Oh, I almost forgot. Regarding EG-001/Squash's "annoying" laugh... Check out this episode of Sailor Moon and skip to 13:42. Yes, that's what Squash's laugh sounds like. Some may find it annoying, but I think it's hilarious.

Part 2

When we last left off, the Chaotix got a call from Slush, saying that Dr. Robotnik was finished developing his “EG” experiments, and was heading towards Angel Island to release them. After being informed of this, all of them, except for Heavy and Bomb (who decided to stay behind to work on the Master Emerald’s security system), followed Robotnik and Scorch to the Red Mountain Zone to stop him from releasing EG-001. Unfortunately for them, however, they were unable to stop him. After EG-001, or Squash, the Goddess of Stone, as she’s now called, was brought to life, she rebelled against the doctor, and decided to come up with world domination plans of her own. Just as the Chaotix were getting ready to stop her, Squash made a tactical retreat, but not before leaving behind her minions, the Pyrocks, to deal with them. Can Knuckles and the Chaotix stop Squash’s deadly army of Pyrocks, as well as her evil ambition to conquer the world? Find out in this exciting chapter of Elemental Chaos!

Pyrocks: RAAAGGGH!

Charmy: Whoa, there sure is a lot of them!

Vector: Yeah, but just ‘cause there’s a lot, don’t mean we can’t take ‘em!

Knuckles: Exactly. They shouldn’t be any tougher than Robotnik’s robots, which we always destroy easily.

Robotnik: …

Espio: *Takes out a shuriken* Beware my ninja power!

Charmy: Yeah! Beeware his ninja power! Get it? *Snickers*

Everyone: …

Robotnik: Umm, no.

Charmy: Aww, you guys are no fun.

Mighty: Splash and Marine still aren’t here, in case you haven’t noticed.

Charmy: Okay, okay. That’s the last one I’m doing for now.

Wechnia: Alright, good. In the meantime, let’s focus on taking these creatures down.

So then, the battle began. Both the Chaotix and the Pyrocks quickly started charging towards one another. As they fought, a smoke cloud appeared over them, with broken pieces of rubble flying everywhere.

Vector: Good grief! Exactly how many of ‘em did she create!?

Charmy: A whole, WHOLE lot of ‘em!

Knuckles: If only Bomb came with us, he’d be able to blow them to bits and end this in a heartbeat.  *Glares at Charmy*

Charmy: I wasn’t gonna say anything this time! Really!

Knuckles: I seriously find THAT hard to believe.

Wechnia: Sure, Bomb’s help would be nice, but I don’t think we need it. Remember, I happen to possess powers inherited from the Master Emerald. Watch this… *Raises his fist* CHAOS…! *His fist turns green*

*Some of the Pyrocks start charging towards them again*

Wechnia: …FIST! *Slams his fist on the ground*

After Wechnia slammed his fist onto the ground, he created a large, energy-based shockwave that destroyed half of the Pyrocks that were moving towards them. Knuckles and the rest of the Chaotix used their special abilities, such as Thunder Arrow, Cosmic Crusher, and Team Blast to destroy the remaining Pyrocks.

Charmy: We did it!

Vector: Yep, ‘dat takes care o’ them!

Espio: Yes, but there’s one question that remains: Where did Robotnik go?

Mighty: Good question. I could have sworn he was here a minute ago…

Vector: He must’ve run off sometime durin’ the fight. Freakin’ coward.

Knuckles: Yeah, that’s for sure.

Mighty: I wonder how Tikal’s doing against Scorch. I sure hope she’s okay…

Charmy: What’s the matter, Mighty? Worried about your GIRLFRIEND? *Snickers*

Mighty: *Bashes him upside the head again* Knock it off, Charmy!

Charmy: OWWW! *Holds his head*

Elsewhere…

Scorch: Ihhh…! *Kneels down, holding the arm that she was stabbed in for the blood sample*

Tikal: Are you alright?

Scorch: I’m…fine. Hmph, for someone who apparently hates fighting so much, you sure are good at it…

Tikal: Maybe, but I take no pleasure in this sort of thing. I only do this when necessary. I fight for peace and nothing more.

Scorch: HAHAHAHAHAHA! How noble of you… It’s too bad all the peace you’re fighting for is going to be in vain! That is, after Dr. Robotnik is finished conquering this world!

Tikal: Scorch, it’s not too late, you know. You can still abandon Robotnik before he turns on you.

Scorch: Enough about that! Robotnik ISN’T using me, okay!?

Tikal: Like I said before, I’m only trying to-

Scorch: Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re trying to help me, right? I told you before; I don’t need, nor do I WANT any help from you!

Tikal: I know you’re still angry about the incident from all those years ago, but please hear me out! I know we haven’t gotten along very well in the past, but still… I just don’t want to see you get hurt!

Scorch: Why do YOU care, anyway?

Tikal: Because… When we first met, you were bad to the core. As I said before, you were hardly any better than Iblis or Mephiles, but now…you’re different. I could see that you’ve changed a lot since then. I know that deep down inside, you’re a good person. And besides, I saw how heartbroken you were while you were under the impression that the real Robotnik had used and betrayed you. I just don’t want you to have to feel that same sadness all over again. I’m pretty sure Splash doesn’t want that, either.

Scorch: …

Tikal, just…just stop it. You’re…you’re making it harder for me to hate you!

Tikal: It’s quite a shame that things have to be this way between us, Scorch. To tell you the truth, I really wish that you didn’t hate me, because I don’t hold a grudge against you. I never have, in fact. Sure, I did seal you up, but I only did what I thought was best if I were to keep the world from getting destroyed. Just keep in mind… You did the same thing to Iblis, remember?

Scorch: …Yeah, of course.

Tikal: So, does this mean we can put the past behind us and let bygones be bygones?

Scorch: …

I don’t know. I’ll have to give it some thought…LOTS of thought.

Tikal: I see, but again, it’s not too late for you to free yourself from Robotnik. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you already return the favor? You know, when you changed him back to his original form after Dr. Nega turned him into a card?

Scorch: …

That’s a good point, but…leaving his side is still out of the question. I told Dr. Robotnik that I was forever indebted to him for releasing me. I can’t just back out on him. I have to stay true to my word, you know.

Tikal: I understand.

Robotnik: *Arrives on the scene*

Scorch: Dr. Robotnik, you’re back. I’ll take it that you didn’t get the chance to release EG-001?

Robotnik: I certainly wish that I hadn’t! Ooh, why that arrogant, ungrateful little worm! Immediately upon releasing her, she’s decided to betray me!

Scorch: Seriously!? Oh, let me guess… She sided with the Chaotix, right?

Robotnik: No, it’s far worse. Not only has she decided to disobey me, but she’s even come up with her own world domination plans! It’s like the White Echidna Project all over again!

Tikal: Oh, no! How horrible!

Robotnik: With that said, Squash MUST be destroyed at ALL costs! No matter WHAT it takes, I’m going to hunt her down and have her destroyed! I’ll show HER what happens to those who dare to defy me! She’s going to pay with her life, for the treason she’s committed against me! *Hops into his Egg-O-Matic Hovercraft* Are you coming, Scorch?

Scorch: Sure thing, doctor.

Just as the two of them were taking off, Tikal noticed a strange green gem lying on the ground.

Tikal: Hey, wait a minute! What’s this? *Picks up a small green gem*

*The Chaotix arrive shortly afterwards*

Tikal: Hello, everyone. I’m glad you’re back. Take a look at this. *Holds up the green gem that she picked up*

Charmy: Could that be one of the Chaos Emeralds?

Mighty: No, I don’t think so. It’s a little too small to be a Chaos Emerald. But now that I look at it, it seems to be the exact size and shape as the Fire, Water, Ice, and Stone Gems.

Espio: So, are you saying that this thing’s one of the Elemental Gems?

Knuckles: Could I see that for a second, Tikal?

Tikal: Sure. *Hands it to him*

Knuckles: *Examines it* Oh, yeah. There’s no mistake about it. This is definitely one of the Elemental Gems that Robotnik created. It even has “EG-002” written on it with a marker.

Vector: Heh, Robotnik must’ve dropped it while ‘e was runnin’ off.

Tikal: As a matter of fact, he did. I noticed it shortly after he and Scorch took off about a minute ago.

Vector: Well, now ‘dat we know fa sure, I say we go ahead ‘n’ destroy it!

Wechnia: I have no objection to that.

Espio: Neither do I. We all saw how mentally unstable EG-001 was. She’s already bad enough as it is, and the last thing we need is for three more of them to be running rampant!

Knuckles: Alright then! Here goes…! *Raises it in the air, and gets ready to slam it*

Mighty: Wait a second!

Knuckles: What’s the matter?

Mighty: I don’t think killing her necessary! I mean, just because one of them turned out to be bad, doesn’t mean all of them will. And besides, don’t Elemental Gems absorb energy from the people who use them? Scorch and Squash turned out the way they did, because theirs absorbed negative energy from Robotnik. Splash’s, on the other hand, ended up absorbing positive energy from Tikal, and look how she turned out. Maybe there’s a chance that we could bring EG-002 over to our side?

Tikal: I agree with Mighty. EG-002 may turn out to be a valuable ally, just like Splash.

Knuckles: …

Now that you put it that way, you’re right. I guess we could go ahead and spare her. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had one of Robotnik’s creations on our side.

Espio: Yes, we have at least… *Counts on his fingers* Eight of them fighting by our side already. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to add a ninth.

Charmy: Who are the other eight?

Espio: Heavy, Bomb, Wechnia, Gamma, Omega, Metal Sonic, Orbot, and Cubot.

Charmy: Oh, yeah. Too bad Heavy’s such a jerk, though. It’s not just me that he’s mean to, either!

Knuckles: Tell me about it. As Splash pointed out before, the guy can’t ever say ONE thing without being a sarcastic little prick. Say, for example, when we saw him and Bomb again for the first time in a while, I said something along the lines of, “Heavy and Bomb? Is it really you?”, which meant that I was happen to see them, and then and he replies with “NO, it’s the Super Mario Brothers. Of COURSE it’s us!” I don’t know about anyone else, but I find his sarcasm FAR more irritating than any of Charmy’s “bee” jokes.

Mighty: So do I.

*Everyone else agrees*

Charmy: Ooh, ooh! Does this mean I could-

Everyone (at the same time): NO!

Charmy: Okay, okay! I was just asking! So, umm… Anyway, where should we go to bring EG-002 to life?

Knuckles: Maybe the Mystic Ruins will do. After all, I need to stop by Tails’ Workshop for the emerald detector.

Vector: A’ight, then I guess that settles it. C’mon, boys! Let’s get movin’!

And so, after defeating Squash’s army of Pyrocks, the seven heroes took off, bound for the Mystic Ruins, in order to obtain Tails’ emerald detector, as well as finding a place to release EG-002, whose gem Robotnik mistakenly dropped as he and Scorch left Red Mountain. Will EG-002 turn out to be a “valuable ally” as Mighty and Tikal have predicted? Or will she turn out to be as sinister and evil as her sister? Find out in the next exciting episode of Dragon Ball Z!
…

Uh, whoops. Sorry about that. I meant, on the next exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

To “bee” continued…

Part 4

On the last chapter of Elemental Chaos, Knuckles, the Chaotix, and Tikal headed over to the Mystic Ruins after obtaining the Leaf Element Gem, which Dr. Robotnik mistakenly left behind at the Red Mountain Zone. While there, they all decided to come up with a name for the Leaf Goddess before releasing her and “Seedra” was the name that was chosen in the end. After Seedra was released, they informed her about what was going on, and she agreed to fight alongside them. With Tails’ emerald detector in hand, the heroes began their search for Squash and the two remaining Elemental Gems. Will they be successful in their search? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

*Scorch and Robotnik return to the Mystic Ruins Base*

Slush: Hey. Welcome back, you two. I’ll take it that things didn’t quite go as planned with EG-001 and the others?

Robotnik: As a matter of fact, they didn’t. Number one, those Chaotix fools somehow caught my wind of my scheme, and showed up just as I was in the process of bringing EG-001 to life! Number two, even when I DID manage to bring her to life, she disobeyed me! To make matters worse, that arrogant, ungrateful piece of rubble has even come up with world domination plans of her own!

Slush: What a shame. Well, at least there’s still hope for the other three, right?

Robotnik: Possibly.

Slush: So, what are we going to do about EG-001, exactly?

Robotnik: I’m going to hunt her down and destroy her, that’s what! If anyone is going to conquer this world, then it’s going to be me! I’ll NEVER allow myself to be overthrown by anyone, especially one of my own creations!

