In the hideout with the robots, Jet looked at his bruised hand, and growled.
"Geez, that lousy Locke! I won't be able to sit for a week!"
"That was hilarious." Storm said through his laughter.
"It's not funny, Storm."
Storm laughed even harder. "Yes, it really is!"
"Hey, SHUT UP!" Jet called.
"NO!" Storm said while still laughing.
Jet snarled in rage, and tackled Storm as they started fighting with each other.
Wave then got very annoyed by Storm and Jet fighting with each other.
"Will you knock it off?!"
Both dropped fighting with each other.
"Well, he started it!" Snapped Jet.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"ENOUGH!" Wave strolled down the slope. "Look at you, guys! No wonder we're not at the top of our game."
"I hate failing." Jet groaned.
"Yeah? You know, if it weren't for those echidnas, we'd be running this joint. I hate echidnas!"
"So pushy."
"And fuzzy!"
"Stinky."
"And man, are they..."
"Uuuugly!" Jet and Wave chorused.
The Babylon rogues laughed, but they froze in fear when they heard a voice.
"Oh, surely we echidnas are not all THAT bad."
They looked up to see Finitevus sitting on his perch, and sighed in relief.
"Oh, Finitevus, it's just you." Jet smiled.
"We were afraid it was someone important."
"Yeah, you know, like Locke."
"Yeah."
"I see." Finitevus groaned in annoyance.
"Now THAT'S power." Jet winked at Wave.
"Tell me about it, Jet."
"I just hear that name, and I shudder."
"Locke."
Wave shuddered at the name. "Do it again." She smirked.
"Locke!"
Wave laughed a bit.
"Locke! Locke! Locke!"
Wave shuddered so much that Storm laughed himself silly.
"Oooh! It tingles!" Wave winked at Jet.
Finitevus face palmed himself.
"I'm surrounded by idiots."
"Not you, Finitevus." Jet told him. "I mean, you're one of us. I mean, you're our pal."
"Charmed." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Ohh, I like that!" Wave smiled. "He's not guardian, but he's still so proper."
"Yeah." Jet said. "Hey, hey. Did you bring us anything to eat, Finitevus old buddy, old pal? Huh? Did you, did you, did you?"
"I don't think you really deserve this." Finitevus said holding some food he brought from the shop, making the rogues feel excited. "I practically gift-wrapped those 9 youngsters for you, and you couldn't even capture them."
He gave the food to them anyway, and the rogues began eating it.
Wave looked up at Finitevus curiously.
"Well, you know," she said, "it wasn't exactly like they were alone, Finitevus."
"Yeah." Jet went on. "What were we supposed to do? Capture Locke too?"
"Well... a worse fate, actually."
"Huh?" The rogues looked baffled as they eyed the white echidna questioningly.
Finitevus then walked down to them, and started to circle around them.
"I never thought of you rogues as essential. You're all crude and unspeakably plain."
"Hey!" Storm felt offended as Wave and Jet glared at him, also feeling offended.
"But, maybe you have a glimmer of potential, if allied to my vision and brain."
Finitevus: I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking guardian successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
Wave: And where do we feature?
Finitevus: Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues!
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!
Jet: Yeah! Be prepared. We'll be prepared! For what?
Finitevus: For the death of the guardian.
Jet: What, is he sick?
Finitevus: No, fool! We're going to kill him. And Knuckles, too.
Jet: Great idea! Who needs a guardian?
Rogues: No guardian, no guardian! La la la la la!
Finitevus: Idiots! There will be a guardian!
Jet: But you just said...
Finitevus: I will be guardian! Stick with me and you'll be at the top of the world.
Rogues: Yay, all right! Long live the guardian!
Long live the guardian! Long live the guardian!
Rogues: It's great that we'll soon be connected
With a guardian all-time adored
Finitevus: Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!
Finitevus: So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Rogues: Oooooo, la-la-la!
Finitevus: Meticulous planning
Rogues: We'll be up high!
Finitevus: Tenacity spanning
Rogues: Up in the sky
Finitevus: Decades of denial
Rogues: We will rule
Finitevus: Is simply why I'll
Rogues: And steal every jewel
Finitevus: Guardian undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my fists and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Rogues: Yes, our fists and ambitions are bared -
Be prepared!
Finitevus then cackles, knowing that his plans to rule Angel Island will be complete soon.
Locke was carrying to Knuckles on his shoulders when they arrived to M.E. shrine. Waiting for them, were Lara-Le, Mari-An, Wynmacher, Rita-Le and Komi-Ko. Jon and Kneecaps were also with them, but Jon slept in the arms of his mother, and Kneecaps in the arms of his father.
"Glad you are okay." Sighed Lara-Le in relief. "It was very late and we were getting concerned about you."
"We're sorry that you got worried." Locke told her. "We were having some father/son bonding time."
"Well, at least things are ok." Rita-Le smiled. "Espio told us what happened."
"Knuckles, are you okay?" Asked Komi-Ko. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine, Aunt Komi-Ko." Knuckles replied.
"At least you, Jon, Kneecaps, and the rest of your friends are ok." Smiled Mari-An. "That's what matters."
"And, at least you know not to go back there." said Wynmacher with a stern look.
"Do not worry Uncle Wynmacher. I won't go back. It is a promise."
"Well, it's time to go to bed." Locke said.
"Eh... mom, dad. I can stay to sleep with you tonight?" asked Knuckles.
Locke and Lara-Le were observed at each other and then looked at his son.
"Okay,"
"But just tonight".
Later, everyone was asleep peacefully. Knuckles was sleeping in the middle of his parents. They all hugged each other tightly, and Knuckles felt safe and secure with his parents.
No one suspected what was about to happen.