"Lightest Before the Storm"
Love and Hate part 3 of 4
A Sonic fan-fiction story
by: Erin Lindsey
Rated PG-13 for a bit of profanity and slight sexual references.
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The unforgettable author's note part one of part three of part sevenhundredandtwentytwo:
Hola again everyone!
Only one more part of the Love and Hate Series left after this! ::sob:: ::sob::
But don't worry, there's plenty of action ahead. The Dark Legion and Mecha Sonic
cause chaos, our heroes Sonic, the Freedom Fighters, and the Chaotix take the
defense, Kayoss and Ace (the estranged spirits of the Chaos Emerald and Peace
Diamond) make their return, all while Knuckles swoons over Shelia. New characters
emerge and so does the plot (finally). Beware for laughs, tears, and of course the
essential action and adventure!
And as for the mushy stuff (lastish), it only gets worse from here on in... ;D
After this series is over, I'm looking for a bit of a vacation from this line.
But don't worry, I'm planning on co-writing a story with Orona Red. And after
that, will come my next series in this lineage: "Hope and Despair", then my
climatic last (planned) continuation "Life and Death." There is still plenty
of twists and turns ahead.
But don't worry, I won't be retiring anytime soon with my two words per
minute typing speed...
What a tangled web we weave... (felt like quoting Shakespeare)
Anyway, enough of my babbling, and on with the story! Hope you like it!
And don't forget, the legal junk is always at the bottom!
~Erin Lindsey
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.FurNation.com/clearwaters
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Chapter ten: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
It was a rather chilly morning in the forest, and a thin mist hung in the
air like an omniscient spirit, foreboding, yet oddly calming. Black clouds were
in the distance, but for now at least, the woods were serene. It was quiet. A
good sort of quiet, that made you stop and think where the sound had gone, and
where those clouds had come. Much had happened the day before, and today would
be a time of healing, before more fighting could once again commence.
It was a short time of peace in the middle of a raging war.
The air was crisp, and rising with the early morning sun, the dwellers of the
secret forest village known as Knothole began to appear.
A young echidna walked slowly though the courtyard. He rubbed his hands together
as he walked. He wasn't used to this cold climate. His home was on a far away island,
but for now at least, he was calling the forest his temporary home. He stopped and bent
down next to a single, tiny red flower on the side of the pathway. He examined it for
a moment.
"Such a fragile little blossom..." He mumbled softly. "It'll die out here in the
cold..."
He gently dug around the plant's base, and taking care not to tear the roots, he
lifted the little flower from the dirt, and holding carefully it in his hand, continued
on his way.
He walked towards the large building to the right with a red cross over the door, but
his path was interrupted by a large brown wildcat.
"'Mornin' Knux." The cat said cheerfully, "W'sup?"
"Good morning, Clawz." He answered, "I was going to--"
"--To see Shelia?" The cat finished for him, grinning slyly.
"That's none of your business." Knuckles said, trying not to smile himself.
"I might just be going to the lab for all you know."
"Yeah? Then who's that flower for? Me?" Clawz snickered.
Knuckles frowned. "All right, fine. So it's for her. Do you have a problem with that
Wildcat?"
"Noooo...." He said smoothly, grinning even wider.
"Quit smiling like that," Knuckles grumbled, "She's sick, I just thought it would
make her feel better, that's all."
"Suuuurreee...." Clawz said in the same tone, still smirking.
"Shut-up." Knuckles said, "You think you know everything..."
"Because I do!" He answered smartly, "You're in loooovveee with her!"
"I-I am n-not!" He stuttered.
"Are too, that's why you're blushin'." He laughed.
"Shut-up!" He growled, clenching his fist at him.
"Hey, hey, don't get violent Casanova!" Clawz said holding up his hands, "I
ain't lookin' for a fight!"
"Yeah well..." Knuckles said, cooling down a bit. He looked up at the
tall cat. "You're... You're not going to... To tell anybody are you?" He asked softly.
"Naw." Clawz said beginning to walk away, "... Besides, it ain't none of
my business..."
Knuckles sighed, shaking his head as he watched the big cat leave. He then turned
back towards his original destination: the infirmary, room 17, and. He walked slowly into the
building, then taking a deep breath, opened the door to her room.
She was lying there asleep in the small white bed in t he middle of the room. He
was both disappointed and relived at the same time. He had truly wanted to see her, talk to
her ask her questions, hear her voice... But he still felt rather awkward around her, ever since
she revealed her identity as a 'keeper' he had mixed feeling about her. She was so beautiful,
and innocent, like she had been shielded from the world in that cave. Yet, she had knowledge
about the sacred stones far beyond what he knew, and that made him feel rather unworthy as
his title of guardian. He had so many things to ask her...
He walked quietly over to her bedside and put the flower in a pot of similar blue flowers
on the table there. He looked over at her.
He smiled weakly. 'She sure is cute when she's asleep...' He thought. He let a passing
fantasy of crawling into bed beside her wandering into his head, but he shook the thought
away. God, he had only known her for a few days...
She stirred suddenly, popping him out of his trance-like stage. She rolled over on her
side, her back facing him. He decided it was time to make a tactical retreat, but as he opened
the door it creaked loudly. She sat up startled. He froze.
She rubbed her eyes. "Knuckles...?" She asked.
He turned around slowly to face her. "Uh... Yeah..." He mumbled.
She pulled the blanket up to cover herself. "Wh-what are you doing here?" She said,
running her fingers through her hair nervously.
"Well, I er... Um... I just uh, wanted to see how you were doing..." He managed to
stammer.
"Oh." She said. "I'm okay, I guess." She said.
"That's good." He said.
There was a short pause.
"So... When does the doctor say you can get out of the infirmary?" He asked, breaking
the awkward silence.
"He said in a few days, but I feel fine right now. I don't see why I have to stay in
here like a sick person." She complained.
"Well, why don't you just get up?" He said, "The doctor isn't around..."
Her eyes widened, "Could I really do that?"
"Sure. Why not?" He said. "Just for a few minutes. We could take a walk, and be back
before any one even knew it."
She smiled. "I think I will!" She started to lift the covers, but stopped suddenly and
looked up at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Er... Do you mind stepping outside for a minute while I get dressed?" She asked, blushing.
"Oh!" Knuckles said rather embarrassed, "Yeah, no problem..." He turned quickly and went
out the door. He stood there for a few minutes, trying to hide his impatience. He leaned against
the wall. He could hear her moving around.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and Shelia emerged. He stood up
straight. Her hair was combed and fixed nicely, and she was wearing new clothes. Instead of the
pink dress she had worn before, she was now wearing a tight green T-shirt and blue-jean shorts.
She looked even better than before...
"Where'd you get the new clothes?" He asked, trying to sound casual.
"They were in a trunk of other things Sonic and Clawz recovered from my village." She
said softly, "...Do you like them?"
'Hell yes!' He thought, but said, "Yeah, they look nice."
She smiled, "Thanks..."
He put a hand gently on her back, "Come on, lets go." He said.
They walked out of the infirmary and into the courtyard. Shelia took a deep breath. It
did feel good to get out of that stuffy hospital room. The air was crisp and fresh, although
a little chilly.
They walked out onto a woodland path.
"Sure you're feeling all right?" He asked.
"Oh yeah. I feel great. Just getting out in the air again makes me feel a whole lot
better." She said happily.
"Good." He said, "I knew the fresh air would help."
"I love the way is smells here in the forest..." She said closing her eyes.
He gazed at her. "Yeah..."
"Winter will be here soon, I can smell it in the air..." She said.
He leaned closer to her, and took a gentle whiff of her hair, out of curiosity.
"Mmm... Like roses..." He mumbled.
"Actually its more like pine needles." She said opening her eyes.
He jumped back, "Er.. Yeah..." He stuttered. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.
She stopped and looked at him with confusion for a moment.
"What?" He asked, trying to sound innocent.
"Nothing..." She said, and as she began to walk again, she teetered a bit. "Oh boy..."
He caught her shoulders. "Are you okay?" He asked with concern.
"Oh.. I just felt kinda dizzy all of the sudden..." She said, putting a hand to her head.
"Here, you better sit down for a while." He said leading her to a log and sitting her
down. He sat beside her.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Maybe I should take you back..." He said reluctantly.
"No!" She said rather sharply, but then changed her tone to a softer. "We were having such
a nice time..."
"But if you're not feeling well..." He began.
"I'll be fine, I-I just need to rest for a moment. That's all." She insisted.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
About then, she noticed one of his hands was still on her shoulder. He noticed too. But
instead of taking it off, he left it there. She felt herself flush a little. She gathered a
bit of courage, then gently put her hand over his. He was rather surprised.
"Besides," She said meekly, "I like being with you..."
"Y-you do?" He stuttered.
"Yeah..." She admitted, "At first I thought you were weird, but really... You're a sweet
guy..."
"I am?" He asked.
She nodded. "And when you saved me before... You were so brave..." She said, "You risked
your life for me... No one's ever done that for me before..."
"I... Shelia... You..." He mumbled trying to find the right words.
She put a finger to his lips. "Shh..." She whispered, taking it away. She leaned closer
to him, closing her eyes.
He gulped, but then he felt himself leaning to her. He closed him eyes too, seeing with
his heart. He felt their lips caress, then their mouths slowly open, and her warm wet tongue
in his mouth. He slowly put his other arm around her, holding her close as they kissed. She
tasted so sweet... She smelled so wonderful... She felt so soft... He never wanted this
incredible feeling to end...
It was a long time before they came out of the forest and started back to the infirmary.
As they came to the courtyard once again it began to rain. But instead of running into
the nearest building, they walked slowly on, barely even noticing it. When they came to the
infirmary doors they just stood there, not knowing what to say. They were both wet and cold,
but didn't want to leave each other. Finally he hugged her tightly, whispering a soft good-bye
in her ear, then she walked reluctantly up the stairs, and giving him a sad smile, closed the
door behind her.
He sighed, but his sorrow soon turned to pure joy. He ran through the rain smiling all
the way back to his own cabin.
* * * * *
Chapter eleven: "Technical Difficulties"
Deep within the metallic catacombs of the laboratories inside Robotropolis, sparks
flew. Both the real and metaphorical kind. Snivley and several workerbots were busy at work
repairing the bottom half of the nearly destroyed Mecha-Sonic that had just been recovered
from the deserts between the mechanical city and the Great Forest. Mecha's upper half
sat in front of the lumbering Robotnik while he thoughoughly interrogated the robot.
