Chapter Fourteen – Homeward Bound
In between all this, the Tanuki was still being sweet and cosy with a certain Human, whom he was planning on make a lot of money out of. He'd invited Eggman there too. His company had been constructing an Ultimate Energy Engine, which gains power from teamwork. Intending it for philanthropic use, Dodon Pa had been using the races to gather research data for the engine and generate energy to power it. Upon hearing about the Human, Dodon Pa had changed his mind, and now, on completion, he was planning on selling it to Eggman.
The negotiated deal, was worth millions, and was a retirement fund for Dodon Pa. What Eggman did with his machine, he didn't care, so long as he got his money. But having the Human enter the races himself did complicate matters, as well as the racers lack of trust of him. But that second Blue Hedgehog? He growled, throughly regretting getting him involved, greedy for his potential power. Up to this point, Dodon Pa had successfully kept Eggman largely away from the other racers, the the Human unaware of events out of the track. He did race, but at very specific times picked by the Tanuki. When fewer people would be about, with less hassle.
But the Light Cycle could make him a fortune if he copied and then perfected the technology. All he had to do, was get his hands on it. Thankfully, by morning, his loyal scrounger came through, carrying a very mundane, but incredibly special baton, in his hand. Finally, the bike was his. To say the Sorcerer was the King of Stealth was an understatement, as the loyal scrounger had to ask for help to find him, and it took the combined but absolutely silent effort of over fifty people to finally locate him.
He was fast asleep in the most obscure place possible, right next to the Ultimate Lifeform, of all people. They had secretly had a intense night of passion, the Sorcerer telepathic blowing Shadow's brains out, knocking him out in the process. But removing the baton from his back quills without waking him, took both a steady hand and nerves of steel. Unfortunately, for the Sorcerer, Sukko had dropped, like a ton of brick, and was sleeping so deeply, that the hordes of people which should have activated his Telepathy, unfortunately, didn't. Sukko didn't realise the bike was gone, until morning, as Shadow left for the races. Immediately, he swore and hard, his temper flaring. But then he heaved, not surprised, suspecting who might have stolen it. But he smirked, as his Telepathy just exploded as the entire world finally came into view, as it had taken several days to kick in properly, and the real truth came to the surface. So he decided to just wait, and see how events played out. Regardless, taking the baton from Sukko, didn't actually achieve anything. Only the Sorcerer himself, could activate the bike, and reveal the secrets of the Light Cycle.
Dodon Pa's plan of new cars and equipment for all the racers, this time with no catches, worked, and the Grand Prix was successfully saved, and by the afternoon, the racing was back on again. There was a lot a mumblings, but with Dodon Pa holding the key to them getting home, so they didn't really have much of a choice. But Sonic growled.
"Fine, but any more funny stuff, and we're leaving, regardless of you." He hissed. But Dodon Pa sniggered.
"You don't have the means." He hissed, but Sonic growled.
"So you say." He spat, rather convolutedly, as he ran off, confusing the Tanuki. Sonic knew they could actually get home. Sukko. The Sorcerer definitely had the power, and had already organised a route to Mobius, for everyone, in an emergency. But the Blue Blur had stopped him from pulling everyone out, unless it got too dangerous again, of which Sukko would over rule him. But Sonic was intensely curious as to where all this was leading. What was the Tanuki's plan, and where was Eggman in all this? He'd seen the Human about, and being rather cosy with Dodon Pa.
But as the Ultimate Energy Engine was now ready, in a building, well away from the main racetrack, the Eggman and the Tanuki, met up, for their final meeting. They were in the main factory plant of Dodon Pa's company. Unfortunately, as the Human arrived, he immediately noticed Sukko's Light Cycle baton being examined, as the workers desperately tried and failed to get the machine to activate and work. He gulped in pure fright, knowing exactly whom it belonged to. He'd seen being used by said person, and had even stolen it himself, in the past, to try and steal the technology. He'd failed but regardless, it meant just one simple thing. That the Sorcerer was there, on-planet, and that changed everything.
Eggman remembered their last meeting as Sukko struggled to wipe the Human's memories. The fight with the Time Eater, and the Human had been left incredibly wary of the Sorcerer every since. Unfortunately, Eggman had no idea of Sukko's involvement in the Great War, with the Phantom Ruby, which had entirely been by design. If he did, the outcome might have been very different. With that much control of the planet, at the time, he would have definitely told the Mobian Authorities of the Sorcerer or killed him himself. But the Human just didn't know, and with Sukko a no show, throughout the entire world war. Eggman genuinely forgot all about him, concentrating solely on the Blue Blur. A mistake that cost him the war. Truthfully, he was a fool.