Scorch: You have an emerald detector in your glasses, don’t you, Dr. Robotnik? Why don’t we use that to track her down?

Robotnik: Good thinking there, Scorch. I’ve upgraded it since last month, so now it’s able to detect the precise location of both the Chaos Emeralds and Elemental Gems, including the ones that I’ve created. I’m going to step outside and check the surrounding area for EG-001/Squash. She could be anywhere. While I’m doing that, I’m going to take this opportunity to release EG-002, EG-003 and EG-004, before those Chaotix fools manage to get wind of it somehow.

Scorch: No pun intended?

Robotnik: Not at all. Anyway… *Activates the detector* It’s time to put this to the ultimate test! *Steps outside*

A minute later…

Robotnik: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

*A bunch of birds fly away, and then Scorch and Slush rush outside*

Scorch: Dr. Robotnik, what’s the matter? Did something go wrong with the detector?

Robotnik: It’s…it’s gone!

Slush: What’s gone?

Robotnik: The...the Leaf Element Gem, the one that contains EG-002, is missing!

Scorch & Slush (at the same time): WHAT!?

Robotnik: I…I don’t understand! I don’t understand WHAT could have happened to it! I had it right there, in my pocket the entire time! This doesn’t make any sense!

Slush: Why not do some backtracking, Doctor? Where was the last place you had it?

Robotnik: Let’s see… Scorch and I flew from this base, all the way to Red Mountain, and back. It’s been in my pocket ever since, and I don’t recall ever taking it out!

Scorch: Perhaps it fell out of your pocket, somehow?

Slush: Or maybe someone pick-pocketed it?

Robotnik: The former explanation seems more likely. There’s no possible way to pick-pocket ME and get away with it! I have to go back and find it, otherwise-

Before Robotnik could finish his sentence, his detector started beeping.

Robotnik: Wait a second! My detector… It’s picking up a signal! Besides the two that I have in my possession, as well as the ones in your tiaras, one of the Elemental Gems is right here, in the Mystic Ruins!

Scorch: Ah, great! Maybe it’s the Leaf Element Gem that you dropped?

Robotnik: No, I doubt it. The gem that I’m detecting on radar happens to be moving, and to the best of my knowledge, EG-002 has not yet been brought to life. So, there’s only one of two people that my radar could be getting a signal from: Splash or Squash. I have a strong feeling that it’s the latter, so I’m going to follow this signal, and put EG-001 in her place!

Slush: I have a question, Doctor: How can you be sure that the signal your detector is picking up is an Elemental Gem, rather than a Chaos or Sol Emerald?

Robotnik: Because the Chaos and Sol Emeralds give off different energy readings from that of the Elemental Gems, and I’ve designed my detector to be able to differentiate between them.

Slush: Ah, I see. Very good, Doctor.

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHA… Yes, I know, isn’t it? I’m such a genius, I even amaze myself sometimes!

Scorch: I agree. Words alone aren’t enough to describe your sheer brilliance, Dr. Robotnik.

Slush: *Rolls her eyes*

Robotnik: Why, thank you! Thank you very much! After all, I DO have an undisputed IQ of 300!

Slush: …

Umm, yes. That’s very nice, but…aren’t we supposed to be searching for EG-001 and the Leaf Element Gem?

Robotnik: Ah, yes, of course. *Hops into his Egg –O- Matic Hovercraft* Are you two ready?

Slush: Whenever you are, Doctor.

Just as they were getting ready to take off, the sky darkened, and it began to rain. Due to the fact that Scorch is weak against water, she instantly collapsed to the floor upon contact with the rain drops.

Scorch: UHHHHHH!

Robotnik: Scorch! Are you alright?

Scorch: Ihhhh…! I-I’m…sorry, Dr. Robotnik, but…  I don’t…think I’ll be able to come with you. My powers...are of no use in this kind of weather…

Robotnik: I understand. Slush and I will resume the search for Squash and the Leaf Element Gem. You stay here and rest.

Scorch: Thank you, Doctor… You’re too kind…

Slush: Actually, Dr. Robotnik, I’m going to stay behind to take care of Scorch.

Robotnik: Very well.

*A lightning bolt strikes*

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHA… You know, this gives me an idea! Since there’s a lightning storm along with the rain, I could take this opportunity to bring EG-003 to life! Additionally, there’s a passage here in the Mystic Ruins that leads to Windy Valley, where EG-004 can be released! Basically, I could kill two birds with one stone!

Scorch: HAHAHAHAHA… Sounds like a plan…

Slush: Yeah, I’ll say! Anyway, you run along now, Doctor. We’ll see you when you get back.

Robotnik: Very well then. I’m off! *Flies away*

With that said, Robotnik took off in his Egg –O- Matic Hovercraft and started heading towards Windy Valley, while at the same time, resuming his search for Squash. Meanwhile, with the Chaotix team…

*The detector starts beeping*

Knuckles: What the…!?

Wechnia: What’s the matter?

Knuckles: The readings for this thing are off the scale! According to the detector, there are two other Elemental Gems here in the Mystic Ruins, other than Seedra’s, and they seem to be heading directly toward us!

Charmy: Hee hee, “bee directly toward us”. Get it? *Snickers*

*They glare at him*

Charmy: Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Vector: Yeah, ya could NEVAH resist.

Seedra: Aww, go easy on the poor little guy. I personally find those puns of his amusing.

Vector: Yep, just like Splash. Da two o’ you are so much alike, it’s scary.

Seedra: Is that a bad thing?

Tikal: No, not at all.

Charmy: Yeah. Splash is nice, and she’s really pretty, too.

Vector: …Heh heh heh! Somethin’ tells me that Charmy’s gotta thing for Splash!

Charmy: Huh!? No, I don’t! All I did was give her a compliment! And besides, I’m too young for that sort of thing, anyway! I’m only…seven!

Wechnia: Correct me if I’m wrong, but did I hear you say that you were seventeen before?

Charmy: Umm…

Vector: …

Okay, numbah one, Wechnia's right. If it weren’t for ‘dat incident back at ‘da Newtrogic High Zone, where your age was cut down by ten years, you’d be seventeen! Numbah two, had any of us given Splash a compliment like that, you’d ‘ve said the same thing! As a mattah o’ fact, we’d probably hafta listen to that “sittin’ in a tree” crap ‘dat you ‘n’ Marine‘re always doin’!

Knuckles: Heh heh heh! He’s got a point there, Charmy!

Mighty: Yeah, I’ll say!

Espio: Indeed.

Charmy: That’s NOT true, okay!?

*A small chime is heard*

Vector: *Picks up the walkie-talkie* Yeah?

Slush: Hey, it’s me. Robotnik just left his base, and he's on his way to Windy Valley so he could release both EG-003 and four, right there, in the same area!

Vector: I guess ‘DAT explains da detector readings that we were gettin’! Don’t worry, we’ll stop ‘em!

Slush: Okay, good. Say, by the way, did you know that he misplaced EG-002’s gem? Apparently, Robotnik dropped it while he was leaving Red Mountain and returning to his base. Since you guys seem to have a detector of your own, you may still have a chance to beat him to the punch!

Vector: Way ahead o’ ya! Tikal already found it, ‘n’ EG-002, or Seedra as she’s now called, has already been released, ‘n’ she’s on our side.

Slush: Ah, okay. Cool.

Charmy: By the way, Slush, I’m surprised you’re not making out with Bark right now. *Snickers*

Slush: *Her face turns completely red* Oh, VERY funny, you little insect!

Vector: If ya wanna get back at ‘em, Slush, you should say somethin’ about his crush on Splash!

Slush: *Smirks* I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.

Charmy: I already told you, that’s NOT true!

Slush: If you say so, little guy.

Charmy: I’m telling the truth!

Tikal: Don’t look now, but here comes Dr. Robotnik! *Points*

Vector: Thanks for the info. I’ll talk to ya later. *Hangs up*

Seedra: So, HE’S Dr. Robotnik…

Robotnik: *Hovers down* W-WHAT!? It’s those Chaotix fools again! How is it that you ALWAYS manage to catch wind of my schemes!?

Vector: Like I said before, we’ve got our ways.

Robotnik: WHAT ways!?

Vector: We ain’t tellin’!

Robotnik: Hmph, whatever. *Notices Seedra* Wait a minute! You’re, you’re…!

Seedra: …Seedra, the Goddess of Leaves. You must be Dr. Robotnik.

Robotnik: Correct you are, my dear! I am Doctor Ivo Robotnik, the most brilliant scientific genius in the world! This certainly explains what happened to the Leaf Element Gem, and who I’ve been detecting on radar. So, we finally meet at last, EG-002, or rather, Seedra. Since you seem to be aware of who I am already, I guess there’s no need to explain myself any further.

Seedra: You’re right, you don’t need to explain, because I already know what you’re about, Doctor. Your goal is to take over this world, and if you think I’m going to join you, then you’re sadly mistaken! Even if you are my creator, I want no part in this! Conquering the world…that’s just sick and wrong, and I would never do something like that!

Robotnik: …

Great, that’s just what we need…another Splash. You are, in fact, the second of my EG experiments to oppose me out in the open like this! Sooner or later, you, along with your older sister, Squash, are going to pay dearly for your blatant acts of treason! I would destroy you fools right here and now, but I’ve got some unfinished business to attend to. *Turns on his Egg –O- Matic’s rocket engine and zooms past them* Let’s see how you fare against EG-003 and EG-004! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…

Knuckles: Oh, no you don’t! Get back here!

Dr. Robotnik quickly zoomed past them to make a break for Windy Valley, but they began chasing him immediately, in order to nab the Thunder and Wind Gems from him. Will Knuckles, the Chaotix, Tikal, and Seedra be fast enough to catch Robotnik and prevent EG-003, the Thunder Goddess, and EG-004, the Wind Goddess, from being released? Or will they ultimately fail in the end? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

To “bee” continued…

Part 6

Previously, on Elements of Power, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Tikal, and Seedra pursued Dr. Robotnik at Windy Valley in hopes of stopping him from releasing the Thunder and Wind Goddesses, EG-003 and EG-004. Unfortunately for them, they were once again unable to stop him. After Robotnik brought them to life, he named them Shock, the Goddess of Lightning and Storm, the Goddess of Wind. Knuckles and company engaged Shock in combat. It was a long, tough battle, but just when Shock was starting to gain the upper hand, it began raining once again; and to due to her weakness to water, Shock ended up losing and was unable to battle any further. Storm then took her place, and easily dismissed the Chaotix team with strong gusts of wind, blowing them all over the horizon in the process. Robotnik then congratulated his new creation for defeating his enemies, and returned to his base to begin putting the rest of his plan into action. Could this truly be it? Could Knuckles and the Chaotix truly have met their end at the hands of the powerful Wind Goddess? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

This part of the story begins at the city of Station Square. Meanwhile, just as Knuckles and company’s battle against Shock was taking place, Robotnik’s first EG experiment, EG-001, or Squash, the Goddess of Stone as she’s now called, began putting her own world domination plans into effect. The first step of her plan involved seizing control of Station Square, so she and her Pyrock army began attacking the city, with many buildings crumbling, and tons of people running off, screaming in terror. Additionally, quite a few G.U.N. soldiers attempted to stop her, using their mech robots and fighter planes, but they were getting destroyed and taken down, one by one.

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Pathetic humans! They’re making this all too easy! Conquering this world is going to be even easier than I thought! There’s no one on this entire planet that’s capable of stopping me! Not even those Chaotix weaklings! AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! Oh, how I’d just LOVE to see the look on Ivo’s face once he’s seen the work I’ve done in renovating this place! The very city that HE was most likely aiming to conquer! AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH!

???: Chaos… SPEAR!

At the sound of those words, an explosion occurred, which wiped out each and every one of the Pyrocks in its path, making broken pieces of rubble fly everywhere.

Squash: NOOOOO! My…my Pyrocks! My precious, precious Pyrocks! Alright, who did this!? Show yourself!

Shadow: *Drops down in front of her*

Squash: Who are you!?

Shadow: I am Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform. You must be one of the doctor’s EG experiments. EG-001, I presume?

Squash: My codename…how did you know it?

Shadow: I’ve known about you and your sisters long before you were ever created, but that’s not the point. I’m here to put a stop to you and your rampage.

Squash: …

Oh, I get it. You must be one of Ivo’s allies. I should have known that weak, bald-headed buffoon wouldn’t dare to fight me himself. Anyway, you obviously have NO idea what you’re up against. Or perhaps I’m mistaken, and you just happen to have a death wish? Let me spell it out for you: I am an invincible, all-powerful Goddess, which means that I cannot be beaten. A weakling like you wouldn’t stand a chance against me, so you’d best turn back now.