"WELL?!" Robotnik yelled impatiently, "Can you bring up you're memory files YET?!"
Mecha glared at him with his red eyes and crossed his arms. "Patience master," He
hissed softly, "My computer work was damaged in the fray, but I put the information in a
safe place... Now if I can just pull up the access code..."
The 'fray' Mecha spoke of was the one between his/itself and Sonic, Knuckles, and Bunnie
who ended the fight by smashing him with a huge boulder. The fight had been over the pretty
Shelia ClearWater's fate, and that of the still unseen Love Ruby.
Robotnik let out a snort of distaste. He hated waiting as much as his nemesis the
hedgehog. He was barely able to hold it in for another moment while Mecha continued to comb his
files. The information was worth waiting for... The location of the aforesaid ruby, and the
homing device controls that could lead his armies into Knothole...
Mecha beeped suddenly, causing the large man to stop his pacing and rush to his
creation's side once more.
"WELL?!" He repeated anxiously.
Mecha looked up at his master with satisfaction. "Files found." He said.
"...And?"
"The location of the ruby is confirmed." The robot said, "If my memory serves me right,
and I know it does, I detected a power source of incredible magnitude in a small charm that
the keeper female wore around her neck after the battle."
"You mean the blasted ruby is in a necklace?" Robotnik exclaimed.
"Yes master." Mecha said nodding.
"And the homing device you implanted on the rebel vehicle...?"
"... Is still functioning. They have not detected it. I will be able to pinpoint the
location in a matter of minuets." He finished.
"Excellent!" Robotnik roared, picking up the robot. "You make me proud, Mecha! You
shall be the one leading our attack against the hedgehog and his helpless friends! Finally I'll
be rid of them and their incessant meddling forever!"
"Sir..." Mecha mumbled, "I would need my other half before proceeding with the attack..."
"OH! Yes, quite." Robotnik said, setting Mecha's top half on top table again, where
the workerbots and Snively were just finishing up.
Robotnik turned and looked out onto the grimy city below with pride. He grinned evilly.
"Well... If it the ruby is still around that pretty keeper's neck... We'll just have to...
'remove' it..."
* * * * *
Back in another place, far away from Knothole, the Floating Island hovers high above
some unknown region of the planet Mobius. The guardian of the island, and of the two sacred
stones on it at the moment, Knuckles Echidna, had left the island, and went to the Freedom
Fighter base in the Great Forest known as Knothole. There he hoped to find out more
information on the mysterious Peace Diamond, an of course visit his good friends Princess
Sally Acorn, rightful owner of the Mobius crown, and his childhood friend and former bounty
hunter turned soldier, Clawz Wildcat.
During his absence, Knuckles left his allies, the Chaotix team, in charge of the island,
and his mentor Archimedes in charge of the Chaos Emerald and the new found diamond.
Unfortunately, the Chaotix are beginning to grow restless after their leader's lengthy trip
away from home.
It was a rainy day on the Floating Island. The sky was dark with large, ominous black
clouds. Loud thunder echoed across the island, creating a small earthquake. The ground trembled.
Rain poured. Lighting lit the sky.
"Damn, I hate rain." Mighty grumbled.
The Chaotix team were all gathered around a small fire in the center of the room. The
room was actually a huge hollowed out tree, which they used as rather a headquarters. Mighty
was looking out the window sourly at the rain. Vector was sitting on a rock by the fire.
Espio was laying in a makeshift hammock reading a thick leather-bound book. Charmy was sitting
beside him, wrapped a blanket and trembling.
"M-me too..." The bee said softly, agreeing with Mighty's earlier statement.
"Me three, G." The big green crocodile said. "I cain't get any good tunes!" He said
shaking his walkman furiously.
"The electrical current from the lightning must be causing the malfunctions..." Espio
mumbled, not taking his eyes off the book in front of him.
"Uh.. Yeah..." Vector said, rather confused.
"The lightnin' is screwing with yer music." Mighty translated.
"Oh." Vector said with realization. "Dumb 'bolts! I hate rain!"
A huge wave of thunder struck the island again, shaking the hollow tree like a brittle
leaf. Charmy whimpered and hid under his blanket.
Mighty laughed at him. "Scared of a little thunder, Charms?" He asked.
"N-no..." Charmy answered meekly, still under the covers. "It-it's just warm under here,
th-that's all..."
"Suuuurree..." Mighty said. "And Vector's mom ain't ugly!"
"Hey!" Vector said.
"Oh, leave them alone Mighty. Your just mad because you can't go outside." Espio said,
still reading.
"Yeah, po' lil 'dillo cain't go out an play!" Vector said, laughing.
Mighty turned and hit him across the back of the head.
The croc was about to retaliate, when and incredibly loud and strong crash of thunder
caused the island to lurch horribly. The entire tree was thrown to the ground. The Chaotix
tumbled about inside helplessly. Moments later the shaking subsided, and the storm quieted.
Espio sat up and looked around dazedly. He had been thrown from his hammock and entirely
across the room. Mighty was lying on his back on top of poor Charmy, while Vector pulled
himself out of the rubble that used to be Espio's bookcase.
"M-Mighty!!" Charmy grumbled from underneath him, "I c-can't breathe!"
The armadillo flailed his arms, but to no avail. "I've fallen and I can't get up!"
"That was so last millenium." Vector mumbled.
Espio helped Mighty to his feet, and practically scraped Charmy off the ground.
As Charmy regained his senses, he noticed odd smell. "Hey guys... What's that smell?"
"Wasn't me." Mighty said.
"No... It smells like..." Charmy began.
"Smoke! Fire, fire!" Espio shouted, pointing to the opposite end of the tree, which was
now up in flames.
"I knew we shouldn't of started a fire inside a tree." Mighty commented.
"Shut-up!" Vector said hitting him on the shoulder, "Let get outta here before we're
turned to extra-crispy Chaotix!"
They all agreed on that point, and rushed out of the burning tree as fast as they could,
forgetting their belongings, which they regretted as they watched the smoldering wood collapse
and burn everything inside.
"My walk-man!" Vector groaned.
"My books!" Espio winced.
"My blanket!" Charmy sobbed.
"My... er... Never mind. I don't have any important stuff to worry about." Mighty said,
laughing.
The rest of the Chaotix turned and gave him a dark stare.
"What?" He asked.
"Wasn't it his idea to start that fire?" Charmy asked.
"I think it was." Espio confirmed.
Mighty broke into a sweat. "Eh... C'mon guys... I was just playin'..."
"Lets get 'em." Vector said, cracking his knuckles.
Mighty dashed off in the opposite direction. He was soon followed by an angry chameleon,
crocodile, and honey bee.
* * * * *
Chapter twelve: "Foreshadows"
The storm was raging, making it incredibly had for the Dark Legion's warship to make
it to the Floating Island. Even though the weather had pushed them back in their attack plans,
they continued on, readying for the strike. Some of the soldiers were already manning their
vehicles. Others were waiting out the rain in the barracks.
The young servant girl from before was in her room, throwing things hastily into a
bag. She tossed a green combat vest, a yellow belt, a grappling hook, and various other articles
into the bag. She heard a knock on the door. She grumbled, but opened the door anyway.
A dark violet male echidna dressed in the trademark black robe greeted her. He was
frowning.
"Oh, er... Hi Lysander." She mumbled glumly.
"Hello to you too, Julie." He said firmly, "Why are you not readying for the attack
like Master ordered? I saw your ship was unmanned."
"None of your business." She snorted, trying to close the door on him.
He slipped through. He noticed her bag. "Why are you packing?" He asked.
She sneered at him. "I SAID it's none of your business! Now get out of my room!" She
growled at him.
"Sure it's my business!" He retorted, "You're my sister!"
"Look Ly, I don't need you to take care of me!" She insisted. "I can take
care of myself!"
"I asked you why are you packing." He said sternly.
"And I said it's none of your damn business!" She snapped.
He stared at her angrily for a moment. She sure was stubborn. But so was he.
"Are you planning on going somewhere?" He asked.
"Maybe I am." she said softly, turning her back on him.
"Julie-Su, just tell me all ready! we both know I'm not leaving until you do!"
She sighed, "As soon as we get on the Floating Island, I'm leaving the legion." She
said softly.
He was shocked. "What?!" He asked, "Master Kragok is letting you go? I thought you
were his favorite!"
Julie-Su shuddered at the thought of her master. Having to be his slave was pure torture.
Kissing him and touching him... The things she had been forced to do... She shook the feeling
of disgust away.
"Who says I got his permission?" She said.
Lysander's eyes widened. "You mean your ditching us!?" He said, even more shocked.
She frowned. "I hate it here. I'm nobody's maid or mistress anymore!" She declared.
"Y-you can't be serious!" He said skeptically. "If you get caught you'd be killed!"
She snapped her bag shut and threw it over her shoulder. She looked back at him
bitterly. "What do you care?" She spat.
His stern expression softened. "Julie... You know that I do care." He said softly,
putting a hand on her shoulder. "You're my favorite little sister."
"I'm your only little sister Ly." She said, sighing again.
"I just don't want to see you get killed, all right?" He said.
"I... I know. I won't. I promise I'll be careful." Julie-Su said. "Hey, the Floating
Island's gotta be a safer place than this dump of a air ship."
"You should stay here. We're a family. We fight for our cause, together..." He said.
"Not anymore." She said. "It not about Dimitri's vision anymore. Kragok has corrupted
the system, and I'm not gonna take it. Besides, I never wanted to be here in the first place."
He smiled sadly. "I wish you hadn't followed me so long ago..."
"So do I." She snorted.
"If you really want to take this risk... Well, I guess I can't stop you." He said.
She smiled too. "Nope, you can't." Then stepped by him and out the door.
* * * * *
A beautiful emerald-haired woman sat smiling contentedly on a her pedestal, staring
into the crystal walls before her. 'Everything is going perfectly as planned...' She thought
happily, 'Rona is working her magic, the freedom fighters will fall to Mecha Sonic's wrath,
the Dark Legion will attack and takeover the Floating Island, and all while that fool the
guardian is off cavorting with Venus' keeper!'
