Maretime Bay

Knuckles stood still as he watched Angel Island from afar.

He just finished helping Hitch clear Maretime Bay of so many badniks. Now that that job was done, he was standing near the many balconies that were around the town, more specifically the ones closest to the beach, which in turn are the closest to Angel Island.

As guardian of the island and the Master Emerald, Knuckles had to fulfill his role. Maybe he couldn't access it at the moment, but he was close to it. He would do his duty no matter what. Furthermore, Eggman seems to be more interested in obtaining those damn Unity Crystals and not so much in the power of the Master Emerald.

However, Knuckles knew well that Eggman would not waste any opportunity to use the fearsome power of the Emerald if necessary. And if his instinct didn't fail, he would definitely use it whenever it suits him...

"Hey!" A male voice suddenly called, breaking Knuckles out of his thoughts and irritating him.

The echidna deadpanned and shook his head, then turned around and found Hitch, who was still carrying that baby dragon on his back. Didn't he have a babysitter, or was no one trained to take care of a fire-breathing baby? That makes you wonder who the real baby is: The dragon, or who is supposed to take care of it.

"What do you want? I'm kinda busy over here," Knuckles replied with a frown and his arms crossed.

"Busy watching over your floating island?" Hitch asked with a bored expression. "That thing's not going anywhere! You really think your bad guy's gonna move the whole island away when he has his grand price near by?"

"I don't give a damn for those Crystals of yours," Knuckles stated, then turned back to see Angel Island. "The island is my home, and protecting the Master Emerald is my duty. Off the island or not, it'll always be. I'm just doing what my tribe is cursed to do until the very day I die. If you wanna tell me not to do my job, then get lost."

"I was just gonna say if you could move over to the left, man..." Hitch deadpanned. "We need to put Sunny's smoothie stand on its place again!"

Knuckles turned to Hitch's side and saw a unicorn mare levitating a big white stand that had pink stripes. It also had a giant smoothie sign on top. Knuckles decided to obey to the petition and moved more to the left, allowing the unicorn mare to place the stand back on place.

The mare let out a relieved sigh before turning around and leave. Hitch waved her with a thankful smile, but when he looked back at Knuckles, he got kinda concerned when he noticed he kept looking at Angel Island.

Curious, the Sheriff approached and sat on his side, although Knuckles didn't reacted to this. "So... How powerful is this Master Emerald you talk nonstop about?"

"Powerful enough to wipe out entire civilizations," Knuckles replied, and that sentence alone made Hitch's cool drop away.

"...I'm sorry, what?!" The Sheriff exclaimed in panic.

"That's what it did to my ancestors, the Knuckles Clan, ages ago." Knuckles stated. "We were cursed to watch over it as a punishment, and destroy anyone that tries to take it away. If they do so, they kill Angel Island... And eventually me as well."

"...Wait, so that thing about you being the last echidna... It is true?!"

"Unfortunately..." Knuckles nodded, and his expression actually reflected some sadness. "At least I got my friends now, but... a part of me kinda wishes I wasn't the last echidna around. It's probably for the best that's the case, though."

"How could be the last of your own kind be a good thing?" Hitch asked in disbelief.

"You get space for yourself. Lots of space. And time to think as well." Knuckles replied, then smiled a bit. "When there's so many people around, they notice you're down and wanna know why, but sometimes you're just not in the mood to talk. You just want space, a lonely moment with your own thoughts, and some people don't seem to understand that."

"But if you've been lonely your whole life, doesn't the crushing loneliness eventually gets to you?" Hitch asked.

To this, all Knuckles could really do was let out a sigh. "Yes. It does. More times than I'll like to admit."

Hitch said nothing this time, and limited himself to stare into the island along the echidna. This short conversation seemed to make Knuckles a bit mad, although it wasn't with Hitch. As he saw Sparky suddenly approach to his leg and hug it, Knuckles felt kinda awkward, although he really didn't minded the gesture.

Hitch did, though, and his eyes widened in panic, so he quickly picked Sparky again. "Sorry for that, Knuckles."

Knuckles just shrugged, then decided to walk away. He was getting mad the more he thought on his loneliness in Angel Island, so he choose to leave and do what he does best on something else before hurting somepony by mistake.

"Uh, where are you going?" Hitch asked, but he got no response. So, to make sure Knuckles wouldn't do anything stupid nor get in trouble, he put Sparky on his back and followed the echidna.

Beach

Eventually, the last echidna warrior, Maretime Bay's Sheriff and Sparky reached the beach.

