Chapter 71; Keeping the momentum
The sun was slowly descending in Olivine city as the town was still in turmoil after the magnificent exit of team Sonic following their victory over team rocket.
Detective Looker was escorted back to the police station via helicopter as the mob was trying to get to him hard. The situation was only worsening each second for him.
After the appearance of the legendary Lugia and its extraction of team Sonic back to the Johtonian mainland, Looker decided not to press his luck any further for the time being.
After all team Sonic had just been acknowledged by a pokemon known for leaving its home in Ecutreak city because of its distrust of mankind.
Therefore Looker decided the best course of action would be to interrogate Petrel for information about team rocket's hideout. His plan was simple; get to the hideout first, quietly arrest team rocket, then arrest team Sonic as soon as they came knocking.
Of course he wouldn't disclose that to the crowd. Telling them that he was planning to protect the criminals would be like asking to be lynched.
In the moment he was waiting for Petrel's arrival at the station. More specifically he was waiting for the mob to quiet down so they could sneak him through the back.
Gym leader Jasmine was at the forefront of this protest. Along with her were Ash and co. Ash more so because he wanted to eventually battle Jasmine for the mineral badge, though he did agree that Looker persecution of team Sonic was wrong.
Jasmine then suddenly received a call. It was from Sonic.
Excusing herself for a moment she went to a quiet alley and answered.
"Sonic?"
"Hey Jaz".
"Thank goodness. Where are you guys?"
"Can't disclose that. Not yet. Hope you understand".
"You don't trust me?"
"Of course we do" Tails' voice was heard "but you saw what happened. Thanks for the save back there by the way".
"Don't mention it. But what now? We need to find a way to get you guys acquitted".
"That will be hard. Looker is out for us specifically. We literally served him one of the three admins of team rocket on a silver platter and…"
"Wait what?!" Jasmine almost screeched "you guys captured an admin of team rocket?!"
"Yeah. But it wasn't easy. He gave us a beating, literally. He almost killed Knuckles".
Jasmine felt the earth disappear under her feet.
Looker had an actual lead on team rocket and he was still pursuing team Sonic instead?
"Don't hang up" Jasmine instructed the heroes then returned to the crowd.
Picking up the megaphone again she yelled in it.
"Quiet! QUIET!"
Everyone turned to look at her.
"I just learned some vital information" she explained putting the phone on speaker mode and placing the megaphone before it, hoping the voice would be amplified.
"You're on speaker Sonic. Tell them".
Everyone started murmuring. Ash immediately tried to contact Sonic.
"You guys ok?"
"We're fine Ash. People of Olivine city" Sonic's voice echoed through the megaphone "this is team Sonic. We're all alive and well. But not everything is ok. Detective Looker is not telling you everything. The head of team rocket's operation to capture Lugia was team rocket admin Petrel".
The crowd began speaking to each other with the voices steadkly rising in tone.
"Did he say admin?"
"I'm pretty sure he said admin".
"Does that mean they caught a higher-up?"
"Incredible. They beat all those minions plus a higher up?"
"The police literally can end team rocket and choose to pursue the heroes instead?!"
Far away, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles could hear the commotion. Not wanting to add more fuel to the fire of that commotion but needing the time to think their next move, Sonic kept going.
"Admin Petrel was a strong opponent. No, correction. He almost beat us. No, correction again. He almost killed my friend Knuckles the echidna".
The voices started again, this time borderlining on a full-fledged riot.
"We are not trying to hurt team rocket. We only want them in jail for their crimes. But they won't play nice. If they won't neither will we. Let this be known to everyone" Sonic ended his speech.
The voices became screams of support for the heroes. The fear of team rocket had fully been replaced by hope for their downfall.
Jasmine ended the speaker mode and returned to the alley to continue the call privately.
"Amazing speech".
"Thanks".
Jasmine remained quiet for a few seconds before continuing.
"Look about your location… you better tell me. My contact… the one who helped us uncover team rocket's plans and foil them in time. He can help you guys. But he needs to come to you quick. He is probably under surveillance by Looker as well".
The three heroes looked at each other in question pondering the offer.
"Give us a second to consider it ok? Call you back in a bit".
"Ok" Jasmine agreed and hang up.
Ash and co then arrived in the alley.
"Did you learn where they are?"
"Not yet".
Ash kicked a can in frustration.
