Angel Island

For the first level in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, see Angel Island Zone. For other uses, see Angel Island (disambiguation).

Angel Island
First seen: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)

Angel Island (エンジェルアイランド), sometimes called the Floating IslandMedia:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf (浮遊島, Fuyuu ShimaMedia:Sonic3 MD JP manual.pdf), is a location found in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games and auxiliary material. It was introduced in the video game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for the Sega Mega Drive.

The island is the home of the Master Emerald, a large and powerful green gemstone that keeps the island afloat. It is protected by Knuckles the Echidna, the last descendant of the Knuckles Clan, who has been fated to guard the emerald from anyone who might invade the island and seek to use its power.

Description

Angel island, floating among the clouds. From Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence.

Once thought of as only legend,Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf Angel Island is a large landmass hovering high above the planet Earth. The location of the island shifts over time, sometimes floating over wide stretches of ocean, other times hovering near the coastlines of other, non-floating landmasses. The island's ability to float is fueled by the power of the Master Emerald, a mysterious gemstone that has been on Earth for at least tens of thousands of years. It has been kept hidden in a number of places on the island, most notably the Hidden Palace Zone and the outdoor shrine of the Master Emerald. If the large gemstone is removed from the island for any reason, it will cause Angel Island to immediately fall to the surface of the planet. Even if the Master Emerald is left untouched, extenuating circumstances can force the island planetside, such as when the Death Egg crash landed on its surface.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf

The topography of the island features a number of different biomes, including lush jungle areas, a large desert, and frigid arctic mountains. Much of the flora on the island is not all that unusual compared to what grows elsewhere on the planet, though there are areas filled with unique large mushrooms that have spring-like caps. There is also some active volcanic activity, most prominently in the areas of Red Mountain and Lava Reef Zone. The underground magma does cool at certain times, forming pathways of igneous rock one could walk on safely.

Evidence of an ancient civilization dots the landscape, including a city partially submerged underwater and ruins within the Marble Garden Zone. There are also more modern, visibility maintained structures, such as a carnival powered by electricity and a ski resort. The origin of these modern structures are unknown.

Angel Island is said to have a certain degree of consciousness, as seen by its reaction to the Phantom Ruby during the events of Sonic Mania.

Fictional history

Over three thousand years ago, an echidna civilization known as the Knuckles Clan lived in an area that would one day be known as the Mystic Ruins. They were ruled by Chief Pachacamac, who succeeded his mother after her passing. With his mother no longer there to keep his ambitions under control, Pachacamac set his sights to conquer the territories around him. Opposed to these campaigns was his daughter Tikal, who spoke against her father attacking other countries and taking their holy grounds.

Believing them to be the key to his people's survival, Pachacamac also sought to gain control of the seven Chaos Emeralds. Said to be "stones that can make anything you could ever dream come true,", they resided in an altar just outside the city limits. Early attempts to seize the emeralds were thwarted by a mysterious "water spirit" who guarded both the Chaos Emeralds and a race of creatures known as Chao that lived around the altar.

Opposed to her father's attempts to steal the emeralds, Tikal approached the altar on her own, showing kindness to the Chao. It was then that she met the mysterious "water spirit," Chaos, who allowed her to enter the altar and learn of the existence of the Master Emerald.

Pachacamac storms the emerald altar. From Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence.

It was not long before Tikal learned of her father's plans to attack the emerald shrine in a bid to finally gain the power of the Chaos Emeralds. With this news, she begged Chaos to leave with the Chao, fearing for their safety. However she was told they could not leave this land. Not wanting to accept defeat, she pledged to speak to her father once more, hoping to find another way.

Unfortunately, she was unable to reason with her father, who struck the altar in the middle of the night, attacking the Chao and his own daughter while setting aflame the structure. Breaching the perimeter, Pachacamac found himself face to face with Chaos. The water creature, filled with rage at seeing the tribal leader's forces trample Tikal and the Chao, tapped into the power of the Chaos Emeralds, unleashing his fury. In a flash, the echidna forces were cut down.

