Reunion and Capturing Fat Tony's Gang/Braving the Illumination Cavern for the Map (Sonicladdin 3 Version)

*(Back in the forest, the villains are trekking through it when Eggman’s group, the Badnik Thieves, and Merlock’s gang stopped, much to Fat Tony’s gang’s confusion)*

Louie: What is it?

*(Eggman’s group, the Badnik Thieves, and Merlock’s gang turned to Fat Tony’s gang)*

Eggman: Fat Tony, we need to ask you and your mafia a favor for us.

Fat Tony: Name it.

Eggman: Could you and your men go on patrol around the forest?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Confused) Patrol?

Infinite: You heard Eggman.

Negaduck: Because what if the enemy were to follow and stop us?

Merlock: Ever thought of that?

*(Understanding, Fat Tony’s gang gave in)*

Fat Tony: Very well.

Legs, Louie, and Johnny: Got it.

Louie: But where can we meet for us to report to youse?

Eggman’s group: At the entrance to the Temple of EnEmE.

Merlock's gang except Dijon, Electro, Hydroman, Poison Ivy, and Puppetmon: And we’ll go awaken EnEmE while you’re at it.

Dijon: Yep!

Electro, Hydroman, Poison Ivy, and Puppetmon: Good luck!

*(Understanding even more, Fat Tony’s gang gave in)*

Fat Tony’s gang: Got it.

*(Then with that, Fat Tony’s gang left the villains, armed with their guns, while the villains resumed their trek. Unknown to any of them, Terrence and Zak have overheard the plan while hidden in the bushes and they returned to the Fairy Clan Village. Once back there, they told everyone what they heard and seen, and everyone understood)*

Xandra: So, Fat Tony’s gang are gonna make sure we don’t go after them?

Terrence: Yes.

Zak: That’s what we’ve seen and heard.

Megavolt: (Shrugs casually and happily) Oh, well. The more the merrier for them to go play Blind Man’s Bluff without realizing our real mission.

Quackerjack: (Agreeing casually and happily) While those jerks go to the Temple of EnEmE for nothing with the fake Golden Hand of Midas.

*(But Chuck’s group, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts, on the other hand, thought of something else)*

Chuck’s group, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: Not necessarily.

*(Hearing them, the heroes got confused)*

Group: What do you mean?

Chuck: What we mean is that we have a great plan to get to Aztlán quickly.

*(The heroes in the expedition group then gave flat looks in realization)*

Chip, Team Rocket, and Fearsome Four: Really?

Doom: We are *not* asking Fat Tony’s men to help us.

Sonic: After what they did against us with the enemy a moment ago.

Knuckles: Especially me and my brothers' parents.

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: It’s true that they did tie me and a few others up and captured Chuck and Longclaw earlier, but what can hurt?

Vidia: If we’re to get the chance to prove ourselves worthy of being in Aztlán, getting the real Golden Hand of Midas, finding the long-awaited answers for Meowzie’s mystery voice and the cause of the war, and defeating the enemy *and* EnEmE, we have to take that chance.

Scratch: And because Fat Tony and his men are the mafia, they uphold their code of honor regarding deals.

Bushroot: Deals, my antennae!

Jessie: (To Bushroot, scoldingly) Bushroot! *(To Chuck’s group, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts, curiously)* Are you sure?

James: (Curiously) Would it really work?

Chuck’s group, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: Definitely.

Batty: And only people who are not positive are fools.

Liquidator: You sure?

Batty: I'm positive.

Crysta: And rest assured, we’ll even confiscate their weapons if they try to double-cross us.

Tink: Regarding the whole trust issue between them and us.

*(After contemplating a bit, the heroes turned to Oberon, who thought it over with his people, Bruni, Gale, Iridsella, Granite, Latios, and the goddesses as well)*

Sally: What do you think, you're majesty, everyone?

*(After contemplating, even Oberon, the Fairy Clan, Bruni, Gale, Iridsella, Granite, Latios, and the goddesses agreed to the idea)*

Oberon: I’m in on the idea.

Fairy Clan: (Agreeing) Yes. (We’re in.)

Iridsella: (Nods in agreement with Bruni, Gale, and Granite) Count me in.

Celebi, Zorua, Victini, Latios, and Latias: And us.

*(Seeing they have a point on the newly-hatched idea, the heroes gave in)*

Heroes: Alright.

Cornelius: Let’s go for it then.

*(Then the heroes, including some Fairy Clan warriors, head out into the forest to find Fat Tony’s gang while Oberon, Puck, the Blue Fairy, and the rest of the Fairy Clan stayed put in the village. In the forest, Fat Tony’s gang were doing their patrol, their guns held tightly, when they heard something swiftly run by in the bushes. They look around suspiciously, aiming their guns)*

Fat Tony: Who’s there?

*(Then another figure swiftly ran by the bushes. Suspicious, Fat Tony’s gang cautiously approached the bushes, and Fat Tony slowly reached his hand out to the bush, and then quickly pushed the branches aside, only to reveal, to his and his gang’s surprise and relief, an Albagoyle and Lobotos just playing “Catch Me If You Can” with some berries)*

Louie: (Relieved) Phew, that’s a relief.

Johnny: Probably got worried, we probably didn’t.

*(Then after Fat Tony released the bush’s branch, leaving the Albagoyle and Lobotos alone in their game and just when he and his gang resumed their patrol, they suddenly heard two familiar voices speak to them)*

Zak and Batty: (Voice-over) Hey, guys.

*(Fat Tony’s gang quickly aimed their guns at the spot where they heard Zak and Batty speak, and saw Zak and Bunny just standing there casually and calm, with Zak twirling his closed Swiss army knife. Giving flat looks, Fat Tony’s gang lowered their guns)*

Fat Tony: Oh, it’s just you.

Louie: What’re you doin’ here anyway?

Johnny: We have the Golden Hand of Midas, so mind your business.

Legs: Unless you want us to whack you in the labonza.

Batty: (Giggles teasingly a bit) That’s always your problem solver; Whacking someone in their labonzas. Sleepin' with the fishes! Can't you at least get a real hob...?

*(Then after Zak flicked his antenna before he rambled on, Batty snapped back to serious business and he and Zak eyed the bushes around them)*

Batty: But about what you said about just being me and Zakky here….

Zak: Fellas?

*(Then the heroes emerged from the bushes slowly, much to Fat Tony’s gang’s flat confusion)*

Johnny: You want a Mexican standoff?

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: Not exactly.

Sally: We just want to talk.

*(Vector's group then transformed into squad officers)*

Vanilla: And negotiate, shall we?

Vector, Cream, and Toby: Yeah.

Cheese: (Happily agreeing) Chao, chao.

Louie: Well, forget-about-it!

Fat Tony: No need for words.

Louie: You people think you’re so tough and all talk, you never even have the technique of twirling a weapon.

*(He twirls his gun a bit in a showoffish way, only to clumsily drop it, much to Fat Tony, Legs, and Johnny’s annoyance. Louie chuckles sheepishly a bit, picks his gun up, and re-aimed it again. Then Sonic’s group approached slowly, smiling smugly)*

Knuckles: Look who’s talking, Mr. Showoff.

*(Fat Tony’s gang continued their aim their guns at the three boys in determination)*

Fat Tony: (Enunciating in a menacing way) Don’t come any closer.

Daffy: (Casually) Face it, Fat Tony. You and your men definitely don’t have it in ya to do this to us.

Bugs: (Casually agreeing) And don't think about shooting Daffy's beak again.

Speedy: (Casually, gesturing to Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts) Considering that you let your capo *amigos* hang out with us.

Bushroot: And gotten soft on us.

Johnny: (Annoyed) Why does everyone keep saying that?!

Fat Tony: (Angrily annoyed, enunciating again) We have *not* gotten soft!

Bushroot: (Teasingly and casually) Sure you’re not.

Louie: Just face it; When Eggman’s group awaken EnEmE, youse gonna be sorry, and we’re gonna…!

*(Fat Tony, surprised at Louie for some reason at first, then angrily stomped on Louie’s foot, quieting him)*

Louie: Ow!

Fat Tony: Keep your big mouth shut!

Milo: (Teasingly) Ooh, looks like you’re hiding something more from us.

*(Fat Tony, Legs, and Johnny dagger glared at Louie, much to his confusion at first)*

Louie: (Confused at first) What?

*(Then he realized and got angry again with Fat Tony, Legs, and Johnny)*

Louie: (Realizing, then angrily) Oh! There’s nothin’ else goin’ on!

