A shuttle travelled through the dark depths of space. Inside one of the rooms Silver and Sonic were sleeping on beds that were in the walls. An alarm went off and Shadow ran inside "Scramble! Scramble! All hands on deck! Emergency drill! Scramble!" he ran back out. Sonic and Silver didn't move and continued to sleep. Shadow walked back in clearly annoyed "Did you not hear me? Scramble!" "Yeah, that'll be good with some bacon, Shads" Sonic answered before putting his head back down. Shadow rolled his eyes "Look, the shuttle's an inferno, the engine room is waist-deep in rocket fuel and we're being attack by an unidentified object". Silver finally got up "Really?". Shadow glared at him "You weren't listening were you? We need to be prepared. It's a drill". Silver just stared at him so Shadow spoke very condescendingly "We...are...pretending". Sonic waved his arms "And I'm pretending to scramble. There you go. Good night". Shadow rolled his eyes "Look, you've got 30 seconds to get to the bridge or I'm declaring you officially dead" he left. Sonic sighed "Good. Then we can rest in peace".
Blaze and Shadow were on the bridge sitting in the two backseats. Sonic and Silver entered and sat in the two seats in front of them. Shadow watched them "Good job, guys. Scrambling in a red alert situation. One hour, 17 minutes and 39 seconds". Sonic smirked "You see, Shads. It's just like you're back at GUN". Shadow leaned forward "You think I'm some kind of miserable, petty authority figure who's using our situation to take jabs". He didn't notice Blaze staring at him just nodding. Shadow continued "I'm trying to keep us on our toes. It's the only way we're going to find that Black Arms scout" "I'm going back to bed" Silver joked. Blaze checked her console "I've got something on the scanner. I think it's a ship". Silver was ready for the weapons "What's GUN directive do we follow for this situation. 68250?". Shadow glanced at him "We don't have any chickens or a rabbi onoaed". Silver looked embarrassed "There were a lot of them". Shadow really wished he brought others along on this mission "No, let's do it. Sacrificing poultry will really clear up our problem" he said sarcastically. Sonic checked his console when the other ship suddenly appeared near them "What's he thinking of, warping that close to another vessel? Damn space-hog". Blaze saw it on the viewscreen "Wait, it's the scout" they then received a broadcast of gibberish. Sonic glanced back "Blaze, you mind using that royal translator of yours?".
Blaze took out an earpiece and put it in. She listened and then rolled her eyes. Shadow noticed "What is it?" "Nothing. Just declaring that we'll pay for the death of Black Doom. Our world will be harvested and so on. Oh, and he's accusing us of invading Black Arms Space". Silver narrowed his eyes "We're not invading Black Arms Space. We just came in to stop the scout". Shadow stared at him "Silver, if we ever go to trial I demand separate lawyers". Blaze kept listening to the Scout "He's giving us one minute to leave". Sonic shook his head "Can't do that. Silver fire weapons". Silver armed the shuttle's lasers and fired at the scout ship but it fired back and managed to damage them. Shadow checked "We'll need to get out of here quickly. There's a boarder near here". Silver fired another shot and managed to destroy the ship but it released a missile "Evasive action!" Shadow yelled. Sonic steered the ship away and tried to get to the boarder. The missile hit their side, badly damaging the ship. Sonic used an extinguisher to put out the fire. "Damage report?" Shadow said. Silver activated the auto repair "We've been hit" "Details, Silver!" "There are several small fires. Lots of smoke. And the navi-comp's fizzing". One of the screens in front of him blew up "And now the damage report machine's exploded". Blaze checked the screen "We're past the boarder but… I'm getting a transmission" What did they say". Blaze listened "Uh, this is Xorda space. Death to the strangers". Shadow kept hitting buttons "That's the least of our problems. There's too many fires. Once it hits the fuel tanks we're done". Sonic turned the ship "That moon's got an ocean". He dived the ship down into the atmosphere of the moon and hit the ocean managing to put out the fires.
Sonic, Blaze and Silver were collecting all the boxes in the cargo bay "Almost everything's gone" Sonic said before walking away to check the auto repair. Shadow came in looking tired "The pumps are working again. Three hours and we'll be dry". Sonic came back "Auto repair can fix everything but the Chaos Drive. We need a new power source". Blaze sighed "Well, our only hope it to trade with the Xorda" "Trade? Did you not hear there message?" Shadow said. Silver shrugged "I think it's our only option".
The group used an inflatable boat to get to shore and they travelled across a dark beach. Silver was using his powers to carry a chest. The group approached a massive formation of rocks with pink octopi around it. A few approached the group. Blaze stepped forward and spoke with her device translating her words "Hello. We mean you no harm. We wish to make a trade for a Chaos Drive. We have many rare treasures to give". One of the Xorda got closer and spoke in a strange language. Silver nervously stepped forward and held out the chest. The Xorda opened it and it was just full of pieces of junk. The Xorda however looked pleased by the tribute and gestured for them to follow.
