Aleena: Sometimes in the fight against tyranny we find friends in the most unlikely places.

David: While Serena meets someone who went through the same experience.

Manic drove through the empty desert in their van.

Manic: Dude talk about the middle of nowhere! Couldn't we have just sent these guys a card?

Sonic was holding a map.

Sonic: it may not look like much, but the nomads out here have been fighting Robotnik for years! Legend has it the tribe's chief Ifyoucan was captured by Butt-nik but escaped. The Resistance needs anyone who can get away from Butt-nik!

Serena's robot arm became a fan and started fanning herself

Serena: If only we knew someone who escaped Dr. Robotnik.

Sonic: I know! Wouldn't that be-

Serena glared at him.

Sonic: Oh... Right. Sorry.

Serena: It's fine. But I agree with you. If he knows anything about Robotnik then we have to try.

Sonia took off her gloves.

Sonia: I have no idea how anyone can live out here! There's no water, no shade, no airconditioning malls and you go through an awful lot of sunscreen!

She put sunscreen on her arms.

Sonic: You're right... I'm having a meltdown-

Suddenly the van started beeping.

Serena: So is the engine. Manic pull over so I can fix it.

Manic: You got it, Cuz.

Manic pulled over and the four of them left the van.

Serena: Okay let's see how bad the damage is.

She moved under the van to see what was wrong.

Sonic: Anything?

Serena: If you would give me a minute I could find out!

Sonic: Sorry... Again.

Serena: It's fine.

She got back to work.

Manic: Great! A million square miles of beach and no ocean!

He started pacing back and forth as Sonia sat on a rock to put on more sunscreen.

Manic: Show me the city! I can't stand all this wide open space!

Sonia: Manic, are you okay?

Sonic: Get over it bro. Nobody said being in the Residence would be a walk in the park.

Manic: Yeah but it wasn't supposed to be a hike through the desert either!

Serena: Sounds like he has agoraphobia.

Sonic: Agor-what?

Serena moved out from under the van and stood up.

Serena: Agoraphobia. Fear of open spaces. Which is also the opposite of claustrophobic. Fear of tight spaces.

Manic: My point still stands! What good could a bunch of nomads who live in The Freedom Fighters?

Sonic: Also thanks for the school lesson, Cuz. How's the van?

Serena: We're out of fuel. So even if I fix it we're still stuck here.

Sonic: Then it looks like we're walking.

Sonia picked up a gem in the sand.

Sonia: Oh I don't know this isn't all bad. A girl could get used to this place. Right Serena?

Serena: I don't-

Suddenly a laser was fired and destroyed the gem.

Sonia: Hey!

Serena: That wasn't me!

They all turned around and saw Swat bots heading their way.

Sonic: It's juice and jam time! Stand back-

Another Swat bot shot another laser at Sonic causing him to crash into a pile of sand.

Sonia: Sonic!

Serena summoned her tambourine.

Serena: You get him! I'll hand these Swat Bots!

Sonia and Manic pulled Sonic out of the sand as Serena started fighting off the Swat bots.

Sonic: Is it just me or is their aim getting better?

At that moment a swat bot grabbed Serena by her arm but then a man in a hood and two others used their swords to cut all the robots in half.

Serena was able to land on the ground safely.

Manic: Whoa! Those guys are good!

Sonic stood in front of his family to protect them.

Ifyoucan: Fortunately for you we came along. I am Ifyoucan chieftain of the Azcan Tribe.

He gestured to the other two men with him.

Ifyoucan: These are my bodyguards Amir and Jamal.

Manic: Like he needs bodyguards...

Serena shook Ifyoucan's hand.

Serena: Thank you for your help.

Ifyoucan noticed her robot limbs.

Ifyoucan: You are part robot?

Serena: Yes but I'm not one of Robotnik's minions.

Sonic: Yeah! She's our cousin!

Ifyoucan: Very well. Now come. We must go quickly before Robotnik sends more!

Serena: Hold on! Got anything to use as a sail for our van?

Ifyoucan: Certainly!

Amir pulled out a big cloak

_____________________________________

Later that night that all made it back to Ifyoucan's camp

Ifyoucan: So what brings you to this dangerous desert?

