Chapter 41: Asia VII
1:54 pm (USA time: 1:54 am) as the Heroes fly above India.
Amy says as she reads her guidebook, "India is about 1/3 the size of the United States, yet it is the second-most populous country in the world, with a population of 1,166,079,217. India is the seventh-largest country in the world, at 1.27 million square miles. More than a million Indians are millionaires, yet most Indians live on less than two dollars a day. An estimated 35% of India's population lives below the poverty line. India is the largest democracy in the world."
"So, it's a millionaire state? A perfect place for Rouge to steal gems from all the millionaires who live here," said Knuckles.
"Well, that explains why there aren't many millionaires around the world; any more," said Tikal.
"The 1st battery is at the Qutub Minar," said Tails.
"Qutb Minar is 120 meters tall, making it the tallest brick minaret in the world! Along with several other monuments on its periphery, the whole thing is called Qutb Complex. Qutb-ud-din-Aibak constructed this Minar with further subtractions and additions in it by the succeeding Sultans. Several great historical monuments surround the Qutb Minar, and all of them together are referred to as "Qutb Complex." The complex, therefore, includes: Iron Pillar of Delhi, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Alai Darwaza, the Tomb of Iltutmish, Alai Minar, Ala-ud-din's Madrasa and Tomb, the Tomb of Imam Zamin, Major Smith's Cupola, and Sanderson's Sundial," said Amy.
"We still have Sultans? This is 21st Century; anyway," said Cream.
"You must remember, Cream. Sometimes, not all places change," said Sonic.
"The battery is on the top floor. Let's land," said Tails, lands the plane in the parking lot, and turns into a jeep.
Team Sonic goes to Qutub Minar, but waiting for them at the top roof is Zor.
"This will be too easy when they come to top in the sky," said Zor.
But then he gets hits in the face by the door when Cream opens it.
"Nice scenery," said Amy, as the rest of the team enters the top floor.
"Here's the battery. This one seemed too easy," said Tails, as he disables a 4ft battery in a 4ft plug from the floor.
"So, where do we go next," said Tikal.
"We're going to the Taj Mahal."
"Really?! The one that's a place?! Cool," said Sonic.
"At least this one isn't a tower," said Knuckles.
"You know? I wonder why that vampire-bat-thingie hasn't come yet," said Cream, curious where Zor is.
As the Team leaves the top floor, Zor falls on the floor when Cream closes the door; behind her.
It's 5:16 pm (USA time: 5:16 am), our heroes are still on the road.
As she read her book, Amy says, "Everyone recognizes the Taj Mahal as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The mausoleum is a grand structure built of white marble and symbolizes purity, love, and pain as no other architecture does. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore called the Taj Mahal "a teardrop on the cheek of time." The Taj Mahal, built in Agra, India, has many stories revolving around it."
"We're going to a palace! Yeah," said Cream, excited.
"My kind of place. I use to be a princess of my tribe, anyway," said Tikal.
"Here we are," said Tails, who parks the jeep.
"So, where's the battery at? And please, not on the roof," said Knuckles.
"It's on the ceiling of the Taj Mahal."
"I heard the ceiling is so colorful," said Sonic.
"Let's head in."
When the team finds the ceiling, a 4ft battery in a 4ft plug is on it.
"We got this. Right Tails," said Cream.
"Indeed, let's go."
As they disable it, they see Zor sneaking up behind their friends. So, they let the battery and the plug fall and land on Zor to protect them.
When it landed on him, Amy said as she turns around to see him, "that was close."
"I wonder where he was when we got to the Qutub Minar," said Tikal.
"Does it matter? Let's get to the last battery before he wakes up," said Knuckles, picks up the battery and plug.
"Our last stop in India is the Gateway of India. We'll go by plane to get there," said Tails, as he and his team ran off as they leave Zor behind on the floor.
It's 7:29 pm (USA time: 7:29 am), our heroes are flying above their destination.
"Gateway of India was built in the year 1920 by the Government of India. The nature of the building is that of a gateway. The foundation of the building was laid on March 31, 1911. It was in 1914 that the Indian Government sanctioned the design for the monument. George Wittet gave the design. The construction cost was a sum of Rs. 21 lakh, borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road to the Gateway was never built. This is why it stands at an angle to the road leading up to it. The Gateway has been built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. While it is Indo-Saracenic in architectural style, elements are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat and local styles of architecture as well," said Amy, reading her guidebook.
"The battery is on top of it," said Tails.
"I got this. Come on, Cheese," said Cream, as the plane is above the Gateway of India that has a 2ft battery in a 2ft plug on it.
When Cream and Cheese fly to it, they begin disabling the battery and plug.
But Zor climbs up and says, "you! The rabbit that keeps getting away, I will destroy you."
When Cream turned around to face him, she accidentally hit him with her ears, making him fall off the Gateway.
"Close calls, huh," said Knuckles.
"Let's find a hotel," said Tikal.
"Come on, Cream and Cheese. Let's go find a hotel," said Sonic, calling them as the plane turns into a jeep.
At the Sea Palace Hotel, at 7:31 pm (USA time: 7:31 am). The Team is dining to the hearts could take.
"Well done, everyone. India is free," said Sonic.
"What's our next stop," said Knuckles.
"Cambodia," said Tails.
"Got your souvenir, Tikal," said Amy.
"I got it. Silk saris," said Tikal.
"So pretty," said Cream.
"It will take us four hours and twenty minutes to get there. We better sleep well," said Tails.