Elements of Power Ep. 2 Pt. 17

Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power

Episode 2: Elemental Chaos

Part 17

On the last chapter of Elemental Chaos, Knuckles, the Chaotix, and company resumed their battle against Mephiles at the Sandopolis Zone's pyramid, determined to settle things with the villain once and for all. During the battle, the heroes ended up getting held down by a creature that Mephiles summoned from the shadows, and was on the verge of squeezing them all to death. Using her power to control stone surfaces, Squash formed a stone pillar, and launched it at the monster with a telekinetic force, destroying it and freeing herself and everyone else from its grasp. After that, Mephiles once again summoned an army of clones to aid him. As with all the other times, they continued to come back for more, no matter how many of them the heroes managed to fight off.

After a brief "intermission", Mephiles tried something drastic. Using the power of the four Chaos Emeralds in his possession, he absorbed their power, but since he didn't have all seven, he was unable to undergo a "super" transformation. Regardless, he still managed to get a power boost, and quickly fired a large emerald-powered energy beam at everyone, which was powerful enough to not only destroy the heroes, but the entire pyramid, as well. Before the blast could come in contact with them, Tails used the fake emerald that he created to generate a barrier around everyone. However, that was only a temporary solution to the problem, since it's bound to run out of energy, eventually.

With the barrier on the verge of getting pierced through, do the heroes even have a chance of defeating Mephiles anymore? Even if they do manage to avoid it somehow, will they be quick enough to escape from the pyramid before they get themselves caught in the explosion? Also, even if they do emerge victorious, will they have the energy to deal with the Robotniks and their machine, the "Egg Galaxia"? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 2: Elemental Chaos!

Meanwhile, deep into Robotnik's Mystic Ruins base…

*A bunch of broken robot parts are everywhere*

Nack: Well, Bean, whadda ya know? It's just as we thought… 'Dere was a detecta right here in 'dis base, 'n' a Chaos Emerald along widdit!

Bean: Heh heh heh! Awesome! Now, all we need to do is find the other six, so we could receive our pay! If Mephiles doesn't have it, in which he most likely doesn't, we'll just kill him and find someone else who's willing to buy them. Either way, it's a win-win situation for us!

Nack: Yep! As usual, you're definitely speakin' my language!

Bean: …

You always say that.

Nack: Ah, c'mon! Woik wit' me here, okay? It's one o' my catchphrases! It's kinda like how you're always yellin' "Dynamite Power" every time ya throw one o' dem bombs!

Bean: Okay, whatever. Anyway, let's go track down the rest of the emeralds.

Nack: Yeah, sure. Preddy soon, da two've us are gonna be swimmin' in a truckload o' cash! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Bean: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Just as the two crooks were laughing maniacally, a long, robotic arm suddenly stretched toward them and swiped the Chaos Emerald right from Nack's hand.

Nack: WHAT 'DA…!?

*They look in the direction that it came from, and it turns out to be Z.E.R.O. (the robot who chased Amy in Sonic Adventure)*

Bean: Huh!? Who IS that, and where did he come from!?

Nack: Looks like it's one o' Robotnik's hunks o' junk!

Z.E.R.O.: …

Nack: Look, I dunno where ya came from, pal, but we stole 'dat emerald, fair 'n' square! Ya beddah give it back, or ah'mma hafta bussa cap, y'hear!? *Aims his gun at him*

Z.E.R.O.: *Aims a small beam of light at Nack and puts a cursor around him*

Nack: Eh? What's 'e doin'?

Bean: I don't know, but I'd get out the way if I were you!

Z.E.R.O.: *Stretches his arm again and punches Nack right in the jaw*

Nack: Uhhhhhh! *Falls over*

Bean: Ouch… Now I know THAT must've hurt!

Z.E.R.O.: *Sets his sights on Bean*

Bean: *Takes out a bomb* Alright, you piece of junk! It's time you've learned the TRUE meaning of the words "Dynamite Power"!

Nack: Ya see what I was talkin' 'bout? *Gets up*

Bean: Nevermind that, let's just focus on taking this guy down and getting that emerald back!