*(Sonic then spoke up smugly)*

Sonic: (Smugly) Really?

*(Chuck and Longclaw then approached Fat Tony’s gang next to Sonic’s group, smug as well)*

Chuck: But dost your eyes know about the Golden Hand of Midas?

Fat Tony: (Suspiciously) Only that it awakens EnEmE from his seal besides being the key to all the answers Aztlán holds.

Legs, Louie, and Johnny: (Suspiciously, starting to slow down) Why do you…?

*(Then Fat Tony’s gang slowly did a double take as Legs, Louie, and Johnny said the last line slowly, lowering their guns slowly in the process. The heroes then gave calm smug smiles that reads “Just figure it out, dum-dums.” Recognizing those looks, Fat Tony’s gang immediately gave looks that reads “Oh, crap!”)*

Fat Tony: You mean the Gold…?

*(A short pause, then Fat Tony’s gang quickly ran away to warn the villains, only for them to literally bump into the heroes, who block the way. As Fat Tony’s gang recovered and got up, they saw, to their surprise, the heroes aiming their weapons at them and surrounding them. Just when Fat Tony’s gang aimed their guns in determination again, as well as pull their knives and Fat Tony’s silver knuckle brasses out, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts quickly stopped them by restraining them, and then the Fairy Clan warriors immediately helped Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts apprehended them and took Fat Tony’s gang’s weapons away. But just when Fat Tony was about to savagely grab one of the Fairy Clan warriors after he took his weapons away, he and the other three Fairy Clan warriors struck each member of Fat Tony’s gang on their own heads with their own tomahawks, knocking them out. Vector's group then cautiously approached, wielding their own squad batting clubs. After poking Fat Tony gently, Vector's group eased down at first, only for Fat Tony’s gang to slowly come to, when Vector's group immediately whacked all four of them on their heads with their own clubs, knocking them out again. Then the heroes smiled at each other while Vector's group changed out of their squad officer outfits, changing Vanilla back into her expedition attire and Cream, Cheese, and Toby back into their main attires)*

Zarina: Part one of our plan complete.

*(Then they carried the unconscious Fat Tony’s gang back to the Fairy Clan Village. Once back there, they met up with Oberon and the rest of the Fairy Clan and presented Fat Tony’s gang’s unconscious bodies to them)*

Sonic’s group: Got them.

Sally’s group: Time for part two of our plan.

*(Then quickly taking action, the Fairy Clan warriors immediately tied Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, and Johnny’s unconscious bodies onto four separate chairs, tying their hands tightly behind their backs and onto the backs of their own chairs and their arms down tightly to their torsos. Seeing the four still unconscious, the heroes then pondered on how to wake them up)*

Amy: Now, how are we gonna wake them up?

*(After pondering a bit, the heroes then looked at Bruni, who got confused at first. Realizing, Bruni smiled in determination and nods with a squeak of approval. Then he approached the unconscious tied up Fat Tony’s gang cautiously. Then he climbed onto Johnny’s left shoulder and after backslapping Johnny’s face on his right cheek, nothing happened. After thinking a bit, Bruni brightened up in realization, and then stuck his tongue out at Fat Tony’s gang’s faces, hitting their left cheeks, and as soon as he did that on cue, Fat Tony’s gang bolted awake in surprise. At the same time Fat Tony’s gang bolted away in surprise, Bruni stuck his tongue back inside his mouth again, jumped off Johnny, and ran back to the heroes. Then Fat Tony’s gang noticed their bodies are tied up to four separate chairs in confusion and suspicion)*

Fat Tony’s gang: What the…?

*(Then they see the heroes and got angry)*

Fat Tony: What’s goin’ on?!

Legs: Untie us right now!

Louie: Or so help us…!

Bushroot: Help you what?

Louie: Nobody likes a naggin’ ragger, ya little weed!

Johnny: I swear, if we weren’t tied, we would’ve mulched ya!

Bushroot: (Sarcastically) Ooh, look at me, I'm shaking like a leaf. You're such a tough guy.

*(The heroes then approached Fat Tony’s gang, with Vector's group now already transformed into police detectives, with Vector transformed into Thomas Magnum from “Magnum, PI”)*

Fat Tony: Why did you bring us here?

Johnny: And why the heck are your magical crocodilian friend and his family dressed like police officers?

Vector: (Imitating Magnum) We’re runnin’ the interrogation here!

Fat Tony’s gang: (Surprised and angrily) Interrogation?!

Vector: (Imitating Magnum) You got that right!

Toby: (Imitating a detective) Now, talk.

Oberon: Why do Eggman’s group and Merlock’s gang wish to release EnEmE?

Thumbelina: And why are you helping them?

Darkwing: That's the one question we deserve since our first encounter back in Agrabah two days ago, if you recall.

*(But Fat Tony’s gang bitterly refused to crack)*

Johnny: We ain’t got nothin’ to say.

Fat Tony: Now untie us and give our weapons back at once.

Legs: Or you’ll be sleepin’ with the fishes.

Louie: And speaking of our weapons, where are they?

Chip: (Showoffishly) Oh, we ain’t saying nothing on that.

Meowzie: (Agreeing) Until you confess to us *and* hear us out, you are to be given a restraining order against your weapons.

Meowth: (Showoffishly agreeing, crossing his arms smugly) And we hid them somewhere among us where you will never find them.

*(A short pause as Fat Tony’s gang looked at Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts with calm flat bitter glares, and then they noticed something sticking out in Scratch’s bag, and they realized easily and immediately)*

Fat Tony: (Flatly) Our weapons are hidden in Scratch’s bag, from what we see.

Johnny: (Flatly) Ain’t that right?

*(Surprised that they figured it out easily, the heroes then had the four Fairy Clan warriors knock Fat Tony’s gang out again with their tomahawks, and on cue when the tomahawks struck Fat Tony’s gang’s own heads, we immediately cut to a black screen. Then we cut back to Fat Tony’s gang bolting awake again, with Bruni’s tongue touching their left cheeks again, awakening like that again. Then after Bruni stuck his tongue back into his mouth and ran back to the other heroes again, Fat Tony’s gang rubbed their licked left cheeks in annoyance and anger)*

Johnny: (In annoyance and anger to Bruni) Would you quit doin’ that to us?!

*(Then Meowth speaks up smugly again)*

Meowth: (Smugly, with his arms crossed) Now your weapons are hidden good somewhere else among us.

Chip: (Smugly agreeing) Where you’ll *definitely* never find them.

*(Fat Tony’s gang exhaled sharply through their noses)*

Fat Tony: Unbelievable.

Johnny: No matter what you do to us, we still ain’t talkin’.

Vector: (Imitating Magnum) We can do this all night if we’d like.

Johnny: (Annoyed) And quit acting like police officers along with your family!

Louie: (Agreeing in annoyance) Yeah, amateurs!

*(Ignoring them, Vector's group then stepped back while the rest of the heroes began their interrogation)*

Fat Tony: (Suspiciously) And why do you, out of suspicious curiosity, want us to squeal about Eggman’s group’s plan, per chance?

Cornelius: Because we believe you might know something else.

Louie: And what did you mean by “Hear us out” earlier?

Oberon: All will be explained after the interrogation.

Legs: Like Johnny said, we still ain’t sayin’ nothin’, no matter what you do to us.

Fat Tony: And if you ain’t tellin’ us what your “Hear us out” idea is, then you can just stuff it into your brains.

*(The heroes gave flat looks)*

Vector: (Briefly changes into Jack Benny) Well!

Sally: (While Vector changed back into Magnum) Listen, like Vector said, we could do this all night until you do squeal.

Scratch: She has a point.

Coconuts: So, just talk.

Grounder: They have the right to know.

Fat Tony: (To Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts) Stay out of this! *(To the heroes)* We are *not* squealing ever!

Sonia: Then what do you want us to do to make this work out?

Johnny: Why don’t you go and suck a lemon?

*(A short pause, then Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak approached Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, and Johnny respectively with calm smug smiles, as if giving in, after putting their hands behind their backs and each accepting something that Vector magically and secretly made appear in their hidden hands)*

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: You know what? Very well.

Manic: If you insist.

Knuckles: We were hoping you would give us answers, but we were wrong unfortunately.

Zak: And we’ll probably let you go free.

*(Then they calmly discarded their smug smiles and gave flat looks)*

Manic: But us to suck a lemon?

Zak: Talk about harsh.

Knuckles: Very harsh.

