-Chapter 175-
The Solaris Scandal
Citadel Robotnik
Meanwhile, in Citadel Robotnik, the good doctor was reading up on information Grimer had dug up in between working on Badnik repair and the like.
"Ah yes," Robotnik recalled. "The Solaris Project. I recall reading up on it. A temporal research program conducted by the Duke of Soleanna in the last days of the Great War."
"Soleanna's royal family still has information on it, and what led to its cataclysmic failure," Grimer recalled. "As Mobius' greatest criminal mind, recreating the project for our own ends should be no problem for you, Doctor."
"Indeed. And as it just so happens, the Princess will be participating in the country's Festival of the Sun today. I certainly see no reason why we can't... acquire a moment of her time."
Soleanna
Around that time, it was evening in Soleanna, and the Festival of the Sun was underway. Food cooked at stands, games were set up in stalls, and the atmosphere was overall lively. The Knothole Freedom Fighters were amongst the crowd, mingling and having a good time. Couples had already split off to have some fun. The gaggle of kids had gone off on their own, their group lacking Hope due to a last minute GUN assignment for Team Dark.
"Sucks that Hope had GUN business," Sonic lamented. "Well, Tails agreed to take photos and film stuff for her, so I suppose it evens out."
"Knowing Shadow, he'll find something to make it up to her," Sally noted. "Especially now that he's fully himself again."
Everyone else had meandered off of their own as well, splitting off into groups of their own, or couples depending on the situation. They all began hitting up food stalls, games, or just finding places to watch the event. After ensuring everyone was having fun, Sally settled down to watch the Festival, leaning on Sonic.
"You know, the entire point of coming here was to actually take a vacation," he pointed out. "C'mon, Sal. Stop worrying about everyone else and loosen up."
"I know, I know," Sally sighed. "Old habits, I guess."
Sonic pulled her into a snuggling embrace.
"Stop being a princess for awhile, and just be Sally," he insisted.
They kicked back. Before long, fireworks began to go off, and a large, decorative boat cut through the canals, numerous women in yellow dresses dancing elegantly on it.
"Here it is," Sally grinned. "The main event."
Sonic's attention was drawn to the figure on the bow, a human girl around their age with neck-length red hair and blue eyes, a smile on her pretty face as she waved at the crowds. On either side of her head were pinned two white feathers, two little diamond earrings in her ears, and she wore a white knee-length dress with feather trim and matching bicep-length gloves. Around the upper length of the dress was a golden X-shaped pattern with thin black lining, her shoulders left bare, and she wore tanned leggings with silver heels.
"Is that the Princess?" Sonic asked.
"Yep," Sally confirmed. "Princess Elise III of Soleanna."
"Whoa, she's younger than I thought," Sonic noted.
"She's been ruling Soleanna for awhile now, ever since the Duke died," Sally explained. "She's been a real inspiration for me, always staying so strong."
They followed the boat to get a closer look. As the boat stopped in the center of the city, where a large embellished lamp sat, Elise disembarked, followed by two women in hooded robes. Three figures bowed to her, getting a curtsy in response, before a man who was clearly the high priest handed her a torch. She stared into the flame, feeling misty-eyed as she remembered her father.
"Miss Elise?" one of the women asked, snapping her back to. "Are you alright?"
Elise cleared her throat, nodding.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine. Let us proceed."
She held the torch aloft, eyes closed.
"We give thanks for the blessed flames," she recited. "May we always continue to have peace. Sun of Soleanna, guide and watch over us with your eternal light."
Elise lit a flame with the torch that ignited a frame surrounding a pedestal and finally the lamp. Everyone applauded while more fireworks were launched into the sky. No one noticed several missiles streaking out of the sky among the fireworks until it was too late. The missiles landed and impacted several buildings around the town, causing everyone to instantly go from celebrating to panicking.
"What the-?!" Sonic let out. "Fireworks malfunction?!"
