Author's Note: The following was originally intended to be “Chapter Five” of the “Absolute Power” story-line. I never posted it because I didn't like the direction it was going in, and was going to write a different “Chapter Five”. However, that doesn't seem to be happening, so I figured I might as well post this, as a “Special Feature” if nothing else.

Credits: Most of this chapter was written by Ken Penders and appeared under the name "And One will Save Him" in Sonic the Hedgehog issue 41. Adapted to text form and modified for use in "Absolute Power" by Chronos.

Absolute Power:

Visitors to the Silence

What Has Gone On Before:

Some time ago, Knothole was visited by "Techno-Sonic", a cybernetic version of Sonic from the future. He warned them of how Robotnik would one day gain the power of time-travel and become so powerful there was no chance of ever beating him. Techno-Sonic also warned Sally of several specific tragedies that would occur which she might be able to prevent or at least lessen. He then created a copy of Princess Sally, and then he and the copy traveled to the time of Robotnik's coup with the intention of preventing it. For unknown reasons, they failed.

Since then the Freedom Fighters have fought Robotnik many more times, and many things have happened. Robotnik created a super-robot called EVE to destroy Sonic, but it turned on Robotnik and seemingly destroyed him before heading off into space. Robotnik somehow returned, however.

More recently, Rotor completed his Inter-Zonal Multi-Dimensional Framistat, allowing the Freedom Fighters to venture into the Zone of Silence and attempt to rescue the King. In the Zone they found the King, but he had apparently lost his mind, and treated them as enemies. They were forced to retreat, but they have not given up hope, and plan to try again...

Not long after this, an earthquake hit Robotropolis, devastating the city. Mere days later, Sonic discovered the legendary Lake of Rings, the mythical place of origin of the Power Rings.

But before the Freedom Fighters were truly able to take advantage of either of these fortuitous events, the bounty hunter Nack the Weasel captured Sonic and took him to Robotnik. Robotnik roboticized Sonic, and set him loose upon Knothole.

Although "Mecha-Sonic" was defeated and restored to his original self, Knothole was virtually demolished in the battle. It has taken some time for the villagers to rebuild, time which Robotnik has used to rebuild his city as well.

End Recap.

"Click!" Sonic attached a clasp to one of the bars of a railing. Tied to the clasp was a rope, which he now, in turn, tied to his legs.

Behind him lie the ruins of the city of Robotropolis. In front of him was a deep gulf, like an artificial crater. Rising from the center of the crater was a mechanical tower. It was fully intact, suggesting it had been constructed after the earthquake.

Sonic looked down into the crater, arms outstretched. He then leaped...

Down, down, he fell, towards a glass window in the metal surface of the crater, the rope trailing behind him. At the last moment, he went into Sonic Spin, smashing through the window (and, incidentally, cutting the rope; but he didn't need it anymore).

"KRAAAASH!"

"Egads! It's Sonic the Hedgehog once again!" Robotnik said, turning at the sound. "You must think you're so golden-- eying me like this!"

"I-- spying?" Sonic asked.

Sonic buzzed through two of Robotnik's Swatbot guards, trashing them. "Since when was I ever subtle?"

He stopped in front of a computer panel. "Besides, with all the damage your city's been hit with, all I need to do is get what I came for, and run!" He pushed a button, and a panel opened up, revealing a computer chip. "Trying to bag me yourself is the real trick!"

"You've pushed your luck too far this time, Hedgehog!" Robotnik said, shaking his fist. Two Swatbots raised their arms and pointed their guns at Sonic. "For once I'm not interested in taking prisoners and roboticizing them!

"FIRE!" The Swatbots fired at Sonic.

"Hoo-hah!" Sonic laughed, dodging. "You snooze, you lose! I got what I came for!"

He zoomed past the Swatbots and headed towards the door. As he left, he called out, "My compliments on the hospitality! Hasta la vista, Doc!" And with that, he was gone.

Robotnik snarled. "Oooooh... How I really hate that Hedgehog!"

