-Chapter 171-
Homefront
Knothole
The Freedom Fighters began fighting the Black Arms as Black Doom gloated.
"In the time I've been here, witnessing the reactions of the people, I've seen they refuse to be intimidated," the evil alien remarked. "The reason is you and yours, Sonic the Hedgehog. Stalwart knights, ever ready to slay monsters. And that is why I am here now. Once my Black Arms raze your village to the ground and destroy you Freedom Fighters, Mobius' hope will be utterly decimated, paving way for an easy conquest."
"Get the civilians out of here!" Sonic shouted. "Everyone else, with me! We're booting these guys out of our home!"
Everyone spread out, either getting the refugees out or going up against the hordes of Black Arms.
"You're in our town now, Black Doom!" Sally shouted. "You'll have nothing but dust and blood!"
Black Doom just chuckled. "We have blood to spare."
Unfortunately, he was right. The drones just kept coming in droves, overwhelming everyone. However, none of the Freedom fighters went down easily. They decimated many drones in their wake, taking out a dozen for each member that went down. As more and more soldiers went down, Doom's Eye narrowed.
"It appears my direct intervention is necessary." He flew over to an attacking Black Oak, attaching directly to its face and wrapping around it. "Assuming control."
The Black Oak spasmed and twitched as tendrils extended from Doom's Eye, puncturing its skin. As they watched, the Oak's skin darkened, its muscles growing so fast they could hear them surging and tearing.
"Oh, shit…" Knuckles let out.
When it ended, the Black Oak was now at least three feet taller, its torso and legs swollen with muscle to the point one had to wonder how it could even move. They prepared to fight, only for the Oak to immediately turn the tables on them, throwing the Freedom Fighters around. It tossed them into buildings, downing several in single hits. Sonic fought as hard as he could, but was dealt a vicious uppercut, sending him down into the dirt.
"This is what you face, hedgehog," Black Doom boasted. "This is true power. I have strength to spare... whereas you have reached your limit."
Sonic pulled himself up, seeing his wounded friends and the damage done to Knothole. His eyes lit up with rage as he began sparking.
"Limit…?" he let out. "LIMIT?!"
He got up before darting away faster than anyone had ever seen before, a sonic boom sounding in his wake.
"Holy…" Sally let out. "I've never seen him move that fast!"
"Omochao, track him!" Hope ordered. "Where'd he go?"
Omochao's eyes unfocused for several seconds before going g wide.
"He… he's already on the east coast!"
From there, Sonic, practically unhinged with anger and desperation, was using his Figure-Eight Peel Out to really give himself a boost. Combining that with his Sonic Boost, he flew across the island, practically rending the landscape in half as he came running back, much to the shock of friend and foe alike.
"Limit?!" He shouted as he came running back in. "I've got your 'limit' right here!"
He tucked into a Spin Dash, plowing into the Black Oak and sending it flying through multiple trees with a massive explosion. When the smoke cleared, the Black Oak was still standing, sparking with blue lightning, and a cannonball-sized hole clean through its torso. The behemoth fell over as Sonic finally came to a stop, his lightning a brilliant blue as he gasped and panted.
"Sonic…" Sally began, "What just…"
Sonic then flopped into her arms, spent. He let out a weak laugh.
"How's that for my limit, Black Doom?"
Doom's Eye detached from the dead Oak, glaring at him.
"Your victory has no meaning, Sonic. You have merely delayed the inevitable. Mobius belongs to me."
With that, he departed. The Black Arms retreated, the stragglers being taken out by those who could still fight. Sally helped Sonic stand.
"I need an energy bar," he let out. "Or twelve."
"We need to relocate," Sally insisted. "Somewhere secluded. Hope, blindfold Shadow. And see if Kat still has those noise canceling headphones."
"If she's still alive in this mess..." Hope sighed.
Area 99
Miraculously, despite numerous injuries dealt by the vicious aliens, everyone was still alive. Hope blindfolded Shadow, Kat managing to lend Hope her headphones, and with that, they headed back to Area 99. Shadow secluded himself in the barracks, guilt wracking him to his core. The injured were all laid out in the infirmary, practically filling up the place as Sonic and Sally explained what had happened to Tower.
"A hive mind," Tower remarked. "By Aurora… And Shadow's part of it."
"Hence the blindfold and headphones," Sally said. "Through that link, Black Doom was able to find Knothole Village and launch a full-scale attack."
"And you can see the result," Sonic spat. "They ransacked our home, took most of us out of commission."
"All that's left is me, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Shard, Amy, Cream, Cosmo, and Team Dark," Sally tacked on. "The rest are lucky to be alive."
