Notes: Let's keep on rolling

Disclaimer: I definitely do not own the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

Ch. 10: I Hate Sand...opolis, Sandopolis

Sonic and Tails fell into a large sand dune.

"This is way worse than when when had a pile of snow on top of us," Sonic griped.

"Sonic, I think I saw Robotnik headed for that pyramid."

"Then that's exactly where we're headed."

Just traversing a few feet, the duo could see the area was filled with not just sand, but spikes and Badniks. Atop the sand there were scorpion Badniks called Skorp: orange in color, with treads in lieu of legs, and a spike ball rather than a stinger. While beneath the sand were Badniks called Sandworm that moved through it as easily as water. Occasionally they would run into a Badnik called Rock'n, so called because its body was a large rock with eyes and legs.

"Dr. Robotnik has been busy here, Sonic," Tails said, "This whole area is already full of obstacles."

"Yeah, but when has that ever stopped us, pal?"

They pressed onward, swinging across gaps, avoiding deep sand, and destroying Badniks. As they went deeper into the ruins, Tails couldn't help but admire the architecture.

"More ruins, Sonic. It seems like this island is full of them. It must have been quite a civilization in its time."

"I guess so, buddy. In which case, what do say to the name Sandopolis?"

"Well, seeing as sand is all that's left, I'd say that's another one for your amazingly appropriate names for places."

"Glad you think so. Hold on...I sense one of those giant rings nearby."

They split up to check out different ruins.

"In here, Sonic!"

"Good work, Tails. Now let's do this."

*FLASH*

"And that makes five!"

"It feels like we're just blazing through these weird pocket dimensions now. We found three back in Mushroom Hill. Do you think we might find another one here?"

"I'm betting there'll be one inside that pyramid. Time to speed up!"

Sonic and Tails began running through the ruins, avoiding crushing pillars, spikes, and sand slides. After a while, they made it to the pyramid.

"I don't see an entrance, Sonic. I also thought the pyramid would be bigger."

As if on cue, the pyramid began to rise up out of the sand, reaching ever higher, until the entrance was visible. The massive door opened up to reveal...a giant rock?

"So...the pyramid's first defense is a rock?"

"I doubt it's that simple, Sonic."

The rock began to rise up, sprouting arms, legs, and a head.

"It's some kind of guardian, Sonic."

"It's just a big walking rock. I'll deal with this."

Sonic revved up a spin dash, and then went flying into the face of the Guardian. It collapsed to the ground.

"See, Tails, what did I tell you?"

The rock began to rise again.

"It's not done yet, Sonic."

The Guardian rose back up and began slowly stomping towards Sonic.

Sonic calmly looked at Tails, "Okay, new plan: we'll let him come to us, and then figure out something."

"Right," Tails nodded.

The Guardian was quite ominous, but was also painfully slow.

"I'm waiting!" Sonic snapped.

The Guardian began to bound towards the heroes instead, the ground shaking each time it landed.

"Any ideas yet, Sonic?"

Sonic did a quick look around the area.

"The quicksand! We'll let it do the work for us. Just wait for this thing to get closer."

The Guardian took one last flying leap, but landed in the nearby quicksand. As it sank deeper, it seemed to fall apart.

"Guess that's the last of him," Sonic said, "Now into the dark, spooky pyramid."

Tails suddenly froze up, "You mean there's something scary in there?"

"Come on, Tails, as long as it's not lightning you should be fine."

They stepped through the massive door and began setting through the dark pyramid.

"Great," Sonic said, "Even in here there's too much sand."

"Look up there, Sonic. It's some kind of lever. Think we should pull it?"

"A lever in an ancient pyramid? Sure, why not?"

Sonic pulled on the switch and, for whatever reason, the pyramid became brighter.

"How did those lights come on?" Tails wondered, "Candles or something or...?"

"No time to think about that, Tails. Let's just get through here as fast as possible."

"Isn't that how you always like to get through places?"

"Yes, but I'm not in the mood for sand and such. Wait a minute...there's a giant ring in here, somewhere."

"Sonic, the lights are starting to fade."

Sonic found another lever and pulled it.

