Super Sonic Z 134

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: SUPER SONIC Z
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR: BREAKING THE CHAINS, PART I

Benedict’s base of operations has moved elsewhere for the moment. Now every party (himself, Robotnik and the Freedom Fighters) had each two Emeralds. But Benedict had set up shop elsewhere because of a recent finding. In this new base, his brainwashed daughter Fiona was in her room, tossing and turning as she was unable to get rest as painful thoughts went through her head.

“Why did I save that brat? He’s my enemy…What are these images in my head of him and me? It must be a Freedom Fighter trick. I don’t know how they do it, but it has to be! I must tell father. No, I can’t tell him…why can’t I tell him, I trust dad. But at the same time I don’t…WHY AM I HAVING THESE THOUGHTS?” Fiona grabbed her head as in a moment of pain and rage she flipped a table and broke the things on it in the progress. She dropped on the ground, scared, confused and crying. “Who am I really?”

With Benedict himself, he has just finished a recent surgery. The victim, a now recently awoken Rouge, cried. “You are so lucky I didn’t just wipe you out. Instead I gave you a chance. Your skills have been useful after all. Unlike the others, you didn’t just get a cherry bomb. Instead there is a device who pumps a different form of the serum into your system. Problem is it needs to be required to be injected all the time, because if I pull the kill switch and cut you off, you break down immediately. Fitting punishment don’t you think.” Benedict explained, showing a sadistic glee.

Rouge had to resist the urge to punch him in the face. But even if she would do so before being cut off Benedict would still be more powerful and instead just sat there, sad, angry and defeated. “Don’t give me that look. I may let you off the hook eventually. Though it may take a lot to earn my trust back. You brought it upon yourself. With your disease you shouldn’t have been part of my evolution plan. I just want the best of this world and if you kids are too narrow-minded to see…Now, get into uniform, get cleaned and fed, and report to me later.” Benedict said as he left the speechless Rouge behind.

Benedict, or rather his base of operations, was being watched from a distance. Not by our heroes, and not by Robotnik either. But by Dr. Finitevus, recovering from his latest encounter with the Chaotix. Comedy and Tragedy were besides him, plus one more new servant in a red cloak. Tragedy sat down on a rock looking down at the ground, looking sorrowful as always. Comedy did weird tricks to try to get his ‘brother’ to smile without avail.

Finitevus eyed the desert temple that served as Benedict’s base. “Why are we still here, around and waiting? We are powerful, we can barge in and wreck his base and Benedict himself while we’re at it!” the third servant in red cloak said. The voice coming from under the hood sounded female.

“Patience, my dear. To sabotage someone, it has to happen systematically. Have you been about brute force so long you forgotten how satisfying a game of cat and mouse is? I prefer efficiency over sheer power.” Finitevus said.
“I don’t like sitting around while the man who took everything from me is in there, so close. I could just crush him into dust.” The female servant replied.

“You are skilled, no doubt about that, but you will be no match for Benedict. You’re Mobian, he’s super-Mobian. He needs to be taken down a few pegs first. And I know exactly who can help me with that.” Finitevus held out his hand and several ripples and static went through the air before it just as quickly vanished.

“What was that?” Finitevus’ henchwoman asked. Comedy clapped his hands as if he wanted to see that again while Tragedy shook his head.

“Just briefly messed with his cloaking. I sent out a trail of breadcrumbs that the Freedom Fighters and Robotnik will pick up. Small enough to not make them suspicious, but big enough to not be overseen. They’ll once again go all out on each other, with the stakes at hand. And during all this, we take advantage of the situation. Opportunity if you will.” Finitevus said. “Last time they were quite destructive when the three factions met. This time, it’ll happen again on a bigger scale. They may destroy each other, or severely weaken them.”

“I still think we could do it easily ourselves.” The servant replied.

“Maybe, but it’s not because Benedict is our enemy I want to do the Freedom Fighters or Robotnik any favors.” Finitevus noted. “But no worries, in the end you’ll play part in Benedict’s downfall and you’ll get your clan back, that I promise, young Bride.”

The female servant lowered her hood to see she was a Mobian female lynx, a face that the heroes may have seen before, but was not the one they had experience with. The one they had seen was a sleeper clone in a plan for Benedict, but this was the genuine article. “I was tossed down a hole (the fool not checking if I remained there), replaced by an inferior copy, my clan and honor taken from me. Benedict shall know the wrath of Conquering Storm!”

Benedict was busy in his lab. He was mixing some elements in some cauldrons. He was delving into alchemy again, but this time augmented with modern-day science. In one cauldron was a dark green substance, in the other a white one. “Now adding some rubidium…” Benedict muttered as he was adding one of the elements.

“Master!” a voice said, startling Benedict as he accidentally poured a bit too much rubidium into the mix. It came from a Fox Fighter.  

“Darn it…this better be important, this is a very delicate project!” he growled.

“There was an unknown interference with our cloaking devices. Not long but long enough for possible intruders to pick up. Preparations to be made in case the Freedom Fighters or Robotnik empire start to attack?” the Fox Fighter reported.

