"You're telling me the only thing standing between you and the Master Emerald was one lousy echidna." Kelsey stood glowering at her younger brother.

"It wasn't just the echidna," Nack protested. "It was that hedgehog friend of his, too."

"So you can't handle being outnumbered by one?"

"You can't underestimate these guys! They--"

"I can't believe how pathetic you are."

"This isn't exactly making me happy to see you again..."

"I just don't see how you could let what is probably the most valuable item on the planet slip through your fingers. Why didn't you go back?"

"Well..." Nack averted his eyes. "I was kinda...tied up. I...I only just got out."

"You were locked up?"

"Well that kinda explains why I haven't been around." He was fidgeting with his gloves.

Kelsey gave a sigh of exasperation as she folded her arms over her chest. "I guess it's up to me to get the Master Emerald. Maybe I can somehow make up for your incompetence."

-

Did she just say the Master Emerald? Cherry had been standing not too far away from where the weasels were conversing. I've gotta warn Knuckles!

***

"Radar," Cherry said, directing her gaze to the bat who had just landed beside her, "I want you to go back and get Akinya." Good, she thought, that weasel doesn't appear to be here yet.

"Gotcha!" As Radar took off once more, Cherry started at a run towards the area she knew Knuckles' cabin was located at. Upon reaching it, she stopped and looked around as she tried to catch her breath. But there was no sign of the Guardian. She was about to open the cabin door when she heard someone say her name. Startled, she jumped and spun around to face the echidna that had addressed her. "Knuckles!" she cried. "You scared me!"

"What are you doing here?" Knuckles asked.

"Knuckles," Cherry said again, standing directly in front of the red echidna. "I have to warn you! You see I was just walking along when I saw some weasels and they were talking and one of them said something about taking the Master Emerald and--

"Weasels?"

"Yeah, two weasels, and one--"

Knuckles spoke in a low voice. "It's gotta be Nack..."

"Not exactly." Both echidnas turned to face a lavander weasel clutching a large particle rifle in both gloved hands.

"So," said Kelsey, eyeing the Guardian, "you must be the one my brother mentioned..."

"Knuckles, she's the one!" Cherry squealed as she grasped the other echidna's arm.

Kelsey shot a piercing glare at the orange echidna. "You," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "I noticed from what you were just telling your boyfriend here that you were eavesdropping on my private conversation with my brother."

"Enough of this!" Knuckles yelled, throwing Cherry off his arm and approaching the weasel. "I don't care who you are. If you don't leave now--" He stopped. The tip of the particle rifle was pressed against his muzzle.

"What were you saying now?" Kelsey flashed a wicked grin. "It seems you already know my purpose in coming here. Now, if you could just play nice..."

"How's THIS for nice!" But the block came just as quickly as the attack; Knuckles' fist collided with the metal of the rifle. Undeterred, he drew back for a second attempt, but his arm was knocked back by Kelsey's weapon.

Cherry ran to help, but in a swift movement too quick for the eye the orange echidna suddenly found herself pinned against the weasel's body, both arms held in a firm grip, the barrel of the rifle pressed just under her chin. Oh crap, she thought. I might be able to escape...except then she'd probably shoot me.

"Stop right there!" Kelsey ordered once she had gotten a firm hold of Cherry. Knuckles froze. "I don't think I need to tell you what happens if you move," she said, grinning wickedly. "Or if she tries to escape. And don't even think about calling for help."

"You filthy coward!" Knuckles yelled. "Why don't you come here and fight me?!"

"You'd be willing to give up your own life, wouldn't you, Guardian?" Kelsey said with a sneer. "But you refuse to sacrifice your friends." Her grin was chilling. "How very noble. The qualities of a true tragic hero." Knuckles said nothing more. He just stared at the ground.

What is he doing? Cherry wondered. He's not giving up, is he? He can't possibly think I'm more important than the Master Emerald...And where are Akinya and Radar?

Just then she heard someone call out her name. Knuckles and Kelsey both turned to see a numbat running towards them. "Cherry! Are you alright?"

"Akinya!"

While everyone's attention was turned toward the approaching numbat, a figure swooped down on Kelsey. "Hey!" the weasel cried.

"Gotta learn ta keep yer eyes open!" Radar quickly rose high above reach with a grin of triumph, clutching the particle rifle in her hands.

Kelsey let go of Cherry and glared up at the flying fox, her teeth and fists tightly clenched. "Come back here!" she screamed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are ya helpless without this?"

"You little brat! Aargh!!" Kelsey fell forward. Holding the back of her head, she turned herself over to see the Guardian standing over her.

"I suggest you leave now," said Knuckles "or I'll have to really hurt you."

Without replying, Kelsey pushed herself up slightly, scanning the sky and ground. She caught a glimpse of the bat who had stolen her weapon heading in the direction of the island's edge. "Hey! Where are you going with that?!" she cried, jumping to her feet. Kelsey ran after the bat, but she was too late; she caught up just in time to witness her gun falling over the edge of the island. "NO!" She reached over to catch it, but it fell just out of her reach. Kelsey gave Radar a poisonous look. She was just about to speak when the others ran over.

"Well," Kelsey said as she faced them, her voice remaining rather calm as a nasty smile spread over her face, "I hate to spoil the party, but I'm afraid it's time for me to take my leave." With that, she jumped into the hovercar that was parked nearby and left.

"Yeah!" Radar cried as she landed on the ground, sporting a victorious grin. "That'll teach her a lesson!"

Knuckles turned to face the two newcomers. "Just who are--"

"Knuckles, it's okay!" Cherry interjected. "They're my friends!"

The red echidna looked them over, his eyes narrowed. "Are you sure they can be trusted?" he said slowly.

"Helloooo!" The bat approached Knuckles, glaring up at him. "Where were ya when we were savin' yer ass?"

Cherry stepped in between the two. "Knock it off, you guys! I would like for my friends to get along. Especially if we're going to stay here." Knuckles gave her an inquisitive look. "Oh, didn't I tell you?" She said, a grin appearing on her face. "I decided that I wanted to stay on Angel Island. And my friends wanted to come with me." She gave a slight shrug. "We just ended up coming earlier than originally planned."

Knuckles blinked. "What are you saying? You mean you'll be living here?"

"You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"Um..."

"Great!" Cherry gave a wide smile. "Now we just have to find a place for Akinya and Radar to stay..."