The Other: Chapter 18

"CLOSE THE BLAST DOORS! SOUND THE ALARM! CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT! THEY'RE COMING!" Eggman screamed frantically as he watched the main viewer, seeing three hedgehogs, an echidna, a fox, a flower, and a human force their way into the entrance of his seaside base. He had never expected a retaliation so quickly, and with his prototype Pawn undergoing a recharge cycle he had nothing to combat against the preternatural powers of Jaran Kai. He had assumed with the beating they had received less than an hour earlier that any other attack would have been dissuaded, and as such had no backup plan to combat this full frontal assault. Nevertheless, here they were battering down his doors, coming for him. The fat scientist quickly dashed over to his command throne as he sat, quickly keying in a sequence on the armrest panel. Loud clanging sounds could be heard throughout the base as metal doors sealed themselves and defense turrets activated, ready to repel anything that attempted to reach the control room. The group would be persistent, however, and this scared him more than anything else. It was almost certain that they would reach him. All he would have to count on was the mercy of the Freedom Fighters. There was still Kai though, who he knew would not hesitate to beat him into a pulp on a whim. He had to find a way out of the base and fast.

"Bokkun, carry me!" Eggman ordered running over to the large transparent sheet dividing the control room from the outside, "We can make a run to my safe house in White Acropolis!"

"I can't carry you!" Bokkun whined back, "You're too fat! You'd fall and take me with you!"

"I'm not fat!" Eggman yelled back angrily, "It's all muscle mass! We've got to get out of here! If they find me in here they'll kill me!"

"Sonic would never kill you!" Bocoe remarked from his station, "He might rough you up a bit but he won't kill you!"

"Kai might though." Decoe added.

"Oh good..." Eggman spoke sarcastically, "Thank you for the reassurance, Decoe!"

A sudden and resounding throng was heard from the other side of the control room's heavy door as though some metallic mass had just been forcibly disfigured. Beads of sweat began to roll down the scientist's bald head as several loud strikes were heard against the security door accompanied by raging voices with hostile intent. Eggman had designed his entire base with heavy security bulkheads that deployed over the main doors when intrusion appeared imminent. Each bulkhead was composed of three solid inches of megatal surrounded by a heavy steel frame. All of these fortifications did not matter however in the wake of an angry group of Freedom Fighters. It was no longer a matter of if they would breach it, but rather how long it would take for them to do so.

As suddenly as the noise had begun, no sooner had it been that it was silenced. The drumming against the door ceased as everything in the room fell unnaturally quiet. Only the sound of humming machinery broke up the unbearable silence as Eggman grew even more nervous. He sincerely hoped that the group had simply given up and just gone home, but this was a fools hope. He knew that on the other side of the door were the Freedom Fighters, preparing another method of intrusion into his command center. Tails could not hack it due to a deadlock on the door, Knuckles could not batter it down, and the command center door was the only one with a Beskar overlay to prevent lightsaber penetration, so what were they up to? Eggman gave a light wave in Bokkun's direction as the little robot flew over to the door, pressing his electronically enhanced ears to its surface. After listening for a moment Bokkun finally spoke in a whisper.

"They're saying something about the frame..." Bokkun informed Eggman, "Something about steel not being as sturdy."

"It's a Beskar door! It's invinci-wait... the frame?" Eggman asked nervously.

"Yeah, forcing the frame." Bokkun continued, "Wait, something about 'getting back'..."

"Getting back?" Eggman said scratching his head, "Getting back? Wait, get back? Get-BOKKUN, GET BACK!"

With a loud crash the massive bulkhead suddenly flew into the room, breaking clean off of its hinges and slamming onto the ground directly in front of Eggman. Dust and debris flew into the air clouding Eggman's vision and burning his eyes. As the cloud dispersed itself the scientist looked up in horror to see Jaran Kai, hands stretched out and the entire group of freedom fighters behind him.

"Knock knock, motherfucker!" Kai said with a furious expression on his face.

"Ah, hello!" Eggman said lacing his hands together nervously, "I certainly didn't expect to see all of you this soon!"

Kai made no reply, stomping into the room and over the door as he approached Eggman's command chair. Eggman sunk back into his chair in fear as Kai walked directly up to him with a murderous look on his face.

"Aha... what happened earlier, that was funny right?" Eggman said trying to make light of his assault, "You know it was all a joke, right? Just an innocent-"

Kai suddenly threw his hand outward as Eggman flew violently from his chair and slammed into the far wall. The scientist cried out as the air was knocked out of his lungs, collapsing onto his back as he clutched the side of his head in pain. "Wh-wait, you can't! I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt!" Eggman pleaded, "You wouldn't-AH!" The scientist screamed as he was once again launched through the air, slamming into a command station and flipping over the console. The scientist struck his head on the corner of the small terminal breaking the lenses of his glasses and bruising his left eye heavily. Kai then stomped over to him and picked him up by the collar, flinging him back into his chair before moving in close for a strike with his fist.

