Freedom Fighters X Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Oh No...
"So..." Bunnie began as she and the others lounged in Chris' living room. Sally was sitting next to Sonic rather closely on the short end of the "L" sofa while Bunnie and Tails sat on the long end, Chris leaned on the back of the sofa from behind it, and Cream was off playing with Cheese in the backyard.
"What?" Sally and Sonic said at the same time.
"Ya'll kiss and make out yet?" the rabbit asked teasingly purposely miss saying the phrase to get a rise out of them.
Instantly a bright pink blush blazed upon the couple's cheeks.
Chris, still a bit to young to fully understand, cut in before the two could respond. "I don't know about that, but last night I heard a lot of rustling and gasping on the roof and they were cuddling in the blanket I gave them while their clothes dried."
At that news both Bunnie and Tails gave Sonic and Sally, who were trying to become one with the sofa, knowing smirks. "Snuggle time under the stars in the buff, eh? You do work fast!" Bunnie teased while Tails tried poorly to suppress his laughter.
"N-No! We still had our underclothes on!" Sally said defensively but blushed deeper when she realized she just admitted to a vigorous making out session with Sonic.
"Whelp, my pride is thoroughly bruised!" Sonic exclaimed before he headed out the door. "I'm gonna get while the getting's good!"
Her blush still very apparent, Sally quickly hopped off the chair and gave chase. "Wait for me!" She shouted.
Finally, Tails could take no more and burst out laughing, sounding more like a hyena than a fox.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile Eggman was grinning like the madman he was as he gazed at the skyline of Station Square from his window-screen.
"What a quaint little city this is." He mused to himself. "Station Square, huh? It will be the perfect starting point for my conquest!"
"Are you going to send you entire army into city?" a tall golden robot with a pill shaped head asked.
Eggman held his chin in thought for a moment before answering. "No, one robot will be more than enough for this primitive city. I'll save the rest for when I spread my empire across the glob." A frown creased his lips as another thought entered his mind. "Besides, if Sonic did get sent here as well, they would just get in each others way and damage themselves."
The robot then handed Eggman a deck of cards which he took and began to rifle through. "Hm…they all look so lethal." After a moment he dawned a mock look of despair and held his chin in thought. "Oh I can't choose!"
With a resounding "fuck it" he just jammed the whole deck into his machine and a slot-machine appeared on his Win-screen and after a moment it selected a random robot.
"Ah, Missile-Wrist! He'll do nicely." Eggman said gleefully before getting up to go to his bubble car.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile in the sewers beneath Station Square three familiar individuals were marching onward looking for a way out of the city of strangely hostile overlanders.
"This is all Sonic's fault!" Knuckles shouted more to himself than his companions fiddling angrily with his torn shirt.
Amy Rose was not far behind him, looking annoyed with the Echidna's attitude. "He was only trying to stop Eggman, Knuckles! It's not Sonic's fault we got sent here!" She argued.
The Guardian grunted. "Maybe Sonic didn't send us here but he's the one that pushed Eggman this far. He doesn't care what happens so long as he gets his adventure!"
Amy stopped walking and crossed her arms. "I'm not gonna follow you anymore if you keep badmouthing Sonic!"
"Fine with me!" Knuckles called back as he had not even paused in his stride.
"Ah, Hey don't leave me here!" Amy exclaimed with a but of fright as she jogged to catch up with the red echidna.
Sensing the hostilities quickly increasing Rotor the Walrus decided cut in. "So um…how do you two know Sonic?"
Amy and Knuckles looked almost startled when he spoke. In the last couple few hours they've been traveling together the Walrus had rarely spoken and kept to himself.
Knuckles was the first to respond, with a disgruntled snort. "I could ask you the same thing." He replied rudely.
Rotor was thrown off by the echidna's rudeness but none the less he answered. "Well uh, Sonic and I are old friends from Knothole village. We fought Robotnik together most of our lives trying to free the Acorn Kingdom from that Lord of Lard."
Knuckles seemed to scoff at the engineer's answer. "Acorn Kingdom? Never heard of it and Eggman hasn't been able to take over anything for more than a few weeks." Knuckles said, something Amy agreed with.
Rotor looked offended at being called a liar, although indirectly. "Well it's true. It took us over a decade to finally drive RoButtnik away and five years ago Sonic chased after him to make sure he wouldn't be a threat. He was suppose to be back within the month but he never came back."
"Whatever…" Knuckles dismissed.
Rotor looked about ready to have an aneurysm but Amy took over. "Oh don't mind Knuckles! He's not really the social type, I'm Amy Rose, and I know Sonic because I'm his girlfriend!" She exclaimed while offering her hand.
A shocked look came to Rotor's face as he shook her hand politely. "Um, I'm Rotor, you're his girlfriend you say?" He repeated to which he got an affirmative nod in response. "Oh Sonic how could you do this to Sally…" He murmured to himself disapprovingly.
"Hmm? What was that?" Amy asked curiously, not catching what he said.
