Author's note, Hello there, I'm back with another chapter for this story, and if anyone of you has any upcoming exams, then I wish all of you, good luck with them.
As always a thank you goes out to TGN, SpiderDom321, bajy, YamiChaos 27, Black Twilight Wolf and Keyblade Writer of the Dawn for reviewing this story. As always I genuinely appreciate your support along with everyone who has either left favorite or follow, or even by viewing this story thank you so much.
With eight chapters remaining, and the only thing I can say about what's going to happen is you can certainly expect to see a Super Sonic fight that will decide the fate of Mobius, and that things will go of the rails in later chapters.
A shoutout goes to TrimusicaDrag00n90 for leaving a favorite, thank you so much I genuinely appreciate the support.
There's not too much left to say, and I hope you folks enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer I don't own anything, related to Sonic the Hedgehog since the franchise is copyrighted to Sega. The only thing I can claim credit for is this rewrite and any ocs that appear in this story.
High in the skies above Park Avenue, a small fleet consisting of ten planes piloted by Resistance soldiers patrolled the night skies. Under the glow of a new moon, the thin cloud layer stretched out beneath their vehicles, a peaceful tranquility fell over the pilots glancing out of their window looking down at the clouds The leader of the Megadrive Unit a grey-furred cat sighed impatiently tightening her grip on the joystick banking sharply to the left her unit following her lead.
"Megadrive Unit, have you detected any signs of Eggman?" the grey-furred cat asked impatiently.
"So far, there's been no sign of Eggman Celia," a brown-furred hedgehog replied. "We've been patrolling this sector for the last several hours now if we don't find any trace of him in this sector, we'll have to launch another search in the next sector, above Westopolis."
"If there's no sign of Eggman we need to call it a night," the last pilot, a female magenta wolf said. "Besides we haven't heard of any mention of Eggman well right up until Neo Metal Sonic launched a raid on Park Avenue. I still can't shake the feeling he's out there somewhere biding his time to strike when we least expect it."
Through the static on her headset, Celia heard several of the pilots agreeing with the wolf's opinion. Briefly glancing to her right, Celia looked up at the sky through her cockpit window dotted with stars, along with the grey clouds drifting lazily below her plane. Celia swore her mind was playing tricks on her because for a split second she thought she glimpsed something silently tailing the small fleet of planes.
"So, what do all of you think about the new Commander?" Celia asked eager to change the subject.
"He's a bit inexperienced," Roger replied. "However with time, I'm sure he'll become a great leader for the Resistance."
Silence fell between the three pilots. Roger tilted his head noticing a flash of deep blue appear amongst the clouds ducking out of sight. A nagging voice warned Roger that there was a potential danger lurking in the skies around them which set him on edge.
"Hey, guys did you just see that?" Roger asked.
"Not a thing Roger," A purple bird answered in a bored tone of voice. "I heard this from one of my sisters. The higher-ups in the Resistance base have gone insane; they've decided to keep Infinite alive. He's currently being kept as a prisoner in the Resistance base, even as we speak."
Mutters of discontent crackled through the speakers, voicing the pilot's opinion on the matter. Celia didn't have to probe any further, she was still in disbelief over the news not only as Infinite was alive, but he was no longer in G.U.N's most secure prison facility. She couldn't believe Commander Tower had been so stupid to allow Infinite to be placed under the Resistance's custody when he'd been able to escape once before, leading to the possibility more innocents would be killed to sate the jackal's bloodthirsty nature.
"Well, it's clear to me that Commander Knuckles wasn't thinking straight," Genesis grumbled. "Has he forgotten we lost eighty percent of our forces in Operation Big Wave to Eggman's monster?"
"Knowing that gullible idiot he's probably forgotten about it already," Roger replied tensely. "Right now we need to be on the lookout for Eggman. Don't let anything or anyone else distract you from our task."
