Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Life Bestowed ❯ That's When The Trouble Started ( 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:

Money makes the world go `round is what they say…and do you know what that has to do with this chapter? Absolutely nothing! Fwahahaha!!

Chapter 5: That's When The Trouble Started

Billy set the helicopter to autopilot mode. It maintained the current altitude and heading, and the speed as well. The scientist turned to face the others, who waited in the back. He had Metal Sonic's paralyzing device stowed away in his lab coat pocket for safe keeping. Johnny was still in the seat next to them, and Tails flew his Veritech alongside the Freedom Eagle.

Billy: Well, I've done all I can do for now. Metal Sonic, we're going to need a more exact location if we're to find Robotnik.

Metal Sonic: I'll tell you where he is when we get closer. And that won't be for a while, so get off my back about it!

Sonic: You better watch your mouth, buddy, or else!

Metal Sonic: Or else what?! You still need me, remember?

Sonic: Grr…

Scotty: Calm down, Sonic. The last thing we need is a fight.

Metal Sonic: You had better listen to your friend over there, hedgehog. You wouldn't want me leading you the wrong way, now would you?

Sonic turned his head away from the robot, frustrated.

Metal Sonic: Good.

Sonya yawned, and Scotty turned to face her.

Scotty: You tired, Sony?

Sonya: Yeah, it's been a long day.

It was past midnight, and they were all quite tired. This presented a problem: How would any of them get sleep with the dangerous Metal Sonic lurking about?

Sally: We'll take turns keeping watch.

Metal Sonic: Over what?

Sally: You.

Sonya rested her head on Scotty's shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair as she laid her hand on his shoulder in a loose hug. Soon, the purple hedgehog was asleep. Metal Sonic couldn't stand to be around something so emotional, so he stood up and walked to the other side of the helicopter.

Sally: Okay, you boys take the first watch. Goodnight, Sonic.

Sonic: Hey, wait a minute!

It was too late. Sally was already asleep in the chair. Sonic let his head tilt backwards, staring at the ceiling.

Sonic: Why me?

Scotty: Look at it this way: She didn't say how long the watches were.

Sonic: Hey, maybe I should wake her up right now and go to sleep myself.

Scotty: No, I don't think that would be wise.

Sonic: Aw, the whole world's against me.

Scotty: That's life for you. Hey Billy, how long do you think we can last up here before we need to refuel?

Billy: We should be able to stay airborne all night. I developed an impressive fuel conservation system that utilizes the-

Scotty: That's…fine, Bill. You should get some rest. We're gonna need your skills with this helicopter to be at their best when we reach Robotnik's base.

Billy: Yes, I suppose so.

The scientist handed the paralyzing device to Johnny, found a few empty seats near Sonic and Sally, and laid down. He was soon asleep.

Metal Sonic: Oh, can't this bucket of bolts go any faster?!

Scotty: It probably can, but right now it isn't. So stop complaining.

Just then, Tails came over the radio.

Tails: Hey, over there. I just wanted to tell you that I'm putting the jet on auto-pilot mode. Radio over here to wake me up if you need to.

Johnny answered the call.

Johnny: Roger that, Tails. Billy's done the same thing with the Eagle, and our plans have us flying all night. You okay with that?

Tails: Well, I've slept in worse places, I suppose. My fuel's just fine, so I guess I'll see you in the morning.

Johnny: All right, then. Goodnight, Tails, and be sure not to accidentally bump anything in your sleep.

Tails: I'll be extra-careful. Goodnight, everyone.

The radio cut out, and Johnny set the handheld device back on the control panel.

Johnny: Too bad I'm not still a robot. Otherwise you could all get some sleep.

Amy sighed, looking at the floor. Johnny got out of his chair, and walked up to her. He sat down beside the hedgehog.

Johnny: What is it? You look sad.

Amy: No, I'm fine.

Johnny: No, something's wrong. Please, tell me.

Amy looked up at him. Her eyes were watering.

Amy: It's just that…that I get kinda depressed when I think about you turning back.

Johnny: Why is that?

Amy: Because when you seem so much more real right now. I can feel your heart beating, and I know that you're fully alive, like me.

Johnny: I understand, I think. I was much more helpful as a machine, though.

Amy: I know, but…you're just…You're better this way.

Johnny looked into her eyes, and saw the sadness inside her. He couldn't stand to see her that way. Johnny moved closer to her, and wasn't surprised when she wrapped her arms around him. He did the same, and they held each other. It should've helped, but this seemed to only make Amy even sadder as she started to cry.