"Oh, nothing! I just never expected Sonic the settle down enough to get a girlfriend." He lied quickly with a nervous chuckle while he scratched his head with his free hand.
Amy, though confused at the awkward behavior, excepted the lie with a bit of pride. Knuckles though could tell Rotor was lying and that made him even more suspicious of the purple walrus.
But for the moment he decided to ignore the feeling and continued walking.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile at a peaceful beach dozens of people were relaxing an playing on the beach.
One group of beach goers were playing with a giant beach ball and were having a grand old time when one of them threw the ball to high and hard making it overshoot one young woman's head and land in the water.
"I'll get it!" The woman called before she went into the water.
But just before she could even touch the ball the water suddenly shot up! Causing the girl to fall on her butt in the knee deep liquid.
Towering over her was a large silver and mint green robot. It body was short and blocky with a round head and what looked like missiles for arms.
The girl stared up at the robot blankly until the ball hit her on the head and she shrieked in terror.
At that moment Eggman came into the scene in his Eggmobile. "Ah there is nothing more relaxing than a day tanning on the beach." He said wistfully. He observed the beach and grimaced at all the people. "But they are always so crowded! Missile-Wrist, clear the area!" He commanded with a snap of his fingers.
Immediately the giant robot began targeting people, vehicles and buildings, firing its tow missile arms with deadly accuracy only for them to return and fire again. It didn't take long for the beach to be completely deserted except for those to injured to move.
"Much better." Eggman sneered. "Now lets crush this miserable city! By the end of the day this will be my new Robotropolis!"
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back at the Ranch, as Bunnie sometimes called it, Tails, , Bunnie, and Cream were relaxing in the front yard. Tails was washing the Tornado with Chuck standing next to him.
"You sure do take care of this plane Tails." The human commented with a bit of mirth.
"The Tornado might belong to Sonic but it's still my baby. I gotta make sure she's in tiptop shape and shining like a sapphire." The adolescent fox replied proudly.
"Well maybe one day you'll let me take a look inside? I've never seen a biplane work the way the Tornado does."
Bunnie was relaxing at a small table with her little cousin Cream as she and Cheese at the little rabbits home-made donuts.
"Oh mah stars, Sugah-Cream! These are delicious!" Bunnie moaned as she savored the little pastry.
"Oh really?" Cream asked, feeling flattered.
The little Chao Cheese nodded in agreement and took a grate big bite out of the relatively massive donut to him.
"Well good!" Cream giggled out.
It was at that moment Chris came out, looking around with a worried expression.
"What's got ya so worked up, Sugah?" Bunnie asked curiously as she grabbed for another donut with her flesh hand. Only for it to get slapped away by a slightly miffed Cream who said it was rude to eat while talking.
"Has anyone seen Sonic and Sally? I can't find them anywhere."
"Aunt Sally probably went with Sonic on a run. Sonic really likes to explore and Sally likes the thrill of moving at his speed." Tails said as he continued to rinse of the Tornado.
"Well I hope they be careful, the police is looking all over the place to catch those two." Chris commented worriedly.
"Catch Sugah-Hog? Ahahahaha!" Bunnie busted out laughing. "You obviously don't know Sonic like we do, Sugah. Ain't no one ever gonna catch him, especially if he's got Sal-Gal with 'im."
"Besides…" The teenage fox added. "Sonic loves danger, he wouldn't let the military stop him from thrill seeking."
They might as well of told the boy the world was about to end because the grandest look of horror etched itself unto Chris' face. "We have to find them right away!" He shouted fearfully.
The Mobians all looked at each other confusedly, not nearly as concerned as the human pre-teen but they all shrugged nonetheless and humored the poor boy.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back in the city, Missile-Wrist was wreaking havoc through the streets, effortlessly crushing cars and pavement beneath its feet with Eggman hovering not far away in his bubble car.
A blockade of police cars and officers commanded the robot to stop but their orders were ignored and they opened fire with their rifles. But their bullets merely plinked off the robots armored chasse harmlessly
Eggman had an expression of absolute boredom on his face as he kept his head propped up by a fist. "There's a word for this…" He began as he pretended to think of the word. "…Boring!" He exclaimed lazily. "Even Mobotropolis wasn't this easy to trample over…"
At that moment another officer in heavy armor appeared with a flame thrower and engulfed Missile-Wrist in flame. The robot halted as the fire clocked it from view and the police though they'd one but as soon as the fire died down it was shown to be completely unharmed, not even hot.
The ex-dictator hovered between the robot and the cops with an arrogant grin on his face. "Is that all? This world is truly pathetic, surrender to me now and I may allow you to live!"
The CO of these group of cops had a pitiful and defeated expression on his face. "We give up…" He said shamefully.
The grin on Dr. Eggman's face grew wider and more sinister and instantly the sergeant knew he mad a mistake. "I can't stand quitters. Missile-Wrist, finish them."
He moved out of the way and the robot aimed his arms at the cops before firing.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back with the others, Tails and Bunnie had taken to the skies in search of Sonic and Sally while Chris and his grandpa did the same on the ground.
