- Chapter 51 -

Return to Angel Island

Echidnaopolis

A Warp Ring opened in the center of the ruins of Echidnaopolis. Sonic's group came through, followed by Rotor's.

"Home sweet home, or what's left of it," Knuckles said.

"Incredible…" Porker mused. "I can't believe I'm standing in the Echidnaopolis."

"Didn't take you for a history buff," Rotor said.

"The Echidna were perhaps the most technologically advanced race in all of Mobius history," Porker explained. "Second only to the Ancients."

"Yeah, well, not all us Echidna like technology," Knuckles replied, heading for the shrine. "In fact, excess technology is part of the reason I'm the only Echidna left."

"Hey, where are you going?" Johnny asked.

"To make sure the Master Emerald is where I left it," Knuckles replied. "I didn't expect to be dragged halfway across Mobius."

They followed him to the shrine. Much to Knuckles' relief, the Master Emerald was still there, untouched..

"Thank Aurora…" he sighed.

The others headed up, Rotor's group floored by the massive Emerald.

"That's the Master Emerald?" Rotor asked.

" Yeah, the only thing left of my people," Knuckles replied. "And my only reason for existing. Well... one of the only reasons now."

He glanced over to a small section of the shrine. There was a tarp strung up between two pillars, a cot with a few blankets, and a few work books pinned down under some painted rocks. For a small area, it was surprisingly homey.

"Is that where Kat's been staying?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah," Knuckles confirmed. "I tried to get her to stay in one of the houses, but she insisted on staying out here. It's… nice, not being alone anymore."

"How long has it just been you?" Tails asked.

"Since I was ten," Knuckles replied. "One day, the rest of the Echidnas were here. The next, they were just gone. I had no clue how or why until Relic came along and did some research."

"Oh yeah, Relic!" Tails perked. "How is she?"

"She's been good," Knuckles replied. "She's been working on a project in the conservatory, though I never did get a chance to check on her before we were transported."

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to see how she's doing before we get to work." Sonic decided.

"What's the conservatory?" Rotor asked.

"Where the Echidna stored all of their tech," Knuckles explained.

Porker had stars in his eyes.

"Porker, snap out of it," Johnny told him. "You're drooling."

Porker shook his head to clear it, wiping his mouth. "Right, sorry."

Marble Garden

In front of the Grand Conservatory, Relic was working on something when the Freedom Fighters arrived.

"Sonic! And friends!" Relic greeted. "Well this is a surprise. What brings you by?"

"We wanted to see how you've been doing," Sonic told her. "Knuckles mentioned a project you've been working on."

"Oh yeah!" Relic declared excitedly. "Here, let me show you!"

She grabbed Sonic's hand, pulling him into the conservatory, eliciting a yelp from the hedgehog. Knuckles smirked, chuckling slightly.

"You get used to that," he remarked.

The others followed the Pika deeper into the conservatory, stopping short to see the robots Relic had found so long ago. They were standing at attention, looking much better than before, though not a hundred percent complete just yet.

"I found these in a back room shortly after you and Tails left," Relic explained. "I've still got a ways to go before they're fully operational, but when they are, Knuckles will be able to leave the Master Emerald in their capable servos so he can finally leave the island without worry."

"Really?" Sonic asked. "What are these things?"

"Guardian Robots," Relic replied. "According to my research, a gift to the Echidnas from the Ancients after they assisted in a war. The very first Guardian of the Master Emerald, Edmund, used them as his backup whenever he needed to leave Angel Island."

"I figured once they're operational again, I'll take up that offer to join you guys," Knuckles added. "I'm not completely abandoning my Guardian duties. But these robots will still be useful and help take some of the edge off."

"And it has nothing to do with getting off the island and seeing the world below with your new, plucky sidekick?" Sonic quipped.

"...maybe a little," Knuckles admitted.

"Nothing wrong with that," Tails said.

With that, Sonic clapped his hands. "Now that that's done, let's get back to work. We clear on our jobs?"

"My group handles the Hydrocity, and you guys handle the Lava Reef." Rotor recalled.

"Right," Sonic nodded. "Oh, and keep an eye out for a squid Mutate that may or may not be dead, just FYI."

Rotor just blinked in confusion.

"Long story," Sonic said simply.

They dispersed at that, Tails smirking playfully.

"You deliberately brought Rotor along so they could handle the Hydrocity, huh?" he asked.

"The farther I am away from water, the better." Sonic replied flatly.

"So this great big hero is afraid of water," Knuckles mused. "Cute."

"You would be too if you almost drowned when you were six." Sonic said defensively.

"You kidding?" Knuckles asked. "I was swimming laps in Azure Lake by the time I was four."

"I can swim if the occasion calls for it," Sonic assured. "But why bother when I can let a walrus handle the situation? They're made for the water."

