Sonic Crystal Adventures
By Tailsfan

A shot of the sea, underwater. It is dark, but there is suddenly a bright flash of lightning. In the flash, a dark, long, swimming shape can be seen. It dives down deep, then swims into a tunnel carved in the rock. It pops up in a underwater cavern. A shimering, unusual light shows who the figure really is. It's KARMA, a lizard. Karma is bright green with a yellow belly. He has a long, snaking pink tounge that flits out every few minutes, and a snake-like neck. His long, powerful, whip-like tail is split into a V shape at the very tip, and his sneakers are purple and aqua. He speaks. 
KARMA: Yesss, hello, my beauties. There izzz to be another ssstorm, and I want to get ready for it. 
The shot slowly moves around, and you see a large white crystal (the same size and shape as the master emerald) and 7 gold, silver, or white smaller crystals ( the same size and shape as the chaos emeralds). 
KARMA: Don't worry, I will protect you. It izzz my duty. 

A shot of the Egg Carrier 3. EGGMAN runs down the hall, not beliving what he has just heard. He bursts into a room, yelling.
EGGMAN: Is it true? Are the computors absolutly sure? 
He looks down at the computor, reading the power lines and charts. He slowly begins to grin, and soon he starts to laugh.
EGGMAN: Yes! Yes! The legands are really true! The DeathCrystals do exist! I'm finally going to win! (re-reads the councle) Yes! The DeathCrystals have the exact same power levels, powers, and uses as the Chaos Emeralds, they are even twin jewels! If I can capture one set, I can rule the other! The world will be mine! He, he...and my fights with Sonic will turn my way, because Sonic will be dead. Ha, HA!

A shot of the sea. Karma is floating in the water, looking at the clouds. 
KARMA: Yesss...that ssstorm iss going to be a big one...I'd better get home to the cryssstals.
Karma suddenly squints, looking up. 
KARMA: What iz that?
The Egg Carrier 3 is floating above him. Inside the ship, Eggman sits, watching it all. 
EGGMAN: Is it in that rock? The power signitures point that way. All right, FIRE!
The Egg Carrier 3 suddenly fires a huge lazer blast at the rock that conceals the underwater cavern. It cuts a hole into the rock, and the crystals are revealed. 
KARMA: No! Stop!
Karma hurls himself in front of the crystals on the rock. He stands protectively in front of them, getting ready to fight. 
EGGMAN:(speaking to Karma on a intercom) get out of the way! I'm warning you, I will kill you, if neccicary!
KARMA: I am the gaurdian, I will protect these crystals!
EGGMAN: Then I have no choice. FIRE AT THAT LIZARD, NOW! 
The lazer beam lances out at Karma. Just as it hits, the crystals glow bright. Karma screams in agony as he is thrown into the ocean, where the storm is now raging full out.
EGGMAN: Retrive those crystals, now!
The Egg Carrier 3 ejects a small pod, which loads all the crystals onto it. It flies back up to the ship and docks.
ROBOTS:(who are all over the computor rooms, maning the councles) should we retrieve the body?
EGGMAN:(watching the floating body of Karma slowly sink in the waves) No. He's as good as dead, if not already. Don't bother. Now, let's get out of this storm! 

A shot of the clouds in the sky the next morning. The storm has past, and as the clouds part, we see TAILS in his plane, flying high. He looks around to see if he's near the ruins, and notices a strange figure on the beach. He flys down into a dive and lands. He runs back towards the figure. It is near the shore, curled up and barely breathing.
TAILS:(shaking figure gently) Hey...wake up!(noticing the figure isn't responding, he gets up) Oh, man...I'd better get help...well, I'd better get Sonic, he's nearest.
Tails runs off to his plane, but he can't fly it, because it's stuck.
TAILS: Oh, man, more bad luck.
Tails jumps into the air and starts to fly on his own. He heads toward the pool, where Sonic (although he usually doesn't swim) likes to hang out. After a while, he reaches the pool and spots his pal. SONIC is lying on a beach chair and dozing in the sun.
TAILS: Sonic! Hey, Sonic!
Sonic opens one eye.
SONIC:(muttering) Tails, shut up, I'm trying to catch a few Z's. 
TAILS: Fine then, I'll do it the hard way.
Tails dives into the pool, doing a cannonball. He hits and sends a huge wave of water onto Sonic.
SONIC: Okay, okay, I'm up, I'm up!
TAILS: I need your help. Someone's lying on the beach and he's almost dead. I don't know what to do, he won't wake up. 
SONIC: Woah! Now that's serious!
TAILS: Exactly! Com'mon!
SONIC: Right! (starts running out the gate, stops, and looks back) um...where is this guy, anyway?
TAILS:(sighing) follow me!

A shot of the beach. Sonic and Tails have just arrived and are kneeling by the motionless figure.
