They're Coming

Knuckles powered up to full power, a pink aura surrounding him. He continued to glow red and pink. Metal put his hands out; ready to take whatever Knuckles gave him. Suddenly, Knuckles disappeared.

"What the?"

Knuckles appeared behind him and elbowed him in the head. Metal stumbled a bit and turned around. Knuckles punched him with his right fist, then his left fist, and then his elbow. He continued to punch and kick him in the head. At the last punch, Metal slid back a bit, then stopped. He grabbed Knuckles' arm and moved it to the side, kicking him.

They flew up, sparring for a bit. They kicked each other back, and flew back towards each other, colliding elbows. Knuckles threw a lot of punches, but Metal dodged them all. He flew back a bit.

"Wow. Not bad. I might have to go to 100 percent after all."

"Get back here!"

They continued colliding with each other. Metal threw a punch, but Knuckles disappeared and reappeared behind him. He rammed Metal to the ground. Metal quickly flipped as Knuckles flew off of him, landing on his feet. Knuckles flew up and kicked him. Metal slid on the ground face first.

"No way. He beat me. How can he beat me? No! He can't beat me!" Metal got up.

Espio was still meditating and Charmy was taking a nap. Suddenly, Espio jumped up.

"Charmy!" Charmy jerked out of sleep.

"What, what? I was having a wonderful dream until you woke me!"

"Focus into space! Hurry!"

They both began focusing on space when suddenly they both felt a very large power.

"Whoa! It's like they got stronger!" Charmy looked at Espio. "That's not it, though, is it?"

"It's worse! They're heading this way!"

Vector finally reached what was left of Station Square. He ran behind a building as he watched Knuckles and Metal fight.

"Alright, Knuckles. Let's see how much you've changed."

Knuckles quickly shot a blast. Metal jumped out of the way into the sky. He landed back on the ground across from him.

"It's a shame that you decided to get in my way. My plan had nothing to do with you. I only wanted to get the emeralds and destroy Sonic. Killing you is something I want to do, but not HAVE to. Why don't you just leave me alone, and run along."

"I've made stupid decisions in my life, but not something as stupid as that."

"Fine! I'll MAKE you move! That'll be a stupid move on your part." Metal floated until he was standing in front of Knuckles. Knuckles made his aura glow more.

Metal uppercut Knuckles in the chin. Knuckles threw a punch, but Metal ducked and punched him in the gut. He came up and elbowed Knuckles' head to the ground. Knuckles jumped up and back-flipped over Metal's kick. He did another one, dodging Metal's kick again. He flipped a few times until he was a distance from Metal. He popped his neck and spat to the ground.

"You're really fast. But you're still weak. I've felt harder punches."

"No way! Impossible! You're bluffing! I'm not buying it! No mere mortal can equal ME in power! Emerald or no emerald!"

Metal charged at Knuckles. Knuckles threw a punch, but Metal jumped over him. He turned into a ball and used his homing attack, hitting Knuckles in the back. Knuckles quickly spun around and kicked him. Metal punched him. Knuckles head-butted him. Metal slid against the ground until he finally stopped.

"You can't keep this up! You'll tire out!"

"And you're not perfect. You'll make a mistake before I go down."

They started pushing against each other, both of them screaming. They flew up into the sky. Knuckles flew back down and punched Metal in the face. He opened his mouth and shot a blast. Metal put his hand out, defending against it. Knuckles quickly flew towards him again, punching him in the gut. He then double-axed him into the ocean. Metal landed on a rock.

"Knuckles isn't supposed to be THIS strong. I didn't even think SONIC could be this strong! Wait! If Knuckles is this strong, and Sonic is supposedly training to fight me…no! I HAVE to get those emeralds. Otherwise, I'll be no match for him!" Knuckles jumped into the water.

"I gotta get away from this echidna! And fast!"

Metal yelled as a huge bubble formed and headed for Knuckles. Knuckles shot a blast, keeping it from hitting him.

They flew out of the water, sparring. Metal punched Knuckles into a building and put his hand out, blowing it up. He landed across from the explosion. Knuckles came from behind and kicked him into another building, blowing it up also. Metal appeared behind him and kicked him, but he blocked it.

Knuckles grabbed Metal's face and ran. He was about to throw him to the ground when Metal suddenly grabbed his arm and flipped him to the ground on his back. Holding the back of Metal's head Knuckles flipped onto his stomach, slamming Metal into the ground next to him.

Metal got out of the ground, swinging Knuckles around. He threw him. Metal started screaming, powering up.

"Sonic Boom!"

Knuckles landed when suddenly Metal flew straight into Knuckles' stomach, leaving a streak behind him. Knuckles' pupils shrunk, as he stood stunned. He then punched Metal in the gut, Metal's pupils shrinking. They started trading blows in the gut.

They flew up into the sky. Metal kicked Knuckles higher up. Knuckles stopped and shot a blast, hitting Metal. Metal landed, Knuckles landing across from him.

"Not bad for a machine, especially one that went through so many stages. And yet, you still have others to go."

"You don't know what you're talking about! I AM the ultimate Metal Sonic! There are no improvements to be made!" Metal then laughed.

"I get it. You're messing with my head, aren't you? I THINK that you're strong, but you're the one who's weak. This fight fascinates me to no end. However, I have an appointment with the emeralds that I must make, so I will be on my way."

"I'd like to see you try. The emeralds are inside Chaos. You won't be able to get them out."

"What!" Metal started to think to himself. He then looked back at Knuckles.

"That won't stop me from getting the emeralds. I'll just absorb him, too."

"No! I won't let you!"

Metal's eyes glowed as a huge bright light shone, blinding Knuckles. Vector, who was also watching, became blinded also. Metal disappeared.

Knuckles yelled as he rubbed his eyes. After a few minutes, he sight became normal again.

"Oh no! Chaos!" Knuckles flew off for the shrine.

Vector's eyesight became normal when he saw Knuckles fly off.

"Uh oh, I better hurry! Knuckles may need my help!" Suddenly, Metal passed over him, following Knuckles.

"What? I thought he was already gone! Oh, that's it! He doesn't know where the shrine is! I better try to get to the shrine before he does!"

Mitsuko and Rouge were sitting next to Chaos when Knuckles suddenly appeared. He flew towards them. He looked around, confused.

"Knuckles! Did you beat him?" Mitsuko asked.

"What? No! I thought he came here!"

"What? He's not here!" Rouge said in concern.

"But if he's not here, then…"

Knuckles slowly turned around as he saw Metal standing at the top of the shrine.