Note: This is for Catrina1210 who requested this sequel. And it is also for all of you who didn't like it so deal with it.
Travels of the Guardians 2
6 months after the events of the first.
At that time at Julie-Su's house. Since Knuckles had originally left to go on his first adventure with Carmelita she did not return, despite what he first thought. In their time separate from each other she made had no intention of contacting him. She was making herself perfectly clear.
She awoke that morning like it was any other morning. Tumbled out of bed, stumbled to the kitchen made coffee and then proceed to drink it. But this morning was different because Julie-Su was about to get an unexpected guest.
There came a sudden knock at her door, Julie-Su walked out from her kitchen to answer the door. She walked up and flung the door open, regretting immediately that she did not.
Standing on the other side of the door was a pink echidna who was a mirror image of Julie-Su say for her red fur and different hair style.
"Sister." She said as she flung herself in and hugged Julie-Su. Julie-Su overtaken with both surprise and confusion did nothing.
"Lien-da." She said with a tone after she shook the other echidna off." To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I can't stop by to see my dear sister." Was Lien-Da's reply as she pinched Julie-Su's cheek.
"We're step-sisters." Said Julie-Su as she turned and walked off.
"But sisters all the same." Said Lien-da as she followed, inviting herself in.
Julie-Su walked in and took a seat, Lien-da sitting across from her.
"So." Said Lien-da starting a conversation." How have you been?" Julie-Su took a big sip of her coffee hoping to drown her sorrows.
"Can't complain." Was her reply.
"That's good." Was Lien-Da's answer. Julie-Su did hope with every fiber of her being that her relation would leave, the two of them were never really close, more like rivals Lien-da had always wanted what her elder sister had." Mother said you were doing well, and looking around I can see that." Julie-Su shook her head hoping the conversation would end soon." So where's this man of yours?" This suddenly set Julie-Su off and she cocked her head to face her step-sister.
"Say again." She said.
"In your letters to mother." Replied Lien-da." You said how you found a boyfriend. Someone brave and strong, and who would defend you against all evils." Julie-Su gave a scoff at that and proceeded to drink more coffee." What's so funny?"
"Those must have been old letters." Julie-Su told. " He and I spilt some time ago."
"Oh no." said Lien-da with her hand on her mouth for exaggerated emphasis." How sad, what happened?"
"We had a falling out."
"What a shame, I would have liked to meet him?"
"You could I suppose. He lives on the Angel Island."
"And where is that?"
"It's a floating Island, it's hard to miss." A quick silence fell upon them before either of them spoke again.
"I think I'll look him up." Said Lien-da.
"Well good for you." Said Julie-Su still trying to get her out, now finding a good reason to." Why don't you go do that?"
"I think I will. What's his name?"
"Knuckles."
"Knuckles." Lien-da said with a sly tone." I like that."
"Spare me your prattle." Said Julie-Su." Just go." Lien-da headed for the door.
"Should I send your regards?" she asked turning to her sister.
"Please." Said Julie-Su her head in her hand." Leave." Lien-da gave a slight nod and left. Seconds after she did Julie-Su looked up in the direction her sister left with a suspicious look.
At that moment Knuckles and his Choatix were on the floating Angel Island.
Knuckles sat atop the Master Emerald looking up at the sky while Vector, Espio, and Mighty were on the layer of the pyramid below him.
Knuckles stood silent on the Master Emerald thinking to himself, just below his feet was the hat Carmelita had given him. While he always had Mighty, Espio, and above all else Vector as his friends to be there always to watch his back he longed for other company. There were closer to him than anyone but he needed some female companionship.
A level below him Vector and Mighty played a game of go-fish.
"Got any twos?" asked Vector looking over his hand.
"Go fish." Was Mighty's reply, causing Vector to draw from the pile. A short way off Espio sat up against the wall reading a newspaper. He licked his fingers and flipped the page.
But there was a slight question on Espio's mind. He looked up to the top of the pyramid to see if he could see Knuckles. Their fearless leader had been different since his latest adventure. At first he seemed fine, most likely holding out for a hope that Julie-Su would return but lately he seemed distant.
