Chapter 2
Hydrocity
The pipe that had sucked up Sonic and Tails snaked back and forth like a water slide, half full of salty water. Sonic and Tails were swept along in the wet darkness, fighting to keep their heads above water. The pipe swept straight down, and they splashed into a tank. They both struggled to get back to the surface. Tails had no real trouble as he was a better swimmer than Sonic, but Sonic was forced under further by the water coming out of the pipe. He needed to get to the surface quickly, or he would drown. Thinking quickly, he dropped down to the very bottom of the tank and used the almost weightlessness of the water to leap high and fast. He sprung from the tank and landed on the small ledge on its side, gasping for air.
"Sonic! Are you all right?" asked Tails as he help Sonic to his feet.
"Yeah, but I don't think I'll be thirsty again for a month," he answered, coughing up some water as he spoke. Sonic then performed a mid-air spindash to fling most of the water on him off. Tails spun his double tails dry, but had to shake off the water remaining on his fur, which didn't really work very well. He was still quite wet, but he figured that he would get wet at least once more down here, so he didn't bother with it any more.
"So now what?" asked Tails.
"I'm not sure. That Knuckles guy said that this place was Hydrocity, which is probably where he stores his water supply, given these tanks," said Sonic, jerking a thumb at the tank that they had landed in. "The question is how do we get out of here?" They both looked around for an exit or something, but found none. But Tails had another idea that was just as good.
"Hey Sonic! How about we slide out of here?" he asked. Sonic looked over at where Tails was pointing to see a giant half-pipe with water running down it.
"I don't know if that's a good idea or not. The last pipe almost caused me to drown," answered Sonic.
"Oh, come on you wimp. It's not like this one is enclosed or anything," countered Tails. Sonic sighed, knowing that Tails would continue the argument no matter what he told him.
"All right, but you're going to sit on my lap. No way we're going to get separated. The last thing I need right now is to have to try and find you because the pipe splits up somewhere," said Sonic. Tails nodded as Sonic sat down on the edge of the pipe. Tails then climbed into his lap as Sonic wrapped his arms around him.
"Ready, cause here we goooo!" shouted Sonic as he pushed off. The water immediately swept them away through the half-pipe, accelerating them rapidly as it descended further into the depths of Hydrocity. They passed by several other half-pipes, each one carrying water to what was probably other storage tanks further on down. Both of them were having a blast as they sped down the slippery pipe, occasionally getting splashed when they met a turn in the pipe. The pipe straightened out and started heading towards the ground, causing them to speed up even faster. But Sonic suddenly saw something that took the fun out of what they were doing.
"Oh boy! There's a giant tank below us, and that one is way to big to be just a storage tank!" shouted Sonic. Tails looked down to see that, indeed, there was a collection of water that could pass as being a small lake, and was just as deep. Fear gripped the young fox as he tightened his grip on Sonic's arm. The pipe ended and shot both of them towards the crystal clear water below. Sonic knew he had to do something, and decided to risk the one move that could save them. Revving up his feet just before they hit, Sonic shot across the miniature lake, skimming the surface with Tails in tow. He looked around desperately for a place off of the water to stop on before he lost traction with the water, but he could only see a small intake pipe ahead of them. Letting out a loud breath of air, he yelled at Tails to take a deep breath as he did himself. Then they entered the pipe, spiraling downwards through the waterlogged pipe.
**********
I had rushed as fast as my feet could carry me in the damp slickness of Hydrocity. I knew exactly where the intake pipe lead to and had to do a minute glide to reach the tank, but by the time I got near it, Sonic and Tails had already left. I cursed to myself, not really knowing where they could have gone to since there was no way out other than flying or climbing. I could can some altitude when I glided if I caught a draft and I was an excellent climber, so I wasn't worried about how to get out if I fell in. It was then that I heard a yell coming from down below.
