My mind returned before I ever opened my eyes. I didn't open them, but I knew I was awake. I refused to open them, begging that it was all a dream; hoping that I hadn't lost the Master Emerald; willing it to be there when I opened my eyes. But I knew, somewhere deep in my mind, that when I opened my eyes the Emerald would be gone, that I had lost that fight.

My mind was restless. I can't tell you how long I lay there, preying I had dreamed it all. It was like when you awake from a nightmare in the middle of the night. You know you're awake now, but you're afraid to open your eyes, just incase it wasn't a dream and the monster that haunted your dreams was waiting for you to look upon your death.

Over and over I replayed the fight in my mind. I tried to find what I had done wrong. Nothing, I had done nothing wrong. My movements were almost perfect and the flaws that were in them wouldn't have caused me so much anguish. All I had done wrong was under estimate the Beast. It was smart. Smarter than any robot I had ever fought. Not even ghosts gave me this much trouble.

Finally, after countless replays of the fight, I opened my eyes. My back burned. I realized with a start that I was lying on the injuries. With great effort, I managed to pull myself on my side. The moon was well overhead. It had to be about three or four in the morning. I looked over at the empty Shrine and felt tears welling up.

No! Don't cry, Knuckles! Crying gets you nowhere! I thought bitterly. How could I think of feeling sorry for myself. I had to get the Emerald back. I tried to stand, but I could hardly lift myself up. "Wait until morning, Knux," I said aloud and closed my eyes. Before I had time to replay the fight again, I fell into the darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, I quickly closed them. The glare of the sun was terrible. I stood up weakly. It hurt to move, and it even hurt to breath. I was going to need help. This creature wasn't something I could defeat on my own. I winced, my pride getting shot from all sides at that realization.

Weakly, I walked up to the empty Shrine. I got to my knees and bowed my head. Carefully I placed my hand where the Emerald should be. "I vow by the Spirits of my Ancestors that I will kill this Beast and return the Master Emerald."

I stood, briefly wondering where the Island had fallen this time. I looked out and saw land. I took a step and slipped on something. I looked down. Well what do you know, I thought grimly as I looked at what I had slipped on, those stupid cards made it through without a scratch. With a sigh, I began walking towards the edge of Angel Island. With the little strength I had, I glided the short distance to the Mystic Ruins. First stop, Miles Prower's.

I limped up the hill to where Tails' house lay. The walk had all but exhausted me. My back was killing me and my head was throbbing. The sooner I got the Emerald back and I could go back to my floating Island, the better.

I knocked on Tails' door. No answer. I knocked again. No one stirred in to house. "Workshop?" I thought aloud, but shook my head. It was too early and the last time I checked, the plane didn't need any repairs. I banged on the door. No one was coming. "TAILS!" I yelled. No noise within the house. I pushed the door open. It fell off the hinges. "Tails," I called. Maybe he was still asleep.

I ran upstairs, ignoring the protest in my back. I knocked on his bedroom door. "Tails?" No one answered. I slowly opened the door. What I saw in his room will haunt me for the rest of my life. I stepped in. Everything in the room was broken. His bed frame was in countless pieces. His mattress was shredded. Random items were spread around the room. But what made me want to run was that blood stained everything in the room. I picked up a turf of fur and recognized the color instantly.

Tears welled up again. "Tails," I muttered. I closed my eyes. I didn't even want to know where the body was and what it looked like. The Beast had gotten Tails and that's all I need to know. I had to contact Sonic.

I ran downstairs. Tails' answering machine had a message. I decided to listen to it. This is what it said.

"Tails! Tails! This is Sonic! If you're there, answer, NOW!" A pause and then that horrible cry from that monster. "Ok! I'm in Station Square! Get here ASAP! HURRY!" Then the line went dead.

I bowed my head. There was no one to help me. In the back of my mind, I knew there was one group. No! I would not call them! Never! Not a million year! NEVER!

"Team Chaotix Detective Agency, this is Vector speaking."

What can I say? A million years go by quick!