The group were in one of the caverns that resembled a hall. The Xorda chief was feeding his pet which was recognised by the group. Blaze fearfully asked "Uh, that is an interesting pet. What is it?" she hid her fear as best she could. The Chief answered and Blaze sighed in relief. Silver tapped her shoulder "What?" "Yeah, it's a Polymorph" "Oh, Gaia". The other three backed up but Blaze shook her head "No, don't worry. It's called an Emohawk. It's a domesticated Polymorph. It's not only capable of taking emotions but personality traits butt won't attack us". The Xorda finished feeding the Emohawk and then took out a blue Chaos Drive "Good. Now we just need to know the price". Sonic looked confused "I thought the chest was the price" "No, that was the tribute to enter their village. The bartering begins now". The Xorda spoke and pointed at Silver which made Blaze gulp "Oh, dear". Silver didn't understand "What? Does he want my shoes?" "No, Silver". Silver glanced at her "My gloves?" "No". Silver looked worried "He doesn't want my quills, does he?". The Xorda pointed at him again "Me? He wants me" "Yes. In exchange for the drive he wants you to be his daughter's mate".
He noticed another Xorda waving at him. His eyes widened as far as they could "That's his daughter?". Blaze nodded "One of three. Apparently, she's the looker". Silver shook his head "Tell, him not a chance in hell". Sonic shrugged while trying not to laugh "Come on, Silver. You look like a good match". The Xorda spoke again "He says no wedding, no drive. We have five minutes to decide". The Xorda left and Silver quickly got to his feet "Okay, okay. Not happening! Not happening!". Shadow watched him "What about us? You're going to leave us stranded here because for some reason you don't find her attractive" he joked, "We can get them to change their minds". Blaze sighed "Silver, they're a proud culture and they won't change their mind unless you are prepared to stay here and marry Ghegheghe-ach-achechechechech". Silver narrowed his eyes "That's her name!? I'm not settling down with anyone who's name sounds like a Zeti clearing their nose!". Sonic rolled his eyes "Look, you're acting like you're actually going to be stuck here. Go through with the wedding. We do the trade. Once everyone's asleep we'll come back and rescue you. What do you say?" "Not a chance in hell".
A Xorda priest was speaking with Silver and Ghegheghe standing in front of him. He finished and looked at Silver who just for a guess said "I do" he sounded dead inside. Ghegheghe pulled him into a hug and Blaze casually threw flower petals on them. Ghegheghe threw the bouquet which Sonic instinctively caught. He noticed another Xorda waving at him and quickly handed it to Shadow who just dropped it. Ghegheghe picked Silver up and walked away. Silver yelled after the others "Don't be strangers, guys! Drop in any time! ANY TIME!". The disappeared and Blaze spoke to the leader "Thank you". She reached out looking like she was about to shake his hand. But then grabbed the back of his head. The Xorda did the same to her and they started jumping up and down. Sonic found the sight funny but Blaze respected the act and continued to respectfully smile. After that Blaze took the Chaos Drive and left the village. Sonic and Shadow both bowed not really wanting to do that handshake and followed her out.
Silver and Ghegheghe entered a large cavern and the former nervously laughed "Well, darling, what a day. Straight to sleep for me". He turned and saw her uncomfortably close. He realised and backed away "Oh, okay. I see. Well, let me just slip into something comfortable". He carefully went around her and headed to the door "It's called a Spaceship".
Blaze, Sonic and Shadow calmly walked through the forest back to the ship when "CHANGE OF PLANS!". They looked back and Silver was flying towards them "LEG IT!". The three looked back on saw a few Xorda and quickly ran after Silver. They outran the Xorda angering the leader "No one steals from the Xorda". He revealed the Emohawk "Follow them my beauty. Feast on their emotions. Drain them dry!" he threw it up and it turned into a bird.
The group were running through the woods when Blaze stopped them "Wait, something's coming. It's the Emohawk! Be careful, it could be anything". Silver picked up a stick and got in front of the others "It could be right in front of us". He then realised "It's the stick!". They all screamed clearly traumatised from the last time they ran into one. Silver calmed down "Oh, no it's not. Oh, Gaia, I'm so jumpy. I thought it was the stick". The stick turned into the Emohawk "IT IS THE STICK!" he threw it away. The others fired in its direction but they couldn't tell if they got it. Shadow rolled his eyes "Silver, you know what they're like. Keep focused". He didn't realise that his head had one quill too many.
They made it back inside the ship and Shadow pulled a lever "Sealed tight. Can't get in now" one of his quills fell on the floor. Sonic sighed in relief "Can we leave now. We don't exactly want a visit from the in laws". Shadow nodded "Alright, Silver, Blaze, install the Drive. I'll set up the take off sequence. Sonic, stay here". Everyone else left and Sonic waited. He could feel the ship taking off. He heard a noise coming from the shuttle's kitchen. He walked and looked around. He opened a cupboard and the Emohawk jumped out and it's tongue hit his head.
Shadow was in the cockpit piloting them out of the atmosphere when a paper aeroplane flew in and landed on the console. Shadow rolled his eyes, crushed the paper and threw it aside.
