"Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice...." Authors: Robert Brown-Francis Tolbert Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case they were created and copyrighted by us or by another and we have permission to use them). The authors hereby give permission for this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy per user as long as (1) no changes to the story are made without our express written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is made to profit from this story. If either or both rules are violated, it will be considered a violation of copyright law. Author's Note: Greetings again everyone. I know this story has been a while in coming, but after this note, you'll all understand why. As you know, Francis has had bad kidneys for a while, and I was to give him one of my own. Well, before I could, another kidney became available for him. It was a match and they had the surgery. Francis has now almost fully recovered from the surgery and the kidney is working great. We're being cautiously optimistic because the first 6 months are crucial. If he can make it through that with no rejection episodes, the next few years should be fine. Thanks to all our fans who wrote us and sent well-wishes. Till next time, Happy Reading. Cast of Characters(in order of appearance) Nadia*** Donovan### Dr. Robotnik Dorian Lexford*** Snively Metal Sonic Princess Sally Acorn Princess Sondra Acorn*** Uncle Chuck Miles "Tails" Prower Rotor Dulcy Princess Lydia Evergreen^^^ Isabela Evergreen^^^ Antoine D'Coolette Bunnie Rabbot Sonic Hedgehog Patricia Hedgehog*** Kelly Min Hedgehog**## Maurice Hedgehog*** Knuckles Echidna #26 "Come in, Donovan," Nadia called over the communicator. "How's everything going?" "So far, so good," Donovan said. "You know, this would go a lot faster if you had let me come along to help." Donovan sighed and looked around. He was hidden in a cramped corner of a secret tunnel right next to Robotnik's main control room. Now that the Kavenoff was out of the way, and his deal with Robotnik long since broken, he was finally setting up some surveillance equipment in the command center to monitor Robotnik's every move. This had been one of only two rooms in Robotropolis without such equipment; the other being the one that had held his "parents". "We've been over this already," Donovan said tiredly. "I know the ins and outs of this place. I can get around more quickly by myself than I can if I were worrying about you." "Yeah, but that was when you had two good eyes," Nadia pointed out. "If you still did, we wouldn't even be having this arguement because you'd be done already." Donovan sighed and adjusted his eyepatch. "Just keep a lookout on things, OK? I'll be done in five to ten minutes." "I don't mean to be nosy or anything," the computer interrupted, "but what will you do if something does show up?" "For a computer, you're kind of dumb," Nadia said. "He does have his teleport chips on him, remember? You can bring him back in a second." "That's not what I meant," the computer said calmly. "If he's found, now that he's technically a Freedom Fighter, Robotnik can claim the last Emerald." "Oh," Nadia said. "Guess I'm the dumb one then." "You said it, not me." "But it does have a good point," Nadia said into the communicator. "What are you going to do?" Donovan was about to answer, but suddenly alarms started blaring in the command center. Robotnik, who had been napping in his chair, suddenly snapped awake and moved to the controls. "Main power down," his computer said. "Auxiliary power to main command center online." Robotnik scanned his monitors, looking for any sign of trouble. The building that had housed his main generator was a smoking mass of rubble. "Computer, playback the last thirty minutes of the security tape of the main power generator," Robotnik said calmly, though he already knew what he'd find. Donovan watched silently through a ventilation grate as the tape played at three times normal speed. He too knew what Robotnik would find, and smiled to himself. "Touche, Snive-ly," he thought. Meanwhile, back at the hut, Nadia was working at the computer. "Computer, bring up a power grid schematic of Robotropolis," she directed. "I want to see exactly what's online right now. After all, we didn't do it, but who says we can't take advantage of it?" "Will do," the computer said. "As a matter of fact, done." Nadia scanned the schematics for a moment, and paused. "That can't be right. Computer, re-check power signature coming from roboticizer." "Re-checking. Power signature confirmed." "But there's no power going into the room, or coming out of it. I know the thing doesn't have its own power source...." "Don't be too sure." "But the only thing that can fit in there and have enough power to make it work is the Light--" Nadia cut herself off as she heard what she was saying. "By the Almighty, I know where the Emerald is! I gotta tell Sondra." "Don't you want to try to get Donovan home first? I am getting static interference, after all." "Static?" Nadia asked, worried. "A simple