Sonic was running.
"Freedom fever is spreading wild as fans of Sonic the Hedgehog embrace the new Freedom Movement, adopting the carefree lifestyle of their hero." Scarlet narrated.
Sonic made the covers of various magazines as people chant "Freedom!".
"It seems like the entire planet is caught up in the craze!" she said.
A shot of two people wearing Sonic-themed clothes was shown before cutting to Sonic running again.
"The International Track and Field Association reports that runners around the world are setting new records every day."
A racetrack Chris was running a race and crossed the finish line in first place.
"Wow! Eight seconds flat!" the judge said.
"Haha! Yeah!" Chris said and fist-pumped.
Outside Thorndyke Mansion Decoe was clipping the hedges, and Bocoe was sweeping the trimmings.
"I love working for the Thorndyke family. Now the only thing we have to attack is crabgrass!" Bocoe said.
"Plus we get weekends off! Eggman never gave us free time except the time he made us work for free." Decoe said then Chris arrived wearing his backpack.
"Hey, how's it going, you guys?" Chris asked.
"Hello, Christopher!"
"Welcome home!" Bocoe said.
"Your parents just arrived back here a few minutes ago."
"Great! Where are they?" Chris asked.
"In the backyard. They are extremely eager to see you!"
"Thanks, guys!" Chris said and ran inside.
"What a nice kid." Bocoe said.
"It is hard to believe that a few days ago we were trying to destroy him." Decoe said.
"I guess we should get back to work."
"Right! We still have to fill in that ditch we dug earlier."
Tanaka, was walking nearby then slipped.
Inside a makeshift hut, Eggman served Bokkun what appeared to be a putrid purple liquid inside a small hollow tree. Bokkun was wearing a red T-shirt that says "Freedom" on the front.
"Bon Appetit!" Eggman said.
"A tree stump? I can't eat wood for lunch! What do I look like, a termite?" Bokkun said.
"Well, it's the only food we have. But if you don't like it, we can skip to the mud pie I made for dessert." he said and flipped a few more trees in a frying pan before walking away.
"I hope Decoe and Bocoe ask for their jobs back. Their food didn't tastes good, but they never served me lumber for lunch!"
"Forget it. I wouldn't take those two turncoats back if they came crawling to me on their gear boxes."
Back outside Thorndyke Mansion Nelson and Lindsey were wearing Freedom shirts grilling. Ella, Chris, Amy, and Cream were setting the tables. Chuck was stirring soup. Ella walked over as Nelson held up some slightly burnt meat.
"Oh, uh, no thank you, sir. There might not be enough to go around." Ella said.
"Nonsense, Ella. We have more than enough." Lindsey said.
"That's... great."
"I know you love good food, so I expect to see you back for seconds." Nelson said and served her some of the meat, and she cringed a little. "When I heard all my employee were taking time off because of this freedom fad, I thought I'd take a little free time too."
"Christopher is thrilled that you'll be spending more time here, and so am I."
"I never realized what a burden stardom is until I joined the freedom movement." Lindsey said.
"Go Freedom!" Nelson and Lindsey shouted.
"All right!"
"My shish kebabs are done, so get ready, gang! They're gonna knock you out!" Nelson said.
"I just hope the medics will be able to revive us." Chuck said causing Chris, Amy, and Cream to giggle.
Then Tanaka walked in wearing a freedom shirt underneath his vest.
"Professor Thorndyke. The President is on the telephone for you." he said.
"Thank you." Chuck said and got up and headed for the phone.
In the Living room.
"What's that? ... You're giving the go-ahead to Project Homebound? ... I'll need some time to prepare. ... Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Chuck said on the phone and with a sad expression, he handed up and sat on the couch in silence.
Somewhere in Arizona Sam was chasing another speeder.
"Some of these freedom freaks think they've got the right to break the speed limit. Every day, some joker blasts down the highway to challenge the S-Team. There's only one racer who outraces me." he said. "I never imagined a hotshot hedgehog and I would become buddies." he said and looked back up at his target. "Sonic's the only real competition I've got. This clown doesn't even know what speeding means!" he said. "Pull over, pal! Don't make more trouble for yourself; it's not worth it." he said over loudspeaker.
