Hey everybody we're back for another chapter of Trials of War and at the time of writing this AN I have no idea if you all are gonna see this because I don't know if this is gonna be retrofitted to make its way into what is currently the Celeste chapter or if it's gonna make its gonna be its own thing. Y'know what? Quick, I gotta say something quirky that I normally wouldn't say in an AN to make it even more cool that this might not go up. Hm… "Sonic was never good." Nah, IGN already beat me to that years ago. Oh well, before I embarrass myself further let's just get into the chapter. Haha.

Trials of War: A Sonic Forces Rewrite
Chapter 31-
Home is Where the Heart Is

Sonic was off like a shot through the winding halls of Arsenal Pyramid, doing his best not to remember what he had just seen or how he had nearly lost it in front of Celeste.

Things had been going so great today, he had his birthday party with so many good friends, he was going to help save Green Hill Zone, he and Celeste were having a good time together and then… all of that happened. He hated it. Sure, Celeste was his friend and he trusted her but being that vulnerable in front of anyone was something that he didn't like doing.

People… People looked up to him… Not only was he a hero to the people of the world, but he was also a friend above all else. So many people knew him for his smiles and his near constant reassurance that everything would be okay. It wasn't really anything special, he was just being him. Course, that made it hard for him in the few times that he was down. People became scared and worried not only for him but for whatever situation they had at hand. So in times like these, he had to carry the burden and make sure that everyone knew things would be okay.

He furrowed his brow at this, using a pole that ran along the wall to swing down another corridor.

That idea of carrying the burden for others couldn't help but make him reflect on the past few months. Throughout the war, Sonic had been doing his best to keep the figure as the world's greatest hero. It wasn't something he usually cared about, but he understood that in these times the entire world had its eyes on him whether he liked it or not. To show any form of fear or doubt would only make things worse.

When he first made that return in Sunset people were so happy to see him again and he had done his best to ham it up for the cameras, making sure that they knew that he was back and that he would protect them. Then Metal Sonic showed up and for a brief moment he had frozen, taken back to the confines of his imprisonment that he had recently escaped from only to be blinked back into the present day. He managed to win that fight and when the camera was thrust into his face again, he didn't really know what to do except to tell people to join the resistance.

From then, he had constantly been doing his best to find his way as a champion where he wouldn't have before. Facing the likes of Zavok and Shadow and even Infinite himself when they so dared to rear their ugly heads. At times, he had been scared but he managed to push on through until the battle was won…

Sonic rounded another corner, at this point just kind of flying on autopilot towards his destination as he went deeper into his thoughts.

For Sonic, things were all about living life to the fullest. Exploring the beautiful planet that was as cool and blue as him and just trying to do what he could to make the better place. Sometimes that meant recklessly diving into trouble and coming out of it with a few bumps and bruises but that was okay, so long as he was there to help. It was about having fun and making sure that everyone around him was smiling too.

But… The war was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Day in, day out it was near constant fighting for his life and the lives of everyone out there. Not like the usual adventure where things were fun and he would have to get serious at the end of it when some sort of abomination from ancient times appeared to actually give him a challenge, no. Everything here mattered, the way he acted, the way he presented himself, everything. The world needed their hero and for the first time since he was a child, Sonic was unsure of whether or not he was up to the task.

Even now… he still wasn't strong enough to defeat Infinite after all this time… His strange powers and ability to keep up with even the likes of him was far too much to handle. Amy was the one who had to save him from his grudge match with him the other day and now… Who knew what would happen? He had to be strong, he had to be strong enough to protect people and the world from Eggman… Infinite… Anything that would put them in danger… If not…

Who could?

The thought lingered in his mind for a few stray moments as he was alone with nothing but his thoughts and the pitter-patter of his feet against the grated metal floor.

He shook himself off. Continuing to run down the hallway. Fate, destiny, all that stuff could be sorted out later. Right now, he had a job to do and he was going to save the closest thing he had to a home.

