Sonic the Hedgehog in Rage in the Wilderness Part I by Blue9Tiger

Chapter I The Lurking Death

It was a busy morning at Knothole Village. The yellow sun was brilliantly shining over the inhabitants, promising a successful day. They bustled about, preparing for the day's mission, or whatever routine they usually performed. Princess Sally gave a summary of the mission, which fell upon attentive ears.

" Okay, Freedom Fighters. There's a ULO in the sewer of South Robotropolis. Our job will be to find it, determine if it's friendly or not, then take appropiate action. Bunnie, Rotor, come with me. Any questions?"

Tails pleadingly raised his hand and asked,

" Can I come? Please? I'll be careful! Please? You let me go sometimes."

The princess sighed. After a few minutes, she nodded, while Tails jumped up and down with glee. Then he stopped and inquired,

"What's a ULO?"

" Unidentified Land Object. Anymore questions?"

No one ventured. " Good. Let's go!"

They departed from Knothole, and everything quickly settled, as if nothing happened. The other villagers continued to busy themselves.

Sonic the Hedgehog sat on a log, sulking. He wondered why he wasn't allowed to go. He jealously and worriedly eyed the direction to Robotropolis, wishing he could join his friends. Impatience crowded over him and the hedgehog began to pace. He paced faster and faster until he formed a hole in the ground. As he ran back and forth, he thought about why he had been excluded.

"Hmm, maybe the mission's too easy, so she doesn't need me along. Nah.....Or maybe....."

Just a few yards away from him, concealed within the greenery of the Great Forest, two pairs of cold, harsh eyes shone through black stripes. The eyes belonged to two, sleek shadows, that eyed the pacing Freedom Fighter angrily. One of the figures snarled,

" Why did they leave the hedgehog at the village? He will make our mission difficult."

The other one shook his head.

" Even THAT damn speed demon won't be able to stop us when we attack. When they all see what happened, then it'll be too late! They'd all go back to where they came from------Hell!"

" True," the former hissed, " but I've heard strange things about that particular Freedom Fighter. I don't think we should underestimate his cleverness. From what others say, even Siberen could be defeated by that hedgehog along with his comrades, the spiny one doing the most work."

" Siberen? Killed? I'm laughing! Siberen is the toughest, his jaws are bear traps, and his teeth are axes! And his bones are steel! That's the problem with you, Isna! You're too careful, you think that others have our full blood instinct! They're pathetic wusses, depend on their huts and other luxuries for survival. They don't know the wild, and they don't know that it's one of us inside that sewer! Corpro will kill them in that sewer as he kills deer in the forests back home. Heh, heh, heh. So you can rest your suspicious mind, Isna. This village is as good as mush. Now are you satisfied, old-timer?"

Isna promptly slashed the other's face with his definable claws, and growled,

" Even WE lack complete wildness, for we gained the ability to speak and think deeper than usual in the past. Now, let us cease dawdling, Bengri, for each minute we lose we lose the oppurtunity to strike one of these monarchys, and thus, destroy our efforts to end world rule. We've already attacked certain villages elsewhere, private-minded ones that aren't worth demolishing. However, this one is very well-known, and the harder we hit, the harder the monarchy is hit!"

At that, the slender, swift shapes glided out of their cloak of leaves, bound for Rotor's laborotory, a note in Isna's jaws.

Though they camouflaged well amidst the brown patches of grass, their prescence was discovered by the now alert hedgehog, who pointed at them and demanded in his best imitation of Knuckles,

" 'Scuse me! The unofficial guardian of Knothole Village didn't authorize ya to come in here!"

He burst off in a blue streak, determined to apprehend and identify the intruders. He quickened his pace with the Super-Peel-Out, and before long, ran over the stealthy shapes, arresting their movement. He then halted on top of the younger Bengri, who Sonic could plainly identify as a wild-eyed tiger. He studied the snarling creature's companion and affirmed that he was likewise. Then the angered hedgehog stared down at Bengri and yelled,

" Any sneakin' dude 'round here means big-time trouble! We don't like gate-crashers that don't say "hi"."

The shape he was standing on, being fierce and brash, opened his jaws and closed them on Sonic's right leg.

" YOW! Get offa me, ya son of a----"

He was interrupted by Dulcy, who was trying to land from a flight, and was about to touch down on Sonic's head.

" Incoming!!!" The clumsy dragon warned. The sight of her made Bengri drop Sonic from his restricting jaws and stand up, ready to recieve the assault with childish ferocity. Isna quickly darted away as Dulcy abruptly collided into the shape and sent him on a collision course straight for a hut. The structure shook with the impact, and Antoine came out to see what the commotion was about. When the nervous fox saw Bengri at his door, he yelped,

" 'Alp! Murdair! Eet's a huge tigair!"

Antoine rushed back into his hut and slammed the door, which banged into the tiger's head. Sonic laughed at the unconscious Bengri and complimented both Dulcy's and Antoine's clumsiness.

" Way to go, Dulce! Talk about a ten-point landin'!"

The green dragon responded,

"Really? I thought it was only one landing."

Sonic yelled at Antoine,

"You can come out, Ant! You knocked him out!"

He walked out, peeking cautiously around him, and saw that the cat was rising out of unconsciousness. He yawned and growled at the same instant, stretched, and stood up. The slender animal stared at Antoine, and hissed.

"Eek!!!! Sacre` bleu cheese!!!!" Eet weel be going to eat uz!

He promptly slammed the door again.

Sonic looked at his bloody leg, and along with Dulcy, painfully walked over to the now fully alert Bengri, fists ready. The latter snarled at the sight of the two Freedom Fighters, and promptly sprang onto his feet. Isna ran over to his companion's side, and after some whispers to the younger, they both leaped into the Great Forest, roaring in unison,

" You will meet the other TCAs, soon! Then you will learn the true meaning of terror!"

