[door opens, footsteps]
Howdy y'all, I'm home!
Oh hey Jack, you just getting back from work?
It's a little late, isn't it?
I actually got off about an hour ago but I had to stop by Tails' place on my way home.
To pick up this.
Whoa!
A Chaos Emerald? What for?
You remember what happened when Sonic used them the other day?
According to Tails, they've been acting pretty strange ever since.
He didn't want them all sitting in one spot together so he's splitting them up as a safety precaution again.
Oh, he hope it wouldn't be a burden on us.
Oh no, not at all.
But I wonder what's up with them.
Yeah, did Tails have any idea about it at all?
Not a clue, he's just as baffled about it as the rest of us.
But he's wasting no time in getting to work and running a bunch of tests.
He was even in the middle of a few when I got over to his place.
Where do you think we should keep the Emerald for now?
I'll take it. I've got that security box under my bed. We can put it in there.
Oh, right.
Well even if we left it out in the open, it's not like Robotnik could come in here and steal it
given his... recent situation.
Good point.
Still, isn't it kinda weird to think that he's locked up now?
I mean, he WAS our original creator, after all.
I was thinkin' about that earlier today.
You don't think there's any way he could be behind all this stuff with the Emeralds, do you?
I wanna say no, but, knowing him,
it wouldn't surprise me.
The thing is, if this isn't his doing, then what else could it be?
Isn't that the million dollar question...
Well, no sense in worrying about it now.
We'll just have to see what happens. So until tomorrow,
how about we all get some shut eye?
Sounds good to me.
Yeah, I'm beat to be honest.
Alrighty then. Lights out.
[click]
[crickets chirping faintly]
What in the world was that?
I'm not going crazy, am I?
Ah! Who-
Oh, Shadow. It's only you.
Knuckles? Did you feel that?
Y-Yeah, you're telling me you did too?
Mmhmm. Just a moment ago. Do you know what it was?
No, not really. But it sort of felt like...
A message.
Yeah, exactly!
But, not a typical message or anything.
I could barely hear it to begin with, not to mention,
I don't even understand what it was trying to say.
You're right.
It does give me this really strange and ominous feeling, though.
It kind of seems like it might have something to do with Chaos Energy.
Oh, I think it's safe to say that it does.
Take a look at this.
An Emerald?
Sure, they have their natural glow to them,
but at this exact spot, you can see that it's glowing brighter and more intensely than usual.
Hmm, weird.
Hey, wait a minute. You think we're the only ones that felt it?
Or, heard it, for that matter?
Good question. I've no idea.
[footsteps]
[beeping]
Hm?
Oh, is that you, Dash?
Did you feel that weird Chaos message too?
[beeping]
What the?
[beeping]
Aah! Hey!!
What the hell's gotten into you, man?
I'm REALLY not in the mood for this!
Hahh!!
Huh...
Huh??
What happened?
You've got about five seconds to explain yourself, Dash!
Knuckles?
Shadow??
What are you guys doing here?
What do you mean? We were already here before you came up and attacked us.
What's wrong with you?!
Wait, I...
attacked you guys?
Don't act all innocent! Explain yourself, or else-
Wait, hold on.
Dash, do you not remember attacking us just now?
No, not at all.
The last thing I can remember is going to sleep after Jack brought home
the Chaos Emerald he got from Tails' place.
A... Chaos Emerald?
But why would that make you go all wacko for no reason?
You think that the Emerald's to blame?
I get the feeling that this is ALL somehow related.
Especially since Dash came here, where both you and I showed up after feeling that signal.
Or whatever you wanna call it.
A signal? Did you guys see something?
No, we don't really know how to explain it exactly.
I'm not sure what it was. But if I had to guess,
It felt sort of like...
a warning.
Oh, well here's the problem.
It looks like your CRT chip has malfunctioned.
But, the only way it would've caused you to do something like what you said is
if it was agitated by an external source.
External source?
You mean, like a Chaos Emerald?
[sighs] Yeah, it's very possible.
Dash, the Emerald was around you before anything happened, right?
