The summer days in Green Hills seemed to stretch out forever, and as the townsfolk assembled for an exhibition game at the baseball field, everyone was content to let the innings roll on and on.
"Are you guys gonna leave us again?" Sonic asked Cherry and her friends.
"Sorry, buddy, but we gotta go back eventually," Cherry reminded him. "Riverdale needs us much like Green Hills needs you."
"Yeah!" Lionel nodded. "Besides, we've got our adventures and you've got yours! But we can keep in touch, that's for sure!"
"We'll see you again though, right?" Manic asked hopefully.
"Of course you will!" Mo smiled. "One of these days."
"We came back again this time, didn't we?" Thor added as a reminder.
"You guys make pretty good points," Sonia nodded. "Text us when you make it back home at least."
"You know we will." responded Mo.
"All right, see ya," Sonic nodded. "Nice meeting you too, Johan and Johanna."
"Nice to meet you too, Sonic." Johan and Johanna replied as they smiled at the blue hedgehog.
"Pretty cool powers too with animal transformation." Sonia said to the twins.
"Though I'm not too sure about the water thing." Manic added.
Cherry then waved her hand in front of her throat to make the hedgehogs not bring that subject up since she learned her lesson the hard way about the superpower involving water.
"Let's not find out, okay?" Sonic told his siblings.
"Yeah," Lionel nodded. "Probably not a good idea to make fun of somebody who could drown you in their own body."
Sonic shuddered at that.
"So until next time, we'll see ya guys around." Atticus told the hedgehog triplets.
"Hopefully we can see you guys again too." Thor then added to Sally, Antoine, Bonnie, and Rotor.
"Count on it!" Rotor beamed with a thumbs-up.
"See y'all round, dahlins!" Bonnie added.
Patch even waved his paw at the group as they loaded up in Atticus's car.
"Thor, are you feeling okay? You seem ditzier than usual." Mo asked the warlock teen.
"I don't know, I haven't been feeling like myself lately," Thor said bashfully as he scratched his head. "I mean, I know I can be dumb, but I'm not stupid."
"You said it, not me." Cherry smirked at that.
"Perhaps we should consult a doctor," Lionel suggested as he buckled up... in the booster seat, because of his height.
"You look adorable in that though~" Thor cooed as he scratched Lionel's chin. "Cootchy-Cootchy-Coo~"
Lionel crossed his arms, but blushed furiously at that.
"Maybe I'll make you a sandwich when we go home." Thor suggested.
Everyone soon waved goodbye as Atticus' car began to leave Green Hills and head back into Riverdale until the car stopped suddenly.
"Huh? Aren't they leaving?" Tom wondered.
"There's something strange going on." Thor commented as he looked around in the car.
Patch soon poked his head out the open window and sniffed the air before he dropped out the window and sniffed the trunk before barking as he sniffed something he didn't smell before.
"What is it?" asked Mo.
"Someone I don't know is in there." Patch whispered to the others.
"Someone?" Mo asked out of concern and wide eyes.
Atticus soon came to unlock and open his trunk and moved it to find Jojo inside there.
"Jojo?!" The group asked and gasped.
"Tom and Maddie's niece?" Johan asked.
"Yeah, she's pretty cool for a kid," Cherry nodded before looking over. "Jojo, what are you doing in there?"
"Sorry, but I just wanted to hang out with you guys." Jojo replied bashfully.
"Oh! Well, it's nice to see you again!" Lionel beamed.
Jojo grinned innocently.
"Looks like someone needs a 'Sonic Says' message." Sonic said to Sonia and Manic due to what Jojo just did.
"Yup." Sonia replied.
"Perfect timing." Manic added.
"Sonic Says?" The Toon Force repeated curiously.
There seemed to be upbeat random music playing as Tails flew by and painted a sign in blue paint that said "Sonic Sez" on it.
Sonic soon poked his head out of the sign and took the paintbrush before fixing the sign to spell it right, then gave a thumbs up and winked to the Toon Force. "Listen, Jojo, it's cool you wanna hang out with these guys, we all do, but you can't just hijack a ride with them in their trunk. That could be dangerous and that's no good." he then advised the young girl.
