Chapter 2 – The Return
Tails slid down the side of the Whirlwind. He had just adjusted the stabiliser fins mounted on the top of the craft. He picked up a rag and wiped the dirt off his brow. He had spent the morning polishing his racer in preparation for the race later in the day. He had finally gotten the Whirlwind working properly last night and was very excited about this next race. It was the last race of the season but he wasn't worried about the championship. He had already gained enough point to just miss this race out and still win but he wanted to enter this one. It was the only race he hadn't won since he started racing three years ago.
He slowly closed his eyes and concentrated.
"This time I'll win it." he said opening his eyes, "I got a little surprise for them all."
He turned away from the Whirlwind and headed for the shower.
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"Stupid fish!" complained Knuckles again.
Sonic shook his head. Knuckles had managed to get himself pulled into the lake again. He just couldn't reel fish in. They were now walking back towards Mobotropolis. Sonic could have taken the royal shuttle but he had never liked it. Besides he preferred to have some time alone with his friend, away from all the "yes your royalness" stuff.
"So Sonic. Are you going to the grav race this afternoon?" Knuckles asked.
Sonic thought for a moment.
"I don't know Knux. I've never really been interested in it. I follow it. Nearly everyone does but…"
"I know. It's not exactly my thing either. But I promised Espio I'd watch it and give him a full report. Want to keep me company?"
"Hmm, why not. I got nothing else to do."
"Come on then."
The pair turned and headed for the grav circuit on the north side of Mobotropolis.
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"Ok let it go." said Tails.
There was a clunk and the Whirlwind dropped out of the clamps holding it to the transport. It fell a few feet until it reached a high its gravity pads could hold it and it stopped. Tails ran his hand along its hull. Smooth as silk, he was proud of that. The transport rose into the air and flew off as Tails looked around. Around him other competitors were getting ready for the race. A total of fifteen racers had shown up for the final race. There should have been sixteen but Eldin was in hospital after an incident a few races ago. Tails was worried about him, Eldin was probably his best friend on the circuit.
"Ha!" came a smug laugh from behind him.
Tails turned to see Max standing there.
"I'm surprise you got her running again. I gave that thing quite a dint!" laughed Max.
Tails clenched his fists.
"Shutup Max!" he said angrily.
Max stepped forwards and ran his hand across the Whirlwinds hull. Tails glared at him. He hated people touching his craft, especially Max. Max had stared racing at the same time as Tails and the competition between them had been intense. Tails had done better and Max hated him for it. Max was always trying to beat Tails, even if it meant resorting to dirty tactics like the last race.
"Get off." said Tails.
"What? Afraid I'll scratch her?" said Max and ran a claw down the side of the Whirlwinds hull, making a large scratch.
Tails was ready to leap at Max when the tanoy system went off.
"This is race control to all drivers. Take your positions."
"Good luck bud." said Max sarcastically, "I'll be sure to let you know how it feels to win this race."
With that Max walked off. Tails shrugged him off, better not to dwell on it. He climbed into the Whirlwinds cockpit and started to activate the controls.
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Sonic and Knuckles arrived at the track a little late. The guards at the gate were taken aback at Sonic's appearance.
"Ah your highness! We…..we weren't expecting you!" stammered a guard.
"It's ok. I wasn't expecting myself either but…." Sonic shook his head.
"Right your highness. This way please." said the guard.
Sonic and Knuckles followed the guard. They went along a small corridor and then up some stairs. They finally emerged in a small booth set high in the grandstand. Below them the main grandstand stretched down steeply to the main straight of the track at the bottom. Sonic scanned the area. The track went off for a fair distance in both directions. To the east it disappeared into a forest and in the west it curved steeply to the south.
"Be sure to call on us if you nee anything your highness." said the guard as he saluted and walked off.
Sonic and Knuckles sat down.
"Pretty good seats, eh Sonic?" smiled Knuckles.
"Yeah. If I had known that they had made a royal box here I might have been tempted to come in the past. Oh well."
They both looked down at the track. The competitors were lining up now. The tanoy system came alive again.
"Hello and welcome to the final race of the season."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Today's race will finally decide who will be second in the championship behind that twin tailed fox we all love."
The crowd cheered again. Sonic looked down at the track. A figure was waving to them, it was Tails.
"The race today will be a five lap circuit of this twenty six mile course. If your looking for a racers to watch then check out Max Yaris in the Flash and Trevor Bolger in the Naginata. They have both won this race in the past and have been going well this season too. Also watch out for Miles……"
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"…..Prower, he has never won here before but is looking good this year."
