Elements of Power Ep. 3 Pt. 6

Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power

Episode 3: The Goddess of Destruction

Part 6

Last time, on Elements of Power, the two criminals, Nack the Weasel/Fang the Sniper and Bean the Dynamite had stolen both the Fire Element Chaos Ring and Tails' emerald detector right from under the Chaotix's noses and had them lured into a trap. Just when the two of them were on the verge of making their getaway, Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, E-123 Omega, Metal Sonic, and EG-001/Squash, the Goddess of Stone showed up in the nick of time to block Nack and Bean's escape. With his gun out of ammo, Nack had to resort to using his knife as a backup weapon, and got into a small skirmish with Squash, but ended up getting defeated in the end.

Cornered by both sides (Knuckles and company, as well as Shadow and his group), Bean was left scratching his head, wondering how he was going to get himself out of yet another jam. Just then, the tattered and beaten-down Nack suggested clouding everyone's vision with a smoke bomb and/or using knockout gas, but thanks to Rouge's ultrasensitive hearing, their escape plan was stopped before it could be put into effect. Unable to escape, Nack and Bean decided to try facing everyone head-on, but in the end, they ended up getting themselves beaten and overpowered by the heroes. Shortly after their defeat, Rouge called the police, and before the two of them could make their getaway in time before they arrived, Squash used her super strength to lift the police car and covered the trench with it to prevent them from getting away. Fifteen minutes later, the police arrived and arrested the duo, effectively bringing the two crooks to justice.

Elsewhere, at the Mystic Ruins jungle, Dr. Robotnik and Scorch have managed to detect the second Elemental Chaos Ring at the Ice Cap Zone. Scorch agreed to go over there by herself; not only for the purpose of obtaining the Chaos Ring, but to ask Bark the Polar Bear if he knew anything about the whereabouts of Slush, who she hasn't seen at all for the past week. After she and Robotnik split up for the time being, EG-002/Seedra, the Goddess of Leaves, who happened to be in the area at the time, overheard their conversation, and has decided to take part in the ring-hunt, as well, in order to prevent EG-005 from being brought to life. Will Seedra be able to find the next Elemental Chaos Ring before Scorch does? Find out in this exciting chapter of Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 3: The Goddess of Destruction!

Meanwhile, at Tails' Workshop…

*Music Cue*

Heavy: *Watching a news report about Nack and Bean getting arrested* Well, it's about TIME! It took exactly HOW long for them to finally catch those two?

Bomb: A lot longer than any of us could count, let's just put it that way.

Tails: Yeah. With all the crimes they've committed, I knew it was only a matter of time until it happened, though.

Heavy: Well, good riddance. That's all I have to say about that. Nack, in particular, has always grated on my nerves.

Cubot: Err… But 'cher a robot, though…  Ain't 'cha, pard? Last time I checked, ya didn't have any nerves. Just a buncha circuits, wires, 'n stuff.

Heavy: I know that, you idiot. It's just a figure of speech.

Cubot: Well, ya don't hafta be so rude 'bout it, y'know.

Orbot: Decided to switch your voicebox back to "cowboy" mode, I see?

Cubot: Well, yah. It's been stuck on it fer so long, 'dat Ah've gotten purdy used to it.

Tails: Robotnik programmed you with a lot of different voices, right? I've been wondering… What does your real one sound like?

Cubot: Err, well…

Orbot: You don't want to know. Trust me.

Tails: Really? Alright then.

Heavy: Yes, I think I'll take your word for it, as well.

Bomb: Same.

*Suddenly, a knock is heard at the door*

Tails: Come in!

Seedra: *Enters* Hi, everyone!

Tails: Ah, hey, Seedra!

Bomb: Hey.

Orbot: Hello.

Cubot: Howdy!

Heavy: Yeah, hi.

Tails: It's nice to see you. So, what brings you over here?

Seedra: Well, I was wondering if you'd let me borrow your emerald detector. I need it for something important…

Tails: Oh, let me guess. This is about the Elemental Chaos Rings, right?

Seedra: Yes, actually. Not too long ago, I overheard Robotnik say that one of them landed at the Ice Cap Zone, and then Scorch took off to find it right afterwards. Luckily, he didn't tell her exactly where it was, but by using your detector, I should be able to find it before she does!

