Chapter Text
Marble Ruinlands presented itself as a breathtaking yet forbidding sight, nestled among mountains that rose like ancient sentinels around the sprawling ruins. The ground beneath them was a curious mix of grassy pockets perched atop crumbling architecture. Scattered across the surface stood blue stone pillars, remnants of a forgotten era. Beyond the nearer hills, majestic purple mountains pierced the vast sky painted in deep shades of blue.
Legends told of an underground dungeon lurking beneath this ancient landscape. The dungeon's interior was said to be littered with crushing pillars, spike-tipped chandeliers swinging menacingly overhead, latticed windows, and mosaics that whispered stories of old. But this was mere rumor—no one had actually braved the depths to confirm such tales.
The X Tornado touched down on the cracked purple bricks weathered by centuries. Stepping out, the party was immediately struck by the heat—a thick, heavy warmth that wrapped around them like a suffocating blanket, even under the open sky.
"It's... very hot," Cosmo admitted, as she tried to cool herself.
Knuckles turned toward Blaze, his brows contracting in surprised curiosity. "Why aren't you hot?"
"My heart is already alight with flames," she reminded. Her heels clicked against the ruins as she held one of her Sol Emeralds in front of her, using it to guide their steps forward.
Blaze turned her gaze slowly over the landscape, taking in the sprawling view around her with a quiet sense of reflection. The ruins, ancient and weathered, were draped in patches of bright green grass that softened the edges of crumbled purple bricks.
Compared to her own world, this place carried a strange beauty. Here, history stood strong in stone and nature worked its gentle magic, intertwining with ruins to create something remarkable—a blending of past and present that felt both delicate and enduring.
Blaze's eyes softened, the hardness of her mission ebbing slightly as she let herself appreciate the moment. There was something about this place that reached beyond her guarded heart. She knew the path forward would be difficult, but in the light of the Marble Ruinlands, she felt a renewed determination, grounded in not just duty, but a growing appreciation for the world around her.
Her gaze wandered back to Knuckles, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she studied the echidna walking a few paces ahead. Her years as a princess had made her observant; she saw meaning in the smallest gestures, picking up details that others might overlook.
For a moment, Blaze found herself reflecting on the odd sense of likeness she felt. They were both guardians, after all—she of the Sol Emeralds, he of the Master Emerald—devoted to a purpose most others would never fully understand. There was something noble in his resolve, an honest weight to his stride. But unlike her, who had always been kept at a distance by the expectations of royalty, Knuckles was part of his group. He was stubborn, yes, perhaps even naïve about some things, but he was genuinely trusted by his friends and allowed himself to belong. She envied, just a little, the easy companionship Knuckles had found without ceremony or crown.
Blaze shook her head as if to scatter her musings, determined to bring her focus back to the task at hand. The glow of the Sol Emerald in her hand steadied her attention. Still, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder at the others—not because she distrusted them, but because some small part of her found comfort in their well-being. Old instincts warred with new feelings, and it brought a subtle softness to her usually measured gaze.
Suddenly, the Sol Emerald's glow stopped leading her onward. Blaze paused, turning in a complete circle, but the light remained unchanged in every direction; it pointed neither forward nor back. The realization dawned swiftly—if the emerald wasn't here on this level, then there could only be one answer. She glanced down at the ancient stone beneath her heels.
"We need to go down," Blaze stated.
The group gathered close, curiosity and concern written plainly on their faces.
Tails, ever the voice of caution, couldn't help but point out the obvious. "You better be careful. We don't know what's down there."
"I will be fine," Blaze replied, a hint of reassurance smoothing her tone. She knew her own strength—her flames could easily break through stone if she wished. Yet, in a quiet moment of self-restraint, she considered another way. Growth, she thought, isn't always about breaking through, but sometimes about stepping lightly, respecting what stands before you. "Is there another way inside?"
Tails retrieved his communicator, scrolling through outdated information. "I'm not sure. I've never been here before."