She laughed, rather wickedly.
"Something funny, darling?" A tall man in a white suit asked light-heartedly.
She turned to him. "Oh, hello Ace! Everything is just wonderful!" She said.
He was shocked. She wasn't usually this cheerful. She didn't even protest
to his calling her 'darling'.
She stood up, still smiling and hugged him.
Now he was even more surprised, but wasn't complaining. "What's got you in such a
good mood, Kay?" He said smiling.
"Nothing, nothing. I love a rainy day, don't you?" She said, almost giggling.
"I... I suppose." He said slowly, in confusion.
"Only one thing could make this moment more perfect..." She said, running her thin
fingers through his white hair.
"And what is that?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, I think you can use your imagination. You're a big boy..." She said slyly.
She definitely wasn't acting normally. Something was up. "Kayoss, what is going on?" He
asked sternly.
She smiled innocently. "What are you talking about darling?" She purred.
"Darling?" He asked. "Since when do you call me that? I thought you 'wished I had
never came.'"
"Oh, don't be silly." She said, putting her arms around his neck. "I said no such thing.
Do I have to be in a good mood for a reason? I just feel good today, that's all."
His unsure expression didn't change. "You're up to something..."
Instead of answering him, she kissed him solidly on the mouth.
* * * * *
The rain was pouring now. The sky was dark, and a break in the clouds was nowhere to
be seen. But paradoxically, the mood of the residents of Knothole where the complete opposite
of what would be expected. Everyone was gathered in the large meeting hall in the center of
the courtyard. Plans were being discussed, missions being recapped, stories being told, and
of course, gossip was being passed, mostly by word of big-mouth Clawz Wildcat.
"You don't say!" Bunnie whispered anxiously.
"Yup, it's th' truth." He said, smiling broadly and adjusting his sunglasses.
"Ah woulda nevah thought!" She said.
"Thought what?" Sonic asked, suddenly popping into the conversation.
They didn't seem to notice him.
"I noticed it too." Sally said to Clawz, "When we were coming back from the desert."
"Noticed what?" Sonic asked.
Again, no one answered him.
"Ah, amour." Antoine sighed. "I knew eet vould happen to them later or sooner."
"What about armor?" Sonic asked.
Antoine finally answered him. "Zats 'amour' you fuel." He snorted.
Sonic looked even more confused. "Say what?"
"He means 'love' Sonic." Sally translated.
"Oh." He said sitting down beside her. "Who's in love? Besides yours truly."
Sally smiled and put her head on his shoulder.
"I theenk I'm going to be seek." Antoine said rolling his eyes.
"Ditto." Clawz muttered.
"Quiet you two!" Bunnie scolded.
"So, what's the story?" Sonic asked.
"Well, it seems that Mistah Knuckles is sweet on our newcomer." Bunnie whispered.
"Who, Clawz?"
"No, don't be sick!" The wildcat hissed, "She means Shelia!"
"Oh!" Sonic said with realization. "Really? Them two? No way."
"Was it easier to imagine Clawz and Knuckles?" Sally asked.
"Cut it out Sal," He said making a disgusted face, "You're giving me mental pictures
that I definitely don't want to see!"
Clawz took this opportunity to punch the hedgehog in the side.
Sally looked over at Knuckles and Shelia sitting together at a table on the
other side of the room. "I just hope everything works out for them." She said, almost
sadly.
"Whatta ya mean L.P.?" Clawz asked, "Why wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, Sally-girl. I think they're perfect fo' each other." Bunnie said.
"Well... I don't mean to be pessimistic, but sooner or later Knuckles is going to
have to go back to his island. Shelia wants to fight against Robotnik with us, and she'll
want to stay in Knothole, so..." Sally trailed off, letting the sentence finish itself.
"I didn't think about that." Clawz said.
"Well, it don't look like they have neither." Bunnie pointed out.
She was right. Knuckles and Shelia were totally oblivious of anything except each other
at the moment. He sat across from her watching her intently as she told him about the legends
her mother taught her as a young keeper of the love ruby and hate amethyst.
"And what about 'the scrolls' you were talking about?" He asked.
"Well... Actually, I have never seen the entire scrolls, but a part of them were
given to my ancestors, five hundred years ago." She said.
"Why?" He asked.
"I don't know, really. I guess to keep them out of the hands of evil, or something."
"Huh... That's weird." He said thoughtfully. "Well, what did they say?"
"Along time ago, the eight sacred stones were made by one known as The Creator--" She
began.
"Eight?! There are eight sacred stones?" He interrupted.
"Yes. If I remember right, there's one for chaos, peace, love, hate, hope, despair,
life, and death." She explained. "Each keeper takes care of their stone until the true guardian
comes and assumes responsibility."
"How come you know so much more about this than I do?" He sighed.
She gave him an odd stare. "Why would you know anything about the stones? Are you
a keeper, too?" She asked.
He sat up, "Uh... No." He answered, trying to sound somewhat convincing. "I just,
uh... Never heard anything like it."
For some reason, he decided to hide his identity as guardian from her, for now. He felt
that if she knew, maybe she wouldn't treat him as she did now. And he definitely didn't want
that.
"But of course, I've never met anyone like you before, either." He added.
She laughed softly. "You're so corny..."
He laughed, too. She was so great...
He felt her foot rub gently against his.
Boy, was she great.
* * * * *
Chapter thirteen : "The Attack"
"Everything is in order for our attack, Master Robotnik." Mecha Sonic said happily,
"The troops are assembled, and I am ready to lead them."
"Excellent!" Robotnik beamed. "Finally those Freedom Fighters will learn never to
mess with Doctor Iv Robotnik!"
"We await only your permission." Mecha said.
"You have it. Begin the bombard immediately. And don't spare a one of them." The large
man growled.
"As you command, master." The robot answered, bowing out the door. He headed out
the building as fast as he could. The troops were locked onto his homing signal that he had
implanted on the Freedom Fighter's vehicle. They would arrive in Knothole only a few minutes
after he did. It was going to be pure pleasure seeing his organic counterpart and his friends
into their graves.
* * * * * *
"Hey, everybody look!" Tails said suddenly, jumping from his seat by the window sill.
"What's the matter Tails?" Sally asked, as he rushed past her and out the door.
"Come look and see!" He yelled, all ready outside.
Everyone got up and followed him with much curiosity.
Sonic, of course was the first out the door. "What's up lil bro?" He asked, but the
question soon answered itself. A small pure white flake landed on his nose.
"Hey, it's snowing!" Shelia said happily.
"Snow...?" Knuckles mumbled, a bit confused.
Everyone else came out into the courtyard. They were all silent for a moment. The snow
began to collect in mounds by the sides of the buildings, and soon, flake by flake, the entire
ground was covered.
Suddenly the white silence was broken with the sound of a snowball whizzing through the air.
It hit Sonic in the side of the head.
"Ow!" Sonic yelled.
Clawz, who was, of course, the one who threw it at him, chunked another one at him.
Sonic dodged this attack. "Oh, now your gonna get it!"
"Guys, cut it out." Sally scolded.
Sonic turned and threw a snowball at her.
"Hey!" She shouted.
He grinned. "Sorry, my hand slipped." He said.
She bent down and grabbed a handful of snow and threw at at him. It fell short.
He laughed, "You throw like a girl!"
"I am a girl!" Sally yelled.
"Heh heh..." He said looking her up and down, "I've noticed."
She threw another one at him. This time it hit him head on.
She grinned. "Sorry, my hand slipped."
They both ran off, playfully tossing balls of snow at each other.
"Hey Clawz, let's make a snow man!" Tails said happily, tugging on the wildcat's arm.
"Sure, Duce." Clawz said. He turned back to the others, "You guys wanna help?"
"Sure. I haven't done this... Well, since I don't no how long!" Bunnie said.
Antoine agreed too, and began helping Bunnie, as if she needed any, to roll a large snow
ball for the base.
"Whatta about you, Knux?" Clawz asked.
Knuckles thought a moment. He looked over at Shelia, who was standing out in the very
middle of the clearing, her head tilted up at the sky and her eyes closed, letting the flakes
fall on her face. He looked back at Clawz.
"Yeah, yeah, go get her Don Juan." Clawz said, rolling his eyes.
Knuckles smiled, and walked over to where she was standing.
She heard him approach and wiped the snow from her eyes, but streaks of water still
ran down her face.
"Shelia... Are you crying?" He asked softly.
She looked back up at the sky sadly. "I haven't seen snow in so long..." She whispered.
"This is only the second time in my life I've seen it actually. The first was when my... my
family still lived in Mobotropolis... I was only five years old. My father had come home for the
holidays, and he greeted us at the door with a bag full of presents... We opened them by the
fire." Her voice teetered, but she continued on, "It... It was the day my brother Jem got his
gun... What he always wanted..." She pulled the small handgun from the holster on her side,
running her fingers over the hilt. She closed her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. "It was
our last Christmas together..."
Knuckles put his arm around her. She broke down and threw her arms around him, sobbing
freely now. "It's okay..." He said softly, not knowing what else to say.
"I wish I never remembered anything." She sobbed bitterly. "You were right, the past
hurts too much..."
"Don't say that." He said, "You would rather have forgotten all about that memory? It
should be something that you cherish. I... I was wrong. You see, if I didn't remember my past,
I would not remember any of the good times either."
She sniffed. "... B-but they're all dead!" She wept. "Everyone I ever cared about is dead!"
He lifted her chin up with his hand to look in her eyes. "Everyone...?" He asked softly.
They stared at each other for a moment.
She smiled weakly. "At least I have you, now." She said softly, hugging him.
"Yeah, you do." He said, smiling too. "And I promise I won't leave you..."
* * * * *
"Ready for the strike, soldier?" A dark crimson echidna with a mechanical red eye, said
as he lounged in his huge throne-like chair.
Lysander was rather startled. He turned nervously to his master. "Er... Yes sir, Master
Kragok." He stammered, saluting.
"We attack in exactly two minutes," Kragok said, sitting up straight, "So you better
be... What are you doing in my chamber anyway?"
Lysander thought frantically. "I was just... Retrieving my sister's things." He said.
"You're sister?" Kragok asked suspiciously.
