Chapter 5: Familiar Faces
By nightfall that day (or what should have been, it was difficult to tell with the storm raging violently overhead), Sonic and Tails were back in Emerald Hill. Unlike some of the Zones, it still remained green, but flooding was taking place. The valleys were becoming waterlogged, and mudslides occurred frequently. The bad weather had something to do with Wechnia's appearance, but Sonic couldn't put his finger on it...
They reached the base once again. It looked gloomy in the darkness, sort of uninviting, something Sonic had never thought of before. They entered to find Amy in the downstairs room. Sonic guessed that she and Ashura had been successful.
"Sonic!" she cried. "There's something you really should know."
"It'll wait, Amy. Where's Ashura?" said the blue hedgehog.
"Upstairs, but..."
"Thanks Amy!" Sonic tore up the stairs, and into the main room. He opened his mouth in shock.
Standing with Ashura was a tall man with a broad moustache and a long branch of hair sticking out from his otherwise bald head.
Dr. Kintobor had come home.
Also with him was a black hedgehog with red markings on his spikes, arms and legs. This was Shadow, who should be dead... Sonic thought he must be dreaming.
"Doctor...?" he spluttered. It had been years since he had seen his old friend... he couldn't believe it.
"I understand that it's been a long time, Sonic," said Kintobor. "That's what Mr. Lewis tells me," he added, indicating Porker.
"I can't believe this! What are you? A robot?" accused Sonic.
"No, I'm for real, Sonic. Apparently, I had taken the form of ... what was it... Dr. Robotnik for years, and the change has finally been reversed."
"What happened to you?"
"I was touched by a creature called Wechnia. Supposedly, I created it..."
"So, it was Robotnik... I was right... as usual."
"Yes, anyway, his own creation turned on him and rearranged his genetic structure into its opposite form, bringing me back into existence. He told me that all this time, I've been a mad scientist, hell-bent on world domination, who encountered one major obstacle over the years. That hindrance was you, Sonic. I can't tell you how proud I am of you, my friend! You're a real hero from what Wechnia told me."
"Wechnia told you all this?" said Sonic. "How does..."
"That creature knows everything, somehow," explained Kintobor. "It really is fascinating. I found the plans for it on the island I was on. It isn't a normal creature of flesh and blood. It is some kind of virus, built of data streams, incorporated into physical form in a way I don't understand. Dr. Robotnik, though evil, was definitely very intelligent.
"The virus is built with the ability to corrupt anything, make it 'negative', its opposite, so to speak. That is the effect it has upon those it touches with its hands.
"It is also able to cause death in plant life around it. This is due to a strange chaotic radiation it gives off, similar to that of the negative Chaos Emerald forces."
"So, that's how it all works," concluded Sonic. "So, I'm guessing it touched you to change you back."
"That's correct."
"So, how did you get here? Why is Shadow with you?" Sonic's previous experience with Shadow hadn't been the most joyful occasion.
"Who does this hedgehog think he is? He should be thanking me!" said Shadow.
"You don't remember me either?"
"Sonic! Please! I'll tell you the full story, just give me some time.
"I was stuck on this island. It's a small island, and nobody knows about it. I've never seen it on maps. That is irrelevant though. Like I say, I was trapped there with no means of leaving it. Wechnia had flown away, leaving me stranded. So, I had a look around the place. I found the design plans of Wechnia, which explained what I told you just now, and later, in the heart of Robotnik's lab, I found this hedgehog. For a split second, I actually thought it was you...
"I released him from the capsule he was contained in. He told me that his name was Shadow, but he knew little else. I later researched 'Shadow' in Robotnik's files, and found that the one I had here was a clone of the original. The papers told of Shadow's ability; Chaos Control, the power to distort time and space, warp anywhere in a split second, stop time, et cetera.
"For a moment, I thought my escape from the unknown island was at hand, but I went on to learn that it could not be used without a Chaos Emerald. My hopes were dashed.
