Somewhere else, sunlight shines all over the forest in the surrounding area, with a couple of birds chirping. The wind whipped softly through the trees as a few woodland creatures instinctively skipped around the bushes.

Here, this was another section of South Island called Marble Bridge. An ancient underground complex, immersed with bubbling lava pools and keen-witted dungeons, consisting of many bridges.

With a few light-green stones on them, some of the footbridges became joined to lush green cliff sections. Any of the crossings placed around the waterfall are less sturdy than the sloping, ordinary ones. There were also upstream rivers below the ground that followed various bridges with a dangerous abyss, which any unfortunate visitor can fall straight into if not careful.

Afar somewhere, going past the bridges, ancient ruins remain lying around, and pits of steaming lava spring over. Travelers would discover a massive dungeon maze deep underground, made up of tight corridors and filled with traps, dangerous devices, and small puzzles that take up most of this section.

The silence got driven off by audible thuds of high-speed footsteps. Seconds upon seconds of rapid jogging did very much for Sonic's mood. Especially for the archer princess who held onto Sonic for dear life if not from his tremendous speed.

Simply navigating with Sally to the end of a cliff, Sonic descends over to land on a wooden bridge, which causes it to wriggle up and down. Geographically speaking, Sonic and Sally could see that they were somewhere around the midpoint of South Island.

The place here and there remained set across a gigantic river with many separated bridges that operated Marble Bridge. While slightly dizzy from the landing by Sonic, she couldn't bring out a single sentence once they realized the bridge that they were on was going to collapse.

Sonic grins devilishly just as a couple of Choppers sprung out to take a bite out of the two mobians, only for Sonic to sidestep and swiftly kick away each piranha-based Badnik while carrying Sally.

The blue hedgehog then jumped with enough acceleration onto one of the balance scales, causing a kettlebell to go up and then down, propelling both Sonic and Sally up onto a cliff section and continued. Right now, Sally was amazed, and better yet, surprised by Sonic and how he pulled off a sonic boom back in Green Hill. Never had she ever experienced so much wind whizzing over her head as Sonic dashed onward.

He didn't get called The Fastest Thing Alive for nothing.

"This. Is. Insane." Sally pondered in her thoughts with shock before shouting enough for Sonic to listen, "Do you mind stopping here for a bit!?"

"Sure enough, princess!" Sonic replied to her, "Let me just give this place another second glance before you start feeling your legs again."

The chipmunk girl could only roll her eyes in exasperation, "Sure, more like it's that I can't feel myself entirely."

Sonic smirked while he carried Sally through his haste of burning rubber past a small temple, peering around for the next Chaos Emerald. Not before long, the spiky hedgehog soon skidded his feet that came to a halt, causing Sally to gasp a bit afterward.

"Just like that, the Hedgehog-Speed-Station has made its first stop on the Marble Bridge!" Sonic declared, staring off into the mountainous and forestry region. "Though come to think of it, this place looks like any twists-and-turns carved by a crazed wack job."

Sally was already brought back onto her feet, causing her to feel slightly dizzy and shaken. "Ugh..."

"You okay, Sally?" Sonic asked sheepishly, receiving the chipmunk girl's quiet expression.

Before the blue hedgehog could say anything else, his expression soon dropped to confusion as Sally had begun laughing.

"What's so funny?" Sonic asked, looking confused.

"That was so thrilling!" Sally squealed happily. "The way you broke through the speed of sound was just so incredible!"

"Oh! Uh, hehe," Sonic giggled modestly, "I've always been able to do that sort of thing my entire life. It gets even cooler when you're feeling the breeze in your face and through your hair too!"

Sally tilted her head with a soft smile after ceasing her laughter, "Really, now-?"

Just when Sally walked over, the sloping platform started to catch on fire.

"Whoa!" Sally yelled out before she commenced a backflip, landing on over to another platform.

Sonic jumped away from the flaming platform as well, who quickly noticed Sally again, "Man, that was a close! Sally, upfront!" he warned.