Without warning a loud siren erupted from beneath the cloud layer as several laser blasts tore through the cloud layer striking one of the plane's wings severing it from the vehicle; the pilot screamed in pure fear, the aircraft plummeting towards the ocean. The pilot ejecting seconds later, hanging in the air slowly falling back towards the sea before a pair of Egg Pawns plucked him from the sky holding him in place.
"We're under attack!"
The planes tightly swerved forming a tight formation and firing several lasers back. Like the worst nightmare anyone could imagine, the Egg Fleet ascended out of the cloud layer. Eggman smirked sitting at the controls beaming sinisterly upon seeing the horrified reactions from the pilots upon making eye contact with Eggman's face grinning sinisterly standing up his hands behind his back.
"Ah, welcome to the end Resistance pilots," Eggman said sinisterly. "You foolish Mobians thought I would never escape Null Space?"
None of the pilots spoke at a complete loss for words. Everyone in the Resistance assumed after the war Eggman had been lost to Null Space, resulting in his empire crumbling to shambles. Celia watched with mounting dread the tyrant who'd terrorized Mobius for the last six months was somehow still alive.#
"Witness, the might of the glorious Egg Fleet!"
Upon Eggman's declaration, the Egg Fleet ascended through the cloud layer, like sharks surrounding shipwrecked survivors. Before the resistance pilots had time to react, a hail of lasers erupted from all of the ships, striking wings, and tails, sending three planes into a stall watching them spinning out of control towards the ocean, the pilots plummeting towards their deaths thick trails of smoke trailing behind their aircraft.
Celia gasped feeling her plane suddenly jolt and hearing panicked screams coming over the intercom as several Buzz Bombers converging on Roger's plane attacking it relentlessly until a small explosion signaled to her what kind of fate befell her colleague, she stared horrified up into the cold red optics of Neo Metal Sonic.
"You are to come with me at once Resistance pilot," Neo said coolly. "My creator wishes to speak with you."
What happened next had been so quick, Celia raised one hand to shield her face from a shattering of glass followed by Neo's hands reaching down to grasp Cleia by the scruff of her neck. As Eggman's creation ascended through the air heading towards the main ship, a small hatch opened up in the side of the massive airship.
Neo Metal Sonic wasted no time entering the vessel hauling Celia through the wide corridor, her heart sinking at the sight of the Motobugs patrolling the hallways She spied the bird who escaped his plane being dragged by a pair of Egg Pawns, one of them held their blaster to his head, the bird whimpered in fear.
"Please let us go," The bird said in a low whisper, "We won't cause any trouble, we'll tell you what Eggman needs to know."
Celia kicked out at the bird forcing him to shut up, preventing him from potentially spilling any vital secrets. Neo Metal Sonic walked between the two prisoners grabbing them around their arms marching them towards the front of the ship. Eggman was already standing in the main control room of the vessel, Orbot and Cubot hovering at his side. Much to the other pilot's horror, several Robians sat at the consoles monitoring various parts of the Egg Fleet.
The two Mobians were forced to kneel with Neo Metal Sonic placing a foot in the small of their backs. Celia didn't want to make eye contact with the dictator who formerly enslaved the world. At a command from Eggman, sharp digits dug into her clothing drawing blood, the red sticky substance clinging to Neo's fingers as the robots shoved Celia forward along with her comrade.
"Here are the fools, who tried to fight back," Neo Metal Sonic said. "Shall I throw them in the Roboticizier?"
"For now, not at the moment," Eggman said with a sinister smile. "The Eggman Empire is on the verge of being reborn since I'll be heading down to Angel Island to witness the guardians demise. Such a glorious event requires an audience."
Eggman snapped his fingers, and one of the monitors flickered to life, the image showing Knuckles confronting Mecha Sonic, and the Jackal Squad. Quartz sliced through the air drawing blood along Knuckles' shoulder; the guardian staggered slamming his fist into the jackal's face, the force of the blow causing Quartz to stagger reeling from the low. As Mecha Sonic lunged for Knuckles pulling him back the guardian punched Mecha Sonic away from him.
