Hedgehogs Unleashed Saga Episode 8: Investigating Empire City, and the Gaia Temple of Shamar
Sometime later, Sonic, Eve, and the gang arrive in the city of Shamar, a desert city where people have their homes made of stone, and wear saris and other essentials to keep themselves cool from the heat.
"Welcome to Shamar, everyone," Professor Pickle says.
"Wow. It looks amazing," Cosmo says.
"It's rather hot though," Amy says.
"Well, the place is in the middle of the desert area," Sonic says.
"So where's your lab?" Tails asks.
"Not far from here. Now come, as should get everything set up for our next search," Professor Pickle says.
The group then follows Professor Pickle down the streets of Shamar, and soon reach his lab. Like the one in Spagonia, there are books, ancient artifacts, and other tools and materials for his research.
"Welcome to my lab," Professor Pickle says.
"The place is amazing," Eve says.
"Yeah. Pretty cool stuff," Sonic says.
"Thank you," Professor Pickle says, "I know we just arrived here, but I think you and Eve should check out the Empire City, on the other continent. That's another spot you'll likely want to investigate."
"Okay Professor. We'll be sure to check it out," Eve says.
"But first, let's see if we can find one of the Gaia Keys in the area while it's daylight," Sonic says.
"See you guys, later," Eve says.
"Bye," Chip says.
With that, the two hedgehogs and little Imp take their leave and begin to search around. The three begin speeding through the city as they check out the different sights and locations of the town.
"There are a lot of stores and other stuff around here," Eve says.
"And the place feels really hot, I feel like melting," Chip says.
"Well, hopefully the speed will help cool you off," Sonic says.
The three continue reaching around as they look around in different directions.
Sonic days, "Hey Eve, I'm going to check out the outskirts of the city. You and Chip stay here."
"Okay," Eve says.
Sonic then speeds out of the city as Eve and Chip begin to search around the city for the Sun Key. Eve continues searching around as she searches for the Sun Key.
"Do you see the key yet?" Chip asks.
"Not yet," Eve answers, "The City is pretty big so it will take a while."
"Hope Sonic is having better luck," Eve says.
Meanwhile, Sonic is speeding through the desert and comes across some ancient ruins. And of course, he ends up having a run in with Dr. Eggman's robots.
"Well, looks like I got more toys to break," Sonic says, and begins to spin dashes them.
The Egg Fighters get busted into pieces from the spin dashes as Sonic continues speeding through the canyon and fighting the robots. After traveling through the desert and the ruins, he soon comes across a small pedestal standing at the front entrance of some structure. And there, he sees the Sun Key of Shamar's Gaia Temple.
"There it is," Sonic says.
Sonic then takes the key from the pedestal and runs back.
Sonic says to himself, "One half down, and another half to go."
Sonic then continues speeding across the desert land and gets back to Shamar.
Back in the town square, Eve and Chip have searched for the key, but no luck.
"No key," Chip says, disappointed.
"Maybe Sonic has better luck," Eve says.
And in the matter of seconds, Sonic returns with the Sun Key of Shamar, "One Sun Key, found and delivered."
"Hey bro, glad you found it," Eve says.
"Now all we need to do is find the Moon Key," Chip says.
"But we'll have to wait until it gets dark. Then we can go find the Gaia Temple," Sonic says.
"Maybe we can go to the Empire City and see what we can find," Chip says.
"I guess, but I'm not very eager to go there," Eve says.
"Why not?" Chip asks.
Sonic sighs, "Because Breezie is in Empire City. She's someone we met, and we're not exactly on the best of terms."
"Uh, she tried to get you, me, and Tails killed, " Eve says, annoyed, and glares towards Sonic, "Not to mention, she works for Eggman of all people."
"I get it, sis. But still, we need to investigate this, and we won't even see her," Sonic says.
Eve sighs, "Alright, I just hope we don't run into her while we're there."
Sometime later, in the day, the three arrived in the Empire City. They begin to walk around the place to explore the city. They both speed across the city as they see if there's any signs of trouble.
"So far, there doesn't seem to be any trouble yet," Sonic days.
"Maybe it's been going on at night," Eve says.
"You might be right. There's been a lot of crazy stuff happening during the night," Chip says.
The three continue to search around the city as they explore through the streets, the buildings, and other places. Of course, they soon end up hearing something.
"Do you hear something?" Eve asks.
They both turn to see Eggman's large robots coming towards them.
"It's more of Eggman's robots," Sonic says.