Sonic: We heard that your tribe has no love for Robotnik!

Ifyoucan: It is true. Robotnik and the robots are our sworn enemies!

Sonic: Well we're The Freedom Fighters and we need your help to stop him.

Serena: We would also like to know how you escaped Robotnik that day.

Ifyoucan: If you are truly an enemy of Robotnik one of you must join our tribe.

Serena stood up.

Serena: Tell me what to do first.

Sonia: You're going to join?

Serena: Why not? This is our best shot.

Ifyoucan: Very well. Follow me.

He lead Sonic, Manic, Sonia and Serena to a large pit in the ground.

Manic: You know something about that guy gives me the creeps. I don't trust anybody who hides his face all the time.

Serena: He helped us earlier but if it means that much to you I'll look into it later.

Manic: Good.

Then Ifyoucan stood in front of the whole tribe

Ifyoucan: Serena The Hedgehog wants to join our tribe! But first she must pass the initiation test!

Serena: Luckily for you I'm great at tests.

She looked down in the pit and saw a giant plant monster.

Sonia: Oh no!

Manic: Oh man...

Sonic: Glad I'm not a vegetarian...

Ifyoucan: To join the tribe you must defeat... the Kar-lek!

Serena: Alright let's do this.

Serena jumped into the pit and spin dashed into the plant monster. Then while it was down she tied it into one big knot.

Serena: Just a simple strategy.

Everyone started cheering for Serena as she climbed out of the pit

Ifyoucan: Serena The Hedgehog is now a member of the tribe!

Serena: Thank you! I'm honored.

_____________________________________

Soon Sonic, Manic, Sonia and Serena were getting ready to go to sleep in their tent.

Manic: I still don't trust Ifyoucan. First he hides his face and then he barely said a word when Serena joined the tribe!

Sonic: You worry too much, Bro!

Sonia: Give it a rest Manic! If I don't get a good night sleep my eyes will get puffy!

Serena: I get why you're suspicious but we need their help.

Manic: I'm still going to check it out.

_____________________________________

The next day Manic never came back to camp so Sonic, Sonia and Serena started looking for him.

Sonic: Manic?

Sonia: Manic!

Serena: I don't understand. Where is he?

Sonic: I don't know and I've been all over camp. He said he would check on Ifyoucan so maybe we should too.

Serena: Let me do the talking.

The three of them walked into Ifyoucan's tent.

Ifyoucan: Hello my friends.

Serena: Hey. Have you seen Manic? He left last night but never came back.

Ifyoucan: I have not seen him. Perhaps he went for a walk and got lost.

Serena: Maybe... He did say he's not used to the open space.

Sonia: But if he doesn't like the desert, why would he leave?

Sonic: We should still go look for him

Ifyoucan: No. my people will search. The desert is much too dangerous for those who don't know its ways.

Sonic and Sonia left with Serena about to follow them bur heard something.

Ifyoucan: You did what?!

Serena peeked inside the tent again.

Amir: We had no choice!

Jamal: We had to leave him in the desert.

Ifyoucan: Without food or water?! Manic is the cousin of the new member of our tribe! Or did you forget that?

Jamal: But he saw you Ifyoucan. If he told the tribe your secret...

Amir: You would be an outcast.

Ifyoucan: Serena is like me and she is not an outcast! Maybe I shouldn't hide either.

Serena immediately walked in

Serena: Alright Ifyoucan I want answers!!

Ifyoucan turned around showing half of his face and left arm were roboticized.

Serena: roboticized... You are like me.

Ifyoucan: Yes. The roboticization process malfunctioned I still have my free will...

Serena: But you're still scarred...

She looked at her robot arm.

Ifyoucan: Yes... Amir and Jamal were only trying to protect me. I am sorry about your cousin.

Serena: ...Help me find Manic and I might forgive you.

Ifyoucan: my bodyguard left him in the sun snare drum.

Serena: Well he does play the drums...

Ifyoucan: it is the hottest part of the desert! He will not survive for long!

Serena: Let me get Sonic and Sonia. They can help.

