Uneasy Alliances Knothole Sally looked into the faces of her most trusted friends. In all the years she had lead the Freedom Fighters she had never felt the sense of dread that now permeated through her. The situation was not good since she, Sonic, Bunny, and Tails had returned from the Floating Island. Sally knew that what had happened there meant the Freedom Fighters were in serious trouble. It had been two days since the human they had known as Jake had been transformed into a dark figure. That figure had been in the shape of an echidna. They had then realized that it had been the Red Chaos Emerald that had brought him here and that had taken control of Knuckles and used him to be given to Jake. Knuckles had still been unconscious when they had left and it was not known how to revive him. The fire ant Archimedes they had met had said that the Red Chaos Emerald must have drained much of Knuckles life force to transform Jake. The black echidna had then disappeared into a puff of red smoke before Sonic had been able to capture him. The Freedom Fighters had no idea what his location was, but he knew the location of Knothole. Sonic then rose from his chair and spoke interrupting Sally's reminiscing. "I can't believe we trusted that human. I feel like a fool." Sonic exclaimed. "Its not your fault Sonic." Bunnie said. "Bunnies right Sonic, Jake had us all fooled. I think in myself I should bear. The blame." Sally spoke. "Nonsense, Princess..he had us.. all fooled." Antoine chimed in. "Ant is right Sally we all trusted him and we paid the price for doing so."Sonic said. "No. Your wrong Sonic I had my reservations about him, but I wanted to believe him so much that I let my emotions cloud my better judgement. I should have been more careful. As a result of my foolishness Knuckles is still in a coma and now we have a danger that could destroy us all. As leader of the Freedom Fighters I have a duty to be more careful." Sally exclaimed as she stood up and pounded her hand on the table. Sally then put her hands over her eyes. Bunnie came up and comforted Sally. "Its alright Sally girl we were all duped and should all been more careful. We all made a mistake and will have to be on guard that is all." Bunnie spoke soothingly. Sonic came over and put his gloved hand on Sally's other shoulder. "She's right Sal. Whatever this new guy is up to we will be ready for him and if he tries anything I will be there to stop him." Sonic said in a somewhat light hearted manner to try and relieve the tension in the room. Sally just looked up and said "I hope so Sonic. For all our sakes I hope so." Robotropolis Blast looked on the screens that displayed every sector of Robotropolis. He was very impressed at the production factories. He sat in glee looking out at all the roboticized citizens of Mobitropolis working in the factories and mines working and repairing the swatbot army that the recently deposed leader Robotnick had been using and now they were doing so for him. Snively then entered and the command chamber and spoke. "All facilities are running at peak performance and producing at full capacity. All things are quite and no sign of any Freedom Fighter rebels." "I know that Snively. You tell me nothing I do not all ready know. You are lying though about the production efficiency though. It can be increased twenty percent. So I want it done now." Blast snarled. 'This production efficiency is as it always has been." Snively retorted. Just then a red thunderbolt surged from the Red Chaos Emerald. It headed straight for Snively. He just managed to jump forward to avoid the bolt hitting him. Snively picked his head out of his hands and looked behind him. Where he once was standing there was now a six inch hole in the floor. "Understand this Snively, I am not that bloated back of bolts Robotnick. I am not as generous as him. I expect my orders to be obeyed immediately and without question." The Red Chaos Emerald then hummed a little and a small red glow came from it. Snively stared at the dark object in Blast's left hand. In his heart he knew Blast spoke the truth. "Sir, now that your in control..." Blast let out a slight chuckle that would have quieted a forest at night. "In control am I. You are as big a fool as I thought. I control nothing. I rule nothing. I am in control of a giant tin can. This is not what I seek to control. Unlike Robotnick I do not need to have those I would rule encased in iron bodies. I have power and know the ultimate control device." Snively stood up and asked, "What is that sir?" 