"Julie-Su, Master. She was here earlier... I was getting some of her possessions she
left here." The dark purple echidna explained.
Kragok's eyebrows raised. "Julie-Su is your sister?" He asked.
"Yes, Master."
"Hmm." Kragok mumbled. "Well then, tell her to I wish to see her after the battle."
Lysander hesitated. "... Yes, Master." He said, uncertainly. 'Was Julie-Su even going to
be here after the battle?' He thought, unhappily.
Kragok watched him leave. 'There was something strange about that soldier,' He thought.
'It felt like he was hiding something... Oh well, I have more important things to think about
now. Taking over the Floating Island was going to be sweet blood...'
* * * * *
"Should I throw a snow ball at them?" Clawz snickered.
"Don't you dare!" Bunnie scolded, snatching it out of his hand.
They were watching the oblivious Shelia and Knuckles standing in the center of the
Knothole courtyard with their arms around each other.
Sally sighed, shaking her head. 'Knuckles shouldn't make promises he can't keep.' She
thought sadly, remembering Knuckles' promise to Shelia that he would never leave her.
Sonic put a hand on her shoulder.
She looked over at him. 'People make blind promises when they're in love...'
Suddenly a shot rang through the air.
Shelia screamed.
Everyone turned to see her fall from Knuckles arms.
"Shelia!" He yelled.
Evil laughter echoed through the clearing. "Sorry to break up this sickenly sweet scene,
but I just had to... Drop in." With that, Mecha Sonic fell from above the canopy and into
the clearing. He grinned wickedly, his laser cannon on his arm smoking from the fresh shot.
"You killed her!" Sonic yelled.
"Indeed." Mecha hissed. "You have an annoying habit of stating the obvious, brother."
Knuckles cradled Shelia's limp body, searching her face for signs of life. She lay
unmoving and silent. He crumpled over her, feeling an overwhelming sorrow. "No... No, not her..."
He whimpered.
"Pity isn't it?" Mecha said, staring unmoved at the echidna on the ground. "She would
have made a wonderful robot companion for me."
Knuckles turned to him, a raging inferno in his eyes. "You bastard..." He growled.
He readied to strike with full force, but a hand on his cheek stopped him. He turned down to
look at the girl he thought was dead.
Shelia looked up at him, alive and well.
He was shocked at first, then overjoyed. "You're alive!" He yelled happily.
"What?!" Mecha hissed in anger, his eyes flashing menacingly.
"B-but how...?" Knuckles asked shakily.
She held up her necklace. If you looked hard enough at it, you could see the dent where
the laser shot had ricocheted off of it, simply stunning her and nothing else. "My lucky charm."
She said smiling.
"Well, you won't be that lucky this time!" Mecha growled, aiming his blaster at them
again. "I'll be taking that 'charm' of yours."
But before the robot could fire, Sonic rushed him from the side, throwing him into
the trunk of a tree.
"Hurry! Everyone run! Get outta here!" Sonic yelled, as he detained Mecha momentarily.
The others rushed off behind the main hall.
"How the hell did that hunk o' junk find us here?!" Clawz asked.
"I don't know..." Sally said.
"Zis ess ze end of Knothole!" Antoine sobbed.
"What are we gonna do Sally-girl?" Bunnie asked desperately.
"We defeated him before, we can do it again." Knuckles said.
Shelia, at his side, nodded.
"Well we better do something, and quick!" Tails observed, "Even Sonic can't take on
this guy by himself!"
Indeed the young fox was right. Mecha Sonic was running the original ragged. Whatever
move Sonic would perform, Mecha would do it just as good and twice as fast. Robotnik had never
created a finer tuned robot. But it had to have a weakness...
"The amethyst." Shelia said softly.
"What?" Sally asked confused.
"The only reason Mecha is so powerful, the reason he survived our encounter last time,
is because he runs on limitless power." She strained to explain.
"Say what?" Clawz asked, "Now you're just talkin' crazy talk."
"No, we should listen to her." Sally defended.
Shelia was rather surprised at the princess' support.
"What about an amethyst?" Sally asked.
"The Hate Amethyst." Shelia said. "It was the sacred stone that Robotnik forced me to
give him in return for my family's 'safety'. It was what allowed Robotnik to create such a
powerful monster."
"So you're sayin' that the stone is what makes the 'bot tick?" Clawz said.
She nodded. "If we can remove the stone from him somehow, or neutralize it's energy,
he would be powerless."
"But how are we going to do that?" Knuckles asked.
Shelia thought a moment. She slowly picked up the locket from her neck, examining it
carefully. "I know a way." She said solemnly.
Sonic breathed heavily. He felt faint, but continued dodging and attacking. His robotic
twin mirrored his every movement with the utmost accuracy, and wasn't even winded.
"You give up yet, hedgehog?" Mecha Sonic asked.
"N-never!" Sonic managed to choke out.
"Fine." Mecha said rather contently. "Continued to exhaust yourself. It won't be long
before the troops arrive."
Sonic slumped. "T-troops?" He asked breathlessly.
"Hundreds of Combots following the signal from the tracking device I implanted on
your hover-craft way back in the desert." He said, almost laughing. "You'll all be dead in a
matter of minutes."
Sonic felt his anger rise, but his strength was waning. He couldn't let Knothole be
taken over now... Not after all the Freedom Fighters had gone through to get this far...
"Hey Mecha Sonic!"
Mecha turned to the voice.
"You want this?" Shelia said, as she stood in the center of the courtyard, holding
her necklace in the air above her head. "Come and get it!"
Sonic took the opportunity at Mecha's distraction, and spun into him with what strength
he had left. The robot tumbled forward into the snow, ramming into another tree. His chest-plate
was bent open slightly, exposing the raw black crystal inside.
'Now's my chance.' Shelia thought. 'I sure hope this works.'
She opened the locket for the first time in five hundred years then. For a moment she
was blinded in the bright red light that poured out of it, up into the sky. The power of the
sacred ruby inside was much more than she expected. She could barely control it.
Mecha Sonic stood up, shaken by the hedgehog's blow, but only more angered. The black
electricity from the amethyst encircled him. He turned back to the Shelia, who was staggering
to control her own power. He grinned evilly, and zoomed towards her at an incredible speed.
Faster than darkness...
But not faster than light.
Shelia opened her eyes to find Mecha Sonic in pieces in front of her. She had been
able to direct the ruby's power just in time, but how...? She looked at her arms outstretched
in front of her, and realized another pair of hands were over hers. She looked behind her to
find Knuckles there, arms around her. She smiled weakly. He had helped her...
"Woo hoo!" Clawz yelled emerging from behind the building with the others. "What a
blast! I love the special effects!"
Sally rushed to Sonic's side, who had fallen after his last attack. After he had staggered
back to his feet, she embraced him happily.
"You were so brave..." She said.
"Hey, a guy's gotta do what he's gotta do." He mumbled weakly.
"You've really earned this today..." She said, and kissed him passionately.
A rather surprised Sonic stumbled backwards and fell in the snow, with her still
in his arms.
In the middle of the wreckage that once was Mecha Sonic lay the sparking black crystal
that had created him. Shelia walked slowly up to it, stepping over the shattered metal. Still
about a yard away from the stone, she stopped and turned her locket over in her hands. She
opened the back compartment. In less time than you could blink an eye, the amethyst was sucked
back into the necklace. Shelia closed the clasp with satisfaction. She had finally done her
mother proud...
Her duty as keeper of the sacred stone was done.
* * * * * *
"I hope Knuckles doesn't mind us crashin' in his place 'till the rain lets up." Vector
said, putting his feet on the table as he leaned back on the couch.
Espio frowned, noticing Vector's muddy shoes on the table. "Keep your feet off the
furniture! You want Knuckles to smash us when he gets back?"
The crocodile obeyed reluctantly.
"I hope Knuckles comes back soon." Charmy sighed.
"Hey guys..." A muffled voice called from the closet. "When are you gonna let me outta
here? I swear I learned my lesson!"
"Not yet, Mighty." Espio answered. "You've only been in there for five minutes!"
"But I'm closetrophobic!" He whined.
"That's claustrophobic," Espio corrected, "And you are not. You're an armadillo. You
live in an small enclosed space."
"Oh yeah..." Mighty mumbled.
Suddenly a small blast of smoke exploded on the table beside Charmy, who fell off in
fright. The smoke cleared and a red fire-ant wearing a green vest appeared.
"Hello Chaotix." He said.
"Hi, Archimedes." Charmy stuttered, climbing back onto the table.
"What's up, Archy?" Vector asked.
"Nothing, actually. I'm afraid it's rather boring around here with Knuckles gone." The
ant answered soberly.
"When do you think he'll be back?" Espio asked.
"He had some research to do, but he knows he has a responsibility here," Archimedes
said. "So he should return soon... I hope."
"I hope he didn't forget about us." Charmy said.
"I don't think Knuckles could forget you bunch even if he wanted too..." Archimedes
said looking around at them. "Hey... Aren't there usually four of you?" He asked, confused.
"I'm over here." Mighty's muffled voice called from the closet.
Archimedes jumped. "What the...? Where...?" He said looking around nervously.
"Might's in da closet." Vector said.
"Why in the world is Mighty in the closet?!"
"We put him there." Vector said simply.
Archimedes was very perplexed at this moment. "Never mind, I don't even want to know."
He sighed.
"Can I come out yet?" Mighty asked.
Espio sighed. "Fine, fine..." He said, slowly unlocking the door and releasing the
big red and yellow armadillo.
"Hey guys, the rain is starting to clear." Mighty observed as he looked out the window.
Vector and Charmy went over to the window to see for themselves.
"Yeah, you're right." Espio said.
"Hey, what's that?" Charmy said pointing at the far away horizon, where the clouds
had begun to clear.
They all squinted to see what he was talking about. In the distance, you could just barely
see a oblong black craft heading strait for the island.
"I don't know, but it doesn't look good..." Espio said, growing fearful.
"Let me see!" Archimedes said, crawling onto the window sill. He took a pair of tiny
binoculars from his vest pocket and looked out the window. "Oh no..."
"What? What is it?" Espio asked frantically.
"It... It looks like a Dark Legion Warship..." Archimedes said slowly.
"Oh, crap." Mighty said softly.
