HOME, Part 2: THE GATHERING
Writer: Karl Bollers
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inker: Jim Amash
Colorist: Jason Jensen
Letterer: Jeff Powell
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Sonic (running) and Tails (flying Tornado) are off to attack Robotnik. Sonic has a flashback to "a few minutes ago" that explains what is going on. Sonic was saying that there's no way he could get to Robotnik in Megaopolis before the missiles would be launched. Sally reminds us all about the fact that power rings can boost Sonic's speed as she suggests he uses one to get to Megaopolis in time. Queen Alicia tells Tails to go along with Sonic since Tails' "mechanical skills" will be needed. Sonic and Sally share a quick kiss, with Sal telling Sonic to "be careful." Just before leaving, Sonic asks about the robot horde, but King Max says that they'll deal with it. Flashback is over as Sonic sees that "Megaopolis is dead ahead."

Bunnie, Antoine (doing the piloting), Fiona, Espio, Geoffrey, and Hershey (the latter two arriving in Knothole "just in time") are in the new Freedom Fighter Special-Mark 2, which is on its "maiden voyage," and are Sonic & Tails' backup. Geoffrey mentions to Espio that they don't even know if Rotor's modifications work. Following Rotor's instructions, Antoine flies the FFS into the "upper atmosphere" so that they can go globe-hopping quickly. They should arrive in Megaopolis within a half-hour.

At Robotropolis, we see General D'Coolette at the new Fort Acorn. He and his men are getting ready to defend Robotropolis from the robotic horde, which the General can see coming through his binocolars (note: the comic says that they've been there for 10 years when it should say that they've been there for 10 months). Surprising Gen. D'Coolette is the arrival of Knuckles, Amy Rose, Julie-Su, Vector, and Mighty who've been charged to help stop the robot horde. The General asks Knuckles if the rumor about Sonic being alive is true and Knux tells him that it's true. Gen. D'Coolette is pleased saying that piece of info will give them a boost for the upcoming fight.

Back at the Castle, King Max tells those that remain (Sally, Queen Alicia, Bernie, Jules, and Uncle Chuck) to go to the Royal Bunker for safety. Sally refuses and when King Max tells Queen Alicia to talk sense into Sally, Alicia refuses since she agrees with Sally. Jules mentions that he, Bernie, & Uncle Chuck want to stay so King Max just gives in and turns his attention to the Pres of Station Square. King Max asks the Pres if they've begun evacuation when the Pres says that he's chosen not to inform the people about the possible missile strike. After a comment from the Pres about how they both have different ways of going about things, King Max tells the Pres about the strike teams he's sent. The Pres says that they're doing all they can in Station Square as well.

In Station Square, Commander Brass is telling the Pres that instead of relying on Sonic that G.U.N. feels that they should strike against Robotnik. The Pres says that he won't give approval for the strike until the missiles are airborne and asks if the commandos are en route. Brass says that they are and then asks why is the question being asked. The Pres then informs Brass that he's sent a special agent to lead the mission. At the G.U.N. helicopter, the men inside hear someone knocking on their door, which as far as they're concerned is impossible since they're 10,000 feet up. They look out to see Rouge, who just says "Hey, boys!"

Meanwhile, the guy who's been talked about but not seen for the entire story so far, is just now getting ready to fire those missiles. Robotnik asks A.D.A.M. to start the countdown when suddenly he hears the sound of an airplane. Sonic and Tails have arrived just in time to crash the party.

To Be Continued in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #132