Back to Chapter 81

The bi-plane’s engine roared. The addition of the new jet had improved its speed and performance dramatically, allowing Sonic and Tails to arrive at their destination in no time at all. Even on the weird and wonderful world of Mobius, islands didn’t simply appear in the middle of the ocean overnight. Except, of course, if something seriously wrong was up. When Sonic learned of the sudden appearance of “Robotnik Island” from the Kintobor Computer’s surveillance intel, he had a feeling that “seriously wrong” might just be the order of the day.

“Alright, Tails, keep her steady, aim for that bridge down there,” Sonic called back from the wing.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to join you for this one?” Tails asked.

“No way, dude, not this time. I need you on standby to alert the others in case this goes badly. And, according to what Kintobor told me, this whole island is one giant death trap”

Tails tried to hold back a wince at the thought of him casually dropping Sonic off at an island-sized death trap. He didn’t exactly feel comfortable at the idea, but he knew there was no talking Sonic out of it. Not when Robotnik was involved.

The bi-plane drew close to a small landing platform near a bridge. Tails glanced at his friend between angling the plane, “How can you be sure that’s where Robotnik is, Sonic?”

“Because look what’s at the other end of the bridge. The tallest, most ornate tower on the island. Knowing what we know about Robotnik, do you seriously think his ego would let him hang out anywhere else around here?”

Tails had to admit Sonic was probably right. Despite his enmity with the mad engineer, Sonic seemed to know him better than perhaps anyone else. Tails wondered if that was down to Sonic being so close with Doctor Kintobor.

“That’s close enough, pal,” Sonic shouted over the noise as the bi-plane drew close to the platform, “I’ll go on foot from here. You get back to the mainland, I’ll call you via my Kintobor watch when I need a pick-up”

“Good luck, Sonic!” Tails called out, though Sonic could barely hear it as he leapt to the platform.

Instantly breaking into a dash, Sonic sped across the log bridge towards the tower. The sky seemed to darken, almost in anticipation of what was to come. Sonic didn’t much care for dramatic irony.

Sonic looked up at the huge tower above him. It was simple in design, effectively just a large pole with a few holes for windows. A ring of metal circled the top end of the tower, which Sonic assumed likely featured some kind of circuitry to allow Robotnik control over the island.

Sonic sprinted towards the tower, ignoring everything else around him, focusing only on stopping Robotnik.

…Which is exactly why he was ambushed so easily.

The uneven ground beneath Sonic’s feet meant it was somewhat tricky for him to get up to speed, allowing the huge mechanical contraption to catch up to him. Glancing over his shoulder, Sonic realised the tank-like Badnik looked like one of the huge gold robots Sonic had encountered in Robotropolis, though without a gun turret on top. Its face was different too, its jaws widened to reveal- well, a hollow centre. Sonic could see light coming through the other side, realising the Badnik had bars on the other end.

And then, in an instant, the machine was on him.

Swallowed whole by a robot. That was a bad start to the day.

Sonic kicked at the bars, hoping to loosen them. Robotnik’s smug voice came through a speaker in the interior wall of the Badnik, “Welcome to Robotnik Island, Sonic- an island-sized death trap designed to destroy you, my least favourite blue pest! Don’t try to get free, spikeball. The bars in this Badnik are made of diamondius, the hardest substance on Mobius, not even you can break them! You’re about to become a prisoner at my pleasure- and I am very pleased!”

As Robotnik’s laughed rang in his ears, Sonic stared at the glistening diamondius bars and let out a frustrated sigh. This was not going well at all.

***

The Badnik eventually deposited Sonic down a tube which slid him into an underground cell. Sonic landed with a bump on the stone floor. It was hot in this cell. REALLY hot.

“Oh no, looks like he got another one…” a gruff voice came from the other end of the small room.

“Wait a moment!” A second, gentler voice replied, “That’s not just any prisoner! That’s Sonic the Hedgehog!”

The owner of the first voice, a red-shelled Mobian with a long, pointy nose, walked over to Sonic, “Never heard of him.” The Mobian extended his hand, “But if he’s in here he must be an enemy of Robotnik. So he’s alright by me”

Sonic smiled and took the Mobian’s hand. As he got to his feet, he let out a short, sharp gasp, “BLIMEY that’s a strong grip you’ve got there!”

The Mobian chuckled, “The name’s Mighty the Armadillo. Strongest creature in existence. I’ll try not to rip your arm off”

“I appreciate it,” Sonic half-smiled, “Who’s the other guy?”

The other prisoner, a yellow Mobian with a long tail, stepped forwards, “I’m Ray. I’m a flying squirrel!”

“Squirrel, huh?” Sonic tilted his head, “Like my friend Sally”

“Oh, no,” Ray corrected Sonic, “I’m not a squirrel like the Acorns. I’m a flying squirrel.” He raised his arm to show the membranes under his arm, “See? Kinda like wings! They let me glide on air currents!”

