Station Square…
Black Doom and the Metarex had almost complete control of Station Square now. The police department had retreated and the fire department was too overwhelmed to stop the spread of wildfire. No citizens were left in Station Square. After Sonic and his group left, either the people were captured or driven underground into the sewers. Black Doom stood on the steps of City Hall awaiting the arrival of a comrade. After about an hour, someone appeared. It was Dr. Eggman.
"Did you find the chaos emerald?" asked Black Doom.
Eggman lowered his egg-mobile and revealed the yellow chaos emerald.
"It's quite easy to find a chaos emerald when that pesky hedgehog is nowhere to be found. It's almost a shame," said Eggman.
"Good work, scientist. Now, deliver the emerald to Wraith. He's waiting on the ARK," said Black Doom.
"For the last time, my name is not scientist. It's Eggman," said Eggman.
"Yeah, whatever. Just do it."
With that, Eggman went to the big transporter set up in the middle of the city. He really was glad that their plan was succeeding, but it just didn't feel right. He wanted to be the supreme overlord of the world. He didn't want to share it with some dark matter being or anyone else.
The transporter was heavily guarded by four Black Arms giants, one guarding it from each corner. Eggman stepped onto the platform and was instantly transported to the ARK.
Eggman walked down the corridor to the main observatory, where Wraith was waiting. He had set up his big monitor screens in the observatory, and it was tuned to Angel Island.
"Phase one is complete. The chaos emerald has been recovered. Station Square has been conquered," explained Eggman.
"Excellent work." Wraith took the emerald from Dr. Eggman. "Now, let's sit back and watch Phase two unfold."
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Angel Island…
Knuckles was still ever vigilant due to the change in the wind. He had positioned himself close to the Master Emerald. The only things on his mind were Rouge and the Master Emerald. It was his duty to keep both his treasures safe. He needed to go and check on Rouge, but he couldn't leave the Master Emerald either. In the end, he decided to raise Angel Island back into the sky and check on Rouge. He had lowered it when Silver came to pick up Tikal, but they hadn't gotten back yet. Knuckles turned to the Master Emerald. He began to focus as he usually did to raise the island. Nothing happened.
"Huh?"
Knuckles tried again. Still, nothing happened. Knuckles tried one last time as hard as he could, but the island would not rise. Knuckles was baffled. Suddenly, there was a voice.
"Having trouble raising your island?" said a voice from behind. It was a very slithery voice, a voice you might hear from a talking snake.
Knuckles turned around to face his oppressor. He did not recognize him. It was a red titan of a lizard with a green underbelly and a tube coming out of his mouth that led to a chrome casing on his back.
"What's the matter? Don't remember me? Let me fill you in. It was you and those two hedgehogs that tried to prevent my creator's dream from happening above the ARK."
"Biolizard? Is that you?"
"Very good, my dear echidna. Knuckles, is it?"
"What do you want?" asked Knuckles.
The Biolizard smiled. "I don't want a thing, but my master seems to have a particular interest in your green rock," said the Biolizard.
"You're not getting this emerald unless you go through me," said Knuckles. He shrunk the emerald and put it into his 'pocket'. Then, he got into fighting stance.
"You're going to regret challenging me," said the Biolizard.
"We'll see." Knuckles ran up to Biolizard with his fists ready. He took a swing at Biolizard. Biolizard moved a step to the right and let out his tail. He tripped Knuckles up and made him eat dirt. Knuckles quickly got up and spit the dirt out. He growled, then charged again. This time he stopped and threw a punch. The Biolizard dodged the attack and ran up behind Knuckles at supersonic speed and pushed him to the ground. So far, all the Biolizard managed to do was humiliate Knuckles. Knuckles was getting more steamed by the minute. He punched the ground, which caused a small tremor around them. The Biolizard was thrown off balance. Knuckles ran up to the Biolizard as he was trying to get his balance and uppercut him, which knocked the Biolizard into the air. When the Biolizard came down, he landed on his feet about seven yards away. The Biolizard released his energy ball attack at Knuckles. Knuckles easily dodged it. Afterwards, he released two more into the ground. Knuckles jumped up into the air and glided straight for the Biolizard. The Biolizard grabbed both of his hands and swung him around. He let go and Knuckles was tossed into the side of the shrine. Knuckles got up and shook it off.
"Stay down!" said the Biolizard.
He released his red egg attack. Many red eggs came and surrounded the Biolizard. He aligned them into an inescapable wall. It was too tall for Knuckles to jump over and too wide for him to go around. There was no way to escape. He released them all at once and they came straight for Knuckles. They collided with explosive results. When the smoke cleared, however, there was no body to be found.
"Where did he go?" questioned the Biolizard.
