⸺𝙄 𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?❞

Nine glanced at you, "You okay?" He whispered.

You glanced back at him and shrugged, "I guess we are not that well." Talking about your current situations.

You were back to your emotionless self.

You two were captured once again. This time... only two of you will appear before the council.

He glanced down as you two continued walking along the bots.

"Do you... sense him? Somehow? Is he okay?"

You paused, "I can not. I am sorry. I can't sense anything."

He sighed, "Do you remember what we talked about? Don't make a scene."

You nodded like a soldier.

He didn't speak after that. He wouldn't anyway because you two reached your destinations.

You looked up as the door slide opened.

The bots nudged you two as you started walking once again.

Done it, notice our arrival and hover down to our level.

"Well, if it isn't our favorite..."

He addressed Nine, "What are you anyway? Possum? Weasel?"

"If you wanna see a weasel, just look in the mirror." Nine sassed back.

You only stared at their interactions. The only thing you felt was...emptiness. Maybe this should be making you scared. But you weren't.

A bot shocked Nine and you watched him as he painfully grunted.

"Enough!" Deep shouted.

Deep hover down to our level as a bright light shined towards us, "I have one question for you. And you need to answer it very, very carefully."

"You've already stolen my Shatter Drive technology. What else do you want?"

Eggman spoke up, "There is a whole shatterverse of other worlds for us to conquer!" He hover down to our level, slowly circling around us, "And to do that, we'll need this mothership fully operational!" He turned away.

You raised your brows, with a monotone voice you muttered, "So, you guys don't know what you're doing and desperate for his help."

Eggman turned to you, ignoring your statement, "You! You should feel lucky that we didn't get rid of you until now. I don't care what games you are playing but you're here because you're gonna help him."

You raised a brow at that as Nine glared, "Okay..."

Nine shook his head, "Just figure it out yourselves."

Don't lean in as Nine stepped in front of you as you stared at Don't.

"Or we could figure out how to take you apart, piece by piece."

Nine's eyes widened as you stared at Don't, "Or maybe you would like to see your friend sliced open first? It's up to you."

Nine glared at that.

Babble slides next to you talking gibberish and giggling sinisterly.

On the ocean of No Place, Eggforcers on submarine fires on Dread's ship. You and Sonic dives behind crates.

"You know these scallywags?" Dread asked, ducking from the lasers.

"Yes and no. Short version, they're after the Shard too." Sonic explained.

"Sadly. Give us some breathers, jeez." You sighed.

"You mean the Devil's Lighthouse? Let 'em have it! I already told you, I want nothing to do with it."

The Eggforcers turns and aim towards us, Sonic notices, leaping and grabbing Dread, getting him away from the shot. You jumped away from their fire.

Their fire hit the main mast, we watched it as it cracked and fell back.

"By order of the Chaos Council, surrender or be destroyed." Rusty demanded.

"Rusty, this isn't New Yoke City." Sonic approaches her. "Come on, let's talk this through."

"Quiet, hedgehog. I am addressing the captain."

Batten pointed at him, "He be the captain!"

Sonic proudly posed. Rusty stared at that.

"Sonic is the captain? I wish I was programmed to laugh." She sassed.

"How did you come here?" You demanded as the crew joined in with you.

"The tides of war have changed. And as for how I am here, all of the Shatterverse is now the Council's for the taking."

Your eyes widened, you knew exactly how they managed to travel.

"Nine..." You frowned. You don't remember anything... What happened? You sure hope that he was fine. He is a smart guy, after all. He will be fine.

"Last chance: surrender or sink." Rusty ordered, putting her thumbs up and down.

Batten turns to Sonic, "What's the plan, Cap'n? Hang 'em from the yardarm, send 'em down to Davey Jones, cleave them to their biscuits?" They all look at him, eagerly waiting for orders.

You stare confuse.

"I hear you talking, but I have no idea what you're saying."

The crew looked disappointed.

Rusty didn't wait for his answer, "Fire."

