Chapter 13:

Knuckles entered the lab.

"What do you think you're doing Tails?" He demanded.

"Researching," Tails answered.

"I thought you are making a program to locate the Master Emerald," Knuckles growled.

"Were did," said Mighty. " And were running to now. We'll know the Master Emerald's location, give or take a mile, as soon as the program picks up something."

Tails' screen beeped.

"What's Phase 2?" Tails asked.

A thump was heard as Sonic put one of the weapons he had found on a table.

"Phase 2 is were G.U.N. uses the Master Emerald to create weapons," Sonic explained. "Sorry Tails, but the computer was moving to slow for me."

"That's alright," Tails said with a grin.

"Those weapons are for research only Sonic," Knuckles explained.

"Excuse me," Tails cut in. "What were you lying?"

Tails flipped the monitor around. It displayed a schematic for a weapon.

"Mighty," Rouge commanded as she entered the lab. "You need to remove yourself from this environment."

"You're not manipulating me Rouge," Mighty said.

"You didn't come here because I batted my eyelashes," Rouge said.

"And I'm not going to leave just because you suddenly get a little twitchy," Mighty countered. "I want to know why G.U.N. is using the Master Emerald to make weapons!"

There was silence as everyone waited for Knuckles' response.

"Because G.U.N. doesn't want another Robotnik," he finally said. "They were no match for him. They had to depend on us for their safety. They don't want to be dependent on anybody."

"Why would you agree to to that?" Sonic asked.

"I had no choice Sonic," Knuckles answered. "They wouldn't help me unless I agreed."

"But Messing with the Master Emerald is dangerous," Silthor said. "It might even destroy the timeline I'm trying to protect."

"Destroyed?" Sonic asked.

"G.U.N. wanted to create something unbeatable," Knuckles explained. "To send a message."

"A nuclear deterrent," Tails concluded. "Because that calms everything down."

"Remind me again about your contribution to the war," Knuckles growled.

"Leave Tails alone," Sonic commanded.

"I don't need you to defend me Sonic," Tails shot back.

Outside, a plane approaches. A voice comes over the radio asking for the clearance code. Shadow sends the proper response.

"Code confirmed," the voice said. "You are clear to approach."

Shadow handed the controls to another pilot and moved to the back of the plane.

"Why are they here then?" Silthor asked.

"G.U.N. wants to monitor all potential threats," Rouge explained.

"And Sonic, hero of Mobius, is a threat?" Mighty asked in disbelief.

"We all are," Rouge said.

"I'm tired of you treating me like a kid," Tails growled at Sonic.

"You think that with a suit of armor your a big man?" Sonic countered. "Take that suit of armor of and you're still a kid."

"Sonic, it's bee years," Tails said. "I've grown up. I'm now a genius, billionaire, and philanthropist. And what about you Sonic? You disappeared instead of trying to adjust to the free world."

Behind everyone, the gauntlet began glowing.

Shadow opened the back of the plane and readied an arrow. He aimed carefully and released. The arrow arced in the wind and hit the side of the ship. The arrow head began flashing.

"You think you're so tough now," Sonic challenged. "Put on the suit. Let's go a few rounds."

"That would be a waste of time," Tails retorted.

"Put inn the suit."

"Make me."

"Maybe I will."

"You guys need to stop fighting," Mighty cut in.

"You need to calm down Mighty," Rouge said. "And leave this room."

"And go where?" Mighty asked. "You rented my room."

"The cage was just a precaution," Knuckles explained.

"You need to remove yourself from here," Rouge insisted.

"I was pretty well removed before," Mighty retorted. "I wasn't endangering anyone, but you dragged me back into this craziness. You guys want to know my secret? You want to know how I stay calm? Well I'll show you."

Everyone was tense and staring at Mighty.

"Mighty," Knuckles said slowly, his hands held out. "You need to calm down. Just put the gauntlet down."

Mighty seemed startled at those words. He looked at his hand and saw that he was holding the gauntlet.

The room was completely still.

A beeping came from one of the computers, breaking the silence.

"I guess you don't get to see my trick," Mighty said. He put the gauntlet back and went to the computer.