Disclaimer: Grapes is my own creation, nothing else, so back off.
Author's note: It's a bit A/U since I'm combining a few elements from the comic series and maybe a bit from the games as well. Some things may be off because I've lost track of most of the comics and Knuckles… IS RED! NOT GREEN! At least, here he is. You have been warned. From now on I'll be using italics for thoughts and ::___:: for sound effects if I don't describe them. .
Normally for Mina, she would never be out this late. She would just enjoy her Sunday off by just relaxing in front of a good book or maybe take up painting or some other tedious hobby. Maybe even sleeping in early, to get up early the next morning would have sufficed. But thanks to Grapes' influence and his generous donation, he insisted she go out and have a grand time out on the town.
It seemed like a great idea at first. Mina had already thought about all the things she could do with the money Grapes had given her. By the time she reached the ground floor she realized she really didn't want to do anything, at least not anything extroverted. And it was wrong. The money was the combined paychecks of both his jobs! Making up her mind, she decided to test her luck by going down to Casinopolis and maybe catch a rare, but talented, night of amateur singing.
When she actually reached the casino, there were no singing acts. The only people that would be there were the employees, the gamblers, and the drunkards. Immediately going up the stairs to the newly furnished third floor, which was where the bar/restaurant/karaoke was located, she quickly and quietly slipped into a table for two.
She sighed to herself as she thought about the money that was slowly burning a hole in her pocket. She didn't like to gamble… but maybe she would hit it big if she tried. After all, if she won a lot more than what Grapes had given her, she could pay his share of the rent easily and use her whatever's left to buy what she wants.
Suddenly a glass of fruit juice with a parasol was placed on her table. Noticing the waiter that gave her the drink was walking back to the bar, she waved a friendly hello over to the bartender, Chad, whom happened to be Charlie's cousin. A red hippo casually waved back while serving out drinks to his nightly patrons.
It's nice to actually have someone give you "the usual". It feels like I actually belong here… Mina thought to herself as she slowly stirred the pieces of fruit in her drink. Taking a slow sip, her eyes wandered around the room. Mostly the single men and women were crowding around the bar. The tables were mostly littered with groups of friends or couples. Many of the couples were already holding hands and staring into each other's eyes.
Watching this display brought up the one and only reason why she retreated to this city. To escape from him… Sonic the Hedgehog…
And by no means was he evil or anything, or was she a fugitive that the blue wonder has a grudge against. Far from it, she escaped because she couldn't have Sonic for herself.
Cliché at best, she had fled for love, or more accurately termed, she had fled because of love. Coming to terms that Sonic was always and ever will be a workaholic, love is far from his list of first things to do. That, and she knows he already has eyes for another, although he would still gladly fight a megalomaniac bent on world domination (single-handedly) than to actually confess his true feelings to this other girl.
And this other girl was none other than Amy Rose…
Mina's grip on her little umbrella began to tighten and soon snapped under the pressure. She's not blind. She noticed the way he acts when she talks about other guys. She sees the constant flirting between the two of them when no one save her, was looking. Can she blame her though? This is Sonic, the renowned hero of the world. He was the kind of guy that would come home from work (saving the world, etc, etc…), pat his son on the head, and kiss his wife hello every night. He's cool, he's suave, he's brave, has a heart of gold, and a passionate nature any girl would fall for…
They've known each other for a long time. What chance do I have? Mina thought resentfully to herself. Yeah, maybe I will blame her. After I get a few more of these… she thought as she stared down at her drink.
Six hours later…After a long night of drinking mixed fruit drinks and gelatin shots with low to medium alcoholic content, she slowly stumbled up the stairs to her apartment and she finally collapsed just right outside her door. Giggling insanely, she drew her knees to her chest and sat there for a while. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she shrieked. Using her natural mongoose speed she pulled out her keys and unlocked the door and slammed it shut as fast as she could.
Putting her back to the door, she started to breath a little easier. "Whoa! Those pink elephants are scary things!"
After a few minutes she began to slowly drag herself to her room. After the whole pink elephant incident, her senses seem less dull and she was more coherent of her actions.
"Wait a sec… this isn't my room…"
Well, more or less. Accidentally stumbling upon Grapes' room, she almost turned on the lights until she realized he was sound asleep. His bed was right in the middle of the room, with enough room to move about. To her left, was the window, and to her right was a closet. Spying a chair in the distance, she pulled it up to his bedside and watched Grapes as he slept.
