Sonic 17
CH.5: Conflict of the Chaos emeralds
Knuckles steered the shaky ship through space and kept a constant eye on what he presumed was the navigational map. Pulling on the yoke he avoided a collision with a huge rock and hitting the accelerator sped through a closing gap and with a spin came out upside down. Echidnas weren't meant for space travel, he thought miserably, they were meant to live peaceful lives on the still ground. The big red light blinked and as Knuckles stared up he dropped his mouth at what he saw. Past Space Colony Ark was another colony, much bigger in size and had enough guns to level it and Earth as an appetizer. Knuckles hit auto pilot and rested his head against the window and sighed realizing he missed his island and friends. A huge door opened and as the little ship flew in a huge iron grip steered it to the far right corner of the hangar. Popping the hatch Knuckles got out and patrolled the area. "That Colonel guy sure has a large supply of-."
"Hey Don 380 put that missile down before you level the colony," a sharp voice said. Knuckles climbed up the pipe just as two humans entered carrying what they said…a missile! "The Colonel expects every thing to be done exactly by Earth's night. By then we'll have the juice to tear apart that huge Space Colony Ark…and that human populated water mass called Earth. Now hurry up before the Colonel reprograms you."
"The girls must be here…as well as the two Chaos emeralds and if that's the case I'll need to hasten my search." Dropping down from the pipe he proceeded to the left corridor where he was met by ensuing odds. He smashed the first one then threw the other two into the wall, but they were like a swarm of hyenas over dead meat (and he was the meat) and that wasn't a very comfortable position. Ducking under the next attack he made a run for the light only to be sent skidding across the floor.
"You never cease to amaze me Knuckles," a human voice said. "It seems that despite your rough interior, you are really a caring individual who'll go to any length to help your friends. It touches my heart; so with no further ado, duck!" A white whirlwind blew in from above and chewed through the first batch of robots. I still haven't forgot the Ark, she thought, and these feelings I have won't go away; but if have to I'll find a way to hide them. Knuckles got up and to his surprise he saw his savior Rouge! "I believe thanks are in-."
"Are you crazy Rouge! How did you get here? Don't you know that the risks up here don't involve breaking your thieving nails?" I admit I feel a warm feeling for her, and yes she has saved me on countless occasions, but up here I don't know if I can stand losing her. "Look, my ship is in the hangar bay-."
"Forget it Knuckles, I'm not leaving, while you sacrifice one for the team. Besides that Shadow is here to settle a score with the Colonel. So let us get this hero stuff over with before I change my mind." Flying ahead she could hear his impatient feet tap against the cold floor; before he came running.
"Shadow is here as well? If you don't mind answering my question, how did you get here?" Rouge stopped up ahead at the crossroad and indecision appeared to rattle her brain. Leaning against the wall Knuckles counted the sensor arrays before Rouge answered:
"Shadow managed to hitch a ride on the Colonel's private ship; so I decided to tag along. Now what is your main concern; rescue the girls or retrieve the rare and powerful Chaos emeralds?" The look he gave her made her shiver with goose bumps. So she chose right and they came to a prison area where they heard the soft sobs of a familiar friend. Amy Rose got up and hugged them as they ran to her cell and for a minute the hugging got too tight…
"Hey Amy get a hold of yourself!" She released them and stood back while both Rouge and Knuckles worked together to break the cell door down. Once out they headed to the research center where they found the two Chaos emeralds nestled safely behind a strong field. Rouge, who was an expert jewel thief, checked all the security controls before shutting down the field with a secret button. The sound of mechanical machines made them turn around to see two dozen enemies waiting.
"Knuckles get the Chaos emeralds! Me and Amy will take care of these clunk heads." Taking a fighting stance Rouge prepared to give her life in order for Knuckles to escape with the Chaos emeralds. Amy saw her Pico Pico hammer and rushed over and once she had it she leaped into the fray of mechanical chaos while Rouge threw down two at a time. "Say Amy…are you still mad at the blue blur?"
