Sonic Satam X Ep 1: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Epilogue

Minutes later, all the Freedom Fighters were back in the Great Forest. Once they walked inside of it, Uncle Chuck's eyes changed from glowing red to normal. He was now out of range of Snively's wave transmitter.

"What happened?" he asked, shaking his head. "Last thing I remember was seeing Sally getting ready to install the virus. Next thing I know, my own body was taken over abruptly and made me grab Sally and carry her to another room against me own will."

"Snively took control of you in Robotropolis." Sonic answered sadly. "He almost made you roboticize her too."

"Oh, no…" Charles to say the least was deeply disturbed by this.

"It's ok, Sir Charles." Sally said, hugging him tightly. "It wasn't your fault."

In spite of her reassurances, Charles was anything but relieved instead. Instead, he commented with a heavy sigh, "I guess this means I won't be going on anymore missions for the time being since I'm now a liability."

"Even if that is true…" Sally reiterated softly. "You're still a valuable member of the team."

As the roboticized hedgehog pondered this over, Sally added a few seconds later, "Don't ever forget that, ok?"

For the next minute, nobody said a word, as everyone's mind was still trying to digest the recent battle. The only commotion was Cream softly sobbing to herself in her mother's arms, as she still was devastated inside by Big's roboticization.

Sally during this time couldn't help but feel deep pity for her. Even Bunnie did too, as she felt largely responsible for what had happened.

Soon after this, the squirrel princess glanced over to her right and saw looks of sadness on Sonic and his sibling's faces. She could sense what was troubling them.

"We came so close to bringing them back to Knothole," Manic commented out loud, shedding a few tears. "But we failed…"

"It'll be ok, Sugarhog." Bunnie said, putting her non robotic hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him. "We'll get em next time."

"I hope so…" Deep down though, the green hedgehog had very little hope, if any within him now.

"It won't be much further until we reach Knothole, everyone." Sally announced softly to the others ten seconds later.

A fourth of the way there, a look of tremendous guilt then came over Sonic.

"Are you ok?" Sally asked him

"What have we done, Sal?" he replied, looking at her intently. "We should have listened to my Uncle Chuck. Because of our stubbornness, we caused over sixty five civilians to lose their freedom." He then added with a sniffle, "We even cost that young rabbit her adopted brother…"

Sally at first was silent inside, as she didn't know how to answer him. She knew deep down he was right.

Nevertheless, she put her arm around him and said softly to try and soothe his troubled emotions, "We both knew this would be a big risk when we first arrived at the shelter. And even though it did end in disaster, at least we were able to bring your brother and sister to Knothole, just like your Mom and Dad wanted us to. That's at least one bright spot out of this whole mess, right?"

Hearing that made the blue hedgehog feel a little better, but he still felt deep sadness inside. He then stopped walking and proclaimed boldly to her, "I'm gonna make Snively deeply pay for all the pain he caused to those in the shelter. He will not get away with this!"

"I know…" Sally said, "Trust me, we're all gonna get a piece of that weasel soon enough. But until that day comes, I need you to keep a level head here. Can you do that for me?"

Sonic then slightly smiled at her and replied with a nod, "Sure thing, Sal."

Three minutes later, all the Freedom Fighters arrived at Knothole.

"Welcome to your new home." Sally said to Manic and Sonia.

The two hedgehogs gazed at the place in awe. It may not have been as beautiful as their shelter, but being with their brother Sonic was now the important thing.

"I know this is probably not a good time to say this," Sally said, "But I want you to know we're glad to have you as part of the Freedom Fighters now." She then hugged Manic and Sonia tightly, adding, "Welcome to the team, guys."

Her words didn't cheer them up at all, but they were touched by her thoughtfulness nonetheless.

A few moments later, Sonic then asked Sally, "So, what are we going to do about all the civilians we brought back here? We can't take care of all of them."

"True. That's why I'm going to get in contact with the other Freedom Fighter groups to help us share the load."

"Sounds like a solid plan, Sal."

The next day, the other Freedom Fighters groups arrived, and each one took about five civilians with them back to their base. The only ones who chose to stay behind were Roxy, Wes Weasley, and Vanilla with her daughter Cream.

