Author's Note: I'm really glad you guys are really liking how this story is turning out even if the update schedule is pretty slow. It's going to take me some time to complete my stories, but I will do my best to finish them.
In any case, here's a new chapter and part two of the previous episode!
I do not own any rights to Sonic the Hedgehog or any of the related media. All rights go to Sega.
Chapter 16: Friendship that Blooms-Part 2.
Back with Chris and Helen, the two were strolling through the woods to find the beautiful patch of flowers the latter's father always told her about, happily chatting as they were getting along very quickly, while taking in the sights of how even the forest looked amazing. From what the twelve year old Earth boy had learned, his new friend's parents really did try their best to keep to their promise in taking here here, but their jobs always kept them so busy that they always ended up cancelling those plans.
When the two children felt that they were getting closer in locating the flowers, they decided to take a bit of a small break.
"Let's rest here for a little while." Chris said, pausing his friend's wheel chair in front of a log in a small opening that viewed the sky through the gap of the trees.
"Okay." Helen nodded in agreement, as she didn't mind her companion needing to rest.
"This place is amazing. I can see why your Dad loved coming here." Chris remarked, sitting on a log next to the twelve year old girl.
"It's so beautiful, it's almost like a private vacation island," She agreed, smiling brightly, the two gazing up at the sky that had an orange and pink hue turning purple, the tail-sign of the sun going fown. "Thank you for taking me out here, Chris. This is a dream come true."
The young Thorndyke chuckled, "Hey, don't mention it. It's an adventure for me as well. One where we don't have to worry about that weirdo Dr. Eggman causing trouble."
A moment of comfortable silence, as Chris and Helen let the gentle breeze sweep onto their skin, both of them thinking about how fun their trip had been so far, how much they really liked each other as friends, and thought about what the future would be like once they would both head home back to their families.
Family...That word rang through Chris's mind as he realized something he hasn't thought of before. For all his life, his birth family treated him like he was just an object to them, a robot meant to obey their commands, their legacy to continue the Thorndyke Linage. Never allowing him the freedom to do what he really wanted to do, to go out and make friends, or even explore any other part of Earth. He always got into unnecessary trouble just for doing simple things that normal people did.
Since coming to Mobius even by accident, while this planet was different in a few ways that he had to be careful in how to follow the rules, he was never alone.
'Sonic...Ever since he saved me from Dr. Eggman, he's been my first friend ever. He, Tails, Amy, Cream and her mother had been so kind to me. We had a lot of fun together, I got to go to normal school to make more new friends. Been to places that are much cooler than the countries back on Earth.' Chris thought, thinking about his friends and all of their good times and adventures they had together so far.
Even the night at the Emerald Coast where he and Sonic had their private chat together, the moment the twelve year old will never forget.
After the laughter ceased, Sonic then looked up at the sky and said. "You know, Chris. I think sometimes wishes do come true, but not in the way people would think."
"Huh?"
"When you make a certain wish, they don't just come true by simply waiting for them to just poof into existence like in fairy tales or Genie's granting them with magic, and while it make a long time, I guess if you don't think about it and try your hardest, they can come true, and sometimes all it takes is a chance of meeting, and getting to know a person you know you can trust. Everybody's different, but that's the fun part of life. 'Cause if everybody were the same, the world would've been a boring place." The blue hedgehog explained.
'A chance of meeting...Guess it was me who made Helen's wish come true, just like Sonic did for me.' Chris smiled in content, realizing that he really was doing what his blue hedgehog best friend had done.
Even though it was pretty sad that Helen's mother and father never seem to have time for her, and her aunt was a pretty horrible person. If only there was something he could do to help.
"That's true," Helen's giggles, sweet as the softness of the wind, broke through Chris's flowing thoughts swirling like a whirlwind within his mind. Blinking, the young Thorndyke gently returned his gaze to his newest friend. "I always thought Dr. Eggman was a little scary, but more weird than any other criminals the authorities would catch."
"Yeah, I've never seen any bad guy like him before, not as far as I can remember anyway." Chris felt his hand crawl behind his head, sheepish over the white-lie, lingering guilt turning heavily in his just like a hot pool of boiling water.
"Hey, Chris. I have a bit of a question."
"Huh? Uh, sure, go right ahead."
"I know that you probably don't remember, but...do you have...any vague memories of your family?" The young wheel-chaired girl's question was a gentle, hesitant linger, the drifts of unease of a young child going to their first day of kindergarten.
Flinching while flabbergasted over Helen's innocent curiosity, the Earth-Boy was just as hesitant. Dreaded unease soon erupted with a flood of fear etched across his features he tried to hide. Thanks to his new Chaos abilities that Frances and Danny were the first humans of Mobius to learn of his origins, and Sonic was the first person he ever met outside of this planet to learn of the other Earth's existence.
How could he possibly explain that he actually lied to someone as sweet and kind like Helen? One who had a much harder life than he ever did? In health, at least, in spite of her aunt being a Mobius incarnation of his own mother.
"Well...T-Truthfully, I do have a few vague memories..." Chris began, but the stutter and fumble in his words made him recoil with self-lothe, before he slumped with a groan of hopelessness.
Forget it, he might as well tell her the truth.
"Oh, who am I kidding? You'll probably find out and get mad at me, anyway." He groaned, slumping in defeat.
"Huh? What do you mean, Chris? Is there something you're not telling me?" Helen tilted her head slightly, hints of suspicion, yet concern overruled the former.
A reluctant sigh of acceptance in defeat drifting from his lips, Chris forced himself to gaze at his new friend's eyes once more. "The thing is, I...I'm not actually from here. I'm not even from the same planet, let alone dimension."
He soon told her of why he lied about having amnesia to protect himself, his arrival from Earth via accident, Sonic saving his life, helping him get used to life in this new world and his reasons of how it came to be. His words lingering with guilt, heart sinking faster than a wrecked submarine hit an enemy Navy and fleet, flowed towards the girl who felt shocked by Chris' lies.
"I-I'm really sorry for lying to you, Helen. I get that you're really mad at me." Chris hung his head, acceptance of rejection creeping through his skin.
At first Helen's head hung low, shaking like a quivering leaf. But her shaken of crying was soon just a curtain parting to reveal a stage of happiness and giggling, because she was actually laughing.
"Huh?" Chris blinked, bewildered. Did she actually find this funny?
"Sorry," Helen apologized, her eyes sparkling as the brighest diamonds shone under the moonlight and stars blanketing the sky like the most beautiful of gems. "It's just, I knew you were a little different and I kind of overheard Frances mentioning what this other world was like. I thought it was my imagination, but now it makes a whole lot of sense."
"It does?" Now the twelve year old boy was REALLY confused.
"Mm-hm! I am a little mad that you lied, but seeing how sweet and kind you are, and hanging out with someone like Sonic, and even bringing me here, how could I be angry with you? Plus, it would be unbelievable if other people found out."
"I guess you got a point," Relief placing its gentle, soothing hands on his shoulders, Chris released a sigh that he held on for too long, yet a concerned shrug soon followed. "Problem is, the only other person I'm worried about finding out is Eggman. That's why we came up with the amnesia idea in the first place, considering how that creepy guy tries to take over Mobius."
"Oh...Yeah, you're right. That would put your world in danger too." Helen nodded, realization drifting across her features.
"And to answer your question at the same time, I'm concerned if my Grandpa would find out about this."
"How come?"
"Because he, my mother and father, well, let's just say, they're kind of worse than your aunt Susan. They never wanted me to grow up with how I wanted to live my own life, be a normal kid or even try out skills that I'm good at, like art and music. Not even letting me have friends. They wanted me to be exactly like them: A businessman, an actor, and a scientist for Earth knowledge, and they would ground me just for reading a fiction book or saying casual words too." Chris explained.
"That's horrible!" His friend's hands flew to her mouth to muffle of horrified gasp.
"Worst part is, they would even try and force schools and libraries to ban field trips and such, almost like they rule the world or something, because they think there's no such things as friendship or freedom," He agreed, his gaze cast upon the night sky to which Helen's own followed. "I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran away and planned poorly on going to a place called Florida."
