Author's Note: Glad I'm back. Now, before we begin, I'd like to address a few comments I've been getting lately about updating this story. First, I'd like to apologize for making you wait. And secondly, I will never forget this fanfic. The fact that you all love it keeps me hopeful for its future. But you got to understand that I have many other fanfics to work on and I can only do so many at a time. I'm doing the best I can, but as long as you all keep supporting me, I'll never forsake this fanfic.
Now, I'd like to also make an announcement. A short while ago, I've been conversing with a friend of mine and they convinced me to make another Kipo crossover. It would be another retelling of the series, but instead of Sonic characters, it would be with DC characters. I don't know when I'll start it, but I do like the concept of the idea and I'm looking forward to writing it.
The song featured here is a parody of "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast.
Thank you for your support. Enjoy the chapter. Any and all comments are welcome.
"YOU BRAIN-DEAD EGGHEADS!" Scarlemagne yelled at the Billions brothers who just gave their report to him. "I gave you wolves one task! ONE! And not only did you lose the telescope, you lost the Chaos Emerald that I lent you to power it!
"We're sorry, Scarlemange sir!" Bad Billions pleaded.
"We just had no idea…" Good Billions defended.
"Idiots!" Scarlemagne shouted. "Gerard, get them out of my sight! Lemieux, get me my radio! I'm calling the Hooligans!"
The apes did their work. The Billions were escorted out while Scarlemagne was giving his radio. He tuned it to the right dial and awaited. The call was answered and the first thing that Scarlemagne heard was Bean's voice.
"Ooh. Let me speak to him. Let me speak to him."
"No, Bean!" Fang's voice said unaware that the radio was on. "I can't risk you messing things up."
"But I want to say something to him." Bean begged. "It's important."
"No! Look, this contract we have with Scarlemagne is very important! We can't have him know that we failed to capture the burrow girl and the hedgehog kids twice."
Finally, Scarlemagne had enough and finally spoke. "If I were there, I'd kick you all where you do your thinking and sitting."
"WAH! Scarlemagne!" Fang said nervously. "I know how this sounds, but don't worry. We're hot on their trail."
"Now, can I talk to him? Please, please?"
"No!"
"It sounds to me like the only thing that's hot is the air inside your head!" Scarlemagne called out. "Every minute you fail your job, the burrow girl and the hedgehogs continue to cripple my branches. You better have them for me by the end of the week or I'll be making coats out of a weasel, a duck, and a polar bear!"
Fang's loud gulp was heard on the radio. "Loud and clear, sir. Don't worry. They won't escape us again."
"It better not." Scarlemagne said threateningly.
"Now, can I talk to him?" Bean begged. "Please! Please! Please! Please! Ple…"
"FINE! If it'll get you to shut up!" Fang cried out. "Just say what you think is so important."
Scarlegmagne stood by hearing the radio get passed to Bean. "Hi, Mr. Scarlemagne, sir. Bean here. I just got one thing to say… Hi."
"Okay! That's enough!" Fang yelled before hanging up.
Scarlemagne sighed while pinching the space between his eyes. "I bet I could throw a rock in this city and come up with smarter minions."
After saying their farewells to Knuckles and leaving Angel Island, Kipo Underground wasted no time trying to get to the billboard that she saw. They made it and got a very close look at the number written in purple all over it.
"3.262." Sonic read. "What kind of message is that? Couldn't it be an arrow and show us where they are?"
"Duh. Then, anyone can read it." Kipo said. "But this is a message from my dad."
"Which was also left by our mom." Sonia said. "Does this mean they know each other?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out." Benson said. "By the way, what does 3.262 mean?"
"That's a parsec." Kipo said earning the confused looks of everyone around her. "It's an astronomical unit. It's also my dad's favorite number."
"That must be some unit." Manic said.
"Well, it's mostly because that's when I was born. March 26th at 2 a.m."
Suddenly, all the hedgehogs widened their eyes. "Wait. Back the chili dog truck up." Sonic said. "Did you say your birthday was on March 26th?"
"Yeah. Why?" Kipo asked.
"'Cause that's my birthday too." Sonic said.
"And mine." Sonia said.
"Would that mean that it's my birthday too?" Manic asked.
"Whoa!" Dave gasped. "You're telling me all four of you share the same birthday?"
