Back to Chapter 65

As it turned out, Sonic wouldn’t have to wait long for another “day like today”. The next morning, Sonic dragged himself out of bed and hauled himself downstairs, hoping for something a little more ordinary as days go. Unfortunately, when you’re a super-powered hedgehog whose track record involves saving the world, “ordinary” is a skewed concept.

As Sonic was raising the first mouthful of breakfast, prepared lovingly by his adoptive mother Bernadette, to his mouth, there was a frantic knock at the door.

“Sonic! You’ve got to come quickly! It’s terrible!”

Though there was a door between them, Sonic recognised the panicked voice as that of Tails. For half a second, Sonic wanted to sigh. That breakfast really did look tasty. Still, he snapped himself out of it and zipped to the door, opening it, “What’s the matter, little buddy?”

“Sonic, it’s awful! Sally’s dad just got a message via radio- it’s Robotnik, Sonic. He’s invaded West Side Island!”

Sonic’s eyes widened. A dozen thoughts rushed through his mind. His greatest enemy was attempting another coup; clearly Robotnik would have to be stopped. But what about Sally, how was she going to react? Was the king safe?

Sonic glanced over his shoulder at Bernie. She looked concerned- but she knew.

“Go,” she nodded at him, “You can stop him, Sonic, I believe in you”

Quick as a flash, Sonic rushed to the table, practically hurled the food down his throat and sped to Bernie to give her a hug, “I’m probably going to get indigestion eating like this”. Quick as a rocket, he blasted through the door, “Come on, Tails, we don’t have time to waste!”

***

At the King’s Embassy, a regal building in the centre of Green Hill Zone, the mood was grim. Warlord Kodos, the hulking musclebound brute of a lion, seemed to have an itchy paw, ready to tear the building apart with his axe in his seething rage. Dr. H.Q. Quack paced back and forth, nervous for his family back home.

The voice of Colonel Tig Stripe crackled over the radio, “We’re doing everything we can to hold off Robotnik’s forces, but our priority is to protect the people of West Side Island”

“As it should be, colonel,” King Acorn nodded even though there was no way Colonel Stripe could see him, “Knowing how Robotnik’s Badniks power themselves, the last thing we want is for him to capture our civilians. Buildings can be replaced. People cannot”

Sally stood in one corner of the room, wringing her hands without realising she was doing it. Around her were her closest friends- Antoine, Bunnie, Rotor, Flicky, Tux, Chirps, Joe, Johnny, Ben and Porker. All her closest friends except two.

“Ma princesse,” Antoine tried to calm Sally, “Do not be afraid for your brother Elias. He is strong and quite capable of defending himself, I have seen zat in person”

“Sure thing, Sally-girl,” Bunnie added, “Your bro’s gonna be A-OK, promise”

Sally took a breath, “Thanks, guys. I just… it’s the uncertainty, you know? I hate feeling this way”

“When do we leave?”

Everyone turned to see the source of the voice. It was Sonic, with Tails not far behind, standing in the entrance way to the room.

“Sir Sonic, it is good to see you,” the king nodded in Sonic’s direction, “Though the circumstances hardly please”

“No time for the “sirs”, your highness. We need to move out. We’re not gonna stop Robotnik sitting here in this Embassy”

“You young fool!” Kodos roared in Sonic’s unflinching face, “Do you not think every sinew in my mighty body yearns to tear Robotnik limb from limb?! Is a child to lecture us on combat?!”

Sonic raised an eyebrow, “Look, pal, I don’t know what a sinew is, but I know what halitosis is, so maybe you wanna back off”. Kodos prepared to bellow out more anger but Sonic didn’t give him the opportunity, “Seems to me the king can’t put himself in danger by returning to West Side Island. His people need him safe if he’s going to inspire them. So unlucky for you, hairy, the smartest thing you can do is stay here as his bodyguard and let someone else do the fighting”

“Oh, look at that, seems you’re being lectured after all, Kodos,” Dr. Quack prodded, “Sonic’s right, the king’s safety is our number one priority”

“Who do you suggest for this taskforce, Sonic?” King Acorn asked.

Sonic crossed over to the king, “Well, I was thinking Tails could pilot the Tornado and we’d go to West Side Island to stop Robotnik. That is, if you’re okay with that, Tails?”

Tails nodded a little nervously, “It’s a little scary but I’ll be okay if you’re there”

Sonic smiled.

“What, just the two of you?” Sally walked up to Sonic, “I don’t think so, Sonic. You don’t know your way around West Side Island, you’ve got no hope of beating Robotnik on unfamiliar territory”

“So what do you think we should do?” Sonic did his hardest to hold a grin, hoping deep inside that he’d get the answer he wanted.

“I’m coming too”

Sonic grinned. That was the answer he wanted.

“Your highness, this is outrageous!” Kodos snarled at the king.

Sally was resolute, “Kodos, with all due respect, your rank does not give you the authority to shout me down. Only my father has that right. And I think he knows I’m making the right call”

Sally looked over at her father. The king paused and, closing his eyes, drew a deep breath and sighed. “I’m not happy about this,” he stated, “But I fear we have no alternative. That said, I hereby authorise you the use of the royal plane. Lieutenant D’Coolette is charged with your safety. He is a qualified pilot and thus shall be the one to see you to West Side Island. Once there, he is not to leave your side”

Antoine saluted, “I will guard ma princesse with my life, my liege!”

“I know you will, lieutenant”

“Well, heck, if sugah-‘twan’s goin’, so am Ah!” Bunnie stepped forward, “Besides, Ah might as well put mah robot half to use smashin’ some Badniks!”

“Me too,” Johnny announced, surprising himself somewhat, “I’m not half robot but us rabbits have to stick together, you know. Besides, give me a stick and I’m not bad at hitting things”

“You may need help taking down those bigger machines Robotnik makes,” Rotor noted, “Count me in too”

Porker, shaking with nervousness, raised a hand, “Um, y-you might want someone with a little t-technical knowhow. G-gadgets and the like. I’ll come too. Just don’t ask me to fight. Uh, p-please”

“Sally, might I make a suggestion,” Tux looked at the princess, “Those of us who are perhaps… less specialised should stay behind to aid here”

“I reckon,” Joe nodded.

“I agree,” Sally replied, “I would rather the rest of you stay here where it’s safe than be dragged into danger.

“So it’s agreed,” Sonic addressed his friends, “Antoine, you pilot the royal plane and bring Sally, Bunnie, Rotor, Johnny and Porker. Tails will pilot the Tornado and follow you”

“Don’t forget me,” the synthesised voice of N.I.C.O.L.E. spoke up from her device.

“Well, that goes without saying, of course,” Sonic smiled.

“And me!” the Kintobor Computer’s voice spoke up from Sonic’s watch.

“Well I was hardly going to leave my watch behind, was I? Alright, guys, enough time wasted, let’s roll”

On to Chapter 67