The Great Chaos Caper 1/4

(Theme song - Kim Possible by Disney Channel on YouTube)

(Julie-Su's POV)

*8 months had gone by since me, Knuckles, & the Chaotix helped the Freedom Fighters win back New Mobotropolis. Knuckles has completely devoted himself to guarding the Master Emerald & being the supportive girlfriend that I am, I have remained by his side all this time. Vector, Espio, Charmy, & Saffron had started a detective agency to earn a little extra money, but from what I've been hearing from Saffron, it hasn't been making much business, mostly because Vector keeps gambling away the little money they earn. Mighty & Ray left on a training journey two months ago. Haven't heard from them since they left. As for Knuckles' family, we get together least once a week for dinner & Knuckles' Mom always insists that I help her cook. Not that I mind, it gives us a chance to bond. I also haven't heard anything about my crazy sister, Lien-Da, since we saved Aptos from Thrash & his Devil Dogs. Speaking of Thrash, his Devil-Dogs, along with his sisters, are currently in the care of the best echidna scientists to find a way to turn them back into Tasmanian Devils & the best doctors to aid his sick relative, who apparently was very ill, before Abigail, Knuckles, & I found them*

Note: You'll find out what happened in a future chapter.

*She's recovering nicely now. Another weird thing that's happened in the last eight months was that soon after we saved New Mobotropolis, Dr. Finitevus has been arrested for his crimes. The weird part about this arrest was that he was actually delivered to Aptos by a group of Mobians claiming to be Freedom Fighters, but from the description we got of them, it was obvious to both of us that they weren't*

Note: The Destructix.

*'Today had started out like any other day, that is until everything started shaking & we noticed something weird about the island*

Knuckles: Why. Is. Angel. Island. Sideways!?

*Both of were shocked as we saw the world beneath the island break apart, revealing the lava underneath*

Julie-Su: What the . . . How is this . . .?

*Suddenly, a familiar rush of water came out from under the Master Emerald & went down into the sea below. It was Chaos, the Guardian of the Chao*

Knuckles: Wha - Hey! Wait a minute! Where do you think you're going!? What's happening to the planet!?

*Suddenly, we heard a familiar voice coming from the Master Emerald. It was Tikal, a spirit sealed within the Master Emerald*

Tikal:*off-screen* Knuckles! Julie-Su!

Julie-Su: Finally! Someone who can give us a straight answer. What's going on?

Tikal:*off-screen* I'm sorry, I . . . I don't know!

Julie-Su: Oh, come on!

Tikal:*off-screen* The world shattering in this way is not a completely unnatural occurrence -

Knuckles: It isn't!?

Tikal:*off-screen* - But it happening like this, right now, is wrong. A powerful spirit is meant to help in this scenario, but I fear something has gone awry. I believe the spirit has manifested, but his presence is . . . Weak. In his current state, he may be unable to help.

Knuckles: Then we'll head down to the surface. We'll find this spirit, and then you two do your world - saving thing. But we'll need someone watching the Master Emerald while we're gone.

*I nodded, knowing exactly who he was talking about*

*After we called Knuckles' family to check on them, we went to the Angel Island Launch Base, where we found a teal female pika with brown eyes, her hair tied in a bun in the back & wearing purple spectacles, a long light brown jacket over a shoulderless black bodysuit, light brown gloves, & brown shoes & a hovering orange & yellow robot with green eyes looking over a laptop. This was Relic the Pika, a dedicated archeologist, & her robot helper, Fixit. She came to the island a few years back, when Angel Island fell due to Chaos breaking the Master Emerald when Eggman woke him up. She managed to convince Knuckles to let her stay here so she could study the island's ruins. He agreed, as long as she didn't touch the Master Emerald. At some point, during her studies, she discovered an ancient robot, Fixit, & since then, he's been her constant companion & assistant*

Relic: Hello? Can anyone . . .? Oh, dash it all!

Fixit: MADAME RELIC! GUARDIAN KNUCKLES AND MISS JULIE-SU ARE PRESENT!

Julie-Su: We told you to knock if off with the formalities, Fixit.

