A/N: Welcome, one and all, to the fifth story in the Hylian Heroes series, following the epic adventure of Knuckles as he goes through his own story in Skyward Sword - with the usual intrigue I bring to all my stories. Those of you who have read the previous four stories will have picked up a few hints here and there about some of the things that happen during this story, but don't worry if you can't remember - they'll show up in due time.
As usual (You really think anyone would forget) I don't own either Sonic or Zelda, the places, stories, characters... do I really need to go on? No? Thank the gods for that, otherwise I'd be here for ages.
In the initial part of this chapter you'll notice that yes, there is indeed a reference to several Zelda games I haven't (yet) announced a story or Hero for. As it stands, I plan to complete this story and the following one about Sonic's adventure in Wind Waker, and leave it at that. I may do some of the other games, but at the time I write (type, whatever) this, they haven't been planned.
That doesn't mean however that if that brilliant inspiration strikes you, you can't go and pick up some other Sonic character and have Link send them on their merry way there, and even include tie-ins to the stories I've written already - but if you do write these stories, please at least let me know so I'm aware of anything you add that affects these stories.
And now, since I've talked long enough - get reading and enjoy!
Excerpt from Heroes of Hyrule, first printing
Authored by official Royal Historian Shad, with notable thanks to many others who contributed research and great detail.
There are many tales that human-kind has passed down through the ages from generation to generation. Taken together, they speak of battle and adventure, of power and battles for and against it. Notably among them are those of the Heroes, those chosen by the Gods and Goddesses of Hyrule to play significant parts.
Traditionally these Heroes have been characterised by two aspects that through the ages have been seen time and again. All bear some variation of the same garb, composed of green tunic and cap, and sturdy, hard-wearing boots. At times they have been the symbols of others – in the time of the Hero Silver, it was the garb of the forest folk, the Kokiri, and in times yet further back it was the mark of a mighty Knight.
The secondary common aspect shown in all Heroes are their origins. Until the most recent of times, their backgrounds and histories were all but completely concealed to us. However with recent contact with the Heroes of legend, these veils have been pulled back, and it has been discovered that they are not of Hyrule, nor even of the lands far distant of our own.
Neither still are they of any local peoples, holding no prior affiliation with Zora or Goron, Kokiri or even the feared Demons. Perhaps this is so they have no preconceived notions of our realm, or perhaps they are simply better suited to the trials they must endure in order to restore lasting peace to our fair realm – again, even beyond Hyrule.
Within this volume the tales of these Heroic visitors to our land are set out, told by those Heroes themselves. From Knuckles, Knight of Skyloft and first Hero, to the better known Tails, the Twilight Fox who may take on the form of a bestial wolf at will. Heroes who have travelled the world beyond Hyrule as Silver, the Hero of Time did when he set forth from Hyrule, his labours here completed, and arrived in the imperilled land of Termina. Tales have even been brought forth of Heroes that never set foot in Hyrule, from the far-off lands of Holodrum and Labrynna.
From every tale, from every land, of every Hero, there are lessons to be learned. Their selflessness, while sometimes absent in the tale of the impious young Hero Manic, has become a shining example for all, as has their dedication to their tasks, and even their stoic acceptance of their fated roles – once they first accepted it, at least.
But first we turn to a land long lost to history, a land not in fact of the land, but of the sky. Skyloft, long ago the last place where humans were to be found after a great war ravaged the land beneath, pushed back only by Her Grace, the great Goddess Hylia herself. And of the Hero who came to them and forged the now legendary Master Sword that many successors to his title have also taken up, the weapon that evil may never touch for its banishing power.
Telma's bar had been a busy place of late. It had been some time now since Tails had departed, his time as Hero done, and Hyrule had been enjoying a peaceful time. Little surprise then that when six strange people, none of them human and all of them bearing the signature green quickly recognised as the Hero's clothes, word had spread like wildfire. All but one of them had at some time played a part in Hyrule's history as a Hero, and all had a tale to tell.
It had become a common theme lately for people from about the town, even from Kakariko and Faron, to gather around the bar's fireplace to listen to one of them share a part of their tales, hearing it exactly as it had happened to them.
Shad had got to them first, before word had spread. They'd arrived at a perfect time to help him complete a royal directive to compile the stories of the Heroes, and each of them had obliged by correcting or telling their stories. Four long, arduous adventures had been taken, told and re-told so far. Tails, Manic and Silver's two adventures had all been shared, and as yet no further Heroes had emerged that they knew of, leaving only two waiting to be told – those of Knuckles and Sonic.
Knuckles knew it wasn't going to be long before someone asked him to tell his story. He'd at least prepared for it by ensuring that Tails' friends here at the bar, along with their own friends, would get to hear it first, before it was shared with the more general gatherings – besides, Silver was still only part-way through sharing his first adventure with the regular patrons, and Manic had been noticed corrupting Hyrule's youth with his own story, complete with the things they really shouldn't hear about, like his habitual stealing and other such habits.