"Also on a separate note, I'd like to welcome you to your precious leader's demise," Eggman said smiling sinisterly. "Enjoy the show, once Angel Island's been conquered soon all of Mobius will follow suit."
Without another word aimed at the pilots, Eggman walked out of the main control room pausing briefly by Neo Metal Sonic; abruptly, his creation turned towards him in a conversation that was too low for the prisoners to hear. Eggman delivered a swift pat to his prize creation's shoulder. Exiting the room, Celia and Roger clung to each other fearfully awaiting whatever horrible fate would soon befall them. The mention of the word robotcizier sent chills down their spines
"Under normal circumstances, I would've killed you as I did to your unit," Neo Metal Sonic said. "However, for now, I'll spare your lives, due to the high probability that both of you will become the first two Robians to serve in my army once that fat fool has rebuilt his Eggman Empire. I have other plans to ensure that my creator's Empire will never fall again, and the Master Emerald is the key to my plans."
Celia and Roger could only glance at each other in stunned silence at the robot hedgehog's confession before he stood next to the exit blocking their only escape and watching his creator departing the ship heading down to Angel Island, his optics flickering back to the second monitor focusing on the battle between Knuckles and Mecha Sonic.
The sight made Neo Metal clench his fingers upon seeing Knuckles score a direct hit on the robot's head forcing him away before breaking into a run. Mecha Sonic recovered from the blow pursued Knuckles, the three jackals joined in the pursuit.
"I'll prove to you that I'm the superior Metal Sonic."
The Egg Mobile continued it's descent from the Egg Fleet, rapidly descending to Angel Island, Eggman humming a cheerful tune underneath his breath sitting back in the rear of his vehicle piloting the Egg Mobile closer to Angel Island.
It didn't take long for the distant sounds of battle reached Eggman's ears. The mad dictator glanced down, spying a flash of red running for his life through the dense foilage pursed by Mecha Sonic and the three jackals.
"Uh, excuse me, boss, are you sure that it's wise leaving Neo Metal Sonic alone and in charge of the Egg Fleet?" Orbot asked.
"You worry too much Orbot, when I reprogrammed Metal Sonic, that rebellious streak was the first thing to go," Eggman answered Orbot's question impatiently. "Besides he's the least of my concerns for now at least. My main concern is acquiring the Master Emerald if any one of those three jackals fails me, they know what's going to happen to them."
Orbot said nothing hovering alongside his master continuing his descent towards the island.
Knuckles grunted, warding off Saber's strike, his fist colliding with the edge of the tomahawk knocking it out of Saber's hands. The brief distraction was more than enough to give Mecha enough time to grab Knuckles, landing a blow against the guardian's chest and sending him crashing down against the ground. Mecha Sonic's optics scanned the area locating the door leading down to Hidden Palace, and the robot seized his opportunity spinning at Super Sonic speeds towards the entrance to the Hidden Palace.
"Oh no, you don't! You're not getting to the Master Emerald again!", said Knuckles.
Knuckles broke into a run locking hands with Mecha Sonic, the thrust of the robot's engines pushed back against the guardian trying to force him to back down. Knuckles was able to loosen one fist driving into Mecha Sonic's face. The spurs sliced through metal followed by a stinging sensation due to severed wires dancing along Knuckles' fur leaving faint burn marks along with a stinging sensation of pain.
Mecha Sonic made a second charge, eager to end the guardian's life. Knuckles waited until the robot bore down on him before swiftly uppercutting the robot, the sharp spurs on his hands slicing through the metal surface severing wires. Mecha Sonic landed on the ground rubbing at his hand. Several small wires hung out of the right side of his jaw with sparks dancing along the surface. But the robot ignored the damage ascending into the air, before diving in a controlled descent plucking Knuckles off the ground like a hawk snatching its prey off the ground rising into the sky, ignoring the furious punches landing across his hull.
"Let me go!" Shouted Knuckles.
