Chapter 2 – Warhead Threat
"Great stroll around the beach, isn't it, fellas?"
The team spent the morning strolling around the beach and enjoying the scene. Cynder stayed as close to the ocean water as possible as she would take a dive to catch some fish.
"Yeah, it sure is, Draco," said Darky. "There's nothing like a little fun in the sun."
Sonic felt impatient as he was preferred to dash around than walk. "I could have run around the entire bay in less than a second," he grumbled.
"Gee, Sonic, you should learn to have a little patience," said Cynder.
"Patience isn't my thing, you know," said Sonic. "When things have to be done, I like to do them in record time."
"I think it's about time that we start heading back home," said Torden. "Tails and Blaze must be worried sick about us, and I can hardly wait to head back and have a little sparring session with my buds."
"We do still have to face Eggman soon," said Cynder. "The fate of the world rests entirely in our hands."
"I know, I know," said Sonic. "But we can't be able to focus without taking a break and doing some chilling out."
"Then, let's get goin', everyone!" urged Jakkin.
Suddenly there was a whirring sound which belonged to that of a jet plane.
"Who's that?" asked Torden.
"It looks like Jimmy," said Percival. "And it looks like it's something urgent as he looks to be rather anxious."
Sure enough, Jimmy was preparing to land the plane, and he had a very concerned look on his face. Rouge and Amy were there too, and she looked just as distressed.
"There you are, friends!" said Jimmy. "I'm glad I could find all of you here! It's really awful!"
"Huh, what's awful?" asked Cynder.
"It's Eggman!" exclaimed Amy. "He's planning something really horrifying! You have a television in any of your huts, don't you?"
"Yes, we do," said Sonic. "Can you tell me what the big egg's up to this time?"
"You'll find out when we hurry to the village," said Rouge. "Now come on! You better see for yourself his latest scheme!"
Quickly, the team raced back to the village with Sonic having already beaten them to the punch. They were surprised when they saw a pair of foxes standing outside Cynder's hut.
"Who do you suppose are they?" asked Sonic.
"I have no idea," replied Cynder. "Maybe we should find out."
The team approached the fox couple, which caught them their attention. The two foxes smiled as they were able to tell who the group were. "Well, you must be the friends Tails and Blaze were telling us about," they said.
"Who are you two?" asked Cynder.
"Yes, we haven't introduced," said the vixen. "My name is Michelle, and this is my husband Bobby. If you have guessed already, we're Tails' parents."
"Wait, you're Tails' mom and dad?" exclaimed the dragons.
"That's right," replied Bobby.
"I could definitely see the resemblance," smiled Sonic.
"Is everything alright, Mom and Dad?" asked Tails.
"Tails, look who's finally back," said Bobby. "Your friends, I believe."
"Sonic, Draco, Cynder!" said Tails happily. "Good to see you back at this time, and I see you've met my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Sonic, Amy, Draco, Darky, Percival, Jakkin, Lily, Torden, Bowser, and Cynder."
"Nice to meet you all," said Michelle. "Tails has told me wonderful things about you."
"And who are those other two?" Bobby asked as he gestured at Jimmy and Rouge.
"Oh, yeah, the lion over there is Jimmy Lionheart, a pilot who serves the Anthro League, and next to him is Rouge, and she's a treasure hunter."
"Nice to see you two as well," said Bobby and Michelle.
"Yes, thank you," said Jimmy as he sheepishly placed his paw behind his back. Firestorm the phoenix flapped his wings anxiously, making the lion quickly remember what they came to the village for. "We're not here for friendly greetings, I'm afraid. Tails, you need to switch on the TV right away! There's something really concerning you need to see!"
"What is it?" asked Blaze.
"It's Eggman!" replied Amy. "He's threatening to bomb the world's most important cities!"
"What?!" gasped Blaze, Tails and his parents. Everyone hurried inside Cynder's hut and switched on the television. Amy set the channel where she learned about Eggman's latest threat, and there they saw Eggman standing next to the terrified news anchor. Grinning evilly, he focused on the screen as he prepared to broadcast a message.
"Attention everyone!" he began. "Sorry to interrupt your daily activities and watching the news, but I have a message for all of you! I'd like you to get a glimpse of my most diabolical and powerful airbase, the Egg Convoy!"
The screen changed to display a gigantic warship that appeared heavily armed as it was full of all kinds of weaponry. Sonic, Tails and Amy were shocked at how imposing it looked. They had battled Eggman's warships in the past, but none came as close to being as majestic and intimidating as the Egg Convoy.
"Whoa!" gasped Draco. "Just what on earth is that?"
"Trouble, that's what I can tell you," replied Sonic.
"Keep quiet," said Tails. "We need to listen more of Eggman's message."
"In twenty-four hours, the Egg Convoy will launch eight nuclear warheads, aimed at the world's major cities," continued Eggman when the screen returned to him. "They will all be destroyed and reconstructed to become establishments for my empire, and there's no one who will be able to stop me this time, not even a certain blue pesky pincushion! Enjoy your last hours, people, because the world finally belongs to me! Farewell!"
Laughing maniacally, Eggman hopped into his Eggmobile and disappeared out of view, leaving the news anchor frozen and speechless. All Tails could do now is use the remote to switch off the television, with a very worried look on his face. Everyone else was just as horrified too.
"Just when things couldn't get any worse, it has gotten much so," muttered Torden.
"Now what do we do?" Lily asked in panic. "Those poor innocent people are going to be nuked in a day's time!"
"We're going to have to stop Eggman's plan once and for all!" said Sonic with determination. "That is to board the Egg Convoy and take it down while someone will have to prevent the nuclear warheads from being launched!"
Author's Note: Eggman has gotten serious now! How will our heroes stop him from destroying the cities around the world? We shall see in the next chapter!