The following is a small scenario I wrote based on Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. I took influence from the IDW series.

I skipped the battle scene for this short scenario.

BLACK HOLE SUN - Side Story

A memory

...

Angel Island had fallen. Despite serving Ix for as long as I could remember, I was betrayed - discarded as an old hat. It was a miracle that Sonic and Knuckles allowed me to join their group. Despite knowing what my objective was, I still felt confused on what I should do.

The ruins of Metropolis were a nasty sight. When I arrived to the world, I didn't expect such a horrible place to exist; The smell of oil and multiple destroyed automatons around. It wasn't pretty, and the sun could barely reach us. The engineers of Nocturnus reprogrammed those automatons to go rogue, making the situation a nuisance.

"So, we'll split up to look for the generators," Knuckles said to the group at large. "Sonic, you team up with Shadow and his group that way. Shade, you and I will go alone to the other side."

"Hey, wait just a minute!" Amy said, quite furious. "What about us? We won't just wait with Tails and Eggman here! We want to help!"

"Right! Please, mister Knuckles! Allow us to go with you!" Cream, the child rabbit said.

"You might need a bodyguard, handsome," Rouge said with a laugh. "This lass might still be loyal to the big bad in the other world, waiting to backstab you."

I said nothing in response, I only looked at the group. I wasn't welcome - I'm underwhelmed.

"Hey now," Sonic said. "She went through a lot, and I believe we can trust her. However, I feel Amy is right, Knuckles. It's dangerous to go through Metropolis alone, so you should take Amy, Cream and Big with you. I can handle things myself with Shadow and Omega over here."

"Hmph," Shadow shrugged.

"SASS DETECTED. CURRENT STATUS: UNAMUSED," Omega said. "I CAN GO ALONE, I DON'T NEED THE COLORFUL MEATBAGS TO BUILD A MOUNTAIN OF BODIES THAT REACH THE HEAVENS!"

"Save the energy for the Marauders, Omega," Shadow said, calmly. I felt shivers hearing the black hedgehog and the robot talk with one another. Something about them creeped me out. "As payback for what they did to you."

"AFFIRMATIVE, THIS UNIT WILL SAVE ENERGY FOR THE BATTLE. I'LL DESTROY EVERYTHING ON OUR WAY REGARDLESS."

"You do that," Rouge said, unamused. "We'll just go activate the generators alongside Big Blue."

"Huh, what were you guys talking about?" Big said, unaware of what was being discussed.

...

Knuckles remained silent as we moved through the ruined city, with Team Rose tagging alongside us. I felt curious about them. The pink hedgehog used a giant hammer from an unknown place, while the rabbit child used her ears to fly. The cat individual looked as if he had the head in the clouds, and acted like it. They don't look like warriors trained in the art of combat - yet Sonic trusted in them, and they helped during the battle on Angel Island.

"Something on your mind?" Knuckles asked, waking me up from my thoughts.

"I was just thinking that it was odd for you to trust on children for this mission," I said, looking at Cream. She was carrying Amy to the top of a tower in search of the generator. Knuckles, Big and I were outside, waiting for a signal. "She's just a child."

"I've seen Cream and Tails do a lot despite their age - Tails can fly using his tails, and has saved us countless times with his inventions." I thought little about the fox kid. Maybe he's some sort of mutant? "Besides, you yourself aren't that old."

"What are you implying?" I asked, feeling somewhat offended by the comment. I'm not that old! Maybe I was trapped inside the Twilight Cage for millennia, but I'm not an old woman...

"Aren't you a kid too?" Big asked, breaking my thoughts. I almost felt like punching him, but I had to remain composed. I'm better than that, they trained me to be better than that.

Luckily, Amy shouted from atop the tower.

"Hey! The radar was right, we found the generator! Get over here!"

Knuckles and I started climbing the tower, leaving Big behind. I used my blades to penetrate the walls, while Knuckles used his knuckles to do so. How peculiar he had those while I didn't. I didn't give it a further thought as we arrived to the generator.

All we had to do was to input a code, and allow Tails to program it from a distance - that way, we will go to the Twilight Cage.

"I'm glad we found it!" Cream said, clapping. "Now we will recover the Chaos Emeralds and stop those mean guys!"

"Yeah!" Amy said, almost giggling. "A brand new world to explore - I hope Sonic and I can enjoy some time together!"

"I'm not so sure," I said. I don't know why I said that, it just came over me. "But the Twilight Cage is no game, and I don't feel comfortable taking a child there."

"You're talking about me?" Cream said, pointing at herself. "But I can help! I told Sonic before it's not a problem!"

"You're not even trained - don't you have a family that worries about you?"

Amy put herself in front of her, pointing at me.

"Cream is more than capable to handle herself, and has helped us multiple times I'll have you know!"

"The Twilight Cage is something no child should ever endured - please, trust me on this one. I don't think she should go there."

"I AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT."

It was a robot. I immediately took my blades, ready to attack. The robot on the door was my size, of a dark and gold color - my first impression of it was disbelief. It couldn't be, we didn't deploy any Gizoids to this world. It was a weird battle model, one I never seen before.

"Gemerl!" Cream's yelled. "What are you doing here?"

They knew each other? Then, it couldn't be a Gizoid.