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: That definitely hurt us. And, if what you, Johnny, said really hurt us…. WOULD THIS HURT?!

*(On “WOULD THIS HURT?!”, Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak immediately stuffed their own lemon wedges into Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, and Johnny’s respective mouths roughly and used their own other hands to roughly grab their own hair to make it work. Fat Tony’s gang groaned and gagged loudly in pain from this kind of impact. Watching this with everyone in amazement and surprise, Vector's group, Chip, Team Rocket, the Fearsome Four, Meowzie, Milo, Sophia, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts turned to each other in amazement)*

Coconuts: Wow, remind us to never tell you to suck a lemon.

Vector's group, Chip, Team Rocket, Fearsome Four, Meowzie, Milo, Sophia, Scratch, and Grounder: Yeah.

*(Even Marahute chirps in agreement. Then Vector licked his finger where he magically conjured the lemon wedges a moment ago and his face flinched a bit)*

Vector: Ooh! Definitely sour.

*(As Fat Tony’s gang continued to groan and gag loudly, Manic asked away savagely)*

Manic: Are you gonna talk now?!

Knuckles: If not, then you’re gonna suck these lemons all night!

Zak: Definitely all night!

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: Your choice; You going to squeal and listen to us, or suck more of these lemons?

*(Surprised while groaning and gagging in pain, Fat Tony’s gang immediately realized the heroes are not playing games here, and then they finally gave in)*

Fat Tony: (Muffled) Mmmal-myte, mmmal-myte! (All right, all right!)

Legs, Louie, and Johnny: (Muffled) Mmwill-mwalk! (We'll talk!)

*(Hearing them say that, Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak removed the lemon wedges from Fat Tony’s gang’s own mouths and released their own hair)*

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak: You squealing now?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Panting and coughing a bit) Yes!

Johnny: (Groans a bit) *Mio* *Dio*,\* those are sour!

\*(”*Mio Dio*” means “My God” in Italian)

Louie: The reason Eggman’s group want to free EnEmE with the Golden Hand of Midas is one reason and one reason only!

Legs: It’s because the legends say that if EnEmE is freed from his imprisonment by the holder of the Golden Hand of Midas, then he will become powerful by an unknown lifeforce keeping him immortal!

Fat Tony: And once EnEmE is freed by that holder, then EnEmE will have the power to rule the world!

Johnny: Or if the holder is evil like EnEmE, then they both share world domination and its power, and if that happens, then *arrivederci*, Charlie!

*(Shocked upon hearing this, the heroes got determined)*

Doom: And, again, why would you help them do that?!

Louie: Nothin’ else!

*(Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak showed the lemon wedges to Fat Tony’s gang in a threatening way, making them answer some more)*

Louie: On second thought, there is somethin’ else!

Fat Tony: We were promised by Eggman’s group that if we help them free EnEmE and rule the world, they and the Badnik Thieves will reward us with all the riches and money in the world!

Legs: As well as a special surprise for us when we take over!

Johnny: So, there, we said it!

Fat Tony’s gang: Ya happy?!

*(A short pause, then the heroes understood)*

Heroes: Yes.

Megavolt: Happy as can be, macho men!

*(Vector's group then changed back to normal)*

Liquidator: Now, onto our important “Hear us out” moment.

Vector's group: Yep!

*(Sonic and Sally’s groups approach Fat Tony’s gang after Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak stepped back a bit, still holding the lemon wedges)*

Sonic: We’ve read every single book about the mafia’s code of honor.

Sally: And the reason why we’re saying that is because *we* are going to make a deal.

Vector: (Agreeing, imitating Don Corleone) We’re gonna make an offer you can’t refuse.

*(Then he changed back to normal. Realizing that this what the interrogation is what it’s about, Fat Tony’s gang got calmly nonchalant in a bitter way)*

Fat Tony: (Nonchalantly) You forced us here for an interrogation, just to make a deal with us and give us an offer?

Johnny: (Nonchalantly) That’s it?

Louie: (Nonchalantly) Why should we make a deal with you?

Legs: (Nonchalantly) Let alone accept your offer?

Sonic: Because we have a feeling, from what you just told us, that Eggman’s group and the Badnik Thieves are obviously, and possibly, lying to you about your “Special surprise.”

*(Fat Tony’s gang’s nonchalant angry looks slowly melted away into confusion upon hearing Sonic say that)*

Fat Tony: (Confused) “Lying to us?”

Louie: (Suspiciously in confusion) What do you mean?

Scratch: Me, Grounder, and Coconuts also had a suspicious feeling we were being tricked by Eggman’s group.

Grounder: Yet we never said a word of our suspicions.

Coconuts: Due to the fact that if we did, you wouldn’t believe us.

*(After a brief staring contest, then Fat Tony’s gang sighed grudgingly and gave in)*

Fat Tony: Name your deal and offer.

*(Then Sonic and Sally's groups, Chuck, and Longclaw proceeded to explain their deal and offer)*

Sonic: Okay.

Sally: Here’s our deal.

Tails: If you help us get to Aztlán, find Meowzie’s mystery voice, and the answers regarding the start of the war between Agrabah and Shirabad….

Knuckles: With help from the real Golden Hand of Midas, that is.

Cosmo: Then *we’ll* give you this offer instead of Eggman’s group.

Amy: Or as you called it, a special surprise.

Chuck and Longclaw: Some money to pay you a favor for your work for our favor.

Sonic and Sally: Which will also serve as your payment to secretly witness us and our groups' wedding, and both Bugs and Lola and Pepe and Penelope's second wedding anniversaries.

Knuckles: And until we *might* learn to trust each other, you’re not getting your weapons back at all.

Liquidator: And do not think about being given the Golden Hand of Midas, because we don’t trust you completely.

Bushroot: So there.

*(Spike nods smugly. Fat Tony’s gang were somewhat surprised)*

Johnny: Smart guys.

*(After thinking it over, Fat Tony’s gang then proceeded to make the negotiation with the heroes)*

Fat Tony: If we’re to be paid for our favor from your favor, we expect at least thirty gold coins.

*(The heroes pondered, then gave in casually)*

Heroes: Thirty gold coins, it is.

Smart Guy: And if you do keep your end of our bargain and be paid, we expect thirty gold coins from you as well.

Fat Tony’s gang: (Aghast) Also pay you thirty gold coins?!

Doom: (Crossing his arms sternly) Take it or leave it.

*(After tensing a bit, Fat Tony’s gang finally gave in grudgingly)*

Fat Tony’s gang: (Whispering, bitterly to themselves) *Maledici il nostro codice d’onore*....\* *(To the heroes, bitterly)* Deal.

\*(”*Maledici il nostro codice d’onore*” means “Curse our code of honor….” in Italian)

*(Marahute, Bruni, Latios, and the goddesses then looked at Fat Tony’s gang cautiously in an observing way with stern looks, checking if Fat Tony’s gang is telling the truth, then surprisingly enough, they smiled happily, and nods to the heroes, indicating that Fat Tony’s gang means it)*

Heroes: Done.

*(Then, while Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Manic, Knuckles, and Zak let Vector magically discard the lemon wedges, the four Fairy Clan warriors pulled their knives out and cuts Fat Tony’s gang free from their chairs, untying them. Once untied and freed, Fat Tony’s gang rubbed their freed wrists as they stood up. Then Fat Tony speaks in a more calm obeying matter to the heroes while he and his gang finished rubbing their wrists)*

Fat Tony: Okay, you want to get to Aztlán for your goals, then let’s go for it.

Legs, Louie, and Johnny: (Agreeing) Yep.

*(Then Fat Tony spoke up in a calm angry tone)*

Fat Tony: (In calm anger) And *if* you are right about Eggman’s group lying to us, *then* we can believe you!

Johnny: So, for now, we *don’t* believe you.

Heroes: (Shrugs) Okay.

Rosetta: (Shrugs) Fine by us.

*(Then with that, the heroes going to Aztlán with Fat Tony’s gang, consisting the expedition, Chuck’s group, Thumbelina, Cornelius Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, Bruni, Granite, Gale, Iridsella, Latios, and the goddesses, after packing supplies and weapons, as well as the Map of Aztlán in tow, bidded a silent goodbye to the Blue Fairy, Oberon and his clan, who bidded them luck and a goodbye)*

Oberon: Be safe.

Blue Fairy: All of you.

Puck: And may the spirits watch over you.

