Note: Here it is! The final chapter of the first act. What might happen? Let's find out.
(Sonic Adventure 2 - Character/Story Select)
My name is Amy Rose. I'm cute and full of energy.
There's a lot of buzz around this strange tournament hosted by this no-good tanuki. I don't even know what he's planning.
On the bright side, Sally Acorn revealed herself to be a team mechanic of Team Sonic.
This leaves me guessing on our mechanic.
Whatever evil scheme Dodon Pa is working on. There's not alot we can do but be curious.
(/)
CHAPTER 1: A MYSTERIOUS INVITE
Act I: III - Whale Lagoon
[WHALE LAGOON, SEASIDE HILL]
(Sonic Colours - World Map)
Cheers sets in as every mobian species flocked to the stands, witnessing the second race of the tournament on a clear afternoon on the scattered islands of Seaside Hill. This time, Dodon Pa assured the juncture by allowing a news team from the city permission to broadcast the race, mingled by mobians and humans alike. Among those, a tall red-haired reporter named Scarlet Garcia. She sported a blue jacket, blue skirt, green blouse and black high-heel shoes. In her hand, a black, wireless SSTV microphone firmly cupped to inform viewers at home.
"Scarlet Garcia here, and I'm in Seaside Hill here with Dodon Pa to talk about these mysterious series of tournaments. As you can see behind me-" The anchorwomen pointed behind her, the race track and Sonic clearly visible on the cameras. "-we have a great race set up here in Whale Lagoon. It looks like our little blue friend is among the racers today."
All of the cameras were pointed at Sonic, as he gave a ambitious grin and gave an iconic thumbs up. All across Earth, SSTV seemed to be a popular news network with thousands of humans and mobians tuning in. This substantial method also paved for new viewers, those who haven't heard of the tournaments prior.
"The fans are cheering loudly for their racers, primarily Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends." Scarlet added as she faced the tanuki, whom brushed his stache. "Mr. Pa, how did you come up with such an interesting event?"
"Hohohoho! I'm glad you asked. None of the racers know about my true purpose to put on such a race. Let's just say I'm an expert at knowing the unexpected."
"You must be thrilled to have this much publicity to endorse your tournament!"
"I wanted to push my demographic further beyond than just a few hundred mobians who knew about this from Sonic. This is a great way for me to make new relationships with the racers. Hohohoho!"
"That's great! And I hope they do well in this race!"
"I'm sure they will, hohohoho!" Dodon Pa emit a chuckle of ambition and trustworthy that acted upon his conclusion to his news report. Thus, he darted towards the racers in moderate speed on board his mobile.
"There you have it, folks! Mr. Pa telling us how he started and how he is hoping for the best out of the racers! The race is about to start, as everyone is awaiting the flag to be drawn."
(/)
Everyone anticipated the moment the tanuki raised his flag down. That adrenaline of rush inundated with cheers of competition the tournament grew to rely on, relaxing in its own specimen. Sonic gripped his smooth, white gloves on the rubber end of the steering wheel, his mind focusing solely on the gold. He turned to Sally, the chipmunk stationed firmly at the side of the track filled with metal barricades and advertisement boards. A spanner in one grip, she gave a competent thumbs up with the other. The blue hedgehog briefly scanned the stands, not noticing Bunnie Rabbot and Nicole the Lynx watching. A smirk grew upon his visage as he gripped the wheel, Dodon Pa flying the flag down after the countdown, thus initiating the race.
(Team Sonic Racing - Whale Lagoon)
All six vehicles jolted their engines and raced down the winding, branched track that lay upon them. Sally may not even need her tools, but time was unpredictable. Sonic was, as expected in first place with Tails trailing from this strange aura.
"Hey, Tails! Let's make this our second gold!".
"You betcha!" The kitsune smiled.
4th place Knuckles behind Omochao started noticing the two buddies race ahead, as if he was being left on his own. He organised a thought - Maybe this mysterious aura was what pushed them far from him. He briefly checked behind, his racecar producing no aura compared to Sonic and Tails. Amy soon noticed the same type of glow from the back of Omochao's vehicle. Curiosity was at its peak. This was strange indeed.
"Anybody else noticing this strange glow coming from the guys in front?" The pink hedgehog bounced this query to Knuckles and Big.
"What strange glow?" Big scratched his head.
"Strange as can be, Amy. There has to be something we can do about that."
