It took a good few minutes of travel before Team Dark found it. On the edge of a cliff to the team's right is an altar surrounded by circular rock formations as well as pillars. Rouge can see the glint of the emerald's light from as far as the sky. She and the rest of her teammates quicken their pace. Rouge descends from the sky and lands on the ancient platform as Shadow and E-123 Omega speed up the inviting stairs leading to it.
Once all three of the thieves are on the altar, they each stare at the indents on the pillars around them, each with the shape of an emerald. On the one behind Rouge, a green emerald shines brightly in its designated spot. If only all the indentions had been this way. Shadow wonders how each of these gems got separated from their holding spots in the first place.
"Well would you look at that," Rouge says, staring at the beautiful emerald in front of her. "It's like taking candy from a baby."
"Hmph," Shadow remarks with a grin as he nears it. "Fine by me."
Shadow extends his hand to grab the emerald but is surprised when it flies directly to his hand. Before he, or his team for that matter, has time to even think about what just happened, an intense rumbling causes Shadow and Rouge to lose their balance. What sounds and feels like an earthquake startles them both.
"TEAM DARK!" A familiar, angry voice bellows from Rouge's radio. "WHAT JUST HAPPENED!"
Rouge uses her free arm to grab her radio as she uses the other to hang on for dear life.
"We retrieved the emerald!" Rouge says. "As soon as we did, this crazy island started shaking!"
"Oh, it's doing more than that!" Eggman says. "You just removed the last of its life force, Rouge! We are currently falling thousands of feet into the ocean! Bring me my emerald immediately! I will not jeopardize my life for stragglers!"
Without a word, the three blast off in the direction in which they came. None of them have any clue at what rate they're falling, but they know undoubtedly that if they don't reach the Egg Carrier soon, they'll plunge right into the ocean. Rouge soars just slightly above the ground and has to readjust her position to stay near it. Sure, she can stay in the air, but without a ride from the Egg Carrier, she'll be stranded in the middle of the ocean. Her wings will tire out eventually, and she'll surely drown. Same with Omega but with his fuel. And Shadow can't even fly.
As Rouge thinks of these possibilities, she realizes something. Despite her intense speed, her other two "partners" are so far ahead, they're barely seeable. Then another scary thought crosses her mind.
Shadow has the emerald! She realizes. If I don't catch up, they will leave me behind!
"HEY!" She calls out, but to no avail as she watches her teammates' faint outlines disappear ahead.
She pushes herself forward, harder than she's ever pushed herself in her life. She flies so fast, the trees to her sides nearly snap from their roots. But even with this speed, she can't see Shadow or E-123 Omega anywhere.
I have to catch up! She thinks as her body begins to tire. I have to-!
In a blink, a trail of red light finds its way to her and Shadow materializes. He grabs Rouge's hand and after some brief eye contact between the two, they speed off for the Egg Carrier.
...