~Trials of War~

"Hey, Silver." Amy's voice came from the other end of the com to which the hedgehog smiled.

"What's up, Amy?" He asked.

Everyone turned their attention towards the hedgehog and he put his com on speaker.

"Just got analysis back from our intelligence division. It appears that most of the water is stored in a container right where you're standing. Deep pipes run even lower in the ground, but it looks like the central point where all the water will rush out is right where you're standing."

The group turned towards the same massive machine that they could hear the rushing water come from.

"Alright. Now that we know, we can smash it, right?" Mighty grinned, cracking his knuckles and starting to advance.

Corvin and Tangle were quick to follow after him, the former raising his drill Wispon and the other enlarging her tail into a fist.

"Do not Smash it!" Amy shouted.

The three of them stopped dead in their tracks and quickly scampered back to the group. Sure, Amy couldn't see them, but would you wanna take a risk with a girl you knew could punt you across a football field with her hammer?

Espio couldn't help but let out a light chuckle at this but continued. "How should we proceed then?"

"It looks like there are three pressure points to unlock the water system underground. One of them is on the very machine you're looking at but the other two are further into the underground facility. There should be two branching paths that should lead to the others, but they have to be pushed at the same time in order to work."

"Then it looks like we'll have to split up." Fierro noted.

"That's right. One of you will have to stay here while the other two teams should go off and take care of the other switches. But the groups that stays here will have to be careful. As soon as that thing bursts open, you're gonna be washed away."

"Then I'll be one of the ones to stay here." Silver announced. "I can put a psychic shield around us that should be able to keep us safe and get washed out above ground.

"Very well. I will stand ground with you here." Espio nodded, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Looks like it's up to us to take two more groups then." Fierro said, looking towards Rouge, who agreed with her.

"Hope you don't mind if I take one of yours then?" Rouge asked. "I think I could go for your little rockstar over there."

Fierro and Rhythm looked at each other and both shrugged before Rhythm went over to join Rouge.

"Be my guest." Fierro added.

"Then I'll be taking Corvin too." Silver added. "If anything comes up in a fight, I'd be down to have him by my side."

"Sweet." Corvin smiled as he walked over to Silver and Espio.

"Then uh… I think I'm gonna stay with you, Fi." Gadget said. "I'd rather stick with what I know, y'know?"

Rouge and Silver didn't hold any objections towards that as he crossed over to Fierro's side.

"That's no fun!" Tangle laughed as she quickly joined Gadget and wrapped an arm around him to which he let out a yelp. "What's a mission without a little excitement, specs?!"

"One where I don't have to fear for my life?" Gadget asked.

Tangle laughed again. "But that's half the fun of it! Get that blood pumping and moving. Nah, I'm making sure you get that in you."

"Great…" Gadget sighed.

Corvin couldn't help but snicker. "Glad someone's doing my job for me."

Tangle raised her tail in a fist towards him which he gladly returned a fist bump to. Both of them couldn't help but laugh.

"Then I'll go with Tangle!" Charmy cheered. "She's so much fun!"

"Heck yeah, little guy! Let's go on an adventure!"

Charmy flew over to Tangle and the two shared a high five that left Fierro in amusement while Gadget looked a little dismayed.

Vector snapped his fingers. "Dang it, looks like the Chaotix are splittin' up, huh? Aight, Rouge. I'm with you."

"Great…" Rouge sighed but the croc didn't really notice.

"Well, before anybody else invites themselves over, I'll be taking Mighty. I could use a pair of muscles on my side and poor Knuckie dear is stuck playing the leader back on the island."

"Uh hello? What about these guns?" Vector shouted, making sure to flex his muscles.

Rouge simply laughed. "Sure. If I'm looking to take out a soup can. No, no. Mighty will do just fine."

Vector deflated while Mighty patted him on the back with a light chuckle.

"Guess that leaves you guys with me, Big and Ray." Silver smiled as he looked at the two.

"This will be fun!" Big announced as he lumbered over to Silver and gave him a hug to which the hedgehog laughed.

