"Invasion" A work of Sonic the Hedgehog "Fan-faction" by Ian Patterson A few technicalities... I've read enough fanfic to know what title 17 (the copyright law) does and does not allow; you can't change the text in any way or charge anyone money to read this without my expressed written permission. All situations and characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog Saturday morning cartoon series, as aired on ABC, are copyright SEGA, DiC, and/or Archie Comics, and are used (or at least referred to here) without permission, except the characters created by yours truly, which are copyrighted by me. INVASION Ah, home sweet home. Knuckles looked around at the Floating Island. It looked just as he had left it. "Never again, Knux!", said Espio behind him, "Flying with you is definitely not flying the friendly skies!" "What are you complaining about?", asked Knuckles, grinning, "I only dropped you once." "My stomach is never going to forgive me for this", said Espio. "HEY GUYS!!", said someone from the distance. Knuckles looked, and saw Mighty the Armadillo heading towards him, with Charmy Bee close behind. "Hey", said Mighty, "How was your trip?" "It sucked!", said Espio, walking past Mighty, and towards the forest, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go hurl." With that, Espio disappeared into the foliage. Mighty turned back and looked at Vector and Knuckles. "What's up with him?", asked Charmy. "Jet-lag", said Vector, "Knux, why don't you fill these two dudes out on our little adventure. I'm gonna go find me a nice sunny spot and relax." Vector turned on his walk-man, and trotted off. "Would someone please tell us what happened down there?", asked Mighty, "I'm shaking with suspense here. Did you guys make it to Mobo-Tropolis?" "Yes", said Knuckles, "What was left of it." "Huh?", said Mighty, tilting his head. "Mobo-Tropolis has been completely destroyed", said Knuckles, "Some fiend, calling herself the Dark Queen, is marching over Mobius. We ran into some of her troops while we were down there, and they weren't very hospitable." "Man", said Charmy, "That's horrible. What are we going to do?" "We're just going to let the island head back out to sea", said Knuckles, "We're just gonna mind our own business on this one. However, if the Dark Queen or any of her stooges come looking for trouble, they'll get more than they can handle." Knuckles then headed off for the forest. Mighty watched him leave, and then looked up at Charmy. "He's ticked." "Is he ever." About two miles behind the Floating Island, but still within a very good visual range of it, was one of the Dark Queen's attack cruisers. Inside, Mecha-Sonic and Hurricane gazed at the floating hunk of rock in front of them. "Wicked", said Hurricane, just staring at it. "You've got that right", said Mecha-Sonic, "Radio to the Dark Queen and tell her that we followed the echidna back to the island. I'm betting that she'll be most pleased with our little discovery." Hurricane tacked a few commands onto the display in front of him, and the Dark Queen's face appeared on the monitor. "Report", she said. "Hurricane, here", he said, "We have the Floating Island in visual range. What do you want us to do?" "What is its position?", she asked. Mecha-Sonic looked at the read-out above his head, and then looked back at the monitor. "It's heading west over Green Valley", he said, "It's heading straight towards the ocean." The Dark Queen's eyes flashed red, and she growled slightly. "Blast", she said, "If it goes too far out, we'll never be able to take it. It needs to be secured BEFORE it gets more than a few miles out to sea, is that clear?" "Yes, Highness", said Mecha-Sonic and Hurricane at once. The Dark Queen looked at a monitor nearby. She then looked back at Hurricane and Mecha-Sonic. "I'm diverting three squadrons of Drones and two squadrons of cybers to assist you", she said, "That makes over a hundred troops to take that island with. I'll be joining you there shortly. I expect total submission when I arrive." The monitor went blank. Mecha-Sonic looked over at Hurricane. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us", he said. "Definitely", said Hurricane, "C'mon, let's go snag us a huge piece o' flyin' rock." Mecha-Sonic throttled the cruiser to full power, and it shot after the Floating Island. Back on the island, Knuckles was kneeling at the very edge of the front part. He was watching the landscape flow by underneath him. "Hey, Knux!", said a voice behind him. Knuckles looked, and saw Espio melt in from the background. Without saying a word, Knuckles turned his head back around, and looked forward. "What?", asked Espio, "Not even a lecture on how I need to be more quiet or careful or whatever?" "I'm not in the mood, Espio", said Knuckles. "Come on, Knuckles!", said Espio, "You've been in a funk ever since we got back here. What's the matter?" "You shouldn't even have to ask", said Knuckles, "You saw what's happened down there. I'm beginning to think that all the surface dwellers long for is death and destruction." "Get real", said Espio, "It's not everyone's fault that one jerk thinks that they deserve to have total control over every aspect of existence." Knuckles just shook his head. "You don't understand", he said, "None of you do. Before I formed the Chaotix, I traveled to the surface. There, I saw nothing but war, pain, suffering, and death. I made it a point from then and there not to get involved in their petty bickering, and I'm not about to change my mind." "What are you getting at?", asked Espio, "We aren't just going to leave and let this evil bimbo run rampid, are we?" "That's exactly what we're doing", said Knuckles, "It's not our fight." Espio folded his arms, and glared at Knuckles. "What happens if it becomes our fight?", he asked, "You really think they're just going to ignore us forever?" "What do you want me to do, Espio?", asked