Sonic Apocalypse

Chapter 37 - Time Runs Short

Vector's plan to liberate the city of Shamar was more than a success. He was able to unify and rally an entire rebellion, giving them the courage and the strength to try and overthrow the opressive regime that the city fell victim to thanks to the Empire's conquest. With this success in the back of his mind, Vector hoped to continue his winning streak with his two brothers and travel the world to do the same exact thing he did with Shamar. Next stop...Mazuri.

"Vector, where the hell are we going?" complained Charmy who was on the verge of falling asleep after sitting in a truck for several hours.

"Don't worry Charmy, the next city should be around here soon so shut it, would ya?" answerer Vector in a harsh, almost equally impatient tone. "Just be happy we even managed to find a vehicle, we could easily be walking through this long ass desert right now."

"Well...about that." said Espio as he pointed at the trucks fuel gauge.

"About what? What are you pointing at?" babbled Vector. "Oh great! Well, I think we still got a few miles in us. Enough to get us to...what's the closest city again?"

"It's Mazuri." responded Espio.

"C'mon Vector, we've been over this numerous times already. Even I remembered." taunted Charmy.

"Hush Charmy, I'm more focused on other stuff right now. Like how we're gonna approach this next city." said Vector. "I'm willing to admit that I was a bit reckless back there, and I don't think we're gonna get lucky twice so we're gonna need an actual plan this time around."

"We also need to watch out for who's behind us." suggested Espio. "I have no doubt that we're being hunted down right now, so we need to be extra careful."

"Eh, perhaps you're right." agreed Vector. "But then again, I created a pretty big diversion, so maybe not."

"The thing that surprises me is how empty this desert is." observed Charmy. "We haven't seen one android out here this entire time, lucky for us."

"Well Charmy, there's only like, three major cities in this area, the rest is literally just sand. So I don't suppose the Empire would have much of an interest with this place." said Vector as he looked around the desert to make sure nobody was watching them.

"Wait! What's that in the distance?" said Espio as he pointed towards a massive cloud of smoke in the far distance.

"Huh, looks like the party started before we even got there!" laughed Vector confidently.

"Don't get cocky." warned Charmy.

"He's right. Maybe that city has been completely destroyed." said Espio. "And from the looks of things, even from this distance, it looks to be that way."

"Well we won't know for sure until we actually get there." scoffed Vector. "So let's head on over there and just hope for the best."

After driving for a few more minutes and still managing to have just a sliver of gas left, the trio found themselves amongst the rubble of what was once a very prosperous city. Smoke, remnants of buildings and corpses burnt to a crisp was all that could be seen, all terrifying the Chaotix. Despite seeing the horrible effects of war, nothing has ever disgusted them this deeply before.

"What in God's name happened here?" muttered Espio as they had a look around the city with their jaws dropped in absolute shock.

"It was definitely a cataclysmic explosion of some kind." said Charmy. "But...what could've caused it? It had to have been a nuke of some sort."

"Well so much for saving another city." frowned Vector. "And here I was, thinking that we just maybe had a chance to turn the tables, but after seeing this...my hope has pretty much flown out the window."