"You see anything Aunt Bunnie?" Tails asked as he flew in next to her.
"Not hide nor quill nor hair, Sugah. I don't think their in the city anymore." The cyborg replied.
"Oh boy, Chris isn't gonna like this." Tails moaned.
Back on the ground Chris was at a park with Chuck calling for the hero and princess. "Soooonic! Saaaally! Where are you!? Sonic!? Sally!?" But he got no response, except for odd stares and murmurs from passersby.
Chuck was sitting in his car when he interrupted the boys shouting. "I don't think their here Chris. Lets look somewhere else."
He got a nod from the boy and once Chris was strapped in they drove away.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile Sonic and Sally were laying on the grass in the mountains, relaxing. "Walkers…!" Sally exclaimed as she stretched out like a cat on the grass, several joints popping with relief. "I've almost forgotten how good it feels to just lay around and do nothing! With everything that happened with Robotnik and Snively, and trying to rebuild Mobotropolis, it feels like eons since I last relaxed."
She rolled over to her side to see Sonic napping peacefully next to her. Snoring softly as a butterfly landed on his nose.
She chuckled lightly and gently shooed the insect away, only for it to land on his ear, causing it to twitch and wake the Blue Blur. "Whuzzit?" He said groggily.
"Sorry." Sally giggled out. "There was a butterfly on your nose and I was trying to shoo it away."
As if to mock her the delicate creature returned and landed on her nose, making her gasp slightly in surprise and making Sonic chuckle heartily. "I think you made it mad, Sal." He chortled out.
Her response was a sneeze the startled the butterfly away which only made Sonic laugh harder and Sally couldn't help but join him.
After a few minutes the couple calmed down enough to bring their mirth to wide grins and Sonic got up, brushing grass and dirt off his hoodie and jeans before helping Sally up who mimicked his actions.
"Well, where to next?" Sonic asked his girlfriend with a smile.
"Hmm…" Sally hummed whilst entering a thinking pose. "Why don't we go and explore the city?" She suggested.
Sonic shrugged. "Sure, why not? We should reach Station Square in an few minutes."
With that Sally jumped into Sonic arms and they raced off back to Station Square.

-Freedom Fighters X-
Back with Knuckles, Amy, and Rotor they were still walking down the sewer tunnels at a brisk pace. Knuckles seemed completely fine but Amy and Rotor looked more than a little tired, Rotor especially.
"Can we rest now? We've been walking for hours!" Amy complained making her discomfort known.
"I'm with Amy here, I'm not built for this." Rotor agreed while panting lightly.
"You two can what you want, I'm not stopping." Knuckles replied curtly not even looking back at them to see what they'd do.
Amy puffed her cheeks angrily at Knuckles while Rotor just groaned indignantly. She put a finger to her chin and entered a thinking pose as she walked, cheeks still puffed out.
She quickened her pace slightly so she would be walking next to Knuckles. "So what do think our chances of getting home are, Knux?" She asked trying to lighten up the mood.
"Don't worry, we'll get back." He replied.
"But how?"
Knuckles looked down but he continued to walk. "I don't know, but we will! I have to get back to the Master Emerald, it's my duty to guard it and I can't fail it!" He said with a fervor that slightly stunned his two companions. "Until we find a way back I can't rest or get distracted."
It was at the moment they felt and heard a loud rumble from above and they all looked at the manhole in surprise.
The trio ran over to the ladder and looked up the shaft. "What was that?" Knuckles queried while Amy and Rotor looked worried.
Knuckles was the first to go up before he was followed by the other two.
On the topside Missile-Wrist was still crushing cars and property under his mechanical feet.
They were deeper into the city now and more people were around, running in a fearful panic trying to keep out of the robot's path of mayhem. Soon Missile-Wrist found a building and barged into it, causing the people inside the scream and scatter out like frightened rabbits.
For the moment the giant machine paused in its movements and began to scan the room it was in with its one cyclopean camera eye allowing Eggman to see the damage and the people running from a screen in his EggMobile.
"Hmm…go to the roof, we can do more damage from there!" the madman commanded before floating up to said destination.
[Acknowledged!] Missile-Wrist responded with a deep threatening synthetic voice.
Slowly the robot aimed its right arm in the ceiling and fired. The tow-missile busted through each and every floor until breached the roof, then the long yellow bumps on it sprung out into grappling hooks and caught onto the roof. One second later Missile-Wrist was being pulled up by it powerful internal wench.
While Missile-Wrist was ascending more and more police cars were gathering around the building and Eggman let out a hearty laugh in response. "Ahahahaha! It seems we're attracting a crowd." He observed and it was at that moment Missile-Wrist burst through the roof and joined Eggman.
"Well…" He began as he typed into a keypad on to his right. "Let's get this show on the road." a small facial scanner rose from the computer screen and several holograms of his face began to project around the city and TV screens everywhere began to display his image live.
"Greeting citizens of this world! My name is Dr. Julian Ivo Robotnik but you can all call me The Eggman!" He greeted the populous with a menacing grin. "I have fantastic news for me! Today you will all become a part of my illustrious new Empire!"