“Nice!” Sonic was impressed, “Well, speed, strength and flight, surely between us we can figure out a way out”

Mighty shook his head, “Not with diamondius bars keeping us in here. Even the strongest creature in existence can’t punch through that”

Ray nodded, “And you probably figured out from the heat we’re in a volcano, so punching the walls through is a no-go as well”

Sonic hadn’t figured out they were in a volcano but he didn’t let on as much; it was useful information and that’s all that mattered.

“Well, there’s bound to be another way out”

“Quite right, spikeball!” Robotnik’s voice boomed from another speaker, “Specifically, in a body bag! I’m going to take great pleasure in this, Sonic. I’ve wanted to crush you for a long time and now I get the chance!”

Instantly, spikes jutted out of one of the cell walls. Sonic wasn’t terribly happy with the doctor’s choice of words. His worst fears were confirmed when the wall began to slowly move towards him and his cellmates.

“Mighty, what are we going to do?!” Ray cried out.

“Calm down, pal, I can hold the wall back with my strength.” Mighty leaned at the wall and it creaked and groaned but kept slowly moving.

“Yeah, but not forever,” Sonic noted, “Even with your strength, you can’t defy physics, Mighty. The only option is to smash the bars!”

Mighty grunted with exertion, “I told you, they’re made of diamondius!”

Sonic smirked, “Are they? Or are you just assuming they are because the ones on the prison transport Badnik were?”

Mighty squinted, “What?”

“Diamondius shimmers in the light. No such shine on these bars, pal. This is just good old fashioned metal”

“I think he’s right,” Ray gasped.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Sonic span up a Spin Dash then charged it into three times the usual speed, “A little Triple Spin ought to fix this problem!” Sonic flung himself at the bars and cut through them like a sawblade before landing on the other side, “Gentlemen, shall we?”

Mighty and Ray needed no persuasion, following Sonic out of the cell door to the outside. Robotnik’s voice once again boomed through a speaker, “You think you’ve escaped my Volcanic Vault, do you? This is only the beginning for you, Sonic! And as for the two of you, you’ve picked a very poor choice of friend!”

With a loud click, a jet of hot water blasted the three animals high into the air, launching them onto a rocky platform surrounded by lava. With no warning, the lava began to bubble up and shoot in jets.

“MOVE!” Sonic yelled, leaping onto a nearby walkway. Ray and Mighty followed suit as the lava behind them began to flow. It became clear to Sonic his new friends couldn’t hope to keep up with him, so he held back a little to hold onto their arms before applying a burst of speed to carry them forward.

“How can you--?” Mighty began.

“Sonic the Hedgehog. Fastest creature in existence,” Sonic smiled, before pausing slightly, “Probably; I’ve never checked but I think it’s a safe assumption”

Sonic screeched to a halt as a huge iron gate blocked the group’s path. What was unusual was the treadmill situated at its base.

“Guys, I think Robotnik’s putting us to the test… Or, at least, putting me to the test”

Sonic ran at full speed on the treadmill. Sure enough, it powered the gate and lifted it up, allowing th group passage as the lava crept up on them. Sonic couldn’t work out why Robotnik would need to test Sonic’s speed but he put the thought out of his mind as he figured it was best to evade the lava.

The trio came to a rope bridge and began to cross, the bridge shaking beneath their feet. A bubble of lava spat out and cut one of the ropes holding the bridge up. The weight was more than the remaining rope could bear and it too snapped. The bridge slammed hard into the wall on the far side, with Ray managing to leap in time and glide to safety on the other side. Sonic and Mighty climbed the bridge- now more of a ladder- with Sonic remaining glad for Sally’s climbing training.

Mighty looked up above and noticed a metal platform jutting out where they needed to climb, “Allow me,” he offered. Climbing upwards, Mighty wrenched the platform off the walkway, allowing him and Sonic to hoist themselves up.

The three Mobians watched as the lava flowed into the chasm below.

“That was impressive, Mighty. Thanks,” Sonic offered as he got his breath back.

“Nice work yourself, Sonic,” Mighty returned the compliment.

“Uhh…” Ray was nervous, “Do you guys hear that?” Sure enough, a low rumbling filled the area, “What do you suppose that is?”

“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Sonic noted, “And I reckon the way out is through that door over there! Come on!”

Sonic rushed towards what seemed to be the exit with Mighty and Ray not too far behind. The cataclysmic sounds of volcanic eruption rang in their ears as the three of them dove through the door, with the Volcanic Vault collapsing in on itself behind them.

In his tower, Robotnik suppressed a growl, “No matter. If they can handle the heat, maybe they’ll like the chance to chill out in the Icy Isle… You haven’t won yet, Sonic. This is just the beginning”

On to Chapter 83