Knuckles, "Risk the island, everyone on it, and all of its secrets for a war that has absolutely nothing to do with us?" "Look", said Espio, "The time will come when it will have something to do with us. And when that time comes, you're going to have to make the decision to either stand up and fight for this planet's survival, or look the other way, like you always do." Knuckles looked at Espio, and gritted his teeth. Espio turned, and walked away from him. Right before he entered the foliage, he looked back at Knuckles. "We can't hide from the world forever, Knux", said Espio, "It's going to find us eventually." With that, Espio vanished into the forest. Knuckles turned, and continued staring out over the horizon. He didn't know what made him more furious; the fact that Espio had challenged his authority while insulting him at the same time, or that the little creep was right. A ways away, Might, Charmy, and Vector were walking through the Mushroom Forest. Vector was telling the two others about all the things that had happened to them while they were on the surface. "You shoulda seen these suckers!", said Vector, "They were the funkiest lookin' bots I've ever seen! That ain't the weird part, though, no way. The weirdest part, is that they were alive!" "Like cyborgs?", asked Charmy, "I thought Bunnie Rabbot was the only one of those." "No way", said Vector, "This Dark Queen chick has a whole army of them, and they're wasting everything on the ground. We're just lucky that we're safe up here." "Good thing", said Mighty, "I'd hate to think of what I'd have to do to those jerks if they came up here looking for trouble." Vector pushed aside a bush, and the three of them stopped dead in their tracks. "Oh, Mama", said Vector, dropping his jaw. There were about fifty Drones standing there, along with Hurricane. The green cyber just folded his arms, and tilted his head slightly. He looked over at Mighty, and his visor flashed in the sunlight. "Now", he said, "What were you planning on doing to us?" Mighty grinned, and backed up a few feet. "Ah, um, well, ah, you see, ah, er, ah", he stammered, "What I meant was, ah, um, bye!" The three turned around, and ran back the way they had came. Hurricane just shook his head, and looked at the Drones. "Kill them", he said, "But bring the armadillo back to me alive." "Yes, Sir!", said a Drone. They all headed off after the Chaotix. "This sucks, this sucks, this SUCKS!!", yelled Vector, running as fast as his legs would carry him, "How'd those gimps find us!" "We gotta find Knuckles!", said Charmy, flying right behind them all, "And fast!" Mighty turned his head around, and saw about ten Drones coming up behind them, and fast. "We're in trouble!", he said, picking up the pace. "Through that clearing!", yelled Vector, "Hurry!!" Vector jumped through the bushes, and about had a heart attack. No more than a foot away from him, was the very edge of the island. He looked as the landscape flowed by under it. In his confusion, he'd failed to realize where he had just taken himself and his two friends. "Through the clearing, huh Vector?", said Charmy, folding his arms. "Hey", said Vector, "A guy's not allowed one little mistake?" They all turned, and saw the Drones coming through the foliage. All of them were brandishing weapons. "Not good", said Mighty, "Definitely not good!" "Terminate targets", said one of the Drones, aiming its rifle at the three. There was a loud crack, and a good sized rock came flying out of the forest. It slammed into the rifle, knocking it away from the Drone. The robot looked at its damaged appendage, and then looked back to where the rock had come from. "Who dares?", it said. A red figure jumped out into the open. "Khaos!", said Vector. "Who?", asked Charmy? Khaos was holding a long wooden stick in his hands. He spun it around a few times before putting it on the ground and leaning on it. He then just shook his head. "Yeesh", he said, "It's getting so a guy can't play a little baseball around here without somebody gettin' in the way." The Drones all aimed their rifles at Khaos, who stepped back. "Not baseball fans, eh?", asked Khaos, tossing the stick behind him, "Alright then, I never claimed to be a one-sport cyborg." He turned, and dug three fingers into a huge boulder. He lifted it off the ground, and held it up in front of his face. "Khaos steps up to the line", he said, quietly, "He gives it the famous 'Khaos Twist', and lets it go!" Khaos rolled the boulder on the ground right towards the Drones. It was going so fast that several of the Drones were totally demolished by it. Khaos threw his hands up in the air, and jumped. "Steeeeerike!!", he yelled. "Get him!", yelled one of the Drones. One of the Drones rushed Khaos, who picked up a thin stick off the ground, and swung it right at the Drone's head. "FORE!!", he yelled. The stick hit the Drone's head, and knocked it completely off its shoulders. Now, there were only three Drones left. "Time for my favorite sport of all", said Khaos, crouching down, "Professional Wrestling!!" Khaos leapt right at the Drones, and tore them to pieces within a matter of seconds. When the dust cleared, Khaos was holding one of the Drone's heads in his hand. "Alas, Poor Drone!", he said, holding it over his head, "I scrapped him well." Khaos tossed the head away from him, and looked over at the three animals just staring at him. He folded his arms, and started tapping his foot. "Ahem", he said, "This is the part where you're all supposed to thank me for saving your lives." The three of them still said nothing. "Any time, Guys", he said. Still nothing. "Alright!", said Khaos, throwing up his arms, "I can take a hint. Geez, and I thought the Freedom Fighters were a tough crowd." "How did you find us?", asked Vector. "Ah, it speaks", said Khaos, "Well, that's kind of a long story." "One that I'd like to hear", said a voice from behind them all. Khaos turned, and