Chapter 2

The morning sun was just finishing rising above the horizon as Knuckles and Kirrand stood on the beach on the southern side of Floating Island. The duo gazed out into the cloud filled skies, searching with both eyes and ears for the arrival of the Tornado. Funny we should meet them here at the exact spot Sonic and Tails landed on the island almost two years ago, thought Knuckles to himself, recalling that fateful day all too clearly. He couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought of his and Sonic's first encounter. He had bested Sonic in that meeting, managing to steal all the Chaos Emeralds from a surprised Sonic's possession before he had known what hit him. Thus began the game of cat and mouse between the three mobians that eventually led Knuckles to realize the truth a little too late. But thanks to Sonic, the crisis was averted and the Master Emerald was saved.

"I can't believe I'm this nervous," said Kirrand. She then looked over at Knuckles. "Do you think it's wrong to be this nervous?"

"Why are you nervous? He's just a mobian like you or me," said Knuckles, looking over at the younger echidna.

"I know…But for some reason it feels like I'm meeting someone special. Like the first time I met you all those years ago," said Kirrand.

"You do realize I hate being looked upon as some kind of holy person by our people, right?" asked Knuckles.

"I did when you told me that a few years ago," said Kirrand. "But when I first met you, I believed you were someone to be revered. That's the way my parents had taught me to act towards the Guardian," said Kirrand.

"Yeah, well, my family might be the 'Guardians' of Floating Island and the Master Emerald, but as far as I'm concerned I'm no different than any other echidna aside from the fact I'm honor bound to guard this place," said Knuckles. Suddenly, a faint noise could be heard coming from somewhere off the coast of the island, returning both echidnas' attention to the edge of the sandy beach. About twenty seconds later, as the noise continued to grow louder, a blue object pierced the clouds surrounding the island.

"Is that them?" asked Kirrand, not recognizing the object at all.

"Yep. Still can't believe Tails fixed that plane up in no time flat," said Knuckles.

"I've never seen a plane before, only heard about them from the occasional explorer that happened onto our village," said Kirrand. She then squinted as she gazed at the plane, suddenly realizing that someone was riding on the top of the wings. "Is…Is someone riding on top of that thing?"

"That'd be Sonic. He loves riding that plane on the wings," said Knuckles. The two watched as the Tornado angled itself for an approach further down the beach, then dropped till the landing gear wheels touched down. The bi-plane slowed down as the two echidnas started to head in its direction, coming to a full stop by the time the two reached it.

"How'd I do?" asked Sally, looking up at Sonic as she started to unbuckle herself from the pilot's seat.

"Pretty good actually for your first time flying the Tornado," said Sonic, looking over his shoulder at the ground squirrel. He then looked out in front of the plane and down at the two echidnas. "Hope we didn't keep you guys waiting for too long."

"Not really. We've only been here for about ten minutes give or take," said Knuckles as Sonic hopped down off the wing and landed in front of the two echidnas, causing Kirrand to take a step back without thinking, which Sonic immediately noticed.

"This Kirrand?" asked Sonic, jerking a thumb in her direction as he looked over at Knuckles.

"Yeah. She's a little…nervous to meet you," said Knuckles, looking over at the girl. Sonic merely smiled and looked back over at Kirrand.

"Hey. No need to be nervous about meeting me. I'm no different than anyone else," said Sonic.

"That's what I told her," said Knuckles as Sally walked up next to Sonic.

"I'm sorry Sonic…It's just…After everything Angel told me about you, I find it a little hard not to believe your just like a normal mobian," said Kirrand. At this, Sonic's grin only widened as he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I'm not sure what all Angel told you, but if she told you I saved her timeline from Leviathan then she's not telling you the whole truth," said Sonic as he looked back at her.

"What do you mean? She told me you beat Leviathan," said Kirrand.