* * * * * *
Chapter fourteen : "Decisions, Decisions"
"You did it Shelia!" Knuckles said happily.
She smiled. "Not without a little help..."
"But if it wasn't for your idea, we'd all be toast by now." He said.
All she could do was smile.
"Wait you guys, this thing isn't over yet..." Sonic said.
"What do you mean Sonic?" Sally asked.
He turned to her and took her hand. "Mecha said that he put a tracking device on the
hover-craft we flew to the desert." Sonic said soberly, "That's how he found us here. He also
said that an army of Robotnik's ComBots are on the way, following that signal..."
"Oh no!" Sally said, "We've got to get rid of that tracking device before the robots
find Knothole!"
"Don't worry Sal, I'm already on it." Rotor said, running out of his workshop with
something in his hand. He held it out to them. "This is the tracking device I found on the
hover-unit." He said.
"Well, quick! Let's smash it then!" Knuckles suggested.
"No!" Rotor said, "If we do that, the robots will just keep heading for the last
coordinate they were given. We have to get it as far away from Knothole as we can, and fast!"
"Leave that to me." Sonic said, snatching from his hand. "I'll be there and back before
you even know I'm gone."
"Be careful Sonic!" Sally yelled, as he zoomed off and away from Knothole at mach 3.
"I sure hope he's not to late..." Shelia said.
"Yeah... If a whole army of robots like Mecha-Sonic showed up..." Tails mumbled.
"We'd be how you zay, dead meets." Antoine finished.
"Don't worry y'all..." Bunnie reassured. "I'm sure ol' Sugah-hog will get the job done."
"I hope you're right." Shelia said softly leaning on Knuckles shoulder. He put his
arm around her.
* * * * * *
"Man, oh man!" Vector said hysterically. "Whatta we gonna do?!"
"The Dark Legion is attacking the Floating Island while the guardian's away." Espio
said, trying to stay calm and reason. "What a predicament."
"Well, we better hurry and do SOMETHING!" Mighty yelled, "They're getting closer!"
"Archimedes, what should we do?" Charmy asked fearfully.
The ant looked a bit scared himself, but tried to take charge. "You three," He said
pointing to Mighty, Vector, and Charmy, "Go to the edge of the island and try and hold them
off."
"Right." They all said in usion.
"And what about me?" Espio asked.
"We've got to send a distress message to Knuckles down in Knothole and get him back up
here, pronto!" Archimedes said. "Can you get a message there through your computer?"
"I think so. Knuckles used it before to contact Princess Sally. I think I can still
establish the link, even though we are farther away now..." Espio said.
"Fine. Get to work all of you!" The ant ordered.
They all rushed off in their different directions.
Archimedes was left alone on the window sill, watching their impending doom approach.
The rain had stopped, but the storm had only just begun.
* * * * * *
Sally was startled by a sudden beeping coming from Nicole, her handheld computer that
was attached to her boot.
"What's up L.P.?" Clawz asked, as she bent down and opened it.
"Another message." Sally said curiously.
"From who?" Shelia asked.
Sally scanned the screen. "The signal's source is from... The Floating Island." She said
slowly. She looked up at Knuckles.
He looked more surprised than anyone.
Sally pushed a button, and a hologram burst out of the computer's back compartment
and was cast onto the snow.
A rather stressed looking purple chameleon appeared.
"...Espio?" Knuckles asked softly.
"Oh Knuckles, thank God I reached you." He said frantically.
"Why? What's wrong?" Knuckles asked, feeling tense.
"Oh it's horrible..." The chameleon stuttered, "We're under attack! Any time now they're
going to--"
"Attack? By who?" Knuckles interrupted.
"The Dark Legion." Espio said, "A warship. There must be hundreds of them... We need
you back here, and fast!"
Knuckles sneered. "Don't worry, I'm on my way." He said sternly.
The hologram flickered, then went dead, as Nicole lost the signal.
Without so much as a word to anyone, Knuckles dashed off into the woods. He didn't stop
until he reached a cliff overhanging the sea. He looked up into the clouds. He could see the
Floating Island in the distance. He was about to jump and begin his flight, when a voice
stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Knuckles wait!" Shelia called.
He turned around to see her running towards him.
"Aren't you even going to say goodbye?" She asked.
He was silent a moment. "Oh... I-I'm sorry..." He said softly. "Goodbye..."
She smiled and hugged him. He returned the gesture hesitantly.
"... So when are you coming back?" She asked, still hugging him.
Knuckles felt a sudden dread wash over him. "... I don't know..." He said softly.
She looked up at him. "Well you don't have to say exactly. Just guess." She said, still
smiling. "A few hours, a few days?"
Knuckles was frowning. He said nothing.
Shelia felt confused. "What's the matter?" She asked, feeling the same sudden dread.
"You... You are coming back aren't you?"
Knuckles turned away.
Shelia felt tears well in her eyes. "B-but you have to..."
"I... I'm sorry, Shelia..." He said softly, still facing away from her.
"No!" She said, grabbing his hand. "You... You can't just leave now... I... We just..."
He shook his head. "I have to go... Maybe when the island comes back this way next year..."
"Next year!" She yelled.
"I've spent way too much time down here... My duty lies on the Floating Island..." He
said gently.
"But... What about... Us...?" She said, softly. "You're the only one I have left... You
promised..."
His heart ached. He looked back at her.
A tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
He closed his eyes and cast his head down. Looking at her was making this even harder.
"I have to go..." He said.
"Why?" She asked, gripping his hand tighter.
"It's my duty." He said stiffly, "If I don't go back... "
"I know... But..." She stammered, "I..."
"I'm so sorry..." Knuckles said.
She was silent.
"I've got to hurry..." He said.
"Fine." She said, turning around. "Go ahead and leave. Leave me all alone again..."
"Shelia, please don't do this!" He said, "It's hard enough as it is!"
"What was I?" She sobbed, "Some kind of fling? I thought that maybe... Maybe you really
cared..."
"Shelia, I do... I do care about you... A lot..." He said, putting his hands on her
shoulders from the back.
"Then why are you breaking your promise?"
"Because I have to!" He said sternly, "Would you rather I stay here, and let all those
on the Floating Island who are counting on me just die?"
She was silent. She turned around and looked at him with those emerald eyes. Tears
streaked down her face. "... Will I ever see you again?" She asked quietly.
He sighed sadly. "... I sure hope so."
"B-before you go..." She whispered gently, "I want you to have something..."
He stared at her in awe as she gently lifted her necklace from around her neck and
up over her head, then placed it delicately in his hand.
"Oh Shelia... I... I can't take this..." He said, pushing it back towards her.
"Yes you can." She said. "The sacred stones are yours now."
"But..."
"My job as a keeper is done." She said quietly, "It's time for you to take over, guardian."
He was stunned. "You mean... You knew all this time?" He asked.
"Of course I did." She said, smiling weakly. "I know the words of the scrolls... I can
recognize a guardian when I see one... Besides, the mark kind of gave you away."
He looked down at his chest, and the white collar marking across it. He looked back
up her with confusion. "But... Why didn't you ever say anything?"
She sighed. "It was fun living in a lie wasn't it...?"
He felt his heart sink. He reached out for her.
But she was reaching in her pocket for something else. She pulled out a small bundle
of papers. She handed it to him.
"What's this?" He asked.
"The lost scrolls. I don't need them any longer..." She said.
He stared at her with a mixture of such strong emotions.
"You can go now." She said, almost bitterly. She turned, as if to walk away, but didn't
take a single step.
He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. She looked down,
crying softly. He stroked her head affectionately, then leaned forward and kissed her tenderly.
And when she opened her eyes, he was gone.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued...
::sighs::
Three down, one to go!
::brings out the tissue boxes:: What a sad ending!
What's next? Will Sonic be able to get rid of the tracking device before it's
too late? Knuckles is on his way back to the Floating Island, but will he
have the strength to fight of the entire Dark Legion? Will he and Shelia
see each other ever again? Will the mysterious Julie-Su get her freedom?
Will I stop asking these annoying plot questions once again? Well, I guess
you're gonna have to wait until the next part of the Love and Hate series
comes out!
Let's hope it's soon!
=^.^=
~Erin Lindsey
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.FurNation.com/clearwaters
Please visit my Sonic and furry art site at FurNation!
yay yay yay
Disclaimer:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legalities: Okay. ready, set go!!!
Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, the Freedom
fighters, the Chaotix, Dr. Robotnik, and any related
characters are licensed characters of SEGA and Co.
and/or DIC and Archie Adventure series Comics. Clawz the
Wildcat and Shelia ClearWaters were created by Erin
Lindsey. If you want any of my stories on your site,
want to use any of my characters, you must have written
consent of my authorization, beforehand.
Send any questions, comments, or complications to:
diamondneko@mail.com
Love and Hate part 3 of 4
A Sonic fan-fiction story
by: Erin Lindsey
Rated PG-13 for a bit of profanity and slight sexual references.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unforgettable author's note part one of part three of part sevenhundredandtwentytwo:
Hola again everyone!
Only one more part of the Love and Hate Series left after this! ::sob:: ::sob::
But don't worry, there's plenty of action ahead. The Dark Legion and Mecha Sonic
cause chaos, our heroes Sonic, the Freedom Fighters, and the Chaotix take the
defense, Kayoss and Ace (the estranged spirits of the Chaos Emerald and Peace
Diamond) make their return, all while Knuckles swoons over Shelia. New characters
emerge and so does the plot (finally). Beware for laughs, tears, and of course the
essential action and adventure!
And as for the mushy stuff (lastish), it only gets worse from here on in... ;D
After this series is over, I'm looking for a bit of a vacation from this line.
But don't worry, I'm planning on co-writing a story with Orona Red. And after
that, will come my next series in this lineage: "Hope and Despair", then my
climatic last (planned) continuation "Life and Death." There is still plenty
of twists and turns ahead.
But don't worry, I won't be retiring anytime soon with my two words per
minute typing speed...
What a tangled web we weave... (felt like quoting Shakespeare)
Anyway, enough of my babbling, and on with the story! Hope you like it!
And don't forget, the legal junk is always at the bottom!