saw Knuckles standing there with his arms folded. He did not look like a happy echidna. "Alright, Khaos", said Knuckles, "Spill it. You followed us back here didn't you?" "Not really", said Khaos. "Then how do you explain all of those robots all over the ground?", asked Knuckles. "Hey", said Khaos, getting defensive, "In case you didn't notice, I just saved your friends' lives right now!" "Listen to him, Knux", said Vector, "He wasted those bucket-heads." "Shut up, Vector!", said Knuckles, "If I find out that these things found this place because of you, then you are scrap-metal, Pal!" "Hey", objected Khaos, "I thought we were friends." "When it comes to the safety of my island", said Knuckles, "Friends are just a liability." "It's that kind of attitude that's gonna get us all killed, Knuckles", said Espio, appearing out of nowhere. "You're out of line, Mister", said Knuckles. "Would you shut up and listen for a second?", said Espio, "I just saw where these guys came from. There's about eighty more on the island already." Knuckles looked back at Khaos. "You set us up!", he yelled, stepping towards Khaos. "No I didn't!", Khaos yelled back, and taking a step towards Knuckles. "Then how did they find us?", growled Knuckles. "Well", said Khaos, "If you would just stop screaming for a second, I'll tell you." Knuckles folded his arms, and glared at Khaos. "I'm listening", he said. "Alright", said Khaos, "From the beginning. After I parted company with you three, I headed back towards the interior of the Great Forest." "Keep going", said Knuckles. "I walked for a few miles, and what should I find?", said Khaos, "But Anthrax hanging from a tree in the parachute we threw him out of the cruiser in. I decided to stick around. Eventually, the convoy found him, and picked him up. I hung onto the back of one of the cruisers and hitched a ride back to Castle Acorn." "Where?", asked Mighty. "The Dark Queen's base of operations", said Khaos, "She took over the Acorns' old ancestral home on top of Mt. Mobius. She's done quite a bit of remodeling up there." "Back on the subject", interupted Knuckles, "What did you learn when you got there?" "It was safe to say that the Dark Queen was not happy with Anthrax's dismal failure regarding all of us", said Khaos, "After she chewed him out a bit, she moved on to her alternate plan." "What alternate plan?", asked Espio. "Snively found some way to track you guys back to the island", said Khaos, "He followed some kind of signal that you guys were emanating." "That's not possible", said Knuckles, "Those cybers didn't plant any tracers on us. I would have noticed." "I figured as much", said Khaos, "So where was the signal coming from?" "Whoops", muttered Vector. Everyone looked at him. Knuckles turned, and stepped towards him. "Whoops?", said Knuckles, folding his arms, "What do you mean 'whoops'?" "Oh, it's nothing", said Vector, grinning, "Nothing at all." "Oh no", said Knuckles moving closer, "I know what I mean when I say 'whoops', now what did YOU mean?" "I'm sorry, Knux", said Vector, "I totally forgot about it." "Forgot about what?", said Knuckles. Vector held up his walk-man, and Knuckles saw the glowing red light that meant the power was on. "I must have forgotten to turn it off when those freaks jumped us", said Vector, "I'm really sorry. It's all my fault." Knuckles was about to give Vector the cussing of his life, but he saw Espio shaking his head. Knuckles took a deep breath, and shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Vector", he said, "Accidents happen. What's done is done. Yelling at you won't solve the problem." Knuckles looked over at Espio, who grinned at him. "So?", said Khaos, folding his arms, "What's the plan?" "What else?", asked Knuckles, "We round these dirt-bags up and see if they know how to fly." Knuckles looked over at Khaos. "Did you hear anything about what the Dark Queen's plans for this place were?", he asked. "Part of it's obvious", said Khaos, "She's going to round the inhabitants up and cyberize them. Let me tell you, that's no walk in the park. She's got something else in mind, but you'd probably have a better idea on what that is than I would." "The emerald", said Knuckles, "It seems to draw scum-bags to it like candy." "I doubt the Dark Queen would go to all this trouble for some tacky bauble", said Khaos. "It's a Chaos Emerald!", said Knuckles, "And it's a lot more than a bauble. If the Dark Queen gets her mitts on it, we're sunk." "So what's the plan?", asked Vector. "Me and Espio are going to secure all entrances to the Emerald Chamber", said Knuckles, "Khaos, you take everybody else and try to keep the Dark Queen's forces off our butts." "They're probably rounding up the inhabitants of the island right as we speak", said Khaos, "Getting them free will be a job in itself." "Good thinking", said Knuckles, "After we secure the Emerald Chamber, we'll meet up with you in Mushroom Forest." "10-4, Good Buddy", said Khaos, saluting Knuckles. "Let's move", said Knuckles. "Is everything ready?", asked the Dark Queen, sitting in her giant black throne, "Patients is not one of my virtues, not anymore." "The Dreadnaught is prepped and ready, Highness", said Anthrax, "We are ready to depart on your order." "Good", she said, standing up, and brushing her cape behind her, "Let's go." She walked past Anthrax, and he hurried behind her. "Has Hurricane or Mecha-Sonic reported in?", she asked, not even looking at him. "Yes, Highness", said Anthrax, "Hurricane reported that he has begun rounding up the inhabitants of the island and Mecha-Sonic is searching for the Chaos Emerald, however..." "Perfect", interrupted the Dark Queen, "That emerald holds infinite possibilities. I MUST possess it, eh? Did you say something to spoil my mood?" "Uh, yes, Highness", said Anthrax, "Hurricane has reported that there have been some, ah, complications." The Dark Queen stopped dead in her