Chapter 3 – The Guardian
I
I don't know, Tails. You think it'll work?" Rotor pondered as he and Tails were working on some finishing touches on his new machine. They had been working on it for a while now.
"If you are asking moi," Antoine noted dryly, "it is a silly waste of our time."
"Well, we are not asking you," Rotor said angrily as he glared at Antoine.
"Besides, Antoine," Sally added, more patiently than the others but still slightly irritated with Antoine's badgering, "How is building an airplane a waste of time? It will allow us to go more places, and we can move around faster."
"Oui, oui, of course, my princess!" Antoine said quickly, then turned to Rotor and Tails and demanded, "Well, what are you two waiting for? Get moving!" Antoine walked away before either of them could protest. Sally just looked back at him and shrugged, then returned to the task at hand.
"Well, that's about it, Princess Sally," Tails said as he made one final adjustment to the airplane, "Now we just need to find out if it'll fly."
"Sally, Tails. I'm just Sally – you can leave off the princess part," Sally kindly replied to the fox. She looked at the airplane again, then pulled out Nikole, her computer. "Nikole?" she prompted.
"Ready, Sally," Nikole responded.
"Analyze equipment – emphasis on aerodynamic capability," Sally instructed Nikole, pointing the computer at the machine Rotor and Tails had built.
"Analyzing, Sally…" Nikole scanned the airplane, processing all the information she gathered from seeing it, then gave her report. "Analysis complete. Aircraft is capable of flight to a maximum altitude of 36 thousand feet and a maximum airspeed of 150 knots. It is recommended, however, that this aircraft not be subjected to turbulence or strong crosswind. Report complete."
"Thank you, Nikole," Sally said before clipping the computer back to her belt. She smiled at Rotor and Tails, who looked at each other proudly and gave a high five.
"Okay, then," Tails pondered, "So we have a working airplane. Now where should we go with it?"
"Wait a sec," Rotor said uneasily, "I just helped build it. I'm not going anywhere in it. Nobody's getting me that far off the ground."
Sally laughed and answered, "Suit yourself, Rotor. Come with me, Tails – I'll show you what we're going to do with your new plane.
II
The strategy center in Knothole Village was not the cold and sinister light show that Robotnik's war room was. The only large computer in the room was the giant electronic map that made up the surface of the center table.
Around this table, the Freedom Fighters had all gathered to discuss the next mission. Sally stood at the head of the table, with Sonic and Tails on either side.
"Now," Sally began the briefing, "This mission is to be carried out by Sonic—"
"—and me," Tails interrupted.
Sally looked at him sympathetically, but replied, "I'm sorry, Tails. You're too young to be going out on missions."
Tails held his ground. "But, Sally," he reasoned, "I'm the only one of us who knows how to fly the plane."
"He's right, Sal," Sonic added.
Sally reluctantly nodded in agreement and continued her briefing. "There's something strange going on in the Elysian Ocean. We've detected energy readings from this place here," – Sally pointed to a small, unmarked island on the map – "that don't seem natural. I've given the readings to Nikole for analysis, but she was unable to identify the energy signature. Normally, we wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. But now, thanks to Rotor and Tails and their airplane, we can send someone out to investigate. Sonic, that's the mission for you and Tails."
"It's a long way…" Sonic considered. "We'll need stuff for several days."
"You really need to bring a power-ring, too. There's no telling what you may encounter," Sally advised. Sonic shrugged with indifference. He didn't care, but it seemed strange to him that Sally always wanted him bringing power-rings. More often than not, he didn't need them or have a use for them, but he would do as Sally advised. No harm in being prepared.
While some of the other Freedom Fighters were loading supplies into the storage compartment of the airplane, Tails was looking at a clipboard and making some final checks. Sonic was leaning against a stump, idly strumming his guitar. When Sally came to them, he casually stood up and faced her.
"Everything set, guys?" she asked Sonic and Tails.
Tails looked at his clipboard one more time and replied, "I think everything's ready, Sally."
Sally nodded to Tails and took Sonic by the arm. Pulling him away so only she and the Hedgehog could hear, she softly told Sonic, "You make sure you bring Tails back safely, or don't come back yourself." Sally was clearly bothered that the child had to go on such a big mission, but she knew Tails was right – she had no choice.
Sonic replied with uncharacteristic gentleness in his voice, "Don't worry, Sal. I'll look after him as if he was my own brother. Everything's gonna be okay. You'll see."
