Chapter 3 – Battle on the Egg Convoy

Everyone agreed with Sonic, but they were still unsure who would be right for deactivating the nuclear warheads.

"Who do you think could pull this off?" asked Bowser.

Sonic thought deeply, and then an idea came to his mind. "Tails, of course!" he exclaimed.

Tails was stunned. "Wait a minute, you mean me?"

"Of course!" said Sonic. "Remember back to when you wanted to be like me, but found your own voice and ways on stopping Eggman? Well, now this is a golden opportunity for you to relive those glory days by disabling the nuclear warheads."

"Gee, Sonic, I'm deeply flattered," said Tails as he blushed with embarrassment. "I'm not sure if I have the same edge as I did back then. After all, it was such a long time ago."

"I believe you still do, my son," said Bobby as he placed his hand on Tails' shoulder. "We Prowers have come from a long line of heroic foxes, dating back to Medieval Ages when our great ancestor saved merry ol' England from tyranny!"

"Dearest, you can't assume that about your heritage," said Michelle. "We don't really know if that is true or not."

"I'm trying to lift up Tails' spirit here, darling," said Bobby. "It is clear that his friends will need every help they can get, and they can't do it without him and his keen intellect."

As everyone waited, Tails thought deeply. He remembered his adventures with Sonic all those years back when he was just a small fox pup, from catching up with his zooming partner during their exploits in West Island and Angel Island, to piloting the Tornado while Sonic stood on the wings, and to saving Station Square from being destroyed by Eggman before confronting him, all without needing Sonic's help. The memories replayed continuously, which made Tails finally make up his decision.

"Okay, I'll do it," he said finally.

"That's my boy!" beamed Bobby as he playfully rubbed his son's forehead.

"Good on you making the right choice, bud!" said Sonic. "Now, we just need to figure out who shall be going and who will be staying here."

"All six of us will be going, that's for sure," said Cynder. "I can tell that this is a mission where we're going to need a lot of help as disabling the nuclear warheads and taking down the Egg Convoy will not be easy."

"Oh, yes!" cheered Lily. "This is going to be fun!"

"Count me in too, Sonic," said Amy. "I'm not letting you go anywhere without me!"

"Uh, it's great that you're enthusiastic about dealing with Eggman, Amy," said Sonic nervously. "But this is really going to be another dangerous mission, and I can't afford to have anything happen to you."

"I am coming whether you like it or not!" insisted Amy. "Say it, Sonic! Say that I can go! Don't make me take out my Piko Piko Hammer!"

Sonic flinched as the last thing he wanted was for Amy to hit him with her Piko Piko Hammer, but at the same time, he did not want her to get hurt. Seeing that there was no other alternative, he sighed and lowered his head. "Very well," he conceded. "You can come along with us, but I would advise you to leave if things get tough."

Amy nodded in satisfaction as she could now get to spend time with Sonic while helping him in foiling Eggman's schemes.

"That makes nine participants already," said Tails.

"Let me come too, please," said Bowser. "I want to kick some robot butt!"

"Totally awesome that you're joining us, Bowser!" smiled Draco.

"Rouge and I joining too," added Jimmy.

"Don't forget about us!" said a voice.

To the amazement of the dragons, outside stood Jeremy and Knuckles, and they looked very eager to help out.

Rouge smiled when she saw Knuckles. "Well, well, look who has come to see me," she said in a flirtatious tone.

"Hey Jeremy and Knuckles," said Tails. "Great that you guys decided to show up."

"We've heard everything that was going on," said Jeremy. "I really want to help you in taking down the Egg Convoy and saving those cities from being destroyed."

"That Eggman is going to pay for everything he had done so far, the lying bastard!" declared Knuckles as he pounded his fists together.

"In that case, it's a total of fourteen," smiled Sonic. "I think that should efficient enough to take on Eggman!"

"Aren't you going to join your friends and husband, Blaze?" asked Bobby.

"Much as I'd like to, I really can't," said Blaze. "With my baby getting closer to arriving, I have to move around less."

"That's understandable," said Michelle. "It's good that you're being responsible with your future child, Blaze."

"Sometimes, I help the team out with the less intense missions," said Blaze. "All the same, things should be back to normal once the baby comes."

"Hey, can I come too?" asked Darky.