"We need to get to them and quick".
"Ash they can take care of themselves. We need to be patient" Brock advised his friend.
"Whoever said I'm worried about them Brock? I just want to make sure they will be ok so I can beat them in the Johto league".
Brock couldn't tell if that was Ash's way of showing he cared or he was only thinking about the Johto league.
"They have each other to watch their backs sure. But what if they need an extra pair of eyes and ears you know" Ash elaborated.
"Pika pika" Pikachu added to it, wanting to have Raichu's back so it could beat it later on.
Brock smirked. That was such an Ash thing to say.
The phone rang again. Jasmine picked up.
"Are you alone there Jaz?"
"Ash and his team are also here".
"… alright. We will tell you where we are, just promise this will not get out. And under no circumstances are you to join us. You all could be under surveillance too".
Jasmine understood. Although it hurt.
"We're east of Ecutreak, near a small lake. Tell your contact that we will ask for a keyword. The word will be…" Sonic paused.
He had to think of something that no one else would be able to figure out no matter how hard they thought. But what?
Knuckles chose for him to spare him the brainstorming.
"Lara-le. Tell your contact when he meets us to speak the words Lara-le".
Both Sonic and Tails were perplexed but nodded in agreement.
"You catch that guys?"
"We do" Jasmine confirmed.
"Good. Oh and Jaz… you might want to delete your call history. Legally you haven't done anything wrong so they won't have a right to search up your call history but Looker plays dirty. So you know… for safety purposes".
Jasmine was saddened at what this meant.
"When will I see you guys again?"
"Hopefully when this whole thing blows over we will come to challenge you at the gym" Tails tried to sound reassuring.
"I see" Jasmine said "I understand".
"I hope you don't mind" Sonic added on a final note "but I'm gonna need a rain check on that ice cream date".
"The what?!" everyone except Sonic and Jasmine exclaimed.
"I know. Just promise you'll stay safe".
"I will".
Despite the shock Tails rushed to answer as well.
"No need to worry Jaz. He's got us to watch his back".
"We will win this war you'll see" Knuckles reassured everyone on the other side of the call.
"You better. We have our battles waiting at the Johto league".
Sonic let out a small laugh.
"You just make sure you are on the top of your game Ash. Later" Sonic said and hang up.
Jasmine lowered the phone.
"What did Sonic mean by ice cream date?" Ash immediately questioned her, earning himself a disappointed/disapproving look from Misty.
"It means Sonic is very lucky" Brock said but before starting a dramatic monologue about his broken heart, Misty pulled his ear.
"I'll return to the gym" Jasmine suddenly said "I'll be available for battle tomorrow if you want".
"Got it. I'll give it my all tomorrow then. Let's go get some rest guys. It was a very exhausting day" Ash declared.
"If it was one time exhausting for you, what should Sonic and the others say?" Misty berated him jokingly.
Jasmine was left alone for a few moments then began walking towards her gym, leaving the riot behind.
On the way she called her contact.
"I take it you saw their escape?"
Pause as her contact answered.
"Good. They are east of Ecutreak. When you see them say the words Lara Le. Don't ask why. Just know if you don't, they will probably not react well".
Pause again.
"Good. Let me know if they're ok when you find them".
Jasmine hang up and decided to instead go to her home. She needed some time to calm down and expel her frustration at Looker for keeping Sonic away.
The protesters eventually got tired and ended the riot, allowing Looker to get relieved.
Deciding it was time, he went to the captured Petrel's cell.
Upon entering, Petrel stared at him intensely.
"Where is your team?"
Petrel didn't utter a word.
Looker looked around in frustration for a moment.
"Tell me where your team is. They're in danger".
Petrel smirked.
"My team is in danger? Just how weak do you have us for cop?"
Looker pointed to Petrel's bruises. Furthermore he revealed the photos from the exploded truck.
"I wouldn't call you at the top of your game without your boss. But team Sonic is out for blood. Unless you cooperate I won't be able to save your teammates from them".
Petrel was still smirking although a small part of him wondered if he had somehow entered an alternate reality after being stunned by the fox. This detective had him in custody and instead of trying to get him to break in order to end team rocket for good and maybe even arrest the boss, he wanted to protect them from team Sonic.
"We don't need you to protect us copper. My team will be able to handle the three maniacs. On our turf, they will fall. No, more than that. They will perish".
