Sorry the chapter's a little late today. I was busy today. Anyway, this chapter is going to be a lot longer than the original version, but also has different stuff (where would we be without the word stuff?). Also, it's more Gemini-centric, this chapter, which reveals some very...interesting information. I hope you find it to your liking! Oh, and if the lines seem kinda' funny, the document editor wouldn't let me add the lines, so I had to imporvise. Yoi.

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Angel Island, the famous floating island in the sky that was once the base of echidna civilization. Usually, the only inhabitants of the island were a variety of small animals, and the lone guardian Knuckles. But today, a sudden wind coarsed through the air as a black streak ran through the island's forests. Running at a speed only beatable by the likes of Sonic and Shadow was Gemini, who was tracking another Chaos Emerald. The black and blue furry slowed his pace a little, taking in the scenery around him. The flora of Angel Island was quite beautiful, but one thing still plauged the project's mind.

"Lex..." Gemini muttered, lowering his sunglasses a little. Lex had been on the Ark for as long as he had, maybe even longer.They were twins after all, along with Ciel. But his red-striped brother seemed...different. Darker, as if he had forgotten how he was on the Ark. Gemini sighed, for he really missed his old home. He wished he was still up there, but he couldn't. Not after the way Professor Gerald had kicked him out like that. The memory of the whole event was only too clear in his mind.

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Flashback

Blurred images of figures stood before him. Who were they? A black hedgehog with sky blue streaks slowly stood up as his vision came into focus. He was trapped, barred from escape by some barrier. It was like strong glass. The hedgehog pounded on it with his fist, wanting to get out. Yes, this was Gemini about fifty-two years ago on the Ark.

His vision cleared, allowing him to see the figures in front of him. An old man with a white mustache was speaking to him, but he couldn't make out the words. It was Professor Gerald, his creator. In a sense, his father, but Gemini never regarded him as such. Beside him was a young girl with blonde hair, and the bluest of blue eyes, filled with tears. Maria, she seemed so sad. One of her friends was going away, and she didn't fully know why.

On the other side of Gerald were two hedgehogs. One of them had bright red fur with black stripes, a multitude of scars adorning him. His name was Baron, Gemini's mentor. Baron was more like a father than Gerald, considering the fact that he supplied most of the hedgehog DNA for the project, though not willingly. Baron seemed disappointed in Gemini, but the boy's head was a blur. Why was that? A wary hand felt at his shoulder, a small round scar was felt. They must have drugged him to render him unconcious before containing him in this...whatever it was.

"As you can see Gemini, these powers of yours are too powerful and unpredictable to afford keeping you on the Ark. I'm afraid we're going to have to send you away." The words came from Gerald's mouth straight to Gemini's ears, and it struck like a blow to his heart. He was being sent away? For what, what did he do wrong?

"He's still a boy," Baron retorted. "I can make sure he masters it, and then he won't be a threat at all! Trust me on this, Gerald. I've managed to contain him this long."

"You shall do no such thing!" Gerald cried, making Baron and Maria flinch. "There is no way that anything dark can be tamed. I cannot risk the safety of the people on Ark, and on Earth. Surely, you must understand?" The red hedgehog nodded, and Gemini remembered why he was here. He had been found out, and his powers were unwanted. They were dark powers. Humans were afraid of the dark, for they didn't understand it. As Gemini thought this, his eyes rested on the final hedgehog. Black with red streaks, staring at Gemini with emotionless eyes. His brother Lex, he should be the one being sent away. Wasn't he just as dangerous?

"After all," Gemini muttered, "didn't he try to kill me?" His mind was blurry, but he still remembered it. Lex had tried to kill him, unleashed a power that was even more dangerous than his own. The power of chaos.

"Goodbye, Gemini," The dark hedgehog felt himself falling, the Ark suddenly rushing out of view. It finally hit him, he was in a transport capsule. They had taken no chances, and now they had done it. Project Gemini was gone.

End Flashback

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"Hey, you!' Gemini snapped out of his memory to see an echidna in front of him, his fur blood red with a white crescent on his chest. In his spiked hands was a Chaos Emerald, bright green. How fortunate, his target had come to him.

"And you may be?" Gemini asked, readjusting his shades to cover his eyes from the sunlight that hurt his eyes.

"I'm Knuckles, the Guardian of this island," the echidna replied. "What business do you have here?"

"You are holding it," Gemini replied calmly, even though he was just itching to get it over with. Knuckle's purple eyes fell upon his emerald.

"I'm sorry, but this emerald is rightfully mine," Knuckles explained. "I found it fair and square. If you want it so bad, then you'll have to fight me for it."

"Why waste the time?" Gemini asked, though in truth it was fighting skills he lacked. "How about you hand over the emerald, unless you'd prefer to have the next few hours be a living hell."

"And how would that work?" The Guardian let out a laugh. "Unless you're the Grim Reaper or something, I don't think I'm going to die today buddy."

"So that's a no?" The hooded hedgehog took a step forward, baring his teeth. "Wrong answer there, echidna. I'm afraid that I'll have to take that emerald by force then."

"Damn, you sound a lot like Shadow," Knuckles said. Gemini let out a growl. Shadow, the Hedgehog that looked so much like Lex. Gemini was sure that he was Lex, but he sure didn't seem to remember him. Did he forget or something? Dismissing the notion, Gemini glared at the echidna before him.

"One question Knuckles. Do you believe in magic?" he asked. Knuckles stared quizzitively as the hedgehog went quiet. He seemed to be mumbling something, but he couldn't make out what. Maybe it had something to do with his insane question? Suddenly, Knuckles was engulfed in pain as black and violet flames leaped from the ground, devouring the Guardian. Gemini laughed at the screams, obviously hell was not the echidna's idea of fun.

"Yes Guardian, there is indeed magic," Gemini exclaimed, "and Dark Magic is my trade. Having fun in there?" He let the flames die, using Knuckle's weakness as an oppurtunity to snatch the emerald. He soon held it in his hand, the bright green reflecting the forest.

"Ha, you're as evil as Shadow was," Knuckles muttered, even though he was lying on the ground in exhastion. "I've had worse from his Chaos Blasts. So, you're another lame bad guy, eh?"

"I am not evil!" Gemini yelled, glaring at the pile of red fur before him. "Just because I use Black Magic doesn't mean I use it for evil. Vengeance and Evil are two seperate things, you know. But a word to the wise, do not ever compare me to Shadow."

"Oh, you're mad that he's stronger than you?" Knuckles had pushed Gemini to his limit.

"No, you bastard!" Gemini quickly chanted another spell, using it to encase the Guardian in a black casing. Sure, it never lasted long, but it was effective for a retreat. Before he left, Gemini brought up another Dark Flame, until a sudden flash-fire hit his left arm.

"Leave the fire to an expert, hedgehog," Gemini turned his attention towards a purple cat with golden eyes, who was delicately holding a fireball in her hand. The dark project heard the sounds of others behind her. He could fight them, but why use magic needlessly? The best option right now was to retreat with his prize. Gemini quickly turned tail and ran, wondering if it was just a trick of his mind when he heard someone call his name.

"Oh well," he thought. "Two down, five to go."

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Now I suppose I've made at least half of you wonder what the heck happened between Shadow and Gemini. All will be explained...later! Until then, see you Tuesday!