Ray looked to Mighty, who nodded. Shakily, the squirrel made his way over to the two.

Big set Silver down and he gave Ray a pat on the back. "Welcome to the team, kid."

Ray gave a shaky smile at this.

"Welp. We'll be off." Rouge waved. "Try not to slow us down too much, Vector darling."

"Man. Is it too late to join somebody else?" Vector groaned.

"You came to this team so you're stuck with me!" Rouge chirped as she, Rhythm and Mighty made their way down the path to the left.

"Last one there is a rotten egg!" Charmy cheered as he dashed off in the opposite direction of Rouge's group.

Tangle laughed and chased after him. "Oh you are not getting away from me."

Gadget just let out a sigh as Fierro patted him on the back, the two quick to go after those crazy kids.

With the two groups gone. Silver turned back to the same machine in question, a determined smirk pressed upon his muzzle.

"And now, we wait."

~Trials of War~

It wasn't long until Sonic arrived at the bottom of the facility which wasn't too much to look at if he was being honest.

Piles upon piles of broken and discarded robot parts were scattered about, it was dull and damp without any sort of real lighting. It was a complete and total dump.

At least it's better than the bombs. Sonic mused as he began to casually stroll across the room, his backpack in tow.

With a finger to his ear, he decided to give Amy a call to inform her of his progress. "Amy. I've made it to the bottom of the pyramid.

"Wow! You really blow me away, Sonic! Now blow that place sky high and we'll be sending a good message to Eggman!"

"On it." Sonic agreed as he shut off his com and began to look around the room for somewhere to place the charges.

The room itself wasn't too remarkable, so any number of places could've worked. He could even set it at the door and run out of there without too much of a second thought but that likely wouldn't have gotten the desired effect that he'd have wanted. No. If he was gonna blow this place to pieces then he was gonna have to place these explosives at the best possible place.

Sonic thought to himself for a moment wondering where that would be.

Experience of both causing and getting caught in explosions told him that if he wanted something to go down then it probably would be for the best to go for the middle, that way everything would go out and hopefully topple in on itself.

Yeah. That'll do it.

Sonic was quick to jog through the piles of junk. He made sure not to step on any of the scraps because who knew what could spring to life at any moment, right?

It wasn't long until he made his trek to the center of the room and found a tall pile of parts to place the explosion on top of. He couldn't help but smirk at this, it was perfect.

Carefully he placed the bombs on the pile, being sure to start the timer and smiled.

5 minutes.

Now all that's left is to get the heck out of here.

~Trials of War~

Rhythm was still deep in thought humming out a melody for her new song. It was slow, deep and hit a rather low and flat tones more than anything else.

She opened her eyes and frowned. "This isn't it."

Vector chuckled. "Yeah, I didn't wanna say nothin' but I'm definitely not feelin' it."

"It's got it's charm." Rouge hummed. "But it's definitely not anything I'd listen to."

Mighty shrugged. "Just ain't my cup of tea."

"Yeah, I'm trying to work out that underground song but I guess I'm just not really feeling it." Rhythm shrugged. "I like the dark and serious thing, but I guess I'm not used to making dark and serious. Most of my stuff is upbeat, y'know?"

"Then how bout we work on that?" Vector asked. "You can still be hittin' hard and getting heavy stuff without having to be all dark and boring."

"What do you have in mind then?" Rhythm asked him.

"Well, I like to rock but that ain't really your style is it?"

"No, not really. I got this techno beat sort of thing going on. I do like to bust out the guitars sometimes but I'm a synth kinda gal."

"Really? I figured you'd be all about that with the outfit you've got goin' on?" Mighty said.

Rhythm laughed. "You're not the first to say that. When I told Gadget that I made music for the first time, he was quick to start asking me if I was like Crush 40. Nah. I got my own sound going on, you know?"

"I respect that." Vector smiled. "Music ain't no good if you're following what everybody else is doin' you gotta find your own rhythm."

Mighty chuckled. "Pun intended?"

