Sonic and Lara woke up bright and early the next morning at 8:30, looking into each other's eyes. "Morning', British beauty." The blue hedgehog said, "Hope ya got a good night's sleep last night."
"Good morning to you too, blue boy." Lara replied, "I had a good night's sleep last night. Well, we better get changed, get something to eat and get ready. The chances of us facing the mainstream media are probably very high."
The fastest thing alive told his girlfriend as they climbed out of bed that he'd dealt with the mainstream media many times before over the last few years and will never forget having to deal with reporters and appearing in the newspaper.
"If I can deal with it before like you have, of course we can deal with it again." Sonic said, finishing his sentence, "But c'mon, we're famous. We got the statue, this is so going to deserve a bit of press coverage."
"Oh its gonna get A LOT of news coverage for the next week or so." Lara remarked with a wink, "This happens all the time, I bet the first time you were covered on the news, it went on for a few weeks before it calmed down."
The heroic duo took a warm shower before putting on their best clothes, a suit for Sonic and a dress for Lara, before heading downstairs to get breakfast in the dinning room.
Tom was waiting for them, having just served toast, a chili dog and carrots. Tails and Sarah had finished eating and they were looking nice, Tails wore a black shirt and long pants as Sarah wore a green dress.
"Good morning, you two." Tails greeted them optimistically, "Well, today's the big day. We have to get to the museum in an hour, don't want to miss the exciting event, do we? Who wants to miss it?"
"Tails is a bit nervous as I am." Sarah said, wrapping her arm around her two tailed boyfriend, smiling a sheepish smile, "He admitted it to me this morning, so I'm assuring him that everything will be fine."
"Indeed it will, guys." Sonic declared, "After all, we're the heroes who got the statue and protected it from Doctor Eggman." He frowned and then face palmed, "Aw jeeze, I didn't tell the curator about how our quest went."
"Its ok, sweetie." Lara pat him on the back, "You can tell Mr. Wilkson the full story about our adventure when we get there BEFORE the unveiling ceremony starts, assuming we get there early enough."
Tom scratched his head, "I'm sorry, sir. Did you say you never told the museum curator about your encounter with Doctor Robotnik? Why is that?"
"It was a quick visit." Sonic replied, "We only came by to give him the statue, we talked for a bit and then left. Lara and I only told him that we got the keys and the statue, the details of the adventure never crossed my mind."
"Well now, we're going to explain the full story to him so that way people will learn about the full story of what we went through to make sure we got the statue into the hands of the museum." Lara said.
"Lets try to at least be very delicate with the details, ok?" Sarah asked, "We don't want to scare anybody, I don't think it would be fair to give them the impression that the statue could still be in danger."
"Fair point," The blue blur said with a nod as he took a drink after finishing his meal, "The whole deal with the statue's unveiling is supposed to be upbeat and awesome, not one of uncertainty and dread."
"You gonna come with us, Tom?" Lara asked the butler.
"No thank you, I'd rather keep an eye on the mansion." Tom replied, "But I promise to watch it on the TV, assuming most of it is televised. Everything covered by the mainstream media is televised, that's good enough for me."
"While one of us is stayin' home," Oskar said, "There is no way you guys are leavin' me out of this. I was there, I participated. I bloody hit Doctor Robotnik while protecting the statue, I deserve the credit as well."
Lara laughed, "Oskar, why would we forget about our favorite Scott You were with us for the journey, yes. Did you help us get ALL the keys? Sort of. But still, you're a hero too and you will get credit."
"Yeah!" Sonic added, "Its not everyday when you see somebody besides me beat the shit out of Eggman. Nice job smashin' the doc's glasses, you were brave, even though ya freaked at the sight of his eyes."
"Sonic's not the only guy who's never afraid of standing up to villains like the doc." Tails chimed in, "Just let me tell you about the time I fought Eggman in a big city all by myself while he was piloting a huge mech."
"Can you try to save it for later, buddy?" The blue blur told the yellow fox, "Right now, we gotta get going. We don't wanna miss the excitement, so what are we waiting for? People are waiting for us, we can't keep 'em waitin' all day."
"Its fine." Oskar said as he and the group headed out the door, "Tails can tell me his story on the way. I'd love to know about that huge battle that unfolded involving Eggman with whatever his giant mech was."
Sonic, Lara and their friends made their way into London by car, the drive to the museum didn't take too long as they knew where to go. When they got there, they all found a huge crowd of reporters and Londoners waiting outside.
The group got out of the car and headed into the museum as people talked amongst themselves, barely able to contain their excitement. All around the city, posters showing the statue of Senga Yujunaka stood, advertising it.
