Sonic rushed back to camp, breezing through the jungle of the island, with slight worry. "I've been out here all night, leaving my friends. I hope they were okay without me."

He came to a screeching halt when he heard leaves rustling. Sonic quickly his behind a rock formation, peeking slightly over. Out came of the bushes was a Dark Legion group. Sonic eased and listened in on the conversation.

"You all know what to do, guard the parameters of the base, and collect a sample of the Master Emerald." The leader instructed his comrades. Most of them nodded in understanding, with one chiming in. "Will we need to look out for the Guardian?"

"Yes, do not let him interfere. You know of his abilities." They marched on, passing the rock Sonic was crouching out. He felt the coast was clear a few minutes after, and emerged.

"No doubt Eggman's going to put use on that energy, which means it will be a threat back home and elsewhere. No way I'm letting that happen!" Sonic started dashed back to camp. "I gotta let Tails and Knux know, or that Emerald's power falls in the Empire's hands!"

"You say you accessed the database? I guess that's a step up for us." Vector said on the Miles Electric. "I might be able to temporarily disable it, but I'm still working on it." Tails explained. "We're going to do work here. How are you all holding up over there?" Knuckles asked.

"Ok for the most part, these calls are driving me up the wall though." Vector chuckled. "Yeah, Vector almost lost his cool this morning! I told him his anger's gonna make him age faster!" Charmy piped up, followed by a grumble from the crocodile.

"We're waiting for Sonic to return, wherever he is. Where's Su?" Knuckles peered at the feed. "Out scouting. We heard there's been monsters coming out lately, so we've been out here since yesterday evening looking out." Vector said, pushing Charmy back.

"I've heard of those monsters. They attacked near New Mobotropolis. I wonder what powers them to rampage every night..." Tails turned around, hearing a blast approaching. The blue blur stopped, dust kicking up at the sudden motion. The dust cleared to reveal Sonic.

"Sonic! Where have you been? You left without telling us!" Knuckles scowled. "Sorry about that, I wasn't tired last night, so I went to stretch my legs." Tails stood up, eying Sonic. "We were worried, we thought you got lost."

"I'm sorry, bud. I needed wind in my spines. You know how I hate staying in one place." Sonic forced a smile. Even with the explanation, Tails still felt concerned. "Hello? Are you still there?" Vector's voice rose from the Miles Electric.

"Yeah, we're here. Sonic just got back." Tails said. Sonic looked ready to say something to them, so Tails wrapped up the call. "Well, be careful. With Eggman's forces planted everywhere, you never know what could happen."

"Sure will. Talk to ya later!" The call cut, with Sonic able to tell them what he saw. "Turns out we've got the Legion bringing more goons to the island. They want to gather energy from the Master Emerald."

"Not on my watch they don't!" Knuckles growled. "Did you see where they're heading?" Tails asked. "I saw them going towards there," Sonic pointed to the metal structure some miles back. "They are going to the Emerald shrine too, so we'd better get moving."

"I'll teach them not to lay their paws on my Emerald!" Knuckles pounded his fists. "Tails, you said you could hack into their database, right? That should have something of value we need to see." Tails stuttered. "W-Well, yeah. I suppose so. Wouldn't hurt to try."

"Sweet! I'm feeling in the mood to go after a Egg Legion group!" Sonic smirked. Tails put a hand on Sonic's shoulder, his brows furrowed. "Sonic, you've been acting a little off. If you still are feeling shaken from yesterday, you can tell me y'know."

Sonic looked at him, nervously trying to reassure his friend. "I'm fine Tails. There are other people affected by the earthquakes, and I just wanna help them all." Tails stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess you're right. This island and other places need someone to help, and there's nobody like our team to save them."

"Yeah, basically." Sonic let out a laugh and lead his team away from camp into the forest. "The world looks to us for help, and we're gonna be there to give it to them."

"Orbot, can you give a report on the status of the Legion?" Eggman ordered. "The regional Legions are at work, sir. Angel Island is secured, and others are ready to do the same." Orbot said.

"Good. Once I harness the power of the deity of this world and the Master Emerald, I shall power my greatest weapon, and my empire will rule over Mobius!" Eggman grinned. "But boss, the energy at the planet's core is unstable. We have no idea of the effects it has on someone, harnessing it could prove a challenge."

"Then I'll figure a solution. I never leave a plan without a backup solution. I came up with a backup plan after Sonic got back alive from the burning of Knothole."

"And Sonic managed to rescue his friends from the Egg Chamber either way." Orbot corrected.

Eggman grunted, waving his hand. He turned to Snively. "Snively, tell Lein-Da and the others to keep an eye out for fissures, I can harness energy from them. Immediately please!" Snively rolled his eyes and got to work.

"Now that's Sonic's out of the way, spreading out my army should be much easier. Cubot! Orbot! I want my prototype to be made as soon as possible." The robots took in the command, and started his order.

"Uh, ya think Sonic's friends might try and sabotage?" Cubot inquired. "They have their strengths, bit sooner or later they'll feel overwhelmed without Sonic. That's a weakness for those Freedom Fighters, and a positive for me. I've waited far too long for this day to come, and with the planet split in pieces, there's no hope left for Sonic's friends. I will get the last laugh, even if I have to wipe out those nuisances one by one."