Sonic's eyes opened as a beam of light fell over his face. He squinted and groaned, turning away from the blinding rays.
"Ssawnick?"
Sonic looked over as Josh stretched and yawned.
"Morning bud!" Sonic said cheerfully.
"What time izzit?" Josh rubbed his face.
"...'Bout 9:00-ish."
"Wake me up when it's later..." Josh slurred as his eyes shut again and he drifted back to-
"Nope, rise and shine buck-o!" Sonic shook Josh, who groaned in reply. "We have a whole day of day wasting ahead of us!"
"That's the point." Another tired voice shot from across the room. "Let us sleep!"
"You're setting a bad example Knuckles." Sonic deadpanned. The echidna groaned in reply. The morning Mobian looked back down at Josh, who was rubbing his eyes.
"Mmm, carry me down." The teen said with a flourish of his arm. He held it out for Sonic to grab...
...
"I'm sorry, I was kidding!" Josh clung to Sonic's neck as he was dangled precariously off the balcony. Sonic and Knuckles were in fits of laughter as the boy clawed in vain towards the hotel room.
"You told me to carry you! That's what I'm doing, I'm carrying you!" Sonic offered cheerfully.
"SONIC!"
...
"I'm not speaking to you again."
"I love you too."
Josh scoffed and rolled his eyes. But inwardly, he smiled. Sonic always seemed to be able to do that, make him smile.
"Y'know, last night was the first time you told me that." Sonic said. Josh looked back over.
"I'm not speaking to you?" He asked, slightly confused. Sonic smiled.
"I love you."
Josh blushed.
"Well... I do..." Josh traced a seam on the bed spread. "You're my big brother, and my best friend..."
Sonic rubbed a hand through Josh's hair, a gesture the teen was becoming more and more fond of.
"I love you too." Sonic said simply, grinning as he did so. Josh grinned back.
"Get a room!" Knuckles called from the bathroom.
"So, what are we doing today?" Josh asked.
"Like I said, day-wasting!" Sonic replied, hopping off the bed.
"Could you be any more specific? You know, nouns, verbs, a few adjectives would be nice."
"Well, I thought we'd just do stuff you want to do." Sonic shrugged. "We've been running around for so long, we really haven't had time to stop and enjoy ourselves. Now that we have a day, we should spend some time together. I want to get to know you better."
Josh smiled and leaned against Sonic.
"I'd like that."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
Sonic rubbed Josh's arm. "So where would you wanna go?"
"Where can we go?" Josh looked up at Sonic. "I don't know what's here."
"Well, there's the beach, we can explore the city, we can go hike in the forest... We could go back to Music Park if you feel up to it..."
Josh sat quietly for a moment. He continued to gaze into Sonic's emerald green eyes.
"...can we go visit the hospital?"
...
Scourge stared out the window at the rising sun. The night at the hospital had been restless and painful, both physically and emotionally. The hedgehog cursed himself again for showing weakness to those people. Wasn't he the most bad-*** hedgehog in Moebus? He'd been beaten worse before those Ministry jerks got ahold of him.
He unconsciously shuddered at the mere thought of the name. He hadn't been through worse. What those people did, it didn't just scar his body, he felt as if his mind, his very soul was beaten into submission.
He felt weak. He hated weak.
"Scourge...?" A familiar voice asked from the door. Scourge turned to see Josh, standing timidly at the doorway. The green hedgehog smirked and sat up.
"I just can't shake ya kid, can I?" Scourge chuckled and motioned Josh into the room.
"Lay back down," Josh urged as he walked in, "you need rest!"
Scourge put his hands behind his head. "I'm just fine kid! I'm just staying to make a move on the nurse."
"O boi..." Josh sighed and chuckled. Scourge sneered and closed his eyes.
"Yep, can't keep this hedgehog down!" Scourge jerked a thumb at himself proudly. "I'm tough as nails!"
The smirk on his face was quickly wiped away when he felt two hands wrap around his gloved one. Josh looked up at Scourge worriedly. Scourge looked back down at Josh.
The kid looked so weak... So helpless...
And for once, it didn't make him angry.
Scourge opened his hand and firmly took hold of one of Josh's. "It takes a lot more than that to take me down." He reassured the teen. "I'm checking out in the evening, ok? I promise, I'm just fine." This feeling of compassion was strange and almost foreign to the mercenary hedgehog... But something about Josh seemed to melt all emotional barriers he had put up, revealing a side of him that even that he had rarely, if ever, seen.
Scourge motioned to a chair next to the bed. "Sit. I've got answers for ya." Josh did as he was told, never letting go of Scourge's hand. It wasn't until the anti-hero gingerly slid his glove out of the teen's grasp did Josh get the hint.
"Sorry..."
Scourge smiled a bit. Not smirked. Smiled. "I have a reputation to keep up." His grin got a bit wider, showing his pointed teeth. "Can't have people thinking I'm going soft."
Josh smiled in return. "R-Right..."
Scourge chuckled again. "Anyways..." His attitude grew somber. "The reason I was trying to kill ya was because those Ministry d**** hired me." Scourge looked away from Josh. "From what I heard, they wanted Sonic depressed, and killing you was the best way..."
"But you didn't kill me." Josh said quietly. Scourge shook his head.
"Nope... First time I haven't been able to." Scourge mused. He shook his head again, as if to clear his thoughts. "Anyways, when they saw you and Blue Stuff fight, they realized that that would work just as good as killing you."
"Blue stuff?" Josh teased. "Is that the best you could come up with?" Scourge sneered.
"You wanna hear the uncensored version?"
"Er, no, thanks... Plus 'blue stuff' is in the next room, I'll bet he'd hear."
Scourge rolled his eyes. "For not being his pet, he sure keeps you on a short leash."
