A/N: Well, it's high time we put this baby to bed- I really should get to the next arc. It'll start answering a few questions.
Equipment Card: Battle Scanner Sunglasses
Inventor: Miles
Purpose: To analyze the heat signatures of both organic and metallic beings and increase Swift's attack accuracy.
Notes: "Before I built these things, Swift was a reckless fighter. Now... he's still reckless, but his aim's improved. If only I could build something to reduce his recklessness..."
Yaxchilán Surface- 15:08
"Let me go!" Sam growled to the other members of the set holding him back from the hole where the Egg Gigas once was. "That's my little sister, my brother-in-law, and my nephew down there!"
"Master Sam," Tanaka spoke up, "I suggest you calm down before we lose you, too. The last thing we need right now is another person down there."
"Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?"
"Just trust that they'll be alright," Chuck suggested, looking in the hole. He saw the underground base, and sighed. "At least pray that they'll be alright."
Robotnik's Escape Chamber- 15:11
"This is not alright!" Sonic yelled before dodging the large war hammer that the Egg Pawn Giant swung down at him, leaving quite the crater. Looking at the impact site, Sonic whistled. "I can't believe how easily that thing is swinging that hammer around!"
"You're telling me!" Tails pointed out. "You're the one most used to fighting robots like this!"
"I know," Sonic scowled, looking at the Egg Pawn Giant. From the looks of the massive machine, Sonic's eyes couldn't find a part of its armor that his Homing Attack, Sonic Boost, or Spin Dash could break through. Tails' abilities were not going to work- he was clear out of Dummy Rings to cripple it, and even if he did have some, it would take a lot to slow the Egg Pawn Giant down. The only one who could do any amount of damage to the Egg Pawn was clearly Knuckles… but he didn't know where to start.
All of a sudden, the Egg Balloon began to rise, drawing the attention of everyone still in the chamber but the Egg Pawn Giant. Knuckles growled. "He's getting away!"
"Well," Lindsey commented, "he at least won't flood the place… will he?"
"Somehow, I doubt that," Sonic stated. "He wouldn't want anyone be able to prove this place exists, but he'll want to get a safe distance for him, first." All of a sudden, a horizontal swing of the Egg Pawn Giant's hammer connected into the hedgehog, sending him flying into the stone wall.
"That's gonna hurt in the morning," Tails winced as Sonic pulled himself from the wall, wiping a little blood from his mouth.
"You can say that again," the hedgehog groaned.
'Chris… can I talk?' Swift spoke up.
'What is it?'
'The Battle Scanner still works… I almost forgot about it.' Chris then blinked at it- how could he forget? Sonic soon flashed the sunglasses over his eyes, and started looking at the Egg Pawn Giant… only to have to dodge a vertical hammer swing at the last second.
"Shoot," Sonic growled. Tails and Knuckles, not used to Sonic's Battle Scanner sunglasses (although the Chao side of Tails was), stared at him in confusion.
"What are you doing?" Knuckles demanded from the hedgehog.
"Trying to find a weak spot for you to hit!" Sonic replied. "No doubt with that armor, Tails and I can't do much. But you're used to this."
"…Oh," Knuckles stated, realizing Sonic complimented his strength.
"I need a distraction from that thing," Sonic replied.
"That shouldn't be too much of a problem," Tails laughed. "Robotnik didn't make these robots to have any real brains. I mean, I tricked an entire platoon of these Badniks of yours into falling into a spike pit, so how hard could it be?"
"If I may interject," Nelson told the three, "I don't think the big robot with the hammer would take too kindly to insults."
"What makes you say that?" Tails questioned. He had to quickly avoid a hammer impact on the ground, but the force of the impact sent a shock wave that sent the fox flying, landing right behind Nelson.
"That did," the businessman replied. Tails sat up, an idea in his head.
'We're going to pay dearly for this,' Danny pointed out, 'but it's for the good of the team.'
'Just try to keep us alive,' Miles remarked. 'Insults are risky.'
"Find that weak spot, Sonic," the fox grinned. "I'll keep it busy." Sonic blinked in confusion before Tails yelled, "Hey, scrap brain! Did Robotnik make your body from whatever junk was lying around, or were you just designed to be ugly?" The fox grabbed Nelson, and flew to the right as Lindsey got up and dodged to the left before the hammer came down.
"Don't screw up, Tails," Sonic muttered as he flipped the Battle Scanner back down over his eyes. Tails, being careful with Nelson, began shouting various insults to work up the Egg Pawn Giant. Some of which the human side of Sonic was surprised that Tails even knew. However, he managed to get what he wanted- a weak spot. It should have been obvious to him from the start- but it was a matter of knocking the metal behemoth down.
