Unfair Ball


(Gotta Go Fast!)

(Ayla's Theme song - Better in Stereo - Liv and Maddie)


(Ayla's POV)

*It was now nighttime & we were all sitting down for dinner. The only one not here was Tails. Ella was also giving us a lesson on manners & etiquette*

Ella: Let's start with our first course, which knife and fork should we use?

Amy: Uh . . . These.

*She picked up the fork & knife farthest away from her plate*

Cream: I agree.

Cheese: Chao-Chao.

*I picked them up too*

Ella: Right. You're such smart children, and what good manners.

*Sonic was eating an apple, not really paying attention*

Sonic: I don't see why we have to learn all this etiquette baloney in the first place.

*I gave Sonic a stern look. If anyone around here needs etiquette lessons, it's my brother. For the next 200 years*

Chris: My Mom says it's important to learn good manners so we can eat properly.

Sonic: Well, I never learned anything about manners and I've been eating my whole life.

*I highly doubted that. I'm pretty sure Mom taught him plenty of manners*

Mr. Tanaka: Sonic, kindly use your fruit knife.

Chuck: I wonder what's keeping Tails, he should be back by now.

Ayla: I don't know. He said he'd be back before dinner.

*Suddenly, my heart started pounding & my head started hurting . I screamed as l held my head & gripped the edge of the table*

Cream: Ayla! Are you ok!?

Ayla: This feels . . . Stronger than usual . . .

*Suddenly, Bokkun flew into the room, holding a small yellow TV, wearing a baseball cap, & laughing his usual annoying laugh*

Bokkun: SORRY, I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS MEAL TIME, BUT DR. EGGMAN'S GOT A REAL IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YA.

Sonic: Not again!

Mr. Tanaka: How dare you barge in on us like this! You need to learn some manners!

Bokkun: EH, THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY

*Eggman's face appeared on the screen*

Eggman:*on the TV* Good evening, Sonic and Ayla. I suggest you take a look out your window.

Sonic: Window?

*He went to the window & opened it. There was a bright pillar of light in the distance*

Chuck: What is it?

Cream: That light's coming from a Chaos Emerald.

Chris: Is she right?

*Ella & Amy were helping me stand up, because the pain in my head was really intense*

Ayla: Your . . . Half right, Cream . . . But that's . . . Not just one . . . Chaos Emerald . . .

Dr. Eggman:*on the TV* Correct, we all want those emeralds, but why not be good sports about it? That's why I suggest you suit up, and meet me over . . . *he changed into a black baseball uniform* At the Diamond Stadium!

Mr. Tanaka: Diamond Stadium?

Chuck: What for!?

Dr. Eggman:*on the TV* I challenge you and your friends to a game of winner-take-all baseball!

Bokkun: YOU GUYS MIGHT BE A LITTLE RUSTY, SO HOW ABOUT SOME BATTING PRACTICE?

*He pulled out a bat*

Sonic: Uh oh.

*Bokkun started batting baseballs at us. Sonic, Chris, Chuck, & Tanaka were jumping around trying to dodge them. Amy, Cream, Cheese, & I ducked down on the floor. He stopped when Ella grabbed him*

Ella: You've got a decent swing, but you keep hitting a foul.

*She threw Bokkun out the window*

Chris: What kind of pitch was that?

Chuck: I think I was a screwball.

Sonic: We have to get to that stadium!

*The next thing I knew, Sonic was running, I was on my board, & everyone else was in the car. We were all heading for the Diamond Stadium. When we got there, Eggman had already arrived & Tails was there along with Knuckles. Sonic & I landed right in front of them*

Sonic: Hey. How's it going, Knuckles?

Ayla: What's up?

Dr. Eggman: Well, if it isn't Sonic and Ayla. I thought you weren't going to show up, so I took one of the Emeralds and I was just collecting the second. But now that you're here, maybe we can play ball

Sonic: Alright, just give us back that Chaos Emerald.

Dr. Eggman: All in good time, my speedy little opponent, but first, let me introduce you to my fellow teammates.

*A big black ship appeared over us. The bottom hatch opened, & robots that looked like baseball players came out*

Cream: They're scaring me, Amy.

Amy: It's okay.

Dr. Eggman: Not too shabby, eh? Now why don't we knock out the pregame ceremonies and get to the reason we're all here. It's now game time.

