Sonic stood alone in the doorway of the immense temple, his thoughts racing with the knowledge that he alone caused so much negative change to friends and the world he loves. 'I have to make this right. I know I can, but I can't do it alone. Not this time...'
Tori could see Sonic standing alone in the doorway with a look of focus and sorrow. "Sonic?" She approached the wayward hero and put her hand on his shoulder. "You okay? It looks like you're in a trace."
"I'm fine." Sonic lied with a forced grin. "Just... thinking."
"About the past?"
"Yeah..." His grin faded.
"Well, don't. Think about the future instead!" She smiled gently.
"Yeah, good idea."
Miles approached the doorway with Amy and Cream following. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'm ready." Sonic answered confidently.
"Good. I'll call in the Tornado III."
"A third Tornado, huh?" Sonic wasn't surprised that Miles had built another plane, but he was surprised it was only the third. "Bet this one goes REAL fast!"
Miles didn't respond to Sonic's enthusiasm. "It's fast enough."
Tori gave Sonic a reassuring grin. "Wait until you see it. You thought the first two planes were impressive, you'll be in absolute awe with this one."
The quintet walked up the spiraling staircase together. Miles led the way with Sonic and Tori walking side by side behind him. Amy, Cream and Cheese followed with their own supplies at the ready.
Amy's reinforced Piko-Piko hammer was smaller but much stronger and easier to swing. Cream had a leather satchel draped over her shoulder filled with an emergency first aid kit and a map.
As the group exited the temple a larger, green fighter jet began circling over the temple.
Miles pointed at the green jet. "The Tornado III, right on time."
The magnificent aircraft quickly and efficiently landed at the base of the temple in a swift, silent and smooth landing. The green plane was as sleek as the Tornado II, but it was wider with room for a total of six passengers. Refractive paneling gave the jet a stealth mode, while the power of Miles' duplicate Chaos Emerald, (the very same one he created after studying the components of the original emerald during the events of their second Adventure), gave the plane immense and clean burning energy.
"Wow, awesome!" Sonic admitted happily. "You'll never cease to amaze me."
Again, Miles ignored Sonic's comments. "We need to go. The Renegade Soldier may have spotted the plane circling the jungle."
"Right..."
Miles climbed up the side of the plane and into the cockpit. He slipped a pair of goggles on over his eyes. "Ready?"
Tori climbed up the side and took the seat directly behind Miles. Amy and Cream knew that at the moment Miles and Sonic being so close together may not have the best results. Amy followed Tori into the plane and sat next to the young otter. Sonic and Cream, along with Cheese, took the final seat in the rear of the plane.
Amy put her hand on Miles' shoulder. "We're ready!"
The plane quickly rolled forward and took to the sky. With the flick of a switch the refractive paneling engaged and the plane disappeared from sight as it flew through the clouds into the Eastern bright blue sky.
"East..." Sonic observed as the plane headed toward the oasis. "Guess Tori and I are first!"
Cream nodded politely as she gently patted Cheese's head as he sat on her lap. "I hope we can get the Chaos Emeralds soon!"
"I do, too." Sonic could see the worry in Cream's eyes. "Don't worry, we'll get everything set right. I promise!"
Cream wanted to believe Sonic, but just couldn't bring herself to do so. "Yeah..."
The plane quickly approached its destination: Lone Oasis.
"This is us!" Tori turned around in her seat to look at Sonic. "Ready?"
"You bet!" Sonic carefully put his foot up on the side of the plane. "You ever jump from this height before?"
"Not yet!" Tori followed suit, mirroring Sonic's pose.
"Hang on!" Sonic grabbed Tori's arm as the plane circled over the beautiful, untouched oasis below. "Now!"
Sonic jumped with Tori following closely at his side. As the duo dropped down to the ground Sonic grabbed Tori and held her in his arms as he landed perfectly on his feet, onto the relatively soft sand of the oasis.
"You okay?" Sonic asked with a sly smirk plastered on his face.
"I'm fine. You're the one who took the impact!" She commented as she gently climbed out of Sonic's grip and stood next to him.
"Nothing I can't handle."
The plane circled overhead one last time before it took off to the North. Sonic shielded his eyes as he watched the plane disappear from sight, he was only able to track it by clouds that departed as plane passed through.
"Which Chaos Emerald should we go for, first?" Tori asked anxiously.
"I think we should split up. I can handle the terrain no problem, water's your specialty! "I'll race ya'!" Sonic joked.
"Right." Tori walked over to the deep, cool water of the oasis. "See you on the other side!"
...to be continued...