"I- uh… huh." Vector shrugged. "I guess not."

Rhythm couldn't help but laugh a little too.

Rouge smiled. "Well, if I know one thing then I know this little fire cracker is miles better than you, Vector."

Vector shrugged. "First my guns and now my beats! Come on, Rouge! You're killin' me here!"

Rouge laughed. "Can't help it. You're just too easy."

Everybody couldn't help but laugh at Vector's expense while the crocodile just deflated in defeat.

They continued their trek for a while before they found themselves in a room similar to that of the one they had left Silver and the others in.

~Trials of War~

"And that's the story of how I beat Metal Sonic with one hand tied behind my back!" Tangle announced.

Stars in his eyes and gazing with such a fondness and bewilderment that couldn't be matched by an adult, Charmy was stunned. "Wow!"

Charmy couldn't help but let out a cheeky grin at that.

Fierro sighed. "Tangle, stop filling Charmy with lies."

"Yeah." Gadget agreed. "And Charmy, haven't you fought Metal Sonic before?"

"Well yeah, but not like Tangle has!" Charmy cheered. "She's so cool! I liked the part where she went super with the Chaos Emeralds."

Tangle laughed. "Well… What can I say?"

Charmy buzzed around excitedly as Tangle continued to tell tall tales to Charmy in order to entertain him as they kept walking down the path.

While they walked, Gadget and Fierro had some time alone.

"Well, I guess if they can keep all that excitement to themselves, then that's fine by me." Gadget shrugged.

Fierro couldn't help but laugh. "Too much excitement is never too good for you, huh?"

"You could say that again." He laughed. "Honestly though, I'm kinda getting used to it."

"So you like getting dragged into messes now?"

"No. No. It's still scary as heck diving into a pit full of robots or being flung into the sky only to have to think fast with my grappling hook. It's just, I guess… I dunno. I don't exactly enjoy it or anything but I guess I'm starting to understand more that it's less about making me scream- though I do know you psychopaths do like that."

Fierro snickered. "You got us there."

Gadget couldn't help but chuckle too. "Yeah… Yeah… But it's also about how we gotta get the job done. Y'know? Even if I prefer to play things safe, I didn't join the resistance to do that, I joined to make sure we could stick it to Eggman for taking our homes, y'know? So I guess… Every time you guys drag me into trouble, it's important. You know?"

Fierro couldn't help but smile and nod. "Yeah, I do. I'm glad that you understand. Sure it's definitely funny to watch you fumble around sometimes but we never mean to hurt you, you know that, right?"

"I know." Gadget nodded. "You guys push me to do things that I normally wouldn't on my own and I get to be brave because of that. My friends may be crazy but they're my friends, y'know?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Gadget and Fierro shared a fist bump at that and continued to walk on.

Before they found themselves in the room, Gadget had one more thing to add.

"But that Tangle girl still scares me."

Fierro couldn't help but snicker again.

~Trials of War~

"Oh, I just know it will work this time, Emperor!" Starline announced as he and Eggman made their way down the halls of the facility. "With our newfound vigor and combined intellect there's nothing that could possibly stand in our way!"

"Right you are, Starline!" Eggman grinned. "All it needs is a few adjustments. We'll be able to find the balance we need and then…"

Starline returned the smile to Eggman. "Oh, they won't know what hit them! When you pilot this vessel and use it to conquer the resistance. They truly won't know what hit them."

"Exactly!" Eggman agreed. "I know we'll get it this time."

The two were practically racing down the hall to get to the lab just as Cubot and Orbot came to join them. The former was wearing a hardhat, ready to get to work while the latter had a clipboard and a pencil in hand.

Orbot was the first to speak, looking over the data. "We've been syphoning energies both from the prototype and the emerald as we speak, Doctor. Before long, you should have enough energy for the machine to be operating at 100%."

"Excellent!" Eggman grinned.

Cubot scratched his head. "Yeah, but that stuff is crazy together. If we mess up again, then it's another boom!"