SONIC: Hey...have you ever seen this guy before?
TAILS: No...why?
SONIC: Well...never mind.
TAILS: (shaking figure again) wake UP! You have to wake up, now!
SONIC: Well, at least he's breathing.
FIGURE:(moans and opens his eyes)
TAILS: Oh, good, he's up.
The figure suddenly shouts "the crystals!" and wraps his huge, V-point tail around Sonic's throat, then lifts him off the ground.
SONIC: Hey, what's the deal?!
TAILS: Stop it!
FIGURE: If you put one ssspike near those cryssstals, I'm going to throtle you! 
TAILS: Stop attacking Sonic, now!
FIGURE: Sssonic? Forgive me, I thought you were an enemy. My name izzz Karma, gaurdian of the DeathCrystals.
Karma lowers his tail and unwraps it from Sonic's neck.
SONIC:(rubbing his neck from where the tail was) That's okay. Um, I geuss you know I'm Sonic, and this is my friend, Tails. Um, where did you here my name? I haven't seen you around before.
KARMA: I heard the man that attacked me ranting your name, saying he was going to win.
TAILS: Well, say no more, we know who it is.
KARMA: Oh, who?
SONIC: It's Eggman. He always comes up with these crazy plans to beat me, but me, Tails, and Knuckles always beat him.
TAILS: Yeah...speaking of Knuckles, what did you mean by 'guardian of the DeathCrystals?'
KARMA: I guard the DeathCrystalsss, the twin power jewels to the legandary Chaosss Emeralds. The DeathCrystals are exactly the sssame shape and sssize as the Chaosss Emeralds, and just as powerful. But if one is disssrupted, the ballance between the two will break, and, one world will erupt in a volcano blast, and the other will be drowned in a tidal wave. That's what the ledgands say anyway. 
SONIC: Yeah, well, I don't want to stick around and see if they're true or not. 
KARMA: But what about this Knuckles person? You have talked of him a few times now.
TAILS: Well, you know those ledgandary Chaos Emeralds you were talking about? Knuckles is the guardian of those. He's a friend, although (eyeing Sonic) sometimes little...ah...arguments break out.
SONIC: Oh, shut up.
KARMA: Another guardian? Hmmm. I hope to meet him sssomeday.
SONIC: Why was Eggman after you, anyway? Usually he's after us-
TAILS:(interupting) you in particular-
SONIC:(shooting Tails a nasty glance and continuing) or the Chaos Emeralds. And we always thought that no other power gems existed, you were hidden well enough.
KARMA: I'm not sure. All I know iz that thisss Eggman of yoursss broke open the rock wall of the cavern and ssstole the crystals, nearly killing me in the prossess. I would be dead right now if you two hadn't woken me up. I surely would have drifted into the realm of death otherwise.
SONIC: Wait! They were ssstolen-I mean stolen?
KARMA: Yes, of cource.
SONIC: So that whole ledgand thing-It really can happen?
KARMA: Yesss, if Eggman uses the powers the right way.
SONIC:(muttering) great. Just great. All I wanted was a few hours sleep, and instead I have to save the world...again.
TAILS:(grinning) yes, it does get a little repetitive after a while, doesn't it?
SONIC: Oh, shut up.
KARMA:(sarcastic tone) I hate to break up your...um...conversation...but there ssseems to be a large ship heading thisss way.
TAILS: Uh, oh. Who should show up but Eggman himself.
The Egg Carrier 3 slowly draws nearer, then stops above Sonic, Karma, and Tails.
EGGMAN:(speaking over an intercom to Karma) So, you survived the storm and joined up with Sonic...not bad. You're made of tougher stuff than I realized. but it doesn't really matter.
KARMA: Give me the cryssstals back, now!
SONIC: I hate to break it to you, Karma, but Eggman doesn't give stuff back if you demand him to.
EGGMAN: Exactly! Now look out, I've got a big surprize in store for you!
The Egg Carrier 3 flies higher than it was and stops. It hovers there, motionless, for a few minutes.
SONIC: What's the surprize? Nothing's happening.
KARMA: I should mention that the DeathCryssstals are steered more towardsss the elementsss, like water or fire, while the Chaosss Emeralds affect lifeforms.
SONIC: So?
KARMA:(sighing) Are you a good ssswimer?
SONIC:(eyes going wide) You don't mean... 
KARMA:(nodding) The ledgand I told you of is making it's mark.
TAILS: Tidal wave!
KARMA: Exactly.
TAILS: No, I mean, hear it comes, TIDAL WAVE! 
out towards sea, a huge wall of water is steadily moving closer, getting bigger every moment.
SONIC: D***!
TAILS: RUN!
The three turn and flee as fast as they can. Sonic soon pulls out in front of the other two.
EGGMAN:(laughing) Ha ha HA! Perfect! Now for stage two!