'Why fear Snively. You fear me and therefore follow my orders. Fear is a wonderful thing. I still have one threat." "The Freedom Fighters sir. Surely they are not a threat with our power." "Silence Snively. I do not have anything to fear from the Freedom Fighters, though the hedgehog, Sonic, is very powerful. My creation dealt with Knuckles the echidna, but Sonic must be destroyed." "What about Princess Sally? She maybe as great a threat as the hedgehog." "Ah! Yes the Princess. She is not a threat Snively. She is actually the key to my victory. I must deal with Sonic now, not later. The sooner he is gone the sooner all of Mobius will finally be mine. I have thought long and hard on what to do about him." "Could not the Red Chaos Emerald just destroy them. It gained control of all the swatbots and has great power. It should be very easy tp take care of them." Blast jumped down from the command chair and decked Snively. "Fool! I could do that, but then Princess Sally would be destroyed." "Isn't that what you want sir." "No if I destroy her, my entire plan will fall a part and I will I have to expend much effort to conquer Mobius.. I will not waste the Red Chaos Emerald's power when there is no need. Sally will present me with all that I want. You will understand in time Snively. Bring me a dozen of the finest swatbots in Mobius. The time for planning is over it is time to act. In the coming days Mobius will be mine and Sonic will be a faded blue memory. Go now." "Yes, sir" Snively mumbled. As Snively left Blast's eyes glowed a fiery red. Knothole It had been almost twenty-four hours since the meeting between the Freedom Fighters. All of them had been very relieved to leave. They were all feeling very betrayed. Someone they thought was a friend turned out to be a traitor. Sonic looked up at the Mobian sun and could only think about the worried look in Sally's face. Sonic had maintained a steady and calm outward demeanor, but that had been mostly been for the others benefit. He to felt a little worried about what this new player would do. His greatest concern was that whatever Jake had become knew the location of Knothole and that could mean Robutnick could be very close to discovering its location. The Freedom Fighters had already packed some supplies if some sort of attack came. Sonic then saw Sally walking from her hut. Sonic waved to her and walked toward her. All of a sudden a red ripple appeared in the center of Knothole. Sonic realized it was the same as when Jake had arrived. Sonic quickly went from a walk to a sonic run towards Sally. Something inside felt a need to reach her. The red ripple exploded in a bright flash. Where it had once been a dozen swatbots were now floating on hover cycles. "Engage primary mission" the lead swatbot spoke. The swatbots then moved into three groups of four. One group headed straight for Sonic. Another moved toward some huts and started firing on them. The last group headed directly for Sally. Sonic went into a spin dash and took out two of his attackers. The two remaining swatbots tried to shoot Sonic with their lasers, but he moved swiftly to avoid the laser bolts. Using an old trick he ran in between both swatbots and got them to shoot each other. They flew apart into dozen of sizzling pieces. Sonic looked to see Sally had taken out one of her attackers by jump kicking it off its hover cycle. Sonic was about to go help Sally when he heard a yelp. "I need thee' help. Someone please help me." Antoine cried. Sonic turned to see two of the other swatbots had Antoine cornered and where going to fry his tail. Sonic hoped Bunnie might help him, but she was busy destroying another swatbot and Tails was leading the last remaining swatbot in a bunch of circles. Sonic knew what he had to do. He hoped Sally could hold out for a few more seconds. He ran out full speed and managed to pull Antoine out the line of the swatbots fire just in time and then as they turned around to fire on him he delivered a double jump kick to the bots so they fired on each other. As Antoine tried to thank Sonic they both heard a scream. "Help!" It was Sally. Two of the swatbots had her by the arms and a third seemed to be in communication with someone by radio. The swatbot said, "primary objective achieved." "Excellent. Now swatbot fulfill your secondary mission." a dark voice said. "At once" the swatbot responded. Almost at once the swatbot headed straight for Sonic. In the meantime Sonic had started for the swatbots. The swatbot headed straight for Sonic . Sonic went into a spin dash and cut the hover cycle the swatbot was riding in half. As he pulled out of the spin dash and tried to move forward he felt a metal object grab his leg. The