The echidna's fierce purple eyes darted back and forth, observing the cobalt blue hedgehog who gave nothing but a hiss in response. The red mobian frowned and reached to grab the stranger by his quills- managing to do so only for him to then feel dozens upon dozens of sharp pricks tearing through his mitten.

"Hey-!" He bellowed, jumping back and rubbing his wounded hand with his other.

The silent hedgehog twirled and conducted a Windmill dance move to spring up, not wasting a second in pulling the now free golden fox behind him- sending metaphorical daggers at the echidna. The purple eyed mobian double took prior to shaking his hand, promptly crouching into a defensive posture with mittens raised.

"You've overstayed your welcome, Sonic the Hedgehog. Let me show you the door."

Sonic's green eyes narrowed and he positioned himself for the offence, but was more than bewildered by Tails hopping around him to stand between them.

"H-hold on!" The fox raised his hands. "We don't want to cause any trouble. M-my name's Tails. You seem to know Sonic already-."

"I know he's a magnet for trouble." The echidna grumbled and the blue blur huffed.

"...Maybe. But I promise you we don't want to cause any now. What's your name?"

Purple eyes watched kind blue and the echidna rolled his shoulders. "Knuckles."

"Well, hi Knuckles. Listen, who warned you about Sonic?"

"That'd be me."

The three collectively turned to the ancient stone shrine that held a spectacular, vast green jewel. Seven empty pillars circled it and the shrine itself was tiered. The bottom layer was far wider and it's top edge was heavily overgrown with moss. A wide staircase led the trio to a proud postured man standing in front of the glistening jewel. One hand combed his long moustache and the other was hidden behind his back. His arrogant stance was finished with a horrific grin and the man barely noticed two small robots cautiously join his side. One spherical red and the other cubically yellow.

"You see now why I warned you about that rodent, yes Knuckles? Upon seeing you he immediately attacks. I told you he can't be trusted."

'You've got to be kidding me.' Sonic's eyes rolled.

"I brought him to you. So could you all leave my island!" Knuckles' arms crossed.

"W-wait, we can't be trusted?" Tails gulped upon Robotnik's attention turning to him and mindlessly, the fox stepped to be partly behind his best friend.

"Why of course. You two chased me here and I didn't know what to do!" Robotnik dramatically brought a hand to his forehead. "So I got Knuckles here to help me."

"If we're so bad, why lead us into a trap at all? Surely you'd want to stay away from us." Tails challenged, and Knuckles' head lowered contemplatively.

But Robotnik merely grinned, hands disappearing behind his back. "Justice."

Sonic watched the emperor's two lackeys hurry around the jewel and held Tails' arm as a loud whirring followed. Then, the Eggmobile revealed itself and hovered over the shrine- a pair of large claws sliding out from the round aircraft's bottom.

"Robotnik! What're you doing?!" Knuckles roared.

The emperor climbed up to stand atop the shining green rock. "I thank you for your service, echidna." He bowed. "But perhaps you should re-evaluate where your loyalties lie."

Purple eyes widened as the entire island began to shake- awakening small blue creatures and disturbing other wildlife. The larger claw trapped the vast jewel in it's grasp and the Eggmobile began complaining upon it's struggle to lift it. Thus, Sonic charged and rolled into a spiky ball prior to bouncing into the air. With a blue trail, he aimed straight for the claw only for the smaller one to grab him and squeeze.

"Knuckles! Help!" Tails pleaded and gulped, then nervously revealed two fluffy namesakes that spun behind him.

The echidna was a little startled, yet mostly in awe at the sight. But his attention was swiftly snagged from Sonic's pained yell within the increasingly tight constraints of the claw. Knuckles gave a gruff nod before storming up the stairs, shoulders rolling and ferocious fists hitting each other.

"Hurry it up you dolts!" Robotnik knocked on the claw, eyes wide in growing panic.

"We're trying, boss!" The red robot replied.

The emperor mumbled and looked back to Knuckles who reached the top step and leaped into the air. With eyes burning in the upmost rage, he gave a terrifying roar and drove his fist straight into the claw Sonic was held in- the talons springing open upon impact. Knuckles rolled once on the ground and looked to Tails who zoomed towards a now unravelled Sonic and caught him.

The pair exchanged inaudible words (ones that made the fox look nervous) prior to the younger stranger spinning so rapidly they both became golden and blue blurs. Then, with a cry Tails let Sonic go and the latter curled into a ball once more- blasting for the larger claw and slicing it cleanly in half. Tails flew to catch his best friend again and the two landed beside Knuckles- who's attention was on a highly worried looking Robotnik (and Sonic revelled in it).

"Seems your betrayal didn't go to plan, Robotnik." Knuckles spoke, mittens hitting each other. "I demand answers." He began approaching.

The emperor gulped and let out a deep sigh, quickly switching to a nightmarish grin as he reached for the sky. Knuckles raised an eye ridge in confusion and stopped, soon opening his mouth to speak only for the Eggmobile to swing back into view. The two robots (with much struggle) grabbed Robotnik's hand and yanked him up just as Sonic and Knuckles reached for him. The echidna stomped and growled and immediately spun around to go after the escaping aircraft. However, Tails held his arm and shook his head.

