Chapter Text
Robotnik is seen pacing in his office, with Stone and Snively standing at attention.
Robotnik: Alright, let's talk about what we know for certain about the Freedom Fighters. We know that they live somewhere in the Great Forest. We just don’t know where specifically. Which means we either A: have to find out where they are, or B: Take out the whole forest in one fell swoop. Questions?
Snively raises his hand. Robotnik nods in his direction.
Snively: Well sir, not that I’m questioning your ideas, but would it not be easier to send cam droids and SWATbots to survey the forest?
Robotnik: Oh sure, let's just send in a bunch of robot’s to scope out their forest, and hope they find something! That won’t tip them off! You idiot! Even if they did find their hideout, they’ll probably just relocate before we get there! No, if we’re going to beat them, we need a different approach. Luckily, my latest invention should help us with that.
Stone raises his hand. Robotnik nods again.
Stone: I assume you have a plan to deal with the Freedom Fighters if they try to stop you?
At this, Robotnik laughs.
Robotnik: Of course I do.
Sonic is seen running through the plains of Mobius. Suddenly, he is interrupted by something.
Sally: Sonic, where were you when the brains were handed out?
Sonic: Huh? Sal?
Sally is seen on the other side of a bridge, in an area surrounded by rocks. A SWATbot comes out of nowhere and grabs her, while another brings a portable roboticizer. Robotnik walks in. Sally is shoved into the roboticizer.
Sonic: Hang in, Sal, here comes the hedgehog!
He runs over to where Sally is while storm clouds roll in. It begins raining purple liquid, which sticks to Sonic’s shoes and slows him down.
Sonic: Mega Mack!
He attempts to unstick himself, but can’t.
Sonic: This is really starting to tick me off.
He tries again, but fails.
Sonic: Coming, Sal…
He tries again, and succeeds, ending up at the bridge leading to Sally. He attempts to run over to Sally, but the bridge collapses, causing him to fall.
Sally: Sonic, where were you when the brains were handed out?
Sonic wake’s up in his bed, clearly freaked out.
Sonic: Man, I gotta stop eating my own cooking.
The next morning, Sonic walks over to Rotor, who is sitting at a table.
Sonic: Yo, Rot, what’s up?
Rotor: Same old, same old, Sonic. How about you?
Sonic: I had a wild dream this morning. You know anything about dreams?
Rotor: Not much. Sally told me once they’re usually about some kind of personal fear.
Sonic: Hmm…
Suddenly, Sally comes running over.
Sally: Guys, guys, Nicole just intercepted one of Robotnik’s transmissions.
Sonic: I know it’s not good news.
Sally: No, it’s terrible news. Listen to this. Nicole, replay intercepted transmission.
Nicole: Replaying, Sally.
Robotnik: Attention SWATbot unit one, prepare chemical payload for cloud seeding. Rendezvous with Cloudburster on Island of Nimbus, precisely twelve hundred hours. Coordinates to follow.
Sally: That’s all of it.
Rotor: He’s gonna seep clouds with chemicals.
Sally: Toxic rain.
Sonic: What’s a little more toxic rain? All of Mobius is fuming with the stuff.
Rotor: I bet it’s another one of Robotnik’s crummy traps.
Sally: You’re probably right, Rotor, but we don’t know for sure. If that island is inhabited, we need to warn people!
Sonic: Well, that’s no prob. But what about dustin’ Robotnik’s acid rain?
Sally: I have the old plan.
Later, we see the Freedom Fighters approaching a shed, with Rotor going to open it.
Rotor: Stand back guys, this could be ugly.
He opens the door, only to be buried under machinery.
Bunnie: Oh mah stars! And ah thought mah closet was a mess…
Rotor begins to dig through the pile, before pulling up a SWATbot armor plate.
Antoine: How many SWATbot suits are you having, Rotor?
Rotor: Three. One for Sally, one for Bunnie, and one for you.
He tosses the suit to Antoine, who is struggling to lift it up.
Sonic: Alright, so how’s this gonna work? Cause none of you are as tall as a SWATbot.
