- Chapter 242-

Wild Wyldwest

Floral Forest Village

At Floral Forest, Cosmo had accompanied Cream and Coco, the three traveling with a cart full of fruit.

"Mobius will never cease to amaze me!" Cosmo exclaimed. "I've never seen so many different kinds of plants before."

"These are Chao Fruits," Coco explained. "Perfect for Chao raising. And our plantation grows the best around, especially since Creampuff began to play music for them."

"I should send a basket to Coral to thank her for teaching me," Cream mused.

Coco smiled. "I'm sure we can make one."

"So, Mr. Coco, where exactly are we going?" Cosmo asked.

"Just be patient, Cosmo. You're gonna like this." They rounded the corner. "Ah, here we are!"

Cosmo gaped, seeing a massive market full of stalls. "What is this place?"

"This is our local farmer's market," Coco replied. "It's where all the farmers in the area come to share their crops and other various goods. Think of it like a swap meet, but with food."

"I see…" Cosmo mused. "We never had these kinds of places at the colony. All our sustenance was kept in communal storage buildings and distributed to everyone as needed."

"Well, now you're on an actual planet," said Coco. "C'mon, we'll show you around."

They set out at that. As they walked, Cosmo took in all the different sights. The street was filled with rabbits of varying sizes and fur colors, all of them selling all different kinds of goods at different stalls. There were even stands with stuff like kettle corn and warm foods to munch on, as well as stands with fresh juice and bottled honey.

"It's so lively…" Cosmo remarked.

"Yeah, this here street's the heart and soul of the village," said Coco. "And not just cuz it's where all the goods go out."

"Coco!"

Coco perked, seeing a rabbit with dark brown fur and eyes wearing a blue, cotton dress approaching.

"Mocha!" he greeted.

"Aunt Mocha!" Cream ran over, hugging her.

"Hello there, Cream." Mocha smiled as she returned the hug. "You've gotten so big!" She saw Cosmo. "And who's your friend here?"

"Oh right!" Cream pulled away. "Auntie, this is Cosmo. Cosmo, this is my Aunt Mocha. She's my dad's sister."

Cosmo bowed. "How do you do, ma'am?"

"My word…" Mocha gasped. "She looks like a flower fairy."

"Well, technically, I'm an alien."

Mocha shrugged. "Even still, you are quite pleasing to the eye. Then again, I've always loved flowers."

"So, what brings you back to town, Sis? Needed to get away from the Council for a while?"

"Among other things." Mocha sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Promise me one thing, Creampuff. Never get involved in politics."

"Did Mr. Eagle say mean things again?" Cream asked, looking worried.

Mocha grimaced. "Very. And they get meaner every day."

"Hey, enough politics," Coco cut in. "What's the rule about Farmer's Market Day?"

"The only business is produce," Cream declared.

Coco booped her on the nose. "Hole in one."

As they went about, Cosmo turned to Cream, her question unspoken.

"Oh, that," Cream began. "Aunt Mocha's on the Council of Acorn."

"Council?" Cosmo repeated, tilting her head.

"She's part of a group that helps run the kingdom," Coco explained.

"But isn't the Kingdom of Acorn a monarchy?" Cosmo asked. "I thought Sally's father was the one in charge."

"Not entirely," Mocha said. "King Max is our leader, but any big decisions he makes first need to be approved by the Council, and vice-versa. We're basically like his advisors and the voices of the people." She frowned as she recalled the events of the previous meeting, "Although… recently those voices have become quite muddy…"

"I see…"

Coco grimaced. "Speaking of muddy…"

He pointed ahead. The other rabbits turned and grimaced as well, even Cream. Further down the street was a black-furred rabbit running a market stall selling fruit. He had a white muzzle, and wore a brown overcoat with a matching fedora and slacks and a pair of sunglasses.

"Oh no…" Mocha said with a scowl. "It's him."

"Is… he a friend of yours?" Cosmo asked.

"Hardly," Coco scoffed. "That fella over there's Ebony Hare. One of the slimiest, smooth-talking swindlers in all of Mobius."

Cosmo raised an eyebrow. "Swindler?"

"Ebony's a big, fat meanie who sells things at really high prices, but they almost always don't work right," Cream explained.

"There are rumors that he has ties to the Mobian mafia." Coco added, earning a confused look from Cosmo, "Bad guys. Really bad guys."

"But if he's such a bad person, why are people buying things from him?"