~Erin Lindsey
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.FurNation.com/clearwaters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter ten: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
It was a rather chilly morning in the forest, and a thin mist hung in the
air like an omniscient spirit, foreboding, yet oddly calming. Black clouds were
in the distance, but for now at least, the woods were serene. It was quiet. A
good sort of quiet, that made you stop and think where the sound had gone, and
where those clouds had come. Much had happened the day before, and today would
be a time of healing, before more fighting could once again commence.
It was a short time of peace in the middle of a raging war.
The air was crisp, and rising with the early morning sun, the dwellers of the
secret forest village known as Knothole began to appear.
A young echidna walked slowly though the courtyard. He rubbed his hands together
as he walked. He wasn't used to this cold climate. His home was on a far away island,
but for now at least, he was calling the forest his temporary home. He stopped and bent
down next to a single, tiny red flower on the side of the pathway. He examined it for
a moment.
"Such a fragile little blossom..." He mumbled softly. "It'll die out here in the
cold..."
He gently dug around the plant's base, and taking care not to tear the roots, he
lifted the little flower from the dirt, and holding carefully it in his hand, continued
on his way.
He walked towards the large building to the right with a red cross over the door, but
his path was interrupted by a large brown wildcat.
"'Mornin' Knux." The cat said cheerfully, "W'sup?"
"Good morning, Clawz." He answered, "I was going to--"
"--To see Shelia?" The cat finished for him, grinning slyly.
"That's none of your business." Knuckles said, trying not to smile himself.
"I might just be going to the lab for all you know."
"Yeah? Then who's that flower for? Me?" Clawz snickered.
Knuckles frowned. "All right, fine. So it's for her. Do you have a problem with that
Wildcat?"
"Noooo...." He said smoothly, grinning even wider.
"Quit smiling like that," Knuckles grumbled, "She's sick, I just thought it would
make her feel better, that's all."
"Suuuurreee...." Clawz said in the same tone, still smirking.
"Shut-up." Knuckles said, "You think you know everything..."
"Because I do!" He answered smartly, "You're in loooovveee with her!"
"I-I am n-not!" He stuttered.
"Are too, that's why you're blushin'." He laughed.
"Shut-up!" He growled, clenching his fist at him.
"Hey, hey, don't get violent Casanova!" Clawz said holding up his hands, "I
ain't lookin' for a fight!"
"Yeah well..." Knuckles said, cooling down a bit. He looked up at the
tall cat. "You're... You're not going to... To tell anybody are you?" He asked softly.
"Naw." Clawz said beginning to walk away, "... Besides, it ain't none of
my business..."
Knuckles sighed, shaking his head as he watched the big cat leave. He then turned
back towards his original destination: the infirmary, room 17, and. He walked slowly into the
building, then taking a deep breath, opened the door to her room.
She was lying there asleep in the small white bed in t he middle of the room. He
was both disappointed and relived at the same time. He had truly wanted to see her, talk to
her ask her questions, hear her voice... But he still felt rather awkward around her, ever since
she revealed her identity as a 'keeper' he had mixed feeling about her. She was so beautiful,
and innocent, like she had been shielded from the world in that cave. Yet, she had knowledge
about the sacred stones far beyond what he knew, and that made him feel rather unworthy as
his title of guardian. He had so many things to ask her...
He walked quietly over to her bedside and put the flower in a pot of similar blue flowers
on the table there. He looked over at her.
He smiled weakly. 'She sure is cute when she's asleep...' He thought. He let a passing
fantasy of crawling into bed beside her wandering into his head, but he shook the thought
away. God, he had only known her for a few days...
She stirred suddenly, popping him out of his trance-like stage. She rolled over on her
side, her back facing him. He decided it was time to make a tactical retreat, but as he opened
the door it creaked loudly. She sat up startled. He froze.
She rubbed her eyes. "Knuckles...?" She asked.
He turned around slowly to face her. "Uh... Yeah..." He mumbled.
She pulled the blanket up to cover herself. "Wh-what are you doing here?" She said,
running her fingers through her hair nervously.
"Well, I er... Um... I just uh, wanted to see how you were doing..." He managed to
stammer.
"Oh." She said. "I'm okay, I guess." She said.
"That's good." He said.
There was a short pause.
"So... When does the doctor say you can get out of the infirmary?" He asked, breaking
the awkward silence.
"He said in a few days, but I feel fine right now. I don't see why I have to stay in
here like a sick person." She complained.
"Well, why don't you just get up?" He said, "The doctor isn't around..."
Her eyes widened, "Could I really do that?"
"Sure. Why not?" He said. "Just for a few minutes. We could take a walk, and be back
before any one even knew it."
She smiled. "I think I will!" She started to lift the covers, but stopped suddenly and
looked up at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Er... Do you mind stepping outside for a minute while I get dressed?" She asked, blushing.
"Oh!" Knuckles said rather embarrassed, "Yeah, no problem..." He turned quickly and went
out the door. He stood there for a few minutes, trying to hide his impatience. He leaned against
the wall. He could hear her moving around.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and Shelia emerged. He stood up
straight. Her hair was combed and fixed nicely, and she was wearing new clothes. Instead of the
pink dress she had worn before, she was now wearing a tight green T-shirt and blue-jean shorts.
She looked even better than before...
"Where'd you get the new clothes?" He asked, trying to sound casual.
"They were in a trunk of other things Sonic and Clawz recovered from my village." She
said softly, "...Do you like them?"
'Hell yes!' He thought, but said, "Yeah, they look nice."
She smiled, "Thanks..."
He put a hand gently on her back, "Come on, lets go." He said.
They walked out of the infirmary and into the courtyard. Shelia took a deep breath. It
did feel good to get out of that stuffy hospital room. The air was crisp and fresh, although
a little chilly.
They walked out onto a woodland path.
"Sure you're feeling all right?" He asked.
"Oh yeah. I feel great. Just getting out in the air again makes me feel a whole lot
better." She said happily.
"Good." He said, "I knew the fresh air would help."
"I love the way is smells here in the forest..." She said closing her eyes.
He gazed at her. "Yeah..."
"Winter will be here soon, I can smell it in the air..." She said.
He leaned closer to her, and took a gentle whiff of her hair, out of curiosity.
"Mmm... Like roses..." He mumbled.
"Actually its more like pine needles." She said opening her eyes.
He jumped back, "Er.. Yeah..." He stuttered. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.
She stopped and looked at him with confusion for a moment.
"What?" He asked, trying to sound innocent.
"Nothing..." She said, and as she began to walk again, she teetered a bit. "Oh boy..."
He caught her shoulders. "Are you okay?" He asked with concern.
"Oh.. I just felt kinda dizzy all of the sudden..." She said, putting a hand to her head.
"Here, you better sit down for a while." He said leading her to a log and sitting her
down. He sat beside her.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Maybe I should take you back..." He said reluctantly.
"No!" She said rather sharply, but then changed her tone to a softer. "We were having such
a nice time..."
"But if you're not feeling well..." He began.
"I'll be fine, I-I just need to rest for a moment. That's all." She insisted.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
About then, she noticed one of his hands was still on her shoulder. He noticed too. But
instead of taking it off, he left it there. She felt herself flush a little. She gathered a
bit of courage, then gently put her hand over his. He was rather surprised.
"Besides," She said meekly, "I like being with you..."
"Y-you do?" He stuttered.
"Yeah..." She admitted, "At first I thought you were weird, but really... You're a sweet
guy..."
"I am?" He asked.
She nodded. "And when you saved me before... You were so brave..." She said, "You risked
your life for me... No one's ever done that for me before..."
"I... Shelia... You..." He mumbled trying to find the right words.
She put a finger to his lips. "Shh..." She whispered, taking it away. She leaned closer
to him, closing her eyes.
He gulped, but then he felt himself leaning to her. He closed him eyes too, seeing with
his heart. He felt their lips caress, then their mouths slowly open, and her warm wet tongue
in his mouth. He slowly put his other arm around her, holding her close as they kissed. She
tasted so sweet... She smelled so wonderful... She felt so soft... He never wanted this
incredible feeling to end...
It was a long time before they came out of the forest and started back to the infirmary.
As they came to the courtyard once again it began to rain. But instead of running into
the nearest building, they walked slowly on, barely even noticing it. When they came to the
infirmary doors they just stood there, not knowing what to say. They were both wet and cold,
but didn't want to leave each other. Finally he hugged her tightly, whispering a soft good-bye
in her ear, then she walked reluctantly up the stairs, and giving him a sad smile, closed the
door behind her.
He sighed, but his sorrow soon turned to pure joy. He ran through the rain smiling all
the way back to his own cabin.
* * * * *
Chapter eleven: "Technical Difficulties"
Deep within the metallic catacombs of the laboratories inside Robotropolis, sparks
flew. Both the real and metaphorical kind. Snivley and several workerbots were busy at work
repairing the bottom half of the nearly destroyed Mecha-Sonic that had just been recovered
from the deserts between the mechanical city and the Great Forest. Mecha's upper half
sat in front of the lumbering Robotnik while he thoughoughly interrogated the robot.
"WELL?!" Robotnik yelled impatiently, "Can you bring up you're memory files YET?!"
Mecha glared at him with his red eyes and crossed his arms. "Patience master," He
hissed softly, "My computer work was damaged in the fray, but I put the information in a
safe place... Now if I can just pull up the access code..."
The 'fray' Mecha spoke of was the one between his/itself and Sonic, Knuckles, and Bunnie
who ended the fight by smashing him with a huge boulder. The fight had been over the pretty
Shelia ClearWater's fate, and that of the still unseen Love Ruby.
Robotnik let out a snort of distaste. He hated waiting as much as his nemesis the
hedgehog. He was barely able to hold it in for another moment while Mecha continued to comb his
files. The information was worth waiting for... The location of the aforesaid ruby, and the
homing device controls that could lead his armies into Knothole...
Mecha beeped suddenly, causing the large man to stop his pacing and rush to his
creation's side once more.
"WELL?!" He repeated anxiously.
Mecha looked up at his master with satisfaction. "Files found." He said.
"...And?"
"The location of the ruby is confirmed." The robot said, "If my memory serves me right,
and I know it does, I detected a power source of incredible magnitude in a small charm that
the keeper female wore around her neck after the battle."
"You mean the blasted ruby is in a necklace?" Robotnik exclaimed.
"Yes master." Mecha said nodding.
"And the homing device you implanted on the rebel vehicle...?"