The Eggforcers fires lasers, as the ship jolted you all fall back across the deck.

"The Angel's Voyage is holding up surprisingly well." Sonic commented.

"Aye, she's stronger than she looks." Sails nodded.

"That's... good to know?" You muttered.

Dread picks up the hat and places it on Sonic's head.

"You gonna do something, Cap'n?"

Sonic glares with determination, "You bet I am! I know this crew. They're a well-oiled fighting machine!" He jumped to his feet.

He leaped on to the broken mast, "Battle stations, go, go, go!" He grunted as something blew up next to him, sending him back.

They all rushed around in panic as you stared at them. Did just Sails carry Rose all around the ship in a rush? For what? I mean yeah right now we are under attack and we might just die because they are sending lasers everywhere but.... anyway. Just something we do everyday.

They were fighting with the old crew just fine but they are now rushing around panicking like crazy? Maybe they don't know how to use the cannons?

You quickly rushed to Sails' side and stopped him. He panted as he accidently dropped Rose.

"Ow! Hey!"

Sails sheepishly rubbed his neck.

You got their attention, "Okay, listen up! You two follow me! We're gonna use the cannons!"

They lit up nodding. They rush along with you towards the cannons.

As Dread was about to yell at Sonic for doing a terrible job with giving directions he paused, his eyes caught on you, surprised, as you led his crew to the cannons, urging them to use them instead. He freezed in the moment he was about to scold him, Sonic leaned to the side to look at what he's been staring at so interested, his eyes widened also.

The crew starts firing as flames blew from the cannons onboard the ship. The lasers that the Eggforcers were shooting hit the cannons as they exploded. Some of the cannons hit the Eggforcers and on the submarine, leaving some burn marks or small dents. Sonic rushed in to help out. Rusty glares and extends her legs towards Dread's ship. She lands and you draw your sword with a glare.

"You guys continue firing I'll take care of her." You announced.

"Aye!" They acknowledge. Sonic stared at your back worried but he continued helping the crew.

You sprint towards her. Rusty dodges your attacks and disarms them. Your sword clashes with her hand.

"This doesn't have to be this way, Rusty. You don't need to be the Council's little puppet. You can be whoever you wanna be, you are free to do anything, you are not an object for them to play with."

"Your words cannot change my loyalty to the council. Your powers are interesting, Y/n. You could be a good use for the council. If you come with us without resisting, your other part won't be harmed."

You stare confused but shake your head, "No matter what, I'm not leaving Sonic's side. Speak all you want." You pushed her back.

Rusty sprint towards you, dodging her attacks with your sword, you fend her off.

You block another blow. Her hand clashed with your sword as you two glared into each other's eyes. She pushes you back with her strength as you grunt trying to stay still. She tosses you back and kicks you in the stomach, sending you down to the ground as your sword skitters away. You grunted on the ground.

Rusty steps forward. You struggle to get up in time as Rusty reaches for your sword and tests its sharpness.

"No..." you protest.

"Too bad. You could be a good use for us." She raises your sword.

"Leave her alone!!" You heard a shout. Rusty paused and glanced back as Sonic sprinted towards her.

Before she can do anything Sonic spin dash, sending her overboard.

Sonic landed in front of you and reached a hand towards you. Smiling bashfully, you accepted his hand.

"Thanks for the save, blue."

"Don't sweat it." He winks.

You take your sword back from the ground.

Glancing back at the bots the crew are losing against them as some of the lasers hit the side of the ship, creating a big hole.

You two rushed to the railings looking down at the hole.

"This is bad."

Rusty goes back to the submarine and looks back, seeing the damages.

"Sails!" You two turned to him as you dodged more lasers.

"Okay, pal, I may not know you-you, but I know other yous, and they've all got gizmos."

Sonic looks back at the lasers and ducks before whispering, "Tell me you've got a gizmo."

"The only gizmo I need is me contraption and me brains." Sails explained, showing his mechanical hand, his metal hand showing his head.