After getting inside, the five adventurers were greeted by the museum guards, who saluted, showing their respect for the heroes who made it possible. One of the guards, as expected, lead them to the office where the curator was waiting.
"Sonic, my boy!" Mr. Wilkson exclaimed, shaking the blue hedgehog's gloved hand, "I'm thrilled to see you today. The statue's ready to, there are reporters outside. This is talk of the world, my friend. Its talk of the world!"
"You mean London, right?" Tails asked, "I don't think the whole planet knows yet, even though we saw a few global news correspondents on our way in. They didn't see us yet, but they will soon once the museum opens."
"Mister Wilkson," Lara raised her hand, "Um, we need to tell you something that we never told you last night, regarding the quest for the Ratakyan Keys and when we were getting our hands on the Yujunaka Statue."
"What is it you never told me?" The curator asked curiously, "I know you told me you got all the keys and got the statue, from what you're saying, you probably skipped over some details and just said, 'we got the statue'."
"Its simple!" Sonic replied, "When we went after the Green Key, we were going to originally go to the Chinese rainforest, but a Russian terrorist, an enemy of Lara's, nabbed it first so we had to go to his base to get it.
"As for the Sunny Day Blue Key, it was no prob when we got to the pyramid in Egypt and got past the traps inside. But getting away with the key was hard as we dealt with ghosts and rogues such as Montana Jane.
"When it came to the Water Blue Key, well, I had some aquaphobia which Lara cured with some swim lessons at her pool before we dove down to the ocean to get it. We still got the keys without a problem.
"But when we got to the Ratakyan statue, while we got it, we were confronted by Doctor Eggman, who wanted to use it for his own wicked gains. He intended to become rich enough to build his theme park and a huge robot army.
"We stopped him from getting the statue and sent him into retreat, but there is still a chance he could come for the Ratakyan statue again soon. Sorry that we didn't tell ya, thought you'd wanna know the full story."
Wilkson was intrigued, "Fascinating, very fascinating. Well there's nothing to worry about, you succeeded in getting to the statue. Plus you were all brave in fending off the doctor, I promise to make sure the statue is well guarded."
"Aye," Oskar commented, "What are the odds of you doubling the museum guard in order to make sure somebody doesn't break in and make off with the statue at some point in the night if that somebody wants to, eh?"
"Mr. Bessington, as far as I am concerned, we have plenty of guards. This museum has the best security any museum has. Now its best to stop worrying, time for the world to see the statue for the first time in centuries."
Sonic, Lara, Tails, Sarah and Oskar all followed the peg legged museum owner out of his office and out into the main room of the museum. The guards opened the doors and, in seconds, the crowd outside began to enter.
Once all the reporters and everybody was in, the chatter quieting down while cameras still flashed, Mr. Wilkson stepped forward and began his speech...
"Dear people of London, thank you all for coming to the British Cultural Museum. As many of you have heard just a short while ago, the light of truth has shown on legend and legend has become history.
"Thousands of years ago, somewhere in South America, the Ratakyan tribe allegedly existed. They created many things, such as the legendary Senga Yujunaka Statue in honor of their great deity.
"The tribe has long vanished and has long thought to have been forgotten by history, along with the Yujunaka Statue, until recently. A band of brave individuals sought out and found the statue, bringing it here."
"Mister Wilkson?" A reporter raised his hand, "Where was the statue and how did these individuals get it, in fact, who were those individuals? Are they people we know or are they nobody we've heard of up until this point."
More reporters started asking questions, a museum guard blew his whistle and Wilkson raised his hand, the crowd fell silent and he continued on...
"The statue, I can presume, was found to be locked away in an ancient temple somewhere in the deserts of Africa. In order to get to it within the temple, the ones seeking it had to gather four important keys.
"The people who found them and the statue were: Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft, Miles Tails Prower, Sarah Ann Vulpine and Oskar Bessington. I believe you know many of them, you've heard of them.
"As you know, Sonic is a fast and brave hero who has fought many nefarious villains on countless occasions and saved many people. Ms. Lara Croft is also famous for her adventures and her archeological feats.
"Together, despite the odds, despite the challenges thrown at them, they gathered the keys, found the temple and got the statue, protected it from the infamous Doctor Robotnik and now it finally sits right here in the museum.
"Honored guests, in just a few seconds, you will be seeing the statue with your own eyes and history will remember this as the day a seemingly long lost artifact was finally recovered and made a museum exhibit.
"We hope more people coming to the museum will take interest in the statue and see it every day, observing what is seemingly one of the only surviving relics of the Ratakyan tribe that exists today besides the many ruins and keys."
People began to chat amongst themselves, voicing their amazement, reporters asked more questions and several other people wearing Sonic T-shirts were crying out for Sonic himself to give them an autograph.
