Chapter 4: Don't Ever Say I Wasn't There For You Part 2
Sometime later, Wade drives the car to the hotel once more with Jazz and ready to set their mission into motion.
"Alright. Geared up," Wade says, and stops the engine, "Here we go."
Wade then places oil, the lighter, the hairspray, and the rest of his rescue supplies on the ground.
"Hang tight, Eve, Knucks. I'm comin' to get ya," Wade says. Then turns to Jazz, "We're comin' to get ya."
"Chao Chao," Jazz replies with a nod.
"All I need is the perfect rescue soundtrack," Wade adds as he holds out one of the energized gloves, revealing that he has his phone on hand, "Let's do this, Spotify. Time to rock out!"
Jazz tilts her head in confusion, but decides to roll with it.
Wade tries to press the button, but the glove's fingers are too big.
"That's not gonna…" Wade says.
Jazz then flies over and presses the button, making the music play.
"Thanks," Wade says.
"Chao," Jazz replies.
"Still don't really know what you say," Wade says.
But as the music plays, Wade realizes, "Oh, no, not that song! Oh, forget it." and sighs and drops his phone to the ground.
Jazz giggles.
"Let's focus, Jazz. Warrior mode activated," Wade says.
He then slams both his fists together. However, that ends up being a big mistake because it sends out a powerful blast that sends Wade back.
Song:
I don't wanna wait
For our lives to be over
I want to know right now
What will it be
I don't wanna wait
For our lives to be over
Will it be yes-
That causes the oil to spill all over the place as his sunglasses hit the ground. The oil spills all over the ground, and in Wade's car where the fireworks are. The hairspray's cap falls out and the lighter's cap opens two. Both of them activate and cause the flames to ignite. The fire from the combined items travels to Wade's police car and sets off the fireworks, firing them into the air, and destroys his police car.
Seeing this, Wade cries out, "The fireworks were supposed to be the grand finale!"
Back in the hotel lobby, Willoughby and Mason are playing chess when the fireworks' sound and flashing colors catch their attention.
"What the hell?" Mason questions.
"What was that? Willoughby questions.
They both decide to drop their game and investigate the cause. They soon hear muffling sounds of fireworks popping.
"Sounds like someone just set off…" Mason says.
Knuckles and Eve watch as the two agents leave and hear the noises.
"Are those, fireworks?" Eve questions.
Agent Willoughby and Mason rush outside to see the fireworks going off from inside the police car and Wade on the ground.
"Is that the round little man again?" Willoughby
Soon, the fireworks stopped, enough for Wade to breathe and regain himself.
Jazz flies over to Wade, "Chao Chao?"
"Yeah. I'm good," Wade says, and looks at the car, " Oh! At least she's still drivable."
However, the fire ends up igniting the car as well, making the glass shatter.
They soon hear Willoughby's voice, "You again!"
Wade and Jazz turn to see the two agents on the balcony to confront them.
Wade also confronts them, "That's right! I'm here for the hedgehog and echidna!"
Suddenly, Wade and Jazz begin to hear beeping sounds.
"What's that beeping?" Wade questions, checking the glove, "That can't be good. Wonder what that-" and tries pressing the button.
Just then, a rocket activates from the glove, "Oh, no!" and sends the deputy flying as he screams "Yah! Ay-ay-ay! Oh, no! Oh, my God! Wee-hee-hee-hee!" He gasps, "I will be right with you guys! Oh, God!" and screaming.
Jazz watches as Wade flies around all over the parking lot. And ends up flying through one of the resort's windows and into the hotel. Jazz flies after Wade through the window.
Mason turns to Willoughby, "You guard the hedgehog and echidna. I'm gonna go and handle this," and walks inside.
Willoughby also walks inside to guard Knuckles and Eve.
Mason soon finds himself in the cafe of the ski resort searching for Wade and Jazz. He soon notices the energized glove is left on the ground.
Mason walks around as he calls out, Little pig, little pig, where are you? I know you're here somewhere. And I'm gonna find you."
As he searches, he doesn't notice that Wade is hiding with the head mannequins with a hat on his head. Jazz is also hiding behind a row of stuffed penguins. Mason then picks up the glove and puts it on, activating it. Mason then turns to see Wade, causing him to let out a high-pitched yelp, and makes a run for it.
Mason then comes after Wade as the deputy crawls on the floor and under the table. Mason throws one of the tables, grabs Wade by the leg, pulls him back, and throws him across the area, causing him to crash into the stand of penguins, and Jazz is thrown to Wade as well when he crashes. Mason maniacally laughs as Wade and Jazz scramble themselves from the stuffed penguins.
Mason approaches the two and says, "I ever tell you about my time in the underground fight game?"
