Chapter 4 – Restoration
In the palace vault, Espio watched in awe as the Master Emerald emitted a bright light and started to glow green again.
"But….but…but……" stammered Espio as the emerald sunk back down onto its stand, "This can't be. It…the…….what…..the Master Emerald is RESTORED?!"
Just then a bright white flash filled the room. Espio covered his eyes against the light. When he opened them Knuckles was standing in the middle of the room holding Sonic.
"OH MY GOD!" cried Espio as he ran over, "Are you ok? What happened to Sonic? What going on here?!"
Knuckles only looked at him and then around the room.
"What the? How'd I get here?" he said before he saw the Master Emerald, "THE MASTER!"
He slowly put Sonic down on the floor and ran to the Master Emerald. He brushed his hand over it before spinning back to Espio.
"What is going on?" he said.
"That's what I want to know. It started about fifteen minutes ago, one minute everything was normal and then the Chaos Emeralds all became very active and each shot a ray of energy at the Master Emerald. It started glowing and then BOOM it was back!"
"That's incredible. That just about the same time Sarath…"
"SARATH?! What?! You mean he's back?!"
Knuckles looked at Espio.
"Yes…..well I think so. It's weird. But first we must take care of Sonic."
"Right."
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Sarath watched as a small gauge on the console in front of him reached its peak.
"Excellent." he said to himself and turned around.
In the room the five capsules containing Tails, Amy, Sally, Alicia and Miles were all lit up. A soft yellow glow filled each capsule and a steady stream of bubbles rose from the base of each one. A small set of electrodes had been lowered from the top of each tank.
Sarath turned back to the console and pressed a few controls. He stepped away from the console and walked over to a small grid on the floor. He stood on it and another set of electrodes lowered from the ceiling. Just then the tank that Tails was in glowed even brighter. The electrodes at the top of the tank let out a blue glow and suddenly Tails' limp body went stiff. A small orb of light emerged from him and was absorbed by the electrodes. The capsule stopped glowing and Tails' body went limp again. There was a few seconds of silence and then the electrodes above Sarath glowed blue and an orb of light was emitted by them. It sunk down and into Sarath's body. Sarath shuddered and grimaced slightly as it did. After a few seconds he blinked. He looked at his hands and smiled. It had worked. The transfer systems had worked. He was impressed the equipment on this station worked so well after so long. He stepped off the grid and the electrodes above him rose again. He would deal with the rest later.
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Knuckles slowly walked away from Sonic's bedside. The palace had been totally shocked when they had shown them Sonic. He was currently in bed resting. Knuckles was surprised at how well Sonic's body coped with illness or injury. He was already showing signs of coming round. Knuckles was relieved. He had been worried Sarath had done something to him but it looked like he would be ok. He was still worried about the others though. They were still on that space station in tubes. Knuckles left the room to be met by Espio.
"How is he?" asked Espio.
"He's going to be ok. It's remarkable how well he recovers from things."
"I know. Like the time he nearly died…..correction he did die and Amy brought him back. He was walking a few days later."
"He sure is strong. The doc says he will be fine in a few days. Anything else happen to the Master Emerald?"
"No. It's still just sitting there. The Chaos Emeralds are back to normal. With the Master Emerald back they can't use there full strength any more."
"I still can't believe that Master Emerald is back. How did it happen?"
"Well going by what you said happened up on that space station maybe something triggered it."
"Maybe. I'll have to find out later though. What is more important right now is rescuing the rest of them."
"You're right. We can't let Sarath get away with this."
"We sure can't. We have to….."
Just then a guard came running up to them. He stood there panting for a moment before he spoke.
"Guardian, the Master Emerald is acting strangely again."
"What?! Show me!" cried Knuckles.
The guard turned and ran down the corridor followed by Knuckles and Espio.
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A small orb of light rose from Amy and was absorbed by another set of electrodes. A moment later it was absorbed by Sarath. He slowly looked at the three tanks he was done with. The tanks that Tails, Sally and Amy were in no longer glowed. Sarath then turned to look at the tanks containing Miles and Alicia.
"Now I only have you two to deal with." he said.
"It should be quite tasty." said a voice.
"I wouldn't know." replied Sarath.
Sarath blinked and the process started again.
"Soon…..very soon indeed." murmured Sarath.