"Where have I seen you before?" she wondered as she studied his features. The curve of his brow, the mushroom style hair cut, the green eyes, the amazing speed, and the irrepressible urge to go save helpless innocents while enjoying the extremity of it all… Why did it all seem so familiar?
"If I forget about the haircut, you really do look like someone I know…" she said as she took off her left gauntlet and gently pulled a few of his bangs from his face.
"You think I'm pretty, right?" she asked him. A part of her knew he was asleep but she didn't care. She needed something.
Grapes only grumbled in his sleep and turned to his side, towards Mina. She grinned in satisfaction. "Yeah. At least someone does. But hey, looks don't mean anything compared to friendship…" she said. Secretly she didn't want to think that at all, but she knows it's true in the case with Amy and Sonic. But she also realizes, maybe being friends with Sonic is the best she could have at this point, and maybe all she'll ever need.
Noticing the right side of his bed still empty, she decided to just sleep there for the night. After all, it had been a long day. Taking off her boots and her other gauntlet, she slipped into the bed without making the slightest sound. She looked behind her, and Grapes was still soundly asleep. With the affects of the alcohol still clouding her judgment, she went straight to sleep without another worry in the world.
Grapes never usually slept well at night. Perhaps he had grown up in a world where an attack could happen at any moment, or maybe he was just naturally cautious, but whatever the reason, he felt much more relaxed. As if all was right with the world. He couldn't place his finger on it, but all he really wants to do is just revel in it. He stretched out and yawned. Rolling over, his nose immediately came in contact with something soft…
He quickly pulled back and rubbed his nose, suppressing his urge to sneeze. He focused his eyes and he found Mina, with her back turned to him, fast asleep on a spare pillow. She slowly rolled towards Grapes, giving him a better look at her.
Grapes' eyes widened a fraction and he immediately fell over his side of the bed. Still in panic mode, he quickly backtracked towards the window, his breathing becoming heavy. What the hell?! Am I in the wrong room or something? he thought to himself. He took a quick look around and his sword, jacket, and boots were right where he had left them from the other night.
Suddenly a loud snore interrupted his train of thought and his eyes darted over to Mina's sleeping form. Getting a hold of his senses, he picked himself up and dusted himself off. I need to get a hold of myself. Grapes thought to himself angrily. If I survived so many years against Mogul, nothing, much less some girl, should disturb me! At least not this much…
Looking over to the clock over the door he decided he might as well wake Mina up and help open shop. Slipping on his usual attire, he moved over to Mina and was about to wake her up when a loud knocking echoed into the room. Grapes rushed to the door and opened it, and he found his father standing there with a look of worry over his face.
"Sonic! What's wrong?" Grapes asked.
Sonic walked in and looked around him. "Good, you're alright!"
"What? What's going on already?" Grapes asked again but with less patience than before.
"It's Knuckles! He was attacked, I'm sure of it. Tails found him on the front steps of his workshop, badly hurt. Someone worked him over all right… Anyways, thought you should know. We took him to the General Memorial Hospital. You're gonna be there?"
Grapes swallowed the information with ease. Attacks on his friends and family weren't rare. He didn't like it, but he shouldn't be surprised and he wasn't. "I'll be there. Go, they're probably waiting for you."
Sonic only shook his head. "Actually, they're waiting for Knux. They need to do surgery on him. You'll find out when you get there." Without another word he rushed down the stairs and back to the hospital leaving Grapes at a loss for words.
It's worse than I thought… he thought to himself. His eyes were shut tight and his fists were clenched. A slight moaning in the distance broke him out of his trance. He dashed back into his room. The first thing that occurred to him was that Mina might be in trouble. When he reached the doorway, Mina was only tossing and turning in his sleep. Shaking his head, he decided he didn't have the time to waste. He rushed back to the front door, grabbed his sword, and ran down the stairs to find out where the hospital was and get there as soon as he can.
Mina continued to toss and turn while she slept. "Sonic…"
Grapes reached the hospital at record time. Running alongside cars he quickly found his destination. Running to the information desk, which just happened to be the first thing he saw when he had dashed in, and he immediately asked about Knuckles.
