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Chapter Text

Knothole

The rest of the Freedom Fighters were just hanging out, waiting for any word, when they heard the Tornado's engine approaching. Everyone ran out to see it coming in for a landing in the hangar.

"Sonic!" Sally cried. "You're back!"

Sonic and Tails hopped out of the plane.

"How'd it go?" Sally asked.

"Piece of cake," Sonic replied. "Snively never stood a chance."

"Robotnik left him in charge?" Hope questioned. "Why would he do that?"

"Apparently, Eggman's trying to find the Little Planet so he can retrieve Metal Sonic," Tails answered.

"Good luck with that," Amy scoffed. "It goes to the Special Zone when not over Mercia."

Sonic stretched, letting out a yawn. "Well, I need a chili dog and a nap. If anything else happens, beep me."

He went to his shack at that. Once he was gone, Tails' face fell.

"Sally, we need to talk about Sonic," he insisted. "Privately, if you don't mind."

Seeing the look in his eyes, Sally nodded, leading Tails to her room in Freedom HQ. Once they were inside, Tails got right to the point.

"Sonic's losing it, Sal," he said bluntly.

"Losing it?" Sally questioned.

"That Chaos lighting he has?" Tails began. "It's tied to his emotions, and it kept turning black. It happened when we were fighting Commander Brutus, and he attacked me. Sonic blew his stack, and... ripped Brutus' arm off with his bare hands."

"What?" Sally gasped.

"That's not all," Tails went on. "I found a Chaos Emerald in a spike pit and jumped in to get it. Sonic acted like I had just chopped my hand off. I mean, he knows I can fly. I was perfectly safe."

"This is bad…" Sally let out. "Damn… I didn't think he'd spiral this badly so quickly."

She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "It started with either what happened to Uncle Chuck, or the Angel Island mess, that much I know."

"Wherever it began, he's slipping badly," Tails insisted. "We should have brought it up sooner."

"Maybe we should try to talk with him," Sally suggested. "I only pray to Aurora he'll listen."

Lost Labyrinth Zone

Meanwhile, Metal Sonic and Eggatha approached the entrance to the Lost Labyrinth.

"The Lost Labyrinth," Eggatha noted. "I heard that the unworthy are killed if they fail the tests. And cheaters are severely punished."

"Then it seems I will have to clear these trials fair and square," Metal mused.

They approached the door, and it was at that moment the holographic form of Tempo appeared.

"To those who seek the treasure of the Labyrinth, know that only those who prove themselves worthy will live to see it," he informed them.

"Oh, my gosh!" Eggatha exclaimed. "An Ancient hologram!"

She rushed forward, her jaw on the ground. "I've never seen a functional hologram before!"

Tempo was silent for a few moments, then cleared his throat before going on. "But if you believe yourself pure of heart, mind, and soul, you need only pass three trials. The Trial of Intelligence, the Trial of Darkness, and the Trial of Water. Complete these trials, and the treasure is yours. Fail them, and you will join all those who have come before you and failed."

"You reacted…" Eggatha realized. "You're sentient. By Aurora, you're an artificial intelligence! So cool!"

"Yes, that's a good approximation for what I am," Tempo admitted, somewhat irked. "Now, do you want the treasure or not?"

"Right, right," Eggatha nodded. "Sorry. What's your name?"

"It's… Tempo."

"Sorry, Tempo," Eggatha replied, taking Metal's hand. "We'll do your trials now."

"Very well. Good luck." With that, Tempo disappeared.

"C'mon, Metal! Let's go!"

Eggatha pulled Metal along, and the two soon found themselves in the maze.

"The Trial of Intelligence… is a maze?" Metal asked.

"I love mazes!" Eggatha declared.

"Let's tread lightly here, Agatha," Metal warned. "From what the Ancient said, any error could be fatal."

"Right. I wonder how a maze could be fatal though," Eggatha pondered. "Unless dead ends literally kill you."

They made their way along, soon coming to a fork in the path. Eggatha led them down one, only to reach a dead end. Metal looked up, immediately yanking Eggatha back as the boulder came smashing down.

"I believe that answers your question," Metal said simply.
"Yep," Eggatha nodded. "And considering we're standing on a thirty-degree incline, we should run."

They took off at that, the boulder following. More boulders began falling as Eggatha began looking around.

"Metal!" she shouted. "Get us on top of the boulders!"

Metal grabbed her, running his jet engine and flying on top of the one pursuing them. Once they were on top, Eggatha saw they were level with the wall.

"Of course!" she realized. "The intelligent thing to do is get on the wall and away from the boulders!"

"Hold on to me."

Metal jumped up with her in tow, the two landing on the wall.

"We should remain up here on the walls while we make our way to the exit," Metal said.

"Good idea, Metal," Eggatha agreed. "That way we can't be accused of cheating."

They carefully made their way along the wall, soon making it to the exit where the torches sat.

"This must be the Trial of Darkness," Eggatha deduced as she tightened her grip on Metal's hand. "Don't tell Uncle Robotnik, but I don't like the dark."

Knothole

Sonic entered Freedom HQ to see his friends assembled, sitting in chairs.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Did something happen? Is Eggman back?"

"No, Sonic," Sally informed him. "This is an intervention."

"Intervention?" Sonic asked. "For what?"

"For you, idiot," Knuckles snapped. "In case you haven't noticed, we're worried about you."

"I told them about the black lightning, Sonic," Tails said.

"What?" Sonic demanded. "Tails, it was fine! I had it under control."

"This time, maybe," Chris answered. "Sonic, we're all worried. You've been slipping for a while, and we all share some of the blame. We should've spoken up about it sooner."

"And louder," Kat tacked on. "Sonic, if this is about me and what I did-"

"No," Sonic cut her off. "You didn't do anything."

"Well, this all started somewhere, sugar," Bunnie pointed out.

"Was it your Uncle Chuck?" Amy asked.

Sonic winced at that, which was all the answer she needed.

"So that just got the ball rolling," Antoine deduced. "Perhaps the Death Egg was merely icing on the cake."

"I'm not losing anyone else to Eggman," Sonic said adamantly. "It's as simple as that."

"And what if you lose yourself in the process?" Sally demanded. "Sonic, you're not well. You need help."

"I've been looking up therapists, and I think I found one that could help you," Rotor offered.

"Thanks for the offer, Rote, but I'd rather chop my head off than have it examined," Sonic replied bluntly.

"Sonic, please be reasonable!" Keith pleaded.

"I'm going out for a run," Sonic declared. "Let me know if you find anything on Eggman."

He bolted out of the room at that.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Shortfuse remarked, sighing. "Stubborn jackass."

"He has to change the way he's been doing things," Mina insisted. "Can't he see where this is taking him?"

"He's on a downward spiral," Kat noted. "And I'm worried it's gonna take something drastic to snap him out of it."

Hope glanced worriedly at the direction the Blue Blur went. "Sonic…"

Lost Labyrinth Zone

Metal and Eggatha rode the mine cart through the dark tunnels, torch in hand.

"This is kinda fun," Eggatha mused. "Like a roller coaster. You ever been on a roller coaster, Metal?"

"I can't say I have," Metal admitted.

"It's a lot of fun," Eggatha replied. "Maybe I can take you to an amusement park. Oh! Or we can go on some of the rides on Uncle's new Eggmanland!"

"First, we might want to jump."

Metal grabbed her, flying out as the cart reached the end of the track. They went rolling, landing on the other side as Eggatha laughed.

"That was awesome!" she declared.

They stood up, looking around and seeing a big red fuse.

"I assume we're supposed to light that," Metal mused.

"Sound logic," Eggatha took the torch, lighting the fuse. "Fire in the hole!"

Metal grabbed her and held her close as he put up his Black Shield, mere seconds before the dynamite exploded. The shield dissipated, clearing the path.

"Alright, now the Trial of Water," Eggatha noted. "Probably a good thing I came. Tempo might consider you being a robot cheating."

"Sound reasoning," Metal took her hand as they made it to the water's surface. "Take a deep breath."

Eggatha took as big of a breath as she could, and the two dove in.

Robotropolis

Snively stood before a vid-screen in the citadel, Robotnik talking to him as he worked in the Special Zone.

"So, let me get this straight," Robotnik began. "You lost the Seven Eggatha created, failed to retrieve the power source, and let Sonic and Tails defeat you and destroy the E.G.G. Station?"

"It's not my fault the Seven failed!" Snively objected.

"Oh, really?" Robotnik asked. "Then why did they register unauthorized tampering with their designs?"

Snively stiffened at that.

"I'm far from stupid, Snively," Robotnik informed him. "It's because of your little modifications the Seven were destroyed." He shook his head in annoyance. "There seems to be no limit to the ways you find to disappoint me."

"She's a twelve-year-old girl!" Snively snapped. "I had to improve her designs! Tell me, Uncle Ivo, what makes her so damn special compared to me?!"

"She does as she's told," Robotnik said simply, listing the reasons on his fingers. "She makes genuine contributions to our cause. Her designs are original and legitimately useful. Whereas you, Snively, are only with me until someone or something gives you a better offer. Isn't that how you've coasted through most of your life?"

Snively choked on his words at that.

"If I'm honest, the only reason I didn't kick you to the curb the second Agatha showed up was because she asked me not to," Robotnik went on. "If anything, you should be grateful to her for protecting her worthless brother."

"Worthless?!" Snively shrieked.

"I'll admit you're useful, and brilliant in your own right," Robotnik continued. "But your arrogance far outstrips your competence. Now, I have work to do. Do yourself a favor and just stay in the citadel and out of trouble."

The communication ended at that. Snively fumed, kicking the chair in a rage.

"Who does he think he is?!" he roared. "I'm the reason his Death Egg even got off the ground in the first place! I came here, giving all my valuable time to him, and this is the thanks I get?!"

He grabbed the chair, throwing it. "Well then… we'll play it that way. You will regret belittling me like that, Uncle. Mark my words."

Lost Labyrinth Zone

Metal surfaced, bringing a gasping Eggatha up and dragging her to dry land. She coughed and sputtered, struggling to regain her breath.

"How did Sonic handle that?" she pondered.

"It's a mystery to me as well," Metal admitted. "He hates water."

Eggatha stood up, ringing out her dress and hair before adjusting her glasses. "So… is this it? Did we pass?"

Tempo appeared at that. "Indeed you did. You have proven worthy of the Fregosi Sapphire."

"Oh, hi Tempo," Eggatha greeted. "Wow, you must be all over the place. Where's your central processing unit?"

"Hold on, Agatha," Metal told her before turning to Tempo. "What is the Fregosi Sapphire?"

Tempo gestured to the altar where it sat. "A treasure of the Ancients, created through extensive research into the Chaos Emeralds by our people. The Fregosi Sapphire contains great power, and with it comes great responsibility."

"Whoa…" Eggatha let out. "Metal, that's just what you need!"

"My thoughts exactly." Metal went to the altar, taking the Fregosi Sapphire.

The Sapphire glowed, spreading up Metal's arms before being absorbed into his body. He was surrounded by a magenta aura before looking at his hands, shuddering.

"Incredible…" he let out.

Eggatha watched Metal's transformation, then turned back to Tempo.

"So now that we have the sapphire, what happens to you?"

"Now, my purpose is fulfilled," Tempo answered. "I shall rest for all time."

"But that's not fair," Eggatha insisted, thinking for a moment before snapping her fingers. "You never did answer my question about your central processing unit."

"It's beneath the altar," Tempo replied. "Why do you ask?"

Eggatha scurried over to the altar.

"Because I'm taking you with us," She pulled some tools from her belt and began carefully removing the paneling around the processor. "So what if your purpose has been fulfilled? You can find more to do out of life. Besides, a working Ancient AI? Historians and researchers will bend over backward to learn more about you, your culture, everything."

Tempo thought it over before nodding. "Sound reasoning. Very well."

Eggatha removed the processing unit and Tempo shut off. She also went over to where he had been and removed the holographic display node.

"Hello new pet project," she gushed, gathering the tech in her arms. "Ready to go, Metal?"

"Yes," Metal nodded as he looked at his hands, chuckling. "When next we meet, Sonic won't know what hit him."

Knothole, one month later…

Sonic paced around the main room of Freedom HQ, eager for any word on Robotnik. The group watched over him in concern.

"Boy, he's really going nuts, isn't he?" Sticks pondered.

"And that's coming from you," Shortfuse remarked.

"Exactly!" Sticks said with a nod.

"He's antsier than a Pocky (1) in a Devil Dog den," Bunnie noted.

At that moment, Hope came out, carrying her laptop.

"You'll never guess what I found out from Agatha," she informed them.

"You've been in contact with her?" Keith asked.

"We started messaging not long ago," Hope explained. "She's working on some ancient hologram named Tempo."

Tails stiffened at that, and Sonic went white before darting over.

"Did you say Tempo?" the hedgehog asked.

Hope nodded. "Yeah, that's what she calls him."

"That was the name of the Ancient hologram that controlled the Lost Labyrinth trials!" Tails exclaimed.

"Huh," Hope remarked. "She said she got it from a labyrinth. I really should have made that connection sooner. Anyways, enough about that. We were chatting and she apologized for the spotty reception because 'the Special Zone's unique properties make IMs difficult'."

"She's in the Special Zone?!" Amy shouted.

"Yeah," Hope nodded. "I asked her what she was doing there, and she sent me this."

She turned the screen to show a selfie of Eggatha flashing a peace sign. Behind her was the Little Planet, which appeared to be surrounded by a new version of the Death Egg, albeit with a glass mouth around it, and with a quarter of it still under construction.

"Eggman found the Little Planet in the Special Zone?!" Sonic shrieked.

"And from the looks of it, he's using it as the core for a new Death Egg," Hope went on.

A new message then popped up on the screen. Hope went pale.

"'We'll be done soon,'" she read aloud. "'Can't wait to see you. Tell Sonic Metal's excited to fight him again.'"

Everyone let out horrified gasps at that.

"He did retrieve Metal Sonic!" Sally cried.

"That's gotta be how Eggatha got Tempo!" Tails realized. "Metal must have gone through the trials and taken the Fregosi Sapphire!"

"This is bad," Kat let out. "This is really, really bad."

"With the Little Planet powering it, there's no telling how powerful the second Death Egg will be!" Rotor cried.

"Then we better get moving before Eggman finishes it." Sonic insisted.

"Right," Sally grabbed a Warp Ring, handing it to Sonic. "You're the one who's been there. Let's go."

Sonic opened his mouth to object, but Sally shook her head. "Do not give me that, Sonic. The Death Egg is back. Metal Sonic is more powerful than ever. You're letting the rest of us come with you as backup, and that's the end of the matter."

Everyone looked ready to fight. Sonic sighed in resignation before tossing the ring.

"Just pray to Aurora we stop it in time," he said. "I am not living through that nightmare again."

They all ran through, but Kat stopped just before going in, squeezing Sonic's hand.

"This will be different," she promised, assuring both Sonic and herself.

Sonic nodded, then they ran in, the Warp Ring closing up behind them…

Chapter Text

The Special Zone

The Freedom Fighters arrived in the Special Zone, seeing the Death Egg Mark II not far from their position. Seeing the massive ship had everyone on edge. Kat visibly tensed at the sight, Knuckles taking her hand. Sonic rubbed his rib, steeling himself before turning to the rest of the group.

"Alright, just leave this to me," he declared.

"No way, Sonic," Sally shot down, shaking her head. "We all came along, so we're all going to help."

Sonic looked surprised, but Sally ignored him, addressing the group.

"Kat, you know the Death Egg, what can you-?"

"NO!" Sonic suddenly snapped.

Everyone jumped, turning to see Sonic looking angry and scared, clenching his fists and shaking his head.

"She's not setting foot back on that death trap!"

"We're not gonna let you have all the fun, man," Knuckles insisted.

"You don't get it!" Sonic hissed through gritted teeth.

"Sonic, Kat spent months on the Death Egg," Sally rationalized, "and I doubt he would have made this one that much different from the first one. We need her to -"

"I said no, Sally!" Sonic interjected. "No freaking way!"