Sonic lied on the floor "It took my cool. My style". He lifted his head up, he now had glasses and his front quills had a fringe, he was now Nicky the Hedgehog "I need a mirror". He opened the cupboards looking around. But he was now so uncoordinated that he kept knocking everything over. He looked at his reflection in the pan. He was so horrified he started to scream. Shadow ran in "What? What is it?" "Look, what it's done to me!" Nicky screamed. Shadow stared at him in surprise "Oh, Gaia, it's in the ship. Stay here. I'll warn the others". Shadow ran back into the cockpit and turned on a microphone "Blaze, Silver, the Emohawk is onboard. It's gotten Sonic. I need you guys up…". He realised the microphone wasn't working. He was about to check it when he realised "Oh, no". The Emohawk transformed and drained him as well. Nicky heard from outside "Uh, sir. Is everything okay?". A slinky suddenly came down the steps of the room. It then turned into a remote control car and drove away "It's gone now, sir. It's okay to come out". Shadow stepped out now wearing knight armour, he was now Lancelot. He walked over to Nicky and spoke with a hint of a British accent "Well, my friend, it looks like we both bought a bite from the little Gobermouch. Let's track it down before it harms Blazers and Silver. I'm afraid it might mean… death for both of us. A small price to pay to do our duty". Nicky smiled "What a guy. Before we go I gotta collect some stuff" "Go for it, comrade. I'll warn the others".
Blaze and Silver were in the engine room. A door closed behind them "What the?". Silver tried to open it "It won't override" "We're sealed in". A screen on the wall showed Lancelot "I've sealed you in the engine room, Silver. Afraid me and Sonic have taken a bit of a nip from the Emohawk" "What it's on board?" Blaze asked. Lancelot nodded "It's taken my bitterness and Sonic's cool. He's in a hell of a shape. We've got the Emohawk pinned down in the ops room" "Well, let us in. You'll need all the help you can get". Lancelot shook his head "No one I'd rather have in a fight, Silver, but the Sol Dimension needs Blaze. And the present needs you. You're both too damn valuable to risk. Only one way to guarantee victory for the kingdom. I'm gonna open the airlock. Suck the little vermin into deep space". Blaze shook her head "You idiot, that'll kill you and Sonic" "He won't suffer, Your Grace, I'll snap his neck when he's not looking. Won't feel a thing. Believe me, he'd want it this way". Silver rolled his eyes "Shadow, think. If we can capture it we can turn you back" "Too risky, Silver. In any case, I don't think I could face becoming… him again. Everyone has his limits. Farewell, friends" it cut out.
Lancelot waited when Nicky came in holding a large bag. Lancelot smiled "Ready?" "Let me check". Nicky looked through his bag "Thermos. Sandwiches. Corn plasters, telephone money, dandruff brush, and a footprint chart". Lancelot nodded "Alright, let's step into the airlock and get part two of the plan underway". Nicky was confused but got in "So what precisely is the plan?" "I think you'll find it a little more comfortable if you stand in front of me". Lancelot moved Nicky in front of him as he looked around "So, why are we in this airlock?". Lancelot raised his hands about to grab his head when they heard a boom. Silver and Blaze ran in the latter of which was still on fire from melting the door. Lancelot left the airlock "Silver, you crazy fool! We're all set to save your lives. There's no need for you sling yourself over the fire". Blaze has had enough "Shut up and listen. We have a plan". Silver raised a small bottle with a hose "We have engine coolant. We can freeze the thing no matter what form it's in". Lancelot considered and bowed to Blaze "For you, Your Majesty, anything". Blaze rolled her eyes "Come on".
The group entered the cargo bay. Lancelot led the way with Nicky at the back. They both used themselves as shield to protect Blaze and Silver. Blaze looked around "It has to be in here". Silver jumped "It's the barrel!" he fired a shot of cyan energy at the barrel but nothing happened "Sorry. False alarm". They kept walking and he saw a chain hanging from the ceiling "That chain! It's moving!" again nothing. He took a breath "Sorry. Sorry". Blaze put her hand on his shoulder "Silver, you have to stay calm. You're experiencing a classic kneejerk paranoid reaction to a terror situation. It's essential at this time that we- IT'S THE WALL!" she threw a fireball which melted right through it. She covered her mouth in embarrassment "I-I. Sorry". Silver sighed "This is impossible. How can we find something that can disguise itself as anything" "Worry ye not, Silver. It will reveal itself" Lancelot answered. Nicky whistled to himself and then tripped over something "Oh, I dropped my thermos". He picked it up and realised his backpack was still closed. He nervously laughed "Uh, excuse me, sirs. Madam. I think we have a suspect". It turned into it's normal form making Nicky scream "I got it!". He pinned it to the ground "I got it!" "Freeze it, Silver" Lancelot yelled. Silver pointed the hose and fired a gas as Nicky got out of the way. They froze the creature. Silver laughed and picked it up "Blaze, will you do the honours". He threw it up and Blaze destroyed it with a fireball. Shadow and Sonic immediately returned to normal with the latter's armour disappearing. Shadow groaned "I can't believe it got me again". Sonic stretched his legs "At least you were an improvment". The group entered the cockpit and turned the shuttle to head back to Mobius.