The princess managed to gain note that the terrace she was on had begun to catch fire too. With a hurriedly determined puff, Sally remotely sprinted across each platform with enough speed to not ever get incinerated. Not to mention how Sonic remained still, following how the redhead's enhanced agility played out.

"Whoa," Sonic uttered a single word in awe, almost succumbed with a slacked jaw.

As he watched, Sonic saw the way Sally performed a handstand front flip that maneuvers a twisting somersault. Finally, she landed on the other side with grace, looking back toward the same spot Sonic stayed.

"It looks like you need to keep up with me, Sonic! Unless you want to be cooked alive, I'd recommend jumping." Sally teased back with a smirk and then continued onward.

"Man, this girl sure knows how to speak my language!" Sonic smirked, glancing afar toward Sally's direction with a cocky expression.

Using enough of his top speed, Sonic dashed forward, flipping across three more flaming grounds. Sonic even gathered up some animals along the way and took them to safety.

"I don't want you guys falling into any lava," Sonic said, taking them just far enough from the pools that they could get back to Green Hill safely.

The animals made sounds that seemed to indicate something like thanks.

Or approval.

Whichever worked.

After this task, Sonic resumed going after Sally to continue their search for the Chaos Emeralds. Not before long, two or three jumping fireballs from the lava pits came about. As Sonic hopped and dodged between the large platforms that slowly bobbed up and down, he later made his way onto the other side with ease.

"Alright now, time to find Sally before anything-"

Sonic had trailed off by the sight of Sally getting surrounded by Badniks while dodging. Three Buzz-Bombers were swarming in the air while two Cater-Killer were slithering over, with one trying to pounce on her first.

Instead, Sally charged forward and unleashed a dropkick through the first Cater-Killer's face, popping out a tiny critter as it scurries away. Whipping out her bow, Sally was in a perfect position as she lined up her target with two Buzz-Bombers she had to put down.

She fired two arrows, and they both went flying like bullets before hitting the two bee-based Badniks with tremendous speed. The spiky hedgehog showed a sign of interest in the princess' method of handling Badniks, but he also had a lot in store as well.

"Cool moves, princess!" Sonic called out before dashing down and past Sally, causing her to preserve herself. "Let me show you how it's truly done!"

The second Cater-Killer glared over at the speeding hedgehog, slinking its way over to attack him. "Priority One Hedgehog-!"

"Whoa, too slow!" Sonic exclaimed, right after he unleashes a sweeping kick to pop off and caught the caterpillar-based head.

Then, using enough energy to spring himself off the ground, Sonic aimed at three other Buzz-Bombers before shooting the robot head straight ahead. After discharging, the caterpillar-based head connected across each Buzz-Bomber in midflight, destroying them instantly as it released three other animals inside. Sonic landed perfectly onto the grassy ground while the critters scampered away, and then Sally came over with a smile.

"Great job, Sonic." Sally complimented.

"Yeah, I'm always the best," Sonic replied, looking at Sally. "But still, where did that come from?"

"What do you mean?" Sally asked.

"That! Back there, with all of that sick parkour and serious spins! That was amazing! Where'd you learn that?" Sonic asked, excitedly wagging his tail.

"Oh, well, one has to learn these things in case there's anything suspicious, and as well as keeping yourself fit throughout future events. Overall, I've always trained to become greater than better as a field leader, as well as Knothole's archer." Sally explained, handling her bow and collecting back arrows as she walked around.

"Oh, really now?" Sonic asked, walking alongside Sally. "Cause to me, you don't act like most princesses, even though I've never met one myself. But hey, it's a start!"

"Don't underestimate people around you, Sonic," Sally said, then gave him an earnest smile. "Besides, I don't really like being called a princess by anyone else. Out here, the only royalty is Mother Nature."

"Heh," Sonic chuckled, "You can say that again. Though, I can see places like these have a lot more than just plain old grass and water. Wonder if we'll find any of the Emeralds here?"

"Maybe, but I've heard stories about the Marble Bridge here, only I never believed they truly existed. I've heard that every time a group of archaeologists came to the ruins to study them, they got driven off by the traps set inside the dungeon." Sally said, nodding again as she picks carefully through a maze of fallen, scattered blocks.

