Speedway


An adaptation of Sonic R by Green Gibbon!

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Sonic the Hedgehog and all related characters and locations are registered trademarks of and copyright © Sega Enterprises and parent company CSK. Original concept of "Sonic the Hedgehog" copyright © Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima. Original Sonic R game concept, design, and plot copyright © Traveller's Tales, Sonic Team, and Sega Enterprises. Used without permission. If you sue me, I'll play the species-ism card and probably get away with it, too. 
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Chapter 2: Keep the Dream Alive


The morning sun peeks over the edge of the Floating Island. Through the leaves of a palm tree in the Angel Island Zone, around a pyramid in the Sandopolis Zone, and over a fallen tower in the Sky Sanctuary Zone...to the unsleeping eyes of Knuckles the Echidna, who stands anxiously on top of the highest mountain in the Marble Garden Zone. He scans the horizon back and forth, as his brow wrinkles from "mildly concerned" to "uh-oh." There is a rustle in one of the potted bushes to his side. He spins around with a start. 

Knuckles: "Charmy?!" 

Two short Badniks waddle out from behind the plant...a heavy bullet-shaped one, and a smaller walking bomb. 

Heavy: "You bet we are!" 

Bomb begins strutting around like a supermodel as Knuckles sighs and looks away, seeming a little less than amused. 

Bomb: "Ooh, sorry, did we catcha at a bad time?" 

Knuckles: "Hm...Charmy should've been back since yesterday." 

Heavy: "Charmy Bee? Where'd he go?" 

Knuckles: "Down to the mainland to visit relatives. He's supposed to be over here helping us watch the Island! We can't be sitting here for another three weeks splitting his duties between the four of us anymore!" 

Bomb: "What duties? Last time I saw, you were all gallavanting around Carnival Island." 

Knuckles: "Er...yeah, well...not like we hadn't earned it." 

Heavy: "The black unicorns always go faster than the pink ones, Knux. Being the guardian, you should know that." 

Knuckles: "Look, why don't we just have it printed in a newspaper? 'Knuckles rides merry-go-round'!" 

Bomb: "I don't suppose I should tell him, huh?" 

Heavy: "Not now, anyway." 

Knuckles slaps his forehead as Heavy and Bomb turn around and head off. 

Heavy: "Well, we'll be seeing you around, Knux." 

Knuckles: "I was afraid you'd say that..." 

Just as the two Badniks walk out of sight, a small dot on the opposite horizon slowly grows into the clear shape of a bee. Knuckles jumps up and down, hollering wildly. As Charmy Bee flies into shouting distance, the guardian lets the rant begin. 

Knuckles: "What's wrong with you?! You should've been back since yesterday! Here we are working our butts off doing your chores for the past three weeks, and what thanks do you give us? Show up a day late to mooch another 24 hours worth of work on us and worry the living stink outta everyone at the same time! There are alot of things you aren't, Charmy, but punctual was one you always were! When I think of-" 

Charmy: "Whoah, save the ammo, Knux. I come with big news from the mainland." 

Knuckles: "It had better be good. Spit it out." 

Charmy: "The World Grand Prix!" 

Knuckles: "Come again?" 

Charmy: "The World Grand Prix! It's a huge racing tournament with all the fastest runners on Mobius." 

Knuckles: "How does this concern me?" 

Charmy: "You're a fast runner!" 

Knuckles: "I don't have time for any stinking joy runs around a race course." 

Charmy: "But this is the biggest and most important race in the planet's history!" 

Knuckles: "Says who?" 

Charmy: "Uh...I dunno, whoever decides these things! Besides, it can't be any small affair for Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Robotnik to be entering." 

Knuckles: "Sonic? Robotnik?" 

Charmy: "Just a couple of the bigger names on the registered runners list." 

Knuckles turns his back to Charmy and gazes out over the horizon opposite the sunrise, stroking his chin in thought. Charmy hovers silently for a few more moments. 

Charmy: "Knuckles...you're not thinking about going, are you?" 

Knuckles turns his head around and glances at Charmy. 
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The sun continues to creep into the sky above a tropical paradise...the Resort Island Zone. All is quiet except for the musical Flicky bird songs that fill the morning air. The island seems empty, even though the starting line and banner of the impending race are clearly marked along an upraised, grassless path. In the brightening, cloudless sky, a red bi-plane flies into view. Miles "Tails" Prower is piloting with Sonic standing fearlessly on the top wing. 

