Somewhere In Chaos:
Author's Note I: This fanfic is set in a unique AU that combines elements of the games, Archie comics, and Sonic SatAM tv show. For continuity purposes, the story begins shortly after the events of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles and has the plot device between Knuckles and Sally in it. I also included a few ideas from the t.v. show, like Sonic's personality for instance. Further, it's important to note that the ending of the game and the beginning of this fic has a few inconsistancies and major changes (all done for story purposes and intentional).
Now, I'd also like to note that this is a shipfic requested of me from a reader named pennythelynx. I have another fic similiar to this titled "The Mobian Experience" which is rated M and features the unique pairing of Knuckles the Echidna and Nicole the Holo-Lynx. Feel free to check it out from my profile, it's considered a good read and also holds the distinction of being the first such shipfic of its kind.
Lastly, on the rating of this particular fic. The T-Rating is most likely only temporary. I will try and keep it in this range, but be forewarned that the rating may change later, depending on how my story progresses.
Other than that, enjoy this bittersweet/fluffy fanfic.
Prologue:
"He... he tricked me..." whispered Knuckles, unable to believe the sudden turn of events. The man who had claimed that the blue intruder was out to steal his emerald had betrayed him and stole it for himself. To add insult to injury (or injury to insult as he would've put it), the obese man electrocuted him and left the echidna on the quickly sinking island. He lay there, staring up at the open hole in the ceiling where the one who called himself "Eggman" had escaped with his sworn duty.
The blue hedgehog who had bested him, leaned over the defeated echidna. "You alright?"
Knuckles forced the surprise off his face and curled his lip in a fierce snarl. "I'm fine." He stood up and winced as pain lanced through his body. "If that fat bastard thinks he can take my emerald with no repercussions, then he's dead wrong." He pushed past the blue one and his twin-tailed friend. Moving past the altar where the Master Emerald had rested for eons up until Eggman stole it just moments ago. "C'mon, I'll show you they way out," he spoke softly, gesturing with his hand for the other two to follow him.
Flipping a small lever in the shape of a sharp stone, Knuckles waited as a portion of the stone wall shifted and fell downards, exposing a hidden passage. Without another word, the echidna bolted forward down the hall and out of sight. Sonic and Tails exchanged a silent look and then sprinted down the opening Knuckles had disappeared into.
* * * Aboard the Death Egg * * *
Sonic faced the massive robot that Eggman had introduced as the Kyodai Eggman Robo. The battle had been tough, but with fast reflexes and the additional boost from the handy Chaos Emeralds, Sonic stood victorious. Tails was still somewhere on Angel Island and Knuckles had disappeared as soon as he and Sonic arrived on the Death Egg. Taking a step towards the battered machine, Sonic watched cautiously for any sign of movement.
At that moment, Knuckles dropped in. Literally. "Huh, looks like I missed the party," observed Knuckles, stepping over casually towards Sonic.
Sonic tore his gaze away from the death machine long enough to give the echidna a quick glance. "Looks like it, doesn't it? What took you so long anyways?"
Knuckles frowned. "It wasn't as easy to navigate as I thought it would be. In any case," he turned away from Sonic and approached the machine even closer than Sonic dared, "It's time for me to take back what's rightfully mine." With a soft grunt, Knuckles reared back his fist and punched straight through the sheet metal to expose the Master Emerald, unharmed. A mere second later, the giant robot suit hissed and Sonic's eyes widened. "Knuckles! Get back!"
He was too late. The machine fell apart and Eggman emerged in his personal escape craft. Smashing into Knuckles and knocking him down, the pod fled the crumbling room with the Master Emerald in tow. Knuckles growled and immediately jumped to his feet. "Not this time!" he growled, taking off after the craft even faster than Sonic could have.
Eggman glanced over his shoulder. "It's that annoying echidna again," he muttered, switching the gear on the craft to a faster speed setting.
