Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, the Chaotix, Robo Knuckles, etc. are © to Sega.
Eliza, Az, etc. are of my property. Don’t use them without permission, unless you want a rabid hamster in your sock. The universe from which the dictator came from is the property of the great Captain Chaotica/Chaos Theory (http://emperor_cartagia.tripod.com), with some adjustments. Used with permission. The name ‘Anashi Korel’ (Which is Knux’s real name in my verse) is also her creation, and I give her full credit, as well as a non-existent cupcake. Go read her fics, you!
Eliza is pronounced é-lee-za.

                                       Power corrupts. Power absolute corrupts absolutely.


Corrosion
by: Dr. Sipp

”SIR!” Snively scuttled into Dr. Robotnik’s main chamber.

”What, Snively?” Robotnik was not in the best of moods, and his nephew’s appearance didn’t improve things.

”An unidentified air craft is heading towards the West Wing of Robotropolis.”

Snively had his full attention.

”What?”

”It appears to be an escape pod from a spaceship.”

”How fast?”

”500 kilometres. It’s going to crash.”

”What sector?”

”J-18.”

”Get a team of SWATbots in there.”

The pod swirled closer, and closer to the ground. But the occupant wasn’t afraid. Calmly, the person put its fist through the glass, effortlessly shattering it. Immediately, wind whipped at its face. It jumped, leaping clean out of the craft, and onto the top of a building. The pod impacted with the floor, exploding into an inferno of fire and lights. The figure chuckled, pulled a cloak around itself, and walked away, as a patrol of SWATbots arrived at the scene.

”Snively!” bellowed Robotnik, “What was in that pod?”

”We don’t know, sir. But it appears there was an occupant, who broke out before the crash.”

”And that would be…?”

A cloaked figure marched onto the scene. All that was visible of the mysterious being was a pair of bright, yellow eyes.

”Who are you?” barked Robotnik. He was nervous. How could this person have penetrated the defences so easily?”

”I am Mecha Bot six.”

”Mecha Bot six?! I know of no Mecha Bot six!”

”Well, now you do, Doctor. Shut down Robotropolis and evacuate Robotropolis immediately.”

”SWATbots!”

”There’s no need for that, doctor. I have cut off all communication lines.”

”What do you want?”

Julian’s eyes darted around him.

”I already told you. Leave. This is now my terrain.”

”I don’t know who you think you are,” Robotnik hissed, “But do you really expect me to-“

He stopped talking, and gaped, as a beam of gold-coloured light formed, then was thrown at the computer beside him. The ball collided with the mechanism, and it exploded.
Robotnik gulped.

”I’m going to tell you this only one more time. Leave.”

Robotnik knew he had lost. He shut down the city, and climbed into his hover car, glowering, as Snively followed. Robo Knuckles had gone off on his own, and Metal Sonic was on a mission. No robots to protect him. The figure’s eyes never left the craft, as it ignited, and sped off.
Before they had left, the person calmly told them,

”I have a tracking device on that ship. Don’t try anything.”
The unknown, who was probably female, judging by the voice, watched the retreating vehicle while chuckling to herself.

”That idiot doesn’t know how to use his own power properly.”

She sauntered over to the computers, typing madly. Soon the whole of Robotropolis would be at her access. And she knew exactly where to start….


******

”Mr. Guardian, sir! MR. GUARDIAN!”

Knuckles the Echidna was getting quite tired of hearing that phrase.

”What happened?”

”The chameleons, sir-“

”Attacked?”

”No. Gone.”

Knux cocked a quizzical eyebrow.

”What?”

”Come look for yourself. Rainbow Valley is deserted.”

Knuckles was suspicious.

”Are you sure they’re not camouflaged?”

”Positive. Follow me.”

The smaller echidna led the Guardian, straight to Rainbow Valley. There were traces of an assault… doors ripped off their hinges, blast marks. The other echidna, whose name will rest anonymous, was crouched by a small, female chameleon. She was neon blue, and couldn’t have been older than five.
Knux kneeled beside the shaking, sobbing girl, and lifted her chin with his hand.

”What happened?” he asked, in the gentlest voice he could muster. The chameleon stared at him for a second, then threw herself into his arms.

”Oh, Mr. Guardian…It was horrible.”

She choked into another sob, and Knux became nervous.

”It’s okay…” His shaking hand rubbed against her back, and she seemed to be comforted by the gesture of support. He allowed himself an internal, nervous smile. He was getting better at this.

”Last night…” the child sniffled, “These… huge metal robots stomped through the village…” she hiccupped.

Knux contemplated this. SWATbots?

”What did they look like?”

”They were all grey... and their heads...” she broke down, again.

”As I thought. SWATbots.”

The chameleon looked up at him, with big, imploring eyes.

”You’ll find all the chameleons, won’t you?”

He smiled reassuringly.

”Of course.”

”Okay.”

The messenger took the girl.

”C’mon, kid. We’ll take you somewhere safe.”

Knuckles said nothing, but stood erect, chin in hand.

What would Robotnik want with the chameleons? And chameleons only?

”Hey!” a familiar voice interrupted his train of thought, “Knux!” It was Vector, followed by the rest of the Chaotix, and Az. Espio was not present.

”What happened?”

”It looks like Robotnik kidnapped all the chameleons.”

Mighty frowned.

”Only them?”

A nod.

”That’s not his style… something’s up.”

Ray spoke up, for the first time.

”What if it’s not him?”

*****

The cell door clanked open, and a figure, draped in dark cloths, stepped in, as it closed behind her.

”Who are you?” one of the chameleons growled.

”Your master.”

One of the reptiles snorted. If this, indeed, was their captor, they’d have to be insane to step into a room full of angry chameleons. She was outnumbered three hundred to one.

”And what makes you think we’ll listen to you?”

She took a step forward, yellow eyes glowing.

”You will.”

The captives were getting restless. The person’s confident attitude was getting on their nerves.

”Oh, yeah?” one of the braver chameleons snarled, stepping forward. ”Master this!”

He lunged towards her. The figure didn’t move an inch, but thrust her garbed arm out, hand outstretched. The collision happened, and the mobian howled with pain, as he was thrown backwards. Others rushed by his side, but he stood up on his own.

”Master.” He bowed low, and expressions of horror filled the room.

”What have you done to him?”

”He is at peace. Join him.”

Without warning, she sprang towards the crowd, swiping at them with her hands. Most fell prey to her attacks, and suffered- or enjoyed, rather, the same fate as that first bold chameleon.
Within a minute, the word:

”Master,” was uttered in perfect harmony all around the cell. ‘Master’ smiled. Her plan was going perfectly.

”Next destination- Knothole.”

That night…

Amy Rose shifted in her bed.

”What’s wrong with me?” she mumbled. “Why can’t I sleep?”

Tumbling out of bed, she ventured outside. She had a feeling something terrible was about to happen... maybe Sonic could help her out…

She was in luck! He was changing shifts with Bunnie.

”Sonic! Bunnie!” she called, whisking over to them.

”Shh. Keep your voice down.”

”Why aren’t ya sleeping, Amy?”

”I… can’t. I feel… SONIC! LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!”

Alarmed by her shout, Sonic dropped to the ground, as a chameleon sailed over him.

”What the-“

”Submit to our master, hedgehog.”

The chameleon reached out to grab him, but Sonic dodged.

”BUNNIE!” he yelped. “Get Amy and go to the Floating Island!”

Bunnie obeyed, running off, and Sonic raced around the village.

”GUYS! WAKE UP! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!”

No response.

”There’s no need for that, Sonic.”

The hedgehog whirled around.

”Who are you?!”

”The new master of your friends.”

”What did you do to them?” the hedgehog hissed.

”They’re under my control, just as the rest of the planet will be, in less than a month. I assure you.”

”Who are you?” Sonic repeated, growling.

”You will find out soon enough. Before you know it, hedgehog, every single habitant of this planet will be saying my name, with adoration and bliss! Robotnik is no more, _I_ reign supreme now.  ”

Sonic narrowed his eyes to slits.

”If it’s a fight you want, buddy-“

”Don’t waste my time, idiot hedgehog. Run to your little Floating Island, and give this to the one you call Knuckles.”

The figure hurled something across to him, and he caught it.

”What is it?”

”A letter.”

