{Pre A/N}
Act 6 finale!
Chapter 41: Rude Awakening and Parting Ways
Angel Island – Evening Hours
The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple as Angel Island floated gently above the calm waters. Hours had passed since the intense battle for the Master Emerald. The once-thriving island now hovered just above the ocean's surface.
Back on the surface, amidst the lush greenery of the island's forest, a small wooden hut stood out.
Inside the hut, a lone figure rested. A purple dragon lay on a simple wooden bed, her body wrapped in carefully placed bandages. She was hurt but still breathing, her chest rising and falling steadily.
Lilac slowly stirred, her body aching as the remnants of the battle, she sluggishly shifted. As her magenta eyes blinked open, sunlight filtering through the wooden walls, it was a jarring contrast to the cold darkness of the cavern she last remembered.
"Ugh… where?" she groaned weakly, her voice hoarse.
Her gaze wandered around, piecing together her surroundings. She wasn't in the Hidden Palace anymore. She was in some sort of hut.
"This... must be Knuckles house," she murmured, wincing as she clutched her side. She noticed the meticulous care someone had taken to bandage her wounds. Despite the conditions, it was clear someone had done their best to tend to her injuries.
She tried to ignore the ache as she glanced around the room. It was simple, devoid of unnecessary furniture or embellishments. A single wooden chair sat near the bed, and a small table with strips of cloth and a bucket of water.
But what caught her attention most were the pictures that adorned the walls. They were the only true decoration in the hut.
The images captured snapshots of life on Angel Island. In one, Knuckles stood proudly with a crocodile, a chameleon, and a bee, all posing triumphantly in the towering mushrooms of Mushroom Hill. Another showed Knuckles with familiar faces—Amy surfing the waters of Hydro city, Tails investigating the pyramids of Sandopolis, and Sonic grinning widely, surrounded by his friends. But not all the faces in the photos were familiar. An armadillo and a squirrel explored the fiery caverns of Lava Reef in one image, while an orange sungazer girl tripped over her own feet in the bright chaos of Carnival Night. Lilac's gaze lingered on Sonic. He seemed to appear in almost every photograph, a smile present in each one.
"Sonic…" Lilac whispered, her voice breaking slightly. A sharp pain clenched her heart as her fists tightened. "We weren't there… We could have saved him…" Her voice cracked. "And it was a replica of me… it-it was me who…"
Before she could sink further into despair, the door creaked open.
Lilac looked up, startled, to see Tails stepping inside. His face pale, and he had his own set of bandages. Floating close to him was Gyro. For a moment, they both froze, their expressions a mix of shock and relief.
"Lilac!" Tails cried, his voice trembling as he rushed to her side. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her. The sudden embrace caught her off guard, but she quickly returned the hug, her own tears falling now. Gyro hovered closer, emitting a soft, comforting hum.
"You're awake," Tails said, his voice breaking as a faint smile formed on his lips.
Lilac managed a shaky smile in return, ruffling his fur affectionately. "Yes, I'm awake…" she murmured. Reluctantly, she pulled away. "I suppose this is Knuckles' house?"
"His hut, actually," Tails corrected gently. "He has a lot of them scattered around the island, but most of the time, he just sleeps out in the open." He tried to smile again, but it quickly faded. "If you're wondering how we got here… well, we survived the fall. Knuckles was the first to wake up, thanks to Gyro. He carried all of us here and put us in his bed."
Lilac's eyes widened in disbelief. "B-but he was one of the most hurt by all of this!" she exclaimed, her voice with concern. "After everything, he still…"
Tails gave her a reassuring nod, a small smile in his lips. "That's just how he is. Tough and gruff." He deepened his voice in an attempt to imitate Knuckles, eliciting a small laugh from Lilac.
Her laughter faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a somber expression. "We lost again," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah…" Tails admitted, his shoulders slumping. Gyro dimmed slightly in sadness. "And… it's not the worst of it."