Sonic and Eve see the robots chasing and try to blast them. Of course, Sonic and Eve are able to spin dash and beat them quickly. They continue to battle and fight against the robots until they're defeated.
"Another group of Eggman's robots bite the dust," Eve says.
"Yeah, but there doesn't seem to be anything else here, we should wait until tonight. I've got a feeling that it has to do with the Gaia monsters," Sonic says.
Later that night, Sonic changes to his werehog form, and is ready to look around the Empire City during the Dark Gaia Hour. They soon walk to the town square and notice a few people who seem very strange, and notice the strange smoke emitting from them.
"Something's up," Eve says.
Eve walks over and asks, "Excuse me, you feel okay?"
"H-Hey. What do you think talent is? What's it good for?" The student says, dejected, "I must not have any. I thought I was going to be the world's best doctor…" and says, "HA! HOW DUMB CAN I BE?!"
That causes Eve to move back.
"I think that's what the professor wanted us to investigate," Sonic says.
Chip then brings out the camera, "And we gotta help these people from the Gaia minions."
"Take your best shot, Chip," Eve says.
Chip then adjusts the camera and takes a picture of the student. That causes the Gaia Minions to come out of his body. Chip then notices a few more are acting the same, and Chip takes more pictures, causing more Dark Gaia monsters to come out.
"There's a lot of them," Chip says.
"Let's take them down," Eve says and throws an energy ball at it.
Sonic then shakes and throws punches and kicks at the monsters. Eve makes the energized daggers and attacks the monsters until they dissolve into nothing. However, a large Dark Gaia monster appears, causing the group to be shocked. Together, Sonic and Eve begin fighting against the large Dark Gaia Demon and continue fighting it until it defeats and dissolves into nothingness.
Eve sighs in relief, "That was close."
"Yeah. That monster was a doozy," Sonic days.
Soon, the medical student regains himself, "Hmmm? What's this? All that lethargy, gone! I feel good as new! My treatment must have worked! I knew it could treat anything!" and his spirit is lifted and takes his leave.
"Glad to see he's back to normal," Chip says.
"Everyone else is okay as well," Sonic says, "But I have a feeling there's more Dark Gaia Monsters running about."
"That's right. We gotta stop these monsters and any of Eggman's robots, and help those people," Eve says.
"Then let's go," Sonic says.
With that, the two hedgehogs speed off and they off in different directions. Sonic takes to the air and climbs up the buildings while Eve is joined by Chip to help the people from down below. Of course, their exploration of the city has Sonic scaling the buildings, as Eve speeds through the traffic with Chip. And of course, Sonic and Eve each have to beat any Dark Gaia Monsters roaming about and help the people who've been possessed by their influence. The two hedgehogs each separately defeat one Dark Gaia Monster after another, until they are for sure able to defeat them.
After the multiple fighting, Sonic and Eve return to town square.
"I think we got them all for the time being," Sonic says.
"Yeah. and now that it's night time. I think it's time we go back to Shamar and find that Gaia Key," Eve says.
"Right," Sonic says.
Sometime later, after their investigation, the three return to Shamar. However, upon arriving, they notice something strange is going on with the people as well.
One of the citizens says, "Oh boy, I could sure use a nice glass of iced coffee. On hot days like this, iced coffee's a no-brainer over hot Chai."
"Uh oh," Eve says.
Chip then brings out his camera and takes the picture. And soon, more Gaia goons come out.
"Here we go again," Sonic days.
Sonic and Eve begin fighting off the Dark Gaia minions with their attachments once more, and it turns out to be quick with their abilities. After the Gaia minions are gone, the man returns back to his normal state.
Soon, the man regains his senses, "Hm? Hmmm…? My mind suddenly seems so clear! Now I can once more experience the wonderful world of Chai!"
Sonic and Eve turn to each other with confused looks.
"Come on guys, let's check with Professor Pickle and see what else we he has found," Eve says
And with that, the three return to Professor Pickle's lab.
"Hello everyone, I'm glad you all made it safe," Professor Pickle says.
"Thanks Professor. The Dark Gaia monsters were out of control in the Empire City, so are Eggman's robots," Sonic days.
"Yeah. And we managed to find one, the Sun Gaia Key," Eve says.
"That's good to hear. I've made another breakthrough myself," Professor Pickle says, "The manuscript suggests a temple lies in the Adabat area."
"That's good. So now we know the fifth and sixth one, but we still need to find the last Gaia Temple," Sonic days.