”Why should I listen to you?”

”Because.”

The person’s hand lit up with an unnatural light, and a beam emitted from it, hitting the hedgehog square in the chest. He soared through the air, landing meters away, close to the teleporters. He clutched at his aching mid-side, panting.
He felt himself being grabbed, and pulled away, as harsh laughter filled the air, and the smell of smoke entered his nostrils. Darkness enveloped him, until he could see no more.


****

”Sonic! Sonic! Wake up!”

He felt the sensation of being shaken, and his eyelids separated.

”Wha?”

Amy Rose was crouched over him, her eyes watery.

”Are you okay?” she whispered.

”As soon as the jackhammers stop pounding my head, I’ll be fine.”

He pawed at the ground beneath him, pushing himself upright.

”Sonic… I’m so sorry…”

He was now sitting.

”It’s not your fault, Amy… And I’ll survive.”

Amy wasn’t the only one. He could identify the faces of Bunnie, Knuckles, Mighty, Vector, Ray, Eliza, and that hybrid girl who had helped Tails and had been kidnapped by Robo Knuckles. He also noticed that her shell was missing.

”Hi all,” he grinned weakly.

”Hey. I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”

Az extended a white hand in his direction.

”I’m Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog.”

He accepted it in his own, stiff gloved one.

”And I’m Az Spyre.”

”Alright,” Knuckles cut in, “What happened after you sent Amy and Bunnie to the teleporters?”

Sonic went through a very detailed explanation of his encounter with the strange, yet powerful being, then handed the letter to Knuckles. He frowned, and opened it.

It read:

”Ameyo sito needa, tuke nemo tilla.

Sekuno ti kauba, Anashi.”

”Old Mobian,” he informed them, “Otherwise known as the ancient echidna language.”

”Can you decipher it?”

”It says: ‘The fall of the strong, the rise of the weak.’”

”What about that last bit?”

Sonic pointed to the bottom.

”Nothing…”

”Tell us.”

”I think it says, “Watch your back...” and I can’t understand that last word.” Az piped up, who had been on tip-toes, reading over his shoulder. Knuckles scowled, but said:

”Anashi is my real name.” He turned to glare at everyone, “Don’t use it unless you want to end up in the emergency room.”

”Can I call you Anna?” questioned a cheeky Sonic.

”NO.”

Eliza opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it. Instead, she told them,

”Anashi Korel.”

If it had been someone else who had said that, Knux would have given them a dirty look. But, he just clenched his teeth, and confirmed:

”Yeah, that’s right.”

Sonic knew that it was a touchy subject, so he steered away from it.

”So… um... what now?”

”We do the only thing we can do- wait.”

***

”Are we there yet?” demanded the dictator, arms folded.

”Yes, master,” droned a random chameleon, as the troupe of marching Mobians halted to a stop. Beside them, lay something like a river, with pure, crystal clear water flowing through it. It was contained by metal, and pipes were everywhere, indicating that our villainess was underground.

”Excellent.”

She bent down, and inserted her bare hand into the water. To her happiness, a small tint of yellow entered it, but the colour faded as it spread out.

She smiled.

With Mobius’s water supply infected, her legacy would soon spread to the far reaches of Mobius.  She then frowned. There was one place that had its own water supply. The thorn in her rose.
The Floating Island.


****

Az tapped Knuckles on the shoulder, a worried expression on her face.

”Knux, I think you’d better see this.”

She led him over to a nearby TV, where the news was playing.

”It appears that Mobius’s water supply has been infected with some kind of mind-control formula… drinkers will be subdued and they will rant about obeying a mysterious-“

The reporter was cut off, as static filled the screen. Then, another face appeared, but all that was visible was two yellow eyes.

”Citizens of Mobius, can’t you see I’m trying to help you? Why do we fight? Why are there all these wars? Because of difference of opinions! There is no right and wrong, or good and bad, there are only different standpoints. We can end all the fighting, and live in peace? How? Unity. This is what I’m trying to show you! Unity! The world as one!”

The voice was definitely female.

”She is a powerful speaker.”

Knux gritted his teeth.

”It’s all hot air. Yeah, one way, her way! How can anyone fall for that?”

As if the person knew his thoughts, she said:

”Whether you agree or not, it’s either submit or die of thirst. Good day to you.”

”What are we going to do?”

”Mr. Guardian!”

A cream coloured echidna barged in, “Somebody’s calling for you over at the Com. Room!”

Knuckles broke off into a run, reaching the screen.

”Hello, Guardian.”

It was the dictator. There was something familiar about her…

”Who are you?”

”You’ll find out soon enough.”

”NO!” growled Knuckles, “Tell me who you are, NOW!”

The dictator was not fazed.

”Will you surrender, Knuckles?”

”NEVER!” the echidna spat.

”Very well. This means war. Good day to you.”

The transmission ended there.

Before he knew it, his legs had carried him back to Chaotix Central, which was going to be their new base.

”Knux,” Mighty frowned, “Are you sure that’s wise? She’s building herself an empire. We don’t stand much of a chance.”

”I don’t care. I’m fighting ‘till the end.”

”Mighty is right,” Az coughed, motioning for attention. She got it. “If we want to go up against her, we need more firepower. We’re going to need-“

An all-too familiar Mecha Bot came up behind her, slicing her sentence in half.

”-Me.”

”AZ, ARE YOU INSANE?! That’s RK we’re talking about. RK!”

”He’ll murder us all in our sleep!” chimed Amy, glaring at him. The others muttered similar objections.

Robo Knuckles held up his spiked hands, in defence.

”I give you my word that I will not harm any of you. You need me.”

His response was a multitude of glares.

”And how do we know we can trust you, scum?!”

Az could see that RK was close to losing patience.

”I’m going to go talk with RK, alone.”

”Definitely not! I’m not leaving you alone with that creep!” Knux interjected, eyes narrowed at the robot, “Whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of us!”

Murmurs of agreements coursed through the group.

”I’m going to talk to RK, alone,” she repeated.

”No!”

”Alone.”

”No.”

”Alone.”

”But-“

”Alone!”

”But-“

”ALONE.”

”But-“

”ALONE!”

Knux knew he had lost. RK flashed him a triumphant smirk as the two exited, one only the echidna saw.

Azillen closed the door behind them.

”Are you sure that’s wise?” Robo Knux idly flicked some dust off of his knuc-claws, “Without your Guardian doggy to protect you, you’re easy prey to the big, bad RK.” He grinned.

Az snorted. “Oh, get over yourself.”

”You’re not afraid?”

”No, why would I be?”

”Well,” RK drew out the word, luxuriously, “Lessee here. I’m an assassinator robot with eight-inch long, titanium knuc-claws. Is that enough reason for you?”

”Not really.”

”Well, I can easily remedy that. I need to stalk you through a small, enclosed space. How does next Tuesday sound?”

She smiled, brightly.

”I’m booked full ‘till next October.”

He gave her the best impression of puppy eyes his menacing figure could allow.

”Aw... you can’t cancel one little meeting for me?”

”I’ll see what I can do.”

She grew serious.

”Now, time to discuss business.”

”Indeed.”

”So... will you help us?”

”Of course, Az,” R.K. hummed, pleasantly, “Anything for you.”

She gave him an odd look.

”Okay, what do you want?”

Mecha Bot Four insisted on playing innocent.

”What do you mean?”

”Oh, please. What are you going to get out of this?”

”Heh. You are a bright one… I can’t do all this without some kind of personal profit, you know.”

”Yeah, yeah. So what’s your price?”

”Eliza.”

Az frowned.

”I can’t grant you that. You’ll have to ask Knux and them.”

RK held his hand out.

”If they agree, then do we have ourselves a deal?”

She eyed it.

”You know your side. No harming of anybody, in any way.”

”Yes, yes. I always keep my word.”

She took it, and they shook.

”Now, then, are we done?”

”Yes.”

”Good.” He ploughed into her, pinning against her against the nearest wall.

”You know,” he purred, “You really shouldn’t have let me stay alone with you.” He leaned in, so that they were nose-to-nose.

The door slammed open, as Mighty marched inside. At the sound of the door creaking, RK instantly let Az drop.

Mighty fixed the robotic echidna with a heavy glare.

”Are you done?”

Az picked herself up.

”Quite.”