Tower sighed. "Damn it… What do we do now?"
Sally sat down, placing her head in her hands.
"I... I don't know, Commander," she confessed. "I honestly just don't know."
-X-
While this was going on, Hope went to find Shadow. When she did, he was curled up on his bunk. She sat down next to him and gently removed the headphones.
"Hey…" she said gently. "Look, Shadow. What happened in Knothole wasn't your fault."
"They found it because of me," Shadow insisted. "Everyone who got hurt... It's because of me."
"We didn't know about the hive mind connection, and neither did you. If anyone's to blame for this, it's Black Doom."
"He saw through my eyes. I tried to be a hero, and I still helped him. What if next time, he does what he did to the Black Oak? What if he…" his breath hitched, "makes me hurt you?"
"That won't happen, Shadow. Even if you're half-Black Arm, you're not mindless like the others we've seen. You can think and feel. You have free will. A soul."
"I just... I'm scared," Shadow admitted.
"Me too, Shadow…" Hope confessed, taking his hand. "Me too…"
-X-
As Sally moped, Sonic got to his feet, clenching his fists.
"It's not over yet," he swore.
Sally turned to him. "Sonic, most of our fighting power is laid up in the infirmary. Knothole's a mess. And the Black Arms just keep coming."
"As long as we're still alive, we have a chance, Sal." Sonic said firmly.
"Sonic, even my uncle's toughest bots are getting decimated out there," Eggatha pointed out. "And your strongest move almost killed you."
"So that's it?" Sonic demanded. "Are you just gonna roll over and let Black Doom round us up for the slaughterhouse?"
"If you have any ideas, I'm glad to hear them," Sally replied.
"We have three Emeralds," Sonic said. "We find the other four, go super, and kick Black Doom back to his comet."
Before they could debate any further, Chocola came flying in, chirping frantically.
"Uh… Cream?" Knuckles asked. "Translation please?"
"The Chaotix sent them," Cream gasped in shock. "The Black Arms are assaulting Angel Island!"
"WHAT?!" Knuckles shrieked.
"He says they're rounding up the Echidna, and they're laying siege to the Lake!"
"Those bastards are attacking the Chao Garden?!" Sally demanded.
That was all it took. Instantly, every Freedom Fighter capable of doing so was on their feet.
"That's it!" Knuckles declared. "Those things are going down if it kills us!"
"You're still super short on manpower," Eggatha pointed out.
"I may have something that can even the odds a bit," Tails decided. "Provided my lab in the Mystic Ruins is still in one piece."
Mystic Ruins
They hurried to the lab. Despite the situation, Tails decided to be a bit dramatic to try to defuse the tension.
"Comrades!" he declared. "Friends! Eggatha."
"Hey!" Eggatha objected.
"I have before you the latest in Chao protecting hardware. Made specifically for them to be able to fight their own battles. I give you... the Chao Walker!"
He yanked the tarp off of the large object behind him. Everyone gaped at the sight of a large mech stylized after the appearance of a neutral Chao. It consisted of a large man-made version of a neutral Chao's head with half-closed eyes. This head also had a windshield around its upper half, which revealed the cockpit. It also had a neutral Chao arm on each side and neutral Chao feet for legs. Lastly, it had small neutral Chao wings on its back.
"Whoa…" everyone let out.
"You have way too much time on your hands, Fox Boy," Rouge deadpanned.
Tails shrugged. "What I choose to whip up in my lab is my own business."
Cheese flitted up to the cockpit. He tapped it, causing it to open and allowing him to enter.
"Is it safe?" Cream asked.
"Of course," Sonic assured. "The controls are super simple and easy to use."
Cream looked. Indeed, the steering wheel was modeled after bicycle handles, and the buttons were labeled "Volkan Cannon," "Lock-On Missile", and "Power Laser."
"Okay," she nodded in satisfaction.
"Well, at least now we have more manpower," Sonic decided. "Or Chao power."
"Not just that," Rouge chimed in. "Look what I found in Fox Boy's safe."
She held up the yellow Chaos Emerald. Tails' jaw dropped before he scowled.
"Y-you broke into my safe?" he demanded.
Rouge shrugged. "Got bored and sensed jewelry."
"Now we only need three more," Sonic realized.
"Two," Eggatha cut in. "I'll have Bokkun deliver the one from my lab."
"Now that that's done…" Sonic pulled a Warp Ring out of his pocket.
Angel Island
At Azure Lake, things were pandemonium. The Chaotix were doing their best to keep the Black Arms from getting to the Garden, but were losing ground.
