Sonic The Hedgehog: New World

by LionHeart2023

A lost soul ends up reincarnated as an anthropomorphic character in Sonic's World, as some forgotten failed Ultimate Lifeform experiment. But after awakening, discovers a system function similar to RPG Games. Unlock Level-Ups, Rank-Ups, Evolution, Skills, Abilities, etc. Life's about to get more interesting when living in one's favorite game series. A New Tale In A New World...

7. Chapter 06: Save Angel Island!

Greetings everyone, it's been a long wait, but I've managed to get enough done here. It was a tough Touch-n-Go, but these things take time. And boy is there some exciting stuff that will just blow your mind. Especially when all Seven Chaos Emeralds are together, but will there be a Super Mode, or perhaps something else? In any case, there's gonna be some exciting stuff as the plot begins to thicken with more things to make things interesting. So let's dive right in and see what happens now, shall we…

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Chapter 06: Save Angel Island!

SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES

The scene shows the Leo Carrier flying through the air at this time. Then zooming close towards the bridge, we spot Nicole sitting in the captain's chair. As the Holo-Lynx was working, a few Leo Breakers and Leo Bandits were performing their duties by the front controls of the bridge. Then one of the doors opened to reveal Shard was casually walking in, looked around, then spotted Nicole and where she was station.

"Comfy are we?" Shard made a sly smile to crack a joke on the spot.

"What do you mean?" Nicole looked back puzzled by what the black metal hedgehog was talking about.

"Well, you are in the captain's chair, are you not?" Shard issued on where precisely Nicole was, sitting in the commander's chair which was suppose to be the seat for their leader: Leo the Lion.

"I am just working some of the controls here." Nicole stated on not letting such a trivial thing distract what she is performing right now.

"Can't you just do that wirelessly?" Shard reminds Nicole that she is a special AI and can exist in the network: she doesn't need to be physically present all the time.

"Hmm? What's your point?" Nicole suddenly felt that there was something about this topic that distracted her a bit.

"I'm just noticing how you seem to be having fun lately. Being in charge of the whole crew." Shard shrug off his shoulders to admit, he sees Nicole having some new experiences and is getting the hand of it.

"I'm merely doing my duty to maintain the workings of our warship and checking the efficiency of the crew." Nicole firmly explains what she is doing is the same as usual, there is nothing else she's doing then that.

"Yeah, right, sure you are? Am I'm Sonic, please to meet you…Captain Nicole, scourge of the seven seas." Shard humbly bows in a gentlemanly manner while making this humorous moment last.

"Is there a reason you're doing this?" Nicole raised an eyebrow, wanting to know why Shard was in the mood to tease.

"Ehh, just passing time. I got bored after completing the training room." Shard shrug off his shoulders to admit his boredom without delay. "So I came to hang out." He leans by the captain's armrest and smiled in revealing what he's up to.

"Why not hang out with the others?" Nicole asked why Shard couldn't go and enjoy the company of the other mechanical crew members.

"Yeah, the Leo Breakers and Leo Bandits, they're cool in performing and basic fights as soldiers can be, but their processor CPUs could use an update." Shard issued off to lightly say that the robotic crewmates they have as manufactured models are good at working task but need more social personality upgrades. "And as for Heavy Leo and Loader Lio, they are pretty much in their own world of seeing which of them is the toughest. They ask me to join, but…" Shard scratch his cheek and looked the other way from feeling awkward on where the discussion was heading.

"You be crushed in nano seconds." Nicole made a sly smile to tease Shard on what he's worried about: and dishing a little payback for what he did earlier.

"Ouch, that hurts." Shard looked back and pretended his pride was hurt: Nicole couldn't help but cover her mouth to contain the urge to giggle. "But you cracking a smile to make a joke, now that shows something." He smiled back to reveal that he wanted to have Nicole express more emotion then she let on.

"Oh, well I…" Nicole yelps to look away, almost about to blush from never knowing she was doing that.

"Hmmm? Hey, is that…" Shard then turns to notice something ahead of them.

Now outside the warship's presence, nearly a few miles away one can see something when passing some clouds. A massive piece of land that is floating high up above the clouds on earth. When zooming to see it closely, there was flora and fauna of Angel Island not very out of the ordinary, aside from one area in which gigantic mushrooms grow. Topographically, the island has terrain that varies from plains to plateau-like in attitude. At the center, there is a line of massive mountains, with an icy alp and some volcanoes found there. There can be no other place like it, this island was…

"Angel Island, we made it." Nicole smiled from knowing they are closing in on their destination.

"Wow, what a sight." Shard smiled from seeing the island can take one's breath away.

"Leon, we're now approaching Angel Island. It's coming into view." Nicole used the com-link to inform their leader on their current course.

Then appearing by a virtual and digital frame, was the head-frame of Leo the Lion. As he opened his eyes, he was able to see it ahead of him: the island from the Sonic universe that floats off the ground. It was there that Leo knew much of the island's history. The place where the Master Emerald, a giant jewel is kept and is able to keep the whole island afloat. At least as long as it's placed on its Altar. Why to Leo's knowledge, if the Master Emerald is removed from its resting place, Angel Island will fall down from the skies. Well the island is still buoyant enough to float on top of the sea without sinking.

"Ahhh…We are finally here." Leo muttered with a small sign of relief. "I never thought I could venture forth to arrive at the famous Angel Island?" Any true gamer of the Sonic the Hedgehog series has always witness Angel Island from afar, but to see it like this even as a holographic mind-link individual, it's breathtaking.

"It lives up to it's reputation, that and it's a floating island." Shard smiled in stating how he feels on seeing the island.

"Leo, should we may preparations?" Nicole asked the lion man on how they should approach.

"Yes, but first…Scan the area, for any lifeforms." Leo replied but was being extra careful on how they approach: Nicole tap a few keys on the captain's chair control console.

"Hmmm, scans are coming in." Nicole replied from looking over the data appearing on the screen: displaying little dots and labelling each one. "Mostly wildlife, and one emitting a unique DNA type of a different animal that reads…Echidna." She explained from looking at the

"Hey, the scans are going nuts here!" Shard points to notice two strange looking energy rotation swirls in the area. "Says here there's almost two different points of Chaos Energy on the island?" The guy mentions that the energy they picked up has high levels of Chaos Energy which can only mean something relating to Chaos Emeralds.

"Two of them?" Leo raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, they have 6 Chaos Emeralds already so… "What's the measure?" He asked from deciding that the best way to find anything out, is a readout on those two.

"One of them is apparently larger, but the other type we have record of. It's a Chaos Emerald, no mistake. So base on what else we know, the bigger one might be the Master Emerald it's self." Nicole did the scan and determines which was which.

"Wow, we came here to find the Master Emerald, and there's a Chaos Emerald to boot. That's a lucky break." Shard cracks a joke when smiling at the big lucky encounter they hit. "It is lucky, right? I mean, with this we'll have all seven!" He issued on what will happen when they find the last emerald in question.

"Yes….all seven?" Leo replied from sounding a bit…distorted. "I just hope it'll be that simple…?" He muttered from knowing full well that obtaining any of the Chaos Emeralds has been a challenge, who's to say they won't encounter one now.

The scene shows the Leo Carrier continuing to flew it's path to head directly for Angel Island. Where the next step of events to take place will most likely happen there, but will the arrival be pleasant….or something else?

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NEW LOCATION: ANGEL ISLAND

The scene changes where a teleportation beam some Leo Breakers and Leo Bandits carrying some capsule pods. Leading them was Nicole and Shard as they travel through the jungle woods for a bit before ending out. With the jungle behind the large group, in front of them was a few large shrines from the ancestor race of the Echidna Tribe. As Leo was being carried, he made his digital headframe appear to view the entire surroundings until he spotted one structure ahead that he instantly recognized.

The center piece was a large stone structure. In it's prime days it was a beautiful and pristine structure filled with pure and clean water situated on solid ground. Consisting of two stone circles stacked on top of one another, with the top circle smaller than the one on the bottom, forming a two-story high structure. The first layer of the altar had a ring of bushes growing close to the walls of the second layer of the altar and a water pool surrounding the second layer on the first layer, with water flowing down the walls from there. In front of the altar was also a staircase leading up to the top platform of the altar. Up there, in the center of the top platform of the altar was a recess of a larger green size Chaos Emerald to rest in, with a shallow pool of water surrounds it. Furthermore, the top of the altar had a dome-shaped stone roof held up by stone columns around the edge of the top platform. Also, surrounding the structure were two short stone rims filled with clean water, each forming two shallow basins around the altar. On the innermost of these rims were seven tall stone pillars, one for each of the seven Chaos Emeralds, circling the altar. In addition, growing in the outermost basin and circling the altar were eight lush palm trees. On the further edges of the altar were gravel on the ground. Lastly, surrounding the outermost circular perimeter of the altar were several stone pillars that one could walk between with stone bars on top of them, forming a wall of short around the altar, with the exception of the front which served as an entrance gate.

"Hmmmm….It feels like I've gone back in time by 3000 years ago? A shame the digital layout could make something look so wonderful in my mind, but I must see the real structure of today." Leo expressed his own thoughts on what he was seeing, but wanted to see the REAL sight then what it was back in the day.

That's when the wonderful scene began to vanish from Leo's set program of making something it was 3000 years ago, and revealed the modern current state of the area.

In the present day the altar feel into disrepair, the roof on the top platform of the altar was gone, leaving only a few brown columns. The water basins around the altar have dried up and the bushes and palm trees were gone. Instead, the basins are filled with grass growing in them. The seven Chaos Emerald pillars have mostly crumbled away, leaving few of them with high statures. Also, the stone pillars on the outermost circular perimeter of the altar are virtually gone, leaving but a few stumps of them on the ground.

"Hugh, fancy a temple with steps to go up?" Shard spoke forth from looking at where they need to go: upwards.

"The Altar of Emerald is what it's called. This was a structure made by the ancient Echidna Tribe." Nicole explained the manner of what the altar was called back in the day.

"Let me guess, you did some research?" Shard looked to the Holo-Lynx girl on being a know-it-all type.

"Yes…Long ago this entire area had cities, but then they were nearly all wiped out by a great flood. This island and the relics are the only things remaining." Nicole explained the basic concepts of knowledge of what happen to the tribe long ago.

"From what I know, only Knuckles is a direct descendant of that tribe. And he's the Guardian of what's waiting for us up at the top." Leo stated on knowing who they may come across if they should continue this path.

"Then let's not waste time. We could have teleported directly on it you know, save the walk through the jungle. So why didn't we?" Shard exclaimed while also asking a good question on the spot.

"The massive amount of Chaos Energy interrupted such a process. Besides, it's nice to walk a bit." Nicole smiled to admit this while also making a pleasant statement.

Shard could only roll his optic eyes, of course Nicole would say something like that. Probably after having lived a little to explore outside the ship and experience more the outside world, the Holo-Lynx wanted to try more things like a real living person. Well once everyone had a moment and gone up the steps, they reach the top of the altar. And there it was, the largest Emerald ever seen – The Master Emerald!

"There it is…the Master Emerald!?" Leo exclaimed from sensing how close they are; even while unconscious in a capsule keeping him alive, he senses the energy.

"Whistle…" Shard made a whistle sound when studying the jewel. "Gotta admit, it's a beauty alright." The black hedgehog robot complimented the wonderful sight of a large jewel.

"To think this large emerald was once capable of containing Chaos, an immortal mutant Chao and a godlike figure. I find the data on how such an act was perform or what it's like being inside to be fascinating?" Nicole was curious how the Master Emerald can perform it's own unique feats to almost rival when one has hold of all 7 Chaos Emeralds in their hands.

"Containing a guy known as the God of Destruction, yeah…I be impress by something that powerful to stop the world from being wiped out. Maybe you can study it after our dear leader and the others are better?" Shard issued on what they better be doing instead of being distracted.

"Oh, yes…of course." Nicole slightly yelps upon realizing they have important work that needs attention first.

"What does the data we obtain from GUNX mention to ride the Chaos Toxin from Ultimate Lifeforms?" Leo turns to ask Nicole on any important information on the data she and Shard risk obtaining from an abandon GUN Base.

"It's been theorized that if you draw in the power the Master Emerald produces, the flow of positive and negative can help take as well as give. We can use the method and it can remove the chaotic toxin inside." Nicole explained the formula on how they can finally cure the Ultimate Lifeforms of the poison that threatens their lives. "But only those that have a good masterly level of Chaos Force are capable of such a thing. Namely those train to be a Guardian can handle something like this." She revealed a major problem of something they currently lack.

"So…is he at the level?" Shard asked if Leo can even perform the task.

"Leo is at most a Chaos Force Wielder at a low level, in order to perform such a task he'll need to raise it's level and raise up it's rank." Nicole explained the issue of what needs to be done if they are to accomplish this.

"Which requires SP I have in reserve." Leo stated on having saved the very means that can help quicken the paste of his abilities.

"And how much is it?" Shard asked from being a bit curious.

"Estimated at 500,000. If Leo uses up everything, it may further unlock the usage of Chaos Energy only those of expert or master rank have done." Nicole explained as she ran the numbers on a digital holo-screen on what they will be doing to help strengthen the lion man. "However, on the knowledge of characters that wield Chaos Energy, there's been many warriors and guardians. Those that use the energy to fight, and those that can manipulate energy, there may even exist something above those two." Nicole theorized a wild guess of another outside rank that can allow someone to fully control such chaotic energy.

"What could be beyond that?" Shard questioned the matter, as it got him curious.

"Let's find out." Leo issued on knowing it's best to discover such events during the active time: besides, he's at Level 165, surely his body can endure enough. "Nicole, transfer everything to evolve Chaos Force Wielder for me." He turns to request this from the Holo-Lynx girl.

"Acknowledge – Begin Process…" Nicole nods before she was pressing a few holographic buttons on a screen to connect the network system.

Now we see that something was occurring inside the capsule containing Leo the Lion's body. At the same moment the digital head frame of Leo vanished when something was occurring on his actual body. A bright glow was being administered and the flesh was having a reaction, even the breathing mask released more air bubbles then usual.

-UPDATE-

Passive Ability Evolution – In Progress!

Chaos Force Wielder Lv. – Max Reach!

Unlock Evolution = Chaos Warrior

*Chaos Warrior: The evolved version of Chaos Force Wielder. Allows a strong warrior to manipulate Chaos Energy that now exist inside one's own body even without the aid of a Chaos Emerald. Can channel Chaos Energy into powerful attacks that deal damage to surroundings or enhance one's physical abilities with more easier control and smaller risk effects from performing stronger types that exhaust the body. The more highly developed the Chaos Warrior is, the stronger the body is.

"Urghh…/Crack..Crack…" Leo's body was reacting to a strange surge of power of Chaos, but it was causing a few cracks in the capsule.

"Nicole, what's happening?" Shard asked from noticing the reaction harming the Medical Capsule device.

"The Chaos Energy, it's beginning to overload the capsule. We should…" Nicole was feeling they may have to stop what they are doing.

"NO!" Leo called out from waking up a bit to stare at those through the liquid. "We have not yet finished…keep going!" He instructs on wanting to continue at this paste.

Seeing that Leo was not giving in, Nicole used her ability to help further push the lion man's efforts. Many could witness the energy glimmering brighter to even affect the medical capsule that Leo was still kept in. Then another pop-up message appeared:

-UPDATE-

Chaos Warrior = Chaos Guardian

*Chaos Guardian: The next step evolved version of Chaos Warrior. Allows a mighty warrior to manipulate Chaos Energy from both what exist inside the body and possibly all around them. While not much different from a Chaos Warrior, it does allow one the benefits of channeling more strength from a Chaos Emerald or the Master Emerald. Drawing more power from either one can give one a great advantage against some certain situations. From empowering a structure or a weapon, to even using the Master Emerald to have the Chaos Emeralds cease function temporally.

"He's evolved from just being a Chaos Warrior to a Chaos Guardian!" Nicole informs Shard on the process that has helped Leo gain pass the next step.

"Well? Does that mean we're done? I think he can now perform the task with ease now?" Shard asked from noticing the glass hatch was cracking a few more times.

"Not Yet!" Leo issued out this matter without warning.

"Wha?!/Hmmm?" Shard and Nicole looked to Leo in shock and surprise.

"Pant-pant….Nicole, hah…if we transfer everything to improve my Chaos abilities. Pant-pant…Why stop at Guardian level?" Leo issued from having a determine expression while exhaling in the breathing mask.

"But going beyond this might…" Nicole sounded worried, Leo was still not well and going through more then one evolution of a passive ability could cause more harm then good.

"Please….we are so close…" Leo request this selfish favor while trying to not faint. "Grraaahh…I can't miss this chance…DO IT!" He asked while shouting at the top of his lungs.

"He's not serious, is he? What's even beyond Chaos Guardian?" Shard felt like maybe this was taking a step too far now.

Nicole was silent but she slowly nods her head to Leo's request, and continues to spend all the SP to help further develop his abilities. Even to go pass what they wanted to unlock something higher…

"GUUUUAAARRRRRRAAHHHHHH!" Leo's voice was heard making a loud battle cry, as the unstable Chaos Energy was becoming brighter around the capsule medical pod: Just then an alert pop-up appeared without warning…

ALERT UPDATE – FORCE RANK!

Info: The user is attempting to force the injured body to accept more energy of Chaos Force. However in doing so will cause untold backlashes. Until the process is stopped or if the user achieves their goal, will the pain cease. Be wary that without a strong body and mind, normal creatures cannot survive the process.

"Trrisishh…./CRACK-CRACK…" There was a large amount of steam from the liquid boiling in the capsule, as more cracks were forming on the glass hatch.

