Ch.3: Blame Knuckles

Early the next morning, all the victims kidnapped by the Chaos Emeralds reappeared on Angel Island. Everyone's eyes were wide with confusion at why they were all here.

"What happened?" said Sonic " where are we?"

"Somewhere on Angel Island by the looks of it," said Espio.

"The Chaos Emeralds must have brought us here" said Shadow " but why?"

"Bet you one person can tell us why" said Rouge, removing her nightgown to reveal she still wore her regualar clothes underneath " and his name is Knuckles,"

"The Master Emerald shrine isn't to far from here" said Vector " let's go ask,"

Tails flew ahead of the group, just as confused as the others were. Did Knuckles bring them here? If he did, why? It had be some sort of emergency or else the Guardian wouldn't have sent the Chaos Emeralds to find them. Which had disappeared as soon as they got to the island by the way.

When the twin-tailed fox finally had the Master Emerald alter in his sights, his eyes widened in horror and he let out a scream. The others who were following behind Tails, heard his scream, and instantly ran over to his position, where they found the twin-tailed fox shivering in fear.

"Tails, what's wrong?" Sonic asked his friend.

Tails said nothing, and just pointed his finger at the alter. Everyone looked up at the alter and gasped when they saw the same horrible sight that Tails had saw. Trapped inside the Master Emerald was none other than, thier dear friend, Knuckles the Echidna.

"How...how's that possible?" said Rouge, trying to conceal the terror in her voice.

"It shouldn't be," said Shadow, flatly.

"Is he awake in there?" asked Vector.

Knuckles appeared to be sitting in a medative state, and his eyes were closed. Sonic rushed up the steps of the alter and tapped on the Master Emerald's surface, seeing if it would wake Knuckles up. Luckily, for all present, it did.

Knuckles voilet eyes widened in surprise when he saw Sonic and the others were on his island. Surprise changed to horror, once he realized where he was.

"Get me out of here!" yelled Knuckles.

"Don't worry bud" said Sonic "we'll get you out,"

"That cannot be allowed," said a deep voice, stopping Sonic in his tracks.

"Who said that!" yelled Vector.

"I did," answered the voice.

"It's coming from the Master Emerald," said Tails.

"Maybe because it is the Master Emerald!" shouted Knuckles, as if it were obivous. " why did you trap me in here?"

"Why, to grant your wish of course," said the Master Emerald.

"What wish?" said Knuckles.

"You asked who your successor would be" said the Master Emerald, as if it were obivous " I intend to answer that question,"

"I don't care what's going on!" said Sonic, shouting at the Master Emerald " you'd better let him out right now!"

"Only when I find the next Guardian" said the Master Emerald " until then the Guardian shall remain inside of me. In the meantime you and your friends must face three terrible trails. The trails of past, present, and future,"

"If we do this" said Shadow " then he'll be free?"

"Yes," said the Master Emerald.

"Well guys?" said Tails, looking at the others.

"I don't see where we have any choice in the matter" said Rouge " let's go for it,"

"Yeah!" said Vector " bring it on!"

Espio and Shadow just nodded in agreement.

"Sonic?" said Tails, looking up at his friend.

"Alright fine" said Sonic to the Master Emerald " we accept your challenge,"

"Then let us begin" said the Master Emerald " with a journey to the past,"

A bright green glow suddenly engulfed Sonic and the rest of his team. When the light vanished, Knuckles was still trapped inside the Master Emerald, but everyone else was gone.