explosion shouldn't cause that." "A simple one, no. But a low-level nuclear device? Big time." "What?" Nadia screeched. "Can you still track him?" "Yes, but--" "Just let me know when he starts moving and when he's clear." "Very well." Nadia got up and began to pace around the room. She knew in her head that he was going to be OK, that his wish would still protect him, but based on what happened with the Kavenoff, she still had a lingering doubt or two. "What do you mean a nuclear device?" Robotnik demanded as his computer returned the same analysis as Donovan's. "Am I safe here?" "Yes", the computer said. "The irradiated area is 1 mile in diameter, and this is 2 miles from the explosion site. You are quite safe." "But I'll bet I lost a few hundred worker-bots," Robotnik muttered. "Even if they had survived, there's no way they'll ever be useful to me." "Records show that an order was given removing all roboticized Mobians from the irradiated area five minutes before the explosion." Robotnik muttered a curse and threw a piece of scrap metal at the console. "I thought I eliminated all his access codes." He activated the communicator. "SWATbot battallions three through eight, converge on area and begin cleanup. Squadrons one and two report to roboticizer room and guard it; let no one pass but me." "ORDERS ACKNOWLEDGED." various SWATbots droned. Robotnik sat back in his chair, regarding the monitors before him darkly. "Snively's out to destroy me," he thought. "I continue to underestimate my nephew, but perhaps he will underestimate me as well." Donovan studied the map on the monitors carefully from where he was hidden, checking to see if his escape route passed through the irradiated area. Fortunately, it didn't. He quickly finished setting up his equipment and left, trying not to make any noise. "He's on the move," the computer told Nadia. "He'll be out of the static area in ten minutes." Nadia nodded, continuing to pace. "As soon as he is, get him back here." Meanwhile, in a hidden base, Dorian Lexford anxiously awaited the return of his friends. "That explosion affected an area bigger than I thought," he said worriedly. "I hope they had enough time to get clear." As if on cue, a knocking was heard at the door. Dorian waited while a specific pattern was repeated three times before getting up to open it. "I was getting worried," he said. Snively walked in, followed by Metal Sonic. "There was nothing to worry about," Snively said. "I knew exactly how much time we had and where we had to be clear from. Did you give the command like I told you to?" Dorian nodded. "I sent it exactly like you said; no roboticized Mobians got caught in the blast, though more than a few SWATbots were." "Did you remember to access the power grids?" Metal Sonic asked. Dorian just glared at the robot. For his answer, he punched a few keys on the nearby console and the schematics came up. "You were right," he said. "There were two places that had their own power source: the main room, and the roboticizer." Snively nodded, smiling. "Well, well, it seems my uncle has found the perfect hiding place for the Emerald. I guess we should go and take it from him." "Not wise," Dorian said. "Robotnik has two battallions of SWATbots guarding the roboticizer. We wouldn't stand a chance." "Good point," Snively said. "We'll wait a couple of days for everything to die down. And just when he's least expecting it, we strike!" Donovan made his way carefully through Robotropolis, avoiding the SWATbots that seemed to be everywhere. His only thoughts were about getting out of the city without being discovered. He stopped short as he heard SWATbots in front of him, but also heard some coming up behind him. "Great," he thought, looking both ways. Just before he was spotted, a white light enveloped him and he was teleported back to his hut. As he tried to recover his equilibrium, he was tackled to the floor by Nadia and covered in kisses. "I'm so glad you're safe!" she cried in between kisses. "I'm glad to be back too," Donovan said, when she let him catch his breath. "But next time could you allow me to get my sight back before you tackle me?" Nadia sat on his chest. "Why? So you could see me coming and avoid it? No way." "Yeah, yeah," Donovan muttered, but didn't seem all that upset. Nadia smiled and started to lay down on him, but stopped herself. "As much as I'd love to continue this, hopefully all the way, we can't." Donovan just stared up at her. "You mean you're finally listening to me?" he asked. "No," she said, standing and pulling him to his feet, "it's just that we have to get to Knothole. I'm not entirely sure what happened in Robotropolis, but whatever did showed me the location of the Lightning Emerald. I really think the others will want to know." "Perhaps, even though I don't think it would be a good idea to go after the roboticizer right now," Donovan said thoughtfully. "How did you.... Nevermind. Let's just get going." Meanwhile over in Knothole's War Room, all the major Freedom Fighters were gathered to discuss the latest surveillance. Sally