Freedom Fighter X Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The First Emerald

"So this phenomenon called Chaos Control opened a portal through time and space and sent you all here? I think I understand that." Chris said but still seemed confused. "But I still don't get these Chaos Emeralds you keep talking about."
He was speaking with Tails, Amy and Rotor with his grandpa sitting in a chair behind him. Sonic was laying in the windowsill and Sally was sitting on the floor directly below him leaned against the wall, sleeping off the last of her injury thanks to the power ring.
"You don't have Chaos Emeralds here?" Tails asked surprised at that bit of news. "I guess we got allot to teach ya then."
That was when Amy took over. "The Chaos Emeralds are mystical gems that hold unlimited power. Each one holds a special property unique to it, one can heal almost any ailment for example, so you could only imagine what someone can do with all seven"
"Has that ever happened before?" Chris asked curiously.
"Yeah, me and Sonic gathered them twice before Eggman could a few years ago." Tails said as he began to explain. "Both Times Sonic was able to use them to transform into a super powerful being but we don't know the extent of its power because he only used it to take out the Death Egg and he would turn back to normal afterwards and the Emeralds would scatter all over the planet again. Eggman had all of them too before we got here but Sonic trashed his machine before he could us them."
"Well I highly doubt they'll ever be gathered again because they seemed to have vanished." Chuck added his two cents of pessimism.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Sonic argued as he let an arm dropped down to rub his fingers through Sally's autumn red hair, an act that made the chipmunk smile gently in her sleep. Seeing this Amy shot up with an angry look on her face and stomped out of the room and slammed the door on her way out which startled Sally awake.
"What happened?" Sally yawned out as she stretched out the sleep from her body, her soreness now completely gone.
"I was rubbing your head without thinking and it pissed Amy off." Sonic explained with a bit of awkwardness in his voice.
A somewhat annoyed expression came Sally's face and she stood up, straitening her shirt and jacket once she did. "It's been nearly a week of this. Every time she catches us in a moment she has to ruin it and make things awkward! I think its time I had that talk with her." She declared before she walked out the room after Amy.
"So…uh, you were saying, Sonic?" Chuck said trying to return to the subject as hand and to dispel the awkward atmosphere Amy created.
"Huh? Oh yeah…well you see, the Emeralds used to appear only in small dimensions called Special Zones but recently they've started appearing in the real world. Now every time their brought together they scatter and you never know when they might reappear." He finished his explanation.
"So they could still be out there somewhere." Chris concluded.
"Exactly." Sonic said with a thumbs up.
"But we have no idea where they'd be or how to locate them." Chuck argued his point. "For all we know their still on your planet."
"I have to agree with Chuck here." Rotor agreed somewhat reluctantly. "I mean, we've been here for days and Antoine has yet to appear. If he got left on Mobius then odd are at least one of the Chaos Emeralds might've too."
"We have to be positive here Rote!" Tails exclaimed adjusting his goggles determinedly. "You and I can make a radar to track them and we'll get home in no time!"
"That's the spirit T2!" Sonic praised his little bro.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Sally had just reached the living room down stairs and she saw no sign of Amy. "Now where did she get off too?" She thought, scratching her head. She noticed Bunnie playing with her little cousin Cream on the couch and went to ask them. "Bunnie, have you seen Amy? I need to talk with her."
The two rabbits paused their game and gave Sally a look. "Sho did Sally-girl, we saw 'er stomp outtah here like a mad bull." Bunnie replied looking somewhere between concerned and annoyed with the pink hedgehog's attitude.
"Is Amy okay Miss Sally? She looked really upset." Creamed asked with nothing but concern for her best friend.
Sally smiled and gave the girl a gentle rub between her gigantic ears. "Nothing for you to worry about sweetie. Can you tell me were she went?" She asked politely.
"We saw her go outside to the backyard, she's been sitting on the edge of the little pool since then." Cream answered hoping Amy will be alright.
"Thank you Cream." Sally gave her gratitude and was about to go out the glass slider to the backyard when Bunnie stopped.
"Hold on Sugah-Sal, Ah don't think it's a good idea ta talk with 'er right now. As mad as she looked Ah don't think she'll listen ta to ya and she might even start a fight." Bunnie warned.
