The Scorch Stories: Book 3

Overview Twelve years into Dr. Ivo Robotnik's reign and Scorch still manages to carry on. But what is to come? Things are starting to build up. Will Dark Scorch return after his previous disappearing act?

As usual, a few little messages from me: Enjoy!
 * I will warn you now, there is a very rubbish reference to the Halo series in this (specifically Cortana)
 * There may be one or two swears but nothing extensive
 * I didn't know how to spell "Dolce's" name, so yeah
 * And as usual, PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION

Included Characters
Main Characters Supporting Characters Minor Characters Mentioned Characters Cameo Characters
 * Scorch the Hedgehog
 * Katherine "Katy" Feline
 * Joe Cheetah
 * Greg T. Bear
 * Tinker the Fox
 * Harold "Tank" Kanine
 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Sally Acorn
 * Bunnie Rabbot
 * Antoine D'Coolette
 * Dolce
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * NICOLE
 * Sir Charles "Chuck" Hedeghog
 * Dr. Ivo Robotnik
 * Dark Scorch

Prologue
Freedom Fighter Hideout, Blue Sea Island. Day 12 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

Katy said that we could write a journal on this computer. I don’t really know how to start these journals but I’ll give it a shot. It’s been twelve years since Robotnik took over and we’ve been fighting on Blue Sea ever since. We’ve had some good points where his SWATBots were completely annihilated by us, but there were other times where they managed to get a hold of some key locations on the island. This has been going on for too long. I’m 33 now. Katy and I still aren’t married and as you can probably tell, I still haven’t found my parents. The good thing is that I’ve heard reports of another group of Freedom Fighters. They’re from a place called Knothole and apparently Sonic is one of the leaders. I’m glad he’s still alive. I want to see him but I need to stay here and protect my home. Tink’s finally got a prosthetic arm. She had to have it amputated after being shot right in the joint by a SWATBot. Now, she making something and nobody knows what it is. In the past few years, we’ve also managed to obtain four more Chaos Emeralds, making a grand total of six. We don’t know where the last one is and we probably won’t have it for a long time. Speaking of Chaos Emeralds, we still haven’t found Dark Scorch after he escaped from death all those years ago. Oh great, they’re back. Be back soon…

“Greg! What’s the situation?” Scorch asked.

“We’ve got SWATBots all around Blue Sea,” he said, “If you look at the map, you can see they’re moving there.”

“The old warehouse? What’s so interesting there?” Scorch asked.

“I don’t know but obviously, it can’t be good.”

Then Tinker the Fox walked in with a rather suspicious device on where her prosthetic arm should be.

“Hey guys! Check this out,” she said.

The device had turned into a laser rifle.

“Pretty cool, huh.”

“Um, how did you do that?” Greg asked.

“Well, first I may or may not have stolen your designs for the laser rifles, then I changed the shape to fit my arm and then fused the device to my arm with a soldering iron,” she replied.

“You did what?” Greg asked shocked.

“I fused it to my arm. It’s not that bad,” she replied.

“No, I couldn’t care less about that. You stole my blue prints!” he yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Greg calm down. It doesn’t matter. Besides, now Tink can help out with the fight a bit more,” Scorch said resting his hand on Greg’s shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay, I guess you’re right Scorch. Don’t steal my plans again, Tink, “Greg ordered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It’s okay; they’re useless to me now.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">   Then Katy ran into the room where Scorch was.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Guys! The SWATBots are drilling underneath the warehouse!” she yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What for?” Tink asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I don’t know, but we need to find out and fast.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Alright then, let’s move out guys,” Scorch said.

