Mobius a world far removed from our own, here, 8000 years before the story you know, there was Echidnopolis, the capitol of Echidna Society. A Futuristic paradise with the most advanced structures in the universe. Here they made flying vehicles known as Streaking Pashas* that graced the sky with relative ease. They had limits however, and where they could not go there were transport vessels and video screens. The buildings rose above the clouds and were only out-reached by the high security Prison vessel. Disorder was no stranger to the city, and despite the vallient efforts of the E.S.T, it thrived in the underbelly of the city. It's social class system was no where near perfect, Most who couldn't get a job fell into human services. But even with all it's flaws, it excelled, beyond comparison, and no one ever complained. People walked the sidewalks without fear of getting robbed, children played VR games, and even the police officers were just normal citizens when you got down to it. You would never guess they were involved in the strangest sort of Civil War ever. The sort of Civil War that had no clear battles, that is until that one fateful day. It all began one summer day atop the roof of the Aurorium. Knuckles and the Chaotix had gathered to meet with Commander Lee-Me of the Echidnopolis Security Team in order to discuss the Legal Ramifications of destroying a building. "Chaotix, Role Call." Knuckles was bored out of his mind, he knew that this would culminate with yelling in his face, Julie blowing smoke in Lee-Me's face, and them getting off with a warning. The Chaotix weren't anymore excited than him, when there names were called they simply raised their hands. Vector was playing a VR game, Espio was polishing his kunai, Mighty was falling asleep, the bees, Charmy and Saffron, were flying around not giving any mind to the people bellow, and Julie just sat there messing with her lighter. "Alright we're all here, begin with the yelling." Knuckles sat and waved to Lee-Me to start. Her face got a little red with anger and she started, " First off how did seven people with no demolition expertise, zero sticks of TNT, and no clear opponent with any of this, destroy one of the most stable buildings in the city?" They all looked at each other and shrugged, "Just don't make them like they used to I guess." Knuckles looked at her hoping she'd buy it. She got even more red in the face and burst out, "THAT IS NOT A VALID EXCUSE FOR DESTROYING THE ANGEL-LA MEMORIAL BUILDING!" Julie finally got her lighter working and spoke, "What is a valid excuse?" Lee blew up, "I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THE ENEMY DID IT, OR, A EARTHEQUAKE GENERATOR!" Knuckles spoke again, "What if it was an earthquake? Hypothetically caused by me?" Lee went ballistic on him and he regretted fueling her anger. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO IN THERE? YOU WERE FIGHTING NORMAL TROOPERS, NOT THE GRANDMASTER!" Julie had enough, she got up and got in Lee's face. She took out her lit cigarette and blew smoke in her face. "How about this, you don't mess with us today, and we won't mess with you for a week, that sound fair?" Lee stood there glaring in Knuckles general direction. "Fine, but next time you won't be so lucky!" She stormed off in the direction of her cruiser and took off. Knuckles leaned in and whispered to Julie, "Do you think she's still mad about us stealing that cruiser?" Julie shook her head and said, "Nah, we returned it in one piece, I think she's more upset I was able to fly it even with all the theft prevention systems." Vector turned off his game and saw Knuckles and Julie really close to each other, and it bugged him. "Did something happen between you two that you're not telling us? Before you two used to sit with other people, but now you only sit with each other. And if something did happen can I post it on our blog?" Espio kicked Vector in the back of his head. "Vector! Obviously this is something private for just the two of them!" Vector turned to Espio and said, "Our followers deserve to know what happens in our personal lives if they want to keep up to date on our activities. Why do you think my dating tips are so popular?" Knuckles spoke up, "Two things. One, we were going to tell you anyways that we've become one, Husband and Wife, recently. Two, Vector you know the Blog is for people who want to stop the leigon, not score a date. Which no one will following your crappy advice." Knuckles pulled out his holo-phone and began to draft an update, "Julie, what are the numbers looking like?" Julie let out a long puff of smoke and said with a beam of pride, "Another thousand people joined the resistance force in the eastern empire, the underground rebellion in the Legion has wormed it's way into every level of its infrastructure, and the Teenage Anarchist known as the Demi-Gods have decided they like us better and are lending us their numbers." She tossed the butt of her cigarette over the edge and continued, "At this rate the Legion will need to pull a miracle out of its Ass in order to save itself from being destroyed." Knuckles finished typing and posted it to the blog, "Thank you Julie, our followers will be thrilled to know we're that much closer to victory." Knuckles put his arm around her and smiled, today was going great! Vector put his VR game back on and said, "If you need me, I'll be defeating Mondarra the Wicked."
