Chapter 12: Match Makers and the Desert Planet

"What do you mean Sonic left!?" I asked.

Shadow had soberly and told us what had happened. Frankly, I think it was Tails and me that took it the hardest. Tails had never been away from Sonic for too long and Sonic was my partner in crime-busting.

Shadow kept his cool as he retold the story. "He said it would be safer for us until he took care of Fleetway. All we can do is pray for him."

"And what if Ixis and his creeps find him?" I asked. "He might need back up, especially if Creek shows his ugly mug."

"We are talking about the same Sonic, right?" Silver asked. "Knuckles, didn't you say that Sonic used to travel all the time before he you or Tails?"

"That's right." Knuckles said. "I'm not sure how he met Tails, but I know that he used to travel alone most of the time when he was younger. He can hold his own."

"But… What about Fleetway?" Tails asked. "I don't like the idea of Sonic having to fight that thing alone."

"It's the best way he found to protect us." Shadow said. "He said he would contact us as often as possible to let us know how he's holding up."

I didn't like this. Sonic was alone with a something wanting to take him, and for me it was a nightmare having to wait until he took care of Fleetway. Half of me wanted to get back into the Nova and go after Sonic, but the other half reminded me that this was in fact Sonic the Hedgehog. He's gone through tones of hard times; like Dark Sonic, Eggman, Mephilis, and countless other enemies. He was hardy, and the Lord was with him.

I didn't realize I had lost myself in thought until Shadow took my hand. I look at him and he offers a gentle smile. "Don't worry, he'll be fine, you'll see."

I smile back at Shadow. He was right. Sonic knew what he was doing; God willing he would be back soon. But I still felt the urge to fly after him and tell him that he didn't have to banish himself.

I Push the thought away and look over at the worktable. I wasn't sure what was wrong with Metal, but Tails promised he would fix him up for me.

Silver noticed the look on my face and had an idea on how to cheer me up. "Say Em, didn't you want to join me for training one of these days? It might keep your mind off of Sonic for a while."

"Maybe we can find him using the emeralds." I suggested. I look over at Knuckles. "You don't mind do you?"

Knuckles shrugged. "You are the other Protector, Em. I don't mind at all."

"Okay Em." Silver said, holding his white emerald. "How do I keep myself from sinking into it?"

"Umm…" I said, looking at Silver and the emerald in his hand. I then took his free hand and held it tightly. "Just remember that I have your hand and that I won't let go for anything. And if you start to sink squeeze and I'll break eye contact with the emerald."

"Sounds like a plan." Silver said.

Knuckles sat across from us and watched. It was his duty as guardian and mentor to Silver to be there if he was needed. Silver took a breath, like a diver preparing to go under, and gazed into the emerald. For several long minutes he sat there motionless, his eyes unblinking. I felt the chaos levels rise slightly, but I gripped Silver's hand tighter.

"So far so good." Knuckles said, keeping a keen eye on Silver's face. "He hasn't sunken yet, so things are good."

"How can you tell if he sinks?" I asked.

"He'll get a blank look on his face." Knuckles replied. "Right now you can tell he's determined. When his face planks out, pull him out."

"Got it." I answer and also watch Silver's face.

His face did change for a moment. It was a look of interest and curiosity, then the determination came back. Had he found something? I gripped tighter on Silver's hand. A ghost of a smile appeared on Silver's face and squeezed my hand only a fraction. Suddenly, his eyes brightened for a second, then darkened to horror. His eyes widened and his body stiffened. His eyes darted from one spot on the emerald to another. Then is eyes widened with pure fear and squeezed my hand to the point where it was almost painful. I take the emerald out his hand, catching a glimpse of Fleetway, and hid it from Silver's view.

He leaned forward and gasped for breath, his entire body trembling and his eyes shut tight. Knuckles came over and put a hand on Silver's shoulder. "That hasn't happened before, did you do it?"

