Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ For Love Of The Hunt ❯ Busted ( Chapter 5 )

Legal Stuff:

I don't own any of the characters in this story. They are the properties of their respective owners.

Author's Notes:

Let's see how things go now…

Chapter 5: Busted

There were only seconds to think as the armed criminals entered the room. The heroes backed up, toward the computer terminal. Sonic stood in front of Tails, protecting him, and Billy nervously looked back and forth between the enemy and the screen, which showed the upload at 80% complete. Knuckles had a sudden idea. He shoved his hands into the ground, and pulled up. The floor shattered, and he tossed the chunks upward. With the bare ground exposed, Knuckles dug down into it.

Knuckles: Follow me, everyone!

The criminals were distracted by all this long enough for the heroes to jump down into the hole. They followed the echidna as he burrowed through the soil. Meanwhile, back in the lab, Hacker had entered after hearing about the invasion. He ran in just as the data transfer finished, and immediately went to work to find out what was sent.

Hacker: There's a lot of data about that suit…but that doesn't really affect us. There has to be something…

He stopped when he found exactly what he feared he'd find. The location of the hideout, its entrances, the names of members, everything had been uploaded to the police. At the same time, the cops had gotten the message, and had sent officers to the location. Rouge and Tikal were among them, and the first to arrive. The patrol car stopped just in front of a geyser of dirt and rock that shot up from the street. The officers stepped out as Knuckles burst up from the ground, and landed in front of the hole. The others climbed up and out after him. The rain was still falling, though not as strongly as before.

Rouge: Knuckles?! What are you doing here?!

Knuckles: I'm on a vacation.

Sonic: The gang's inside the building. They're armed, so watch out.

Tikal: Don't worry, backup is on the way.

Everyone was soon out of the ground, and Rouge started to approach the building when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Freddie the chao happily walked by, between all of them and the building.

Rouge: What on Earth?

The chao stopped and looked up at the bat, wondering what she was. He tilted his head, and saw her wings. His eyes grew wide, and he jumped back a bit.

Freddie: Nyah! Dragon lady!

Rouge: Huh?

Knuckles: I think he means your wings…They're connected at the shoulder, like a dragon.

The chao ran away with his hands out in front and eyes closed, and quickly bumped into Tikal, and fell down.

Tikal: Aww…You poor little thing…

She reached down, and picked up the little chao, whose eyes were watering from the fall. She petted it on the head, and it looked up at her, confused.

Tikal: See? You're okay.

There was a voice coming toward them, calling out the name `Freddie' Everyone looked to see Chaos run out from behind a building, still yelling to the chao. Freddie saw him, and reached out for the creature.

Freddie: Dada! Dada!

Chaos heard the chao calling, and ran up to Tikal without quite noticing who she was. He was entirely focused on the chao.

Chaos: There you are! I was looking all over for you!

Sonic: You again!

Chaos: Huh?

The watery creature looked around him, and realized that he was in the company of his enemies.

Chaos: Give me back Freddie!

Tikal: Never! I can't let someone like you get near an innocent creature like this!

Tails: <thinking> I wouldn't call him 'innocent'…

Chaos: Please! He's all I have!

Freddie: Dada!

The chao tried to escape from Tikal, but failed after the first few tries. He gave one last shove, and broke free. Freddie ran into Chaos's waiting arms. Chaos hugged the chao tightly.

Freddie: Dada!

Chaos: Don't ever run off like that again, okay?

Freddie looked down, sadly.

Chaos: It's okay, I'm not mad.

Tikal: Wait a minute…You actually care for him?

She stepped toward Chaos, watching them. Chaos kept his eyes on Tikal, and Freddie looked back and forth between them. A long pause followed, filled only with the sound of the rain. The chao scratched his head, thinking. He then looked at Chaos and pointed at Tikal.

Freddie: Mama?

Tikal: What? No!

