Episode 21: Running is Easy, Stopping's the Problem

In Appleloosa, the ponies there were in a panic when a robot was attacking the town. It was destroying everything that was in its path.

Bokkun was flying above, using a remote control to control the robot. He laughed and said, "This would be more fun if Doctor Eggman was here. He'd get a blast out of this."

The robot then started charging the clock tower. The ponies there were running to get out of the way of the charging robot. Just then, a blue blur came in and impacted the robot. The robot was heading down the road after the impact, rolling away from the target.

"What?!" Bokkun asked.

"Hey, Bokkun!" came Sonic's voice. Bokkun looked up at the top of the clock tower, and he saw Sonic standing on top. "You think you can terrorize these ponies on my watch?! I don't think so!"

"Sonic!" Bokkun shouted. "You always ruin my fun! Get him, E-88!" Then the robot started charging at the building Sonic was on. Sonic then started running down the building and then he started doing a Spin Dash attack, and collided with the robot's chest, and going through the robot. Then the robot blew up. Sonic stopped in place and looked towards the robot. As that happened, a microchip came from the robot and went into Sonic's left ear.

"Never go after the country of my friends, Bokkun," Sonic said.

"This isn't over, Sonic!" Bokkun said. "I'll be back!" Bokkun then started flying away. Sonic chuckled and looked around. He then zoomed away from there. As this was happening, the microchip that fell into his ear went deeper into his ear canal.

At the Castle of Friendship, Twilight was doing a lot of paperwork. Spike came in with more sheets of paperwork.

"Got some more paperwork for you," Spike said.

Twilight sighed and said, "So much paperwork. This would be a lot easier if I had someone help me. How did Princess Celestia do this for over a thousand years?"

"I'm sure you'll get used to it as much as she had," Spike said.

"Princess Twilight, Sunny and her friends have arrived," came Nicole's voice.

"Send 'em in, Nicole," Twilight said. A few seconds later, Sunny and her friends came in. "Welcome back to my castle, all of you."

"Wow, this place is amazing!" Misty said. "Much better than Opaline's lair."

"I'm glad you brought that up, Misty," Twilight said. "I may have banished Opaline to her lair, but she always keeps finding a way to send her magic out to collect the enemies that have been defeated by us and the other Freedom Fighters. I need to know where her lair is located."

"Actually... I don't have an exact location of where Opaline's lair is," Misty said. "But what I can tell you, it's a place that has some Arabic building designs."

"Arabic buildings," Twilight said, putting a hand to her chin. "Spike, take a note of that."

"Gotcha, Twi," Spike said. He then grabbed a note and started writing down the description of where Opaline's lair was.

"It's also really high up," Misty said. "In the sky, I think."

"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.

"Because for the last few years I was there, whenever I looked down from my window, I could see the ground below and everyday, Opaline's lair is in a different place," Misty said.

"Okay, lair in the sky, always in a new location," Spike said, writing it down.

"I doubt that it's somewhere on Angel Island," Twilight said. "The only structure there is the Altar of the Master Emerald. Guarded by Knuckles."

"Knuckles lives on a floating island?" Misty asked. "Alone?"

"He comes down whenever he needs to," Twilight said. "Sometimes when he's needed, or just to talk with someone."

Just then, Sonic came into the room, saying, "Hi, ponies!"

"Sonic!" Twilight said. "How are you doing?"

"Pretty good so far," Sonic said. "Although, I did just beat a robot down in Appleloosa that was being controlled by Bokkun."

"Eggman's old messenger bot?" Spike asked. "That little bot is always a little pest."

"You can say that again," Sonic said. He then saw Zipp looking at her phone, trying to find something. "Whatcha up to, Zipp?"

"Still trying to figure out who the three ponies that put that inscription into that tree back in Bridlewood are," Zipp said. "C, L and O. Who could they be?"

"Is MC helping you look into it?" Twilight asked.

"As much as he can," Zipp said. "Although, right now, he's helping the rest of the Freedom Fighters in training train for future missions. Mostly Dulcy. Someone's gotta keep an eye on her when she has to fly correctly."

"I've seen that happening," Sonic said. "She had been carrying MC on her back every time, and she crashed every time."

"That must've been hard on both of them," Hitch said.

"Oh, MC has survived worse than that," Sonic said. He then looked towards Twilight. "Twilight knows what I'm talking about. Twilight, remember when we were taking the Chaos Emeralds to the Dragon Lands to keep Eggman from bringing back the Storm King?"

"Oh, yeah," Twilight said. "I still can't believe he mimicked the lava and melted all of those robots that Eggman sent. And he was still hot after turning back."