The Biolizard took one step forward. All of the sudden, something grabbed his tail. He looked down to see a big hand with spiked knuckles coming out of the ground. Soon, Knuckles totally emerged from the ground. The Biolizard struggled to get free, but it was no match for Knuckles' power, not at this size. Knuckles did a seismic toss on the Biolizard and threw him off the island. Knuckles went over to the edge of the island to see where the Biolizard had landed. Knuckles was caught off guard and was grabbed by the Biolizard with one hand. The Biolizard had been perched on the side of the island, waiting for Knuckles to come over. He used his free hand to remove the Master Emerald from Knuckles' pocket. Then, he tossed Knuckles over the edge into the sea. Fortunately for Knuckles, he could swim, unlike Sonic.
Knuckles quickly resurfaced and climbed back up to his island, but it was too late. As soon as he reached the top, a ship had come and collected the Biolizard.
"Until we meet again, which will be very soon," said the Biolizard.
"Count on it," said Knuckles.
Rouge, who had just made it to the island, landed next to Knuckles. She saw that he didn't look too pleased.
"What happened here?" asked Rouge.
"The Biolizard stole the Master Emerald," said Knuckles.
"How did he manage that?" asked Rouge.
"He caught me off guard and tossed me into the ocean. Then, he made off with my emerald in that ship that has just left."
"What do you think he could want with it and how did he survive? I thought Shadow and Sonic finished him off."
"I don't know, but I don't think he's in this alone. He's in a new form and everything. He had help returning. I just know it. For one thing, he doesn't own any ships. Also, those ships looked awfully familiar, like I had seen them before," said Knuckles.
"You don't think the Metarex have returned, do you?"
"It's a distinct possibility. The return of the Biolizard is already an unexplainable phenomenon in itself. Anything's possible."
Rouge looked at Knuckles. "Well, I don't know what's going on around here. First, Station Square is invaded and now this."
"Station Square was invaded? Where's Sonic?" asked Knuckles.
"I don't know. The last given report indicated that Sonic was trying to defend Station Square, but nothing was heard about it ever since," explained Rouge.
"What about G.U.N.?" asked Knuckles.
"Actually, I am on my way there, now. I just decided to stop by to say 'Hi'."
"I'll tag along. You might need the protection." Knuckles winked at Rouge.
Rouge smiled back at him as a response. So, together, they went to G.U.N. headquarters.
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Mystic Ruins…
Tikal and Silver were enjoying a nice picnic after journeying through the deep jungle to reach Tikal's ancestral home at the temple. Tikal had managed to find an old spear that she probably used in the past. She decided to keep it as a souvenir. "Knuckles probably has someplace to store this for me," thought Tikal. After taking the rail cart back to the outskirts of the Mystic Ruins, they picked themselves out a nice spot near a waterfall. (It's the waterfall from SA that is next to Windy Valley)
Silver and Tikal were eating the picnic that he had packed. It contained some fruit, four peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, two bottles of Chao Cola, and some carrot sticks. Silver kept looking into her cyan eyes. They had been a couple now for a while and he still couldn't believe it. Tikal was his first girlfriend, and he felt so at peace with her. She was so kind, gentle, and beautiful. Silver really didn't know what Tikal saw in him. Still, he was happy that they were together and vowed to be there for her and protect her always.
"Did you enjoy yourself, today?" asked Silver.
"I'm with you, aren't I?" smiled Tikal.
Silver felt good after hearing that. She actually enjoyed being with him. Suddenly, Silver heard a noise. It was the sound of footsteps approaching. Silver got a serious look on his face. These were not ordinary animal steps. They sounded like metal clanking. Silver took up position in front of Tikal.
"What's wrong, Silver?"
"Someone's coming."
In the distance, a blue blur could be seen coming at light speed towards them. Silver quickly pushed Tikal out of the way and then dove in the other direction himself. The blur kept going until it collided with the wall behind the waterfall. From behind the waterfall came the menacing metallic misfit himself, Metal Sonic.
"It's a Sonic robot," said Silver.
"My name is Metal Sonic. Hand over your chaos emerald."
"How does he know that I have a chaos emerald?" though Silver. "Try and take it," he said aloud.
Metal Sonic chuckled. "I hoped you'd say that."
Metal Sonic turned into his spiked ball form and came right for Silver. Silver used his psychokinesis and caught Metal Sonic. Then, he sent him into the mountainside. Metal Sonic groaned.
"So, you're the new telekinetic hedgehog that Wraith warned me about. Let's see if your telekinesis can match up to my 'Black Shield'."
"Who's Wraith?" asked Silver.
Metal Sonic didn't answer. Instead, he put up his Black Shield. Then, he charged at Silver in spinball mode. Silver tried to retaliate with his psychokinesis, but Metal Sonic slammed into Silver and put him on his back. Silver got up slowly. The metal Metal Sonic was made of really hurt.
"There's no way you can win now that your telekinesis is useless," said Metal Sonic.