"Well what am I supposed to do Buns?" Sally asked frustrated. "We've been on this planet for a full week and ever sense Amy and Rotor joined us Amy has been acting like a petulant child every time me and Sonic try to have a moment around her and I'm getting sick of it."
That was when Cream spoke up. "Miss Sally, Amy has been trying to get Sonic's attention for a very long time, and this whole time she never knew you and Sonic were already a couple. I think she's really hurt and confused right now." Cream said in defense and concern for her friend.
"Sugah-Cream's right Sally-Girl" Bunnie agreed as she ruffled Cream fur between her ears with her organic making the young rabbit giggle. "Give Rosy more time to work things out and clam down. Then you can have your talk with her."
Sally crossed her arms and let out a deep frustrated sigh. She looked out the door and saw Amy staring at pool water angrily with tears in her eyes. "Fine, I'll give her more time. But if things don't improve soon I'm going to give her a piece of my mind." She promised before she decide to join the two cousins.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Amy looked down at her reflection in the crystal clear pool angrily as she sat on it edge, her bare feet dipped in the water and she was so mad even her toed were clenched.
"I can't believe that…that bitch!" Amy growled to herself. "I have been trying to get Sonic's attention for years and then that prissy chipmunk drops out of the sky and without even trying get Sonic wrapped around her little finger! It's not fair!" Frustrated tears were beginning to well up in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. To her that would be like admitting defeat.
"What does she have that I don't?" She asked herself. "And I'm a hedgehog just like him! I should be more attractive to him by default! And he's saved me so much how could we not be meant for each other?"
As she descended into her thoughts she didn't notice Sally watching her briefly from the glass slider door.
-Freedom Fighters X-
At a construction site a worker was operating an excavator and digging up part of the grounds. No one noticed a small green gem falling from the shovel and landing back into the disturbed earth.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile on Airforce 1, the president (who looked like George Bush if he was dropped into a vat of lard) was in a meeting with his advisers.
"Mr. President?" Advisor 1 began whilst adjusting his glasses. "Our agents have confirmed at that the mutants have all gathered and are living in a relatively isolated residence in Station Square, and Dr. Robotnik alias Eggman has built a base on an island somewhere in the southern sea."
"Well then what are we waiting for!?" President Not-Bush (I'm to lazy to come up with a name) exclaimed. "I want them captured immediately!"
"With all due respect, sir." Adviser 2 pushed in. "I think it would be more prudent if we observed their behavior first before we make out move."
Not-Bush growled indignantly but agreed. "Fine, but you better take special care with this Eggman menace!"
"We've already sent agents to the area. We'll be sure to keep you posted on any suspicious activity."
"And the animals?"
"We have our agents watching them to, and we have one undercover to observe the boy."
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile at an elementary school Chris was sitting at a desk with his two friends Frances and Danny who were speaking animatedly about a certain blue hedgehog and redhead chipmunk.
"That hedgehog thing is so fast I bet they'll never catch 'em!" Danny exclaimed excitedly to Frances.
"And that chipmunk girl was so cool! I bet she could beat up anyone who tries to catch her!" the ginger girl replied back with equal excitement. She then turned to Chris. "What do you think Chris?"
"Huh?" Chris responded intelligently until he remembered what they were talking about. "Oh, I don't know…"
It was then that the principle entered the room with a man they never seen before. He was tall and blond with glasses.
"Students I have an announcement today." The principle said gaining the class' attention. "Your teacher Mrs. Westerly is taking a leave of absents and won't be back for the rest of the semester."
The classroom began to buzz with whispers as students theorized and wondered what happened to their teacher.
"So from now on this man will be her substitute Mr. Stewart."
The man smiled at the students and greeted them cheerily getting a polite greeting in response from the children. Subtly Stewart stared suspiciously at Chris from beneath his glasses.
later that day just before lunch hour we find Chris calling to his friends to hurry so they'd get a good spot in line. It was then Mr. Stewart came to talk to Chris, mainly asking about his parents and such but it wasn't until he was about to leave that he asked a somewhat odd question.
"Oh, this might sound a little strange but what is your favorite animal?" The teacher asked.
Chris looked confused by the question but he answered nonetheless. "Um…I guess it'd be a tie between hedgehogs and chipmunks."
