Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Life Bestowed ❯ It's A Crazy World Out There ( Chapter 9 )

Legal Stuff:

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

Author's Notes:

Today's useless fact: Space doesn't care who you are; it'll try to kill you just the same.

Chapter 9: It's A Crazy World Out There

It was late in the morning at the Refuge base in New York, and those who were still there were beginning to wonder about the others. They had been gone for a few days now, and hadn't called or reported or anything. Of course, those at the base hadn't attempted to make contact either, so no one was blamed. They had no way of contacting the Eagle; at least not one they knew of. Dr. Arrow trusted that they would be alright, but he worried for them nonetheless. His worry was interrupted when Nightingale called him to the door…

In the skies of northern Florida, the crew had its own issues to deal with. For once, they were nothing major. Billy had set the autopilot on the Eagle, and had joined the others in a game of cards. They were playing rummy, and the scientist eyed his hand; two aces, a deuce, and queen. It was Johnny's turn, and he drew a card. Seeing nothing he could work with, he discarded a king. Billy was up next, and he snatched the card from the discard pile. It matched suits with most of his other cards, and he laid down a combo of queen, king, ace, and deuce, all of clubs.

Billy: And now for my final move…

He discarded his final card, and the game ended. Johnny, with his strategic mind, had racked up the most points, but it was Billy who had gone out. The others laid their cards on the table, and Sally gathered them up.

Sally: Well, that was fun. Anyone want to play again?

Before anyone could answer, Tails's voice came over the radio.

Tails: Hey, guys, I'm picking up something weird on my radar…

Sonic: Is it the base?

Tails: I doubt it; it looks too small. Whatever it is, it's headed right for us, though. We should a visual any second now.

Billy climbed up to the pilot's seat, and saw something on his radar as well. They all scanned the skies in front of them, and Amy was the first to see the object.

Amy: Look! There it is!

It was still too far away to make out, but they all now saw something blue headed for them. It seemed to grow larger as it drew nearer, and it was soon clear that they were seeing Metal Sonic. The robot slowed to a hover, and let the Eagle approach him. The helicopter also slowed to a stop, and the Veritech did the same by converting itself to guardian mode. Metal Sonic contacted them both with the radio.

Metal Sonic: <sarcastically> How wonderful to see you all again.

Sonic: What do you want?!

Metal Sonic: Pipe down, blue, I'm not here to fight. Let me aboard and we'll talk.

Scotty: We'll talk right where we are, Metal. If you aren't here to attack us, then why have you come?

Tails: Yeah, why'd Robotnik send you?

Metal Sonic swung his arm sideways through the air as he made his next statement.

Metal Sonic: Robotnik is an idiot! True, he did send me here, but I've got my own plan.

Sonic: Very clever, acting like you aren't his drone anymore. But you didn't fool me for an instant!

Metal Sonic: It would be clever, if it were an act. But it isn't. That fat man hasn't led us to a single significant victory. I don't work for losers.

Johnny: Are you trying to join us or something?!

Metal Sonic: Let me repeat myself: I don't work for losers! I'd never join any of you. No, what I'm proposing is quite different.

Johnny: I'm listening.

Metal Sonic then proceeded to explain his plan.

Metal Sonic: Just once I'd like to accomplish something that mattered to me. So here's the deal…

Scotty: Here we go again…

Metal Sonic: …I'll take you all to his base; heck I'll even give you the exact location. Just promise me that you'll ruin his plans like always.

Sally: Why do you want us to do that?

Metal Sonic: Let's just say that I'm not happy with my employer, and I want to see him suffer. This plan might actually work, and he knows it. That's why I want to throw a monkey wrench into it, and watch it all come crashing down; watch him feel depressed.

Tails: Why not just do it yourself?

Metal Sonic: That guy has a way to cause me to self-destruct if I turn on him. It's something he put in after that incident with you, little brother. The thought of dying doesn't exactly please me, so I need your help.

