Hello everyone, I'm terribly sorry that I haven't been around for a while. I guess I just got caught up in the Holidays. Anyways I just wanted to thank everyone who has read this story so far and let you all know that this is now a two part fic. There will be 2-3 more chapters for this part and then I'll start the second part shortly thereafter and it is going to be tentatively titled "Into the Void".

Quick recap: the metal Knuckles prototype is being fixed up, Sonic is currently searching for a way into the main control building of Robotropolis, and Knuckles and Snively are locked in the dungeons far below.

"Hey everyone, I think I found a way in," Sonic reported back to Knothole over his PDA slash radio, "it looks like a ventilation duct, but it's probably one of the best ways to get in,".

"Roger that Sonic," affirmed Sally, "try not to get spotted by the SWATbots, or Snively or Robotnik,". "Alright, alright," the hedgehog replied with a hint of annoyance, "I won't go causing too much noise,". "OK, be careful…we're counting on you,". "Gotcha, I'm heading in now," and with that the blue blur carefully removed the cover of the vent shaft and sped off into the darkness.

\\\Inside the Master Control Room///

"Lord Robotnik," began the first in command SWATbot, "there has been a reported breach of security in quadrant Q-14. Something about the air ducts. Would you like me to send down an assault team to assess the threat?"

"No, no, that won't be necessary C-485. I already know who it is down there and where he is heading, however, I do need an updated status report on the Metal Knuckles prototype," replied Robotnik in an unusually pleasant and calm tone.

"Yes your Lardness. I shall patch the repair shop through onto the monitors now," and with that bot 485 pressed a few buttons before speaking. "R-64, R-64, this is C-485. Dr. Robotnik would like to be updated as to what the current status is of the Prototype," he finished.

"The Prototype is under going it's final tune-ups now," responded R-64. "Very good ROB, right on schedule. Send him up to me when he is finished there. I have a special task for him,". "Yes oh Great Fat One." "C-485, get Metal Sonic in here immediately. I require him as well,". "Yes m'Lord,".

\\\Back inside the vent shaft///

"Whew, it shouldn't be too much further," Sonic mumbled to himself. The air duct smelled like a sewer, and was so dark he could barely see his hand in front of his face. He moved along the space with relative ease however, or at least until he got to a spot where the shaft got smaller and he had to crawl, "Damn, I should've kept my mouth shut,". Almost ten minutes later he spotted a vent cover in the bottom of the enclosure.

Very carefully he peered down into the room and saw Knuckles sitting there. "Hey Knux," the cobalt hedgehog called in a hushed tone, "up here," and with that he removed the cover and lowered himself into the cell. "Hey where have you been?" Knuckles asked nonchalantly, "You sure do know how to keep a guy waiting don't you?"

"Sorry," replied the blur before noticing Snively leaning up against the wall. "You," he began with a bit of anger that made the poor man retreat a bit into the corner, "this is your doing, I'm gonna…" but he was cut off by the Echidna.

"No Sonic, you've got the wrong idea. Granted he did allow Robotnik to come back here and use the facilities, but this is none of his doing," he began motioning towards the battered and broken soul. "Robotnik betrayed him shortly after he arrived and I've already got all of the info out of him that I can anyways," Knux finished.

Sonic stood there for a second studying Snively's face. He was usually pretty good at judging whether someone was being truthful or not, and it didn't take long for him to agree that the story Knuckles had been told was, at least for the most part, the truth or so he thought anyways. "Ok then I have one question for him then," he stated finally, "What happened to Rotor and Bunnie?"

Snively swallowed hard, remembering the last time he had been asked questions before he spoke, "I'm sorry but…I-I sent them into t-the Void,". Sonic just lowered his head. He knew that there was a very slim chance that they could be alive still, but being in that realm for too long could have irreversible side-effects if you managed to survive. "I can help you get them and the Master Emerald back, as well as put an end to my uncle's plan," replied Snively suddenly, "I swear it,".

Sonic looked over to Knuckles. The look he received in reply was one of uncertainty, and the blue hedgehog stared long and hard at the man in front of him. Snively knew the access codes to open up the portal to the Void, but there was the small possibility that he had fabricated the entire story of his betrayal and that this was part of a scheme both he and Robotnik came up with. "Well even if this is part of something bigger, we're gonna have to trust him for the time being Knuckles," Sonic said after an extended silence. "So here's my next question…just how on earth am I supposed to get both of you out of here? That vent won't hold all three of us,".

"Don't worry Sonic," Snively started, "I have an idea,". The blue blur could see the genius of Snively's mind beginning to work as a twisted little grin appeared upon his bruised face. Even though the man seemed like a pushover and he didn't have as much of an intimidating presence as his uncle, it was entirely possible that he was just as smart (as evidenced by his fairly successful campaign against the Freedom Fighters), if not more so, as Buttnik. "Just remember hedgehog…once we have foiled dear Ivos' plan we will be on opposite sides once again,". "I didn't expect anything less from you," responded Sonic as the two shook hands. Neither one of them broke eye contact with the other for the longest time, each expecting the other to turn their temporary allegiance to one another over at any moment. "Alright so what's this plan of yours then Snivels?" Knux butted in. "Right, come over here and I'll explain. I don't want any bots over hearing us,".

AN: Well I hope at least some of you didn't see that coming. Like I said above 1-2 more chapters for this fic and then I'll begin working on the second half of it. Also be on the lookout for the next installment of my "Knuckles' Party" series which is tentatively titled "Knuckles' Party: The Aftermath".

Till next time,

Happy Reading and Writing,

Sons of Ocelot