Unleashing Sonic: Story Mode

"Sonic…? Oh, there you are!"

"Gah…?"

The sound of the voice stirred me out of my slumber, and when I opened my eyes, a bright blue sky greeted eagerly. I blinked a few times and sat up- I was back to normal, I was sitting on the Tornado, it was morning, and Amy was standing off to the side smiling at me.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to wake you, but it's almost midday and you still weren't awake and the Professor has to tell you something a little important and-"

"Easy there, Amy," I laughed, swinging around and dangling my legs over the side. "I'm glad you woke me up! Do you know how mad I'd be if I missed a day like this?"

"Probably very, since I'd guess you're dying for a run after last night," she glanced at the ground shyly. "Tails, Chip, and the professor told me all about what happened. I wish I could've talked to you last night, but I went to bed a little early since I wasn't feeling well…"

"Are you feeling better now?"

Amy looked back up at me and nodded vigorously. "Yeah!"

She then jumped up, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me off the Tornado.

"Now come on! We're just about to have brunch, if you'd like some! Chip told me you didn't have any dinner last night, so you must be hungry!"

"I am, I am," I chuckled, stumbling after her. "If you keep moving at this rate, you're going to be just as fast as me!"

She laughed and pulled me through the front door; Chip was eating a chocolate chip waffle, Tails waved at me to come over, and Pickle stood up to greet me once again.

"Mornin' Sonic!" called Tails and Chip, though Chip's was muffled due to the waffle.

"Sup guys! What's going on already today?"

I walked over to Tails, grabbed an apple that was resting on the table, bit into it, and turned to the professor to get the scoop. He shuffled a few papers around, then adjusted the collar of his shirt.

"Well, I've just now completed compiling my analysis of the latest data. According to my analysis, there's a Temple of Gaia in Adabat as well."

I perked up even more, if that was possible. "We're going to spend the day in Adabat? YES!"

Chip and I smacked a high five, then I stood around nearly shaking with excitement. Tails whistled.

"Wow, for going to bed so late you seem to be in a great mood!"

"Well, where's the fun in being in a grumpy mood?" I countered back, walking along the edge of the table and chowing down on any food I could get. "I bet Adabat is a lot cooler in the day than the night! But the stars were pretty…"

"You say that about every place, Sonic," Amy pointed out. I grinned back.

"That's just because it's true!" I then stopped as a realization struck. "Wait…today we're going to get the red-jeweled tablet, and we already have the blue-jeweled one…"

"And then we'll put them together and restore Adabat!" Chip exclaimed.

"But…" I smirked and pounded my fist into my palm. "Let's just say we'll be having a little get together with Eggman quite soon."

"I wouldn't be surprised if you did!" added the professor.

"Just makes my day even better!"

"Only Sonic would look forward to trashing a fat man in a robot," Amy giggled. I swigged a glass of juice in three loud gulps, then spun the cup on my finger.

"Today is going to rock!"

"Why are you so fired up about today, Sonic? Is it your birthday or something?" Chip asked.

"We'd know if it was," Tails and Amy responded automatically, giving me a look while I scratched the back of my head.

It wasn't my fault I made a big deal out of my birthday!

"Load that camera up with a fresh roll of film, Chip. Who knows what things we'll need to take a picture of!"

"Okay!" Chip zoomed up the stairs to fetch a new roll while Tails finished his breakfast and stood up as well.

"Well, gee, Sonic…you sure seem anxious to get going! Do you want to go now?"

"I'd like to go as soon as possible," I shrugged, placing the cup back down on the table. "I've already slept through enough hours of daylight, and I don't want to waste another minute!"

Pickle chuckled under his breath. "Well, well! It looks like a good night's sleep has proved worthwhile once again!"

A certain feeling came over me, and I felt it as soon as Amy had pulled me through the front door. I was like a little beacon of lights, and my brightness was contagious. Tails, Amy, Chip, and the professor…it was like they were all as happy as I was now!

It was a nice feeling, by the way.

When Chip returned with a fresh load of film and some backup, I motioned to Tails who told the professor that we'd be back before it got too dark. He had calculated that if we had restored the sixth continent before the day was over, that meant there was only one more to restore, and I was slightly nervous when I realized that I didn't know what it was.