tracks, and turned towards the yellow cyborg. She lowered her head down a few inches, and put her face right in his. The Dark Queen could sense his fear. "What kind of complications?", she hissed. "Khaos is there", said Anthrax, "He's already destroyed several of the Drones." The Dark Queen balled her hands into fists. She slammed one of them into the wall only inches from Anthrax's head. She then pulled it out of the huge hole she had made in the solid stone wall, and looked down at Anthrax. "Khaos is beginning to be more trouble than he's worth", she said, "Tell Hurricane that he's not to try and capture him this time. I'm tired of losing valuable assets dealing with him. From now on, Khaos is to be terminated on sight. Is that clear?" "Yes, Highness", said Anthrax, bowing. "Good", said the Dark Queen, "Get back to the Control Room and let Hurricane and Mecha-Sonic know about the change in policy. Tell them that I'm on my way, as well." "At once!", said Anthrax, hurrying off. The Dark Queen turned, and headed down the corridor. She had an island to collect. Hurricane was standing near a tree with his arms folded. This was just too easy! He'd decided that he would round up the inhabitants of the Floating Island and that Mecha-Sonic would look for the Emerald Chamber. However, he was now seriously regretting this assignment. It was totally boring. A long line of prisoners was being herded towards an awaiting cargo hauler. It was going to shuttle them all back to Castle Acorn for cyberization. After that, they'd be shipped back here. A sound interrupted Hurricane's thoughts. He looked up, and saw that a mother kanga had fallen and refused to get back up. He chuckled slightly and walked over. "NO!", she screamed, clutching a small child in her arms, "I won't let you take my baby away from me!" "I really don't feel like carrying you, Lady", said a cyber who was supervising the operation, "But if I have to knock you out, that's what's going to happen! Now move, or be moved!" "Now, now", said Hurricane, walking up, "If she doesn't want to go, then she doesn't have to." The lesser cyber looked at Hurricane. "But, Sir!", said the cyber, "The Dark Queen ordered all inhabitants to be taken prisoner! We weren't to leave any free!" Hurricane pointed his lightning discharger at the kanga. She closed her eyes, and awaited what she knew was going to come next. "Who said anything about letting her go free?", he said. Hurricane's arm shot up right as a bolt of lightning exploded from it. It slammed against the cyber that was in front of Hurricane. The white cyborg was blown off his feet, and shot back a good ten yards before slamming against a tree. It fell to the ground, and stirred slightly. Hurricane looked at his arm, and saw a hand holding onto it. He followed it up, and saw Khaos staring right at him. "Now, Hurricane", said Khaos, "Is that how your mother taught you to treat ladies?" "Khaos!", growled Hurricane, "You insolent worm!" Hurricane knocked Khaos' hand away from his arm, and leapt right on him. The mother kanga clutched her baby even tighter as the two living machines hit the ground only mere feet from her. She felt a hand grab onto her arm, and saw Vector. "Come on, Lady!", he said, "This ain't no time to be takin' a nap!" He pulled her up, and moved her out of the range of the two battling cyborgs. Hurricane belted Khaos right across the face, and knocked him off. The green cyber then kicked himself to his feet, as did Khaos. The two stood their ground, just staring at each other. "Well?", asked Khaos, "Are you going to do something, or force me to stand here and stare at your ugly mug all day?" Hurricane brought up his tornado fan, and aimed it right at Khaos. "I know you're not gonna shoot me, Hurricane", said Khaos, folding his arms, "Remember, the Dark Queen wants me ALIVE." "Not anymore", chuckled Hurricane, "I've just received new orders. You are to be terminated with extreme prejudice, heh heh." "The Dark Queen's gonna waste a fun guy like me?", said Khaos, "Geez, ya really know how ta hurt a guy." "You don't know the half of it!", said Hurricane, firing a gust of wind at Khaos that was over 300 mph." Khaos sidestepped, and the blast ripped right through a tree, causing it to fall on several Drones. Khaos clapped his hands, and looked back at Hurricane, who couldn't believe what he had done. "Good shot, Hurricane!", laughed Khaos, "Keep that up, and people are going to think you're on our side!" "Grrrrrr", growled Hurricane, "KILL THEM ALL!!!" "I think that's our cue to skidaddle", said Vector. He took the mother kanga by the hand, and hurried after the rest of them. "GET THEM!!!!", screamed Hurricane. "But what about the prisoners?", asked a cyber who was standing by. Hurricane cussed softly, and looked at the cyber who was trying to lift himself off the ground. "Grounder!", he said, "Keep the prisoners moving until I get back. Grounder looked up at Hurricane, and nodded his head. "You!", said Hurricane, pointing at a group of Drones, "Come with me!" Hurricane cocked his lightning discharger, and held it up next to his head. "Time to go hunting." "Where the hell are we going?", asked Khaos, following after Vector, who was leading the way. "Mushroom Forest!", said Vector, "I've got me a plan, Man!" "Wonderful", said Khaos, hurrying after them. They ran past several giant mushrooms surrounding them. Khaos just glared at them. "There's something you don't see everyday", said Khaos. "What is your plan, Vector?", asked Mighty, running up beside him. "Wait and see", said Vector, "We ain't there yet." A plasma blast flew past them all. Khaos turned, and saw the squad of Drones following them. "We can't outrun them for long", said Khaos, "Don't you guys have any kind of weapons we can use?" "No", said Mighty, "We never had any use for them." "Great", said Khaos, dodging another blast. Khaos saw something ahead of them. He ran up next to