"Yes, I did take on Leviathan in her timeline, but I never beat him. All I managed to do was stall him. It was the sacrifice of another friend and Angel wriggling free of his grasp that ultimately doomed Leviathan and saved her timeline," said Sonic. He then placed his hands on Kirrand's shoulders. "So don't let anyone tell you I'm someone special. I'm just a hedgehog that loves to run fast, has an adventurous attitude towards life, and also has a knack for finding trouble and saving the day from said trouble."

"More like trouble seems to find you," said Sally, to which Sonic merely shrugged his shoulders at.

"Either way is fine with me, so long as I manage to stay a step ahead of the trouble," said Sonic as he looked over at Kirrand. "So then, let's actually greet each other, alright?" He then reached out his right hand towards Kirrand. "I'm Sonic Hedgehog. It's a pleasure to meet you." Kirrand returned the smile and reached up with her right hand, grasping Sonic's and giving it a firm shake.

"Kirrand Moonglow, and the pleasure is all mine," said Kirrand. She then released her grip and turned to Sally. "And you must be Sally Acorn. Knuckles told me you'd be joining us. Good to meet you as well."

"Same," said Sally, giving a smile of her own.

"Alright. Now that the greetings are out of the way, let's get down to those ruins," said Sonic.

"Already?" asked Sally, looking over at Sonic, who looked back at her.

"Sal, you know this has been bugging me for a while now. I'd like to get this done as fast as possible," said Sonic.

"If you want to go now, I don't have a problem with it, but can I ask for one small thing first Sonic?" asked Kirrand.

"What's that?" asked Sonic. Here Kirrand got a sheepish grin on her face as she looked away from him.

"Well, this might sound silly, but…I was wondering if you'd mind…you know…running around this part of the island with me?" asked Kirrand.

"You mean carry you while I run?" asked Sonic.

"Yeah," said Kirrand. "I know it's stupid, but hearing Angel describe it made me want to experience it myself."

"I'd be happy to do that," said Sonic, walking over and scooping Kirrand up in his arms. "How fast you want me to go?"

"As fast as you can," said Kirrand as she wrapped her arms around Sonic's neck. Sonic looked back at Knuckles and Sally, a grin on his face.

"Be back in about ten seconds. I should be able to make a lap around the outer edge of the island in that amount of time," said Sonic.

"Have fun Kirrand," said Sally as Sonic faced forward again. He then shot from his spot, a sonic boom sounding as he broke the sound barrier instantly and vanished from view a split second later.

"He loves showing off, doesn't he?" asked Knuckles, shaking his head.

"That he does," said Sally. True to his word, ten seconds later another sonic boom sounded as Sonic skidded to a stop a few yards away from the two of them, a somewhat shaken Kirrand in his arms. Slowly letting her back to her feet, he noticed she had been affected by the trip.

"Hey…You okay Kirrand? Did I go too fast?" asked Sonic. Slowly, Kirrand shook her head, a grin forming on her face.

"No…That was fantastic!" she cried. "I can't believe we covered that whole distance that fast! Angel wasn't kidding about how fast you are!"

"You'll find no one faster," said Sonic.

"Okay. I'm ready to go now," said Kirrand as she calmed back down.

"Alright. Let's get back into the Tornado and head down there," said Sonic.

"Something is definitely wrong with Nicole, I'm just not sure what," said Tails as he led Lily down the pathway leading to his workshop. The brown haired, magenta furred hedgehog, dressed in her usual wardrobe of a light blue t-shirt and cut-off blue jeans, had wanted to see just what the problem was with Nicole after Tails had described it to her and Cody the night before. Cody, however, was too busy with helping the construction efforts of the village and had decided to let his wife do the investigating. Reaching the workshop, the two ventured inside to see the small computer still resting on the workbench in the back.

"I'm back Nicole, and I brought someone with me," said Tails. Instantly the power indicator light on Nicole switched from its sleep mode to on.

"Good morning Tails. I'm curious who it is you brought with you," said Nicole. While Tails wasn't surprised by what Nicole had just said, a look of surprise had crossed Lily's face.

