Have no fear! Chapter 21 is here! Sorry for the long wait, (Not really THAT long, but whatever.) Let's start Chapter 21!

(Meanwhile, In the past)

~Cosmo's POV~

That's it! That must be a Chaos Emerald! But's what's a Chaos Emerald doing here anyway? I questioned myself. But no matter! At least I got a Chaos Emerald!

I lift the Emerald high up in the air, admiring its beautiful features.

"Wow, I've never held a Chaos Emerald before... I can even feel it's energy rushing through my body!" I thought to myself.

Suddenly, I noticed a cave with a huge rock blocking the way. I walked near it. Suddenly, the whole rock rolled into the cave. How is that even possible? I thought. Once the rock is out of my way, I step into the cave.

I instantly regret it.

I felt myself sliding down. Was that sand I was stepping on? Moreover, where is the cave taking me to? I try to look around, only to be blinded by the sand. It was getting into my eyes! Big mistake I've made. I closed my eyes and sighed. Another big mistake. The sand was getting into my mouth! Ugh, how stupid I can be.

Suddenly, my slide down the sand came to a sudden halt. The brushing of the sand on my legs are gone. Instead, I felt my whole body become heavy, my arms spread out wide (but I couldn't control it!),and I felt air rushing through my smooth hair and body. My eyes shot open in an instant.

I was free-falling.

"Oh God. This is the end of Cosmo the Seedrian. After 8 years in this world, and death, and rebirth, She is going to die- again." I thought to myself. I tried to look down, only that my eyes are dry like a desert. The wind is poking my eyeballs out! I closed my eyes and thought of a solution. Oh, that's right! I could float! I quickly spread my dress like a parachute and hoped that this would slow me down. And thank God, I was right! I felt myself slowly float down to the ground, elegantly. I finally opened my eyes, trying to find out where I'm going to land. It's sand. Well, at least it wasn't water or I'll be in big trouble.

I finally land onto the ground and looked around. Hmm. It seems that I am in a desert. Oh, great. It'll take centuries just for me to get out of this place. I walked a bit and noticed a snowboard, lying on the floor. What the hell is a snowboard doing in a place like this?! I picked it up and brushed of the dust and sand of the snowboard. It was emerald coloured. Then, I heard something coming my way. I turned around immediately, and my eyes widened.

"Oh, crap."

I quickly grabbed my snowboard and hopped onto it. I don't know how to ride on a snowboard, but it's an emergency! I tightened the straps on my foot quickly and blazed down the desert like there was no tomorrow.

Surprisingly, I was starting to get the hang of riding on a snowboard. It was actually kind of fun. I raced down the desert, smiling to myself. Maybe this is why Sonic likes to go fast...

Forgetting the sandstorm right behind me, I did some simple stunts with the little humps in the sand. I couldn't believe it- I was starting to like this.

Suddenly, gates rose up in the sand. I gasped. Did I have to go through all of the gates?

I tilted my snowboard left and right, hoping to pass through every gate I see. Fortunately, I passed through all of them. I saw a dead end in front of me. Uh-oh. This is bad.

I quickly hopped off my snowboard and ran to the dead-end. I saw a sparkling red light glowing in front of me. I touched it hasitately. It might be a trap!

The moment I touched it, the moment I blacked out. Once I regained conciousness, I found myself in Mystic Ruins Jungle again. Was that a dream after all? Shrugging it off, I kept walking until I heard a sweet voice call me from above.

"Oh, hello Miss Cosmo! Have you found anything yet?" Cream asked.

"Well, I found this..." I said as I took out the Chaos Emerald. She gasped the moment she saw it.

"Oh, my! That's a Chaos Emerald! Tell me, Miss Cosmo, where did you find it?"

"I found it over there..." I said as I pointed towards the spot.

"Wow! How come I didn't spot it before?" She cupped her chin with her hand in thought.

"Anyway, have you found anything yet, Cream?"

"No... Sorry about that, Miss Cosmo." She said as she scratched the back of her head, smiling an embarrassed smile.

"It's alright! We can't find him so easily, anyway!" I smile.

"You're right. But we have to meet up with other team members first. Here, I'll show you the way."

I nodded as I followed her out of the forest. We climbed up the ladder (Or flew, in Cream's case) and took the mine cart out of this forest.

"Whew." I sighed. "Getting in was easy, but I couldn't get out without the help of Cream." I thought.

We finally arrived near the lake, and we found out that nobody has arrived yet. Hmm. I wonder where the groups are …?

(Meanwhile, on Angel Island)

~Knuckles' POV~

"God dammit! Where the hell could Tails be?! How could he just run off like that and leave us worrying our asses off?! When he comes back, I'm going to teach him a lesson..." I murmured as I glided through the air. I turned my head in different directions, hoping to find the golden fur kitsune. However, as expected, he was nowhere it sight. I finally gave up and glided to the Master Emerald to say my prayers.

"Oh, the mighty Master Emerald! If you would've just known where Tails went!" I said, hoping for an answer.

Suddenly, the unexpected happened. The Master Emerald started glowing!

"Woah! Do you know, Master Emerald?!" I stared into the still glowing Master Emerald, hoping to see a reflection in it (Like a Crystal Ball). I saw something like a twin tailed fox (Who I assumed was Tails) and a brown hedgehog... And when I tried to look further in it, the Master Emerald stopped glowing.

"Aw, dammit! Master Emerald, you like cliffhangers?" I chuckled under my breath.

Whatever, at least I have a small clue.

Brown hedgehog...

And there you go! Chapter 21! Cliffhanger because Master Emerald like cliffhangers. (Bursts out laughing) Anyway, thanks for reading, and hope you have a nice day! (Or night)