Shadow: Is it just me, or does this one seem a little different?
Author: You'll notice bold text at the beginning and end of each episode from now on. This is based on ABC's marvelous Masters of Science Fiction series, which I highly recommend watching.
On with the fic!
What If?
(2)
"What if the echidna race had survived?"
000
When your life is driven by a singular responsibility, you are forced into a specific, unyielding lifestyle. But if that responsibility is taken away, what happens to you?
000
"KNAX!!!" the old echidna roared. He sighed, rubbing his head in frustration. This was not the first time he'd had to look for him.
"Elder Liaf, are you alright?" a soft voice inquired. The elder turned to see a female echidna wearing a green vest looking at him inquisitively.
"Julie, have you seen Knax? That lazy boyfriend of yours is shirking his duties again!" Liaf's voice quivered with indignation. "All of us have to do our part to keep Angel Island in prime condition! We cannot afford slackers!"
Julie rolled her eyes. "With respect, Elder, Knax just isn't cut out to be a Guardian. He's a daredevil. He doesn't really fit in among us."
Liaf shook his gnarled fist. "He has a duty to the Master Emerald, we all have! This is not something he can afford to neglect!"
Julie put her hands on her hips. "Okay, okay. I'll go talk to him. I warn you though, he won't listen."
000
Elsewhere on the island, a red echidna sprinted through a forest, heading right for the edge of a waterfall.
Leaping forward, he grabbed an overhanging tree branch, spun around several times, then launched himself out towards open space.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" he yelled as he plummeted down to the water below.
Curling into a ball at the last second, he hit the water with a resounding splash, sending water everywhere. He rose to the surface, spouting water and grinning.
Julie was perched atop a rock near the shore. "Enjoying yourself, Knax?" she asked dryly.
Knax climbed out of the water, shaking his head like a dog. "The name is Knuckles, Julie-Su," he said sternly. "And yes, I am."
Julie hopped off her rock. "Knax, I really don't know about this 'finding your own person' thing. The elders are getting fed up with you."
Knax crossed his arms. "Those old windbags? Like I care about them. I've got better things to do with my time than safeguard a hunk of rock."
Julie shifted uncomfortably. "That's the other thing…Your friend Sonic's been banned from the island. Elder Diom says he's a bad influence."
"WHAT?!?" Knax thundered. "That's the last straw! I don't need Angel Island anyway! Tell the elders good bye and good riddance!"
He jumped into the air and flew off.
000
Sonic was running along Emerald Coast, kicking up a trail of sand in his wake. This was his third pass and it wasn't even noon.
His run was abruptly stopped by a large red missile impacting him in the back. Sonic tripped and spun in the sand before looking into the grinning face of Knax.
"Knuckles! How've you been!" exclaimed Sonic as he picked himself up.
"Never better!" Knax chortled. "Guess what? I'm free, dude! I'm never going back to that stupid island again!"
"Cool," said Sonic. "So watcha gonna do now?"
Knax flung his hands behind his head. "I dunno. Hang around, have a laugh, enjoy the sights. Just like the way you do it!"
"Sounds like cause for celebration!" exclaimed Sonic. A roughish gleam came into his eye. "I'll Spindash race you to the burger shop."
"You're on!" Knax cheered, punching the air. The two rolled up and sped along the beach.
000
Julie tentatively approached Elder Liaf. "Elder, I'm sorry, but…"
Liaf closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "It's all for the best, I suppose. Knax was right all along. A foolhardy scoundrel like him doesn't belong here."
He sighed. "I can't believe I ever considered him Guardian material."
"Oh dear. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" A sneering voice rang out. Liaf and Julie looked up in shock.
Ivo Robotnik smirked at them from his Egg-Mobile, flanked by an army of Robots. "Hand over that Master Emerald and we might leave peacefully."
"Julie! Sound the alarm!" Liaf gave her a push. Startled, the echidna girl quickly took off, flying towards the echidna buildings.
Liaf turned back to face Robotnik less than three feet away from him.
"Ah, Liaf," Robotnik sighed as he pulled out a small machine gun, "I'm afraid you and the rest of your tribe have stood in my way for too long now…"
Liaf managed one last look of pure terror before Robotnik pulled the trigger.
000
Julie-Su alighted on top the centermost building and rang a giant gong.
Immediately, hordes of echidna warriors armed with spears came streaming towards Robotnik and his forces.
Robotnik swallowed. "Hm. This may not be as easy as I thought. Time for plan B."
A large cannon extended out from the Egg-Mobile. A missile soared out, spiraling in an arc over the stunned echidna hordes.
Elder Retan was the first to deduce its target. "It's headed for the Master Emerald!!!!"
Various cries filled the air. "No!!" "There's no one guarding it!" "We're all dead!" "If it's destroyed, the entire island will follow! " "SOMEONE HELP!!!!"
All the echidnas could do was watch as the missile reached its target.
"CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!"
000
Knax and Sonic strolled down the beach, enjoying the sunset. Sonic lazily examined the horizon, then suddenly stopped.
Knax turned to him. "What is it?"
Sonic pointed. "Isn't Angel Island supposed to be somewhere around there?"
Knax shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe they moved it. Thank Chaos for that, it was such an eyesore out there."
Knax and Sonic resumed their walk, never once mentioning Angel Island again.
000
Responsibility forms the basis for any human motive. If responsibility is removed, life as we know it inevitably descends into anarchy and chaos.
Author: I bet no one was expecting that, huh?
Knuckles: Hey, are you Ultiman92?
Author: Uh...yeah, why do you ask?
Knuckles: I got an tip-off about you making me heavily OOC!
Author: A tip? From who?
Shadow: (sniggers)
Knuckles: Prepare to die!
Author: Oh #$...
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