The Iron Queen descended down to the sewers, where Sonic and the others had barged in the castle, and walked for a bit before she saw a metal door, covered in vines, with a sign saying DO NOT DISTURB in blood red painted on the front. She huffed, sprayed herself with a weird green liquid, then she used a rusty key and walked in the dark, dank and hot temperature, huffing as she still could feel temperatures. -Ugh, it’s hot as balls here… Why does he need such high temperatures?- she panted, wiping her forehead. -Who’s… There?- hissed a voice, echoing around the pitch black room, the only section illuminated was the one where Iron Queen stood in, the dim light coming from the sewer’s illumination system. -It’s the Iron Queen. Come on out, flower boy.- she huffed, placing her hands on her hips. The lights suddenly turned on, making her gasp and wince as it was sudden, then she got used to it quickly and opened her eyes, stammering slightly at what laid in front of her. Except for the patch of solid marble she was on, the entirety of the floor, the walls and the ceiling were overrun with thorny vines digging through the marble of the room, twisting and rippling against each other. At the center of the green mass was what looked like a cocoon of vines. -Iron… Queen… What… brings you… to my… lair?- hissed the voice again as some vines lifted up, some of them had different colored flower bulbs. A few disclosed and Iron Queen gritted her teeth in disturbance as some had a bright lime green eye nudged in the middle of it, staring at her and some more were mouth-shaped. -Gh… get out of that thing. Your Emperor requests your help.- she huffed, trying to not look at the eyes swirling around her, leaving her very limited personal space as they tangled and twisted around her but never daring to come close, wincing as if they couldn’t touch her. -You REEK… of herbicide…- growled the voice. -That way you won’t get handsy with me like last time… The Emperor had to spend five hours getting you to unhand me, you perv flower…- grunted Iron Queen remembering how the last time she went down there, the massive plant tried to eat her. The cocoon untangled and inside it was Silver, or what he used to be. His body was overrun by vines as well, the thorns digging into his skin had turned his fur to a dim greenish color. His gloves and boots were ripped and dirty and they too had vines come in and out of them, his cuffs were slightly rusty and dirty as well as cracked here and there. As he lifted his head, Iron Queen staggered more: there was a flower planted deeply in his face, completely covering it, and in the middle of the flower was the same green eyes that lied in the middle of some of the other flowers. (Look at what that monster has done to poor Silver…) thought Iron Queen, now that Alpha Sonic was here in Mobius Omega she had begun to hope again. Hope that he could take down Superior Eggman once and for all and restore the world to its former glory. But for now, she had to act as the Emperor’s loyal bride, so she shook her head and reprised her tough act. -The Freedom Fighters barged in a few minutes ago. How come you haven’t heard them?- she asked, harshly. -I’m not… your guard dog…- hissed the plant/hedgehog hybrid, the vines rattling as they rushed around her, some attempting to close in only to back off as they could smell the herbicide. -You are who the Emperor decides you are. And right now, you’re our best hope to defeat the Wise Six and destroy the Freedom Fighters and their ally, Alpha Sonic.- she said, unamused by the monster’s attempts. One of the eyes darted at her, looking deep in her eyes. -Sonic… Alive?- asked the creature. -Not our Sonic, Psychonia.- she huffed. -Sonic… Almost destroyed me… Now… I can almost destroy him too… For the glory of the Emperor…- Psychonia mused, its mouth bulbs smirked. -Good. Now make yourself presentable. We leave in an hour.- she rolled her eyes and left the room, only once she closed the door she slid down it, sitting on the ground and grabbing her head, despairing in silence at the status of what used to be her best friend. -The others are coming… Plus that monster and the army… Oohh, I hope Sonic and the others can do it…- she whined, covering her eyes.