"Later, some terrible storm began. I figured that this was Wechnia's effect, having read the plans. Still, I tried to get some rest. The next day, I awoke very late. Shadow told me it was almost noon, but it was still dark when I went outside... then I saw a glitter in the trees. I went to investigate. To my joy and ecstasy, it was a Chaos Emerald. It looked different from how I used to remember them, and it was a colour I didn't recall from when I used to have them, a grey hue. However, I gave it to Shadow and asked him if he could transport me to South Island, and that he did. I made sure to bring Wechnia's plans of course."
Kintobor pulled the scroll out of his labcoat's pocket and laid it on the desk, then continued with his story. "I came to Emerald Hill and learned of your base from the locals. Of course, this place is new to me. I found it successfully, as you can see. I arrived two days ago. Porker Lewis told me about your current mission, so we both waited, that is, Shadow and I, until you returned. Which leads me to my question; were you successful?"
"you bet!" replied Sonic, promptly revealing the shiny red Emerald in his hand. Ashura breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well done, Sonic!" said Kintobor, beaming.
"It was a breeze," lied Sonic.
"It wasn't as easy for me and Amy," Ashura said. "Wechnia came for us. Lucky for us that I now how to use Chaos Control as well. Pity I had to race for the Emerald first... Wech sure is fast." Ashura showed Sonic the yellow Chaos Emerald.
Sonic remembered his own chase with Nack, thinking that all in all he'd had very little to deal with, considering the virus' immense power that Ashura would have had to deal with. Still, Ashura had made it out of battle unscathed.
"Nice one, Ash!" said Sonic, grinning again.
"I'm sure that you'd have thought of it as a breeze," said Ashura smoothly.
"Not at all!"
"So," interjected Kintobor, taking out his own grey jewel, "we have three emeralds already. Quite a good start."
"Yeah," said Sonic. "I just wish one of them was the Master Emerald. We really don't want Wechnia to get hold of that one."
"Master Emerald?" said Kintobor in confusion.
"The Chaos Emeralds had somehow become split into two groups, the group of six that we had, and the group of six that belonged to Knuckles. He guards the Chaos Emeralds on the Floating Island," Sonic added, seeing Kintobor's blank expression.
"I do believe Porker mentioned the name, but I am behind on times."
"Right, where was I? Robotnik accidentally got our six Emeralds to Knuckles, meaning to take them for himself. Knuckles revealed the seventh Emerald, the grey 'Control' Emerald that was used to unify the other twelve into six. Over time, they grew into their full sizes, and the Green Emerald became pretty big. That's the Master Emerald, and it's the most powerful."
"Very interesting... all those years ago, I thought the floating island was nothing more than a legend.," said Kintobor. Porker laughed, remembering his and Johnny Lightfoot's conversation with Amy... it seemed So long ago now...
"By the way, Doc," said Sonic, "it's great to have you back."
"Thanks very much, Sonic, old friend."
There was stillness in the room. It had all been said now. All that could be heard was the constant beat of rain. Sonic now wondered what had happened to Knuckles and Tikal.
~* * * *~
In the continent of Downunda, the last search party were scouring the ruins of Old Megopolis, which hung around the gargantuan crater which had once been the site of the Floating Island. Knuckles had never known about this place, and it was very interesting for him. There were murals all around, some depicting the guardian robots, which seemed odd to him...
Sonic had never fully told him about his foray into the past. Knuckles had little idea that he had been part of the echidna race thousands of years ago, or of the war that in the end led to the disappearance of the species from Mobius. Knuckles knew nothing of the origins of Chaos or the Chaos Emeralds, or that those guard robots had been designed for that war, all of this that Sonic knew.
Knuckles and Tikal had so far found nothing, but Tikal knew there was something in this ancient city. As Knuckles had said days earlier, she almost had an extra sense for hunting them down. So, there they were, following her instinct. They were stood at the edge of the Great Crater, which was filling up with water. The sheer volume of the rain that had fallen over these few days was quite unimaginable. The trail of Tikal's intuition had led them there.
She closed her eyes. "The Emerald's under the water," she said.