But nowadays, after such a major defeat, Eggman was a coward. He knew the family had Magic, but daren't, to actually sell them out, to the Mobian Authorities. At the speeds, he knew both the twins could work at, they'd outright destroy him, long before the Mobian Authorities would found them, especially with Shadow on side. They'd disintegrate everything. Every base, every robot, especially left over from the Great War, the Ultimate Lifeform almost certainly killing him. He just wouldn't survive. But Eggman knew there was something going on between the three of them. But as to what, he had no idea, as the twins had successfully collared the Ultimate Lifeform, him now extremely loyal to them, especially the Sorcerer.
But Eggman was well aware that getting the Ultimate Energy Engine off this planet, and back to Mobius, would result a fight. One that he'd planned for, as the engine would guarantee him success at world domination again, back home, better then the Phantom Ruby. But against one Blue Hedgehog, yes, it was doable, but against two, no, and Eggman was now rapidly changing his mind, actually valuing his own life. As Dodon Pa greeted him, Eggman roared in pure anger.
"What's your game, Tanuki?" He blasted. But Dodon Pa looked shocked, having no idea what the Human was talking about. He blinked.
"What do you mean?" He stammered, as Eggman stormed across the factory floor, and brutally snatched up the Light Cycle baton. The Tanuki squealed, in protest. "Hey, that's mine." He stammered. But Eggman growled, holding the baton in his hand, the Human roared with pure anger.
"Don't lie to me." He hissed. "I know this machine. There's only one in existence, and whom it belongs to, and it's not you. The Sorcerer is here, and that changes everything." He blasted. He seen the Sorcerer ride the Light Cycle during their infamous date, as he used to transport a very drunk Eggman around. Now without a guaranteed line of sight to victory, the Human knew it was now no longer worth it. He scowled at Dodon Pa. "The deals off. I'm leaving." He hissed, storming out of the factory, taking the Light Cycle baton with him.
The Tanuki outright panicked, and runs after the Human, but no amount of persuasion was going change anything, as Eggman got back in his racing car, as Dodon Pa just growled at him.
"But you can't leave. I hold the keys to all the doors." He spat, having full control of all electronic portals on and off his kingdom. But the Human just laughed at him, looking down at the baton. It was his ticket home, as he smirked at the Tanuki.
"Oh, do you, indeed." He hissed. "You know nothing, Tanuki." He spat, and he just turned tail on the host, and left, storming back towards the race track and the others. As Sonic and his friends were racing, Eggman storms out on the track, waving his hands, from his vehicle, grinding the entire event to a halt. There was confused looks everywhere, until finally Sonic approached the Human, stopping his car close to him. The Blue Blur frowned.
"What do you want, Egg-Head?" He hissed. But Eggman immediately rounded on him.
"Where's you brother, we're leaving." He demanded, to the complete shock of everyone. Sonic gulped.
"What?" He stammered, but Eggman growled.
"Dodon Pa. That damn Tanuki has played me for a fool, and you guys, idiots." He blasted. Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind the Human that made him jump a mile, as no one saw the Sorcerer appear. He smirked extremely coldly.
"So, no longer interested in buying the Ultimate Energy Engine?" He hissed, cause the Human to squeal in pure fright. This surprised many, as few people knew of this. Eggman heaved at Sukko, not phased in the slighted that the Sorcerer knew this. He panted, hard.
"No. I knew that getting it home would result in an enormous battle. I'd planned for it. But against one Blue Rat, yeah, it was workable, but against two, no, it's suicide." He spat. Sukko growled, extremely hard, as the ground and air around them, deeply rumbling with his anger, as he took huge offence, this time, at being called a 'Rat'. But Sonic stopped him, getting out of the car, and putting his hand across him, holding him back. He smirked and hard, as the twins stood together, as an extremely strong, united front.
"Well, your not wrong, Eggman." He hissed. "But I think Dodon Pa wildly underestimated us. He brought my brother here, purely out of greed, to try and push me further on the track, out of a simple 'sibling rivalry'. Except it backfired, beautifully on him. Sukko, as my exact opposite, doesn't race, and by his reputation alone, has completely destroyed the his plans." He added. Eggman nodded, staring down the Sorcerer, still utterly terrified.
