Godzilla vs. Sonic

Tsubasa and Yui stared up at the night sky, at all the stars they hadn't seen since their days on Odo. It had only been a few hours since the planes landed in a field on Angel's Skull Island. But the two had already fallen completely in love with the place, as well as the view. Yui stared at the crescent moon. Tsubasa could swear he saw something in a patch of clouds in the otherwise clear sky, a temple even higher than the island.

"I could stay here forever…" Yui mumbled.

"Do you think we'll ever get to go back to Japan?" Tsubasa asked. "Will our home be destroyed like before?" 

Yui's expression softened, and she sat up. "I still think about what happened back home on Odo Island," Yui said, with a frown. "If we go back to Fukui, will there be anything left? I don't want Godzilla to ruin what we rebuilt…" Yui teared up, Tsubasa lifted his head a little, breaking his focus on the sanctuary above.

"That won't happen. Japan's much bigger than Godzilla is," Tsubasa said, Yui looking over at him. He rested his head on the grass again, closing his eyes. "Besides, the military will probably destroy it before it can step foot in Fukui."

"Don't you feel a little bit sad for Godzilla?" Yui asked, staring at the ground and running her hand through the grass of the floating island. Tsubasa grunted in surprise. "He might be big and scary, but... If Sonic can be a hero, don't you think Godzilla could do good things as well?" Tsubasa thought on it. He didn't have an easy answer for that.

"Speaking of Sonic, are you doing okay now that your manga's on hold?" Tsubasa asked. "After all, there's no publishers on this island… there's no newspaper." Yui suddenly got up, smiled, and skipped off through the plains. Tsubasa quickly got up and jogged after her, making sure she didn't stray too far. "Wait, Yui. Where are you going?" He asked.

Yui looked back at Tsubasa with the happiest look on her face. "I don't need any of that. Just watch me!"

…

"I've long theorized an entirely cavernous civilization both feasible and survivable," Robotnik gasped, following Knuckles through a cathedral of multicolored bricks built inside a watery cavern. On the fence of the bridge over an enormous underground waterfall, there sat a sprawling model city built with the same material as the floor. "But who could've been small enough to be accepted into the society of this… this Hydro City?" Robotnik peered into one of the tiny windows in a one-brick tall skyscraper, falling behind Knuckles. "These ant-sized people have the Hydraucity to hide-rocity de moi?!" Robotnik quickly switched to a serene, blissful expression. He scooped crystal-clear water out of a small bowl-sized great lake and drank from his cupped hands. "Yes, finally. Pure… unfiltered water." He whimpered, feigning emotion. Knuckles turned around with a look of abject disgust on his face. Robotnik stared back at him with wide eyes, letting the water slowly slip between his fingers. The two continued walking. "... Let's pretend that never happened…!" Robotnik ordered, flecking the last droplets from his gloves and mustache.

Tsubasa dropped down into a cave opening right between the plains and the jungle area. Once he stuck the landing, Yui jumped right down after him "Cannonballlll!" She exclaimed. Startled at first, Tsubasa caught her, and let her onto the cave floor in an upright position. The two looked all around at the seemingly endless mine, stretching out as far as the eye could see. Yui saw a chiseled stone pillar, and dashed over to it. Tsubasa followed. "Do you remember the skills I taught you?" Yui asked with a silly smirk, handing Tsubasa a permanent marker.

"Oh, you want me to draw…?" Tsubasa asked, taking the marker in his hand. "I don't know, it looks manmade. What if we activate a trap?" Yui put her hand to her chin.

"Well, if I got caught in a trap, I'm sure you'd find a way to bring me back from the dead," Yui giggled. The cave slowly became darker in Tsubasa's vision. He stared at Yui's bright smile, the only blinding source of light left in the world around him. "And… you're a strong guy, you would make it out unscathed like an American adventure hero...." Yui's rambling voice was lost in the ringing in Tsubasa's ears. He could only see the rapidfire movements of her mouth, with no sound coming out. He began breathing heavily. He twiddled the marker in his shaking hand… and then gripped it tightly. The moonlight flooded back into the cave.

"Well then, I'll try," Tsubasa said with hope in his voice. Yui closed her mouth. Tsubasa uncapped the marker and stuck the cap on the other side, before placing the marker tip on the temple wall.

