Sonic X: Season 3: Shuffle Edition
Midgame (pt. 2)
Soon, Dr. Eggman had parked his spaceship next to the Blue Typhoon and had gotten onboard with his crew to meet with Sonic and his gang. However, Shadow went alone since he was a little curious and suspicious of his rival's spaceship. There better not be any traps around here. Just because the Doctor decided that we should team up with our enemies, that doesn't mean that I trust them. Who's to say that someone is already planning to ambush me or set me up for a trap? I should keep my guard up. You never know when someone will trip you up. It could even be from someone you least expect. Someone like...Shadow brooded as he walked through one hallway while looking around curiously.
"Hey! Shadow! Over here! I got something for you!" Chris exclaimed in the distance as he ran behind Shadow to catch up to him. Shadow frowned deeply at this as he turned around and saw Chris running towards him.
...this dork for instance...Shadow brooded with an unamused look on his face.
"I have no need for gifts. Now go away," Shadow muttered calmly in a bored tone as he stood and frowned at Chris. Chris soon stopped running and stood in front of Shadow.
"But Shadow. It's important that you keep this. It's a very special gift. Here. Let me show you," Chris replied calmly with a smile as he grabbed the Inhibitor Rings from his pocket.
"I'm not interested into anything that involves your pants. Now, please leave or else I'll...Is that two bucks?" Shadow replied calmly with a deep frown before he looked confused when he looked down on the two rings in Chris' hand.
"What? No. These things are your Inhibitor Rings. One of them is the original while the other is a copy that I had made myself. I've made it after I found out that you're alive again. So, here. Take them. They're yours," Chris replied calmly with a smile and a headshake as he stared at Shadow.
"...Wait a minute...Is it flashback time?" Shadow muttered in shock as his eyes went wide and as his mouth gaped while staring intensely at the two rings.
"It is, Shadow. Let it all come back to you," Chris replied calmly with a knowing smile and a nod.
-Flashback Time-
"Hey, Chris. Look. I stole this ring from Shadow," Sonic said with a frown as he gave the ring to Chris.
"What?! You stole it?!" Chris exclaimed in shock and in sadness as he grabbed the ring and held it in his hands.
"Well, that's what he gets for stealing my identity and framing me for something I didn't do. Someone had to do it," Sonic replied casually with a frown and a shrug.
"But...But...(Sniff)...But what about the lesson, Sonic? The lesson of...forgiveness? (Sob Sob Sob)…" Chris muttered weakly in sadness as he sniffed and cried.
"Forgive what now?" Sonic asked in confusion.
"(Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!) Sonic! How could you be so insensitive?! (Sob! Sob! Sob!)" Chris exclaimed in sadness as he cried loudly.
"I don't know," Sonic replied casually with a frown and with another shrug.
"(Sob! Sob! Sob!) Shadow! Come back! (Sob! Sob! Sob!)" Chris cried in sadness as his tears went down his face and had dropped onto the ring.
-Flashback End-
"Uh. That wasn't how it went either," Chris muttered with a frown as he stared at Shadow.
"He stole my ring! That jerk!" Shadow yelled in anger as he gritted his teeth and furrowed his eyebrows. So, the Doctor was right after all! Sonic didn't respect me after I had supposedly died! Just what's his deal by lifting himself up as some kind of hero when I was the true hero in that scenario?! I had died to save a planet! And this is the thanks that I get?! Having my ring stolen by some fake hero?! Grrrrr! He's so lucky that I have a mission to fulfill right now because if I wasn't...then his butt would've been beaten hard by me...Shadow brooded with a grimace as he glared at the rings.
"Uhhh...R-Right...Anyways, these rings will keep your energy up while you fight. You won't feel tired at all while you wear them," Chris replied calmly yet awkwardly with a little frown as he noticed Shadow's disgruntled expression on his face.
"Good. Because I'm going to kick that fake hero's butt once I get a hold of him. He's going to feel sorry that he had stolen the glory from me. I'll make him pay," Shadow replied calmly yet darkly with a deep frown as he grabbed the rings from Chris and put them on his wrists.
"Wait. Huh? What fake hero are you talking about, Shadow?" Chris asked in confusion as he stared at Shadow in bewilderment.
"Hmph. Never mind. Now, if you excuse me, I'll be meeting with Rouge so that we will begin our mission," Shadow replied calmly with a frown as he turned around and walked away from Chris.
"Ah! Wait for me, Shadow! I'm coming with you!" Chris exclaimed in surprise as he ran towards Shadow again.
"Hmm? Why are you coming? Dr. Eggman had precisely stated that only Rouge and me are going since we're on his team. You are on the opposing team. So, go and join up with your own team," Shadow replied calmly with a frown as he stopped walking and stared back at Chris.
"But...But Shadow. Dr. Eggman and Sonic had agreed that we'd be working together. We may be on opposite sides, but we are going to help each other out and stop the Metarex's plans. And I've decided that I'm going to join you and Rouge and help you guys with the mission," Chris replied calmly with a frown as he stood behind Shadow again.
"And having you spy on us while coming up with a way to betray us? No way. Not a chance," Shadow replied calmly yet solemnly with a frown as he glared at Chris while clenching his fists.
"Wh-What?! You think that I'm going to do that?!" Chris exclaimed in shock as he looked alarmed while having his hands over his chest.
"Of course, I do. You're a spy, aren't you?" Shadow replied calmly yet solemnly with a deep frown and with intense eyes as he glared hard at Chris.
"...!" Chris gasped in shock at this surprising accusation. I hadn't even started my task into spying on them, and already I'm being found out by Shadow of all people. He's more intuitive than I thought. But anyways, I've got to think fast or else I'll blow my mission before it even began! Chris pondered with a frown as he looked worried while staring at Shadow with shaky eyes.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Shadow asked with a frown as he crossed his arms while staring at Chris accusingly.
"What?! Uh! Uh! No! No! That's...That's not it at all! I'm not a spy! Are you kidding me?! How can I possibly be a spy when I'm clearly...Uhhh..." Chris exclaimed in shock as he shook his head and shook his hands a lot before muttering awkwardly as he tried to come up with a lie. But do I really have to lie though? Couldn't I just say something that's true? …Ah! That's it! Chris pondered with a frown before he looked surprised when an idea came into his head.
"You're clearly wasting my time. Now spit it out before I make you spit it out," Shadow replied calmly yet irritably in annoyance as he frowned deeper at Chris.
"Okay! Okay! What I had meant to say was that...I'm...I'm clearly a kid," Chris replied calmly yet confidently with a smile as he crossed his arms.
"...And your point is?" Shadow asked calmly with a frown as he quirked an eyebrow at Chris after hearing that.
"My point is that how could I possibly be a spy if I'm just a lousy kid who doesn't know any better? Heck! I don't know what I am doing with my life right now by teaming up with you and Rouge! Or why I am doing any of this for that matter! I'm just...I'm just a kid who wants to be recognized by others and be of worth to somebody! In other words, I'm...I'm just your average, annoying kid who butts in when the hero is doing something very important. So how could I be a spy when I'm just an annoying brat who's causing the heroes more trouble than the villains? In fact, you can just take me away at this point, and I'll somehow cause Sonic and others trouble again. After all, I've been with you and Rouge once when we were all going to Space Colony Ark, and it could happen again except by going to the Metarex's fortress instead. So just take me! Please! Take me, and I'll make Sonic's day worse for him by messing up again. So, what do you say, Shadow? Do you want me to go with you so that I can sabotage Sonic and his friends' plans? That is something that Dr. Eggman would want to happen, right? Having me screw up so that Sonic and others will focus on me instead of the emeralds? You'll make him very happy if you do that, Shadow. I know that he will," Chris replied calmly with a smirk as he had his arms crossed while shrugging casually at times.
"..." Shadow was silent as he stared closely at Chris to see any signs of lying on his body language. But when he saw how confident Chris looks, he drops his guard a bit since he saw how serious and honest Chris is being right now.
"...Alright. Fine. You can come. If you can screw Sonic over with your mess ups, then you are welcome to join me and Rouge," Shadow replied calmly with a frown as he uncrossed his arms and put them down on his sides again.