"He ain't catchin' me." Speeder said and flooded gas and drove faster.
The chase continued. The speeder adjusted his rearview mirror causing him to lose control of the car.
"Slow down!" Sam said.
The speeder panicked as he saw a sharp turn in the road. He broke through the safety barrier, and his car fell. Sam stopped his car and got out.
"Oh, great..." he said and ran to the edge of the road, but there was nothing he could do.
Suddenly Sonic showed up and quickly freed the speeder from the car right before it smashed front-first with the ground and exploded Sonic landed behind Sam and placed the speeder down.
"Sonic!" Sam said.
"Hey, Sam. How are things on the highway?" Sonic asked as he removed his helmet.
"Same stuff. I'm still showin' these showoffs who rules the road. I was about to go on my coffee break, but now that you're here..." he said and ran back to his car, and they took off.
"Hey, what am I supposed to do, crawl home?" Speeder asked.
Back with Sonic and Sam...
"You ready to race?" Sonic asked.
"You bet! Just let me shift into Sonic Mode and I'm good to go!" Sam said and activated his secret fuel tank.
Then he took off at a blazing speed; however, Sonic not only caught up, but she also passed him.
"She's getting faster..." Sam said to himself and Sonic leapt off the road and over the city, admiring its beauty.
Meanwhile Chris was in his room sitting at his desk and looking up at the moon - the Egg Moon with a writing pad in front of him.
"This essay's really tough. I'm not sure what my dream is... My... dream... I know!" he said.
That night, the President's limo arrived. Christina and another woman stepped out of the vehicle.
A few minutes later Chuck, Tails, Nelson, Lindsey, Christina, and the woman were gathered in the living room. Chuck shook the woman's hand.
"This is Dr. Kim Bickley. She's a physicist from the National Science Institute." Christina said.
"Nice to meet you all." Kim said.
Back upstairs Chris was writing in the pad.
"My dream is to help my friend Sonic make the world a better place. If I can just do that, I'll be happy. ...Huh... That sounds way too corny." he said then crumbled the paper and tossed it at the garbage can but missed.
Just then he heard a splash in the pool outside. Then he headed to the window and opened the curtain.
"What was that?" he said and saw a shape in the pool, and immediately ran out of his room, down the hall, down the stairs, and outside. "Sonic!"
He stopped, surprised at what he saw. It isn't Sonic in the pool.
"How are you doin', fella?" he asked.
It was a cat that fell in the pool. Having climbed out, it meowed and shook the water off of itself. Chris looked worriedly back toward the house.
Back in the living room.
"But how can time stop? That's impossible!" Nelson said.
"I'm afraid it is possible." Chuck said.
"Sometime in the distant past, our world and Sonic's were one and the same." Kim said. "Then a mysterious even divided them in two. Each world suddenly had its own timeline. They now inhabited parallel universes, unaware of the other's existence." she said. "The two worlds are beginning to join again, and the two separate timeline will soon start to join together as well."
"But how can you prove this theory is true?" Nelson asked.
"It's not a theory. Even as we speak, the two timelines are converging. Soon they'll meld completely, and when they do, they'll cancel each other out, and time will stand still. The result will be catastrophic. The rejoined planets will be frozen in time while billions of years will pass in the rest of the universe."
"Once the timelines are fused, the effects will be irreversible." Christina said.
"So we'll be stuck in time?" Lindsey said.
"That's right. When time stops, there's no such thing as the future or the past. None of us will grow older, and we won't be able to change, either." Chuck said with his arms crossed.
"Oh, my. Is there anything we can do?" Nelson said.
"I've made some calculations. If they're correct, there's a slim chance we can prevent the timelines from coming together. But we have to act immediately, or it'll be too late." Kim said.
"The President has just signed an executive order directing all his staff to gather all the Chaos Emeralds together." Christina said.
