Sonic Series ❯ Trip to Universal Studios ❯ Flight home ( Chapter 13 )

The group arrived at the Mobius beach airport.

 “We have to wait for four hours.” Shadow said, checking his watch.

 “I was afraid we’d get held up in the security checkpoint.” Aleena replied.

 “We had to be out of the house by ten anyway.” Sonic said. “And check the bags and give the rental car back. If this goes well, we’ll have enough time for breakfast… or brunch or whatever you want to call it.”

 Shadow looked over at the line at the crowded checkpoints. “Good call, Aleena.”

 *

 After finally making it through the checkpoint and getting sandwiches at an airport cafe, the group finally made it on the plane and were heading toward their seats.

 “This one’s nicer than the first flight we were on.” Kit said.

 “Well, you get to sit with Maria and Aleena.” Surge replied. “We have to sit with some random Mobian.”

 “So are we and we’re not complaining.” Sonia said.

 “You can sit by the window.” Manic said, glancing back at Surge.

 Everyone made it to their seats and settled in.

 *

 The flight was more comfortable than the last two flights they had been on.

 Aleena read a book while Maria and Kit played an old handheld game of Battleship that Kit had. 

 Sonic and Sally watched the Matrix while Tails listened to a documentary on planes.

 Shadow took a nap while Sonia listened to a true crime podcast.

 Manic and Surge mostly scribbled in notebooks and occasionally looked out the window. 

 Manic glanced at the Mobian bat next to him, who was watching a movie on his phone. He leaned closer to Surge. “Dude’s watching Final Destination.” He whispered. “Who watches that on a plane?”

 “Who watches it anyway?” Surge whispered back. “That movie freaks me out.”

 “Me too.” Manic said.

 About halfway through the flight, Shadow woke up from his nap. “Are we descending?”

 Sonia shrugged. “Maybe, we gotta be close to Mobodoon. This is only an hour long flight.”

 Tails glanced back at Shadow. “Yeah, we’re descending.” He said. “They didn’t announce it for some reason.”

 “I don’t think they did it right.” Sonic said. “We’re probably gonna be sick for a few days afterward.”

 Tails nodded. “My ears are kinda hurting.”

 The plane finally landed and skidded down the runway.

 Maria looked at Sonic. “Is that normal?”

 “Yeah, we’re just coming in hot.” Sonic said.

 The plane finally stopped.

 Manic and Surge waited for everyone else to get up.

 “Ugh.” Surge muttered. “What’s that smell?”

 “Exhaust.” Manic said, getting up. He helped Surge to her feet. “Maybe standing will help you.”

 Surge leaned on Manic as they walked to the door.

 “We’re almost at the gate.” Manic said, rubbing Surge’s arms. “You’ll get some fresh air in a minute.”

 Sonic eased closer to Surge. “Do you need me to help?”

 “I’m fine, thanks.” Surge replied.

 *

 Aleena, Kit, and Maria led the way to their next gate.

 Everyone sat down in the waiting area.

 “Okay, so any of us can be a little sick from a few weeks to a month.” Tails said. “It’s like diving bends.”

 Sonic nodded. “You can think of it as something like jet lag too.”

 “Hopefully, I’ll get the rings perfected soon.” Tails said. “That way, we can travel easier.”

 Surge held her hands up. “Wait.” She replied. “You spend nearly all day in that workshop for months on end and you haven’t been able to finish them yet?”

 Tails gave Surge a blank stare. “When I’m not fighting Eggman, I’m doing chores.” He said. “Picking up groceries, taking a break while visiting friends, then getting a good night’s rest. What do you think I do all day?”

 “Manic said you had an unhealthy obsession with your plane.” Surge replied.

 Manic looked at Surge.

 “What?” Surge asked.

 “Do you blurt out everything I say to you to everyone?” Manic asked.

 “Not everything.” Surge replied.

 Tails shook his head. “I’m as obsessed with my plane as you are about your drums.”

 Surge high fived Tails. “Sick burn, kid.”

 “Who’s side are you on?” Manic asked.

 “Yours, but I have respect for the little guy being snarky.” Surge replied. “Didn’t know he had it in him.”

 “I’m sorry, I was joking.” Manic said. “I said it after you sent about twenty photos of it.”

 “Huh, I only intentionally sent five.” Tails replied. “There must have been a glitch.”

 * 

 Sonic led the way down the gate to the plane.

 The area around the door of the plane was covered in a plastic tarp. The plane looked at least thirty years old, maybe more.

 Maria bit her lip. “Ooh.”

 “This one’s kinda old, but it’s still in good shape.” Tails said, gently rubbing Maria’s hand. “We’ll be fine.”

 Everyone got to their seats.

 “At least it’s a half hour flight.” Shadow said.

 Tails looked at Maria. “I’ll sit with you so you can ask me questions if you’d like.”

 “Okay, sounds good.” Maria replied.

 “Don’t worry, this isn’t the sketchiest plane I’ve ever been on.” Tails said.

 Everyone took their seats.

 Shadow glanced at the gray Mobian viscacha typing away on his laptop.

 Shadow leaned closer to Sonia. “The stewardess just told him to put it up.” He whispered. “And he still has it out.”

 “Stay out of it.” Sonia whispered back.

 “I am, I was only telling you what a jerk that guy is.” Shadow whispered.

 *

 Shadow led the way out of the Mobotropolis airport. “I can’t wait to get a good shower.”

 “I can’t wait to eat chili dogs.” Sonic said. 

 Surge groaned. “Great, we still gotta go to the grocery store.”

 Manic sighed. “I’ll order some takeout and make a run to the grocery store tomorrow.” He said. “I’m too tired to go anywhere but home today.”

 They reached their cars.

 Aleena hugged her children. “I’m glad you all had fun.” She said, “I love you.”

 “Love you too.” Sonic, Sonia, and Manic replied. “Thanks.”

 Aleena got her car while everyone else got in Sonic’s van.

 *

 Sonic pulled the van out of the parking garage, following Aleena’s car. “So I was thinking we could take Mom to a nice restaurant to thank her for the trip.”

 “She’d like a spa day.” Sonia said. “She’s mentioned it. We can all chip in and get it for her.”

 “Good thinking, sis.” Sonic said.

 Everyone agreed.