I ran over to the edge of the platform and looked over. There they were, sliding down the half-pipe that led to the main water storage area. I watched them for about thirty seconds before I realized that the area below had no way of getting out of. Well, there was the pipe that lead to the upper level of Hydrocity where the water became desalinized, but surely they wouldn't do that since it was constantly flooded with water. I grinned, knowing that they would need my help to escape their watery confine. I could name my price, which of course would be the green emerald. I watched as they fell off the pipe, but became astonished when Sonic suddenly took off over the water like a motor boat, kicking up a plume of water behind him as he carried Tails along with him. Then they both entered the same pipe I had been thinking about earlier.
"Man! They are both crazy," I said to myself. I shook off my surprise and decided it would be better to go and check in with Doc. He had radioed me just before I had started my glide towards the tank saying that he had reached the main control room for the underground plant and was ready to start up the machine as soon as I returned. I walked over the edge of the ledge and leaped off, starting on a return glide. Throughout the whole glide, I kept wondering how I would find Sonic and Tails after they exited the pipe system this time. If I couldn't reach them the first time when I actually knew where they were going, then how could I find them when their exit would be a random area of the plant.
**********
Sonic felt as though his lungs would burst from the amount of time they had to hold their breath as the two of them were tossed about by the rapidly flowing water in the pipes. Sonic didn't know it at the time, but Tails had already reached his limit for holding his breath. It was a long five seconds until the pipe ended and they were flung out of the pipe and into a much smaller tank. Fortunately, this tank wasn't inescapable like the last one. Sonic coughed a bit and turned towards Tails.
"Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" said Sonic. It was when he noticed Tails' eyes weren't open that he knew something was wrong. Not even asking if he was okay, Sonic grabbed him around the waist and dragged him up onto the top of the tank's side.
"Tails! Tails, answer me!" shouted Sonic. Tails didn't even stir. Sonic began to panic. It was now that he really wished that he had paid attention when Dr. Quack had shown the village how to perform CPR.
**********
It was coincidence only that I happened to be walking down the hallway outside of where the pipe they had been in exited. I didn't see them, but I heard a splash in the tank's area just as I started walking by. I then heard Sonic's voice say something. I peeked into the room, wondering if I should jump them or not. But then I realized that something was wrong the second I saw Tails lying on his back with a panicking Sonic looking at him. Suddenly, all the fight left me when I saw the small fox unconscious. I still thank the stars even to this day that my father had taught me CPR. I ran into the room and up to the drowning fox. Sonic immediately went ballistic the moment he saw me.
"You! Look at what's happened because of you!" he shouted. I was still angry at Sonic, but not to the point of letting his best friend die. I ignored him as I went to work on Tails. I checked to see if he was breathing, which he wasn't. I pinched his nose and started breathing into his mouth. After five breaths, I started pumping his chest. Counting off to five, I then started to breathe for him again. Sonic had stopped his ranting and was watching both Tails and me with hopefulness. I repeated the process again. Still nothing. Then during the third round of breathing, Tails responded. He started coughing and sputtering up water. I backed off as Sonic held Tails in his arms, helping him sit up.
"Oh, Tails! Are you okay?" asked Sonic. Tails looked over at him, still kind of dizzy from the lack of oxygen.
"Yeah…I guess so," he answered, still kind of shaky. Sonic looked up at me, all his anger gone from his eyes.
"I…don't know how to thank you," he said.
"Well, I would ask you for the emerald, but I'll let it pass this time," I answered. I figured that the scare Sonic had just had was enough right now. And besides, I would have another chance to try and take back the emerald.
"Thank you, Mr. Knuckles," said Tails, who had almost recovered from his ordeal.
"Hey, think nothing of it, kid," I said. I then turned to Sonic. "But don't think we're all pals now. I only saved his life cause a kid his age shouldn't have to lose his life at such a young age. But next time will be different. I still see you as a threat to my home, and I won't hesitate next time we meet." With that remark, I walked out of the room. I then ran off as fast as I could, leaving them to recover. I was glad Doc didn't find out what I had done, cause he probably would have sent Mecha after me if he would have found out. I ran back to the control room, finding Doc and Mecha waiting for me. Funny, I thought the robot didn't want to come down here.