"Get back!" Vector shouted, throwing one away before chomping down on another. "Don't lay a single claw on those Chao!"
One was about to grab Drake when a Warp Ring opened. Sonic was the first one out, knocking it back. The others followed suit, instantly throwing themselves into the fray.
"Why attack the Chao?!" Sonic demanded. "What's the point?!"
Doom's Eye appeared at that.
"These Chao are truly unique creatures," he explained. "Their ability to adapt and evolve is invaluable. With just a cell sample, we can cultivate them. Give birth to a newer, stronger generation of the Black Arms."
"Over my dead body!" Sonic snapped.
"That can be arranged," Black Doom retorted. "Kill them all! And make it hurt!"
The fight began, Cheese piloting the Chao Walker in defense of his brethren as Team Chronic and Drake joined the fray. The Chao Walker's cannon opened fire, mowing down several Black Arms as Team Chronic and Drake took out several others in rapid succession. Julie-Su and Knuckles ended up back to back, throwing punches in rapid succession as they protected one another. Charmy and Saffron buzzed around, their stingers hitting some unfortunate Warriors who got too close. Sonic bounced around in his Spin Dash, homing in on several at a time. Sally's blades sliced through several of the Black Arms, shuriken and daggers from Espio hitting those she missed. Mighty and Ray were tag teaming, the former punching the soldiers up in the air for Ray to kick back down. Tails was also in the air with him, grabbing a few and literally tossing them off of the island.
Unfortunately, their combined efforts still weren't enough, as the Black Arms outnumbered them 50 to 1. They were getting overwhelmed, and the battle weary Freedom Fighters were starting to lose ground. The Black Arms just kept coming, and things were beginning to become very bleak. In desperation for even a shred of hope, Drake threw back his head, letting out a piercing cry. After a moment, the water of the lake rippled before Chaos himself emerged, ready for war.
"Yes!" Ray cheered. "Chaos! You're screwed now, assholes!"
Chaos held out his hands and two Emeralds manifested.
"Super screwed…" Ray tacked on.
Chaos absorbed them, assuming the form of Chaos 2. Within minutes, he was unleashing torrents of water from his hands, blasting several Black Arms back, cleaving through many, and sending them off the island. He began decimating the numbers quickly as he also shot out a massive hand, striking through several Black Arms and destroying them instantly. Black Doom scowled at the sudden change in the tide of the battle. Reluctantly, he ordered a tactical retreat, lingering long enough to deliver one last threat.
"You still haven't learned your place. The Black Arms are more than superior. We are perfect. Mobius is ours to command as we see fit. Opposing us is truly a death sentence." He looked right at Cosmo, who was hiding behind Tails. "Just ask your dear mother, Earthia."
Cosmo could only gasp as Doom's Eye flew off. She fell to her knees, hugging herself. As she did, Chaos turned to her, tilting his head slightly. The two Emeralds dropped out of his body as he shrunk down to normal size, approaching her. Sonic picked up the fallen Emeralds, looking at them.
"Since when have you started collecting these?" he asked.
Chaos gurgled.
"After what happened with Enerjak," Cream translated. "He wanted to be prepared for threats, so he found two and held on to them."
As Cosmo wept, her head in her knees, she felt multiple little arms wrap around her. She looked up, sniffling, to see several Chao had crowded around and were hugging her comfortingly.
"What are these creatures doing?" Omega questioned.
"Comforting her," Hope explained. "It's what they do."
Chaos gave Cosmo a soft, gentle gurgle before gently caressing her face.
"He's sorry you lost your people," Cream said. "He's felt that pain himself. But he wants their memory not to bring you pain, but embolden you to rise up and keep living."
Chaos gently poked her chest.
"Remember them, live for them, and you will never truly be alone."
Cosmo wiped her eyes before managing a small smile.
"Thank you…" she said gratefully.
A green Chao crawled into her lap, snuggling comfortably.
"Looks like one's taken a shine to you," Tails noted.
"They're generally drawn to those who need them most," Cream pointed out.
"Oh yeah," Hope agreed.
As if to prove her right, the Chao hatchling Shadow liked came over. Hope knelt down to his level, seeing him waving his nubs as if asking to be picked up..
"You wanna come home with us?" she asked.
The Chao nodded. She picked him up.
"I think you're just what Shadow needs right now," she mused.
Author's Note:
Things are getting dire. Could this be Mobius' darkest hour?
Yes, I included the Chao Walker from Sonic Adventure 2. How could I not?
Please R&R. Until next time!