"I don't mind." Josh replied with a shrug. "It feels... Nice to know he's got his eye on me." He smiled a bit wider and got distant, as if remembering something... Scourge was about to press the issue when Josh looked at a clock. "Hey, I gotta go, Sonic's probably nearly done with his visit."
"With who?"
"The owner of Music Park, he's suffered some kind of head injury." Josh said. "Apparently he was being controlled, just like everyone else in that facility."
"Hm..." Scourge shook his head. "Crazy..."
Josh sat in thought for a moment before gently grabbing Scourge's arm. "After you check out, you should come with us!"
"Whaddaya mean 'with you?'" Scourge asked, an eyebrow cocked.
"Help us find the Emeralds!" Josh exclaimed excitedly. "The more the merrier!"
Scourge smiled and shook his head. "Nah, I gotta get back to my dimension, I have a girl back there that's probably getting bored of waiting for me."
"You have a girlfriend...?" Josh asked. Scourge nodded. "And yet you flirt with the nurse?"
"She doesn't have to know." Scourge smirked and rubbed his nose. "And you ain't gonna tell her, right?"
"Oh Scourge..."
"Hehe!"
Josh let out an exaggerated sigh as he stood. "I'd like to say I'm disappointed, but I've almost come to expect it from you."
Scourge smirked in pride. "I'm no Sonic kid. I'm waaaaaaay better."
Josh smiled and headed for the door.
"Hey, kid..."
Josh turned. Scourge had lost all confidence in the blink of an eye, having it replaced with... Regret? His eyes were closed, as if lost in thought.
"Scourge...?"
"I'm sorry... For everything... Trying to kill you and all that." Scourge said quietly, almost pained. Josh thought back to his and Scourge's first meeting in the forest. And indeed, most of their meetings afterwords hadn't exactly been pleasant...
Scourge was startled when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him.
"I'm not." Josh said quietly. "It's behind us now."
Scourge smiled, allowing himself to hug the teen back for a few moments. He gently shoved Josh away and poked his finger into Josh's chest. "Tell anyone I hugged you, you're a dead man."
"Of course." Josh winked. "Can't ruin that image of yours."
"Atta boy." Scourge's grin turned into a smirk. "Now get lost kid."
Josh nodded and walked to the door.
"Hey Scourge?"
Scourge looked his way.
"Thanks for looking out for me."
...
"Why'd you want to wait outside?" Sonic asked as the two left the hospital.
"I barely knew the guy, and he barely knew me!" Josh replied. "Besides, I wanted to check on Scourge."
"And the truth comes out." Sonic chuckled. "I knew you were lying."
"Oh, you knew?" Josh challenged.
"Yes." Sonic replied. "I'm your brother, of course I know!"
"You haven't been my brother for that long!" Josh countered.
"You have a terrible poker face."
"I read them, I can't hold one."
"Thank goodness." Sonic nudged Josh. "I need to know when you're not being honest."
"And why do you need to know that?" Josh asked, smiling.
"It's my job to know! Just like you with Jacob." Sonic said.
"...Can't argue with that." Josh relented.
Sonic chuckled again and wrapped an arm around Josh's shoulders. "So, what do you say to lunch, and then we can hit Music Park like you wanted?"
"Are you sure you're ok with going back?" Josh looked up at Sonic worriedly. Sonic looked back down at him, the same worry in the hedgehog's emerald eyes.
"Are you?"
Josh bit the inside of his cheek before closing his eyes and resting his head against Sonic. "No... But I need to go back... I need to resolve these... Feelings. I think going there might help."
Sonic rubbed Josh's arm. "You're a brave guy, you know that?"
"Hm..." Josh smiled a bit as he opened his eyes and straightened up again. "So, where are you taking me for lunch?"
"Well," Sonic quickly turned Josh down the street and began speed walking. "I just realized that you've been with me for just about 5 days-"
"It's just been four!"
"Five for me." Sonic smiled tenderly and looked down at Josh. "You were knocked out for a day after I caught you. I took care of you." Josh smiled back as Sonic returned to guiding Josh down the street. "Of course, that was before I knew what we'd become, what we are now, but even then, I thought you were pretty special."
"Oh shut up!" Josh laughed. "You're full of it!"
"No, really, anyone who can blow a hole in Eggman's secret lair is pretty awesome in my book." Sonic winked at Josh, before turning him down another street. "Anyway's in the time we've been together, I've never taken you to try the best food in the world."
Josh looked agape at Sonic in shock and excitement. "No way... You don't mean-"
"Uh-huh!" Sonic grandly gestured to a small food cart on the side of the road. "It's time to have your first chili dog!"
Josh hollered in excitement. "I'm starving! Are these any good?"
"Dude, they're chili dogs, they're all good!" Sonic replied.
"We though we might find you here." A female voice said from behind them, a voice that instinctively made Sonic flinch. Josh rolled his eyes at his brother and ducked under Sonic's arm.
"Amy! Tails!" Josh cheered as he ran up to them. Amy hugged him as he drew near, which he happily returned. "What are you guys doing?"
"We're heading over to Music Park." Tails explained as Josh went over to hug the kit as well.
"We wondered if you wanted to come!" Amy looked to both him and Sonic.
"We were gonna head there after we ate." Sonic said as he joined the group. "Have you had lunch yet?"
"I'm not having a chili dog if that's what you're suggesting." Amy retorted. "I'm on a diet, remember?"
Sonic rolled his eyes. "What about you little buddy, hungry?"
"Starving!" Tails exclaimed, smiling.
"I'll meet you guys back here." Amy waved as she continued walking. "Don't leave me behind!" She turned and gave a cold stare at Sonic, who looked away nonchalantly, scratching his nose. She scoffed jokingly and huffed off.
