The Beginning of the End


(Third-person POV)

Scarlet Garcia: Freedom Fever is running wild as fans of Sonic and Ayla the Hedgehogs embrace the new freedom movement, adopting the carefree and caring lifestyle of their heroes. It seems like the entire planet is caught up in the craze. The international track and field association reports the runners around the world are setting new records every day.


(Gotta Go Fast!)

(Ayla's Theme song - KC Undercover Theme Song)


(Ayla's POV)

*It's been a few days since our adventure to Murasia. Most of us were in the backyard of the Thorndyke Mansion for a BBQ. Nelson & Lindsey were also there. The only one missing was my brother (big surprise). Both Nelson & Lindsey were wearing t-shirts that said "Freedom" & making shish kabobs. Though they were looking pretty burnt.*

Nelson:*picking one up* Here Ella.

Ella: Oh, uh, no thank you, sir. It might not be enough to go around.

Lindsey: Nonsense, Ella, we have more than enough.

Ella: That's . . . Great

*Nelson put a bunch on her plate*

Nelson: I know you love good food, so I expect to see you back for seconds.

*Ella looked at her plate nervously. I went up to her*

Ayla:*whispering* Don't worry Ella. I've got the paramedics on speed dial.

*Ella have me a relieved smiled*

Nelson: When I heard all my employees were taking time off because of this freedom, Dad, I thought I'd take a little free time too!

Ella: Christopher is thrilled that you'll both be spending more time here and so am I.

Lindsey: I never realized what a burden stardom is until I joined the freedom movement.

Nelson & Lindsey: Go freedom!

Lindsey: Alright.

Nelson: Our shish kabobs are done, so get ready, gang. They're gonna knock you out!

Chuck: I just hope the medics will be able to revive us.

*We all giggled. Tanaka then came outside*

Mr. Tanaka: Professor Thorndyke. The President is on the telephone for you.

Chuck: Thank you.

*He went inside. I got this feeling in my stomach that something really big was about to happen*


*That night, Christina Cooper came to the Mansion with an adult human female with dark blue hair & blueish gray eyes wearing a pair of white earrings, a blue formal jacket over a white shirt, a blue tube skirt and black heels. Shadow was also with them, which made my heart skip a beat. Me, Tails, Chuck, Nelson, & Lindsey all gathered in the living room. What they told us next made a chill go up my spine*

Nelson: How can time stop? It's impossible!

Chuck: I'm afraid it is possible.

Dr. Kim Bickley: Some time in the distant past, our world and Sonic and Ayla's were one and the same. Then a mysterious event divided the world in two. Each world suddenly had its own timeline. They now inhabited parallel universes, unaware of the other's existence. The two worlds are beginning to join again, and the two separate timelines will soon start to join together as well.

Nelson: But how can you prove this theory is true?

Dr. Kim Bickley: It's not a theory. Even as we speak, the two timelines are converging. Soon they'll melt completely and when they do, they'll cancel each other out, and time will stand still. The result will be catastrophic. The rejoined planets will be frozen in time, while billions of years pass in the rest of the universe.

Christina Cooper: Once the timelines are fused, the effects will be irreversible

Lindsey: So we'll be stuck in time?

*She & Nelson looked at each other*

Chuck: That's right, when time stops, there's no such thing as the future or the past. None of us will grow older, but we won't be able to change either.

Nelson: Oh my.

Ayla: Is there anyway to stop it?

Dr. Kim Bickley: I've made some calculations. If they're correct, there's a slim chance we can prevent the timelines from coming together, but we have to act immediately or it'll be too late.

Christina Cooper: The President has just signed an executive order directing his staff to gather all the Chaos Emeralds together

Tails: You mean the President wants us to cause Chaos Control!?

Chuck: Our only hope to save both worlds is to send you and Sonic and the others back home.

*Tails & I looked at each other. So, it was finally happening. We were finally going home. Suddenly, we all heard a vase breaking. We all looked towards the source & saw Chris, looking shocked*

Chris: They're not gonna send Sonic and Ayla back home.

*He walked towards us, stepping on the broken vase*

Lindsey: Chris!

Nelson: You've been listening?

Chris: Yes I have. I heard it all. And I don't care what the President said. It's good that Sonic and Ayla are here. Sonic . . . Ayla . . . They always help people when they're in trouble. They saved Station Square, when it was attacked by the Chaos Monster. Don't you remember? This whole planet would've been wrecked if they hadn't come to the rescue! THEY'RE STAYING HERE! If they go away, you'll be sorry!

