Ok, so now we go back to Sonic and CJ, and learn about what they can. This is also gonna be having some references to movies and of course elements from video games.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 12: Space Police Delta
Eariler that day...
It was morning time right now, and the SPD Copter Jet was flying in the sky, heading straight for the base. Inside the ship itself, it was pretty much high-tech stuff, kinda like the high tech gizmos that are usually in sci-fi or hero films like Star Wars, Avengers, and all those other films and TV shows. Inside the ship, Sonic was watching something from a tablet, while Marshall and Chase looked around the ship.
"Wow... this is definitely not like anything we have in the Paw Patrol." Marshall said.
"What did you expect Marshall?" Chase asked. "The SPD is one of the most high ranking organizations known on Earth. They're like... the protectors of the multiverse."
"The multi-what now?" Marshall asked.
"Multiverse." Sally spoke from her seat. "It's pretty much the entire Universe, consisting of various different worlds and dimensions."
"Oh... that makes a lot of sense... sort of." Marshall said. He then glanced over to see Dog, who was looking down at the Dalmatian, as if it was scanning it. "Um... nice dog."
"Thanks." Alyx said. "My father made him for me a when I was little. I added a few modifications here and there."
"He looks pretty cool." Marshall said. Dog then lifted it's left hand up, and gently started to pet Marshall, who gave a smile as he felt the robot pet his back softly. "And pretty friendly." Tails on the other hand was looking around the ship, amazed by the advanced technology the ship is made out of. With him being a mechanic and having a fondness for gadgets, he loved seeing stuff like this.
"Wow." Tails said as he moved up to Barney, who was driving the copter. "This ship is amazing! Since when did you guys ever become a part of all this?"
"It's a long story." Barney said. "After the Black Arms invasion, Magnusson and Eli brought us into the SPD. And I tell ya, it's much more different since the Resistance days. And I like it." Tails looked at the controls and steering wheel, seeing all the buttons and gizmos.
"Of all my years building stuff, I've never seen anything this advance before." Tails said. "How do you know which button does what?"
"It's simple." Barney said. "That green one up there is the... um... Start button, and that red one over there is... the Do Not Press Button." Tails raised an eyebrow.
"No they're not." Tails said. "The start button's on the steering wheel and the red button should have a Do Not Press, or Warning sign around it. Plus, the start button on the steering wheel says start on it." Barney looked back at the steering wheel, seeing the button that has Start at the top.
"Yeah, I knew that." Barney said. "I was just testing ya."
"No he didn't know." Alyx said leaning in, making Barney blush and sigh in embarrassment. In the back, Sonic was just... chillin'. Chillin' on the bench in the back of the ship, listening to his mp3player with his headphones, to Zebrahead's Down Without a Fight. Just sitting back, takin' a nap or listening to music is something he usually does after saving the world.
"Mr. Sonic." A voice said, getting his attention. The blue hedgehog looked up, seeing CJ Miyamoto looking down at him. The blue blur pulled back his headphones from his ears, allowing himself to listen.
"Sonic's just fine." The blue hedgehog said. "So... you one of those Kamen Riders or something?"
"In a way, yes" CJ answered.
"Well were you zapped from a TV show and brought here?" Sonic joked.
"No." CJ said with a smile, knowing that the hedgehog possessed some cockiness.
"Well, what's your story?" Sonic asked. "I mean, you're sixteen right? How'd someone like you end up working for the SPD? Did they find you?"
"Not like you." CJ said. "My parents were originally members of the SPD."
"Ah, so it runs in the family." Sonic said. "I'm familiar with that."
"They were part of a strike team known as the A-Squad." CJ continued. "A group of multi-activists and mercenaries who work to take down various Kaijin around the world."
"Kaijin?" Sonic asked. "You mean monsters?"
"Humanoid monsters." CJ answered. "You know, tokusatsu warrior, and all those other beasts that walk human-like and such."
"Oh." Sonic said, and started thinking. "There was an invasion with those aliens a while back. Are they like that?"
"No." CJ said. "Those were just aliens. And you're referring to the black a-"
"Shh." Sonic said, his finger over his own mouth, urging CJ to be quiet.
"What?" The boy asked. The blue hedgehog nudged his head to the right, pointing to Sally, who was speaking with Chase and Alyx.
"Princess Acorn?" CJ asked.
"She's had a bad experience during that time, and we try not to bring it up." Sonic said. "Trauma, so to speak."
"Oh." CJ said, having a good idea on what the blue hedgehog meant by trauma. "Well then, I'll say no more. But enough about me though. What about you? How'd you get involved with the dragons' fight against the Huntslcan?"
"Funny you should say that." Sonic said. "How did you know about the magical creatures?"
"We've always had them on our radar." CJ said. "But we've kept our distance so they won't be disturbed. But how'd you end up knowing about them?"
"Not in the way you expect." Sonic said, sitting up more. "Last summer I met Jake when he and I were captured by the Huntslcan."
"The red dragon?" CJ asked.
"Yeah, the American Dragon." Sonic said. "We were tied up to poles and chains with a bad luck-stricken leperchan, a mermaid who was scared of water, a giant with terrible foot oder, and a little creature with anger issues."
"Wow." CJ said, a bit surprised. "That's... interesting."
"Yeah, but we managed to escape and turn the tables on the Hunters." Sonic said. "That's how I've been helping Jake and his friends, and I've been number two on the Huntsclan's Most Wanted List ever since. Plus, my dad had a little run in with the Huntsclan before I was even born. He threw the Huntsmen Leader into a pit of monsters, and that's why the Huntsman has a bone to pick with me... or had one, now that he's dead."
"Oh, your dad was a warrior?" CJ asked.
"An Assassin, so to speak." Sonic said. "A group of warriors who fight against corruption and protect everyone's free will. My dad was the leader of the pack, and he stepped down to look after me and my mom. It's a long story."
"Well you don't need to tell me." CJ said as he sat down next to the blue hedgehog.