Knuckles scoffed. "Whatever you say, Fraidy the Hedgehog."

That set Sonic off. "Why, you-!"

He started chasing after Knuckles, the Echidna laughing as he headed for the Lava Reef while Tails just sighed, rolling his eyes.

Hydrocity

Rotor's group headed underground, finding the Hydrocity.

"Well, I can see why it's called Hydrocity." Johnny noted.

"And why Sonic was so dead set against being the one to cover the Emerald here," Porker added.

"Two things you can count on with Sonic," Rotor remarked. "He's gotta go fast, and he hates water."

"We'll search the surface," Porker told him.

"And I'll handle the water," Rotor declared.

With that, Rotor dove in as Porker and Johnny spread out, beginning their own search. Before long, they heard what seemed to be a muted explosion, the entire city shaking.

"Don't need to be a genius to know that's not good," Johnny said.

"Agreed," Porker nodded. "Where'd it come from?"

Rotor's head broke the surface of the water. "I'm guessing you heard that. I'll check."

He dove back down, looking around. Eventually, his efforts bore fruit: he saw a figure in scuba gear bearing the Robotnik Empire insignia swimming around, deploying water mines. He swam up to the diver, tapping them on the shoulder. The figure turned around, revealing the green skin and red eyes of Grimer.

"My word!" Rotor greeted. "Aren't you a sight?"

Grimer's eyes widened, and he lashed out with a kick, slapping Rotor in the face with a flipper before trying to make a break for it. Rotor grabbed his ankle.

"Oh, no you don't!" he declared.

On the surface, Porker and Johnny were startled when Grimer was thrown out of the water onto the land in front of them, Rotor following.

"I've found our explosive saboteur," Rotor reported.

He yanked off Grimer's mask, Porker and Johnny recoiling at the sight of him.

"You're an ugly one," Porker mused.

"Did Eggman do this to you?" Johnny asked.

"No, you fools. I was born this way," Grimer shot back. "I'm from the Misery Zone."

The three all let out "ohs" of realization.

"Terribly sorry," Rotor noted.

"No, it's quite alright," Grimer stood up, bowing. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Grimer Wormtongue, an associate of Dr. Robotnik since his days as Julian Kintobor."

"A pleasure to meet you," Porker replied. "However, it would seem we've caught one another in an awkward situation."

"I'll say," Johnny agreed. "Why were you trying to blow up the city? You could have brought everything down on top of yourself."

"I wasn't trying to blow up the city itself," Grimer clarified. "Just create openings to search for the Chaos Emeralds."

That put the three on edge.

"I see…" Rotor mused. "Have you proof it's there? Because if you're just planting charges willy nilly, that's a good way to get yourself killed."

"No. We just know that you and the rest of Sonic's friends are searching for them."

"Even with the Phantom Ruby, he still wants the Chaos Emeralds?" Johnny asked.

"To stack the deck," Grimer explained. "As Dr. Robotnik said, even with all seven Emeralds, Sonic will never be able to defeat the Titanic Monarch. But he'd rather not take the chance."

"A fair stratagem, considering his past defeats," Porker noted. "Still, I fear we must be off with the Emerald, if for no other reason than to keep you from burying yourself in rubble."

"I'm afraid I can't allow that," Grimer told them. "I'm not leaving Hydrocity without the Emerald."

"What're you gonna do, keep blowing things up until you bring a pile of ancient ruins down on your head?" Johnny asked.

"Indeed," said Rotor. "The three of us are no strangers to combat, but I highly doubt you have ever seen combat in person. This will not end well for you."

"Well, it's a good thing I have an ace up my sleeve." Grimer pressed a button before falling back into the water. They ran to the edge just as a modified submarine broke the surface with Grimer in the cockpit. It was a large and red round-shaped Egg Mobile with yellow and black streaks running across it to form an "X", four large black and gold thrusters that are positioned at the four corners of its body, and a two-headed yellow and red propeller on the front.

"Yeah…" Johnny agreed. "That'll do it."

Lava Reef Zone

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles had made it into the Lava Reef, carefully making their way across the edges and avoiding the magma. Sonic pulled at his collar, fanning himself.

"Next time I hit Honey's shop, I'm gonna ask her if she can install something like an air conditioner." he muttered.

"Can't take the heat?" Knuckles asked. "Wuss."

"Says the guy not wearing a shirt." Sonic shot back.

Knuckles looked down at himself. "Yeah, that's a good point. Well made."

"Oh, boy…" Tails sighed. "This is gonna be a thing with you two, isn't it?"

"Aw c'mon, Tails," Sonic insisted. "It's not often I run into someone who actually enjoys a little friendly ribbing."