"Great..." muttered Knuckles. "I haven't brought my oxygen tank with me, and just when I need it..."
"Don't worry. I can do something about it. If I prey to the water spirit..."
And she did. In a few minutes, the water filled crater was bubbling as though on the brink of boiling.
"The water spirit of Mobius has put thousands of oxygen bubbles in this lake. Just breathe them in if you need air. Think you can do it?"
"Of course," said Knuckles, feeling a little more confident. At that moment, he noticed a shadow on the ground... He looked up to see Wechnia's form in the air. He had come for them and the Emerald!
"Well, it looks like I'm not the only one here..." droned Wechnia. "I hope you're not thinking about taking me on again..."
"Tikal!" shouted Knuckles. "What're we gonna do?"
Tikal considered this for a moment, and then answered. "You go for the Emerald! I'll hold him off!"
As she raised her staff and fired a violet beam of light at Wechnia, Knuckles dove into the icy water. Even below the surface, he could hear the rain hammering away on the lagoon. Deeper in the water was a purple glow; the Emerald!
Back on the edge of the Great Crater, Tikal was doing her best to hold off the virus. Wechnia just paced towards her, the blasts she was launching at him causing very little damage. The evil entity fixed her with a cruel stare as he advanced. She turned to run, but amazingly, he appeared right in front of her.
"It is too late for you, pathetic creature..."
Knuckles had almost reached the Emerald, having just gulped in a mouthful of air. The jewel was glittering in the crystal clear pool. The echidna heard a splash, and looked around to see Wechnia, his arm around Tikal's throat, diving into the lake and swimming rapidly to the same level as him.
"It is hopeless to resist, echidna..." said Wechnia, harsh and clear, even underwater.
The water was changing colour, turning murky and cloudy. The air bubbles were becoming less frequent. Wechnia had a very deadly effect.
"Surrender the Emerald, or the girl dies..."
Knuckles opened his mouth to speak, allowing bubbles to slip past his lips, and he remembered he was underwater. He swam to his left, allowing Wechnia to pass.
"Good... This makes things easier... Thank you, Knuckles... I now have two Emeralds..."
The virus creature snapped up the purple stone, which was now giving off bright phosphorescence in the foggy lake. He released Tikal, and Knuckles swam over to her. Wechnia resurfaced like a rocket to the heavens, in possession of another of the Emeralds, something which was not desired at all by the Freedom Fighters.
Knuckles and Tikal also returned to the surface of the crater, gasping desperately for air.
"Is it me, or is this storm getting worse?" Knuckles asked.
"I think you're right..."
The rain was heavier than before, rebounding off the surface of the water and the ground like shrapnel. Lightning sliced across the sky constantly and thunder roared overhead like a pack of wild beasts. The scene was of chaos and doom, no bright side visible over the ever distant horizon.
Climbing out of the hollow, they noticed the fields were turning to wastelands, the grass turning grey and lifeless... a symbol of death itself. The ruins of Old Megopolis were crumbling away even more, into a powder.
"Come on Tikal, you'd better get us home..." said Knuckles sadly.
She ran over to her staff which she had dropped and reclaimed it. She started to utter the chant that would return them to South Island, preparing to report their failure when they heard a shout.
"WAIT!"
A familiar figure was running towards them. It was another echidna, his fur white with age. Half of his face and his spines were obscured by metal. His right arm was a robotic one that functioned as a blaster. His cyborg features were added as a result of his accident when he fell from the Floating Island after a battle with Knuckles. Around his neck was a golden pendant. His shoes were purple with gold buckles. The old echidna's face was etched with lines. His name was Dr. Zachary, the rogue echidna.
"Zachary!" said Knuckles. He had wondered what had happened to the old guy after the events with the Syndicate...
"I saw it all..." wheezed Zachary. "I've been trailing you... along with... Rouge... We saw that creature attack you and we dropped back..."
"Why were you following us?" growled Knuckles. "Speak!"
"Rouge found... a Chaos Emerald... and she wanted more... and we figured you'd be looking for them... if they weren't on the Floating Island... We expected you to lead us to them..." Zachary broke off, coughing.