"No!" Sally exclaimed. "Those weren't fireworks! Those were missiles!"
Elise let out a yelp in fear, observing the carnage. At that moment, they looked up, seeing the Egg Carrier fly over before depositing multiple Swatbots and Troopers. All of them began surrounding the torch as the Egg Mobile flew in, Robotnik on board. He landed before them, bowing politely.
"Eggman…" Sonic sighed. "Of course."
"Greetings Princess," Robotnik greeted. "May I have a moment of your time?"
Elise responded by giving him a slap, then attempting to jump off the boat and into the water. She was quickly grabbed by Swatbots and pulled back. Robotnik adjusted his shades, fuming before managing to rein his temper in.
"Come now, Princess Elise. Can't we just chat like civilized people?"
"There's nothing civilized about you, Dr. Robotnik!" Elise shot back. "Why are you here?"
"It's quite simple. I'm here to uncover the secret of the Solaris Project... and the Flames of Disaster."
Elise's eyes widened in shock. "How did you know about-?!"
"I have my sources," Robotnik said simply. "Now, just cooperate, and I won't have to harm you."
"I will never cooperate!" Elise swore. "The Flames of Disaster will never burn again!"
"I see why Sally likes you!"
They turned to see Sonic jump onto the platform, smirking.
"You really are strong."
"Not you again!" Robotnik growled.
"Hey, I was already in town, trying to enjoy a relaxing vacation after the Black Arms mess," Sonic retorted. "But you just had to come in and ruin the festival with your usual antics, Egghead. So why don't you do us all a favor, let the Princess go, and I won't kick your ass too hard?"
Robotnik tapped his chin in thought.
"Allow me to make my decision the old-fashioned way. Eeny, meeny, miny... MAYHEM!"
He pressed a button on his glove controller, and the Badniks surrounding them all turned on Sonic en masse.
"Oh no, there's so many," Sonic said, totally deadpan. "How will I ever deal with them all?"
In that moment, the other Freedom Fighters came out of the woodwork, respective weapons in hands.
"Oh yeah. That's how."
As the others took on the Badniks, Sonic ran over, scooping Elise up in his arms. "C'mon!"
He took off. In a rage, Robotnik pressed another button, dispatching more Badniks that gave chase to Sonic and Elise. As he ran, Elise looked at him.
"Y-you're Sonic the Hedgehog," she managed.
"That's my name. Don't wear it out," Sonic replied.
"Thank you for helping me."
"Eh, it's what I do. Now let's get you somewhere safe before Eggman sends out the big guns."
He skidded to a stop to see numerous Egg Pawns in front of him. "Damn!"
Sonic gently set Elise to the side before getting to work, smashing up the Pawns. But he barely had a chance to catch his breath before he heard a cry from Elise. Sonic spun around to see the Egg Mobile flying away, having sprouted metal arms that had grabbed onto the Princess.
"Nice try, Sonic," Robotnik gloated. "But the game's over!"
Elise managed to get an arm free, reaching down the front of her dress and pulling out an amulet with Soleanna's crest around her neck. She yanked it free, reeling back.
"Sonic!" she cried. "Catch!"
She threw the amulet, Sonic catching it with ease. As he looked it over, it snapped open, revealing the blue Chaos Emerald inside. As he took that in, he shook his head, looking back up at Elise.
"Elise, don't worry! No matter how long it takes, I'll save you!" He slid the amulet around his neck. "I promise!"
The Egg Mobile retreated, taking Elise with it.
-X-
Shortly after, Sonic reconvened with the other Freedom Fighters at their hotel suite. Amy was visibly irked.
"Can we just once try to take some time off and have a vacation without Eggman flying in and ruining everything?" she asked. "Is that too much to ask?"
"Apparently," Knuckles grumbled.
"Look, this doesn't have to be a bust for everyone, okay?" Sally said. "You guys can go back and enjoy your vacation. Sonic and I can handle finding the princess. I already sent the kids off to have fun. Aurora knows they need it."
