Now back in Mobotropolis, Sonic is welcomed by Alicia. Alicia smiles as she holds his hands and greets him with a warm smile.
``Sir Sonic, you're back! I take it you defeated that fake hedgehog?''
``Fake hedgehog...'' Sonic pauses for a moment, hearing that phrase. ``Yeah, but it's only a matter of time before he returns.''
``I take it you've had multiple encounters with him in the past?''
``That's right. And now, I need to level the playing field.''
--
Sonic and Alicia are in Emerald Hill Zone. There, a bandaged Prince Max is with them as he examines a pair of Star Post.
``So, this `Star Post' can be used to access a place called the Special Zone? And that's where the gems are located'' Prince Max asks.
``That's right. Although, Giant Rings are more commonly used to access the Special Zone'' Sonic answers. ``After using a Star Post, they need time to recharge.''
--
The Star Post activates, creating a Star Circle. Sonic prepares to jump in, but he is stopped immediately.
``Stand aside, hedgehog'' Prince Max says as he extends his arm in front of Sonic. ``I will acquire the gem. I am the target of this robot. Therefore, I shall be the one to terminate him''
``This guy is the ideal combination of Antoine and Geoffrey...'' Sonic thinks to himself. ``Your highness, I think its best you leave this to me'' Sonic speaks up. ``You're still injured from your last encounter with Metal Sonic''
``Nonsense! I can still...'' Prince Max pauses midsentence as he groans in pain. ``Very well. I shall stand down, just this once...''
Sonic enters the Special Zone. And after a few minutes, he returns with a Chaos Emerald.
Max begrudgingly congratulates Sonic as he dismisses himself. This upsets Alicia as she calls out his name.
Alicia questions why Max is so deadest on being the one to destroy Metal Sonic.
--
Elsewhere, Max sits alone as he flashes back to when he was younger.
In his flashback, Max and his mother were holding each other in fear as King Fredrick was being attacked by... Metal Sonic?
--
End of Chapter 8
