Chapter 5: Darkness that are Close
On a sunny afternoon, the four hedgehogs and the princess of Mobotropolis are heading over to Sonic's favorite place in the whole city. The chilli dog stand. As usual, Sonic uses his super speed to sit on the chair before everyone else. Eve sits next to him and Sally sits on the other side. Sonia and Manic sit with them.
Sonic says, "Two doggies with the works pal."
The vender brings out two chilli dogs and Sonic grab the two.
"We'll have two chilli dogs and two plain hot dogs please," Eve says.
The vender gives the other four the food. Manic and Eve get the chilli dogs while Sally and Sonia get plain hot dogs.
Sally turns to Sonic, "Sonic, that's your third one today."
"Yeah. I'm really lucky," Sonic says with glee.
Then scarfs the chilli dog in his mouth.
"That is disgusting," Sally says.
"Nuh uh. Cool," Sonic disagrees.
Sally sternly says, "Disgusting."
Sonic burps, and says, "Cool."
"Double disgusting," Sally says in disgust.
"Triple cool," Sonic says, sounding cool.
"E=MC square disgusting," Sally angrily says.
"A chilion jilion times cool," Sonic calmly says.
Sonia rolls her eyes, "Oh brother."
"Well, I for one think it's cool," Manic says.
Eve giggles.
In Uncle Chuck's lab, Uncle Chuck is working on a few machines, chips, and softwares. As he works, Sonic, Sonia, Manic, Eve, and Sally are playing. It's hard for them to play tag when four kids are trying to catch a speeding hedgehog.
"Can't catch me," Sonic says.
"Sonic you're it!" Sally says.
"Nuh uh, you're it," Sonic says.
"No I'm not Sonic hedgehog is your turn," Sally says.
"You're still it Sally, so you have to catch me first," Sonic says.
Eve says, "Sonic come back."
Sonic continues to use his speed to get away from the kids. Suddenly, Eve begins to run faster than the others. Finally she is able to catch Sonic, but cause them both to bump into Uncle Chuck and make him drop one of his tools.
Eve and Sonic turn around, "Oops!"
Chuck turns to see the five children gather with his arms crossed and a firm expression on his face.
He says, "Children, no playing in the lab."
Eve picks up the tool and gives it to Uncle Chuck.
"Sorry Uncle Chuck," The four hedgehogs says.
"Sorry Sir. Charles," Sally replies.
"Now run along kids and play outside, I got work to do," Uncle Chuck says.
The four hedgehogs and princess head outside to go play.
Uncle Chuck chuckles with a smile, "Little rascals."
Uncle Chuck continues to work on his machines and other type of mechanics.
Meanwhile, King Acorn is having an important discussion with Julius Robotnik. They both look over blueprints and plans.
"Of course you'll be there, Julius. Everyone is anxious to meet the man responsible for winning the great war all those year ago. You're a hero."
"Forgive me Your Majesty, I just can't…" Julius says.
"Nonsense. Tonight I will announce the closing of the war ministry and then your appointment as minister of science. You will attend Julian, that is a royal order. And your plans for dismantling the military are approved as presented. Get started at once," King Acorn says, as they look at the blue prints.
"Of course, Sire. I am honored, Sire," Julius says. He rolls up the blue prints and puts them away for safekeeping.
"See you tonight," King Acorn says, walking away.
The king leaves the room to get back to his royal duties. Once the king is gone, Julius picks up a comminiator. What King Acorn doesn't know is that Julius Robotnik has plans of his own.
With an evil smiles, he says through the communicator, "Snively, ready the palace attack force. We attack when the moon is at the center of the sky."
After leaving the lab, Sonic and friends and family are playing in the castle garden in the back. After having fun playing, Sally has a something special to tell them.
"A sleepover?" Sonia asks.
Sally nods her head with a smile, "Yes. I asked my father this morning and he said it's alright."
"Sounds excited Sally," Bunnie says.
"Are us boys able to come?" Manic asks.
"Yes. Even boys can come," Sally says.
Eve asks, "Do you need us to bring anything? I… I don't think I ever been to a sleepover before."
"You just need to bring sleeping bags, tooth brushes, your pajamas, for some spare clothes, you can bring snacks if you like. Mostly, you just need to bring yourselves," Sally says.
"Well, I like to go," sonia says.
"Me too," Rotor says.
