Book IV: Probe Problems

[tiff15]

Authors Notes: Yay! I finally got the inspiration needed to continue this series.

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Chapter 1 part 1

The smog filled bluish skies above Robotropolis were nothing new to Tristina the hedgehog, even if they did leave a metallic taste in her mouth. The taste was nothing compared to the smell, Which was due to the pollutants hurdled into the air by Robotniks factories.

The disabled hedgehog mentioned none of this as she wheeled down the hall behind Sonic the hedgehog and Princess Sally Acorn. Breathing hard, Tristina, Sonic, and Sally stopped short of a small cover with a almost alien glowing script engraved into the metallic blue cover.


"That's it," said Sally as the three gathered around the door. "Section two module fourteen."

Sonic silently grabbed the deep gray handle at the bottom of the cover and opened it, before turning to Sally and Tristina. "Lets do it to it." the blue hedgehog quipped, holding out his opposite fist to the Princess and his friend.

The three smiled and tapped index fingers, hooked pinkies, and bopped fists in the secret handshake. Sonic then held the cover open for Sally and looked expectantly at Tristina.

"Go on, blue. you know morphing only takes a second." said Tristina, tapping a key of spider legs on her wheelchair. Holding the cover open with one hand, Tristina looked down as several long spindly legs sprouted from the sides of her wheelchair seat.

the wheels, meanwhile, shifted to the back and underneath her seat as Sonic began to disappear into the depths of the air duct. Tristina lowered her bristled light blue head as her converted chair now climbed into the duct with relative ease.

It was a tight squeeze, to be sure. The burnt orange walls of the air duct were littered with moss green cables that carried various amounts of data from one part of Robotropolis to another.

Unlike most people, Tristina was a Mikanuean, which meant she could 'read' bytes and bits of data inside these thick cable wires as easily as a average mobian could read a book. Most of the 'data' was minor tweaks to daily operations, so Tristina ignored it.

As Tristina inched closer and closer to the hunched figures of Sally and Sonic, one bit of data flowing caught her attention. Looking at the cable in question, Tristina frowned at the contents as it flowed past her.

"Whats up, Tiff?" Sonic whispered, kneeling with Sally near a open hatch. "Nothing..." Tristina whispered back, her eyes fading back to a silvery brown.

She didn't want to alert Sonic to this discovery. At least, not yet.

"I'll tell you later." Tristina promised, glancing over Sallys shoulder at the opened hatch in question. Below the trio, a small nasally voiced human paced below them, checking a clipboard positioned in his hands.

Tristina frowned at Snivley as he spoke to himself and, albeit unknowingly, them. "Maximum thorax field. 95.7 % Robotization factor."

"Which one of these control the 'ol Roboticizer?" Asked Sonic, looking around at the cables snaking along the walls. "First, we shut down the alarm" said Tristina, her pupiless glowing ivory eyes scanning the cables.

Tristina then tapped Sallys shoulder and pointed to a light green cable in particular. "Thanks Tiff." said Sally as the hedgehogs eyes faded back to normal. Sally then grabbed both ends of a jointed piece of cable and tugged.

there was a slight crackle of electricity as Sally separated the two ends. "That should do it." Sally reported with a grunt, gingerly setting the cable back down.

"'Should'?" Sonic asked, concerned. "He could have a backup alarm, blue." Tristina explained, peering back down at the roboticizer below them.

"No prob. we can handle it." said Sonic, grinning. "The difficult part will be getting into the roboticizers software, so we can deactivate it." continued Sally, frowning.

"Leave that to me, Princess." said Tristina, smiling. "Come on, ladies." said Sonic in a smooth voice. "With my looks, your brains, and Tiff's hacking ability we're unstoppable."

Tristina smirked as Sally frowned and her eyebrows furrowed. "Your...partly right." said Sally with a hint of sarcasm. "which part?" Sonic asked, confusion flooding over his face. Tristina snickered as Sally sarcastically replied "guess."

"Huh, the handsome good looks part, right?" Sonic asked, grinning. "Your dreaming again, blue." said Tristina, sighing through her nose. Sonic reached into the brown knapsack on his back and pulled out a red rimmed mirror.

"that" said Sonic, pushing back his quills with one hand while holding the mirror with the other. "Is no dream, that is one hedgehog hunk."

As Tristina rolled her eyes to the ceiling, Sally slapped the mirror out of Sonics hand. "Sonic, will you get serious?" Sally hissed as Tristina raised one hand and closed her eyes.

a light blue mini keyboard appeared at her palm. As Tristina began to press keys on the keyboard, Tristina opened her eyes to reveal two white pupiless orbs. "Beginning infiltration of Roboticizers software, Princess." Tristina whispered.

"Yo! I am serious!" Sonic protested as Sally placed a disc in computer slot above her. Inserting the disc, Sally then flipped two small silver switches above her.