"Okay buddy... Ya ready for your chili dog inauguration?" Sonic asked Josh, a mischievous gleam in his eye. Tails looked at him too, that same glint shining through his baby blue eyes.
"I-Inauguration?" Josh stuttered, stepping back a bit, not liking the look in either of their peepers.
"You aren't a true Hedgehog... Until you eat like one." Sonic smirked gleefully.
...
"C'mon, just a little more bud!"
"You can do it Josh!"
"Sonic, he's gonna choke!"
"No way Ames, he's my little bro!" Sonic watched as Josh tried to shove the remaining half of the chili dog into his mouth... Whole. The group went quiet as the teen, slowly but surely, closed his mouth. He raised his hands in victory as the whole table erupted in applause. Josh managed to swallow some of the chili dog.
"I can be'eve I et a kiwi 'og en oo ites..." Josh struggled to speak between his mouthful.
"You gotta do it at least once. Tails has, Knuckles has, even Amy has." Sonic said, pointing to Amy.
Amy swatted at his finger. "It's also why me and Knuckles have only had one. It's kinda a turn-off to have it shoved down your throat."
"What'd you think buddy?" Sonic asked.
"Well," Josh said after swallowing, "A bit much at one time... But really good!"
"Sonic only makes you do it once." Tails giggled a bit. "It's a tradition me and him started."
"You should see Manic down one, he's a beast." Sonic chuckled and shook his head. "Worse than me."
Josh wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Manic's your brother, right?" Sonic nodded. "And Sonia's your sister?"
"Yup. That's us!"
"Didn't you guys used to be in a band?"
Sonic groaned and covered his face. "We don't speak of that."
"I thought you guys were good!" Amy said, laughing.
"It was the 90's..." Sonic grinned sheepishly. "I did a lot of weird things then... I thought I was a good singer until I took some voice lessons from my college professor."
"Yeah, speaking of the 90's..." Josh looked Sonic up and down. "Can I ask why you look different?"
"You mean thinner?" Sonic and Tails asked in unison. The two looked at each other and smirked.
"Tails made me go on a diet." Sonic explained. "I had to watch what I eat, which, for a while, sucked."
"You just wanted to eat chili dogs 24/7." Tails countered, taking a bite of his own chili dog.
"Doesn't he still?" Josh asked.
"We joke about it, but he doesn't really." Amy replied. "He has a fairly... 'Normal' diet." Amy grimaced. "But he tries to get them whenever he can." Sonic sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm better than I was, you gotta admit." Sonic whined, to which Tails and Amy agreed. "Besides, I got proof of it right here." Sonic stood up and showed off his body for the group, which Josh took as an excuse to stop and stare for a moment. While thin, it was obvious there was rock hard muscle in Sonic's arms and legs, and, were one to part the fur, Sonic boasted a fairly sculpted body as well, as one would expect from a runner. However, despite that, Sonic looked just like the cartoon character Josh had grown to love.
Amy blushed furiously. She scooped up her plate and threw it away. "Are we going to Music Park or what?"
"Yeah, why are you two going there exactly?" Sonic asked, putting a hand on his hip.
"Police finally found the flash drive!" Tails exclaimed. "But I can't deactivate the Hecotriton from my laptop, I need to do it from the source computer."
"And that's inside the Smiler?" Josh asked. Tails shuddered.
"Yup."
"Well how about this, that's the first thing we do!" Josh proclaimed. "Then we go and do all the fun stuff!"
"Sounds like a plan!" Amy said as she stood and threw away her plastic bin. The rest followed suit, and all started walking to the musical theme park.
Josh pulled Sonic back a bit. "Sorry... I know you were hoping to just spend the day with me..."
"What am I doing now?" Sonic chuckled. "It's ok if they come. Heck, I want them to." Sonic grinned and looked down at Josh. "But we gotta ride all the rides together, got that?"
Josh slipped his hand into Sonic's. "Loud and clear."
...
They arrived at Music Park once again. The place was much quieter, and noticeably less busy due to the police activity the day before. Only a few park guests could be seen milling about the grounds, casting somewhat nervous glances in the direction of the Smiler. The sight of the coaster peeking over the trees was enough to make Josh shudder involuntarily, causing Sonic to increase his grip on Josh's hand.
"It's ok buddy, they're gone, nothing's gonna hurt you in there." Sonic murmured. He rubbed his thumb against the back of Josh's hand. "We're safe now."
Josh looked back up at Sonic. The hedgehog was staring resolutely at the roller coaster, and Josh wondered if Sonic trying to reassure himself as well.
"We'll be fine..." Josh repeated as they approached the roller coaster.
The Smiler stood just as tall as ever, its twisting track weaving itself into a never ending knot, the music blaring in the background, recalling memories of the terrifying transformation The Smiler underwent only a few hours previous. And yet... Something was different...
The group watched as a group of laughing teenagers ran out of the exit and back into the practically nonexistent entrance line. They weren't Marmalized, they weren't injured... They were having fun. The group let out a quiet, but collective sigh, watching the carts zip and swoop around the track, hearing the screams and laughter of kids and adults alike as they were flipped and flopped this way and that.
"Look." Amy quietly pointed to the Inoculator as a cart sailed under it. A clear liquid shot out of the giant syringes. "It's just water."
"The Giggler too!" Sonic said, watching as another cart burst through the grey mist. All of the effects on the ride had been toned down it seemed. Sonic's shoulders relaxed visibly, as Tails and Josh let out a shuddering sigh.
"You guys can stay out here." Tails said after a moment of watching The Smiler. He motioned over to a police officer walking to them. "He's just gonna escort me in then right back out."
"Good luck Tails." Amy said quietly, bending over to quickly hug the fox. Tails returned the hug and took a few steps to the officer. He stopped and looked over his shoulder a bit.