Soon, Sonic was racing through the Great Forest, towards Knothole. "I'd better pour on the juice--" he said to himself, "before time runs out for everyone!"

Moments later, Sonic burst into one of the huts of Knothole.

"Sonic!" Sally said, "I take it you were successful!"

"Well, if he wasn't, luv, there's still one bloke you can depend on!" Geoffrey St. John said smugly.

"In your dreams, Clyde! This hedgehog takes a back seat to nobody!"

"Stop it!" Sally said forcefully. "Stop it, both of you! You're like boys with toys! This isn't time for fun and games!"

"Truer words were never spoken, Princess!" Rotor spoke up. Everybody turned to look at him. He was working at his massive computer. "In fact, it's even worse than I feared! I thought we stopped the Zone of Silence from expanding into our reality and consuming it last time, giving us a chance to rethink how to retrieve King Acorn.

"However, I have since discovered that although Robotnik's Energy Inhibitor may have saved Mobius, it had a terrible cost. The Inhibitor has created a black hole which is sucking in the contents of the Zone. It is only a matter of time before the Zone collapses, destroying everything within it-- including the King.

"Fortunately, I have been able to construct a Neutralizer', which will balance the Zone's natural expansive nature with the implosive power of the black hole, thus allowing both universes to exist side by side without destroying each-other."

Rotor peered down into the eyepieces of one of his instruments. "Using this component Sonic liberated from Robotnik, we have the missing piece necessary to make the neutralizer work!

"With it, we stand a chance of recovering King Acorn and saving a universe!" He handed Sally a metal tube.

"Not we, Rotor!" Sally said as she took the tube. "This is my father we're talking about! We made it out last time by the skin of our teeth! There aren't any guarantees we'll do it again!

"I've got to do this alone!"

"Beg y'pardon, Princess, but it's your job t'stay an'lead!" Geoffrey disagreed. "As the senior operative of the King's Special Services, it's m'job to risk life an' limb!"

Sonic looked at her. "Much as I hate to admit it, he's right Sal! You have to stay, and depend on yours truly to come through once again!"

"When she needs an amateur, mate, she'll let y'know! This here's a job for grownups!"

"Who? You?! Wake up and smell the coffee, pal!"

"Listen-- I'm not going to split hairs with you-- unless I have to!" Geoffrey said, raising his bow and aiming it at Sonic.

"Chill, dude! After all, if there's any splitting to be done, it'll be the split second timing by the Hedgehog--" Sonic responded, moving, in a flash, around Geoffrey and stopping right behind him. He tapped Geoffrey on the shoulder, and finished his sentence, "--delivering a splitting headache to the skunk! Have a migraine on me, pal!"

Sonic gave Geoffrey a swift uppercut to the side of his face. "That's your best shot, mate?!" Geoffrey said incredulously. "I've been hit by pillows that were harder!"

The two now engaged in an all out brawl.

"This isn't getting us anywhere, guys!" Sally said pushing the two apart. "You can settle this later! Right now, we have a job to do! Open the portal, Rotor!"

Sonic growled at Geoffrey, "This isn't over yet-- not by a long shot!"

"Anytime and anywhere, mate!"

"One more thing," Rotor said, "these jet packs I've designed should handle maneuvering through the Zone! However," he said, holding up one of the jet packs, "I haven't had the chance to fully work out all the bugs, so be careful!"

"Be careful?! Got anything more reliable?" Sonic asked.

"Nothing that will get you through the Zone like these will!"

Geoffrey eyed Sonic and said, "Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! I think I hear some hen clucking!"

As Sonic, Geoffrey, and Sally pulled on the jet-packs, Sonic said, "Ver-ry funny, wise guy!"

"I thought so too!

"After you!"

Rotor turned a final dial on the portal generator, and the swirling, light blue surface of the portal tunnel appeared, seemingly extending into infinity.

"Good luck, gang!"

"We'll be back, Rotor," Sonic said, giving him a thumbs-up. As the trio entered the tunnel, Sonic continued, "--And don't forget to leave the light on for us!"

"Not to mention the welcome mat! Just come back safe and sound!"

