The elevator proceeded downward as its three occupants waited patiently. They were Sonic The Hedgehog and Michelle "Tails" Prower along with their friend, Chris Thorndike. Chris had come to their new quarters in the White House, to fetch them for a surprise. Sonic didn't care too much for surprises but he had a guess as to what it could be. Considering Chris wasn't exactly easy at hiding his excitement.
Tails on the other hand was curious as to what it could be. They had gone into the DC GUN base as they were making their way down to a lower level. Yet what it could be, Tails was a bit stumped. Then again, she wasn't exactly the best of sorts. Having terrible nightmares due to her encounter with the dark aura from the comet. It still haunted her but she just found herself being unable to fully relax, even found herself to be a tad jumpy at times. She needed a vacation and as soon as they... Tails stopped as the wall to the elevator opened up into a large underground hangar of some kind. Yet in the middle of this was a large device with a circular frame in the middle ready for someone to step inside it, or through it.
"Is that what I think it is?" Sonic asked, finally tired of pretending. Not to mention it seemed he was trying to be a bit more social. Tails could appreciate that. Though she was still curious, now she was starting to understand what their surprise actually was.
"That's right!" Chris said enthusiastically, "We found Robotnik's original portal device. We can use that baby to send you back to your world!"
"Really?" Tails asked as the elevator began to slow as it reached the bottom, "That's incredible!"
She was already picturing it. Going home. It seemed like forever since they were home but it was finally going to become a reality.
"Soon as I get home," Tails said in her excitement, "I'm going to have a chat with the Princess about taking some time off. Then maybe go home and finally be able to relax in my own bed! What about you Sonic?"
Tails turned her attention to Sonic but he just put his hands on his hips slightly.
"You already know my first stop."
That caused Tails to nod. She knew exactly where Sonic had been dying to go. The cave with the mural of a blue hedgehog surrounded by the 7 Chaos Emeralds. Sonic had the Chaos Emeralds and with Robotnik locked up in this world, there wasn't anything to stop Sonic from finding out the truth behind his appearance.
"I'd like to be there, for it," Tails said softly and Sonic nodded.
"I'd like that," Sonic replied as the two of them shared a smile. Perhaps this was more than just a smile as Tails could feel that sensation building up in her. But then the elevator stopped as the gate opened for them to step out.
Sonic then followed Chris out of the elevator and Tails was wondering if he had felt it too... but there was time to think on that later. Chris walked up to one of the scientists there.
"This is Snively Stone," Chris said, indicating the man, "He's the primary engineer we have working on this project. So, ready to send our friends home?"
Stone looked at them, "I assume you brought the item I required? It won't work without it."
Sonic and Tails looked to each other then to Chris.
"What item?" Tails asked Chris. Chris just chuckled as he pointed to the green backpack Sonic had on him.
"He needs a Chaos Emerald," Chris explained, "The device requires a lot of energy that we just can't supply it, without causing a major Blackout."
"And you couldn't just relocate?" Sonic asked as he could understand why a major Blackout in the capital city would be a bad thing, but he didn't want to leave any of them behind. Chris seemed to understand his problem.
"Don't worry Sonic," Chris said as he glanced at Stone, "You can explain it to him best."
Sonic turned to him.
"It's really quite simple," Stone said, "I only need to harness the emerald's power to activate the portal itself. Once it's stabilized you can take the emerald back with you."
"Guess that means it's a one-way trip, huh?" Tails asked.
"I'm afraid so," Chris said before leaning over and giving the two of them a hug. Sonic may have been annoyed but he didn't do anything. Tails, however, returned the hug with a smile.
"I'm happy to have met you two," Sam said, "Have a safe trip home."
He finished the hug before taking a step back. Sonic nods as he reaches into his backpack and pulls out the Green Chaos Emerald. Handing it over to Stone. Stone accepts it and walks over to the machine as he places it into a slot.
"Here we go," He said, pulling a lever on the device. Tails and Sonic looked as some kind of energy began to materialize in the center ring. Tails was ecstatic as she watched it start to grow. Only for it to stop as suddenly sparks began to fly off the machine before suddenly shutting down completely.
"What happened?" Tails asked, looking over at Stone as he was already looking over it. He frowned as he flipped the switch back up.
"Seems we haven't fixed it yet," He said as he walked back over to the others, "The Emerald overloaded the systems, may have fried a few components. But those can be fixed as well."
Sonic wasn't sure about that.
"Why would it do that?" Sonic asked, "He's used the Chaos Emeralds before with it."
Stone thought about it.
"Well, when we found it, it was in major disrepair," Stone said, "Most likely it's just not as stable as I would have hoped. Then there's also another possibility."
"And that is?" Sonic asked, growing a bit impatient.
"The Emeralds Stability," Stone replied, "Since regaining it, I believe they may be putting out more than before and thus Robotnik's design may simply not be enough to handle it."
"So, you can't send us home then?" Sonic asked.
"Currently no," Stone said, "But rest assured I will get this machine working. Of course, I may need access to your emeralds."
"Emeralds?" Sonic asked, noticing he used the plural sense of the word.
"Yes," Stone said, "While I'm sure I'll only need one. I have a theory about the emeralds as they tend to be more harmonious when together as opposed to being apart. It could help with stability. Or it could require more than one for all I know. Rest assured you can leave them with Chris or anyone you trust. You can even stay here if you like."
Sonic takes off his bag and just looks at it. Tails looked at him as she wondered what was going through his head. The last time he left the Emeralds in someone else's care...