"Yes! Thank you so much, Shadow! I'm grateful that-!" Chris exclaimed brightly with a grin as he uncrossed his arms too and had his fists up in determination.
"But don't get in our way. Like you had said so yourself, you're annoying. So, it would be very troubling for us if you mess us up with your antics. Understand?" Shadow interrupted quickly yet curtly with a frown as he narrowed his eyes at Chris in annoyance.
Chris frowned a lot in sheepishness as he replied awkwardly, "Uhh...Umm...R-Right...I understand, Shadow...I'll let you and Rouge do your thing while I stay out of it...".
"Good. Now, come along. We're wasting time standing here anyway. We need to start the mission now and fast," Shadow replied calmly with a frown as he turned around again and started walking.
"Got it. I'm coming," Chris replied calmly with a frown and a nod as he followed Shadow through the hallway and made a turn at the end of it. As Chris followed Shadow, he smiled a little in relief as he pondered calmly. I can't believe that worked. I guess it goes to show you that you can deceive others by being truthful as well. Take notes, Dr. Eggman. That is how you trick others. By simple diversion.
Soon, Shadow and Chris entered into Dr. Eggman's spaceship and went towards the transporter room. Rouge was standing in the center of the transporter while smiling smugly at Shadow and Chris.
"It's about time you showed up, Shadow. Did you really have to act as an inspector and search through Tails' spaceship for any booby traps? They're not going to get you, you know," Rouge said calmly with a smug smile as she has her hands on her hips.
"Hmph. You say that, but then again, you may never know when they will strike at us and break the truce," Shadow replied calmly yet dully with a solemn frown as he walked towards the transporter with Chris.
"Oh, Shadow. Do you really think that bunch of knuckleheads will betray us? I mean. Come on. You got Mr. Honest over there with you. If anyone can tell you that Sonic and his friends are up to something, he's the guy you go to for an answer. ...You will tell us, right?" Rouge replied calmly with a smug smile as she stared at Shadow before staring at Chris curiously.
"Uhh...Well...I guess that I can tell you since we're working together...Hmm..." Chris muttered awkwardly with a frown as he stared back at Rouge with anxiousness on his face. Is this really a good idea to tell them what we're up to? Sure, we're not planning to betray them per se, but we're not going to let these guys get away with deceiving us and using us like tools. I suppose a middle-of-the-road answer is the best one to say right now. Besides, it is an honest answer. Chris pondered calmly with a frown while looking a bit anxious.
"Well? I'm waiting," Rouge replied calmly yet coyly with a smirk and with narrowed eyelids as she stared at Chris curiously.
"Umm! Yeah! We're not going to betray you! We only interested in cooperating with each other until we all start competing each other for the emeralds. You know...the very plan that Dr. Eggman had suggested that we should follow through as a team...Heh...Y-Yeah..." Chris replied calmly yet awkwardly with a frown before smiling sheepishly at Rouge at the end as he rubbed the back of his head.
Rouge simply looked coy as she already noticed Chris' nervousness despite trying to be casual about it. Nice try, smooth operator. But you're not as sly as me. Of course, those guys are up to something. Who could blame them when they have to work with the Doctor here? Something is certainly up especially since this kid is coming with us apparently. I'm curious as to see what he's going to do while we're on our mission. Rouge pondered calmly with a coy smile as she looked confident.
"So, that's it then, huh? I figured. Your goody-two-shoes gang certainly love to play it safe and fair. Of course, you guys won't be the ones to betray us. Pigs will fly when you guys betray Dr. Eggman and us for once," Rouge replied calmly with a smile and shrug as she accepted the answer.
"Uhh...Heheheheh...Yeah, that'll be the day, won't it? Heheheheh...Mmm..." Chris muttered calmly yet awkwardly with a sheepish smile while chuckling nervously. I need to come up with more convincing answers if I'm ever going to elude Rouge. She used to be a spy for crying out loud! If anyone knows how to be sneaky, it's her! (Gulp)...This spying mission is going to be extra tough with her around. I better step up my game here or else I'll get caught red-handed! ...Again...Chris pondered calmly with a frown as he looked worried yet solemn as he stared at Rouge.
"Hmph. Enough chatter. Let's get this mission over with so that we could start searching for the emeralds," Shadow muttered calmly in a bored tone as he walked towards the transporter while frowning a lot.
"Umm...Right. Got it," Chris muttered weakly with a frown and a nod as he walked with Shadow towards the transporter.
"Oh, don't be that way, Shadow. We're just bonding a little as teammates. There's nothing wrong with getting closer to your teammates, you know. You can learn more about them if you keep talking with them," Rouge replied calmly with a smug smile as she watched Shadow and Chris step inside the transporter and push the red button to close it.
"Oh, please. As if we are actually teammates. We're basically rivals, and I'd prefer to know less about my rivals as much as possible. It's a waste of my time," Shadow replied calmly with an unamused frown as he stood at the center of the transporter while taking out the red Chaos Emerald.
"Heh. Well then, it looks like you got the short end of the stick on that one, kid. It doesn't seem that Shadow wants to know you better. Ironic, considering how much you wanted to know him the most when you had first met him," Rouge said calmly yet coyly with a smirk as she looked at Chris with a hand on her hip.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I know...(Sigh)…" Chris muttered quietly with a disappointed frown and a sigh as he stared at Shadow and not at Rouge. I shouldn't be surprised. Shadow isn't the friendliest person in the world here. He's still as solemn and aloof as ever. Of course, he wouldn't care about me. The only person he cares about is Maria, but since she's dead, he has no one to care about. ...But then again, he's still allowing me to go with him and Rouge. So, maybe...he had softened up a bit? Hmm...Maybe I'll find out as I spy on him. Chris pondered calmly with a frown before he smiled a little in hope as he stared at Shadow.
Shadow then held the red emerald in front of him as he muttered calmly, "Now watch as I do something cool again".
After saying that, the red Chaos Emerald glowed brightly and had enveloped Shadow, Rouge, and Chris within the bright red light. Then they had teleported using Chaos Control.
PING!
-Meanwhile With Sonic and the Others-
"Are you sure that you want to go with me, Cosmo? It would be much safer if you stay here with Tails and Cream," Amy said calmly with a frown as she, Cream, Cosmo, Sonic, and Knuckles are at the ship's hangar. Amy, Cream, and Cosmo were at the pink plane while Sonic and Knuckles were next to the X-Tornado.
"Yeah, Cosmo. You can stay safe with me. (Chao! Chao!)" Cream added brightly with a smile as Cheese agrees with her. She was still holding onto the board game in her arms as she spoke to Cosmo.
"I understand that you want me to stay safe, but I want to help too. I just..." Cosmo replied calmly with a frown and a headshake before she looked down to the floor as she added quietly, "...I just want to be brave. If Chris can volunteer to help, then so can I. Please let me join you, Amy...".
Cosmo then looked determined as she looked back up and had balled up her hands into fists as she yelled boldly, "I'm not going to stay here and be a coward anymore! I'm going to fight with you!".
Amy and Cream gasped in shock after hearing Cosmo boldly say that. Sonic and Knuckles also looked back at Cosmo in surprise after hearing Cosmo yell that. They all looked shocked as they stared at Cosmo. They would never have guessed that Cosmo would be so daring to confront the Metarex with them. They had assumed that she would stay in her own protective shell forever and refuse to fight back. But it seems that they were proven wrong, and they couldn't be any more happier than that.
"So, you want to come, do you?" Amy asked calmly with a proud smile on her determined face as she had her hands on her hips.
"Yes! Absolutely!" Cosmo exclaimed confidently with a solemn frown and a nod.
"Well, welcome aboard to Team Rose! We'll get those Chaos Emeralds first!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a huge grin as she grabbed Cosmo's hand and held it in her hands.
"Yes! Let's do it!" Cosmo exclaimed brightly with a huge smile.
"You go, girls! Do it for all of us here! (Chao! Chao!)" Cream exclaimed brightly with a huge smile and a nod as she stared at Amy and Cosmo. Cheese chirped happily with Cream to express his enthusiasm.
