//------------------------------// // Final Preparations // Story: Red Guardians // by MetalJrock //------------------------------// Some time had passed since Knuckles and Big Mac met Robotnik. The scientist managed to find a few of his repair robots. Which he called Badniks. The Death Egg was moved to a new location, which Knuckles recommended. It was in the middle of the island, far enough so that Sonic wouldn't be able to make it in time to stop it from being repaired. The colt looked at this area, seeing how different it looked in only a week into repairs. "Thank for you this, Knuckles." said Robotnik. Knuckles smiled, "It was no problem. I'll fo anything to make sure Angel Island and the world is safe from the hedgehog." "Um, Knuckles?" Big Mac began to say, "Should we move the Master Emerald?" Robotnik raised a finger, "That would be a good idea, Knuckles. Sonic and Tails would no doubt find the Master Emerald in that small shrine and use it." The echidna responded, "It would be smart. We should head back to the shrine then. I know a spot where we can hide it. It's far enough so that Sonic will have no chance of making it." "Smart thinking, mister Echidna. In fact, I may have something that can help you in the long run." the three stepped into a hidden teleporter. Which they used the ease transportation around the island while preparing it for battle. Knuckles got the Master Emerald and went to the spot he decided on to hide it. The Hidden Palace. He placed it a top a small platform next to seven others. "There. Sonic would never reach it. Even then, I got a spare hand to help." "Eeyup." Big Mac agreed. "So, what else did you mention?" Then, without warning, the island began ro rumble and the three felt themselves in a freefall. A loud splash was heard, frightening Big Mac and even Knuckles, "Er. Before I continue, may I ask what it was that just happened?" Robotnik wondered. Knuckles kicked the ground, "Great. When I moved the emerald, I must've accidentally ensured that the island fell. We're grounded now, you two." he revealed. "What does that mean?" the colt questioned. Robotnik adjusted his glasses, "I believe he's saying we're no longer in the air. Which means that Sonic will know of this sooner than expected. No need to be worried as I have an idea that may help you stop him." "Alright, doc. We're listening." the echidna spoke. The scientist raised a finger, "You see, all around the island I have security cameras installed. Using them, you can be able to track down Sonic and Tails at any region of the island. I was going to use the Hidden Palace as a place to store the monitors. Using the teleporters here, it will give you and advantage in catching the blue and yellow rodents off guard once they arrive." "Can we see? I wanna see!" Big Mac cheered. "Aren't you excited?" Robotnik chuckled, "Of course. Follow me this way." he said. The three walked deeper into the caverns near the Lava Reef Zone. In the middle of a room, where a large amount of monitors. Knuckles and Big Mac haven't seen anything like it before, but for Robotnik this creation was nothing special. "These are monitors I've installed for tracking each camera placed around the island, inside and around the borders." the scientist explained. "I assume the traps are already set as well as the Badniks?" "Yeah. Sonic and Tails won't know what hit them when they get here." the echidna laughed. "What can I do, Mister Knuckles?" asked Big Mac. Knuckles ruffled the colt's mane, "How about you help keep an eye on these monitors? If I need your help, I'll signal you to come over with the teleporters. Sound good, kid?" "Eeyup!" Robotnik smiled softly, "Now, the hedgehog and fox can tear through my robots with ease, but I've come prepared for them going through my Badnik army. I can show you my Egg Bosses that I've built while repairing the Death Egg." "Bosses?" Big Mac repeated. The doctor nodded, "That's right, Big Mac. I'll show you them back at the Launch Base real quick." Knuckles nodded as well and they all stepped into the teleporter back to the Launch Base Zone. "Here it is, gents. My Egg Boss army. It's not quite as large last time I'll admit. But I have a foolproof plan that will evade the rodents for the longest time." Robotnik chuckled, pressing a button and opening a capsule. They were right outside the Death Egg, where Robotnik kept a few weapons. "What the heck is that?" Knuckles asked, crossing his arms at the sight of the