Knuckles: What's wrong, Relic?

Relic: What's wrong? What's wrong!? The planet's gone to pieces and I can't contact anyone on the surface through this blasted useless, and yet still frustratingly intriguing, ancient interface! I mean, I was already attempting to see if there were any ancient data logs that might shed some light on Fixit here. But it seems Eggman overwrote most of the data when we landed, Fixit doesn't know what to do with it, and I'm ghastly at computers . . . *we both rolled our eyes* So I'm standing here looking like an absolute fool, unable to see if anyone is . . . Is . . . I'm babbling again, aren't I?

Julie-Su: A little.

Knuckles: But it's understandable. Things are a little crazy.

Relic: "A little crazy" he says . . . Is the island in danger? Experiencing it falling into the ocean was terrifying enough. But with the world such as it is . . .

Knuckles: No, the island seems to be okay for now. If anything, you're probably safest here.

Relic: HA! Then I chose a brilliant time to find my way here when I did, didn't I?

Knuckles: Yeah, and it's a good thing you convinced me to let you stick around. Y'see, we need *ahem* We need your he . . . Your heeeeh . . .

*It took all my strength not to laugh at how hard he was trying*

Relic: Take your time, use your words.

Knuckles: . . . We need watching over the Master Emerald . . .

*Relic got excited*

Relic: Are you quite serious!?

Julie-Su: Y - Yeah. Maybe for a day or two. We're needed elsewhere and we don't have the time to hunt down anyone else.

Relic: Ah, so I'm your last resort. Lovely back-handed compliment.

*Knuckles & I started to get flustered*

Knuckles: N - No! We didn't mean it like . . .

Julie-Su: It's just that we . . .

*Relic shook both of our hands*

Relic: Oh, shush. I know what you meant. The world is at stake, and I'm honored you two thought to turn to me. You two can count on me.

Fixit: AND LOWLY I AS WELL, GUARDIAN, SIR. MISS JULIE-SU.

Knuckles: Thanks. And remember, you're just watching it -

Relic: No touching the Master Emerald - I know. It shan't leave my sight!

*A few days later, we were in Pumpkin Hills. I was on a hoverboard & Knuckles was gliding through the sky*

Julie-Su:*in her mind* I hope things are quiet back on the island. I know Knuckles hates being away for too long. You'd think finding a spirit that's supposed to be the world's salvation would be easy. Even if he is weakened, just how weak can something like that actually be? *we landed a cliff with an abandoned church & some gravestones on it* Knuckles' specialty is finding treasure, not spirits and I'm not exactly an expert in either field. But, with all the supernatural stuff we've dealt with in the past, I guess we're pretty qualified for the job. This duty was passed down to Knuckles when his Dad passed away and I chose to help him. The world needs to be restored. So we'd better get to finding that spirit and not get side-tracked . . .

*Suddenly, a horde of monsters came out of the ground*

Knuckles: What in the World . . .?

*The monsters attacked us. I took out my proto gun & shot it at them. Knuckles fought with his fists. But we were soon overpowered & trapped under a dogpile. Just then, the Chaotix (Vector, Espio, Charmy, & Saffron) swooped in. Charmy & Saffron used their stingers, Espio did his ninja moves, & Vector pulled two of them off of us*

Charmy: Da-Da-Da-Da! Chaotix to the rescue!

Vector: How's this for a perfectly timed - ? *the monsters jumped on him* Whoa! Hey! *now was Knuckles' turn to get the monsters off of him* "Rescue!" I was gonna say "rescue!"

"Knuckles threw the monster he was holding into the wall of the church & it disappeared. With a few more kicks, punches, & lasers blasts, the monsters were all gone*

Charmy: Yeah! We did it!

Espio: Yes. We defeated . . . Whatever those things were.

Julie-Su: Monsters, obviously.

Espio: Of course. How scientifically accurate of you.

Knuckles: Hey there, Vec. It's been a while since we threw down together. Thanks for the save.

Vector: All part of being a good detective.

Charmy: . . . Fighting creepy-crawlies is part of being a good detective?

Vector: "To serve and protect," Charmy.