"Hey, thanks for helping me back at City Hall." Sonic said. "I wouldn't have stopped them if you haven't jumped in."
"Eh, we've been wanting to stop them for a while now, so we did everyone a favor." CJ said.
"Yeah." Sonic said, though the whole scene of the Huntslcan's attack in public still lingered in his mind. "I'm actually surprised that the Huntsclan got desparate and resorted to doing an attack in the eyes of the public instead of being hidden. Guess I should've taken Rose's warning seriously."
"Who?" CJ asked.
"The Huntsgirl." Sonic said. "She's also... Jake's girlfriend." CJ raised an eyebrow.
"So wait, the Huntsgirl was helping the American Dragon?" He asked.
"Yeah." Sonic said. "Until the Huntsman found out, and threatened to kill her parents if she didn't betray Jake. But now that the Huntsclan is finished, she can now go be with her parents again. She's got her family back, she and Jake are dating, so everyone wins." Seeing the blue hedgehog smile made CJ smile too.
"You just love happy endings, do you."
"Yeah." Sonic said. "I always make sure people get a happy ending when we save the world."
"Well, just don't expect getting a happy ending too easily this tim around." CJ said. "SPD's had to deal with a lot."
"And you guys decided to call me in, for what now?" Sonic asked.
"You'll know when we get there, which shouldn't be too long." CJ said, then turned his head back to the cockpit. "Barney, we almost there yet?"
"Just about." Barney responded.
"Good." Sonic said as he got up. "I'm ready to move. I just hope I'm good for the job."
"You are, from what Doctor Vance said." CJ said.
"It's really gonna be nice to see Vance and the others again." Sonic said. "Haven't seen them since the invasion."
"Well, this isn't just aliens we're gonna be dealing with, blue hedgehog." CJ said. "We're dealing with evil organizations, and Kaijin. The whole world, the whole universe is a lot more bigger ad weirder than you realize."
"Well, with all the stuff I've seen over the years, I doubt anything would surprise me." Sonic said.
"Twenty bucks says you're wrong." CJ said.
"Challenge accepted." Sonic said looking back at the boy with a wink. At this moment, CJ knew that despite Sonic's incredible abilities, he was showing some cockiness. But for some reason, he liked it.
It was already almost two-o-clock when they arrived. The Copter Jet was slowing down as it approached the Forest Region of Virginia. Somewhere close was a campsite where Marching Bands would go out there to practice and have fun. However, the campgrounds is pretty much a cover up, because deep within the forest was a big facility that looked very beyond modern, and more futuristic, consisting of a few cannons moving a little bit, a couple of satellites scanning the skies, and a landing zone. It was almost like a military base, but not like the army or the marines. It was pretty nice and big.
"Red Leader, we're approaching base." Barney said.
"Copy that, Red 1." A voice said. "We're opening the doors now." Tails laughed as he heard them talk.
"Star Wars reference." He said. The Copter Jet slowed down as it hovered in front of the two massive doors. The doors opened up, revealing a huge landing zone room, so big that it was almost like a warehouse. But bigger. Inside the sector were different vehicles, all of them high tech, consisting of some more copter jets, some walkers, tanks, trucks with turrets, even bigger helicopters too that could carry soldiers and passengers too. descended on the landing zone. As it finally touched the ground, the back entrance opened up, allowing Sonic to step out and see. The nice fortress before him was incredible... but not exactly what he expected.
"With it being called the Space Police Delta, I thought it would be a space station." Sonic said as CJ followed him out.
"Bases don't have to be in space." He said. "We protect the planet from other threats in space, so to speak."
"Ooooh." Sonic said as Tails, Sally, Marshall, Chase, Alyx, and Barney exited the jet. The Dalmatian firepup looked around with amazement. A huge smile was on his face, seeing the cool base up ahead.
"Wow!" Marshall said. "This place is pretty cool!"
"It is cool." Chase said. "But we don't got time for site seeing. Let's go." The policepup, Alyx, and Barney led the group towards the base, passing some of the soldiers, who were out jogging, and training. Pretty much the usual military drills and exercises that take place at the Army or at Boot Camp. One of the leading soldiers were singing, with the other troops singing as well.
I don't know what I've been told!
"I don't know what I've been told!"
Killing monsters dead and bold!
"Killing monsters dead and bold!" As they continued on, Sonic couldn't help but watch them for a second.
"I guess with all of this, it probably feels a bit weird, does it?" Sonic asked.
"Nah, it's pretty much familiar." CJ said. "Thought I think they take the training too literally."
"Tell me about it." Sonic said. Pretty soon, the group made their way across the landing zone into much further into the base. The halls and rooms, including the doors that open up, were just like from the Star Wars movies, except the rooms aren't just white. Each room and hall had different coloring with them, such as red, green, yellow, blue, all different colors.
"Say, where's Eli?" Sonic asked.
"We'll meet him real soon." Barney said. "Really soon." The group then came across a door, and it opened up, revealing a nice huge room with multiple screens and a computer pad up front. This must be the main room, given that the SPD sigil was on the screen. Far at the end were three people talking to each other. One, that Sonic knew very well, was Eli Vance, the dark skinned man with the grey beard and hair. Talking with him were two other people that Sonic seemed to know as well. One was Arne Magnusson, the Caucasian stocky man with grey hair somewhere in his sixties, with the blue suit, red tie and the black pants. The other was Dr. Isaac Kleiner, the bald man with white hair on his back and sides, black glasses, and he wore a white lap suit with blue jeans and tie.
Magnusson was one of the few survivors of the Black Mesa Incident, being a former member of the Science Team and was an orchestrator of the Resistance during the Black Arms Invasion. Now he was one of the leading members of the SPD's USA Fraction, giving orders and informing those of their objectives. He has a fussy, petulant nature, constantly complaining about getting things done. A bit verbose, egotistical and authoritarian, he thinks highly of himself and his work, to the point of naming them after himself, but he does have a softer side, showing gratitude to his allies, and to the ones he works with.