Looker stared intensely into the admin's eyes.
"This arrogance is the reason you have lost time and time again against them. Do you want to be next?" Looker waved the photo in front of Petrel.
Petrel, to Looker's shock laughed quietly.
"Minor setbacks. Honestly it's a wonder why you and the hedgehog aren't working together. You are both blind to the real game being played here".
Looker tilted his head in confusion.
"What game are you talking about?"
Petrel giggled.
"You don't really think I'll tell you, do you?"
"If you don't tell me…"
"I'll take my chances" Petrel declared, ending the conversation.
Looker left frustrated.
Heading back to the case room, he knew he had to find a way to get the guy to break.
But in order to get someone like him to break, he would need to use the good cop-bad cop technique.
Letting go of his pride he dialed a number.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Morrison".
Pause.
"How's the interrogation of the captured rockets going old friend?"
"I need your help. We caught an admin of team rocket".
"We? That's strange. I could swear it was team Sonic who did it for you".
Gritting his teeth Looker continued.
"Jake… look. I'm sorry about kicking you off the case. I need your help".
"That depends. What do you need my help for?"
"To get the admin to admit where his team is hiding".
"… that's sad. If we had focused our resources and time into looking for them instead of pursuing team Sonic, this whole case would have been over weeks ago".
"Jake… they are armed now. The fox was spotted from far away, wielding a handmade stun gun. The rest of team rocket are in grave danger. If team Sonic gets their hands on them…"
"Looker let me stop you for a moment" Morrison said as a loud beep was heard.
"Where are you at?"
"On the road. Since I'm no longer on the case, I decided to visit my wife and son, whose ivysaur if you remember…"
"All right I get it" Looker said "point is you have seen what team Sonic is capable of".
"Yes I know. They are capable of ending the threat of team rocket once and for all. The mere fact that they were ok with stunning their enemies instead of hurting them or worse should be enough for you at this point".
"No it's not enough. They are still acting against…"
"Looker I'd love to have this back and forth all day but I'm almost there" Morrison stopped him "as you can probably tell I can't help you from here and even I could I wouldn't".
"Why not?"
"For one you have evidence on not one but two homicides, and said evidence points to team rocket, yet you continue to pursue team Sonic instead. Also you literally tried to smear their name when they were literally heading into danger to save Lugia from team rocket. Frankly I'm surprised the public didn't throw tomatoes at you".
"How can you just ignore the slowpoke well? The blown up truck?"
"I never said they are perfect. But compared to team rocket's crimes they have done nothing" Morrison declared before continuing.
"I strongly suggest you be honest with yourself and take the right course of action before something irreversible happens. Because then it will be too late. Later".
Looker lowered the phone.
Be honest with himself.
Truth was he wanted Sonic the hedgehog in jail long before he started pursuing team rocket.
What he had told Morrison about wanting to arrest team rocket by the book and tear down Sonic and Giovanni's legends was only a version of the truth. A mere fragment of the actual reason.
But he had sworn he would only reveal this reason to Sonic himself when he had him in handcuffs and locked up.
Getting up he got ready to leave. He needed to get some rest and decide his next course of action.
In the meantime Morrison arrived at his home in Ecutreak. As soon as he opened the door he was met with a hug around the waist.
"Daddy!"
"Hey little buddy".
Morrison's wife, Carrie, walked in from the hallway.
"Jake?! My goodness!" she rushed to hug her husband as well.
"What are you doing here daddy? Did you catch the criminals?"
Morrison maintained his composure.
"We made a big breakthrough today so Looker let me come home for the night. I don't need to be there 24/7".
"Did it have to do with team Sonic?" his son, Nolan, asked in excitement.
"Yes. It was them who took down the big bad who tried to hurt Lugia today".
"I knew it! I saw Lugia a little bit before you came! It flew to the east then landed somewhere in the treeline. And I was sure I saw someone riding it!"
Morrison found this to be good news. They were close, just like he hoped.
"That's great buddy. Did you happen to tell anyone except mommy what you saw?"
"No. But I can't wait to tell my friends at school tomorrow. Maybe we could even go looking for them, it would be so cool to meet them".
Morrison was heartbroken to have to speak the next words.
"Maybe that's not a good idea Nolan. They could use the rest. Their battle today was brutal. They deserve some rest".