[SallyAcorntheDoctor]

I don't know what you plan for this book but I hope it's really good. I had a few ideas of my own. Like if Tristina gets cut off from the others when the mine explodes and she goes on her own adventure would be cool. Perhaps she could meet a group of renigade robots or perhaps Robotnik (considering he never appears in this episode) has a trap made expecilly for Tiff. Like Robotnik makes a robot that is so powerful that when she try's to hack it she ends up fighting for her own life within her mind, thus we get to know more about her and her backstory. My last idea was she finds a thing called 'the brain of Robotropolis' and it has all the data in the city flowing through it. And mabye after a fight within herself with the divide it leaves some lasting effects, she could also pick up hints of the doomsday project. Anyway I am glad to see you writing again and I hope you continue on. Good luck

Sally

[tiff15]

Authors Note: Thanks for those wonderful ideas, Sally. I may use them in future 'books' but as for this one, I already have the plot figured out.
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Chapter 1 part 2

Doctor Ivo Robotnik was not having a good day. a large obese man with very little neck, the only hair that could be seen was the well groomed mustache sitting just below Robotniks chiseled nose.

Robotniks black and red eyes scanned the security screens around him, having received a report that a hover pad had gone missing. Shortly afterwards, the early morning swatbot patrol reported signs of intruders had breached the southern parts of Robotropolis, then two false sightings (each) of The Hedgehog, The Princess, and The Hacker.

leaning back in his chair, Robotnik closed his eyes to rest them when a beeping caught his attention. grumbling to himself for sending his nephew, Snivley, to the Roboticizer to do maintenance, Doctor Robotnik rose from his seat and pressed the flashing button to read the report.

"Snivley." Robotnik growled in his usual deep metallic poisonous tone. "The Roboticizer is in sabotage mode." "I'll check it sir." came the nasally whine of a reply, and Robotnik leaned his head against the metal frame to rest.

[tiff15]

Authors note: Just as a surprise for my readers (and because I want to get to chase scene) Im going to go ahead and post the next part.

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Chapter 1 part 3

pressing a few buttons on the control panel, Snivley turned to see a small camera like device come up from the floor and began to scan the ceiling. As the heat sensor picked up three forms in the air duct. "The hedgehogs." Snivley muttered, before coming over the intercom. "Swatbots, sector six red corridor." Nodding a job well done, Snivley jogged over to where the beam was pointing to view his enemies.

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Tristina had warned Sonic and Sally when she picked up Snivley scanning for them. Sonic, cockily, had suggested that they have some fun with Snivley as the heat sensor penetrated the air vent. "Excuse me is this where we catch the monorail for Knothole?" Sonic asked in a fake British accent. "Go ahead and joke hedgehog but this time we've got you." said Snivley, pointing his finger at Sonic. "What you've got Snivley is a big fat zip-o!" said Tristina. "guess again, rodent." said Snivley, walking back to the keyboard. "What I have is your worthless hide.

Tristina gasped and began to cough. "the fire extinguishers!" Sally cried as Tristina began to make her way to the exit.

[tiff15]

Chapter 1 part 4

coughing violently behind Sonic and Sally, Tristina turned her wheelchair around and quietly clinked behind Sonic as he said "What, you cant take a joke?" arriving a magenta and light pink air vent Sonic and Sally pushed lightly then looked to Tristina. "Move aside guys." Tristina said, backing up slightly. Tristina twitched the wheelchair forward slightly, which caused the front spider legs to climb up onto the wall. "Hurry Trish!" Sonic coughed. gritting her teeth in anticipation, Tristina slammed the joystick forward. the bottom of Tristina's wheelchair slammed through the air grate. "Woah!" Tristina cried, her wheelchair nearly following the grate on its long journey down to the ground. "Start hovering, Trish!" Sonic cried as he and Sally struggled to keep their grips on the light blue hedgehogs wheelchair. Hands sweating with fear, Tristina slammed her first, middle, and pinky down on the button with wings on it. as Tristina felt her wheelchair wheels snap into place and begin to act as fans, she called "Let go!"

Sonic and Sally released the hedgehog as she began to float infront of them. Foam had already spilled onto the narrow catwalk below them as Sonic grabbed Sallys wrist, placing one foot on the edge of the foaming air duct. "Hang tight, Sal!" Sonic called, prepairing to jump. "Sonic, watch it!" Tristina called, having a better vantage point than Sonic. Sally yelped as a laser blast barely nicked her ear, then looked up to see the swatbots on the catwalk above them. Tristina gasped as two hover units approached her. "I cant control swatbots..." Tristina growled as her pupils faded to a flat white. pointing her palm at the first hover unit, Tristina's hand began to glow until a shot from the swatbot on the catwalk grazed the back of her hand. crying out, Tristina clutched her right hand to her chest while buckling over to protect it. Hearing Sonic and Sally cry out, Tristina looked to see Sonic grab Sallys hand and jump from the air duct. "Are you guys okay?" Tristina called, hovering closer to the catwalk as Sonic pulled Sally from the foam.

