Chapter 104: Great Emerald Battle - Part 3

Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, the Chaotix are called upon to help in finding Dr. Finitevus by Luna, with the detectives piecing together clues on the elusive echidna. Meanwhile, the fight between Sonia and Knuckles vs Mina and Manik began to reach a fever pitch when Mina was freed of some kind of corruption related to Manik. But now it was a sibling rivalry fight of the ages...

Starring

Sonia the Hedgehog - Loud and Proud
Manik the Hedgehog - Electrified Adventurer
Luna-Sta - Leader of Albion
Jani-Ca - Guardian of Albion
Chaotix Crew - Friendly Neighborhood Detectives
Dr. Finitevus - Doctor of Chaos

Albion; The Streets

*Jani-Ca is seen patrolling the streets, wrist up to her mouth as she was communicating with her team whilst keeping vigil.*

Jani: "Anything on your ends, Team?"

Jake: "All good on this side of town."

Lit: "Nothing suspicious here either."

Peza: "Even in darkness, the winds of strife remain silent... Yet I feel a slight breeze in the air..."

Oracle: "That...makes me a bit afraid. Mind explainin', Peza?"

Peza: "Call it a feeling. It's a light gust now, and it is silent... But I feel..."

Jani: "Got it. Just be ready to evacuate in the event of an emergency." *Sees her mother and the Chaotix crew run by, heading to the Electrodome.* "...And I think something might be up. Jani out." *Lowers her wrist before quickly but quietly pursuing the group.*

Albion; Electrodome

*In the dark halls of the once bustling science facility, Luna holds out an orb of light to light the way, with the trio following.*

Charmy: "Boy, this is pretty dark... I guess no one bothered to pay the power bill."

Espio: "Kind of like a certain crocodile."

Vector: "I heard that! And I most certainly do pay the power bill! ...It just gets to our place so late..."

*Luna just seemed distracted. Normally anyone would find the Chaotix's banter amusing, but the lack of any reaction did not go unnoticed by Vector.*

Vector: "Alright, Miss Luna. Let's take a break. Somethin's clearly on your mind."

Luna: "A...lot actually..." *She stops before sighing.* "This place just brings back a lot of memories, both good and bad. Memories of...a time long since passed."

Charmy: "...Would you like to share? Perhaps as a way to clear your head?"

*Luna nods.*

Luna: "Back when I was first appointed as Leader after my mother passed away, I wasn't...as confident about my abilities in my role as I am now. In fact, I was certain I wouldn't be a good leader... I would often find myself in the Electrodome, listening to sounds of machinery to find comfort. During one of these visits, I was met by a scientist... One Dr. Finitevus. He was fresh out of college and looking to expand our city's safety. I found...comfort in him. He was certainly charming and had an air of confidence around him. I...envied him... Greatly. One day, he asked me to send an excavation group out to search for potential energy sources. And we found it... Raw Chaos energy... Now... Are any of you familiar with Chaos energy?"

Vector: "Uh... On a basic level... You guys often call it our life force."

Luna: "That is basically what it is. Chaos energy is something all Mobians have, acting as our life force as well as our power source for certain abilities. To most, Chaos energy is at a basic level, only really giving a Mobian such abilities like extra agility or strength. Raw Chaos energy, however, is a liquid that has similar, though unstable properties to our own Chaos energy. This raw energy, according to Finitevus, seemed to have an origin, which he calls 'the Chaos Force'. When he proposed he enter this Chaos Force to extract more Chaos energy, I helped fund the project and even oversee it on occasion. It was around this time that he and I...mingled more. ...On the day of the experiment, everything seemed to go right; a portal opened, inviting us into the Chaos Force. But then...tragedy struck. The portal generator malfunctioned, creating a black hole that began to suck us into it. Finitevus and I were caught into the portal, sustaining heavy injuries as a result. In Finitevus' case, his fur turned into a pale white color while his eyes became blackened. One may describe him as 'evil looking'. After recovery, he and I attended a meeting, in which he explains his visions from his brief time in the Chaos Force. Visions of impending doom and destruction for our people. And his proposal to return to an act of war. The council...declined. As did I... Finitevus was naturally upset by this... And I was left feeling guilty... Around this time, I found out about my strange power over Chaos energy. My own exposure to the Chaos Force had mutated my Chaos energy beyond what should be possible for a normal Mobian. ...But I chose to remain a pacifist... Not going against my mother or the council's wishes..."

