Hey everyone! Nice to see you here again! I hope you're enjoying the story. If not, then I don't know what to say. Other then that, enjoy!
Earlier when Shang Tu had been attacked by Mayor Zao and the Egg Pawn. General Gong is running in the Royal Palace, looking for Royal Magister.
Gong: ROYAL MAGISTER!
He cries out. Royal Magister is standing in the same spot as usual, looking above the city. He turns his head, seeing the running panda huffing and puffing.
Magister: What is it, General Gong?
Gong finally catches his breath.
Gong: Royal Magister, the emerald that we kept hidden is gone! Mayor Zao stole it with a bunch of high tech robots that I have never seen! Not only that, the hedgehog and Lilac is gone too!
Neela rushes u from behind the panda.
Neela: I believe that they were working together this whole time.
Gong: It's such a shame too. We believed in Lilac, but this is how she betrays us?!
Royal Magister looks back outside.
Magister: Gather the troops and look for them. Make sure to bring them back, alive.
He informs them. Both pandas bowed their heads.
Both: Yes Royal Magister.
They both rushed out the palace.
Magister: Just as I thought...
He said to himself.
Knuckles and Carol's story
A little later, the helicopter that Mayor Zao is in flies over Knuckles and Carol. Knuckles is standing over a cliff with his arms crossed against his chest looking at it.
Carol is sleeping peacefully on top of a rock, snoring. Knuckles is a little agitated that she has been sleeping for a while now. All that he can think of is the Master Emerald, hoping that it's okay. Even though Eggman is teleported to where they're located at, anything can still happen to it. Carol finally wakes up, stretching. She sits on the rock and rubs her face.
Carol: Morning already?
Knuckles looks at her.
Knuckles: Yeah, you almost slept through half the day.
Carol: It was a good sleep though.
She gives him a cheesy smile. Knuckles groans.
Knuckles: We searched all yesterday for one emerald and we still have yet to find any!
An irritation mark appears on his temple. Carol shrugs.
Carol: I don't know where it could possibly be at. I might know a place to look, but I highly doubt that it would be there.
She lies back down on the rock. Knuckles raises his brows.
Knuckles: Really? Where?
Carol: We can check in Shang Mu. But right now, give me two more hours to rest.
She turns over on her stomach when suddenly, Knuckles picks her up and makes her stand up.
Knuckles: No, I don't have time for you to rest. I need to find those Chaos Emeralds. If anything happens to them, you're to blame!
Carol groans.
Carol: Fine, fine.
She mumbles under her breath as she leads the way.
Meanwhile, Mayor Zao has returned to the kingdom without the Chaos Emerald that he tried to steal. He hops out of the helicopter, agitated.
Zao: Darn those fools! I could've had it in my hands!
He walks in the factory where Eggman is at. He looks at the Egg Pawns that are done being made. Some of them are helping out building the other robots. Eggman walks out the bathroom, rubbing his butt.
Zao: There you are!
Eggman looks.
Eggman: Did you get the Emerald?
Zao slams his staff on the ground.
Zao: No! A blue hedgehog and a girl named Lilac stopped me from getting it.
Eggman face palms and sighs.
Eggman: I knew that hedgehog was going to be here...
He said to himself.
Eggman: No matter! We still have a chance to get the others! Here. There's one robot that you can use to find them easily. And terminate anyone that gets in your way.
He points at the robot. It's a big robot that looks like one of Shang Mu's forces, except that someone can control it. Zao's eyes shines brightly.
Zao: And you built it under three days?
Eggman: Well, I make everyone work over night. They get an hour break when I tell them, then they go back to work. Anyway, I call it the termabot! I'll explain everything that it does and how they work
Zao suddenly hugs him.
Zao: I chose the best mayor! This is so exciting!
Eggman shakes his head, groaning a little.
Zao: I could use it to break into the castle. Can't wait to see the look on Gong's face. By the way, Eggman. Can you give me a favor?
Eggman: It depends on what it is.
Zao pulls him down to his level, then whispers into his ears.
Meanwhile with Knuckles and Carol, they're exiting Dragon Valley to go to Shang Mu.
Carol: I should've brought my bike. We could get there a lot faster.
Knuckles looks at her.
Knuckles: Why didn't you?
She shrugs.
Carol: I don't know to be honest...
Knuckles rolls his eyes.
Knuckles: Are you at least a runner?
Carol: A little bit, but not much.
Knuckles sighs.
Knuckles: I would tell you to run with me, but I can see that you're lazy boned...