"WAAAAAAARRRRROOOOARRRRRRRHHHH!" Leo's voice was heard roaring, as if enduring the pain of what was happening to him.

"Woah….Nicole, you gotta stop!?" Shard yelps from the released steam pressure that was blasting against them.

"I can't…he wants to finish this!" Nicole firmly stated on not stopping because Leo wants this.

"He'll be finished alright, pull the plug!" Shard asked from not wanting them to be stubborn here.

"I…." Leo's voice was heard but it sounded weak…

"Hugh!?" Nicole and Shard looked back from having heard Leo speak while not seeing him from all the steam inside the capsule pod.

"I…WILL….SUCCEED!" Leo roared this declaration out with much pride.

"BRIIISSSHHH!" A super bright flash erupted as a white sphere swallowed the capsule medic pod. Nicole and Shard were lost, but then something appeared: the pop-up screen with a surprise notice….

Passive Ability Rank-Up - Complete

Chaos Guardian = Chaos Magnik

*Chaos Magick: The latest evolved rank-up version of Chaos Guardian class. While able to manipulate Chaos Energy both from within one's self to all around them like a warrior, and have the knowledge base and skills from a guardian, the next class introduces the next stage – magic! One can empower the elements to the point where in any situation, a magical enhancement can rapidly change the flow of the situation. Unlocking the key to gain the knowledge in performing magical abilities involving Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Ice, Smoke, Weather, even Shadow elements. These abilities can be on pair with calling one self a wizard who's well-versed in the arcane use of the Chaos Force. Capable of creating realistic illusions, transporting one's self and others to other locations instantaneously though greater distances require the aid of much Chaos Energy force or a Chaos Emerald to perform Chaos Control, perform spells of cleansing. While many other types may exist, one is capable to perform a Summoning to summon those to one's aid from anywhere at any time they choose. (Level Restriction – Level 200)

"No way, did he…do it?" Shard asked from detecting a stronger pulsation of energy from the steaming pod.

"Yes…yes he did." Nicole replied from knowing full well, the plan worked.

"Um, are my instruments wrong, or did he go from being a Chaos Guardian to ah…what now?" Shard asked from not sure what was a higher talent then a Guardian class which Knuckles the Echidna holds.

"A Chaos Magick?" Nicole replied from knowing full well the name of the newest awaken ability.

"What is even that suppose to mean? Is he like what, a magician?" Shard asked from trying to put together the pieces to understand the situation.

"CRACK…/BREAK!/KAPOW!" That's when the medical pod that contain Leo couldn't take no more of all the damage and broke apart and clutter on the stone floor.

"Ughhh…" Leo moans as he drop to his knees but caught himself while looking spent: then a surprise pop-up screen appeared with some latest news…

HIDDEN BONUS QUEST – ACHIEVED

'Double Rank-Up!'

Info: You have brush pass 2 ranks to achieve a third rank promotion of one's job capability. By going a step beyond one's imagining, you have done something not many others have done before. Now with the power to use chaotic and elemental magic like a wizard, both body and mind are stronger now. Current rewards are presented for having been close to risking your life to obtain a better rank no matter the cost.

REWARDS: 25 LEVEL-UPS

Passive Abilities:

Enchanter Lv.1-10 Max

Enchanter Evolution = Over Enchanter

Philosopher Lv.1-10 Max

Philosopher Evolution = Wise Man

Passive Abilities

*Over Enchanter: A Superior Job of Enchanter that specializes in accelerating the user's thinking speed with a stat growth focused on MP. The job is a rearguard type job specialized on using individual and wide scale buffs on allies.

*Wise Man: A high rank job that specializes more on increasing the user's thinking speed. Possesses a skill that accelerates the user's thoughts faster than the low rank Job, Philosopher. Also focuses on using the magic of all types and elements.

Just as Leo thought he seen it all from the rewards and his two low rank jobs becoming new higher types, it was not over yet even in his tired state. Another new pop-up window had an update on his current stats which shows his old Level 165 had increased by 25 additional level-ups:

-NEW UPDATE-

Leo The Lion – Level 190

HP: 82,000-102,000 / MP: 49,000-75,000

STR: 69,000-85,000

DEF: 10,000-15,055

AGI: 16,000-20,000

VIT: 15,500-21,000

DEX: 9900-10,055

INT: 1000-2000

WIS: 750-1000

LUK: 550-800

"Heh, looks like going the distance helped me out more then expected. Pant-pant…How ironic is that?" Leo pants a little bit from having weakly smiled at the update he has obtain: now he's not only a Chaos Magick, but he's almost reach the goal of being Level 200 now. "Heheh…Cough…cough…" As he let loose a laugh, he began to cough which resulted in him dropping to his knees.

"LEO!?" Leo then turns around to see a worried Nicole and a cautious Shard grab him before hitting the floor face first.

"Woah there, I think you took it too far?" Shard exclaimed on never seeing anyone go that much a distance.

"His life-signs are dropping faster?" Nicole warns everyone of what she was about to see: currently Leo's HP & MP are dropping faster then before. "The higher force of Chaos Energy must have rapidly accelerated the process. At this rate he won't last 30 minutes?" She revealed the time limit that they are currently left to work with.

"No worries…30 minutes should be plenty…" Leo weakly stated, they achieve most of the goals, and now they are one step away from finishing their task: curing those under the Chaos Toxin effect.

"And what time would that be?" Another voice was heard making a statement, but it was not from anyone.

Now Leo and the rest turns to spot something flying from above to land between them and the Master Emerald. It was an anthropomorphic echidna about 110 cm tall with red fur that covers most of the body, a black nose on the peach-skinned muzzle, a white crescent-shaped patch of fur on the chest, and purple eyes. Also has seven dreadlock-like spines around the sides and back of the head and a medium-sized, tri-crooked tail. Attire wore were red and yellow shoes, each with green cuffs, light gray soles, and metallic, sextuple-bolted plates on top. Wears large, white, mitten-like gloves with sock-like cuffs and two spiked knuckles on each hand. Leo was immediately frozen stiff upon recognizing who they were standing before, it was none other then…

Knuckles The Echidna

'Guardian Of The Master Emerald'

"Your…" Leo simply muttered these words, as if realizing he has meant another popular character behind Sonic and Tails themselves, the powerhouse member of the trio.

"Knuckles the Echidna, Guardian of the Master Emerald." Knuckles introduced himself while punching his knuckles together. "And whatever you are planning, if I don't like it, then prepare for a beating." He issued with a threat on wanting an answer, and he wants it now.

"Woah chill, do we look like we come to fight." Shard held up his arms to try and have the guy see they mean no harm; except one of his hands was a blaster.

"Really, you that looks like Metal Sonic…not here to fight?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow from looking suspiciously at the bot. "I don't know what scheme Eggman is pulling, but he won't getaway with it!" He firmly issued from looking ready to beat anyone that crosses him.

"Please hear us out, we mean you know harm." Nicole tried to help reason the matter, but…

"Then why do you have a bunch of robots accompanying you?" Knuckles points to the other lion type robots that are around the capsules. "Are they threatening you?" He asked from thinking Nicole was a hostage being used to lead these robot enemies.

"No, just hear us out." Nicole tries to have the echidna listen, but…

"I'll hear your explanation when I knock some Eggman robots off my altar!" Knuckles sternly issued on wanting to first deal with the threats before him.

"Wow, guess the rumor wasn't a lie? This guy is truly known as the Knucklehead of Sonic's group of pals?" Shard shrug off the shoulders from seeing how thick headed this guy can be to not listen to them.

"Knucklehead…?" Knuckles muttered with closed eyes and an angry mark on his forehead.

"Ugh…" Shard yelps from realizing he stepped on a landmine.

"JUST FOR THAT, I'LL BEAT YOU UP FIRST!" Knuckles shouted out in rage on who he'll clobber first for that insult.

The situation had really turn south as the camera zooms away to display the altar, but then a large dust cloud appeared from the sound of a heavy punch impact. But while this was going on, nobody noticed a hidden camera attached to a familiar GUN Robot. It was recording the events, and the live action was being sent, but to where?

---

MEANWHILE

SOMEWHERE IN THE GOBI DESERT

The scene opens to endless sand as far as the eyes can see, but that all changed when something loud was heard and a large shadow appeared. That's when looking to the sky, something appeared that would leave one stun. A colossal aerial battleship measuring 250 metre from stem to stern. Painted in silver with gold highlights and bearing the crest of the GUNX on its hull, the ship's appearance is as striking as it is menacing, casting extensive shadows over the ground. The ship appears to have significant cargo capacity, storing multiple GUN Robots despite their own bulk, having multiple docking bays for smaller airships and a network of passages and rooms. Carries significant armaments, primarily numerous vertical launch tubes that run the central length of the ship. Bears two quadruple turrets mounted in casemates on either side of the ship's deck. Plus two triple turrets mounted on the underside, presumably to provide fire support for ground forces. The scene focuses on a glass floor revealing a giant armillary sphere, and all over were control stations were soldiers were politing the airship. And standing in the middle of the bridge was Jack Hoarder while near him was the short Doctor Snively.

"Ohhh, I just love this place. Makes you feel pretty important, hugh doc?" Jack Hoarder looked to Doctor Snively on if he was enjoying being in such a wonderful decorate place.

"Indeed, but it's not to say on what other works go on." Doctor Snively likely comments while he was holding his holographic clipboard and reviewing the latest reports.

"The secret construction of the new flagship – 'Pantagruel' went off without a hitch. But in order to surprise your enemies, gotta trick your allies too." Jack Hoarder taps his fingers together, knowing this thing was made even without it being on record by the government. "Well Doc, what good news do you have for me today?" Jack Hoarder

"Our latest testing with the DNA of Project X has helped us discovered some breakthroughs that kept us in the dark over 50 years. All on how Professor Gerald Robotnik achieve such an accomplishment." Doctor Snively

"Yeah-yeah, enough with someone who's not around. Tell me what news you got that will make me happy." Jack Hoarder

"See for yourself." Doctor Snively activated a large monitor: displaying video records on the cloning and processing on Mad Leos and the Armed Mad Leos. "We have used the latest tech to contain a near-infinite amount of these Ultimate Weapon Soldiers, and when placed on the battlefield…" Doctor Snively revealed the next demonstration of the Ultimate Soldiers that struck a military base filled with GUN Robots: and wiped out the enemy. "The enemy will be surrounded, and be unable to react for surprise and ambush tactics." The man made a sly smile on feeling prideful in his work.

"Ohhh, I'm loving it! How soon will they be ready?" Jack Hoarder clapped his hands, feeling like this stuff is what he wants to hear.

"Um mister Jack….Mister Jack Hoarder, sir!" Then coming through the sliding doors into the bridge, was the soldier known as Milo.

"What now Murray?" Jack Hoarder rolled his eyes at seeing the goofy soldier show up now when he's enjoying himself.

"It's Milo sir…?" Milo sheepishly corrects his boss on his actual name.

"Whatever, can't you see we're discussing business?" Jack Hoarder rolled his eyes to brush off the matter while focus on another subject.

"But sir, one of our GUN Robot Beetles report an action occurring on Angel Island. The description matches perfectly." Milo r eports of what was currently happening on the island where the Master Emerald is kept.

"Ohhh, well let's put it on screen." Jack Hoarder raised an eyebrow, suddenly curious on the subject.

That's when a projection screen displayed a holographic image revealing Angel Island. The camera displays the action of Knuckles fighting against a black version Metal Sonic. And by the Master Emerald, there was Nicole and a few lion theme robots watching near capsule pods, and of course…a weakly still sick Leo.

"Hmmm…well-well, today must be my birthday?" Jack Hoarder rubs his hands together while a sly smile was forming. "Project X has gone to where we were secretly planning to obtain the only cure for the Chaos Toxin we cooked up. It's like killing two birds with one stone." The man couldn't believe the luck that has drop into the palm of his hands.

"Hmmm….my system is getting a reading from that robot's area." Doctor Snively held his holo clipboard to check a beeping reaction: and the information was coming in. "There are over seven other Chaos Energy signatures in the area other then the Master Emerald." He revealed a major discovery that it doesn't take a genius to put all the pieces together.

"Ohohhohho…this is perfect!" Jack Hoarder was acting all excited when having heard this. "Capture Project X, obtain the Master Emerald, AND….have all Seven Chaos Emeralds to boot! I smell a BIG promotion in my future." Jack Hoarder couldn't believe it, the Chaos Emeralds were all gathered, this will be the score of all times.

"Aren't you worried sir?" Milo asked from knowing they tried to capture Project X, and each time failed.

"Why worry, way I see it….somebody is handling the situation." Jack Hoarder issued to say from watching Knuckles fight those for them. "We'll let them tire each other out, and then go in to snatch the rewards. You know sometimes it's a curse to be this diabolically brilliant." The man had a devious plan to allow the others to waste time fighting, makes it easier for them to rack the rewards.

"Um, yes sir…I guess so, sir…" Milo lightly replied from not sure if he agrees to that tactic, but he can't object to them either.

They continued to watch as the battle of Knuckles against Shard continues. While those two are fighting, GUNX won't waste their energy and plan to finish when all sides are exhausted.

---

BACK ON ANGEL ISLAND

There was a sudden surprise of shockwave impacts that collapse a few trees and broke large rocks happening all around. The reason appeared when Knuckles was charging and hitting anything of where Shard dashed to escape from. While Knuckles maybe the Power Type of the Sonic Team, Leo couldn't help but witness how quick the echidna can be when he's active. Shard maybe close to almost match Sonic's quickness, but there was still much to be said. As Nicole watched, she was torn between helping Shard or helping Leo now that his medical pod was damaged which meant the poison in him is running it's course.

"Leo, we need to put a stop this this?" Nicole asked Leo on how they must handle this situation.

"I agree…Hmmm…I should have anticipated that such an event could occur." Leo moans slightly to push himself up, he should have anticipated that base on Knuckles character, a wrong interpretation would lead to what's happening now.

"RAAARRRGH!/POW!" Knuckles was seen punching another wall side to leave a hole, but that was because he tried to hit Shard who evaded the hit. "HOLD STILL SO I CAN PUNCH YOU!" The guy turns around to snap at the black Metal Sonic robot that didn't let the echidna hit him.

"You really think I'm THAT much a brainless bot to follow anyone's orders when asked? How dumb can you…" Shard raised an eyebrow to remark on how foolishly dumb that request sounded.

"RAAARRRGH!" Knuckles roared with rage as he was seen grabbing the big boulder and lifted it off the ground.

"Oh….bad taunt?" Shard yelps upon realizing he just pushed another button by accident.

"HUUARRGH!" Knuckles hurls the large boulder with amazing strength like it was a rocket which made Shard yelp with worry. "CRASH!" The huge boulder crashed against the forest as Shard just barely managed to dodge while having received a single scratch on his metal shoes. When the black hedgehog robot saw this, that's when he too lost his cool.

"You wanna threw down!?" Shard declared while bringing up his right blaster to start charging. "Let's THROW DOWN!" He issued on deciding to finally accept the situation to fight back.

Things were about to escalate into an overdrive motion. As Leo watched, he vaguely saw that Knuckles level was in the question mark zone, so he couldn't determine how strong the echidna warrior was. So mustering the strength the lion man had, he jumped off the altar which surprised Nicole. And then before Shard and Knuckles charged to deliver the fist/blaster punch blow: Leo interrupted with his hands to catch both attacks while having landed dead center of the brawl.

"ENOUGH!" Leo yelled at the top of his lungs to get both sides to cease this fighting: and then used the turbine power to push Shard and Knuckles away.

"Hmmm?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow, surprised someone managed to stop a fight.

"Ugh, Leo…" Shard gasped upon realizing he accidentally hit his creator by his palm even though it was by accident.

"We are not your enemies Knuckles, we…" Leo turns to try to convince Knuckles they mean him no harm when… "COUGH…cough-cough, cough…" He was coughing a lot more, as he dropped down to his knees.

"LEO!?" Nicole was heard calling out as she leaped off the altar to check his life-signs by a virtual scanner device.

"What the…?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow, more surprised by what's happening. "Hey, are you feeling aright?"

"He isn't, the toxin is slowly zapping away at his life." Nicole explained from the readings she found showed how much weaker Leo's HP & MP have dropped: most likely from that stunt that stop the fight. "The only way to cure him and the rest of the crew…is the need of the Master Emerald." She explained what they need to help those that are currently under the same poison nature.

"Wait a second, you mean to say you wanted the Master Emerald, to cure your sickness? Why not just go to a hospital?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of this much trouble just to cure those with health problems.

"He can't, somebody in GUN wants him caught. And they are using extreme measures to do it. They didn't care if it poisoned the crew which are in those pods." Shard shrug off his shoulders to point off what those that are under the weather are feeling right now.

"GUN poisoned you? That doesn't sound like them at all?" Knuckles issued from having heard this, but couldn't wrap his head around it. "And you really believe the Master Emerald can cure you?"

"Yes, only something with Chaos Energy can help in this area. The subject that is called Chaos Toxin, it affects only Ultimate Lifeforms." Nicole explained the nature of a new type of poison that's harmful to one type of species.

"Shesh, what's GUN even thinking? If Shadow knew, he be pretty furious." Knuckles rubbed his back head from knowing this all sounded crazy to believe.

"We learn that there maybe a separate faction…cough-cough…" Leo coughs a bit to reveal a twisted shock of not all members of GUN are on the same page. "They are the ones, who are hiding among the good people of GUN." This was the truth that even someone like Knuckles can put two and two together.

"Man, what's the world coming to?" Knuckles looked away to rub his forehead, not believing such crazy stuff like that was real. "I wanna ask, why are you out of that pod if you're as sick as them?" He looked to Leo and then asked a really important question he wants answered.