Kleiner is a prolific author of several works on teleportation and interdimensional travel, and one of the few survivors of the Black Mesa Research Facility. He was a member of the Resistance against the Black Arms, and is now one of the prime members of the SPD Science Team. Kleiner is a bit reserved, logical, and cautious in most situations, but he loves to work and is quite supportive of the team.
Sonic has met these three, along with Alyx and Barney when they formed the Resistance during the Black Arms invasion when the Black Arms invaded the planet to harvest it for it's natural resources and capture humans for reproductive purposes. Together, with help from a black hedgehog, they were able to wipe out the Black Arms from extinction. They also helped Sonic in his battle to stop Dr. Eggman and banish him to the far reaches of space, shortly before reuniting with Sally. The blue hedgehog was quite surprised that these guys are now with the SPD. It seems the Resistance didn't have anything else to do.
"Hey, did someone order a blue hedgehog?" Sonic asked, getting their attention. Eli gave a smile as he saw Sonic and his daughter Alyx.
"Hey dad." Alyx said as she gave her dad a hug.
"Good to see you again, baby." Eli said, then turned his attention towards Sonic. "Good to see you again, Sonic."
"Good to see you too Eli." Sonic said as he shook his hand.
"I see you have met Agent Miyamoto." Eli said.
"Sure have." Sonic said.
"Good to see you again, Doctor Vance." CJ said.
"Excuse me." A voice said from behind Eli, revealing to be Magnusson. "Sonic the hedgehog, good to see you again."
"You as well sir." Sonic said, the turned to Kleiner. "And Dr. Kleiner."
"Good to see you again, Sonic." Kleiner said. "It's been a while, hasn't it."
"Hello Dr. Kleiner." Tails said. "Nice to see you again too."
"You too, Tails." Kleiner said, with him and Tails have a good friendship for their love of working on new gadgets and such. "I can't wait to show you what I've been working."
"Right, well, it's nice that everyone's meeting everyone now." Magnusson said. "But we got business to do. Time is precious." Eli and Kleiner nodded, knowing that Magnusson didn't want to wait any longer.
"Alright." Sonic said.
"Agent Chase, you better get washed up, and give the Dalmatian a tour so he doesn't get lost." Magnusson said.
"Sure thing, Magnusson." Chase said while Marshall looked confused.
"But should I stay here?" Marshall asked. "I mean, I wanna see what we're fighting against."
"C'mon Marshall." Chase said as he pulled the Dalmatian's tail with his mouth, dragging him away and out of the room.
"Don't worry, Marsh." Sonic said. "I'll fill you in when we're done, ok?"
"Ok." Marshall said with a smile, and noticed that Chase was still pulling him out of the room. "You don't have to do that."
"Sorry." Chase said as he let go of the Dalmatian's tail and the two headed out.
"Calhoun, you give Mr. Prower the tour as well." Magnusson said. "And Miss Vance, head for the computer room and sort out the files we found at the site."
"Will do." Alyx said. "See you guys."
"You too." Sonic said.
"C'mon Tails, I'll show you around." Barney said. The two tailed fox looked at Sonic, who gave a nod.
"Alright then." Tails said. "Do you guys have a mess hall? I'm getting kind of hungry."
"Sure thing." Barney said as they exited the room, leaving Sonic, Sally, CJ, Eli, Magnusson, and Kleiner in the room.
"Arne Magnusson." Sally said as she approached the man. "I'm Princess Sally Acorn, daughter of-"
"Yes, we know you're King Acorn's daughter." Magnusson said. "Are you sure you wish not to join Mr. Prower and Calhoun."
"It's fine." Sally said. "I too would like to be informed on what's going on."
"I'm not sure." Kleiner said.
"Don't worry, guys." Sonic said. "Anything you say to me you can say in front of her. She can handle it." The three men looked at each other. They each gave a nod.
"Alright then, let's get to work." Magnusson said. "Sonic the hedgehog, you know why you're here, do you?"
"Yeah, you guys need my help?" Sonic asked.
"Definitely." Kleiner said.
"So tell us, Sonc." Magnusson said as they approached the computer. "Are you familiar or have any knowledge of the Dark Phoenix?"
"Dark Phoenix?" Sonic asked. "What are they, a terrorist group or something?"
"Not just a terrorist group." Magnusson replied. "They're a terrorist organization, a notorious one to be procise. They are consisted of rogue government agents, defective soldiers, and dangerous criminals from around the globe."
"So it's a convention center for evil doers?" Sonic asked, with all eyes on him.
"Whatever you want to call it." Magnusson said. "The organization is led by someone we all know and hate, Wallace Breen, former scientist of Black Mesa." They then pulled up an image of Wallace Breen, the man with the dark green suit, dark slate eyes, and the white hair and short beard. Sonic was told about Wallace Breen when he helped the Resistance deal with the Black Arms from their old stories of Black Mesa, so he wasn't too surprised.
"What else is new." Sonic said.
"This is much different than dealing with a mustached scientist." Kleiner spoke. "The Dark Phoenix are trying to or have been, collecting ancient Kaiju and Tokusatsu artifacts." The blue hedgehog looked at the scientist with confusion.
"Toku-what now?" Sonic asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean monsters that walk and fight like humans? Like from those Kamen Rider and Power Rangers shows?"
"Yes." Kleiner said. "They're monsters that walk and move like humans, but they also come in all shapes and sizes. The Dark Phoenix have been trying to collect their artifacts for a while now."
"But why are they collecting to artifacts?" Sally asked.
"To weaponize their forces." Kleiner said. They're collecting the artifacts to improve their weapons and use their weapons for their own uses. They're recent collection, Shadow-Kaijin artifacts, wielded and housed by the Shadowkan, monsters of the SHADOW Empire." Kleiner then brought up photos of the Shadow-kajin, showing humanoid demonic monstrosities in different shapes and sizes. Sally's eyes widened, seeing the different types of Shadow-Kaijin that were displayed.