Pravada looked out over the city, it seemed smaller from this high up. "Driver, how much further till the docking bay?" The Driver looked at him and said, "Well the Prison Freighter is a big ship sir, it could be a few minutes at the legal cruising speed of your vessel." Pravada relaxed, he had time. "I wonder why Benedict wanted to meet here instead of the Grand Conservatory." Pravada thought. He shrugged it off as they continued their drive. At last they reached the Docking Bay, where they were waved in. Benedict stood waiting for them, "Sir." He said with a bow. "Councilor Benedict." Pravada said with a nod. Benedict continued, "We received a threat from who we can only assume to be the Grandmaster of the legion, stating that council is to be made dead. I already sent word ahead to the others, but they seem to be confident in their safety. Xexin came here anyways to help protect you." They got in an elevator pod and began to move towards the bridge. "I'll assign the Guardian to the matter of protection of the others. Word of this incident must not get out, we need to keep the people hopeful for victory. As my ancestor said, 'I will be the leader of all of the empire, or none of it.' And it shall be all." The elevator stopped and Pravada got out. As he walked off Benedict smiled to himself, "Bold words for a dead man. Captain, get me the Commander." The Captain salted and ran off.
Knuckles relaxation was interrupted by a beep. "Oh for the love of! Somebody better be dying!" He looked at his newest message and frowned. "What is it?" Julie looked concerned. Knuckles shook his head, "Nothing I can't handle. Just have to babysit the council." He got up and stretched, "Lucky for me it's just my dad and Antebellum today." Julie grabbed his arm and said, "What do you mean you? No way are you leaving me behind!" Knuckles smiled and said, "I'd love to, but the odds are I'll be stationed on a couch in Antebellum's room in the Grand Conservatory." Julie said, "Wouldn't you rather me be on that couch with you?" Neither of them noticed Vector drafting an entry in the background. "Sex Scandal" he whispered. Knuckles said, "I would love that, but my dad will be there, and we both know he doesn't sleep." Julie nodded and he continued, "Besides, isn't tonight your parents anniversary?" Julie's eyes shot open, "CRAP! I forgot to get them a gift!" She took off and jumped off the roof sending a signal with her Holo-Phone. Her Sky-Cycle raced up and caught her and she rocketed off. Knuckles walked to the edge and turned to Vector, the only one awake, "Vector, you're in charge of clean up." With that he jumped off the roof and into the Garden bellow.
Zia-Co was a simple woman. She was the best female fighter in Gladiatos, Echidnopolis's favorite sport. She was engaged and made good money. But if you asked her what she did besides sporting, she'd never talk to you again. Mostly because if she did the Dark Legion would kill her Husband-to-be. "I'm in position." She mumbled into her headset. Some might call her a forced inside agent, she did things for the legion in exchange for her fiancés safety. Tonight she had to assassinate the council. "Good, send in the kill drone." The voice of her moderator droned. She pressed a few buttons on the kill drones head and it came to life. It flew off and after musing how dragon like it looked she said into her earpiece, "Do I get him back now?" The voice came back cold and sinister, "We have no further use for either of you, goodbye." At that moment thousands of volts of Electricity came through the headset causing her to scream in pain as it killed her. It ended as fast as it started and her lifeless body fell from the roof. In its place a tall cybernetic warrior materialized. "Adios." He said coldly.
