After the battle on Space Colony Ark, life had gone back to normal.
Well, not exactly.
Froggy croaked joyfully around Big as Big relaxed on the grass, his eyes closed as he listened to his frog croak.
"Hey, Froggy," Big said. "It sure is a nice day!" He smiled.
Froggy croaked in response.
Big opened his eyes to see a huge circle of light expanding in the sky.
"That's pretty!" Big said in excitement.
Froggy croaked in response.
...
"There have been five confirmed reports so far, Mr. President." Cristina said. "It seems that most of the buildings had landed in parts of the city, closest to Mr. Gruen."
"And what about all the creatures they found inside?" The President asked.
"The bird-like ones are known as flikies, sir."
"And I'm assuming they all come from the same world as Sonic, right, Professor Thorndyke?"
"Yup." Chuck answered. "It would appear that way."
Chuck, Chris, and Penny were all seated next to each other on a couch in front of the President, discussing matters of the mysterious creatures and what was going to happen to them. Penny nervously looked down at Shadow's bracelet, still wrapped securely around her wrist. She started to lightly trace the edge of it.
"I see." The President said. "Now then, I'm sure you must be wondering why I asked you and your grandchildren here this afternoon."
"You're worried about the arrival of these creatures." Chuck said. "And you're thinking you need to separate them from humans." His gaze turned to Penny and Chris."You're concerned that there'll be trouble between two such different species unless they're...dealt with."
"We wish we didn't have to." Cristina said, closing her eyes. "It's just..."
"Don't apologize." Chuck said with a warm smile. "We understand your situation completely."
Chris and Penny said nothing.
...
"Have you heard?" Rouge asked Knuckles as they stood on a roof together, looking into the city. "A couple of more friends from back home dropped in." She smiled. "Seems like everyday is like a regular reunion around here. Course, if too many of us start to show up, the humans aren't gonna like it. They'll probably decide we're dangerous and round us all up. Imagine. Us. Together." She smirked as she walked up to Knuckles's side. "24/7." She turned to him. "My, I'd wonder what that'd be like, don't you?"
Knuckles flushed deep red on the cheeks.
"GET THIS STRAIGHT!" He yelled, shaking his fists at her. "I'D RATHER LIVE IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT THAN WITH YOU!"
"Don't get so excited, sweetie." Rouge said. "I'm only saying that the authorities won't like our kind around. Believe me, I don't like the idea of being locked up any more than you do."
Knuckles humphed, crossing his arms, and forcing his gaze to stay straight ahead.
"I should've realized that the welcome mat wouldn't be out forever." Rouge said.
"Yeah." Knuckles said in agreement. "Too good to be true. One day they love us because we're unique, and the next day we're in jail because we're different." He growled. "Well, they won't be taking ME without a fight!"
"Now there's the right attitude." Rouge smirked. "Oh, well. We'll just have to make the best of it." She smirked as she walked off, another idea of getting Knuckles's nerves appeared in her head, and she decided to play with him. "When they come to get us, I hope you're around to protect me."
She took off, but then stopped and turned to face Knuckles. "Oh, and there's just one more thing."
"What's that?"
"I hope we share a cell!"
Knuckles flushed red once again, and started yelling at her and shaking his fist as she flew off, chuckling.
...
Later that night, Chris and Penny stood by at the docks together. Chuck waited outside the car as the Thorndyke siblings walked towards the edge of the docks, and stared at the now half moon that had been demolished by the Eclipse Cannon.
"Don't know about you two, but I'm getting hungry." Chuck said from behind them. "Why don't we go on home and have a little bit of Ella's..."
"Grandpa?"
"Hu?"
"Chris and I've been thinking... are they going to take Sonic away?" Penny squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep herself from crying. This was all happening too soon. She felt an arm wrap around her, and she knew it was Chuck. He did the same to Chris. Chuck pulled his grandchildren close in comfort.
"I mean, I know he's different, but why should that matter?" Chris asked. "Deep down, he's just like you, me, and Penny!"
"I know, Chris, Pen." Chuck said. "I know."
...
"RARGH!" Vector roared in annoyance. "Leave it to Charmy to take his own sweet time getting here!" The crocodile complained, sitting back in his chair, boosting his legs on the messy desk in front of him.