"Wow. This destiny thing continues to blow my mind." Kipo said happily.
Sonia suddenly gasped. "I just remembered. March 26th is today!"
"Be serious, sis!" Sonic said.
"I am. I guess with all the excitement going on, we must have lost track of time."
"So today, of all days, happens to be our birthday that all four of us share?" Manic asked. "What are the odds of that?"
"This is huge!" Benson said. "The four of you are turning thirteen on this very day! We gotta celebrate!"
"Wish I could, but I gotta figure out this message." Kipo said pointing at the number.
Suddenly, Wolf swung her Deathstalker tail at the billboard. She intentionally aimed for it to slash the number into pieces.
"What was that for?" Sonic asked.
"Now, we're the only ones who know about this number." Wolf said.
"Ever heard of overkill?" Dave asked.
As the day raced by, the gang stayed at the billboard just sitting around. Kipo kept staring at the remains of the parsec number trying to rack her brain around its meaning. She grabbed a pair of chalk and wrote down some math on the billboard.
"Just one is nineteen trillion miles. Ugh, maybe that's how far away my people are."
"Kipo, you've been at this for hours." Benson said. "Look, sometimes, Dave, Manic, and I do crossword puzzles. And whenever we're stumped, we just put the puzzle down and take a break."
"Yeah. Then, the answer presents itself." Dave said.
"That's how I found out the plastic thing at the end of a shoelace is called an aglet." Manic said. "Look, it's my thirteenth birthday, which is a pretty big birthday. I don't want to spend it staring at a torn-up billboard doing math."
"I actually agree with Manic." Sonia said. "I remember during my birthdays when Lady Windermere would host beautiful balls for me. Of course, she had no make sure not to invite any of Scarlemagne's allies or else I'd be discovered."
"That sounds pretty nice, Sonia." Kipo said. "What about you, Sonic? How'd you celebrate your birthdays?"
"Well, Uncle Chuck mostly had simple plans for my birthdays. He'd sneak into a bakery, swipe a cake, and get back here without any predators catching him. It's no fancy party, but I loved it. Of course, last year, I had to celebrate without him since we just separated."
"Sorry to hear that." Kipo said. "Hey, Wolf. How'd you celebrate your birthday?"
"I didn't. I don't know my birthday."
"What?" Tails asked. "Everyone knows their birthday. Mine's October 6th."
"Well, I'm not one of those 'everyone'."
"Really?" Kipo asked. "The wolves you raised you never told you…" She shut up right as Wolf glared at her. "Oh, right. You don't talk about that. Tell you what. You can celebrate your birthday the
same day as me and the hedgehogs."
"Five birthdays at once, huh?" Sonic asked. "That's gonna be awesome."
"You never forget special birthdays." Manic said. "Take me for example. I'll never forget my tenth birthday."
Suddenly, Benson's eyes opened wide and his face lit up. "That's it! Hey, Manic, wanna celebrate your thirteenth birthday like you celebrated your tenth?"
"You don't mean…" Manic said hopefully.
"Oh, I mean." Dave said. "Dave, Mandu, Tails, how about you keep Wolf company while I take Kipo and the hedgehogs somewhere?"
"What?" Wolf asked. "You're leaving me with three mutes?"
"Trust me. It's best." Manic said.
"Hey, while we're out, maybe we can search for birthday presents." Sonic suggested.
"Presents?" Wolf asked.
"Yeah. They're the best part about birthdays." Kipo said. "Just so you know, I like things that are purple… and board games. Oh, and here." Kipo tossed her bag into Wolf's. "That's where the Chaos Emerald is. Try not to lose it. Bye."
And just like that, Benson, Kipo, and the hedgehogs turned to remove themselves from the billboard leaving Wolf, Mandu, Dave, and Tails on their own.
The group stopped at a convenience store where Benson and Manic searched the shelves. Kipo, Sonic, and Sonia watched them from near the front of the store.
"Any idea what they're looking for?" Sonic asked.
"Not our presents, I hope." Sonia said.
"Hey, this place isn't… so bad." Kipo struggled to say. She looked around until her eyes gazed down. She then gasped as she found something. "Hey. Look at this."
"What is it?" Sonic asked.