===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Chapter 1: The Drill ===

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Warehouse District, Blue Sea Island. Day 12 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Doctor Robotnik had sent his SWATBots to drill in the Warehouse District of Blue Sea. The reason for this was still quite unknown to the Freedom Fighters. Robotnik had always seen Scorch as a threat. He had seen the power that he could create from various media providers and was trying to find a way to be rid of him for good. Scorch was only Priority Two, he didn’t have the ‘honour’ of being Priority 1. That belonged to Sonic. Scorch, however, did not know this. Blue Sea island’s communications arrays had either been destroyed or overtaken by Robotnik, so they can only contact people on the island. Greg and Tink have been trying to get a comm hub up and running in the hideout for ages now, but they think they’ve almost figured it out. Scorch, Katy, Joe and Tank had gone to investigate and hopefully put a stop to what Robotnik was doing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You see anything, Katy?” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Yeah, here take a look,” Katy replied, giving Joe her binoculars.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Joe looked through and saw a ton of guard patrols. Too many for just a simple secure and control operation. This was something big. Then Joe looked through one of the destroyed windows on the warehouse. He saw the drill and it was charging up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Uh, guys that drill is starting to spin,” he mentioned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Alright, we need a plan,” Tanks said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Agreed, Katy have you got an emerald?” Scorch asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Yep, packed one just in case,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Okay good, Tank and I will go for a frontal assault on the drill.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Whilst Katy and I sneak in from the back and disable the drill,” Joe replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Okay you guys, good luck,” Katy said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You too,” Tank replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Tank and Scorch then ran out of cover and into the many crowds of SWATBots. Tank constantly smashed through the hordes of SWATBots and Scorch did what he did best, he burned them all to ashes. Katy and Joe snuck behind the SWATBots, moving through old, abandoned workshops and smaller warehouses. Finally they had both reached the drill, but SWATBots had already spotted them and were chasing them down. Katy had reached the control panel.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Joe, hold them off while I hack this,” she ordered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“No problem,” Joe replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Katy began the disabling process. She had to pass tons of firewalls on the computer in such a short time. Luckily, through both experience and being taught by her father, she could hack in a short amount of time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Katy, how much longer? There’s a lot more than there was ten seconds ago,” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Almost… There got it. Now let’s get of here,” she said, “Scorch, do you read me?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Loud and clear but, I’m a bit busy,” he replied over the comm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“We’ve disabled the drill, you can fall ba-.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Katy? Katy, do you copy?” Scorch asked, wondering what had happened.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Let go of me! Joe, help!” Scorch heard faintly over the radio, “I’m coming Katy. Ah!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> ===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Chapter 2: Captured === <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Warehouse District, Blue Sea Island. Day 12 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Scorch didn’t know what was going on. Things were going completely fine. He had to go check on her. Luckily he had a plan to save Katy and Joe if things went wrong.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Tank, I want you to throw me at the warehouse,” he ordered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You’re crazy,” Tank replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Am I?” Scorch asked sarcastically.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Alright, but it’s your death wish.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Tank then lifted him up and started running, smashing through SWATBots. He’d destroyed quite a lot by now, but not nearly as many as Robotnik deployed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You ready, boss-man?” Tank asked, running through the crowds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Let’s go!” Scorch yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Then Tank threw Scorch making him fly like a torpedo. Scorch started spinning in the air, faster and faster until he’d set himself alight. He was now just a burning missile heading for the warehouse. He smashed through the wall and into the drill room. He ran through, burning and destroying the SWATBots. Katy and Joe had been tied to a pole and both of them had their weapons confiscated. Unusually, these SWATBots were smart and knew what they were doing, but that didn’t stop Scorch. He’d found the room where they were tied up in. Katy and Joe then saw the door smash open, flying off of its hinges and flattening the SWATBot.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Scorch!” Katy yelled with joy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Come on, you should’ve known I’d come,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Yeah, yeah, less talk more leaving,” Joe said hurrying them along.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Scorch untied them and ran out the door, with the others close behind. They ran through the warehouse with lasers flying all around them. One laser managed to just skim Katy’s shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Ah!” she yelped.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“What is it?” Scorch asked still running.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Laser burn, it’s nothing,” she said following along.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">They’d finally gotten out of the warehouse and took cover. That was also where Tank was. Scorch looked at Katy as she was holding her shoulder. She didn’t look like she was in pain but in reality it was agonising for her. She just didn’t show it because she wanted to keep up the morale. Along with Scorch, she was their leader. Scorch walked over to her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Katy, you okay?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Rgh, I’ll be fine,” she said in pain.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You sure? That looks pretty painful.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">She pulled him off to the side and said, “It is! It is extremely painful. I just don’t want Tank and Joe to hear just in case it lowers their morale.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Uh, Scorch!” Joe yelled, “I hate to interrupt love time, but some of the SWATBots are leaving.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Leaving?” Scorch asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Yes, leaving. Look,” Joe pointed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Scorch looked at them and instantly knew where they were going.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“They’re going for the hideout!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> ===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Chapter 3: Overrun ===

