Meanwhile, in the real world, Vector calls for a meeting with Espio and Charmy to discuss things regarding Sonic and the others in Sword Art Online.
Vector: Alright everybody! So Tails was able to get his hands on a couple of NerveGears, and he, Knuckles, and Ray were able to log in and convert a couple of accounts from Alfheim Online into SAO. Also, we got a bit of a problem.
Charmy: What kind of problem?
Vector: Robotnik. He's back. And it looks like he's hacking into SAO's system.
Espio: Hacking in? But that means... Is he trying to use the system to get rid of Sonic and the others?
Vector: Possibly. But he's already sent a couple of virtual badniks into the game. I'm not sure if he's changed anything to the system or not.
Espio: This is bad. It could bring damage not just to Sonic, but every player trapped in SAO. And Mighty...
The trio thinks back to when they gave Mighty a NerveGear as a present, and Vector looks down on the floor with a shameful look on his face. He begins to blame himself that their loyal companion Mighty was involved in the whole mess.
Vector: This is all my fault. I had the idea of giving Mighty that NerveGear on launch day, but I couldn't have been more blind. If I was smarter, he wouldn't have gotten stuck inside that death game.
Espio: I don't think you would have seen this coming anyway. In fact, nobody would have seen this coming.
Vector: Yeah. But still, if I didn't give him that NerveGear, things would have turned out differently.
Charmy: But Sonic ended up getting stuck in their since day 1 too. Didn't Tails let Sonic use the headset after he got it?
Vector: Well yeah. But it's not like he knew or anything.
Espio: Obviously not. But like you, he's been blaming himself for this. But if we want to be held accountable, then we need to help them. I'm sure Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Mighty, Ray, and Amy have made plenty of friends in that game, so we'll help them too.
Vector: Yeah. You're right about that, Espio. Let's help everybody out this time around, just like we planned.
Charmy: Yeah! I miss Sonic and Mighty! Tails, Knuckles, Ray, and Amy already got in, so we're going after them.
Espio: Right. But we'll have to dive in at a hospital so that someone will look after our bodies. Once we dive in, there's no going back until the game is done.
Vector: Well, we're already prepared. Plus I got three accounts transferred over from ALO with high stats, so we should be good.
Espio: Okay. When do we leave?
The crocodile looks at the chameleon and the kid bee, who are both ready to take off and dive into the game to look for Sonic and the others. Even though he blamed himself before, he was ready to take on Akihiko Kayaba's world.
Vector: Right now.
Later on, the trio arrives at the same hospital that Sonic and the others are diving in, and get into the rooms they booked. The doctor looks toward Vector, who gets ready to put the NerveGear on.
Doctor: Okay. The heart monitor and IV drip are all set. Are you sure you want to do this?
Vector: I'm positive. Espio and Charmy agreed to this as well. I got some friends to help out.
Doctor: Okay. Whenever you're ready, you can log in.
With that, the crocodile puts on the headset, turns it on, and lays down on the bed.
Vector: See you guys soon.
He takes a deep breath as he is about to dive into the virtual world. The death game created by Akihiko Kayaba.
Vector: Link start!
After saying those two words, his vision shows the white screen with the multi-colored bars zooming past him. Soon after that, the NerveGear runs some tests to activate the five senses. Finally, Vector logs in with the converted account from the game created using the exact same servers as SAO. Once everything was all set, he appears in the teleport gate plaza in Arc Sophia.
Vector: Well, I'm here. Hey that's weird. Why didn't I teleport in the first floor?
?: Hey Vector!
He looks to see the chameleon and bee approaching.
Espio: Good. You're all here.
Charmy: And in the flesh. Sooooo... What do we do now?
Vector: Well, since we're here, we might as well look around and ask some people if they've seen them.
Espio: I guess that's our only option. Let's split up and we'll reconvene back here if we don't find them. Let's add each other as friends so we can find each other and message if we got any luck.
Vector: Good idea. Let's go.
After adding each other as friends, they each take off in their own direction around town to look for Sonic, Mighty, and everyone else.
Vector: Let's hope we get any luck.
Meanwhile, at the inn, Kirito, Asuna, and their friends all have dinner together.
Sinon: I seem to be getting better now with my new skill.
Kirito: That's good. It's been a rough challenge, but I was able to get all of my sword skills back from grinding.
Asuna: Same goes for me.
Silica: And I've been working to make Pina stronger.
Lisbeth: I've been trying my hardest to get my smithing skills back. But they're still nowhere near perfect. At least I've been getting help around the shop from Tails. Jeez... And after working so hard on them...
Klein: Right? This whole error really took a toll on us. All these weird things kept happening to the game too.
Kirito: It is pretty weird. But once we beat the last 20 floors, we won't have to worry about anything.