"Chris come on, we're gonna miss lunch!" Danny called from down the hall.
"Oh, uh, see you later Mr. Stewart." Chris bid farewell before running  to his friend. Missing the calculative look Stewart gave him.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile back at the construction site, the excavator operator steered the bucket back into the hole he was digging and accidentally struck the Emerald inside.
Suddenly, the excavator seized and an Emerald green glow began to envelope the machine. Without warning the machine took on a life of it's own and went berserk, attacking everyone and everything nearby.
It turned and went after the dump truck but only whacked it a few times before turning on something else.
Soon though the energy dissipated and the machine ceased its rampage. The workers stood around confused and frightened at the strangeness that happened and called the authorities.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back at the Ranch, Bunnie was sleeping peacefully on the couch next to Cream as she and Cheese read a picture book happily. But soon she was beginning to feel drowsy as well.
As she was beginning to nod off the news came on and a woman began reporting something.
"Today something strange happened at a construction site here in downtown Station Square." The dark skinned woman started off. "Without any apparent cause one of the excavators went berserk and damaged a large portion of the site. Eyewitnesses say it was caused by a mysterious glowing Emerald. This is an artist's rendition of the gem."
Just as Cream and Cheese were about to fall asleep and join her big cousin in slumber land Cream dropped the book and it made a noise loud enough to jolt her awake. She saw the drawing of the Chaos Emerald and heard the report and instantly knew what was going on.
"They found one!" Cream shouted, startling Bunnie away and making her fall out of the seat.
"What in the whooha are ya hootin' an' hollerin' bout Sugah-Cream? Ah was in the middle of a nice nap." The cyborg complained as she rubbed her head in annoyance. Cream was such a sweet and polite girl but sometimes she was just insufferable like any child her age.
"Look!" Cream exclaimed in reply and pointed at the TV, Bunnie turned to it but wasn't sure what she was looking at. "They found a Chaos Emerald! We have to tell Mr. Sonic right away!"
Without waiting for Bunnie to say anything the little rabbit hopped out of the chair and ran out the back door, after a moment of confusion Bunnie fallowed holding a still sleepy Cheese in her arms.
-Freedom Fighters X-
"So you didn't talk to Amy?" Sonic asked Sally as they sat in the branches of the tree in the backyard. Sally was between his legs with her back against the hedgehog's chest and smiled contently as he once again drew his fingers through her auburn hair, messaging her scalp.
"Mmm…no…Bunnie and Cream said I should wait and let her cool off first…" She sighed contently. "I need to think about what exactly I should tell her anyway, don't want to say the wrong thing and make things worse between us." She explained as the stress and tension in her muscles just melted away from her.
"That's a good idea. She has a real temper and she's quick to whip out the giant hammer of hers and start swinging." Sonic remarked.
Gently, Sonic began to place feather light kisses on her shoulders and up her neck to her jaw line. Her jacket was off exposing her mostly uncovered shoulders and graceful neck. Sally hummed at the comfortable feeling.
The two were about to start a vigorous make out session when Cream and Bunnie came running to them. "Mr. Sonic, Miss Sally! They found a Chaos Emerald!" The little bunny exclaimed excitedly.
The two looked at each other before they hopped off the branch, all unknowing that Chris too had seen the news at school and was on his way as well.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Dr. Eggman grinned maliciously as he saw the news whilst working on fine tuning and upgrading his Egg-Powered Armor prototype. "He he he. So they found an Emerald for me? This calls for a special guest."
He pressed a button near his workbench and called over his tower's intercom systems. "Beacon! Prepare for launch! We have a Chaos Emerald too collect!"
Deep within the bowels of the tower a large robot jet vaguely shaped like a bird attached itself to a launch catapult. There was a brief countdown before the Beacon was suddenly shot out of the tower like a slingshot.
"Once I have that Chaos Emerald I'll build an even more powerful robot and crush that blue rat and his whore like the bottom feeders they are." Eggman boasted with an arrogant laugh.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Sonic was tightening his gloves in preparation for the search for the Chaos Emerald.
"Okay Sal, you ready to go treasure hunting?" Sonic asked his girlfriend.