Lilac frowned, her heart sinking further. "What do you mean?"
Tails exchanged a glance with Gyro, who turned away, his light dimming even more. Tails hesitated, his voice trembling. "When Knuckles woke up, he couldn't find him. Lilac… they took Torque."
Lilac bolted upright, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through her side. "What?! Torque! Tails, we need to follow them, quick!" Panic gripped her, and she stumbled toward the door. She couldn't bear the thought of losing another friend.
But Tails grabbed her arm, holding her back. "Lilac, wait!"
She turned to him, her eyes wide with desperation. "Tails, we can't waste time! We need to—"
"I know, Lilac! But…" Tails struggled to find the words. "Carol… she wants to talk to you first."
Lilac blinked in confusion. "Carol? What does she want to tell me?"
Tails grimaced, his unease evident. Gyro's expression darkened into a scowl, his small form now radiating anger. "It's best if she tells you herself," Tails responded.
Lilac looked between them, her confusion deepening. Tails' discomfort and Gyro's hostility only made her more apprehensive. "Okay… where is she?"
"Just outside," another voice said. The door creaked open once more, and Knuckles stepped inside, bandaged and with a scowl on his face, munching on a handful of grapes.
"If you're looking for Carol, she's outside," he said, looking towards Lilac, he held out the remaining grapes in his hand, offering them wordlessly.
Lilac managed a small smile and shook her head gently. "It's fine, thank you," she said. But her smile faded quickly. Her gaze dropped to the floor. "And… I'm sorry. We weren't able to protect the Emerald."
Knuckles shook his head and let out a low sigh, setting the grapes on the table. "No," he said firmly. "I've said this before, but I should be the one thanking you. You guys helped me try to protect it. Even if we lost, it's the least I could do. If I hadn't been so careless…" His voice grew bitter, his knuckles tightening with visible self-reproach. "That robot couldn't have gotten close to the Emerald."
"Don't," Lilac said, stepping forward. "We've all made mistakes, but you've done more than anyone else could in protecting your home. That says more about you than any loss ever could."
Knuckles was silent for a moment, her words slowly sinking in. He gave a small smile. "Hmph," he muttered, crossing his arms. "You're right. Beating myself up isn't going to do anything." He straightened. "Like I said, Carol's waiting outside."
Lilac nodded, offering a quick smile. "Thanks, Knuckles." She gave Tails and Gyro a reassuring wave as she stepped toward the door, the tension in the room easing slightly.
The fresh air greeted her the moment she stepped outside. For a moment, she was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the scene before her.
Green hills stretched endlessly into the distance. Flowers dotted the landscape, their colors vivid under the fading light of the sun. The island now rested quietly on the sea, the waves lapping gently against its rocky base. The soft orange glow of the setting sun reflected on the water's surface.
"Right… if the Emerald is removed, the island falls… just…" Lilac muttered, her voice tinged with regret as she remembered the detail from her readings. Before she could dwell further, a familiar voice drifted to her ears.
"Like in the book… yeah you use to say that a lot."
Lilac turned sharply to see Carol sitting at the edge of the cliff, her back to her. The wildcat was gazing out at the horizon, her legs dangling over the edge. Her voice had carried a light joking tone, but it lacked any humor.
Lilac approached cautiously, taking in her friend's appearance. Carol, like the rest of them, was covered in bandages, her injuries seeming worse than anyone else's. But what caught Lilac's attention most was the cowboy hat perched atop Carol's head. It was brown and weathered, almost comically out of place.
"You like it?" Carol asked without turning around. She reached up and readjusted the hat. "Knuckles gave it to me after the whole cave fiasco. Said it was an apology or something. Turns out he has a stash of these hats. Who knew?"
"Uh, I see," Lilac replied, her concern deepening as she approached. "It looks good on you."
Carol gave a noncommittal grunt. "Uh-huh," she said, her tone flat. She continued to stare out at the setting sun, her shoulders rising and falling with a shaky breath.