"Yeah! Hehehehehehe!" Amy and Cosmo exclaimed brightly with huge grins before giggling happily in excitement.
"Hmph...Well, would you look at that. She's coming into her own now. Admittedly, I'm...quite proud of her," Knuckles muttered calmly with a proud smile as he stared at Cosmo.
"You said it. It looks like our guide is going to become a player too. It's about time," Sonic agreed calmly with a proud smile too as he also stared at Cosmo. Knuckles nodded in agreement with that before he looked at Sonic with a smirk.
"Yeah, that's true. But we're not going to let the girls win because of that, right?" Knuckles replied teasingly with a smirk and a wink as he stared at Sonic.
"Heh. Of course not. They have to beat us fair and square if they want to win," Sonic replied calmly with a smirk as he looked at Knuckles.
"Hmph. It seems that we're on the same page for once. Alright then! Let's win this one for all the boys here! For Team Knuckles!" Knuckles replied calmly before excitedly as he grinned a lot and had a fist up while looking determined.
Sonic then lowered his eyelids halfway and smiled smugly as he corrected playfully, "It's 'Team Sonic', bro".
"No! It's Team Knuckles!" Knuckles yelled back with a frown as he looked annoyed and had his fist down.
"Okay. It can be 'Team Knuckles' then," Sonic replied casually with a smug smile and a shrug.
"I-! ...R-Really? Wow, you're being oddly generous toda-" Knuckles replied in surprise and in confusion as he stared at Sonic in bewilderment.
"But only if you get to be the pilot here. After all, only team captains get to fly the plane. So...can you fly the plane for me, Knuckles? You'd be a real sport if you can do that," Sonic replied calmly with a knowing grin as he stared at Knuckles.
Knuckles then gasped and gawked at Sonic after hearing him say that. Unfortunately for him, he has no idea on how to pilot a plane. He soon frowned a lot in annoyance as he brooded. Oh, you cheeky, little...Of course, you would throw that at me. You know that I don't fly planes, and you've been saving that for this moment, haven't you? Curse you, Sonic. You can never give me a break.
"Tch. Fine. It's Team Sonic then," Knuckles replied calmly yet tiredly with a frown as he crossed his arms and looked away from Sonic.
"I'd figured you give in, Knuckles. This is why I'm the captain," Sonic replied calmly with a bright grin as he pointed at himself with his thumb.
"...Screw you, Sonic. Screw you," Knuckles grumbled with a deep frown as he turned around and adjusted the X-Tornado a bit. Sonic smiled in amusement of that and had tuned the X-Tornado a bit too, but he had stared at Cosmo at times as he felt proud that she's going with them.
Tails would be so proud of you, Cosmo. If only he could be here right now...Sonic thought calmly with a bright smile.
"Hey! Sonic! Knuckles! I think that you should take these emeralds with you! It'll help you guys to fly faster!" Tails exclaimed brightly as he ran into the hangar while holding onto three Chaos Emeralds.
Heh! Talk about good timing! I can't wait to see the look on his face when I tell him the amazing news! Sonic thought in amusement as he smiled a lot at Tails while watching him run towards him and Knuckles. Tails soon stopped in front of Sonic and gave him the white and blue Chaos Emeralds.
"Good thinking, little buddy! I...Wait. Where are you going? I've got something to tell you!" Sonic replied brightly with a smile as he held the two emeralds in his hand before frowning a bit in confusion as he watched Tails run over to Amy, Cream, and Cosmo.
"In a minute, Sonic! I'm doing something important right now!" Tails exclaimed back with a frown as he ran towards Amy.
Sonic frowned sheepishly as he muttered calmly to himself, "Sheesh, you know it's bad when I want someone to slow down. For once, Tails is going too fast for me".
Tails soon gave Amy the green Chaos Emerald, and she beamed happily at him when she received it. She exclaimed brightly with a huge grin, "Tails! You're a genius! By giving us the Chaos Emerald, we can blow the competition away! Thanks for helping us win, Tails! Team Rose is going to be the winner here!".
"Huh? 'Team Rose'? But aren't you going by yourself? What's with the 'Team' part?" Tails asked in confusion as he stared at Amy with a puzzled look on his face.
"It's because Cosmo is going with me! We're a team now!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a grin as she looked at Cosmo next.
"What?! Cosmo?! You're going too?!" Tails exclaimed in shock as he turned around to look at Cosmo while panicking a lot as he waved his arms a lot.
"Oh! Tails! I...Uh..." Cosmo exclaimed in surprise before muttering in awkwardness as she turned her head around and stared at Tails in embarrassment.
"Aww man. I wanted to be the one to tell him about it," Sonic muttered calmly in disappointment as he pouted while having his arms crossed as he stared at Tails, Amy, Cream, and Cosmo.
"Heh. But it looks like Amy stole that opportunity from you," Knuckles commented calmly in amusement as he smirked and had his arms crossed too while looking at Sonic.
"...Yeah...Like an unwittingly thief," Sonic muttered in annoyance as he frowned at that. I guess I'm not having my fun now. Thanks a lot, Amy. Sonic brooded in annoyance with a frown.
"Now you know how I feel," Knuckles replied calmly with a smirk and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back at Tails, Amy, Cream, and Cosmo.
"Are you serious, Cosmo? You're going out there and confront the Metarex? Why? What made you want to do this?" Tails asked in shock and in bewilderment as he walked slowly towards Cosmo.
"W-Well, you see, Tails...I...I..." Cosmo muttered awkwardly in embarrassment before she closed her eyes and exclaimed confidently yet boldly, "...I just wanted to be brave!".
"...! C-Cosmo...I..." Tails muttered in surprise after gasping in shock. He stood close to Cosmo while staring at her in shock.
Cosmo frowned sadly as she opened her eyes and stared down at the floor in embarrassment. She replied calmly yet quietly with a frown, "Tails...I need to do this. I need to face my fears myself. You were right, Tails. I have to deal with my problems head-on. I can't keep running away from them forever. At some point, there will be a time where I can't run away or hide from my problems, and if I don't start facing them now, then I won't be prepared when those problems overtake me or any of you here...".
"..." Tails was speechless as he listened to Cosmo's bold speech.
"...I know how much you and the others want me to be safe, but I can't just let you guys get rid of the problems for me. You guys need help, and as your guide, I must do my part and help you guys win the game!" Cosmo continued calmly yet more boldly as she looked up at Tails with a determined look on her face.
"..." Tails was still silent as he gawked at Cosmo in shock. Amy and Cream were smiling calmly at her as they were proud that she's still serious about this choice.
Cosmo then smiled a little as she continued calmly, "I understand that you don't want me to go, Tails, but I have to leave since it's for a good cause. If I can somehow help you guys win the game, then I'll do whatever it takes to get you guys to win".
"C-Cosmo...I...Uh..." Tails muttered awkwardly with a stunned look on his face as he saw how determined and bold Cosmo looks right now.
"So, you can't stop me, Tails! No matter how much you plead to me to not go, I'll go anyway! I'm finally going to take my role seriously this time! As long as Amy is with me, I'll be safe and sound! Go Team Rose!" Cosmo finished brightly with a determined grin on her face as she had her fist up.
"Yeah! Go team! We got this race in the bag!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a huge grin as she had her fists up too while standing next to Tails.
"Yeah, Tails! Believe in Cosmo and Miss Amy! They can handle it no problem!" Cream exclaimed brightly with a smile as she stared at Tails. Tails was still stunned by this. He looked at Cream, Cosmo, and Amy to see how determined and serious they are with this. He then looked at Sonic and Knuckles and was surprised when he saw them smiling proudly yet confidently at him and Cosmo.
Sonic then gave Tails a thumbs-up as he encouraged brightly with a smile, "Cream is right, Tails. Just trust in Cosmo. If she wants to do it, then you should let her do it. Besides, we'll look after her if something bad happens. So, relax, Tails. We got this under control".
Tails stared at Sonic with a stunned look on his face. He then looked back at Cosmo and smiled a little at her in sheepishness. I really can't believe it. Cosmo is truly becoming brave right before my eyes. I'm...I'm so proud of her. She really did take what I had taught her to heart. I'm positive that someday she'll become the bravest hero ever. I just know it...Tails pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile on his face.