Kipo smiled as she held up what she found and put it in her pocket. "It's the perfect gift for Wolf."
"Well, that's great for her," Sonic said, "But what about the rest of us? Come on, guys. I'm waiting."
"Chill, guys." Benson said holding up a spray can. "I found what we need."
Kipo read the label on the can. "Cheese spray. Made of 12 percent real cheese. What's the rest of it made of?"
Manic chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It's not the present."
"Good," Sonic said, "'Cause I was about to question how you could actually enjoy a birthday if all you got was a can of cheese spray."
Benson and Manic lead the others out and to a parking lot. Benson shook his can and sprays a small handful of cheese on the ground. He took a step back and did nothing.
"Uh, Benson, what's going on?" Sonia asked.
"Just be patient." Benson said.
"Have you met me?" Sonic asked.
"Wait. What's that sound?" Kipo asked acknowledging a growing sound of engine and tires in the silent night.
All of a sudden, a large, old minivan drove up and stopped right next to the small cheese pile on the ground. The door opened and a rat mute scooped up a bit of the cheese with her finger and tasted it. Then, the passenger door opened.
"Your birthday chariot awaits." Benson said.
"Oh, boy!" Manic cheered jumping into the van. "I can't believe I get to do this again!"
Still confused, Kipo, Sonic, and Sonia entered the van with Manic and Benson. The van door closed and they drove away.
Sitting on a bench in the sidewalk, the Hooligans sat and pouted trying to think of their next move. But no matter how hard they tried to think, they couldn't determine how to find their targets.
Bean was tossed up an unlit bomb and caught it in the same hand. He was bored out of his skull until he heard a van driving from the distance. He took a good look and smiled before jumping in front of his leader.
"Hey, Fang! It's the Ratland van! Can we go, please?"
"No, Bean." Fang said.
Suddenly, Bean wore a pretty blonde wig, pretty eyes, a lot of makeup, and red lipstick. He spoke in a feminine voice. "Pretty please?"
"WHAT THE…" Fang asked in surprise.
Bean changed back to normal. "Super please? I won't ask again!"
"You said that the last time you asked, and yet, here we are." Fang said. While he spoke, Bark took a good look at the passing van and widened his eyes. "Look, Bean, in case you've forgotten, we are on a mission and our client is losing his patience. I just don't see any good reason why we should go to Ratland toni…" He was interrupted by Bark who forced him to turn his head and pay attention to the van. Right as it drove past them, Fang caught a glimpse that changed his mind. He saw the four targets his team had been after and as the van drove off, he gave a wicked smirk. "Well, it appears I stand corrected."
Sonic, Sonia, and Kipo began to panic as soon as the van was on a collision course for the brick wall with no sign of slowing down. Benson and Dave on the other hand were cool about it, and in just a second, they would see why.
The rat mute who was driving honked her horn and suddenly, the brick wall opened up like an automatic door. The worries ceased just as the van stopped. That's when the driver revealed herself.
"Bonjour, everyone. Je ma pel Amy the Rat. That is French for, hello. My name is Amy the Rat."
Suddenly, another rat mute popped out of the radio. "And I'm Brad the Rat, and I'm pleased to meet you."
The two rats walked out of the van and opened the passenger door. The gang watched in amazement seeing a fully operational, super-lit carnival. They turned to the rats who tipped their hats.
"Welcome to Ratland!"
"No way!" Sonia gasped. "A whole amusement park?"
Sonic squinted his eyes to get a look at everyone in the park. "I don't believe it. We got Scooter Skunks. Humming Bombers. Are those elephants?"
"Yeah, those guys have all access passes and are kinda pushy about it." Manic said. "Other than that, this place is a paradise."
"I'll say." Sonic said. "I see an Umlaut Snake and a Timbercat hanging out. Aren't they like arch rivals or something?"
"That's the beauty of Ratland." Amy the Rat said. "Despite the life-threatening situations outside, you'll always find sanctuary here."
"Whether you're humans, hedgehogs, apes, skunks, cats, or whatever, we don't care and we don't discriminate." Brad the Rat continued. "All species are welcome to relax, get along, and have fun."
"That's unbelievable." Kipo commented happily.
"Not as unbelievable as you four sharing a birthday today." Benson said.