"You have one of the Emeralds?" said Knuckles.
"Yes." Rouge had come to join them. She was a white furred bat with powerful black wings. She had turquoise eyes and pink eye shadow. She wore a leather outfit with a heart shape around the chest. She had long white gloves and white leather boots tipped with pink hearts around the toecap. She looked docile, but she was a master thief, more subtle than criminals such as Nack. She could be cruel and manipulative at many occasions, but she wasn't as bad as some would make out.
"You must return that Emerald to me!" demanded Knuckles. "It's the only way we can stop Wechnia!"
"Wechnia? So that's what was attacking you," said Rouge.
"Yes! He's after all of the Chaos Emeralds. He already has two! Give us that Emerald you have!"
"I will, for the right price," she said with a wry smile.
"Rouge, this isn't some kind of game!" Knuckles yelled. "The Mobius is gonna die if we don't stop Wechnia! You must have noticed the effect it has had on the Mobius?"
"This has been caused by that weird echidna guy?" said a shocked Rouge.
Knuckles was growing frustrated. "YES!" he bellowed. "If we don't get all those Emeralds, that's it. End of our world."
"Alright, you can have it, but when you've saved the world, I want repaying," she said with a wink. "We'll call it ten thousand Mobian credits."
"You have GOT to be kidding..."
Zachary joined the conversation. "Rouge, give him the Emerald. Mobius' existence is more important than riches." Rouge gave him an angry glare. "We may be enemies, Knuckles. However, I do not want the world to be destroyed. I want power, not death. Therefore, I suggest a truce for the time being. Wechnia is the common enemy."
"He's hardly a common villain..." muttered Knuckles, "but you're right. We have to unite, or die."
And with that, Knuckles and Zachary shook hands. Tikal smiled, but Rouge didn't look happy at all. She got out her Emerald and gave it to her old treasure hunting rival, who clasped it tightly in his spiked fist.
"Tikal," said Knuckles. "Take us to Emerald Hill. We're done here."
By nightfall that day (or what should have been, it was difficult to tell with the storm raging violently overhead), Sonic and Tails were back in Emerald Hill. Unlike some of the Zones, it still remained green, but flooding was taking place. The valleys were becoming waterlogged, and mudslides occurred frequently. The bad weather had something to do with Wechnia's appearance, but Sonic couldn't put his finger on it...
They reached the base once again. It looked gloomy in the darkness, sort of uninviting, something Sonic had never thought of before. They entered to find Amy in the downstairs room. Sonic guessed that she and Ashura had been successful.
"Sonic!" she cried. "There's something you really should know."
"It'll wait, Amy. Where's Ashura?" said the blue hedgehog.
"Upstairs, but..."
"Thanks Amy!" Sonic tore up the stairs, and into the main room. He opened his mouth in shock.
Standing with Ashura was a tall man with a broad moustache and a long branch of hair sticking out from his otherwise bald head.
Dr. Kintobor had come home.
Also with him was a black hedgehog with red markings on his spikes, arms and legs. This was Shadow, who should be dead... Sonic thought he must be dreaming.
"Doctor...?" he spluttered. It had been years since he had seen his old friend... he couldn't believe it.
"I understand that it's been a long time, Sonic," said Kintobor. "That's what Mr. Lewis tells me," he added, indicating Porker.
"I can't believe this! What are you? A robot?" accused Sonic.
"No, I'm for real, Sonic. Apparently, I had taken the form of ... what was it... Dr. Robotnik for years, and the change has finally been reversed."
"What happened to you?"
"I was touched by a creature called Wechnia. Supposedly, I created it..."
"So, it was Robotnik... I was right... as usual."
"Yes, anyway, his own creation turned on him and rearranged his genetic structure into its opposite form, bringing me back into existence. He told me that all this time, I've been a mad scientist, hell-bent on world domination, who encountered one major obstacle over the years. That hindrance was you, Sonic. I can't tell you how proud I am of you, my friend! You're a real hero from what Wechnia told me."