Tails groaned as he heard his real name. He preferred being called Tails. He had never liked the name Miles. He climbed into the Whirlwind and strapped himself in. He took his racing helmet from beside him and put it on. He closed the cockpit lid and looked down at the control panel. He flicked a control and it lit up. He glanced over the displays, engines charged and ready, cooling systems operational, gravity pads steady, everything ready. He applied the gravity brakes effectively holding the ship completely still and raised the engine output. The engine roars and then descended into a steady hum as it approached full power. Tails throttled off and slowly released the brake. The Whirlwind slowly moved forwards a bit and Tails lined her up for the start of the race.
"Good luck pal." said a voice over the radio.
Tails glared at the radio.
"Get off this channel Max."
Max's racer pulled up along side his. Tails glanced over at it and Max gave him a smile. Max used the Swallow design of racer. His craft had a set of large wings sticking out of the side of it and the rear tail fins were horizontal instead of vertical like his. He turned back to the track, the pre race sequence had just started. Tails applied the gravity brake again and started to rev the engine.
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"And we are almost ready to start." said the tanoy.
The crowd cheered again and Sonic and Knuckles leaned forwards to get a better look. The lights on the start grid had started to light up.
"Two lights. Three lights. And………….go!" cried the tanoy as the three red lights turned green.
The racers shot from the starting grid, the Swallows taking an early lead down the main straight. Sonic watched as the racers disappeared round the first corner. This was actually very good.
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"Sir. We are ready to proceed."
"Excellent. Excellent."
"We have located a power source big enough for portal activation."
"Good. Activate all ship systems. Start the portal activation sequence."
"Yes sir."
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Tails activated his port side airbrake making the Whirlwind turn sharply into the fourth corner. The craft banked heavily as he steered it through the gap between the second place runner, who was a Swallow, and the apex of the corner. Tails cheered in his head, that was second place. Now all he needed to do was catch Max. He had led from lap two and was well out in front. He opened the throttle right up and shot forwards into the back straight. The racer he had just passed skimmed past him on the straight, that was the problem. He could pass people easily on the corners but this track had lots of long straights that made having a Swallow design advantageous. Tails skated his finger along the control panel and stopped it on a red button. He didn't take his eye off the track as he removed the cover. Wait until the main straight he thought to himself. He manoeuvred the Whirlwind through the last few corners and onto the main straight. Without another second hesitation he pressed the button.
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In the stands, Sonic watched as Tails racer came onto the straight in third place.
"He's doing well." he said to Knuckles.
"He is…but don't you think he's going a bit slow?"
Sonic looked, Knuckles was right. Tails's racer was going slower. He watched it carefully and suddenly something happened. There was a loud clunk and two panels opened on the side of Tails's racer. Out of these openings a large structure folded out and opened up into a wing like structure. Also the vertical tail fins folded down into a horizontal position. Sonic couldn't believe it. Tails racer had just transformed into a Swallow. He didn't have time to think about it though as the engines started again and the Whirlwind shot forwards at a massive speed.
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Tails couldn't believe how fast he was going. He never realised the Swallow design was so fast. He barely made it round the first corner. He caught up to Max on the back straight.
"Hey bud." he said into the radio.
"What the? Tails?!" came a surprised response.
"Surprised? Good." said Tails as he shot past him.
Max growled over the radio and drew level with Tails. They followed each other round the next few corners side by side.
"Hey Max! I'm going to win today." said Tails firmly as they came into the final straight.
"We'll see about that!" said Max as he rocked his craft bringing his left wing down on Tails right.
The right wing of Tails's racer cracked and was ripped from the craft. The Whirlwind shook and dials went red inside. Tails activated the airbrakes to try and slow the craft down but at the speed he was going they were simply ripped from the hull. This caused the ship to lurch violently to one side, scraping an engine along the ground and causing it to explode. The explosion launched Tails forwards and he hit his head on the console in front of him.
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Sonic launched himself to his feet as he saw one of Tails engines explode. The crowd was also on its feet as his racer soared down the straight completely out of control.
"Oh god!" said Knuckles.
Sonic was in shock, he knew grav racing was violent but he had never heard of anything like this.
"I gotta do something." he said suddenly.