Lilac slowly approached and sat down beside her friend. Her voice was gentle but filled with concern. "Carol? Are you okay?" She paused, her brow furrowing with worry. "What did you want to tell me?"
Carol didn't respond immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon. For a moment, Lilac thought she wouldn't answer at all. Then, Carol exhaled deeply.
"Maybe we're just not made out for this…" she finally said, her voice quiet.
What?
"What?" Lilac leaned forward slightly, her worry intensifying. "What do you mean, Carol?"
Carol turned her head slightly, just enough for Lilac to catch the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "I said, maybe we're just not made out for this," she repeated, her tone firmer now. "We should just… go home."
Lilac blinked, stunned. The words hit her like a physical blow, leaving her breathless. "Go home?" she echoed, her voice rising in disbelief. "Go home?! Carol, the world is literally at stake right now! Torque has been kidnapped! How can you even—"
"I know that!" Carol snapped, finally turning to face Lilac. Her eyes blazed with anger that made Lilac flinch. "I like Torque and all, but it's not like we can do anything now, Lilac! Don't you get it? We've lost over and over again! Again! We're not cut out for this!"
Lilac's heart wrenched at the anger in her friend's voice. Her hands balled into fists as she shouted back, her own voice cracking with emotion. "How could you say that?! Torque could literally die! Sonic just died! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!"
Tails, Knuckles, and Gyro watched from the hut, their expressions heavy with concern. Tails took a step forward to interfere, but Knuckles placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. The fox looked up at the echidna questioningly, but Knuckles simply shook his head.
"This is between them," Knuckles murmured, his voice low.
"Doesn't mean anything?!" Carol's voice broke as she yelled, standing up abruptly. Her tears spilled over, streaking her face. "I liked Sonic just as much as you! But what can we do? This is so much bigger than us!" She pointed at the layers of bandages wrapped around her arms and torso, her voice trembling. "Look at what they did to me, Lilac! What they did to you! To all of us! We were never supposed to be here, never supposed to get caught up in all this! We're not heroes, Lilac!"
"Caught up?" Lilac shot back, rising to her feet to face Carol. Her tears mirrored her friend's, but her voice carried an unrelenting determination. "We are helping each other! We're doing the right thing!"
"I don't want to do the right thing!" Carol cried, her voice shattering. "I just wanted to spend time with my best friend, spend time with our new friends! This was Sonic and Tails job, not ours!"
"We stepped in because we had to, Carol!" Lilac shouted. "How could we have stood back and done nothing while everything fell apart?"
"Maybe we should've done nothing!" Carol screamed back. "Maybe if we'd stayed out of it, things wouldn't be this bad. Maybe Sonic would still be alive!"
Those words pierced Lilac, leaving her speechless. For a moment, the two stood facing each other, breathing heavily, their tears streaming freely.
Carol took a step back, her expression closing off. "But I guess you thought we had to jump in," she said, her voice low and defeated. "So I guess we can't all be together on this…"
The words hung heavy in the air. Lilac stared at Carol, searching her face for a sign, a glimmer of hope that this could be fixed. But there was nothing.
A long, painful silence followed. Then Carol turned away, her shoulders trembling as she began to walk toward the forest.
"That's it, then?" Lilac whispered, her voice trembling. "You're just going to leave?"
Carol froze for a moment, her back still to Lilac. Her head dipped, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Without a word, she broke into a sprint, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
Lilac stood there, rooted to the spot as the sound of Carol's footsteps faded into the distance. The clearing was silent now, save for the soft rustling of the trees and the distant sound of the waves
Finally, as the last traces of Carol vanished into the forest, Knuckles gave a small nod to Tails. "Now," he said, his voice steady. "You can talk to her."
Tails and Gyro quickly approached Lilac, their expressions filled with concern. Knuckles remained by the hut, his gaze fixed on the direction Carol had gone. He said nothing, his stoic demeanor masking whatever thoughts swirled within.