There, Knuckles began to hit a rock with his bare fists. He was releasing all his anger over the rock, imagining it was Eggman's face that he crushed for taking away his island and his Emerald.

"What are you doing?" Hitch asked confused.

"What does it look like that I'm doing to you?! I'm hitting this rock!" Knuckles replied, then hit the rock harder and managed to make a small crack.

"I know and can see that, but why?" The Sheriff questioned again.

"A, Because it's good for my muscles. And B, Because this is how I unleash my anger to de-stress!" Knuckles replied, then hit the rock one last time and split it in two. "Eggman's got my island and my Emerald. The least I can do is imagine this rock is his face."

"Don't you think imagining the rock is someone's face just to inspire you to hit it harder is a bit overkill?" Hitch questioned a bit concerned.

"This is the same guy that almost killed your best friend after she tried to offer him another exit, and also attacked your town with his robots." Knuckles pointed out. "If anything, you should be joining me."

Hitch was taken a bit aback after hearing this, but before he could tell anything, Knuckles brought out another rock and put it in front of the one he already shattered.

"Here. Give it a shot."

"Um, I don't know, Knuckled..." The Sheriff took a step back. "I'm not really the kind of violent guy, more the one that stays on line and follows the rules. Besides, I don't think I'm as strong as you to brake a rock, you know?"

"Then let me inspire you." Knuckles declared with a grin, then he zoomed to Hitch's side and made his face focus on the rock. "Based on everything you told me, that piece of crap called Opaline kidnapped your son and then came to your town to spread fear, chaos and steal your magical butt-tattoos. She also made your best friend feel hopeless, then this guy - Eggman - comes over to do the exact same thing, but with a difference: He will kill your little friend if he wants to."

Just being reminded about Opaline kidnapping Sparky made Hitch feel mad already, but with everything else Knuckles was mentioning, he was getting more and more mad. And finally, when Knuckles mentioned Eggman would kill Sunny if necessary, he lost his cool, and with a loud warrior cry, Hitch rushed against the rock, imagining it was both Opaline and Eggman, then proceed to kick the rock with his hind legs, making a slight crack on the rock.

Then, followed by this, Hitch turned around and kicked the rock with his forelegs, finally braking it in half. Hitch panted heavily after releasing his sudden anger, then when the realization of what he did finally kicked in, he... Smiled.

"Huh... That felt... So satisfying..." Hitch said with smile. "Is this how you always feel when fighting this guy? Or anyone in general?"

"Oh, I feel even better than that!" Knuckles declared with a grin. "If anything, I recommend you to try and imagine the badniks as either Opaline or Eggman. You know, to release your anger even more. It can also help you to depend less on your magic. You never know."

Hitch smiled after hearing all of this. "I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the tip, Knuckles!"

Crystal Brighthouse

Sonic had faced many adversities throughout his life, some much harder than others.

His patience rarely wore thin unless his friends were messed with. He liked to relax, sit on the beaches watching the sunset and sunrise, eat Chilidogs with all the patience in the world, go out with his friends and do anything... He even loved to read! For a common athlete, reading could be boring, but for Sonic it was an interesting activity.

However, this pony - Sunny - was managing to do something he thought impossible: Exhaust his patience just by existing.

Well, just existing wasn't the problem, but Sunny seemed to be very amazed by the idea that everything could be achieved with the power of unity and friendship. Sonic had to hold back rolling his eyes every time he heard Sunny say that.

She was recounting the adventures she has had with her friends so far, as well as explaining in more detail how she managed to confront Opaline with her friends and... beat her with a song. Sonic hoped that part was a bad joke when she and her friends first say that, but in the end it turns out that it is true that the "greatest threat of Equestria" was defeated... with a damn song.

And to make matters worse, it seems that Sunny is very determined to protect the Crystals because she doesn't want to lose their magic. Sonic feels like it's just an excuse to not openly say that she doesn't want to lose what makes her feel special, when that shouldn't be the case. If Sonic lost his speed, he wouldn't care, because he would continue doing what he always does and confront Eggman no matter what. What makes him stand out is not his power, but his heart of gold willing to help anyone in need because that is the right thing for him.

Maybe that's why he tries not to be so hard on Sunny, because even though her little fantasy world was idiotic, he knew she had good intentions... But the fact that she's so focused on protecting something that doesn't make her who she is made him upset.

"And then the Together Tree grew and trapped Opaline inside of it, forever!" Sunny finished narrating her story.