"Cosmo..." Tails muttered gently with a warm look on his face.
"Yes, Tails?" Cosmo asked gently with a sweet smile. Tails then quickly walked towards Cosmo and embraced her tightly in his arms. Cosmo gasped in surprise of this before smiling warmly as she hugged Tails back.
"...I knew that you could do it, Cosmo. I knew that you could overcome your problems by facing them. It may have taken a while, but...you have finally taken the steps to do it. I'm proud of you, Cosmo, and you are welcome to join with Amy on this mission," Tails muttered gently with a warm smile and with closed eyes as he held Cosmo tightly in his arms.
"Really?! I am?!" Cosmo exclaimed excitedly with a huge grin as she stared at Tails.
"You are, Cosmo. Just...Just please stay safe. Do it for my sake, okay?" Tails replied gently with a smile before he frowned a little in concern as he opened his eyes and stared at Cosmo again.
Cosmo smiled gently at Tails as she rubbed his back in comfort. She then answered gently, "...I'll stay safe, Tails. I'll do it for you".
"Thanks, Cosmo. That means a lot to me," Tails replied gently with a smile as he pulled a bit back from Cosmo and stared at her face. Cosmo beamed sweetly at him as she stared back at his face while holding him tightly in her arms. They both looked happy as they stared at each other in fondness, and the others were smiling gently at the two as they were glad that they're seeing the two of them being happy together. The moment was so peaceful and sweet that it would be a shame to ruin it.
However, moments are meant to be ruined when you have this guy involved.
"Awww, am I interrupting something? Well, too bad! I am, and I will interrupt it!" Dr. Eggman said calmly yet playfully with a smug grin as he stood at the entrance of the hangar with Decoe and Bocue behind him.
"The Doctor sure knows how to ruin moments," Decoe commented casually with a shrug.
"And he loves to turn good moments into bad. It's his specialty!" Bocue added in amusement as he shrugged too.
Everyone gasped and had turned their heads around to look at Dr. Eggman, Decoe, and Bocue. Tails frowned deeply at this as he yelled in frustration, "Ugh! Can't you guys just show up five minutes later?! It's not like we're in a rush or anything!".
"Sorry, fox boy. But the plot demands that we show up right here right now. Save the romance for later, kid. Cause it's Dr. Eggman time!" Dr. Eggman replied casually with a devious grin as he, Decoe, and Bocue walked into the hangar and got closer to the middle of it.
"Make way for the Master of Disaster over here," Decoe added calmly yet brightly as he walked behind Dr. Eggman.
"Yeah, he's going to wreck you like a hurricane," Bocue added calmly yet brightly while also walking behind Dr. Eggman.
"Hey, you two robots! Stop being lame and leave Dr. Eggman! You guys can do better than being with him!" Cream exclaimed with a frown as she stared at the advancing trio while still holding onto the board game.
"We can't! We're legally obligated to stay with him until he builds two, new sidekicks!" Decoe exclaimed back with shrug as he stared at Cream.
"Yeah, it's in our contract," Bocue added while staring at Cream too.
"But I thought that you guys had quit working with Dr. Eggman! What happened to that?!" Cream yelled back with a frown as she looked angry.
"Yeah, come to think of it, we had never gotten an explanation as to why you guys went back to Dr. Eggman. Just why did you do that? You could've stayed with us and become good robots," Tails added calmly with a frown while looking curious as he slowly lets go of Cosmo and turned around to face the trio fully.
"Like we had said, we can't. Even if we wanted to," Decoe replied calmly with an annoyed look on his face as he shrugged again while standing in the middle of the hangar with Dr. Eggman and Bocue.
"Exactly. That's what contracts are, fox boy. You aren't meant to leave the ones you are obligated with. It's like marriage. 'Til death do you part'. Except for us robots, it's 'til dismantled do you part'," Bocue added calmly with an annoyed look too as he also shrugged.
"And that's precisely why they came back to me. No matter how horrible I treat my robots, they'll always come crawling back to me whether they like it or not. That's true loyalty right there, ladies and gentlemen," Dr. Eggman added calmly with a smile as he patted Decoe's and Bocue's shoulders before holding onto them.
"...That's...That's not healthy," Amy muttered weakly with an awkward frown as she felt sympathy for Decoe and Bocue.
"Yeah...That's rather miserable," Tails agreed weakly with a sympathetic frown as he felt pitiful for Decoe and Bocue.
"It may be miserable, but what can you do?" Decoe replied calmly with lowered eyelids and a casual shrug.
"You just have to deal with the misery that comes with being a robot slave," Bocue added calmly with lowered eyelids and a casual shrug.
"It may seem miserable and abnormal to you, but then again, none of you kids have ever been married yet. So, you wouldn't understand the lives that my robots and I go through everyday are actually normal," Dr. Eggman added calmly with a smile as he stared at the group.
"So, what you're saying here is that...marriage is...miserable?" Cosmo asked calmly yet slowly with a sad frown on her face as she stared at Dr. Eggman.
"Well, if you look at the nitty-gritty of it, then it's mostly a 'yes'. After the honeymoon phase wears off, then is the time where the problems usually arise from the relationship. It's very rare that you can be in the 'honeymoon phase' for throughout the marriage without having too many difficulties with your partner. But since you're living in reality, then that rarity is equivalent to a fairy-tale," Dr. Eggman answered calmly with a smile and a casual shrug.
Sonic looked confused and concerned as he slowly pointed at Dr. Eggman while saying, "...You sound as if you had experienced marriage before...Please tell me that I'm wrong...".
Dr. Eggman looked at Sonic and smirked at him as he replied casually, "Well, jokes on you, Sonic. I did had experience with marriage before thank you very much, and yes, it was with a beautiful woman too".
"...Okay. You're lying, aren't you? Just how could anybody be attracted to you? Haven't you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You're certainly not the hot stud of attractiveness here. The only thing that could be attracted to you is an egg. A literal chicken egg," Sonic replied calmly with a frown and with half-lidded eyes as he looked annoyed while shrugging.
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Does your puny brain not know the meaning of time here? I wasn't like this all the time throughout my youth. In fact, I used to be a skinny man with a heart of gold. Yes, that's right. Before I was the evilest, maddest doctor of Mobius, I was the kindest, sanest doctor you could ever meet," Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a smirk while shaking his head and "tsking" a bit at Sonic.
"So how did you end up like this?" Sonic asked in confusion as he frowned and shrugged again.
"One word, hedgehog. Divorce," Dr. Eggman answered calmly with an evil smile.
"O-Oh..." Cosmo muttered quietly with a sad frown as she looked down and folded her hands. Sonic and the others aside from Knuckles cringed when they saw Cosmo looking sad again. Tails gently held Cosmo's shoulder and squeezed it in comfort. Meanwhile, Sonic grimaced and glared at Dr. Eggman as he brooded. Thanks a lot, Eggbutt. You really couldn't sugarcoat it, can't ya?
"You know, Eggman, you could've just lied and said that you were nuts for the Chaos Emeralds. That would've been the only time that I don't mind you lying," Sonic replied calmly with a grimace as he glared at Dr. Eggman.
"Huh? What? Why? What good would that do if he lied?" Knuckles asked in confusion as he stared at Sonic with wide eyes on his puzzled face.
"Simple, Knuckles. Because he wouldn't have made a little girl sad. That's why," Sonic replied calmly yet solemnly with a frown as he held the back of Knuckles' head and turned it to make him look at Cosmo. Knuckles was confused when Sonic did that, but when he saw the depressed look on Cosmo's face, he slowly put two-and-two together and gasped in surprise.
"...! ...O-Oh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a little frown and a gasp. Well...this is awkward...Knuckles thought in awkwardness and in sympathy as he frowned at Cosmo.
"Aww, did I touch a nerve around here? Well, toughen up, kiddos. Reality isn't as kind or as fantastical as you once thought. It's cold and heartless. Just like me," Dr. Eggman said calmly yet gleefully with a devious smile as he looked at the group on both sides. Everyone then sobered up and glared hard at Dr. Eggman after that.
