The death carrier started to change shape, much to the despair of Sonic, Sally and the others.

"Sonic, we need to do something!" Sally said, obvious despair in her voice.

You are right, Sal ol' gal.. But what?

Sonic nodded as gun came out of the front.

"Damn it.. The syndicate are back!" Just then Dr. Zachary dropped from the ship, the same as ever but equipped with a newer gun than before. "Ha! You are back again?" Sonic laughed.

"Take me seriously! I am more of a threat than you think!" Zachary said with a grin "Robotnik! NOW!" The gun on the ship started to charge.

Oh no...

Knuckles came from nowhere, and with an almighty punch, deflected the gun. He also noticed another Echidna flee from the ship and followed it.

"Just you an' me, Zach!" He nodded as he aimed the gun on his arm "You guys, take care of the Death Carrier! He is all mine!" They nodded as they took off, they squared each, ready to pounce.

Knuckles glided silently behind Vichima, who stalked through Knothole with the map in his hand.

"Can I help you with something?" Knuckles said, getting into a fighting position.

The taller stronger looking Echidna grinned "Listen, buddy, I have business to attend to!"

Knuckles shook his head "You ain't going nowhere!"

He then heard a female voice "Oh! Ain't he?"

He spun around and saw Rouge "You?"

She nodded "I'll take care of this. Vichima go!" The Echidna nodded and run off, she hovered above him "Just you and me now!"

Knuckles stood with his arms crossed "I have no time! You said Vichima, right? He's an ancient prisoner of the Echidna's and I intend to return him to the prison! I still don't know how you freed him!"

Rouge grinned "Me? I ain't capable of such things, this is Zachary's doing!"

Knuckles scowled "Whatever, stay out of my way!" He then took off.

She smirked "No way!" she then took off after him.

Sally shot her rope and climbed up, the other Freedom fighters following suit.

"Okay, we can take down this ship!" Sally said as they climbed the rope.

"Maybe not.. Impossible to get in yet easy to get out." Said an annoyingly familiar voice.

"SNIVELAY!" Bunny said angrily.

"Indeed! With Master Robotnik at the controls! Knothole is as good as finished!"

Sally gulped, and bravely replied "We will see!" They then continued to climb the rope until they was on board "Move out!" She ordered, everyone did so. Sally had downloaded a map of the ship already and knew the way, she had chosen to go alone, it was then that she unsheathed her knife and trod forward.

Dr. Zachary was shooting his bullets everywhere, Sonic dodged everyone of them.

"Still a sloppy shot, I see!" Sonic then punched the doctor in the jaw, he then fell to the floor. Before spring back up, and socking Sonic in the stomach with his heavy bi-metallic gun arm. Sonic wheezed and fell to the floor, Zachary then stood up and held the gun to the hero's head.

A hero dies!" He said as click was heard.

"Zachary, abort whatever you are doing, we are encountering resistance snatching the emerald!" Rouge called down the intercom.

"What do you mean? You are supposed to be at the ship.."

Rouge sighed "Knuckles intervened, I had to get involved!"

Zachary was momentarily silent "Very well.. Report to the Death Carrier." Rouge then looked toward Vichima, she snatched the emerald from the Knothole safe while Knuckles was distracted with Vichima and flew off.

Zachary jumped up and glided away "I am letting you go this time, Sonic the Hedgehog!" He said as he flew away to the Death Carrier, a moment later he saw Rouge the bat also arrive on deck.

Vichima fell to the floor "No Echidna can beat he guardian!" Knuckles said proudly as he overlooked Vichima, who grinned

"Wanna bet?" He jumped at Knuckles and tried a roundhouse kick, Knuckles ducked and followed up with a powerful uppercut to the stomach, Vichima moaned a little in pain and fainted.

"Looks like you're prisoner again, Vichima!" Knuckles picked him up and glided off with a little difficulty.

Sally climbed down out of a shaft, outside the control room, she pressed a button and the door opened.

"Time to end this, Robotnik!" She said with hatred in her voice.

Don't worry, daddy, I will avenge you..