-Chapter 150-

Operation: Deadly Cuddles

Robotropolis

At Citadel Robotnik, Eggatha, Grimer, and Robotnik watched news coverage of what people had termed the "Freedom Movement." Kids were running with their arms outstretched like Sonic did, people were lounging back in odd places like trees and rooftops, others styled their hair in the shape of Sonic's quills, more had Sonic themed badges, and one was even making wooden sculptures of him.

"Sonic's popularity seems to be affecting people throughout the city in all sorts of amazing ways," Scarlet noted. "From groups of children playing 'catch the hedgehog' to adults sleeping on rooftops like their hero, Sonic's fame seems to be reaching astonishing proportions. In fact, some citizens have even taken leaves of absence from their jobs in order to follow their idol. From Station Square Park, I'm Scarlet Garcia, SSTV News."

"I knew Sonic and his friends were famous, but this is just ridiculous," Grimer noted.

"Hard to believe just a few days ago, he was being slandered on national TV," Eggatha remarked.

"Yes... That was a fun few days," Robotnik sighed. "Oh, how I wish I had thought of some of those slanderous accusations myself!"

"Indeed," Grimer agreed. "It would have made for interesting material for your next clash."

Robotnik sighed. "Can somebody tell me what kind of a world we live in when a giant blue rodent gets all my press?"

"A world where he's the hero and you're the villain?" Grimer said bluntly.

"Otherwise known as our world?" Eggatha added.

"You know what I mean!" Robotnik snapped.

The coverage of the Freedom Movement shifted to reveal that people copying Sonic and the like wasn't the end of it. Several companies were even displaying merchandise based on the Freedom Fighters, such things as T-shirts, coloring books, lunchboxes, breakfast cereals, even plushies.

"Whoa, they have plushies?" Eggatha asked. "I bet those will sell like hotcakes. I'm gonna steal a few for the targeting range. Metal will love that."

"He even has merchandise?!" Robotnik objected. "That damned hedgehog is everywhere!"

As he looked over the plushies in the merch line, however, he began to have an idea.

"Grimer, do you still have those plans you showed me the other day?" he asked.

"Yes, I do…" Grimer replied. "But you told me that it was unstable and incredibly dangerous."

"Indeed I did, but with a few modifications, it should suit our needs perfectly," Robotnik replied.

"Uncle, I thought we were keeping your freedom a secret," Eggatha pointed out. "If you try one of your schemes, the Freedom Fighters will catch on."

Robotnik grinned. "Oh, it won't be my scheme. It'll be Grimer's. We're going to ensure this can't be traced back to me."

Eggatha mulled on that, then nodded. "Can I still go steal the Sonic plushies for the shooting range?"

Robotnik rolled his eyes. "You have an allowance. Just go buy them."

"Okay," Eggatha shrugged. "Surprised you actually want me giving money to the Freedom Fighters, but as you wish."

"I'm just being pragmatic," Robotnik explained. "Petty crimes like theft are beneath us."

"Got it!" Eggatha skipped off.

"Now, my dear Grimer, let's get to work," Robotnik declared. "It's time to commence Operation Deadly Cuddles."

Station Square

The next day, Chris, Keith, and their group were out chatting when they came across a toy store, seeing multiple plushies resembling patchwork dolls of Tails on the shelves.

"Well, that's new," Helen noted.

"Are those supposed to be Tails?" Danny asked.

"They're kinda... weird looking," said Frances.

"More like creepy," Kat shuddered.

"Tell me about it," Keith agreed.

"Creepy?" Helen asked.

"Let me put it to you this way, Helen," Keith began. "When you see these things, do you think they're the kinda dolls that are cute, or the kinda dolls that you think when you go to sleep, they wake up and go, 'You must kill Mommy and Daddy'?"

Helen looked at the doll for a moment, then shuddered. "Okay, I see it now."

"Something doesn't feel right about those dolls," Kat insisted. "And it's more than just the creep factor."

"Kat, it's a toy," Keith insisted. "This isn't a Chunky (1) movie."

"Well, can't hurt to check it out," Chris decided.

They entered the store, looking around. Much to their surprise, they saw Eggatha at the counter, handing a man a twenty Mobium-bill for a set of Sonic plushies.

"Aggie?" Hope asked.

"Oh, hey Hope," Eggatha greeted. "Fancy seeing you here." She took her bag of plushies. "How're you holding up? I heard Dad came looking for you."

"Social worker sent him packing," Hope replied.

"Is that why you have the bandage on your face?"

Hope's hand went to her cheek. Chris sighed.

"She told him point-blank he was a lousy father, considering how Snively turned out and how he 'raised' you. He... didn't take it well."