As Sonic and Tails began to climb into the airplane, Sally called out, "You be careful, too, Sonic Hedgehog!" Sonic said nothing, but winked back at the princess. As Sally backed away, Rotor stepped closer to the plane and waited.
Sonic and Tails donned their helmets and goggles – since the airplane had an open cockpit, they would need protection from the winds they would face. When they were ready, Tails leaned out to the side from the back seat, gave a thumbs-up signal and shouted to Rotor, "Contact!"
At this cue, Rotor grabbed a blade of the propeller and pushed it downward, then quickly took a step back. The propeller began to spin on its own, and the plane's engine roared to life. As they began to taxi, Sally yelled, "Good luck!" over the din of the airplane's engine. She watched the airplane as it picked up speed, lifted off the ground, and slowly rose out of sight.
III
"Where are we?" Tails asked Sonic, yelling to be heard over the engine and the wind rushing past. Sonic looked down at the map he had in his lap.
Twisting around so Tails could hear him, Sonic answered. "We're almost there. That island up ahead is what we're lookin' for!"
Tails pushed forward on the flight yolk, and the plane slowly dropped altitude. By the time they had reached the island, Tails was flying the airplane just above the treetops.
"Do you see anywhere to land, Tails?" Sonic asked his companion. Tails made no response, but pulled the plane slightly to the left, where he saw a clearing large enough for him to land. He throttled back, bringing the plane safely to the ground.
As they climbed out of the plane, Sonic and Tails looked at their surroundings. The island was unlike anything they had ever seen. The trees were large and green, and healthier than even the plant life of the Great Forest. The two companions were also surprised to see mushrooms as large as some of the trees. A breeze blew through the forest, only slightly disturbing the pristine leaves.
"Wow…" Sonic murmured, "This place is amazing. Now I wonder where this power source is that Sal was talking about. Tails, d'you know where to start looking?"
No answer. Sonic looked around for his companion, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Tails?" he tried again. Still he was met with only silence. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head – but it didn't last long before everything went black for Sonic the Hedgehog.
IV
When Sonic woke up, he found himself completely in the dark. He also noticed that his head was aching fiercely. Sonic tried to put his hand over his eyes but found he couldn't. He was bound hand and foot. Sonic moaned in pain.
"Sonic?" a familiar voice came.
"Tails?" Sonic moaned, "Is that you?"
"Yeah. I'm here," the fox responded, then asked, "Are you all right?"
"My head. Whoever's got me tied up must have hit me pretty hard," Sonic said. He turned his head in the direction of Tails's voice, trying to see the young fox, but the room was in total darkness and he could see nothing. "Where are we?" Sonic asked.
"You're my guests!" A rough voice came from somewhere in the darkness. A single, bright light came on in the room.
"Who are you?" Sonic called out to the unseen source of the voice.
"Oh yes, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself," the voice replied. A figure stepped into the light – a red echidna. "I am Chanak-Te, Last of the Echidna. Now to business. Who the heck are you? And what are you doing on Angel Island?"
"W-we didn't mean to intrude," Tails stammered nervously.
"We're looking for something," Sonic explained, "A strange type of energy."
Chanak-Te glared at Sonic angrily. "The Angel's Turmoil! I was warned that the likes of you would come here and try to steal it." He leaned forward, his gaze meeting Sonic's. His face was so close, Sonic could feel the echidna's breath. Chanak-Te grabbed Sonic's throat and spoke dangerously, "I should kill you and your friend right now, hedgehog."
"Wait!" Tails spoke up quickly, "We don't mean any harm! We're Freedom Fighters!"
The red hand around Sonic's throat loosened its grip and finally released its hold, but it was clear to the two companions that the mention of Freedom Fighters did not engender the same respect from Chanak-Te that it did from most organic life forms. The echidna began to pace back and forth in front of Sonic and Tails, fidgeting with his quills as he brooded. Finally, he stopped pacing and let go of his quills, letting them fall loosely to his shoulders. He pointed an accusing finger at Sonic and Tails and remarked, "You're nothing but terrorists. Dr. Robotnik has told me all about you. You and your kind, you cut down all the trees for fuel, pollute the air and the water, enslave all the people around you. Then you proudly identify yourselves as Freedom Fighters and expect me to leap to your evil cause." Chanak-Te spat on the floor in contempt. Sonic and Tails could only stare open-mouthed at the echidna.