As Chaos continued his rampage, Tikal awoke, realizing what had happened. Approaching the Master Emerald, she was reminded of the poem her grandmother had taught her before her passing: "The 7 Emeralds are the servers. Chaos is power, enriched by the heart. The controller serves to unify the chaos." Praying to the emerald, Chaos was subdued, with both the water creature and Tikal's soul being sealed inside the Master Emerald.

In the aftermath, the surviving members of the Knuckles Clan vowed to not let such destruction happen again. Using the power of the Master Emerald, they levitated the altar and the surrounding landmass into the sky, creating Angel Island. Before leaving the planet's surface, the Knuckles Clan also left murals depicting the events that had just transpired.

For the next three thousand years, the descendants of the clan would watch over the Master Emerald, eventually hiding the emerald in an underground cave called the Hidden Palace Zone. Their numbers dwindled until the echidnas were all but extinct. Over this same period, the existence of Angel Island fell into the realm of myth and legend. Stories were told of a peaceful civilization that prospered with the energy of a "power stone," wiped from existence when a group of elders attempted to use the power for their own reasons. The gods came down, restored a small part of this civilization, and released the "power stone" into the sky on a floating island.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf

The last survivor of his race, Knuckles the Echidna would continue the tradition of his people, guarding the Master Emerald and Angel Island from any would-be intruders. The island continued to remain hidden until the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. After Dr. Eggman's defeat in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Death Egg fell from space, burning up in the atmosphere. In its path, hidden by cloud cover, was Angel Island. As the Death Egg was about to collide with the floating island, Knuckles tended to his duties, making sure that nothing was amiss in the altar that held the seven Chaos Emeralds. Suddenly, one of the emeralds began to sparkle and vibrate.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf In a flash of light, Knuckles was knocked unconscious.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf At the same time, the Death Egg crashed into the island, the force of the impact driving the island into the sea, causing a massive tsunami.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf

The Sonic & Knuckles title sequence shows the Death Egg crashing atop Angel Island's Lava Reef Zone volcano.

Awakening, Knuckles discovered the Chaos Emeralds had vanished. Over the next few days, Knuckles would patrol the altar and the island, searching for the lost emeralds and wondering if the appearance of a large, egg-shaped object had anything to do with the story of the "legendary dragon" and the misfortune it would bring to his home. Eventually, Knuckles would meet Dr. Eggman, who immediately tricked the guardian into thinking he was a benevolent scientist just studying the egg-shaped object, and that he should actually be wary of someone named Sonic the Hedgehog.Media:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf

When Sonic and Miles "Tails" Prower arrived on Angel Island, Knuckles immediately attacked them, stealing the Chaos Emeralds that Sonic brought with him. He continued to try and stop the two of them at every turn until Sonic defeated Knuckles in Hidden Palace Zone. After his defeat, Knuckles finally discovered he was tricked. Helping Sonic to reach the Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic was able to defeat Eggman and recover the Master Emerald from Eggman's grasp. Returning the emerald, the island rose into the sky once more.

In the events leading up to Sonic Mania, the presence of the Phantom Ruby caused Angel Island to briefly fall back into the ocean. Sometime after the events of Sonic Mania, but before Sonic Superstars, Knuckles moved the Master Emerald from its resting place in the Hidden Palace Zone to the original emerald shrine on the edge of the island. It was at this new location that Knuckles first encountered Chaos during the opening moments of Sonic Adventure, also realizing that the Master Emerald had been shattered. Without the power of the emerald, Angel Island crashed into the sea once more. As he searched for the pieces of the Master Emerald, Knuckles would come to learn about the history of his people and the origins of Angel Island by interacting with the spirit of Tikal.

