AN: This is my first fic in an age so enjoy it and leave reviews etc.
The dense clouds of smoke cleared lazily; spiralling wisps questing towards a gaping wound where, just seconds earlier, a solid wall of marble had stood. As his companions staggered, coughing, to their feet, Knuckles stared in dull surprise at the apocalyptic scene framed by the hole.
A fleet of ships presently engaged in the act of destroying his home.
A hand placed itself gently on his shoulder, and Knuckles turned to meet the stony gaze of Elder V'oda.
"We must keep moving," said the aged Echidna, the dust in the air reducing his rich timbre to a dry croak. "They have not granted us the luxury of time."
Knuckles' gaze returned to the hole. The ships hung idly in the sky, breathing out fire like great metal dragons. From unseen points, dark clouds of machines spilled from the vessels; gaining clarity and size as they drew ever closer, obscuring even the sun. Somebody had played their cards well.
For a brief moment the sickening sensation of fear flooded his stomach. His skin prickled. The sound of the blood pumping in his ears deafened him. Then it was gone; his mind suppressing the sensation, and the taste of bile rose in his mouth – his body registering its disgust at him ever allowing the emotion to take over in the first place. The emptiness left was slowly replaced with another. One that was far more comfortable and familiar.
Anger.
Rage.
He willingly succumbed to the violent daydream for a few seconds. Imagined the suffocating taste of sulphurous smoke as he tore the ships from the sky. Felt the oil and fluids from the robots soak into his gloved hands as their remains crackled at his feet. Savoured the –
"Knuckles! Please..."
He looked down as a hand grabbed his. Forcefully at first, but then fingers gently curled around his own. Instantly his anger softened. The crash of waves dying to a whisper.
Kite. His tide breaker. His calming oasis.
Her purple eyes glittered in the remains of the dust; nervous but firm.
"I know," he said, and squeezed her hand.
She nodded; her body relaxing at his admission and despite the situation Knuckles couldn't prevent a small, grim smile from briefly crossing his lips. She had been preparing to drag him by force if required and he knew from previous experience that Kite was no pushover.
"Okay, let's go," he said, and Elder V'oda nodded, already making his way further up the curling stairwell. Knuckles and Kite followed, the former deep in thought as he watched the Elder's hobbling form.
They had come so suddenly that even the Wavewatchers in their orbiting halos had been taken completely by surprise. Twelve heavily armed sky batteries, complete with battalions of mechanical combatants, against a unprepared tribe, had meant that the battle to defend the Floating Island had ended before it had truly begun. Part of Knuckle's frustration was wondering, even through nothing was going to prevent the inevitable, Elder V'oda was choosing to spend their last hours running from the battle. Was there something he had planned? Some last roll of the dice?
An explosion at the foot of the stairwell far below pulled Knuckles from his reverie.
If so, then time had just been given meaning again.
And it was running out.
AN: This will feature a number of much shorter chapters than my previous works. This makes it easier for me to complete uploads while working/researching. Hope you enjoyed.