As for Bartleby, he was not happy at all by the living conditions at Knothole. So much in fact, he made his feelings about it very clear to the Princess and his fiancé, Sonia, calling the place, "too dirty for his tastes."

Not surprisingly, Sonia was very displeased with his words after hearing them. She then looked him in the eye and said angrily, "How dare you talk bad about my brother's home! He and his friends saved you from the roboticizer, and you actually have the nerve to complain? Just who do you think you are anyway?"

Sally too was not pleased at all with Bartleby's words.

Bartleby though tried to use his charm and charisma to try and ease her emotions, replying "Sonia, my dear, please don't be angry with me. I meant no offense to you at all when saying that."

"So that's why you were so quiet and mumbling earlier when you knew about me going to Knothole…" Sonia concluded, glaring intently at the upper class mink "You didn't want to tell me how you really felt about this place!"

"I didn't because I do care about your feelings and wellbeing." Bartleby explained. "After all, you are my fiancé."

"Well, if I'm going to continue to be your fiancé, you'd better start taking a liking to this place and quickly." Sonia told him sharply. "This is my new home, and nothing you say is going to change my mind about it."

Sonic then spoke up, commenting softly to his sister near her right ear, "Uh, I don't mind to butt in to your personal discussion, but seriously, what were you thinking in dating this guy? He's a lameo, even more than Antoine."

Thankfully, Antoine didn't hear his words. Even so, Sonia shot back at him with a frown, "Sonic, please stay out of this. This is between me and Bartleby."

Sonic then shrugged his shoulders, reluctantly complying with her wishes.

Moments later, Sonia turned back to her fiancé, asking of him, "So, Bartleby, are you going to abide by my wishes, or not?"

Ironically, Bartleby still wasn't ready to concede, saying, "Sonia, listen… maybe we can work out some kind of compromise."

"Such as…?"

Bartleby then looked her and Sally in the eye, who was standing nearby and said, "Look, let me start off by saying that I do think you and the Princess are both smart, beautiful and gifted individuals."

Sally ironically was a bit flattered by his words, but Sonia wasn't in the least, as she quickly frowned at him. Sonic even frowned at him too.

"But, surely you won't think I'm in the wrong by saying we could certainly make this place more appealing to live in, right?" Bartleby said.

Sally now spoke up, inquiring while crossing her arms together, "And what do you suggest we do to make this place more appealing? After all, we really have to make do with what we have since Snively now rules the land."

"Indeed he does…" Bartleby replied, looking away awkwardly. "That's why I've come up with an idea to hopefully solve that problem."

"Oh yea…?" Sonic challenged, now crossing his arms as well. "And just what did you have in mind?"

At first, Bartleby hesitated to speak since he didn't know the idea would fly, but replied after a brief pause, "Well… I think it would be in everyone's best interest here if we perhaps negotiated with this ruffian Snively."

"SAY WHAT?" Sonic, along with Sonia and even Sally said this almost simultaneously.

"Are you crazy?" Sonia demanded. "You know we could never do that. There is no negotiating with that mad man. He wants us either dead or as his robot slaves."

"But you haven't even tried it before." Bartleby argued. "Surely we should give the negotiation idea one chance, right?"

Sally soon spoke up again, replying firmly, "No, Bartleby. Sonia's right. I've dealt with him and his psychotic uncle too many times in the past. You don't compromise with people like that. It's his way or the high way."

In spite of the fact Bartleby's suggestion was losing a lot of steam, he still wasn't ready to give it up. He then said after a long pause, "Well, maybe we could talk to him about maybe letting us stay unroboticized for a fee. I mean, after all, surely we could find something valuable for him to have that would keep us off our backs."

"You just don't get it, do ya?" Sonic retorted, now glaring at him too. "The only thing he wants from us is our hides."

"Why is it you can't understand that?" Sonia demanded, adding her own two cents about it. "I'm starting to wonder if you even love me as much as you claim you do."

"Of course I love you, Sonia, my dear." Bartleby objected strongly. "That's why I'm trying to talk some sense into you."

"Talk sense into me?"