Knuckles, ever direct, produced his Shovel Claws with a satisfied glint in his eyes. "Why don't I just dig through?"
Before anyone could voice an objection, Knuckles let his actions speak louder than words. He began shoveling straight through the ground beneath them. Moment by moment, the hole deepened as he disappeared beneath the surface. Blaze's brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms, peering down into the dark pit with a growing frown.
"Does he do this often?" Blaze asked.
"No. He usually doesn't give a warning," Tails answered.
From below, Knuckles's voice rang out with triumphant excitement. "I made it! You guys coming?" His words echoed up the hole he'd carved.
Blaze noted the subtle shift among the gathered group—the heat seemed to intensify, radiating more fiercely from the hole. Though it was a sensation she couldn't feel, she knew the others were struggling. It was time for her to act decisively. "I will go. The rest of you stay here."
Tails hesitated before offering, "Are you sure?"
"We'll be much faster together," Cosmo encouraged.
Cream chimed in eagerly. "And we want to help you get your emeralds back!"
Blaze fought the urge to snap back, to insist she could handle this on her own without distraction. Yet those people had shown her nothing but kindness and support. Relaxing her clenched hands, she softened her tone as much as possible. "Eggman Nega or your Eggman might already be on their way here. I'm trusting you all to keep guard."
Tails wasn't fooled, but respected and trusted her despite the danger. "We'll make sure the X Tornado's ready to go."
They moved off in a gentle scatter—everyone, that is, except Cream. Blaze braced inwardly, certain Cream might cry or plead again, but instead watched in mild surprise as Cream quickly unclipped her communicator and rotated Blaze's wrist, attaching the device.
"What is this?" Blaze inquired.
"If you get lost, now we have a way to find you!" Cream explained brightly. "And it'll help you find your way out, too."
Blaze stared at the communicator for a silent moment, struggling to process the overflow of kindness in the girl's gesture. There was a sting at the back of her throat, a hot, unfamiliar pressure. She had met isolation, responsibility, and skepticism so many times before, but this concern for her safety from someone so young and gentle was almost overwhelming. It was as if all her years of defending herself, of maintaining the walls of a princess and a guardian, had led to this fragile point.
She gave Cream a nod. "Thank you."
Cream thought she might have caught the ghost of a smile before Blaze vanished down the hole, hopping gracefully to join Knuckles waiting in the darkness below.
Blaze pressed her palms and the soles of her shoes firmly against the rough stone to slow her descent, sliding between irregular patches of jutting earth and loose dirt. As the ground leveled beneath her, Blaze pushed off the wall and landed lightly beside Knuckles, who was unmistakably suffering from the stifling heat.
Knuckles glanced up, cracking a tired smile. "What took you?" He ran his hand across his forehead, clearing away the sweat that the relentless heat pressed from his body.
Blaze barely acknowledged the dig at her speed, choosing instead to examine her strange surroundings. The world beneath Marble Ruinlands thrummed with unexpected life. Purple stone bricks stretched upward, forming daunting, dungeon-like walls broken here and there by underground blooms of moss and creeping vines. Blaze took out her emerald and narrowed her attention to the direction it was pulling her.
"You can go back. I can handle this," Blaze assured.
"Hey, when it comes to treasure hunting, I'm your guy," he grinned.
Blaze, still not turning, commented, "You're sweating."
"It's not my first time near a volcano," Knuckles responded.
Caught off guard by the casual remark, she turned towards him. "What?"
The words barely left her lips before the ceiling suddenly shifted. Without warning, a pillar of stone crashed down from above. Blaze reacted with a startled gasp, but before she could move, Knuckles' arms wrapped around her waist. He yanked her back—away from the deadly path of the falling stone. The floor came up hard beneath them as Knuckles lost his footing in the rush, pulling both himself and Blaze into an untidy heap.
For a moment, Blaze was all too aware of Knuckles' arms where they shouldn't be, a flash of heat crawling up her cheeks. Fighting to keep her composure, she fumbled briefly at his wrists. "Le-let me go."