Knuckles' world spun around in a terrifying instant having been flung into the air by Mecha Sonic. Before Knuckles had a chance to recover from the unexpected attack Metal Sonic unleashed several kicks on Knuckles finding their mark on the guardian's stomach before gravity took hold of Knuckles causing him to crash into the earth sending up small fragments of grass and debris. Knuckles fought against a pounding headache forming in his skull. A pair of footsteps ran through the green ground, several smaller knives embedded in the soil forcing Knuckles to avoid Quartz's attack, followed by the jackal's cursing at having missed his strike.
"Damn it!" Quartz said. "Hold still so I can kill you!"
Knuckles felt his gaze zeroing in on Quartz's right arm, the cold steel metal a stark contrast to his ebony black fur. A wild, crazed look was in his eyes his tail swishing from side to side kicking up the dirt. Quartz grimaced silently exposing his metallic arm in a gesture of defiance.
"Eggman roboticized it didn't he?"
"Heh, perhaps you're not blind after all," Quartz chuckled. "It's nothing personal guardian; it's just business."
Saber tackled Knuckles to the ground, raising his tomahawk, only to receive a blow to his jaw, Knuckles' sharp spurs slicing through soft fur underneath his jaw. On the second punch, the Spurs on Knuckles' hand sliced through the fur on Saber's shoulder causing a pained scream from the jackal who dropped his tomahawk, clutching at his shoulder, the sticky blood racing down his shoulder in a slick torrent.
Knuckles hurried down the steps of the chamber his breath coming out in short gasps He glimpsed a flash of blue opening the doors to the Hidden Palace, and raced towards the giant green emerald.
Mecha Sonic ignored the cracked Super Emeralds landing on the surface of the green emerald, drawing on the power of Chaos energy flooding into his power cells glowing an eerie gold ascending off the green emerald.
"No, not again," Knuckles whispered in horror as Super Mecha Sonic approached.
Super Mecha Sonic wasted no time launching his attack on Knuckles; his blows struck Knuckles so fast that the robot gripped Knuckles tightly by the ankle, throwing him against the wall against one of the pedestals housing the Super Emeralds sharp crystals which rained down around him.
Knuckles instinctively protected his head, noticing to his relief the golden glow fading away from Mecha Sonic and turning him blue, but his relief was short-lived as Mecha made another grab for the hedgehog dragging hin along the smooth floor, heading up the corridor steps before Knuckles' torment ended being flung to the ground.
Knuckles winced feeling several kunai piercing his shoulder slicing through fur and skin. Saber pressed two fingers to his Phantom Ruby shard summoning several illusionary daggers thrown by a furious Nephthys, a fierce scowl contorting her face. A rush of engines announced Mecha Sonic was running back down the steps to them Hidden Palace, no doubt to draw on even more power from the giant green emerald hidden in the depths of the island.
"No one messes with the Jackal Squad!" Nephthys screamed at Knuckles. "You'll pay for that, you bastard!"
Gasping for air, feeling the first wave of dizziness hit him, Knuckles staggered to his feet unaware of a shadow falling over him; the guardian jerked his head aware he was bleeding from several lacerations on his body. He glowered at the sight of the Egg Mobile descending glaring weakly at Eggman walking towards him holding up a hand. Spying another flash of gold, Super Mecha Sonic tore across the ground knocking the echinda into the air and landing several blows, despite Knuckles' efforts to fight back.
After another round of beating, Knuckles stood up, ignoring the pain from his cuts, and facing Mecha Sonic defiantly. The guardian stood up facing Mecha Sonic the gold fading away from his quills and turning cobalt blue, giving Knuckles an opportunity to strike, hearing the satisfying clang his spurs made with Mecha Sonic's face sending him crashing to the ground. Sensing his opponent was down for the moment Knuckles turned to face a beaming Eggman.
"Get off my island now," said Knuckles.
"It's all part of my plan to reconquer Mobius of course!" Eggman exclaimed gleefully. "With the power of the Master Emerald fuelling my robot army, in a matter of days, my robot army will reconquer all of the towns wiping out every single member of your precious Resistance, soon all of Mobius will be mine once again."