"I know you said she talks like a normal person, but I didn't realize it was to this degree," said Lily.

"Lily Griffor! Always a pleasure to hear your voice. How have you been?" asked Nicole. Realizing she might have just accidently offended Nicole and unsure how to respond, Lily glanced down at Tails to see him looking back up at her, him giving a gesture to her to answer the small computer back.

"Just…fine Nicole," said Lily. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Better now that I've had time to think upon recent events," said Nicole. Tails perked up when he heard her say that.

"Really? You have a theory about why you're acting this way?" asked Tails, walking over to his stool and sitting down in front of the small computer, Lily walking up behind him.

"Yes, granted it's just a theory," said Nicole.

"Well, don't leave us in suspense," said Lily.

"Very well. I believe my AI matrix has undergone a…transformation of sorts," said Nicole.

"What kind of transformation?" asked Tails.

"I surmise that after being exposed to all of the memories and thoughts of dozens of robian minds, I integrated some of these into my AI matrix, as per your own theory Tails. As it was fed all these new 'experiences', it started to evolve. Eventually, this evolution hit a critical mass, resulting in my overload. However, at the same time it caused me to become self-aware, something that wasn't supposed to be part of my design," said Nicole.

"Self-aware? You mean like how the mecha bots are fully aware of themselves and what they say and do?" asked Lily.

"Exactly," said Nicole. "How my AI matrix evolved to this new plane of existence and didn't simply implode in on itself is beyond me, but it's the best theory I have at this point."

"It's possible. Cody mentioned to me that in Angel's timeline, the original mecha bot Silver Sonic gained self-awareness at some point before he destroyed him," said Lily.

"So there's more than just my case of this happening? Then I'd say the theory holds up," said Nicole.

"I agree. Man is it going to be strange with you being self-aware," said Tails.

"Strange how?" asked Nicole.

"Sorry, bad choice of words," said Tails, realizing he had just offended the small computer. "I just mean it'll take some getting used to. Either way, I still need to fix the rest of your systems. So you're gonna have to shut down for a while till I can fix them."

"I don't like the solitude of being powered down, but if I must, I will," said Nicole.

"Thanks. I promise I'll fix you as fast as I can," said Tails.

"Thank you," said Nicole. Her power indicator light then turned off, signaling she had powered down.

"Can she still hear us?" asked Lily in a whisper.

"Nah. Her sensors aren't being powered right now," said Tails, turning around to face the hedgehog.

"So…What do we do with her now?" asked Lily.

"Nothing I think. I'll fix her and we'll go from there. I'd rather wait until Sally comes back to make any decisions," said Tails. Lily nodded slowly at hearing this.

"Yeah…I agree. She is Sally's computer after all," said Lily. She then turned and started towards the door of the workshop. "I'll leave you to it then."

"Later Lily," said Tails as he returned his attention towards Nicole, going over in his head what tools he'd need to get out to start working on her holographic interface and screen.

"You really fought and beat the legendary creature that destroyed most of our race in a single night?" asked Kirrand, not hiding her shock as Sonic finished telling her the events that had lead them to search out the ancient echidna city and the temple at its center. The trio had made their way into the jungle after having landed the Tornado at the Mystic Ruins Airport, or at least what remained of it. The humans had abandoned it after Emerald City's destruction, having deemed the airport pointless now that almost everyone that used the airport had no reason to go to it anymore.

"Yep. And then Tikal and Chaos vanished, leaving me with that one phrase to ponder over for the last two weeks," said Sonic.

"To be honest, I've never seen something bother him this much," said Sally, looking over at Kirrand.

"Really? Maybe it was nothing at all," suggested Kirrand.

"It could very well be, but I have to find out for sure," said Sonic as the three of them came upon the giant clearing in the jungle where the ancient temple rested.

"Oh wow…I'd heard stories about this place, but I never thought I'd get to see it," said Kirrand, taking in the sight before her. Hearing this, Sonic frowned and looked back at the young echidna.