"Oh my god." She said.
"Wow." Sonic said, feeling a little surprised. "So the Dark Phoenix are using the Shadowkan artifacts to upgrade their technology and take over the planet."
"They're not just using their technology." Kleiner said. "We believe that they're creating monsters with the artifacts."
"Creating their own Shadowkan?" Sonic asked.
"Yeah." CJ said, getting the hedgehog's attention. "The Dark Phoenix are trying to use something that they're not gonna be able to control. The Shadowkan are unholy monsters that want to take over our planet." The blue hedgehog looked at the boy with a bit of suspicion, having a feeling that CJ has faced these monsters before.
"That tells me that you've faced these monsters more than once, right?" Sonic asked.
"Yeah, for a few years now." CJ said. "The Shadowkan have been trying to take over the planet for years, dating back many centuries. My family have been sworn to fight against them."
"And you've taken the mantle." Sonic said.
"Yes." CJ said. "Trust me, blue hedgehog, the Shadowkan are not to be taken lightly." The blue hedgehog looked forward and started to think. No doubt that he knew that this was serious business. But he's dealt with serious business before, so yes.
"Ok, so it's you and me facing against these Dark Phoenix guys and those Shadow-Mutants?" Sonic asked.
"And others as well." Magnusson said. "We have a plan to take down the Dark Phoenix, but you're gonna need some back up if we're to execute this plan." He then turned to the doors. With a nod, the door opened, showing soldiers of the SPD, wearing white armor with black suits underneath. They all wore helmets with visors, and each of them had a different coloring one them. They all marched into the room and formed a line. Sonic only looked, with no expression.
"What the what is this?" Sonic asked.
"This is your combat team." Kleiner said as he approached the soldiers. "These fine and brave soldiers will accompany you and Agent Miyamoto to take on the missions we have to take down the Dark Phoenix. They are outfited with the best armor and suits our money can buy... at least some of it." Sonic looked at the doctor, then back at the soldiers. The look on his face showed that he was not liking this at all.
"You gotta be kidding me." Sonic said. "Is this a joke or something?"
"No, it's not a joke." Magnusson said.
"So wait, you expect me to work with these men in tights?" Sonic asked. "No way." Hearing that surprised Magnusson, Eli, and Kleiner.
"What do you mean no way?" Magnusson said.
"There is no way in hell that I'm working with these guys." Sonic said. "I'm not gonna run into battle with some futuristic versions of Robin Hood's Merry Men. No sir. Please tell me that you guys got something with more... variety."
"Variety?" Magnusson asked.
"You know, like this guy." Sonic said, pointing to CJ. "This guy, I can work with. I've seen him in battle, seen him with he cool transformations, and that's variety. I wanna work with people who have variety. Do you guys have variety or not?" Magnusson and Kleiner looked at each other, with the latter shaking his head worryingly.
"No." Magnusson said. The blue hedgehog frowned.
"I'm out." Sonic said as he turned away and made his way towards the door.
"What?" Magnusson asked.
"I'm out." Sonic said. "Exit's this way so I'll head out." He then made his way towards the door, with Sally only shaking her head.
"Oh boy." She said.
"Sonic the hedgehog, we have a world to save-" Magnusson said.
"Well, I'm not saving the world with a bunch of guys wearing tights." Sonic said. "Sorry, I'll take my leave now." He then headed out the door. Magnusson only sighed in defeat, with Kleiner shaking his head.
"I'll go talk to him." Sally said as she removed herself from the group and ran out the door to talk with the blue blur, while everyone else stayed in. CJ looked at everyone.
"So, do we got a Plan B?" He asked.
"Just give him time." Eli said. "He'll come around." No one said a word, except for one of the soldiers.
"I told you these tights were stupid." The soldier said.
Back in the hallway, Sonic was making his way out. There was no way in hell he was working with a bunch of dudes wearing tights. Tights aren't really his style. Unfortunately, he couldn't find the exit.
"Sonic!" Sally called from behind, catching up to him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm getting out of here." Sonic said.
"Sonic, I think you should really help them out." Sally said. "They sound like they really need you."
"They want me to work with a bunch of guys wearing tights." Sonic said. "I don't like working with people in tights."
"Well at least I now know why you didn't want to work with GUN." Sally said.
"That's different." Sonic said. "They have guns."
"These guys have guns." Sally said. Sonic was about to speak, but he couldn't think of what else to say about that."
"You make a good point there." Sonic said, with Sally sighing. "Look, I do want to help, but I don't wanna work with a bunch a guys wearing suits. CJ-boy I'm cool with because he's a hero too. He has variety, and I want variety." Sally rolled her eyes.
"It's always about variety with you." Sally said.
"Can't you blame me?" Sonic asked.
"Sonic, you should really think about this." Sally said. "This isn't like CHAOS, Space Colonies, fake hedgehogs, or all that other stuff you've been through. This is a terrorist organization they're up against, who want to use monsters from another universe to take over this world, and if they succeed..." As she kept talking, Sonic only rolled his eyes and smiled. He's had conversations like this with Sally countless times, and even though the lecturing would go on, he would just love every second of it, even if it was with him. But then something caught the hedgehog's attention. In the room behind Sally, where they showed some monitors. Taking interest, the blue hedgehog moved pass Sally, who was surprised that he wasn't listening to her.
"Sonic?" Sally asked. "Sonic, are you even listening to me?" He didn't answer and just went into the room. The chipmunk stood there but gave a defeated sigh.
"Oh brother." She said, shaking her head. Into the room with the monitors, Sonic was exploring the area, seeing the massive screen, with a couple of screens next to it. It was a bit small, but it looked pretty cool. Standing at the computer was Alyx, who was doing research.
"Wow." Sonic said, getting her attention. "Nice room."