"No. I can handle it, Sal," Sonic insisted. "You need to relax just as much as everyone else."
"But you don't?" Knuckles questioned.
"Well, I am a little irritated that Eggman crashed the party," Sonic admitted. "But ruining his plans will put a smile back on my face. It's what I live for."
"This isn't gonna be a repeat of post Chaos, is it?" Knuckles asked.
Sonic shook his head. "I promise, if I need help, I'll ask."
"Before you go, Chris wanted me to give you these." Tails cut in.
He opened a case, revealing what appeared to be sneakers identical to Sonic's own.
"Spare Power Sneakers?"
"Actually, no," Tails replied. "It's a side project he's been working on with Keith's mom and one of her coworkers, Alberto Robert. He lifted one up, tapping a button on the side that caused the sole to open, revealing an indentation for something They let you use specialized Power Gems Laura's also been working on to get new powers. According to what he said, Laura will send the gems as she completes them."
"Sweet. I'm sure these will come in handy."
Sonic was about to pull them on when Sally put a hand on his arm. He sighed in annoyance.
"Let me guess. You want me to get some rest and pick up the mission in the morning."
"Exactly," Sally nodded. "Eggman clearly wants something from the Princess, so he'll have established a base. You can better find it after a full night's rest, and proper breakfast in the morning."
"I've already programmed the Miles Electric to track any signs of Eggman activity in the surrounding Zones," Tails added. "Once we find the base, you'll be the first to know."
Sonic smiled at that. "Well then, to bed it is."
White Acropolis
Around that time, Shadow and Hope had infiltrated Robotnik's latest base, built into the snowy region of the White Acropolis Peaks near Soleanna. The area was covered with watchtowers and spotlights, but the ongoing snowstorm evened things out. They ducked down as Omochao patched into GUN HQ, getting a transmission.
"Transmission from HQ. There's an SOS coming from Dr. Robotnik's base. Our last communication with our agent was 26 hours ago. We expect an immediate rescue, Agents Hope and Shadow."
"Understood," Shadow replied. "Initiating the mission now."
The two snuck along the snowy landscape, white coats helping them to blend in with their surroundings.
"And you said you wouldn't need a coat," Hope remarked.
"I perceive temperature differently than you do," Shadow replied. "And I said I wouldn't need 'as heavy a coat as you', not that I wouldn't need a coat. I may be the Ultimate Life Form, but I'm still a Mobian. I can get frostbite and hypothermia like anyone else. It just takes a bit more than most."
They peaked over a snowbank, looking at the base.
"Security's super-tight," Hope noted. "Whatever's in there, Eggman must really not want getting out."
"Let's just get in there and find out exactly what that is," Shadow decided.
He pulled Hope onto his back as they both pulled their hoods up.
"Think Omega's in position yet?" Hope asked.
In the distance, gunfire erupted.
"Annihilate!" Omega's voice came.
"I'd say yes," Shadow said flatly. "C'mon, let's move!"
They darted forward as quickly and silently as they could, hurrying for the back door of the base as Omega opened fire on the surrounding Badniks.
"Alright, how much further to the target?" Hope questioned.
"Our best bet is the prison block."
As they snuck along, Hope sighed, unable to help but vent.
"To think I could be chilling with Kat and the boys in Soleanna right now," she muttered. "Partying and having the time of my life at the Festival of the Sun. But Eggman just has to be working out another evil scheme, and Rouge just had to get caught, leaving us to freeze our tails off bailing her out."
"Hey, it's not perfect, I know," Shadow agreed. "But once we get Rouge out, we can go join the others in Soleanna. Or, maybe we can find somewhere to vacation by ourselves. I'm sure I can find a few places secluded enough to the point even GUN couldn't find us."
"Eh, maybe," Hope agreed. "Sorry for griping. I really do like helping people and working for GUN. I was just really looking forward to the festival."
"I get it, really I do," Shadow assured. "Now let's finish this."