"We literally just met!" Wade says.
Mason continues, "I spent years doing bare-knuckle cage matches and backyard brawls," and steps on one of the stuffed penguins.
Wade whimpers and panics, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no."
But Mason grabs Wade and presses him against the glass cover of the food display. Jazz grabs Mason by the back collar of his shirt and tries to get him to stop, but she doesn't have the strength. Mason then punches the display and sends Wade spinning on it.
Back in the lobby, Knuckles, Eve, and Willoughby hear the noise.
"Was that Wade?" Eve mutters herself.
Doesn't sound like your rescue's going very well, does it?" Willoughby says.
"No, it does not," Knuckles says.
"Such a shame…" Willoughby says.
Eve and Knuckles glare at the agent.
"Mm. Hope you're comfortable in there," Willoughby says, "You're not? Huh, never mind."
Back in the cafe, things are not going well for Wade as he continues getting spinned and ends up crashing into the wall. Mason also tosses Jazz at Wade like a ragdoll. Mason walks over with an evil laugh and grabs Wade by the neck. Jazz then grabs Mason by the back of his jacket and tries to pull him away, but she doesn't have the strength.
Suddenly, Mason feels his phone buzzing and picks it up," One second. I gotta take this."
"No, no, no, take your time," Wade responds and groans.
Seeing who's calling, Mason says, "It's my mom."
Wade sighs, "Oh, yeah…"
"Should I get that?" Mason questions.
"Yeah, you should answer it," Wade answers.
"Yeah," Mason says,
Wade tries to ask, "C-Can you…"
But Mason continues, "She'll be worried."
"Yeah, of course," Wade says.
"Here you go," Mason says and answers the phone, "Hey, Mom!"
"Hey-" Wade weakly says.
Mason's mom answers the phone, "It's about time you answered your phone. I been tryin' to call you."
Mason sighs and says, "Yes, I know you've been calling. I've been meaning to call. I've been really busy."
"Hi, Mrs.— " Wade speaks up, but soon asks, "What's your name?'
"Mason," Mason says.
"Hi, Mrs. Mason," Wade says, and gags.
"It's-" Mason's mom questions.
And Mason says, "Yeah, that's just a work friend."
"Aw, y-you think we're friends?" Wade replies, and Mason grips his neck harder in response, making him choke, "Sorry, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, Ma. Okay. Ma, I'ma have to hit you back. I'm busy," Mason says, "
"Love you, Mason…" Mason's mom says.
"Alright, I love you, too," Mason says, "Bye-bye, bye." and hangs up the phone.
Then Mason turns to Wade, "Sorry about that," as he presses harder.
"She seems very sweet," Wade says, gagging a bit.
"Where was I?" Mason questions.
"You were telling some horrifying story about ripping some guy's arm off," Wade says.
Mason snaps his fingers and says, "Yeah. And that's why I signed up for GUN. So I can get paid to beat up on superpowered freaks like your little alien friends. Now, I don't have to fight fair anymore," and cackling.
"Then neither do I," Wade says, and grabs the Sriracha bottle "Sriracha!" and squirts the sauce at Mason's face.
Mason stumbles back as he screams in agony, causing Jazz to let go and Wade mocking cackles. Mason continues stumbling back, but he slips, falls on a cart, rolls back, and crashes through a glass window, and into the lobby where Willoughby is guarding Knuckles and Eve.
"Who are you working with?" Willoughby questions.
"He is my protege and my apprentice," Knuckles says, "A force so strong of body, mind, and heart that your last words will be a plea for a merciful death from the warrior known only as... Wade."
That is when Wade steps forward and stops to catch his breath, "Sorry. Sorry. Say, quite a tussle back there. You should see the other guy," Wade turns to see Mason on the ground, "Oh. Here he is,"
Jazz is soon the first to come out and land next to Mason's leg before giving it a few kicks in retaliation.
Seeing Wade, Willoughby questions, "Seriously? This is your great warrior? Thought he'd be dead by now."
"It's his first day," Knuckles says.
Eve nods in response.
"The little Chao has some spirit in her," Willoughby adds.
"Sure sure do," Eve says."
"I know I may not look like much of a warrior, but…" Wade says and sighs, "No offense, you guys don't, either. I mean, he looks like a sexy menswear model, and you look like some kind of psychotic Uma Thurman look alike."
"A what?" Eve questions.
"Thank you," Willoughby says, although, it's doubtful that she appreciated the comment, "Now, before you die, tell me one thing. What does a moron like you want with the hedgehog echidna?"
Wade sighs and answers, "We're gonna win a bowling tournament."
Soon, Wade launches the glove from his fist with a rocket. To Knuckles and Eve's shock, the glove is heading right towards them.