"Speaking of which, why doesn't Knuckles know anything about your people's stories and history? He didn't even know who Chaos was," said Sonic.

"He's…isolated from us," said Kirrand, looking down at the ground. "He's only visited our village about once a year, and even then he doesn't stay for long. It's not out of any bad blood or anything, he's just dedicated to his duty. Plus he doesn't like how most of the other echidnas treat him like he's the greatest thing since sliced bread."

"Yeah. I know how dedicated he can be. And I remember how Angel reacted to seeing him just before she left Knothole, as well as Knuckles response to her acting that way," said Sonic, softening his frown as he returned his attention forward as they walked into the clearing.

"Even if we don't find any answers for you here Sonic, it'll be interesting to see what all the ancient echidnas left behind inside this temple," said Sally.

"I don't really care what they left unless it's something that can answer my question," said Sonic, causing Sally to frown.

"Well, no need to be a grump about it," said Sally as they reached the foot of the temple. Looking up at the entrance above, Sonic recalled his first meeting with Tikal, though he hadn't known it was her at the time. Taking a deep breath and giving a sigh, he started walking up the steps leading to the entrance, the two girls following close behind. As they walked inside, the same torches that had been lit two weeks ago were still burning bright from their spots on the walls.

"Is someone living here?" asked Sally, looking at the unnaturally lit torches.

"Nah. Something keeps these torches burning for thousands of years, or at least that's what Knuckles told me about similar torches we saw in the pyramid on Floating Island when me and Tails were in there almost two years ago," said Sonic.

"Really? What could burn for that long?" asked Sally.

"Promethium does," said Kirrand, causing both of them to look back at the echidna girl.

"What's that?" asked Sonic.

"A rare metal that we haven't used in a long time. Echidnas used to use a small stick of it inside of torches to keep them lit when exploring dark areas. Apparently they used it to keep their ancient places lit as well," said Kirrand.

"I've never heard of this metal," said Sally. She then looked up at one of the torches. "How do you ignite it and put it out?"

"Same as any other flammable object as far as I know," said Kirrand. "But it takes ages for the metal to deteriorate from the flames. Probably why our ancestors used it for this purpose."

"Can we skip the science lesson?" asked Sonic, annoyance in his voice. Realizing he had snapped at them, he turned back around to face them. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright Sonic. I know you're anxious to get your answers," said Sally. She then reached up and plucked one of the torches from its resting place. "Let's go." The three of them started to walk deeper into the temple. As they came to the same crossroad that Sonic remembered turning left at, he pointed down the left hallway.

"Tikal went down this way with me. I remember seeing several murals and stuff like that on the walls in the same room I saw Chaos' mural," said Sonic. He then started walking in that direction, the two girls following after him. As they entered the room, the light of the torch chased away the shadows, revealing the murals that lined the walls of the large room. "My guess is one of these might have the answer I'm after."

"Then let's start looking," said Sally. The three began to examine the murals one by one, Kirrand reading the ancient text that was inscribed below each mural. Various scenes adorned the murals, ranging from simple family histories to small legends told amongst the surviving echidnas. But after examining all the murals, nothing jumped out at them to give them a clue to Sonic's question.

"Okay…So none of these stories gave us any leads," sighed Sonic, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

"Well, there was another direction we could've taken back at that crossroad," said Kirrand, pointing back the way they had come. "Maybe there're more murals down that way."

"Maybe. Suppose there's no harm in checking," said Sonic. The trio ventured back to the intersection of the crossroads and started down the other path. As they exited the small hallway, they came into a room that was very different than the other one. In this one, various large ornate figures lined the walls of the room, each crafted of solid gold with jewels for eyes, each one depicting an ancient echidna in various poses ranging from some simply standing to ones engaged in martial battle with various weapons.

"Wow! Look at all the statues," said Kirrand, running over to get a better look at them.