Amy the Rat gasped along with her brother. "Whoa! Hold on! All your birthdays are today!"
"Yep. And they're turning thirteen too." Benson answered.
"Well, that's a very special occurrence." Brad the Rat said. "Think we should give them the extra special tour, Amy?"
"It'd be criminal not to, Brad." Amy the Rat answered.
The rats lead Kipo Underground to a nearby boat. They rode it through the river. Once they were on a set course, Brad and Amy took the time to turn to the birthday kids and present the park.
"Boys and girls, birthday kids of thirteen," Brad the Rat said, "It is our deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight!"
"And now," Amy the Rat said, "We invite you to relax. Let us show you around as we are ready to celebrate… your birthday."
The boat stopped and they began showing the kids around the carnival.
Amy:
Your… big… night. Your big night
Come on over. We won't bite
Brad:
Take a gander
At Ratland here
Ain't it quite a sight
Amy:
Ferris wheels. A river boat
Sorry. I don't mean to gloat
But we do so love your company
Brad:
That's the Ratland guarantee
And it's not every day
That folks like you come our way
For a birthday is a once-in-a-year delight
Amy:
The four of you are in for a ride
For the wonder we'll provide
For your night
Brad:
Quite a night
Amy and Brad:
Your big night
Teacups spin. Carny games
Prizes with your written names
Brad:
All around
This neutral ground
You can proudly make your claims
Amy:
You're a gem. You're a star
No matter where you are
After all, you're a full year older
You've got the right to go bolder
We got cars that you can bump
And a place where you can jump
Brad:
And for you, we've got B-day fireworks to ignite
Amy and Brad:
Come on. Let's cut the cake
And have fun, for goodness sake
It's your night
Amy:
Dynamite
Brad:
Go ahead. It's your right
Amy and Brad;
Your big night
Your big night
Your big niiiiiiiiiight
During the tour, the ambience got a little dimmer. The lights darkened and a blue spotlight hit the two rats who looked sad and scared.
Amy:
Life can make you very nervous
Trying to survive here on the surface
There's no peace
Just a beast
With an attitude
Oh, wouldn't it be great if we all got along
Sadly, most of the town isn't in the mood
Brad:
It's a labor to survive
A trial to stay alive
We'd be lucky to make it to ten
The next day, we risk our lives again
So me and my sis went and planned
Amy:
And abracadabra, here is Ratland
Those last two lines put the music back in a cheery mood and the rats continued on their tour over the rides and games.
Amy:
Now, tonight
It's your night
Where nobody has to fight
Join your arms
You're safe from harm
And your worries are out of sight
So relax. Drop your guard
Live a night that isn't very hard
While you finally start relaxation
We'll prepare your celebration
Brad:
Yes, that's good. Keep that straight
Come on, y'all. It has to be great
Amy:
Don't worry, Brad. It's gonna be all right
Raise your glasses. Three cheers
For the kids who reached thirteen years
Enjoy your night
Amy and Brad:
Your big night
It's your night
Your big night
Then, more members of the carnival staff joined in.
Crowd:
Your big night
Your big night
Your happiness, we invite
There's no place
You'd rather face
Then where all species can unite
Play your games. Ride the thrills
Rest assured, you'll have your fills
As you enjoy your birthday smiles
Let us help your fun reach for miles
IT'S… YOUR… CHANCE! IT'S YOUR TIME
FOR YOU TO SHOUT "THIS NIGHT IS MINE"
THEN YOU CAN KICK IT OFF UNTIL FIRST LIGHT
YOU'VE GOT HAPPINESS GALORE
FOR THIS YEAR AND MANY MORE
YOUR BIG NIGHT
YOUR BIG NIGHT
YOUR BIG NIGHT
IT'S… YOUR… BIG… NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT
Needless to say, Kipo and the hedgehogs felt really honored by the song. Kipo herself clapped at the finish.
"That was wonderful." Sonia said. "Thank you."
"I told y'all you'd enjoy it." Benson said "Come on. Let's see what else we can do here."
Throughout the night, Kipo Underground enjoyed their time at Ratland. They ate cotton candy, went on a few rides, and played a few games. Along the way, Kipo started to like Benson a lot more than she did before. Sonia noticed Kipo's attraction and smiled for her.
"Aw. Isn't that sweet?"