"But you didn't get a chance to go to that place on Earth," Helen realized, sympathetic for her newest friend, sadness shone in her eyes. "You got accidentally brought here through Chaos Control, so now you're stuck on Mobius."
"Yeah, but it's not all that bad when I think about it. I mean, Sonic saved me from being captured by Eggman, and I hung out with him, Cream, Cheese, Tails, Amy, Frances, Danny and now you, Helen. I've learned so much with you guys, and had the best time of my life. Mobius is cool, and I hope I get to see more of it." The young Thorndyke conceded, warmth of happiness covering him with memories of his time in this world.
The young girl blinked in surprise at first, before happiness bloomed like the beautifulest flower upon her features. "I'm really glad, Chris. It wouldn't be fun without you around."
"Thanks, Helen. By the way, besides your aunt, what are your parents really like?"
"Well..." Helen's gaze drifted to the soft soil below. "I really do love my mom and dad. They're so good to me. That's why they work so hard, so that I can have everything I need. They make sure I have the best doctors, the best medicine, even this wheelchair must've cost 'em a lot of money. There's only one thing I want more than anything, though,"
A soft sigh of sadness soon lingered. "And that's to spend more time with them and have more fun."
"I'm sorry..." Chris's expression morphed with sadness, words of comfort stuck in his vocal cord like a blockage in pipes, lowering his gaze once more.
"It's okay, because I had lots of fun today, Chris. I've never been so excited in my whole life!" Helen beamed once more.
Blinking with surprise once more, the young Thorndyke's smile curled into a smile purely of happiness as well. "You're welcome, Helen. Let's hang out more often with everybody else. How does that sound?"
"I'd love to!"
The two young children's laughter, chimed of happiness of fingers twining ever so gently against the strings of a harp, drifted into the ears of the planet's winds and beyond. It wasn't before Chris and Helen continued to make their way towards their destination.
Unbeknownst to them, in the sky-high above in the darkness of night, the stars sparkling through the velvet of the midnight blue's blanket, the low engines from the rocket jets hung into the air, as E-43 Cager was nearing its destination.
Towards the island where Chris and his new friend were.
Back in Station Square...
Things were not looking really good right now. As the sun's set lowered the light of the battle, the battle raging on from the afternoon drifting to the evening, plumes of smoke from midair explosions of missiles colliding blanketing the Moon and engulfing it from visible eyes.
The E-97 Aero-Normous let out a loud, horrific metallic shriek that would burst anybody's eardrums, despite Tails opening fire at the giant robot's lasers to counterattack it in hopes of ending this fight once and for all. None the less, he, Sonic and Shadow were putting up a really good fight.
"You call yourself a Mighty Bird of the skies, big guy? You look more like a badly designed paper plane ready to be crumbled!" Sonic was taunting it, grinning, his legs bending momentaliray, launching himself off of his best friend's plane and landed on another roof, his sneakers tapping on the pavement of concret and tiles, racing away from the giant machine which opened fire more missiles.
His feet becoming a blur of blue, red and white, Sonic swiftly dodged one missile to another of that of a leap frog, confidence and bravery never fading from the depths of his inner being, yet the dire sense of the situation was increasing. He knew if the giant robot wasn't destroyed now, Station Square would be left in a rubble.
The Aero-Normous locked in on the blue hedgehog as he raced away to avoid in getting hit while the teenager thought of how to attack it without getting caught or killed again, only for its other targets to open fire or attack it from either side in a surprise assault.
Shadow stood from another building on the opposite side of the streets from where Sonic was, his firm expression seeming implanted, channeling his power and skills he struggles to remember, yet his body seemed to be as though he were an automatic pilot mode, using a series of Spin Attacks and Chaos Spears, hitting the sides of the robot who let out an apparence screech of pain. Sonic used this to his advantage, making a U-turn with his hand planted firmly on the ground to steady his balance, pressure never daunting him and leaping from another skyscraper, curling tightly in a sphere form with a sharpened Homing Attack on the other side of the neck and beak, careful in not ending up landing right into the mouth where it would swallow him up.
Dents upon the seemingly unbreakable metal pushed foward through the brutal force of Sonic's attack similiarity of a wrecking ball titled the giant robot to the side, the unbearable shrieks of agony brought fourth in E-97 Aero-Normous.
"Ha! not so tough now, are ya'?" Sonic's grin spread wide, laughter of enjoyment and thrill increasing the growth of his heart and soul.
~V~
"You think you and your friends can defeat me, Sonic, but this is only just the beginning of the crushing defeat you're in for!" Eggman snarled darkly, hissing as he pulled a lever once he saw that things were starting to not look well for him. "Time to pull up the big guns!"
~V~
As Sonic somersaulted in midair, arms spread wide, the breeze gusting upon his face and through his quills, and landed safely back onto the X Tornado's wing the moment Tails flew underneath to catch him, a gentle crouch on one knee with his fingers gripping upon the metal platform, the E-97 Aero-Normous soon began to open up more hatches from its back.
"Huh?" The two brothers murmured, suddenly both feeling something bad was going to happen.
Their fears confirmed true, rocket cannons opened fire, gasps escaping the duo's gap-opened mouths.
"Hang on!" Tails adjusted the X Tornado, sweat bullets increasing their formation, his heart racing through the aderaline of panic as he flew past the deadly missiles narrowly missing their mark.
~V~
"Blast them away! We can't have them escape!" Eggman shouts, his patience(if he had any), already thinning to that of the thinnest string on the planet.
"Dr. Eggman, we have an update on-"
"Not now, you tin-canned turkey!" The evil scientist angrily interrupted Decoe, who recoiled with a sweat drop. "Can't you see I'm busy in taking care of an over-grown pest problem!?"
"S-sorry, sir." Decoe gulped, hands raised in defense.
Eggman snapped his attention back to the ongoing battle, the monitors and surveillance catching every moment, his mind dreading with swirls of unease and fury.
'If that hedgehog and his friends survive this fight, there goes my chances of getting to the Space Colony ARK, as well as that new brat friend of his. I must get rid of Sonic...!' Anger boiled through the very core of his being, Eggman's hand clutching into a tightening fist, faints of squeaks briefly heard through the pressure.
~V~
Sonic squeezed his eyes shut, clinging onto the wings as his life depended on it, daring not to fall off for the second time. The battle was getting extremely more dangerous by the second, nervously sweating as he peaked an eye open over his shoulder, gasping with horror to see E-97 Aero-Normous once more opening its mouth, the maw of the massive robotic-monster terrifying as a hungry beast ready to inhale its prey.
"Hey, Tails! It's catching up to us!" Sonic exclaimed, his pupils shrinking to near miniascule slits.
"Okay! Hang on!" Tails responded, trembling fear creeping along across his features, thrusting the X Tornado to near full throttle to its acsend.
However, the massive killing machine, its optic lenses peering with the brightest red glow to sneer into the depths of a mortal's soul with its own lifeless mechanical body, detected the movements Tails was attempting to get away from, locked in on its targets.
~V~
"Get them now! Don't let them get away!" Eggman's growls was the darkest of the most cruelest monsters alive, pushing a button. He will destroy Sonic and his friends.
No matter what it took.
~V~
Engines flaring within its mouth, the E-47 Aero-Normous prepared to suck in its victims, hose sucking in all of a vacuum's highest level, the deafening booming roars like shockwaves thrust across glass of windows, shattering into pieces all drifted upward as though a tornado was unleashing wrath upon the city, the citizens screaming as they ran for cover.
"Darn! The city's gonna be destroyed at this rate!" Sonic grunted, frustration and concern mixing in.
"We have to lead this robot out somehow!" Tails exclaimed, worriedly.
But what the two brothers saw had them frozen with fear, collective screams echoing from their hearts as the giant robot was about to open swallow them up, the blue hedgehog clinging on for dear life.
It was then Tails's mind swirled, eyes narrowed with an idea forming. It was a risk he knew he had to take, but determination engulfed his fears like a tsunami.