*Decoe & Bocoe (a short, chubby, silver robot) appeared in front of him*

Decoe & Bocoe: LET'S PLAY BALL!

Tails: You can't have your game here!

Chuck: Wait, it just so happens old Grandpa Chuck here is a big baseball fan from way back. A nice friendly game of baseball sounds like a great idea to me.

Tails: But . . . But, Chuck . . .

Dr. Eggman: Ah, so you're Chuck, are you? Well, it's a great pleasure to finally meet you. A ballgame sounds most exciting after being cooped up in that laboratory of yours day after day.

Ayla:*in her mind* Like your one to talk.

Tails: HEY! If you wanna have a ball game, then you have to have it someplace else! Isn't anybody listening to me?!

Chuck: Well, Eggman. If the others are up for it, I would be more than happy to accept your challenge.

Tails: But you can't have your game here, you're gonna ruin all of the beautiful turf!

*I looked around the field & I started to see why Tails was getting worked up. It looked so clean & well kept*

Decoe: WHAT'S THAT LOUDMOUTH FOX GETTING SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE FOR?

Bocoe: WHO KNOWS.

Tails: Hey! I'll have you know, this stadium means a lot to my friend!

*A chubby adult human male with brownish gray hair wearing a blue & orange baseball cap, a blue jacket over a white shirt with a red tie, gray pants, & black shoes stepped up behind him*

Albert Butler: It's okay, Tails, only a matter of time before it's demolished, anyway.

Chuck: Have I seen you somewhere?

Albert Butler: Maybe during the seventh inning stretch. My name's Albert Butler, I'm the head groundskeeper here.

Chuck: Ah, I thought you looked familiar, I've seen you on television. You were good friends with the owner of the Diamonds. Elmer Johnson, right?

Chris: Wow, you know him?

Albert Butler: Elmer and I don't talk much anymore.

*Chuck started crying*

Chuck: This is such an honor to think that I get to play baseball in the world-famous Diamond Stadium!

Dr. Eggman: Shut your blubbering and let's play baseball!

Amy: Okay.

Cream: How do we play?

Cheese: Chao-Chao?

*I knew how the game worked, because I discovered it while flipping the channels on the TV one boring day. I had nothing better to do, so I watched the whole game*

Chuck: Alright, everybody! Time for the Chaos Emerald Baseball Playoff!

Dr. Eggman: It's the First Annual Eggman Intergalactic Baseball Challenge!

*Chris & I both blushed*

Knuckles: This is sad.

Chris: And totally embarrassing.

Ayla: You said it.

*Off to one side, Tanaka was stretching*

Tanaka: One, two. One, two.

Sonic:*sitting on a robot's head* Does he have to be on our team?

Cream: Amy, do we get to play too?

Amy: Don't see why not.

Cheese: Chao-Chao

*Eggman began practicing his swings*

Chris: Hey Grandpa, I'm not so sure this baseball game's such a good idea. What if Eggman's got something up his sleeve?

Chuck: Chris, you may be right. For all we know, that guy could be using a corked bat.

Chris: That's not exactly what I meant.

Ayla: Telling Eggman not to cheat is like telling a baby not to cry.

Dr. Eggman: Let's decide which team will be first to bat. Rock, paper-

Knuckles: You can't be serious!? You do know what will happen if Dr. Eggman wins, don't you? He won't just be winning the game, but the Chaos Emeralds too. If Eggman wins this game, it'll mean nothing but catastrophe for all of us.

Dr. Eggman: I'd say that's nothing but stinkin' thinkin'

Chuck: Why ruin everyone's fun?

Knuckles: Huh?

Amy: Come on Knuckles, don't you wanna play?

Cream: Don't be chicken.

Cheese: Chao-Chao-Chao.

Knuckles: Me, chicken!?

Mr. Tanaka: Perhaps Mr. Knuckles is simply afraid to play a game of baseball, hmm?

Knuckles: Afraid? I'm not afraid of anything!

Sonic: Great, then you'll play, huh?

Knuckles: Alright, you asked for it! You want a team player, I'll give you a team player! Let's get this game on!

*I snickered. Knuckles can be really gullible*


*Soon, we were ready to play. We were wearing blue & orange uniforms. Our team was up to bat first & Chris was at the plate*

Decoe: LET'S PLAY BALL!