"You were unsuccessful at retrieving the emerald?" he asked.
"Yeah, I lost them in the pipes. But don't worry, Doc. They'll have to pass by the main generator outside of the control room to get out of here, so we'll see them again before they get out of here," I answered. I was kind of hoping Doc would leave them alone, but I should've known better than that.
"Good. I'll personally see to it that they will have a wet and wild time when the get here. In the mean time, I want you to try and locate them, then lead them here," said Robotnik, pointing towards Mecha. The robot was visibly displeased that he had to go outside where there was an abundance of water, but he left and flew down the corridor, his engine purring softly.
**********
"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Sonic for the fifth time. Tails was now on his feet and feeling a lot better, but the constant questioning was getting on his nerves.
"For the last time, I'm FINE!" he almost yelled. Sonic was a little shocked at the rise in his voice, but didn't let it show. They started to walk out of the room before Sonic noticed something glinting from the light in the room off in the rear corner of the room. Nudging Tails, he started walking towards the glint. Tails followed, and then both of their eyes started shining when they saw what it was. Spinning in the corner was another ring teleporter.
"What do you say, Tails? Up for another round of emerald earning?" asked Sonic, a smile on his face.
"You bet. This time I'll get more spheres AND more rings than you," said Tails, issuing his challenge again.
"Yeah right," said Sonic as he dove into the ring, Tails right behind him. They were lucky to have entered the ring when they did, cause as soon as the ring disappeared, Mecha walked into the room, his eyes glowing bright red from his infrared sensors. He had been sure that they had been in here, but he had lost the two heat signals the moment they had jumped into the ring. Sighing, Mecha turned and walked out of the room, continuing his search through the plant.
**********
"Is the modification finished yet?" asked Robotnik as he paced around his hovercraft and me. Doc had talked me into placing a water turbine engine under his hovercraft. He wanted to somehow get them into the generator's water pool and create an artificial whirlpool in the water, making them spin wildly under the water. I figured that it would be a fitting way to deal with them. If they were too dizzy to stand after they got out, then taking the emerald back would be a snap. I finished tightening the final bolt and crawled out from underneath the hovercraft.
"There. It should be able to give you a good sized whirlpool from the generator's water supply, assuming you can get them in there," I said.
"Well, you and Mecha will have the honor of getting them into the pool," said Robotnik, his pearly white teeth smiling at me.
"Sure thing, Doc. I want another chance to get that emerald back too," I said.
**********
A flash of white light inside the room subsided as Sonic and Tails re-materialized. This time, Sonic was grasping both the orange and light blue emeralds. They had been doing quite well, having been able to collect all the rings in both areas before moving onto the third area. But Tails had touched a red sphere after catapulting off of a yellow sphere and landing on the red one, sending them back to the room. Sonic pocketed the emeralds and turned towards Tails.
"Well, that's three down and three to go," said Sonic. Tails nodded, then started raising a finger to point towards the door. Sonic looked over at the door to see none other than Metal Sonic standing in the doorway, his eyes glowing bright red.
*Oh great, that's all we need right now,* thought Sonic as he watched the blue robot shoot forward, ready to ram him. Sonic stood his ground till the last second, then dodged to the right, Mecha over-shooting him. He tried to correct his maneuver, but instead crashed sideways into the rear of the room. Sonic grabbed Tails' hand and took off, rounding the doorway and dashing down the hallway outside. By now, Mecha had recovered and was in hot pursuit of them.
"Man, doesn't he ever give up?" yelled Sonic as he saw the blue robot chasing them. He was totally silent, which meant that the robot wasn't in the mood to mess around. He was his deadliest when he didn't taunt Sonic. Sonic rounded another corner, Mecha right behind him. Now the robot spoke.
"Hand over the emerald, Ssson…hedgehog, and I'll stop this chase!" he hollered at Sonic. Tails pulled himself up to Sonic's ear.
"Sonic, just give him the green emerald. He'll leave us alone if you do. Besides, we can get it back later," whispered Tails. Sonic kept his eyes forward as he continued down the corridors at a good clip of over 70 mph.