Knuckles sat on the couch at Antebellum-Li's apartment, and apparently he was the only one who needed questioning. "Have you been practicing your abilities? Have you been reading the history scrolls? Have you familiarized your self with the streets of Echidnopolis?" Locke bombarded. Also Knuckles apparently wasn't the only annoyed party there. "Have you ever looked up the word insufferable, Councilor Locke? Because you are the embodiment of it!" Antebellum was obviously not thrilled about the company she was hosting. "Calm down Councilor Antebellum, it's only one night. After which this whole ordeal will be over." Locke said reassuringly. She didn't look too thrilled about that either. Knuckles was busy manipulating Chaos to float a stone above his palm. "This is so fucking stupid. Why can't I just punch people and be done with it?" Knuckles griped. Antebellum shot him a look warning him to watch his tongue and Locke chuckled, "Spectre finds this skill quite handy, you should learn it if you want to impress people." He levitated a fruit from the kitchen into his hand taking a bite out of it. "Fruit Manipulation, really useful." Knuckles said sarcastically. Antebellum sighed and told the two to go in the kitchen so she could change and go to bed. Locke nodded and motioned for Knuckles to follow. "What does she sleep on the Fucking couch?" a shoe flew through the air and hit Knuckles in the back of the head. "AGH! THAT FUCKING HURT!" Locke dragged the raging Knuckles into the Kitchen and closed the door. "You work with jerks, you know that right." Locke walked to the table and said, "One day you will to." Knuckles followed, "I meant the bait." Locke looked slightly surprised, "You knew?" Knuckles nodded, "Why else would you want me to leave a target alone? Did you actually plan ahead to when the assassin shows up?" Locke nodded, "We catch him." In the bedroom Antebellum had just settled in for bed. It was a warm night so she opened the window a crack. Outside the Kill Drone hovered, slowly placing deadly spider drones into the room. Stealthily they crawled to the target, making sure to avoid the security camera's watchful eye. They crawled on top of the bed and prepared to strike with their buzzsaw mouths dripping with poison. They never saw the sword coming. Knuckles had sliced both the drones in half before his father even entered the room. Locke saw the drone out of the corner of his eye and leapt after it crashing through the window. "Dammit! Stay here Councilwoman!" Knuckles said before leaping over the stairwell banister and down to the main level. "My idiot father's gonna get himself killed!" He hopped in his Streaking Pasha and revved after them. Locke was fairing well, he had caught up to the drone and was now riding it, knowing it would return to its master.
Xyco saw the Guardian riding on the drone. "Shit." He said scrambling to activate his Arm Cannon. He aimed with precision hoping he'd go unnoticed. He fired the shot and got in his Streaking Pasha.
Locke fell. The explosion of the drone had disoriented him, and he couldn't get a grasp of where he was. He saw bright lights as he fell, some moving up, some moving sideways. He felt himself hitting upholstery and a voice sounding in his ear, "You idiot! Espio could've hacked the thing if you hadn't gone and gotten it blown up! Now I have to chase this idiot!" Locke's vision refocused and he saw he was in the passengers seat of his sons Streaking Pasha, with his son driving like a maniac. "Hold on he's diving!" Knuckles said going into a steep dive. Locke watched as they buzzed past other Streaking Pashas, a few EST vehicles, and saw they were heading straight for a transport frigate. "Knuckles, you can't make that gap, pull up! PULL UP!" But Knuckles didn't pull up. Instead he pitched sideways and flew through the tiniest gap possible. "Pull up he says. Fuck that!" Locke looked at Knuckles and asked, "Where is he going? Knuckles pushed a button and said, "NOT FAR!" Knuckles launched out of the Pasha and dived for the assassin's. "I hate it when he does that!" Locke said trying to steer out of the dive. Knuckles landed on the roof and shouted, "PULL OVER!" He punched through the roof and attempted to grab the guy, but instead pulled out the control mechanism. "Ah Shit." Knuckles said just before flying off and landing against a wall. The Assassin ejected and ran off. Locke caught up with Knuckles and they gave chase, eventually the came to a Black Market soup stall. "Go and search around, you know this place." Knuckles looked at Locke, "Where are you going?" Locke pointed at the stall, "For a Drink." Locke sat down and ordered a drink. An Echidna next to him opened his coat and said, "Hey pal, needs some Mary Jane?" "You don't want to sell me that." "I don't wanna sells you this." "You need to go home and rethink your life." "I needs to go homes and rethinks me life."
Knuckles walked around looking around at the people. There was Sleezy Joe at the Contraband Electronics stand, he was trying to sell a Super VR Headset to an unsuspecting young Echidna. There was Madame Rylon and her many "dancers", and of course Mad Mike, with his weapon trade. No sign anywhere of the Assassin. Just then he saw him, a tall cyborg, approaching the stall. He stopped behind Locke and prepared to fire, when Locke jumped up and punched the guy in the face. A murmur of confusion erupted. "Easy Guys, just Guardian shit. Go back to your drinks."