"Oh" Nolan said in disappointment.
"But I promise you when their fight is over I will ask them as a personal favor to meet you and your friends. Who knows, maybe they will also be alongside the legendary beasts on that day".
Nolan looked like a firework ready to explode from excitement.
A few hours later after a casual family night, Jake and Carrie were going to bed when the latter saw the former setting his alarm clock for the next day.
At first she thought nothing of it until she realized something; Jake set the clock to wake up at 8 am. In other words he would have breakfast with them.
"Jake?"
"Yes honey?"
"What happened today at work?"
"What do you mean?"
"Jake I know you. When there's an active case you want to be there. The mere fact that you came home instead of pushing to finish your current case was weird enough but now not setting your alarm to leave for Olivine at dawn? What happened?"
Jake hesitated. He loved his wife and would trust her with his life. After all they were each other's life.
But he couldn't trust her completely with someone else's life other than their son's.
"Look. I can't tell you everything right now. But I will tell you all I can so no one will be in any danger. Starting with… I was kicked off the case".
"What?"
"Looker went ballistic this morning. A doctor's body turned up. Team rocket crossed the line today. But instead of blaming them and turning his attention into arresting them, he tried to smear the names of team Sonic's members. He revealed sensitive evidence we had agreed would not be revealed until we legally could prosecute the rockets. And after the fact, after team Sonic caught one of team rocket's admins - yes an admin, in other words one of their current leaders" Morrison clarified when his wife got shocked – "Looker still tried to arrest them. He had them surrounded and the only thing that saved them was the distraction the residents of Olivine and Cianwood caused. The legendary Lugia extracted them somewhere east of here".
"Really?"
"Yes".
Carrie was dumbfounded by all the revelations.
"And what will you do tomorrow?"
"After we all have breakfast like a family" Jake kissed her forehead "I will…"
A creaking sound disturbed them.
"What are you doing up so late little man?" Morrison asked playfully.
Nolan opened the door and hopped on the bed.
"You really staying for breakfast tomorrow?"
"Not just for tomorrow son. For the next few days. Tell you what. Go to bed for now and tomorrow after you've done your homework we can do whatever you want".
"Really?!"
"Yes".
Nolan gave his father a big hug.
"You're the best dad".
"One thing though. Don't eavesdrop on others. It's not nice".
"Oh. Sorry. I promise I won't do that again" Nolan said and left, allowing Morrison to tell his wife about his plans for the next day.
Several hours later, east of the city, a Magikarp splashed into the water in front of Sonic who was taking the time to relax. Tails and Knuckles were soon to join him after finishing their training on Tails lifting heavy stuff while flying.
As he laid on the grass staring at the endless sky, he found himself wondering how everything was in Olivine after their escape. Everything and everyone.
Or rather just a very specific gym leader.
"I guess it's true when they say they come at the worst possible timing" he commented.
"They?" Tails asked as he and Knuckles finally joined Sonic.
"Nothing" Sonic played it off "just talking to myself here".
As his two friends lied back down and simply stared, their partner pokemon playing nearby, Sonic deduced something that just didn't click last night.
"Hey Knucks".
"Hm?"
"Last night. When you gave Jaz that code phrase to give her contact… you chose it to be Lara-le. Wasn't that your mother's name?"
"Yes it is" Knuckles confirmed, surprisingly with a smile.
Sonic and Tails looked at each other.
"Want to talk about it?"
"I do. But not for the reason you think".
Another look exchanged between Sonic and Tails.
"Ok. We're all ears".
"Yesterday… you remember how Petrel was taunting me about my parents?"
"Yeah" Sonic said remembering also how impressed he was that Knuckles kept his composure.
"He did it the first time to. In that big chamber. He got into my mind and danced around my fists until he knocked the wind out of me. I lost because again I allowed my emotions to get the better of me" Knuckles said reaching for the sky.
Sonic and Tails remained silent.
"After Petrel threw me off that cliff… everything went black for a while. Until I woke up. I don't know what I experienced… but my parents were there".
"What?!" both of his friends exclaimed in shock.
"And not just my parents. My grandmother was there too".
"So… you mean to tell us… you actually died?!" Tails stuttered trying to wrap his mind around it.
