Back to Chapter 71

The Freedom Fighters trudged on along their journey. Chief Kordon had imparted on them the knowledge of an emerald mine in the area. Even if the mine didn’t grow Chaos Emeralds, Sonic and his friends were certain the pull of rare jewels would be too tempting for Robotnik to resist. The chief told the heroes of the Mystic Cave Zone, a spiritual place for the Hill Top Tribe presumed to be linked to the lost emerald mine. Following the chief’s directions, the Freedom Fighters pressed on and eventually arrived at the mouth of the cave.

As the group made their way into the cave, Antoine shuddered, “Eet eez, perhaps, a little on the dark side, non?”

“Don’t worry too much about that, Antoine,” Sally advised with confidence in her voice, “Chief Kordon explained miners who had no respect for the spiritual grounds came through here to dig for emeralds not too long ago. They came up empty handed but I’d be willing to bet their lanterns and lighting systems should still be operational. By the sound of it, they excavated tons of the cave and found nothing but rock. Supposedly they even left behind a ton of their equipment. Too cost-ineffective to transport back”

“Sounds about right fer yer average capitalist businessman,” Bunnie noted, “When y’all’ve got so much money you kin just abandon yer equipment and leave it to gather dust ‘cause it’s cheaper to build new”

“I didn’t know you were so anti-capitalism, Bunnie,” Rotor smiled.

“Ah’m not, but let’s jest say Ah’ve got experience with the type”

The rest of the team shared a glance, an unspoken agreement not to press Bunnie any further on the matter right now.

Sonic’s watch beeped to attract his attention. The voice of the Kintobor Computer alerted Sonic, “Sonic, I think you ought to take a look at this”

Sonic lifted up the end of his glove to look at the hologram of Kintobor’s face on the watch screen underneath, “What’s up, Kintobor?”

“I’ve been looking into local news reports in the area you’re in and there’s an alarming number of children listed missing”

Sonic looked as dozens of names scrolled up the watch face, “So, we’re thinking Robotnik kidnap job, right? Kidnap the kids, turn them into Badniks”

“Well, that’s just the thing, there is a doctor whose name keeps popping up in the reports, but it’s a Doctor Sun. He seems to be a benevolent sort, truly compassionate about children. It seems a number of the children willingly left home to search for this doctor”

“I don’t like it,” Sonic shook his head, “I know not everyone’s a fortunate as I am to have a good family to go home to, but you can’t tell me all of these hated home life so much they thought things would be better with Doctor Sun. The maths don’t add up”

“Since when were you good with numbers?” Sally needled her friend, “But I do agree. It’s suspicious. I’m not keen to point the finger of blame without evidence, but I think we need to at least talk to Doctor Sun and make sure he’s on the up and up”

“Agreed,” Sonic nodded, “Kintobor, where can we find this guy?”

“He’s believed to operate in the Mystic Cave Zone itself,” Kintobor responded, “Unfortunately, it’s about as well documented as the Labyrinth Zone and has almost as confusing a layout. You might be searching for some time, Sonic”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s split up into groups. Kintobor, interface with Porker’s watch and N.I.C.O.L.E., that way even if we don’t find the kids, your two massive computer brains will at least be able to record our movements and we’ll be able to find our way out”

“That’s brilliant thinking, Sonic,” Sally complimented him, making up for the previous insult.

“I particularly liked the part where you said my brain was massive,” N.I.C.O.L.E.’s soothing voice added.

As per Sonic’s instructions, the group split off into three. Sally led Antoine and Bunnie- she knew Antoine was duty bound to protect her and she had an inkling he’d be happy that Bunnie was on their team too. Porker was joined by Johnny and Rotor, which put his mind to ease as he knew this meant there were two capable fighters with him in case things got physical. Johnny in particular had barely stopped lovingly caressing his new weapon since they left the Casino Night Zone. That left Sonic and Tails as a duo. Granted they were one short but Sonic’s confidence meant he had enough ego for two anyway.

As it turned out, the groups had chance to split down three separate paths fairly soon after entering the mouth of the Mystic Cave Zone. A three-way fork in the road led to different parts of the abandoned mining operation down three separate tunnels.

“Alright, guys, any preference on which path you wanna take?” Sonic asked his friends.

A robotic voice spoke up from nowhere, its owner unseen, “How about I pick for you, hedgehog?”