"Funny, some people say that it was the ghosts of the place that drove them off." Sonic snickered.

Sally couldn't help but give Sonic an incredulous look, "Ghosts? Really?"

Sonic turns to Sally cheekily as he puffed up his chest, looking proud of himself, "But I ain't afraid of no ghosts! I eat ghosts for breakfast. You know what they taste like, Sal?"

Just as Sally could only gesture a mock impression of a palm on her chin, she eventually gave up with a shrug, "Oh well, I give up. What do ghosts taste like then?"

"Boo-Berries!"

Sally's expression soon drops as she seemed unimpressed yet secretly amused for some weird reason, facepalming herself, "Seriously, that was bad. How do you even come up with stuff like this?"

"There's more where that came from! Thank you, thank you," Sonic said, having his eyes closed with a cheesy grin while bowing gentleman-like.

Sally shook her head as she looked down at the ground for a few seconds while Sonic looks away cockily, but upon seeing him look off elsewhere, she smiles at him.

Sonic crossed his arms before he sees some lava nearby. "Weird place to find lava somewhere. Hopefully, you don't get your tail caught on fire for this one, eh Sal?" he said, teasing with a hint of confidence.

"Nothing worse than yours, I suppose?" Sally countered back, looking back at Sonic with a smile.

Almost content in a smug way, she pointed directly at Sonic's slightly wounded tail that recently got chomped by one of Dr. Robotnik's Choppers.

That left Sonic with a small snort before crossing his arms, puffing his cheeks, "Yeah, yeah, whatevs! Aren't we supposed to find your friends here somewhere? Cause I kinda don't see much around here to do and so forth."

"That's what we're trying to find out, Sonic." Sally issued a stern look at her speedy friend. "Furthermore, we're not even sure if Dr. Robotnik is still roaming around somewhere either than here on South Island."

Sonic then gave a small grin, "Yeah, and will probably be remembered by his reputation as a spoiled Egghead."

The princess couldn't help but fail to cover her mouth from all her amusement, giggling, "Sonic, now's not the time for games!"

Sonic waved his hand in dismissal, "Alright, alright. Let's get this place cleaned up in a jiffy. Make sure to keep up, Sal."

Sally crossed her arms with a nod, "Say no more, Sonic."

The duo made their way throughout the area. But unbeknownst to them, there were two chameleon-type eyes in camouflage that spied on each mobian.

Meanwhile, somewhere within the Marble Bridge, Dr. Robotnik flew toward the temple. Underneath his Egg-O-Matic was a capsule and then dropping it nearby the ruins. On the other hand, several critters in the area looked up to see what the evil doctor was doing. Their nature of happiness and peace quickly got killed off as soon as they saw the horrifying grin on the rotund human's face.

"Hehehe! You know..." Dr. Robotnik laughed. "...in every game, there are winners and losers. As you know, the losers become a work of art! Time to teach all of you what I represent."

A robotic hand out from under the Egg-O-Matic pushed down the button that was on top of the capsule.

The capsule opened, with tractor beams coming out of it and grabbing the small animals. The animals were then pulled toward the capsule until there were none left in the area.

"I represent your extinction, you vermin!" The mad genius shouted that follows in response with a cruel laugh.

The capsule closed up and locked itself.

"Success! No longer will I have to send these critters back to Robotropolis to turn them into Badniks!" Dr. Robotnik said deviously, rubbing his hands together. "That capsule should convert them into my robot army within the next ten minutes."

*BING*

A notification quickly caught onto Dr. Robotnik's ears as he then pushed a button so that he could talk through a com-device.

"What is it now?" The round dictator asked, receiving a reply from the situational report.

"Super Badnik unit reporting in Marble Bridge; Sonic the Hedgehog and Princess Sally Acornia are currently occupying within the area. Request to attack? Yes or no."

"Already?!" Dr. Robotnik roared through the com-device, "I was supposed to be finding a Chaos Emerald around here! Where are they now?"

"Footage Upload: processing..."