"I planned to…cough…use the Chaos Energy, and cure my crew. As both a captain, and as a king…" Leo coughs a bit while trying to explain the plan to help cure them of what poisons them. "I must take care of my people, and help find a place we can belong. I wish to not be alone, and sought to make a kingdom for those like me where we exist. I did not wish…cough…for this to happen…" Leo explains the best under his coughs on what he truly was wanting to achieve.

Knuckles was silent for a moment when processing these things, even he's not so thick-headed when having heard this. This Leo character was trying to help his kind out and live a life, but tragedy seems to follow after them. It's almost similar to what happen to the Echidna Tribe long ago. When having a moment to think clearly, Knuckles signs before looking to the group.

"Sorry I jump the gun there." Knuckles scratch his back head to sheepishly admit this embarrassing mistake.

"Oh really, you're sorry?" Shard rolled his optic eyes at hearing that one when he was almost scrapped.

"To make it up, I'll help you." Knuckles looked to the group and offered them a special apology on his behalf.

"You will?" Leo asked from having heard this.

"Yeah, if you're saying time is short, then we best get started." Knuckles nods to confirm that he doesn't want someone dying in front of him.

"Then please, allow us to bring him up to the emerald." Nicole request that they return to the altar and make preparations.

"No, allow me since I need to make things right." Knuckles held up a hand in wishing to truly show he's sorry for what he's done.

"Thank you…" Leo lightly smiled to thank the echidna, never believing this could happen when it looked like they could not win a fight against the Knuckles.

As this was happening, Knuckles went underneath of Leo and hauled him upwards before taking a few jumping leaps. Nicole and Shard watch before immediately following after them up the altar. And as this was happening, the hidden GUN Beetle watch the events to send the images to the other end.

---

BACK ON THE PANTAGRUEL

Those watching right now on the Pantacruel were observing the events. And have just witness the battle against Knuckles the Echidna end in cease fighting action. And now the echidna was helping Leo up the altar instead of the two sides fighting each other.

"Oh-no-no-NO! Don't stop fighting!? That's the good part!" Jack Hoarder moans and complains about what is happening. "KEEP FIGHTING!" She shouts in yelling what he wants to see more violence, not this stuff…

"Sir, I don't think they can hear you?" Milo points out that no one can hear them on this end.

"I'm aware Marco!" Jack Hoarder snapped from losing his cool.

"Milo, sir, it's Milo…" Milo corrects his boss who doesn't pay him any mind.

"Urgh….why is that hotheaded echidna not doing what he does best!? PUNCH FIRST, ask questions LATER!?" Jack Hoarder grip his head to understand how someone that's more brawler then a brainer is not just fighting it out.

"Apparently Project X's words helped bring a more urgent subject to the matter. Which pushed aside the urge of resistance to be more willing to help." Doctor Snively points out the course action performed which has shifted the matter of even Knuckles not wanting to fight anymore.

"Ugh, I hate it when people wanna talk things out." Jack Hoarder signs to moan a bit on how this went south. "Fine, they can chat…and I'll take action! Doctor, deploy our little units." The guy decided if they want to see action, they will pull the trigger on their end.

"Very well, we shall start with units 1 through 2." Doctor Snively stated as he press a few buttons on his holo-clipboard to send the signals through.

"Um, how many of them are there? I heard the secret facility was destroyed on Prison Island?" Milo asked from recalling the secret clone weaponized projects that were being done before later the area was destroyed.

"That was but one of many areas. The numbers for this lot are as stated…" Doctor Snively issued from about to reveal something to have those in doubt realize they have not suffered any setbacks.

That's when the digital map of Angel Island was displayed. And there were dots of those on the floating island which represent Knuckles and Leo's crew of living organics and robot signatures. Now the next thing was the appearing 'G' symbol dots surrounding the entire area around the altar. And that's when a display board appeared to show the numbers of Mad Leos and Armed Mad Leos waiting to strike.

"No way….10,000 – EACH!?" Milo muttered in great shock on the sheer quantity of such numbers.

"Ho-ho, doc you know my song." Jack Hoarder grins to rub his hands eagerly loving this. "Go BIG or go HOME!" He issued on knowing the famous motto of never do anything small.

"This will be a good field test on how well the subject handles overwhelming numbers." Doctor Snively grins from finding this a perfect chance to test how good their cloned models can do against the original Project X's current state even if Leo is still weak by the poison.

---

BACK ON ANGEL ISLAND

Time pretty much passed as when everyone reach the top altar where the Master Emerald was. During which after Knuckles set the weaken lion-man down, he heard the whole story of what crazy stuff Leo had gotten himself into, but helped many friends the echidna knew very well. It was a lot to take it, that kind of crazy adventure sounds like Sonic the Hedgehog always finds himself getting in.

"I see, sounds like you been through a lot. I don't know if one apology is enough. I really thought you were thieves doing something underhanded." Knuckles expressed his thoughts and concerns on the matter of when he first saw this group.

"Understandable, but I hope this clears any doubt." Leo weakly replied from understanding from Knuckle's view of things.

"Truth be told, after hearing what big feats you achieved. Got me actual interested in fighting you? When this is over, wanna spar?" Knuckles smiled from wanting to challenge how strong Leo is once he's no longer under the weather.

"Can you maybe wait until after we cure him and the others." Shard cuts in on knowing that he had a hard time, he doesn't want his creator to engage against this guy.

"There's little to almost 25 minutes left. We have to hurry." Nicole insists that they not delay things and quickly get started.

"Alright then, if you need someone to prep, I can help." Knuckles smiled to say while walking pass the group.

Everyone watches as Knuckles approaches the Master Emerald. Then the echidna held up his arms, and opened his eyes to stare forth at the giant emerald.

Knuckles: The 7 Emeralds are the severs.

Chaos is power,

Enriched by the heart.

The controller serves to unify the chaos!

That's when the Master Emerald began to emit a strange glimmer of light as it shines brighter. And as the light flashed, it was enough that Leo felt himself engulf in the brightness. And then strange sparkles of glimmer were seen, as the lion man suddenly felt something. As if the tiny lights were entering his skin, slowly sinking and helping the lion man. This felt like a healing that could only be done by the use of the the Master Emerald controlling the flow of Chaos Energy all around.

"Ahhh…I can feel it?" Leo suddenly felt at ease, as if feeling a burden lifted off his soul. "I feel….almost like myself again." There were no words to describe it, perhaps just like in some situations: the Master Emerald was like a Holy Healing Light to relieve him of a horrible curse weighing down on him.

"It's working, the treatment is curing him." Nicole checks Leo's status: the readouts show the once decreasing HP & MP slowly recovering.

"So how long is this gonna take?" Shard asked from being a little impatient here.

"Shesh, you're about as impatient as Sonic." Knuckles rolled his eyes at comparing how Shard is about as patient as Sonic is that he can't stay in one palace for too long.

"Eh, I'll take that as a compliment." Shard shrug off his shoulders from knowing it's praise worthy to say he's like the hedgehog: makes the bot feel like he's almost at that level. "Hmm?" Just then Shard's focus was shifted towards something off a distance.

There was movement behind the forest, as there was something coming out. And when Shard and Nicole saw them, they immediately froze in shock in seeing one was…a Mad Leo. One of the clone undead Ultimate Lifeforms which they weren't expecting to find. And then another surprise came as the second was an Armed Mad Leo, a weaponized type meant to be much more difficult with some enhanced cybernetic components. But the real terror was seeing that it was not just those two, a lot more others that resemble Mad Leo and Armed Mad Leo were coming out like an endless amount hidden behind the forest.

"Guys! We got company!" Shard issued to say firmly as he held up his blaster arm cannon, ready to go offensive.

"Hugh, what are those things? Friends of yours?" Knuckles asked as he stopped the healing process to see more strange lion men like Leo.

"No…they're not." Leo muttered out as he slowly stands up on his own two feet: feeling like he's halfway healed.

"Came across them with the Chaotix, they're some kinda undead clone of Leo. And trust me, the original looks way better." Shard issued on knowing what those enemies were, and they are all kinds of bad.

Then the Undead Armed Mad Leos jab their chainsaws into the ground, causing a seismic quake rupture to occur. But this one felt so big that it was spreading and breaking apart all the structures including the temple altar. The cracks were forming and parts of the mountains broke to fall and forest trees sank. The wild life living were afraid and began to run. And the Mad Leos were attacking to destroy the trees, fire attacks and apparently cause fires to erupt.

"They're destroying my island!" Knuckles snapped with rage from witnessing such violent action.

"Weren't we just wrecking your island moments ago?" Shard points out in reminding the echidna of what they were doing earlier.

"That was on a smaller scale, this is MUCH Larger!" Knuckles issued on the major difference when comparing the two. "I can't let them do this to my island!" Knuckles protest on wanting to stop this rampage of destruction.

"But if you stop now, Leo might not be fully cured." Nicole stated that the process was not finish due to the interruption.

"Yeah, well I maybe good, but…." Shard scratch his noggin from looking at the numbers. "I think we're gonna need more help?" The guy was unsure that last time he caught a big baddy off guard, this time it's way different and there's more then one.

"I'll take over." Leo spoke forth as he walks a bit closer to Knuckles. "I just have to repeat the chant, right?" He lightly smiled in asking about what needs to be done.

"Heh, if you can do that, then I'll help your pals deal with the enemy." Knuckles crack a smile, thinking that despite not asking, Leo seems capable of doing something like what he does.

"Thanks." Leo nods to appreciate receiving aid from Knuckles. "Nicole, try to call in as many of our robot forces as well as our two heaviest hitters." Leo request that the Holo-Lynx get any of their own troops to help change the flow of the fight.

"Understood." Nicole nods her head from understanding what Leo wishes.

Now Leo position himself by the Master Emerald as Knuckles quickly gave him a brief guide on how to perform the chant. During the time, a pop-up window appeared without warning:

-MAJOR QUEST-

DEFEAT THE ENEMY WAVES -1/2

INFO: Enemies are attacking on Angel Island, your side must be able to endure the attacks as long as possible until the Chaos Toxin has been resolved. The enemy has over 20,000 numbers against your small party. Use whatever methods you can to stall as long as possible while thinning out the numbers.

REWARDS: TO BE DECIDED

"A quest, and a major one at that?" Leo muttered from recognizing what the details were about. "Still with what we have, an army of 20,000 against our forces right now… I can't think of a time when one had to beat at least over a 1000 or so before someone step up to really stop a big threat?" Leo was certain the odds were very high, in some games one could fight a 1000 enemies to win a stage but….this was 10 to 20 times worse.

"There's no going back when things get rough, you ready to do this or not?" Knuckles asked in checking if Leo was ready to take control.

"I am, I have the chant lines memorized. My side will try to help keep your island safe." Leo explained the case on what he'll do and hopes Knuckles can trust what they will do on their part.

"Thanks, good luck…" As Knuckles said this, he immediately went on down the altar with the others.

Leo: Severs Are The Seven Chaos

Chaos Is Power…

Power enriched by the heart.

The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos.

The chanting was working, as the Master Emerald flared up and the same light particles began to help ease him. And as Leo did this, the same healing properties were also slipping into the other capsule pods containing the other Ultimate Lifeforms of the crew. As Leo was working, we focus on the others as they began to engage in fighting off against Undead Ultimate Lifeforms. Knuckles instantly used a Boost ability to quickly speed himself to face a group of Mad Leos.

"RAAARRRRRH! CYKNUCKLE!/PUNCH!" Knuckles roared as he slams his fist into the ground and released a spiral-shape updraft.

"POW!/UURRAGH!?" The group of Mad Leos roared as they were launched into the air before falling in different spots while disappearing as dark particles.

"One…One Punch took down that many enemy foes?" Shard looked a bit stump and surprised by that strong one-hit power punch.

"Leo did say he's very strong." Nicole stated on recalling what their leader said about Knuckles being known for his physical strength.

"Yeah, but to be THAT strong…" Shard exclaimed from thinking back how even a tough guy like Vector had trouble against these GUNX creations and Knuckles is a higher class then the Chaotix combined.

"PUNCH! PUNCH!" Knuckles was then seen leaping and jumping to perform his Punch Attack to blow to a few Mad Leos. "PUNCH-PUNCH, PUNCH!" The guy was literally in the zone taking out the first flank of soldiers made up of Mad Leo clones with a technique that uses a combo of powerful punches.

"He's punching them like they were just punching bags?" Shard replied from watching the act happen, and still couldn't believe it's real.

"Shard, ahead of you!" Nicole called out to warn the black metallic hedgehog of what she saw heading for him.

Shard saw a group of Mad Leos charging at him with their weapons in hand. But the metallic black hedgehog ignited his thrusters to dodge the attacks before performing some kind of Spin Dash move to knock them off balance. And then stops to charge his Arm Cannon before firing charge sphere shots that caused an explosions on each target that made contact.

"Nicole, you better stay out of this. There are no electrical devices for you to get control of." Shard alerts the Holo-Lynx of the disadvantage she has surrounded by no electrical equipment or system.

"Maybe not, but I can lead the Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters. Even help strengthen them." Nicole insist on what she can do to provide support from afar: as she began to glow as the Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters emitted a glowing visor. "Besides, we're about to have backup show up." Nicole mentions this next fact on what they can expect next.

At this moment as everyone was working to clear the enemy numbers, some attacks came from above to deal damage to the Armed Mad Leos in the back. And that's when the Leo Carrier was seen having position it's self above the altar spot to develop some ground cover. Nobody saw that Nicole had her eyes glowing to have the warship position it's self to provide the extra cover to move down the extra foes.

"The Leo Carrier, perfect timing." Shard smiled upon seeing their warship pulling in at the perfect timing.

"Deploying Loader Lio & Heavy Leo!" Nicole issued as she began to gain access to the ship above them which open some cargo bay doors.

"RARRRRRR!" Heavy Leo & Lio roared as they were dropping down from high above to go where the most battle zone was located. "STOMP!" When they made a heavy landing impact, they crushed a few careless Mad Leos that didn't getaway in time.

"BORING STORM!" Loader Lio announced after producing his extremely high-speed rotation mane and charged through the enemies to tear them into dust.

"BARRAGE SWEEPER!" Heavy Leo announced as he shoots a barrage of energy shoots from the extended left shoulder autocannon.

"BAM-BAM, BAM!" The destructive force of that next attack was leveling the front enemies units pretty quickly.

"Oh yeah! That got them!" Heavy Leo cheered from having taken down a huge number on the first go.

"Naarrrugh, let's keep this up!" Loader Lio roared from feeling excited to plow down more targets.

"Heh, so you really do have giant size robots on your side? I knew you were holding out." Knuckles smirks to chat to the others nearby after seeing two giant mechs plow through some enemies.

"Let's share stories for after we get through with this." Shard issued from charging his arm cannon and blasting away.

The battle continues to grow louder and louder, the cries were mix between beast roars of rage or of agonizing defeat. Leo quickly takes a quick look to study how everyone was doing while channeling the Chaos Energy from the Master Emerald to himself and his sick comrades. So far things were looking good, their group was thinning down the numbers of Mad Leos. In a matter of time it wouldn't be long before dealing with the Armed Mad Leos kept in reserve.

"It appears they are doing alright." Leo muttered under his breath, sounding a bit relieved that his friends were handling things. "That should give me some peace of mind so I can finish. I don't want to miss out on any of this." Leo issued on knowing he can't lose even a second to cure himself and his sick crew mates, after that they can help the others out.

"ROOOAAARRRR!" That's when the Armed Mad Leos were finally heard that made Leo observe what was about to transpire next. "SLEEPING LIONS!" Now the enemies began to chop everything in their path: including any Mad Leos that didn't escape their path and became dark particle dust.

"What the!? They don't even care if their own allies get in the way!?" Knuckles

"They are created to be weapons. They only do as programmed." Nicole

"LION HEART!" That's when the Armed Mad Leos slammed their left hand to the ground, causing a destructive impulse that caused the ground to shake and break. "ROOOOAAARRRRR!" They were roaring like mad beast, as they even jab their chainsaws to break the ground further, causing tremors and quake lines to spread.

"Oh boy! At this rate them breaking the ground might completely destroy this entire floating island." Shard yelps from remembering what this familiar attack did when he last saw it: only with the mass numbers, it's possible this island can be destroyed.

"Not on my watch!" Knuckles yelled from not wanting to allow another part of his home destroyed. "DRILL SPIN ATTACK!" Knuckles dashes into a fiery drill spin state and flies towards the first enemy.

"KAPOW!" That drill impact dealt damage to knock the Armed Mad Leo in front down before disappearing from the exceeding damage count: and the guy used his Glide ability to soar above more…

"Hey! You're heading for more of them!" Heavy Leo called out to warn Knuckles of the risky danger he's about to perform.

"That's the plan!" Knuckles shouted from doing precisely that; getting in close. "HEAT STOMP!" Knuckles shouted the next attack he's about to unleash.

That's when Knuckles dives downwards while spinning around in a spiral. The Armed Mad Leos group watch until when the foe hit the ground, Knuckles flares a fiery aura. The impact of the attack created a flaming shockwave that was released from that move. Many Armed Mad Leos suffered the worse of that heated shockwave force cause they were close by, others watch and growl enrage at what was going on.

"For a small little guy, he packs quite the punch. I feel my warrior spirit ignited just watching him fight!" Heavy Leo stated on watching how tough Knuckles was really going at it.

"Raarrrr….never judge a book by the cover. We maybe big, but he may prove a challenge to us." Loader Lio roared a bit to comment on how Knuckles can truly be describe as something big contain within a small package.