The blue hedgehog grinned and looked at Lara with a smile, she smiled back and they held hands, ready for the big moment coming up. This was it, the pictures were going to be taken, they were going to be more famous than ever.
Finally, after minutes of anticipation, Mr. Wilkson put his hands upon the tarp covering what appeared to be where the statue rested and said, "Fellow countrymen and countrywomen... THE STATUE OF SENGA YUJUNAKA!"
Wilkson pulled the tarp off and there it was, the shiny golden Ratakyan statue of Senga Yujunaka itself, sitting behind glass. It was now part of the museum, an exhibit for all to see for a very long time.
The words on the silver plaque just beneath the glass read:
Senga Yujunaka Statue, made by Ratakyans to honor their deity. Once thought lost, it was discovered and brought here by Sonic the Hedgehog and Lara Croft, credit goes to their friends, Tails, Sarah and Oskar.
The crowd all gasped. "Yes." Mr. Wilkson said, "This is the statue. As you can see, it is very real, always has and is not fake for there is no proof that it is!
"This was made from Ratakyan gold, this gorilla is what their deity supposedly looked like. The Ratakyans made this with their hands, they were brilliant craftsmen, may their legacy live on forever in history!
"And of course, its all thanks to the efforts of Mr. Hedgehog, Ms. Croft, and their friends. Today... we shall commemorate this and the heroes whose efforts made the nearly impossible become more truly possible than ever before!"
Sonic, Lara and their friends waved and Wilkson nodded as more cameras flashed and the crowd cheered, several Sonic and Lara fans in the crowd shouted, "WAY TO GO, SONIC! THAT'S AWESOME!"
The blue hedgehog beamed and flashed the peace/victory sign between waves, thrilled to have taken the credit. The whole world was happy for him, if only his parents could see him now.
Later, once everything had settled down a bit, everyone went over to Town Hall for a party where drinks were served. The Mayor of London had received the news, so it was expected that he would be giving a little speech.
As Lara and Sonic sat at a table covered in a red blanket within the room full of people discussing the events, a waiter gave them wine to drink. Sonic was thrilled to oblige and so was Lara, even though they did have wine last night.
Tails and Sarah sat at the table across from them, holding hands and smiling happily. The group chatted about what was next with Tails asking Sonic what he and Lara were going to do later with the exciting Ratakyan quest over.
"We're gonna be dating of course," The hedgehog replied, "Meanwhile, you can expect us to be adventuring together. I plan on eventually heading home with Lara and introducing her to my family, that would be cool."
"I'd love to see your parents," Lara giggled, "Do you have a sister? I wish I had a sister but, well," her smile turned into a frown, "I never had one, my mum left before she and my pop could get to work on that."
"Of course I got a sister." The speedster remarked, "She's cute too, the problem is, I haven't seen her or my parents or my uncle in a really long time, not since I left home sometime after my first battle with the doc."
"Sonic's been adventuring and fighting Eggman for a long time." Tails explained, "When Sonic and I first met, he was in the last days of his preteens and I was just a few years out of my toddler days."
"I met my first girlfriend when we were both young too." Sonic added, "She was very cute that day, heck, when we dated, she was still cute. Man, I almost miss her. But at least we occasionally meet up and chat from time to time."
Tails snapped his fingers and looked over at Oskar, who was seated at the nearest table across from theirs. "Hey Oskar!" The fox called out, "Did I tell you how old I was when I fought Eggman in the streets of a city all by myself?"
Oskar had a phone up to his ear when Tails spoke to him, he was talking with his mum about what was going on. Hearing the fox, he set down the phone, looked over at him, said yes and then put a finger up to his lips.
"Looks like ya interrupted Oskar while he was chatting with his mum." Sarah whispered in her boyfriend's ear. Tails rolled his eyes and told her that he was aware, not to mention that he was sorry.
Over at his table, Oskar took a drink before answering his mum's question about what the commotion was about, "Tails was asking me a question, mum. Yes, I'm fine. Were you worried that I was hurt or something?"
"Oskar, I was just asking a question." Marie replied, "I'm curious about what's going on right now, I'm thrilled about what you and your friends have done. I also hear you hit Doctor Robotnik with a bo-staff, is that right?"
"That's right, mum!" Oskar nodded, "I wasn't scared, saw him as a joke more than a threat, but I was scared once I saw his menacing red and black eyes." He shuddered, "Those eyes still give me the chills, ugh!"
"Like I told you before when you were little, dear. Something's can't be unseen! Either way, I'm proud of you. You tell the others I said hi, ok?"
"Would you like to talk to one of them at some point, are you interested in at least getting to meet Sonic and Tails? They're very nice people and I enjoy hearing a bit about their adventures, would you be interested in their stories?"