Tails had contacted the rest of the Metal Commandos and they took little time to come. Two mechanized Mobians landed on Superior Castle’s roof and walked downstairs to reach the throne room and bow in front of it. -Ah. Knuckles, Shadow. Welcome, my loyal Metal Commandos.- said Superior Eggman, giggling as the two former friends of Sonic stood up. Knuckles was now completely made of a menacing red metal, his eyes were violet on a black sclera and his armor was heavily armed, his most prominent feature were his mechanized fists armed with two huge metal spikes on each fist plus a retractable blade on each wrist for extra damage. Shadow too had been heavily mechanized, almost looking like Metal Sonic if not for the onyx black and red livery and he too was heavily armed, with tons of guns. -I assume you already know why I summoned you all here today.- said Eggman, walking down to them on his limbs. -Yes, doctor.- they said in unison. -Well, those idiotic Freedom Fighters have REALLY pissed me off this time. They’ve always been nothing more than a hindrance, but today they passed the limit! Not only they barged in my castle, not only did they thrashed it, not only did they beat up my army of goons and my beloved wife, they also stole from me! It’s unacceptable! I will get back at them, a thousand fold! The army has already received their orders. I want you, Knuckles, on Battleship Alpha and you, Shadow, on Battleship Beta. Tails will lead Gamma while me and Iron Queen will be on Delta. We’ll take flight in about 30 minutes, so go get ready on your designated positions.- he ordered them. -Yes, doctor.- they repeated, leaving the room. Tails reached Superior Eggman and told him that everything was ready, whispering in his ear. -Mhm… Mhm… Is that so? Uh huh… Uh huh… Splendid. Well done, Tails.- said Superior Eggman, sounding pleased. -Thank you, doctor.- said Tails, passing a weird remote to Eggman, who took it and looked at it before grinning. -Your service is no longer required. Go to Battleship Gamma and wait for the launch time.- he said to Tails, who nodded, saluted him and flew out of the room. It was then that the Iron Queen entered the room. -I assume Psychonia will join us?- asked Superior Eggman, going to his bride and holding her hips, she did the same. -Yes, my husband.- she replied, to which he got close and smelled her hair and neck, making her fur stand up. -Mmmm… I love the smell of herbicide before a good old slaughter.- he purred creepily, making her tilt her head to the side, giving him more room to sniff her neck, she shuddered as he did so. He might’ve looked like Sonic and even acted like him sometimes, but he sure as hell wasn’t him. He was so much more creepy and intrusive with his actions, even something as simple as a hug or caress he had to go the extra mile to make it look extremely disturbing. He moved away and smirked, looking at her. -Aren’t you excited? We’re about to uproot the last bit of resistance left in this world. We’re about to become truly and ultimately unstoppable. You. And I. Total rulers of this world. I don’t know you, but it makes me… feel hot…- Eggman purred as he cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips deeply, wagging his tail as his metallic limbs clasped her shoulders and hips to pull her closer. She purred and wagged her tail too, mainly to keep the act as he kissed her, then he pulled away and smirked at her, attempting and failing to look suave. -Go to Battleship Delta and wait for me, my love. Once we destroy these… animals… I might reconsider my idea about having children…- he whispered in her ear, making her fur stand up more as she shivered. -M-My lord! D-Don’t say such… intimate things out loud…- she whined, masquerading her absolute disgust at the idea and making it sound like decency, even blushing, something she had learned to do in command. Another thing she hated: blushing was supposed to be a natural thing your body did when you were close to your loved one, yet Amy had to learn to blush at command when near Superior Eggman, to not raise suspicion. -Heh, sorry, my queen. Now go. I’ll be with you in a bit.- he said, to which she nodded and left, once she was far away enough she spat out of a window and rubbed her tongue, she used to like Sonic kissing her but when it was him she just couldn’t get herself to like it, knowing that it wasn’t Sonic kissing her, but his archenemy who had usurped his body. The idea to be married to such a freakish abomination and for him to be talking about having kids made her even more upset, wishing harder that Sonic and the Freedom Fighters would put an end to this nightmare.
Speaking of Sonic and the others, they finally got to Omega Zavok’s Strength Monastery, being greeted with an applause from the Wise Six, Dr Starline and Dr Crow. -Well done, guys! Mission accomplished brilliantly!- said Zavok smiling, a sight that Sonic would’ve never said would be reassuring. -Heh, it was nothin’. We also get to meet Ace of Spades, and ya won’t believe who it…- -It was The iron Queen, right?- Zavok interrupted Sonic, making him drop his arms. -You… YOU KNEW?!- he asked, gasping. -I had my suspicions, yes.- answered the Zeti, smirking. -W-Why didn’t ya tell us, then?- asked the Blue Blur. -I couldn’t be 100% certain it was her. I kept silent for our sake and her sake.- replied Zavok, folding his arms. -Ugh… All these secrets… I’m not used to all this…- groaned Sonic while Rough and Tumble brought forward the box. -Can ya at least tell me now what’s in this box?- asked Sonic, suddenly being reminded of the movie Seven with how he said that. -Gladly.- said Zavok as they opened the box. It contained a portable container with a very familiar figure, at least for Sonic. -Hey, ain’t that… METAL SONIC?!- asked the blue hero. The robot inside did look like Metal Sonic, or rather it looked like Mecha Sonic with how it was taller and looked buffer than a regular Mobian. -Yes, it is. Ace of Spades told us that Eggman was working on this new model, probably a new weapon to use against us.- replied Zavok, passing his huge hand on it. -Then, I fail to see its usefulness…- said Zero. -I can answer this. This machine has not yet been programmed to obey Eggman.