Hi Ho, fellow readers! Good news! Now that I'm now on summer break, no more inexcusably long delays for the next few months! And to start it off on the right foot, here's a special extra long chapter for your enjoyment! Once again, thanks for your patience, and ENJOY! CHAPTER 7:

Don't let your guard down,

Keep your shield up, you gotta be ready!

Don't let your guard down,

When the goin' gets tough, keep your heart steady!

You never know when danger will strike,

Might be tomorrow, might be tonight.

Learn to trust your instincts and nothing else.

The world can be cold. The world can be tough,

Sometimes love is not enough.

Sometimes you gotta stand up for yourself.

Don't let your guard down,

Keep your shield up, you gotta be ready!

Don't let your guard down,

And when the goin' gets tough, keep your heart steady!

Don't let your guard down,

Keep your shield up, keep your shield up.

Don't let your guard down,

Keep your shield up, keep your shield up.

Don't let your guard down...

You gotta be ready!

Over a long, winding mountain pass, there came into view six travelers: Two very familiar hedgehogs, an armadillo and wolf, and two robots guiding their way. They were nearing the summit of a tall hill in the way of their destination. Sonic called out to the male type robot out in front of them all.

"Hey, Scyzor! How much further do we got?" he asked with a hint of impatience.

The robot turned to face back to him. "We'll be able to see it once we reach the top of this hill, Sonic" he answered.

"Good, because my feet are killing me!" Amy complained loudly.

Mighty looked quite exhausted as well. "Are we there yet?"

Lupe looked to face him angrily. "Mighty, if you ask that one more time…."

"OK, ok, sorry! Shutting up now!" (Zips his lips).

A few minutes (and complaints) later, the team had finally reached the top of their long climb. Krystal, the feminine robot, pointed toward the horizon.

"There it is guys. Right over there."

Sonic, Amy, Mighty, and Lupe stared in amazement. The barren, deserted land they traveled seemed to suddenly vanish just a short distance away. For there, in the center of the enormous valley before them, sat a large shining, metallic, utopian city. The buildings gleamed in the sunlight reflecting colors shining like gems. It was truly an unbelievable sight.

"That's it." Scyzor said. "Metal City: The Metal Metropolis Zone."

"That's your home?" Mighty asked while staring.

"It looks so beautiful." said Amy.

But Scyzor didn't look like he agreed. His head sank in sadness.

"Believe me. It was much more beautiful until 'our leader' took over!" he said clenching his metal fist.

Krystal put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll make it just like it used to be."

"You got that right!" Sonic agreed. "We promised that, and so it shall be!"

"Alright then." Scyzor answered. "Let's go."

The six began to descend the hill toward the city, unaware that their every move was being presented on a large monitor before the eyes of an unknown figure. A figure looking quite satisfied with what he was watching.

"Hmhmhmhmhmhmmmmm…………It won't be long now…"

Above their heads at the hole in the ceiling of the Sandopolis Zone temple, Geoffrey and Shadow looked up at the strange figure looking down upon them. They didn't recognize him, but judging by the expressions on Knuckles, Rouge, Tails, and Espio's faces, they recognized him in a heartbeat. For they were all looking into the light blue eyes of Necronos!

"Necro! I……is it really you?" Knuckles asked in shock.

"In the flesh, my friend" the cloaked figure answered.

Everyone watched as he slowly hovered toward the floor and in front of them.

"Who's this bloke?" Geoffrey questioned curiously.

The figure's hooded head and glowing eyes turned to face him as he answered.

"Geoffrey and Shadow. I am Necronos. A master of purity magic, and you might say, an old friend of your comrades here."

Shadow suddenly realized. "Waitaminute! I remember now! You're the one who Rouge told me about. The one who helped me in my recovery after I was possessed last year."

"Yes, shadow. That was me" Necronos confirmed.

"Hey, Necro! Long time no see!" Rouge said with a smile.

"I missed ya so much, buddy!" Tails exclaimed.

"As did I" Espio agreed.

"Believe me, I've greatly missed you all as well, my friends. But I'm afraid this little reunion must wait. For as I'm sure you're all well aware of, you world is once more in great danger!"

"We're way ahead of you, pal" Knuckles said back. That's why we're all here. We have to remove a Zone that isn't supposed to be here."

"But why are you here now, Necro?" Tails wondered.