"Perhaps some other time, Oskar. Your pop and I have a bit of a tight schedule, but I promise we'll get together soon. As for me talking to Sonic, I'd be thrilled to do so. But as I said before, we'll work something out later."
"Ok, bye mum. I'll call you again tonight if there's time and I will definitely tell Lara and the others that you called and said hi and that you'd be thrilled to meet with them at some point in the future."
"Bye, Oskar. Take care of yourself!"
Oskar hung up the phone and walked over to the other table. "First of all," He said to the Sonic and Lara gang, "Its not nice to interrupt when I'm talking to my mum of all people on the phone. Second, she says hi.
"Number three, my mum says, at some point soon, she would love to meet you, Sonic. We were just talking about it, she's busy right now, but we will arrange a little meet and greet as soon as possible when there's time."
"Way past cool!" The blue blur commented, "I can't wait to meet your mum, how old is she by the way and what's her job? Heck, what about your old man, can I meet him and what's he like by the way?"
"One question at a time," Tails held up his hand, "Jeeze, Sonic! One question at a time, why are you asking so many questions at once?" Lara's Scottish companion scratched the back of his head, smiling politely.
"Well," he started, "Me mum is from Australia and she's thirty five, she was twenty one when I was born, also, she's very nice. I've got a picture of her and med ad, who's Scottish like me and, he's a, uh, billionaire insurance bloke.
"He runs Bessington Inc, it's the largest company in the world next to the other corporations. Mum's a business gal, comes from a long line of businessmen. Always working, always traveling, but we stay in touch."
"You're lucky you stay in touch with your family," Sonic commented, "I haven't been in touch unfortunately, but I'm sure they're fine, they probably know about what I'm doing, word about me does spread all over the world."
"Where do your parents live by the way?"
"Well, my family used to live on Chrismas Island, then we moved to South Island somewhere near Green Hill just weeks after I was born. So, if I were to guess, they still live on South Island on a small hill in the countryside."
The hedgehog thought back to his youth, reminiscing when he and his sister Sarah, a pink hedgehog, would play games together, eat chili dogs made by his mum and have picnics with Uncle Bobby.
Sonic remembered the small house on the hill, his parents sharing a kiss, his dog Hurst running up for attention and the day he was commended by his family for his bravery after defeating Eggman during his invasion of the island.
He thought back to the day he set out to look for adventure, waving goodbye to his mum, his pop, his sister and their dog Hurst, promising to eventually return and they would meet again someday soon.
It was at that second, that a small tear fell down Sonic's cheek and he blew his nose with a hanky, completely surprising nearly everyone in the room. "You ok?" Lara asked with concern, "What's the matter?"
"Its nothing, I'm fine." The blue blur croaked, "Just thinking of days gone by, I miss my family. I've had so much fun adventuring and hanging out with people, I-I've yet to fulfill my promise to return home."
For one minute, the hedgehog dreamed of him coming home to the place where it all began for him, his parents, still young, and waiting for him. The look on his sister's face, happy to see her brother again.
My grown up son is finally home! Sonic imagined his mother, Emily, exclaiming, tears in her eyes as she ran up to hug him. He could see Hurst, still full of energy, barking as he came forth to greet him.
Its been so long since we saw you, the blue blur imagined his pop, Jack, saying, Good to see you again. The hedgehog even imagined himself saying, Sorry it took me a long while to come home, a lot was happening.
He could even see himself and his family sitting down for dinner, a nicely made welcome home dinner party put together by his mum, old friends welcoming him back and rejoicing his long-awaited return...
A loud microphone feedback echoed across the room, ruining Sonic's happy daydream about his family. "ARGH!" He yelled, covering his ears.
"The lord mayor will now be speaking!" A female cat in a velvet dress announced, speaking into the microphone, "Thank you for your patience."
The lights dimmed and all eyes turned towards the stage as a man in a dark suit took to the podium, it was John Burmo, the current mayor of the city and he had been running it for a while now.
A smile crossed Sonic's face, he remembered his meeting with the previous mayor of London and it had been an honor, just like when he came face to face with other politicians like the President of the United States.
Mayor Burmo coughed slightly and then began his speech, thanking everyone for coming, how he was amazed that the world was always full of surprises and then spoke of why they were here today.
When he finally brought up the "commendable combined efforts" of Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft and their friends to bring the statue to the museum, all eyes in the room turned to the guests of honor.
Sonic flashed his trademark grin, Tails waved, Lara and Sarah blinked and Oskar, who was sitting at his table, smiled and waved. As the governor finished his speech, a toast was made to the Heroes of the Ratakyan Statue.
Way past cool, the blue blur thought happily..