Rotor: I modified them to have a control panel in the chest, so that they should be able to control them, and see out of the armor.
Sonic: Nice! Alright, let’s do it to it!
Elsewhere, A transport vessel drives down the path. Sally, Bunnie, and Antoine are watching in SWATbot armor from behind some rocks.
Bunnie: Stars alive! Would you look at the size of that ugly old thing?
Sally: That must be the Cloudburster!
Antoine: I am hoping that we are finishing this soon. I am still not used to these controls.
Sally: Ready, guys?
Antoine: Oui!
Bunnie: Always ready, sugah!
Sally: Let’s do it!
Sally throws a gas grenade in front of the Cloudburster, causing it to stop. Driving the cloudburster are Stone and Snively.
Snively: SWATbot team one, see what that smoke is about!
Outside, A platoon of bots investigate the smoke
Sally: They're in the smoke, let's go!
The three make their way to the Cloudburster, each of them climbing up to the hatch. Sally tries to open it, but can’t.
Bunnie: Allow me, Sugah!
She pulls it down.
Antoine: Mon cherie, SWATbots, they are coming!
The SWATbots are coming back to the Cloudburster.
Sally: You guys guard the door. It won’t take me long.
Sally enters the Cloudburster, walking over to a terminal and plugging in Nicole.
Sally: Nicole, access Cloudburster security code.
Nicole: Attempting access, Sally.
A series of numbers appear on the screen, randomly changing. On the camera, the SWATbots are getting closer.
Sally: Come on, Nicole.
The SWATbots reach the Cloudburster, with one turning to Bunnie and Antoine.
SWATbot: Return to station.
The two begin to move. However, Antoine trips, causing him to fall over, and for his helmet to fall off. A bot points a laser rifle at his head.
SWATbot: Halt, intruder.
Bunnie attempts to attack the bot, but is stopped by the others.
SWATbots: Don't move.
She is forced to surrender.
Bunnie: I sure do hate when this happens.
Sally is watching this happen on a screen.
Sally: Oh no!
Nicole: Third digit in place, Sally. Fourth digit in place, Sally.
Sally watches the bots move towards the hatch.
Sally: Hurry, Nicole!
Suddenly, from behind her, a laser rifle cocking is heard followed by a familiar voice.
Stone: That’s an interesting device you have there, SWATbot. Mind telling me what it is?
Sally turns around and says nothing.
Stone: What, don't have anything to say to me? Is that because you don’t do a good SWATbot impression, princess?
Sally: How did you-?
Stone: Considering the last two we captured were Freedom Fighters in disguise… Well, let's just call it an educated guess. Now put your hands up, or we’ll see if that helmet is lazer proof.
She does as she’s told, reluctantly.
Snively is working on a desk when Stone comes in.
Stone: We’ve got company!
Snively: Oh?
Two SWATbots bring in the three.
Snively: Well, well, wolves in SWATbot clothing. Dr. Robotnik will be very pleased.
We see Sonic running down a path, eventually stopping at a cliff overlooking what appears to be a large city. He looks down at a map.
Sonic: That’s gotta be old Nimbus Island.
He runs down the mountain, eventually ending up at a building connected to a long clear tube with an opening. Sonic runs into the tube, dashing through it until he falls through a large hole in the pipe. He begins to observe his surroundings.
Sonic: Yo, anybody home?!
He begins to investigate more, finding no trace of life.
Sonic: Guess not. I’m outta here!
He runs back through the tubes. Eventually, he runs to where the three originally were.
Sonic: Sal, Ant, where are you guys?! Better check out that convoy.
He runs off, eventually finding a SWATbot helmet.
Sonic: This was Antoine’s…
Back on the island, SWATbots are loading chemicals into the Cloudburster, while the three are tied up in a warehouse next to it, trying to break free.
Sally: What’s wrong with your great leader? Is he too chicken to confront us himself?
Suddenly, a voice rings out, shocking all of them.
Robotnik: Such brave words! And such an insult to poor Cluck! You should feel ashamed of yourself, princess.
Robotnik steps out, with Cluck on his shoulders, who snaps at Sally.