Az entered first, and Mighty thrust himself between the two, still giving RK the evil eye.

Knuckles was seething, and not doing anything to hide it.

”So…” Sonic prodded, trying to be rational, “What have you two decided?”

”In exchange for my services, I want Eliza.”

”DEFINATELY NOT!” Knuckles snapped, “I WON’T ALLOW IT!”

”Knux...”

”NO!”

With a sigh, Azi turned to Mighty.

”Your thoughts?”

”I... muh… get back to me later.”

Eliza glanced around the room, then took a breath, and spoke up.

”I’ll do it.”

Knux flipped out, again.

”NO! NEVER! NO! NO! MY ANSWER IS NO!”

Az Spyre took Knux by the arm, speaking to him as one would to a child.

”Come on, Knux.”

”NO!”

”Knux, let’s have a little chat.”

She led him into that same room, shutting the door.

”We don’t need him,” the angry Guardian hissed.

”Yes, we do. We need all the help we can get, and without him, we have no hope. Do you not understand that?”

Knuckles didn’t reply.

”Look, Knux, I don’t like this anymore than you do. But there is no other way. Eliza has made up her mind.”

”She’s just a child. She doesn’t know anything. She’s too young.”

Az sighed, again.

”Knuckles, what is Eliza?”

”She’s my little sister,” was his bland answer.

”I asked WHAT, not WHO.”

”An echidna,” he grunted.

”Generalize more.”

”A Mobian.”

”Exactly. She is a Mobian with her own free will, and the right to make her own decisions,”

Knuckles attempted to interrupt her, but she ignored it.

”And if she decides she wants to give herself to RK for the good of Mobius, then you have to accept her decision and respect it.”

”NO!” He was obviously stubborn, and upset. “I WON’T ALLOW IT!”

Her tone was grave.

”Knux, you’ll lose her either way.”

Silence reigned. She was right.

”I hate this.”

”I know. I do too.”

”Isn’t there something…?”

”I’m afraid not, Knux. This is a no-win situation.”

Dejected, Knuckles gave no objection when Az told him to return to the main room. She beckoned for Mighty to come.

”You know my feelings on the subject, Az.”

”I know, but think about it. RK will get her if we win. If not, then we’re doomed. Don’t forget, there may be a chance that one of us will save RK’s life in battle… and then, he’d be force to relinquish her.”

”Hm...” he digested that, smirking slightly. “Never thought of that. In that case… yeah, it could work.”

She grinned, slyly. But there was still one more thing troubling him…

”Az, what were you and RK doing over there?”

”Just talking,” she replied, sincerely. “And I’m not sure what was happening when you came in.”

He frowned at her, giving her an odd look.

”Az, be careful.”

She was a bit surprised by the statement.

”What do you mean?”

”With RK…”

”Mighty,” she assured him, “RK wouldn’t do anything. He’s bound by his word... and if that’s not enough reason, breaking the word would be going up against all of us, and even he can’t handle that.”

”I know… that’s not what I’m worried about.”

She was puzzled now.

”What do you mean?”

He seemed to be struggling with his words.

”I don’t know… just, be careful.”

”Somebody’s tense.”

”I don’t trust him any farther than I can throw the island. And you shouldn’t, either.”

”You’re being paranoid.”

He didn’t deny it.

”And you’re taking it too lightly.”

”Alright, let’s go.”

”I’m still going to watch him, whether he promised or not.”

”Suit yourself.”

They rejoined the group of sceptic fighters, as Knuckles continued to glare daggers at his double.

”If you try anything,” snarled the uptight echidna, “The deal is off, and we will not hesitate to kill you.”

”I always keep my word.”

”Knux…”

”What?”

Eliza grimaced.

”Does the Island... not feel like... it’s lowering or something?”

Knux jolted upright with a start.

”What?”

”It is…” Mighty agreed.

Knuckles rushed outside, to the closest edge he could find. Sure enough, the water below them was getting closer and closer…

”What’s going on?!” demanded a startled Amy, noticing as well.

The descent was gentle. Suddenly, Knuckles nodded, in understanding.

”Preparations for war.”

”Huh?”

The Island was now hovering directly above the water, and it stopped, there.

”The Master Emerald…” the Guardian murmured.

”What?”

”Automated defence.”

Az scrutinized the position, cautiously stepping onto Mobius Prime.

”That gives us both an advantage, and a disadvantage.”

”More of an advantage.”

”Huh.”

That night…

Eliza shifted in her bed, for maybe the thousandth time. It did nothing to improve to her insomnia. With a sigh, she slipped out of bed, and decided to roam the sleepy halls. Sonic was the sentry, but he had fall asleep.
There was another awake.
Robo Knuckles.
He was sitting on the balcony, facing opposite of her. Quiet as a mouse, she crept towards him, curiosity overtaking her.

”It’s a bit late for you to be up, Eliza.”

”I couldn’t sleep.”

She was surprised, but it subsided quickly.

”I should have known better. You can’t sneak up on a robot.”

She walked closer, still puzzled as to why there had been no malice behind his tone.

”What are you doing?”

”Looking.”

No threats. Huh.

”At what?”

”The enemy camp. From the looks of it, they are planning to strike at dawn.”

Eliza was now beside him, gazing over the railing.

”Oh my gosh…”

He was right. In the distance, there were hundreds of tents set up, lights illuminated.

She began to panic.

”What are we going to do?”

”We can give them surprise attack. But we must be quick.”

”’We as in…”

”You and I. Awakening the others would cause too much commotion… They would launch their attack straight away.”

She stared hard at the Mecha Bot, indecision biting her. Could she trust him? It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t try anything. There would be no point. He’d get her in the end anyway.

”Alright.”

He picked her up by her midside, rocketing into the darkness like the wind.

Most of the guards were asleep, so they managed to sneak in unnoticed.

”What do you suggest we do now? Set up a bomb?”

”Precisely. I’ll find one and set one up, you head to the computers and see if you can find information on their plan of action… and on the leader, herself.”

”Right.”

They split up.
It felt weird… working together with the creature that haunted her dreams. Pushing her thoughts behind her, the little echidna weaved her way through the base, stealthy as a chameleon.
Finally, she was at the main chamber, typing madly at the computer.

”You there!” came a voice from behind her, “What are you doing?!”

She whirled around, her eyes meeting the unmistakeable yellow eyes of the dictator.

”Y-you!” Eliza spluttered. “That’s impossible! Y-you’re me!”

Indeed, the person was an exact replica of the echidna, the only difference being the colour of eyes.

”HOW DARE YOU!” screeched other-Eliza. Realization struck her, then, in full force. “How can this be?! IMPOSSIBLE!”

Other-Eliza was just as shocked as the real one.

”How?! How?! NO!” her eyes turned hard. “DIE!”

Screaming bloody murder, other-Eliza hurled power balls at her, most impacting with the room itself. Eliza barely dodged them, as the other one shrieked like a madwoman, not unlike Metal Sonic would do in the presence his organic counterpart.
The room itself began to cave it, and, out of the corner of her eye, the Guardian saw another blast being fired, but not from her opponent. In fact, the blast collided with the patch of ceiling directly above other-Eliza, and it came crashing down upon her.

”Come on!” Robo Knuckles’s hand closed around her arm, “Let’s go.”

”Did you set the bombs?”

RK didn’t have to answer. As they exited the crumbling buildings, a series of explosions were seen and heard, illuminating the night sky, but not necessarily waking the sleeping warriors back at Chaotix Central.

”RK…” Eliza gasped. “That thing…”

”I know,” Robo Knux stated, “I saw her too.”

”It... it was me.”

If she was expecting a response from him, she didn’t get it. In fact, nothing was said on the journey home, and she soon found herself in bed. She protested, but, at last, sleep overtook her, and she slumped into her sheets, breathing lightly.

Just as Eliza entered sleepyland, Az was exited, rather rudely, by Robo Knux, who was shaking her. She moaned.

”RK... it’s three o’clock in the morning. Go ‘way.”

”Az, wake up.”

She made as if to swat him.

”Whatever it is, you can tell me in the morning.” She let out a yawn.

RK didn’t stop.

”WILL YOU STOP SHAKING ME LIKE A FREAKIN’ COKE BOTTLE ALREADY?!”