"Yeah!" added Manic. "They could run over a speed bump, or the trunk might not be locked tight!"
"Not to mention your mother, as obnoxious as she is, would be worried about you!" Sonia chimed in.
Maddie chuckled at that while Rachel raised an eyebrow in the background.
"Gosh..." Jojo frowned. "I guess you guys are right."
"Of course we're right!" Sonic said to Jojo. "We're family so we all gotta look out for each other."
"Sorry... You guys just seem so cool." Jojo then said to The Toon Force bashfully.
"Hey, it's alright," said Lionel. "But if you'd like to hang out... all you'd need to do is ask!"
"I'm sorry about that," Jojo nodded. "I guess I was just too busy with the wedding and I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to see you guys that I decided to try to be adventurous like you guys." she then said before petting Patch.
Patch smiled and wagged his tail from the petting. "Just like Anita's niece." he then whispered to himself.
"Your heart was in the right place, but maybe next time," Johanna said to Jojo. "You do seem pretty cool for a kid at least."
"Based on what Cherry and the others told us anyway," Johan added. "Such as you being responsible for giving Sonic, Sonia, and Manic their best clothes."
"Yeah!" The group agreed.
Jojo beamed at them.
"We'll see you around, kiddo... Look on the bright side, you have plenty of cool friends to hang out with until we meet again." Mo smiled and then gestured toward the hedgehog triplets and of course, also Knuckles and Tails.
"They're my best friends," Jojo smiled back and nodded. "Especially Sonic, Sonia, and Manic."
Soon, Cherry and her friends began to leave Green Hills until the next time as Jojo watched them go while going to stay home like she was supposed to. Cherry sighed a bit on the way back home.
"What's wrong, Cherry? I know we had a pretty big adventure during our vacation, but we all had fun," Atticus said to his longest friend. "You guys had fun too, right, Johan and Johanna despite the adventure?" he then asked the twins since they hadn't been to Green Hills the last time they all went.
"Sure!" Johan responded.
"It was very enriching!" Johanna added.
"Well, I'm glad you guys had fun." Cherry said softly.
Patch frowned in concern.
"What's eatin' ya, Cherry?" Thor asked out of concern. "You're not gonna be mopey and we have to send you away to a better alternate universe where you'll be happier, are ya?"
"No, no, it's not that," Cherry replied. "I'm still a little anxious about this book series deal... I mean, it was nice to get out of town for a while, but I could probably be a joke by the time we get back to Riverdale and my dreams will be crushed or overshadowed by someone bigger and better or more talented than me like Lemony Snickett, JK Rowling, or George R.R. Martin with the cultural phenomenons they came up with."
"That's stinkin' thinkin', so knock it off," Lionel remarked. "You are awesome, okay? We can see it... but I don't know why YOU can't."
"I guess..." Cherry sighed.
"Guessin's got nothing to do with it." Thor reassured her.
They soon passed the "You Are Now Leaving Green Hills" sign as they headed back into Riverdale. However, before going back home right away, they took a stop at a gas station.
"Feel free to get some snacks, guys," Atticus told his friends as he began to pump up his gas. "I figured you could all use some special refreshments after the vacation we had."
Lionel just hugged Cherry while he gave her a pat on the back.
"Come on, let's go see if they have those Zebra Cakes you like." Thor advised with a small smile.
Cherry just sighed as they went inside the gas station. The group soon divided into separate aisles and sections of the store to get their own snacks or drinks.
Cherry glanced around before she walked over to a book-o-rama display and began to spin it around to see what various selections they had before her eyes widened at one title. "Hey, buddy!" she then called.
"Hm?" The worker behind the counter asked as he looked over.
"Where'd this book come from?" Cherry asked as she pointed at the book in amazement.
"Oh, that? We got a lot of shipping for that title, it's gonna be a new series," The worker replied. "I quite like it myself, the author is a unique genius. Who knew those kinds of stories could be so hardcore?"
Cherry cracked a small smile as she picked up the book and came to show her friends what she found.
"Hey, Cherry, whatcha got there?" asked Mo as she glanced over.
"Check this out..." Cherry said before she showed the book, showing it was her published manuscript for The Avengers Grimm to become a brand new book series released into the world. "They accepted me... I'm somebody now."