"Yes, Sonia," Bartleby explained. "I mean, let's be honest here... going the war route is only going to lead to casualties, chaos, and maybe even death. We can't possibly beat him with our minimal resources alone."

"We're not beating him alone…" Sally countered. We have a network of Freedom Fighters. And together, I know can overthrow the Robotnik Empire and restore peace to Mobius."

Bartleby then shocked both of them, as he heartily laughed in front of Sonia and Sally, saying while shaking his head, "Oh, Princess… your strong will and determination was something I admit I deeply liked about you when we met back as kids."

Sonia again frowned at him, as he continued. "But, Sally, you really are fooling yourself if you think this tiny group of yours is going to be able to conquer the mighty Robotnik Empire."

Sonia ironically spoke up first, shouting in disgust, "tiny group?" She then pointed a finger at him, adding, "How dare you say such a thing about the Knothole Freedom Fighters! Have you forgotten they were the ones who destroyed the Doomsday Device?"

"A mere coincidence…" Bartleby replied, abruptly blowing it off. "Nothing more. They just got lucky that time. I'm pretty confident Snively won't let that happen again."

"Oh, is that so?" Sonic now got in his face, saying to him, saying to him sharply "If you really think that's what happened, then you really are a snooty buffoon."

Not surprisingly, Sonia didn't object to insulting him this time, even when Bartleby looked at her to say something in response.

Sally finally added her own two cents, telling the upper class mink with her arms crossed, "Sonic's right. I usually don't defend him when he gets rude and insensitive, but you are ten times worse by downplaying our role to overthrow Robotnik. I can tell you clearly that was a tough battle and it took a special power stone to help us win the day."

By this point, Bartleby realized they were not going to be convinced by his persuasive words. Nevertheless, he gave it one last shot, as he grabbed Sally and Sonia's right hand, telling them with passion in his eyes, "Look, please don't think of me as someone who's a coward and snobby, but I honestly can tell you both that I do care about your wellbeing and only want what's best for you."

"If you really mean that…" Sonia countered, still frowning at him. "Then you'll stick by my side and help me and my new friends fight this war until the bitter end."

Bartleby sadly could not keep her gaze, as her eyes now bore into his like a fire.

Seconds later, he finally sighed in defeat, replying to her softly, "I'm sorry, Sonia, my dear, but I just cannot abide by your terms. I am just not someone who wants to get involved in this whole mess."

"Well, whether you want to admit it or not…" Sally told him, dropping his hand from his grasp, "You are already. By Snively destroying your shelter and learning about your identity, he now is going to be looking for you. Your only chance to come out of this in one piece is to do as Sonia says. I can tell you first hand you will not succeed if you try another method to end the war. There is no other option. We either fight or lose everything dear to us."

Bartleby couldn't deny her words were strong and powerful, even true. Nevertheless, the upper class mink held his ground, saying to squirrel princess, "Well, if that's how you really feel inside, then perhaps I don't belong here then."

Sonia now gasped in deep shock, demanding with her hands at her waist again, "So you're actually going to leave me after everything we've been through together? Is this really how much you really value our relationship?"

"I don't want to leave you, my dear." Bartleby replied softly, looking at her intently. "And I honestly do value our relationship a lot, but since you refuse to listen to me and want to get involved in a bloody war, what else can I do? I'm not going to risk my freedom and ideals over this nonsense just to make you happy. I just can't do it. I just can't… I'm sorry, but I'd be miserable if I even tried."

Sonia's emotional state quickly changed from disgust to heartbreak, as her now eyes filled with tears, saying with a whimper, "I guess you really don't love me after all… You won't even sacrifice a few of your inconveniences for my sake. I can't believe you, Bartleby…"

Bartleby soon felt guilty inside for making her cry, as Sonia turned her head from him and said with a sniffle, "If that's how you really feel deep down, then just go. Go and try to find your place of happiness someplace else…"

"Sonia, please…" Bartleby pleaded, walking over to touch her shoulder "I didn't mean to upse…"

Sonia however wrenched away from his grasp, saying sullenly after interrupting him, still facing away from him, "Leave me be, Bartleby. It's obvious you love yourself more than me. And since you made that point loud and clear, do me a favor and depart already…"

Sonic then spoke up before the upper class mink could respond, saying with his hands at his waist, "You ought to be real proud of yourself, Bartleby. You made my sister cry." He then added with a fierce glare, "You make me sick, man. If I were you, I'd get out of here before I lose my temper."