"You won't win," Knuckles said hoarsely. "The Resistance and I will find a way to stop you."
"I'd never thought you were the type for blind optimism, you gullible idiot," Eggman said mockingly. "Neo Metal Sonic put an end to Knuckles once and for all."
"With pleasure," Neo Metal Sonic replied. "I'll make his execution swift and painful; then his dead body will be used as an example to those who would dare to cross the might of the Eggman Empire."
Knuckles wanted to scream in frustration at the unfair situation; he looked down at his arm barely able to see the crimson blood flowing from multiple cuts down his arms, he was exhausted both physically and mentally. In that instant, Knuckles knew he wasn't going to win this fight, it pained him deeply, seeing Neo Metal Sonic rushing towards him.
I can't abandon my duties again. But if I continue to fight, then I'll be killed. The guardian realized with horror. I hate to admit it, but with the Jackal Squad, Neo, Mecha Sonic, and Eggman here on my island, I can't fight back alone.
Neo Metal Sonic drove his foot into Knuckles' chest interrupting Knuckle's ruminations. Neo Metal Sonic dug his robotic digits through fur and skin. In desperation the echinda landed a punch into his arms, his sharp spurs cutting through steel and forcing him to let go the guardian.
Seizing his chance to escape Knuckles sprinted away from Neo making a mad dash for the edge of the island somehow finding the strength to go into a glide casting one last glance at both of Eggman's creations glaring in his direction, both of them were preparing to pursue him.
Knuckles fully expected both robots to pursue him and kill him sending his lifeless body crashing to the ocean's surface leaving into sink through the greenish blue waters, the guardian wouldn't allow himself to die, somehow finding the strength to keep gliding determined not to let himself die.
"Neo and Mecha Sonic, let him go!" Eggman called out. "We have much more important things to worry about for now."
"Master, with all due respect, if he escapes he'll bring the rest of the Resistance back with him," Neo Metal Sonic protested Eggman's order. "Another one of your plans will fail when Sonic gets word of what happened here."
"No, in his state, Knuckles will be dead by the time word reaches Sonic," Eggman said in a bored tone. "Besides, we need time to set up base here on Angel Island. I'll be examining that lovely green emerald later, for now, though I have to thank our jackal allies for lending us their assistance."
Eggman cackled in glee, rubbing his hands in excitement with Neo Metal Sonic following his creator's every steps barely even glancing over at Quartz and Nephthys bandaging Saber's injuries, Orbot hovering nearby providing fresh bandages replacing the old ones saturated with Saber's blood.
Saber lay on his back quietly groaning in pain, his left shoulder wrapped in new bandages. Neither Quartz nor Nephthys spoke. The two jackals instead chose to whisper words of comfort to Saber, hearing the heavy tread of the rotund figure's footsteps approaching them.
"I'm so sorry for your injuries Saber," Eggman said insincerely. "In honor of helping the Eggman Empire regain its former glory, I will grant you three full control controls over Shamar, and I hear that place does need a new leader. Think of it as a reward for your undying loyalty to my cause, and you're off the potential Robian list."
"What about my arm?" Quartz asked bitterly. "Isn't there a way for you to reverse the process?"
"If you don't like your arm in its current state, I can always subject you to the full robotomy treatment if that's your desire," Eggman said. "I could also do the same thing to your comrades as well."
None of the jackals wisely chose to say anything to the threat with Saber staring down at his injuries. Quartz said nothing sitting down his tail thudding in anger at the predicament all three jackals faced. Nephthys gently squeezed Saber's hand in a reassuring gesture, hearing Eggman calling to both robotic hedgehogs and leaving the jackals to reflect on their current situation silently.
"Your performance was amazing Mecha Sonic!" Eggman wasted no time in praising Mecha Sonic. "Hmm, despite the adjustments I made you're still having trouble containing the raw energy of the Master Emerald within your power cells, no matter with both you and Neo Metal Sonic fighting alongside each other the rebirth of the Eggman Empire will be glorious!"