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Ghost Town, Blue Sea Island. Day 12 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Ever since Dark Scorch’s rampage in Woodsville, this place has remained a desolate town. No one had lived there since and no one ever will. It was just destroyed shops and houses and everyone that used to live in Woodsville had moved to another town on the island or had moved in land. Scorch and the team were in this wasteland. They were running. They ran as quickly as they could to try and reach the hideout as soon as possible. It was soon to come under attack.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“How much further?” Scorch yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“About another couple of a hundred yards,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Then Katy got a call from the hideout and it wasn’t good.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Hey, Katy? I think SWATBots are outside. We can hear them,” Greg said on the radio.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Don’t worry Greg, we’re on our way right now,” Katy said running.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Then all Katy could here was shouting and SWATBots in the hideout. They continued running throughout the ghost town, until they saw SWATBots on a defence stance

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Tank…,” Scorch said. Tank looked at him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Smash.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Tank smiled and charged at the SWATBots screaming as the others ran past. Tank had quickly torn the two SWATBots to shreds, but because of his unneeded yelling, other SWATBots came to assist.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Scorch, Katy, you guys go secure the hideout, we’ll be fine,” Joe said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“You sure?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Yeah. As long as I keep fighting and Tank keeps smashing, we’ll deal with it no problem.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Katy and Scorch nodded and ran to the hideout. When they were outside, they heard lasers in there and saw a hole in the door. They ran through and saw Tink lying on top of a pile of robot rubble. She blew the top of her arm canon and steam flew away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered,” Tink said smiling cheekily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“So you do,” Scorch replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Tink, we need your help out on defence outside,” Katy said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Ha! Those SWATBots ‘aint got nothing on me!” She replied with pride.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">They then ran back outside and Joe and Tank were being swarmed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Hey, need back-up?” Tink asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“It would help,” Tank replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">They were all lined up and prepared for the conflict. Then they charged at the enemy. Tank smashed, as usual for him. Joe was using his skill in the art of killing, jumping around and throwing knives at vital points on the SWATBots. Tinker was firing her newly developed arm laser canon, blasting the enemies to pieces. Scorch did what he did best, burning the SWATBots and melting their interior hardware. Katy however, stayed in cover. She was still using her laser pistols, but she was still in pain from the laser burn she’d received a few minutes earlier. All together, they managed to destroy the enemy opposition, with no injuries. Except for Katy of course. She was still sitting there in great pain. Being skimmed with a laser is lucky though. Being shot would me Katy would’ve had to have her arm amputated. Scorch walked over to go and check on her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Okay, we’re getting that arm checked out,” Scorch demanded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“Good. It’s freaking painful,” she replied.

