Chapter 5 – Darkness Revealed
"We're nearly there." said Knuckles.
"I can see that." said Sonic, "I wonder if Sarath is there yet."
"He might be. But whether he is or isn't we have to get those emeralds." replied Knuckles.
"You're right. Let's do it to it!" said Sonic.
Knuckles dropped to the deck and landed just outside the palace. Moments later they were all inside.
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Sarath bent over the Master Emerald. He reached out his hand to touch it. When his hand touched the emerald there was a sudden hissing sound and Sarath pulled his hand away screaming. He looked at his hand. It was badly burned all over the palm where he had touched the emerald.
"You'll pay for that emerald!" he growled, "You will pay very soon."
Sarath spun, his cape swinging around him as he walked out of the emerald chamber.
From a dark corner of the room Bunnie leapt out. She looked at the emeralds.
"Now to get you all out of here." she said and walked towards the first Chaos Emerald.
"I don't think so!" said a voice.
Bunnie spun to see Sarath standing in the door way.
"I thought there was someone in here. If I'm not mistaken you seem familiar….ah yes Bunnie Rabbot wasn't it. You served me well before you know."
"Ah can it fossil breath!" cried Bunnie clutching the Chaos Emerald.
"How charming. I wouldn't have expected anything less though." said Sarath taking a step forward.
Bunnie held her ground staring at him.
"What have you done with everyone?!" she cried.
"So they didn't tell you. Isn't that a shame? You will find out soon enough…..when you join them!"
Before Bunnie could move Sarath had flung her across the room. She crashed into the wall and fell to the floor. She picked herself up to her knees before Sarath threw her again. She hit the opposite wall. The Chaos Emerald flew from her hands and skittered across the floor. She picked herself up again and starred at Sarath.
"You…you won't get away with this!" she said rather groggily.
"Oh yes and just who is going to stop m….."
Sarath was suddenly sent flying into the door frame by a swirling mass of blue. The ball landed and uncurled. It was Sonic. Seconds later Knuckles and Espio stood at his side. Sarath picked himself up.
"So you finally show yourself." said Sarath as he turned, "You're looking better than I thought you would."
"Yeah well sorry to disappoint you Sarath! This time I'm not under your control. This time the fight will be a bit fairer!" said Sonic.
"Sugah hog! Thank god you're here." cried Bunnie.
"Don't worry about a thing Bunnie. We got this covered." said Sonic.
"Oh how sweet. But I'm afraid you're wrong about that." said Sarath.
He raised his hands and flung Sonic across the room. He hit the wall face first and slid down it. Sonic, shaking, got to his feet only to be throw again. He hit another wall and there was a snap. Sonic screamed. Knuckles leapt at Sarath but was throw backwards against the Master Emerald stand. Espio suddenly vanished from view but this didn't help his attack. Sarath somehow saw threw his cloak and seconds later Espio hit a wall and became visible.
"Now we end this." said Sarath.
He raised his hands and smiled.
"I'm almost sorry it's over. If nothing else you have been a most worth adversary." he said.
"Ha!" said Sonic, "I remember someone else saying just that before I defeated him. Ever here of Robutnik?!"
Sarath's eyes seemed to glow. He had studied Mobius history and knew all about that little incident.
"This time it is over. You hedgehog have finally met your match."
"I don't think so Sarath. Master Emerald transportation!"
Sarath spun to see Knuckles holding the Master Emerald. The Master Emerald glowed and in a flash the room emptied. Sarath stood there in an empty room and roared.
"Aaaaaaaaargh! You echidna! I will kill you. Slowly and painfully!"
Sarath clenched his fists and turned away from the room, releasing his anger by sending a large pot statue flying.
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Many miles from Mobotropolis there was a blinding white flash. It cleared and four figures where there. Knuckles dropped his head and looked at the Master Emerald. Espio picked himself up off the floor and brushed himself off.
"Boy that was close." he said.
"Too close." replied Knuckles, "He almost….."
"Oh ma sugah-hog!" cried Bunnie.
Knuckles and Espio turned to see Bunnie kneeling beside Sonic. Sonic was well battered from his meeting with the wall. His left arm was obviously broken and he was only semi-conscious. Espio rushed over.
"How is he Espio?" asked Bunnie.
"I'm not sure. He seems ok but we need to get that arm fixed and he could do with a lot of rest."
Bunnie seemed to relax slightly.
"That's good. Ah thought for a moment…..never mind. Now would someone please explain what the hoha is going on?!"
