Chapter 46: Asia XII
12:07 pm (USA time: 12:07 am)in China, Team Sonic is flying above their destination in Asia.
Then Amy says when she finishes her guidebook, "One-fifth of the world's population lives in China, and it's approximated that thirty-four babies are born each minute. China is home to the Ginkgo, the oldest tree globally, and has been unchanged for more than 200 million years. Fortune cookies are contrary to popular belief, not a Chinese custom, and are said to have been invented in San Francisco during the early 1900s. In 1989, fortune cookies were imported and sold in Hong Kong as "genuine American fortune cookies." China has cultivated tea for over 2000 years, and according to a popular legend, the tea was discovered by Emperor Shennong when a leaf from a nearby plant fell into the Emperor´s boiling water."
"I heard China invented paper and gunpowder," said Knuckles.
"I can't wait to taste chow mien and orange chicken," said Cream excitedly.
"That would make a great victory dinner for freeing Asia," said Tikal.
"Where's the ray," said Sonic.
"Not sure, but it's possible that it can be at an amusement park. But the first battery we're after is at The Forbidden City," said Tails.
"Forbidden City?! That sounds interesting," said Knuckles.
Then Amy says when she takes out a brochure of the Forbidden City, "The Forbidden City is also known as the Palace Museum. It was the abode of the Chinese Emperors, their families, staff, and government officials. It was occupied by emperors from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the most significant symbols of the ancient Chinese government. The city was built from 1406 to 1420 and consists of 980 buildings that cover 720,000 square meters. The Forbidden City was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and declared the world's largest preservation of wooden structures from the ancient world. About one million artifacts housed within the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City are considered Chinese National Heritage items and are thus under the protection of the Chines government."
"Wicked," said Knuckles, impressed.
Then Tails turned the plane into a jeep and parks it.
"Here we are. The battery is at the Gate of Heavenly Purity," said Tails, when everyone gets out of the jeep.
As they walk through the Forbidden City, Sonic takes pictures of the place as everyone walks.
As she reads her brochure, Amy then says, "The Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Men) separates the palace into the Outer and Inner Courts. Behind the gate is the residential area of the palace. In front of the gate stands a pair of golden lions, a little smaller than those guarding the Gate of Supreme Harmony. The mighty lions, in the opinion of Chinese people, are extraordinary gate-guarders that frighten devils away. Besides the lions, ten huge golden vats are laid. These golden vats are not only garnitures but also hold water in case of fire. At the center of the hall sits a golden throne which is surrounded by furnishings. The couplets on the columns advise the emperor to show solicitude for their common people and to set a good example to others."
"The golden throne is where the battery is," said Tails.
"Like a princess, I would make this a perfect home for my family and me," said Tikal.
"Unfortunately, it's not for sale," said Amy.
"Darn it."
"Let's hope Rouge doesn't steal anything from the Forbidden City," said Cream, giggles.
"Rouge is only after gems, not gold," said Knuckles.
When the Team entered the Gate of Heavenly Purity, they find a 2ft battery on a 2ft plug on the throne.
"I can't believe Eggman would put it on the throne. He doesn't respect the history," said Sonic.
"Like royalty, I will do the honor of disabling them," said Tikal, as she carefully disables them from the throne.
When she finished, Tails said, "great! The last battery is at the Great Wall of China. And it's not far from here. One hour and forty-one minutes."
1:55 pm (USA time 1:55 am), and our heroes are still on the road.
As the drive continues, Amy says, "Contrary to common belief, no one cannot see the Great Wall of China from space with the naked eye. It can be seen with aid. As early as the Qin Dynasty (221-207BC), when building the Great Wall, glutinous rice flour was used in making the binding material of binding the bricks. The Ming Dynasty built the sections of the Great Wall that we mostly associate with The Great Wall of China. This was the last part of the built wall and has been made with brick and features many tall watchtowers."
"Here it is the Great Wall of China," said Tails, who parks the jeep.
"Great chilidogs! The battery can be anywhere on it," said Sonic, in shock.
"Sonic, did you forget who you are? You're Sonic the Hedgehog; the Fastest Thing Alive," said Amy.
"You're right, Amy. Tails, Cheese, and Cream; look for the battery while flying. Amy and I will run in the Wall. Tikal and Knuckles, take the sides of the Wall."
Knuckles then glides to the right side of the Wall as Tikal uses her nature powers to control the trees on the left to help her. Sonic holds Amy's hand as he and she through the Wall. Tails, Cream, and Cream fly above the hedgehogs.
Fifteen minutes later, the Team Sonic made it back to the Great Wall of China entrance at 2:10 pm (USA time: 2:10 am).
"That was fast," said Amy, impressed.
"You call that fast? We have been done in 3 minutes if I ran 80 miles per hour," said Sonic.
"But we found the last battery in Asia," said Tikal, who holds a 4ft battery in a 4ft plug.
"All we need to find the ray, and we'll finally free Asia," said Knuckles.
Then a strong wind blows on the Team, and Cheese disappears.
"Cheese! Where is he," said Cream, worried.
"Looking for this thing," said Zor, carries Cheese in a small birdcage while standing in a Mini Egg Mobile.
"Hey! That's Cream's Chao and our mascot! Give him back," said Tails.
"If you want to see your pet again, come to this amusement park and give me the black key," said Zor, throws a ticket at Sonic.
Then Cheese cries for help as Zor evil laughs while leaving.
"That vampire-bat-thingie won't hurt Cheese on my watch," said Cream.
"He's possibly taking Cheese to the ray could at," said Tikal.
"But where," Knuckles asking.
"Sonic; Zor threw you a clue. What's the ticket to," said Amy.
"Ocean Park… An amusement park in Hong Kong. But it will take a long drive to get there. But we'll make it there by plane," said Sonic, reads the ticket.
"Already on it! It will take us 3 hours and 40 minutes to get there. Let's hit the skies," said Tails, turns the jeep into a plane.
"Hold on, Cheese! We'll save you," said Sonic when everyone gets on the plane.
Then our heroes fly off to go after Zor to save Cheese.