The slender tigers melted into the trees, leaving Sonic and Dulcy raging at those mysterious creatures.

They did not yet percieve the note on the ground, which read,

" Tonight, you, one of Mobius' organized groups that are a threat to the freedom of the world, will die, by the claws of the TCAs."

The foursome descended into the rank sewer. It was dripping with muddy water, robot oil and even scrap metal. It was pitch black, no light was able to enter. Being in it would give one claustrophobia. The dirty water ran through long winding tunnels, escaping through vents and pipes, running to outside of the sewer.

Sally headed the team in front, with Bunnie behind her, Tails next, and Rotor bringing up the rear. They had brought few supplies. The princess was armed with a small blaster, which she kept at her side, ready to fire at all times. Bunnie held a signal-gun to alert Sonic, if needed. Rotor held a flashlight, cutting a white beam through the pitch black. Tails brought a question, which he asked often during the excursion.

" Aunt Sally, why'd we leave Sonic behind?"

Sally sighed and answered,

" This is just an observation trip, Tails. It's not like we're going to destroy Factory 4. Besides, if we do need Sonic, Bunnie has the signal. I don't think we will, though, because there are no robots in here. (gasp)"

A rat suddenly made a home in her hair.

Bunnie added,

" Yeah, Sally-girl! They wouldn't be able to stand this water. Actually, ah can't stand it either! That remahnds me, Tails. Don't evah be alone neah Robotropolis; unless ya wanta be half-robot lak me or full-robot lak pore Uncle Chuck. Funny, he nevah complains 'bout it much."

Tails winced and replied,

" Right, Aunt Bunnie, I'll be careful."

They continued down the damp tunnels, turning corners and sliding down inclines. The Freedom Fighters felt they weren't any closer to their goal than when they started, but Sally urged them on. As an added benefit, she activated Nicole, and she finally locked onto the target. All they had to do was to keep going straight. Unfortunately, the group's hopes faded away when they came to a large cut in the path, with the path continuing many feet away from their standing point.

Nicole beeped and hummed, and said,

" SUBJECT FOUND 20 FEET BELOW SURFACE. IDENTIFIED AS MAMMAL. "

"Thank you, Nicole. At least we know it's one of us." Sally sighed with relief.

The walrus shined the flashlight down into the deep opening in the path, and could barely identify the damp floor. He explained,

" It's a long way down, but I think we can make it by climbing down the pipes."

Tails brightened and contradicted,

" I could fly down there and see if the thing we're looking for is down there.."

Rotor asked,

" You sure you can fly that long? We don't want you to fall on your face down there."

Tails nodded and looked pleadingly at Sally. She nodded her head reluctantly and the two-tailed fox descended into the dark, repulsive chasm.

He flew quckly, avoiding the obstructing pipes on the wall, and almost reached the bottom when he saw a blood-clotting sight that made his fur jump. He screamed,

" HELP!!!!"

Rotor jumped up and yelled in terror. The rest of his companions could not move; they were frozen with fear.

A supernatural roar emmited from the dark, followed by the agonizing sound of the clashing of an animal's jaws coming together.

The Freedom Fighters' hearts bounded into their mouths, and Sally nearly jumped off the ledge to save the helpless fox, but the others held her back. If Tails was lost, they didn't want the same thing happen to their princess. She hysterically called,

" Tails, are you okay?!"

He gave no words as answer, just small yelps and soft growls, against the terrifying roar.

Suddenly, flying with one tail, the fox emerged from the hole, dripping with blood from his mangled appendage, and gasping for breath. The others grabbed him worriedly and asked him,

"What happened?"

He answered,

" I think we found our ULO!"

As he said this, the bloodthirsty creature leaped from the hole onto the opposite ledge. He wildly stared at the horrified Freedom Fighters, striped tail lashing about like a working whip. His eyes bore signs of terror and abscense of love. The tiger unleashed a menacing growl, and he snarled,

" Who dares to enter Corpro's waters?!? Hmm, the darers are the weaklings, the ones who have lost their instinct, the ones that have enough intelligence to take over this planet!!! You, the enemys of the TCAs, will die tonight!!!"

The Freedom Fighters were too horrified to ask him what the initials stood for, or what all the other ranting and raving was about, and they blasted off with the massive tiger pursuing. The animal knew the sewers as if it was home, and tirelessly ran. The FFs were losing speed. Rotor had to bound forward frequently to avoid death's jaws behind him. He looked back every two seconds, spying the enormous animal after him. The hulk closed in. Everyone knew what had to be done, though they regretted it somewhat.. Sally slowed down to the point that the rest of her companions were fleeing ahead of her, aiming the blaster toward the massive target, and fired.

A deafening roar emmited from Corpro's throat, and he slowed down considerably. The copper of his fur transformed into red, and his storming pace became a plodding lope.

At the temporary defeat of the enemy, the Freedom Fighters slowed down gradually, but still hurried through the damp corriders of the sewer. It was imperative that they slowed down, though, for Rotor lost his flashlight to the beast. Finally, they reached the ladder, and emerged from the constricting set of tunnels into the open area of Robotropolis. They had gone from damp and dark to dark and smog-filled. Though the air was repulsive, the Freedom Fighters were determined to accomplish their mission. Their work was not done yet, for the hostile organism wasn't dead.

" We have to seal all sewer entrances! That beast can't be allowed to escape!" Sally cried. " Tails, you go back to the village with Bunnie. Rotor and I will handle this."

Bunnie carried the little fox for the whole trip, despite his protests.

"But Aunt Bunnie, I can stay! And I don't need to be carried, I can walk myself!"

"Ah don't want ya ta get hurt no more, sugar! That nasty cat gave ya a mean 'ol cut, and ah don't wanta make it worse."

He was defiant, but by the time Bunnie let him walk, they had reached Knothole.

