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Sonic, Tails, and Shadow walked through the empty auditorium.

Tails waved the detector wand around the area. “Where is he?” He asked. “The detector is indicating the trail went cold.”

A ring portal appeared.

Rouge flew through it. “Boys, the echidna is at Emerald island.”

Sonic pulled a ring out, then tossed it into the air.

They all stepped through the portal.

Sonia, Surge, and Manic (in super forms) were fighting the echidna.

Sally and Aleena were trying to activate the traps.

Sally hooked her mini tablet Nicole into the console. “Why is this code protected?”

Sonic spin dashed the echidna.

Sally and Aleena activated the metal cage, which dropped over the echidna.

Shadow ran over and pointed a gun at the echidna.

The echidna’s violet eyes widened.

“Okay.” Sonic said, leaning on the cage. “Uh… what’s your name?”

The echidna raised an eyebrow. “Knuckles.”

“Alright, Knux, why are you doing this?” Sonic asked.

Knuckles tried to punch the bars.

“Knock it off, or it’s gonna be the last thing you do.” Shadow ordered.

“Better do what he says, hon.” Rouge said. “I hear he’s an excellent shot.”

Knuckles did a double take at Rouge, then stared at her.

Sonic glanced at Rouge. “You want to handle this?”

Rouge shrugged. “Sure.” She replied. She stepped over to the cage and leaned on it. “Let’s try it again. I’m Rouge; what’s your name?”

The echidna glanced at Shadow, then turned his attention back to Rouge. “Knuckles.”

“That’s better.” Rouge said. “Now, I know those emeralds are to die for.”

Sonic and Tails cringed while Sonia slapped her hand over her face and Aleena grimaced.

Knuckles narrowed his eyes.

“Eh… Rouge?” Tails asked. “A lot of the guardians and echidnas died.”

Rouge gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s… fine.” Knuckles said. “I suppose you didn’t know.”

“I didn’t; I’m very sorry.” Rouge replied. She sighed. “I know they’re lovely, but what’s so special about this? They seem to be in good hands.”

“I need to restore honor to my tribe.” Knuckles replied. “Getting the emeralds and fulfilling our chief’s wishes would do that.”

“Why would you want to honor a tribe that uses deadly force to take over the world?” Rouge asked.

Knuckles looked at Rouge. “Uh… I… I don’t know.”

“No disrespect to your tribe, hon.” Rouge said, stroking Knuckles’ spines. “But why would you want to honor such evil wishes? You’d actually bring honor by making a better name for your tribe, be a protector and not a tyrant.”

Knuckles nodded. “I suppose you’re right, bat girl.”

Rouge laughed. “Sure, you can call me that, Knuxie.”

“Alright, I’ll let you out if we’re good and we have a truce.” Sonic said. “Do we have a truce?”

“Yes; you have my word.” Knuckles replied. “Echidnas honor their words.”

Sonic motioned for Sally to remove the cage.

Sally typed a code into the console, releasing the cage.

“My apologies for what had happened.” Knuckles said. “I hope to make amends with you all.”

“Apology accepted.” Aleena replied.

Sonic and Tails gave Aleena shocked looks.

“Mom, he helped wipe out the guardians.” Tails protested.

“He was trying to steal the emeralds while the others fought.” Aleena said. “He’s not getting our harsher sentences for that.”

“Ah, that’s fair, I guess.” Tails replied.

“Now, can you hand over the master emerald?” Aleena asked. It will be safe here.”

Knuckles handed the master emerald to Tails.

“Thank you.” Tails said. He carried the Master emerald to its place in the shrine.

Shadow put his gun away.

“So you will be banished from Emerald island.” Sonic said. “But, hey, it’s better than death.”

Knuckles nodded.

Rouge wrapped her arm around Knuckles. “Well, we can discuss where you’ll go next after dinner.” She said, smiling. “I may have a job for you. I think you’d make an excellent bodyguard.”

Rouge pulled a ring out and tossed into the air. She led Knuckles through the portal as soon as it opened.

Sonia, Manic, and Surge powered down.

“Okay, do I have to give back my medallion?” Manic asked.

“No, it’s yours.” Sonia said.

“You’ve definitely earned it.” Aleena replied. “Thanks for your help.”

“Don’t mention it.” Manic said.

“Just bring it in to recharge like always.” Tails replied.

Manic and Surge went to get the kids out of one of the side rooms.

Sonic glanced at Sally. “Guess this is goodbye.”

Sally hugged Sonic. “I’ll visit you.”

Shadow stepped closer to Sonia. “You have to stay too?”

Sonia hung her head. “Unfortunately.”

Tails walked in.

Aleena shook her head. “No, you can leave.”

Sonia and Sonic looked at Aleena. “What?”

“You can leave if you’d like.” Aleena said. “We have better security now.”

“I was working on it before the incident.” Tails replied. “We may need your help occasionally and you can always visit, but we all thought everyone should be able to leave the palace and enjoy life.”

Sonic and Sonia hugged Tails and Aleena. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” Aleena and Tails replied.

“Just don’t forget to visit.” Aleena added.

“Of course not, Mom.” Sonic said.

Manic, Surge, and the kids walked out.

“Alright, let’s go.” Sonic said, pulling a ring out of his pocket.

“I thought you had to stay.” Manic said.

“Long story and I’m exhausted.” Sonic replied.

Manic yawned. “Fair enough.”

Sonic tossed the ring into the air.

Everyone except Aleena and Tails stepped through the portal.