"Hang on tight, Sonic! This is gonna be a litle tricky!" The young genius warned, tilting the X Tornado in a 180 degree spin, heart racing as though he had been through a thousand-mile marathon.
"Watch out, Tails!" Sonic screamed, eyes widened upon the sight of more missiles catching his eye, several soaring with whistles of doom beckoning the two heroes.
Tails however was ready, his beloved created plane returning the favor at the correct calculation, once more explosions filling the air with darkened fireworks spread across the sky. Sonic soon stood, hope and victory once more played with very determination to protect his brother and the world, coursing himself upward, his feet planted with self-bounce from one missle to another like stepping stones, trailing each deadly weapons into each other and away from his best friend.
Agile kicks combined with twirls of that of an athlete that he is, Sonic soon began playing around dancing with several more until he landed on another, once more gliding along in a way of a hoverboard, his right hand clutching one of the smaller missiles, stopping its attack.
"Return to sender!" Sonic's voice hinged with a playful tease, thrusting the missile directly at the giant robot, leaping off the other with a backflip of a somersault.
He soon quickly landed back onto the wing, his smirk never fading.
"Chaos Spear!"
Another collective gasp of surprise flowing through the air of night, Sonic and Tails swiftly cast their gaze to the source of the yells. Their eyes widening upon the sight of Shadow who, the energy of Chaos flowing its current in the bloodstream within his body upon seeing his two young allies fight with great bravery, thrust the powerful spears right into the maw along side the path connected with the X Tornado's missiles and the two small rockets Sonic directed back, the collision course set its mark with a massive explosion unleashing its wrath upon the fated meeting of the destruction of the robot's increasing defeat.
The impact and shockwaves nearly sent the X Tornado to lose its altitude, the twin-kitsune's teeth clenched into near shattering, while the blue hedgehog's nimble gloved fingers clung onto the wings, holding on tightly.
The Ultimate Lifeform in the meantime gritted his teeth, the thickness of pluming flames dissipating, revealing the damage to the extent beyond imagination. Metal partially transforming into the molten mess of hot liquid and flames once in the forms of the E-97's beak now no more, speed reduced to a pace of a slow sidewalk, sparks trailing across its body.
~V~
"What!?" Eggman exclaimed, horrified to see his creation heavily damaged beyond repair. His E-97 Aero-Normous was in the near destruction...mainly done so by Tails, Sonic and Shadow all teaming up!? "How dare those feather-brained flyboys calculate my robot's attack!?"
"Shadow certainly is something else, isn't he?" Decoe whispered carefully to Bocoe, wary over the black hedgehog's near-indestructable power.
"He may have lost his memories, but he certainly hasn't lost his cool." The shorter robot shrugged.
From the looks of the battle's outcome, the two dumbots knew it wasn't going to end in Eggman's favor. As usual.
~V~
"Alright, Shadow!" Sonic praised cheerfully, relief washing over across his body in the soothing wind calming his nerves.
"He saved us again!" Tails exclaimed, stunned by their former enemy's help.
"C'mon, Tails! Let's finish off this overgrown Turkey!" The blue hedgehog's grin was infectious, spreading wide across his muzzle as he was enthuastic to end the fight once and for all.
"Right!" His little brother nodded, contaguised by the grin in an rainbow's brightness above after a fearsome storm. He thrust the plane for a U-Turn once more while Sonic stood.
"Watch out, Eggman! Your robot's overcooked!" The hero of Mobius taunted, excitement flowing through his veins for the victory tasting as sweet as the sugary goodness of cakes and ice cream.
Sonic spread his hands outward, the two powerful rings shot from the X Tornado's compartment towards him, clasped within his grip. The great power of energy, its light flowing in a ray of the sun's flares coursing through his body with an empowering aura surrounding the fifteen year old in a way light outside of the Planet would shine in the sea of stars.
"Here we..." Sonic trailed, fusing with the power of the Rings, waiting for X Tornado to fly a little closer, and at the right moment, feet planted firmly on the metal, legs pressured with growing stamina through his blood and vains, before launching himself off towards the giant robot. "GO!"
Arms crossed very closly against him, the hero of Mobius soon was engulfed in strong light of a magical crystal and sun, curling tightly as he barrelled himself straight into the giant robot's destroyed mouth, unleashing his strength and speed combined in an upgraded Homing Attack, the circuits, wirings and platforms all vulnerable to the hedgehog's ability. Soon enough, Sonic burst himself free through the giant robot's back, splitting the metal like a cracker before the robot, bursting from inside out, exploded in a giant ball of flames.
"YEAH!" Tails thrust his first above his head happily, the sight of the robot's demise coursing relief through his young body.
~V~
"Nooooooooooooooo!" Eggman wailed, hands clasped to his bald head, horrified beyond belief. How could this be happening again!?
His beautiful E-97 Aero-Normous was utterly rendered into nothing more than dust! All of his calculated planning to destroy Sonic and Tails, as well as capture Shadow...It all had gone up in smoke-literally and figuratively.
~V~
Cheers of relief spread across the city below, the defeat of Eggman's deadly robot brought happiness among the crowd of Station Square, all praises and gratitude echoing in a melody in a concert of peace and freedom, the sky clearing for stars and the moon to shine their light of hope upon the planet once more. Sonic's laughter echoed, once more landing onto the X Tornado, exchanging victorious grins and thumbs up with his little brother.
"YES!" The duo cheered.
"Score one million for the Sonic Heroes!" Sonic's smile pitching across his cheeks, victory was as sweet as the soft texture of ice cream.
"Sonic Heroes?" A playful teasing grin thinning across Tails' muzzle, raising an eyebrow. "Where'd you come up with that, Sonic?"
"Eh, just a name of our growing team," Sonic shrugged nonchalantly, amusement dancing in those green eyes. "I give credit to where it's due, that's why I'm so awesome."
His little brother couldn't stop the smile that graced his features, nor did he succeed in masking the chimes of laughter emerging from his chest. "Ah, there's the modesty I know."
The two surrogate brothers soon exploded with laughter, their twin gazes shifting to the bright moon above, its angelic halo glow descending like a way of light sending congratulations and gratitude to the young heroes. Sonic and Tails feeling the soothing, night breeze embrace them within its arms like a mother to her sons. Unbeknownst to them, Shadow, arms crossed with a stoic frown remaining on his features, also casting his eyes to the moon. Secretly, his ruby eyes twinkled with satisfaction of victory.
It wasn't until a memory clicked like a light switch in Sonic's brain, the realization struck a cord.
"Holy cow! It's getting late!" The cobalt speedster exclaimed, his eyes hilariously wide. "I've gotta get Chris and Helen home!"
The fight against Eggman's robot had made the fifteen year old nearly forget about his two new human friends, the urge to chastitise himself with a facepalm across his face so strong that Sonic was unable to stop the growl of annoyance boil in his throat.
"Uh, Sonic?" Tails murmured, his voice laced with concern.
"Sorry, Tails, I gotta run! Be back tomorrow for-" Sonic had been unable to finish, as a bleeping brought to life of his communicator, catching his and his brother's attentions. Soft collective gasps echoing, the blue hedgehog immediately answered. "Sonic speaking."
Static met his gaze at first, before blipping out of existence with the replacement of Chris' face appearing on screen, grippling panic all across his features.
"Sonic! We need help!" The young boy's voice, soft in a whisper as though afraid to speak loudly, but fear betraying him, was heard.
"Chris!? What's wrong?" Sonic responded, a deep frown set into his muzzle.
"Helen and I were about to head back to the boat, but then a giant robot that looks like an egg appeared and...I think it's trying to catch us!"
"WHAT!?" Sonic exclaimed, his eyes widened like they were about to burst. Fear mounted on his face, his heart racing with the rapid beat of congo drums.
Another Eggman robot...was going after Chris and Helen!? Realization soon dawned, a slew of thoughts set off in Sonic's head. If the evil scientist had sent not one but two robots in two different locations, it could only mean one thing...!
"If there's another robot going after Chris, then that means...!" Tails, listening in of the conversation, began but failed to finish.
