Chapter 13: To the Island of Angels
(At the computer room in Tails' workshop)
Mario had just gotten up and saw Tails and Knuckles waiting for him.
Tails- Mario, glad you're awake. I have some good news for you.
Mario- You found the portal leading back to the Mushroom Kingdom?
Tails- Yes, I did. Took all night, but I found it. Its location is on Angel Island at the Master Emerald Shrine.
Knuckles- Hey! That's my home! You mean this whole time, the thing we needed to find Sonic was where I live?!
Mario- You live there and you didn't notice?
Knuckles- I haven't been home since Sonic was taken to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Mario- Ok, but you know where it is. So you can lead us there?
Tails- Not that simple. Yes, Knuckles lives on Angel Island, but it's floating high in the sky. We need to fly there. Luckily, I'm a master piolet and even have Sonic's airplane, the Tornado.
Mario- How can an island fly in the sky?
Knuckles- It's because of the Master Emerald. I live there because I'm supposed to protect the Master Emerald. I guess you can say the Master Emerald is the key source of power for the Chaos Emerald. Especially since the Master Emerald can neutralize the Chaos Emeralds. But without the Master Emerald's power, Angel Island will fall into the ocean. That's why I guard it.
Mario- Ok. So Tails, how long until we can leave for Angel Island?
Tails- Give me at least one hour to ready the Tornado.
(Just outside Tails' workshop)
Orbot and Cubot were standing under a window and listening in on what Mario, Tails, and Knuckles were talking about. After they heard where Mario and the others were going, they rushed away to the docks near the Mystic Ruins train station and called Dr. Eggman with a video phone.
Dr. Eggman- About time you called! Anything to report?
Orbot- Yes, Dr. Eggman. They located a portal that could lead to where Mario is from. It's on Angel Island and they are on their way now.
Dr. Eggman- Good work! I know just what to do now!
Cubot- Beat them to the portal and take over the Mushroom Kingdom?
Dr. Eggman- No, you idiot! Destroy the portal so Sonic can't come back!
Orbot and Cubot looked at each other in confusion.
Orbot- Why destroy the portal? I agree with Cubot. We could take over that…
Dr. Eggman- Because I don't want Sonic to return and continuing to ruin my fun! I'm not taking that risk. We're taking out this Mario and then we'll get rid of the portal, stranding Sonic in that world forever. Now, get back to my Mystic Ruins lair and help me ready my troops!
Eggman hung up the video phone.
Cubot- Here's another thing I'm wondering. Why did Eggman move back into the old base after leaving it alone when the Perfect Chaos plot failed?
Orbot- I don't know, but it might be best not to ask him. He is still angry with you for putting the fireproof wax on the wrong worm.
(Back at Tails' workshop)
Mario, Tails, and Knuckles each took a seat in this old fashioned airplane that was painted red and the word "Sonic" painted in blue on the side of the plane. Tails was in the piolet's seat, Mario sat in the back seat, and Knuckles jumped on one of the wings.
Mario- Is it safe for him to ride from there?
Tails- Don't worry. Sonic rides on the wings all the time. Knuckles knows what he's doing. Alright, Tornado ready for takeoff!
Then the road on the side of the workshop lifted up like a ramp and the Tornado drove off the ramp and into the air. The Tornado flew over the ocean for a few miles. Mario looked down at the ocean for a bit.
Mario- How much longer until we get there?
Tails- Just a few more minutes.
Mario- Why does this island have to be in the middle of nowhere?
Knuckles- To keep people from finding it. As I said before, the Master Emerald is on that island, and it's just as powerful as the Chaos Emeralds.
Tails- Don't worry, Mario. We'll get there soon and get you and Sonic back to where each of you belong.
Knuckles looked behind the Tornado and got an upset look on his face.
Knuckles- Guys, I think we got company…
When Mario and Tails looked behind them, there was an armada of Dr. Eggman's flying robots after them.
Tails- What are Eggman's robots doing here?
Knuckles- They must've followed us! We need to get rid of them!
Tails- Sorry Mario, but you'll have to wait a little bit longer before we can get to Angel Island.
Tails turned the Tornado around and turned on the Tornado's gun. Tails did shoot a few of those robots down with the gun's bullets, but one got behind the Tornado and Tails was having trouble shaking it. Then Mario pulled out one of his remaining three fire flowers and ate it. After Mario turned into Fire Mario, he shot a fireball at the robot and it went down. Then Fire Mario got out of his seat and onto the wing of the plane, just like Knuckles.
Knuckles- You sure you want to ride from here?
Fire Mario- You're riding from the wing. Besides, I can shoot my fireballs better from here.
Tails- Ok. I'll try to fly as careful as I can. Just try not to fall off.
More robots kept coming, trying to knock the Tornado out of the sky. Tails' gun on the Tornado and Fire Mario's fireballs were destroying them, but not fast enough.
Fire Mario- This is taking too long. I got it! Tails, try to lead all of these robots in a straight row behind us! I have a plan.
Tails- Ok. Just hold on tight. This might get bumpy.
Tails flew the Tornado around and did his best to get all of the robots' attention. Eventually, they were all lined up behind the Tornado.
Knuckles- I hope you know what you're doing, because they're now all on our tail.
Then Knuckles saw Fire Mario's hands glowing with fire and it looked like the flames were ready to burst.
Fire Mario- Just watch this!
Then Fire Mario launched two super charged fireballs and it blasted right through all the robots in one shot. However, Fire Mario changed back to normal Mario after that.
Knuckles- Wow! That was unbelievable!
Mario- Too bad I used up all of my fire power on that one.
Tails- At least we can now continue our path to Angel Island. There it is.
Mario looked ahead of him and saw an island flying in the sky.
Tails- Next stop, Angel Island.
The Tornado flew to the island and landed there.