Tails, as was his habit lately, curled up in front of the fire as the wolf Knuckles had seen before. He and Knuckles were the only ones up this early, though it was hard to say if Tails was up – he was often quite content to sleep in front of the fire too. Knuckles smiled briefly, reaching over to rub between Tails' ears and got a warning growl, followed by a playful nip.
"Be nice," Knuckles told him gently. Tails flicked an ear, yawned, then adjusted so he could watch Knuckles. "Don't you trust me?" he asked the wolf, who gave him a flat look. "Yeah, that's what I thought," he chuckled.
Tails nudged his forehead with one paw, shimmering back to his usual self, stretching again, then taking a chair nearby.
"You're up early," he said. "I remember someone who fell out of bed and told me he took time to get up."
"Actually I'm up late," Knuckles corrected. "Someone's going to ask me to start telling my story before long, and I've been thinking back over it. A lot happened to me..."
"Like your creating Dark?"
Knuckles winced. "I wish you'd stop bringing him up. If I hadn't created him, I'd have ended up as bad as Silver. You just can't talk to him about time, he gets the past and future so muddled up you've got no idea when he's taking about."
"I understand him," Tails replied, then added, "Well, mostly anyway."
"You're an engineer, you're expected to," Knuckles dismissed the point. "Kinda like Fi actually. I sorta... expected her to know. And the strange thing was, she actually did know. She'd tell me about some monster I was fighting and tell me something so unexpectedly weird that I'd stop and think. Which is a kinda bad idea in the middle of a fight, I can tell you."
"Sounds like a good companion to me," Tails laughed. "What sort of things did she tell you?"
"Lets just say Bokoblins have some... unusual interests," Knuckles said evasively. "She once remarked on some that I only saw because of Time stones that revealed the ancient past. She called them Technoblins, and remarked that they wore the latest in Bokoblin fashion. I don't even want to know why she knew that."
Tails gave him a sidelong look. "You're pulling my leg. She seriously said that?"
"That and more," he nodded. "Once everyone else gets up, I guess I'd better start telling you so you can find out the weird and wonderful things she used to say."
Shad, now surrounded by crates that contained the completed stories of Tails, Silver and Manic, was already starting to write before everyone had actually gathered. Extra tables had been gathered nearby to make room for Shad, his work, Auru and Rusl on one, then on the next, Tails, Silver, Manic, Scourge and Sonic all gathered, with Knuckles in pride of place knowing what came next.
"Hey!" Scourge exclaimed while Telma, with the help of Link himself, fetched them all drinks.
"What now?" Silver sighed.
"He stole my wallet!"
"Did not!" Manic retorted, trying to look innocent. Somehow he didn't quite manage to pull it off.
"You little thief, I'll get you yet!" Scourge threatened, lunging for him. Manic evaded him easily, quickly drawing his sword to bring out the three copies of himself the Four Sword could create.
"Children, please!" Rusl told them wearily. "Can't you keep your hands to yourself for just a few minutes, Manic?"
Manic made some show of thinking, then brightly answered, "Nope! Can you?"
"Just give it back and sit back down already."
"He don't got it," the Red Manic grinned. "Only one of us does."
"Oh, for..." Silver muttered. His eyes went distant for a moment, then the stolen wallet was retrieved from under Blue Manic's cap.
"Dude, not cool!" he protested. "You're taking away our fun!"
"And you're stopping us hearing the next story," Auru told them quietly. "Did you want your drinks or not?"
Knuckles shared a look with Tails that spoke volumes, the two concealing their own amusement at the scene. Telma helped with that as she and Link set out the drinks, then they too took their seats.
"I thought you wanted to wait," Link said to Knuckles.
"I was going to, but I figure I might as well get it out of the way. Let them know how high I set the bar for them, and reveal a bit more about Ghirahim. I don't suppose you'd care to tell us what happened to him after Silver destroyed that moon in Termina?"
"I shattered him again," Link shrugged. "Scattered the pieces a bit further away this time. I was going to destroy him entirely, but Hylia talked me out of it. Same way she talked me into letting Manic keep the Fire and Ice rods. Don't worry, you shouldn't have to go play with him again."
"I'll compose a prayer of thanks at once," Knuckles sighed with relief. "The amount of times he got in the way... Anyway, I suppose I better get started before Manic steals something again."
"Don't tempt me," Manic grinned.
As I told you all before, I know exactly why Link picked me, and I really did agree to do what he needed – but as I also said, I didn't know Link was... well, Link at the time.
Everyone knows – well, those who are from the same place as me, anyway – that I spend a lot of time on Angel Island looking after the Master Emerald. Someone's gotta do it, and somehow I landed the job. The Emerald itself keeps the island up in the sky, and that keeps me up above most kinds of weather, so its usually quiet and I don't have much to do. Why else do you think I make a pest of myself so often? It gets damn boring up there with no one to talk to except the Master Emerald, and it doesn't exactly talk back.