*(The hero group nods calmly, and then left the village, their journey to Aztlán officially beginning. Later while still trekking through the forest, Cornelius is reading the map carefully when Fat Tony came up to him in confusion and curiosity. But regardless, Cornelius heard him come up to him and didn’t mind, despite his distrust towards him)*

Fat Tony: What’s with the staring contest with your map?

Cornelius: It just so happens, Fat Tony, that I’m looking ahead on the obstacles that we’ll encounter en route to Aztlán.

Fat Tony: What kind of obstacles?

*(Then they heard Thumbelina answer for Cornelius, which he lets her)*

Thumbelina: The dangerous kinds that many explorers encountered, which ended with some of them surviving and escaping, and others not so lucky.

*(Then Fat Tony’s gang stopped in shock and surprise upon hearing John explain that, that the hero group stopped upon seeing them stop)*

Louie: Whoa, back up! You never told us *anything* about dangerous obstacles!

*(A short pause, then….)*

Darkwing: (Flatly) You really never read any legends regarding on how to get to Aztlán?

Legs: Can’t say we have. Why?

Darkwing: Well, those legends were written by those who survived the incidents and even made it so far until they were able to reach the Gold Azure Sea, where Aztlán itself sits at from twenty miles beyond the shore.

Johnny: (Aghast) Twenty miles from the shore?!

Vanilla: You ever wondered how many miles a faraway continent and/or island are from this continent beyond the oceans across the world?

*(Realizing that’s a good question, Fat Tony’s gang casually shrugged an “I don’t know,” seeing that she has a point, and they can’t argue with that)*

Vanilla: Exactly.

Latios: In fact, there is a fun fact for you; Water has memory.

Hero group: Memory?

Latios: Yes.

Latias: Like how elephants never forget, water can, too, hold vast knowledge from what they see and hear at their spots.

Johnny: How can water see and hear?

Zorua: Their water elementals.

*(Then she briefly looks at Liquidator)*

Zorua: As well as you since you have aquakinesis.

*(Hearing Zorua explain that, Fat Tony’s gang immediately realized while the hero group remembered and Liquidator, upon realizing, agreed)*

Fat Tony’s gang: Oh, we get it.

Legs: Like the Water Nokks here in Shirabad.

Megavolt: Never doubt the intelligence of the Fairy Clan of Shirabad.

Liquidator: Yes, and I guess I have a huge memory storage in my brain, since I am water.

*(Then the hero group sat down for a little rest and Cornelius and Thumbelina showed them all the map so Cornelius can describe the obstacles. During his entire explanation and the whole meeting, Thumbelina is pointing each and every location on the map’s spots for Cornelius to describe it clearly)*

Cornelius: Alright, this is where we are now, right?

Hero group: Yes.

Cornelius: Well, the first obstacle we will come upon soon is the Spirit Graveyard; It’s not dangerous, thankfully, but that area is where the spirits of the dead explorers, along with their destroyed vehicles they bring, rest. Then the second obstacle, is the Apple Mantis River, which will th….

Bushroot: Wait, did you say the “Apple Mantis River?!”

Cornelius: Yes.

Thumbelina: That is the Apple Mantis’ nesting habitat.

Cornelius: Where else would the Apple Mantises make themselves healthy for their lives and nutritious for edible needs when we kill them?

Bushroot: (Realizing) Oh, yeah, water makes them like that.

Liquidator: (Agreeing) Along with sunlight.

Cornelius: Anyway, after we past their nest, then we’ll enter a river cavern with some rapids, which will then end at a small waterfall leading into a small lake in the cave, then we go through a long winding single tunnel until we reach the Door of Elementals.

Thumbelina: There, anybody with magical powers relating to those said elements, including those who can fly, will be cocooned in a magic barrier that’ll prevent them from using those powers to open the door.

Vanilla: (Shocked and surprised, looking at Vector, Toby, and Cream) Well!

Vector: (Then he changed himself, Cream, and Toby into normal hobos) Looks like me and my kids' magic to open that door is out if us and any other magical beings are cocooned when we get there.

Magic members of hero group: (Agreeing) Yeah. (Yes.)

Megavolt: Total bummer.

Thumbelina: (While Vector changes himself, Cream, and Toby back to normal) But luckily for those who don’t have magic, they can use a normal technique that’s related to the elements.

Cornelius: We should know.

*(Confused with the hero group, Chuck asked away)*

Chuck: What do you mean, “You should know?”

Cornelius: Because me and Thumbelina were with an original expedition two years ago, trying to get to Aztlán to find the answers to what caused the war.

Thumbelina: And apparently, we both were among the survivors that lived to tell the tale upon our return.

Meowzie: Then, do you know how our normal members of our group can open the door with their elemental-related techniques?

Thumbelina: We’re afraid not.

Cornelius: We were, unfortunately, unconscious from a landslide that was caused by one of our original members exploding dynamite on the cocoon section, trying to free me, Thumbelina, and the original members that had and/or have magic.

Thumbelina: And when Cornelius and I came to, the door was opened already, the magic ones cocooned were already freed, the both of us included, and one of the expedition members partially told us on how they opened the door without properly explaining.

Tails: And did you ever ask any of those survivors how they exactly opened it?

Thumbelina and Cornelius: Never got the chance.

*(Getting it, they understood)*

Hero group: (Getting it) Ah….

Chip: Because they died.

Thumbelina: (Nods) Drowning at the Gold Azure Sea, trying to pass the Water Nokk’s test.

*(Then Louie changed the subject)*

Louie: Which means after the door is…?

Thumbelina: Yes.

Cornelius: After the door, we will then come upon the shore of the Gold Azure Sea and beyond it is Aztlán itself.

Iridsella: And if anybody who survived and made it this far passed the Water Nokk’s test and find the answers they deserve, as well as the Golden Hand of Midas, in Aztlán itself, then that anybody will be deemed worthy to go to and from Aztlán anytime they want without going through the obstacles again.

Victini: But if that anybody is not lucky enough to escape the deeper, dangerous, and coldest depths of Aztlán by the time they found the answers, then, like the lullaby said by “Be drowned,” they will petrify into gold statues.

*(Calmly worried, Meowth, Milo, and Sophia turned to Meowzie)*

Meowth: Are you definitely sure you want to drown yourself for the answers?

Milo: We wouldn't know what to do if you died.

Sophia: Growing up with no mother to be with us.

Meowzie: Do I have a choice for that?

*(Before Meowth could answer, however, a panicked look struck his, Milo, and Sophia's faces and began calmly stuttering in a panicked way, pointing at something behind Meowzie, much to her confusion)*

Meowzie: What?

Stupid: Are you playing “Jabber Like an Idiot” right now?

Doom: This is no time for games!

*(Meowth, Milo, and Sophia finally shouted it out in a panic)*

Meowth, Milo, and Sophia: (Screaming in a panic) APPLE MANTIS!!

*(They quickly ran away like cheetahs, screaming. The hero group turned and immediately saw what Meowth, Milo, and Sophia saw; An angry, snarling, and drooling Apple Mantis. Panic calmly enveloping on the non-serious members while the serious members backed off in calm surprise and concern, the hero group ran with Meowth, Milo, and Sophia as well after Sonic quickly grabbed the map. Then suddenly, upon catching up with Meowth, Milo, and Sophia, another Apple Mantis leapt out of the bushes, blocking the way, snarling and drooling angrily as well. Looking around desperately for a way out of this, the hero group saw on one side of them a huge boulder blocking the way, and the other side a clear way through. Just when they went that way, the first Apple Mantis approached from behind them, snarling and drooling savagely)*

Launchpad: We’re literally caught between a rock and two sets of apple sauce-drooling teeth!

Darkwing: No duh, Mr. Wizard!

*(But then, to their surprise, the two Apple Mantises, instead, charged at each other angrily, fighting each other and paying no mind to the hero group upon Granite thankfully throwing two rocks at the two beasts, yet, unfortunately, the hero group, except Iridsella and Fat Tony’s gang, didn’t see that)*

Steelbeak: My guess; They’re fighting over territory!

Jenna: Or maybe over us as food!

Balto: Like the carnivores they are!

Sally’s group: Well, we’re not staying to find out!

Sonic’s group: Right behind you!

*(Then they immediately ran away to safety while the two Apple Mantises continued fighting each other. Once all clear, the hero group stopped and after panting a bit, they turned to each other in concern, asking each other if they’re alright and relieved to see each other being alright. Then Iridsella and Fat Tony’s gang turned to Granite)*

Fat Tony: Good thinking with the rocks.

Legs, Louie, and Johnny: Yeah.