Starline scoffed. "Please, do you know who you are talking to? The Emperor of the Eggman Empire is more than enough to handle a silly chemical reaction like this. Not to mention he has my intellect to aid him in this endeavor. We shall not fail this time."

Orbot looked down at his clipboard and narrowed his visual receptors. "Yes, but what about the-"

But he was cut off as one of the buttons on Eggman's vest began to beep. Everyone came to a stop and looked confusedly as Eggman sighed.

"Great, now who wants to waste my time today?"

He clicked the button and a holographic display came up. A red exclamation point came up to show none other than Celeste in his Green Hill Zone laboratory downloading data.

"Who is that?" Cubot asked.

Eggman shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Seems the resistance wants to steal data from our laboratory over at Green Hill Zone. But… One girl? No. that can't be right…"

Eggman began manipulating the screen and he began to flick through several camera shots of the facility at a rapid pace.

"Stop!" Starline called out pointing at one in particular.

Eggman stopped at Starline's command and both were shocked to see none other than a familiar blue blur racing down the halls of the pyramid.

"Sonic..." Eggman growled. "I should've known if those pests were in my lab that everyone's favorite hood ornament would be making a mess of things too."

Starline frowned. "Yes, but what is he doing? Is he not heading down towards the scrapheaps at the bottom of the pyramid?"

Eggman nodded. "That can't be right."

"Where are the rest of them though?" Cubot asked. "You don't think they'd send Sonic and whoever that is to the labs alone right?"

"Of course not." Eggman rolled his eyes. He began to flit through different camera shots and stopped when he found his mark. Undeground in front of one of the main pressure points for the water tanks appeared to be a group of resistance members talking amongst themselves about something while Silver held up his communicator. "I should've known."

Starline couldn't help but glare at the screen now showing the three different perspectives. "What shall we do, Emperor? Shall we send out Chaos or perhaps you would like to send me out to them? I would make quick work of them with the proper machinery!"

Cubot "Didn't you lose to those four guys on the Death Egg when you-"

Starline now directed his deadly gaze at the robot who held his hands up in defense.

"I'm just saying…"

Starline shook his head. "Need I remind you that I was the one who bested Espio the Chameleon and managed to put the Queen of Soleanna in our possession?"

"Doctor, please… Allow me to-"

"No." Eggman shook his head. "The nincombot brings up a point. You're horrible in a battle and are really only best at taking on a single foe at a time by overwhelming them with the Starbots. You may be a match for Espio, but taking on the likes of Sonic or a pack of those lot at once, you're not going to do well."

Starline deflated at that. "Oh…"

Eggman then looked at the screen. "No, if they want to deal with my robots at the factory, then I will allow them just as much. I don't know what Sonic is up to but I know if his precious little zone is put in danger, that will be sure to attract him. As for the girl…"

Starline brightened at that. "If I may redeem myself, Doctor then allow me to present an idea to you. You have remote access to the computer, correct?"

Eggman nodded. "Yes."

"Excellent. Then I propose we allow her to take the data from our systems, but… How about we give them a nasty little surprise along with it?"

"What did you have in mind?" Eggman asked.

Starline told him his plot and Eggman smiled.

"Keep this up and I may have to promote you from General to an even greater position." Eggman grinned. "Alright, forget the Collider for now, let us deploy our counter measures in Green Hill Zone and begin to prepare for the next act!"

"Oh, Doctor. This will be excellent, I just know it!" Starline agreed. "The Resistance will not know what hit them!"

"Oh yes! Soon those fools will all be wiped out and I will reign supreme as the world's champion!"

~Trials of War~

Celeste watched with baited breath as the lines of code went down the screen as the robots kept banging on the door to get into the room.

It was nearly finished. However, just before the bar filled, she heard the door slide open, snapping her attention to the back of the room as robots swarmed in.

Too bad she did that because as she did, an Eggman Empire logo flashed on the screen as a new download began on the flashdrive.

She immediately switched on her communicator and cried out. "Help! Help! Somebody help!"

