- Chapter 26 -

A Past Set in Stone

Launch Base

As Robotnik continued to oversee the Death Egg's repairs, another recon drone approached.

"What is Sonic's status?" the doctor demanded.

"He and Tails have arrived in the area designated as the Marble Garden," the drone reported. "Should we deploy more Badniks to delay them?"

"Yeah, because that's worked out so well already," Robotnik said sarcastically. "Forget it. This time, I'll do it myself."

"Sir, are you sure that is wise?" the drone questioned. "Perhaps you should focus your efforts on rebuilding the Death Egg."

"I didn't build you to think, or question my orders," Robotnik snapped as he called the Egg Mobile. "Besides, I'm more than capable of multitasking."

Master Emerald Shrine

Kat was back on her feet, attempting to stretch her injured arm. It was quite stiff, and her legs were shaky due to her feet injuries. Luckily, Chomps caught her on his snout before she fell.

"Thanks, Chomps," Kat said gratefully.

She petted the dinosaur, who perked as he sensed something. Knuckles came gliding in at that moment.

"Knuckles!" Kat greeted. "You're back!"

She smiled as she sat down pretzel-style on the ground.

"Came to see how you're holding up," Knuckles told her.

"I'm doing alright. Tried walking for a bit." She rubbed the back of her head. "Nearly fell down the stairs. Chomps caught me, though."

"Good boy." Knuckles smiled at Chomps before turning back to Kat. "And before you ask, no, I haven't run into Sonic yet."

"Wasn't gonna ask. I figure you'll tell me when you do. I wasn't gonna push, not after everything you've done for me." She looked down at her bandaged arm. "Although… I do have a small request, if you don't mind."

"I'm listening."

"I want you to teach me how to fight."

Knuckles blinked in surprise, having not expected that.

"I want to be able to stand up for myself, and anyone else who can't," Kat explained. "I don't want to be weak anymore, or have to rely on others. I want to be strong enough to save myself."

Knuckles nodded. "Understandable."

Kat perked. "Then… you'll train me?"

"I'll see what I can do," Knuckles replied.

Kat grinned, then rushed forward and hugged him.

"Thank you!" she said gratefully. "Thank you so much!"

Knuckles stiffened at the contact, somewhat uncomfortable. Thankfully, Kat caught on and released him.

"Sorry, I just-"

"No need to be sorry," Knuckles assured. "I just... need to get used to interacting with people again."

"Then we'll help each other," Kat decided. "And I'll wait for you to initiate hugs."

Chomps nudged her, wanting more pets. Kat quickly obliged.

"I'll just hug Chomps until you're ready."

Knuckles shrugged. "Fair enough."

Marble Garden

Meanwhile, Sonic and Tails landed on a grassy hill outside of Hydro City and found themselves tumbling down it, coming to a stop at the bottom. Once their stomachs had caught up to them, Sonic let out an annoyed sigh.

"Ever since we arrived on this island, I swear my day's just been going down the toilet," he griped.

"Technically, we went up that time," Tails pointed out.

"You know what I mean," Sonic retorted.

"Yeah, I do,"

Tails rang the water out of his shirt. As he did so, Sonic took stock of their surroundings. They were in a grassy area dotted with some trees and numerous Roman-esque structures, most of which had fallen into disrepair and were overgrown with plantlife.

"Whoa…" he let out. "Where do you think we are?"

"If I had to wager a guess, I'd say we're in one of the ancient Echidna ruins," Tails theorized.

The duo stood up and began exploring. Before long, they came across Relic and Fixit, who were examining a set of murals before a building, the entry of which led underground.

"Can't say I'm surprised to see you here," Sonic confessed.

"Sonic!" Relic greeted. "Good to see you again."

She waved them over.

"I'm glad to see Knuckles hasn't killed you yet," she added. "I did try and talk him down, but he wouldn't hear of it. Stubborn blighter."

Tails perked. "You ran into him?"

"More like he ran into me. Scared the dickens out of me too. But don't worry. Once he found out I was harmless, and that my research could uncover what became of his people, he essentially gave me free rein to explore." She pushed her glasses up. "Well, almost free reign. I'm not allowed at the Master Emerald Shrine. But, that's completely reasonable."

Sonic nodded. "So, what'd you find here?"

"From what I can gather, this area is a 'Grand Conservatory.'" Relic explained. "The entrance is sealed up, though."

"Grand Conservatory?" Tails raised an eyebrow. "What was it conserving?"

"That I don't know," Relic answered. "We need to get in to find out."

"Hmmm…" Sonic examined the door. "I've probably seen too many movies to be trying this, but…"

He began feeling around for a switch or button, both on the ground around the door and on the mural. Shockingly, he found one. The stone door began to lower. The three exchanged looks before deciding it was better not to question it, and entered. Much to their surprise, the conservatory was a storage room for numerous items and artifacts, both medieval and modern. There were even signs of firearms and vehicles, as well as some kind of ancient robots.

"Huh," Sonic let out at last. "I was expecting something more... prehistoric."

"It's not too out there," Tails pointed out. "Relic did say the Knuckles Clan swiped tech from the Ancients."