Yeah, Jack came home with it and then we all turned in for the night.
Next thing I know, I'm in the city in front of Shadow and Knuckles and they're saying I tried attacking them!
Tails, do you know what's been going on with the Emeralds, lately?
That's what I've been trying to figure out ever since Sonic came to me about them.
Not gonna lie, I've been kind of stressing out over it.
Something like this happening is.... unprecedented, to say the least.
I hate to add to that, but something else happened last night that relates to the Emeralds.
Oh? What was it?
Both Knuckles and I felt some sort of signal, or, message, having to do with Chaos Energy.
I don't really know how to describe it other than that.
But it felt... ominous.
Sort of like a warning, in a way.
A warning having to do with Chaos Energy...
Hmm...
Not to mention, the Emerald Shadow had with him last night was glowing more than usual
at the spot we traced the signal to.
And it's the same exact spot that Dash showed up at.
Was it only you two that felt it?
We're not sure, but, then again, no one else showed up.
You didn't happen to feel anything like that last night, did you?
Nothing.
What about you, Dash?
I can't remember feeling ANYTHING.
Although, even if I did,
everything from the moment I fell asleep to when you guys knocked me back into my senses
is a complete blur.
Is that right...
Well, if it has to do with some faint Chaos signal being sent out,
it WOULD make sense if it was only you two that felt it.
(Knuckles) Why's that?
Well, genetically speaking,
you guys have the most experience AND exposure to Chaos Energy.
In that sense, you might be more "in tune" with it in some way.
At least compared to me, or the others.
He's right.
Chaos Energy was used in my creation.
And, as for you, Knuckles...
I come from a long line of Master Emerald guardians.
Bingo.
So, what now?
As for the Emeralds? No idea.
There seems to be some sort of negativity coming from them.
Or, at least effecting the environment around them.
Do you guys remember when we split them up before?
And it ended up making you all turn on us?
You mean when Sonic and I fought and I kicked him to the curb?
Wait, but, Sonic beat you in that-
No he didn't.
Whatever. The point is,
I'm pretty sure Eggman sent out some kind of Chaos signal to make that happen.
Or, at the very least, had a hand in it.
I wonder if this is somehow related.
Okay, but, Sonic didn't beat me, you guys know that, right?
With how the situation stands at the moment,
I can't come to any real conclusions.
Gotta run more tests.
Speaking of which,
[phone calling]
[click]
Hey Sonic, ya busy?
So, you just want me to use the Emeralds to transform? That's it?
Yeah. The reason is:
I need to know if what happened the other day is a consistent factor in all of this,
or if it was just a one time occurance.
Think of this as a field test.
I'll be scanning the outputs from not only the Emeralds, but you as well.
And why is he the only one that gets to do it?
Relax Shadow, you'll get your chance too.
The reason that we're testing with Sonic first is simply because he was the last to use all seven.
Hmph.
Ahh! It's gonna be kinda boring using them when there's nothing to trample or destroy,
Oh, but I suppose I can do it.
Quit your showboating, Faker. Get on with it.
Well since you asked so nicely...
[breathes in] Ahh...
Ready to roll, champ?
Let 'er rip!
Here we go!
Man, that power!
Sonic, are you feeling alright?
I... I think so.
Urahh!
Huh? Oh no, what happened?
Are you okay?
Y-Yeah...
Yeah, I'm good.
What did it say on the scanner?
Let's see here.
Oh man,
it looks like the energy output from all the Emeralds is pretty irregular.
I'm talking like, DOUBLE the normal amount they're supposed to put out.
What? But, how is that possible?
We haven't done anything to the Emeralds to make them that way, right?
I'm not sure.
I guess it IS possible that this is a side effect of their continued use.
It may also just be a natural signal showing that you aren't able to physically handle the Emeralds anymore.
What? No way! I've been using them for years!
Hahahah, just face the truth.
Seems that you've gotten too weak to use them, Sonic.
Step aside and let me show you how it's done.
Alright Shadow, just a sec.