SONIC: I've had enough of stage one!
The Egg Carrier 3 fires a low level blast behind Sonic. Sonic moves faster, thinking the lazer blast was ment for him. Instead, it hits between Karma and Tails.
EGGMAN: Drat!
Another blast fires. Tails screams and stops in his tracks.
SONIC: TAILS!
Sonic turns around to run back and save Tails, but a lazer blast in front of him stops him. Sonic is herded farther and farther away from Tails. As he looks back, he is just in time to see Tails swallowed up in the wave.
SONIC: TAILS! NOOO!
Another blast erupts at Sonic's feet. He runs, and when he turns back next, he sees Karma stop, hesitate, and run back towards the wave. He expertly dives into the wave and disapeers from Sonic's site.
Another blast continues herding Sonic away from his friends.
EGGMAN: Ha, ha, ha! Now your friends are dead, and there's no more use for this wave-yet. I'll make it destroy the world when I'm through with you!
Finally, unable to run anymore from exhaustion, Sonic collapses.
EGGMAN:(gloatingly) Now I'm going to kill you nice and slow, Sonic. I've waited a long time for this. Oh, have I!
The Egg Carrier 3 fires a blast at Sonic. It doesn't kill him, but it causes him intense pain. 
EGGMAN: Die a slow death, Sonic! Die! I'm watching you...(fires again) Are you in pain? Yes?(fires for a third time) Now you'll regret you ever went against me. Die, Sonic, die!

A shot of the cliffs near the beach. KNUCKLES is climbing down the side, talking to himself.
KNUCKLES:(muttering) I know something's wrong...the Chaos Emeralds were acting all weird. I wonder if Sonic and Tails are okay. (jerks his head at the massive tidal wave forming) Oh, s***! That's one big wave! (notices the Egg Carrier 3) Hey...is Eggman making all this trouble?
Knuckles climbs halfway down the cliff, then glides down the rest of the way. He sees the Egg Carrier 3 going in one direction and firing, so he follows it, going as fast as he can. Suddenly, the Egg Carrier 3 stops, and starts firing in one spot. 
KNUCKLES: Eggman must be firing at Sonic...Oh, man, I hope I'm not too late!
Knuckles suddenly notices a clearing. He reaches the edge and sees Sonic lying in the middle. Eggman keeps firing at him, but he doesn't get up. 
EGGMAN: Not fighting back, are we? Well, I have to concour the world today, so, here's the final blow...good-bye, Sonic!
KNUCKLES: Noooooo!
Knuckles rushes out to Sonic and drags him out of the way of the shot. The beam misses bay a milimeter. Knuckles grabs Sonic and pulls him away.
EGGMAN:(angry and raging)Nooo! No! He should be dead...Arrrggh!
The Egg Carrier 3 races off, but goes right over Knuckles and Sonic, who are hiding. Knuckles puts Sonic down and shakes him.
KNUCKLES: Okay, Sonic, get up.
Sonic doesn't move.
KNUCKLES:(in a worried tone) I mean it, get up!
Nothing happens.
KNUCKLES: Okay, get up or I'll make you!
Again, nothing happens.
KNUCKLES:(in an almost pleading tone)Sonic, please get up? You know I never use that word...GET UP!!!
Sonic's breathing gets slower, but he doesn't get up.
Knuckles gets really mad and yells, 
KNUCKLES: Okay, that's it, you're askin' for it!
Knuckles pulls back his fist and punches Sonic in the face. He pulls back his other fist and aims, then waits for something to happen.
Sonic moans and opens his eyes. He notices Knuckles's fist first.
SONIC: Hey, hey! I'm on your side, remember?
KNUCKLES:(sighing with relife)You're alive! I was so sure I was talking to a dead guy!
SONIC:(rubbing the spot where Knuckles punched him) Where's Tails and Karma?
KNUCKLES: I haven't seen Tails yet. Who's Karma?
SONIC:(sighing) It's a long story. Let me rest a minute and I'll tell you. (takes a few breaths, then his eyes widen) Oh, no! I remember what happened to them!
KNUCKLES: I said, who's Karma?
SONIC:(ignoring Knuckles) The tidal wave got them! Tails was hit, he got trapped in the wave, and Karma went in after him!
KNUCKLES: Who's-
SONIC: Come on! We have to get back there quick and find them! They're going to need our help, I bet.
KNUCKLES: Can you walk?
SONIC: Barely. I don't think I can run at all. Crap. (looks expectantly at Knuckles)
KNUCKLES: What?!
SONIC: I could use a little help here!
KNUCKLES: Oh.
Knuckles supports Sonic and they head toward the spot where Karma and Tails had been. 

Going back a little bit...