"You mean the President wants us to cause Chaos Control?" Tails said surprised.
"Our only hope to save both worlds is to send you and Sonic and the others back home." Chuck said.
Nelson and Lindsey looked at each other, concerned. Just then a vase shattered. The others turned to see that it was Chris who shattered it not happy.
"They're not gonna send Sonic back home." he said, approached them and Lindsey and Nelson stood up.
"Chris!" Lindsey said.
"You've been listening?" Nelson said.
"Yes, I have. I heard it all. And I don't care what the President says. It's good that Sonic's here." Chris said then saw the first time he saw Sonic since the destruction of the E-99 Eggsterminator. "Sonic... Sonic always helps people when they're in trouble." he said and saw Sonic diving next to the X-Tornado then helping Helen. "She saved Station Square when it was attacked by the Chaos Monster." he said and saw him shaking Shadow, and the latter pushing him away then Super Sonic fighting Perfect Chaos. "Don't you remember? This whole planet would have been wrecked if Sonic hadn't come to the rescue!" he said holding on to the Chaos Emeralds and saw Sonic Chaos Controlling Space Colony ARK back into orbit, and Station Square celebrating. "Sonic is staying here! If she goes away, you'll be sorry!" he said and they looked at him in stunned silence.
"Sorry, Chris. We're in danger. It's not Sonic's fault, but she and the others have got to go back. Our whole future depends on it." Chuck said and Chris covered his head as angst builds in him.
"You're wrong!"
"Are you sure?" Lindsey asked.
"Dr. Eggman must be behind this! He's fooling everybody to get rid of Sonic!" he said desperate.
"Chris may be right. This could be one of Eggman's tricks." Nelson said.
"We can't wish this problem away, Chris." Chuck said surprising Chris. "I know it's hard to hear, but the time has come to say goodbye. Sonic must return to his world. There's no other choice."
Chris grabbed his head again.
"You can't send him away! I won't let you!" Chris said.
Tails was surprised as Chris dashed from the room.
"Honey!" Lindsey said.
"Chris. Wait!" Nelson said but he already left and silence filled the room.
"I never saw him this upset." Tails said.
"I know exactly how he feels." Chuck said as Chris ran for the front door. "I'm upset about this too." he said and bent down to Tails' level. "If time were to stop, I wouldn't have to grow older anymore. I'd have forever to research and make new discoveries." he said and put his hands on Tails' shoulders. "Why, just think of all the marvelous things you and I could build. We can tinker in our workshop for all eternity." he said and removed his hands. "It sounds wonderful, but it's a trap." he said then walked toward the door. "In a world where time has stopped completely, the pursuit of scientific knowledge would be ultimately meaningless."
Tails followed him. Chuck stopped in front of the broken vase.
"We'd never be able to use our knowledge to make real progress." he said then picked up one of the fragments of the vase. "Every day would be the same. I think you'll agree that a world where nothing ever changes would be a boring place to live." he said and they picked up the vase pieces. "I'll miss you, my friend."
Tails smiled at him.
"How exactly did time stop?"
"One of the abilities Sonic has as Super Sonic is time travel. She can stop time. All she has to do is use Chaos Control and think about what she wants done." Tails explained. "Super Sonic gets her twice as strong."
Meanwhile Chris was outside running away from the mansion.
"This has to be a trick! Eggman has to be doing all this!" he said anguished then crashed through the hedge next to the outside gate.
Tanaka saw him.
"Chris, no!" he said.
At Station Square Decoe and Bocoe were carrying groceries.
"We still have to stop by the software store." Decoe said and Chris stopped in front of them, out of breath.
"I've been running around looking all over for you two." Chris said.
"What can we do for you?"
"I need you two to do me a big favor. Please, you have to take me to see Eggman!"
Decoe and Bocoe yelled in surprise, startling passersby. The two robots put their fingers to where their lips would be, before running off with Chris down an alley.
"Be careful. Eggman could have spies!" Decoe said.
"We have to talk privately." Bocoe said.
Later, Chris told Decoe and Bocoe his story.