"Um... Sonic...?"
Sonic smiled tenderly and walked over to Tails. Tails quietly slipped his smaller hand into Sonic's slightly larger one, and the two set off down the entrance lane towards the large building. Josh slid closer to Amy. She smiled at him sweetly.
"So tell me everything that's happened." She said. "And don't spare me any details."
...
"...And so then, it all fell into place, and I just knew that it was Atticus!" Josh said excitedly. Amy sat next to him on a bench, enchanted by the crazy stories Josh was sharing.
"So he was pretending to be the other son the whole time?" Amy asked, bewildered. "But that's so... Weird, why not just disappear, stay hidden?"
"I know, right?!" Josh exclaimed. "We would have NEVER caught him then!"
The two laughed for a moment. Amy squinted behind Josh before standing up. Josh looked behind him.
A long line of people were walking out of the exit. Some were rubbing their head and fixing their fur, some casually chatting with each other, and some talking on their cell phones.
"Is that them?" Josh asked. Amy smiled a bit.
"It's gotta be."
The two ran to the exit, greeting the long line of people. The Mobians who saw them immediately started apologizing.
"Are you two ok?"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't want to!"
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Josh and Amy felt a bit overwhelmed, assuring people that they weren't at fault and that they were glad everyone got out ok. Josh especially was interested in the holes in a few of the ex-Marmalized Mobian's pantsuits. The skin beneath seemed flawless, no scars or blemishes to be seen. He mentally sighed. He didn't think he could sleep at night if those people had to be carted out on a stretcher.
"Gotta admit, that Hecotriton has its benefits." Josh turned to see Tails and Sonic at the end of the line, shepherding the last of the Ministry's victims out of the compound. "The nanites healed them of all their injuries." Tails said, smiling.
"So, no hospital visits?" Josh asked hopefully.
"Well, I think they all need to go in for a check-up, but it looks like no one will need to he hospitalized." Tails said, proudly.
Amy sighed. "Does this mean it's over?"
"...Yeah, I think so." Sonic said, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "The people involved are either dead, in jail, or un-Smilered..."
"Stop talking and say yes." Amy said flatly.
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"But-" Sonic interjected while Amy groaned. "They may come back."
"We'll be ready next time." Josh said confidently. "We know their methods and how to deal with them."
"Not to mention we have a model of the Hecotriton compound!" Tails chimed in. "We'll be one step ahead if the Ministry decides to come back."
Amy bit her lip, but seemed to relax.
"...right." She finally said, a smile finally crossing her muzzle. "We can do this."
"We can." Josh repeated. "Together."
The group nodded, almost in unison, before turning to look a the black roller coaster.
"...You know we have to ride this." Sonic finally said. "We can't run from it forever."
"It was kinda fun!" Josh chimed in. "I bet it'll be even better without it trying to Marmalize you."
"It's just a roller coaster now, right?" Amy said.
"Sonic runs faster than that thing." Tails added.
...
"We're just stalling for time, aren't we." Sonic sighed.
"Yup."
"Yeah."
"Uh-huh."
Sonic turned and looked at the group, mentally face palming. He finally started walking into the entrance. "Follow me my band of chickens."
"I am not a chicken!" Tails said defiantly.
"I am!" Josh said, raising his hand.
Amy scoffed and pushed the two forward. "We're all chickens, now let's get a move on."
...
"This is it." Josh said as they arrived at the pure white boarding room. A ride attendant sat at the controls, texting a friend, not yet noticing out heroes.
"It's... Very yellow." Amy said, noting the cart.
"We could probably see it better if we actually walked into the room." Tails said. The group murmured their agreements, but otherwise didn't budge.
"...We're being silly guys..." Sonic said. He took a deep breath and took a step forward. The group, slowly but surely, followed him.
They went to the cart.
One
Step
At
A
Time...
"...I'm scared." Josh finally blurted out. "I shouldn't be, but I am."
"I am too." Amy said. "But... We need to do this, so we won't be anymore."
"We're all here buddy." Sonic grabbed Josh's hand again, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He gripped Tail's hand in the other.
"Just one more step." The fox said. The ride attendant was paying attention now, looking at them confusedly.
"Um... Are you waiting for someone Mr. Sonic?" The blue bird asked, tilting her head.
"N-No, we're just... Getting up the courage." Sonic replied honestly, chuckling. The bird laughed.
"I thought you'd be good with this kind of stuff, with all the heroics you do!" The bird remarked.
"Yeah..." Sonic chuckled again.
"Look, it just looks intimidating. It's really fun, I promise, I went on it this morning!" The bird chirped. The group immediately started scanning her for signs of Marmalization, making the bird, who's name was Bethany from her tag, shift uncomfortably.
"...Okay... We trust you Beth." Sonic finally said. Bethany, not quite sure how to take the comment, simply nodded. The group pressed on, arriving at the boarding gate. The white iron quietly swung open.
"Here we go..." Amy murmured. She squared her shoulders. "C'mon guys, you're all being chickens." She exclaimed as she walked forward and climbed into her seat. Sonic nodded and followed her in.
Josh looked at Tails. "Um... After you?"
Tails looked at the cart, then back at Josh. He squared his shoulders like Amy did and took a few brave steps to his seat. He stared down the black indent, as if looking down a black hole, before climbing into the seat. Josh timidly watched for a moment.
"...You can do it buddy." Sonic said, leaning out to see Josh past Tails.
Josh swallowed hard. Slowly, he walked forward, his legs shaking as he made his way to his seat next to Tails, nervously eyeing the bright yellow restraints that would once again be sealing him to the cart. He cautiously sat down in his seat.
"It's just a ride." He whispered to himself.