"What's sweet?" Sonic asked.
"Benson and Kipo." Sonia said. "I think she likes him."
"Of course she likes Benson. We all do." Manic said taking a bite of cotton candy.
"No. I mean, she likes him, likes him." Sonia said.
Sonic turned over to Kipo and Benson who were playing the carnival game where you spray water at a target to expand a balloon to pop first. Kipo's balloon popped first and she cheered. During which, Sonic noticed her passionate smile and widened his eyes.
"Holy cow! She has a crush on him." Sonic realized.
"Yeah. I think it's kinda cute." Sonia said.
That's when they heard a snicker. Behind them, Manic burst out a bit of the cotton candy he just put on his mouth before breaking out into a laughter. He nearly fell to the floor trying and failing to hold in his laughter.
"What's so funny?" Sonia asked.
Manic's laughter died down a bit. "It's just… You think… No! No, wait! Never mind!"
"What?" Sonic asked. "Dude, what's up?"
"Oh, hey! Look at that!" Manic said trying to stir away from the conversation. He rushed over to a test your strength game where a mole mute in a circus uniform was waiting with a big, red hammer with golden outlines. "I'd like to take a swing at it."
"Wait your turn, buddy." The mole said. "Ladies first." He pointed to see that there was already someone in front of Manic.
Much to the surprise of himself and his siblings, they found another hedgehog mute, but with pink fur. She wore a red headband, a red dress with a white ring, white gloves, and a pair of red boots with a white stripe.
"Uh, we wouldn't by any chance have another sibling, do we?" Sonic asked.
"I don't think so." Sonia answered. "The Oracle only said three hedgehog kids. This must be a different hedgehog mute."
"Hook me up with a hammer, buster. I'm feeling lucky." The pink hedgehog said.
The mole nodded and passed his big hammer to her. She was able to carry it with ease. She held it over her head before slamming it right down on the base of the game. Quick as a flash, the bell not only dinged, it completely broke off. Everyone dropped their jaws, even the mole, while Amy grabbed her prize, a cute teddy bear.
"Thank you." The pink hedgehog said. She realized there were others behind her and chuckled nervously. "Sorry about the game. My friend just wanted this toy."
"Forget the game!" Manic said. "How did you do that?"
"What? The hammer thing? I just… got a gift, I guess."
"Wow. You go, girl." Sonia commented.
"That's pretty cool." Sonic said.
"Thanks. I…" the pink hedgehog took a good look at Sonic and suddenly, something overtook her. She lost her breath and her eyes were locked right on the blue hedgehog. In her eyes, the background behind him was pink and all she heard was the song that went "Can it be true? I think I'm falling in love with you."
"Uh, hi." Sonic said a little wierded out by how much the new hedgehog is staring at him.
"Hi. I'm Amy."
"Like the rat who helps run this place?" Sonic asked.
"Oh, no. Common mistake." Amy chuckled. "It's a bit of a common name. I'm Amy Rose."
"Well, nice to meet you, Amy Rose. I'm Sonic. These are my sibs, Sonia and Manic. We're here with our human friends, Kipo and Benson, for a big birthday celebration."
"Well… Have a good birthday." Amy Rose blushed and walked away quickly.
"Weird girl." Sonic shrugged. "But she seems nice."
"Yeah. As long as she doesn't swing that mallet our way." Manic said.
Away from the hedgehogs, Amy Rose ran off until she came across a very young rabbit mute in an orange dress, a blue scarf, and orange and yellow boots. She was accompanied by a flying, blue, fairy-
like creature with a yellow orb hovering over its head.
"Hey, Amy." The rabbit greeted in a cute little girl voice. "Did you get the toy Cheese and I wanted?"
"Uh, sure, Cream." Amy said still thinking about Sonic before passing her prize to her friend.
"Thank you, Amy." Cream said.
"Chao, chao." The flying creature called Cheese said pointing at Amy's bashful face.
"Is something wrong, Amy?"
"No, Cream. Nothing's wrong." Amy looked back at the direction where she just came from. "Honestly… I think I have a crush."
Eventually, Kipo Underground made their way to the big ferris wheel. Kipo and Benson took one chair while the hedgehog siblings took the next one. The ride stopped sometime with them high up letting them take in the view of the entire park.