At Robotropolis, Sally and Rotor had found all the nails they could from heaps of garbage and had begun to seal the entrances.

"Rotor, I need your hammer."

"Oh, great!"

" What?"

"I dropped it in the sewer! Hold on, I'll see if I can improvise."

The walrus jogged to a junkpile, and found a cylinder inside an empty robot shell. He returned to Sally and stuck a rod through an opening in the cylinder.

"Good job, Rotor! Now let's get to----"

Three metallic shapes ran towards them.

"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!"

"Not again! These nuts-and-bolts cases don't know when to quit!" Rotor complained. He picked up the hammer and slammed it into the robots' heads repeatedly. When the Swatbots were reduced to a smoking, fizzling pile of garbage, the Freedom Fighters found a sewer entrance and nailed the cover down. Beneath them, they heard Corpro screaming in agony, threatening the Freedom Fighters for mercy.

"DON'T LEAVE ME IN HERE, I'M WARNING YOU!"

However, they ignored it. Sally and Rotor meticulously nailed each cover down. They often ran out of nails or encountered a Swatbot, or even a workerbot. Thankfully, they were able to find more nails or outrun their metallic enemies.

There was one entrance they had particular trouble on.

"Nicole, I don't see it. Where's the nearest sewer entrance? We don't have much more time to find it."

"WORKING, SALLY. THE NEAREST ENTRANCE IS PRECISELY TWO FEET AWAY TO YOUR LEFT."

Rotor and Sally walked to that location, but could not see it. The usuaally patient squirrel was slightly annoyed, for their next robot encounter might be their last.

" Nicole, are you playing games? Where is it?"

" RIGHT UNDER YOU, SALLY."

Rotor sighed. Sally did the same. They just could not see it. Then the princess had an idea.

"Nicole, what is the color of the entrance?"

"BROWN."

"So that's why we couldn't see it. Robotnik must be working on camouflage skills!"

She shook her head in amusement.

It took until afternoon, and Nicole's help to find all the entrances, but they finally drove the last nail into the 100th sewer entrance. .

Exhausted and smelling of muddy water, Sally and Rotor returned to Knothole.

Chapter III Rewards and Prices

The princess and her companion walked into the village and spied Sonic scanning the Great Forest, with his most grave expression. Rotor spied the bandage on his leg and asked,

"What happened to you? It looks like your leg went through a food processor."

" Funny, I was gonna ask the same thing about Tails, but he was too scared to talk. Did ya meet up with those mondo uncool weirdos?"

Sally nodded her head gravely but smiled with pride.

" But one of those tigers sank his teeth into an innocent animal for the last time, thankfully."

" I'm waiting."

" I sentenced Corpros to die in his own sewer."

" Way cool move, Sal!"

Sally ignored it and asked,

" Who came here?"

Sonic stuck his tongue out and wrinkled his face.

" Two of 'em tried to go for Rote's lab, but Dulce, Ant, and me stopped 'em before they could wreck the place."

Sally gave a look to the other as if she was saying, "I'm glad I left you here. "

The hedgehog limped toward the Great Forest, trying to get a better view of the intruders, if they were still lurking. This was a strange twist in his personality, Sally noticed. If there wasn't some kind of visible proof that the danger still lied, the hog would usually be off his guard. Also, all of his senses were working overtime. His brown eyes were dashing back and forth. The same thing went for his pricked ears. Now this was extremely unusual.

Princess Sally joined him, and took out her reliable computer.

"Nicole, do you have any data on these TCAs?"

"NEGATIVE, SALLY."

She sighed and affirmed,

"They'll be back."

Sonic sounded distressed.

" I know. I saw the note they left. Here."

The other thought, No wonder he's on his guard.

He handed the wrinkled paper to the squirrel, who read it silently.

" What're we gonna do? I bet those two'll attack harder than before."

Sally thought for a moment, and then declared,

" For starters, a palisade."

" Say what?"

He scratched his head.

" A fence. You go gather the wood."

" Cool."

Sonic rushed into the Great Forest to collect wood. He was dimly aware that the TCAs might be lurking, but tried to steer away from the persistent thought and kept to his work. It didn't take him long to cut trees, but it was loud work, for his buzz-saw woke up many of the owls roosting in the trees. Finally, he had enough wood for the fence and started back.

"Man, this is heavy! Wish someone could take a load off my arms!"

The alert hedgehog slightly expected a bloodthirsty tiger to leap out of the foliage and devour the logs.

Because of the enormous pile, Sonic needed to keep going back and forth several times in order to gather all the wood. His aching leg didn't help the excursions, either, for the exhausted hedgehog was forced to limp from Knothole to the woodpile. It was rewarding, though. After he delivered all of the wood, it was sawed and hammered until a solid wooden palisade was formed. Swatbots wouldn't be able to bodily tear through it.

The whole village held torches, hammers, axes, lasers, and all other sorts of assorted weapons. Tails even had an old iron table, and two pigs had buckets, pots, and even scrap metal left over from Swatbots. All stood ready and silent to face their adversaries.

Sally knew the TCAs would attack in full force that night, and the squirrel took extra precautions, like strengthening the fence with scrap metal, and appointing certain villagers that would be outside of the palisade. She explained,

"Where there's three, there's more."

The hedgehog tried to be a little more optomistic, believing that only two would attack, but harder than before..

" The whole village against two! We can handle 'em!" "

Just when he said this, from all sides formed yellow, red, blue, and green eyes. Like wild felines, their eyes started wide at the top and narrowed to the bottom, like a thin triangle. This granted the tigers a ferocious, wild air to their already primitive selves.

One advanced with a snarl, whom Sonic recognized as Bengri, his assailant before.

" Okay, so there ARE a lotta tigers on Mobius! Not ALL are unfriendly, right?"

