G.U.N. HQ
(Third-Person POV)
Meanwhile, at the Wachowski house, Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles, still tied up, arrived via Ring Portal*
Sonic: Tom, Maddie, we need your help on a super - *he realized he wasn't facing them* Knuckles, do mind?
Knuckles: Oh, excuse me.
He turned Sonic towards them*
Sonic: Tom, Maddie, we need your help on a super dangerous top-secret mission. Oh, and Ayla's been kidnapped.
Tom & Maddie, who was wearing a crocheted sweater & an apron, looked at each other & then stood up*
Tom: Thank God.
Maddie: Let's go.
Tails: Really? You're in? Just like that?
Tom: Yeah.
Maddie: It was getting so boring without you guys here. *to Tom* No offense.
Tom: So . . . Boring. No, none taken. I mean, whatever crazy plan you're cooking up, we're in.
Maddie: Yeah.
Sonic: Great. But first things first, *he pointed to a puppet version of Tom on the floor next to the couch* what is that?
Tom: Oh, this is Little Tom. Isn't he great?
Team Sonic & Maddie gave him disturbed looks*
Maddie: I told you to get rid of that. It's very creepy.
Little Tom (Tom): I told him to get rid of you.
Tom: Okay, that's . . . crossing the line.
Maddie: You are in so much trouble.
They cleared the table. Knuckles put on a hat Tom had knit & ate some bread Maddie had baked*
Tails: Synergy, create a holographic map of G.U.N. HQ. *a holographic image of two tall red buildings appeared in the middle of a blue area* Okay, this is it. The belly of the beast. G.U.N. Headquarters in London.
Maddie: Tom, we're finally gonna get to see London together.
Tom: Hey, I told you we can get there someday, baby.
Sonic: Okay, so here's the plan. *a mini hologram of himself appeared* I run in super-fast, fly over the water, no problem, and right when I get to the - *his mini hologram disappeared once it hit the shield around G.U.N. Headquarters, leaving only his shoes* Ah! What just happened?
Tails: Congratulations. You just got incinerated by their energy shield. *Synergy appeared in mini size & removed the roof of one of two buildings* We'll need to shut it down by planting a USB drive in the server room that will give me full control over it. *he turned to Tom & Maddie* That's what we need you two for.
Tom: Badass wise, that's what we are.
Maddie: Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
They did a fist-bump*
Tails: Once we disable the shields, we'll face the laser hall. These high-density bad boys will cut you into tiny pieces. And cut those pieces into even tinier pieces.
Synergy used a mini hologram of Sonic to demonstrate all that*
Sonic: Once again . . . Ah! Can't we just get Tom Cruise to do this?
Tails: Nope. Because not even he can break into the vault.
Synergy zoomed in on the vault door, but there was nothing on the other side of it*
Sonic: Why is it empty in there?
Tails: Because we have no idea what's on the other side of that door. *Synergy zoomed out of the vault* To prevent the hall from ever being accessed by a Ring, all images and schematics are wiped from G.U.N.'s database. So, for the last leg of the heist . . .
Little Tom appeared, wearing sunglasses*
Little Tom (Tom): We're going in blind.
Maddie glared at Tom*
Tom: Sorry.
Sonic: But what about Ayla? How are we gonna rescue her from Shadow?
Tails: I don't know. But I'm sure she'll be okay. I'm also sure she'll break free on her own and catch up with us. After all, we all know she can take care of herself.
Tom: Oh, believe me. We know.
Everyone nodded in agreement*
Sonic: Okay, you have a point.
Tails pressed a button on his watch & Synergy appeared*
Tails: Synergy, I need you to relay our plan to Ayla. That way, she'll be up to speed when she catches up to us.
Synergy: Understood.
Maddie: Okay, I'm just gonna say it. It sounds like the plan will go a lot better if Sonic used the Master Emerald *she made the mini hologram of Sonic go to the Master Emerald, & turn into Super Sonic* to go Golden God mode to get the key.
Sonic: No way, Maddie. The Master Emerald is too powerful to ever use again. We made a promise to each to keep it hidden.
Tails: In a location only Knuckles knows.
Knuckles: As Guardian of the Master Emerald, anyone who tries to take it away for any reason will be a sworn enemy.
Maddie: Okay, okay, sheesh. No need to get all growly on me, buddy.
Sonic: You guys are always telling us to make good choices. Well, this is the right one.
Tom: Okay, I guess we're going to . . .
(Ayla's POV)
Me, still handcuffed, Shadow, him holding on to me, Stone, & Gerald all stood around a manhole in a back alley in London (another city I had wanted to visit under better circumstances. Ever since I saw the Harry Potter movies). Eggman rose out of the manhole & did a dramatic pose*
Dr. Robotnik: London, baby!
I rolled my eyes. What a drama queen*
Shadow: G.U.N. Headquarters is right there. Let me go in, get the key, and destroy anyone in my way. I wan revenge!
Ayla: Shadow . . .
