Sonic the Hedgehog

Descent

"I see..." Knuckles says, his mighty fist still hovering over the dazed Sonic. "So you're saying the man I spoke with is the real enemy and this whole thing was a diversion?"

"That is EXACTLY what I'm saying!" Tails says, relieved he's getting through.

However, that relief is short-lived once the echidna bursts into unexpected laughter.

"You really thought I'd buy that?" he says. "Now I know that for whatever reason, you're this conqueror's ally."

As Knuckles steps forward, Tails takes a step back, now shaking more furiously in fear.

"That would make you an enemy of Angel Island!" Knuckles declares. "Which makes you an enemy of ME!"

As Tails's two tails begin whirling for a fast escape, an intense rumbling knocks him off his feet. Knuckles loses balance as well and quickly punctures his fists into the ground to keep a strong grip. Sonic snaps out of his dazed state and hangs on for dear life.

No! Knuckles thinks, distraught. Is this... what I think it is? This can't be!

"WHAT'S WITH THE EARTHQUAKE!" Sonic screams over the deafening rumbling.

Instinctively, Tails whips out Miles Electric, and his worst fears are realized.

"SONIC!" Tails yells. "EGGMAN BEAT US TO IT! WE HAVE TO GET OFF THIS ISLAND RIGHT NOW!"

"WHY?!"

"BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SHAKING, WE'RE FALLING!"

Sonic knows he doesn't have time to think about what Tails has just told him. Before either of them can blink, Sonic snatches Tails and Knuckles's arms and brings them right over to the Tornado. He hops onto the left wing as Tails quickly climbs into the cockpit. As Tails focuses on starting the plane up, Knuckles looks around, bewildered at how he got from one place to another.

After it clicks that this blue stranger, for whatever reason, wants to leave together, Knuckles turns away and looks at the forest that's been home to him and his ancestors for generations.

I can't leave! Knuckles thinks. I won't! I've brought enough shame as it is!

Knuckles turns away from the Tornado's whirling turbine and starts walking off.

"Hey, genius!" Sonic calls out. "If my friend here is right, we're about to plunge thousands of feet into the ocean! You might want to let us give you a lift."

Knuckles turns around and faces Sonic. His eyes that once burned with rage, confidence, and determination are now vacant. Sonic doesn't know why, but whoever this guy is, he's given up.

"I've failed at my one mission," Knuckles says, barely audible over the Tornado's roaring engine. "I refuse to tuck my tail and run. Whatever happens, it will be a fitting punishment for my negligence."

Before Sonic gets another word out, he pauses. His whole body does. He doesn't need to say anything because the other two see it. In the sky almost directly above them is a giant, unfamiliar aircraft. The color scheme and tech say it all. Sonic finds himself muttering aloud:

"Robotnik..."

Sonic clenches his fists. As quickly as the aircraft comes into view, it vanishes in thin air.

"Did you see the size of that thing?!" Tails says, completely flabbergasted. "There's only one person capable of building something like that! No wonder we couldn't locate him, he has the ability to cloak!"

Sonic quickly turns to Knuckles who's still staring at the sky in awe.

"Hey, buddy," Sonic says, getting the echidna's attention. "If anyone deserves a punishment, it's Robotnik. He's long overdue for a butt-kicking if you ask me! Come with us, and we'll undo whatever he did to your island."

Knuckles initially hesitates, but it's only a matter of time before he realizes what he's choosing between. Redemption or disgrace. Quickly, he hops onto the other wing of the plane and Tails wastes no time getting everyone in the air. The Tornado soars off the ground and once again finds itself nearing the clouds.

After a few moments, an earth-shattering BOOM hits the trio's ears. Below them, the magical island has crashed straight into the sea. Knuckles can only bare the sight for so long before he turns away with tears threatening to emerge. He feels like slamming the plane wing he's hanging onto in fury, but he knows such a move would obliterate the vehicle and send him and his new allies falling into the ocean along with his home.

...