"Oh, that new guy that just came in? Yeah, your friend is on the fourth floor, room 442…"
Nodding his thanks he looked around for an elevator but decided to take the stairs. By the time he reached the fourth floor, he found a directory. Checking for room 442, he realized that room 442, is in the Intensive Care Unit. Scared, angry, and confused, he quickly ran to the room. To his surprise he found an empty bed, and his heart stopped for a second. Sonic was sullenly looking out the window while Amy was sitting on a chair that was seated next to the bedside. Tails was watching a television program that was playing. The look on his face was blank and eerie compared to his usual cheery demeanor. Shadow was also by the window, but he stood with his back to Sonic, his brow furrowed in thought.
Grapes wasn't able to speak for a few moments and he assumed the worst. Amy finally spotted him. "Oh Grapes! Thank god you're all right!"
She ran to hug him and then pulled back to examine him as if it were her son that had been in a rough fight and she wanted to check for any bruise marks. Grapes, who was already used to this sort of treatment, stood still for a few seconds. "What happened? Where's Knuckles?" he asked.
Amy looked up at her son. "It's not good… They had to do intensive surgery."
"What?" Grapes asked in horror.
"I found him this morning, hanging onto life by a thread." Tails interrupted. "I found him, and took him here." Tail stood up and faced Grapes, and at that moment Grapes realized the look his eyes. It was the same look, the same intensity, and the same tone of anger he had when he first found out about Tails. Before Grapes knew it, Tails had fled the room. He didn't have the heart to stop Tails. He continued to gaze at the floor.
Sonic cleared his throat and mumbled out about making sure Tails doesn't get in trouble. He followed suit and was soon behind Tails. Shadow grunted and spoke.
"The doctors are doing surgery on most of his body. His legs and pelvis have been badly injured. His legs have been broken, almost beyond recognition but the doctors are willing to try to operate on him. His rib cage… caved in for the most part, but luckily no vital organs were pierced. His right arm is just as bad… They also think he may have a serious concussion and they're worried about his right eye."
Amy was already softly crying at the mere mention of all the injuries Shadow had mentioned. Shadow, too, also felt the pain and felt it hard not to break down in anger or despair. Grapes swallowed the lump in his throat and discovered that tears were already slowly streaming down his face. "The monsters…"
"I'm sorry kid…" Shadow replied. "I'm sorry for all of this but right now this isn't the time. Hell, I shouldn't even be apologizing!" Shadow slowly started to regain his composure and his anger. "I'll make those bastards pay, I'll make them apologize for even existing, and I know Tails and Sonic are with me. What about you?"
Grapes nodded. Shadow nodded back. "Amy, Grapes… you two stay here and watch out for any news about Knuckles. I'll try to get Sonic and Tails back here before anything else happens." Shadow quickly turned to leave, leaving mother and son alone. Grapes could only comfort his crying mother while peering out the window, and watching the birds soar above the hospital, slowly crying to himself. The first few rays of noon shone across the emptied bed while the lone guardian underwent surgery elsewhere within the building.
Many hours later…Hours of major surgery had done its work and had saved Knuckle's life, but barely. The doctors did the best they could and they made that fact clear... There wasn't much that modern medicine could do, they had said. The damage was so excruciatingly thorough that it was doubtful he would ever recover fully. Only a miracle would do at this point.
Shadow had long left. After coming back to the hospital with Sonic, they both admitted Tails had eluded them. Shadow had never said goodbye, where he was going, or even when he will be back. When the day started to pass away into night, Amy also had left for home, leaving only Sonic and Grapes to stay by Knuckles. Rouge was the last one to visit Knuckles. It was ten o'clock when she snuck in. Grapes went downstairs to the cafeteria for something to snack on, leaving Sonic to watch over Knuckles but he soon succumbed to a fitful slumber.
She had left an hour ago to hand in her reports of Knuckles' situation to her superiors. Deciding to avoid the others she scaled the building and through the window. Stealthily she walked over to Knuckles' bedside. From the corner of her eye she could se Sonic tossing and turning over in his chair, opposite of her. She soon relaxed when he stopped moving.
Rouge regarded Knuckles carefully, as if she could glare at him evilly enough, maybe he'd snap out of it. Maybe even get out of bed with all his wounds healed and gone like nothing had ever happened. After a few minutes she sighed as her glare had melted away into a miserable gaze. She hadn't expected anything to happen, but when she first stopped by, she had at least hoped for some answers. How could Knuckles be taken down so easily? It seemed impossible, but after hearing about these strange new menaces, anything's possible.