"You're a beauty, you know that? Just a beauty." Sonic smiled.

You awed at that.

Our cute moment was cut off by explosions as Dread rushes over to them.

"Sound the retreat before we're sunk!"

A chopper bot scans Sonic's shoes.

"Shard energy compass calibrated."

Sonic glares at it, "That's not good. Come here!"

He tries to grab it, but the bot flies back to Rusty.

"Perfect. We have what we need." Rusty faces Sonic and crosses her arms behind her back, "This remarks the end of our time together."

The Eggforcers floats up in the air for a bit, ready to fire.

"Vaporize them." She orders.

"Goodbye, Sonic, Y/n." Rusty notices Rose through her scanner. Rose also notices her through her telescope and gasps as they stare at each other.

"Who is that?" they said in unison.

Rusty starts glitching until she quickly shakes it off.

"Wait!" She quickly faces the Eggforcers, stopping them. "Set course, and we will be on our way. No need to waste time destroying a sinking ship." The bots stop flying.

The submarine sails away from the Angel's Voyage. Barrels and crates float around the half-sunken ship. The cat falls from the tilting deck. You slide your sword back into its place and dust yourself.

"Cap'n, we're taking on too much water." Sails said, holding onto the pole.

Sonic tries to steer the ship. You tried to walk towards him but your feet slipped under you, grunting, you yelped as you fell on your back. Sails got a hold of your arm with his metal one not letting you slide off any further. You nervously smiled at him for thanks.

Sonic grunts, "Come on! I need you to steer!"

Batten underlined, "There's no point in steering a sinking ship, Sonic. She only goes one direction, straight down."

"But they're after the Devil's Lighthouse." He protested.

He quickly walked down from the stairs, "Oh, no, no, this isn't over. I can fix this!"

He looked around, noticing how bad our situation was, "Fine, I can't fix this." He fell to his knees, "I am no sea captain."

He lit up, "But I know someone who is! Where is Dread?" he looked around.

Batten points overboard.

"Dread!" Sonic shouted quickly coming to the railings. You looked down along with him, noticing he was lowering the boat down onto the water.

"Wait, where are you going? Dread!" He calls out to him, as you shook your head in disappointment. He is leaving his crew? Just like that? You feel sorry for his crew.

He ignores him and starts rowing.

You two followed him on the ship, "I don't care what version of Knuckles you are, you don't give up! It's your most annoying virtue!"

You added, "Also amazing. Most people just give up."

Sonic nodded, agreeing, "This Shard is our only hope of finding our home." He yelled at him.

"We need you! Your crew needs you! You're Knuckles The Dread, captain of the Angel's Voyage! Dread!!" He shouted for him to come back.

"I gave up years ago, Blue, when I wrecked trying to get that shiny rock you're after." Dread continued to be stubborn. That's definitely a trait of his.

"We can still get it. With your captaincy and my speed, you're not gonna wreck on those rocks again." Sonic keeps on trying to change his mind.

Dread thoughts to himself, "He is fast, fast enough to get me past them rocks."

"We can do it together! And me and Y/n can get home!"He yelled.

"And I'll finally get me treasure." Dread concluded with a grin.

You gotta make him come back, he is the only choice you guys have, "And you'll forever be known as the legendary Knuckles the Dread!!" You shouted also.

"The legendary Knuckles The Dread." Sonic yells more causing you to flinch.

"Aye. The legendary Knuckles The Dread." Dread whispers to himself.

You two watched as his figure grew smaller and smaller.

"Dread..." You sighed.

"He gave up. He's gone." Sonic looks down with defeat.

He quickly shook his head turning towards the ship, "U-uh, Don't.. worry, we're gonna be fine. Right, Rose?" Sonic smiled.

Rose smiles and salutes at him.

"Aye, Cap'n."

Coconuts roll past Rose. She struggles to hold on, but ends up sliding down the deck.

"Oh, who I be kidding? We're doomed!"