Sally let out a growl, growing annoyed.

"Sonic, why won't you just let us help you?!"

That seemed to set Sonic off.

"Help?! You mean like how you almost got Kat and the boys killed by Kodos trying to 'help' me?!"

A dead silence followed at that, everyone stunned by the exclamation. Sally attempted to find words in her defense, but Sonic cut her off, continuing his rant.

"I warned you, Sal! I WARNED YOU! But you didn't listen to me! You knew how psychotic Kodos was. How Robotnik would have to work twice as hard to be half as bad. I wanted them to stay out of it, but you overruled me and let them come anyway! And lo and behold, Kat would have died if Eggman hadn't shown up to do the dirty work! Well not this time, Sal! I'm going alone. No one else is getting on that Aurora-forsaken machine, and if you know what's good for you, you'll listen to me."

"Sonic-" Sally tried.

"No. First, Kat almost dies because you let her come to fight Kodos, and now you want to make her go back onto the space station where she endured months of a living hell and lost her parents and everyone she ever knew. I'm not losing anyone else. You guys are going to stay here, out of trouble, and I'm going onto the Death Egg by myself. End. Of. Discussion."

Before they could argue, he sped off, Sally calling out his name and reaching for him, but it was all for naught. The Freedom Fighters watched him vanish as Knuckles kicked a rock.

"That idiot…" the echidna snarled.

"I hate to be 'zat guy', but Sonic does have a point," Antoine admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

"What?!" The entire group exclaimed.

"Antoine," Bunnie let out, "He-"

"Just because he's slipping mentally doesn't mean he's not entirely wrong," Antoine interjected. "I did not want to say anything back then, but I do agree that sending children after a psychotic murderer was not the best idea."

"Nobody made us do anything, though!" Chris argued. "We wanted to come help! And you guys are all technically kids yourselves!"

"We chose to go," Kat added. "I chose to go against Kodos. That's on me, not Sally."

Sally looked at her hands, sighing in remorse.

"Sonic's right… I shouldn't have let you. We were wasting time arguing and needed to act. I thought that since you proved your mettle during the Phantom Ruby mess, it'd be okay. But Kat almost lost her life either way."

"It's not the first time, Sal-" Kat tried to defend.

"There shouldn't even be a first time!" Sally insisted. "You're twelve!"

"And almost everyone here is the same age!" Chris pointed out.

"Yeah, maybe it was reckless, but everyone still turned out okay!" Keith declared. "And Sonic wouldn't have been able to take Kodos if Kat hadn't helped him!"

"Call it reckless, call it foolhardy, it doesn't matter," Hope told her, "All of us knew what we were getting into when we became Freedom Fighters."

"And let's not forget that Amy's the same age as us, and Tails is only ten," Chris reminded her. "If you wanna sideline us, then maybe you should sideline them as well."

Sally looked at them all, genuinely torn. Tails approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Sally, you made a choice," he told her. "We can debate whether it was right or wrong from now until the end of time, but it won't change anything. Besides, right now, we need to focus on the mission at hand. Sonic needs our help, whether he wants it or not."

"Yeah," Amy agreed. "I don't care what Sonic said, he needs us. He's in a bad place right now, and we're all that's standing between him and real darkness."

Sally took a deep breath, shook her head, and turned towards the Death Egg Mk II.

"Right, let's go."

Sonic stopped before the Death Egg Mk II, looking for an entryway. It was at that moment he heard footsteps approach, and turned to see the other Freedom Fighters approaching.

"I told you you weren't-" he began, annoyed.

"We know, and we don't care," Tails cut him off. "You can't do this alone, Sonic."

"I can't-" Sonic started.

"Sonic!" Kat snapped. "We're going. Face it, you need us. Our strength, our prowess, our knowledge."

"We started the Freedom Fighters Initiative for a reason, Sonic," Sally added. "You're a Mobian, not an island. And human or Mobian, a man's strength comes not from just muscle, brains, or speed... but from his allies. His friends."

Sonic looked ready to burst from anger, annoyance, and fear. Finally, he just let out a yell and turned away.

"Fine," he gave in. "What do you think we should do?"

"Our first step is finding out how the Little Planet is attached to the Death Egg," Rotor decided.

"If I had to wager a guess, I say there are probably a few anchor points inside," Tails mused. "Like how he tethered Little Planet to Mercia."

"So we snap the anchor points, and the Death Egg's toast," Sonic deduced.

"Good plan," said Chris. "But it's not gonna be easy."

"Indeed, mon ami," Antoine agreed. "Zat thing will be crawling with Egg-Robos, Badniks, and who knows what else."

"Not to mention Metal, no doubt juiced up on that sapphire thing," Bunnie added.

"No one said this was gonna be easy," Mina pointed out. "And we don't need 'easy'. We just need 'possible.'"

"How do we get in?" Knuckles asked.

Kat scratched her head in thought. "Well... if this is another Death Egg, he's probably got workers. Maybe we could sneak in with a batch being brought in."

At the mention of workers, Sonic immediately turned to them. "And we get them out before we do anything else."

"Absolutely," Sally assured.

-X-

They waited, hiding behind a rock. Before long, a ship containing prison capsules flew in. The capsules were opened, and numerous prisoners were led into the Death Egg.

"Now!" Porker yelled.

They all dashed into the ship mere seconds before the hatch closed. Once they were inside, the Egg Robos instantly turned on them. Tails lobbed a Dummy Egg Bomb, shocking all the troops and causing them to power down.

"Rotor, Tekno, Porker, help me wipe their memory banks," the fox insisted, already running to one bot. "Everyone else, get the prisoners out."

Tekno, Rotor, and Porker went to help him, leaving the others to hurry ahead. Before long, however, they heard pounding at a nearby door, before something came charging through it in a Spin Dash. It wasn't Metal Sonic, but it was a Sonic robot nonetheless. This one had large eyes that were a gradient from red to yellow with a grid-like pattern. His forearms and feet were incredibly bulky, the tips of his shoes were the same red as Sonic's, and he had a massive jet on his back.

"Let me guess," Sonic began, "Silver Sonic?"

"Silver Sonic v2.0," the robot corrected. "Dr. Robotnik has a score to settle with you, and I'm just the bot to do it."

"What happened to Metal?" Sonic questioned. "From what I heard, he was eager to fight me."

"He had other matters to attend to," Silver Sonic replied. "Besides, my duty is to guard the Death Egg."

Sonic stretched, ready to fight. He then pulled his ring pouch out of his pocket, tossing it to Tails.

"Get outta here, guys. Save the prisoners. I'll handle him."

Everyone nodded and scattered, leaving the two Sonics to fight.

"Y'know, I'm glad you showed up," Sonic mused. "You have no idea how badly I need to hit something."

Silver Sonic raised his right arm, launching twin missiles. Sonic immediately took off running, the missiles following him.

"Guided missiles again?" he asked.
Sonic rushed around, getting on top of Silver Sonic and banging on his head like a drum. He jumped off as the missiles closed in, only for Silver Sonic to shoot them down with a laser from his eyes.

"Close, but no cigar!" he taunted.

"Fine with me," Sonic retorted. "I don't smoke!"

He rolled into a Spin Dash, rushing at Silver Sonic. The two clashed back and forth for a while. Silver Sonic suddenly extended a grappling cable from his arm, ensnaring Sonic's ankle before slinging him around the room.

The others were hurrying along, hearing the clashing sounds from Sonic and Silver Sonic's fight. After a minute, Sally pulled out Nicole, her lynx form materializing.

"Nicole, is there anything you can tell us about Silver Sonic II?" she asked.

Nicole's eyes unfocused for several moments as she hacked into Robotnik's files.

"Dr. Robotnik's files indicate it's an upgraded version of the Silver Sonic model Sonic faced on the first Death Egg," she said at last. "Sleeker, faster... and its power supply is infinite."

"Great…" Sally sighed. "That's just great."

"Hey, Sonic can handle a tin can," Shortfuse insisted. "We have to get everyone off this ship and find those anchor points."

"Have faith, Sal," Johnny assured. "It always seems bad at first... but then Sonic finds a way."

"Kat, any idea where Eggman might be keeping the prisoners?" Keith asked.

"Follow me," Kat replied. "Hopefully the layout is still the same."

She led them along, soon finding an area marked "Prison Hall."

"Here it is…" she told them.

They went in, seeing the cells filled with people, human and Mobian alike.

"Time for a prison break," Knuckles declared.

He started bending the bars open with his bare hands. Everyone else began throwing Warp Rings, the prisoners running for them desperately.

"Check the engine room too!" Tails ordered. "There's probably a shift on duty!"

"And the area under construction!" Tekno added.

"Agreed," said Sally. "Sonic will never forgive us or himself if we leave even one person behind."

"Mina, Bunnie, Antoine, we'll check the construction site!" Shortfuse ordered.

"Knuckles, Chris, Keith, we should head for the engine," Kat declared.

The two groups split off to do so.

Unbeknownst to them, Robotnik was watching everything through the security footage.

"Well, this is quite the turn of events," he said with a grin.

Sonic and Silver Sonic were still fighting. By this point, Silver Sonic was flying around, a battered but determined Sonic hanging onto his legs.

"Give up, Hedgehog!" Silver Sonic snapped. "You can't win!"

"You better give up thinking I'm gonna give up!" Sonic snapped back.

"Then I'm gonna take you for a ride!"

Silver Sonic started flying around at high speed, plowing through quite a few walls. Through it all, Sonic refused to let go.

"Is that the best you got?!" he taunted.

"No," Silver Sonic replied, pointing his forearm at Sonic as a laser blaster revealed itself. "This is!"

Sonic let go just as he fired, resulting in Silver Sonic blowing his own foot off. The bot let out a roar of rage, his voice and eyes glitching somewhat. Sonic smirked, rolling on the ground and wiping his nose triumphantly.

"I've heard of shooting yourself in the foot, but I've never seen it literally happen."

Silver Sonic flew at him, and Sonic tucked into a ball before launching himself at the bot. His spines cut through the metal of the Badnik, beheading Silver Sonic with ease. The body crashed before going limp, while the head bounced along the ground.

"Bo... gus…" the head let out as its eyes glitched before turning off.

Sonic let out a breath, standing up and wincing in pain.

"Now, to catch up with the others."

He sped off, leaving his silvery doppelganger little more than scrap.

The last prisoner hopped through the Warp Ring as Shortfuse and Kat's groups met back up with the others.

"Ran out of Warp Rings, but everyone's out," Shortfuse informed them.

"Same with us," Knuckles said. "How many we got left?"

"Just one," Sally declared as she held it up. "We'll need it to get off this-"

Suddenly, it was shot out of her hand. The ring landed in Metal's outstretched hand as he emerged from the shadows.

"I'm afraid you won't be getting off this place anytime soon," he told them as he crushed the ring in his fist, dropping golden powder to the ground before them.

"Metal…" Sally gasped.

"You slimy…" Knuckles growled. "This was a trap!"

"Indeed it was."

Robotnik came flying in on the Egg Mobile, Eggatha with him.

"I knew the return of Metal and my Death Egg Mark II would lure you do-gooders here." he gloated.

"Eggman!" Hope exclaimed.

"That name is an insult, my dear niece!" Robotnik snapped. "You will address me as Dr. Robotnik!"

"I'll call you whatever I want!" Hope shot back.

"Silence!" Robotnik ordered. "You don't seem to realize what's going on. As of this moment, you are all my prisoners!"

He then broke down in maniacal laughter as Badniks and SWATbots poured into the room, surrounding the group. Amy scowled, drawing the Piko Piko Hammer.

"You think we're going down without a fight?!" she demanded.

"The question you should be asking is, what choice do you have?" Robotnik responded.

Sally looked down, realizing the odds were not in their favor.

"Guys… stand down," she ordered. "We can't win this."

"The princess is correct," Antoine conceded. "The outcome of this battle has been decided. A true warrior knows when to fold."

Everyone looked around, then they all dropped their respective weapons, raising their hands. Robotnik's cackles returned in full force…

Later, Sonic was zooming around, trying to find his friends.

"C'mon, guys. Where are you?" he demanded.

He then sped into a room, his foot connecting with something. He stopped, looking down as his blood ran cold. He picked up the Miles Electric, his hands shaking.

"SURPRISE!" came Robotnik's shout.

Before Sonic could react, he was encased in a glass capsule. He whirled around to see Robotnik approach.

"I figured I'd leave you a little souvenir from your friends," Robotnik boasted. "Don't worry, they're alive and still flesh and blood. In fact, they now have the honor of serving the Robotnik Empire in its assault on Mobius!"

"Let them go!" Sonic ordered, pounding on the glass. "When I get outta here, I'm gonna-!"

"You're gonna what?" Robotnik cut in. "Sorry, but this is the end for you. As much as I would love for you to have a front-row seat, I say leaving you to rot in the Special Zone, knowing how badly you failed, will be punishment enough."

"Eggman!" Sonic screamed, pounding with all his might, but to no avail. "You WON'T get away with this!"

Robotnik just smirked before hitting a button. "Goodbye, Sonic the Hedgehog."

With that, Sonic's capsule was ejected from the Death Egg, Sonic screaming in impotent rage all the while. He watched as the Death Egg warped out of sight, taking all of his friends with him.

"EGGMAN!" he shouted.

Planet Meridian

Several of the freed prisoners were all gathered up, doing head counts and making sure everyone was accounted for. As they did, a shadow loomed overhead and one looked up.

"Incoming!" he screamed.

They all scattered as Sonic's pod smashed down, leaving a large crater in its wake. After a few moments, they slowly approached, seeing Sonic attacking the inside of the pod with everything he had, determined to escape.

"It's Sonic!" the first prisoner exclaimed.

"What's he doing in that thing?" a second one questioned.

"Someone get a crowbar!" shouted a third.

Someone ran forward with a crowbar, jamming it into one of the side panels. Together, three prisoners pull as about five more hold the capsule in place. The side came loose, and Sonic quickly squeezed out before the prisoners' strength failed them.

"Thanks," he said politely.

"Are you alright?" one prisoner asked.

Sonic shook his head.

"No. My friends are still on that thing."

He began searching his pockets, the color draining from his face when he realized he didn't have any Warp Rings. He remembered he'd given it to Tails, which meant he was essentially stranded. Sonic began shaking, looking down at his hands as his situation sank in. His friends were imprisoned and enslaved on the Death Egg, and without Warp Rings, he was effectively powerless to go after them. The prisoners immediately gave him a wide berth as he began sparking, before whirling around and taking his rage and sorrow out on the capsule he'd just escaped from.

"Damn it!" he screamed. "DAMN IT!"

Black lightning rolled off him as he punched the capsule as hard as he could.

"Sally! Tails! Knuckles!"

The capsule began to dent and crack under his assault.

"You took everything from me, Eggman! EVERYTHING!"

The capsule exploded as Sonic just stood there, his breath ragged. He then fell to his knees, the black lightning falling away as tears filled his eyes. He punched the ground, his blows growing weaker. The prisoners just looked on sympathetically as Sonic sat there, sobbing silently. Slowly, however, the crying ceased, and Sonic slowly stood up, his face a cold, stony mask as he glared up at where the Death Egg used to be.

"I have to get back to Mobius," he insisted, clenching his fists in determination. "I don't care what you say or think, Eggman. I'm not just gonna roll over and die here. I'm getting my friends back... even if it kills me."

Chapter Text

Death Egg Mark II

The Death Egg Mark II made its way across the skies of Mobius, its massive shadow overtaking the land. Mobians and humans alike who saw it all fled in terror. From his throne room inside, Robotnik cackled.

"Look at all those little pests scurrying about," he gloated. "Quite a sight, don't you agree, my little fool?"

Sitting on the ground right by the throne was Antoine, dressed in a gaudy jester's outfit with thick shackles on his legs. He just grumbled indignantly to himself.

"Oh, lighten up," Robotnik urged. "You're a jester, not some sad clown in a circus."