"L-Lilac, don't worry!" Tails said quickly, his voice carrying a hint of desperation. "I'm sure we can talk to Carol. We can convince her, and she'll come around. She has been through a lot like us, she just needs time to get over this, and—"
"She's right," Lilac interrupted, her voice hollow.
Both Tails and Gyro stared at her in shock, disbelief etched across their faces.
"What… what do you mean?" Tails stammered.
Lilac's shoulders sagged as she turned her gaze to the horizon. "Maybe none of this would've happened if we had let you and Sonic handle it," she said, her words heavy with guilt. "Maybe if we hadn't interfered, Metal Lilac wouldn't have been created. It's because of me… Sonic is gone. This is my fault."
"NO!" Tails yelled, startling her with the force of his voice. His hands shot forward, gripping hers tightly. His blue eyes filled with fierce determination. "Lilac, no! If it weren't for you and Carol, we wouldn't even be here! Do you get that?!"
"But—"
"No!" he cut her off, shaking his head. "This isn't on you. It's on Eggman, on Brevon, on Metal Lilac! Don't pin this on yourself. You did everything you could! You gave it your all, just like Sonic always did."
Lilac's breath hitched as she looked into his eyes.
"You're strong," he continued, his voice softer but no less firm. "You've fought so hard, not just for us but for everyone who couldn't fight for themselves. That's what Sonic would've wanted."
Her lip trembled as she processed his words. Slowly, she nodded. "Right…" she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Her eyes wandered across the cliff, landing on Mushroom Hill. Where the Spinner was located, its presence reminding her of the new mission that lay ahead. A new resolve began to take shape within her.
"Lilac?" Tails asked, tilting his head as he noticed the shift in her expression.
She clenched her fists, a spark of determination igniting in her heart. "I… I want to save the world," she declared, her voice growing stronger with each word. "For my home, for my friends." She turned to Tails, her gaze unwavering. "But I'll do it alone if I have to."
"Oh no, you don't!" Tails snapped, his voice carried a ferocity she never knew he had. "You're not doing this alone, Lilac. I refuse to let you. Sonic may be gone, but I'm not losing you too!"
Gyro floated beside him, his cyan light glowing brighter in solidarity.
Tails continued, his voice firm. "I have the location of the Master Emerald on my radar. We can track it down easily. But I'm coming with you. We're doing this together. No arguments."
Lilac smiled softly and pulled him into a hug. "Thank you, Tails," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for standing by me."
"Anytime," he replied with a smile, his voice warm. He glanced toward the towering mushrooms in the distance. "We'll need to grab some Life Flowers on the way to help us heal faster. And we'll need to get the Spinner ready for the trip."
Lilac nodded, her resolve firm. "Yes. Let's go. We don't have time to waste!"
The three of them began walking toward the Spinner, ready to face the challenges ahead. As they neared towards the location of the craft, Lilac paused and glanced back at Knuckles, who remained by the hut. He stood motionless, his arms crossed, watching them with a contemplative expression.
"Knuckles?" she called, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Aren't you coming with us? Don't you want to get the Emerald back?"
Knuckles shifted slightly, his expression darkening. "Oh, trust me," he said, his voice low and simmering with frustration. "I want to get MY Emerald back more than anything. But first…" He turned his gaze toward the forest, his crimson eyes narrowing. "I need to have a little talk with that cat."
"What?!" Tails exclaimed, his ears twitching in surprise. "But Knuckles, the Master Emerald—"
"I said I'll catch up," Knuckles interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. He started walking toward the forest, his pace deliberate. "Good luck."
Tails watched him go, his brow furrowed with confusion. "If you say so…" he murmured, his voice uncertain.
Lilac's worry lingered, his red form disappearing in the forest. "Will he really catch up?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with doubt. And… what is he even going to say to Carol?
Tails placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Trust me, Lilac," he said with a small, confident smile. "Knuckles will manage. Somehow. For now, let's focus on retrieving the Spinner."