Angel Island has fallen into the ocean at least three more times since the events of Sonic Adventure: Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Rivals, and Sonic Rivals 2. Each time, the Master Emerald has been recovered, and the island returned to the skies. The Master Emerald being stolen, and Angel Island crashing into the earth below it, was also a plot point in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, in which the island ends up destroying the city of Metropolis.

At some point in the future, Angel Island becomes known as Onyx Island. Still the resting place of the Master Emerald, the buildings and topography have changed enough that even Knuckles does not realize it is the same island at first glance. This future version is sent back to Knuckles' time during the events of Sonic Rivals.

Locations

The following is a list of playable areas in the Sonic the Hedgehog series that take place on Angel Island. This does not include the five zones from Sonic Rivals.

	Angel Island Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"A zone of abundant greenery, like a tropical paradise."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Angel Island Zone
	Game: Sonic Mania
	Hydrocity Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"A zone of underground waterways with intricate routes."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Hydrocity Zone
	Game: Sonic Mania
	Marble Garden Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"A zone with the remains of a civilization of legend."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Carnival Night Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"An amusement park-like zone that shines under the night sky."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	IceCap Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"A zone of ice that runs through caves and ice fields."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Ice Cap
	Game: Sonic Adventure
	Launch Base Zone
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	"A huge base zone created for the reconstruction of the Death Egg."Media:Sonic3_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Mushroom Hill Zone
	Game: Sonic & Knuckles
	"A valley zone blessed with greenery where giant mushrooms grow."Media:S&K_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Mushroom Hill
	Game: Sonic the Fighters
	Mushroom Hill
	Game: Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS)
	Sandopolis Zone
	Game: Sonic & Knuckles
	"A desert zone where you cross quicksand to reach a pyramid."Media:S&K_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Sand Road
	Game: Team Sonic Racing
	Boo's House
	Game: Team Sonic Racing
	Clockwork Pyramid
	Game: Team Sonic Racing
	Lava Reef Zone
	Game: Sonic & Knuckles
	"A mineshaft leading to a volcanic crater filled with dangerous lava."Media:S&K_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Lava Reef Zone
	Game: Sonic Mania
	Hidden Palace Zone
	Game: Sonic & Knuckles
	The hidden location of the Master Emerald.
	Sky Sanctuary Zone
	Game: Sonic & Knuckles
	"An ancient floating temple that looks like it’s about to collapse at any moment."Media:S&K_MD_JP_manual.pdf
	Sky Sanctuary (Sonic Generations)
	Game: Sonic Generations
	Azure Lake
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	Balloon Park
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	Chrome Gadget
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	Desert Palace
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	Endless Mine
	Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
	Shrine of the Master Emerald
	Game: Sonic Adventure
	Red Mountain
	Game: Sonic Adventure
	Angel Island Zone
	Game: Sonic Advance
	Altar Emerald
	Game: Sonic Advance 3
	A pathway leading to the Master Emerald's shrine.
	Angel Island
	Game: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

In other media

Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)

Sonic and Sally upon the Floating Island, looking at its sole structure. From "Blast to the Past (Part 1)."

In the animated series Sonic the Hedgehog by DiC Entertainment, the Floating Island is a mysterious landmass said to be the hiding place of the Time Stones. Considered a myth by most, Dulcy the Dragon stumbled across the floating isle during her travels. During the events of "Blast to the Past (Part 1)," Dulcy takes Sonic the Hedgehog and Princess Sally Acorn to the island in the hopes of using the Time Stones to travel back in time and prevent Dr. Robotnik from taking over Mobotropolis and usurping the king.

Hidden above the Great Unknown in a thick mass of storm clouds, the island floats by unknown means. The entire perimeter of the island is covered with a species of tree featuring extremely long trunks dotted with thick foliage on top. Only one structure is visible, a building covered with clock faces and Arabic and Roman numerals. The entrance to the building is of a face, its mouth forming the doorway inside. The structure is nestled in front of a different species of tree, along with a mountainside.