"Can't do that. Even if he did stop, the red emerald would go nuclear, revealing that we had more than just the green one cause I'd have to drop it," answered Sonic in a whisper. Tails took a glance back to see Mecha still on there tail, and gaining fast.
"Sonic, he's catching up! Faster!" shouted Tails. Sonic couldn't help but smile.
"Ask and ye shall receive," said Sonic as he sped up, causing Mecha to slow his gaining pursuit and eventually start falling behind. Tails took this chance to glance over his shoulder and stick his tongue out at the blue robot. But all this did was anger the robot even further. He blasted forward at an accelerated rate, starting to close the gap once again between them. Tails looked horrified when he saw the robot start to gain again. He made a mental note never to stick his tongue out at another robot ever again, except maybe Silver when the time was okay. Sonic rounded another corner, this time entering a giant room that housed the main generator. Sonic wasn't about to stop, but he suddenly saw Knuckles standing at the exit door, already in a fighting stance. Skidding to a stop, Sonic glared at his rival with a renewed hatred. Mecha landed 50 meters behind them, his eyes still glowing brightly with anger.
"So, hedgehog. We meet again," said Knuckles.
**********
I had agreed with Mecha over his comm unit that he would chase them into the main generator room and we would both get them into the water. I stood in a fighting stance, ready to surprise them the moment they entered the room. Then they entered, Mecha hot on their heels. I watched as Sonic skidded to a stop, his eyes burning with fire at me. I smiled and looked him in the eyes with the same fire.
"So, hedgehog. We meet again," I said. I was over the encounter earlier and was ready to get back the green emerald. "You know, we would leave you two alone if you would just hand over that emerald." I expected Sonic to answer with a smart remark, but the person who answered my dare was a total surprise.
"You'll never get our emeralds!" shouted Tails. I looked at Tails, but then turned my eyes towards Sonic. Sonic thought I was looking at him, but I was really watching Mecha as he came up behind them.
"You know what I love about you, Sonic?" I asked. He smiled and put his fists on his hips.
"No, what would that be?" he asked. By now, Mecha had silently floated up behind Tails and was reaching out for him.
"Hoe easily you can become distracted," I answered as Mecha grabbed Tails. He yelled out as Mecha lifted him above his head. Sonic turned his attention over towards Mecha and Tails. I took this opportunity to charge Sonic. Mecha through Tails into the water below. Sonic tried to grab him before hit, but wasn't fast enough. Tails hit the water and slowly came to the top. He broke surface and gasped for air. Sonic was so preoccupied with Tails safety that he let his own guard down. I slammed my fist into the back of his head, causing him to fall headfirst into the water. I left the room, following Doc's instructions that I monitor them from the control room while he and Mecha made sure that they got the emerald back. As I reached the control room, I switched on the loudspeaker and leaned down to the mike.
"Okay, Doc! You're up," I said into the mike. I then reached over and turned on the receivers to the room so I could hear what was going on. I watched as Doc's hovercraft dropped from its spot near the ceiling and head towards the middle of the pool. Sonic and Tails both looked up to see the now spinning turbine under the craft head straight towards the center of the pool.
"Swim!" I heard Sonic cry. I watched as they tried to reach the edge of the pool before the turbine hit the water. But they didn't even make it halfway to the edge before the turbine made contact with the water. At first, it appeared as though nothing had happened. But then the visible turning of the water became visible as Sonic and Tails were dragged into the mini whirlpool in the center of the water. I watched as their heads disappeared under the water. I figured that Doc would keep them under for another twenty seconds or so, then let them come back up for air.
But twenty seconds came and went, and they still hadn't surfaced. Now I started to worry. I still didn't want them dead, and I began to think that Doc wasn't going to let them come up for air at all. I decided to take a risk and save them once again. I ran over to the override panel and hit the emergency drainage system. I then watched as the water level of the pool began to rapidly shrink, as well as the size of the whirlpool. I could see Doc getting very angry. At one point, he looked over at me through the glass. I made a faked shrug and started to look as though I was trying to correct the problem. By now, all the water had drained from the tank.