"Thanks." Alyx said. "Sorry if it's a little small."
"Well, it's nice." Sonic said. "I was expecting this to be a bit bigger."
"We've had some budget cutbacks recently." Alyx said. "Japan houses it's main SPD, and we have many others in other countires. This is the US SPD Base, but like I said, we had cutbacks."
"Guess that explains the men in the armored tights." Sonic said, shaking his head.
"Yeah, my dad knew using soldiers to help you and CJ was a bad idea, since he knows you're the hedgehog who likes variety." Alyx said.
"At least you guys understand." Sonic said, with Alyx giving a smile. "So, what's all this for?"
"Pretty much everything that helps keep our stuff from falling apart." Alyx said. "You know, archives and info that we sort here."
"Whatcha sort out?" Sonic asked.
"Some new stuff that we got." Alyx said. "Computer files and such. Two days ago we investigated an abandoned factory and found some cool stuff underneath it."
"And what's that?" Sonic asked.
"A super computer." Alyx answered.
"Super computer?" The blue blur asked, and then he started thinking. Hearing that made him remember an adventure a while back, where he met these five kids who were battling an evil program. Of course, he actually met them during his adventure fighting against Shadow and the whole Space Colony mishap, well, one of them at least. "You know, I think I've seen a super computer under a factory almost more than a year ago."
"You have?" Alyx asked.
"Yeah, it's actually interesting." Sonic said. "I met some kids who were using it to fight against some malicious program that was trying to use the internet to take over the world, or something like that."
"Really?" Alyx asked.
"Yeah, did the computer you find did that too?" Sonic asked.
"We never got the chance to see, we only turned it on to salvage the data it was housing." Alyx said. "The whole super computer housed information and schematics of a project that my dad was a part of back at Black Mesa."
"And what project was that?" Sonic asked.
"Project Carthage." Alyx said.
"Carthage." Sonic said, but then he started to think again. Carthage. Where did he hear that word before? Come to think of it, those kids he met back after dealing with the Shadow incident. He heard that word from them. No, this is probably just a coincidence.
"Yep." Alyx said as she brought up the files. "Project Carthage was an ambitious project consisted of many scientists that worked in the field of quantum physics. According to the press, it was designed to disrupt enemy communications."
"According to the press?" Sonic asked. "Sounds like mis-information. What was it's real purpose?"
"To open a portal to other worlds." Alyx said. "Carthage originally was built to build a gate way to allow one to be transported from one place to another. It's prototype was used to travel to other places through the worldwide web, while the final product was used to transport one person to a complete new world to their selection. Many scientists believed that it was used to help humanity move on to the next world when Earth came to an end."
"But it didn't work out as they hoped?" Sonic asked.
"No." Alyx said. "Some of the scientists, and those in charge of the project had their own ambitions and wanted to use Project Carthage to take over the world. And one of those leaders was this guy." She then brought up a photo of none other than Wallace Breen! But in this photo he had brown short hair and no mustache and beard. This was a photo of Breen when he was younger.
"Breen." Sonic said. "The guy who runs the Dark Phoenix."
"True that." Alyx replied. "He was in charge of the whole thing and wanted to use it to take over the world, to bring in monsters into our world. We think that the Dark Phoenix is trying to recreate Carthage to some extent."
"To summon more of those Shadowkan monsters." Sonic said. "Can't believe a bunch of pin head scientists fell for these pricks' masquerade."
"Hey, one of those pin heads was my father." Alyx said, showing a photo of a younger Eli Vance, where in this photo he had darker hair and a youthful expression.
"Oh... Sorry." Sonic said.
"It's fine." Alyx said. "He wasn't the only one who was fooled. A lot of scientists were deceived. Including these ones. Only a handful of them are alive today." She then brought up more photos of other scientists, many of the brightest minds that are not known by everyone. But as Sonic scanned the screen however, his eyes widened, seeing one particular photo on the computer. The picture he was staring closely at was a photo of a man. The man had grey hair, and a grey beard as well. He wore dark sunglasses, and he wore a greyish colored sweater with a white lab coat.
"Wait, wait." Sonic said, his hand pointing at the man he was staring at on screen. "Who is that? That man?"
"Him?" Alyx asked. "That Professor Waldo Schaeffer, one of the scientists who worked on the project."
"Franz Hopper." Sonic said, getting Alyx's full attention.
"You know him?" She asked.
"Yeah..." Sonic said. He knew this man before. He never did meet him, but he did remember meeting his daughter and her friends. Aelita Stones, Jeremie Belpois, Odd Della Robbia, Ulrich Stern and Yumi Ishiyama. Two years back, around the time he came to the human world, he met with those kids and helped them combat XANA, an artificial intellegent entity in the Cyberspace of Lyoko. He definitely remembered those events, because shortly after that, he faced off against Shadow, dealing with GUN, and the Space Colony Ark. He couldn't believe he almost forgot about them, including his promise to Aelita that he would see her again. Sonic looked at Alyx.
"Where did you get this?" Sonic asked.
"He was part of Project Carthage years ago." Alyx spoke, showing different photos of Franz Hopper, along with images of Carthage and it's concept. "He even constructed a supercomputer that we found two days ago." The blue hedgehog froze upon hearing that. The computer they found was built by Franz Hopper? Now this was no coincidence, because the super computer that he and his human friends were using was also built by Franz Hopper!
"Wait, wait." Sonic said. "This super computer that you found underneath the factory. Was it under an old abandoned Renault Factory?" Alyx's eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes." She said. "Wait, how did you know-"
"Because, that computer was the same computer my friends were using to fight against XANA, that evil program." Sonic said.
"It was?!" Alyx asked.
"Yeah." Sonic said. "Now this is no coincidence!"
"Wait, how do you know about Franz Hopper?" Alyx asked.
"Because one of the kids, Aelita!" Sonic said. "Aelita Stones. She's his daughter!" Alyx's eyes widened even more, hearing that. She had heard from her father that Franz Hopper had a daughter who disappeared with him a long time ago. But Sonic met her?