Vector, and pointed at it. "What's that thing?", he asked. Vector looked, and saw a rusted hulk of a robot laying in the grass. He recognized it and the Lumberjack Bot that Robotnik had sent into the Mushroom Forest when he tried to steal the Chaos Emerald. Sonic had trashed it, and they never got around to tossing it off the island. "That's one of Robotnik's old toys that Sonic broke when he was up here", said Vector, "I don't see how it can help us, because it's totally smashed up!" "I don't need the bot", said Khaos, running up to it, "Just its accessory!" Khaos pulled the axe out of the bot's hands as he ran by. He turned, and saw the Drones catching up to them. Several more plasma blasts shot by. "Whatever yer plannin', Khaos", said Vector, "You'd better do it quick!" Khaos slowed down, and let the others pass by him. Then, he swung the axe at the stem of one of the giant mushrooms, slicing through it completely. "RUN!!", yelled Khaos, dropping the axe and scurrying after the rest of the Chaotix. Khaos looked back, and saw the huge fungus fall right on top of about six of the fifteen Drones that were pursuing them. He chuckled, and then ran after the rest of them. Hurricane and the others stopped when they saw what had just happened. He looked at the shattered forms of the Drones that had been crushed by the massive weight of the falling mushroom. "That turn-coat is seriously trying my patients", he said. Hurricane lifted his tornado fan, and blew the mushroom out of their way. Then, they started after their prey once again. "Report, Mecha-Sonic", said the Dark Queen, sitting in the command chair of the Dreadnaught, which was enroute to the Floating Island. "We're still searching for an access to the Emerald Chamber", he said, "But the field created by the emerald is making our scanners useless. We're having to visually search for it." "Blast that echidna", said the Dark Queen, "What about Hurricane? Has he completed his task?" "I haven't had any contact from him in about an hour", said Mecha-Sonic, "But I just heard a huge crash in the Mushroom Forest." "What is the island's distance from the shoreline?", asked the Dark Queen. "About fifty miles", said Mecha-Sonic, "We should hit it in about an hour and a half." "Blast!", shouted the Dark Queen, slamming her fists down on the arms of her chair, "If that island moves too far out to sea, we'll have lost it until it comes ashore again. Remember, Mecha-Sonic, we can only follow it about ten to fifteen miles out to sea, and then we'll be forced to turn back. Have that place secured in the next hour and a half. Is that clear enough?" "Quite clear, Highness", said Mecha-Sonic, "Over and out." His face vanished from the view screen, and the Dark Queen leaned back in her chair. She'd tear that island apart, piece by piece if she had to. Nothing and no one was going to keep her from that emerald. Mecha-Sonic put the communicator back in its compartment on his torso, and looked at his troops. "You heard her", he said, "We have a little over 90 minutes to find and secure the emerald. The Dark Queen is not known for her patients, so we can't afford to lose this thing." The three cybers he had with him nodded, and the Drones just stood there. Mecha-Sonic looked at the lead cyber. "Smash", he said, "Take the squad over there and continue visual scans for an access port of some kind to the Emerald Chamber." "Yes, Sir", said Smash, saluting. The squad moved out, and headed East. Mecha-Sonic folded his arms, and started out into the forest. He was trying to contemplate where that annoying echidna could have hidden the port. "This is getting me nowhere", said Mecha-Sonic, picking up a rock, and tossing it into a stream that was running in front of him. Mecha-Sonic started down at the stream for a moment, and then had a thought. Could the access perhaps be underwater? It was certainly a possibility. Mecha-Sonic got down on his knees, and scanned the floor of the stream for any artificial materials. He spotted something. "What have we here?", he said to himself. He reached in, and pulled out a rusted piece of metal. He examined it for a moment, and then identified it as part of one of Robotnik's SWATbots. It must have been thrown in the water during the battle he had had with the hedgehog. Mecha-Sonic tossed it back into the water, and watched his reflection ripple for a few moments. Suddenly, the reflection changed from his own metallic face, to that of a light-brown hedgehog with blue eyes. "What the?", said Mecha-Sonic. This wasn't right. Mecha-Sonic did a quick self-diagnostic on his internal systems. He found that they were working at 100% capabilities. He looked back down, and saw his own metal face in the water. This was the second time something like this had happened. The first was years ago, during his titanic battle with Sonic at Project Omega. "What's wrong with my head?", he said, making a fist with his hand. "What's he doing?", asked Espio. "I have no clue", said Knuckles. The two were watching Mecha-Sonic from their hiding place. The robotic hedgehog was just kneeling on the ground and staring into the stream. "What do you think?", asked Espio. "Let's drop him", said Knuckles. Mecha-Sonic's spiked ears perked up. His eyes moved and looked as far right as they could. A grin worked its way up his face. "They are so slow", he said. He whipped around, and fired his foot thrusters. The robotic hedgehog flew into the bushes, and right into Knuckles. He shoved the surprised echidna right out of the back of the bush. The two rolled for several feet before coming to a halt. Mecha-Sonic was on top of Knuckles, and had his hands around the echidna's throat. "You're almost as irritating as the hedgehog is!", said Mecha-Sonic, "Too bad you won't live long enough to regret it!" Knuckles reacted by slamming his fist against the robotic hedgehog's face. "Eat that!", said Knuckles. Mecha-Sonic flew off