Knuckles watched in awe as he removed his purple cloak and leaped from the box. He flew over the crowd and landed with a thud in the middle of the track. The crowd gasped. Sonic got to his feet and starred after Tails's racer. He blinked slowly and then shot forwards, almost instantly breaking the sound barrier. Within a few seconds he had caught up with the Whirlwind. He jumped, launching himself onto the hull and quickly found a couple of handgrips to avoid being thrown off. The Whirlwind rocked a bit as he crawled along the hull towards the cockpit. When he got there he noticed a small yellow and black handle marked "emergency release". He quickly pulled it and the glass cockpit released and flew from the craft. Sonic starred into the cockpit. Inside Tails was strapped to the seat but his head was limp on his shoulders. There was a bit of smoke coming from the console too. Sonic reached inside the cockpit and tried to release the harness. He looked up and saw that the straight was almost finished.
"Come on you stupid thing!" he growled as the harness finally released.
Sonic grabbed a hold of Tails in one hand and pulled him out of the seat. He looked up again and screamed as he saw the edge of the track not a hundred meters away. He grabbed Tails roughly and leaped from the craft, landing with a hard thud on the ground. Sonic spun to see the Whirlwind crashing into the side of the track and exploding in a giant fireball.
"ARGH!" he cried and flattened himself to ground and debris from the explosion flew everywhere.
He finally got up and looked at Tails. He had a small cut on his head, obviously from when he hit head and was still unconscious. He removed Tails' helmet and shook him gently. Slowly Tails came round.
"Wha? What the?" he said rather groggily.
"Tails you're ok. That's great!" cried Sonic.
Tails cleared his eyes and looked at Sonic.
"Sonic? What you doing here?"
"I'll tell you as we walk back. Come on."
He helped Tails to his feet and they both started to slowly walk back down the track.
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"All gateway systems ready sir."
"Excellent. Start the procedure."
"Aye sir."
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Espio walked slowly into the palace. He couldn't believe how bored he was. He sighed as he approached the alter and sat down. Just then there was a fizzling sound. Espio slowly turned and was shocked at what he saw. The Master Emerald was floating in the air and was emitting sparks of energy. Espio was completely stunned, this had never happened before. Just then the Master Emerald gave a final fizz and then shot a beam of energy down the corridor and out of the palace. Espio turned and ran after it, wondering what was going on. He raced out into the sun and was shocked at the scene. The energy burst from the Emerald was now spinning around in a small circular path a few hundred feet above the island. Espio watched as it spun faster and then suddenly stopped and collapsed inwards creating a small black circle in the sky. Nothing happened for a few seconds and then a small object flew out of the circle. It hovered for a moment and then came down and landed a few meters away. A hatch opened in the side and a couple of figures came out. Espio watched as they looked around for a second and then stood aside to reveal a third. Espio studied him carefully. He was a grey fox probably a little bigger than Sonic. He had red streaks in his tail and head fur and wore a purple cape with a golden edge, green boots and a small yellow amulet. He also had a rather large sword mounted on a belt around his waist.
Espio watched as he gave a few orders to the other two figures and then quickly made his way back into the palace as they approached him. He ran down the corridors using his invisibility to avoid being seen. He reached the altar room and stuck himself to the ceiling.
A few minutes later the three figures entered the room.
"Hmm….I see that is power source we located." said the fox.
"Yes sir." said one of the other figures.
"Very good. Take it. We will need it later."
One of the other figures approached the Master Emerald only to be knocked back against the far wall by and invisible force.
"I don't think so." said Espio, becoming visible and dropping from the ceiling landing in front of them.
He put his fist up and glared at the three people in front of him. The fox looked at him and raised one eyebrow.
"And you are?" he said coldly.
"None of your business!" growled Espio, "Get of this island. Now!"
"I don't think so." said the fox.
"Oh but I do." replied Espio.
Typical thought Espio. The only time something happens is when Knuckles is away.
"Who are YOU!" demanded Espio.
"Who am I?" said the fox, brushing back his head fur, "I am Sarath. Once great ruler of all Mobius."
"Never heard of you." said Espio in the most insulting tone of voice he could.
The fox growled and slid his right hand onto his sword handle.
"Stop right there." said Espio his eyes narrowing.
The fox stopped and looked at Espio.
"And your going to stop me?" he asked suddenly drawing his sword, "Lets see it."
Espio shot his tongue out and sent Sarath's sword hurtling across the room.
"I said get off this island." threatened Espio.
Sarath looked away from Espio at his sword lying across the room and then back to Espio.
"And I said I don't think so."