The warrior who had once been King Acorn stared off into the vastness of space. He wore dark armor and a billowing cape, but he had not retrieved the masked helmet he had wore in his battle with the Freedom Fighters. "I sense his arrival! Sonic the Hedgehog, the only foe to invade my domain and escape my wrath! He will not be so fortunate this time!"

"He had better not be!" The King turned. Standing there was a woman dressed in green. A veil covered much of her face, revealing only her eyes. They were large, and a beautiful shade of blue, but they were cold and cruel as well. Her clothes were billowy, in Arabian fashion, but she also wore dark gray boots, gloves, and a cape.

She continued, "The master was most displeased to learn that you had failed to capture that group of intruders. If it weren't for your previously stellar record, your punishment would have been most severe. You had better not fail, this time..."

"Of course not, my Lady. I swear, I shall not fail the master again!"

A toad hopped up and tapped on the King's leg. "EH? What is it, Toady?"

"I beg your lordship's indulgence, but it's been awhile since the pack has been fed a decent meal! All they ask is a crumb or two, sire!"

"Your groveling is impeccable, as always, my faithful footstool! But your timing leaves a lot to be desired!" The King said, angrily. "However--"

"Father!"

"Eh? What did you say, toady?" The King turned. "Toady?! That's not Toady!!" Grasping on to a floating boulder were three Mobians: a teenage boy hedgehog the King recognized as Sonic, a teenage girl chipmunk (who had came with Sonic the last time), and a male skunk.

The chipmunk called out, "We haven't much time!"

Speaking to his troops, the King said, "Stand your ground, all of you!!!"

The chipmunk continued, with a concerned look on her face, "Father! Don't you remember me-- your daughter?"

"My daughter?!"

"Does he have hallucinations like this often?" the lady in green asked Toady.

"Never, my ladyship. I have never seen the like of this before."

The King looked around. The three Mobians and their floating boulder were nowhere to be seen. "Toady?! My Lady? Where did you disappear to? What happened to those three intruders?"

"Disappear? I haven't gone anywhere sire! I've always been here!" Toady said.

The Green Lady tilted her head back and said, "There hasn't been anyone else here since I arrived. You were hallucinating, Dark Knight. I shall have to report this to the Master."

With a concerned look on his face, Toady asked, "Is something wrong?"

The Dark Knight responded, "That depends on whether I choose to believe what I think I saw, and if I'm correct as to what it all means!"

Elsewhere in the Zone, Sonic, Sally, and Geoffrey floated through space.

"Hey, guys! I'm getting a funny feeling--" Sally said.

"I don't blame ya, luv, what wit' hangin' around the hedgehog all th' time!"

"Somethin' stinks alright! And I'll give you just three--"

"Sonic! Don't be rude! It was only Nicole trying to get my attention!" Sally pulled out her hand held computer, Nicole.

Nicole said in her emotionless but pleasant-sounding voice, "And not a moment too soo, Princess. My sensors are picking up some disturbing fluctuations in the magnetic field!"

There was a flash of light in front of them, and they found themselves hurtling though space. Finally, they came to rest on a small boulder floating in the void.

"Fluctuations, did you say?" Geoffrey groaned.

"An early warning would be appreciated next time, Nicole!" Sally said.

"I try, Princess."

"WAIT! What's this?" Sonic said, picking something up. "It's the helmet your father was wearing when we last saw him!"

"But that would mean-- that--" Sally said, putting her hands over her mouth.

"Don't even think it, luv, not 'til we 'ave all the facts!"

"Surrender, or else face the consequences!"

"I don't believe it!" Sonic said.

"Will you look at that?" Geoffrey added.

Some ways away they could see King Acorn-- wearing not only his dark armor, but a helmet just like the one Sonic held in his hand. He rode a dark horse with glowing purple eyes, and arrayed beside and behind him were his monstrous gray troops. But more astonishing than that was who stood in front of him-- Sonic, Sally, and Antoine!

"This is so weird!" The Sonic in the team with Geoffrey said.

