Chapter 10: A race against the wind

When the hedgehog opened his eyes, he was in a bed that was strange for him. He didn't remember how he got there in the first place… but after a few minutes of thinking, he remembered that Knuckles and Johnny offered him a place to spend the night. When he got strength enough to get up all of his body was screaming with pain from the previous day, but that pain only made him more determined on getting up. After that, he tried to find the red echidna and the red echidna-hedgehog, who were in the kitchen. The smell of fried bacon and eggs filled the kitchen, and spread itself by the remaining rooms of the house. That same smell attracted Sonic to the kitchen like a magnet, in a matter of seconds.

Good morning, Sonic! How are you feeling today? –asked Johnny as he started to put butter in a few toasts.

A little hurt and dizzy, but that's probably the side effects from the painkillers I took last night. What's for breakfast?

Bacon and eggs, with toasts and coffee. Why don't you go sit outside in the balcony, and I'll take your breakfast to you, hein? –suggested Knuckles to the blue hedgehog.

Without thinking twice the blue hedgehog went to the balcony and sat down on one of the chairs that existed there, along with a small red table. The view from the balcony was just amazing. Sonic saw that they were on the top floor of a building with ten floors, which elevated them high up in the sky. The view from what he thought to be Metal Beach was amazing… the ocean was so clear and crystalline; the beach itself looked like a huge stripe of golden sand that reflected the glow from the Sun. There were some boats sailing to the wind in the little bay. The entire scenery looked just like a view from a fairy-tale, which was strange since they were near the center of one of the most populated cities in that country.

It looks amazing and magical, doesn't it? –asked Knuckles

What…?

The view, Sonic… -said Knuckles

It looks, indeed. Where are we, anyway? I think that this is Metal Beach, but I can't remember of seeing the bay like this... –said Sonic.

Right in front of you, it's Angel Island Avenue, one of the most important avenues of this part of town, and we're on the "Master Emerald Apartments", which are named like this because of that huge emerald that is right down there, in the entrance of the complex.

In the entrance of the building complex, a huge green emerald perfectly sculpted was hovering a few centimetres of the ground. Surrounding her was a small shrine of white marble rock that had some sort of hieroglyphs carved in its surface. The emerald reflected the beams of Sun that hit in its crystalline surface, making her look like if she had a natural glowing of her on.

It really is a big emerald… but, where did the guys who built this, found an emerald of that size? –Sonic asked at the same time he drank a gulp of his coffee.

It was found here when they started the construction of the buildings. Archaeologists from all parts of the world came here to study the emerald and to find out if there was anything, besides the emerald itself. Unfortunately they didn't found anything else here, so they stopped the investigations and continued the construction of the complex. When everything was finally ready, the company bought the emerald and placed her, where she is, now. –explained Johnny.

But did they found the origin of the emerald?

No… the only thing that is known is the fact that it belongs to an ancient civilization that is much older that the Egyptians. There's a place that is under constant vigilance, deep in the middle of Dark Woods, which many people say that it is the excavation site where they found proofs that the entire city was built on the top of an ancient city that was buried by the sands of time. Of course, that's only speculation, because G.U.N. controls that, and not even satellite can get a picture of what's really there… But if what they say its truth, then many parts of city will probably be demolished so they can dig out something that is valuable. South View City will be considered an archaeological reserve by UNESCO, and G.U.N. will lose all of its influence around here… -said Knuckles.

But suddenly, Knuckles is interrupted by the sound of Johnny's mobile phone. When Johnny picked it up, the blue hedgehog and the red echidna tried to hear the voice of the person that was on the other side of the line. They couldn't identify the person, but it was clear that the voice was a voice of a woman.

It was Blaze, and she had good news for you, Sonic. The Babylon Rogues are willing to race against you, today, at 5 p.m. in Dark Woods.

They are? In that case, I better start tuning my ride so I can have more chances of beating them.

Right after finishing breakfast, Sonic decided to go downstairs to the parking lot, and went to tune p his new car. The first thing he did was to paint his emblem with a special black glossy ink, that glow in the dark (a lot of street racers and fans from "tuning" do this to their cars, because the symbol its almost like a personal fingerprint of the person, so everybody recognizes him). When that was finished, he decided to take a look under the hood, to see what kind of engine that car had, not only to know the parts of it but also to know how far the car could go on a race.