"Because he's good at what he does," Mocha explained, "I wouldn't be surprised if he has the Gift."

"The Gift?" Cosmo asked.

"Ah yes," Coco perked. "Y'know how hedgehogs can run real fast, and echidnas are super-strong? Well, we Mobian rabbits can be very persuasive. However, it's a very rare Mo-Bility (1)."

"Persuasive…" Cosmo tried to understand, "You mean…you can hypnotize people? Control their minds?"

"Not exactly," Mocha clarified.

"Here, maybe it's best to show you," Coco decided.

"Step right up, folks!" Ebony announced. "Nice, fresh Chao Berries for sale! Round Berries, Square Berries, Triangular Berries, Hero Berries, Dark Berries, Strong Berries! You name it, we got it!" He bent over and pulled out a red, trapezoid-shaped fruit from behind his stall. "Heck, act now and you'll get our special Trapezohedron Berry for only 800 Mobiums! Limited quantity, better move fast!"

Several people turned and left, though a few stuck around, raising handfuls of Mobiums and begging for the fruit.

"You see, the gift isn't hypnosis or mind control, it's the power of suggestion" Coco explained as he pointed to the crowd, "See how a lot of people are walking away? It's because they know Ebony isn't a stand-up guy, so they have no intention of doin' business with him." He pointed to another person walking toward Ebony's stall, a fox Mobian who was clearly new to the market. "But then we have someone who has the inclination to check it out and…"

"Howdy, stranger!" Ebony greeted enthusiastically, "Interested in buying a rare Trapezohedron Berry? It doubles your Chao's abilities and increases their chances of reincarnation by 87%!"

"Do I?!" the fox declared, handing over a fat stack of Mobiums.

"Hook, line, and sinker," said Coco, turning to his daughter and nodding slightly. "Creampuff…"

"Okay, Daddy." Cream then walked over, flashing a wide, innocent smile. "Hello, Mister."

Ebony turned toward Cream, wincing as soon as he saw her. "Ah hell… o, little Cream! Out to sell your wares with Mama and Papa?"

Cream curtsied to Ebony.

"Yes mister, I am. Can I try one of your new berries?" She put on puppy-dog eyes and added in a lip tremble, looking like she was practically glowing. "Pwease?"

As soon as uttered those words, Ebony began to sweat. He bit his lower lip as a warm, fuzzy feeling developed in his chest. "Of course, dearie!" he exclaimed, "That'll be eight hundred Mobiums."

"To try one?" Cream began to tear up. "But I just wanted one… Why are you being so mean?"

Ebony twitched a bit, his lower lip quivering as he looked into the younger rabbit's rapidly watering eyes. About a minute later, he caved. "Ohhhh…I can't say no to a face like that." the black rabbit sighed, "Take it! But don't go tellin' nobody, ya hear?"

Cream instantly brightened. "It'll be our little secret." She plucked one off the stand. "Have a nice day, Mr. Ebony!"

"You too, hun!" Ebony looked to the side, grumbling under his breath. "Lousy, little freeloader..."

Cream headed back, picking at the side and peeling something off. "I knew it!" She said with a grimace, "It's just a normal Chao Garden fruit covered in wax."

"Yup, classic Ebony," Coco remarked.

"That's surprisingly tame from him," said Mocha. "I half expected it to be rotten."

"I expected a rock."

"Cream…" Cosmo began, "How did you do that?"

"Oh that?" Cream smiled. "Don't worry about it, okay? And let's keep it our little secret, please?"

She dragged her toe in the dirt cutely as Cosmo felt a strange, warm sensation in the back of her mind. Her surrounding vision seemed to grow blurry as Cream practically sparkled.

"Of course," she said at last. "I won't tell a soul."

Cream smiled brightly. "Good!"

As she walked off, Cosmo shook her head, confused.

"Uh… what just happened?" Cosmo asked as she rubbed her head. She wasn't sure what came over her, but when Cream spoke to her, she felt…

Her eyes widened in shock, "Does she…?"

"Yep," Coco confirmed. "While Ebony uses slimy tactics and fast words, Cream uses her youthful innocence." He sighed. "I'm gonna be beating the boys away with a stick when she gets older."

"I see…"

"Hold it right there!"

The quartet turned to see a group of rabbit policemen heading toward Ebony stand; all of them not happy.

"O-Officer Hopps!" Ebony stammered. "Hello there! Wouldja like to buy a Trapezo...?"