"No, Darky," said Cynder. "It will be better that you stay here with Blaze and Tails' parents. Besides, we already have a lot of participants for this upcoming challenge."

"Aw, man," groaned Darky.

"She's right, little dragon," said Michelle. "This mission would be very dangerous, and you could get hurt. Why don't you get to know us while your friends are gone?"

"That sounds like a great idea," said Blaze. "Alright, you guys. Better get yourselves set, and we shall see you when you get back. Good luck!"

"We will, Blaze," replied Sonic. "And thanks!"

"And you take care of yourself over there, Tails," continued Blaze as she looked at her husband. "I know you can do it!"

"Thanks, Blaze," said Tails. "I love you."

"I love you too," replied Blaze and she blew a kiss at the fox. Tails just blushed and returned the kiss.

Knuckles tapped his foot impatiently. "Come on, brainiac!" he fussed. "Hop on your piece of junk so we can get to the Egg Convoy!"

"Hey!" said Sonic crossly. "I use that plane too, Knuckles!"

Soon after saying goodbye to Blaze, Darky, Michelle and Bobby, the team were all set to head for the Egg Convoy and they took off into the sky. While Rouge and the dragons flew, Sonic and Knuckles stood on the wings of the Tornado Z and Amy sat next to Tails in the plane. Jimmy piloted his jet place with Bowser on board. Eventually, the team saw the Egg Convoy and they gasped in shock at the size of the warship. The superstructure's length seemed to span for miles. Doors and windows the size of football fields decorated parts of the ship, and thousands of cannons and lasers adorned all around.

"Eggman has really outdone himself this time!" exclaimed Knuckles. "This is like ten times bigger than the Final Fortress!"

"It really makes the Egg Carrier look like a dwarf!" said Sonic. "I believe we're going to be in for a wild ride!"

"The nuclear warheads must be set up in that huge tower ahead," said Amy. "Look ahead!"

The team squinted to the far side of the warship and noticed the gigantic command tower at the aft. At the top were a series of cannons designed to deploy torpedoes.

"Could this be…?" asked Draco.

"Yes, that looks like where the warheads will be launched from," said Cynder. "Now we need to find a way to stop them from being fired to the cities."

"Hold on, everyone," said Tails. "I'm getting ready to land the Tornado!"

As the team flew closer to the Egg Convoy, Tails adjusted the control stick and lowered the Tornado Z, preparing to land on the giant battleship. After the two planes landed, including the dragons and Rouge, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Amy, Jimmy and Bowser mounted off and they started to wonder what would be their next move.

"Tails, maybe you should take our less combative allies to help you in disabling the warheads," suggested Sonic. "I and the others will take on whatever opposition Eggman dispatches."

"I think I have it all covered," said Tails. "Draco, Percival, Lily and Amy will accompany me in going to the command tower."

"That sounds like a plan," said Percival.

"This is going to be exciting checking out what's inside the ship!" said Lily cheerfully.

"Better stay focused Lily," said Torden. "We're in a very critical situation, so we can't be distracted. Besides, just because your team are taking the mission that doesn't involved fighting doesn't guarantee that there won't be any as it's likely that Eggman's robot would be inside."

"Got that right, Torden," said Sonic. "And that's why sneaking around would be the safest approach. Let's put an end to that rotten egg right now!"

"Muhahahaha!" boomed Eggman's voice which echoed through the sky. "Welcome to the Egg Convoy! Don't think that you're going to make it out alive, fools! All of you have fallen into my trap! See for yourselves and you'll find that you're hopelessly outnumbered!"

In a moment, legions of robots appeared all around the warship and they marched towards the team. In a minute, Eggman appeared on his Eggmobile and next to him was the elephant robot.

"You're going down, Eggman!" said Sonic as he shook his fist.

"Humph! I think not, you heinous hedgehog!" scoffed Eggman. "This is the end for you and your pitiful band, for you will meet the Pachytron. You may have defeated three of my Robot Masters, but he will toss you up a curve!"

Amy shook her head. "Sonic will never be fazed by your ugly robots!" she declared.

Eggman sneered. "We shall see about that," he said. "Pachytron, take them all out!"

"Roger that," replied Pachytron, and he lowered down, flanked by several robots while Eggman flew away into the distance.

Author's Note: Here is yet another fight approaching! Next chapter we shall see how the team deals with the fourth Robot Master and how Tails and his small team will reach the control tower of the ship!