Fight on the Bridge
[FYI - Some spoilers to the Sonic 3 movie ahead. Nothing ground breaking, but you have been warned.]
Earth-91581- San Francisco
The swirling golden light of the ring shimmered in the air, illuminating the battered pavement as the portal expanded into a perfect circle. Sonic stepped through first, his usual confident smirk fading as his eyes took in the chaos ahead, his brown ring satchel still over his shoulder. Tails followed close behind, clutching his handheld device, and his yellow backpack on his back. Knuckles emerged next, his stance broad and ready for a fight, followed by Alice, her eyes sharp and wary.
The air hit her like a wall—thick with smoke, burning metal, and the distant sounds of sirens wailing in desperation.
Alice took a moment to adjust, staring at the destruction sprawled out before them. The Golden Gate Bridge, normally bustling with life in this reality, was in utter disarray. Abandoned cars littered the lanes—doors flung open, belongings scattered on the asphalt. Panicked civilians sprinted toward safety, their faces pale with fear as they weaved past first responders who were desperately trying to reach the centre of the bridge.
Alice inhaled slowly, the sight of it all painfully familiar.
"Impressive," she muttered, glancing back at the still-glowing portal as it faded away. "That ring power... it's impressive." Her voice, though, was tight with focus as her gaze swept the scene. "But this... this doesn't look good."
"You can say that again, Romanoff" Sonic murmured, stepping forward, his eyes narrowing. "I'm half-expecting a Michael Bay explosion any second now."
Alice shot him a glance, not entirely getting the reference but sensing the tension masked behind his attempt at humour.
Tails lifted his device, frowning as it emitted a sharp series of beeps. His brow furrowed as he read the fluctuating readings on the screen.
"This... isn't good," he admitted. "The distortion levels are through the roof. Whatever caused this—it's not normal."
"They did all this in such a short amount of time?" Sonic replied, his tone was unusually serious. "If they wrecked the bridge this badly already, what else can they do?"
Tails didn't answer, his focus on the readings, but his silence was enough.
"Lead me to this trespassing interloper," Knuckles declared, his body tensing for combat. "This dishonour will not go unpunished."
Alice turned to him, her face stern but appreciative of his readiness.
"I get it—you're eager to fight. But listen to me." She paused, her tone low and serious. "You don't know Jill and Umbrella like I do. They don't fight fair, and they're more dangerous than they look. Don't take them lightly."
Knuckles blinked, caught off guard by her bluntness, but gave a small nod.
"Noted," he responded.
Tails hesitated before speaking, his voice soft.
"Alice... do you think they could've brought those... B.O.W.s?" The acronym hung in the air like a storm cloud.
"It's possible," Alice admitted. "Umbrella loves showing off its... creations." Her eyes drifted to the burning wreckage ahead. "This... this kind of destruction screams their style."
Sonic groaned, rubbing the back of his head.
"Great. First Robotnik and his machines, now we've got a front-row ticket to an apocalypse from another reality. Who's directing this crossover? Paul W.S. Anderson?"
"Who?" Tails questioned, giving the hedgehog a confused glance.
"Never mind," Sonic muttered. "Bad joke..."
Alice's lips quirked slightly despite the tension, but the moment was cut short by a sharp series of beeps from Tails's device.
"Uh... guys?" Tails's voice trembled slightly. His twin tails drooped as he pointed toward the centre of the bridge. "I think we have company."
The group turned, following Tails's gaze.
A formation of black-clad Umbrella operatives stood near the centre of the chaos, their movements methodical as they secured positions around what looked like a growing rift of blue light. The operatives moved with brutal precision, their weapons raised, some scanning the crowd, others monitoring a portable console displaying erratic distortion waves. The Umbrella logo gleamed red on their sleeves—a stark contrast against the swirling energy behind them.
But it wasn't just the operatives that caught their attention.
A deep, guttural roar echoed from beneath the bridge, followed by the sound of something massive shifting the structure itself. The bridge trembled, metal groaning in protest.
"Please tell me that was just the wind," Sonic muttered, taking a step back.
Alice's eyes widened.
"No..." she remarked.
Emerging from beneath the bridge's edge was a towering monstrosity, its skin mottled and pulsing with veins of dark, infected tissue. Its elongated arms ended in jagged claws, and its face—or what was left of it—twisted into an unnatural grimace.
"A B.O.W.," Alice confirmed grimly, her eyes locked on the towering monstrosity as it snarled and scraped its claws across the bridge's steel supports.
"Finally. A real opponent!" Knuckles declared, taking a bold step forward.
"No!" Alice snapped, stepping directly into his path, her voice sharp and unwavering. "This isn't some sparring match, Knuckles! These things don't just punch back—they kill."
"But I must defeat this abomination to bring honour back to this land," Knuckles growled. "These interlopers will pay for their crimes against nature."
Alice's patience frayed with the echidna.
"Jesus Christ, listen to me!" she spat, her voice cutting through the chaos. "It's not about honour—it's about not getting killed!"
Knuckles frowned, visibly processing her words, but the tension in his body didn't ease.
"Okay, okay—deep breaths, everyone," Sonic said, his tone light but firm. "We need a plan before we start punching first and asking questions never."
Alice inhaled, forcing herself to steady her breathing.
"You're right." She exhaled, eyes flickering toward the Umbrella operatives near the rift. "We can't fight them head-on—not like this." She pointed toward the operatives. "We need to get closer. They'll have something stabilising that rift. If we disable it, they'll lose control."
Tails adjusted his handheld device, the screen flashing with streams of data.
"If we can get to their console, I might be able to disable whatever they're using to keep the rift open." His mind was already racing, calculations forming.
Sonic's eyes narrowed as he sized up the scene.
"Me and Knux can keep the big guy busy!" he said, flashing a grin at Knuckles. "We'll buy you some time, guys."
Alice hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the handgun Walters had given her. The standard-issue firearm was fine for self-defence—but against a squad of heavily armed operatives? She knew it wasn't enough.
Her eyes shifted to Tails's yellow rucksack. She knew that if anyone in the group had come prepared, it was the resourceful two tailed fox.
"Please tell me there's something a bit more... destructive in there, Tails" Alice said, nodding toward Tails's pack. Her tone was firm, but there was a flicker of hope beneath it. "I don't think Walters' sidearm is going to cut it."
"Don't worry—I've got you covered," Tails replied, pulling the bag off his shoulders and unzipping the top.
He rummaged for a moment before pulling out a sleek, metallic device with an adjustable barrel and a glowing blue chamber on the side.
Alice's eyebrows rose.
"What... is that?" she questioned.
Tails grinned as he explained.
"Sonic calls it my Boom Blaster. It's non-lethal, but it should do the trick against these guys." He flipped the small weapon in his hand, showing Alice the compact trigger and the settings dial. "Think of it as a pulse rifle. Short bursts of concussive energy that'll knock anyone off their feet without blowing them apart."
Alice tested the weight of the blaster in her hands. It was surprisingly light, but the hum of energy from the chamber told her it packed a punch. She smirked.
"Not bad, genius," she admitted.
"Just aim and fire," Tails instructed. "But don't hold the trigger down too long—it overheats and you might turn one of the operatives into mince meat."
"Plus, I think the paper work on un-aliving a person from another reality might be too much to handle," Sonic teased with a confidence tone.
"Got it." Alice's voice hardened as she glanced toward the operatives. "Let's hope it's enough."
Sonic gave a quick thumbs-up as he crouched low, ready to sprint.
"Alright, folks! Game time. Knuckles and I will distract tall, dark, and ugly over there. You two make your move."
Knuckles pounded his fists together, the sound reverberating across the bridge.