"Now that sounds crazy and unbelievable," Zipp said.

"You've seen him manipulate matter, Zipp," Sonic said. "Just wait until he goes Gigan."

"Gigan?" Twilight asked.

"Nicole," Sonic said. "Explain."

"Of course, my main hedgehog," Nicole said.

"Seriously?" Twilight asked. "Why does she talk like this when Sonic or Rainbow Dash speak to her?"

"Because, Twilight, Sonic had shook my original handheld device because I was speaking in words they cannot understand," Nicole answered. "Anyway, Prince Michael Crayton not only can manipulate or mimic the elements around him, but he can also increase in size, increasing his strength and intimidation."

"And he hasn't done that the whole time Equestria came back to Earth?" Twilight asked. "Why? He could've used that ability to punch Metal Sonic in the face back on the Egg Fleet."

"He didn't want to show any of you up," Nicole said. "His words, not mine."

"Well, we should get back to work," Twilight said. "I have a lot of paperwork to finish."

"You look like you could use some help," Zipp said.

"You've done this kind of paperwork?" Twilight asked.

"My mom was preparing me to be queen for years," Zipp said. "Years before Mephiles attacked."

"How old are you?" Twilight asked.

"18," Zipp answered. "Two years older than Pipp."

"It's true," Pipp said.

Just then, the sound of a vehicle came from the window. Twilight, Sonic, Sunny and her friends walked towards the window and they looked down. Outside the window, they saw Applejack coming out of a Ford F-250 with a bunch of barrels of apples in the bed of the truck.

"Howdy, y'all!" Applejack called out. "Ah got yer delivery of apples, Twi!"

"That's great, Applejack!" Twilight said. "And I love that new delivery truck."

"Yeah, done Sweet Apple Acres good," Applejack said, pulling out the car keys. She then pushed the button and locked the truck. Then the chip that was in Sonic's ear reacted to it. The light on the chip started glowing yellow.

Sonic then yelled in shock. All of a sudden, Sonic's legs started moving on their own, making him run at supersonic speed. He ran out the window and ran past Applejack and the truck, heading off somewhere.

"What in Tarnation?!" Applejack asked, looking towards where Sonic went. Sonic was heading towards Ponyville.

"Where's he going?" Izzy asked.

"I don't know," Zipp said. "Nicole, did Sonic say what he had planned for today?"

"He did not," Nicole said. "It would seem that something has taken over the muscles in his legs causing him to run without full control of them. The only thing he can do is turn."

Meanwhile, Sonic was running through the streets of Ponyville, surprising everypony there. He even passed the Cutie Mark Crusaders as they were coming out of Sugarcube Corner.

"That was Sonic!" Scootaloo said.

"Where do y'all think he's goin'?" Apple Bloom asked. The others shrugged their shoulders then they started running towards the Castle of Friendship.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Ponyville, at the Animal Sanctuary, Fluttershy was treating the animals that were there, humming a happy tune. When all of a sudden, Sonic came running through without stopping, making Fluttershy spin around and then fall on her butt, getting dizzy.

Fluttershy slightly recovered and looked towards where Sonic ran and asked, "Sonic?"

As for Sonic, he still continued to run away from Ponyville without stopping. He then said, "I don't know what's happening, but I can't stop me feet! Gotta call for help!" He then held up his left arm which had his wrist communicator and then he saw that he was heading towards the Everfree Forest. "Whoa!" Sonic then maneuvered himself away from colliding with one of the trees. He even passed Zecora as she was coming out, making her spin around.

Zecora then stopped spinning, fell on her butt, and then she called out, "Where are you going in such a rut?! You almost made me fall back into my hut!"

"I can't stop my feet!" Sonic called out as he continued running. "Get some heeeeeeeeeeeelp!"

Zecora stood there looking confused. She then started running towards Ponyville, going to alert the others about Sonic's predicament.

Back at the Castle of Friendship, the rest of the Mane 6 arrived there, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Tails, Sally, Midpoint, Amy, Truemen and Zecora. The Mane 6, Sunny and her friends, Tails, Sally, Midpoint, Amy, Truemen, the Crusaders and Zecora were watching Sonic on a holographic screen seeing him run uncontrollably.

"What's going on?" Amy asked. "Why is Sonic running all over the place?"

"Right after taking a sudden seat, the hedgehog called out that he could not stop his feet," Zecora answered.

"You saying that Sonic is running without any control?" Truemen asked. "How is that possible?"

"We don't know," Twilight said. "Applejack was delivering apples here and all of a sudden, Sonic started running uncontrollably."

