Chapter 5:
A few minutes later, the four of them were flying the Tornado 1 (which Tails had kept in good shape) and were following the scanner to the nearest emerald.
"How much farther Tails?" Sonic asked.
"There's an emerald some in the forest below us," Tails replied. "But I can't pinpoint where exactly."
"Then find some place to land and we'll search on foot," said Sonic.
"Right," agreed Tails as he steered the plane toward a flowery clearing. As soon as the plane landed, everyone jumped off.
"I sense an emerald in this direction," Knuckles said as he walked into the trees, the others following behind.
They walked like this for several minutes when Sonic suddenly stiffened. He then burst forward and tackled Knuckles to the ground.
"What are you…" Knuckles growled.
"Quiet," Sonic cut him off. Still on top of Knuckles, Sonic turned to the others. "Get down. Get down NOW!"
Amy and Tails immediately followed his instructions and no sooner had they ducked down than laser shots went over their heads.
"What the…?" Knuckles said in confusion.
"Eggman must be searching for the emerald as well," Sonic explained. "There are some snipers near by and they would have shot us if I hadn't heard them."
"You heard them?" Any asked amazed.
"But that's impossible," said Tails. "My hearing has always been better than yours and I hear anything at all."
"I don't how I did it, but that doesn't matter right now," Sonic said. "Stay here. I'll take care of the snipers."
With a flash of blue and a gust of wind, Sonic took off into the forest.
"I hate it when he hogs all the fun," Knuckles growled, but he stayed where he was.
"How was Sonic able to hear the snipers?" Amy asked Tails.
"I don't know," Tails answered. "But I think there's more going on with Sonic than he's telling us. We'll just have to wait and see."
A few seconds later, Sonic skidded to a stop in front of them.
"Sorry I took so long," Sonic said as he helped them up. "But the snipers had more guards than I thought.
"Enough of you're bragging," Knuckles replied. "Let's get going already. I can feel us getting closer."
"Right," agreed Tails. "But watch out for more Eggman robots."
"Like we really have to worry," Sonic smirked.
They continued through the forest, easily defeating any robots that came across their path. Knuckles eventually signaled the others to slow down and they crept their way to the edge of the clearing. In the middle of the clearing were two large robots and a smaller robot, carrying a box, in between.
"That robot in the middle must have the emerald," Knuckles said.
"We need to think off a plan," Tails said.
"How about we smash the bots and take the emerald," Sonic said.
"But that really isn't a…" Tails protested, but Sonic had already left and was battling one of the bigger robots.
"That's my Sonic," Amy grinned.
"I never did like all this sneaking around," agreed Knuckles. They both charged into battle and attacked the other large robot. Tails just gave a small shrug and jumped into battle.
The smaller robot tried to escape the battle with the emerald, but Tails got in his way. The robot began firing at Tails with one arm. Tails easily dodged and grabbed the box. The robot than switched to rockets and shot them at the retreating fox, hoping to blast Tails out of the sky. Tails tried to dodge all the rockets, but one of them hit the mark. Tails blacked out and began falling from the sky, still clutching the box.
Sonic was enjoying the fight with the robot. The fact that he had been able to hear those sniper robots had freaked him out a little, but fighting the robot was normal, at least, normal for him. He ducked under a punch and returned one of his own. Instead of his fist just denting the armor and pushing the robot back, Sonic's fist and arm, up to his shoulder went right through the armor and circits as if it was nothing. Sonic just stood, shocked, as the robot lost power and fell away.
How did I do that? I've never been this strong. Sonic thought in confusion. He felt a twinge on his arm and saw there was a cut on it. Before he could do anything though, it had already begun to heal and there was soon no trace of it. What's happening to me?
You're body is evolving. Purity answered, in Sonic's head. It is getting ready for what is to come.
Purity! Sonic growled. You're the one doing this to me! I thought I told you to leave me alone!
It is not mine, but it is destiny's doing that is strengthening your body and improving your senses. Purity replied. The time of joining is approaching.
I told you I don't want… Sonic's thought was interrupted by the sound of an explosion. He turned to see Tails falling. Tails! Leave me alone Purity! My friends need me.
It is you, not I, that's making things harder on your friends. Purity whispered.
Sonic ignored her and rushed to Tails, catching him just before he hit the ground. The smaller robot turned too the two of them and readied it's aim. It was about to fire, but a large pink and yellow hammer smashed in its head and completely destroying the robot.
"That's what you get for aiming at my Sonic," Amy said smugly at the robot's remains.
"Tails, are you okay?" Sonic asked the fox gently.
"S-sonic?" Tails asked, waking up and smiling. "I got the emerald!"
"Good job little buddy," Sonic said, picking up the box. He opened it to reveal the yellow chaos emerald. Sonic began to reach for the emerald…
As Sonic reached for the emerald, Tails thought he saw Sonic hesitate and a flash of fear in his eyes. But the moment passed quickly and Sonic grasped the emerald. A look of relief crossed Sonic's face, but that was soon replaced by Sonic's usual cockiness.
"We have another emerald," Sonic said proudly. "Now we just need to find the next one."
"Okay," Tails agreed, studying Sonic. Tails wondered what Sonic was hiding that had made him seem afraid to touch the emerald.
"I can't sense anything nearby," Knuckles said.
"Then let's get back to the plane," Sonic said. He turned and began running toward the forest.
"Sonic!" Amy said, chasing after the blue hedgehog. "Wait for me!"
Knuckle was about to fallow them, when Tails grabbed his arm. Knuckles turned to the young fox.
"Knuckles," Tails said hesitantly. "Did you noticed anything different about Sonic just now?"
"You mean how he didn't spend all day bragging about his victory?" Knuckles smirked. "I admit it is strange, but also kind of refreshing."
"That's not what I meant," Tails replied.
"Than what do you mean?" Knuckles asked.
"I… never mind," Tails said, turning and walking toward the trees. "Ley's just go."
Knuckles was about to object, but then thought better of it. With a shrug he followed the others.