of Knuckles, and landed in a heap a few feet away from him. Knuckles kicked himself to his feet, and dropped into a fighting stance. "That", said Mecha-Sonic, lifting his head up, "Was a mistake." Mecha-Sonic got back on his feet, and stood straight up. His eyes flashed red. Knuckles just glared at him. "Your move, Rust-Bucket", said Knuckles. "Thanks", said Mecha-Sonic. The robot stuck his hand out, and pointed his clawed thumb down. Knuckles scowled, and wondered what the hedgehog was doing. Then, suddenly it occurred to him. Knuckles shot to the left right as a Drone's fist flew right by his head. Knuckles slammed both of his fists down on the Drone's head, and it crashed to the ground. "That was a cheap move", said Knuckles, looking back up at the robotic hedgehog. Mecha-Sonic picked up the Drone's blaster, and aimed it right at Knuckles. "But it worked to my advantage anyway", he said. Suddenly, Mecha-Sonic's hand jerked up, and the shot went stray. Espio uncloaked, and slammed his fist right into Mecha-Sonic's jaw. There was a loud 'CLUNK'. "Ouch!", said Espio, shaking his hand. Mecha-Sonic gritted his teeth, and looked at the chameleon. "Nice try", he said, pulling his arm out of Espio's grip, and grabbing him by the tail, "But utterly futile!!" Mecha-Sonic whipped Espio around a few times, and then let him go. He flew threw the air, and crashed right into Knuckles. The two hit the ground. "Something else?", asked Espio. "Something else", said Knuckles. "There it is!", said Vector, pointing at a rock-face in the Mushroom Forest. "There what is?", asked Khaos. "Check it out!", said Vector, jumping at the side of it, and going right through the weeds. "Of course!", said Mighty, "I forgot about that!" "Forgot about what?", asked Khaos, "Where does that lead?" "The Hydrocity Complex", said Mighty, "We can lose those freaks down there." Charmy held onto Mighty, and the two jumped down the passage. Khaos looked at the mother kanga. "Hold on!", he said, scooping her up. "I hate water!", she said. Khaos jumped through the weeds, and realized that there was no ground beneath him. The two went right into a free-fall for several seconds, and then hit a slide. The mother kanga screamed the whole way down. Khaos held onto her as best he could. Her baby was still tucked away in her pouch, and he wanted it kept that way. Suddenly, the slide ended, and the two went into a free-fall again. Their fall was quickly broken when they splashed down into a pool of water. Khaos immediately pushed the mother kanga over his head, and out of the water. Since the water was only a few feet deep, Khaos put her on his shoulders, and stood up. His feet touched the ground, and his head poked out of the water. He was too heavy to float like the rest of the Chaotix, so this would have to do. "That was cool!", said Vector, floating in the water. "Why didn't you warn me!?", yelled Khaos. "Yeah!", said the mother kanga, "I've never been so scared in my life!" "Calm down, Kera", said Vector, "You're still in one piece, aren't you?" "Just barely", she said, "Now what?" Khaos looked up at where they had just fallen out of. "Our cybernetic friends won't be far behind us", said Khaos, "We should get moving. Vector, where to?" "This way", said Vector, swimming off. The others swam after him, and Khaos walked after them on the ground with Kera on his shoulders. "We are now in visual range, Highness", said a cyber that was piloting the Dreadnaught. The Dark Queen sat forward, and looked at the Floating Island. It was a sight to behold. A huge island just floating in the sky. It defied every law of physics that she knew, and she knew quite a few. "ETA?", she asked. "Twenty minutes", said Snively, looking at a monitor. "Contact Hurricane", she said, "I want to check on his and Mecha-Sonic's progress." Hurricane's face appeared on the monitor that was hanging from the roof of the bridge. The Dark Queen looked at him, and sat back in her chair. "Report", she said. "Well", said Hurricane, wiping water away from his face, "Which would you like first? The good news or the bad news?" Her eyes flashed red, and she tilted her head slightly. "Good news", she hissed. "We've found the interior of the island", said Hurricane, looking around, "That means that the Emerald Chamber can't be far away." "What's the bad news?", she asked. "This place is full of water, and the Drones are shorting out", said Hurricane, "You didn't design them to function in an environment like this. Also, the Chaotix are still on the loose and Khaos is with them." "Why is there always more bad news than good news?", asked the Dark Queen, laying her head back against her chair. "They can't get far", said Hurricane, "I'll track 'em down." "You'd better do it in the next twenty minutes then", she said. Hurricane looked away from his comm-link. This place was something else. There were pipes and slides everywhere. Water was flowing in all directions and seemed to be being pumped out towards the surface. "Must be where all the water on the Floating Island originates from", said Hurricane, looking around, "This place most likely recycles the water in the rivers so the island doesn't run dry. Clever." "Hey, Lug-nuts!", said a voice behind him. Hurricane looked, and saw Mighty hanging from the wall on something. He aimed his lightning discharger at the armadillo, and got ready to fire. "Cool off!", he said, pulling down on whatever it was that he was hanging on. A wall of water exploded out of a tube and smashed against Hurricane, knocking him back several hundred yards. He slammed against a wall, and left a huge crack in it. The water pressure was keeping him pinned up against it. "He needed a bath anyway", said Mighty, dropping down from the lever he had been hanging on. The water pressure died, and Hurricane dropped to the ground. He looked up, and saw the Chaotix and Khaos. "You're finished, Hurricane!", said