"RRRooaarrrrrhhhhh!?" The many remaining Mad Leos and Armed Mad Leos released an angry roar. They were regrouping to surround the enemies that have caused them to be delayed of their task.

"Heh! You maybe tough, but…/POW!" Knuckles smirks to look eager and punch his two fist together. "I'm TOUGHER!" The guy boast about his own power to not flinch against the heavy odds.

The fighting was still going on but it looks like what should have been a major disadvantage was turning around with the support of Leo's mechanical companions and with Knuckles help in the math. But nobody realized that while everyone was either fighting or in Leo's case, trying to heal himself and his kind…someone watch from the trees nearby. And from the shadowy covers was none other then a well known thief…Rouge the Bat!

"My-my, it appears our dear Echidna friend is having a party and he forgot to invite some of his friends?" Rouge stated on smoothly talking about someone while there's a battle going on. "Course, I'm even more surprise by the new company he's keeping? A metal version of Sonic but with Shadow's color, it's almost Eggman tech? And that warship…hmmm…?" Rouge watches the scene and saw a lot of different robots on the field to a warship in the air she very much recognizes it.

"Rouge, are you there?" Shadow's voice was heard somewhere as Rouge pulled out some kind of an advance communication handheld device.

"I'm here alright, and boy what a show." Rouge issued on watching the sparks fly all over the place.

"What show?" Shadow's voice asked from not sounding amused by the bat's interpretation of something going on.

"Oh nothing much, just Knuckles and our so-called 'Most Wanted' lion on the scene. It looks like there's some enemy force targeting both of them with full force?" Rouge explained the situation briefly on the short version to clue those in.

"Can you describe it? Is it Doctor Eggman?" Shadow's voice asked the big question on what enemy Rouge was referring.

"Well to answer that, no…" Rouge replied with a short answer to that question. "Way I gather it, the enemy is more organic, or rather…they are strange?" She watches the strange lion men that seem to give her the creeps.

"Describe it?" Shadow's voice asked for a description on Rouge's observation.

"Well would you believe they are nearly identical to our mysterious lion friend, yet they fight as if being mindless beast but pre-program like a robot." Rouge explained with a serious expression when watching those Mad Leos and Armed Mad Leos fight and not care about battle damages.

"Keep observing, GUN had me and Omega deal with another issue. So watch how things play out." Shadow's voice instructs Rouge on what she should do for the time being.

"Trust me, I'll try to keep out." Rouge replied back before putting the device away.

"KABOOM-BOOM!" Then a powerful explosion lit up and was heard near Rouge's area. And then she felt the wind force pushed her out of the trees which she used her bat wings to fly into the sky. Watching the fighting from above, the enemy's side was now a reduction of almost half their forces.

"Yeah, something tells me that I'll need to see who's the best to approach and who's not?" Rouge exclaimed from observing what was happening to feel cautious on what she should do. "Hmmm?" That's when she notice da bright light at the top of the altar: witnessing Leo use the Master Emerald to spread it's light around those present.

"Pant-pant…" Leo was panting a bit from looking almost spent. "Half-way….just a little longer now…" Leo issued on trying to maintain this action for a while longer.

"And I think our new friend handling the Master Emerald, may just be someone to approach." Rouge made a sly smile on who was the best possible choice to approach that held a key to this whole situation.

As Rouge continued to flap in the air and slowly fly to remain unseen while everyone continues to fight. We even spot the Armed Mad Leos trying to engage but Loader Leo performed Morningstar that the swung chain ball tail knocked 3 away. And then Heavy Leo performed Sonic Exavator that plowed his excavator through 4 to 5 of those Armed Mad Leos together. Many of the worse type of foes were falling and leaving a few Mad Leos that Nicole commanded the Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters to help Shard and Knuckles wipe them out. All this was happening while a signal GUN Beetle remain hidden to record everything that was happening to broadcast live to those receiving the other end.

---

MEANWHILE

BACK ON THE PANTACRUEL

"No-No! Are you KIDDING ME!?" Jack Hoarder was seen almost about to pull his hair out from watching the impossible happen.

"Wow, they are really holding on their own?" Milo was almost entirely amazed that such a group could handle an army unit of nearly perfect Ultimate Lifeform soldiers.

"Can it Minnos!" Jack Hoarder snapped from not being in the mood right now even when Milo was about to correct the guy. "We are so close, how are we losing?" The guy was uncertain what was happening, they should hold the advantage.

"Well, this will provide invaluable data." Doctor Snively exclaimed from observing these events to immediately make notes of it.

"Who cares about the data doc, our side is about to lose the prizes right in front of us!?" Jack Hoarder issued on seeing if nothing is done, they are gonna lose the Master Emerald, 7 Chaos Emeralds, and Project X all at once.

"Who said we will lose?" Doctor Snively looked to those that seem very distracted by such a simple issue.

"Eh, but we're taking heavy losses?" Milo was lost about what he heard just now.

"True, this was a bit unexpected. But not unforeseeable." Doctor Snively calmly addresses the case on looking at this as half empty and half full situation.

"What are you getting at Doctor?" Jack Hoarder looked from thinking there was something the guy was not telling them.

"The first two units were not the only ones we left there." Doctor Snively issued on having revealed a little detail that was not mention until now. "We have this as well." He was tapping on the holo-clipboard to prepare something to show.

That's when a digital holographic image appeared in the center of the room. And from it a figure feature was made as a large shadowy creature that had a lion's head frame, but…there was something more dangerous upon it's appearance. It was enough to make a few GUNX Soldiers nearby yelp and almost cower in fear from thinking such a beast was present, but it was only a projection.

"Huuuugh!?" Milo gasped upon what he saw looked like something that was really…terrifyingly big.

"Oh-hohohohoooo…." Jack Hoarder laughs off with a jolly sounding voice on what he sees. "What is THIS little beauty?" The guy looked to Doctor Snively, asking for details on what they are seeing.

"A little extra research on making a far stronger Ultimate Lifeform weapon as you requested." Doctor Snively simply stated on giving a short but brief answer.

"You mean like those Armed Mad Leos?" Milo asked a bit nervous from thinking this new weapon was some new enhanced weaponized soldier.

"Yes, I believe someone asked for something…really big, really scary, really dangerous and really impressive?" Doctor Snively quoted on the facts when looking at Jack Hoarder. "After the whole Argos Krudzu event from infecting Doctor Eggman's ultimate robot, the data transfer before it's destruction. Thus allowed us to further develop this next stage to make this creature rival BioLizard's final form – the BioHazard." He explains the principles of this new type of creature to grant untold strength and power to possibly compete against a threat once made by Gerald Robotnik.

"Doctor, you truly get me." Jack Hoarder made a sly evil smile.

"Um, but is it safe?" Milo asked from thinking this new type seem way beyond even the Armed Mad Leos which were already considered dangerous enough.

"We ran a few beta test on it's performance. And we managed to improve it's intelligence to match that of a cunning viper." Doctor Snively shrug off his shoulders to briefly assure those here that this new creature will have some brains to perform combatable task.

"I LOVE IT!" Jack Hoarder gripped his fist and shouted for joy. "Let's see it in action!" He request they start without any delay.

"Um, are there…more of THIS thing?" Milo asked from fearing if they had more of what the doctor was showing, would they feel safer or just worried of another accident.

"Not yet, but after this important test, we shall discover what it can and can't do that needs more work." Doctor Snively brushed aside to give a short but basic answer with a less expressed sign of worry.

Milo just fell silent from almost feeling very sorry for anyone that has to fight something that is worse then the Armed Mad Leo types. There was something about what he and the other normal soldiers saw as just…creepy and scary beyond words.

---

BACK ON ANGEL ISLAND

The scene returns to show the battle was almost nearly finished. As one spots Heavy Leo unleashing his Resting Burner, as the ultra-high temperature flames from the lion armor chest expelled towards more targets. Many of the Mad Leos were roaring in pain as their bodies dissolve into dark particles to fill the air. Then the last remaining 3 Armed Mad Leos were left as they were about to attack when the Leo Carrier fired it's cannons to deal the final blow. That's when a large puff of smoke blinded the area, until it began to clear away…

"Is it over?" Shard asked from looking at the area, seeing if they missed any.

"If it isn't, I'm game for another round!" Knuckles grins to crack his knuckles to hope for another round.

"Really? Cause fighting 10,000 to 1 seems hardly what others call fun?" Shard raised an eyebrow, finding that task a very tall order to perform on a daily.

"Hmph! Just you wait and see…" Knuckles huffs from not being bothered to face the odds.

"There's no need for that." Nicole walks up to cut those that were having a discussion.

"Hugh!?" Knuckles and Shard looked to the Holo-Lynx, as if lost by that.

"It's already over." Nicole simply stated the true fact of what's the final result now.

When the smoke cleared, a loud heavy sound of a chainsaw hit the ground. The last Armed Mad Leo was seen barely supporting it's self before toppling down. When the last enemy fell and disappeared into dark particles, that seem to be about it. Leo saw the whole thing and was looking to see there was almost nothing left of the great enemy. And then a pop-up screen appeared once more:

-UPDATE-

-MAJOR QUEST-

DEFEAT THE ENEMY WAVES – 1/2 - COMPLETE!

REWARDS: 5 Level-Ups,

SP 500,000

Drop Items: 2900 Metal Materials, 553 Chaos Battery Chargers, 200 Animal DNA Samples, 500,000 Coins

Rare Items Drop:

Element Fragment Pieces (200-Fire, 200-Water, 200-Lightning, 200-Ice, 200-Dark, 200-Metal)

"Well now even I'm surprised by the results. But it appears we have done it." Leo muttered off surprised, he knew his group was strong but to beat a force of 10,000 is a big feat indeed.

"My-my, you certainly did?" A female voice was heard smoothly commenting.

"Ugh!?" Leo yelps to look at where the voice came from, only to spot who flap down face to face then…Rouge.

"Well hello again, been a while since we last came face to face?" Rouge smirks to make herself presentable while remaining as a mysterious beauty. "I believe not since you had your first tussle bringing down that Ultimate GUN Robot and helping the Diamond Cutters out?" She brings up an old topic about what she remembered Leo did some time ago.

"You-you are…?" Leo was almost utterly speechless of who he is speaking to.

"Rouge the Bat, thief of fine jewelry and a part-time government spy." Rouge smiled to give a lady-like greeting and introduction of herself in a friendly manner. "And what I'm spying is something that has earn my attention very much?" She issued to say from looking around the area of what has caught her interest.

"Hmm?" Leo looked at the Master Emerald, and it dawn to him: this was the time for any world-known thief to obtain a rare and priceless jewel.

"I've known Knuckles long enough to know, him leaving you to protect and use the Master Emerald is almost zero. Yet somehow, you managed to pull off doing both." Rouge flies around from her observation on many intriguing key factors happening at once. "Seems there's a lot more to you then meets the eye?" She was really good at pushing the right buttons to get the intel she wants.

"Ugh…?" Leo was uncertain on how to handle this situation: he's still in the middle of something with a healing process.

"HEY!" Knuckles was heard yelling which force Leo and Rouge to look downward. "What are YOU Doing here Rouge!?" Knuckles yelled in addressing the female bat that showed up without a warning.

"Oh don't mind us, we're just having a little chat." Rouge gave a playful hand wave to the echidna for spotting her.

"Yeah right! Are you looking for a chance to steal the Master Emerald?" Knuckles raised his fist, preparing to stop a thief from stealing from him.

"Maybe I'm not, maybe I am…? Which do you think I should choose?" Rouge lightly tap her cheek and gave a little sly wink to play the hard game of teasing and flirting.

"Grrrr…." Knuckles growls from feeling so annoyed and bothered by Rouge's antics.

"Say, isn't that…?" Shard approached Nicole from spotting who was on the scene.

"Rouge, yes…I detected her presence since the battle." Nicole nods to confirm on who they have encountered.

"Why didn't you say anything about her?" Shard looked stump that if Nicole knew Rouge was near, why not alert them sooner.

"She was not engaging, she merely was observing us." Nicole stated on the simple answer of where there was no sign of Rouge doing anything when they were engaging the enemy.

"Well she's late to join the battle." Loader Lio stated on who the late comer was to miss out on participating.

"Right! We defeated everything the enemy threw at us!" Heavy Leo proudly pounds his chest on declaring the battle was already won.

"Hmmm, everything?" Leo heard that statement, and observes the area: it did seem like they won and no enemy was left… "Wait! Something doesn't feel right?" Leo spoke up from realizing this whole thing was not adding up.

"Hmmm? What's not right?" Rouge looks to Leo, puzzled by what he just said without warning.

Leo couldn't shake a strange feeling about this whole situation. Sure they won, but there was something odd about the earlier message. They completed a Part 1, which means they yet to finish the second part yet to come. While contemplating for an answer, another pop-up window appeared with an alarming notice alert:

MAJOR QUEST

DEFEAT THE ENEMY WAVES – 2/2

Info: The final wave of enemies left after taking out 20,000. If one thinks they had a tough time against the first wave, the second wave is usual meant to contain only the strongest. With the enemy pushed back into a corner, they reveal their hidden ace, and now one must defeat the final foe.

REWARDS: UNKNOWN?

"Hmmm…I knew it!? It was only half way finished." Leo exclaimed from having a worried expression on his face: there isn't much intel on the quest details but it's surely not a good thing. "THERE'S ANOTHER WAVE COMING!" He yelled out this to alert everyone of the danger still lurking about.

"Another wave of enemies?" Rouge raised an eyebrow from having heard this, how does the lion man know when his party defeated 20,000 foes.

"There were almost 10,000 of them to begin with." Nicole mentions how many foes they have fought up to this point.

"Yeah, 10,000 EACH you mean? And they weren't easy." Shard remarked on how difficult it was to fight those numbers.

"Well if they think we'll go down after taking down just one wave, then they got another thing coming!" Knuckles smirks to pound his fist, eagerly wanting to beat more enemies.

"How many are we gonna face now?" Loader Lio asked from not sure what numbers they will fight against this time.

"Don't know, but whoever it is will know we mean business!" heavy Leo declared to boast their own strength to not be out done.

"Leo, are you almost finished?" Nicole called out to check on the lion man's progress with the Master Emerald.

"I need a little more time, I feel that the poison has just about left me." Leo explained himself on how much he has already done, a little more and he'll be cured.

"Then we'll hold off whatever or whoever is coming." Knuckles issued from putting a fist to the air with confidence. "Nothing is getting by us!" The guy grins from feeling the warrior spirit rising up to accept any challenge.

"ROOOOOOOOUUUUUUAAAAARRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHH!" Then without warning, a very loud roar created a shockwave of compressed air burst across from the forest to the altar. Then without warning, multiple heat beams were shot that impacted the Leo Carrier by the engine area, causing the warship to lose altitude and temporally crash on the other side of Angel Island.

"The warship!?" Leo cried out from seeing their base taken out of commission just like that. "Hmmm?" Leo noticed the action, and felt something was off.

"Woah, whatever did that musta been really big?" Shard exclaimed from hearing someone really loud and dealt damage to their ship.

"BASH! BASH!" Then the trees were being knocked down from something large plowing them down.

"Big and Heavy?" Shard exclaimed from having a somewhat sheepishly nervous smile.

"BASH! BASH!" That's when something began to burst through the final trees into the opening. "HIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS!" It was revealed to resemble some kind of giant mechanical snake.

"Big, and Heavy….and….a Mechanical Snake!?" Shard raised an eyebrow from seeing the enemy show it's self.

"Heh, they sent in a robotic snake? I dealt with Eggman's robots to not be scared of one measly snake bot." Knuckles brags from not losing his confidence against something like this.

But then while the mechanical snake was finally making an appearance from the plowed down forest, what everyone saw was not just one…there were MORE!? In fact the number grew to almost be 8 in total, and they were all attach to one body. The appearance was a silver theme 8-headed serpent-like dragons that were mechanical with red eyes and yellow irises, tan brown underbelly metal skin, plus there was a tail resembles like a rattlesnake's tail. The body was humanoid shape of knees, arms, waist, chest and lion-head with the 8 serpent heads for limbs such as feet, hands, plus shoulders and upper back portion. The lion had a yellow mane, magenta color sharp teeth and red color pupil eyes. It was truly like a hybrid between a bio-lifeform and a mechanical bio-lifeform merge into some cross mutated beastman, and it was over 90 feet tall.

"You were SAYING!?" Shard shouted from feeling like Knuckles had to jinx them somehow.

"Okay, THAT…is a Whole new kind of…whatever it is?" Knuckles felt like he step on a landmine from meeting something as bizarre as a Snake-Lion-Man hybrid.

Leo sees the enemy and was shocked beyond all reason why there was something so monstrous appearing now. But then just when trying to make sense what kind of creature it was, the same pop-up window displayed information on the enemy and it was just as shocking:

-ENEMY DATA-

OROCHI LEO Lv.220

TYPE: UNDEAD LION-SNAKE CYBORG HYBRID

RANK: BOSS

POWER LEVEL: 150,000

Info: When having made Mad Leos act like the Foot Soldiers and Armed Mad Leos perform the manner to rival Tanks, they were just the first attempts. GUNX went into an even further experimental task of using their cloning technology of an undead Ultimate Lifeform by applying bio-technology of cross merging the DNAs of a dangerous predator. In such experiments resulted in using serpent types to further enhance the lack of intelligence with the cunning and conniving and vicious behavioral actions of a deadly viper. That's when an idea to further improve the results by mixing in the remaining DNA of BioHazard. The results further increased the size, and with further modifications to the body created an undead weaponized hybrid beast that is half-lion & half cybernetic, with the additional half reptilian and half-serpent features. The experiment was called 'Project Orochi', named from an 8-headed serpent, which became ironic when the creature gain 8 dragon serpent handed limbs that were all fused mechanical components. The final addition was supplying this creature with Replicated Chaos Emeralds and even a larger replicated version of the Master Emerald, for a grand total of eight power-ups maintain and control to become both beast and man for a deadly combo. Poison Breath: Subjects high-concentration toxic poison to high pressure cloud burst, sometimes the stronger the cloud burst results in vaporizing areas that die or melt structures. Inferno Blast: Spews out a powerful blaze from the serpent heads. Serpent Bite: Uses all eight serpent limbs to attack, either strangle or bite off targets. Ame no Murakumo: Turns the tip of its tail into a sharp blade, then cuts the opponent to pieces. Annihilention: Red-hot beams fired from its eyes. Meltdown: Condenses the energy within its body, and breathes it out of its main mouth as a wave.