Sally, who was also tightening her weighted gloves and adjusting her jacket, nodded with a determined expression on her face. "Yeah, Eggman was able to get the drop on me last time but this time but this time I'll be ready if he comes out in that power armor."
"That's my girl!" Sonic boasted with a thumbs up and a smirk which Sally returned.
They went out the door and they saw Tails and Rotor prepping the Tornado with G. Chuck observing.
"Guys, me and Sal are going to scout ahead and see if we can find the Emerald before Eggman does." Sonic explained and before the others could respond he picked up Sally and shot off in a gust of wind.
"Sonic has no idea where to start..." Tails dead panned.
"And Sally knows it..." Rotor added with a similar tone.
"There gonna make out until we catch up." They both concluded before the continued the prep work.
-Freedom Fighters X-
A few minutes out Eggman could be found flying across the open ocean in his Egg-o-matic followed closely by Beacon behind him.
As they cruised over the water Eggman noticed some blips on his radar and turned his head to see a trio of missiles heading toward them.
A grin creased the scientist's face. "Aw isn't that cute? They think their little toys can hurt me." He turned to his robot. "Beacon, show them what happens when they try to mess with the good doctor."
Beacon's eyes flashed red and suddenly it was soaring high into the sky, the missiles close behind. It only took a few nimble aileron rolls, barrel rolls, and a dive bomb to trick the missiles into hitting the water.
"Humph, primitives…" Eggman scowled before continuing on his way.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Sonic and Sally were both perched atop a radio tower which was also on top of a skyscraper. The tip of the tower was small but it was just wide enough for them to sit down together if they pressed against each other, which they did happily.
"You know we should be looking for the Chaos Emerald, right?" Sally asked but didn't sound the least bit concerned.
"Mmhm…" Sonic hummed in agreement leaning his head on top of hers.
"But we're hanging out up here because you have no idea where to go, right?" She concluded, squirming as she trying to get Sonic's head off hers.
"Mmhm…" He hummed again but this time with a chuckle as he made sure her efforts of dislodging him were in vane.
""You dork stop that!" Sally complained but the smile and giggling in her tone told a different story.
It was at that moment that the Tornado with Bunnie close behind came in to view and the two stood up.
Bunnie stopped and hovered in front of them while Tails circled the tower. Amy was in the back seat with a sour look on her face as she glared at the couple. The rabbit crossed her arms and smiled coyly at them. "Having fun?"
The couple just blushed guiltily and avoided eye contact.
Bunnie giggled at their embarrassment. "We found the site the Emerald is likely at, it's downtown near the electronics store."
"Thanks Buns! We'll see ya there!" Sonic thanked before picking up Sally and leaping off the tower and began his journey over the rooftops.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Few minutes earlier Chris was listening to the new teacher go on about algebra when he looked out the window and saw Tails and Bunnie fly by making him gasp and stand up suddenly, drawing the entire classes attention.
"What's up Chris?" Francis asked curiously.
"I-um…" Chris stuttered. "Excuse me teacher I…uh I need to do something!" He excused himself lamely before running out the class.
"Chris Thorndyke get back in here you have not been excused!" Mr. Stewart protested but was ignored. He then addressed the class. "Excuse me class, I need to detain out wayward friend." He excused himself and left. 'Let's see what you're up to Mr. Thorndyke…' He thought as he followed the boy.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back at the construction site the police have tapped off the area and a crowed of spectators and reporters gathered at the fences.
One reporter, Felicia Caster, and her camera crew were hanging by their van chatting it up as they waited for the police to give the okay for interviews.
"Things have been getting crazy, huh?" The female reporter asked casually as she sipped a coffee.
"You got that right!" the camera man, Dick Banister replied. "First those mutant animals, then that wacky Eggman guy, now this freaky magnet emerald thing screwing with our electronics. What's next floating islands? Evil doppelgangers? Freakin' aliens!?" He finished the statement with a laugh which Caster and the boom operator, Angel Tethers reciprocated.
It was then that Banister noticed something in the sky off in the distance. "What the…" He mumbled, gaining the people's attention.
"What is that?" Caster queried while she looked at the same object Dick found Tethers not far behind.
Banister got up and pointed his camera at it, using the zoom feature to get a better look. "It's that nutcase Eggman!" He shouted.