"Of course Bunnie." said Knuckles, "Let me start from the beginning."
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There was a whooshing sound and Sarath appeared on the platform. He stormed along the corridor and into the main computer room. Sarath walked over to a console and pressed a few controls. He turned back into the room and glared at the five filled tanks in front of him.
"Now! Now you will pay for what that dratted echidna has done!" said Sarath, "Activate all extraction systems. I want it all. Every last drop. I want nothing left but an empty shell. You hear me?!"
The five tanks lit up again and a computerised voice spoke.
"Confirmed. All extraction systems now charging. Estimate two hours to full power."
"Good!" said Sarath looking back at the monitor.
Just then something caught his eye.
"What? Hmm…so it's back. I wouldn't have thought possible. Aerial cameras track zone seventeen."
A large screen lit up on one wall. The image fuzzed a bit and then showed a picture of the ocean. Sarath stared at it.
"Magnify."
The image fuzzed again and then another came up. This time a small brown dot was visible in the middle. Sarath smiled.
"Enhance grid twelve."
The image fuzzed again and was replaced by an image of an island. The island had a large snow capped mountain in the middle and a large lake at its other edge. The Floating Island.
"Not so floating now are we. So that echidna either hasn't got there yet or doesn't know of it existence yet. I'm willing to bet that he knows of it though." said Sarath turning to look out of the window, "And this time he won't get away."
Sarath laughed as he looked out of the window at the stations cannon.
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"Nearly there Sonic, hold on." said Knuckles as he approached the Floating Island for the third and last time.
He had already transported Bunnie and Espio over and was now transporting Sonic. Sonic moaned slightly as he touched down. Espio and Bunnie were waiting for him.
"Is he still ok?" asked Bunnie.
"He's still slightly conscious, if that's what you mean?" said Knuckles, "We have to get him to Echidnapolis."
Knuckles quickly picked up Sonic again and headed into the jungle followed by Espio and Bunnie. A little while later they were approaching Echidnapolis. Since Knuckles had left some people had come out of their houses. A number walked around in the town as the group arrived. The reactions were mixed. Some ran, some screamed and some just stared. Knuckles made for his parents house. When he arrived his mother was sat on the steps outside. She screamed as she saw Sonic.
"Knuckles….what is this? What going on?!"
"I'll explain inside." said Knuckles as he rushed past her and into the house followed by Bunnie and Espio.
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Sarath stood on a grid with a set of electrodes above him. Out of the five tanks three still glowed. Miles and Alicia's tanks were both dull and there bodies were completely limp. Sarath smiled at the tanks.
"Ah that's two down. Only three more to go. Computer! How long until recharge?"
"Estimate one hour until system recharge."
"Good."
Sarath stepped down of the grid. He felt stronger already. It was really working. He laughed as he walked out of the room.
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"No way Bunnie. No way at all!" cried Knuckles.
"Yes way echidna!" screamed Bunnie at him.
Espio stood out of the way. Knuckles and Bunnie had been arguing for a few minutes now. Bunnie wanted to go with Knuckles and Knuckles wasn't having any of it.
"No way! It's too dangerous for…."
"Are you going to say it's too dangerous for a lady?! I'll have you know I helped bring down Robotnik! I'm not new to this dammit!"
"I know but…"
"You just don't want me there! That's it isn't it?! Well it's not going to happen! You saw what he did to Sonic. I won't let him get away with it! Oh no, I'm going!"
"But what about Sonic. Someone needs to look after him."
"You know fine well that your mother can do that. And if that isn't enough Espio is staying anyway so he can look after him!"
Knuckles started to look irritated. Espio thought it was best to step in.
"I could stay here. Sonic does nee……"
"Can it Espio. I need you up there. Your stealth might….."
"Do nothing at all!" finished Espio, "You saw how he saw through it back in Mobotropolis! You need someone with a bit of skill and a lot of strength. Bunnie fits that bill."
"Thank you Espio." smiled Bunnie, "So Mr Echidna, what you going to do?"
Knuckles sighed and finally gave in.
"Alright. But watch yourself up there."
"Ah know how to take care of myself!"
"Alright. Alright. We better get moving though. Who knows what's happening up there."
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Sally's body went tense and shook slightly as a red orb of light emerged from her. As it cleared her body it went completely limp and lifeless. The orb rose upwards and was soon after absorbed by Sarath. He smiled.
"Now only the Acolyte and her freak! This should be entertaining."