"Wait, you met Hopper's daughter?" She asked. "She's Alive?!"
"Yeah, but Hopper wasn't really her last name." Sonic said. "I mean it was, but her real last name was Schaeffer. Her dad changed his name to her mother's maiden name to shake off his pursuers. This is amazing! Oh man, she and Jeremie are gonna be so excited when they hear about this!" Alyx was too dumbstruck with suprise to even speak. He actually spoke to Franz Hopper's daughter?
"Wait, how did you meet her?" Alyx asked.
"I had a crazy run in with her while dealing with Shadow, and he and Eggman kidnapped her after that Prison Island incident, and me and my friends, and her friends traveled to the Space Colony Ark to save her and stop the cannon from exploding and everything." Sonic said. "I've been helping them a bit dealing with the outside while they were inside the computer to stop XANA and rescue one of their friends." The blue hedgehog didn't want to explain more. He always heard Aelita talking about her father, and how Jeremie was interested in learning a bit more about Franz. And the others, Odd, Ulrich and Yumi, they would all be so thrilled to hear about this! He wanted to tell them so badly. Wait, he can bring them here!
"Alyx, can you send a call to Kadic Academy for me?" Sonic asked.
"Kadic Academy?" Alyx asked.
"Yeah, they go to school there!" Sonic said. "Link me up to their phones and I can tell them everything and bring them here. Aelita and Jeremie are gonna love this!" Alyx quickly remembered Kadic Academy, and the incident there, but Sonic doesn't know.
"Wait, Sonic!" Alyx said, her face disheartening. "We can't call them." The blue hedgehog turned his head with surprise.
"Why not?" Sonic asked. "Is it because this SPD thing needs to be kept secre-"
"Kadic Academy was destroyed." Alyx answered. Those words froze Sonic up, his entire face widened with shock... and disbelief.
"Wh...What?" Sonic asked.
"Sonic... Kadic Academy was destroyed about a year ago." Alyx said. The blue hedgehog looked at her confused. The school was destroyed?!
"What? What are you talking about?" Sonic asked.
"Here..." Alyx said as she pushed the photos on the computer aside and brought up an article relating to Kadic Academy. The article explained:
HEADLINE: TERROR STRIKES KADIC
On September 13th, Kadic Academy became a battlefield of a massive school shooting where men in masked suits fired guns everywhere in the halls and rooms. The lives of hundreds of young students were taken on this horrific day. There were no survivors.
Sonic's eyes widened with shock as he saw the words No Survivors. No, he thought. It can't be true. It just can't be...
"No survivors..." Sonic said.
"We did some research on the attack, and it was lead by Hydra Force, the Dark Phoenix's most elite soldiers." Alyx said, but noticed that Sonic wasn't listening and staring at the article. "Sonic?"
"Can you pull up the information on Jeremie Belpois?" Sonic asked.
"What?" Alyx asked.
"Jeremie Belpois, he's one of the students I know at that school." Sonic said. "Please tell me..." Alyx began typing information into the datascape, and brought up a photo of Jeremie Belpoise, the blonde hair kid with the glasses and brown sweater.
Name: Jeremie Belpois
Age: 13
Country of Origin: France
Status: Dead
Sonic's eyes widened, seeing the word dead on Jeremie's status page. He was dead? Oh my god. Tails wasn't going to like this. He looked at the ground, trying to think. If Jeremie was one of the victims of the attack, then could that mean. No... no, not the others.
"Try Odd Robbia Della." Sonic said. Alyx typed away, revealing an image of Odd, the boy with yellow hair with partial of it dyed purple at the top, in a purple hoodie, holding up a grey dog in his arms.
Name: Odd Robbia Della
Age: 13
Country of Origin: Italy
Status: Dead
"He's gone too." Alyx said. Sonic only cringed. Not Odd too, he thought. He was a funny guy. Why did the funny guy have to die?
"Anyone else?" Alyx asked.
"Ulrich Stern." Sonic continued. Alyx typed in the name, showing an image of Ulrich Stern, the boy with scruffy-looking brown hair and dark eyes, wearing an army jacket.
Name: Ulrich Stern
Age: 14
Country of Origin: Germany
Status: Dead
"Oh no..." Sonic said, reading the dead word. Ulrich was gone too! He lowered his head, and spoke the next name.
"Yumi Ishiyama..." Sonic said, with Alyx typing the girl's name. The image showed a japanese girl with black hair with side of the front on the right, wearing black clothing and boots.
Name: Yumi Ishiyama
Age: 15
Country of Origin: Japan
Status: Dead
"She's gone too." Alyx said, as Sonic only knelt down on his knees. She was gone too. Not the Lyoko Warriors. They were such great kids. Had such bright futures. If they're gone... does that mean Aelita's dead too?
"Aelita Stones..." Sonic said, praying that she's not dead. Alyx typed the words in, and her profile and the results came up.
Name: Aelita Stones
Age: 13
Country of Origin: Canada (Likely French or Canadian)
Status: Dead.
"I'm sorry, Sonic." Alyx said. Sonic's eyes widened and squinted one last time, as sadness began to take over. No, he thought. Not Aelita. Not innocent Aelita. She already suffered so much. The blue hedgehog lowered his head.
"Sonic?" Alyx asked.
"I need to be alone." Sonic said as he turned away, walking slowly, passing Sally on the way out.
"Sonic?" Sally asked, but Sonic didn't answer as he walked down the hall, leaving the chipmunk confused.