Eggatha's face darkened at that.

"Aggie, I know that look," Hope began. "Calm down. It's over and done with."

"He hit you, Hope," Eggatha pointed out.

"Hey, if I can keep my cool, so can you," Kat insisted.

"Yeah," Hope agreed. "Besides, he beat feet and hasn't shown his face since."

Eggatha sighed, calming down. "Good."

"You're actually buying Sonic plushies?" Keith asked, changing the subject.

"Metal's request for the shooting range," Eggatha replied.

The group all just nodded.

"And you're not just stealing them?" Sam asked.

"Considered it, but petty theft is beneath me," Eggatha answered. "Uncle Ivo always said we should avoid petty crime and general mischief making. It'd lead a paper trail that'd make things harder for his plans in the long run."

She hefted her bag. "Well, see you around."

She walked out, all the kids watching.

"Should we be concerned?" Sam asked.

"With Eggman in prison, I doubt it," Hope replied. "Aggie's all but harmless."

With that done, Chris picked up one of the Tails Dolls, turning it around and giving it a thorough investigation. He looked at the red gem atop its head, attached by a string.

"Plastic gem, patchwork cloth…" he noted. "As creepy as it is, it doesn't seem like there's anything out of the ordinary."

"Are you sure?" Kat questioned. "I swear that thing is just giving off an aura of wrongness."

"Unless you want me to buy it so we can take it apart at the lab, yes. I'm sure."

"Screw that," Kat shook her head. "That doll is creepy as hell."

"Alright then." Chris put the doll back on the shelf.

"Come on, let's get out of here," Danny insisted.

They departed, eager to leave the disturbing Tails Dolls behind. As they walked, one of the dolls ominously moved its head, turning to watch them leave…

Knothole

The next day, the Freedom Fighters watched the news, finding the current report centered on the Tails Dolls the kids saw at the shop.

"People actually wanted to buy those things?" Hope asked incredulously.

"Why?" Kat demanded. "Those things are freakin' creepy!"

"Honestly, I find them insulting," Tails admitted. "Sonic gets cool action figures and cute plushies. I get dolls that look like they'd only be purchased by someone that's hoping they'll come to life and kill the shit out of their loved ones?"

"That's what I said!" Keith exclaimed.

"Something's definitely fishy about those dolls," Sonic remarked. "I'm gonna take a jog around town, see what I can find."

Station Square

Sonic headed out, looking around town and questioning people that had bought the Tails Dolls. Some stories were simple, the dolls merely disappearing and randomly popping up in places they shouldn't be. Others were a bit more disconcerting, including wheeled toys being left at the tops of staircases and legs of chairs being deliberately weakened. He was allowed into one house to look around. He saw one Tails Doll, looking it up and down before poking it.

"Hi, I'm a Tails Doll!" the doll said suddenly. "Wanna play?"

Sonic jumped out of his skin, recoiling.

"I like to be hugged!" the doll said cheerily.

"Yeah, but who would want to?" Sonic deadpanned.

"Now that wasn't very nice."

All of Sonic's spines were suddenly standing on end.

"That's an… oddly specific thing to say," he shook his head. "In any event, I'm just gonna take those batteries out and-"

He picked up the doll, but as he turned it around and opened its back, he realized it was empty. After a minute, he slowly put the doll down.

"Okay… Kat was right. Aura of wrongness way up."

He turned away, typing away on his com. As he did this, he was unaware of the Tails Doll beginning to move, creeping away

"Kat was right on the money," he reported. "I've been hearing all kinds of crazy tales about those dolls. And one of them just talked to me... without a battery pack."

"Seriously?" Tails asked. "That's some Chunky shenanigans there."

"Agreed," Sonic said. "Have the kids snag one for some serious dissection. I want to know just what the hell these things are."

As the conversation continued, the doll was slowly drawing a knife from a kitchen drawer. It began to advance on him.

"Think it could be some sort of plot? Eggatha was in the toy store."

Sonic shook his head. "Not her M.O. Besides, no way she'd come up with something this frickin'-"

He turned and grabbed the Tails Doll just as it jumped at him with the knife. "Terrifying."

"I just wanna play!"

The Tails Doll laughed hysterically, his eyes flashing red as he suddenly sprouted a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth. Sonic yelped in surprise before drop-kicking the doll out the window.

"Tails…" he began, "When the kids bring that doll, keep it in a cage."

"What just-"

"Trust me... you don't want to know."

Knothole

Later, at Freedom HQ, the group examined the Tails Doll, locked up in a cage as Sonic explained what happened.

"So…" Sally began, "a Tails Doll responded to your quips, tried to stab you in the back, and then laughed while sprouting fangs."