"That bird-bot was a decoy!" The hero of Mobius concluded, he almost made his own hands bleed with the force of his trembling fists, frustration, guilt and fear mixing in like a cake mix. "Eggman's after Chris!"
Memories upon Chris' first encounter with Eggman, all the times returning like a hurricane ready to shred his brain into pieces, Sonic knew this may be what he feared for months upon the Earth-Boy coming to Mobius: His arch-nemesis now was ready to learn more of the kid's past and if he does, then Space and Time were in grave danger. Maybe this was what his dreams were trying to warn him.
'Oh man...If only I had just listened to Knuckles and Shadow...! This whole thing is all my fault!' Sonic couldn't stop the raging waves of guilt crushing over him like the mighty ocean claiming its victims, eyes squeezed shut with the sheer willpower to remain calm.
It was then he knew, one way or another, he had to save Chris and Helen before Eggman could capture them both.
"Just hang tight and stay hidden, I'm on my way!" Sonic instructed, determination racing through his veins.
"Okay...Sonic, please, hurry!" Poor Chris looked so terrified, twinge of whimpers threatening to escape his throat.
"It's gonna be okay, buddy. I won't let him hurt any of you!" The blue hedgehog vowed, warmth of a promise swirling like a beauty of light flowing through a magical stream.
"Ah! Sonic!" Tails suddenly exclaimed, horrified.
Murmuring with confusion on what had his best friend/little brother spooked, Sonic reluctantly gazed to ahead of them, a soft gasp of shock escaping his lips at the sight of several GUN helicopters and jet planes approaching menachingly, all turning their point to their right. What were the organization doing here for? What did they want with the duo?
"Sonic the Hedgheog, Miles "Tails" Prower!" The firm, authoritive voice of a GUN Pilot began, his tone leaving no room for negotication. "By order of GUN and the President, you are to leave and stay permanently away from the monster attempting to kidnap you."
"Huh?" Sonic and Tails both echoed, confusion etching all over their features.
"What are they talking about?" Tails asked, blinking.
"Hey, we just stopped Eggman's robot, and we had help from a friend!" Sonic called out, one hand brought close to his face to increase his voice volume.
"Shadow the Hedgehog is no friend! Either you stay away, or we will have you and all of your allies under arrest for high treason against the United Federation!" The Pilot snarled, impatience and anger cutting through the air.
Shock rooted upon the two Mobians, Sonic and Tails swiftly turned to where the organization was hovering, eyes equally widening upon the still figure of Shadow, the Ultimate Lifeform's gaze narrowed with his face twisting of disgust and impatience. Yet, masked behind the features were uncertainty...
The pang of guilt lingering like a lone seed drifting helplessly in the mightest river.
"So the humans think I am a monster? They believe I have the gull to kidnap Sonic?" Unease settled into his stomach, the vision-memory, or whatever it is, lingered on Sonic's quip in the Space Colony ARK. Was he really...evil, before redeeming himself?
If it were the case, then only Sonic and his friends found him trustworthy? Or was it all some kind of trick?
"You can't do this!" Sonic protested. "Shadow helped to save the world! He atoned for his crimes! He saved our lives, and he helped to save this city!"
"It's all a ploy to destroy it himself! You have ten seconds to leave or else you are to be locked up! 1! 2! 3!" The pilot warned darkly, striking fear into Sonic and Tails' chests, the younger Mobian shrinking in his seat, whimpers squeaking like a frightened bird cornered by a chesire cat.
Sonic, a moment of unease, cast his gaze to the readers/viewers, breaking the fourth wall with a raised hand. "Kids, whatever you do, never fully trust shady organizations, especially grown ups who hate citizens doing the right thing for whatever reason."
"Sonic..." Tails grumbled, overhearing his brother's quip, exasperation mixing with disbelief. "Now's not the time to be breaking the fourth wall."
"Hey, I'm just tryin' to make things more light-hearted. This is a kids show, after all!" The blue hedgehog meekly shrugged.
His patience running extremely thin, frustrated over the government's desires to have him destroyed while threatening Sonic and Tails, Shadow sneered his gaze upon the younger Mobians, a scoff escaping. Turning heel, he leaped from the roof, his skates igniting of increasing speed. This caught the blue hedgehog's eyes, a shocked gasp with confusion.
"Shadow, where are you goin'?!" Sonic screamed.
"Huh!?" Shocked when he saw what was happening, the two-tailed fox cub cast his gaze. He and the hedgehog turned their disbelieved eyes upon the retreating amnesic hedgehog, his expression firm and stoic with a hand raised full of energy.
The Ultimate Lifeform did not respond, only granting the brotherly duo a glare, leaving no room for an argument, vanishing upon everyone's sight.
"Shadow, wait!" The blue hedgehog exclaimed, heart racing a thousand beats. "Don't go!"
Yells and shouts from the GUN agents in helicopters, ignoring more of Sonic's protests, soon made 90 degree shifts for Shadow's path, looming in upon their target, orders to bring the black and red hedgehog dead or alive their top priority.
"Shadow! Shadow!" Sonic held out a hand, pleads ignored from his rival. He and Tails could only helplessly watch their former enemy, perhaps becoming their enemy once more, flee from the scene. Guilt, confusion and despair eating away at his heart like maggots devouring rotten corpses, Sonic lowered his gaze.
'Shadow...What in Mobius' name are you doing? Why are the President and GUN still after you?' Thoughts swirling in his mind like a whirlpool, he felt the air being squeezed from his throat, threatening to enclose it and choke him.
He didn't understand. Sonic felt unease wriggling its way through his skin, sting of frustrated tears forming. Was their growing friendship all a lie? Was Shadow pretending to be against him and Tails in order to keep them safe from GUN, to avoid being seen as the planet's traitors? What was going on? With the organization still up against the Ultimate Lifeform, the teenage hero could feel tears sting his eyes. His former enemy was sacrificing himself again, out of remorse in spite of barely having any memories.
Yet it was GUN, and potentially the President whom Sonic held deep respect and trust, who held onto the darker memories of Shadow's crimes, their fears corrupting them and refusing to see the light of the ebony hedgehog's heroics and atonement. They want justice by the death or imprisonment of Shadow, their lust of revenge forbidding him to change for the good.
His eyes widened, realization hitting him like a wrecking ball destroying a collapsing building. Was Shadow leading GUN away to protect Sonic and Tails?
'Maybe the people in GUN still think Shadow's bad, because they were scared of Eggman's grandfather. Plus with Egghead still causing trouble, it doesn't help at all. I'm gonna need to find out more on what's going on,' Sonic's eyes slid closed, determination raging through his very pure heart. 'Shadow, I'll find a way to save you. I promise!'
"What should we do now, Sonic? If GUN really is after Shadow, then you might not be able to help him get his memories back," Tails cast his worried gaze upward. "I don't think you'll be able to get to the ARK now."
"We can't worry about that right now, Tails. I want to help Shadow before Egghead messes up with him again, but he's a survivor, We'll have to figure something out else. Right now, I've gotta save Chris and Helen before that clown does!" Sonic's slightly sharp and firm but soft tone left no room for an argument, taking a daring leap from the X Tornado to the streets below.
"Sonic, wait!"
"I'll meet with you at the lake! Contact Amy and Knuckles, and fast!" Sonic hollared back, his sneakers slightly squeaking against the pavement with a soft thud, safely landing before his legs became a blur, his legendary speed carrying him towards his next destination.
A reluctant sigh forming, the two-tailed fox cub knew his big brother was right. Shadow was indeed a strong hedgehog, even without his memories. His mind may have not remember, but his body certainly did. Closing his eyes worried for a brief moment, Tails nodded sharply, accelerating his beloved plane an 180 degree left, its speed trailing close behind the fastest blue hedgehog on the planet.
Leaving behind a blue trail in his wake, anderaline coursing through his bones and blood, the freedom to run to his heart's content, Sonic made it to the outskirts of Station Square, the roars of his speed echoing for a brief moment. His mind sharp on finding his human friends, determination never weakening or fading. He had to save Chris and Helen, or else Eggman could put them into great harm and the hero of Mobius would never be able to forgive himself if the Earth-Boy's origins were revealed.