"Indeed," Relic confirmed. "In fact, this hoarding of tech is what sparked 'The Great Divide'. Many Echidna believed technology to be nothing but evil incarnate, while others felt that the only way to survive was to embrace it and learn from it. These technocratic echidnas formed an organization calling themselves the Dark Legion."

"Why would they wanna ban technology?" Sonic questioned.

"According to the ancient Echidna tomes, it's because such technology is what gave rise to a truly malevolent being," Relic answered. "They called him Enerjak."

"Enerjak?" Tails asked.

"Unfortunately, that's all I know at the moment," Relic went on. "I'll need more time before I can fully decipher the tomes."

Sonic and Tails left her to her work, going out to observe more of the area. It wasn't long before they heard a familiar laugh, and Robotnik swooped in with a drill-equipped Egg Mobile.

"Ah, Sonic and Tails," he greeted. "Snooping as usual, I see."

"Eggman," Sonic remarked. "So glad you could join us. I owe you for trying to flush us!"

"Before we kick your butt, where are the rest of the slaves you had on the Death Egg?!" Tails demanded. "It's statistically impossible that you were the sole survivor of the crash!"

Robotnik smirked. "Oh, Tails. Such a naïve little boy. Of course I'm the sole survivor. I saw to it personally."

Tails gasped in shock, and Sonic froze in place.

"You…" he managed. "You killed them."

"They were of no use to me," Robotnik went on, "and with the mess you left, I couldn't properly contain them. Better to get rid of them and start fresh, you know? Clean slate and all? Besides, robots are far more reliable anyway. They don't need food, water, or rest, and only do what they're told."

Sonic was pulsing with rage at that. With a yell, he sprang forward, landing right on the Egg Mobile and grabbing Robotnik by the collar. Before he could react, Sonic punched him in the head and face multiple times, before the two began grappling.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Robotnik demanded, delirious with disbelief and anger.

"The hedgehog who's gonna make you pay!" Sonic spat.

Robotnik quickly tilted the Egg Mobile, knocking Sonic off. With a growl, he aimed his drill down, slamming into the ground below them and causing it to collapse. Just before they began falling, Tails took flight, grabbing Sonic and chasing after the Egg Mobile.

"You won't get away, murderer!" Sonic shouted.

"My dear boy, I already have!" Robotnik taunted. "But if it's a dogfight you want, it's a dogfight you'll get!"

The trio engaged in a hit-and-run battle. Robotnik aimed the drill in multiple directions as he charged at Sonic and Tails, the two dodging his attacks while landing their own whenever they could.

"We gotta destroy that drill!" Sonic shouted.

"Aim for its mounting station!" Tails insisted. "Destroy that and Eggman loses his weapon!"

"Good idea!"

The next time Robotnik aimed the drill, Sonic charged a Homing Attack, smashing into its mount. The drill sparked and smoked before falling off. Robotnik growled, pounding his seat.

"Damn you, Sonic! You've cost me too much already!" he gunned the engine, making a getaway. "You'll pay the piper soon enough!"

They watched him go. Sonic sighed, looking down.

"So all those people are dead," He gritted his teeth, looking up with renewed will. "But if I can't save them, I can at least avenge them and let them rest in peace."

"We'll make him pay, Sonic," Tails assured. "I promise."

Master Emerald Shrine

Knuckles stirred a small pot of stew, doling out two bowls. He then set the pot in front of Chomps, who began slurping.

"Hey, Knuckles…" Kat began.

"What's up?" Knuckles asked.

"Do you know what happened to your people?" Kat asked. "At all?"

Knuckles sighed, setting his bowl to the side.

"No," he admitted. "It happened when I was around ten. It was just after a war with our sworn enemies, the Dingo Regime. I'd just started my Guardian duties when the dingoes, my people, and the entire city of Echidnaopolis just vanished. Poof."

"How long ago was that?" Kat questioned.

"About six or seven years."

"You've been alone this entire time?" Kat realized. "That's awful."

"I wasn't completely alone," Knuckles clarified. "I had Chomps."

"Still…" Kat insisted. "How did you do it?"

Knuckles tilted his head quizzically. "Do what?"

"Go on all by yourself."

Knuckles looked back at the Shrine.

"I had a purpose," he said simply. "A reason to go on. My duties as Guardian gave me focus."

"A purpose…" Kat repeated, before tightening her fist. "Then I know what mine is."

Knuckles looked over.

"I'm gonna avenge my people," Kat vowed. "I'm going to make sure that the one responsible for their deaths pays…"

"Are you sure you want to go down that path?" Knuckles asked. "Even if you do get revenge on Sonic, it may not give you the satisfaction you hope. My elder Guardians always told me that vengeance always leads to disappointment."

"It's not vengeance," Kat insisted. "It's justice. He left us to die. He needs to pay…" She sighed. "I need closure. It's the only way I can move on with the rest of my life."

Knuckles still wasn't entirely convinced, but decided to let the matter drop. "Just make sure you don't regret your choices."

"Believe me," Kat promised. "I won't."

Author's Note:

Well, now Sonic's definitely gunning for Robotnik's ass. What's gonna happen next?

You'll find out in the next chapter, when Sonic and Tails face the dangers of the Carnival Night Zone.

The Grand Conservatory, Dingo Regime, and Enerjak should all sound quite familiar to those who's read the Archie Comics.

Please R&R. Until next time!