Back at the Angel Island crash site, Knuckles had just finished telling everyone what had happened.
Amy: So, the island just fell?
Knuckles: Yeah. Usually, there is a reason why it falls. Like, the Master Emerald is stolen or broken. But as you can see, it's right there.
Knuckles pointed to the Master Emerald shrine, which had the emerald safe and sound.
Cream: Maybe something is wrong with the emerald.
Knuckles: What are you talking about?
Cream: You know how some toys use a battery to work?
Knuckles: Yeah.
Cream: Let's say the Master Emerald is a battery which powers up Angel Island and causes it to fly. After a while, the battery runs out of power and you have to replace it.
Amy: I get it! Your saying that Angel Island fell because the Master Emerald is running out of power, right?
Cream: Exactly.
Knuckles: That's impossible. The Master Emerald's power source is unlimited, it can't run out of power.
Cream: Are you sure?
Knuckles: Yes I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be?
Cream shrugged, and Knuckles sighed. He decided to sit down and think. While he was thinking, he saw Big walk over to the island. He put both hands on the island and started lifting it.
Knuckles: What are you doing!
Big: Trying to throw it back into the sky.
Knuckles shook his head, and Big fell down, exausted.
Big: It's heavier than it looks!
Knuckles: No duh.
Knuckles stared at the ground. He wanted to think about the Master Emerald and Angel Island, but his mind kept wandering to Rouge. Rouge laughing, he and Rouge walking, he and Rouge talking. Eventually, he slammed a fist in frustration and stood up. Amy and Cream saw this, and decided to talk to him.
Amy: What's wrong now?
Knuckles: I don't want to talk about it.
Cream: Talking usually helps.
Amy: Come on, Knuckles! Tell us what's on your mind.
Knuckles: ...Fine.
Amy and Cream smiled as they waited for Knuckles to talk.
Knuckles: Um... uh... I was kind of...
He scratched the back of his head and was blushing a bit.
Knuckles: Could you guys...take me to Rouge?
Amy and Cream giggled a bit, which made Knuckles a bit made.
Amy: Sure! We'll go get changed, and take you to Station Square as soon as we finish.
Knuckles: Good.
Cream: But we need to fix you up a bit before you see her.
Knuckles: Why?
Three years alone had caused Knuckles' dreadlocks to grow really long, his shoes were all worn out, and he was pretty dirty.
Knuckles: All right fine! Now can we please get on with it!
Cream and Amy giggled, then walked away to get changed. While Knuckles was standing there, Big walked over to him.
Big: Want to know what I'm thinking?
Knuckles: Not really.
Big: I'll tell ya anyway!
Knuckles: Oh geez.
Big: I think Amy's hot! Knuckles: Uhh.
Big: And Cream is pretty cute too!
Knuckles: I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash, followed by the screams of Amy and Cream. Knuckles and Big ran towards the source of the sounds, and found a robot echidna. In one arm was Amy, in the other arm was Cream.
Knuckles: Who are you!
Robot: I am Metal Knuckles. And I have been sent to retrive miss Cream and miss Amy.
Knuckles: Drop them right now or I'll rip you apart!
Before Knuckles could do anything, Big whipped out his fishing pole and managed to wrap the line around Metal Knuckles. Knuckles ran towards him and managed to get Cream. He was about going to get Amy, but Metal Knuckles broke the wire and flew off with Amy.
Knuckles: AMY!
Amy: Knuckles, help me!
Knuckles, Cream, and Big started running after Metal Knuckles. After a while, Metal Knuckles let out a laugh, and dissapeard in a flash of light. Knuckles fell on his face, Cream fell on her knees, and Big just stopped.
Knuckles: AHHH!
Knuckles slammed his fists into the ground, creating a hole.
Cream: Knuckles...
Big: What do we do now?
Knuckles picked himself off the ground, clenching his fists in anger.
Knuckles: We're going to get Amy back.