"Sonic, please…!" Sonia interjected, still in a somber tone of voice, "You're only making the situation worse now."

Not wanting to upset her anymore, Sonic decided to not say another word to him.

As for Bartleby, he finally got the hint and turned to leave, also deeply saddened.

However, before he left to go leave with another group of Freedom Fighters, Bartleby said to Sonia softly, "So long, my love… if you ever change your mind, look me up." He then added after a brief pause, "My heart for now still belongs to you, even if you are crazy enough to get yourself killed over a lost cause."

Sonia was tempted to yell at him again while he walked away, but thought better of it.

Sally meanwhile walked over to the female hedgehog and hugged her with sympathy.

Ironically, the female hedgehog couldn't help but take a glance at her former fiancé as he left over the Princess' shoulder, making her tear up again.

Once he was out of sight, Sonic said to Sonia with empathy, "Sorry bout Bartleby, sis."

Sonia though couldn't even look her brother in the eye, replying with a sniffle while her head was down, "I just can't believe he would actually choose his own pride over me. I thought we actually had a special bond together that we would stick to each other through thick and thin." She then added while shaking her head, "But I guess I was wrong…"

"I know it hurts…" Sally told her, patting her softly on the back. "But, it's his loss, Sonia. He just made one of the biggest mistakes of his life, and I'm almost certain he's going to find that out the hard way."

Surprisingly, Sonic was actually tempted to butt in and disagree with Sally's words about him. However, because he saw how sensitive her sister was in losing Bartleby, he thought better of it.

Not surprisingly though, Sonia wasn't the only one feeling the deep hurt of a dear friend.

Roxy, the diner waitress from the shelter, couldn't help but also feel lost and alone. even though she was happy to be safe from Snively's clutches, the after effect of seeing her business partner roboticized in front of her eyes, deeply traumatized her even now.

An hour after Bartleby left with Southern Freedom Fighters, Sonic saw Roxy standing around with a sad look on her face. He knew what she was going through.

"It'll be ok, Roxy." He said trying to comfort her. "We'll get Bert back someday."

It didn't make the raccoon waitress feel that much better to hear his comforting words, but she appreciated his concern for her wellbeing nonetheless.

"Thanks for being so sweet." Roxy said to him softly. "If you weren't taken, I'd kiss you on the cheek."

Sonic then smiled and asked her, "How would you like to be Knothole's official vendor?"

"Really?"

"Yea, really." The blue hedgehog replied. "I know how much you love cooking, so why not do it for us?"

Roxy was very flattered by his offer, but replied nonetheless, "Even I do take you up on your offer, there aren't many of you here. Plus, how am I going get the contents?"

"Now don't you worry your pretty little head over that…" Wes Weasley replied, walking up to them. "You just leave that to me."

"You know where to get more food supplies?" Roxy inquired of him.

"But of course." The weasel salesmen explained with confidence. "After all, I have inner connections."

"Ok, what's the catch, Wes?" Sonic asked with deep suspicion. "This isn't like you at all."

"Palsy, after saving my life from Snively, I'm turning over a new leaf."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, trust me, Sonic."

"What do you want in exchange then?" Sonic interrogated firmly.

"The only thing I want in return is protection, along with free room and board."

Sonic now pondered this over carefully, soon inquired further, "Just curious, how you gonna get us supplies anyway?"

"Easy, palsy," Wes told him. "I have connections with Mobians from the black market. And when I say black market, I mean those against the Robotnik Empire."

"So, what you're saying is basically you're going help us get food and weapons off of the black market in exchange for us letting you live here?"

"Exactly, palsy."

Sonic didn't have to think this over for long, replying with a hand shake, "All right, Wes, you've got yourself a deal."

"Excellent. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to set up shop."

And with that statement, he quickly ran off.

Sonic meanwhile turned back to the raccoon waitress, and said, "Anyway, I need to talk with Sal now. See you later."

