Chapter 4: When a Hedgehog Returns

Location: Soumerca

Three hours later...

The X-Tornado soared through the afternoon sky, the Rocky Jungle Zone stretched out beneath them as they drew closer to the formerly hidden city of Station Square. They soon passed over the Mystic Ruins, indicating that they were one step closer to reaching the United Federation's capital. The Xorda's attack on the planet had severely damaged the mountain that housed the city, leaving it almost entirely exposed to the outside world. Tails had delayed their departure from Mobotropolis, citing that he wanted to get the Ring Launcher properly installed into the X-Tornado.

"Aircraft, you have been detected entering United Federation airspace, identify yourself immediately."

Tails knew that if he didn't respond in a timely manner then the G.U.N. Air Force would be dispatched to investigate. The last thing he wanted was to find a pair of Blue Eagles on his tail, and immediately unhooked the microphone from the CB radio.

"Station Square Control, this is the X-Tornado requesting landing permission."

For a moment, Tails feared that they would be denied clearance to land, but the sound of the unseen man's voice coming back over the radio fill him with relief.

"Acknowledged, X-Tornado. Professor Thorndyke will be notified of your imminent arrival."

"Copy that, control."

Since begin exposed to the outside world, the Department of Immigration had begun enforcing they immigration laws more stringently. Sonic and Tails were the exception to the rule, their affiliation with the Knothole Freedom Fighters was well known as was their heroics, though it was possible that Chuck also had a hand in that. Hanging up the microphone, Tails pushed the X-Tornado towards the mountain that housed the city. Knuckles and the Chaotix were the only ones who had been to Station Square following the Xorda's attack. They had recruited by the President to investigate the then newly-opened Casinopolis, which had been run by Renfield Rodent. The building had in reality been a factory, churning out Infiltrator-model Auto Automatons that would slowly replace the citizen of Station Square. The plot had been foiled, with Renfield being carted off to jail to stand trial for his crimes. The sheer destruction that the invaders had wrought on the mountain left Sonic and Tails without breath, even the wreckage of the aircraft that had ferried a group of survivors had been utterly destroyed. The waters of the Central Sea now met the Emerald Coast, leaving Tails to wonder if the Southern Sapphire Sea could still even be referred to as such.

"The Xorda really did a number on the city," the fox said, "You were in Westopolis when the Black Arms invaded, did you swing by while you were down here?"

"Naw...probably should've," Sonic admitted, frowning.

Peering out the window, the hedgehog could see that they were flying over Central Street, Station Square's main thoroughfare. Construction season was in full swing, repairing the damage caused by Perfect Chaos when he tore his way through the city not too long ago. Passing over the downtown core, the X-Tornado continued along to the affluent neighbourhood of Silky Heights where the Thorndykes resided.

Location: Thorndyke Estate

That same time...

Chris Thorndyke as he sat at the edge of his swimming pool, letting the water lapping at his bare feet. Summer vacation had arrived and he had switched into more appropriate wear; denim shorts and a yellow-sleeveless shirt with a vertical white strip running through the middle. It hadn't taken long for boredom to set it; the ski trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains that his parents had been planning had been put on indefinitely hold due to his mother's movie. He was stuck at home, while his friends were off having adventures of their own. Danny was heading out west to Empire City, Francis had a family reunion to attend in Silver Valley, and Helen's parents had rented a villa down at the Emerald Coast. The boy let out a sigh and flopped onto his back, lazily watching the clouds drift past for several minutes.

"There you are," a voice stated.

Chris rolled onto his stomach and saw his grandfather marching across the backyard towards him, dressed in brown slacks and a red Hawaiian shirt.

"What's wrong, Grandpa?" Chris asked.

"I just received a call from Air Traffic Control; the X-Tornado was detected entering United Federation airspace."

"It's Sonic!" he cried out, scrambling to his feet.

Chris had to remind himself that it might not ever be Sonic; it could easily just be Tails dropping in for a visit. Snatching up his shoes, Chris followed his grandfather to the front yard of the estate and watched as the X-Tornado began making its approach. With the threat posed by the Eggman Empire primarily localised in Northamer, the Freedom Fighters had little reason to come down to the southern hemisphere. Chuck fished a remote out of his pocket and pressed one of the buttons, causing the palm trees that lined the driveway to tilt away, providing enough clearance for Tails to land the X-Tornado.

"Sonic! Tails!" Chris called out, waving his arms.

"It's good to see you boys again," Chuck said, stepping forward, "though I admit, I was surprised to hear you were on your way."

"Hiya guys," Tails said from the cockpit, "It wasn't really planned."

"We're headed to Efrika and coming down here was the safest route," Sonic stated, dropping to the ground below.

"I see. Let's head inside and you can tell us all about," Chuck suggested.

Twirling his tails about, the fox took to the air and landed on the asphalt driveway next to the hedgehog whom was already in mid-stride, Tails trailing behind as they followed Chuck into the interior of the estate.