Sky Sanctuary Zone - Sonic Metropolis

Information about the Zone

First appearance : Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994)

Game appearances : Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994), Sonic Generations (consoles, PC) (2011), Sonic Dash (2013), Sonic Runners Adventure (2017), Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017).

Different versions : Angel Island Zone (Sonic Advance (2001)), Chaos Angel (Sonic Advance 3 (2004)), Sanctuary Falls (Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed (2012)), 1-2, 2-2, 2-5, 2-7, 3-3, 3-6 (Sonic Frontiers (2022)).

Type : Action Stage, Bossfight Arena.

Zone description : Above the soaring in the sky Angel Island is the flying even higher Sky Sanctuary Zone, which is a complex of ancient ruins and bridges flying in the air. Here are ancient dilapidated temples and buildings, reminiscent of the forgotten echidna civilization. Strange mechanisms and portals reminds of an advanced ancient civilization and bring mysticism around this place. Alas, after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994), most of the Sky Sanctuary Zone was destroyed, leaving only small islands of ancient structures gouging in the sky.

OSTs used in this Zone

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994)

Sonic Generations (2011) [Act 1]

Sonic Generations (2011) [Act 2]

Events

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)

After his defeat, Dr. Robotnik lands on Angel Island, where he finds an energy source even more powerful than the Chaos Emeralds, namely the Master Emerald. However, it was protected by the powerful guardian Knuckles the Echidna. Despite his power, Knuckles is rather gullible, so Robotnik convinces the echidna that Sonic and Tails are trying to steal the Master Emerald, thus turning Knuckles against the heroes. Soon, Sonic and Tails arrive on Angel Island and are immediately attacked by Knuckles, who takes the Chaos Emeralds from the heroes and hides them in Special Stages portals around the island. Sonic and Tails have to search all over Angel Island to find the portals in the form of giant rings while chasing Robotnik and Knuckles along the way. After successfully collecting all the Chaos Emeralds and destroying the Launch Base Zone, Sonic and Tails followed Knuckles into one of the portals, but it did not lead to the Special Stage. Instead, it led them to the Master Emerald altar. After placing the Chaos Emeralds around the Master Emerald, Sonic and Tails find the portals to the Special Stages again, where they energize the Emeralds, turning them into Super Emeralds with the power of the Master Emerald.

Despite the heroes’ best efforts, Dr. Robotnik manages to steal the Master Emerald from the Hidden Palace Zone. Knuckles, realizing his mistake, escorts Sonic and Tails into the portal to the Sky Sanctuary Zone, but does not go with them because he is weakened by his wounds. At the Sky Sanctuary Zone, the trio sees a new Death Egg station soaring into the sky, charged with the energy of the Master Emerald. Sonic and Tails hurry to get to Death Egg by speeding through the soaring ruins of the Sky Sanctuary Zone, but Neo Metal Sonic constantly gets in their way, using various modifications of the Egg Mobile. At first Sonic and Tails have to fight Neo Metal Sonic in Egg Wrecker and Egg Bouncer, but later Neo Metal Sonic confronts the heroes himself. In the end, Sonic and Tails manage to defeat Neo Metal Sonic and the robot falls to Angel Island along with the Sky Sanctuary Zone, which is being destroyed by the theft of the Master Emerald. At the last second, just before the ground collapses beneath their feet, Sonic and Tails manage to jump on the Death Egg and continue chasing Dr. Robotnik already at the station.

Using the power of the Super Emeralds, Sonic and Tails are destroying the Death Egg, defeating Robotnik and returning peace to the Angel Island, making it fly in the sky again but, unfortunately, the Sky Sanctuary Zone was already practically destroyed.

Sonic & Knuckles (1994)

After the defeat of Dr. Robotnik, however, many of the evil doctor’s robots and machines remained on the island. One robot, called Egg Robo, had enough intelligence to replace Dr. Robotnik and rebuild an army of robots and weapons itself. After dropping bombs on Knuckles, Egg Robo steals the Master Emerald, forcing the echidna to go in pursuit. On the way, Knuckles finds seven Chaos Emeralds and absorbs them, activating the form of Super Knuckles. After destroying Launch Base, Knuckles enhances the Chaos Emeralds on the Master Emerald altar, turning them into Super Emeralds. Using their power, Knuckles transforms into his Hyper Knuckles form.

Eventually, Knuckles catches up with Egg Robo at the remains of the Sky Sanctuary Zone, but is trapped by the robot. Suddenly, Neo Metal Sonic appears and attacks Knuckles. Echidna manages to escape at the last second, and Neo Metal Sonic destroys Egg Robo instead of Knuckles. The echidna defeats Neo Metal Sonic in combat, but the robot doesn’t give up and absorbs the energy of the Master Emerald, taking some kind of Super Form. Absorbing the artifact’s power destabilizes Angel Island and it begins to fall. With difficulty, Knuckles defeats Neo Metal Sonic and the Sky Sanctuary Zone begins to collapse. It is only by using Hyper Knuckles form that the echidna manages to save the Master Emerald from falling into the ocean. After his victory, Knuckles returns Master Emerald to its altar and restores peace to Angel Island.