The cages of terror unleashed roars in a chorus of the Freedom Fighters' approaching death. Sally shivered, but yelled at the top of her lungs,

" Fire at will!"

Despite the TCAs' wild song, Sonic and the others on the outer end of the palisade heard their princess and followed her order. For the next minute, laser fire flew into the mass of fur. The tigers were unused to this kind of battle and tried to sheild themselves. The blasts mercilessly fell, knocking down even the most massive. There were waterfalls of blood cascading from the wounded, supernatural screams from the dying, and the ones not wounded were advancing. But, finally, the guns ceased their violent fire, courtesy of them running out of energy, and the Freedom Fighters scrambled over the palisade, ready to defend the village once more. Unfortunately, some were seconds too late ; you see, the tigers recovered quickly, and as soon as the lasers stopped firing, they could rush in for the kill. That's exactly what they did. A slow beaver was desperately trying to climb over the fence by a ladder, and was immediately captive of the jaws of Isna. On the other side, a clumsy turtle didn't even try ; for he knew that sooner or later, Bengri would bury his malicious teeth into his strong, heavy shell. As for the others on the outer side, they all made it over, except Sally. She frantically tried to climb her way up the uneven footholds, but the gigantic monster, Siberen, buried his massive teeth into her leg.

"Let go!" She yelled, trying to resist. This was in vain, for she was dealing with a soul of stone. Sonic was about to attempt a run up the palisade, because he had been helping others up and over, when he heard Sally's voice. It was the distinct cry of the squirrel fighting back.

" Sal, I'm comin'!"

Sonic ran erratically, nearly bashing into the wall.

But one of the older tigers ran in front of the running hedgehog, and Sonic couldn't control himself because his leg still pained him, and he smacked into Chilni, and the wild monster grabbed him by his good leg, and the 4 tigers, along with their helpless prisoners, retreated into the wood, leaving the others to attack Knothole. Some of the villagers noticed that 4 of their comrades were missing, and prepared to fight to their last breath for them. One good came out of the previous battle, though. Out of the 100 pairs of eyes that seeked to destroy Knothole Village, only 26 were left, not including the ones that escaped with their prisoners.

Chapter IV The Battle of the Modern Against the Primitive

Unfortunately, the twenty-six that leaped over the tall palisade were survivors. They were wild and filled with the lust of hunger as well as vigor for their cause; bloodthirsty and raging at the death of their family outside the palisade.

Some of them licked their gigantic gashes, others were so wounded that they collapsed. All of them could stand again, however, and fight.

Unlike other tigers that lived their lives as loners, these animals had joined into one disorganized group, and terrorized the civilized ones. It was an odd idea, but to most of the wild animals, it was what they lived for.

Fortunately, like reasonable Mobians, they were willing to negotiate for the freedom of their captives. For a while, anyway. One stepped foward, blue eyes flashing, tail twitching, and loudly spoke,

" To the ones that call themselves the Knothole Freedom Fighters......."

Dulcy was bold enough to interrupt the crazed animals, and inquired,

" How'd ya find us? We never saw ya before! This is a secret place!"

The other growled and obnoxiously answered,

" Our sense of smell is well-developed, and it can seek out inferior species such as yourselves."

Dulcy asked,

" What's "inferior"?"

A few tigers looked at each other and unleashed a menacing laugh, but ignored the question. The one speaking continued,

" We are called the Tigers of----"

Rotor cautiously whispered to Tails,

" Hell."

Tails shook his head and whispered back,

" Worse."

Unfortunately for them, one of the Tigers of Chaos and Anarchy heard their comment, and reached with his claws and slashed them on the face.

To the rest of the Freedom Fighters, that was it. Antoine, though the silly coward that he was, was spurred on to declare,

" Non, non negotiationz! We weel fight zeze tigairz!"

The rest rushed at the adversaries, swinging the hatchets and clubs, making contact. The TCAs rushed at the FFs, succeeding in biting the other group's flesh. Tails and Rotor, despite their injuries, were able to join the fray. The little fox grabbed the iron table and smacked the one who assaulted him, rendering the beast unconscious. Rotor used his hammer repeatedly on the fallen tiger and cracked the stone-like skull inside. The fox and walrus exchanged high-fives and exclaimed triumphantly,

" One down, twenty-nine to go!"

Dulcy was surrounded by five malicious cats. They were taunting her, saying,

" Hey, you! What's with the weight problem? Eat too many "inferiors"?"

Dulcy growled,

"I'm warnin' ya! Don't get any closer! I can breathe fire! Everyone lets me cook their food!"

" Yeah, sure."

"I'm still warnin' ya!"

"Try us."

"OK."

She drew in a long breath, and blew a warning flame in the air, that frightened the animals so completely that two fell unconscious, and the other three were unfortunate enough to leap in the air, and catch the lingering fire. Those retreated, wishing they could jump in a lake before they were reduced to ashes. They finally made it to one, but the flames had already deformed them enough that they wouldn't be any use to their group anymore.

The tigers realized that trying to destroy the Freedom Fighters and their village would be harder than they thought. One whispered to one of his comrades,

"Split. You take on the villagers, we take their quarters."

The order was carried out. Half of the animals lunged at the huts, clawing and tearing at them. A beaver, the brother of the one that was captured earlier, gnawed at the attacking tiger's back, yelling,

"I'll teach you to mess with my brother!"

The other, however, flung Rocker effortlessly off his back, and started towards him, teeth gleaming. The little beaver deceptively lost his spunk and whimpered pleadingly, and then flung a jagged rock at the tiger's open jaws. It caught in his throat and then the Mobian plunged from life.

A turtle was squeezed into a corner, courtesy of a tiger. The little green Freedom Fighter, who was called Snapp, shivered. The other Freedom Fighters were fighting their own individual battles, and no one could help him. But, when he realized his cousin was gone, widened his jaws and violently snapped off the other's ear. He spat it out and exclaimed,

" Ewwwwww...Tastes like fur!"