Chapter 4: Distress Signal
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Freedom Fighter Hideout, Blue Sea Island. Day 13 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">It had just turned midnight. Greg was working on the communications systems. He was trying to set it up to send off distress signal to the mainland. He’d been working for days on it, obviously with breaks in between as the defence of Blue Sea was top priority of the Freedom Fighters. It was his most ambitious project to date as he had near no expertise in reconstructing communications devices. He originally mostly built and repaired cars, as well as building the occasional laser weapon.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Katy was in the medical area with Scorch. He was helping her medicate her wound. Laser burns were not easy to treat. It required a lot of things and Katy was ordering him around, telling him to get various medicinal items. On the table there were at seven different things to treat it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay, Scorch you need to put that liquid there, into that syringe,” she said pointing at a numbing agent.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Alright,” Scorch replied pulling the liquid into the syringe, “Where shall I inject it?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Insert it tilted upwards and underneath the burn.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch warned her that she might feel a slight pinch and then pierced the needle into her arm. He slowly pushed the liquid in the syringe into her arm. Eventually Katy stopped feeling the pain and took her hand off of the wound. It was bright red and bleeding. The skin around it looked like it was crusting. It was radiation burn essentially. Scorch poured some disinfectant onto a cotton ball and rubbed it on the wound. Then he poured the other five chemicals onto a bandage. He walked over to Katy and gently wrapped it around the wound, making sure that the medicines were on there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“One of the only times we get to be alone together and one of us is injured,” Katy sighed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“We’ll have some proper alone time soon. I promise,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Katy, Scorch! Come here once you’re done!” Greg yelled from the other room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Katy hopped down from the hospital bed and walked into the other room with Scorch. They saw Greg at a desk, repairing the comms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You needed us,” Scorch stated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yeah, I think I’ve just about fixed the comms array,” Greg said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Really? We need to send for help then,” Katy said with urgency.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You’re right,” Scorch replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“But won’t the SWATBots intercept it?” Joe asked cautiously.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Greg?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“They could, very easily as well. I don’t know how to stop them from doing it though.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, I guess them listening to it as well as getting help will be better than no help,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay, let’s do it,” Katy said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Knothole Villiage, Hidden Location. Day 14 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Knothole. The place where the children of Mobotropolis could stay protected from Robotnik. Though now they weren’t children anymore, the people of Knothole lived in huts made by the former king, Maximillian Acorn. He was the one that ordered all the children there in hope that one day they would free Mobotropolis of Robotnik’s tyranny. Princess Sally Acorn, daughter of the king, was one of the many that were escorted to Knothole. She travelled there with a computer called NICOLE who provides Sally with information not known to most. In Sally’s hut, NICOLE picked up the distress signal that Katy had sent off back in Blue Sea.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sally, I have received a distress signal,” NICOLE informed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Huh, where from?” Sally asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“An island known as Blue Sea Isle.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Blue Sea? I though everyone there was roboticised.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Sally then got a knock on the door. She told the person to come in. He walked in. He was a hedgehog, a blue one. It was Sonic.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yo, Sal. Why haven’t we got any problems from Buttnik lately? I’m starting to get bored of waitin’ around,” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, NICOLE might have just found a problem for you to solve,” Sally informed, “NICOLE, play distress signal.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes Sally,” NICOLE replied, “''This is Katy Feline of the Blue Sea Freedom Fighters. We are in need of immediate assistance. Doctor Robotnik has sent SWATBots over here with a drill and we don’t know what for. He’s also began an assault on our hideout. Please, anyone out there, help us!” ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then the message went dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“More Freedom Fighters?” Sally asked herself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I guess. So we goin’ to stop Robuttnik or what?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, Blue Sea is quite far from here so it may take a few hours to get there,” Sally replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Piece o’ cake, I’ll just speed there!” Sonic replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It’s an island. It’s separated from the mainland by water.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“On second thought, why don’t we get Dolce to get us there?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Sally just laughed and started pressing buttons on the computer.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“NICOLE, can you trace that signal?” Sally asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Affirmative, Sally.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Outside, Sonic was getting ready with everyone else.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“So, eh, how long will ze travelling be?” Antoine asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sal, said it’ll a few hours,” Sonic replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“A few hours! How do you expect moi to be in ze cloud for zat long, hm?” he replied angrily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Don’t worry, Ant. It’s not going to be that long.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Sally walked outside and joined Sonic, Antoine and Bunnie, when a small two-tailed fox walked up to her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Aunt Sally, can I come?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Not this time Tails, it could get really dangerous,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“But you always say that. I can help. Sonic’s been training me to be a Freedom Fighter.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sorry, big guy, but Sal’s right on this one. It’s a long way away and there’s gonna be tons of Buttnik’s bots,” Sonic replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay, Sonic,” Tails said coming to terms that he was still too inexperienced to go.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You ready, Dolce,” Bunnie asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sure am, Bunnie,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Everyone hopped on Dolce’s back and she began to fly off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Good luck guys!” Tails yelled to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You look after Knothole while were gone, big guy!” Sonic yelled back.