"I'd say we've got more important things to worry about." Espio said, sitting in a nearby locker with his arms crossed, eyes closed. "Like where we are for instance," He said, opening his eyes. "And how did the three of us get here in the first place? And how do we get back?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, Espio. I'm just as confused as you are! Did we travel through time somehow? Or space, maybe?!" Vector asked the chameleon.
"Which one do you think happened?" Espio asked.
"What difference does it make?!" Vector growled. "All that matters is we're stuck here! And since we're stuck here, we oughta concentrate on a bigger question."
"And what's that?"
"WHY IS HALF OF THE MOON MISSING?!"
...
A small buzzing sound of a young bee came flying right into the Chaotix, his excitement showing on his young face. He sped right into the door, and skidded to a stop right on Vector's desk.
"Wait till you here, Vector!" The bee said in excitement, sitting on the crocodile's nose. "You won't believe it in a million trillion years!"
"What won't I believe?" The detective asked.
"We got blown into a whole different world!" The young bee pulled out a newspaper and shoved it into Vector's face. "And the proof's right here in this newspaper!"
"Charmy?" Vector growled.
"See?" Charmy asked, still patting the paper.
"CHARMY!"
"Uh hu?" The young bee asked.
"Will. you. get. off. my. nose?!" The crocodile asked in annoyance.
"All right." Espio said. "Where are we, Charmy?"
"I don't know."
"RARGH!" Vector growled, slamming the table. "I asked you to do ONE SIMPLE THING!"
"Mmm." Charmy thought for a minute. "Uh, uh, uh!" He said finally, shaking a no-no finger at Vector.
"YOUR ASSIGNMENT WAS TO FIND OUT WHERE WE ARE-!" Vector yelped as the bee nearly shoved the newspaper up in his mouth.
"Never mind that!" Charmy said. "Here!" He winced when he realized the mistake and pulled the paper out of Vector's mouth. "Oops. Sorry."
"This better be good!" Vector said, getting irritated.
Vector looked at the paper, and saw the familiar image of the speedy blue hedgehog, along with the silver hedgehog standing beside him.
"Why, if it ain't our old pal Sonic!" The crocodile said. "Let's see here..." He started reading. "Sonic and Silver save the day again. Sonic the Hedgehog and his pal, Silver the Hedgehog, rescued the world from catastrophe once again when they nimbly prevented a long forgotten space station, the Space Colony Ark, from crashing into the planet yesterday. This is just the latest in the series of amazing rescues that have kept the famously speedy hedgehogs in the news. Since first arriving at Station Square under mysterious circumstances some time ago, Sonic has shown remarkable aptitude for heroism, his friend Silver the Hedgehog following soon after, against increasingly dangerous odds. Through his use of supersonic speeds, agility, strength, and adjust plain smarts, Sonic and Silver the Hedgehogs have become famous the world over for daring deeds and and fast footed feet. Sonic and Silver have both shown truth, honer, and goodness can and will win triumph every time."
Vector stopped reading. "So Sonic and Silver are big heroes! What a laugh riot!" Vector angrily tore apart the newspaper.
"You're just jealous because you're not famous like Sonic is." Charmy smirked, pointing at Vector.
"Knock it off, Charmy." Espio grumbled. "We'll be famous soon!"
"In case you're wondering," Vector turns to the readers. "Detective Vector's the name! I'm a private eye kind of guy in the head of my very own Detective Agency. I may be lean and green, but behind my cool crock exterior, I'm really just a big old softy. Just don't let them get around, though, you got me? I've got a reputation! The detective's gotta be tough, so let's just keep this between you and me, OK?"
Then, Charmy sped right up to the reader. "My name is Charmy, and I can be..."
Espio pushed him out of the way. "My name is Espio. I'm the brains of this organization. I also possess some killer spy skills. I'm smart. I'm quick on my feet. I also happen to be a ninja." Espio smiled proudly at that last part.
"He's also full of himself." Charmy said in the background.
Espio grumbled in annoyance and turned to the bee. "It's better to be full of myself than to be an obnoxious pip squeak," He informed the bee.
"Hey, Vector!" Charmy said in excitement. "Can I tell them about me now?"
"Ah, too bad, Charmy!" Vector said. "We're all out of time!"
"Nooo!" Charmy wailed.
...
In Eggman's layer, a rocket was launched. And of course this was brought straight to the President.
"Mr. President, we've just received word that a missile has been launched from Dr. Eggman's undersea base!" One of the President's workers said in panic, covering his hand over the phone.
"What?!" The President looked shocked. "Find out where it's headed, right away!"