"I SAW ANGEL ISLAND FALL, AND COULDN'T FIND YOU ANYWHERE. I LOOKED FOR YOU WHERE THE ISLAND FELL AROUND, AND I'M SATISFIED TO KNOW YOU'RE WELL. WE'RE COMING HOME, YOUR MOTHER IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU!"

"But Gemerl, I can't just go! I need to help my friends!"

"NEGATIVE. YOUR WELL BEING IS IMPORTANT, I CANNOT RISK YOU GOING ANYWHERE - MUCH LESS WITH THAT WOMAN."

I paid close attention to the robot. He looked ready to strike me at any moment, as he was hardening his fists.

"I agree with him. You should return home, child."

"Emerl!" Amy shouted. "It's fine to worry about Cream, but she is with me and Knuckles. There's nothing to worry about!"

"No, I agree with the machine."

"It's not fair, I helped all the way through here! I want to help!" Cream shouted.

I noticed Knuckles kept quiet, merely looking at the situation unfold. I got close to him.

"What do you think, Knuckles?"

"Me?" Knuckles looked confused. " How am I supposed to know?! I'm no babysitter!"

"Knuckles!" Amy shouted, furious.

"I don't know! Look, we have more serious things to worry about than this!" Knuckles turned his back, looking at the generator. I don't know what's on his mind, but I suspect the idea of looking at his kind is a bigger priority to him. "Do what you want!"

Amy took her hammer, and out herself in front of Cream.

"Gemerl, you will only take Cream through me!"

"VIOLENCE IS NOT REQUIRED, MISS ROSE."

"Please, I hate fighting!" Cream started sobbing, hugging her little Chao friend. "But I cannot stand still knowing my friends are in danger!"

The robot took one step forward, as Amy prepared her hammer. She was determined, and I couldn't help but feel admiration for it. I took a step forward.

"Wait! Allow me to suggest something!"

The robot looked at me. "YOU'RE ONE OF THE MARAUDERS. YOU'RE A MENACE..."

"You're correct to be on your guard around me, but I'm an ally to Cream. I believe there is a way to change your mind."

"NEGATIVE. I CANNOT RISK CREAM'S WELL BEING..."

"You won't - She will fight you and prove she can handle herself."

Everyone looked at me surprised. Gemerl kept his focus on me, while Cream didn't know what to do. I quickly kneel and put my hand on her shoulder.

"Listen to me, child - The Twilight Cage is dangerous. If you want to convince me... convince Gemerl, stand up and fight."

"CREAM! WE WILL GO HOME ALREADY!"

"I don't want to fight... I don't want to hurt Gemerl. But I cannot leave my friends..."

I didn't think about it, but I forgot we weren't alone. I stood up and grabbed my blades - facing the robot.

"You won't fight alone - I'll help you. What do you say, robot? If Cream and I defeat you, would you believe in her?"

The robot thought for a moment, before nodding. I felt curious about knowing if this one was as dangerous as a Gizoid...

...

It was brief, but the fight was over. Gemer fought well, and I promised I wouldn't trash it - as the child was fond of it

"REPARATIONS REQUIRED. STARTING RECOVERY MODE."

"Please Gemerl, forgive me!" Cream shouted, with her Chao following along. "I didn't want to hurt you!"

"IT'S FINE, CREAM. I'M SORRY FOR DOUBTING YOU. I WAS TOO WORRIED..."

"You're tough." I said, lowering my blades. The way he fought just confirmed there wasn't a coincidence at hand. "A Gizoid has never tired me this much"

"GIZOID? YES, THIS UNIT...I have vague memories about it."

"You could join us, and discover more about your past, Gemerl." Knuckles was the one who spoke. "That way, you could protect Cream and everyone else."

"His past?" Amy said. "What do you mean, Knuckles?"

"Shade recognizes him. At least, that's what I noticed."

"Yes...in a way. I never thought I would find a Gizoid over here." I said.

"I must decline the invitation. I came here to look for Cream for her protection, but I was proven she has protectors I can trust on. My efforts must go to Forest Floral Village, and take care of miss Vanilla."

Cream went running to hug the robot, who kindly PUT his hand on her head.

"Thank you, Gemerl!"

"Please, be safe." Gemerl said, as he was preparing to go. "Even if it takes months or years, I'll wait for you with your mother."

And so, the robot left flying. Amy hugged Cream, while Knuckle's put his hand on my shoulder.

"Nice work - Although I could have beaten him easily."

"If you say so - what's the story with that robot? He is a Gizoid, I'm sure of it."

"He was. Now, he's just Gemerl."

I didn't understand his words. Maybe it's part of one of their past adventures? Cream ran towards me, and grabbed my hands.

"Thank you, miss Shade!"

"Yeah... well, let's prepare the generator to go."

By the time we finished, Big finished climbing the tower.

Ever since I was younger and played the Chronicles game, I was wondering: where was Gemerl and Vanilla? I think it was one of my biggest gripes that such a kind little girl like Cream would go in an adventure to another dimension without her mother knowing. Likewise, the Gizoids are relevant characters to the lore of Chronicles, and Emerl is mentioned - but they ignore Gemerl, as if he wasn't living with Cream in her home. I wrote this small scenario trying to fit the two together, and suggest an alternative for the story of Chronicles.

I skipped the fight because I didn't want to extend myself to what's basically a short RPG scenario. Imagine this as an optional boss fight, and Cream got a cool item only she can wear.