"KAI, ENOUGH!" Shadow barked ask Kai held his fist steady above the man's face. Eggman cowered under the man's burning stare, fearing another painful blow from the angry human. Slowly Kai's face grew a bit more calm as he lowered his arm and backed away from the throne. Eggman trembled slightly as he sat up in pain, afraid of what would happen to him next. Finally Kai broke the silence.

"When?" Kai spoke abruptly.

"What?" Eggman asked in a weakened voice, "What are you talking about?"

"DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE!" Kai suddenly screamed out, moving close to Eggman's face and causing him to flinch, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM?"

"Him? You mean-oh, oh..." Eggman spoke suddenly realizing who Kai was referring to, "You mean him."

"Don't try to hide anything!" Amy yelled aggressively, "We know all about you being in cahoots with that monster!"

"Monster's a rather harsh word." Eggman said evasively, "Maybe 'determined' would be more appropria-"

"SHUT UP!" Kai suddenly yelled slamming his hand down on the armrest of Eggman's chair, "Do you have any idea what you've done!? You have no idea what kind of power you're consorting with, Eggman!"

"Don't try to intimidate me, Jaran Kai!" Eggman blasted back, "Xemus has promised me assistance in conquering Mobius, and all I have to do is give him information! It seems like a fair bargain!"

"I doubt even you are that stupid!" Kai retaliated, "He's clouding your mind! He needs that information to manipulate all of us, including you! He would never give an advantage without taking one for himself! He's not after Mobius! He doesn't give a damn about this planet! He wants Tails and Cosmo, and you've just handed them to him on a silver platter!"

"Fox boy and plant girl? What on Mobius could he possibly want them for!?" Eggman spat angrily at the Guardian, "The only thing they're good at is getting kidnaped! They'd be of no use to a visionary like Xemus!"

"I'm warning you Eggman," Kai spoke in an unnervingly low voice, "I've been very patient with you up until this point; and believe me, I have been patient, but right now you're playing with fire and I won't let you burn them. If I have to run you through to end your contact then I will."

"Jaran, don't!" Cosmo pleaded running up to him and tugging on his arm, "Please, we've had enough fighting today! Don't become a murderer! Whatever this is we can fight it as a team, but please don't kill Eggman! PLEASE!"

Kai was quiet as he continued to glair at Eggman with his cold brown eyes. The scientist attempted to scurry further back into his chair feeling as though somehow this would protect him from the man's vengeance. Surprisingly Kai began to calm down, his muscles growing lax as he took a few steps back from the command chair. "How long have you been in contact with him?" He asked slowly.

"Ah, a month or so." Eggman spoke hesitantly, "Why does that matter?"

"Close off all transmissions immediately! If you cut off contact with him now we might be able to buy a little more time."

"Who is he, if I may ask?" Eggman inquired, "You both seem to be very familiar with each other."

"IT DOESN'T MATTER!" Kai snapped at Eggman loudly rushing over to the communications console and jamming on buttons, "WE NEED TO CLOSE OFF ALL MEANS OF CONTACT BEFORE-"

"Now Jaran, one would think that you would confide a bit more information in the so-called friends whom you saved..."

Kai's pupils contracted as an unidentified voice suddenly spoke out over the intercom, its deep and grating tones seeming to lower the temperature throughout the room. A deathly silence prevailed over the entire group as each began to feel a sickening sensation in the pits of their stomachs. After almost thirty seconds a single word fell weakly from Kai's lips.

"No..." He whispered, shivering in obvious fear.

Without warning Cosmo began to teeter back and fourth, slumping to the ground before Tails managed to catch her in his arms. "Cosmo? Cosmo! What's wrong?"

"I-I don't know..." Cosmo said slowly seeming to be in a daze, "I feel ill."

"How can one who claims to fight for a greater cause betray the trust of so many?" The voice mocked, "It's impressive really. You've managed to turn hypocrisy into an art form!"

"I did what I felt was necessary to protect them!" Kai yelled back at the voice, "I'm telling you now Xemus, you won't lay your hands on them!"

"That's Xemus?" Sonic whispered before speaking boldly, "That's right, buddy! You're not getting near my little bro, or Cosmo!"

"Such a fire inhabits the creatures whom you associate yourself with, Jaran." Xemus spoke to Kai as though he were unaware of Sonic's presence, "Perhaps this is to make up for your own lack of a spine?"

"Leave them alone!" Kai spat back contemptuously, "They're innocent! They don't deserve this!"

"I know that," Xemus replied in a disturbing cackle, "which is why I intend to anyway. Can your conscience bear the weight of another lost child that you failed to protect?"

"I'll fight you. You know I will." Kai said, his voice beginning to waver.

"Oh, I do hope so!" Said the voice calmly, "Seeing your efforts to protect others crushed is always rewarding."

