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.