Here goes nothing – I couldn't help but to write a fanfiction once I finished reading Lksci's "S is for Shovel, K is for Knight". I couldn't resist it. Shovel Knight is owned by Yacht Club Games, but this story is mine.
Ever since the fall of the Enchantress and subsequent disband of the fearsome Order of No Quarter Tinker Knight had been working in his Clockwork Tower like nothing happened. Almost. With no knights of the Order to distract him, Tinker was able to confine himself in his tower for days, weeks even, being dedicated to completion of the most complicated mechanisms he ever built... like the doors that open automatically once someone walks towards it.
"Salut, Tinker Knight! Nice doo-"
The mechanic jumped on his stool, throwing his wrench at the source of the noise in self-defense... knocking Propeller Knight down on the floor. Tinker Knight blinked a few times only to sigh and go for his first-aid kit once he realized the captain of the Flying Machine didn't wear his famed helicopter-helmet that now lied on the floor beside him. The small knight found strength to drag his former comrade to a bed of sorts, where he tended to the wound on Propeller Knight's forehead, disinfecting and bandaging it. Seeing how the bandage got soaked in blood in a few seconds, Tinker Knight thought it wasn't that stupid to use his wrench-boomerangs against other knights like Shovel Knight or Specter Knight in battle.
After finally getting done with the first-aid, Tinker Knight went to put the kit back and decided to just sit down for a moment and wait for the frenchman to wake up.
"Ugh... ma tête..." Propeller Knight moaned in pain, regaining his consciousness. The frenchman touched his bandaged head, clenching his teeth. "What was... That?"
"That was a wrench," Tinker Knight noted, handing the captain his helmet. "Why didn't you cover your head?"
"Ah, this..." Propeller Knight massaged his head, seemingly trying to jog his memories. "I believe someone tampered with my helmet – the controls are stuck. And you're about the only mechanic around I know that could-"
"I see," Tinker Knight interrupted, already examining the helmet on his worktable. That helmet had always been interesting to the mechanic so he wasn't going to miss a chance to examine it. "By the way, sorry about the wrench. So... What do we have here? Ground and slime got into the inner circuitry... Some dents on some parts... This one has to be replaced entirely... Either a genius had a joke on you or you had a crash lately. You're a lucky one though. I have the exact gears it needs."
"Well... There was an... accident of a..." Propeller Knight never got to finish his phrase when Tinker Knight yelped, getting thrown off by the helicopter.
"Ouch..." that was the tiny man's time to moan in pain as he lied on the floor and watched the helmet float right above him. "You could've turned it off before handing it to me, you know?"
"Ah, sorry for that, mon ami, though I believe I told you the controls were stuck," the flamboyant one apologized, taking the flying headgear and putting it back on his head where it belonged. After that he helped the mechanic from the floor. "I'm amazed how you fixed it in... about five minutes?"
"Well, I have a title to fit," Tinker Knight chuckled a bit.
"By the way, I haven't seen you around for quite a while. When was the last time you actually went somewhere outside of that élégant tower of yours?"
Tinker folded him arms, trying to remember that one.
"I believe... It would be... Let's see. That would be our last dinner at the Tower of Fate... Before Plague Knight demolished it. Yes. That's about it."
"C'est de la folie!" Propeller Knight jumped where he stood. "You've got to be kidding! It's been a month and a half ago!"
The mechanic froze on the spot. He never realized he'd been confined to his tower for so long.
"Whether you like it or not, you're going with me on a walk! Or a fly..." the captain of the Flying Machine announced, catching and putting the small knight in his armpit. "You won't believe how Pridemoor changed in that month! You probably don't even know what happened the next day after the event! I'll give you a tour! We could visit other former members of the Order, don't you think?"
"Put me down! I have work to do! Machines to design!" Tinker Knight's protests were all in vain.
The determined frenchman marched to the top of the tower to return to the Flying Machine that was hovering nearby waiting for its captain. By the time Propeller Knight actually reached the roof the mechanic did resign himself to his fate and even utilized the power of positive thinking. With Propeller Knight giving him a tour around Pridemoor he could actually have some descend rest, more than a simple four-hour sleep. Meeting other knights wasn't really that bad of a perspective too. Thinking about it, Tinker had to admit he actually felt a bit lonely without them. His workers, most of whom left once the Order was disbanded, were a little of company to him.
"Come to think of it, I don't even know their names..." Tinker Knight thought, glancing at his masked workers: several Cogslotter, the bulk of his forces, about three of four Gear Wizzems and a single Rungstrider. All of them watched as their boss was being carried out by a former knight of the Order of No Quarter.
"I'll be back in a few days, keep everything running, please," Tinker announced on his way receiving some nods.
"I heard Treasure Knight gave up his mercenary lifestyle. They say he helps an old man... or an old bird doing his business, can you believe that?" Propeller Knight went on talking to Tinker Knight, who actually had nothing to say. "I actually have been on my way to tour myself, now that my crew and I visited our homeland. But... the more the merrier, don't you think?"
"Well, I guess I could use a change of scenery..." Tinker Knight admitted. Surely, the other knight was satisfied with that kind of response. "Perhaps I'll find something useful on my way. Just don't bother me too much during the trip itself."
"Oh, don't worry, my petit friend, the crew of the Flying Machine will ensure that your trip is most pleasant." Propeller Knight reassured the mechanic.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
"Gratuitous French" translations:
ma tête – my head
C'est de la folie! - This is madness!