Antoine snorted, not even reacting. Robotnik sighed, then got to his feet.

"Gofer!" he roared.

Johnny approached at that, dressed in a butler's outfit.

"You bellowed?" he asked.

"It's time for my daily inspection," Robotnik told him ."Come along."

He snapped his fingers like one would to a dog. Antoine gave Johnny a sympathetic wince and Johnny returned it with a small nod.

"Your will be done, Your Royal Heinie," Johnny said, totally deadpan.

Robotnik just smirked as he and Johnny went along. They began walking down the massive halls, where they came across Mina. She was in one of Robotnik's prison uniforms, scrubbing the floors with a scrub brush. As he walked past, Robotnik kicked the bucket over, the contents spilling all over Mina and the floor.

"You missed a spot!" he cackled.

Mina glared daggers at Robotnik, shaking water off herself as she resumed scrubbing. He then approached a room that was marked "Agatha's", knocking on the door.

"Agatha, my dear," he said, "Any progress on your latest project?"

After a minute, Eggatha opened the door. Johnny leaned in, seeing Bunnie strapped to a work table in the lab. Thankfully, she appeared unhurt.

"Partial robotization is absolutely mindblowing!" the young Robotnik explained. "I'm checking to make sure there are no effects to organic tissue still connected. This may be the next step in robotic evolution!"

"Good to hear," Robotnik remarked.

She nodded, then closed the door, Robotnik and Johnny continuing their way. They came across Tails, Rotor, Porker, Chris, Keith, Hope, and Tekno on the Badnik assembly lines. All of them were shackled to their workstations, wearing the same prison suits as Mina, and were under the watchful eyes of several Swatbots.

"Attention, workers!" he declared. "Your quota has been doubled! Rest will not be permitted until it is met!"

"Goody," Tails said flatly. "We'd jump for joy, but... well, you know."

He moved his shackled leg for emphasis, and that got him a jab in the back from a stun baton.

"Talking is forbidden!" the Swatbot declared. "Back to work!"

Tails shook off the shock, pulling himself up and getting back to his slave labor. Robotnik smirked as he went on.

"Such a well-oiled machine," he mused. "Don't you think so, Gofer?"

"Oh, most certainly, sir," Johnny declared in faux cheer. "You know what you're doing."

Robotnik just chuckled. He then made for the engine room, where Knuckles, Amy, and Kat were busy shoveling coal for a massive furnace. All three of them were caked in soot and sweat, shackled together at the ankles. Knuckles and Kat had neutral expressions, but Amy was whistling cheerfully.

"I didn't know my workload had you so happy," Robotnik mused.

"Oh, it's not that," Amy admitted. "I'm just imagining it's all gonna be worth it when Sonic catches up to us and kicks your ass."

"He's gonna have to find a way out of the Special Zone first, my dear," Robotnik said simply.

"He will," Amy insisted. "And when he does, I am shoving this shovel where the sun doesn't shine."

Johnny snorted at the image. Robotnik shot him a dirty look, and Johnny quickly put on a casual smile at that. The vile doctor stalked off, making his way to another lab. In this one, Snively and Grimer were working on Shortfuse, who like Bunnie, was strapped to a work table.

"Any luck figuring out how to get our rogue Cybernik under control?" he asked.

"He's quite stubborn, sir," Snively replied.

"You're not gonna make me crack!" Shortfuse swore. "My will's as unbreakable as this shell! I'm never gonna be one of your Badniks, Eggman! You better pray these restraints keep holding me, 'cause if and when I get loose... you don't wanna be you."

"And if you don't want any of your little friends to suffer an unfortunate accident, you'll stay right there like a good little Badnik," Robotnik warned. "Got it?"

Realizing he was backed into a corner, Shortfuse looked back up at the ceiling. Robotnik gave a small nod of satisfaction, then turned away. His next stop was the prison area, where Sticks was pacing around in a cell, eyes darting all over.

"Hello, my little nutcase," he greeted. "Are you ready to behave yet?"

"Never!" Sticks declared dramatically. "You can't tame this badger! And you're gonna break something trying, Eggman!"

She launched herself at the bars, trying to claw at Robotnik. He just stepped back so he was out of range.

"Why Sonic kept someone as unstable as you around, I will never understand," he remarked.

"And we don't really expect you to, sir," Johnny said casually. "Trying to explain such things to someone with a heart of steel like yours is an exercise in futility."

Robotnik raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to be funny?"

"Nope," Johnny replied. "Just stating facts."

Robotnik sneered at that.

"If you have time for jokes, then you have time to organize my wardrobe and polish all my shoes," he declared. "You have an hour."

"Of course, Doctor," Johnny said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt. "I exist to serve, I live to please."

He departed at that. Robotnik rolled his eyes, then made his way to the end of the prison. He input a code into a keypad, unlocking a private elevator. He rode it down, the doors opening to an empty room, save for a single capsule. Inside the capsule was Sally, who was curled up and hugging her legs. When the lights clicked on, she winced, shielding her eyes and turning to the elevator.

"Hello, Princess," Robotnik greeted as he strolled out. "Enjoying yourself?"

"Screw you, Eggman," Sally sneered. "You and I both know this is a temporary victory."

"Believe that if it comforts you, but we both know the truth. So, let's stop playing around. Tell me where Knothole Village is."

Sally snorted.

"Sure I will. When you get a life!"

Robotnik sighed, shaking his head.

"Oh, Princess. Haven't you realized yet that your pithy resistance has no real toe-hold on my empire? At any moment, I could have carpet-bombed you all and been done with it. But then I'd have nothing to do. I let your little band of Freedom Fighters exist so I could entertain myself. I will concede that you all have won my war game more times than not, but so what? The reality is: I surpassed everything you and your friends are ever going to do...before I was a toddler. I was spitting out formulas while you were spitting up formula."

"Joke's on you. I was breastfed."

Robotnik narrowed his eyes.

"Classy."

Sally just rolled her eyes, turning herself so she was facing Robotnik.

"Look Eggman, it doesn't matter how smart you think you are, you're not going to win. Sonic will get out of the Special Zone. He will find us, and he will stop you. You made a fatal mistake leaving him alive. Stranded or not, he won't give up while he still breathes."

"We'll see, Princess," Robotnik said flippantly as he walked out of the room, the lights turning off as he did. "We'll just see."

Planet Meridian

Sonic was darting around New Tek City, looking for the one person who could help him.

"Where are you, Omni?" he pondered aloud.

He looked everywhere, barely taking time to breathe as he searched.

"Omni! Come on!" he shouted. "I really need you!"

As he rounded a corner, the massive screen came into view.

"Sonic, it's been a long time," Omni greeted. "Perhaps if you held still long enough for me to catch you, you wouldn't have wasted a full day searching for me."

"Right, sorry," Sonic replied. "Listen, you've gotta send me back to Mobius. My friends are in trouble."

"Believe me, I am well aware," Omni said. "I am still unsure how Robotnik managed to return to the Special Zone after I banished him, but now he has truly gone too far."

"On that, we agree," Sonic nodded. "I'm gonna kick every square inch of his flabby behind when I catch up to him."

"That will take a very long time," Omni deadpanned.

"Doesn't matter," Sonic insisted. "I know you probably can't spit me out right on the thing, but get me as close as you can. He has my friends, so I'm not stopping until all of them are safe."

"I'm on it."

Omni's screen flickered for a minute, producing the image of an ancient castle surrounded by a dense forest.

"He's over Sylvania Castle, eh?" Sonic pondered.

"Indeed," Omni confirmed. "I can drop you at the gates. The rest is up to you."

"Thanks, Omni," Sonic nodded before jumping into the screen, which rippled like water as he vanished.

Death Egg Mark II

In the throne room, Antoine was being forced to entertain Robotnik.

"Did you hear the one about the teacher who wore an eyepatch?" he asked. "They had to let him go. Turns out he only had one pupil."

Robotnik sighed.

"You are by far the worst fool ever," he remarked. "Since your jokes don't fly, let's see you dance!"

He removed his left glove, firing lasers from his index finger at Antoine's feet. The coyote began jumping to avoid the lasers, yelping the entire time. Robotnik cackled, enjoying the show as Grimer entered.

"Sir, something just showed up on radar."

"Just when it was getting good…" Robotnik grumbled.

He turned on the monitors in the throne room, which showed Sonic appearing on the edge of the castle territory.

"SONIC?!" he shrieked.

"Yes!" Antoine went wide-eyed and began jumping for joy. "We're saved! I knew he'd come! Your days are numbered, Eggman!"

"How did he-?!" Robotnik scowled as he realized what happened. "Of course. That Omni-Viewer fellow. How could I have forgotten about him?"

"Your orders?" Grimer asked.

"This information does not leave this room," Robotnik insisted. "And you!"

He pointed to Antoine. "Unless you want to become a permanent mime, you'll keep your trap shut."

Antoine just sat down, still smirking.

"Sonic may have escaped the Special Zone, but Sylvania Castle will be his tomb," Robotnik went on. "Deploy the Egg Serpentleaf."

Sylvania Castle

Sonic went up to the castle gates, looking them over. Sylvania Castle had a long and storied past, being a remnant of Mobius' bloody history of greed and hatred. Ghost stories and rumors abound about the area, and most beings gave it a wide berth.

"Sylvania Castle," Sonic mused. "Under normal circumstances, I'd steer clear of this creepy dump. But right now… it's just another obstacle."

Getting into a jogger's position, he launched himself forward, bashing right through the gates. He looked around, seeing a particularly tall tower in the distance.

"That tower seems like my best bet," he noted. "With any luck, I can launch myself from there to the Death Egg."

Sonic got to running, hopping up whatever footholds he could find as he made his way to the tower. As he attempted to climb, everything began to shake. Bricks began falling away as a loud roar ripped through the sky.

"Oh, great…" Sonic sighed.

Massive mechanical tentacles snaked around two pillars as a massive mech emerged from the ground. It resembled a cross between a snake and a flower.

"Now that's one hell of a snakeweed," Sonic quipped.

The petals opened up to reveal the Egg Mobile, in which sat Robotnik.

"Eggman…" Sonic growled.

"Stubborn little pincushion…" Robotnik growled. "I should've known you'd find a way out of the Special Zone!"

"I'll give you one chance to let my friends go," Sonic warned.

"Now why would I do that?" Robotnik asked. "They're mine now, Sonic."

Sonic scowled angrily, before cracking a dangerous smile. "I was so hoping you'd say that."

Sparking with dark lightning, he launched himself at the massive weed. The Serpentleaf swiped down with its tentacles, trying to squash Sonic, but he dodged nimbly before running up one of them, landing a double drop kick to the Egg Mobile itself. The Egg Mobile took a sharp drop down, Robotnik firing a laser from his finger.

"Get off, you damn rodent!" he shouted.

"I'm getting my friends back, Robuttnik!" Sonic screamed. "Nothing can protect you from me! Not Badniks! Not weapons! Not armor!"

Robotnik managed to strike Sonic in the stomach, sending him flying into the Egg Serpentleaf's grasp.

"I'll squeeze you like a tick!" the doctor shouted.

The Serpentleaf began to constrict Sonic, who screamed in pain and rage as he squirmed to get loose.

"You… won't win," Sonic wheezed.

"So I've heard," Robotnik retorted. "I swear if I had a Mobium for every time you or your friends said that…"

Sonic focused with all his might, the blue lightning beginning to spark across him. It traveled along the vile tentacles, causing the Serpentleaf to writhe in pain and release Sonic. Sonic dropped into a Homing Attack, aiming right at Serpentleaf's power core. He blasted through it, the Serpentleaf collapsing and dropping the Egg Mobile. Before it could take flight, Sonic jumped on top of it, grabbing Robotnik by the collar.

"Let. My friends. Go," he demanded.

"Are you a broken record or some-?"

Robotnik didn't get a chance to finish before Sonic, in a rage, punched him in the face with all his might... and was shocked when the blow knocked his head clean off. He looked between the head and the body, seeing sparking metal in both.

"Another stupid Eggbot…" he growled.

"Of course," the Eggbot's head declared. "You think I'm foolish enough to leave my Death Egg? Face it, Sonic. You've lost. It won't be long now before I bring Mobius to its knees!"

The head laughed and was cut off when Sonic stomped on it with all his might, crushing it into scrap.

"We'll see about that."

With that, Sonic looked back up at the tower, searching the sky for the Death Egg. Sadly, there was no sign of it.

"Damn! He got away!" Sonic cursed. "But not for long…"

He was about to run off when he felt something vibrate in his pocket. Perking, he pulled out the Miles Electric, seeing the Emerald Radar going off.

"A Chaos Emerald. Perfect!"

He followed the signal deep into the bowels of the castle, finding it to be deep in an underwater canal. Shockingly, he didn't even hesitate to jump in, swimming for it. Within seconds, he emerged, clutching the cyan Chaos Emerald.

"This makes three. Four more to go."

He shook himself free of water, pocketing the gem.

"Now, where'd the Death Egg go?"

Getting back out of the castle, Sonic held up the Miles Electric, scanning for any sign of the Death Egg or any more Chaos Emeralds. He eventually found a Chaos Emerald signal, somewhere up north.

"Okay, the Emeralds are the current plan. If I can go Super, I can just fly up to the Death Egg and save everyone."

He took off at that. As he ran off, a strange laughter filled the air. Several small apparitions with wild eyes began to appear, giving wide, serrated toothy smiles. Deep within the castle's catacombs, a gateway to some bizarre world appeared, two big multicolored eyes and a fanged blue maw appearing and laughing diabolically…

Chapter Text

Death Egg Mark II

Up in her lab, Eggatha was circling the bound Bunnie, checking the joints where metal met flesh. Unexpectedly, she was treating the half-Robian like a doctor would a patient rather than an experiment.

"Do you feel anything at the joint?" she asked. "Any pain or rejection of the limb?"

"Not really," Bunnie replied.

"I'd still keep an eye on it," Eggatha warned. "The interruption of the process could have been harmful. You're lucky it didn't get farther than your limbs."

"Believe me. I know." Bunnie said.

At that moment, the door to the lab opened and Metal entered. Bunnie scowled, while Eggatha just smiled.

"Hello, Metal," she greeted. "Can I help you?"

"Put the prisoner in her cage," Metal ordered. "We're needed."

Eggatha nodded. "Yes, of course."

Metal left, and Eggatha turned to Bunnie.

"Play nice, please," she asked. "He's right outside and he'll be much less nice than me."

Bunnie nodded, allowing Eggatha to unstrap her. Once she was free, she went to the cage without a fight. As the door closed, she looked up at Eggatha.

"Can you please tell me how my friends are?" she requested.

"I wish I could, but my Uncle made it clear there was to be no communication between you guys," Eggatha told her, not unkindly. "I'm sorry."

Bunnie winced before sighing.

"At least that means they're alive and not…" she trailed off, raising her metal arm for emphasis.

Eggatha nodded before exiting the lab, seeing Metal there.

"The Doctor is waiting in the throne room," he informed her.

They headed there, seeing Antoine performing an awkward-looking clomp dance (1).

"Agatha, Metal, you've come," Robotnik greeted.

Eggatha snickered at Antoine's dance before turning to her uncle. "What do you need, Uncle?"

"Against all odds, Sonic has escaped the Special Zone," Robotnik explained. "He destroyed the Egg Serpentleaf at Sylvania Castle, and is headed straight for the old White Park in the mountains."

In the midst of his dance, Antoine let out a triumphant noise. A single blast at his feet via Metal cut him off.

"I will intercept Sonic there," the robot assured.

"See that you do, and take Agatha with you," Robotnik ordered. "She's made noises about wanting to go to an amusement park with you."

Metal nodded. "Very well, Doctor."

They turned, preparing to go.

"And Agatha?" Robotnik piped up, getting her attention. "Sonic's escape doesn't leave this room."

"I know, Uncle," Eggatha assured.

With that, they departed.

"You know you won't be able to keep it from the others forever, Robotnik," Antoine told him.