- said Starline, checking on it. -This means that it can be useful to us.- said Johnny, nodding as he too checked it. -Huh… So… Our secret weapon is Metal’s buff bro here?- asked Sonic, raising a brow. -Sort of.- replied Zavok as he placed the container on a gurney and brought it to the center of the Monastery, where his power core was. -Ah yes. Tumble, have you also got that?- asked Zavok, looking at the skunk, who nodded and pulled out two metal rings the size of a head. -Uh… What are those?- asked Sonic. -These monstrous devices are mind switchers. It was with these that Eggman switched his mind with our Sonic’s. My demented father invented these for him…- groaned Johnny, lowering his eyes. -Uh huh… So, why do we n-...Oohh… OOOHHH!!! Now I get it!- said Sonic, slamming his fist on his other hand. The others however blinked, confused. -...We don’t. Mind illuminating us?- Asked Rough. -We’re going to transplant the mind of our Sonic into this robot.- said Zavok. -Oh!- said Rough, widening his eyes. -I don’t know… Are you sure it’s what he wants?- asked Zero, caressing his goatee as they brought the gurney to the power core and Zavok moved away the tent, showing Eggman’s decaying body with Sonic’s mind trapped in it. -Can you speak?- asked Zavok to Omega Sonic, who coughed a bit but nodded. -Y-Yes… Z-Zero… First of all, I want to say… COUGH! COUGH! ...Th-That I’m s-sorry… F-For your s-son…- groaned Eggman, making Zero clench his fists and look down. -But I assure you… I am okay with this… It was… my idea…- he then said, while breathing harshly. -Are you sure, though? You’d be forever trapped in a bot’s soul. Cold, emotionless…- asked Zero, but Eggman’s body smiled weakly. -D-Doctor Starline?- he asked, at which the platypus nodded and showed the robot’s blueprints. -This version of Metal Sonic’s brain is more advanced than we could possibly imagine. It’s equipped with completely functional sensorial and neural systems, plus its brain is capable of replicating emotions, states of mind and what not. If we transfer Sonic’s mind in this robot, it’ll be like he never left his old body. In fact he will only gain from the transfer. No more illnesses, no more aging… You’d become immortal!- said the doctor to Omega Sonic. -Heh, had yet to meet a metal me who didn’t hate my guts.- chuckled Alpha Sonic, patting his variant’s bed. -H-hehehe… COUGH! COUGH! HHRRMM!!- Omega Sonic’s chuckle got interrupted by a powerful coughing burst, leaving him breathless. -The illness is getting stronger. We need to hurry.- said Zavok, and the others nodded, getting to work.
Sonic and the Omega Freedom Fighters began setting everything up as the other Wise Six got ready. -Alright, remember the plan. The Barrier of Gaia is our last contingency, should the heroes fail to contain the coming assault. Our objective isn’t to stop Superior Eggman, but to slow him down as the mind transfer unfolds. If he breaks through before the transfer is over, we’ll not only lose our life. We’ll lose our planet.- he instructed the others, who nodded. Zor looked the most nervous: the Barrier of Gaia not only drained their life force, increasing the rate of their wilting, but in order to be fully functional they’d have to position in order of decreasing age, meaning that he was placed last, the last hope if Eggman managed to break through the other’s Barriers. -Brother Zor?- asked Zavok, going to him and kneeling down to look him in the eyes. Zor was twitching, he was fiddling with his fingers and the bang on his head. -I… I don’t think I can do it, Brother Zavok…- he whined, looking all but courageous. -Why not? You’re the youngest, and thus the strongest of all of us.- said the red Zeti. Sonic was taken aback at how soft and gentle he was with his brother, a skill his Zavok truly lacked. -Y-You always say that… B-But we b-bpoth know I’m n-not strong… Y-you see it, I… I can’t stop shivering… I-I’ve never b-been so scared b-before… I-I think you’d be better off without me…- he whined, moments away from crying. The others went to him, surrounding him. Zeena got on her knees and hugged him tight, petting his hair, while Zomom patted his back to calm Zor down. -...Maybe we should let him set this back… He never did this before…- sighed Zazz, shaking his head. -We can’t. You know the Barrier of Gaia requires all of us to be fully functional.- said Zik, ever stern yet he too looked displeased at having to force Zor to do this. -Brother Zavok? You’re the leader. What should we do?- asked Zazz. Zavok made the others move away, kneeled back and held Zor’s shoulders. -S-So much for r-representing Courage… I’m just a weak, wimpy scaredy cat…- whined the Zeti, tearing up. Zavok passed a finger on his tear and smiled warmly at him. -Do you know what true Courage is?- asked Zavok, making his youngest brother look up. -It isn’t to be fearless. It’s to fight for those who you love and care even if you’re scared, especially if you’re scared. Had you been fearless, you wouldn’t be able to represent Courage to the fullest. It is the fact that you’re scared but willing to fight your fears that allow you to represent it. It does mean “to have heart”, after all. And you, little brother, have the biggest heart of all of us. Whatever decision you take, I know you won’t let us down. I know you won’t let this world down.- he said, opening his heart to his little brother, who stood speechless for a few seconds before wiping his eyes and clenching his fists, assuming a determined expression. -...I… I’ll do it. If you all truly believe in me, I can’t let you down. I won’t allow my fear to have the best of me. I will fight alongside you and, if necessary, I will die alongside you.- he said, causing the others to hug each other, putting him in the center. -You’re the best, little brother!- said Zomom, giggling. -There’s no way you’d let us down.- said Zeena, tenderly rubbing her cheeks on his. -You know I would never let you risk your life, boy.- said Zik, smiling at him. -H-hehehe, okay, okay, stop it now, you’re making me blush…- he giggled. The others moved away, took turns patting his head or shoulders, then they all went to some pedestals Zeena lifted from the ground, each with their respective symbol on it and waited patiently.