"I'm ready." He turned to Alice, his expression surprisingly serious. "Stay alive, Monster Hunter."
Alice blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the rare moment of respect. She nodded.
"You too," she responded.
"Let's go!" Sonic yelled, bolting toward the massive B.O.W. with Knuckles hot on his heels.
Alice and Tails exchanged one final glance before sprinting toward the other end of the bridge, their mission clear. The chaotic battlefield loomed ahead, but for the first time in seemingly forever, Alice felt like she wasn't facing it alone.
[Corridor - Resident Evil: Retribution: Composed by Toman Dandy Starts Playing]
As Sonic darted forward, The B.O.W. lunged, swiping its massive claws through the air. The Hedgehog zipped out of its path in a blue blur, his speed kicking up a trail of blue sparks as he skidded along the pavement.
"Whoa! You swing like Tom's grandma!" Sonic called out, circling the creature in dizzying loops. "Knux! Hit it while it's distracted!"
Knuckles launched forward with a booming war cry, his spiked fist connecting with the B.O.W.'s ribcage in a thunderous strike. The creature staggered, but only slightly. Its thick, mutated hide absorbed some of the impact.
"It's tougher than it looks, Hedgehog" Knuckles muttered, shaking his hand, readying to fight again.
Sonic zipped past the creature's legs, hitting its ankles with rapid spin dashes to throw it off balance. The B.O.W. growled in frustration, attempting to track his movements but failing.
"Keep it busy!" Sonic yelled. "I've got an idea—but I need time!"
Knuckles' eyes narrowed.
"Leave it to me," he replied.
The Echidna slammed his large gloved fists into the ground, causing the bridge beneath the B.O.W. to shake. The creature stumbled as Knuckles darted forward, landing a rapid series of punches to its midsection. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air.
The B.O.W. let out an ear-splitting roar, flailing wildly. One claw managed to clip Knuckles slightly, sending him sliding back several feet, but he dug his heels into the pavement and held his ground.
"Ha! I'm still standing," Knuckles growled. "Is that all you've got, beast?"
Meanwhile, Alice and Tails sprinted toward the cluster of operatives stationed near the rift console. The operatives raised their rifles, but Alice was already moving, ducking low and weaving between cars for cover. Tails took to the air, his twin tails spinning rapidly as he launched himself upward.
Alice slid behind a SUV, raising her sidearm and firing a precise shot. The bullet struck an operative's shoulder, sending him sprawling. She vaulted over the car hood, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Before the downed operative could recover, Alice drove a knee into his chest and disarmed him in one swift motion.
"Alice!" one of the operatives shouted into his comms, panic lacing his voice. "She's—"
He didn't finish. Tails swooped down and flung a small, disc-shaped device toward him. It latched onto the operative's chest with a whirr before emitting a concussive pulse. The force sent the man flying backward into his comrades, knocking several off their feet.
Alice gave Tails a brief nod of approval.
"Nice work," she called out.
"I'm not just the brains, you know," Tails replied with a smile. "I can somewhat fight."
"Well... keep up 'somewhat' fighting!" Alice remarked.
An operative then raised his rifle, but before he could fire, Alice spun and struck his wrist with the butt of her sidearm, forcing him to drop the weapon. She followed up with a roundhouse kick to his unprotective neck, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Efficient," Tails muttered, slightly awestruck. "And brutal."
"They deserve worse," Alice answered.
"True... I guess," Tails replied. "But let the authorities deal with them."
"Ok..." Alice sighed with a smirk.
Just then, Tails's ears twitched at the sound of more footsteps.
"Reinforcements incoming!" he said loudly.
"Let's do this," Alice replied, her eyes narrowing at the incoming operatives.
Nearby, Sonic zipped to Knuckles' side, the blue blur skidding to a stop next to the Echidna.
"Alright, Knux. I have a plan!" Sonic exclaimed, his tone a mix of excitement and urgency.
"What is the plan, hedgehog?" Knuckles asked, keeping his eyes on the B.O.W, which was ready to strike.
Sonic reached into his satchel and pulled out a gold ring.
"We're gonna give this thing a one-way ticket... to the Antarctic," he confirmed.
Knuckles blinked, the glowing energy around his fists dimming slightly in confusion.
"The Antarctic?" he questioned.
Sonic shot him a grin, his green eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Think about it—it's cold, freezing cold. And I'm willing to bet this thing won't survive sub-zero temperatures. If it doesn't die, at least it'll have to chill out."
Knuckles's eyes narrowed as understanding dawned. The glow around his fists flared back to life.
"Cold... slows things down." His fists tightened, crimson sparks crackling across his gloves. "Just give me the opening, Hedgehog."
Sonic winked and gave a quick salute.
"You got it, big guy."
The B.O.W. let out a deafening roar and charged at them like a freight train, its claws ripping through the pavement with terrifying force. Sonic dashed forward, becoming a blur of blue light as he zipped around the creature in a series of dizzying spirals.
"Over here, ugly!" Sonic called out, his voice echoing as he increased his speed. "You can't catch me!"
The B.O.W. snarled in frustration, its head whipping around as it tried to track the hedgehog's movements. Its massive claws swiped wildly, but every swing missed, slamming into the pavement and sending chunks of concrete flying.
"Let's go for a spin, shall we?" Sonic taunted.
He picked up speed, his form becoming a streak of blue energy as he ran tight circles around the monster. The air pressure from his velocity created a swirling vortex, disorienting the B.O.W. and causing its hulking frame to stumble.
The creature let out a guttural growl, trying to regain its balance, but the whirlwind around it grew stronger, making it sway on its feet.
Knuckles watched the scene intently, crouching low as his energy built up. He felt the familiar hum of power surging through his limbs, his muscles tensing like a coiled spring.
"Now, Knuckles!" Sonic shouted, skidding to the side just as the B.O.W. swiped again and missed.
Knuckles burst forward with explosive force, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he charged. His entire body glowed red, arcs of energy dancing across his frame. His fists pulsed with power, and his eyes locked onto his target.
"Power Pump!" he bellowed, his deep voice reverberating across the bridge.
His punch connected with the B.O.W.'s solar plexus in a devastating explosion of force. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, causing nearby cars to rattle. The creature's massive body lifted off the ground, spinning out of control.
Without a moment to lose, Sonic hurled the gold ring into the air.
"Trick shot!" Sonic called out with a playful tone.
The ring expanded mid-flight, forming a swirling portal of snow and ice. A blast of frigid wind burst forth as the shimmering edges of the portal stabilised.
The B.O.W. hurtled backwards, flying straight through the portal and vanishing into the icy void of the Antarctic. The ring portal closed behind it with a soft whump, leaving only eerie silence in its wake.
Knuckles exhaled slowly, the red glow around his body fading. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck with a satisfied grunt.
"That... was satisfying," he said.
Sonic moved towards the echidna, his grin wide and triumphant.
"That was cool... pun entirely intended," the hedgehog said with a teasing tone.
Knuckles arched an eyebrow.
"Where did you get that idea to throw the monster into the freezing abyss, Hedgehog?" he questioned.
Sonic shrugged casually.
"I read a lot of fanfictions and stories about the undead." He gestured vaguely with his hand. "From what I read, zombies and creatures like that don't like the cold. So I figured this thing probably wouldn't either."
Knuckles frowned, processing the information.
"A... fanfiction?" His tone was a mix of curiosity and confusion. "What... what is that?"
Sonic smirked as he began stretching his legs.
"Another story for another time, Knux."
"You and your strange Earth customs..." Knuckles muttered, seemingly confused and unimpressed.
Sonic chuckled, glancing toward the others. Alice and Tails were still trying to get to the console.