"Did you find anything, yet?" Tails yelled. "I'm running out of creative robot insults! I think I really pissed him off with the one about his mother being a toaster with more gentlemanly collars than the operator." As if to prove his point, Tails had to let go of Nelson and fly out of the way of a horizontal swing of the large war hammer.
"Where did you even get half of those?" Sonic questioned. "I could use them."
"If I may interrupt," Lindsey told the two, "you haven't answered his question, Sonic."
"Oh, right," Sonic chuckled. "Yeah, and it makes me feel a bit stupid. It's the head… but it's too high, and I don't think Knuckles could make a repeat performance up there." Lindsey blinked at the bit of the slip up in Sonic's words. She didn't know Sonic was on the surface… if he was, then why didn't he fight with Tails and Knuckles?
Before she could discuss it, Knuckles stated, "He would see it coming and we might be near the lake… but how do we stop it?"
"I have an idea," Tails stated, pulling out two Power Rings for Sonic and Knuckles. The two could at least knock it down with the three-minute boost of power… not that they exactly knew. Throwing one to Sonic, Tails said, "You know what to do!" Sonic looked at the Ring in his hand.
'This can combine with the Bracelet for a full Chaos Energy boost,' Swift explained to Chris. 'However, Miles said something about a 3-minute time limit that we'll be exhausted after… but hey, we could use the superhuman strength.' Sonic looked at the cobalt bracelet, and pressed a button on it, letting the blue color fade to a plain white. The hedgehog then slid the Power Ring on, and pressed the button, allowing the Chaos Energy from the ring to flow through him. Knuckles squeezed his own Power Ring, feeling the presence of Chaos Energy. Their respective Emeralds (Sonic's Dark Blue and Knuckles' Master) only added to it.
The Egg Pawn Giant looked from his attempted smashing of Tails to see Sonic and Knuckles rushing at him. The Egg Pawn was about to bring its hammer down on them when Sonic rushed towards the side, and Knuckles stopped on a dime and raised his hands towards the vertical hammer swing. While the echidna caught the large war hammer's head with relative ease, the force of the attack caused a small crater to form underneath Knuckles. The Egg Pawn Giant was so obsessed with ending the echidna's existence by forcing the hammer down on Knuckles that he didn't notice Sonic beginning to literally run circles around him, forming somewhat of a dark blue tornado.
Eventually, the tornado got so thick and powerful that the Egg Pawn Giant, although he was not lifted off of the ground due to his massive girth, began to lose his balance. When the Egg Pawn Giant was near tipping over, Sonic stopped directly in front of it and jumped. Sonic, with one powerful Homing Attack, knocked the large Egg Pawn onto its back, where the metal it was too heavy for it to get back up, and the hammer it once used was sent airborne. Knuckles jumped up and grabbed the hammer, knowing what to do with it. With one vertical swing, the echidna brought the war hammer down onto the Egg Pawn Giant's upper body, smashing it with one shot.
Sonic and Knuckles looked at each other, grins on their faces. "That was amazing," Lindsey breathed. "You two seemed so in sync."
"I guess we know each other better than we thought," Sonic shrugged before looking up. The Egg Balloon was almost too far up, now. "But enough about that; we gotta get you out of here. Tails!"
"I'm on it," the fox nodded before grabbing Nelson again and Lindsey. "What about you two?"
"We'll find our own ways up!" Sonic answered. "Get moving!" Tails then flew straight upwards, pursuing the Egg Balloon while Sonic and Knuckles ran back through the tunnels that they came, hoping to be able to climb out through the now open area where the Egg Gigas fell through.
Yaxchilán Surface- 15:21
"It's been too long," Sam insisted to the butler. Tanaka looked at the hole as well, but his face remained calm. "Who knows what's going on down there?"
"Trust me," Chuck answered, breaking the silence and drawing attention to himself. "Your sister, nephew, and brother-in-law are all fine. All we can do is wait…" All of the sudden, a blue blur launched itself from the hole, landing right in front of Tanaka, followed by a familiar red blur. Sonic and Knuckles, both exhausted, stood in front of the group.
"You two choose some odd places to be," Sam pointed out to the hedgehog and echidna duo.