Sonic smiled as he had witnessed that, then finished linking the mind switchers to the robot and Eggman’s body, he laid down with his eyes closed, shivering as the sickness slowly consumed him. -Alright, profs. Work your magic.- said Sonic, giving his thumbs up to Starline and Crow and moving away. The two nodded and went to the computer, finishing the programming of the switcher and turning it on, the machine whirred as it lit with green lights. -It’s online. Time estimated for the complete transfer: 2 hours and 30 minutes.- said Starline. -Pft, we’ll be so done by then…- chuckled Sonic, cracking his knuckles, right as an alarm sounded. -It’s showtime.- said Sonic grinning and nodding to the others to follow him. The Freedom Fighters nodded and followed him outside through the tunnel, standing in front of the Monastery’s entrance as the tunnel closed. They walked forward until they reached the safe distance Zavok told them to go to, and Sonic showed his thumbs up to the Zeti. -Okay, they reached the safe zone. WISE SIX!- he shouted, at which the others linked their hands together, their bodies sparkling with colorful auras. -STATE YOUR ROLE.- roared the red Zeti. -WATER AND WISDOM!- said Zik, at which a massive blue bubble formed around the Monastery. -FIRE AND STRENGTH!- said Zavok and a slightly smaller red barrier formed after the first. -CONTROL AND AIR!- said Zazz, forming a smaller purple barrier. -FRUGALITY AND ELECTRICITY!- said Zomom, creating a yellow bubble. -HUMILITY AND GROUND!- said Zeena, forming a green barrier, -COURAGE AND ENERGY!- shouted Zor as he formed a grey barrier, the smallest one of the bunch. -STABLE, BROTHERS! WE EITHER SLOW HIM DOWN OR DIE TRYING!- roared Zavok to the others, who gritted their teeth and resisted as their aura sparkled and cracked. -Woah…- said Sonic, widening his eyes. -I’ve never seen them do this before… It’s beautiful…- commented Zero, watching the massive barrier formation in awe. -So this is the Barrier of Gaia… Cool…- said Fang, smirking before putting on his high-zoom lenses. The towers got ready as, from the horizon emerged the four Battleships, followed by a gigantic battalion of robots and armored soldiers. -Huh, always over compensating, huh Eggs?- Sonic chuckled as he saw the massive armada marching towards them, and stopping at the top of a hill, the Battleships hovered above them. From one of them came a small TV drone and stopped in front of the heroes, turning on and showing Superior Eggman, which made the other clench their teeth and Sonic to pose with his hands on his hips. -...Huh… Never thought I could look this creepy…- huffed Sonic. -That’s it? No witty remarks? No spunky jokes? Honestly, I’m disappointed… And I was so looking forward to meeting you… Me.- chuckled Superior Eggman. -Well, ya see, my sarcasm kinda dies when I find out that another version of Eggman can be twisted enough to swap his twisted mind with mine, leave me to die in his rotting corpse and then use my body to conquer the world. I just CAN’T find anything funny in this, and it pisses me off to no end. But maybe I can find some fun in beating the ever living crap out of your smug-ass face…- Sonic grumbled, cracking his knuckles again. -So you finally know what it’s like to be on the other side of your cockiness… This pleases me to no end. I might even spare you and keep you as my royal jester.- Superior Eggman smirked again, Sonic winced slightly as done by him it was even more creepy.