Sonic and Tails were lying at the bottom of the tank, unconscious from the lack of air. But I saw them both breathing, and relaxed slightly. But then Mecha started to fly towards the tank. Obviously, Doc had ordered him to attack them while they were down. I still thought that they didn't need to die, at least not yet. I reached over and pulled the tank's reserve water supply. I watched as Mecha flew down into the pool, only to shot out at double the speed after seeing the water come rushing out of the pipes. Taking another risk, I pulled the lever that would open the barred exit pipes. I watched as Sonic and Tails floated along with the water as it gushed out of the pool through the emergency exit. Then they were out of view. It was then that I heard Doc's voice come over the control room's speakers.
"Knuckles! Explain why they escaped!" he yelled. I became nervous, but kept my cool.
"Sorry, Doc. The system went haywire. I haven't exactly kept up in its maintenance," I said, trying to put so regret into my voice. There was along silence, which scared me even more than when he had yelled at me. Then Robotnik spoke.
"It's okay. Where does that pipe lead to?" he asked. I had to think about it for a few moments. It had been so long since the emergency drainage system had been used that I couldn't even remember where it went.
"I think Marble Garden," I answered. Another pause.
"All right. How about you go after them. I have some personal things to attend to right now," he answered. Now my blood started rushing. This was the chance I had been waiting for since we had made our alliance.
"Sure thing, Doc! Leave it to me. I'll get that emerald back," I said. I then started walking out of the control room, but stopped when I heard him say something else.
"One more thing. I need you to fly the island to the Ice Cap mountain range near the equator. There is a base of mine there that I need to make a call to," he said. The Ice Cap mountain range!? I had only heard of it, but it was supposedly the most famous mountain range on Mobius.
"All right. I can set the island on auto-flight. We should be there by morning," I said, looking up at the clock on the wall. Was it only 3:30? I gave a snort, thinking it was later in the day. Boy, how time seems to creep by when you're dealing with intruders. I took the miniature Master Emerald out of my shoe, rubbed my palm over the top of it, and then threw it to the ground. The second it touched the floor, a spinning ring that was flashing brightly appeared. I picked up the mini Master Emerald and stepped inside.
**********
"Come here, Mecha," said Robotnik. The blue robot flew up next to his master, his expression one of anger, which was getting to be normal for him.
"You don't actually believe that little stunt he pulled was a mechanical problem, do you?" asked Mecha. Robotnik shook his head.
"No, I don't. I want you to follow him. Make sure he deals with them the right way the next time he sees them. If he does, then report back to me. If he doesn't, then you may do with him as you see fit," said Robotnik. Mecha smiled, happy to accept the assignment. He didn't trust the echidna as far as he could throw him. He turned towards the exit and flew off, the blue glow of his engine trailing.
**********
I appeared in Hidden Palace, where the Master Emerald lied. I walked up to the pedestal it sat on and look up at it. It was enormous and weighed almost a ton. I sighed as I looked at the seven other pedestals in the palace. These had once been the spots where the Super Emeralds had rested. But they had been hidden around the same time as the palace, and no one since then had ever seen them.
I returned my gaze to the Master Emerald. I walked up and placed my right hand on it. I then sent a command to it to take the island to the Ice Cap mountain range just by thinking about the place. I felt the island jerk slightly as it started heading south towards the equator. I then walked back a few feet and took the miniature out, rubbed my palm over the top of it, then threw it to the ground. Once again, the ring appeared. I had set this one to appear in the vicinity of Marble Garden, then leaped into it.
When the blinding light faded, I was standing in the middle of the ruins of an old city that had once been the center of life for my ancestors. The Marble Garden, I thought to myself. Every time I visited here, I was blown back by the history the ruins told. But no time to gaze this time. I started running towards where I was sure the emergency drainage pipe exited. I didn't know it at the time, but about 200 yards behind me was Metal Sonic, keeping tabs on me just like Doc had ordered. He then started following me, as he had been instructed to.
END OF CHAPTER 2