As the program got brought onto the hovercraft's screen, it revealed a length of security videotape with Sonic and Sally, to which Dr. Robotnik began to snarl loathly. The area they were wandering through remained decorated with old marble vestiges along with monuments and statues, all of which were overgrown with soiled grass.

Dr. Robotnik continued to watch as the duo jumped onto a platform that was in the middle of the lava. However, it began to sink along with the grass as it catches on fire. Although almost pleased for a second or two, Dr. Robotnik notes that Sonic had glanced up to find a Buzz-Bomber flying above him and Sally.

Sonic grabbed Sally close to him as he jumped and grasped onto one while she held onto him. While it tried to shake them both off, Sonic and Sally managed to get on solid ground before he slipped off with the princess.

As Dr. Robotnik's eyes narrowed aside while grumbling cantankerously with his arms crossed, each eyeball soon became the size of dinner plates at what he spotted on the security footage. The princess had a Chaos Emerald of her own.

A red one, to be exact.

"So, it seems that those wretched little rodents have somehow obtained one of those Chaos Emeralds, eh? But how could I have missed one of them when my control panel was already searching through readings?" Dr. Robotnik said, with a hand curled under his chin. "They shouldn't have anywhere else to go, thanks to the lava before them now."

Sonic and Sally were still too far away from the temple and yet had a river of lava blocking them both. From what Sally learned from that hand-held computer she carried, she spotted a cave entrance, leading down and under the lava.

"Hmm, that small computer the princess has. It must be the reason for blocking the emerald's Chaos Energy signature from my hovercraft!" Dr. Robotnik was staring at the screen with unblinking eyes, which was nothing new because a madman like him never blinked. "...though, where have I seen it before?"

And so forth, the duo continued their search inside where the dungeons stayed hidden.

"Grr, I can't let that meddlesome hedgehog ruin my next chance this time." Dr. Robotnik then pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Not only that but he's also defeated one of my Super Badniks that I've left for him back in Green Hill. Even now that he's got the princess alongside his venture, perhaps if there would be a way to-"

*BEEP-BEEP*

"What's this? Have I found one of them?" Dr. Robotnik asked himself as his curiosity had begun to type through his control panel.

"Chaos Energy: 17 meters ahead."

From observing the screen that revealed a line target to where the next Chaos Emerald would be, the sinister tyrant slowly began to grin.

"Aha! Yes!" Dr. Robotnik laughed with pleasure, speedily taking control of his Egg-O-Matic, and then hovers onward.

Content that he was starting to make enough build-up to his progress, Dr. Robotnik finally arrived at his destination and hopped down from his hovercraft. He immediately came across the exact spot before him until he saw a yellow glow.

It was another Chaos Emerald. Swiping it off from the ground, Dr. Robotnik grinned with satisfaction from what he has just found. But then again, he just had another idea popped into his brain. One that'll involve destroying that blue pest once and for all.

Dr. Robotnik grinned in his thoughts, "Sonic and that royal brat are in for quite a surprise."

Heading back as he had sprung right into his Egg-O-Matic's cockpit, he gave his next order. "Alright, Super Badnik unit; it's time for your next commission..."

The supreme dictator held up the yellow Chaos Emerald, "...and this will be the perfect bait for our little rat farm extermination."

Up and out of its camouflage, there stood an enormous chameleon-based Super Badnik, tilting its head downward into a bow to appeal to the mad genius. Although it became powered and energized by the woodland animals from surrounding backgrounds, it also happened to include another shadowy mobian placed inside its head.

"As you wish, Dr. Robotnik."

"Priority One Hedgehog."

The Cater-Killer lunged at Sonic again, who quickly cartwheeled out of the way as it slammed into the ground.

"Heh, looks like I left an impression on Ro-Butt-Nik!" Sonic laughed with glee, then showed a determined face, "Here I come!"

Before it could get back up, Sonic charged forward and skipped straight ahead, outstretching both of his feet and hurling them at full force through the Cater-Killer's head, creating a dent into it. The caterpillar-based robot induced several sparks before it exploded, freeing a critter as its captive.