Espio launched his tongue out again and sent Sarath and his other guard flying across the room to join the first guard. Sarath got up and dusted himself off. He glared at Espio.
"You will pay for that!" he cried and his amulet started to glow.
Espio was puzzled by this but had little time to react as a beam of light shot from the amulet and struck him. He felt his mind changing. Sarath walked up to him and the light faded. Espio stood there looking rather dazed. Sarath put his arm around his shoulder.
"Now about us leaving?"
"No need sir." said Espio.
"Good. Very good. And now I think we need to have a little talk."
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Sonic and Tails finally made it back to the main grandstand after a good half an hour walk. All the racers were gathered on the main straight along with a few officials and Knuckles. The crowd cheered as Sonic and Tails appeared. Knuckles came to greet them.
"Woah that was scary Sonic." he said, "You nearly got torched."
"Yeah but we didn't." replied Sonic.
"TAILS!" came a cry.
Tails winced, it was Amy. Tails watched as she came charging through the crowd and ran up to him. She grabbed him and gave him a big hug and a kiss.
"Tails are you alright?" she asked nervously.
"I'm fine Amy." replied Tails, "Nothing a hot bath and a good sleep won't cure."
"Erm Tails?" said another voice.
Tails's eyes filled with anger at the voice. He spun to see Max standing there looking a bit nervous.
"I'm……er…..I'm sorry." he said.
"YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!!!" screamed Tails, "You stupid hare!"
Max closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"I'm sorry Tails. I really am."
"You're sorry?! YOU'RE SORRY?! You rammed your racer into mine!"
"I….I…….I….." stammered Max before breaking down, "I didn't mean to do that Tails. I'm sorry."
Tails felt himself soften slightly. Maybe he meant it. He went over to Max and put an arm on his shoulder.
"You mean it?" he asked gently.
"Yes." said Max sincerely.
Tails was amazed. Max was actually sincere about this. He smiled, Max noticed and smiled too.
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"I see." said Sarath slowly, "So this Sonic is now king eh?"
"Yes sir." said Espio.
"Hmm….I think I should meet him. Espio if you will."
"Yes sir."
Espio left the palace and Sarath turned back to the Master Emerald.
"Now my little pretty, let's have a good look at you."
"So Tails. You back off to Little Planet?" asked Sonic as he, Tails, Knuckles and Amy entered the Royal Gardens.
"Yeah. I have to start work on a new racer for next year. Max has promised to help though."
"You two seemed to be getting on better since the race." said Sonic.
"Mmm. Yeah we are. I think Max finally realised how dangerous he was becoming."
"Well I'll see you soon Tails." said Sonic.
"Yeah see you Sonic."
With that Tails and Amy turned and headed out of the gardens holding hands. Knuckles turned to Sonic.
"So what now?" he asked.
"I don't know. I need a rest though."
"Yeah, I bet."
"Sonic." said a voice.
Sonic turned around to see Sally and his uncle walking towards them.
"Hey there Sal." said Sonic.
"Sonic. I heard what you did at the race today. It was reckless, irresponsible and……..totally you." smiled Sally as she kissed him on the cheek.
His uncle smiled, "You never change do you Soni-boy?"
"That's a big no there unc."
"Dad." came a small voice.
"Hey there Miles." said Sonic as he saw his son running up to him.
He knelt down and hugged him as he came up.
"Did you really do it? I mean did you really do your big running thing?" said his son excitedly.
"Sure did Miles."
"Wow. I wish I had been there."
Sonic smiled.
"Never mind. Maybe next time."
His son beamed at him and then ran off. Sonic stood up.
"Hey Sal, where is Alicia today? I haven't seen her."
"Oh she's been playing in the southern field all morning." replied Sally.
"On her own?!"
"Don't worry Sonic, Bunnie is with her."
"Oh! Oh well, that's ok then."
The four of them turned and headed back towards the palace.
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Tails and Amy had arrived back at Little Planet a little over a few hours ago but Amy could already tell something was wrong. She had visited the Time Stone shrine when they had returned to check on them and they had been giving off a strange purple light. She had touched them like she always did but they felt cold to the touch. She was worried. Were the Time Stone destabilising again? Ever since she had restored the Time Stone, Little Planet had not disappeared again and it had remained steady for just under five years. If the stones were destabilising again then Little Planet could disappear. She didn't want that. A lot of people now lived on Little Planet including her parents who lived a few miles away.