"Ugh, now that there, is disturbing?" Rouge cringed from looking at something that was really weird.

"What is it? Some lion or a snake?" Knuckles raise an eyebrow, uncertain what to even describe this enemy as.

"It appears to be a combination of both." Nicole spoke forth on what sort of new enemy they are dealing with. "We must be extra careful, this one has a higher energy output from being both a mutation and enhanced cybernetic components." She reveals the dangers of what this enemy possesses that makes him a threat.

"An Ultimate Lifeform combination of bio-mutation and enhance cybernetics?" Leo exclaimed from sounding shock by what this new enemy is capable of doing.

"How is that even possible!?" Rouge asked from not sure if such a fused creation was possible.

"Apparently whoever has the most money to pay for something this crazy can do whatever they want." Shard rolled his optics from knowing how those with the cash like to do some crazy stuff.

"Well it doesn't matter what they throw at us, we'll just throw it right back!" Knuckles issued firmly as he pounds his fist together.

"Yeah, we finally have a big opponent we can deal with." Heavy Leo declared on raring himself to go and thrash the foe.

"Raarrrr! Let's show him what we're made of!" Loader Lio roared from eagerly wanting to partake in the challenge.

"AME NO MURAKUMO!" Orochi Leo announced as the tip of the tail turns into a sharp blade.

"BZzzzz…." Suddenly the tail lashed forth in the blink of an eye. "CLASH-CLASH-CLASH-CLASH!/SLASH-SLASH-SLASH-SLASH!" There was every second a single armor was chipped and slashed, breaking the defenses of the giant mecha lion bots.

"WAAAAHHHHH!?" Heavy Leo and Loader Lio yelps as they were enduring the relentless assault.

"Heavy Leo!? Loader Lio!?" Nicole called out to those that were hurled across the field.

"Huurrgh!?" Orochi Leo then roared before launching all 4 mechanical snakeheads to impact the giant mecha lion bots.

"POW!/AAArrugh…" Heavy Leo and Loader Lio screamed as they were hit so hard they flew across the field. "CRASH!?" And then they crashed their big bodies to make body-prints in the side of the mountain of Angel Island.

"Did that thing…just sent our two biggest hitters across the field!?" Shard asked with a stupefied expression: he knows Heavy Leo aided in defeating Master Core: Abyss with Leo, but this seems too shocking to believe.

"Hmm-Hmm-Hmm-Hmm, Hmmm…" Then everyone heard a strange darken male voice, it was deep and it sounded like…laughter. "What a pathetic sight." That's when everyone turns to find the owner of the voice belong to…Orochi Leo.

"Hugh, it can talk!?" Rouge gasped from seeing this, she thought this experimental weaponized Ultimate Lifeform had no intelligence.

"If you think I'm the same as those others, then you're wrong." Orochi Leo explains his case so that others will not just assume he's as mindless as the earlier enemies that fell in battle. "I am the more evolved project. I can think, I can plan, and I can experience joy…in what I kill." He revealed a sinister smile on showing a dark and twisted nature of his personality.

"Ahhh, what sort of psycho made you?" Knuckles remarked from thinking this guy is a complete mess.

"The kind that was made for carnage on the battlefield." Orochi Leo counters with a sly remark on how he sees things. "And now I'll finish you off and claim the riches behind." He declared on what he'll do once he's done with the fools here.

"If you think we're gonna allow that, you're wrong!" Knuckles protest from looking like he's ready to explode. "HUUARRRRGH!" Knuckles then performed a Boost technique as a fast blur before preparing a major attack.

"Hmph, can you stop this?" Orochi Leo crack a sly grin before just launching one of his serpent limbs.

"POW!" That's when a single mechanical snakehead countered Knuckles' Punch Attack as the echidna struggled to push it forward.

"Grrrr…." Knuckles groans from his attack being stopped and can't seem to make it move.

"Knuckles, you hold him! We'll try to attack from above!" Shard issued from flying over the echidna to provide support. "Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters with me! Nicole, we may need a power-up!" Shard turns to give instructions on knowing what they need to give them advantage.

"Ri-right…." Nicole slightly nodded her head, deciding to partake in that sudden plan of action. "OVERCLOCK MODE – ENGAGE!" Then Nicole emitted energy before she transformed into her Super Mode: and then channeled that same energy into the robotic members of their group to strengthen them.

"Perfect, feeling charged up! Think you can hack this guy's system?" Shard exclaimed while channeling a strange force to create an electrical field around himself. "Let's see how he likes a little radioactive force! RING SPARK FIELD!" Shard announced the name of this attack that was a destructive field of electrical discharges.

"I'm ready on my side…GO!" Nicole informs the other bots as she had finished her own preparation.

Now everything was quickly moving into action, Knuckles was holding off one limb, Nicole was hacking the mechanical components of the enemy to give Shard's group time to attack. But while they were busy, so too was the enemy himself.

"Hmph, what simpletons." Orochi Leo spoke his words within his very mind. "This echidna has power but lacks speed and brains." As he says this, two hidden serpent heads were hidden behind, awaiting to attack Knuckles. "These metal troopers may have speed but do not think fast." Then the next image shows Shard and the drones attacking but were not focusing on two other hidden serpents lying in wait. "And lastly…" Then the scene was focus on Nicole…

"Hugh…" Nicole opened her eyes when her digital field of energy tried to take control of Orochi Leo only to be shattered.

"You let yourself exposed thinking I have no defense. But I have unlimited countermeasures." Orochi Leo declared out on what Nicole failed to realize.

That's when the hidden unused mechanical serpent limbs became active and launch surprise attacks. Knuckles was attacked by a second serpent head, two more mechanical snakes wiped out the Leo Hunters and Leo Bandits while knocking Shard off. Nicole yelped from Shard landing beside her while yelping to grab him before another serpent mechanical snake lashed to attack them. In mere minutes the groups were split all over, and Leo who was busy using the Master Emerald to heal himself and his crew could watch the battle unfold for the enemy's advantage.

"Ah…" Leo lightly gasped a bit from having witness such a terrible sight. "No way, in less then mere moments, he finished off all of them?" Leo was utterly shocked, this guy could be the most dangerous enemy they faced yet.

"Apparently this guy is on a whole other level." Rouge stated on firmly analyzing the options they have; and it's not going well. "Rouge to GUN, do you read?" She pulled out her communication device to contact backup…only to hear radio static. "Ugh, my signal is not getting through?" She cursed from getting a signal interference, talk about bad timing. "Better get a higher altitude to get a signal and call in backup." The girl turn her attention on where she needed to go.

As Rouge takes off to get a better chance of getting a signal out, the battle below continues. And it still shows that Orochi Leo was still holding the high position against everyone else.

"Hmmm-hmmm, hmm…" Orochi Leo shook his head with a wicked grin, finding all those that tried are not doing their best.

"What's…with this guy? He acts as if…he's playing with us?" Shard slowly stood up, unable to determine how to deal with someone this tough.

"Oh, I thought we were playing? I have yet to become serious." Orochi Leo remarks to reveal a little surprise twist on not having begun to fight at his best.

"Then it's YOU who's underestimating us!" Heavy Leo was heard as he and Loader Lio were seen having broken free of being embedded in a rocky mountain.

"RAArrrrr! Don't count us out just yet!" Loader Lio snarls from using his buzzsaw mane and Heavy Leo used his pile bunker to aid in their escape state.

"Back for more are we?" Orochi Leo remarked at the giant mecha robots that have recovered from the earlier beat down. "Very well, hit me with your best shots?" He challenges these two to take him down without holding back.

"SONIC EXCAVATOR!" Heavy Leo prepares his Pile Bunker and charges to impale the target with maximum fighting spirit.

"MORNINGSTAR!" Loader Lio roared as he swung his Morningstar tail attack with a fast charge motion.

"CLASH!" The attacks all landed on Orochi Leo who used his 8 mechanical snakeheads to block them. But when the attacks seem to almost push through, an energy barrier was covering the enemy to protect him from the dangerous attacks.

"Ugh!?" Loader Lio gasped upon what just happen to their combined attacks.

"WHAT!?" Heavy Leo shouted in disbelief, how could an enemy withstand even his best attack.

"Hmm-hmm-hmm, is that it?" Orochi Leo laughs off darkly at the so-called 'best' attacks he received.

"NO!" Then someone was heard from directly above the enemy. "THERE'S ME!" That's when Shard was seen preparing another attack on the spot. "I'm still getting my power-up, so he's my BEST! V. MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE ATTACK!" Shard announced from overloading his circuitry to cause blue sparks to emit from his body and forms an energy field around himself.

"AHD ME!" Knuckles was also seen charging through while equipping himself with a pair of large hooked claws attach to his gloves. "I'm wearing the Shovel Claws, so that increases my strength to do this! DRILL SPIN ATTACK!" Knuckles dashes into a fiery drill spin and fly towards the enemy without warning.

"POWWWWW…/KABAM!" Suddenly combined with Knuckles and Shards' piercer attacks aided to push the two lion mechas' attacks which cause an explosion. The smoke cloud revealed that something was pushed several meters away from the others that stood where they attacked Orochi Leo.

"Aahhh…" Shard drops to the drop, looking a bit drained of his energy. "Nicole, thanks for the power-up!" He turns to give praise for the Holo-Lynx girl's effort on having helped him out.

"Shard, I hate to say it…but…" Nicole tries to maintain her balance but she seem nearly spent. "Ugh…" At that moment, Nicole deactivated her transformation to drop on her knees. "But I can't fight anymore. I'm sorry." She apologized for having become unable to aid any further.

"No worries, it's done now." Knuckles smiled from feeling like it's over.

"No, I'm sorry but…it's not over." Nicole shook her head to regretfully reveal it's not over yet.

"MELTDOWN!" Orochi Leo's voice was heard as glowing eyes were seen behind the smoke cloud.

Without warning behind the smoke clouds, Orochi Leo condensed the energy within his body, and breathes it out of his mouth as a wave. "KABOOM!" The destructive power caused an explosion that knocked the attackers and scatter them a bit. The giant crater hole was evident of the destruction that was almost about to be the brave souls if they didn't react in time to brace themselves. But as Orochi Leo looked around, he noticed Rouge was flying higher until she stops.

"Can anyone hear me? Hello!?" Rouge was trying to get a signal, the static feedback was not as much but…

"Hmmm?" Orochi Leo began to take an interest in Rouge: as there was some red glow of energy she emitted. "Well now, a little bat is wanting to leave before things even gotten started." He made a sly smile from having himself prepare another attack.

"Hugh….oh no!?" Leo gasped upon seeing where the enemy was about to attack. "ROUGE! WATCHOUT!" Leo screamed to alert the female bat of a possible danger.

"Wha?" Rouge yelped from hearing the warning but…

"Too late…" Orochi Leo grins as he and his mechanical serpent heads all stared forth. "ANNIHILENTION!" Then it roared out this next attack with such fury.

Suddenly Orochi Leo fires red-hot beams fired from it's eyes, and it was from both the lion head and the 8 serpent heads. Rouge stared in horror before immediately trying to fly and dodge the incoming laser fire. But there were too many to dodge, and one of the shots made contact with her left wing that incinerated the lower half.

"AAAAAaaahhhhh!?" Rouge screamed as she clutch her damaged left wing and was in incredible pain.

Rouge was seen falling from being unable to maintain her flight. The bat was plummeting at a fast rate and almost hit the ground… Until Knuckles rushed onto the scene and caught Rouge from hitting the ground.

"Hmmm…?" Rouge opened her eyes only to see who was the last thing she expected.

"Hang on, I got you!?" Knuckles issued from having saved Rouge from injuring herself further.

"My wing?" Rouge asked from looking at the wounded wing.

"It looks bad, you won't be flying anytime soon?" Knuckles placed Rouge down to inspect the injury; but then something fell out of Rouge's person. "Hmmm, what's that?" Knuckles asked from what just rolled out now.

"Ugh, oh that…" Rouge yelps from when all eyes were looking at a Chaos Emerald, and this one was Red. "Heh, something else I found when browsing around?" Rouge slightly made a sheepish smile when revealing this 'secret' surprise she kept hidden.

"You mean you STOLE!? That's the Chaos Emerald I found, when did you…?" Knuckles snapped from realizing that Rouge stole the emerald from him when he found the jewel on his island.

"Ho, a Chaos Emerald?" Then everyone turns their attention towards Orochi Leo when he spoke. "I thought there was something special about that bat that I didn't want her to leave so soon?" He exclaimed from having sense Rouge had something hidden. "I happen to have replicated emeralds myself." Then everyone saw replicated Chaos Emeralds that acted like the mechanical snakehead's eyes: and on the forehead was a larger emerald. "Perhaps adding the real Master Emerald and Chaos Emeralds will make me even stronger. So I believe I'll take them." He made an evil grin from having decided what he shall take to further be more unstoppable.

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Heavy Leo snapped from getting back up to stand against the enemy.

"Rarrrr….we can still fight even if damaged!" Loader Lio growls from getting himself up and rolling to another side.

"Alright then, then I'll just Divide and Conquer." Orochi Leo remarked on what he will do to finish this little group.

"How you gonna do that if we don't stay in one place?" Shard snapped on flying to the backside while Nicole moved to the further right.

"Oh, that's simple…" Orochi Leo slyly issued on how to answer that question. "SERPANT BITE!" Then the enemy announced the next attack move with an evil hiss tone.

Then without warning, Orochi Leo's limbs were shot forth and extended themselves into all corners. Heavy Leo and Loader Lio yelped when a giant mechanical snakehead ram tackles them as they use any arm defense they can. Shard saw another giant mechanical snakehead heading for him, so he performs Shock Defense to create an electric barrier: and it just barely withstood the jaws of the enemy that grabbed and smashed the metal black hedgehog into a mountain side. Nicole sees a mechanical snakehead heading for her by a rocky boulder, but in a risky situation she threw her device to the side and her body's solid hologram faded which made the enemy break the rock from it's powerful jaws: one of the broken pieces damage the thrown device, making it hard for the Holo-Lynx to reform herself. Leo was seen on the alter from looking like he was almost finished. That is until a mechanical snakehead appears and goes after the other pods where the sick members of the crew were kept.

"BRAVE SHIELD!/CLASH!" Leo then instantly pulled out his golden shield to stop the attack: but it seem like a struggle. "Grrr…and just when I reach 99 percent healed I can withstand something of this type of attack. Still it's better then nothing! HAaaurgh!" Then at that moment, Leo began to channel more of his Chaos Energy around his body before forming a lance.

"POW!" With enough force, Leo managed to repel the mechanical snakehead with a Chaos Lance which was several times larger then normal. "CRASH!" The mechanical snake limb crashed onto the alter steps, apparently taken down for a moment.

"Too close a call, so far I, Heavy Leo, Loader Lio, Shard, & Nicole repelled back each attack, that makes 5 strikes instantly…" Leo had a moment to process what has happen and who among them got attack; but something didn't feel right. "Hugh!? Wait, the enemy has 8 mechanical snake limbs, where are the other 3 right now?" Leo gasped upon realizing there was a missing number to the math.

Leo immediately search the battlefield before spotting another scene happening as of this moment. When the sixth mechanical snakehead was going for the injured Rouge only for Knuckles to step in. Knuckles then immediately channeled flames in his fist and stops the mechanical serpent head from almost biting onto him. During the time the echidna warrior held the attacking beast, Rouge weakly clutch her wing but limps a bit to grab the Chaos Emerald.

"What are you doing? Knuckles yelled at what the bat girl was up too.

"Protecting the Chaos Emerald!?" Rouge snapped back in refusing to let such a precious jewel fall into the clutches of the enemy.

"You can BARELY walk much less fly! Is it worth your life!?" Knuckles snapped back on the foolish choice Rouge was making in this situation.

"Well…" Rouge tried to think up a counter excuse to the argument.

"HHiisss…" Then without warning, two more mechanical serpent heads were seen attacking from the left and right area when slipping pass Knuckles. The target was Rouge and the Chaos Emerald she held.

"ROUGE!?" Knuckles shouted when witnessing what was happening.

The entire scenery went into a slow motion as Rouge was unable to react with a damaged wing, as two giant mechanical snakeheads lunge for her and the Chaos Emerald. But as Knuckles struggled with one mechanical snakehead, he saw something occurred on the altar. Leo had performed Gravity Dive and shooting himself across the field before performing Gravity Control to throw objects. The large boulders managed to aid Knuckles to overpower one mechanical snakehead to knock it away. The remaining objects only slightly distracted the two foes from approaching Rouge, but that only served to allow the lion man a chance of performing both Gravity Ring and Meteor Burst, and the speed propelling act knocked the other giant mechanical snake away…

"HISsssssss!?" But the last mechanical snakehead still slipped by and was inches away…

"Ahhhh!?" Rouge screamed as she shut her eyes to brace herself.