"Well, that's a bridge I'll have to cross when the time comes," Robotnik said casually.

He reached behind his throne, pulling out a top hat and cane before tossing it to him. Antoine blinked.

"Where did you get these?" he questioned.

"Not important," Robotnik snapped. "Dance!"

Antoine sighed, putting on the hat and performing a soft shoe dance routine while twirling the cane like a baton (2). Robotnik cheered, clapping his hands in tune with his footsteps.

White Park Zone

Meanwhile, Sonic was racing across the Sylvanian Landscape, his eyes glued to the Miles Electric.

"Come on, where's that fourth Emerald?" he demanded. "I'm wasting time here!"

The signal led him to the foot of a mountain. He looked up, seeing snow atop it.

"More snow," Sonic deadpanned. "And me without my thermal underwear."

Still, he pushed onward, determined not to let anything stop him. Making his way through a forest of pine trees, he soon found himself standing before an old amusement park. A sign, faded but readable, read "White Park". From just inside, he could hear the sound of carnival music, as well as childish laughter. His curiosity piqued, Sonic went in, stopping short to see Eggatha on a working merry-go-round. She was riding around, smiling and laughing. Metal was at the controls, his claws embedded in the machine and clearly powering it. As she finished a circuit, Eggatha spotted Sonic and perked.

"Metal!" she cried. "Sonic's here!"

Metal turned towards the entrance, ripping his claws out of the controls. The merry-go-round ground to a halt.

"You… having fun with kids," Sonic let out in surprise. "Just when I thought I'd seen it all."

"Part of my duties is to protect Agatha and keep her happy," Metal insisted, clearly in denial. "That is all."

"Sure, whatever you say," Sonic replied. "So, you wanna keep up your perfect record and get your can kicked by me a fourth time, eh?"

"You greatly overestimate your power," Metal shot back. "And you're also alone. No one will come to aid you."

"I don't need help to pound you into scrap," Sonic retorted. "I did it by myself before, I'll do it again!"

"Ah, but I wield the power of the Fregosi Sapphire now," Metal raised his hands, lightning sparking between them. "This time, my victory is assured."

"Pull out any new tricks you want, Metal," Sonic told him. "You'll never be a match for the real deal, original Sonic!"

"We'll see about that," Metal swore. "Agatha, seal yourself in the ticket booth and stay there."

Eggatha obediently hopped off the merry-go-round, making a beeline for the ticket booth. The second the door shut and locked, Metal launched himself at Sonic. They clashed furiously, trading punches and Spin Attacks. Metal focused his power, electricity arcing from his fingers as he created a massive sphere of lightning.

"Nice little light show," Sonic noted before surrounding himself with Chaos lightning. "But you're not the only one who can play with lightning."

Metal just threw the lightning ball as Sonic rushed him. He darted to the side to avoid it and made to punch his doppelganger, but the robot grabbed his wrist, throwing him into one of the derelict games. This one was one of the test-your-strength games with the bell on top, which Sonic hit hard enough to shatter the bell.

"Looks like I win," Metal quipped.

Sonic snatched up the mallet. "Here's your prize!"

He charged forward, swinging it right at Metal only for the rotten wood to shatter on impact with his head.

"Was that supposed to hurt?" Metal questioned.

"Well, I thought it'd hold out a bit longer," Sonic replied simply.

Metal grabbed him by the throat. "Pathetic."

He drove him into the dirt, summoning another lightning sphere.

"Don't worry, Sonic," he began. "You'll be seeing your friends on the other side soon enough. I'll be sure to tell them how pathetically you met your end."

He brought the ball down, but Sonic's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist and stopping it in mid-fall.

"I don't think so…" Sonic declared, his voice strained.

Metal began pushing harder.

"Why do you resist? It is over! You and yours have lost! Your friends are slaves and experiments, and you are a mere hedgehog! What hope is there for you?"

"Even the smallest chance of victory is a reason to keep fighting! And hope may be frail, but it's hard to kill!"

He shoved Metal away, the bot skidding backward as Sonic plowed into him, sending him flying back into the support beams of a large roller coaster. Metal got up, sending pillars of electricity flying at Sonic, who darted around them before pummeling Metal into the ground, his lightning remaining blue.

"All that power from the Fregosi Sapphire, all those new tricks you learned just don't matter," he boasted, hitting his copy with a Homing Attack. "Doesn't matter what you try. Doesn't matter where I am or how badass you think you've become. 'Cause you know what? I'm Sonic the Hedgehog. I beat the bad guys."

Sonic then held out a hand, the lightning from his body channeling itself down his arm and into his palm (3). "And you'll never beat me."

He threw the ball. Metal was unable to dodge as the ball collided with him, sending him across the park and skidding across the ground. Thankfully, he stopped just before he could plow into the ticket booth where Eggatha was hiding. Seeing Metal almost hit her, Eggatha came out at that.

"Metal, enough!" she insisted. "You're not gonna win this one! Let's cut our losses and get out of here!"

Metal looked between Sonic and Eggatha, then vented as if growling before pointing at his rival.

"You won this round, Sonic, but we'll meet again very soon," he swore. "I will battle you as many times as is necessary... until I finally succeed at destroying you."

He grabbed Eggatha and flew away. Sonic watched them go before his hands suddenly twinged with pain. He looked down, seeing his gloves were singed and smoking slightly from the lightning ball.

"Ouch…" he winced. "Note to self: have Honey make me some insulated gloves."

He stuck his head in the ticket booth, hoping to find a first aid kit. However, he ended up finding something even better: the purple Chaos Emerald. Sonic grinned, snatching it up.

"Looks like I'm on a roll," he boasted, letting the Emerald's energy heal his injured hand.

He held up the Miles Electric, looking for the next one.

"Oil Desert…" he noted. "Well, better get moving."

He tucked the emerald in his pocket, then sped off. "Hang on, guys. I'm coming."

Chapter Text

Station Square

It had been a few days since the Freedom Fighters were captured. Not one to give up a chance to gloat, Robotnik had broadcast his victory all across Mobius. Entire cities had gone into lockdown, including Station Square. Inside the Thorndyke household, three sets of concerned guardians were all gathered. Pacing around the living room and wringing her hands was Laura Kent, Keith's mother. A pretty woman in her late thirties, Laura had long black hair in a ponytail and brown eyes like her son which were hidden behind a pair of square-rimmed glasses.

"Laura, sit down," Sam urged, standing up. "You're just going to wear yourself out."

"I can't help it," Laura insisted.

"Please," Sam pleaded. "Keith wouldn't like it if you-"

That set Laura off. She whirled on him in a rage.

"How would you know what Keith would like?!" she demanded.

Sam was stunned. "Why would I not? He's my son too, Laura."

"Well, you sure as hell haven't been acting like it!" Laura snapped. "Always busy with your high-speed lifestyle! Why do you think we split up?! That I got full custody?! Now Keith is in the hands of the biggest monster on Mobius, and it's like you don't even care!"

Sam was left in stunned silence, and the look on his face immediately replaces Laura's anger with horror.

"Of course, I care, Laura," Sam said after a moment. "I've always cared. Do you know why you got full custody? Because I wanted him to have a stable life with a stable parent." He put a hand on his chest. "I know I can't be that. All I've ever wanted is what's best for Keith, and right now, I'm scared to death about losing my son, our son, but I also know that Sonic will save him, and everyone else on that Aurora-forsaken ship."

Laura winced at that before sitting down, looking at him with regret.

"Sam... I'm so sorry. Things have just been so rough and I've been so angry… You didn't deserve that."

Sam sat down next to her, pulling her into a hug.

"We're both scared, I get it." he soothed. "I'll admit, you weren't entirely wrong. I haven't been as good a father to Keith as I should've been. When he gets back, that's gonna change."

Laura tightened her grip on him. Chuck Thorndyke, who had stuck his head in after the shouting started, gave them some space as he went to check on his son, Nelson. He found him and his wife, Lindsey Fair, in their office. Nelson was a tall man in his early forties with the same brown hair as Chris, but purple eyes, while Lindsey was a beautiful woman around the same age with the same orange hair as her brother Sam and the blue eyes of her son, with the addition of a beauty mark on her chin near the left corner of her mouth. Lindsey was weeping, while Nelson was on the phone.

"That's right, I want everyone on the lookout," he said. "A twelve-year-old boy with brown hair. He'll most likely be with another twelve-year-old boy with black hair and glasses, a red-haired girl, and a blonde girl. If you see them, bring them to Station Square immediately."

He hung up at that, before looking to see Chuck enter.

"Dad…" Nelson sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"I haven't seen you this worked up since Chris ran away to the old cabin," Chuck mused.

Lindsey sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

"Our baby boy is in the hands of that monster Dr. Robotnik," she lamented. "We never should have let him join Sonic's group."

"Now, now, you and I both know we couldn't have stopped him from joining," Nelson cut in. "When he wants something, he will do anything to get it. Chris knows how to take care of himself. And you know it's never wise to underestimate a Thorndyke."

"Exactly," Chuck put a comforting hand on Lindsey's back. "Chris is a tough kid. There's nothing Robotnik can do to him that will ever keep him down. And even if what Robotnik said is true and Sonic is trapped in some alternate dimension, you know he'll find a way to win. He's never let us down before, and he won't now."

"Precisely," another voice cut in.

They turned to see an older woman with grey-blonde hair and wrinkled blue eyes enter, resembling an older version of Hope. This was Hope's grandmother, Agnes Hopkins.

"Take heart," she assured. "Sonic will come through in the end. You'll see."

Lindsey managed a smile, blowing her nose. With that, the three groups of guardians convened in the living room, where a heavyset Soumercan (1) woman was pouring cups of tea.

"Tanaka suggested this," she told them. "A special Yurashian blend to soothe the spirit."

They all took their cups, drinking their tea. All of them sighed, feeling their bodies and minds relaxing already.

"Just what I needed," Lindsey remarked. "Send Tanaka our thanks, Ella."

Ella nodded. "Cheer up, the children will be alright. I bet Sonic is saving them even as we speak."

Oil Desert Zone

Ella wasn't quite right. Sonic was trying to save them, and getting an A for effort, at least. But at the moment, he was struggling through a massive sandstorm that had whipped up and cut visibility down to practically nothing.

"Aurora-damn it!" he cursed. "Can't I catch a break just this once?!"

He struggled along for a while, an arm over his eyes to shield them from the sand, before scowling.

"Okay, screw it! I so don't have time for this!"

He curled into a ball and started rolling at top speeds, heading in a straight line following the wind, hoping to get ahead of it. He managed to clear the storm and could see what looked like a massive refinery in the distance.

"There it is!" he cheered.

He made for it, and as he got closer, he saw that the refinery was full of garbage and scrap metal.

"Wow, this place is a dump. But it's a dump with shelter!"

He dove for one of the scrap piles, burrowing himself in as the sandstorm caught up with him. He hunkered down as the wind howled and the sand swirled.

Death Egg Mark II

The Death Egg was hovering idle for the night, so all of the Freedom Fighters were currently locked up. Keith was rubbing Kat's shoulders as Hope and Chris tried to tend to the chaffing under their shackles.

"I hate this…" Kat mumbled, keeping her voice low both from despair, and a desire to remain out of trouble.

"I know it sucks, but we just need to hang in there," Chris insisted.

"How long has it been?" Keith asked. "The days blend together."

"Four," Hope replied. "I think."

"Our families must be worried sick…" Chris sighed.

"Guys... be honest," Kat cut in. "Are we getting out of here?"

"Kat, please," Keith pleaded. "Don't give into despair. The minute you do, Eggman wins."

"I'm sorry… I just…" She shuddered, curling up. "The last time I was on this thing... I lost everyone. Everything I loved. I can't-" she began breaking down, "I can't go through that again."

On instinct, Keith pulled Kat into his arms. She stiffened but allowed the embrace.

"That's not gonna happen," he soothed. "We're all making it out of here. Sonic is coming."

Kat clutched him, burying her face into his shoulder.

-X-

From the throne room, Robotnik watched the imprisoned Freedom Fighters on various security monitors. He had a large tub of popcorn in his lap, which he munched on like he was watching a hit movie. He grinned, chuckling darkly at the sight of Keith comforting a distraught Kat, much to Antoine's disgust.

"Enfoiré… (2)" he spat. "You're enjoying this... is this how you get your sick kicks?"

"Hardly, but I'm not against enjoying the moment," Robotnik replied.

"When Sonic comes, I hope he cracks you open like the bad egg you are," Antoine growled.

"You just keep thinking that that blue spike ball will save the day, my dear fool," Robotnik shot back. "It's always more gratifying to raise hopes before you... snatch them away."

Oil Desert Zone

After a few minutes that felt like hours, the sandstorm finally passed. Sonic peeked out of his hidey-hole before emerging completely. The first thing he did was remove his sneakers, pouring out small piles worth of sand.

"Ugh…" he groaned. "I have sand in places I didn't even know I had."

He shook himself free of sand, even knocking some out of his ear. With that, he pulled out the Miles Electric, scanning for the Chaos Emerald. He got a ping deeper within the facility.

"Guess I'm going dumpster diving," he mused, looking at the piles of rusty scrap metal. "Good thing I've had all my tetanus shots."

He began looking around, shifting through the garbage, most of it being wrecked Badniks and other refuse. As he looked, he heard the rumbling of machinery approaching.

"Oh boy…" Sonic turned to see a new Badnik, this one a large mechanical amalgamation of scrap metal. Its right arm was a cylindrical engine turbine while its left arm was a buzz saw, with four long spider-like legs.

"You're big," Sonic noted. "Any chance you're just some maintenance drone whose sole purpose is to deal with this place?"

"Alert!" the Scrap Mech declared. "Priority One: Hedgehog!"

It lashed out with the buzz saw, Sonic jumping away.

"Didn't think so." Sonic deadpanned.

The Scrap Mech stomped after Sonic, trying to either saw through him or step on him as he ran around.

"Okay, you're big, but you have to have a weak spot!" Sonic insisted.

As he jumped over another saw attempt, the Miles Electric began vibrating. Sonic pulled it out, realizing the Chaos Emerald reading was coming from the mech.

"Of course," he realized. "You're centered on an electromagnet. And given your size, you'd need one heck of a power source. And what better than a Chaos Emerald?"

Focusing, he began sparking before revving into a Spin Dash and launching himself at it. He slammed into its feet, knocking it into the air and sending it crashing down. Once it landed, Sonic landed on top of it, prying pieces of metal away.

"Come on, come on, where's your core?" he demanded.

Eventually, his efforts bore fruit, and he came across the red Chaos Emerald buried deep within the heart of the machine.

"Yes!" He reached for it but was instantly batted away as the bot got back up. "Oh, COME ON! Give me a Big! Fat! BREAK!"

The Scrap Mech stomped over to him, and Sonic got up with a growl.

"I don't have time for this," he spat. "I've got friends to protect. I'm getting that Chaos Emerald, even if I have to pry it from your cold, lifeless shell!"

Lightning danced across his body as he raced towards it once more. This time, he tore right through the robot, emerald in hand as the bot exploded, raining scrap metal down like confetti.

"And baby makes five." he declared, pocketing the gem before pulling out the Miles Electric.

"You're kidding…" he sighed, seeing the reading coming from above him. He let out an angry yell, kicking a piece of scrap.

"The sky?!" he shouted. "I need the Emeralds to GET THERE!"

He put a hand over his face, breathing deep and slow to calm down before an alternative hit him. "Of course... the Tornado! Why didn't I think of that before?"

He held up the Miles Electric.

"I know Tails summoned the rocket. How did he…" Sonic looked at the options and commands before groaning and sticking it back in his pocket. "Y'know what? I'll just run. An easy jog back to Knothole from here."

He took off, kicking up sand as he went.

Death Egg Mark II

Robotnik marched through the Death Egg, observing his enslaved workforce. Suddenly, he stopped short at the assembly line, seeing and hearing Chris and Keith leading a military chant against him (3).

"Eggman's got us breaking stones…" Chris chanted.