Iridsella: They can be provoked into fighting each other easily by that.

*(Hearing them, the hero group turned to Granite, who then gave a graveled groan while shrugging smugly. Realizing, they understood)*

Chip: Ah, we get it….

Morgana: Provoke an Apple Mantis by throwing something at them, and they get distracted into fighting something else.

Minerva: That kinda makes them patsies when it comes to distractions.

Cream: Thank you, Granite.

*(Granite nods a “You’re welcome” smile. Then Megavolt and Louie, while backing up a bit to catch their breath to calm down, accidentally bumped into Sonic and Fat Tony, making Sonic accidentally drop the map onto the ground)*

Fat Tony: Would you both watch where you’re walking next time?

Megavolt and Louie: Sorry. (Sorry, Boss.)

*(Sonic then approached the map on the ground when part of the ground he stepped on cracked a bit, making him stop immediately)*

Sonic: Uh, anybody who could fly…?

*(Seeing with the hero group the cracks on the section of the ground where Sonic stepped on with the map laying on it, the flying members of the hero group, upon realizing what's gonna happen next in a foolish way along with the non-flying members, understood and flew over it to grab the map when suddenly, Megavolt’s nose was accidentally tickled by Jenna’s tail stroking it when it moved, causing him to sneeze, resulting the force of his sneeze to send him flying right into Quackerjack and then, with Quackerjack, into the cracks, breaking the section of the ground into a hole and the map disappeared below. The flying members dove down into the hole to get the map, but then, while grabbing Megavolt and Quackerjack, seeing something dangerous and illuminating in the underground cavern, they panicked and flew back up to the surface quickly, panting a bit)*

Fawn: Did you get the map out of there?!

Tails: We almost did!

Megavolt: But something creepy was down there!

Legs: And you just came up here like cowards and failures?!

Quackerjack: (Angrily looking at Jenna and Megavolt) Well, if Sparky hadn’t sneezed into me and the cracks because of Jenna’s tail, none of this would’ve happened!

Megavolt: (Angrily) Don't call...!

Jenna: (Apologetically to Megavolt and Quackerjack, interrupting the former) I’m sorry, but I couldn’t keep my tail still when I’m nervous.

Balto: It's true, so don't blame her.

Megavolt: Well, learn to keep…!

Tink: (Interrupting) Stop it!

Silvermist: We can feel guilty later.

Quackerjack: Are you and Tink saying we should just go back down into that cave to get the map?

Megavolt: You saw it down there, it was scary!

Tink: Scary or not, we *have* to go back down there.

Silvermist: Yes.

Coconuts: Now, don’t be such fraidy cats!

Scratch: If we’re to get to Aztlán, we need the map!

Grounder: So, no chickening out!

Vector: (Briefly changes into a chicken and back) Like the chickens you are!

*(Then Vector, upon returning to normal, and Grounder turned to Scratch)*

Vector and Grounder: (To Scratch) No offense.

Scratch: None taken.

Thumbelina: They’re right.

Cornelius: This may be one of the most dangerous underground caverns beneath Shirabad, but we can’t just leave my father’s map down there.

Chip: And is it dangerous because of something lurking down there?

Cornelius: Unfortunately, yes.

Thumbelina: This is called an Illumination Cavern, named so because it is a dark underground cavern with bioluminescent lights all over. And lurking down there, camouflaging with the lights, are a bunch of monsters that call themselves Biolumonsters.

Cornelius: They are way more dangerous than any mere Apple Mantis and Tree Bark Crocodile up here.

*(Looking down at the Illumination Cavern below its entrance beneath them, the hero group slowly got determined and gathered some courage)*

Non-serious flying members of hero group: You know what, let’s go get the map.

Serious flying members of hero group: (Gladly agreeing) No point trying to get to Aztlán without it.

Smart Guy: But question; It’s a deep hole, so how are we non-flying members gonna get out of there once we find the map, if there’s nothing to climb back up here?

*(Realizing Smart Guy’s question, the flying members of the hero group agreed)*

Chip: Even if us flying members can try and carry us out, it would take too long due to the fact that we might get eaten during the escape.

Megavolt: And, unfortunately, even if Marahute could fit down there, she can't fly that fast if we go down there.

*(Marahute nods in agreement)*

Cornelius: Not to worry; The Illumination Cavern is like a deep undersea trench, except with oxygen and no water.

*(Even Chuck’s group, Darkwing, and Launchpad agreed in realization)*

Launchpad: Oh, yeah, that’s right.

Chuck’s group: Similar to swimming, we’re floating instead.

Darkwing: Yep, yep, yep.

*(Realizing, the hero group understood)*

Vector: (Briefly changes into and imitating Sir Isaac Newton, letting an apple he conjured up hit his head) That’s the opposite of gravitational laws of physics!

*(Then he changes back while letting Marahute gobble up the apple. Then the hero group got ready to dive into the Illumination Cavern via the entrance)*

Donald: Okay, on the count of three in Spanish.

José, Panchito, Xandra, and Speedy: *Uno*, *dos*, *tres*!

*(The hero group, except Granite and Marahute who stayed behind since they're too big, then jumped into the Illumination Cavern and instead falling straight down, they floated down to the ground level while staying still. Upon landing, they walked around normally)*

Celebi: And even if we float in the air down here, those who can’t fly *can*, however, walk like it’s normal gravity on the ground level.

*(Then the hero group swam in the air through the Illumination Cavern cautiously, on lookout for predators and/or the map. Upon reaching another section of the cave, they soon come upon some giant glowing bioluminescent mushrooms with some tube-shaped fan-like bioluminescent plants all around the area. Meowth's family cautiously approached each one of the mushrooms and plants with Bruni, who then gave a reassuring nod that those bioluminescent floral objects in front of them are harmless. Reassured by that nod, Sophia then touched the mushroom, making it glow brighter upon being touched, surprising the hero group)*

Sophia: Just like a nightlight.

*(Then as soon as she stopped touching the mushroom, the bright glowing ended)*

Iridsella: Only if it’s touched, that is.

*(Milo then touched the tube-shaped fan-like plant near him and upon it being touched, it quickly shrunk and curled itself down into a glowing small ball-shaped speck. After he backed off, the plant then quickly returned to normal. Amazed by this, the hero group, mostly Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia, calmly walked around the floral objects, touching them and making them temporally shrink down. Even Cream, Cheese, and Toby chuckled a bit during this. Then finally, after shrinking down another plant, Megavolt, Quackerjack, Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, Sophia, Balto, and Jenna spotted, to their happiness….)*

Megavolt, Quackerjack, Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, Sophia, Balto, and Jenna: The map!

*(Hearing them, the hero group ran up to them and Sonic immediately grabbed it just before the plant reopened. After Sonic repacked the map in Cornelius’ bag, Tink, Terrence, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist, Vidia, and Zarina then noticed some glowing watermelon-sized fruits on a bioluminescent tree right down below them on a cliffside. Noticing them seeing this, the hero group immediately realized what the fruit is)*

Darkwing: Biolum Berries.

Rosetta: (Agreeing) Very delicious.

Vidia: Tastes just like peaches.

Fat Tony: And I take it you’re gonna go get it?

Silvermist: Yes.

Zarina: We need more food supplies to keep us alive and stronger.

Tink: Now, let’s go get it.

Sally: (To Fat Tony’s gang) And, as your first mafia bodyguard duty, you are to keep watch for any monsters that might come after us.

*(Fat Tony’s gang nod in agreement with a shrug)*

Fat Tony’s gang: You got it, Princess.

*(Then the hero group, except Fat Tony’s gang who stayed put to look out for any monsters, swam down to the tree. After pulling her sword out, Zarina immediately started cutting through the stem of four Biolum Berries stuck together like a saw)*

Zarina: This may take about ten seconds to be cut through.

*(Then on cue ten seconds later from what Zarina said, the four Biolum Berries were cut from the tree. After swimming back up to Fat Tony’s gang while Zarina puts her sword away, they and Fat Tony’s gang then proceeded to swim back to the direction of the exit. Suddenly, during their swim, Louie accidentally, and clumsily, bumped into a giant darkened object)*

Louie: (Groans in pain a bit) That hurts.