Immediately Sonic's voice flaired to life on the other side. "Celeste?!"

"Sonic, Celeste is in trouble!" Amy yelled on the other end. "You need to get over there right now!"

"I'm off!" Sonic shouted, racing off at the other end.

Celeste breathed a sigh of relief at that and just then, she heard the telltale chime of the computer confirming the download was complete. She was quick to rip the flash out of the drive and stuff it in her pocket. She then turned to face the Egg Pawns, Wispon raised and prepared to fight the oncoming mob.

~Trials of War~

The coms of those underground chimed to life at almost the same time.

"We've made it, Amy." Fierro announced from her end as she and Gadget followed the excited Charmy and Tangle into their room.

"Us too." Rouge added as she and her group walked in, a downcast Vector lagging behind a little.

Silver chimed in on his end, smiling from ear to ear. "Excellent. Now all we need to do is hit the switches and Green Hill will have its water again."

Gadget sighed. "Thank goodness."

"Great work everyone!" Amy grinned. "All together now, pull the switches and we can go home."

"I've got it!" Corvin grinned as he raced off on his gear.

"Tangle's goin' in!" Tangle announced on her end.

"I'll take it from here." Mighty nodded as he rushed off.

Just then as the three were headed to their switches, panels opened up from above and three massive machines descended upon them.

Corvin gapped at the sight, quick to dodge out of the way just in time for the massive machine.

Tangle saw this and yelped, she used her tail as a spring and hopped out of the way.

Mighty was different though, curling into a ball and tanking the impact and spindashing away just as began to hover from the ground in front of them.

The groups gasped at the sight, getting into battle ready poses as they were faced with none other than an Egg Dragoon for all of them to face.

"Why can't it ever be easy!" Gadget cried out.

~Trials of War~

But that wasn't all, deep within the Pyramid, a massive machine had come to life. Its multiple eyes glowing with anticipation as it was deployed out of the Pyramid and into the rest of Green Hill Zone.

~Trials of War~

Celeste had become overwhelmed as she did her best to fire on the oncoming swarm of Egg Pongs and miniature drones that flew around the room. She did her best with her Wispon but it was no use as they just kept coming and coming.

It wasn't long before an Egg Pong wrenched the gun from her hands as others began to charge their blasters, prepared to fire.

She gulped.

This was the end for her.

She screwed her eyes shut, prepared for the inevitable end….

Only to hear the sounds of Robot Parts crunching and flying through the air.

Celeste opened her eyes to see none other than Sonic himself, having boosted into the room with enough force that sent a lot of the robots flying through the air.

"Sonic!"

The hedgehog laughed and offered a hand to her. "You know I can never miss a party, Cel!"

She joined his excitement as she took his hand and he helped her up to his feet. "Of course. It is your birthday after all."

"Got that right." Sonic smirked. He then scooped up her weapon and handed it back to her. "Course, I shouldn't be the one giving gifts here today."

"Well, you always were the giving type."

The two laughed at that only for the world to shake all around them.

"Was that the bomb?!" Celeste cried out.

"Can't be, we've still got like two minutes."

"Shouldn't we get out of here then?!"

"Yeah, let's go!"

Just then more robots began to pour into the room to face Sonic and Celeste.

Sonic looked at her.

She looked back at him.

They smiled and nodded at one another, clasping each other's hands and feeling power race through both of their bodies.

Without another word, they double boosted down the hall and out of the Pyramid.

~Trials of War~

Just in time, Sonic and Celeste burst out of the top of the Pyramid and into the sandy dunes below as the bombs detonated and the Pyramid was no more.

"Take that Eggman!' Sonic cheered.

Celeste smiled at him as he started to do a little dance over their victory in Arsenal Pyramid. They'd done it. Eggman's desert laboratory was no more and it would only be a matter of time before those underground would bring the water back to Green Hill.

Celeste couldn't help but smile at it all. They were really doing it, they were freeing the world from Eggman's reign and it wouldn't be long before they took back the planet.

