Sonic the Hedgehog and the Space Ace Transformers - Episode VII by Space Ace Part 7 We stood in front of the sludge covered stream debating on how to cross it, not knowing what effect the water would have on our boots or shoes. SALLY: I'm certainly not wading into it, uh-uh, no way. Who knows if there's deadly acid chemicals in there. SONIC: Then allow me to carry you across, madam. SALLY: Oh, you always do nice things for me, he? SONIC: That's me, duh? Acorn hopped into Sonic's strong arms as he supported her weight as usual then spinning his shoes like dragster wheels burning rubber he shot across the polluted stream seconds flat, depositing his leader gently onto her boots again on the other side. Beaming proudly the new queen kissed him on his forehead, smiling sweetly as he blushed in the cheeks before falling onto his backside, passed out. SHADOW: Ha-ha, look at that. He fainted from being kissed by her highness. HOPE: He-he-he, he sure did. KIMBERLY: Okay, knock it off, you two. Let's cross this stream to join them ASAP! HOPE: You got to be kidding me?! KIMBERLY: Oh, no? Use your ring to carry you across to save yourself the painful exposures you may suffer. HOPE: Ah, yes...my ring device. SHADOW: I forgot how they work again. ACE: Not a problem... But before I could say anything more it was my wife who got my attention, shouting back across the stream. SALLY: Yo, King Ace! Come on, let's get going! ACE: Coming! You heard her, let's move out. ALICIA & MILES PROWER: Aye-aye! TAILS: Me too! By this time Kimberly was levitating herself through the air, Hope following behind with Shadow in trail. Minutes after that came Miles, Tails, Alicia and myself bringing up rear guard. Sally was standing there, frowning impatiently as she tapped her boots on the ground with crossed arms. SALLY: Ahem, what took you so long to join me, he? ACE: Sorry, my lady. Had to make sure the others crossed safely before I joined them. SALLY: I see, as you wish... MILES PROWER: Okay, now what? ALICIA: I say we investigate those caves to see whether or not the enemy is cooking up something evil within. ACE: I agree, Alicia. But we go together as one force; teamwork is the name of the game. KIMBERLY: That's what we say on our world. HOPE: Good idea, redhead. By this time Sonic regained consciousness to join us as Sally huddled everyone like a quarterback outlining the play before lining up at the line of scrimmage to execute it so to speak. Seconds later with the traditional "On three, break!" we clapped hands and broke the circle formation before facing the climb ahead of us to reach the ledge above where the hidden stone door was. SALLY: We use our rings to get us up onto that ledge and then open the secret door, that is if Sonic knows the magic word to open it, no? SONIC: For sure, all you say is "Open Sesame!" SHADOW: Duh?! That's it, open sesame? SONIC: That's how Shego did it when she stood before the door, Ash and I saw her use that password. SHADOW: Oh... ACE: Activate morphing rings to carry us onto the ledge. One by one we commanded our rings to levitate us into the air until standing together on the ledge in front of the rock wall. Clearing his throat, the fastest hedgehog of the galaxy commanded the hidden door to... SONIC: Open sesame! Then with a creaking-grinding sound the door slid open before our shocked eyes. Not wanting to hang around any longer to see if any opposition forces came out of the darkness to challenge us, we stepped quickly inside. The cave is dark and dank as the gang hide behind acid-pocked boulders along the walls. SHADOW: Only a nWo Decepticon could live here. Green slime everywhere, ugh! HOPE: Huuuuuuh... look at those rats! MILES PROWER: Holy cow?!! What happened to those rats? Rodents about the size of cats with fiery red eyes and fur that glows eerily-ominously scuttle across the floor. ALICIA: Oh my god! TAILS: They've been turned into monsters! SONIC: Probably breathing this foul air mutated them. SALLY: Uh, uh, ah... ACE: Honey, snap out of it! The mission, remember? SALLY: M-wha?!! KIMBERLY: This should bring her back, leader. Using her ring my 2nd in Command zapped Acorn which made her jerk-twitch several times, gasp out in shock and blink her eyes before glaring at the redhead who glared back. SALLY: What's the big idea, huh?! How dare you sting me like that, ooooooooh! KIMBERLY: I had to, okay? It was the only way to bring you back. SALLY: Well... thank you, redhead, yes? ACE: This is not getting off on the right foot here, come on, team. Motioning for them to stay close I led the procession into the depths of the tunnels- passageways until entering a large cavern about the size of a cathedral church that had been converted into a so-called Poison Laboratory with tables set up here and there, arc-lamps positioned about the chamber to illuminate the workplace and on the tables were equipment units of beakers, Bunsen burners, vials, tubes connected here and there, etc. TAILS: Ew! Smells awful in there. MILES PROWER: You got that right, dude. HOPE: Must be some kind of Poison Lab, I recognize the apparatus setups like those at our GUN laboratory. SHADOW: Look, on that table yonder. The black hedgehog warrior created by his late master Dr Gerald Robotnik spotted a vial with a bluish-white liquid set apart from the rest of the equipment units. SONIC: I wonder what could be inside that bottle? KIMBERLY: Not a genie that is. Pop the cork or rub it and he appears to grant your wish desires. SONIC: D'oh! SALLY: He-he-he-he-ahem! Let me see here, hmm... ALICIA: Any idea what it could be? SALLY: It's the antidote cure to the poison. ACE: You are smarter than the average bear, NOT! SALLY: Grrrrrrmph, oooooooooh! SONIC: What does that mean, Ace? But as I was about to explain there came the sound of Empire voices and approaching footsteps heading in our direction! HOPE: We got to act fast, gang. KIMBERLY: Aye, this is a job for the ex-Suppression Squad to prove themselves again. MILES AND ALICIA: Who, us?!! TAILS: Duh? SONIC: Huh? SHADOW: Oh, send the Anti-Freedom Fighters to get the antidote, good idea. ACE: Kimmy always comes up with ideas before I do, D'oh! SALLY: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! TO BE CONTINUED... www.geocities.com/silverstarr3224/