"Anyways, just what are you doing here, Eggman?! The race won't start until Shadow, Rouge, and Chris finish taking down the Metarex's defenses first! Besides, you shouldn't even be here at all! Get your own hangar to hang out at!" Tails exclaimed solemnly with a frown as he glared at Dr. Eggman while holding Cosmo with his right arm.
"Really, Tails? Did you have to make a bad pun?" Amy asked calmly with an annoyed look on her face as she glanced at Tails.
"Uhh...Sorry. I didn't realize it after I had said it," Tails apologized quietly with a sheepish look on his face as he glanced at Amy before looking solemn again as he stared back at Dr. Eggman.
"Aww, come now, Tails. Where's your sense of sportsmanship? I'm just here to see what you're up to and want to wish you guys good luck before the race starts. Is that an evil thing to do? Hmm? Is it?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet coyly with a devious smile as he walked towards the group and looked down at Amy in particular.
"It might not be evil, but you're still not trustworthy!" Amy exclaimed back with a frown as she glared at Dr. Eggman while hiding the Chaos Emerald behind her back.
"Sheesh, show some forgiveness for Pete's sake! I'm not doing anything right now! I'm...Hmm...Hey..." Dr. Eggman exclaimed back in defense as he had his hands up in mock surrender before muttering a little in curiosity as he saw Cream holding the board game in her arms. He turned to his left and walked over to Cream and smiled gently at her. Meanwhile, Amy, Tails, and Cream glared at him in suspicion while Cosmo stared at him in worry. Sonic and Knuckles stared at Dr. Eggman too with suspicion in their eyes and had silently decided together to get a little closer towards him just to protect Cream.
"Grrr...Back off, Dr. Eggman...(Chao! Chao!)" Cream muttered solemnly with a frown as she growled a little in defensiveness. Cheese chirped angrily while looking solemn too as he stayed close to Cream.
"Oh, don't mind me, Cream. I'm just curious as to what you're holding in your arms. It looks rather intriguing to me. Just what is it?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a gentle yet sly smile as he stared down at the board game in Cream's arms.
"It's none of your business!" Cream yelled back in frustration as she frowned deeply at Dr. Eggman.
"Oh! My, my! I didn't expect that the little, polite, Cream would be so rude to me! Just what would your mother say if she heard you talking back to me like this? All I did was ask a question. I didn't deserve this kind of cold treatment from you, Cream. I'm rather sad," Dr. Eggman replied in mock surprise and in mock sadness as he pretended to look surprised and upset while holding his chest with his hands.
"Can it with the act, Dr. Eggman! You aren't fooling me! I won't tell you anything about the board game! I...Oops..." Cream exclaimed back with a frown before she muttered awkwardly and looked down to the floor in embarrassment after realizing that she made a slip-up.
"Oh, so it's a board game, huh? So, what's it about? And how do you play it?" Dr. Eggman asked curiously with a grin as his eyebrows were raised a bit.
"I'm still not telling you anything about it! My lips are sealed! Hmph!" Cream exclaimed back with a pout as she looked back up and glared at Dr. Eggman while holding the board game more tightly in her arms.
"Cream, I don't think that there's anything wrong with telling him about the board game. He's only interested into getting the Chaos Emeralds. Not the board game itself," Cosmo replied calmly with a little frown as she looked at Cream while holding onto Tails' right arm.
"But...But Cosmo! He could pull a nasty trick on us and go after the board game instead!" Cream exclaimed back with a worried frown on her face as she looked at Cosmo.
"Now, why would I want to do that? The green plant girl is right, Cream. I'm not after the board game. I'm just curious as to what it's about. That's all. No harm no foul, right?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a sheepish smile and a shrug.
"'No harm no foul', huh? You better keep your word, Eggbreath. Or else you'll be sorry," Sonic replied calmly with a frown.
Dr. Eggman flinched a bit when he heard Sonic say that and had quickly turned his head around to look at Sonic and Knuckles. He can see that the two of them are frowning solemnly while having their arms crossed as they stared back up at him in suspicion. Dr. Eggman smiled calmly in amusement when he saw that he had also captured their attention along with the others. Perfect! I've captured their attention! Now, it's time for my "magic" act! Hahahahahaha! Dr. Eggman pondered calmly yet gleefully as he saw that Decoe and Bocue are slowly inching towards the X-Tornado in a casual manner to avoid being noticed.
"Oh, don't worry, Sonic. I promise that no harm will come with me learning about the board game. Anyways..." Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a smile before he looked back at the board game and rubbed his hands a little as he added, "...why don't you show me how you play this game? I'm curious to see on how this game goes...".
Cream glared back at Dr. Eggman with a frown before sighing a little as she replied calmly, "...(Sigh)...Alright. Fine. I'll show you how to play...".
"Splendid! See that, Tails? Now, that's how you show sportsmanship!" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet cheerfully with a grin as he clapped his hands a bit while looking a Tails for a moment before back at Cream.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it...Hmph..." Tails muttered tiredly with a frown while still glaring at Dr. Eggman.
Cream soon held the board game with one hand and had opened the game again. Dr. Eggman was already intrigued when he saw five, colored spaceships throughout the board game. He then pointed at the peach-colored spaceship and asked in a gleeful tone, "Ooooh! Can I be the peach spaceship?!".
"No! You can't! That's my spaceship!" Cream objected immediately with an angry look on her face.
"Oh, well, I see. Hmm...Then how about the pink one?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a sly smile as he pointed to the pink spaceship.
"No way! That's my spaceship! Get your own pink spaceship!" Amy objected with a deep frown and a glare as she put her arms in front of her in frustration.
"But...there aren't any more pink spaceships here," Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet sadly with a frown as he looked at Amy.
"Exactly! There's none for you!" Amy yelled back in frustration while glaring hard at Dr. Eggman.
"Oooh...Okay," Dr. Eggman muttered weakly in a sad tone of voice as he looked back at the board game with a sad frown on his face. Sonic and Knuckles stared at each other for a bit before they shrugged and went closer towards Dr. Eggman and Cream. They stood next to them while staring down at the board game as well.
"So...uhh...What about the orange space-?" Dr. Eggman asked curiously with a frown as he pointed at the orange spaceship.
"Out of the question!" Tails objected quickly with a deep frown as he glared at Dr. Eggman.
"Oh...I see...Hmm...This blue spaceship looks cool. Can I be that one instead?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly with a frown before he smiled a little as he pointed towards the blue spaceship.
"Keep dreaming, Egghead. That one's mine," Sonic replied calmly yet coyly with a smirk and with lowered eyelids as he crossed his arms again while looking up at Dr. Eggman.
"Hmph...Of course, it is. What was I thinking? Anything that involves blue will immediately be associated with you, and I almost plagued myself by associating with your natural blue color," Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet dully with a frown as he looked at Sonic.
"Hey, don't be dissing on my color, man. It's the coolest color ever! Heh. Even you admit that it's cool, Eggman. Think that you might like me a little more now because of that?" Sonic replied calmly yet casually with a smirk and a shrug.
"...Keep dreaming, rodent. I'll hate you until the end of time," Dr. Eggman replied calmly in annoyance as he frowned deeper at Sonic.
Sonic shrugged again at that as he replied brightly with a smirk, "Heh! Don't have a problem with that!".
Dr. Eggman growled a little before looking back at the board game in curiosity. Well...If I can't be any of these colors, then the only one that's left is...Dr. Eggman pondered calmly with a frown before he pointed at the red spaceship and had opened his mouth. However, before he could mutter a word, Knuckles cut in first.
"If you're going to ask if the red one is free, then don't bother. That red spaceship is mine whether I like it or not," Knuckles muttered calmly yet tiredly with a solemn frown and with lowered eyelids as he stared at Dr. Eggman in annoyance.
"Uhh...Don't you mean 'whether you like it or not'?" Dr. Eggman asked calmly yet curiously as he stared at Knuckles in confusion.
Knuckles narrowed his eyes as he replied lowly with a grimace, "I meant what I had said".