"Past cool!" Sonic replied, running with Sally. "Now lets just hope the hoverpad is still where we've left it." Tristina turned around mid hover as Sonic and Sally raced onto a large hovering disc, then took control of it and flew off.

[tiff15]

Chapter 2 part 1

"Sonic, behind us!"
Tristina' s hand immediately slammed her hover chair joystick left and, turning, steered it towards Sonic and Sally's hover pad. "Sonic, hook me up!" Tristina cried, tossing a rope to Sonic. the darker hedgehog grabbed the rope and tied it to the hand rail running across the hover pad. Securing the rope onto the neck of her wheelchair, Tristina turned to face the swatbots persuing them. "I thought you said you couldn't hack a butt-bot?" Sonic called as Tristina's light key pad appeared at her palm. "Affirmative." Tristina replied, typing furiously with one hand. "Target is not Swatbot. Target is hovercraft engine." "Hang on, Sal!" Sonic called as the hover-pad skimmed over a metallic ground covered with chrome piping.

Ducking and weaving between larger mold covered pipes, one of the hovercrafts persuing them suddenly veered off course, smoke spewing from the front. "hovercraft engine overloaded." Tristina reported, closing her eyes as she lowered her hand. with a yank on the rope, Tristina was flying beside them once again, steering with the joystick. "They're still behind us!" Sally called, looking behind her. Tristina looked back as well and re-looped the rope around the hand rail. "Not used to working this cheaply." Tristina growled, her eyes turning momentarily a bright flat white as her hand molded what looked like a dagger. Tristina then closed her eyes, and re opened them to reveal her eyes had returned to normal.


picking up the dagger by its bright blue handle, Tristina closed one eye and stuck out her tounge. "Tristina, what are you..." Sally began, before gasping as Tristina hurled the dagger at the persuing hovercraft. upon striking the black underbelly, electricity crackled around the hovercraft as the dagger melted into it. Tristina then watched with satisfaction as the hovercraft abandoned the chase in preference of landing without crashing. "They're not behind us anymore." Tristina said, smiling at the awe struck Princess.

[tiff15]

Chapter 2 part 2
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Sonic gave Tristina a thumbs up, then dived into the open hangar in Robotniks headquarters. As Tristina willed herself to stop shaking, Sonic and Sally watched as a few more hovercrafts flew past them. "Audios swat bots." said Sonic, grinning to Sally. "When the hedgehog brain is really cookin' those chumps dont stand a chance." said Sonic, directing the hover pad to leave the hangar. suddenly another hovercraft, appearing out of nowhere, rocketed towards them. "Sonic!" Sally cried. "No prob" replied Sonic, pressing a yellow button on the keyboard infront of him.

The swatbot hovercraft struck the hover pad, causing it to somersault in mid air. as the hoverpad flipped over, its passangers screamed and clung to the black hand rail for dear life. As the hover pad neared the ground, Sally and Sonic managed to get the machine back under control. "Wheres Tristina?" Sally cried, glancing over at the hedgehogs hover chair. Sonic turned to follow Sallys gaze and saw that the hedgehogs hover chair was indeed empty. hearing a shriek below them, Sally and Sonic looked beyond the hover pad to see that the final flip had hurled Tristina out of her hover chair and sent her careening towards the concrete ground.

forcing the panic to the back of her mind, Tristina reached across to a gold painted band on her wrist and pressed a button that showed a mega phone and echo lines. taping it, Tristina looked up as her hover chair broke free of Sonic and Sallys hover pad and careened towards her. Just as she was about to hit the ground, she landed butt first in the wheelchair and immediately jerked the joystick towards herself up. Forcing heart down from her throat back into her ribcage, Tristina heard Sally call to her. "Are you alright, Tristina?" Tristina leaned her head into the headrest of her wheelchair, and could barely manage to nod. willing her body to stop shaking, Tristina looked to Sally and Sonic and said "Maybe the old hedgehog brain is overcooked, eh blue?" Tristina asked, frowning at her fellow 'hog. "A minor mistake, no biggie." Sonic replied, verbally brushing off Tristinas verbal scold. "We gotta be close to that subway station." Sonic added, peering over the edge of the hover pad again.