Shadow: Awfully arrogant, aren’t we?

Squash: This is your last chance. Leave now, or die. It’s your call.

Shadow: I think I’ll stay. Your words don’t intimidate us one bit.

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Oh, well! Then so be it! After all, it’s YOUR funeral, not mine! Let’s see how well you’ll handle THESE guys?
Squash then took the Stone Element Gem off of her tiara, placed it into the ground, and created more minions. However, rather than Pyrocks this time around, they were small, rock-themed crocodiles with stone teeth.

Shadow: What the…!?

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH! *Places the gem back in her tiara* Meet… the “Rockadiles”, the newest addition to my army. As with the Pyrocks, they’re not quite as powerful as I am, but they should be more than enough to deal with you. Rockadiles, attack!

The Rockadiles quickly jumped towards Shadow, trying to sink their teeth into him, but he dodged and Homing Attacked every single one of them, breaking them into pieces as he’s done to the Pyrocks.

Squash: WHAT!? NOOOO! I don’t BELIEVE this! How is it that you’ve beaten both the Rockadiles AND the Pyrocks so easily!? This makes no sense!

Shadow: There’s a reason WHY I’m called the “Ultimate Lifeform”, you know. Now, you’re next, EG-001.

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! You poor, poor simpleton… You don’t have a single clue, do you? Surely, you don’t think I’ll be as easy to defeat as my minions? AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! Don’t make me laugh! Like I said before, I’m far superior to them in every way! Take the powers of both the Pyrocks and Rockadiles, and multiply it by at least nine thousand. If you still want to challenge me, then fine. I promise you, though; this fight will be your last!

Shadow: We’ll see about that.

Squash: HAAAAAAH! *Punches through the ground and creates a shockwave*

Shadow: *Leaps into the air*

While Shadow was in the air, Squash used her powers to make a sharp stone pillar rise from the ground, and used a telekinetic force to launch it at him. However, Shadow quickly dodged it, dive towards Squash, and spun right into her with the Homing Attack, knocking the Goddess over.

Squash: Uhhhhhhh! *Falls backwards*

Shadow: Hmph.

Squash: *Stands up again, and makes a bunch of rubble and debris float into the air* Try THIS on for size! *Launches them at Shadow*

Shadow: *Starts dodging them*

While he was busy trying to evade the debris that was thrown at him he was temporarily off guard, so Squash took that as her opportunity to get close enough to Shadow to successfully land a punch, sending him flying through the wall, burying him under rubble in the process.

Shadow: UHHHHHH!

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! Well, so much for him! He was hardly a challenge at all! “Ultimate Lifeform”…don’t make me laugh! Although, I WILL admit, he was kinda cu-

???: BEHOLD, THE ULTIMATE POWER!

Squash: Huh!? Who’s there!? Don’t tell me he’s still alive!

Shadow quickly burst from the pile of rubble, with a glowing red aura around him.

Squash: What!? This can’t be! You should have at least been knocked unconscious, or something!

Shadow: Perhaps this will teach you not to underestimate your opponents! Chaos… BLAST!!! *Blasts her*

Squash: AAAAAAAAHHHH!

After getting struck with the Chaos Blast, Squash was sent flying backwards, and crashed into the wall behind her. Rather than going through it, however, she ended up getting broken into pieces, like a rock.

Shadow: Hmph. I guess EG-001 wasn’t the “all-powerful Goddess” she claimed to be. What a waste of my ti-

Before Shadow could finish his sentence, the Stone Element Gem floated into the air, and started to glow. As it was glowing, broken pieces of rubble started forming together, and Squash was restored back to her original state.

Shadow: What the…!?

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Now look who’s underestimating who?

Shadow: How did you do that!?

Squash: Isn’t it obvious? I am Squash, the Goddess of Stone, which, of course, means that I have the power to manipulate any rock-hard substance around me. Also, the Stone Element Gem has the ability to repair any and all kinds of damage that are done to me. As long as it’s still intact, as well as there being stone in the surrounding area, then I’m able to regenerate myself. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?

Shadow: I guess that explains it. Now, are you ready to continue?

Squash: Sure. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shadow: *Skates towards Squash*

*They try to punch one another and the bracelets on their wrists clash*

Squash: HAAAAAAAH! *Throws several punches at Shadow*

Shadow: *Dodges them, ducks under the last, gets behind Squash, and kicks her in the back of the head (as he did to Silver in Next-Gen Sonic/Sonic 2006)*

Squash: Uhhhhh! *Falls over*

Shadow: Your punches… They have a lot of power behind them, but you’re definitely lacking in the speed department.

Squash: Oh, so you want speed, do you? Well, try THIS on for size! *Rolls herself into a boulder, and rolls toward Shadow at high speed*

Shadow: *Holds his hands in front of him and tries pushing her away, getting backed into a wall in the process*

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Is THAT fast enough for you?

Shadow: Chaos… BOOST! *Starts to glow red, and gets an extra boost of strength*

Squash: Huh!? What’s going on!?

Shadow: HUUUUUHHHHHH! *Shoves her away, causing her to roll backwards*

Squash: H-How did you…!? AAAAAAHH! *Crashes into the wall*

Shadow: Hmph. *Turns black again*

Squash Ugggh… *Unrolls and stands up again* Now, for my next trick! I’m sure you’ll LOVE this one! It’s...to die for! AH-HA-AH-AH-AH! *The gem in her tiara begins to flash*

*Suddenly, the ground begins to shake*

Shadow: WHOA! *Quickly moves out of the way as a large stone hand comes from underneath the ground*

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Now, Shadow, I’m going to squash you like a bug on the kitchen floor! HAAAAAAH!

The giant stone hand that Squash summoned was motion-controlled, meaning that whatever Squash did with her own hands, the rock hand would imitate that action. Using this power, Squash made the stone hand ball into a fist, and while it was clenched, she used it to try pounding Shadow, but he dodged it. As Shadow dodged the fist, he started skating towards Squash to attack her, but she quickly used the hand to grab Shadow, and toss him into a wall.

Shadow: Uhhhhhh!

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Now, what do you say we double the fun? *Summons a second one*

Shadow: Ugh, that’s JUST what I need…

Using both hands, Squash continuously made them pound the ground, in an effort to flatten Shadow. He once again started dodging them, and blast the left hand with a Chaos Spear, followed by a Homing Attack. Just as the right hand was moving toward him at high speed, with its fist balled, Shadow dodged it, causing it to accidently punch the other one, breaking it into pieces.

Shadow: *Starts glowing red again* Chaos… BLAST!!! *Destroys the other one*

Squash: WHAT!? This can’t be!

Shadow: Now, you’re next!

Squash: Fine. What do you say we finish this battle the old fashioned way? No more powers; just regular hand-to-hand combat.

Shadow: That’s fine with me.

Squash: Alright, then come and get it!

*They dash towards one another and start fighting*

Squash: *Punches Shadow in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him*

Shadow: Uhhhhhhh! *Regains his composure, and does the same thing to her*

Squash: Uhhhhhh! *Throws another punch*

Shadow: *Ducks under it and tackles Squash*

*They start rolling across the ground, fighting, with a huge smoke cloud over them (like in cartoons)*

Shadow: *Pins Squash to the ground*

Squash: Oooooof!

…

*Giggles and talks in a flirty voice* And all this time, I thought you hated me…

Shadow: *Quickly gets off of her and backs away*

Squash: *Gets back up* AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! I knew that would work! Now, I’d say it’s about time we’ve wrapped this up, don’t you agree? *The Stone Gem starts flashing*

Shadow: Gladly.

While the Stone Gem was flashing, the broken pieces of rubble formed together. Unknown to Shadow, one of the stone hands that Squash summoned regenerated itself. Before anything else could be said or done, the hand quickly grabbed Shadow and started squeezing him.

Shadow: W-WHAT THE…!? UHHHHHHH!

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! I’ve got you now, Shadow! There’s no escape!

Shadow: Ihhhh…! Wait a minute! Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say “no more powers”!?

Squash: Ah, yes… I did, didn’t I? Well, in case you haven’t figured it out, I’ve changed my mind. *Clenches her fist, causing the hand to squeeze him even further*

Shadow: UHHHHHHHHH!

Squash: This has been fun, but as the old saying goes, “All good things must come to an end”. AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! *Uses the debris around her to create a stone sword, and grabs it as it floats toward her* This is it, Shadow! Prepare to die!

Squash then leaped into the air, getting ready to slash Shadow with the sword. Before her sword could make contact with Shadow, it suddenly began to rain. As with some of her sisters, water happened to be Squash’s primary weakness, and as a result, she quickly collapsed to the ground, while in midair. Shadow, on the other hand, used the Chaos Boost technique to free himself from the stone hand’s grasp, and then destroyed it with a Chaos Spear.

Squash: Ghhh…! N-No… Not now! H-How could this be!? I was…mere SECONDS away from a victory!

Shadow: I don’t think so. As I’ve just demonstrated, I would have broken out before you had the chance to use that sword, even if hadn’t started raining.

Squash: Bah, whatever… I guess…this means you’ve won, and…I’ve lost. Go right ahead, Shadow…finish me off…

Shadow: …

That won’t be necessary. You’re already weakened enough as it is.

Squash: So…you’re letting me go?

Shadow: If that’s what you want to call it. When the rain clears, you’re welcome to challenge me to a rematch at any time, but you might want to work on your skills until then. *Skates away*

Squash: Work…on my skills, he says? AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! Don’t…make me laugh! Does he have…ANY idea who I am!? I am… Squash, the Goddess of Stone! The…strongest, most powerful being on this planet!

*A bunch of G.U.N. vehicles arrive on the scene*

Squash: Ugh, not… these guys again. Why now!?

And so, Shadow and Squash’s battle finally came to a conclusion, with Shadow emerging victorious in the end. Despite the fact that he had a perfect opportunity to finish her off right then and there, he chose to spare her life. As soon as Shadow left, more G.U.N. soldiers arrived on the scene to capture Squash, because of all the chaos and destruction she had caused. Due to the rain, she was powerless to resist, and as a result, she was taken away.

Elsewhere, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Tikal, and Seedra have managed to recover from their defeat at the hands of the Wind Goddess Storm, and have met up again at the Mystic Ruins.

Vector: A’ight, cool, so everyone’s here.

Knuckles: Yeah. Ugh, I still can’t believe we were defeated THAT easily, though…

Vector: Neitha can I, but no one coulda seen ‘DAT comin’! ‘Dose winds were blowin’ like CRAZY! For a second ‘dere, I didn’t think we was gonna be able to survive ‘dat!

Charmy: Hee hee, “bee able”. Get it? *Snickers*

Seedra: Hmm hmm hmm! Nice one!

Everyone: …

Espio: *Sweatdrops* So, umm… Anyway, Knuckles, do you still have that emerald detector with you?

Knuckles: Let me check… *Lifts up his cowboy hat and reaches for it* …!

Mighty: Huh? What’s the matter?

Knuckles: The…the detector! It’s gone!

Everyone: WHAT!?

Wechnia: Curses! It must have gotten blown away during the wind storm!

Vector: Wherevah it is, we’d beddah find it, ‘n’ FAST!

Tikal: I couldn’t agree more. I’d hate to know what would happen if it were to get broken or fall into the wrong hands…

Although the Chaotix team has banded together again after the Windy Valley incident, the emerald detector that Tails has lent to Knuckles has gone missing! Apparently, it was blown away during the wind storm. Where could it be, exactly? Also, what will become of Squash, who was captured by the G.U.N. military? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

To “bee” continued…

Part 8

Last time, on Elements of Power, Knuckles, the Chaotix, and the rest of the heroes decided to head back to Windy Valley in search of the missing emerald detector. Little did they know, however, that they were being followed by Nack the Weasel and Bean the Dynamite, who were bent on stealing the radar as soon as they got ahold of it. When the time came, they did just that. Knuckles and company chased after the two thieves, only to get themselves caught in a trap. While they were stuck underground, Nack and Bean took that as their opportunity to escape.
 
Although Knuckles and the others were able to escape, they were still ways behind. Sure, they did manage to catch up to Nack and Bean, but the two of them were on the verge of escaping once again. Just as they were about make their getaway on Nack’s jet bike, the “Marvelous Queen”, a mysterious stranger, who claims to know Knuckles and Espio, blocked the thieves’ path and prevented them from escaping. Who is she, exactly, and where do Knuckles and Espio know her from? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

Bean: You…you look familiar. I can’t put my finger on it, but I’ve DEFINITELY seen you somewhere before. What about you, Nack?

Nack: …

Nah, it ain’t ringin’ a bell wit’ me.