Chapter 5: Hello, Old Friend
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Freedom Fighter Hideout, Blue Sea Island. Day 14 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">A day had passed since Katy and Greg sent out a distress signal and since then, things have gone to hell for them. Their base was under attack by the SWATBots and the Freedom Fighters were getting tired. Their attacks were starting to get sloppy and more and more SWATBots were staying intact. Greg’s laser rifle had run out of ammo and Katy only had one pistol left. Scorch was getting tired and so his fire balls kept missing the enemy. Tink’s laser canon had overheated and Joe was tired from all of the kicks and punches. It was just Scorch and Katy that were left to fend them off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Are you sure you don’t have ammo left?” Katy yelled to Greg.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Nope, I’m all out,” he replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Scorch, how much longer can you keep doing that?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“For as long… as I… I need to,” he replied finding it difficult to concentrate on talking, not tiring out and launching fireballs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Hey, Katy if you give me about another minute or so, I can overcharge my laser canon and wipe them out,” Tink suggested.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Do it. Scorch let’s keep them off her,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch and Katy gave the SWATBots everything they had to offer. Lasers and fireballs flew everywhere, destroying tons of SWATBots. But it wasn’t enough. There were hundreds of them. There was no way that they could defeat them all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“How’s it… coming… Tink?” Scorch asked becoming very weak through the use of too much of his power.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Just about… there I’ve done it!” Tink yelled throwing the screwdriver away, “Everyone, get your head down and cover your ears, this thing is going to really loud.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Tink charged up the canon to full power and blasted it towards the SWATBots, taking her off of her feet. Smoke and dirt flew up everywhere and pieces of machinery went everywhere. But out of the smoke there were more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“God damn it!” Katy yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Do these guys know when to quit?” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Got to… to keep… ugh…fighting,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">In the sky, the team from Knothole could see the Freedom Fighters and the SWATBot army they were fighting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Bunnie, can you get me a ring?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No problem, Sugar-hog,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Bunnie grabbed a power ring out of Sonic’s backpack and gave it to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It’s juice an’ jam time!” he yelled spinning into a ball.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">He launched himself down towards the SWATBots and quickly ran in and out between them. At the speed he was going, the SWATBots were quickly being destroyed one by one. After a few seconds, they were all destroyed and the people of Blue Sea were amazed. While this was going on, Dolce was preparing to land… or at least trying to.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Slow down, Dolce!” Sally yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’m trying!” she yelled back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Try harder!” Antoine yelled, screaming his head off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Uh-oh, brace for impact!” Dolce yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">She crash landed and continued to skid until she hit a destroyed building. Dust flew everywhere.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Are you okay, Dolce?” Sally asked coughing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’m fine ma’,” she replied, dazed by the landing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Bunnie, Sally and Antoine jumped off of Dolce’s back and walked over to the others.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“We can’t thank you guys enough for helping us,” Katy said gratefully.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It wasn’t us who saved you,” Sally said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Who was it then?” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then Sonic came to a speeding stop near Sally.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Somebody wondering who saved them?” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch looked at him. It was Sonic. It had been the first time in a long time that he had seen him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sonic?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What? Hey, how do you know my name?” Sonic asked cautiously.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You don’t remember do you? It’s me, Scorch.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Scorch, Scorch, Scorch. Hm. Nope, I don’t remember you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Your parent’s never mentioned me?” Scorch asked sadly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“My parents? You knew them?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes. Your Uncle Chuck as well,” Scorch replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Do you-do you know where they are?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No, sorry Sonic.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Darn…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">There was a short moment of silence before Katy invited them inside.