-And here I thought my Eggman was bad. You’re simply rotten inside, Eggs. And you’ll pay dearly for what you’ve done to this world, to my new friends… and to me.- Sonic growled, the others had never seen Sonic so angry before, though it was understandable. -You’re absolutely welcome to try, hedgehog. I’m going to enjoy destroying you again.- chuckled Superior Eggman before the drone deactivated and flew back to them, the evil doctor stood on the bridge of his Battleship, arms crossed and a grin plastered on his face. -I take it they won’t yield…- said Tails from his comm-link. -I would’ve never thought they would do it. Attack. While they fight down there, we’ll destroy the Monastery and every living soul in it.- ordered the doctor. -Roger. SUPERIOR ARMADA!ATTACK!!- ordered tails, at which the armada roared and ran down the hill, guns in hand and already shooting at the heroes. -BEHIND ME, YO!- said Sonic, the others got behind him as he said, then blue sparks came out of him, he gritted his teeth as he got in a running position and began to run at high speed towards the hill, reaching the base in no time and starting to run in circles around it, soon creating a tornado of dust and cinders which destabilized the members of the Armada closer to the base. Sonic gritted his teeth and ran as fast as he could, the ground quickly eroding beneath him as he ran faster, faster… Then he moved away, panting slightly but smirking. The Armada had stopped, looking at the groove Sonic left, then sneered at him. -Is that all you got?!- yelled one of them. -No, but thank you for asking…- giggled the blue Bomber, imitating a certain actor’s way of saying it as he crossed his arms and waited. As the Armada ran down the hill, the ones who hadn’t still descended it heard an ominous creak, but realized too late what happened before a good third of the Armada fell down a massive hole in the ground, the hill completely gone. -Geez, what happened?- asked Iron Queen, widening her eyes. -Hrmph… The ground was unstable underneath the hill… That blasted hedgehog knew that so he eroded as much ground as he needed to create a ravine.- humphed Superior Eggman. -He’s a much formidable opponent than we expected. He took out a good chunk of our army without breaking a sweat.- said Mecha Shadow, watching as what remained of the Armada charged the Freedom Fighters, who responded by attacking quickly and mercilessly, they knew that whoever was underneath those uniforms was not salvageable anymore. -He’s still not enough to defeat me, nor any of you, my Metal Commandos.- said the doctor as his ship kept flying forward. followed by the others. -Most of us, anyway…- commented Tails, at which the Iron Queen folded her arms and looked away. -Now now, boys, let’s not fight. Not when we’re so close to our victory.- said Superior Eggman, huffing. -Tails, prepare the Omega Blaster.- said then the doctor, at which tails from his ship activated a gigantic weapon installed in the BattleShip Delta. A huge cannon came out from the bow of the ship, beginning to load with a light blue energy before shooting a massive beam to the barrier, hitting it and already causing Zik to stammer back, gritting his teeth as he slowly returned in position, hanging on with everything he had, as the oldest one he was the first line of defense. Zero looked back and saw the Monastery being under attack, gritting his teeth as he wanted to help them, but that was not his duty. His duty was to help Sonic take down the Armada. Only then, they could focus on Superior Eggman and his Metal Commandos.
However, the battle soon turned out to be more difficult than expected. The robots were easy, but most of the armada was composed of brainwashed Mobians and they were much more unpredictable and skilled than the machines, even managing to corner the Hooligans and capture Rough and Tumble. Zero and Sonic remained alone to face them, but even with their skills there was no way they could face them alone. Starline and Johnny watched in dismay as that happened, hearing the rumble of the cannon slowly chipping away at Zik’s resistance, which was still unprecedented for someone of his old age. -It’s pointless… They’re going to fail…- groaned Starline. -...Unless we help.- said Johnny. -Or rather…- he added, taking out a syringe full of an unhealthy-looking orange liquid. -I help.- he stated, making Starline widen his eyes. -N-No… Not that! You said that… your modifications made it unstable! You might lose yourself!- groaned the platypus. -You think I don’t know that? The serum… The serum that allowed my deranged father to control fear… It’s what’s used in the brainwashing of Superior Eggman’s Armada. They don’t fight for him out of respect, but out of fear… So let’s give them something else to fear. Something greater than him.- said the crow, injecting it in himself. -Pure… Fright…- he groaned, before widening his eyes, gritting his teeth and falling on his knees holding his head. -AAAAAHHHHH!!! GGGYYYAAAAHHHGGGHHH!!!- he yelled as the serum entered his veins, making them bulge and glow in an ominous orange light, just like his eyes which turned pure orange. -GGGYYYAAAHHH!!! UUUWWWAAAHHH!!! GGGHHHYYYAAAHHH… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!- his yells of pain soon turned into a demonic laughter as his body quickly turned into an orange fog and dissipated in the air. -...Good luck, Johnny…- sighed Starline, feeling useless as he returned to his computer. Then, he watched Sonic and gritted his teeth: he wasn’t useless. He needed to check on his vitals and everything. Giving in to the sense of unhelpfulness with a soul next to him would mean disgrace the Hippocratic oath he took as a doctor. -I won’t give in to despair. Not when your life is at stake, Sonic. I’ll be strong… just like you.- said Starline, looking at him with determination as he ten went back to watch the battlefield. Zero was the first to notice the orange fog, so he quickly gave Sonic a breathing mask before the entire battlefield was swarmed with it, causing the Armada to stop attacking and start to scream as their worst nightmares become reality, but only in their minds. -What the…?