Chapter 2
A City in Ruins


You're probably thinking.. Knuckles began, 'How the hell did Eggman manage to land us on top of a building in Station Square?'
Something along those lines.. Tails replied, But I'm also wondering how we're gong to get out of here before we have to eat our shoes...
Eggman's busy with that, Amy chirped, but I have a feeling that it's not going to be easy.
Get some rest, Rouge added, We all should. Amy's probably right, and we need to be able to handle anything. Tails nodded, and sat down.
Oh boy, Sonic said sarcastically, More waiting. I love doing nothing for hours, and hours, and hours at a time!
I find it quite relaxing, actually, Knuckles said, taking a seat behind them, I do it all the time on Angel Island.
You say it like you have any choice! Sonic replied, turning in his seat to speak to his friend, you're tied to that giant green rock!
The Master Emerald is NOT a rock! Knuckles yelled back at the blue hedgehog.
Sonic replied, And Eggman isn't overweight!
Speaking of Eggman.. Tails interrupted as the obese doctor walked in.
demanded Amy, Have you figured out a way out of the mess you got us into?
First of all he began, I'd like to see you do better! And yes, I believe I have.
Well let's hear it! Rouge said.
Knuckles, Rouge, Eggman began, I believe that you two should be able to make it out with a combination of swimming, and climbing through the wreckage that Chaos created.
Well, gee Eggman.. sighed Knuckles, I could have thought of that!
I did think of that.. Rouge added dryly.
I can remove the legs of my walker, and make it into the Egg Mobile again, Eggman continued, ignoring them, Then I can get out.
What about us? Tails questioned, hoping it wouldn't be what he thought it would be.
Eggman began, Are going to fly your friends out. Tails' jaw dropped.
I don't have enough stamina for that! he shouted.
There are plenty of buildings to rest on, Eggman replied, And I'm sure that most of them won't collapse under the weight of you and your friends!

C'mon Tails! Amy encouraged, putting her hand on his shoulder, If anybody could do it, you can! You got me from the Egg Carrier to Station Square! You can do this!
Tails sighed. This was not going to be a good day...


**********

Tails peered over the edge of the building. He suddenly became very envious of Knuckles and Rouge, after all, they could swim.
Go back... To the beginning...
 Tails said suddenly, Did you say something?
replied the bat, who was standing several feet to his left,
It's nothing. Tails said shaking his head.
I don't believe you. she replied, but it's none of my business.
Tails didn't reply.


**********

Things are going perfectly.. she said, standing over the limp body of a certain black hedgehog. Her voice was soft and gentle, sounding much like a gentle breeze through a bedroom window.
It was lucky that this on had all the Chaos Emeralds with him.. she said to no one in particular, raising her right hand and causing the Emeralds on the ground surrounding Shadow to rise into the air.
And that overgrow feline has one of them.. With her free hand she pushed he waist length cyan hair behind her ear.
So what should I do with the remaining six? Her golden, pupil-less eyes looked over each one, as if trying to pick it's ideal home.
Simple enough, she said with a smile. She flicked he wrist, and the Chaos Emeralds flew off in seemingly random directions.
she said, lowering her hand, I think it's about time to check up on my other puppet. With that, she was gone.


**********

Well, It's time for me to take my leave! Eggman said. He had already removed the legs from his walker, leaving it as the Egg Mobile again. The legs, like so many other things, were only attachments to the Egg Mobile. Tails noticed that he left the weapons on.
Why did you have the legs on at all? Tails asked, Wouldn't flight have made things a bit easier?
I suppose so.. Eggman said, after thinking it over for a moment, Nevertheless, I have a secret base to get back too! With that, Eggman took off, flying over the destroyed Station Square.
Why does he get the easy way out? Amy demanded.
Well, I'm off. Knuckles said, ignoring Amy, I gotta get the Master Emerald back to where it belongs.
I'm coming too! Rouge said, running to his side, I mean, this Angel Island sounds perfect for a vacation.
Knuckles replied, But I'm not making an promises about weather you'd like it or not.
Okay, whatever, replied the bat, I'm coming.
One more thing, Knuckles said as he stepped toward the edge Sonic, thanks.
For what? asked the blue blur.
Saving the world, Knuckles said, glancing over his shoulder,
What was I supposed to do? Sonic replied, Leave it to you?
Nah, you're better at it anyway. Knuckles said with a laugh. You're gonna have a funeral for him, right? the echidna added quietly.
Of course, Sonic replied, It's the least we can do.. The group of five simply stood there in silence.
Knuckles said breaking the silence, You'll know where to find me. With that, the Guardian of the Master Emerald dove into the murky waters below.
Well, it's been fun. Rouge said, I'll see you guys later. She then followed Knuckles into the water that caused so much destruction months before. There was a long silence after her departure.

We should get going... Tails said, not sounding at all confident in himself, I don't suppose either of you has learned how to fly in the last twenty minutes, have you?
Sonic said, shaking his head.
Then who's first? asked Tails, as he scanned the area for any possible places to stop and rest.
Amy is, Sonic replied, glancing at the pink hedgehog at his side.
I am? she asked, confused.
Well, I'm assuming you're lighter than I am, Sonic replied, turning away from her, And you should give Tails an easier time than me.
Well, I have to admit, she said, I do try to keep myself in shape! Sonic rolled his eyes at her, not believing her for a second. Tails ignored them both a jumped into the air, then he spun his tails around and began flying for the first time in quite a while.
Let's go then, he said, and Amy held her arms into the air for him to grab a hold of. He flew over and wrapped his hands around her wrists, and after she did the same, he began flying in the direction of some buildings that looked like they could hold their weight and not collapse.
See you in a bit, Sonic! Amy called back to her blue hero.

Amy was heavier than Tails expected. And he hadn't exactly done this in a while. Not in quite a long while. Truthfully, he had been hoping that he could just use the Cyclone for adventuring, and not bother with flying anymore.
No such luck... he thought with a sigh.
Amy's grip on Tails' wrists began to loosen, and she nervously readjusted in hopes of getting a better grip. This startled Tails, and he nearly dropped her.
Could you not do that Amy? he asked as they passed over a destroyed highway, It makes it kinda hard to concentrate.
she said sheepishly, I'm just kinda nervous. I can't swim.
And the water would feel like concrete if you fell from this height, Tails added, But don't worry. I won't let go. Amy didn't reply.
Tails spotted what looked like a nice place to rest. He began to descend slowly, so that he wouldn't startle Amy, and reached the top of the ruined building. He set Amy's feet on the building, but didn't let go, and sat there for several seconds. When it seemed like the building was safe, he let go and dropped to her side.
I need a little rest he explained.
Amy said with a nod, Me too. My arms were beginning to hurt.
The two sat there for several minutes, not saying a word. Then Tails remembered Sonic, and how impatient he could be. And the things he would do when he was being forced to wait.
"Uh-oh. Tails said, climbing to his feet.
What's the matter? Amy inquired, standing up as well.
Remember what Sonic was doing while Knuckles looked for the keys to the center of Eggman's pyramid? Tails asked.
answered the pink hedgehog, He tried to break down the door by throwing himself into it after Knuckles had been gone for five minutes.
Tails continued, So would you really be surprised if he tried to do something stupid while we were gone? Like swim?
"Uh-oh.. Amy replied, You'd better go get him before that happens! Tails nodded in agreement, turned, and began his flight back to the place they left Sonic.