"We'd just like to break his bones…" Everyone else chanted back.

"Eggman's got us working hard…" Keith declared.

"Ooh, we hate that tub of lard!" Everyone shouted.

"Enough!" An eggbot shouted.

It tasered Keith, the boy crying out and nearly crumbling. However, Chris kept up the chant, and once his limbs stopped tingling, Keith pulled himself up and joined in again. Robotnik saw this and his fists clenched, and he wasn't the only witness to this small rebellion. From her spot on the floor cleaning, Mina also began chanting.

"Eggman's got us breaking stones! We'd just like to break his bones!"

Robotnik kicked her bucket, and she didn't even flinch, just keeping up the chant like nothing had happened.

"Eggman's got us working hard! Ooh, we hate that tub of lard!"

Robotnik raised his foot to kick Mina herself this time, and that was when Grimer came running in.

"Sir, the workers in the engine!" he exclaimed. "They've… started to sing."

"Oh, no…"

Robotnik ran down to the engine room. Sure enough, Knuckles, Kat, and Amy had taken up the chant, Kat's sorrow and despair replaced with a taunting grin.

"Eggman's got us working hard!" Kat declared.

"Ooh, we hate that tub of lard!" Knuckles and Amy recited.

Kat then turned to Eggman, grinning as she added her own little verse. "Sonic's gonna come for you! And he'll beat you black and blue!"

"SILENCE!" Robotnik roared.

The trio was quiet for only a minute before taking up the chant again with even more gusto.

"Gyah!" Robotnik ran out of the room, covering his ears. As he passed Eggatha's lab, he heard her and Bunnie singing it.

"Eggman's got us breaking stones!" Eggatha chanted.

"We'd just like to break his bones!" Bunnie chanted back.

"Eggman's got us working hard!" Eggatha continued.

"Ooh, we hate that tub of lard!" Bunnie declared.

They laughed as Robotnik stood there, agape. "Agatha?!"

Eggatha turned to him, simply shrugging her shoulders.

"What?" she defended. "It's catchy!"

"Do not let me catch you singing that song in my presence!" Robotnik ordered.

"Okay!" Eggatha assured.

Robotnik stalked off at that.

"...Think this counts as 'not in his presence'?" Eggatha asked.

"Oh, definitely." Bunnie nodded before they continued the chant.

As Robotnik passed the Prison Hall and Snively's lab, he heard Sticks and Shortfuse taking up the chant as well.

"Make it stop…" he let out.

He went to Sally's private cell, where she was doing the chant from inside.

"Eggman's got them working hard! Ooh, we hate that tub of lard!"

"Stop that insipid chant!" Robotnik snarled. "I command you!"

"Face it, Eggman," Sally replied. "You can never break our spirits. Also, their voices filter through the vents. And as long as they have hope, so do I."

She then turned to him and started belting the chant at the top of her lungs. Robotnik fled the cell, hurrying to the throne room and stopping in horror to see Johnny and Antoine not only singing the chant but performing an energetic dance number to it.

"Eggman has us breaking stones!" Antoine recited.

"We'd just like to break his bones!" Johnny added.

That was when they saw Robotnik enter.

"Ah, the great heinie himself," Antoine greeted. "Are you entertained yet?"

Robotnik growled, grinding his teeth as his face turned beet red.

"Temper, temper, my good sir," Johnny remarked. "You wouldn't want to pop a blood vessel. Actually, by all means, go on and blow one. I'd love to see it happen."

"This was not how it was supposed to go!" Robotnik ranted. "You're supposed to be broken! In despair before me!"

"Then I guess you don't know people as well as you think you do," Johnny said casually. "You miscalculated Doc. We believe in Sonic more than we fear you."

"No, you miscalculated!" Robotnik spat. "You should fear me MORE!"

"We don't, Robotnik," Antoine replied. "Get over it."

Snarling, Robotnik stormed out, heading for his personal quarters... only to stop short to see even Snively, Grimer, and the 6-S squad had started up the chant.

"What do you think you're doing?!" he shouted.

"Sir, it's catchy," Snively defended.

"Yeah, it's got a good rhythm to it," Cubot added.

"I don't care!" Robotnik roared. "You do not sing songs making fun of me! Now get back to work!"

He stormed off, only to stop when they heard them picking it up again. He immediately doubled back, removing his left glove.

"Didn't you hear me?!" he shrieked. "I said STOP IT!"

He fired lasers at them repeatedly, sending them on the run before sighing and rubbing his temples.

"...I need a nap."

With that, he headed to his personal bedroom on the ship, slapping on earmuffs to avoid hearing the Freedom Fighters' continuous chanting as he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Death Egg Mark II

When Robotnik woke up, much to his annoyance, several of the Freedom Fighters were continuing the chant.

"Why have you not stopped them from singing that annoying song?!" he demanded.

"It's not like we didn't try!" Snively defended.

"Well, gag them if you have to!" Robotnik snapped. "Just make them shut up!"

It was at that point they decided to tack on Kat's verse to twist the knife.

"Sonic's gonna come for you!" Keith recited.

"And he'll beat you black and blue!" the others added.

"Enough already!" Robotnik roared. "You're driving me nuts!"

Hope just scoffed. "Everybody's a critic."

Robotnik growled in response.

"What's the matter, 'Uncle' Ivo?" Hope taunted. "Hedgehog got your tongue?"

Before he could ready his finger laser, Grimer appeared.

"Dr. Robotnik, something just showed up on the radar. You... might want to see this."

Robotnik sighed. "Now what?"

"In… private, sir?"

Robotnik rolled his eyes before walking off. Everyone exchanged looks, looking particularly hopeful.

"Do you think…?" Keith began.

"Yes," Chris nodded.

Tails grinned. "I'll bet my left tail he picked up the Tornado. Here comes Sonic now."

"I didn't know he could fly a plane," Porker remarked.

"He can," Tails confirmed. "He just prefers riding."

-X-

Robotnik headed to the bridge, where Grimer pointed to a small blip on the radar.

"Get an actual visual on this thing," the doctor ordered. "I have a gut feeling who it is."

A screen lowered, showing a blank sky. In the distance, they could see the silhouette of a plane, too far away to make out any details.

"Zoom in," Robotnik ordered.

A bit of static occurred, and everyone recoiled to see a massive close-up of a pair of green eyes and a black nose.

"Too much magnification!" Snively exclaimed.

The screen zoomed out, revealing Sonic in the Tornado, a pair of blue pilot goggles on his face and an expression of determination.

"Where is he?" Robotnik questioned.

"He appears to be headed for the Sky Fortress," Grimer explained.

"So, he can fly that little biplane of theirs," Snively remarked. "Who knew?"

"It doesn't matter," Robotnik declared.

He pressed a button on his glove controller, calling Metal to the bridge.

"You called, Doctor?" Metal asked.

"You get a chance to redeem yourself from the other day," Robotnik told him. "Sonic is coming this way. Blast him out of the sky!"

Metal clenched his fist. "I assure you, Doctor, I will face Sonic again and again until I succeed at destroying him. Losing is not an option. And neither is giving up."

"Good to hear," Robotnik remarked.

Sky Fortress Zone

Outside, Sonic was flying the Tornado toward the Sky Fortress.

"Alright, Eggman," he said, "Where are you stashing the Emerald?"

He heard a particularly loud engine and looked to see a massive, single-seater blue aircraft containing multiple hangars approaching him. Metal Sonic was at the controls.

"You gotta be kidding me…" he groaned.

"Sonic!" Metal's voice came. "Good to see you again. It's bittersweet though, considering this will be the last time I see you alive!"

"I've heard that song before, Metal!" Sonic shot back. "And it wasn't good the first time!"

The hangars opened, releasing a swarm of bird Badniks. Sonic scoffed.

"You can't stop me, Metal Head! I'm gonna get to the Death Egg and save my pals, no matter what!"

The two crafts duked it out in the air. Sonic manned the weapons, shooting down the Badniks as they came. Metal readied a cannon in the back of the Carrier, firing blue lasers directly at Sonic, who started doing barrel rolls to avoid them.

"Guess barrel rolls are good for something after all," he mused before firing on Metal this time.

The fight wore on for a while, the two exchanging volleys before Metal began charging up the laser.

"Checkmate, Sonic! Prepare to-!"

Sadly, Metal was so focused on the battle that he was unaware he was about to crash right into the Sky Fortress until the moment of impact. The resulting collision left a gaping hole big enough for Sonic to fit the Tornado into it.

"Too bad the doc didn't incorporate piloting lessons in your design!" Sonic mocked.

He flew in, patting the side of the Metal Carrier as he hopped out. "I truly thank you."

He then began speeding around, looking for his quarry. "Alright, where is that Chaos Emerald?"

He held out the Miles Electric, the signal leading him to the engine room. Inside a glass casing sat the blue Chaos Emerald.

"Bingo." He grabbed a crowbar, smashing the casing and pulling it out. "Just one more to go. Then, I am sinking that Death Egg once and for all."

The Sky Fortress powered down, beginning to lose altitude. "But first…"

Sonic made a mad dash back to the Tornado. He hopped in and gun the engine, just as Metal clawed his way out of the Metal Carrier.

"Have fun in your crashing fortress!" Sonic taunted as he took off.

As he flew out, he heard an enraged roar and turned to see Metal flying after the Tornado under his own power.

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?!" Sonic demanded. "And that's coming from me!"

"You can't escape me, Sonic!" Metal roared. "I'll chase you to the ends of Mobius!"

Metal landed on the wing, digging his claws into it. Sonic instantly hit the autopilot before leaping onto the wing.

"I don't take hitchhikers, buddy!" he shouted. "Get off my plane!"

"Only if I take you with me!" Metal shot back.

The two faced off on the wing as the plane continued its route. Metal slashed out with his claws, catching the front of Sonic's hoodie and leaving a thin rip in the pocket.

"Hey!" Sonic objected. "That was my favorite hoodie!"

He Spin-Dashed at Metal, causing him to skid across the wing. Metal caught the end, pulling himself up.

"Can't even protect yourself," he taunted. "What chance do you have at saving your friends?"

"Like I told you, the smallest chance of victory is still a reason to keep fighting!"

They grappled for a while before Metal tripped him up. He pinned Sonic down, trying to shove his head into the still-spinning propeller.

"Time for a haircut!" he declared.

Sonic struggled to keep himself up before kicking Metal hard in the chest plate, knocking him off. "Thanks, but no thanks!"

He slid across the wing, kicking Metal's legs out from under him. He then grabbed Metal by his chest plate and held him up over the edge of the wing.

"Since you can't die, I can do this without adding another stain on my conscience!"

He then tossed Metal off the plane.

"Now then…"

He got back into the seat, looking over the Miles Electric and seeing the last Emerald signal coming from the sky as well.

"Gotta be on the Death Egg…" he mused. "Which means I can save the others, get the last Emerald, and put it out of commission. Three birds with one stone!"

He slid on his goggles and pressed onward. "Hang on, guys. I'm on my way."

Chapter Text

Death Egg Mark II

The minute the Sky Fortress went down and he lost Metal Sonic's signal, Robotnik gritted his teeth, realizing what had happened.

"Again?!" he shrieked. "How does that blasted hedgehog keep doing this?! It's like I'm in some kind of story where I always lose no matter what because Sonic's the hero!"

"Sir, perhaps we should use the prisoners," Snively suggested. "Roboticize them and-"

"And let Sonic go ballistic on me again?" Robotnik demanded. "Not a chance! Lock them down. Lock them all down. I will not have them rioting and giving that damned hedgehog any help."

-X-

Just outside, Sonic was closing in on the Death Egg.

"Don't see an entrance. Guess I'm gonna have to make one!"

He scanned the Death Egg, finding the hangar doors and grinning. "Bingo."

Sonic flew in, blasting at the doors and weakening them before ramming the Tornado right through the doors with a massive explosion. The plane came crashing down, Sonic leaping out and wincing as he surveyed the damage.

"Tails is gonna kill me," he sighed before shaking his head. "Okay, gotta focus. Time to track down my buddies."

He began speeding around, trying to think. "Engine room first. Some of them have to be there. They can lead me to the others."

He sped into the engine room, knocking down the door. Knuckles, Amy, and Kat all jumped, turning before dropping their shovels at the sight of their savior.

"Sonic!" Amy cried in relief.

"Guys!" Sonic exclaimed.

He curled into a Spin Dash, then sped through the Egg-Robos guarding them. Once they were gone, he rushed over, Kat throwing her arms around him.

"You came…" she let out. "You really came…"

"You bet I did," Sonic told her as he patted her back. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Knuckles grabbed the shovel, using it to stab through the chains. Once they were shattered, he tossed the shovel aside.

"Okay, first things first," Sonic said, gently pushing Kat away. "Do you know where Robuttnik is keeping everyone else?"

"Bunnie and Shortfuse are lab experiments, but the former's with Eggatha," Knuckles replied. "Sticks is in the cells, and the others are working in the factory."

"Sally was led away from us," Amy added. "None of us know where she is."

"Well, maybe Eggman will tell us," Sonic said. "If we…" He cracked his knuckles for emphasis, "Persuade him."

"Gladly," Amy declared. "I did promise him a rather unpleasant experience with this shovel."

"I get the first crack, Amy," Sonic insisted.

"Leave the others to us," Knuckles said. "You focus on the labs and Eggman."

"Yeah," Kat nodded. "We got this."

Sonic nodded. "Be my guest."

He darted off at that, leaving Amy, Kat, and Knuckles to head for the Badnik processing plant.

-X-

In her lab, Eggatha was loading Bunnie into her cage.

"Sorry, I'm under orders to lock you down," Eggatha told her. "Apparently there's a nasty pest on board."

"Pest?" Bunnie asked.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Eggatha called.

"Housekeeping, ma'am!" came a familiar voice doing a bad falsetto. Bunnie perked.

"Sonic?" she whispered.

Raising an eyebrow, Eggatha went to the door, opened it... and immediately backed up as Sonic pushed his way in.

"Really?" she deadpanned. "Housekeeping?"

"I was on the spot," Sonic replied. "What'd you expect?"

"Sonic!" Bunnie cried.

"Hey, Bunnie," Sonic greeted. "The little egg being a good host?"

"Actually, yes," Bunnie confirmed.

"Feel free to take her," Eggatha told him, tossing him the keys to the cage. "Oh, and you need Chaos Emeralds, right?."

"Yeah, I do," Sonic perked. "Do you know where the last Chaos Emerald is?"

Eggatha nodded, opening a safe to reveal the gray Chaos Emerald. "You can take it, so long as we make it look like you stole it. Though if you could avoid bodily harm, I'd appreciate it."

"I don't harm children, Eggatha," Sonic assured her as he took the Emerald. "You've got nothing to fear from me. Your uncle, on the other hand…"

"If it's any consolation, everyone is okay," Eggatha promised. "Uncle insisted on not hurting them. I don't know why."

"I've got a pretty good idea," Sonic mused, pocketing the Emerald. He then opened the cage door, allowing Bunnie to get out. Once she was out, Eggatha crawled in, Sonic closing the door. "I'll make sure someone knows when to find you."

"Oh, before I go..." Bunnie piped up before snagging a strange, circular device off the lab table. "Souvenir."

She stuffed it into her jumpsuit.

"Hey, I was planning on giving that to you guys anyway," Eggatha smirked at Sonic's look. "Don't worry, Uncle Ivo will never know it was me."

Sonic nodded. "Alright then."

"Thanks for not treating me like a test subject," Bunnie said gratefully.

"You're wasting time," Eggatha cut in, waving them off. "Get going."

Sonic nodded before grabbing Bunnie and taking off.

-X-

Meanwhile, Knuckles, Kat, and Amy had managed to reach the Prison Hall. A chorus of the "Eggman's got us breaking stones" chant greeted them.

"Hey!" Kat called out.

Grimer and the 6-S, who were guarding the prisoners, were met with her and Knuckles.

"Let them out," Knuckles ordered. "Now."

Kat took her old shovel, bending it in her bare hands. Grimer and the 6-S looked at them nervously, and Orbot was the first one to pipe up.