“Of course, you fool! Take no chances. And have someone look after the source of this interference! Now leave and let me work, this is a sensitive matter!” Benedict growled. The Fox Fighter saluted as he left, as Benedict continued. “A bit too much rubidium but I can still fix this…” Benedict said as he continued with his projects. He added a few final ingredients to both cauldrons. The substances in both started to bubble, the cauldron with green substance starting to spout several plant-like tentacles, and the white one vaporizing in some white mist that started to take shape. Benedict smiled. “Let’s see them beat these two marvelous creations of mine.”

Outside the temple, at a fair distance to not be spotted, both the Knothole Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix have met up, both having been tracking down the Chaos signature they picked up after Finitevus’ momentarily disrupted the shield. “Good to see you again Knucklehead. Shame it’s always under these circumstances.” Sonic greeted his friend from Angel Island.

“Same here, spikey. Now, we heard about what happened to Fiona. Shame, cause she’s a good girl. If there is anything we can do to snap her back to her senses, we are happy to help.” Knuckles replied.

“We just need your muscle, I take care of Fiona. I am bringing her back, that I promised to myself. I am not going to leave this time without her.” Tails said determined.

“So, does any of us got a plan to get inside and recover any Emeralds or shards, and at the same time our friend?” Vector asked.

“We’ll split up and try to find access points from various sides. Keep contact over a special frequency. Tails, better take Sonic and Knuckles with you, you are the most powerful so if you were to run into Benedict you are best to fight him or if it’s Fiona, best to subdue her.” Sally noted.

“Okay then, let’s move out. It’s about time Benedict is taken down a peg.” Sonic said, ready for action.

Robotnik was also leading a squad of Robians and Swatbots, ready to tackle Benedict’s base head on. It was his Desert chapter, consisting of the Mecha Sand Blasters, aided by several Swatbots. Shadow was also by his side. Shadow stared at the temple intensely. “I swear if Benedict has done anything to Rouge…I wouldn’t forgive myself if I were unable to save someone else I…” Shadow muttered.

“What did you say?” Robotnik asked.

“Nothing…Just that I want a piece of Benedict. I’ll present his head on a silver platter and I’ll do it with great pleasure.” Shadow growled.

“Excellent. Having a great amount of bloodlust helps to rile up the appetite for destruction. Benedict’s Emeralds are as good as mine and this time I won’t let him go without having figured out how to put him down permanently. I shall be the only Emperor of Mobius.” Robotnik said. Recent events caused the main villains to be at each other’s throats more than usual.

Sally, Bunnie and Nicole were making up a single group of girl power. Sally handles stealth, Bunnie the muscle and Nicole the tech. They had been sneaking around without being spotted. “It goes well for now. It never goes this well. I just know something is to happen…” Sally noted.

“Plans never survive contact with the enemy. No matter what we do it will come down to a confrontation. But a confrontation is just what has been on the mind of most of us lately.” Nicole added. “Benedict has been going too far…I mean more than usual.”

“Ah know. Ah am especially worried about what he may have done to that Rouge-gal. I don’t want another of ma friends being turned into a mindless fightin’ machine.” Bunnie said.

“Mindless…not so much. But a fighting machine nonetheless.” A familiar voice said. Bunnie saw Rouge coming out of the shadows, followed by Dragonfly and V.I.O.L.E.T. in her battle body. “Hello again, Bunnie. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to fight you.”

Nicole’s eyes flashed, switching to X-ray. “Cybernetics. Legionized. Poor thing.” Nicole said sadly. “If she doesn’t obey Benedict can kill her.”

“I wish it wouldn’t have come to this, and I am grateful for trying to help, but I’m afraid it’s not going to be of much help here.” Rouge said sadly as she struck a battle pose.

“Ah’m sorry too. But Ah have a mission. But ah promise, Ah’ll save you! Like we’ll save Fiona.” Bunnie said.

“Say, it’s the Commodore girl. Ready for a rematch, this time I won’t lose. ‘Lose’ sounds like ‘mouse’. I like chocolate mousse, but I can’t eat, I’m a computer. It makes no sense.” V.I.O.L.E.T. spazzed.

“Be careful with the generals, if what Tails said was right, these are Fiona’s parents, brainwashed and put in these robot bodies. Just diable them.” Nicole warned.

“I can do that.” Sally said as she pulled out a bo staff. “I am sorry for doing this, Mr. Fennec, but sometimes to save people you have to hurt them first. But if we are going to get Fiona back, we are to make sure she can reunite with her parents.” Dragonfly, not much of a talker, pulls out his blades.

Fiona was in her room, still twitching and nervous. “All these images…all these images, my head hurts.” She panted. There was knocked on her door. “Who is it? If you’re not dad, you got nothing to seek here.”

“Get out, you brat! Master Benedict needs our assistance, we are under attack by the Freedom Fighters and the Robotnik Empire. Come out and make yourself useful.” Shellcracker shouted as he broke down Fiona’s door.

“Fine. I’m coming…” Fiona growled.

“Your room is a mess, had a tantrum?” Shellcracker asked suspiciously.

“Just was practicing some moves, got out of hands, now out of my way crabcake. Dad needs me.” Fiona said as she pushed Shellcracker aside and went down the corridor.

