Chapter 21: The Return
Day 5
Egg Carrier
4:25 P.M. Knuckles and the Station Square Freedom Fighters wandered around the battle-ready deck of the Egg Carrier, searching for a way inside. "Look! I found a pool!" Jo called. "So what, Jo? We're out here looking for an entrance, and all you found-" Jett started. "There's a secret entrance to the Sky Deck," Jo added. "Like I said, good job," Jett said as Knuckles rushed by them. "Wait for us, Knux!" Bryce called. Sky Deck 4:37 P.M. Sonic and Tails gripped a pole as the wind blew harshly as the Egg Carrier sped up. They struggled despritely to get back inside the ship as they were stuck on the outside part of the Sky Deck. Little did they know that 2 figures gripped to another pole, desprite to reach Sonic and Tails, their voices drowning out in the wind. Inside Sky Deck 4:39 P.M. Knux and the gang found the controls for the ship, although they didn't realize it. Knux, curious, pulled the lever. Hot Shelter 4:41 P.M. Amy and the gang suddenly felt the ship roll forward, and went tumbling through the velntilation shaft they were traveling through. Bridge 4:41 P.M. At the same time, Robotnik and Sleet were feeling the effects. "What's going ON?!" Robotnik yelled. "Intruder Alert at the Sky Deck Control Tower!" Sleet called. "I thought I sealed that entrance! Close it up! And get security down there! I want those Freedom Fighters robotisized!" Sky Deck 4:41 P.M. Tails gripped to a bar as the ship rolled forward, Sonic sent tumbling down the walkway. Meanwhile, the male intruder gripped against the pole as the female grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Bridge 4:42 P.M. Robotnik over-rided the controls and regained control of the ship. "Sir! You should see this! Sensors indicate SIX chaos energy sources!" Sleet called, bewildered. "SIX?! Locations?!" Robotnik demanded. "One is in the Hot Shelter, the others are in the Sky Deck!" "How many are emerald shards?" Robotnik asked, remembering the shattered emerald. "3 sir, all in Sky Deck." "I suppose the frog is radiating with Chaos energy, and the bird is carrying the last medallion, but salvage the survalence tapes and have them sent to Mystic Base. I want to know where that last emerald is!" Hot Shelter 4:42 P.M. Amy and the gang groaned as they got up, after tumbling onto the floor of a bathroom. Inside the Sky Deck 4:42 P.M. "Tails! Help!" Sonic cried, hanging on to the bar of a walkway. He had fell over the side, and grabbed the railing, which kept between himself and certain death. "I'm coming Sonic!!!" Tails cried, making a run for it. Knuckles perked up, thought he heard Sonic's voice. He also grumbled and started to over-ride Robotnik's controls. He looked down and saw Sonic. "I'm slipping!" Sonic yelled. Tails was still too far to get to him in time. Knuckles was also too far to catch Sonic. Sonic closed his eyes. There was nothing left he could do. "I'm sorry Tails. I'm sorry everyone. I failed to be the hero everyone expected me to be. Sonic felt his hand slipped. "I'm sorry-" A hand grabbed his. "I got ya, Sonie-boy!" Sonic gasped and looked up. "Oh my GOSH! It CAN'T BE!" Another hand grabbed his. "You better believe it, son!" Sonic was pulled back on the walkway, being hugged by his foster mother. And Uncle Chuck. Sonic cried. "You're alive! You're really alive!" Tails ran to the 3. "Guys! We gotta get outta here!" Tails called. "But how?" Sonic's foster mom asked. "Hey guys!" Knux called down. "Going up?" Everyone looked up. "Who's that, Sonie?" Uncle Chuck asked. "That's my good friend Knuckles! KNUX! How DO we get out?" Sonic called. "I'll tilt the ship backwards and you guys can climb through the exit up here!" Knux called. "Good idea! Do it!" Sonic called. Knux nodded and pushed the stick upwards, after over-riding Robotnik's control. Hot Shelter 4:48 P.M. Amy and the gang slid across the monitor room, after seeing what was going on. They had cheered moments earlier when Sonic was saved. Now that they knew what was about to happen, they were better prepared for it. Inside the Sky Deck 4:48 P.M. Sonic, Tails, Uncle Chuck, and Sonic's foster mother slid down the walkway out the door, waving to Knux and the Station Square Freedom Fighters as they did. Knux waved back and put the ship back upright. Bridge 4:49 P.M. Robotnik growled, shutting off power to the Sky Deck. Sleet had already taken off for the Mystic Ruins moments before. This was the last straw. He marched out of the room. Hot Shelter 4:50 P.M. Amy groaned. "Let's get outta here, gang." "Good idea," everyone else called at the same time. Egg Carrier Main Room 4:50 P.M. Sonic and Tails helped the older two to thier feet. Chaima, Chahura, Rupicha, and Rukicha popped out of the backpack. "That was a wild ride! Can we do that again?" Chaima asked. "No. You guys are going home!" Sonic said, folding his arms. "NO!" the three talking chao yelled. Rukicha, who looked more like a golden version of Chahura, shook his head no as well really fast. "Sonic! We have to stay with you! It's important!" Chaima said. Sonic faced his family. "I want you two off at the very least. Find an escape pod and meet me in Station Square. I gotta take care of something, but I'm NOT going to lose you two again!" Sonic said. "Sonic," the mother started. "Bernie, please listen to the boy," Uncle Chuck said. Bernie hugged Sonic. "Please come back." Sonic hugged back. "I will."