plugged Nicole into the holographic projector and sighed. "Well, we haven't found it yet," Sally said, pushing some buttons, "but at least we're narrowing where it's not." As she spoke, certain sections of the holograph went dark. "That's good," Sondra said. "There are only so many places it can be; we have to find it eventually." "I've been wondering something," Uncle Chuck said. "We've been spending so much time and energy trying to keep ourselves from being spotted that would be better spent on the Race itself." "Trying to find the Emerald is part of the Race, Uncle Chuck," Tails pointed out. "You're right. But I got to thinking that since this is the last Emerald, why not just let Robotnik have it so we can start going all out on him? Maybe set up a trap for him or something when he actually claims it." "It makes sense," Rotor said, sticking his head through a window. With everyone else gathered inside, he and Dulcy were more comfortable sitting outside, especially with Dulcy pregnant. "I've been waiting to try out my powers on Robotropolis." Dulcy whacked Rotor lightly on his nose. "Rotor, we're Protectors, we can't use our powers to just attack any time we feel like it." "That's true, but once the Emeralds are decided, wouldn't we be attacking to protect all of Mobius from the return of Chaos?" "He's got you there," Uncle Chuck said. Dulcy mumbled something to herself, rubbing her belly. But before she could say anything, she was cut off by the sounds of two pairs of approaching rocket boots. "Looks like they finally showed up," she said, sitting back. Sondra got up and opened the door just as Nadia and Donovan touched down. "Thanks, Sondra," Nadia said, giving her friend a hug. "You're just in time," Uncle Chuck said. "I was just asking the others for permission to--" "No offense, Uncle Chuck," Nadia interrupted, "but I think what we have to say is a little more important. We found where the Lightning Emerald is!" Every head turned to look at them. "How?" Sally demanded. "By accident, really," Nadia admitted. "Snively blew up Robotnik's main generator and according to the power grids only two areas had power: the main command center and the roboticizer." "Of course!" Sally exclaimed. "The one room we couldn't check out because of all the cameras and security equipment in there. You two have done well." "How long will the power be out?" Sondra asked. "Until Robotnik gets his auxiliary generator up and running," Donovan said, speaking for the first time since he showed up. "But by all accounts, he should have done that already. How long that holds out is questionable, though, because he's going to have to build a whole new generator." "Why can't he just rebuild?" Sally asked. "That's what he used to do when we got at his generator." "We never nuked the generator before," Donovan said grimly. A deathly silence fell over the War Room. "He did what?" Tails asked, his voice low and threatening. "Snive-ly used a nuclear device to blow up the generator, rendering the area around it for one mile in every direction useless and unfit for life." Tails stood up so fast his chair clattered to the floor. "Do you know what that means?" he snarled, rounding on Lydia. "He and your boyfriend just killed thousands of Mobians!" Lydia was too shocked to say anything at first. Sondra grabbed Tails and wrestled him to the ground. "Easy Miles!" she yelled, fighting to keep him pinned down. "Easy!" "He couldn't have had anything to do with it," Lydia whispered, hugging Isabela close to her. "He couldn't have." "Actually, I'm quite sure he did," Donovan said. "He's probably the one who sent the command ordering all roboticized Mobians out of the area five minutes before the blast went off." Tails stopped struggling suddenly and Sondra hauled him to his feet. "See what happens when you don't have all the facts," Sondra said, righting his chair and sitting him down in it roughly. "With all we've been through I figured you would've learned that by now." Lydia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled slightly. Isabela smiled up at her mother and hugged her. "Dorian's a good man," she said. "Yes he is, honey," Lydia whispered, wiping away a tear. "Save that energy, Tails," Sally said. "We're gonna need all that when we go after the Emerald." "Not today, I hope," Donovan said. "Robotnik's expecting just that." "Good point," Sally said, rubbing her chin. "All right, if you know so much, when's the best time to go?" Donovan checked his watch. "In exactly two days, four hours," he said. "That's the exact moment Robotnik will let his guard down, and the moment when Snive-ly will strike." Sally let out a low whistle. "Anything else we should know?" "Yes. Expect a trap on the roboticizer." "I don't suppose you happen to know what kind of trap?" "That, no. Before I had a chance to discover it, Sondra came to me with that information about my parents, and I haven't gone back since." "You knew about it for four months?!" Sally nearly screeched. "Why didn't you tell us about it sooner?" "I was too busy keeping the Kavenoff's damage to a minimum. Besides, I'm still not used to being part of a team." "But the Kavenoff's been gone for over a month!" "Which I spent trying to get used to having only one eye," Donovan said angrily. "And that's a subject I'm still very testy about, thank you!" "Let it go, my Princess," Antoine said softly. "I am knowing how hard it is to adjust to what that monster did to us." Bunnie took hold of Antoine's hand, which had begun to tremble. "He's right, Sally-girl," she said, running a finger over the scar just above her eye. Sally's face softened. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "All right, we'll follow your advice, Donovan. Try to find out what the trap is if you can; the rest of us will be ready." Sonic, who had sitting quietly until this moment, spoke up softly. "Do you even have to ask? Even I know what the trap is. As soon as someone touches the Emerald, the thing's gonna go off and roboticize whoever's there." Everyone just looked at Sonic, mouths slightly open. Donovan clapped his hand to his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?" he muttered under his breath. "We can deal with that easily enough," Sally said. "All we have to do is cut the power--" "That's a no-go, Sally," Nadia said. "He's using the Lightning Emerald to power the roboticizer; no way to cut the power." Uncle Chuck started trembling slightly, and Sonic put a hand on his Uncle's shoulder. "It's cool, Unc," he said softly. "You're the only one here who knows what it's like to be under that thing and remembers it. You don't have to come along." "Yes I do, Sonic," Uncle Chuck said bravely. "I'm the one that designed that thing; I've got the best bet at disconnecting the Emerald safely." "I can try to make some shields," Sondra suggested. "The crystals I created to reverse the roboticization gun should work on the roboticizer as well, which means it won't have any effect on you if the beam passes through the shield." "Too risky," Uncle Chuck pointed out. "If the beam hits the shield wrong, who knows what effect the crystal will have on it. Besides, I don't think it's a good idea to carry around something that big that's gonna explode after we use it." Sondra winced slightly, but nodded. "Well, what about the metal shields we used to use? They should work." "I've got a better idea," Sonic said. "Back when I dealt with Robotnik and his Doomsday Device, I fought off the beam with my power rings. If I take enough and reach through them to grab the Emerald, I should be able to fight it off again." "And what about your hand?" Sally asked. "That won't be protected." Sonic looked at Sally for a moment, then looked at Bunnie. "Bunnie lived with three robotic limbs for over half her life. One hand isn't that big a sacrifice." Sally opened her mouth to say something, but Sonic stopped her. "Sal, it's the best way we got, and you know it. If anyone else has a better idea, I'm all ears." He turned to look each one in their eyes, but they all simply shook their heads and looked away. "I didn't think so. Don't bail on me with this Sal, I'm gonna need you there with me." Sally closed her eyes and nodded once. "OK Sonic," she whispered brokenly, "you win. We'll do things your way." Sonic nodded and stood up. Without saying another word, he left the War Room. As Sonic passed by him, Donovan patted him on the back. Sally watched him go, tears in her eyes. "I've never seen Sonic so distant," she whispered. "Why is he being like this?" Donovan took Nadia by the hand and whispered something in her ear. Nadia's eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly nodded. She walked to Sally and placed her hand on the princess' shoulder. "Sally, can I ask you a question? Who won the Fire Emerald?" Sally turned to look at Nadia. "I'm in no mood for--" "Humor me," Nadia said, smiling. Sally sighed. "Robotnik, but you know that." "Ok, then, what about the Water Emerald?" "We did." "I mean who specifically." "Oh, I guess that would be Lydia, then." "The Earth Emerald?" "I did, even though Isabela's the one who found it." "Life?" "Sondra and you." "Wind?" "Snively got that one." "Shadow?" "The six of you that went." "Two last questions. Where's Sonic's name on that list?" Sally stared at Nadia. "You mean he feels bad that he hasn't won an Emerald?" "It's more than that. My other question is: of the Emeralds we don't have, who was the one that tried to get them?" Sally's mouth opened in a small "o" of wonder. Nadia glanced around and saw much the same expression on the faces of everyone there. Everyone, but Donovan, of course, who had clued her in to the problem. "Think about it for a second. Yes, Sally, you're the princess, but we all look to Sonic as our leader. Yet he's really the only one who hasn't gotten an Emerald, and he's failed when he's tried. How do you think that must make him feel?" "I never realized...." Sally said slowly. "I have to go to him." She ran from the War Room, calling Sonic's name. "I think this meeting is adjourned," Donovan said, holding out his hand to Nadia. Just then, a strange sound came from