The tiger yelped and retreated, only to be stopped by 7 large gray bears that quickly engaged in a struggle with the fleeing cat.

The fight raged and roared, until the last tiger in the village lost his head by the axe of a dog, an old war veteran. Finally, the Freedom Fighters unleashed a cheer, but sadly, it was short-lived. Three massive cats clawed straight through the palisade, eyes boding death. All with breath in their lungs readied their weapons, realizing that the fight was far from over.

Though their number had decreased, the strongest, quickest, and smartest still lived. Fortunately, likewise for the Freedom Fighters. There were some deaths, some slow and painful, others sudden and violent, but their enemies were being driven from the slightly damaged village. Slowly, but surely, the group from the wild retreated over the palisade.

The last tiger, the fastest there advanced. His razor-like teeth were bared, and he rushed for a wounded chipmunk.

Bunnie Rabbot saw this, and hurried to the attacking tiger, and drove her left fist into his face.

The other fiercely roared, and leaped onto the rabbit, with tremendous impact.

There was no one else to defeat, so everyone present saw this event, so every single Freedom Fighter leaped onto the animal, assaulting him with all the strength left in them. They kicked and punched and used their weapons, their target trying to return the blows. That last battle could only result in the death of their adversary, and after much effort, brought the creature down. It took every one of the remaining Freedom Fighters, but somehow, they conquered the wild creatures.

Upon affirming their hard-won victory, the Freedom Fighters tried to show cheerful emotion. At this, they failed. Bodies were scattered across the village, some hopefully stirring, some still as symbolic statues.

For the next few minutes, there was cursing, sobbing, bawling, and all sorts of emotion in Knothole Village. The dead, including the enemy, were buried. After that one hour of pure reverence and emotion, they quickly rebuilded. The wood massacre wasn't as great in number as the flesh one.

Soon, the Freedom Fighters gathered to decide how they would rescue the prisoners, whom no one had forgotten. Some said,

"Let's have a mob!"

Others suggested,

"Let's have a search party."

Still others coaxed,

"Let's leave 'em to die, if they're still alive."

Rotor decided that a search party would work best, and set off with the major FFs, and Rocker and Snapp. They were all pesimistic, for by now, their poor freinds could have gone down the throats of those merciless beasts.

Chapter V In the Tigers' Den

Fortunately, the Freedom Fighters held captive were not done for, yet. In fact, they were thinking that their friends back in Knothole were being swallowed by the tigers. They didn't give much thought to their own fate.

"Ya can't keep us down for long!" A battered Sonic argued with a pacing Isna.

"Your ideas about uncivilization are way uncool! In fact, they're the stupidest ideas on Mobius! Do ya want us back in the Stone Age?"

Sally, in a likewise condidtion, weakly shook her head. She only knew that awakening Isna's already alert rage would shed more blood on the already damp cave floor. Plus, Sonic would wear himself out trying to struggle and argue, for all of them were bound tightly on both legs and arms by thick wooden branches.

Isna snarled,

"As a matter of fact, I do! Millions of years before, everyone hunted in peace, there were no such things as "clothes", or "houses", and everyone were on their guard, at all times. Now, with evolution, creatures have lost their stregnths and developed weaknesses. Speaking of weaknesses, for that offensive remark-------"

Sonic retorted,

"You're a regular old pshyco!"

" I will use my strength on your weak body, for the two-dozenth time!"

With that, he rushed at Sonic with anger, but the hedgehog wasn't about to be abused again. He slowly curled into a Super Spin, and hurled himself at the oncoming attacker. They both made contact, with Sonic's sharp spines burrowing into the other's snout. The monster roared and yelled,

"Chilni! Bengri! Siberen! Get your hides in here-----"

Upon this, the three bounded into a cave, followed by a pitiful group of dying tigers, the 6 poor survivors of the violent battle against Knothole Village. As the tigers limped into the cave, 4 fell dead.

Sonic couldn't help smiling. There were those monsters straight from the wild, and even the strongest beaten to bloody, collapsing clumps of fur and flesh. At least we know that Knothole hasn't been trashed. And even if it has, (gulp) we won, Sonic gratefully thought.

The remaining, healthy cats, enraged at this sight of their family, took great pleasure in wreaking their havoc over their 4 prisoners. After only a few seconds, though, Bengri and Isna had mercy and retreated. Sally made a mental note of this.

Though they tried to retaliate, the ferocity of the remaining cats was too massive. After they finished, the poor Freedom Fighters were not recognizable at all, panting and gasping in the stream of blood. Sonic could vaugely hear Isna growl,

"Just for that outrage, I won't negotiate with your people! You will be left to die here!"

The hedgehog responded,

"Not if we can help it." It was under his breath, though. He added loudly, "Aw, blow your hot air somewhere else!"

The turtle and beaver captured along with Sonic and Sally wondered what became of their cousin and brother. The turtle, Scissor, loudly whispered to the hedgehog,

"If they treat us so bad why don't......they.......just.........kill...........us?"

Sonic tried to speak, but he couldn't find the strength to anymore. Instead, he slowly shook his head, realizing that at least the two tigers weren't as physically merciless as initially thoght. Or, they just couldn't face the rest of the Freedom Fighters' wrath if their friends were killed. Sonic sighed and frowned. He couldn't think anymore, for the previous claw-slashings were impacting on his thoughts.

Isna, Bengri, Chilni, and Siberen bounded into the cave again, along with only two others, who were close to death. Sonic struggled up and awkwardly limped to them, wanting to help the two tigers' deaths along. He no longer cared if he was ripped in half or his right leg was torn apart. He struggled to speak, and finally found words. Sonic was raging, yet he managed to keep his speech below the boiling point.