This caused everyone, even the policemen, to panic and run for the hills.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Sonic and Sally stopped on the rooftops and spotted the immense crowd of frightened people stampeding down the streets away from the construction site.
They both looked toward the site and saw Eggman and his robot flying towards it in the distance.
"Hehe, so Egg-Salad thinks he can beat us to the emerald?" Sonic smirked and was about to pick up Sally again to continue when she stopped him.
"Hold on Sonic, I got a plan." The chipmunk said. "I'll go the rest of the way on foot, I can't move as quickly as you but ever since we synced together with the Power Stones I've been able to run faster then most. I'll go after the Chaos Emerald while you take care Eggman's robot."
"Hm…" Sonic hummed as he leaned over and looked at the crowd flooding the streets. "And how are you going to get through that mess down there?" He asked.
A very Sonic-like smirk crossed the princess' muzzle. "Hey, you're not the only one who knows a little parkour and free running." She said as she crossed her arms.
Sonic stuck his tongue our thoughtfully before he looked to her and returned the smirk. "Alright, I'll wreck the flying dumpster while you get the rock." He replied and dashed off but stopped a few step afterwards and returned to her side. Giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Be careful if Egghead comes down in that powered suit again. Don't want him getting another lucky shot at you."
Sally smiled at his concern for her and waved him off. "Don't worry, I won't underestimate that tin plated ball of lard again. Now go, before he actually beats you to the finish line."
"Yes, your highness!" Sonic gave a mock salute before bolting off in a streak of blue light.
Sally shook her head before she began traversing her way down, using ledges and flag polls to nimbly make her way done to the streets. Once her boots hit concrete she dash off herself, running at least twice as fast as the fastest of Olympic sprinters.
-Freedom Fighters X-
As Dr. Eggman continued his course to the Emerald he spotted Sonic hopping from rooftop to rooftop. A malicious grin crossed the mad doctors lips and he said. "So Sonic wants a race, hmm? Well I intend to keep the lead!" He turned to his robot and gave his orders. "Beacon! Attack the hedgehog and keep him busy! I'll get the emerald in the mean time."
The avian robot's eyes flashed in acknowledgement and boosted toward the semi-unaware hedgehog.
Sonic was in the middle of a particularly long jump when he was suddenly blind sided by Beacon. The robot rammed him and sent him spiraling high into the air. And Unfortunately Sonic couldn't fight back while airborne without a power ring.
All he could do was try too dodge and minimize the impacts.
Eggman grin as he saw his archenemy bouncing around in the air. "Now that the blue blunder is distracted I think I'll collect my prize!" He said and he flew down to the construction site.
Once he was on the ground Eggman hopped out of his craft and quickly approached the pile of dirt. It didn't take long for him to dig up with green Chaos Emerald and a triumphant smile came to his mustached face. "Yes, finally!" He exclaimed and went to grab it but a small hand swiped it just before he could touch it! "What the hell!?" He roared.
"I can't believe I found the emerald!" It was Chris! Somehow he found his way to the site and grabbed the emerald before Eggman did…and somehow he was totally oblivious to the giant red fat guy looming over him like a gargoyle.
Eggman grabbed Chris by his head and lifted him up with little effort, a very unpleased sneer on his face as he glared holes in the back of the boy's head. "Didn't you know boy, it's rude to take that which does not belong to you!" He raged before using his free hand to take the emerald from the whimpering Chris. "Sally complimented me for de-roboticizing my right arm the last time we tangoed, but she was wrong. I couldn't find the formula to do that so I modified my arm to be less conspicuous." He explained as the grip he had on the child's head tightened. "This hand is still very robotic and there for much more powerful then a normal Overlander or human hand. How much effort will I have to exert to pop your head like a big, fat, tomato?"
Tears were rolling down Chris' face in droves now and he was so frightened he couldn't reply, all he could do was cry out in pain as he felt the hydraulic finger squeeze his head even tighter.
"Lets find out, shall we?"
The instant the despot began to really squeeze a blue booted foot found it's place in his face, making him stumble and loose his grasp on the boy and shattering his glasses again revealing his black and red eyes.
"Who dares-YOU!" Eggman roared with fury.