Professor Gerald: Patience, Shadow. Just let us handle this. And I promise you'll have revenge on a scale you couldn't possibly imagine.
Dr. Robotnik: Come on, Grandaddy-o. We've got dirt to do. *he turned to Stone* Suits.
Agent Stone: Right here, sir.
He opened a suitcase that revealed red & black spandex suits. I grimaced*
Ayla: You guys are seriously going to wear those in front of people?
Dr. Robotnik: These are top of the line tech suits equipped with the best in hacking technology. As for the style, you wouldn't get it anyway.
Ayla: I don't think anyone would.
Dr. Robotnik: Says you. *he turned to Stone* Stone, babysit the two hedgehogs. Keep the crab on a low boil. *he took the suitcase & looked at the Professor* It's time for more family bonding.
He raised his hand for a high-five, but the Professor just walked away. He followed after him. Stone started to go down into the manhole*
Agent Stone: Come on, Shadow. Ayla. Got fresh avocados in the crab. We'll make guac.
He disappeared into the sewers*
Shadow: Revenge guac.
I gave him a weird look at that. As we went inside the Crab, I felt my watch buzz. It meant Synergy was trying to contact me covertly*
Ayla: Uh . . . Hey, Stone. Does this thing have a restroom? I really have to . . . You know.
Stone understood & nodded*
Stone: Over there.
He pointed to a door*
Ayla: But first . . . *I held up my handcuffed wrists* Do you mind?
Agent Stone: Oh.
He unlocked the cuffs & I went inside. I brought my wrist to my lips*
Ayla*whispering* Synergy, what's up? And whatever it is, make it quick. I'm pretty sure one of them is waiting for me outside the door.
Synergy*whispering*Alright. Tails has a plan. *she quickly explained Tails plan to me* So, just wait for Tails' signal and then you can make your escape.
Ayla*whispering* Alright. Thanks. *I flushed the toilet & turned on the sink to make it look like I had just used it. I left the room & Shadow, to no one's surprise, was waiting for me outside. he quickly put the handcuffs back on me*out loud* What? A girl can't do her business in peace? Geeze.
Shadow didn't say anything*
Note: Tom and Maddie use Synergy to create their holographic disguises. And the code they use to activate this is "Show Time, Synergy." To turn them off, they saw "Show's Over, Synergy."
A few hours later, I was sitting with Shadow & Stone, watching "La Ultima Passion." While, they were distracted, I started picking at the handcuffs with a hair clip I had in my pocket*
Announcer:And now back to La Ultima Passion.
On the screen, Gabriella pulled out two crossbows. She handed the biggest one to Pedro & the smallest one to Juan*
Gabriella: La Ultima Passion can only belong . . . To one.
Juan: No. It can only belong to Juan.
Shadow: Gabriella should kill them both; she's not a prize to be won.
Ayla: Okay, I agree with you on the prize part, but if you ask me, they both should just dump her. She's obviously playing them both for chumps. I wouldn't even be surprised if there was a third guy in all this.
Agent Stone: Kill this. Murder that. You need to lighten up. We're about to rule the world.
Shadow: When we're done, there won't be anything left to rule.
Agent Stone: This is dark . . . Even for you. What are you and the Professor up to?
I had a feeling of what they were up to. But I wasn't a hundred percent sure. Just the thought of it made me queasy. Suddenly, Tails' face appeared on the screen. I smirked, knowing that was the signal*
Tails: Cheerio. I guess someone forgot to flush.
He pressed a button on his laptop. Just then, everything started to shake. I finally got free from my handcuffs & ran to the exit. I was halfway out when Stone & Shadow noticed me. I gave them a smirk & a finger salute*
Ayla: Adios, amigos.
I got out just as a wave of sewer water washed away the Crab. I thought I could hear Stone screaming*
As soon as I made it above ground, I got out my board & made my way through towards the coordinates Tails has sent me through my watch. Just then, I heard something behind me & looked over my shoulder to see Shadow chasing me. I turned on the mini-rockets on my hoverboard & sped up as I made my way to the roof. I quickly hid behind a chimney as Shadow appeared. He looked around for me*
Shadow: Running away and hiding are useless. You cannot escape me.
Ayla*in her mind* He's right. I've got to find a way to loose him.*just then, I got an idea*That's it!*I brought up my watch*out loud/whispering* Synergy, I need you to create a hologram of me and have it lead Shadow in the opposite direction.
Synergy: As you wish.
I peaked my watch around the side of the chimney & a holographic image of me appeared on the other side of the roof*
Hologram Ayla: Hey, Stripes! *Shadow turned to the Holographic me, who made the "follow me" motion with her finger* Catch me if you can!