"Not sure. I think I was in kind of a middle-stasis, hovering somewhere between life and death. That's how I would describe it anyway. You see I was back in Green hills, in my house. My parents and grandmother were in the backyard preparing for a barbeque. So if I had to guess I'd say that if it was up to me and I crossed into my backyard with my parents and grandmother… I would have died then and there".
"Dude…" Sonic muttered "wait. What do you mean up to you?"
Knuckles hesitated. He knew his friends probably wouldn't like what they heard but they had to hear it.
"When I saw my parents and grandmother… I… I almost walked into the backyard. Mindlessly. Without even considering the consequences. My mother stopped me. My father reminded me of you guys. He helped me realize I was giving up. That I was ready to abandon you after everything we went through together. I'm sorry for that".
Silence spread throughout the area apart from the cries of the Pokemon playing.
"Knuckles… what are you sorry about?" Tails asked him.
"What do you mean?"
"Did you seriously think we would get mad at you like that you Knucklehead? You don't have to suffer anymore. If that was the way we would be sad but… at least we would find solace in knowing you would finally be happy".
"I am happy" Knuckles smiled "that I am here with you guys. It was foolish of me to think I would be happy in another timeline or in the afterlife. Because nothing… and I repeat nothing!... would ever be as awesome as being your friend".
"Our brother you Knucklehead" Tails poked him.
Knuckles felt true bliss in the moment for the first time in his entire life. That moment was everything.
"That's enough dwelling in the past" he thought.
"Sooo…" Sonic decided to bring up another topic "what do we do now? Sure we escaped but we're all out of leads about the rockets".
"Honestly" Tails took a moment to think "I'm stumped. We probably messed up by giving Petrel over to the police so quick. We should have tried to extract information first".
"Doubt he would have talked" Knuckles argued "guy was Giovanni's fist, literally I guess" he said as he looked at his bruises from the battle "so I don't think he would give anything to us and certainly not to the police".
"And we can't even just continue on as usual. Looker is pulling out the big guns. The people might be on our side but the police will still arrest us if Looker commands it" Sonic surmised.
"There's gotta be a lead somewhere. But how do we find it?" Tails wondered.
"I can provide it to you" a voice responded.
All 3 members of team Sonic looked to the source of the voice at the same time.
It was…
"You!" Tails hopped up immediately pointing his stun gun at detective Morrison.
"Wait wait!" Morrison put his hands in the air "Lara. Le".
Tails' expression turned to a silent gasp. Sonic slowly got up as well.
"You are Jasmine's contact? What gives? Is she a double agent or something?"
"No. It's much simpler than you think. I just need a few minutes to explain everything".
"Why should we believe you? You and your partner tried to arrest us in Ecutreak" Knuckles reminded him.
"I know. But many things have changed and rather lately too. Look" Morrison said taking off his jacket and lifting his sleeves "no mic. I'm here as a friend".
Team Sonic looked at each other. This was a risk. If they were caught it was game over. But at the same time they needed a lead and fast.
"All right. We're listening" Sonic said albeit still clearly distrustful.
Morrison lowered his hands.
The three trainers and the detective then went and sat in front of the formers' tent.
"First of all, you need not worry about me being an agent of the law. I am no longer in the case".
"Say what?" Tails exclaimed "how come?"
"I tried to convince Looker many times to leave you guys alone. Every time he accused me of not being impartial. And he is not entirely wrong".
Silence for a few moments.
"I'm gonna be entirely honest here. I don't agree with your actions. Assault and physical damage at the slowpoke well, driving without a permit, the first thing again at the whirl islands… charges could very easily be pressed against all 3 of you".
"Then why are you and Looker not on the same page?" Sonic asked, distrust reeking off of him.
"Because I see the bigger picture. We share a common enemy. The Pokemon mafia. An organization so dangerous they terrorized Kanto for years. And you" he said referring to Sonic "you brought them down by yourself. One trainer against the world and you won".
"I wasn't alone. My friend Mike helped me. No, he was vital to our victory".
"I'm well aware. Of that and of the cost of your victory" Morrison said grimly.
When he spoke those words, Raichu looked away in shame. Espeon picked up on it.
"But even so… even after having travelled around Johto as a celebrity of sorts… you still have no idea just how deeply your actions affected everyone else and in how many ways both negative and positive. I… and my family too… were some of the people affected positively by your bravery".
"You were?" Sonic looked at him in question.