[tails]

TIFF I HOPE WE ARE STILL WORKING TOGETHER / NOTE TO MODS JUST USING CUZ NEED THEM IM NOT YELLING OR MAD AT ALL TIFF IS MY FRIEND

[tiff15]

Chapter 2 part 3

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"Uh, guys? we have more party crashers on our tail." Tristina observed, landing on the back of the hover pad. Sally pressed a button on the controls, and two metallic cuffs slid over her wheelchair wheels. "Huh?" Tristina asked, hearing the metal 'chinks' of the cuffs. "Thats so you dont go rolling off the hover pad again." Sally explained. Tristina smiled, then turned to the hovercrafts "Oh man." Sonic gasped, sweating slightly as Tristina began crafting more throwing knives, each glowing bright blue. "How come they're not shooting at us?" Sonic asked as the hover pad weaved slightly in a patch of turbulence. "They're saving us for the roboticizer." Sally growled, watching Tristina begining to craft a fifth knife. "That isnt going to happen guys." Tristina said, picking up the small bundle of knives. "Hang tight." said Sonic, pressing one of the buttons twice. "Son-ic." Sally called warningly. "Chill, I know what I'm doing." replied Sonic as Tristina picked up one knife and hurdled it at one of the oncoming swatbots. the swatbot dodged slightly to the left, missing the blade. Tristina swore under her breath, glad the teams youngest member - a two tailed fox named Tails - wasnt around to hear it.

suddenly, the hover pad made a sharp turn and Tristina looked up to see nothing but the smog filled bluish black sky. "Sonic, what-" Tristina began, before her senses picked up something within the tower. "Knothole?" Tristina muttered, staring at the faded greenish gray tower. "Outta the way swat-butts!" Sonic cried as the hover crafts veered left and right to dodge the oncoming hover pad. Sonic laughed triumphantly, but the smile quickly slid from his lips when he spotted a angry hedgehog and ground squirrel glaring back at him. "Am I cool or am I cool?" Sonic offered feebly. "That was absolutely crazy Sonic!" Sally fumed, her hair reflecting her current temper as it waved and tossed in the wind. "You could have gotten us killed blue! and for what? a cheap laugh?" Tristina cried, her hair and quills as frazzled as Sally's. "yeah, it was wasn't it?" chuckled Sonic as they flew on. Tristina shook her head and turned back in her wheelchair to notice that, in the chaos, her knives had slid off her lap. sighing, Tristina held up one hand and snapped her fingers. her hand tingled as the knives self- destructed where ever they had fallen.

"You are impossible." Sally scoffed, and Tristina shook her head. "Thank you, Thank you." came Sonic's reply, as if Sally had paid him a great compliment. Suddenly, with all seriousness, Sonic continued. "Sal? Tiff? see that subway station anywhere?" Tristina peered over the hover pad to look. "Yes...there!" Sally cried, pointing. as Tristina turned to look, a sudden searing heat shot between her legs and blew up the patch of hover pad from under her. Sally let out a scream, then cried out Sonic's name. "Hold on!" Sonic cried as the hover pad began to list dangerously left then right. turning around, Tristina produced the blue keypad and began to hack
...................................
Access request: Hover pad controls
Username: Hak2savFreFi
Password: **********
.........
Access granted. Welcome, Hak2savFreFi.
Requesting damage assessment...
.....
Damage assessment minimal. loss of propulsion systems and power amplifiers.
Request remote access and emergency landing...
Access granted.
beginning permission transfer to Hak2savFreFi...
Permission granted.
Accessing backup engines and beginning emergency landing procedures.
Access granted.
Hak2savFreFi logging out...
.....................................
Sally let out a sigh of relief as the Hover pad seemed to wobble down to the ground and let out a screetch as metal scraped on concrete. seeing a light blue glow behind them, Sally turned to see Tristina with a light keyboard at one hand, her eyes glowing as they stared at the control panel. Im going to have to thank her for saving our butts once we meet up with the others. Sally thought, smiling as the hedgehog lowered her hand. giving a shiver, Tristina opened her eyes as Sally sighed. "Well, at least we made it to the rendezvous point."
thats when swatbot laser fire showered around them yet again.

[tiff15]

Chapter 2 part 4

Tristina let out a yelp as laser fire rained down on the grounded freedom fighters. "Lets Juice!" Sonic called over the exploding debris, Sally hot on his heels. quickly tapping the spider mode button, Tristina clambered down the stairwell after Sonic and Sally. Tristina covered her head with one arm as Sallys scream rang in her ears. "ally oop Princess." Tristina called, scooping up Sally into her lap and clacking after Sonic. once the chaos had died down, Tristina nodded at Sallys muttered gratitude as the ground squirrel slid off her lap and hurried after Sonic. As Sonic and Sally ducked down behind a fallen subway pillar, Tristina stayed further back, peeking out from the subway station wall. Tristina's eyes narrowed as Sonic perked up, then pointed a roboticized light blue hedgehog. Tristina could tell that the hedgehog was familiar to Sonic, but Tristina couldn't place him. Tristina examined the hedgehogs metallic brown muzzle, stomach, and fore arms. the hedgehogs upper arms were light blue as was his quills. His eyes, Tristina noticed, were pure black with bright red iris's for the pupils. Tristina frowned at this and looked down at her own useless robotic legs. I never realized until now how close I came to being like that. Tristina thought, brushing her fingers over her metallic legs before looking back at the hedgehog.