Robotnik: Now, after what you all did to me back on South Island, I should have you all roboticized here and now, but considering I’m about to wipe your little hideout off the face of Mobius, I’m in a generous mode. So answer this question, and I’ll let you all go: Where. Is. The hedgehog?
Sally: In your dreams, Doctor!
Robotnik: More like my nightmares… Anyway, it doesn’t matter. He’ll show up eventually, he always does. And you might not know it, but I’m a really patient guy.
Sonic follows the threads the transport vehicle left behind, when he reaches a cliff, seeing the Cloudburster in the sky.
Sonic: Uh-oh.
Robotnik, along with Stone and Snively, are in the Cloudburster.
Robotnik: Recheck all functions! I don’t want anything to go wrong!
Snively: Dr. Robotnik, the guest of honor has arrived.
Sonic is shown running on a monitor.
Robotnik: Excellent! Let’s get this party started!
Sonic is running through Nimbus Island, when he spots SWATbots guarding Sally, Bunnie, and Antoine on the other side of a river.
Sonic: Hang tough, guys! I’m there in a sonic second!
Sonic runs over to one of the tubes, which has a hole in it, and jumps in, running through it. Robotnik is watching this on the monitor.
Robotnik: Welcome, hedgehog! You’re right on time! Get ready, Snively…
Sonic keeps running.
Robotnik: Patience, Snively. Patience… Now!
Snively presses a red button next to the monitor. Suddenly, from behind Sonic, a bright light appears, chasing him.
Sonic: Better hit the ol’ afterburners!
He begins to run faster, a ball of energy chasing after him. He leaps out of the tube, but the ball keeps coming.
Sonic: Time to douse this lame ol’ fire!
Sonic begins to run towards the ocean, taking a few deep breaths before jumping in, with the ball chasing after him, putting itself out. Sonic comes out later, panting and coughing.
Sonic: Yep, still hate water.
Suddenly, all of the pipes around the area begin to collapse. The Cloudburster descends from the sky.
Robotnik: Now I’ve gotcha! Take a look around you hedgehog.
Suddenly, SWATbots appear all around Sonic, surrounding him.
Robotnik: I hope you know how to swim, otherwise we’ll see how many SWATbots it takes to put you down!
Sonic: It ain’t over till the fat bot sings, Ro-butt-nik!
He backs up, getting closer to the edge, before getting his foot stuck in mud.
Sonic: Oh man, Mondo problemo! I'm stuck!
He continues to pull until the bots get closer, at which point he pulls it free effortlessly.
Sonic: Sorry, bolt-brains! Gotta juice!
Sonic runs behind them at top speed, creating a large wind that blows them all into the water, frying them.
Sonic: Now remember, don’t run near the edge! Adios!
Sonic eventually finds the others trapped in a cage protected by lasers.
Sonic: Chill guys, I’ll bust you outta here.
Sally: Sonic, we’re not the important part right now.
Sonic: You’re not?
Sally: If you don’t stop Robotnik, Knothole will be swimming in acid rain! Look for yourself.
Sonic turns, seeing the Cloudburster taking off.
Sonic: Gotta be a way to take out that sucker.
Above the Great Forest, the Cloudburster sits ready.
Snively: Cloudburster in position, sir.
Robotnik: Prepare to commence seeding!
Back in the city, the heroes are watching.
Sonic: That blimpo’s gonna chunk!
Antoine: What can we be doing?
Sonic: Good question, Ant.
Suddenly, Sonic begins sweating, having flashbacks to his nightmare.
Bunnie: What the hay is eatin’ him? He looks like he’s seen a ghost,
Sally: He seems to be daydreaming. We’ve got to snap him out of it, or we’re all done for.
The doors on the Cloudburster open.
Antoine: Sonic, Sonic, you uncivilized pincushion! Wake up, wake up!
Sally: Sonic, it’s Sally! Can you hear me?! Sonic?! Sonic?! Come on, Sonic, we need your help!
As this is happening, Sonic is reliving his dream, before eventually snapping out of it.
Sally: Sonic, hurry! He’s gonna release the acid rainstorm!
