Just a note, I switch back and forth from saying robot to robo. Knuckles uses 'hell' in this chapter.
Chapter 3: Knuckles' Rage Reaches New Levels
Knuckles regained slight consciousness a few hours later thus making him half-asleep. As he began to awaken, his mind was deep in thought.
"Those...those robots" he thought "Why do they look just like me? And how come those few managed to revive themselves? It doesn't make any sense. Wait...I remember...a...a cloak. Yeah, just before I passed out I remember seeing a cloaked figure pass over me. He said something to the robots and then everything goes blank. But, what did he say? And was this a good thing? I must know."
Knuckles began to feel the slight tickle as several bubbles floated upwards tickling his arm.
"Bubbles? Where the heck am I?"
He struggled to awaken himself, but for some strange reason, he was exhausted and could barely move. Then, to only add to Knuckles questions, he felt a slight jolt through his nerves.
"What was that, shock, I felt?"
He felt it again.
"There it is again. What is happening?"
Knuckles opened his left eye just enough to see everything he needed to know, and his right eye joined his left in wide amazement. For Knuckles was inside the orange spherical machine he had observed earlier! A thin, long wire stretched from the machine across the room to a robot. He placed the wire inside his head and then Knuckles felt the jolt again. The robot finished and handed the wire to another robot. Thus, they had all lined up to use this wire. Then the answer shot through Knuckle's mind like a cold bullet. They were using that wire to download Knuckle's very identity!
He knew in the very back of his mind what damage it could do. They will know all of his strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, memories, and maybe, maybe even be able to anticipate his very own moves! Fury began to rise up from deep within Knuckles.
"Those lowlifes..." he growled "I won't stand for this. It's one thing to take someone's image, but their very identity. The one thing that is sacred to everyone. They haven't finished yet, I can still defeat them."
Knuckles ripped the cords off that were attached to his body and used them to get a grip on the wire. He pulled with all his might; yanking one robo off his feet and knocking him into the machine. With his new found strength, he punched a massive hole through the side of the machine and smashed a hole in the robo's head as well. The other robos were astonished, for Knuckles seemed to glow a red brighter than his own skin! The robos were fearless nonetheless, for they have no emotions. They charged into battle, eagerly wanting to test Knuckle's massive new power.
Knuckles sent a punch their way and tore through nearly all of them at once. The remaining few retreated behind him for a surprise assault, but Knuckles saw this early on and with a mighty crash, he pounded the floor with his fist generating a massive shockwave that slammed all the remainders into the walls. The room settled and Knuckles caught his breath. He had never fought that intensely in his life. And yet, he felt like this battle wasn't over. He scanned the room, but found no one left. Knuckles then came down with a cool wave of anxiety. He felt like something was still there. And then, Knuckles found he was right.
The Robos seemed to piece themselves right back together and began to walk toward Knuckles for another round. Knuckles had returned to normal once more and was exhausted. There was no way he could fight. Knowing that fighting them would only waste more of his energy; Knuckles retreated from the lab through the nearest passageway and the robos followed. As Knuckles ran, he his mind raced as well.
"What are these things!" he struggled to understand "How in the hell can they keep coming back like this?"
Knuckles feet seem to flip from underneath him as he was pulled from the dark passageway against the wall.
Someone was next to him.
"Stay quiet!" the figure said.
The two nearly stopped breathing as the robos passed by.
"Thank..."
"No time! Go this way and you will know everything in due time!"
The figure pushed Knuckles into a secret passageway and ran off before Knuckles could say another word. The tired, red echidna decided to heed the stranger's advice and trudged down the hidden passageway.
End of Chapter 3