Silver nodded. "But I don't plan on doing it again very soon. You didn't tell me that other's using Chaos See could see me too."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Silver looked at me and took another breath. "I saw Sonic at first. He was in a desert and I think he was doing alright. But I could tell Fleetway was still bothering him because he would get really quiet and seemed to be in a daze. I noticed he was with a band of travelers, so he wasn't alone."

"So soon?" I asked. "He only left an hour ago."

"With Chaos See you can catch glimpses of the future if you're lucky." Knuckles explained. "But usually it shows 'right now' or 'in a few minutes' times. But what made you so tense."

Silver shivered and rubbed his arms. "Because right after I saw Sonic, I saw Ixis."

This caught my attention big time.

"I heard him talking in my head." Silver continued. "He said that Sonic had been given an honor. I asked what he had done to him, and he told me he had made Sonic stronger… and his. Suddenly, I saw Fleetway coming after me and that's when I squeezed."

"That sounds more like a nightmare you had." I said. "I personally do not want to see Ixis again."

Silver then looked up at me. "There was one more thing I saw. I saw you, and me, as supers fighting Fleetway."

"Now I know you were dreaming." I said. "There's no way I can become a super. The chaos energy hurts me Silv, can you imagine what would happen if I went super like you or Sonic?"

"You were almost super when you fought Fleetway." Silver pointed out. "After you got the Master Emerald under control again. The Emerald charged you and you were able to hold Fleetway off."

"Silver, I think that was just a luck," I replied. "Besides, I'm a human, I can't go super if I wished it."

Silver was about to argue the issue, but Knuckles stopped him. "What matters is that you did it and that we know that Sonic may be in trouble. Sonic knew the direction we were going so he'll catch up, and the next time he contacts us will tell him that Ixis and his crew is looking for him. Lets head back up on deck."

"Oh, but first I should check on Metal." I said. "I'll be with you guys in a moment."

It was incredibly lonely out there, with only the stars blinking around him. He still felt the sting of leaving his friends, but he knew it was safer for them this way.

Sonic had his backpack in the back seat with some food and his emergency power ring along with a blanket, some water, his bible and some money. He was already thinking about the possibility of him having to leave, so he thought having a pack ready would be a good idea.

'I wish I could have said goodbye.' He thought.

He looked at the cross around his neck. Why was he in this situation? Was God mad at him or something? Why had his Lord and Savior allowed this to happen?

He reached up and traced his fingers over the cross, a smile spreading over his face. He had made that cross out of the wood from the Great Oak in Knothole, and it served as a testimony of his story and how he came to Christ. Memories of that night kept his smile on his face.

"Lord," Sonic whispered, gripping the cross. "Why had this happened? Had I done something to anger you? I know you will always be with me and you would never forsake me, but why did you allow this to happen?"

Sonic waited for a moment for some answer, but there was nothing. Sonic shook his head and smiled.

"Not in a talking mood huh? No problem, you'll tell me what's going on in due time, I'm sure."

Suddenly, the fuel tank binged. Sonic looked at the fuel reading with slight annoyance. "Well it was bound to happen sooner or later." He sighed heavily and looked at his scanners. "Lets see if I can top off somewhere."

His scanners picked up a desert planet not far from his current position. Sonic looked over the readings and shrugged. "Beggars can't be choosers I guess. Lets see, it's called Duma. Alright, onward."

I walk to the infirmary and open the door. Metal was back online and talking with Tails who seemed to be installing something. Metals eyes turned to me as soon as the door opened.

"Greetings, Operative Emily." Metal said.

"Hi, how are you feeling?"

"I am nearing 65% operational thanks to Tails." Metal replied.

"I'm installing an internal communicator so this kind of thing doesn't happen again." Tails explained. "And his will have a longer range so you can contact us or he can contact anyone in the group while out and about."

"Thanks Tails." I said. "I certainly don't want Metal blinking out on me again. Hey, where's Chris? I haven't seen him since we got back."