"I have to say it… the engine is a little bit older than the one my M3 GTR uses, but this one has parts that there aren't in the market, probably, because they were made by order. If these parts are as good as they look, then this race is already in the bag." –thought Sonic to himself.

A couple of hours later, Knuckles and Johnny appeared to see if Sonic needed a hand with any problem he might be having, which was a luck, because the hedgehog was having some problems with the GPS and with the radio-transmitter.

I just can't understand these gadgets. Why do I even need them?

Because if a cop is on your tail and you don't know where to go in an attempt to get rid of him, the GPS will tell you where to go. You just need to push this purple button, and 2 seconds later, the GPS program will select the best route. The red button on your left will show you the patrols that are near you… always keep your eyes open, for any kind of trouble. And finally, the green button will show you your challengers. To locate any milestone you may need to do, so you're be able to complete the requirements to compete against anybody, just press the black button, but don't press it every time you need to know where they are, because that function is automatic, and if you press the button too many times, you'll shut it off. About the radio… that's another thing. Although you can hear music with it, you can also hear the police frequency to know if something is going on, or if one of us is in trouble. To access the police frequency, press the orange button. You can also talk with us… just grab it and press the red button that is located here, in the transmitter, and start talking. –said Knuckles

Very well, I think I got it… Well, I think that I'm ready. Are you guys going to see me racing? –asked Sonic while he entered in his car.

Sure…–said Johnny. –Just let us get our car keys and we will escort you, if you don't mind.

After a few minutes, the three of them started to speed in the direction of Dark Woods, as they tried to avoid the authorities, especially because of the fact that in the previous night, the "Hurricanes" destroyed a few patrol cars and SRKF SUV's. The city itself was quiet, and with the exception of the huge malls and commercial surfaces, which were over crowed with people, there were almost nobody in the streets, probably because it was Sunday and most people decided to stay home, so they could get some rest. When they reached Dark Woods, they started to look for the place where the race was supposed to take place. After a while, they saw Blaze's car and the "Rogues" car parked on a gas station, waiting for them to arrive. All of them where talking, when they were interrupted by the roaring of Sonic's car. Jet was wearing a black t-shirt a pair of yellow jeans. On his feet, he was wearing a pair of black tennis shoes and on his head he was wearing a grey peaked cap, making him look like a burglar, the kind of burglars who robbed old ladies purses. Wave on the other hand, was wearing a dark bodice, a dark lace-trimmed skirt, and was wearing a pair of high heel boots. Her eyes couldn't be seen very well because she was wearing sunglasses with orange lens.

"Oh great… if Blaze was only a little bit gothic, then Wave is completely gothic, and although she looks quite hot in those clothes, she's creeping me out." –thought Sonic to himself.

Storm was wearing a yellow jacket without sleeves, a pair of orange shorts and a pair of black and grey climbing boots. Blood was wearing a complete red training suit, a pair of white shoes, and on his hands we wore a pair of gloves with no fingers. He also wore a pair of sunglasses with black lens on his eyes. Titan on the other hand, had a green basketball t-shirt from the New York Jets, a pair of trousers, and pair of grey tennis.

So, this guy is the "baby" who lost against Dr. Eggman? I was expecting a lot more from the guy who dared to face the Champ' of this town… –said Jet as he saw Sonic getting near them.

Hey! I'm no "baby", and I got name, you green canary!

First, I'm not a canary, I'm a hawk… and second, I call "baby" to every single guy who thinks that he's better than me, until he can prove that I'm wrong! And believe me, I never loose… never.

Well, you better think again… because if you think that I'm afraid of you, then you're completely wrong. If I faced Eggman and I wasn't afraid of him, it's not going to be a little bird that's going to fright me! –said Sonic, answering to Jet in the same way, that he did first.

You want me to punch him in the nose, boss? –asked Storm as he started to walk up to the blue hedgehog.

I'll be glad to show him what my sharp teeth can do to his delicate blue skin! –exclaimed Shark, as he showed his white diamond teeth.

Enough! That is quite enough! We're here to race, not to start a fight! –Blaze yelled with all of her strengths, in order to shut them all up –Now, are you ready to race or aren't you?!

You can bet that!!! –yelled Jet and Sonic at the same time.