Vector: "...So what about Jani?"

Luna: *Smiles sadly.* "When I birthed her, she had demonstrated similar power to my own, but she had adopted some of her father's more active tendencies. Rather than restrict her powers, I decided to have her embrace them, train them, hone them... Until she became Guardian of Albion... Jani remains my pride and joy and I...couldn't be happier..."

*The conversation grows quiet as nearby Jani was just overhearing the conversation from around a corner. As she processes it all, she and the Chaotix hear someone running from down the hall. It was Nack! Espio promptly trips him while Vector catches him.*

Vector: "Nack the Weasel. Figured a little twerp like you was-"

Nack: "Oh, can it, swamp breath. Can you not see I'm runnin' for my life? Now let me down!"

Vector: "Runnin'? From what?"

Nack: "That rotten doctor! He's insane! I shouldn't have stolen that Emerald..."

Luna: "Emerald?" *Her eyes widen in horror.* "No... He couldn't be... Chaotix, leave him! We've got to hurry!" *Starts running ahead in a panic.*

*Vector drops Nack and chases after Luna with his crew. Nack sees this before shrugging, only to then see Jani-Ca stand in front of him.*

Nack: "...Uh oh..."

Jani: "Mind telling me what the heck he's planning?"

Angel Island; Mushroom Forest

*Manik and Sonia stare each other down, Manik's lightning starting to run wild as he adjusts his shades.*

Sonia: "Manik... Just answer me this... Why turn into this? Why become a villain?"

Manik: "Me? A villain? Far from the truth, Sis. I just found a better lease in life. I get my own adventures. I get my own story! Who needs Sonic? And who needs the Freedom Fighters?"

Sonia: "Just when I thought you couldn't say anything stupider, you just keep talking. Are the adventures really all that this is about?"

Manik: "Sonic keeps leaving us behind! He gets all the fun! All the glory! Does he think we don't exist!? His own brother and sister?"

Sonia: "...You really are dumb. If Sonic were here-"

Manik: "Well, he's not. I bet he's having yet another adventure without us! Time and again! He does it over and over and over again! It never ends!" *Starts pacing around Sonia, looking at her dead in the eyes.* "You should get it... Yet why don't you?"

Sonia: "Because I have sense. Because he knows we have a family to protect. A town to protect! Where the hell were you when Eggman attacked!? Where the hell were you when an evil warlock came and banished our friend and nearly killed us all!?" *Runs at Manik, slamming palm on the side of his face before sending him flying with a soundwave pulse, he skidding to a stop on his back.* "You missed out for your own selfishness and pride, Manik!"

*Manik gets up with a growl before running at Sonia, landing an electrified fist to her left cheek. Sonia retaliates with a sound punch to Manik's gut; Manik returns the hit with a knee to her chin. This close quarters fighting continued before Sonia headbutts Manik's sunglasses, breaking them and leaving a wound on her forehead. The two stare at each other, Manik's crazed look more pronounced as he sends several bolts of electricity at his sister; Sonia runs to the side, avoiding the bolts before jumping and landing on Manik's head, sending herself flying with a pulse of sound, flinging him to the ground as a result.*

Sonia: "Give up, bro! You can't beat me like this!"

Manik: "Shut up! I do what I want! I don't need you or Sonic!"

Sonia: "Is that really true?"

*Manik rushes in as Sonia lands back on the ground, she blocking the incoming punch before avoiding swinging kick.*

Sonia: "Who found your missing drumsticks when you were four!?"

Manik: "Shut up already!" *Goes for a left hook, but gets blocked by Sonia.*

Sonia: "Who helped you when some mean kids made fun of your green fur when you were five!?"

Manik: "SHUT UP!" *Flip kicks, bashing Sonia under the chin before jumping and slamming fist right on her, slamming her to the ground.*

Sonia: *Starts coughing out as blood starts trinkling out of her mouth.* "Who came to save us when we couldn't save ourselves...?"