???: I’m Honey the Cat. You know, from the fighting tournament we held a while back?

Nack: Ah, yeah… NOW I remembuh!

Bean: I guess that explains it.

Honey: Why don’t you two just kindly hand over the detector that you’ve taken from them?

Nack: ‘Ey! Back off, toots! ‘Dis ain’t none o’ ya business, y’hear!? *Takes out his gun and points it at her* I’ve seddit before, ‘n’ I’ll say it again: You eitha get outta da way, or I’ll bussa cap ‘n’ ya! *Clicks the gun*

Honey: Go right ahead then. Feel free to “bust that cap”.

Nack: A’ight, you asked for it, sistah!

Just as he was pulling the trigger, Honey abruptly threw another shuriken and got it clogged into the gun’s hole, causing it backfire and explode in Nack’s face.

Nack: AH, CRAAAAAAAAP!!! *Gets blown backwards*

Charmy: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

*Everyone else laughs at him, too*

Nack: AH, SHADDAP! Bean, gimme a hand here, would ‘ja?

Bean: Alright, cat girl! It’s time you’ve learned the TRUE meaning of the words “Dynamite Power”! *Tosses a bomb at her*

Honey: *Dodges*

Bean: *Tosses tons of others*

As Bean tossed bombs at Honey, she continued dodging until she got close enough to land a punch, causing him to fall over.

Bean: Ooooof!

Nack: *Reaches into his belt, takes out a knife, and starts sneaking up on Honey*

Honey: Heh heh heh! Too easy! A little TOO easy if you ask me! *Takes back the detector and hands it to Espio*

Espio: T-Thank you.

Honey: Don’t mention it.

Splash: Umm, Honey, was it? I think you should take a look behi-

Before Splash had the chance to finish her sentence, Nack quickly grabbed her from behind, holding the knife right up to her neck.

Honey: H-Hey! What’re you doing!? Let go of me! *Jerks away*

Nack: HAHAHAHAHAHA! NOW look who’s back in control, chumps!

Knuckles: Why, you…!

Nack: Hand ovah ‘da radar, ‘r da cat goil gets it!

Espio: You coward!

Nack: Call it whatcha want, but I do whatevah it takes ta get da job done! Again, ya could eitha hand it ovah, or I’ll slice ‘er freakin’ head off!

Bean: Trust me, he’ll do it. So you better do what he says.

Knuckles: What do you even want the thing for, anyway!? Did you happen ta make anotha deal with Robotnik, or what!?

Vector: Sheesh, did ‘ja forget what happened ‘da LAST couple o’ times you did that? Freakin’ morons.

Nack: Ah, shaddap! You dunno whatcha talkin’ about! We ain’t got nothin’ ta do wit’ ‘im!

Bean: Exactly! Didn’t we already tell you before, that we weren’t affiliated with him in any way? We’re doing this for ourselves. We’re gonna use that radar to track down the Chaos Emeralds, sell them for a price, and make TONS of cash!

Nack: HAHAHAHA! Yep, ‘dat’s right! ‘Dis time aroun’, we’re gonna be filthy, stinkin’ RICH!

Splash: Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you already steal tons of money from Robotnik last month!? How greedy can you two possibly get!?

Nack: …

Foist of all, we didn’t “steal” it; we got what was owed ta us. ‘N’ numbah two, yeah, we’ve gotta buncha cash, but so what? ‘Dat don’t mean we can’t get more! Now enough o’ ‘dis chit-chat! Hand ovah ‘da radar, or ah’mma slice ‘er head off! Ya’ve got ‘til ‘da count o’ ten! One…two…three….

Honey: Ihhhh…!

Espio: Don’t worry, Honey, we’ll save you! Just sit tight!

Nack: Four…five…six…

Charmy: What’re we gonna do, you guys!?

Wechnia: Hmm…

Nack: …Seven…

Vector: Ah, crud! We’ve gotta think of somethin’, ‘n’ FAST!

Mighty: Can’t we hand over the radar for the time being? We could always get it back from them, you know.

Espio: …

Perhaps you’re right, Mighty. After all, the last thing I want is for Honey to get herself killed. I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself if that were to happen…

Charmy: Hee hee hee, do you like her, or something? *Snickers*

Espio: N-No! Of course not!

Vector: Charmy, don’t even start! This ain’t the time for that!

Nack: Eight! Nine! Te-

Espio: Wait!

Nack: Hmm? So, you’re gonna give it to us?

Espio: Yes, you can have it. Just let her go.

Nack: HAHAHAHAHA! I’m glad ta see ‘dat ya’ve finally come ta your senses! Now, just hand it ta Bean, nice ‘n’ slowly.

Espio: Fine. *Talks toward Bean*

Honey: Wait! That won’t be necessary!

Espio: Huh?

Knuckles: What do you mean?

Just then, Honey tilted her head back, and did a backwards headbutt, making Nack drop his knife and hold his face, losing his grip on Honey in the process.

Nack: UGH! Why, ya dirty, stinkin’ li’l…!

Knuckles: Nice one! Now, let’s teach these two a lesson they’ll never forget!

Vector: Ya mean we’re gonna jump ‘em, right?

Knuckles: Yeah, that’ll work.

Nack: Go right ahead ‘n’ try it! I’ll bussa cap in every one o’ yas! *Aims his gun*

Bean: *Lights the bomb’s fuse*

Just as Nack and Bean were getting ready to strike, Seedra quickly extended vines from her back, and knocked the weapons out of their hands. Shortly afterwards, everyone stampeded towards the two crooks and started ganging up on them.

*A smoke cloud appears around them during the beating*

Bean: UHHHHHHHHH!!!

Nack: OW, OW, OW! AH, CRAAAAAAAAAP!!!

*They leave them on the ground, beaten up*

Tikal: Hmph! It serves you right!

Nack: Uggggh… ‘Dis…ain’t ovah, y’hear!?

Bean: Ugggh, yeah… You won’t be so lucky next time!

Nack: ‘Dat’s right! ‘Da next time we meet, ya beddah say ya prayahs, ‘cause ah’mma pump ya guts full o’ lead!

*They get on the Marvelous Queen and take off*

Honey: *Tosses something at it as they’re leaving*

Mighty: What was that?

Honey: Oh, you’ll see…in just a few more seconds.

Suddenly, an explosion occurred from far away, which destroyed the Marvelous Queen and sent Nack and Bean flying over the horizon.

Bean: AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Nack: YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ‘DA LAST’VE US!!!

Charmy: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

*Others laugh at him, too*

Vector: HAHAHAHA! Oh, man! Now ‘DAT was priceless!

???: Yeah, I agree!

*They look in that direction*

Seedra: …! (It’s…him again…) *Hearts appear in her eyes*

Knuckles: Hey, Sonic. How long have you been there?

Sonic: I just got here a little while ago. I was gonna step in to lend you guys a hand, but it looked like you already had things under control. Nice job. I like the way you handled those two.

Honey: Thanks.

Sonic: No problem. *Looks toward Seedra*

Seedra: *Looks away*

Sonic: …? (Wow, what’s with her?) So, umm… Anyway, I’m about to go grab some chili dogs, so I’ll catch you later. It’s juice ‘n’ loose time! Up, over, and GONE! *Takes off*

Seedra: *Sighs with hearts floating around her head* He’s so…dreamy.

…

Oh, God… Did I just say that out loud?

Charmy: Yep! *Snickers*

Seedra: Y-You didn’t hear that! Really, you didn’t! If you did, then just, umm…COMPLETELY disregard it, okay? ;;

Charmy: Hee hee hee, sorry, but that’s WAY too funny to disregard! *Snickers again* Seedra likes Sonic, Seedra likes Sonic!

Seedra: *Blushes* H-Hey! Cut it out!

Charmy: Sonic and Seedra, sittin’ in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G-! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in a baby carriage! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Seedra: *Blushes even more* I SAID CUT THAT OUT!

Splash: I don’t know what’s so funny about that. Personally, I think it’s cute.

Knuckles: Heh heh heh. Maybe so, but good luck fighting Amy for him, Seedra.

Vector: Yep! Her, along wit’ this otha girl named Tiara Boobowski.

Honey: “Boobowski”, you say? What a weird last name.

Charmy: Yeah, I know! It has the word “boob” in it! Now THAT’S funny!

Vector: Yeah, ‘DAT’S fa sure!

Honey: My point exactly. Also, thanks for taking the time to help me out after I screwed up during that battle with Fang.

Espio: No, we should be thanking you. If you hadn’t showed up, then he and Bean probably would have escaped.

Charmy: Hee hee, “bee thanking you”. Get it? *Snickers*

Splash: *Giggles*

Elsewhere, at G.U.N. Headquarters, Squash, who got herself defeated and captured for her antics at Station Square, has escaped her imprisonment and was on the run, trying to find her way out. During her escape, she came across tons of G.U.N. sentry droids, destroying each and every one in her path.

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! These humans, I swear! Do they truly think they could stop me with mere toys like that? What fools!

After destroying the robots, Squash continued running through the base, until came across a squadron of G.U.N. soldiers, which were all pointing fully loaded machine guns at her.

Squash: What the…!?

Soldier #1: EG-001, we have you surrounded! Surrender yourself now, or face the consequences!

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! Surrender, you say? Why should I surrender to a multitude of weaklings?

Soldier #1: Your arrogance has just sealed your fate! Ready, men!? FIRE!

The soldiers started rapidly firing their machine guns at Squash, but she blocked the projectiles with her ring bracelets. After that, she curled up into a boulder, rolled toward the soldiers, and rammed into them. After that, she continued running through the base, until she came across room that had “KEEP OUT” written in bold red letters.

Squash: “Keep out”? AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! Oh, please! Do they honestly expect people to listen to that? *Uses her super strength to break the chains, and bursts into the room*

Upon entering the room, Squash found a strange, ancient-looking artifact that contained a dark, ooze-like substance, with a dark, fiery glow around it.

Squash: “Scepter of Darkness”, it says? Interesting. I don’t know what kind of powers this thing possesses, exactly, but considering the fact that those G.U.N. idiots went out of their way to keep it hidden, it must be very powerful. I think I’ll take it with me. This thing could certainly come in handy when I resume my plans for world conquest! AH-HA-AH-AH! Yes, very soon, this world is going to be mine, all mine! AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH! *Grabs the scepter* Well, looks like my work here is done. I think it’s time I’ve gotten out of this place.

As Squash was getting ready to exit the room, she accidentally tripped and fell, somehow triggering the Scepter of Darkness to release the dark ooze from within.

Squash: Huh!? What!? What’s this!? Ahhhhhh!

After the ooze came out of the scepter, a dark, shadowy mist appeared around it, forming into a certain Shadow look-alike with a light blue trim around his spikes.

Squash: GRRR! Shadow! It’s you! Are you seriously trying to start with me again!?

???: Ah, I see that you, too, have been wronged by Shadow…

Squash: …

Wait, what?

???: I am Mephiles, Mephiles the Dark. And you are?

Squash: I’m Squash, the Goddess of Stone, or “EG-001”, as I was codenamed. What were you saying before? Something about being “wronged by Shadow”, right?

Mephiles: Yes. Immediately after I was created eleven years ago, Shadow sealed me within that scepter! Because of him, I was trapped for ten years, and I’ve dreamt of nothing but seeking revenge upon him; nothing BUT the day where I’d give him a one-way ticket to oblivion! I did get released eventually, only to wind up back where I started, thanks to Shadow and several others.

Squash: Boy, do I know the feeling. Earlier today, I began putting my world domination plans in action, only for Shadow to stand in my way and ruin everything! Not only that, but because of him, I ended up getting captured by the military, and they were about to put me in a cryogenic rest chamber!

Mephiles: …

I see. It would appear as if the two of us have something in common. Both of us had plans that were foiled in some way, we both despise Shadow, and the list goes on and on. Why not come with me, Squash? Let us punish this foolish world of humanity… Once and for all, we can teach this world a lesson, and rewrite the future!

Squash: …

Sure. Why not?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Excellent! I’m glad to see we’re on the same page. Sooner or later, we shall see to it that Shadow the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, Blaze the Cat, and every one of our enemies suffer slow, painful deaths! HAHAHAHAHAHA…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH!!!