"Hold on, Chris," Sonic whispered, his emerald eyes sharping with deep courage. "We'll save ya'."
Around the same time as the battle in Station Square...
Oblivious to the battle ongoing, their young, innocent minds solely upon their quickening bond of friendship blooming like the newborn flower taking its first life of Spring, Chris and Helen's adventure through the island's forest was quite an experience.
Fern laid across the soil on opposite sides of the path as though this was made for the children, leaves the richest green as far as the eye could see, the illumination of the moonlight conjoined with the faint twinkles of diamonds, a trail, cyan and azure trail of colours of the milkyway flowing like the calm river, it was a sight neither Chris or Helen wanted to forget. The mystic beauty of night made the island more spectacular.
"Whoa...This is so cool!" Chris softly breathed, his eyes sparkling with awe.
"The stars are more beautiful outside of the city," Helen agreed, hands clasped with aura of excitement radiating her soul. "I've always wondered what it would be like to see them without the lights on and outdoors."
"Me too, even with or without a telescope."
The young girl blinked, curious with sympathy etched across her expression, a realization that her new friend may not have experinced anything like this either. "I guess this is a first time for you too, huh?"
"Well, apart from the trip to the Emerald Coast the other day, yeah, pretty much. My parents were all crazy with their own beliefs, but I've always wondered about how far the stars could really be," The twelve year old Thorndyke shrugged, twinge of unease tingling in his eyes. "Let's just say, they and my Grandfather were never parent material."
"Are you a little...jealous at all?" Hesitation crept along in her voice, her gaze lowering.
Startled by the question, Chris lowered his own, caught off-guard by the unexpected yet innocent curiosity. "Well...Maybe a little. But you know, even though I accidentally came here, running away from home was the best choice I ever made. I got to meet Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream and her mother and Cheese, and they've all been so kind to me. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have met any of them, or you, Danny and Frances."
Chuckling slightly, as he gently ascended the wheelchair up a small slope, Chris smiled warmly. "All of you guys are the best things that ever happened to me."
"That's true." Helen beamed, her smile brighter than the moonlight, reflecting within its beam, her giggles sweet and soft as the gentle twines of a harp.
Chris's heart leaped, the joy of his friend's laughter flowing in a beauty of a soft singing. He liked how Helen smiled and laughed, and her personality. She was sweet, kind, caring, adventurous despite the permanent paralyze of her legs since birth, her eyes shone more beautiful than sapphires...
Wait! Did he just mention how her eyes were beautiful within his mind? The urge to blush fought against him, the Earth-Boy felt the sheer embarrassment for thinking that way. He mentally groaned over what Amy told him the other day. 'Ugh, Amy's never going to let me live this down if she founds out about this.'
"The Dark Beckoning...is coming."
"Huh?" The sudden, strangely familiar echo of a voice, chimed in his ears, a rung. A confused gasp escaping him, Chris slowly glance from side to side, blinking yet quick glance at his friend almost immediately told him that she didn't hear a thing.
"Chris? Are you okay? What's wrong?" Helen asked almost immediately, noticing the pause and, casting a gaze over her shoulder, saw her friend's seemingly confused expression.
"I-I'm fine...It's just...I must've been hearing things." Chris apologetically shrugged, shaking his head to ease the ache. Yet his heart raced of the anxiety and fears growing within him.
Why did that voice sound as though he has heard it before? What did it mean by the Dark Beckoning?
Shrugging slightly with a sheepish smile, Chris once more pushed the wheelchair further into the woods, eventually crossing to a clear opening with walls of rock surrounding them, cliffs towering above in a good average of 25 feet high and a side path accessible to trek without needs of climbing. Curiosity building up with more excitement on what they could find, the two friends exchanged questioning smiles with nods of agreement. It was time for another adventure.
"Ready?" Helen asked.
"Let's go!" Chris declared, taking a bit of a run while careful not to trip or fall over, the young girl's chimes of laughter flowing through the air, excitement for their journey as light as the clouds above.
The two ascended higher within about ten minutes, the twelve year old boy slowing to a stop, soft pants puffing out from his burning lungs from the run, slight exhaustion from the walking he did all day, but his time with Helen was all worth it. He and the twelve year old girl shares looks once more, laughter following seconds later. But when their eyes were cast upon the top of the cliff, they both released collective gasps of shock and awe.
There before them were a large meadow of white, pure and beautiful flowers, the tiny buds of blue as far as the eye could see and nearly endless. The illumination of the moonlight shone upon the petals like the silkiest blanket ever created, and a plane of light as though a gateway to the heavens beckoned them. Chris and Helen couldn't believe their luck. They found it! The flowers beyond the latter's wildest dreams!
"Dad was right, Chris," Helen's heart swelled at the adoring sight. She felt like she was in a dream, one she wished she didn't have to wake up from. "They're the prettiest flowers ever!"
Some of the petals drifted through the wind, enchanting the sight into something more magical. Neither one had seen anything like it.
"Wow...! They really are beautiful!" Chris breathed, his eyes widened at the sheer beauty. Even the photos in the Geogrophy books on Earth couldn't even make the cut on just how wonderful real flowers were. He then turned to his friend, his lips thinning into a warm smile. "You want me to pick some for you, Helen?"
To his surprise, she shook her head gently. "Mm-mm. Leave them just as they are. I want to come back someday with my mother and father. That way they'll be just as beautiful."
"Hey, that's a great idea. I like it." He beamed even more, understanding his friend's wishes. The Earth-Boy never felt so happy, Helen's smile illuminated by the combination of the light of the moon and the flowers awakening happiness within her.
Her dreams in seeing the flowers had finally come true, and now they both had stories to share with the rest of their friends and families.
'Family...' The word struck a cord in his chest, the word hanging like a lone object lost in a void. The young Thorndyke's own family would not care, as his parents and grandfather would just chasitise him for what he has been going.
But his friends, Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream and Cheese, and Vanilla...they cared for him so much, giving him what he had always wanted for as long as he could remember. Taking care of him, helping him along the way, and ensuring he would make his own choices for fun and excitement, seeing things Nelson, Lindsey and Chuck always forbid him from accomplishing.
Maybe, just maybe, like how Sonic saw in everyone he came to know and love with all his heart, they could be considered as his family now as well: His real family.
'Even so...I wasn't born on Mobius like everybody else was. Do I even...want to go back to Earth now? I've been here for so long, and everything in this world are a lot more fun than just going to Florida.' Chris thought to himself, unease crippling in his chest.
It was really a hard decision to make...one that he would eventually have to decide on whether to go back or stay.
Shaking away his inner turmoil for now, the moonlight reminding him how long they had been here, Chris turned to his friend once more gently. "It's getting late. We should be getting back home."
"Okay." Helen agreed, deepening gratitude spreading across her features.
Unfortunately, little did they know, hovering near the shores of the island, the E-43 Cager's sensors peered across the lake, optic lenses scanning the coordinance of Chris' whereabouts. The robot's scanners, through the lenses of red, detected the boat hooked on the beach.
"A boat detected. Target: Chris Thorndyke, location on small island 95%. Mission: Capture the boy with amnesia for Dr. Eggman." The robot's monotone echoed, jets igniting once more, metallic feet soon planting upon the sand, crunching against the gravel and tiny traces of dirt.
Now all it had to do was wait for Chris to arrive, and bring him to its master as commanded.
Around good ten minutes found the two children, their coordinance on where they were and how to get back making the trip faster than before, nearing the shores where the boat is. Chris and Helen's excitement of their adventure left them wishing to come back someday, the moon providing cool illumination of light of the uncertain but exciting future.
"Well, I guess our adventure's over, Chris." Helen spoke, her voice soft as the flute gently played.
"Guess so," Chris agreed, his smile warm as the sun itself, his expression shifting to his friend. "Did you have fun, Helen?"
"Sure did!"
"Now all we have to do is wait for Sonic to pick us up, though I think he's already there waiting for us." The young Earth-Boy nodded.