"I quite agree. I'll see if I can locate the last Gaia Temple. Meanwhile, it's best you find the Moon Key and head to Shamar's Gaia Temple," Professor Pickle says.
"We're on it," Eve says.
Sonic, Eve, and Chip take their leave from the professor's lab and begin to search for the Moon Key. However, as soon as they make it to the city's street, a frightening Dark Gaia monster appears, and it doesn't look friendly, and has a staff.
"Uh oh," Eve says.
"Looks like we'll have to deal with that first," Sonic says.
He then stretches his arm to grab a barrel and throws it at him, soaking him.
Eve then conjures her green energized daggers, "And now you've got his attention."
"I soak and you knock it to next tuesday?" Sonic asks.
"Deal" Sonic says.
Eve then speeds ahead and is able to punch, kick, and slice the Gaia minion down. However, more Gaia show up.
"There's more of them!" Chip cries out.
"I'll get 'em!" Sonic says.
And then uses his extended arm to slice one of them. Then runs and claws his way at them. Eve then uses her multiple energy balls to hit the Dark Gaia minions until they dissolve. Sonic and Eve continue fighting against them with their powers until they manage to destroy all the monsters. With the others gone, they managed to defeat the first Gaia monster that appeared. But of course, there are more of them that appeared.
"How many of these are there?" Chip asks.
"Too many to count!" Eve answers.
"Let's hurry before they hurt someone," Sonic says.
And soon, the two hedgehogs continue fighting against the Dark Gaia monsters that've been in the city, and more of them continue appearing everytime they defeat a certain amount in the area. And soon enough, they managed to kill all the monsters in the city. Sonic and Eve are relieved to see that all the monsters are gone.
"That was too much," Eve says.
"I've never seen that many Gaia spirits in my life," Chip says.
"Yeah, but we need to find that key, and fast," Sonic says.
Sonic and Eve then leave the city and head out into the canyon area. The three rush through the canyon area, and reach some of the ancient ruins to see more Dark Gaia monsters.
"There's more of them," Eve says.
"And they're very active," Sonic says.
"Let's hurry and get out of here," Eve says.
Sonic and Eve continue fighting off the monsters, clawing, slashing, punching, and kicking. They continue fighting their way through the area. Once they're taken care of, they rush to see in front of the ruins is the Moon Key of the Shamar Gaia Temple.
"There it is," Eve says, and grabs half of the key.
Sonic then brings out the Sun Key of Shamar's Temple. They both place the halves together for it to become whole again.
"That was close," Sonic says.
"Yes, but now that we've found the key, we better find the Gaia Temple," Eve says.
Suddenly, they both end up hearing something.
"Uh, what was that?" Sonic asks.
Chip turns and notices, "It's coming from over there."
"Let's hurry," Sonic says.
The three then take their leave and dash to find the entrance to the Gaia Temple. However, there is a large sparking ball of light. It then begins to take some kind of effect as the three arrive on the scene.
They look to see a very large Dark Gaia, which looks like the Deep Nightmare creatures that's been attacking. It mostly resembles a humanoid lizard, but unlike the Deep Nightmare, it has thin arms with four-fingered hands, no spikes on its back and a straight tail. It possesses a horn similar to the Deep Nightmare, but it is turned over the right side of its face, which is highly detailed with pointed purple and white streaks. He also has small white eyes and long green hair. It wears non-organic body armor. It has gauntlets on its hands, upper arms, feet and lower legs, with a golden ring around its right wrist. It also carries a large warhammer with a round end that is occasionally surrounded in purple electricity.
It lands on the courtyard to reveal that there are blue glowing boxes.
"This could be a problem," Eve says.
"And it's blocking our way to the temple," Chip says.
"Then let's force it to give us access," Sonic says as he jumps into the fight and begins attacking.
The Dark Guardian then begins to slam its hammer to the ground to attack Sonic, but Sonic dodges and attacks it. Eve then begins attacking the other monsters. Sonic is able to knock it down for the time being.
"That should take care of it," Sonic says.
"But how are we going to get in?" Eve asks.
But Chip grows worried, "Uh guys, look!"
Sonic and Eve turn to see another Gaia minion approaches the Dark Guardian, and it absorbs it, regaining its health.
"Uh oh!" Chip says.
"Oh great," Eve says.
"We gotta stop that thing and stop any more monsters from giving the Guardian strength, "Sonic says.
Soon, the three dodge the attacks the Gaia monster is doing.
Chip then notices the strange boxes, "Hey guys, maybe those boxes can help." What if you took the boxes over to the blue place over there."