[beeps]
You're good to go.
Hmph!
This is-
Wow.
At least you lasted more than five seconds.
I guess things aren't looking too good, huh buddy?
I'm not just talkin' about Shadow's ego, but the Emeralds too!
No kidding.
The scanner shows the same exact thing with Shadow's test.
It's almost like the Emeralds need to be...
I've got it!
Got what?
An idea of how to fix them!
I'm thinking that this intense surge of power that's happening
is a result of us using them so much over the years.
And that it needs to be flushed out, essentially.
Is that something we can even do?
It's a little hard to tell since this is all so new to us right now,
but, that kind of thing wouldn't stop us normally, right?
True. But, where do you even begin on something like this?
Actually, I've been working on an energy core system for a new plane I had planned to build.
I'm sure that, with some modifications here and there,
I could turn it around into a device that could help flush out the Emeralds.
It's about halfway done and I'll have to put the plane on hold,
But, I'd say this is a little more important right now.
Look at you, comin' up with another solution to save our butts.
It's gonna take a few days to get everything finished up. But, once that's over,
hopefully this whole dilemma will be too. There's no time to waste!
I'm gonna head back to my lab to start on this right away!
Come on, Knuckles. I'm sure he could use a hand. Let's get the Emeralds and follow him.
You got it!
-the ultimate power! Wait, what?
What?
Hey, where am I?
Why's it... so dark?
An Emerald?
It looks like it's coming right towards me-
Whoaa!!
Is it... trying to show me something?
What?!
[phone ringing] Aaah!!
Ugh, hello?
Sonic! Hey- hey, are you alright?
Yeah, I think I just...
had a bad dream or something.
What's up?
You mean, you don't know?
Turn the news on right now!!
What, Channel 6?
[click]
[newscaster] And for those just joining us,
What you are seeing here is a live feed of the building which stood in the eastern part of Station Square,
that mysteriously collapsed about 35 minutes ago,
-Collapsed?! -at about seven o'clock this morning.
It was an abandoned, vacant building. And thankfully, there was no one inside of, or directly in range of it when it fell.
At this time, there are no reported injuries from this incident.
It was crazy! I was just over here and out of no where the building started to give in on itself.
I work in the building across the street.
The phone rings and, as I go to answer it, I look up and see the building across the way just starting to fall over completely.
And a couple seconds later it was nothing but rubble!
Tails, is that-
Yeah, it's right where we were testing the Emeralds with you and Shadow the other day.
Oh my god, you think this is related?
At this point, there's too many things to call them all coincidences.
So... yeah, let's assume it is for now.
Sheesh, it's like it's just thing after thing lately!
You're telling me!
So, what was your dream about?
-What? -When you picked up,
you said something about having a bad dream?
O-Oh, it's nothing, just forget it.
Hey, Tails. About the Emeralds,
do you think that this could be-
There's no time to speculate now, Sonic. The device I've been working on is finally ready!
We're all meeting up in the city to put it to use, remember?
Oh, right.
Hey, why don't you guys go ahead without me?
What? But, Sonic, we-
I've just... got something that I need to take care of.
I'll meet up with you all later, okay?
Alright. Just... try not to take too long.
I'll do my best. See ya, buddy.
[beep]
Now,
Let's get to the bottom of this.
Robotnik, you've got a visitor.
That's impossible, who could-
Oh, well if it isn't the blue blur himself.
The one that put me in this wretched confinement.
To what do I owe the pleasure, Sonic?
Oh, don't flatter me, Doc. You put yourself in here and you know it.
You're just bitter that it was sooner than you expected, am I right?
Don't talk down to me. I didn't EXPECT this at all.
And I swear, I'll make you pay once I'm out of here.
You'll be sorry you ever opposed me.
Yeah, and I wonder how that'll go. I'm always up to beat you though, so if you wanna give me a call once you're out,
if that ever happens, I'd be happy to oblige.
Whatever.
So, hedgehog, what's the real reason you're here?
It isn't really your style to show up for a simple hello.
I want you to tell me...