Chris: Bring it on!

*The robot pitching threw a really fast one. It was so fast, I couldn't even see it. Chris didn't even get a chance to swing his bat*

Decoe: STRIKE ONE. *Chris' & my eyes went wide. Sonic whistled* STRIKE TWO. STRIKE THREE. ONE OUT.

Chris: How could anybody hit a ball that fast?

Dr. Eggman: Loser. *I glared at him* Okay boys, send in the next sucker!

*Tails was up next*

Tails: It'll probably be a fastball.

*Instead of throwing, the robot stretched his arm all the way to the catchers glove*

Decoe: STRIKE ONE.

Tails: Hey umpire! That's not fair!

Decoe: WHAT DO YOU WANT? IT'S NOT MY FAULT HE'S GOT LONG ARMS.

*Amy was up next*

Amy: Give me your best pitch, ball boy! I've got it!

*She hit the ball. We all cheered*

Knuckles: We might not lose after all.

*One robot stretched it's arm & it caught the ball before it went over the fence*

Decoe: SHE'S OUT.

Amy: But, I thought . . . *Dr. Eggman just laughed as we went to the field* Now I'll show 'im what I can do. I'm a much better pitcher, anyway. *she threw the ball so hard the robot batting fell apart* Uh, sorry 'bout that.

*She threw another ball. One robot tried to steal a base*

Decoe: STRIKE. *Tanaka threw the ball to Tails, but the robot stretched over him to the base* SAFE.

Tails: Losing isn't fun.

Ayla: I know, Tails. I know.

*One robot hit a ball that went flying over our heads*

Dr. Eggman: And it's out of the park!

*Sonic ran & caught it on the scoreboard*

Ayla:*face-palmed* It's still a home run.

Chuck: You caught it, Sonic, but if it's outside the fence, it doesn't count.

Sonic: Who says we gotta play by the rules, anyway? Cut me some slack.

*Soon, we were up to bat again. I decided to go first*

Ayla: Come on, Bucket Head! Show me whatcha got!

*The robot pitching threw a fast ball, but I hit it & it went right outta the park*

Decoe: H-HOME RUN! HOME RUN!

*All my friends cheered as I ran the bases*

Sonic: That's my baby sister!

*As soon as I touched home base, I ran over to Sonic & got close to his face, growling*

Ayla: I told you, I'm not a baby!

*Amy was up now. The robot pitched, but it went flying back him & he fell apart. Amy went to first base*

Amy: Sorry, that's a hit!

*Knuckles was up next & hit a home run*

Decoe: SAD TO SAY, BUT IT'S A HOME RUN.

*We all cheered*

*I looked at the score board & saw that we were catching up. Then I noticed a adult female human with red hair & green eyes wearing a orange jacket over a red blouse, a orange skirt, & red high heels*

Scarlet Garcia: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is Scarlet Garcia with a live report from Diamond Stadium. There appears to be a most unusual baseball game happening right this moment. The notorious Dr. Eggman and a team of robots are playing a game against Sonic and friends here at the stadium. The soon-to-be former home of the Diamonds. This is certain to become sports history. This is Scarlet Garcia reporting, stay tuned to SSTV for continuing coverage of this momentous game.

Chuck: We're closing in on them, now let's give it our best shot! Tanaka!

Mr. Tanaka: Yes Sir!

Chuck: I'm putting in a pitch-hitter for you. It's Cheese.

Cheese: Chao!

*I snickered. The robot looked disoriented by this, but he threw the ball over Cheese's head four time*

Decoe: BALL ONE. BALL TWO. BALL THREE. BALL FOUR. TAKE YOUR BASE.

*Cheese went to first base*

Dr. Eggman: You big loser! You call yourself a pitcher!

*Cream was about to go up next when I stopped her*

Ayla: Hey, Cream, come here a minute. *she came up to me* When you go up there . . .

*I whispered in her ear. She nodded to me & went up to bat. The robot was about to throw, but stopped when Cream gave him her best puppy dog eyes*

Cream: Oh Mr. Pitcher, could you...maybe not throw the ball too hard? I've never played before.

*The robot blushed & dropped the ball*

Decoe: BALK! BATTER TAKES FIRST BASE.