Oh, no! Mephiles the Dark has escaped his imprisonment, and has been released into the world once again! As a result, Knuckles, the Chaotix, and all the others have more than just Dr. Robotnik and his remaining “EG” experiments to worry about. With Mephiles’ newfound alliance with Squash, do our heroes have what it takes to put a stop to his plans once again? Find out next time on Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

To “bee” continued…

Part 12

On the previous chapter of Elemental Chaos, Squash, following Mephiles’ “advice”, has taken it upon herself to chase Scorch all the way to Red Mountain to challenge her to a showdown; a showdown that supposedly affected the outcome of Squash’s future. The two of them fought a close battle, but eventually, Scorch began to succumb to the injury on her left arm, which was inflicted on her after Dr. Robotnik used an injector needle to get the blood sample that he needed for the EG experiments. Just as Squash was about to deliver the final blow, Slush showed up in a nick of time to lend Scorch a hand. Not wanting to risk getting “soaking wet” from the two Goddesses combining their powers, Squash was forced to make a tactical retreat.

Elsewhere, in the future, Knuckles and company followed Blaze to Dr. Nega’s base, so that they could use the time machine to return to their own time period. While they were in the process of storming the fortress, they encountered many Badniks that Dr. Nega left behind, and destroyed each and every one in their path until they eventually got to the time machine. After using the time machine to return to the past, they found themselves at Tails’ Workshop; everyone but Knuckles, that is, who decided to stay behind to battle Mephiles. Who will come out the victor; Knuckles or Mephiles? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

Knuckles: Alright, are you ready to get this over with, or what? I know I am. I haven’t got all day, you know.

Mephiles: Of course, but before we begin… Allow me to ask you something…

Knuckles: Look, if you’re going to try telling me that phony “peace and prosperity” story again, then don’t even bother! I’m not buying it! I didn’t back then, and I’m certainly not now! In fact, who their right mind would?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Quite the skeptical one, aren’t you? Well, then answer me this… Before you die, tell me… Which of your friends is in possession of that detector?

Knuckles: That’s none of your business!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Well, then I guess this means you are of no use to me. Die! *Holds out the palm of his hand*

Knuckles: Huh? What are you-…?

Before Knuckles had the chance to finish his sentence, Mephiles fired a piercing energy beam at him, which he managed to dodge. Unfortunately, since Dr. Nega’s time machine was right behind Knuckles, it ended up getting destroyed.

Knuckles: OH, NO! THE TIME MACHINE!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! It would appear as if your one and only return-ticket has been voided once again!

Knuckles: Aw, shoot!

Mephiles: Now, what will you do?

Knuckles: I’ll figure something out, but for the time being, I’m gonna take you down! *Runs towards Mephiles and starts throwing punches at him*

Mephiles: *Dodges them all and teleports away from the last one*

Knuckles: Mephiles! Where are you!? Come back here and face me, coward!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Looking for me!? *Reappears in front of him*

Knuckles: WHOA! *Jumps back*

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *Holds out the palm of his hand again* Here it is, your one-way ticket to oblivi-

Knuckles: *Punches him before he gets the chance to finish his sentence*

Mephiles: Uhhhhhh! *Stumbles backwards and falls over*

Knuckles: *Leaps into the air* And there’s plenty more where THAT came from! *Uses the Drill Claw attack from Sonic Adventure 2*

Mephiles: *Avoids the attack by sinking into the ground and becoming a shadow, causing Knuckles to punch through the ground and miss*

Knuckles: Crap!

Mephiles: *Quickly rises from the ground and blasts Knuckles away with an energy orb*

Knuckles: Uhhhhhhhh! *Falls back*

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! *Fires tons of other ones at him*

Knuckles: *Rolls away, gets back up, and starts dodging*

Mephiles: DROWN IN DARKNESS!

After that, Mephiles used his powers to transform the floor into a puddle of dark liquid (like he does during the Mephiles Phase II battle in STH2006), and made a bunch of dark, shadowy creatures spawn from it, and start clinging to Knuckles.

Knuckles: Hey, what the…!?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes! Dance, my shadows! DANCE!

Knuckles: Ihhhh…! *Jerks away from them*

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! There’s no escape! Finally, at long last, I shall have my revenge! I haven’t forgotten about the time you had me sealed within the Master Emerald, you know.  What you’ve given to me, Knuckles the Echidna, I now return to you… *Holds out the palm of his hand* A ONE-WAY TICKET TO OBLIVION! *Fires the piercing beam again*

Just as Mephiles was firing his piercing energy beam again, Knuckles managed to shake loose from the shadow creatures’ grip, and narrowly avoided the attack at the last second, causing Mephiles to accidently kill them instead.

Mephiles: What!?

Knuckles: *Cracks his knuckles* Now, witness my power! *Starts charging towards Mephiles*

Mephiles: *Shoots at him again*

Knuckles: *Dodges*

As Knuckles was getting closer, Mephiles continued to fire more energy beams at him, only for Knuckles to dodge them each time. When he eventually got close enough, he delivered a punching combo on Mephiles, sending him flying and crashing through a wall.

Knuckles: Had enough yet?

Mephiles: Uggggh… *Slowly gets back up*

Knuckles: I guess not. That’s fine with me, though, because I’m just getting warmed up!

Mephiles: As am I. *Dashes toward Knuckles at high speed*

Knuckles: *Throws a punch, and his fist goes through Mephiles* What the…!? That was a fake!? *Gets hit by the real one shortly afterwards* Uhhhhhhhhh! *Falls over*

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! How do you like my afterimage trick? Pretty impressive, isn’t it? Well, you haven’t seen ANYTHING yet… Feast your eyes on… THIS! *Creates a bunch of clones of himself*

Knuckles: Great… Just what I need…

Mephiles: Now… ATTACK!

*The clones charge toward Knuckles, and he starts fighting them off*

Meanwhile, in the past…

Honey: …

Espio: What’s the matter?

Honey: I just find it odd how Knuckles hasn’t come back yet… I have the strangest feeling that he might be in some kind of trouble.

Charmy: Hee hee, “bee in some kind of-“

*People glare at him*

Charmy: Nevermind. ;;

Blaze: Yes, I agree. Something must have happened; otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed behind unless he had a reason to do so.

Seedra: I have the same feeling. Should we go back to the future to see what’s up?

Wechnia: I don’t see why not. Who knows? He could have very well run into Mephiles, or something.

Silver: If THAT’S the case, then we need to get there as soon as possible!

Vector: Tails, can ya use that machine o’ yours ta send us back into the future?

Tails: Sure thing. This time around, I’ll try setting the Tornado Time Twister’s coordinates, so that it’ll transport you guys directly into Dr. Nega’s base, where his time machine is located. *Starts pressing buttons* Uh oh… We have a problem…

Sonic: What’s wrong?

Tails: For some reason, I was unable to set its coordinates to the area where Nega’s time machine is located. There’s only one reason I could think of as to why that would happen…

Ray: And that reason would be…?

Tails: Nega’s time machine is out of order, somehow!

Mighty: Well, that’s just PERFECT… If what Wechnia said is true, then Mephiles must have been the one behind this!

Vector: I swear… That guy really, REALLY freakin’ pisses me off!

Blaze: Join the club.

Splash: Is there any other way to get there in time, even if we can’t warp directly to where that time machine used to be?

Tails: Hmm… That’s a good question. From the way I designed the Tornado Time Twister, it has the ability to create portals that lead to other time periods, but unless the coordinates are set to a specific location, then we’ll wind up anywhere.

Heavy: “Anywhere”, as in a random time period?

Tails: No, I meant anywhere in the time period that the machine has been set to, rather than one specific location in that era.

Heavy: I see.

Silver: The Chaos Emeralds… They have the ability to transform thought into power, right? Why don’t we use them to create a warphole that’ll not only lead us back into the future, but to exactly where Knuckles and Mephiles are located!

Espio: Good idea. That just may work.

Vector: *Takes out the emerald detector* Accordin’ to this thing, there’s already two Chaos Emeralds right here, inside o’ the Workshop!

Tails: I’m pretty sure that one of them is the fake emerald that I designed a while back, which contains the same wavelength and properties as the real ones. However, it’s less powerful.

Vector: Ah, okay. That makes sense. Now, where’s the second readin’ comin’ from?

Bomb: *Takes out the red Chaos Emerald*

Heavy: Ah, so YOU have it! When and where did you find that, exactly?

Bomb: I found it while we were on our way back from the altar, after making finishing touches to the Master Emerald’s new security system.

Sonic: Alright!

Tikal: The fake emerald has the same wavelength and properties, you said? I guess that means that it’s also possible to use Chaos Control with it?

Tails: That’s right.

Sonic: Yeah, what he said. Trust me…  If it wasn’t, then I’d be dead right now!

Ray: Huh? What do you mean?

Sonic: A while ago, we had a run-in with Ro-butt-nik at the space colony, ARK, and he ended up trapping me in a capsule, and launching it into outer space. Just in time before it exploded, I used Chaos Control to escape. So, basically, that thing saved my life.

Amy: Oh, yeah. I remember that.

Heavy: Anytime you’re finished reminiscing about the good old days, we could move on.

Wechnia: Heavy’s right. Knuckles might need our help right about now.

Tails: Okay, then let’s go. *Takes out the fake emerald* Chaos...!

Bomb: …Control!

Using the powers of both the real and fake Chaos Emeralds, they managed to open up a large blue warphole, which was akin to the ones that Mephiles often creates.

Charmy: Wow! That’s really, REALLY cool!

Marine: You got that right, mate! No mattah how many times I see it, I just can’t get ovah how amazin’ it is!

Sonic: Alright! Let’s blast through with Sonic speed!

Tiara: *Enters the Workshop* Hey, you guys. Mind if I come along?

Tails: Hmm? *Looks* Oh, hey, Tiara. I’m…glad you could join us!

Amy: Oh, it’s HER again…

Tiara: Yeah, nice to see you, too, brat.

*They glare at one another, with lightning coming from their eyes (like people do in anime)*

Ray: Hoo, boy… Here we go again…

Splash: You two aren’t about to start fighting over Sonic again, are you? This isn’t the time for that, you know. We need to go back to the future, so we could lend Knuckles a hand in stopping Mephiles!

Amy: Don’t worry, I won’t. There’s really no point, since I already know exactly which of us Sonic is madly in love with!

Sonic: *Sweatdrops*

Tiara: Well, it certainly isn’t YOU, that’s for sure.

Amy: He is too! You don’t know what you’re talking about!

Tiara: Oh, I know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!

Amy: Stay away from MY Sonic, Boobowski!

Tiara: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: He is not YOUR Sonic, you idiot! If that were the case, he wouldn’t be trying to get away from you all the time!

Amy: You wanna repeat that!? *Takes out her hammer*

Tiara: I'd be more than happy to! *Takes out her jeweled staff, and then looks around*

...

Hey, wait a minute! Where did everybody go!?

Amy: They must’ve gone through the portal. We’ll have to settle this later.

Tiara: That’s fine with me.

Amy: *Jumps through the portal*

Tiara: *Same*

Elsewhere, in the future…

Knuckles: *Breathing hard* Man, these things are relentless! There’s just no end to them!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHA! I guess you’ve finally comes to the realization that no matter how many of my clones you defeat, they’ll still continue to re-spawn!

Knuckles: Damn!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! From the looks of things, you’re all tired out! You no longer have the energy to continue battling! Your time has come, Knuckles! Once I’ve disposed of you here, I’ll do the same to your comrades! After that’s been done, I’ll be free to use that detector of yours to track down the remaining six Chaos Emeralds! HAHAHAHAHAHA… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Just as Mephiles was laughing maniacally, a blue warphole appeared, and the rest of the heroes arrived on the scene.

Mephiles: What!? Where they come from!?

Sonic: Knuckles! You look like you could use some help!

Knuckles: Oh, hey, you guys! Perfect timing! I didn’t know how much longer I was gonna be able to fight off all these clones!

*Amy and Tiara come through the portal next, and then it closes*

Tails: Oh, so you came. I thought for sure that you’d still be arguing over at my Workshop.

Cream: Mr. Mephiles! Are you up to no good again!?

Cheese: Chao, Chao!

Mephiles: (Ugh, just when I finally had Knuckles alone, they conveniently show up! I guess I’ll have to make a tactical retreat for now, and kill him another time!) *Holds up the purple Chaos Emerald*

Charmy: Hey, look, you guys! He’s got one of the Chaos Emeralds!

Mephiles: *Releases it into the air and makes a flash a bright light, burning everyone’s eyes*

Everyone: AAAAAHHH!

Amy: I…can’t see!

Blaze: I hate it when he does that!

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Mephiles quickly used his powers to create another warphole, and escaped through it. After a while, the light faded, and although the real Mephiles was nowhere to be found, the heroes still had his clones to contend with.

Honey: Hey, wait a second… Which one of them is the real one!?

Knuckles: I have no idea. While the light was flashing, he must have stood next to his clones in order to confuse us!