Carol gives him a cheesy smile.
Carol: Oh don't worry. I'll find a motorcycle along the way.
Knuckles snorts.
Knuckles: What? Are you going to steal somebody's bike?
Sweat bad rolls on Carol's temple.
Carol: No... just stay focus you ant eater.
Knuckles: Hey! I'm no ant eater!
Knuckles dramatically yells in her face, showing his razor sharp teeth. Carol is cleaning her ears with her pinkie.
Carol: That's what you look like.
Knuckles rubs his face.
Knuckles: I gotta hurry up and get out of here.
He said to himself.
Meanwhile with Eggman, he's riding inside his egg mobile heading to the rural city, Shuigang. He approaches the castle, flying into the window. Inside the castle, Dail is sitting in the throne room, sitting on the throne chair with his eyes closed. He has his unknown father's clothes when the father was the ruler. With that, he also possess his old battle weapon, the ax. He's a bit taller than what he was a year ago, and he is starting to grow a beard.
?: Excuse me, King of Shuigang.
The king opens his eyes and sees Eggman walking towards him.
Dail: Halt!
He orders. Eggman stops, then kneels.
Eggman: I'm so sorry to intrude, your majesty.
Dail's gaze hardens.
Dail: Who are you, and who sent you here?
Eggman: My name is Dr. Eggman. I am the mayor of the kingdom, Shang Mu. I was sent here by Mayor Zao.
Dail: Hm...
He thinks for a moment.
Eggman: I'm also a scientist. My I.Q is far beyond than anyone you have met in this planet.
Dail: I honestly don't care.
Eggman smirks.
Eggman: Oh you will, once you hear what I have to say.
Dail sighs.
Dail: Then speak. It better be important.
Eggman: It is, King.
He stands up.
Eggman: You see, I am from another dimension.
Dail: No wonder why you're kinda funny looking.
Eggman face palms.
Eggman: Oh thanks, it's not like I have feelings too.
He said in a sarcastic tone.
Eggman: Anyway, you're probably wondering how I got here, hm?
Dail: Maybe...
Eggman smirks.
Eggman: Good question. You see, seven powerful ancient relics called the Chaos Emeralds teleported me here. The Chaos Emeralds holds powerful amount of energy... They can even help make advance robots.
Dail: Keep going.
Dail seems to be getting interested.
Eggman: I plan to help Avalice be a better place by making better advanced technology for all three kingdoms, but ever since I got teleported here, they all departed. I came here to ask if you could assist us looking for them. It'll be a pleasure if you do, but I have to warn you though. There's a hedgehog by the name of Sonic looking for them. I'm pretty sure that he wants to use the Emeralds for the bad.
Dail: Really?
Eggman: Yes. If he get his hands on those Emeralds, who knows what'll happen to the world.
Dail continues to think. He finally stands up.
Dail: If what you say is true, then I would sure like to help. Maybe if we come across this hedgehog, then I'll make sure to come back with his head.
Eggman: He's not that simple to defeat.
He groans.
Eggman: I've been fighting him for years and I have yet to accomplish my goal. He's faster than the speed of sound. Maybe faster than that.
Dail: Hm... I may know someone that might match his speed. I just need to send her a letter and maybe have a private tete-a-tete.
Tete-a-tete: A private conversation between two people in a interview or a conversation.
Eggman chuckles a little.
Eggman: Oh really now? That sounds like a splendid idea.
An hour later with Carol and Knuckles, they are still walking to Shang Mu. Carol is starting to get tired fro, all the walking. She finally falls forward on the ground, face first. Knuckles looks at her.
Knuckles: Hey! We don't have all day!
Carol: Let me rest at least you ant eater.
She said, tired.
Carol: We've been walking for a whole hour now.
Knuckles crosses his arms.
Carol: And now you know why I should've brought the motorcycle with me.
Knuckles: Hmph... Don't rely on your motorcycle all the time. There are times that you're not going to be able to use it.
Carol: I know. I was going to bring it, but decided not to.
They suddenly hear loud noises coming in the distance, alerting them.
Knuckles: Hey, you hear that?
Carol: Yeah, but what is it?
They soon see a giant robot flying pass them.
Knuckles: What the?!
Knuckles gaze hardens.
Knuckles: That looked like Eggman's robot!
Carol tilts her head.
Carol: Who?
Knuckles grabs her hand.
Knuckles: Come on!