"Don't you try any of that silver-tongued hoopa-joop on me, Burntbuns!" Hopps declared, shoving her nightstick in Ebony's cheek. "You're under arrest for false advertising, operating a stand without a permit, misuse of Mo-Bility with malicious intent, and violating the Farmer's Union Fair Price Act!"

"Well, ummm...I...ummm...uhhhh..." Ebony then froze in fear, pointing up at the sky. "Oh Aurora! It's Dr. Robotnik!"

"Where!?" Hopps shouted as everyone who heard the cry turned around, something Ebony took advantage of immediately.

"Suckers!" he shouted as he flipped his table on the cops, trapping them beneath it, before running off the other way.

"Stop him!" Hopps shouted as she struggled to crawl out from under the stand.

"You'll never take me alive, coppers!" Ebony laughed as he ran off, only to stop as he bumped into a fox; the same one he had swindled earlier.

"Ummmm...Howdy!" the black rabbit greeted nervously as he smiled and tipped his hat.

"Howdy," the fox said as he smiled back, making Ebony even more nervous,"Say…did you know that rabbits aren't the only ones with the power of persuasion? Foxes have it too. Although, I suppose it would be more appropriate to call it 'perception'."

"What!?" Ebony cried out incredulously, "No they don't!"

"We do. Otherwise, you would have seen my badge when I walked to your stall."

To drive his point home, the fox pulled back his jacket, revealing a police badge. Ebony gaped before scowling.

"Yooooou, sunnuva..." Before he could finish, the fox bopped him on the head with his own nightstick.

"Nice job, Nick," Officer Hopps said as she and the others walked over to apprehend their perp. Cream and her family watched as the officers put Ebony in cuffs and hauled him off to the station; the black rabbit grumbling the entire time.

"Let that be a lesson to you, kids," Mocha said with a smirk, "Crime doesn't pay.

"I know," Cosmo replied, "That's why we're Freedom Fighters."

Suddenly, a Warp Ring appeared in the middle of the street, depositing Sonic and the Freedom Fighters right in the middle of the street.

"Whoa…" Sonic shook his head. "My head feels weird."

"You act as though you've never warped before." Sally said, disregarding the fact that she looked worse for wear.

"Sonic?" Cosmo asked.

"Princess…" Mocha said quietly.

"Hi everyone!" Cream greeted cheerfully. "Are you here for the market?

"Hey there, Cream!" Sonic replied. "Sorry, but we're actually here for you."

Cream blinked "Me?"

"We need you to open a Warp Gate to Bunnie's house." Sally says.

"Bunnie?" Cream questioned. "But why? I thought she and Mr. Antoine were visiting her family

"They are." Hope said. "But a little while ago, I got a call from her saying there was an emergency. Since you're the only one of us who's been there before, we need you to open a gate for us."

"Oh my..." Mocha whispered.

"If Bunnie's in trouble, then I want to help!" Cream insisted.

"Yes," Cosmo agreed, "if this is truly an emergency, then there is strength in numbers."

Sally shook her head. "I'm sorry, Cream, but Bunnie gave us explicit instructions not to let you go with us."

Cream blinked. "What?"

"Sorry Cream, but it's the truth," Tails added.

"But... but I wanna help…" Cream pleaded.

"Absolutely not," Sonic replied. "Bunnie says it's too dangerous so..."

Coco leaned into Cosmo's ear flower, whispering. "See? Not even she can influence someone who has no intention of giving her what she wants."

"Please, just open a ring," Sonic requested. "I promise, we'll bring Bunnie back safely

Cream bit her lower lip, but relented. "Okay…" Pulling out a Warp Ring, she focused for a moment, then threw it, causing a portal to open up. "Alright, here it is."

"Thanks, Cream," Sonic patted her head. "We really appreciate it."

Cream nodded.

"C'mon guys, let's do it to it!" Some of the others snickered, much to Sonic's annoyance. "Uuuuuuugh...that's never gonna go away."

"No," Rotor agreed. "No, it's not."

And with that, the Freedom Fighters ran through the Warp Ring.

"I'm sorry, I have to go now," Cosmo bowed to them. "But thank you so much for today."

She ran through the ring just as it closed.

"Welp, we'd better get going ourselves," Coco decided.

Mocha nodded. "Agreed."

"Come along, Creampuff," Coco noticed that Cream and Cheese weren't there. "Cream?"

"Where did she..." Coco and Mocha's eyes widened in shock. "Oh no..."

