Inside Robotnik's hideout Robotnik was in a large enclosed area as he was overseeing his machines putting together a large humanoid robot with the main body being an egg shell with it patterned after the Eggman mascot complete with red and black colors; a the face coloured with pink skin and the brown moustache being separate parts and could be used as a weapon. "This is my masterpiece... My most powerful and advanced creation to date... Just need one more thing to make it powerful enough for my plans..." Robotnik spoke as he got an alert on his gauntlet that Nack had returned.
He then left the area and he came across the portal opening up as there was Nack at the other end of the portal looking like he was puffed out and badly bruised; "... Had to dodge spears... Fight wild animals in the jungle and there was this hallway down where I had to outrun a large ball which me wondering how exactly do you set up a trap like that but... I... I retrieved it..." Nack explained in between breaths as he held out the Chaos Emerald and Robotnik looked on in glee as he snatched it away and pulled it in.
"At last all 7 Chaos Emeralds are accounted for and I am now tied with the same amount of Emeralds that the wretched Kingdom of Acorn have! 3-3! Soon it will be 4-3 and then 7-0!" Robotnik cheered as he then pulled Nack through the portal before it could close. "Oh no... I have use for you as well along with that Warp Topaz..." Robotnik told him but then entered the area was Brass whose eyes widened as he noticed Nack with Nack looking panicked as he realised recognised the infamous killer of King Maximillian.
"... What is that filthy Mobian doing here..." demanded Brass as he got his arm cannons ready but Robotnik then pressed a button on his gauntlet causing Brass to get down on his knees holding his head in pain with Nack snickering. "What is the meaning of this Robotnik... Have you been working with this animal?" demanded Brass as Robotnik shook his head.
"He was working for me and not with me just the same as you. The meaning of this is that Nack has managed to acquire for me 3 Chaos Emeralds and how many Chaos Emeralds have you gotten for me? That's right: zilch! Nada! Absolutely none! Perhaps my failures wee the result of me needing better minions so yeah this filthy animal has been more useful to me than you have been!" Robotnik retorted as Nack continued laughing.
"The great Hugo Brass... Reduced to this..." laughed Nack as Robotnik stopped Brass's torture as Brass furiously glared at them both as he got up.
"Lucky for you that the time is coming for your promised chance to crush the capital of the Kingdom that you hate so much. I have some upgrades to install on you but first..." Robotnik spoke as he then went to where he was keeping the other 2 Chaos Emeralds and then put it with the others.
On Albion, Knuckles was doing his sparring with a couple of Mobosaurs when he sensed that there was an intruder at the temple attempting to steal the Chaos Emerald. He quickly made his way back to the temple and saw that coming through portals on the ground were Badniks and he went to work smashing the ground Badniks. and then using them to throw at the flying Badniks.
He looked on and saw Robotnik running out the temple with the Chaos Emerald in hand with him waving at Knuckles with a smirk. "Robotnik! Had you not dared to intrude upon my home to try and steal my Chaos Emerald yet again then I would have left you alone but now you shall face the wrath of my fists upon your face and then perhaps your crotch!" Knuckles yelled out but then as he lunged and jumped up to charge with his fist out to punch.
He didn't notice coming out of a large portal was the giant robot who punched at Knuckles knocking him down to the ground. Knuckles looked up as he saw Robotnik floating up while using the power of the Chaos Emerald as he opened up a panel to the power and Knuckles got to look at the other 3 Chaos Emeralds inside as Robotnik then placed the 4th one inside.
"You have 3 Chaos Emeralds?" Knuckles asked feeling some doubt as more Badniks came out from the portal. Then Robotnik opened up the cockpit and went inside.
"Make that 4 now and they are powering not only this masterful creation but the power is being channeled into my army!" Robotnik gloated through the microphone as they started firing at Knuckles with him feeling the blast; more than he had ever before as one of the fists from the robot extended out and punched Knuckles hard. Then there was Nack coming through the portal. "Nack quickly; get open a portal to Mobotropolis!" Robotnik ordered as Nack confused openedup a portal to Mobotropolis with a fist picking up Knuckles and throwing him through it.
"Why did you do that sir? He is just going to warn Sonic and his friends along with the rest of the Kingdom!" Nack asked exasperated as Robotnik's laugh came through the microphone.
"That's exactly what I want him to do! It's much more fun when they think that they can prepare before they are crushed!" Robotnik answered and looked down at Nack. "Here is what to do now..." Robotnik then told him...
At the palace; Sally was watching Sonic as he was having a chilli dog that he had bought from a stand and then rejoined them after getting it, with Sally there was Nicole along with Tails there to support her for what she wanted to do. "You can do this Sally; you are not only the Princess of the Kingdom but also the coolest most confident girl that I have ever known as well as the prettiest! You are going to tell him just how you feel girl!" Nicole encouraged her with her hand on Sally's shoulder with smiling as well with Sally nodding to herself.
"You're right; I can do this..." Sally said as she went up to Sonic and put on her best flirty smile; "Heloo Sonic... Could I trouble you for a second to ask you something?" Sally asked as Sonic stopped and went to face her.
"Sure; what's up Sal?" Sonic answered as Sally cleared her breath.
"I was just wondering but I know that we both are busy fighting Robotnik but I was just wondering; has the great Sonic ever thought of romance? Has any girl caught your eye?" Sally asked as Sonic was taken back as he got a minute to gather himself.
"Well... Kind of personal Sal but... I found one but I don't think that it will work out... She is cool but she is taken and kind of out my league... Above my station..." Sonic admitted with a sigh as Sally's eyes widened wondering if he meant her. Sally looked back to Nicole who gave her a thumbs up to encourage her.
"Someone of your league? The famous hero of Mobius? Plus what if her girlfriend is fine with her dating someone else as well? Have you tried telling her how you feel?" Sally asked as she grinned as Sonic's eyes widened as he realised what she was saying.
Before they could say anything more out from a portal was Knuckles being thrown out and yelled. "Wait... Knux?" Sonic asked eyes widening as they helped him up.
"Sonic... Everyone else... Robotnik... He... Defeated me in a robot that was powered by 3 Chaos Emeralds and he took my Island's..." Knuckles admitted in deep shame as they gasped out in shock and horror.
"Robotnik has 4 Emeralds?" Tails stammered out.
"Which leaves the 3 Emeralds that are here in the Kingdom..." Sally said looking serious knowing that her brother would have to be notified immediately.