Those in the Eagle looked at each other, considering the offer and the fact that the robot had let them live before. They also remembered how evil he had been, and how he had beaten Tails within an inch of the fox's life. After some discussion, Sonic approached the front of the Eagle, and looked out at Metal Sonic. The robot had crossed his arms impatiently, waiting for a reply.

Sonic: Well…You've got a deal, Metal.

Metal Sonic: Excellent…

The robot flew to the side door of the Eagle, and Scotty opened it. Metal Sonic walked in, and the others watched him. None of them trusted the robot, but once again, he was their only hope. Metal Sonic gave the base's coordinates to Billy, and the Echidna entered them into the Eagle's computer. The helicopter flew off toward them, with the Veritech following close behind.

Meanwhile, back at the Refuge base, everyone was surprised at their visitors. Nightingale had called the doctor to the door because two someones very special had showed up. The so-called uncle of Tails, and the fox's sister had come to the base with urgency. Yes, it was none other than Scruffy Ferrite and Keylo Prower. Scruffy held an unconscious Keylo in his arms, and the gray fox spoke to the doctor.

Scruffy: Hey, doc, remember us?

Dr. Arrow thought for a moment, recalling their previous visit about a year and a half ago. It had been a long time, but now they had returned, and there was a problem.

Dr. Arrow: Yes, I believe I do. What brings you here?

Scruffy: Snake bite. Snuck up on Keylo about ten minutes ago; it somehow stayed hidden from her. You're the only doctor I know of that could possibly react in time, not to mention the only one I can afford; if you'll take her in.

Dr. Arrow: Of course I'll have a look; no amount of money is worth a life.

Dr. Arrow led Scruffy to one of the labs in the base, and Keylo was laid down on the table. Dr. Arrow examined Keylo's arm, where the bite was.

Scruffy: She went for a grab at the last second, but it got around her. I've never seen a snake move that fast.

Dr. Arrow: Could you tell what kind it was?

Scruffy: No, I didn't actually see the snake, but I know it must've been quick to get Keylo. She's learned a lot, and is pretty quick on the draw.

Dr. Arrow listened as he looked at the bite. The echidna took a small scanner from a nearby table, and used it to identify the venom. From that, he chose the correct anti-venom from a refrigerator, and injected it into Keylo.

Dr. Arrow: She should be fine now. You're lucky you got here as soon as you did; she didn't have much time. Just where were you, anyway?

Scruffy: Not sure exactly; somewhere in the eastern mountains.

Dr. Arrow: That's awfully far away…How did you get here so quickly?

Scruffy: Prolonged dash technique; something I've been working on. Takes a lot out of you, but I'll be fine soon.

Dr. Arrow: Perhaps I should make sure you're okay as well, then. Such actions no doubt stressed your body a lot.

Scruffy waved his hand in the air.

Scruffy: No thanks, doc. I've been doing what I do all my life, and I'd know it if something was wrong with me.

Dr. Arrow: Very well…

Scruffy: Is Tails around? It'd be kinda nice to catch up with my favorite nephew.

Dr. Arrow: No, I'm afraid that Tails and the others have embarked on quite a mission, and are very far from here.

Scruffy: Any idea where?

Dr. Arrow: They were in quite a hurry, so I wasn't informed.

Scruffy: I see. You mind if I have a look around some of these labs; I have an idea.

Dr. Arrow: Go ahead; make yourself at home.

Scruffy stood up, and headed for the door. He passed Bunnie on the way out as she walked in.

Bunnie: So how are things going?

Dr. Arrow: Well, Keylo will be fine, and should wake up soon. I must say, I never expected to see those two again.

Bunnie: Ah guess theyah timing couldn't be much worse, though; what with everything goin' on and all.

Dr. Arrow: And Tails isn't even here to see them…

In Tails's lab, Scruffy was tinkering with some of the equipment. He rigged up a device that he hoped would locate Tails. Working on a hunch and a few guesses, he set the device to track the most distant signal that came from something Tails built. It was very far away, and when he entered the data into a computer, it showed the location to be moving over Florida.

