By Life Comes Sacrifice

Episode 8

Chaos Emeralds Missing

Sonic spent all day at Angel Island, waiting for Knuckles. After four hours, Sonic began to get worried. "Knuckles never spent this much time away from Angel Island before." Sonic decided to go look for him. He almost left the floating Island, but he thought for a moment. Knuckles would return sooner of later, and if was later, he would want someone guarding the Emeralds. Sonic went back to the ruins and sat on the top step.

Sonic didn't like the Master Emerald very much. He knew that a dangerous creature lived in it. A young female echidna named Takal trapped him in there, after he destroyed many people from her civilization. Now, Knuckles was forced to protect the Master Emerald, to be sure that no one released Chaos.

A few more hours passed. Sonic was getting inpatient. "How does that Knuckle-Head stand sitting here every day all day?"

Another hour pasted. Sonic got sick of it. "Takal! I need your help!"

A moment later, a little ball of light came down and circled Sonic's head. "What can I do for you today, Sonic the hedgehog?"

Sonic smiled at it. He remembered how she had helped him many times in another adventure he had against Dr. Robotnik. "I need someone to guard the Master Emerald, so I can go and find Knuckles…"

Takal spoke almost immediately after Sonic finished. "Knuckles is in Eggman's flying fortress at the moment…"

"Eggman! I should have known…" Sonic turned back to Takal. "Would you watch Angel Island while we're gone?"

Takal nodded, "You should also know Sonic, that Knuckles wasn't captured…"

Sonic looked at her with a confused look. "What do you mean? Why would he go there?"

Takal laughed, "Sonic, if you haven't noticed, the Chaos Emeralds are missing…Knuckles went to get them."

Sonic gasped, "Then Eggman is trying to get them for something. He must have stolen them, and now Knuckles is trying to get them back…Why didn't he ask for our help?"

Takal shook her head, "I'm not sure Sonic, but you better get your butt up there before it's too late…" Sonic didn't ask what that last part was supposed to mean, he was already speeding down the path.