He still didn't get far before Knuckles leapt forward and smashed what he swore to protect. There was an ear-splitting crash as the emerald splintered into pieces. Eggman winced and looked down. The shards slipped through his grappling claw and disappeared into the vacuum of space. "Gah! Look at what you've done, you fool!" The human gave a frustrated huff and disappeared into the ceiling, via a convenient escape hatch.
Sonic caught up with the echidna. "Hey, look, man. This place is gonna blow soon and we gotta get out of here."
Knuckles nodded. "Fine. The emerald's safe for now anyways."
Wordlessly, the pair headed out of the room with the busted Kyodai, to search for a possible exit.
* * * Back on Angel Island * * *
With the Death Egg destroyed, Knuckles and Sonic had caught a ride on Tails's biplane back to the island. Which somehow managed to stay afloat like a giant piece of cork, but made of rock. Knuckles theorized it was air pockets within the island, although he also hinted that the damage Sonic and Tails did to the interior may have a caused a leak. Thus, he doubted the island would stay on the surface for much longer. Glancing once more over the island he had called home for nearly his entire life, Knuckles's face was expressionless but his violet-colored eyes suggested he was more sorrowful than he let on. It was his duty to protect the emerald and he had failed.
Swallowing down any thoughts of sadness, Knuckles turned his to his most recent allies. "I guess I was wrong about the two of you. Sorry."
Sonic waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about it. It's not like you had any way of knowing who we were. If it had been me, I probably would've done the same thing you did."
Knuckles acknowledged the hedgehog's acceptance of his apology with a slight nod.
"So what are you going to do know?" asked Tails, climbing down from the Tornado.
"Look for the pieces of the Master Emerald and put it back together, of course," answered Knuckles.
Sonic looked skeptical. "Really? How are going to do that?"
Knuckles gazed back evenly at the hedgehog. "I'm the guardian. It's my responsibility."
"Are they here on the island?"
"No. I would sense them if any were."
Sonic was about to inquire about how Knuckles could "sense" pieces of a magic gem, but was interrupted by Tails. "We should take you to meet Aunt Sally back on the mainland. She'll know what to do."
Knuckles flinched noticably when the fox said the phrase "Aunt Sally". "Who?" he asked, wanting to make sure he heard the young fox properly.
"Aunt Sally. She's our leader. She's also really smart and nice too."
"Would this 'Aunt' Sally happen to be princess too?"
Sonic raised an eyeridge. "Yeah. She is. How did you know that?"
Knuckles ignored him and turned away for a moment, as if processing this bit of information. At length, he turned back to the two confused heroes. "Very well, take me to this princess."
Sonic crossed his arms. "Hold up there, hotshot. I'm not sure that's such a goood idea. After all, you just met us and intitally treated us like intruders."
"That's because you were," countered the echidna. "And now I wish to parley with your leader."
Tails poked Sonic's elbow. The hedgehog looked down. "I think he's on our side now. Besides, doesn't he deserve a second-chance? You say everybody does, even Eggman."
Sonic frowned and then let out a defeated sigh. "Alright, fine. We'll take you to her, but," he paused, "at the first sign of treachery and I'll deal with you personally. Understood?"
Knuckles nodded.
"Okay then, Tails, start up the Tornado and take us back to the base."
"Right away, Sonic!"
Knuckles stepped up onto the left wing of the biplane while Sonic took the right. He let his gaze linger over his home once more. It had been over a decade since he's seen her last. Could she really be the Sally he once knew? More importantly, would she remember him?
Author's Note II: Okay, that was the prologue for Somewhere In Chaos. My apologies if it's short and jumps over a lot of action, but I just wanted to set up the story rather than describe all the action in it. So yeah, it has elements of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles in it as well as a plot device used in the Archie Comics. In any case, Chapter One should be up soon and I'll be working on this as I get the opportunity. And yes, it's Knux x Bunnie. There's also a little SonAlly and KnuxAlly in between. You'll see.
Until then,
~TheEpicTales