Chapter 6: The Calm Before the Storm
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Freedom Fighter Hideout, Blue Sea Island. Day 14 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">They were making a plan. The Freedom Fighters were looking for ways to attack the drill and destroy it before something bad would happen. While they were doing this, Sonic and Scorch were talking about Sonic’s past and Scorch’s involvement in it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“So, you were there when I was born?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yep. I was seventeen, gosh that was sixteen years ago now,” Scorch replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I guess I should you call you family, sort of,” Sonic said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“If you want,” Scorch replied, “Do you know who gave you your nickname?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Nope, I always thought it was Dad.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It was me. At first I suggested Speedy but then your father just dismissed it. Then I suggested Sonic and your parents loved it. I remember it perfectly. Mainly because I had just recovered from an intense fight.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“With who?” Sonic asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I don’t want to talk about it,” Scorch said controlling his rage.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Sonic and Scorch walked into the room where everyone was and listened in to the plan.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Where have you guys been?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Jus’ talkin’,” Sonic replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Anyway, now that you here,” Katy sighed, “Tink, Joe and Bunnie will go in the left alley and attack while Sally, Antoine, Greg and I go down the right one. Tank, Scorch and Sonic will go on a frontal assault and distract the SWATBots. Any questions?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">No one answered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Good, we start tomorrow.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Everyone walked away from the table and went into various different rooms. Katy walked up to Scorch.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Remember your promise, Scorch?” she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes, I, do,” he replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Katy dragged him off into her room and sat him on the bed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Do you think we’ll win?” she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Of course. We always win,” Scorch replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“But what if we don’t?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Hey, relax. We’ll win. I promise,” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Don’t make a girl a promise if you know you can’t keep it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I kept this one.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“That you did.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Come here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">He kissed Katy lustfully then lied down on the bed. Meanwhile, Tink was talking to Sally.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“So, Sally, what’s your history?” she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, I’m a princess, which doesn’t really mean much around here,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I meant with Sonic.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sonic? Well, I met him ages ago. When his uncle visited my dad.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“So is he your boyfriend?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Is. He. You’re. Boyfriend?” Tink asked rudely.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Um, well, uh. No.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What? C’mon, you two would make a great couple. You’d be just like Scorch and Katy.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No. We’re just friends,” Sally insisted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Not even the slightest feeling for him?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Greg walked in to the room holding a screwdriver.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Tink, come on, I’ve been waiting for ten minutes. We need to check if those mods you made are safe,” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“SHH!” she said to Greg, “Continue Sally.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No, you get your check-up done, I’ve got to talk to Sonic anyway,” Sally said walking off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">In the kitchen, Bunnie was talking to Tank.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Look at the muscles on you, sugar-dog,” she said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yeah, I work out,” Tank replied proudly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“And it sure does pay off.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Sonic was at the stove making his most famous meal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Mm, mm, mm, would you just smell that chilli?” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yeah, it smells weird, sugar-hog,” Bunnie replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Hmph. Some people don’t understand that chilli dogs are the best thing in the world,” Sonic said to himself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sonic?” Sally asked walking into the kitchen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sup, Sal?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’m just wondering how Tails is doing back in Knothole.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“He’s fine Sal. Stop worryin’. Besides, Rotor’s there, he’ll protect Tails.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You’re right. I’m going to bed,” Sally replied walking off.