"Oh, hell no. I'm outta here."

With that, he pressed the button to open the cells, the group scurrying away. The others came running out of their cells.

"Finally!" Sticks declared. "I was getting stir-crazy in there! And that's saying something!"

"Legs out," Knuckles told them. "We're snapping those chains."

They all offered their legs, Knuckles getting to work.

"If you're all loose," Tails began, "Then that means-"

Kat nodded, smiling. "Sonic came."

Keith grinned. "Knew he would."

Everyone was freed from their chains.

"Where's Amy?" Rotor asked.

"Looking for Mina," Knuckles replied.

"Sonic's got Bunnie and Shorty," Kat added. "But we still need Antoine and Johnny."

"And Sally," Chris pointed out.

"We'll need to talk to Eggman about her," Porker said.

"Then it looks like we're storming the throne room." Hope mused.

-X-

Meanwhile, Amy was looking around. Eventually, she heard a scrubbing sound, along with Mina humming the anti-Eggman chant.

"Mina?" she called out. "Mina!"

"Amy!" Mina got up, groaning slightly. "Man, I have been on my hands and knees for far too long…"

Amy ran over to her. "Sonic finally made it. We're getting outta here."

She looked at the chains, wincing.

"Sorry, I don't know if I can break them," she said.

"I'll be fine," Mina assured before perking. "Hang on. Your hammer."

Amy blinked, then slapped her forehead and held out her hand, the Piko Piko Hammer appearing. She swung down, smashing the chain.

"Thanks," Mina tilted her head quizzically. "Question, why not do that earlier?"

"Because my friends were threatened," Amy said matter-of-factly. "But with Sonic here, I got nothing to fear."

-X-

Elsewhere, Sonic and Bunnie had found another lab door, this one reading "Cybernik R&D." He busted down the door, seeing Shortfuse strapped to a table.

"Sonic," the Cybernik greeted. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Chasing after the Death Egg," Sonic replied. "Enduring blistering winds, scorching deserts. Or as we call it, Tuesday."

"Right," Shortfuse nodded. "Oh, Snively's hiding in that closet over there."

He gestured to a closet off to the side.

"Nice," Sonic noted. "Leave him be."

With that, Sonic looked for a switch, trying to find a way to open Shortfuse's bonds, but found nothing.

"Damn it! I can't find the release switch, Shorty."

"Alright, stand back," Shortfuse ordered. "Let's see what I'm made of."

Sonic did so, and Shorty snapped the bands like they were twigs. He got up, pulling off the remains.

"I have been wanting to do that for the past week." he declared.

Sonic blinked. "You mean to tell me you could've gotten loose at any time?"

"But then Eggman would've taken it out on the others." Shortfuse pointed out.

Sonic nodded solemnly. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

They hurried out of the lab just as the others ran up.

"Sonic!" Tails exclaimed. "I never doubted for a minute you'd find us!"

Sonic just grinned. "Well, if you can't count on a friend to save your butt when a mad scientist has you prisoner on his big space station of doom, what kind of friend are they?"

"How'd you get up here?" Rotor asked.

"Yeah, about that…" Sonic rubbed the back of his neck. "I… kinda had to plow the Tornado through the hangar doors to get in here. Sorry, Tails."

Tails shrugged. "Small price to pay for freedom. We can always repair it, or build a new one."

"Hey, focus," Knuckles cut in. "We're still down three people."

"Right." Sonic snapped to attention. "Where are Antoine and Johnny?"

"Eggman's throne room," Chris answered. "He's been keeping Johnny close by as his personal butler."

"And Antoine?" Sonic asked.

"Don't know," Bunnie replied. "We haven't seen him.

"Yeah, they made sure we didn't know what was going on with the others outside of our group," Porker added.

"Well, let's go get 'em," Sonic declared. "Time to scramble some Eggman."

They made for the throne room, kicking the door down. Antoine and Johnny jumped, seeing them arrive.

"The cavalry's finally here!" Johnny declared.

Sonic stopped short, looking over Antoine's attire and fighting back laughter and tears.

"Ant…" he let out. "That hat, and the costume…"

"Nailed it, I know," Antoine said flatly. "Thank you. Moving on."

He ripped off the hat as Knuckles and Kat came over, snapping the chains.

"Hey Knux, check the display case on the side," Johnny informed him.

Knuckles did so, grinning to see his hat resting there unharmed. He smashed the glass, grabbed the hat, and put it on.

"Just one more for a full set," Amy noted. "Where's Eggman?"

"He didn't tell us where he went," Antoine replied. "Just tethered us and vanished."

"Well, if history has told us anything, and he knows Sonic's staging a breakout, he's probably preparing his next big mech right about…" Rotor began.

The area began to rumble. They hurried to the core of the Death Egg, seeing it tethered to the Little Planet within by numerous chains. Robotnik began floating down, piloting a bizarre medical contraption resembling a human heart, half blue, half red. It rested in the center of four ring-shaped barriers that occasionally sparked with electricity.

"Sonic, my old nemesis!" he greeted. "Welcome to the heart of the Death Egg Mark II!"

He chuckled, while everyone else just rolled their eyes or looked annoyed.

"Not funny, Eggman," Sonic growled. "I'm done with jokes. I'm done with your games. Give me Sally, and maybe I'll let you live."

Everyone looked at him in shock, including Robotnik, who cleared his throat and composed himself.

"Empty threats, Sonic," he claimed. "I know you lack a killer instinct."

"I'm not feeling myself right now." Sonic retorted, his voice deadly calm.

"Then allow me to refresh your memory!"

He fired on the group, all of them scattering. Sonic scowled before smirking.

"Guess what time it is, Egghead!" he taunted.

The Chaos Emeralds floated around Sonic, and Robotnik gasped.

"No, not that!" he screamed.

"Yes! THAT!"

The yellow light engulfed Sonic as he grinned. "Time to cut out this monster's heart."

He darted forward, smashing through the Egg Heart's electric rings before landing right before it, grabbing Robotnik by the collar.

"Now you listen to me, you fat lard!" he ranted. "I've been stranded in the Special Zone, ran through the creepy Sylvania Castle, fought through a freezing-cold amusement park, got caught in a sandstorm, fought a giant pile of scrap metal, engaged in a dogfight with Metal Sonic, and despite it all, I still made it to the Death Egg to save my friends! So if you don't let Sally go before I count to ten, I WILL DO SOMETHING NOT NICE!"

-X-

Meanwhile, Snively came running into Eggatha's lab.

"Snively!" Eggatha exclaimed from the cage.

"What the?" Snively sighed before unlocking the cage. "Grab what you can and let's bolt."

"What's going on?" Eggatha asked.

"Super Sonic's on the warpath!" Snively snapped. "We have to get the hell out of here!"

"Uh-oh…" Eggatha let out. "Help me grab my stuff!"

"I don't have time!" Snively shot back.

"If you don't, I'll tell Uncle Robotnik you're the one who encouraged the Eggbots not to taser the prisoners for singing!" Eggatha threatened.

Snively winced, sighing. "Fine. Don't say I never did anything for you.

Eggatha smiled innocently. "Thank you."

-X-

Meanwhile, Sonic still had Robotnik by the collar.

"N-now now, Sonic," the mad doctor stammered. "There's no need for this!"

He gagged as Sonic grabbed him by the throat.

"One… Two…" He tightened his grip. "TEN!"

He squeezed so hard that, much to everyone else's horror, Robotnik's head popped right off his shoulders. The only thing that kept them from going off on him was the fact that the now severed head began sparking.

"Another Eggbot?!" Sonic shrieked. "Eggman! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

The screens turn on, forming a massive image of Robotnik.

"Getting away with my consolation prize, of course." he gloated, stepping aside to reveal Sally's capsule on the Egg Mobile.

"You are a miserable creep, Robotnik!" Sally spat.

Robotnik grinned. "Why thank you, Princess."

"Let her go, Eggman!" Sonic demanded.

"Sorry, Sonic," Robotnik shrugged, "But take heart: she will live. Though, I can't say the same for the rest of you. Activate self-destruct program!"

A countdown began as Robotnik laughed. "With Sally in my clutches, King Max will do anything I say!"

He boarded the Egg Mobile, beginning to fly away. Sonic ran forward, looking at Sally as they went.

"Hang in there a bit longer, Sal!" he yelled. "No matter how long it takes, I WILL FIND YOU!"

"We need to free the Little Planet and get off this thing!" Knuckles shouted.

"Right…" Sonic took a breath. "I'll handle the tethers! Get to the escape pods! If I'm not back in time, go without me!"

"What?!" Tails shrieked, but Sonic was already charging at the tethers.

"You heard him!" Amy called. "Let's go!"

"We can't leave him!" Tails objected.

"And we're not!" Amy retorted. "We're preparing for when he gets back! Now let's go!"

They hurried to the escape pods as Sonic sliced through the chains, removing segments of the Death Egg Mark II from the Little Planet bit by bit. Once the pieces were off, the planet shimmered, disappearing back into the Special Zone. Sonic then flew as fast as he could toward the pods. He stopped short, seeing everyone standing there.

"What are you just standing around for?!" he demanded. "Let's move, people!"

They nodded, rushing for the pods and launching themselves. They looked out the windows, seeing the Death Egg pieces exploding.

"We made it…" Mina sighed.

"We all made it," Kat pointed out.

"Not all of us," Sonic said, clenching his fists. "The minute we land, we're storming Robotropolis. We're saving Sally if we have to tear Eggman's city apart with our bare hands to do it."

"Damn right, we will," Knuckles agreed.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Knothole

At Freedom HQ, everyone was still in shock at what happened. The Emeralds had regained their usual luster, then had promptly vanished. Metamorphia was in the medical bay and was just laying on a cot, whimpering in fear and pain. In the main room, the group was discussing the situation.

"Sonic…" Mina let out. "I've never seen him like that."

"Neither have we," Rotor admitted. "But... from what we've heard, this has happened before."

"I remember Eggman saying Sonic was the one who gave him the cybernetic arm," Tails recalled. "I thought he was bluffing, but now…"

"You knew about this and never said anything, or made precautions?!" Knuckles demanded. "Damn it, you guys, keeping secrets like that could get us all killed!"

"It's personal, Knuckles!" Amy snapped. "How would you like it if your dirty laundry got aired to everyone who happened to be listening?!"

"I don't turn into a psychotic shadowy rage monster!" Knuckles countered.

"As much as I wish to discuss this matter further, we still have our shapeshifting Badnik and our captive princess to deal with," Antoine cut in.

"Dark Sonic was right about one thing," Shortfuse added. "Metamorphia knows where Knothole is. And if we let her go, there's no guarantee she won't spill it to Eggman."

"Maybe…" Bunnie mused. "Or maybe not. She's scared witless right now. I mean, she hasn't left that cot and I know for a fact those handcuffs we have her in can't do squat to hold her."

"So it looks like we're safe." Johnny hoped.

"That still leaves Sally," Porker said. "She's still in Robotropolis."

"I'm doing what I can to make us Warp Rings, but it's a very time-consuming process," Tails explained. "It'll be a couple hours before I have enough for another trip."

"Even then, Sonic's the one with the best chance of-" Mina began.

"We are not letting him out of that cell," Knuckles cut in harshly. "You saw what he almost did to Kat and Metamorphia. He's too dangerous."

"He's also the only one who can get to Sally fast enough!" Amy objected. "The Chaos Emeralds turned him into that thing, Knuckles, and they're gone!"

"You don't get it, Amy!" Knuckles snapped. "For Dark Chaos energy to do that, someone has to be filled with nothing but darkness! Sonic is unstable, dangerous, and a threat to all of us!"

"He's our friend, and he's hurting!" Amy shot back.

"Enough!" Bunnie cut in. "We're wasting time arguing about this!" She took a breath. "Tails, why don't you focus on the Warp Rings? Once you have at least two, we let Sonic out long enough to get Sally back. Then we'll discuss what to do with him."

"Right," Tails departed at that.

"I'll go keep an eye on the Lake," Porker decided. "We still need to heal the Badnik. No one deserves that."

Everyone dispersed to go about their tasks.

Twelve hours later…

Porker headed into the medical bay, holding a freshly summoned Power Ring. Metamorphia was shaking, the cracks all across her face.

"I'm gonna heal you," he told her. "Don't do anything stupid once I do."

He held the ring over her, projecting the power within. Bit by bit, Metamorphia's condition cleared up. She stopped shivering but didn't move from the cot.

"Monster…" she let out. "He's a monster. Dr. Robotnik never told me I'd be dealing with a demon…"

Porker winced at that. "Just rest."

She remained in place as he left, the pig turning to Shortfuse, who was on guard duty.

"She tried anything?" he asked.

"Hasn't even moved," Shortfuse replied. "Sonic really put the fear of Aurora into her."

Porker sighed, shaking his head.

"Never thought I'd see the day where I felt sorry for a Badnik."

-X-

Sonic was seated in his cell, having barely moved for the past twelve hours. The door opened, and he turned to see Kat coming in. She had bandages around her stomach and up her arms, as well as some leftover chili dogs on a tray.

"I figured you were probably hungry," she told him.

She slid the tray into the cell. Sonic took one slowly.

"Why did you come here?" he asked.

"To check on you. Make sure you were okay."

"You almost died because of me, Kat."

"Another reason I came, to ensure you weren't still... you know."

Sonic sighed. "I remember all that happened. I was just trying to get loose, break your grip. I didn't know I'd grown claws."

"I know. I was still conscious. I saw how you reacted when you saw me." Kat reached into her pocket, pulling out a packet of wipes and a new pair of gloves. "Here. These might help."

Sonic took them, cleaning his fingers and changing the gloves.

"You were right," he admitted. "All of you were right. I need help. I should've listened to you. By Aurora, I should've listened…"

Kat didn't say a word. Instead, she reached through the bars to try and comfort him. That was when Knuckles came in with the others. The second he saw Kat with Sonic, he flipped.

"Kat, what do you think you're doing?!" he demanded.

"Trying to comfort my friend," Kat replied. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"Are you forgetting you almost died last night because of him?!" Knuckles roared.

Sonic winced at that. Seeing this, Kat was set off.

"He didn't mean it!" she shouted. "He didn't mean any of it! You honestly think he wanted any of last night to happen?! NO!"

"I really didn't…" Sonic said quietly. "I swear on my Uncle Chuck's name…"

"See?!" Kat shrieked. "Knuckles, you of all people know Sonic would never purposely hurt me! And if he really did mean what he did, do you honestly think this cell could hold him?! For crying out loud, it's a wooden cage!"

"She's right about that," Sonic admitted, "I could've busted the door down at any time. I stayed here out of principle to keep Knuckles from blowing his stack. Besides… I deserve it."

Knuckles found himself sputtering to come up with a response.

"We can discuss guilt later," Amy cut in. "For now, we need you to help us with Metamorphia, then get Sally back."

"But don't think for a second you're getting off scot-free," Knuckles warned.

"Didn't think I was," Sonic replied.

Amy opened the cell, and Sonic got up, walking out. Knuckles' eyes never left him as the entire group walked out of the prison.

-X-

They headed to the medical bay. The second Metamorphia saw Sonic, she screamed. She flew out of the cot, toppling it as she was handcuffed to it.

"Not you!" she shrieked. "Please, leave me alone! I'm begging you!"

"Relax, I'm not gonna kill you," Sonic told her. "As long as you do something for me."

"Whatever you want!" Metamorphia exclaimed.

"You're gonna leave Knothole, and never tell Eggman where it is," Sonic said calmly. "If he or his Badniks ever show up here, I'll know it was you. I will look for you. I will find you. And you'll see just how scary I can really be. Are we clear?"

Metamorphia just began violently nodding, stammering affirmations.

"I'm glad we understand each other." Sonic went over, unlocking Metamorphia's cuffs before throwing a Warp Ring to Robotropolis. "Now beat it."

Metamorphia dove for it, running as fast as she could before Sonic snapped the ring shut.

