Chapter 9

Dash, roll, sidestep, jump, dive, summersault, burst, round the loop, lean into the curve, jump the branch, drop dash, press down into the incline and….run! Sonic zoomed up the hill, his momentum carrying him skyward over the tops of the trees. Sunlight streaked into his face as he unwound himself and spread his arms out wide to feel the warmth. His eyes dropped as he scanned for a landing spot. If he timed it just right he could maintain his speed and launch off again. He targeted a bent palm tree that was lowered at almost the perfect angle to serve as a makeshift ramp. Sonic rolled into a ball and revved himself up like an engine. As soon as he touched the ground he bursted into a dash, pop, the sound barrier snapped as Sonic whirled forward. The tree trunk groaned beneath Sonic and when he reached the end of the ramp he was rocketed forward faster than a bullet, faster than anything on earth.

Pop, pop, pop, the crash of the breaking sound barrier was the sweetest music to his ears. His speed propelled him past the forest and over the beach. Sonic bent backward into a flip so he could land gracefully on the sand before the edge of the water. The ocean was calm and as blue as he was, its waves temporality still after a summer full of storms.

Sonic the Hedgehog took a deep breath of the salty spray and sighed. It had been a hectic summer on Sunset Island. Hurricanes and violent storms had seen a steady uptick in recent years driving the residents of the island further and further inland. Sonic had been notified of the situation and had sped over to the island to see if he could help. Since then, he had endured three major storms. The tumult of gales and torrents thrilled Sonic who relished the opportunity to outrun lighting, but for the people of the island the storms were mortal terrors that destroyed their homes and upended their lives.

Yet, thanks to Sonic, no one had been seriously harmed and though several villages had been destroyed the creatures of Sunset Island would continue to live in peace. But for how much longer? After the storms Sonic had advised the island chieftans to abandon the island and move somewhere safer but they had balked at the idea. For better or worse, their roots were planted deep and they would stay in their homes and share its fate.

Sonic had to admire their courage but such sentiments always confused him. He never stayed anywhere for long and after just a few months he was already itching to leave Sunset Island. Though he loved the peace and green tranquility of the island, part of him yeared for the busy and hectic action he could find elsewhere. To Sonic, every new place was just another theater for his next adventure.

"Sonic." He turned around to see a green shrew shuffling towards him. Nora was one of the chieftain's daughters and ever since he had arrived had stuck close to Sonic's side. She wore a long tattered black cloak, and heavy beaded necklaces made of brass. She clutched her cloak tightly over herself to keep off the chill of the autumn wind. Her face was solemn and her eyes were glistened with tears. "Will you be leaving soon?"

Sonic hated to hurt her feelings, but he could not lie to her either. "Your father said the storm season should be over now. I think you will all be safe."

"You don't have to leave." She suggested, her face already flushed. Sonic could tell she had been preparing this last minute request for a long time. "We could build you a manse in my village, you would be treated with honor, everyone here love-I mean everyone really appreciates everything you've done for us."

"I can't stay, Nora." Sonic said with a small smile. "This isn't my home."

"But I thought you didn't have a home?"

He shook his head and pointed out towards the sea. "That is my home."

"The ocean?" She asked in genuine wonder.

"The horizon."

Nora bent her head and sighed. "I thought as much. I didn't really expect you to stay, but….I had to ask." She looked at him, and did not try to hide her flowing tears. "It's not very kind of you, to blur into someone's life and then just leave like that." She laughed and brushed her tears aside. "But I suppose that is just who you are."

Sonic smiled and gave her a thumbs up. She giggled and returned the gesture. "If you do come back, I won't be the same as before. I'm braver now, thanks to you. Before I wilted at the faintest sign of trouble or danger. Now I see what I need to become if I want to protect my people."

"Then Sunset Island is in good hands." Sonic returned.

Nora beamed at him, but suddenly her smile faded. "What is that?"