She got up, complaining rather loudly. RK was merciless. He grabbed her by the arm, half dragging, half-carrying her in all his haste.

”Az, I need to show you something.”

”I don’t know if you know this or not,” Az grumbled, “But we, puny organics need sleep in order to- HEY! WOULD IT KILL YOU TO BE GENTLE?!”

”Az, this is urgent.”

”All the more reason you shouldn’t haul me around. Unlike you, I’m not made out of steel.”

”Actually, it’s titanium.”

”Whatever. My mind isn’t functioning properly at this time of night... morning, rather.”

”You’re quite grumpy,” Robo Knux took the liberty of noting.

”And that’s why we don’t wake people in the middle of the night. This had better be good, you creep, or I’ll pound your face in.”

”I think I’ve found out who our little mysterious dictator is.”

Az brightened immediately.

”Why didn’t you just say so?”

They stopped by a TV; RK flicked it on, plugging in his memory chips.

Az gaped.

”You... were... out... with Eliza?!”

He nodded.

”YOU IDIOT! Knux’ll kill you if he finds out!”

”He won’t find out.”

”How can you be sure? Eliza’ll tell Mighty and he-“

”Eliza won’t tell Mighty.”

”Why? Did you give her a ‘talk’?”

”Az…”

”What?!”

”Just watch.”

Obediently, she concentrated her efforts on the screen. RK froze it on the image of EC.

”Impossible...” was all Az could say.

”She’s a Mecha Bot,” Robo Knuckles proclaimed, rapping his knuc-claws against the screen.

”No, she’s not. She’s organic.”

”She’s a Mecha Bot,” RK countered. “She has Mecha Bot eyes.”

”Mecha Bots don’t have fur.”

”She could be a new type. Metal insides, organic outsides. Besides, did you see the way she reacted to Eliza? That’s how Metal Sonic reacts to Sonic.”

”And you?” She looked at him lazily.

He gave her what seemed to be a look of disgust.

”I’m above that.”

”Heh.” She yawned, again.

”Knuckles is a very fine fellow, once you get to know him.”

”And I suppose you two are very intimate?”

”He’s very fond of me, if you haven’t noticed by now.” RK returned, grinning.

”Anyway… even if she was a Mecha Bot, wouldn’t you have known about it?”

His muzzle twisted into dissatisfaction.

”You’re right. I know of everything that goes on in Robotropolis.”

”Tell me the truth, RK. Is there such thing as a ‘furry Mecha Bot’?”

”There is a prototype... however...”

”Yes?”

”It’s a Mecha-Robian.”

”Which means...? I’m a bit Robotnik-illiterate.”

”It means that the specimen was roboticized in a…. special way.”

”That makes lots of sense.”

”We’ll figure it out, when we do…”

”Anything else?”

”No.”

”I’m going back to bed. G’night.”

”Night.”

She dragged herself back to the haven of her bed, and was soon back in the Shores of Sleep.


A good twelve hours later:

”Azillen.”

”I told you not to call me that, RK.”

”Az, look.”

The hybrid cast her eyes over to the window. In the horizon, she could make out a great deal of shapes, getting larger.

”Let me guess, the welcoming committee?”

”Yes. There are a few thousand.”

Az winced.

”We’re doomed.”

She seemed to consider it.

”But, maybe…”

RK looked at her, a bit of curiosity visible on his features.

”Yes?”

She smirked.

”I’ve got a plan. Hold on.”

She rushed off, to the Hidden Palace. RK made as if to follow her, but a certain echidna blocked his way, eyes narrowed.

”Ah, hello Knuckles, “ Robo Knux said, pleasantly.

”Knock it off.”

”Knock off what, my dear Guardian?”

Knuckles was having a hard time controlling his temper.

”I know what you’re playing at. Stay away from Az.”

RK’s jovial mood flickered away.

”I can hang around with whoever I want, Anashi.”

He lunged then, grabbing the Mecha Bot by the throat, and slamming him against the wall.

”Don’t…ever…use... my... real... name... you...dirty... piece of SCUM!”

RK’s hand closed around Knux’s wrist.

”Don’t start a fight you can’t win, Knuckles.”

”You think you’re so to-“ RK cut him off, calmly tightening his grip on the Guardian’s wrist.

”Remember, I can’t touch any of you, but, if you start a fight with me, then I’m free to kill you.”

His eyes glinted, in malice. “And then Az would be free game.”

Knuckles’s grip on his throat tightened, despite the fact that his approach was useless against a robot.

”Any second now,” RK leered, his grip on Knux’s hand near-crushing, “That adrenaline rush will wear off, and you’ll crumple under my weight.”

True to his word, Knux’s hand was wobbling, and he was forced to drop RK. He stormed off, stomping onto Mobius prime in an attempt to calm himself.

Not too long afterwards, a green aura formed around the Floating Island, solidifying into a shield. Az emerged, looking victorious.

”Yes!”

”What did you do?” RK queried of her.

”It wasn’t me. I, uh, managed to create a barrier using the Master Emerald. We’re safe.”

She glanced around her, then frowned slightly.

”Have you seen Knux?”

”He went for a walk, maybe about an hour ago.”

Her brow furrowed.

”Where?”

”I think...”

”Outside?” Her eyes widened.

”Yes.”

”Oh man… I need to go after him.”

”No!” RK returned, “It’s too dangerous.”

He grabbed her arm.
She shot him a glare. “Shut up, RK. I know you’re behind this.”

”Don’t go, Az.” He pulled her closer, his smile never wavering.

She tried to wrench it free, but in vain.

”Let go!”

”Stay.”

Before the conversation could progress any further, Robo Knuckles was interrupted by loud coughing. He rotated, to find Mighty, who was scowling fiercely at the robot, and Sonic behind him, showing similar sentiments. The Mecha Bot released her expression as placid as ever.

”Have you two seen Knux?”

Both shook their heads.

”I told you,” RK intoned,  “He went for a walk.”

”I have to go after him.”

She started walking in the direction of the teleporters, but this time Mighty clutched her arm.

”Not alone.”

”Yes, alone. I have camouflage. You need to stay to watch RK.”

Mighty wasn’t satisfied.

”I can’t let you...”

”Mighty, believe me, I’ll be fine.”

”You sure?”

”Positive.”

”Alright, good luck.”


******

”Master,” cooed a chameleon, bowing low, “We have a prisoner.”

”Oh? Who?”

”The Guardian, master.”

”Knuckles?”

”That’s the one.”

A smile. Master was pleased.

”Bring him in.”

No sooner had she said this, did two guards haul in a battered Knux.

”Who are you!?”

”Who am I?” she chuckled, as the guards brought him closer. She wasn’t facing him.

That voice, so familiar… No, it couldn’t be.

And then, she turned to face him. His eyes went as wide as saucers, as horror dawned on him.

No, no, it can’t be…

That face... he had seen it so many times, in his dreams... in real life, that soft... innocent face…

”E-el-liza?!”

No, it couldn’t be happening. It was all just a dream. He was hallucinating. No, he was awake… 
She opened her fiery yellow eyes, her gaze burning into him.

”I haven’t been called that in a long time,” she mused. Then, her voice hardened. “Don’t do it again.”

Knuckles was speechless. And slowly, it all began to make sense… How she had agreed to being given to RK so easily... she had been in league with him all along...
Gasping, he noticed Az’s figure, sleekly entering the room.
She was in this, too?
She flashed him a wink only he could see. He breathed again.

”What?” snapped ‘Master’.

”The echidna has been sighted in Sector D-5.”

The girl’s face lit up with rage.

”I’m going,” she turned to Az, “Take him to the dungeons, I’ll deal with him later.”

She and the other guards left, as Az pinioned Knux’s arms behind his back, and solemnly led him away.

”Az,” he croaked, as they paced.

”Shh.” She advised him, taking a turn. It looked quite comical, really. He was much bigger than her, and she was shoving him along, playing her part beautifully. Finally, they exited Robotropolis, heading towards the teleporters.

”Az… the dictator,” his voice was broken, his figure hunched dejectedly. “It’s Eliza.”

”No, it’s not.”

”Az, don’t try to cover it up.”

”It’s not her,” she assured him. “Eliza hasn’t left Chaotix Central.”

”But-”

”That thing is not Eliza. That thing is Mecha Bot six.”