She then notice Sonic surge forward before Sally pulled him back down. "Sonic wait, there's too many Swatbots." Sally whispered loudly enough for Tristina to here. Sonic grumbled something, staring at the train the roboticized hedgehog had boarded. "Sonic use your head!" Sally whispered. "Its too risky." Sally then whispered something about a 'plan'. As Sonic muttered his reply, a faint siren reached Tristina's ears. flashing light blue on the side of the train car were the words 'Crystal Mine'. "Wheres the Crystal Mine?" Sally asked, her voice slightly louder now that the danger had passed. Tristina took this to mean it was safe, and quietly wheeled towards the two. "I don't have a clue." Sonic admitted as Tristina joined them. cupping Sallys hands in his own, he smiled at her. "but we're gonna find out. Lets Juice." "Sonic!" a voice called, making Sonic, Sally, and even Tristina jump. A light blue and beige walrus sporting a deep red utility belt lumbered towards them, followed by a tan rabbit with green eyes as well as a roboticized right arm and both legs. bringing up the rear was a regally dressed coyote in a deep blue uniform with gold buttons and red trim.

"We scoped out Robotniks junkyard, but we couldn't find any old Roboticizer parts." the walrus, who was called Rotor, plowed on. "How'd you guys do?" Right. Mission recap. Tristina thought, forcing the thoughts and emotions the old roboticized hedgehog had stirred in Tristina to the back for now. "Not much better I'm afraid." Sally admitted, shaking her head. "Except that..." "We found my Uncle Chuck!" Sonic interrupted, clearly unable to contain the news any longer. Bunnie cupped Sonic's hands in her own. "Oh Sonic that is so excitin'!" She said in a oddly nurturing way. "Yeah, where is he?" asked Rotor, smiling as well. "We saw him board a train headed for the Crystal Mine." Tristina supplied, taking this chance to join the conversation. "Where is this Crystal of Mine?" Antione asked, scratching his head. "That way." said Sonic, pointing the direction the train had left in. "Well," said Sally in a resigned tone. "We'd better start walking." "Hey guys!" Rotor called, walking towards the edge of the platform. "Heres our ride to the mine." Tristina looked to see he was pointing to a train similar to the one Sonic's Uncle had boarded.

Switching back to spider mode, Tristina quietly followed Sonic, Sally and Bunnie down towards the train car. as Rotor and Antione were about to follow, two laser blasts barely missed them. "Incoming!" Rotor shouted, turning to see who had fired the shots. Tristina helped her friends onto the train car before turning to help Rotor and Antione. "Eh, perhaps it is time to fly from the coop yes?" jabbered Antione as Tristina gave him and Rotor a little boost onto the car before clambering on herself. Taking a seat behind Sally, Tristina watched as the door closed on the swatbots and began to move forward. as the Freedom fighters let out a collective sigh of relief, Tristina willed her racing heart to slow before looking at the back of Sallys head. "Princess," Tristina said quietly as Sonic made sure Bunnie, Rotor, and Antione were 'cool'. "While we were on the run from the swatbots, I noticed a odd bit of script in one of Robotmiks towers." Tristina said in low voice as the others settled into a uneasy silence. "What did it say?" Sally asked, turning around to look at Tristina. "I couldn't read most of it, since it was going so fast." Tristina admitted. "but I did notice it contained the word "Knothole"" Tristina frowned as Sally gave a start at this. "Robotnik must be probing for the location again. Could you tell in which direction this 'script' was headed?" Sally asked, worry lines now crowding her brow. Tristina nodded. "towards Robotniks junk yard. I was thinking while you guys were retrieving Sonics Uncle..." "That you could investigate this bit of data you found." Sally finished, frowning. "I don't like you being in the city on your own, Tiff."

Tristina smiled knowingly before replying "Princess, I wouldn't necessarily be 'on my own'. Rotor installed a communication button on my wheelchair a few days ago. I would allow me to keep in touch with you through Nichole." "Sally," Rotor interrupted, upon hearing his name. "I was meaning to tell you. While we were scouting the junk yard, Antione said he spotted a large green tower near the border. it looked recently built, not like the other buildings in Robotropolis." "Then its settled." said Sally, nodding. "Tristina, you investigate this tower while Sonic, Rotor, Bunnie, Antione and I save Uncle Chuck." "That sound okay, blue?" Tristina asked, bringing the hedgehog into the conversation. "Past cool Tiff," said Sonic, giving Tristina his signature thumbs up. "be mondo careful." "You too, Sonic." Tristina said as she felt the train begin to slow.

"Oh, and Tristina?" Tristina looked to Sally as her name left the Princess's lips. "Thanks for saving us earlier." Tristina smiled knowingly as the train came to a complete stop.

[tiff15]

Chapter 3 part 1

Tristina, in spider mode, quietly crept out onto the graveled metal behind Antoine. "I cant believe this." Sally whispered, her voice dripping with disgust. "Robotnik's pollution is everywhere." Tristina straightened her hoverchair's spider legs so she was even with the Princess, who was peering over the train car by hanging onto the roof.