The only known denizens of the island are a pair of stone gargoyles who guard the main structure, and Keeper of the Time Stones, an owl who poses riddles to anyone seeking to use the Time Stones.

Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)

A map of Angel Island, then known as the Floating Island. From Sonic's Friendly Nemesis Knuckles Issue #1.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by Archie Comics, Angel Island serves as a central locale in both the Sonic title and its spin-offs, most prominently Knuckles the Echidna. It has been kept afloat by a variety of magical gemstones over the course of the comic's life, including various Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald. Originally called the Floating Island, it was renamed to Angel Island after Angel-La, mother of the first Guardian.

The topography of the island bears some resemblance with its game counterpart, sharing the same zones seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. On one end of the island sits the Forbidden Zone, a region thought uninhabited but was actually the hiding place of Haven, the headquarters of the Brotherhood of Guardians. On the opposite coast sits the Happyland Amusement Park. In the middle of the island towers the Dragon Spine Mountains, the highest point being Mount Thunder. Surrounding the inhabitable regions of the isle is the Eternal River, creating a natural barrier between the lush jungles and Sandopolis.

The sole Chaos Emerald keeping the island afloat was originally guarded in an underground cavern called the Chaos Chamber, only accessible from the hidden Zoot Chute. A second, spare Chaos Emerald eventually joined the first, with the two merging to become the Master Emerald when Mammoth Mogul tried to use their powers. During a battle between Super Sonic and the fourth Enerjak, Knuckles the Echidna, the shrine the Master Emerald sat on was pulled out of the Chaos Chamber. It became Shrine Island, a small independent island connected to Angel Island by a simple bridge.

The largest settlement on the island was Echidnaopolis, a technologically advanced city in which the echidnas lived. Numerous other species also called the city home. When first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog Issue #13, the only known occupant of the island was Knuckles, Guardian of the Chaos Emerald. Over time, it was revealed that a number of other sentient animals lived on the island, including Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, Mighty the Armadillo, and the Fire Ants. Eventually, over 128,000 echidnas would return to the island when Echidnaopolis was restored from its pocket zone, along with a displaced Dingo population.

Long ago, a group of echidnas traveled to the continent of Downunda, building a settlement known as Echidnaopolis. The city prospered, becoming the most technologically advanced location on the planet even as it found itself under attack from the neighboring Dingos. Over six hundred years ago, the city found itself under threat with two echidna scientists, Jordann and Kayla-La, discovered the Great White Comet was in a direct collision course with them. With the assistance of the fire-ants and the power of twelve Chaos Emeralds, the city was able to break free of gravity, lifting into the sky just as the comet struck Mobius.

The Floating Island drifting towards unexpected lands. From the Sonic & Knuckles comic special.

For generations, the island floated above the planet. The scientist brothers Edmund and Dimitri theorized how the island could return to the planet below: if the emeralds were drained of their power, the island could lower to the surface once more. They created the Chaos Syphon, a device meant to drain the energy safely. When their proposal was denied, Dimitri attempted to defy the council, draining the emerald's power. However, the process backfired, the energy of eleven emeralds entering Dimitri. Transforming into the being known as Enerjack, he attempted to take over the island but wound up being buried under the rubble of his base. In the aftermath, only one Chaos Emerald continued to keep the island afloat, guarded by Edmund and his descendants.

The Dingos and the echidnas would continue to fight with each other, the Dingo Regime attempting to use nuclear weapons to destroy their adversaries. While they were stopped, the resulting nuclear fallout caused the island to be uninhabitable for a time. In order to save those living on the island, the Guardian Hawking used a device called the Hyper Zone Projector to transport Echidnaopolis and the Dingo city of Cave Canen into their own pocket zones.