Suddenly, a large gloved fist wrapped around Tsubasa's wrist, firmly holding it in place. Tsubasa spun his head to see Knuckles the Echidna and Doctor Robotnik. Knuckles growled, and gripped Tsubasa's wrist tighter. It crackled. The marker bled down the cave wall. Tsubasa's breath came out shaky once more. "Stop it!" Yui cried. She dashed forward and tried to shove Knuckles away. He didn't even budge, only letting go and backing off when he saw the distress on the girl's face. Knuckles grabbed the marker away from Tsubasa, leaving a friction burn on his palm. Tsubasa held his hand while feeling slowly returned to it, grunting in pain as he stood in front of Yui. Knuckles put his fists up. Robotnik stared at Tsubasa awkwardly. "Who are you people? Are you out of your minds?!" Yui shouted, hiding behind Tsubasa. Knuckles wrinkled his nose in contempt at the human siblings.

"Please forgive this little red dowsing rod. He's like this with all two people he's ever communicated with," Robotnik said condescendingly, stepping towards the Ejimas. Knuckles examined his forked knuckles. "We're of the same species, you and I. So even if you're afraid of the echidna, you have EVERY reason to trust me."

"It's unusual to find old men wandering through caves," Tsubasa muttered, as Robotnik put on a fake innocent expression and clasped his hands together. "What are you and that… red Sonic doing here…?"

"I'd imagine we're both here for similar reasons. After all, it's equally strange to see baby children with heads still full of hair so far from home," Robotnik muttered. "If it's a fight you want, you'd better make sure mommy and daddy are around to pick up the pieces."

"Watch your mouth around my sister. I'm taller than you. I would put you in a casket before your liver does, old man," Tsubasa sighed tiredly, putting a hand on Robotnik's shoulder. Robotnik gasped with a terrified look on his face. Looking like he was about to cry, he punched Tsubasa across the mouth. Tsubasa held his lip… but before he could hit back, Yui ran ahead and bashed Robotnik through a brittle brick wall. Tsubasa and Knuckles watched through the giant hole in the temple, dumbfounded as Yui drove her fist into Robotnik's glasses over and over.

The two combatants stood up tall over the miniature Hydro City, Yui slamming Robotnik through a skyscraper. Robotnik slowly tried to swing his arms around to hit her while growling, but Yui shoved him backwards. The doctor crashed headfirst onto an entire city street, demolishing everything under him. As he tried to get up, Yui kicked him in the rib, and he sprawled out. His face fell into another bowl of water. Yui held his face down in the water, as he struggled and kicked around.

"Should we… do something?" Tsubasa asked Knuckles. "... At least she hasn't gotten hurt…" Yui picked Robotnik up by his collar, and screeched gutturally in his horrified face. She then kicked him in the stomach and let go. The mad doctor tumbled off the bridge, and into the shallow pool below. Yui stared down at him, imagining credits rolling in her vision as she squinted. She turned around and walked back to Tsubasa with a proud look in her eyes, and the two departed while doing a secret handshake.

Knuckles jabbed his fists into the wall, on the part that specifically wasn't made of old bricks, and climbed down. He picked Robotnik up, and saw his eyes were closed. "Ow… no more… please, I forgive your rudeness…" Robotnik mumbled, before coughing up water. Knuckles slapped him on the back, and the doctor took a deep gasp of air. Robotnik opened his eyes fully, and saw Knuckles crossing his arms. "Don't give me that look... This 'sacred heirloom of echidna culture' you're leading me to better be worth it." Knuckles and Robotnik marched forth only a few steps through a sweltering, tight tunnel. Before emerging into…

HIDDEN PALACE

Robotnik looked around at all the shimmering crystals, the subterranean mountains in the distance. This part of the cavern was certainly made by some kind of early civilization, but it didn't match the more timeworn ruins on the island's surface. The heat of the previous tunnel made way for a place so cold, the giant waterfalls had frozen eons ago. The two reached a flight of pristine, violet stairs. Robotnik walked up the staircase with Knuckles by his side. Whatever they were headed towards, it must have been important. Robotnik found his mind racing with possibilities. A powerful weapon? A priceless treasure? As they reached the top of the stairs, the two came face-to-face with… a mural.

