Sonic Series ❯ Trip to Universal Studios ❯ First flight ( Chapter 4 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Shadow gently squeezed Maria’s hand as their group began boarding. “It’s okay, we’re gonna be fine.” He said, handing her the beanie baby hedgehog. “I’m here.”

 Maria smiled. “Thanks, Shadow.”

 Everyone walked onto the plane. It was a smaller plane, rows of one seat and two seats filled out the section.

 “It’s so narrow.” Maria said, squeezing through the aisle as best as she could without bumping into anyone. 

 “Yeah, this one is.” Shadow replied.

 “It’s not the sketchiest plane I’ve ever been on.” Tails said, glancing back at Maria. “We’ll be okay.”

 Everyone made it to their seats and sat down. 

 The couples sat together while Kit and Tails sat together while Maria sat with Aleena.

 Aleena looked at Maria and held her arm out. “Sonia used to want to lean on me if she was a little afraid.”

 Maria leaned against Aleena. “Thanks.”

 Aleena stroked Maria’s hair. “You’re welcome, sweetie.” She replied. “You’re family.”

 The flight attendant went through the safety announcements as the plane began to ease its way down the runway.

 “It’s a little loud.” Maria said.

 “Oh, do you need earplugs?” Aleena asked. 

 Shadow leaned forward and stuck his hand between Maria and Aleena. “Here’s your earplugs, Maria.”

 Maria took the ear plugs and put them in. “Thank you.”

 The plane began to take off.

 Sonic and Tails laughed.

 The plane was finally in the air.

 Shadow, Sonia, and Kit fell asleep while Surge and Manic watched Ballerina with subtitles. Sonic, Sally, and Tails looked out the windows.

 “So how long is this flight?” Maria asked.

 “An hour.” Aleena replied. “Then, we’ll have a forty minute layover in Southern Mobius before our next flight, which will take a half hour.”

 Aleena noticed the beanie baby. “Aww, Sonia gave him to you?”

 “Yeah.” Maria replied. “He’s adorable, isn’t he?”

 “I got it for her when she had to have a cavity removed when she was eleven.” Aleena said. “She was so scared, I thought it would make her feel better.”

 “That’s so sweet.” Maria replied.

 Sonia woke up as the flight attendant came around with the food service cart. She glanced at Shadow, but got the complimentary snack for both of them along with a cup of water for herself.

 Sonic, Sally, and Surge still had their coffees while Maria, Tails, and Kit got water.

 Manic and Aleena got ginger ale.

 The flight was fairly peaceful until the last twenty minutes when there was turbulence.

 Maria drew a shaky breath.

 “It’s just turbulence.” Aleena said, stroking Maria’s hair.

 Sonia nudged Shadow, who had fallen asleep.

 “Huh?” Shadow asked.

 “We’re descending.” Sonia replied. “There’s a-”

 The plane jolted as a gust of wind picked up.

 “A lot of turbulence.” Sonia said.

 “Been through worse.” Tails replied. 

 Shadow leaned forward. “You’re fine, Maria.”

 “What happened?” Maria asked. 

 “Turbulence.” Shadow replied. “That’s normal.”

 Several minutes later, the plane landed.

 Everyone unbuckled their seatbelts.

 Sally moaned as the plane rumbled toward the gate.

 Sonic glanced at Sally. “You okay, Sal?”

 “Bag.” Sally muttered.

 Sonic furrowed his brow, then nodded. “Oh, I got our carry on, don’t worry.” He said, pulling the bag into his lap.

 “No, I'm gonna be sick.” Sally muttered.

 Sonic quickly got Sally the vomit bag out of the seat pouch and handed it to Sally.

 Sally threw up into the bag.

 Manic winced. “Does she want my ginger ale, bro?”

 “No thanks, the taste of it makes her sick.” Sonic replied.

 Sally leaned back in her seat, taking slow deep breaths. 

 “Okay, we gotta get off the plane.” Sonic said, helping Sally up. “The fresh air will help.”

 Everyone got up, got their bags, and slowly made their way to the door.

 “So how long is our layover again?” Surge asked.

 “Forty minutes.” Manic replied. “Barely enough time to get a bite to eat.”

 “Forty minutes is plenty of time to grab a sandwich.” Sonic said.

 “Not if the Mobians in front of you are stupid.” Surge muttered.

 Shadow nodded. “We could’ve missed our flight if we had gotten to the airport later because of the Mobians ahead of us in the security line.”

 “True.” Sonic said. “But do you two have to be so antisocial?”

 “Tell everyone else to stop giving me reasons.” Surge replied.

 Sonic sighed.

 *

 Shadow led the way through the South Mobius airport. “The gate is at the other end of the airport.”

 Surge narrowly avoided being hit by the airport tram.

 Manic pulled Surge closer to him. “Ugh. God forbid those slobs walk like a normal Mobian.”

 “They need a special track for those things.” Sonic said.

 *

 After a shorter and pleasant flight, the group finally made it to the Mobius beach airport.

 “Can you pick up my bag, Sonic?” Aleena asked. “I’ll rent our bus.”

 “Sure, Mom.” Sonic said.

 Aleena headed for the rental desk while everyone waited at the baggage claim.

 Manic shook his head. “I hate these things.” He said. “I don’t trust anyone near my bag.”

 Sonia rolled her eyes. “Oh, like anyone wants your Hot Topic clothes and your toiletries.”

 “I packed my blu-ray player and a few movies.” Manic said. 

 Surge motioned to the bag. “Here it is, Cute stuff.”

 Everyone got their bags, then headed for the door.

 “Where’s Ma?” Manic asked.

 “Getting the bus.” Sonia replied. “She’s pulling it up front.”

 Tails grinned as he noticed a mural on the wall. “Hey, there’s a Mario mural.” He said. “Can we grab a picture real quick?”

 “Tails.” Sonic scolded.

 Tails sighed. “Why do you have such an irrational hatred of that video game?”

 Sonic shrugged. “I have no idea.”

 “There’s Ma.” Manic said, motioning to the glass doors. 

 The group made it out the door. 

 Aleena leaned out the open window. “Shadow, do you want to drive?”

 “Fine with me.” Shadow replied. 

 Everyone loaded their bags into the back and got in.