BOOM!
"Huh!?" The two released shocked and startled gasped, nearly jumping out of their skin like a snake shedding its own far too quickly, the ground leaving behind a tremor beneath them in vibrations similar to jet planes taking off.
The dim source of orange glowed in a way of fireworks through the thickness of fern and nature, Chris and Helen exchanging glances, their concerns etched across their faces as they both mentally questioned what was happening. Fear and concern racing a thousand beats in his heart, the young Thorndyke gestured his friend to wait, a promise to be careful following before he hurried along to see what was happening, stealth lingering along in each step, his shoes softly paddering on the ground.
When he reached the shore, seeking refuge behind a tree, Chris aruptedly stopped himself from releasing a scream as the sight before him made him terrified: The boat was gone! Taking its place were nothing more than splinters scattered across the sand, a burnt crater hazed in smoke drifting through the air's coolness.
Along with the strikingly terror of E-43 Cager, its laser cannons being the result of the boat's destruction.
'Eggman...! What does he want this time?' Chris thought, thousands of horrific scenarios playing in his mind. Oh, sweet, lord! What if the evil scientist decided to try and kidnap him this time and lure Sonic out?
How did that crazy mad clown even know he was here? What was he going to do with the twelve year old boy?
Struggling to hold back the urge to whimper, silently praying for Sonic to come save him and Helen-oh, gosh! Helen! She was in grave danger now too!
'I've gotta get back to her, fast!' Guilt raged its way through his chest, boiling as though a volcano was ready to erupt, Chris felt the sting of tears lingering in his eyes. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself.
Chris carefully retreated from his hiding spot, his footsteps hardly even making a faintest sound against the gravel and soil, sneaking back as fast and silently as possible while the massive robot continued to detect its victim, its metal feet crunching against the sand with each step, imprinting the ground as it was.
Finally making it back, Chris hurried over to push a startled Helen who yelped with surprise and confusion back further into the words, her voice lingering with slight fear upon her question. "Chris, what's going on?"
"It's Eggman! He's sent a robot to this island and blew up our boat!" He responded, his voice wheezed slightly with anxiety and urgency.
Helen released a terrified gasp, her sapphire eyes shrinking to the size of marbles. She has heard many terrible stories regarding to the evil scientist Dr. Eggman, who for years made his goal to rule the world, and each time his plans were foiled by the heroics of Sonic and with random times the aid of Tails, Amy and Knuckles.
"But if he's here, he could destroy this island, capture us and ruin all of the flowers!" She half-whispered, her worry sweeping across her expression.
"I know. I'm gonna call Sonic!" He agreed, taking refuge among behind the thickness of bushes, bending to his knees close to his friend. The young Thorndyke quickly reached for his communicator, dialing Sonic's number, sweat bending all over his face.
Helen's hands clasped against each other, her terrified gaze to beyond their hiding spot. 'I just hope Sonic will be able to save us. What does Dr. Eggman really want?'
Thankfully, the call got through, with Sonic's voice coming to life from the other line. "Sonic speaking."
"Sonic! We need help!" The young boy whispered, keeping his voice as low as possible fear etching all over.
"Chris!? What's wrong?" Sonic responded, a frown spreading with concern hinted.
"Helen and I were about to head back to the boat, but then a giant robot that looks like an egg appeared and...I think it's trying to catch us!"
"WHAT!?" Sonic exclaimed, his eyes widened like they were about to burst out of their sockets.
"If there's another robot going after Chris, then that means...!" Tails could be heard faintly, having caught onto the conversation.
Another robot? Wait, that means...Chris' eyes widened, realization colliding like a meteor crashing into the earth. During his and Helen's little adventure, Eggman must've sent in a robot and figured out what was going on, forcing Sonic away to deal with it and sending another to capture the twelve year old boy for whatever reason.
"That bird-bot was a decoy!" The hero of Mobius concluded with frustration and guilt hinted in his tone, confirming the young Thorndyke's fears. "Eggman's after Chris!"
"If Dr. Eggman did that, then why does he want with you? Does he even know where you came from?" Helen whispered, her worries spread among her young being.
"Not sure why he wants to try again, especially when he thinks I have amnesia since I lied to him too." Chris shrugged, fear etching across his features with a desperate look at his communicator once more.
"Just hang tight and stay hidden, I'm on my way!" Sonic instructed, determination racing through his veins.
"Okay...Sonic, please, hurry!" Chris nodded, terrified beyond belief.
"It's gonna be okay, buddy. I won't let him hurt any of you!" The blue hedgehog promised, his emerald eyes comfort and warmth like no other.
The reassurance within the Mobian teen's voice flowed like a blanket gently cocooning a newborn child, soothing as a cough drop to cure a shore throat. The Earth-Boy nodded, before he and Sonic disconnected to ensure E-43 Cager wouldn't listen into the conversation.
"Okay, we just gotta wait until Sonic gets here to stop that robot," Chris whispered, edging closer to his friend with guilt morphing across his face. "Helen...I'm really sorry for putting you in danger like this."
"It's okay, Chris. How are you supposed to know? It's not your fault Dr. Eggman is such an awful person," She reassured, earning a perplexed look in return, causing her to giggle. "It's the fact that you took me here today and making sure we don't get caught is the sweetest thing anybody's ever given me."
"Really?" A slight blush materialized across his cheeks, the faint pink hue warming Chris as though the most beautiful rainbow appeared on the brightest day.
"Really!" She whispered happily.
Chris felt his heart skip a beat, happiness blooming more so than the gorgeous flowers of the island, as well as their friendship being the most wonderful bloom of their entire lives. But the moment was interrupted when the crushing impacts of trees smacking against the soil brought him and his friend out of their conversation, a collective gasp of fright made them both simultaneously whirl their attention beyond their hiding spot.
Quickly ducking further as low as possible, Chris and Helen both peaked through the tiny leaves ever so slightly, trunks of wood toppled over with increasing cloud of smoke emerging around a right turn, the quakes of metal steps getting stronger by the minute.
"Though right now, our only hope is Sonic." Chris murmured, unknowingly reaching across upward while Helen absently copying him...
Their hands interwined with fingers latched upon each other, wishing for support and comfort while providing some at the same time.
'Sonic...' The young Thorndyke struggled against the inner turmoil to whimper, yet his deepening courage, his own desire to keep Helen safe overcame his own safety's priority.
Sonic raced beyond the outskirts of Station Square, his sneakers only lightly touching the ground in his wake, legs becoming a blur of blue, white and red for the increase of needed speed to reach his destination, leaving the trail of blue with the roars of high-pitched screeches combined with the sound barrier being broken to which no mortal could ever survive.
But the hero of Mobius was the true exception, being born with such an incredible ability to run beyond the sonic boom, the trademark of his name. Sonic's heart raced a thousand beats in the matching acceleration as him running, anxiety, concerns and fears threatening to overlap his usual carefree and courageous soul, with only the full moon's illuminating light being his source to navigate his way back towards the lake.
"I can't believe that Egghead pulled a stunt just to get to Chris! Probably to use him as a hostage for the Chaos Emeralds. At least, I hope so," Sonic grunted to himself, the sheer rage boiling as though a teapot was overheated, his emerald eyes slightly darkened of the hatred towards his nemesis. "That's just low, even for a sleezeball like him...!"
Whatever the case may be, other than the mad scientist leering his eggy eyes upon the truth of Chris' origins, providing enough advantage to conquer the whole universe and learn ways of dimensional travel to rub his slimy, omelett hands all over like grease oil ruining the marble counter surface, the hero of Mobius dared not to allow it to come to fruition.
"I'm comin', Chris!" The blue hedgehog whispered, pushing himself to his limit, forcing away the fatigue creeping along for the battle against E-97 Aero-Normous threatening to decrease his stamina, tiny puffs of breath escaping his lips as he ran.
No was no way on this planet Sonic was going to let exhaustion keep him away from reaching his family and friends in need!