"Terrorists, you say…" Sonic replied incredulously, "And Robotnik told you all this?"
Chanak-Te nodded and turned his chilling stare toward Sonic. "And more. You're the worst of all, hedgehog. You use your unnatural speed as a weapon. You do your damage and dart away like the coward you are."
Sonic only continued to gawk at Chanak-Te, but Tails was losing patience. "You've got it all wrong, Chanak-Te!" he bristled. "Robotnik is the one doing all that! He's the one who's destroying everything and replacing it with machines! We're trying to stop that! You've got to believe us!"
Chanak-Te pondered the fox's statement. His face changed for only a moment, then returned to its hardened gaze. "Robotnik has shown me the damage you've done to this planet. You'll have to prove that what you say is true."
"Untie us and we will," Sonic said, also beginning to raise his voice with impatience.
The echidna returned his gaze to Sonic. "I will do what you ask." He produced a glowing stone and held it up for Sonic to see clearly. "But I carry the Angel's Turmoil with me. If you or your friend try anything, I have enough power to destroy you both very quickly." Tails gulped loudly, knowing that this was the energy source they were seeking.
Sonic took it all in stride, and said to Chanak-Te, "Fair enough. Now get us out of here. We'll have to fly to the city, Tails. I'm going to let the echidna hear it straight from His Royal Roundness's mouth."
"I'll believe that when I see it," Chanak-Te answered skeptically as he cut the bonds to Sonic's hands.
"Don't worry," Sonic said determinedly, "You will."
V
It was almost dark when the three of them reached Robotropolis. This flight was much less comfortable, since the Freedom Fighters' aircraft was only designed for two passengers. Sonic had to share the front seat with Chanak-Te as Tails piloted, flying very low in order to avoid being detected by the radar network surrounding the city.
The plane landed within sight of the large, egg-shaped edifice that was Robotnik's headquarters. "I warn you, hedgehog," Chanak-Te whispered as they climbed out of the plane, "If you're lying to me, then so help me, I'll…"
"Shh!" Sonic interrupted impatiently. A group of sentry bots was passing through the entrance to the building. Sonic quietly ran through the door behind the bots and motioned for Chanak-Te and Tails to do the same. The echidna and the fox followed, making it through the door just as it began to close. The vents that Sonic used so often to spy on Robotnik would now serve his purpose again. When the three reached Sonic's usual spot near the war-room, Sonic was relieved to find Robotnik and Snively there. Robotnik was giving Snively the usual amount of abuse.
"But, Dr. Robotnik, I don't see—"
"For the last time, Snively, it's all part of the plan! Don't you see, you fool? Angel Island is one of the last places left on Mobius that is beyond my control." Chanak-Te became very alert, inching closer to the vent to hear the conversation better. The doctor continued, "I have already taken the first steps in my plan. The only remaining creature on that wretched island works for me now, so if the Hedgehog or any other of those foolish Freedom Fighters interfere, I will be able to put a quick stop to it."
Chanak-Te bristled with quietly building rage as Robotnik gave his impatient explanation to Snively, who still couldn't manage to understand his boss's purpose. "But what is so important about Angel Island, sir?" the lackey asked. All this time, Chanak-Te had been getting slightly closer to the opening, trying to get a better vantage point. Sonic noticed and tried to warn the echidna that he could be seen, but it was too late.
"Snively," Robotnik sighed exasperatedly, pointing to the vent, "We're not alone. I seem to have a rodent infestation." Quick as lightning, Robotnik had grabbed the unfortunate echidna from the vent and pulled him into the room. Sonic took tails and quickly receded further into the duct to avoid detection.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Robotnik mused, still holding Chanak-Te in the steel-tight grip of his robotic right arm. "I said to you we have an inside man, Snively, but I must say I am surprised to see him this far inside. Why are you here, Chanak-Te?"
"Sorry, Doc," Chanak-Te heatedly answered, "You're not fooling anyone any more. The Hedgehog and I have reached an understanding."
"Oh, have you indeed?" Robotnik said unconcernedly.
"Yeah," the echidna answered, "Now let me go."
Robotnik dropped Chanak-Te in disgust and turned to Snively. "You know what to do, Snively. I've found that echidnas make excellent miners. I'm sure this one will be no different. Take him away!"