"We won't be able to miss it, Sonic," Tails assured. "It'll be the only piece of the planet that hasn't been put back into place!"

I waved it off as if I had known it all along. "Yeah, yeah, of course!"

"Ooh, I wonder what that continent will be like!" Chip exclaimed. "I mean, we've already been to two urban areas, a frozen wasteland, a oriental ruins area, the desert, and we're about to enter a tropical island area from what we've already seen. And there's Mazuri, which was pretty much a jungle…"

"What're you getting at?" Amy asked, slightly lost.

"I was just wondering what the seventh continent would be themed like…"

"Industrial…" I murmured under my breath. Tails apparently picked up my mutter and snapped his head at me.

"Did you say something, Sonic?"

"Eh, what? Aw, no," I slowly started inching to the door. "Well, anyway, if we do restore the next continent before the day is done…"

I turned to Chip and slipped him a secret smile.

"…that means we'll have a bit of free time before we head off to the seventh continent."

Chip caught on instantly, and he was suddenly as cheerful and eager as I was.

"Well what are WE waiting for? Let's head out already! C'mon! Let's go!"

"Okay, I'm coming…" Tails laughed, following Chip and I to the door. "See you later, Professor! Bye Amy!"

I then stopped in my tracks, spun around, and rushed up to Amy so fast, I made her quills blow in the small breeze I created.

"I just remembered!" I breathed, taking a small step back away from Amy.

"Yes Sonic?" Amy asked, clasping her hands and staring at me with wide eyes.

I still wasn't totally sure of what I was going to do, let alone what I was going to say.

"I'm…glad you woke me up this morning," I managed to stammer out, that not being exactly what I wanted to say and that not being what Amy was expecting to hear. But she didn't seem upset at all.

"You're welcome, Sonic! I'd gladly do it again if needed!"

"I wish you could come to Adabat with us," I continued, now folding my arms and slouching slightly. "I mean it; you'll probably be missing out…"

"I have to do what I can to help here, though, and there's not enough room on the Tornado anyway…" Amy shrugged. I was about to respond when she suddenly smiled. "Maybe when you return, you can tell me all about it and show me a few pictures!"

Another brilliant idea popped into my head, and I nearly jumped for joy, as cliché as it sounded. I topped Amy's smile with a broad grin of my own. "I think I might be able to do ya one better Amy! You'll see- later, but you'll see! Now, if I want my day to turn out like I predict it will, I've gotta get going!"

"Okay! Have fun Sonic! And uh…" she glanced at the ground shyly. "…Can I hug you goodbye?"

I think I've just died from disbelief.

I gawked at Amy, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to close my mouth again. "You're actually asking for permission rather than just plowing into me regardless of what I might say?"

"Well, last night I was thinking over a few things…" she was rocking on her heels now. "…and I figured that whenever I get to see you, I should make it as pleasant as possible for you. So I decided to ask this time!"

I turned away and winced inwardly. After realizing that Tails, Chip and the professor were staring at me with urging eyes, I whirled back around to face Amy and tilted my head.

"I…guess, but only because you asked," I shook off my reluctant feeling, then winked. "But don't ask again! It'll be really weird if every time you're chasing me down and we suddenly stop and you're like, "Hey Sonic! Can I hug you?" every minute of the day! Just try and glomp me like usual and I'll dive out of the way and dodge!"

"If that came from anyone else I'd be offended," she laughed, and Amy threw her arms around my neck. After a few mere seconds I tried to wiggle free.

"Okay Amy! Release! I wanna go run today, you know!"

"Sorry." She let go. "Have fun today!"

"Trust me, I will."

I gave her and Professor Pickle a two-fingered salute before bolting out the door and flipping onto the wing of the Tornado in one swift move. They waved at Tails, Chip, and I through the doorway. Tails got positioned in the cockpit, Chip snuggled in the back seat, and I was ready for the wind to blow through my quills as I stood on the wing.

I almost couldn't wait for the sweet purr of the Tornado's propeller to start and for the little biplane to take me to the next adventure.

. . .

"How close are we?" I asked for the seventh time, lounging on the wing just like I had before I fell asleep last night. Tails pushed a few buttons on his Miles Electric and shrugged.