"Wechnia told you all this?" said Sonic. "How does..."
"That creature knows everything, somehow," explained Kintobor. "It really is fascinating. I found the plans for it on the island I was on. It isn't a normal creature of flesh and blood. It is some kind of virus, built of data streams, incorporated into physical form in a way I don't understand. Dr. Robotnik, though evil, was definitely very intelligent.
"The virus is built with the ability to corrupt anything, make it 'negative', its opposite, so to speak. That is the effect it has upon those it touches with its hands.
"It is also able to cause death in plant life around it. This is due to a strange chaotic radiation it gives off, similar to that of the negative Chaos Emerald forces."
"So, that's how it all works," concluded Sonic. "So, I'm guessing it touched you to change you back."
"That's correct."
"So, how did you get here? Why is Shadow with you?" Sonic's previous experience with Shadow hadn't been the most joyful occasion.
"Who does this hedgehog think he is? He should be thanking me!" said Shadow.
"You don't remember me either?"
"Sonic! Please! I'll tell you the full story, just give me some time.
"I was stuck on this island. It's a small island, and nobody knows about it. I've never seen it on maps. That is irrelevant though. Like I say, I was trapped there with no means of leaving it. Wechnia had flown away, leaving me stranded. So, I had a look around the place. I found the design plans of Wechnia, which explained what I told you just now, and later, in the heart of Robotnik's lab, I found this hedgehog. For a split second, I actually thought it was you...
"I released him from the capsule he was contained in. He told me that his name was Shadow, but he knew little else. I later researched 'Shadow' in Robotnik's files, and found that the one I had here was a clone of the original. The papers told of Shadow's ability; Chaos Control, the power to distort time and space, warp anywhere in a split second, stop time, et cetera.
"For a moment, I thought my escape from the unknown island was at hand, but I went on to learn that it could not be used without a Chaos Emerald. My hopes were dashed.
"Later, some terrible storm began. I figured that this was Wechnia's effect, having read the plans. Still, I tried to get some rest. The next day, I awoke very late. Shadow told me it was almost noon, but it was still dark when I went outside... then I saw a glitter in the trees. I went to investigate. To my joy and ecstasy, it was a Chaos Emerald. It looked different from how I used to remember them, and it was a colour I didn't recall from when I used to have them, a grey hue. However, I gave it to Shadow and asked him if he could transport me to South Island, and that he did. I made sure to bring Wechnia's plans of course."
Kintobor pulled the scroll out of his labcoat's pocket and laid it on the desk, then continued with his story. "I came to Emerald Hill and learned of your base from the locals. Of course, this place is new to me. I found it successfully, as you can see. I arrived two days ago. Porker Lewis told me about your current mission, so we both waited, that is, Shadow and I, until you returned. Which leads me to my question; were you successful?"
"you bet!" replied Sonic, promptly revealing the shiny red Emerald in his hand. Ashura breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well done, Sonic!" said Kintobor, beaming.
"It was a breeze," lied Sonic.
"It wasn't as easy for me and Amy," Ashura said. "Wechnia came for us. Lucky for us that I now how to use Chaos Control as well. Pity I had to race for the Emerald first... Wech sure is fast." Ashura showed Sonic the yellow Chaos Emerald.
Sonic remembered his own chase with Nack, thinking that all in all he'd had very little to deal with, considering the virus' immense power that Ashura would have had to deal with. Still, Ashura had made it out of battle unscathed.
"Nice one, Ash!" said Sonic, grinning again.
"I'm sure that you'd have thought of it as a breeze," said Ashura smoothly.
"Not at all!"
"So," interjected Kintobor, taking out his own grey jewel, "we have three emeralds already. Quite a good start."
"Yeah," said Sonic. "I just wish one of them was the Master Emerald. We really don't want Wechnia to get hold of that one."
"Master Emerald?" said Kintobor in confusion.
"The Chaos Emeralds had somehow become split into two groups, the group of six that we had, and the group of six that belonged to Knuckles. He guards the Chaos Emeralds on the Floating Island," Sonic added, seeing Kintobor's blank expression.
