Vector sighed.

"We lost, badly. We SO needed that Chaos Emerald. We're virtually broke." The green crocodile stated, sounding slightly depressed at that.

Just then the rest of the teams turned up.

"Hey, guys," Sonic said with a wave, motioning towards the Chaotix "You know where Eggman went?"

Just then, the said evil madman appeared and - looking more than a bit panicked - landed in front of the heroes.

"You guys, remember Mecha Knuckles from the race?" Eggman said, a bit too fast, without waiting for a reply. He continued. "It's returned, and it's stole the Chaos Emerald as well."

Knuckles stepped forward, rather aggresively. "So, that dirtbag thinks he can take off with the Chaos Emerald and get away with it? Well, he can think AGAIN!" With that, he leaped up into the air and took off, bounding across buildings, gliding - generally using every skill at his disposal - and took off to find his duplicate.

--

Rouge touched down after closely following the Mettalix.

"So," Rouge whispered to herself, flexing a bit "I guess I'll out the snatch on that creep's emerald when he least expects it." She got ready to pounce, but then noticed the robot had disappeared "Where the-?" Just then, she collapsed. The last thing she felt was a metal fist colliding with the back of her head.

--

Sonic was running through the city, the rest of the gang following closely.

I wonder where that Metallix is now... Hey! Where has Rouge gone to?

Just then, Amy looked up at a big scaffolding and noticed the notorious Mettalix up there, communicating with...something else up there, she couldn't make out what.

"Hey Sonic.." Amy started to say.

"Tell me later. Mettalix at twelve o'clock!" Sonic jumped up into the air and went to spin up into the air and reach the top of the scaffolding, to attempt to get the emerald back. Until a foot flew across his face, K.O.ing him instantly. Rouge flew up a bit and touched down, stretching her wings a bit.

"Silly hedgehog," Rouge said with a malicious grin "How he became a world-wide hero with moves like that, I don't know. One hit K.O.? Even from an elite warrior like me, that's pathetic." She purposely babbled on - giving the impression she had a lapse of concentration. Just then, she spun around and executed a strong kick, parrying Mettalix's punch. She then spun around 360 degrees in the air at a high speed, landing a kik in the fiends's face. Mettalix flew back and slid acros the floor, before picking himself up.

"Impressive. You put up a better fight than last time." Mettalix said to her.

"Well, you can't expect me to fall for the same trick twice." She said waving the no-no finger at him.

Mettalix and Rouge both dived forward, throwing punches and kicks like mad. Each blocking the other's attacks with a remarkable amunt of skill. Rouge jumpedup and tried a kick. Which Mettalix dodged - this attack left her completely open to attack! Mettalix sent a punch forward, right into her chest, then into her stomach. With a swift kick, she flew up into the air. He jumped up after her an grabbed one of her legs and swung around in a circle before releasing, sending her flying. She landed very roughly on the ground. Sending a dust cloud into the air.

"Rouge!" Vector cried as he ran over to inspect her. She only had two marks - thank god - on her chest where she was struck, slightly lower, she also had a bruise where she was kicked up into the air. On her stomach, however, she was bleeding a bit - where he must have hit her with a bit more force. On the back of her head was nothing for now, but that would come up in a lump. All-in-all, she'd be alright. "This guy is a monster. She's one of the best there is and he struck her down as if she was nothing!" He picked her up as the entire team took the elevator to the top of the scaffolding.

"So, another one of you fools think you can beat me?" He asked, rhetorically. Looking at the newly arrived crowd "Which one of you is it?"

Amy jumped forward, swinging her foot around, he blocked that attack. She then somersaulted forward with her hammer, and he blocked that attack as well. Mecha Knuckles then absent-mindedly kicked her away. Just then, Mecha Knuckles felt a fist fly into the back of his head and he flew forward through the air, straight into one of the scaffolding beams.

"Haha! Wasn't expecting that, was you!" Mighty said with a wide grin on his face. After a few seconds, Mecha Knuckles picked himself back up.

"Well, well, that pathetic little girl was a diversion?" Meha Knuckles asked rhetorically "Well, prepare to pay for that!"

The acute robot sensed someone approaching him from behind and swing around with a fist. It was Sonic, Mecha hit him straight in the nose and - due to the force of the attack - knocked him unconscious again.

"Damn, is that hedgehog unconscious again?" Mighty said in disbelief, he disregarded that as the robotic Echidna come at him. Mighty position his arms in a cross-shape and blocked the first punch. Before trying to force back Mecha Knuckles with a kick - which the robot evaded with a swift jump. He then dlivered a kick tothe side of Mighty's head, watching the Armadillo drop to the floor in pain.

"Heheh, I thought I might have some fun with you. How dull," He lifted his leg high up to strike another blow to the Armadillo's head before he was forced back with a punch. "Oh, look who turned up. My fake. Welcome, Knuckles. So good of you to join us."

Knuckles simply seethed as he stared at his robot counterpart in pure disgust and hate "So, you think you can take the Chaos Emerald and no-one will be able to take it back from you? Well, here I am!"

"Big words, but the rest of them thought they could beat me too," Mecha Knuckles leaped forward "Let's see what you're made of!"

Knuckles kicked the robot in the chest before he even touched down, sending him high up into the air. He then jumped up, where Mecha Knuckles tried a punch, which Knuckles parried with a kick. They swung at each other simultaneously, proving equal. Rapidly, Knuckles threw a punch into the robot's chest. Sending him towards the ground. Knuckles then touched down, further away from him.

"Hmm, you're MUCH better than the rest of those crackpots," Mecha Knuckles said, stepping back a bit "Looks like I might need to raise my standards!" Mecha Knuckles then threw his head back, outstretched his arms and started floating in mid-air. After a few seconds, the power of the Chaos Emerald he possessed flowed into him. And he was functioning optimally. His eyes were now a very bright green. "Bring it on!"

Knuckles jumped forward to meet his challenge. Mecha Knuckles moved forward at a speed that would hold a candle to Sonic's and swung at Knuckles, sending him flying through the air. Knuckles backflipped and landed on his feet, his counterpart was yet again approaching. He swung a punch before he was near. And - as he expected - he was met with a punch, Knuckles went flying again. The strength Mecha had now was unbelievable.

I'm done for if I don't think fo something soon..

Then he was zapped with a cannon that was well pronounced on the villain's chest. "I never thought you'd go down so easily. I feel disgusted to be based off of you." While he was babbling, he never noticed Knuckles disappear "Hey, where the -!" A fist protruded out of Mecha's torso, the fist came out the same way it went in, taking a Chaos Emerald with it. The robot dropped to the floor "Who -?"

"Me. In fact, I should be disgusted you're supposed to be anywhere near as good as me. I wouldn't let my ego get in the way of fighting. " Knuckles then raised his foot and brought it on Mecha's head, disabling him. Yet not totally destroying, unbeknownst to the Echidna.

"Well, we have the Emerald. Wake the bat and the 'hog. We need to be going!" Knuckles said with a grin.

TBC