"Oh, no!" The two react in slow motion
When the glove collides with the cage, it causes a reaction that sets off a powerful explosion.
Suddenly, Knuckles asks, "What are you doing?"
"I'm hugging you, as is your celebratory tradition, is it not?" Wade says.
"That only happens in movies," Eve points out.
"Chao Chao," Jazz replies, flying over.
Wade soon lets go of Knuckles.
It's revealed that the four have survived the blast. The forcefield cage has exploded and destroyed along with the glove. However, it's revealed that the ski resort's lobby has been wrecked, like it's been struck by a tornado. And Agent Willoughby is also unconscious from the blast.
"Insane as that plan was, at least it took care of those two," Eve says.
"Yeah," Wade says, "Come on, we gotta get outta here before they wake up."
The agents groan as they slowly begin to regain consciousness. Wade and the others rush to the hole to find themselves over a cliff as the wind blows.
"Oh!" Wade says, scared, "Oh, nope."
Knuckles turns to Wade, "Whatever happens, hold on," and walks back.
"What? What do you mean?" Wade asks.
Knuckles then runs as he lifts Wade up as Eve and Jazz jump on his shoulders. Wade screams as Knuckles and the others jump off the cliff. After falling for a short time, Knuckles gains altitude and begins flying in the air.
Wade gasps in amazement and shouts, "We're alive! Knuckles!" and laughs in amazement, "We're alive!" and cheers.
Wade then says to Knuckles, "Knuckles! You didn't tell me you could fly!"
"No. I can glide, "Knuckles says.
"Huh?" Wade questions.
"For very short distances," Knuckles adds.
Soon, the group begins to fall. While Knuckles and Eve land on their feet and Jazz flies down, Wade crashes into a dumpster with the trash and the lid closes. Wade groans and climbs up out of exhaustion and falls to the ground.
"Stinks, "Wade comments once he's on the ground.
Dizzy, Wade says, "Knuckles… Eve… Jazz.."
"You okay there?" Eve asks.
"Fine, and dandy, I just need time to catch my breath," Wade says.
But Knuckles says, "Get up! Now is no time to rest, Wade Whipple. We must flee!"
"It's too risky to walk, so we'll need transportation," Eve says.
The group soon look to find a truck as Wade sits up.
'Sweet truck," Wade says.
Soon, the group climbs into the truck.
Knuckles says to wait, "Drive us!"
"How? I can't just drive us. There's no keys," Wade says.
Knuckles then presses his spiked knuckle into the keyhole, turns it, and starts the engine.
Eve turns to Knuckles, "That's very impressive, Knuckles."
"Thank you, Eve," Knuckles says, before turning to Wade.
"Okay, I can just drive us," Wade says.
With that, Wade begins driving the truck away and down the road.
A little while water on the road, Wade says, "I don't know about you, but I am star-" And soon notices, "Hey, look, a Burger Shack! Let's go eat!"
Soon enough, the group stops at a Burger Shake.
Wade walks over "Alright, " and brings the food over to them, "I think after all that running, we deserve... a little snack." What do you say, bud?"
"I only eat grapes. And Cool Ranch Doritos," Knuckles says.
"Okay, well, that explains your insane and erratic behavior," Wade says, and passes everyone their meals, "Now, come on. Let's eat, bubba. So, I was thinking about how I rescued you before. Um, on a scale of one to warrior, where does Wade fall?"
Knuckles slowly growls, "
"No biggie. You can tell me after we eat. Let's have a little victory feast for the boys, huh?" Wade says and laughs. And soon remembers, "And of course, the girls."
Just then, Knuckles says, "What victory? We won nothing tonight. Mm, correct. I was taken prisoner because of your failures in battle."
"Mm, that's also true," Wade says.
And Knuckles continues, "We were nearly killed several times. And once again, correct. And the only reason we survived at all was pure luck. None of these words would be used to describe a victory. Or a warrior."
"Well, you have to admit, a lot of the stuff you did was mainly winging it," Eve says.
Jazz nods, "Chao," And takes a sip of the drink.
"Alright, some of the things you just said might have happened, but you're looking at it the wrong way, Knuckles," Wade says. "My dad taught me to take any win you can and enjoy it. Nine outta 10 warriors would call that a victory. It might not have been pretty, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a…"
'Glorious victory!" Knuckles says.
"Now, you're gettin' it!" Wade says, "Let's dig in! This is gonna flop your little red braids up and down."
Back at the ski resort, both Mason and Willoughby have regained consciousness and walk out, and they're not pleased.
Willoughby growls in anger, "We are so screwed!"
"Yeah, I'm pissed, too," Mason says, "But what are we gonna do? I guess the deal's off."