Knuckles snorted, a bit huffed, as he pulled back and folded his arms. "You're welcome," he tossed out, as if he hadn't just saved her life.
Blaze rounded on him. "I didn't ask—" The words caught, but she willed herself to pause, taking in a slow, calming breath. Along with the exhale, she unraveled her tension and extended a hand. "I don't like being touched."
Knuckles eyed her hand for a stubborn moment, the silent duel between their pride unspoken. After a beat, he slipped his palm into hers. She pulled him smoothly to his feet; his eyebrows lifted, surprise flickering as he registered her strength. "We need to be careful in here. This place could have all kinds of traps."
Blaze steadied herself before the massive stone pillar that blocked their path. She bent down, her hips rising behind her as she reached for the bottom edge. Her fingers fanned out and dug into the rough, uneven base of the pillar, searching for a solid grip amid the jagged edges. Gritting her teeth, she engaged her core, pushing power fully through her legs as she summoned every ounce of strength. The stone groaned beneath her mighty effort, shifting with a slow, heavy scrape that made dust drift in soft clouds around her.
"Uh, you need some help?" he offered awkwardly.
Blaze didn't waver. "Ungh… rrrgh… HAAA!" In an instant, the pillar lifted enough for her to duck underneath and take the full burden on her arms. "Go!"
Knuckles blinked, impressed despite himself, before dashing through the narrow space she created. He caught the pillar's edge and gripped it firmly, shifting to take some of the strain from Blaze's arms. "Now you!"
Feeling the weight lessened as Knuckles supported it, Blaze sprang forward and joined him on the other side. Once both were safe, Knuckles let the pillar drop back down with a heavy thud and dusted off his gloves, a satisfied grin pulling at his lips.
"You're quite strong," Blaze observed quietly. She thought of herself as powerful, sure—Sonic the closest to matching her—but Knuckles moved with a kind of raw strength that set him apart.
Knuckles responded to her compliment with a simple, confident "Hmph," flexing one of his fists as if to emphasize the strength she had just acknowledged.
Blaze adjusted her tailcoat neatly and smoothed down her tights, before the duo continued their journey forward. Then, as if the thought had only just occurred to her, she broke the growing silence with unexpected gratitude. "Thank you for finding my Sol Emerald."
Knuckles, looking relaxed and uncaring, linked his arms behind his head. "So, you guard those emeralds every day?"
"Yes," Blaze replied, turning toward him to keep the conversation civil and avoid seeming aloof. "I understand you too are a guardian."
Knuckles affirmed this with a nod, pulling out the Master Emerald, noticeably reduced in size for ease of carrying. "The Master Emerald."
Curiosity sparked within Blaze as she pressed on. "Does your Eggman try to steal it?"
Knuckles grumbled, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "Sometimes. Bat girl's the one you gotta watch out for."
The mention of the name made Blaze turn her head sharply, curiosity lighting her eyes. "An enemy?"
"More like an obsessive pain in the butt with wings," he grunted, though the edge of irritation he once carried had softened. It was clear their relationship had shifted—not quite allies, and far from enemies, but definitely a complicated connection.
Blaze held out her arm swiftly, signaling for him to halt. "The floor's uneven."
Knuckles frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Without another word, Blaze let her actions tell the story. She picked up a loose stone and flung it toward a patch of the rocky floor. As it clattered down, a series of sharp spikes suddenly shot out from the ceiling in response, only to retract moments later.
Knuckles scowled, irritation bubbling to the surface. "This whole place is booby trapped!"
Blaze's eyes narrowed inward as she scanned the ground meticulously. She began to calculate the safe path, reading the subtle rises, dips, and cracks in the stone that marked tension points triggering the devices. "Stay close. Follow my steps."