"That's one problem taken care of," he said. "Now to get Sally back."

Robotropolis

Snively was still in the middle of his frantic search for Eggatha's infosphere. Eggatha was sitting on the ground by Robotnik's throne, tinkering with the dented head of Metal.

"It's too bad the sapphire shattered," she mused. "It was really powerful."

At that moment, Metamorphia came running in, scared out of her wits.

"Don't tell me," Robotnik sighed. "Sonic is still alive."

Metamorphia just babbled and sputtered, pantomiming what happened.

"Well, spit it out!" Robotnik snapped.

"Oh, I love charades!" Eggatha squeed, setting down Metal's head and facing Metamorphia. "Mission... failed... Sonic... angry... became…" Her face fell. "Shadow monster?"

That got Robotnik's attention and his prosthetic arm shaking.

"Now she's just muttering something about rings and cats and a... virus?" Eggatha shook her head. "No, wait. Corruption." She then turned to Robotnik. "Uncle, do you know what she's talking about?"

"All too well…" Robotnik admitted. "Sonic turned into this shadow monster once before, during the South Island incident. Long story short, that's how I lost my left arm."

Eggatha went pale. "What? I-I thought that was from the ROCC explosion."

"No," Robotnik sighed. "I roboticized Sonic's uncle right in front of him. The Chaos Emeralds reacted to his grief and rage, turning him into that thing. He crushed my hand, and would have killed me if his old nanny Longclaw hadn't stopped him."

"That's why you didn't roboticize anyone…" Eggatha realized.

"I'm no fool, I learn from my mistakes," Robotnik told her before getting down to business. "Go and fetch the princess. Get her cleaned up and made presentable. We need to show Sonic she's alive and unharmed, or I don't think he'll stop at an arm this time."

Eggatha gulped at the prospect. "Yes, of course."

-X-

Outside, Sonic had appeared on the outskirts of Robotropolis and was on the warpath to Citadel Robotnik. His face was a stony, emotionless mask, and when he spoke, it was with the sort of perfectly calm voice only achievable by those in the icy plains on the far side of berserk rage. Oddly enough, no Badniks got in his way. He had a clear path to the citadel, save for a few that were unlucky enough to not get out of his way in time. He threw the door open, making a beeline for the throne room. Robotnik was seated on his throne, Eggatha hiding behind a handcuffed, but cleaned and presentable, Sally.

"You know what I'm here for, Eggman," he said, his voice deadly calm.

"My goodness, I've never seen you so wound up before," Robotnik mused. "Be careful, Sonic. Too much stress will give you a heart attack." At that, he shrugged. "Oh, what am I saying? Please continue. Never mind what I say."

"Let's get something straight here, Robotnik," Sonic hissed. "I'm beyond angry. I'm beyond furious. As of right now, the rules are gone. No jokes. No punches pulled. Nobody threatens my loved ones and friends and gets away with it. Nobody."

Sally's eyes went wide at this declaration. "Sonic…"

"I can see that," Robotnik replied, keeping his voice level. "Well, as you can see, your princess is unharmed."

"And how do I know that isn't Metamorphia again?" Sonic asked. "Or another one of your transforming Badniks?"

"Well for one, Metamorphia turned into a mouse and scurried off the second she saw you on the monitors," Robotnik listed off. "Two, she's the only one Grimer created. And three…" He tossed a familiar-looking handheld console at Sonic. "Ask your little friend there."

"So that's where Nicole's been." Sonic mused before powering her on. Nicole shimmered into existence, looking around nervously.

"She's a tough AI to hack," Robotnik confessed. "Couldn't even make a dent in her programming. Dr. Ellidy certainly knew what he was doing."

Sonic was half-paying attention, turning to Nicole before pointing at Sally.

"Scan her," he ordered her. "I wanna be absolutely sure that's the real Sally before I take you two back home."

Nicole turned to Sally, her eyes glazing over. "She is malnourished and lacking Vitamin D, but that is Sally."

"One more thing," Robotnik cut in. "How do I know you won't harm me or Agatha once I hand her over?"

Sonic snarled. "The more pressing question is how will you stay alive if you don't?"

They stared silently at one another for several seconds before Eggatha cracked.

"Sonic, please calm down!" She unlocked Sally's cuffs, pushing her over to him. "Sally's fine, see? Just take her and go home! You're scaring me!"

Sonic embraced Sally in relief as Eggatha turned to Robotnik.

"Uncle, I'm sorry, but look at Sonic!" she justified. "He's not joking or showboating... it's not him! There's no telling what he might do to get the princess back!"

"I understand, Agatha," Robotnik assured. "I am well aware of the turbulent situation."

He turned back to Sonic. "Now then, Sonic, you have what you came for. I suggest you get out of my city and take a few days off to relax and remember which one of us is supposed to be the villain here."

"Right…" Sonic agreed.

He scooped up Sally, then turned to glance at Eggatha's lab, where Snively was watching everything from the doorway.

"Hey, Snively!" he called. "Thanks for the infosphere! It'll be a real game changer in the days to come!"

He winked at Eggatha before darting away. Snively was frozen, Robotnik's eye twitched, and Eggatha ducked behind the throne.

"Sir, you honestly believe what Sonic said?" Snively managed as Robotnik slowly turned to him. "I like him even less than you do! I have no reason to help him with anything!"

"Agatha, please tell me what was on that infosphere again," Robotnik requested, his voice even and emotionless.

"Tempo, all my Badnik plans, and even my upgrade list for Metal." Eggatha listed off.

"Uncle, you can't possibly buy Sonic's words!" Snively pleaded.

"It's no secret that you've been jealous of Agatha since the day she first came here, Snively," Robotnik said matter-of-factly. "And it's perfectly in character for you to, say, give Sonic her infosphere in an attempt to make her look bad."

"No, I swear I didn't!" Snively shouted. "Please!"

Robotnik just grabbed Snively by his throat.

"Agatha, take Metal's head and go to your room. I need to have a talk with your brother."

Eggatha scurried out of the room at that. Even from her room, she could hear the sounds of Snively receiving a serious pummeling, his yelps and shouts ringing through the citadel.

Knothole

Once Sonic and Sally came through the Warp Ring, Knuckles took Sally right out of Sonic's arms, much to the princess' surprise. Sonic didn't say a word of protest or utter a sound, merely remaining where he was and waiting.

"We need to get you to medical now," Knuckles told Sally before turning to Sonic. "And you…" He jabbed Sonic in the chest. "Back to your cage."

"Now wait just a second!" Sally objected.

"No, no," Sonic assured, letting out a forlorn sigh. "It's okay. I was planning on heading back there anyway."

He went to the cell at that. Sally turned to Knuckles.

"What's going on?" she asked. "Why are you locking Sonic up?"

"Because he went Dark," Knuckles confessed, causing Sally to go wide-eyed. "He nearly killed this Badnik that took your place, and Kat when she tried to stop him."

Sally put a hand to her mouth in horror, unable to believe what she was hearing. Kat took that moment to walk past, carrying a box of stuff from the lab. Her mummified arms and torso made Sally feel sick.

"He's losing it, Sally," Knuckles insisted. "He's becoming a monster."

A loud smack echoed through Freedom HQ. Kat stopped, seeing Sally on her feet, and Knuckles rubbing a now red cheek.

"Don't ever call Sonic that again, Knuckles!" Sally yelled.

"Well, that's what he is!" Knuckles snapped. "He attacked indiscriminately, and he nearly killed two people yesterday! If that doesn't make him a monster, I don't know what does!"

"Monster?!" Kat shrieked, dropping the box. "Sonic is our friend! He's hurting, now more than ever!"

"Kat, stay out of this!" Knuckles told her. "This is between me and-"

"No!" Kat snapped. "I'm not staying out of this! You have no right to talk about Sonic like that!"

"He almost killed you!" Knuckles reminded her.

"And you saw how he reacted when he saw me!" Kat shot back. "He immediately healed me!"

"Sonic has had the weight of the world on his shoulders for months," Sally informed him. "He lost his Uncle Chuck to the Roboticizer, failed to save Kat's family and hometown from the Death Egg, and now this. Weaker souls have been driven to suicide by what he's been through, but obviously, you don't care!"

"Right now, what he needs is the support of his friends, not to be treated like some vicious animal!" Kat added.

"We can't trust him!" Knuckles insisted. "He's too dangerous!"

"And now you're starting to sound like Locke!" Kat screamed. "So stuck on your one-track mind you can't see the truth!"

That ended Knuckles' argument in an instant.

"Here's the deal, Knuckles," Sally said, calm but cold. "When you've been through everything Sonic's suffered over the past year, then you have the right to talk crap about him and call him a monster. Until then, keep your damn mouth shut."

She then began faltering and Kat grabbed her, picking her up.

"Let's get you to medical," she told her.

They departed at that, leaving Knuckles alone to think. He looked at his hand in disgust, before collapsing into a chair in remorse.

"Aurora, they're right…" he managed. "Seven years alone on Angel Island, and I still became my father…"

-X-

In his cell, Sonic was sitting against the wall, just looking out the window. He heard the door to the prison open and saw Knuckles walk in.

"Hey, Knux," he greeted. "If you're here to make sure I don't escape, I won't."

"No," Knuckles replied, sitting down. "I just want to talk."

"What's there to say? I screwed up."

"How about 'I'm sorry'?"

Sonic sighed. "No amount of I'm sorry's are going to fix what I-"

"No." Knuckles clarified. "I'm sorry."

Sonic blinked, turning to face Knuckles as the echidna continued.

"Sally and Kat talked with me… Well, more like they screamed at me and put things into perspective. They made me realize I didn't listen to your side."

He pulled up a stool, sitting down just outside the cell. "But I'm willing to listen now."

"Alright," Sonic nodded. "For starters, I didn't even know I had claws. I was just trying to break free of Kat's grip and had no idea I was cutting her up. Even in that form, I have enough self-awareness to control who I attack and who I shouldn't."

Knuckles glanced in the corner of the cell, where the torn gloves and wadded-up wipes were still sitting. "Alright then. Kat did say you would never intentionally hurt her. And given your history, I'm inclined to believe it."

"Or any of you, for that matter," Sonic tacked on. "Even when my lightning turns black, it's because I want to protect my friends and family. I care about you all so much that the thought of anything bad happening to you... really ticks me off, to say the least."

"I get that, trust me," Knuckles assured. "I mean, look how I act when Kat's in trouble. However, for people like us, we need to be careful of our emotions. If we let ourselves become too caught up in negative thoughts or feelings, we tap into the dark side of the Chaos Force. That's what the black lightning is."

"I've noticed," Sonic confessed. "What happened last night is the wake-up call I needed. First thing I'm gonna do once I get outta here is look for a shrink. 'Cause I can't keep going on like this."

"No, you can't," Knuckles agreed. "And until you start getting help, I don't feel comfortable around you. I know you need support right now, but I can't provide that. I'm going back to Angel Island for a while, and I'm taking Kat with me."

"I get it," Sonic told him. "If our positions were reserved, I'd do the same."

"For the record, it's nothing personal, and I hope you get the help you need." Knuckles stood up, sighing a bit. "I'm sorry about everything you're going through, I really am."

"Me too, Knux," Sonic agreed as the echidna walked out. "Me too."

-X-

Later, Sonic had been released from his cell and was looking over a phone book, phone in hand. Off to the side, Knuckles was explaining his case to Kat and the others.

"I talked with Sonic and we worked things out," he explained. "You were right, Kat. I was so laser-focused on what he did I never even took his feelings into account." He sighed. "But I still think we should give him space for now. For his sake, if nothing else."

"That's fair," Kat agreed. "Let him focus on himself. Besides, me hanging around would probably just make the situation worse."

She went over, picking up the box of lab supplies. "First things first. Chris and Keith's request."

"Let them know what's going on, too," Sally told her.

Kat nodded. "I will."

She gave Sonic one last look, then headed out for the train station.

Station Square

At the Thorndyke Mansion, Chris and Keith were having lunch with their parents, the Thorndykes and the Kents having elected to stick together for a few more days. Ella was serving out the food when the doorbell rang.

"Now who could that be?" Nelson pondered.

There was another ring, then a snap, and the bell cut off halfway. Tanaka went to the door, opening it to see Kat pulling her hand away from the now-crushed doorbell.

"Sorry, sorry." She bowed in apology, muttering to herself in Chun-ese. "<Way to go idiot. You just broke a very rich man's doorbell.>"

"It's no trouble, Kathryn," Tanaka assured. "Accidents happen." He then leaned in, speaking Chun-ese himself. "<He was looking for an excuse to replace the bell anyhow.>"

Kat blinked before shrugging, hoisting up the box. "I brought the stuff Keith and Chris wanted from their lab. Can I come in?"

"Yes, of course." Tanaka led her inside. She entered the dining room, giving everyone a wave.

"Hi, everyone." she greeted, setting the box down. "I brought the stuff the boys asked for."

"Ah, I remember you," Sam recalled. "That girl that jumped on Kodos' back."

Kat blushed, rubbing the back of her head, which revealed both her bandaged torso and her arms. "Yeah, that was me."

Keith's eyes locked onto the bandages, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. Chris also took note, growing concerned.

"Kat, you didn't have all those bandages when we left Robotropolis," Chris noted. "What happened while we were gone?"

"That… is a long story."

Tanaka pulled a chair out for her and she sat down, explaining everything that had happened. She even explained Dark Chaos Energy and Sally's second rescue, topping it off with Knuckles' decision to leave Knothole for a while.

"So…" Keith began, "The Sally we rescued from Robotropolis was a fake?"

"And when Sonic found out... he turned into a freaky shadow monster?" Chris added.

"Yep, that's basically what happened," Kat confirmed. "He calls it Dark Super Sonic."

Keith removed his glasses to rub his eyes. "I knew he hasn't been himself for a long time, that he was hurting. But this…"

"This is far beyond anything we could have seen coming," Chris pointed out. "Poor Sonic…"

"When did all this start?" Chuck asked.

"From what we've heard, when Eggman roboticized his uncle," Keith replied. "That got the ball rolling."

"What happened with me added fuel to the fire," Kat added. "And everything after that just fanned the flames."

Chuck leaned back at that. "All things considered, it's a wonder Sonic didn't snap sooner."

"Well, this makes our two-week Freedom Fighter restriction all the more prevalent," Laura said. "Sonic needs time to focus on saving himself. The fewer people giving him pity and crowding him, the better."

"Yeah…" Keith agreed.

"Kat, please tell me he's finally getting help for this," Chris pleaded.

"He is," Kat confirmed. "He was looking for therapists when I left."

"Good," said Lindsey. "Professional help is just what the poor boy needs to get back on his feet."

"Agreed," the kids said in unison.

"So will we still see you at school?" Chris asked Kat.

Kat shook her head. "Doubt it. Two weeks of absence, plus this, pretty much means I'll be Angel Island bound for a while."

"Makes sense," Keith admitted.

After a while, Kat stood up.

"See you when I see you," she told them. "And sorry again about the doorbell."

"Don't worry about it," Nelson assured. "An easy fix. And don't be a stranger."

She waved and then headed off to catch a train back to Knothole.

"So, that was Kat," Laura mused. "From how you described her, I expected her to be a little more... buff."

"Chaos energy," Keith explained simply. "It's basically boosted her physical capabilities due to extended exposure to the radiation of the Master Emerald."

Laura smiled. "Well, she's a cute one. Are you two, you know…?"

Keith blushed. "Mom, no! We're just friends!"

"Is that so?" Chris teased, grinning playfully.

"She is!" Keith snapped.

Everyone just laughed at Keith's expense as he buried his head in his lunch.

Knothole

Kat arrived back at Freedom HQ to see Sonic on the phone.

"Yeah, Sonic the Hedgehog," he confirmed. "Hero of Mobius. Uh-huh. This Friday? Thanks, Dr. Sorders. See you then."

He hung up, turning to the others. "Well, there we have it. Scheduled my first appointment."

"It's for the best, Sonic," Sally told him.

