A/N: So sorry with the last upload. Ill double-check chapters before uploading next time. Enjoy!
Knuckles became aware of the nagging feeling a few days after Mobius' restoration. The kind of feeling in the back of his head, the kind that tells you that something's wrong. That something's missing. Being used to this kind of stuff, he ignored it, and went about his usual life. Then the nagging became a pounding, and then a summoning he could no longer ignore.
Fortunately, he was on friendly terms with the summoner.
"Tikal, what is it? What's so important that you keep tormenting me?"
Tikal's transparent body turned to look at the guardian who walked up to her. She fiddled with her hands and smiled nervously.
"Eh? Oh, Knuckles. Uh, I trust that you've noticed that "nagging feeling," right? I'm feeling it to. Sr is Chaos. I think I know why, but I need to be sure. So, do me a favor and stay by the Master Emerald. I have a feeling a lot will be revealed today…"
A little puzzled by the request, Knuckles agreed and left Sky Sanctuary Zone, stating that he would be back at nightfall. He then warped back to Angel Island using one of the teleporters, and went to Launch Base Zone, where Relic the Pica was currently camped out. He found her muttering over ancient tech, as usual.
"Hey Relic. Just came to let you know that Ill be at the Master Emerald tonight If you need me. Holler if you—" He was interrupted by Relic's triumphant yell as she began to quickly type on the laptop's keyboard.
She glanced backwards to see Knuckles standing over her, and she hastily stood up. Fixit, who was beside her, curtsied.
"Knuckles! Splendid! I was just about to get you! This old, ancient, trashy piece of—" She stopped herself, exhaled slowly, and resumed. "I finally got this ancient tech to work! And there are so many files! Filed with data! Knowledge of the Ancients!" At this point, she was visibly drooling over the prospect of diving into the files. Knuckles coughed politely, and Relic quickly regained her stature, wiping her mouth. "Anyways, one of the file's titled Mobius. Let's look at that one first." Relic clicked on the file, and a document popped up on the screen, and the two knelt down to read it.
_PRE1GENWAVE
When the first wave came, I knew it would not be the last. I knew that it would eventually consume all of this universe, and possibly more. So I started on my project. I had studied anomalies such as this one before, and seen some possible futures. At this rate, my species will not survive. So, I have enlisted the help of a Tasmanian Devil, the last of his kind. I gave him a warp ring and instructions on how to use it. He thinks that he will have revenge for his people. But he will be saving mine.
The time is fast approaching. Thrash did his job well, and my people are safe, just with no way to return. For that, I will leave our guardian a few "gifts" to help with that. If he ever does find out who I am, he will not trust me. I don't blame him, after everything that I've done. But he must. For our people. I just hope that there will be a guardian when the time comes.
I must write quickly. This is the end. Guardian, if you see this, there are hidden alcoves throughout the island. There you will find Warp Rings. Also there will be the coordinates of Thrash. Save our people!
-Your benefactor, Finitevus
Knuckles' brow furrowed when he read the name at the bottom of the document. "Finitevus…" he mumbled. "That name…sounds familiar…" He read the last paragraph again. Hidden alcoves… He stood up and looked at his surroundings. It was true that he had seen some of those caves before, but he never thought to inspect them. He decided to do so now.
Sonic sat on the side-bench of the Lake of Rings, looking into it with a wistful expression. He sighed, closing his eyes for a minute, then opening them to see another person's reflection in the lake. "Sally."
Sally sat down besides him and threw a rock into the pond. It skipped 3 times before sinking into the water. "Hey Sonic. You don't look like your usual cocky self." She smiled to indicate that it was a joke. Her smile faded as Sonic continued to star glumly into the lake. "…What's wrong, Sonic? Come one, you can tell me." She placed her hand in his as a gesture of comfort. Sonic finally looked up at her, and explained.
"Sal, I…I've just been feeling, y'know, downbeat. When we first got to this wacky world, I didn't really have time to dwell on it, but now that everything's at peace… It gives me time to contemplate what's different with this world." With that, he turns back to the lake. "My parents were always being taken from me, either used in some plot or held ransom, but this time…I'm not getting them back. Their gone for good, and there's nothing I can do." Savagely, he kicked at the dirt. "Im just… not used to not being able to do anything. I hate feeling helpless, and I—" He stopped as he was suddenly hugged by Sally. It was the kind of hug friends who had been through much shared. She had tears in her eyes. And he was puzzled to find that he did, too.