"... Is still functioning. They have not detected it. I will be able to pinpoint the
location in a matter of minuets." He finished.
"Excellent!" Robotnik roared, picking up the robot. "You make me proud, Mecha! You
shall be the one leading our attack against the hedgehog and his helpless friends! Finally I'll
be rid of them and their incessant meddling forever!"
"Sir..." Mecha mumbled, "I would need my other half before proceeding with the attack..."
"OH! Yes, quite." Robotnik said, setting Mecha's top half on top table again, where
the workerbots and Snively were just finishing up.
Robotnik turned and looked out onto the grimy city below with pride. He grinned evilly.
"Well... If it the ruby is still around that pretty keeper's neck... We'll just have to...
'remove' it..."
* * * * *
Back in another place, far away from Knothole, the Floating Island hovers high above
some unknown region of the planet Mobius. The guardian of the island, and of the two sacred
stones on it at the moment, Knuckles Echidna, had left the island, and went to the Freedom
Fighter base in the Great Forest known as Knothole. There he hoped to find out more
information on the mysterious Peace Diamond, an of course visit his good friends Princess
Sally Acorn, rightful owner of the Mobius crown, and his childhood friend and former bounty
hunter turned soldier, Clawz Wildcat.
During his absence, Knuckles left his allies, the Chaotix team, in charge of the island,
and his mentor Archimedes in charge of the Chaos Emerald and the new found diamond.
Unfortunately, the Chaotix are beginning to grow restless after their leader's lengthy trip
away from home.
It was a rainy day on the Floating Island. The sky was dark with large, ominous black
clouds. Loud thunder echoed across the island, creating a small earthquake. The ground trembled.
Rain poured. Lighting lit the sky.
"Damn, I hate rain." Mighty grumbled.
The Chaotix team were all gathered around a small fire in the center of the room. The
room was actually a huge hollowed out tree, which they used as rather a headquarters. Mighty
was looking out the window sourly at the rain. Vector was sitting on a rock by the fire.
Espio was laying in a makeshift hammock reading a thick leather-bound book. Charmy was sitting
beside him, wrapped a blanket and trembling.
"M-me too..." The bee said softly, agreeing with Mighty's earlier statement.
"Me three, G." The big green crocodile said. "I cain't get any good tunes!" He said
shaking his walkman furiously.
"The electrical current from the lightning must be causing the malfunctions..." Espio
mumbled, not taking his eyes off the book in front of him.
"Uh.. Yeah..." Vector said, rather confused.
"The lightnin' is screwing with yer music." Mighty translated.
"Oh." Vector said with realization. "Dumb 'bolts! I hate rain!"
A huge wave of thunder struck the island again, shaking the hollow tree like a brittle
leaf. Charmy whimpered and hid under his blanket.
Mighty laughed at him. "Scared of a little thunder, Charms?" He asked.
"N-no..." Charmy answered meekly, still under the covers. "It-it's just warm under here,
th-that's all..."
"Suuuurree..." Mighty said. "And Vector's mom ain't ugly!"
"Hey!" Vector said.
"Oh, leave them alone Mighty. Your just mad because you can't go outside." Espio said,
still reading.
"Yeah, po' lil 'dillo cain't go out an play!" Vector said, laughing.
Mighty turned and hit him across the back of the head.
The croc was about to retaliate, when and incredibly loud and strong crash of thunder
caused the island to lurch horribly. The entire tree was thrown to the ground. The Chaotix
tumbled about inside helplessly. Moments later the shaking subsided, and the storm quieted.
Espio sat up and looked around dazedly. He had been thrown from his hammock and entirely
across the room. Mighty was lying on his back on top of poor Charmy, while Vector pulled
himself out of the rubble that used to be Espio's bookcase.
"M-Mighty!!" Charmy grumbled from underneath him, "I c-can't breathe!"
The armadillo flailed his arms, but to no avail. "I've fallen and I can't get up!"
"That was so last millenium." Vector mumbled.
Espio helped Mighty to his feet, and practically scraped Charmy off the ground.
As Charmy regained his senses, he noticed odd smell. "Hey guys... What's that smell?"
"Wasn't me." Mighty said.
"No... It smells like..." Charmy began.
"Smoke! Fire, fire!" Espio shouted, pointing to the opposite end of the tree, which was
now up in flames.
"I knew we shouldn't of started a fire inside a tree." Mighty commented.
"Shut-up!" Vector said hitting him on the shoulder, "Let get outta here before we're
turned to extra-crispy Chaotix!"
They all agreed on that point, and rushed out of the burning tree as fast as they could,
forgetting their belongings, which they regretted as they watched the smoldering wood collapse
and burn everything inside.
"My walk-man!" Vector groaned.
"My books!" Espio winced.
"My blanket!" Charmy sobbed.
"My... er... Never mind. I don't have any important stuff to worry about." Mighty said,
laughing.
The rest of the Chaotix turned and gave him a dark stare.
"What?" He asked.
"Wasn't it his idea to start that fire?" Charmy asked.
"I think it was." Espio confirmed.
Mighty broke into a sweat. "Eh... C'mon guys... I was just playin'..."
"Lets get 'em." Vector said, cracking his knuckles.
Mighty dashed off in the opposite direction. He was soon followed by an angry chameleon,
crocodile, and honey bee.
* * * * *
Chapter twelve: "Foreshadows"
The storm was raging, making it incredibly had for the Dark Legion's warship to make
it to the Floating Island. Even though the weather had pushed them back in their attack plans,
they continued on, readying for the strike. Some of the soldiers were already manning their
vehicles. Others were waiting out the rain in the barracks.
The young servant girl from before was in her room, throwing things hastily into a
bag. She tossed a green combat vest, a yellow belt, a grappling hook, and various other articles
into the bag. She heard a knock on the door. She grumbled, but opened the door anyway.
A dark violet male echidna dressed in the trademark black robe greeted her. He was
frowning.
"Oh, er... Hi Lysander." She mumbled glumly.
"Hello to you too, Julie." He said firmly, "Why are you not readying for the attack
like Master ordered? I saw your ship was unmanned."
"None of your business." She snorted, trying to close the door on him.
He slipped through. He noticed her bag. "Why are you packing?" He asked.
She sneered at him. "I SAID it's none of your business! Now get out of my room!" She
growled at him.
"Sure it's my business!" He retorted, "You're my sister!"
"Look Ly, I don't need you to take care of me!" She insisted. "I can take
care of myself!"
"I asked you why are you packing." He said sternly.
"And I said it's none of your damn business!" She snapped.
He stared at her angrily for a moment. She sure was stubborn. But so was he.
"Are you planning on going somewhere?" He asked.
"Maybe I am." she said softly, turning her back on him.
"Julie-Su, just tell me all ready! we both know I'm not leaving until you do!"
She sighed, "As soon as we get on the Floating Island, I'm leaving the legion." She
said softly.
He was shocked. "What?!" He asked, "Master Kragok is letting you go? I thought you
were his favorite!"
Julie-Su shuddered at the thought of her master. Having to be his slave was pure torture.
Kissing him and touching him... The things she had been forced to do... She shook the feeling
of disgust away.
"Who says I got his permission?" She said.
Lysander's eyes widened. "You mean your ditching us!?" He said, even more shocked.
She frowned. "I hate it here. I'm nobody's maid or mistress anymore!" She declared.
"Y-you can't be serious!" He said skeptically. "If you get caught you'd be killed!"
She snapped her bag shut and threw it over her shoulder. She looked back at him
bitterly. "What do you care?" She spat.
His stern expression softened. "Julie... You know that I do care." He said softly,
putting a hand on her shoulder. "You're my favorite little sister."
"I'm your only little sister Ly." She said, sighing again.
"I just don't want to see you get killed, all right?" He said.
"I... I know. I won't. I promise I'll be careful." Julie-Su said. "Hey, the Floating
Island's gotta be a safer place than this dump of a air ship."
"You should stay here. We're a family. We fight for our cause, together..." He said.
"Not anymore." She said. "It not about Dimitri's vision anymore. Kragok has corrupted
the system, and I'm not gonna take it. Besides, I never wanted to be here in the first place."
He smiled sadly. "I wish you hadn't followed me so long ago..."
"So do I." She snorted.
"If you really want to take this risk... Well, I guess I can't stop you." He said.
She smiled too. "Nope, you can't." Then stepped by him and out the door.
* * * * *
A beautiful emerald-haired woman sat smiling contentedly on a her pedestal, staring
into the crystal walls before her. 'Everything is going perfectly as planned...' She thought
happily, 'Rona is working her magic, the freedom fighters will fall to Mecha Sonic's wrath,
the Dark Legion will attack and takeover the Floating Island, and all while that fool the
guardian is off cavorting with Venus' keeper!'
She laughed, rather wickedly.
"Something funny, darling?" A tall man in a white suit asked light-heartedly.
She turned to him. "Oh, hello Ace! Everything is just wonderful!" She said.
He was shocked. She wasn't usually this cheerful. She didn't even protest
to his calling her 'darling'.
She stood up, still smiling and hugged him.
Now he was even more surprised, but wasn't complaining. "What's got you in such a
good mood, Kay?" He said smiling.
"Nothing, nothing. I love a rainy day, don't you?" She said, almost giggling.
"I... I suppose." He said slowly, in confusion.
"Only one thing could make this moment more perfect..." She said, running her thin
fingers through his white hair.
"And what is that?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, I think you can use your imagination. You're a big boy..." She said slyly.
She definitely wasn't acting normally. Something was up. "Kayoss, what is going on?" He
asked sternly.
She smiled innocently. "What are you talking about darling?" She purred.
"Darling?" He asked. "Since when do you call me that? I thought you 'wished I had
never came.'"
"Oh, don't be silly." She said, putting her arms around his neck. "I said no such thing.
Do I have to be in a good mood for a reason? I just feel good today, that's all."
His unsure expression didn't change. "You're up to something..."
Instead of answering him, she kissed him solidly on the mouth.
* * * * *
The rain was pouring now. The sky was dark, and a break in the clouds was nowhere to
be seen. But paradoxically, the mood of the residents of Knothole where the complete opposite
of what would be expected. Everyone was gathered in the large meeting hall in the center of
the courtyard. Plans were being discussed, missions being recapped, stories being told, and
of course, gossip was being passed, mostly by word of big-mouth Clawz Wildcat.