Tails: "Ground zero, right Sonic?" 

Sonic: "This is the place. Let us kiss dirt, my fox friend." 

Tails pulls up on the steering, as the Tornado noses down. On the island below, a short silhouette wobbles out from a small pine forest nestled between two cliffs. It's Amy Rose. She rubs her eye, stretches, and yawns. 

Amy: "Oh, no...I must've fallen asleep. Now there's no time at all to find the Chaos Emerald! Unless...unless I can sneak off-course during the race..." 

The buzzing sound nearby catches her attention. Over in the distance, Tails is landing the Tornado. Amy steps back to a small car...but it's not the Breeze. This one is a somewhat bulky red convertible, with the top down. She hops in and starts the engine. 

Amy: "If Sonic and Tails are in the race, they surely know what Robotnik's up to. Congratulations, Amy, you just slept right through your chance to be a heroine. Ah, well..." 

She drives her new red car out from the pines and into the open seaside field where Sonic and Tails have landed in the Tornado. She stops the car several yards from the plane. 

Tails: "Well, I guess for once we're not first, huh?" 

Sonic: "Oh, no..." 

Amy hops out the car and excitedly jumps up and down near the plane. 

Amy: "Hi, Sonic! Come down from there so I can hug you!" 

Sonic: "I'd rather walk right into Robotnik's choking grip..." 

Amy is oblivious to the rude comment, however, as little hearts pop up all around her. In a strong attempt to keep from hurling his guts out, Tails points out Amy's new car. 

Tails: "That's a new car, isn't it?" 

Amy: "Mmmm..." 

Sonic has now made himself comfortable on the top wing of the Tornado, with no apparent intentions to climb down. Trying his best to ignore Amy, he arrogantly rubs his nose. Tails hops down and circles Amy several times, looking for any trace of life. Waving his hand in front of her face gets no response. Neither does shouting her name at the top of his lungs in her ear. Irritated, the young fox walks over to Amy's car and produces her Magical Hammer. He pulls back for a big swing, when Sonic stops him. 

Sonic: "TAILS!" 

Amy snaps out of it and turns around, just as Tails vainly attempts to hide the multi-colored mallot behind his back. 

Amy: "Hey, what are you doing with my Magical Hammer?!" 

Tails: "Uh...there was a bug! Yeah, a great big old mosquito!" 

Amy: "Give me that!" 

Amy swipes the mallot away from Tails, who grins sheepishly. 

Tails: "Say, how did you get that car onto the island?" 

Amy: "It's got a built-in rocket booster that can hover over water and give extra bursts of speed." 

Amy walks over and puts the Magical Hammer back into the car. 

Tails: "So I guess you're entering the race, huh?" 

Amy: "Yup." 

Sonic: "Say, Amy...do you know of anything uncool about this race? I'm not sure what it is, but something around here smells fishier than the Tidal Tempest Zone on a humid day." 

Amy: "Huh? Oh, so you don't know?" 

Sonic and Tails perk up, and chant "Know what?" simultaneously. 

Amy: "Uh...an explosion! At a nearby sardine canning factory...it's been smelling like this for days." 

Sonic: "......Amy, have you been getting enough sleep lately?" 

Amy: "Yah!" 

Suddenly a red echidna glides in on an ocean breeze...it's Knuckles the Echidna. He lands several yards in front of the Tornado, and with a polite nod in regard to Sonic and the others, looks over toward the starting line. Tails runs up to his side. 

Tails: "Hi, Knuckles! I didn't know you were entering the race, too." 

Sonic hops down off the plane and walks over. 

Sonic: "Hi, Knux, what's up?" 

Knuckles: "Where is everyone?" 

Sonic: "Huh?" 

Knuckles: "Doesn't it seem odd to you that we're the only ones here? The sun's up...I thought I was late." 

Sonic: "Yeah, now that you mention it. I didn't really think about it before. With that party-size list of registered racers, you'd think atleast a few of 'em would be here by now." 

Knuckles: "Something's not right here." 

Sonic: "No psych. Tails and I thought something stunk about this race, which is why we came over to check it out. Have you heard anything weird?" 

Knuckles: "No. I was kind of hoping you'd know something about it." 

At this moment, Amy slowly walks forward with a solemn look. 

Amy: "S-Sonic..." 

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles look at Amy. 

Sonic: "Yeah?" 

The young, pink hedgehog opens her mouth to speak, but hesitates. 