" I'm gonna kick ya outta here to wherever you came from, if it's the last thing I do!"

He aimed his Super Spin at Isna, and succeeded in wounding him in the back, leaving the tiger gasping for breath. He repeated the action to the rest of his adversaries.

Sally lowered her head, frantic about her companion's brash behavior.

Then the hedgehog grabbed Scissor, and launched him at Chilni, The turtle snapped open and close, and did the same thing when he reached the tiger's leg. He snarled and yelped and performed all kinds of wild facial expressions, and then promptly fell on three legs.

Then the enraged rodent rushed at Siberen, and, after a dozen futile attempts, formed a gash on the tiger's chest. He was knocked down, though, and waited for the oncoming retaliation, so he could defend himself against it.

To Sonic's surprise, he wasn't being ripped in half, instead, SALLY was being threatened by the three cats' dagger-like teeth to be done so.

Chapter VI Follow the Red Liquid Road

"This way. The blood leads to the left, no, to the right, to the left, to the right......Rotor, what's going on? Why are the trails this way and that?"

The large walrus explained to Tails,

"Wild animals might run erratically. They'll go left, then right, then left again......"

Rocker pointed to the east and exclaimed,

" Right into those thorns! How're we ever gonna get past those? It looks like the things just ran straight through 'em! But it'll take us weeks to chop through something that thick!"

Bunnie smiled and assured them all.

" No oil offa mah joints! I'll get that lil' ol' bush down."

She ripped at the thorns, and there was a wide pathway created. They travelled through it, and there was no trouble for a while. The Freedom Fighters moved slowly until they reached the end of the Great Forest. By then eveyone was tired. The blood trails became indefinable. It was already a group of thin trails when they started. Also, the younger Freedom Fighters were in desperate need of a rest. They often fainted on the ground.

"Can we stop, now, Rotor? My shell is killing me."

"Not yet, Snapp. If our friends are alive, they can't be far."

Antoine looked depressed.

"Zey can't zurvive weeth zoze mehrderairz!"

"Antoine, we have to be optomistic. It's not like they were dead when they were kidnapped."

He almost thought otherwise when the group beheld a large glob of blood leading to a river.

Tails determined,

"Someone got mad."

Bunnie added,

"And ah don't think it was ouh friends who did."

Antoine turned green at the site of the huge stain and found no words.

The determined walrus encouraged,

"Don't give up. We'll find them."

He himself was extremely pesimistic about that point, though.

Antoine shuddered and shivered and mumbled indidstinct noises.

Unfortunately, as the FFs walked on, they became more discouraged, realizing that the tigers could run much faster, and could have been swimming across the nearest ocean by now.

Dulcy suddenly sat down on a log, which broke under her weight.

"I can't walk another step!"

Tails' eyes brightened and suggested,

"Fly us, then, just right over the trail."

Pretty soon, the dragon was flying her passengers toward their destination. Her giant wings flapped, breaking the wind rushing against them.

Nevertheless, her passengers were wary to scout for any trees.

The walrus hotly inquired the fox,

"Why did you suggest that she fly us? Remember the last time she flew with someone?"

Tails had vivid memories of the huge dragon crashing into a tree, with a dog in tow.

Rocker interrupted Tails' thoughts.

" Cave ahead!! The trail stops there!"

Bunnie tried to ease Dulcy down.

" Easy, girl. There, that's it. Don't fly straight, fly down! No! Not inta the tree! Turn! Turn!

She turned, but her enormous tail impacted on the solid trunk. As a result, the tree was torn from it's roots and crashed down on the roof of the cave, with an impact full of echoing din.

Chapter VII Journey to the Back of his Mind

"What the hell was that? I'm going to check."

All three tigers let go of Sally, and Sonic sighed gratefully.

Bengri leaped outside, and leaped in again. "Nothing. Just a tree. Hmm, Isna, don't you think there's someone out there, so we should ask a ransom or something?"

The other shook his head. Bengri shrugged his shoulders, wondering what was bothering him.

His companion paced, while the four prisoners lied in wait of what would happen next.

While all of this was happening, the princess stayed quiet. Sally slowly formed an idea. She thought, Though these tigers are all fighting for one particular cause, most have probably been driven to it by something else. They can't possibly have the exact same beliefs as the other. They must be either mentally or emotionally disturbed by a past event that drove them to create this group. Also, these tigers must have a leader. There is no way that a group as strong as this would have no leader. And if I'm right, who could those leaders be? When we know and defeat the leader, it will be easy to dissolve the group. It has to be one of the last three. Maybe it's Bengri. No, too impetous, too brash. Siberen, maybe? But he doesn't even talk! Then it's got to be...........

"What are you thinking about?"

The tiger ceased pacing and whirled around to face the princess.

"I was thinking about why we haven't killed you yet. Maybe evolution has softened us, too.

"Yeah, you're so soft, I could whup ya like jelly!" He added threateningly, "When I get my hands on ya!"

"SILENCE, hedgehog! I wish to fight with you no further."

Shocker and Snapp looked at each other, puzzled, and asked in unison,

"You're tired of fighting us? I don't believe it! You nearly killed us, so then why don't you? Too scared?"

Isna's expression drooped into an exasperated snarl.

"I have only three left, that's not a suitable number to take on four, four of the most determined animals on Mobius. We are a people that causes frustration and aggravation, but I must say that you have caused that for us."

Sally waited until the cat's back was turned, and accused,

"You are the leader."

Isna's mouth dropped open like a boulder.

"That's not true."

"Yes it is. You organized this whole disorganized group, and you know why I know? Of all the tigers here, you seem to be the most evolved. And what I want know is: Why'd you start this fanatical group, anyway? Also, why do are you afraid about being called that?"

The leader growled somewhat half-heartedly,

"To answer your first question, because of my beliefs and principles."