"And flashing red eyes," Sonic tacked on.

"I told you these things were off!" Kat insisted.

"We need to figure out just what the hell these things really are," Keith said.

Working with all the care of specialists defusing a live bomb, they set it on the table, strapping it down as they got the tools.

"Now why do you want to take me apart?" the Tails Doll asked. "Don't you know that you might make me very angry, and lead me to do terrible, horrible things to you?"

"...Let's start with whatever lets it talk, shall we?" Rotor suggested.

They peeled back some of the cloth, finding what appeared to be metal and circuitry. The group performed a thorough examination, looking it up and down.

"You guys are gonna find this crazy," Nicole said. "The Tails Doll is a robot. In fact, there's more than a few similarities to Shard, as well as Metal Sonic and the Silver Sonic models."

"So it's supposed to be a Metal Tails?" Porker pondered.

"Seriously?" Tails questioned, offended. "Sonic gets Metal Sonic, and I get that thing?"

"There's some parts and functions I don't recognize," Nicole tacked on. "It doesn't make sense, but I think the dolls are somehow… connected."

"It's almost like the Bee Network," Tekno mused.

Sally raised an eyebrow. "Bee Network?"

"A sub-routine of the Eggnet," Tekno explained. "A hive mind-based intelligence that connects all Buzzbomber models."

"Aggie?" Hope pondered.

"Unlikely," Nicole replied. "I'm not finding any traces of her work in these dolls."

"And it's way too advanced for Snively's work," Keith added.

"What about Grimer?" Chris offered.

"Maybe," Rotor mused. "With Eggman in jail, there's no one else it could be."

"It would explain the sophistication and general aura of these dolls," Nicole noted.

"Can you turn it off?" Sonic asked.

"Right," said Tails. "Let's find this thing's off-switch."

Keith reached for the doll, only to suddenly lunge forward and sink its teeth into his hand. He yelped, reeling back as it pulled free of its restraints.

"It's loose!" Tails cried.

Sonic ran to restrain it, only for the doll to leap onto his face, biting into his nose. Sonic shouted in pain before grabbing onto its tails, yanking on them.

"Get it off me!" he screamed. "GET IT OFF ME!"

He fell back against the science table as it started socking him with its fits, grabbing several empty beakers and smashing them against the doll, trying to dislodge it. Eventually, it loosened its grip and Sonic threw it across the room. It hit the work table, several scalpels and cutting implements falling. The doll got up, grabbing one of the scalpels.

"Now you made me mad!" it shouted.

It charged at Sonic, only to be suddenly sliced in half by a fire axe. Everyone jumped, turning to see Kat wielding the axe. She pulled it free of the ground, then began stomping hard on the remains, ensuring there was no possible way the doll would get back up. She stopped, panting before dropping the axe. That left the others free to check on Sonic's nose and Keith's hand.

"Am I still handsome?" Sonic questioned.

"You'll be fine, Sonic," Sally assured. "A few stitches, maybe a few sparks of Chaos Energy, and it'll be like it never happened."

Sonic sparked, beginning to try to heal up as the others treated Keith's bite wound.

"What in Aurora's name is Grimer trying to pull?" Chris pondered. "Sending out robot dolls to cause trouble like this? He's gotten small-time with Eggman in the slammer."

"Maybe…" Hope mused. "But that whole Bee Network thing seriously has me on edge. We need to find these things and destroy them. All of them."

They immediately hurried to Station Square at that, the Tails Doll's gem blinking a few times before going dead...

Station Square

When they got to the city, it was pandemonium. The Tails Dolls were on a rampage, having people in chokeholds and generally chasing them around.

"This is a nightmare!" Tails exclaimed.

"I have to agree," said Sonic.

"Well, I've got the fire axe," Kat reminded them.

As they approached, the dolls all looked at them in perfect synchronization.

"Freedom Fighters, Priority One!" they declared. "Objective: destroy!"

They suddenly left the people alone before beginning to swarm and spin around one another, slowly merging. The group looked on in confusion, which turned to horror when they saw the end result: a monstrous, almost organic-looking abomination bearing little resemblance to the dolls, the only recognizable element being the gem on its forehead. Red grids of circuitry criss-crossed its body, and it had several tentacle-like appendages and a large vertical mouth at the center of its body surrounded by two layers of sharp teeth.

Kat swallowed hard. "I'm gonna need a bigger axe."

"Oh, my stars…" Bunnie gasped.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one with a little bit of merde (2) in his pants right now…" Antoine squeaked.

"No…" Tekno whimpered. "No you're not."

People were already running and screaming as the Tails Doll monster raised a tentacle, preparing to squash them.