"Crisis averted for now, Tails. Here's another lever type thing, but it looks like we push it."

They pushed it forward, and the wall before them rose. As soon as they let go, however, the wall began to slowly shut. Sonic and Tails dove forward.

"That wasn't so bad," Sonic started to say, but then the floor had a sharp incline downwards.

Sonic rolled into a ball to better take advantage of this, until he went flying into the air. After a few seconds, he landed on top of one of the pods that usually held those little animals he was always saving. Instead though, out popped some white sheets that floated away.

Tails flew down and said, "Sonic, did you see that?"

"Not really...what was it?"

"Well...unless I'm crazy, they looked like ghosts."

"Ghosts? Don't be ridiculous, Tails."

Suddenly, a voice rang out through the pyramid.

"I have cameras almost everywhere, Sonic," Dr. Robotnik bragged, "I can't believe you set the ghosts free. Do you know how long it took me to catch them?"

"How could you possibly catch ghosts?"

"That's not important! If you're smart you'll start running. The darker it gets, the nastier the ghosts get."

Sonic motioned for Tails to keep moving.

"Never mind Eggman and the ghosts. That giant ring is really close. Over...there."

Sure enough, hidden behind a wall was the ring.

*FLASH*

"I'll be glad when we're done with these, Tails. I can only take the clashing colors so much. I mean look at this: purple and yellow."

"Plus it makes me feel dizzy."

"And now we've got the purple Emerald."

*FLASH*

"Six down, Tails."

"One more to go, Sonic. Now can we please get out of this pyramid?"

"You don't have to ask me twice."

Tails froze up, "Sonic..."

Sonic turned around to see those tiny bedsheet ghosts were much bigger, with menacing eyes and noticeable horns. He looked around quickly and saw another light switch. He jumped up and yanked on it. As soon as the lights came on, the ghosts disappeared.

"I doubt that'll hold them off long, buddy, so let's get moving."

Tails nodded, and they kept going. They eventually came to a dead end.

"Looks like the only way left to go is up," Sonic said.

"I can only fly us so far, Sonic."

Sonic looked around and noticed some kind of button.

"Press it? Who wouldn't?"

Sonic jumped into the "button" and sand began pouring out.

"The sand is rising," Tails observed, "I guess that works...as long as we don't get stuck."

Now that they could reach over the wall, they kept moving forward. After one last barrier to cross, they landed in a perfectly lit room where the ghosts dared not approach. At the other end of the room was a large stone statue, almost like the Sphinx. Suddenly, a center panel opened.

"Another machine," Sonic grumbled, "I might have known."

"Say hello to my Egg Golem, Hedgehog. I'll make sure you go no further."

The Golem raised its fists trying to slam them atop the duo. It then fired a laser beam from the green gem on its forehead. Sonic jumped onto one of the Golem's fists, and then into where the panel had been. This caused the panel to open.

"How did that happen?" Robotnik cried, "Stupid sensitive controls."

While he frantically tried to close the panel back up, Sonic struck the revealed Mobile beneath. For whatever reason, this cause the entirety of the Golem to fall apart, leaving the entire Egg Mobile exposed for another smack.

"Come on," Robotnik snarled, "Come back together, you piece of junk."

The armor reassembled on the Golem.

"Sometimes I wonder if these design flaws are intentional," Tails said, "But some of them are just too dumb."

Robotnik kept up his attack pattern, which was good because Sonic and Tails followed in kind. Finally, the Golem fell apart for good. The doctor, of course, made a quick getaway.

"You win this round, Hedgehog, but we'll see what happens later!"

"Yeah, sure, Eggman."

Sonic and Tails came across a capsule.

"Hopefully no ghosts in this one," Tails said.

Sonic smiled as he freed the animals. He and Tails began following the doctor.

"I don't think Eggman could've gone any deeper into this pyramid, Sonic."

Sonic gave a sudden stop, holding his arm in front of Tails. There was a huge deep hole right in front of them.

"Well, I'm guessing this is where Eggman disappeared to."

"Whatever's down there," Tails said, "It can't be any worse than a desert."

"Only one way to find out, little bro."

They did a quick fist bump, and then jumped down, ready for whatever awaited them.