“Look, Robotnik, I don’t care who you’ve brought to help you. You’re never going to get my power.” Sonic’s fur crackled with energy as he prepared to run straight through the Eggman’s face and into the next county. But this other creature . . . this Knuckles had another idea.

“Do I look like I need your power?” he growled at Sonic as his fist sparked with a chaotic red energy like Sonic had never seen. This time, the punch wasn’t a warning tap, and somehow Sonic couldn’t outrun it.

Smash! The force of the blow sent Sonic through a wall and out into the night.

“Have fun, you two!” Robotnik’s voice echoed from the hole Sonic had just blown through the house. And in a moment, Knuckles had landed on top of him.

“Where is it?” the echidna practically barked.

“Where’s what?” Sonic was genuinely confused. Robotnik had always wanted his power. That force inside of him that gave him his speed. How could he give that up?

“WHERE IS IT???” Knuckles bellowed again, punching the ground so hard its shockwaves sent Sonic flying off the shattering patio.

Sonic looked up with hazy vision and saw what he now knew were his two greatest enemies in the world towering over him.

-Chapter 5