"I know, I know," Sonic assured her before letting out a long sigh. "I'm gonna head to bed. I'm really tired…"

He stood up, yawning before heading for his room. Everyone watched him go, then Knuckles turned to Sally.

"He's gonna be okay," he assured. "He's finally admitted he needs help and now he can finally recover."

"The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one." Tails noted.

Sally nodded, then Tails handed Knuckles a small handful of warp rings.

"Here," he said. "It's all the ones I've made for now. I'll bring you more once I've made enough for everyone."

"Thanks." Knuckles told him, giving a small smile.

He tossed one, opening a portal and holding out a hand for Kat. *She took it, and they both stepped through, the ring closing behind them.

From his room, Sonic watched them go, then flopped onto his bed, groaning in despair and defeat into his pillow. As he slumped, he felt something wet touch his hand and looked to see Muttski licking his fingers. Sonic smiled slightly, ruffling the dog's head.

"Thanks, boy," he said. "Sorry, I didn't believe you yesterday. You really saved me."

Muttski just rubbed against his leg, showing all was forgiven. With that, Sonic changed into his pajamas, pulling the covers over him as Muttski curled up next to him. With his pet by his side, despite everything that had happened over the past several days, Sonic was able to fall asleep in peace.

Robotropolis

Down in the dungeons, one of the small cells opened up and a beaten and bruised Snively was thrown in. He handed hard, bouncing slightly as he did.

"Consider yourself grounded, Snively," Robotnik told him. "Be lucky I even let you live after this screw-up."

Snively just grumbled in indignation and pain as Robotnik slammed the door shut, stalking off.

"I… hate… that hedgehog…" he wheezed.

Chapter Text

Station Square

It was the day after the Freedom Fighters had returned home. Chris and Keith arrived at school as usual, meeting up with Hope. As they made their way inside, several of their classmates were staring, whispering to each other. It made all of them visibly uncomfortable.

"Chris! Keith! Hope!" came Helen's voice. "Over here!"

They looked up to see her with Danny and Frances, immediately making a beeline for them. The group walked a good distance away before Helen whirled on Chris, nearly falling out of her chair to hug him in relief. Chris returned the hug in kind.

"I've been so worried!" Helen let out. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"So am I." Chris pulled back before his eyes widened. "Crap… we had that date to the movies last week, didn't we?"

"I'm not surprised you forgot," Helen admitted.

"Maybe we can make up for it tonight?" Chris suggested.

"Will your parents even let you out of the house?" Helen asked.

Chris was silent for a moment.

"Maybe you could come over?"

Helen smiled. "Sounds perfect."

It was at that moment Hope nudged the boys. She pointed, and the two saw Mr. Stewart approaching.

"Mr. Teacher-Spy at 12 o'clock," she informed them.

Mr. Stewart walked up, smiling at the three.

"Hope. Keith. Chris," he greeted. "Good to have you back."

"Good to be back," Keith replied.

"Why don't we go to one of the staff meeting rooms?" Stewart suggested. "I'd like to talk to the three of you in private."

Chris nodded, and they followed him to said room. Once they were inside, the four of them all sat down and Stewart dropped the teacher façade.

"I've been asked to debrief you on what happened with Robotnik," he explained.

"There's not much to say," Hope replied. "We were locked up on his new Death Egg and put to work on his Badnik assembly line."

"He never hurt you?" Stewart asked.

"Nothing worse than a Taser," Keith answered.

"We were on there for about nine days, give or take," Chris added. "Sonic was chasing the ship the whole time."

"Then five days hiking back to Knothole," Hope included. "After which we raided Robotropolis to save Princess Sally from Eggman."

"After that, we went straight home," Chris went on.

"Only to find later that the Sally we saved was some robo-double," Keith concluded.

"I see," Stewart mused. "And the real princess?"

"Sonic eventually caught on to the switch and got her back," said Hope.

"That's good to hear," Stewart said.

"Anything else you need to know?" Keith questioned.

"Actually, yes," Stewart replied. "Where is Miss Winters?"

"She's fine," Chris assured him. "Staying home for a while to recuperate. Being trapped on the new Death Egg was... really stressful for her."

"Understandable," Stewart remarked. "I'll make sure to note that on the attendance sheet. Now, is there anything else I should know about?"

For a moment, the boys considered telling him about what they heard about Sonic but soon decided against it.

"No, that's about it," Chris replied.

"Alright then," Stewart decided. "You three run on to class. And if there's anything you need, just ask."

The trio stood up, departing the room. Once they were out of earshot, Hope turned to them.

"We're not telling him about-"

"Sonic's personal issues are on a need-to-know basis, Hope," Keith told her. "Meaning we don't breathe a word of it to anybody outside of the Freedom Fighters."

"Honestly, we shouldn't have told you, but we did," Chris admitted. "But Mr. Stewart doesn't need to know."

Hope nodded solemnly. "You're right. Sonic needs time to help himself, to heal. He'll never be able to do that if GUN starts viewing him as a potential threat."

"Exactly," said Keith.

They began heading for class, taking their seats in the back row. Chris glanced out the window, giving a small sigh.

Hope you're doing better today, Sonic.

Meanwhile, in town, Sonic was walking around, killing time before his first therapy appointment. After a minute, he looked down at his hoodie, wincing before deciding it was time for an update.

"Hope Honey's got something for me," he mused. "And who knows, maybe a change of clothes will do me some good."

With that, he ran over to Honey Clothing. There, he saw Honey measuring outfits with Undina's help. The two looked up as Sonic entered.

"Sonic, darling!" Undina greeted. "Good to see- Oh my! Honey, look at this!"

Honey looked at him, seeing the worn hoodie, its front pocket in tatters.

"Wow," she let out. "Your latest fight with Robotnik got pretty hectic, eh?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Sonic confirmed. "I could really use some new threads."

"Say no more," Honey said with a smile. "I'll be right back, Deena."

Honey pulled Sonic into a dressing room, showing him a few outfits she had for him. Sonic looked them over, then saw an outfit that consisted of a black pair of pants, a dark blue undershirt, and a black jacket with red undertones and the "Sonic Boom" label on the lapel. He picked it up, putting it on before coming out to show Honey.

"Huh," Honey managed. "I will admit, I didn't expect you to go with that one. It's… well, how do I put it…"

"A bit grim and gritty for me?" Sonic offered.

"To put it bluntly," Honey confessed. "Honestly, I was going to say dark and gothic, but that works too."

"Let's just say I've had to face my own darkness and it... didn't end well," Sonic admitted. "I'm not in a good place right now, Honey. I came here partially to kill time before a therapy session."

Honey's face became sympathetic as she sat down next to him.

"Don't feel bad," she told him. "Everyone needs help sometimes, even heroes. I know I'm no therapist, but if you want to talk to me, you can."

After a moment, Sonic sighed.

"Sometimes it's... all too much. I kept my problems to myself, didn't want to admit I needed help. So many people look up to me, count on me. But I'm just one hedgehog. Heck, I'm only sixteen."

He let out a mirthless chuckle.

"I always thought that a hero may be just as weak or scared or doubtful as anyone else, but he isn't allowed to show it. People say they want heroes to be just like them, but I don't think so. People want heroes to act the way people wish they could act themselves. My friends don't want me to be scared, they want me to help them to be brave."

"Sonic, you know I adore you, but that's a load of Picky (1) crap," Honey said bluntly.

Sonic blinked in surprise.

"Being a hero doesn't mean you bottle up your emotions and act like a machine 24/7. You're allowed to be afraid, you're allowed to be angry, and you're allowed to be sad. You're only Mobian. And to be honest, after what happened to your uncle Chuck, it's amazing you've held out as long as you have."

"So I've been told," Sonic remarked.

"Sonic, darling," Undina cut in, "Stop trying to carry all of Mobius on your shoulders. You'll just break your back."

"Deena's right," Honey agreed. "If you ask me, a big part of the problem is that you spend so much time trying to save everyone else, to be the hero that everyone expects you to be, that you don't get a chance to relax. You've got plenty of friends who are more than capable of fighting the good fight, so let them take over and help you for a change."

"Right." Sonic glanced at the clock, his eyes going wide. "Uh-oh, it's almost time. I gotta run. Thanks for everything."

"Hey, no big deal," Honey said with a smile. "We're friends, aren't we?"

Sonic smirked in response before running out.

Angel Island

Up on Angel Island, Knuckles was on guard duty, sitting before the Master Emerald. Kat was laying down on her bed, having fallen asleep while bathing in the rays of the Master Emerald to heal. Lara was tending to her wounds as Locke spoke with his son.

"You can't be serious about this, Knuckles," the older Echidna insisted. "It's unheard of."

"Dead serious," Knuckles confirmed. "Is there really a rule that says a Guardian strictly has to be an Echidna? No."

"I have been rather lenient with Kathryn's presence on the island," Locke said, "As well as your trips to the surface, despite your extended absences. But on this, I put my foot down."

"This is not your choice, Dad," Knuckles said firmly. "It's mine."

"She cannot be a Guardian!" Locke insisted. "She has no connection to the Master Emerald!"

"Oh, yes she does," Knuckles shot back. "She can sense Chaos Emeralds like me, and she's been granted enhanced physical abilities like me."

Locke scoffed. "Ludicrous."

"She's spent months on the island near the Emerald," Knuckles pointed out. "The Chaos energy has affected her. I have no reason to lie to you about this."

"A few months can't forge a connection," Locke insisted.

As this is going on, Kat began stirring on her cot, seemingly caught in the throngs of a nightmare. She groaned and shuddered, the Emerald beginning to glow and letting out a low hum. Not noticing yet, Knuckles scowled.

"You know what, Dad? All this time, everything you've seen, and you still haven't changed. You're still a bitter, selfish old man set in your old ways who only cares about himself! No wonder Mom ended things with you years ago."

Locke was left in shock, but before they could continue the argument, the Emerald's glow finally caught their attention. They looked to see Lara attempting to rouse the sleeping Kat, who was shivering violently as she curled into a ball.

"No… please…" she let out, "No more…"

Knuckles went over, placing a hand on her. "Kat, wake up! It's just a dream!"

Green light seemed to swirl off of the Emerald, slowly washing over Kat. Her shivering slowly stopped and her body relaxed. She calmed down and the Emerald ceased glowing. Locke looked between Kat and the Master Emerald multiple times, as if not believing what he was seeing.

"Been a while since that happened," Knuckles gently brushed some hair from her face, then turned to his father. "Believe me now?"

"This… shouldn't be possible," Locke insisted, dumbstruck. "It reacted to her... It reached out to her… How... why...?"

"I don't know, but it accepts her," Knuckles replied. "If you won't take my word, trust the Master Emerald. It clearly has better judgment than you."

Though he clearly had some reservations, Locke sighed.

"It seems the Emerald has spoken. Very well, you can begin her training. But, she will be your responsibility, and she will respect all of our traditions and laws."

Lara let out a cough.

"Within reason, of course," Locke amended, getting a nod.

"I think we can work with that," Knuckles conceded.

Station Square

Meanwhile, Sonic was seated in the waiting room of the local psychiatric center. Nearby, a glass door read "Dr. S. Sorders, Psychiatrist". After a few minutes, the door opened, revealing the head of a female Mobian stork.

"Sonic the Hedgehog?" she called.

Sonic perked. "That's me."

"Welcome, I'm Dr. Sorders," she greeted. "Come on in."

Sonic entered, kicking back on the couch as Dr. Sorders took her seat.

"I imagine this is your first time in therapy," she mused.

"You'd be right," Sonic confirmed.

"Well, why don't we start with something simple?" Dr. Sorders offered. "Why did you come here today?"

Sonic sighed. "I... haven't been in the best place for months now."

"And why is that?"

"Well, it all started when Dr. Robotnik made his first play on South Island…"

Robotropolis

Robotnik was in the lab, putting the finishing touches on Metal.

"Almost done, and…" He made one final adjustment and Metal turned back on.

"Yes!" Eggatha cheered. "He's finally back!"

"His systems needed to be readjusted for the smaller power supply," Robotnik explained.

Metal sat up, looking at Robotnik as the doctor crossed his arms.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Metal," he told him bluntly.

Metal looked surprised, having never been scolded before.

"You failed to stop Sonic yet again, you lost the Fregosi Sapphire, and you destroyed the Sky Fortress," Robotnik went on. "Any lesser robot would have been scrapped for less."

"I didn't do that!" Metal objected. "Sonic stole the Chaos Emerald powering the fortress!"

"After you crashed into it," Robotnik pointed out.

"Well, what'd you expect?" Metal defended. "I've never flown a plane before."

"No, you were so focused on trying to shoot down Sonic's plane that you weren't paying attention," Robotnik retorted. "As punishment, you'll be on maintenance duty for the next two weeks."

"What?!" Metal demanded. "But I can kill him! Just give me another chance!"

"Metal…"

Robotnik's eyebrows furrowed, growing angry. Metal lowered his head in resignation.

"Yes… sir."

"Good boy," Robotnik replied. "Report to Agatha's lab. You'll be in charge of keeping it in pristine condition."

"Just her lab?" Metal asked.

"Yes, I have another maintenance drone for the rest of the citadel," Robotnik told him. "SNIVELY!"

Snively came in at that. He was in chains and was wearing a janitor's uniform, the word "GROUNDED" across his back.

"The lab is a mess," Robotnik informed him. "Deep clean it top to bottom."

"I shouldn't have to lower myself to such manual labor," Snively griped. "What could be more humiliating?"

Robotnik grinned. "Wearing this hat while you do it."

He pulled out a fashionable-looking woman's bonnet decorated with flowers, tossing it to him. Snively signed in resignation before putting it on.

"...Well, I did ask."

Eggatha took a picture of Snively on her phone, laughing. Snively just grumbled indignantly before getting to work.

Station Square

At Dr. Sorders' office, Sonic was finishing his story.

"...And I just… lost myself. Longclaw had to stop me, and even then, I still took his hand. And since then... I've just felt this... darkness inside me. I tried to push it down, ignore it, but recent events have taught me that's not an option."

"Absolutely not," Dr. Sorders agreed. "Repressing your feelings is never good. You do that, and they'll just build up."

She picked up a can of soda she had offered him, holding it out. "Imagine this contains all of your negative feelings. If you let them out slowly…" She popped it open. "Then everything's okay. No fuss, no mess. But…" She picked up another can, shaking it. "If you allow the pressure to build up and compress, eventually it will become too much."

She held it over a napkin and opened it, the contents spilling out and making a big mess.

"I get what you're saying," Sonic said, "But what happens when those negative feelings cause people to get hurt? People I care about?"

"Hurt as in physically or emotionally?"

Sonic shrugged. "Pick one."

"Then you must trust your friends to forgive you," Dr. Sorders told him. "To help you. To understand."

"Right…" Sonic nodded, Honey's words about letting his friends help him echoing in his mind. "Right."

Knothole

After the session, Sonic returned home. He walked in, seeing Tails in his workshop, working on his latest creation: the Tornado 2.

"Looking good, Tails," he greeted.

"Thanks," Tails replied, smiling. "Love the new duds, by the way."

"Thanks," Sonic answered.

"So, how'd it go?"

"Not sure yet," Sonic admitted. "She gave me a lot to think about. And some things to help."

He pulled a blue fidget spinner out of one pocket and a stress ball with Robotnik's face drawn on it in Sharpie from the other.

"Stress relief toys, eh?" Tails pondered.

"Yep," Sonic replied. "The fidget spinners for every day. Stress ball's for when I'm out heroing."

"Well, I say they work," Tails remarked.

"I just hope they'll be enough," Sonic said.

"Hey, they will be," Tails promised. "Plus, you have us, remember? Everyone here has your back."

"That's what Honey told me," Sonic recalled, stretching. "Well, my next session's scheduled for next Friday. For now, it's time to kick back."

"Agreed," Tails said. "Just rest and take it easy. It's long overdue."

Sonic nodded before heading for his shack, peacefully kicking back on the hammock and twirling the fidget spinner in his hand with a smile.