outside. Everyone looked out the window and saw Dulcy with her head in a hastily dug hole. More than one face in that War Room took on a greenish tinge as they realized what was going on. At that moment, Patricia walked by with Kelly Min in her arms. "I know what that's like," she whispered to Dulcy. "It'll be over soon." Maurice walked directly to Rotor, who had faced away during all this. "I wouldn't be too worried about this," he said. "It's when she starts getting mad at you that you better know how to run. Or in your case, fly." Rotor closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. "I thought I'd never be in this position," he muttered. Maurice smiled. "Is it worth it?" Rotor took a long look at Dulcy, who had finished and was filling in her hole. A smile played upon his snout. "Yes, it is," he answered. "Remember that. In the coming months, it's all too easy to forget." Sally caught up to Sonic just as he was entering his hut. "Sonic, we need to talk," she said. "What's there to talk about, Sal?" Sonic asked. "We both know what's gotta be done, and we both know why." "I know how you've been feeling," Sally said quietly. Sonic turned to look at her for a moment. "Tails has a really big mouth sometimes," he muttered. "Tails knew? He seemed just as surprised as the rest of us. Actually, it was Donovan and Nadia who tipped me off." Sonic shook his head and opened the door. "Well, there's nothing you can do to change my mind, Sal. I'm going to do this." "I'm not trying to change your mind, Sonic. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be there for you, always." Sonic bowed his head for a moment, then turned around quickly and gave Sally a hug. Sally put her arms around him and they just stood there for a while, holding each other. Later on, they would talk, and train, but for the moment, this was exactly what they both needed. The next two days passed rather uneventfully, with only two incidents worth mentioning. The first occurred during training. During a wrestling match, Sonic was knocked cold by a left-arm clothesline from Antoine. Even though he had the arm heavily padded, Sonic had accidentally moved the padding aside with an armbar, and Antoine never realized it. It took a couple hours for Sonic to come around, and even then he was groggy the rest of the day. Everyone feared he might have a concussion, but those fears were quickly laid to rest by Knuckles. Ordinarily, they would've went to Tanis about it, but they didn't want to bother him, especially seeing Rosie had moved into Sanctuary. The second incident caused a great deal more concern, though. It all started when Rotor made an unscheduled flight to Donovan's hut in the middle of the night and knocked on the door furiously. Donovan and Nadia woke up immediately from the loud noise. "Computer," Nadia called, half-groggy and half-angry, "who's out there?" "A rather large, and rather agitated platinum dragon," the computer answered. Nadia and Donovan just looked at each other. Without another word, they threw on their clothes and ran to the door. "What could he want this time of night?" Donovan muttered, opening the door. Rotor almost bowled them over, trying to get inside. "Oh good, you're up. I don't suppose you have any avocados, do you?" Donovan turned his good eye on Nadia, who returned his look. He glanced back at Rotor. "You mean to tell me, Boomer, that you woke us up in the middle of the night, knocked us on our tails trying to fit through the door for some stinking avocados?" Rotor picked him up and dragged Donovan outside. The night sky was lit up with flashes of red and orange from the direction of Knothole. "Fine, you tell Dulcy she can't have any," he said, dropping Donovan on the ground. Nadia came out of the hut, looking at the display. "What's gotten into her?" she demanded. Rotor didn't even turn around. "Have you ever dealt with a pregnant, hungry Protector in a very cranky mood? Especially when she wants the one fruit _not_ grown on the Floating Island?" Donovan got to his feet very slowly, rubbing his posterior. But before he could vent his frustration, Rotor picked him up and looked him square in the eye. "If we don't find a way to calm her down, she could destroy the whole Great Forest!" Donovan nearly growled in anger as Rotor set him on his feet. "Computer," he called, "is there anywhere on Mobius with avocados in season?" "Scanning through memory banks...." "Could you scan a little faster please?" Donovan yelled. "Aren't we the cranky one?" the computer muttered. "Match found. Avocados are currently in season on the islands in the Southern Ocean." "Outta here," Rotor said, taking off quickly and "cracking the whip". "You're welcome," Donovan yelled after him. "Donovan, he's not gonna be back for hours," Nadia said. "We'd better get over there and help with damage control." Donovan let out a bitter sigh and nodded grudging agreement. They set off for Knothole, with Nadia making one final comment along the way. "After seeing all this, I'm not in such a hurry to get pregnant anymore." Donovan turned to look at