Carefully, Blaze tested the ground with the front of her foot, tapping lightly before committing her weight. Each step was calculated until she found a safe pattern to cross. Knuckles mirrored her movement without hesitation, trusting her lead as they moved in sync, stepping only where she allowed.
When they finally reached the opposite side, the risky terrain ended. There was no more safe ground before the next area, forcing them to clear the gap in one leap. Blaze pushed off and launched herself to solid footing, landing with ease. Knuckles followed but lost his balance mid-air, struggling for control.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he called out, arms flailing to regain steadiness.
Blaze reacted instantly, catching his arm and pulling him back toward her before he could topple onto a trap. Regaining balance, she turned her attention once more to the Sol Emerald she held. Silent and alert, she let its light lead the way through the shadows.
Their journey continued until suddenly, they came upon a window-like opening barred with thick steel rods embedded firmly into the ancient rock. Beyond the bars, the yellow Sol Emerald shone vividly. Blaze nearly lunged forward, eagerness tipping her movements, but caught herself just in time. This place was riddled with surprises, and rushing ahead without caution would be reckless. Her ears perked up sharply when a series of beeps sounded from her communicator on her wrist. Holding out her arm, she glanced between the device and Knuckles.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Cream's calling you," Knuckles explained, tapping her communicator lightly to reveal a familiar face.
On the screen, Cream's worried eyes searched hers as she spoke. "Is everything okay? Did you find the Sol Emerald?"
"We're just grabbing it now. We'll be back up soon," Blaze explained. Her pride shifted as she acknowledged the aid that got her to this point. "And Knuckles has been a great help."
Knuckles smirked, crossing his arms with a trace of pride.
Cream's face lit up with hope. "We'll be right here waiting!"
Relieved, Blaze was glad it was Cream who ended the call before any awkward moment could linger. She turned back to the bars and swept the area with a sharp eye, searching for traps. Satisfied none were hidden nearby, she stepped closer and seized the steel bars firmly, testing their strength and searching for any trigger. Her grip tightened as she began to pull, bending the bars outward until the opening was wide enough to slip through.
As she worked, Blaze's thoughts drifted to the companions she had met on this journey. Each had helped her in ways she never expected. Sonic had saved her from Eggman. Tails had brought her here safely. And Knuckles—just moments ago, had literally saved her from being crushed. Her pride as a princess, fiercely independent and used to standing alone, conflicted with this growing realization: she didn't have to face everything by herself anymore. The truth was undeniable—she needed them all.
Blaze slipped through the narrow gap she had created and seized the Sol Emerald with eager hands. She turned it over carefully a few times for inspection before adding it to her collection. She felt the growing weight against her as her tailcoat swelled—a reminder of the burden she carried. Even with her exceptional strength, the combined weight of the emeralds slightly slowed her, a small but persistent drag as she moved. She returned to Knuckles, who was leaning back casually against the wall, resting after their exertions. However, the very section of wall behind him suddenly shifted and moved, as if an unseen mechanism had been triggered by his weight.
"Huh?" Knuckles pulled away quickly.
"What did you do?" Blaze demanded.
"Nothing!" Knuckles whined, his usual confidence faltering under the strange noises now filling the room. "What's that noise?!"
The sound surrounded them, a harsh mixture of sizzling, crackling, and rumbling that seemed to come from every corner and direction within the chamber. The noise intensified, filling the space with rising tension. Then, without warning, the very ceiling above the spot where Blaze had retrieved the emerald shattered violently. Bright, fiery light flooded the room as molten lava burst through the fractured ceiling, pouring down in a deadly cascade aimed directly at them. The heat was immediate and intense, and even Knuckles, accustomed to volcanic environments, could feel the scorching radiance warming his fur as the lava advanced relentlessly.
"Run!" Blaze commanded with no hesitation, and both of them bolted back the way they had come.
The lava chased after them like a living threat. There was no longer any time to be cautious of the many traps littering the path—each step risked danger, but survival demanded faster movement. Blaze darted ahead, triggering every trap in succession—spikes, darts, and other deadly mechanisms sprung to life, but her superior speed kept her safe. Once the traps activated, the threat they posed was neutralized, allowing Knuckles to follow swiftly without worry of being hit.