"I do believe Porker mentioned the name, but I am behind on times."
"Right, where was I? Robotnik accidentally got our six Emeralds to Knuckles, meaning to take them for himself. Knuckles revealed the seventh Emerald, the grey 'Control' Emerald that was used to unify the other twelve into six. Over time, they grew into their full sizes, and the Green Emerald became pretty big. That's the Master Emerald, and it's the most powerful."
"Very interesting... all those years ago, I thought the floating island was nothing more than a legend.," said Kintobor. Porker laughed, remembering his and Johnny Lightfoot's conversation with Amy... it seemed So long ago now...
"By the way, Doc," said Sonic, "it's great to have you back."
"Thanks very much, Sonic, old friend."
There was stillness in the room. It had all been said now. All that could be heard was the constant beat of rain. Sonic now wondered what had happened to Knuckles and Tikal.
~* * * *~
In the continent of Downunda, the last search party were scouring the ruins of Old Megopolis, which hung around the gargantuan crater which had once been the site of the Floating Island. Knuckles had never known about this place, and it was very interesting for him. There were murals all around, some depicting the guardian robots, which seemed odd to him...
Sonic had never fully told him about his foray into the past. Knuckles had little idea that he had been part of the echidna race thousands of years ago, or of the war that in the end led to the disappearance of the species from Mobius. Knuckles knew nothing of the origins of Chaos or the Chaos Emeralds, or that those guard robots had been designed for that war, all of this that Sonic knew.
Knuckles and Tikal had so far found nothing, but Tikal knew there was something in this ancient city. As Knuckles had said days earlier, she almost had an extra sense for hunting them down. So, there they were, following her instinct. They were stood at the edge of the Great Crater, which was filling up with water. The sheer volume of the rain that had fallen over these few days was quite unimaginable. The trail of Tikal's intuition had led them there.
She closed her eyes. "The Emerald's under the water," she said.
"Great..." muttered Knuckles. "I haven't brought my oxygen tank with me, and just when I need it..."
"Don't worry. I can do something about it. If I prey to the water spirit..."
And she did. In a few minutes, the water filled crater was bubbling as though on the brink of boiling.
"The water spirit of Mobius has put thousands of oxygen bubbles in this lake. Just breathe them in if you need air. Think you can do it?"
"Of course," said Knuckles, feeling a little more confident. At that moment, he noticed a shadow on the ground... He looked up to see Wechnia's form in the air. He had come for them and the Emerald!
"Well, it looks like I'm not the only one here..." droned Wechnia. "I hope you're not thinking about taking me on again..."
"Tikal!" shouted Knuckles. "What're we gonna do?"
Tikal considered this for a moment, and then answered. "You go for the Emerald! I'll hold him off!"
As she raised her staff and fired a violet beam of light at Wechnia, Knuckles dove into the icy water. Even below the surface, he could hear the rain hammering away on the lagoon. Deeper in the water was a purple glow; the Emerald!
Back on the edge of the Great Crater, Tikal was doing her best to hold off the virus. Wechnia just paced towards her, the blasts she was launching at him causing very little damage. The evil entity fixed her with a cruel stare as he advanced. She turned to run, but amazingly, he appeared right in front of her.
"It is too late for you, pathetic creature..."
Knuckles had almost reached the Emerald, having just gulped in a mouthful of air. The jewel was glittering in the crystal clear pool. The echidna heard a splash, and looked around to see Wechnia, his arm around Tikal's throat, diving into the lake and swimming rapidly to the same level as him.
"It is hopeless to resist, echidna..." said Wechnia, harsh and clear, even underwater.
The water was changing colour, turning murky and cloudy. The air bubbles were becoming less frequent. Wechnia had a very deadly effect.
"Surrender the Emerald, or the girl dies..."
Knuckles opened his mouth to speak, allowing bubbles to slip past his lips, and he remembered he was underwater. He swam to his left, allowing Wechnia to pass.