"He's tuning up his ship." Tails replied. "He loves flying it and said he wanted her in good condition."

"Alright, I'll go see if he needs a hand then. Later guys."

I rush down to the hangar where sure enough, Chris was tuning up his engines and cleaning them out. He was laying on his back on a skate board that Tails used for getting under his machines. His shirt and hands were filthy with grease and grime.

I walk over and tap a knuckle on his ship. He stopped his work and slid out. He looked up at me as if confused, then smiled. "Hi there." He said. "What are you doing here?"

"To see if you needed a hand." I explained. "I didn't see you when I landed, then everything went crazy after the news about Sonic and Metal. So I thought I'd come see how you were holding in."

"I'm doing alright." He answered. "I'm sure I was just as shocked as everyone else that he left though."

"I'm sure," I said. "You've known him for longer than I have."

Chris nodded.

"Well," I said, hoping to break the ice. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Sure, come on under," Chris said, sliding under Highspeed again.

I smile and follow, laying on my back as Chris gave me a wrench and showed me how to tune up the engine.

Just outside the door, a certain green croc was watching us. His yellow eyes gleaming as an idea formed in his mind. He had been standing there for a while now and Epsio just found him.

"What are you looking at Vector?" He asked, coming up and also getting a look, seeing Emily and Chris fixing the engine. His eyes widen and he backs away. "No Vector! Remember last time when we played match-maker? My nose hurt for a month after Knuckles woke up and found out what we did."

"But this time we're not using Knuckles," Vector said. "I have a plan that is absolutely foolproof!"

"Like your other plans?" Espio asked, not noticing Charmy flying up the hall.

"What's up guys?" Charmy asked.

"Em and Chris are digging each other," Vector said. "Take a look."

Charmy looked and Epio gave Vector a cold, hard look. "How can you tell if they like each other that way? Did one of them say something about it?"

"No," Vector said. "But remember back at the Natacur village when the two where always walking with each other? And they went out together to fight off Ixis and his crew."

"They were helping each other out back at the village." Espio said. "And Emily is part of the Jet Team along with Chris, so naturally they flew out together."

"That's your problem Espio, you only look on the surface of things." Vector said. "The two of them really like each other but are afraid to show it. That's where we come in."

"We're gonna be Match-Maker Detectives again Vector?" Charmy asked excitedly, hoping to get to cause more trouble.

"You bet we are Charmy." Vector said.

"Yippy!" Charmy exclaimed, performing a backflip in the air.

"Count me out." Espio said walking away. "The last thing I need is to be caught up in this nonsense again."

Vector got an evil look in his eye and smirked. "What if your job was on the line?"

Espio stopped and looked over his shoulder. He glared at Vector. "That's cold Vector."

Vector shrugged. "I'm cold-blooded. Now here's the plan…"

The wind was howling as Sonic eased his ship down in a bay and jumped out with his backpack. A couple of odd-looking figures came up and looked at the ship and at the hedgehog with odd expressions. The two looked like little green men with black eyes with a white spot. The best way to compare them is the little green guy in Star Trek when Spock Prime and Kurk find Scottie.

"You flew here in that?" One of them asked.

Sonic nodded. "She's all I got right now. Take care of her and there's a good tip in it for ya."

The two looked at each other for a moment then grinned at Sonic. "She's in good hands, sir." One said.

"Totally," The other said. "You can count on us."

"I hope so." Sonic said. "Hey, where can I grab some food?"

"The market," The first answered. "Just outside and to the left."

"Thanks," Sonic said.

He watched the two run toward his ship before turning to find the market, which wasn't hard to find. There were booths everywhere selling everything imaginable. Fruits, water, jewelry, shoes, books, journals, you name it they had it.

Sonic walked around the market, purchasing some fruit and more water. He walked by a booth that was selling journals. Getting an idea, Sonic purchased a fair sized journal and a pen. In future years he would like to look back at this time and maybe tell future generations. The bible did say that testimonies taught this generation and the next.