Without warning, a blue Badnik not unlike a Caterkiller shot from the walls and headbutted Sonic, sending him tumbling down the left hand tunnel, which proved to lead immediately to a steep incline suitable for a mine cart but less so for a hedgehog. Tails, in a panic, followed Sonic, calling out his friend’s name.

Before the Badnik knew what hit it, Johnny hit it. It popped open and freed a young Mobian rooster.

“Thank you,” the rooster shook his head dizzily.

“It’s alright, you’re safe now”

“Is your friend okay? That thing, that Crawlton Badnik I was in… I wasn’t in control but I had to watch as it made me hit him...”

Sally placed a comforting hand on the rooster’s shoulder, “He’ll be fine. He’s got a hard head. You should head to the exit. It’s not too far that way” She motioned towards the way out.

“Th-thanks. Really. You saved me” The rooster got up and carefully walked out of the cave.

Rotor cleared his throat, “No offence, Sally, but we don’t have much time. If Robotnik’s around here, he’ll know we’re here now”

“Right. Porker, you take your team down the right-hand tunnel. Antoine, Bunnie, follow me down the middle”

Sonic picked himself up and shook the cobwebs from his head. Was it just his imagination or was the room spinning?

No.

Not spinning.

Shrinking?

Sonic’s vision cleared and he realised he’d stumbled into a pit. The walls were closing in from either side, huge spikes jutting out of them. On the one hand, this was good as it meant Robotnik had definitely been through here- no way would the miners install a death trap, after all. On the other hand, Sonic was now in a death trap, and those were bad.

Sonic realised the walls were oddly segmented, almost like stairs. Well, no harm in climbing them to the top.

Leaping atop the bottom “stair”, Sonic yelped as he was jolted with electricity. So the spiked crusher walls were electrically charged. How could he have been expected to know that?

“Sonic! Are you alright?!”

Sonic looked up to see Tails flying above him, “Oh yeah, never better, I love when electric spikes slowly close in on me, ready to impale me”

Tails paused, “Sonic, are you teasing me?”

“Pixel brain...” Sonic muttered to himself, rolling his eyes. He spotted something hanging from the ceiling of the cavern near Tails- something which looked suspiciously like a hook-shaped handle. “Tails! Try pulling that handle!”

“This one?” Tails reached over and gave the handle a yank. A grinding, screeching, groaning noise filled the air and the walls slowly stopped moving forward, mere centimetres from Sonic. A little spark of static cracked at the hedgehog. The walls began to retract. Tails landed in the pit next to Sonic, “Did I do good?”

“Yeah,” Sonic smiled with relief, “But don’t cut it so close next time, alright? I’ve got enough spikes already, I don’t need metal ones digging into me if it’s all the same to you”

“I think I should be able to carry us out of here,” Tails noted, whirring his tails and taking flight once more, “Grab my hands”

Sure enough, Tails was just about able to carry Sonic to the edge of the pit. Sonic was suitably impressed, “Nice work, kiddo. Even I have to give you that one” A strange buzzing sound filled the air. The two friends turned to see a swarm of ladybird-like Badniks floating around them. Sonic raised an eyebrow, “What do they call you then? Cutenik?”

One of the robots spoke up, “We are Flashers!”

“Hey, pal, you want to be careful who you tell that to, you could get in trouble,” Sonic smirked.

“Here’s where we got our name from!” the Badnik shrieked.

With a blinding flash of light, the undersides of the Flashers lit up with a huge electrical charge and zapped Sonic, “YOW! What is it with me being electrocuted in this stupid Zone?!”

“Feel your bones cook, hedgehog!” the Flasher sneered. The arrogance soon slipped away, however, when the lights began to blink. After a few seconds, they switched off.

“Well, how about that?” Sonic smiled, “Guess Robotnik didn’t give your little lights the best batteries money could buy”

Before the Flashers could respond, Sonic flew at each of them in a Spin Attack, smashing them to smithereens and freeing their captives. One of the former prisoners, a young dog, sat up in a daze, “You saved us… thank you!”

“No sweat, pal. All in a day’s work. Now if I were you, I’d hide until the coast is clear. I’ll make a note on my watch of your location and our friends will be able to get you home soon, alright?”

“Okay. We’ll go somewhere safe. Thank you,” the dog led the other two rescued animals away to safety.