Leaping over the railing of the highway, his sneakers touching the ground with a soft thud, Sonic neared his destination while almost unknowingly crashing into a large, purple Mobian Cat with long ears, yellow beady eyes with black stripes and white muzzle and torso, his attire being that of brown gloves, sandles and a belt. He was planted firmly on the ground, fishing, with a small, green frog on his shoulder, briefly startled by the jet-whoosh of the blue hedgehog speeding by.
"Hm?" The Cat slowly blinked, his expression of pure curiosity and confusion when he gazed to his right. "Did you see that, Froggy?"
"Ribbit?" The frog, Froggy, responded.
"Sorry!" Sonic exclaimed apologetically, seeing what happened.
Finally back to the shores, digging his heels into the soil as he screeched to a stop with a small trail of dust created, the fifteen year old gasped with horror upon the sight the plume of smoke ascending to the sky, fading away among the bank of the island. Fear eating away at his heart, he began to turn pale with many terrible scenarios racing along through his mind: Chris and Helen both in the mercy of Eggman's robot, their frightened expressions overcoming them.
What if he was too late? Did Eggman get to his human best friend already? Were Chris and Helen injured?
No! He couldn't think like that. Shaking his head to rid those negative thoughts threatening to overcome his senses, eyes narrowed with the sheer determination coursing like a river bursting through a dam, Sonic backed up a little as he knew while the water was the only barrier between him and his friends, the importance of them mattered so much more than his life-long fears.
"That robot is junk heap!" Sonic grunted, spinning his legs like an empowered super fast tyres, speeding from land across the water, his shoes getting soggy and soaked by its wet, cold(and wet) surface, splashes and walls shot up in the air as he barely touched one of his greatest enemies in his wake.
~V~
"What do you mean E-43 hasn't located that brat yet!?" Eggman bellowed with anger, his frustration increasing upon the news Decoe at last briefed.
As if his day wasn't bad enough with Sonic, Tails and Shadow destroying his Aero-Normous, at first Cager was said to have an idea on where his latest target Chris was, now the other robot was still trying to find the twelve year old boy.
"He wasn't even at the village with that nice family," Decoe nervously shrugged, sweating with fear of his creator's wrath. "E-43 Cager didn't even stop to crash into the house or take them away."
"Oh, for the love of...!" The evil scientist's palm slapped against his head loudly, the pressure of a headache beginning to emerge. "Can't that nickel-plated ninny do anything right!? That hedgehog keeps getting in my way in every chance he gets! Do I have to do everything myself!?"
"Techniqually, you do things by yourself anyway by creating robots to do all of the hard work." Bocoe stated dully.
"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" Eggman snapped, frightening the grey robot who recoiled with a large sweat drop. "I'm already having a bad day as it is and all this is doing is delaying my plans for researching any clues on Shadow's blueprints at the ARK!"
"Why can't we just go without the hassle of bringing that amnesic kid? Surely you don't need him with your plans." Decoe meekly suggested.
"At least not yet," Bocoe nervously added, hiding behind the taller assistant droid, his hardrives cooling to lower temperatures as though getting a chill down his spine. "You can use those plans for a better advantage against Sonic."
"Maybe even make a Shadow robot and pretend the real one is going behind Sonic's back." Decoe agreed immediately.
While Eggman was at his boiling point, thoughts of delivering a cruel, brutal punishment upon those who have failed him, he for once paused and thought more carefully upon the suggestions. A hand brought to his chin, his evil genius mind calculating on his options on how to be rid of Sonic. Perhaps he has thought of this the wrong way: Maybe trying to kidnap a human child and drag him along for a joyride wasn't such a good idea.
Especially when Sonic and the rest of those meddling rodents would catch on and figure this out as well. Not to mention Shadow as well as he was on their side now, even with amnesia himself.
'Wait! Of course...' A large, wicked grin smearing beneath his mustache, the mad doctor chuckled. "Execellent idea! Why didn't I think of that before? Now Sonic's trust in Shadow will be in full complete doubt."
"And what's more, it looks like those GUN army still don't like Shadow, either." Decoe pointed at the monitor, gaining Eggman's attention again.
True to the robot's words, footage of Shadow racing along the buildings, avoiding every single missile from the helicopters and fighter jets was shown with a look of annoyance, frustration and lingering guilt(very well hidden) were shown across the Ultimate Lifeform's expression.
"This couldn't get any better. And even if E-43 fails to capture that brat, I'll use him as a hostage against Sonic for another day," Eggman couldn't believe his luck. While the failure of his original plan was up in smoke, he was man with many more ideas and extremely determined to reach his goals. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Alright boys, time to pack your bags! We're going to the Space Coloney ARK at this moment!"
Oh, how he couldn't wait to see the look of betrayal and devastation on Sonic's face when his new evil wicked trickery comes to full impact on the teenager's life.
~V~
By the time Sonic reached the island, his sneakers grinding a halt against the sand, his heart sank of the sight of a small, burnt crater larger than a car, splinters of wood piled and littered among the ground was once the boat. Dread began to eat away at him from inside out, his throat tightening as thought someone was choking him, squeezing the precious air out. Was he too late? Did Eggman already capture Chris and Helen?
'No! Don't think like that, Sonic! They're okay, they're just hiding...!' Sonic chasitied himself, eyes shut tightly, fists clenched with his fingers pressed against his palms, soft squeaks of the gloves' material barely audiable enough that would make his hands bleed, his teeth gritted with the softness of crunching enough to shatter them.
He was instantly snapped out of his troubling racing thoughts with echoes of high-pitched chorus of screams filling the air in a horrific melody of a musical organ playing its haunting keystrokes through out the air like in an abandoned manor. Sonic softly gasped, his head whirling with his ears perking at the direction of the screams, and to his horror, metal meeting the ground and lasers oblierating anything upon sight.
"HELP! Somebody help!"
"It's Chris!" Sonic exclaimed, taking off in a speed of light faster than a formula one race car, his heart and courage increasing his stamina. "I'm coming, Chris!"
He had to hurry, or else the human kids would be in captivity!
~V~
Run. It was all that was within the thoughts within Chris and Helen, swirling in an endless cycle like a whirlpool beckoning all those who would attempt to brave its deadly might. Despite their best efforts to avoid E-43 Cager's radar, unfortunately a lone bird, its chirp startling the children while having been frightened by the giant robot, caught the machine's attention.
Its orders to capture the boy alive, it soon gave chase after them, with Chris pushing the wheelchair as fast as he could, his lungs pressures being squeezed and weighed heavily like a couple of hot boulders being put into a boiling cauldron, dodging from left to right whatever way possible.
"We've gotta figure out how to get away from that thing!" Chris exclaimed, wheezing through the endless running through the woods, eventually coming through a clearing.
"Ah! Chris, up ahead!" Helen screamed, her voice echoing with horror.
"Wha!?" The twelve year old boy gasped, his eyes widening to near the sizes of plates, forcing himself to dig his heels into the dirt's gravel and dirt upon the sight that spelled their doom.
A cliff with the large body of water below trapping them.
"Oh no...!" Chris murmured, his heart dropping like a stone of fear washing over him and his friend. The two equally spun their heads over their shoulders as the crushing sounds of wood splitting like a monster snapping them as though they were nothing but twigs.
The E-43 Cager's claws grasped the large trunks, the omnious steps creating soft but tremor quakes before it tossed them aside and held them high, its optic sensors shifting with AI focus upon the two human children, with Chris, his heart trembling with fear, thoughts screaming voices like a crowd begging for safety and hopes within his ears, shaken upon the realization of being held as Eggman's prisoner.
'I can't let Eggman's robot get to Helen...! This is all my fault. Why does he want me now? Did he find out that I can sense the Chaos Emeralds just like Sonic could?' Chris knew the situation had become a gamble between the safety of Mobius, Sonic and the others and his own life, and the life and safety of Helen, who stood no chance of getting away on her own, being a gentle, sweet, innocent soul of this world.
The resilence of protecting his friend however remained firm and burning, the promise to return her home once they explored this island of the most beautiful flowers raging through his youth beyond his years. Even if it would be a risk to this new planet, Chris refused to follow in his cruel family's footsteps to let Helen become a victim of Eggman's twice as cruelty, the light of hope for Sonic to rescue him being his only choice.