"Hey guys." Said Espio looking to Vector and Mighty, the two looked over at him." Do you think Knuckles has been acting strange lately?"
"Strange?" they asked together." How so?" asked Vector.
"Like he seems depressed." Said Espio." Like something's bugging him."
"Maybe he's got gas." Said Mighty. Vector and Espio looked over at him with raised brows.
"I don't think that is the problem." Said Espio.
"No but you are right Espio." Said Vector standing up." Something is bothering him, and as his friends I think it's our duty to change that." Vector turned to go up the pyramid steps to Knuckles but was stopped when Espio grabbed his arm." What are you doing?" asked Vector turning back to him.
"We should be more subtle about this." Said Espio." We don't want to potentially do more harm."
"Very well then." Said Vector turning to him with a sneer." And what would you suggest we do?"
"Well we have to locate the problem first." Said Espio, newspaper still in hand." Then we can find a solution."
"That could take forever!" exclaimed Vector with a wave of his arms.
"Not quite." Said Mighty stepping up and walking towards them." That adventure Knuckles had with that woman a few months ago."
"The Fox?" asked Espio." The cop?"
"Yea." Replied Mighty.
"Oh." Chuckled Vector." She was a looker, I wouldn't have mind taker her and-" but he stopped as Espio gave him an odd look so he stopped himself.
"I think you are right, that's just what I was thinknig." Said Espio turning to Mighty." Perhaps if Knuckles got to see that woman again he'd feel much better."
"What are you suggesting Espio?" asked Vector." We don't even know where that woman was from." Espio turned to his newspaper turned a few pages and then showed the page in question to Vector and Mighty.
"Well what do ya know." Said Mighty.
"Boys." Said Vector." I think we have a plan."
Up at that top of the pyramid Knuckles sat and thought to himself. But his deep thought was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps coming up the pyramid steps. He cocked his head to see his trio of friends coming up the steps.
Knuckles turned his head from them and continued to look up at the sky. Vector, Mighty, and Espio looked to each other. They nodded to each other and then headed forward whistling while they did. Then they walked around Knuckles making a circle.
"Hey Knuckles." Spoke Vector first." How are you feeling?" Knuckles gave a nod in reply, causing the trio to look to each other." Knuckles." Continued Vector." We have the feeling you might be depressed." Knuckles cocked his head slightly and looked to Vector.
That comment caused Knuckles caused Knuckles to jump down from atop on the Master Emerald and onto the ground between them.
"What do you guys want?" he asked in tired sounding voice.
"To help it." Spoke up Mighty. Before Knuckles could turned to him and reply Espio spoke up.
"I believe we have a remedy for your depression." Said Espio. Then he shoved the newspaper into Knuckles' hands.
The newspaper was opened to a certain page and Knuckles looked down at it, and when he saw it his eyes bugged open.
The newspaper told about how Inspector Carmelita Fox was being promoted to chief inspector and was having an extravagant party in her honor. The newspaper went on to talk about Carmelita's career and how she always tried to catch Sly Cooper. Next to the article was a picture of the Inspector. Knuckles breathed a deep breath and put the newspaper down.
Then he turned away from his friends. Somehow he seemed more flustered than before.
"Knuckles are you ok?" asked Vector.
"Yea." Replied Knuckles as he bent down. He reached down and picked up the hat that Carmelita had given him. Then he rose up and put it on his head.
His friends had a smile on their faces, they knew what Knuckles was going to do.
"Hey this looks just fine." Said Mighty." When do we go." He said with a spring in his step.
"Not you guys." Said Knuckles turning back to them." Just me." His friend's faces sank with depression." I need someone here to guard the Master Emerald." Knuckles then jumped into the air and flew off into the sky, off to go see Carmelita a few towns over.
"You know." Said Mighty in the aftermath of his leaving." He clearly doesn't remember what happened the last time we were here to guard the Emerald."
Vector nodded." And he doesn't really think he's leaving us behind is he?"