Bethany pressed a button on the control panel. A loud click was heard as the restraints above the cart moved slightly.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Smiler!" She chirped into a microphone in front of her, sending her voice through the PA system. "At this time, please reach above you and pull down the seat restraints until they come as far down as your body will allow them."
Amy was once again the first to make the move, although Tails and Sonic only hesitated for a moment before pulling theirs down as well. They all looked expectantly at Josh, who was staring up at the restraint. He brought his arms up, his hands gripping the yellow rubber. He sat like that for a while longer, nervously gripping and re-gripping the restraint.
"It's only a ride..." Josh whispered again. He pulled down on the restraint, guiding it down to his body until it clicked into place. Brittany came over to them and quickly checked to make sure the restraints were secure. She jogged back to her booth.
"Alright, please keep your hands, arms, feet, legs, and tails inside the cart at all times, do not try to stand or leave your restraints, and most importantly, relaaaax." Bethany glanced at her current riders. While she was excited to have not just one, but three celebrities so close to her, she couldn't help but laugh at their serious, almost nervous expressions. "C'mon guys, we're supposed to have fun here!"
The group gave a light chuckle. Bethany pursed her lips... Er, beak. "Okay, do we need to take some deep breaths before I send you guys on your way?"
"No, just send us!" Sonic said, giving Bethany a weary smile. "The suspense is killing us faster than anything else."
"I promise, you guys will love it!" Bethany assured them. She pressed a button, and after a quick hiss, the cart slowly moved forward. "It's called The Smiler for a reason ya know."
"If only you really knew." Josh thought as the familiar sight of the dark hole in the wall loomed closer and closer, threatening to swallow the cart.
Strobe lights flashed as the cart rolled down the first small hill and barrel rolled around the first turn...
...
A few minutes later...
...
Bethany watched as the cart rolled back into the boarding station. "So how was that?" She asked.
The group looked at each other, then back at Bethany, straight faced.
"Can we go again?" Tails asked.
...
3 rides later...
...
The group walked (or stumbled) out of the exit.
"That was so intense!" Josh yelled. "One more time guys, c'mon!"
"Glad to see you like it so much." Tails replied, holding his stomach. "I'm think I need to sit down for a while before I go again."
"Me too." Amy agreed, flopping down on a nearby bench. "Just give me a moment to catch my breath..."
"C'mon Sonic, one more go?" Josh turned expectantly to the hedgehog who shrugged.
"One more time." He agreed. "But not yet."
"Aaaaw, but Sonic-"
"Dude, there's so much more here to see!" Sonic laughed and ruffled Josh's hair. "Let's go look around for a bit while Tails and Ames catch their breath, just the two of us." Sonic looked down at Josh with a hint of pleading in his eyes. He still wanted to spend time with Josh, one-on-one. The teen looked back up at Sonic before nodding and smiling.
"Then show me what I'm missing big bro." Josh replied. Sonic looked over to Tails and Amy.
"Text me when you guys feel better!" Sonic instructed. The hedgehog and fox nodded in unison.
"Have fun!" Tails chimed. Sonic flashed Tails a thumbs-up and a grin before excitedly grabbing Josh's wrist and pulling him off in an unknown direction.
"Those two just keep going." Amy giggled. "I'm tired just watching them."
"They were made for each other." Tails agreed, sighing a bit. Amy looked over worriedly.
"...You're not jealous, are you?" Amy asked tenderly. "About Josh being here?"
Tails laughed. "No way, he's awesome!" The kit shook his head. "I was for a bit when they first left, I was jealous of all the time they were spending together." Tails looked up at the sky. "But I remember it was the same when me and Sonic were first together too. I was glued to his hip it felt like. And he didn't mind." He closed his eyes. "Then the Freedom Fighters happened, and... I dunno, I sorta grew independent as time went on. I didn't need Sonic like I used to." Tails looked back over at Amy. "So, no, I'm not jealous."
Amy nodded thoughtfully. "Honest?"
Tails nodded back. "Honest. I'm happy for him actually."
"Happy for Sonic?"
"No." Tails shook his head. "Josh. Haven't you noticed he changed?" Tails looked at Amy, who shook her head. "He's happier now, his face is almost glowing." Tails chuckled. "...I think he hasn't been this happy for a long time. Too long." Tails smiled lovingly and looked out into the distance. "I'm gonna do all I can to make sure Josh stays that way, just like Sonic will."
Amy giggled again. "I know you'll make him happy Tails. He's your biggest fan, remember?"
"What can I say, my brother had good taste!"
"Oh Tails..."
"Hehe!"
...
"C'mon, in here!" Sonic pulled Josh into a building.
"...the wonders of Music Park are... In the gift shop?" Josh asked flatly as he looked at the various souvenirs. He carefully shook a snow globe. "I didn't think you were into knick-knacks."
"I'm not." Sonic said distractedly as he looked around the store. He started heading towards a display carrying what looked like small, black, plastic sticks. "I wanted to get you... One of these..." Sonic picked one up and looked it up and down. He walked back to Josh and handed him the small plastic tube.
"Chapstick?"
"Strike one."
Josh laughed. "This game is gonna go into overtime unless you tell me." Sonic smiled and took the tube back before giving it a quick flick. Out of a small hole in the top, a glowing, green, thinner stick shot out, accompanied by a small chime.
"So... Mini light saber?" Josh asked.
"What? No!" Sonic sounded almost offended. "It's a conductor's baton!" Josh's eyes flashed in recognition as he took the baton back. "It's called the MUZE."
"Muse?"
"With a Z, Muze." Sonic explained as Josh gave it a few experimental flicks.
"What's it do?" Josh asked, looking at Sonic.