Amy: "Uh...do you have the time?" 

Sonic rolls his glove up and glances at his watch. 

Sonic: "It's almost 9:00 A.M." 

Tails: "The race is supposed to start in just a half hour." 

Knuckles: "Now I know something's wrong. Where is everybody?" 

Robotnik: "All present and accounted for." 

The foursome turn around to see Robotnik hovering in his flying Egg Typhoon. He appears to be alone. Sonic anxiously leaps into a Sonic Spin and lands back on his feet, pointing an accusing finger towards Robotnik. 

Sonic: "Spill the beans, Eggboy! Just what are you tryin' to pull?" 

Robotnik: "Why, what ever do you mean?" 

Sonic: "Quit playing dumb. That is, if you are only playing..." 

Robotnik: "Even if I am behind this, you're not going to get it out of me verbally. I suggest you save your sparks for the race and play along. More is at stake here than you know." 

Tails: "He's right, Sonic. The only way we're going to figure out what's happening here is by going along with it." 

Sonic looks at Knuckles, who simply shrugs. He glances down at Amy, who looks innocent enough, standing with her hands behind her back. Knuckles senses by the look on her face, however, that she knows something she isn't sharing with them. He peers at her suspiciously, but keeps his thoughts to himself. Sonic finally loosens up, then smirks and waves his pointer finger in the air. 

Sonic: "Alright, then. Let the fires burn!" 
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The sun is shining bright as the five contestants line-up at the starting line. A flock of blue, red, green, and pink Flickie birds fly by as the countdown begins. "Ready...GO!" Sonic takes the early lead, with Tails flying closely behind. While they are still within speaking range, Sonic calls up to his young fox friend. 

Sonic: "Who in the heck was that doing the countdown?" 

Tails: "T.J. Davis. Don't even ask." 

The duo continue running for a few more minutes, when Tails calls back down to Sonic. 

Tails: "Hey, Sonic! Can you feel the sunshine?" 

Sonic: "I'm more worried about where the sun don't shine...we've lost sight of Robotnik." 

Sonic screeches to a halt and looks around, as Tails lowers himself to the ground. 

Tails: "What are you doing? We're gonna lose the race!" 

Sonic: "I dunno...maybe something uncool will happen if we win." 

Tails: "Maybe something worse will happen if we don't." 

Sonic: "Maybe Robotnik wants us to win for some reason." 

Tails: "Maybe he wants us to sit around here and do just what we're doing, too. It's like he said, Sonic. We're not gonna know until it's too late anyway, so let's just go for it!" 

At this point, Knuckles the Echidna catches up to where Sonic and Tails are stopped. 

Knuckles: "I don't suppose quitting and going back home is an option?" 

Sonic: "For you it is, but if Robotnik is up to anything that may threaten the planet, I've gotta be around to stop it." 

Tails: "You're not gonna leave, are you Knuckles?" 

Knuckles: "And miss out on the action? See you guys at the finish line!" 

Knuckles rolls into a Spin Dash and zooms off at full-speed, grabbing a cluster of Rings on the way. 

Sonic: "Hey, he's stealing my Rings!" 

Sonic launches into a Peel Out and zooms off after the echidna, as Tails revs up his two tails and dashes off behind his idol. Mere moments after, Amy Rose rides up in her small red car. She is not going full-speed, as she has other things on her mind than winning the race. Driving along at a fair, but cautious pace, she thoroughly scans the scenery for the prize she seeks...the Chaos Emerald she knows is hidden somewhere along the course. 

Amy: "I sure wish I had some sort of clue as to where to look. Maybe I should've told Sonic and the others..." 

Hearing an engine around the corner of a cliff behind her, Amy drives off the road and takes cover in a small cluster of palm trees. Sure enough, Robotnik flies by with a determined look on his face. When he's far enough ahead, Amy drives back out from the cluster and quietly follows him from a safe distance. 

Amy: "I bet he knows a thing or seven..." 

Amy continues to follow Robotnik until he veers off-course completely and into a cave on the side of the track. 

Amy: "Hello!" 

She puts on the Turbo Boost and takes a shortcut over a small lagoon. Once inside the cave, she passes two colorful doors. They have been opened, but she can make out the number "50" in large figures on either side. 

Amy: "Of course! Fifty Rings, the magic number!" 

She continues through to the other side of the small cave, but without any sign of the Chaos Emerald. Back in the sunlight, she exits the cave just in time to see Robotnik flying off-course with the blue Emerald in tow. 