Nack: A'ight, 'den let's get 'em! Eat lead, chump! *Starts blasting him*

Bean: DYNAMITE POWER! *Starts tossing bombs at him*

*An explosion occurs*

Bean: Heh heh heh! That should take care of him, wouldn't you say?

Nack: Ya beddah believe it!

*The smoke clears, and he's still there, unharmed*

Nack: AH, CRAAAAAAAP! Ya've gotta be freakin' kiddin' me!

Bean: I thought for SURE that we had him!

Nack: Whaddiz 'dis guy MADE of!?

Bean: I don't know, but he's bound to have SOME kind of weakness! Whatever it is, we've gotta find it!

*They continue fighting*

Elsewhere, at the Sandopolis Zone's pyramid…

Tails: Ihhhh…! The emerald's power… It's already beginning to fade!

Marine: IEEEE! WHAT'RE WE GONNA DO, MATES!? WHAT'RE WE GONNA DO!?

Charmy: AAAAAAH!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, that's right, you pathetic little insect! Like I already said, all you're doing is merely delaying the inevitable! HAHAHAHAHAHA… There's no escape for you this time! You're FINISHED!

Vector: We'd beddah come up with' somethin' 'n' FAST!

Wechnia: Tails, that fake emerald of yours… You said that it contains the same wavelength and properties as the real ones, correct? Can't you use Chaos Control to stop time? That way, we'll all be able to make our escape, while Mephiles, on the other hand, will die at the hands of his own attack, since he'll still be in here during the explosion.

Tails: Wechnia, that's a GREAT idea! I just hope it has enough power to pull this off!

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHA… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Tails: Alright, here goes nothing! Chaos… CONTROL!

Using the last ounce of power that was left in the fake emerald, Tails was able to successfully pull off one last Chaos Control, freezing both Mephiles and his energy beam in time.

Charmy: It worked, it worked!

Sonic: Excellent job, Tails! Now, we gotta speed, keed!

Shock: I bet I could make it out of here before you do, Sonic.

Sonic: You're on!

*They take off at high speed*

Storm: *Sweatdrops*(Even at a time like this, they STILL find an excuse to compete with one another…)

Knuckles: Alright, now what do you say we go ahead and do the same, before he unfreezes?

Marine: Sounds good to me!

Following Sonic and Shock, the rest of the heroes took off as well, hastily hurrying toward the exit. About a minute or so later, they all made it out of the pyramid just in time before the effects of the Chaos Control wore off.

Mephiles: W-WHAT!? WHERE'D THEY…!? UHHHHHHHHHH!!!

*An explosion occurs and the pyramid starts crumbling down*

Mighty: Whew… That was TOO close!

Espio: Indeed. Had we been even a second later, we would have ended up like Mephiles.

Honey: Yeah. It definitely serves him right, though!

Seedra: Yeah. That couldn't have happened to anyone more deserving.

Shadow: Yes, but we shouldn't let our guards down just yet. There's a chance that Mephiles has very well survived the explosion.

Tiara: Are you sure? I don't see how ANYONE could have possibly survived that.

Amy: I'd hate to say it, but I agree with Boobowski.

Shadow: There's one of two ways he could have survived. Number one, Mephiles could have teleported himself out of the pyramid, or number two, he got himself caught in the explosion, and was simply reduced back to his original form, where he could regenerate.

Bark: Well, if that second one is true, he could still be sealed up, can't he?

Shadow: Yes, he can.

Rouge: Hey, Omega. Why don't you use your scanners to see whether or not Mephiles is still alive?

Omega: Affirmative. Initiating interior search… *Turns on his scanners*

Charmy: Did you find anything?

Omega: Patience.

Charmy: Okay then. By the way, Sonic, who won the race? You or Shock?

Sonic: We tied…again.

Shock: I know I said this before, but that definitely won't be the case next time. When we race again, I'm gonna be miles ahead of you!

Sonic: Pffft! Oh, please! I'll run circles around you in a sonic second!

Amy: By the way, Shock…

Shock: Yeah, what is it?

Amy: This little rivalry you've developed with Sonic… It's not going to go beyond that, is it?

Shock: What do you mean?