Necronos' eyes showed a serious expression within his pitch black hood.

"I am aware of your plight as well, and I believe I know the reason why this is all happening."

"What do you mean?" Geoffrey wondered.

"Take a look for yourselves!"

Necronos suddenly held up a large and shockingly familiar gemstone, glowing in a radiance of multiple colors.

Knuckles gasped. "The Cataclysmic Emerald!"

"Yes, indeed." Necronos said. "But look closer…"

Espio's sharp eye spotted what he meant. "Oh my god! There's a giant crack."

Rouge's eyes opened wide. "Necro? D-does that m-mean?"

"Unfortunately, yes Rouge. One of the shards is missing!"

Tails was practically speechless. "But how is that possible? We saw it get restored ourselves!"

"Also true, Tails. But just knowing this fact is the least of our worries. For one shard missing means another thing."

Shadow looked confused. "Another thing, meaning…?"

Necronos' voice sounded so cold, he wished he didn't have to say it. "Meaning……one of Catalyst's spirits is free once again!"

"Looks like we made it!"

Sonic and the rest looked ahead. Metal City's entrance was just a few yards away.

"It's about time!" Amy complained (again). "Because…"

"We know, we know," Mighty interrupted. "Your feet are killing you."

Just then, Scyzor stopped just inches upon entering under the city gate.

"Yo, Scyzor. What's up?" Sonic asked.

He turned to face them. "A word of warning, you guys. Upon entering Metal City, you all could very well be walking into a VERY bad situation. If our master discovers you before we can attempt our rebellion, you can guarantee he'll show no mercy."

Everyone's expressions turned greatly serious.

"If you wish to back out now, this may very well be you last chance to do so…" Krystal warned, with a worried expression in her pink, glowing eyes.

Sonic just grinned. "What have we already told you guys? We're helping you because we want to! There's no way we're backing out now!"

"And wherever he goes, I go!" Amy added.

"That goes double for me," said Lupe.

"Triple!" Mighty finished.

Scyzor nodded. "Alright, then. Let's do this!"

Scyzor and Krystal clenched each other's hand tightly as they started forward, leading the gang into Metal City.

As the team of six trekked the streets, Sonic, Amy, Mighty, and Lupe couldn't help but gaze at the numerous skyscrapers and towering structures, with all the metal and steel on each of them gleaming and shining brightly.

However, as they continued, they also noticed they were also being watched! As doors from the buildings opened automatically, hundreds of robots began to peer outside and watch as the gang walked by them. Some other robots began to just look out from around corners, or out their windows. The six of them could just barely overhear them speaking softly to each other. This of course gave them all a slightly uneasy feeling.

"I don't know about you guys," Amy finally spoke, "but I don't like being the attraction of thousands of peepers. Robotic or otherwise!"

"I must agree," Lupe admitted. "This is most unsettling…"

"Since our master demanded no strangers were to enter the city, you can probably tell why you may feel out of place. Besides being organic (no offense)." Scyzor explained.

While walking, Sonic suddenly notice some distance ahead of them, a certain building seemed to be out of place in the city. A tall, dark and ominous tower stood within a large group of more ordinary looking skyscrapers.

'Why is that building so different than everything else here?' he thought to himself. 'I wonder……'

"So where do we go from here, Scyzor?" Sonic asked.

But before he could answer……

"You will all go, and pay for you crime of trespassing!"

Everyone stopped in shock to the booming voice. The on-looking populace also suddenly fell silent. As the gang looked ahead to see where the voice came from, they gasped in shock!

Just about ten feet in front of them, stood a 20 ft. tall, dark colored (not to mention highly menacing) robot! Its chest looked like a built tough jagged wall of steel, with triangular tips protruding as shoulders. The arms were large and rectangular, with curved spiked elbows, and sharp metallic claws for hands. The leg limbs were also rectangular, but triangularly angled from the waist down, to the large, three clawed feet. And for the head, a large pentagonal shape rested atop the torso, with a covered mouth, twin devil-like horn pointing from its top, and finally, two deadly, piercing red eyes gazing sinisterly at the six standing before him.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here…" he said coldly. "Four little intruders to MY city? With a couple of 'helpful' guides to boot?"

He focused his fiery gaze at Scyzor and Krystal.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I am very disappointed in you, G-79. I was sure you two would know better than to disobey my order."