“Sonic,” Tails began, “you don’t suppose they were...”

“Some of the missing kids? I wouldn’t be surprised, buddy. Which means we’re probably getting close”

“Greetings, strangers!” a deep, happy voice boomed out.

“Who--” Sonic and Tails turned to see a pair of large double doors sliding open.

“Welcome,” the owner of the voice continued, “to the domain of Doctor Sun!”

The white-haired, bearded, elderly human who had spoken wore a red hooded robe with a large sun emblem printed on the head and another on the chest. He wore a sun medallion.

“Sonic, I think that’s Doctor Sun!” Tails piped up.

Sonic restrained himself and let out an exasperated sigh.

Doctor Sun walked over to Sonic and Tails to greet them. Behind him were a group of Mobian children of all different species, all wearing blue robes and a somewhat dazed expression. The doctor extended a hand to Sonic, “I am relieved to see you have safely negotiated Robotnik’s traps. Had I known you were coming, I would have given you details of our safe route”

“Sure you would, pal. Look, I’ll cut to the chase. You’re what I’ll politely call a ‘person of interest’ in a case we’re following up. We’re here to--”

“To rescue my young recruits?”

“Well… yeah” Sonic felt oddly sheepish, as if Doctor Sun had stolen his thunder.

The doctor was calm and didn’t seem hurt or offended at all. He turned to face the children, “Tell me, boys and girls… would you like Sonic the Hedgehog to rescue you?”

The children let out various cries of protest, shouting no, shaking their heads, announcing they liked it here. “These are troubled times, my friends,” Doctor Sun continued to Sonic and Tails, “When Robotnik attacked West Side Island, panic ensued. I offer these young people a safe haven from that wicked man”

Sonic felt somewhat deflated, “Maybe”

“I can sense your uncertainty, Sonic. Why not enter my humble domain? I will gladly put your mind to rest”

“I think we’ll do just that, pal...” Sonic replied.

Doctor Sun led the group inside, where plenty more children milled about. He led Sonic and Tails to a huge room with brightly coloured books adorning the walls, “This is our reading room”

“Sonic!” Tails gasped with delight, “It’s a library full of comics!”

The tour continued as Doctor Sun led the friends to another room, with huge video walls showcasing the latest electronic entertainment, “And this is our recreation room!”

“Wow! All the latest video games!” Tails was astonished.

“You know, kid, you’re really good at pointing out things I can see for myself,” Sonic huffed.

Sonic and Tails walked past a large golden door arch. Sonic raised a suspicious eyebrow, “What’s through there?”

“This,” Doctor Sun said proudly, “is the Salvation Doorway. When the young people feel they are fully ready to commit to the Order of the Sun and find inner peace, they can enter the inner sanctum” The doctor looked at Sonic and could see he was about to speak up, “Fret not, my friend. This is no cult. The Order of the Sun is about spirituality, enlightenment and self-betterment. Perhaps you would care to join the order?”

“What, stay here and learn the meaning of life?” Sonic snarked.

“But of course!”

“Sorry, buddy, we’ve got an evil madman to put in his place,” Sonic looked over at Tails, “Come on, bud, we’re out of here”

Doctor Sun bowed deeply, “I wish you luck in your quest to defeat that fiend Robotnik, Sonic and Tails”

As Sonic began to walk off, Tails followed, “Sonic, what about the children?”

“What am I supposed to do? They like it here, they’re happy, they’re safe from an invading lunatic who wants to turn them into robot drones. What, do you want me to drag them away by the scruff of the neck?”

“I guess not… it doesn’t feel right though”

“No… I guess it doesn’t, pal...” Sonic stopped still in his tracks, “‘Pal’… that’s it”

Tails tilted his head, “What’s what?”

“I haven’t said your name once since we got here. You never introduced yourself. You’re not a celebrity like yours truly. And the only people who know who you on this entire island are your friends. So how do you suppose Doctor Sun knew your name?”

Tails’ eyes widened, “You don’t mean?”

“Oh, I do mean,” Sonic grinned broadly.

Doubling back on himself at super speed, Sonic raced towards Doctor Sun, zipping around him in a cyclone of blue. Shreds of fabric flung themselves away from the scene and the sun medallion shot across the room. Doctor Sun protested loudly, “Stop! Stop!”