But Mason says, "No. No, you don't understand. The deal's not off. There's no backing out with him. We've been selling weapons to one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world, run by an absolute sociopath! Now, we're screwing him over on a deal!"
She says in a mocking tone, "We don't just get to take our ball and go home."
Then says normally, "We show up empty-handed, he's gonna straight-up kill us. Most likely in a pretty horrible way."
"Well, that doesn't sound great," Mason says.
"No! Not great! Not great at all," Willoughby says, "We need to get them, fast, before he gets us."
Back at the burger shack…
"Wade Whipple, you wish to be a warrior. Yet you hail from Green Hills, a place where there are no warring clans," Knuckles says, "So, why do you remain there?"
"I guess... Green Hills has always just been home," Wade answers, "I mean, there must be some place in the universe that's like that for you, right?"
But Knuckles says, "Since the loss of my tribe, I have journeyed across every corner of the galaxy. Seen planets and stars you could only dream of."
"Hm," Wade replies.
Eve and Jazz are saddened to hear Knuckles' story.
"But nowhere I have called home," Knuckles says.
That must be tough for you," Wade says.
"Yes," Knuckles says, "I made a promise to my fellow warriors to find the Master Emerald and the sword and protect it. That shall be my goal until the moment I join my people in the Great Battleground in the Sky. One thing I have learned in pledging my life to this quest is that I have been betrayed again and again. And again. And again."
"I had no idea…" Eve says.
"Wow. Sorry that happened to you," Wade says.
"And you felt betrayed when Dr. Robotnik turned his back on you, huh," Eve replies, sadly.
"Yes," Knuckles says.
He turns to Wade, "You know how that feels, don't you? To be betrayed?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I know how that feels," Wade says.
"By your father, who abandoned you like common gutter trash!" Knuckles says.
"No, I got what you were saying. Thank you very much, though," Wade says, "Warrior or not, I'm strong enough to know that I would never betray a friend."
"You are stronger than you think, Wade Whipple," Knuckles says.
Wade scoffs, "I don't know about that."
"On a scale of one to warrior, you are a three," Knuckles says.
"And you're a really good friend," Eve says.
Jazz nods.
"Really? I'm gonna put that on my dating profile!" Wade says, "Wade Whipple. Solid three. Now, come on. Let's hit the road, huh?"
Sometime later, the group are now on the road as they listen to a song on the radio: Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpions, and having a
Song:
Here I am
"Ha!" Knuckles replies.
Song:
Rock you like a hurricane
Wade screams.
Song:
Here I am
Rock you like a hurricane
"Victory!" Knuckles shouts, and the group, "Ha ha!"
"Yes! Turn it up!" Knuckles says.
"Alright! Yeah!" Wade says and turns up the radio.
Song:
It starts to shout
Desire is coming, it breaks-
Soon, the song stops.
"Hey," Eve says.
"Chao Chao," Jazz replies and flies to the radio.
Just then, the radio changes to a different voice, "The Rock Zone Special Report. Alright, this just in, guys. Authorities have a manhunt out for a guy named Wade Whipple. You remember this guy? He was the sheriff's deputy who won the Hot Pocket-eating contest at last year's Spring Fest," And laughs, "That guy. There is a bounty out for the guy now. I mean, he is royally screwed. announcer: Screwed. DJ: I would not want to be that guy today. Alright, let's get back to the music.
And the song continues to play.
Eve facepalms, "Oh no. Not again!"
Wade begins to panic, "Ah... Oh, my God. I'm a fugitive! There's a bounty on my head! And I'm Munsoned out here in the middle of nowhere? What are we gonna do?"
And with that, Knuckles smashes the radio again.
"Again, Knuckles? Really?" Eve questions, dumbfounded.
"You just love smashing radios, don't ya?" Wade questions.
Time has passed, and it's early in the morning. Wade has been driving all night and feels tired.
Knuckles calls out, "Whipple!"
Wade wakes up, "Y-Yes."
"First light has broken. We need safe harbor," Knuckles says, "Somewhere we can stay hidden and secure."
"Knuckles are right, you need to rest, and we need a place to lay low for a while until we can figure out what to do with those agents," Eve says.
"I know a place we could lay low, but it's gonna mean going somewhere I haven't been in a really long time," Wade says.
"And that will be…" Eve asks.
Moments later…
The door opens to reveal Wade has taken them to a place to lay low. The one who opens the door is a woman who has slightly curly dark brown hair, peach skin, and brown eyes. She is wearing a purple, green and pink shirt.
When she opens the door and sees Wade, the woman gasps.
Wade smiles, "Hi, Mom. I'm home."
And then, Wade's mom falls over, "Oh…" and faints.