"This is incredible." Kipo said. "Everywhere I went, there's always some mute that wants to kill me. But here, it's all different."
"That's my birthday gift to you." Benson said. "To show you that things out here aren't so bad. This is how I know the Oracle's prophecy is going to work out, because in this small corner of the world, all species can get along. If there's hope here, then there's hope everywhere. That's why I needed to get you away from Wolf. I like the girl, but she's known to rain on the occasional parade. I hope you liked it."
"I love it." Kipo said smiling admirably at Benson. She brushed back her hair before finally admitting her feelings. "I don't know if it's because I'm turning 13, but I'm feeling something new right now."
Sonia gasped happily. "It's happening."
"Oh, this will be good." Manic said.
"So Benson, I just want to tell you…" Kipo took a breath. "I really like you."
Benson widened his eyes in surprise. "Oh. Uh…"
Kipo's face fell with disappointment. "You don't feel the same way."
"No, no. Look, Kipo. You're great. I really, really like you. But… there's something you need to know about me."
"You see me as a friend." Kipo guessed.
"Well, yeah. Because… I'm gay."
"Oh." Kipo said before everything became crystal clear to her. "Ooooooh!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Manic laughed hysterically between his brother and sister. Kipo heard it from her own chair.
"Did you already know?" Kipo asked.
"Of course, I knew! I've known Benson for half my life! You really think I wouldn't know an important fact like that about him?"
"Then why didn't you say something earlier?" Sonia asked.
"Because it's hilarious! Hahaha!"
"Heh. It kinda is." Sonic said. "Sorry, Kipo."
Kipo groaned. "Is it all right if I curl up in a ball and die right now?" Benson laughed. "Still though, thanks." She hugged him. "It's great to have a friend like you."
"Any time." Benson said.
Kipo broke the hug and looked down at Ratland. Just then, something caught her eye, something that made her gasp. "GET DOWN!" She pushed Benson down right before he got hit by a sniper bullet. Everyone looked down and saw Fang pointing his smoking rifle at them. He stood with Bean and Bark on top of a fallen sign.
"Not them again!" Sonia shouted.
"Bean, launch us up!" Fang ordered.
"Okey dokey, artichokey!" Bean placed a bomb underneath the sign they stood on and eagerly awaited. A second later…
BOOM!
The sign and the Hooligans were blown to the sky and jumped off toward the ferris wheel. Once they landed, the entire ride began to creak to its left side. Still, Fang wasn't bothered as he walked along the metal rails toward Kipo's direction.
"Just thought I'd drop in!"
"You can't be here!" Kipo cried out. "This is a safe zone!"
"I don't care! Do you have any idea what you and your friends have put me through? Scarlemagne wants you and your hedgehog buddies brought to him on a silver platter and I'm not letting you get away this time!"
"Wanna bet?" Sonic cried out. His talisman changed into his guitar and blasted a blue beam from it that almost hit Fang. However, the weasel dodged and instead, the beam struck a metal bolt keeping the rails together.
Everyone's faces dropped when the Ferris wheel quickly began to collapse. All three of the Hooligans were dropped to the bottom of the wheel while everyone else caught onto the railings. Kipo held onto one while holding onto Benson's wrist with her other hand. The hedgehogs were able to lift themselves up no problem, but Kipo had a lot of weight to carry on her own.
"KIPO, GET US UP!" Benson cried out.
"I'M… TRYING!" Kipo replied loudly. Suddenly, her arm on the railing grew hair. That's when she gained an extra strength boost and she lifted herself and Benson back from their hanging position.
"How'd you do that?" Manic asked.
"I don't know!" Kipo yelled.
"No time to talk now!" Sonia shouted taking notice that the Hooligans were already beginning to climb back up.
"I've got a plan, but you've got to trust me!" Sonic said before everyone nodded at him. Suddenly, he ran as fast as he could pushing everyone off of the Ferris wheel. They landed through a window of a nearby rooftop. Thankfully, they landed right on a bunch of plushies, but they were still left groaning.
"Is everyone all right?" Kipo asked. "Is anyone hurt?"
"Don't worry about us." Sonic said before finally noticing Kipo's change. "Worry about your arm?"
"What? You pushed me through a window. Of course it's a little banged up."
"No. I mean, it's furry."