swatbot had grabbed him and would not let go. Just then Sonic turned to look at Sally starting to disappear in a red mist. She slowly faded out. As Sonic looked into her eyes he saw a forgiveness. Sonic realized she was forgiving and she realized he did all he could. Then she and the two swatbots were gone. Sonic then punched the head of the swatbot holding him so hard the was dislodged from its shoulders. As it tumbled and stopped a hologram appeared. It was the black echidna Jake had transformed into. The hologram spoke , " Hello Sonic. If you are getting this message Princess Sally is my prisoner. I invite you to Robotropolis to try and rescue her. I, Blast await you Sonic. I look forward to our final battle." "Not as much as I do slow mo" Sonic spoke with a razors edge. He then moved forward and with all his might smashed the swatbot head. Robotropolis Blast sat in his command chair that he had recently taken from Dr. Robotnick. He smiled and thought how everything was proceeding according to plan. He had Princess Sally detained in a small room in the command center. Blast had been a little disturbed about not having a brig to keep the princess in, but Snively had told Blast that most trouble makers who were caught were immediately roboticized. Blast would have to change that in time. Princess Sally was now being escorted to the command chamber. The door swished open and Sally was lead in by two swatbots. "Ah! Princess Sally I am so glad that you could be my guest." Blast said. "I would not have come if your henchbots had not been so insistent on my coming." Sally replied defiantly." "Come now Princess or should it be Sally. Yes Sally." "So where is Robotnick?" "He has been replaced. I now rule Robotropolis." "Sonic will come to rescue me. You must realize that." 'I do not doubt Sally. I count on it." "What?" "Sonic is the only being who can possibly stop me from conquering Mobius. Knuckles was purposely chosen as to be the basis for my present form. Oh let me also say that I am no longer the being you knew previously as Jake. Now you may address me as Blast. The Red Chaos Emerald realized that Knuckles would be a threat since it was the echidnas who had "guarded" it for centuries." "So the emerald decided you would take the form of an echidna as some sort of petty revenge." "Call it dramatic irony. I hope you like the form. I hope I fit the thought of what your husband would look like." "What? My..ah..husband." "Yes Sally! You are the key to my conquest of Mobius. Let me explain. I intend to recreate Mobitropolis. The Red Chaos Emerald will deroboticize everyone in time. You see I want to rule living beings not machines. I will make everyone normal and then lead them into a new era." "With you as dictator." 'Not exactly princess. You see even with the power of the Red Chaos Emerald I would be opposed by the people. They would only remember the rule of your long gone father King Acorn. This is where you come in Sally. You are the legal heir and would be queen. Therefore your husband would become King. It is a perfect set up since I would legally be King. The legality would bring conformity and with the army of Robotnick's swatbots keeping the peace I would be firmly entrenched." "You are out of your mind if you think I will marry you." "Think carefully Sally. If you agree to marry me I can restore your people. At last this war you have fought would finally end." "Yes. Instead of being slave machines they would be slaves as flesh and blood." "I can see dealing with you will take patience and time Sally." "That's Princess Sally to you." "So be it." Two swatbots entered. Escort the Princess to her room." Sally turned to exit Blast made a final statement, " Oh Sally one more thing. Whether you want or not you will be my queen and you have already done much for me. Soon Sonic the Hedgehog will be a long forgotten boyfriend. HA! HA! HA! Great Forest Dr. Robotnick angrily hit a tree in the great forest. He still could not believe that the dark echidna had managed to get through all of Robotropolis defenses. It astounded him more at how powerful that crystal the intruder had been holding must have been. Robotnick was now lost in the Great Forest and Robotropolis was in the hands of that black echidna. Some how he needed to get back to Robotropolis and regain control of his swatbot army. He would then teach the dark echidna that it was unwise to mess with Dr. Ivo Robotnick. As he finished this sinister thought; he suddenly heard a rustling in some nearby bushes. Robotnick slowly crept toward the bushes he thought he heard move when suddenly a blue blur headed straight