Chapter 2: Projects and Guests

It felt so good to be back on Angel Island. It was bright and sunny, and the tropical air was thick with the smell of exotic flowers and fresh fruit. I couldn't help but smile at the place. It just felt like home here.

Knuckles had once said that the island has that affect on people, but more so on the guardians. I only felt its tug a little since I wasn't needed there all the time. But Silver would often be missing his island home, since he was the apprentice and a Protector, he felt the tug as hard as Knuckles did.

"Looks like not much had changed." I said, looking at the small village that Knuckles had set up for everyone on our team.

"I'm not big on changes," Knuckles replied. "But Tails' project is an acceptation because I'm personally curious how the Master Emerald could help in charging Doc's newer portals."

"You're talking about Dr. Jonathan right?" I asked.

Silver nodded. "He's been working on opening other portals to other worlds. He's already opened the one to the Pokemon World, so who knows what else is out there?"

"Only One as far as I know." I said with a smile.

Silver smiled. "Too bad He won't tell us."

"He will," I answered. "One world at a time."

Silver and I laugh. We always teased each other about what God might be up to. Its fun trying to guess what he's doing, because it's never what you think in the end or who it impacts.

Knuckles had built an extra room in his hut for me, which had a bed for me and a cot for Metal. I walk into my room and put my bag down on the bed, Metal close behind me. I watch metal put his duffel bag on his cot and unpack a couple things. It still surprised me that I had a robot, though I would never claim him as mine. Metal had his own mind and we were still showing him that he could make his own decisions.

"Tails said that Dr. Von Neuron will be joining us soon." Metal stated.

"So I've heard." I replied. "Sonic's told me a lot about him. I can hardly wait to meet him in person."

Metal chuckled. "You haven't met any of the Brazil Team have you?"

"Nope." I replied. "I'd personally like to meet them someday, But then again, you haven't been to Brazil either."

"No I haven't." Metal said. "It would be quite an experience to visit Brazil someday."

From here I got quiet, my mind going back to Dr. Weever, and my first battle with him. The guy did creep me out, and he was painful to be around. But I did pity him. He was so consumed by hatred toward the mobians after the accident with Shadow on the ARK. I found myself praying for him often. On top of that, my conscious was pestering me about after the first battle with him when I tore his suit. It looked expensive, and coming from a family of six, we always worked at saving our money.

"Emily?" Metal asked, curious about my silence.

I look at my robot and quickly push the thoughts to the back of my mind. "Sorry, lost in thought." I said.

I knew I didn't fool Metal. He knew I was hiding something, but he wasn't letting on that he did.

"Hey guys!" Knuckles called from downstairs. "The Doc's here!"

"Coming!" I said, quickly putting my bags under the bed and went out to see Doctor Jonathan Von Neuron for the first time. Sonic, Shadow and Silver have told me a lot about him. He was telekinetic and telepathic and he… I slow to a stop. I was usually careful about Mobians that were telepathic. I didn't want them knowing my every thought or what happened a few years before I met Sonic and the others. I felt that some secrets where best forgotten.

Metal notices my hesitation and stops. "Are you sure you're alright Em?" He asked. "This is the second time you have been 'Lost in Thought.'"

I smile at him, hiding my unease. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just wondering what he's like."

Metal gave me the I'm-not-convinced look but played along. "Would it not be easier to meet him and see for yourself?"

I smile at him. He and I would go rounds if we both felt like it. But a guest was waiting. "You're right Metal." I said as I follow him.

"'I am right'?" He asked in a sarcastic tone he used to tease. A trick he learned from Sonic. "How did those words taste?"

"Like vinegar." I reply with a grin.

Soon we were outside. Standing with Tails a tall man with brown hair and silver highlights. He had bright brown eyes behind thick glasses. He wore a white lab coat, dark blue jeans, and a lighter blue shirt. He was looking at the portal that we used to get to the Refuge and Knothole.

He must have heard us coming because he turned to look at us. I look at him, instinctively using my sixth sense to get a read off him. I always did this to people I first meet, just to be sure that they were alright to be around. I was just being careful.

Dr. Neuron then turned and smiled at us. "So this is the Emily Bridgestone and Metal Sonic I've heard about." He said.

"Yep," Tails said. "You said Shadow told you a lot about them."

"He did." Cr. Neuron said coming over to us. "A pleasure to meet you both. But Miss Bridgestone, there's no need to check my alliances. Though I understand your hesitance."

I blushed. How did he know what I was doing? I asked myself.

"Simple Miss Bridgestone." He said. "I am Telepathic after all."

Though I was still careful, I smile at him. "Sonic and Shadow told me as much Doctor." I reply. "But I'm just careful. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." I hold a hand out to shake and he grips it.

"That's understandable." Dr. Neuron said with a gentle smile.

He then picked up his suitcase and walked to Tails' house. This didn't surprise me, Tails' home on Angel Island was bigger due to his many experiments.

Metal looked at me. "He makes you nervous?"

I look at Metal and almost laugh. "Nope, he didn't set my alarms off, so I'm okay."


Dinner that night was wonderful. Knuckles had bought a chicken from a town and served it with the fruits and vegetables from Angel Island. He also added a few herbs to the chicken to give it more flavor.

"So where is our training going to start Knuckles?" Silver asked.

"The Master Emerald." Knuckles said. "You need to start working with it more. You have your old mobian down pretty good so now to start working with the commands."

Silver smiled. "Thank you very much guardian Knuckles." He said, speaking in fluent Old Mobian.

Knuckles gave him a mock scowl. "You've been hanging out with Sonic too much." He replied also in old Mobian.

This made everyone chuckle, including Dr. Neuron.

After a moment, Dr. Neuron smiled and looked at me. "And I would like to work with you in your fighting skills. I hear you're a swordswoman."

I nodded. "I'm alright with it."

Silver nudged my elbow. "You're better than okay Em. You had a showdown with a giant spider in the Valley of Shadow, remember?"

I shivered. "I remember. "I still don't like spiders."

Knuckles then piped in. "And what about that serpent that almost had Shadow?"

"I only scratched her." I said.

"I will see how talented you are in the morning." Jonathan said. "For now, Tails, what have you worked on so far with the Portal?"

"Well," Tails said. "I added the fail-safe like you requested. But I'm not sure how stable it is. If too much energy goes through it then it might malfunction, but that would require a very large amount of energy."

"Then we should be alright." Knuckles said. "The portal here doesn't use a lot of energy in the first place."

"I'm not too worried myself," Tails replied. "Just careful."

Jonathan nodded. "Better prepared for trouble than caught off guard. But as for right now, we should get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

We nodded and washed off our plates. It had gotten late after all. Metal followed me up to our room and Silver climbed the stairs to his room.

Silver smiled as he went up. "Goodnight Em."

I smile back at him. "Goodnight Silv, see ya in the morning."

"Not if I see you first." He replied as he went into his room.

I chuckle and follow Metal to our room and help plug him in for the night. I stepped into the bathroom to change before going back to our room and crawling into my bed.

"Goodnight Operative M." I heard Metal say, no louder than a whisper.

I smile as I start to drift off. "Goodnight Metal." I reply as sleep takes me.