Echidnaopolis would be unexpectedly restored in the aftermath of Dr. Robotnik's defeat. The doctor's use of the Ultimate Annihilator caused an omega wave that allowed "the buffer between zones to break down." While the Echidnas and the Dingos would survive their return, the city of Cave Canen would be destroyed.

Some time later, the city of Echidnaopolis would be destroyed by the Dingo Regime with the assistance of the Eggman Empire. Survivors of the attack would remain on the island for a time until they were relocated to the city of Albion.

After the Super Genesis Wave, the history and topography of Angel Island changed drastically, becoming nearly identical to that of the game universe.

Sonic the Comic

Sonic and Tails discover the Floating island. From Sonic the Comic Issue #33.

The Floating Island, as presented in Sonic the Comic, is the home of Knuckles the Echidna. Its ability to float is from the power of the Master Emerald, one of the seven Chaos Emeralds. The emeralds hide within the Emerald Chamber, which Knuckles can go to and from through the use of the Zoom Tube. The topography of the island features a number of different zones, including Ice Cap, Mushroom Hill, and Sandopolis. There are also a number of ancient ruins, most prominently of which is Megopolis City, once the capital of the echidna civilization. A number of pipes can be seen emerging from its underside. The island, through the use of ancient technology, also has its own propulsion system as well as an energy defense system.

8000 years ago, the echidna civilization, guided by its spiritual leader Pochacamac, lived on the island. Their peaceful existence ended at the start of the Great War against the alien Drakon Empire. The fight was over the Sacred Emeralds, gemstones stolen by the Drakons and infused with chaos energy. Stealing back these newly-forged Chaos Emeralds, war raged on for months. Though the Drakons were pushed away from Earth, the echidna civilization that lived on the island also vanished, no one knowing exactly what happened to them.

The island would be known as only a myth until Dr. Robotnik crashed into it during an attempt to salvage his Death Egg. Meeting its sole occupant Knuckles the Echidna, the evil doctor tricked Knuckles into thinking Sonic the Hedgehog was the hated villain of the planet. Looking for Robotnik, Sonic and Tails found the hidden island, and went face to face with Knuckles. Eventually, Knuckles learned of Robotnik's deceit when the doctor tried to use the power of the emeralds located in the Temple of Chaos. Through the use of the Grey Emerald, Knuckles stopped Robotnik.

Robotnik would once again invade the Floating Island, repairing his Death Egg and using the badnik Metallix to steal the Master Emerald, forcing Sonic and Knuckles to team up. In return for helping Knuckles, Sonic asked the echidna a favor - to allow the Emerald Hill Folk to hide on Floating Island, as they were clearly no longer safe in their home zone. Knuckles begrudgingly accepted Sonic's deal, and after the Death Egg was neutralized, allowed the inhabitants to live on the island.

The Emerald Hill Folk would live on the island until Robotnik's eventual defeat. Porker Lewis would also end up living on the island following his time trapped by the Brotherhood of Metallix on the Miracle Planet, but would choose to stay even after Robotnik was overthrown.

During the final story arc of the comic, Floating Island would come under attack by Chaos, a former member of the Drakon army who had been transformed by chaos energy thousands of years before. After Chaos absorbed the blue emerald, Knuckles was forced to eject the other emeralds from their chamber, scattering them across the planet Mobius. Without their power, the island would crash into the ocean, sinking underneath the waves.

Sonic Adventures

Angel Island is briefly mentioned in Sonic Adventures: Dans Les Griffes De Robotnik. It is the unseen location in which Sonic the Hedgehog was captured by Dr. Robotnik's robots.

Sonic Underground

Sonic, Sonia and Manic heading towards the Floating Island. From "Flying Fortress."

The Floating Island of Sonic Underground is the home of Knuckles the Echidna, guardian of the Chaos Emerald that keeps it afloat. It is covered in forests and the occasional rock formations, along with rivers and strange flora. It is known by the people of Mobius to be fraught with danger. While it is implied that others may live on the island aside from Knuckles, the only other known occupant is the dinosaur Chomps.