"I'm going to follow it and see what happens."
The pink hedgehog sped up, filling in the vacant trail of this mysterious glow. Without warning, she suddenly found herself distancing herself from Knuckles and Big. Thanks to Omochao, Amy could catch up to the front-runners - Sonic and Tails. The two buddies were ahead as they raced into the second lap, whizzing past the onslaught of fans, mostly other mobians. Big was merely speeding ahead of Knuckles, without the echidna knowing. Amy soon passed her chao racer, as she too past the starting line with him.
"Did you see that strange glow coming from behind your car?"
"I never saw any glow." The mechanical companion answered.
"Hmmm...strange to think that I would notice now..." The pink hedgehog veered a bit to the right, obtaining a vacant item box with an Orange Wisp inside. "I got you something!"
"This is just what I needed!" The racer adjacent fired a rocket towards Tails, the kitsune totally oblivious to the forthcoming missile target. Sonic had driven through the same item box further down the road, gifting the Cube Wispon to Tails, with such short notice of Omochao's delivery.
"Ow!" He wailed as the Whirlwind Sport halted drastically. "I'll get you for that, Omochao!"
The Team Rose Flight member skirted passed the kitsune with blazing speed, facing him with a deadpan smile.
"Easy peasy!" He turned, directly before him did Sonic occupy the distance between him and Omochao.
Little did the chao know that Knuckles, further back on the track chased through an item box, gifting the Blue Wispon Cube to Sonic.
"Great! Just the thing I needed!" The blue hedgehog caught the incoming glimpse of Omochao prior and slammed the Cube Wisp after him, the mechanical chao companion gasping and abruptly sliding to the right for its avoidance.
"Hmph!" Omochao gripped the steering wheel, its chao buddies pushing the acceleration harder.
"Uh oh!" Sonic briefly checked his side mirror. "Tails! Knuckles! I'm gonna need you two!"
Their interval grew shorter, Omochao merely half-way to touching bumper to bumper. Sonic pushed a strange-looking button situated on his dashboard that allowed the Blue Speedstar to ouse out the same yellow glow that Omochao witnessed earlier. Heading into the final lap, this couldn't have came at a better time to win it.
"Hurry up! We need to close the gap!" The hedgehog proclaimed, Tails and Knuckles further back behind Amy and Omochao respectively.
His teammates took a caution glimpse at the slipstream from 1st place. Decided from their bouts of curiosity, Tails and Knuckles followed the stream, their vehicles suddenly jolting in speed.
"Accelerating is exhilarating! Thanks!" The kitsune exclaimed with appraisal.
"Awesome boost! Thanks!" Knuckles responded.
"Huh..." Omochao gandered out behind the Chao pod; There was Tails and Knuckles racing toward at blistering speeds, surpassing the mechanical chao with ease.
As if Team Rose didn't faulter enough, Sonic drove into an item box, gifting an eager Cube Wispon to Knuckles in 3rd.
"Thanks, buddy!" The echidna replied, dumping the wispon behind him, directly in Omochao's trajectory.
"A second Cube Wispon?" The chao mumbled to himself. "Where are the other Wisps? Does Dodon Pa really need to rely on the Cube?"
Almost a success, Omochao managed to swerve away from the Cube Wispon's collision, but lost control of the vehicle. The Chao Pod rammed into its side along the weakened fence of the Whale Lagoon cliff-face, only avoiding certain drop into the crystal clear ocean below. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles raced away, far from the chao as Amy raced passed. Crowds emitted a contrast reaction to this sudden action. Only Big had a last resort, driving through an item box and arming himself with the Orange Rocket Wispon. Seeing how the purple cat was far behind Amy and Omochao, it was no immediate surprise.
Back in front, Sonic was in reaching distance of the finish line, with Tails and Knuckles by his tail. The hedgehog's glowing aura from behind were used to their advantage, learning quickly about this strange occurrence. Within seconds, Sonic and Tails passed the finish line, assisting Knuckles to follow with the trail of the yellow glow. It spelled game over for Team Rose, still racing toward the finish line. The blue hedgehog hopped out of the Speed Star, admiring the total crowd above his feet. Tails and Knuckles glanced at each other and smiled.
(/)
"We did it! Yeah!" The kitsune exclaimed, throwing his fist in the air euphorically.
"Everybody's cheering for us! We got another gold in this tournament!" Knuckles responded with a matched sentiment.