A bullet whizzed past her head, and she turned to see its source. Some members of the gang had decided to run outside and try to gun down the cops, and Tikal was one of them. Chaos ran away carrying Freddie as Tikal ducked behind the car. Rouge had her gun ready behind the vehicle, and the others had found hiding places in trees, behind crates, and in the hole Knuckles made. Additional officers arrived, and a shootout began. Meanwhile, at the Refuge base, Metal-2 was playing a game of ping-pong against anyone that would challenge him. He had already taken on and beaten everyone at least once, and was now facing Amy in a furious match.

Metal-2: Come on, Amy, you can do better!

Amy: You mean…like this?

The ball came to her, and she smacked it back at Metal-2. The robot didn't realize that it was a trick shot, and swung his paddle just beneath the path of the ball. It flew past him, and hit the ground. He looked back at it.

Amy: Whoo! I beat you!

Metal-2: So you scored a point…big deal. You still haven't won the match…

He happily picked up the ball, and started playing with her again. After a short while, Metal-2 scored a final, winning hit, earning him yet another victory. But Amy didn't care. She enjoyed spending time with the robot, and Metal-2 knew it.

Metal-2: I had fun. What about you?

Amy: Yeah, lots…<sigh> but it wears me out.

Metal-2 walked up to her.

Metal-2: I'm sorry if I made you tired.

Amy: It's okay; it was worth it.

She whirled around, and fell backwards into his arms, and looked up at him.

Amy: Thanks for playing with me. I really enjoyed it.

Metal-2: Any time.

Amy smiled, and then had an idea. She stepped out in front of him, and turned around to face the robot.

Amy: Uh-oh! The big bad Metal Sonic is going to get me!

She playfully ran from him, and the robot took a moment before he got the idea. He chased after her, and they ran into the hall. The two eventually came to the lounge, where Amy stopped when she saw what was on the TV. Metal-2 ran up and caught her, hugging the hedgehog gently.

Metal-2: Gotcha!

Amy: Metal, look!

She pointed at the screen, and the robot looked over. The news was on, and it was a helicopter's view of the shootout in front of the gang's hideout. They watched it closely as Sally entered the room, carrying a glass of water. She noticed them, and looked at what they were so intent on seeing.

Sally: Oh my goodness! Sonic!

Metal-2: I have to help them.

Amy; No, you can't! Look at all those police! If you go, you'll be caught!

Metal-2: But…the criminals are using powerful weapons…I can't just stand by and watch people being hurt like that.

Amy: But Metal…

Metal-2: I'm sorry…I have to do…what's right…

He walked toward the door, and Amy reached out for him, distressed. Sally laid a hand on her shoulder.

Sally: You can't stop him. If he's anything like my Sonic, once an idea enters his mind, he won't let go of it.

Amy: I know…<sigh> I just wish there was something I could do.

The robot left the base, and followed police radio signals until he found the scene. The sun was beginning to set as the rain let up. Metal-2 landed quickly between the gang and the police, and activated his shield just in time to block fire from both sides. The gang saw him as an enemy, while the police had been given orders to fire on sight of the machine. Rouge and Tikal disobeyed the orders, but couldn't convince anyone else to do so. Metal-2 stepped toward the gang, and activated his blasters. Bullets bounced off his shield, as Sonic watched from behind a tree.

Sonic: <thinking> Metal…What are you doing?!

Metal-2 aimed and fired through his shield, going for non-lethal shots that would cause extreme pain. Several were hit in the hands, legs, and chest. Metal-2 turned around and fired into the guns of many of the others.

Metal-2: You can't win. Have you figured that out, or do I have to prove it?

The remaining criminals looked at each other, at the robot, and at the crowd of police, and dropped their weapons. They raised their hands into the air, giving up. The cops moved in and apprehended them as Metal-2 took off, flying several feet in the air. Tikal ran up, and called to him.

Tikal: Metal! Down here!

Metal-2: Tikal! Have the police discovered that I'm innocent?