"Perhaps we do," Knuckles announced. "Sonic… where's Tails and the scientist?" The hedgehog was about to answer when the Egg Balloon tore open a temple, and escaped unscratched. Robotnik, on the inside, held his light blue Chaos Emerald, and let the chaos begin. Underneath them, the secret base was engulfed in water that suddenly overpowered the walls. Sam, Tanaka, and the film crew blinked at the sight as the Egg Balloon sped off into the distance.
"What the hell did you guys do?" Sam yelled at the two.
"Us?" Sonic answered. "Nothing. The bad guy? He flooded his own base to escape!"
"Where the hell is my family, then?" Knuckles was about to handle when Sonic placed a hand on his mouth.
'Let me handle this,' Chris told Ahaw Kin through his mind. 'As soon as their backs are turned, we make a break for it. I'll return to normal and you catch up with Tails to get back to Flores… we'll talk at the hotel.'
'Why?' Ahaw Kin questioned.
'Nobody outside of our group is allowed to know our secret identities,' Swift answered. 'And if fate is on our side, it'll stay that way.'
Sonic began, "Well, they're all fine. Knuckles rescued the kid, and Tails should have the two adults. I personally got that odd hedgehog Chao out of there… the kid and hedgehog Chao should be around the area."
"Hey, Sam!" Lindsey's voice yelled. Sam and the others looked to see Lindsey and Nelson sitting at the entrance to a temple that wasn't destroyed in the chaos, with Tails flying away. Sam smiled at his sister and brother-in-law. "You missed a hell of a time down there. Giant robots… a madman scientist… Sonic the Hedgehog! It was amazing!"
"Thank god this is over with," Sam sighed to himself. He then remembered Sonic. "Alright, Sonic," the officer scowled without turning to face the hedgehog, "I appreciate you saving my baby sister's family, but even though Guatemala is not in my jurisdiction, you are. So I suggest you come quietly back to Station Square, and I promise your sentence will be light."
"Um, Sam…" Lindsey spoke up. "Sonic's not here, anymore." Confused, Sam turned around to see Sonic and Knuckles were no longer with them; only Sonic's calling card remained. "A shame, too; I have so many unanswered questions about how are the Mobians making a comeback… about why he's in Station Square of all places… about who he really is." Sam groaned.
"Man, he's good at disappearing," the officer announced. None of them (save for Tanaka and Chuck) noticed the dark blue flash of light that came from behind the temple. "But that still leaves the question as to where Chris and Swift are."
"Over here," Chris called. He walked out from behind the temple, popping his neck joints and carrying a semi-exhausted Swift. Lindsey immediately hugged her son.
"You had me worried," she whispered in his ear. Chris just hugged his mom back, careful to avoid crushing Swift, who had a tired swirl over his head.
The hedgehog Chao questioned, "Can we go back to Flores now? I think I've had enough of Guatemala for a while…"
"We probably should suspend filming for the ruins scene for awhile," Springsteen suggested. "Guatemala's government is going to be pissed when they find out what happened to this place…" Soon, the crew packed up and headed back to Flores. What they didn't know that their ride home had two extra passengers on the room… Tails and Knuckles.
Flores Airport- 11:03 Local Time
"I can't believe you're all leaving so soon," Lindsey breathed towards her son and his friends. Immediately after they got back to Flores, Tails made it back to the hotel and returned to normal, Miles and Danny fast asleep on their bed when they got back. Frances and Helen were confused as to when they got back, but shrugged it off. Meanwhile, Spike and Ahaw Kin hid out in the city again until they got the chance to sneak aboard Nelson's private jet like they did the last time- in the cargo hold.
"Mom," Chris stated while letting Swift rest in Tanaka's hands, "after all of this, I think we've all had enough of Guatemala for a while. Also, I do have to go back to school…"
"I understand," his mother smiled, rubbing her son on his head. "Just make sure you keep your grades up… you are the next Thorndyke scientist, after all."
"T-thanks," Chris nervously blushed.
"It was good seeing you, Mrs. Thorndyke," Helen, Frances, Danny, and Amy all politely nodded at their friend's mother, who giggled.
"It was good seeing you all again, too," the actress smiled. "Tell your parents I said hello!"
"We will," Frances promised.
"Tanaka, keep Chris safe."
"As always, Madam Lindsey," Tanaka bowed.
"Guys," Nelson spoke up as he walked over, "we're going to be late! We gotta get you all back to the states."
"Right," Amy smiled. "We better get on the plane."
"Yeah," Chris agreed, looking at his parents kiss goodbye while his friends headed towards the terminal to board the plane. After they broke apart, Chris turned to leave, only for his mother to place her hand on his shoulder, signaling him to wait a moment. "Mom?"