The archer princess kept aiming around the area with her wooden bow, picking Badniks off one by one as each of her arrows hit their targets. The bird flew right over to Sally, who heard its happily chirping as she watched. While mobians didn't speak their language, the princess had a good feeling about what was transpiring.

"Don't worry, little one," Sally said, using a finger to nuzzle the little bird's cheek. "Sonic and I are going to save the others that Robotnik has trapped."

The bird let out a grateful chirp before flitting away, leaving Sally, who grew lost in thought. The archer princess decided to get herself busy by collecting reusable arrows, but some have a chance of breaking them. Just by looking back at those previously destroyed Badniks, it made the princess seem a bit homesick.

Initially, Sally had been crossing her arms against her chest for quite some time now, staring up inside the cave's rough and dark ceilings. In addition to that, she couldn't help but think back to when things were in harmony, especially the little time she had with her father.

A young Princess Sally storms into her room in a huff, with Nicole visible on her nightstand. Sally's royal outfit was a teal cropped tube top, matching pants, and curled shoes. Her hair is usually tied in a ponytail held together by two bands that match her jeweled, golden tiara set in her hair and ending in a small swirl.

"Ooh…" she grumbled.

"Are you troubled, princess?"

An exasperated Sally flops down on her bed. "Daddy beat me in tag AGAIN! I just don't get it, Nicole! I mean, Rosie's been training and keeping me fit every day, and I know I'm faster than him! But he still catches me EVERY SINGLE TIME! Even Elias was able to figure it out better than I could." Sally said with frustration, rolling her face onto the pillow.

"Could it possibly be those 'procedures' that Rosie mentioned from previous times?"

Nicole's question causes the confused Sally to raise her head and look at the hand-held computer with an eyebrow raised. "Huh? What do you mean, Nicole?" Sally asks, tilting her head with a blink of her eyes.

"I believe her statements were, 'examine the target's actions, presume their plan of attack, and use this material to strategize a sturdier counterattack.' Correct?"

Sally puts a hand on her chin with rational thinking, remembering how her session with Rosie had begun at eleven and was nearing its end. She picks up Nicole, somewhat incredulous.

"Hold on, are we still talking about tag?" asked Sally, who presents a hint of uncertainty.

"I am merely applying the lessons you were taught to your recent situation. Perhaps these games of tag are also methods of training you to use tactics?"

The princess noted how well she's able to comprehend everything she got told to do. Her fingers twitched, and she felt the urge to formulate a possibility of some sort. Sally takes her time to consider, wondering if Nicole's data is genuine as it seems.

"Tactics, huh...?" Sally said before giving a smirk that replaces the sad expression she endured seconds ago.

The next day, another game of tag has commenced in the royal gardens. King Nigel Acornia is seen scouring the premises for his daughter.

King Nigel Acornia was a brown squirrel with blue eyes, a blend of dark brown and tan used for his fur, face patch, and inside his ears. Nigel owned smooth and flat auburn hair held back by his golden crown, a short and smooth mustache, and eyebrows. He possesses a big and rounded, bushy tail. Plus, he has no cheek fur. His attire included a blue-colored king's uniform trimmed with crimson at the collar, sleeves, and bottom. Lastly, a gold belt that included an Acornia-shaped buckle and gold badges.

Meanwhile, sitting on a bench nearby to watch the activity, a young brown male squirrel named Prince Elias Acornia.

The prince usually resembles his father, sharing his buzzing eyebrows, blue eyes, and a long, bushy tail. His fur was light and dark brown, with dark auburn hair. His attire included an azure denim jacket, followed by knee-high boots with white cuffs and buckles, white gloves with black cuffs, and a black and grey belt.

Although raised in preparation for ruling a kingdom, Elias was, at the time, initially nervous and uncertain of himself as future king. Then again, it was only with the help of his family and twin sister that he was able to gain a sense of reassurance. He carried around a sheathed royal sword, given how he has become skilled in training as a swordsman while his mother stayed qualified with archery.