Speaking to the King, the other Sonic said, "That's not exactly a friendly way to start things off, bud!"

"I'm not your bud,' pal,' bro,' or any other term you may use to suggest familiarity!"

The Sally watching this scene said, "Maybe Nicole can explain!"

"Of course I can! That is my primary function!"

"Just what we need-- a computer with wit!"

"If you want charm, see me later. To answer your query, Dr Robotnik's experiments have affected the quantum energy levels of the Zone. By destroying energy at the basic atomic level, he has created rips' or holes' if you prefer. In effect, you have windows' allowing you to view events that have already taken place--" Space seemed to fold in on itself, as the "window" to the past began to close. Nicole continued, "--As well as events yet to come!"

"So, what we're seeing here is the image of what we experienced!" Sally said.

"Exactly!"

"Now what?" Geoffrey asked.

"What looks like two beggars of some sort walking among the stars!" Sally said, pointing to two figures some distance off. One was about the same size as Sonic and Sally, the other was a bit taller. They both wore hooded gray cloaks.

"There's a familiarity to th' taller one's strut!" Geoffrey noted.

The figures reached a barren floating island, and the tall one fell down on it's face. The second one fell to it's knees.

"They've collapsed!" Sally said with concern.

"Steady, Sal!" Sonic said. "We don't know if this is a rerun or a preview!"

A large group of the gray monstrous inhabitants of the Zone walked out of the mist towards the figures. The monsters helped the figures up and began leading them towards the island's mountains.

"Amazing!" Sonic said. "The same creatures we saw with your dad have come along--"

Geoffrey finished for him, "--And taken them to some sort of sanctuary!"

The trio floated over the island, towards the figures. As they approached the figures and with them, the sanctuary, Sonic said, "They're taking the taller one's hood off, and-- It's King Acorn!"

"They have Daddy!"

"I think the operative word is had', luv!" Geoffrey said as they landed on a ridge overlooking the sanctuary. "Look! They're bringing them to a vast furnace!"

King Acorn and the other figure stood in front of the furnace and knelt down.

"Why can't we hear anything?" Sally asked. "Nicole?"

"All evidence supports Mr. St. John's opinion we are watching events that took place some time ago! The further back an event took place the less real it seems!"

After several moments, the two figures stood up. King Acorn turned and walked towards the gray creatures. But the other one walked towards the open flames of the furnace--and steeped in.

"What's that other one doing?!"

"Th' bloke's insane!"

The figure vanished in a burst of flame and a puff of smoke.

"He--he killed himself! Why the heck did he go and do something like that?!" Sonic said. Turning back to the King and the gray creatures, he said, "Look! They've fitted your father with armor-- the same armor we found him in!"

Sally observed, "Even here, his regal bearing shows through! Look at how they present him with his helmet!" The King put on the proffered helmet and raised his left arm high above his head. Sally continued, "And now, it looks like a storm is coming!"

"And there's th' King-- leadin' 'is troops t' safety!"

"Wait!" Sonic said, as the wind swirled around them, "This storm isn't any image! It's REAL!"

As the wind blew them away from the fading image of the island, Sonic shouted, "HANG LOOSE!!"

Moments later, Sonic landed, face first, on another rocky island. "Doesn't anybody believe in soft landings?

"Hey, Sal? Sal?

"How about you, St. John?" But only silence answered Sonic queries. "Hmm... No answers!" He quickly glanced to his left and right, but saw no sign of Sally or Geoffrey. "Now I know I'm in trouble!"

"There's only one thing you need concern yourself with right now!

"You better hope you've lived a good life-- because my judgment is final!" Sonic turned to look behind him-- only to find himself facing the point of King Acorn's lance.

"gulp"

The King sat on his purple-eyed horse. Smoke drifted from his lance. Next to him rode a woman dressed in green, with her face covered. Her horse was blue, with glowing green eyes.

"This is one time, Sonic the Hedgehog, where you can't outrace you're fate!" the King said.

"I'm not even sure I'm even in the running!"