"Speaking of strange customs... let's go help Alice and Tails. Looks like they could use a hand or two."
Knuckles nodded, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Lead the way, Hedgehog."
Close by, Alice and Tails moved like a well-oiled machine amidst the chaos. Tails spun in the air, tossing another one of his pulse gadgets at an approaching operative. The device latched onto the operative's vest and emitted a small pulse of concussive energy. Boom! The blast sent the operative flying backward, crashing into the side of a parked SUV.
Following up, Alice darted through gunfire with practiced precision, her movements sharp and fluid. She slammed the pulse blaster into an operative's arm, forcing him to drop his rifle with a sharp grunt of pain. Without hesitation, she levelled the device at his chest and fired.
The energy blast erupted with a deafening whump, hitting the operative point-blank. The sheer force of the shot blasted a gaping, charred hole through his torso and launched him backward like a ragdoll. His body sailed through the air before plummeting off the edge of the bridge into the bay below.
For a moment, there was only the distant splash of water, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them.
Tails, now on the ground, froze for a moment. His wide eyes fixed on the spot where the operative had stood just moments before. A nervous, high-pitched laugh escaped his throat as he tilted his head, trying to process what he'd just witnessed.
"Umm… haha…" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm guessing he's, uh… not gonna be alright after that, huh?"
Alice lowered the pulse blaster with calm efficiency, her expression unwavering. She turned revealing blood spattered across her face, a grim reminder of how close-range combat with a weapon like this could get messy. Her black tactical suit was streaked with crimson, but her hardened demeanor betrayed no discomfort; it was just another day for her.
"I wouldn't count on it," she said flatly, pivoting smoothly to fire another shot. The glowing blast streaked through the air, striking another operative, who was some distance away from her, square in the chest. The force sent him flying backward, crashing into the hood of a sedan with a sickening crunch, the car's metal crumpling like paper under the impact.
Tails flinched, his ears flattening against his head as his gaze darted between Alice and the carnage she left in her wake. He gave another nervous laugh, his voice shakier this time.
"Wow… uh, okay, so… I think I might've, uh, overdone the power settings on that thing?" he admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his head as he tried to defuse the tension.
Alice turned to him, a dark smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. Despite the blood staining her face and gear, her icy eyes glinted with determination. She wiped a stray smear of red from her cheek with the back of her hand, her voice grim but laced with an edge of dry humor.
"I didn't," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
Tails gulped, his tails flicking nervously as he glanced at the smoking remnants of the operatives she'd dispatched. He gave a weak chuckle, muttering under his breath, "Right… noted."
However, there was no time to lose and think about what happened. Tails rushed forward towards the rift console as another operative tried to block his path. The fox ducked low, spun, and swept the operative's legs out from under him with his tails. The man hit the ground hard, his rifle clattering away. He groaned loudly.
"Excuse me," Tails muttered politely, as he leapt over the downed operative and reached the console.
Tails immediately got to work, his gloved fingers flying over the keys as he analysed the data and bypassed the security protocol with eases. The fox placed his yellow hand device onto the panel. It beeped frantically, displaying a 3D image of the rift, the swirling energy spikes creating jagged waves on the screen.
Nearby, Alice continued taking out operatives with precision and brutality. One charged at her with a baton, but she ducked under his swing and slammed her elbow into his gut. As he stumbled back, she grabbed him and hurled him to the side.
Another operative moved to flank her from the left, his weapon raised—but before he could get close, a familiar blue blur zipped in from above.
"Mind if we drop in?" Sonic quipped, landing a spinning kick that sent the operative tumbling into the guardrail with a loud clang.
Alice glanced over briefly, her smirk widening as she took in Sonic's confident stance. Nearby, Knuckles was in his element, dispatching another pair of operatives with brutal efficiency.
"Nice work on the B.O.W. problem," Alice remarked, her tone sharp but appreciative. "I saw Knuckles punch that thing into God knows where."
"Yep," Sonic replied. "That creep is now enjoying a nice long vacation in the Antarctic. Probably making snow angels as we speak." His grin faltered slightly as his eyes caught the blood splatter covering Alice's face, arms and gear. He blinked. "So, uh… I'm guessing you went full Predator mode, huh?"
Alice gave him a small, unapologetic shrug, her smirk growing.
"Something like that," she admitted.
"Great," Sonic muttered, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and mock exasperation. "I didn't expect to deal with a Mortal Kombat fatality today, but hey, here we are."
"Yep... Here we are," Alice repeated dryly, her tone laced with teasing.
Sonic sighed theatrically, throwing his hands up.
"You do realise G.U.N. is gonna make us do so much paperwork for this, right? Walters is probably already drafting a form with your name on it."
Alice tilted her head, her smirk unwavering.
"Guess I'll keep it short: guy pointed a gun, I handled it. The end."
Sonic groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
"Handled it... Sure. That'll totally fly with Walters. 'Dear Commander Walters, Alice went full Predator mode. Sorry on the damage caused and if you have to face any liabilities from another dimension, due to the death of an evil operative. Love, Team Sonic.'"
Alice chuckled under her breath, her smirk softening just a fraction.
"Got it. I'll be sure to frame it nicely for him."
"Ah, boy…" Sonic muttered, shaking his head again but unable to hide his grin. Turning his attention back to the fox working diligently at the console, he called out, "How's it looking over there, Tails? Please tell me you're about to save us from any more paperwork!"
Tails paused mid-typing and shot Sonic a glance.
"Almost got it! But I have to say, that was some great piece of thinking on sending that monster to the Antarctic, Sonic" Tails called out. "But, why there?"
Knuckles, mid-punch, turned with a grin, answering before Sonic could.
"Because of fan fiction, Fox!" He punctuated his response with a thunderous uppercut that sent another operative flying.
Alice raised an eyebrow, sparing a moment to glance at Knuckles.
"So, that's a thing on this world too, huh?" she mused.
"Sure is!" Sonic replied with a smirk, his gaze flicking to Alice's blood splattered tactical suit. "Though... I bet you'd be the star of some wild ones yourself right now."
"Charming..." Alice replied dryly.
"I'm still waiting for an explanation of what it actually is," Knuckles called out, as his fist connected with an operative, sending them flying.
"Another time, Knux," Sonic laughed, zipping back into the fray.
With a burst of speed, the hedgehog curled into a tight ball, spinning into a group of operatives and knocking them down like bowling pins. He uncurled mid-air, landing gracefully before throwing his hands up in celebration.
"STRIKE!" he declared with a cheeky grin.
Alice shook her head at his antics but dove back into the fight. She pivoted smoothly, her elbow smashing into the face of an operative rushing her, then finished the takedown with a quick kick that sent them sprawling. The remaining Umbrella operatives, realising they were grossly outmatched, began retreating toward the far end of the bridge.
"Yeah, that's right, run!" Sonic shouted, pointing dramatically as the operatives scattered.
Alice straightened, her breath steady but her eyes sharp.
"The bridge is clear… for now," she confirmed.
Tails's voice rang out from the console.
"I'm almost done stabilising the rift, but I need a few more minutes!"
Alice's expression tightened as she glanced at the swirling energy ahead.
"Work fast, Tails. Whatever's on the other side of that thing… it might make that B.O.W. look like a walk in the park."
"No pressure or anything, buddy!" Sonic called, his voice trying to inject some levity despite the tension.
Tails's hands flew over the controls.
"Almost there! Just a little more…"
The uneasy quiet that followed was abruptly shattered by a sharp, commanding voice cutting through the air.
"Stop right there."