Chapter 7: Save the World...
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Freedom Fighter Hideout, Blue Sea Island. Day 15 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">It was five in the morning and everyone but Joe was asleep. He was thinking about the various factors and odds of winning or losing. If they lose, Robotnik would get what he was after. If they win, then they continue fighting. He looked at everyone in the room. Sonic was slouched on a sofa with chilli all over his face. Sally was lying on an old mattress which she’d found. Tank was lying on another mattress next to his work out equipment and Greg was asleep at his workbench. Everyone else was in other rooms. He thought about the possibility of him or someone else dying. It could be very dangerous in the Warehouse District.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">In Katy’s bedroom, she and Scorch were still both asleep, hugging each other. That was until the alarm clock started buzzing and woke Scorch up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Uhh,” he groaned, slapping the clock.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then Katy woke up and said, “You’ve never been a morning person.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I know. Mondays just hate me,” Scorch laughed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Katy smiled and looked at her shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Your shoulder okay?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Still hurts a little bit, but it’ll heal,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Good. So you ready for this?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yep. It’s time kick Robotnik off of our island.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">There was a brief moment of silence whilst Scorch was putting on his shoes and Katy was putting on her jacket.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Katy?” Scorch asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yeah?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What do you think happened to evil me?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Uh, well I don’t know. He used Chaos Control, so he could be anywhere,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Hm. Let’s go wake up the others.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch walked into the lounge and started blaring the alarm clock.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What the hell, Scorch!” Tink yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“You need to get up,” he replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It’s 5am!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes I know, a brilliant time to attack Robotnik’s drill don’t you think.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Joe walked into the room looking concerned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Hey, Scorch, can I talk to you about something?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yeah, sure.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What happens if Robotnik succeeds?” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, if he did then I’m pretty sure he’ll have an advantage over us in some way. Luckily we’re here so that won’t happen.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then Sonic dashed into the room with a steaming plate.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Chilli dogs anyone?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Sonic, we have bigger problems than chilli dogs right now,” Joe said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, whatever you want to eat for breakfast, eat it now, because in half an hour we take down that drill,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Warehouse District, Blue Sea Island. Day 15 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">It was about quarter to six. The team had gathered on the outer edge of the Warehouse District and were preparing for their assault on the drill.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay, everyone remember the plan?” Scorch asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Everyone nodded and was all ready for the battle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Let’s do it to it, Sal,” Sonic said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Let’s do it to it,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Alright, good luck everyone. I’ll see you all on the other side,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then everyone parted and went on their own designated routes. Antoine, Sally, Greg and Katy went down the right alley, leading to the storage area of the drill warehouse. Bunnie, Tink and Joe went down the left side, leading to the pick-up and drop off location. Scorch, Tank and Sonic went on the frontal assault, distracting all of the SWATBots and heading for the main entrance. Sonic was running besides Scorch, obviously at a slower speed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Let’s see who can get the most bots. The young and speedy hedgehog or the old man,” Sonic said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Oh, you still have much to learn. You’re on!” Scorch challenged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then Sonic raced off, leaving a trail of footsteps in his path. Then the fighting began. Pieces of SWATBots and fire flew around everywhere. Katy’s team had reached the drill. Katy and Sally were analysing it to see where it was digging down to. Greg was guarding them and Antoine was being, well, Antoine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“NICOLE, do you know where this drill is going?” Sally asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Analysing, Sally,” she replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Pretty cool computer you’ve got there,” Katy commented.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Thank you. NICOLE is an engineering marvel. My father gave her to me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Completed Sally. The drill is digging at approximately 150 miles per hour, towards the planets upper layer. It is trying to reach a cave a few miles underground,” NICOLE said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“A cave? Do you know what’s inside?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“An object with large amounts of power has been detected. The drill is attempting to reach it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Katy, if that drill reaches that power source, who knows what Robotnik would do with it,” Sally said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well let’s just turn off the drill then,” Katy suggested.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It’s not that simple. If we turn off the drill, it will make the cave collapse on itself. That cave has tons of water in it and –”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“It will drown Blue Sea,” Katy said with deep sadness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’m sorry, Katy but we need to turn the drill off,” Sally said regretfully.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Vhat! But ve vill all drown. Ah, I do not like getting vet!” Antoine said scared that his hair will be ruined.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Shut up, Antoine,” Greg whispered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Katy reached for the communicator on her wrist and flipped up the screen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Scorch…” she said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Can it wait a bit?” Scorch replied throwing a fireball.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No. The only way to save the island is by drowning it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What? You have to be telling me a really rubbish joke right now.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I’m not. There’s a cave with a power source in it. If Robotnik gets this it could give him the upper hand.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I don’t see why the island has to go.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“The cave has gallons and gallons of water in it. When we turn off the drill, the cave collapses in on itself sending that water to the surface and…” Katy said regretfully.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Damn it, Robotnik! I don’t know then,” Scorch said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">There was a few seconds silence before Scorch said, “Turn it off.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Okay…,” Katy said starting to cry.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch the opened up a channel to everyone else around.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Everyone fall back to the hideout and get your things. We’re leaving.”