"Oh, I wish we could help, but it is impossible, Chris." Decoe said and shrugged. "We have no idea where Eggman went after we left him. There is nothing we can do."
"Oh..." Chris said.
"Your family must be worried. You should come home with us, Chris."
"No! I'll go look for Eggman alone if I have to!"
"That could be dangerous. I guess we have to help you." Bocoe said.
"If I don't do something, they'll send Sonic away!" Chris said and struggled to hold back his tears.
"Eggman will not be giving us a warm welcome." Decoe said.
"I agree. We had better prepare for a fight." Bocoe said.
"Stand back, Chris! We have to transform!" Decoe said to Chris and they begin to undergo a transformation. "Decoe!"
"Bocoe!" Bocoe said.
"Transform!" they said together.
"Proceed with dome descend!" Decoe said.
"Leg lift sequence proceeding!" Bocoe said.
"Lift up now!"
"Transformation complete!"
Decoe's head folded in so that the eyes were no longer visible. Bocoe's legs retract inside him, and he fit over Decoe's head. Chris blinked in surprise.
"Activate Bokkun Beacon!" Decoe and Bocoe said.
Bocoe's eyes shone a signal into the sky, akin to the Bat-signal, but with Bokkun's silhouette. Moments later, Bokkun flew in laughing.
He paused when he saw Decoe and Bocoe, who have since reverted back to their normal forms.
"Not you guys... What do you two traitors want from me?" he asked.
"I need your help. I want you to bring me to Eggman so we can talk." Chris said and Bokkun crossed arms.
"I wouldn't take you to see my boss for a zillion bucks!" Bokkun said and made a face at Chris. "Nyaa nyaa!" he said then his jetback stopped working, and he fell. "I'm so hungry I can't even stay airborne!" he said teary.
"Did you skip lunch today?" Decoe asked.
Bokkun became mad at Decoe and Bocoe.
"It's all your fault for ditchin' the doctor! [sad] His cooking is so repulsive that not even bacteria will eat it!" he said and they held up their groceries.
"How about a deal? Just bring Chris to see Eggman..." Bocoe said.
"and we will cook something up." Decoe said and images of the oil cans appeared in Bokkun's eyes.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" he said.
At Thorndyke Mansion Foyer Tanaka closed the door behind him.
"Forgive me for allowing Chris to get away. I could not follow him in the dark." he said and bowed. "I no longer deserve to be under your employ!"
"Now, now. It's not your fault. Lindsey and I should have been more understanding with him." Nelson said.
"If this were a film, I'd ask for another take. Isn't there anything we can do, Nelson?" Lindsey asked.
"Yes, I'm going to call the President's office. I'm sure if I'd explain the situation, he'll call in the National Guard to search the area." he said and Chuck stood by, wordless.
"I know exactly where Chris went." he said.
"Then where is he, Dad? Shouldn't we go after him right away?"
"I'm afraid Chris has gone to confront Dr. Eggman." Chuck said and Nelson and Lindsey were shocked.
"Eggman?!" Nelson said.
Tails, who has been sitting quietly on the stairs, was also surprised.
"I think we should let him go. That boy's looking for some answers. ... He really believes Eggman's behind all this. Maybe facing Eggman will help him accept the truth." Chuck said.
Meanwhile Chris, Decoe, and Bocoe followed Bokkun to Eggman's base.
"Eggman, I won't let you send Sonic away!" Chris said to himself.
Soon, they enter the base. Eggman turned around in his seat.
"Oh... It's you." he said and turned back around in his seat. "I knew you come groveling to get your jobs back but it's too late!"
Chris entered while Eggman maps out sketches.
"Eggman!" he said.
"So you brought me a prisoner? If you're trying to buy me off, I congratulate you." Eggman said and chuckled.
Chris approached him.
"They brought me here 'cause I asked 'em to!" he said.
"Huh?"
"You're doing this! You're the one who's making time come to a stop!" Chris said angry and Eggman raised his eyebrow.
"Who, me?"