"Rosie is going to be there too," Sally says.
"Why?" Manic asks.
"My daddy said that Rosie will be watching us for the night, and making sure we don't stay up too late," Sally says.
"I have to agree," Antoine says.
"So are you all going to come?" Sally asks.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Sonic says.
"I like to come," Sonia says.
"Me too," Manic and Eve says.
"I'll go," Rotor says.
"I will also like to come," Antoine shyly says.
"I like to come too," Bunnie says.
Sally happily says, "Great. Just make sure to let your parents know and meet me at the palace this evening. I'll be at the front with Rosie."
"What about your father?" Eve asks.
"He said that he will be busy tonight with Julius," Sally says.
Curious, Eve asks, "Sally, do you know if Robotnik had any relatives?"
"I don't think so," Sally says.
"Why you ask?" Sonia asks.
"I'm not sure. I felt like I should know his last name, but I don't," Eve says.
Manic thinks, "Think there is a different Robotnik you know of."
"Possible, but I don't remember," Eve says.
Sonic hugs Eve, "Don't worry sis, you'll remember someday. Let's head on home and tell our parents about the sleepover."
"Good idea," Eve says.
After leaving the castle, Sonic, Eve, Manic, and Sonia are heading back home to tell their parents about the sleepover. However Sonic decides to get a chilli dog break.
"Two doggies with the works," Sonic says.
Then is given two chilli dogs. Then scarf one chilli dog at a time. Then punches his stomach causing him to burp. Manic laugh, Eve giggle, and Sonia groans with an annoyed look on her face.
Sonic says, "Come on, let's head home."
The four hedgehogs continue to head back home to their parents to talk about the sleepover. The four are standing at the crosswalk and are going to cross the street. Suddenly, many different robots and tanks are hovering down the street. The four hedgehogs are surprised to see so many heading to the palace.
Eve nervously asks, "Guys, what's going on?"
"I don't know. There are so many robots and tanks heading to the palace," Manic says.
"I'm a little scared," Sonia says.
"Aw, I'm sure it's not anything serious. Let's go," Sonic says.
After heading back home, the four hedgehogs tell their mothers about the sleepover Sally is going to through, and Rosie will be taking care of them.
"A sleepover. That sound like fun," Aleena says.
"So can we go?" Sonic asks.
"Of course you all can go. Just be sure you keep an eye on Eve, okay Sonic," Bernadette says, washing the dishes.
"Yes mom," Sonic says.
Before they forget, Manic says, "Hey mom, today we saw these big robots and tanks, and are heading to the palace."
"They look a little scary," Eve shyly says.
"I'm sure the robots are nothing to worry about. Come on, let's get our things ready for the sleepover," Sonic says.
Sonic zooms upstairs with his speed.
Bernadette says, "Sonic, no running in the house."
"Sorry mom!" Sonic calls out.
Eve and the twins follow after Sonic to get their things together. Bernadette and Aleena look at each other with concern.
"I do hope those robots the children saw won't be any trouble," Bernadette says.
"I hope too. I'll cann Charles to see if he knows anything about it," Aleena says.
In the lab, Uncle Chuck is busy doing some work on the computer. When he receives a call. He answers to see his wife, Aleena.
"Hello dear, how are the kids doing?" Chuck says.
"They're fine. Sonic and Eve are pretty fast. They're also going to the palace tonight for a sleepover with Sally and the other children," Aleena says.
"Sounds nice," Chuck says.
Aleena shows a worried look and asks, "Charles, do you anything about robots and tanks heading to the palace. The children said that they saw them today."
"Hmmm, I'm afraid I don't know anything about the robots and tanks as you describe. Try not to worry, I'll make sure to check it out," Chuck says.
"Thank you Charles, are you working late tonight?" Aleena asks.
"Yes. The king needs me to attend an important meeting tonight," Chuck says.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow," Aleena says.
Then she hangs up the phone. Chuck thinks about what Aleena has told him about the robots and the tanks the kids have seen. He decides to look at his computer to see if there's anything about it. Suddenly, he makes a shocking discovery. The computer reads on the screen, ' Files Transfer to War Ministry.
"The Roboticizer plans. Someone stole them. And… I think I know who," Chuck says in shock.
The plans to an invention has been stolen, and he has an idea who could have taken it. The question he has wonder is why and what can he want with his plans to the machine.