Chuck: Sorry, Chris. We're in danger. It's not Sonic or Ayla's fault, but they and the others have got to go back. Our whole future depends on it.

Chris: YOU'RE WRONG!

Lindsey: Are you sure?

Chris: Dr. Eggman must be behind this. He's fooling everybody to get rid of Sonic and Ayla!

Nelson: Chris may be right. This could be one of Eggman's tricks.

Chuck: We can't wish this problem away, Chris. I know it's hard to hear, but the time has come to say goodbye. Sonic and Ayla must return to their world. There's no other choice.

Chris: You can't send them away! I won't let you!

SLAP!

*Chris now had a red mark on his right cheek. I stood in front of him holding up my left hand. I could feel a lot eyes looking at me in surprise. Even Shadow, but I didn't care at the moment*

Ayla: Christopher Thorndyke! Stop acting like a spoiled brat and listen! We all knew this day was coming! From the day Sonic and I first arrived on this world, I knew we didn't belong here! I didn't think we would have to leave this way, but we have no choice! So whether you like it or not, we have to go home!

*Chris just stared at me for a few seconds & ran out of the room*

Nelson: Chris, wait!

Lindsey: Christopher!

Tails: I never saw him this upset.

Chuck: I know exactly how he feels. I'm upset about this too. *he kneeled in front of Tails* time were to stop, I wouldn't have to grow older anymore. I'd have forever to do research and make new discoveries. Why, just think of all the marvelous things you and I could build *he put his hands on Tails' shoulders* If we could tinker in our workshop for all eternity. It sounds wonderful, but it's a trap. *he then walked over to the broken vase & picked up one of the pieces* In a world where time stopped completely, the pursuit of scientific knowledge, would ultimately be meaningless. We'd never be able to use our knowledge to make real progress. *he, Tails, & me started to pick up the pieces* I'll miss you, my friends.

Ayla: We'll miss you too Chuck.


*Later, I was sitting on the stairs in the main foyer with Tails waiting for Chris to come home. Shadow, who had decided to stay for some reason, was standing behind me. Tanaka then came in*

Mr. Tanaka: Forgive me for allowing Chris to get away. I could not follow him in the dark, *he bowed* I no longer deserve to be under your employ.

Nelson: Now now, it's not your fault. Lindsey and I should've been more understanding with him.

Lindsey: If this were a film, I'd ask for another take. Isn't there anything we can do, Nelson?

Nelson: Yes, I'm going to call the President's office. I'm sure if I explain the situation, he'll call on the National Guard to search the area.

Chuck: I know exactly where he went.

*We all looked at him*

Nelson: Hm? Then where is he, Dad? Shouldn't we go after him right away?

Chuck: I'm afraid Chris has gone to confront Dr. Eggman.

*Nelson & Lindsey gasped in surprise. I just sighed. I had a feeling he was going there. I looked at Shadow. He just nodded at me, saying that was thinking the same thing*

Nelson: Dr. Eggman?

Chuck: I think we should let him go. That boy's looking for some answers. He really believes Eggman is behind all this. Maybe facing Eggman will help him accept the truth.


*A few hours later, we were all still waiting for Chris*

Nelson: I just can't stand waiting! I wish we could do something!

Lindsey: Are you sure allowing Chris to see Eggman was a good idea?

Nelson: I'll hire a team of commandos to find him!

Chuck: That's absurd.

*Just then, the door opened & Chris ran in*

Nelson & Lindsey: Chris!

Chris: Hi guys. Sorry I ran away.

*Tails got up from the stairs & ran to him. I just stayed on the stairs*

Nelson: We're just happy you're safe, son.

Lindsey: Why, Chris, you're freezing!

Ella: What he needs is a nice hot bowl of my chicken soup.

Nelson: Thanks Ella.

Ella: I'll get cooking!

*She ran into the kitchen*

Nelson: Feel okay, son? Why don't you sit down?

Chris: Okay.

Chuck:*to Tails* Let's go

*They all left the room. But I stayed on the stairs with Shadow. I looked at him*

Ayla: Do you think he got the answers he wanted?

Shadow: Who can say? We'll ask him and find out.


To be Continued . . .