Scyzor turned very serious and stood still, while Krystal started trembling in fear. As Sonic and the others stared at the giant towering over them, Amy couldn't help but start to feel very uneasy. And meanwhile, the robotic populace surrounding them watched with anticipation to what would happen.

"I'm sure you should also realize, crimes against my order cannot go unpunished, I'm afraid."

The sinister giant began to slowly step forward toward the two robots. Krystal flinched in fright, but Scyzor continued to stare into his red eyes and remained steadfast. The giant mechanoid then turned his gaze to Krystal, seeing her fearful expression.

"Hmmm……Now then. What shall I do for your punishment?"

He seemed to enjoy seeing her looking terrified by him. He stared evilly into her eyes, and if his mouth could be seen under the metal covering it, he would've most likely been grinning.

"Lock you away for eternity? Sentence you to work for life? DISMANTLE YOU PIECE BY PIECE?"

Krystal fell to the ground from his booming shout, whimpering with sheer fright.

"You leave her alone!"

All the robots surrounding the group gasped in surprise. The giant's red eyes widened and turned to the direction he heard the sudden outburst. He looked directly at Scyzor once more, and stepped forward until he was now looking directly down at him, looking very unsatisfied.

"I'm sorry. What was that? Where YOU talking to ME?"

"Yeah I was talking to you!" Scyzor snapped. "I said 'Leave her alone!'"

The dark giant stood staring at him for several seconds as the crowd watched in silence.

"Hm, hm, hm, hm, hmmm. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh! Well now, I must admit, I find that very funny!...Because normally, no one would DARE to speak to me, in such a DISRESPECTFUL TONE!"

"Well, I am!" Scyzor snapped again. "And you wanna know what else! I'm sick and tired of you and your twisted 'order'!"

"…………Is that a fact?"

Krystal started fearing for what the sinister mecha would do to Scyzor for acting as such.

"Well, I must say I'm sorry you feel that way, my friend."

The dark giant slowly stepped backward a few feet.

"After all, I find my order to be a most efficient way of life for your fellow citizens: You all obey only me, you follow my every command and whim, and in return you all get to remain ALIVE! Sounds like a fair deal to me…"

Sonic growled silently at his remark, for it sounded just like something Eggman would've said.

"And for that, what do I suddenly get from you, my friend? An earful of INSUBORDINATION?"

Then as everyone watched, the giant suddenly gazed at Sonic, Amy, Lupe, and Mighty for the first time.

"However, I must say, you have made me somewhat satisfied today. After all, you've gone to the trouble of bringing me these guests, I see. Guests who've I've been eagerly awaiting for some time now!"

The gang's eyes widened hearing that.

'Huh? What is he talking about?' Sonic wondered to himself.

He stared at the four of them eagerly, and seemed to be focusing on only one in particular, unknown to them…

"How exciting to see you again, old friend. I assume you're here to finally surrender to me like you should have last time. AAAHA HA HA HA HA HA HAAA……"

Sonic looked at him curiously. "Last time?"

"You mean you know us?" Amy asked, looking quite shook up at the thought.

The robot seemed even more amused. "HA! You don't recognize me, do you? That just makes it all the more fun! HA HA HA!"

Sonic couldn't stand still any longer, and suddenly charged forward!

"Laugh at THIS!"

He ran toward the giant with his fists forward. But to his surprise, his target suddenly vanished!

"What the-?"

Sonic screeched to a halt before he struck the innocent spectator robots surrounding them. Then turned around to see the giant suddenly standing behind Amy and the others!

'How…how did he do that?'

Amy turned around seeing the dark one behind her, and screamed as he reached his enormous clawed hand out and grabbed her!

"AAAAAAAAHHH!"

"AMY!" Mighty and Lupe cried out.

Sonic instantly charged for him once more.

"Don't you touch her!" he shouted furiously!

Unfortunately, once he was close enough, he again almost ran into the crowd. He screeched to a stop just inches away from the flinching robots, and turned around again to see the dark giant standing back where he was before, and Amy still clenched in his hand.

'Wow! He's fast! I never even saw him move! This guy must be a lot tougher than we he is now.'

The rest of the gang watched in shock as the giant raised his hand holding Amy up high for all the robots watching in the area to see.