Ifyoucan: Alright. Now we must go quickly!

_____________________________________

Later Sonic, Serena and Ifyoucan traveled to the hottest part of the desert and saw Manic.

Sonic and Serena: Manic!!

Serena helped him sit up.

Sonic: Are you okay?

Manic: ...Water...

Serena gave him her water and he drank it

Manic: That is the wettest water I've ever tasted! Thank, Cuz!

Serena: You're welcome.

Sonic: Are you okay?

Manic: I will be.

He stood up and glared at Ifyoucan.

Manic: your bodyguards tossed me out before I could explain that you being part roboticized isn't that big of a deal!

Ifyoucan: I did not know what they did until the next day.

Serena: Lets head back to camp.

_____________________________________

Soon the four of them made it back to camp but it was completely empty

Ifyoucan: Hello?

Manic: What? No reception committee?

Serena: Hold on-

Ifyoucan: Amir? Jamal? Where are my people?

Serena: Can I-

Sonic: I don't like the looks of this.

Serena: Wait-

Sonic: Something's definitely wrong.

Serena: Sonic!!

Sonic: Yeah, Cuz?

Serena: SHH!! Let me investigate.

Sonic: Sorry. Wow I'm apologizing a lot today...

Serena looked inside a tent and saw Sonia and everyone else tied up and gagged

Sonic, Manic and Serena: Sonia!!

Serena freed Sonia while Sonic, Manic and Ifyoucan freed everyone else.

Serena: What happened?!

Sonia: It's a trap, Serena! Sleet and Dingo-!

At that moment Sleet and Dingo came out of their hiding spot.

Sleet: Got you right where we want you. Give up Hedgehog's!

The Sonic underground immediately summoned their instruments.

Serena: Not gonna happen!

Sleet: Then I guess it's time for a little reunion!

Sleet stepped aside and Metal Sonic walked up to them.

Metal Sonic: Priority one. The Sonic Underground.

Sonic: Him again?!

Manic: But Serena ripped out his chest! Literally!

Dingo: They're called repairs! Duh-!

Serena suddenly punched him In the face with her robot arm.

Sleet: ...Ouch.

Serena: Do you ever shut up?!

Sonia: Serena? Thank you.

Metal Sonic's arm became a blaster cannon and aimed it at Serena.

Metal Sonic: Target acquired.

Sonic: Oh no you don't!

Sonic spin dashed into the pillar causing the whole tent to collapse.

Metal Sonic burst out of the tent and saw them all trying to escape.

Metal Sonic: You will all be roboticized-

Ifyoucan suddenly cut his head off with his sword.

Serena: Whoa!

Manic: That was awesome!

Sonic picked up Metal Sonic's head

Sonic: Alas Metal Sonic! We didn't know him well!

Sonia: Wait where did Sleet and Dingo go?

Serena turned around and saw Sleet and Dingo trying to escape.

Sleet: We'll be leaving now!

Serena's robot arm became a blaster cannon.

Serena: Run.

Sleet and Dingo immediately ran away while Serena shot the ground right next to them as a warning.

_____________________________________

Later that night everyone started celebrating

Ifyoucan: Serena, we want to thank you and your cousins for your help. After yesterday Robotnik should not trouble us for quite a while.

Serena: It's what we do and hopefully you will help us stop him.

Ifyoucan: we would be honored. And I apologize for the way Manic was treated.

Manic: Hey chill, Ifyoucan. No harm done.

Ifyoucan: No, I take responsibility. I no longer deserve to be chief. I have deceived you...

He took off his hood revealing his robot parts

Ifyoucan: By the tribe's law I will go now to wander the desert as an outcast...

Serena: I felt the same way for a while. But my family showed me that I'm still me.

She looked at all the nomads.

Serena: Will your people do the same?

Everyone started cheering.

Amir and Jamal: Ifyoucan! Ifyoucan!

Nomads: Ifyoucan! Ifyoucan! Ifyoucan!

Ifyoucan smiled.

Ifyoucan: I don't know what to say...

Serena: Neither did I. But I started with 'thank you'

Ifyoucan looked back at his people.

Ifyoucan: Thank you all!