"We're nearly there; just be patient, Sonic."

"That's like telling me to sit still."

Tails smiled. "I know! But what else can I say?"

"That we'll be landing in a few moments?"

"I did say we're almost there…"

Chip just patted his belly. "Uum, I'm looking forward to hunting down those coconuts Tails talked about! Not really sure what it is, but it sounds yummy!"

I opened an eye. "If we get lucky, that'll be one of the first things we do after the continent's restored! I'm so looking forward to running crazily around Adabat and giving Eggman a quick hello!"

"Makes you think about what robot creation he'll have up his sleeve this time…" pondered Chip.

Probably a combination of an animal and an egg, like usual.

"Doesn't matter what he builds- it's all scrap to me!" I laughed. "On a different note, I sure hope Adabat's amazing during the day…I have a feeling it is, but I've got to see for myself!"

"Do you think it'll beat Apotos?" Tails asked.

Now both eyes were open and staring at Tails.

"Erm…we'll see. How close are we?"

"We'll be landing in a few moments!"

"Are you being serious or are you mocking what I said earlier?"

"Both," Tails replied cheekily, pointing down below the almost nonexistent clouds in the sky. Just by taking a look at the tropical continent from a bird's eye view, I knew I was in for something good. Chip poked his head over the edge as well and shared in my excitement.

"I can't wait! I can't wait!"

"Neither can I, but I'm holding together," I chuckled. I then glanced up as Tails as started to descend the plane. "Yo Tails?"

"What's up?"

"You feel like coming out with Chip and I on this fine day?"

The plane nearly lunched with Tails' surprise, and he glanced over his shoulder to stare at me.

"I'd love to Sonic-"

"But," I interrupted before he could finish.

People always say "I'd love to" right before they turn you down. Well, most the time.

Tails retuned to focusing on flying as he rubbed the back of his head. "I promised the Professor that I would get some info for him from some of Adabat's inhabitants and I-"

"You and Amy!" I groaned. "You're both distracted by some form of work today while I'm going out to practically play! At this rate you'll make me feel guilty for having fun!"

"Well, it's not just that, Sonic…" Tails continued, slightly trailing off. "I…for some reason, I think this is definitely one outing that you and Chip need to do together- just you two."

Chip blinked before turning to me and exchanging a glance. I whistled, turning back to Tails.

"you really think that?"

Tails nodded. "It's a weird feeling, and as much as I really want to join, it just feels right that I stay out of this time. Besides!" It was his turn to wink at me now. "There'll be plenty of other times we can hang out."

I nodded, accepting his decision and giving him a thumbs up. "All right then, Tails, I respect your choice. I'll enjoy myself for you and Amy today then!"

"Good to know!" Tails laughed, and the Tornado suddenly started to corkscrew downwards, Chip screaming, Tails cheering, and me throwing my hands up in the air. When we were right above the ground, Tails pulled up on the Tornado, and we landed stylishly.

"Ten for the landing, Tails!" I exclaimed, hoping off the wing. Tails looked proud of himself as he climbed down as well.

"I strive to achieve!"

"Okay Sonic! Let's go find whoever has the Sun Tablet to get us through Adabat's Temple's Sun Door!" Chip cried. I gave him a nod, then started to run off until I turned back around and stopped right in front of Tails.

"Oh yeah, by the way…" I jerked my thumb over my shoulder. "When you start questioning the locals, be sure to talk to the girl, Rudi, first. Tell her I sent you, all right?"

Tails nodded. "All right, thanks Sonic!"

"No problem! And one last thing…" I put a hand on his shoulder. "Please, if you're going to stay behind, don't wear yourself out with work. Try to have even a little fun today, promise?"

"I promise Sonic!"

"That's my bro," I said with a smirk, turning away and running after Chip who was already raiding a nearby market. Tails watched with amusement as I struggled to yank Chip away, then headed off to take care of his own business.

. . .

"Sonic, you should've let me buy that pineapple."

"We're here on official business/looking for the best day ever, not a cuisine quest."

"But it looked so good-"

Chip's debate on why he should've gotten the pineapple was cut short when we approached Teanchai, Rudi's father. To our pleasure, he wasn't as depressed now, thanks to Dark Gaia not possessing him anymore.