As his speech continued the others at the Ranch saw Eggman's broadcast and immediately began to prepare for battle.
"I deliver unto you all an Ultimatum! You will all surrender the Eggman Empire or be crushed beneath! You have five hours to comply! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Below on the streets a group of officers led by the chief of police with a megaphone called up to the scientist angrily. "Turn yourself in now, bub or we'll haul you in!" the elder cop demanded.
Eggman quirked an eyebrow at the man and frowned "You must be joking…"
"I'm serious here! Pull over and let's see your license and registration!"
Eggman's brow knitted in frustration and he growled irritable. "I'm the one giving the orders around here, peon!"
"Oh yeah!? And what makes you think so!?""
The vicious grin returned to his face and he finger prepared to snap them. "This does!"
*snap!*
Within seconds Missile-Wrist aimed a missile arm at the cops and fired. The explosive projectile obliterated the cars and injured or killed several save for the very lucky chief who only received a broken arm and bruised ribs.
"Now will you surrender the city? Or do I have to get angry?" Eggman sneered maliciously.
"*COUGH, cough* I can't!" The Chief cried out clutching his injuries. "Even if I wanted to we'd have to get the mayor!"
Eggman's sneer grew darker and the light glinted off his glasses menacingly. "Then go, and bring him too me!
-Freedom Fighters X-
Tails was in the Tornado with making last minute flight preparations with Bunnie sitting on the wings waiting for take off. Chuck and Cream were standing next to them.
"Ya'll almost done, Sugah? Ya're taking longer than molasses in winter!" Bunnie complained as she tapped her mechanical fingers on the wing impatiently.
"I know, I know! Just one second…okay we're ready!"
Bunnie was about to get up and jump into the passenger seat when she saw someone else in it. "What in the Hoo-Ha are you doing in there Chris!?" She cried and Tails quickly whipped around to look at the boy with a confused expression.
Chris was sitting in the passenger seat with a football helmet on his head, and while it looked rather humorous he shouldn't have been there. "I'm coming with you."
"What-NO!" Tails shouted, much to the shock of his friends. "Listen Chris I know what it's like to be on the sidelines, I had to wait at home while everyone else fought Eggman for years, but I'm a trained solider now, you're just a school kid. This is dangerous and you would be a liability, we can't fight and protect you at the same time!"
Chris didn't know what to say to that. "But…"
"No buts!" Tails snapped but he was trying to be mean. "Look when we look for the Emeralds you can tag along with us every now and then." He said in a much gentler tone. "But you can't right now and we need to get going."
Chris had a dejected look on his face but he nodded and got out of the plane, taking of the helmet once he was on the cement.
A second later Bunnie was in the seat. "Sorry, Sugah. We'd take ya if we could, but it's just to dangerous for a greenhorn like ya."
"It's okay…I understand…"
"Here we go!" Tails exclaimed before he hit the throttle and the Tornado took off!
-Freedom Fighters X-
"The mayor I presume?" Eggman said with a condescending smile.
A lean man in a suit stood before Eggman now, using the same megaphone as the Chief moment ago. "That I am, and I will not be coerced into negotiating with a terrorist like you!"
"Really?" Eggman said mockingly before he snapped his fingers.
Remembering what happened last time the cops dived away and the Chief brought the mayor down just before a tow missile whizzed by where his chest was and collided with the building behind them.
"Have you reconsidered?" Eggman sneered.
The mayor coughed as the dust slowly settled before replying. "I-I'M sorry but I don't have the authority to surrender the city, I'm just an elected official!"
An expression of utter disappointment came the dictators face when he heard this. "What a shame…" He raised his hand again ready to snap. "I guess it can't be helped, Missile-Wrist destroy the city so I can rebui…"
"Not today Eggman!" A familiar voice shouted at him.
Eggman whipped his head toward the source of the voice to see the Tornado screaming towards! He let out a frighten shout and ducked into his bubblecar just before the biplane's propeller could turn his head into ground meat.
"Tails!?" He exclaimed angrily as he watched the Fox fly. "He's here too!?" He squinted at the plane and looked at the passenger seat. At first he didn't recognize the figure inside but as soon as he saw the robotic arm and those ears memories came flooding back. "Bunnie Rabbot!? What is she doing here!?" He shook his head. "Grr, no matter. I'll teach that flying fur ball and the half-breed a lesson they won't soon forget! Missile-Wrist! Destroy that plane!"
Snapping to attention, Missile-Wrist took aim and began firing at the Tornado! "Hold on Aunt B!" Tails shouted as he took evasive action! Shifting and twirling the plane in the air almost like a ballerina to avoid the missiles.
Eventually Tails was able to maneuver the Tornado so that he was flying strait towards it. "Eat this!" He cried and began firing on the robot.
The bullets collided with Missile-Wrist but did little to no damage and Tails flew by disappointed. "Damnit!" The young teen cursed. "It's armor is to thick!" He exclaimed while avoiding rapidly fired tow missiles.
