Chapter 1 - Beginnings

The sound of an alarm clock rang loudly in the early morning hours. A tired two-tailed fox slowly sat up, and yawned, before shutting off the alarm. Glancing at the clock, he could see it was around six in the morning. Slowly, he climbed out of bed, and put his shoes on, leaving the bedroom and going to the kitchen to prepare a small breakfast before getting to work in his laboratory. He made some coffee, and poured it into a small mug. He then sipped a small amount of the hot liquid.

"That stuff's going to stunt your growth. You do know that, right?"

Tails turned to find Sonic leaning against the wall next to the refrigerator. He tilted his head, confused. "I don't think that's entirely true, Sonic…"

Sonic shrugged, still wearing that familiar grin on his face. "Just lookin' out for you, champ."

Smiling, he sipped more coffee. "Aw, Sonic, you always treat me like a little kid. You know I'm a lot stronger than I was a long time ago."

"I know. But seeing as you're practically my kid brother, I still have to keep an eye out for ya!"

Tails rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Sonic." He sipped some more of his morning drink before looking back at the blue hedgehog. "Sonic, why are you up this early anyway? I never see you around at this time…"

"Heh, Is it a law that I always gotta sleep in? I think I deserve a right to be an earlybird, too. Besides, I have something to take care of today."

Tails made a small chuckle. "Oh, yeah, that's right. You have an all-day DATE with Amy!"

Sonic gave Tails a look of shock and embarrassment. "Hey, knock it off already! It wasn't entirely MY choice! So I lost a bet with her, that doesn't mean I'm falling head over heels for the girl!"

He put his hands up in front of him in defense. "Woah, take it easy, Sonic! I was only fooling with ya! Besides, you should try to have a little fun anyway, since you're going to be out with Amy all day…"

Sonic made a snorting sound, and rolled his eyes. "What's so fun about shopping and browsing around clothes and make-up for several hours? I'd rather be running around."

Tails grabbed a newspaper lying on the table, and headed to the large garage, where he kept his laboratory and other things. "Well, at least TRY to make her happy, okay? Don't be in such a slump today…"

When Tails left the room, Sonic shrugged, and sighed. "Whatever." He then left the house, and ran for Amy's apartment in the central part of Station Square.

Meanwhile, at the very apartment that Sonic was to arrive at, a pink hedgehog girl was pacing around the living room in her usual red dress and boots, waiting for Sonic to show up. The whole time, a little rabbit and her chao had to sit on the couch and watch her.

"Ooooh, what is taking that Sonic so long!" Amy stamped her foot on the ground.

The rabbit, Cream, frowned. "Amy, please don't get impatient. It's still very early. Maybe Mr. Sonic isn't awake yet…" Her chao, Cheese, squeaked in agreement.

Amy looked at Cream, and sighed. "I know, I know. But I'm just so anxious to get started with our activities for today! I've been dreaming of this day for years! Finally, Sonic and I will be on our first date!"

Cream and Cheese looked at each other. "I don't think that's what it is…"

Amy gave them an annoyed glance. "Oh, yeah? Then why don't you tell me what it is, if you're so smart?"

"Uh, no, no, if you say it's a date, then it's a, um, date!" Cream made a nervous giggle. She knew it was wise to stay on Amy's good side, for her temper was fierce.

Amy smiled again. "Then it's settled! This is the first date we'll ever have together!" There was a knock at the door. "Oh, it's him! Coming, Sonic!" Rushing to the door in a rather excited fashion, she quickly pulled the door open.

Sonic stepped in, and looked towards the couch. "Hiya Cream! Hey Cheese!"

They both waved. "Good morning Mr. Sonic. Are you well?"

"Never Bett- ahh!" At that moment, he was hugged tightly by Amy.

"Oh, Sonic, I'm so glad you made it! I can't wait to get started today!"

"Uh, yeah, we should probably get going, shouldn't we?" he gave Cream a sort of 'help me!' look, to which she replied with only a shrug and a nervous smile.

"I'm so excited! This will be the most fun date ever!" Amy squealed with glee.

Sonic gave her a quirky look. "I don't think that's what this is…"

Amy gave him the same look she gave Cream when she made a comment about the date thing. "It IS a date, Sonic, and you WILL have fun."

Sonic quickly changed his part of the argument. "Okay, okay, it's a date, it's a date! Sheesh!"