"Oh, hello," he greeted us, even giving a bit of a wave. "I appreciate your recent assistance."

"Are you not depressed anymore?" Chip asked, despite the fact it was pretty clear.

"Yes, I'm well, thank you. Since the planet split apart, all sorts of strange things have happened…"

We would certainly know.

"After loosing my house, I felt as if the darkness might just swallow me…But my family depends on me. I have a job to do and I can't let them down."

"Understood. Sorry about your house…" I trailed quietly. "I wish there was something I could do…"

Teanchai just assured me with, "I'll be fine in a few days. After all, I can just rebuild, right?"

I nodded, smiling slightly as Chip and I walked away. Apparently he didn't have the Sun Tablet…if Rudi had the Moon Tablet, maybe Jamal had the Sun one?"

At Jamal-

"Hey! Have you lost weight?"

Best topic starting sentence ever.

He told us he had no idea what we were talking about when we mentioned the Gaia Gate, so he sent us back to his dad once again. Muttering something about backtracking, Chip and I trudged all the way back to Teanchai.

"I shouldn't be moping about when the kids are all cheerful," he said as soon as we returned. Chip and I stared at each other with confusion.

"That's great, bu-"

"Rudi has what you are looking for," he replied, smiling as if he had read my mind.

"Rudi had both the Tablets?" Chip gawked. "Wow!"

"I think she just surpassed Layla," I remarked, heading on over to where we found Rudi on our last visit. She was still there, still holding that basket over her head. Upon our return, she broke out into a grin.

"Ah, I was wondering when you'd be by. I believe you're looking for this," she pulled out the Tablet and held it up. "The tablet with a sunlit beach symbolizes the tranquility of Adabat. Please, Sonic, restore the world to a state of tranquility."

She gave me the Sun Tablet, and I gave her my promise. "I'll save the world, don't worry. It's not like I haven't done it before!"

Rudi smiled. "We're all counting on you, Sonic."

I was getting ready to respond when Chip suddenly announced his latest idea.

"We should totally see a sunset later!" Chip exclaimed. "That'd be a perfect ending to the day!"

"Hey!" I cried, surprised with his proposal. "That's actually not a bad idea! Then after it's over, we head back to Shamar, rest up for the night, then head on to the seventh continent! I like that!"

"The sunsets here are some of the best in the world, you know," Rudi pointed out. I stretched my arms over my head and smirked.

"Well, I guess that'll make it even better then!"

I saluted her goodbye, then motioned to Chip, and we took off through Adabat to reach the Gaia Gate.

. . .

Returning to the ancient structure with the doors, I was pleased to see that the Sun Door was glowing this time around. We both ran for it in a blur, me breaking to a stop while Chip flew up to the door and opened it, just like always.

"You ready for this?" I asked, limbering up and doing some stretches. Chip gave me a thumbs up.

"As ready as I'd ever be!"

"Then here we go!"

We rushed into the doorway, ready to take on what was up ahead.

. . .

"Dude, it's like entering a party!"

The palm trees were decorated with streamers, festive flags towered over the pier, and the atmosphere was just so uplifting! I was already running down the boardwalk before Chip could even take it all in. He managed to savor a few small moments already by snapping away wildly with his camera.

"This would go great on a post card," Chip said with a smile, staring at the latest photo.

I ran over a Boost Pad positioned on a thin strip of land, the land being somewhat of a bridge through Adabat's crystal clear waters. The view of the beach then disappeared quickly as I rushed onto an island, filled with a huge towering jungle.

I told Chip twice to take a photo of the beach. Talk about picture perfect!

"Wonder what's up ahead…" I mused to myself, tearing through a small cave. It led out onto the actual beach, but I wasn't able to enjoy the sights thanks to spontaneously appearing bombs that blew up in my face. I tripped upon impact.

"I just had to ask."

Dusting the sand off my torso, I bolted off again, hopefully without any further interruptions. Adabat was probably my last chance at some decent daytime running, and I was NOT going to waste it!

I bolted off the beach and leapt over a cliff, landing on a cove that curved around the water. I drifted around it swiftly, only to run out and slam into a robot with a spring placed on its front. I found myself shooting into the air, but ironically, I was kind of glad the robot did that!