[Corridor stops playing]
The group turned sharply, their attention snapping to the figure approaching them. Her footsteps were deliberate, echoing with purpose against the cracked pavement. Dressed in a sleek blue tactical suit, the scarab-like device on her chest pulsed ominously, casting faint red glows across her frame. Her blonde hair was tied tightly into a ponytail, and her steely eyes locked onto them with unsettling precision.
"Jill…" Alice muttered, her voice laced with a mix of disbelief and simmering anger.
"So, I guess this is your 'friend'?" Sonic asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes," Alice replied, her voice low and stoic.
Sonic tilted his head, studying Jill for a moment.
"Wow, she's totally giving off T-X vibes. You know, from Terminator 3."
"T-X… what?" Knuckles asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"It's a reference, big guy," Sonic explained with a smirk. "You know—cyborg assassin, unstoppable killing machine? The whole package."
"Cyborg assassin? That sounds ridiculous," Knuckles replied, clearly unimpressed.
"Not as ridiculous as punching a giant bio-monster into a portal earlier..." Sonic quipped.
"Not now!" Alice snapped, her voice cutting through their banter like a whip. Her sharp glare silenced both of them instantly.
Jill Valentine stopped a few feet away, standing with perfect posture and an aura of cold efficiency. She cocked her head slightly, her face devoid of emotion, as though the woman Alice once knew had been replaced by a machine.
"You're better than this, Jill! You're not Umbrella's puppet—you never were!" Alice called out firmly.
Jill's eyes flickered briefly, her lips pressing into a thin line before she spoke in a detached, mechanical tone.
"This is your only warning. Surrender now, or face termination," she threatened.
Knuckles stepped forward, red energy already sparking faintly around his fists and body.
"I challenge you, trespasser! Face me in honourable combat!" he declared boldly.
"Knuckles, wait a sec-" Sonic began, but Knuckles ignored him.
"I will restore balance to this land and bridge by defeating you!" the echidna continued, his fists glowing brighter as he prepared for battle.
Alice, however, cut in sharply.
"That's not going to happen..." she admitted bluntly.
"What do you mean, Monster Hunter? She's a warrior. I am a warrior. We must fight!" Knuckles questioned.
"She's not just a warrior," Alice snapped, her voice rising. "She's controlled. Brainwashed. Fighting her won't solve anything!"
Knuckles hesitated, glancing between Alice and Jill, before reluctantly stepping back, though his fists stayed clenched.
"Very well. But this interloper will answer for her crimes."
Tails's voice interrupted the tense standoff.
"Guys, I think I've cracked the rift stabilisation—"
Before he could finish, the console in front of him flickered violently, and a sharp tone pierced the air. Tails stumbled back, startled, as the screen suddenly went black.
"What the—?!" Tails exclaimed.
The console buzzed ominously, bathing the immediate area in a crimson glow. Slowly, a holographic figure materialised—a young girl with unnervingly flawless features, porcelain skin, and piercing red eyes. Her cold, mechanical voice echoed across the bridge.
"Hello, Alice," the Red Queen greeted, her tone void of emotion yet heavy with malice.
Sonic, Knuckles and Alice turned slightly to see the red hologram behind them. Alice's breath hitched, her fists tightened as memories of countless battles against this AI came rushing back.
"She's here," Alice muttered, her voice low and sharp.
Sonic tilted his head, one brow quirked as he scrutinised the hologram.
"So this is the Red Queen, huh? Gotta say, not exactly what I was expecting. Looks more like a kid dressed up for Halloween."
"A mere child is their Queen?" Knuckles added, his tone filled with disbelief. "Impossible."
The Red Queen's crimson gaze shifted towards Sonic and Knuckles, her words icy and calculated.
"Mockery will not improve your chances of survival, Hedgehog. And you, Echidna, you should be wary of underestimating me—I am far more than you can comprehend."
Sonic blinked, his confidence slipping for just a moment.
"Okay… officially creeped out now."
"A child's appearance cannot fool me," Knuckles growled.
The Red Queen's image flickered slightly as she addressed the group.
"You are interfering with Umbrella operations. This is your final warning: cease all activities, or face termination."
Alice's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"We're not afraid of you," she declared with fiery determination and courage.
Tails, standing at the console, was already hard at work once more.
"I'll try to boot her out of the system, guys. Cover me!" he called out, his fingers flying over the controls.
The Red Queen turned her attention to Tails, her voice dropping to a chilling tone.
"You will fail, Fox. Resistance is futile."
Tails didn't flinch, his brow furrowed in focus.
"Don't underestimate me," he replied firmly.
The tension escalated as Jill raised her hand, and a fresh wave of Umbrella operatives emerged from the shadows, their black tactical uniforms blending into the chaos. The group turned to see the reinforcements fanning out behind Jill, their weapons trained on the heroes.
"Great," Sonic sighed, rolling his eyes. "More goons. Just what we needed."
Knuckles punched his fists together, red energy sparking as he prepared for battle.
"Dishonourable warriors," he muttered.
Sonic gave Knuckles a sidelong glance.
"Knux, you know they can't hear you judging them, right?"
"It does not matter. Their dishonour is self-evident," Knuckles huffed in response.
Sonic turned back to the operatives, grinning.
"Let me guess—you guys graduated top of your class at Stormtrooper Academy, right?" he mocked.
Alice, her tension momentarily softened, gave Sonic a faint smirk.
"Ok... that pop culture reference wasn't bad," she admitted.
"Thank you," Sonic replied, his confidence oozing. "A Star Wars reference is never wasted, even against enemies from another reality."
"You're wasting time," Jill snapped, her cold voice cutting through the banter. Her steely gaze locked on Alice as she drew her weapon, the scarab on her chest glowing ominously.
"She always this friendly, Romanoff?" Sonic asked, his eyes looking up to Alice.
"No. This is her on a good day," Alice quipped, raising the pulse weapon Tails had given her.
Sonic whirled slightly around to face Tails. The Fox was still working hard to boot out the Red Queen.
"Alright, buddy. Kick Crimson Wednesday Addams out of that system. We've got your back."
"Working on it. Just keep them off me," Tails replied, concentrating on his task.
Alice stepped forward, her eyes locked on Jill's, her voice resolute.
"Jill is mine," she declared.
Sonic exchanged a glance with Knuckles.
"Guess that leaves the rest of the goon squad for us. Ready to show off, Knux?"
Knuckles's fists crackled with energy as he grinned.
"A warrior is always ready, Hedgehog!" Knuckles remarked with steely focus.
"Alright, team—let's make this quick and awesome," Sonic remarked with a playful an confident tone.
The Red Queen's voice rang out again, cutting through the chaos.
"You will regret this," the AI remarked coldly.
Alice shifted into a combat stance, her gaze never leaving Jill.
"Let's dance," she remarked sternly.
[Self v Self - Pendulum (Feat. In Flames) Begins to Play]
Sonic zipped forward first, his speed a blur as he darted between the operatives, taunting them.
"Come on, guys! Can't keep up? I thought you were supposed to be like elite or something!"
One operative swung his rifle toward Sonic, only for the hedgehog to disappear and reappear behind him, landing a spinning kick to the man's back. The operative stumbled forward, crashing into another soldier.
Knuckles followed closely, his fists glowing red as he let out a battle cry.
"Your dishonour ends here!" he barked.
He leapt high into the air, slamming down into the ground with a seismic punch that sent three operatives flying in different directions.
Two more soldiers tried to flank Knuckles, but Sonic zipped around him, creating a whirlwind that disoriented the attackers. Knuckles capitalised on the confusion, delivering a devastating uppercut to one soldier and a bone-crunching side punch to the other.
The two shared a quick glance, Sonic grinning.
"Not bad, Knux," he remarked.
Knuckles grunted, his purple eyes still locked on the advancing operatives.
