Lost in Greed
Chapter 1 - Disaster Strikes
Hi Guys! This is the Sequel to Lost in the Flames. I've got a good feeling about this one so nice comments please. Especially today as it's my birthday XD
A huge thank you to Shinyshiny 9 who edited my work and made it a lot more enjoyable :)
Anyway, this one is about 15 - 20 chapters long and will probably hit you right in the feels. It may be a little upsetting at times for some, so just be warned :)
A huge thank you to everyone that reviewed Lost in the Flames and everyone who favourited, followed or just simply read it XD
One last thing that is REALLY important. You can read this story without reading Lost in the Flames but you will have a few little gaps that need filing. Speaking of filling gaps, Lost in the Flames is being edited and I'll keep you posted on that :)
Knuckles thought that a floating island wouldn't surprise him, especially as he lived on one. But boy, was he wrong. Gem Island was tiny compared to Angel Island but it seemed sad, lost and forgotten. "I guess that's why it's called the Ruins of Oblivion," Knuckles thought out loud, as he glided towards the island.
The only thing that was on Island was a temple. The temple seemed like something from Ancient Greece, or... What was left of it did anyway. The stone ceiling had somehow survived the temple's old age but most of the stone columns were crumbling away.
"It's freezing up here," Knuckles muttered, rubbing his arms to warm up a little. It was midsummer, yet on the island it was cold enough for snow. Knuckles carefully walked up a few stone steps and came to the entrance.
"There it is!" Knuckles breathed, as he ran towards the center of the temple to collect his prize. Knuckles had sworn to protect the Master Emerald with his life, so he didn't get much time to himself. He was lucky that he had been able to leave Angel Island for the day and go treasure hunting.
Suddenly, Knuckles tripped over some debris and fell onto the stone floor. "Well, I'm glad nobody saw that," he smirked, as he stood up and dusted himself off. "Oh great, I'd just got these gloves too," Knuckles moaned when he saw the large rip in his right glove.
Knuckles continued to walk towards the gem, but stopped to stare at it. The gem was blood red and hovered in midair. The cold and wind seemed to wrap around it, which sent a chill down Knuckles's spine. Knuckles translated the ancient words that were etched onto the small stone column beneath it. "This is the Gem of Greed," Knuckles froze. "Wait a second, I was looking for the Gem of duty!" he exclaimed.
"If you attempt to take the Gem of Greed, you will be forever cursed, and will perish into an endless darkness," he continued. Knuckles wasn't easily scared but he quickly made up his mind. "You know, maybe I'll just leave it where it is," he muttered, as he turned to walk away.
"Hello, Knuckles," a voice said. Knuckles nearly jumped out of his skin.
"What do you want, Rouge?" Knuckles said defensively as he turned.
"Isn't it a little obvious," she said sarcastically, pointing to the red crystal.
"You can't take it, neither of us can," Knuckles warned.
Rouge suddenly flew into the air, "Oh, come on Knuckles, It's my birthday?" she sighed. "Besides, haven't you heard that diamonds are a girls best friend?"
"Your birthday has come and gone and this isn't a diamond, it's the Gem of Greed," Knuckles said bluntly.
"Well, at least you remember when my birthday is," Rouge muttered. Suddenly, Rouge groaned in pain, before dropping from the air, onto her knees and clutching her head.
Knuckles watched as Rouge began to stretch her neck out, like something was bothering her or trying to get into her mind. "Rouge...You ok?" Knuckles asked cautiously.
"That gem is mine!" she suddenly snarled, diving towards the gem.
The gem suddenly began to glow black, and radiated a dark power as Rouge flew towards it.
"NO!" Knuckles yelped, diving forwards and pushing the crystal away from Rouge.
Knuckles landed on the floor and clutched his right hand in pain. The gem rolled around the floor in a circle before stopping.
Rouge stopped and realised what he had done. "Knuckles, I'm so sorry," she exclaimed. Knuckles made no attempt to reply or even get up. Rouge crouched down beside him. "Are you alright?" she asked. Knuckles managed to get on his hands and knees but Rouge noticed that he shook under the weight of his own body.
"The gem.. It was cursed," he managed, before dropping back down to ground.
"Knuckles!" Rouge exclaimed. "Come on, we need to get you some help."
Knuckles could tell that she was worried and trying to keep calm but she was definitely panicking a little.
Rouge dragged Knuckles to his feet and put her arms around him to keep him steady. Despite the weather, Knuckles was really warm and he seemed really off balance.
"Head for the forest," Knuckles croaked.
"But you need-," Rouge protested.
"Just trust me.. Head towards the Autumn Tree."
A cold laugh suddenly filled the air, "And yet another soul has let greed get the better of them."
"Who's there? Show yourself !" Rouge demanded, looking around for a body to match the voice but no-one was there.
"I am Oblivion, the state of forgetfulness. My curse reminds people what greed and selfishness can do to them," the dark voice replied. Rouge's excellent hearing enabled her to hear a little click. It was someone clicking their fingers
The roof suddenly began to shake, covering Rouge and Knuckles in dust. "We've gotta get out of here," Rouge muttered. The roof began to crumble and large bits of rock bounced off the floor. Rouge grabbed Knuckles and flew towards one of the gaps in the columns. The rubble almost hit Rouge but she somehow managed to throw herself to the side. The gaps between the columns were rapidly filling up.
"Fly up," Knuckles murmured. Rouge only just heard him over the sound of the rocks smashing against the floor but looked up and noticed a few small gaps in the ceiling. She quickly flew up towards it. The dust stung her eyes, almost blinding her as she flew. Just before she hit the roof, Knuckles broke through the ceiling with a mighty punch. Rouge flew out of the temple, leaving the Gem of Greed underneath the rubble..
Black storm clouds began to gather above the floating Island. Then lighting whipped the sky and it also began to rain. Rouge could hardly see anything as the rain pelted off her face. "Knuckles, you seriously need go to Weight Watchers," she muttered, as she looked for the Autumn tree. The one tree that was always in it's autumn, whatever the season. As soon as she spotted it she began to fly towards it.
Suddenly, a large bit of ceiling rolled off the edge of Gem Island. It began to plummet towards Rouge and Knuckles. It hit Rouge in the back and she began to spiral out of control. Knuckles quickly pushed himself away from Rouge and punched the boulder with the last of his dwindling strength. The boulder crumbled to dust and Knuckles fell unconscious. "Knuckles!" Rouge exclaimed, reaching out to grab him but she was too late.
Rouge looked down and realised that the ground was racing towards her. Rouge desperately tried to spread out her wings, but it was too painful. It seemed she had broken her wings and was unable to fly. She suddenly hit the top of the Autumn tree and bounced from branch to branch until she hit the cold, wet ground. She was quickly slipping into unconsciousness.
As Rouge struggled to stay awake, she suddenly noticed several silhouettes approaching her. One of the silhouettes crouched down beside Rouge and checked for her pulse "Knuckles," she murmured, before falling unconscious..
Alright, that's chapter 1. Let me know what you think of it because I was disappointed in how many I got for Lost in the Flames. I had to ask my friend to review so I knew how I did, so PLEASE REVIEW XD
One last thing that I couldn't fit in summary. The Fireflower has NOTHING to do with Mario and is my own creation. I was not aware that such a thing existed in Mario. (Can you tell how much I like him? XD *Veeerrryy little*)
See you all soon ;D