He runs towards the direction of the robot, whilst pulling Carol. Inside the robot is Mayor Zao. He's heading towards the lake area that is near Shuigang. Knuckles speeds up, as Carol is holding on tight.
Carol: What are you doing?!
Knuckles ignores her. Near the lake, the robot is standing near the edge. Zao is looking at a scouter that is showing a yellow dot on the screen.
Zao: It's underwater.
He smirks. The robot jumps in the water. Knuckles is way behind it still running in the Great Forest. He still has Carol in his hand trying to catch up to it.
Knuckles: I bet that idiot is looking for the Chaos Emeralds as well.
Carol slips out of his hand, then quickly follows.
Carol: Why are we chasing the robot?!
Knuckles looks back, surprised that she's running.
Knuckles: That robot is familiar. And I think I know who it is!
He speeds up some more. Carol sighs, doing the same. Minutes later, they finally reached the lake. Knuckles looks around.
Knuckles: It's gone...
He looks at the water, realizing that something is slowly flying out. It's the same robot that he was chasing down.
Knuckles: There it is! And-
He notices that it's a light blue Chaos Emerald in its hand.
Knuckles: A Chaos Emerald!
Carol: Whoooaaa... That robot looks rad.
She looks at it some more, then sees Zao in it.
Carol: Mayor Zao?!
Zao looks up and sees them.
Zao: Oh look!
Carol: What are you doing in that thing? What is it?
Knuckles was a bit skeptic that it isn't Eggman.
Zao: Well... I'm using it to find the Chaos Emeralds. And who's the red ant eater?
Knuckles growls.
Knuckles: First of all, I'm not an ant eater! Secondly, give me that Emerald!
Zao: No! I found it first! And if you want to continue crying over it, then too bad.
Knuckles puts his fists in the air.
Knuckles: If you don't give me the Chaos Emerald, I'll pound that machine to pieces!
He threatened. Zao shakes his head, tsking.
Zao: Well... that's too bad.
He shoot missiles at them. Knuckles tackles Carol, covering her as a shield. The missiles hits a couple of trees, and the ground.
Zao: The Termabot don't like your attitude! I think it's time to-
Knuckles, out of nowhere, punches it. The robot flies back a little, emerald to fly out the robot's hand. The emerald lands in front of Carol. Carol picks it up and looks at it. She still wonders if they really need the Chaos Emerald to go home,or if they're tricking them. She notices the robot is coming towards her.
Carol: YIKES!
She jumps out the way, as it passes her. She gets up and unsheathes her claws. Knuckles hops out the water her fell into, and lands next to Carol. The hand of the robot switches to a flamethrower. Flames shoots out the hand of the robot. Both the cat and echidna jumps out the way. Carol jumps towards the robot and kicks it. Zao grunts, feeling the impact. Knuckles jumps towards it and punches the arm the flamethrower is on. General Zao growls angrily.
Zao: You're not taking the Emerald!
Zao flies towards Carol since she still has the emerald in her hand. Knuckles lands a punch on the side of the robot. The robot flies through a couple of trees and slides on the ground. The robot gets up with saw blades in its hand. The robot throws the blades at them. Knuckles hops over one, dodging it. Carol barely dodges, letting it cut her arm. Carol screams a little, dropping the emerald she had in her hand. Carol falls on her knees, holding the cut. The robot sprints to the emerald, but Knuckles scoops it up in time. Knuckles looks at Carol, seeing that she's hurt. Not paying attention, he gets punched in the face by the robot. The emerald flies out of his hand, landing in the robot's hand. Zao laughs, then flies away in the robot.
Zao: See you losers later!
Knuckles fell on the ground, grimacing a little. He gets up and sees Carol standing there, as blood is dripping out of her hand. Knuckles rushes over.
Knuckles: Hey, are you okay?
Carol looks at him.
Carol: Oh me? Yeah, I'll be alright.
Knuckles stares at her, then looks up at the air.
Knuckles: We lost a Chaos Emerald.
Carol: That sucks...
She sighs a little.
Carol: But hey, I know where he's heading.
She smirks a little.
Knuckles: I bet you do, but we need to find Sonic and them first. Because that robot... I know who created that robot.
Carol: Really?
Knuckles nods.
Knuckles: Come on.
Knuckles speeds off with Carol following.
Sonic: Hey, it's me, Sonic! Wow, it seems that Lilac is holding herself up against this Spade guy, but not for long! Don't worry Lilac! I'll finish him off for you! Next time, "A FRIEND'S HELP TO FIGHT FOR VICTORY" Don't miss out!
See you next chapter!