"But regardless. I'm done here." He spat. Suddenly, the thrusted the Light Cycle baton towards Sukko, his hand still shaking. "Sorcerer, I know you've worked out a way to get home. Your powerful enough. Therefore, I wish to exchange the bike, for safe passage." He stammered. Sukko blinked, somewhat astonished, not expecting that, at all. Eggman somehow managing to bypass his Telepathy, by asking for something so out of character. Sukko just looked at Sonic, confused. But the Human was frightened, and that changed people. Suddenly, the Blue Blur noticed in the distance, Dodon Pa and hordes of followers were coming, potentially to stop them from leaving. He rounded on his twin, and nodded. It was literally now or never. He growled, jumping back in his car.
"Do it." He ordered. Time to leave, as Sukko nodded and grabbed the baton, stuffing back into his quills and ran out into the centre of the track, his brother flooring the throttle of his car, after him, as he got back in. Dodon Pa had promised they could keep the cars. So now, they were taking them anyway, regardless of what the Tanuki did. Sukko was well aware of all this, as the twins had been spending days, secreting organising their exit. That had originally planned to leave Eggman behind, but now, his admission, and subsequent return of the Light Cycle, had indeed bought him safe passage home.
Sukko then jumped off the ground, and took to the air, activating his Super-Flight, as his eyes glowed a deep bright blue. He sent huge quantities of Magic to his hands, and clawed fingered, where bright blue spheres of pure vapour-like luminescent hue gathered there. Pushing the Magic further, Sukko allowed himself to almost enter Super Form, as he his entire jet black coat turned a stunning silver, glowing hard. Suddenly, he put his hands in front of him, his wrists together, his finger spread out like a flower again, bringing the two orbs of Magic merged, as he aimed ahead of him. Everyone baited their breath, as the Magic grew. It exploded from Sukko, as streams from his hands, towards to the now newly forming portal ahead of him.
A enormous, inter-dimensional deep purple portal. It was large and circular, a white ring, with a purple / navy swirling centre, and a very foreboding exit. But to Sonic, he glimpse a very familiar looking planet the other side, he just floored his car, and without a moment's hesitation, just drove straight through the portal, which was at ground level. Everyone was utterly gobsmacked, at the sheer power being displayed here. They panicked but without much of a choice, they all immediately followed the Blue Blur, including the Human, the Sorcerer holding the portal open for them. Once everyone was through, their memories being wiped of him, as usual, as they went. Everyone remembering a different series of events at the races. Except on Eggman, as the cast never worked on him, and Shadow and Tails, as they were family, as well as Knuckles, now trusted with the secrets. Sukko then finally dropped the power, allowing the gateway home to begin to close. But the Tanuki growled, ordering his hordes to capture the Sorcerer, but Sukko got there first.
Powerfully casting, he sent both his hands skywards, balls of Magic within them, he touched his two middle fingers under his thumb but keeping the other two straightened, on each hand and immediately an extremely fast, bright blue lightning strikes came out of nowhere. Hundreds of them, came reigning from the heavens, out of nowhere, as Dodon Pa and his follows just scattered on pure fright. They may have been illusions but even fake lightning could kill if enough power was behind it, and with Sukko you took that as a given.
The Sorcerer's anger flared at the Tanuki, and wanting to make sure that he never saw Dodon Pa again, Sukko expanded out his lightning, and attacked every single electronic portal generator in the kingdom. He completely fried them to the point at all information about Mobius was lost, ensuring the Tanuki never returned. Then out of spite, and simply because he could, Sukko then sent his lightning towards the main electricity generator and plunged the whole kingdom, including the racetrack into darkness, grinding everything to a halt.
Dodon Pa's jaw dropped, as he watched the Sorcerer, wave him farewell, and then flip backwards through the closing portal, as both he and it, suddenly, vanished without a trace. The Tanuki panicked, but then heaved. He was done for, having been out gunned and out manoeuvred by the incredibly powerful, yet supremely intelligent Blue Hedgehog, the phenomenal power behind the throne of the somewhat mundane Hero, and the Tanuki couldn't even follow him. Dodon Pa growled, as he now understood the Human's fear of him. He scowled, kicking himself for completely underestimating the Sorcerer. Just because the twins were identical, he mistakingly believed they were same. Oh, how wrong Dodon Pa was.
Well played, Sorcerer. Well played.