As much as Silver hated to admit it, Metal Sonic was right. They were in a clearing and there was no projectile for Silver to use, and since his telekinesis proved useless against Metal Sonic's black shield, he was a sitting duck. Silver had no other choice but to melee fight Metal Sonic. He knew that he was not Knuckles and there was no way he could do any sustaining damage with his bare hands, but he had to protect Tikal.
Metal Sonic attacked again. This time, Silver used his telekinesis to levitate out of the way. Metal Sonic ran himself into the mountainside again. His black shield was thrown down due to his impact. Silver quickly used his telekinesis on Metal Sonic. Metal Sonic instantly responded by raising his black shield again, thus making Silver lose his telekinetic hold on him. Metal Sonic walked up to Silver this time. He knew that Silver could not defeat him in melee combat. Metal Sonic, with his shield still up, threw a punch at Silver, which knocked him back.
"Silver!" yelled Tikal. She was standing on the sideline watching Metal Sonic beat her boyfriend.
Metal Sonic's next punch went into the gut of Silver. It brought him to his knees. Silver tried putting up a telekinetic shield to defend himself, but the black shield allowed his metal fists to past right through. Silver started to cough up blood. He was battered and bruised.
Tikal, on the sideline, started to feel defenseless. She knew that she could not stand up to Metal Sonic's metal body either. Then, she looked at the spear to her side. Maybe, she didn't have to.
Metal Sonic implanted his heel into Silver's back, creating an imprint. Silver howled in pain. He was barely conscious and was steadily losing blood. Then, he reached into Silver's pocket and took the light blue chaos emerald from his possession.
"This is the end, silver hedgehog. I hope you have a safe trip to oblivion."
Metal Sonic raised his metal foot into the air. Before he could strike, a spear was lodged deep into Metal Sonic's head. His black shield was lowered. It seemed that melee attacks could penetrate the black shield, even though other attacks such as chaos spear and chaos blast could not. Silver grabbed Metal Sonic with his telekinesis, and using the last of his strength, slammed Metal Sonic into the mountainside. Silver passed out. Tikal, petrified, rushed over to him.
Metal Sonic emerged from the wall with the spear still in his head.
"I'll destroy you both. I'll- Ahhh. What's happening?" Electrical discharge came from Metal Sonic's body and shocked him.
"Danger! System repair eminent. Return now. Repeat, return now," said Metal Sonic's computer circuitry. Metal Sonic took another step and the electrical discharge forced him to his knees. "Danger! System repair eminent. Return now. Repeat, return now," it repeated.
"We'll finish this some other (groan) time," said Metal Sonic. He turned into his spinball form and used his built-in jetpack to escape. He headed straight for Space Colony ARK.
Meanwhile, Tikal was on her knees with Silver's body in her arms. If he did not receive treatment fast, he would die. Tikal started to weep. She did not want to lose Silver. He put his life on the line for her, and no one had ever done that before for her. She knew that she should tend to his wounds, but she couldn't leave him there.
All of the sudden, two figures landed near them. It was Knuckles and Rouge. They rushed over to Silver and Tikal.
"What happened here?" asked Knuckles.
"A metal version of Sonic attacked," explained Tikal.
"What? Black Doom, the Metarex, the Biolizard, and now Metal Sonic, too," said Knuckles
"This is truly something big," added Rouge.
"Figure it out later, but now we've got to help Silver," said Tikal.
"Okay, here's what we're going to do. Rouge and I will be back in a second. Tikal, I need you to drag Silver over by the waterfall," said Knuckles.
Rouge and Knuckles left. Tikal did not understand, but complied. She slowly dragged Silver's body over to the waterfall, careful not to drop him or cause anymore cuts. As soon as she reached the waterfall, Knuckles and Rouge had returned. Knuckles had two flowers and some big tree leaves. He walked over to Silver.
"The ways of our people remain strong," said Knuckles to Tikal. He took the two flowers and sprinkled some of their pollen into his wounds. Then, he went over to the waterfall and dipped the tree leaves into the water. He applied the wet leaves over Silver's wounds like bandages. Then he sighed.
"Will he be okay?" asked Tikal.
"He'll be fine. The pollen and leaf application will stop him from being lost to us, but he still needs medical treatment," said Knuckles.
"G.U.N. has an infirmary. We can take him there," said Rouge.
"An excellent idea," said Knuckles.
"I'm going too. There's no way I'd ever leave Silver's side when he needs me," said Tikal.
Knuckles and Rouge smiled. They completely understood because they knew they'd do the same for each other as well.
"Then, let's go," said Knuckles.
Knuckles grabbed Silver and placed him gently on his back. Then, while trapping air under his dreadlocks, took to the air. Tikal and Rouge followed. Tikal was also able to glide when air was trapped under her dreadlocks. And so, the four of them raced off to G.U.N. headquarters. One question still remains. Why hasn't G.U.N. preceded to help Station Square?
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ICY KNUCKLES