"Target: Amnesic Child, Located. Resistance is futile," The robot's monotone loomed, the deepening inhumane voice seeping through the tunnels of the eardrums, crawling with terror into the two children's hearts. "You are now under custody of Dr. Eggman."
"What should we do, Chris?" Helen murmured, the fear for her new friend's safety as well as her own flowing far worse than the paralyzing diease robbing her the ability to walk, the loss of Chris threatening to engulf her young spirit.
"I'm sorry, Helen...There's no other way," Chris whispered, tears stinging with hot liquid in his eyes, before his face transformed with pure determination, arms wide as he quickly stood in front of his now shocked friend. "You can take me to Eggman all you want, but only if you leave my friend Helen alone!"
"Chris, no!" The young girl cried out, horrified with the realization shattering her heart like tiny glass shards.
Chris was sacrificing himself for her own safety.
Seemingly accepting the boy's proposal, E-43 Cager raised its claw looming above the Earth-Boy. "Request permitted. Mission Complete."
Yet just as it lowered to grab Chris who with guilt ignored Helen's pleads to leave him alone, a flash of blue near instantly came into their vision, startling the duo who simultaneously gasped with shock across their faces. The blur returned like a laser knife slicing through the giant robot's legs which soon exploded. The loss of stability forced the machine to lose its balance, toppling onto its back, while the blue ball soon returned, materializing into that of Sonic the Hedgehog, who stood proud and tall with a taunting grin at the robot.
"Its Sonic!" Chris cried happily, relief washing over him and Helen like a warm blanket drapped over them for safety and protection.
"Heya, guys," Sonic greeted casually, waving over his shoulder. "Sorry I'm late. You okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine. Thanks, Sonic!" The twelve year old boy replied.
"My pleasure." The cobalt teen winked, collarborated with a thumbs up. "Whaddya say we getcha's home and-Huh!?"
The words nearing completion died on his tongue by the clanking of metal meeting their ears, the hedgehog and the two human children collectively gasping, their gazes shifting back to the robot with mixtures of shock and fear etching on their faces. The E-43 Cager soon stood on its claws which formated into newly replaced feet, tipping its body vertically with its eye vanishing before remerging above the head, the singular eye's leering upon them once more with missiles aimed threateningly upon the trio.
"Priority data upgrading to level 5: Eliminate Sonic the Hedgehog and capture the boy." The robot loomed once more, the lifeless optic lenses scanning upon Sonic and his two terrified friends.
"Sorry, big guy," Sonic grunted sarcastically, arms crossed against his chest. "But My friend's already got an adoptive parent waiting for him, unless you have his birth certificate."
Unfortunately, the lack of space surrounding that limited Sonic's chances to safely guide Chris and Helen to safety and battle against the large robot without great casualties. Concern dancing in the trio's eyes for the risks were far too high.
"Sonic!"
The child-like call from the air shifting fear and concern into relief and surprise across the trio's hearts, Sonic, Chris and Helen all simultaneously glanced at the sky to see the X Tornado soaring through the night's chilling sky, sweeping toward like a power-jet rocket, Tails already locking in on the E-43 Cager.
"Move outta the way! I'll take care of this robot!" Tails instructed, his voice firm and sharp with confidence.
"Okay!" The blue hedgehog grinned, before he scooped up Chris and super-sped him and Helen far left to safety while narrowly avoiding the missiles fired upon them, only soaring through the blue fading trail left behind.
Wasting no time to finish off the robot, the twin-tailed cub opened fired several shots through its metallic body in a way it would look like a swiss cheese, soon engulfed within the explosion, thick cloud of smoke and particles of metal flying everywhere. Sonic did his best to shield his younger friends who all raised their arms shielding their eyes until the gusts of the blast soon dissipated.
"Whoa...man, that was close." Chris sighed, wiping his forehead with relief.
"Sorry I couldn't get here sooner, guys. Egghead had sent another robot to distract us." Sonic apologetically shrugged, guilt rising in his chest.
"It's okay, Sonic. You and Tails saved us, that's what important, right?" The twelve year old boy smiled softly, his blue eyes dancing with forgiveness and deepening gratitude. Relief washed through his heart, knowing that Sonic really did come to save him and Helen in their time in need.
Surprising flickering across his emerald eyes and features, Sonic's smile soon returned and curted a nod. "Right."
Chris' smile widened, only to shift into a confused expression when the soft, gentle touch of a smooth hand caught his attention, his eyes meeting Helen's, the young blonde girl's expression filled with the sunshine of gratitude and guilt.
"I was so worried that you were about to risk your life for me, Chris. I feel awful that you were gonna let Eggman capture you to protect me." The young blone-haired girl murmured, her orbs trickling with tears. If only she had known sooner, none of this would have happened.
"Helen...I didn't want anything bad happen to you," Chris responded, hesitation and nervousness creeping through his eyes, kneeling before his new friend. "I just wanted you to be happy and safe. It's what friends are for, right?"
Once more stunned by the sincere honesty and kindness of the boy she just learned of his origins and known for a week, one who unlike his family he had ran away from to seek a new life filled with freedom, that she sympathized sa they sounded way worse than her horrible, snobby and cruel aunt, the twelve year old girl's smile returned brighter than the sunlight. She responded with a nod, and he returned it, while Sonic watched on with silence, arms crossed with pride and happiness.
'He sure has come a long way since arrivin' here. Chris is growin' up on us.' Sonic thought, feeling very proud of his newest best friend.
It was amazing how a lonely boy who wished for a better life and companionship that were all denied by the strange and twisted superstition of his family had developed into a caring young man full of life and purity in a mere few months. The blue hedgehog couldn't be any happier for the young Earth-Boy.
"C'mon, guys. It's getting late. Let's go home," Sonic gently interrupted, as behind him the X Tornado landed in the softest way Tails possibly could, the breeze gust by the large plane gently flowing into the hedgehog's blue quills and the kids' hairs. He soon developed a grin with a thumbs up. "Me and Tails will give ya's a ride."
"Okay!" Chris and Helen chorused with agreement.
It was a bit of a struggle to haul Helen's Wheelchair, but Sonic volunteered to hold it until they reached the former's house, while the young girl felt the wave of excitement flow, the experience of riding in the X Tornado being another amazing adventure she never thought she would have. With all of them now ready to take off, Chris being behind Tails who lifted the plane upward, the four friends took off into the sea of stars once more.
Helen's attention soon caught a familiar sight, a delighted gasp escaping her lips as she peered through the window. "Chris, look! The Flowers!"
"Huh?" Chris blinked, turning to where his friend was looking at, his eyes, as well as Sonic and Tails' who were brought out of their brief focus, all widening with awe at the large field below them, the majestic beauty captivating their hearts and souls with wonder.
"Whoa! Those flowers look amazing!" Tails breathed, his eyes sparkling.
"Yeah. They sure are beautiful." Sonic agreed, his smile widening across his muzzle. Now he understood why Helen wanted to come here so much.
As the island soon became smaller through the group's point of view making their way home, their sights of another adventure coming to a close, one thought soon lingered in the cobalt teen's mind, concern flowing through his benevolent soul once more with memories of Shadow's escape from GUN returning like a meteor crashing upon the earth's soil.
The seed of unease filling his stomach nearly consumed Sonic with so many questions making him uncertain what was happening.
Just why did GUN want the fifteen year old to stay away from the Ultimate Lifefrom, even when they both teamed up to save the world?
A/N: Finally! After a whole year and two months of unwilling hiatus with this story, a new chapter has arrived! I am deeply sorry for the massive long wait for the updates, things have been crazy with the process of escaping the writer's block for this chapter being slow.
While I am uncertain when I'll update this again, I can assure you that this story has not been abandoned and I am going to complete it! Also, sorry that the ending of the chapter wasn't to everyone's expectations, but I have decided to extend it to make up for the lateness and don't worry, I have some ideas on what's going on with GUN and Shadow. Until then, I'll try and get started on the next chapter asap.
See you later!
