Chapter 22: Attack on Bowser's Castle (Part I)

Bowser's Castle: Near the front gate

There was a flash of light and the heroes appeared.

"Well, here we are." Sonic said, looking around him. "This place looks horrible."

"Let's do this!" Mario said confidently.

"Here's how we'll split up." Shadow said. "Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and Tails will be Team 1. The Chaotix will be Team 2. Silver, Blaze, and Yoshi will be Team 3, and Rouge, Omega, and I will be Team 4."

"Who put him in charge?" Knuckles grumbled.

"Sounds good to me!" Sonic gave Shadow a thumbs-up.

"Team 1 will go to the throne room." Shadow continued. "They will keep the main forces busy. Team 2 will go to the lab and destroy the machines there. Team 3 will first go to the balcony, and then to the vault, destroying all enemies in their path. And Team 4 will go to the storage room and get the last Chaos Emerald."

Everybody nodded.

"After we do that," Shadow continued. "Espio and Omega will meet up at the ammo post and set charges. We then gather into the courtyard and use Chaos Control to escape before the castle explodes."

"Okie Dokie!" Mario said. "Let's do this!" With that, the heroes burst through the castle gate and entered the castle.

Bowser's Castle: Throne Room

"Dr. Eggman," A red robot said. "Sonic and his friends have entered the facility."

"Excellent!" The fat doctor said, rubbing his hands. "Now to destroy that blue menace!"

Bowser laughed. "Let's do it then!"

With Team 1:

"Come on guys!" Sonic motioned, ahead of the others. "The throne room is this way!"

"Yeah!" Mario said, running up to Sonic. He then noticed Tails. "Hey, what's up amigo?" He asked.

Sonic also stopped and looked at Tails, who was looking at the floor. "Tails?" He asked. No answer. "Tails?" No answer. "Hey Tails!" Sonic shouted, getting the fox's attention.

"Huh?" Tails said, looking at Sonic. "Oh! Sorry! I was just thinking."

"Heh, no problem Tails." Sonic chuckled, as the four continued on.

With Team 2:

Team Chaotix were walking down one of the many hallways.

"I think the lab is this way." Vector said, pointing down the hallway they were currently in.

"Yeah!" Charmy sang as he spun around. "Another castle! And this one we get to beat up!"

"Be quiet Charmy!" Espio said sternly. "I doubt it will be that easy."

"Espio's right." Vector nodded, as the trio continued walking.

With Team 3:

Silver, Blaze, and Yoshi were walking down the hallway.

"Do you think the balcony is this way?" Yoshi asked.

"I think so." Silver nodded.

"Let's go then!" Blaze said urgently, at which Yoshi and Silver nodded.

"Hey uh…Blaze?" Silver asked her as the three continued walking. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"What is it Silver?"

"Well…how is it like to be a princess in another dimension?" Silver asked. "What does it feel like?"

"Well…" Blaze was a little surprised by the question. "It's pretty cool…I guess. But it requires a lot of responsibility."

"I believe it." Silver said under his breath.

"Come on you guys!" Yoshi called from the other side of the hallway.

With Team 4:

Shadow and his team were walking down their hallway.

Eggman… Shadow thought to himself. I told you that I would be back. You will pay for not keeping your promise to me!

"Shadow?"

"What?" The black hedgehog looked at Rouge, who was looking at him.

"Which way is the storage room?"

Shadow pointed down a narrow corridor. "That way."

"IS IT ME," Omega's voice interrupted. "OR IS IT STRANGE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACKED?"

"Hmm…good point." Shadow agreed thoughtfully. "Where are all the guards? It's not like we came in quietly."

"Who cares?" Rouge nonchalantly asked. "Let's just get that emerald and get out of here."

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To be continued...