Chapter 8: Ambushed

The Tornado landed on the runway before rolling into the hanger below Tails' workshop. After coming to a full stop, the three passengers disembarked and hurried upstairs. Tails immediately went to the computer and turned on the tracker.

"Any signals, buddy?" Sonic asked, sitting on the couch.

"Just give me a minute," Tails replied. A moment later, his tracker started beeping. "Yes! There's a signal coming from Mystic Jungle. Wait, I'm picking up another signal."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure, but it's similar to the Chaos Emerald. It might be the Master Emerald shards."

Knuckles perked up at the news. "What?! You're sure?!"

"Their frequencies are similar," said Tails, "only one is a little stronger than the other. Given the Master Emerald's power over the Chaos Emeralds, I think it's safe to say that's what it is. They're specific location is in the old temple. You should be able to get there just fine, Knuckles."

Knuckles gave the Fox a small bow. "Thanks, Tails. I owe you one."

"No problem. Just be careful."

"Best of luck, Knux," Sonic said. "And if you need help, you know where to find us."

With only a single nod, Knuckles left the workshop. However, no sooner had he closed the door that two red markers began blinking on Tails' screen, catching his attention.

"Huh? What's that?"

"What's wrong, Tails?" Sonic asked.

"I'm picking up two more Chaos Energy readings," Tails replied, confused. "That's weird. I knew I would get Knuckles' signal once he left, but there's a second one. And it's moving."

"Is it the Chaos Emerald?"

Tails shook his head. "No, it's close to the workshop. It just appeared out of nowhere."

"What's so strange about that?"

"You know we Mobians are Chaos Inclined, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, Chaos Inclined individuals also emit a small degree of Chaos Energy," Tails explained. "And by the looks of this, there are two such signals. One of them is Knuckles for sure, and this second one…Wait, it's heading straight for Knuckles. Fast!"

Hearing the urgency in Tails' voice, Sonic leapt off the couch.

"I'll warn him," he said, "you stay here and keep an eye on those signals."

"Right. Here."

Tails opened a compartment in his control panel and pulled out an earpiece. He tossed it to Sonic, who caught it with one hand. He gave Tails a thumbs up before racing out the door. He put the piece in his ear and switched it on.

"Tails, you read me?"

"Loud and clear," said Tails voice. "Sonic, you better hurry! Knuckles and that unknown signal are about to collide!"

"On it!"

Sonic sprinted down the hill and towards the forest. At the edge of a small pond, he saw Knuckles.

And Dr. Eggman with a large robot facing him.

"Knuckles!" Sonic shouted.

Knuckles glanced over his shoulder at the sound of his name. Sonic stopped right beside him, ready to fight. Knuckles turned back to Eggman, putting up his fists.

"Well, look who's up?" said Eggman sardonically. "Did you enjoy your nap, Hedgehog?"

"Sonic, what's going on?" Tails asked.

"It's Eggman," Sonic said. "And he's got a robot with him."

"What?"

"Oh, my poor simpletons," Eggman sneered, "this isn't just any robot. ZERO here is a product of a new power source."

"Sonic, the Energy is coming from the robot!" Tails said, the worry in his voice very clear. "Be careful!"

"I don't care about your machine, Eggman!" Knuckles barked. "Move aside!"

Eggman waved his hand dismissively at the demand. "Like I would take orders from a pint-sized porcupine."

"What'd you say?!"

Knuckles' eyes flashed in anger at the insult. Sonic saw Eggman's grin, realizing that was what the doctor wanted.

"Knuckles, wait!" Sonic yelled.

Knuckles leapt straight for Eggman, ignoring Sonic's warning. Swift as lightning, the large robot moved in front of Knuckles. The Echidna's massive fist struck a hard blow. The impact sent a shock wave up Knuckles arm, and his punch made only a small dent.

He jumped back, gripping his arm.

Then, to Sonic and Knuckles' shock, a faint glow of white light appeared on the damaged area, and the dent was restored!

"What?!" Sonic gasped.

"It's as hard as diamond!" Knuckles said through gritted teeth.

