Back in Westopolis
Rouge the Bat was facing the remaining black alien in the city. She leaps off the ground and delivers a vertical spin kick to the opponent's head, tirning him into green remains.
Her arm transmitter was broadcasting the recent G.U.N.'s message "Attention... Headquarters to all mobile units... it's an emergency broadcast. All points bulletin... be on the lookout for Shadow, the black hedgehog. Wanted in connection with the terrorist attacks. Last seen in the vicinity of downtown Westopolis. Orders are... Capture him dead or alive."
The albino bat knew that until she verifies Shadow's support of the alien invasion she would never allow her employers to lay their hands on her ally.
The moment Rouge reached the downtown she saw a big floating alien's hologram engulfing Shadow with its green flash like the teleportation of Chaos Control.
Now it's clear what she has to do!
Present time
Rouge flew toward sound of commotion within forest. There she saw a red echidna punching the large alien knocking off its feet and turning it into a bloody pulp with ground pounding.
"So what brings an emerald guardian here?"
Knuckles turns towards Rouge "Likely the same reason you're here, Rouge. To drive off those alien scum."
Out of nowhere Sonic appears "Well look who it is... Knuckles and Rouge. Are you two on date or something?"
Much to echidna's composed irritation "Sonic, evey second spent on your jokes, aliens are ruining the whole planet."
Rouge's communicator buzzed "All mobile units... it's Leaf 6" the bat's ears picked a slight quiver in soldier's voice "Here's some strange earthquake on our positi- Aaaaaarghhhh" sounds of the breaking ground and monstrous roar end with the buzz of device.
Rouge forms her plan "Boys, G.U.N. has driven the alien forces to these jungles, but seems there are enemies' traps. What do you say about giving our forces a hand?!"
Sonic agrees "Okay, Rouge. The way I see it. We're gonna need all the help we can get."
Knuckles was a bit reluctant working with his 2 main headaches "Whatever it takes to protect our home, i guess. Let's go."
Stage 3: Death Ruins
Players: Sonic, Rouge and Knuckles
Goal: Eliminate 50 aliens.
Running on the vertical curve reaching the air launcher the heroic trio land onto the other land where they find 3 alien warriors.
Sonic used his windmill to take away shield from 1. After this the blue hedgehog made a combo from homing attacks scoring 1 point.
The rest of heroes easily dealt with other enemies making it 3 kills in total.
Knuckles noticed a small red living being looking like a wart giving a creepy vibes. Creature's green blood confirms his suspicions. 4.
Heroes reach the dark purple puddle on the land's right edge. Knuckles questions "What's that?" Rouge felt a bit disturbed "It sure looks creepy." Sonic clarifies "This might be our only way forward. Just spindash when you step on the puddle and we'll see where it will lead us."
Sonic repeats the procedure from Lethal Highway. Knuckles and Rouge follow soon after.
Wherever heroes land, they see a springer to use. Leaping from it, trio graps ring connected to the rope lifting them up to the next forest platform where they see G.U.N. soldiers successfully shooting 2 alien warriors. 6 kills in total.
Soldiers warn the mobians "Unit N reports that at the platform above is some giant flower spitting fire."
Heroes thank for the information and slam into another springer launching towards some rubber line connecting two columns.
The rubber itself launch Sonic, Rouge and Knuckles toward the next platform where they encouter the forewarned plant and some aliens.
While Sonic and Rouge dealt with warriors, Knuckles dug himself underground where he crushed the plant's roots ceasing its existence. 10 kills. Too bad they were unable to safe the human soldier whose body is burned to a crisp.
The trio reached another liquid... transport. Sonic asks "You guys ready?" both companions nod and together they get into the puddle.
Reaching destination Rouge says "It wasn't as bad as I suspected."
Now they grind on the alien rail.
Knuckles voiced his impression "Kinda reminds me of the Frog Forest." Rouge maintains the conversation "These ruins are a fine discovery. If those creatures weren't here, I'd be hunting for treasure." Sonic remembers "Speaking of treasure, they already have 3 Chaos Emeralds. I wonder how Tails is doing with a search."
Rouge noticed "There are aliens down on the ledge below. Jump over there!"
Sonic and Knuckles followed Rouge's lead. There they've made their total score 13. And this time they were able to save a G.U.N. soldier.
Up ahead heroes enter the ruins' temple. First chamber patroled by aliens. Knuckles found a heavy tile and flipped it toward monsters squashing them to a pulp. 19 points.
Following chamber contained what looked like waterfall covering aliens' toes. Sonic breathed out "For a second I thought it was a deep river." Knuckles replies "This is the ancient canal." Rouge was intrigued "Hard to believe it's still working."
Wooh another tile capable to squash more aliens and reaching the score 29.
Going up, each hero smash 1 alien respectively. 32. Another creature at the top. 33.
Mobians jumped over tall bars where they found 2 more aliens. 35. Fended off ambush from one. 36.
At the exit of the temple heroes found a G.U.N. soldier, when suddenly a small earthquake later a monstrous worm like creature grabbed with its mouth a terrified soldier and consumed him, much to trio's disgust.
Knuckles says "Rouge, Sonic, go! Once I'm done, I'll catch up with you."
Time was of the essence and walking on the ground was too risky. Rouge grabs Sonic and flies away, with latter saying "Good luck, Knuckles!"
Knuckles POV
My instinctive senses were telling me where the worm would crawl himself. Thanks to that I can tell what spot is to be avoided.
When that scum crawled out it stood stiil, but soon as I moved it lashed toward me. I've barely evaded.
Walking backwards I've stumbled upon another tile. I've formed up a plan: I've been knocking on the ground giving away my position to the worm. Just when he was about to crawl out, I've jumped through the tile so I could successfully flip it toward monster and squash it. 37 scums are out.
The explosive sounds reached my ears. And the ground was shaking. I need to catch up with others fast!
The chamber up ahead crumbled in front of me, but I still could go forward. And finally I've caught up with Sonic and Rouge. "That's some maybem you did out there."
Meanwhile with Sonic and Rouge
Flying over anothe block of tall bars the duo see some big red orbs. Rouge gets her left hand into a pocket while holding Sonic with the other "I don't know what they are but these red blobs seem to be multiplying, I'll destroy them."
She took out a ring and threw in the middle of field. The ring exploded, engulfing the orbs and 3 enemies. Assuming Knuckles' success 40.
Astonished Sonic asks "Wow! Rouge where and how did you get this ring?" Smirking bat replies "Your fox boy had invented this bomb-ring, that I've just tested." Sonic whistled "That was incredible!" Rouge's look turned serious "And too dangerous for non fliers, I still have 1 more and following are only with shock."
Mobians enter the chamber, where they've reached the pole. Sonic used his windmill to grab a pole, climb down and leap toward the exit where he took out 5 aliens with homing attacks. Later Rouge flyed down preparing her second bomb "More of these aliens are on the wall back there. Soon as I plant the bomb, we run across temple up ahead" the bat plants a ring "NOW!"
Both ran like they meant it and the whole chamber exploded with remaining 5 monsters crushed by debris. That's 50.
"That's some mayhem you did out there." Knuckles' voice from above the debris reached the duo's ears.
Sonic rejoices "It's good to see you back in one piece, Knuckles."
Rouge clarifies and flies "This must be the aliens' hideout. Let's go!"
Sonic joins the race "That's my line!"
Knuckles follows thereafter.
A/N: Stage 3 is cleared. When is the next chapter? We'll find out!