"That sneaky, little..." Coco let out.

Southern Baronies

The Freedom Fighters were deposited outside of Lulumae's home, wavering slightly.

"Uuuugh…" Sonic held his head. "Okay, seriously! Since when did warping start making us queasy again?"

"Not sure…" Tails gagged slightly. "Gonna have to look into that."

"My tummy hurts…"

Everyone perked, turning to see Cream and Cheese right behind them.

"Cream, what are you doing here?!" Sally demanded.

"I followed you in before the portal closed," Cream replied. "I wanna help!"

Sally stormed over to her. "When I said you couldn't come with us, young lady, I meant it!"

"But Miss Bunnie and Mister Antoine are in trouble!" Cream objected. "I can't just sit back and do nothing!"

"Cream…"

"Uh, guys?" Hope said as she turned to the house, gaping slightly, "Can we put a pin in this for a sec?"

"Why?" Cosmo asked. "What's… going…?"

They turned to see the state of the Rabbot household, and found it had been thoroughly vandalized. The flower garden had been pulled up and mowed to shreds. Patches of scorched grass and holes dotted the lawn like a freshly exploded minefield. The walls were covered with sloppy graffiti depicting - amongst other things - unflattering images of Bunnie, the Robotnik Empire symbol, and all manner of insults, such as "Egghead" and "Robofreak". One of the windows had been broken and boarded up from the inside, and on the porch was a flaming bag of what was clearly Mobini dog droppings.

"What the…?" Rotor managed in shock.

"Oh my goodness…" Cosmo gasped.

Sonic immediately hurried up the front porch.

"I can see why Bunnie called us now." He knocked on the door, which opened slightly. "Hi. We're looking for Bunnie and Antoine."

Instead of an answer, he found the business end of a double-barreled shotgun pressing into his forehead.

"...And a clean pair of underwear if you have one," he calmly amended.

Sonic barely had a moment to dodge before the shotgun fired, unleashing a spread of buckshot at him. Fortunately, he managed to escape in time. Unfortunately, he ended up stepping into a pothole, causing him to trip and fall on his rear; allowing the shotgun's wielder - a very irate Mobian rabbit in a yellow dress and hat - to aim it at him.

"You miserable, low-down hooligans!" Lulumae shouted, backing Sonic out on the porch. "I thought I told y'all to stay offa my property!"

"Easy there, ma'am!" Sonic said, his hands raised defensively. "I'm–!"

"Shut up yer yap, Blueboy!" She narrowed her eyes at him, "You have until the count of ten to turn around and get your ass off my yard before I blow your damn head off! One! Two! Te-"

"Miss Lulu, please stop!" Cream shouted.

Lulumae perked, seeing Cream. "What the...? Cream?"

"Yeah, she's with us," Sonic said. "So... please don't blow my head off. I kinda need it."

"Madame Rabbot!" came Antoine's voice.

"Aunt Lulu!" Bunnie shouted. "Is everythin' okay!? Are they back!?"

"Ant? Bunnie? Is that-?"

Suddenly, Antoine and Bunnie burst out the door and jumped Sonic, pinning him to the ground.

"I got 'im, Antoine!" Bunnie cheered. "I got him!"

"Très bien!" Antoine drew his sword."Make one wrong move and I'll take more than a little off the top, you..."

He was cut off by the butt of Lulumae's shotgun hitting him in the head. "Ow! Ma tête!"

"Cool it, boy," Lulumae said. "I jumped the gun. He ain't one of them."

Blinking, Antoine looked down to see Sonic, more bemused than anything..

"Well…" he began, "not the best way to greet those you haven't seen in a while."

"Sonic?!" Bunnie and Antoine quickly backed off, letting him get up.

"Oh my gosh!" Bunnie exclaimed. "You okay, sugah?"

"Well aside from the surprise attack, just dandy," Sonic replied.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Antoine told him. "These past few weeks have been...difficult to say the least."

"Difficult?" Bunnie let out. "I almost got lynched, Antoine!"

"LYNCHED?!" Sally shrieked.

"That's horrible!" Cream exclaimed.

Bunnie's head snapped up at that, seeing the little rabbit there.

"Cream!? What in Sam Hill are you doin' here?!" Bunnie demanded.

"To help you!" Cream said with cheerful determination, "Hope said you were in trouble, so I followed them here!"

Hope withered under Bunnie's furious glare. "Dadgummit Hope, I specifically told you not to bring Cream!"