"For reals?" Lionel asked as he zipped over to take a look.
Cherry grabbed him by the shoulders. "For real reals." she told him.
"That's so AWESOME!" exclaimed Thor as he reached out to hug Cherry... but remembered to use restraint this time, and gave Cherry a lighter, less bone-crushing hug. "Congratulations, Cherry!"
"Thanks, guys." Cherry sniffled and beamed a bit.
"Cherry, you're crying," Thor noticed. "Did I squeeze too hard?" He then asked out of concern.
"No, it's okay, really," Cherry reassured him emotionally. "I just never thought this would be possible for me."
"Maybe you didn't," said Lionel as he kissed her on the cheek. "But we definitely did."
"Heh~" Cherry chuckled and looked relaxed then as she hugged The Avengers Grimm book before she whispered to herself. "Alice, wherever you and the other princesses are right now, I hope you're proud. I kept my promise to have your stories be told and heard for generations to come. The Avengers Grimm, Sinister Squad, and Looking Glass won't be in vain."
The rest of the Toon Force smiled as they looked happy for Cherry's new career as they soon got what they wanted from the gas station and soon continued to drive off back to Riverdale once peace was restored in Green Hills once again for their special friends.
Meanwhile, speaking of Green Hills, a baseball game was going on there. Sonia and Manic were seen as the announcers, Tails was the pitcher, Knuckles was the batter, Sonic was the plate catcher, and Tom and Maddie were the field catchers
"It's truly a beautiful day for baseball here in Green Hills," Manic started to say. "An exciting lineup today with the debut appearance of two new players! Isn't that right, Sonia?"
"It sure is, Manic!" Sonia agreed. "On the mound, rookie sensation from across the galaxy: Miles 'Tails' Prower facing off against the powerhouse: Knuckles the Echidna." she then informed their imaginary audience.
"I don't understand," Knuckles spoke up as he held the baseball bat out of confusion. "Why am I angry at the enemy ball?"
"You're not angry," Sonic reminded the echidna as he got into position. "You just want to hit it as hard as you can and then run around the bases."
"But if my quest ends where I am standing, why run at all?" Knuckles then asked.
"I can't with this guy. Why do I even try?" Sonic snarked to himself slightly.
"This is just a game. We're out here having fun." Maddie reminded him.
"Just having some fun." Tom added.
"Fun. Huh." Knuckles mumbled to himself.
"All right! Give him the heat, Tails!" Sonic then called out as he pounded his mitt eagerly.
"Hope you're ready for my fastball!" called Tails as he wound up.
Knuckles scoffed. "I was not ready before, but now I shall dishonor you and your so-called 'fastball'!"
From the outfield, the adults called them to order. "It's just a game, guys!" said Maddie as Tom coached. "Remember to keep your elbow up, Knuck! Eye on the ball and just give it a ride!"
"A ride to where?" Knuckles wondered. But he had no time to ponder. The next pitch was thrown. As it sped to the plate, the bat fell to the ground. And then... CRACK!
"WHOA!" Manic called. "It's up... and... IT'S OUTTA HERE!"
Knuckles punched the ball straight on, sending it soaring into the air. It rose far over Tom's and Maddie's heads, past the scoreboard, and into the parking lot of a restaurant two blocks east.
"No fair! That shouldn't count!" cried Tails.
"Victory is mine!" Knuckles shouted, and flexed as he ran around the diamond. "First base is also mine!"
"I think that was our last ball." Tom said as they ran in from the field.
"I have conquered the second of the bases!" boomed Knuckles as he continued on his way around the field.
"Heh, way to go, Knux." Manic chuckled.
Sonia rolled her eyes slightly but then smirked since Knuckles was having fun for the first time in his life without hurting someone.
"Knux? I think I like that." Knuckles remarked thoughtfully.
"Who wants ice cream?" Maddie soon asked their animal "children".
"Knocked the cover off that." Tom nodded.
"Ice cream!" The hedgehog triplets cheered together before pointing at each other. "Jinx! ...Double jinx. Triple jinx. Quadruple jinx-"
"Ice cream, yeah!" Tails cheered.
