Chapter 4: Marble and Magma

Sonic was sleeping in his bed all night after saving Sally. Jeremy had huts prepared for him and Uncle Chuck as they were joining his resistance band.

As a loud alarm clock rang, Sonic shut it off as he yawned.

"Alright, an awesome new day," he said as he put on his shoes and CommWatch as he left his hut to tour Knothole Village.

There were huts in the area, and in one particular spot, Uncle Chuck was seen building a new shack.

"Sonic, you're up and early as always. I'm rebuilding the Chili Dog stand to be here in Knothole." Uncle Chuck said with a smile.

"Unc, that is an awesome idea," Sonic said when they suddenly felt a tremor shaking the area.

"What was that?" Sonic asked as his CommWatch went off.

"Sonic, it's Jeremy. We have an emergency. Get over to the teleporter at once," Jeremy's voice said.

"Looks like Jeremy needs you. Don't worry, Sonic, I can take care of myself." Uncle Chuck said, smiling.

"Cool, Uncle. Don't worry about me." Sonic said as he ran off.

"My nephew is finally becoming a man." Chuck said as he continued to build his new stand.

Sonic got into the teleporter area as Jeremy and Sally were detecting Eggman activity.

"Sonic, great timing. Eggman is at it again. This time, he's trying to mine for treasure in the Marble Zone," Jeremy said.

"Marble Zone, you mean those ruins near the Green Hill Zone?" Sonic asked.

"Yes. The Badnicks are resistant to the lava in the zone's underground area. There's a good chance a Chaos Emerald is in that area." Sally replied.

"If there is, I'll get it before Egghead," Sonic said as he got into the teleporter.

"That's the spirit. Be careful. The Badnicks may withstand the lava, but you can't." Jeremy said as he hit the button.

As Sonic was warped, he found himself above ground.

"Sonic, can you hear me?" Jeremy asked.

"I hear you, Jeremy. So, what's the info on the place?" Sonic replied, looking at his CommWatch.

"Listen up, our CommWatches will have a bad signal underground, so I'm telling you this now, there are traps below ground. The ancient tribe that used to live here planted spiked weights to keep out thieves." Jeremy said.

"Thanks for the heads up," Sonic said as he headed out. When he got underground, he traversed through the underground, filled with lava pits and robotic bats. When he got to a tunnel, he saw a mole in miner's clothing mining for jewels.

"Blasted surface machines. They think they can steal more treasure." the mole mumbled to himself.

"Sir, you know this is a dangerous time to mine for gold?" Sonic asked.

"That voice, you're not a robot. Name's Spelunk. I came here to get the treasure before Dr. Eggman can. He's been looting the ruins of their treasure and relics." Spelunk replied.

"That's not cool," Sonic said, narrowing his eyes.

"Say, can you help me? These Bat Brains are always swooping at me. If you can protect me, I can get this treasure back to Knothole, so it can be safe." Spelunk said.

"No prob," Sonic said as he followed Spelunk, defeating every Bat Brain coming at them.

When they got to the surface, a caterpillar-like robot emerged from the ground and crawled toward Sonic and Spelunk.

"I forgot about those Caterkillers. Listen up, Sonic, don't hit the body. It'll hurt you and scatter its body. Aim for the head." Spelunk said as he put sunglasses over his eyes.

Sonic nodded and jumped into the Caterkiller's head, destroying it and freeing a squirrel from it.

"Hi, I'm Ricky. Thanks for freeing me." Ricky said as a giant ring appeared near Sonic.

"Spelunk, hang on," Sonic said as he grabbed Spelunk's hand and jumped into the ring.

As the two floated inside, Sonic saw another Chaos Emerald. This time, it was yellow. Sonic grabbed it as he and Spelunk was teleported back to Mobius.

"Well, Sonic, that was amazing. Chaos Emeralds do exist. Shame you need them. Not to worry, I kept a tight hold of the jewels I mined the whole trip. Maybe I can open a museum here with them." Spelunk said.

"That can be arranged, sir," Jeremy said.

"Call me Spelunk. Kids here are kind and brave to stand up to that mean Eggman and his jewel-stealing robots." Spelunk said as he went with him.

"Sonic, are you ready to go back. We have Eggman in the area." Sally said, as she took the yellow Chaos Emerald and placed it in a Special Container where the blue one was.

"I'm ready to jam," Sonic said as he went back to the teleporter, and Sally teleported him back to Marble Zone.