Chapter 9:
Everyone stood looking at the ruins of the castle, pondering all that they had seen and learn.
"I guess this is it," Darren said with a sigh.
"That it is sugar," Isabella said. "It's best we start head'n home."
"That was an incredible adventure," Jake said as they began walking back to the vehicles.
"It sure was," Cinnamon agreed. "And Sonic was so nice once he found out who we we're."
"And did you see how he healed by wing?" Gem asked. "I don't think it has ever felt as good as it does now."
"Too bad everything was destroyed," Samantha said wistfully. "There was so much we, and the world, could have learned about Sonic and the others."
"Actually, I believe most everything is actually preserved," Jake said. "The ruins may look bad, but the way it fell insures that most things can be removed in tact in time. Although there will be absolutely no trace of the temple chamber."
"And we never did find out who killed Sonic," said Rachel.
"Hey that's right!" Randy said. "All this trouble and you failed at your mission."
"Oh give it a rest Randy," Cinnamon said.
"And I wouldn't call it a failure," Darren said. "We got to meet Sonic in person… or in spirit… We got to see the chaos emeralds and Skyler got the most important secret ever! How is that not cool?"
They continued discussing their adventure, but Skyler didn't join in. He was to busy looking at the box in his hands. Shadow was watching Skyler.
"Is everything alright?" Shadow asked quietly.
"It's just so…" Skyler said, struggling to explain. "Huge. I'm been given this important thing and I'm not sure I deserve it."
"You'll be fine," Shadow said. "Sonic may be arrogant, but he is a good judge of people. Beside, there isn't any great threat and the moment so I don't think you'll need to use it for a long time. And if you ever do have to face an enemy, I can land a hand."
"And I'll be there too," Samantha said.
"Me too," Daren agreed. "I can't let you have all the fun."
"I'll come by anything you need me," Jake said.
Several others nodded in agreement.
"Losers," Randy muttered under his breath, which leads to him getting an elbow in the rib from Rachel.
"See," Samantha said. "Sonic wasn't alone and neither will you be."
"You're right," Skyler said, cheering up. "Thanks everyone."
"No prob. cuz." Darren said. "Can I hold the box? I know it is you're responsibility, but I just want to feel it for a minute."
"Well…alright," Skyler agreed, holding out the box. "Just be careful."
"I will," Darren promised. He held the box carefully. "Wow. It's so warm. I can feel its power. But It also feels like… a part of Sonic is in here. Just waiting to help us in is time of need."
"That's so beautifully," Samantha said.
"That was so corny," Randy retorted.
"Since when were you poetic," Skyler said with a smirk.
"Hey, be nice to him," Gem said coming next to Darren. "He is really sweet."
"Thanks Gem," Darren said, blushing.
"No problem cutie," Gem said, hugging Darren and making him blush even more.
Suddenly, Darren let out a pained gasp. Gem stepped back and Darren collapsed, holding his stomach.
"You are so gullible!" Gem said with a cruel laugh. Before the others could react, Gem spread her wings and took to the sky."
"Finally," She said in triumph. "I've succeeded where my grandmother failed. The greatest secret ever is MINE!"
The others snapped out of their shock.
"So it was Rouge that killed Sonic?" Skyler concluded.
"How could she?" Shadow wondered.
"Yes it was my grandmother Rouge who murdered the king," Gem said with pride. "She was always after secrets and treasure and when she heard about this… well, she couldn't resist. She had reprogramed Omega long before the party. And when everyone thought she was comforting Amy, she was actually making sure everything was in place. It was going perfectly, until Sonic's ghost kept her out. She knew she couldn't in herself, so she trained my mom and then me on the ways of a thief for when we could finally finish the job. And now I have."
"You used my feelings to get close enough to take the box," Darren said.
"But she's not going to keep it," Shadow growled, getting in a fighting stance. The others followed suit.
"Simmer down," Gem said. "I know that, without an emerald, you can't teleport this high. And you can't fly, even with those shoes of yours."
"He might not, but we can," Jake said as he and Cinnamon took to the air.
"Give back what Mr. Sonic gave Skyler," Cinnamon said.
"You too are no match for me in air combat," Gem replied smugly. "And as much as I would like to whip your tails, I've got… What the?"
The box began to glow brightly. Gem's gloves began to smoke, as if the box was burning them, but she couldn't let go. With an explosion, Gem used blasted to the ground and knocked unconscious. The light died down and the others could just make out Sonic holding the box.
"I leave you alone for two minutes," Sonic said, floating down in front of Skyler. "And you already get in trouble."
"Sorry Sonic," Skyler said, taking back the box. "But at least we solved the mystery of you're murder."
"True," Sonic agreed. "But be more careful with the box. I can't bail you out all the time."
Sonic began floating away and fading.
"And remember," Sonic called as he disappeared. "I'll be watching and protecting you."
"I will," Skyler replied. Sonic winked one last time before he vanished. Skyler turned to the others.
"I think we've had enough for today," he said. "Let's go home."
The others nodded in agreement. The all discussed what to do with Gem and what they learned. It was decided Shadow would take Gem to the authorities and give them a report since he would be believed than any of the others. Shadow put Gem and his bike in Gem's car. With a little hotwiring, Shadow got the car going.
"See you kids later," Shadow said as he drove off.
The others said their goodbyes and got in their respective vehicles they drove in the fading sun. If anyone of them looked back, they could almost see Sonic watching them as they head to the next day and their next adventure.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the story. I have no plans to make a sequel, but you never know. Don't forget to read my other stories!