- asked Sonic, looking around, before seeing something quickly move through the fog and grabbing two soldiers. That something turned out to be Johnny, now completely made of the same fog engulfing the battlefield. He now looked taller and donned a long flapping coat made of the orange toxin and a gas mask resembling a long beak, his eyes glowed in red as he stared at one of the soldiers before his gas entered through the cracks of the soldiers’ helmets, making them yell even harder as he then tossed them away and landed, raising more orange smoke as he raised up, cackling maniacally. -...Johnny?- asked Zero, squinting his eyes underneath the mask as he recognized the frame of the former doctor, now a pure entity of fear. -THAT’S doctor Crow?! The heck happened to him?- asked Sonic, watching him create scythes and sickles of gas and using them to attack the others, raising more screams of fear. -...His father created a hallucinogenic toxin which causes those who inhale it to witness their greatest fear. A devastating bacteriologic weapon which was integral in Eggman controlling his soldiers, and Johnny had been trying to turn it into a brainwash-reversing therapy ever since he left his father, yet all he managed to do was a serum which apparently has let him become a being made of his own toxin.- sighed Zero, watching the formerly calm, timid and non-violent Johnny now annihilating his enemies through terror. -Ooooookay… But at least he’s on our side… Right?- asked Sonic, jumping back as Johnny slammed a soldier in the middle of the two Freedom Fighters. They yelled and watched it shiver and mumble, completely traumatized, then they watched as Johnny raised up above the soldier and kicked him back. -HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH…- he chuckled maniacally as he looked at them. -...Doctor Crow? Are you still with us?- asked Sonic. Crow tilted his head creepily to look at Sonic, still giggling hauntingly… and raised his thumb, making Zero huff in relief and Sonic grin. -OH HECK YEAH! Let’s clean up this trash!- said Sonic with confidence as he began to take down any soldier in his way, while Zero went to retrieve Rough and Tumble, who also put on the mask, then they were joined by the Hooligans, protected from the gas as well. -Geez, doc, way to steal the show.- said Bean, smirking and trying to high-five him, which caused him to make the hand dissipate and reappear a few seconds later. -Uh, sorry…- Bean groaned. -Don’t worry about it.- giggled Crow, waving his other hand.
-Sir! The Armada is down!- said Mecha Knuckles. -Huh… Well, I’m not too worried, I knew they were fodder anyway. Knuckles. Shadow. Go take care of those pests. Tails, free Silver.- said Superior Eggman stolidly, to which the two Metal Commando members nodded and flew down. Iron Queen was about to leave too, but Eggman stopped her. -Where do you think you’re going, my beloved?- he asked, smirking. -You don’t want me to help them take those cretins down?- asked the Iron Queen. -Look, if this is about my former defeat…- she said huffing, but he shushed her with a finger on her lips. -No, no, no, my sweet…- he purred, then pressed a button on the remote he kept in his coat, making her yelp as her limbs were turned off, making her fall down. -It’s about your betrayal.- he hissed, lifting her with one of his tentacles grabbing her head. -W-WHAT?!- she asked, gasping. -Oh, don’t look so surprised, my darling. How long did you think you could go on with your little game… Ace of Spades?- he asked smirking, making her pale in terror: HE KNEW? All this time, he knew? -Heh, such a lovely expression. You see, I planted in your eyes, in all of my Metal Commandos’ eyes actually, a tiny camera directly linked to my brain. Which means that everything you see, I see. And everything you hear, I hear.- he explained as tentacles crept up on her, wrapping her tightly. -B-But… But why…?- she asked before a metallic coil was placed around her mouth, muffling. -Why did I let you continue to help the Freedom Fighters? Easy: I was bored. Another curse from inhabiting Sonic’s mind. My newfound speed means that I get bored quickly, and in a world where I have won and rule everything I desperately craved for a challenge, something to entertain me.- he chuckled. -Or were you about to ask why did I let you keep your mind? Truth be told, I would’ve never assumed you’d be able to resist the brainwash, but the amusement of it was quick to fade and I decided that it’d be fun to let you continue to help them, hoping that they would grow ballsy enough to try and fight me. But they fear me. They don’t show it but I know. Even back as I talked to Sonic, they all shivered and winced as they saw me. The only one worthy of fighting me is HIM. And fight me, he will. Right after I destroy… EVERY single shimmer of hope this ungrateful world has left!- he suddenly growled as he made Tails push the weapon at full power, causing it to pierce through not only Zik’s barrier but also gravely injure Zavok’s. The eldest Wise Six flew back with how much force the destruction of the Barrier released, then he flopped down on the ground, unconscious but surprisingly still alive. -B-BROTHER ZIK! HHHRRRGGGHHH…- Zavok growled as he strained to keep the barrier up at the continuous assault of the cannon. (It’s… It’s so strong… And Zik was able to push it back for so long?) Zavok asked himself as he gritted his teeth, his barrier ominously crackled as, back on the ship Superior Eggman gazed at his coiled up prize, Iron Queen struggled in the strong coils of the metal arms. -And once they die a horrible death, once I destroy Sonic once more… I’m going to brainwash you again and THIS TIME…- he grinned, tightening his grip as he spoke, making her whine and groan. -...This time, I’ll make sure that the brainwash has effect on you, my beautiful yet defiant wife…- he chuckled as he brought her closer, licking her nse before pushing her back and squeezing her again, making her widen her eyes and scream in pain in the coil on her mouth, she could barely squirm with her limbs tied together and turned off. Superior Eggman showed her the remote, giggling. -Thank Tails for this…- he chuckled creepily as he put the remote back in his piùocket and went back to watch his work, forcing her to watch as one of the tentacle’s pincers made sure she would watch the death of the heroes, making her cry and whine as things couldn’t have taken a turn for the worse.
