Sonic Forces: Not a Hero

Distraction

"I got it, Sonic!" cheered Tails as Sonic and I returned from defeating Metal Sonic, "I figured a way to stop Eggman's, Phantom Ruby!"

"Great work, Tails," smiled Sonic.

"What did you find?" I asked anxiously.

"Based on these readings," explained Tails as he pulled up images on the screen, "The Phantom Ruby requires an incredible amount of energy, which only the Death Egg can provide. We simply stop the energy transfer, and boom, the Phantom Ruby is practically useless."

"Simply?" questioned Knuckles, "Last I checked the Death Egg is a heavily fortified... Well, Death Egg."

"True," agreed Tails, "But I came up with a plan. First, we distract Eggman. While he's not paying attention, we use the Chemical Plant computer to hack into the Death Egg's weapons system and shut it down. With no weapons, destroying the Death Egg will be a piece of cake. No Death Egg means the Phantom Ruby is nearly useless."

"Well, you know, it's crazy enough to work," smiled Knuckles, "So first we need a distraction. I'm on it!"

"No way, Knuckles," argued Amy, "You're too easily distracted. That's not a good trait for a distraction. Plus, your our Commander! We kinda need you here!"

"How about Artemis?" suggested Silver, "Eggman would never expect it. It may even throw him off a little."

"You up for this, rookie?" asked Knuckles, "We only have one more day before Eggman's plan is executed."

"You can count on me," I smiled, "I know just the place to hit him too. Eggman usually spends his time watching everything from Green Hills, so I'll start there."

"Good idea, rookie," smiled Knuckles, "Everyone, let's do this!"

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Running out to Green Hill, I went just a little farther out to the more mountain region known as Guardian Rock. I knew I could use the mountain range here to dodge and hide anything Eggman throws at me.

"Knuckles," I called, "Is everyone in position?"

"We're ready to go," responded Knuckles, "Once you have Eggman's attention, we'll move in."

"You won't be alone in this rookie," assured Amy, "My team is here to give you coverage for whatever Eggman throws at you."

"Be careful Artemis," warned Silver.

"Don't you worry about me," I assured him, "Just destroy that Death Egg."

After signing off, I scanned the area, looking for signs of Eggman. Then in the distance, I saw him flying over to the valley with Infinite. Taking a deep breath, I summon my courage, as I let out my fearsome howl. A few moments after the ground began to shake, as I saw something in the distance charge towards me.

"Amy, there's something coming," I said, "I would really like a beat on."

"Working on it, hang on!" said Amy, after a minute she had something, "It's multi-legged battlemech! The energy readings are off the charts!"

"So Eggman had another weapon up his sleeve," growled Vector.

"When doesn't he?" I said as the purple, crab-like robot made its way to me, "I can't get cold feet now. Time to do what I came here for!"

"You?!" I heard Eggman say through the robot, "Is this really all the Resistance has to offer? Or is this your own feeble attempt to stop me, Huntress?"

"So you do remember me," I smirked.

"Only one person could ever howl like that," laughed Eggman, "If I recall the last time you howled like that was just before you were defeated by me. I don't expect the result to be any different this time."

"That was the past," I growled, "Things change and so have I."

Eggman laughs, "Death Crab end her pathetic life!"

The Death Crab uses one of its legs in an attempt to crush me. I grappled to a nearby mountainside to dodge. The Death Crab was ready and used another leg to stomp me. I quickly grappled under the Death Crab, swinging myself onto the road to run.

"Well, if I wanted his attention I have it now," I called out to the team, "If you guys were waiting on a signal, this is it!"

"Alright Rookie, everything is underway," explained Knuckles, "Just remember, diversionary tactics are all about the decoy you use. Just go wild and get their attention!"

I heard the Death Crab catching up behind me, so I grappled to another mountain. Running in between them to dodge the Death Crabs attacks.

"I think I have its attention!" I snapped.

"Don't push your luck too far, though," cautioned Amy.

"Just focus on the Chemical Plant," I said dodging another attack.

"Leave the Chemical Plant to us," said Silver, "Just make as much noise as you can."

"This Death Crab is doing that for me," I sassed jumping into a nearby cave, "I should be good here for a second."

As the words left my mouth, I felt the whole mountain shake. Panicked I ran for the exit, leading out to another path. Looking around the Death Crab was nowhere to be found

"Rookie, time for you to head back!" Knuckles ordered.

"Hold on!" cried Amy, "There's a massive energy source approaching!"

The Death Crab landed behind me from high in the sky, running towards me sideways.

"Damn it!" I cursed as I tried to run away from it, "I've run out of hiding places."

"We can't let this thing get to the Chemical Plant!" said Knuckles, "Keep it busy there as long as you can, rookie!"

"Easier said than done," I growled, "This thing is zooming! It'll catch up to me soon if I don't think of something. How can something that runs sideways be so fast? Wait... I have an idea..."

I grappled to a nearby mountainside to swing around the robot. Trying to get as much momentum as I could. Then I attached the grapple to the side of the robot, before swinging the wire across the Death Crab's front legs. The Death Crab couldn't break the wire, causing it to trip. Unable to stop itself, the Death Crab slammed into a mountainside, causing the mountain to fall, destroying it.

Catching my breath, watching the Death Crab explode, I called in, "Please tell me you guys have destroyed the Death Egg by now? I don't know if I can do another run like that."

"Why don't you take a look?" said Silver as I looked up to see something exploding in the sky, "We did it Artemis!"

"Head back home, rookie," ordered Knuckles, "It's time to revisit our plan to take back Metropolis."