"Be careful Sugah!" Bunnie cried out as one shot narrowly missed her head
But they were coming to rapidly and from random directions and eventually one clipped his propeller causing them to begin a nosedive!
"Oh craaaap!" Tails exclaimed as the plane rapidly approached the earth. "Time to whip out the big guns!" He said as he pressed a sequence of buttons and pulled a leaver.
Seconds later the busted propeller was retracted into the cone, the wings shifted into an "X" formation and the tail section rose up. A second after that a jet engine kicked in and Tornado was soaring again!
"YEEEEAAAAH!" Tails shouted excitedly, Bunnie could help laughing at him.
"Well, Ah'm sick o' sitting 'ere Sugah-Fox!" Bunnie called as she flipped out of the plane and used her rocket feet to propel herself at Missile-Wrist. "It mah turn now!" She roared before she pulled back her mechanical fist and smashed into Missile-Wrist's head.
"Get 'em Aunt B!" Tails shouted from his plane.
The robot jerked down from the force and a fist sized dent appeared on its once half-spherical head.
But it recovered quickly and while Bunnie prepared to strike again Missile-Wrist let loose a barrage of homing missiles at her and at the same time fired its tow missile arms at tails, effectively keeping both at bay.
"Shit!" Bunnie hissed a very unladylike curse as she bobbed, weaved, and juked away from the weaker but faster moving wireless missiles, using her rocket feet to occasionally shoot away.
Tails' situation was no better as he had to weave around just to keep airborne.
-Freedom Fighters X-
"Oh no Tails needs help!" Amy cried out worriedly for her friend.
"Bunnie's up there too!" Rotor added equally worried.
"We have to help them!" Amy said as she turned a pleading look to Knuckles.
The echidna didn't even look at her as he replied. "I have more important thing to worry about."
Looks of shock then rage quickly filled both of his companions' faces when the both shot back. "Fine! Who need you!?" Before they both ran for the building.
"Wha-hold on guys, stop!" Knuckles called to them but they ignored him and continued there trek. Quickly he chased after them, he might not want to help Tails and the strange rabbit, they could handle themselves it looked like, and Amy might have been annoying him, but that didn't mean he wanted her run off into danger.
Rotor he didn't know what to make of, having only just met him but he didn't want him to get hurt either.
Soon Knuckles was also in the building and he saw Amy and Rotor enter an elevator. "Hey, wait, stop!" He called out.
The two looked surprise to see him at first but soon Amy crossed her arms and huffed at him. Rotor didn't look as mad but he scowled all the same and let the door close in the echidna's face.
Knuckles banged on the door irritable before turning away with an irritable look. "Damn it!" He was really quite irritated. "Now what do I do?" the echidna spotted a flight of stairs marked by an "EXIT" sign and with a smirk he began his climb up.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Meanwhile Sonic and Sally were quickly approaching the outskirts of Station Square.
As a streak of blue to the public Sonic carried Sally through the roads until he zipped by an electronics store and thought he saw something. He immediately returned to it and looked at the store curiously as he put Sally down.
"Why'd you stop?" Sally asked confusedly until she saw the crowed at the store. As curious as Sonic was about what they were all looking at she and Sonic leaped into the tree nearby. or rather Sonic did, Sally used her gymnastic skills to climb up.
What they saw surprised them.
On the display TV screens were images of Eggman laughing almost hysterically. The crowd was murmuring worriedly, bouncing conspiracy theories of each other from terrorists to aliens.
"So Eggman is here." Sonic growled out more to himself than his girlfriend.
A second later the image cut to Tails and Bunnie trying to fight Missile-Wrist. They were okay for now but it looked like they wouldn't be making an progress for a long time.
"We have to help them Sonic!" Sally proclaimed urgently.
"No worries, Sal!" Sonic replied as he scooped her up and jumped onto the road. "We'll be there a Sonic Second!" The in a burst of speed Sonic disappeared into a streak of light towards downtown Station Square.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Back at the fight Tails and Bunnie were still pinned down by M-W's swarm of missiles. behind it a door slammed open an Knuckles ran through and stopped to observe the situation.
"Okay I need a plan now…" He growled to himself. Behind him he heard a "ding" and saw the elevator open to reveal Amy and Rotor. "What took you guys?" He smirked.
Rotor looked surprised to see him but Amy completely ignored and a charged the giant robot with her hammer raised like an Amazonian warrior.
"Amy stop!" Knuckles and Rotor called out but their words fell upon deaf ears.
With a mighty war cry Amy slammed her hammer into Missile-Wrist's leg…and succeeded in nothing but hurting herself as the vibrations went through the hammers shaft and into her arms sending a painful but harmless frequency into her arms and gaining the robot attention.
Amy dropped her hammer and let out a pain filled moan as she tried to shake the strange feeling out of her arms. But the pain was quickly forgotten when Missile-Wrist grabbed her and picked her up.
"Hold on Amy!" Knuckles called out before he charged the robot while Rotor readied from explosives.