A brown female chipmunk was standing next to Elias while observing her husband searching for Sally.

Here is Lady Clarissa Acornia, Queen of the Acornia Kingdom.

She was the older but spitting image of her daughter, except in a noble sense. The noblewoman wore a gold hair tie with her crown, a necklace with an azure jewel, and an orange and gold dress. Being a bow-and-arrow-wielding ruler, Clarissa believed that royal traditions would give Sally insight into becoming an archer like her.

"How peculiar, I can't seem to find any traces of Sally like usual. Is she finally starting to think strategically?" thought King Acornia, who notices some footprints leading into a nearby bush.

"Aha! You've lasted longer this time, but I'm afraid it's already-!" The King's voice came into confusion.

Much to his surprise, the bush is empty.

"What?! How did-?"

"Hee-hee! Time's up, Daddy! I win!" said Sally's voice that was coming from above King Acornia. Sally is seen proudly holding a stopwatch in one hand and a stick with one of her shoes attached to it in the other.

King Acornia looks at her, somewhat proud as well. "Forged footprints, eh? Very clever!" said King Acornia positively as he and his daughter share a joyous embrace.

"Well done, Sally," Queen Acornia clapped gently, coming forth. "It's about time your father gets a taste of what your fine mind can do, just as much as Elias has improved upon himself too."

"That's for sure," Elias smiled, following along for the family to join a group hug.

"Well, you've each got your old man quite good, my children." King Acornia patted Elias' head, beaming. "You are now starting to reflect as suitable successors, and I couldn't be prouder for both of you."

Sally happily smiled as she embraced her family. If it wasn't for Nicole, she couldn't have come to reflect upon the unconventional training.

"Thanks, Nicole." She thought.

"All my life, I had been born as an heiress to Mobotropolis, the capital of the Acornia Kingdom, a peaceful territory that resides on West Side Island in Mobius. I remembered when there were simpler times of peace. When growing up, you'd never know your family was royalty. At the same time, I knew I was a princess as well." Sally thought, bearing a mournful look in her eyes.

Realizing her thoughts, Sally quickly shook her head when she knew not to dwell so much on the past sometimes as she was trying to move ahead into the future for not only her kingdom but the world.

"Yo, Sal!" Sonic's voice called out to her.

"Oh, huh?" Sally blinked as she glances over to where Sonic waved, "I'm coming!"

After the redhead united back with Sonic, he then proceeds to take note of Sally's weird behavior, but he decides to let it slide for now until they find a way to the other side.

They jogged ahead throughout the cave, looking within the pitch-black atmosphere. Even though it became way too dark for any of them to see through, but for this reason, Sally quickly pulled out Nicole for her to boot up an encoded flashlight.

Sonic eventually gave the princess a thumbs-up, "Way to brighten up the scene, Nicole."

Sally rolled her eyes at Sonic's bad pun, "Come on, Sonic. Let's see if we-"

Suddenly, multiple eyes appeared from the darkness.

"Whoa!" Sonic exclaimed, recoiling as multiple bat-based Badniks called Bat-Brains flew out.

"Priority One Hedgehog."

"Wow," Sonic said flatly. "Guessing I feel so much popular right now, my hedgehog nerves have gotten shot."

"I don't think boasting about yourself is going to solve this, Sonic," Sally remarked, cautiously watching the bat-based robots fly around.

"Hey! In any case, I'm flattered," Sonic replied with a snicker. "Besides, it ain't my fault they're driving you so batty."

"Oh, brother," Sally groaned in exasperation.

As the Bat-Brains circled them, Sally watched as Sonic jumped into the air, tucking himself into a ball of destruction before ramming into all of the Bat-Brains. After destroying them, Sally did her very best to catch every captive critter within, who were all happily thanking her before fleeing.

"Man," Sonic muttered to himself as he crossed his arms, "Just how many critters did Ro-Butt-Nik change already?"

"I'm not sure myself, Sonic," Sally said calmly, though her voice showed hints of wariness. "Let's just hope for the best that my friends are okay."

Sonic regarded again before talking boldly, "We'll get them back in no time, princess. You leave it to me when we knock down Eggman's door."