Very well, the race is simple… you start here and the finish line, will be in the end of the roadway of "Liberty Bridge" (it's one of the three bridges that connect the two margins of the bay of South View City). The probability of you be seen by the cops is maximum, so you better prepare for the unexpected. I will accompany you and see who wins the race. Knuckles and Johnny, you'll be my back up, in case something goes wrong. And of course, if I can't see who wins the race, Amy will be on the end of the finish line to confirm that. Are there any questions? No? Then let's race! –said Blaze.

Prepare to lose the rest of your reputation, and your new car, "baby"! Because we're going to beat you so hard, you will wish you were dead! –said Jet.

Bring it on, bastard!!!

With those words, Sonic entered in his car and started the engine. Next, he lined up in the starting line, right next to the Babylon Rogues. Titan was the one who was on the wheel, and right next to him was Jet, who had a pair of sunglasses on his eyes now. Then, when Blaze yelled "Go!!!" both cars started to speed through the streets. The inclination of the road in that part of Dark Woods was reasonable, which made them to start using the breaks. Titan almost ended up on a road-blocker, but Wave was observant, and grabbed the wheel and turned the car, pointing it to the right direction. Sonic, on the other hand was having a little trouble with the road, because he wasn't used to drive in that type of curves. And to make matters worse, he didn't get used to his new car, which was a problem for a person who wanted to get his original car back by defeating the elite racers of South View City.

This car is putting me nervous… I knew it. I should have taken a little more time, to get used to this car. Well, there's no point thinking about that now… I got to win this race, and start my ascension to the top. –said Sonic, has he turned left, entering on the Interstate 23.

Once in the Interstate 23, both of them made use of the N2O to gain the lead of the race. There were many trucks on the road, which complicated the race. Some of the trucks were transporting metal crates that came from the docks, while others transported wooden logs. Some of them even transported brand new cars, which were the latest models on the market. Seeing those, Titan didn't resist darting one, so it let go a few cars, blocking the road in some points, with the intention of not letting the blue hedgehog through. With quick moves, Sonic quickly got out of the confusion, and speeded up into the lead.

That hedgehog has some pretty good moves… but we're better than him. Blood, you take the wheel. The rest of you, put your sea belts on, and get ready to speed up at high velocity. –said Wave, while putting her seat belt on.

But why?

Because Titan's manoeuvres suck, and we need more power!

S-S-S-uck?! What the Hell are you talking about?! My manoeuvres are the best on this team, with the exception of Jet's manoeuvres on the wheel. –yelled the rhino, while he gave the controls to Blood.

You have to admit it, Titan, your manoeuvres are not the best, when it comes to speed, especially on Sprint races. Your style is more the style of Storm… trashing everything in front of you, at least the things that can be broken.

So… Blood's style is also like that, you know! What does he have that I don't have, Wave?

For instance, he's faster than you on the wheel and he has better reflexes than you. Now put your seat belt on, and you Blood, press the special button to release our secret weapon, now!!!!

Obeying Wave's orders, the black shark pressed an orange button, and in the back of the car, an engine that looked like the engine from a jet appeared. Once activated, the Lincoln Navigator from the Babylon Rogues looked like an arrow, passing all cars in front of them, including Sonic. Seeing that, Knuckles turned on the radio transmitter and said:

Sonic… I know that I shouldn't be helping you out, but I don't want you to lose this race. There's a "safety passage" for cars that might get broken, half a mile to your left… take that road and use it to get to the last part of the interstate, where you enter in the "Amazon Tunnel" the East entrance of Sunset Port. Once you get there, take the road that goes to the old abandoned amusement park. But remember, I didn't tell you this, ok? –said Knuckles, while he turned off the radio.

Following Knuckles's advice, Sonic speeded until he saw the "safety passage" that the red echidna told him about. When he entered in the "safety passage" he saw that the road was in very bad shape, but he didn't care about it. Pressing the button of the N2O, the blue hedgehog started to go down the hill, always trying not to bump into anything that he saw on his way. When he got back on the Interstate, he almost got thrown off the road by a car, but he used the breaks and almost by a miracle, he avoided an accident that would probably put an end to that race. Unfortunately, that car was no ordinary car… it was a police vehicle. When they saw the blue hedgehog, they turned on the sirens, and started to chase him.