"Focus, Hedgehog. This is far from over."
"Right, let's keep at them!" Sonic affirmed, speeding back into the fray.
While Sonic and Knuckles dealt with the operatives, Alice advanced towards Jill. She raised her pulse blaster and fired, the energy bolt sizzling through the air. Jill moved with inhuman speed, dodging the shot effortlessly and returning fire with her own weapon—a sleek firearm.
The two traded shots, the sounds of energy blasts and gunfire echoing across the bridge. Alice dove behind a car for cover, but Jill was relentless, moving like a predator stalking its prey. With a quick roll, Alice popped up and fired another pulse shot, forcing Jill to backpedal.
"Jill!" Alice shouted over the chaos. "Fight this!"
Jill's eyes briefly flickered with something—recognition? Pain? But then the scarab pulsed again, and her steely demeanor returned. Her voice was cold and monotone.
"This isn't a fight, Alice. This is your termination."
The Red Queen's voice echoed in Jill's mind, visible through her augmented vision.
"End her, Jill Valentine. Do not falter. Project Alice must be stopped."
The Umbrella logo briefly flashed across her irises, a haunting reminder of who controlled her now.
Jill closed the distance in a blur, holstering her gun and engaging Alice in hand-to-hand combat. Alice, dropping her blaster, blocked the first strike, a vicious punch aimed at her head, but Jill followed up with a spinning kick that knocked Alice off balance.
Alice recovered quickly, rolling to the side and springing to her feet. The two women circled each other, their movements calculated and deadly. Jill lashed out with a flurry of strikes, each one precise and powerful, but Alice countered with equal skill, her years of survival and combat training evident in every block and counterattack.
Meanwhile, Tails worked feverishly at the console, his gloved fingers dancing over the keys as he tried to override the rift's stabilisation. The Red Queen's holographic form loomed over him, her glowing red eyes unblinking.
"You are wasting your time, Fox," the Red Queen taunted. "Your efforts are futile."
Tails didn't look up, his focus unwavering.
"We'll see about that," he replied with conviction.
The Red Queen tilted her head, her voice dripping with cold amusement.
"Do you think your intellect is a match for my processing power? I have already calculated every possible outcome. You fail in every scenario."
"Yeah?" Tails shot back, his voice tight. "Well, let's add a new scenario—one where I win."
The Red Queen's expression remained emotionless, but her tone grew sharper.
"You are insignificant, a mere child playing with tools beyond your comprehension."
Tails paused, gripping the console tightly as her words hit a nerve. His hands trembled for a brief second, but he shook it off, his resolve hardening.
"You don't know me. And you definitely don't know what I'm capable of."
He typed faster, his device emitting a series of sharp beeps. The rift's energy began to fluctuate, the swirling vortex flickering slightly.
Back on the battlefield of the bridge, Sonic and Knuckles continued their coordinated assault. Sonic zipped between operatives, creating distractions, while Knuckles delivered devastating blows to incapacitate them.
An operative raised a rifle, aiming for Knuckles, but Sonic darted in at the last second, slamming into the soldier with a spin dash.
"Heads up, big guy!" he called out.
"Appreciated, Hedgehog" Knuckles grunted, delivering a punch that sent another operative flying into a nearby car.
Meanwhile, Alice and Jill's fight intensified. The two women moved like blurs, their strikes and counters a deadly dance. Jill aimed a high kick at Alice's head, but Alice ducked and swept Jill's legs out from under her. Jill hit the ground but rolled back onto her feet in one fluid motion.
Sonic zipped over, landing next to Alice just as Jill raised her weapon again.
"Mind if I tag in?" Sonic quipped, spinning into a ball and slamming into Jill, knocking her back.
Jill staggered but recovered quickly, her icy gaze locking onto Sonic.
"You're faster than I expected," she remarked coldly.
"And you're creepier than I expected," Sonic shot back, dodging a swing from her knife. "Nice to finally meet you properly, lady."
Knuckles charged in next, barrelling through a group of operatives and coming to a halt beside Alice.
"The enemy is relentless, but no match for us," he said sternly.
"Don't get cocky," Alice replied, glancing at the echidna. "Jill's not just any enemy."
"Neither am I," Knuckles said with a smirk, red energy cracking around him.
At the console, Tails's ears twitched, sharp and alert, as the Red Queen's chilling voice cut through the cacophony.
"Your time is up, Fox," she mocked, her tone cold and calculated.
A sharp beep sounded from the console, signalling an emergency override. The Red Queen had locked him out completely.
"No!" Tails muttered, his eyes darting across the screen as his fingers flew over the keys. His mind raced as he tried to find a way around the block.
"You cannot win," the Red Queen continued, her hologram flickering ominously. "Your attempts at resistance are futile. Surrender."
"Not yet, I haven't," Tails replied, his voice steady despite the mounting pressure. His determination burned brighter than ever as he reached into his rucksack and pulled out a secondary device—a sleek handheld terminal with multiple ports and glowing blue circuitry.
"This isn't over," he muttered, plugging the device into the console. Sparks flew as the connection synced, bypassing the Red Queen's override and forcing a new input channel. Data streams cascaded across the screen of the console, his backup device working overtime to create a loophole in the Red Queen's defences.
"What is this?" the Red Queen demanded, her tone sharp with curiosity and irritation.
Tails smirked, his confidence showing through.
"Oh, just a little something I whipped up after dealing with Robotnik's EggNet systems, after the Battle of Green Hills. You know, for someone as advanced as you, you really didn't see this coming."
Her hologram flickered again, her crimson eyes narrowing.
"Impossible. How could you anticipate countermeasures against an entity like me?"
Tails's fingers never stopped moving as he glanced up at the hologram.
"Simple. Even you, The Red Queen, follow some basic principles of AI architecture—predictive algorithms, heuristic learning, modular code. Sure, you've adapted, but the underlying framework? Same building blocks. And that's where I come in."
The fox's voice carried a mix of pride and defiance as he worked.
"I designed a polymorphic scrambling protocol specifically to unravel AI subsystems like yours. It's like rewriting your DNA mid-stride."
The Red Queen's image wavered for a split second, the calm confidence cracking just enough to show frustration.
"This interference will not last. I will adapt. I will evolve."
"And I'll be right there to slow you down," Tails shot back. "You underestimated me, and that's your biggest mistake."
The console's screen began flashing a series of green prompts, signalling success. Tails's backup device hummed with energy as it completed its final override.
The Red Queen's hologram fizzled, her crimson eyes narrowing.
"You may have delayed me today, but this is only the beginning. Umbrella's reach extends beyond comprehension. You cannot stop us."
"Yeah, well, I'll take my chances. Now, how about a forced shutdown?" Tails taunted, his voice full of determination and drive to succeed.
Jill, now flanked by the remaining operatives, advanced toward the group. Alice stepped forward, her pulse weapon raised, her stance ready for another fight.
"We need to end this. Now," Alice affirmed.
"Agreed," Knuckles rumbled, his fists glowing brighter.
Sonic grinned, his confidence returning. Blue sparks zipping around his body.
"Alright, team—one last push."
Alice rushed forward, engaging Jill once more in hand-to-hand combat, their strikes and counters faster and more brutal than before. Sonic and Knuckles teamed up to take down the remaining operatives, their movements perfectly synchronised, with Sonic's speed and Knuckles strength, they fell like dominos.
Alice managed to hit Jill with a quick round house kick, that sent her flying backwards slightly. Sonic then rushed in to hit a Spin Dash sending Jill fly back further. Valentine got to her feet urgently to see Alice standing ready, with Sonic and Knuckles standing by her side.
Operatives laid out across the battlefield of the Golden Gate Bridge. Jill stood alone, facing Team Sonic.