As he paid for the journal, he noticed something he didn't expect. It was another Natacur, but this one was yellow with black spots, ears, and paws. His thin tail was covered in spots and the very tip was also black. He wore a pair of pants and a vest and a cowboy hat. His dark green eyes were bright as he spotted the hedgehog looking at him. Sonic guessed he was younger than Nomad was, but he was definitely a Natacur.

Beside him was a girl maybe a year or two older than Emily was, and she was human, but it was clear she wasn't from earth. Her bright hair looked bright auburn in the desert sun. She wore robes that simply amazed Sonic that she wasn't hot in them.

The Natacur tapped the girl on the shoulder and pointed at Sonic. She looked at Sonic with bright blue eyes and Sonic smiled and nodded in greeting. She smiled back and also nodded and started back to what she was buying, but then she looked back at him with an amazed look on her face, but Sonic had already turned and walked away.

Sonic had gone back to the hangar where he left his ship and paid the two aliens for their service with what he owed them and a good tip as promised.

Sonic looked outside and realized it was getting late and sighed. "How about another tip if I keep my ship here for the night?" Sonic asked.

This brightened their black eyes and quickly accepted.

"Cool," Sonic said. "Just give me a sec. I have send a message real quick."

"Sure thing," The second one replied.

Sonic climbed into the cockpit and opened the emailing system that Tails had installed. He missed his sidekick, and now his brother in Christ. Sonic pulled out the keyboard and started typing.

"Hey Guys,

I'm stopping on a planet called Duma to top off my fuel and get some rest. You wouldn't believe how many different people there are here. And I mean different. I think I saw someone with an elephants nose! Not to mention the great food and other goods they sell here. I got a journal to write down what I've been up to so I can share this adventure with you guys when I get back. Hope things are doing good for you guys so far. I'm doing alright, I still feel Fleetway in my head, but without a chaos emerald nearby, I'm doing alright.

Em, how's it going with Metal? He seemed to be in bad shape when I left. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye to you guys, but Fleetway getting the upperhand and I didn't want you guys getting hurt again. I hope you get home safely Em. Keep me in your prayers guys? Thanks, I need as many as possible.

Well, gotta go find a place to spend the night. God Bless you guys, I'll see you all soon.

Sonic"

Sonic sent the message and jumped out of the cockpit, Locking it as he paid the twins (He guessed they were twins anyway).

"Thanks again for keeping it here for the night, I'll try to get it off your hands by tomorrow." Sonic said. "Do you guys know a place where I can rest?"

"There's an Inn on the other side of the market," The first said.

"Can't miss it," The other said. "It has a phoenix on its sign and it's called Phoenix Lodging."

"Thanks again guys," Sonic said as he left. "And God Bless."

He wandered out onto the streets, where the people were breaking down the booths and going indoors for the night. His eyes wandered around, thinking of the human girl and the natacur cheetah he saw earlier. The two acted like they've seen him before, but Sonic had never seen them before in his life.

Suddenly, Sonic was smacked in the back of his head, sending him to his knees and making his senses go nuts. He got back up and attacked in defense, but he was beat again and again until his mind couldn't take it any longer and passed out.

A group of about five thugs patted Sonic down, finding his backpack with what was left of his money. Luckily, they didn't find Sonic's power ring, but they took the money disappointed that there wasn't more.

"To think he had such a nice ship, and he hasn't got the money." Said the leader, scowling at the unconscious hedgehog.

"So what do we do with him now, boss?" Asked another.

The leader shrugged. "We leave no evidence that we were here." He replied. "We'll take him out to the desert and leave him. Just to show him how hard our life is."

"Yes sir!" The other four said and dragged Sonic to a mount, which happened to be like a giant Road Runner. Moments later, they were lost in a cloud of dust with Sonic as a hostage and at their mercy.