"It's worth a try," Sonic says. Then turns to Eve, "Eve, you distract it while I move one of these boxes."
"You got it," EVe says.
Eve then throws an energy ball at the guardian and is able to make her hands glow green, energizing it. Then she begins to throw punches at the monsters. That also makes her feet glow and perform powerful kicks.
"Come on, Chip. Help me push!" Sonic says.
"You got it!" Chip says.
Sonic and Chip work together to push the box to the blue place while Eve continues fighting against the monsters. Sonic and Chip are able to push the block to the blue place and it slides it the aisle and towards the pillar. That energizes the box and a beam comes up to reveal the above and blasts a part of the wall, weakening the Dark Gaia monster.
Chip cries out, "Ackkk! Something broke!"
"Yes, but it's working!" Eve says.
Just then, the Dark Gaia Guardian charges towards Sonic and Eve.
"Look out guys!" Chip asks.
Sonic uses his hand to stop it in its tracks before throwing the first punch, knocking it down. Then Eve throws the next kick, and continues to fight off the monster.
"Sonic, we gotta move another box!" Chip calls out.
Sonic and Chip get behind the other box and begin to push. But the Dark Gaia minion begins to push it from the other side. Seeing it, Eve fires an energy ball that knocks the monster out of the way.
"Thanks sis," Sonic says.
"No problem!" Eve says.
Eve continues fighting against the other Gaia monsters and makes sure none of them can help energize the monster long enough for Sonic and Chip to push the box in the blue place. Then the same event happens, it creates a powerful energy and is able to weaken the monster and break part of the wall.
"It's definitely working!" Chip says.
"I think one more should do it!" Eve says.
"Then let's finish it," Sonic says.
Eve then gives the monster a spin dash to move it out of the way, and Sonic and Chip act fast and move the box forward, and is able to knock the wall again with the box that energized it.
"We're almost there," Eve says.
"Now let's finish it!" Sonic says.
The Guardian charges and Sonic mananges to grab it by the hammer, and throws his fists. Then Eve mananges to knock the hammer off the monster's arm and picks it up with her hand.
Eve says in a remark, "You really think you can use this hammer! Hah! Amy is a lot better at it than you!"
Eve then slams the monster on the back with its own hammer and knocks it out cold.
Sonic laughs, "I bet Amy would be proud of you using a hammer!"
"Thanks," Eve says.
And now that the wall is destroyed and the Guardian is defeated, Sonic, Eve, and Chip are able to get into the temple.
"Now that thing is out of the way, we can get into the temple," Sonic days.
Eve brings out the key and the same event happens. It reaches the keyhole of the Gaia Temple, turns, and it allows the temple to open. With that, the three hurry inside.
Soon enough, the three run up to the central altar while Chip flies over. As they get there, Chip lands on the central altar and makes the smaller pedestal appear while his necklace glows. Then the Emerald Sword begins to glow yellow along with the Chaos Emerald. The three nod their heads and Sonic places the yellow Chaos Emerald on the pedestal from afar with his extendable arm. The Chaos Emerald rises into the air and its power is restored.
And with the power of the Chaos Emerald has been restored and the Chaos Emerald has been activated, another planet's piece has been restored. And now, after another piece of the world has been restored, there are two more pieces of the world left to be restored.
After that, the three return to Professor Pickle's lab.
"Well done, you've restored another piece of the planet," Professor Pickle says.
"Yeah, and we only have two more temples left to find," Chip says.
"Chop well down for you," Professor Pickle says.
"Were you able to find the last temple," Eve asks.
"Sadly, I have not," Professor Pickle says, "It's like it's struggling to give us an exact location. I have to assume that if we restore the sixth emerald and piece of the planet, the last temple's location will become clear. But first, you must find the Sun and Moon Key from ad
"Then our chance is to find the Sun and Moon Key from Adabat, and find the temple," Professor Pickle says, "However, I advised you to be careful. If Eggman learns that you've already restored five of the pieces and restored five of the seven emeralds, he'll try to stop you."
"Right," Sonic says.
"Let's ask Tails to help us find the keys and the temple," Eve says.
"And get a ride over," Chip says.
The three friends then take their leave to find Tails and get help on getting to the next place where the temple is.
Luckily, they're able to find Tails and they are ready to take off.
"Okay, so our next destination is Adabat," Tails says.
"Then let's take off," Sonic days.
And with that, Tails starts the engines of the Tornado 1, and flies off with Sonic, Eve, and Chip to find the sixth Gaia Temple, and restore another piece of the planet.