"Enough of this!" Shadow snarled at the malicious entity over the speaker, "You're going to have a hell of a time getting to him if you've got to go through all of us!"

"You haven't told them who I am yet, have you Jaran?" Xemus said disregarded the hedgehog, "How sweet. You still think that you can protect others from me through subterfuge. In the eons we've played this game you still haven't learned, I will ALWAYS come for them."

"He told us everything!" Amy screeched back at the creature, "We know all about where you come from! We know about your other 'Lord' friends back home! You can't surprise us!"

"HAH! Your associates remain consistently dim, old friend!" Laughed the creature in a heaving voice, "He's told you what I am, not who I am, or to put it better, who we are."

"What is he talking about, Jaran?" Tails asked Kai as he held Cosmo in his arms.

"Shut up..." Kai spat back in a low voice, "Xemus I swear to God, shut up!"

"I think that you have more of a reason to distrust him than I, Miles Prower." Xemus hissed at the fox directly, "It was foolish to trust one who has a history of betrayals longer than the entirety of your own timeline. Why don't you tell them, Jaran? Tell them of our connection."

"Connection? What's he talking about, Kai?" Knuckles asked uncertainly, "What does he mean?"

"SHUT UP, XEMUS!" Kai screamed out angrily, "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T SHUT UP!"

"The man you know as Kai is not a natural phenomenon." Xemus began, "His origins are a long line of genetic tampering and mental alteration. Nothing that convoluted could possibly exist naturally. He is a clone. MY clone!"

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!"

The room fell silent once again, this time with all eyes on Kai. The Guardian was crouched on the floor, curled up into a ball as he looked down into his lap. While he could not see them he could sense the scornful and distrusting stares he was receiving from the others. He should have told them earlier, he realized. Now they would never believe anything he said.

"N-no, it's not true!" Tails spoke in an uncertain voice, "You're a liar! Jaran is a friend! He can't have come from you! You can't be his template!"

"And yet he took such drastic measures to avoid telling you!" Xemus sneered at the fox, "Put the pieces together, Miles. You're the only one in the room who's brain isn't a complete waste of oxygen."

"Excuse me!" Eggman yelled crossing his arms over his chest.

"Wh-whoever you are," Tails spoke shakily, "I won't let you hurt Cosmo! She's mine! You can't have her!"

"The sow is mine, child!" Xemus hissed at the fox, "As are you all, in time."

"YOU WON'T TOUCH HER!" Tails screamed out angrily, "I WON'T LOSE HER AGAIN!"

"Your protective instinct is... refreshing." Xemus said with a lustful voice, "I'll enjoy watching your anguish as I peal the skin from your little whore's face. Those sweet screams from her pretty lips as the light leaves her eyes, calling your name just before she-"

Xemus' voice was quickly ousted as a violet blade flew from across the room and jammed itself into the communications console, which erupted in a shower of sparks. The others quickly turned back to see Kai standing, a grim expression cast on his face as he reached his hand out to recall his weapon. Cosmo clung to Tails' neck tightly with terror filled eyes, trembling in his arms as the fox glared at Kai. Kai refused eye contact with the others, opening his lips to speak but then closed them. Finally he managed to gather the courage to speak two words.

"Lets go..." He whispered as he exited the control room dragging his feet glumly.

The others hesitated for a moment, then proceeded to follow Kai out the door leaving a wrecked control room behind them. As the group made their way out the door Tails looked to Sonic, whispering something to his elder brother quietly.

"He had better have a dang good explanation." Tails growled.

Within the control room Eggman slowly climbed to his feet, rubbing the bruises on his body as he searched around for his robotic minions. He then began to call out upon failing to locate his designated messenger droid.

"Bokkun? BOKKUN? WHERE ARE YOU?" Eggman shouted. The scientist stepped up onto the now collapsed door and scanned the room, hunting for his minion in vain. As he stepped down from the door however he heard a loud crunch under his foot, as he lifted the door up to investigate the source.

Underneath the door a crushed plastic shell of purple rested, strung together with wires and cracked silicone chips. A pair of cracked yellow lenses stared back at Eggman as sparks popped from destroyed circuitry, sputtering out their last charges before dying out. Eggman stood stunned, mouth agape at his now demolished messenger robot. No, not demolished. Dead would be the appropriate word. Bokkun was alive. A sentient robot and arguably possessed a soul. Now he was gone.

Just as the scientist had begun to lose hope he noticed something amidst the rubble that caught his attention. Bokkun's hard drive was still intact. Eggman quickly reached into the pile of rubbish and disconnected the small square casing, holding it up to his eye level to examine it for damage. Upon confirmation that the drive was still whole he looked up from behind his broken glasses, glaring at Bocoe and Decoe who had been hiding in the corner the entire time.

"Download Bokkun's data ghost onto our server and copy all tactical data from it over to E-123 Omega. Activate the final product. This just became personal..."