Chapter Eight: Who Yields First?
Sonic and Knuckles were both standing on the bridge, getting ready for the fight of their life. During this, Sonic took off all the weapons he had on him, and gave them to Shadow, to lose the extra weight. Sonic's family heirloom was on the line, so Sonic was going to try whatever he can to keep it around his neck. Shadow and Ray were right behind Sonic watching on, and Knuckles' people were behind him watching on. After about a minute of waiting, the fight has finally begun.
Both Sonic and Knuckles were using their sticks very fiercely, almost like they were fighting with real swords. So far, the fight looked evenly matched between the two. There was absolutely no telling who was going to win this fight. Not even the people, Shadow, or Ray knew. The two stopped fighting for a short second, and glared at each other.
"Well, I'd have to admit, Sonic. You're a lot tougher than I thought. I thought you were just a loud mouth little man, who is all words, but no action. I am actually quite impressed." Knuckles complimented. Sonic chuckles.
"Well, thank you. You're a lot tougher than you look too. But unfortunately for you, there can only be one winner." Sonic reminded him.
"Indeed it is. Ready to lose, hedgehog?" Knuckles mocked.
"You'll have to kill me, if you want to win. I can do this all day, Knuckles. You'll be wasting your time on doing so." Sonic stated, confidently.
"You have bigger guts than I though, Sonic. But words won't cut it. It's all about the action!" Knuckles stated.
After that statement, he charged towards Sonic again, and they both continue their club fight. Again, you can hear the sticks making loud noises, as Sonic and Knuckles exchanged swings with the clubs. It started to grow a lot more fierce than people intended. Sonic was fighting for his family's sake, and Knuckles was fighting for the sake of his people.
With one more swing, Knuckles actually hit Sonic in the stomach with the club. It connected so hard, Sonic's club dropped into the river below the bridge, and Sonic collapsed to his knees. Sonic was grunting in pain.
"Well Sonic, do you yield now, or do you want some more?" Knuckles asked. Sonic slowly raised his head to face Knuckles.
"Like I have told you, I can go all day! You'll have to kill me first!" Sonic reminded him. Knuckles then grabbed the medallion off Sonic's neck.
"Well, looks like you have not got a choice, my friend. Good day!" Knuckles told him. After that he swung the club so hard, it connected with Sonic's head, and he fell off the bridge sideways, and into the river.
"Master Sonic!" Ray pleaded. Even though he couldn't see, he knew what happened. Shadow held him back.
"Ray, don't be a fool! There's nothing you could have done." Shadow told him. Back with Knuckles, he looked back at his people.
"Well, I guess that's that!" Knuckles told them.
"So, is that it? He's gone?" Tails called out, out of curiosity.
"I believe so. It's such a shame though. I was actually starting to like that guy's courage. He is probably the most bravest fighter I have ever faced." Knuckles complimented. And he wasn't being sarcastic.
After that, the people were cheering, and Knuckles and his people were about to walk away. But without them noticing, a body emerged from the river. Shadow and Ray were surprised when they saw who it was.
"Ray! It's Sonic!" Shadow told him.
"Oh, good! He's alive!" Ray exclaimed.
Back with Sonic, he looked over towards Knuckles and his people, and noticed they were walking away. He climbed back onto the bridge, and luckily for him, he also found his wooden club.
"HEY! KNUCKLE-HEAD!" Sonic called out. Knuckles stopped in his tracks, and turned around. He was shocked when he saw Sonic was still alive.
"No way! How is he still up?!" Knuckles questioned.
"We have business to finish! Don't think you've won it that easily! You didn't ask me if I yield! Even if you did, I still would say no!" Sonic told him. Knuckles chuckles.
"My mistake! Yes, I did not make you yield. In fact, I'm quite glad you did remind me, because now it gives me a chance to force you to!" Knuckles screamed.
He screams, as he charged towards Sonic, and tried to tackle him. But Sonic tucked under his club, and then he used his own club, and swiped Knuckles' legs. Then Sonic kicked Knuckles off the bridge, and landed in the river.
"Oh my goodness!" Shadow thought.
"Did he win?" Ray asked.
"I have no idea." Shadow replied. Back with Sonic, he was chuckling at Knuckles. Knuckles' head emerged from the water.
"HELP ME! I CAN'T SWIM!" Knuckles pleaded. Sonic looked on, and wasn't sure if he was honest.
"Is this meant to be a trick? If so, you're going to have to do better than that!" Sonic mocked.
"Sir, really! He cannot swim! Please, save him before he drowns!" one of the people told him.
Sonic's smile turned into a shocked frown. He looked at Knuckles, and just by watching him, he can now tell that he wasn't playing around.
"Oh dear! Hold on, Knuckles! I'll save you!" Sonic called, as he dived into the river. He then swam towards Knuckles, and grabbed him.
"Help me! HELP ME!" Knuckles pleaded.
"I'll help you, only if you yield!" Sonic told him.
"Alright, yes! I YIELD! I SURRENDER! NOW HELP ME!" Knuckles screamed.
"Alright, but Knuckles!" Sonic started. Knuckles stopped screaming, and calmly looked at Sonic.
"What?" Knuckles asked, in concern.
"The water isn't even deep!" Sonic chuckles. Knuckles' eyes widened.
"What?!" Knuckles yelped.
"Yes! It's shallow! Straighten your legs, and you'll see." Sonic advised. Knuckles then straightened his legs, and his feet touched the bottom.
"What the...?!" Knuckles though.
"See? You're safe!" Sonic chuckles. After that, Knuckles laughs back at him. He then took the medallion off, and puts it back on Sonic.
"Sonic, you sly fox!" Knuckles teased.
"Right, let's get out of this river." Sonic told him, as they both did.
"And after that, I would like to invite you to a gathering in our village. For some what food we have left, and some wine." Knuckles nicely told him.
"Oh, well that's nice of you." Sonic told him.
"My pleasure, Sonic. You've got balls of solid rock! You're friends can come along too." Knuckles told him. After that, they shook hands, and everyone including Sonic, Shadow, and Ray made their way towards the village.