He stepped off the platform. Only another two hours and it would be done. He turned to another console.
"Ah, so the charging is almost done." smiled Sarath as he looked at the cannon status panel, "Good. This is becoming a very good day indeed. Very good indeed."
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"You ready?" asked Knuckles.
"As ah'll ever be." replied Bunnie.
"Ok then. Take this."
Knuckles handed Bunnie a Chaos Emerald.
"It might come in handy. Now put your hand there and repeat after me."
Bunnie placed her hand where Knuckles indicated on the Master Emerald.
"The servers are the seven chaos." said Knuckles.
Bunnie repeated it.
"Chaos is power. Power enriched by the heart."
Bunnie repeated again.
"The controller is the one that unifies the chaos."
Again Bunnie repeated it.
"Now remember to focus on the station. On the count of three. One, two ,three!" said Knuckles.
"Master Emerald transportation!" cried Bunnie and Knuckles together.
There was a flash and suddenly they were both standing in a metal plated corridor.
"Come on. We have to hurry." said Knuckles, "We don't know when Sarath will get back…if he's not back already."
Knuckles took off down the corridor followed by Bunnie. Eventually they came to a large steel door. Knuckles gave it a sharp punch and it buckled. He dug his claws in and ripped the door open. Bunnie only just managed to contain a scream. She had been told what we in here but still wasn't prepared for it. There stood the five tanks. Knuckles ran into the room and up to the tank containing Tails. He punched it once. It spidered slightly. He did it again and it spidered even more.
"Allow me sugah." said Bunnie.
She took a step backwards and then ran at the tank. She jumped into the air and brought her feet down heavily on the tank in a flying kick. The tank gave a groan and shattered. Bunnie landed a few feet away and ran over. Knuckles was already dragging Tails out of the tank. Bunnie helped him. He was still alive like Sonic had been but unconscious. Knuckles put Tails to the side and then proceeded to smash the next tank containing Amy. Again she was alive but unconscious. The next tank brought about some panic though. Bunnie smashed the tank using another kick but when Knuckles checked for a pulse he couldn't find one. He couldn't find one for Miles and Alicia either.
"What's happening Knuckles?" cried Bunnie, "Why are they de….de….DEAD?!"
"I don't know. I don't understand it. They should be alive!" replied Knuckles.
"I think I can explain that." said a voice.
Both Knuckles and Bunnie spun to see Sarath standing in the doorway.
"I have been expecting you for a while."
"What have you done to them Sarath?!" cried Bunnie.
Knuckles was on his feet and ready for a fight as Sarath answered.
"It's quite simple. This station not only has the powers you have already seen but one other as well. It has the ability to transfer life energy!" said Sarath.
"WHAT?!" cried Knuckles astounded.
"Yes echidna. Your thoughts are correct. I absorbed there life-force. You don't know how amazing it feels. Incredible."
"I'll remember to share yours out after I kill you then!" cried Knuckles.
Knuckles leapt at Sarath, who just threw him to the side. Knuckles hit a console and fell to the floor.
"You see at first I just absorbed a little. Enough to keep my counter part going. But now I have absorbed it all. I didn't get around to draining Sonic. You denied me of that echidna but no matter. I'll just have to take yours instead."
Sarath picked Knuckles up and threw him across the room. Bunnie was about to leap into the fight when a thought struck her. She took out the Chaos Emerald Knuckles had given her earlier and placed it in Tails hand. It glowed slightly. Suddenly Knuckles came skidding across the floor past her and hit the remains of Amy's tank.
"And now it's your turn rabbit!" said Sarath.
Bunnie leapt to her feet and dived at Sarath before he attacked. She hit him in the chest with her feet throwing him across the room. Sarath got to his feet.
"Impressive. Very impressive but you're too late. You cannot defeat me and now…" said Sarath as he pressed a button, "…..your little island gets it."
A computerised voice sounded.
"Cannon activated. Targeting Floating Island. Time to firing one minute."
"You bastard!" cried Knuckles leaping to his feet.
He charged at Sarath but was thrown away.
"Don't you see echidna? It is hopeless. I have won. You have lost! And now you…..what is going on?!"
Sarath suddenly stopped talking as several warning sirens went off. The computers voice spoke again.
"Cannon firing cancelled. Charge to non-dispersal. Overload in four minutes. Warning evacuate. Warning evacuate!"
"What?! HOW?!" cried Sarath.
"I think I'm responsible for that!" said a voice.
Sarath glanced over at the voice. And orange fox stood next to one of the consoles.