Kipo looked at her right arm and yelled out in a panic. "My arm's all furry! Why is it all furry?!"
"I know that sometimes, girls your age go through some changes, but…" Benson started to say.
"This is nothing like that!" Sonia shouted.
"Talk later!" Manic yelled pointing at the Hooligans who were following their lead through the roof.
Kipo Underground quickly ran out of the building after that. Luckily for them, the rats' van pulled up and opened their doors right in front of them. Knowing what to do, they quickly got in and the van drove off. The Hooligans burst out of the building just as the van began to drive.
"They're not getting away from me again!" Fang yelled in frustration. He looked around and conveniently found three scooters laying on the side of the road.
Back at the van, Amy the Rat went to her intercom and made an announcement to the park. "Attention, attendants. The park will be closing early due to a mercenary attack."
"It looks like we're scott free." Sonic laughed. "I'd like to see the look on those losers' faces."
"Then check your rear-view!" Benson yelled out pointing at a mirror. The Hooligans were seen
driving two different scooters with Fang and Bark sharing one. They were driving after the van.
"Okay, now, they're just getting annoying!" Sonic complained. "Amy, can you shake them?"
"I'll try!" Amy the Rat said trying to lose the mercs with sharp turns. So far, none have worked.
At the leading scooter, Fang tied a rope to his waist and tied the other end to Bark's scooter. "All right, mate. Throw me!"
Bark nodded and gave his leader a good, hard toss. Fang flew up to the air until he successfully landed on the van's rooftop. Once he was there, he quickly shot his rifle at a rapid pace piercing through the van roof. It was eventually weak enough for him to pry it off and confront his targets from above.
"GOT YA NOW, KIDDIES!" Fang yelled preparing to fire his rifle again.
Back with Bark and Bean, they stayed their course right behind the van. They were focused until a surprise hammer got the duck from the side. Bean and his scooter were launched right at Bark and his own. They collided and fell to the ground, which in made the rope stretch.
"Any last requests?" Fang asked aiming his gun.
Benson looked back and saw that the rope was about to snap. He smiled up at the bounty hunter. "Yeah, actually. Could you fly instantly off the van screaming like a girl?"
"What?" Fang asked right before he was pulled right off the van. As Benson predicted, he screamed like a girl until he landed right on top of Bean and Bark. The three of them groaned watching the van drive out of sight.
"We lost them again, boss." Bean said.
"You don't say." Fang replied.
"Well, on the bright side," Bean said, "It can't get any worse than this."
Three shadows overcoming them proved otherwise. The Scooter Skunks stood over the Hooligans with angry expressions.
"You ruined our time at Ratland and trashed our rides!" the leader of the skunks said. "Now, you're gonna pay."
Fang chuckled nervously. "Look, ladies. All this can be explained…" He was cut off by the skunks who turned around and raised their tails. "WAIT! NO! NOOOOOOOO!"
From the other side of the road, Amy Rose, Cream, and Cheese winced feeling sorry for the smelly fate of the Hooligans. Amy gripped the same mallet she used at the test your strength game.
"I wouldn't want to be them right now." Amy said.
"What do we do now, Amy?" Cream asked.
"Chao, Chao."
Amy looked gazed at the general direction where the van went. "I guess we find those guys."
"Because you like the blue guy?" Cream asked.
"Well, yeah. He's cute." Amy said. "But there's actually another reason. Scarlemagne is after them. I don't know why, but he is. Maybe they're with the Freedom Fighters. So if we catch up with them…"
Cream widened her eyes full of hope. "Then they can help find my momma."
After filling out a quick survey and giving Ratland a perfect score, the rats left Kipo Underground at the same parking lot they picked them up from. That's when all the fur shrank back down and her arm went back to normal.
"Okay. Now, can we talk about that?" Sonic asked.
"Yeah. What was that?" Sonia asked.
"I don't know." Kipo answered. "This never happened to me before."
"You'd think after Sonic's super speed, our magical talismans, mystic emeralds, and flying islands, we wouldn't be surprised anymore." Benson said.
"My dad's a scientist." Kipo said. "Maybe he can help us figure out what's going on."
"Well, we'll have to find him first." Manic said.
"One thing's for sure." Kipo said. "This has been a birthday that I'll never forget."