Chapter 36: Knuckles Soul Acquired

4:15AM very same night. Area D-1.

Mia and the mayor are hovering high over the Grand Dome flying on black angelic wings that glow with black energy. They gaze gleefully at the red moon in the sky.

"Hmhmhm!" Mia mused. "The powers of Zarula are very rewarding."

"Yes, my daughter." said Mayor Jackson. "It can sense our loyalty and our goals and efforts. It grants wishes to anyone who wishes it to rule again then rewards them upon its awakening." Mia glances down on the semi-empty streets below. "Don't fret, they can't see us." The elderly jackal lifts his staff towards the red moon and a purple aura surrounds him and the staff. After a moment the aura stops. "That's as much as we can do tonight."

"Damn it…we need the other staff so we can finish it completely!"

"Yes, but it's best not to go looking around for it. Mulaza already suspects you and there's no need risking anything while everything is going so well. Charging the staff every red moon will still help it reach its potential all the same. You'll be glad to know on the next red moon we won't need the staff of Zeravi."

"We won't!?" Mia's face beams with happiness.

"No, however it is the only thing that can stand in our way as it is just as powerful."

"Should we find it and destroy it?"

"No, I think it'll come to us. Besides, dear Mia, I have a little trump card under my sleeve for it."

"Yay!"

"Come, let us continue on as normal. We have to prepare for the cursed weather tomorrow." A purple seam opens on the Grand Dome and the mayor and Mia flies through it. On the streets below, the violet cat, Vicious, that escorted CK to Korubia is walking the streets alone, with two pistols raised, patrolling the area.

"The attacks mostly happened at night according to my information. Anyone who sees me will be a dumbass to approach an armed cat walking at the dead of night and it's cold as hell out here." he thinks to himself. He stands still and carefully examines his surroundings. "Suddenly this place seems more dreadful…or maybe it's the moon." Suddenly, the purple cat felt an offensive presence behind him, turns back, BANG! fires a quick shot from one of his weapons only to hit nothing and hear the shot echo into the quiet darkness. "My senses never fail me-!" ZZZZT! "UUUGH!" Someone touches Vicious on his shoulder and electrocuted him. "Ah! Ah!" Vicious looks up at his assailant only to get dust kicked into his face. "Ugh!"

"Shut up!" demands his attacker as he pushes the feline to his stomach and puts a pistol to the back of his head. "Look up again and I'll kill you! Now, what are you doing out here at night?"

"Investigating…the Shadow Hearts…"

"Shadow Hearts, huh? Well then, you're my new lackey on this matter then because if you're not, I'm going to have to kill you."

"…" The assailant puts something into Vicious' pocket.

"Anything you learn you'll call me at this number and tell me what you find. I suggest you start investigating area B since that's where all the disappearances are frequent."

"D-Disappearances? These bandits don't kidnap I heard-"

"Bandits? What are you talking about!? It seems we aren't on the same page but that doesn't matter, you'll still tell me everything you learn! Don't tell anyone about this, not even Eggman or you'll be living the rest of your days in a respirator. I'll keep in touch!" The figure leaps into the darkness of the night. Vicious grunts as he rubs the dust out of his eyes then stand up. He picks up his weapons and withdraws them.

"Guess I ain't got much of a choice. I'll go by what he says and search area B tomorrow. It's the only lead I got so far."

Meanwhile, back with Mulaza and his son, they destroy the last of the shadow jets and the area returns to normal. Both safely land their planes and hop out.

"Damn, what was that all about?" asked Muleza.

"Those things are responsible for kidnapping the fighters." said Mulaza as he lights a cigar.

"What do we do about them?"

"Nothing for now, but I'm sure if we figure out how to activate the staff of Zeravi, we can eliminate these things and the evil magic around that pyramid. I'm sure that pyramid holds the answers to exposing Mia."

"I'll still keep an eye on her, father. She doesn't suspect anything of me yet."

"Don't get comfortable in that assumption. I'll leave you to it since I have a lot of business to handle this week."

"Will do."

Moments later, two spheres of spiritual light (one red, one orange) descends from the sky and rockets down towards the earth. It descends into area B and into the building where the rebels sleep. Inside, Sonic is sleeping peacefully in his bed as the two spheres of light descend in from the ceiling and enter Sonic's body. In Sonic's dream he's floating in mid-air above the above Angel Island while Knuckles sleeps besides the Master Emerald.

"Heh!" Sonic chuckles. "Sleeps around it all day and goes through hell to get it back when it's stolen. That's the knucklehead for ya!" Silver flies through the blue hedgehog and lands on the island. "Wha-?" Sonic watches the fight in horror as Knuckles gets beaten and the island destroyed. Suddenly, the area whites out and Knuckles and Tikal appears. "Hey Knuckles, glad you're OK." Knuckles twists his face. "What's wrong?"

"That was not a dream sequence unfortunately." said Tikal.

"What!?"

"That damn punk got lucky!" Knuckles growled.

"It happened nearly two weeks ago." said Tikal.

"Damn it, if I get my hands on him I'LL-!"

"Calm yourself, Sonic. There are bigger things ahead."

"Huh? Like what?"

"Eggman isn't planning on keeping his rule as it is."

"Yeah, he's bent on world domination, everyone knows that. Oh, he plans on putting energy into himself right?"

"Yes, you were well-informed. We're here to give you a new ability."

"Ooh really? You mean like an upgraded light speed dash or a super jump? No thanks, I can manage."

"Well, he's fine, guess our work here is done." said Knuckles as he turns his back to him.

"Don't be so hasty Knuckles. Sonic please, I sense there is a time when you'll need this ability and soon." Sonic sits in thought for a moment. "What harm can it do?"

"Well, I guess you're right. What is this ability anyway?"

"You're looking at it!" shouts Knuckles. Sonic looks at the red echidna, dumfounded.

"Let me explain." Tikal said. "Knuckles gets granted a chance for revival if he can borrow a powerful host body for a while."

"Umm… come again?" said Sonic, still confused

"I'm going to be a part of you, idiot!" Knuckles growls as he turns himself back toward Sonic.

"WHA-!?" Sonic jumps back in shock. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Hey, I might be dead but I still have an emerald to protect!"

"That's your problem, Knux."

"No." said Knuckles as he takes out a ball of light. "It's OUR problem!" He smashes the ball of light against Sonic's face causing the blue hedgehog to faint.

"Kuu!"