"...Oh...Well then...I guess that I'm out of luck...Hmm..." Dr. Eggman muttered calmly yet awkwardly with a frown as he looked back at the board game while scratching his chin with his finger as he pretended to think. While Dr. Eggman is keeping Sonic and his friends distracted, Decoe and Bocue had finally snuck underneath the X-Tornado and began working on planting the trap.
"...Aren't there any more spaceships that I can play as?" Dr. Eggman asked calmly yet coyly with a curious look on his face.
"No! There aren't! All of us are playing the game!" Everyone besides Cosmo yelled in frustration as they glared at Dr. Eggman.
"Seriously?! All of you are playing it?! Aww man! Why can't there be at least six or seven players?! That would have been a lot more interesting if the game could supply more players!" Dr. Eggman exclaimed in shock and in disappointment as he frowned a lot while clenching his fists a bit.
Before Tails or Cream could speak up, Cosmo then spoken up while having a calm look on her face, "The game is only limited to having five players. It's just how it is from the start. Besides, if there were more players, then the game would take too long to finish. I'm sorry if you find the lack of spaceships problematic but trust me when I say that this isn't the kind of game that you would want to play. I'd advise you to stay far away from this game as much as possible".
"Oh? And why is that, little lady?" Dr. Eggman asked calmly yet coyly with a sly smile as he stared at Cosmo with intrigue. While he said that, Decoe and Bocue had finished setting up the trap and had snuck carefully away from the X-Tornado.
"It's because the board game is cursed. That game is responsible for setting the Metarex free. That game is the reason why the Metarex had started hunting us down, and if you are a player of that game, then you have the chance to die to the poachers if they catch you. It's not a fun game at all," Cosmo answered calmly yet solemnly with a sad frown as she held her hand on her chest while staring up at Dr. Eggman.
"Hmm...I see. So that means all of you are screwed, right?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet gleefully with a smirk as he looked at the group fully.
"..." Everyone was silent as they glared at Dr. Eggman after that heartless comment.
Dr. Eggman then raised his hands up as he replied calmly yet brightly with a grin, "Well then! It's a good thing that I'm not playing then! Sounds way too risky for my blood! I'm so glad that I am uninvolved with this!".
"Eh...Not necessarily, Egghead. You are a part of the game whether you like it or not. You're just not aware of it," Sonic replied calmly yet coyly with a smirk and a shrug.
"H-Huh? Just what are you talking about?" Dr. Eggman asked in confusion as he looked at Sonic with a baffled look on his face.
"Cosmo, explain it for the poor doctor here as to why that's the case," Sonic commanded calmly with a smile as he rubbed his nose in a cocky way.
"Uhh...Right. You see, Dr. Eggman, the board game is a very powerful, mystical entity that none of us could explain. It is so powerful that it could send non-playable characters into the game and be a part of the players' gaming experience. Since Tails, Amy, Cream, Sonic, and Knuckles are playing, they can make rolls that involve teleporting people across space and time and arrive at their location. In fact, just a while ago, Amy made a roll that involve you coming here with us and having the Metarex fortress appear before us. That's why this whole teaming up thing is happening. The riddle from Amy's card is coming true as we speak," Cosmo explained calmly with a frown as she nodded to Sonic before looking up at Dr. Eggman again.
"What?! Really?! That's why I'm here?!" Dr. Eggman asked in shock as he looked genuinely alarmed.
"Unfortunately, yes," Cosmo answered calmly with a frown and a nod.
"Grrrr...This is all your fault, Sonic! How dare you drag me into your little game! I didn't want to be a part of this!" Dr. Eggman yelled in anger with a growl as he pointed at Sonic accusingly.
"The feeling is mutual, Eggman. The feeling is freaking mutual," Knuckles muttered dully in agreement as he stared at Sonic with narrowed eyes and with crossed arms. It's always Sonic's fault that bad things happen to us. He's just a magnet for trouble. Knuckles brooded with a frown as he looked annoyed.
"Oh, don't be a crybaby about it. Like you had said, where's the sportsmanship? I've invited you into our little game, and it would be nice if you were a good sport about it," Sonic replied calmly yet coyly with a smirk as he looked a bit amused.
"But I didn't ask to be invited! You dragged me here!" Dr. Eggman exclaimed back with a frown while still looking angry.
"But didn't you leave since you realized that the Chaos Emeralds are in space now?" Sonic asked calmly yet coyly with a knowing smile and with lowered eyelids.
"Uhh...Well...Yes. But that's beside the point! I only wanted to search for the emeralds! I didn't ask to fight some space poachers or whatever and fend for my life! That wasn't part of my plan!" Dr. Eggman muttered awkwardly with a frown before he yelled again in frustration.
"Yeah, but that's life for ya. Your best laid plans get foiled by luck and fate. You can't stop it or control it," Sonic replied calmly yet casually with a smirk and a shrug.
"But Mr. Sonic. You had said countless times that we could manipulate luck by playing the board game at any time. So, doesn't that mean that we can control luck?" Cream replied calmly yet curiously with a frown as she looked at Sonic.
Sonic then looked awkward as he frowned sheepishly while sweat went down from his head. Aw crud. I just had to flap my big mouth, didn't I? Ugh...Sonic brooded with a sheepish frown while scratching his head in awkwardness. Dr. Eggman looked intrigued when he had heard this and had smiled mischievously at Cream.
"Oh, really now? Then would it be possible to turn my bad situation into a good situation by making me uninvolved with your game? Can you do that?" Dr. Eggman asked calmly yet coyly with a mischievous smile as he looked down at Cream.
Cream frowned a little at Dr. Eggman but soon smiled brightly as she answered calmly, "Well, it would be nice if you weren't bothering us anymore. So, sure! I'll try it out! After all, it's my turn now!".
"Oh, that would be wonderful! A calm and peaceful trek in space without some poachers bothering me...or you rodents for that matter. So, go on ahead, Cream! Be my guest and take your turn!" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet brightly with a grin as he looked relived and excited.
"Okay! I will!" Cream exclaimed brightly with a smile as she looked down at the board game and pressed the red button. The roulette wheel started to spin after the button was pressed. The others looked at each other and shrugged a little before staring down at the board game too. As they were all concentrating onto the board game, Decoe and Bocue quietly snuck behind the group and placed the trap underneath Amy's plane. Soon enough, the roulette wheel stopped spinning and had landed on a certain number.
"Ah! An eight! Look, Miss Amy! I'm right behind you!" Cream exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile as she stared at her spaceship moving towards space 38 before looking at Amy.
"Teehee! Well, look at you, Cream! You're gaining up to Sonic and me!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a huge smile and a giggle as she clasped her hands together.
"Indeed. You are now in third place, Cream. As of right now, Sonic is first; Amy is second; Tails is fourth; and Knuckles is last," Cosmo added calmly with a little smile and a nod as she stared at Cream.
"Pfft...How sad," Sonic replied calmly in amusement as he grinned a lot at that while looking at Knuckles with his arms crossed and with his eyelids lowered halfway in smugness.
Knuckles looked at Sonic with a deep frown and with narrowed eyes as he muttered in annoyance, "...Shut it...".
KACHING!
Everyone soon focused back onto the board game when they heard the chime of the card popping out of the slot. Dr. Eggman looked curious and confused when he saw the white card coming out of the slot.
"What is that card, Cream? And why did it come out of the board game suddenly?" Dr. Eggman asked curiously with a frown as he watched Cream take card out of its slot.
"It's a riddle, Dr. Eggman. Each of these cards have one. It's a part of the board game," Cream answered calmly with a little frown as she looked up at Dr. Eggman while holding the card in her hand.
"Wait. Huh?" Dr. Eggman muttered in confusion as he looked lost.
"Every time a player makes his or her turn, a card will pop out of the game. These cards detail each game event in the form of riddles, and after the player reads the riddle, the game event will soon come true. When this happens, the players must go through with the game event until it's over. Those are the rules to the game of 'Shuffle'," Cosmo explained calmly with a little frown as she stared up at Dr. Eggman again. While Cosmo gave her explanation to Dr. Eggman, Decoe and Bocue soon snuck away from Amy's plane and had quietly walked behind the group before standing behind Sonic and Knuckles.