A shot of the tidal wave. Karma dives into it. It is very dark adn he can barely see. He uses his Tail like a combination of a rudder and a paddle, propelling himself through the water. He spots a dark shape and rushes towards it. He bumps into it, relizes it's Tails, and grabs on. Holding Tails tightly under one arm, he fights to get to the surface. Suddenly, his head breaks through to the air. 
KARMA: Tailsss, I don't know if you can hear me, but breathe!
Karma fights to hold the uncontious Tails above the water for a few seconds. He relizes the wave is slowing down, but he knows it is still powerful. He decides to dive and try to break away when the wave is weak enough.
KARMA: Tailsss, if you can hear me, take a deep breath and hold it. We're diving!
Karma takes a deep breath and dives. He reaches the seabed and starts swimming away from shore. Tails wakes up and starts struggling to reach the surface and breathe, but Karma holds him down. He does, however, slowly swim up as he swims outward. Finally, their heads break the surface. Tails gasps and slowly breathes air. 
TAILS: Jeeze, what was that for? I nearly drowned.
KARMA: The wave has ssstoped. Good. (to Tails) I held you down becaussse I wanted to get asss far away as posssible from the tidal wave. If Eggman could sssee usss helplesss in the wave, he would take advantage of it and probably capture usss. He could ssstill end up doing it Can you hold onto my sholdersss? I can hold you usss up better that way.
TAILS:(moving around to sit on Karma's back and hold his sholders) Thanks. You saved my life.
KARMA: Asss you did for me. Now we are even. But you aren't completly safe yet...you are still in the sssea, and you are a land creature. 
TAILS: I could try to fly, but-
KARMA: You can fly?
TAILS: Well I'm not named after my tails 'cause they look pretty! Like I was saying, I could try to fly, but I've never tried it before with wet tails, so I'm not sure if that'll work.
KARMA: Try anyway. Ssstand on my sholdersss!
Tails climbs up on Karma and whirls his tails, but all he does is splash water everywhere.
TAILS: Nope. Doesn't work.
KARMA:(hissing) Quick! Get down, we're going underwater!
TAILS: Why?
KARMA: The Egg Carrier 3!
TAILS: Oh.
The Egg Carrier 3 is slowly flying toward them. Karma dives, but Tails let's go.
TAILS: Karma, look out!
A lazer beam lances through the water, narrowly missing Karma. Karma twirls and twists, dodging a few more lazer beams. Another lazer blast cuts through the water, hitting Karma in the chest. His eyes go wide, then slowly close as he sinks through the water.
TAILS: Karma!
Two machanical claws reach out and grab Tails and Karma. They are pulled into the Egg Carrier 3 and deposited in front of Eggman. 
TAILS: What did you do to Karma?!
EGGMAN: Mearly stunned him is all. Didn't want him swimming away!
TAILS:(angrily) What did you do to Sonic?
EGGMAN:(face growing dark and forming a scowl) That stupid hedgehog was almost dead, then that Knuckles friend of yours got him and hid him. I don't know where either of them are!
TAILS:(sighing)Well, at least they're safe!
EGGMAN:(putting face close to Tails's) Not for long. You are going to tell me all of Sonic's weaknesses, where his base is...everything about him!
TAILS: No way!
EGGMAN:(sighing) Always the hard way with you. FIRE!
A robot with a lazer rifle fires at Tails, low-leveled.
TAILS: Ahhhhhh!
EGGMAN: Tell me! How do I kill him?
TAILS:(shaking) I'm not telling!
EGGMAN: FIRE!!!
Another lazer blast hits Tails.
EGGMAN: Tell me!
TAILS: No!
EGGMAN: I'm not a patient person. Tell me now! Every time you refuse, I will have my robot fire at you!
TAILS: I don't care, I won't betray Sonic!
EGGMAN:(very angry) FIRE! FIRE!
TAILS: Ahhhhhhhhh! (falls on his knees)
EGGMAN: Tell me now!
TAILS:(gasping) No...I won't...
EGGMAN: Never mind. He's not going to talk. Just kill him.
The robot shrugs, then aims at Tails. Karma wakes up and sees what's about to happen. He gets up and snaps his tail, knocking the gun out of the robot's hands. He rams into the robot and smashes it to pieces.
TAILS:(slowly) Thanks...again...Karma.
EGGMAN: That wasn't fair!
KARMA: Neither wasss your ssstealing of the DeathCryssstals.
Eggman ponders this for a moment, then shakes his head. 
EGGMAN: What am I listening to you for? Guards! Attack!
A stream of robot guards come running in. Karma positions himself in front of Tails like a shield and fights. He battles as hard as he can, but there are too many. Finally, he slumps, beaten, to the floor. 
EGGMAN: Now that that's over with, we'll try one more time. Tails, what are Sonic's weaknesses?
Tails makes a small sound, but Eggman can't tell what he said. 
EGGMAN: Finally giving in, are we? (to guards) pick him up and hold him in front of me. If he wants more pain to make him talk, I'd be happy to give it to him. 