"It's not our fault!" Sam objected. "She jumped in after us before the Warp Ring closed!"

"It's true!" Cream confirmed.

"Well then, send her back! It's not safe here!"

"No!" Cream put her foot down. "I'm not going anywhere!"

"Cream, they're right," Sonic said. "It's not safe for you."

"I'm a Freedom Fighter, just like the rest of you! I can help!"

Sonic gritted his teeth, trying not to lose his temper. "Cream, for the last time, you…"

Cheese suddenly let out a scream before diving into the bushes, attacking someone.

"Ow!" Blows landed and the bushes rustled as Cheese fought the person. "Get off me, you tiny little-!"

A Mobian jackrabbit came running out of the bushes, Cheese clinging to his head.

"Cheese says he was watching us since we got here," Cream informed them. "Maybe even longer."

"Okay, buster," Sonic said. "What's your deal?"

"I'll tell you what his deal is," Lulumae scowled. "That feller's one of the damn varmints tryin' to get me and my Bunnie!"

"Is that so?" Sonic went over to the man, Cheese handing him over. He promptly grabbed him by the collar, making him see the damage done to the Rabbot estate. "Mind explaining this?"

"Heh! Explain?" the rabbit scoffed, "What's there to explain? I was just doin' my duty as a citizen of Mobius and taking out some of Eggman's allies!"

Sonic looked at the man as if he'd grown a second head, or turned into a robot, "Allies of Eggman!?" he said, "Are you serious!?"

"Course I am!" he turned to Bunnie and Lulumae, "That bitch is one of Eggman's Cyber Soldiers, and that old hag and the dog with the stupid hair are protecting her!"

"That 'bitch' is Bunnie Rabbot," Sally said, "She's a member of the Freedom Fighters."

"She's a traitor, is what she is!" the jackrabbit spat. She sold her body and soul to the Empire! Why the hell ain't you scrapping her!?"

"'Cause she's a hero too, jerk!" Sonic spat.

"She's a filthy Egghead! It's no less than what she deserves, you stupid–!"

Before he could finish, Sonic punched the rabbit in the face, bloodying his nose and laying him out, much to the others' shock.

"Ass…" Sonic spat.

"Mon dieu…" Antoine let out.

"Not that I don't 'preciate it, but was that really necessary?" Bunnie asked.

"Hey, he's lucky our resident hothead is currently on sabbatical," Sonic said matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, he'd be worse off. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take out the trash."

He headed for the edge of Lulumae's property, tossing the man off of it like a used gum wrapper. With that done, he dusted his hands off, returning to the others.

"Sorry you had to see that," he said to Lulumae, looking slightly ashamed, "Been a rough week."

"So I see," Lulumae cleared her throat. "Still, thank ya fer comin' to help us…" She smiled kindly, "And fer lookin' after Bunnie all these years."

Sonic blushed as he scratched the back of his head. "Just doing what I can, Mrs. Rabbot."

"Oh, none o' that missus stuff. Just call me Lulu, everybody does." She put her gun away. "Now, why don't ya all come in? You're just in time fer tea, and from the looks of things, y'all really need it."

Tails nodded. "Yes. Thank you, ma'am."

-X-

Sometime later, they were all seated in Lulumae's living room, the group having tea and biscuits while catching Bunnie and Antoine up on everything that had happened in their absence.

"Sorry for makin' y'all worry like that," Bunnie said.

"Hey, you're our friend," Sonic replied. "We're gonna worry no matter what. Especially after seeing that."

"Seriously, what the hell happened!?" Knuckles demanded. "You've got flak for your robo-limbs before, but this is just..."

"I think I can answer that," said Lulumae. "Not long after Bunnie came home, folks started givin' her grief for her arm and legs. At first, it was just a couple idjits givin' her the stink-eye or cold shoulder. But then it spiraled into all kinds of nasty things. Hate mail, insults, picking fights in broad daylight…" She shook her head as she picked up her teacup. "It's gotten to the point we can't leave the house without gettin' into a scuffle." She sighed. "Thank Aurora Buck told me where the gun locker is."

"Buck?" Rotor asked.

"My Uncle Beauregard," Bunnie clarified. "He was away on business in Sand Blast City when we first came here."

"So why isn't he here?" Sonic asked, "Is he…?"

Lulumae looked like she was about to throw her teacup at Sonic. "If yer insinuating that Buck rejected Bunnie, I–"

"I mean, is he alright!?" Sonic said defensively.

