Knuckles' eyes blinked then they blinked again. For surely what he was seeing was impossible. All around him were other Echidnas but they were all dressed and outfitted with beads and a type of armor. For the second time in his life Knuckles was overwhelmed. Finally, Knuckles thought, I'm not alone.
Knuckles walked up to one of the armor clad echidnas.
"Excuse me," Knuckles said but the echidna paid no attention to him, "I said, Excuse me."
Once again the echidna acted as if he was invisible. Then again, Knuckles thought as he looked around. He had no idea of where he was at. He seemed to be in some kind of encampment with high walls. In the center of the encampment he noticed a rather large pyramid.
"Hmmm... Something's odd about this place, "Knuckles said as an odd since of familiarity came over him, "I've never been here before but some how it seems familiar."
Knuckles continued to walk around. He continued to try and get the other echidna's to talk with him but strangely not a single one of them responded. He was beginning to think that maybe he wasn't there at all.
"Tikal how many times must I go over this, Knuckles heard. He turned and noticed an older looking Echidna. This echidna wore clothing of a unique design. Knuckles believed that he's seen the design somewhere before but he just couldn't place it.
"But Father, there must be some other way," A girl echidna said. This echidna looked to be a little younger than Knuckles himself. She wore a slightly different pattern on her dress but the pattern still was registering some how in Knuckles memory but he still couldn't place it.
"There is no other way, Said the older echidna, "In order to keep peace in our land we must keep our enemies at bay. We need the power of those stones."
"But father," The girl echidna pleaded.
"No buts," The older echidna said, "Now this is the end of the conversation."
"Yes father," The girl echidna said.
Suddenly, the surrounding around Knuckles began to fade.
"What's going on?" Knuckles asked as the surrounding faded entirely. Soon he found himself back where he was.
What was that all about? Knuckles thought to himself as he headed off.
While Knuckles was having his strange experience, Tails and Sonic had just made their way to Casinopolis. When they arrived they saw a couple of guardians there. Tails walked up and flashed her COM which doubled as her badge.
"What's going on here?" Tails asked.
"Some Mobian came in and swiped the emerald pieces that were found by the casino," One of the guardians answered.
Suddenly, one of the guardians caught sight of Sonic.
"Oh my stars, " The guardians said as he pointed towards Sonic, "You're the Blue Blur."
Sonic crossed his arms.
"So," Sonic replied in his usual way of dealing with others, "What's it matter."
The Guardian walked up to him as he pulled out a pen and small tablet.
"I'd just love to have your autograph, The guardian said.
Sonic looked straight into the guardians eyes and he could see that he wasn't to happy about it. The guardian seeing his reaction back off.
"Ok I don't really need it, He said a little fear in his voice.
Sonic turned back to Tails.
"We need to find the StarPost," Sonic said.
"A StarPost you say," Came a voice from among the Guardians. This one was a rather large Mobian Hippo. You could tell by the way he was dressed that he was a rich Mobian.
"Yes, "Sonic said, "It's somewhere in this Casino as I've seen the advertisement for it."
"Then you'll know that with it being on my casino, "The hippo replied, "That it and all that it contains belong to me."
"Or," SOnic said, "You show me where it is so I can get the Chaos Emerald and I don't cause you pain."
Then Tails walked over to them both.
"That's not such a good idea, Sonic," Tails said.
Sonic looked at her.
"Then what do you suppose?" Sonic asked, not really appreciating Tails making it more complicated.
"Did you pay attention to the entire commercial?" The Hippo asked.
"I did, "SOnic said bringing his attention back to the hippo, "But I'm not about to mess with some contest."
"It's not just some contest, the hippo said, "All you have to do is beat me in a game of cards."
"That, "Sonic said, "But I'd have to wager something in return. Which I don't exactly have right now."
"Not to worry," The Mobian hippo said, "I'm sure one of these fine officers would gladly lend you some rings."
One of the guardians walked up and held up a small pouch.
"I've got a few rings in here," The guardian said, "And I'd love to see the great Blue Blur go up against you Maximus."
"Then it's settle, the hippo named Maximus said, "We have a bet then."
"Fine," Sonic said, "If that's what you want then go ahead."
"Sonic your not thinking of taking this guy on, are you? Tails asked him, "After all he's one of the best poker players ever. He's never lost."
"Then why don't you play him?" Sonic asked growing impatient.
"Me?" Tails asked.
"What a great idea," Maximus said, "After all I'm sure we can split the rings in the bag between the two of you."
Tails thought on it for a second. It was true that Maximus had never lost a single poker game. However, with her playing at least it increased their odds.
"Fine," Tails said, "Both me and Sonic will play you."
"Splendid," Maximus said, "Please come this way, it's to dark out here to play."
So Tails and Sonic followed Maximus into the casino. Inside was rather large with two floors altogether. There were different poker machines here and there and a couple of Pinball poker machines. There were a few people in there due to the emerald shards getting stolen a little later that day. Maximus lead them to the center area where there were a few poker tables. Maximus had a seat in the middle table where a dealer already stood. Sonic and Tails both sat opposite of Maximus. It wasn't long before a crowd came.
"The rules of the game are simple," Maximus said, "We play Sega Hold'em until you either drop out or you loose all of your chips I start with the same amount as you minimum amount is fifty rings. If I win I keep the rings. If you win you can cash in your chips for rings and then I show you were the StarPost is."
"Fine," Sonic said, "Let's get started."
"If you'd be so kind," Maximus said as he gave the bag of rings to the dealer. The dealer counted out the rings and gave out the chips accordingly. The dealer split the chip evenly between Sonic and Tails then gave Maximus the number of chips they each got.