"It's too bad MC or Maria aren't here with us," Misty said. "They would be able to catch up with Sonic."

"Eh-hem," Rainbow Dash said, clearing her throat. She looked at Misty giving an annoyed expression. "I can catch up with Sonic. I'll get him and bring him back in a flash."

"I'm not sure it'll be that easy, Rainbow," Midpoint said. "We need to stop him to see what's wrong with him."

"But how are we gonna do that?" Rarity asked. "And where's he heading?"

"It appears that Sonic has changed direction," Nicole said. "He is heading south. So far, he's got about an hour before the reaches Mount Aris."

"Sonic has the best traction when he's on solid ground," Tails said. "But if he goes into the water..."

"There might be a way to stop him before he can reach Mount Aris," Twilight said. "Let's get going." Then they all headed out of there.

In the desert south of the Badlands, Sonic was zooming through heading towards Klugetown. Sonic was doing his best trying to gain control of his legs, but they weren't doing what he wanted them to do.

"I gotta stop myself before I run into the ocean!" Sonic said. Just then, he heard the sound of air machines flying. He looked up and saw both the X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom. Tails was piloting the X-Tornado with Sally, Amy and Truemen in the passenger seats, and Midpoint was piloting the Spirit of Freedom with Zipp as the co-pilot. The Mane 6, Sunny, Hitch, Pipp, Izzy, Misty and the Crusaders were in the Spirit of Freedom and the extra passenger box connected to it. "Oh, right! Finally some help!"

In the Spirit of Freedom, Tails was on the screen talking with Midpoint and Zipp.

"This special tipped arrow is designed to get Sonic off the ground for just a little bit," Tails said. "It has a special kind of helium, stronger than normal helium. It can basically lift one person off the ground with just one balloon."

"Are you able to make that kind of shot, Alex?" Zipp asked.

"Take the yoke," Midpoint said. He then grabbed the arrow tip, pulled an arrow from his quiver, removed the tip from that arrow, and attached the new arrow tip to it. He then got up, grabbed his bow, and he headed out of the bridge of the Spirit of Freedom, and headed for the ladder. He then grabbed special magnets and connected them to his boots. He then climbed the ladder and opened up the top door, closing the tube that surrounds the ladder. He then got up to the top of the Spirit of Freedom with the magnets on his boots on. He then brought out the new arrow and his bow, and aimed it towards Sonic. "Keep going Zipp, we're almost in range."

In the cockpit of the Spirit of Freedom, Zipp pushed a few buttons and the boosters of the Spirit of Freedom increased the speed. Midpoint cringed his face to get a better look at his target, being Sonic. He then released the arrow from his bow and the arrow headed right towards Sonic, hitting Sonic's right side.

"Gah! Ow!" Sonic called out. Just then, the arrow tip released the rest of the arrow and a balloon came out of it, getting bigger, and it lifted Sonic off the ground. "Whoa! Hey, what's going on?!"

"Direct hit," Midpoint said.

"Alright!" the others called out.

"Okay, let's get him down," Tails said.

Midpoint then noticed something. He then said, "Uh, Tails, how much of that special helium did you put into that balloon?"

"Why do you ask?" Tails asked. Just then, the sound of Sonic yelling came in. They all noticed that the balloon was getting bigger, carrying him higher and higher. "Oh, that's why."

"Whoa! Help me!" Sonic called out. The X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom flew past him, the wind pushing the balloon towards Klugetown.

"Turn around, Zipp!" Midpoint said. "Turn around!" Zipp then tried turning around, but the speed of the Spirit of Freedom was too fast for her to control.

"Whoa!" Zipp said. "Too fast! We're going too fast!"

Eventually, Sonic was floating over Klugetown. Just then, he saw Tempest Shadow on top of a building.

"Yo, Tempest!" Sonic called out, getting Tempest's attention.

"Huh?" Tempest asked. "Sonic?"

"Little help up here!" Sonic said. Tempest smirked. She then pulled a dagger from her belt, then she used a propeller kick and her foot made contact with the end of the handle, making it head towards the balloon, popping it. Sonic then fell down to the ground and when he did, he continued running. "Whoooooa! I take it back! I'd rather be back in the air!"

"Huh?" Tempest asked, looking towards where Sonic was going. She then noticed the X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom continuing their flight to chase Sonic. She then got ready to jump high. She then jumped and landed on the Spirit of Freedom, but she slipped. "Whoa!" She then reached to grab something, but then she was grabbed by Midpoint.

"Gotcha, Tempest," Midpoint said. He then pulled her up and they went towards the hatch. Midpoint then pulled her towards the open hatch and she climbed down the ladder with Midpoint following.