"Yeah," Knuckles agreed. "Nothing wrong with a little fun."

Rolling his eyes, Tails double-checked the Miles Electric.

"Looks like the Chaos Emerald is in the Hidden Palace," he mused before squinting. "That's odd… Hey Knuckles, you feeling anything?"

"What do you-" Knuckles stopped, bracing a hand on the wall as another went to his stomach. "Uh-oh… don't tell me…"

Tails nodded. "Judging by the readings, the Phantom Ruby is in the Palace too."

"Thought I was feeling a bit lightheaded," Sonic remarked. "I just assumed it was the heat."

"Robotnik…" Knuckles growled. "He's here…"

He hurried toward the tunnel to the Hidden Palace, Sonic and Tails behind him.

-X-

Hidden Palace

Knuckles shattered the rock blocking the path to Hidden Palace with one punch, allowing him, Sonic, and Tails entrance. When they came through, they were surprised to find the Heavy King attempting to abscond. with the Super Emeralds.

"The Super Emeralds!" Tails exclaimed. "They're still here!"

"They returned where they belonged," Knuckles replied. "What did you expect?"

Sonic shrugged. "I assumed that once I used them to take out the Death Egg, they'd turn back into normal Chaos Emeralds and disperse."

"That's not how Chaos energy works, dumbass," Knuckles snapped, whacking him upside the head. Sonic fell flat on his face as Knuckles winced. "Sorry."

Sonic got up, glaring before he realized something.

"Wait…" he said. "One of the Heavies is here. Where's the Phantom Ruby? Where's Eggman?"

Tails raised the Miles Electric. Much to his shock, the Phantom Ruby signature was coming from the King himself.

"Of course," Knuckles deduced. "The Heavy absorbed the Phantom Ruby's radiation. That's what we're sensing."

"Anyway…" Sonic dashed forward, ramming into the King and knocking him back.

"Sorry pal, but you're not laying a servo on the Super Emeralds!" he declared.

The King rose to his full height, glaring at them.

"You can't stop me, Sonic!" he swore. "With the power of these Emeralds, I will be free!"

Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Free?"

"Yes," the King confirmed. "Robotnik had planted a chip in my head. In the heads of all my brethren. But with the power of these Emeralds, I will destroy the chips. Free us all. And we will rule Mobius!"

"You're planning to betray Eggman?" Tails asked.

"The Phantom Ruby gave me and my brethren more than new forms and new power," the King explained. "We have free will, self-awareness. And we're not about to leave a source of infinite power like the Phantom Ruby in the hands of a petty, immature wannabe tyrant who's lost to a group of teenage Mobians four times in a row."

Sonic snorted, covering his mouth. "Okay, that was good."

Knuckles crossed his arms, glaring at the hedgehog.

"What?" Sonic defended. "It was."

"Now the only thing standing between me and Mobius' true destiny... is you, hedgehog."

With that proclamation, the King landed atop one of the Super Emeralds, plugging his scepter directly into it as he channeled its energy."

"That's not so good…" Sonic admitted.

Hydrocity

The submarine robot lifted its hands, trying to crush the trio. Rotor dove into the water, charging at it, but the submarine dipped down, its propeller spinning so fast that it produced a current that blew the walrus backwards.

"This won't be easy," Rotor mused.

"There's gotta be a way to take that thing down!" Porker insisted.

"Just so you know, Freedom Fighters, it's nothing personal!" Grimer informed them. "But I've got my orders!"

He pointed the propeller down, creating a whirlpool that sucked Rotor in. Focusing with all his might, Rotor spun with the current, preparing a Drill Rush.

"The feeling's mutual!" he replied. "Perhaps if things were different, we could be colleagues!"

He launched himself forward, fighting through the current before plowing into Grimer's submarine. He circled around, pummeling it from all directions.

"Perhaps!" Grimer agreed as he deployed water mines from the sub. Staying outside of the whirlpool, Johnny took his staff, batting the mines back at Grimer.

"Nice try, but not good enough!" the rabbit taunted as the mines exploded, rocking the sub even more.

"Well…" Grimer began calmly, "things are going downhill for me, aren't they?"

"Do yourself a favor and surrender!" Porker ordered. "We'll pull you out and make sure nothing happens to you."

Instead, Grimer threw a switch just as Rotor landed a final Drill Rush, ejecting from the sub and flying on a jet pack.

"The outcome of this battle has been decided. I know when to cut my losses," he informed them. "We'll meet again, Freedom Fighters!"

And with that, he made his escape.

"Bad man," Johnny mused. "But good manners. Eggman could learn something from him."

Rotor pulled himself out of the water, shaking water out of his blubber. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

The sub sank down into the water before exploding. A glint off something in the depths caught Rotor's eye.