They made it to the cell block, looking around. Eventually, they came to a cell where Rouge was kicked back casually. She looked up at their arrival.
"I figured the Commander would send you two." she remarked.
"Seriously?" Hope deadpanned. "Did you even try to escape?"
"What was the point?" Rouge questioned. "I'm exactly where I want to be."
She raised an eyebrow. "You have no clue what Eggman's up to this time, do you?"
Shadow shrugged. "Our assignment was to rescue you. Nothing more."
"Always business with you, eh Shadow?" Rouge deadpanned.
Hope got to work hacking the console.
"Just tell us what you know," Shadow ordered.
"Eggman's after something big, right here in Soleanna," Rouge began. "You ever hear of the Solaris Project?"
"Uncle Julian looked into it once or twice back when he worked for GUN," Hope replied. "Some kinda temporal research program that the Duke of Soleanna enacted in the final days of the Great War. All we know of for sure is something went horribly wrong, and it cost the Duke his life."
"Well Eggman's planning on taking the project on himself," Rouge explained. "And apparently, he's got some artifact to help him. I was trying to acquire it when I got caught by this robotic ninja he has. Damn thing was fast."
"So we bust you out, help you complete your mission, and get outta here," Hope surmised. "That's the plan, honey. Though this artifact is only one part of the puzzle. I've heard talk among the Badniks that Egghead also crashed the festival and kidnapped Soleanna's princess. Apparently, the key to the Solaris Project is a big secret only she knows."
The panel beeped and the cell door slid open.
"If he has the princess, should we do something?" Hope questioned.
"He's got her at a different base, Hope," Rouge answered. "Not much we can do for her at the moment."
"Besides, you forget who was at the festival and probably witnessed the whole thing," Shadow pointed out. "Odds are, Sonic's already on the hunt."
Hope nodded. "Fair enough."
Rouge exited the cell. "For now, let's just focus on getting the artifact and splitting. I don't wanna spend any more time in this frost pit than I have to."
They crept along, Rouge in the lead, and eventually came to a vault.
"The artifact is in there," she explained. "I'd found it and was just about to crack it when I got pinched."
"Hope, help her get the door open," Shadow ordered. "I'll keep an eye out for the ninja-bot."
Hope cracked her knuckles and popped her neck before getting to work cracking the code. Shadow kept his eyes peeled, then saw a flurry of movement in the shadows. He moved just in time to catch a shuriken aimed right at Rouge.
"You really are fast."
The Lady Ninja emerged from the shadows, a chain in her hands..
"But so am I." She began spinning the weight, which enlarged to a massive size. "Egg Ninja Art: 16 Tons!"
She swung it at Shadow, who darted side to side as it cracked the concrete where he was standing before. Hope snorted as she kept working.
"The old 'name your attacks and shout them every time you use them' routine," she muttered. "Eggman's been watching way too much anime with Aggie."
"What?" the Lady Ninja defended. "They're stronger that way!"
"No, all they do is give away what you're going to do next." Shadow retorted.
"Uh, you do that too, Shadow!" Hope pointed out.
"Yeah, Mr. Chaos Spear," Rouge added.
"Do as I say, not as I do," Shadow retorted.
He threw a Chaos Spear, snapping the chain and sending the weight clattering to the side. The Lady Ninja scoffed, drawing a katana from her back.
"You're in trouble now. My sword, once drawn, has never known defeat!"
She began twirling the sword in an intricate pattern, ending with a taunt and a flick of the blade. Shadow just rolled his eyes, drew his pistol, and fired. The robot's chest blew open as she fell over, dead.
"But the gun is mightier than the sword," he deadpanned.
"We're in!" Rouge reported.
The vault opened, and they headed inside to view an ominous-looking scepter. It had a purple handle with what looked like a dragon's head on the pommel. A serpentine tail twisted along the handle before reaching a pair of demonic looking wings. A pulsating red gem was embedded between the wings, and it just seemed to hum with dark power.