...
At the Government Headquarters, everyone seemed to be panicking over the rocket. The commander called the President, announcing that the missile was heading straight for the moon.
...
"I should've known..." The President sighed.
"Mr. President!"
"Yes? What's happening?!" The President asked the aide.
"It's Dr. Eggman! He's on the TV phone!"
The President's mouth dropped open as Eggman began speaking.
"Good evening, sir. I wanted to apologize for that nasty Ark business. That was so unfortunate! And to show you how sorry I am to have caused such a calamity, I thought I would offer to mend the moon for you, free of charge! It's the least I could do."
"That's good news, Eggman." The President said slowly.
"Getting it perfectly round won't be easy." Eggman said, scratching his head nervously. "But I could do my best to have it patched up in a jiffy! Ok?" He asked, then the screen went blank.
"Can we trace that?!" The aide asked fiercely.
"He certainty is full of surprises, isn't he?" The President asked, sounding a little shocked about Eggman's offer.
Cristina looked at the President. "You don't really think he wants to repair the damage, do you, Mr. President?"
The President sighed, closing his eyes. "I don't know what to think anymore..."
"You did?!" The aide cried excitedly, causing the President to open his eyes in surprise. "You traced the call?!"
"That was quick!" The President said in surprise. "Get Eggman back on the line right away!"
"Yes sir!" The aide said, and listened for a moment. "WHAT?!" He yelped. "Answering machine?! But we just talked to him! Send some agents over there and grab him!" The aide ordered.
The President sat back down, shrugging at Cristina.
Cristina looked up hopefully. "I wonder if we could trust him..."
...
Soon, the Missile made its way into the moon, and metal soon formed around it, returning the size to its normal round shape.
Then there was a blinding flash of light, and in a few moments, the moon was completed.
...
At home, the Thorndykes watched with surprise at the news.
"It appears that the moon has been repaired by the notorious Dr. Eggman." The news announced.
Penny looked more surprised than anyone else in the room. "No. Way. It actually looks cooler than the old moon!" She said excitedly.
"Is it true that it only took him ten minutes?!" Tails asked in shock.
"I have to admit," Chuck said. "He's some scientist."
"I don't know," Cream said, looking at Penny. "I think it looks kinda funny, don't you?" She asked the girl.
Penny nodded. "You're right Cream. Even though it looks cool, we have every right to be suspicious of it."
"Oh, who cares about some silly old moon?" Amy snapped as she walked in, her hands on her hips. "Where's Sonic?!"
...
.
"Ahh! Today's the day we'll solve the case!" Vector announced to the rest of his team as the sun rose in the sky.
"Oh, yeah?" Espio asked, crossing his arms and staring at the detective. "What makes you so sure?"
"Espio's right." Charmy said. "What makes you think you can solve it today, Vector?"
Vector chuckled a little. "Elementary, my dear Charmy!" He smirked, putting on a pair of glasses. "It just takes some clever sleuthing! I'm Detective Vector!"
"Sure, Detective Vector." Espio said, a little irritated with this nonsense. "You're also nuts."
"I think he's been reading to many detective stories again." Charmy said, looking tired about Vector's act.
"Ahh." Vector said. "It's very interesting." He slipped into his detective coat.
"Here he goes again." Espio said.
"Oh, brother..." Charmy groaned.
"How long are you going to keep this up?!" Espio said.
"All right." Vector said. "The kid we're looking for got sent into this world from ours by Chaos Control just like Sonic. And I think the hedgehog's behind it!"
"And you know that for a fact?" Espio asked, getting into Vector's face.
"I got my intuition, and that's good enough for me!" Vector snapped.
"You got a hunch, Vector?" Charmy asked from the table.
"I told you before, Charmy, it's not a hunch, it's an intuition! With a capital IT!" He smirked.
...
"Uh hu." Vector announced as he zoomed his spy goggles up close to the house, and zooming in on Cream, who was sitting next to an unfamiliar human girl. "Bingo! See what I mean? The old intuition never fails!"
"I have to hand it to you," Espio said. "It didn't take too long to find that hedgehog's hideaway!"
"He had some help!" Charmy explained, holding up a map. "It was listed on this map of starred homes!"
"You mean a star lives here?" Espio asked curiously.
Vector nodded. "From what I've dug up, Sonic and Silver have been laying low with these kids whose mom's a real life big time movie celeb!"
