Some things don't die. Some things never did. Some things return from the dead. Everything and everybody come together here.

This isn't the beginning; this isn't the end.

This is the revolution. The climax.

This, is Annihilation.

Annihilation; Part I

A New Beginning

A New Beginning

"Wow, really!" A small child had his eyes wide open and was anxiously awaiting an answer. Knuckles nodded, and then looked at TR, who nodded as well and smiled. "Cool!" Knuckles and TR stood up, waving goodbye at the small group of children. They left the building and made their way to Island 3.

"Well Knuckles, that was a great time killer, it's nearly night time." Knuckles nodded.

"Yeah…" TR tilted his head as they raced towards the foot of Island 3.

"What's wrong?" Knuckles looked down.

"Nothing." They continued onward in silence. When they reached the island, Tails was trying to teach Katrina how to play Euchre… but as usual, she just wasn't getting it.

"Look, it's very simple, you just strategically play a higher card on the field, but don't play a card that's too high, you may need it later." Katrina nodded. Tails played an 8 of Spades, and placed two more cards, to act as other players.

"Ok… so I'll play… this!" Katrina played a King of Diamonds, and a 2 of Hearts. Tails looked down and shook his head.

"Ok, so why did you play two cards?" Katrina tilted her head.

"Because silly, there's a high card, and a not so high card." Tails raised one eyebrow.

"Umm… ok, that's a start… I guess…" TR and Knuckles came into to view. Katrina jumped up in anticipation.

"Oh there you guys are! You've been gone all day! What have you been doing?" TR looked at Knuckles funny, but answered.

"We were telling the kids on the Mainland about how the Echidna race was murdered." Katrina's eyes got wide.

"What? You mean… those poor Echidna… died?" Tears became noticeable. Now Knuckles looked at TR, as this was the fifth time they told her what happened. Tails stood up and went inside his house, and out he came in his airplane; shouting as he flew away.

"I'll be back later tonight, I'm meeting someone!" Tails could barely be heard. TR and Knuckles looked at each other, confused.

"Who would Tails be meeting? Tiffany is inside, sleeping." Knuckles shrugged, but there was definitely something fishy about it. "Well I'm going to bed, see ya tomorrow." Knuckles waved as TR stepped inside the house next to Tiffany and Tails'. Knuckles began walking in Emerald Island's direction. It was really late when Tails got back. Tails had been leaving and coming home late several times, until Tiffany decided to stay up late. As Tails stepped inside, Tiffany stood up.

"And just where the hell have you been?" Tails jumped back in surprise.

"Ti-Tiffany! When did you get up!" Tiffany repeated her question.

"Where have you been? It's 3:30 A.M.!" Tails searched for an answer.

"I was a… I was busy…" This answer wasn't good enough.

"Miles Prower, where were you?" Tails sighed.

"I was… seeing someone… I don't know who he… or she is. I got a letter one day, said they needed to talk to me. I was supposed to see them tonight… but all I found was another note, so I wrote back." Tiffany shook her head.

"So why are you trying to keep this so secret?" Tails shrugged.

"I didn't want to alarm anyone, especially you. I think this person is looking for someone." Tiffany stared.

"Who do you have in mind?" Tails had a lost look on his face.

"Well… I recently got a letter that talked about… the ultimate life form…" Tiffany interrupted him.

"But Shadow's dead… or gone… or something…hmm…" Now Tiffany had a lost look, for she had confused herself. Tails smiled.

"Try not to think about it too much. It's probably just someone wanting an autograph or something." Tiffany nodded her head, and they went to bed.

Island 0

Knuckles was on his way to Island 5; for a reason unknown, when he noticed something. He walked towards the edge of Island 4. "What the…" A small spec could be seen in the distance. Normally he would ignore this, but something told him to go to it, like it was pulling him. He jumped off of the island and ran towards it. After about an hour, it began to look like a whole other island. Soon, it became clear, it was. Knuckles climbed up to the top, and sensed something… again. "It's… her." He was staring into the eyes of what looked like another Echidna. She instantly turned and ran away. "Hey, wait!" He ran after her, dodging all kinds of different wild animals, but failed to rediscover her location. Knuckles decided to turn back towards Island 3.

Tails and Tiffany were outside when Knuckles came. "Hey Knuckles, why you in such a… hurry…" Knuckles was in and out of view as he quickly entered TR and Sonic's house. TR and Knuckles left almost as soon as he came. Tails and Tiffany's face was blank with confusion. "Now where are they off to so quickly?" Tiffany shrugged. TR and Knuckles arrived on the new island. TR was amazed at the discovery.

"Woah, this place is rich with spiritual energy." Knuckles ignored him as he looked long and hard for the girl he saw. "Hey Knux, why did you bring me here?" Knuckles spoke, still looking.

"I saw… her." TR shook his head.

"What are you talking about?" Knuckles looked at him in disbelief.

"Tikal!" TR jumped back at this surprise answer.

"Ti-Tikal! You… saw her? Here?" Knuckles nodded. Sometime in the midst of General Shadow's reign, TR and Knuckles sensed an Echidna energy other than their own; they could now finally prove their thoughts. TR began to help search the grounds. She walked into view, staring at them as they looked to the left and right, not noticing her. Knuckles saw her and jumped forward.