"I'll show you." Sonic gently took the Muze back, and, after quickly paying for it, walked outside. "Look, over there." Sonic pointed to a large, stone fountain in the middle of a plaza. "See how it looks like a bunch of instruments?"
"Yeah?" Josh replied as he followed Sonic to the fountain. "What about it?"
Sonic seemed barely able to contain himself. He positioned Josh next to him. "Just watch."
Sonic quickly brought his heels together, making an audible click. The Muze sparkled a bit, changing from a green to a turquoise. His posture completely changed, as the hedgehog stood up straighter and rolled his shoulders back. He resembled a conductor, facing-
"An orchestra." Josh quickly realized what Sonic was doing as the Hedgehog raised the Muze into the air. The air around them seemed to hush. "...No way."
Sonic swung the Muze down, as the instruments in the fountain began to move and play. But instead of the grinding of stone, the instruments played as they were meant to sound. Sonic swung the baton in simple 4/4 time, making almost a triangle of sort in the air in front of him. The song was fast, and frantic, with a tune Josh knew well.
"It's the Tetris theme song!" Josh exclaimed. Sonic stopped conducting, the music and movement ceasing as he did so, and turned to give Josh a funny look.
"...theme song?" Sonic asked, a slight amount of disbelief in his voice.
"Yeah, it's, like, one of the most well recognized songs around the world!"
"Huh. Korobeiniki's popular... Never thought that would happen, especially in America." Sonic started conducting again, quieter this time.
"What do you mean?"
"It's a Russian folk song."
"...ok? And?"
"I thought Americans didn't like Russia!"
"Maybe in Chris' world, but we're on ok terms as far as I know!"
"Just ok?"
"It's a little shaky..."
Sonic flourished the Muze in a small circle, ending the song. The baton turned green once again. "So whaddaya think?" Sonic asked, smirking.
"That was awesome!" Josh gushed. "Do you know how many times I've dreamed of being able to do that?"
Sonic handed the baton to Josh. "Dreams come true buddy."
Josh held the baton, almost reverently, in his hands. "What do I do?"
"You think of the song, and you conduct it. The instruments all around the park will play to fit what you're thinking of." Sonic explained. "But you have to really think of the song, let it fill you up. Really feel it." Josh nodded and held up the Muze. "Click your heels together when you have the song." Sonic's glove buzzed. He pulled out his Comm and checked it.
"Amy and Tails on their way?" Josh asked, frozen in place, thinking.
"Yup." Sonic put his Comm back in his glove. Josh stood in thought for a moment more.
"Can I compose songs with this too?" Josh asked, a small smile flickering on his face.
"You're gonna make up a song?" Sonic asked, smiling.
"Kinda! I thought we'd just kinda jam out!" Josh clicked his heels together. The Muze turned a bright, cherry red. "You might know the song a little though."
Josh swung the Muze down.
You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (2014 Film Version) -Sia
"I don't think I've heard this song." Sonic said as he listened to the introduction.
"Hang on, you'll get it!" Josh chuckled, bee-bopping to the beat. He cleared his throat.
Josh: Hey, America, let's turn it up!
Yeah check out our style!
But, baby, you're never fully dressed without a smile!
"I see you know the classics very well." Sonic chuckled. He grooved on the spot for a moment before taking his turn.
Sonic: Your clothes may be, Chanel, Gucci-
Josh: Your shoes crocodile- *What?!*
But baby you're never fully dressed,
Without a smile!
Sonic took Josh's hand and ran forward, towards the center of the plaza.
"Sonic, what-"
"Everyone should hear this, keep going!" Sonic's cheering drew some attention to the two. The music stopped as everyone started to stare.
"...Sonic...!" Josh whined.
"C'mon buddy, they'll love it!"
"Don't make me-"
"You gotta do it bud!"
"Sonic-"
"They're waiting!"
"No, Sonic-"
"I'll do it with ya-"
"SONIC, SHADDAP AND LISTEN!" Josh threw a hand in front of his brother's face to silence him. The teen looked tense, focusing on a spot on the ground in front of him. Sonic's face scrunched up in confusion, but his ears pricked up and swiveled, trying to find the source of Josh's concern.
He soon found it, tensing up as well.
Josh looked up at Sonic again.
"Cackling."
"Jets."
"The Eggmobile." They both gasped in unison.
Almost on cue, the round hovercraft and the villain it took its name from flew into sight. The Doctor cackled once again.
"Oh ho ho ho!" Eggman leaned over the console of the Eggmobile. "Long time, no see Sonic! That little human brat still follows you around I see!"
"Hai!" Josh deadpanned, waving.
"What do you want Egghead?" Sonic growled, taking a protective step towards Josh and gently tugging the teen towards him, guiding him towards his side.
"The usual, world domination, your demise-"
"We've heard the checklist already Doctor." Josh chimed. "You want the Emeralds, and by extension, me."
Eggman glared at Josh. "...Don't interrupt me."
Sonic glared back. "If you think you're gonna lay a finger on him, you-"
"Hey when did you change clothes?" Josh interrupted. Both Sonic and Eggman did a small double take, thrown off guard by the left-field question.
"E-e-excuse me?" Eggman finally managed to stammer.
"Your clothes, they're different from when I first saw you!" Josh replied, pointing. Sonic, who had been staring at Josh, his mouth hanging open trying to finish his sentence, looked back up at the Doctor.
"...No, those are the same clothes bud." Sonic finally replied, once his brain kicked in.
"Y-yes, although I've been looking for a new style-"
"You should try more yellow, less black!" Josh chirped. "It'll look better, maybe just black pants."
"Y-You really think so?"
"Yup! Sonic, can I go get a change of clothes too?"
"Sure buddy, right after-"
"Great, let's go!" Josh cheered, and dragged Sonic away from the scene and into a gift shop. Sonic stood at the entrance, looking dazed.