"Yes. My son Nolan's ivysaur was taken. Your defeat of Giovanni at Viridian city brought forth the reunion between my son and his partner Pokemon" Morrison was now looking at Sonic in gratitude.
"That's what I meant when I said Looker had a point when he accused me of not being impartial".
Sonic allowed himself to doze off, think about the impact of his actions one more time and from another, newer perspective.
"But still" Tails' words brought him back to reality "why help us all of a sudden? I mean you're off the case, meaning your helping of us could land you in jail".
Morrison sighed.
"It's true. But you see… while Looker was obsessing over finding you three, I focused my efforts on finding team rocket. Taking into consideration all of their sightings as well as the timing between each of their operations… I couldn't help but notice a weird pattern".
"What pattern?" Knuckles asked him.
"The first operation, at least that we know of, is the slowpoke well. South part of Johto. Alone it seems to make sense. Slowpoke tails are expensive so they harvest them for comeback money".
Team Sonic remained silent.
"Then we got the incident with the legend of thunder, Raikou. Outside of Olivine. Again sounds simple when you examine the facts of the case alone. They wanted to attract the legend of thunder, they needed a jumpstart for their device, in our case Sparkle the Ampharos".
Team Sonic was still silent, wondering where Morrison was going with this.
"And now you got the whirl islands. Again in Olivine. Again west like the previous one. And again like the other 2 times, a lot of time between each event"
"Ok what does this all tell us?" Tails asked.
"Firstly the obvious, they plan out everything just in case, and rightly so against the likes of you three" he complimented them.
"But there is another possible reason; they take a lot to set up because they do it far away from their base".
The three heroes looked at each other and realized he had a major point. They never thought to look at it that way.
"Damn you're right" Sonic answered "but where would that base be then?"
"I have a lead. Just that, a lead. You see, a day before you supposedly awakened the legendary beasts, a truck was attacked east of Ecutreak heading for Mahogany town. The attacker showed clear signs of rage towards team rocket. But it couldn't have been you because the timing was impossible. However I focused on something else. Why would a team rocket truck head towards Mahogany town and nothing ever went down there, yet every event regarding team rocket happens further and further away from Mahogany?"
"Because they're hiding there! Son of a bitch! How did I not see that?!" Sonic shouted in anger.
They were so close to the answer the whole time.
"But wait? Couldn't they be at…" Tails stopped to look at his map "Blackthorn city?"
"No. It's surrounded by mountains and not very easily accessible. Plus there lives the strongest gym leader in Johto, Clair. She is extremely well versed with dragon Pokemon, the type of the gym and is also the cousin of Kanto and Johto champion Lance".
"SAY WHAT?!" all 3 trainers exclaimed in utter disbelief.
"Yeah power with Pokemon runs in their family apparently. Point is she is strong. They wouldn't want to be anywhere near her. Mahogany on the other hand, although the home of the region's 2nd strongest gym leader Pryce, is quiet. They would be able to go undetected there for a long time".
"So let me get this straight" Knuckles tried to surmise everything for his own understanding "team rocket is about an hour away from us right now?"
"Yes. That's what I believe at least".
"Then let's go there and end this now!" Sonic said, temper flared, his entire being itching to finish what should have been finished in Kanto.
"We can't" Morrison explained "we don't know exactly where they're hiding. We need to first figure out where they are. Right now we got one advantage, that team rocket doesn't know where exactly you are. But when news come out of Lugia flying over Ecutreak, they will figure it out. So we need to move fast".
"Ok so what's the plan?"
"I will take you to Mahogany myself. There is something going on there but not in the same scale as the last two incidents. For the last couple of months, pokemon around town have become inexplicably irritated. No one could explain until it started affecting the pokemon in the lake of rage".
"The what?" Knuckles was surprised by the name.
"You know what? Since we got to go there as soon as possible, I'll explain in greater detail on the way there".
Getting up he revealed his car keys.
"You coming?"
Team Sonic, although believing him to be an ally for the most part, hesitated.
But before Morrison could insist they relented. After all if Morrison betrayed them it would be every Johtonian who suffered and that included himself and his family. That was enough of a reason to put faith in him.
Hopping into his car, with Sonic sitting on the front sit and Tails with Knuckles at the back, they started driving, heading for Mahogany. Each of the three friends took deep silent breaths to calm down.
The final battle was right around the corner. They had to end it now or never.