Chapter 4: Sonic In The Sky With Knuckles
Act 1: Sky High
The three fly away from the massive launch base in the Tornado-Alpha as Sonic carries a sleeping Amy.
Sonic: You think he's caught onto us already? That robot looked just like me.
Tails: If you think that thing looked exactly like you, you might need glasses.
Sonic: You know what I'm saying, Tails.
Tails: Well, his bots might be recording us when they see us and he likely has cameras all throughout his bases. He has to know a ton about us by now.
Sonic: And, he got to the next map before we could. We gotta get to it and find the next Emerald before he does!
Tails: Changing course!
As they fly back to the burnt village, Ivo finds himself in front of some ancient ruins on a far off island. As he climbs some stairs, a young warrior presents himself at the top of them.
Knuckles the Echidna: 15
Knuck: Stay where you are, outsider. This is a holy land with a relic far too powerful for you to see.
Robotnik stands and stares at Knuckles from halfway up the stairs.
Doctor Ivo Robotnik
Ivo: Then, I've come to the right place. Might your relic look anything like these ones?
Ivo pulls out the blue and purple Chaos Emeralds.
Knuck: You are collecting the Chaos Emeralds? Why? Only harm can come from them.
Ivo: Exactly. You see, I am a simple archaeologist.
Knuck: What is this word?
Ivo: I like looking into old things. Learning about them. Once I heard of the Emeralds and their untold amounts of power, I simply could not allow such objects to be spread around so randomly. What if they were to fall into the wrong hands?
Knuck: A Chaos Emerald appearing above a hand is very unlikely.
Ivo: What?
Knuck: A hand is very small compared to the entire planet.
Ivo: ... Yes, but what if the wrong person found an Emerald? You see, my fine-knuckled fellow, I too have taken it upon myself to protect these great objects of power. However, there are those who wish to take them for their own nefarious purposes.
Knuck: Nefarious sounds bad.
Ivo: It is quite evil, I assure you. This blue Hedgehog and this yellow Fox wish to ruin the world with the power of the Chaos Emeralds. I implore you to allow me to protect them with you, oh great warrior of chaos.
Knuck: What if I don't implore to you?
Ivo: Then, they'll have an easier time taking them.
Knuck: Mmm. Fine. But, you stay at the edge of the ruins until they get here. As you are an outsider, I do not trust you.
Ivo: Very well. You shall see just how trustworthy I am.
As Ivo walks back down the stairs, Sonic and Tails run to their small house in the woods while Tails carries Amy.
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Sonic: Got another jewel for ya, Sal.
He tosses the red Emerald to Sally.
Sally: Oh! Sonic!
She runs into his arms and hugs him before looking at Amy.
Sally: Who's she?
Sonic: Another new Freedom Fighter.
Tails: Think we have enough room for her?
Ant: Aye. We 'ave.
Antoine leads Tails inside as Sally lets go of Sonic.
Bun: Well, I think I'll go plan the fallen empire party.
Bunnie walks away.
Sally: We're so close, I can feel it. That's almost half of the Emeralds. You can really save the world here.
Sonic: We can, Sal. Never could've done it without you.
He quickly kisses her cheek and she blushes.
Fang: Well, I ain't feeling the same amount of useful. So, if you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave.
Sally: I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you.
Fang: Don't be. Can't plan out everything.
Sonic: See ya, old timer.
Fang: Hedgehog. (I hate that Hedgehog)
Fang goes away as Tails and Antoine walk back out.
Sally: So, I guess you want to get back out there to get the next one?
Tails: Actually, I just checked with the Network. It looks like the next Emerald is on Angel Island, a floating landmass that's just past Robotnik's empire.
Ant: That certainly zounds dangerous.
Tails: That's why I just thought up a new engine design for the Tornado. If I add in two more Emerald slots, we can fly there a whole lot faster.
Sonic: That gonna take long?
Tails: Just, gimme half an hour. We'll be there in no time!
Sally: Then, good luck. We've got a mission of our own we're going on.
Sonic: Don't want My help? I could get it done in two seconds.
Sally: Heh. No, thank you. Have to smell this rose myself.
Sonic: Guess I'll be seeing ya, then.
Once the Tornado-Alpha is upgraded with the two other Chaos Emeralds, Sonic and Tails fly towards Angel Island from the woods.
Sonic: This thing have any guns?
Tails: Not yet. Why?
Sonic: 'Cause, we might need 'em!
Several robots fly up from the empire as they pass over it.
Tails: I-It Might Not be Fast Enough To Outrun Them All!
Sonic: Don't worry, Tails. I've got this!
Sonic climbs on top of the plane.
Tails: What're you doing?!
Sonic: Saving your butt!
As a bee drone flies at him, Sonic grabs it and whips it into a flying gecko. Then, a turtle drone rams him off of the plane as he hangs onto it.
Tails: Soniiic!
Sonic climbs the turtle, kicks a smaller robot turtle off of it, and rides it back towards the Tornado. As a huge, robot eagle shows up, Sonic jumps off of the turtle and onto the plane, sending the turtle into the eagle.
Sonic: Get Us Outta Here!
Tails: Okay!
The Tornado-Alpha boosts far away from the robots as the eagle crashes down towards them.
Tails: Nice moves back there!
Sonic: Eh. Piece of cake!
After a few minutes, the two land on Angel Island and Knuckles spots them. He dashes towards the two and past Robotnik.
Knuck: Don't Touch The Emerald!
Ivo: Of course not.
As Knuckles leaves him there, Robotnik walks towards the ancient ruins.
Ivo: Of course.