In the Spirit of Freedom, Tempest was being told about Sonic's predicament.

"So you have no idea why Sonic is running without control?" Tempest asked.

"Not that we know," Sunny said. Misty was looking at Tempest's broken horn.

Tempest noticed that. She looked at Misty and asked, "What?"

"What happened to your horn?" Misty asked.

"Oh, that," Tempest said. "I kinda crossed paths with a grumpy Ursa Minor. It broke my horn and I got this scar. Everypony back home was creeped out by my appearance. So... I ran away. I eventually was founded by this terrorist known as the Storm King. And you know what he did? He trained me to be his most skilled mercenary, making me do what he wanted. He wanted all the powerful magic for himself, and in return for getting what he wants, he'd fix my horn. I did it, but..."

"He betrayed you?" Misty asked. She then sighed. "Guess I'm not the only unicorn who worked for a psycho and got betrayed."

"Better be careful who we cross paths with," Tempest said, making Misty nod.

"Okay, Sonic is heading towards Mount Aris," Zipp said. "What's plan B?"

"Plan B, Hamster Wheel," Midpoint said. "The Crusaders are getting ready to push the wheel out of the box when we get in front of him." He then pushed a button. "Sonic, we're sending something down. Once you get near it, get in it."

"What is it?" Sonic asked.

"Just do what I say," Midpoint said. He then piloted the Spirit of Freedom down towards Sonic. As soon as it was at least 100 yards in front of Sonic, the box underneath the Spirit of Freedom opened up and Apple Bloom, Nyx and Joshua were about to push out the giant Hamster Wheel, which was currently in in half. "Now!" Midpoint called out.

Apple Bloom, Nyx and Joshua pushed the wheel out of the box and it went down to the ground. Sonic then jumped into it just as the wheel was becoming a full circle. Then legs popped out of the middle and stayed in place. Sonic kept running while in the wheel. Then the X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom landed. Then the Mane 6, Sunny and her friends, the Crusaders, Tempest, Sally, Tails, Amy, Truemen and Midpoint ran over towards Sonic and the wheel.

"Sonic, you okay?" Midpoint asked.

"For now!" Sonic said. "How long will this thing keep going?"

"We got an hour until the bearings melt due to your speed," Midpoint said. He then went to a console on the side of the giant Hamster Wheel. "Let's see what's wrong with you." He started typing on the console and then a scanning device came out of the center and scanned Sonic. On the screen, it was showing Sonic's body. Then something was blinking and it was coming from Sonic's left ear canal. "What is that?" Midpoint then typed on the console some more and saw that it was a microchip. "There's a microchip lodged in Sonic's ear. It's sending a signal to his Cerebellum making him run without full control."

"What's a Cerebellum?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's the part of the brain that controls every muscle in the body," Tails said. "Is there any way we can get it out of him?"

"We need to remove it, but for us to do that, we have to get him to stop running," Twilight said. Just then, the sound of a stomach growling came in.

"Sorry, that was mine," Sonic said.

"I got you, Sonic," Amy said, walking up to the Hamster Wheel. She was holding a plate with a couple of Chili Dogs and some French Fries. She then noticed something. "How do I get this in there?"

"There's a compartment that opens up on the other side," Midpoint said. "It'll open on the inside and it will give the food to Sonic." Amy nodded and headed for the other side of the wheel. She then opened up the compartment and the Chili Dog meal went inside the wheel and it was in front of Sonic. Sonic grabbed one of the Chili Dogs and started eating it. Eventually, he finished eating. When he did, his legs started moving faster, burning the bearings in the wheel. "Uh oh. The bearings are getting burned out by Sonic's increased speed! Everyone get away!" Midpoint then started running away from the wheel, the others doing the same. Then the wheel broke and Sonic got out of it, running away from the group.

"He's getting away!" Sally said.

"Not on my watch!" Rainbow Dash said. She then sped towards Sonic trying to catch up with him.

"We got ten minutes until Sonic reaches Mount Aris," Midpoint said. "Let's go." Then they all headed for the X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom.

Rainbow Dash continued her pursuit with Sonic, trying to catch up with him. They were nearing the bottom of Mount Aris.

"Oh, that's not good," Rainbow Dash said. "Sonic, try to turn back!"

"I would if I could, but I'm losing control with the rest of my body!" Sonic said.

In the Spirit of Freedom, Midpoint was checking his arrow selection to see if he had one arrow that could stop Sonic.

"Let's see, what I got," Midpoint said. "Taser, acid, flash, ensnarement, explosive..."