"Just a little…but Sonic is my true love, hard to stay mad at him anyway." Raising her hammer she smashed a machine's head then back flipped and swept the floor with them. By now Knuckles had the Chaos emeralds and was rushing through blind hallways avoiding any fights…the ship was within sight and just as he was about to rejoice at his success…a brilliant shine of green steered him away. Shaking his head in disbelief he stepped into another room and found Lucy and Michelle in crystal prisms and underneath them was the master emerald…shining a malevolent green.
"A job well done echidna, now hand over the Chaos emeralds." Knuckles stared up at the walkway and there stood the Colonel. "The friends lives you value so much are in my hands, and as you already know the right choice is to give me what I want. I am surprised you made it this far though, especially when you could've avoided getting everyone involved in a hopeless cause. Escape is no option for you now…for I bid you-."
"Knuckles get out of here!" A black speeding ball of light shot up from the ground and like a razor cut two tubes that held the prisms intact. Knuckles picked up the bag the stranger dropped and deposited them there; then he helped the recovering Lucy and Michelle to the hangar bay. Once he helped them into the Colonel's ship he heard the mad flaps of a bat, it was Rouge. But Amy wasn't with her!
"Start the engines Knuckles before they tear us to shreds." With not another word Rouge leaped into the copilot seat and checked the flight destination. There were too many of them, she thought, and Amy was taken near the end, all the same why didn't I pay attention? The engines roar quieted her fretful thoughts and with the ship already heading into the Earth's orbit she had no time for regret.
"So, the ultimate life form wishes to challenge me? This will be your final fight hedgehog, I advise you leave now before I begin to hate your existence again." He is not moving, he thought, well I gave him the chance to leave, but something tells me otherwise. Raising his mechanical hand he brought it down causing the research center to shake. Shadow made no move again and this ticked him off.
"Colonel, why do you despise my existence? Is it because I am the ultimate life form, or because you never could create anything like Gerald Robotnik?" The Colonel accessed a panel behind him and brought out a huge gun; the contents he guessed contained enough power to level the colony…and anything near it. The 1st shot out two snake like beams that zipped towards him. Shadow began to circle towards the other control panel and just as the beams neared him he kicked off from the panel and looked down as they exploded in a brilliant fire of crimson gold. "While you're in a mood of destroying electronics why not go for the big one?"
"My patience is growing worse hedgehog! I swear if you do not leave immediately I'll seriously consider leveling this place!" Now he let out a yell and with a flip of a switch the gun he held began to glow…including him. Several spots began to pop through his circuitry and his body became a monster of loose wires. Shadow dodged the next attack with ease then while still in the air he homed in on the glowing red spot to score.
"Colonel this place will level whether you let me live or die," he said as he twisted in the air. The beam passed over him and into another panel causing sparks to fly. While Shadow rested he noticed a warning on a panel and stiffened. All the damage done by the lasers had torn into the other rooms…one of those included the core! I have one shot now, he thought, if I fail the Ark will fall…right into the Earth. With no second thoughts he raced towards the Colonel and beat away at the spots until he rested on the floor. The Colonel roared in fury and raised his weapon up and fired. Explosions rocked the colony and a loose piece of debris fell from above killing the unsuspecting Colonel in a smash. Shadow limped over to the master emerald and with a slow breath said, "master…emerald give me the power…to escape this colony…and I will…return you to your…respective place." The Colony blew up and in a green flash all was still in the universe.
Space Colony Ark was still afloat and the planet Earth was still intact. On Angel Island Sonic the hedgehog stared up at the ruby explosion and gave out a sigh of relief. The sound of landing gears touching the soft dirt of the island made the blue hedgehog run to the landing site and stand beside a happy Chris and Helen. The ramp fell to the ground and down came Michelle and Lucy and behind them was Rouge and Knuckles; both carrying the Chaos emeralds. But Sonic waited for Amy Rose to walk down…thing was he didn't see her.
"Hey blue Romeo is pink Juliet your prized love?" Sonic ran to the side of the island where no trees stood and there in a small hovering ship was a burnt scientist…and an unconscious Amy Rose! "Meet me at the water tower in half an hour. And do not forget the Chaos emeralds or your girlfriend drowns!" As he left the island he began to laugh and during this Amy recovered from her slumber. In the distance she saw her love Sonic and she felt herself cry. "Do not fret child, you will be with your love soon."
"I know you don't intend us to leave that water tower," she said, "you just want those Chaos emeralds, no matter who drowns in your way. Well let me tell you something, Dr. Eggman's Chaos tried drowning the city before, but it was Super Sonic who beat him in the end. So have no reason to fear you-."
"So, Sonic can become super eh? Yes I read about that day, and I must say bravo for the hero. However Eggman had filled me in on Sonic's power and the 7 Chaos emeralds that enabled it. However I regret to inform you there are no Chaos emeralds left in your Station Square. Super Sonic indeed, once I drown you two you'll be just another Romeo and Juliet in my books." With the water tower in sight he landed on top and tied up Amy. Then he put her on the edge as bait knowing the hero Sonic would come to rescue his girl.
"Sonic this deed is too perilous for you to take on your own," Tails said trying to convince Sonic of what he was about to do, again. "This isn't your normal Eggman fight; this is a fight that will need teamwork. Let me fly you there then I'll distract any fire he may aim at you then you'll rescue Amy and then you can take on that scientist." Just then a green flash erupted and leaning against the bulk of the master emerald was Shadow. The hedgehog seemed weary and out of it.
"Space Colony 55 is no more. In my fight with the Colonel he blew up everything including the core causing an overload in all systems. By the way Knuckles, next time you go to space, make sure you remember your huge jewel." Knuckles was too shaken to apologize and Shadow didn't give him time to recover. "The scientist is the last pain in the butt you'll have to deal with, make sure you deal with him quickly…Sonic." Shadow then jumped off the island and as everyone peered over the edge they saw Dr. Eggman's ship. Neither of the party could speak.
"Sonic…good luck," Eggman said with a grin before he flew off. Sonic took a good long minute of staring at his friends then leaped off the island and sailed through the sky. He landed on a highway and stopped a few cars as he ran to the water tower. Then he climbed up the tower where up above was Amy and the scientist. She's up there with him!
"Sonic it is so good to see you! And I see you've brought me the Chaos emeralds…very kind of you. Here she is," and with a push of a button a rope came into view with a struggling Amy. "Now toss up the Chaos emeralds before I drown your-."
"Hold your tongue wacko scientist! How do I know you'll keep your word once I hand you these Chaos emeralds?" There was a moment's hesitation, too much for him to handle and he started to ascend faster. For a moment the scientist and Sonic locked eyes, and then in slow motion the scientist released the water and watched as it sped past a shocked Amy and came to a more powerful stop against Sonic. Water poured over him and his grip loosened on the ladder rung. The scientist expected the hedgehog to drop after the 1st drop of water, but he was surprised when he held his head high and continued up. "Know…I…could-."
"My advice to you hedgehog is never trust a villain, especially when your emotions are concentrated on your girl. Now I said I'd drown her if you failed to comply, so enjoy the wet summer!" The scientist released the whole mass of water and as it came down Sonic used those fateful minutes to speed his climbing and when the rope broke he caught her. Amy kissed Sonic long and held onto him, but the reunion was canceled as the water sent the two plummeting. The two held their hands and in that moment they held each other and the two Chaos emeralds began to react. "No…it can't be…the Chaos emeralds…they-."
"React to the power of love and unity," Sonic's voice rang out. Both he and Amy were enveloped in a green and blue light and when it faded they were different. Amy had a blue hammer that was quick in speed and her pink dress was a night blue. Sonic was almost the same but he had black along his back and in his hand was a red ring. "Amy look, the Chaos emeralds reacted to you and now your…super!"
