out when we met Aleena and she found out what Kane did and planned to do when he caught us. It was Manic's plan all along. Kane sang like a bird when Aleena threatened to hang him. That's how we got the files."

"Now ain't that a kick in the head," Knuckles mused.

"Yep," Sonic agreed. "Needless to say, our troubles are over. Now, let's tune in to something actually worth watching."

They turned to Sonic Man, kicking back for the latest episode.

Author's Note:

(1): Based on the Emblems from both Sonic Adventure games.

With that, the arc is finished. And we found the time to introduce Manic and Queen Aleena.

And yes, I'd planned to make Sonia Amy's older sister here. They're both pink hedgehogs; it made sense.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Manic - Kevin Miller (Sly Cooper, Daniel Curien from The House of the Dead III)

* Aleena - Julianne Grossman (Hippolyta in Justice League Action, Mystique in X-Men: Next Dimension)

Please R&R. Until next time!