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Knuckles tore into the Emerald room in the palace. He was gob smacked at the sight. The Master Emerald was floating in the air and glowing bright green again. Knuckles was about to approach it when the Master Emerald's glow changed colour to blue for a second and shot a huge stream of energy into the air. It blasted straight through the ceiling and arced off into the air. Knuckles spun to the guard.
"Get down to the tracking room and finds out where that stream is heading!"
The guard nodded quickly and ran off Espio stepped forwards.
"If you ask me it looks like that stream is heading west." he said.
"I know." said Knuckles looking at the stream, "I wonder…."
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Far out over the western ocean a large purple circle spun in the air. It was the portal Sarath had opened many years before. The sky started to cloud over and the light dimmed. Suddenly there was a flash and a large stream of green energy shot out of the clouds and hit the portal. The portal shook and started to crackle. The stream of energy continued and then the portal gave a lurch and shrunk in size. A small amount of dust floated away from the portal. The portal shrunk again. It was now only about half its original size. Another burst of dust floated away. The dust started to gather together forming a large ball. The stream continued and soon the portal gave a final burst and disappeared. The last of the dust joined the rest and it started to shrink and mesh together. The stream changed its course and hit the dust cloud. The cloud sparked. The stream started to slow and eventually stopped.
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Knuckles ripped a small printout out of the guards hand and stared at it. Moment later he looked up.
"I have to go!" he said quickly and started to walk out.
"Go?! Go where?" cried Espio, "We have major trouble here and your going somewhere?!"
"I have to." said Knuckles turning round, "I can't explain why I just have to. I will be back shortly. I have to check on something."
Knuckles turned round again, took a deep breath and walked out of the room. Espio picked up the printout Knuckles had dropped.
"I was afraid of this. I hope he hurries back."
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Sarath absorbed the final orb of light and Alicia's tank went dim again. Sarath looked at the five tanks.
"It was all too easy you know. I would have expected more of a challenge from you. Then again we never always get what we want."
Sarath turned away and walked over to a console. He checked a few monitors and then spoke.
"How long is it to full charge?" he said.
"Full charge will be reached in approximately 22 hours." came the computers reply.
"You are doing well." said a third voice.
"Thank you." said Sarath.
"Now we must deal with that echidna and hedgehog."
"Yes. We must…..what's this?"
Sarath looked at the monitor.
"Interesting…….so the Master Emerald has reformed itself. Those power signatures are unmistakeable. And……what is this?!"
Sarath pressed a few controls and then raised an eyebrow.
"This was unexpected. Nevertheless it is no problem. The cannon will sort it."
Sarath walked over to a window and looked out at a section of the station. Mounted on one side of the station was a large cylindrical object. Several solar panels where folded around it and on the tip a number of small antenna stuck out. Sarath smiled and turned away.
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Espio walked into Sonic's bedroom. One of the nurses was there checking on things.
"How is he?" asked Espio.
The nurse stood up and looked at him.
"He is coming round. Still a bit exhausted but he is fine."
"That's great news. Is he well enough to talk to?"
"He should be."
"Excellent. Thanks…….Angela isn't it?"
"Why yes it is."
"I make a point of remembering names. Well thanks again for your help."
"You're welcome Espio."
With that Angela left the room and Espio walked over to Sonic. He sat down on a chair and looked at him.
"Sonic? Hey Sonic?"
Sonic stirred slightly and slowly opened his eyes slightly. His vision was a bit blurred but he eventually focussed on Espio.
"Espio?" he said.
Suddenly the memories of what had happened came back to him and he stiffened.
"What's going on?!" he cried.
Espio almost fell off his chair.
"It's ok Sonic. You're safe now. You're in the royal palace." said Espio, quickly grabbing Sonic's shoulders and holding him down.
Eventually Sonic settled. He looked around him slowly and then back at Espio.
"What happened? Where is Alicia and Miles?!"
Espio sighed and dropped his gaze. Sonic's heart filled with dread.
"No. No they can't be! Tell me there not!"
"We…..we……don't know."
"What happened?"
Espio slowly explained what had happened since he left and what Knuckles had told him. After he was finished Sonic lay back and starred at the ceiling.
"Sarath? I don't understand it. How?" he asked.
"I'm as confused as you Sonic. All we know is he's back and he has the rest."
