Chapter 1: A Meeting with an Old Enemy
In the city of New Mobotropolis, everything has been very peaceful. There has been some robot mayhem, Eggman attacks, or even monster trouble, it's nice for everyone in the city to get some peace and quiet. The Freedom Fighters have been working extra hard, especially what happened with the Tiakaos Attack. Now Tikal and Chaos are free and separated, and Tikal has a physical form. Tikal has been living with Lara-Su and her family for a few months.
Now in Yong-Ho's backyard, everyone are playing by passing a ball together. The ball they're playing is pink and sparkly, and has purple stars on it. Even Tikal is playing with them.
"Yo Sonia, here it comes," Manic says.
Then passes the ball to Sonia.
"Here it comes Twinkle," Sonia says.
"I got it!" Twinkle cheers and passes the ball.
Tikal tries to catch the ball,but falls down and the ball hits heron the head.
"Are you okay?" Sugar asks.
"I'm okay," Tikal answers.
Maria and Yong-Ho help Tikal up.
"Are you sure, you're alright? I mean, it's been two months since you gain your physical form," Yong-Ho asks.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. It just going to take some time to get used to," Tikal says.
"A lot of time getting used to without bumping through walls," Chomper mutters.
Melody strikes him on the head, making him scream, "OW!"
The kids begin laughing.
Maria shows a reassuring smile, "Don't worry Tikal, I'm sure you'll get used to being in your physical form soon, and the time period you're living in."
"Thank you Maria, and thank your friends too. If if was for you all, I would have destroyed the city with Chaos," Tikal says.
Skye walks over, and asks, "Do you think, we'll be able to see Chaos again someday?"
"Maybe so. Chaos thinks it would be best to return to Angel Island and guard the Master Emerald," Tikal says.
"I remember you, Yong-Ho, and Lara-Su told me about Angel Island and what happened to you. I still can't believe what your people did to you and the Chaos. I can't say they deserve death by chaos' wrath, but what they did was wrong," Maria says.
"Yes. There were some wounds that I have that are hard to heal, but I'm glad that I'm among good friends now and that I get to see this lovely city," Tikal says.
"We love living in New Mobotropolis. I feel that there's no other place I rather be," Sugar says.
Maria says, "And Blackberry really likes you, right girl?
"Chao chao!" Blackberry, the Chao reply.
Then hugs Tikal.
"I like blackberry too," Tikal happily says.
"Come one guys, let's continue playing," Manic says.
"I am so in," Melody says.
Mystic grabs the ball, "Alright, here it goes."
He throws the ball in the air and hits it. The the ball heads to Yong-Ho. Yong Ho hits the ball and goes to Sugar, and hits the ball to Sonia. Sonia, hits the ball to Blackberry. Blackberry hits the ball to Maria. Maria then throws the ball to Tikal. Tikal is able to hit the ball this time, but Twinkle misses it, and goes over the fence.
"Oops!" Tikal replies.
Yong-Ho says, "I'll get it."
Yong-Ho head off to go get the ball. Maria and Mystic follow after them. Yong-Ho open the gate to the back, and the three over begin to look around for the ball.
"Hmm, where did the ball go?" Maria asks.
"It has to be here somewhere. It's Twinkle's new ball," Mystic says.
"But it should be here," Yong-Ho says.
Then Maria says, "Let's keep looking."
The three decide to split up to go search for the ball. The three search and search for the ball, but are having trouble finding it. Yong-Ho walks down one of the alley for the ball.
Suddenly, he hears an eerie voice, "Are you looking for something, young man?"
Yong-Ho turns his head after being spooked. He is speechless to see an echidna like he is, but he never seems a white one with black marking, yellow eyes with black sclera and red rims around them. He has three rings on both his wrist and ankles and his hand and feet are wrapped and bandages, a brown cloak with gold crescent moon clasps, and a gold star in a white circle. He is also wearing small glasses, and a black and yellow diamond on his forehead.
"Um yes, I'm looking for my friend's ball. It's sparkling pink with purple stars on it," Yong-Ho answers, still a bit stunned.
"You mean this little thing," The white Echidna says, holding the ball.
"Um thank you," Yong-Ho says, and takes the ball with both hands.
The white Echidna stares at Yong-Ho for the longest time, "Hmm."
"Uh, I never seen you around here before. Are you knew here?" Yong-Ho asks.
"You could say that. I am Dr. Finitevus. Mind I ask about your name?" The Echidna says.
"I'm Yong-Ho," Yong Ho says.
Yong-Ho walks back, "Uh, I have to get going. My friends are looking for me."
"Of course," Finitevus says.
Yong-Ho begins to take his leave and head back to his friends.
Finativas smirks, "So this is Lien-da's little boy, Yong-Ho. He'll do perfectly."
In the backyard, Maria and Mystic are able to get back, but notice Yong-Ho isn't around.
"Man, what is taking Yong-Ho so long?!" Chomper complains.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Sugar says.