“No way, man!” Sonic replied, “If I’m wrong, I’ll apologise!”

Suffice to say, once the dust settled, Sonic was not wrong. In his hand was a lifelike rubber mask bearing the face of Doctor Sun. And wearing the tattered remains of Doctor Sun’s robes was a very angry looking villain.

“It’s Doctor Robotnik!” one of the children cried, snapping out of their daze.

Sonic gave a very satisfied smirk, “It sure is!”

Surprising Sonic, Robotnik dashed through the Salvation Doorway. “Oh no you don’t!” Sonic called out.

Sonic and Tails followed Robotnik and were met with the sight of a large conical machine with seats surrounding it in a circle. Tails’ eyes widened, “Sonic, what is that thing?!”

“Unless I’m very much mistaken, that thing is for turning Mobians into Badniks. And I would bet it accounts for why the kids are walking around in such a stupor too”

“How right you are, hedgehog!” Robotnik bellowed, descending from above in his Egg-O-Matic, equipped with two enormous drills scavenged from the abandoned mining operation, “These stupid children were practically lining up to be turned into my willing slaves! So much easier than going to the trouble of capturing them! Who needs a Prison Egg Capsule when the prisoners simply walk into your clutches? And now you’ve ruined it!”

“Yeah, I do have a bit of a habit of spoiling your fun, don’t I?” Sonic shot a sarcastic look at his foe.

Robotnik swooped at Sonic, the drills spinning wildly, “Stand still, blast you!”

“Oh, but if I do that, you might hit me with the drills and that would really hurt!” Sonic replied with mock concern, “Oh, wait, silly me, that’s your plan isn’t it? Gosh, I guess I’m not as clever as you, doc”

Tails watched in awe as Sonic led Robotnik on a merry chase around the room. Robotnik seemed to grow angrier and angrier with every passing second. A large vein bulged at the back of Robotnik’s neck as the mad engineer grimaced and Tails feared it might burst.

Robotnik punched his control panel in fury, “You’ll slip up sooner or later, Sonic! Then you’ll be mine!”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, egg-breath,” Sonic replied, coming to a stop, “When you pilfered those drills you should have considered taking some of the welding equipment too”

“What are you--?” Robotnik peered over the side of his Egg-O-Matic. The drills were shuddering and juddering wildly, shaking themselves free, “That’s not a good thing...”

At once, the drills rocketed loose of the Egg-O-Matic. One of them shot forward into the conical machine and blasted a hole in it, taking it out of commission and freeing the captive children in the Zone from the hypnotic hold placed on them. Sonic, Tails and Robotnik watched in panic as the other drill rocketed skyward, lodging itself in the ceiling, still spinning. Rocks and stalactites dislodged from the ceiling with a loud rumbling sound.

Tails was panicked, “Sonic, I think there might be a--”

“Cave in!” Sonic called out.

A huge rock dislodged itself from the ceiling and slammed into the Egg-O-Matic, knocking it into the ground and cutting out its engines. More rocks tumbled, with one blocking the doorway. The floor began to give way beneath the three figures and, eventually, collapsed entirely.

Sonic, Tails and Robotnik screamed out in terror as they fell into the blackness below.

***

Some time later, the remaining Freedom Fighters arrived at the former place of residence of the supposed Doctor Sun, having picked up the trio who had been trapped in the Flasher Badniks beforehand. There was no sign of Sonic or Tails anywhere nor of Robotnik. The missing children were all recovered and were ready to go home. But there was no way through the rubble blocking the Salvation Doorway.

“What do we do now, Sally?” Porker spoke up.

Sally paused. There was a good chance her friends had been crushed by the rocks. She couldn’t allow herself to think about that right now. They had to keep on moving. “We get these kids out of the cave and we try and find another way around”

Kintobor’s voice spoke up through Porker’s watch, “If it’s any help, Sonic is definitely alive. I can measure his pulse through his wristwatch and he’s breathing. Hopefully that means Tails is safe too. He must be unconscious, though, as he isn’t responding to my alerts”

“We’ll take the small victories where they come, Kintobor. Thank you”

“It’s more than that, Sally,” Kintobor continued, “Judging by the energy readings I’m picking up, I think Sonic may have landed in the very place the miners were seeking. I believe Sonic has found the ancient Hidden Palace Zone”

On to Chapter 73