Sally stood in front of Chris, on one foot while the other was still extended from her kick. "Me!" She mocked him.
-Freedom Fighters X-
"Okay this bird really needs to PISS OFF!!!" Sonic cursed as twisted in the air in an attempt dodge another attack and grabbed on to a wing. "Finally-WHOA!!" He exclaimed before almost being bucked off.
Sonic carefully steadied himself and scratched his head in thought. "Okay, usual plan won't work here. Need a new strategy." He examined the bucking avian jet robot. "I can't take this thing out while in the air, not with out Tails or Bunnie backing me up." He looked down over the wing. "because without a power ring I wouldn't survive the fall and I'd turn be a prickly blue stain on the pavement."
Suddenly bullets and lasers descended upon the robot, forcing it to bank left and down.
"Speak of the devils!" Sonic cheered as Bunnie, Tails and Amy came flying to his aid.
You must be losin' yur touch Sugah-Hog!" Bunnie teased as she charged up another shot with her arm cannon. "What's keepin' yah from scrapin' this 'ere pigeon?"
"Oh you know, gravity." Sonic shot back with his own tease.
"What is this "gravity" of which you speak?" Tails joined the quips with on as he circled around and fired another burst of bullets at Beacon.
Sonic looked down again and saw Sally drop kick Eggman away from Chris and a smirk crossed his muzzle. "Alright guys! Lets trash this overgrown vulture and give Sal a hand!"
-Freedom Fighters X-
"Let's see how tough you are without your toy armor!" Sally's taunted in an attempt to provoke the former despot and shifted into a different stance. This time she leaned on her right leg like she was about to go into a full sprint, her hands were both open palmed but the fingers and thumbs curled making them resemble paws, her left arm was raised high slightly above her head while the right was cocked back ready to strike. This time she was using Leopard Style.
(A/N: Look up Five Animals Shaolin Martial Arts : Leopard Fighting Style in Shaolin Martial Arts on youtube by expertvillage.)

Eggman growled as he weighed his options. He could probably take her, his size and weight put him in the advantage in CQC. But she was a skilled martial artist even before she learned all these new stances.
Eggman stood up and entered a stance of his own, with his fist raised in a boxing style.
He then ran…away from Sally and made a b-line for his EggMobile! He knew that without his E.P.A he wouldn't stand much of a chance against the princess' decade of combat experience and training, superior weight and reach or not.
As quickly as he could Eggman started up his EggMobile and began to fly off, but unknown to him Sally was able to grab on to the spike on the bottom of it before he could get away.
"That was close!" Eggman exclaimed whilst wiping away the sweat from his brow. He then opened his palm and grinned victoriously at the mystical gemstone in his possession. "Hmhmhmhahaha! One down six to go!"
"Wrong!" Sally shouted as she nimbly flipped over the edge of the machine and planted both feet into the side of Eggman's head. With the madman now dazed the princess swiped the Chaos Emerald away.
"No! Give that back you filthy animal!" Eggman roared as he tried to take back his prize only for Sally to jump flip over him onto the one of the Egg-o-matic's wings.
The chipmunk quickly searched for an escape route and smirked when she found it. She turned to the former despot and showed him the Emerald. "You want this Robotnik?" She asked teasingly as she playfully juggled it in her right hand. "Come get it!" She goaded before she leaned back and fell off the Egg-o-matic that was now several dozen stories in the air.
"NO!!!" Eggman shouted in anger as he watched her fall toward certain death and the possible destruction of his Emerald.
-FFX-
With the help of Bunnie and Tails, Sonic now had Beacon on the ropes. Tails and Bunnie were circling it, keeping it from maneuvering too much and attacking it with guns and fists respectfully, and Sonic kept it distracted while they did so and attacked it as well when given an opening.
It didn't take long for them force it down to the ground. Tails circled above to make sure it didn't make a run for it and Sonic and Bunnie both charged it at once and smashed it's head in with a bionic punch and a spin attack respectfully.
"I really hate flying enemies…" Sonic grumbled as he brushed away some imaginary dust from his sleeves.
"Sonic!" A cry could be heard above.
Sonic, Tails, Bunnie and Amy all looked up to see Sally falling from the sky, spread eagle to slow her decent.
"Amy toss me a ring!" Sonic shouted to the pink hedgehog.