Roxy waved at him as he begin to leave, where he soon added after turning back to look at her, "If you ever need any help or someone to talk to, don't hesitate to ask."

"I'll be sure to do that." The raccoon waitress replied with a nod.

She then sighed deeply, thinking to herself, He's such a sweetie. Sally's so lucky to have him.

Meanwhile, Bunnie went to see Vanilla and Cream to check on how they were doing. Not surprisingly, Cream was still deeply upset over Big's roboticization. So much in fact, the young rabbit didn't even want to look at Bunnie when she came walking towards them.

"Hey there." The cyborg rabbit greeted softly, waving her nonmetal hand at them "How y'all doing?"

Cream even now turned her head away and wouldn't acknowledge Bunnie at all, making her sad inside.

Vanilla though spoke up, replying with a heavy sigh, "As well as can be expected I guess…"

Bunnie then tried to comfort the young rabbit about her pain, saying softly while getting down on one knee, "Sugarcube, please don't angry with me. I know you're really hurting inside about losing Big, and I don't blame you at all. I feel really bad about it myself."

But again, Cream still wouldn't turn around. She instead just sniffled with her head down, crying a bit inside.

In spite of this, Bunnie wouldn't give up trying to make amends, telling her after a brief pause, "Listen, I know what it's like to lose something you value dearly in life. I've felt that pain and bitterness you're going through now."

When Cream still wouldn't turn around or say anything in response, Vanilla soon spoke up, saying, "Honey, please don't keep ignoring her. This young girl is reaching out to you and trying to help."

Wanting to please her mother somewhat, Cream finally responded with her head still turned, demanding with another loud sniffle, "What do you possibly know about pain? You never lost anyone that you shared a special bond with…"

"Oh, but I do, Sugarcube." Bunnie replied, trying not to be insulted by her harsh words. "I not only lost my family, but something almost as valuable as well too…"

"Like what?" Cream inquired, now softening up a bit inside.

Bunnie at first hesitated to say it, but told her after a long pause, "I lost part of my body to the roboticizer…"

Hearing that quickly got the young rabbit's attention, as she now turned around to look at Bunnie.

"You see…" Bunnie explained a bit sullenly. "While I may still have my freedom and mind, I have to deal everyday with the fact I'm not full flesh and fur, but part metal."

The cyborg rabbit then added, now with a tear in her own eye, "And I can personally tell you from my own personal experience, that on top of losing my family, it hurts so much to wake up every morning and be constantly reminded of the fact I was a victim of that horrid machine."

By this point, Cream completely dropped her guard, as she now felt terrible inside for shunning Bunnie earlier.

"So, believe me, Sugarcube…" Bunnie said after another brief pause. "I know what it's like to feel pain. It begins to eat at you to the point that you could lose your sanity over it if you're not careful…"

Cream's eyes now filled with tears completely, as she rushed over to hug the cyborg rabbit tightly, saying with remorse, "I'm so sorry for being mean to your earlier… please forgive me."

Bunnie though didn't hold it against her, replying with a warm smile, "It's ok, honey. I understand completely."

Vanilla was deeply impressed with how Bunnie had handled the situation, as she soon joined them in their embrace.

Cream then said to show her gratitude from earlier, "Thank you for risking your life to save us. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"You already have, Sugarcube." Bunnie replied, still smiling warmly at her, again with a tear in her eye. "You already have…"

After the three rabbits let go, Vanilla said to the cyborg rabbit, "I know we may not be able to contribute much, but I want you to know that we'll do what we can to help the cause."

"I would appreciate that very much, Miss Vanilla." Bunnie responded.

The cyborg rabbit then said to them, "Listen, I want you and your daughter to stay in my hut with me until we can build you one for the two of you."

"You're too kind." Vanilla commented, deeply overwhelmed. "We insist you let us help with the construction.

"Consider it done." Bunnie replied with a nod.

And with that statement, the three of them had another group hug.

Deep down, the cyborg rabbit now felt very happy inside she was able to bring some form of joy and comfort to them.

Back in Sally's hut, Sonic told Sally of Wes Weasley's black market knowledge.

"Really? He can get us supplies from there?" she inquired with curiosity.

"That's right, Sal."