"Oh, sorry…" the elder rabbit winced, "Like Antoine said, rough time."

Sonic merely sagged in relief.

"So, where is Beauregard now?" Sally asked, wanting to get things back on track.

"Monsieur Beauregard works as a bounty hunter," Antoine added. "He hunts down Eggman robots and sells them for scrap metal. Madame Lulumae told us that he had left for a job not long after we arrived."

"He was supposed to be back after a few days," Bunnie continued, "But he never came back…"

"Just like the others..." Hope concluded.

That got everyone's attention.

"Others?" Sonic asked.

"I meant to tell you before Bunnie called," Hope said as she set her teacup down, "Stone, Vellum, and Shears found reports of Egg Soldier sightings spiking in Wyldwest."

They went wide eyed at that.

"Egg Soldiers?!" Bunnie exclaimed.

"Sacre bleu…" Antoine whispered.

"There's more. There's a been lot of weird electrical outages in the area, as well as lots of people going missing. And the one thing a lot of them have in common... they were former Robians."

"Are… are you sure?" Tails asked.

Hope nodded. "Yes. Their names match up with everyone we de-roboticized after the Black Arms attacked. And it all points to one thing…"

"Another Egg Boss…" Tails swallowed nervously.

"Yeah, and from the looks of it, he's intent on reclaiming Eggman's lost 'property'."

For a good minute or two, the Freedom Fighters sat there, nervously.

"You…" Lulumae began. "You don't think that Buck was…"

"If he is, we'll get him back," Sonic swore. "And our best bet would be to check his last known location. Guys, we're going to Sand Blast City!"

"Right!" everyone declared before pausing.

"Ummm…" Rotor began, "Has anyone here actually been to Sand Blast City?"

"No."

"Miss Lulu…?" Sally asked.

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart," Lulumae replied. "But I can get you to the next closest town."

"It's better than nothing," Sonic decided. "Thank you, Miss Lulu."

Lulumae smiled. "Anytime, sugar. And thank you."

She took a Warp Ring. "The place yer headin' is a lil' town called Tranquil Gulch. Used ta be an old mining town during the Ring Rush of 2850. When ya get there, ask fer Dennis."

"Dennis…" Sonic nodded. "Got it."

"Good luck, you guys," Bunnie said. "Be careful."

"Now what's all this 'careful' talk, Missy?" Lulumae asked. "You're goin' with 'em, aren't you?"

"What!?" Bunnie shook her head. "Auntie, I can't!"

Lulumae raised an eyebrow. "And why not? They don't know these parts or how thangs work here."

"Because I can't leave you here alone! You'll be defenseless!"

Lulumae scoffed. "Oh please, I've handled scarier things in prairie outhouses than those idjits."

"It's not that we doubt your abilities, Madame," Antoine clarified. "You're an impressive shot, but do you really think you could handle all of them at once?"

That gave Lulumae pause. "...You make an...irritatingly good point, hun."

"Some of us will stay here with her," Sally decided. "Since we may be up against another Egg Boss...it'd be best if sent in about 10-12."

"I'm heading to Sand Blast, no questions asked," Sonic said.

"Ditto," Bunnie agreed.

"Where Bunnie goes, I go," said Antoine.

"These jokers have been attacking GUN bases, so I'm heading there as well," Hope decided.

"Same," Sam piped up.

"And I'd like to take my new upgrades for a spin!" Shard declared.

Hope turned to Tails. "Tails, we could use someone with technical expertise in case the electronic interference I mentioned happens. Do you mind coming along too?"

"Actually, I'd like to go," Rotor said, surprising everyone.

"As would I," Cosmo agreed.

"You sure, you two?" Bunnie asked.

Rotor nodded. "Positive."

"One of my friends' family is in trouble," Cosmo added. "I won't sit idly by."

"Really? Cuz Wyldwest is a desert. A hot, dry desert."

Rotor shrugged. "My suit has an air conditioning unit. I'll live."

"And I need more field experience if I'm to truly contribute to the cause," Cosmo chimed in.

"Then it looks like it's settled," Sally said. "Sonic, Bunnie, Antoine, Hope, Sam, Shard, Rotor, Cosmo, and I will go to Sand Blast City to find Beauregard. The rest of you will look after Miss Lulumae and keep an ear out for Robotnik attacks."

"Right!" the others declared.