"So this is the Sonic' I've heard so much about!" the Lady in Green said. "Handsome devil. If I wasn't married to the master, I'd want him for myself!"

"Allow me to remove his head from his body, your majesty! Then you may look upon it whenever you like without arousing the master's displeasure!"

"No way," Sonic said. "I like my head where it-- IS?!!" Suddenly, in a flash of light, Sonic was sent flying. The next thing he knew, Sonic was lying on the floating boulder again, next to Sally and Geoffrey.

"Sally! St. John! What are you doing here?"

"Are you alright, mate? You've been here with us! Get with the program!"

"The Zone is collapsing, Sonic," Sally warned, "and I'm afraid there isn't a thing we can do to stop it!"

Sonic looked down. Rocks, islands, and inhabitants of the Zone were all being swept down in a giant swirl towards the black hole Rotor had spoke of. The boulder the trio were on was being swept in as well.

Sally continued, "With us being drawn into that cosmic whirlpool, we'll be lucky to save ourselves, let alone my father!"

"There's gotta be a way out of this for everyone!" Sonic said. "Maybe Nicole has a suggestion?"

"Well, Nicole, do you? Nicole?"

"I'm processing..."

"Well?"

"Try prayer."

"This is just dinkum! Screwy machine! If only our jet packs worked!" Geoffrey said.

"Interesting point! Just why aren't the jet packs working?" Sally asked.

"Essentially, they're out of fuel."

"Well, yes, that's as good an explanation as any, I suppose! Any way, can we recharge them?"

"Only if you are able to access energy with a positive charge."

"Can't run on just anything, eh? It figures." Geoffrey commented.

"WAIT! What's that?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"One thing's for sure," Geoffrey commented, "whatever it is, it's got plenty o' company!"

A seemingly endless mass of the gray creatures floated down towards the black-hole, at a much faster rate than the rest of the swirling rubble.

"King Acorn's minions! They're heading into the whirlpool!"

"I just thought of something, guys!" Sally said, as they grasped onto the boulder to avoid being sucked into the vortex. "The Neutralizer is a source of positive energy!"

"Isn't that a good one?!" Sonic said. "We have a choice between getting us out of here or preserving the Zone and remaining here!"

"Perhaps I can make the choice for you!" Out of a bank of mist rode King Acorn and the Green Lady, on their horses. The King pointed his lance at the three of them. Smoke began to rise from the lance.

"Give your device to me, and I may let you live!" the King announced. "Refuse and no one gets out of here!"

"Father! We haven't much time!"

Speaking to his troops, the King said, "Stand your ground, all of you!!!"

Sally continued, with a concerned look on her face, "Father! Don't you remember me-- your daughter?"

"My daughter?!"

"It's no use, Sal! He doesn't remember! He's been here so long, it's affected his memory!

"Only one chance-- if St. John is game!"

"I can handle anything you can think of, an' then some!"

The King's lance began to flame. "My patience is wearing thin! You won't succeed by trying to confuse me!"

"NOW!" Sonic shouted.

Sally cried, "Geoffrey!! Wha--?!" as Geoffrey pushed her off the boulder.

Meanwhile, Sonic jumped at the King, punching him in the face. "Forgive me, sire-- I'm not sure Sally will, after this!"

Geoffrey grabbed onto Sally, and activated her jet pack, sending them flying away from the scene of the battle.

"Geoffrey!" Sally cried, "You're using the neutralizer to power my jet-pack! What about the inhabitants of this Zone?"

The Green Lady scowled. "Those two are getting away!" She signaled her horse, and it began galloping after them.

"It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings!" Geoffrey told Sally. "An' she hasn't started yet!"

"What about Sonic?"

"He's a big boy, luv! He'll be right fine!"

"Blasted!" the Green Lady said, realizing that Sally's jet-pack was faster than her horse. She galloped back to Sonic and the King.

"My! Aren't we the Hero!" the King said as he fought Sonic. "There's only one thing you need concern yourself with right now!

"You better hope you've lived a good life-- because my judgment is final!"