Amy jumped and she went to grab a ring…she hesitated but she shook her head and threw a power ring to the blue blur.
With a golden glow Sonic blasted away in a gust of wind dust.
-FFX-
"Oh Walkers, maybe this wasn't a good idea." Sally mumbled with no small amount of panic in her voice. "Sonic I swear to Aurora if I die I'm going to haunt your blue ass for the rest of eternity!" She shouted.
At that moment, just before she hit the ground Sally was swept away by a blue blur. "You shrieked?" Sonic asked cheekily.
"You couldn't have cut it a little closer?" Sally replied dryly but she smirked and brought out the Chaos Emerald.
Sonic gave her a proud smile. "Great work Sal." He complimented. "The guys back at Chris' are going to be psyched!"
A look of realization and worry came to Sally's face. "Oh no Chris!" She shouted and at Sonic's confused look she elaborated. "Chris was at the construction site and was attacked by Robotnik, we need to go see if he's okay!"
A worried expression dawned on Sonic's face and he rushed over to the site as fast as he could.
-FFX-
Chris hadn't moved since Sally rescued him from having his head crushed like an egg. Since then he has been sitting on his knees clutching his sore head and sobbing to himself pitifully.
"Stupid…" He murmured to himself with a sniff. "I didn't do anything helpful, all I did was get in the way and had to have Sally rescue me…"
He felt a gust of wind and two pairs of shoes entered his vision of the ground. He looked up and saw Sonic and Sally with concerned expression on their faces.
"You okay Chris?" Sonic asked as Sally knelt down to check his head wounds.
"I'm sorry guys." Chris said glumly. "I let Eggman get the Chaos Emerald away from me and Sally had to save me and get it back while I just sat here crying."
Chris I'm going to be honest with you." Sally said as she finished her inspection confident that Eggman didn't fracture the boy's skull. "What you did there was really, really dumb but you did stall Eggman long enough for me to get the Emerald from him." She raised his chin and made him look at her. "If you didn't show up Robotnik likely would have been halfway across the city with that Emerald by the time I showed up." Chris smiled knowing that he helped in some way. "But promise me this, please stay out of our fights. I know you want to help us but we just can't allow you to risk your life for us." A sad frown came to Chris' face but he nodded none the less.
"Hey don't be some glum man!" Sonic said with a smile trying to cheer the boy up. "We can still hang out with you and maybe you can come with us on our less intense missions." He offered his hand to him.
Chris smiled and nodded before he took the hedgehog's hand and allowed him to help him up.
"Come on guys, let go find Tails, Amy and Bunnie and get back to the Ranch. Your grandpa, Rotor and Tails are going to have a field day with this emerald." Sally said as she took Sonic's hand and the trio left to regroup with the others.
-FFX-
Back in Eggman's base the doctor roared like a wild beast as he tore his equipment apart. "Damn that rodent, his rat princess and that brat! I was so close, so close to getting that Emerald but then that snot nosed little punk stalled me long enough for that wench to get to me!"
He took some deep breaths before calming down, he adjusted his glasses and upon seeing the mess he made he pressed a button and several service robot came in and began to clean the rubble.
Slowly he strode to an elevator and once inside he pressed the button for the top floor, his command center. As the doors closed and the elevator ascended he began to talk to himself. "I need to think of a knew strategy, the old formula just doesn't work anymore."
He scratched his head in annoyance as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. "Haa, if only my dear nephew was sent here with those damnable Freedom Fighters, I could use him for micromanagement and bounce ideas off of him."
"I'm so glad you missed me so, Uncle Julian." A nasally voice echoed from his chair, the back turned towards him.
"Who dares intrude in my base of operations!?" The tyrant roared in anger.
The chair turned and inside was a small man with a large pointed nose and sparse strands of hair on his disproportionate head. "I'm hurt you do not recognize your "dear nephew" Uncle, if after all this time I thought you'd remember the voice of your favorite relative." The man said with mock hurt in his tone.
Dr. Eggman grinned and with his left hand behind his back he gestured with his right in mock welcome. "Well, well, well, speak of the Devil and he shall appear, eh Snively?"
Snivley returned the grin with a smirk. "So it would seem Uncle Robotnik."