Sally soon pondered this over intently, commenting with intrigue, "Hmmm. You know, that just might really come in handy now that I think about it."

"I thought you might like it." Sonic commented with a smirk.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked Sally, "So what positions are you gonna assign Manic and Sonia as part of the Freedom Fighters now?"

"Well, I haven't decided yet," the squirrel princess answered, "but I'm going to put them through some drills first and see what their strengths are."

"Sounds good to me, Sal."

"Anyway, I need to talk with Nicole and strategize for our next mission." Sally explained. "No telling how soon it will be before we hear from Snively again."

"Yea, I so cannot wait to get back in the battle to ruffle his feathers some more." the blue hedgehog commented firmly, slightly punching his fist together.

A couple of hours later, Sonic now saw his siblings sitting down next to tree, with their heads down.

"You guys ok? He asked them

"Yea, I guess so." Sonia answered sadly

"Still feeling sad about Bartleby I take it…"

Sonia quickly gave him a dirty look, replying sharply, "What do you think?"

Deciding not to push it any further, the blue hedgehog asked his brother, "So, what's got you down in the dumps then?"

"It's just that, we've lost so much in this one battle." Manic explained softly. "Even our foster parents were roboticized."

"Oh."

"And I hate to say it, but we're even starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by our new responsibilities here." Sonia added. "Neither of us had any idea being a Freedom Fighter is such a difficult job."

The female hedgehog then commented with a heavy sigh, "Maybe Manic and I don't have what it takes to do this job."

Sonic however looked them in the eye with compassion and replied with a confident smile, "Trust me, sibs, after watching you in battle, you guys definitely have it what it takes to make a major impact for us."

As the two hedgehogs pondered this over, the blue hedgehog told them, "The important thing to remember is never let the trials of this job get to you. It'll drive you crazy if you dwell on it for too long."

"Boy, is that the sad truth…" Sonia commented somberly

"Anyway…" Sonic said, pausing for a second, "No matter what happens, you're both way past cool in my book, and I don't want you to ever forget that. You hear me?"

Once they heard that, Manic and Sonia's mood brightened somewhat

"Thanks for the pep talk, Sonic." Sonia said, standing up to hug him tightly. "I couldn't ask for a better brother."

"Anytime, sis."

"There's still one thing that's bothering me though." Manic commented.

"What's that?" Sonic asked.

"Well, since our recent battle with Snively," the green hedgehog explained, "We both lost something of value to us."

"Really?"

Sonia soon spoke up again, adding, "My personal piano that Lady Windimere gave me for my thirteenth birthday was destroyed in the raid."

"I see…"

"Not to mention my board was wrecked in Robotropolis." Manic said, "I'm not nearly as effective for the group without it."

After pondering this over, Sonic told them with a snap of his finger, "Not to worry, sibs, I'll have that situation remedied before ya know it."

"How are you gonna do that?" Sonia asked with curiosity.

"Sorry, but it's a surprise." Sonic replied with a grin. "But I can assure you it'll be one you really like."

The blue hedgehog then added, "Anyway, I gotta get go see Uncle Chuck for a sec, talk to you guys later."

And with that statement, Sonic sped off.

Manic soon asked scratching his forehead, "What's that crazy bro of ours up to anyway?"

"Guess we'll find out soon enough." Sonia replied.

Three days later, Sonic ran up to his siblings and greeted them. "Hey, guys…"

"Hello, Sonic. What's up?" Sonia asked.

"The surprise is ready, sis"

"Really, what is it?"

"Can't tell ya, Manic man, but I'll take you to it right now if you like."

"Sounds good." The green hedgehog commented with a smile. "Take us to it."

Sonic then quickly stood behind them and put blindfolds over their eyes.

"Sonic, what are you doing?" Sonia asked annoyed.

"Hey, c'mon now, you wouldn't want to spoil it now, would ya?"

"I guess not." She muttered. "Ok, lead the way."

Sonic then led them by the hand and escorted them to his hut.

Once they stepped inside, the blue hedgehog said to this siblings, "Ok, you can take off your blind folds now."

After they did so, there they saw Sonic's big surprise. In front of them stood a brand new electric piano, and a new hover board.