her. Nadia smiled back, but it was a scared smile. "At least one good thing came of tonight," he muttered. All told, fifteen trees were lost to Dulcy's rage. Fortunately, all injuries suffered were minor and easily treatable. But Knuckles placed a spell on Dulcy preventing her from losing her temper like that again, for which Rotor, and most of Knothole, was extremely grateful. The next day, while everyone else was trying to do what they could to fix the damage Dulcy had caused, Sonic and Sally were preparing to go to Robotropolis and get the Lightning Emerald. Everyone wanted to go with them, but Sally was adamant about it. "A smaller group has less chance of being seen," Sally pointed out. "As soon as Robotnik knows we're there, all he has to do is get his hand on the Emerald and we lose it." "We all know that, Sally," Nadia pointed out. "That doesn't mean we don't want to help anyway." "Thanks, but this has to be just me and Sonic." "Ready Sal?" Sonic asked, getting his backpack ready. "You have enough power rings?" Sally asked, helping him adjust the straps. "Got five in there. I only needed three last time." Sally nodded. "Wish us luck," she called, revving up her legs in time with Sonic. They all said their goodbyes, and then Sonic and Sally took off. Nadia and Donovan, who had been helping clear away the charred trees, took advantage of the others' distractions and slipped back to their hut where they could keep an eye on everything that would happen. At almost the same time, Snively and Dorian were making plans to get the Emerald themselves. "I still don't see why I can't come," Metal Sonic grumbled, handing Dorian his backpack. "We've been through this," Snively said. "Besides, you came last time." "Yeah, but I don't see any reason for you to put yourself at risk over this. Let Dorian and me go." Snively shook his head. "You two still don't get along unless I'm around to watch. Look, the cameras at Robotropolis still can't pick me up. Now if Dorian stays close enough to me, he'll be shielded as well. But I can't say the same for you; the virus works for living creatures only." Metal Sonic nodded, but he didn't look happy. Dorian and Snively left without another word, heading straight for Robotropolis. Where Snively and Dorian planned on making a beeline straight for the roboticizer, Sonic and Sally had to take a very long, roundabout path to avoid being spotted. Believe it or not, it was Sonic who suggested taking such a route. "We're not taking any chances, Sal," he whispered as they dodged by another camera. "I want to get this Emerald." Sally just nodded, keeping quiet. Though she would never let him know it, seeing Sonic this serious frightened her in a way. She knew he was putting his all into getting the Emerald, and was worried about what would happen if something went wrong. She tried not to think about it, but the more she tried, the more it kept popping up. "Hey!" Sonic whispered furiously, grabbing Sally's arm and pulling her out of the path of a spotlight. "What's the matter with you?" Sally covered her worry as best she could and forced a smile. "I'm OK, Sonic. I'm just...thinking ahead to when we'll have to get the other Emeralds from Robotnik and Snively." Sonic let out a small sigh. "Sal, let's just concentrate on getting this one first, OK?" Sally nodded and they crept onward, moving slowly toward the roboticizer and the Emerald within it. Donovan and Nadia sat in their hut, monitoring the progress Sonic and Sally were making. "I was afraid of this," Donovan said, shaking his head. "Afraid of what?" Nadia asked. "It looks like they're making good progress." "Not quite. Look at them; one of them is moving purposefully while the other seems to be dragging a little." "Why is that surprising?" "The chip I placed is the one moving purposefully." Nadia stared at the screen. "I see your point," she said. "But as long as they're doing their job, we don't have any reason to worry, right?" "For now, but if they keep going the rate they're going, one of two things will happen." "Well?" Nadia asked, getting impatient. "One thing, their emotions will get the better of them which will get them either spotted by Robotnik or make them careless around the roboticizer." "Give them some credit. I've never seen Sonic so committed to something, except Sally, that is." "There's a fine line between commitment and obsession." Nadia waved it aside. "What's the second thing?" For answer, Donovan merely looked at the screen. Nadia followed his gaze and saw a red line forming where alarms were being tripped. "But those alarms are nowhere near Sonic and Sally," Nadia said. "Don't tell me...." "And that's number two." Donovan just sat back and watched as the line grew closer and closer to the path Sonic and Sally had agreed to take. In his command center, Robotnik had just begun reassigning the SWATbots who were on cleanup duty back to their stations when alarms started blaring. But when he looked on the monitors, he saw nothing wrong. "What is happening out there?" he demanded of his computer. "Alarm malfunction," the