Suddenly, Tails found herself back aboard the black comet. Staring at the darkened expression on Sonic's face. He didn't care about anything but getting back those Emeralds no matter what stood in his way. That look scared her as she took an involuntary step back.
"No no," Tails shouted in fear covering her head. Sonic looked over to her for she hadn't left the underground hanger.
"Tails..." He said taking a step towards her and holding her, "It's ok Tails."
He held her as the memory slowly began to fade from her mind. She just felt safe in his arms, even if seeing that other Sonic being the source of her torment. Finally, she nods to him that she was back in control.
"Is she alright?" Stone asked. Chris was worried as well as he had heard what had happened.
"She's fine," Sonic said before tossing his backpack at Stone's feet, "Here, I won't be needing those for now. Tails and I should be relaxing anyway."
"A change of scenery would be nice," Chris mused as he thought of something, "In fact, I know just the place."
Chris reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Quickly looked something up before showing the screen to Sonic and Tails. On it was an image of a beautiful town decorated with various sun and fire images. "The Kingdom of Soleanna is about to have its annual Festival of the Sun. I was actually there last year; beautiful country. Could be just what you guys need."
Sonic looked at it. It seemed fine to him. But he looked at Tails. Tails looked at it, and it did look beautiful, with just the picture alone. And it'd be nice to get away, even if they were still technically away.
"Sounds like a good idea," Tails said.
A cloaked individual made its way through the snow-covered area. He walked slowly but without a rush to not gather too much attention. But no one was around to take much notice. Soon, he arrived at a small shack out in the middle of the place. It was somewhat camouflaged with all the snow and white that it was painted with. The cloaked figure walked into this place and looked around at its two occupants. One, a Mobian bat by the name of Rouge, the other, an android mech named Omega. The figure removed his hood to reveal he was none other than Shadow the Hedgehog.
"So, what did you find out?" Shadow asked, glancing over to Rouge who seemed to be cooking something on the gas-lit stove.
"This is definitely the place," Rouge said, stirring the pot as Shadow shed his cloak and hung it up before walking over to the table, "Still a lot of information I wasn't able to get, as it's all hush-hush. But the shard is definitely here."
Shadow nods as he has a seat not bothering to try and warm up by the fire. He just didn't care. Rouge noticed and rolled her eyes.
"Come come now Shadow," Rouge said, "Can't exact your ultimate revenge if you catch pneumonia."
Shadow just looks at her but he may have slid a tad closer to the fire. Rouge smirked as she noticed it.
"Anyways, food's almost done," Rouge said. She'd preferred a more elegant meal but none of them were exactly supposed to be there. Shadow was supposed to be asleep in a cryogenic pod while Omega was supposed to be powered down in that same room. Rouge, herself, had put in for some vacation days, saying she was off to Tahiti for a relaxing getaway. Instead, she was here, helping a known fugitive. If she wasn't so interested in what Shadow had told them she may have just turned them in some time ago.
"You get a clue as to where we can search next?" Shadow asked, causing Rouge to nod.
"I have," She said, "But I'm not telling you until we've eaten." She knew he'd just want to head straight over there, and Rouge did somewhat worry about Shadow. She knew it must have been hard for him, she had read the files after all. Perhaps she could get him to change his mind about what he had planned? But she wasn't sure about that.
"Fine," Shadow said he was getting a little annoyed. Despite the fact, that he didn't want to stop he knew that even his body had its limits. So, he waited, allowing Rouge to finish her cooking before she served their meals. Soup as it were.
Shadow waited for it to cool before trying some.
"This tastes terrible," Shadow remarked and Rouge looked aghast!
"That's no way to talk about a lady's cooking!"
Granted she was just teasing him. She wasn't exactly a cook, only knowing a little bit about field rations. So, she knew that it would be sustainable, even if it may not taste as good.
Shadow just grunts at the terrible joke but goes back to eating. Rouge chuckles lightly before trying some herself. It indeed wasn't that good.
"Needs some salt," Rouge remarked, getting up and taking some salt and putting some more in it. She glanced at Shadow to offer him some but he didn't take any. So, she shrugged as she put it away before getting back to her meal. Now it was a bit less terrible.
The two ate in silence. Neither having much to say. It was a bit of an interesting story since Rouge had found Shadow's cryogenic pod's location. Not that she had been looking for it. But since then, they've reprogrammed Omega to make sure he followed Shadow, though he seemed to have a hatred towards his actual creator anyway, so that was a happy little bonus. Then Shadow told them about the Jeweled Scepter and it was an interesting tale, to say the least. Rouge doubted he told them everything but that was fine for her. Perhaps she'd be able to get him to loosen up. Still, this was the first part of Shadow's plan, as he needed something in particular. A shard of great value. From what Shadow knew, it was rumored to be the City of Water but its exact location was unknown.
"So, where was it, again?"
Rouge looked up to see Shadow had finished his bowl. She chuckled lightly.
"Please, let me finish," Rouge said with a slight smile, knowing Shadow was getting annoyed with her, but he waited as Rouge finished her meal. Finally, she picked up both bowls and brought them to the sink. Before turning back around.
"We're heading to the old Castle Ruins," Rouge said, "Seems something may have happened there which may have been involved."
Shadow nods as he stands up, "Let's get a move on then," Before turning to Omega, "You're coming with us."
"Affirmative," Omega said as he followed Shadow out the door. Rouge only shakes her head. Before following them.