"Hmm...Very interesting," Decoe commented casually while looking relaxed as he had his arms behind his head.
"Agreed. Interesting yet strange," Bocue added casually while also looking relaxed as he had his arms behind his head too. Sonic and Knuckles both looked up behind themselves to stare at Decoe and Bocue in confusion.
"...Were did you two come from?" Sonic asked curiously with a little frown and with confused eyes.
"The background," Bocue answered calmly as he glanced at Sonic before looking away from him.
"Yeah. It's a place where minor characters stay at for long periods of time until they're relevant to the plot. Of course, you wouldn't know that since you're the main character here," Decoe added calmly while looking away from Sonic as well.
Sonic and Knuckles soon stared at each other in confusion after hearing that and just shrugged casually since they saw no problems with Decoe's and Bocue's statements.
Well, I guess they're telling the truth. It doesn't seem like they had done anything the entire time they had arrived here. Maybe we were worried over nothing then. Sonic and Knuckles pondered at the same time with frowns on their faces as they stared at each other some more before looking at Cream and Dr. Eggman again.
"Hmm...So that's the rules of this game, huh? And I'm betting that you had to reach the center of the game in order to win, right?" Dr. Eggman asked calmly for clarification as he scratched his chin with his finger while starting to piece together what the board game is about.
"Yes, that's right. Once you reach the red, smooth ruby at the center of the board game, then you will win, and the curse shall be lifted from the game," Cosmo answered calmly with a frown and a nod.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. Things will turn back to normal, and everyone will live happily ever after. How wonderful. Anyways, what about changing my bad luck into good luck? Hmm? Can we get on with that?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet curtly with a frown as he waved his hand at Cosmo before looking down at Cream again.
"No way," Cream replied calmly with a frown and a headshake.
"What?! Why not?!" Dr. Eggman exclaimed in shock and in annoyance as he frowned deeper at this.
"You didn't say 'please'!" Cream exclaimed back with a frown on her angry face.
"...(Sigh)...Fine...Please get on with it," Dr. Eggman muttered calmly yet tiredly with a frown and a sigh as he slumped his shoulders and as his moustache went down a bit.
"There! That's much better. Anyways, here I go...Hmm...'Fun can be had when you race to the finish. So how about confronting an armada before you relinquish?' ...Umm...Something tells me that you're not going to be left alone, Dr. Eggman. It seems that...we'll be confronting an 'armada' soon," Cream replied calmly with a smile and a nod before she read the card and frowned afterward as she stared up at Dr. Eggman again.
"Are you kidding me?! Don't tell me that the Metarex has something in their sleeves that they're waiting to pull out on us! Because if so, then we're going to be really screwed when those Metarex poachers mess up our plans!" Dr. Eggman yelled in frustration as he frowned a lot and had his fists up.
"Sorry, Eggman. But that's how luck works. It always interferes with your plans, and you really don't need the Metarex to do that sort of thing. With our good luck, we might possibly screw you over and win the race instead," Sonic commented calmly with a confident smile and a shrug.
"Not unless I screw you over first with my own good luck!" Dr. Eggman yelled back with a frown as he pointed at Sonic.
"Pfft! As if you had any good luck to begin with," Sonic mocked playfully with a smirk and a scoff as he rolled his eyes a bit.
"Grrrrrr! If I hadn't teamed up with you, then I would've exacted my revenge right here right now!" Dr. Eggman yelled back in irritation with a deep frown after growling a bit.
"True. You might, but having you succeed into doing that is another thing entirely. And that is something that you could never do right," Sonic replied calmly with a smirk and with lowered eyelids as he crossed his arms again.
"Grrrrrr...Grrrrrr..." Dr. Eggman growled in irritation as he glared hard at Sonic.
"Heheheheh..." Sonic chuckled in cockiness while still smirking at Dr. Eggman. Heh! I can talk smack at him all day and never get bored of it. I am such a tool sometimes. Sonic pondered calmly in amusement as he stared at Dr. Eggman. The others can't help but feel slightly amused as they saw that Sonic had gotten Dr. Eggman cornered with his smack talk. Meanwhile, Dr. Eggman was seething in rage that he is being mocked in front of everybody.
Curse you, Sonic! You think that you had bested me with your words, but you will regret it later when I make you eat your own words by beating you in this race! Besides...I'm one step ahead of you as we speak...Dr. Eggman brooded with a deep frown before he smiled evilly in the end.
"Hmph. You know what? I think that I had overstayed my welcome here. Come on, Decoe and Bocue. This is the perfect time to leave and prepare ourselves for the race. We better get ready before Shadow and Rouge finish their mission. Now, hurry it up!" Dr. Eggman replied calmly with an evil smile as he stared at the group before he turned around and gestured Decoe and Bocue to follow him before walking towards the hangar's exit.
"Oh! Why yes, sir!" Decoe exclaimed in surprise as he quickly ran towards Dr. Eggman to walk behind him.
"Right away, sir!" Bocue exclaimed in surprise as he also ran towards Dr. Eggman to walk behind him as well.
Meanwhile, Sonic and the others watched Dr. Eggman, Decoe, and Bocue leave the hangar while having confused looks on their faces. Dr. Eggman soon stopped and looked back at the group while standing at the hangar's exit.
"Good luck with the race, my fellow teammates, and make the best team win," Dr. Eggman said calmly with a devious smirk as he stared at the group a bit before he looked back and left the hangar with Decoe and Bocue following him.
Sonic and the others still looked confused after they saw their enemy leave. They didn't know whether to feel concerned or relieved that Dr. Eggman had left at last. They had a feeling that he was rushing to leave as soon as possible. Whether he did have a plan or not, they don't know, but they sure feel on edge now.
"Geez, he really knows how to stick his nose into other people's business! Can't he just stay into his own ship and wait until the race starts?! Why does he have to bug us?! Ugh!" Amy complained with a deep frown and with clenched fists at her sides.
"I know, Miss Amy. It's rather annoying and concerning. (Chao. Chao)" Cream replied calmly yet sadly with a frown as she stared at Amy with the board game in her hands. Cheese chirped sadly with Cream after hearing her say that.
"Ooh...Maybe they are up to something. What should we do?" Cosmo muttered calmly yet weakly with a worried look on her face as she stared at Tails.
Tails looked at Cosmo and frowned solemnly at her as he replied calmly, "Just stay on your guard. I'll contact Chris and let him know that Dr. Eggman came here. Meanwhile, you guys just stay prepared for anything that Dr. Eggman may throw at you. Got it?".
"Got it," Everyone agreed calmly as they nodded in unison.
"Alright. Now, go and finish preparing for the race by putting the Chaos Emeralds into your planes. I'll contact Chris in the meantime," Tails replied calmly with a smile as he looked at everyone before looking at his wrist communicator and opened it.
"Okay. I'll do my best for you, Tails," Cosmo replied calmly with a smile as she gently hugged Tails at the side again. Tails blushed at this sweet gesture and smiled sheepishly at Cosmo as he allowed her to hug him.
"...Thank you, Cosmo. Just stay safe now. Alright?" Tails replied calmly yet gently with a smile as he held her arm with his right hand while looking at her.
"Alright," Cosmo replied gently with a sweet smile while giving Tails a final squeeze before letting go of him and walking away. Tails smiled a lot at Cosmo as he watched her leave a bit before looking down on his wrist communicator again.
Amy smiled a lot at this and brightly asked Sonic, "Hey, Sonic? Can I give you a hug too?".
"No," Sonic answered quickly with a frown on his annoyed face while having a hand up at Amy.
"Grrr...Fine," Amy replied in annoyance as she frowned a lot and growled a little in irritation. She then walked away with Cosmo while pondering. He can be so unromantic at times. Cosmo is so lucky that she can hug Tails anytime she wants to. I wish that I can do that with Sonic. Hmph...I'm so going to get him back for denying me a hug. Most definitely.
Sonic soon shrugged and said calmly to Knuckles, "Well, Knuckles, you know what to do. Let's tune the X-Tornado up with these two Chaos Emeralds".
"Right," Knuckles agreed calmly with a little frown and a nod before he walked towards the X-Tornado with Sonic.
