The figure turned out to be… King Boom Boo! (Boss from SA2) He was a large ghost with a ghastly body and a colorful tongue.
"So, we meet again," the ghost said. Knuckles just stood there, breathing very oddly.
"What's the matter, you look like you've seen a ghost!" he replied to Knuckles' status.
"Who are you?" Rouge asked.
"Your demise," he replied. He then raised his claw of a hand into the air, and out came two ghosts. They had red, yellow, and orange eyes, but looked similar to King Boom Boo, but smaller. They managed to grab Rouge from turning invisible and grabbing her from behind.
"Ahh!" she screamed. They then lifted her of the ground.
"Knuckles, help!" she screamed as she and the ghosts phased through the ceiling.
"Rouge!" he exclaimed.
"So, she's your girlfriend, ah?" King Boom Boo asked.
"She's not my girlfriend, but you better not hurt her!" he threatened.
"What are you going to do, wimp?" he asked. Wimp. That word hit Knuckles pretty hard. He then stood there lost in thought. The ghost then prepared to throw a ball of energy.
"Take this!" he exclaimed as he threw the energy ball. Just as the ball was about to hit him…
In Neo Green Hill, we see an office labeled the Chaotix Detective Agency. Things have been pretty boring for the Chaotix lately and today wasn't an exception. Vector was listening to some music on his headphones while Espio was supposedly meditating in a corner. Charmy was looking around town for cases. Espio was thinking about a recent talk with something familiar.
(Flashback)
Espio was meditating in a corner. Vector and Charmy were upstairs playing videogames. A bright light then appeared in front of Espio. He then opened one eye.
"Huh, what is this?" he asked himself. He then was engulfed in the light where he found himself in a world where Green, Blue, Red, and White lights emitting from everywhere."What is this?" Espio asked.
"Neo World," A voice replied.
"Who is that?" Espio asked. A ball of light then appeared in front of Espio.
"Who are you?" Espio asked.
"I am the Neo Dragon," he replied.
"You don't look like a dragon," Espio pointed out.
"This is my incomplete form," he explained.
"Why am I here?" Espio wondered.
"I'll tell you," the Neo Dragon started, "Mobius' future is growing bleak. You, along with four other Mobians, are Neo Signers." Espio gasped at the thought.
"How can you tell?" Espio asked confused.
"Look at your horn," he replied. Espio then saw his horn glowing red, white, green, and blue all at once.
"What am I supposed to do about this?" Espio asked.
"For now, your mission is to find your piece of the Neo Scope, a treasure that will allow the shield around Mobius to disappear," he replied.
"Where can I find it?" Espio asked.
"You will find it in your fears," he replied. Espio then scoffed.
"I have no fear," Espio said sternly.
"Everyone has a fear they must confront," the Neo Dragon rebutted, "your fear doesn't have to be physical." Just as Espio was about to ask more questions he was teleported back to the Chaotix Detective Agency, his horn looking normal.
(End of Flashback)
"Fear doesn't have to be physical," he thought to himself, "what could that mean?".
Back to the Death Chamber, where Knuckles was about to be hit with an energy ball until he dodged it.
"Well, you're awake," the King said, "but you're still afraid of me."
"True," Knuckles started, "but when a friend's in trouble, my fear is gone!"
"Your words are strong, but is your strength?" the ghost replied.
"Let's find out!" Knuckles exclaimed as he attempted a full frontal attack, but he went right through him.
"Shoot!" Knuckles said.
"Hmph," the ghost said while trying for a full frontal attack himself, the result, Knuckles dodged it.
"You'll never defeat me, especially in the dark," the ghost said. Knuckles then saw a shaft on the ceiling.
"So, let's bring some light into the situation!" he exclaimed as he glided onto a wall and climbed it.
"Boos, attack!" the king shouted as three ghosts came from nowhere and surrounded Knuckles. Knuckles then punched the two on his sides, using his feet for support. He then glided into the other ghost and landed on another wall. King Boom Boo was losing his patience. He then threw several energy balls at Knuckles, each one barely missing him.
Knuckles was then by the ceiling near the location of the shaft.
"How am I supposed to make this?" he asked himself. He then gained a thought.
"Maybe I don't have to!" he said.
"Hey, ghost," Knuckles called, "try to hit me!"
"As you wish!" the ghost replied by preparing the biggest energy ball yet. Knuckles then glided off the wall as King Boom Boo shot his energy ball. The energy ball hit a switch that opened the shaft while missing Knuckles, who then landed on the ground.
"Hand over Rouge, now!" Knuckles demanded, "you're done for anyway." The King called for the ghosts to bring Rouge, who was knocked out. The light from the shaft released into the Chamber.
"I'll get you someday, Knuckles the Echidna!" he exclaimed as he disappeared.
Knuckles then went over to Rouge, who was on the ground.
"Rouge, wake up!" he said frantically, "Rouge!" Rouge then opened her eyes to see the red echidna."Knuckles?" she asked.
"Are you alright?" Knuckles asked as he helped Rouge up."I'm fine, thanks," Rouge replied. Something then caught her eye.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing to a black box laying where the ghost was last standing. They walked over to it. Knuckles picked it up and opened to find… a piece of the Neo Scope!
"A Neo Scope piece!" Knuckles said shocked. Rouge looked confused as she saw nothing.
"If you say so," Rouge said, "Knuckles?"
"Yeah?" he replied.
"I'm proud of you," she replied, "you conquered your fear." Knuckles then smiled.
"I did," he said, "well, let's head back to Angel Island."
"Okay," she said. The then left the pyramid and flew back to Angel Island, unknown to them that Angel Island is in the ocean.