What've you done to the Chaos Emeralds?
Sonic's not coming with us?
No, not right now, at least.
He said that he's got something to take care of.
I wonder what that could be.
His timing sure is perfect, isn't it?
There he goes, being stubborn again.
He does know that this thing took you DAYS to complete, right?
He does, but... I think I might have an idea of what he's doing.
Either way, we're just gonna have to move forward without him for now.
Knuckles, can you gather all the Emeralds together?
(Knuckles) I'm on it, man.
Shadow and Silver are meeting up with us in the city. They're gonna help us set everything up and get the ball rolling.
So Tails, do you think this is going to work?
I'm hoping that it does.
I can't shake this weird, unsettling feeling I've had since this all started, though.
But if this does the trick,
then we can put this all behind us.
What on Earth are you talking about?
Don't play dumb, I know you're behind this all somehow.
Excuse me, but I implore you to take a look at where I'm standing.
It's a jail cell, Sonic. I can't exactly do much while I'm in here.
Especially if it has to do with the outside world.
I thought you were at least smart enough to grasp that.
Now, what exactly is it you think I've caused? Something to do with the Chaos Emeralds?
First off, when I used them to turn into my super form,
I felt an insane amount of pressure from the moment I absorbed the Chaos Emeralds.
And my transformation only ended up lasting about 30 seconds.
Oh ho ho, that's new.
Then, Dash being around an Emerald caused him to malfunction,
Shadow and Knuckles felt some kind of warning having to do with Chaos Energy,
and then a building in Station Square collapsed in on itself.
Oh, I actually did hear about that last one on the news in here.
Not to mention, both Shadow and I tried using our super forms again,
and they lasted an even shorter amount of time!
Okay, and?
I wanna know how you're doing all of this from your cell. And why are you continuing to mess with us, anyway?
Alright, so let me get this straight.
You think that just because all of these negative things are happening to you and your little friends
that it's ME behind all of them.
Even though I've been sitting right here in my cell since I was... apprehended.
Is that right?
Yeah, it's kind of a stretch to say that you're doing all of it,
but seeing as how pretty much everything bad that happens around here can be traced back to you,
I'd say it's a fair assessment.
Well Sonic, all I can do is tell you with complete sincerity that it is not me that's causing you this trouble.
And why should I believe you're telling the truth?
You're the same guy I've fought with for years, you think I'm gonna start trusting you NOW?
Look, think about this logically.
What would my motives here be? Just to screw with you and your friends?
And when I can't even watch that happen? Even I'm not that juvenile.
Oh, really? That's news to me!
Every time I've attack or done something to effect you, it was with a clear motive in mind.
And normally, that motive was to take over Station Square so I could rule the Empire of Eggman!
Which I would build atop its ruins.
So tell me, even if I had been the one causing all of that to happen,
What would I gain from it? How would it benefit me?
You could-
mmm... well, I dunno.
Exactly.
Even if the perfect opportunity to build my empire presented itself out there,
I'd still be stuck in here secured by guards, bars, and concrete walls.
I...
I guess that makes sense.
But then who or what else is causing all of this?
You've got me. I have no clue.
However, after hearing about the stuff you listed, it sounds like that would be well out of my power anyway.
Bordering on the supernatural, even.
Super...
natural?
There was that time I broadcast that signal with the negative Chaos Energy in it,
but, that's only because I had all the right tools at my disposal.
Including the trace amount of dark energy you left in my program before you completely crashed it!
Thanks for that, by the way.
WEEKS of hard work destroyed before my very eyes!
Oh, cry me a river, you were trying to KILL me.
Sonic,
have you ever considered that TOO MUCH of a good thing could actually be detrimental to you?
What do you mean?
I'm talking about the Chaos Emeralds.
Sure, you and I have used their power for years, but,
have you ever considered that one day we might not be able to use them anymore?
And that maybe something negative could come from all that use?
Look, if you know something, I don't wanna play guessing games.
Calm down, this is all mere speculation.