”But it looks ex-“

”Unless you count the yellow eyes.”

They were at the teleporters now.

Mighty’s face materialized on the screen.

”Are you two okay?”

”We’re fine.”

He punched in the necessary codes, and, before they knew it, both were back in Chaotix Central.

”Don’t believe me? Mighty, has Eliza left at all?”

He looked puzzled.

”No...”

”Then… how?” Knux breathed.

”Like I said,” Az explained, “She is Mecha Bot six. She’s a Mecha Robian.”

Knux and Mighty were both thinking the same thing. They gaped.

”WHAT?!”

”Az, that’s clearly not possib-“

”Let me finish.”

Still shell-shocked, they grew silent.

”Do you remember what I said about different realities, and representations?”

”Yeah…” Knuckles searched his memory, brain locking onto that first conversation.

”This is one of those cases. That is Eliza from an alternate reality.”

Knux was having a hard time absorbing all this.

”How did she get here?”

”I don’t know, but I do know what happened there.”

”What?”

”She was Mecha-Roboticizied by that reality’s RK.”

Eyes of echidna and armadillo darkened, as they turned to stare at Robo Knux, who was leaning idly against the door frame.

”I would have never done that,” he compensated, body language cold as ice. “I hate roboticization.”

”How do you know all this, Az?”

”Another Elite Guardian, Soul, a friend of mine, who is the Guardian of Realities, told me. She breached the reality barrier in a pod of some sort, landing here.”

”Do you know what happened to her?”

”That I do,” Az Spyre smiled grimly. “Take a seat, boys, because I have a story for you…”

The Past

“Sit still, Mizu. This won’t hurt a bit.”

Robo Knuckles fastened the restraints on her arms, legs, and torso, booting the roboticizer up.

”What are you doing?” Her voice wasn’t shaky, it was more curious. Perhaps a little edgy.

He smiled, melodramatically.

”It’s a surprise.”

The robotic echidna lazily glanced to his left, eyes resting on the file Robotnik had fought so hard to conceal, experiment 001 aka: Mighty the Armadillo.

"Idiot," he thought, playing around with the controls. "This is why the Freedom Fighters have an advantage over you."

He tossed a glace over at a still Eliza, who was restrained, then focused his attention on the control panel.

Robo Knuckles inserted his own personality in, since he considered it to be a better idea than having the child lose her free will.

A halo of green light materialized over her, as the process initiated.

It formed into a beam, pouring down upon her.

Her fingers began to tingle.

RK grinned, in the way only an evil Mecha Bot could grin.

"They'll never know what hit them."

****

”Eliza!” Kinga the Flying Squirrel grabbed the echidna in a tight hug,

”It’s been so long! Too long! How have you been?”

”Alive.”

Greetings were exchanged, as well as hugs, and reunions were made.

”I’m going to stay in town for a few days,” she informed them.

That night…

”You still gonna watch TV, Shay?” André queried, yawning.

”Yep.” The dog stared at the screen, mesmerized by it.

”Well, I’m going to bed. Night.”

”Night.”

The hedgehog climbed up the stairs, and settled into bed. He was pretty tired, so tired that he almost didn’t notice a gloved hand clamp around his throat and squeeze the life out of it.
When André’s mother returned, hours later, she found Shamus fast asleep by the television, and André dead.

****

Policemen scurried about the area, searching for any sort of clues.

”I’m sorry, Mrs. Coté... there is no evidence of a break-in, or force entry. Were all the doors locked and the windows closed?”

”Yes!” The woman was in tears, “Oh, André…”

”Then it’s settled,” The policeman approached a shell-shocked Shamus.

“Shamus Duff, you are under arrest for manslaughter.”

Later that day...

”Kinga, I’m innocent!” pleaded Shamus to the flying squirrel, who had just entered, “You’ve got to believe me!”

”I believe you!” she responded, peaceably, trotting up to the bars that separated you.

“I’d never André…”

She nodded, sympathetically patting his hand.

”André’s windpipe was crushed. You don’t have the strength to do that.”

”But who did?”

Kinga narrowed an eye, her expression calculating.

”Eliza.”

”I hope that’s a joke.”

”It’s not.”

”Kinga, that’s ridiculous. Eliza would never do something like that. And even if she would, she has nowhere near enough strength.”

”Maybe she’s not Eliza..”

”You’re talking crazy.”

”No I’m not! Eliza is the only one with access to André’s house and she has been acting oddly lately.”

Shay raised an eyebrow.

”Oddly? How? I didn’t notice anything.”

Kinga dismissed the subject with a passive,

”It’s a best friend thing.”

”It couldn’t have been her,” Shamus remained rigid. “Maybe it was one of those robots... you know, from that Robotnik guy?”

”Robotnik doesn’t kill. He roboticizes.”

”Outsider?”

”They would have to break in.”

”Doesn’t that ‘Botnik guy have specific... robots? Like Metal Sonic?”

”Oh! You mean the Mecha Bots. One, forced entry. Two, what would they want with ‘Dré?”

”I don’t know!” Shamus threw up an arm, exasperated.

”It has to be Eliza!” Kinga pressed. “I’ll prove it!”

She marched off.

”Hey, Kinga!” Eliza called, as the squirrel joined her. They were alone, behind a hill.

”Have you heard about André?”

Eliza nodded, sadly.

”Terrible thing. I can’t believe Shay would do such a thing...”

”Eliza, Shay doesn’t have the strength to do that, and you know it!”

The echidna looked perplexed.

”Then who?”

”You.”

Eliza’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

”Me? Kinga, what would make you say such a thing?”

”Stop playing innocent!” the squirrel hissed, advancing on her.

”I know it was you!”

The Guardian stepped forwards, reached into the pocket of her friend, and extracted a running tape recorder. She crushed it in her hand, dropping the remains on the ground.

”Nice try.”

Kinga’s eyes narrowed.

”It WAS you!”

”Yes,” purred the girl, clasping a hand around the squirrel’s throat, and easily lifting her into the air.

”You... you’ll... pay.”

Eliza threw her head back, and let out a cruel laugh, one that didn’t suit her at all.

”Do you honestly think they’ll believe you, squirrel? Poor little Eliza would never hurt a soul…” she grinned wickedly, “Plus, she’s too weak. They’ll think you’ve gone crazy.”

”I’ll… find a way…” the orange Mobian rasped.

The echidna’s voice turned hard.

”Let this serve as a warning. Stay out of my way.”

She dropped the girl, kicked the shambled recorder, and left.

And then, her time at the village was over.

”Time to go home,” she smiled, and nobody noticed her eyes glint. After some packing, she was gone, off to the teleporters…

****

”There has been a bombing at Marina City,” a reporter announced, showing the smoking remains of an office building.”

Kinga’s jaw dropped. Marina City was only a few minutes away…

”Eliza.”

Shutting off the TV, Kinga hopped out the window, shielded by the darkness of night.

”She’s going after the Master Emerald… I have to warn her brother.”

Elmridge had its own set of teleporters, run by Jon Bird, a pheasant. He had a son close to Kinga’s age. Michael. Taking advantage of flying squirrel abilities, Kinga scampered up the wall, landing neatly on Michael’s bed.

”MIKE!”

He woke up with a jolt.

”Kinga... what are you-“

”No time for that. Get me into the teleporters. Now.”

”King-“

Now it was she who grabbed him by the neck.

”I said- NOW!”

Kinga was pretty strong for her age. Not as much as Shamus, or Maryanne, but enough to strangle him. Michael knew this, and so, he nodded nervously. Upon being deposited on the ground, the pheasant ran off, returning with a card key, and a set of keys. She took a hold of his arm, as they waded their way to the teleporters. Michael provided entry, and took his place at the controls.

”Where to?”

”The Floating Island.”

****

”Look, Knux, I know it sounds crazy... but you have got to believe me.”

”Okay,” said Knuckles, slowly, “Let’s see here, shall we? A squirrel that I’ve never seen before in my life barges into my life, and tells me that my sister is evil and trying to steal the Master Emerald.”

”Look,” chirped the girl, “You know who I am. She’s my best friend. She killed André, framed Shamus, death threatened me, and bombed a building. Just trust me, okay?”

”Fine. But if this a joke... or a mistake...”