Eventually Sonic was halfway down the stairway, sitting on one of the steps. He was rubbing his head with his hand, pinched between his eyes. He was trying to believe that this was a dream, but it wasn't. He couldn't believe it. His human friends from Kadic were gone. They were all gone. Jeremie, Odd, Ulrich, Yumi, and Aelita. The memories of his time with them were popping into his head. Listening to Jeremie's theory on Lyoko and XANA, challenging Odd to a hot-dog eating contest, helping Ulrich get closer to Yumi, and even arguing with Yumi in the process. But the memories he cherished the most was his time with Aelita, where he helped her come to terms with her current ordeal, helping her face XANA, and also her and her friends helping Sonic face Shadow, and that craziness with the Space Colony Ark. Sonic couldn't believe that she was gone too.
"You will come back and visit, will you?"
"Of course I will. I'll see you again."
"You promise?"
"It's a promise."
The memory of that conversation between him and Aelita came back to Sonic's head, making him shed a couple more tears. He made a promise that he would see her again. But now she's gone. Now he can't fullfill that promise.
"Sonic?"
The voice got the hedgehog's attention. He turned to see Marshall, staring at him in confusion.
"Oh, hey Marshall." Sonic said. The dalmatian pup approached him.
"You look sad, Sonic." Marshall said. "Is something wrong?" Sonic looked at the pup, who probably wouldn't understand the ordeal, but the blue hedgehog spoke.
"I made a promise to someone." Sonic said. "But now she's gone... and I can't fullfill that promise." The Dalmatian firepup, who quickly realized what he meant, moved closer and nuzzled his cheek, giving him comfort. Touched by the gesture, the blue hedgehog hugged his loyal companion. Nobody could see it, but a tear dripped from Sonic's eyes.
"The girl is alive..."
The sudden mythical voice made Sonic open his eyes. He released Marshall and turned his head. He looked over to the wall to see someone about his height. It was another anthropian, but this one was a Lynx, with the ends of her ears colored black, while the rest of her body was brown while there was astripe along the bridge of her nose as well as one under each eye. Her eyes were green and she had long hair with splits at the ends that she wears down. She wore a shoulder-less sleeveless purple dress with split tails, decorated with a small broach. She wore long black pants, black and white gloves with purple cuffs and shes with silver cuffs and toes. Sonic's eyes widened, seeing the Lynx, and not only that, Marshall could see her too.
"Nicole...!" Sonic said. This was Nicole the Lynx, an ancient spiritual lynx who was not only a close friend to Sally, but also the messenger of the Gods themselves.
"The messenger!" Marshall said, showing that he met her before.
"The girl you promised to meet again is alive and well." Nicole the Lynx said. Sonic's eyes widened. She was talking about Aelita.
"Wait, Aelita is alive?" Sonic asked.
"Yes." Nicole the Lynx said. "Suffered so much after you departed. Safe and sound with a family you know well. But a cruel end will befall her if you do not act quickly. The Phoenix casts it's darkness upon her, seeking her for a purpose no one her age should bare." Sonic raised an eyebrow. A Phoenix casts it's shadow upon her? Nicole is probably talking about the Dark Phoenix and the Shadowkan. Are they after Aelita? But for what? For her father's research?"
"Tell me." Sonic said. "What do I need to do?"
"You must face the Phoenix and the Shadows they serve." Nicole the Lynx spoke. "Alone you do not have to fight. Find others to aid you, heroes you befriended in the past. Together you will triumph against the Shadows, and be one step closer to your destiny." Suddenly, she began to fade away.
"Nicole!" Sonic called out, his hand reaching out to her, but she was already gone. With her being a messenger of the gods, she can't stay for too long. The blue hedgehog remained silent, until Marshall spoke up.
"Wow." Marshall said. "I guess with her being a messenger, she comes and goes, doesn't she. Sonic?" Soinic glanced down at the ground, and clenched his fist. He reached into his pocket, a pocket where he keeps most of his photos. He pulled out one that had the group of friends back at Kadic Academy; Jeremie, Odd, Ulrich, Yumi, and Aelita. Thoughts were going through his head as he looked at the photo. Aelita was still alive somewhere. And if he wanted to find her, he's gonna have to help the SPD face against the Dark Phoenix and the Shadowkan. After all, those Phoenix bastards killed some of his friends, and there was no way in tartarus he was going to let them get away with it. But then he reflected on what Nicole the Lynx told him. Find others to aid him, heroes he's befriended in the past. If he's gonna stop the Dark Phoenix and the Shadowkan, he's gonna need a team... a team of heroes.
"I know what I need to do." Sonic said.
Inside the meeting room, Magnusson, Eli, and of course Kleiner were discussing what to do next. They were speaking with CJ and Sally, the latter was asked to convince Sonic to help them. It seems they can't do this without his help.
"You want me to convince him to join?" Sally asked.
"He listens to you." Magnusson said. "You have to at least try."
"Why?" Sally asked.
"Because, he's closer to you." Magnusson said.
"I already tried, but I'm not gonna gang up on him on your word." Sally said. "Besides, me and Sonic, we're already rebuilding our trust right now, and I'm not risking destroying that again." Magnusson sighed, clearly showing that he didn't want to hear that.
"Well, we're gonna have to give him a reason to join." Kleiner said. "Maybe if we find something the Dark Phoenix has, maybe it'll be something that will convince Mr. Sonic to help us."
"Well he doesn't want to work with our boys, so why not give him people he can work with." Eli said.
"Eli, you should know that the X-Squad Initiative was scrapped." Magnusson said.
"This isn't about the X-Squad." Eli said. "I'm saying we should get Sonic some people he can trust and work with." CJ's attention was brought in as he heard Eli mention the X-Squad. He has heard rumors back in the JP Section of the SPD about concepts for this X-Squad, but he never heard the full details.
"I'm sorry, what's this X-Squad Initiative you spoke about?" CJ asked, grabbing their attention.
"Just an idea." Magnusson said.
"To bring a group of valiant people-" Eli said.
"We don't need to hear that Eli." Magnusson said.
"He's right, we have more important things to worry about." Kleiner said.
"I do believe Dr. Vance has a point though." CJ said. "We should at least make a response team with friends. I do happen to have someone in mind who may be able to help us as well."