*(Then he resumed his swim with the hero group. Unknown to them, the darkened figure slowly lit itself up and opened its glowing yellow eyes with glowing green pupils and glowing red irises, revealing to be a giant monster-like figure, its body covered in spots and long linings of red, yellow, green, and blue bioluminescent lights, yet we can’t see its true appearance due to being in the dark. Then the monster slowly creeped along slowly, following the hero group. With the hero group, they spot some little bioluminescent butterflies and horseflies. After watching them fly around a bit, the bioluminescent butterflies and horseflies panicked at something from behind the hero group and flew away quickly in a panic, much to the hero group’s confusion at first until they noticed a huge shadow looming over them. They turned, and got shocked at what’s behind them, revealing the real reason why the bioluminescent butterflies and horseflies flew away in a panic; The same monster Louie bumped into a moment ago, and it calmly, and menacingly, growled a bit low, hungry for its number of prey in front of it. And by now, the monster’s appearance is finally revealed; A giant menacing mudskipper-like beast with dark lemon green slimy, scaly skin with its red, yellow, blue, and green bioluminescent lighted spots and long linings all over its body, its glowing yellow eyes with glowing green pupils and glowing red irises, sharp glowing yellow angler fish-like teeth, and glowing blue sharp bear claw-like claws, catfish-like whiskers, and mudskipper dorsal, gills, and fins, and in its mouth, a bioluminescent red serpentine-like tongue. The hero group immediately recognized the monster)*

Hero group: A Biolumonster….

Daffy: Mother.

*(Then as the Biolumonster’s soft growling started to slowly intensify, something struck down the Biolumonster, pinning it to the ground. The hero group then noticed that the object that struck down the Biolumonster is a giant boulder. They looked up at the exit and saw that it came from Granite, who then roared along with Marahute, who screeched in concern, to them to hurry and swim to him and the exit. Without hesitating, the hero group immediately swam quickly towards the exit when the Biolumonster recovered and zipped at the hero group, blocking the way, menacingly hungry for meat. After looking at each other in concern, the hero group and Fat Tony’s gang, seeing they are both in a dangerous situation, knew what they must do now; Tink then pulled her bag out and pulled out Fat Tony’s gang’s weapons and gave them back to Fat Tony’s gang. Then noticing along with Gale a bioluminescent gourd plant beneath the Biolumonster after getting his gun back, Legs, with Gale’s help, then quickly zipped underneath the bioluminescent gourd plant, and on cue, Legs fired his gun at the bioluminescent gourd plant from underneath, provoking it to grab the Biolumonster with its vines, and swallowing it whole. After Legs and Gale met up with them, the hero group resumed their swim back towards the exit and Granite when the bioluminescent gourd plant exploded huge globs of glowing green bioluminescent slime, which the hero group dodged upon seeing this, and then the Biolumonster emerged slowly, menacingly standing up, letting all the bioluminescent slime stream and melt down off its body, cleaning it again, and it is very angry. Then the Biolumonster, as soon as the bioluminescent slime completely melted off its body, proceeded to chase the hero group around the cave, trying to eat them by trying to bite at them, until finally, the Biolumonster knocked both Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist and Johnny aside to a nearby cliffside. Concerned for Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist and Johnny, who recovered upon impact, the hero group bravely swam quickly to their aid. Suddenly, the Biolumonster jerked itself around savagely in a menacing way and with one bite, trapped Sonic, Fat Tony, Balto, and Jenna in its mouth, making the hero group stop in their tracks. Then the hero group, after Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist and Johnny swam up to them, proceeded to intimidate the Biolumonster with their weapons, attempting to make the creature open its mouth. Inside the Biolumonster’s mouth, Fat Tony quickly fired his gun at the Biolumonster’s teeth, attempted to break them, but to no avail)*

Fat Tony: (Shooting the Biolumonster’s teeth) Come on, come on…!

*(Then noticing the Biolumonsters’ gills representing its mouth’s inner ears, Sonic quickly gestured to Fat Tony, after making him stop shooting the teeth, Balto, and Jenna to howl. Getting it upon seeing the gills, they immediately, with Sonic, howled really loudly like wolves, making the Biolumonster screech and vibrate in pain from the loud noise coming from inside its mouth, that it successfully opened its mouth, allowing Sonic, Fat Tony, Balto, and Jenna to quickly swim out of its mouth thanks to Gale carrying them out quickly via his flurrying. After meeting up with the hero group, Sonic, Fat Tony, Balto, Jenna, and them quickly swam near the exit when the Biolumonster grabbed Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, and even Fat Tony’s gang by their ankles, or tank legs in Grounder's case, with its tongue, making them grab a nearby bioluminescent stalactite after they roughly bumped right into it upon being dragged towards the Biolumonster’s opened jaws with its tongue sticking out)*

Fat Tony’s gang, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: (To the hero group) Hey! (Oh!) Help!

*(Seeing the seven in danger, the hero group got shocked and concerned. Then, courage kicking in, Sonic, Sally, and Meowth’s groups, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia immediately darted back and with one swipe of Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia’s claws, cuts the Biolumonster’s tongue in half, making it retract in pain with a loud God-awful screech of pain. After removing and discarding the cut-off tongue from Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, and Fat Tony’s gang’s ankles and Grounder's tank-like legs, Sonic, Sally, and Meowth’s groups, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia and them immediately met up with the hero group, who successfully emerged out of the Illumination Cavern thanks to Latios, the Elemental Spirits, and goddesses helping them out quickly. Then on cue upon exiting, Sonic, Sally, and Meowth’s group, Meowzie, Milo, Sophia, Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, and Fat Tony’s gang quickly emerged with the hero group’s help, screaming their heads off as the Biolumonster jumped out of the whole like a shark jumping out of water to grab its prey, but luckily, the hero group dodged its jaws, and upon landing on the surface’s ground, the Biolumonster screeched in pain by the sunlight and then retreated back into the Illumination Cavern. After that’s done with, the hero gang panted in concern at first, then sighed in relief)*

Louie: *Dio*, I thought we were goners back there!

Coconuts: Nearly got a heart attack!

Quackerjack: *You’re* the only one who nearly got a heart attack?

Megavolt: YOU SHOULD’VE SEEN HOW TERRIFIED WE WERE!!

Scratch: (Slapping Megavolt in his face repeatedly with claws) GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!!

*(After that’s done and Megavolt’s calmed, Scratch realized his temper and apologized immediately)*

Scratch: Sorry. You were freaking out like we all were.

Louie: And when I just said, “We were almost goners back there,” I meant *all* of us than just me, the Boss, and our gang, got it?

*(Hearing Louie say that, the hero group slowly and calmly realized)*

Amy: So, basically, you were worried about *all* of us?

*(Realizing what he said upon hearing Amy say that, Louie got tough in an amateurish way)*

Louie: (Surprised at first) Oh, um, *(Pretends to be tough)* what gave youse the impression I said that?

Chip: Phony.

Psycho: You got scared, too, due to almost being eaten back down there.

*(Louie shrugs. Ignoring Louie’s attitude, Fat Tony then turned to Sonic, Sally, and Meowth’s groups, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia)*

Fat Tony: What you did back there, thank you.

Sonic’s group: Well….

Sonic: We had to go back and help you guys.

Sally: You’re our hired mafia bodyguards, right?

Meowth: We couldn’t just let you get eaten.

Fat Tony: Fair point.

Legs: And Tink, thanks for giving our weapons back to us.

Tink: Well, how else would we escape the Biolumonster?

Zak: And my guess; You’re gonna double-cross us now that you have your weapons back, right?

*(After contemplating upon looking at their weapons, Fat Tony’s gang, however, decided otherwise)*

Fat Tony: Well, to tell you the truth, we were considering double-crossing you upon getting to Aztlán and getting our weapons back. However….

Longclaw: Our guess; You changed your mind because…?

Fat Tony’s gang: You saved our lives back down there.

Fat Tony: And, also because, as part of our mafia code of honor, we would never, and I mean, *never*, whack someone, with a good heart, who would just save our lives from danger.

Doom: And if it were a villain who saved you…?

Fat Tony: *They* are the only ones whackable, and luckily for you, since you are good-hearted people, you’re an exception.

*(Calmly amazed and flattered, the hero group smiled in gratitude)*

Vector: Aw, shucks….

*(Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist, impressed as well, spoke up)*

Tempest Shadow/Fizzlepop Berrytwist: That’s good.

Doom: And are we certain you’re not lying to us?

Fat Tony: Judge Doom, you have me and my men’s word, that we will not murder or double-cross you, after what you just did for us back down there.

Johnny: And you can go ahead and have your god, goddesses, Fire Salamander, and golden eagle look at us for sincerity like before.