Looking over to Sonic she wondered if she should wake him up, get some answers on what happened, and what's going to happen to Knuckles. Above all else, her main concern is about Knuckles. She shook that thought away, seeing Sonic in his tired state, and faced the object of her concern once more. Closing her eyes, she placed a feathery kiss on his cheek and smoothed out his dreadlocks. She quietly tiptoed to the door and tried to sneak away. She opened the door slowly and tried to close it lightly. When she tried to turn around to walk away, she accidentally bumped into Grapes, spilling his cup of coffee and candy bar to the ground.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I—Grapes?"
Grapes blinked. "Hey Rouge! When did you get here?" he asked. He bent down to get his candy bar when he realized most of his drink was on the floor. "Just great…"
Rouge shook her head. "Sorry, I guess I'm a bit of a ditz today. I'll buy you something more nutritious." Grapes nodded and together they began to walk down the hallway to the nearest flight of stairs. The silence and questions she had on her mind had begun to grate on Rouge's nerves. In a hushed voiced she broke the silence. "Grapes, what happened?"
Grapes only looked at Rouge for a second but then turned away. He opened the door and began to walk downstairs, followed by Rouge. "He was ambushed and left for dead on the front door of Tail's workshop. Anything besides that we have no clue." Once again the silence reigned dominant as the unlikely pair marched to the cafeteria in grief and guilt.
He found it dark when he tried to open his eyes. He remembered a pale blue sky, and then a lot of pain. Anything in between was kind of blurry. He tried to slowly sit up but he immediately cried out in pain.
Sonic woke up immediately. He stood up and flipped on the light switch. "Knux?" he whispered in slight fear, afraid that it was all just a dream. He heard a slow groan. He walked over to Knuckles' bedside, and sure enough he was awake. A bandage covered his right eye and his left one was opened slightly. "How are you?" Sonic asked.
"Angel… Island…" Knuckles spoke in a hoarse voice. Sonic couldn't help but smile at his friend's dedication to the people of the island and the island itself.
"Don't worry, I'm sure it's safe. You've only been out for about a day."
"No… it's gone…" Knuckles replied. He began to cough violently. Sonic tried to steady Knuckles but he couldn't help but ask him what he had meant. "What do you mean? What's gone?"
"Angel… Island…" With that last statement, he fell back into unconsciousness. Sonic's mouth hardened. He didn't know what to say. Maybe he was having a nightmare and dreamed that Angel Island was gone?
There's only one way to find out. I better find Tails! he quickly ran out the door, leaving Knuckles lying in bed.
"Are you sure about this?" Sonic demanded. He had reached Tail's workshop in record time but when he got there, there was only bad news.
"Sonic, when I left the hospital, I took the bi-plane and took a ride to Angel Island." Tails began as he sat in front of a computer, typing away on the keyboard. He turned around to face Sonic. "I… I had a hunch… When I was closing in on the coordinates of the Island, it wasn't there, like it just disappeared. I don't know what happened but it's gone now."
Sonic shook his head in disbelief. "Stupid of me to say that it's impossible… but seriously, how the hell does a floating island disappear into thin air?! I guess Knuckles was serious, Angel Island is gone…"
"Say that again?" Tails asked.
"Knux woke up and told me what happened before he passed out from the pain. I guess it really is gone… but to where?"
Thoughts were moving at an incredible pace for Tails, possibilities and the probabilities were once jumbled in his head were all melting away to leave behind the truth behind the matter... Suddenly it all made sense! "Of course! That's what happened!" When Sonic looked confused he began to explain.
"We all know he'd defend Angel Island to the death. The disappearance of the island, him getting roughed up, the fact he knew the island is gone! Those 'bots must have been after the Chaos Emeralds! He probably tried to fight them off and lost…" Tails began to type away at his keyboard again. Suddenly Tails stopped.
"Looks like I was right after all." Tails muttered as he typed away furiously at a keyboard. In the middle of giant computer screen, a digital composed map of the ocean popped into view. Sonic observed quietly at the view of digital blueprint. From where he stood it looked like a giant blue cylinder.
"This is where Angel Island is supposed to be situated. And here, is where the scanners on the Tornado reach its limits…" Tails pointed out an entire area of the ocean outlined in red. "This is bad… now I know why I didn't pick up any signals or anything of the sort…" Tails looked over to Sonic and pointed out another area, but this time, it was further below the area shaded in red. Tails pointed to a black mass far beneath it. Sonic noted that the mass looked familiar, and he suddenly knew what Tails was going to say. His gut twisted as the words left Tails' mouth.
"There's Angel Island."