Hey guys, I'm back with another fic. This one centers on Knuckles the Echidna and his past life catching up with the present. Please Review and let me know what you think!
Chapter One: Struggles
Julie-Su is a 24 year old echidna from Angel Island, and the former girlfriend of Knuckles. Split up during a tragic event the took many lives, JS was presumed dead and tallied as the 17th resident to perish
Knuckles never stopped looking for her, believing she was out there somewhere
And he was right
Alive but still injured, Julie-Su wound up in the care of Serena, The Leader of a cult-like following that operated along the eastern shores. Unaware of how she got there, Julie-Su moved on with her new life, having completely forgotten Knuckles and the past life she shared with him.
Today she sat across from Serena and her half-brother Angel in a dark but luminous chamber, waiting for orders as she usually does.
Serena picked up a photo and showed it off "Do you Remember this guy?"
Julie looked closely at the youthful echidna for a moment "…no"
Angel put his glass of vodka down and scanned her face "She's telling the truth"
"Good. There's a younger echidna boy out there named Abbott-Jak. He's important to a mission of ours but he doesn't know his role yet. This other guy, Knuckles, knows how to get ahold of Jak and I need you to use him to bring the kid here. Can you do that?"
Without hesitation Julie answered "Yes, Countess"
Angel cut in "And when you've got the kid, kill Knuckles and ditch his body"
Julie-Su took a moment to process this request "…understood"
"Great. Off you go then. If you need anything, call my lovely Brother here and He'll get you whatever you need"
Julie got out of her seat and walked out of Serena's chamber, knowing this assignment would take her all week, maybe longer, to complete.
Once she knew Julie was gone, Serena looked at the photo of Knuckles and Angel scanned her face "She's gonna remember him, sis. And once she does, she won't kill him"
"She won't remember shit. I made sure of that. Just make sure she stays in line, Brother"
Down in Central Metropolis, Knuckles had lost his job at a steel mill after his arrest during the fight against the cities' biggest 'sleaze ball', Predator Hawk. His bank account was running low and he desperately needed a beer, especially in broke times like this.
After speaking to some new friends he met through Manic, Knuckles found himself brawling in underground fight clubs for money. The more fights he won, the bigger the paycheck.
And if there was one thing Knuckles was good at, it was fighting.
Knuckles knocks down an opponent and spits out blood "C'mon man, get up! Where's that big mouth now? Let's go!"
The skinny fighter rose to his feet only to get a lightning fast uppercut punch to the face and a basic One-Two punch combo which promptly knocked him out. Knuckles stood over his defeated opponent and the small group of spectators roared with approval.
After collecting his pay (Hundred and twenty dollar bills) Knuckles left the parking garage and made his way home. The street lights were turning on by the time he reached the three story apartment building he called home.
A neighbor of his simply called Valentine sat in the main lobby while her boyfriend sat in their apartment and drank all night. Knuckles walked in, nodded to her and made his way up the wooden staircase
"Hey K! Some Goth-looking dude and a chick with Pink Dreadlocks were looking for you earlier" Valentine called out
Knuckles pulled out his apartment key "Really? That's new… thanks for the heads up, Val"
She waved to him and he got inside his $750 a month apartment. The place was basically Giant Brick walls with maybe two pieces of furniture and a washroom. The lights took 10 seconds to come on after he flipped the switch, a testament to how good the electrical wiring was in this place. After opening a can of White Ox Beer, Knuckles lounged back in his black leather reclining chair and turned on his 1990's style radio. He took off his spiked gloves and looked at his bloody knuckles for a moment, then went back to relaxing.
I hit that that sucker pretty hard. Hope Jimmy doesn't have any hard feelings, Knuckles thought
As he sipped on the alcohol, a few light taps on his balcony door got his attention. He always kept the doors locked and by now everyone who lived here knew Knuckles is the first to jump into a fight. So he found it odd that someone would come climb onto his balcony and knock at this door rather than the front door.
Better not be those punk asses from down the alley…
Knuckles jumped up and opened the door quickly "Who's out here?"
He stopped talking when his eyes met hers. She looked no different than the day they were split up in the accident
"Jules? That you?"
"Hey there. I was just passing through town and a mutual friend told me where to find you" JS replied, keeping up her act
Knuckles stepped in closer, causing Julie to jump back defensively. She was so used to men wanting to hurt her that Knuckles's hug came as a surprise. He held her close for a moment, doing his best to hold back his emotions and look sensitive in front of his girlfriend whom was thought to be dead.
"I never stopped looking for you, Jules.. I knew you were still alive. I want you to know that"
The female echidna found herself without anything to say. She had no clue who this guy hugging her was, but his words stayed with her for the rest of the night.
Even as Knuckles showed her all the photos of them together, displaying them as lovers, Julie didn't believe a word of it. She couldn't picture herself loving anyone, let alone some backstreet brawler. All she knew was she had a job to do and she can't let emotions get in the way.