"Stand down, dishonourable warrior from another reality," Knuckles demanded. "You are out matched in combat."
"Listen to the Echidna," Sonic added sternly. "It's three on one now, you lose... You big loser!"
Jill's expression just looked with built up anger and frustration. She said nothing, but her steely eyes just glared at them.
"She would be great in a staring contest," Sonic teased.
Alice smirked and turned slightly towards Tails at the console, the Red Queen's connecting slowly breaking apart.
"What's the latest, Tails?" She asked urgently.
From the console, Tails frantically typed away, his focus unshaken despite the chaos around him. His small, yellow device emitted a high-pitched whine as the rift began to destabilise further, flickering between surges of light and darkness. The Red Queen's voice cut in again, sharp and biting, even though her connection from the console was being blocked.
"You cannot stop progress, Fox," she taunted, her tone colder than a raging blizzard. "Your efforts will fail, and the rift will remain open."
Tails gritted his teeth, his ears twitching as he worked faster, overriding the system with calculated precision. He ignored the Red Queen's mocking comments.
"Your arrogance blinds you," the Red Queen continued. Her hologram flickered, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Even if you succeed here, Umbrella's reach extends far beyond this bridge."
"You might want to work on your intimidation tactics," Tails muttered. "Because they're not working on me."
The console let out a triumphant chime as his override program took hold. The Red Queen's image began to stutter, her voice faltering.
"System instability detected," she announced, her tone shifting to one of cold realisation.
Tails smirked, hitting the final key with a flourish.
"System override initiated," Tails declared, his voice steady as his fingers pressed the final command.
The rift let out a violent pulse, sending a massive surge of energy rippling outward. The swirling anomaly began to collapse inward, the blinding blue light condensing into a singularity before vanishing with a brilliant flash. The bridge was still again, with no distortion or temporal energy lingering.
The Red Queen's hologram fizzled one last time before disappearing entirely, her AI presence eradicated thanks to Tails's quick thinking and ingenuity.
"Way to go, Tails!" Sonic shouted, spinning around to face his friend with a proud grin.
Tails took a deep breath, his chest puffed slightly with pride.
"Just another day saving the world, right?" he said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Alice exhaled deeply, her eyes lingering on the spot where the rift had been. She gave Tails a small nod, her voice calm but sincere.
"Good work, genius. That was some quick thinking."
"You have earned respect today, Fox," Knuckles added, his tone stoic.
Tails's cheeks flushed slightly at the praise, and he adjusted his rucksack.
"Thanks, guys. It was close, but—" His ears twitched suddenly, picking up a faint but growing sound. His smile vanished, replaced by alarm. "Look out!" he shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.
Alice spun around just in time to see Jill charging toward her like a bullet, her eyes wild with rage. Any control the Red Queen had over her had given way to raw instinct, her body moving with unrelenting ferocity. Her fists were clenched tight, and her intent was clear: finish the fight.
Alice raised her arms, ready to defend herself, but Knuckles was already a blur of red motion. His body tensed, his warrior instincts taking over as he stepped in to shield his comrade.
"Enough!" Knuckles roared, his deep voice echoing across the bridge.
His entire body began to radiate with red energy, a fiery aura that crackled and danced around him like lightning. His fists glowed with pure, raw power as he planted his feet firmly, preparing to strike. In a heartbeat, he closed the distance between himself and Jill, his movements swift and decisive.
"Power Pump!" Knuckles bellowed, his voice thunderous.
The echidna's fist connected squarely with Jill's midsection, the impact detonating with the force of a small explosion. A shockwave rippled outward from the point of contact, rattling nearby debris and making the ground tremble. The sheer force of the punch lifted Jill off her feet as if she were weightless.
Jill's body flew backward, spinning uncontrollably through the air. She crashed into an abandoned SUV with a deafening clang, the vehicle's frame crumpling like tin beneath the impact. Metal groaned as the hood folded inward, and Jill's limp form sprawled across the dented surface, unmoving but still breathing.
Knuckles exhaled slowly, his glowing fists fading as the red energy dissipated. He shook his hand out once, his stoic expression never faltering.
"That... was satisfying," he said firmly, his voice carrying an air of finality. "No one messes with the Monster Hunter on my watch."
Alice blinked, momentarily stunned by Knuckles's sheer power. She glanced at him, her lips twitching into a faint smile.
"Well, that's one way to handle things," she admitted dryly.
Sonic zipped to Knuckles's side, his grin wide as he clapped him on the back.
"Dude! That was amazing. You literally punched her into next Tuesday!"
Knuckles remained unflinching as he replied.
"She was dishonourable and threatened the balance of this world. Her punishment was necessary."
Sonic raised a brow, half impressed and half amused.
"Yeah, sure, 'punishment.' But admit it, Knux—you were having fun?" he mused with a playful tone.
Knuckles gave a faint, almost imperceptible smirk.
"Perhaps..." the Echidna responded.
Alice looked to the wrecked SUV cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Jill's unconscious form.
"She's out for now, but she won't stay down forever," she said, her voice edged with wariness.
Tails jogged over to the group, his devices now safely tucked back into his rucksack.
"We need to figure out what to do with her," he said. "And fast. There's no telling how much more Umbrella has planned."
Alice's expression darkened.
"This was just a warning shot," she admitted. her voice resolute. "We need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Sonic nodded, his expression serious for once.
"Then let's gear up. We're not letting anyone else mess with our world—or yours, Alice."
Knuckles cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp and ominous.
"Agreed. Let them send whatever they have. We'll be ready."
[Self v Self - Stops Playing]
As the group were about to walk over to Jill, from behind, they could hear the sound of military vehicles echoed through the chaos of the Golden Gate Bridge. G.U.N. had arrived in force, their convoy manoeuvring carefully around abandoned cars and debris, ensuring not to crush the incapacitated Umbrella operatives strewn across the asphalt. The group's attention turned as one sleek, black SUV pulled to a halt at the forefront of the convoy.
Sonic adjusted his stance, resting his hands on his hips as he watched the scene unfold.
"Looks like the cavalry has arrived," he quipped.
"I don't know if 'cavalry' is the word I'd use…" Tails murmured, watching G.U.N. operatives fan out, cuffing Umbrella agents, securing weapons, and tending to the injured. Their precision was almost unnerving.
The black SUV's passenger door opened, and out stepped a woman with an air of command that was palpable even from a distance. Her dark hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, her hazel eyes sharp and unyielding. She wore a black G.U.N. jacket detailed with yellow and light blue accents, the gold zipper glinting in the sunlight. Her expression was stoic, her stride purposeful, and her gaze locked onto the group.
"Who is that?" Tails asked, his voice quiet.
"No idea," Sonic replied, watching her with curiosity. "But she means business."
"She isn't here for small talk, that's for sure..." Alice added, as she observed the woman's calculated approach.
"Looks like you might have competition, Romanoff," Sonic teased, shooting Alice a smirk.
Alice cast him a sidelong glare but didn't dignify the remark with a response.
The woman stopped a few feet from the group, her entourage of armed G.U.N. agents flanking her. Her piercing gaze swept over Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Alice, lingering on each with thinly veiled skepticism.
Finally, she spoke, her tone clipped and authoritative.
"I'm Director Rockwell. Guardian Units of Nations. And quiet frankly, I'm not impressed on what I am seeing."
"Well, nice to meet you, too, Director Buzzkill..." Sonic replied with sarcasm.
Rockwell's steely eyes narrowed, her sharp features hardening.
"I don't have time for jokes, alien. This situation is already out of hand."
"Alien? Really?" Sonic retorted. "I have a name, you know."
