Chapter 31 "It's now I realise that the plan stopped at chapter 18".
The next day, Tails gathered everybody into the meeting room. It was known that a quest was afoot, but other than that it was a mystery.
"You all probably know that something big is going on." Tails addressed the room. Shadow whistled sarcastically as he played with his chain. "Naugus' appearance a few days ago was probably a giveaway to that. After a lot of thought, I have remembered where I hid the pieces of the emerald." Knuckles and Tikal perked up. "This is a vague idea, so, within a few miles. One piece is hidden in the sunken remains of Angel Island," Knuckles and Tikal were now paying very close attention. "Because of the piece of the emerald, the island is not completely submerged, there is a small piece of it poking above the water, about an acre or so. Because of all the tunnels and caverns, there are plenty of air passages in there. If a chaos emerald is brought there, or maybe two, they might be able to raise the island a bit more.
The second one is in the ruins of Metal City, south of here. It's somewhere near the middle of the city and most likely underground. There are plenty of people still living there, underground. Whoever goes there would need to be careful. The emerald itself is also being guarded by… I know this sounds weird, but… Vector." Amy looked round.
"Vector? The crocodile? Mercenary guy? I killed him!"
"He could have made some kind of deal with Naugus, where he got brought back to life, or something. I don't know. The third one is in Babylon Garden, out in the desert." Jet was immediately paying full attention, unusual for him. He got a couple of funny looks.
"Go on," He said.
"The Gardens aren't quite floating, but they are being affected by the piece of the emerald. Because it's closer to Naugus' base, he'll probably be all over that one first. The last one is... in the possession of Eggman."
"That bastard, I knew we should have killed him when we had the chance!" Shadow shouted out.
"Calm down, he's not on Naugus' side anymore. He's hiding in his polar base, to the far north. If you're nice, he might just give it to you, but he might want a trade. I suggest Shadow doesn't deal with Eggman." Shadow slouched in his chair, arms folded grumpily."
"So how do we split it? Who goes where?" Sonic asked.
"You know what I was saying about 'Four hedgehogs, blah blah blah," and all that? Well, Knuckles and Tikal should go with Sonic to Angel Island, they know it best. Espio should go to Metal City, he knows what Vector's like. Amy has also had a previous encounter with Vector, which also makes sense. Jet and Wave should accompany Shadow to Babylon Garden," Shadow cringed at the thought of journeying with the two birds. "…again, they know it best. As for Eggman's base… none of us have ever been there, so I don't know. Probably Silver, and… I don't know. We'll make up the numbers somehow."
"I'll go with Sonic. That makes four." Manic said, nearly cutting off Tails. "If Nack goes with Shadow, that makes four, if Blaze and Diesel go with Silver, that makes three, and Rouge can go with Amy, which makes three."
"So what about Tails and Cream?" Amy added. "That makes four, if you give one each."
"So where's the room for little old me?" A husky voice said from the shadows. Everybody looked round. A large bat walked into the light.
"Blade?" Rouge said, almost immediately.
"I took me a few days to get here. Harsh landscape. Sorry I'm late."
"Ahem, why were you following us?"
"Came to finish what I started. I never finished that talk I had with your little Rougey," He said with a smile. Nack glared. That's my nickname for her, he thought.
"Please, elaborate…" Tails asked, slightly concerned.
"Where did I leave off… oh yes. I heard about your encounter with Naugus. You probably figured it out for yourselves."
"Yes, Naugus wants the emerald to take over the world."
"Not only that, but he wants to remake it in his own vision. Vector was in on that. He knew more than Robotnik. He was Naugus' right hand man, almost. I should go with the pink one…"
"Amy," Amy cut in, irately.
"…to Metal City. I know Vector's ways. Two clued in heads are better than one."
"Good point. Anything you specialise in?"
"What do you think the name 'Blade', suggests?"
"Hmm. Something to do with knives?" Tails suggested. Blade nodded silently. "So that makes four, four, four, and if I go with Silver, that's four."
"What about me?" Whined Cream.
"Stay here." Amy said firmly.
"There's nothing here, the place is empty. None of the consoles work, and I want to help. I'm useless here. I can go with you, or someone else, if you feel safe with that…"
"You can tag along with us."
"Sounds good." Cream was just excited to be taken on a mission. Probably best that it's with a friend, like Tails, she thought. Amy still looked unsure. "Come on…"
"Okay. You can go with Tails." She looked at Tails. "Take good care of her, Tails."
"Jesus Christ, Amy, I'm not six, I can take some care of myself."
"You're sixteen."
"So? Where were you when you were sixteen? Or, where was Sonic when he was sixteen? Saving the frickin' world!" Cream continued to argue. Sonic smiled. "And Tails is like, eighteen? Not much difference there!" Silver sank his head into his hands.
"Good Lord, I'm babysitting…"