Scruffy: Hmm…Seems a little too far, but something tells me this is right. Now, how to get there…

He took the device out of the lab, and explored some of the other labs, hoping to find an answer to his question. As he did so, Keylo was waking up on the table. She groaned and stirred, trying to recover.

Bunnie: Ah think she's comin' around.

Dr. Arrow: Yes, it would seem so…We need to be careful; we don't want to scare her accidentally when she first opens her eyes.

Bunnie: Maybe Ah should step out, then…Somehow Ah doubt a half-rabbit, half-robot is comforting sight to a stressed mind.

Bunnie left the room as Keylo slowly sat up, holding her head. She opened her eyes, and was surprised at her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was being in a thick forest, and this was completely different.

Keylo: Huh? Wh-where am I?

Dr. Arrow quietly answered her, in a calm voice.

Dr. Arrow: You are at the Refuge base in New York. Do you remember how you got here?

Keylo looked at the doctor, vaguely remembering him. She then shook her head, indicating that she couldn't remember anything that had happened. It was then that Scruffy entered, and he was a familiar sight to her.

Scruffy: Keylo, you're awake. Good, your recovery is improving.

Keylo: Thank you, Uncle scruffy.

Scruffy: I can't take all the credit. The good doctor here is the one that gave you the anti-venom.

Keylo turned to face the doctor, trying to remember his name.

Keylo: Thank you, then, Doctor…

Dr. Arrow: Arrow. Arrow Zebedee.

Keylo shook his hand, and hopped off the table. She was still a little weak from it all, but the fox did her best to stand strong; it was what she had been taught.

Scruffy: Well, with that settled, I think I may have located Tails and the others. All I need is a quick way to get there.

Scruffy explained his findings and theories to them. At the same time, over at the jail that Chaos was in, the water creature had awakened. He sat up on the cold bench in his cell, and looked around.

Chaos: What happened to me?

The cell's guard answered his question.

Guard: You've been caught. It's over for you're life of crime.

Chaos ran up to the bars and grabbed them, trying to shake them.

Chaos: Let me out of here!!

The guard shook his head `no'. Chaos sighed, and sat back down on the bench. From another room, Rouge watched the creature on one of the security monitors. After a moment, she laughed to herself.

Rouge: That poor idiot… He forgot about his ability to become a puddle! Escaping like that would be easy. <sigh> Oh, I can't help but feel sorry for him…

She laughed again, and spun around in her chair. A call then came in on her radio, so the bat was soon off again. At the Refuge base, Keylo was feeling fully better, and Scruffy was working on something he had come up with. A lifetime of surviving in the wild had given him many skills, creativity and ingenuity being high among them. He had connected his tracking device to Billy's portable transporter, and now he needed an extra power source. Keylo and Scruffy both looked for one, or something to make one with, as they were both eager to see Tails again. Back down in Florida, Robotnik was picking up the Eagle and the Veritech on radar. He grabbed a microphone and made an announcement into it.

Robotnik: Prepare the anti-aircraft weaponry! Deploy Eliminator to standby mode! Prepare to retrieve Metal Sonic!

Several Robotic troops climbed into the seats of the main tower's anti-air laser turrets. The powerful cannons powered up, and pointed in the direction of the Eagle. Down below, Eliminator was released from the machine that held it in place. The massive mech activated, and left the repair bay. He walked into one of the base's six huge corridors, and awaited further orders. A few hundred miles away, the heroic aircraft were on their way to the base, following Metal Sonic's data. Inside the Eagle, Metal Sonic approached Johnny, and faced him, almost with respect.

Metal Sonic: You've got something pretty interesting going on here, little brother. Don't give it up just yet.

Johnny: Thanks, but since when do you care?

Metal Sonic: Suffice it to say that when you're like this, you're easier to kill.

Johnny: All right, then.

The two flying machines continued their journey, drawing ever closer to Robotnik, who lie in wait for them…