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Bengri and Siberen rising, fangs bared.

Sonic piped in,

"They're comin' at ya. Are you makin' them itchy?"

Bengri and Siberen advanced faster, silent and intent.

Sally continued,

"It's not possible that all the tigers of Mobius could have that brain. Some can't even speak! They might have joined the group so they could hunt and live their normal lives, but all the tigers that speak must have a brain as well-developed. So for so many harsh ideas about monarchies, it must have all come from one person : you.. And I will reiterate : Why?"

He did not hear the question, and snarled,

"If you accuse me of being the leader, then you sentence me to death!!!"

Sally asked,

"How?"

Bengri and Siberen walked closer to the frightened animal, murder in their sharp eyes. isna stared deep into the princess's eyes, realizing it was time for an explanation.

"During the course of time, the TCAs have suffered many hardships, including unsuccessful attacks on the city named Robotropolis, which was the first to be attacked by us."

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(flashback)

Somewhere in the past, at Robotropolis, 1,000 bloodthirsty tigers invade. They see the Swatbots coming for them, and lunge at the automations. Nevertheless, some of the cubs are captured, and the females weep for their children. The battle is ugly and the cats are forced to retreat, Robotnik laughing his most malicious. As they flee, one says,

"I swear upon my mother's lost ears, that if ever this clan stumbles upon the leader that undoubtedly created this group, we will rip open limb from limb!"

(flashback)

Farther in the past, 10,000 healthy tigers stalk a deer, that runs into a small village. The villagers attack the animals, leaving 1,000 alive. This moves one to create the TCAs, for he and a few others believe that chaos and anarchy were the only ways to live.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, from then on, I believed that all villages, towns, citys, every sort of organized civilization was a threat, and to be stamped out."

Before Isna was mercilessly obliterated by his two comrades, Sally affirmed,

"There. I knew that you couldn't have had this hatred all along." She paused, then continued,

"Your group is a civilization, in a way."

Isna glared and snarled,

"A civilization of the primitive."

Sally set to thinking about that remark, and while she was deep in thought, Sonic gave his question.

" We don't hear anything 'bout other villages bein' attacked, and ya seemed to have a grudge against 'specially us. It's like you attacked other villages quietly or something, and they ain't big victories. What's up 'bout that?"

"A few years ago, (choke) 15 of us were once again in the city, and you were, too. Did you hear agonizing roaring?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"You were not one mile from us and didn't even see what the trouble was. We lost 14 to that machine of destruction : the Roboticizer."

Sonic's expression melted from anger into guilt.

"Gee, I'm sorry. We didn't see you. But it wasn't our fault. We had our own probs to deal with. We didn't know-----Hey, aren't ya goin' to defend yourself against these thugs?"

"No, it's the law. Anyone can make laws."

"Not if they're way uncool! When we kick 'Buttnik outta here, we'll do the same to his rules! So you're gonna just stand there, like a big stupid----"

Quietly, the animal explained,

"Those are your rules, not ours." He added, in a hoarse whisper, "I feel guilty of this. I deserve this fate. I do not know shy these feelings have frequented my soul, but they have, meaning that I am sorry."

Bengri and Siberen were almost digging into Isna's flesh, but just then, a sharp blast of fire whizzed by, and Siberen, though the mighty beast that he was, fell like a stone on the floor, a deafening growl his last.

Chapter VIII Averting of Terror

Rotor and company burst in, searching for survivors. He saw their 4 subdued comrades and nearly cried. They helped them up and cut their bonds. Tails was already softly whimpering..

"Sonic, are you okay?"

"Yeah, big guy, I'm a little sore, but I'm cool. Hope everyone's likewise!"

The two-tailed fox looked him and shook his head. Then he stared at Sally, and asked the same thing, and gave her a hug.

"We were so scared for you.."

"Likewise for you. How is Antoine, Bunnie, Dulcy, and everyone else?"

Rotor piped in,

"We'll adjust eventually. (sob) We lost a lot of Freedom Fighters, Princess. Tomorrow I'll look for new recruits."

The squirrel shook her head.

"Rest tomorrow, Rotor. We still have other things to accomplish."

Antoine, Bunnie, and Dulcy gave their regards, and then they considered the tigers' fate.

The animals had intentionally killed and kidnapped, they were ruthless murderers, terrorosts, in a way, but the Freedom Fighters were a just organization. After a few minutes of discusson and debate, they came to a verdict, which Sally announced.

" I think it's only more than justice to do two things to you ignorant monsters : One, exile you to the Mobian Jungle, where you will stay for the rest of your life, and-----"

At this, the younger cat protested.

"We won't attack again! I promise! Two isn't enough to kill anyone!"

Isna barged in angrily,

"It's not your place to argue with ones above you!"

The princess continued,

" Two : neuter you."

The old tiger's expressions drooped, but he let no one notice. Bengri cocked his brown head.

" What the hell is neuter?!"

Sonic and Tails shrugged their shoulders, until Rotor walked over to them and whispered the meaning in their ears. Both stuck their tongues out in disgust.

Sally continued,

"It's a process that prevents you from mating then producing offspring."

"And why the hell would you wanna do that?!"

"More of you tigers would repeat history, if you get my meaning. On the other hand, refuse this, and I'll sentence you for life in Iron Lock prison, where you'll be alone in the Dark Swamp. I assume you'll accept the first way. However, if you refuse either one, there's always, of course, the ax."

Isna and Bengri looked at each other, and reluctantly agreed, though the two punishments was basically the same.

The local village surgeon performed it. It took a day, but the surgeon finally exclaimed,

"It's done."

The process over, the two tigers were locked in a steel cage built from Robtropolis spare parts, and placed on a rolling board. Sonic, Bunnie, Sally, and Tails rolled them towards the thick-leaved forest. It was basically a silent walk, mainly because of the sloping hills and bumpy valleys.