"Thanks to me, you would still be on the track with Amy and Big." Sonic turned around to the two. His self-centered demeanor made alot of sense.
"What was that strange yellow thing that came out of your vehicle, Sonic?" Tails wondered.
"I dunno', but I kinda let it just slide through my mind and wanted to experiment to see what it did."
"Maybe that's our key to winning the tournament!"
"Yeah, strange how Amy and her team hadn't figured this out yet." The blue hedgehog stood in his signature thinking position as Dodon Pa flew from the director's box.
"A wise discovery if I do say so myself. Hohohoho!" The tanuki introduced himself to the scene as Sally Acorn walked towards her team. At that time, Amy, Big and Omochao were seen drawing close and passing through. Sonic's attention was undoubtedly on Dodon Pa.
(Team Sonic Racing - Pre-Race)
"Ha ha! That was awesome! As much as I like to run, it was really fun to drive this thing!" He expressed the tournament in a positive light.
"It was almost as a fun as fishing." Big added, as he was still in the Frog Cruiser.
"I'll admit that this guy knows how to put on a great race, but there's still something about all this that still doesn't add up." Knuckles climbed out and thought.
"I agree." Tails soon followed. "This level of technology is advanced, even for me. And what's compelling this guy to make us compete? Is he testing the limits of his cars?"
"Or is he testing our limits?" The echidna flared up.
"Either? Neither? Both? Who can say? Hohohoho." Dodon Pa neither confirmed nor denied. "Win or fail, it's up to your teams and your teamwork. Now, are you ready for the next match?"
(/)
"I kinda wanna check out Team Rose's new mechanic first." Sonic retracted to the sophisticated chipmunk.
"During the race, the new mechanic arrived at the Seaside Hill garage and went straight to the storage room to see what could work for this job. That's what Nicole told me anyway." Sally informed.
"The mechanic already arrived?!" Amy hopped out, her emotion drastically altered from Dodon Pa to this mysterious new addition.
"I can take you there. I'm sure that you want to see who you have as a handy mechanic. You'll won't expect it." The chipmunk concluded, turning away from the group for the warehouse above.
"Why... don't I take a look at this new mechanic too to freshen up Team Rose's squad." The tanuki curiously stated, the egg mobile guiding him at the his will. Sonic shrugged as a response from his team-mates, coercing his agog. Team Rose ultimately followed at the back.
[SEASIDE HILL WAREHOUSE, SEASIDE HILL]
Upon arrival at the immaculate Seaside Hill warehouse, as Dodon Pa hovered the door horizontally within its hinges, the group found, to their suspicion, nobody there. Sally was the mobian walking forward and pressing against her ear; the new mechanic must have gone somewhere else in the building, presumably storage.
"I thought you said this new mechanic had arrived. I don't see anything." Amy folded her arms, expecting a climax.
"It's strange to think he or she has arrived and could be doing something in the storage." Sally stated. "Or maybe she could be outside enjoying the fresh breeze of the zone before she works."
The slightest sound of an opening door granted the mechanic to enter the warehouse. Little did the new addition know that guests were around the corner. The mechanic was exposed upon turning a corner, emerging from the side door leading to some extra cliff-faces.
"Huh..."
"Honey! You made it!" Sally smiled, receiving the yellow cat in an open gesture. Even the racers were surprised, not least Team Rose. Honey didn't look like some mobian who specializes in mechanics, but Dodon Pa seemed pleasant in his recruitment duties.
"Hey guys!" Honey meowed in excitement, running over to Sally and embracing her suddenly. She released herself shortly.
"I see the new addition to our family is here. I suppose you got curious about my fortunes."
"Dodon's commercial was showing in my boutique, which really interested me. So I came here at the request of Sally and Dodon Pa." The cat stated.
"And we thought he wasn't going to pull another surprise on us." Tails thought loudly, draping his index upon his chin. "I say, Dodon Pa, this is slowly becoming an interesting race."
"Hey Honey!" Sonic delivered with an iconic wink. "Check out the console!"
"Huh..." Honey fixated her sights on the large desk housing several monitors. The yellow cat was astound to work with this as a team mechanic. "Woah!"
"This handy machine will be all yours to work with, my feline friend!" Dodon Pa apprised. "As Team Rose's mechanic, it is your duty to fix their vehicles and make or break a race!"