They reached the pillar they had previously lifted to proceed. Together, they gripped the heavy stone once more before Blaze supported the weight fully.
"Hurry! I'm faster!" Blaze called impatiently.
Knuckles hesitated just briefly, then trusted her judgment and dashed through the opening. Blaze held the pillar aloft a moment longer, then bent low, using her strength and momentum to toss the pillar upward, creating space to pass safely beneath before it slammed back down.
The bright light from the hole they had reached crept slowly into view, a promise of escape from the darkness that surrounded them. Blaze wasted no time and sprinted ahead of Knuckles. She crouched down near the edge, cupping her hands carefully to offer a foothold. "Quickly!".
Knuckles obeyed instantly, placing one foot firmly into her hands. With a powerful push, Blaze thrust him upward, giving him the boost he needed. His fist crashed through the fragile wall with a solid thud. He tightened his hold against the edge, using the dented wall to steady himself as he stretched out his other hand. "Come on!"
Blaze glanced back swiftly, her eyes flickering to the lava racing close behind them. Without hesitation, she jumped up and locked palms with Knuckles. Swung securely in his grip, she soared free just as the river of molten rock surged past. The height of the glowing lava had risen ominously, and Knuckles' jaw slackened as he caught sight of Blaze's ankles disappearing beneath the fiery flow. Yet, his shock turned to confusion as she neither burned nor screamed.
Looking upward, Blaze offered reassurance. "It's okay! Pull me up!"
With a steady motion, Knuckles hoisted her up with a single strong arm until Blaze was able to reach the hole's lip. She spread her hands and legs, free climbing upward with practiced ease. Knuckles followed close behind, climbing by repeatedly slamming his namesakes into the wall to find purchase. The oppressive darkness fell away as they ascended, and daylight spilled before their eyes in warm relief. Waiting at the top were Tails, Cosmo, and Cream.
"Are you both alright?" Cosmo asked, grasping Knuckles' arm and helping him climb the rest of the way out.
Knuckles looked back down into the dark opening beneath them. "I wouldn't go down there if I were you."
Cream stepped forward. "You found it?"
Blaze quickly checked her tailcoat pockets one by one, feeling the solid presence of all six emeralds nestled safely. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in relief.
"I have only one more to find." The others listened, sensing the end of a long, perilous quest drawing near. "I just wanted to say—" Her words were cut short by a sudden crackle of lightning that tore through the air, splitting the sky with an electric snap. Everyone jumped, startled by the abrupt change, and an unmistakable shift in the world around them took hold.
Above, the scar in the sky began to grow, stretching wider like a rip tearing through cloth. The edges quivered and flickered, unstable like a dangerous wound that refused to heal. Moments ago, the sky had been clear, but now, a shroud of dark clouds pulled swiftly together, cloaking the heavens. The wind whipped violently, bending the trees and whipping dust into swirling currents. Then, fat drops of rain began to fall, scattered at first, then gathering momentum as the storm grew harsher.
Blaze's eyes narrowed in understanding. This was no ordinary weather pattern. The rift between their dimensions had worsened, destabilizing everything it touched. The fragile veil between worlds was weakening rapidly, causing volatile shifts in the environment.
Tails shielded his eyes from the driving rain as he gripped Cosmo's hand tightly. "We need to go!"
"Shouldn't we take shelter here?!" Cosmo suggested.
Before anyone could respond, lava began to spill out from a cracked rock nearby. The sudden surge silenced any arguments.
"Guess that's out of the question," Knuckles deadpanned.
The storm howled and the wind lashed at Blaze. She gritted her teeth and pushed onward toward the X Tornado. The growing tear in the fabric of their reality left no time to hesitate or look back. She was nearly out of time to set things right, and there would be no second chances if she failed.