Tails giggled as he freed Silver from the belly of his Battleship, letting him fall down and land on the ground, making him get up and stay hunched over himself slightly as he then slammed his hands on the ground, causing an overgrowth of metallic plants to rush towards the heroes. -LOOK OUT!- yelled Crow as he kept the plants away with his toxin, which was deadly for vegetal lifeforms. Silver gritted his teeth under the flower on his face and continued to attack, then Mecha Knuckles and Shadow flew down at the heroes. -I’ll deal with him! Defeat those two!- yelled Johnny as he kept spewing toxins onto the plants. -Roger!- said Sonic as the Freedom Fighters faced the other two Metal Commandos. The Hooligans fought Knuckles while Rough, Tumble, Zero and Sonic attacked Shadow, who quickly flew backwards and shot at them with two rifles mounted on his wrists, making them spread away. Meanwhile Knuckles made the ground shake with his devastating punches, trying to hit the much more nimble Hooligans. Bark was the strongest one, yet he alone could barely hold his own while Bean and Fang kept trying to widdle his armor with their bombs and projectiles. -Take this! take this! TAKE THIS!!- yelled Bean as he used more powerful bombs which had yet to ecven scracth the powerful mechanized echidna. Fang gritted his teeth as he was using high perforating bullets which too bounced off or barely chipped Knuckles’ heavy armor, while Bark did everything he could to push him back as he and the echidna locked hands together and engaged in a strength match which, despite being 3v1 was seeing Knuckles winning. Sonic and the others didn’t have much more luck. Shadow was quick, precise and lethal with his weapons mimicking his strongest attacks. -Chaos… SPEAR!!- he said, shooting bolts of red energy at them, each one packed much more punch than Bean’s strongest bombs and quickly got the best of the underarmed Rough and Tumble, they couldn’t even rely on their stink attacks because he was a robot. Zero clenched his hands on the high frequency katana he used and went for a few swings at Shadow, who contrasted them by turning his right hand into an energy sword which completely blocked Zero’s swings. Sonic joined in the brawl, punching and kicking Shadow’s metal body as hard as possible, but even he winced back, massaging his hands as his body was too hard. Shadow however didn’t have such limitations as he first took down Zero, trapping him with energy bolas, then he tackled down Sonic, wrapping an arm around his neck and putting him in a chokehold. The blue hero grabbed a hold of the metallic arm and tried to get out of the hold, but failed as Shadow was stronger. Shadow turned on his back so that Sonic could face the Freedom Fighters’ utter defeat: the Hooligans had been captured by Knuckles, Rough, Tumble and Zero had been incapacitated and the Barrier of Gaia wasn’t working, Zavok and Zazz’s layer of the barrier had been destroyed and it would be a matter of minutes before the others fell. (SHIT! Shit shit SHIT! This can’t be how it ends!) Sonic groaned, still trying to free himself, but Shadow answered by tightening his grip, making Sonic gag as he couldn’t breathe, kicking his legs to try and get up to get his mechanized archrival off of him.
