Notes: I decided to include the scrapped levels

Disclaimer: I still do NOT own the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Ch. 5: Into the Wood, through the Cave, and something completely different…

Our heroes were now headed into a dense forest. The tall trees blocked out quite a bit of the sunlight. Yet even in a remote area such as this, traces of technology could be seen.

"Someone's obviously been in these woods, Sonic, otherwise how could there be platforms in and around the trees."

"It's best not to think about it, Tails. Let's just take advantage of the fact that there are platforms here. Oh, and they installed railings. Good for them."

So up through the trees they went. There were tunnels through the bigger branches. Conveniently placed springs helped them ascend to the higher reaches. There were also conveyor belts spread out here and there.

"Maybe theses belts are for transporting wood."

"You guess is as good as mine, buddy."

There were a few Badniks in the area, but they seemed to all be carbon copies of other Badniks.

"These Badniks are just recolors. It's as if Eggman couldn't be bothered."

"Well this place does seem a bit out of the way."

"I know just what to call this place: Wood."

"That's it? Just…Wood?"

"That's all it deserves. This treetop stuff is a bit interesting, but I think we'd better get going."

"Into the Wood and out of the Wood."

"There is one thing we can do here, Tails. Ready to get another Emerald?"

"Always!"

Special

"I wonder if these pocket dimension things are purposefully trying to annoy us."

"I know what you mean: spikes, bombs, springs, ring collecting, *sigh* it's kinda frustrating really."

"Needs must to find and protect the Chaos Emeralds though."

"Too right, buddy. Speaking of which, here we are."

"It's the green Chaos Emerald…you know it's rather odd that despite being called emeralds, only one of them is green, and they aren't even in the shape they call emerald cut."

"Details, my nerdy chum. Let's keep on keeping on."

Tails was pretty sure that was a joke, but wanted to make sure.

"If I wasn't a nerd, then who'd keep you on track?"

"I have respect for smart people, Tails –"

"You're smart, Sonic."

"Nothing like you, pal. I follow my instincts, but you…well, you did repair the Tornado pretty quickly. I'm glad you're here with me."

"Thanks, Sonic."

The duo reached a clearing where a huge cave lay ahead.

"Now that looks fun. Not scared of caves are you, buddy?"

"No, but not being able to see is never fun."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let's go!"

The first thing they noticed was that lanterns conveniently lined the cave.

"Were these always here?"

"I'm sure this cave was used for something before Eggman came along."

"Did you notice any other lights?"

"You mean those flashing lights in the distance? Yeah."

"Let's go see what they are, Tails."

Once closer to one of the flashing lights, they discovered it was a firefly Badnik called Flasher. Sonic took it out, and then a small mouse escaped from the remaining shell. A swarm of them zoomed in on the pair.

"Eggman's never been shy to reuse old ideas. I've fought firefly-based Badniks before. Only hit them when the light stops flashing."

"Right, Sonic."

Soon the bugs were no more.

"I'll never understand how he came up with animal batteries."

"Who knows how his mind works, Tails."

Suddenly, something struck at them from a nearby bush. It was a blue centipede Badnik called Crawlton. Sonic gave it a kick in the head to destroy it. Just up ahead, there was a bridge, but it was up.

"How do we get it down?"

"Well there's usually a switch or something, buddy."

Sonic took a quick look around. He noticed a thick vine hanging down from the ceiling.

"How about this?"

"Sonic, that's a vine. How could that work a bridge?"

Sonic jumped up and gave it a pull. The bridge lowered.

"I stand corrected."

Sonic shrugged, "Live and learn."

"Wasn't that a song?"

"No idea."

They continued deeper into the cave.

"This place is kinda eerie, huh, Tails?"

"I does have an otherworldly quality to it."

"That gives me a good idea for a name: Mystic Cave."

"Ooh, now that's catchy."

"Thank you, Tails, I try."

They were walking past a large pit when Sonic thought he saw a glow at the bottom.

"Did you see that, Tails?"

"See what?"

"I'm sure there was a glow at the bottom of this pit."

"Looks bottomless to me…or it could be a trap and once you jump down there'll be spikes all over and no way out."

"That sounded oddly specific. Oh well, let's just keep going."

As they continued, Sonic couldn't help but look back at the hole. He shook his head and kept moving forward.

"Here's a post, Sonic. Ready to get that last Chaos Emerald?"

"How can you be so enthusiastic when you know what's coming?"

"Because as it's the last one we need, we'll never have to go through that half pipe again."

"Well then what are we waiting for?!"

Special

"This place is going all out, Sonic. It's really piling on the bombs now."

"Not to mention how many rings we need to collect."

It was a difficult ordeal (so much so it can barely be put into words), but at last they obtained the silver Chaos Emerald.

"Now we have all seven. What happens now?"

"We get the good ending."

"What?"

"I mean…I don't really know. Every other time I collected the Emeralds it was just to keep them away from Eggman."

"Well they must do something."

"If that's true, Tails, I'd like to know what it is. Let's keep going."

Just as it seemed they might have taken a wrong turn, they saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

"There it is, Sonic, the exit!"

"Calm down, buddy. What's the hurry?"

"I prefer being somewhere with open air. I can fly after all."

"The higher you go, fox boy, the harder you'll fall!"

"I can hear him, but where is he?"

Suddenly, the entire cave started to shake.

"Ask and you shall receive, Tails."

Rocks and stalactites began raining down from the roof of the cavern. The Eggmobile descended from somewhere above. It was outfitted with a pair of large drills.

"More drills, Eggman? Didn't learn your lesson from last time?"

"Silence! I'll get you this time."

His mobile charged ahead, both drills pointed forward. Sonic and Tails jumped as it got close, hitting the mobile.

"Let's see you try and hit me now, Sonic!"

The drills pointed upwards as he ascended towards the ceiling. He drilled back into the wall, causing another rain of rocks and stalactites.

"Yeah, I'd rather not get hit on the head. So let's end this quick. Ready, Tails?"

"You bet!"

As Robotnik emerged from the wall, he was surprised to see no sign of the pair.

"What?! Where did they go? They can't just leave like that during a fight."

"Surprise!"

Sonic and Tails leapt out of hiding and began pummeling the mobile by repeatedly jumping into it. With attacks coming from both sides, Robotnik couldn't retaliate. In a few seconds, his drills were no more. The doctor quickly sped off in what was left of his mobile.

"I will have this island, Sonic. The places I've been and the things I've seen. You can't begin to understand the power of the Chaos Emeralds."

With that, he had escaped through the cave's exit.

"Let's go after him, Sonic," Tails said, as he started to run.

"Wait."

Tails lost balance and fell. He looked up at Sonic in shock.

"Did you of all people just say to wait?"

"There was something in the cave I want to check out."

After a few minutes of searching, they found that large pit from before.

"This spot again? Why?"

"I'm not sure why. It's like it's calling me. There's only one way to know for sure."

Sonic grabbed Tails by the arm and jumped into the pit.

"I really hope you're right, Sonic."

"So do I, pal."