"Don't. You'll only get into more trouble."

"'Sides we saved your rock, didn't we?"

Knuckles whirled around to see Sonic leaning against the jewel in question- massaging his shoulder. The echidna stomped over and towered above the other, eyes blazing.

"So you can talk! Good! This is your doing!"

Sonic raised his hands. "Hey man, we got your dumb rock back! You're welcome! You're the one who chose to trust Robotnik of all people!"

Knuckles growled and raised a shaking fist, watching stupidly arrogant green eyes glare back. But, he repeated the other's words and chose to step away- opting to check on the jewel.

"This isn't some rock, hedgehog." He rested a hand against it's smooth, cold side.

Sonic kicked up a foot against one of the seven pillars and rested against it. "Then-."

"It's the emerald Robotnik was after." Tails blinked, going to stand between the two. "It's bigger than expected. Luckily, I think Robotnik underestimated it's size too."

'Doubt he helped by standing on it. He's shaped like an egg.' Sonic mused.

"Not just any emerald, young fox." Knuckles looked over his shoulder. "The Master Emerald."

Sonic and Tails exchanged a glance, but were made attentive to the echidna when he began talking to it.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry for...I'll do better at protecting you."

"You're...talking to it?" The blue blur inquired, arms loosely crossing.

"The Master Emerald is far more than what it appears to be. Unlike you hedgehog, who's simply just that."

The blue blur frowned. "Looks can be deceiving. Thought you'd know that after today."

Knuckles growled and spun around, raising a fist. Sonic stepped forward but Tails quickly raised his arms to keep the pair at a distance.

"Sonic, enough." He sighed. "Could you two stop fighting?"

"...He started it." The echidna pouted.

"You attacked me! I just showed up here!" The speedster huffed.

"I was told to watch out for you! Besides, you aren't being very kind now."

"Kind-?"

"Look." Tails pinched his nose and turned to Knuckles. "Sonic can be...immature-."

"Hey!"

"But he means well. We both do. And he is right- we did help you get the Master Emerald back. Even after you attacked us. We don't blame you for believing Robotnik- he's the smartest man alive. Anyone would be fooled. Sonic isn't an exception." Tails lightly rolled his eyes upon his best friend mumbling.

Knuckles calmed down at this and returned to watching the Master Emerald. "You have a point, young fox. I'm...sorry."

Tails looked to Sonic immediately, gesturing back at the echidna. The older of the two deeply inhaled and went to the red mobians side, offering a thumbs up.

"Relax, Knucklehead. And if it means anything, I'm-."

"What did you just call me?"

"Sonic gives all his friends nicknames." Tails hurriedly responded. "Like me."

"What's your real name then?"

"Um-."

"Don't bother." Knuckles patted the fox's head (with more force than he meant to). "Hold on, all his friends?"

Sonic grinned. "Well you can definitely throw a punch. You can hold your own. Even though we didn't...start off well- I reckon we give this another go." He offered his hand. "Whatcha say, Knucklehead?"

"I wouldn't mind punching the ego out of you." Knuckles smirked, instead making a fist bump with the other.

"Chaos." Tails sighed before whirling towards the forest like the older two upon hearing hurried footsteps.

Bushes rustled and twigs cracked and soon the footsteps sounded more like two pairs. Then, charging out of the forest revealed a bright yellow flying squirrel and a black and red armadillo.

—————

"Knuckles! What's going on? Why was the island shaking? What was-?" The armadillo skidded to a stop upon seeing his friend wasn't alone.

"Who're they?"

"Mighty! Ray!" Knuckles greeted and tugged on the fox and hedgehog beside him to bring them down the stairs.

"This here's Tails. And this is Sonic. They arrived shortly ago on that red plane I sent you to look for. They followed Robotnik here and helped me get rid of him."

"B-but I thought-." Ray looked puzzled.

"Long story. But it's these two we don't have to worry about."

"Hello." Tails awkwardly waved, the flying squirrel returning it.

"And you're sure we can trust 'em?" Mighty raised an eye ridge. "I mean, you did just trust Robotnik."

"I didn't trust him." Knuckles replied defensively. "But I promise. These two helped me and haven't tried taking the Master Emerald."

"...Alright. Well, you already know but, my name's Mighty. This is Ray." The armadillo held out his hand with a smile.

Sonic cleared his throat and took the gesture prior to replying, "Nice to meetcha. You guys seem to be holding your own pretty well here."

"We manage. The same could be said for you."

The blue blur rubbed his nose. "We're doin' the best we can."

"With Robotnik around that seems to be all any of us can do." Knuckles mused.

"Especially now that he's making a direct appearance. It's been years since and last time-...well, this can't be good." Tails rubbed his arm.

Sonic watched the worried expressions of the four and briefly wished Sally were here to offer the perfect words to help ease them. Alas, she wasn't so he snapped his fingers, gave a bright grin and held out his hand to Knuckles.

"Then let's make sure nothin' like last time happens again. Together."

"Ay?"