-Remember, Shadow, don’t kill him. That pleasure is mine and mine only.- said Superior Eggman, through his earpiece, then he smirked as Zomom’s layer of the barrier broke. -You see, my beloved, there was no hope from the start. I won’t allow hope to blossom again in this world. The sooner this world and these peasants realize that, the better will be for all of who remain.- he chuckled to Iron Quyeen, who kept whining and squirming the best she could in the mad doctor’s metal arms’ grip. Inside the Monastery the situation was critical, only Zeena and Zor remained to protect the mind swap, which was about to be completed. Starline had hidden underneath the tree, shivering and holding his head. (I-It’s over! This is the end! Surge, Kit… I’m sorry…) he whined in his mind. Zeena gritted her teeth, trying her best to resist, and Zor looked at her, moved by her strength but well knowing that she was about to lose. -B-BROTHER ZOR!- she groaned, about to slip out of her own pedestal as her barrier creaked and cracked ominously. -IT’S… IT’S UP TO YOU NOW…- she said, smiling weakly, as her brarrier was destroyed and she was shot away from the pedestal, joining the rest of the defeated Zeti. -S-SISTER ZEENA!- he groaned, then gritted his teeth as the beam impacted on his barrier, already making him slip a bit. -It’s over, little Zeti… Succumb. Hope is lost. You can’t win on your own.- said Superior Eggman through the speakers of his ship. Zor slid back again as the beam impacted on the barrier, the first cracks already forming. -Look at you. You’re the weakest of your pathetic bunch. How did they trust an embarrassing wimp like you with this, I have no idea…- chuckled Eggman. Zor was about to tear up as his negativity came knocking back at the door of his mind, but then, with tears in his eyes, he glanced back at his brothers, his family. He saw Zavok still conscious, his vitality was absurd, looking deep into his own eyes and mouthing: -Don’t believe him… You’re stronger than what he thinks… You’re stronger than me, stronger than all of us… Find the Courage in your heart… and the Energy in your soul…-, which had Zor look back in front of himself, wiping his eyes with his tail before he glared back at the barrier, determination and strength beginning to flow out of his every pore, making his aura flare stronger. -...N-NO… NO! I WON’T… GIVE UP!- he growled, moving back in position, the cracks regenerating. -What?! WHAT??!!- Eggman shouted, unable to understand what was going on. He had calibrated the power of the Omega Blaster to be able to destroy the Barrier of Gaia based on his knowledge of it. Then why? Why was Zor’s Barrier not only standing up but gaining power the more the beam hit it? -What do you think you’re doing, you cretin?! Don’t you see it’s pointless?!- growled the mad scientist. -NO, IT’S NOT… MY FAMILY… MY FRIENDS… THIS ENTIRE WORLD BELIEVES IN ME! AND I…- Growled Zor, his power continuing to grow the more he believed in himself, even beginning to restore the energy of the other Zeti. -...I’D RATHER DIE THAN BETRAY THAT TRUST!!- shouted the Zeti, his gray aura beginning to sap the energy directly from the beam, using it to feed himself and the barrier, which soon outgrew Zik’s barrier. -No no NO!! HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?! MY CALCS… MY CALCS WERE PERFECT! I CAN’T HAVE MISREAD THE NUMBERS!!- yelled the doctor as his ship began to tremble. -Th-That’s always been your problem… Eggman…- said Iron Queen, having freed her mouth. -You always underestimate the power hope can give to someone. That is why you’ll fail. That’s why you have ALWAYS failed and ALWAYS will fail!- she shouted, making him grit his teeth and slam her down. -SHUT UP!!- he growled as the barrier began to envelop the ships closer to it. -M-MASTER EGG-BBBZZZTTT…- Tails groaned before his communications were interrupted, the massive natural energy feedback was turning off everything mechanic, making the ships fall down to the ground, exploding. -NO… NOOOOOOOOOoooooo…- Superior Eggman’s shout got lost in the immense blast from the ships being destroyed, the shock wave from the blast united with the barrier created an EMP-like blast which knocked away Knuckles and Shadow, turning them off, and also blasted away Silver, knocking him out as he hit his head hard on the ground. Sonic and the others took shelter as the massive cloud of dust raised from the impact zone, then once the dust settled, they got up, walking towards the massive chunks of metal debris from the Battleships. -...Wow…- said Sonic, massaging his neck. -We… We did it…- said Zero, tearing up in happiness and falling on his knees. -WE WON!!- Rough and Tumble shouted, hugging Zero and Sonic and throwing them in the air. The Hooligans huffed in relief, Fang wiped the sweat off his forehead, Bean and Bark loudly exalted and hugged each other. -I… I can’t believe it…- said Johnny, regaining his physical state. -Freedom Fighters, can you hear me?- asked Zor from the ear pieces. -DUDE! YOU WERE FREAKING AWESOME!!- Sonic shouted in the ear piece, still excited at Zor’s show of power. -Hgh… Please, not so loud… My ears are very sensitive…- groaned the gray Zeti before he got tackled-hugged by his brothers. -Forgive us, Freedom Fighters, but we have a little brother to smother!- said Zavok, giggling as the others could hear them hug and play with him. -C-Come on , guys… I couldn’t have done this without you…- they heard Zor say, judging by the tone, he was embarrassed. -Always the modest type, brother.- giggled Zeena. Sonic smiled and got up, looking at the flaming debris and at the other Freedom Fighters celebrating over their victory, then he huffed in relief, glad that this was all over.