Espio smirked.
"Sure, just leave it to Sonic and Silver to mingle with a bunch of movie people! So shallow!" Vector grumbled, putting his hands on his hips.
"You're jealous?" Charmy asked.
"You bet!" Vector realized what Charmy was saying and raised his fist at the bee. "Who asked you?!" He growled.
Charmy laughed. "I gotcha that time!"
"Never mind that!" Vector humphed. "Let's get back to the job at hand! We have a damsel in distress to rescue here!"
"At least we know where she is." Espio said. "Now all you have to do is figure out some way to get into the house!"
"That's right, pal!" Vector smirked, patting his friend's back. "But it's gonna be kinda tricky! They probably got a lot of fancy schmancy security equipment!"
"AH!" Charmy gasped, handing Vector the binoculars. "A big, scary security guard!"
"Man!" Vector said. "Check out the beast in the roughly apron!"
They spied on the so-called security guard for a minute, until she turned her scary gaze to them. Startled by the woman's stern look, the trio yelped and hid behind the bush.
"What do we do?!" Charmy asked. "Should we make a run for it?!"
"Are you crazy?!" Vector snapped. "We can't turn back!"
Espio smirked. "Don't forget, we're here on a mission!"
...
Sonic had been running for a while, when he stopped in surprise. Eggman stood there in front of a cliff, just gazing ahead.
"Eggman!" Sonic gasped.
Eggman turned around. "Sonic?" He asked. "Well, well, it's a beautiful afternoon, isn't it?"
...
Back at the Thorndyke's, Espio successfully managed to sneak up to an open window, using his invisibility. He looked over at Charmy and Vector, and shot them a thumbs up.
"Atta boy!" Vector smirked as Charmy laughed, waving his hand. "I shoulda known with those nifty Ninja tricks of his, he can sneak with the best of them!" Vector said, pleased that this was going so well.
...
"Where is he?!" Amy snapped. "He told me he'd be back today at noon sharp!"
"Did he?" Penny said, old jealousy seeping into her. Amy glared at the girl.
"Don't anger her." Silver advised, putting a hand on Penny's shoulder. Penny sighed in defeat.
"Must've lost track of time." Tails said, amusement in his voice.
Furious, Amy pulled out her hammer. "Well, this is the last time he's going to keep me waiting!"
"Amy..." Chris began nervously, when an echo of the hammer hitting something hard filled the room. Penny and the others glanced at the pink hedgehog curiously.
"Uh-oh..." Amy gulped. "It looks like I hit something...!"
...
"Hey, you okay?!" Vector gasped in surprise as Espio slammed into the tree next to the group, and Espio fell with a groan, a bump forming on his head. "I... think so..." He grunted. "But she sure can swing a mean mallet."
He passed out as Vector held the Ninja up.
"Poor Espio!" Charmy winced at the limp ninja.
"Sly, aren't they?" Vector asked Charmy.
Charmy smiled excitedly. "Whatcha gonna do?"
"Just you wait, Charmy!" Vector growled. "We'll give them a fight we'll never forget!"
"All right!" Charmy grinned, laughing excitedly.
You're in a good mood all the sudden," Sonic remarked to Eggman. "What are you up too, Egghead?"
"Nothing." Eggman said. "I've simply had a change of heart. I know it may surprise you, Sonic, but even eccentric geniuses like myself have hearts."
"That so?" Sonic asked suspiciously.
"I kid you not." Eggman said. "It isn't easy being an evil madman. It's hard work!"
"I don't buy it." Sonic said, looking away.
"I mean it, Sonic."
Sonic turned to the doctor.
"Building evil robots to do my bidding, creating a Chaos Creature just for kicks, sometimes I think, what's the point? Maybe I should just chuck it and retire somewhere far, far away."
"You may have something there, Eggman." Sonic said, frowning.
"Can't you see it, Sonic?" Eggman smirked. "Goodbye, world domination. Hello, shuffle board."
Sonic frowned, closing his eyes for a bit. This seemed suspicious. And very unlikely that Eggman would be retiring. Hearing the doctor snicker, Sonic frowned. "Hey, are you on the level here or is this just another one of your schemes?"
"Excuse me?" A familiar, soft adult voice asked from behind. Sonic turned around, and his mouth dropped open.
"It can't be..!" Sonic gasped.
...
"What do you weirdos want?!" Tails yelped as Vector and Charmy suddenly jumped right through the living room window.