"Let us begin," Maximus began.
The dealer dealt each player 2 cards. After that he placed two cards face down which was referred to as burning cards. Then he placed three cards side by side face down.
"Your left of the dealer," Maximus told Sonic, "So you can make the first bet. But first place a chip in for the ante."
Sonic, Tails, and Maximus placed a single chip in in an area right below the cards spread witch was in the middle of the table.
Sonic looked as his cards. Then Sonic tapped the table with his hand.
"Checking Sonic?" Maximus asked amused, "Curious"
Sonic didn't bother responding.
"Ok then Tails' it's your turn" Maximus said.
Tails looked at her cards. One was a two of clubs while the other was a seven of spades.
"Umm..." She taped her hand on the table as well.
"Well," Maximus said as he looked at his cards, "Well, what am I to interrupt the pattern."
He tapped his hand on the table as well.
The dealer then flipped over the three face-down cards. One was an eight of spades; the others were a two of diamonds, and a five of clubs.
So far I've got two pair, Tails thought as she glanced at the flop which where the cards laid out straight.
"Sonic?" Maximus asked.
Sonic tapped the table.
Tails looked over to him. She wasn't sure what he was doing but decided that she didn't want to bet if he had a bad hand. So Tails tapped the table as well.
"You too huh?" Maximus said, "Well, I believe I'll start by betting two chips."
Maximus placed two chips in the center of the pile.
Sonic however, laid down his cards and turned them sideways a way to say that he folded.
"You fold Sonic?" Maximus asked.
Sonic nodded.
"All right then," Maximus said, "What about you Tails?"
Tails looked towards Sonic. I guess he didn't have a good hand, Tails thought.
"I'll match," Tails said as she threw in two of her own chips.
Maximus smiled as the dealer burned another card and turned a card face up, a queen of hearts.
"Your bet, officer," Maximus said.
Tails rechecked her hand. So far it wasn't looking to good as she only had a single pair. But she knew that part of poker was bluffing so she threw in a chip. Maximus then matched her bet.
The dealer burned another card then revealed an Ace of clubs. Tails decided to just check but Maximus threw in a chip.
Oh great, Tails thought, He's got to have something.
Tails placed her hand down and turned it sideward.
"Folding?" Maximus asked and Tails nodded, "Such a shame."
Maximus reviled his hand which showed a 7 of diamonds and a King of spades. He had bluffed.
"Awe man," Tails said as Maximus pulled the pile of chips to him.
"It happens," Maximus said as he organized the chips he just got into his stacks.
So the game continued. Sonic and Maximus seemed to be pretty even out. Off and on Sonic had been folding right after the bet was made but Sonic managed to pull off some wins to keep his and Maximus' chips pretty much even. Tails on the other hand wasn't doing as good as her pile slowly dwindled down eventually leaving her with one chip left.
"Looks like this is your last hand," Maximus said with a grin.
Tails knew it was right. The only way for her to win would be if she won the hand. The cards were dealt. Two burned then three cards were placed face down. It was Sonic's turn to start the betting so he tapped the table like he always did when it was his turn to start betting. Tails and Maximus didn't see any reason to counter his check so they each checked in turn. The flop was revealed. Ace of spades, Ace of hearts, and a seven of clubs
Maximus looked at his hand and he smiled on the inside. For he had the other two ace cards in it. Of course, years of playing poker as taught him to never revile what you have in your hand on your face or in any other actions you do. So he looked to sonic who once again made his customary check. Tails couldn't bet and he knew that with his hand she was done and that only left the hedgehog. So to make sure he didn't revile his hand he went ahead and checked.
The dealer burnt another card then revealed a ten of hearts.
Tails looked at the cards on out and checked her hand. She had a ten of diamonds and a seven of hearts. So she had two pair at the moment. With both Sonic and Maximus checking she realized that she had a chance to stay in this. But she looked and hoped for another ten or a seven so perhaps she'd be able to make a Full house.
Sonic made his usual check and after skipping Tails Maximus checked himself. Tails had a feeling that perhaps Maximus had something and was only drawing out the hand so Sonic would not fold.
The dealer then burned a card then placed a Jack of hearts down. So much for my Full House.
Tails looked to Sonic. Hoping that perhaps he'd have a low enough hand so that she d win. Though with the two ace's sitting out all someone needed was the other one and it'd beat her two pair. Well technically three pair since she had the aces too.
Then Sonic pushed all of his chips forward.
"All in," He said.
Tails couldn't believe his move.
"Seriously?" Tails asked but sonic ignored her.
Maximus was wondering the same thing. What could Sonic possibly have in store? Maximus checked Sonic's facial expression but it hadn't changed since they started. Well since he meet him outside. So Maximus could tell if Sonic was bluffing to try and get the pot though it wasn't much, or if he had something. Maximus looked at his hand again. His two Aces had not changed. He then checked the table there wasn't anything Sonic could go off of and really have anything big.
"All in," Maximus said as he too pushed all of his chips to the center.
"It was a good game," Maximus said as he let the smile reach his face, "But sadly all must come to an end."
Maximus showed his two cards the other two Aces . Tails gasped as she saw them she knew that Sonic couldn't possibly have something to beat that. Sonic, however, didn't seem all that concern as he reviled his two cards: The King of hearts and the Queen of Hearts.
Maximus' jaw dropped open. Sonic had a Royal Flush.
"Y-you," Maximus said. He just couldn't believe it. Not only had he experienced his first loss but to loose in that way.
Sonic stood up.
"Now," Sonic said, "Show me where the StarPost is."