Pravada sat on the bridge waiting for Benedict and Xexin to return from the dining hall. He had just received word that the assassin had been caught and they were all safe. A guard was posted at the door and had almost drifted of when Benedict entered, with Xexin trailing. "One would think the status of our troops would be more to my liking. I am the Councilor of War after all." Benedict said looking at the Guard. Lee-Me came through a different door and saluted them, "Councilors, Sirs." Benedict looked in her direction, "Ah, there you are Commander. I was beginning to wonder where you went. I have a mission for you. I need you to ensure the safety of a vessel headed out of our Empire to chart the world of the future. They'll need security and I'm giving them you." Lee-Me was shocked, "But Sir, I'm needed here." Benedict laughed, "No, I think that the Guardian can handle the city without you for a few days. The ship will be returned here after 24 hours of Future exploring, that is if it doesn't crash." Lee-Me wanted to argue, but she couldn't defy this order, it wasn't in her. "Yes Sir." She saluted and left. Pravada took this opportunity to speak, "Benedict the Assassin was caught! We're free to return home!" Xexin scoffed, "We're never free in this business." Pravada waved off Xexin negative attitude and continued, "We dodged a bullet today men. The death of any Council Member would be devastating, The Legion would no doubt take advantage of our momentary weakness and strike!" A shot rang through the air, Pravada looked down to see a hole in his chest. The guard pulled his gun, but was too late. Another Shot. Pravada fell to the ground. "Foolish Pravada, the others were to be mercy killings! They were denied this mercy by you though, for you were the only one who had to die, and you were the only one who played chicken!" Benedicts laugh echoed through the room as Xexin fired the last shot at Pravada's head.
Julie woke with a start, someone was in her apartment. She peaked into the living room and saw Knuckles nodding off in the Arm Chair. "Knux? Why didn't you come sleep with me?" He bolted upright, which sent a jolt through Julie, "WHA-? Oh… Julie, it's you." He got up and stretched, "I didn't want to wake you so I just sat down and slept here." One look though and she could tell he hadn't slept a wink. She shook her head and told him she was going to take a shower. When she returned he was asleep on the couch. She smiled and climbed on top of him, "Sleep as long as you want, I'll be right here." She kissed his Cheek and went to grab the news. The Digi-Pad showed up right on schedule with a headline that made her drop her hair brush, "HEAD COUNCILOR FOUND DEAD!" The story went on for a bit and ended with Benedict blaming the lack of security. "Oh shit… if Knuckles reads this he'll freak!" She looked at him, the steady rise and fall of his breath had not been disturbed. She flipped through some othe articles and found Benedict had been named Pravadas successor. She nearly screamed. This was bad, this was very bad. She needed to sit down before she attacked someone. "Perhaps some TV will calm my mind." She pressed a button and her Holo-Screen came on. She toggled the Volume and selected a movie from her DVR. "The world outside can wait for an hour or two." She said as the film started. She yawned and said, "Dear Aurora please don't let this be that boring."
Benedict issued a City-Wide lock down, all Citizens would be required to return to their homes until let out. He turned to his Holo-Phone and issued a call. "Benedict here, all loose end and I'm in control. Xexin has been placed at the rendezvous point and is awaiting the troops. Activate all Sleepers and send in the Dark Brotherhood." A smooth female voice full of domination and seduction sounded on the other end, "I already sent the Brotherhood, I even removed that silly little dampening system on their powers." Benedict flipped, "ARE YOU MAD WOMAN?" The voice replied, "Yes, but I've only sent two." A maniacal laugh echoed on the other end before she regained herself, "Lien-Da out."