"You know what we want!" Vector. "Drop the innocent act, kiddo."
"Give up!" Charmy, smiling kiddishly and throwing his hands in the air.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Tails said.
"Tails." Chris looked at the fox. "Do you know these guys?"
"I've never seen them before in my life!" Tails said.
"I don't know about you guys but I think that little bee is so cute!" Penny squealed. And in response, Charmy quickly blushed and laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. This caused an annoyed (and possibly jealous) Vector to slap him. "Remember why we're here, Charmy! Not to fall in love for some girl!"
He turned his attention back to them. "Quit your stalling, will ya? Now, hand over that little bunny or else!"
"Yeah!" Charmy said, throwing his hands in the air again. "Or else!"
"Sorry, sir." Cream said, her brown eyes wide. She held Cheese close to her. "But where would you take me?"
"You don't think we'd let them take you?" Ella asked the bunny.
"Just asking." Cream said.
"We wouldn't let them take you anywhere!" Kat frowned, crossing her arms and glaring at the newcomers. She was pretty annoyed at this interruption, and was soon followed in by Cloud and Hiro. Cloud nodded in agreement. "That's right."
"Why are you trespassing?" Hiro challenged Vector.
Vector roared in panic. "There's the bodyguard monster!" He yelped, not answering Hiro's question. After slapping his head a few times, he quickly grabbed Charmy and held him up, showing the young bee's stinger.
"I'll get you!" Vector challenged. "Charmy, get ready!"
Charmy whimpered nervously in response.
"All right, you creeps!" Amy yelled, summoning her hammer. "You asked for it!"
Silver pushed Penny out of the way before being pulled into the crazy ruckus of fighting Mobians.
"What's going on here?" Sonic's voice was finally heard over the ruckus. Tails poked his head out and yelled, "Sonic! Help us! We're under attack!" The fox began yelling as Vector popped out of the ruckus, and gasped when he saw Sonic. "Well, look who's here! If it ain't Sonic the Kidnapper!"
"I'm no kidnapper pall!" Sonic frowned, hands on his hips. At the same time, a very familiar looking female adult rabbit stood next to Sonic. Penny and Kat both widened their eyes in shock. She looked just like Cream! Could she be...
"How nice to see you again, detective." The older rabbit said softly.
"Hey, look, Cream!" Sonic smirked. "Someone's here to see you!"
Cream turned around, and her eyes widened when she saw her mother. Her mother smiled gently and opened her arms. "I finally found... my baby!"
"Mom..." Cream whimpered, and she ran over to her mother. She and Vanilla shared happy tears as they hugged and laughed.
"Cream's mother!" Chris said happily, looking down at Sonic. Sonic smiled at him.
"Where did you find her...?" Penny asked, still surprised.
"She turned up while Eggman and I were having a conversation." Sonic explained. "She asked about Cream, so I led her here."
"How can I ever repay you, Detective Vector?" Vanilla asked.
"Ahh... no sweat." Vector said cheekily.
"And thank you Sonic for taking such good care of my baby girl!" Vanilla said. She smiled at Penny. "And I hear that you, young lady, helped take care of Cream, too." She smiled. "I'm so grateful!"
"What?!" Vector asked. "Grateful?!"
"What did Sonic and the girl do?" Charmy asked.
"I helped take care of Cream." Penny said proudly. Sonic smirked and popped up behind Vector. "You remember me, Vector. I'm Sonic the Kidnapper."
Vector sweat dropped. "Well, if it ain't our old pal Sonic! Fancy meeting you here!" He quickly looked at Charmy. "We don't wanna be late for our next job, do we?"
"What's the big rush, Vector?" Sonic smirked. "Stick around, why don't ya?"
"We'd like to get to know you more." Silver added with a knowing smirk as well, causing Penny to snicker.
"Yeah!" Amy said. "We were just getting into the swinger thing!"
"Thanks anyway." Vector said hastily. "But time's awaistin'! And I'm busy!"
"I'm detecting a little uneasiness, detective!" Sonic smirked, and at that, everyone burst out laughing.
...
Watching the whole thing, Eggman smirked. "Sounds like quite the party! Laugh while you can, Sonic, Silver, you suckers!"
...
And, outside the Thorndyke mansion, Espio groaned, the bump Amy accidentally gave him from her hammer was still shown on his head.
"Ugh, guys..." He groaned. "Help me out here, will ya?"