Khaos. "Heh", said Hurricane, jumping to his feet, "On the contrary, Bro! I'm just getting started!" Hurricane aimed his tornado fan at the ground, and activated it. The gust of wind blew him out of the shallow water he was standing in. He aimed his lightning discharger at the water. "Move!", yelled Khaos, seeing what Hurricane was planning. Mighty grabbed onto the lever, and the rest of them quickly grabbed onto his legs. Khaos tossed Kera up, and then looked back at Hurricane. Hurricane fired, and the lightning blast hit the water, electrifying it. Khaos was still standing it in, and was surrounded by the electric charge. After a few moments, he flew out of the water, and up against the wall. Hurricane shut off his discharger, and dropped back down to the ground. He walked over to Khaos, who was laying up against the wall, apparently out cold. "This has made this hassle well worth it!", he said, aiming his discharger at Khaos. Suddenly, Khaos' arm shot out, and pulled Hurricane only inches away from his face. "Don't you know that lightning never strikes twice!?", "How in the...?", said Hurricane. "Thanks for the recharge, Dumbass!", said Khaos, punching Hurricane in the face. Hurricane flew backwards, and slid to a halt in the water. He looked up at Khaos, who was rising to his feet. "I'm gonna tear yer arms off and beat you to death with them", growled Hurricane. "Then come get some", said Khaos. The Dreadnaught touched down on the edge of the island. After it had completed the landing cycle, the hatch lowered to the ground, and several Drones came down. They were followed by the Dark Queen, who was shadowed by Snively and Anthrax. Her high-heeled boots touched the grass, and she looked around. "Ah", she said without any emotion in her voice, "The Floating Island. I'm so happy to be here." "Where's Hurricane and Mecha-Sonic?", asked Anthrax, looking around. "I don't know", said the Dark Queen. She looked over the edge of the island, and saw the shoreline passing under them. She growled slightly under her mask. "We can't stay here too long", she said, "I don't want the Dreadnaught flying over the water." "How long?", asked Anthrax. "One hour", said the Dark Queen, "At the maximum." "What now?", asked Snively, looking around. "Anthrax", said the Dark Queen, "Find Mecha-Sonic and Hurricane, and tell them to get over here." Anthrax lifted his arm up, and began to contact Mecha-Sonic. All of a sudden, there was a loud 'BANG', and a silvery form came flying out of the foliage, and slammed into Anthrax. "AHHH!!!", he yelled, flying backwards. He looked, and saw Mecha-Sonic laying on top of him. After he shoved the robotic hedgehog off of him, he looked over at the Dark Queen, who was staring at him. "I found one of them", he said, picking himself up. The Dark Queen didn't find it amusing at all. She balled her hands into fists, and looked down at Mecha-Sonic. "You fool!", she said, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't reprogram you to sing show-tunes?" "Aw", said a voice from the trees, "Don't blame him." The Dark Queen turned, and saw Knuckles standing on the branch of a nearby tree. "YOU!", she yelled. "He was just outclassed, that's all", said Knuckles, "Let that be a lesson to you all. This is my island, and anybody whose got a beef with that, answers to me!" Knuckles leapt off the tree, and shot right at the Dark Queen. He got about two inches from her, when her arm snapped out and backhanded him across the face. "UGH!!", he grunted, flying to the side. Knuckles slammed into a Drone that was standing by the Dreadnaught. The robot was crushed between Knuckles and the hull of the massive ship. Knuckles slid to the ground, and shook his head. "I don't we've been properly introduced", said the Dark Queen, walking up to Knuckles, and lifting him off the ground, "I'm the Dark Queen!" The Dark Queen threw Knuckles up against the ship with what could be nothing short of super-Mobian strength. Knuckles slid back down to the Dark Queen's feet. "You've proven to be almost as big of a nuisance as the hedgehog and that little princess bitch!", she said, bringing her foot back and kicking Knuckles in the stomach. "OOOOF!", he yelped as the wind got knocked out of him. Knuckles was seeing stars at this point. This was not good. Down in the Hydrocity Complex, Hurricane and Khaos were going at it like a pair of wild animals. Standing on the sidelines, the Chaotix and Kera didn't know what to do. They would be absolutely mad to interfere with those two warring machines. "Any ideas?", asked Charmy, flying around them. "Nodda", said Vector, shaking his head. Khaos slammed Hurricane against a wall, leaving a huge crack in it. Hurricane countered by knocking Khaos' arms away from him, and head-butting the red cyber in the face. "AHH!!", said Khaos, stepping back. Hurricane spun around, and kicked Khaos right in the chest. The blow knocked him backwards. Khaos landed right on his back. "This ends now!", said Hurricane, rushing Khaos. Khaos kicked Hurricane in the stomach, and knocked him away. He then kicked himself to his feet and punched the green cyber in the face. Hurricane returned with a jab to the stomach. He then grabbed Khaos' by the shoulders, and rammed his knee into his face. "Now", he said, dropping Khaos, "Time to die." Khaos looked at the ground beneath him, and saw a circular panel under the water. He looked back up at Hurricane, who was aiming his lightning discharger at him. "Any last words?", asked Hurricane. Khaos didn't say anything. Hurricane chuckled. "Nah", he said, "I didn't think so. Kiss your head good-bye, Khaos." Khaos didn't know what was going to happen, but he hoped it was something big enough to distract Hurricane for just a second. He balled his hand into a fist, and slammed it down on the panel. It sunk down a few inches, and the ground started to shake. "What?", said Hurricane, looking around, "What have you