Speeding over rocky terrain, Sonic holds a Power Ring to increase his speed. Tails was flying in the Tornado above him with Shard by his side. Sonic glances over at the former Metal Sonic.

Sonic: 'Atomic missiles. A robot invasion. Robotnik sure knows how to do a welcoming party. And now we have knight from another Zone and a rogue Badnik? Wait, is he even a Badnik anymore? Geez, this is confusing! Hard to believe that we made it this far, when only a few minutes ago...

A Few Minutes Ago...

Sonic: "We're major toast. Even at top speed, It'll take me a couple of hours to run north to Old Megaopolis, and by then It'll be too late."

Shard: "Old Egghead will have launched the warheads by then. And I can't go fast enough, either."

Sally: "Wait, Sonic..."

Above Knothole...

In the sky above, Y/n was piloting The Crusader. In the back was Bunnie, Hershey and Geoffrey, Espio, and Fiona.

Espio: "Bunnie Rabbot, Cap, Fiona Fox, and me. This is quite the team King Max gathered to back up Sonic, eh? And it looks like you and Hershey made it back just in time to join us, St. John."

Y/n laughs a bit from the pilot's seat.

Y/n: "Agreed, Espio. Man, I wish we got our team back together. How long has it been since the Vindicators worked together? Since Enigma?"

Espio: "Yeah. Man, how many times have we fought off 'end of the world' scenarios?"

Geoffrey: "Don't ask me. I've lost count."

This got a good laugh out of everyone in The Crusader. The a hologram appeared, showing Rotor. Y/n turns to him.

Y/n: "What's the news, Rotor?"

Rotor: *as hologram* "Roger that, Cap. My team and I recently modified The Crusader to operate... differently."

Y/n: "... what did you do to my ship?"

Bunnie: "Oh, hush, N/n! Rotor, we's listenin'."

Rotor: *as hologram* "The Crusader soars directly up into the upper atmosphere where it moves into geosynchronous orbit around Mobius."

Y/n watches as his ship automatically goes into autopilot. Then it goes high into the atmosphere, just as Rotor said.

Y/n: "Rotor, if you crash my ship, I'm haunting you when I die."

"Duly noted."

Fiona: "Shouldn't we have packed spacesuits?"

Rotor: *as hologram* "Don't sweat it, Fiona. We included an onboard life support system."

Fiona: "Is this the part where I'm supposed to say 'gee whillikers'...?"

Y/n: "Like Robin from the old Batman comics?"

Rotor: *as hologram* "You did read those comics I suggested to you!"

Hershey: "Rotor, not the time."

Rotor: *as hologram* "Right. Sorry. Anyway, it wouldn't be a bad place to start, all in all. In any event, moving in an accelerated hyper-spin around the planet will cut your travel time like never before. We estimate your arrival in Old Megaopolis inside of thirty minutes."

Y/n resisted the urge to make a comment about his Zone and its far superior travel technology.

Robotropolis...

At Fort Acorn near Robotropolis, General D'Coolette watched as Eggman's forces approached with some binoculars.

General D'Coolette: "Sapristi. Robot-neek's SWAT-Bots are gathering on zee horizon mes braves."

He turns to his group of soldiers who stood behind him.

General D'Coolette: "And, as you know, we've been stationed 'ere for zee past ten years een case of such an eventuality. We are all zat stands between zem and see protective field around zee city. If zey break through zat barrier, our entire Kingdom will face deadly, radioactive contamination."

"Not if we've got anything to say about it, General D'Coolette!"

"Qu'est que-ce...? Knuckles the Echidna!"

In front of the war general stood Knuckles, along with Amy and most of the Chaotix, which Knuckles reminded about.

General D'Coolette: "We welcome all of you. Eez eet true what my men tell me? Eez Son-eek... alive?"

Knuckles: "Now more than ever, General!"

"Trés bon!"

The two shake hands as Knuckles grins.

General D'Coolette: "Zat fact alone shall give us greater strength on today's battlefield."

Castle Acorn...

Back at the Technolo-Tree, the Acorn Family stood together with Sonic's. The President was on one of the monitors.

Chuck: "The citizens have begun moving into the fallout shelters without incident, sire."

King Max: "So far so good, Sir Charles. Now, I'd like for all of you to accompany my elite guard to the royal bunker at once. There, you'll all be safe."

Sally: "No way, Daddy. I'm not leaving."

The king sighs.

"Alicia, reason with her."

Queen Alicia: "I can't, Maximillian. Not when she's right. Sally and I aren't going anywhere without you."

Jules: "Bernie, Chuck, and I would like to stay as well, your highness."

King Max: "Very well, Jules." *to The President* "Mr. President, have you begun to evacuate Station Square?"

The Presiden: *on monitor* "In the interest of preventing a widespread panic, we've opted not to inform the general public of the impending atomic threat."

King Max: "Your ways baffle me, Mr. President."

The President: *on monitor* "Guess we homosapiens just don't think quite the same way mobosapiens do, Max."

King Max: "Bygones. To bring you up to speed, I've dispatched two strike teams. One to Old Megaopolis to stop the launch, and another to defend Robotropolis against the SWAT-Bot army."

The President: *on monitor* "We appreciate your efforts, Max, and I assure you that my government is doing all it can to help."

Station Square...

In the skies, a helicopter was flying above the waters. Back over at The President's Compound, the man himself was discussing a plan with an ally. He was Commander Brass, a muscular man with black hair and a beard.

Commander Brass: "Now, let me get this straight, Mr. President, sir. Less than twenty minutes ago, the Eggman Empire threatened an atomic strike against us. And instead of retaliation we're leaving it up that blue hedgehog? I understand Captain Möbius, but him?"

The President: "And his friends, Commander Brass."

Commander Brass: "Mr. President, the last Xorda attack last year left our city exposed, and Enigma's intrusion in one of the GUN bases have left us vulnerable. GUN is seriously urging you to reconsider your decision."

The President: "No. We won't strike back until Robotnik's missiles are airborne. In the meantime, are your GUN commandos en route to their destination?"

"Why, yes, but--"

"Good. I've assigned one of my special operatives to head up the mission."

Commander Brass: "What?! Who?"

Back at the helicopter, the soldiers heard knocking.

Soldier #1: "Somebody's knocking on the door."

Soldier #2: "But we're ten thousand feet above the ocean, son."

Outside, a familiar bat flies by and waves at the GUN agents.

"Hey, boys!"

Soldier #3: "Isn't Rouge the Bat!"

Old Megaopolis Harbor...

In the harbor of Eggman's old city, he called to his 'son' on the military ship.

Dr. Eggman: "ADAM, begin the countdown!"

ADAM: "As you wish, Father."

In the air above, Sonic was holding on to the Tornado as Tails piloted the plane. Shard flew right next to them.

Tails: "Guess again, Eggman!"

Shard: "Incoming!"

Sonic: "It's show time!"