Tails had spent all the time since they had come back drawing up numerous plans for his new racer and didn't know what Amy had discovered. She didn't want to worry him so she just left it alone. She hoped everything would be alright.
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Sonic looked out of the palace at the scene below. Mobotropolis had lit up in all its beauty and the moon was out. Miles and Alicia were already in bed and Sally was in there room getting ready. Sonic turned away from the window and walked down the corridor to there room. Inside Sally had changed into her nightgown. She smiled as he came in.
"Hi Sonic."
"Hi Sal. Boy what a day."
"I'll say. It was lucky you were at the circuit."
"Yeah I know. I've been thinking about that all day. If I hadn't been there Tails would probably be dead."
Sally shuddered.
"I don't like to think about it Sonic."
"Neither do I. Lets just get some sleep."
"Hmm"
Sonic took off his cape and hung it on a peg. He walked over to the bed and got in. Sally joined him.
"Night Sonic."
"Night Sal."
Sonic waved his hand over a switch and the lights dimmed and went out.
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Espio entered Mobotropolis at a slow walk. He had spent the whole day crossing country to get here. He felt unusually strong, like he could keep going all day. He slipped into a back street and became invisible. He stepped out of the street and headed out into the central plaza of Mobotropolis.
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Sonic woke with a start sweating. He had been dreaming of the events of today and what would have happened if he hadn't been there. He closed his eyes for a second and saw the scene again. Tails' racer speeding down the straight and exploding at the end with him still in it. His eyes shot open. He needed to take a walk to calm down. He got out of the bed softly as so not to wake Sally. He slipped on his shoes and cape and walked out into the empty corridor.
He walked along lost in thought until he came to an open balcony. He stopped and walked out onto it. Below Mobotropolis was still shining away and the stars had come out. He stood and watched for a few minutes and then turned away to walk on. As he turned something hit him in the back of the head knocking him against the wall. He slumped to the floor. There was a shimmer and Espio appeared.
"Excellent. Now to get back to Sarath."
He picked up Sonic's body and jumped out of the window.
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"Sonic? Sonic?!" said Knuckles impatiently as he banged on the door to Sonic bedroom.
After a few seconds Sally opened the door looking rather sleepy.
"What is it Knuckles?" she said with a yawn.
"Is Sonic in there? We were supposed to meet ten minutes ago."
"No……..he's….I thought he was with you?" said Sally surprised.
"No." said Knuckles rather shocked.
"I'll alert the palace." said Sally, "He never disappears like this. I wonder where he is."
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Sonic groaned. His head felt like it had been smashed off a wall. Well it had, he thought to himself. He slowly blinked and pushed himself up onto his knees. He looked around. He was in the altar room of the Floating Island.
"What the?" he said to himself.
"I see you've decided to wake up." said a familiar voice, "Good. Sarath will be pleased."
Sonic turned to see Espio standing there looking at him.
"Hey Espio, what's going on? And who is this Sarath you mentioned?"
"Quiet!" snarled Espio.
Sonic was a bit taken aback by this.
"Espio?!"
"I said quiet!"
Espio turned and walked off. Sonic stood up and looked around. Yes it was definitely the altar room. Just then Espio returned with someone following him. Sonic looked at the new person, a grey fox. Sonic raised an eyebrow.
"You are Sarath, I take it." he said.
"Yes I am." said the fox, "Hello your highness."
Sonic watched the fox as he did a half bow.
"So. What do you want?"
"Quite simple. I want Mobius back."
"What?"
"I want Mobius back."
"Back? Who do you think you are?" said Sonic starting to get annoyed.
"I am Sarath. Lord of House Crescent and rightful ruler of all Mobius. And you will give it to me!" replied Sarath narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah right!" said Sonic leaping backwards a few feet and clenching his fists.
"Yes you will give it to me." said Sarath.
Suddenly his amulet glowed again and another beam of light shot out of it. Sonic screamed and dived to the side landing on his feet behind an altar holding a Chaos Emerald.
"It is useless to resist……Sonic." said the fox.
Sonic was stunned. How did he know his name? Then he remembered. Espio was helping him. He must have told him everything.
"That damned chameleon!" he said to himself as he spun and leapt out from behind the altar. Sarath was ready though and seconds later Sonic was hit by the beam. Sonic swooned and then felt himself go light and then his sense returned. He blinked and then looked at Sarath.
"Good. Now we will discuss the defence systems this little palace of your has." said Sarath with a smirk.