"Oh, cool!" The yellow cat jumped in excitement. She began to wonder why Dodon Pa chose her out of any other mobian. "Uhm... what's in it for me?"
"I don't suppose you can do more than be a mechanic, right?" The tanuki paced around the room gradually. "Your portfolio describes your appearance as a fashion designer. So, I thought having you on board this tournament could benefit other mechanics too."
"I don't understand..."
"I'm sure you will, my feline companion. That is why you are tasked with creating mechanic jumpsuits for you and Sally. Think of it as 'Personal Protective Equipment'."
"You literally just gonna let Honey take care of that all by herself, Dodon Pa?". Amy flustered, the tanuki brushing his beautiful stache.
"I simply can't have the girl spill oil all over her nice dress, can I, pink hedgehog?"
"Your idea of jumpsuits sounds perfect, Dodon!" Sonic agreed. "Finally, another outfit for Sal to wear!"
His remark coaxed the chipmunk to giggle softly. Amy, however rethought his decision. She was always too cautious around the tanuki. From the moment the hedgehog knew the tanuki existed. Honey unanimously agreed and questioned Dodon Pa with a confused look.
"Could that be the reason why you wanted me to be a part of this?"
"You're the founder of your own clothing boutique, my feline friend. I wouldn't want to pass on an opportunity for you to improve on our mechanics, yourself included."
"I'm baffled about this random choice too." Amy folded her arms in disconcert.
"I'm sure she will learn from Sally about how this will work." The tanuki floated over to the chipmunk in fashion. "It's likely that she is still figuring out the ropes of this new role, perhaps."
"Yep! I don't suppose you could give us a run-down before the next big race, right?"
"Most certainly, optimistic chipmunk! Hohohoho!"
"Here, Honey." Sally walked over the the inexperienced cat. "I was not alone before you came. I actually wanted you here from the start."
She lifted her arm, attached by a wrist communicator, aiming her connection at the large monitor. She proceeded to flash her communicator at the console, projecting Nicole's introduction to Honey.
"Woah!" The cat responded in astonishment.
"Honey the Cat, you was sent here from the consideration from Sally, and by your closest friend who goes by the name of 'Tiara Boobowski' the Manx. Dodon Pa, Sally and I will guide you through the basics of mechanics before the next big race."
"Question, Nicole." Sonic slightly raised an arm. "Honey's not the type of girl to fix cars. You lettin' her go through with this?"
"Of course. I have faith in every mobian, my client also."
Sally resisted Nicole's comment and giggled cutely.
"Okay, if you say so." The hedgehog answered.
"Dodon!" The blue hedgehog called out, gearing up for the next race. "When will the next race start? I'm already getting excited for it!"
"Hohohoho!" That familiar chuckle emitting from the tanuki shone around the vicinity. "I'm glad you asked, blue hedgehog. The next race will be a Grand Prix, comprising of four races around 4 different tracks, some you will be racing on for the first time."
"A Grand Prix? That sounds promising..." Nicole overheard.
"Precisely, my fine lynx. These vehicles have to be in perfect condition for the teams to race. Luckily, Sally and Honey can improve on them while we are here and during the set of races."
"I'm catered to give my friend some advice, but I'm more than willing for you to assist."
Nicole stared at Sally, her smile gleaming the return. The chipmunk was just thankful she was not the lone mechanic, but more thankful for her best friend from the moment they both crossed paths. Sonic perched his direction at a walled clock next to the console and matched his expression of thought.
"When did you say this Grand Prix started again? I kinda wanna check out the pre-race atmosphere outside."
"The next race will be at Ocean View. It's not far from where we are now."
"Oh great! Better prepare than sorry!" The hedgehog chuckled, nervously scratching his quills as Dodon Pa issue an edict, exchanged from the meet-up.
The sense he carried foretold him to signal the gang for the next race. This couldn't have come at a time when Dodon Pa wondered how well the mechanics knew about what they were roled with. Likewise though, the tanuki kindly dismissed the racers until the Grand Prix.
"Why don't you head outside and enjoy the fresh air until our Grand Prix?" He suggested, convoying a forbearing tanuki before them.
They unanimously nodded obligingly, making a beeline towards the back door in unison. Sally and Honey, meanwhile were left alone with Dodon Pa for basic instructions of their job role.