The king pointed his lance at Sonic, and smoke rose from it. Sonic gulped.

The Green Lady brought her horse up beside the King's.

"This is one time, Sonic the Hedgehog, where you can't outrace you're fate!" the King said.

"I'm not even sure I'm even in the running!"

"So this is the Sonic' I've heard so much about!" the Lady in Green said. "Handsome devil. If I wasn't married to the master, I'd want him for myself!"

"Allow me to remove his head from his body, your majesty! Then you may look upon it whenever you like without arousing the master's displeasure!"

"No way," Sonic said. "I like my head where it is!"

The Green Lady gave a dismissive wave. "Kill him however you like, Knight. It is of no concern to me. It was just a passing fancy anyway."

"As you say, your majesty." He turned to Sonic. "I am the master of this domain, and you will submit your will in service to me-- or you will be one sorry hedgehog!"

"How about we flip for it? Heads, you win! Tails, I--" Sonic zoomed around the King faster than the eye could see, and hit him hard on the back of the head. "--juice like I never have before!"

"I'll take that," Sonic said, climbing onto the horse as the King fell unconscious.

The Green Lady had been watching this, and said, "So, Sonic, you defeated the Dark Knight. I'm impressed!

"...But my master won't be, which is why I have to destroy you now. It's nothing personal, you understand." She raised her left hand in a fist, and flames appeared on it. She opened her hand, and a ball of fire formed in it. She flung it at Sonic, but Sonic jumped off the horse over the fireball, and towards the Green Lady.

"Well, nothing personal on my side either, but I can't let you do that, so I'll have ta beat you!"

"Arrogant fool!" the Lady laughed. "Do you really think you're a match for me?" She held up her right hand, and a shield of ice appeared in front of her. Sonic hit the shield, and bounced off of it.

"Oh, man," Sonic moaned as he tumbled through space.

The Lady laughed again. "You see? I am a student of the great sorcerer, Lord Ixus Naugus! You don't stand a chance against me!"

Now this, I hadn't planned for! Sonic thought.

The Green Lady moved her hands around the ice shield in a complex gesture, and it changed shape into a spear. She then flung this at Sonic.

"Oh, boy. Time to think on my feet. Only problem is, I'm not on my feet! Well, can't let that stop me!"

The ice spear was headed straight at Sonic, but it took a few seconds to reach him. Usually, something so slow wouldn't have been a problem for Sonic, but without any ground to run on, dodging the spear would be difficult.

Then he remembered, in the Zone of Silence, gravity was optional. You could stand on boulders and islands if you wished, but it was equally easy to float around through void-- if you could get used to it. Sonic hadn't, but he decided now was not the time to worry about that.

He spun his legs as if he were on ground-- and started moving. He dodged the spear, then let himself drift again. The Lady began lobbing fireballs at him, but before any had time to reach him, he was able to perform his "figure-eight peel-out maneuver." This allowed him to reach speeds otherwise unattainable without a Power Ring (which he had neglected to bring).

He rocketed towards the Lady, dodging her fire. As he approached her, he went into a Sonic Spin.

She made an ice shield once again, but in his spin, he cut right through it. He then broke out of the spin, and delivered a two-fisted punch that knocked her out and off her horse.

"Well, that wasn't so bad!" Sonic said. He hopped off her horse and floated towards the black horse the King still lie on.

Sonic got on the horse and shouted, "Hi-yo, Black Beauty away!"

Sonic rode the horse at a gallop, and caught up with Sally and Geoffrey, who were now coasting.

"What took ya so long, mate?"

"Oh, that woman in green gave me a bit more trouble than I expected. No biggie, though. Activate the neutralizer, St. John! We've got a universe to save!"

"All in a day's work, mate!" Geoffrey said. A huge blast of yellow-gold light shot from the tube of the Neutralizer. "Ready or not, this one's for all the marbles!"

And with that, the flash of yellow light engulfed them.

The Green Lady slowly opened her eyes. "They got away! The master's not going to like this.

"It would appear I underestimated you, hedgehog. That is a mistake I shall not make again!"