"Stop right there!" Eggman commanded as he cut in front of Knuckles with a hand outstretched. "Oh more step and I'll crush the girl like a grape!" He threatened before snapping his fingers, prompting M-W to give Amy a warning squeeze causing her to cry out in pain.
Knuckles, Rotor and the now unpinned Bunnie could only scowl at the mad genius grinning at them maniacally.
"Let her go, or you'll be sorry!" Knuckles threatened as he clenched his teeth and fists.
"I'm already sorry that you all survived, and even the Freedom Fighters are here! My only constellation is it seems Sonic didn't." Eggman shot back but then began looking around suspiciously. "Or did he? He could be waiting for me to drop my guard right now!"
"Where are you Sonic?" Tails murmured to himself as he slowly orbited the building. But as he made another turn he saw a familiar streak of blue with a bit of brown and red in it.
A smile spread across Tails' muzzle as he took out a power ring and suddenly dived down toward the road gaining Eggman's attention who growled at the site of blue blur.
Gusts of wind blew by in Sonic's wake as he dashed through the streets with Sally in his arms and approached the tower his friends were fighting on. A wicked smirk was on his face which widened at the site of the Tornado swooping by.
"Sonic catch!" Tails called out as he tossed the small glowing ring too them.
Quickly adjusting his grip on Sally so he could hold her in one arm Sonic caught the ring.
It began to glow brighter but before he fully absorbed its power he looked at Sally. "Hey Sal? Remember how it felt to use the Deep Power Stones? Wanna relive it?" He asked with a winning smile and offered his hand and the ring to her.
The chipmunk princess returned the smile and grasped his hand tightly.
"There he is! Get ready to fire." Eggman ordered as he and Missile-Wrist watching the blur quickly approach.
In response to the order Missile-Wrist tossed Amy away with out a thought but was luckily rescued by Knuckles.
Beams of golden light burst from between their interlaced fingers and in a burst of speed. Sonic took Sally and they entered into a double spin dash and quickly began to scale the building.
"Fire! Blast that hedgehog into bloody bits!" Eggman commanded furiously.
Missile-Wrist fired a barrage of missiles at the duo, each quickly homing in on their target. Most missed but a few were able to smilingly hit their mark and kicked up an cloud of dust and debris.
"Tshk! GYAHAHAHA! Finally! I've finally killed that blasted hedgehog!" Eggman cackled madly at his apparent victory!
No sooner did he finish that sentence did that familiar blurry ball of fur and spines that was Sonic's spin dash break through the smoke and blast passed them, over their heads.
And to the scientists shock it split in two and a brown, red, and blue ball quickly descended down to the roof to reveal Sally Acorn, her stance was squat and slightly leaning back, her right arm stretched out with a slight bend and her hand shaped like a knife with the thumb tucked in, her left arm was raised in the air with the hand facing skyward in a dragon style kung fu stance, sunlight glinting off the large metal studs on her knuckles.
(Thisà 3219a2.medialib.glogster.com/m…)
"No! Not you too!" Eggman raged with gritted teeth as Missile-Wrist continued to fire its tow missiles at Sonic whilst he was still airborne.
Sally relaxed her stance and a very Sonic-like smirk spread across her muzzle further infuriating the mad doctor. "Long time no see Robotnik. I must say the last five years have been kind to you! You've lost a little weight and you managed to de-roboticize you ears and arm." She greeted mockingly.
"Who is that girl?" Amy asked as Knuckles put her down by the elevator.
"I don't know. I've never seen her before." Knuckles replied.
"That's Sally!" Rotor exclaimed with relief to see his friend made it to this world unharmed. "She was co-leader of the Freedom Fighters with Sonic before he left. The two have been best friends since before they could remember."
"Hmph, really?" Amy huffed with annoyance as she put her fists on her hips. "He never told me about her!"
Rotor looked at her in surprise and he mentally kicked himself. 'Oh no I think I might have said something I shouldn't have.'
"I haven't gone by that name in about three years." Eggman said drawing there attention. "And I didn't think I'd ever see you, or your Freedom Furries again." He added while he rubbed the bridge of his nose as if suppressing a headache. "No matter." He said after a few seconds. "I've changed since those years I lorded over you're pathetic kingdom getting fat and complacent." He claimed as he pushed a series of buttons and suddenly fell through the bottom of his Egg-Mobile.
When he landed, it wasn't just Eggman anymore, over his usual outfit was thick mechanical armor on his arms up to his shoulders painted red and black with his logo on the right shoulder.
He clenched the mechanical fists experimentally and made mock stretching exorcizes. "This is just a prototype of my Egg-Power Armor and I was hoping to keep it a surprise until I've finished." He explained and he got into a stance of his own. "But maybe I should test it out on you first? So I can see the look on Sonic's face when I personally break the neck of his precious princess!"
(A/N: Yeah, my Eggman X isn't going to fuck around!)
Eggman removed his glasses and revealed his black and red cybernetic eyes and two thin cables from each arms' shoulders slithered out and jacked into two small outlets in his temples. The he mockingly gave Sally a "bring it" gesture with his right arm.