"Good... This makes things easier... Thank you, Knuckles... I now have two Emeralds..."
The virus creature snapped up the purple stone, which was now giving off bright phosphorescence in the foggy lake. He released Tikal, and Knuckles swam over to her. Wechnia resurfaced like a rocket to the heavens, in possession of another of the Emeralds, something which was not desired at all by the Freedom Fighters.
Knuckles and Tikal also returned to the surface of the crater, gasping desperately for air.
"Is it me, or is this storm getting worse?" Knuckles asked.
"I think you're right..."
The rain was heavier than before, rebounding off the surface of the water and the ground like shrapnel. Lightning sliced across the sky constantly and thunder roared overhead like a pack of wild beasts. The scene was of chaos and doom, no bright side visible over the ever distant horizon.
Climbing out of the hollow, they noticed the fields were turning to wastelands, the grass turning grey and lifeless... a symbol of death itself. The ruins of Old Megopolis were crumbling away even more, into a powder.
"Come on Tikal, you'd better get us home..." said Knuckles sadly.
She ran over to her staff which she had dropped and reclaimed it. She started to utter the chant that would return them to South Island, preparing to report their failure when they heard a shout.
"WAIT!"
A familiar figure was running towards them. It was another echidna, his fur white with age. Half of his face and his spines were obscured by metal. His right arm was a robotic one that functioned as a blaster. His cyborg features were added as a result of his accident when he fell from the Floating Island after a battle with Knuckles. Around his neck was a golden pendant. His shoes were purple with gold buckles. The old echidna's face was etched with lines. His name was Dr. Zachary, the rogue echidna.
"Zachary!" said Knuckles. He had wondered what had happened to the old guy after the events with the Syndicate...
"I saw it all..." wheezed Zachary. "I've been trailing you... along with... Rouge... We saw that creature attack you and we dropped back..."
"Why were you following us?" growled Knuckles. "Speak!"
"Rouge found... a Chaos Emerald... and she wanted more... and we figured you'd be looking for them... if they weren't on the Floating Island... We expected you to lead us to them..." Zachary broke off, coughing.
"You have one of the Emeralds?" said Knuckles.
"Yes." Rouge had come to join them. She was a white furred bat with powerful black wings. She had turquoise eyes and pink eye shadow. She wore a leather outfit with a heart shape around the chest. She had long white gloves and white leather boots tipped with pink hearts around the toecap. She looked docile, but she was a master thief, more subtle than criminals such as Nack. She could be cruel and manipulative at many occasions, but she wasn't as bad as some would make out.
"You must return that Emerald to me!" demanded Knuckles. "It's the only way we can stop Wechnia!"
"Wechnia? So that's what was attacking you," said Rouge.
"Yes! He's after all of the Chaos Emeralds. He already has two! Give us that Emerald you have!"
"I will, for the right price," she said with a wry smile.
"Rouge, this isn't some kind of game!" Knuckles yelled. "The Mobius is gonna die if we don't stop Wechnia! You must have noticed the effect it has had on the Mobius?"
"This has been caused by that weird echidna guy?" said a shocked Rouge.
Knuckles was growing frustrated. "YES!" he bellowed. "If we don't get all those Emeralds, that's it. End of our world."
"Alright, you can have it, but when you've saved the world, I want repaying," she said with a wink. "We'll call it ten thousand Mobian credits."
"You have GOT to be kidding..."
Zachary joined the conversation. "Rouge, give him the Emerald. Mobius' existence is more important than riches." Rouge gave him an angry glare. "We may be enemies, Knuckles. However, I do not want the world to be destroyed. I want power, not death. Therefore, I suggest a truce for the time being. Wechnia is the common enemy."
"He's hardly a common villain..." muttered Knuckles, "but you're right. We have to unite, or die."
And with that, Knuckles and Zachary shook hands. Tikal smiled, but Rouge didn't look happy at all. She got out her Emerald and gave it to her old treasure hunting rival, who clasped it tightly in his spiked fist.
"Tikal," said Knuckles. "Take us to Emerald Hill. We're done here."