"Tikal!" The girl smiled.

"What? How do you know my name?" Knuckles looked in confusion. She obviously suffered from memory loss.

"My name is… Knuckles. You don't remember me, do you?" Tikal shook her head.

"No. Who are you?" She was looking at TR.

"I'm TR, we weren't aware that any Echidna were still alive." Tikal tilted her head.

"Echidna? That name sounds familiar." She turned around and pulled out a weird looking fruit. "Here, have some." TR and Knuckles looked at each other, then took the fruit. TR looked at Tikal.

"What is this?" Tikal laughed.

"Why, this is a henya of course!" TR and Knuckles took a bite of the surprisingly good tasting fruit. "Come, I want to show you something." Tikal was still the easily trusting girl she used to be. "Hurry, it's right over here." Soon TR and Knuckles came upon a temple of the Echidna. They gasped, neither of them were aware of such a temple. They thought all Echidna lived together. It was covered in ancient text that only Tikal could read. Knuckles and TR didn't recognize it at all; clearly this was a forgotten area in the Echidna lore. "It says that a giant jewel suppressed peace for over a thousand centuries in this temple. For about 70 years, I have been searching for that jewel, in hopes of restoring what seems to have been lost since then." TR questioned her actions.

"Ummm, Tikal, the jewel you speak of, is called the Master Emerald; and it's back on Emerald Island, where it should be." Tikal looked confused.

"But these writings say…" Knuckles interrupted her.

"We know what they say, but we also know what we've seen, I think this temple, this island, is a forgotten place in the Echidna. Speaking of which, what do you call this island?" Tikal answered.

"It's called Island 0. And if I'm not sensing the Master Emerald as you call it, then what am I sensing." TR and Knuckles had just noticed this as well. They could feel an emerald's presence. Which confused them, cause as far as they know; they've found every emerald there is. "Excuse me, can you take me to Emerald Island?" TR and Knuckles nodded.

Elsewhere

"So… he said that there are 4 Elemental Emeralds?" Another voice replied.

"Yeah." The two were training in a small room.

"So what is it called, what's it do?" The voice replied again.

"I don't know." The other person continued the conversation.

"Well we gotta find it eventually, when we gonna go back?" The last reply was heard.

"When the time is right."

Tikal and Chaos

Tikal stared at the magnificently glowing emerald, studying all aspects of it. She let out a small cry as she fell to her knees. Knuckles rushed up to her. "Are you ok?" He helped her up as she replied.

"An, an explosion… a massive destructive force… you, you and TR, and… Elder… Elder Echidna are still alive…" TR now walked up to her.

"What are you talking about?" Knuckles was looking at the Master Emerald.

"The Master Emerald is actin kinda funny." TR looked at it, still talking to Tikal.

"You remember what you did not live to see. How?" Knuckles answered.

"She's not remembering, she sees it in the emerald. Like a scar, left after a burning flame goes out." Tikal placed her hand on her forehead, unable to believe what she was seeing.

"The madness… who could do such a thing?" She answered her own question when she saw the one responsible. "No… how could one… one lone monster do this… to the Echidna race?" TR put his hand on her shoulder.

"I think you've seen enough today, Knuckles, let's get Tikal to Island 3." Knuckles nodded, still staring at the shaking Master Emerald. They brought her to Island 3 immediately. Tails was the first to notice them come up.

"Who is… is that another Echidna!" Knuckles nodded.

"Her name is Tikal, she needs to get some rest." TR took her inside Tails and Tiffany's house. Tiffany followed to assist him. Tails questioned Knuckles more.

"So where did you find her? I thought the Echidna were wiped out." Knuckles shrugged.

"We don't know how she is still alive, but she came from a newly discovered island, called Island 0." Tails still had questions.

"I suppose you don't know how she got there either. I'd like to see the Island 0." Knuckles nodded.

"Sure, but first we have to care for Tikal, she lost her memory, but witnessed several horrible events in the Master Emerald." Tails stepped back.

"Did you say, in the Master Emerald?" Knuckles replied.

"Yeah, you don't understand how in-tune she is with all the emeralds, she has more knowledge of them than any Echidna who ever lived. That is why it is important that she regains her memory. And... the Master Emerald was acting kind of weird when she was there." Tails understood, then went in with Knuckles to check her position. TR came out of the bedroom.

"She's fine, she just needs some rest." Knuckles stepped forward.

"Is she remembering anything? If we can learn what she knows… we may be able to save the Echidna race." TR tilted his head.

"What?" Knuckles explained.

"There is power, a power that can restore the life of the world, with the sacrifice of its user. I know it's a long shot, but I'm willing to be that sacrifice, should the opportunity approach us." TR shook his head.

"Don't talk like that; do you think the Echidna race would want to return for the life of one of Earth's heroes? We are to be glad that they have moved on." Knuckles chuckled.

"TR, you never break the rules; do you?" TR shook his head, looking at Knuckles seriously.

"No, no I don't."