She took off on her holographic hoverboard & Shadow followed after it with growl. I giggled & headed off towards G.U.N. HQ*
(Third-Person POV)
Shadow chased after the fake Ayla across the rooftops. She led him halfway across the city, weaving through chimneys & TV antennas. At one point a bunch of kids who were bird watching on one of the roofs spotted them & started cheering. Eventually, they took the chase to the streets, weaving past cars & people. Eventually, Shadow had had enough & teleported himself in front of the fake Ayla in front of Big Ben & pinned her to the ground*
Shadow: I told you. Running away from me is useless. *just then, the holographic Ayla smirked up at him & disappeared, leaving him shocked. but his shock quickly turned to anger* Why that little - !
(Ayla's POV)
I made it into the building, disguised as a Patrol Soldier (look up "G.U.N. soldiers" by "Karlik044" on "Deviantart"), & began looking for the others. I hid behind corners whenever I saw someone coming down the hallways. I turned another corner & stopped when I saw Commander Walters. I hid behind the corner. Just then, he brought his watch up to his mouth*
Commander Walters: Shows over, Synergy.
He turned back into Tom. My eyes went wide, but then I smiled*
Ayla*in her mind* Very clever, guys.
Tom: Guys, guys, I got the key! I repeat, I got the key! Now let's get out of here! Showtime, Synergy.
He turned back into Commander Walters. Suddenly, Shadow came crashing through the ceiling. He saw Tom & glared at him*
Shadow: Commander Walters.
At that moment, my body started moving on it's own as I dropped my disguise. I ran towards them, hopefully to protect Tom from him*
Tom: No, no, no! Wait!
Shadow disappeared & then reappeared in front of Tom, his fist raised & sparking red*
Ayla: NOOOO!
I jumped in in-between both of them, Shadow's fist inches away from Tom. Shadow's eyes went wide as his fist collided with my left cheek. My body hit Tom. I bounced off his chest & hit the window, causing it to crack. I felt a pain in my right cheek as my body hit the ground. Then everything went black*
(Third-Person POV)
Tom dropped the key as he hit the floor. Shadow picked it up & looked at Ayla, who was unconscious next to Commander Walters, with a fresh deep cross shaped cut on her right cheek (look up "Ayla's Scar (Paramount)" by "SwanGirl24" on "Deviantart")*
Shadow*in his mind* Why did she . . . I thought . . .*just then, Commander Walters' face turned back into Tom's*out loud* What?
Just then, Sonic appeared behind him*
Sonic: Tom! Everyone's clear. Come on, let's go! *he turned & saw Shadow* You. What are you - *just then, he saw Tom & Ayla unconscious behind him* Tom! Ayla! *he ran to his sister & Foster Dad, leaning over their bodies* Tom. Ayla. What happened? Speak to me, come on. Come on, come on, it's gonna be okay. Please. Please, please get up. Come on, please wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up! Come on! Wake up, wake up, wake up!
As Shadow watched Sonic leaning over his sister's body, he saw himself the day Maria died*
(Flashback - 50 years ago)
Shadow: Maria.
(Present Time)
Sonic turned to him with a glare*
Sonic: What did you do?
Shadow looked at the key in his hand*
Shadow: What I had to.
He teleported away just as Maddie appeared*
Maddie: Oh my God, Tom! Ayla!
Knuckles & Tails appeared behind her & they all gathered around Tom & Ayla*
Later, Tom was on a gurney, being rolled into an ambulance. Maddie had Ayla in her arms, wrapped in a blanket & a bandage on her right cheek as she got into ambulance with Tom. She looked back at the boys, giving them a look that said it wasn't their fault as the doors closed and the ambulance drove away*
Tails: It'll be okay, Sonic?
Sonic: "It'll be okay?" Tom's fighting for his life, my sister's hurt, and you think it'll be okay?
Knuckles: The fix is simply trying to comfort you.
Sonic: Comfort's not what I need right now. I need to stop them by any means necessary.
Tails: Wait, you don't mean . . .
Sonic: The Master Emerald.
Knuckles: The Emerald must never be wielded for vengeance. Not ever. We swore a sacred oath.
Sonic: Don't talk to me about oaths. Not now.
Tails: But you told Tom using the Emerald wasn't the right choice.
Sonic: Well, now it's the only choice. And if neither of you gave the guts to help me, then I'll do it alone.
Tails: But I thought the four of us were a team! I thought that's what made us special.
Sonic ignored him*
Sonic: I'm not asking you twice, Knuckles. *his fists & quills started to spark blue* Where is the Master Emerald!?
Knuckles' fists started to spark red*
Knuckles: Your heart is being consumed by anger, hedgehog. You are in no condition to make decisions right now.
Tails: I know you're upset about Tom and Ayla. We all are.
Sonic ignored him again*
Sonic: Last chance. Where . . . *his eyes started to blue blue* IS IT!?
Knuckles: Don't do this. *his eyes started to glow red. the two of them glared at each other until Knuckles calmed down* Part of our oath is to trust each other, and I must abide by that promise, even if you have chosen to break it. But heed this warning. The Master Emerald is guarded by a fearsome warrior, and to seize this ultimate power, you'll have to go through him.
Turned out the "fearsome warrior" was Wade. And Sonic easily took the Emerald from him, using it to turn into Super Sonic*