done?" "Beats the heck outta me", said Khaos, shrugging. Hurricane looked back at Khaos. "Sounds like a good idea!", he said. Hurricane got ready to fire, when a pillar of water at least thirty feet in diameter exploded from underneath them all. All six of them were propelled upward at an unbelievable rate. Knuckles landed next to the Drone he had smashed earlier. The Dark Queen was mopping the floor with him, and she wasn't even breathing hard. He had seriously underestimated her. "As much fun as this has proven to be", said the Dark Queen, walking towards him, "I regret that we must conclude this. I have a schedule to keep, you know." Knuckles saw a small spherical object laying in front of him. There was a pin with a circular hook on the end of it sticking out of the ball. From the unusual shape of it, Knuckles had a pretty good idea what it was, and how he could use it to ensure his own survival. The Dark Queen grabbed him by the neck, and lifted him off the ground. She pulled him up to her face. "After I break your neck", she said, "I'll deal with your little chameleon friend over there." Knuckles saw that Espio was being held by Mecha-Sonic and Anthrax. He looked back at the Dark Queen's masked face. "I'd say you were a worthy opponent, Echidna", said the Dark Queen, but I'd be lying!" "You talk too much", said Knuckles, "So let's see you talk your way out of this!" Knuckles pulled the pin out of the grenade, and shoved it among the Dark Queen's breathing hoses on her mask. "What?!", she said, dropping him, and trying to grab the grenade. Knuckles quickly rolled away from the struggling queen. The grenade began releasing a hiss of white smoke from it. The Dark Queen began gagging and coughing as she inhaled it. She hadn't had the time to activate her breathing gear, and she was paying for that mistake. There was only one option left open to her. She grabbed the back of the mask, and pushed a hidden switch. Her mask split open, and she pushed it away from her face, and the grenade went with it. The mask crashed to the ground, blanketed in white gas. Knuckles looked, and saw the Dark Queen's face, as did everyone else present. She wasn't anything impressive. The Dark Queen was a blonde-haired koala female. She backed away from the mask, and panted loudly. She looked up at Knuckles, and her green eyes almost turned red. "You will pay for this!", she growled. Knuckles noticed that her voice didn't sound as frightening without the mask's filters and electronic sound enhancers. "KILL THEM BOTH!!", she screamed. All of the Drones and cybers present drew their blasters, and pointed them at Knuckles. "This is pleasure, Echidna", said the Dark Queen, "Business no longer has anything to do with it!" Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Everyone looked down at it, and saw little spurts of water spraying out of the grass. "What the...", said the Dark Queen, taking a few steps back. Then, the ground erupted and a mountain of water exploded from under their feet. The blast of water hit the Dreadnaught, and shoved it off the side of the island. Its emergency thrusters activated and held it above the water, but just barely. The Dark Queen and most of her forces were blown off of the island and into the ocean below. Mecha-Sonic, and a good number of cybers and Drones remained on the island, however. Knuckles and the Chaotix, along with Khaos and Kera, were washed into the trees. After everyone had come to their senses, Knuckles looked over at Khaos and the others. "Nice timing, People", he said, "Now, if you don't mind my asking, what the hell did you do?" "I hit some button the ground of the Hydrocity Complex", said Khaos. "Nice", said Knuckles, ringing the water out of his dreadlocks, "Well, at least I won't have to take a bath tonight." "What happened to the Dark Queen?", asked Khaos. "I think she got washed off the island", said Knuckles, looking over the side of the island, and saw the Dreadnaught floating only inches above the water. "Mecha-Sonic and some others got washed in the other direction", said Vector, "This ain't quite over, yet." "Fortunately", said Khaos, jumping down from the tree, "The Dark Queen won't bother you again until you hit the land again. Her ships aren't designed to travel long distances, especially across the water. The only ones you're going to have to contend with are Mecha-Sonic and any cybers or Drones that he may still have with him." Knuckles jumped down as well. He looked at Khaos. "I take it this is your cue to take a dive as well?", he asked. "Hey", said Khaos, "Don't get me wrong, this has been a blast and all, but the war is land-side." "Hey", said Knuckles, "I'm sure we'll have our hands full with Mecha-Sonic." "At least he'll be out of our hair for a while", said Khaos, "Catch ya later, Knux." "Bye, Khaos!", said Kera, waving to him from the tree, "Thanks for your help!" "No prob, Ma'am!", said Khaos, bowing. "Well", said Khaos, waving to Knuckles and the Chaotix, "Surf's up!" Khaos did a back-flip off of the island, and landed in the water down below. He never resurfaced, but Knuckles knew that the cyber was fine. He had probably done that so he could sneak by the Dark Queen's forces. Knuckles helped Kera down from the tree, and then looked at the Chaotix. "I'd say we've got our work cut out for us", he said, "You were right, Espio, "The war did find us, and it's going to be here for a while." "Then let's show 'em what we've got", said Mighty. Knuckles smiled, and knew that they would teach Mecha-Sonic a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. The Dark Queen walked out of the ocean, and onto the beach. She brushed her soaking wet hair out of her face, and wiped the water away from her eyes. She gritted her teeth, and growled. "This is far from over, Echidna", she said, "I will not forget this humiliation." She watched as the Floating Island drifted off into the horizon. THE END