Leafa: I gotta say. Ever since Floor 75 was beaten, things have been going at a very fast pace.
Agil: Sure has. But higher floors means harder bosses. So we gotta be careful.
Yui: I know you can do it! I believe in Mommy and Daddy, and I also believe in Sonic.
Strea: Yeah. Also, have you guys ever pet Tails before? His fur is very fluffy.
Lisbeth: Fluffy? Now that you mention that. I'm kind of curious.
Leafa: Same here! I wanna try and feel his fur!
Asuna: Umm... Guys... I think we shouldn't make him feel uncomfortable.
Strea: Aww... Okay...
The bell rings as someone comes through the door. Who happens to be a certain purple chameleon.
Espio: Alright. Let's see if I'll get any luck here.
He walks up to Agil by the bar to greet him.
Agil: Oh, welcome. Is there something I can help you with?
Espio: Yes. I'm looking for a certain blue hedgehog, orange two-tailed fox, red echidna, pink hedgehog, red armadillo, and yellow flying squirrel. Have you seen any of them?
This brings the attention of the dual-wielding swordsman sitting right by Asuna and Yui.
Agil: They're not here at the moment, but they should be back in a little while. I think they went out into the fields.
Espio: They live around here?
Agil: Sure do. They actually live upstairs in this inn.
Espio: That's perfect then. I better message the others.
He opens up his holo-window and messages Vector and Charmy the good news.
Kirito: Umm... Excuse me.
Espio: Hmm? Yes?
Kirito: You know Sonic the Hedgehog, right?
Espio: I do. And I also know Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Mighty, and Ray. We're all friends from the real world.
Kirito: I see. Well all of us are friends with them here. We actually fought alongside Sonic and Mighty ever since the start of the game.
Espio: You have?
Asuna: He's right. We've all become close friends with them for quite a while now.
Espio: That's perfect then. I'm Espio. Espio the Chameleon.
Kirito: My name's Kirito. This is Asuna and Yui.
Everybody else introduces themselves, and shortly after, the crocodile and bee of the Chaotix show up through the door.
Vector: Espio, you here?
The chameleon is seen sitting right by Kirito and Asuna.
Espio: I'm here.
Vector: There you are. So who are these people?
Charmy: Wow. There sure are a lot of pretty ladies here.
Strea: How sweet!
Espio: They know Sonic and the others. Everyone! This here is Vector the Crocodile and Charmy Bee. They're my teammates. Vector's the leader.
Kirito: Nice to meet you guys. I heard you know Sonic and Mighty in the real world.
Charmy: We sure do.
Vector: Well, any friend of Sonic and Mighty's is a friend of ours. So where are they right now?
Asuna: They should be coming back very soon. They went out to...
The Lightning Flash gets interrupted as the famous gang of six come bursting through the door with excitement.
Sonic: Hey guys! Guess what! My wish finally came true!
He shows them what looks to be a red guitar.
Klein: Woah! How did you get something like that?!
Tails: Pretty cool, huh?!
Mighty: Yeah. There was some rumor about this merchant who had this great deal with musical instruments.
Sonic: I honestly just couldn't resist. Huh?
Suddenly, the attention of the gang of six is drawn to the crocodile, chameleon, and bee in the room.
Ray: Is that who I think it is?
Amy: Oh my gosh!
Knuckles: No way! I don't believe it!
Mighty: Espio? Vector? And Charmy?
Vector: Haha!
Charmy: YEAH!
Vector lifts up Sonic, Mighty, and Knuckles, celebrating.
Vector: Look at you guys! You haven't changed at all these past two years!
Mighty: Guys. I... I can't believe you're here!
Tails: You came! You guys really came!
Ray: So you guys were able to get your hands on some NerveGears?
Vector: We sure are!
Espio: It's really good to see you all again.
The atmosphere brings a smile to everyone else in the room.
Lisbeth: Sure is an exciting reunion, right guys?
Kirito: Without a doubt. First it was Tails, Knuckles, Ray, and Amy, and now them.
After a couple of moments of celebrating the reunion, everybody has a seat with Kirito and the others for dinner.
Vector: Hey, uh... Listen Mighty...
Mighty: What's up?
Vector: It's kind of my fault that you're in this whole mess.
Mighty: Your fault?
Vector: I had the idea of giving you that headset as a gift on launch day. But honestly, I feel like I shouldn't even have done it.
Mighty: You're seriously thinking about that?
Tails: Actually, guys... I have something I wanna say too. It's my fault that Sonic is here. I let him try out the NerveGear first because he's my best friend. Because of that, he's been stuck here for two years. And... I...
The fox begins to shed tears.
Tails: I'm really sorry... I really am.
Asuna: Tails...
Vector: Aww man...
Everybody shows a sad look on their faces as they see the fox crying.