"Now, I'm sure you are aware of what you'll be doing." He proclaimed, the two girls attended to the sound. "This job requires the most patient and hard-working individuals. I'm glad that you too fit that bill rather well."
"What can I say, Dodon Pa. I'm a natural." Sally boasted with firm control.
"You see those cans of oil stocked up on the shelves." He pointed. "Those are precious to the engines of our racers' vehicles. There should be a little indicator on their dashboards that tell how much fuel their vehicles have."
"And what does this do?" The chipmunk held up her hand, a handy tool referred to as a 'Spanner' was shown, Dodon Pa knowing exactly what it was for.
"That you have there, my dear chipmunk acquaintance is a wrench. They are used to turn the nuts and bolts that connect the pipes and other engine-specific things."
His eyes redirected him to another vital tool, something that resembled a metal rod with two ends on either side. There were multiple stacked on one portion of the lower shelf, allowing for easy access. Dodon Pa added to describe the tool.
"These are lug wrenches used to change tyres of a vehicle if necessary. There are multiple occasions where can you use them, whether it's in the warehouse or a pitstop during a race. I must stress that the tyres stashed in storage must be inflated first before they can be braced onto the cars."
"Oh, cool!" Honey elated.
"Those are some of the basic tools you will need, plus some other additions. Hohohoho!" The tanuki cocked his signature cackle, readying his exit. "I'm sure you'll figure this out for yourself. I have to get ready for our first Grand Prix! Isn't this exciting for all?"
"You betcha'!" The cat added.
"I'm curious to see how well this goes." Sally nodded in positivity.
The tanuki smiled, hidden under his mustache as he departed with his egg mobile. Sally and Honey were left alone in the warehouse, hearing Dodon Pa's contact with the back door hinged. They looked around, admiring the expertise of every mechanics' dream surroundings. That was when Honey started to ponder curiously about the tanuki.
"Don't you think that was a little vague on our instructions?" She stood up, the chipmunk providing the only audience to her at this point.
"What do you mean, Honey?" Sally asked.
"Dodon Pa is a really nice guy, proven fact. But his description on our roles only covered two tools."
"He's just sliding into the role!". The chipmunk dismount from the floor, heading over to the compacted shelf of oil canisters. "But this is our main fuel for the racers. Each car is calculated to withstand an adequate amount of oil. You sure Dodon's just being basic to give us a head start?"
"Coming from a girl who doesn't know a thing or two about this 'mechanic' thing, I was expecting more. That's how it is." Honey merely grunted, as Sally retracted and comforted her.
"The Grand Prix is almost starting. Dodon Pa's going to be curious to know where we are. He wants us to cheer our team on."
"Cheering them on is alot different to cheering them on in the pitstop, Sally." Honey turned to her. "He also tasked me to create jumpsuits for the two of us."
"That, is a feeling that we are going to hug together." The chipmunk winked, coaxing the yellow cat to smile.
Despite Honey's curious bouts of discernment, much like Amy at some point, Sally was willing to stay positive and avoid thinking about him too much.
"Tell you what, after the first race, you can stitch up the jumpsuits with the racers' help."
"Deal!" Honey agreed.
Honey's trust within Sally kept her from theorizing further, almost like she had zero trust. Sally's view on the tanuki was merely paramount to her optimism; that was what the yellow cat saw. Honey quickly took one oil canister off the shelf as they departed for Ocean View, just in case of any vehicles running low on oil. Dodon Pa was already at the race track, so they had to hurry.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Dodon Pa's Tournament - Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, Tails Miles Prower, Amy Rose, Big the Cat, Omochao.
Team Mechanics - Sally Acorn, Honey the Cat.
References:
Sonic X comics - Scarlet Garcia's attire are not the usual orange jacket and skirt, red blouse and shoes we see in the anime. Instead, she has varying colors to her clothing.
Alton Towers Sonic - Upon entering the Sonic Room at the hotel, guests were treated to several new voice lines from then-newcomer Roger Craig Smith. Sonic's amazement at the games consoles was so bad fans mocked the line. Sonic's remark at Honey to check out the desk console was primarily aimed at that.
Having Dodon Pa describing the concept and tasks associated with mechanics had me researching some tools mostly used for motor maintenance. The idea of jumpsuits popped up in my mind and want to experiment with them. Hopefully, my idea will be presented to you later down the line. It is up to you guys to tell me if it works or not. Besides that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and take care.
Please review.