It was just a regular morning in the small, but dense Emerald Town. Flickies were chirping, and there wasn't anything out of the ordinary that could disturb the regular peace. As the sun rose over the Hill Top mountain, everyone was running from place to place, looking to start their day. One of the places that surely attracted a lot of people was a simple food truck, with line after line of people waiting to get a fresh meal. On top of the truck was a big eye-catching sign that read "Ray the Squirrel's Fresh Food Parlour".
"N' then I told the guy: "I'm outta here!", said one of the voices of the people in that crowd.
"I know, Sonic, I know", someone replied.
Waiting in line just like everyone else were a blue hedgehog with red, dirty sneakers and his friend, an orange fox cub with, strangely enough, two tails.
"C'mon already! I don' have all day here, y'know?", said Sonic, tapping his foot impatiently. "I've got places to run to, things to do!"
He was always like this. Losing his cool whenever something took too long and whenever he was forced to take it slow.
"Wow, calm down Sonic!", said Tails. It's not like you've got a job to do! Those people do, so how about we cut them some slack?"
"Fine, fine!", said Sonic as he crossed his arms.
It wasn't long until Sonic was facing the window of the RV truck, looking right at his old friend Ray.
"Hey yo Ray! Y'already know the deal! Two chili dogs n' a nice glass o' Chao Cola!"
"Coming right up, my dude!", said Ray, ready to fetch him his stuff.
"So, y'got any new rumors, man?", said Sonic, not giving a damn about the fact that his friend was busy making his order. He placed an elbow on the window's frame, leaning in.
"Oh, you're gon' love this, Sonic!", the yellow squirrel replied, as he ran from place to place to prepare the chili dogs. "Just about a couple of minutes ago I heard some...I dunno...geologists or somethin'...talk about trackin' one of the 7 time stones! I think they were from the...Mobian Institute of Gemology! But anyways, can yo…."
"Heh, it's nice to see one o' this doo-hickeys finally end up in some good folk's hands! Well, what's it gotta do with me likin' it?", he replied.
"Lemme finish, pal!", said the squirrel, focused on his cooking more than the conversation. "They've set up excavations down at Mystic Ruins! Get this, they're gonna give out a biiiig cash reward to whoever finds it...if ya do before 'em!"
"It sounds like real fun! But y'know...the money don't interes-"
"Sonic, don't you get it?", said Tails cutting his best friend off. "The money's gonna help me with my inventions from now on! We have to go get it!"
"Tails, Tails, Tails! Always gotta think about the cash! When 're you gonna understand that in the grand scheme o' things, money'll only get you so far….Ya gotta start valuing what's truly happenin' around you….Y'know, feel the moment n' whatnot!"
The two of them stood at a table, and as they eat up, Tails pulls out a map of the old Mystic Ruins. He unfolds it on the table, as Sonic nearly spills his Chao Cola on the table.
"Alright, Sonic! This is how we're gonna go about it! If we go by the 11:30 AM train, we're gonna arrive at the Mystic Ruins at about….3 in the afternoon!"
Sonic yawns. "Almost 4 hours? Geez...I could make that trip n' back in less than one! And that's on a light jog! How's about we race on foot-or...on tails?!"
Tails laugh a bit. "Yeah, that would be nice. But you gotta remember that you're still hydrophobic, and I don't want to be worrying about you falling into the water as you race across the sea.
While they were talking about their plan, a dire wolf in a brown trenchcoat and cotton patching on the inside approached them, taking a seat without thinking twice. He had overheard them, enough for her to take an interest.
She coughed. "Excuse me!", she said.
They both turned their heads towards her.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but hear what you two were talking about!", she continued. "I really have to ask: you do know how caves themselves are quite the dangerous place. You do know that there are wild animals roaming around, and the whole thing could collapse at the smallest earth quake! How are you two going to manage?"
"Heh, well, what'cha gotta know about me, Wolfie, is that I ain't one to worry myself with complicated plans n' stuff like that! What's the thrill in it? I just like to rush in, n' do things my way!", replied Sonic, clearly having the intention to boast himself.
"I'm just curious about how you guys can make it through a cave that's probably unexcavated without any experience with speology!"
"Hey, Sonic might not be a strategist…", said Tails, "...but surprisingly, he's a really lucky guy! And not one to just turn away when things get tough!"
"Yeah, and if ya ain't convinced by Tails' word, why not stick around n' see for yourself?", Sonic continued.
"Hm, color me impressed!", the wolf continued. "Sure, why not?"
"Heh, glad to see someone else with a sense o' adventure! Glad you're stickin' around...uh…"
"Oh! Well, my name's Lyrene Goldluck! I'm a merchant, and I do some adventuring from time to time!"
Sonic leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on the table.
"Now that's my kinda lifestyle!", he said, completely ignoring Ray, who was going out of his way to scream and scold him for sitting like that.
"Okay, so it's settled then!", said Tails, eager to get going already.
"More than settled, bud!", said Sonic. "We're gon' find that gem usin' the real super power of team work!"
And so, with these inspirational words to inspire our heroes, they set off to the Mystic Ruins, ready to find whatever challenge is waiting for them.