*(Doing what Johnny suggested, Bruni, Marahute, Latios, and the goddesses looked at Fat Tony’s gang cautiously in an observing way with stern looks again, and then, to the hero group’s calm happiness and amazement, Yoshi, Marahute, Latios, and the goddesses, like last time again, smiled happily and nods to the hero group. Even Doom is calmly surprised)*

Doom: Wow, you *are* being honest.

*(Then Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts felt something broken in their armor. Becoming shocked and concerned, they pulled them out, revealing them to be their own lockets, all damaged and cracked)*

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: (Gasps) Our lockets!

*(Grounder opened his, only for the lid to break off. Even Scratch and Coconuts did the same. Then the three became calmly, and silently, sad for some reason as they collapsed on their knees. Noticing this, the hero group got confused while Fat Tony’s gang got calmly concerned)*

Toby: What’s going on with your lockets?

*(Vector approached Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts and then after inspecting the damaged lockets in Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts’ hands, he brightened up happily)*

Vector: Hey, no worries! I can fix it.

*(Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts, hearing him say that, smiled sadly)*

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: (Sadly smiling) Oh, thanks.

*(Then Vector magically repaired their lockets, back to their original selves with no damage and cracks)*

Vector: See? Good as new!

*(Sadly smiling in gratitude at first, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts then got calmly sad again while looking at their lockets while they sat in an upward fetal position, or just slumped down in Grounder's case. Noticing this, the hero group got confused even more)*

Liquidator: Aren’t ya glad they’re fixed?

Scratch: Yes, but….

*(Vector's group then happily went up to the sad three in an attempt to cheer up)*

Cream: You know, you could put some pictures of us in those lockets.

Vanilla: My family and I usually do that for photo albums and frames.

*(Vector then transformed into a photographer while Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts got saddened even more, about to cry, much to the hero group’s notice while Fat Tony’s gang remained calmly concerned)*

Vector: You know what they say; Pictures are worth a thousand words.

*(He holds his camera up to Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts)*

Vector: So, come on! Give me a smile!

*(Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts then just calmly teared up, about to cry. Noticing this when his family pointed it out in calm confusion and concern, Vector got confused and puzzled while he changed back to normal, still holding the camera. Then he smiled again while magically dispersing his camera and then started singing joyfully)*

Vector: **If you’re happy and you know it**

**Clap your hands**

*(Milo, Psycho, Stupid, Cream and Cheese claps along twice in rhythm at first, until the confused hero group and calmly concerned Fat Tony’s gang looked at them, making the five stop in confusion. Noticing this, Vector then tried to resume the hero group’s quest for Aztlán happily)*

Vector: Okay, shall we resume our journey to Aztlán now? You go and, with us, let our Shirabad friends lead the way.

*(But Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts still remained calmly and silently tearful. Giving a flat look, Vector asked away nonchalantly)*

Vector: (Nonchalantly) One minute you were happy and then you get sad over your lockets?

Vanilla: (Explaining away to Vector) Honey, those three seem sad for some reason.

Vector: (Confused) What, over getting pictures with their lockets?

*(Fat Tony’s gang walked up to Vector's group)*

Fat Tony: You just don’t get what your wife is telling you, don’t you, Vector?

Vector: (Confused) Don’t get what?

Vanilla: (Confused) I may have somewhat hit the homerun on their sadness, yet I don't know why.

Fat Tony: It's because Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts got those lockets from their families.

*(The hero group got confused even more)*

Vector's group: But why are they sad?

Launchpad: Can’t they visit them anytime?

Coconuts: (Sadly) At their graves.

*(The hero group got calmly surprised)*

Terrence: Are you telling us…?

Balto: They’re actually…?

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: (Sadly) Yes.

Fat Tony: Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts’ families were murdered by Eggman’s group and the Badnik Thieves.

Legs: And I actually made those lockets to help them remember their loved ones by.

Johnny: Pretty sad, but true.

Louie: Look inside their lockets.

*(Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts opened their lockets and revealed engraved writings in each of them, revealing to be the two words “Mom, Dad” on each of the three of them. The hero group got calmly sympathetic)*

Vector's group: Wow….

Cream: That *is* sad....

Jenna: Our condolences.

Meowzie: Yet why are Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts with them and you guys?

Fat Tony: Because….

*(Then he, Legs, and Louie hesitated and dropped it)*

Fat Tony: Forget-about-it.

Sonic: (In a calm scolding tone) Fat Tony….

*(Then Johnny explained)*

Johnny: Because Eggman’s group and the Badnik Thieves murdered their parents because they tried to stop them from robbing and destroying their home.

*(Hearing Johnny admit it, Fat Tony’s gang and even the hero group got amazed calmly. Seeing their reactions, Johnny confessed)*

Johnny: Well, I wanted to help make Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts feel better.

*(Then Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie, understanding Johnny’s reason, decided to join in the explanation while Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts were confused suddenly while still sad)*

Fat Tony: After their parents were killed, Eggman’s group and the Badnik Thieves robbed and then destroyed their home, all the while made Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts homeless, with no family.

Legs: Then we mafia men came into their picture, and when we learned about this, we felt sorry for them and took them in.

Louie: Treated them like the loving children we never had, in an adoptive way.

Fat Tony: Except the four of us *do* have biological children, that is, for I am a widowered father, who has an 8 year old son back home.

*(The hero group got calmly interested and sympathetic even more)*

James: Harsh on the widower part.

Jessie: And we didn't even know you're family men.

*(Then they turned to Legs, Louie, and Johnny)*

Launchpad: And your kids?

Legs: Louie and I, too, have sons the same age as Fat Tony’s son.

Johnny: As for me, I have a 7 year old daughter.

Louie: True that.

*(Then Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts spoke up sadly, about to cry calmly as some tears streamed from their eyes)*

Scratch: (About to cry calmly) We had no idea Eggman’s group and the Badnik Thieves were….

Grounder: (About to cry calmly) How could they…? *(Sniffles)* How…?

Coconuts: (About to cry calmly) And why didn’t you, Boss, and your men tell us…?

*(Then Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts broke down crying calmly, with Scratch and Coconuts burying their faces in their arms and on their knees and Grounder just burying his face in his hands. Feeling guilty for not telling Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts the truth about this, Fat Tony’s gang looked at the hero group for help calmly, and the hero group, seeing that this reminded them of how Chuck and Longclaw lied to Sonic’s group, at first, about replacing the real Map of Aztlán with the fake one earlier, understood. Then Sally’s group went up to Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts and sat beside them)*

Sally’s group: (Comforts Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts by patting their backs gently) Hey….

*(Hearing them, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts looked up, sniffling a bit as they cried calmly, their cheeks stained and eyes flooded with tears. Then Sally’s group began to comfort Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts the same way Sonic’s group and Fat Tony’s gang did to them last night)*

Sally: Now, just listen to what we have to say, you three. It’s like your boss and men told us before.

Cosmo: You got the makings of greatness in you, along with us, but to prove it, you have to take the stand and chart your own path. Always stick to it, no matter the obstacles.

Amy: And when the time comes, show it, and then everyone will definitely understand what you’re made of.

*(During Sally’s group’s comforting encouragement to Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts, the hero group and even Fat Tony’s gang were calmly amazed by what they’ve just seen; Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts gave calm reassured smiles as they blinked the last of their tears away and hugged Sally’s group, who hugged back, in gratitude)*

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: (Feeling better) Thank you, Princesses.

*(Calmly impressed by how Sally’s group succeeded in cheering Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts up like how Fat Tony’s gang did for Sally’s group last night, the hero group and even Fat Tony’s gang calmly smiled a bit. Then after the hug ended, Sally’s group, Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts stood up, the three latters all better even more)*

Scratch: Now, as we were?

Grounder: Going to Aztlán?

Coconuts: Shall we?

Hero group: Yes.

*(Then Fat Tony’s gang spoke up in calm amazement, stopping the hero group in confusion)*

Fat Tony’s gang: Wait.

Fat Tony: What you and your sisters just did to Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts, Princess….

Louie: That was exactly the same thing we said to you last night.

Sally: (Shrugs) Well, you gave us that advice, right?

*(Recalling that, Fat Tony’s gang nods)*

Legs: Oh, yeah, that’s right.

Johnny: We did.

Louie: But, uh, listen….

Fat Tony: We were, indeed, serious about our condolences last night, even if we did lie about the blackmail.

*(The hero group and even Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts became calmly interested, as if realizing what Fat Tony’s are feeling towards them right now)*

Knuckles: Are you say…?

Fat Tony: Well, um….