Eggman picks up a small dart-gun. Six darts are all filled with a greenish-clear liquid.
Karma, on the ground, knows Tails will give in soon. Slowly, and unnoticed, Karma inches toward a control panel. He slithers his Tail up and presses a few buttons. The hatch begins to open.
Suddenly, pulling all his strength together, Karma rushes at Tails and the guards. He smashes the guards holding Tails. Then he grabs Tails and pulls him to the hatch. He throws Tails into the air.
KARMA:(yelling as he is dragged away by the guards and the hatch closes) Tailsss, get Sssonic! Tell him to protect the Chaosss Emeraldsss!
EGGMAN: No!
Still holding the dart-gun, Eggman runs to the hatch. He fires the darts, but most fall harmlessly into the ocean. Just as the hatch closes, Eggman fires the last dart and it hits Tails in the back. Tails jerks, but flies away at top speed.
EGGMAN: It's no good. He'll get away. Put this one (points at Karma) in a cell. Have him guarded at all times. We may be able to turn this into a trap!

A shot of the forest, where Sonic and Knuckles are walking along a path. Sonic is walking without any support now. 
SONIC:(taking a step and wincing a little) I think I'll be back up to my usual speed in a few minutes.
KNUCKLES: Just don't kill yourself, okay? I have a feeling the world's gonna need you in the future. 
SONIC:(looking up) Hey...is that Tails?
KNUCKLES:(looking up at where Sonic is pointing) It looks like him. Maybe it is.
Sonic and Knuckles watch a tiny figure in the air getting closer. They reconize it as Tails.
SONIC: Tails! We're down here!
Tails looks around and sees Sonic and Knuckles on the ground. He waves back, then dives down towards them.
KNUCKLES: Hey, something's wrong. If he doesn't pull up he's going to crash!
Tails slams into the ground, making a small furrow in the path. 
SONIC: Are you okay?
TAILS:(dazed voice, picking himself up) I think so. I kinda got dizzy around the last moment.
SONIC: Dizzy? Are you getting sick?
TAILS: Sick? I don't think so. I feel okay. 
KNUCKLES: Where's the other guy you were with-Karma? 
TAILS: Oh, yeah...he went in the tidal wave and got me, but we were captured by Eggman. He wanted me to give him information about you, Sonic, but I didn't. Karma got me out of there.
SONIC: So he's still on the Egg Carrier 3?
TAILS: Yes. 
Sonic: Well, let's get him! Com'mon, Knuckles!
TAILS:(grabbing Sonic's arm and pulling him back) Wait! He gave me a message. He said to...
Tails stops, because Knuckles has already grabed Sonic and is gliding him up to the Egg Carrier   3.
TAILS:(annoyed) I hate when he doesn't listen to me!
Tails takes flight and easily catches up with Sonic and Knuckles.
TAILS: You're gonna need me?
KNUCKLES: Why? 
TAILS: Well, I'm the only one of us who's been on the Egg Carrier 3, so I could be a sort of guide.
SONIC: Fine.
The three fly towards the Egg Carrier 3.

A shot of inside the Egg Carrier 3, where Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails are all resting. Sonic gets up and and starts walking down the hall. Knuckles follows. Tails gets up, too, but wobbles a little bit.
SONIC:(looking back) Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you'd better sit this one out. 
TAILS:(shaking head) No! You're going to need help, this whole ship is packed with defences.
SONIC:(continuing down the hall) Well, okay. Keep a lookout for Karma. He could be anywhere.
The three walk down the hall. They carefully check the rooms for signs of Karma or other captives.
KNUCKLES:(closing a door) This is going to take forever! We're never going to find him on a ship this big.
SONIC: You're right. Maybe if we-
TAILS:(inturrupting, tapping Sonic's sholder) Um...Sonic...
SONIC: Not now, Tails. (continuing) What I was saying was...
TAILS: Sonic...really, you should look at this...
SONIC:(annoyed) What is it, already?!
Tails points down the hall both ways. Robots, armed with lazer rifles, are on both sides of Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic. They are completely surrounded. 
SONIC: D***.
KNUKCLES: We can't fight all of those!
TAILS:(trying to sound cheerful) Well...at least we'll find Karma.
Knuckles and Sonic both give Tails a look.
ROBOTS: Eggman's orders are for all of you to come quietly with us. If you don't surrender, we'll have to kill you.
SONIC:(muttering) Great choice.
The robots come closer, pulling out chains. They tie Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails up, then drag them down several halls to a brightly lit room. Eggman is in the middle, with a long stake behind him. Attached to the stake by chains is Karma. Karma looks weak.
The robots drop Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in front of Eggman, then take positions behind him.
EGGMAN: Ahhh, Sonic, how nice to see you again today! I didn't get to kill you before, but I will now.