"MOVE!" Mina shrieked.

Everyone quickly got out of the way of the stampede of people, and the attacking tentacle.

"Alright!" Sonic declared. "From what I can tell, that gem on top of it has to be what's controlling the dolls! We smash that, we just might be able to separate this thing back into much more manageable evil plushies!"

He ran out, weaving around before landing multiple Spin Attacks. They seemed to have little effect, and Sonic quickly darted back to avoid a tentacle attack.

"There's no escaping from us!" The Tails Doll monster cackled. "We're going to destroy you, Sonic, and your little friends too!"

Its voice was a demonic version of its toy voice, which only made it worse, especially when it laughed.

"Damnit!" Sonic cursed. "I barely dented that thing!"

"Uh... Sonic?" Tekno let out.

She pointed at the doll, where the dents were in the process of healing.

"And it's self-repairing…" Sonic grumbled. "Perfect. Juuust perfect."

"Now what?!" Porker demanded.

Sally held up Nicole's handheld. "Nicole! Hack the Eggnet! Dig up any plans on the Tails Doll you can find! With luck, we'll find a weak point!"

"Omochao, you do the same!" Hope ordered.

"With pleasure!" Omochao declared.

He ejected his cable, Nicole plugging it into her handheld. Together, the two started to search.

"And that leaves us to hold off the monster while they do it." Shorty decided.

"Well, this is gonna hurt," Johnny sighed.

"Everyone... just try not to die," Knuckles told them.

They all swarmed the massive demon doll. Knuckles swung his fists at it repeatedly, Bunnie, Rotor, and Shorty fired on it with their arm cannons, Antoine, Kat, Johnny, and Sally hacked, slashed, and bashed the tentacles, Keith and Chris pelted it with plasma balls, and Mina blitzed it with her speed, while Sonic and Tails launched into a Rolling Combo. The demon doll roared and flailed, attempting to strike back at the fighters like the eldritch abomination it was. They managed to avoid most of the attacks, but occasionally, a fighter would be sent flying through a building.

"Search complete!" Omochao declared. "Tails Doll, alias Project Deadly Cuddles. A Metal Series derivative created in part as an insult to Miles 'Tails' Prower."

Tails gave him a look at that. "The plan's words, not mine."

"Apparently this demonic form is some sort of defense mechanism," Nicole added. "When pressed into serious combat, the dolls link up to assume a monstrous form, trapping its foe and squeezing its farts out."

"Whose farts?" Tekno asked.

Nicole gave her a deadpan look. "It's killing you, Tekno. Does it really matter whose farts it is?"

"Neat!" Sonic shouted. "Now what about a weak point?!"

"Tails Doll's outer monstrous form is merely a self-repairing shell," Omochao said. "The true doll is within, acting as the core. Remove the core, destroy the shell."

"So we need to dig it out." Sonic realized. "Knuckles, tell me you have those Shovel Claws of yours!"

Knuckles immediately slipped them on. "One monster hole coming right up!"

He ran forward, punching and clawing until he made a big enough hole. Just as it started to close, Sonic ran forward, diving in. He came out the other side, holding the core Tails Doll. Without the core, the monster began falling apart, reverting to the remaining dolls. Almost immediately, the Freedom Fighters began completely destroying them.

"This isn't the end of it!" the core Tails Doll declared. "As long as my core gem is attached, I will return!"

"Well, thanks for telling me."

Sonic grabbed the wire attaching the gem to the doll's head, snapping it off. He situated it on the ground, then gave it a solid kick, sending it into the horizon. It went flying over a skyscraper and into the horizon, out of sight..

"Boy…" Keith sighed. "I'm glad that's over."

"Agreed," Chris nodded.

"Who wants to make a bonfire and burn these creepy ass things?" Bunnie asked.

Everyone quickly threw their hands in the air. As they gathered them up, Tails grumbled to himself.

"Made as an insult to me… that hairy lard. I'll show him."

The Tails Doll landed in a distant field. Eventually, the Egg Mobile came along, Grimer collecting it.

"I have the final doll, Doctor," he said into a com. "It seems Operation Deadly Cuddles was a failure."

"It kept Sonic and his Knothole crew busy, and bought us more time to work on Metal's upgrades. So it's not a total loss."

"And the doll?"

"Bring it back to the citadel. I may still have some use for it."

"Of course, sir."

He flew back to the citadel, the doll's eyes flickering slightly before powering on...

Author's Note:

(1): Mobian version of Chucky.

(2): French for "shit."

Happy Halloween, everybody! Special freaky chapter introducing the Creepypasta-spawning Tails Doll to the story. Though we won't be seeing its monster form again anytime soon.

Please R&R. Until next time!