Chapter 8: No Matter What the Cost
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Blue Sea Island. Day 15 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The drill had come to a jolting stop, crumbling the roof of the cave. It started to collapse in on itself. It turns out, the cave ran all along the island and now the island was beginning to split itself in two. Everyone was at the hideout grabbing what they could. It was chaos; SWATBots fell into the water, which seeped through the cracks in the ground. They were collecting what they had when the water pipes in the hideout burst open.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Alright everyone out! NOW!” Scorch yelled at the top of his voice, “Go, go, go!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Give me a second Scorch,” Katy said as everyone was running out and water was filling the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Katy, come on!” he yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“No! I have to extract this data!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“How long will it take?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“About another thirty seconds.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“We don’t have thirty seconds Katy! Get out of here!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Just abooout, got it!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Good, get out now!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The hideout filled with water as Katy was pulled out of there by Scorch. Everyone was waiting outside for them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Scorch, where do we go from here?” Joe asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Um… the dock!” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“We’ll take Dolce back to Knothole,” Sally said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Alright then,” Katy replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Scorch walked over to Sonic with a sad face. He smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, Sonic. I guess this is goodbye for now,” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Ah, don’t worry Scorch, I bet you’ll see me again in a sonic second,” Sonic replied, “I got more bots than you by the way.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What? No yo-”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“See ya’, Scorch!” Sonic yelled running over to Dolce.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">He turned to look back at the others. He nodded to them and started running towards the docks. Water spewed everywhere as they ran past gaps and cracks. Puddles formed everywhere. When they finally made it to the dock and saw half of it completely destroyed. Luckily though, the island-to-land tram system was still intact. They all got in and Katy pressed the button sending them to the mainland. Scorch looked out the window, only to see his home crumbling into the ocean.

Epilogue: Homeless Once More...
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Robotropolitan Docks, Robotropolis. Day 15 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The tram had made landfall and everyone got off quick enough before it fell into the coast. Everyone was upset. All of them were homeless and lost. Scorch was sitting on a rock. He was crying for the first time in a long time. The first place he could truly call his home was lost to the sea now. Robotnik was going to pay for this. All he could think about now was revenge, but luckily Katy was able to calm him down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Robotnik is going to die for what he’s done!” he yelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“He doesn’t need to be killed Scorch. Just stopped,” Katy said, in an attempt to calm him down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“What? He destroyed my home, Katy! Do you not understand what Blue Sea meant to me?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Scorch, don’t yell,” she said softly, “Yelling gets you nowhere. You need to just carry on.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“I-I can’t.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes you can. Besides things are only going to get better for us.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“How? How could things possibly get better with that power hungry bastard ruining everyone’s lives?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Because, well remember that night?” Katy asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes, I do.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Well, um, I’m pregnant Scorch,” Katy said trying to hold in the joy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“W-what? You’re just saying that to make me feel better aren’t you?” Scorch said not believing her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Do you really think I’d lie?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“So what you’re saying is that I-I’m going to be a-a dad?” he said realising his happiness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">“Yes, Scorch,” Katy replied almost crying.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Then Scorch hugged her with joy and she hugged back. They were both overjoyed with the fact that they’ll soon be parents. But, it couldn’t be a worse time for it to happen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">

Thorne’s Lab, Unknown Location. Day 16 of the year 3236 – 12 years into Robotnik’s reign.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">I have returned to my creator. I am home once more. I prepare, while it recovers. It has lost something very dear to his heart. Robotnik will soon lose control and leave for me to take. I will take control of Mobius and have it for myself, its people being my slaves. I will kill anyone that tries to stop me. Any slaves that do anything wrong, will die. I will enslave everything. I am the true embodiment of power. I’m coming for you Scorch and you soon shall feel my true power…