VI
The Roboticision Chamber was very much like Robotnik's war room, but presented a much more dangerous appearance. Green lights blinked everywhere. Most of the lights were concentrated on a large computer console on one of the walls of the room. Worker bots rolled back and forth across the room, constantly checking and adjusting the numerous computers. The only bright light in the chamber was directly in the center, over a circular platform on the floor. From the floor to the ceiling, a glass tube surrounded the circle on the floor. In this glass tube stood Chanak-Te, Robotnik's next subject for roboticision.
"I trusted you!" the echidna shouted furiously as the doctor and Snively calmly entered the room.
"Oh, dear me, that certainly was foolish, wasn't it?" Robotnik answered nonchalantly. "You see, old boy, you have seen much of my operation. That stone you brought with you – I find it remarkable. It's the power source I was looking for on Angel Island. You brought it right to me, dear boy, and I can't thank you enough, so… I won't."
"You may kill me, Robotnik, but someone will defeat you in the end!"
"Kill you? Goodness, no," Robotnik responded with the same sinister calmness, "You're far too valuable for me to kill. You're going to be one of my miner bots. With your skills, you may even come to take charge of my mining operations." Robotnik walked away from Chanak-Te to a large switch on the main computer console. As his hand came closer to the switch, he said to the echidna, "Nothing personal, dear boy, but you've lost, and this is what happens to losers."
"Yo! Ro-butt-nik!" a familiar voice came from the vent in the room just as the doctor was about to throw the switch. "You should show better manners to your guests!"
A blue streak sped into the room, and Robotnik found himself face to face with Sonic and Tails. He looked at them indifferently. "This time, you're too late, Hedgehog," he sighed, then he threw the switch. Inside the glass tube, sparks and bolts of electricity began to build. There was a brilliant flash of light inside the tube, and when it subsided, Chanak-Te's red hands were replaced with large, metal hands with two spikes on the back of each. Suddenly, the electricity and sparks stopped. The glass slid up through the ceiling, and Chanak-Te dropped to his knees, gritting his teeth in pain. Where Robotnik had thrown the main switch, the console was smashed, and Sonic stood in front of it, facing Robotnik in defiance.
"You've spoiled my plans for the last time, Hedgehog." Robotnik pushed a button on the back of his robotic arm, and an alarm began to sound wildly throughout the building.
Looking at Tails, Sonic said softly, "Hang tight. Time to bail." Sonic reached into his backpack and pulled out the power-ring. As he held it up above his head, the power-ring began to glow. It glowed so brightly, Robotnik and Snively were blinded. The radiance was so intense, the brightest light in the room seemed to dim in comparison. Sonic grabbed Tails, ran to the middle of the room, grabbed Chanak-Te, and left the room fast, leaving Robotnik and Snively in bewildered stupor.
VII
Sonic came to a stop in the junkyard on the outskirts of Robotropolis. He looked around to make sure they weren't followed, then looked at Chanak-Te. "Are you gonna be all right?" he asked cautiously.
The echidna looked down at his ruined hands, shaking his head. "Look at this," he wailed.
"But you're alive," Tails said, trying to offer some encouragement to Chanak-Te, "and you're you. Robotnik wasn't able to finish the process."
"I'm a freak!" the echidna screamed at Tails, who stepped back fearfully. Chanak-Te held out his robotic hands and yelled, "What am I supposed to do with this!" A large, thick piece of sheet metal was in a junk pile nearby. With an angry cry, Chanak-Te brought his steel fist down on the sheet of metal, ripping it in half with the force of the blow.
"I'm sorry about your hands, Chanak-Te. Truly," Sonic said sympathetically. Then, more firmly, he added, "But the way I see it, you've got two choices. You can go back to Angel Island and complain for the rest of your life, or you can put your new hands to use and make Robotnik pay."
Chanak-Te looked up from his hands and met Sonic's eyes questioningly. "The Freedom Fighters of Mobius want to stop Robotnik." Sonic put a reassuring hand on the echidna's shoulders and added, "Come with us."
Chanak-Te looked down at his hands forlornly, then returned his gaze to Sonic and nodded decisively. Sonic smiled and replied, "You've made the right choice, Chanak-Te."
Chanak-Te waved Sonic's statement off and answered, "No. That's no longer my name. I've chosen a new one – a name Robotnik will come to fear. A name he'll not easily forget when we meet again."
"What, then?" Sonic asked.
The echidna replied in a voice that rang with conviction, a sign of the vengeance and rage he held for his new enemy, "My name is Knuckles."