Neo Metal Sonic remained silent walking on his master's left side, observing a small group of Eggpawns lowering a long cannon shaped object wrapped up in a white blanket with Eggman resting a hand on the cannon lovingly the sinister smile never leaving his face pulling back the cover revealing a long grey slim cannon.
The deadly weapons had a striking resemblance to the Eclipse Cannon. More Egg Pawns descended from the skies carrying several more cannons scattering them all over the island.
"Soon Mobius will be subjected to my rule once more," Eggman said menacingly fighting back a chuckle. "Mecha Sonic, I need you to head to Sunset Heights and launch an attack on the Resistance, wipe all of them out. I believe you can do that can't you?"
Mecha Sonic nodded ascending into the air departing Angel Island a blue streak heading eastwards heading off in the direction of Sunset Heights. Satisfied for the moment, Eggman noticed Neo Metal Sonics gaze tracking Mecha Sonic's every movement his fist clenching ever so slightly.
"Master, with all due respect I should be the one to finish off the Resistance," Neo Metal Sonic protested."I'm the most superior of your creations, and I'll bring back Infinite this time."
"No, you've had your chance, and it cost me a Chaos Emerald," Eggman said his tone sounded sullen. "Besides I need you here to help make Angel Island feel homely. I think a giant statue of me near the shrine will do for starters."
Neo Metal Sonic wisely chose not to respond glancing back at the ripped off doors lying on the ground. The robot walked back noticing Cubot hastily give him a salute hearing his creator's shout for him to hurry up. Neo Metal Sonic briefly glanced at the cannons resting on the ground, his processor began to put together a plan, and when the time was right, he would strike.
"Yes, the Eggman Empire will rise once more," Neo Metal Sonic muttered quietly. "But it won't be your empire master, soon every organic being will kneel to me. In no time at all of Mobius will be under my control."
The waves lapped up against the shores of Station Square, to Knuckles having been forced to glide for several hours had been a test of endurance and seeing the sandy beach coming into sight the echidna allowed himself to descend out of the glide his energy spent coming to rest on the hard surface of the sand.
For several minutes, the guardian lay still his heart hammering away in his chest, blood leaking out from his injuries blending in with his crimson fur, Knuckles' heartbeat in his chest his mind blank by the terrifying reality.
"Eggman has both Angel Island and the Master Emerald," Knuckles said hoarsely. "Eggman's finally put his plan into action, I need to let Sonic and the others know about what's going on now."
The Guardian knew he had to get off the sand. Fleeing Angel Island was the last thing he wanted to do, but coming to the half-destroyed city was the last thing he wanted to do he couldn't just impose on the citizens for aid when they were struggling to survive with meager rations, a lack of power.
The end result of the war was a grim reality which was even worse than the aftermath of Perfect Chaos' attack which left three-quarters of the population dead, most of them being woman and children.
"Wait a minute isn't that Commander Knuckles of the Resistance?"
The echidna's plight hadn't gone unnoticed a small crowd of early morning beach-goers paused allowing a black dog, and a cream-furred cat hurrying over to where Knuckles lay helping the guardian to his feet. Knuckles uttered a weak protest trying to wave them off he could stand on his own the cat and dog refused to let him gently leading him off the beach his arms slung across their shoulders.
"Sir, what happened to you?" The dog asked anxiously.
"Eggman has taken over Angel Island," Knuckles replied."The situation's already bad since he plans to use the power of the Master Emerald to rebuild the Eggman Empie. He's also rebuilt one of his previous creations, I'm sorry, I tried to hold of Mecha Sonic, and the three renegade jackals, but I've failed in protecting all of you."
Screams of panic broke out in the crowd a few Mobians fled from the scene to spread the news several more Mobains near the entrance to the beach soon found out what occurred on Angel Island and how the giant green emerald was now in Eggman's possession.
