Chapter Text
We're gonna actually lose.
That isn't usually the first thought that comes to Sonic’s mind when he's facing Egghead. But this time, it was different. They had come to what looked like an abandoned base of Eggman’s for what they thought would be a quick run-and-done. Check his computers. See what he's up to. He had been quiet for some time now, and even someone as carefree as Sonic had reasons to worry about what could be happening under his constantly rubbed nose.
“Sonic! Stay close. Just cause it's abandoned doesn't mean you can just go willy-nilly all over the place!” Tails shouted.
“Aw, chillax, dude! What's the worst that can happen? A defunct eggtech charge?” Sonic chortled.
“Honestly, Sonic, there's never a serious moment with you,” playfully groaned Tails.
They were in a long, dimly lit hallway, with a large, mechanical door in the distance. This was definitely a factory-centered base.
“I think we’re almost there!” Tails chirped.
Curious, Sonic locked eyes with their destination. As if automatically, he felt a chill slide down his spine. What? Why does it feel so off? Okay, future-me problem. But the feeling that something was seriously wrong wasn't easy to shake off.
To the left of the door, there was a small keypad. “On it!” Tails exclaimed, his voice tingling with excitement. As the fox tinkered, Sonic’s focus shifted, and he couldn't help but realize how much he had grown since he first met him. Has time gone by so fast? Look at him! He's gonna do great things, that kid, Sonic thought. After a bit, Tails' voice broke the silence, “Alright, we should be set! Let's go.”
But before I let you continue on their journey, I think you'd like to know that they were actually quite wrong about the "abandonedness” of this place. Eggman had actually anticipated that these two furballs would once again get in his way through means such as this. It was predictable, honestly. So what would he do about it?
Obviously, he must build a fake base that is close—but not too close—to Restoration H.Q., conjure up the most daring plan Sonic has ever faced, and then “abandon” the base. There you have it: a fool-proof way to destroy them once and for all.
And they were utterly fooled.
Inside loomed a giant, empty warehouse, roughly the size of a football field, with overhead lights that flickered dimly. They had only taken a few short steps when, suddenly, the lights plunged them into darkness.
“Ooh, how ominous,” Sonic snarked.
“What could have happened? Let me get my Miles Electric real quick-”
Before Tails could finish that thought, a blaring voice boomed against the walls, “Ohoho! Of course! It was only a matter of time before you varmets came crawling back! Bet you've reveled in my little disappearance.”
“Oh, yay, it's Eggman,” Sonic groaned, tapping his foot autonomously. “Honestly? I thought you died or something. It's not like you to go too quiet, and you know that. What are you up to, Egghead?!”
“As if a genius such as myself would reveal trade secrets,” Eggman shot back.
Sonic scoffed. Any villain in their right mind wouldn't disclose their plans to a hero. But he wished Eggman could be a tad slower in some ways. “Oh? So then, why don't Tails and I trash this place up since you’ve clearly abandoned it?” bantered Sonic.
Eggman remained quiet for a second, probably thinking of a comeback.
“Is that supposed to be a threat?! Alright, we’ll play by your game, hedgehog! Initiating project ‘S-RAD!’”
Sonic cackled at this. The doctor does like to make a fool of himself, doesn't he? Well, we'll beat him! We always do.
“Seriously, Eggman? Was this some kind of trap? What does ‘S-RAD’ even mean-”
Before he could finish his retort, everything around them began to violently shake, and the lights suddenly turned on again. Oh! Okay, so this just got a whole lot more interesting! This’ll make it especially easy. Now, although Sonic was expecting some kind of grand entrance with little to no damage to the base, Eggman had different plans. This was a burner base after all; he'd have no use for it once this was over. He'll be going all out.
A light fixture flickered on and off and then fell. Then another. Concrete dust drifted towards the ground as several humongous cracks spread across the ceiling.
“Tails? Tails?! Take cover!” Sonic shouted.
But Tails couldn't hear him.
The ceiling collapsed with an earth-rattling thud, and the entire room was shrouded by dust.
“Tails?! Tails, buddy, where are you?!”
A voice he couldn't exactly discern the location of called out, “*Cough* ack! I-I’m here! I'm okay! Don't worry about me!”
Whatever was left of the ceiling was struggling to hold on. Chunks were missing from what fell just now, and the remains were crumbling, bound to fall at any given moment.
What appeared out of the rubble was a large badnik, much like the others Sonic had previously defeated. It can't be that bad, Sonic told himself. Just a couple of spindashes to the face and stomach, and it was done for.
Suddenly, it extended its long arms, ready to strike at the blue blur. Its blows landed with more force and speed each time Sonic narrowly dodged them. The robot’s attacks shattered everything it hit, hastening the entire building's collapse to come sooner than later.
Okay, this might be a little harder than I thought.
Sonic decided the best course of action would be to spindash straight into the chest of the badnik. It’d either get him started with taking it down, or it’ll reveal any potential weak spots around its body. Sonic stationarily powered up and zoomed toward the heart of the beast.
The second he made contact, his entire body seared in pain. The surface felt like an oven preheating to the maximum temperature.
Ugh! Seriously? That was the flaw? This thing was gonna overheat and explode? You could've made it anything else!!
“Tails!”
“Yeah?!”
“This thing is overheating! It's so hot I can't even touch it! Whadduh ya suggest we do?”
“Umm.. we could…”
“I don't think we should leave, but this could get dangerous real fast, Tails!”
“I'm assuming you like the little kick I gave to the challenge?!” Eggman's voice boomed.
“Eggman, are you serious? This could actually kill us!”
…
“That's the point, moron.”
…
“What...?” Sonic truly believed all Eggman wished to do was break him. Then discard him by some other means. But just straight up kill? That was unheard of.
This was getting scary fast.
“Tails. We need to leave.”
“NO! I will defeat you this time! My work shall not be wasted on your cowardice!”
In a fraction of a second, the robotic arms began flailing all around, crashing into everything and anything while sending rubble everywhere.
Sonic burst, wishing to just grab Tails and get the hell out. Where was he? He hadn't seen him since the power dipped. He must have walked off while Eggman was arguing with me earlier, he thought.
Tails' orangey-yellow fur peeked behind a split in a support beam. When Sonic rounded the corner, he saw a horrified Tails looking around frantically in dismay. Just as he was about to tell Tails to start following him, a block of concrete began to fall directly toward the fox.
“TAILS!”
“Sonic?!-”
Smack.
FUCK!
Sonic pushed forward, snatching up Tails as he ran. He was bleeding, and it was Sonic's fault.
“Whuh-”
“NO NO NO NO NO! HOW DARE YOU! GET BACK HERE!” Eggman exploded.
The metal door they came from was closing. They had to get out right now or they were totally screwed.
Sonic was already hurting from the burns he got when spin-dashing that thing earlier, and Tails was now an additional weight to that. They weren't gonna make it.
We're gonna actually lose.
His legs faltered a sinch. Just before the door.
*CRACK*
They crashed to the ground. Tails was practically sent flying. We made it!
…
Sonic was hit with the immense chill once again. But this time it felt instantly worse like as if he was in Antarctica, naked, kind of chill.
Then suddenly, he felt this warm flurry spread throughout his entire body. His brain was fogged, his sight was going dark, and his right leg was absolutely numb.
He tried to get up, but his arms shook too hard to actually hold any weight. He was going down, fast.
He crashed face-first onto the granite floor.
And just like that, he was done.