Tails: I'd like to lend it to you, Seedra, but I've already given it to the Chaotix and Splash when they were here earlier.

Seedra: Really? Where are they now?

Tails: I remember them saying that they were heading towards Lava Reef, so chances are, they've already found the Chaos Ring that was over there, and are probably heading for the Ice Cap Zone, themselves.

Seedra: You just may be right. Thanks, I'll see you later, bye-bye now! *Rushes out the door*

Orbot: Wow, she's sure in a hurry, isn't she?

Tails: Yeah. Hopefully, she and the Chaotix will be able to get those Chaos Rings before Robotnik does. In the meantime, I'm going to continue working on Gamma's adjustments. You guys can help me out, if you want.

Heavy: Sure, why not? I've got nothing better to do.

Bomb: Neither do I. After all, we're robo-mechanics. Fixing things is what we do best!

Outside…

Seedra: So, they're all the way at the volcano, huh? If I had the time, I'd definitely join them, but since I had to make that stop at Tails' Workshop, Scorch is already a few steps ahead of me. By the time I go over there and back, she'll probably have already found that Chaos Ring! Robotnik didn't tell her its specific location, but still.

…

Come to think of it, exactly where IS the Ice Cap Zone, anyway? Oh, dang it! I should've asked Tails and the others about it while I had the chance! Ah, well… It shouldn't be too far. Wherever it is, I'll find it sooner or later. If possible, I'd like to avoid a direct confrontation with Scorch, since my powers are no match for hers, but if there truly isn't a way to avoid it, then I guess I'll have to find another method of taking her down! *Speeds up*

As Seedra continued sprinting through the Mystic Ruins, she eventually came across what appeared to be a cave entrance of some sort. Figuring that it must lead to the Ice Cap Zone, she decided to go through it, but it instead turned out to be a Chao Garden entrance.

Seedra: Huh? *Looks around* I guess this isn't the Ice Cap Zone after all. *Notices Chaos* Oh, hello. My name is Seedra. Who might you be?

Chaos: *Insert bubbling noises here*

Seedra: I'm sorry, but… I don't think I understand you.

???: He says his name is Chaos.

*Music Cue*

Seedra: Hmm? *Looks towards the other entrance* Oh, hey, Tikal. You, too, Mighty, Honey, and…Ray, right?

Ray: Yeah, that's my name, don't wear it out.

Seedra: Ah, okay. *Faces Chaos again* Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Chaos. *Politely bows*

…

Wait a minute, Tikal… You could actually understand him?

Tikal: Why, yes, I could.

Mighty: We're just as surprised about it as you are, Seedra. Anyway, how are you doing?

Seedra: Pretty good for the most part. Say, would you guys happen to know where the Ice Cap Zone is?

Mighty: Yeah, there's an entrance to it in a cave that's not too far from here. All you have to do is take a right, and you won't be able to miss it. Why do you ask?

Seedra: Well, you see… *Explains*

Everyone: WHAAAAAAT!?

Mighty: So, in order for Robotnik to bring some new creation of his to life, he's trying to get these "Elemental Chaos Rings", and in order to stop him, you're trying to get them before he does, right?

Seedra: That's right.

Ray: Whoa, that doesn't sound good… If this Eee-Jee-Whatever is getting powered by the Chaos Rings like Metal Sonic 3.0 was last week, she could become the biggest threat since Solaris!

Tikal: I couldn't agree more! I think we should start looking for them as soon as possible!

Honey: You said that Scorch was already looking for the one at the Ice Cap Zone, right? How do you know for sure that she hasn't found it yet?

Seedra: That's because Robotnik only told her the general area where it was located, rather than where it was specifically. Plus, I've noticed that she seems to be occupied with something else. Before she took off, I heard her say that Slush has gone missing somehow.

Ray: Come to think of it, I don't believe I've seen her around lately, either…

Mighty: I hope nothing's happened to her…

Tikal: Same here. Wherever she is, I hope she's okay.

Seedra: I hope so, too. In any case, why don't we start looking for the rings?

Mighty: Yeah, we should. No matter what, we can't let Robotnik get his hands on them!