"I know, I know. It's not that I doubt anything of your skills, Sonic. It's just the idea of what Robotnik's plotting to do with them during this mission." Sally quickly interjected, not spotting the signs of rising irritation in the blue hedgehog.

Sonic sighed as he eyed the princess, walking next to her with a hand on her shoulder. Promptly, Sally noticed discerningly Sonic's sudden caring manner, which regards as a rare action to convert from the blue speedster.

"Aw, lighten up, Sally. Worrying about the problem too much isn't doing much for you. Besides, whether or not these friends of yours are capable of themselves, they'll still be okay for the better. Because by the time we rescue them and trash Egghead's sorry butt back to his pit of broodiness, I'll be sure you're smiling on the way back." Sonic finished with one of his signature smirks.

Sally took in all of Sonic's words like a bowl of alphabet soup; a small smile got gained for Sonic's declaration. Never in the world, besides anyone else in the Freedom Fighters, has ever told anything that expressed very much. Afterward, Sally's worries began to fade for now as she gave Sonic a quick nod.

"Thank you for caring, Sonic," Sally said, who was sounding extremely relieved. "We better get a move on through the dungeons inside. I'll have Nicole lead us through the direction, in case."

"Cool!" Sonic said, and then pumped a fist before dashing past her, leaving her behind. "The last one there is a rotten Egghead!"

"I'll show you rotten, hedgehog!" Sally said playfully as she runs after the speedy hedgehog throughout the dungeon.

And boy, the dungeon is a different story entirely.

The place remained loaded with traps, many of the spiked variations, as well as switches and obstacles to advance. Although it all hadn't interrupted Sonic and Sally's "little race" at the moment, they were sure to keep each of their cautions from the crushing devices here. Sonic sprinted and jumped past the extensive green glass crushers that would kill anyone instantly.

Meanwhile, Sally, with the help of Nicole, continued making through up and down a few floors. Using the drop weights and spiked bars on chains, Sally figured it could get used as a platform boost to take to a higher pathway, but is very suspicious of their ability to eliminate her as well. They would suddenly drop down or into the ceiling, as they gradually raise the chain.

After having no difficulty climbing her way into the level Sonic was at, Sally observed the flow of lava far ahead until she saw the blue speedster.

Sonic looked behind him, "Glad to see you kept up, princess."

Sally crossed her arms with her eyes rolled at Sonic, "Really, Sonic? I know I was in on it, but we could've stayed together earlier."

"Aw, come on, Sal! We were only playing around in this place's trapline, and we made it through the middle thanks to yours truly." Sonic said, crossing his arms with a cocky smirk.

Sally blinked rapidly before shaking her head, "But Sonic, we need to find a way to get past this lava river. Have you ever thought of that?"

Sonic tapped a finger on his head, thinking carefully. "Good point, but the hedgehog's got a few more tricks in its shoes."

Sally smirked smugly, looking unconvinced. "Let's hear it. I could go for a good laugh."

Sonic smiled back at her challengingly before searching around, "We should find anything mondo slidable for us to balance on and earn ourselves a bonus pass to the next part."

For once, Sally almost became speechless before speaking to Sonic, "Huh, not a bad idea. How would you have known?"

Sonic began to open his mouth when speaking but soon closed it when his mind began to think wisely about sharing his past life, especially when it comes to people like Dr. Kintobor or Uncle Chuck.

Sonic gestures a finger to his head, "Let's just say a hedgehog's got to use its brainpower once in a while, now, am I cool or what?"

"You're what!" Sally laughed, rolling her eyes before smacking his arm playfully.

Sonic had already rubbed his arm, "Ha, rude!"

Not before long, Sally searched around with Sonic for any floatable object they could use. Sonic then points right toward an enormous green block nearby the lava river, motioning Sally to come over and help him push. Simply after the duo had forced the block into the lava, Sonic carried Sally within a bridal form before leaping onto its surface.

"Looks like this will take us a while, and you know I hate slowing down," Sonic said, looking at Sally who held against him.