With that, the three of them climbed into the sleek craft, preparing for the journey ahead. As they buckled in, Lilac took one last look at the island. Its beauty, even in its fallen state, was something she would never forget.
"Maybe one day," she whispered to herself, maybe she can revisit these island in its glorious state someday. The trio sped off, ready to save Torque.
Shuigang Island – Shuigang Palace
In Shuigang.
Deep beneath the Palace, in the dimly lit underground laboratory filled with the hum of machinery and the glow of flickering monitors, a sinister laughter echoed through the chamber.
"Hehahahaha, success!" Robotnik's voice boomed, his laughter filled with delight as his fingers danced over a keyboard. The screen before him displayed critical updates "The Master Emerald is secured! The Sky Battalion has retired, and not only that, the chaser is captured as well! And to top it all off… Sonic and his friends have been smashed by Metal Lilac herself!"
His gleeful cackling was interrupted only when the faces of Serpentine and Brevon appeared on a nearby screen, their holographic forms flickering as they joined the conversation. Robotnik waved a dismissive hand at another notification, mumbling, "Oh yeah, also saved the prince, I guess." He shrugged indifferently.
"Tch. I could've done it faster," Serpentine sneered, his reptilian features twisting into a scowl. His words were laced with poorly disguised jealousy, though he tried to mask it with an air of arrogance.
But unlike Serpentine, Brevon's expression was one of dark satisfaction. His wicked smile stretched wide as he leaned back in his seat. "Perfect…" he murmured. "And I assume they will arrive tonight?"
Robotnik's smug grin faltered slightly, replaced by a grimace. "Ehem. About that… unfortunately, Metal Lilac sustained significant damage during her battle. She won't be able to land on Shuigang. I redirected her to our base at Jaded Creek—the Egg-Thermos—for immediate repairs."
Serpentine sneered again, his voice dripping with disdain. "What's with you and eggs?" Robotnik only glared at the snake with disdain.
Brevon sighed, his tone tinged with mild disappointment. "Unfortunate. But if that is the case, then so be it." He leaned forward, his predatory grin returning. "I will go myself to retrieve it."
"What?!" Serpentine blurted. "Then, Lord Brevon, let me go as well! I can—"
"No," Brevon interrupted coldly. "General, your task is to supervise the repairs on our ship. Do not make me repeat myself."
Serpentine flinched under the harsh rebuke, lowering his gaze "Yes, Lord Brevon."
Turning his attention back to Robotnik, Brevon issued another command. "As for you, Ivo, continue the repairs on your primary enforcers. We will need them operational to track down the remaining Emeralds."
"Psh, done and done," Robotnik replied, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. Behind him, the forms of Heavy King and Metal Sonic stood silently, their expressions unreadable. "I just need to run a few more revisions, and they're all yours."
"Excellent." Brevon stood, his grin widened, brimming with malice. "Tomorrow will be the day this pathetic rock learns who its real master is. Dismissed."
With a wave of his clawed hand, Brevon cut the transmission. Serpentine followed suit, though not before shooting Robotnik a scathing glare.
Left alone in the room, Robotnik's grin turned sardonic as he rose from his chair. "Heh, real master, right…" he muttered under his breath. His gaze shifted to Heavy King and Metal Sonic. "I'll need to send a bot to keep an eye on the Egg-Thermos," he mused, his tone growing darker. "No way in all hells are those pests down for the count. Except Sonic, maybe," he added, his voice tinged with discomfort and dissatisfaction. "If Metal Lilac's message is accurate."
He paused, as if considering the possibility, then shook his head dismissively. No, no… I don't think so.
Heavy King's repaired arms crossed over his chest. "He will catch up soon," he stated matter-of-factly, ignoring Robotnik's musings.
Metal Sonic, however, was less composed. His crimson optics flashed with frustration as his metallic hands clenched into fists. The thought of another model—an inferior model—besting Sonic enraged him.