"Nooooo!" Knuckles screamed as he hurled the other mechanical snakehead to the ground to leave a crater and jumped forth but he wouldn't make it in time…

"BAM!/CHOMP!" Then a loud implosive force impacted the ground followed by a loud chomping of a jaw. There was a lot of smoke due to the impact that blinded the entire area. But slowly the smoke cloud was fadijng to allow one to see what has happen. There we spot Knuckles having shoved Rouge aside as she still held the Chaos Emerald, both were a bit woozy while slowly regaining themselves.

"Ugh, what happen?" Rouge groans from what happened now.

"Don't know, I tried to get in the way of that snake after I beat back mine just barely?" Knuckles held his head from a terrible headache.

"Then who just….ugh!?" Rouge gasped upon what she had just saw.

"Wha…ugh?" Knuckles turn to where Rouge looked at and he too was speechless.

Slowly what was seen would be a shock for anyone as the last bit of smoke cleared out. There one can see the last mechanical snakehead slithering back and rejoin the other limbs that Orochi Leo commands. But then all eyes were on Leo as he was just barely standing and sweating up a storm with grit teeth. The answer to that became clear when everyone saw what happen to the lion man, the mechanical snakehead attacked and did a critical damage to Leo by…chomping off his entire left arm. Leo clutch the missing arm as if felt incredibly painful and used his old red scarf to stop the bleeding.

"Pant…pant…pant…" Leo was exhaling at an alarming rate, it's no surprise…most wouldn't have endured the pain and pass out on the spot.

"You…your arm?" Knuckles muttered with a half-shock expression from addressing what Leo was missing.

"Hmmm, yeah…I know…looks bad, doesn't it?" Leo muffled a bit between his teeth while trying to put on a brave front.

"OF COURSE IT DOES!? WHO WOULDN'T IF THEY LOST AN ARM!" Knuckles yelled out frustrated that anyone could say they are fine after such a horrible incident is just plain crazy.

"That thing…and you just…?" Rouge slowly spoke first while recovering of the shock of what almost happen to them of being attacked. "All that to keep the emerald from falling into it's scaly grasp?" The bat girl was unable to make any sense besides someone risking it all to keep the emerald she had from being taken.

"Well, no…" Leo lightly replied out his answer.

"Then why…?" Rouge asked of why Leo gave up an arm if not to keep the Chaos Emerald safe.

"Because…I couldn't stand to see either of you killed." Leo exclaimed his reasoning towards Knuckles and Rouge. "An arm is a small price…to pay?" He looked back at the enemy after having said these words.

"Urgh….how pathetic am I. I couldn't even prevent that?" Knuckles clutch his fist while looking both enrage and disappointed that Leo saved them but it cost the lion man his arm…how pathetic he is to not prevent that from happening.

"Hahahahahh…." Orochi Leo was heard laughing evilly that made everyone looked to it. "What a terrible site. You all just barely made it through." He taunts to tease the poor and weaken fools. "I have my orders, Project X will be taken in. But I never received an order for him to remain in one piece." He showed a sinister sly smile on what he will do to accomplish his task, but it may get ugly…

The situation was not in Leo's favor, in fact his warship was shot down, many of those that could fight are too badly damage or hurt to continue. And worse of all is that the lion man was seriously injured that he lost an arm, doesn't take a Sonic fan to realize nothing of THIS caliber has ever occurred in any Sonic Universe be it from a comic, cartoon or game. Just as Leo was weighing options on how to save everyone from this monstrous snake-lion hybrid monster, a familiar pop-up screen came with a message:

-Congratulations-

*SECRET BONUS QUEST*

'Give An Arm & Leg' – Complete!

Info: You have performed an unbelievable feat of sacrificing a limb to save an ally. Not many can do what you have just given up to take the blow to protect a friend endanger. This shows a strong character brave and daring enough to risk their life on the line. For even the greatest pain you endure now, will result in the greatest rewards measured by such an action.

REWARDS: 5 Level-Ups

Passive Abilities:

Shield Giant Lv.5-10 Max

Leo was still just barely hanging in there but he was able to read and understand everything. Apparently there are quest like this that may show up at unexpected times. Right now he does feel a bit alright with the level-ups and recovered health but he's still gravely in a disadvantage situation.

"Leo….can you…hear me?" Nicole's voice was heard on the communication of Leo's mind.

"Nicole?" Leo muttered quietly when hearing the Holo-Lynx's voice.

"The condition has been meant. You are at the level amount and all seven emeralds are near." Nicole explains the case in Leo's mind about him reaching the request on the number of emeralds and being Level 200. "Do you wish to evolve?" She asked this next part to await an answer from Leo.

"Hmmm…" Leo hums a bit from hearing this, if what Nicole said is true then the situation may not be hopeless. "There is a way out, but…" Leo immediately turns his attention towards the only thing missing to awaken his next evolution. "Rouge, I maybe able to help get us out of this situation. But I need that Chaos Emerald, please…" Leo asked Rouge to let him have the red emerald that she was holding.

"Uh…normally I object but…" Rouge was mostly hesitant at the idea but… "Here hun, I think you more then deserve it." She willingly gives the Red Chaos Emerald to Leo's remaining arm.

"Even though that's mine, still…I'm in agreement. But what can you do?" Knuckles remark on making a correct matter before questioning Leo's plan to turn this fight around.

"You'll see…" Leo lightly smiled in promising that these two will know shortly soon. "Nicole – I'm ready!" Leo spoke forth as he stood up and held the red jewel in the air.

"Understood!" Nicole's voice replied as her holographic image appeared by her device, but it was a bit static and disabled from some damage. "Conditions Clear - "

Suddenly

"Hmmm? What's this?" Orochi suddenly noticed one of the mechanical snakehead was reacting with a glow in it's mouth. "Ahhh…the severed arm!?" He yelps from detecting a strange energy flow from the arm he took off of Leo.

"Grrrrrrr….." Leo growls a bit as he suddenly was feeling a strange flow of energy aura surrounding him. "AARrrrruughh…." Leo roared from a strange flow of energy, as the 7 Chaos Emeralds in his possession began to levitate off his person and spin around him.

"What the….the energy is skyrocketing!?" Shard yelps from what his optic eyes show a rise of energy flow. "And there's even some extra working around the arm area? But I'm detecting unknown new energy elements, what's…" Just as Shard said as we see through his optic vision: several rainbow colors were spiraling around Leo and all energy was focus on the severed arm area.

"Huuurrraagh…." Leo gasped as he fell to his knees while looking like he could barely contain himself: then the 7 jewels enter the body. "WAAARRRRRAARRRRRRGHHHH!" Leo unleashed a humongous roar as his eyes flashed bright white and untold energy burst like wildfire.

Then a brighter flash of light erupted around Leo's entire body that was acting strangely. There were signs of earth, fire, wind, and water were rotating followed by lightning, darkness and light. Within the sphere, many saw the shadowy figure of Leo, but something else occurred. The severed arm area began showing strange movement of flesh lumps until…it exploded. Correction, imploded to reveal an arm had regrown out of the body.

"Ugh…" Knuckles yelped upon what he saw just now.

"Hmmmm!?" Rouge covered her mouth like she was gonna barf.

Afterwards an impulse burst scattered the mist and the sphere of light vanished to reveal a shocking surprise of Leo's newest appearance. And as everyone was watching, so too was the hidden GUN Beetle recording everything and sending this data to those observing the events.

---

AT THIS TIME

ON THE PANTACRUEL

"Did he just…Regrow a lost arm?" Jack Hoarder asked from when he, Doctor Snively and Milo observe everything on the holo monitor.

"Ugh….I think…I'm gonna lose my lunch? Excuse me?!" Milo held his stomach before immediately running out of the room; where it sounded like he was puking.

"Incredible!? This was clearly not of Project X's original capabilities?" Doctor Snively held his chin from studying this latest action and transformation.

"Yeah, the reports only say it was a failure. So how is our failure fairing like this?" Jack Hoarder asked from finding what the reports say and the current data seem completely different.

"Perhaps unknown mutations in the general make-up that were not fully studied." Doctor Snively ponders a possible theory that was never further looked into when Project X was shutdown too soon.

"Tell me doc, does this hurt our chances?" Jack Hoarder asked from wanting to know if this will bite back at them.

"That, I am uncertain how to answer." Doctor Snively replied from not having the answer to such a question while they watch the events play on.

---

BACK ON ANGEL ISLAND

Everyone was still spell bound before as the last bit of mist vanished and one can get a clearer view of the newly evolved Leo the Lion. Standing almost 25 feet tall was a humanoid lion man with bright light orange-red fur and a long yellow mane of hair going down to the feet, and has light blue color eyes. The body was covered in some special newly evolved mech-tech armor. The armor is covered with golden aspects that are structured in angular positions, which bears the resemblance of a majestic lion and the suit also features a tail cover. The armor displays 2 spike shield upward shoulder pads, waist pads for each side, armor greaves with claw beast bootwear, gauntlets with metal claws and jewel centers near the elbow joint region, and the chest-plate and waist belt buckle resemble an open lion's mouth. A crown-like helmet with disc covers for the ears.

***Leo The Lion Evolution Complete***

5th Stage: (Lion Demigod Type)

Species: Crimson Lion Hybrid

OBTAIN/UNLOCK NEW ABILITIES – EMERALD POWERS

*Emerald Powers: Special abilities that are a class of Chaos Powers which can be performed by tapping into the power of Chaos Emeralds. While usually when all 7 are together, one can awaken a Super Mode, however by manipulating Chaos Emerald energy one can use various Emerald Powers which each is tied to a specific Chaos Emerald.

**Chaos Avatar: Allows one to generate clones of themselves by channeling Chaos Energy, the more energy put into it, the more clones that are created. Afterwards the number of clones run across the area to damage enemies by fighting them, or become energy forms to deal heavy implosive impacts or used to search areas and collect stuff or details.

**Flame Aura: Allows one to generate Chaos Energy into flames to wrap around one's self. Thereby launching one's own body a fireball that can be launched repeatedly in any direction, dealing damage to any target in that general spot.

**Water Form: Allows one to generate Chaos Energy on the percentage the body is made of water. Thereby Liquifies the user into a body frame made of water. Allows one to climb waterfalls and swim around in larger bodies of water with no fear of drowning. Also keeps the user safe from being crushed and physical attacks go through.

**Ivy Growth: Allows one to generate Chaos Energy into the ground, thus commanding plant-life to form as green vines. This allows one to grow a climbable vine to reach new, higher up areas and can control the horizontal direction the vine leans in. They can also be used to secure or attack enemies and form vine walls, perfect in both offense and defense physical means.

**Vision Sight: Allows the user to channel Chaos Energy to perform rare usage that provides helpful info. Allowing one to see and interact with hidden items and things invisible or camouflage. And even greater function is foreseeing events that are either the past, present or the future.

**Slow Clockwork: Channels the Chaos Energy to perform a measure where one can slow time down. This effect spreads to the entire area and doesn't affect the user, but causes enemies and moving objects to move slower, while the caster remains at normal speed. This skill requires a larger amount of Chaos Energy to maintain it's effect, once the user runs out time will resume normally.

**Extra Life: Grants a special ability depending on the user. For Leo's case it's the wish to save everyone, thereby channeling Chaos Energy into a healing type of ability. Heals all injures and cures all ill-manner that attacks one from within. To perform these feats sometimes against the greater challenge means applying greater healing power.

**Burst Mode: When infused with the 7 Chaos Emeralds' power, the user can command ultimate power and has access to unlimited energy. They gain a glowing aura followed by a speed enhancement and invulnerability. This power can nearly rival a Super Transformation, and if the user is already in a Super Mode they exceed their limits.

"Is that lion really who I think it is?" Rouge asked from looking completely surprised.

"I think so, is that his Super Mode like when others assemble the Chaos Emeralds?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow to try to figure out this mystery.

"No, that's not it, it's…his transformation upon evolving…" Shard stated on recognizing that his king has reach another higher plain of evolution as an Ultimate Lifeform.

-ATTENTION-

*NEW FEATURES AND EVOLVED ABILITIES REVEALED*

Leo The Lion – Level 200

HP: 230,000 / MP: 210,000

STR: 180,000

DEF: 36,000

AGI: 36,000

VIT: 36,000

DEX: 36,000

INT: 4000

WIS: 2000

LUC: 1500

Bonus SP – 1,000,000

ARMOR UPGRADED:

Destiny Armor = Armor Of Kings

COMBINING AND UPGRADING SKILLS EVOLUTION:

King Of Fist = Crimson Beast King Wave

King Of Fist Barrage/Cyclone Turbine/Vortex Kick = Red Lion Dance

Howling Crusher = Purifying Howl

NEW SKILLS:

*Crimson Beast King Wave: The evolved King Of Fist technique greatly enhanced with a fire element boost. Fires an energy shot from the hands that looks like a lion's head. The damage output is increased so much that it can destroy boulders and leave a burn imprint of a lion's head in anything that hasn't been destroyed.

*Red Lion Dance: The combined triple techniques of King Of Fist Barrage, Cyclone Turbine and Vortex Kick create a more powerful force of dealing more fiery fury blows of attacks. Unleashes multiple flaming punches and kicks upon an opponent. The speed action of this is almost a blur, one can take out 100 to 500 opponents when being surrounded or bring down a large giant size foe.

*Purifying Howl: The evolved version of Howling Crusher which gains a tremendous boost from being an ordinary shock wave force. Unleashes an energy blast while howling to destroy an opponent's data.

Leo was able to observe the entire display of data that explained his newly obtain abilities. And many of them surprised him to no end. He obtain a new source he vaguely recalled came from a Sonic Game, the Emerald Powers he has were somewhat the same but different. And not only was there a humongous jump boost to his stats, some were now over 10,000 and some we somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000. All this from reaching Level 200, it's more then anyone could say, even his appearance followed by the newly upgraded armor gave a great boost when added together.

"Incredible…?" Leo muttered in surprise when examining himself and his new form. "I not only feel good, but…I feel…Greatly Empowered!?" He slowly opens and closes his fist to get a sense of his newfound awakening.

"Grrrrr…" Orochi Leo growls from feeling frustrated by this unexpected plot twist when he was close to complete victory.

"I'm almost to my final goal of an evolution…" Leo exclaimed from realizing that he can feel he's now stronger, perhaps because he's now at the point of evolving into a Demigod species instead of being a Semi-Demigod like before. "And with this newfound strength, I will end you!" Leo turns to address the enemy that has cause so much pain and suffering to everyone.

"Hah! You end me? Are you joking?" Orochi Leo remarked that as some kind of joke.

"I'm not…" Leo replied back as his counter debate.

"You may have change form, but the result will be the same." Orochi Leo issued as he and his mechanical serpent limbs were active.

"I guess there's only one way to solve this." Leo firmly issued on what they must do next.

"Yes, by battle…" Orochi Leo made a sinister grin on wanting to fight.

"You all should stand back, I don't know how much stronger I am." Leo instructs Knuckles and Rouges to move aside from him. "So I plan to go all out…" He issued this with a firm and determination across his face.

Knuckles could only silently nod with a firm serious expression, knowing a warrior's spirit ignited to do battle when he sees one. So the echidna quickly grab Rouge's right arm to jump her away to safety. And that's when Leo was facing off against the giant snake-lion hybrid monster that was empowered by replicated Chaos Emeralds and a fake Master Emerald. This battle, was certainly going to test Leo's potential after awakening in his new form…

-QUEST MSSION-

DEFEAT OROCI LEO

BOSS STAGE BATTLE THEME: 'BURY THE LIGHT'

REWARDS: UNKOWN

A face off was about to begin, as Orochi Leo had it's 8 mechanical snakeheads unleash a monstrous roar that shook the entire island. Everyone was bracing from the shockwave force but it was not over yet, as the enemy prepared another move. Orochi Leo performs Inferno Breath, as all 8 mechanical snake limbs released a blazing breath attack.

"Slow Clockwork…" Leo muttered these words with a calm tone.

Leo releases a strange aura that spread around the entire island, and then immediately dashed forth to rescue those that were not clear of the enemy's attacks. To everyone else, things seem normal, but Leo was moving quickly to haul them off; including to pick up the giant mech bots Heavy Leo and Loader Lio. After having secured everyone and place them aboard the crashed Leo Carrier, the lion man jumped into the air. At that same moment, he undid the effect of slowing time down…

"Hugh, when did?" Knuckles yelps from what happened that they are here suddenly.

"How did we get here?" Rouge asked from not understanding any of this.

"I think our king had something to do with it?" Shard made a sly smile on who to thank for helping them.

"You waste your time and chances protecting those weaklings!" Orochi Leo snapped on what Leo was doing instead of fighting.

"Those I consider my friend and ally, are never a weakness." Leo protest on his own principles on keeping innocents out of such fights.

"Fool…INFERNO BREATH!" Then Orochi Leo had it's mechanical snakeheads conjoin the next attack into a larger size sphere of flames almost 100 feet tall.

"Vision Sight…" Leo muttered the next words of the next move he was preparing to perform.

The enemy fired it's gigantic blazing inferno, but Leo saw the strength of the enemy's attack and what it's projectile movement would go. So the lion man used Gravity Dive to evade the attack that was like evading a building. The attack destroyed a portion of the forest, but Leo landed just fine on the ground without having taken a hit.

"Surprised?" Leo remarked at the enemy on having evaded danger.

"WHAT!?" Orochi Leo yelps upon seeing his prey was not harmed.

"Sorry, I foresaw everything and knew precisely how to evade your attack." Leo explained the method on what he did just now.

"Hmph, cleaver…" Orochi Leo huffs under his breath, this foe is more trickier then expected. "But did you foresee this!? AME NO MURAKUMO!" He snapped off in what he was gonna do next when announcing this move.