"Where's Knuckles?"
"He went off to check on that stream of energy the Master Emerald put out."
"Yeah you said didn't you. I hope he hurries back. We'll need all the help we can get to bring Sarath down again."
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Knuckles glided out over the ocean. A number of thoughts where running through his mind. How had the Master Emerald reformed? Was that stream what he thought it was? Had the tracking station been right? He blinked and spread his dreadlocks out a little bit more gaining extra lift. He rose upwards and out of the clouds. He was now very near to where the Floating Island used to be. Just then the clouds broke beneath him and he became puzzled.
"Where is it? Where is the portal?!" he said to himself.
He looked around and then dropped his gaze. It wasn't here. Just then something caught his eye. A small brown dot on the ocean below. He dropped a bit to get a better view. His eyes widened.
"What the?! It's not…..but it is! The Floating Island!"
He went into a steep dive and was soon flying over the Island. Knuckles couldn't believe it.
"Am I dreaming?" he said to himself as he suddenly stopped gliding and dropped the twenty feet to the ground.
He landed with a thud and cringed.
"Nope I'm not dreaming. How is this possible? Wait…….that energy stream from the Master Emerald. Did it reverse the procedure?"
Knuckles walked along under the dappled shade of the forest. The problems of Sarath and his friends seemed to float away. He felt himself relax. He spent a few hours making his way around the island checking on everything. It was all as it had been the day the Island had been destroyed. He finally found himself standing at the top of the Ice Cap looking out over the whole island. He breathed deeply taking in the mountain air. He suddenly found himself feeling whole again. He felt as he should, as the guardian of this island should feel. He scanned the whole island and then stopped. On the edge of the island near the Angel Island zone there was a section of jungle missing. Knuckles couldn't see too well from up on the mountain so he decided to take a closer look. He leapt off and glided over. As he got closer he saw what it was. It was a city.
"A city?! But how? There was no city here before except…….Echidnapolis! Could it be?!"
He quickly landed just outside the town and walked towards it. On either side of the entrance was a large statue of an echidna. Knuckles shook his head. It was just like his childhood. He walked on past the statues and into the city. The buildings rose on either side of him and eventually he came to a plaza in the centre of the city. Knuckles stopped and turned completely around. This was just like a fairy story. It was then that he heard a noise. He quickly put his fists up and went into his fighting stance.
"Who's there?! I can hear you! Come on out!" he said loudly.
There was another sound behind him. Knuckles quickly spun. Someone was standing in the shadows near a building.
"Alright come on out! As guardian I order you to do so!"
"Knuckles?" said the figure as she emerged from the shadow.
"That voice……mother?!" said Knuckles astounded.
He lowered his fist and relaxed slightly as the women figure walked over to him.
"Knuckles is that you?" said the women again.
"M….mother?" Knuckles said again.
"Knuckles it is you!" cried the women and ran over to him.
She flung her arms around him before he could do anything about it. Knuckles broke free and backed off slightly.
"But how is this possible? You….everyone disappeared along with this city nearly twenty years ago!" he said.
His mother just looked at him.
"I know it hard to accept Knuckles. I still don't know how to explain it. That day you left the city. We ourselves still do not know what happened…."
"Wait. We?" said Knuckles.
"Yes of course. Everyone who was in the city is still here. Including your father."
Knuckles didn't know what to say. He walked a few feet to the side and sat down with his back against a wall. His mother looked at him with a bit of concern. Just then there was another voice.
"Natalie? Who is it?"
Knuckles looked up as another figure emerged from a house across the street. Knuckles was on his feet in an instance. Like the last voice he recognised this one too, his father.
"Oh Duo come quick!" yelled Natalie, "It's…..it's…..Knuckles."
"Knuckles?!" said Duo surprised as he hurried to Natalie's side.
Duo approached Knuckles and eyed his slowly. Finally he seemed to relax.
"Knuckles? Is it you?"
"Yes father. It's me."
His father shook his head.
"It has been too long."
"Virtually twenty years father."
"But what has happened here?"
His father indicated to the island which now sat on the ocean.
"How did the island fall?"
"It is a long story father." replied Knuckles dropping his gaze, "I'll explain."