"Princess Sally?" Cream began.

"Yes, Cream?"

"Could I come with you to Sand Blast City?"

Bunnie was clearly against the idea. "Cream, you shouldn't even be here in the first place."

"But Mr. Beauregard is in trouble!" Cream insisted. "I..."

"Cream, this isn't like what happened with Chaos or with Emerl," Sonic cut in. "These new Egg Soldiers are cold-blooded killers. You're a valued member of our team. No one will deny that. But there's a reason we left Team Thorndyke behind, and why we tried to do the same for you. It's just too dangerous. Please…"

He looked at Cream intently. Eventually, she sighed.

"Alright..."

"Thank you," Sonic turned to Lulumae. "Alright, we're ready."

She chucked the ring, opening a portal.

"Hang on, Uncle Beau…" Bunnie swore. "We're comin'."

The team leapt through the ring. Cream sighed.

"I guess I'd better go home."

"Sorry, Cream," said Tails. "Maybe you can go on another mission. Here, I'll open you a ring back home."

He pulled out a ring.

"Cheese!" Cream shouted.

With a chirp, Cheese lunged at Tails, swiping the ring right out of his hand.

"Cheese?!" Tails exclaimed as he handed Cream the ring.

"Sorry, guys, but I gotta do something! I'll make it up to you!"

With that, Cream threw the ring.

"Cream, stop!" Tails ran to catch her, but it was too late; she jumped through, the portal closing behind her.

"Has she lost her mind!?" Porker demanded.

Tails cringed, rubbing his eyes in annoyance and dread. "Sonic's so gonna kill me for this…"

Tranquil Gulch

Meanwhile, a Mobian stallion ran through the town in a panic. He had white fur, a black mane, and brown eyes, and was dressed in a blue long-sleeved button shirt with blue denim overalls, a black neckerchief, brown boots, and a straw hat.

"Gotta git back! Hafta git back! Need ta git back!" he panted.

The stallion eventually reached a farmhouse on the other side of town, the mailbox out front labeled Hino. He headed for the barn, slamming the door open, exhausted and out of breath.

"Lily! Lily, are ya there?!"

"Rally, settle down! I'm right here!"

Seated on the other end was a human girl around Team Thorndyke's age with dirty blonde hair in a ponytail, green eyes, and Yurashian facial features. She wore a black Stetson cowboy hat, a purple neckerchief, and a dark blue T-shirt and skirt under a black Western jacket. Around her hips was a belt and two gun holsters with a shuriken shaped belt buckle, and she wore black cowboy boots with lily designs on the sides and toes shaped similarly to the tabi socks and shoes of the Dragon Kingdom. She was busy polishing two revolvers, a mass of shuriken, and a wakizashi.

"Lily! It's bad, it's real bad! They're comin'!"

"Rally, calm down! Who's comin'?"

"Eggman's new army, the Dust Riders!"

Lily froze. "Yer positive?"

"I am! They already took out Sheriff Scott! And they're comin' back tomorrow!"

Lily turned to a photograph of herself, Rally, and a boy about her age with slightly tanned skin and short black hair. Her expression steeled before she stood up.

"Let 'em come, then."

"What!?" Rally shrieked. "Lily, have ya lost yer mind!? We gotta get outta town!"

Lily shook her head. "Oh, no, Rally. I ain't goin' anywhere."

She strapped her sword to her back, pocketing the shuriken before dramatically spinning her revolvers and putting them in their holsters.

"This time... I'm ready."

Author's Note:

(1): A concept we developed with WindstarOsprey; a Mobian's natural species-based ability, like hedgehog speed.

Things are heating up. Who knows what will happen next?

Yep, Mocha is Coco's sister; the drink name theme was a big hint. Ebony Hare is from Archie, while Lily and Rally are my OCs. Lily is partially derived from Gemini Sunrise of Sakura Wars, and Rally is based on her horse of the same name. And yes, the officers who arrested Ebony were a Zootopia reference.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Lily - Hana Hayes (Sarah in The Last of Us, Lizzie Sanderson in The Grinder, Tessa in Tagged)

* Rally - Peter New (Big McIntosh in My Little Pony, Joey in Oggy & the Cockroaches, Ian Vashti in Mobile Suit Gundam 00)

* Ebony Hare - Tony Sirico (Paulie Gualteri in The Sopranos, Big Daddy in The Fairly Oddparents, Vinny in Family Guy)

Please R&R. Until next time!