Angel Island was a floating island that flew high in the skies. It was the location of the Master Emerald, housed in the ruins of an ancient altar. Eggman had tried for years to steal it, but he was always stopped by Sonic and his friends.

The island was home to Knuckles, the last of the Echidnas. He always kept a vigilant guard over the large emerald. Although, he has proven to be gullible to Eggman's tricks in the past. Most of his time was spent laying on the emerald and fending off the gem thief Rouge.

One day, there was a strange feeling in the air and Knuckles could sense it. Angel Island drifted into a severe thunderstorm. Lightning would occasionally strike the island, but that did not concern Knuckles. There was something else.

Knuckles stood up and looked around for danger. However, he was disoriented by a sonic attack. He covered his pained ears, dropping his guard. Metal Sonic took the opportunity to fly into him at high speed, knocking the Echidna into the jungle and out of range of the sound. As a warrior, he quickly stood up and prepared for a fight.

“Did Eggman send you to steal the Master Emerald again?” Knuckles asked.

“I'm not stealing that,” Metal Sonic said, keeping his location a secret by moving nonstop through the brush. “I'm taking your home.”

Knuckles saw some movement in some nearby bushes. He quickly parted the brush, but he did not find Metal Sonic. It was a yellow robot doppelganger of Tails.

“Hello, sir.” It said politely.

“Uh, hi?”

The white spot on the robot's stomach opened up, revealing a speaker. It produced the same disorienting sound that wreaked havoc on his eardrums. Metal Sonic came in and kicked him farther into the jungle. They were getting closer to the island’s edge.

When Knuckles caught himself, he saw who his opponent was. Metal Sonic had changed since his encounter with Sonic at Tails's workshop. He was taller with sharper edges and more spikes. Even his head spikes stuck out like a star.

“Metal Sonic?”

“No. Something new. I'm upgraded.”

Knuckles took another swing at the speedy automatron, but Metal Tails blasted Knuckles with a loud sound burst. Metal Sonic grabbed the echidna and threw him far. He landed close to the edge. Below them was just the ocean. Metal Tails and Metal Sonic arrived shortly after to watch Knuckles stand once more.

“You've lost,” said Metal Sonic. “Yield and your cell will have all the commodities you require.”

Metal Tails nodded. “It's a good deal.”

Knuckles chuckled softly. “I will never surrender.”

Knuckles took one more swing. Metal Sonic was too fast and grabbed the echidna’s arm, spun around, and tossed him off the island. He watched Knuckles fall until he disappeared into the blue water.

“Tell the leaders we have the island.”

“Yes, sir. Might I say that you did an excellent job vanquishing the obstacle?”

“This is a waste of time. I should be looking for the doctor.”

“That is not the directive Starline and Howler programmed us with.”

“No. It isn't.”