Sorry for the long wait for this, but it is here now. Oh yes, and I've been informed that I have spelt Sonna wrong for the entire story thus far, so I'm changing it to the correct spelling, Sonia. Hope that doesn't confuse you too much.
10. Families Reunited
Still confused and breathless, Miles "Tails" Prower bounced around in the turbulence behind Sonic. He should have been used to this, he thought, but it had been a while. So long in fact, that it reminded him of the first time Sonic had taken him for a run. So he tried to focus on not vomiting, and waited for the familiar bang of the sound barrier breaking.
It never came, and presently Sonic stopped.
"Gee pickle brain, you produce even more air resistance now then you used to," he said. Tails Blinked, and fell to the floor beside him. They were still handcuffed.
"You're not even slightly tired?" he asked, still trying to retain his lunch.
"Nope. Not now, not ever."
"And you're not trying to kill me?"
"Now what made you ever think that I would little bro?" Sonic said gently. "I'd never hurt you. Besides, what good is a dead hostage?"
Tails expression changed to a look of horror, till Sonic cracked and started laughing. The fox snorted.
"Always with the practical jokes, aye Sonic."
"Yep," Sonic chuckled. "Shame only Knuckles got it though. But he was never going to beat us, was he."
"Nope, he never could."
"Too slow you see." There was a pause.
"Sonic?"
"Yes."
"I… didn't really do anything to beat Knuckles, did I?"
"No, you didn't." Sonic paused for a moment. "Just like the old days."
"Oh of course," Tails replied cheekily, "next time I'll let you fall over that edge to your doom." Sonic laughed.
"Hey, I always gave you your fair share of the credit, but the media love their heroes."
"And their villains," Tails added. Sonic sighed.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "How bad is the publicity back on Mobious?"
"Pretty bad."
"No chance of a fair trial then," Sonic said. Tails sat up.
"If it means anything to you, I think you're innocent. So does Knuckles."
"Yes, that'll keep me warm inside as I swing from the gallows," Sonic said sadly. He thumped the ground beside him. Tails watched. Then he summoned up all his courage and spoke.
"Sonic, I think you should give your self up."
The hedgehog looked up. "Pardon! Even for you that's a bad plan!"
"No wait, hear me out."
"As if I've got much choice." Sonic gestured to the handcuffs.
"Listen. If you're running away, I'm stuck chasing you. But if you're awaiting trial, I can work on proving you're innocent! Perhaps by finding Nack. Anyway," he continued more gently, "what the point of spending you're entire life on the run?"
Sonic said nothing for a while. "I was fairly happy here," he said eventually.
"Those days are over Sonic. Sorry," Tails put a hand on Sonic's shoulder. Sonic nodded. Then he stood up.
"Okay, I'll give my self up," he said determinedly. "But I'll do it on my terms. You up for that?"
"Of course," said Tails happily, "I'm good at acting the helpless hostage role, I've had enough practice!"
Sonic sniggered. "Said that before I could," he laughed, and the pair of them shot off.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU BLOSSOM!" Buttercup had been going on like this for about ten minutes now. "HOW COLD YOU JEOPARDISE YOUR CHANCES OF BECOMING THE SSR'S LEADER FOR THAT JERK! DO YOU REALISE THAT ASSISTING A FUGATIVE IS ILLEGAL!"
"You don't have to shout Buttercup," Blossom looked her sister in the eyes, "I'm fully aware of what I did."
This seemed to fluster the Green Puff. "Why?" was all she could manage. Blossom shrugged. Buttercup let out an exasperated sigh and finally backed away, allowing Blossom to look at the others. Shadow was pacing impatiently, Sonia was lost in thought and a slightly battered Knuckles was continuously refusing Bubbles' offer of cups of tea.
"I'm fine!" he insisted again.
"But your shaking," Bubbles persisted, "a bit of caffeine will help." Blossom could have pointed out that it wouldn't, but she didn't have the energy. She was still in pain from her gunshot wound, and it was taking a lot out of her.
"What are we waiting for anyway!" snapped Knuckles. The phone rang. Shadow stopped pacing.
"That," he said, and he zipped over to the phone. "Hello, Sonic… Oh." He handed it to Blossom. Knuckles tuted furiously. Blossom spoke down the phone for a minute, and then called upstairs.