"We're all going to die!" A russet-furred wolf cried out in pure fear.
"How can that Knucklehead allow Eggman to take over Angel Island?" A purple bear demanded. "We're all going to die!"
Despite the commotion caused by the panicking citizens, Knuckles was half carried by the cat and dog walking towards, a pair of foxes hurried forward moving a stretcher between them setting it carefully down on the sand, the echidna lay on the gurney feeling it being lifted the pair of foxes walked across the sands hurrying towards a makeshift shelter.
The echidna tried his best to ignore the stab of pain coming from a laceration in his leg. Knuckles was lifted onto the stretcher lying on his back a question forming on his lips.
"There's a resistance outpost here right?" Knuckles asked.
"There, is but you need to rest, Sir," The dog said anxiously. "You're in no condition to travel all the way to Sunset Heights. We can send a message to let Commander Silver about what's happened on Angel Island. We're going to take you to our refugee shelter. Your wounds need treatment to make sure they're not infected."
Knuckles nodded numbly coming to the harsh realization he'd failed in his duty once more. The Master Emerald once more was in Eggman's hands and if they were unlucky enough in a matter of days, no hours Eggman would be able to reconquer Mobius threating the lives of all the citizens that called the planet their home, allowing the evil mastermind to regain control of Mobius. Knuckles lay back on the stretcher listening to the screams of panic, and the current situation was already sowing seeds of fear amongst the residents.
Knuckles was beaten, mentally and physically weak, but his mind was already forming as to fight back while still lying on the stretcher. He didn't know the outcome of his plan, desperately holding onto a small fragment of hope no more innocent lives would be lost during his planning.
I along with the Resistance will reclaim Angel Island Knuckles vowed to himself. He was determined to make up for his inability to protect the Master Emerald, he would meet up with the rest of the Resistance, and even though he wasn't sure how they would find a way to take back Angel Island, one way or another he along with the Resistance would find a way to reclaim his home.
Author's note This chapter gave me a bit of trouble, mostly due to me wanting to set up a couple of plot points coming up within the next few chapters.
I'm well aware having Knuckles flee Angel Island may come off as a little OOC since Knuckles made the decision very reluctantly to evacuate Angel Island since he knew it was a fight he wouldn't win. It was never my intention to make Knuckles look weak since I'm pretty sure he can hold his own and triumph in a fight, even against powerful opponents.
One of my favorite qualities about Knuckles is his determination, at the moment Knuckles is aware that he failed in his duty, Knuckles is not going to let that guilt weigh him down since he's already forming a plan to meet with the Resistance to help him reclaim Angel Island.
Even though Eggman has control over Angel Island, Neo Metal Sonic has his agenda which will slowly be coming into play soon. The scene with Eggman attacking the Resistance fleet was a scene I've had in mind ever since writing the draft for this chapter it presented me an opportunity to have the Resistance forces being shot down by the Egg Fleet mainly to show of the Egg Fleet's power.
The two Resistance pilots are still alive since in Eggman's own words he wants an audience to witness Knuckles' defeat. After Neo Metal Sonic left the main ship, they were placed in the custody of a pair of Egg Pawns, and are now working on constructing Eggman's base of operations on Angel Island. The battle between Knuckles and Mecha Sonic is something I've planned out ever since writing out the draft for this stage since it felt like the right time to put it in. Knuckles was reluctant to leave Angel Island, but due to his injuries, he fled to save his life.
Mecha Sonic's boss fight is one of my favorite boss fights in Sonic three and Knuckles so I couldn't pass up the chance to have Knuckles engaging Super Mecha Sonic, even though it didn't end so well for Knuckles. Eggman will be making some adjustments to Mecha Sonic to help further his goals.
As per usual thoughts/ constructive criticism and reviews are welcomed and appreciated as always, and this fic is going to be going on a brief hiatus this week due to it being Thanksgiving since I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. I want to wish everyone here a happy Thanksgiving, and the next chapter will be coming soon.