Heavy: Wrong. Neither of them are the original. The light from the emerald was nothing more than a diversion. Mephiles did that in order to make his escape.

Knuckles: GRRR… That coward!

Charmy: Huh? You mean you were able to see that, Heavy? How?

Heavy: Bomb and I are robots. Our eyes aren’t sensitive like those of organic beings.

Charmy: …

Hee hee, “organic beeings”.

*Everyone anime falls (except Splash, Marine, and Seedra for obvious reasons)*

Tails: Don’t look now, but I think those Mephiles clones are about to attack!

Vector: Alright, then let’s get ‘em!

So then, everyone joined Knuckles in fighting off the clones that Mephiles left behind. As with before, no matter how many of them were fought off, they just kept coming back for more.

Espio: There’s just no end to them!

Seedra: I have an idea. But first, we’re going to need to get some sunlight into this room.

Heavy: No problem. *Grabs Bomb*

Bomb: Hey, wait a minute! What are you- *Gets tossed into the air* WHOOOOAAAH!

After Heavy tossed Bomb into the air, he started to glow, and quickly exploded, causing the ceiling to crack. As a result of there being a hole in the ceiling, some sunlight shone through the room.

Seedra: Perfect! *A golden glow of light appears around her*

Sonic: Seedra? Are you feeling alright?

Seedra: Trust me, I’m fine, but they won’t be! *Puts the palm of her hands together* Solar Star… POWEEEEERRR!!!

Just then, Seedra fired a large beam of solar energy, obliterating each and every one of Mephiles’ clones, creating a huge explosion in the process. After the smoke was cleared, the clones were reduced were reduced to black puddles of liquid.

Charmy: WOW! That was really, REALLY cool, Seedra!

Vector: Yeah, I’ll say! I had no IDEA you had ‘DAT kinda powah! How come ya didn’t do that when we were up against Shock ‘n’ Storm at Windy Valley?

Seedra: That’s because it was raining at the time. I could only use solar energy when the sun is shining.

Sonic: Either way, that was still pretty sweet! *Thumbs up*

Seedra: R-Really? Gee, thanks. ;; *Blushes*

Sonic: No problem.

Amy: …

Tiara: …

Meanwhile, in the past, at Dr. Robotnik’s Mystic Ruins base…

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Finally! It’s finished! The Scepter of Darkness’ repairs are complete! *Hands it to Shadow*

Shadow: Thank you, Doctor. Now, we should be able to seal Mephiles again without any trouble. This time around, I’ll make sure he doesn’t return.

Rouge: How are you going to do that, exactly? Surely, you’re going to store it somewhere other than G.U.N. Headquarters, this time?

Shadow: Yes, I will. I haven’t decided where I’m going to put it yet, but I’ll think of something when the time comes. For the time being, why don’t we go find him?

Omega: Affirmative. We must prevent him from obtaining the Fire Element Gem at any cost!

Shadow: Chaos Control! *Warps away*

Thanks to Seedra’s awesome display of solar power, she and the rest of the heroes were able to successfully defeat Mephiles’ clones, but unfortunately, the real one got away. Now that Dr. Robotnik is finished repairing the Scepter of Darkness, Shadow, Rouge, and Omega are now on the hunt for Mephiles. Will they manage to find him in time, before he tracks down the six remaining Chaos Emeralds? Will Squash ever learn the truth about Mephiles before it’s too late? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

To “bee” continued…

Part 14

On the previous chapter of Elements of Power, Knuckles and company, after defeating the clones Mephiles left behind, departed from the future and returned to their own time period, thanks to the real and fake Chaos Emeralds that Tails and Bomb had in their possession. After that, they found themselves at the Ice Cap Zone, where they met up with Bark the Polar Bear and the Ice Goddess, Slush. From there, Slush explained to the heroes that Mephiles was using and manipulating Squash to further his goal of gaining all seven Chaos Emeralds, as well as releasing Iblis from the Fire Element Gem so that he could complete his transformation and wipe out all timeframes in existence. Using Tails’ emerald detector, Knuckles picked up a signal from the Stone Element Gem and two Chaos Emeralds at the Sandopolis Zone, and then he and the rest of the heroes Chaos Controlled their way over there.

While they were on the hunt for Squash and Mephiles, they ran into Shock, the Lightning Goddess, and Storm, the Wind Goddess, who were sent by Dr. Robotnik to lend a hand in stopping Mephiles’ plans from coming to fruition. Additionally, they also ran into Shadow, Rouge, and Omega, who were also on their way to stop him. When they got to the pyramid, they eavesdropped on Squash and Mephiles’ conversation, and overheard everything. Before Mephiles had the chance to point Scorch’s current location out to Squash, the heroes quickly came from around the corner and blocked her path.

The questions still remain: With all heroes banded together, do they have what it takes to put a stop to Mephiles’ plans again, for a fourth time? Will Shadow make due on his promise to permanently dispose of Mephiles? Or will he somehow manage to flee the scene again? Or even worse, could Mephiles somehow manage to overpower the group of heroes and succeed with his diabolical plans? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

Squash: …

Hey, wait a minute… I recognize you! Well, some of you, at least. You’re the ones that Ivo wanted me to destroy back at the volcano! You were called…the Chaotix, right?

Vector: You got it!

Squash: Now then… If it isn’t too much trouble, would you mind telling me what’s going on, here?

Shadow: Oh, I’ll tell you what’s going on. Mephiles is playing you for a fool, that’s what! He’s been manipulating you from the very beginning!

Squash: Wait, what?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, now that’s preposterous!

Blaze: Oh, like hell it is! You have a history of doing things like this! You are no one to be trusted!

Mephiles: Is that so?

Silver: Yeah, like the time you told me that lie about the “Iblis Trigger”! Does THAT ring a bell!?

Splash: Squash, please hear us out! Just forget about everything Mephiles told you! Every, and I mean EVERY word of it was nothing but lies!

Seedra: Exactly! This guy is a total creep!

Squash: …

And you are…?

Splash: I’m your older sister, Splash, the Goddess of Water. They’re your younger sisters, Seedra, Shock, and Storm. They’re creations of Dr. Robotnik’s, just like you are.

Squash: I see. Now, back to the subject at hand… How can I be sure that what you’re telling me is true?

Charmy: Oh, come on! Since several people have said the same thing, there has to be SOME truth in it, right?

Heavy: That’s one of the most intelligent things I’ve heard you say in a while.

Squash: …

Mephiles: Squash, you don’t truly believe what they’re saying, do you? First of all, not only did I give you this information, but I backed it up with undeniable, concrete evidence. Secondly, these people are allied with Shadow the Hedgehog… The very person that you despise! The very same person who, after defeating you in battle, left you right there in the rain, knowing how much damage it would have done to you! Shadow could have ended your misery right there, but he instead chose to leave you to suffer a slow, painful death!

Squash: …

Shadow: No! That’s not true!

Squash: Shut up! That’s EXACTLY what you did! It all makes sense now… THAT’S why you spared my life after our battle!

Vector: Oh, gimme a break! What, do ya think he’s psychic, or somethin’? It ain’t like he had any way of tellin’ when it was gonna start rainin’!

Knuckles: Exactly! We were all out in the rain, too, you know. Nobody saw that coming!

Mephiles: Just keep in mind, Squash… These people are allied with Shadow. If they would associate themselves with someone like him, then what would make you think that they would be any more trustworthy than he is?

Shadow: W-WHAT!?

Squash: …

Rouge: I’ve heard enough! Just WHO do you think you are, huh!? If ANYONE around here isn’t trustworthy, then it’s you, and ONLY you!

Charmy: Yeah! You’re ROTTEN! And really, REALLY crazy, too!

Vector: Yeah, ya freakin’ psychopath!

*Everyone else says something similar*

Squash: ARRRRGGGGH!!! ENOUGH!!! You people don’t know what you’re talking about! I know for a fact that everything Mephiles told me is true! Like he said, he showed me concrete evidence of everything I needed to know! I’m destroying the Fire Goddess, end of story! I’ll change my future, one way or another! I won’t let ANYONE stand in my way! If you try to stop me, then I’ll destroy you, too!

Splash: Squash, you’re making a big mistake…

Squash: No, Splash, I’m CORRECTING one! Now get out of my way!

Vector: Not a chance, sistah! If ya wanna get ta Scorch, then you’re gonna hafta get through us!

Squash: Oh, I’d be MORE than happy to! *Takes the Stone Element Gem out of her tiara and places it into the ground*

*A small vibration occurs, and then tons of Pyrocks and Rockadiles emerge from the ground*

Blaze: What in the world ARE those ghastly things!?

Knuckles: These things, if I remember correctly, are called the “Pyrocks”. The alligator things… I’m not sure. It’s the first time I’ve seen them.

Squash: Pyrocks, Rockadiles! ATTACK! *Points*

*They charge toward the heroes and the battle begins*

Mephiles: (Hmm, this was a rather unexpected development, but I must admit, it’s entertaining, also! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Entertaining beyond words! I just love how their pitiful attempts to get through to Squash are falling on deaf ears! Even if they DO somehow manage to convince her, it won’t be that much of a loss. She’s expendable… Especially since I’m perfectly capable of destroying Scorch myself, as well as the fact that I already have two others on the hunt for the remaining Chaos Emeralds…)

*Cue flashback*

Nack: So, whatcha sayin’ is ' willin’ ta pay us money fa findin’ ‘dose Chaos Emeralds for ya?

Mephiles: Yes. The two of you will be rewarded most handsomely if you do.

Bean: …

Nack: A’ight, cool. How much’re ya talkin’, here? ‘Cause we ain’t doin’ it for any less than a million.

Mephiles: Well, how does two million sound?

Nack: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, yeah! You are DEFINITELY speakin’ my language here, bruddah! Well, how ‘bout ‘chu, Bean? Are ya up for it?

Bean: It definitely sounds tempting, but… I have my doubts.

Nack: Whadda ya doubtin’ for? It ain’t like we’re offered ‘DIS kinda money every day, y’know!

Bean: …

Okay, fine. Whatever, I’m in.

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Then it’s settled! When you find the Chaos Emeralds, meet me at the Sandopolis Zone to collect your reward.

Nack: You goddit! C’mon, Bean, let’s get goin’!

*End flashback*

Mephiles: (Oh, yes… I’ll reward them, alright… With a one-way ticket to oblivion, that is! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!) *Broken pieces of rubble fly in his face from the Pyrocks and Rockadiles getting destroyed* Uhhhhhh!

Squash: NO! Not again! This can’t be! I guess I’ll have to deal with you myself!

Mephiles: Squash, I’ll leave you to take care of things from here.

Squash: Alright, just leave it to me! I’d be more than happy to! The sooner I take care of them, the sooner I could destroy Scorch!

Mephiles: *Leaves the room*

Shadow: Mephiles! *Skates after him*

Squash: *Steps in front of Shadow and blocks his path*

Splash: Squash, stop it! We don’t want to fight with you!

Blaze: Exactly! Why can’t you understand that Mephiles is only using you!?

Squash: How so!? Neither of you were there! I saw everything… Everything that happened in the future!

Silver: The future?

Squash: Thanks to Mephiles’ time travel powers, he was able to show me what happened 200 years from now! The world…it was completely destroyed! There were flames everywhere, burning everyone and everything in their path! It was all Scorch’s fault! SHE’S the one who caused all of this! Thanks to her, I…was persecuted and hunted down by humanity…*Begins to tear up* I was blamed and severely punished for a crime I never committed! I’ll NEVER forgive her for this!!! THAT’S why the Fire Goddess must be destroyed! So that I stop this before it ever takes place, and change the course of history!

Cream: …

I…feel so sorry for you, Miss Squash…

Cheese: Chao, Chao…

Squash: Bah! I don’t need your pity, little girl! All I need is for you all to get out of my way, I so I could destroy her! Or would you prefer to DIE!?

Mighty: Look, just calm down for a moment and listen to us, okay!? We're only trying to help you! Like Splash was saying before, everything Mephiles told you was a lie!

Splash: That’s right! Although it may seem that way, Mephiles is in NO way concerned about your well-being! He only cares about how useful you are to him!

Shadow: Precisely! Mephiles doesn’t care about anyone but himself, and only sees you and everyone else around him as nothing more than mere pawns to be manipulated!

Squash: …

Blaze: To add on to what they said, a value of a person’s life, to Mephiles, is solely on how useful he thinks they are! Once he decides that someone’s usefulness has run its course, then he’ll do anything he can do dispose of them, since in HIS mind, they no longer have a reason to live!

Cream: Everything they’re saying is true, you know. Mephiles is very, very bad! Please believe us…

Squash: …

Shadow: Squash, there’s something else you should know. The story about you getting persecuted 200 years into the future… Mephiles told ME the exact same thing a year ago!