"YOU!" cried Sarath, "HOW?!"
Tails held up the emerald Bunnie had put in his hand.
"Don't you remember Sarath. I'm sensitive to there power. It woke me up. Knuckles catch!"
Tails threw the emerald at Knuckles who caught it. He quickly brought out the other six emeralds. In a flash of red light Knuckles changed into his super form.
"You really think you can defeat me like that?!" roared Sarath.
Sarath suddenly screamed and a black mist emerged from his body.
"Now we see who is stronger." said a voice.
Knuckles leapt forwards still in him super form. The black mist suddenly expanded for a second and Knuckles flew backwards dropping out of his super form. The seven emeralds flew out of him and clattered to the floor behind him. Tails and Bunnie looked on in amazement. Knuckles picked himself up slowly.
"What happened? How?!" he said.
"Three minutes to overload. Evacuate. Evacuate." said the computer.
"The dark force cannot be defeated by a dark force. Those measly Chaos Emeralds are no match for my power." said the mist.
"You see when I drained the Master Emerald all those years ago, the dark forces it controlled where allowed to grow." said Sarath, "Now it is unstoppable!"
"Or so you think!" cried Knuckles taking out the Master Emerald, "Master Emerald hear me. I command you to destroy this dark force!"
The Master Emerald glowed a deep green and then suddenly erupted sending several beams of green energy towards the mist. They all hit it and carved through.
"No! No! NOOOOOOOO!" cried the mist as it slowly evaporated into thin air.
As it did several orbs of light shot out of it. One hit Sally, one hit Alicia, one hit Miles, one hit Amy and the final one hit Tails. Sally, Alicia and Miles all stirred and Amy woke up. Tails suddenly became very alert and awake.
"Two minute to overload." updated the computers voice.
"No this is impossible. How did you?" cried Sarath, "No matter you will all die here."
Sarath leapt backwards towards the open door. He ran through it and down the corridor. Tails and Bunnie quickly followed him. Knuckles scooped up the Chaos Emeralds and followed also. Tails skidded around a corner to see Sarath opening a small hatchway.
"Fools do you really think you can stop me?" cried Sarath.
Tails leapt at him and flattened him against the floor.
"Yes actually." he said.
Suddenly the hatchway slammed shut and the computer spoke.
"One minute to overload. Ejection systems enabled. Disengaging main unit."
There was a hissing sound and the station jolted. The section Sarath had just attempted to enter broke away from the station.
"You fool. That was our only way out." cried Sarath.
"Yours maybe but not ours." yelled Tails who still pinned him down.
Tails drew his fist back and punched Sarath hard in the face before leaping up and running back down the corridor. Sarath moaned on the floor for a moment before he managed to get up on his knees. Tails almost knocked Bunnie and Knuckles flying as he ran back down the corridor.
"We have to get out of here. We have less than a minute." he said quickly.
"Back to the others." cried Knuckles.
The three of them raced back into the tank room. Sally, Alicia and Miles showed signs of waking up but no-one noticed. Knuckles got out the Master Emerald again. Amy ran to Tails side.
"What's happening Tails? What's going on?!" she cried.
"Not now Amy. We have to get out of here." replied Tails.
"Thirty seconds to overload." said the computer.
"You three each grab one of them!" said Knuckles quickly, "And then place one hand on the emerald."
Tails grabbed Miles' hand, Amy grabbed Alicia's and Bunnie got a hold of Sally. They all put a hand on the Master Emerald.
"Quickly repeat after me." said Knuckles, "The servers are the seven chaos, chaos is power, power enriched by the heart, the controller is the one that unifies the chaos."
The three of them quickly repeated what Knuckles had said. The Master Emerald glowed brighter.
"Ten seconds to overload." said the computer.
"Now on three. One, two……"
"NOOOOO!" cried Sarath as he charged into the room.
He leapt towards them.
"…THREE!"
"Master Emerald transportation!" they all cried.
The Master Emerald glowed and suddenly they all disappeared. Sarath hit the floor hard where the Master Emerald had been. He got up and looked around.
"Five seconds to overload." said the computers voice.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" cried Sarath.
Outside the gigantic stations cannon flashed and erupted in a huge explosion. The station was torn apart by the blast and then incinerated by the energy wave.
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On the planet below the group watched the station explode. Amy fell into Tails arms and started crying. Tails tried to calm her down. Knuckles slumped to the ground exhausted. Bunnie was busy fussing over Sally and the children. It was finally over.