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Thorns of Chaos: Chapter 7 ~ The Storm Begins...

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Dr. Robotnik was in a great mood. Not only had he recovered from Shadow's ambush of one of his hidden bases a while back, but he was on a creative roll, building innovative and destructive Badniks of all sorts! From the classics to the more streamlined mecha battalion models, Eggman made 'em all in record fashion, outfitting them with super advanced weaponry. And, he had PLENTY of animals to use!!

To make things even sweeter, Phase 2 of his diabolical scheme, "Murdering the Meddlers' Morale" was in full swing! Why, just the other day, he had sent Metal Sonic - with some "persuasion" - after Tails, thus annihilating any sort of strategy he and his friends were attempting to cobble together. As far as Eggman was concerned, it was high time he put that upstart in his place. To think he could stand on equal footing with the great Eggman! Get real! If the brat survived the bloody beating he was sure to have been given, he would think twice before challenging Dr. Robotnik again!

A small part of him felt uneasy for employing such dirty, merciless tactics on a cub, of course, but that lasted for a full 12 seconds before being utterly dismissed. Yes, sir, everything was falling into place. Now all that was needed to frost the cake of evil was-

"Hey, boss! Get up off yer arse! I've got some right fine news for ye!" Cubot's umpteenth voice change echoed irritatingly throughout the Egg Bunker until Eggman tossed a(nother) wrench at him. "What have I told you about that insubordinate tone, Cubot?!" Eggman hollered. After screwing his head back on straight, the robot answered, "I believe you suggested that I refrain from such disrespectful speech, my good man, and to work to apply my energies to best serving the almighty Eggman Empire."

Eggman blinked a few times and said, "Erm, yes, precisely. Well, um, what's your report?" Cubot hovered to the blueprint console Eggman was currently stationed at and stated, "Well, sir, you will be pleased to know that badnik production has increased tenfold, well past optimum efficiency. Orbot is now rounding up the remaining half of the planet's animal population as we speak. We should have a veritable armada of troops by the end of the week. Oh, also, old bean, we've managed to get a trace on the final Chaos Emerald." Eggman laughed in triumph. "Splendid! What about my young, would-be rival?" Cubot cleared his metallic throat, so to speak, and answered, "It would seem that he survived Metal Sonic's attack and is now recovering in Soleanna."

Eggman's expression soured upon hearing that. "Grr, accursed boy. He's got determination for his age, I'll give him that. Do you know if he is in any condition to talk?" Cubot answered, "Unknown, but I do not see any reason to worry." The doctor nodded. "Good. As long as we remain under the radar, we won't have to worry about any silly attempts at revenge. *yawn* I'm going to bed. You may return to your duties, Cubot."

"Very good, sir," said the robot as he hovered away. As he did, Eggman grumbled to himself, "Wonder how long THAT will last..."

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The atmosphere outside the Emergency Room was tense and thick, with all of the occupants on edge. Vanilla, feeling stiff from being seated all day, was showing Cream (who was too worried to abide by her bedtime) some stretching exercises, in an attempt to get the child's mind off of her friend for a brief moment. Thankfully, it seemed to be working, as both she and Cheese were enjoying themselves. Shadow and Amy watched from their seats, grateful for the distraction.

After a few minutes of that, the elevator doors opened up, and Rouge flew into the waiting room, with Knuckles close behind. Cream noticed the new visitors and, coming out of a stretch, bowed tiredly. "Good evening, Ms. Rouge, Mr. Knuckles." Rouge nodded and immediately marched towards Shadow and Amy, missing the subtle, yet sharp look Vanilla sent her way. Knuckles, on the other hand, walked up to the grown Mobian and asked, "Er, evening, ma'am. How has everyone been holding up?" Vanilla told Cream to resume her stretches, turned to him and answered, "Reasonably well, Knuckles, all things considered. Shadow probably already told you both, but, Tails is stable. Now it is merely a matter of waiting." Knuckles nodded, but something seemed off to him, like there was a missing component of some sort. Then it hit him. "By the way, where's Sonic? Shouldn't he be here in case Tails wakes up or at some point?" Vanilla replied, "He stepped out to get some air. For the record, Knuckles, I'd advise against pushing his buttons right now. Everyone's feeling the stress here, but it's particularly hard on him." The echidna shrugged. "Not surprised. Eggman probably took Tails out to get to him."

A voice behind him uncharacteristically growled, "Thanks for twisting the damn knife, Knucklehead." Whipping his head around to deliver a reactionary insult, Knuckles' words caught in his throat when he saw his rival. Sonic was a mess. His jacket was damaged, his jeans were torn, his fur was singed and his quills were sticking out in many places. Knuckles also noticed that his gloves were a bit bloody. "Sonic...what the heck happened?"

Said hedgehog ignored him and asked Vanilla, "Any news?" When the rabbit shook her head, he walked past them both and sat down in a corner, away from everyone else. He tried to look nonchalant and collected, but literally everyone knew better. The Rabbit family was worried, as were Knuckles and Amy. Shadow noticed and made a mental note to talk to him later. Rouge, however, was just standing in front of the corridor to the ER, fidgeting. To a passerby, it looked like she was trying to decide whether or not to go inside. That assumption would be correct.

But, there was another reason she stood there. Rouge was there to hide.

She did not want to show it - she could not - but she was worried sick about the boy who had grown on her, little by little. Why? Hell if she knew. Perhaps he reminded Rouge of some member of her own family. Maybe her maternal instincts were stronger than she gave herself credit for. Whatever the case may be, Rouge was scared...scared that he wouldn't make it, that they would all lose him, that the Doctor would revel in-

'Doctor...'

At the memory of the mad scientist that put Tails into this situation, Rouge felt another emotion alongside her grief: anger. The more she thought about it, the more she remembered her own sordid past, and the angrier she became. How dare that cruel, old man do this to an innocent boy?! HOW DARE HE?!? It was a kneejerk thought, but at that moment, the conviction is Rouge's heart was sincere: 'I'm going to find you, Doctor...and you will PAY.'

Right then, Amy felt a chill and immediately glanced towards the bat's location. The emotion she was feeling was all too familiar to her, but as much as she wanted to investigate, she just didn't have the emotional strength to do so tonight. So, she tried a new ESP technique she developed during her own recovery, sending quiet, yet powerful mental suggestions to her friends. One by one, everyone felt the need to finally get some sleep. Once they did, Amy tiredly joined them in slumber.

Come the dawn, all bets would be irrevocably off.
Chapter 6: fav.me/d6yqr13
Chapter 7: You just read it.
Chapter 8: fav.me/d755m8i


Wherein the villains rejoice and the heroes endure their grief.

I know I said the next chapter would focus on Shadow and Amy, but my mind went elsewhere when writing this. Sorry.

With my life going south, I can't really say what's going to happen with this story, exactly. All I know is, it's going to get darker from here on in. Just...bear with me, ok?

Characters owned by SEGA.

© 2014 - 2024 UltimateGameMaster
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Light-Dusk's avatar
I shall bear as long as you are willing to also!