He walks over to the helpless Sonic, picks him up by the throat, and speaks. 
EGGMAN: You have caused me a lot of trouble, you know. (gives Sonic a small shake) But you won't do much now. I have all the people who could help you captured-you've lost.
Sonic looks over Eggman at Karma. He suddenly notices Karma lifting his head. Karma looks at Sonic, then winks. He snakes his tail out and picks the lock on his chains for his hands with ease. Then he jerks back into his fake, weak and almost dead position.
EGGMAN:(squeezing a little harder) Now...here are my terms. If you hand over the Chaos Emeralds without a fight, I'll kill you quickly and throw your friends in the dungeon. If, however, you resist, I will kill both you and your friends slowly and painfully. Now...which will you choose?
Sonic notices that Karma has just gotten free of his bonds and is making his way towards Eggman.
SONIC:(trying to buy time) Do you really think I would give in to you? After all this time, I'd of thought you'd smarten up by now. 
EGGMAN: WHAT!? I'll kill you for-
Eggman stops, because he has just found that Karma's tail is wraped around his neck, and Karma himself is hanging lightly on his back.
KARMA: I can kill you easily, ssso listen up. Here are my termsss. Firssst: Put Sssonic down.
EGGMAN:(protestingly) But-
KARMA:(squeezing Eggman's neck harder) I belive I said to put him down. 
Eggman drops Sonic. 
KARMA: Sssecond: releassse all three from there bondsss. Now. 
EGGMAN: But- (Karma's tail squeezes his neck tighter) all right, all right-troops, free the captives!
The robots rush forward and burn the bonds off.
SONIC:(rubbing his neck) Why is everybody attacking me today? And what's with my neck? (glares at Karma at this last sentance)
KARMA: Three...
EGGMAN: How many do you have? I won't do them all!
KARMA: There are many waysss in which I can kill. Ssstrangling (squeezes neck a bit) or poison...my fangs have the deadly bite.
Eggman shudders a little.
KARMA: Three...my friendsss and I want sssafe passage out of this ship. No attacking.
EGGMAN: Very well.
KARMA: And four...I want my DeathCryssstals back. 
EGGMAN: No! I-(notices Karma's fangs getting nearer to his neck.) I mean, of cource.
KARMA: Good! Follow these orders immediatly.
EGGMAN:(unhappily) Right. Bring the Egg Carrier 3 down at once!
KARMA: Not in the middle of the sssea, my friend. At the beach.
EGGMAN:(scowling) Landing point-beach. Land quickly! (makes a choking noise) I...can't...breathe!
KARMA: Oh, I'm sssorry!(makes a look like he isn't sorry at all) I'll let go a bit. (lets go ever so slightly)
With a bump, the Egg Carrier 3 lands on the ground. A hatch opens.
EGGMAN:(sighing heavily) You are free to go.
KARMA: Oh, you haven't forgotten part of our deal? The DeathCryssstals.
EGGMAN: Of cource. (waves his hand)
A team of robots come in with a cart. On the cart are the DeathCrystals.
KARMA: Sssonic, Knucklesss, you take those.Get off the Egg Carrier 3. Tailsss, you go with them. I'll join up in a minute. (to Eggman) now...I have the cryssstals, and I can ussse their power. If you attack, I will kill you. Underssstood?
Eggman gulps, then nods.
KARMA: Good. Leave here, now.
Karma runs out the hatch, and Eggman takes off in his Egg Carrier 3. 
TAILS: Nice work!
KNUCKLES:(looking skeptically at Karma) Are you really poisonus?
Karma stops in his tracks. He stares at the ground and kicks a pebble.
KARMA: Well...not exactly...but it worked, didn't it?
KNUCKLES: Yeah. You're a lot sneakier than I thought you would be. 
KARMA: Well, I could never rely on ssspeed or power, like you and Sssonic do. I'm not extreamly powerful, and I'm not execptionally fast like you, Sonic-I'm only about Tails's speed. Witsss are my strongest point.
Karma walks over to the crystals.
KARMA: I hope he hasn't done anything to them.
Karma picks up a crystal and examines it. He frowns, puts it down, and picks up another. He goes through all the crystals in this way, including the Father crystal.
KARMA: These are all fake!
KNUCKLES, TAILS,& SONIC: WHAT?!?!
KARMA: They are glass, not cryssstal! Which means...
TAILS: Eggman has the real ones! (he backs up against a tree and leans on it)
KARMA: Exactly. (eyes go suddenly wide, and he turns to Knuckles) Your emeralds! Eggman goesss after them, correct?
KNUCKLES:(frowning) Yeah...but I hid them so know one could find them...
KARMA: But Eggman can ussse the DeathCryssstals to find the Chaosss Emeraldsss!
KNUCKLES: Oh, man, that's bad! (to Sonic) Com'mon! We have to get to Angel Island, now!