Robotnik laughed as he made his way toward the exit, his confidence unwavering. "Ha! It'll be too late when he realizes what's coming," he declared, his voice filled with sinister glee. "Soon, Arktivus will know who the real master is!"
As the door slid shut behind him with a hiss, the two robots remained in the chamber. Heavy King stood stoically, his unflinching gaze fixed on the dim screens. Metal Sonic shifted restlessly, clutching his head as if something within him was stirring.
A faint, green flicker crossed their optics—a subtle anomaly that came and went in an instant. Metal Sonic staggered slightly, shaking his head in confusion as his systems recalibrated. Heavy King, on the other hand, remained motionless, his glowing eyes betraying a flicker of amusement.
"We will see about that," Heavy King muttered ominously. His voice was low, almost inaudible, but laced with malice. The chamber fell silent once more, the mechanical enforcers left alone with their unsettling thoughts.
Angel Island
Within the dense forest of Angel Island, Carol walked aimlessly. The brim of her cowboy hat shaded her eyes. Each step seemed heavier than the last.
She paused abruptly as her ears twitched, picking up the faint hum of the Spinner's engine in the distance. The sound grew fainter and fainter until it finally faded completely. Carol glanced up, her green eyes tracking the small craft as it soared through the sky, growing smaller and smaller until it was just a speck on the northern horizon.
"There they go…" she murmured, her voice barely audible. With a sigh, she climbed a nearby tree, settling onto a sturdy branch and letting her legs dangle over the edge. Her gaze remained fixed on the shrinking silhouette of the Spinner. "Guess they're off to save the world," she said, her tone dripping with bitterness.
As the plane disappeared from view, her bitter expression gave way to something else—a pained, regretful look that she couldn't suppress.
"No…" she muttered to herself, her voice trembling. "It's too late. It's too late for me to take it back."
"I don't think it's too late."
Her ears perked up suddenly as a familiar voice broke through the silence, startling her. She whipped her head around as Knuckles leapt gracefully from the treetops to land on the same branch she occupied.
"Nor will they be the only ones saving the world," Knuckles added, his voice calm but firm.
"Woah! How did you find me so fast?" Carol blurted, still recovering from her surprise.
"I've been living on this island my whole life," Knuckles replied, his tone casual, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I know every tree, every rock, every sound." His expression turned serious as he crossed his arms and fixed her with a stern gaze. "But enough about me. What are you going to do?"
Carol shrugged, her gaze dropping to the forest floor far below. "Eh, who knows?" she said. "Can't really go back, so maybe I'll just stay here or something."
Knuckles shook his head, his tone unwavering as he replied, "No, you're not staying here. You either get out or Im throwing you off."
Carol rolled her eyes. "Wow, you're so welcoming," she said sarcastically. "Fine. Probably hitch a boat ride out or make one. Why do you care, anyway?"
Knuckles didn't react to her sarcasm. Instead, he remained calm. "You're not being honest with yourself," he said simply.
"Huh?" Carol blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean by that, huh?"
Knuckles huffed. "You don't fool me, cat," he said, his voice steady. "I saw the fight between you and Lilac, and it's clear that what you said wasn't sincere. Not then, not now."
Carol opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She turned away, her ears flattening against her head as the guilt she'd been holding back began to surface. Her thoughts raced as she replayed the argument in her mind—the heat of the moment, the exhaustion, the endless battles. She hadn't meant for things to spiral the way they had.
"No… I…" She trailed off, her voice faltering. Her gaze dropped to her hands, which fidgeted with the edge of her hat.
Knuckles remained silent, giving her the space to process her thoughts.
Finally, Carol sighed heavily, the weight of her guilt finally pressing down. "So what?" she finally spoke. "I messed up, okay? You happy? You're right, Knuckles. I just walked away from my best friend. And now…" She gestured toward the empty sky. "Now she's flying off somewhere without me."
Knuckles regarded her quietly, his expression unreadable. Carol could feel his gaze, but she didn't look up. Instead, she stared into the distance, her heart heavy with regret.