Sonic's back was to the water so he could not see it, but he heard the blast. BOOM! Sound was slower than Sonic who shot forward, grabbed Nora and sped towards the safety of the trees. They looked up and saw a sleek black helicopter hovering over the shore. Grappling hooks were thrown down and men in armored suits propelled onto the beach. "Stay here." Sonic commanded as he raced forward to confront the intruders.

A dozen armed soldiers wielding rifles and riot shields arrayed themselves on the beach. Their leader wore a plain suit and tie. He had gray hair and a flowing white mustache. His eyes were covered by dark sunglasses. His weak chin quivered at the sight of Sonic standing defiantly before him.

"You're a little quick on the trigger." Sonic quipped.

"Not quick enough." The man said. He had a honeyed voice, more like a salesman and not the kind Sonic was used to hearing from a military man. Unless he isn't military. Sonic scoped out the uniforms and did not see the G.U.N logo anywhere. The leader removed his sunglasses. His small beady eyes narrowed on Sonic. "So it is you. How unfortunate."

"For you if you make a habit of shooting at people with their backs turned. Who are you people?" Sonic was not afraid of the soldiers. However, Nora was still in firing range, and if the helicopter managed to avoid Sonic it could wreak havoc on the villages.

"I am Fredrick Goldstone of Goldstone Incorporated." The man announced with exaggerated gravity and pomposity.

"Am I supposed to know what that is?"

"Impudent fool. My company happens to be the largest on the planet. I've invested a great deal into this island. The storms were supposed to drive the residents out so my people could come in and start development of a new housing project."

"Heck of a time to invest in the housing market don't you think?"

"This is not a joke!" He bellowed. "I've taken a great financial risk for this island. It is going to be the single biggest housing project taken on by a private company in history! Complete with its own storm levees, this was to be my immortal legacy. But thanks to you, all these rodents are still here. So now we have to come and do the dirty work."

"Biggest company on earth eh?" Sonic honored the man with a sardonic smile. "Why is it that the people who already have everything have to keep taking? Didn't you ever learn to share?"

"I won't take lessons from you. Leave this place or share the fate of the people of this island."

Sonic tapped his foot impatiently and shrugged. "Your threats could use work, you shouldn't leave them so open ended it makes it too easy to riff-"

"Enough chatter. Ready men, fire!"

Already on alert, Sonic was moving before the command came. He dashed along the sandbar so fast he whipped the dunes into dust devils that quickly expanded in size. The storm of sand enveloped the mercenaries and before they could fire their weapons Sonic was already far out of range. He used the cover of his tornadoes to leap into the air and propel himself in ball form like a bullet straight at the chopper. He broke through the hull and the pilot screamed in terror. "You look stressed, you should go for a swim!" Sonic suggested as he tossed the man overboard into the sea below.

Sonic took one look at the control board and gave it up as a lost cause. So he grabbed the throttle and aimed it straight down. The chopper nose dived towards the beach just as Sonic dove out of the hole he entered through. "Above!" The mercenaries looked up just in time to see the chopper crashing down. Most abandoned their weapons and leapt into the water for safety as the chopper exploded into pieces.

Sonic used the distraction to zip towards his opponents and take all their guns. In a flash, he deposited all the rifles in an out of reach pile and returned just in time to smirk down at the suddenly weaponless grunts. "I hope you guys brought an extra ride because it's a long swim."

"HEY Hedgehog!" Goldstone limped away from the wreckage of the chopper. His glasses were askew and there was ash in his hair. Shrapnel had struck him in the shoulder but with his good arm he could still wield his sidearm. "See if you're faster than this!" Crack. Before he could pull the trigger a coconut struck him in the head. Goldstone's eyes drew back into his head and he toppled over. Nora stood behind him, a second coconut ready to fire in case she missed with the first.

"The rest of you better run out of here." Sonic warned, but the mercenaries did not need to be told. They had already gotten up and were racing down the shore line towards the safety of the trees.

"O I hope they won't cause trouble for the others." Nora said.

"I doubt it." Sonic said with a flippant shrug of his shoulders. "That was a heck of a throw though."