After hearing a rumor their mother might be on the island, Sonic the Hedgehog and his siblings Sonia and Manic travel to the island. Meeting Knuckles, the echidna immediately fights them, having already been tricked by Dr. Robotnik's lackeys Sleet and Dingo. It is only when Sonic saves Knuckles from falling off the edge of the island that he learns of his deception, and works with the hedgehog triplets in saving the island from Robotnik. At the end of "Friend or Foe?" Knuckles tells the trio that their mother had been on the island when he was a child, leaving a message for them to find: "In the final days of Robotnik's tyranny, allies will unite with my children. First among them will be Knuckles, guardian of the Chaos Emerald."

Sonic X

Angel Island as seen from earth. From "Project: Shadow."

The history and topography of Angel Island in Sonic X is largely the same as its game counterpart. Thousands of years ago, Chief Pachacamac tried to seize the Chaos Emeralds to use for his own ambitions, but was stopped by Chaos. Trying to prevent Chaos from destroying the world out of anger, Tikal sealed herself and Chaos inside the Master Emerald. The altar of the emeralds and the surrounding area would lift into the sky, where the survivors would guard the emerald.

Knuckles the Echidna, the last surviving member of his race, would eventually encounter Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman. After this first meeting, Knuckles would leave the island from time to time to assist in stopping Eggman's schemes. It was during one of these missions that Knuckles, along with Sonic and a number of his friends, was transported to another world. Angel Island would remain in Sonic's world until the events of "Countdown to Chaos," when Super Sonic unleashed a gigantic Chaos Control that warped Angel Island to Earth. Reunited, Knuckles would resume his duty of guarding the island. It would finally return to Sonic's world in "Running Out of Time."

Six months after returning to Sonic's world, Angel Island was attacked by an alien species called the Metarex. It was discovered that the island held an object called the Planet Egg, a crystallization of the planet's life force. Once removed, the island, and the entire planet, began to wither and die. Using the Master Emerald to follow the Metarex into outer space, the island sinks to the surface of the ocean. At the end of the series, Angel Island remains in the ocean, the Master Emerald having been drained and shattered in the final battle against the leader of the Metarex, Dark Oak.

Sonic Boom

Not much is known about Angel Island in the Sonic Boom series of games and related media. Its existence is mentioned in relation to Knuckles the Echidna's backstory in two episodes of the the television series: "Cowbot" and "Knuck Knuck! Who's Here?". It is the original home of Knuckles, though he no longer lives there.

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW comics)

Angel Island under Neo Metal Sonic's control. From Sonic the Hedgehog Issue #8.

As the first issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series from IDW Publishing establishes the series pick up after the events of Sonic Forces, and shares essentially the same history as the game universe, the history of Angel Island is ostensibly that of its game counterpart. It also features a nearly identical topography, with locations such as Lava Reef, Mushroom Hill, and the Master Emerald's shrine.

In the aftermath of Eggman's latest plan and his subsequent disappearance, Neo Metal Sonic attempts to take over Sonic's world in the name of his creator. With Knuckles still assisting the Resistance, Neo Metal Sonic is able to successfully infiltrate Angel Island, seizing control of both it and the Master Emerald. Fighting against the might of Sonic and his friends, Neo Metal uses the Master Emerald to first become Super Neo Metal Sonic and then, using both Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog's biodata, Master Overlord. By the end of "The Battle for Angel Island," the Resistance is able to stop Neo Metal Sonic, with Knuckles reclaiming his birthright.

The island was also a temporary haven during the Metal Virus arc, and served as the location in which Super Sonic and Super Silver were able to reverse the effects of the virus that was ravaging the world below.

Sonic Prime

In the Sonic Prime episode "It Takes One to No Place," a brief flashback sequence depicts the Hidden Palace Zone from Sonic & Knuckles, using visual elements from the game.