"According to records, this thing is the Scepter of Darkness," Rouge explained. "A royal treasure recorded in ancient Soleanna texts."
"That thing's a royal Soleanna treasure?" Hope shuddered. "Just being near it gives me the creeps."
"We have our orders," Shadow grabbed the scepter, stuffing it into a bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "Now let's get out of here."
As soon as they exited the vault, they found themselves surrounded by Swatbots, all aiming lasers at them.
"Shit!" Rouge cursed. "Shadow, we need an exit!"
Shadow immediately pulled out a Chaos Emerald.
"What about Omega?!" Rouge objected.
"He can take care of himself!" Shadow held the Emerald high in the air. "Chaos… CONTROL!"
There was a blinding flash of light, and the trio disappeared.
Dusty Desert Zone
Meanwhile, Elise found herself tied to a chair in the Dusty Desert Zone, an ancient desert littered with ruins. Before her was a green Mobian cobra with yellow markings on his head. He wore a black and red cybernetic-enhanced outfit through which his snake body was threaded through, outfitted with a mechanical torso and legs.
"Mordred Hood…" Elise muttered. "You were the royal advisor of Mercia. Now look at you. Selling out to the likes of Robotnik."
"Advisor?" Mordred scoffed. "Hah! All Rob O'Hedge and his old man ever did was ignore me. Refuse to put the populace in their proper place. So I took matters into my own hands. Through the Robotnik Empire, I'll impose order on the land, my way."
"You're not fit to rule," Elise shot back. "A leader serves their people, not the other way around. Robert knows this, and that's why he never listened to you.
"I don't need to justify myself to you," Mordred hissed. "All I need out of you is the secret to the Flames of Disaster."
"You're insane if you think I'll tell you anything, and so is Robotnik," Elise insisted. "Solaris' rage and the flames could destroy the world. We learned that the hard way ten years ago, when I lost my father to the Solaris Project."
"You're only delaying the inevitable," Mordred swore. "One way or another, we will get the information we seek."
"Well, you're not getting it out of me." Elise insisted.
Mordred hissed in annoyance. "You're starting to aggravate me, girl. Tell me what we want to know, or else!"
"Or else what?"
Mordred hissed again, his fangs dripping as he launched in for a bite. Elise flinched, but the sound of something hitting metal reached her ear. She looked up to see Mordred's jaw was now clamped on Robotnik's metal arm.
"Enough!' the doctor shouted. "I didn't bring you in here to kill the girl, Mordred!"
He yanked his jaw off, looking the snake in the eyes as he had him by the neck.
"If this is your first reaction to any setback, no wonder Rob gave you the boot," Mordred's anger was cut off by a gasp as Robotnik squeezed his throat. "Now, Hood, rein it in and stay in line. Another stunt like this, and I'll set off the explosive in your new body."
Mordred looked ready to shed himself in fright. "Of… course, Doctor. It won't happen again."
"Good," Robotnik dropped the snake. "Now get out."
Mordred slithered away at that. Robotnik turned to Elise.
"You're making this a lot harder than it needs to be, Princess. Just tell me the secret of the Solaris Project, and I'll let you go."
"Never…" Elise swore. "You have no idea what kind of damage the Flames of Disaster will cause if set loose, Dr. Robotnik. Nothing you can say or do to me is worse than facing Solaris' wrath again."
"We'll see, Princess," Robotnik replied. "We'll just see."
Author's Note:
So... you may have noticed Elise is a bit tougher and feistier than in the game. Author of the Insane and I agreed she wouldn't be just a fragile flower here, since she's been ruling a country for ten years.
Mordred Hood is from Archie, just FYI.
Next chapter, Sonic and co. get to work saving the Princess, while Team Dark face difficulties of their own.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Mordred - Christian Slater (Ushari from The Lion Guard, Pips from Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, J.D. in Heathers)
Please R&R. Until next time!