Tikal: Are you coming with us, Chaos?

Chaos: *Bubbling noises*

Ray: What's he saying now?

Tikal: He says that he would like to, but he can't leave this Chao Garden unprotected.

Mighty: Alright, that's understandable. Especially since Robotnik tried to blow it up last month. In any case, though, we'll see you later, Chaos.

Just as the five of them were leaving the Chao Garden, bound for the Ice Cap Zone entrance, they ended up running into the Chaotix and company, who just returned from the volcano.

*Music Cue*

Charmy: Hey, look, you guys! It's them!

Vector: Well, I'll be! We were just talkin' about you guys not too long ago!

Mighty: You were?

Espio: Yes, we were saying that we could use your help in finding the remaining six Elemental Chaos Rings. I'll take it that you haven't heard about them yet?

Mighty: Yeah, we have. We heard about them from Seedra a little while ago.

Charmy: Hey, Espio, did you notice that Honey's here? *Snickers*

Espio: Yes, I did. What's your point?

Charmy: Ohhhh, you know! *Snickers again*

Honey: D-Don't start that again, okay? I told you before, we're just friends!

Charmy: Yeah, suuuuure! Silver and Blaze said the same thing, though, and look what happened with them. *Snickers again*

*Everyone sweatdrops*

Vector: Charmy, will ya just give it a rest already?

Charmy: Okay, okay. By the way, did you guys hear the news yet, about Nack and Bean getting arrested?

Ray: Whoa, seriously!?

Charmy: Hee hee, yep! It was really, REALLY funny, too!

Honey: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Serves them right!

Mighty: Yeah, they definitely deserved it.

Ray: THAT'S for sure.

Honey: Oh, wow! Hearing this bit of news has definitely made my day! I just wish I had been around to see it!

Vector: Like I was tellin' Espio earlier, I've got it all on tape, so ya still could. I'd NEVAH pass up an opportunity to record somethin' as hilarious as that!

Honey: Ah, okay! Cool! I'm definitely looking forward to watching it as soon as I get the chance!

Omega: Ahem! Should we not be turning our focus over to the current objective? We still have Elemental Chaos Rings to retrieve!

Shadow: Thank you, Omega. You beat me to it.

Rouge: Yeah. I won't deny the fact that I found their arrest quite amusing, but we could always talk about that again later.

Ray: Right. One more thing before we do… Does anyone know what happened to Slush?

Seedra: Yeah, because I heard Scorch say that she's gone missing somehow.

Slush: *Through Vector's walkie-talkie* Oh, I'd be MORE than happy… *Czzzzzt!* …To answer THAT for you. You know… *Czzzzt!* …How I've been posing as Robotnik's ally to… *Czzzzt!* …Give you all first-hand information about… *Czzzzt!* …All his plans, right? *Czzzzt!* Well, he's… *Czzzzzt!* …Discovered my secret, and to make sure… *Czzzzt!* …That I wouldn't be around to tell anyone about EG-005… *Czzzzt!* …Metal Sonic 3.0 held me down… *Czzzzzt!* …With telekinesis, while Robotnik used... *Czzzzt!* Dr. Nega's camera on me!

Tikal: Oh, my goodness! That's terrible!

Omega: How is it that you are able to transmit this message to us if you've been transformed into a card? Illogical!

Slush: That's because… *Czzzzzt!* …There's another dimension that… *Czzzzt!* …Lies behind these cards. I'm not sure… *Czzzzt!* …If I could explain it any better than that.

Splash: It must be terrible what you're going through in there, but don't worry! Like I said before, we're going to save you as soon as possible!

Slush: I…appreciate the concern, big sis… *Czzzzzt!* …But it's not all that bad in here. Well… *Czzzzt!* …At least it's better than being locked in a room… *Czzzzzt!* …With the temperature set to a hundred degrees. This is… *Czzzzt!* ...Nothing compared to that. Plus, I've been getting… *Czzzzzt!* …Well-fed. Robotnik has just… *Czzzzt!* …Transported some food to this dimension recently. It was clearly… *Czzzzt!* …Scorch's cooking, though.

Splash: That's good to hear.

Charmy: Wait, Scorch could cook? I never knew that!

