Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to Sega.  I earn no $ from this. :)

Acknowledgements: As always, Jesus, Padawan Nik-ka, Ginger Ninja, Orin and Chewbacca, and everyone in my class.  :)

Reviews: please?

Chapter 3

"Sal!  We've got to get to the Floating Island!" Sonic burst into the princess' hut.  "Robotnik's planning to steal the Chaos Emeralds, again."

"Whoa, Sonic.  Slow down a bit," Sally looked up from her computer screen.  "You say Robotnik's gonna bag the Chaos Emeralds?"

"Yeah.  We've gotta stop him."

"Knuckles will take care of that."

Sonic clenched his fists, "Knux is dead."

"I'm sorry.  I forgot," Sally looked away from Sonic.  She couldn't bear to look into Sonic's eyes.  They were too filled with guilt, fear, pain.

Silence opened up a gap between the two friends.  Then finally, Sonic said softly, "I guess it's up to us now.  To defend the Emeralds."

"You and Tails take the bi-plane up there.  I'll stay here with the rest," Sally reached into her backpack and handed Sonic a gold ring.  "Good luck Sonic."

"I'll be back, Sal," Sonic turned and left through the door.

The mad scientist put down the radio.  "Yes, I have Knuckles right where I want him now."

"Doctor," the metallic robot voice pierced through Robotnik's thoughts, "There's an aircraft headed for the Floating Island."

"Ah yes, Sonic and Tails," Doctor Robotnik grinned in manic glee.  "I have a surprise waiting for you."

A metal panel in the control room slid open, and the metal-clad figure slipped in.  Though more machine than living, he hardly made a noise as he travelled across the floor to stand in front of the scientist.  The harsh, white lighting glinted off deadly, gleaming steel, which covered his right hand as well, encasing it with long, sharp claws.

"Go to the Floating Island.  Destroy Sonic and Tails," Doctor Robotnik watched the creature's face for any flicker of recognition.  There was none.

"Yes … sir.  It will be done."

In the hangar, the creature strode up to a small plane and checked it carefully.  It was simple, with no weapons at all.  Robotnik would have preferred him to blast Sonic and Tails sky-high with a bomb.  But no, that wasn't his way.  He, Knuckles – that was the name Robotnik had called him by – preferred finesse.  Precise assassination of his enemies was much better.  He would kill with his own hands.

Smiling grimly behind the metal that masked half his face, he climbed into the cockpit and grabbed the controls.  Sonic and Tails would be in for a surprise.

"I think we can land there, in that clearing," Tails pointed the space out to Sonic, then he shifted the plane left and lowered altitude.

Sonic braced himself against the flood of memories that came crashing against him like an enormous wave.  This was almost the exact place he had landed last time, when Robotnik had been building the Death Egg and he had come to get the Emeralds.  That was so long ago, but Sonic remembered his first encounter with Knuckles, how the echidna had ambushed him and stolen the Chaos Emeralds.  And how, eventually, they had become friends. 

It was too overwhelming.  Sonic stepped out of the plane, sat down on the ground, and started crying.  It was too much for him already.  The memories were too vivid.  Memories of times when Knux had still been alive.  Get a grip on yourself, Sonic.  Put his death behind you today.  Knux is dead.  Nothing'll bring him back.  But we've got a job to do.  For Knuckles.  Even though he's dead.

Tails climbed out of the cockpit and sat next to Sonic.  He said nothing. There was nothing he could say.  Then Sonic got to his feet.  He wasn't crying anymore.

"Let's get going Tails, we've got a mission to complete."

Sonic followed a little-used trail, speeding through the Angel Island Zone in minutes.  Then, he took a shortcut to the Hidden Palace Zone.

The Super Emeralds were still there, and the Chaos Emeralds as well.

"Looks like Robotnik's not here yet," Tails crouched down to examine the floor.  It was covered with a thin layer of dust.  "No-one's been here for some time."

Sonic looked around at the dimly-lit chamber.  The Emeralds shimmered, giving off different coloured hues.  It was almost magical.  Then, a flash caught his eye.  Sonic turned abruptly.  Was there something lurking in that dark corner?

"Tails …" Sonic's voice trailed off.  Could it be another of Robotnik's robots?

The twin-tailed fox whipped around.  There was nothing.  "It's just shadows, Sonic…" Tails didn't complete what he was going to say.

Something stepped out of the shadows that took Sonic by surprise.  He saw a familiar face.

"Knuckles!" Sonic's spirits rose.

"Sonic and Tails," the voice was cold, metallic, emotionless.  It sent a shiver through Sonic's frame.

"What are you doing here?" Sonic tried to keep the enthusiasm out of his voice.  He had no idea whether this was really Knuckles.  Robotnik might be playing a game with him. 

"To kill you," the creature that was called Knuckles bared his teeth in a feral grin and stepped into the more lighted area.  Sonic could see the metal that bound itself to the echidna's body.

"Why?" Sonic knew his questions were fruitless.  He knew this was definitely Knuckles, and yet it wasn't.  The horrible truth dawned on him.  Knuckles was roboticised.  Nothing could bring him back now.  Sonic remembered Bunny Rabbot and Uncle Chuck.  They were robots too, or at least, half-roboticised.  None of the experiments he, Rotor and the other Freedom Fighters had conducted could ever de-roboticise them.  Knuckles was worse than dead.  He was a robot.

The creature ignored the question, and he advanced on Sonic.

"Erm, what nice claws you have," Tails grinned in a lame effort to pacify the creature.  "Why don't you go and … um… cut the grass.  Yeah, cut the grass outside.  It's really … er… kinda long, y'know."  It had no effect on Knuckles, or whatever was left under that suit of metal.

Sonic tensed himself, and prepared for the inevitable fight.  He knew Knuckles was a fierce fighter, maybe even fiercer than himself.

Knuckles leapt through the air at Sonic.  Sonic dodged, but Knuckles landed, turned, and slashed at the hedgehog.  Sonic jumped backward, but didn't escape the sharp, steel claws.  They ripped through his arm.

"Knuckles, please, don't do this.  I'm Sonic!  You know me!" Sonic yelled in desperation. 

"I must kill you."

"No," Sonic turned and ran, grabbing Tails' hand as he did so.  He heard Knuckles give chase, but he knew he could beat the robot.  Sonic had never run from a fight before, but he did now.  He wouldn't fight his friend.  He had to find some way to bring Knuckles back.  If it were ever possible.

Deep in his heart, Sonic knew he would have to face Knuckles again.  Whether now, or in the future, he would have to force down his fear and face Knuckles.

Okay, that's it for now.  If you like it, then I'll continue.  If not I'll just leave it to rot.

                                    -wild horse :)

Preview of chapter 4:

            "Sonic, I'm sorry.  But you have to kill Knuckles," Sally's voice, though warped by static, sounded sad.

            "Sal, he's my friend.  I can't kill Knux," Sonic spoke desperately into the radio.

            "He's with Robotnik now.  If you don't kill Knuckles, then he'll kill you."

            "No."

            "It's hard, Sonic, but that's the way.  We can't stop Robotnik with Knuckles around.  You have to do it now.  We're running out of the time.  It's either Knuckles, or the whole of Mobius," Sally's voice was firm, but compassionate.

            "Okay," Sonic cut off the transmission.  He looked at Tails.  There was nothing they could do.  Sally was right.