Sonic: Gotta use my brain.
Above, green gas is pouring out of the Cloudburster.
Sonic: Man, if only I could use those well, I could make it rain on ol’ Eggheads parade!
Sally: How?
Sonic: Sal, got a past cool idea! Gotta juice!
Sonic runs off, eventually reaching the Cloudburster.
Sonic: Yo, Eggman! Gotta little surprise for ya!
Robotnik: Oh, I love surprises. Except when they're from you!
Sonic: but this one’ll be a kick. Promise!
Sonic curls into a ball, then begins to dig underground.
Robotnik: What is he doing?
Snively: I don’t know, sir.
Sonic continues to dig until he reaches the wells main power generator. He hops on top of a big motor, and begins to run.
Sonic: Time for some major hedgehog power!
Aboard the Cloudburster, Robotnik is ready to seed the clouds.
Robotnik: It’s time! So long, Great Forest, and so long, Freedom Fighters!
Suddenly there is a large rumbling sound.
Robotnik: Snively, what is that?!
Snively: I suppose it’s the hedgehog, sir.
Robotnik: What?! Change course, now!
Suddenly, a large geyser of oil emerges, hitting the Cloudburster, and rocking its insides. Eventually, Oil begins to pour in.
Robotnik: Snively, get us out of here, NOW!
Back at the cage…
Bunnie: That lil’ ol’ sugah hog did it Sally! He knocked Robotnik for a real loop!
Sally: Where is he?
Suddenly, the ground underneath them begins to shake, before Sonic emerges.
Sally: Sonic! Are you alright?
Sonic: Nothing a serious shake and snake can’t fix!
He shakes the oil off of himself as the Cloudburster continues to spiral out of control.
Inside, Robotnik and the others are up to their knees in oil.
Robotnik: Lets get outta here!
The three make their way to the hanger, where the Eggmobile is waiting for them. They all hop in, with Snively trying to start it.
Robotnik: Hurry, before we crash! And don’t forget the stealth system!
The Eggmobile turns invisible, leaving the Cloudburster as it crashes and explodes.
Bunnie: Oh, the humanity.
From above, Robotnik is looking down at the heroes.
Robotnik: Grrr, I hate that hedgehog!
The Eggmobile turns and heads back to Robotropolis.
Sonic turns towards the others.
Sonic: Now, how do I get you outta that chicken coop?
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake.
Antoine: Sacre Bleu, now what is happening?!
Sonic: Felt like a quake!
Sally: Sonic, the river!
They all turn, and see the water begin to rise.
Bunnie: Oh mah stars, it’s overflowing!
The city itself begins to shake.
Sally: That’s not all! The island is sinking!
Suddenly, Sonic pulls a ring out from his bag.
Sonic: I made this with the forge, just in case. Try pressing it against the bars! Maybe it’ll drain the juice!
Sally: I don’t know Sonic. That’s a lot of energy…
Sonic: Hey, you’re always telling me I need a plan! Yo, this is a plan! No time to argue, just trust me!
Sally: Okay, fingers cross.
She presses the ring against the bars of the cell, causing them both to start sparking.
Sonic: Hold on Sal, hold on!
Sally: I can’t!
Suddenly, Bunnie and Antoine grab onto the ring as well.
Antoine: We’ll help you, princess!
After a few moments, the bars fade, and the cage drops to the floor, powerless.
Antoine: Voila, it worked!
They all get out of the cage.
Sally: Oh Sonic, that was a great plan!
She kisses him on the cheek.
Sonic: Hey, I just figured that-
Bunnie: I hate to be an ol’ party pooper, but I’ve got this here sinking feeling…
The waters begin to rise higher.
Sonic: Sal grab me. Bunnie, grab Sal. Ant, grab Bunnie. We’re gonna do some major juicing!
Sonic begins to run, with the others all holding on. Eventually, they make it across the bridge and back to the village as the island sinks behind them.
Sonic: Well, that was what I’d like to call a real good day. Now if you’ll all excuse me, I’m gonna go take a nap.
Sonic goes back to his house, and falls asleep, having nothing but good dreams.