Batten and Sails hang onto the Crow's Nest as the cat and the frog slide closer to the water.

"Hold onto something!" Sails exclaimed.

You hold onto the railing to keep yourself from sliding down while Sonic struggles to hold his balance.

"Well, looks like we're going down."

Suddenly, Dread swings by. He takes his hat from Sonic and places it back on his head.

"Ha! What kind of talk is that?" He laughed, looking at him.

"We're back! Arr!" Rose smiled in relief.

"I knew you'd be back, Captain." Batten exclaimed, making you shake your head.

Dread lands right where the steering wheel is.

"Batten, Sails, get below, pump up every floaty you can find." Dread ordered.

"Aye-aye, Captain." Sails said before flying off.

Dread faces Rose and the cat.

"Rose, Catfish, mend the mast as best as ye can, then hoist the main sail."

Rose and Catfish slide down to get to work.

Sonic appears next to him, "I knew you would come back for your crew! That's the Knuckles I know." You nodded agreeing on it.

You two sprint off to help them out.

"I may be back, but it ain't for me crew."

Sails flies up with a line of colorful floaties and pulls it around the sides of the ship. Sonic bails water from the deck as you help alongside him. Catfish carry a stack of crates with the frog on top. Sonic runs above the water and gets floating barrels back to the ship.

Dread looks around, smiling. Sails then patch the hole with wood planks to make sure the hole is fully covered.

Dread jumps down and looks up to Batten and Sails as he throws Sails some colored lights and punches the broken mast back up. Batten gets hold of the Crow's Nest and Sails strings the lights around the mast.

"Pull!" Sonic, you, and Catfish pull the rope to secure the mast.

"Yes, yes! Weird, but yes!!" Sonic grinned in victory.

"Whoo-hoo! We did it!" Batten cheered as you all stared at your handy works.

"And now the Lighthouse." Dread head towards the stairs.

"Uh, Cap'n, haven't you always said that the way to the Devil's Lighthouse was..." Rose started causing Dread to pause and look at them.

"Certain death." Batten finished her sentence.

"That I did. And it is." Dread grinned. "I've charted a course in me mind. Don't ye worry, I have a plan." He turned away, walking up the stairs, "It's going to be legendary."

This made you and Sonic glance at him, raising an eyebrow.

"We will reach the asset within the hour." Rusty Rose reported on the submarine.

The hologram she's been reflecting on is starting to glitch up, and nothing but incoherent sounds come out of it.

"You are breaking up." She pointed out.

Dr. Deep frustrated bangs on the communicator, "Something is wrong with the connection!" The screen glitches up further. They all groan.

Done It exclaimed, "Oh, for the love of quiche!"

"What's a quiche--" You muttered until Nine nudged you.

"What?" You stared at him as he rolled his eyes.

Deep turns around, ignoring your comment, "Ah, it doesn't matter."

He gets up from his seat drumming his fingers over each other, "We can communicate across the worlds. Our conquest of the Shatterverse has begun." He turned to them.

Babble approach, talking gibberish as he punched his hand and imitate an explosion.

Deep stroke his chin, "Agreed. With our work complete, I'll give our girlbot the go-ahead on Operation Elimination."

You muttered, unfazed, "It's more like operation crimson all over."

Nine scoffed, causing all of you to turn to him, "Eliminating the hedgehog is a bad idea." He glanced away, warning them.

"Arguing for the life of your friend? What a shock." Eggman replied uninterested.

Nine quickly answered, "He left me at your mercy when I needed him the most," He looked away, his ears dropping, "Hardly what you'd call friendly behavior." He sassed.

He added looking back at them, "But you'd be a fool to get rid of him before the Shatter Drive technology is perfected."

Done It approaches him, "It is perfected! We've traveled to another Shatter space."

"You sent your robots to another Shatter Space. Big difference." He smiled, razzing them up, "You've only barely accomplished what he's done without any technology. He's a living Shatter battery."

You nodded, "He got a point."

The power shut down then started again.