"Man, would I love to turn Robotnik into a can opener." Rotor growled loudly. "Cool it, Rote." Sonic whispered to his friend, pressing a gloved finger against his peach lips. Tristina peered out from behind the train car to see a large alcove. inside the alcove was two doors, one on the left hand corner and one near the back.

a loud grinding noise gathered the attention of the remaining five freedom fighters. "Keep your eyeballs peeled for Uncle Chuck." Sonic whispered, his eyes firmly on the left hand corner door. As each worker bot emerged from the door, Tristina felt a pang of pity. Each had been a citizen once of a healthy, functioning society. They each, Tristina assumed, had hopes and dreams, maybe even families or children.

Julia Tristina thought, closing her eyes at her heart gave a painful throb for her mentor.

"There he is."
Sonic's whisper snapped Tristina's eyes open to see the elderly hedgehog she had spotted earlier exiting the building. "I'll get him." Sonic said determinedly, jogging over the roof of the train car and sprinting towards the hedgehog. "Sonic!" Sally whispered, throwing out her hand to the hedgehog. "Please be careful blue." Tristina whispered, noticing that the elderly hedgehog was nearing the back wall door.

quickly crafting a bright blue throwing knife, Tristina pulled her arm back and prepared to throw. "What are you doing?!" Sally whispered, staying Tristina's arm. "Pre-maturely closing the door so Sonic can catch his Uncle." said Tristina, lightly pushing the princess aside and hurdling the knife towards the door.

the knife sailed over Sonics shoulder and struck the door, melting into it before disappearing into the door completely. "Uncle Chuck, wait up!" Sonic cried, grabbing the hedgehogs shoulder as the doors closed in front of him. "Uncle Chuck, chill will ya? its me!" said Sonic with a smile.

The smile disappeared as the hedgehog let out a mechanical roar and wrenched his arm from Sonics grasp. "Uncle Chuck, what are you doing?" Sonic asked as the elderly hedgehog let out a menacingly sick hiss. Walking over to the wall, Uncle Chuck slammed his robotic fist against a bright red button.

As a loud alarm began to peal through the air, Uncle Chuck turned to Sonic and let out another hiss. raising his hands, fingers curled, Uncle chuck let out another mechanical growl and began to stealthily approach Sonic.

"Uncle Chuck, its me! Sonic! your one and only too cool nephew! Don't 'cha remember?" Sonic asked, backing away from the robotic hedgehog. Sonic leapt to the side as Uncle Chuck slammed to the ground, still growling. "Bunnie! grab him!" Sonic shouted. Racing over, Bunnie wrapped her arms around Uncle Chucks torso as the hedgehog prepared to strike again.

"Get him out of here, Bunnie." Sonic instructed, turning to the button Uncle Chuck had pressed. silencing it with a grunt and a kick from his shoe, Sonic jogged back across the train platform and leapt down underneath the overhang.

As Sonic dropped down into the train yard, Tristina greeted him with a nod then turned their attention back to Bunnie's struggling captive. "Sacre Bleu! zis is terrible what Robotnik has done to him." said Antoine, shaking his head sadly.

Tristina silently agreed, frowning as Sonic approached the elderly robotic hedgehog. "Hang in there, Uncle Chuck. We'll get ya back to normal." Sonic the turned to the Princess as he said "Any ideas, Sal?" "Well," said Sally, approaching Sonic from behind. "The robotization process is still a big mystery. but maybe..." Sally then opened Sonics backpack and began to dig around. "Just maybe..." she said quietly, pulling out a familiar golden ring. "We can jog his memory."

[tiff15]

Chapter 3 part 2

"Yeah." said Sonic, smiling as Sallys plan caught up to him. "Past cool, Sal." Tristina watched curiously as the Princess approached the struggling robotic hedgehog and held out the power ring. Uncle Chuck let out a confused growl, then a grunt as his brown metal fingers curled around the basketball sized golden hoop and drew it closer to him. Sally stepped away, releasing the ring as Uncle Chuck stared at the Power Ring, mystified. "Sonic, try talking to your uncle. Maybe that will help." Tristina whispered. Sonic nodded and approached the hedgehog.

"Uncle Chuck, this is one of the power rings you invented for me. remember?" Sonic asked. Tristina bit her lower lip and craned her neck to look into the robotic hedgehogs eyes. They were dimmer then before, she noticed, and seemed to flicker between dull and bright. "Sal, its workin!" Sonic exclaimed, his fists clenching with glee.

Uncle Chuck looked up from the power ring and gazed up at the dark blue hedgehog infront of him. "Atta way Uncle Chuck!" Sonic encouraged "Its me! Sonic! your fave nephew. Please remember!" Tristina frowned slightly at the pleading in Sonics voice at the last two words. She didnt think she had ever heard the hedgehog beg before... At least, not to that degree.

the elderly hedgehog blinked, then squinted at Sonic, as if seeing him clearly for the first time. "Sonic?" Tristina smiled at Uncle Chucks first raspy word as Sonic positively beamed. "Is that you, Sonny?" Bunnie released the hedgehog at last as Sonic embraced and said "Uncle Chuck! Yes!".