"I feel bad. I lost Twinkle's ball and Yong-Ho is missing," Tikal remorse.
"That's okay. I know you didn't mean to. I could always get another one," Twinkle says.
"I'm back," Yong-Ho calls out.
The others turn to see Yong-Ho running back with the ball.
"Sorry it took me so long, but I found the ball," Yong-Ho says.
Twinkle takes the ball, and happily says, "Thank you."
"What happened Yong-Ho? You just disappeared," Maria asks.
"Sorry, someone found the ball and gave it back to me. I have to admit, I never seen a white Echidna before," Yong-Ho says.
"A white Echidna? I never heard of one before," Maria says.
"Me either?" Mystic says.
Manic asks, "Do you think your mother, Knuckles, and Julie-Su would know?"
"Maybe. They're meeting us here so we all can go to the castle together," Yong-Ho says.
"Yeah. I can't wait. It's a great idea to have your seventeenth birthday in the castle next week," Yong-Ho says.
"Yeah. I'm excited. And I'll be one more year into adulthood. Although, I'm not entirely sure about becoming an adult. It feels like not long ago I was a kid," Yong-Ho says.
"True, but you're able to stay up as late as you want," Sonia says.
"I agree. You're lucky," Manic says.
"True," Yong-Ho says.
Melody says, "Enough talk, let's go have some fun."
"Kids! Lunch is ready!" A voice calls.
The kids turn their heads to see Sasha at the back door holding a spatula.
"Okay," Yomg-Ho says.
After gathering inside, the kids are having lunch with Yong-Ho's brother, his wife and daughter, his mother Lien-da, and his great-great-great grandfather, Dimitri. Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Lara-Su have arrive themselves. Everyone are enjoying lunch Sasha has made, all except Yomg-Ho. He can't stop, but feel strange about the white Echidna who he has met today.
"Why can't I get him out of my mind?" Who was that Echidna? I never seen a white one. He seems nice enough, but there's something about him that gave me the chills," Yong-Ho asks himself in thought and remembering his image.
"Yong-Ho, are you alright?" Maria asks.
Yong-Ho turns to see Maria looking at him with concern.
"You don't look so good. Are you having a fever?" Maria asks.
"No. I'm just feeling a bit on edge," Yong-Ho says.
"Try not to be on edge, you'll end up like your Uncle Knuckles when he's like that," Julie-Su says.
"Thanks a lot honey," Knuckles bluntly says,
"Did something happen while you were playing?" Rutan asks.
"Not much. We were playing until Tikal accidently hit the ball over the fence and I got it back," Yong-Ho says.
"That sounds good," Lara-Su says.
Then Yong-Ho says, "And… then I met someone today."
"Oh, and who was that?" Dimitri asks.
Yong-Ho doesn't answer the question. He still feels uneasy about it.
"You feeling alright, sweetie? You don't look so well," Lien-da asks.
"I'm alright. It's just… I met this white Echidna named Dr. Finativas and…." Yong-Ho says.
Suddenly, a glass cup drops to the floor. The kids turn to see Knuckles is the one who has dropped his cup to the ground. He covers his face with his hat and grits his teeth in anger.
He gets up from his seat, "I'm sorry. I'll be back."
Then leaves the dining room leaving everyone stunned.
Yong-Ho asks, "Did… did I say something wrong?"
"No, of course not. It's just, this Dr. Finativas you met, well, let's just say he has a history with us," Lien-da says.
"I guess. I never see Knuckles like this. Either way, this Dr. Finativas managed to find the ball and gave it to me. He seems to be nice, but there's something about him that… ugh… Well, I just don't like him. Is that bad?" Yong-Ho says.
Julie-Su walks forward, and says, "Yong-Ho, you have good instincts and you should pay attention to them."
"Did Dr. Finativas ever told you why he was here?" Dimitri asks.
"No. He just asked for my name and I told him I had to leave," Yomg-Ho says.
Then worriedly asks, "Is Knuckles going to be alright?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine. I think he's just dealing one of his anger issues again," Lien-da remarks.
"Lien-da," Julie-Su firmly says.
"I'll be nice," Lien-da says.
Lara-Su calmly says, "Just try not to think about it."
"I hope so. Are you sure that Knuckles will be alright?" Yong-Ho asks.
"I sure hope so," Julie-Su answers.
She then worriedly says in thought, "I hope Knuckles will be alright. I wouldn't blame him for being upset. This is the first time we heard anything about Finitevus in years and was talking to our nephew."
Outside the house, Knuckles is sitting on the steps in front of the house deep in though. He can't stop thinking about what Yong-ho says about Finitevus, an Echidna he hasn't seen in years.
However, Finitevus' presence isn't just the only thing on his mind, "Why is he here? Why is he in New Mobotropolis? Why was he talking to Yong-Ho? I swear, if he tries anything to him…"
Knuckles then slams his fist to the ground. He remembers how much trouble he has done to him, his Echidna kind, and what has happened to his father. He knows that as long as Finitevus is here, trouble isn't far behind.