"Of course my lord." replied Sonic and started to talk.
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"Ok then Knuckles, see you in a day or so." said Sally as she and Knuckles walked out of the palace.
The whole palace had been searched with no sign of Sonic. They had now expanded there search to all of Mobotropolis and the surrounding area. Tails and Amy had been told and Tails was flying in in the Tornado 2. Knuckles was heading back to the Floating Island to get Espio.
"Yeah. I'll be back as soon as I get Espio. We may need his help in the search. I'll be as quick as I can."
"Ok take care. And hurry back."
"Will do."
With that Knuckles leapt into the air and glided off. Sally looked down at the floor. She hoped he was alright.
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Knuckles landed in front of the Hidden Palace on the Floating Island. Things were quiet. Too quiet.
"Espio." called Knuckles, "Hey Espio buddy, where are you?"
There was no reply. Knuckles walked slowly into the palace. Everything seemed normal. He entered the altar room and saw the Master and Chaos Emerald still in there place. He couldn't work out where Espio was.
"Hey Knuckles." said a voice.
Knuckles turned to see Espio appear out of thin air.
"Hey bud. We got trouble." said Knuckles.
"I know."
"What? You know? How?"
"Well you see we caused it."
Just then there was a sound behind Knuckles. He spun to see Sonic and a strange fox standing there.
"Hello Knuckles." said Sonic.
"Sonic. Woah! What you doing here? We were worried about you."
"Oh how touching." said the fox.
"And who are you?" said Knuckles.
"Oh well. Introductions again I see. I am Sarath, soon to be ruler of Mobius again."
"What?" said Knuckles, "Sonic what is going on?!"
"You will find out soon enough Echidna!" said Sonic coldly.
Knuckles was shocked. What was happening here?
"And now echidna, you will join us." said Sarath.
His amulet glowed again and Knuckles screamed as a beam of energy shot from it. He closed his eyes and waited for it to hit but it never did. He opened his eyes to see a large green glow surrounding him. He stared around to see the Master Emerald was producing it. The energy from Sarath's amulet had been deflected off the shield.
"What is this?!" cried Sarath.
"Ha! You don't know who I am. I am the Guardian of the Emeralds." said Knuckles.
Sarath growled. Knuckles launched himself forwards and hit him in the chest knocking him backwards and into a wall.
"Come on!" he cried to Sonic and Espio as he landed.
They didn't move.
"Come on!"
"You will pay for that Echidna." replied Sonic as he launched himself at Knuckles.
Knuckles dived to the side as dodged Sonics attack.
"What are you doing Sonic?!" he cried.
"You will not get out of here alive." replied Sonic and attacked again.
Knuckles dodged to the side but caught a glancing blow knocking him over. Espio leapt in and struck Knuckles in the side. Knuckles screamed and swung his legs around and knocking Espio's feet out from under him. As Espio fell Knuckles got up, only to be hit by a whirling mass of blue quills that was Sonic. The attack hit him hard and sent him flying down the corridor that led back outside. Knuckles got up limply, blood oozing slowly from several cuts. He looked up to see Sonic and Espio advancing on him. He knew he couldn't take both of them. He turned and fled, Sonic and Espio in pursuit.
He reached the outside and was just about to leap into the air when Sonic hit him again from behind. He flew forwards and hit a tree making him go dizzy for a moment. That was all they needed. Sonic launched another spin attack, knocking him towards Espio who used his tongue to swipe Knuckles into another tree. Knuckles fell to the ground bleeding heavily. Sonic walked up to him and glared at him.
"Sonic? Why……..why are you doing this?" said Knuckles weakly.
"Feeble Echidna! You do not know the past." replied Sonic, "Sarath is the one master of Mobius. Pity you will not live to see it."
With that Sonic and Espio left and Knuckles was left on his own. His head swan from the pain. He had to warn the others. He dug his claw into a nearby tree and managed to hoist himself slowly to his feet. Sonic and Espio underestimated his strength. He took a step and fell to the floor in pain.
After much struggle he finally made it to the edge of the island. He took a minute to gather his strength and dove off the island. He fell for quite a way before he managed to get enough lift in order to glide. He turned towards Mobotropolis.
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Sonic and Espio walked back into the Palace. Sarath had gotten to his feet now and was waiting for them.
"Did you dispose of him?" he asked.
"Yes my lord. He may try to leave but he will not survive the attempt." replied Sonic.
"Excellent." smiled Sarath, "Now onto the next stage of my plan."