Chapter 4: The Mighty Master

"I… am not… your buddy…" Knuckles grimaced as he tried to sit up.

"Dude! You're alive!" Sonic jumped up and ran circles around him.

"I'm so relieved!" Cream hugged the injured echidna, who pushed her off him.

"That rat! He took most of my energy…" Knuckles moaned.

"Be thankful you're not dead," Tails helped him up. "You okay to walk?"

"I don't need your help!" Knuckles pulled away, then faltered.

"Funny," Sonic crossed his arms, "You sure looked like you needed it when we saved your sorry butt!"

"Mr. Sonic…" Cream tried.

"Hmph! I was fine!" Knuckles growled.

"You sure? He would've taken all your energy if not for me!" Sonic glared.

"Ha! Someone's full of himself!"

"Says the one who claims he needs no help from us!"

"Guys…" Tails cut in.

But he was ignored. "Hm, I'll remember that next time you try to steal the emerald!"

"For the last time, Knucklehead, it wasn't us!" Sonic and Knuckles were inches from each other now.

"Yeah, sure. You're always planning something, you menace!"

"Jerk!"

"Arrogant pest!"

"Stuck-up outsider!"

"That's it!" Knuckles lunged at him, knocking him to the ground, but he sprang up with his speed and whipped around him. Knuckles held out a fist, which knocked him square in the gut. Sonic toppled over and groaned, but then he jumped up again and tackled him.

"Please…" Cream tried to interject. "Shouldn't we focus on Dr. Robotnik?"

"As soon as this nuisance learns his lesson!" Knuckles pounded his fists, but Sonic blocked them with his own hands.

"More like you learn yours!" Sonic thrust the echidna off him.

"Please… stop…" Cream moved toward them. "Please…"

Knuckles shoved Sonic backwards, making him fall on the innocent rabbit.

"Cream!" Sonic stood up. "You okay?"

Cream struggled to sit up. "Yes… I'm fine…"

"See what you did, you stupid— Huh?" Knuckles was gone. "I guess that's the thanks we get. Oh, well. Come on, guys. This was a stupid waste of time."

"You can say that again," Tails agreed.

.

"Don't worry… it wasn't a complete waste of time." Robrat glanced at his robot hand. "I gained much power today! Now, we may test it on the emerald itself." He raised his hand to the Master Emerald. "Oh, great emerald, hear me!" The jewel shined. "Yes! Now, we will be unstoppable!"

"Indeed. Our plan worked." Robotnik rubbed his balding head. "I can barely believe it myself."

"Well it's true, Doctor. You have succeeded."

.

Knuckles looked at the remains of his home. "It ain't a pretty picture, is it?" the bat descended. "Thanks to you, my emerald's gone!"

"It's not your emerald!" Knuckles exploded. "That stupid rat…" He clenched his fists. "He will pay…"

"You know, I may just be an onlooker… but I think you owe that Sonic character a thank you."

"Excuse me?"

"I went running to them when I noticed the emerald and you were gone. That fox looked worried, but not more than that rabbit."

"The fox?"

"Then Sonic ran off to find that Robotnik character. It got confusing, but he held his ground."

"What are you talking about?"

"Then that fox noticed your room. And Sonic and the rest of them risked their lives to save yours." Rouge ended her narration. "I may not be a very polite bat, but I'll send out thank you's when necessary." With that, she left.

Knuckles looked again at the rubble. "Hmph, Sonic…"

.

"You WHAT?!" Amy came closer to Sonic. "Well are you alright, Sonic?"

"I'm fine!" Sonic gave a thumbs up. "That robo-rat gave me as much of a beating as Knucklehead did!"

Tails glanced away, That's not how I remember it, Sonic. You got electrocuted!

"Mr. Sonic and Tails were very brave!" Cream smiled.

"Yep, that's me!" Sonic grinned.

"Heh… I'm just a sidekick…" Tails scratched the back of his neck.

"Well, what's that Eggman up to now?" Amy picked up her hammer. "Hurting my Sonic like that! I'll show him! I'll—Were you expecting company?" She put her hammer down.

"Like who?" Sonic asked.

"Knuckles."

"Knucklehead?!" Sonic looked where Amy pointed. Sure enough, Knuckles was walking toward them. "Well I'll be…"

But he didn't make it. Robotnik crash landed his ship right between him and the rest of the group.

"Eggman!" Tails gasped.

"And his little rat friend!" Sonic added.

"Really?" Amy brought up her hammer and charged at them. "Well, I'd like to give them a piece of my mind!"

"Wait, Amy!" Sonic sighed. "Ugh, whatever."

"Sonic… is that…?" Tails pointed.

"The Master Emerald!" It was coming out of the ship, hovering above Robrat.

"You robot wretch!" Knuckles was calling. "Hand over that emerald!"

"It's under my control now, you useless echidna!" the rat called back. He raised his robot arm and it sparkled.

"No! It can't be!"

"Feel the mighty power of the Master Emerald!"

Knuckles looked up at it in stunned shock. "No! Stop this! Master Emerald, hear me!" He cried out and clutched his stomach. "Ack… my power…"

"Knuckles get out of there!" Tails called.

Knuckles was still staring at the emerald, the jewel he was sworn to protect. "I'll protect you still, Master Emerald!" He stood tall. "I'll protect you from this evil!" He raised both his hands. "Master Emerald, return to me!"

"That stubborn looney! He's going to get himself killed!" Sonic groaned.

"Sonic! Stay out of there!" Tails grabbed his hand.

"Come on, buddy. No need to worry about me!"

"Sonic, look!" Tails pointed. The Master Emerald was radiating powerful light, brighter than the sun. "Knuckles! Get out of there!"

Knuckles ran toward them, and they hurried away. "Wait!" Sonic turned back. "Amy!"

"What did that little brat do now?" Knuckles snarled.

Sonic ran back and saw Amy on the ground, hurt. "Amy!" He jumped down to her and lifted her up. "Why do you always have to be the damsel in distress?"

He jumped back up and ran off with the others, away from the disaster that was ready to befall all of Mobius.

.

Hi, long time no commentary! Ha, ha! You enjoying the story? Review! Not enjoying it? Review! (And I'll try to fix it if it's in my power… "Oh, great Master Emerald, grant me this power…" Ha ha, just kidding…)