Chapter 5: Reality Check

Dashing through the barely lit streets the two finally arrived at a dead end in an alleyway, Espio turned around and grinned and lifted up the pavement in front of him, he twitched his hand for Knuckles to go in and followed closing the hatch behind them. A long stair case followed and led into a sewer like room, Espio grinned and tapped the side of his left bracelet making a wall little down the path slide open allowing them to pass through, the wall slammed shut behind them locking them into what looked like a very small city under the large city. They walked across the platform and into a small building, Espio pushed open the door and signaled for Knuckles to follow him. Sitting with his feet up on the desk was a black hedgehog with red highlights; he yawned and spun a gun around in his hand. Knuckles leaned up against the wall as Espio put one hand on his hip and gave off a tiny grin.

"What is it now Espio?" Shadow moaned.

"Nothing much…I'd open my eyes if I was you." Espio said with a chuckle.

"Why? If this is another attempt at trying to scare me then…" Shadow said slowly opening one eye a tiny bit.

Shadow immediately jumped forward at the sight of the red echidna. Shadow's jaw dropped and his eyes nearly fell out, Shadow pointed for a second and looked at Espio.

"Just got back from a prolonged visit in the slammer." Espio commented.

"Knuckles…is that you?" Shadow gawked, "You look…different…"

"No shit it's me." Knuckles said coldly.

"Robotnik pumped Knuckles here full of Emerald Ore for the past 3 years." Espio said sternly, "Just a word to the wise, don't piss Knuckles off."

Shadow looked up at Knuckles, Knuckles had an angry glare in his eyes, and an upset frown as he tapped his foot on the dirty floor loudly. Shadow grinned and gave Knuckles a serious look.

"Knuckles…I can tell you definitely want to get back at Robotnik. Would you like to join us? We plan on over throwing that fat bastard and could use your help." Shadow said with an evil grin stretching across his face.

"Fight against Robotnik…kill his little followers…have fun doing it…you better believe I'm in. Robotnik has had an ass-kicking coming for far too long." Knuckles answered while cracking his knuckles.

"Shadow…before you get into your whole overthrowing Robotnik lecture…I think its time we tell Knuckles just what has happened." Espio commented.

"…you're right. Knuckles this isn't easy to say. The world has been overrun with these monsters that most people call "Quaro". Robotnik built this city which the Quaro can't seem to infiltrate and has technically enslaved all who live in it. You live here or die outside, follow his rules or die. I think there is more to it though, as with all of Robotnik's schemes." Shadow said.

"This city is known as Neotropolis and is almost as large as an island. Sadly due to protection reasons the city can't be any bigger. It's best to avoid guards; they'd rather shoot you than help you. Plus Robotnik has the city broken into Zones; you need a pass to get through the zone barriers if you don't then prepare to be dust." Espio said, "We're in the slums at the moment. I think it's the Delta area of the city. I'm not exactly sure…I don't spend too much time outside site seeing.

"Was I really his prisoner for 3 years?" Knuckles wondered.

"Yes…" Espio answered shamefully.

"Who else made it?" Knuckles asked.

"We all made it safely; this small outpost is an ancient catacomb we found under the city. Robotnik does not know of its existence, thankfully or it'd be hard to use it as our base of operations." Shadow commented.

"I see." Knuckles mumbled.

Before another word could be spoken the door to the room opened wide and a White Echidna with green stripes gown across his face, down his dreads, arms, and legs walked in with a serious tone on his face. He walked right by Knuckles and Espio and placed a sheet of paper down on Shadow's desk. Shadow's crimson red eyes scrolled from side to side as he read the paper, the echidna stood still with the back of his fists pressing against his side. He glanced over at Espio and the red echidna next to him and gave off a look of shock.

"Ha! You miss him Larez?" Espio chuckled.

"Knuckles?" Larez gasped.

"Next person to act like that when they see me is going to get my fist up their ass." Knuckles grumbled.

"Good ole Robotnik really pissed Knuckles off. I wouldn't get to sentimental." Espio said, "It could be bad for your health."

"…You ok bro?" Larez asked his voice filled with concern.

"I'll be fine. Once I get my hands on everyone's favorite dictator." Knuckles replied harshly.

"Larez…where did you get this?" Shadow asked.

"Vector gave it to me." Larez answered, "Said his last case involved him looking for it."

"Very well then. We'll need to go to this outpost and destroy it. We can't allow Robotnik to get his hands on the Dark Emeralds, and the Light Emeralds." Shadow stated, "Vector tell you how Robotnik tracked the signal they give off?"

"No. He just said Robotnik set up the outpost so they could search the area for the current location. If he gets his hands on those emeralds as well, who knows what he will make. I'm beginning to think it might be best to move them here, since his tracking sensors can't detect anything in this place." Larez stated.

"They'll lock onto us if we enter the city with the emeralds. We'll need to damage the tracking towers on the Capital tower to pull such a thing off." Shadow harshly stated, "That's not easily done."

"Espio…do you understand anything they are talking about?" Knuckles asked.

"Yes." Espio answered.

"Mind saying things so that I can understand!" Knuckles rudely said as he slammed his fist on the table, sending a loud thud throughout the room.

Everyone turned to him and gave him a blank look. Knuckles removed his fist and brushed the side of his arm.

"Espio and I can take out the Tracking Towers; you guys can move the emeralds. Sound good?" Knuckles said.

"No. We'll need a bigger force to take them out. The towers are at the halfway point of the Capital Tower. You two will never make it that far." Shadow said with authority.

"He's right. For now we can only do some damage at the outpost." Espio said.

"We'll have to act fast; one of the Generals will be overseeing its construction." Larez noted.

"Generals?" Knuckles questioned.

"…It's a long story. Very well. We'll head out in 5 minutes." Shadow said, ignoring Knuckles' question.

Shadow jumped out of his seat and stretched quickly, Espio and Larez walked out of the room as Shadow put his arm around Knuckles and pulled him close.

"Knuckles…I missed you." Shadow whispered, "I was afraid I had lost you. Like I lost Maria…"

"…Don't worry. I don't plan on dieing anytime soon." Knuckles commented.

"…I'm here for you buddy." Shadow said.

Knuckles gave Shadow an odd look as he walked out of the room. Shadow gave out a sigh and dashed to catch up, Shadow's mind was racing as he thought about Knuckles still being alive, however his heart however was filled with rage since even Shadow knew Knuckles might never be the same again.