"War isn't won by sentiment." Magnusson said.
"No, it's won by soldiers." CJ said.
"Guys..." Sally said, getting their attention. "Look, I know Sonic is... well... difficult to convince some times, but you can't just force him to help. Just give him time to think about it."
"Time is something that we do not have!" Magnusson said.
"I'll do it." The group turned to see Sonic standing in the doorway. No doubt he probably was listening, but he just appeared right at the door.
"I'll do it." Sonic said.
"You will?" Magnusson asked, a bit surprised.
"Sonic, are you sure?" Sally asked.
"Yes." Sonic said. "I'll help you guys fight against the Dark Phoenix." CJ rose from his chair.
"You really mean that?" He asked as he stepped forward.
"Yeah, aren't you happy to hear that?" Sonic asked.
"Yes I am, but I'm just surprised." CJ said. "Magnusson was just trying to figure out how to convince you to join us."
"No need." Sonic said. "Those Phoenix guys, they killed some friends of mine at Kadic Academy. There's no way they're getting away with that. So I'm willing, able, and ready." Magnusson stepped forward and smiled, as did Eli.
"You have our graditude, Sonic the Hedgehog." Magnusson said.
"But if I help you guys, it'll be on a few conditions." Sonic said.
"And that would be?" Magnusson asked. Sonic then held up a photo of the Lyoko Warriors.
"Find this girl." Sonic said, his finger pointing directly on Aelita. "Her name is Aelita Stones. She's one of the victims from the Kadic Academy massecre. She's alive somewhere and I need you guys to find her." Magnusson looked at the photo, and somehow he feels like he's seen this girl before.
"How do you even know that she's alive?" Magnusson asked.
"I just know." Sonic said. "A messenger told me."
"Why her?" Magnusson asked.
"Because, she's Franz Hopper's daughter." Sonic said. Magnusson lifted his head up with surprise, as did Dr. Kleiner and Eli Vance.
"Franz Hopper?" Eli asked.
"Yes." Sonic said. "That girl is his daughter, and I need you guys to help me find her." Magnusson looked at Eli, who gave a nod. They were familiar with Franz Hopper, as he was one of Eli's closest friends. They heard that he disappeared, but they had no idea that his daughter, his flesh and blood was alive! Perhaps she could also help them as well.
"Alright, Sonic the Hedgehog." Magnusson said. "And the other condition?"
"I bring in some friends to help out." Sonic said.
"People outside the SPD?" Magnusson asked.
"Well they're assosiated with some groups I know about." Sonic said. "I'll get ahold of them and ask them for help. We're gonna need all of it if you guys are going against these Phoenix freaks."
"We were just discussing the matter, but we're not sure if that's a good idea." Magnusson said. "We can't just put our faith into a couple of complete strangers."
"They're not complete strangers." Sonic said. "To you they might, but to me, no. And don't worry, they're competent enough to help out. Look, you want my help, then let me bring in people I can work with. That's my final offer."
"I think that's a good idea." Eli said. "Who knows, they might impress you." Magnusson then glanced at CJ.
"Agent Miyamoto?" Magnusson asked, wanting his comment. CJ looked at the blue hedgehog and nodded.
"Well, I believe if Sonic brings in some friends he can work with well, then I'm sure we'll have an even better chance of defeating the Dark Phoenix." Magnusson looked back at Eli, who gave a nod. He then sighed and nodded.
"Alright then." Magnusson said. "But like Dr. Kleiner said, we don't have much time. You got thirty-six hours to get them."
"Deal." Sonic said.
"Ok." Magnusson said. "We'll give you word when it's time." The former doctor left the room, followed by Kleiner.
"I had a feeling that you would eventually help out." Eli said.
"If I'm honest, I wasn't thinking about abandoning you guys just yet." Sonic said.
"Good to hear." Eli said as he patted the hedgehog's shoulder. He then left the room, with Sally following behind.
"You be careful out there." Sally said as Sonic gave a wink. The princess left the room, leaving the hedgehog and CJ the only ones inside.
"So... you really think you can contact these friends of your's in that short of time?" CJ asked.
"You sound unconvinced." Sonic said.
"Well, even somebody with your speed has to have a limit." CJ said.
"Yeah, well that's something you don't wanna see." Sonic said. "But yes, I can get some friends here to help."
"Are they the same ones that were back in New York City?" CJ asked.
"Nah." Sonic said. "Jake deserves a break after taking down the Huntsclan. But the good news is that I know a lot of people."
"How many?" CJ asked.
"A long list." The blue blur answered.
"Well, we don't have much time going down the long list." CJ said.
"Won't have to." Sonic said. "For this kind of action, I already have a few ideas."
"So do I." CJ said. "Where's your ideas."
"One in Bellwood, two in the Wasteland, and the last two, it's complicated." Sonic said. "So that will be seven of us."
"Eight." CJ said.
"Eight?" Sonic asked.
"My idea included." CJ said. "You sure you can get them in less than 36 hours?"
"Dude, you're talking to the fastest thing alive here." Sonic said. "And, I have a lot of connections."
"Then I guess I'll leave you too it." CJ said as he got out of his seat, checking it clock. It was reading 2:00 PM. "You worry about getting your friends, I'll worry about mine. I'll contact you when we're ready to meet up."
"Ok, but out of curiosity, where's your idea?" Sonic asked. CJ stopped and turned his head.
"Great Lakes City." He said, and left the room, leaving Sonic to give a nod, but then his eyebrow rose in confusion.
"Michigan?" He asked and looked back at the doorway. "Who the hell lives in Michigan?"
5!
Well, that's a wrap for this chapter. A little cameo of Nicole the Lynx from the Sonic comics. Her role is a messenger like Gentiana from Final Fantasy XV, which also influences the story in someway. But that's for another time.
So now in the next couple of chapters, we'll be introducing the rest of the main heroes who will be joining the team. The first one, I'm sure you know well.