*Cream ran to first base*

Cream: Thank you, Mr. Pitcher.

Dr. Eggman: I oughta throw you on the scrapheap!

Chuck: Good thinking, Ayla.

Ayla: I know from experience that no one can resist Cream's cuteness.

Tails: That's for sure.

*Knuckles hit another one out of the park*

Chuck: Alright Knuckles, another home run!

Amy: That means we're tied!

Chris: Look everybody!

*We looked up & saw that people were starting to fill the stands. I even saw Casey, Jenny & Tyler sitting in the front row with their families*

Kid: Hey! Hey!

Kid #2: Hey guys, hit one over this way!

Alfred Butler: Where'd all these people come from?

*We were now tied. Sonic hit the ball & went first base*

Dr. Eggman: You strike out that squirt or else!

*Chris went up to the plate. The robot threw a fast ball*

Decoe: STRIKE ONE

Chris: Oh no. What if I let the whole team down?

Decoe: STRIKE TWO

Sonic & Ayla: Timeout!

*Sonic & I walked over to Chris*

Sonic: Hey, Chris. We know you can get a hit. There's nothing to it, Chris, all you have to do is concentrate.

Chris: That's easy for you to say. He's pitching so fast.

Ayla: So he's throwing a couple of fast balls. Don't let that get you down. Just keep on trying and don't give up. Now get out there and do your best.

Chris: Okay!

Decoe: PLAY BALL

*The robot threw the ball. Chris swung*

Decoe: STRIKE THREE

Chris: At least I tried my best.

Chuck: CHRIS, RUN!

*He looked up & saw the robot behind him had missed the ball. He & Sonic ran the bases. Chris made just in time*

Decoe: SAFE!

Chris: I did it! I got to first base!

*Sonic & I both gave him a thumbs up. We all cheered. Suddenly, one of the robot's head flew off & attached itself to Sonic's head*

Sonic: What's that?

Dr. Eggman: Oh dear, my robot! It's malfunctioning! It will explode any minute now! Run Sonic! Hurry, run away!

Ayla: You little weasel!

Chris: Sonic, what are we gonna do?

Sonic: He's trying to get us to forfeit the game! I gotta get rid of this thing quick! *he ran all around the field, but the head was stuck* Hey, you're really hanging on.

Knuckles: Sonic! Jump Sonic, hurry!

Sonic: Okay! *he jumped in the air & Knuckles went straight for him* Hey, watch it, will ya! *Knuckles hit the robot head & it exploded. Sonic & Knuckles were ok* Thanks! You're a lifesaver!

Dr. Eggman:*laughing* You may have beaten me in baseball, but with this shiny blue Chaos Emerald snuggled ever so safely in my pocket, I'm the real winner after all, aren't I?

*He flew away, laughing. I growled*

Ayla: Eggman . . . *I picked up a ball & bat. I then threw the ball up in the air* TAKE THIS!

*I hit the ball & it flew after Eggman. Off in the distance I heard an "OW!" The crowd cheered*

Knuckles: Nice hit, kid.

Amy: Now he has the Chaos Emerald.

*The crowd started to go wild*

Scarlet Garcia: As you can see, there's been quite a turnout for this event. The game was, of course, the last to played here at the stadium. *she looks to the left* Could that be?

*A adult human male with brown skin, hair & beard wearing a light blue jacket over a dark blue shirt with a yellow tie, light blue pants, & black shoes stepped into the field & walked up to Alfred*

Chris: Hey look! That's Elmer Johnson!

Elmer Johnson: I was watching at home. I must say it was quite a remarkable game. It's all thanks to you, Al, and I...Well Al, I can't help but think how much you've done for the Diamonds over the years and what a great friend you've been.

Alfred Butler: Thank you.

Elmer Johnson: I'm thinking of moving the Diamond turf over to the new stadium intact. I sure could use your help.

Alfred Butler: Sure thing!

*They shook hands*

Chuck: Well, we may have lost the Chaos Emerald, but I think we've learned an important lesson about working together. And I'm sure you'll agree we'll be even stronger next time we meet Eggman.

Ayla: I know we will, Chuck. I know we will.


(Third-person POV)

*Back at his base, Dr. Eggman had an ice pack on a giant red bump on his head*

Dr. Eggman: Your gonna pay for this, Ayla. Just you wait.