"Citizens! Here before you, is an example of what is strictly prohibited in Metal City: a trespasser. And even worse, an ORGANIC trespasser! Now as you can see, your fellow citizens, Scyzor and Krystal of G-79, have purposely violated this sacred law! Let me remind you all that such crimes against my order are not to be tolerated! IS THAT CLEAR?"

Every robotic spectator in sight remained silent with fear, but nodded to show they understood perfectly. Then, to everyone's surprise, the giant slowly lowered his fist, and let Amy softly onto the street! Not waiting to find out why, she ran straight into Sonic's arms, feeling much safer with him. Scyzor couldn't stand listening to his tyrannical voice any longer.

"Well, Sonic. What do we do now?" he whispered so the giant couldn't here him.

"Yeah, what's the plan?" Amy asked.

Sonic remained silent as he took another close look at the dark giant. He knew exactly what they had to do.

"Pull back."

"What?" Mighty asked in surprise.

"But why?" Lupe wondered.

Sonic answered. "Guys. Did you not see how fast he was just now? He's got to be much more powerful than we first anticipated. We are not ready to start a fight we don't know we can win, yet. It's best that we retreat for now until we come up with a better plan!"

Scyzor looked into the giant's red, piercing eyes again, and clenched his fists tightly with anger. He hated the thought of running away, now!

Sonic looked at him. "Scyzor, I know how you feel now, but believe me. We are in no condition to fight against these odds!"

Krystal stepped toward Scyzor, and grasped one of his fists in her hands. He turned to face the pleading look in her clear, pink eyes.

"Scyzor, please. Listen to Sonic. It's too dangerous for us all. I especially don't want to see you get hurt, or worse!"

If robots were made to produce tears, Krystal would most likely have been doing so right there. Scyzor unclenched his fists, and bowed his head in agreement.

"A wise decision, rebels…" the giant said to the six.

They suddenly looked at him with eyes wide.

'Oh no…He heard every word we said!' Mighty thought with concern.

The giant looked at Scyzor and Krystal as they held each others hands for comfort.

"Well then, all that's left to be discussed is your punishment, if I'm not mistaken."

Scyzor faced him without hesitation, expecting the worst.

"Oh come now. Don't look so hopeless, my friend. Execution is so cliché a punishment. And quite a bit harsh too, don't you think? Heh, heh, heh, heh."

Everyone in the area waited with anticipation.

"But since I just cannot let you walk away from this felony without retribution………Scyzor and Krystal! On this day, you two are hereby BANNED FOREVER FROM METAL CITY!"

The crowd gasped. The two robots' eyes widened in shock. As did Sonic and the rest.

The giant's voice suddenly turned deeper and colder with his final words.

"Now get out of my sight, AND my city, you disgraceful turncoats!"

Krystal began to sob in Scyzor's arms, as the two of them turned their back to their master and began to silently walk away in shame and embarrassment. Sonic glared back at him with disgust, then motioned at Amy, Mighty, and Lupe to follow them out of the city. But they all knew they'd be back soon. Very soon indeed.

As the six of them walked close together down the street, the crowd of robots who had been watching them the whole time looked at them with sad and sympathetic expressions, feeling very sorry for such a sentence to be given to two of their fellow citizens. Many looked back at their master also with disgusted glares (while he wasn't looking at them, of course).

Seconds later, the team had turned a street corner far away from the dark giant, and they were out of his sight. It was then that five heavily armored robots with curved swords in their hands appeared behind him…

"……Kill them."

The five suddenly charged from behind him toward the group! The robots still around watched in shock as they zoomed passed them; their swords gleaming sharply. As soon as they turned the corner they went, one robot in the crowd spotted their targets.

"Behind you! Look out!"

Scyzor and Sonic turned around to see the five warriors heading straight toward them!

"Guys! RUN!" they shouted simultaneously.

The team quickly made a mad dash for the city gateway. The robots in the streets cleared their way so not to slow them down from their escape. Acting on instinct, Mighty looked back.

"Their catching up!" Then he spotted the city limit five blocks ahead. "We're not gonna make it!"

"Oh yes we are!" said Sonic. "Everyone grab on!"

Amy grabbed Sonic's arm tightly, then Mighty grabbed Amy, then Lupe, Scyzor, and Krystal until they formed a chain. In a flash, Sonic sped up to a speed twice as fast as the sword swinging warrior bots! Within seconds, the team had safely dashed straight under the gate, and out of the city limit. Sonic turned to face the five behind him (a little shook up from the sprint).