SONIC: Right! You and Tails will have to get us there, though.
KNUCKLES: I'm up to it! How 'bout you, Tails?
TAILS:(opening eyes, which were closed shut) Huh?
KNUCKLES: You know, Sonic's right, you don't look to good.
TAILS: No, I have to go! I have to help you guys!
KNUCKLES:(doubtfully, looking at Tails) All right...I'll take Sonic, and Karma's yours. 
TAILS:(whirling tails and floating above Karma) Okay.
Tails and Knuckles both head up to Angel Island, with Sonic and Karma holding on tight.

A shot of the bridge on the Egg Carrier 3. Eggman is just landing on Angel Island.
EGGMAN: Fools...did they really think they could win? Hah! (to his troops) Start searching for  the Chaos Emeralds. When you find them, place the DeathCrystals next to them. (paces a bit) Ha, ha, ha. To think, in a few hours time, I will rule the world...and with Sonic worrying about his little friend, he won't attack me at all...ha ha!

A shot of the air near Angel Island. Tails and Knuckles are flying with Karma and Sonic towards the Island. Suddenly, Tails starts to dip.
KARMA:(alarmed) Tailsss, izzz something wrong?
TAILS: I dunno...I feel kinda funny...
Tails droops lower and lower. 
KNUCKLES: Tails, move up!
TAILS: I'm trying to!
Knuckles rushes at Angel Island. 
KNUCKLES: Sonic, I'm going to throw you. 
Knuckles throws Sonic in a high arc in the air. Sonic goes into a spin and gains his balance. He lands on the edge of the island. Knuckles turns and dives under Tails and Karma, just as Tails drops his tails and stops flying.
KNUCKLES:(grunting with the weight on him) Tails, could you try to help me a little?
TAILS:(mummbling) I'll try...
Tails trys to fly, but all he does is flutter his tails into a new position. He trys again, and brushes Karma's back.
TAILS: Sorry, Knuckles.
KARMA: Let me try to help.
KNUCKLES: You can't fly!
KARMA: No, but I can ssstick.
Karma leaps into the air. At the last second, he flicks out his tounge and latches onto the side of the island. He climbs up the island's side with surprizing speed.
KNUCKLES: Thanks.
Knuckles glides to the island and dumps Tails on the ground. 
SONIC: What happened?
TAILS:(standing up slowly, it is hard for him to do) I don't know...all of a sudden I couldn't fly...I felt weird...
EGGMAN:(from behind) Maybe I can explain what is happening!
Sonic whips around and glares at Eggman.
SONIC: What did you do to Tails?
EGGMAN:(grinning) A virus. Your friend has a quick acting, deadly virus which I created. He's getting weaker and weaker...soon he will die...unless, of cource, you follow my rules.
KNUCKLES: What would happen if we did?
EGGMAN: It just so happens that I have the antidote, (holds up a small vial of liquid) but I'm not going to give it away so easily.
Sonic glances at Tails, who is now on his knees, hunched over.
SONIC: What do you want?
EGGMAN:(grinning even wider) What do you think? I want your life! I want to kill you, and you alone, more than any other living thing!
TAILS:(gasping) No...don't do it...
EGGMAN: Well, if you won't do it, then I have to get on with taking over the world. (turning to guards) Surround them! I want them to see this.
The DeathCrystals and Chaos Emeralds are sitting next to each other. Between them runs a single, thick wire. As Eggman presses a button, a strand of electricity, bright green in color, charges through it and slowly glows.
EGGMAN: When the power reaches maximum level, I can use the energy to destroy the world and make it mine!
SONIC: That's no fair way to play!
EGGMAN: So what? I'm a bad guy, the fair way for bad guys to play is not to play fair!
SONIC: And they're supposed to be ugly, too?
EGGMAN: I wouldn't be talking like that if I was you! (points)
Tails is sprawled on the ground, and he's breathing hard.
EGGMAN: The virus is working faster!
SONIC: For once, I wish something was slow.
EGGMAN: Well, you aren't going to follow my rules, so I'm going to have to kill you now. Good-bye. Troops, attack!
The robot troops rush forward. Sonic stands over Tails's body to protect him, and Knuckles and Karma rush forward for battle.
TAILS:(struggling weakly) Have to...help...you...guys...
SONIC: No way! You're staying down there.
Karma uses his tail to smash through a wall of guards. Knuckles punches madly, bringing down many of the robots. But there are still too many. Soon Karma and Knuckles are surrounded, back to back.
EGGMAN: Kill them, I have no use for them.
KARMA: Well, we fought bravely.
KNUCKLES: You are such a pesimist!
KARMA: I have reassson to be when a lazer rifle izzz pointed at my heart!
KNUCKLES: Okay, you do have a point.
The robots fire, but instead of hitting Karma or Knuckles, the shots sizzle and melt away in midair.