Sally was slightly daunted by the hulking armor encasing the ex-despot's arms but nonetheless she reentered her Dragon style kung fu stance.
Eggman made the first move.
Moving at a speed unexpected for a man of his size and weight, especially with the heavy looking armor, Eggman was almost instantly upon the princess with a massive right metal fist raised to crush her.
Thinking quickly Sally dodged to the left but almost instantly the despot swung his left hand like a bear claw and swatted her away.
The chipmunk shouted in pain but she was quickly able to right herself in the air and landed on her feet safely.
'That was a hard hit.' Sally though to herself as she clutched her right side. 'If he was able to hit me properly that would have broken all the ribs on my right side. I can't let him get any more on me or I'll have more than just bruised ribs to worry about.'
"Are you done already Miss Acorn?" Eggman asked with mock concern. "You shouldn't be ashamed, although still just a prototype this armor increases my strength, speed and reflexes by a factor of ten. Admittedly nowhere near fast enough to defeat Sonic but against you? It'll be more than enough.
"Why aren't you helping them!?" Rotor shouted at Knuckles who simply stood there with his arms crossed.
"This is a fight between Sonic, the girl, and Eggman. We have no place in this."
Bunnie, it seems though, didn't get that memo because out of nowhere she rocketed toward Eggman and slammed her metal fist into his unprotected face and sent him tumbling away.
"Ya'll didn't foget 'bout lil' ol' meh now did ya?" She shouted as she cracked her knuckles. "Ya all right Sally-girl?" She asked her friend concernedly.
Sally finally recovered from the hit reentered her stance. "yeah Buns, just got caught off guard is all." She replied.
"Oh yes, the freak! How could I've forgotten?" Eggman retorted as he stood up, a large purple welt now throbbing on his right cheek. "I though Missile-Wrist blew you to pieces awhile ago?"
"Ya'll can't kill meh that easily!" Bunnie boasted.
"We'll see about that once I get my hands on you!" Eggman roared before he charged the duo like a rabid bear.
(cue Fight the Knight, by Crush 40)
Like before he was almost instantly upon them and he raised both mechanical arms with the hands locked to deliver a hammer fist strike.
Bunnie and Sally scattered and attempted to flank the mad doctor, Bunnie gave a haymaker punch with her robotic fist while Sally delivered a kick to Eggman's ribs, but with his new speed and reflexes neither hit. Instead he grasped onto the offending limbs and spun briefly before tossing them away, almost off the roof.
"Damn it! We can't touch him!" Sally cursed as she raised to her feet, clutching her still aching ribs.
"There has ta be sumthin' we can do Sally-girl!" Bunnie argued, her bionic arm but slightly dented from the despot's iron grip.
It was at that moment that Sonic suddenly decimated Missile-Wrist with a well aimed spin dash into and through its head causing it to explode spectacularly.
Sonic now stood amongst the wreckage with a wicked smirk with his hands on his hips in a "hero pose". "You loose." He stated simply.
"Garghn!" Eggman growled in frustration, knowing that his EPA wasn't good enough yet even if Sonic was alone, with the cyborg and the princess here too he stood no chance at all. "This isn't over yet hedgehog!" He exclaimed as flash grenades exploded around him, causing enough of a distraction to let him get back in his Egg-Mobile.
"Mark my words Sonic! We'll meet again and next time I'll be the victor! AHAHAHAHAHAH!" He shouted as he flew higher and higher into the sky until he disappeared from view.
"Same line every time." Sonic commented as he watched the dictator disappear. That was when he saw the dark purple bruise on Sally's right side as Bunnie checked it out for her. "Sal! Are you okay!" He shouted in concern and was about to go to her when suddenly something, small and pink glomped him.
"Sonic! Your okay!" Amy cried out happily as she hugged him tightly.
"Gah! Take it easy…" Sonic protested as he tried weakly to push the overly obsessive girl off of him.
"For awhile I thought I'd never see you again!" She continued to cry either ignoring or not hearing his protests.
"Amy please let me go…" He added lamely to no effect.
At that moment a squad of SWAT officers flooded out of the stairway exit and leveled their assault rifles at the Mobians.
"Oh crap…" Sonic muttered.
"Everybody freeze! Don't even think about running!" One of the cops ordered them.
'Me? Run?!' Knuckles raged in his mind, the thought of someone calling him a coward infuriating him. He turned to the humans fully, his fist raised up ready to strike and his face set in a vicious snarl intense enough to make them nervous.
"E-easy there buddy…" the same officer said nervously and tightened his grip on the rifle.
Knuckles growled in response. "Knuckles never runs from a fight, mate…"
"But Sonic does!" Sonic cut in. "We've gotta get out of here!" He concluded before picking up Amy and dashed for the Tornado, as Tails flew by with a ladder lowered. Bunnie picked up Sally and used her rocket legs to follow and Rotor was already halfway up the ladder.
After Sonic got a secure grip on the rope ladder Amy turned away and shouted to the angry echidna. "Knuckles come on! We have to go!"