At sundown, they heard the wild sounds of the Mobian Jungle. The Freedom Fighters rolled it into the deepest, most unknown part of the jungle, and left the tigers there, inevitably without food and without a key.

To fortify the jungle, everyone present built an iron wall around it, leaving small openings for other creatures. Bengri clawed at the bars, growling and snarling at the hopelessness of the situation. Isna lay down on the metallic floor, refusing to chide Bengri for his wildness. Surprisingly, no one offered a smart remark during this time, not even Sonic. Instead, they worked swiftly and dilligently, and at morning the task was complete.

The exhausted Freedom Fighters finally left the jungle. Before they did, though, the two tigers unleashed their roars, with a mixture of thanks, sorrow, and only a drop of anger. Tails especially heard the cry.

"Did you hear that, Aunt Sally? It's like they're happy. Why would they be happy."

Sonic answered,

"'Cause she let 'em off easy. If she was in a really bad mood......."

The hedgehog slid his forefinger across his neck. Sally looked at him, her face void of humor. Sonic jogged over to her and inquired,

"How come ya didn't give 'em the ax, or send 'em to Iron Lock? They killed a lotta of our friends! And what's with the emotion, Sal? How come you're not happy with this?"

She stopped walking and explained to his earlier statement,

"Yes, they did. I will be eternally raging at them for that. However, is it right to take their lives? No, of course not. If you did the same thing, wouldn't you want a little mercy? Also, I feel a little guilty. At least Isna might be able to change. "

Sonic nodded his head but added,

"One is still bad, Sal. What if they broke out?"

"Not dangerous enough. Their spirits are broken by this incident, especially the leader's."

Bunnie faced her.

"Y' know, Sally-girl, they showed thaih fightin'. Ah don't think a lil' ol' wall can keep 'em down."

"No, Bunnie. Those tigers didn't fight as fiercly as the others, and when they had us in the cave. The ones at Knothole were their friends."

Sonic held fast to his opinion. He joked,

" Y'know, I wouldn't be surprised if they were in Robotropolis, now."

His humor melted into dead seriousness. "(sigh) We haven't seen the last of 'em, Sal. They're gonna get out."

At the Mobian Jungle, it seemed as if a hurricane passed. The cage was void of iron bars. The palisade, which was not slovenly built, had been torn apart. Large pawprints led everywhere, affirming that the tiger didn't know where to fly. Finally, a few feet from the jungle, the imprints in the dirt followed a straight path.

Miles away, in the dark, polluted city, a sewer covering had been torn off. Blood was spread all around it. A trail of sewer water led out of the opening.

A strange sight was to be seen in Robotropolis. Dr. Robotnik clung tightly to a large pipe, while three snarling cats leaped for his seat, jaws clamping together.

Snively was on the ground, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Robotnik yelled an order at the small man, with his speech much stronger than usual.

" SNIVELY!!!!! REMOVE THESE WORTHLESS BEASTS OUT OF ROBO-----AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! THEY BIT MY--------------------------------------TO HELL WITH THESE!!!!!!"

Snively screamed and explained,

"I'm sorry, Sir, but I can't get them out of the city without me being mauled! But, I'll call the Swatbots!"

"No, these vermin will destroy them like paper!. Activate the----OW!!!! StealthBots!!!!"

"Dr. Robotnik, they were destroyed, remember?"

He sighed and ordered,

"JUST REMOVE THEM, SNIVELY!!!"

"From where? Robotropolis, or your end?"

"FROM BOTH, SNIVELY!!!!!"

At this, Snively rushed to Robotnik's main center, slamming down a button.

"All hover- units, report to sector 130, quadrant 99!! Priority one!"

They obeyed Snively's order, and came rushing towards the tigers. Bengri , Corpro, and Isna started to flee, knowing that they were no match for Robotnik's huge machines. Laser fire stabbed at the ground, barely missing their targets. Isna warned his companions,

"Do not let them capture you, for that will seal our ultimate fate."

Bengri replied aloud,

"Duh."

The latter ran farther away from him, trying to avoid blocking Isna's pace, while Corpro explained,

"I have always been restricted to the sewer! I have no idea of the way out of here."

As he spoke, Bengri was caught on his long tail with a laser, making him yelp and increase his speed. Unfortunately, he didn't look where he was going and crashed into a hover-unit. The large green machine turned and focused its built-in flashlight on Bengri, who shielded his eyes. Then a ground-unit walked toward him. After a few minutes, he was captive, helpless to resist the robot. He snarled and squirmed, but it was all in vain. Horror gripped Isna, and he and Corpro loudly exclaimd,

"NOOO!!! Resist it, resist! Fight!"

Both masses of fur bounded off after him, but was soon lost in the maze of buildings and junkpiles. He desperately searched, and it wasn't long before he knew that it was hopeless. Tears welled up in Isna's eyes, and he lay on the ground, whimpering like a dog.

To him, the world had just been destroyed. Or maybe not. There was one that could help him, before it was too late. Isna scrambled onto his legs and headed for the Great Forest, ordering Corpro to follow him. The large cat fell heavily on his side.

"I can't, I can't."

"Then search for cover. Quickly, before they return!"

His friend struggled to obey, while the former cut through the air with tremendous spirit. Sadly, Isna didn't hear the horrifying deep roar that boomed from Robotropolis, that belonged to his remaining companion. He was only intent on reaching his destination.

To be continued........

Okay, that was worse than The Hedgehog from Hell. Oh, well. Oh, no! I've run out of ideas! Did you notice that my fanfics never stay in one category for long? Funny to serious, funny to serious, and so on and so forth and so on-------Oh no! My keyoard is breaking!!! AAAAAAAHHHHhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Part II coming soon. Or if it's in .txt version, Part III.

e-mail : Blue9Tiger@aol.com