"You see?" Eggman gloated. "This power source makes my creations practically invincible. This is better than any Mobian. It can regenerate the moment it is struck. Of course, that's nothing compared to the mighty power of Chaos."

Sonic braced himself. Hearing that name reminded him that the water monster could show up at any moment. His eyes darted around, searching for a sign. The ground, the pond, even the cliffsides surrounding the clearing.

But there was nothing.

Sonic pressed a button on his earpiece. "Tails, can you pick up any other Chaos Energy readings?"

Suddenly, through his earpiece, Sonic heard a loud crash!

Then, a horrible scream!

"AUGH!"

"Tails! What happened?!"

"Sonic, help! Chaos is-!"

At that moment, the connection was cut, and Sonic's eyes widened in terror.

"Tails! TAILS!"

"Go help Tails!" Knuckles ordered the Hedgehog. "I'll handle Eggman!"

Sonic immediately sprinted away, and ZERO sprang after him. Knuckles intercepted the attack and punched it back. ZERO stumbled, the dent in its head reforming. It pointed a laser gun at Knuckles and fired. Knuckles dodged the energy bullet and rushed forward. The Echidna was not as fast as his Hedgehog ally, but he was swift enough to evade the laser attacks with ease.

In no time, he closed the gap and punched the gun aside. He continued to attack with a flurry of blows, fighting back the increasing pain in his hands. As the metal regenerated, Knuckles noticed the time it took to reform. If he could strike faster than ZERO could recover, he could break inside and strike the core.

Tapping more into his Chaos Energy, Knuckles struck hard and fast, making his fists glow an electric red. The regeneration began to slow, unable to keep up.

Finally, with one good punch, Knuckles broke through!

He moved in for the final blow, then froze, his eyes widening in shock!

Suddenly, ZERO struck Knuckles across the face, sending him tumbling across the ground. The hole in ZERO's body disappeared, and it straightened up. Knuckles got to his feet, wiping some dirt from his face. He scowled at Eggman, clenching his aching fists. The rage in his eyes was blazing.

"Nice try, knucklehead," said Eggman, grinning wickedly. "But as you can see, there's no way you can beat ZERO. Even your fists are no match for it. And this is just a taste of my new robots' power. I've got more of these in stock. ZERO, why don't you show him what you can do?"

Sonic raced back to the workshop. As soon as he reached it, he threw the door open, and was met with a horrible sight.

Chaos was holding up a struggling Tails by the neck!

"Let him go!" Sonic shouted.

Chaos looked at Sonic with cold eyes. He was much bigger than the last time Sonic saw him, and his bottom half had transformed into a shark-like fin. Inside the tail's metal skeleton were two Chaos Emeralds. One blue, and one green.

The two Emeralds Tails had before!

Chaos growled at Sonic and threw Tails aside.

"Tails!"

Sonic bolted as Chaos lunged at him. He jumped and caught Tails before the Fox hit the wall. Tails grimaced in pain, coughing and gasping for air.

"Tails, are you okay?!"

"Sonic…" Tails rasped, struggling to speak. "Chaos…Ambush…Emeralds!"

Sonic looked up at Chaos, scowling. Chaos turned back to the Hedgehog, rising to his full height. The workshop was too small for Sonic to fight in. If he was going to have a chance, he had to get out in the open.

Chaos raised its claw and brought it down to strike. Sonic grabbed Tails and dashed for the door. Chaos missed, shattering the cement tile on the floor. He recovered and charged after the two. Sonic reached the exit when Chaos shot a sphere of water. The wave blasted him and Tails out of the workshop, breaking the wall in the process, and hurdling them across the plateau. Soaking wet and shaken from the attack, Sonic and Tails got to their feet. Chaos emerged from the workshop, gliding over the land like he was in water.

It was now that Sonic was concerned about Chaos' size. He stood in front of Tails, ready for a fight.

Just then, a dark shadow cast over the land. Chaos came to a stop and looked up to the sky. Sonic followed his gaze.