“Show some respect whelp, I am a general!” Shellcracker growled at her.

“I am the boss’ daughter so I still outrank you. Go wild with the intruders, I don’t care but don’t get in my way. And leave the kitsune to me, he’s dad’s biggest problem so it’s my duty to personally deal with it.” Fiona said.

“You can’t order me around.” Shellcracker growled.

“Try me…if you don’t agree I’ll talk to daddy. You are just a robot who is slightly more tuned up and has a slightly better processor, that made you useful but robots get outdated, someday sooner than later you’ll end up replaced by a better model. Now go along and do some robot stuff, seafood dish!” Fiona taunted as she left.

Shellcracker growled. “The master really wanted her on the team…but she is spoilt, arrogant, full of herself, she is unworthy of being his heir. That honor should belong to me, I am his most loyal servant, I deserve it!” Shellcracker growled. His optics seemed to shift slightly, and when he spoke again, so did his accent; “But if anything were to happen to the poor little lass, let’s say a stray shot in combat or the Freedom chumps beating her, she’d be gone and I’d be top dog.”

Knuckles, Tails and Sonic were getting closer to the inner sanctum of this temple. “These writings are ancient echidna. This must be one of the final surviving temples aside from Angel Island’s built by the echidnas. This is the Temple of Fading Drought. The Temple was named such because it was meant to be a temple built on an underground lake to provide during drought.” Knuckles said. “Sorry, geek moment. I had to study this during my guardian training.”

“I’d have expected this kind of talk from Tails, but he’s kind of got too much on his mind to focus on his geeky side for a bit.” Sonic noted. “I wonder where Benedict keeps the Emeralds?” Sonic noted.

“I’m afraid it won’t be of any concern of you any longer. The only concern you’ll be having in the next few moments is how the heck you are going to stay alive!” Fiona revealed herself, ready to take on the heroes. “Hello boys, welcome to our abode. It’s fitting this ancient temple will make a fine tomb?” Fiona said.

“No one is to be buried. And no one will be left behind. We came for you Fiona, and we’re taking you back with us!” Tails said.

“I don’t feel like it. But you caught my attention, little kitsune. Last time you must have done something to me. I’m having nightmares and images…you with your crazy chaos powers must have put them in my mind to make me doubt my father but I see through your deceit; The pain will stop if you are gone, right? Then that’s something I’ll take care off right now.” Fiona said, readying herself, her eyes glowing and the slab of stone she was standing on being used as a makeshift hoverboard.

“Those images are the truth about you and I’ll let you see it. You were fighting it off to some degree, but now I’ll give you the strength to go all the way.” Tails said as he flew up.

“We’ll see about that, little boy. To make sure your friends aren’t bored…” Fiona snapped her fingers as something white and smoky came from the ceiling, ghostlike with sharp teeth, a huge gaping mouth and a rainbow colored tongue. From the ground a second being came as it broke through, being a huge multiheaded plant-like being. “Meet King Ba’anbu and Krudzu, my father’s creations…it’s been a while since he pulled out his alchemy kit.”

“I’ll take the oversized geranium, you take…king Boom Boo or whatever his name is.” Sonic said as he and Knuckles readied themselves for battle as well.

Robotnik’s armies has reached the outer perimeters of the temple, where several Fox Fighters and Legionnaires were stationed in response to the disruption of the shields. They’d kind of expect Robotnik’s army to come along and didn’t hesitate to open fire on them as they got too close. It seemed yet again two armies were fighting each other over Emeralds once more.

During this, Shadow slipped out, and desired to go straight for Benedict. As Robotnik was distracted with several Legionnaires he’d go for the big guy himself, and rip him atom for atom. With his speeds and power he didn’t take long to navigate through the temple and head straight for Benedict’s room, where he sat in his chair, a glass of wine in his hand. “I knew it would either be you or Tails who would get to me eventually. Both of you are pretty determined to ‘put me to justice’.” He said calmly.

“You had it coming, you brought everything upon yourself. You don’t regret it, betraying the people who trusted you, throwing their lives away, using them for your experiments?” Shadow said.

“Life isn’t all sunshine and roses…life is cruel, the weak are trampled on by the strong. Just the laws of nature. I just go by that rule. Those who can’t evolve, are put down, and those who survive get stronger. I almost considered you a friend at one point if you weren’t so emotional. You and I could have accomplished so much. But since I already got your healing factor, boosted to a million in my being, you are not as useful as you were before.” Benedict said.

“What have you done to Rouge!” Shadow asked.

“Oh…you seemed to have bonded with one of my minions. Unexpected but amusing. But on the other hand she was a wildcard so I had to make some adjustments to make sure she wouldn’t turn on me or risk…certain consequences.” Benedict said.

“I’ll beat you and force you to undo the harm you did to her. Even if I have to take the entire world down with me, I’ll destroy you Benedict!” Shadow said.

“Are those empty threats really necessary, with the long time I’ve been alive I’ve heard them many times and they get boring after a while. I just hope that the fight will not be boring.” Benedict said, clearly not afraid of Shadow. “Enough nonsense. Have at thee!”

TO BE CONTINUED