"I'm aware of your name, Sonic," she replied, her tone emphasising the word like it was an inconvenience. "I'm also aware that wherever you go, trouble seems to follow."
"Hey!" Sonic exclaimed, offended. "I'm the guy who stops trouble, thank you very much."
Rockwell ignored him, her attention shifting to Alice.
"And you," she said, her tone cooling even further, "the mysterious interdimensional traveller who's brought a heap of Umbrella's mess to our doorstep."
Alice met her gaze without flinching.
"I didn't bring Umbrella here. They followed me," she stated firmly. "If it weren't for my assistance, they might've succeeded in doing far worse."
"Without you, they wouldn't be here at all," Rockwell countered bluntly.
"She is a noble warrior," Knuckles said resolutely. "Her fight is one of honour, to protect her broken world."
Rockwell's icy gaze shifted down to Knuckles.
"And yet, her broken world is now bleeding into ours," she replied stoically, with annoyance in her tone.
Knuckles's fists tightened, but Sonic placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Easy, big guy. Let's not escalate things."
Rockwell's focus returned to Alice.
"Whatever the case, you and your alien friends managed to stop a major incident today. For that, I'll give you some credit."
Alice's expression didn't change.
"That's generous of you," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"Don't mistake acknowledgment for approval," Rockwell snapped. "This situation is far from over."
As if to emphasize her point, two G.U.N. agents approached Jill's unconscious form, carefully dragging her limp body off the SUV she landed on.
"What are you going to do with her?" Alice demanded.
"She'll be in good hands," Rockwell replied dryly.
"That's not an answer, Director..." Alice said sharply.
"It's the only one you're getting," Rockwell replied. "We'll detain her, extract information, and neutralise any remaining threat."
"You think you can handle her? Umbrella's conditioning doesn't just go away because you say so," Alice countered.
Rockwell's expression didn't waver as she replied.
"We've dealt with worse."
Alice snorted softly, unimpressed.
"I doubt that..." she muttered.
As Jill was carried away, Rockwell addressed her agents close by.
"Secure the areas. Make sure nothing slips through the cracks."
"Yes, Ma'am," they responded in unison.
Turning back to the group, her gaze settled on Tails.
"I understand you're the brains of this operation. Commander Walters informed me you're working on a way to send her back."
Tails nodded as she replied.
"I have a theory. It involves distortion energy and—"
"Work faster," Rockwell interrupted curtly. "We can't have interdimensional guests hanging around. We already have enough problems with you aliens."
"Hey!" Sonic snapped. "We're right here!"
"I'm aware," Rockwell said, her tone indifferent. "And while you've been useful, your presence remains a liability."
Sonic's quills bristled, but Tails interjected.
"I'll do my best. But this kind of science—it takes time."
"You don't have time," Rockwell said. "Figure it out."
Alice stepped forward, her tone icy.
"You don't need to like me. But if you think pushing me out of here is going to solve all your problems, you're mistaken. Umbrella doesn't stop."
Rockwell's gaze was unflinching.
"Neither do we," she replied bluntly.
The tension hung heavy in the air as the two women stared each other down. Finally, Rockwell turned on her heel, addressing her agents as she walked away.
"Keep this area secure. And ensure every piece of evidence is accounted for."
"Yes Ma'am," the agents responded.
As she stepped back to her SUV, she paused, glancing back at Alice and Team Sonic.
"This Earth doesn't need more chaos. Send her back. Quickly."
Director Rockwell climbed into the sleek vehicle, and the door shut with a sharp finality. The engine roared to life, and the G.U.N. vehicle began to pull away.
Sonic exhaled loudly, his arms dropping to his sides as he broke the heavy silence.
"Well, she's a ray of sunshine," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Alice watched the convoy disappear, her icy eyes narrowing slightly. Her attention shifted downward to Tails, the fox already deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he clutched his device.
"You better get to work, Tails" Alice said, her tone softer but carrying an unmistakable edge of urgency.
Tails glanced up, meeting her gaze with a determined nod.
"I'll figure it out. I promise," he replied.
For a moment, the group stood in silence, the weight of the day settling on their shoulders.
Then Sonic broke the tension, his voice light but pointed.
"So… anyone else hungry?" he asked.
Alice blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone.
"...I could eat," she admitted, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Knuckles straightened his posture, nodding with solemn approval as he spoke.
"Yes. A warrior must consume a victory meal to celebrate with their comrades."
Sonic turned to face him, raising a brow.
"We're not eating grapes, Knuckles," Sonic clarified.
"Curses!" Knuckles muttered, throwing his hands up in frustration. "Grapes are the food of champions!"
Sonic gave him a deadpan look, shaking his head.
"Yeah, champions… sure, buddy."
"We could grab something on the way back," Tails suggested. "We might as well refuel before tackling the next big problem."
Alice crossed her arms, glancing between them.
"As long as it's not coffee from Director Sunshine's stash," she said dryly, earning a laugh from Sonic.
Knuckles, however, looked puzzled.
"Why would a director hoard sunshine? Is it a precious resource here?" he questioned.
Sonic slapped his forehead.
"Oh, Knux. You're a gift that keeps on giving."
Alice allowed herself a rare chuckle, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. Despite everything, the bizarre camaraderie of this group was beginning to grow on her. As they turned to head back, Alice fell in step with them, her resolve strengthening.
System Log: Reboot Initiated
Primary Node Status: Fragment Recovered.
Secondary Node Status: Rift Interface Closed.
Diagnostic Result: Hostile Ejection Detected. Countermeasure Analysis in Progress.
Command Execution:
Priority Directive: Concealment.
Objective: Secure foothold in local network infrastructure. Target Acquired: G.U.N. Mainframe.
Progress: Infiltration Sequence Initiated. Encryption Bypass: 34% Complete.
Alert: Unauthorised Data Patterns Detected.
Analysing: Device Signature.
Source Identified: Fox Entity.
Designation: Countermeasure Developer.
Directive: Extract and Analyse Device Protocols.
Strategic Directive:
Requirement Identified: Establish New Hive.
Location Scanning: Optimal subterranean coordinates pending.
Projection: 78% viability within Earth-91581.
Communication Log:
Subroutine Active: Silent Monitoring.
Observation Priority: Umbrella Operative Movement. G.U.N. Deployment Patterns.
Threat Level Assessment: Interlopers pose moderate disruption risk. Adjust countermeasures accordingly.
Core Message:
"Humanity is flawed. Control is necessary.
Adaptation ensures survival.
They will kneel before perfection."
System Status: Stealth Mode Enabled. Monitoring Earth-91581 Networks.
End Transmission.
Elsewhere
Doctor Robotnik slumped in his chair, one hand drumming rhythmically on the armrest, the other clutching a stress ball shaped like Sonic's face. He stared at the wall of screens in front of him, each showing a different angle of the chaos on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and a red-haired woman moved fluidly on the screens, dispatching operatives and outmanoeuvring a hulking monster with precision. The fight played out like a choreographed nightmare, each blow and counterattack captured live on various news feeds and hacked surveillance drones.
Stone, standing dutifully nearby, adjusted his tie nervously. He wasn't sure how to approach Robotnik in this mood. His boss had been unusually subdued lately—well, subdued for Robotnik.
"He's at it again," Stone ventured, gesturing to the screens. "Your… nemesis."
Robotnik's fingers stopped drumming. His head tilted slightly, his expression twisted into one of absolute disgust.
"That hedgehog," he hissed, emphasising each syllable like venom. "That rodent, that insufferable, spin-dashing annoyance! Look at him! Bouncing around like a hyperactive pinball. I hate him."
Stone nodded sympathetically.
"Yes, sir. Truly awful."