I'm not here to say what's fact and what isn't when it comes to this,
but from what you described, it almost sounds as if the Chaos Emeralds are rejecting you.
It may also just be a natural signal showing that you aren't able to physically handle the Emeralds anymore.
R-... Rejecting me? How so?
Think as if every time you use the Chaos Emeralds for something,
a short wall between you and the energy they offer grows higher and higher untill,
eventually, you cannot get over that wall at all.
So like, you're saying that their energy is running out?
Not running out, you're just losing access to it.
The energy is still there behind the wall, just as it always was,
But now you've lost the ability to obtain and use it at your leisure.
Why exactly would something like that happen?
No clue.
Maybe they're only meant to be used to a certain extent.
And before you ask another question, let me stop and say I don't know WHAT would cause it to happen, either.
It's just an idea. You must remember, the Emeralds themselves are full of mystery.
The power they offer is one thing, but, no one really knows the full story behind them.
It's entirely possible we were never meant to find them at all.
Hmmm... Alright.
I guess I'm done here, then.
If you're not behind it, then I really don't know what's up with them at all.
A small part of me wishes that you were, just so this would all be more simple.
I wish that too, but probably for different reasons.
In that case, I'll see you around then.
I've got somewhere to be.
Whatever happens, do me one favor.
What's that?
Try not to get yourself killed before I get out of here.
I'd like to have the honor of doing you in myself.
I doubt you'd ever be able to,
but I can assure you that I'll still be alive and kicking to put you in your place again.
Whenever that'll be.
Later, Eggman.
Good luck out there, Sonic.
It sounds like you might need it.
Okay Tails, that's the last one.
You've got all the Emeralds set up? Great!
The program's booting up right now. After that, we can get rolling.
Hey Tails, you never DID explain what exactly this thing is supposed to do.
Oh, right.
I've named this the Emerald Energy Manager, or E.E.M. for short.
Inside the program, I have the data that correlates to how much output the Emeralds had before they started going haywire.
This machine that's linked to it is designed to return their output levels to how they were by forcing out
any excess energy that might be in the Emeralds.
In other words, it's designed to return them to their natural state. And in turn,
this'll stop the strange happenings that the Emeralds have been causing.
Hopefully, anyway.
I've gotta say, it's impressive that you'd be able to build something capable of doing that.
It IS capable of doing that, right?
That's what I shot for, after all.
Hard to tell for sure, since I haven't made anything like this before,
but we don't have any other options. So, it's worth a shot.
Time to throw caution to the wind!
We're not waiting for Sonic?
He'll get here when he gets here. I don't wanna wait any longer.
I'm anxious enough as it is to see if it's going to work.
Hey, this might be a bad time to mention this,
But um, are you guys feeling that?
Yeah, it feels... almost magnet in a way.
But not like it's drawing us closer to the Emeralds, more like it's pushing us away.
All the more reason to start! Are you guys ready?
As ready as we'll ever be. Let's do this.
Alright, here goes.
Emerald Energy Manager,
[beep]
on.
Past Emerald output settings... loaded.
E.E.M. and Emerald link... confirmed.
Commencing excess energy flush,
in three...
two...
one...
Fingers crossed.
[beep]
They're lighting up!
Does that mean it's working?
We'll know in a second!
[sparking]
Tails, you sure about this?
It's all we've got at this point! It has to work!
[thunder]
[rumbling]
What's that, that vibration?
[lightning crashing]
Tails, turn that thing off!
I can't! We have to see this through. It's going to work, I know it will!
I'm not too sure!
[lightning crashes] Aaah!!
Tails, you've gotta turn it off!
What? B-But I...
We won't get anywhere by causing another disaster. Turn it off!
Just do it, man!
O-Okay...
Emerald Energy Manager switching off...
[beep]
Tails, did you do it?
I did, but... nothing happened!
Oh, I've got a bad feeling about this!
Aahh!!
Knuckles, do you feel that?
It's the message again!
What is all this?!
[lightning crashing]
[explosion]
Is... is it over?
What in the world was all of that?
What... the...
Hmph.
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