"Don't do anything that's out of league, my son," Lindsey advised him. "I know you're brave and noble, but you have to look out for yourself every once in a while. Nobody would think less of you for it."
"Uh… okay?" Lindsey smiled at her son.
"Have fun at school, okay?" Winking, she added, "Oh, and about Helen… for god's sake, ask her out already!" Chris' cheeks seemed to flame up at that comment. Seeing as she had tormented her son, she let him go, running all of the way to the plane. Lindsey smiled at her son. "I don't know too much about this double life of yours, Chris… but you better take care of yourself."
Chuck's Garage- 15:03
"So you're really joining the team?" Miles questioned Ahaw Kin and Spike, the latter of whom was polishing the Master Emerald (in its giant form) while the former sat down. The day after returning to Station Square, Chuck decided it would be in Team Sonic's best interest to check on their one unofficial member- Knuckles. However, to everyone's surprise, Ahaw Kin and Spike kept to Swift's agreement exactly- in exchange for the help in the Master Emerald's recovery, they would join Team Sonic to find the remaining Emeralds.
"This is a necessary but temporary alliance," Ahaw Kin answered. "As long as this Robotnik fellow possesses knowledge of the Chaos Emeralds and the basic knowledge of the Master Emerald, I cannot ignore him as a threat to my lifelong duty."
"Not to mention we want to get even for being played like that," Spike commented, a swirl over his head as to how dirty the Master Emerald got. "The Emeralds are serious business to us Chao who still pay attention to the old ways… look at the Chao part of Sonic." Miles, Karin, Tanaka, Chris, Danny, and Chuck all turned to see Swift staring at his dull Chaos Emerald.
"…I know everyone's thinking it," Swift stated, a swirl over his own head. "You don't have to be a psychic to know that you're all still mad about my rashness two days ago. To be honest, I agree with you- I wasn't thinking straight. Eggman knew I get frustrated easily, and I played right into an obvious trap thinking I'd win. Not only did I get absolutely curb-stomped, but it took all of you to save me from a lapse in judgment."
"Not me," Karin spoke up. "I honestly wasn't there."
"Moving on," Swift stated, "I'll admit I goofed up. I goofed up real bad."
"It wasn't a total loss, Swift," Chris optimistically pointed out. "I mean, you did manage to find out about Robotnik's plot to mass-produce the Chaos Morphers… something we can't allow. And we did get the Master Emerald back, which may turn the tide in our favor."
"Which is why we really need to get to work," Karin smiled. "Now that we have two Emeralds and the Master Emerald, we'll need to do our best to obtain the other four Emeralds before Robotnik and before GUN realizes what we're doing. I'll keep an eye out for any unnatural anomalies caused by the Chaos Emeralds. The faster we can respond to these, the better."
"I also need to get stronger, too," Danny added. Everyone else turned to him. "I mean, Chris' martial arts and shooting help him, and Ahaw Kin has to be strong to be a guardian, so I'm the weak link, here. If I'm going to be more than our wingman, I have to improve my own physical strength."
"You can spar with me," Tanaka suggested, making the pilot shudder.
"Let me correct that last statement," Danny stated. "I have to improve my own physical strength without a suicidal method of training."
"I wouldn't kill you," Tanaka grumbled to himself while the others laughed.
Swift, in a cheerier tone- as his swirl had vanished- smiled, "Well, if we're going after the next Chaos Emeralds, Eggman better be ready! I know we'll be!" The others nodded at this. They would be prepared for the Chaos Emerald hunt… and to take on Robotnik once and for all.
Chris: Hey, Ahaw Kin, can I ask you a question?
Ahaw Kin: Sure.
Chris: I just remembered I have this strange mark on my shoulder, but nobody knows where it came from.
Ahaw Kin: Ah yes… I have it too, except on my back.
Chris: So you know what it means?
Ahaw Kin: Of course. It marks you as-
Karin: Forget about that, guys! Chris, your friend Frances is in trouble!
Chris: What kind of trouble? Because if it's a bunch of bullies, she can handle herself….
Karin: I wish it was that kind of trouble! But it's worse- Chaos Energy poisoning!
Swift: Chaos Energy poisoning? It looks like that's our ally of work!
Chris: Swift, where the hell did you come from?
Swift: No time for that! We have to get to Frances in the hospital before GUN does!
Chris: Next time on Sonic Chao Chronicles: "Chaos Crisis! A Race for the Cure!"
Swift: Just try and keep up with me!