"We could use the help, Knucks. And you could really do a number on Robuttnik."

"What're you asking of me?"

"Join us for a bit. I-I know you've got a bunch of responsibilities here but if we can-."

"Me and Ray can look after the island." Mighty jumped in, looking excited.

"And if we do manage to push Robotnik back, then you won't have to worry about this place so much." Tails reasoned.

Sonic lightly punched the echidna's arm. "Exactly."

Knuckles watched the grass and hummed. "And if trouble here does arise?"

"Me and Ray can fend it off." Mighty assured, pulling the flying squirrel to his side.

"And we'll be on Robotnik's tail anyways, so we'll see if he does." Tails added.

"What if there's someone else?"

Sonic stiffened. 'Snively?'

"No point in worrying about that 'til we come to it." He swung an arm around Tails and Knuckles respectively.

The echidna frowned. "It's a mystery how you're still alive. That said, you are so clearly you've got some...skill set against Robotnik. That could just be down to Tails-."

"He's been doing this before he met me." The fox quickly defended.

Knuckles looked greatly surprised at this, Mighty and Ray holding similar expressions. "Just how long then?"

"We can talk about that on the trip." Sonic grinned.

"Well...." The red mobian glanced at the Master Emerald, looked to Mighty and Ray and then gave a nod.

"Alright. But we're coming back the second I hear there's trouble."

Sonic gave a thumbs up. "Good thing going fast is what I do best."

—————

Once the three said their goodbye's to Mighty and Ray, they made their way back to the Tornado (which Knuckles seemed more impressed by it now it was up close). Tails took flight and settled in the pilots seat where he stirred the aircraft to life. The echidna watched Sonic lightly hop up to the planes top wing, crouching down on the left side.

"What're you doing? There's a passengers seat." Knuckles climbed up and sat beside the other.

"Well, it was for you but-."

"I'll join you here."

"Suit yourself."

Knuckles looked to the shrinking ground below as they began take off, making a noise of complaint. His form was tense and he jumped when a hand went to squeeze his shoulder. His head whirled to see Sonic watching him, eyes lacking their usual arrogance and instead carrying an alien kindness.

"You alright?"

"I haven't left Angel Island before. It's...more than my home. It's my purpose. I'm the Master Emerald's Guardian and leaving it behind is...."

Sonic lightly elbowed the other. "I think Angel Island can manage without it's Guardian for a bit. 'Sides, a break might do you some good. Get to come back all refreshed and stuff."

Knuckles gulped back another grumble as they took proper flight. "I doubt this will be much of a break."

The speedster snorted. "Won't be a beach vacation, but it'll definitely get your mind off this place."

"You don't seem worried."

"'Bout what?"

"What's to come, I guess."

"Guess I'm used to it."

"I don't think that's a good thing."

Sonic squirmed. "I'm not bothered."

"I didn't say-." Knuckles frowned. "Tell me how long you've been doing this."

"Testin' out my credentials huh? Gee...'bout seven years? Almost eight."

"How old are you?"

"Why does everyone keep askin' that? Almost fourteen." Sonic pouted.

Knuckles grinned. "I'm older than you. I am fourteen."

"W-who cares? So what? Age isn't even...that doesn't mean you're-...whatever man."

The echidna laughed. "How long have you known Tails?"

"Month or so? Why?"

Purple eyes became cartoonishly wide. "Thought you might've had someone with you.... Didn't think you'd be on your own."

"I'm not on my own. Hardly have been. Had like a year spell but-."

"Is that why you go quiet? 'Cause you're not-."

"No man!" Sonic sighed. "Sorry."

"I shouldn't have been so nosy. That said...who else has been with you? Are they...why aren't they here?"

"To keep her safe. She'd have a field day if she found out I'm recruiting folks." Sonic climbed up and stretched. "But I know she's okay. She's pretty much the only reason I've lasted so long."

Below, Tails double took when he noticed his best friend was standing on the wing. He glanced back to warn the other but something on the small sonar screen caught his eye. An eye ridge raised as he quickly examined the glitchy map beside it, then observed their real surroundings prior to hearing the sonar beep. A lighter green spot showed to be slowly approaching.

"Er...Sonic?"

Upon hearing his name, the hedgehog above looked to Tails who glanced back worriedly. So the former asked, "What's wrong?"

"Someone's approaching. And I doubt they're someone good."

"Wh-?"

Then, the Tornado rumbled and rocked as a powerful hit landed on it's side. Following swiftly after came another far stronger one at the opposing end- intense enough to knock Sonic off the wing. His eyes widened in immediate panic as he flailed, breath catching in his throat even when a large mitten managed to wrap around his wrist.

"I've got you. You're okay!"

Sonic shook his head to focus and gave a wobbly smile to Knuckles above. The echidna squirmed to utilise his other arm in lifting the other, but was ferociously knocked back by a large claw. Sonic could feel himself start to fall again and so desperately began flapping his limbs in hopes that would do something. However, upon remembering that claws tended to appear in pairs- his cruel reminder showed up just beside him. His eyes widened as it became the last thing he saw prior to blacking out.