"Wait, Mr. Sonic!" Cream exclaimed quickly with a little frown as she ran towards Sonic.
"Yeah? What is it, Cream?" Sonic asked curiously with a little smile as he stopped and looked back at Cream. Knuckles also stopped and looked back at Cream with a little frown.
Cream soon stood in front of Sonic and held up the board game towards him. She smiled brightly at him as she replied calmly, "It's your turn now. Please do your best to give us some good luck on the game. Please".
Sonic then smiled brightly at this as he grabbed the board game and held it in his hands. He replied calmly yet brightly at Cream with a smile, "I'll try, but I can't make any promises".
Knuckles rolled his eyes at that as he pondered tiredly with a frown. Well, at least he's being honest. But that doesn't bode well for us...
"Thank you, Mr. Sonic! And good luck on the race! Stay safe, you two! (Chao! Chao!)" Cream exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and a wave as she ran back towards Tails. Cheese chirped happily too as he waved at Sonic and Knuckles while flying towards Tails. Sonic and Knuckles both smiled at that and had looked at each other.
"Well, we got ourselves a cheerleader. Now all we have to do is win the race. Ready?" Sonic said calmly with a smile while holding the board game in his hands.
"Hmph. Definitely. As long as we don't use the board game, we'll certainly win," Knuckles replied calmly with a confident smile.
Sonic then lowered his eyelids halfway and smiled smugly as he replied calmly, "Who's saying that we're not going to use the board game? It's luck incarnate, Knuckles".
Knuckles frowned deeply in annoyance and lowered his eyelids too halfway as he asked tiredly, "...You're just begging for trouble, aren't you? Can't have an easy win without having an adventure first, can you, Sonic?".
"It's never fun when it's easy, Knuckles. You know that, right?" Sonic replied calmly yet coyly with a mischievous grin and a quirked eyebrow.
"...If this blows up in our faces, then I'm blaming you," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly with a deep frown and with narrowed eyelids as he looked annoyed.
"Eh. I can live with that," Sonic replied casually with a smile and a shrug.
"Hmph..." Knuckles grunted quietly in annoyance as he turned around and walked towards the X-Tornado in silence. Sonic also turned around and walked back towards the plane too with Knuckles.
Meanwhile, Tails was busy contacting Chris and waiting for him to respond. Cream soon got over to Tails and stood next to him at his right side while looking down at the wrist communicator.
"Have you contacted Chris yet, Tails? Cream asked curiously with a little frown as she stared at the wrist communicator.
"Ah! Oh...Uhh...No. Not yet," Tails replied calmly with a frown after being startled a little when he heard Cream speaking.
"I hope that he does pick up. I'm really worried of what Dr. Eggman is planning right now," Cream replied calmly with a worried look on her face as she stared at Tails.
"Yeah. Me too. But let's try to stay positive. We got this under control, and we have Chris spying on Shadow and Rouge. He would contact us immediately if either of them is up to something. In fact-" Tails replied calmly with a frown before he smiled a little as he stared at Cream.
"Tails? What's going on? Did something happen?" Chris asked calmly yet curiously through the wrist communicator.
"Ah! Chris! There you are! I'm glad that you picked up! And yes. Something did happen alright, but we're not sure what to think of it," Tails replied calmly yet brightly with a smile as he looked back the wrist communicator before he frowned when he looked solemn again.
"Well, what did happen then?" Chris asked curiously with a frown as he stared down at his wrist communicator while looking at Shadow and Rouge occasionally.
"Dr. Eggman had shown up at the hangar with Decoe and Bocue and just...umm...talked to us for a while," Tails replied calmly with a confused look on his face.
Chris looked confused too as he replied calmly, "That doesn't sound so bad actually".
"True, it's not. But it is worrying. Especially since he was curious of the board game that we're playing. He kept asking questions about it and stared at it closely. I'm wondering if he wants to get his hands on the board game. I know that he said that he's not interested into taking it, but I'm not buying it. I'm concerned on what he's planning to do with it," Tails replied calmly with a solemn frown on his face.
"Hmm...That is concerning. He could force our hand by taking the board game and coerce us into giving up the emeralds even after we had beaten him in the race. We would be in big trouble if that happens," Chris replied calmly yet solemnly with a frown as he looked worried.
"Agreed. We should protect the board game at all costs. I'll advise the others to keep an eye out for Dr. Eggman whether he decides to steal the board game or not," Tails replied calmly with a frown and a nod.
"That sounds like a good idea. By the way, who's turn is it now?" Chris replied calmly with a smile and a nod.
"It's Mr. Sonic's turn now. I gave the board game to him," Cream answered calmly with a smile as she looked down at the wrist communicator with Tails.
"Oh, really then? That was surprisingly fast. So, did we get a good card or a bad card?" Chris replied calmly with a smile and with raised eyebrows as he stared at Cream through the little screen.
Cream frowned sadly as she answered calmly, "...I think that we got a bad one. The card said that we're going to confront an armada soon. I'm assuming that the armada belongs to the Metarex. This can't be good for us".
Chris frowned too in concern as he replied, "Well, I hope that we can finish the mission and get you guys inside the fortress soon before the armada arrives. I'm sure that the Metarex armada is going to be rather rough and merciless towards us when they find us. Just stay on your guard when that happens. Okay?".
"We will!" Tails and Cream exclaimed brightly with determined smiles on their faces as they nodded together.
"That's good. Anyways, I better get back to my mission now," Chris replied calmly with a smile before he took another glance at Shadow and Rouge before back at the screen.
"Have you gotten far into the fortress yet?" Tails asked curiously with a little frown as he stared at the screen.
"Not really. We've only gotten started. Shadow had already warped us into the fortress, and right now, he's arguing with Rouge on which direction to go first. They hadn't paid any attention to me ever since they've started arguing. Which is a relief since...they probably would've noticed that I'm talking to you guys right now," Chris replied calmly with a smile and a headshake as he looked at Shadow and Rouge again.
"For the last time, Shadow, we're going right because I'm always right!" Rouge yelled angrily in the distance.
"And I'm going left because screw you!" Shadow yelled back angrily in the distance.
"Hmph! Just because you're the Ultimate Lifeform, that doesn't give the right to be the Ultimate Jerk! Let your ego go and follow me instead!" Rouge yelled back angrily.
"And let you screw up the mission?! Not on your life!" Shadow yelled back in frustration.
"You can be such a know-it-all sometimes!" Rouge yelled back in frustration.
"That's because everyone around me is stupid! Including you!" Shadow yelled back in irritation.
"...! You take that back!" Rouge yelled back angrily after gasping loudly.
"I'm not taking anything back because it's the truth! You're stupid into thinking that we should go right when it's obviously left!" Shadow yelled back angrily.
"Well, I think that you're stupid for assuming that I'm stupid! I know what I'm doing! And I know that the correct direction to go to first is right!" Rouge yelled back in irritation.
"No, idiot! It's left! Left!" Shadow yelled back angrily.
"No! It's right! Right!" Rouge yelled back angrily.
"Left!" Shadow yelled angrily.
"Right!" Rouge yelled angrily.
"Left!" Shadow yelled back in frustration.
"Right!" Rouge yelled back in frustration.
"Left!" Shadow yelled back in irritation.
"Right!" Rouge yelled back in irritation.
Chris sighed a little while smiling a bit as he added calmly, "It's a good thing that I'm a minor character here. Otherwise, my spying mission would be much harder than this".
Tails and Cream both have sweat drops on their heads as they stared at Chris with frowns on their faces. They both sighed as well while muttering tiredly in unison.
"This is going to take a while".
Wow! It's been a hot minute, but I'm still on the road into writing this story! I've been focused into working on homework and other stuff, but that doesn't mean that I've set this story aside for a while. It just...takes a while to finish now that I'm busy again. But don't worry! The other chapters will come soon! Also, I love that I've done so much on this chapter yet little progress had been made on this episode. I think that the episode will be done in two more chapters. The Midgame is certainly going to be a long one, but hey, it's going to be all good in the end. So, there's that! Anyways, I hope that you had enjoyed this chapter and are willing to read more of it in the future! See you all in part three!