"It's a trick to make them send Sonic to his world! It won't work! I'll make you tell everybody the truth!"
Chris told his story to a shocked Eggman.
"That plan isn't that bad." Eggman said and stood up laughing. "You figured out my scheme, kid. I despise Sonic so much that I decided to bring time a standstill, then I tricked this world scientific experts into believing that Sonic had be sent back! Now that you caught me, I'll confess."
Chris seemed somewhat relieved.
"I'm not kidding, Eggman! You better make time go back to normal or else!"
"Or else you'll throw a temper tantrum? Face it, kid. Without Sonic here to back you up, your threats are as hollow as your head."
"Oh yeah?!" Chris said and charged toward him, but was restrained by Decoe and Bocoe.
Chris struggled.
"Please Chris! Fighting will not help!" Decoe said.
"Look kid, I didn't cause this time freeze problem." Eggman said and stroked mustache. "If your grandfather creates Chaos Control, I'm gonna get sent back too." he said and headed back to his seat. "I can't build my empire in a world where time is stopped completely! There's no future in it! I have no choice but to go back." he said and sat down. "That's the truth, kid."
Then his hench-bots let go of Chris.
"I don't believe you. ...Liar!" Chris said. "You're trying to trick me!"
Eggman went back to his work.
"You're the one who lying... to yourself. You don't want to accept the truth. Deep down, you know once Sonic is gone, your life will have to go back to the way it was before. Your days of adventure are at an end, boy. Just like your friendship with that hyper annoying hedgehog. All your dreams have been shattered, haven't they?" he said and chuckled. "Life is like that, kiddo. Take it from somebody who knows. Whenever you reach too high, life smacks you down."
He slapped his compass against the palm of his hand. As silence filled the room, Chris felt a combination of anger and sadness.
"But on the bright side, at least you and I won't have to see each other ever again." he continued.
As reality set in, Chris' hands turn into fists. Tears spring into his eyes, and he ran out of the base.
"Wait, Chris!" Decoe said.
"Let him go." Eggman said and the others looked at him in surprise. "So long, kid."
Meanwhile, Chris ran back through the forest.
"No! It has to be a lie!" he said anguished.
Then he stopped at a cliff where he overlooked Station Square. He looked up at the Egg Moon.
At Thorndyke Mansion living room Nelson was pacing the floor.
"I just can't stand waiting! I wish we could do something!" he said.
"Are you sure allowing Chris to see Eggman was a good idea?" Lindsey asked.
"I'll hire a team of commandos to find him."
"That's absurd!" Chuck said.
Just then Chris ran in through the door looking happier.
"Chris!" Nelson and Lindsey said.
"Hi, guys." he said.
Everyone gathered around him and Tails ran in.
"Hi, Chris!" Tails said.
"Sorry I ran away."
"We're just happy you're safe, son." Nelson said.
"Why Chris, you're freezing!" Lindsey said.
"What he needs is a nice hot bowl of my chicken soup." Ella said.
"Thanks, Ella." Nelson said.
"I'll go get cooking!" she said and ran out of the room.
"Feel okay, Son? Why don't you sit down." he said and Chris nodded.
"Okay." Chris said and sat on the couch.
"Let's go. We still have a lot of work to do." Chuck said to Tails and they headed upstairs.
"We still have to find two more Chaos Emeralds." Tails said.
"The government's searching too, but even if they're found, we may not be able to build a machine to initiate Chaos Control."
"I bet we can figure something out, Chuck."
"It looks like you'll have to stay here a little longer, though."
Then Chris entered his room and Nelson and Lindsey were in the doorway.
"You can sleep in tomorrow if you want." Nelson said.
"Okay, thanks." Chris said.
"Night, Son."
"Good night."
Then he shut the door, and Chris put his ear to the door.
He ran to the window and looked up at the sky.
"Sonic..." he said.
At a mountain range Sonic was running through the mountains. She stopped when she thought she heard someone calling her.
"Huh? Chris?" she said but there was nothing. "Guess I imagined it." she said then saw a red glow coming from one of the rocks.