for him. The blue blur ran straight into Robotnick. He had the air knocked out of himself. He felt something standing on top of his robust belly. Robotnick looked up and... "Sonic!!!. You annoying hedgehog. Get off of me now!!!" Robotnick yelled. "Not likely, Robutnick. I see Blast was telling the truth that he was now in command of Robotropolis. He dumped you like the giant sack of potatoes that you are." Sonic spoke mockingly. "So that is the name of that foul echidna. I will make him pay for...Wait. If you are here you must on your way to stop him. What had he done to cause you to.. Ah he must have done something with the princess." Robotnick laughed. The spines on Sonic rustled. HE had just about enough of his rotund adversary. "So what. Your right. I just stopped on my way to take care of that loser." Sonic retorted. "You realize that this is a trap, hedgehog.' "What makes you think that?" "Because it would be a trap I would set." "Good point. Well this conversation has been great, but I gotta juice." Sonic then got ready to run. "Good luck hedgehog. Ha! HA..."Just then Robotnick had a revelation. IF the hedgehog was defeated most likely Robotnick would not be able to regain Robotropolis. "Wait Sonic. I have a offer to tell you." Sonic stopped his launch and turned to Robotnick, "What kind of offer?" "I can help you get into Robotropolis without being detected. Even into my command chamber itself. You would not be detected and could have the element of suprize on that cursed Blast. In other words I am offering an alliance." Robotnick said slowly. "You must be out of your egg belly mind. I couldn't trust you. I am not that stupid." Sonic spoke back. "Can you afford not to accept my help with Princess Sally's life in the balance." Sonic thought long and hard on Robutnick words and responded, "On the life of Sally, no. Very well an alliance for now." Sonic extended his hand. "For now, hedgehog." Robotnick shook Sonic's hand. Little they both realized that Princess Sally was perhaps the safest being on all of Mobius. Robotropolis Sonic climbed up the ladder that Robotnick had shown him that was inside Robotnick's command center. They had taken a special route through the sewers of Robotropolis and then had come upon a hidden shaft that lead into a small room in the command center. After Robotnick had hit a button a ladder had extended down they both had begun climbing. The ladder lead to a chamber just below the main room of the command center. Sonic finally reached the end of the ladder and climbed on to the floor of the hidden chamber. Following Sonic Robotnick managed to haul himself up and stand. :So where now? Where..." Sonic was then muffled by Robotnick. Robotnick then whispered, " Quiet we are right under the command room. IF you speak to loud Blast or that traitor Snively will hear you." "Oh. For once Robotnick you are telling something that is helpful." Sonic retorted. Just then he heard voices from above and listened to the sounds above. Some one had entered and from the sound of things that being was struggling. It had to be Sally. "Welcome princess. I had expected Sonic to arrive by now. I am suprized that he had not shown up by now. Perhaps he does not care for you as much as I thought." Blast spoke. Sally felt a twinge of hatred build up in her and lost her cool. "You better believe Sonic is going to come and beat you for the scum that you are." Sally roared in fury she had never been in before. Blast was taken back by this and felt his own anger rise. He jumped from his command chair and walked over to Sally. Blast then proceeded to smack Sally a long her face. Sonic her the hand of Blast meet Sally's face. He nearly leaped through the metal floor above him ready to strangle the life out of Blast. Dr. Robotnick discouraged him and the villain tried to calm Sonic realizing if they were found now they would most surely be captured. Blast walked over and grabbed her by her hair and pulled hard on it. "You will learn that I will not tolerate being insulted by my wife. I will make it my pet project to break you, Princess Sally. Soon your only wish will be my happiness." Blast looked on with an evil grin. He then pulled Sally face toward his own. Sally tried to resist Blast, but he was to strong. As her face was about to meets Blasts a tear fell from here eye and she whispered, "Sonic..." In vain hope he heard her. Sonic had heard enough. His rage was uncontrollable. Without another thought he leapt through the floor and confronted Blast at last. Blast saw Sonic rise through the floor and was taken completely by suprize. He let go of Sally and ran