An enormous crimson airship flew overhead. On each side of it was Eggman's insignia: his face with a ridiculous smile.

"What is that?!"

"That is the Egg Carrier! My floating masterpiece!"

Sonic and Tails turned quickly. Eggman and ZERO came up over the plateau and straight for Chaos. A beam of teal light shot from a bulb on the front of Eggman's hover mobile right to Chaos. The monster lost its form and became a big droplet. The light sucked Chaos right into the mobile.

"Excellent!" said Eggman, clapping his hands. "Now Chaos has four Emeralds! Not a bad morning!"

"Eggman! Where's Knuckles?!" Tails demanded.

"Oh, don't worry, fox boy," Eggman said nonchalantly. "He's alive. I must say, the fact he could survive a Chaos Inclined robot is astonishing."

"Chaos Inclined?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"That's right, Sonic," Eggman replied. "You and your buddies aren't the only ones who can harness Chaos Energy anymore. And this source is much better than what you can do. Of course, all of this pales in comparison to the might of Chaos. Once I have all seven Emeralds, his power will be unstoppable. Until next time!"

Eggman pressed a button on his control panel, and a tracking beam shot from the Egg Carrier. It enveloped both him and ZERO. Before Sonic could make a move, the two were carried up into the airship.

"Eggman!"

Sonic was about to chase after him when Tails grabbed his arm.

"Sonic, we gotta find Knuckles!" he reminded, worried.

Sonic clenched and let out a deep breath, bringing his temper back down.

"Right, can you fly?" he asked, concerned.

Tails nodded. "Yes, and quickly, too. Let's go."

Sonic ran back to the pond with Tails flying close behind. They were not sure what to expect, but what they found was not what they wanted.

Knuckles was lying face down, unconscious, at the edge of the water.

Sonic and Tails grabbed Knuckles by his arms and pulled him out of the pond. They turned him over on his back and Tails checked for a pulse.

"He's alive!" he said, relieved.

"Yeah, but he's out cold," Sonic said.

"But how?" Tails asked, worried again. "Knuckles is the toughest guy we know."

"You heard Eggman. That robot is Chaos Inclined. And I saw it regenerate itself."

"Regenerate? None of Eggman's robots have been…"

Tails' voice trailed off and he narrowed his eyes. Sonic knew that expression. His little buddy had just thought of something important.

"Mystic powers?" he whispered.

"What?"

"I'll explain on the way. C'mon, we gotta get Knuckles to my workshop."

With some effort, Sonic and Tails managed to get Knuckles on the Hedgehog's back. Sonic tilted his head to avoid his quills sticking into Knuckles' face, grimacing as the action strained his neck. When Knuckles was situated, the two hurried back to the workshop.

"So, Tails, what's this about Mystic power?" Sonic asked.

"Humans who are Chaos Inclined like us," Tails said. "They use items called forcejewels to channel their powers."

"Yeah, I know that. What does this have to do with Eggman?"

"Maybe he's using Mystic forcejewels to power his new robots. That would explain why Knuckles would have a hard time against this one. I hear one of their powers is Restoration."

"Only one way to find out. We gotta catch up with that Egg Carrier."

"What about Knuckles?"

"We'll leave him at the workshop to rest," Sonic said. "Right now, we gotta stop Eggman from getting anymore Emeralds. Besides, you know Knuckles. It'll take more than just getting knocked about to keep him down. He should be fine when he wakes up."

Tails looked uncomfortable. As worried as he was for Knuckles, he knew Sonic was right. Eggman had to be stopped, and Knuckles seemed to be in a relatively stable condition.

Finally, the Fox nodded in agreement.

"Let's go. You take care of Knuckles, and I'll get the Tornado up and running."

As soon as they made it back, Tails headed to the basement and started up the Tornado, while Sonic placed Knuckles on the couch. Seeing a note pad and pen on a nearby table, he quickly jotted down a note for the Echidna. As the hanger doors opened, Sonic ran down and took his place on the top of the plane's wings. The two friends exchanged confident grins before taking off, preparing for the fight to come.