"Hello…" He dove back in before resurfacing, the cyan Chaos Emerald in hand. "Second time I've pulled one of these from the water."

"Well, that's our good deed for the day," Porker said. "Wonder how Sonic's doing?"

Hidden Palace

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails were forced on the defensive as the Heavy King fired Chaos energy bolts at them from his scepter.

"How ironic!" the King bragged. "The very power you used to defeat Dr. Robotnik time and time again turned against you, Sonic!"

"He's got a point," Tails mused. "We can't get close enough!"

"I know," Sonic said simply.

"We need a plan!" Knuckles insisted.

"I know!" Sonic snapped, thinking before snapping his fingers. "His scepter! That's how he's channeling the Chaos energy!"

He waved Tails and Knuckles over. "Operation Decoy. One of us draws his fire and attention, and the others get the scepter and take him down."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Sonic agreed.

He came out of hiding, sticking his tongue out and waggling his fingers at the King. He kept firing on him, only for Sonic to taunt him by dodging out of the way, performing such moves as slapping his rear at him, performing ballerina twirls, before throwing himself into a Russian-style squat dance.

"Moscow, Moscow, I-don't-know-the-frickin'-words, I-don't-know-the-frickin'-words, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! HEY!" he chanted. "Moscow, Moscow, I-don't-know-the-frickin'-words, I-don't-know-the-frickin'-words, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! HEY!"

"Wise guy!" the King screamed. "I'll show you!"

As the Heavy King kept trying to fire on him, Knuckles came up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder. He turned, getting a spiked fist to the chin as he went flying, the scepter spinning up in the air. Tails snagged it midair, snapping it over his knee. The King hit the ground, dazed and inactive. That was when Metal Sonic suddenly appeared, standing between Team Sonic and him.

"You again?!" Sonic demanded.

"I'm not here for you this time," Metal informed him. "The doctor feared the Heavies would still plot a betrayal, so he sent me after them."

"So what, you're a robotic babysitter now?" Tails asked. "Ouch."

Metal scowled before grabbing the King, taking to the sky and pointing at Sonic.

"Next time, Sonic, it's your carcass I'll be dragging to the doctor to kneel before him." he vowed before departing with the King in tow.

"Was that-?" Knuckles began.

"A metal me," Sonic confirmed. "The final version Eggman cooked up."

"In fact, that's literally his name," Tails added. "Metal Sonic."

"Huh…" Knuckles let out.

A glow then emanated from the wall, causing the three to turn. Knuckles punched through the wall, the cyan Chaos Emerald dropping to the ground. Sonic picked it up, tossing it in his hand before sliding it into one of his pant pockets.

"Perfect."

Little Planet

At the Metallic Madness Zone, Metal dumped the King before Robotnik.

"It's as you feared, Doctor," he reported. "The Heavy King attempted to betray you at Angel Island."

Robotnik tsk-tsked in disappointment. "You were my elite. One of my best. Why would you betray me?"

"The Phantom Ruby made me self-aware. And I've had time to think, Doctor."

"Then tell me, what is the "Heavy King" thinking about?"

"You have big plans and good executions, but not the necessary subtlety and patience. At every turn, Sonic and his Freedom Fighters, a group of mere children, have thwarted your plans. You've made no progress toward conquering Mobius. None. For all your grandiose schemes, you are no closer to your goal than when you began. Why would me or my Heavies desire to continue serving such a failure of a despot?"

Robotnik snarled, his fists clenching in rage.

"You're only angry because you know I'm right," Heavy King declared.

"I warn you, Heavy King, I'm just a hair's breadth from activating the self-destruct chip in your head."

"Then do it. Because I refuse to bow down to a worthless wannabe dictator with no chance of success."

"And you came so highly recommended," Robotnik sighed before pressing the button.

Heavy King exploded into scrap metal. From the doorway, the 6-S watched, wincing, and Orbot sighed.

"What a senseless waste of robot life." he lamented.

"Orbot! Cubot!" Robotnik shouted. "Clean up this mess!"

The two immediately went to do so as Robotnik stormed off, looking over the Titanic Monarch with Metal by his side.

"Sonic and his band will be on the Little Planet before long," Robotnik told him. "I want you to ambush them at Stardust Speedway."

"Of course, Doctor," Metal said. "I won't fail you this time. I swear it."

He departed, leaving Robotnik to brood over the King's words.

"You're wrong, Heavy King," he swore. "I will succeed. One way or another... Mobius will be mine."

Author's Note:

Six Chaos Emeralds down, one to go.

The Guardian Robots are another thing taken from Sonic the Comic. My way of trying to explain how Knuckles hardly ever seems to be actually guarding the Master Emerald after Sonic Adventure 2.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Heavy King - Tim Curry

Please R&R. Until next time!