"You see that, Celeste! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Sonic grinned. "With all of us working together like this we're gonna save the world again and Eggman won't know what hit him!"

She beamed and offered her fist up to him. "Another victory for the resistance."

He grinned back and returned the fist bump only for the ground to shake all around them.

The two looked confusedly at this only to see a massive mech to crawl its way out from the rubble that was formerly Arsenal Pyramid. It was a massive disk shaped robot standing atop eight legs made of a cold rustic looking metal with fierce glowing red eyes that glared at them from above. Multiple jagged spikes came out from its head and on its legs as well and without batting an eye, it used those massive legs to begin its destruction of Green Hill Zone, stomping about and leaving nothing but rubble in its wake.

Celeste slightly deflated at this. "I- wh-what is that?!"

Unlike Celeste, Sonic was ecstatic. "He just doesn't quit, huh? Well alright! I'll play with your toys, Eggman!" Completely jazzed up and raring to go, bouncing on his feet and punching the air as if he were in a boxing match against an imaginary foe. He was more than ready to take on the massive machine.

"It-it's so big how are we going to stop it?" Celeste asked.

"By working together, you and I got this Celeste!"

Celeste gave him a shaky smile but clasped her hand in his. "R-right."

And that's when Sonic's com flared to life.

"Sonic!" Knuckles voice called out from the other end.

Sonic rolled his eyes. "Can't talk now, Knuckles. Me and my partner got a giant mech to trash!"

"No wait! It's important!" Amy cried.

Sonic and Celeste both turned their attention to the com.

"What's up?" Sonic asked.

"Shadow and Infiinite have been deployed and are heading towards the Chemical Plant in Holoska."

Celeste was confused. "The Chemical Plant? Why?"

Sonic laughed. "We must've got Eggman so good that he's pointing his goons the wrong way! We can handle them later. But right now…"

There was a pause for a moment as Knuckles and Amy were unsure of what to say. Finally, there was a heavy sigh from Amy.

"Sonic… We think it's Tails." Amy told him.

It was as if his entire world had been put on pause in that very moment. Tails? His little buddy? His best friend? The one person in the world that he always knew he could count on no matter what. His partner in crime, his little brother? Tails? How was this possible? They had lost him for so long he thought that maybe…

"What?! How?!"

Knuckles was the one to speak up now. "Recently, a GUN ship arrived on the island carrying prisoners from the Death Egg. They said that that he was the run to save them along with other interesting things…"

"But they lost track of him and well…"

"Who else on the planet could annoy Eggman enough to send the both of them out at the same time?" Knuckles let out a sort of wry laugh at that last comment sounding almost grave.

Sonic knew what that meant too… If Tails really was out at the Chemical Plant and both Shadow and Infinite were on their way, then that only meant danger for the fox. If either of them dared lay a hand on him he swore that he wouldn't let them live to see another day. No matter what.

Sonic looked between the robot terrorizing Green Hill Zone and out to the direction he knew Holoska was, unsure. Tails needed his help, but he had to finish the mission here.

It was Celeste who spoke up, cutting through his clouded mind like a hot knife through butter. "You need to go, Sonic!"

Sonic looked over to her.

Celeste could see the conflicted look in his eyes, the fear, the anguish the desperation and at the same time a light tinge of joy that no doubt came from the fact that Tails was alive. But he was in trouble and anyone on the planet knew that no matter what, Sonic would always go running off for his best friend. He wasn't going to allow him to stay here while his friend could be in danger.

"Sonic, you need to go! I-I can handle this, I promise." She insisted.

"Celeste…" He started.

"She's right. We'll be right here to guide her every step of the way!" Amy insisted. "Sonic. We need you to leave now."

Sonic screwed his eyes shut. He let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Alright. Just give me a moment with Celeste."

"Okay." Amy said before the com switched off.

Sonic then turned to Celeste, a rather exasperated look on his face. "Celeste… I- told you earlier that above all else, people are really what I see as my home. My friends, my family. They're what matter to me, right?"

Celeste nodded. "Yeah."