Amy: As in, gaining romantic feelings for each other, because I'm warning you: I'm Sonic's girlfriend!

Tiara: *Glares*

Sonic: *Facepalm* Oh, boy… Here we go again…

Tiara: Shock, don't listen to a word she says. Amy's completely delusional. She is NOT Sonic's girlfriend; she's nothing more than a stalker.

Amy: Yes, I am!

Tiara: What, a delusional stalker? Yeah, I know.

Amy: That's NOT what I meant, and you know it!

Tiara: I'M Sonic's girlfriend!

Amy: No, I'M Sonic's girlfriend!

*They "lightning anime glare" at one another, and everyone sweatdrops*

Blaze: *Sighs* Pathetic.

Silver: This again? Really?

Marine: I dunno about you, but I think it's entertainin'!

Charmy: Hee hee, me, too! It's always really, REALLY funny when they argue!

Vector: *Recording it* Yeah, I'll say!

Silver: By the way, Cream and Marine…

Cream: What is it, Mr. Silver?

Silver: Do you know who it was that Amy was trying to "introduce" me to earlier?

Cream: Well, umm…

Marine: We'll tell ya later, at the beach.

Silver: Oh, okay.

Blaze: (He still hasn't figured it out? Heh, he's still so naïve, but I have to admit… That's something I've always liked about him for some reason.)

Omega: Interior search completed! Scanners indicate that Mephiles has survived, albeit in a weakened state. His current location is underneath the rubble.

Vector: A'ight, now let's get 'em!

*They all rush over there*

Knuckles: Great… It looks like we're going to have to do a lot of digging if we're going to find him.

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH! Trust me, that won't be necessary. Check THIS out!

While holding out the palm of her hand, Squash used a telekinetic force to lift the pyramid's debris from the ground, making it all float in the air. After it was removed, Mephiles was seen lying down, seemingly unconscious with the four Chaos Emeralds next to him.

Blaze: Hmm… He doesn't appear to be conscious.

Charmy: Get it, "bee conscious"? *Snickers*

Splash: …

Seedra: …

Marine: I guess they're still not in the mood, mate. Why not save 'em for later, eh?

Charmy: Okay, okay.

Knuckles: Okay, that's enough chit-chat. Shadow, I think you should go ahead and seal him up while you have the chance.

Shadow: Gladly. *Holds up the Scepter of Darkness*

Before Shadow had a chance to use the Scepter of Darkness, Mephiles opened his eyes, startling everyone in the process. After that, he quickly grabbed one of the Chaos Emeralds, released it into the air, and made a bright light shine from it again, temporarily blinding everyone once again.

Amy: UGH! NOT AGAIN! HOW MANY TIMES IS HE GOING TO DO THAT!?

Mephiles: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You didn't TRULY think an attack like that was enough to finish me, did you? You may have escaped from the pyramid, but once again, I hold all of your lives at the palm of my hands…literally! *Holds out the palm of his hand* Prepare yourselves for a one-way ticket to oblivi-

Just as he was getting ready to finish his sentence and use the piercing beam to finish everyone off, Mephiles was suddenly blasted by a cold, icy mist, causing him to get frozen in sheets of ice.

Seedra: Huh? How did THAT happen? We ARE at a desert, aren't we?

Slush: *Drops down in front of them*

Bark: Ah, it's you, Slush. I thought you said you weren't coming, because you couldn't bear being in "two scorching hot areas in one day"?

Slush: I changed my mind. Sure, I don't like having to come to places like this, but at the same time, I couldn't just sit around and do nothing while everyone else was battling Mephiles.

Bark: I guess that explains it.

Scorch: *Drops down in front of them, too* We're not too late, are we?

Tikal: Not at all. We're glad the two of you could make it.

Scorch: *Holds out the palm of her hand, charges up a fire blast, and aims at the frozen Mephiles*

Vector: Whoa, whoa! Wayda minute! You're not gonna thaw 'im out, are ya!?

Scorch: No, I'm going to break him to pieces! *Blasts him*

*Mephiles breaks, thaws, and reverts back to his dark liquid form*

Scorch: Okay… So I guess I DID melt him after all. Sorry about that.