Squash: Wait, what?

Shadow: Mephiles tried coaxing me into joining him in a rebellion against humanity, claiming that they were not only envious of my power, but feared it, and used the Flames of Disaster as an excuse to hunt me down. He even went so far as to claim that they reprogrammed Omega to fight against me!

Omega: …

Marine: 200 years into the future…? Strewth! Silver, Blaze, that’s our time period, ain’t it?

Silver: Yeah, it is.

Blaze: Indeed. We know exactly what it is that you’re referring to, Squash. That ruined future is where the three of us originated, and I could assure you that Scorch had NOTHING to with the destruction you saw!

Squash: She wasn’t!? Then who was it!? Who else but her is capable of generating THAT kind of fire power!?

Silver: This was all the work of a fiery monster named Iblis. He was the one responsible for destroying everything!

Squash: “Iblis”?

Blaze: Yes. It was an immortal creature that’s continued to destroy the world for the next two hundred years. Recently, he’s been sealed within the Fire Element Gem by Scorch… THAT’S the real reason why Mephiles is after her! He’s trying to get ahold of it so he could release Iblis from his prison!

Squash: …

I don’t get it.

Shadow: I didn’t think you would. Perhaps it’s better if we show you.

*They use Chaos Control to create another time portal and go through it*

Shadow: The answers that you need are right through this portal. Follow us if you want the truth. *Jumps through it*

Squash: *Follows him*

After jumping through the portal, they all found themselves at the hallway of Soleanna’s laboratory, eleven years into the past. Meanwhile, at Robotnik’s Mystic Ruins base…

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHA… It’s all going according to plan!

Scorch: Really? What plan would that be, Dr. Robotnik?

Slush: Yes, do tell. (So I could forward this message right to the Chaotix.)

Robotnik: I’m planning to dispose of the Chaotix and the rest of my enemies by heading over to the Sandopolis Zone and planting one of my high-tech explosive devices at the pyramid! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Since those fools have already occupied themselves with Mephiles, they won’t even see it coming! They’ll all be blown to pieces before they even know what hit them!

Slush: It sounds like a plan, but there are a few things wrong with this strategy. Number one, what about Shock and Storm? How will they escape? And number two, won’t the Scepter of Darkness get destroyed in the explosion, causing Mephiles to be free again?

Robotnik: Those are some very valid points, Slush, but I’ve got it all under control. Before sending Shock and Storm to assist them in stopping Mephiles, I already warned them in advance, as well as giving them communication devices to remind them. Number two, after Mephiles has been captured, Shock and Storm could take the scepter and flee the scene before they get themselves caught in the explosion. After all, they do have the speed to pull this off.

Slush: Ah, I see.

Scorch: It sounds like you’ve really thought this through, Doctor!

???: Eee hee hee! Do you REALLY think it will be THAT easy?

*They look in the direction of the voice*

All three of them: DR. NEGA!?

Nega Robotnik: That’s right!

Slush: Great… Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse…

Scorch: What are you doing here!?

Robotnik: I was going to ask the same thing, because you’ve got a lot of nerve, showing your face around us again!

Slush: I couldn’t have put it any better myself!

Nega Robotnik: Easy, now! Easy! I’m not here to cause any trouble! I come in peace!

Slush: After all YOU’VE done, how do we know you could be trusted!?

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! Oh? Look who’s talking! Are YOU, of all people, REALLY trying to accuse ME of not being trustworthy?

Slush: What do you mean!?

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! Should I spell it out, or do YOU want to tell them?

Slush: (Ahhhh! Oh, no… I forgot! Because of last month’s incident, he knows my secret! He knows that I’ve been working as a spy around here! I can’t afford to let THIS happen! Robotnik’s already onto me as it is! I’d better change the subject and FAST!) So, Dr. Nega, how did you escape from the mental institution, anyway?

Nega Robotnik: It was all thanks to a series of earthquakes that have occurred recently at Station Square. I’m not entirely sure of all the details, but I believe it was shortly before a creature named “EG-001” was captured by the G.U.N. military.

Robotnik: Oh, I see… So this was HER handiwork! Anyway, Nega, if you aren’t here to cause any trouble, then why have you come?

Nega Robotnik: Well, first of all, I would like to take the time to apologize for my previous actions. I was out of line. Secondly, I’d like to call a truce. After all, we both have common goals of conquering this world and building our own ideal empire, and not to mention common enemies as well. Sonic the Hedgehog, Blaze the Cat… All of them! Aren’t you tired of them interfering with your plans all the time?

Robotnik: As a matter of fact, I am. Words alone aren’t enough to describe how much I despise those idiots, and I want to be rid of them as soon as possible!

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! With our pure genius combined, who knows what we could accomplish?

Robotnik: …

Nega Robotnik: Well, what do you say? Should we work together again, for old time’s sake? *Extends his arm and holds out his hand*

Robotnik: …

Scorch: Dr. Robotnik, are you sure we could trust this guy?

Slush: I’m with Scorch on this one. Trusting him would be no different from trusting Mephiles, which, by the way, HE’S responsible for reviving! *Glares*

Scorch: *Glares at him, too*

Robotnik: *In response to Nega* Alright, very well. *Shakes his hand* I’ll be keeping my eye on you, however.

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! Then it’s settled! Now, as I was saying as I was entering, your strategy is good for the most part, but there’s one small problem: They Chaos Emeralds. Sonic, Blaze, and the others could easily Chaos Control their way out of the area to avoid the explosion.

Robotnik: ARGH! I should’ve known! Well, then, Nega, what do YOU propose we do?

Nega Robotnik: Perhaps it’s better if I show you. *Points towards the exit* After you.

Robotnik: *Starts walking towards the door*

Scorch: *Grabs Robotnik by the arm* Wait!

Robotnik: Hmm? Scorch, what’s the matter?

Scorch: I wouldn’t do that if I were you… Nega’s probably trying to lure you into a trap, as far as we know!

Robotnik: Now, now, Scorch… There’s no need to be so paranoid.

Slush: This is Dr. Nega we’re talking about, here. As long as he’s around, we have every need to be paranoid.

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee… Still as skeptical as ever, I see. I could assure you, ladies, I bear you no ill will. There’s an invention of mine that I would like to show you.

Scorch: Dr. Robotnik, didn’t you say you were going to keep an eye on him?

Robotnik: Alright, alright! Why don’t YOU go first, Nega?

Nega Robotnik: Alright then. This way, please.

*They go outside and find a huge robot that looks slightly similar to the Egg Emperor (from with Sonic Heroes), but with a more “futuristic” appearance*

Nega Robotnik: Behold my latest invention! The “Egg Galaxia”!

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHA… That’s a rather interesting machine you’ve got there!

Nega Robotnik: You said that Sonic, Silver, Blaze, and all the others are busy battling Mephiles, correct?

Robotnik: Yes, why?

Nega Robotnik: Well, they’re all bound to be in a weakened state after the fight’s over, and I say we should take advantage of the opportunity by engaging them in another battle after afterwards! Since they’ll wind up exhausting all of their energy from fighting Mephiles, they won’t pose much of a challenge for us! While they’re weakened, we could destroy them once and for all!

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sounds like a plan!

Nega Robotnik: If by some chance, I’m wrong, and they still have the energy to defeat us, then we could go with your bomb strategy as a last resort. Even if we are to be defeated, the Egg Galaxia is equipped with two escape pods that will allow us to flee the scene, while those pests, on the other hand, will meet their demise and get blown to pieces! EEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!!!

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Scorch: …

Slush: (This is bad… I’d better inform them about this as soon as possible! I just hope I’ll be able to avoid getting caught…)

Oh, no! Just when things were started to look up for our heroes, things have suddenly gotten worse! Although they were successful in convincing Squash that she’s been being manipulated by Mephiles, they still have Dr. Robotnik and Dr. Nega to cope with! Even if they are to stop Mephiles again for a fourth time, will they be able to muster the strength to put stop to the two doctors’ diabolical plan? Find out next time in Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power!

To “bee” continued…

Part 16

Previously, on Elements of Power, Knuckles, the Chaotix, and the rest of the heroes arrived at the Sandopolis Zone’s pyramid, which Mephiles and Squash were using as their “base of operations”. While they were there, they decided to take the opportunity to convince Squash that Mephiles had simply been using her all along. Initially, the Stone Goddess wasn’t convinced, but after taking her back in time to learn about Mephiles’ true motives and origin, she was lured over to the heroes’ side. Fueled by rage, Squash challenged Mephiles to a fight, and insisted that she takes him on alone.

However, Sonic and Shadow convinced her that it wasn’t just her own problem, and that they, too, had their own reasons for wanting to battle him. When the battle started, the heroes had the upper hand, but Mephiles retaliated by summoning a large, dark, shadowy creature to get them caught in its grip, attempting to squeeze the life out of them. Could it be that the heroes are finally going to meet their ends at the “hands” of Mephiles? Or will they find some way to overpower him, as they’ve done quite a few times in the past? Even if they do, will they have the strength to deal with the two Robotniks and their new machine, the “Egg Galaxia”? Will Slush arrive in time to warn them about their plan before it’s too late? Also, will she be able to pull it off without her cover getting blown? Find out on this exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

Here, we begin this part of the story at the entrance of Dr. Robotnik’s Mystic Ruins base, shortly after Scorch and Slush left to take part in the battle against Mephiles.

Nack: *Comes from the bushes* A’ight, Bean. It’s da close as clear. ‘De ice hag is gone.

Bean: *Comes out* So, exactly what’re we here for, anyway?

Nack: It’s simple. Robotnik most likely has one o’ dem emerald detector things at ‘is base, ‘n’ we’re gonna get ahold’ve, so we could find ‘da rest o’ dem Chaos Emeralds! ‘N’ if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll end up findin’ an emerald around da base, along WIT’ da detector! ‘N’ after we geddem all, we’re gonna be filthy, stinkin’ RICH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Bean: Umm, yeah. Whatever.

Nack: …

Y’know, Bean… You don’t seem like your usual self. Is somethin’ botherin’ ya?

Bean: That guy… He said his name was Mephiles the Dark, didn’t he?

Nack: Yeah, so?

Bean: Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he the same guy that Knuckles and his friends told us about before? The one who they trapped in the Master Emerald for trying to destroy the world?

Nack: Holy crap! Come ta think’ve it, you’re right! I thought da guy’s name sounded familiar!

Bean: Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust that guy. Not in the least.

Nack: Why’s ‘dat?

Bean: For starters, the guy is a nutcase. Secondly, how do we know that he has as much money as he claims? How do we even know for sure that he has any intention of paying us to begin with? As far as we know, he may very well end up pulling a Robotnik on us.

Nack: …

Y’know, Bean, ‘dose are some good points, but ah’m still lookin’ for de emeralds, anyway.

Bean: What!? Are you serious!?

Nack: Well, yeah, of course I am! I nevah pass up an opportunity ta earn ‘DAT kinda cash!

Bean: *Facepalm* Are you out of your mind!? Don’t be an idiot, Nack! Haven’t you learned anything from our experiences with Robotnik in the past!? If HE didn’t deliver on his promise to pay us for our services, then what makes you think Mephiles will!?

Nack: Whoa, whoa! Take a chill pill, will ya? Ya didn’t even gimme ‘da chance ta explain myself!

Bean: Okay then, what is it? Personally, I don’t think any explanation you come up with can justify that kind of stupidity.

Nack: Will ya just shaddap ‘n’ listen!? Like I was sayin’, I’m still gonna collect ‘da Chaos Emeralds, but if Mephiles truly don’t got ‘da money ta pay us, ‘den ah’mma bussa cap in ‘em!

Bean: Oh, yeah. Now THAT’S reassuring. *Rolls his eyes* Even so, what will that solve? That won’t change the fact that we’ll have wasted our time tracking down the Chaos Emeralds for an award we’re not going to get.

Nack: True, but even if Mephiles ain’t got da cash, we could always sell ‘em ta somebody who does. Ain’t ‘dat da reason we were tryin’ ta find ‘em in ‘da first place, even before we met ‘im?

Bean: …

Come to think of it, you’re right. What’re we waiting for, then? Let’s go inside, grab that detector, and find the emeralds so we could earn some cold, hard cash!

Nack: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Now you’re speakin’ my language! I knew ya’d come around! A’ight, let’s go!

After their conversation was over, Nack and Bean finally entered Robotnik’s base and began searching for an emerald detector, as well as a possible Chaos Emerald, which was suspected to be around there somewhere. While the two crooks were in the process of storming the base, Knuckles’, the Chaotix, and the rest of the heroes were still in the middle of their battle with Mephiles. Using his darkling powers, he was able to summon a large creature from the shadows, which still had everyone in its deadly grip.

