Chapter 18: Lava Reef Landing

Lava Reef Zone

The Sky Warrior finally arrived at Lava Reef Zone. It had been sort of tricky to get there, seeing as it was underground, but Tails found a way to get there. Everyone was awake and ready to help out. A key point to note is Amy was feeling a little under the weather.

Then, Knuckles and Rouge arrived back.

"Rouge, are you alright?" Maria asked.

"I fractured my leg, or at least I think I did." Rouge replied as Knuckles sat her on the couch.

"How?" Amy asked.

"Scourge jumped us at the alter." Knuckles answered.

"I went to attack him, but I missed and fucked up my leg." Rouge groaned.

"I'm guessing that no one here is a doctor." Silver said.

"Well, I may be able to help. My mom taught me some things about a situation like this." Cream pointed out.

"Do what ya can, kiddo." Rouge sighed.

A Few Minutes Later

"Thanks, Cream." Rouge smiled.

"Your welcome, Rouge. Of course, you're going to have to take it easy for a while, and someone will have to stay behind and watch you and the kids."

"Wait, how about me and Rouge stay, and Maria and Marine go with you guys?" Amy suggested.

"That could work." Blaze agreed.

"What about you, Shadow? Do you agree?" Knuckles asked him.

"I guess." Shadow grumbled.

"Then it's settled. We've landed and I've picked up the emerald's location." Tails said.

"Where?" Sonia asked.

"It's in the Crystal Caverns deep inside the volcano, but we've got to hustle! Eggman is slowly closing in on the emerald."

"Well, let's hit it, dude!" Manic jumped in.

"Yeah, come on!" Silver added as the group, minus Amy and Rouge, left.

"Why did you stay, Amy?" Rouge asked, curious.

"Well, promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Your secret is safe with me, girl!" Rouge winked.

Amy smiled.

"Well..."

Lava Reef Zone, Hidden Palace Zone Entrance

Sonic managed to reach Lava Reef Zone through the back way, as well as stopping by a bonus stage to grab a Fire Shield. The Blue Blur looked at his emerald tracker. He was actually pretty close to the emerald, but also, according to the tracker, Eggman, as well as Tails and the others, were closing in on it, but Eggman was closer.

"I can't let Eggbutt get that emerald. He's probably setting a trap for them, but if I can get there first, I can screw him up." Sonic said as he took off to the emerald's location.

Lava Reef Zone, Crystal Caverns

Shadow and the group arrived to the emerald first.

"Why didn't we just Chaos Control here in the first place?" Silver asked.

"Because no one said anything about it before." Shadow grumbled.

"Well, at least we beat that 'ere Eggman bloke here, mate." Marine pointed out.

"Not quite." A voice said, followed by a laser that made everyone jump back.

"Eggman!" The group yelled in unison.

"Who did you expect, Santa Claus?" Eggman joked.

"You're not getting this emerald!" Shadow growled.

"Oh, but I just did." Eggman grinned.

An Egg Pawn appeared with the Red Chaos Emerald. He tossed it to his master.

"What?" Knuckles sneered.

"This red emerald matches my green one perfectly." Eggman gloated.

"It matches ours better!" Another voice yelled.

"What?" Eggman looked back to see a blue blur homing attack his Egg Mobile, making the mad scientist lose his balance, but still held onto both of his emeralds. "Sonic, your timing is impeccable!" He growled.

"That's just how I roll." Sonic smirked.

"Cut the shit, Faker! We need to get that emerald!" Shadow scolded.

"Not quite! Prepare for my next trick!" Eggman then pressed a button on the Egg Mobile.

The floating orb was then surrounded by a sphere, which solidified around it, shielding Eggman.

"What are you up to?" Blaze moved back with the others.

"You like it? I call it the Pocket Death Egg. I have plenty of defenses for this. Now, Maria, I'll spare you if you return with me." Eggman explained.

"I'm not going anywhere with you! I may not know who I am, but I know one thing and that is that I'm not like you. I'll take my chances with my friends!" Maria yelled.

"That's the spirit, Maria!" Sonic cheered, giving her a thumbs-up, along with everyone else showing their approval of her words.

"We're all on your side 100%." Silver told her.

Maria smiled at him.

"You've made your decision. You will perish with the rest of the rabble!" Eggman yelled.

The Pocket Death Egg began to make noises, as well as a few weapons popping out of the sides.

"Prepare for your demise!" Eggman growled.