Nora blushed. "When they first got here I felt myself getting scared again, but as I saw you I remembered to be brave." She smiled and looked back towards the inner part of the island. "It makes me sad, but I think we can get along without you. I see now that the power to carry on lies in ourselves, if we open our hearts to the courage we have inside." She turned back to him and kicked nervously at the sand. "Well since you've technically saved our island yet again. Would you stay another night? You wouldn't want to miss your final Sunset on Sunset Island after all?"

"I've got to be going." Sonic said gently. "A day spent on pause is another day of missed adventure."

Nora did not try to dissuade him. "Thank you, Sonic. I know I speak for all of Sunset Island when I say that we will never forget you." Her eyes drifted away from Sonic and back to the sky. "O dear, they really just don't give up do they?"

Sonic turned and saw a plane heading for the island. It was still too distant for Sonic to make out clearly but he felt he recognized the shape. "Will we have to fight them again?" Nora asked breathlessly.

"I don't think so…I think that maybe…Tails?" His answer came a moment later. The Tornado 2 blazed overhead with a speed unrivaled by any other craft. Seconds later, the biplane made a smooth landing along the beach, coming to a stop right beside Sonic and Nora. Tails was at the helm, and cramped up beside him was a rabbit Sonic did not know. "Hey Tails, long time no see." Sonic said as a way of greeting.

Tails drew back his goggles and helped the apparently timid rabbit out of her seat. "It wouldn't be so long if it was easier to find you." Best friend's welcomed each other with a fist bump. "This is Cream." Tails explained with a nod towards the rabbit. The girl was very shy and curtseyed awkwardly.

"How do you do…Mr. Sonic?"

"Mr. Sonic? No need to be so formal. It's just Sonic." His words earned a smile from the rabbit who stood up straighter and looked instantly more comfortable. "So Tails, how did you find me?"

"I took a shortcut. I asked Amy. She always seems to know where you are."

Sonic deflated. "Yeah…it's a bit creepy."

"But helpful." Tails added. "She was especially bummed out to tell us you were here. Apparently Sunset Island was on the short list of honeymoon locations."

Cream's eyes sparkled. "Are you getting married Mr. Sonic?"

"What?" Sonic's spikes stood on end in protest. "No way!"

"Sonic, we can discuss your love life later. We need your help." Tails interrupted. "Cream's village is being threatened."

"Is it Eggman?" Sonic asked with sudden enthusiasm.. "It's been way too long since we've fought him."

Tails shot his friend a disappointed look. "Don't be so happy. Pollution from Eggman's base has poisoned the river near Cream's village. I went to the base myself but it's way too big for me to tackle alone. Will you help me clear it out?"

"Do you even need to ask? Come on, let's get going!" Tails jumped back into his plane and Cream climbed in behind him. Sonic leapt onto the side wing. YES! Sonic could not contain his excitement. There was nothing that compared to the onset of adventure. To Sonic it was the feeling of limitless potential, like standing before an endless runway that sped him straight to new memories, dangers and thrills.

The prospect of storming one of Robotnik's bases did not frighten Sonic in the slightest. In his world, when the rubber met the road, when he could pin his ears back and rush into danger, right and wrong, good and evil, life and death faded into the margins. Testing his speed and cunning against the doctor's traps, spikes and hoards of badniks was a thrill unmatched by anything.

It had almost been a year since the events inside the Space Colony Ark and ever since then Sonic had been itching for an adventure even more spectacular than that one. Tails fired up the engine and the Tornado roared into life. As its propellers started spinning, Nora rushed to his side. "Good luck Sonic and be careful."

He returned the favor with a smile and a thumbs up. However, Sonic made no promises. Careful was the last thing he planned on being. As the Tornado kicked off the ground, the wind rushed against Sonic's face. The buildup of anticipation set his heart to dancing inside his chest. Sonic closed his eyes, breathed in the feeling, slowly exhaled and set his sights on the horizon.