Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Fanfic Series)

Chapter 25: Midnight Hour ~ Part 3

"You are all trapped in this escape room prepared by Dr. Eggman. If you're reading this, I know there's a way to escape this mall and celebrate New Year's Eve. You just have to find numbers and use them as a code to unlock the power source door and then, you'll be able to fix the power and put it back on. Your first clue comes from something where music is made. You have until midnight to find the codes or you'll be trapped forever and never celebrate New Year's Eve," Belle read it out. "Sincerely, you'll find out when you meet me."

Vector's face lit up as he snapped his fingers immediately. "The DJ set!"

"Wow, that was quick!" said Belle.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go check out the DJ set!" said Sonic determinedly.

With that, Jewel decided to keep the rest of the crowd in check while the others went to check out the DJ set. On the stage. Once they got there, another rectangular wood was seen under the chair before it. Runa was the first to pick it up. The number carved on the wood was zero. Then, when she flipped it around, her face lit up as she found herself another clue.

"Taped under one of the tables leaves another clue."

Just as Runa was about to show the others another clue, a familiar delicate voice caught the group 's attentions.

"Oh my!"

Everyone turned around to see Jewel flying her way towards them.

"Sonic, someone is asking what is this doing under the table," she informed him.

Sonic's lips stretched out a grateful smile. "Thank whoever found it! This might be our next clue!"

Jewel tossed the wood to Sonic. The number carved there was read as the number seven. Then at the back was yet another clue.

"Hidden beside the machine where you can drink is another clue," he read it out loud.

"Let's check out the drinking dispenser!" said Charmy pointing to a beverage dispenser on the northeast corner. This dispenser consists of two carbonated drinks.

"Actually, it's called a beverage dispenser," Destinee corrected him.

"I'll go get it," said Whisper.

With that, Whisper walked her way towards the drinking station where the beverage dispenser stands. There, she carefully retrieved another wood somewhere between the dispenser and the stack of glasses.

The number carved on the wood was one. She flipped it over to read another clue. And this clue is the last one.

"Great job for going this far. The last clue is hidden somewhere on the top floor before the roof."

Once she ran back to the group, Tangle was the first to speak up. "So, did you find the clue?"

"Yes," she answered handing it to her. "It's the last one."

Tangle retrieved the wood Whisper had handed to her. Once she read the clue, she turned to the others. "The last clue is at the top floor, but it doesn't say anything about where it specifically is."

"Hopefully, we'll make it in time. It's almost nine-thirty!" Tails informed them through his Miles Electric.

Everyone turned to him in shock. "What?!"

"Did it just take us this far?! It's like we have almost two-in-a-half hours before midnight!" said Belle. "We're supposed to crack this escape room by now, so that we'll continue celebrating!"

"Now, now, now. Let's not panic. We'll go to the top floor and deal with the rest in the basement!" said Runa.

With that, they all went to the top floor. There, the group split up to look for the last clue. The Chaotix and Destinee looked for it in the east. Sonic and Tails looked for it in the west. Runa, Rosy and Mystico looked for it from where they had arrived in while Juniper, Bearace, Shania and Belle searched the other side. But what about Rouge? Well, we're about to find out.