Knuckles the Echidna

Part Fourteen

Back at the old riverbed; Miyah, Sonic, and Tails were trying their best to put out the some of the flames. Tails tried covering them with soil; while Sonic stomped out some burning branches with his sneakers. Miyah continued to drench burning debris with the little water that was nearby.

"I might need some new shoes." Sonic stated; not looking too fond of the slightly melted material of his soles.

"We can worry about that later, Sonic." Miyah replied; putting out another burning branch.

Using his twin tails as propellers, Tails continued to spray dirt onto the fire. No matter how much the three of them tried, the fire seemed to be moving faster than they were.

"It's no use; the fire's growing too fast." Tails frowned; a bit of panic tinge his voice.

"We have to keep trying." Miyah replied; turning toward him.

Just then, a faint noise caught her attention; causing her to look up.

"Huh?" Sonic said as he and Tails turned to where Miyah was looking.

The flames were soon beginning to die down as the sound of rushing water came closer. It was then that a small tidal wave of water rushed over the land; leaving nothing but smoldering and blackened trees behind in its wake. The water washed over Sonic and the others as it extinguished the flames. Luckily no one was hurt. Sonic; however; did not seem too happy about the sudden bath he had received. After shaking the water from his fur, he soon turned toward the others.

"Is everyone okay?" He asked.

Tails and Miyah nodded. They soon turned to where the flames once were. It was then that they could see how much damage had been caused by the inferno that had taken place. Just then, something caught their attention. They turned to see a red figure laying sprawled out on the riverbank. Miyah was the first to break from her trance as she soon knew what it was.

"Knuckles!" She shouted; running to help him.

Knuckles groggily opened his eyes and looked up. He could see the distinct figures of Miyah, Sonic, and Tails racing toward him. Before long, Knuckles shakily got to his feet, still clutching the emerald in one of his hands. His friends soon stopped before him. Knuckles' fur was slightly singed and he had a few scrapes; but other than that he was perfectly fine. After a moment, they soon looked around to see that the fire had gone out and the river was flowing once more.

"You did it, Knuckles." Miyah smiled. "You saved the forest."

"Way ta go, buddy." Sonic smiled; giving him a thumbs up.

The four friends continued to celebrate their victory over the fire, when something caught their attention; causing them to stop what they were doing. There was an well-aged male echidna with Coquelicot(orangey red) fur stood before them. He was dressed in a golden brown tribal attire; holding wooden staff in one of his spiky gloved hands; which were white; much like how Knuckles used to have been. He gazed at the foursome with his calm topaz blue eyes.

The four gazed at the stranger before them; a bit of shock and confusion on their faces. The older echidna advanced toward them. While the others were still confused, Knuckles soon became shocked. There was something about this echidna that he knew. 'But how could that be?' Knuckles thought. The older echidna examined Knuckles closely.

His topaz blue eyes soon landed on the filthy, damp, spiked gloves that were much like his own. The older echidna continued to look him over; a look of calmness that seemed to also have a tinge of sadness. Soon, the echidna's eyes grew wide as he saw a large section of the crescent moon on the younger echidna's chest.

He slowly looked up at Knuckles; topaz blue meeting with violet. Their gaze lasted for many moments. This seemed to confuse the others even more than they already had been. The two echidnas stood where they were, continuing their gaze. Knuckles could feel a deep connection with this stranger; but didn't know how or why; which confused him as well as frightened him.

"Knuckles?" The older echidna spoke; shock and awe in his voice.

Knuckles gasped as a look of pure shock appeared on his face; as did his friends. Knuckles stared at him in awe. How would this echidna know his name? It wasn't possible... Unless...

"Dad?" Knuckles whispered; his voice shaking as he spoke.

The other echidna soon smiled at the words that were spoken. After a moment, the two echidnas soon pulled each other into an affectionate hug; holding each other close; afraid to let go.

"Knuckles... I thought I'd never see you again." Locke said; holding his son close.

"Dad..." Knuckles began after a moment; holding his father in a tight hug; tears threatening to fall. "Mom couldn't make it back with me." He told him. "I'm sorry."

Locke stroked his long lost son's dreads; calming the younger echidna.

"She's in a better place now; away from this madness." He told him pulling him back; his calm eyes meeting Knuckles' tearful ones.

"Knuckles," Locke began. "You faced against all the odds and were a very brave." He told him. "You're mother would be very proud; as much as I am of you." Knuckles smiled.

"Thanks Dad." Knuckles grinned; embracing his father again.

After a moment, Knuckles pulled back with a smile as he soon turned to his bewildered friends nearby.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet my dad." He told them as they came closer and stopped before Knuckles and Locke. "Dad, these are my friends." Knuckles smiled, turning back to his father. "They helped me get back to the island and helped me put out the fire."

Locke looked over at the blue hedgehog, blue echidna, and golden and white twin tailed fox standing there. The older echidna smiled warmingly.

"Thank you." He told them. "Thank you for helping my son return home."

"No prob." Sonic smiled; giving a thumbs up.

Locke; at first seemed a bit unsure about the hedgehog's actions; but soon smiled once again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Tails smiled; gazing at the older echidna.

"We're glad to help him get back home." Miyah smiled as well.

Locke looked at them with warming topaz blue eyes and a smile to match the emotion. Soon, he turned back to his son with a proud grin on his face.

"Come," He began finally. "The tribe is waiting."

Just as they were about to leave, a sudden explosion struck the ground nearby; catching them off guard and nearly knocking them over. Then, a loud eerie laugh filled the air around them.

A/N: I know it said rated T before ^^; But I decided to change it to K+ because it doesn't really have that much teen stuff in it ^^;^^; It kinda took a while 'cause I was really busy and didn't have time to update -_-; Anyways, I really hope you like it so far :D Stay tuned for what's gonna happen next :D:D

PLEASE R&R! THANKS! :D:D:D