*(He and his gang struggled to say something without admitting their soft side)*

Fat Tony: What we mean is….

Legs: The reason we comforted the princesse….

Louie: We did it because….

Johnny: We kinda, you know….

*(Realizing what they mean, the non-serious members of the hero group got happily excited while the serious members just calmly smiled smugly)*

Quackerjack: You really *do* care for us and have gone soft!

*(Hearing him in surprise, Fat Tony’s gang tried to deny it)*

Fat Tony’s gang: What?!

Johnny: No, no, no. We never said that.

Liquidator: Oh, yes, you did!

Bushroot: And we knew it and just had a feeling all along!

*(The non-serious members then went up Fat Tony’s gang happily while Fat Tony’s gang tried to act tough)*

Johnny: Get away from us.

Megavolt: Hey, Fat Tony’s gang, I guess this means we put our differences on ice.

*(On “Ice,” he playfully winks, resulting Vector and Meowth's groups to laugh a bit at her joke with him)*

Vector: (Laughs a bit, agreeing) Get it?

Quackerjack: (Playfully nudges Fat Tony) “Put our differences on ice?”

Legs: (Nonchalantly) We’d like to put *you* on ice.

*(But the non-serious heroes made a brief hearty laugh, knowing full well that Legs don’t really mean it. Then they sang away with the serious members while Fat Tony’s gang gave calm tough angry stubborn looks with their arms crossed)*

Vector's group: **Look how we get along together**

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: **I think it’s great the way we blend**

Darkwing, Steelbeak, and Launchpad: **You try to be as tough as leather**

Morgana and Minerva: **But now we see that’s just pretend**

Chuck’s group: **We’ll fight our way through stormy weather**

Doom and Toon Patrol: **Just you and us**

Chip, Balto, Jenna, and Meowth and Bugs' groups: **Right to the end**

Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia: **Hey, buddies**

Sally’s group: **Looks like we’re some birds of a feather**

Sonic’s group: **And gee, it looks like we got us some friends**

Hero group except Fat Tony’s gang: **Now you go**

Toby: Take it, Fat Tony, guys!

Bushroot and Cream: (With Cream giving her trademark puppy dog eyes) Hey, Fat Tony, guys, what do you call a flower before it opens?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Nonchalantly aghast) Really?

Bushroot and Cream: (With Cream continuing her puppy dog eyes) I’m serious, what do you call a flower before it opens?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Flatly) A bud.

Bushroot and Cream: I love it when you call us “Buds!” (Yay!)

*(Fat Tony’s gang groaned a bit in annoyance before the song resumed, this time with Fat Tony’s gang joining in, acting tough)*

Vector's group: **Look how we get along together**

Fat Tony: **You are incredibly annoying**

Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts: **I think it’s great the way we blend**

Legs: **You’re like some bones stuck in our throats**

Darkwing, Steelbeak, and Launchpad: **You try to be as tough as leather**

Louie: **This isn’t something we’re enjoying**

Morgana and Minerva: **But now we see that’s just pretend**

Johnny: **We should’ve left you down there to die**

Chuck’s group: **We’ll fight our way through stormy weather**

Louie: **If you want some friends, go find a banana slug**

Doom and Toon Patrol: **Just you and us**

Chip, Balto, Jenna, and Meowth and Bugs' groups: **Right to the end**

Louie: **Or better yet….**

Johnny: **An apple mantis**

Meowth, Meowzie, Milo, and Sophia: **Hey, buddies**

Sally’s group: **Looks like we’re some birds of a feather**

(Fat Tony: **Don’t call us “Buddies”**)

Sonic’s group: **And gee, it looks like we got us some friends**

(Fat Tony’s gang: **Nuh-uh, not us**)

Hero group except Fat Tony’s gang: **Now you try**

Megavolt: Take it, Fat Tony, guys!

Quackerjack: Hey, Fat Tony, guys, we caught you a herring.

Liquidator: Where should we put it?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Flatly) Are you serious?

Megavolt: We caught you a herring.

Liquidator: Where should we put it?

Fat Tony’s gang: (Flatly, pointing at a rock nearby) Put it there.

*(Megavolt and Liquidator then heartily shook Fat Tony’s gang’s hands, much to their surprise and pretend toughness)*

Megavolt: (Happily) Put it there?!

Liquidator: (Happily) Alright!

Fat Tony’s gang: (Annoyed) Oh, stop it!

*(Then the song resumed again, this time the hero group getting annoyed by the fact that Fat Tony’s gang are not admitting their true feelings)*

Fat Tony: **When you’re a mobster, you’re a mobster**

Sonic: **You know you like us, just admit it**

Legs: **You don’t go finding friends to like**

Megavolt and Quackerjack: **Alright, I’m gonna hold my breath**

*(Then Megavolt and Quackerjack held their breath, much to the hero group’s notice while Fat Tony’s gang, unaware of what they’re doing, continued)*

Louie: **Why don’t you pack your blasted map?**

Bushroot: (Pointing at Megavolt and Quackerjack, who’s holding their breath) **Quit it, admit it**

Johnny: **And take yourselves a healthy hike?**

Batty: **You know you’re gonna cause these two’s death**

Fat Tony: **They barely have macho men in India**

Megavolt: (Holding his breath, muffled) It’s getting dark….

Quackerjack: (Holding his breath, muffling in agreeing) Mm-hm....

Fat Tony’s gang: **Why don’t you go there and start a trend?**

*(Then Megavolt and Quackerjack interrupted the song, still holding their breath and turning blue, much to the hero group’s concern)*

Megavolt and Quackerjack: (Holding their breath, muffled) Goodbye, cruel world!

*(They then collapsed on their backs)*

Johnny: Oh, would you knock it off?!

*(Then Fat Tony’s gang turned to the hero group and finally saw Megavolt and Quackerjack still holding their breath and turning blue from it, concerning even them)*

Louie: Oh! You’re all blue!

Liquidator: Just like Bruni and me!

*(Fat Tony’s gang then gently slapped Megavolt and Quackerjack’s faces to make them breathe)*

Johnny: Breathe, you electric rat and clown duck!

Fat Tony’s gang: (Getting extremely worried) Megavolt, Quackerjack?!

Hero group except Fat Tony’s gang, Megavolt, and Quackerjack: SAY IT!!

*(Realizing they mean serious business and that they can’t hide their real caring feelings anymore, especially seeing Megavolt and Quackerjack holding their breath for this, Fat Tony’s gang finally gave in calmly and the song resumed)*

Fat Tony’s gang: **Alright, then**

Johnny: (While Megavolt and Quackerjack breathed again and their color returned to normal) **We kinda, sorta, maybe, you know….**

*(Getting up, Megavolt and Quackerjack got happy with the hero group)*

Megavolt and Quackerjack: **You mean you like us?**

Fat Tony’s gang: **A little**

Batty: **You mean it?**

Fat Tony’s gang: **Yes, don’t push it**

Hero group: **Looks like we got us soooooooooooooome….**

*(Then Sonic’s group and Fat Tony’s gang playfully shadowboxed each other at the song’s finale, with Vector as a referee)*

Hero group: **Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeends**

*(The song over, they laughed a bit after the playful shadowboxing ended and Vector changed back to normal. After calming themselves with smiles, the hero group got back to serious business, still smiling happily)*

Fat Tony: Alright, shall we get to Aztlán now?

Hero group: Yep! (Yes!)

*(Then with that, they resumed their journey for Aztlán)*

***Coming up: After arriving at the Spirit Graveyard, the hero group will soon learn the real truth on why Thumbelina and Cornelius tried to get to Aztlán after abandoning Meowzie for safety via recalling some water’s memory by Meowzie’s magic. Then after Iridsella reassures the hero group that Meowzie, if she becomes a gold statue by Aztlán’s deadliest depths, the herbs of the Golden Flower can revive her, the hero group, their confidence reboosted, resume their journey, going through the perilous obstacles. During all of this at the same time, Eggman’s group, Merlock’s gang, and the Badnik Thieves arrive at the Temple of EnEmE with the fake Golden Hand of Midas, avoiding its booby traps. Then when the hero group finally reach the Gold Azure Sea, Meowzie finally faces the Water Nokk’s test to prove herself and the hero group’s worthiness of going to Aztlán for the real Golden Hand of Midas and the long-awaited answers of the past. In the end, she passes, and soon enough, she, along with the hero group, will realize who the Sixth Elemental Spirit, the mystery siren-like voice calling for her, really is, and why it awaits for Meowzie.***