He covered her eyes with his glove, picked her up, and ran off, feeling a bit anxious.

”Are we there yet?” was the query of the squirrel, when the echidna had stopped travelling.

”Yes.” His voice was distant, as he released her.

Eliza was standing next to the Master Emerald, about to touch it. At her feet lay the downed Vector.

”ELIZA!”

At the sound of his thundering, she whirled around.

”Knux, I-“

Too late. He had thrown himself at her, pinning her to the ground.

”Stay still,” he grunted, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

”Stay still?” Eliza’s eyes glistened, and she shoved him clean off of her.

Knuckles landed at the other end of the Hidden Palace, eyes wide.

”Okay, that’s not Eliza.”

Eliza had forgotten completely about the gem, and was pacing towards the fallen Knuckles, who was in the process of picking himself up.

”Eliza...” he coughed, holding an arm up, “Why are you doing this?”

Her answer was a punch in the face. Again, he sailing through the air, smacking against the wall.

”Hey, Eliza clone!” Kinga snarled, balling her fists, “Come get some of this.”

Furious, the echidna leapt at her, hands outstretched.
Knuckles tackled her from behind, pinning her against him.

She kicked out, writhing and struggling.

”Who are you?” demanded Kinga.

She thrashed around in Knux’s iron grip, giving no answer. Finally, in desperation, she bit down on her brother’s arm. Knuckles yelped out, dropping her like a hot iron. She wasted no time. Grabbing his shoulders, she flipped him over, and ran off to make her getaway.

Knuckles, gasping like a beached fish, somehow managed to say,

”Phase one completed.”

Her cover was blown. All that was left was to run. Her plan was ruined, everything was.

”Hey! Eliza Clone!” The voice was familiar. A blue speck in the distance was calling out to her, coming closer by the second. Panicked, the echidna put on another burst of speed, unaware of the pod in front of her.

Too late.

She smashed into one of the internal walls, as the door came down. The pod began to rock and shake.

”NO!”

She pounded on the door, but even she lacked the strength to break through.
Sonic was now standing in front of her, waving cheerily.

”Have a nice trip!”

And it lifted off, not unlike a rocket. The outside was now a series of blurred colours, as it shot through the atmosphere, and into outer space.

****

”…And then she somehow breeched realities, and landed here,” concluded Az.

The crowd was speechless. Well, almost.

”Wow.”

”And there you have it.”

”That’s… quite a lot,” Mighty exhaled.

”What are we going to do, now?”

”Well,” Az adapted a pensive look, “Sonic, do you know where the Sword of Acorns is?”

He caught her drift at once.

”Yes. It’s hidden... quite far away.”

”Good. I want you to get it.”

He nodded, and left, packing.

”Now then…” her eyes wandered aimlessly around the room.

”Has anyone seen Amy?”

Eliza’s Room,
Chaotix Central,
11:30pm


The room was dark. There were two occupants, both echidnas. The first one was a well-built crimson robot, who was seated on a chair, staring at the second intently. And the other was a much smaller female, who was curled up in the folds of the sheets. The first one, whom we know as Robo Knuckles, was seated on the chair, motionless. The only thing that suggested he was online, was his brilliant green eyes, fixed on the little echidna.

Another one entered the room, and nearly jumped in shock at the site of him.

”What are you doing?!” Az demanded, swiftly closing the gap between them.

RK didn’t look up.

”Watching her little chest rise and fall. Why?”

Az was still a bit shaky, but calming quickly.

”Can I join you?”

”Be my guest.”

She pulled up a chair beside him, and joined in the art of ‘staring at little echidnas in their sleep’. After about five minutes, she dryly remarked:

”I don’t see what’s so interesting.”

He raised his arm, pointing a finger at her chest.

”Look at the way she sleeps. Peacefully, deeply. She feels safe.”

”And we care… why?”

”I just find it interesting how she can feel so safe… when there’s an assassin robot loose in the building.”

”Let’s not forget who else is.”

RK let out a chuckle.

”It’s a wonder I can bring myself to recharge, with you loose in Chaotix Central.”

He turned back to Eliza, focusing his attention.

”You’re really obsessive, you know that right?”

”So?” he countered, keeping his gaze steady.

She let out a sigh.

”I’d better go finish my work. You, behave. I’m trusting you here.”

”I always keep my word.”

No more was said; Az restocked herself on coffee, and headed back to the computer. She wasn’t very fond of coffee, but it did the job. Taking a sip of said liquid, she settled on the chair, typing in more coordinates. A few hours passed, as the hybrid felt her eyelids droop. Twenty litres of coffee couldn’t keep her awake anymore. Her head dropped to the keyboard, fast asleep. Even the clanking footsteps of RK didn’t awake her. Indeed, the robot was now it the room, gently separating machinery from sleeping chammydillo. He took her into his arms, travelling across the building, to reach her room. Once there, he peeled the carefully made bed apart, inserting Az between the sheets. Then, he pulled the covers over her, quietly. After precisely six seconds of examination, he bent down, and tucked a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes, and behind her ears. Satisfied with her peaceful posture, he made his way back to the computer, sat down, and started typing.

****

”Hello?” Amy Rose’s voice vibrated around the big room. No response.

She was in the artillery room, and there were no signs of company.

”Strange,” thought the girl, stepping forwards. Before her, was a giant mech walker, one of Robotnik’s, no doubt. Its skeleton resembled something similar to a person, with hands and feet.
Not daring to ruin the drama of this story, a troupe of assorted Mobians waltzed in.

”Halt, intruder!”

But Amy was already in the mech, booting it up, and smiling wickedly.
The robotic suit churned to life, stepping forwards at the command of Amy. The closer guards stepped backwards, eyeing her warily.

”Surrender.”

Amy let out a laugh.

”EAT METAL!”

The colossal mech raised its foot, kicking the one that had spoke. He went flying, colliding with the adjacent wall with a nauseating ‘crunch’.

”Amy!”

Eliza Clone, as we now know her, stepped into the room, raising a cloaked arm.

”Welcome to the EC Empire.”

Amy sensed bad vibes instantaneously. She let out a shriek, and dropped the mech’s foot on top of the Mecha Bot. EC, perfectly calm, raised her hand, outstretching only her index finger. They collided. As soon as the metal touched flesh, a yellow aura shot up its body, and fell over, landing with a resounding crash that shook the walls. Amy tumbled out of the seat, smiling, and bowing respectfully.

”Your wish is my command, Master EC.”

”Very good. Now listen carefully, Amy. I have a job for you…”


Later…

”Amy?” Mighty blinked at the image of the hedgehog on the screen. “Are you ok? Where have you been?”

”Sorry,” she sounded exhausted, “I was out when Knux was... and I couldn’t get back. Was hiding.”

”Did you get into trouble with our dictator… now known as EC?”

She shook her head.

”Nope, I got lucky.”

”Alright.”

He initiated the teleportation process, and the girl was soon with them.

****

”Az...” Mighty sighed, wringing his hands out. “We Islanders are the only ones who haven’t been infected. EC’s troupes are building up outside.”

”They can’t get in,” Az reassured him, “As long as that barrier is up.”

Speaking of the barrier…

Below the two, a certain pink hedgehog was situated exactly in front of the Master Emerald, bathing in its light. Armed with her ruined hammer, she brought the nearly useless thing down upon the gem, shattering it. The room rumbled, and the startled hedgehog scooted out, careful not to be seen.

Meanwhile…

The Island trembled, and the Mobians all lost their balance.

”What the-“

”Something happened to the Master Emerald!”

Knux’s eyes glittered.

”RK!”

Indeed, the robotic echidna zipped into view, halting in front of them,

”What was that?” he inquired.

”Don’t play stupid with me!” Knuckles hissed, balling his fists.

”What did you to the Master Emerald?! I knew we could never tr-“

”I didn’t do anything!” RK interrupted, eyes flaring.

”Oh yeah? Then who did?”

”Guys,” Azillen held up a hand, “Where’s Amy?”

Robo Knux’s pupils dilated, in horror.

”AMY! She’s infected! The barrier!”

The object in question flickered, then disappeared altogether, leaving them wide open for attack.

”NO!”

A giddy Amy Rose emerged, cackling like a crazy thing.

”You’re going to meet Master!” She giggled. “Master has won! You have lost! You’re going to meet Master EC!”