"The view's even better up here!" I exclaimed cheekily. My happy statement was followed up by a trashing of any nearby robots with my homing attack. Grinning, I continued to dash over the cliff, bounced off a spring on a wall, and bound over to another boardwalk. At the end of that was yet another spring, which ricocheted me into a cannon.

"A cannon? ! What the heck is that doing he-EEEEERE!"

"WA-HOO!"

Chip wailed in confusion while I just spun around through several rainbow loops. Once Chip and I touched down on land once again, we really were in the jungle.

"Quick! Get a shot of this!" I called, taking out four robots then swinging on a vine. Chip whipped out his camera and did as he was told right before I let go and maneuvered my way onto a grind rail. I broke out into a grin as I made my way through the jungle, over the trees, and past a break in a cliff. I jumped off the grind rail, latched onto a vine, and swung myself over to a branch. Unfortunately when I landed, I got plowed in the face by a missile from a robot.

"…I have no comment," I muttered to Chip, picking myself up and boosting into anything that got in my way. Eventually I found a pulley to grab that took me up to a grind rail perched in a tree. Wasting no time jumping on that, I shredded my way out of the jungle and to a Cliffside.

"Ooh! I got a nice picture of a waterfall!" Chip announced, showing me the snapshot. I nodded in approval.

"Excellent work, Chip!"

He beamed proudly while I jumped off a cliff, running over water for awhile until I just started surfing on it! Pretty sweet, if you ask me.

Walking on water is one thing, but surfing on it all by your lonesome…kids, don't try that at home. Especially if you're a hydrphobe.

After my mini-surfing escapade, I reached more land and made my way over another cliff via pulley. Emerging out of the jungle, Chip and I were greeted by another beach and a boardwalk, and the bright sky and sunlight wasn't being filtered out by the endless trees. However, as soon as I stepped foot on the boardwalk, trouble arrived.

"Heh, I was wondering when I'd see you again!" I snickered, facing the green robot that enjoyed tracking me down from many times before. As a hello to me, he shot me with a wide laser that I had no room to avoid. I flipped over backwards and landed on my face nevertheless.

Psh, fiends these days.

I stood back up, for what was the third time already in the tropical place, and picked up my running. The green robots launched missiles at me, which I managed to dodged a lot easier. Right as I was about to acquaint him with my foot, I hit a spring I had missed and found myself flying in the air, the robots continuing to fly forward.

"Hmph! What a coward! He could've at least kept following me so I could finish him off!"

Anyway, I was blasted through a series of loops and was flung across half the island before my descent into a rock wall was prevented by a very conveniently placed spring. If that spring hadn't been there, I'd be road kill.

Or wallkill in this case.

I maneuvered myself to yet another boardwalk, smashing a robot then jumping up and spinning through another loop. I jetted around a corner, ran over falling pieces of the pier, and leapt carefully over teleporting bombs, which was simple. The hard part was avoiding living tikis trying to crush me, robots with a few trick up their sleeves, and me not running over the edge of the boardwalk similar to what happened in Chun-Nan.

And yet, when I found the Goal Ring tucked away in a cute little hut with rainbow drapes covering the entrance, I cried out in agony.

"WHY? ! Why must it be over already?" I moaned, slowing down to a jog as I made contact with the ring, Chip tried to cheer me up.

"W-Well…at least we saw a whole bunch of neat things!"

"Yeah, that lasted about three minutes!" I retorted, tossing the tablet adjourned with a red jewel in my hand. I turned back to Chip, a smirk evident on my face. "You can't possibly think we're finished here, do you?"

"Well, we already got the- and then we- plus the-"

"Once we go beat Eggman," I began, now spinning the tablet on my finger. "We've got a whole other section of Adabat to comb over! You think just one beach and just one jungle is all this place has to offer?"

"No…"

"Good," I started to run back to the village. "Because we are far from done here."

Because, seriously, if that short little trip was all I was going to get a taste of in Adabat, then I would be devastated.

Once you play the 360 version, you can't go back to Wii. (Or even touch it, if you never played it.) ^^

So, yeah, this was the Wii version's Adabat level. Next time, Sonic battles Eggman once again and the plot to the actual game's story finally thickens...