Normally, visitors are pretty rare. There's enough space for someone like Tails to land a plane, and some like Silver can just stop by whenever they want without the need, but most people know there's not really anything of interest up there. It adds to the boredom, but has the advantage that I know when someone is on my island, even without looking.
So it was with some surprise that in the slight light of a full moon I had the sense that someone was present, and it didn't feel like anyone I knew. A cursory glance about didn't show anyone, but even with a full moon there isn't much light at night, so I wasn't too surprised by this. Anyone here would have to come to me eventually, so I just waited.
The island was, as it usually is, up above the clouds, leaving the air and sky completely clear. Despite this, footsteps accompanied an unnatural fog eddying in out of nothingness, a white fog that seemed almost to reflect the moon's light. The fog kept pace with the footsteps I heard, forming into a human shape, then coming together to the green clothed figure we all know and love – or hate. It's a matter or perspective.
The blonde haired youth had a sword strapped to his back and a large shield was just visible over his shoulders, but he didn't hold himself as if he was here to fight. He walked out of the last of the mist fading behind him, starting up the steps toward me looking perfectly calm, as if this was just a casual stroll.
Without saying a word, he paused not far ahead of me, first looking at me, then past to the Master Emerald. After a moment he took a seat on the low remains of the shrine, leaning back against part of a pillar.
"Most people say something," he said eventually. "I'd have thought you of all people would say something."
"What do you expect me to say? It's the middle of the night, and you're on my island. You're not a threat – not yet, anyway – so you're no concern of mine."
"Don't you even know why I'm here?"
"I'm sure you'll tell me if you want me to know," I shrugged. "I'm not particularly curious."
The youth sighed. "I'm going to have some words with the others about this. They told me it'd be easier than this. Could at least come along to help, but apparently the best way for me to learn to do my job is to do it on my own."
"Works for me," I said. His expression suggested he was hoping I'd have more to say.
"I give up. I don't have all night-" he stopped. "Well, alright actually I think I do have all night if I need it, but I don't want to look like I can't handle things. Anyway, that's not why I'm here. I need your help, Knuckles."
That got my attention. I'd never seen him before, but he knew me. I tried not to show it, instead glancing back to the Master Emerald, then back to him.
"I'm already helping. I'm keeping this place safe."
"You're about as helpful as a rock, do you know that?" he said acidly. "Just hear me out, alright? I've got a place, and entire realm, that's in a bit of a state and needs someone to do the right things in the right places to get it sorted out. A Hero, I suppose you could say. Only there aren't any of the locals that are suited to the tasks that need to be done, and I'm running out of time. I was told that you know how to harness the energy of the Master Emerald-"
"Go away," I interrupted. "That energy isn't for just anyone."
"Oh, will you just listen! I don't want that energy, I don't even want this damn job, but I've got it!" He stopped, took several deep breaths and calmed himself. "Sorry. It's just this is really getting to me. Lack of experience."
"What do you want then?"
"I'm trying to tell you! You can use the energy of the Master Emerald to affect this great chunk of rock, and I know you're here to protect it. I've got a place that's a bit like this island but bigger and with more people on it. I can ensure they protect this place for you and guarantee they won't try to take advantage of it, that way you're freed up to help me out."
"Sorry. I don't trade away my duties. This place is my responsibility, and it's going to stay that way."
"I'm not asking you to just drop it and leave it behind, Knuckles," he tried to reason with me. "If I'm right, and I'm hoping I am, you'll end up going back to this place of mine, Skyloft it's called, fairly often, so you'll be able to check up on it regularly. Just... try and help me out, will you?"
Then I asked the question that every Hero has asked, and I think I might be the only one who's ever got a straight answer for.
"Why me?"
"Because you're the only one suited to the job Knuckles, and believe me I've looked. I've gone and looked at hundreds of possibilities, gone to so many places, but you're the only one suited to it. If you won't do it, I'll have to go to people who are far worse suited than you."
"You'll make sure this place is protected?" I asked. The youth nodded. I gave it some consideration, then gave in. "All right. We'll try it, and if I have a problem with it, I'll take it up with you. Now where's this place of yours? Skyloft, wasn't it?"
"It's in Hyrule. I was told the Master Emerald knows the way. It's part of-" he broke off again and frowned. "You know, I don't think you have a word for it in your language actually. It's a bit complicated. Anyway, I'll have to leave you to it – I'll turn up again if I have to, but I got told I'm not supposed to get involved once you've started."
"As long as this place stays safe," I shrugged. "The people know I'm coming?"
The youth looked at me in consternation, then said, "Oh damn. I probably should have done that in advance. I'll see to that now," he told me, then turned back into mist and vanished again, the sense of his presence going with him.
"I don't think I even want to know," I muttered to myself, then over my shoulder, "Off to Skyloft in Hyrule so I can find out what's so special it needs my attention."
The Master Emerald simply pulsed in response as it always does, Angel Island tilting slightly in the air. The clouds passed at a different speed and in a different direction, but the air on the island always remains still thanks to the Master Emerald, so I largely ignored it and just dozed, waiting for my arrival.