A/N: This should've been up ages ago. However, was being mean and not letting me log in. Sorry about that.
This story should be finished up within 1-2 chapters! Sorry this one is rather short. But we're zooming right along here.
Review? Please??
Espio was meditating.
He wasn't just meditating in his usual place inside the Chaotix Detective Agency. He was meditating on the altar next to the Master Emerald. Knuckles had left on a short and sudden notice, leaving the gem unoccupied.
The chameleon decided to help his friend out…just this once. He owed him a favor anyway.
Suddenly, Espio's yellow eyes flipped open and he leapt up at once, using his stealthy ninja moves. The entire Angel Island began to shake without warning, as it had done once before today. The lilac ninja landed atop the Emerald, ready to protect it from harm.
However, it seemed the source of the earthquake was coming from within the jewel. Espio cringed and finally fell off as the Master Emerald shook violently. Finally, a giant light exploded from within, and a figure appeared before him.
"Name yourself at once!" Espio demanded, getting into a defensive position.
The figure finally revealed himself as the light dissipated. He was a light blue hedgehog that looked somewhat similar to Sonic, except he wore different shoes. His eyes were green like the famous speedster, but unlike Sonic, he was a lighter blue with striking white highlights on spines.
The hedgehog blinked twice before resting his gaze on Espio. "Greetings," he said in a calm voice. "I hope I didn't startle you."
"Who are you?" Espio asked, a little bewildered.
"Oh, forgive me." The hedgehog smiled. "My name is Chaos. Maybe you would recognize me in my…other form?"
Espio was beyond confused now. The only Chaos he had ever heard of was the water creature. So why was this hedgehog claiming to be him? "You mean…you were the Chaos creature?"
Chaos nodded. "Yes. That was me after my…transformation. If you would please lead me to the hedgehog that is currently undergoing the same transformation that I am, then I would be very, very grateful."
The chameleon stuck up an eyebrow. "And how exactly should I know I can trust you?"
"I'm desperate," Chaos replied in a serious tone. "I don't want any other individual to go through what I did."
Espio studied Chaos' deep green eyes a moment more before finally nodding. "You sound sincere," he admitted. "Knuckles went to Eggmanland to find Sonic, and if Sonic is there, Shadow probably is too. I'll lead you there."
Chaos frowned, but seemed a little more relaxed. "Thank you," he said politely before the chameleon swiftly spun around and started in the direction of Eggman's base.
***
"Knuckles! Come in, bud!"
Knuckles' microphone headset went crazy as Sonic boomed into his own. "Keep it down!" the echidna retorted, clutching his ear.
Sonic, on the other hand, was riding atop the Tornado 2. He cringed against the wind as he called again into his microphone, signaling Knuckles. "Sorry, I can barely hear a word you're saying!" he exclaimed. "Me, Tails and Shad found 2 more emeralds! How about you?!"
"Me and Tikal found 2 more! Isn't that seven?" Knuckles replied loudly, causing some birds to flutter away in the jungle he was in.
Sonic did the math in his head. They started with one, then each group found one, which added up to 3. Then he, Tails and Shadow found two more, and if Knuckles and Tikal found two more…that was seven.
"We've got 'em all, Knux! Head back to Eggman's little rat hole and we can finally heal Shadow."
Knuckles cringed as his microphone fizzled out. The red echidna turned his head to Tikal, who was standing near him. "We've found all of the emeralds, Tikal. We need to get back to Eggmanland."
The ancient tribal member blinked in agreement. "I hope we can make it in time…" she muttered before racing off after Knuckles.