He pondered for a moment, his brow furrowed as he searched for the right words to say. After a deep breath, he started speaking, his tone gentle.
"Hey," he began. "Look, I know that fight between you and Lilac was in the heat of the moment. I saw it—it wasn't really what you meant, and deep down, you know it wasn't what she meant either." He paused, gauging her reaction before continuing. "Listen, what I'm saying is, you're her friend. And as her friend, it's on you to make things right. Go back to her. Forgive her. She'll forgive you too—I know that for sure."
Knuckles hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh, You two have been through so much together I assume. So go back to her, fight by her side like you always did. That's what a brave warrior would do." He finished with a small, uncertain smile, hoping his words would resonate with her.
Carol blinked, startled by the unexpected sincerity in his words. Then, much to Knuckles' confusion, she burst out laughing, nearly toppling from the branch.
"Hehehe, oh man, sorry," Carol said between laughs, wiping a tear from her eye. "It's just… didn't expect that from you. 'Brave warrior,' huh? Heh." She shook her head, still chuckling, but her expression softened into one of genuine gratitude. "Thanks. I really needed that." She offered him a teasing grin. "I guess I'll give it a C for effort."
Knuckles' frown deepened, unsure if he should be annoyed or amused. "So Tails gave you the grade treatment too?" he asked, crossing his arms with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep! C+ baby," Carol replied, pointing at herself with mock pride. Then, with a nimble leap, she hopped down from the branch, landing softly on the grass below. "But seriously, how are we gonna catch up with them? We can't exactly swim all the way there, and you don't seem like the type to have a plane."
Knuckles followed her down with a graceful jump, landing beside her. He scratched his head, looking mildly embarrassed. "True. But I do have a boat. A motorboat, actually."
Carol's ears perked up in surprise. "Wait, really?"
Knuckles nodded. "Yeah, Tails built it for me. Said it'd come in handy in case the island ever… you know, fell."
Carol snorted, amused despite herself. "Well, that's mighty convenient if you ask me. Guess we lucked out there." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "But, uh… how are we gonna know where they're heading? They've got the Emerald radar."
Knuckles smirked and jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Don't worry about that. As the guardian of the Master Emerald, I have a special connection to it. I can sense its location, no matter where it is. Finding it—and them—won't be a problem."
Carol's jaw dropped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Oooookay. That's even more convenient… but hey, I'm not complaining!" She grinned, her excitement growing. But then, a thought crossed her mind, and her expression grew more serious. "Still… I think we need to be better prepared."
Knuckles raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. "How so?"
Carol hesitated for a moment before nodding decisively. "Well, you don't know this, but… back in the day, I was part of a street gang. We had all kinds of ninja gear and gadgets—stuff that really came in handy." Her smirk returned as she continued, "If I can grab some of that from our old base, we'd have a serious advantage."
Knuckles crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "Better preparing yourself, smart. But is it really necessary?"
Carol shrugged, her grin turning sheepish. "Maybe not. But after everything that's happened… I think I need to step up my game. My claws and kicks aren't enough. If I'm gonna keep fighting alongside Lilac, I need to be better. I'll grab the gear, and then we'll head straight to rescuing Torque."
Knuckles nodded with approval. "Makes sense. Very well, is the base far?"
"Nope. It's on Shang Tu Island, on a place called Pangu Forest. I can guide you there," Carol replied, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "But fair warning—we'll have to deal with a lot of crooks and criminals."
Knuckles smirked, clenching his fists in readiness. "Sounds fun. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get your equipment, and then we'll get my Emerald!" He raised his fist toward her.
Carol bumped her fist against his, her smirk widening. "Yeah, let's show my old pals what we're made of, Knux."
Knuckles groaned, rolling his eyes. "Knux? Oh, great. You're like Sonic in more ways than one…"
Carol's grin faltered slightly at the mention of Sonic, a pang of sorrow flashing across her face. But she quickly shook off the thought, her determination returning.