That's when the tip of the tail turn into a sharp blade, and launched it's self to extend instantly to pierce the target. Leo did not move, and then the attack suddenly pierced through. Everyone watched and was worried of what happen. But then upon closer examination, many saw that the lion man's body became liquefied form of water. Knuckles and Rouge were equally surprised because Leo almost seem to resemble a state from Chaos.

"What…how could that be!?" Orochi Leo gasped upon seeing something that seem impossible.

"My Water Form makes all physical attacks impossible to land on me. And I can choose when to become solid…" Leo address the case while slowly returning to his physical form. "LIKE THIS! CHAOS LANCE!" Then he holds his right hand in the air to take aim.

"KABOOM!" That Chaos Lance was launch and blew up that destroyed the bladed tail's bottom handle. "AARRRRUUUUGH!?" Orochi Leo screamed from the pain of his tail being cut off.

"He cut off his tail!?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow from seeing what happen now.

"I believe that tail was also made into a blade." Shard corrects the guy on how to view the case of breaking a weapon rather then a body part.

"YOU LITTLE…." Orochi Leo glares with rage at the one who cut his tail off.

"I'm not done yet! CHAOS SPEAR!" Leo declares before holding his arms up and summons familiar energy arrows to fill the sky.

That's when Leo unleashed a large barrage of Chaos Spears that rain down all over Orochi Leo. The rain of near endless bombardment continued for a few more seconds before it was over. As the smoke was starting to clear, there was already some damage to the metallic surface of the enemy, but it looked like he was far from being done.

"Hissss…." Orochi Leo had his mechanical serpent arms hissing, raring to go.

"Still want to fight, I see?" Leo remarked on seeing who was ready to continue the battle after getting a harsh beat down.

"SERPENT BITE!" Orochi Leo roared forth the name of his next attack as he launch his mechanical snakehead limbs.

"I saw this next one coming, so…" Leo reacted to suddenly pick up the broken blade from the enemy's tail, and as one of the serpent heads approach him…

"SLASH!" And in that instant, Leo's old swordsmanship proved valuable in slicing the mechanical snakehead off as it fell in the distance of the woods.

"NUURRaaarrrgh!?" Orochi Leo cried out in pain and retracted the other 7 serpent heads.

"That one was for severing my arm earlier." Leo issued firmly on not having forgotten what the enemy did to him before.

"Ugh…?" Orochi Leo cringed a bit before subduing the pain to see what was used against him. "You used my severed tail to do it!?" Orochi Leo exclaimed from not believing it, what sort of person uses another torn limb to tear another limb off.

"You used underhanded methods, I just return the favor." Leo provided a good countermeasure on how he return the favor.

"Grrrr…Curse You…" Orochi Leo growls frustrated that he was being underestimated.

"Course you still have 7 more limbs left…" Leo points on what was left of the enemy's mechanical snake limbs. "Next time I'll get them all." He issued on what he will do to finish the job.

"GRRRAARRRRRGH!" Orochi Leo roared with such rage that he lost his cool.

The giant enemy launched his entire body forth in near blinding speed. Then Orochi Leo leaps into the air and prepares to crush the target and strangle him with his metallic snakeheads. But then Leo charges in and deals a single punch blow in the lion-snake hybrid's gut. That very move stopped the enemy dead in his tracks…

"MURHM…BUURRRAH!?" Orochi Leo gasped as he spat out some liquid puke from the brutal blow done into his gut region.

"Sorry, I wanted to test how strong a normal blow would be." Leo apologize for doing this without warning, getting use to his newfound evolved state. "And now let's see how my strength fairs to throw back a giant! HURRAGH!" That's when Leo grabs one of the mechanical snakehead limbs and thrush with all his might to drag the giant enemy forth.

"WAARRRRRRHHH!?" Orochi Leo screamed as he was thrown across the field without warning. "CRASH!" And soon crashed directly into the mountain area as debris fell upon the foe.

"Did he just…" Knuckles points off from not believing what just happen.

"Thrown a giant 3 times his size, crazy right?" Shard issued on knowing that it did seem crazy to believe.

"Crazy doesn't describe this?" Rouge expressed her thoughts on never seeing anything like this.

"Nrrrruhhh…." Orochi Leo slowly got back up and pushed the debris off him. "How…can you be this strong!?" He asked from trying to make sense of this whole thing.

"You may think your size gives your strength, it may be true at times." Leo lightly nods to confirm that sometimes bigger can be better… "But there are times when someone stronger can be powerful to beat size." He revealed this shocking twist on how one can't judge a book by the cover so quickly.

"Grrrrr….I am the most POWERFUL…I have NO WEAKNESSES!" Orochi Leo snarls from getting extremely upset over this. "ANNIHILENTION!" Then he announced the next move to destroy his enemy.

Orochi Leo fires red-hot beams from all it's eyes to destroy Leo. But then suddenly the ground beneath Leo began to erupt, and green vines grew to form into a wall. The beams impacted and blew up a large amount of the vines, but there was some portion that withstood it. Orochi Leo became upset and fired endless beams to destroy that pathetic wall. But in reckless action, never saw vines sprout from beneath it to restrain the mechanical snakeheads.

"WHAT!? VINES!?" Orochi Leo yelps from seeing an unexpected attack, and by plants of all things.

"Ivy Growth…." Leo muttered these words on the other new ability he has demonstrated. "You try to destroy this island, and nature will fight back." Leo explained the manner on how to view this as a lesson.

"Grrrr….you think mere PLANTS can WIN!?" Orochi growls in rage as he snapped the vines to free himself. "MELTDOWN!" He roared as he channels energy from his body to prepare the attack through the mouth.

"FLAME AURA!" Leo roared forth the next new move to counterattack.

That's when Leo's entire body was completely covered in flames, and launch himself forth like a shooting fireball. The lion man came into contact against the enemy's energy wave. It almost seemed like Leo was struggling to push against the sheer power. The reason was the enemy was exhibiting the full power of the replicated emeralds including the fake Master Emerald on the hybrid enemy's forehead.

"You Will Pay For This! After I'm Done, I'll Take Pleasure Destroying Your Friends!" Orochi Leo snapped on what he will do to let loose the anger he has felt.

"I won't let you get away with doing that or to anyone!" Leo protest as he doesn't give into the enemy.

"Talk all you want, but in the end the one who wields the greater power…" Orochi Leo spoke before emitting a greater power to increase his attack became bigger. "WILL ALWAYS WIN!" He yelled forth on what the reality of the world is like.

The enemy continues to overwhelm Leo's attack by adding more power from the fake Chaos Emeralds it has embedded in it's body. It almost looks like this game was about to be over unless Leo can pull an unexpected win.

"Wahahahahhhh…." Orochi Leo lets off an evil laugh from feeling he has won now.

"Hmmm….I didn't think of using this so soon, but…" Leo muttered to himself in realizing that the time of holding back maybe over. "No choice…BURST MODE!" Leo muttered off before announcing this new move without warning.

"POWWWW!" A sudden force of energy erupts from Leo's entire body, almost making him more brighter then usual. This very action even pushed Orochi Leo's attack due to something more powerful to repel it. The attack was suddenly completely destroyed and Leo landed his fireball technique on the enemy which knocked him several feet away.

"Cough…Wha…what is even this!?" Orochi Leo coughs to recover while briefly confused on what happen.

"I've passed over my limits, you best be ready on how far I can go!" Leo announced from about to demonstrate his full wrath.

"Tch….cocky aren't you. But…" Orochi Leo under his breath in annoyance by being out done so far. "I'll get you with this!" He roared forth in preparing a surprise attack now.

Orochi Leo unleashes another Meltdown technique by a faster action as the energy wave was increased to further measures then last time. But when it came into contact against Leo, he wasn't budging, almost like something protected him. All eyes saw it took the form of a figure of solar red-orange energy yet resembles a leonine with a humanoid stance and long mane, and wore an extensive armor covering the body plus a massive crest holding a sun-like sphere. Suddenly the red aura figure giant of Leo stretch forth it's left hand, and pressed the energy wave. The unknown giant hand pushed forth against the struggling Orochi Leo until the hand pushed right into the enemy's open mouth. The very instant that happened, the attack blew up inside the enemy's own mouth. That alone caused Orochi Leo to almost choke and was knocked backwards from the unexpected action.

"Cough-cough….wha…wha in the world…" Orochi Leo coughs a bit before finally gazing his sights upon Leo but more to it…the strange aura giant figure he emitted.

"Time to end things…" Leo declared forth as he will finish this with a surprise move. "CHAOS AVATAR!" He announced another new move right on the spot.

Then from channeling the Chaos Energy, Leo suddenly was creating clones of himself. The numbers were growing from two to four, and then almost a dozen, to nearly 50 and almost 100 were seen.

"Wha the….is he a ninja!?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow, almost thinking he learn that trick from Espio.

"If he is, that's impressive?" Rouge exclaimed from sounding just as surprised as anyone else was.

"Our king…" Heavy Leo muttered few words from watching this sight.

"Rarrrr…" Loader Lio only let loose a growl while sounding proud.

"Go get him, your highness…" Shard made a sly smirk on knowing this will be good.

"RED LION DANCE!" Leo and his avatars all announced the same name of attack they would perform.

That's when the clone avatars of Leo each went forth to attack the different mechanical snakeheads. They were unleashing multiple flaming punches and kicks upon the opponent. And due to there being well over a 100, they blows dealt to a giant were just that many times higher. Even an enemy as tough as Orochi Leo struggled to withstand the pain until it was becoming too much to contain.

"Grrrrr-GRAAARRRRUUUGH!?" Orochi Leo screamed as he felt so much untold pain from all over his entire body, he was unable to endure such beatings.

"CRIMSON BEAST KING WAVE!" Then the Leo Avatars announced another move, as they clutch their right fist and shot energy from their hands that resemble a flaming lion's head.

"KABLAM!" That's when the number of those flaming lion head punch aura blows exploded when making contact on the mechanical snakeheads.

"ARRRRRRRAAARRHHHHH!?" Orochi Leo screams in great pain as he held the now destroyed snakeheads.

"Is it over?" Rouge asked from thinking that must have ended things.

"No, not yet it isn't?" Knuckles firmly issued on seeing how the battle was not over yet.

"GRrrrr….." Orochi Leo groans a bit as he struggles to maintain his stance against Leo. "I can't believe your power has come this far?" He spats out from never imagining his prey would become a predator.

"Hmmm?" Leo raised an eyebrow from what he heard.

"No choice now! You cannot be allowed to LIVE!" Orochi Leo exclaimed on deciding what he will do.

"Oh, weren't you ordered to bring me back?" Leo remarked on recalling someone wants him brought in one piece.

"Orders can change, especially in where I am left with no choice! TAKE THIS!" Orochi Leo yelled out from deciding to just end this threat before he becomes any bigger.

Suddenly Orochi Leo emits a darken aura before unleashing attacks from his body, severed limbs along with the mouth and eyes. He was releasing everything without caring about anything or how much it'll damage him just so long as this foe falls.

"A final desperate act, then allow me to finish it." Leo declared on finally showing his last card to play as he channels his energy. "PURIFYING ROAR!" Leo announced the final move he would use to end this fight.

That's when Leo unleashed a roar which it's howling power was far stronger then it's ever been before. And the energy force behind the shockwave made the sound attack not only destructive, but also had a purifying effect that disrupted the evil darkness of the enemy's attack. The very howling was so strong it was slowly pushing back the enemy's full power. And as that happened, the very same red aura giant lion man appeared that represented Leo's very will which alerted the enemy as he watched this occur.

"What is this?" Orochi Leo muttered as if sounding afraid right now. "What is he?" As he asked this, the unknown lion man giant of burning energy gave an intimidating aura as if gazing into the sun and it stared back with a terrifying presence. "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?!" He roared in shocking terror on what sort of living being Leo even was.

"I am….the King of Ultimate Lifeforms – Leo The Lion!" Leo declared forth in addressing just who he is and what he stands for as the enemy's final request.

"KABOOM!" That's when the Purifying Howl had completely destroyed the attack and made a full impact to cause an explosion of a gigantic flame.

"NOOOOUUUUAARRRRRAAAHHHHHH!?" Orochi Leo screams as it's entire was slowly dissolving into dark particles, until the last bit of it's traces were gone. With that the battle was completely over, Orochi Leo was defeated at last, even the background music reach it's conclusion at that perfect moment. And as Leo observe what he achieved, he was given a notice by another pop-up alert:

QUEST MISSION - DEFEAT THE ENEMY WAVES - 2/2

BOSS: OROCHI LEO – COMPLETE

REWARDS: 10 LEVEL-UPS

SP 1,000,000

Item Drops: 3000 Metal Materials, 1430 Chaos Battery Chargers, 1000 Animal DNA Samples, 900,000 Coins

Rare Item Drops: Element Fragment Pieces – All Even Balance Set

(1000-Fire, 1000-Water, 1000-Lightning, 1000-Ice, 1000-Dark, 1000-Metal)

Secret Special Rewards: Lifeform Animal Research Vols. 1-10 & Replica Master Emerald

"At last, it's over…" Leo signs from seeing the enemy was finally defeated. "Now just one last thing to do." He then levitates over towards those at the Leo Carrier. "EXTRA LIFE!" He held a hand forth when announcing this next move as it glowed a bright white.

That's when the others by the Leo Carrier were covered by a strange calm white particle of energy. And then Knuckles and Rouge suddenly felt a strange feeling, and the injuries and even the serious wounds on the bat's wing was completely recovered. Leo soon lands near those that were bathed in the light before realizing what's happen to them.

"Ugh, my wing….it's all better?" Rouge gasped to look at her left wing, utterly stun by this. "And not a scratch on it?" She inspects to see her wing was as good as new, not a scratch on it.

"How…how is that possible?" Knuckles asked from thinking that was an impossible feat.

"Apparently our king has obtain a special healing power now." Shard lightly smiled from realizing that with this new evolved state, Leo obtain another new ability.

"Hmmm, I was lacking in that area. Now with it, I can heal myself and others." Leo stated on studying the very power he just produced. "But sadly it seems to only work on living targets, machines don't seem to qualify." He looked to Heavy Leo, Loader Lio and Shard in seeing their battle damages were not fixed.

"Do not worry my liege, we will be fine." Heavy Leo proudly declared to put on a proud and brave expression.

"Grraaarrr, it'll take more then this to keep us down." Loader Lio exclaimed from also wanting to put aside such doubts.

"I see, until then please take Nicole's little device with you, and get yourselves looked at." Leo replied as he used gravity to gently move what was Nicole's little device to give to Shard: with that the bots slowly re-enter the warship. "Hmmm?" Leo then took notice of another thing that was occurring at the same time.

Then around the other capsule pods began to open, and then coming out of them was none other then Panja, Ouja, Spada and even the 8 Evolveons. They began to slowly open their eyes, let loose a little yawn as they woken from a long slumber. But then they noticed a large presence, they turn only to see Leo, but he was much bigger then before. Leo was concern if his comrades would recognize him until…

"Ugh?" Leo yelps from suddenly getting surrounded by the Evolveons running around and rubbing their bodies against his feet.

"You…are you possibly?" Spada slowly asked from looking very surprised. "Our liege!?" He asked from thinking the pet creatures were familiar to know Leo, so that means…

"Hmmm, that is right. I've evolved while you guys were asleep." Leo slowly nods his head to confirm that he is what the others were thinking.

"Awww, you mean we missed seeing your majesty evolve. So unfair!" Ouja pouts a bit from realizing they missed out on the action while out of commission.

"It couldn't be helped, we were all under a deadly poison." Panja stated on knowing what happened to them.

"But still, you look so cool!" Spada smiled with excitement on what they could witness. "Is this your FINAL Form!? Have you reached your desired goal my king!?" He asked from his curious mind getting ahead of him.

"Sorry Spada, I have not." Leo replied that this was not the final evolved form.

"Ohhh…" Spada replied from looking a bit down, he thought this was the form his king desired.

"But I do believe I am just one more step away from it. Do you all wish to help me achieve it?" Leo smiled with a friendly and kind expression on asking the others if they can help him.

"REALLY!?" Spada asked with an excited tone until he caught himself. "Ah-cough, as your knight, I be honored." Spada clears his throat before proudly speaking in a more knightly manner.

"Hahahah, you can count on us." Ouja laughs a bit off from sounding very pleased about this. "By the way, I love to get a chance to fight you, wanna see if I need room to improve if I want to serve better." The guy punches his four mechanical arms together, eagerly wanting to see how strong his leader is now.

"Perhaps we all can seek improvement." Panja replied on how to view this as a good lesson. "We live to serve and help make a dream for our kind to live well under your rule, my king." He humbly states on what they must strive to do if they wish to be worthy.

"Wow, these guys are really something?" Rouge stated on watching the conversation go on between Leo and his living crew members. "Still, they aren't what I expect as Ultimate Lifeforms?" She states from having seen what Shadow is like, these guys are more…normal, to say the least.

"Heh, yeah well I can agree, but you know…" Knuckles replied off to lightly agree with a little difference. "I might just like these guys more then those undead types." He shrug off his shoulders to know these guys are a lot more better since they aren't just mindlessly out to destroy them.

There was no arguing over what sort of Ultimate Lifeforms anyone would wanna get along with. Everyone seem to be in a cheering mood, ? The scene slowly zooms away while no one noticed a single GUN Beetle moving with a gravity beam lifting what appears to be a piece of Orochi Leo's mechanical snakehead.

---

AT THE SAME TIME

ABOARD THE PANTACRUEL

There was the sound of something being thrown all around in the command center, as those by the controls worked but yelped from the chaotic noise. And it turns out it was Jack Hoarder lifting anything not bolted down to toss and break around the room. Milo yelps from the big man letting loose his rage, and Doctor Snively stood from a distance while working as if this stunt was not distracting him.