Tristina wiped away a tear at the reunion as, slowly, the robotic hedgehogs arms wrapped around Sonic's neck. "Man I sure missed you." Sonic muttered, his shoulders trembling slightly. "I missed you too." Uncle Chuck rasped, squeezing his nephew lightly.

After a long silence, the two broke apart, and Uncle Chuck wiped his eyes on the back of his hand. "Still good looking and always cooking, eh Sonny boy?" Uncle Chuck asked, as if his nephew had just dropped in for a vist. "You got it, Unc." said Sonic, still grinning. "Shakin' and bakin'." "Princess Sal." said Uncle Chuck, returning the princess' smile as he acknowledged her. "Rotor." He continued, looking at each of the freedom fighters in turn. "Bunnie." The southern belle's face softened into a light smile at her name. "Oh, its a real treat to see you again." the hedgehog continued, smiling.

"Welcome back, Charles." gushed Sally happily, waving lightly. "How ya doin', Chuck." said Rotor, tipping his hat to the hedgehog.

Tristina perked up as Uncle Chucks eyes fell upon her. "I'm sorry," said Uncle Chuck, confused "But I'm afraid I dont remember you." "Its alright, unc." said Sonic, clapping his Uncle on the shoulder. "This is Tristina. she joined us about two weeks ago." Tristina wheeled forward and gave a bow.

"Its an honor to meet you, er...I'm sorry. but is there a less formal name I can call you rather than 'Uncle Chuck'? It seems awfully personal, having just met you and all." Tristina admitted, blushing slightly.

Uncle Chuck gave a hearty laugh, then smiled. "Of course, dear girl. I understand completely. I also go by 'Sir Charles'." "Daddy knighted Sir Charles for his brillance and accomplishments in science before Robotnik took over." Sally explained.

"Sir Charles." said Tristina, bowing again. "Doctor Hedgehog." said Antione, stepping forward. Clicking his heels together, Antione raised one hand above his left eye in salute. "Bojour." "Bojour, Antione." Uncle Chuck said with a laugh, bowing to the coyote.

"Come on, Uncle Chuck." said Sonic, grabbing the hedgehogs shoulder. "We're bailin' you out of this dump." "Oh oui, yes." said Antione in suite. "The better the sooner."

"Not yet, Sonny." said Uncle Chuck, grabbing his nephews shoulder. "Theres something much more important than me that I need your help on." "More important than you?" Sonic echoed, confused. "Like what?" "I'll have to show you. Down in the mine." said Sir Charles, motioning for them to follow him. "One moment, Sir Charles." said Sally, turning to Tristina.

"Tiff. The tower?" "Right!" Tristina said, slapping her forhead. In the excitement of the 'return' of Sonic's uncle, she had completely forgotten about the looming threat to Knothole Village. "Princess, I'll keep in touch VIA Nichole, is that all right?" Tristina asked, motioning to the speaker button on her wheelchair. Sally nodded as Sonic gave Tristina a salute with two fingers.

"catch ya later, Tiff." Tristina nodded, bid Sir Charles farewell, then shot off towards the junk yard.

[tiff15]

Chapter 4 part 1


"Sector seven, Hedgehog and Hacker reports."
"Hedgehog report negative. Hacker report negative."
Snivley swallowed the lump in his throat and continued typing. "Snivley..." a deep metallic growl rumbled across the steel floor. As Snivley was about to respond, a swatbot on patrol cut him off.
"Hacker spotted in sector 12, headed for sector 14." Snivley repeated this to Robotnik, who immidately sat up in his chair. "Any report of the hedgehog?" "No sir." Robotnik frowned, deep in thought as he stared at the report. "Send a team of swabots to sector 14." commanded Robotnik, pressing a series of buttons on his command chair. "Yes sir." whined Snivley, resuming his quiet typing. Robotnik steepled his hands as his red eyes focused on one of the monitors of the tower. "Soon, Hacker." He whispered, glaring at the monitor. "Soon."

[tiff15]

Chapter 4 part 2

Sonic the hedgehog, Princess Sally Acorn, Bunnie Rabbot, Rotor the Walrus, and Antione Deapardeau followed Sir Charles to the back wall of the facility. "Bit of a snag here." Sir Charles, better known as Uncle Chuck, said with a slight growl. "Elevators gone until the next shift."

"Forget the shift." Sonic replied, turning to Bunnie. "Theres always the shaft. Bunnie, waste these doors." Sonic finished with a wink to his friend. "My Pleasure." toned Bunnie, flexing her robotic arm. Digging her fingers into the slight gap of the door, Bunnie thrust all her might behind her arm to force the door open with a grunt.