Charmy: I thought that was the police? Wait! Are we police now? I want a donut! I - MMPH!

*Saffron covered his mouth*

Saffron: I'll make you some donuts once this case is over, okay?

Charmy: Okay.

Vector: So . . . World splits apart, monsters are popping out of nowhere, and now you two are off the island. What brings you all the way out to Pumpkin Hill?

Knuckles: We're on a mission.

Espio: It must be pretty important if you left the Master Emerald unguarded.

Knuckles: It is important. But who said anything about unguarded?

Espio: Well . . . Who else is there? Mighty and Ray are off on another adventure, and we haven't heard from them in a while. So . . .a

Julie-Su: Relic and Fixit are watching it.

Saffron: Oh, you mean that archeologist and her robotic assistant?

Julie-Su: Yeah. That's them.

Knuckles: So, what brings you four out here?

Vector: We were hired by the Princess Sally to help track down the Chaos Emeralds and save the world. That's right! The world famous Freedom Fighters hired us to pick up their slack!

*Charmy started laughing*

Charmy: Yeah, right! Sally asked us to help save the world and Vector begged for a Royal handout!

Saffron: Charmy . . .

*Vector got angry & started chasing after him*

Vector: We're still negotiating the terms of the contract!

Charmy: AH HA HA! Like whether or not you get mayo on your reward sandwich?

*He laughed even harder*

Espio: Anyway - Knuckles, you're a seasoned treasure hunter and you've got more experience with the Chaos Emeralds then the four of us combined. Since you and Julie-Su are here, would you be willing to team up again and help us look?

Knuckles: . . . If the Freedom Fighters say the Chaos Emeralds are needed to save the world, then the Emeralds might have a connection to the spirit we're looking for. And it'd make it easier for a powerful spirit to be drawn to the Emerald's power . . . *he looked at me. I smiled & nodded. then he shook hands with Espio* Sure. We'll join the hunt. I'm assuming you've tracked one here?

Espio: Exactly. The Princess said she and Bunnie had stolen EggNet data that showed a Chaos Emerald might be in this general area.

Knuckles: Then I should be able to sense it's power. Let's see . . . *he held out his hand & closed his eyes. a few seconds later . . .* Yeah . . . There it is! And . . . It seems to be moving . . .

Vector: Wait - moving?

Charmy: Oh, no! Do you think they beat us to it!?

*Vector grabbed Knuckles*

Vector: Which way is it heading!?

Knuckles: South, it felt like.

*Vector took out three rings & handed one to Charmy*

Vector: Let's move it, Chaotix! We are not losing that Emerald!

Knuckles: Why the sudden rush!

Espio: Our own intelligence showed Dr. Eggman's forces are busy dealing with the Shattered World Crisis. So he's hired a band of mercenaries to find the Chaos Emeralds for him.

*Espio took one as he & Vector hung from the Ring Charmy was holding by sparkles. Saffron flew beside them. Knuckles glided & I was on my hoverboard*

Julie-Su:*in her mind* Ah. Sling Rings.

Knuckles: So they might be the reason the Emerald is on the move. And any plans Eggman has for the Emeralds can't be good. We're getting it first!

Julie-Su: Just like the old days, right?

Saffron: Yep!

*A train with a pumpkin face at the front went past us on the tracks*

Charmy: Brrr! I thought that graveyard creepy, but that train is giving me the heebie-jeebies too!

Saffron: Same here.

Knuckles: Don't think about it too much. The ghosts might just ignore us.

Charmy: Oh, ha-ha, Knuckles. Tryin' to scare me with ghost stories.

Julie-Su: No, he's serious. The region is crawling with angry spirits.

Knuckles: Sure. There are ghosts in the ruins of Sandopolis, too. But the ones here are -

*Suddenly, Charmy got freaked out & let go of the Sling Ring*

Charmy: AAAAAHH! GHOSTS!

*He flew off screaming & Saffron went after him. Vector & Espio started to fall, but Knuckles caught them in time*

Vector: "Let's use the Sling Rings" you said! "Use the technology we have on hand" you said!

Espio: You'd prefer hangings from Charmy's feet? Trust our combined weight to a ten kilogram bee?