KARMA: What?!
KNUCKLES: What the h*** happened?
EGGMAN: We are at full power! Ha HA!
KNUCKLES: Sonic, stop him!
SONIC: I can't! I'm fighting these other guys, if I leave they'll kill Tails!
KNUCKLES: D***.
KARMA: They're going to fire again!
The robots fire their rifles, but once again they disintagrate without touching the two guardians.
KARMA: The crystals! The emeralds! They are making a shiels for us!
KNUCKLES: Oh, duh. Why didn't I know?
The two begin fighting as hard as they can. They move slowly towards Eggman and the power gems, with a soft, bright green glow coming off them.
EGGMAN: What is happening? I couldn't use the energy! (catches sight of Karma and Knuckles) Of cource! The power didn't go to me, it went to the guardians!
Eggman runs over to the crystals and emeralds. He shoots the wire between the two down, and instantly the energy spread stops. Knuckles and Karma jerk for a moment, then continue fighting.
KARMA: We aren't protected anymore!
KNUCKLES: I thought so. (punches a robot) how are you holding out?
KARMA:(flicking tail and slicing a robot into two pieces) Quite well, actually. I feel re-energized.
KNUCKLES: Same as me! How 'bout you, Sonic?
SONIC: It's getting crowded over here! I'm not going to win against these odds. 
KARMA: Jussst try to hold out, we are almossst there!
Suddenly, Karma and Knuckles are clear of the battle. Karma is near the Master Emerald, while Knuckles is near Eggman. Eggman is still holding his rifle and the antidote.
KNUCKLES: Alright, hand over that antidote!
EGGMAN: Do you really think I'm going to actually obey you?
KNUCKLES: Yes, if I make you!
EGGMAN:(under his breath) my first captive!
Knuckles punches, aiming at Eggman's face. Eggman fires his rifle on stun at the same time. Knuckles is hit in the arm, and hits Eggman's antidote hand. The antidote goes flying into the air.
KNUCKLES: S***! Noooo!
SONIC: CATCH IT!!
Karma leaps and trys to catch it with his hand, but it is too far away and he misses. Then, seconds before crashing on a jagged rock, he fires his tounge and wraps it around the vial.
KNUCKLES & SONIC: Yes!
EGGMAN: Not fair! Not fair!
SONIC: So?
EGGMAN: So I'm going to make it fair!
Eggman points his lazer rifle at Karma's unprotected back. But before he fires, Knuckles punches it out of his hand and draws back his fist for a second punch at his head. 
EGGMAN: Why do I always get caught in a position like this?
KNUCKLES: I don't know. Why don't you leave and get out of that position?
EGGMAN: Fine. Retreat! We will leave. But mark my words, I will make you all die. All of you!
Eggman runs into the Egg Carrier 3 and leaves with all of his robot troops.
SONIC: Hey, somebody come here. It's getting worse!
Tails is still lying on the ground, but he doesn't move and he isn't breathing. Karma runs over with the antidote and pours it down Tails's throat.
KNUCKLES:(after a few minutes) Is he alive?
KARMA: Shhhh! (puts his head on Tails's chest and listens) Heartbeat, but faint. Hmmm. Tailsss, do you remember me? It'sss me, Karma.
Tails's first tail twiches a little bit.
KARMA: It would be nice for you to be back with usss.
Tails's finger moves the smallest bit.
KARMA: And, Tailsss, you have sssome friends who wish for you to live. A Knucklessss, and a Ssssssonic. (deliberatly brings out Sonic's name) Don't you want to sssee them again? I'm sssure you do. Wake up now, okay, Tailsss?
Tails shivers, then slowly his eyes open.
A great whoop comes from both Sonic and Knuckles. Sonic is jumping from foot to foot, and Knuckles keeps punching the air.
TAILS: Maybe you guys are sick!
Sonic turns to Karma to thank him, but he isn't there. He is over by the DeathCrystals.
SONIC: What are you doing?
KARMA: I must go back to the sssea and ressstore the cryssstals to there proper location.
SONIC: Oh.
KARMA: If, however, you ever need help again, you can call on me. All you must do izzz use and emerald, and I will hear your message in the crystalsss.
SONIC: Okay. Well...see you, I geuss, and thanks.
Karma winks, then brings the hovercraft the DeathCrystals are on to the edge of the island, then slowly floats down to sea. Sonic walks back to Tails and Knuckles.
KNUCKLES: Well, nothing happened to the emeralds, so that's good. I guess I'll see you later. 
SONIC: Now I'm finally going to do what I was supposed to be doing today.
KNUCKLES & TAILS: What?
SONIC: Sleep!
Sonic runs across the island. Tails rolls his eyes, turns to Knuckles, and says:
TAILS: At least the world's safe. I gotta go catch Sonic. See ya later!