Knuckles woke to find Julie asleep in his arms. After he took a minute to admire her beauty he noticed the power was out. "Hey Julie, wake up." Julie stirred, "Huh? Knu-Knux?" She said, her voice cracking with tiredness. "Why are the lights out?" he asked pointing up to emphasize his confusion. She rubbed her eyes and replied, "It's a lock down. Pravada was killed. Benedict has taken over." Knuckles looked concerned, "I thought Lee would have that." Julie shook her head, "She's disappeared. Like Xena, only under more mysterious circumstances." Knuckles thought, "She didn't kill him, she probably was sent away on a mission." Julie nodded and turned on the news as per-regulation. "To the Chaotix, The People have a message for you. After a battle, do you look back at what you've done? The damage and death you cause? Do you know of the pain that you cause?" Julie was stunned, since when did the people talk like that? "I can't believe they think that! We have told them that once you see someone die, you're never the same, but when you kill someone you're haunted forever!" Julie was ready to throw her door open and tell everyone they were wrong when a strange gas started coming in through the vents. "Knuckles?" Julie asked. "Knock-Out Gas, you know I hate it." Julie instantly covered her mouth and nose, but it was too late. She was beginning to feel drowsy and swayed like she was drunk. Knuckles had also gotten a good amount, but his body was fighting it. "Julie, don't let go!" He held out his hand and she took it. He pulled her close to him and locked his arms around her. She wasn't going anywhere without him now. She laid her head on his chest as the gas finished doing it's job.
A tome of voice buzzed in her ear. "SHUT UP!" she yelled zapping the closest prisoner. "Shade, come hither." Shade, as she was reffered to, came to her master's side. "Master Ix." She bowed. "Is everything ready?" Ix asked. She bowed lower, "Yes master, we have toe woman in irons and the Brotherhood of Guardians busy. There is only one complication." Ix narrowed his eyes in boredom, "Let me guess, the Prisoner won't release the girl." Shade answered, "Yes master." Ix stood, "I have a plan for that, and for any other stunts he may pull." He smiled evilly, this was a glorious day for the Legion, the day of triumph!
"Guardian?" The voice was near, perhaps he was still in the apartment with Julie. He felt her warmth against him, so it was entirely possible. "Guardian have you been killed? Why did they throw you in here?" Or maybe it wasn't. He found the strength he needed and opened his eyes. He was looking at a brown echidna with a Mohawk chained to a wall. "The Hell are you?" The Echidna bowed his head respectfully, "My name is Sharza, and I am a prisoner of war here." Were you in the VA?" Knuckles asked, hoping he could get some information on his cousin from him. "No, I wasn't yet, but given another day I would have been." Sharza looked apologetic, but Knuckles waved it off. "It's okay, I was curious." He busied himself by looking at Julie. Her firm features were unchanged, except her rare smile, it was accented by the light stemming from the ceiling. He peaked inside her mind and saw that she was happy and at peace. That is until she woke up. Instinctively she tried to leap up only to be stopped by Knuckles arms. "WHA-? LET GO!" She shouted. But he didn't. "If I don't let go, they can't take you, and if they can't take you, then we have more of a chance to get out of here." This didn't make her happy, but she did relax a bit. Just then the door flew open and an Orange girl stood there. "Guardian and girl, you will come with me!" Knuckles stood in defiance, "And if we don't?" The girl looked un-amused, "Ever the smart ass, aren't we Guardian?" She walked over and punched him in the face. "AUGH! THAT'S MY NOSE!" She stood waiting in the door way. "If you don't come with me now, then I will not hesitate to kill you both." She walked over and stabbed Sharza with an Energy Blade. "Augh!" She twisted it and he screamed in pain. "Just like this." She said pulling the blade out and letting him bleed to death. Julie wasn't happy, "You bitch, HE WAS INNOCENT OF ALL THIS!" The girl turned to her, "Like anyone cares who is or not! This is war not debate! Blood spills and people die! You should know this more than anyone else!" Knuckles had had it. "ENOUGH! We'll go with you if you leave her alone!" She nodded and they followed Knuckles taking Julie's hand so no one would grab her. "I'm sorry but she has to wait in the waiting room." The female said, catching them both off guard and locking Julie in a cell. "YOU BITCH! LET ME OUT SO I CAN KICK YOUR ASS! KNUCKLES BREAK THE FUCKING DOOR!" But she had already forced Knuckles in an elevator and sent him down. The elevator went slow, and it had a window that looked outside. What he saw would forever