"EDDY, IT'S YOUR BROTHER!"
"I'M NOT IN!" was the reply.
"Has he been here all this time?" asked Bubbles.
Blossom nodded and took the phone upstairs. While she was gone, Knuckles' mobile went off.
"WHAT!" he barked. Everyone went silent. Knuckles listened. "Okay," he said eventually and he rung off. "Sonic's got Tails in an aircraft hanger, he's demanding a plane."
"Right!" Shadow said as Blossom returned, "Let's get going! Knuckles go and fetch the spaceship and fly it to the airport, the quicker we get him onto it, the shorter he's got to escape again! Me and Sonia will go and stake him out."
"What's going on?" asked Blossom.
"We've got him cornered," Buttercup said. Blossom paused.
"Get anyone we can spare down there," She said eventually, "We need to surround the entire building, and with someone that quick it's going to be tricky."
The airport was closed and the hanger surrounded. Shadow was pressed up against the door, with Blossom and Sonna.
"Everyone's in position," the pink hedgehog reported loyally yet slightly nervously. Shadow nodded.
"Okay, now we just wait for him to run."
"Wait," said Blossom calmly, "let me go in and talk to him. I might be able to persuade him to give himself up peacefully." Shadow stifled a laugh.
"No," he said after regaining his composer, "he might hurt Tails."
"Why?" said Sonia. "He's got nothing to gain from it, and my Dad wouldn't kill for fun!"
"And I'm no threat to him," Blossom said, pointing to the bandage across her shoulder. Shadow paused, and eventually nodded.
"What the hell," he said, "it might just flush him out!"
"Great," said Blossom. She opened the door a crack. "Come on Sonia," she said suddenly, and as quick as a flash, she'd dragged Sonic's daughter inside before Shadow could protest. The spring loaded door swung shut. Shadow thumped the wall once.
"I hope you know what you are doing Blossom," he said.
It was dark and dingy in the hanger. The huge hulks of silent aircraft loomed above them, parked in small puddles of oil. The smell of petrol hung in the muggy, still air, and the whole building creaked slightly. Blossom cleared her throat.
"Sonic, are you there?" No response. Blossom waved Sonia forward, and the two of them proceeded deeper into the hanger.
"Sonic, it's me, Blossom. I'm not here to hurt you." Still silence. Blossom waved for Sonia to stop in a shadowy area under a wing, and walked a semi-lit area in the very centre.
"Sonic?" she said again. Finally he emerged, with his hostage fox still restrained in the arm lock. Tails was pail and choking, Sonic smiling grimly.
"What do you want?" he said calmly. Blossom remained emotionless.
"I have someone to talk to you," she said, and she waved Sonia forward. Any malice in Sonic's face disappeared.
"Sonia?" he gasped.
"Dad?" she responded cautiously.
"Come here Sonia, Please?" Sonic said, but his daughter had stopped.
"I think if she knew that you weren't actually strangling me it would help," said Tails. Sonic blinked.
"Oh yes," he said, releasing Tails. Sonia now approached slowly. Sonic smiled slightly.
"Sonia, I'll sorry," he said, "I'm sorry for what happened with your mother. I'm sorry I haven't been here for you! Please forgive me. It can be different! I Promise."
Sonia blinked. "Did you love us?" she asked. "Me and Manic, did you?"
Sonic sighed. "Of course I do. Did. Do."
Sonia was shaking now. "Did you kill her?" she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
"No, but in a moment no one will know!" came a new voice. Blossom looked, but Sonic didn't. Dragging the surprised Tails, he surged forwards and smacked Sonia to the ground. A bullet whizzed past his head and perilously close to Tails. Blossom flicked her head round to try and see who'd fired, but as the three animals on the floor tried to untangle themselves, a gun suddenly clicked next to Sonic's head.
Later Blossom would be annoyed about letting herself be caught out. But now she was focused on one thing. The newcomer wore a flat brimmed hat and boots with spurs, and a utility belt crammed with weapons. He was covered in purple fur, and had one protruding spiked tooth. Blossom knew who it was, even though she'd never seen him. It was Nack the weasel.
Okay, there you go, sorry it's a bit short. Only one more chapter to go, so please review. Say anything. Thanks.