"Surprise!" Sonic shouted.

Manic and Sonia gasped in awe. "Oh my goodness, you did all of this for us? But how?"

"I asked Rotor and Uncle Chuck to build them for you." Sonic explained. "After all, it was the least we could do after everything you've gone through."

Sonia quickly hugged her brother and said, "Thank you so much."

"Yea, you rock, bro." Manic added, giving him a high five.

"And check this out." Sonic said, showing them the hover board more closely. "It's wider and even has a more powerful motor inside so you can go twice as fast now."

"Whoa, that is so cool!" the green hedgehog exclaimed. "I so cannot wait to take this baby out to Robotropolis and kick old needle nose, right where it hurts!"

"You'll get your chance soon enough, bro." Sonic replied with a pat on the back and a sly chuckle, "You can count on that…

Meanwhile, back in Robotropolis, Snively soon got a full damage report from his recent battle with the Freedom Fighters while in his former Uncle Julian's chair.

As he thought, it was a lot higher than expected.

He soon muttered to himself while shaking his head, "Unbelievable… three wrecked roboticizing chambers, one destroyed Mega Swatbot, dozens of standard Swatbots obliterated to scrap metal… just nothing short of a complete mess!"

While the small dictator had been able to roboticize more than half of the underground shelter residents from the East after his raid, it wasn't even close to satisfying him.

"I can roboticize a millions wretched rodents," Snively stated angrily, "But if not one of them is that miserable hedgehog or any his troublemaking friends, then what's the point?"

He then banged his right arm rest several times between small pauses, declaring loudly, "If it's the last I do, I will strike a direct blow to their group and weaken them, even if it's only a minor member of theirs, I WILL conquer those despicable rodents one way or another!"

After banging on the armrest a half dozen times, Snively finally got out of his chair to take a small walk while brooding. Not to mention his right hand was a bit sore as well.

During his walk around the building, he soon remembered Sally had tried to use Nicole to hack his computer.

He then said to himself, "I wonder what that Princess was trying to do to my computer anyway… Well, whatever it was, it had to be something big for her to try and do some major damage to my main network."

Deciding to take no chances, Snively immediately checked the main hard drive of computer, and it was there he discovered the file Sally had Nicole transfer to one of his main folders.

"Hmm… so they were trying to activate this .exe file, eh?" After pondering it over, Snively said to himself with a hand under his chin, "You know, for some reason I feel I've dealt with this kind of program somewhere before…"

A bad feeling soon came over him, making him add, "I think I better play it safe here and get a full report on this so called file of theirs. The last thing I need to do now is overlook something and then pay for it later. I already made that mistake one before…"

And with that statement, Snively gave the file a full diagnosis from another program. Since it was such a thorough program, it took over an hour to complete its task.

After the hour was up, the small dictator studied the charts he had now received from it.

At first glance, he saw nothing that he could point his finger on.

"Hmm… looks like an ordinary program file from the looks of these diagrams."

However, when he saw the frequency patterns of the program file a couple of pages later, it left him with an eerie chill inside.

"Wait just a minute… I recognize these wave patterns. They're…"

Snively though didn't finish that thought, as he soon rummaged through some old papers he had kept over the years.

Once he did a comparison by comparison study, Snively knew exactly what he was dealing with.

"Ah ha! Just as I thought…" the small dictator commented with a frown. "So, that file wasn't completely eradicated after all… Somehow, those wretched rodents recently got a copy of this deadly virus from Jules and Bernadette hedgehog and tried to use it against me."

Snively soon took a deep sigh of relief, as he realized he had indeed dodged a bullet there when he took over Sir Charles' robotic programming to stop Sally from activating the program.

He then added with a sly grin, "Well, if these filthy Mobians want to try and wreck my network, then maybe I should let them, but with a twist they'll never see coming…"

The small dictator began to chuckle heartily inside, now plotting his next devious move.

"When those rodents dare to show their faces in my city again, it'll be an experience they won't soon forget."

And with that statement, Snively laughed heartily inside.

What this madman had planned for our heroes for the days ahead was now anyone's guess, but one thing was for sure… it would not be anything pleasant.

The End?