All around him was nothing but darkness. Cold and silent like a vast never ending sea of nothingness. And yet something persisted. A voice crying out, calling his name. It started off low and then started to grow.
"Homer." it started softly." Homer." It came again louder and clearer. As it continued a ball of light came with it, spreading apart the black sea bringing visions with it." Homer!" it came in loud and clear.
When Homer opened his eyes he saw Knuckles the Echidna hovering over him. Simpson was laid out on his back and tried to move only to fall again, his head pounding like a drum.
"Ooooohhhh." He let out.
"You alright?" Knuckles asked." You took a few bad hits." He didn't know it but Homer has felt worse. After a long night at Moe's he'd become used to headaches.
"I'll be fine." Homer said, picking himself up and managing to sit up. He glanced around and at once recognized the place." Oh! We fell through the door."
"A trap door." Knuckles told." Not with the best accommodations either." He nodded over his shoulder. Homer looked to see black iron bars before them. The duo had been locked inside a cage as if in prison.
"That wasn't here last time." Homer said, picking himself up.
"Last time?" Knuckles questioned.
The two were unaware of it but they did not leave their prison unnoticed. For Old Burns had eyes everywhere. His right hand man Smithers observed their escape from his boss' office.
"Well, sir." Smithers said as he turned away and began walking towards his employer." You've certainly handled yet another do or die situation with flaw. Simpson and his goon didn't know what they were getting into-"
"BAH!" Burns cut him off." There's no need to worry about them Smithers. They'll be out of my hair soon enough."
"It is a wonderful head of hair, sir." Smithers said.
As Knuckles spoke Homer walked to the edge of their prison and touched a finger to the bars. Only to be hit with a sharp jolt of electricity.
"D'OH!" He screamed. Bringing his free hand over the one that had been shocked." That wasn't here last time either."
"This Burns of yours certainly is clever." Knuckles grumbled." Cages and traps." He grinded his teeth together." Reminds me of someone I-"
"D'OH!" Homer yelled once more. Knuckles quickly turned to him to see that he had shocked himself once more after touching the bar.
"What are you doing?!" Homer let out a few panted breaths before answering.
"Third Time's the DO'H!" He yelled as he reached out and touched the bar once more. Knuckles had had enough. He reached his hand up and grabbed Homer by his back. Yanking him away from the bars.
"Let me take care of this." He said. He cracked his knuckles while he did so. These bars might be strong and even powered by electricity. And they might prove the ruin of any man. But Knuckles was no man and he certainly had strength no expected of his size.
He put both his hands forward and grasped the bars tightly in his hands. At once just like with Homer they began to crackle and snap with electricity.
"Be Careful!" Homer yelled behind him. But at once Knuckles' idea proved true. Despite the electricity meant to halt him he began to pull the bars apart. And with a final yell he yanked them completely free.
Knuckles fell to his knees on the outside of the cage. Supporting himself on his hands. But at once Homer stepped out after him and held Knuckles in both hands, lifting him to his feet.
"You alright?" He asked as he did so.
"Yea." Knuckles groaned as he steadied himself to his feet." Just need a sec, to catch my breath." He took in a deep breath and straightened himself out. Glancing left and right." What's the quickest way out of here?" Homer mimicked Knuckles head bob, swinging his head from left to right.
"Uh..." He said with a finger to his chin. Knuckles raised an eyebrow and looked at him." THAT WAY!" Homer let out pointing to the left. He made a move to head off that way until he was yanked back by Knuckles' big hand.
"Then we'll go this way." He said pointing in the opposite way Homer had pointed out. Simpson did not put up an argument and followed Knuckles out the suggested way.
"I do wonder about that creature though, sir." Smithers said.
"The creature." Mr Burns repeated with a finger to his chin. Tapping a boney finger against it." Yes I do wonder exactly what and where it comes from? And what the devil he wants my emerald for." He said, spreading his boney claws about his coat pocket where the gems lay. It filled his heart with a measure of greed he had not felt in a long time. And he was reminded of his original plan." Smithers!" He announced getting to his feet." I'll be going now. I leave the fate of those two ruffians to you."
"It would be my pleasure, sir." Smithers answered. Burns said nothing more as he moved past his big stuffed bear and walked behind a hidden door. Smithers meanwhile turned back to the see the prisoners had gone. Since Mr Burns wasn't here he was allowed to lose his cool and scream.
