A Case of Mistaken Identity

Chapter 5: Speed and Chaos

Twilight and Shadow had reached the area where Knuckles guarded the Master Emerald. Once they reached the top, Twilight's eyes were sparkling in awe of the powerful gem before her. "Wow! So this is the master emerald?" she asked.

Knuckles woke up from his little nap, seeing Twilight and Shadow. He got up and approached the two. "Yes, it is," he said. "It contains immense power that is not to be trifled with, even for a princess like you."

Twilight looked stunned. "I-immense power? How immense is it?"

Knuckles grinned. "It's the only power source that lifts this island literally in the air. It's the only thing that can deactivate the Chaos Emeralds as well, as we need to if they're used the wrong way."

Twilight put a finger on her chin, thinking for a few seconds. "Are you the only one who can control the Master Emerald, since you're its guardian?"

Knuckles nodded. "Yep. I have to protect it, or else not only does this island fall onto the ocean, but the entire world is at risk of being taken over or destroyed."

Twilight gasped. "That's terrible! Who in their right mind would try to take over or destroy a world?"

"Somebody who doesn't have a right mind-set..." Knuckles looked up, then pointed to the sky. "...like Dr. Eggman."

Twilight and Shadow turned to seethe Egg Carrier heading straight for Angel Island. Twilight's eyes widened in horror, while Shadow harrumphed. Knuckles crackled his fists, getting ready for the usual fight, while Twilight looked at the two, shocked at what she was seeing. "How can you two be so calm at a time like this?!"

"This happens all the time. We're used to it by now," Shadow replied. He put a reassuring hand on the blue hedgehog. "Have some fun with Eggman's robots. According to Sonic, his Egg Pawns are nothing."

By that time, the robots landed on the Island. The ones surrounding the three pointed their weapons at them, while the three took defensive positions. Twilight looked nervous, wondering how in the heck she'd be able to take down these robots, when Shadow answered that question for her. She saw him take the first strike by using a Homing Attack on the nearest robot. That made the robots fire their weapons, and made Twilight dodge frantically. Knuckles struck with a few punches that tore holes on the robots he was facing, while Shadow continued his assault with his Chaos Spear. Twilight didn't know what to do, until she realized that Shadow and Sonic were about the same, except with Shadow's Chaos abilities. She tightened her fists, then struck with her own Homing Attack on a robot. The robot blew up a few meters from the force of the attack, and she was wide-eyed. She then smiled menacingly, and started a chain of attacks of her own. Out of the corners of their eyes, Shadow and Knuckles watched her while taking care of their own robots. Once the robots were finished, Twilight breathed a sigh of relief from all of what was happening. Knuckles walked up to her and grinned. "Not bad for a starter, Princess."

Twilight blushed. "Thanks."

"All well and good," Shadow said. "Bet we've got one more problem on our hands."

Sure enough, Dr. Eggman landed on the island, piloting a giant mech. Twilight grew a serious expression on her as she said, "Dr. Eggman!"

"Oh, ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!" Was the usual laugh from the doctor. "Hello, dear friends. If you would so kindly let me-" He then stopped as soon as he thought about the unusually serious expression from his eternal nemesis. He placed his hands on his console as he leaned closer. "Sonic? Is that you?"

"Not anymore," Knuckles said. "Due to some unfortunate mishap, he's now Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Eggman just stayed there for merely a few seconds, then he erupted into laughter. He just couldn't believe what he was hearing. "'Princess Twilight Sparkle. What a classic! Pardon me, your highness," he said sarcastically, and bowed to her, "but this is no time for tea talk with all sunshine and rainbows. All I need is to borrow the Master Emerald for my own-"

"No." Was the response from the princess. She got furious as soon as the doctor mentioned tea with sunshine and rainbows. "You will not touch the Master Emerald."

Now the doctor grinned at the blue hedgehog. "And just how are you going to make me, Princess? You don't know any of Sonic's moves!"

As the doctor laughed, Twilight stood up and grinned. She then charged up a powerful Spin Dash and, once it was fully charged, she got herself in an athlete's starting position. "Ready..."

Eggman stopped laughing and looked at what was happening. "WHAT?!"

But it was too late, for as soon as Twilight yelled, "GO!" the Spin Dash, combined with Shadow's own, tore through the robot, making an explosion behind them. As a result, Eggman got blasted to the sky and onto the Egg Carrier. The resulting damage made the carrier retreat to the horizon, per Eggman's command. Twilight and Shadow then ran back to Knuckles, where he said as soon as they arrived, "Never underestimate a princess. Especially if she is in Sonic's body and is a quick learner. That was pretty good, I'll admit."

Twilight blushed again. "Aww. Thanks, Knuckles." She then grew serious. "Is he going to come back?"

"Count on it." Shadow said. "He's gonna keep trying to take over this world no matter how many times we beat him."

Twilight growled. "He needs to learn the Magic of Friendship, then."

Knuckles laughed. "Slow down there, Princess. First of all, he's not going to learn this 'Magic of Friendship' any time soon. Secondly, if you try to change his mind, what's Sonic gonna do for the rest of his life? Run away from Amy? He needs someone to keep him running, and Eggman's the perfect candidate for it."

Twilight looked shocked. "But, if he learns it, peace will come to this world."

"Sonic wants adventure. He's gonna keep running regardless. If there's no adventure, we all turn into washed up heroes. Sonic hates that, so he needs Eggman to keep him running." Knuckles continued.

Twilight slowly nodded in understanding. "I understand. If that's what he wants, then I won't stop him from running."

Shadow and Knuckles nodded. "Just be sure to keep Eggman at bay whenever he attacks." Shadow said.

Twilight nodded. "So what's next?"