Captain James T. Kirk and the away team from the Starship Enterprise slowly made their way through Angel Island's dense jungle growth. After getting separated from Sonic the Hedgehog and his fox friend Miles "Tails" Prower, they had no way to know where they were going and had become hopelessly lost. Everybody was beginning to feel the negative effects of the island's intense humidity and fatigue was starting to take its hold on the group.

As they trekked through the underbrush, Dr. McCoy ranted, "'Scans aren't necessary.' he said. 'I'll lead you through.' he said. And what does he do? Leaves us out in the middle of nowhere to fend for ourselves. I'm starting to get really that little blue bastard."

Kirk didn't argue with him. Even he was significantly peeved that Sonic had promised to guide them safely to the shrine of the Master Emerald, only to speed ahead, leaving them behind. This hedgehog surely wasn't a patient one. As they continued trudging wearily with no real sense of direction, Spock froze, quickly looking around.

Kirk turned to check on his companion, "Something wrong, Spock?"

The Vulcan didn't break from his concentration.

Kirk tried again, "Spock?"

"Shh." Spock quickly raised a finger to him.

He looked around for another moment or so before focusing he view in one direction. He started walking that way.

McCoy leaned toward Kirk and muttered, "The Hell's wrong with him?"

Without saying anything, Kirk started walking after him, shortly followed by the rest of the group. They all soon realized why Spock had wandered off. Voices. They could hear voices. As they got closer, the voices got clearer. It soon became apparent that two of them were Sonic and Tails. They were talking to a third, unrecognizable, voice. Eventually, they were able to make out words.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" came the third voice.

"But Knuckles," Tails answered, "If we don't use your emerald, we'll never be able to track down Eggman."

The crew finally came to a clearing, in which they found Sonic and Tails standing at the bottom of an ancient stone structure. At the top of the monument was a gigantic, green gemstone that seemed to glow with an otherworldly aura. Next to the stone was a red creature with long spines that hung down past its shoulders.

"I don't care! I'm not letting you risk the Master Emerald to fix your stupid little dilemma!" the red creature yelled.

Sonic replied, "Stupid dilemma? That's it, Knuckles, listen up! We didn't get into this situation on purpose, and if we don't find Eggman, a lot of uninvolved people might get hurt! Do you want that to happen?"

"... It's not my problem."

"Do you really think that?"

"... No... Do what you want."

"Ahem." Kirk chimed in.

Knuckles quickly faced the newcomers with a fighting stance.

"Who are you?!" he quickly demanded.

Sonic intervened before anything could go wrong, "Whoa, chill out, Knux! They're with us."

Kirk introduced himself, "Captain James T. Kirk, of the starship Enterprise. My crew and I are helping your friend track down Dr. Eggman. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Knuckles simply crossed his arms, turned away from the group and grunted.

Sonic said flatly, "That's Knuckles the Echidna. He's kind of a workaholic."

Knuckles turned around and yelled, "IT'S BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING ALL DAY LIKE YOU, YOU LAZY PINCUSHION! It's bad enough, that you're constantly getting yourself into trouble, but now you're dragging astronauts into your idiotic little adventures, too?!"

"Tell me about it.", Dr. McCoy added.

Kirk continued, "Anyway, have you managed to secure the Master Emerald?"

Sonic replied, "Yep." He pointed to the giant emerald on top of the shrine, "It's ready."

Kirk smiled, "Excellent. We'll run some scans, and then move on to the base."

The away team proceeded to analyze the huge, green emerald with their scanners, and after a few minutes, everyone was prepared.

Kirk looked to Sonic with an assuring smile and said, "All of our scans are complete and everything's ready to go."

Sonic grinned, "Alright then! Let's get outta here!"

"Wait.", Knuckles interrupted, "If you're taking the Master Emerald, then I'm coming with you. I AM its guardian, after all. Besides, knowing you, you'll screw something up somewhere along the line."

"Like you could do better."

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

"Nothin'. You just have a knack for letting Eggman trick you, that's all."

"THAT ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME!"

"One? Try, like, seven."

"FINE! Maybe I can't fix your stupid mistakes, but I wanna be there to rub it in when you make 'em!"

McCoy chuckled, "Well, I'll be damned. I actually like this guy."

"Whatever. You can tag along in the captain's little ship, I guess."

Kirk spoke up, "Are we settled, then? No more extra passengers."

"Right, cap. Let's go." Sonic answered.

Without wasting any more time, Sonic and Tails hopped on the Tornado II while Knuckles and the Enterprise's away team loaded the Master Emerald onto the Galileo. Low rumbling filled the area as the engines and thrusters activated. Both crafts left the ground and flew off toward what was sure to be a battleground.