Amy: "Oh no, you don't!" 

She fires on the Turbo Boost once more and in a few seconds is mere feet behind him. 

Amy: "Drop the Emerald, Eggface!" 

Robotnik, seeming annoyed, turns his head around, then hits the brake and comes to an instant halt. Amy passes right under him at full-speed, and crashes straight through a picked fence. The impact sends her flying out of the car with a scream and onto the ground several yards away. The action is hidden from the racetrack by a large hill. 

She lies motionless on the ground, as Robotnik flies over and examines his handiwork. Smiling, he strokes one side of his long moustache. The Eggman presses a few buttons on the Egg Typhoon's dashboard, then says into a radio speaker: 

Robotnik: "One down. Time to make your enterance, Metal Sonic. Meet me at the starting line at the end of the third lap. I'm going to take care of the Chaos Emerald." 

With that, the evil genious laughs wickedly and flies off, leaving Amy Rose lying in the field. 
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Minutes later, Sonic screeches to a halt after crossing the finish line on his third lap. Several seconds later, Tails catches up, with Knuckles right on his heels. 

Sonic: "Hey, I guess I won! Where's my prize?" 

No sooner does Sonic finish his sentence, however, when his "prize" lowers from the sky right in front of him. Metal Sonic stares the hedgehog right in the face, as his red eyes flash. 

Tails: "Oh no, it's Metal Sonic!" 

Knuckles: "What is this?! Show yourself, Robotnik!" 

Robotnik is just passing through the giant loop immediately before the starting line, laughing the whole way. He stops the Egg Typhoon right in front of the foursome. Suddenly, an important thought crosses Sonic's mind. 

Sonic: "Hey, where's Amy?" 

Robotnik: "Meet her replacement. Metal Sonic will be joining us for the remainder of the races." 

Sonic: "Nevermind that bull, what have you done with her?" 

Robotnik gleefully ignores the question as he reclines in his round hovercraft. Knuckles angrily leaps onto the machine and grabs Robotnik by his oversized yellow collar with one fist, while waving the other threateningly in the air. 

Knuckles: "I do believe the hedgehog asked a question, Egg-boy!" 

Robotnik: "Now, don't react hastily! Things are just about to get interesting..." 

Robotnik glances over at Sonic and Metal Sonic. Knuckles drops his fists and turns his attention to the duo. 

Sonic: "Haven't we already been through all of this in the Stardust Speedway Zone?" 

Metal Sonic doesn't reply, but hovers motionless...his usual stance. 

Sonic: "I'm not racing one-on-one with anybody until I see Amy Rose safe and sound!" 

Sonic turns his back on everyone, puts his hands on his hips, and impatiently taps his foot. Metal Sonic generates a shocking field of electricity around himself, then sets his sights on Tails. 

Tails: "Yikes! Sonic!" 

Sonic glances back to see the threat to his fox friend, then promptly flips himself around. 

Sonic: "Alright, Metal moron...bring it on!" 
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Sonic and Metal Sonic stand at the starting line, as the countdown begins again. "Ready...GO!" The blue duo dash off, and are out of sight within seconds. Tails and Knuckles wait anxiously back at the starting line, while Robotnik reclines in his Egg Typhoon, playing a videogame through a small monitor on the dashboard. Tails sits down and nervously pulls stalks of grass out of the ground. Knuckles has his arms folded and impatiently taps his foot, as he begins grinding his teeth. Finally, he whirls around and points up to Robotnik, who is just barely too high in the air to reach. 

Knuckles: "I'm through playing around! Just what are you up to, Robotnik?!" 

The Eggman ignores him, and continues to arrogantly tap away at the controller in his hands. Knuckles gets even redder than usual, and the next thing he knows he's shouting. 

Knuckles: "What have you done with Amy?! What is Metal Sonic doing here?! What's the point of this phony 'World Grand Prix'?!" 

Robotnik continues to ignore the stream of questions. Knuckles smacks his fists together and lets out a growl of frustration, then walks several yards off with his back to them. Tails, somewhat more calm, flies up to Robotnik's level and examines the screen, curious as to what game the evil genious might be playing. It appears to be Burning Rangers. 

Tails: "Whoah, cool! Where'd you get that at? It's not even supposed to be out for two months!" 

Robotnik: "For me to know and you to find out." 

Tails: "Is it fun?" 

