The Freedom Fighters travel to the Floating Island to retrieve the Sword of Acorns from Knuckles and help him defend the island from an unknown force. The group searches the island but is unable to find Knuckles or any sign of a battle having taken place. While searching they're ambushed by the Chaotix, who tell the group that the sword allowed them to defeat their enemies and that, as per Knuckles' orders, they refuse to give it back. Vector, Espio, Mighty and Charmy refuse to listen to reason and briefly scuffle with Sonic and his friends before escaping in a cloud of smoke. Sally is puzzled by their behavior and encourages the group to help her discover why Knuckles is being so unreasonable as they continue to search the island.