"...Wh-What just happened?" Sonic finally asked, looking back outside at Eggman, who seemed equally unsure about the whole situation.
"Getting Eggman away from all those people." Josh said distractedly as he browsed the small selection of novelty clothing on display. "Little trick I learned from a YouTube hypnotist."
"And that trick would be?"
"It wouldn't be a trick if I told you." Josh replied, turning to wink at Sonic. "It's won't last long, it's not really hypnosis. Know how when you talk to someone, then someone else says hi for a bit, then you can't remember what you were just saying for a couple of seconds?"
"Yeah?"
"Same thing." Josh clicked his tongue. "Nothing in my size."
Josh flinched when he heard a frustrated cry from outside. Eggman soon flew his Eggmobile through the doors of the gift shop, leaving shattered glass everywhere.
"You tricked me! You used hy-"
"Shhh!" Josh rushed forward, waving his hands. "Sonic doesn't know how it happens still!"
"That won't work on me again kid." Eggman replied dryly.
"...worth a shot, RUN!" Josh shrieked, taking the initiative by grabbing Sonic's glove and tugging him out the door, right under the Eggmobile. "I hope you have a plan big brother!"
"Eh, I always kinda wing it." Sonic shrugged and smirked. He took a few running steps forward, pulling ahead of Josh, before giving the boy a swift tug and sweeping him off his feet. Josh almost instinctively threw his arms around Sonic's neck. "Hang on tight buddy!" Sonic yelled as he picked up speed.
"Where are we going?!" Josh yelled over the wind.
Sonic's eyes were on a constant swivel. "To get you somewhere safe!"
"What, no! Not this again!" Josh groaned, letting his head hang back in frustration. "I want to help!"
"Who said you weren't helping?" Sonic asked with another smirk. Before Josh could ask anything, Sonic answered his own question. "Listen, it's you he wants, not me for once, so he'll chase you wherever you go!"
"You're going to use me as bait?!" Josh yelped. Sonic giggled.
"A bit. He's gonna chase you, that's what I'm counting on." Sonic took a sharp turn (much to Josh's discomfort) into an alley. "Take off your shirt."
"What?!"
"Trust me!" Sonic snickered as he started digging through trash cans. Josh crinkled up his nose but did as instructed. By the time Josh had removed his shirt ("Soniiic, it's cold..."), he could see immediately what the Hedgehog's plan was.
"You made a dummy!" Josh exclaimed, looking at the large, crudely made, burlap doll in Sonic's arms. Sonic snagged Josh's shirt and shoved it onto the life-size replica. "How did you even make that?"
"With a little hedgehog ingenuity!" Sonic replied, hefting the large doll into his arms.
"That doesn't answer my question." Josh held his hand over his ring and summoned the Dark Blue Emerald. Sonic took it and nestled it between him and the Josh-doll.
"Wait for about five minutes, then go find the others. I'll have someone meet you back at the hotel." Sonic instructed.
"You want me to stand in and alley, then go streaking across town with my shirt off?" Josh moaned, much to Sonic's amusement.
"I do it all the time!" Sonic replied between giggles. He sped off in a streak of blue.
"Again... You have fur..." Josh called out weakly. He watched as Eggman sped pas the alley, laughing maniacally the whole way. "Something to be said for timing..." Josh muttered, thanking his lucky stars, guardian angel, fate, or whatever to was watching out for him. "Now if you could just poof me down a shirt! I'd appreciate it!"
"Maybe not a shirt mate." A familiar Australian voice chuckled from the alley opening. Josh turned and smiled. "But I got a jacket."
"Ice." Josh breathed a sigh of relief. The Wintrillian penguin walked into the alley, slipping off his jacket as he did so.
"Sonic told me I'd find you here." Ice explained, pulling his Comm out of his pocket and wiggling it. He stuffed it back in his pocket and held out his jacket. "Said you might need an escort."
"He might be right." Josh replied, gratefully pulling the jacket on. "I assume your gorilla guards are close-by?"
"Right outside the alley." Ice replied.
"...Thanks Ice." Josh finally said, bashfully. Ice laughed as they walked out of the alley.
"Any mate of Sonic's is a mate of mine!" Ice said cheerfully.
"I appreciate it all the same though man." Josh replied as he gently clapped Ice on the shoulder.
The sound of metal being hit rang through the air.
"...Ice? Your shoulder is really hard, do you have a bionic arm or something?"
Ice sighed and spoke again, but with a completely different voice! "Welp, might as well grab you now." Ice's form (and Josh's jacket) suddenly flickered and disappeared, leaving a yellow and black robot with a cubed head (and a half-naked Josh) in its place. Before Josh had time to even react, the robot and bound Josh's hands with a zip tie and flung him over his metal shoulder. The bot scurried down the alley excitedly, almost child-like. "Orbot! Hey, Orbot! I gottim! I gottim!"
Another robot, almost identical to the cubed robot but red and with a spherical head, came out of another alley and started running (er, rolling?) along with the yellow one. "Well done Cubot! The boss'll be so pleased!"
"He might even let me get that bunny I want!" Cubot cheered, jostling Josh in the process.
"Hey, watch it!" Josh complained. "And your metal is really cold!"
"Or the puppy or the pony or the kitty-"
"SO!" Josh quickly cut in, much to Orbot's relief he noticed. The red robot gave the teen a small nod of thanks. "Orbot and Cubot huh?"
"Yup!" Cubot chirped.
"Not the most creative names..." Josh mused. "And ah, how exactly did you manage to find me and my family here?"
"You're related to Sonic and the others?" Orbot asked.
"Long story."
"We were going after our third Chaos Emerald, the one the winner gets in the race!" Cubot cheered again.