Knuckles spent the next few hours telling his parents the events of the past. Robotnik's takeover and defeat, Snively's demise, the incidents with Metal Sonic and Sarath and the fall of the island. He then went on to explain the current events.
"….and now that toad has all my friends held captive on that space station!"
"Space station?" said Natalie slowly looking at Duo, "Do you think?"
Duo only sighed. Knuckles was puzzled
"Do you know about this father?"
"I'm afraid I do. The ancient civilisation this Sarath talked about. It was us."
Knuckles almost coked to death.
"What?! You mean our people made that station?!"
"I'm afraid so. Let me explain." said Duo, "In the far distant past our people where similar to Sarath. Only more so. We conquered land, killed and stole. It was a dark time in our history. After a time we became aware of the planetary alignments and the dark alignment you spoke of. We decided to harness its energy. We built the station using all of our knowledge and skill and then waited. The alignment came but something went wrong and our civilisation was almost wiped out. The last surviving members of our race used the Master Emerald to break this section of our land away from Mobius. You see the Master and Chaos Emeralds were created by our people in those times. They used the Chaos Emeralds to do there evil work. For at that time the Master Emerald had different properties. Instead of neutralising the emeralds it amplified their powers. After the accident with the station it changed. No-one to this date knows how it happened. But anyway, the survivors lived here on this island and swore to undo the mistakes of the past. We became peaceful and prospered for many centuries until this day."
"Wow I had no idea." said Knuckles.
"Not many of our people do." said Natalie, "After a while the survivors thought it was best not to tell there children about the past. Only the guardians know the secret now."
Knuckles sat there for a moment in thought. He suddenly jumped up.
"I have to get back to Mobotropolis!" he said quickly.
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"We are ready."
"Indeed." replied Sarath.
Sarath pressed a few controls and then looked out of the window. Outside the large cannon moved. It swung downwards slightly and the solar panels mounted along its length folded out. The end of the cannon glowed yellow.
"Soon." said Sarath, "Soon Mobotropolis will be ours."
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Espio supported Sonic as he walked down the corridor. Sonic had insisted that he was fine and that he had to help. Espio had decided that it was easier to agree than not too. Sonic stumbled slightly.
"You sure you're ok?" asked Espio.
"I'm fine. Just a bit wobbly that's all." replied Sonic slightly annoyed.
He had been asked that far too many times for his liking. He had felt better but that was not important. He had to save his family and friends. Sonic shrugged off Espio's grasp and walked slowly over to a window. The sun shone down on Mobotropolis as it usually did. Sonic looked up at the sky.
"I'll get you Sarath if it's the last thing I do."
"Hey don't worry Sonic. Knuckles will be back soon and then we'll figure out a plan."
Sonic turned away from the window.
"Yeah I suppose so Espio. I just feel so helpless."
"I know how you feel. And I wasn't even there."
Espio joined Sonic at the window. He looked up at the sky. Just then he saw a small flash.
"Hey did you see that?" he asked.
"See what?" said Sonic looking.
"That!" said Espio pointing as he saw the flash again.
Sonic looked as the flash grew and then shot downwards.
"Hit the deck!" yelled Espio grabbing Sonic and pulling him to the floor.
The flash became a large pulse and grew in size until it hit the outer edge of the city. It exploded creating a huge crater and levelling several buildings. It was quickly followed by another and then another. In the city panic had erupted and people were running everywhere in fear of there lives. Several more pulses collided with the city.
"We have to get out of here!" yelled Espio as the palace took a glancing blow making it shake.
"That bastard Sarath! It's him!" cried Sonic.
"It probably is but if we stay here we could be killed."
"You're right. We have to get out of the city. Grab on."
"Are you strong enough for this?"
"Never better now grab on."
Espio clamped both his hands down on Sonic's arm.
"It's juice time." said Sonic.
Sonic revved his feet and shot down the corridor. The palace took another glancing blow and shook again causing a large pillar to fall in front of them. Sonic managed to clear it but not by much. He sped down the corridor as fast as he could go.
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"That's enough I think." said Sarath pressing a few control.
Outside the space station the large cannon powered down and shut off.
"Don't want to destroy everything."
Sarath turned away from the console laughing.
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"MY GOD!" cried Knuckles.
He was gliding in towards Mobotropolis when he saw the first shots hit the city. He didn't know what to think but a name came to mind instantly.