"Green Hill… this place means a lot to me and seeing what Eggman's done, seeing what he's planned for this place… If there's one place in the world that matters to me then it's this place…"

He looked out wistfully at the place, years upon years of memories of running around and getting into all sorts of trouble all over the place crossed his mind. However, to her surprise he turned back to him and had that same look on his face, smiling.

"But you know what, you matter to me too. Just like all my friends do. Green Hill Zone may have been my home for a long time and it still is, but at the end of the day, that's all it is, a bunch of hills. But you and everybody else, you're what really matter to me. So… please save my home and promise me that you'll come back in one piece too."

Celeste looked at him, tears coming out of the corners of her eyes. "I promise."

Sonic smiled at her and pulled her into a tight hug which she gladly returned. They held for a moment before they finally broke apart.

Sonic then turned away from her and waved which she gladly returned and without another word, he dashed off into the horizon. Mere seconds after he left, a sonic boom erupted in the distance.

She watched him for a few more moments before the ground began to shake again and she turned, looking up towards the robot that loomed above.

Alright folks, that'll do for this one. I'm very excited for where we're about to go.
But first, ey, it's Sonic Direct- I mean, uh… Sonic Central day! That's pretty cool! I'm uploading this before it goes live but I'm gonna do a question, what are you hoping to see or if it's already aired, what excited you most about the presentation. Would love to hear that in reviews or hey, shoot me a DM. I'm likely gonna talk about it a little more next time. I'm personally crossing my fingers for a first look at Sonic Prime and at least a teaser for that 30th anniversary game and I mean the actual game not the leaks that have been out which well, if you know, you know. Oh yeah, and I'm also very happy that Roger Craig Smith is here to stay! It's been a good week for Sonic and I'm hoping these announcements will make it even better.
Anyway, next time we'll be wrapping things up on Celeste's side of this arc with a little level you all know and love called Guardian Rock. Everything is Set in Motion now and I just cannot wait to see how this comes to a close. And of course, after that one, it'll be time for something that has been a very long time coming.
Until next time, let's go with some Review Replies.

numberjacksoctonauts:
Yeah, Pachacamac is the absolute worst and I just want good things for Tikal.
Knuckles and Amy have been one of the other fun dynamics in this fic. Not as much fun as my beloved Classic Quartet but still fun none the less.
So close to the reunion. I'm very excited to get to that point.
Oh, whoops. My bad. Haha.
Thanks for the support!

The Sensational SpiderDom:
And now Sonic knows too. It's gonna be a fun time.
Haha. I love the excitement, man.
It's definitely gonna be a fun reunion.
That scene was a lot of fun to write and the dynamics between Knuckles, the GUN Commander and 'ol Pacchy was a lot of fun.
Had to slip Tom in somewhere and that felt like a good enough time as any.
We're getting close to that fight, but first… Thanks for the support!

CVGWJames:
Well, we knew that. Lol. It's just the Resistance that didn't know.

SonicDash:
We'll get there. Haha. Thank you.

TheLostEternity:
Ey, so you read the Islands script then? Thanks.
But yeah, Echo's great and while I gotta tweak her a bit here (no Shards) but she's a fun one and I'm glad to slide her into a minor role here.
Sonic and Celeste have been through a whole lot together and have become more friends, Sonic has more just become another person in her life rather than some huge star. I was glad to get to touch on that here.
Glad you liked it and thanks for the support!

Guest:
Well, I appreciate that you think that!

Animation Adventures:
A mini arc ends with them now that the prisoners have made their way there.
After Young Sonic, it's just kinda like "Lol. Okay. Sure."
Gotta rep as many parts of Sonic I can. Actually, if I had the ability to rewrite the story, Tom probably would've taken the place of Joseph the GUN Soldier in the Death Egg. Course, he's not a part of GUN, just a cop.
Now that they know, we're coming down on the wire.
It's going to be a fun time when we get to that fight.
Thanks again.

Well everyone. See you next time for "Set in Motion."