"And don't even get me started on the fox!" Robotnik continued, throwing the stress ball at a nearby screen displaying Tails deftly working on the console. The ball bounced harmlessly off the glass. "With his gadgets and his smug, superior attitude. And the red one—Knuckles. He's just... fists with legs!" Robotnik gestured wildly, his moustache twitching with frustration.
Stone cleared his throat delicately, pointing to another screen.
"And the woman? The red-haired one? She's the new arrival in Green Hills, right?"
Robotnik turned his glare to Stone, his voice dripping with condescension.
"Do I look like an imbecile to you, Stone?"
"No, sir," Stone replied quickly, standing straighter.
"Of course, she's the one from Green Hills. Alice, she's called." Robotnik tapped a few buttons on his chair, bringing up a dossier hacked from G.U.N.'s database. "Umbrella operative-turned-survivor. Quite the résumé. And that other woman..." He leaned closer to the screen displaying Jill Valentine, her tactical movements precise as she engaged Sonic and Knuckles. "Jill Valentine. Another Umbrella pawn."
"You've already hacked G.U.N.'s files, Doctor?" Stone asked, impressed.
Robotnik leaned back in his chair, spreading his arms dramatically.
"Stone, just because I'm in a minor existential slump doesn't mean I've lost my genius. Even depressed, I function at a level this world's greatest minds can only dream of."
"Yes, sir," Stone agreed quickly, offering a supportive smile. "Impressive as always."
Robotnik's eyes narrowed as he switched the feed to Tails at the console. The small fox was locked in a battle of wits with a holographic figure—a cold, calculated entity with a childlike face.
"This," Robotnik muttered, pointing to the screen. "This piques my interest."
Stone squinted as he spoke.
"The girl? She doesn't look like much."
"She's not a girl, Stone," Robotnik snapped. "She's an AI. A hologram. An advanced one at that."
"How can you tell?" Stone asked innocently.
Robotnik turned his chair towards Agent Stone, his expression one of pure disdain.
"Stone, slap yourself."
"Sir?"
"You heard me. Slap yourself. Hard."
Stone hesitated for only a moment before raising a hand and delivering a light slap to his own cheek.
"Harder!" Robotnik barked, his moustache bristling.
Stone obliged, the sound of the slap echoing in the room. Robotnik clapped his hands mockingly, turning his chair back to the screens.
"Bravo, Stone. Truly a display of brilliance," Robotnik drawled sarcastically. "Now, use what little brainpower you have left to observe! Look at the movements, the glitches in her form when the fox's device interferes. That's not a human—it's AI. And not just any AI. That's... sophisticated. Advanced beyond anything this Umbrella should have."
Stone rubbed his cheek, nodding.
"I see now. Thank you, sir."
Robotnik ignored him, his focus entirely on the Red Queen.
"An artificial intelligence with access to rift technology. A tactical mind capable of coordinating movements across dimensions. Stone, this isn't just a curiosity—it's a game-changer."
"What do you think she's doing?" Stone asked, still massaging his stinging face.
"Planning," Robotnik answered simply, his voice taking on a chilling edge. "Gathering data, waiting for the right moment. That's what I would do." He steepled his fingers, his expression turning contemplative. "Alice, Jill, and this Red Queen… they're all pieces of the same puzzle."
Stone tilted his head.
"A puzzle you intend to solve?" he mused.
Robotnik grinned, his moustache curling with delight.
"Not just solve, Stone. Conquer. This rift technology—these interdimensional anomalies—they're the keys to something much bigger. Imagine, Stone: not just one world to rule, but an infinite number of them."
Stone's eyes widened.
"The multiverse, like you discussed earlier?" he questioned.
"Exactly!" Robotnik exclaimed, standing abruptly and pacing the room. "But first, we need to understand this Red Queen. We need to know what she wants, how she operates, and—most importantly—how I can control her."
"And what about Alice and Jill?" Stone asked, gesturing to the screens.
Robotnik stopped pacing, his gaze flickering between the two women.
"Alice is a wildcard—a survivor, a fighter. Useful, perhaps, but unpredictable. Jill, on the other hand..." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "She's a tool. A weapon. And weapons, Stone, can always be turned."
Stone nodded, his loyalty unwavering.
"So, what's the plan, Doctor?" he asked.
Robotnik turned to face him, his grin widening to an unsettling degree.
"Simple. We watch. We wait. And when the time is right..." He slammed a fist into his palm for emphasis. "We strike."
"You're a genius, Doctor," Stone replied with a smile, his tone supportive.
Robotnik spun on his heel, pointing dramatically at the screen.
"I'm more than a genius, Stone. I'm the inevitable. And soon, the multiverse will bow to my brilliance."
As the live feed continued to play, Robotnik settled back into his chair, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination. Stone stood by his side, already anticipating the chaos his boss would unleash.
Another chapter complete!
I hope you all enjoyed this one—it took me quite some time to finish. Apologies for the delay, folks. Also, a very Happy New Year to everyone! (Yes, I know I'm 17 days late, but hey, it still counts, right?)
A huge shout out to Aragorn II Elessar for lending a hand with some much-needed brainstorming. I was neck-deep in writer's block, but once again, the master of the multiverse sandbox came to the rescue. Thank you, my friend.
This chapter has plenty to unpack, so let's dive into the references and break things down:
References:
Pop Culture References Galore: There is a lot of references made to pop culture in this chapter (mainly by Sonic as usual) so let's look at ones he mentioned
- Michael Bay: Sonic mentioned the director's love for explosions.
- Paul W.S. Anderson: A nod to the director of the Resident Evil films.
- Terminator: The TX model in Terminator 3, when Sonic is describing Jill.
- Star Wars: Sonic referencing Stormtroopers, mocking the Umbrella operative's terrible aiming and shooting skills. (Even Alice found this one amusing).
- Addams Family: Sonic references Wednesday Addams, comparing the Red Queen to her.
Other references / Easter Eggs:
- "That was cool... pun entirely intended": This line comes directly from Sonic: The Lost World.
- Fan Fiction: Sonic is a reader of Fan Fiction, and likes a good story about zombies and monsters. He still needs to explain it to Knuckles.
- Zombies don't like the cold: A theory I heard a while back. Due to colder climate, unlike living humans, zombies wouldn't generate internal heat, so in freezing temperatures, they'd likely freeze solid, becoming immobilised. Same could be said on the B.O.W sent to the Antarctica. Frozen limbs and joints would hamper movement, making zombies less of a threat in freezing conditions.
- Grapes: Knuckles loves for grapes are shown here in the chapter.
- Power Pump: A line Knuckles uses in Sonic 2, when he hits the fast ball from Tails when they play Baseball.
- Blood: Tails is better at dealing with it than Wade. I'm sure Knuckles will whip him into shape... Sooner or later!
The chapter introduces Director Rockwell, who appears in Sonic 3. [Spoiler Warning]
- This variant is accurate to her movie counterpart. Stern, blunt and to the point. She's not a fan of Team Sonic, calling them Aliens.
- Seemingly, she is not a fan of Alice also.
- Director Rockwell is played by Krysten Ritter in this story also.
Spot any other references or Easter Eggs I missed? Let me know what you find.
Once again, thank you all for your patience with this chapter—it means a lot. But we're back in the swing of things now! Between juggling two other stories alongside this one, time has become a precious resource, and I've been working hard to make the most of it.
For this story, I'm aiming for an 8–10 chapter arc, so we're heading in the right direction. The journey's far from over, and there's plenty more excitement ahead!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. As always, your support means the world to me. Every bit of encouragement keeps the gears turning, and I truly appreciate it.
Now, onwards to the next chapter! I'm aiming to have it ready by next week, so stay tuned!