Robotnik: "Of course!" 

Tails: "Have any two-player games?" 

Robotnik smiles gleefully, then presses a few buttons on the dashboard as Virtua Fighter 3 pops up on-screen. 

Tails: "Banzai! You get arcade games on there, too?! I need to get me one of these!" 

Robotnik hands Tails a controller and the battle begins. 
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Meanwhile, Sonic and Metal Sonic are neck-in-neck on the track. Still retaining his speed, Sonic calls over to Metal without looking. 

Sonic: "So waft a breeze over in my general direction. Fill me in, already!" 

Metal Sonic: "It's not traditional for the enemy to let the opposing side in on secret plans." 

Sonic: "Hey, the only one who says you're the enemy is Robotnik. It's a matter of when you'll get enough sense knocked into you not to listen to him." 

Metal Sonic: "So who says I should listen to you?" 

Metal Sonic generates a field of electricity around himself, then dashes right into Sonic, knocking the hedgehog off the track with a shock. 

Sonic: "Augh!" 

Metal Sonic shoots into the lead, as Sonic retains control of his roll (turning it into a Sonic Spin), and leaps back onto the track. 
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Lion Rafale gives Taka Arashi the KO-ing blow, and finishes off with an ego-bruising "I don't make it a habit to fight the elderly!" Tails gleefully flies circles around Robotnik and the Egg Typhoon. 

Tails: "I won! I won! I won!" 
: "Only because I let you! Now quit bragging and let's play another round! And you can't be Lion again this time!" 

At that moment, a single blue streak whizzes across the finish line and comes to a halt. It's Metal Sonic. Knuckles runs up to the robot hedgehog, waving his fist in the air. 

Knuckles: "You just can't stop reducing head count, can you? Where's Sonic?!" 

Tails happily points to another blue streak running down the track toward the finish line. 

Tails: "There he is!" 

Sonic races across the finish line, then screeches to a halt and collapses onto the ground. Knuckles and Tails run to his aid. 

Tails: "Sonic, are you alright?" 

Knuckles: "He seems burnt out..." 

Sonic: "You can say that again...old Metal moron deep-fried me halfway down the last lap!" 

Knuckles: "Well, atleast you aren't hurt." 

Sonic gets up to his feet. 

Sonic: "Are you kidding? I just lost the race!" 

Tails: "Yeah, but he cheated!" 

Knuckles catches Robotnik and Metal Sonic making their exit, when he leaps into the air and glides down onto Robotnik's head, blocking his field of vision. 

Robotnik: "What?! Blasted echidna!" 

The Eggman stops the vehicle and vainly attempts to shake Knuckles off. Sonic and Tails run up. 

Sonic: "Not so fast, Egg-breath. Why don't you stick around so we can...chat awhile?" 

Robotnik: "I've got a better idea. Why don't we NOT. See you at the Radical City Zone tonight! Don't be late!" 

With those words, Robotnik vanishes into thin air. Metal Sonic, Egg Typhoon, and all. Knuckles falls to the ground with a yelp. 

Tails: "Wh-what...h-how did he do that?!" 

Sonic: "I...I don't know! He's never disappeared like that before!" 

Knuckles: "I knew it! Some major junk is going on here." 

Tails: "So what shall we do?" 

Sonic: "Go to Radical City, I guess." 

Tails: "What about Amy?" 

Sonic: "I'm sure Robotnik has her. We're in this over our heads, now. Only one direction to go, and that's forward." 

Knuckles: "What time's the second race start?" 

Sonic produces the brochure and opens it up. 

Sonic: "10:00 P.M. I guess most of the citizens will be off the streets by that time." 

Knuckles: "I'll meet you guys there." 

With that, the echidna leaps into the air and catches an updraft, gliding off toward the mainland. Sonic rolls up his glove and glances at his watch. Tails looks up at him. 

Tails: "So now what?" 

Sonic: "Radical City isn't too far from here, but we should get started in that direction now. We should have time to pick up a snack along the way." 

Tails: "How can you think of food right now?" 

Sonic: "I can't, but it's easy for my stomach. Let's burn up some landscape." 

With that, Sonic heads over toward the Tornado and leaps onto the top wing. Tails hops into the pilot's seat and starts the motor. The bi-plane takes off and heads toward the mainland; thus, unbeknownst to Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles, leaving Amy Rose lying in an unknown condition on the ground in Resort Island. 
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* * * End of Part 2 * * *