Everyone: AAAAAAHHHHH!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, that’s right! Crush them all! I want to see them SUFFER! Keep going until each and every bone or circuit in their bodies is broken!

Charmy: Ihhhh…! W-What’re we gonna do, you guys!?

Vector: I dunno, but we’ve gotta break outta this somehow! Bomb, you could blast us outta here, can’t ‘cha?

Bomb: I could, but then I’d run the risk of blowing you up along with the monster.

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, now that’s too bad, isn’t it? *Notices the red and green Chaos Emeralds that Bomb and Shadow dropped* Hmm? What’s this? *Walks over to them and picks them up* Yes, just as I thought! They’re Chaos Emeralds! HAHAHAHAHAHA! That makes four of them so far… And I, of course, have YOU to thank for the first two, Squash!

Squash: GRRRR…

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Just three more to go and I’ll have all seven of them within my grasp!

Shadow: Tell us! Who was it that you “hired” to collect the rest of the emeralds for you!?

Mephiles: I don’t recall their names, but one of them was a green duck with a red bandana, and a purple weasel with a brown hat. I believe one of them called themselves “Nack the Sniper”, or was it “Fang the Weasel”?

Knuckles: So, the two of THEM are involved in this!? Why does that NOT surprise me one bit!?

Vector: Sheesh… Can ya BELIEVE that idiot!? How many times is ‘e gonna continue makin’ these kinda deals with people that can’t be trusted!?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Very soon, those two are going to be delivering the rest of the emeralds to me, and then my plan will be nearly complete! When that time comes, I’ll be sure to “award” them alright… With a one-way ticket to oblivion, that is! After that, the only thing that’ll be left to do is free Iblis from his captivity! With Iblis’ freedom, as well all seven Chaos Emeralds in my possession, the two of us can become one again! When that time comes, we’ll erase every inch and corner of this universe, and replace it with a grand new one, created in our own image! In order for that to happen, Scorch’s destruction is required! Well, not necessarily “required”… It’s possible to obtain the Fire Element Gem by other means, I just happen to think that’s the easiest, most satisfying solution! What’s the fun in going through all the trouble in getting it, if blood isn’t spilled in some way, shape, or form? HAHAHAHAAHAHHA…

Everyone: …

*Everyone looks extremely pissed off*

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Splash: OH THAT DOES IT! *Liquefies and drips through the hand’s fingers*

Mephiles: W-WHAT!?

Splash: I WON’T LET YOU TOUCH HER!!!

After turning into her liquefied form and dripping through the hand’s grasp, Splash shot towards Mephiles and crashed into him, causing him to get sent flying through the wall again.

Splash: *Solidifies* I’ve HAD it with you! You and your evil ways REALLY turn my stomach! Like I said before, you’re even WORSE than Robotnik, and I’m getting SICK of it! Time and time again, you’ve used and manipulated people around you, treating them as nothing more than mere tools to be used and disposed of when they’re no longer needed! You filled Squash’s head with nothing but lies to get my sister killed, not only for the purpose of furthering your sick, twisted goals, but for your own personal amusement, as well! That’s on top of the fact that you and Iblis have caused so much destruction already… You’ve taken SO many innocent lives, and you just DON’T know when to stop!!! How many people have you killed!? Hundreds!? Thousands!? HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU STOP KILLING!?

Everyone: …

Vector: Whoa, ‘n’ I thought it was scary, seein’ Blaze blow a fuse…

Blaze: …

Charmy: Yeah, I’d sure hate to be Mephiles right about now!

…

Get it, “bee Mephiles”? *Snickers*

Splash: *Glares at him*

Marine: It doesn’t look like she’s in the mood, mate.

Charmy: Sorry, sorry! I’m shutting up RIGHT now!

Heavy: Well, it’s about TIME! Anyway, now that she’s free, we need to focus on getting loose, ourselves. Bomb, is it possible for you to explode, using only enough power to harm the creature, rather than everyone else around you?

Bomb: Unfortunately, that’s not possible, since you’d all be within the range of the explosion.

Shadow: I have another idea. Squash, didn’t you say before that you have the power to control anything that’s made out of stone?

Squash: Yeah, so?

Shadow: Well, why don’t you take a look around you?

Squash: You’re right! This entire pyramid is made out of stone! I’ll see what I can do.

Following Shadow’s advice, Squash used her powers to summon a sharp stone pillar from the ground, launched it at the creature’s hands with a telekinetic force, and stabbed through it, killing the monster and causing it to lose its grip on everyone.

*Insert loud growl here, as it dies*

Charmy: Yay! We’re free again!

Marine: That was bonza!

Knuckles: Alright, Mephiles! No more games! It’s time we’ve settled this once and for all!

Shadow: Yes, and like I said before, we won’t allow you to escape this time! This is one battle you won’t be walking away from!

Mephiles: *Gets up* What, and pass up an opportunity to destroy you? I wouldn’t dream of it! This time around, you WILL die! It’s time we’ve finally put an end to our eleven-year feud, don’t you agree? All of you, prepare yourselves for a one-way ticket to oblivion! *Creates a bunch of clones of himself*

*The heroes and the Mephiles clones charge toward one another and begin the battle*

Meanwhile, outside of the pyramid, far into the distance…

Scorch: So, this is the Sandopolis Zone. Judging by how quiet it is around here, the battle against Mephiles must be taking place inside of the pyramid. I wonder what’s keeping Slush? Perhaps she’s decided not to come after all? It’s either that, or she took a different route. In any case, I’m sure she’ll show up eventually, since she was so dead-set on coming here, even after I warned her about the heat. In the meantime, I’m gonna head over to the pyramid to put Mephiles in his place! When that’s all said and done, maybe then I’ll settle my score with-…!

*Cue flashback*

Tikal: Scorch, it’s not too late, you know. You can still abandon Robotnik before he turns on you.

Scorch: Enough about that! Robotnik ISN’T using me, okay!?

Tikal: Like I said before, I’m only trying to-

Scorch: Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re trying to help me, right? I told you before; I don’t need, nor do I WANT any help from you!

Tikal: I know you’re still angry about the incident from all those years ago, but please hear me out! I know we haven’t gotten along very well in the past, but still… I just don’t want to see you get hurt!

Scorch: Why do YOU care, anyway?

Tikal: Because… When we first met, you were bad to the core. As I said before, you were hardly any better than Iblis or Mephiles, but now…you’re different. I could see that you’ve changed a lot since then. I know that deep down inside, you’re a good person. And besides, I saw how heartbroken you were while you were under the impression that the real Robotnik had used and betrayed you. I just don’t want you to have to feel that same sadness all over again. I’m pretty sure Splash doesn’t want that, either.

[…]

Tikal: It’s quite a shame that things have to be this way between us, Scorch. To tell you the truth, I really wish that you didn’t hate me, because I don’t hold a grudge against you. I never have, in fact.

[…]

Tikal: […] does this mean we can put the past behind us and let bygones be bygones?

*End flashback*

Scorch: Gah… Why is it that even now, I STILL can’t stop thinking about this…? As soon as I begin to have thoughts of getting my revenge on Tikal, THAT keeps popping up! What’s going on…? Am I…getting soft? Could it be…that I’m actually starting to like her…? No, just…NO! That can’t be! I’ve spent thousands of years trapped because of her!
…

*Sighs* Ever since that day, I’ve dreamed of nothing but revenge. Part of me still wants to rip her to shreds, but the other part…really does want to “let bygones be bygones”. Honestly, she’s made it a lot harder for me to hate her now, especially since she’s been shown to have such a warm and caring heart, just like Splash. Although I’ve never had a nice thing to say to her, and even tried to kill her a few times, she’s still managed to show concern for me…

???: Aww, now isn’t that touching?

Scorch: Huh!? *Turns around* Slush, it’s you… How long have you been there, exactly?

Slush: Long enough to hear you talking to yourself, let’s just put it that way.

Scorch: Listen, you cannot tell anyone, especially Tikal, that I said that!

Slush: Why not? What are you so ashamed of?

Scorch: If word gets out about that, it’ll destroy my reputation! Even I’VE got an image to keep, you know.

Slush: …

Okay, whatever. Your secret’s safe with me. This conversation never happened.

Scorch: Good.

Slush: By the way, did you see the Robotniks pass by?

Scorch: No, I didn’t. It’s either we’re ahead of them, or it’s the other way around.

Slush: (I certainly hope it’s the latter. If so, then there’s still time to warn everyone about this! If not, then I’ll just have to deactivate that bomb somehow, before it’s too late!) *Runs off*

Scorch: *Follows*

Elsewhere, back at the battlefield, everyone was still fighting off Mephiles and his clones. As before, no matter how many of them they destroyed, they continued to re-spawn.

Bark: Man, there’s just no end to these guys!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHA… Surely, you must have realized that you cannot hope to stop ME with your limited power?

Espio: You’re awfully full of yourself for someone who’s been defeated at least three other times prior to this battle.

Mephiles: …

Shock: Yeah. If you’re as powerful as you claim, then why do you need Iblis?

Mephiles: Oh, don’t get me wrong… With or without Iblis, I still possess enough power to send you all to oblivion. It’s just that merging with him is the quickest, most effective way of wiping everyone and everything out of existence.

Storm: Exactly what do you hope to accomplish, here? You said you were aiming to erase everyone from existence, right? Doesn’t that also include you?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Your concern is touching, it really is! However, there is nothing to worry about, as Iblis and I will be protected by the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Secondly, wouldn’t you all like to live in a-

Vector: Oh, gimme a BREAK! Are you freakin’ serious? Are you REALLY tryin’ ta pull that “peace and prosperity” crap on us again?

Knuckles: Yeah, because it’s a lie! Like I told you earlier, that’s something that no one in their right mind would believe!

Sonic: Seriously, not even Knuckles is gullible enough to buy THAT one, and he’s been tricked by Ro-butt-nik about a thousand-

Knuckles: *Glares*

Sonic: Okay, bad choice of words.

Blaze: You’ve lost all credibility a long time ago, Mephiles. Knuckles is right; after your recent displays of sadism, as well as everything you’ve done before then, no one in their right mind would believe that you’re destroying this world to replace it with a peaceful one!

Silver: Yeah, so save that bogus story for someone who’s never met you!

Heavy: I honestly doubt he’s trying to convince us this time around. He can’t seriously think, at this point, that we’d be stupid enough to buy that. I have the strangest feeling that he’s simply stalling for something.

Bomb: You just may be onto something, Heavy.

Mephiles: …

Mighty: Yeah, I mean, after all, he DID say that he “hired” Nack and Bean to collect the rest of the emeralds for him.

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHA… That’s quite perceptive of you! Now, what do you say we put an end to all the chatter and finish this?

Wechnia: That’s fine with us. We’re ready when you are.

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA… Behold the power of the Chaos Emeralds!

Shortly after that, Mephiles released the four emeralds into the air, and absorbed their power. Due to the fact that he didn’t have all seven, he was unable to undergo a super transformation. He did, however, manage to get a power boost.

Mephiles: *Starts charging up a large energy beam* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Dodge this one if you can, fools! Although, I think it’s fair that I warn you that this next attack will be powerful enough to destroy this entire pyramid, and I highly doubt you’ll be able to escape in time!

Vector: Ah, CRUD!

Sonic: Uh oh! That doesn’t sound good!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, of course it does! For ME, that is!

Tikal: We have to do something!

Charmy: Yeah, but what CAN we do, though!?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, I’ll tell you what you can do… You can all stand there and DIE, you bothersome insects! It’s time I’ve crushed you beneath my heel! *Hovers into the air* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR YOUR ONE-WAY TICKET TO OBLIVION!!!

Upon hovering into the air, Mephiles fired a large emerald-powered energy beam at everyone. Just in time before it hit, Tails used his fake emerald to create an energy shield to protect everyone from Mephiles’ attack.

Mephiles: WHAT!?

Tails: Ihhhh…!

Sonic: Whew! Nice going, Tails! So far, this is the second time I’ve been saved by that fake emerald!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHA… Yes, you may have been saved for the time being, but you are merely delaying the inevitable! Soon, that shield is going to run out of energy, and all of you will meet your demise!

Thanks to some quick thinking, Tails was able to save himself and everyone else from Mephiles’ deadly onslaught…for the time being, at least. How long will he be able to keep this up? Will our heroes find a solution to this problem before they get themselves caught in Mephiles’ emerald-powered energy beam? Find out on the next exciting chapter of Knuckles’ Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

To “bee” continued…