"Everyone okay?"

"I'm alright" Amy said.

"I've been better" Mighty admitted.

"I'm ok as well" Lupe said, shaking off her daze.

Sonic then looked back at the city's entrance, which was a good ten yards away from them. He stared in amazement at the five warrior bots, for they were just standing at the gate, watching them while standing perfectly still! All of them lowered their blades, and then turned around to disappear back into Metal City.

"What's that about?" Amy wondered.

"I think they just wanted us out of the city." Scyzor guessed.

"Is that all?" Mighty questioned.

Krystal nodded. "If we had our choice, our people would never try to harm anyone for any reason. They've saved us from a much worse fate this time."

Hours later, the sun once more had set under the horizon. Sonic and his team had taken refuge far away just inside of the cavern entrance of the Labyrinth Zone. Looking outside, they could see The Metal Metropolis Zone's (Metal City's) buildings lit up and glowing in the darkness of the night from far away.

"I was so scared today" Krystal said as she held Scyzor's gripping hand.

"We got lucky, Krystal. It could've been a lot worse.

They joined their friends by the fire a few feet behind them. Sonic and Amy huddled close together, while Mighty and Lupe had already fallen asleep from exhaustion.

"I'm sorry for putting you all through what happened today, guys" Scyzor apologized.

"It wasn't your fault, Scyzor" Sonic assured him. "We volunteered, remember?"

Amy looked up angrily. "I almost wish I didn't!"

"AMY!" Sonic didn't look happy hearing that.

"I'm sorry. It's just that, when a big mecha thing suddenly grabs you, and then scares you to death holding you up like a prize, I can't help but feel upset! Am I right!"

"That's understandable Amy." Scyzor reassured.

"Still, we gave these two our word, Amy." Sonic reminded her. "We said we'd help free them from that jerk's hold over them, and that's what we're gonna do."

Amy looked down. "Yeah, I know. But I still am curious to know…"

Then she turned to face Scyzor and Krystal. "Why did you and your people bother to fix that creep up in the first place? If you left him alone, maybe none of this would be happening to you all!"

Scyzor rebutted. "It's not like we knew that once our technicians fixed him, he would make himself a tyrant to us!"

Krystal nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's right. Gamma Catalyst said that if we helped him, he would've rewarded us greatly for helping him."

Amy looked more annoyed. "Oh come on! That's one of the oldest tricks in the-"

"Gamma Catalyst?" Sonic shouted in realization.

"Uh, you're interrupting me, Sonic."

"But Amy, they just said-"

Suddenly it hit her. "GAMMA CATALYST?"

Scyzor looked surprised. "Wait a minute! So he was right? You really do know him?"

"Know him? Oh brother, do I know him!"

And so Amy finally told Scyzor and Krystal about her past frightening experience against her old nemesis Gamma Catalyst: the fourth of the seven Catalyst spirits from their adventure one year ago! The last she had seen of him, he had used his spiritual powers to fuse as one with the entire Grand Metropolis Zone, and produced a vast army of combat robots to take her and her friends out. It seemed as if all would've been lost, but with her magical powers as Saiuka the Magician, her past life as an ancient warrior, she unleashed her most devastating attack: the Global Apocalypse, attempting to destroy the entire Zone with intent to take Gamma with it!

"But if what you're saying is true," Krystal began, "then that means he must've survived!"

"Yeah." Sonic agreed. "But what the heck I'd like to know is HOW!"

And so as soon as it was discovered, Amy found she was now much too frightened to continue speaking and began to shudder with fear once again. For now see realized that their mystery menace revealed, is the one person she wished the most she'd never hear of again:

Gamma Catalyst!

Bum, bum, BUM! Villain revealed! Gamma's back, and badder than ever, folks! How will this new turn of events affect our heroes' mission to save Mobius Z from global destruction? Will Amy be able to handle facing one of her most feared enemies again! And what other secrets does Necronos know that may greatly help the gang on their mission?

Find out the answers (to at least some of these questions) and more next time! Oh, the suspense…

(A/N: 'Don't Let You're Guard Down' from Sonic Underground Episode 40: Virtual Danger (Anyone remember that?))