Kingdom Rider92's Notes: And I believe that wraps up the second arc of the story. Sorry it took so damn long. And since today is the official release of Pokémon Black and Pokémon White- which I'm going to get in a few hours, by the way- I'd figure I'd spoil you guys, too.
So, next arc is going to focus on Frances and the Chaos Morphers. We're also going to go back to a plot point I almost forgot about- Chris' birthmark. It will be lightly touched on before we're through. Also, GUN makes a comeback. I figured people wanted to see Topaz again- and no, I have not decided whether to make her Rouge or not. I mean, in one sense it makes sense to do it, but on the other hand, it doesn't. She'll be up for debate later. Edge, review time.
Edge's Corner: You bet it is! And now, the lovely Mrs. Lindsey Speed-Thorndyke will be joining me answering your reviews.
Lindsey: Well, it's been a while since I've been on a radio show. Let's see…
Mattardis by Lindsey: Indeed- they are one in the same from Sonic Heroes. Our writer figured since he already introduced the standard Egg Pawns, he might as well bring in the giants with their large hammers of death. Hard to believe one of these was not made even bigger and made a boss for that game. Anyways, fun fact: before looking up the legitimate name, Kingdom Rider92 was going to name it either the "Egg Knight" or "Egg Warrior". That being said, our writer also humbly admits that he goofed on naming of one of the many Badniks that has been seen so far. Imaginary cookie to the person who guesses which one.
White Hunter by Edge: No it was not an easy task. But in the end, Knuckles laid the smack down on that robot. I just wish I had a better hammer pun other than saying "Stop! Knuckles time!"
Jyn-the-Raccoon by Lindsey: Being an actress has taught me that a good story always has to balance. I mean, if I can't tell what the hell is going on in a movie that has a lot of action, I know my fans won't. And if you have too much explanation and not enough excitement, your audience will be bored. Springsteen, luckily, can provide both with his storytelling.
Hanzo of the Salamander by Edge: I thought we were talking about colds, not immortality, but… you know, I can't say anything or PETA will be on my ass.
Samswimmer by Edge: Can I answer this one, Lindsey?
Lindsey: Personally, I want to, but it's your show.
Edge: Yay! Alright. I'll agree it's a little flawed. I mean, if he does, then they could have beaten the crap out of him. However, they would also be suffering as well. I mean, if the fact that Sonic can't swim doesn't kill him, then you know the water pressure would crush them all, making the threat all the more tempting to listen to.
Sozic by Lindsey: Okay, I'll admit right now that I know Chris is Sonic but only because he let it somewhat slip out… I don't want him finding out that I know yet. Luckily, none of you know his personal e-mail address and this radio station doesn't get outside of these pirate radio stations. As for updating… you cannot rush things. I mean, look what happened to Sonic 06.
Edge: Whoa. Let's not mention that on my radio.
Lindsey: Sorry… but you know it's the truth. The game was rushed for the holidays, and look how flawed it is.
Zohaku by Edge: Ah, yes. You pretty much hit the nail on the head with the whole buying some time thing. Robotnik knew that Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, once given the chance, would focus their rage on him, and in a fair fight against the three would lose… even if Robotnik kicked Tails' ass three episodes ago and just defeated Swift two chapters ago, Sonic and Knuckles together would be a force to reckon with. As for new members, they'll think about it.
SuperSpeed by Lindsey: Chris told me Swift is quite the troublemaker. Still, Sonic and his team managed to defeat that giant robot. Anyways, the flashback will happen during this coming story arc… it's just a matter of setting it up.
sonicxjones by Lindsey: That's an interesting idea. Kingdom Rider92 admits that he had little idea of who N.I.C.O.L.E. was until you mentioned her and did some digging- he's not 100 percent familiar with certain character continuity. Anyways, this is not the first time he's heard of someone else writing a Sonic Chao Chronicles story- look at Jyn-the-Raccoon. He says he's fine with people writing Sonic Chao Chronicles stories themselves as long as they know to give him credit for the original idea of the series and know that it may not be possible canon the Chao Chronicles universe as he has plans with certain characters.
Kingdom Rider92's Notes: And there you have it. Now, I've noticed that I've hit over 100 reviews. You know what I have to say about it? Thank you! This is the first time where I've written something here that gotten over 100 reviews! I should've done this idea years ago!
Okay, happy time is done. Alright, so you guys know what's up next, right? I don't have to tell you? Okay? Good. And now, happy release of Pokémon Black & White! Kingdom Rider92 out!