Manik: "I said... SHUT UP!" *Points a flat hand straight down at Sonia before stabbing through her, a loud crack of lightning sounding behind him as he did.*

*Knuckles and Mina watch on in horror, Mina having her hands over her mouth as Manik just pulls his hand out. The weight of what he just did starts to catch up to him as he starts to panic.*

Manik: "What... What did I...?" *Starts looking at his hand before looking back at the injured Sonia, tears starting to form.* "No... No no no! I didn't mean it! I didn't mean to...! Knuckles! Please help!"

*Knuckles jumps out, but stays wary of Manik. He gives the hedgehog a fierce glare as Manik steps away before lifting Sonia up.*

Knuckles: 'If I hurry, I should be able to save her...' *Gives one final look to Manik before running off towards Mobotropolis.*

*Manik looks on before lowering his head, and collapsing on his knees. He then falls onto his arms before starting to cry out, roaring out in anger as he slams a fist on the ground multiple times.*

Mina: "...M-Manik...?"

Manik: "I... I just did that... Why did I do that!? Why!? I... What is wrong with me!?"

Mina: "Manik... Please..."

Manik: "Please nothing! I actually tried killing my own sister! Over what!? Some fun thrills!? Some adventure!? I... I just... I can't even..."

Voice: "Can't even what? Live with yourself?"

*The two look around before they see Thread, appearing from the shadows.*

Mina: "Who are you!?" *Stands between Thread and Manik as the latter stands up.*

Manik: "Get away from us, Thread. I am in no mood for you."

Thread: "Says the boy groveling on the ground over something he did?"

Manik: "What would you-"

Thread: "Take it from me. Pride blinds you from many things. The fault in yourself and the fault of others. This has led to my multiple downfalls, one after another. I allowed pride to blind me from my own faults, leading to me feeling...betrayed when I do not get something. And thus, leading a life to self-exile, until I met Eggman. And by letting pride get the better of me again, I allowed Eggman to betray and almost kill me. And so, I am left to question my own existence. My own faults... You just let pride consume you. Your own inner darkness let out by this want... Need for adventure. You forgot the more important parts of your life... Among them being your family." *Approaches Manik, standing over him.* "So do you just want to grovel there, feeling sorry for yourself... Or do you want to fix your mistake and face the consequences of your actions later?"

Manik: "..." *Starts to reflect on Thread's words before closing his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he turns to Mina.* "...We've got to stop Finitevus."

Mina: "But how?"

Manik: "We'll figure something out. But we just have to. Thread, can you-" *Turns back, but sees Thread was gone.* "...Guess not."

*Manik picks up Mina and starts racing off the island, jumping off the side as his goth look fades away, returning him to what he looked like before; the true Manik. Back where Manik left, on a tree branch, Thread stands there, her three pairs of arms crossed as she leans against the tree.*

Thread: "...I've had a lot to think about. I just hope...the king doesn't betray me too... One final chance..." *Jumps off and heads towards the mountain range.*

Albion; Under the Electrodome

*Under the Electrodome, in a rather linear cave system, Luna and the Chaotix are seen running, heaving the sound of chanting as they enter a chamber.*

Finitevus: "The servants are the seven Chaos. Chaos is power, controlled by my will... The controller exists to enslave the Chaos!"

Luna: "Finitevus!"

Finitevus: *Turns to the sound of Luna's voice, smiling as he sees a captive audience.* "Ah, Lady Luna. And I see you brought some uninvited guests as well."

Luna: *Sees the Master Emerald over a pool of black Chaos energy.* "The Controller! Finitevus! Stop this!"

Finitevus: "Too little... Too late, Luna." *Raises the Scepter of Darkness over his head before smashing it onto the Master Emerald, unleashing a torrent of darkness onto the Emerald.*

*The Emerald starts to convert into a deep shadow of black as the energy starts to go haywired. Luna, acting quickly, conjures up a barrier to protect herself and the Chaotix, barely able to hold back the power. The Emerald erupts a black spire, piercing the ceiling and digging through the ground above as Albion as a whole was met with a gruesome explosion. Once the surge of power had subsided, the group was met...by an empowered Finitevus, wrapped in a black Chaos aura.*

Finitevus: "Observe, Lady Luna... As I am now the Controller... The Controller of Chaos!"