Sonic the Hedgehog

The Vault

Aside from Knuckles, this isn't the Mobians' first time on an awkward elevator ride. Though, it certainly takes the cake as the most uncomfortable. Here they are, cramped in a tight space, descending down what everyone originally thought was a one-story building. Neither of them needs it spelled out, despite its bizarreness. This elevator leads underground. Its shiny, glistening walls reflect each of its passengers in their clearness.

The Mobian adjusts his suit, waits for a few moments, and finally says:

"You may be wondering where we're going."

"You think?" Sonic retorts.

"I apologize for the abruptness of the situation. But you must understand, we couldn't risk exposing our operation so soon."

"Operation?" Amy questions. "What is this? Who are you? And why are we in here instead of out there getting that emerald?!"

"Because that emerald is a fake, my dear," the bear answers, causing the entire elevator to go wide-eyed. "Merely a counterfeit meant to distract those who'd seek it. And also a way to hopefully draw you here to the real thing."

"You mean...?" Tails catches on.

"We received reports of some sort of attack on Grand Metropolis. Eye-witnesses claimed to have seen explosions, robots, multiple Sonics of varying colors- all of which would sound like nonsense if not for the clear destruction left from the battle. We were left puzzled and concerned for our OWN security before we received contact from GUN."

"Wait... GUN contacted you?!" Sonic double-checks, taken back.

The agent looks over at him.

"He may be a menace, war hero, but Eggman has a certain talent for bringing even the most unlikely of allies together during the most dire of circumstances," he says before turning away.

"We were told the object Eggman was in search of was somewhere in our city. It took a full search party and a unionized effort, but we were able to locate it stuck at the bottom of Azure Lake. After brainstorming some ideas, we conceived a way for you to discreetly make it here."

"And where is 'here'?" Tails asks.

To answer the boy's question, the two doors in front of the group slide open, revealing a linear, dimly lit, grey hallway. The lack of grime or any real specks on the walls tells of their young age. Directly ahead is a steel vault, easily weighing at one-hundred-thousand pounds.

"This secret tunnel was constructed for the sole intent of masking the emerald's presence," the bear says, approaching the vault, with the others following behind. "Above these walls are an intricately built electrical system that creates an electromagnetic barrier undetectable from any and all enemy radars. I, and I alone hold the key to the vault. The emerald you're searching for is right through there."

"You built all of this in two days?" Tails asks, looking around.

"Technically, the foundation was already underway due to a future money laundering scheme from the club's owner," the bear says with a proud smile. "But all we did was speed up the process and add a way to mask the emerald's energy. It was a huge collaborative effort that cost millions. Might I say, an impressive feat, wouldn't you agree, boy?"

"I mean... kinda," Tails says, scratching his head, making the smile on the agent's face vanish. "But wouldn't it have been more cost-effective and less resource heavy to jam all electrical systems in the surrounding area? That way, even if Eggman has his aircraft, the radar would be rendered useless. I mean, you did a great job and all! But personally-"

"It worked," he interrupts. "That's what matters."

A sound behind the five Mobians makes them all turn around, watching as the elevator doors slide closed.