Mecha Bot Six’s army was closing in on them.
Az let out a sigh, then raised her head up.

”Guys, this is it. Hide weapons, we’ll break free and confront EC ourselves. Sonic will be returning shortly. He knows where to find us.” She turned to RK, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

”RK, take Eliza and get her somewhere safe. Please, don’t do anything to her. Just put her somewhere secure, then come and join us. Please?”

”Of course,” the robot purred, softly, “Anything for you, Az.”

He took Eliza into his arms, ignoring the glare from his organic counterpart, and was gone.

”Alright people.” The hybrid thrust a small blaster into her pocket.

”Look sharp. This is it.”

”Az…”

Knuckles’s gaze met hers.

”Yeah?”

”In case we don’t survive this… I just want you to know…” he appeared to be struggling with his sentences.

”Yes?”

”You-you make a great strategist.”

”Thanks.”

For some reason, at the bottom of her heart, she felt a little pang. But, she pushed it away, whirling around to face the masses.

”Surrender!” one of the creatures with high authority ordered, “Hold you hands in the air!”

They docked on the surface, approaching the defeated rebels, and seizing them.

Az took a breath, and looked towards the sky, silently praying for success.


****

”ELIZA CLONE!” Knuckles the Echidna smashed the door open, dropping the blaster.

The echidna aforementioned rose, smiling.

”I’ve been expecting you.”

”Why are you doing this, Eliza?”

”I told you,” she snarled,  “DO NOT EVER CALL ME ELIZA! I AM EC! NOT ELIZA! E! C!”

She held up her hands, and the space above her began to solidify, and contort in shape. It formed a ball of energy, and she hurled at him. He threw himself to the ground, as it whizzed past him, singing his fur. It exploded against the wall, the metal absorbing it.
Then, without warning, a hovercraft sailed across the room, landing directly on top of the girl. Mighty hopped down beside Knux.

”Nice job, Mights!”

Their joy was short-lived, however, because the hovercraft was blasted out of its place on the ground, and EC stood up.

”Idiots! Do you not know who you’re dealing with, here?!”

Both boys looked dumbstruck.

”She wasn’t supposed to do that…”

”YEAGH!” yelled a familiar voice, catapulting towards EC, Sword of Acorns in hand. Sonic the Hedgehog attacked, slashing her across the back. He scored a hit, but bounced off, as if he had impacted with a force field of some sort.
EC laughed.

”My free will was never taken away, fool.”

The Sword of Acorns was across the room, and Sonic was clutching his head.

”Mighty... I...”

”I’ve had enough!” Knuckles hurled himself at her, not hearing the loud protest of-

”DON’T TOUCH HER!” from Mighty. He landed a blow, alright, but was backhanded.

”He’s infected,” Sonic informed Mighty in a pained voice, “And so am I. But I’m fighting it.”

In a second, EC had left the room, zipping towards the main chamber.

”Go!” Sonic coughed, “I’ll handle Knux!”

”But-“

”JUST DO IT!”

Reluctantly, the armadillo hurried after the retreating dictator.

Despite his mental struggle, the hedgehog managed to stand, and grin cockily at the echidna.

”Bring it, knucklehead!”

Silently, the echidna rushed at him.

”Give me strength,” Sonic muttered to no one in particular, as he dodged the attack, “Give me strength.”

”Mighty!” Az smiled, as the armadillo entered the room. She then regained seriousity.

”Stay behind me.”

Concentrating her efforts, the hybrid began to form a portal... to the Void.

”This is what you get for messing with an Elite Guardian, kid,” she whispered through clenched teeth, as a devoid of blackness began to materialize.
EC knew what was going on, and shrieked helplessly.

”NO!”

A few rooms away...

”AGH!”

Sonic collapsed, clutching his head.

”Fight... it... be... strong...”

No need for that. Knuckles was behind him, dropping his fist down upon the teenager’s head like an anvil. The Freedom Fighter descended to the floor, instantly befriending it.
Knuckles could hear his Master screaming mentally for help. He rushed to her location.

”NO! IT CAN’T END LIKE THIS!”

The evil little echidna was being pulled towards the portal, all her attempts to stop the process in vain. Az Spyre stood erect, like an avenging angel. Her verdict-

”I hereby banish you to the V-“ the hybrid never got to finish her sentence. Knuckles was on her in a flash, batting her across the room. The portal evaporated, and again the echidna fled.

”GO!” instructed Az, picking herself up. Knuckles was stalking towards her.

”I won’t leave you!” Mighty argued, genuinely worried for his friend.

”I can handle Knux. You... you’ve got to stop EC!”

Knux delivered a swift kick to her back, and she was thrown forwards, into a control panel.

”Az-“

”GO! You’re our only hope!”

That sentence was like a shaft of light.
He knew what he had to do.
Again, the teenager resumed the chase, his heart pounding in his head.

He skidded to a halt in front of her.

”Don’t do this, Eliza!”

”STOP CALLING ME ELIZA! I AM NOT ELIZA! I put that weak little girl behind me-“

”And look at what you’ve become. A monster.”

”You’re just jealous of my power.”

”Think what you want. I don’t care anymore.”

”You’re upset that I’ve risen above you. That I’ve become strong.”

”That’s your programming talking.”

”I HAVE NO PROGRAMMING!”

”Of course you don’t, Robo Eliza.”

She gritted her teeth.

”RK taught me things. There is no right and wrong, Mighty, there’s just difference of opinion.”

”For the most part, that’s not true. I know for a fact that forcing your views on people and global assimilation is wrong. Don’t try to pull that on me… RK didn’t even support that.”

”You… you can’t stand to see me rise above you, can you?” The girl leered, an expression that did not match her soft facial features. The armadillo did not grace that statement with a reply.

”Are you proud of yourself, Eliza? Are you quite satisfied?”

”No,” her eyes flared. “I won’t be satisfied until I proud my superiority. Therefore, I challenge you to a fight. No powers, no mind control. Just you and me… physical fight.”

”Evil, you may be. Twisted… a dictator. But you’re still Eliza and I can’t hurt you. You know that.”

”COWARD! FIGHT ME!”

”No.”

”Then die.”

She raised her hand, an energy ball appearing out of thing air. It grew in size and intensity, basking the room with its golden aura. Mighty just stood there, aiming to deflect the blow with his shell.

”I shall destroy you,” she uttered, her hand trembling a bit. Even though she was warmed up, she didn’t throw it.

”I... shall... destroy. I... will...”

She collapsed onto the ground, twitching violently.
Mighty just blinked, too shocked to do anything.

”MIGHTY!” Her voice had lost the edge; it was now desperate… pleading...

”Mighty! I’m so... sorry... she took over...”

Tears were spilling down her face. EC took over.

”SHUT UP, YOU WEAK FOOL!”

Eliza regained control, looking as if she were in a seizure.

”Mighty... I’m sorry… all... I ... ever... wanted was to make… you proud…”

Her body convulsed, fighting of the demon inside of her.

”MIGHTY! HELP ME! I can’t fight… her...”

She extended a shaking hand, begging.

He paced towards her, reaching out to help her… to support her.
They had almost touched, when-

”Get out of my way, you fool!”

The teenager was shoved violently to the side, and RK leapt forward, like a tiger, and thrust his hand, coated with twin knuc-claws, directly into EC’s chest. She gave a shudder, and slumped forward on his arm, eyes closing as her final action.
He removed his arm from her corpse, and watched, with satisfaction, as her dead body clattered against the floor.
Mighty grabbed him by the shoulders.

”Why‘d you do that?!”

”If I hadn’t,” his tone was cold as ice, “She would have infected you, not intentionally… but...”

Mighty was speechless.

”You just saved us all…”

”You’re welcome.”

He left.

Mighty knelt beside the fallen villainess, and cradled her in his arms.

”I love you.”

To his surprise, something dropped onto the ground.

”A Chaos Emerald! No...”

It was yellow, and different shape than a Chaos Emerald. He put it away, making a note to ask Az about it later, and carried the girl off.

Everyone else was cheering.
Sonic had found Sally, and they were trapped in a deep kiss. Knuckles was twirling Az around, ignoring the fact that she was about to throw up, and other members were bouncing up and down in joy, drunk on victory. After much snapping and struggling from Az, Knuckles left her, searching for the others.
Eliza came up to her. She was not smiling.