burned in his memory, and the one word that even approached what is was, was one of his favorites, Slaughter. Men, Women, Children, it didn't matter. They killed them with no hesitation. Brothers killed Brothers. Fathers killed Sons, and Mothers killed Daughters. He threw up, not a lot, not a little, but he did. He recalled the words of Nestor the Wise and grew angry, "Was it a joke Nestor? Calling us perfect? Did you do it for laughs? DID YOU? LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE WROUGHT! DO YOU CALL THIS PERFECT?" At last the elevators stopped and he got off. He found the female waiting with Energy Cuffs. He allowed her to put them on his wrists and was led into a large room with tons of monitors. "Excellent work Shade, I didn't expect him to comply to the cuffs." The female, Shade, bowed and stepped to the side. The voice he heard had come from a chair. "You are probably wondering who I am, aren't you? Well, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ix, this is Shade. We are the first and newest memebers of the Dark Brotherhood, respectively of course." Knuckles took him in, he was old with a long white beard and a hunched back. He carried a funny looking stick and his fingers were long and boney. Knuckles could see the age in his eyes, along with a poorly hidden hatred. "What do you want?" Knuckles asked bluntly. "To get you to join the winning team! We'd hate to see someone with your potential go." Ix smiled, revaling rotted teeth and black gums. "What if I don't want to?" Knuckles said defiantly. Ix pressed a button on his chair, "It isn't a choice. If you say no, we shall motivate you to join." His mother had appeared on the monitor. She was beaten and bruised, her dress was torn off at the waist, and her eye was swollen shut. Her mouth was bleeding as she mumbled something to herself. "Kill her." Ix said into a microphone. A Dark Legionary began to approach her and she started to scream, "NO! NO! I HAVE TO FIND HIM! I WON'T LOSE HIM AGAIN! KNUCKLES!" The Legionary turned on his energy blade. "Shut up." He said running it through her heart. "K-Knuckles…" Laura said before dying. "LAURA!" Wymancher had entered the screen rushing at the man who killed Laura, only to be shot several times before dying. Knuckles was frozen, waiting for Anger and Sorrow to come and wash over him. But they never came, instead a dark vengeance made itself known. Without warning he burst free of the energy cuffs and grabbed Shade. "What are you doing?" She shouted, "SHUT UP! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO SAID NO ONE CARES WHO DIES!" He yelled back. Knuckles shifted his grip so that he was holding her near the base of her spine. Ix looked bored, "Are you going to try and use her as a shield?" Knuckles shook her, "No, I'm going to BREAK HER!" Knuckles squeezed tightly, Shade screamed as pressure was applied, "PLEASE! MERCY! MERCY! I SURRENDER!" But Knuckles didn't stop. His face, twisted in extreme rage, was hard as a rock. At last after what seemed like hours to Shade, there was a bone chilling crunch as Shades spine was shattered. Knuckles dropped her and moved towards Ix who was staring at Shades lifeless body. "You killed her… but that's against your morals!" Knuckles pointed at the screen he watched his mother die on and shouted, "Take a good look at that screen! Why should I follow my morals when you have none?" Knuckles grabbed Ix by the throat and lifted him in the air. "Even if I did, this killing won't stop." Knuckles squeezed harder, "I'll stop it, the way I should have all along! I swear to Aurora, my mother, Chaos and all the gods and goddesses, that I will kill any who fly the banner of the Dark Legion!" Knuckles squeezed Ix's throat so hard his head flew off in a bloody explosion. "Burn in Hell Ix."
"LET ME OUT!" Julie was getting annoyed. One second she was safe, on her way to the action, the next she was locked in a cell, with no clue what was going on. "Knuckles you better hurry and breakout. " She leaned against a wall a pulled her cigarettes out of her secret pocket and lit one, "He has until I finish this before I break out some other way, and find him." Halfway through her smoke the door was ripped of it's hinges. "Knux?" Julie asked concerned. He didn't speak but his eyes told it all. Something bad had happened and it was going to take a lot to fix. They went down the hallway freeing the other prisoners. They found the Chaotix, minus Mighty, in a minimum security cell. They had no idea what had happened, but they also didn't say much. Even Vector was silent on this occasion. After they had led the others outside the team turned to Knuckles and asked, "What now?" Knuckles looked at them all, "The Legion has attacked our home, our family, our friends. We're going to do what we do best, we're going to show them the door! CHAOTIX, WE'RE GOING TO WAR!