The mural displayed a giant watery snake, laying waste to a flooded city. Robotnik gasped, as Knuckles took a knee before the mural. Robotnik reached his hands out, and felt all over the mural's surface. "This creature… could flood the entire world. The glorious waves washing away humanity, funneling anyone left to the Egg Carrier Aratrum… The center of my glorious flying empire," Robotnik mumbled, the water kaiju reflecting in his glasses, looking past the years of cultural significance this piece held. He ignored the ancient text chiseled into the stone, and only saw the power the text warned of. Knuckles couldn't tell what the doctor was saying at all, but still raised an eyebrow. "Ohoho… thank you, Knuckles! Now, to find this magnificent creature! Let's get a move on." Knuckles watched Robotnik feel around the wall for an exit. The echidna solemnly put his palm on the mural, and shut his eyes tight.

After a moment, Knuckles led Robotnik to a giant red orb surrounded by an elevator shaft-like structure that stretched up to the ceiling of Hidden Palace. The echidna leapt onto the orb, which created a beam of light. Knuckles was warped to the plains above Hidden Palace, Robotnik appearing soon after him and almost tripping over. They were on the edge of the Japanese refugee site. Knuckles quickly noticed all the humans around campfires, preparing dinner and talking to each other. He clenched his fists, and turned to Robotnik. The doctor froze up.

"I have absolutely 0 involvement with them," Robotnik said, stepping back. Knuckles didn't pursue, only lowered his head, overwhelmed. "In fact, I believe myself above other humans. I know you want these pests off of your island, and I have just the plan…." Robotnik and Knuckles stared off at the campfires, as Robotnik grinned maniacally. He placed a hand on Knuckles' shoulder. "... My friend."

…

"Is your hand okay, big brother?" Yui asked, as the two wandered through the jungle on the way back to the campground. Tsubasa's fingers curled and uncurled inside the flight jacket's pocket.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Tsubasa said, pulling his hand out and shaking it around. He wiped his lip again. "That creaky bald guy sure gave you some trouble." Yui played with her hair ribbon.

"I got my hair all messed up. But I couldn't just stand around and watch you get beaten up by some cave hobo," Yui sighed, exhausted. She suddenly stopped in place, and gazed off the path. "Wait, what's over there?" Yui wandered off-trail, and Tsubasa walked after her. The two found themselves staring into a giant hole in a mountain, with a beautiful waterfall blurring the stars and moon on the other side. "Holy…" Yui entered the cave, and held her hand up to the waterfall. "Hey, big brother! I bet this would be a good place to draw!" Yui stuck out her tongue and reached into her backpack, bringing out a set of markers. She began to draw one of her characters, when Tsubasa heard loud stomping behind him. He turned around, and was left speechless. It was Kong!

Kong stared down at Tsubasa, sniffed him, and growled before sweeping him out of the way with his hand. Tsubasa tried to resist, but he was only knocked on his back. "Yui, look out!!" Tsubasa shouted, as Kong entered the cave. Tsubasa ran in after the giant ape.

Yui glanced at Kong, before screaming. Kong roared in her face. What were these humans doing in his lair? As he caught a glimpse at what the girl had drawn on his wall, he knelt his head down to get a closer look. Kong stared at Yui's drawing of Sonic, puzzled. Backing up against the wall and hyperventilating, Yui saw a simple sketch carved on the other side of the cave, showing a family of apes. She remembered the chimpanzee exhibit at the museum back home… Skar King… Yui tried to calm down. She could see Tsubasa behind Kong, and was filled with determination to prevent this encounter from escalating.

"It's art," Yui said. She closed her eyes and smiled at Kong nervously… but warmly. The giant ape kaiju slowly turned to her, before moving his face into an awkward attempt at a human smile. "Do you want to try my supplies?" Yui slowly placed the red marker in Kong's hand, and Kong attempted to draw something similar next to Yui's drawing. Kong seemed… happy. Yui took a sigh of relief, and gave Tsubasa a thumbs-up. Tsubasa nodded, before… fainting onto the ground from exhaustion. Yui yawned, and looked back at Kong, who had finished his drawing. "You did great!" Yui put her fists on her hips as she admired the ape's art. Kong pounded his chest happily. Yui laughed, and placed a hand on Kong's finger.

"Are we… friends?"