Amy giggled happily, still holding onto him. "Oh, Sonic, I knew you'd see it my way! It's like we were meant to be! C'mon, let's get going!" She grabbed his arm, and rushed out the door, giving Sonic only a second to wave goodbye to Cream and Cheese before he was dragged out the door with Amy. Jumping off the couch, Cream walked over and shut the open door, sighing.

"I do hope they're careful out there. A day with those two can lead to disaster sometimes, you know, Cheese?"

The chao squeaked again, agreeing with his owner.

Back at Angel Island, Knuckles was starting to wake up as well, having had, for once, a decent rest. He stood up, and stretched a bit. Looking out at the horizon, he could see that they were in for some fair weather. Since he was always outside, guarding the M.E., he had learned how to predict what was going to happen that day, weather-wise. He always looked for natural signs in the sky every morning. Looking at the Emerald, he placed his hand on it, and gave it a slight rub. "So, you're still here, as always. It's not like I was expecting much difference. I AM guarding you, after all." Sighing, he looked back at the horizon. But it wasn't the horizon that caught his eye next. A small dot in the sky is what he noticed, and it seemed like it was getting bigger, as if it was coming close to the floating isle. Knowing that nothing good was going to come from this, he rushed down the ancient stairway, leading to the grounds surrounding the altar, to greet whatever was headed in his direction. After a while, it became apparent that the UFO was none other than Ivo, flying in his small aircraft.

Watching him come closer, Knuckles clenched his teeth, and punched his fists together. "Eggman…"

Within moments, Ivo landed on the island, and jumped out of his vehicle, landing near Knuckles. The two of them stood there for minutes, staring each other down. Soon, however, Knuckles spoke first. "What are you doing here, Eggman!"

Ivo looked down at him, before kneeling before Knuckles, and sobbing. "Oh, Knuckles! You wouldn't believe what just happened! There I was, minding my own business, when suddenly Sonic started destroying my precious… home! No matter HOW many times I asked and pleaded, he wouldn't stop! When he was done trashing everything about, he told me that he was tired of living the good life, and needed some excitement! He wants to harness the power of the Master Emerald AND the Chaos Emeralds! He also told me if I didn't get the Master Emerald from you, he would tear me apart, just like my home! You gotta help me, Knuckles! Please!"

Knuckles couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was sure the Doctor was trying to trick him again. "Me! Help YOU! Eggman, do you really think I'm going to fall for your stupid tricks AGAIN? The last time I listened to you, one of your stupid machines blew up in my face after I tangled with Sonic in Sky Canyon! What makes you think this will work AGAIN!"

"But you HAVE to believe me! Sonic also gave me a message for you! He said 'If you won't hand over the Master Emerald, then Amy will pay the price'! He must've left to go kidnap her after destroying my home!"

"Wh-What…!" The fact that Ivo wanted him to hand over the Master Emerald was debatable, but if he was telling the truth about Amy, then he couldn't risk not trusting him. Amy's life could be at stake! If Sonic DID want all that power, like Ivo said, then he would do anything to get it, including placing others in harm's way! It was actually starting to make sense, and it was making Ivo's story seem believable.

"So what do you say, Knuckles? Will you help me?"

"Help you! I'm going to help Amy, and put Sonic out of commission! There'll be no need for you to take that Emerald. Sonic won't get the chance to take it from me, OR you! I'll take care of him myself! You keep an eye on the M.E. while I go find Sonic and rescue Amy!" With that said, Knuckles jumped off the island, and glided in the direction of Station Square.

"Oh, don't worry Knuckles! It'll be safe with me!" He waved as Knuckles slowly disappeared into the distance. When he was gone, Ivo grinned, before laughing maniacally. "Mwa ha ha ha! What an idiot! I knew if I kept making up stories, he would have to believe me sooner or later! Sure, that Emerald is practically all he cares about, but once he hears someone's in danger, their life matters more than the Emerald! So now that he's gone to 'rescue Amy', I can take what's mine!" Jumping into his vehicle, he flew into the air, and hovered near the Master Emerald. A giant mechanical claw shot out from under his aircraft, and attached itself to the giant Emerald. It strained as it tried to pull it from the altar. Ivo hit a clenched fist against the dashboard. "Come on, you stupid piece of junk! Wrench it from the altar! NOW!" With a final twist, the claw pulled the Master Emerald up from its spot, leaving a small hole where it once pivoted. Ivo grinned.

"Now there is nothing that can stop me!"