"...So that thing about beating your villain with a song actually happened?" Sonic questioned, laying on a wall of the Crystal Room. "And here I was hoping you were just messing with me..." He rolled his eyes. "Although I'm not surprised. You said you could use brute force better than me, and yet Eggman kicked your ass big time."

"I know, I know..." Sunny rolled her eyes after hearing that for what felt like the millionth time that day.

"Not to mention, your dumb attempt at "help him redeem himself"," Sonic added with a deadpan. "Seriously, what's with you and helping out everyone that's done terrible things? Like it or not, not all the villains can change, and this Opaline gal should've shown you that already!"

"It doesn't stop me from trying!" Sunny said with a determinate look. "And can you please stop rubbing in my face what happened with Eggman? I get it! It wasn't the right moment to do so!"

"No, it just wasn't the right thing to do at all," Sonic remarked, now frowning. "If you still believe that Eggman can change, then you're more delusional than I give you credit for."

"Of course he can! There's a little bit of good inside anyone!" Sunny declared, then she passed by Sonic and looked at Maretime Bay from the balcony with a smile.

"Oh boy, here comes the monologue..." Sonic groaned and rolled his eyes again.

"Equestria is a land filled with second chances," Sunny declared. "Everyone has a spark in them that pushes them to do something good. That tiny spark can expand and fill anyone with joy! I know it may be hard for you to believe, Sonic, but I know from the bottom of my heart that Eggman can change for good..."

Sunny closed her eyes with a smile and let the wind caress her fur and mane alike. She looked like she was about to open her mouth, but then Sonic stood up from the Crystal Room, staring at Sunny blankly as he shook his head in disbelief.

"If you let loose singing, I'm going to throw up..." Sonic said in a tired voice.

Sunny's eyes snapped open, then she deadpanned and turned around to look at Sonic. "Hey, I'm just saying that I have nothing to lose by trying. One can always change for the better!"

A tune started playing in the background, and as soon as Sonic noticed this, he rolled his eyes again. "Actually, you have a lot to lose by trying, like your time, your dignity if you still have any, and if you continue to insist on helping him, you will only make Eggman want to come for these Crystals of yours even more."

"But I––" Sunny tried to add, a few musical notes playing in the background and all.

But Sonic just put his finger in Sunny's mouth and silenced her, interrupting the background music in the process. "Don't push the issue, girl. Eggman is far from redeemable, and if the fact that he always comes back for more doesn't make that clear to you, maybe you're just a naive, dreamy girl playing adult."

Sunny frowned after hearing this and removed Sonic's finger from her mouth. "Excuse me?! You think it's easy for me to think that someone as bad as Eggman wants the Unity Crystals?! The last villain that tried to do that almost succeeded! I-I thought all Equestria was doomed the moment Opaline took my Cutie Mark away!"

"All that drama just for her to be defeated by a song?" Sonic deadpanned. "And I thought the Deadly Six were pathetic..."

"Ugh, why do I even bother talking with you?!" Sunny exclaimed irritated, walking back inside the Crystal Room, with Sonic following her. "All you do is remark in my face that Opaline was defeated with a song!"

"Well, sorry for thinking that stopping a hungry-power tyrant with a little song is stupid!" Sonic remarked with a frown. "Although I'm not surprised, either. You couldn't resist a fight with Eggman, so of course you were not a match for this Opaline girl. How's that Equestria hasn't fallen to any baddie's hands yet is beyond me!"

Sunny turned to him with a fierce look on her eyes, but Sonic didn't felt any intimidated. To him, all these ponies trying to be angry and look like they could snap you in a half is the equivalent to a puppy fighting with his little paws against their owner just 'cause it's not getting enough attention.

"Look, I'll admit that you having Alicorn powers goes hard, no doubt!" Sonic admitted while raising his hands in defense. "But that just makes you loosing your magic butt-tattoo––"

"Cutie Mark," Sunny corrected, not really happy right now.

"It could be literally called "Magic Tattoo in my Ass" and I wouldn't give a damn!" Sonic said stressed. "The fact that you lost it, that Eggman wiped the ground with you, and the fact that you're a freaking Alicorn makes it a lot worse! You say you wanna protect Equestria, but how are you gonna do that if they wipe your ass?! You don't even qualify as a leader!"

Oh, that did made something ignite in Sunny. "That does it!" She screamed, then tried to launch herself against Sonic, but the blue blur moved aside, which made Sunny crash into the glass of the Crystal Room.