Amy: You see, I can hug you like this, and I don't feel cold metal. Instead, it's warm and soft. Like you.

Johnny: I suppose I feel the same way. I can feel your warmth as well.

Amy: I don't want to lose this.

Johnny: You won't, I promise. You mean too much to me for that to happen.

Amy: Really?

Johnny: Yes, Amy. I wouldn't be the same person I am now if it weren't for you.

Amy: You showed me kindness when everyone else was mean. I know you're a good person inside, and that's what I'm afraid of losing track of if you go back.

Johnny: Then I will do what I can to bring out that goodness. But I'll need your help.

Amy: You've got it. But are you sure you still want to change back?

Johnny: Well…yes, yes, I…have to go back…It's what I want…<thinking> Isn't it?

He was beginning to seriously consider not returning to his robotic self. It was something he wouldn't admit, but the idea was planted in his mind. Johnny decided to put off making up his mind for now, and decided to enjoy what time he had now. The two hedgehogs embraced each other, not wanting to let go. Scotty saw the connection that Amy and Johnny had, and realized it was special. Sonic, too, realized the bond. Metal Sonic merely saw it as pathetic.

Metal Sonic: Hmph!

He turned around, facing the corner. Silently, he thought to himself.

Metal Sonic: This can't be worth it…That bumbling idiot had better not fail!

At that moment, back in New York, two glowing green eyes stared the Refuge base from behind a bush. They then suddenly went toward the ground, and found themselves flowing in a blue liquid puddle toward the building. The body of Chaos rose up out of the puddle, resting a hand on the base.

Chaos: Okay, Metal Sonic, I won't fail this time!

He looked around, and, after a few moments, found an air vent on the wall. His liquid body slithered up and through it, and he secretly entered. Moving silently through the air ducts, he found a grille that looked straight down. It was dark in the room below, since everyone was asleep. He exited through it, and found himself in the lounge of the Refuge base. The watery creature looked around, trying to remember what he was supposed to do now. There was a noise from the hall, and he disappeared behind a chair. A few seconds later, he peeked out to see a half-asleep Knuckles stumble into the room. He walked through it, and eventually made his way to the kitchen.

Knuckles: <mumbling> Unh…snack…

The echidna sleepily opened the refrigerator, and left the door open as he poured a glass of milk. Knuckles went to get some cookies from the cabinet, and Chaos had an idea. He replaced the glass of milk with an open jar of extra-spicy salsa. Knuckles didn't notice as he dipped a chocolate chip cookie into it, and pulled it out with a huge mound of the hot salsa on it. Chaos watched as his hapless victim inserted it into his mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed. Knuckles yawned, and took a big long drink of the spicy stuff. Chaos was very confused. A few seconds later, smoke began to seep out from Knuckles's mouth.

Knuckles: Hmm…

The echidna licked his lips just as the spices took effect. His eyes grew wide, and one began to twitch as they both watered.

Knuckles: YYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!

The scream could be heard outside, and it chased birds from the trees as a car alarm went off. All of the freedom fighters rushed into the room, and Dr. Arrow flipped on the light. They saw Knuckles with his tongue under a running faucet as he fanned his mouth. Chaos hid beneath the table.

Dr. Arrow: What in the name of all that is right with the world is going on here?!

Knuckles: I iha ah ha haha…

Dr. Arrow: What?!

Knuckles: I think I drank some salsa…

Simon: That can't taste good.

Bunnie: What could've driven you to do that?!

Chaos burst out laughing, and bumped his head on the table. They all turned and saw him.

All: CHAOS?!

Chaos: <laughing uncontrollably> AH HA HA HAA!! You should've seen the look on your face! AH, You're a bigger idiot than I am! HAHHAHAA!!

Knuckles: ooh, I'll get you for that!

Knuckles chased Chaos around the room while everyone else watched, stunned. Meanwhile, far, far away, Robotnik's flying base was flying over the southern tip of Florida. The scientist was sleeping as the huge fortress crawled across the sky. Down below, numerous reports of UFOs flooded police stations, and many videos of the base were shot. The internal factories were nearly ready to continue production of bombs as Eliminator underwent repairs…

This one was kinda short… What is Robotnik planning, and why on Earth is he over Florida?! What will Metal Sonic do now that he's in his current position? And how can Tails sleep in the pilot's seat of a Veritech?! Stay tuned, and please review!