Vector: Feet are more substantial than magic ring sparkles!

*Vector hit the side of a cliff as Knuckles attached himself to it*

Knuckles: Can we save the bickering for later?

Julie-Su: Yeah. We need to find Charmy and Saffron so we can get back to finding the Chaos Emerald.

Vector: What's stopping us from leaving them behind?

Espio: The fact that we'd be abandoning two children in a dark inhospitable canyon full of ghosts, monsters, and mercenaries who are on Eggman's payroll?

*Vector thought for a moment. Then he started climbing the cliff with Espio walking up it*

Vector: Yeah, well. I'm not sharing my reward sandwich with them, that's for sure. And this is partly you're fault, Knux and Su! Why did you have to start joking about ghosts!?

Knuckles: We weren't! You've seen ghosts too. Why do you think we're making them up?

Vector: It's just . . . Here? For real?

Knuckles & Julie-Su: Yes!

*Vector & Espio looked at each other, nervously*

Julie-Su: Oh, don't you two start! We said we'd help find the Emerald, not do everything ourselves!

Vector: Yeah, but . . .

Knuckles & Julie-Su: Climb!

*We soon made it to the top*

Knuckles: Honestly, you're a ninja. How are you afraid of ghosts?

Espio: Nobody said I was afraid. I think you're projecting.

Knuckles: Projecting!?

*Just then, we heard a sniffling sound*

Espio: SHH! Listen!

*The sound was coming from a sad looking jack-o'-lantern. Saffron was sitting next to it*

Knuckles: Charmy.

*He poked his head out*

Charmy:*sniff* . . . Sorry . . I - I . . .

Saffron: It's okay, Charmy. Nobody's mad at you.

Vector: We're fine, by the way. Did you notice that you dropped us into a bottomless abyss? OW!

*I elbowed him*

Charmy: . . . But . . . But the ghosts . . .

Knuckles: Why are you so afraid of ghosts!?

Charmy: Because they're ghosts!? Duh?!

Saffron: Charmy . . .

Knuckles: And you trashed a bunch of monsters ten minutes ago. You helped fight Metal Overlord. You've tangled with Dr. Eggman and his Badniks.

Julie-Su: You're one of the Chaotix. You deal with dangerous stuff constantly. And you've handled it every time.

*Charmy jumped out of the pumpkin, full of new confidence*

Charmy: You're . . You're right. If this can do all that, I can do anything! I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts! I'm awesome! *he hugged Vector's face* I'm super sorry for dropping you guys! It won't ever happen again! *he turned to Saffron* Thanks for staying with me Saffron.

Saffron: Always.

*She kissed his cheek*

Espio: Nicely done. You two have a way with kids.

Knuckles: . . . We just stated the facts.

Julie-Su: Yep.

Vector: Okay. No more distractions! Knuckles, can you still sense the Chaos Emerald?

Knuckles: . . . Yes. It's still on the move. It feels like it's going further . . . Down?

Espio: Down? What's at the bottom of this canyon beyond shadows and dust?

Julie-Su: Actually, there's a whole mining network under Pumpkin Hill. It seems abandoned though. Probably because of the gho . . . Circumstances.

Vector: But if Eggman's cronies have the Emerald, why are they going deeper underground?

Charmy: Because they're "low-lives"?

*We all cringed at that really bad joke while Charmy laughed*

Vector: Ugh! Really, Charmy? *suddenly, bombs started raining down on us like confetti & exploded. a laser almost hit Knuckles & me, we dodged* Get to high ground!

Knuckles: Anybody see what it is? Eggman? A Badnik Horde?

Vector: Worse, our competition.

*My eyes went wide when I saw who was attacking us. Then I pulled out my proto gun*

Julie-Su:*in her mind* Oh no. Not these stooges.

*Yep. It was the Hooligans. Nack the Weasel, Bark the Polar Bear, & Bean the Dynamite Duck in their hoverbike*

Nack: Lookie who it is. The "Moronix". Guest starring "Chuckles" and his little girlfriend. Run along now, before somebody gets hurt.

To be Continued . . .