Chapter 2: To build a spaceship

It can't be this hard…

I've built one before…

It's like there's something I had that I don't have now…

It's difficult to think when my mind is so distracted…

Tails was sat at his desk in his lab. It had just gone 10pm. It was dark outside and Tails had one small lamp shone on his notes and blueprints. There were lots of spare parts lying around his lab. He had been working ever since the morning after he had spoken with Amy. Again he had seen no one since.
There was a small short knock followed by an extremely hard knock. Tails was surprised and nearly fell off his chair.

"I'm coming! I'm coming!"

Tails swiftly walked over to the door. He opened the door and Knuckles barged in and gave Tails a very strong hug. Tails had never felt anything like it, he couldn't breathe.

"Tails! Boy am I glad to see you! I was starting to get worried about you!" Knuckles tightened his grip on Tails.

"Knuckles, please, you're crushing me…"

"Oh sorry pal! " Knuckles let go of Tails. "No harm done, eh?"

"I'm not so sure about that." Tails chuckled. Knuckles also chuckled and they both started to laugh.

"So," Knuckles continued. "How's the project coming along?"

"Well the structure seems to be working out well. The only thing I seem to be having problems with is fuel. The only sensible means of fuel seems to be 2 chaos emeralds."

"2?! But you do remember that 6 chaos emeralds were lost with…" Knuckles voice faltered.

"Which is why I'm having such problems…" Tails looked down at his feet. " I'm sorry Knuckles, but I don't think I can build the ship for you…"

Tails went very silent. He kicked his shoe on the floor in a nervous manner. Knuckles crossed his arms. He also didn't say anything. He was also trying to think of a solution.

"But Tails! You're the most clever person on this planet, in this universe! You must be able to think of something!"

"I'm sorry Knuckles but I'm stumped. Maybe we should start by finding that emerald. We had it when we crash landed in the Mystic Ruins. The explosion range was very large so it could be anywhere around."

" I'll go get Amy and we'll go look for that emerald. You can count on us Tails."

"Thank you Knuckles, I'll see you later!"

"See you soon Tails!"

Who knew Knuckles could have become such a team player? Maybe he's making up for one team member we're missing…

Tails closed the door and went back to working on ideas for the ship.