The wrecking ball ricocheted off the columns of the chamber, breaking stone to rubble as it went. The room shook violently, and Sonic made a dash toward the Emerald, leaping from fallen stone to fallen stone. But just as he was within reaching distance of the prize, Wham! Knuckles charged into him with full force and launched Sonic across the room.

“Boy, you two really want to hurt each other,” Robotnik called. “Are you sure you’re not related?”

Now it was Knuckles’ turn to go for the Master Emerald. He rushed forward fists-first like an ape charging through the jungle. Sonic whipped himself into a spin attack and cut the echidna off midway, blasting both combatants back to opposite sides of the chamber.

The hedgehog steadied himself, while across the cavern, Knuckles dug his fists into the ground, equally ready for a bull rush. The Emerald would have to wait until these two settled the score.

“You’ve interfered with my destiny for the last time, hedgehog!” Knuckles yelled.

“Aw, really?” Sonic said cheerfully. “That’s too bad. I was enjoying kicking your butt.”

Sonic dove into the space above, his chaotic speed energy rippling off him in electric blue waves. When Knuckles leaped up to meet him, an angry wave of red energy followed in his wake. The two met in a colorful clash of muscle and magic. The temple began to collapse around them from their battle, but they were too focused—and too evenly matched—to notice or care.

“Why don’t you stand still and die with honor?” Knuckles howled.

“Another idea: How about I run around a lot, and you don’t kill me?”

Amid the madness, a sneaking presence crept ever closer to the Emerald. Robotnik didn’t have his army of drones on him now, but that didn’t make him any less dangerous. “Hey there, beautiful,” he said, approaching the gem. “You’re the real deal, aren’t you?”

“Knuckles, stop!” cried Sonic, seeing the danger too late. “Robotnik is stealing the Emerald!”

-Chapter 14