Silver: It's no big deal. We've got him right where we want him now.

Mephiles: Uggggh…! I…shall return! *Gets ready to fly away*

Shadow: Oh, I don't think so! *Picks up one of the Chaos Emeralds* Chaos… CONTROL!

Mephiles: Ghhh…! *His movement gets halted, like when he was first sealed up* C-Curse you, Shadow the Hedgehog!

Squash: Good, now why don't you let me seal him this time? After all, I WAS the one who released him, and I owe him big-time for what he did.

Shadow: Very well. *Hands her the scepter*

Squash: AH-HA-AH-AH-AH! Now, Mephiles, this is payback! *Raises the scepter into the air*

*The scepter starts sucking up Mephiles' dark liquid*

Mephiles: You…haven't seen the last of me! I…may have lost again, but each defeat only makes me stronger, and serves to bring you all…closer to your ultimate doom! So, you'd all better enjoy this temporary victory while you still can, for it means nothing! Next time, I WILL return, and when I do, mark my words: YOU. WILL. DIE. HAHAHAHAHAHA…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Shadow: Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Mephiles. There isn't going to BE a "next time" for you.

*He gets sucked into the scepter*

Vector: Good riddance!

*The others say something similar*

Elsewhere, back at the Mystic Ruins base, Nack and Bean's battle against Z.E.R.O. continued. This time around, however, they managed to find and expose his weakness, which was the glowing blue core at the top of his head, which was being covered by a "lid". They kept on attacking it, until Z.E.R.O. was eventually destroyed.

Nack: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, we goddem, Bean!

Bean: That outta teach that worthless piece of scrap metal not to mess with us! *Picks up the Chaos Emerald*

Nack: A'ight, now let's start lookin' for de otha six so we could get paid!

Bean: Right.

*They leave the base*

Meanwhile, back at the Sandopolis Zone…

Storm: Well, it looks like our work here is done. It's time for us to head back to Dr. Robotnik's base now.

Sonic: Okay then. Take care, you two.

Shock: Same to you, Sonic. It's quite a shame that we have to be enemies… To be honest, I actually liked working alongside you guys.

Storm: So did I, actually.

Seedra: It doesn't have to end, you know. Why don't you ditch Robotnik and come with us?

Shock: Umm, well…

Storm: …

Splash: Yes, you really should. That goes for you, too, Scorch.

Scorch: I've already told you before, I'm still eternally indebted to the doctor, so that's out of the question for me.

Shock: As for Storm and I, we'll think about it. For now, we're gonna be on our way. *Gets a running start and flies off*

Storm: *Same*

Splash: So, what's next for you, Squash? I guess this means you're going to go back to trying to conquer the world?

Squash: Nah. After what just happened, I'm through with the world domination business.

Splash: I'm glad to hear it.

Slush: Speaking of "world domination", there's another reason I came here. I would have told you this through the walkie-talkie already, but the battery ran out, so I had no choice but to come here to tell you in person.

Vector: Okay, what is it?

Slush: Dr. Nega…he's back!

Everyone: WHAT!?

Blaze: Are you kidding me!? Who let HIM out of the institution!?

Silver: That's what I'D like to know!

Slush: He said something about a "series of earthquakes" that were apparently caused by EG-001 over at Station Square.

*Everyone glares at Squash*

Squash: What're you looking at!? I don't know WHAT she's talking about! Up until now, I've never even HEARD of Dr. Nega!

Shadow: Perhaps both of us are to blame. After all, we did crash into a lot of buildings during our battle, and I guess the mental institution was one of them.

Squash: That explains it…

Slush: Oh, and that's not the extent of it, I'm afraid. Somehow, he's managed to coax Robotnik into forming an "alliance" with him, and the two of them are on their way over here with a new mecha called the "Egg Galaxia", which they're planning on using to destroy you guys.

Vector: Oh, now that's just PERFECT! We pretty much exhausted all our energy dealin' wit' Mephiles, 'n' now we gotta deal wit' THEM, too!?

Scorch: I have to wonder, though… Exactly what's keeping them? Last time I checked, they were ahead of Slush and I.

