Take My Hand!

By: Phoenix Ride

Ch.1: Knuckles Mercy

"Aaaahhh!" Yellow Zelkova screamed, as tunnels of electrical energy engulfed his entire body.

Sonic and co. stood from the sidelines watching the Metarex get fried. Yellow Zelkova had been pretty tough to beat since he was equipped with Eggman's portable Aluma Shield. They only hoped that the lightning they had harnessed would be enough to finish off this Metarex once and for all.

The lightshow finally dimmed down showing the beaten form of Yellow Zelkova. Piece by piece, his armor started to fall apart. Knuckles, who was still a little bruised from his little scuffle with Zelkova, gasped in shock when his voilet eyes spotted a living body beneath all that armor.

Like everyone else, Knuckles had assumed that all the Metarex were robotic beings. No one expected they were exoskeletons with living operators. Zelkova tore the wires from his body and stood tall, his deep green gaze locking on Knuckles.

Both opponents charged each other once again. Landing a solid right hook to Zelkova's head, Knuckles powerful punch sent the Metarex scrambling backwards on his feet. Zelkova's feet desperately searched for solid ground, but all they found was air. The next thing the Metarex knew, he was sliding down into a lava filled crater.

Knuckles eyes widened in surprise as he watched the Metarex sliding down the wall of the crater, hoping for a grip. Putting all rational thoughts out of his head, Knuckles slid into the crater after Zelkova, making Sonic and the others gasp in shock.

Zelkova had finally managed to find a rock to grab onto, but his body was still damaged after his fight with Knuckles and running out a strentgh. Just as the Metarex was about to accept the reality that these were last moments of his life, an unexpected voice pierced through his thoughts.

"Take my hand!" yelled Knuckles, reaching out to Zelkova, while his shovelclaw bound him to the wall.

Without thinking Zelkova reached up his hand towards Knuckles, but before the echidna could grasp it Zelkova's body blacked out and once again he slid towards the lava. Moving fast Knuckles jumped and grasped Zelkova's hand just as the Metarex's body was waist deep in lava.

Calling on all his strentgh Knuckles steadily climbed out of the crater with his unconious cargo in tow. It was a heart-breaking climb, but eventually Knuckles managed to pull both of them to safety.

After taking a chance to catch his breath, Knuckles went over to survey Zelkova's injuries. The Metarex had possibly suffered maybe second or third degree burns all the way down from his waist, during his short bath in the lava.

It may take Zelkova some time to heal, but at least he would still be alive. Sonic and the others immediately rushed over to check out the scene.

"Are you alright Knuckles?" asked Tails, looking over the echidna.

"A little bruised but I'll be fine" said Knuckles, then turned his gaze to Zelkova " right now, he's the one who needs help,"

"Say what?" said Sonic in shock.

"You want us help the enemey!" yelled Amy.

"If we don't he'll die," said Knuckles.

"Let him!" Amy shouted " if it wasn't for him and his Metarex buddies the whole universe wouldn't be falling apart!"

"I have to agree with her on that point Knux," said Sonic.

"I wasn't asking your permisson" said Knuckles, hefting one of Zelkova's arms onto his shoulders " I'm taking him with us, whether you help me or not,"

Suddenly, to everyones surprise, Cosmo walked over and lifted up Zelkova's other arm. The plant girl shot a smile at Knuckles, signaling that she would help him. Returning her smile, Knuckles marched forward with Cosmo, dragging the unconious Zelkova towards the Blue Typhoon.

"Cosmo?" said Tails, stratching his head.

"I don't like this Sonic," said Chris.

"Me niether" said Sonic " I only hope Knuckles knows what he's doing,"

"Like he ever does," said Amy, trudging off.

Minutes later the Blue Typhoon once again took off into the dark reaches of space, this time, with an enemey on board.