-Knuckles-

I'm standing with Amy's resistance fighters, waiting for Sonic. Used to constantly watching out for danger, a part of me is aware of Amy's movement as she paces up and down, and I wish she'd stop... but most of my attention is focused on the squirrels, Blaze and Crossfire. Ever since I came here, I've been aware of something unusual. My senses, attuned to the Master Emerald for as long as I can remember, are telling me there's more to them than meets the eye – a lot more.

I look into their eyes. They're deep blue, identical in hue but incredibly different in every other aspect. Blaze, peaceful, innocent, yet somehow incredibly knowledgeable. Crossfire, full of burning hatred and rage, held back by some tenuous restraint. The cat, Chess, told me Blaze sometimes talked as if he knew what was going to happen next. I wonder... and I intend to ask him. I think I know what Sonic plans – and I think that Amy's resistance fighters have been in far worse danger than they believed for a long, long time. If I'm right, then I'm only surprised that they're still alive – and Blaze speaks, cutting into my thoughts.

"They'll be back soon. He'll be all right."

His voice is as calm and certain as his expression, and it's clear, at least to me, that he knows this to be true. I wonder how they could have not seen the power within them, how they could look into those impossibly ancient eyes and dismiss what they must have felt there as nothing. Not even Shadow, who I'd have expected to, seems to have noticed, only Sonic. His plan is risky... but I can't think of a better one.

There's a flash in the centre of the room, a surge of Chaos Energy, and Sonic, Shadow, and Tails appear, Shadow lying down, the other two kneeling by his side. He's hurt, but he'll live.

"Shadow!" Amy cries, running to his side. I look at Blaze again, who's completely unsurprised, and see his eyes shine for a moment with a light from within. This can't have been happening all this time, or they would have noticed. And I think I can work out why it is now...

"...Well guys, we got it!" I look to Sonic, see him holding up the yellow Chaos Emerald. Amy's fighters have just two Emeralds left to find now, and the others are all here, together with the Master Emerald. With this much power in one place, I'm certain the squirrels are reacting to it. It's bringing out their own powers...

Crossfire and Chess start to argue as I walk up to Blaze, not really paying attention to his brother.

"I think I know how Sonic plans to find the lost Emerald. Blaze, are-"

He cuts me off, his voice quiet, but with an urgent undertone to it.

"Don't ask me that, Knuckles. We must not hear what you have to say. Those futures are bleak."

I stare at him in surprise, but after a moment, it starts to make sense. If I was right, and Crossfire heard, whatever it is that restrains him might well snap. After that, I think we'd all be doomed. I nod to Blaze and turn away. He's enough Mobian still to look relieved.

Now I know what Sonic intends... and I know he might just be in with a chance.