"Well, they're pretty, but they don't have any clues for us to go on," said Sonic, leaning up against the wall of the hallway. Sally walked around him and into the room. Spying a slot to set the torch in on the wall, she walked over and placed the eon burning object in the slot. Without warning, the floor vanished out from underneath the two girls' feet, the pair crying out as they started to fall into the dark abyss below them. Instantly springing to action, Sonic leapt down after them, bounding off the walls as he closed the gap with Sally almost instantly as he grabbed onto her arm.

"Get a good grip from behind Sal!" shouted Sonic as he pulled her to him, Sally flipping around his body to get ahold of his neck from behind. Looking back down, Sonic spied Kirrand a few yards forward and below him. As he reached the side of the wall once more, he pushed off as hard as he could towards her, closing the distance quickly as he reached out and grabbed her by the arm as well, pulling her into his arms. "Hold on girls!" he cried as he continued to bound off the walls, falling further into the pit. This is bad. I can't reverse our fall carrying them, especially with the walls being this smooth. I just pray there's not a spiked pit at the bottom of this thing, thought Sonic. Finally, after about thirty seconds of falling, Sonic spied the bottom of the pit. To his relief, nothing but solid stone floor with a few torches burning on the walls was waiting to greet them. As he landed on the stone floor, he closed his eyes and gave a sigh of relief. "Everyone alright?" he asked.

"Yeah…A little shaken, but I'm fine," said Sally as she released her grip on Sonic's neck. "You okay Kirrand?"

"I guess I am…" said Kirrand as Sonic set her back on the ground. "What happened?"

"That dumb room was booby trapped is what happened," said Sonic, looking back up. But only darkness greeted his gaze, causing him to sigh. "I doubt we can get out the same way we got in."

"Why would the ancient echidnas booby trap their own temple?" asked Sally.

"Not a clue Sal," said Sonic.

"Hey guys…I found the way out, but…I don't like what I'm reading on the door," said Kirrand. Sally and Sonic turned back towards where Kirrand was standing next to a stone slab door, ancient echidna text scrawled over it in a much bigger text than what they had seen under the murals.

"What's it say?" asked Sally.

"It says, 'Beware, for you have entered the depths of the temple that hides our civilization's greatest secret. Beyond this door you will find three trials that will determine if you are worthy. Should you fail, you will perish. If you should succeed, you will gain the knowledge of knowing the truth behind the Fall, as well as our world's greatest threat.'" said Kirrand.

"That's a little…cryptic," said Sonic.

"I don't like this guys," said Kirrand, shaking her head as she backed away from the door. She then turned towards Sonic. "Are you sure we can't go back the way we came?"

"The walls are too smooth," said Sonic, lowering and shaking his head. "Bounding off them to catch you guys was easy…Going back up is next to impossible."

"So that's it then," said Sally, walking up next to the stone door, placing both hands on it. "We have no choice but to try and survive these trials and find a way out."

"As much as I don't want to put you guys in danger, I agree," said Sonic.

"I…I can't do it…" said Kirrand, her face flush with fear. Sonic turned to face her, drawing the echidna's gaze.

"I know it's scary Kirrand. Facing danger is always scary. But right now you have to be stronger than your fear," said Sonic. He then took her hands into his. "Just remember you aren't facing this danger alone. I'm here and so is Sal. We won't let anything happen to you." Slowly, Kirrand nodded her head, her fearful look vanishing somewhat.

"Okay…Okay…I'll try and be brave. If Angel could face all those dangers she did without succumbing to her fear, I can too," said Kirrand.

"That's right. Think of how brave Angel is. Let her example be your strength," said Sally, catching Kirrand's attention.

"Alright…I'm ready. Let's go," said Kirrand. Both Sonic and Sally smiled as Sally returned her attention to the door, pushing against it as the door slowly began to swing open. As the light from the outer area illuminated the small room more than the torches were doing at the moment, the three of them stood in stunned silence of what was waiting for them beyond the room.