computer answered. "The alarms are being tripped but I can find no evidence of anyone tripping them." "Bring up alarm grid on main viewer." Robotnik studied the grid, seeing the straight line that was being made to the roboticizer. "Ready my transport," he snarled, stalking from the room. Sonic and Sally continued on their route, until they came upon a tripped alarm. "What gives?" Sonic asked. "We didn't do this." Sally pulled Nicole from her boot. "Nicole, is this a malfunction?" she asked, opening the computer up. "Negative, Sally," Nicole said. "Scanners indicate that there are two lifeforms heading along a straight path to the roboticizer." "Nicole, identify lifeforms." "They are Snively and Dorian Lexford." "Let's get moving, Sal!" Sonic yelled, revving up his legs. "Sonic, wait!" Sally said. "We can't Sal. If we follow their path, it'll make things a lot easier." "But if we're spotted...." "If we don't Snively gets the Emerald." Sally nodded, replacing Nicole and revving up her own legs. They took off down the path Snivley and Dorian had left behind them. Unknown to them, however, Snively and Dorian were already at the roboticizer. "There's the Emerald," Dorian said, pointing at the focusing lens on the machine. "It seems too easy," Snively observed. "It was nothing to disable these SWAtbots, so I'm betting there's a trap on that Emerald. Let's be careful about this." Dorian nodded, opening up an access panel. They worked in silence for a few moments, silence that was suddenly broken the sound of an approaching sonic boom. Dorian looked at the doorway, seeing Sonic and Sally suddenly appear. "No time," he said, making a grab for the Emerald. At that moment, Snively saw the danger. Just as Dorian touched the Emerald, activating the trap, Snively dived and shoved him out of the way. Dorian fell to the side and tried to pull Snively with him, but it was too late. The glass tube slammed down, trapping Snively. A split second later, the roboticizer hummed to life, filling the room with a purple light. Before anyone could move or react, Snively had been fully roboticized. The glass tube retracted and the Lightning Emerald fell to the floor beside Snively's feet. "I believe this is mine," a harsh voice said. Robotnik emerged from a side room and picked up the Emerald with ease. As soon as Robotnik retrieved the Emerald, Knuckles appeared in a flash of light. "All seven Emeralds have been claimed," he said. "All rules have been repealed. You are free to do whatever you must to gain all seven." "Exactly what I wanted to hear," Robotnik said, pulling out a laser rifle and aiming right for Sonic's head. But almost before the laser left the rifle, Sonic and Sally were enveloped in another flash of light and teleported back to Knothole. Robotnik whipped the rifle around to draw a bead on Dorian, but he was already out the door. "It's no matter," Robotnik said, looking over the robot in front of him. "You, stay here until I find a place for you." He walked from the room through the same door he had entered, noting peripherally that Knuckles had also vanished. When the room was quiet, Dorian crept back into the room and stood before the robot that had been his friend. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, regarding Snively with a saddened face. The robot stood unmoving for a few moments, then a smile broke out on its metallic face. "Don't be sad," the robot said, laying his hand on Dorian's shoulder. "Everything is working out just fine." Dorian raised an eyebrow. "But how? Don't tell me you had another virus in the roboticizer program." Snively shook his head. "I had the Wind Emerald on me," he said simply. "Apparently, it protected me to some extent. Now you'd better get out of here before someone finds you." Dorian nodded and quickly left the room. Snively resumed his pose, looking like nothing but a robot on the outside. But in his mind, he was already planning ways of getting the other Emeralds from his uncle and then the Freedom Fighters. Sonic and Sally were confused. One moment, they were in Robotropolis, about to be fired on. But now, they were underwater, just above the Power Ring generator. Sally kicked to the surface, dragging Sonic with her. She pushed him onto the shore and pulled herself up after him. "Sally?" Sondra asked, disengaging from the kiss she and Tails were sharing. "What happened?" "We blew it," Sonic answered, pushing himself up to his feet. Without another word, he walked off, dripping wet, heading for his hut. Tails started to go after Sonic, but Sally stopped him. "He's going to need some time, honey," Sally said softly. "Let's leave him alone for now." Sonic walked to his hut and threw himself down on his bed. To anyone passing by, it would have looked like he was asleep. But in reality, Sonic was planning, planning for something he felt was now inevitable: a day in the near future when the fate of all Mobius would rest on his shoulders. But that was still in the future. For now, he still had to deal with the fact that the Race for the Emeralds has now truly begun.