"Third?" Josh questioned, looking behind him at Cubot.
"Yeah, the Doctor has the first one-"
"No, don't Cubo-!"
"And we have the other one to power the Hologram Projector disguise thingy!" Cubot replied, pulling the Light Blue Chaos Emerald out of his... Er... "Pocket." Orbot face-palmed.
"Okay..." Josh thought to himself. "We have Orbot, who seems rather responsible, and Cubot, who I think I could use to get both the Emerald and escape." Josh started to formulate a quick plan of action in his head. Finally he said out loud, "Hey Cubot, since you caught me fair and square, the least I can do is reward you. How about a joke?"
"Ooh, I love jokes! I can tell this one to the Doctor!" Cubot gushed.
"Please do, he loves your jokes!" Orbot pressed.
"Orbot's not a huge fan of Eggman's..." Josh quietly mused. "Okay, Cubot, ready? What's yellow, fuzzy, has 957 legs, and loves oil?"
"Hmm... I dunno, what's yellow, fuzzy, has 957 legs, and loves oil?" Cubot asked. Orbot seemed to quietly ponder the possible answers.
"I dunno either." Josh replied casually. "This isn't the joke, I just wanted to let you know you have one on your back that looks pretty hungry."
Both bots froze in their tracks. It didn't take too long before Cubot made the first move.
"AAAAAH, get it off me!" He shrieked, running in circles and flailing his hands about, accidentally dropping Josh and the Emerald in the process. "Orbot, HEEEEEEELLPPP!" Cubot started to furiously claw at his back, trying to get rid of the yellow monster.
"You idiot, there's nothing there!" Orbot said crossly, slapping his partner's back. "It was a joke! It's funny!"
"Oh... HAHAHAHAHA!" Cubot's laughed for a while until Orbot smacked him again. "That was funny kid, got any-"
"Oh dear..."
Josh was long gone. And not only was he gone, but the Emerald was too.
"The boss isn't going to like this." Orbot sighed, already knowing exactly what was in store.
"At least we have a new joke to tell him!" Cubit said cheerfully. "He's gonna love this one!"
Orbot sighed and shook his head.
...
Sonic lead Eggman down alley after alley, winding him this way and that way until they were both hopelessly lost.
"Still haven't caught me Egghead?" Sonic jeered. He shivered as the Eggmobile scraped along another alley wall.
"Shut up!" Eggman cried in frustration, eyeing the scrapes on both sides of his prized vehicle. "You better pay for this hedgehog!"
"You always say that, an-"
"No seriously, my insurance doesn't cover high speed chases."
Sonic looked at Eggman, his eyes half lidded.
"...Nevermind, prepare to meet your doom!" Eggman yelled as he leapt up and pointed at Sonic, tipping the Eggmobile forward as he did so. Sonic caught a glimpse of something glowing and purple.
"The Emerald!" Sonic gasped, in spite of himself.
"Yes, one of two!" Eggman cackled. "And you'll never find the other!"
Sonic thought for a moment. "Is it with Orbot and Cubot?"
"...N-no, it's not." Eggman stammered. Sonic shifted "Josh" behind him protectively and scratched his nose, looking rather uninterested.
"Listen, can we hurry up to the part to where I beat you?" Sonic asked. "Josh is wiped from going on The Smiler fifteen times in a row."
"Oh please, you honestly expect me to believe the trash bag with the boy's shirt on it is real?" Eggman crooned back expertly. "I've found him, and he's somewhere you'll never find him."
"...Is he with Orbot and Cubot?"
"N-NO! SHUT UP!"
"Soooo, to sum up," Sonic leaned the doll against the wall, "You left a smart teenager, who happens to be my little brother, with a Chaos Emerald and two of the most incompetent robots in your arsenal."
"..." Eggman slowly slumped over, putting his face in his hands. Sonic smirked, pleased with the psychological damage he caused.
"I'm gonna go now. Let's schedule our next meeting in a couple days?" Sonic joked. Eggman peered up over his hands, glaring. Sonic clicked his tongue and winked. "Good talk." Sonic sped off back to the alley, knowing Josh wouldn't have been taken too far.
...
"Oh, there you are boss!" Orbot called cheerfully, after finally finding the Doctor's Eggmobile wedged in an alley. The Doctor was still slumped over in his face-in-hands position.
"He escaped, didn't he?" Eggman moaned.
"W-well, yes..." Orbot rubbed his arm. "With the Emerald." The round robot noted a trash bag with a white shirt thrown over it, both ravaged with bullet holes.
"...I really need to reevaluate my trust list..." Eggman grumbled.
JJ: *drags in crate of tomatoes* ...I'm so sorry. TT_TT I got so busy with school and graduation... I gave up on this... BUT NO MORE! I have a deadline to meet now! I will be leaving for 2 years on February 26th for religious reasons, so I have made it a goal to finish MBK before then! And I have ways of doing that! First, the coming chapters are gonna be a bit shorter, easier to digest! I'm (hopefully) going to substitute quality for quantity. They won't be like the first seven chapters *shudder*, but they'll be a by shorter, less wordy. Second, I'm going to have a few side projects! Oneshots and the like! Why would this help? Well, truth be told, I got bored of writing this... So, the way I see it, if I write a few other things, it'll at least keep me in the writing mood! :) I promise guys, WE WILL FINISH OUR EPIC QUEST! *gets tomato in the face*
Josh: kehehe... Don't forget to review this! Recommend it to people and stuff too! And if you want to stay on top of the updates, which WILL happen more often-
JJ: *nods vigorously*
Josh: Make sure you follow the story!
JJ: I hate tomatoes...
Josh: Shaddap, you deserve it. See you all soon! Right?!
JJ: *nods again*