The time had finally come for Mr Burns to put his plan into action. He was no fool. He knew that these green emeralds had a special quality to them. He could break them down and sell them as the world's most expensive diamond rings or necklaces. Maybe he could trade one to buy himself an entire island. But why squander such a gift? He couldn't simply give it away and allow anyone else in the world to have one. These all belonged to Burns!
Another door opened up and Burns found himself standing into the heart of the powerplant. For years Nuclear power had been the corner of his billionaire empire. But with these crystals he would gain so much more.
The old man walked to the very core of the plant itself. And then testing to see if his theory was true he placed one of the crystals, the biggest of them inside the chamber.
What happened first startled him. All the lights in the power shut off as if a black out had happened. But then they burned brighter then ever. The generators began pounding like a hundred drums beating all together and at the same time. The entire plant shook as if there had been an earthquake.
"Yes!" Burns let out with malicious laughter. "YES!"
Knuckles and Homer continued running along until at once the ground began to shake beneath them. So much so that the two lost their footing and fell to the ground. Homer's legs buckled under him and he turned to crash onto Knuckles.
"What was that?!" Homer asked sitting up.
"I'll bet I know." Knuckles said poking his head out from under Homer's belly." The Master Emerald." He said himself up even more." I can feel it." He turned his head and looked down the nearest hallway." THIS WAY!" He pointed. He wasted no time in racing off in the direction.
"Wait up!" Homer let out trying as hard as he could to follow after him.'
"HAHAHA!" Burns laughed as he watched the core power into overdrive. The plant hadn't been this proactive in years and it had only been a few seconds. If this kept up he was going to become richer than any man who ever lived."HAHAHA!"
"BURNS!" yelled Knuckles as he and Homer charged into the room.
"What the devil?!" Burns let out surprise." YOU TWO!" he yelled when he recognized them.
"Last chance Burns!" Knuckles yelled pointing at him." Give me back the Emerald!" But it was too late. Burns had already begun to use the emerald to power the plant. He wasn't going to turn back on his plan now.
"I'm sick of your meddling. It's time I started playing hard ball." As he spoke the old man rolled up his right sleeve and then the left." Charles Montgomery Burns didn't become the richest man in Springfield by playing NICE!" He put up his fists as if ready for a fight and Knuckles mimicked him. He'd rather not hurt this withered old man if he had the choice, but nothing was going to stop him from getting his emerald back. But to his surprise with his rolled up sleeves Burns reached into his coat and pulled out his checkbook. He scribbled something on it quick before ripping the paper off and then showcasing it to the duo." One hundred Million." He stated." Split it between you Fifty, Fifty. Or Sixty, Forty. I don't care which but take it and leave!"
"Money..." Homer let out in a low gasp but Knuckles would not be dismayed." Give us the gems old man." He pointed to Burns. In response the old man snarled like a dog and ripped his checkbook into tiny pieces.
"Very well." He snarled menacingly." Then I'll just have to deal with you two myself." He took a step forward that made Homer back down. But Knuckles was ready for him. Then the old man let out a slow malicious grin. For he saw something the two before him didn't.
Smithers had been running up and down the plant trying to find where Homer and Knuckles had gone. And in that moment the first place he had gone was to find Mr Burns. Which was the last place he expected to find the duo. Yet there they were cornering his boss.
Just outside the door was a fire ax. And with poor Mr Burns cornered by those two brutes, Mr Smithers was ready to take drastic action. He punched the glass open and grabbed the ax with both hands.
"Well come on." Burns said getting the attention of the two before him." Hm? Which of you two will it be's that takes me on." Knuckles took a step forward ready to meet him.
"I will." He answered." If it'll get my emerald back."
"Yes. 'Your' Emerald." Burns snickered." We'll see about that." As he spoke Smithers began to walk up behind the two. But they were too focused on Burns to notice his coming.
But Homer noticed. He saw Burns' eyeline and turned to see Smithers standing just behind Knuckles, raising the ax over his head.
"NO!" Homer yelled. All attention turned to him. Knuckles snapped his head around to see Smithers right behind him only for Homer to slam into him. The ax fell to the ground as Homer flattened Smithers against the floor.
"Oh!" Burns grumbled." It seems the old saying is true." He said as he loomed over Knuckles." If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!" He made a move as if to grab the echidna. But the old man was slow and Knuckles quickly side-stepped him. Burns fell onto Homer.
"We've got you now Simpson." Smithers said from under him. Then he exhaled a breath as Homer's greater weight pushed the air out of him.