"HOW!? HOW COULD WE LOSE!?" Jack Hoarder yelled in frustration and losing his temper to throw things around the command center.

"Sir, calm down. You're overreacting?" Milo tried to calm his boss down, but…

"Ohohohooooo…You haven't seen me when I'm REALLY overreacting!?" Jack Hoarder remarked on sounding so upset that he made a sarcastic remark on how angry he can get.

"Well, despite everything, we did obtain more then we even begun to imagine." Doctor Snively spoke from continuing his work on a holo-clipboard despite the emotional drama occurring.

"Doc, I don't know if you realized it? But your so-called BEST Weapon, was destroyed!" Jack Hoarder snapped from starting to question how the guy with the smarts is not losing it.

"Yes, but I rather look to the bigger picture." Doctor Snively simply replied from how to process things calmly then let one's emotion get the best of them.

"Hugh?" Jack Hoarder suddenly stops reacting when hearing that.

"What do you mean?" Milo asked completely lost and confused.

"When Orochi Leo severed Project X's arm, it was still there even after it was chopped off." Doctor Snively press some commands on his holo-clipboard to display a scene of the battle. "And according to our instruments, the severed limb still contains much energy from Project X's evolution. And we can use it." The imagines show a large rise of energy readings to which the data suggest what was likely the cause.

"Use it!? How?" Milo asked from not certain a severed old arm piece would be useful.

"Just as we used the blood of the experimental Ultimate Lifeform, we obtain the larger component. And there's something else." Doctor Snively explained a matter in what they use to help further their experiments in the project. "Do you know what this is?" Then he had the holo-monitor display the severed mechanical snakehead's image that had the severed arm part.

"Ugh, no?" Jack Hoarder replied from not getting this even one bit. Even though the mechanical snakehead's aura was blending a bit with the aura of the severed arm.

"It is our development to strengthen Project Orochi and it's making a new energy feedback by absorbing Project X's essence." Doctor Snively explains the concept of the scientific matter they are witnessing. "I have already sent word to the GUN Beetle to return with both the severed snakehead and arm. The data we obtain and learn may push our science to making an Ultimate Lifeform that's as strong as when having Seven Chaos Emeralds." As the man said these things, he smiled from the untold potential they can unlock with this new data.

"As strong….as having the Seven Chaos Emeralds!?" Milo repeated in shock, was such a thing possible even if they used replicated versions to mimic the power they witness Sonic displayed in the past.

"Ohhh, Doctor Snively, I misjudged you. You really are on top of this." Jack Hoarder suddenly became all jolly again to praise the man on such an achieving feat.

"Was there ever a doubt." Doctor Snively rolled his eyes while having a cocky smirk across his face.

Milo signs from seeing that Jack Hoarder's rage was finally settled down. But the soldier was having a weird feeling about what sort of measures would be in wait if what Doctor Snively said was true. That with the latest obtain DNA sample, what sort of Ultimate Lifeform would be in the making that could surpass even Project Orochi? That was a question that may not be answered for some time now…

---

MEANWHILE

ON ANGEL ISLAN

The scene reopens to see the Leo Carrier having been repaired from the battle and the engines were fully functional again. Leo was seen using his newfound abilities to help repair the damages of battle on Angel Island, using vines to regrow destroyed plantation and fix the altar. Once that was completed, Leo walks towards his ship but meant with Knuckles and Rouge waiting nearby.

"Thanks for the help. And thanks for taking the time to fix my island." Knuckles

"I must say, that is definitely a neat trick. I don't think Shadow could do it, what's your secret?" Rouge slyly smiled to be all friendly and wanted to know how Leo can do such unusual abilities.

"Well, if I told, it wouldn't be a secret." Leo lightly smiled on figuring this was so like Rouge to prey into other people's business if it interested her curiosity. "Are you sure you are alright with handing me the Chaos Emerald?" He then asked a question that weigh heavily on him: after all the final Chaos Emerald was obtain but by a rash action during that whole battle.

"Keep it, consider it my way of saying thanks. Besides, I already got an emerald that needs watching." Knuckles held up his right hand to assure Leo there's no need to fuss over such small things.

"Aww, and here I thought you be generous enough to give them your biggest prize?" Rouge slyly smiled to pressure the echidna on rewarding the lion man with more then one priceless jewel.

"Sorry, I do that and my island would drop." Knuckles kept a cocky smile to brush off the idea to stick with the facts.

"And you think it's alright to let them have that fake Master Emerald instead?" Rouge asked from having seen the other larger emerald that was used by the enemy loaded on the warship.

"You don't have to worry, this will help us to some extend." Leo smiled from what he has in mind: after all it's rare to find a replicated Master Emerald plus Rouge isn't interested in such fake jewelry to want it. "And…I hope this helps shows that we are not what others say we are. I'm just trying to make a home, a kingdom for my kind." He kneels down to speak closely to his new friends on what his actual goal is set for.

"If they have you as a leader, I think you'll do well." Knuckles held out a hand as he and Leo shook on it while the echidna gave worthy praise for the lion man's character. "And what say you Rouge, you gonna leave them be?" He turns to see if the bat girl will make it so that Leo's group means no harm from GUN's view standard.

"Well, considering he DID save my life, I owe him that much." Rouge replied from being a bit honest on having seen things with her own eyes.

"Wait, what about me? I saved you too?" Knuckles protest from feeling left out of that detail.

"Ohh, do you want a special reward?" Rouge slyly smiled to approach the echidna to tease him a bit.

"Ah, I didn't say THAT!?" Knuckles blushed a bit while protesting on the sneaky action the thief was making on him.

"Oh sure you didn't?!" Rouge lightly turns around to make a playful tease much to the echidna's frustration of being fooled. "Still, I'll pass the word along, but whoever is manipulating portions of GUN to do this, we need more time to solve it. Even I'm not sure who is trustworthy at this point?" Rouge held her chin to firmly admit this problem she can't easily solve.

"That's more then I could ever ask for. Take care you two…" Leo humbly bows his head with a smile in appreciating the gesture and kindness shown by these two.

With the goodbyes made, Leo leaps on top of the warship's deck to observe the Leo Carrier lifting off. The warship moves away from Angel Island as Leo watches the sights of Knuckles and Rouge before he couldn't see their imagines anymore. There was a lot on Leo's mind right now, some good and some bad. He has made another progress in his evolution is nearly a step away from his final form. Plus the rewards he obtain now would not only help increase his strength and unlock maybe new skills and abilities, but he gain other things never expected. He briefly reviewed the one called 'Lifeform Animal Research' to discover there were other researches on creating Ultimate Lifeforms on other animals done in the past, and with the Animal DNA Samples it may provide more insight on new creatures that can be created. And since there are 10 volumes, perhaps it will further increase his superior job of Gigi Professor to perform new feats and complete the works that were abandoned. Just then Nicole's holographic body appeared by the use of the warship's protections.

"How are the others doing, did my new ability heal them completely?" Leo turns to ask Nicole a question on their living crew members.

"They are all cured of the Chaos Toxin, and have been instructed to rest in their quarters." Nicole informs Leo on the recent matter of Spada, Ouja and Panja's conditions.

"Great, and how are you and our mechanical friends doing?" Leo quickly asked how his mechanical friends are fairing.

"We salvaged the parts of the destroyed Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters. Heavy Leo and Loader Lio had the most damage done to them, so they are receiving major repairs. It will take almost a week." Nicole explained the state on how their metallic comrades are doing.

"That bad hugh?" Leo held his chin to think about this for a moment. "And you and Shard, how are you feeling?" He asked from knowing he put Nicole and Shard through a lot when he was still under that terrible sickness even against a fairly powerful opponent.

"I'm fine, I'll be active outside the ship when my handheld device is fixed. Shard is being lead to the repair bay with a few drones as we speak." Nicole smiled to show that she is doing well and that Leo shouldn't worry about how they are doing.

"CRASH!" Then a loud crystal breaking sound was heard on the deck which alerted Leo and Nicole. When rushing to see what happened, what they found was Shard along with a few Leo Bandits and Leo Hunters along with the Replicate Master Emerald…BUT IT WAS SHATTERED INTO PIECES!? And the light the fake emerald emitted cease functioning that really earn attention.

"What happened?" Leo asked almost shock to see this, a special reward he got was broken so easily.

"While these guys were carrying me, I specifically said DON'T DROP THE LARGE EMERALD." Shard exclaimed on trying to explain himself on what was going on. "And they ask 'don't drop what?' and I answered and well…" He shrug off to lightly admit that somewhere the translation got misunderstood.

"Hugh, no need to explain, I think I see a pattern." Leo signs to slap his forehead: it's possible that if a response was to those that didn't hear ask 'Don't What?' & one replies 'Drop' in the sentence, it will be misinterpreted and thus brought this comical result. "Well so much for studying how they made this fake large emerald? This was the only one that remain when the other smaller copies were destroyed from my final attack." The guy couldn't believe the rare chance to get a replicated Master Emerald, and it's a bust. "Hmm?" Just then, something in the center of the busted fake jewel glimmer a bit.

"What is it Leo?" Nicole asked from noticing their king reacted now.

"Um well if this was destroyed, why is there still a glowing sign?" Leo asked from seeing the glimmer light behind the non-light shards. "Wait, maybe if I clear some away, then…" He kneels down to brush the shatter shards aside to clear them out.

That's when Leo removed the last clutter of shards before pulling something out. It opposes the brilliant cut Chaos Emeralds, as more emerald cut gems. And this one appeared to be purple in color. Suddenly a pop-up alert appeared with important data:

-KEY ITEM OBTAIN-

SOL EMERALD – PURPLE COLOR

Info: You have found your first Sol Emerald. They are a set of seven emeralds of great power from Earth in the Sol Dimension. They're by custom, protected by the Sol Empire's imperial princess, with their current guardian being Blaze the Cat. They are known as the greatest treasure of their world, and are sought by heroes and villains alike due to their immense power.

"No way! A SOL EMERALD!? There was a Sol Emerald inside the fake Master Emerald!?" Leo exclaimed in pure shock upon the jewel he was holding in his hands.

"Hugh, well what do you know? You have all the Chaos Emeralds, and now you got your first Sol Emerald. Talk about lucky." Shard hovers in the air and gently pat the leader's back for a job well done.

"But this doesn't make sense?" Nicole held her chin from finding this suspicious to her. "Why would GUNX have a Sol Emerald?" This question was very puzzling as none of them could answer right away.

"I wanna know too?" Leo was curious about that same feeling. "Hugh!?" He yelps as his eyes spark briefly and his scenery went blank.

Then without warning, a strange scenery was displaying a tear in the sky that resembled a vortex. And it was sucking in things from a strange island area, from trees to houses, even some ships were pulled in. And among them was the appearance of seven jewels that resemble the Sol Emerald. And lastly was a anthropomorphic feline dressed almost like a royal and she created flames to push back. But she yelped as she was pulled into the vortex before it closed in on it's self.

"Leo?" Nicole's voice was heard as Leo's glowing eyes cease and they return to normal to see where he was.

"You okay your highness?" Shard asked from thinking something weird happen now.

"I'm…not sure? It's if I activated my Vision Foresight by instinct just now?" Leo rubs the back of his head, completely unsure what happened he had no control of. "I think I saw something…or rather…someone?" He issued from having a strange feeling of what he just saw.

"Who?" Nicole asked from what their king even saw.

"I'm not sure because it was too fuzzy but the characteristic features and outfit I only got a glimpse of, plus this one created flames in their hands. I can only say there's one character that matches it perfectly." Leo firmly explained how having a good theory of just what sort of character he saw and put the clues to make a picture. "I believe I saw Blaze the Cat." He revealed the name of who he believes he saw in that vision.

"As in the Princess and Guardian of the Sol Emeralds?" Nicole exclaimed on recalling the data she has on the allies and friends of Sonic the Hedgehog.

"How is that even possible?" Shard asked from not sure how such a feat could be done.

"Perhaps it's due to the Sol Emeralds." Nicole spoke forth in having a theory that earn some attention now. "They are connected to her, and because Leo has unlocked a Chaos Magnik title, he's become more susceptible and was given a glimpse of maybe the past through the use of one of the Emerald Powers he's acquired." Leo rubs his chin to take the words Nicole said to heart, it's true that in a Sonic Game using an emerald did allow one to glimpse into the past so it matches up perfectly.

"Okay, so what did you see?" Shard went ahead to ask the big question that everyone was thinking.

"I saw what looked like an island, and then a rift appeared in the sky. A vortex pulled in a few random things, but Blaze was caught along with the Sol Emeralds." Leo explained what he saw from that vision of events that happen.

"With that intel, there is only one possible conclusion." Nicole spoke from what she heard to come to a conclusive matter to their recent find of a Sol Emerald. "The Sol Emerald's appearance must mean that everything from that world, was brought here." She revealed the big shock that things from Blaze's world ended up in this world through that sudden vortex's appearance.

"How did this happen?" Shard asked how such an event even took place.

"It might be related to the Argos Krudzu incident, we detected such tears but put it aside when Leo and the others were given a virus." Nicole stated on a theory on when these vortex tears began sometime ago.

"And right now, there's no telling where those emeralds are if one of them was used to empower that Orochi Leo?" Leo muttered from realizing how dangerous things are going to get if someone is using the Sol Emeralds in a way to strengthen others to a state that gave them a near hard time. "Can our system find them?" He asked Nicole in hoping she had the answer they need.

"Although we have a system to detect Chaos Emerald energy signature, these emeralds are from another world. Their nature maybe different since we never practice locating them until now." Nicole held her chin to theorize the matter on how this whole thing looks if they can truly locate such things.

"Wait, so we may have a hard time finding them?" Shard asked if this will be a problem then.

"If we started before, it would be difficult, but…" Nicole stated on having something to mention right now. "We can try now that we have an actual Sol Emerald to help make the search effort a little more easier to pinpoint locations." She explained how they can use an actual Sol Emerald in searching for the other 6 emeralds with their system.

"Then let's get going, if Leo can obtain all those Sol Emerald, he'll finally reach the last evolution." Shard smirks from feeling eager on knowing they are almost at the finish line of their goal. "Onward to our new adventure!" He pumps up his fist in wanting to get the adventure started.

"How about we get you repaired before we do that? Otherwise you might experience losing an arm or a leg?" Nicole lightly smiled to tease the black metallic hedgehog on his condition that needs work.

"Hugh, fine…" Shard signs to give in, unable to refuse the Holo-Lynx when she makes her point across.

As Nicole and Shard were heading in with the other drones, Leo was left alone for the moment. The lion man began to have thoughts of what has happened to right now. Leo has become so strong that even someone like Knuckles respects him, and managed to win against an opponent the echidna had trouble with. But then again, the enemy had some cheats, plus if Knuckles was teamed up with his strong allies the result could have been different. Yet the main thing right now, is how good Leo is against those that are the most famous of Sonic characters.

"I just evolved while surviving a closer shave on my life, even lost an arm. I'm worried what else we may find?" Leo muttered under his breath from realizing the scale of danger might grow larger the more he goes down this path. "I'm even more concern of meeting with the Fire Princess herself, and if she was the only one who came to this world?" Leo was very puzzled, if the vison he saw was real then the question remains if only Blaze came to this world or if others slipped in as well. "Hugh, one problem at a time I suppose. I'll cross that bridge when the time comes." Leo signs in deciding to put such thoughts on hold for the time being.

Now Leo slowly moves to head towards the entrance into the warship, he'll be busy with plans, strategy, and how to make himself and his crew stronger. Knowing that it won't be long before word gets out he possess all 7 Chaos Emeralds and someone may target him for that. But whoever comes, one thing remains…a king must lead his people to defend them from invaders. And do to that, they must expand the crew in the event trouble comes seeking them. The scene shows the Leo Carrier flying off into the distance before activating the stealth function, what new challenges await Leo the Lion…will be revealed in due time…

---

NOTES: Pantagruel is the flagship seen in Trails of Cold Steel game series.

Orochi Leo is based on MadLeomon Orchi Mode from Digimon Xros Wars.

Chaos Magick is something that can be somewhat similar to Ixian Magicks performed by Ixis Naugus from the old Sonic The Hedgehog Archie comics and Nagus from SatAM TV Show. The only difference is that it can be more closely of both magic and chaos energy rolled into one, hence to make it simply dubbed 'Chaos Magick' for a magician class one recognizes in different RGP Games.

The ripped and the re-growing of an arm is based off from Piccolo from Dragonball series.

Leo's new evolution is based on Flaremon's physical appearance but the wardrobe style is based on the Armor Of Omen from Thundercats 2011 series.

The energy presence Leo emitted represents his future final form. This idea was inspired from Digimon Data Squad when the main cast's Digimon partners unleashed a greater power of their future Mega Forms while still in their Ultimate Forms.

The event of seeing the past is inspired from Zelda: Breath of the Wild when Link encountered something that triggered a vision.

Well it's been a bit of a struggle, but I'm certainly glad this chapter turn out well. And in the next chapter will also have some new exciting events. While Leo is working on how to increase his old and new abilities, he's also creating new Ultimate Lifeforms to help further expand their forces. And it isn't long before the group discover signs of a Sol Emerald signature, but the location is in a terrible place: The Bermuda Triangle!? As the crew arrives, there is a strange field that weakens chaos energy. And if that isn't bad enough, there are also settlements of a batch of pirates. With limited options, Leo decides to send in some new faces to blend into the crowd to find the Sol Emerald, but what happens when there is something else worth finding that's not an object…but a person? Who can it be, and what sort of enemies lie within? Best stay tune to find out, till then…enjoy…