Great… just what I needed. I got to get out of here, now! –Sonic yelled, but without losing the concentration, because he couldn't just abandon the race in the middle of it.

This is Unit 28… we just saw a street racer in the Interstate 23. We think that it might be Sonic the hedgehog. We're initiating a pursuit and we need backup… Wait, we just saw a couple more of these guys. It's the Babylon Rogues, Knuckles the echidna, Blaze the cat and Johnny the echidna-hedgehog. We're going to try to stop these guys. –said one of the police officer's.

They were told that the backup would take a few minutes to get to that area, and they decided to move on. The Babylons saw the police car when they were ready to steal the lead from Sonic, but they couldn't because the police vehicle bumped against the rear bumper of their car. Seeing that, Blaze pressed the N2O button of her purple and black Toyota Supra Turbo, and speeded up in the direction of the police car, putting him out of commission. Unfortunately, a few seconds later, four police cars appeared. Seeing them, Blaze picked up the transmitter of the radio and said:

Johnny, Knuckles, I need you to do something about these cops. Put them out of commission… Amy, I don't know if you already know this, but we got trouble, and we need to change to plan B…

I know… and your problem is worst than you think, Blaze. Vector and the rest of the Chaotix just appeared, and I don't think they can help you this time, because Cross's partner is with them. They're setting a roadblock in the end of Liberty Bridge, and on the other two bridges. I nearly had time to hide… if I had brought my car with me, they would've recognized me. What do we do? –Amy asked to Blaze.

Simple, we continue our way to the bridge… once we get there, we'll find a way to pass through them. About the finish line… there's a donut shop half a mile away from where you are. Run as fast as you can, and wait for us there. Once we get there, one of us will pick up you, and we try to hide, understand? Good, I'm going to tell the others our plan, over and out.

When they knew the new plan, Sonic said to himself:

"It's time we teach those sons of a b, how we street racers deal with these situations."

Sonic kept the lead of the race for a few more miles. When he got out of the Amazon Tunnel, he saw the old abandoned amusement park, and lost the lead, while he tried to find the road to enter in.

We got the lead again. Enter in that old amusement park, and make sure that Sonic doesn't get out of there, at least in one piece. –said Jet.

Both Sonic and the Babylons entered in, along with Blaze, Johnny and Knuckles on their tail, but they weren't the only ones to enter in. Behind them, four Lamborghini Murciélago SUV's entered with Cross's orders to capture them all. The amusement park was in very bad shape, and most of the rides looked like they were about to break into pieces. The wooden floor was also in very bad state, and had some holes in it, some of them, large enough for a car to fall in.

Seeing that he could use some of the things around him to get the lead of the race Sonic turned left and bumped one of the Merry-Go-Around of the park, making it spin and consequently to broke into pieces, blocking the way of Jet and the others, but also the way of one of the SUV's that were right behind them, immobilizing it.

He used our tactic, and we got three cops on our tail. Get us out of here, Blood… now!!! –yelled Storm.

After a few seconds of bumping into what remained of the Merry-Go-Around, the Babylon Rogues got out of there, and followed Blaze, Knuckles and Johnny, who kept behind Sonic. After getting out of the amusement park, the race continued through Lime Avenue, the avenue of Sunset Port that gave direct access to Liberty Bridge. The three remaining SUV's decided to take their chances with the blue hedgehog, by trying to catch him. Unfortunately, Knuckles was keeping a close eye on them, and once they were in a position that could be considered "safe" to immobilize them, without prejudicing the race for Sonic or the Babylons, he got near their rears and push them to the front, making them lose control of the cars, and consequently crash into a building.

Thanks for taking care of those cops for me Knuckles. –said Sonic by the radio transmitter.

No problem, it was my pleasure.

But their joy didn't last too long, because they thought that the reinforcements that were supposed to be on the end of the bridge to be most of them Volvo Turbo Wagon R's (a.k.a. SUV Rhino's), but unfortunately, most of them were Porsche's Carrera GT (a.k.a. SRKF's "Bullet Speed's"), and worst yet, Sergeant Cross was there. When he found out that Sonic was back, he decided to show up and became responsible for the operation.

Stop right where you are, street racers… You're all under arrest! –said Cross, using the megaphone he had on his left hand.