creation. It was a robot shaped like Eggman with a metallic outside similar to his clothes, a laser gun on his hand and a jetback strapped to his back. Robotnik smirked, "This is my Eggrobo! It will be piloting the various mechs I've created to distract Sonic and Tails while they are here on the way to the Launch Base, where I'll be putting the finishing touches to the Big Arm and another creation of mine." "A Big Arm? It is like a giant fist?" Big Mac asked, "Can I pilot it?" "No, Big Mac." Knuckles replied sternly, the echidna shaking his head, "You should leave this to Robotnik. He knows more about this stuff than we do." Robotnik looked over, "Thank you mister Echidna." he gestured to some round designed robots, "These are various remote-controlled drones that will halt the duo in their path. This one is fire-based, and can shoot missiles while this one can create whirlwinds underwater and is designed similar to my Orbinaut Badniks." "Not bad, doc." Knuckles complimented. "These are so cool!" Big Mac cheered. "I'm glad you approve." the scientist chuckled, "Now I have at least two more things to show you and a few other Egg Bosses shall remain a surprise for you all." "Okay!" Big Mac shouted, "What else is here?" Robotnik clasped his hands together, "Well, little pony. The first is an airship I've built in no time at all. The Flying Battery. It will make a nice little detour for Sonic and his companion while I continue my plan to launch the station." he showed the guardians a giant airship designed to be launched sometime soon to patrol the island. "And last, but certainly not least..." Robotnik muttered, he opened another capsule. In it was another robot, this one tall and blue, with spikes on thr back of its head. "This is without a doubt one of my greatest creations. Well, an upgrade of a wonderful invention I made. I call it Mecha Sonic!" he introduced. Knuckles raised a brow, "Mecha Sonic? Like a robot that looks like Sonic?" Robotnik raised a finger, "You are correct, Knuckles. Sometime before I built the Death Egg, I had studied Sonic and his abilities. Using my genius, I had managed to create robot capable of being as fast as the hedgehog and put it to a field test: Metal Sonic, but of course, Sonic had to destroy it. So I scavenged what I could find and with my data, I managed to upgrade Metal Sonic to do things he originally couldn't do. He's faster, capable of fighting, and when in a pinch, he can harness the energy of the Chaos Emeralds!" "Chaos Emeralds? You can use them?" Big Mac questioned Robotnik. "For purposes of good I assure you." Robotnik assured. Knuckles spoke, "That's right, Mac. He's only using the emeralds to stop that menace Sonic. I assume Mecha Sonic is being awakened once he arrives?" "Yes. He will be a challenge for the menaces!" The echidna decided to say one more thing, "Thanks for showing us all this, Robotnik. But I think Big Mac and I should keep an eye out for Sonic back at the Hidden Palace. Let us know if you need any help." he saw the genius nod as they stepped into the teleporters. Knuckles looked at the hieroglyph within the Hidden Palace Zone near the Master Emerald shrine. "What are you looking at, mister Knuckles?" asked Big Mac. Placing a hand on the wall, the guardian answered, "A prophecy. I think I understand what my ancestors are telling me." "Tell me!" Big Mac pleaded, "I wanna know!" Smiling, Knuckles continued. The hieroglyph was of a strange glowing yellow hedgehog chasing after an odd egg-shaped being holding the Master Emerald. "This prophecy is telling me that I have to help Eggman protect the Master Emerald from this Sonic person. It is my duty as the guardian." "Fun." said the colt. Alarms were heard nearby and the two ran back to the exit of the Lava Reef Zone. Knuckles slammed his fists on the desk near the monitors, seeing a light on one of them blinking. "Robotnik's motion sensors are going off. It means something is coming in this direction. And it's on this monitor." The two looked at the monitor, seeing something in the distance, hovering over the water. It was red biplane, piloted by a yellow fox. Standing on the wings was a blue hedgehog, the one described to the guardians. "They're here." Knuckles growled. "Sonic and Tails are here? We can finally kick their butts!" Big Mac chanted. Knuckles stepped away, "Stay here for now, Big Mac. I'm knocking the emeralds out of him." he warped away in a red light, readying himself to face his new rival.