Lisbeth: And just like that, the atmosphere went from exciting to sad. What a disgrace.
Sinon: But then again, I understand how they feel.
But then, the fox's blue best friend rubs his head.
Sonic: You see, Mighty? We both knew this was gonna happen sooner or later.
Mighty: Yep. You're right about that.
Tails: W-What are you talking about?
Sonic: Guys, seriously. Come on now. Why are you blaming yourselves over something like this? Did you guys make this game?
Vector: Well, no.
Sonic: And did you guys know at first that it became a death game?
Tails: N-No...
Sonic: So it's not your fault that me and Mighty are here.
Knuckles: Sonic's right. It's Kayaba's fault. A game is supposed to be fun. It's not fun when people die for real.
Then, the human players step in to say something.
Leafa: I agree. Nobody deserves to suffer like they have the past two years. I missed my brother so much as I saw him wearing the headset and on the hospital bed.
Kirito: Many of us have family members in the real world worried and waiting for us to come home.
Asuna: There's nothing for you guys to feel ashamed of. Besides, I'm really glad that I met everybody here right now. Especially Kirito. And Sonic.
Strea: I'm really glad too! Sonic's really cute, and Tails is super cute and fluffy!
The hedgehog jumps out of his seat, while Vector and Charmy spit out their drinks, completely weirded out by what Strea just said.
Vector: The heck?!
Sonic: HEY! I'M NOT CUTE! I'M COOL!
Then, the fox's face turns red as the girl with lavender hair walks up to him.
Tails: W-Wait. What did you just say?
Strea: You're super cute and fluffy!
Silica: Uh oh. Tails is in trouble.
And of course, as Tails attempts to make an escape, Strea immediately takes the fox and holds him in his grasp, and then stroking his ears, causing him to blush and go on a HUUUUGE panic attack.
Tails: HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME!
Amy: This got bad really fast.
Klein: What a lucky fox.
Espio: Uh... It doesn't look like he's having a good time.
Lisbeth: Aww! I want to pet him too!
Sinon: Oh boy. He's really struggling.
Leafa: Poor Tails...
Kirito: Uh... Should we help him?
Tails: I LITERALLY JUST SAID HELP! SO HELP ME OUT HERE!
Strea: Aww Tails! There's no need to be so bashful. You're really cute!
Asuna: Strea! Please stop! You're making Tails uncomfortable.
Strea: Aww... Okay.
And so she lets go of the poor fox. Right after that, he spins his two tails, flies away, and then hided right behind Asuna.
Asuna: It's okay, Tails. She really adores you just like everybody else. Are you okay?
Tails: I'm fine. Thank you, Asuna.
Lisbeth: Can I pet him too?
Asuna: LIZ!
Lisbeth: YIKES! I'm joking! I'm joking!
Kirito: I am so sorry, Tails.
Just as Tails was close to crying, Sonic stood up to break the tension once again.
Sonic: Hey! Uh... Let's get my best friend here some desserts! Shall we?
Knuckles: Uh. Yeah! Let's do that! In fact, let's all get some desserts! Right, Vector?
Vector: Oh, uh... Sure! I'm not really that much into sweets, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some once in a while! Hahaha!
Mighty: I'm down for that!
Ray: Let's see what they got here!
Charmy: DESSERTS! YES!
Strea: Ooh! I'll have a strawberry cheesecake then!
Yui: I want a cake too!
Sinon: I guess I'll have a crepe.
Leafa: Oh! Me too!
Lisbeth: I'm really in the mood for a muffin.
Silica: I'll take a rasberry cake!
Pina: Skree!
Agil: Haha! Well, I just recently got some new desserts in the menu. Feel free to have a look.
As everybody orders their desserts, Kirito gives Sonic a big thumbs up.
Kirito: Nice going Sonic. World peace has been achieved inside this inn for the rest of the night.
Sonic: All in a days work, huh?
Tails: Thanks Sonic.
Sonic: No problem, pal.
Mighty: You did good, man.
Sonic: Praise me more.
Vector: Soooooo... How about giving us a status update on what's going on here?
Charmy: You also wanna hear about the new Black Friday deals?
Klein: COME ON! WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR LIKE 2 YEARS AND WE'VE COMPLETELY MISSED OUT ON THOSE!
Mighty: I KNOW RIGHT?! HOW MANY GAMES DID WE MISS OUT ON?! AND WHAT UPDATES DID WE MISS IN PSO2, OVERWATCH 2, AND ALL THOSE OTHER GAMES?!
Lisbeth: Oh my gosh! You guys are right! We've missed out on so much in the real world!
Sonic: Woah! Woah! Chill! Everybody chill! We'll get to those after! But Vector, it's kind of a long story, but we need you to tell us what's happening in the real world right now as well.
Vector: Well then I'll explain here first.