"Oaf! Oaf!" Burns said with each light slap onto Homer's bald head." Take that and that." At the same time Smithers reached up and poked both his fingers into Homer's eyes.
"D'OH!" He let out.
"Homer!" Knuckles let out ready to charge into the fight.
"Get the Emerald!" Homer said instead. Knuckles turned away from Homer, albeit slowly. To turn and see a shining green gem in the very heart of the plant. He turned towards it.
"No!" Burns yelled reaching a hand towards him. But it was done. Knuckles snatched the emerald from the core. And all at once the tremendous power of the plant went back to it's normal self." No!" Burns let out defeated.
Knuckles held the gem in his hand before turning to Homer with a smile.
"That's one." He said. At the same time Homer rose to his feet.
"Oh you want it all do you?" Burns let out rising to his own feet. In one swift motion he reached into his pocket and pulled out all the shining green gems of all different sizes." Then take THEM!" And in another villainous motion turned and flung the gems over the side of the railing and into the plant below.
"NO!" Homer yelled jumping head first and diving after them.
"HOMER!" Knuckles yelled taking one heavy step forward and diving after him.
"HAHAHA!" Burns laugh echoed above them." There goes the imbecile's." But his joy was short lived. The Plant couldn't have handled so much power just to suddenly lose it again. All the emergency lights began to flash, meltdown was imminent.
"Oh No. "Smithers said." C'mon Mr Burns we've got to evacuate!" They weren't the only ones. Already the plant began to empty.
And all the while Homer kept falling.
"AHHHHH!" He yelled as he did so. But that didn't mean he wasn't dedicated to his decision. He began to reach out and grab the green emeralds as he kept falling." One! Two! Three!" He yelled as he snatched up one after the other. The last piece was the craftiest. But with his hands full he reached out and grabbed it with his teeth. He smiled, content with his succeeded mission. But then he was quickly reminded of his greater problem. The ground coming closer and closer to him." AHHHH!" He began to scream again though muffled because of the gem in his mouth.
And just when it seemed that his doom would come and Homer snapped his eyes shut so he wouldn't see it, felt it didn't happen. He opened his left eye and then the right only to see himself going up now instead of down. Turning his head even more he saw that he was flying, riding up from the wind and higher and higher into the air. He turned around to see Knuckles smiling down on him. His big hands placed under Homer's arms and hoisting him up.
"HAHA!" Homer let out a muffled laugh. Showing the emeralds in his hands and teeth." Mission accomplished." Knuckles began to laugh with him as the two flew higher and higher into the air until at last they emerged from the plant completely.
And they had made it just in time.
A burst of smoke a fire blew out from one of the stacks. From a distance it was easy to overlook Homer Simpson flying through the air when the booming sound of the fire overtook everything else.
"Oh!" Burns sank to his knees." My Power Plant. The Cost of Damages." The numbers made him shutter. Smithers tried to comfort him but there was still worse news to come.
"Hey you know what this means?" Lenny asked to Carl.
"PAID LEAVE!" Carl let out. But his voice was only the first of many to cry out and cheer. Homer and Knuckles had landed not too far away. Just on the hill overlooking the crowd of Plant workers.
"WAHOO!" Homer cheered punching his fists into the air." Paid Leave!" He jumped up and kicked his legs out." We did it!" He said turning to Knuckles.
"Yea I guess we did." The Echidna agreed. Both of them had gotten what they wanted. Knuckles had his emerald back. And Homer got an extended vacation.
"Let's go Celebrate!" Homer let out." TO MOE'S!" He pointed in the direction.
"First things first." Knuckles reached out and grabbed him by his shirt. With his other hand he held it out." The Emerald." Homer did not argue and handed over all the pieces he had collected. Simpsons was surprised to see Knuckles had only to hold all the pieces in his hands to morph them together. And yet when he moved his hand away it was not as he expected. Clearly Knuckles thought the same as he looked down at it.
Seeing his upset look Homer quickly thought to change the situation.
"Come on!" He said reaching down and grabbing Knuckles by the arm." TO MOE'S!" But he had hardly taken a step before Knuckles pulled his arm back.
"I can't Homer. "He said to him. Simpson turned around and faced him." There are still missing pieces." He said showcasing the incomplete emerald once more." I have to find them."
"But.. But I thought..." Homer began.
"My mission isn't over yet." Knuckles continued." I have to find the emeralds now before it's too late. Or someone like your Mr. Burns could find them." Homer stood there and twiddled his index fingers. He wanted to say something. Wanted to make anything for his friend to stay. But somehow he knew that whatever he might have said it wouldn't work.