"Sarath! Why that little cowardly toad!"
Knuckles closed his eyes and looked down. He opened his eyes and stared. Far below exiting the city at high speed was a small dust cloud.
"Hmm…I wonder."
He dropped his altitude and followed the dust trail. He couldn't keep up with it very well but eventually it stopped and he landed nearby. As he approached he saw he was right. Sonic stood, well half stood leaning against a tree with Espio looking worriedly at him. Knuckles was surprised to see Sonic out of bed. Espio saw him approaching.
"Knuckles!" he cried.
Sonic pricked up his ears and spun round.
"Knuckles! Where have you been?!" he cried.
"Long story tell you later." said Knuckles quickly, "What happened here?"
Espio explained what had happened.
"That……oh he is going to get it when I next see him!" said Knuckles clenching his fists.
"Yes but first we have to get out of here." aid Espio.
"Grab on. I know just the place." said Knuckles.
Sonic and Espio both grabbed an arm and Knuckles leaped into the air.
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Amongst the rubble in Mobotropolis a pair of ears finally emerged. A face appeared and looked around.
"Oh ma stars! What happened?!"
Bunnie stared at the scene. Half the city lay in ruins. The palace still stood but only just. The Royal Gardens had taken a couple of hits and were nothing more than a crater now. Bunnie dropped her head and shed a tear. She pulled herself forwards a bit and managed to drag herself from the rubble. She got to her feet and looked herself over. She had numerous cuts and grazes all over and she felt a bit dizzy from where a piece of ceiling had hit her head.
"What the hoha happened?" she said again with a slight sob.
She stood for a minute and looked up at the palace.
"Ah better go and check on Sonic and Sally."
She blinked heavily and set off towards the palace.
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Sarath walked into Mobotropolis with a broad smile. The cannon had worked beyond expectations. The city was in complete disarray. Building lay in ruins, bodies lay everywhere and the survivors were mostly still stuck in the rubble.
"You have done well."
"I could not have done it without you." replied Sarath.
"I'm glad to see you still remember who helped you. Now we must step up to phase three."
"Of course."
Sarath laughed as he walked on into the city.
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"YOU DID WHAT?!" cried Knuckles.
The three of them were standing on the western coastline. Knuckles had explained about what his parents had told him. The other two had been shocked but now it was Knuckles' turn.
"Knuckles. The city was being attacked, it slipped our minds!" cried Sonic.
"That's no excuse! The Master Emerald is the only way to restore the Floating Island. And for another thing the Chaos Emeralds are too dangerous in the wrong hands. Sarath is probably on his way to Mobotropolis now to over see his handy work. If he finds the emeralds……"
Knuckles trained off. Sonic and Espio both looked a little nervous at Knuckles' outburst. Knuckles shook his head. He knew that they knew what he had been going to say. He looked from one to the other.
"We have to go back. We have to get the emeralds before Sarath gets them."
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Bunnie walked into the palace nervously. There was nobody about. Not even a door guard. It made her edgy. She walked into the palace and into the throne room. There was no-one there either.
"Sonic? Sally? Anyone? Hello!" she called.
Her cried echoed around the room but there was no response, not even a whisper. This made her even more nervous. She decided to check around to see if anyone was around. After a few minutes she heard a voice. She was about to call out when she stopped herself. The voice seemed familiar but wrong. She heard it again and this time it clicked.
"But…..that's not possible…….oh ma stars! NO!" she said to herself as she hid herself behind a large pillar.
"Hmm……that is a shame. They are not here by the look of things. I would really have enjoyed having some fun with that hedgehog and echidna. Oh well we don't always get what we want."
Bunnie watched as Sarath walked past and out of sight. She didn't know what to think. From what Sarath had said she could tell that Sonic and Knuckles had made it out but what about the rest.
"Oh ma stars. Not sugah fox!" she said weeping, "No it can't be! There has to be another explanation."
Bunnie suddenly stopped talking to herself when she heard Sarath's voice again.
"Yes I feel it too. The emeralds are still here. It seems that that echidna "forgot" them. Oh well. Things are turning out very nice."
Bunnie waited until Sarath was gone before she moved again.
"Ah have to get those emeralds."
She leapt out from behind the pillar and ran down the corridor towards the emerald room.