"You have a lot of dangerous arrows, don't you?" Zipp asked.

"For different situations," Midpoint said. "USB, Sonic Pulse, EMP... Ah, here we go." He then held up one arrow. "Ballistic Gel."

"What's that supposed to do?" Sunny asked.

"This stuff is extremely sticky, causing whoever gets on it to stop cold," Midpoint said.

"Well, you better get that arrow ready," Zipp said. "Sonic and Rainbow are climbing the mountain!"

"Oh, snap!" Midpoint said, heading for the ladder, holding the arrow and his bow. He then climbed up the ladder.

Sonic and Rainbow Dash were nearing the top of the mountain and its cliff. Sonic was starting to panic because he knows what happens when he goes over the cliff.

"Hurry!" Sonic cried out. "I can't swim!"

"Hang on, Sonic!" Rainbow Dash said.

Midpoint was on top of the Spirit of Freedom in position to release the arrow. He then released the arrow and it went towards Sonic. It landed right in at the edge of the cliff, releasing the gel. Sonic and Rainbow Dash then went into it, and both of them stopped and got stuck. Sonic legs were still trying to move.

"Got him!" Midpoint said. He then went down the ladder. Then the X-Tornado and the Spirit of Freedom landed near them. The others came out and ran towards Sonic and Rainbow Dash.

"Sonic, are you okay?" Sally asked.

"Any later, and I would've drown in a few seconds," Sonic said.

Twilight used her magic and pulled Rainbow Dash out of the gel. Rainbow Dash then said, "Thanks, Twi."

"Let's get that thing out of Sonic's ear," Zipp said, putting on her Z-Goggles. Then a drone came up and went to Sonic's left ear. It then went in and an arm came out. It then reached for the microchip and grabbed it. The drone then pulled out the chip out of Sonic's ear. As soon as it was out, Sonic was getting control of his legs.

"Hey, I'm... I'm in full control!" Sonic said. "Whew. That was close."

"It was," Midpoint said, taking the microchip out of the grip of the drone controlled by Zipp. He then inspected the chip. "Huh. Looks like it's a radio controlled chip. It would must've reacted to a small device like an old beeper or a remote for a car.

"Oh, so that's what happened," Applejack said. "Ah locked the truck and then Sonic just started runnin'."

"That makes sense," Twilight said. Just then, there was an explosion at the bottom of the mountain. The group all looked down and saw a bunch of Eggman Robots attacking the Hippogriffs. "Oh, no!"

"We've got work to do," Midpoint said. He then grabbed Sonic's arm and pulled him out of the ballistic gel. Then the heroes went down the mountain, Midpoint and the Crusaders staying on top of the mountain as Midpoint was preparing some arrows.

The others made it to the bottom of the mountain and there were a bunch of Eggman Robots firing lasers all over the place. These weren't any normal robots, but Swatbots.

"Swatbots?!" Sonic asked. "I haven't seen these since Eggman started taking over."

"Then let's take 'em down," Twilight said. Then they charged at the Swatbots. Destroying them in the process. Then Bokkun came in and got angry.

"Oh, you Freedom Fighters are always getting in my way!" Bokkun said. "Swatbots, attack!" The Swatbots then charged at the heroes. But then one arrow came down and went into the sand behind the Swatbots. Then a pulse came out, shutting down the Swatbots. "What?! Oh, c'mon!"

The heroes looked towards the top of the mountain and saw Midpoint in a releasing position.

"EMP," Zipp said.

"What does that stand for?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Electro-Magnetic Pulse," Zipp said. "It shuts down anything electronic in a certain distance."

"No!" Bokkun said. "No fair!" Just then, an orange blast came in and pushed Bokkun down to the ground. "Whoa!"

"Nice shot, Truemen," Amy said.

"Thanks, Ames," Truemen said. Then they looked around.

Applejack had tied Bokkun up in a lasso and he was squirming. Tails then said, "Alright, let's get this guy locked up."

"You guys go on ahead," Truemen said. "I think Amy and I should stick around here."

"Yeah, it's beautiful out here," Amy said. She then smelled the ocean breeze. "Aw, that's nice."

"Okay," Twilight said. "Just call Nicole if you want to come back and she'll send the Spirit of Freedom over here. And if you spend the night, we'll let General Seaspray know you're here. He's Silverstream's dad."

"Thanks," Truemen said. "We'll keep that in mind." Then the rest of the heroes headed out of there. Truemen and Amy looked out on the ocean with a bunch of Seaponies playing with each other in the water.

Author's Note

Next Episode:
Freedom Fighter Training Island