”Az… You’ll take care of Knux for me?”

Az gave her a hug, her heart throbbing.

”Of course, Eliza. Good luck. I admire your bravery.”

The little echidna blinked.

”You... admire me?”

”Yes.”

”Wow...” her eyes shined, for just a moment, but then they dimmed.

”I’d better go say goodbye to the others.”

And she went off to do just that.

”Hmm,” mused RK, coming up behind Az, “Leave it to RK to ruin a happy ending.”

”RK...”

He outstretched a hand, and she accepted it.

”It was a pleasure working with you, Azillen.”

”You too.”

”Perhaps we shall meet up again… But for now, take care.”

”You too…”

He released her, and turned to leave.

”RK...”

”Yes?”

”Please... don’t hurt Eliza. Let her live. The poor kid has been through so much…”

”Hm… you’re asking a lot out of me, Az. I earned her.”

”Please... do it, for me.”

”I’ll see what I can do.”

She watched him go, sighing wistfully.

”RK, if you weren’t who you were... this would be easier for the both of us.”

Eliza never got to say goodbye to Mighty. Or Knuckles. RK had taken her, and left, once again, like the wind. He wasn’t pleased until they were on the other side of Mobius, in the middle of nowhere. He deposited her on the ground.

”Listen up, kid. I’ve got a wager for you. If you can make it back to the Floating Island without collapsing, I’ll let you get away. HOWEVER, the next time we meet...” he smiled, sending chills down her spine, “When we meet again, it will be exactly like the first time. If you don’t make it, you’re mine.”

Noting her silence, he went on.

”There is a catch.”

He raked his knuc-claws down her legs, disabling them.

”You have to crawl.”

With a burst of speed, he thrust himself into the air, grinning down at her.

”The best form of entertainment. Peel the wings off of a butterfly and watch it writhe around.”

Eliza, using her arms to support her, dragged herself forward a few feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in her now useless legs. She gazed around her.

”How in the world am I going to get home?”

The End?

End of Season 1.

WEE! Wasn’t that fun? Okay folks, just because this is the end of Season 1, doesn’t mean I’m quitting writing. So stop cheering already. ;) There you have it. Sorry it took so long, but other fics, and life got in the way. And, now, for your enjoyment, here are the cast and people behind Corrosion:

Casting
Sonic the Hedgehog- Logan BP
Knuckles the Echidna- David Benjes
Mighty the Armadillo- Silicon Shadow/Omega Cyth
Az Spyre- Captain Chaotica/Chaos Theory
Robo Knuckles- Shaft Hedgehog
Amy Rose- GuardianAmy
Ray the Flying Squirrel- Dark Chaos 0
Bunnie Rabbot- Kiwi Wolf
Eliza and EC- Teela the Knuckles Chao
Kinga the Flying Squirrel- The Outcasts
Shamus Duff- Shax Raptor
André Coté- Juice Hedgehog
Mrs. Coté- Tails 3K
Dr. Robotnik- Darth Bowser
Snively- Sean
RK Fangirls-
MechaSonic2
Faker SDX-643
Sam Cyber Cat

Credits
Random guy with no significance whatsoever: Jim What’s-his-face
Co-Writer: Dr. Sipp’s other personality.
Everything Else: Dr. Sipp
Timeline:

**Enter: Eliza: After the events of Knuckles Chaotix, a beaten Mighty is taken in by a neighbourhood outcast. How does this tie in with Knuckles and the rest of the Chaotix? You’ll find out!

**Duty Calls: Knuckles and Tails have mysteriously disappeared, and Sonic heads to the Floating Island, searching for clues. But what he does find, is far more than he bargained for. A rogue echidna, an old friend, a few friendly faces, and the infamous Metal Sonic!

**Friends 'Till the End: Broken friendships must be mended, grudges cast away, and caretakers disobeyed when Metal Sonic threatens to destroy the Island.

**The Dark Vengeance: Enerjak's back, and craving vengeance! Using Knuckles and the Chaotix as pawns in his evil scheme, the twisted echidna plans to take over the Floating Island, no, the world!

**The Weak, the Strong and the Mighty: When the island is threatened by Volgo the Stoat, an old enemy of Mighty, Mighty must go solo to stop him. However, he isn't as solo as he thinks he is...

Eliza's Birthday Bash: Eliza's tenth birthday has arrived. The Chaotix, and the Freedom Fighters are planning a surprise party. They're not the only ones who want to surprise Eliza, and this particular surprise isn't going to pleasant...

The Armour of an Echidna: Shay-lu is back, and he's geared for revenge against Mighty. The sneaky weasel's got the perfect sinister plot in mind, and he's planning to attack Mighty's 'weaker' side...

A Squirrel Walks Among Us: Whatever happened to Ray the Flying Squirrel? The answer, inside. (Prelude to Trapped)

Trapped: All has been quiet since Shay-lu's attack. Too quiet. Just as Knuckles starts getting used to normality, a new enemy appears. Assassinations appear all over the island, and it's up to the Guardian to find the killer, and stop him.

Behind Steel Doors: Metal Sonic is back… with a vengeance! The robot, long thought to be dead, has returned, with upgrades, an invulnerability to the resistance, and a steely rage. His first action: locking Tails, Ray, Eliza, Amy and Shamus in the abandoned city of Robotropolis

Desert Rose: A sick echidna girl comes to work with Shadow and Metal Sonic in Robotropolis. Metal, reminded of Knux's treachery, decides to keep an eye on her... but things change... The two hedgehogs find themselves growing fond of the girl... and then, the trouble begins... (Prelude to Second Nature)

Second Nature: A competitive treasure-hunting race quickly turns into a nightmare for the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix when Robotnik unleashes his prize creations, instructing them with the sole purpose of collecting the Chaos Emeralds for his diabolical plan, and destroying every single mobian standing in their paths.

Simplicity: A new girl comes to the island, claiming to be a Guardian of some sort. But things take a more nauseating twist when Robo Knux kidnaps the girl, in an effort to manipulate her and her abilities... Which of course, involve the legendary Super Emeralds.

Corrosion: Robotropolis is taken over by a mysterious being, and it becomes a base of operating for the new dictator. Mobius slowly becomes taken over by this powerful unknown. The Chaotix, and what's left of the Freedom Fighters soon learn, that the only hope for Mobius lies with a certain Mecha Bot...

*Hot Flashes: A wounded puppy appears on the Floating Island. A member of the Chaotix takes him in, and the puppy proves to have a thirst for destruction. Knuckles, suspicious, researches the dog's identity... and is shocked at what he finds...

*Sunrise: A young Guardian runs away from home, on a strange quest. Sonic decides that he wants to accompany her. And that's where the mayhem begins..

*Requiem: He's back! Dimitri strikes again, this time as a cybernetic echidna, once again backed up by the Dark Legion! But he's more than ready for Knuckles and the Chaotix this time…

*Parallel: Amy Rose's murder is just the beginning of a series of death-attempts, meant to frame Sonic the Hedgehog. Meanwhile, Metal is having similar problems...

*Double-Blade: A double fic. Limrik tries to sell Eliza to Robo Knux, and his plan backfires. He soon finds himself having to rely on the echidna, if he ever wants to escape RK's wrath. While all this is happening, somebody is desperately trying to make Az lose Guardianship, and it's up to her and Knux to find out who, and stop them.

*Back to the Future: Sonic is transported five years into the future, where a new dictator rules. There is a small band of rebels, but they are losing bitterly. Can he once again bring hope amidst the despair and desolation that is Mobius?

*Psychosis: After all of the hardships that he's suffered, Knuckles the Echidna breaks down. And Robotnik plans to take advantage of the moment.

*Shades of Red: Knuckles is killed on a mission to Robotropolis, to find his father. As if things weren't bad enough, the remainder of the Dark Legion choose that moment to strike the Floating Island.

*Bondage: A chameleon, who claims to be Espio's cousin, arrives at the Island, wanting Espio to join his 'organization'. Little does the chameleon know, the 'organization' is a group of conspirators, aiming for complete takeover!


*: Has yet to be written.
**: Will be revised, re-written, and thrown into a big fic entitled ‘Anti-Climax’ when I get the time.