toward Sonic. Sonic's fist was there to meet Blast. The dark echidna was staggered. Sonic powered up and charged straight at Blast. He knocked the dark echidna into a control panel. Blast was dazed and realized he was nearly defeated. He then called upon the Red Chaos Emerald. "Sonic look out!" Sally yelled. As Sonic turned he felt the bolt from the Red Chaos Emerald strike him. He landed on the other side of the metal floor from Sally. Blast walked over and picked up Sonic. " I have defeated you Sonic. Mobius is all mine. I will destroy you now. You have failed in your sneak attack. You nearly had me, but it was all for nought. Go to meet your hedgehog ancestors. You need not worry about Sally I will take good care of her." Blast then grinned and his red eyes glowed. Sally saw Sonic was about to be killed. She saw only one hope. She ran toward the Red Chaos Emerald. One way or another Blast had to be stopped. Perhaps his only weakness would be the lose of the Red Chaos Emerald. Sonic had little strength left in himself. He had only one option left. He slowly started to reach into his back pack and tried to pull out his power ring. If only he could have some sort of distraction. "Blast you are not going to win. One way or another you lose." Sally screamed as she held the Red Chaos Emerald over her head and prepared to smash it. Blast turned to see the source of his power in the princess's hands and dropped Sonic. He moved toward Sally and yelled, "NO!" Sonic reached for his power ring and grabbed it. He felt its power fill his body. Blast turned to see the powerful Sonic. The energy sent out a pulse that sent Blast flying over to the other side of the room. Sally then took the dark emerald and heaved it towards the ground with all her might. The emerald shattered and evil energy started to unleash everywhere. Sonic called upon the power rings energy again and dashed at Sally and took her in his arms and moved like lightning through the command center and the building started to come down. Sonic and Sally made it about three hundred yards before the command center toppled in on itself. Sonic and Sally looked into each other's eyes. Snively watched the command center crumble. He merely smiled an said, "Huh! That new echidna failed just like that bloated Robotnick. Now with Robotnick and Blast Robotropolis is now mine." Just then Snively felt a breath on the top of his head. He slowly turned to stare into the belly of Robotnick, "Bloated is it. We are going to have a little discussion traitor." Robotnick roared. "Uh, yes sir." Snively squeaked. 'Robotnick helped me get into the facility Sal. He was supposed to help me, but I bet old Robutnick just fled the way we came." Sonic stated. "Why didn't the others come?" Sally asked. "Well with the attack and all we weren't sure.." Sonic said, but Sally merely put her hand over Sonic's mouth. "I know." Sally merely said. She looked into Sonic's eyes. "I was afraid I had lost you Sally. I will always be there for you." "I never doubt it." Sally responded. Sonic then took Sally into his arms and gave her a long passionate kiss. Epilogue Sonic and Sally raced back through the Great Forest back to Knothole to tell there fellow freedom fighters that the threat from Blast was over. As they passed by a bush a domed head peered out. It waited till they were long gone and then exited the bush. The swatbot looked around and then proceeded to remove its head. Under the swatbot head Blast looked out and breathed in the air. The forest air felt good to his lungs. He removed the swatbot body and looked out over the hill and looked out to Robotropolis. He felt a bit of frustration at his defeat. He had underestimated Sally and had been suprized by Sonic's power ring. He would have to improve the odds a little. He opened up hands and had two shards of the Red Chaos Emerald in them. He concentrated on the shard in his right hand. It shimmered and then in a brilliant red flash became a red power ring. "Next time we meet Sonic with this power ring I to will have super speed." Blast spoke. He realized that the power ring would only give him speed to match Sonic's normal speed, but Sonic would not know that fact. The other shard he looked at and pondered what he might have use for it. He would know in time. The Princess was also on his mind. She had destroyed the Red Chaos Emerald. He should punish her, but it only increased his attraction to her. She was indeed strong and he would enjoy breaking her. "You had best watch you lovely Princess Sonic or she will be mine." He grinned and turned back toward the Great Forest. There would be another time.