"Yeah, isn't it great? Well lover, shall we tango together now and teach this baddy who's he's messing with?" Amy soared up along with Sonic and the scientist took his own change in pace. One of his creations came crashing down on him and when the scientist got up on his knees Amy and Sonic back flipped away as lasers came at them. Amy somersaulted over his head and pounded him in the back with her lightning quick hammer then watched as Sonic did a lightning homing attack to his humongous head.
"Foolish hedgehogs feel my wrath!" The scientist held up his palms and yellow beams came out and wrapped the hedgehogs in a deadly net. Both struggled against the wiring and as both held hands their eyes turned red and their power came crashing into the scientist until he finally fell.
The following day on Angel Island the groups were preparing to have a sendoff for Michelle and Lucy. Amy wore her pink dress and had her arm looped together with Sonic; both seemed relieved and sad about the sudden departure of the space travelers. "Well…call us."
"We will, and thank you Amy. I know now that Sonic likes you more, though I still don't see how. Chris Thorndyke I thank you for your assistance and in gratitude I want you to have this," and with that Michelle gave Chris a red jewel. Sonic looked at his ring and wondered if there was a connection. Michelle gave Sonic a kiss on the cheek then walked into the teleporter. Lucy gave Chris a longing look before she began to walk into the teleporter.
"Sonic I want you to know how lucky you are to have a girl like Amy. Make the time you have now special, if you do that, the tides of time won't be able to touch you. I thank you heroes of Station Square and wish you long and healthy lives." Lucy went up in a blue beam of light and as she landed near Michelle on their home world she still couldn't shake the fact of her lie. "I couldn't tell-."
"Neither could I Lucy, but if they could handle the greatest evil in our part of the woods, I'm sure they'll be able to handle the beings beyond their very world." What they didn't notice was the rock formation behind them was actually alive. As Michelle turned around it left to report to its master of this new threat.
"Sonic…I'll always be there for you," Amy said as she looked into the sinking sun, "no evil will take you away without me smashing it into bits with my Pico Pico hammer." As she looked into his green eyes she saw understanding and in that moment the two kissed again and held each other in that long embrace. Over by the edge of the island Chris and Helen lay on the grass playing with each other's hair. Chris enjoyed her company and Helen enjoyed his.
"Helen I promise to protect you…the same way as Amy, just without the hammer. I would give my life to ensure you live and no matter where I am, whether it be school or in a prison, that feeling that makes me warm around you will never die." Chris kissed her lightly on the lips and as he pulled away he still felt their lips together. As he opened his eyes he realized their lips had never parted. I guess it's a good kiss, Chris thought. Over on the other side of the island Rouge and Knuckles stood there becoming impatient-.
"Looks like Shadow left again," Rouge said, "sooner or later he will have to choose sides. I guess we'll always be on two sides of this battle, do you feel the same?" Typical echidna, she thought, you still can't express your feelings over me, well I have time and when you wish to, find me. Rouge gave him a wink then soared off the island and into Station Square. Knuckles was left there…and he was grinning too.
"Dr. Eggman we lost Shadow…again," Decoe said miserably. After Sonic had left to face off against the scientist; Shadow had landed in the outskirts of Station Square where they had caught up with him for a brief minute. He never said a word and the only motion he did to indicate he was alive was the fact that his eyes were on the stars. Now they were in the city, cold as morning; though for them it was a mere rusting that made them shiver. "Perhaps he returned to Sonic-."
"No, that isn't his way," Eggman said dismissively. "He still seeks the truth, and someday…I hope he finds it." With that he left for his lab and up the far reaches of space a being of high intelligence flew to report his message and if it knew its leader well, then immediate actions would be taken. It vanished in a white light and left the stars undisturbed.
Finished