-Knuckles-

"Robots!"

The grey squirrel's cold voice cuts through my thoughts. I turn to face the same way he is – he knows where they're coming from. Having him here is dangerous, probably more dangerous than ever before with all of the Chaos Emeralds in the same place, but Sonic and Shadow will need him... and I've come prepared to stop him, if I have to.

I know what Sonic planned, and I know he and Shadow can do it. While I may be able to, I'm not at all certain... nor am I certain that it won't take them and me to do this. Of course, that's if we can get Sonic out, and if Shadow ever comes out of the state he's in. What possessed that idiot hedgehog to run off like that? Sonic's always been reckless and irresponsible, running off ahead without a thought for what could happen, but this is going too far even for him! And as for Shadow...

Then the robots show up, and there's no more time to think! I dodge into a side corridor to avoid their shots until they get a little closer, Rouge beside me. There's a squeak from the cat, Chess, as she fires at the robots. I can see her from here – she's right out in the open! Blaze and Crossfire are with her, though, so I suppose she has a chance. If she's smart enough to stay with them. And I hope she is, because there's no way I or anyone else can get over there.

"Chess, do as I say. Do not stop to think."

It's the younger, red-furred squirrel, Blaze. Maybe it's just the sensitivity the Master Emerald has given me, but when I glance at him, his eyes seem to dominate his entire face, the power behind them stronger than ever.

"What?"

"Left!"

To my surprise, she actually does obey him, dodging to the left just as a shot burns through the air where she stood. Next to me, Rouge gasps at the near miss, almost silently.

"Right!"

Chess jumps back to the right, more shots narrowly missing her. Blaze, still firing at the robots and never seeming to dodge himself, just walking around the little patch of corridor as calmly as if there wasn't anything happening at all, not a single blast ever hitting him, continues to call out instructions. Crossfire fires and fires again, each shot precisely aimed for all its speed, every one turning another robot to scrap. He no longer bothers to dodge, but the shots that hit him seem to do little more than singe his fur, make him fire back faster. Like Blaze, his eyes seem to me to dominate his face, almost glowing with his power. He's all but invulnerable now, and close to letting that power take him over. I can't help but admire the strength of his determination, the way he's somehow managed to hold onto himself for all these years... but I remember what Blaze said to me before. If he knew what he was, that inner strength might not be enough.

The robots, those that are left, close in on us, and Rouge and I step out to fight them. There aren't that many; nothing we can't handle – but Blaze's calm instructions suddenly stop, and I hear him shout

"No!"

There's a cry of pain. There's no-one it can be but Chess. She must have stopped listening to him, or not moved fast enough... either way, she's down. I concentrate on finishing off the remaining robots. Until they're gone, no-one can help her at all.