Sir Charles beamed at his nephews quick thinking and wit. "Sweet thinking, sonny. lets get slidin!" He said, grabbing a sturdy elevator cable. as his robotic legs wrapped around the thick black cable, he quietly slid down as he heard his nephew say proudly "Is he my uncle or what?" then grab the cable in a similar fashion to his uncle and follow suit.

Sally and Rotor copied Sonic, all sliding down seperate Elevator cables. Antione also followed, although his slide with his usual terrified scream.

***
Laser blasts surrounded Tristina as she dodged the explosions of debris, metal, glass, and other unidentifiable junk. Her silvery brown eyes squinted against the smog filled air as her peach arms pumped her wheelchair wheels forward. smog and gunk from the air clung to random wisps of Tristina's sky blue bangs as her robotic legs sat lifeless in the footholds.

The sirens squeal pierced Tristina's eardrums and made it difficult to focus on anything except repeating the same motions as quickly as possible: grab, push, release. grab, push, release.

I need to lose this tin heads. come on, Tristina, Think! the panic laced thoughts echoed in Tristina's mind as she left street 15. sweat stung her eyes as, up ahead, Tristina spotted both hover units and swat bikes waiting for her.

Maybe I can solve two problems with one crash. "Hello opportunity. come on in!" Tristina cried, folding her stomach over her legs and letting her powerful shoulders take over and shifting her hand positon.

"Priority one Hacker. Halt." The swatbots from inside the hover units. Tristina paid them no mind as she ducked under the hovercraft with nothing but a "Thanks for the roadblock, tin heads!". swerving around a neighboring junk pile, Tristina flinched as the sound of twisting smashing metal. a flash of orange, yellow and black soon followed with the smell of burnt metal and fried circuts. Tristina's taught muscles relaxed as silence retook the area, and she leaned against the back of her seat in relief.

Okay, now wheres this tower Rotor and Sally mentioned? Tristina wondered, peering out into the hazy evening. Past the numerous hills of scrap and random junk, Tristina spotted a tall structure in the distance. "Looks newer than the rest of the buildings..." Tristina muttered to herself, repeating Rotors description.

"Better see if I can get closer, then check in with the Princess." Nodding to her plan of action, Tristina peered around the corner. gasping, she ducked back as a surveillance orb floated past. Smiling, Tristina raised her left hand and produced a light blue keyboard.

as she typed with one hand, her eyes faded to a flat white. Suddenly, the survaillence orb shuddered, then began floating jerkily towards the tower.

[tiff15]

Chapter 4 part 3

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As the elevator car quietly waited for the worker bots to return, a brown and bluish gray foot stomped through a ceiling panel, then leapt down into the car. The inside walls of the car were a burnt tan, darker at the top and lighter at the floor. Uncle Chuck looked up as a blue hedgehog came next, grunting as he landed. "So what are we looking for Uncle Chuck?" Sonic asked as Bunnie landed with a grunt behind him. "Its something you gotta see with your own eyes." the roboticized hedgehog replied, walking over to the closed elevator doors.

Grunting, the elderly hedgehog gripped the wall panel and the closed door then pried them apart. "Check it out, Sonny." He rasped, walking through the now opened door. as Sonic walked into the half metal cavern, a giant crystal sat in a nest of anthro sized boulders, nestled in a rope harness which led to the ceiling. "Oh Man!" Sonic gasped, walking closer to the crystal. "That is large!"

"Robotnik is mining this energy crystal to replace his dwindling oil supply." Uncle Chuck explained. "They're hoisting it out of here today! We have to stop it!" "What'll happen if they do get it out?" asked Bunnie. "Removing that much active crystal..." said Uncle Chuck, trying to impress upon them the direness of the situation. "Would destroy the whole echosystem." "Your right. We DO have to stop Robotnik." said Sally, stepping forward. "But HOW?"

"Only one way." said Uncle Chuck, pointing to a building with a metallic catwalk between them. "We shut him down here, and at the control center." Uncle Chuck then turned to Sally. "Sal, whats where you come in." "Okay, lets do it" said Sally with a mischivous smile.

Suddenly, a quiet beeping from the small computer on Sallys boot drew the attention of the Freedom fighters. "Incoming message Sally." "Play it, please Nicole" "Working" a hologram of a light blue hedgehog in a wheelchair appeared just above the small computer.

"Princess, I've located the tower and examined the defensive systems. it doesnt look too heavily guarded, and theres only two swatbots guarding it. Requesting permission to infiltrate the tower and examine the interior of the structure." "Granted." said Sally, nodding. Sally then explained what Sir Charles had shown them, and what they hoped to do. "Got it." said Tristina, nodding.

"I'll see if I can disable some security programs from here." "Just be careful." "You too Princess." said Tristina, nodding as the hologram dissapeared. "Okay, Sir charles." said Sally, closing Nichole and clipping her back to her boot. "Lets go."