Slush: Yeah, it's one of her hobbies, but… *Czzzzt!* …Enough about that for now. *Czzzzt!* Robotnik, Metal Sonic 3.0, Scorch, Shock, and Storm have all… *Czzzzt!* …Split up in separate areas to look… *Czzzzzt!* …For the Elemental Chaos Rings. Perhaps you guys… *Czzzzt!* …Can do the same? It'll definitely… *Czzzzzt!* …Speed up your search a little, don't you think?

Knuckles: I don't see why not. After all, it worked a year ago, while we were trying to find the Chaos Emeralds before Mephiles did.

Ray: Yeah, only to have them taken from us at the last second…

Vector: True, but that ain't gonna happen this time. Anyway, how should we do this? Split into groups o' two again? *Looks around and counts* There's sixteen of us, so it should work.

Knuckles: Yeah, let's do that, but first, let's check the radar so we'll know where to go. *Turns on the detector* Let's see… Since we already have one in our hands, that means there's six of them remaining. One of them is at the Ice Cap Zone, there's another one in Station Square, probably at Casinopolis somewhere… The next one is at the Hydrocity Zone, there's another at Windy Valley… After that, there's Mushroom Hill, and Sandopolis.

Metal Sonic: Before we go, I would just like to make one thing clear. I couldn't care less about this "EG-005". I'm only joining this hunt, so that I could settle my score with that poor, pathetic excuse for an imitation, Metal Sonic Version Three-Point Zero.

Squash: I'm not worried about EG-005, either. AH-HA-AH-AH-AH-AH! For all we know, she may very well be overhyped, and turn out to be weakling! I mean, honestly! Ivo already did it right the first time when he created ME, so there are NO improvements to be made!

Everyone: …

Slush: …Wow, just wow. Can you… *Czzzzzt!* …Possibly be anymore arrogant? Not even… *Czzzzt!* …Scorch is THIS self-centered, and that's saying a lot.

Squash: Whatever.

Omega: Also, have you taken the Chaos Rings into account? According to my scanners, they have powers that are akin to that of both the Chaos and Sol Emeralds. Do you remember how the Egg Galaxia was impervious to your attacks after absorbing their power? Well, history is bound to repeat itself yet again, with EG-005.

Squash: Fine, then. I'll join this stupid hunt, too, but only because I don't have anything better to do.

*Soon, they decide the groups*

Knuckles: Okay, so Rouge and I will look for the Chaos Ring at Sandopolis.

Tikal: Mighty and I will look for the one at the Hydrocity Zone.

Espio: Honey and I will track down the Chaos Ring at Mushroom Hill.

Charmy: *Snickers* Yeah, Knuckles, Mighty, and Espio WOULD be the ones to team up with their GIRLFRIENDS! *Snickers again*

Vector: *Bashes Charmy upside the head*

Charmy: Owww! *Holds the back of his head*

Vector: Anyway, Wechnia 'n' I are gonna find the Elemental Chaos Ring at Windy Valley.

Splash: Seedra, you don't mind if Charmy and I take the Ice Cap Zone, do you?

Seedra: Not at all. I think you would stand a better chance against Scorch than I would. Plus, I would have hated being in the freezing-cold climate, and I don't have a coat or anything to wear. So, Ray and I will just go to Casinopolis instead.

Shadow: Since the other Elemental Chaos Ring location slots have been filled, Omega, Squash, Metal Sonic, and myself will infiltrate the doctor's base in hopes of destroying EG-005 before she could reach completion, as well as rescuing Slush from her captivity.

Vector: Alright, then it's settled! C'mon, everyone! Let's get ta work!

*They run off in separate directions*

With that said, the groups have finally been decided. Now that more heroes have gotten involved in the search for the remaining six Elemental Chaos Rings, things have taken a turn for the better…or have they? Even after having split into groups of two, will they be able to find them in time before Robotnik and others do? Will Shadow, Squash, Metal Sonic, and Omega be able to successfully stop EG-005's development from getting any further, as well as rescuing Slush? Speaking of a which, will Scorch ever learn the truth about her disappearance? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Knuckles' Chaotix: Elements of Power, Episode 3: The Goddess of Destruction!

To "bee" continued…