"Rotor! The portal!" Tails cried, pointing to where Sonic was emerging, holding the King's limp form.

"Way ahead of you, Tails!" As the group emerged, Rotor asked, "Is everyone alright?"

"Get Doctor Quack immediately, Rotor!" Sonic said. "He's got a very important patient waiting for him!"

As he put the King down, Sonic asked, "What about the creatures in the Zone? Did the neutralizer save them?"

"Everything turned out just fine for them!" Rotor answered. "As it will for all of us one day."

Interlude: Another Zone, another time...

The lights of the city were like stars in the sky, but the sky over the city was dark, the true stars concealed behind a thick layer of smoke-clouds.

Deep, deep below the bustle of the city, in a small, dark, and dusty room, seven chambers, like metallic coffins, stood against the wall. Each chamber had a number painted on it, from "01" on the left to "07" on the right. Each chamber also had a control panel with a computer screen and a keyboard. Wires and pipes snaked from the caskets into the wall.

Suddenly, the lights flickered on. Small red and green lights on the control panels of the caskets began blinking.

After a few moments, with a hiss of escaping air, the caskets slowly opened. Within each casket lay a humanoid robot, six-and-a-half feet tall, and painted blue. They were heavily armored, and had faces with featureless eyes and mouths that were little more than jagged slits in their faces-- all in all very similar to the design of a Combot. On the left-hand side of their chest, each had a symbol shaped like an hour-glass, followed by a number-- the same number as on their casket.

Although they basically all looked alike, there were a few minor differences between a few of them. 01 was taller than the rest, by about half a foot, and "he" had spikes on his shoulders. 05 had a cannon on his right arm instead of a hand, and even his left arm had several guns attached to it. And 07 had claws on his fingers.

The robots stepped out of their caskets. 01 walked to the center of the room and stood facing the others, who all stood in a row. They stood, facing each-other for a moment, then 01 held out his right arm and called out "Hail Chrono-nik!" The others waited until he'd finished, then, in unison, returned the salute.

"Hail Chrono-nik!"

01 held its' arms at its' sides, and said, “Chrono-bot Strike Force Units Zero-Two to Zero-Seven, report readiness for duty.”

“Unit Zero-Two ready for duty, Sir.”

“Unit Zero-Three, all systems are 'go'.”

“Unit Zero-Four functioning at optimum parameters, Sir.”

“Unit Zero-Five ready for battle, Sir!”

“Unit Zero-Six ready for duty, as always.”

“Unit Zero-Seven ready and waiting to carve up some Mobians.”

01 nodded, and said, “You will have received a copy of our mission as you awoke. For redundancy's sake, I shall summarize. We are to travel to Chrono-nik's Zone of Origin, and back in time to just after he was ejected from it. We shall assume control of Robotropolis and its' subject territories, and take all necessary steps to obtain control of the rest of Planet Mobius. We will then begin upgrading its' robots and animals to technimals. We shall also stand ready to assist Chrono-nik in his plans of vengeance upon those who opposed him in the past.

“Are there any questions?”

07 asked, “Will I get to torture anyone?”

01 answered, “There are many who opposed Chrono-nik when he first attempted to conquer Mobius. Many will oppose us as well, and will need to be punished. Also, I am sure Chrono-nik will wish to employ your services in his quest for vengeance.”

07's eyes glowed, and it slid it's finger-blades against each-other. “I can hardly wait,” it said in anticipation.

01 said sternly, “However, you are not to unduly harm any Mobians without the prior approval of myself or Chrono-nik. It is not their fault they are inferior, and we must not give them reason to fear coming to us for upgrading.”

“Aw, you're always spoiling my fun!”

01 glanced at the other Chrono-bots. “Are there any other questions?”

It was answered with a chorus of “No, Sir!”

“Very well. Chrono-bot Strike Force, move out!”

Next: Either “The Freedom Fighters VS the Chrono-bots”... Or, “the Return of Alicia”!

Author's Note: I tell you what is “next” like I intend to continue this. However, that doesn't seem likely.