"I am having the fun!" Knuckles beamed before looking curious. "What is ice cream?" he then asked.
"It's a dessert," Sonia explained to him. "If you like fun, you're gonna love it."
"Yum. Dessert. Does it have grapes in it?" Knuckles then wondered.
"No, not usually." Sonic replied.
"You can have any kind you want though." Sonia added.
"I'm proud of our little guys." Tom said proudly.
"I really like their new friends, especially the red one," Maddie added. "He cracks me up."
Knuckles scooped Tails up and placed him on his shoulder. "Come on, fox. Our dessert adventure awaits!" he declared.
"Good job, guys," said Maddie, while Ozzie walked up to her; she bent down and petted the dog. "You too, baby. Let's go get some ice cream. Come on, come on."
It was a good ending for the game. Later, they'd go for ice cream, then stay up late for a movie. And then tomorrow, they'd do it all again. For once, it was a slow pace Sonic could be happy with, because he had his own crew to share the experience.
"I'm happy for you, pal," Tom said as they hung back on the walk to the truck. "You've finally got your perfect wingmen. These guys are the perfect friends to grow up with."
The two of them watched as Tails and Knuckles made their way to the truck.
"Come on, Knuckles!" said Tails.
Knuckles beamed. "Ah. My victory chariot!" he declared as he leapt into the truckbed, making the vehicle shake.
Sonic almost blushed. He still wondered, of course. What other threats would be out there? What shadowy figures wanted to upset the life these five were building? How long before they would be called to action again? But for the moment, none of that mattered. All that mattered was that he was here in the place he belonged, and with the people he belonged with.
"It's not just the crew that makes me happy," Sonic said. "It's everything we've got here... Dad."
Tom smiled, looking very touched and emotional at that. "Race you to the truck," he then smirked warmly. "One, two, three, go!" he then counted as he ran ahead of the blue hedgehog. "No, don't go easy on me. I want your best."
Sonic smirked as he zoomed past Tom and made a cool pose on the truck before sliding in with Manic, Sonia, Tails, and Knuckles with Tom and Maddie in the driver's seat.
"Sonic, I have just been told they have sprinkles." Knuckles soon said to the blue hedgehog.
"Ice cream and sprinkles?" Sonic remarked. "This is your new destiny."
Tom then started the car and they rode off together.
"What a perfect meal to celebrate my victory over you in base of ball." Knuckles smirked at Sonic and Tails.
"What?" remarked Tails.
Sonic scoffed. "I mean, you barely beat me." he clarified.
Knuckles just laughed. "Ha! You've never been beaten so hard." he retorted.
Left alone on the baseball field was a sports cooler with drinks and ice. Resting in the center of the cooler was the Master Emerald. In an instant, Sonic was next to the cooler. "Ooh! Can't forget this!" And in a blue blur, the cooler disappeared.
EPILOGUE:
Meanwhile, the GUN agents were cleaning up the wreckage of Robotnik's giant mecha.
"Agent, I want an update," said Walters, as he returned to the area.
"Still searching, sir," responded the agent he was addressing. "We haven't found any sign of Robotnik."
Walters smirked to himself. "No one could've survived that crash. He's toast. Good riddance; what a mess that lunatic made."
Unbeknownst to them, a masked GUN soldier was walking behind the pair; but when he pulled his mask down, it was revealed that he was Agent Stone in disguise.
"Sir, there's something else," explained the Mean Bean agent. "When we were wiping Robotnik off our database, we found something: a file buried deep in our system and dating back over 50 years."
Walters looked a bit curious. "What was it?" he asked.
"Coordinates, sir," replied the Mean Bean Agent.
"Coordinates? To what?" Walters prodded.
Elsewhere, within a hidden bunker, a red-and-black pod emerged from the floor amidst a mire of fog. And inside that pod was a red-and-black hedgehog.
"A secret research facility," The Mean Bean Agent explained. "It was a black site, sir. Someone worked very hard to keep this hidden."
"...my God..." Walters realized, his eyes widening. "...Project Shadow."
And within that pod, the hedgehog awakened, his eyes aflame with chaos energy.
GAME OVER.