At first it looked like Knuckles was going to ignore her and beat the crap out of these cops but then he dropped his arms with a smirk and made a mad dash for the plane. "G'day!" He mocked his fairwells.
"Damnit, OPEN FIRE, OPEN FIRE!"
All at once the SWAT team sent a hailstorm of bullets at them. Most of them aiming at Knuckles.
But luckily Knuckles was able to just barely make it and caught onto the last rung in the rope and none of the shot got more than a very light grazes.
Soon enough they were a far and safe distance from the SWAT team, Rotor in the passenger seat, Bunnie and Sally on the tail, and Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles hanging onto the ladder.
"You guys alright? I'm gonna take us back to Chris' house! Cream and Cheese'll be ecstatic to ya Amy!" Tails called down to them.
"Wow their here too? So we all made it together!" Amy exclaimed cheerily.
"All but Sugah-Twan…" Bunnie said sadly, worried if her boyfriend had even been teleported to this world.
"Hrmph, I don't know who this Sugertwan is, nor do I care, but this is where I get off!" Knuckles harrumphed before letting go of the rope and began to freefall.
"You idiot what are you/ya doing?!" Sally and Bunnie cried out in shock as they were sure Knuckles was going to fall to his death.
"See ya later, mates." Knuckles bid his farewell before he, too Sally's, Bunnie's, and Rotor's shock, glided down safely in a large forested area in a park.
"Why didn't he come with us?" Amy asked her crush curiously as they all watched the Echidna drift away.
"That's just Knuckles for ya, never liked playing with others." Sonic joked his response as Tails flew them toward the Ranch.
-Freedom Fighters X-
Now at the Ranch.
"Oh Sonic I missed you so much, it's been so long!" Amy squealed happily as she tried to chock the life out of the blue blur that was steadily turning bluer.
After they all landed Tails took the Tornado to fix it propeller along with Rotor and Chuck while Bunnie took Cream into the house to help get dinner ready for everyone before Chris' maid showed up.
Sonic, Sally, and Amy stayed in the front yard.
"It's only been two days…please let me go…" Sonic chocked out pitifully.
Sally couldn't help but giggle at the scene despite not liking the way the pink hedgehog was hugging her boyfriend.
"Oh Sonikku! I'll never leave your side again!" She proclaimed.
"Can't…breath…Amy…" He was starting the feel lightheaded.
Feeling pity for her poor goofball and more than a little peeved at the rosy hedgehog Sally strode over and with a bit of effort separated the two.
"*GASP!* Thanks Sal…" Sonic gasped out dramatically.
"No problem." Sally smiled back.
"Just who do you think you are!" Amy shouted huffily, her fists on her hips to portray her ire further and apparently having forgotten Rotor's words from before in the excitement.
Sally responded by crossing her arms defensively, not liking the girls bratty tone.
Luckily Sonic stepped between them before things got ugly. Casually he wrapped his arm around Sally's shoulder and let out a nervous chuckle. "Sally, this is Amy Rose, that girl I rescued from Little Planet and Metal Sonic I told you about. Amy this is Sally Alicia Acorn, my best friend since before I can remember and my girlfriend."
"WHAT!?" Amy screeched in shock and anger. "But I'M your girlfriend!" She argued.
Sonic massaged his forehead with his free hand and replied with a sigh. "No you're not Amy, I've told you over and over again I only like you as a friend and I've tried to tell you I already had a girlfriend but you wouldn't listen."
Tears welled up in Amy's eyes at Sonic's words.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way." The Blue Blur said trying to sound sympathetic.
Amy choked back a sob and ran off to another part of the mansion.
"I know I did the right thing…so why do I still feel like a heartless ass?" Sonic said with a sigh.
"Because you do have a heart Sonic, one as big as your ego." Sally joked to try and cheer the hedgehog up. "Just give her some time to sort things out and we can talk to her about this later. It has been a long day for all of us and I need to nurse these bruised ribs." She added whilst rubbing her bruised right side.
Sonic face palmed at his own stupidity. "I can't believe I forgot about that! Are you okay?" he said quickly with worry.
"I'll be fine." The chipmunk said dismissively. "I didn't expect those mechanical arms to make Eggman move so much faster and he clipped me with a mostly ineffective bear swipe. It'll fade away in a week or two with the help of the residual energy from that power ring."
"Still, I should have been able to protect you. What if he was able to do more than that." Sonic argued guiltily.
"Sonic don't beat yourself up over it!" Sally protested. "Nothing seriously bad happened to me and I'm not a porcelain doll to be dotted on. Next time I'll be more careful and he'll be the one with bruised ribs."
Sonic smiled proudly at Sally's determination and he cupped her cheek gently. "Sal, have I ever told you I love you?" He asked playfully.
"From time to time." Sal jested back.
"Well let me tell you again. I love you, Sal." He said and he captured her lips with his own in a sweet kiss, one which was eagerly returned by the recipient.
A few second later Sally broke the kiss and she smiled up at the taller Mobian with a light blush. "I love you too, Sonic."
END OF CHAPTER!