"Well uh..." Homer said getting his attention." The Plant will probably be down for a few months. That'll leave you plenty of time to come back while I'm still off from work." He paused a second gulping down a hopeful breath." Won't it?" Knuckles let out a deep exhale.
"I think it will." He answered with a smile.
"Then I'll wait for you." Homer said happily." We'll have a few duffs. Some doughnuts and pork chops and-"
"That all sounds great Homer." Knuckles said with a smile."Just get me some grapes and I'll be fine."
"Okay." Homer nodded happily.
"Okay." Knuckles responded doing the same. Homer watched as Knuckles run his hand along the green gem. A bright green light as tall as he was appeared next to him and Knuckles appeared as if he would walk into it. But not before turning back and looking back at Homer." Thank you Homer." For all your help. He reached out his hand towards him. The two had certainly come a long way. Why just the other morning they'd been trying to beat the other's brains out. Yet here they were now.
Homer reached out and took Knuckles hand. But as soon as he had his grip he pulled Knuckles close to him and hugged him. The Echidna moved as if to pull away but Homer only tugged him tighter as if he was one of his girls.
"Alright Homer. Alright." Knuckles said reaching one hand up and patting him on the back." Alright." Finally Homer let go and Knuckles turned back towards the light. Yet again before departing he gave a last look over his shoulder." Goodbye."
"Goodbye" Homer added with a wave. Knuckles turned and dipped his head as he walked through the light. It vanished as soon as he had. Now he was completely gone leaving Homer alone. He didn't stop waving until after he'd gone.
The light had been gone for not more then a few seconds then Lenny and Carl appeared.
"Hey Homer!" Carl let out.
"There you are" Lenny added. Homer turned to the two as they came towards him." Didn't ya hear? The Plants closed down and we're all on paid leave!" He said happily.
"And we're all off to Moe's to celebrate." Carl added." You coming?"
"Of course!" Homer answered. He swung his arms up and wrapped them around the duo's shoulders." Off to Moe's!"
Summer turned to fall. Swim trunks were traded for sweat pants, cold drinks for hot chocolate. Although cold duff was always on the menu for Homer J Simpson.
Three months later he was still of work. Paid leave, special courtesy of Mr Burns while the plant was worked on. And this day was to be like every other since the day his little vacation started.
A white shirt to cover his top but only underwear on the lower half. A cold duff in his left hand while a bag of salty potato chips in the right.
Bart and Lisa had gone back to school. Marge was taking Maggie to daycare before going to the store. The House was all Homer's.
"Num! Num! Num!" he groaned as he guzzled down one handful of clips after the other. Only to quickly follow it up with a long drink of duff.
Suddenly the door swung open and in walked Marge. In one arm she held several big, brown garbage bags. While in the other she carried Maggie. She managed to juggle all the items well, balancing herself out.
"Homie!" she called into the house. "I'm back from the store!" Homer wasted no time in jumping tp his feet and running to meet Marge half-way in the kitchen.
"Did you get it? Did you get it? Did you get it?!" He asked quickly. Marge put Maggie into her booster seat as she laid the shopping bags on the kitchen table.
"I got" she began as she reached an arm into the nearest bags." Grape juice. "She said showcasing it to him before setting it down. Grape Soda. Grape Jelly. Grape flavored jolly ranchers. Grape flavored bubble gum. Grape Flavored lolly pops. Grape flavored cigars." One item after the all. All bright and purple. Each belighting Homer more as he continued to look at it." And Watermelon flavored Ice cream."
"WHA?!" Homer let out shocked." No Grape?"
"They were all sold out." Marge told. Homer pouted annoyed with this setback. But he'd have to make do with what he had.
"Thank you Marge." He opened his arms wide as if to hug her for her work. But instead reached out and swipped all the assorted grape goodies on the table. Turning and walking over to the fridge. With one great kick he knocked it open. Inside revealed an already great treasure trove of grape juice, grape soda, grape gatorade, and of course actual grapes.
Without any tact or grace, Homer shoved the items in his hands into the fridge. He'd push and shove to make them fit, whether they wanted to or not. Marge simply stood back and watched it happen.
"I never knew the kids liked grape so much. "She mused aloud." It's almost like it peaked their interest overnight." With a triumphant exhale Homer shoved the last of the items into the fridge and closed the door.
"It's not for them." He said.standing up straight." I'm saving it for someone."
"Who?" Marge asked curious.
"A friend. " Homer told.
THE END