"You'll just have to be patient, Sonic."

Sonic could only feel the sweat drip from the fur that curled on his forehead, chuckling to Sally, "Whew! Is it hot in here, or is it just you?"

"S-Sonic! It's hardly the time or place to tease around here!" Sally's responded, with a mere blush on her face where she smiled inadvertently, eyes trailing away from the blue hedgehog's own.

Sonic and Sally turned their heads around for a sound, only for occasional bursts of bubbling lava to propel them up high into the air.

"WHOA NOW!"

"AIEEE!"

At a moment of instinct, Sonic's eyes quickly spotted a nearby ledge as he leaped up to land safely upon. After Sonic lets Sally back onto her feet, she flips out Nicole to find another Chaos Emerald for a second.

"Any sign of a Chaos Emerald yet, Nicole?" asked Sally.

"I am detecting a sign of Chaos Energy. The Chaos Emerald is somewhere inside this part of the underground." Nicole droned in response.

Sonic smirked in response to Nicole's detection, "Then what are we standing around for? Let's rock-n-roll!"

With that said, Sonic and Sally made their way toward a few other traps within the dungeon. The duo pushed against a block onto a switch, which allows an enormous weight to elevate for access down into the lower floor.

Sonic did a bowing gesture to Sally, "After you, madam!"

The princess shook her head in hilarity before speaking, "Why, thank you."

As Sonic and Sally jumped down, they were only to be met with a wall of lava coming their way.

"Oh, crud!" Sally exclaimed.

"Time to run!" Sonic shouted aloud.

Sonic grabbed and carried Sally away as the lava chased them down the corridor, leading to where Sally noticed a pool of molten lava below. Fortunately enough, she also took sight of one of the vines hanging in the middle. And this gave the princess an idea of some sort.

"Sonic, over there!" Sally pointed ahead in a shout, "There's a vine hanging from the ceiling! Jump!"

"Are you crazy!?" Sonic argued back, "We'll be stuck if we-!"

"JUST TRUST ME!"

"You better be right about this, princess!"

With enough determination, Sonic leaped forward to snatch onto the vine while Sally held close to his neck to get away from the lava.

"Now what, genius!?" Sonic suggested loudly.

"Kick the wall!" Sally answered.

"What!?"

"JUST DO IT!"

Knowing full well of what he was about to do, Sonic gave it his all, swinging from the vine and unleashing a massive kick that smashed a gaping hole through the wall. Throwing themselves inside without any more threats at their backs, both Sonic and Sally started to roll their way to their feet after that stunt they have just luckily pulled.

"How the heck did you know that was going to work?" Sonic asked, acting pretty amazed by Sally's quick thinking.

"I didn't, actually," She looked at the blue hedgehog with a calm smirk, letting him deadpan at her. "I saw that the stones looked weak and figured it was our best hope."

"Well then, that could've been any simpler. You're not hurt, are you?" Sonic asked with genuine concern.

But before Sally began to speak, they found themselves face to face with a Cater-Killer.

"Um," Sonic asked a bit, "You think we can talk this out?"

The Cater-Killer snarled before it starts attacking, causing Sonic to sprint and roll through the caterpillar-based Badnik, freeing a critter.

"Well, I guess not."

After Sally sees the small animal retreat, she later spots a strange glow from an open place. It was another Chaos Emerald, but why would it be out in the open?

"There's the Chaos Emerald, but shouldn't the Badniks have already found it in a spot like this?" Sally asked, expressing loads of suspicion.

"Heh, winning points for us, I guess." Sonic chortled, walking over to pick up the yellow gemstone. "Well, that wasn't so hard."

"That's because it was planted here, rodents..." A voice called out, snickering.

Both Sonic and Sally jumped in surprise as they gasped. Their eyes gazed over to observe the Egg-O-Matic floating above, piloted by Dr. Robotnik, who bestows his deranged sneer.

"...and now, it's rather obvious to see you here with the hedgehog too, princess." finished Dr. Robotnik, who glared down at the two mobians who are eager for another fight.

TO BE CONTINUED...