"Bold move from your part, by the way," Sonic mocked up with a grin.

Sunny groaned, then separated her face from the glass, shook her head, and then turned around to see Sonic again. "What do you mean I don't qualify as a leader?"

"A leader is supposed to make the hard choices and put the others' lives first," Sonic pointed out. "They also are willing to give up their own desires just to sacrifice themselves and let the others live how they want. But most importantly, a leader has a plan! You just went blind into a fight with Opaline, and then what? You were gonna give her your little speech on how she can improve and be better?"

"I... Well, kinda––" Sunny tried to add.

"Exactly my point!" Sonic zoomed into her face with a frown. "For everything you're telling me, Starscout, you wanna give irredeemable monsters second chances because why not? You also seem devoted to protect your floating Crystals with magic because they're powerful... Oh, wait! That's not it! You wanna protect them because it gives you a couple of wings and a horn that make you feel like some goddess! Come on, Sunny. You think you can fool me?"

Sunny's eyes widened after hearing this, and she looked around the room, but then tried to chuckle and shrug Sonic's words off. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Then why did you stutter to speak?" Sonic questioned, now crossing his arms. "We have very different concept of what's wrong and right, and that's something we can't change. We can live with that, right?"

"Yeah. As much as I disagree with you and highly believe Eggman can change, though..." Sunny rolled her eyes.

"Again, we can't change that," Sonic remarked. "But then explain me what's so special about your little powers that you don't wanna loose them to Eggman so badly. Because for what I saw, you can only levitate stuff and create golden bubbles and shields. Didn't you said Opaline tried to blast your butt with a fire beam or something? Why not do the same but with a light beam, or whatever your magic's made of? That would be cool! And more useful than a little bubble that can be popped with a magic needle!"

"Where's anypony gonna get a magic needle?!" Sunny questioned with wide eyes.

"You've got trees with magic, special crystals with magic, normal crystal with magic and, if that little incident of you turning into a kid is true, magic glitter," Sonic pointed out with a deadpan. "If you think a magic needle is impossible, you're just summing up another thing more to my "Why I'm disappointed in this talking horse with a rainbow streak" list."

"You really are making a list now?" Sunny deadpanned back, and as Sonic nodded with a grin, she groaned and rolled her eyes again. "Remind me why are you helping me out to protect these things?"

"Because I want and can," Sonic replied, still grinning. "Well, that, and because I do what I think is right. Helping you out and avoid your town getting reduced to ashes by Eggman is the right thing. I just do what I gotta do!"

"Even if you go against the rules?" Sunny arched an eyebrow.

"Girl, I have two policies in life: Live life to the max, and just follow MY rules!" Sonic declared while raising his fingers. "If people like it or not is not my problem, I just let the wind tell me what to do."

"...You talk with the wind?" Sunny deadpanned.

"Your Sheriff friend talks with animals, what's your point?" Sonic deadpanned back.

Suddenly, however, the entire ground rumbled, startling the hedgehog and the Earth Pony mare.

They immediately rushed to the balcony and saw outside at a red, black, and chrome robot with a yellow metal mustache and spikes all over its body. It has a star bumper shield and rocket launchers on its back, as well as a big white glove with eight tubes. Seven of them were small and had red, blue, yellow, green, purple, light blue and white energy, while the bigger tube had only light green energy.

The robot was hitting some kind of shield forming around the Crystal Brighthouse, a shield that also showed the image of a pink six point star with five white sparkles around it.

"Uh... Ever since when this place has a shield?" Sonic asked confused.

"Ever since forever!" Sunny replied. "Twilight Sparkle put a spell on the Crystals to keep them save from anyone that comes after them. Opaline managed to destroy it when she got all the Cutie Mark magic she needed, now it seems Eggman's trying the same!"

"...Who in their sane mind would call their child "Twilight"?" Sonic asked confused, earning a slight glare from Sunny. "Anyways. It seems like you do know your game, kiddo. I just hope the shield is strong enough to resist that robot's Chaos Energy..."

"What's Chaos Energy?" Sunny asked.

"Basically, the energy Eggman used to hack into your magic Crystals and drag us all to Equestria––" Sonic explained, but as both him and Sunny realized what he was saying, their eyes widened.

"Ah, crap!" Both of them exclaimed, turning back to the robot - the Egg Beater - with frowns.

Author's Note

Cliffhanger!

Don't worry, we'll see how this ends up in the next two chapters. And trust me: Shit's going down hard.

Constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks for reading! Bye!