Chapter 9: The Diamond in the Rough

Knux again. So I started off on my adventure to find Espio at the MGM. God, ever since the little run-in with Mecha Sonic, I didn't like it there. Not that it's not a bad place, I just don't like my past foe's tossing me like a rag doll. I thought to myself that I shouldn't have left Tails out in the cold like that, but I have to get to my friend. You see, Espio and I were the one's who started the Chaotix. Not Vector, who everyone believes was the sole founder. He just did that after I quit the job so he could get funding. That's why I don't associate myself with anyone of the Chaotix accept Mighty and Espio. Charmy is just too young and too polluted by Vector to know otherwise. I don't hate the little guy, he's just too young for the truth.

Well, I reached the MGM after several hours of running (I don't run as fast as Sonic, obviously), and man, was it a sight! Smoke plumes towered into the air, fire's ran rampid across the city. It was as if a dragon had his birthday party there and invited all his dragon buddies to blow out the candles of his birthday cake.

"Oh, Espio, what have you done?" I asked myself.

"Nothing, yet." Came a voice from behind me.

I turned to find my old ninja buddy, Espio. "Espio! What are you doing here?! Where are the other Chaotix?"

"Their misguided, Knuckles. When you left, everything came apart bit-by-bit. First, we couldn't get hired by anyone, then Mighty left, now I'm here."

"So you've left too, huh?"

"Yeah. I came here to settle some business."

If you've never met the guy, you wouldn't want to mess with him. He's my about my height, purple, green shoes with spikes above his socks and gloves, and has a yellow horn. Today (more like tonight) he donned a tattered, white cloak that blew with the breeze behind him. Yeah, he's a serious ninja alright.

"What business?"

"Someone owes me something. I'm coming to take it back."

Oh yeah, one other thing about Espio that I forgot to mention: he holds grudges. Long grudges.

"Who was it? What do they owe you?"

"None of your concern, Knuckles. Do me a favor, as a close friend of mine, and get out of here. This doesn't need to escalate any further than it already has."

"Beat me, and I'll leave." I had him in a stalemate. He's always been faster than me, but when I caught him, he always knew to stop fighting me. I'm stronger than he is and he knows it. So when I want to know something, and he wont tell me what it is, I'll bring up having a fight with him, and he'll tell me.

"Grrr, okay. This person who hired me, she calls herself Epsilon. I don't know what that means. I've always used that as MY code name, you know. I did a job for her, and she hasn't paid me back. I've come to take my payment, and a little extra."

I didn't like the sound of "a little extra". He says cryptic things like that (like silver) around me a lot to confuse me. But since Tails has worked with me to strengthen that weakness of mine, I knew what he meant.

"There doesn't need to be anything extra besides getting your payment back, Espio. And besides, I thought you were against killing."

"Who said I was going to kill her?"

"No one...yet."

"Don't get to cocky, Knuckles, there's still a lot more to this little story than you know."

"Then I'm coming with you." I knew he wouldn't like the sound of that, but I didn't care. I have to "Return to the Diamond". But then, with the message in mind, who is "Epsilon"? Is it Espio, or this mysterious woman he's talking about?

"Okay then, get ready to take off then."

"WHAT?! You actually want me to go?"

"Yes, actually. It might me eye-opening for you."

He threw me a curve ball. Never in my entire life has Espio wanted me to go on a personal mission with him. He also never told me what the purpose of those missions were.

"Okay then, when do we leave?"

"Now."

So we took off towards the blazing town, but I had even more questions burning my mind: Who is Epsilon; What is Espio's payment; Why hasn't Tails called me on his communicator, and most obviously; Why is the city on fire?

"Espio, one question."

"Yes?"

"Do you know why the city is on fire?"

"Why yes, didn't you see the news?"

"No, what happened?"

"Sonic caused it."

Guess who's back? That's right, I'm back! I'm deeply sorry for those of you who have missed me over the last few months. School started back and started killing me. Football games on Fridays, practice every Monday and Thursday, good Lord! But don't worry though, I'll update on the weekends. ;)

I have to say that I'm very happy to be writing again, and I must thank ProtoRevelation (the one who actually inspired the story) and Kitty in Boots for PM'ing me to get back. I checked my inbox for my email and saw the messages. Now the story goes on!

You should expect another chapter up here within the hours. I'm in a writing mood I guess. I think it's to repay everyone for waiting so long. I'll probably put 3 more chapters up this weekend, maybe 4. But I can say that this mystery character will be revealed shortly, so stay tuned. And once again, thank you for waiting for me.

With regards, Steel.