???: Oh, let's just say that we had a little…errand to run. Eee hee hee…

*They look in the direction of the voice, and find the Egg Galaxia hovering down*

Slush: Oh, great…

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHA… Well, well! What have we here? Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, the Chaotix fools, and a nice handful of traitors! *Glares at Heavy, Bomb, Wechnia, Omega, Squash, and Seedra*

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! By the way, Dr. Robotnik, what would you say if I told you that there was ANOTHER traitor among them?

Robotnik: Oh, really?

Slush: …! (No… He wouldn't…!)

Nega Robotnik:  Yes, that's correct! This individual has been spying on your every move, leaking information behind your back when you least expect it!

Slush: (GRRRR… Why, that bastard!)

Robotnik: Interesting. Who could this person be, exactly?

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! Oh, you'd be surprised as to who it is! But…I'm not saying any names.

Slush: (Whew…)

Robotnik: You're not!? Then WHAT was the point in even bringing it up in the first place!?

Nega Robotnik: If I were to tell you, there'd be no challenge in it. It would take out all the fun of finding out for yourself. I've already given you a hint… I'm sure someone with an IQ as high as yours could figure it out.

Robotnik: ...

Now that you put it that way, I DO like a challenge. I'll figure it out soon enough. For now, why don't we concentrate on the task at hand? Now then… Before we begin, I would just like to take the time to thank you all for taking care of Mephiles for us! That was quite generous of you! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! That's right! It was quite ingenious of me to revive the Solaris Project! While you fools were busy exhausting yourselves battling against Mephiles, the two of us could now take the opportunity to finish you off while you're in that weakened state!

Everyone: …

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! With you fools out of the picture, the two of us will finally be free to conquer this planet and create our ideal world, the Robotnik Empire!

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! That's right! By the way, my dear Blaze… Would you care to take a guess as to what kind of "errand" we ran before we got here?

Blaze: What "errand" would THAT be, huh!?

*The Robotniks hold up the Sol Emeralds*

Blaze: …! The Sol Emeralds!

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! You were SO focused on Mephiles that you carelessly left them unguarded!

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's right! Some guardian YOU are! You're just as incompetent as Knuckles when it comes to the Master Emerald!

Blaze: GRRR…

Knuckles: What'd you say!?

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHA! Now that we've got the Sol Emeralds in our possession, all we need now is the Chaos Emeralds!

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! Yes, and with their power at our disposal, the world shall be our plaything! We shall bring about an age of fear and chaos! And it shall be GLORIOUS! EEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!!!

Robotnik: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Silver: Not if WE have anything to say about it!

Robotnik: Scorch, Slush! You two are welcome to assist us if you'd like. Or are you still exhausted from battling Mephiles?

Slush: Umm, y-yeah, that's it! Also, this heat is really starting to get to me… I have to head back to the Ice Cap Zone to recuperate. So, umm…bye. *Flies away*

Robotnik: What about you, Scorch? Don't you still want to get even with Tikal? Well, now's your opportunity to do so.

Tikal: …

Scorch: I'd like to, but in addition to being tired from fighting Mephiles, my arm is still in pain from when you stabbed it for the blood sample.

Robotnik: Ah, yes. I forgot about that.

Scorch: So I'll be on my way, too… *Flies away*

Nega Robotnik: Ah, well. Who needs them anyway? As long as the Sol Emeralds are in our possession, the two of them are worthless!

Robotnik: Come to think of it, you're right. The Sol Emeralds' power is MORE than enough to have them disposed of, especially while in THIS condition!

Knuckles: Are you two finished talking yet?

Nega Robotnik: Eee hee hee! You're THAT eager to die, are you? Who am I to disappoint?

Robotnik: Yes, it's time we've settled this once and for all! You've all interfered with our plans for the LAST time! Prepare to meet your maker!

Sonic: Bring it on then, Ro-butt-niks!

Although the heroes have defeated and sealed with Mephiles, another challenge now lies in store for them. With all of their strength nearly exhausted from their previous battle, do they have what it takes to stop the two deranged doctors from succeeding with their diabolical plot to conquer the world? Find out next time on Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power!

To "bee" continued…