Tikal: I just got a radio transmission. They've seen the files, but they don't believe them!

Metal-2: Files? What files?

Tikal: Someone sent us some stuff that says you're innocent.

Metal-2: I see. Well, if it didn't work, then I'll be on my way.

Tikal: I'm not supposed to let you do that.

Metal-2: I know. I'm sorry.

He flew straight up, escaping while the police were busy with the gang. Most of the members were caught, but Ivy wasn't among them. Those who had escaped went their separate paths. Night fell on New York as everyone returned home. Billy explained to Metal-2 about the files he sent to the police, and Metal-2 told them about what Tikal had said.

Billy: <sigh> This isn't good.

Tails: But what else can we do? If the cops don't believe the evidence, then what's left?

Metal-2: I think I may know. Tails, I'll need your help.

Tails followed the robot into one of the labs, to begin some special work. Meanwhile, in the city, Ivy was on the run from Ghost, who was chasing her through the streets. The drones weren't with him now, but rather were still back at the ABT building where several officers had been investigating the place based on the evidence they had received earlier. Ivy ran from the hedgehog, trying to lose him. People around were too busy to get involved, so they ignored the two. Ivy knew that she had to find help, as much as she hated to admit it. But where to turn? The chase continued as the investigators left the ABT building empty-handed. The president turned to one of his employees after watching the last police car drive off.

President: That was too close. Follow me.

Employee: What is it, sir?

President: There's been a change of plans…

After a few minutes, the assassin drones were deployed to find and assist Ghost. As this was happening, Metal-2's idea was ready to implement. The robot sat in a chair in front of Tails.

Tails: Are you sure about this?

Metal-2: It's the only way. Besides, construction has already begun on a new body.

Tails: Yeah, I know. It's just that…it's going to be hard to see you get blown up again.

Metal-2: Don't worry; I won't be in danger this time.

He began to solder some connections inside a watch in front of him.

Tails: But still, it's gonna feel weird. <sigh> Remind me why we're doing this again…

Metal-2: The police know that my computer core is where the real me is. If they think it's destroyed, then they'll think that I'm destroyed, and that means that I won't be wanted anymore.

Tails: But it seems like such a waste.

Metal-2: It won't be. Remember, I'm going to be fighting those other robots.

Tails: Heh, you mean I'm going to be fighting them…

Metal-2: I suppose so. Either way, we'll be killing two birds with one stone.

Tails: But what happens when they see the new you?

Metal-2: Just say you rebuilt me. It won't be the first time. And it's the truth.

Tails: And you thought of all this in how long again?

Metal-2: 1.8 seconds.

Tails: Ah…There, it's done.

He closed the top of the watch, and turned to the robot.

Tails; Now it's your turn.

Metal-2 switched himself off, and Tails used some of the lab equipment to carefully remove his computer core. He replaced it with an easily destroyed fake one, and switched the robot back on. Tails put the watch around his wrist, and spoke into it.

Tails: Stand up.

At his command, Metal-2's body stood up, and looked down at him. The fox smiled for a moment, and then turned to Metal-2's computer core. He hooked it up to a computer that was in the lab, and Metal-2's voice was heard from its speakers.

Metal-2: This brings back memories…Tails, does the remote control work?

Tails: It seems to.

Metal-2: Good. Now go, explain it to the others, and find those robots. After that…well, I guess I'm going to need a new body.

Tails: Yup. But like you said, the machines are already making a new one.

Tails started to walk out the door, but stopped when he heard his friend's voice.

Metal-2: And Tails…

Tails: Yeah?

Metal-2: Be gentle when you explain it to Amy.

Tails: Okay.

A short while later, in front of City Hall, Ivy found herself hiding in a tree. She had lost Ghost for the moment, and was trying to catch her breath. Ghost, on the other hand, was nearby, and had met up with the drones. They followed him as he carefully searched for Ivy…

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Cliffhanger!

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