"Not the time for mourning," she muttered under her breath before nodding at Knuckles. Together, they began heading toward the motorboat.
As they walked, the setting sun bathed Angel Island in a warm golden glow. Carol glanced toward the horizon, her resolve firming.
"Lilac… don't worry," she thought to herself, gripping the brim of her hat tightly. "I'll catch up to you in no time. I promise."
Parusa Island – Adventure Square
In Parusa
Adventure Square was basked in the warm hues of twilight. The golden glow stretched across the bustling square. Palm trees swayed gently in the evening breeze and the sands shimmering.
"Have you heard about the assassination attempt on Mayor Zao of Shang Mu?" a white-furred ferret asked, her voice low as she leaned toward her client, a yellow-uniformed guard.
The guard, a white monkey named Arnold, sighed and leaned casually against a wooden post. "Tell me about it," he replied, his tone weary. "First the Shuigang robots, then attack on Shang Mu, the chaos in Shang Tu, and now this…" He gestured toward the distant silhouette of Angel Island, which now floated just above the ocean's surface. "Looks like we're in for a long ride."
But he tried for levity, adding, "At least Parusa's curse hasn't hit us hard, right?" But his attempt fell flat as the ferret shot him a withering glare.
"Right…" Arnold muttered, shrinking slightly under her disapproving gaze. He stared down at the sand, awkwardly shifting his weight before his eyes caught on someone standing by the shoreline, a lone girl gazing out at the ocean.
On the beach, a cheetah girl stood apart from the lively commotion of the square. Her focus unwavering. She stared toward the distant Angel Island, her deep blue eye reflecting the dimming light of the sunset. Her right eye remained hidden beneath her hand, as if shielding herself from more than just the fading sunlight. She touched her face gently, her expression blank yet heavy with an unspoken sadness.
As she watched, something in the water caught her attention—a shape moving, struggling against the waves. A sudden jolt of fear made her step back, her instincts screaming at her to run or call for help. But curiosity rooted her to the spot, and she squinted, trying to make out what was emerging from the surf.
The figure grew clearer as it came closer—a blue form, its movements sluggish and pained.
"A-ah!" she cried out, her voice rising above the sound of the waves. "Somebody! There's someone in the water!"
Her alarm rippled through the nearby crowd. Residents turned, their conversations falling silent as they followed her gaze toward the ocean. A hush settled over the square as people began to gather near the shore.
The little cheetahs heart raced as she stepped closer to the water. The figure washed ashore with a final push of the tide, limp and motionless.
Her breath caught in her throat as she reached him—a blue hedgehog, battered and bruised, lay unconscious on the sand. His quills, usually sharp and vibrant, were matted with saltwater and sand.
In his hand, he clutched something—a gem. Her eyes widened as she recognized it. It was a gem stone, a deep blue gemstone, its surface gleaming faintly even in the waning light.
"Somebody, help!" She shouted, dropping to her knees beside the hedgehog.
The crowd responded quickly. Voices called out for assistance as people rushed forward. A group of villagers carefully lifted the injured hedgehog. Others whispered in hushed tones, the sight of the blue gem sparking a mix of awe and concern.
The sound of the waves blended with the rising commotion in Adventure Square. The cheetah stood frozen, her mind racing. Who was this hedgehog? Where had he come from? And what had happened to him that left him in such a state?
As the villagers carried the unconscious figure away, a sense of foreboding washed over her. Something big had just arrived on Parusa Island.
{Post A/N}
Aaaaaaand Act 6: Angel Island is done! Well erm, that just happened I guess.
So, yeah, the first segment sure is something, Im not sure if I wrote it correctly, you guys can tell me. Also also want your guys opinion on how Im handling Knuckles character. And hey, Sonic is not dead, who could have guessed?
Anyways, another lil break for me, rest well, eat well, sleep well, study and all that crap, got like 6 exams next week.
See you all in Act 7: Red Scarves followed by Act 8: Boiling Point.
Also Carol´s hat is permanent.