"You don't say!" Bunnie whispered anxiously.
"Yup, it's th' truth." He said, smiling broadly and adjusting his sunglasses.
"Ah woulda nevah thought!" She said.
"Thought what?" Sonic asked, suddenly popping into the conversation.
They didn't seem to notice him.
"I noticed it too." Sally said to Clawz, "When we were coming back from the desert."
"Noticed what?" Sonic asked.
Again, no one answered him.
"Ah, amour." Antoine sighed. "I knew eet vould happen to them later or sooner."
"What about armor?" Sonic asked.
Antoine finally answered him. "Zats 'amour' you fuel." He snorted.
Sonic looked even more confused. "Say what?"
"He means 'love' Sonic." Sally translated.
"Oh." He said sitting down beside her. "Who's in love? Besides yours truly."
Sally smiled and put her head on his shoulder.
"I theenk I'm going to be seek." Antoine said rolling his eyes.
"Ditto." Clawz muttered.
"Quiet you two!" Bunnie scolded.
"So, what's the story?" Sonic asked.
"Well, it seems that Mistah Knuckles is sweet on our newcomer." Bunnie whispered.
"Who, Clawz?"
"No, don't be sick!" The wildcat hissed, "She means Shelia!"
"Oh!" Sonic said with realization. "Really? Them two? No way."
"Was it easier to imagine Clawz and Knuckles?" Sally asked.
"Cut it out Sal," He said making a disgusted face, "You're giving me mental pictures
that I definitely don't want to see!"
Clawz took this opportunity to punch the hedgehog in the side.
Sally looked over at Knuckles and Shelia sitting together at a table on the
other side of the room. "I just hope everything works out for them." She said, almost
sadly.
"Whatta ya mean L.P.?" Clawz asked, "Why wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, Sally-girl. I think they're perfect fo' each other." Bunnie said.
"Well... I don't mean to be pessimistic, but sooner or later Knuckles is going to
have to go back to his island. Shelia wants to fight against Robotnik with us, and she'll
want to stay in Knothole, so..." Sally trailed off, letting the sentence finish itself.
"I didn't think about that." Clawz said.
"Well, it don't look like they have neither." Bunnie pointed out.
She was right. Knuckles and Shelia were totally oblivious of anything except each other
at the moment. He sat across from her watching her intently as she told him about the legends
her mother taught her as a young keeper of the love ruby and hate amethyst.
"And what about 'the scrolls' you were talking about?" He asked.
"Well... Actually, I have never seen the entire scrolls, but a part of them were
given to my ancestors, five hundred years ago." She said.
"Why?" He asked.
"I don't know, really. I guess to keep them out of the hands of evil, or something."
"Huh... That's weird." He said thoughtfully. "Well, what did they say?"
"Along time ago, the eight sacred stones were made by one known as The Creator--" She
began.
"Eight?! There are eight sacred stones?" He interrupted.
"Yes. If I remember right, there's one for chaos, peace, love, hate, hope, despair,
life, and death." She explained. "Each keeper takes care of their stone until the true guardian
comes and assumes responsibility."
"How come you know so much more about this than I do?" He sighed.
She gave him an odd stare. "Why would you know anything about the stones? Are you
a keeper, too?" She asked.
He sat up, "Uh... No." He answered, trying to sound somewhat convincing. "I just,
uh... Never heard anything like it."
For some reason, he decided to hide his identity as guardian from her, for now. He felt
that if she knew, maybe she wouldn't treat him as she did now. And he definitely didn't want
that.
"But of course, I've never met anyone like you before, either." He added.
She laughed softly. "You're so corny..."
He laughed, too. She was so great...
He felt her foot rub gently against his.
Boy, was she great.
* * * * *
Chapter thirteen : "The Attack"
"Everything is in order for our attack, Master Robotnik." Mecha Sonic said happily,
"The troops are assembled, and I am ready to lead them."
"Excellent!" Robotnik beamed. "Finally those Freedom Fighters will learn never to
mess with Doctor Iv Robotnik!"
"We await only your permission." Mecha said.
"You have it. Begin the bombard immediately. And don't spare a one of them." The large
man growled.
"As you command, master." The robot answered, bowing out the door. He headed out
the building as fast as he could. The troops were locked onto his homing signal that he had
implanted on the Freedom Fighter's vehicle. They would arrive in Knothole only a few minutes
after he did. It was going to be pure pleasure seeing his organic counterpart and his friends
into their graves.
* * * * * *
"Hey, everybody look!" Tails said suddenly, jumping from his seat by the window sill.
"What's the matter Tails?" Sally asked, as he rushed past her and out the door.
"Come look and see!" He yelled, all ready outside.
Everyone got up and followed him with much curiosity.
Sonic, of course was the first out the door. "What's up lil bro?" He asked, but the
question soon answered itself. A small pure white flake landed on his nose.
"Hey, it's snowing!" Shelia said happily.
"Snow...?" Knuckles mumbled, a bit confused.
Everyone else came out into the courtyard. They were all silent for a moment. The snow
began to collect in mounds by the sides of the buildings, and soon, flake by flake, the entire
ground was covered.
Suddenly the white silence was broken with the sound of a snowball whizzing through the air.
It hit Sonic in the side of the head.
"Ow!" Sonic yelled.
Clawz, who was, of course, the one who threw it at him, chunked another one at him.
Sonic dodged this attack. "Oh, now your gonna get it!"
"Guys, cut it out." Sally scolded.
Sonic turned and threw a snowball at her.
"Hey!" She shouted.
He grinned. "Sorry, my hand slipped." He said.
She bent down and grabbed a handful of snow and threw at at him. It fell short.
He laughed, "You throw like a girl!"
"I am a girl!" Sally yelled.
"Heh heh..." He said looking her up and down, "I've noticed."
She threw another one at him. This time it hit him head on.
She grinned. "Sorry, my hand slipped."
They both ran off, playfully tossing balls of snow at each other.
"Hey Clawz, let's make a snow man!" Tails said happily, tugging on the wildcat's arm.
"Sure, Duce." Clawz said. He turned back to the others, "You guys wanna help?"
"Sure. I haven't done this... Well, since I don't no how long!" Bunnie said.
Antoine agreed too, and began helping Bunnie, as if she needed any, to roll a large snow
ball for the base.
"Whatta about you, Knux?" Clawz asked.
Knuckles thought a moment. He looked over at Shelia, who was standing out in the very
middle of the clearing, her head tilted up at the sky and her eyes closed, letting the flakes
fall on her face. He looked back at Clawz.
"Yeah, yeah, go get her Don Juan." Clawz said, rolling his eyes.
Knuckles smiled, and walked over to where she was standing.
She heard him approach and wiped the snow from her eyes, but streaks of water still
ran down her face.
"Shelia... Are you crying?" He asked softly.
She looked back up at the sky sadly. "I haven't seen snow in so long..." She whispered.
"This is only the second time in my life I've seen it actually. The first was when my... my
family still lived in Mobotropolis... I was only five years old. My father had come home for the
holidays, and he greeted us at the door with a bag full of presents... We opened them by the
fire." Her voice teetered, but she continued on, "It... It was the day my brother Jem got his
gun... What he always wanted..." She pulled the small handgun from the holster on her side,
running her fingers over the hilt. She closed her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. "It was
our last Christmas together..."
Knuckles put his arm around her. She broke down and threw her arms around him, sobbing
freely now. "It's okay..." He said softly, not knowing what else to say.
"I wish I never remembered anything." She sobbed bitterly. "You were right, the past
hurts too much..."
"Don't say that." He said, "You would rather have forgotten all about that memory? It
should be something that you cherish. I... I was wrong. You see, if I didn't remember my past,
I would not remember any of the good times either."
She sniffed. "... B-but they're all dead!" She wept. "Everyone I ever cared about is dead!"
He lifted her chin up with his hand to look in her eyes. "Everyone...?" He asked softly.
They stared at each other for a moment.
She smiled weakly. "At least I have you, now." She said softly, hugging him.
"Yeah, you do." He said, smiling too. "And I promise I won't leave you..."
* * * * *
"Ready for the strike, soldier?" A dark crimson echidna with a mechanical red eye, said
as he lounged in his huge throne-like chair.
Lysander was rather startled. He turned nervously to his master. "Er... Yes sir, Master
Kragok." He stammered, saluting.
"We attack in exactly two minutes," Kragok said, sitting up straight, "So you better
be... What are you doing in my chamber anyway?"
Lysander thought frantically. "I was just... Retrieving my sister's things." He said.
"You're sister?" Kragok asked suspiciously.
"Julie-Su, Master. She was here earlier... I was getting some of her possessions she
left here." The dark purple echidna explained.
Kragok's eyebrows raised. "Julie-Su is your sister?" He asked.
"Yes, Master."
"Hmm." Kragok mumbled. "Well then, tell her to I wish to see her after the battle."
Lysander hesitated. "... Yes, Master." He said, uncertainly. 'Was Julie-Su even going to
be here after the battle?' He thought, unhappily.
Kragok watched him leave. 'There was something strange about that soldier,' He thought.
'It felt like he was hiding something... Oh well, I have more important things to think about
now. Taking over the Floating Island was going to be sweet blood...'
* * * * *
"Should I throw a snow ball at them?" Clawz snickered.
"Don't you dare!" Bunnie scolded, snatching it out of his hand.
They were watching the oblivious Shelia and Knuckles standing in the center of the
Knothole courtyard with their arms around each other.
Sally sighed, shaking her head. 'Knuckles shouldn't make promises he can't keep.' She
thought sadly, remembering Knuckles' promise to Shelia that he would never leave her.
Sonic put a hand on her shoulder.
She looked over at him. 'People make blind promises when they're in love...'
Suddenly a shot rang through the air.
Shelia screamed.
Everyone turned to see her fall from Knuckles arms.
"Shelia!" He yelled.
Evil laughter echoed through the clearing. "Sorry to break up this sickenly sweet scene,
but I just had to... Drop in." With that, Mecha Sonic fell from above the canopy and into
the clearing. He grinned wickedly, his laser cannon on his arm smoking from the fresh shot.
"You killed her!" Sonic yelled.
"Indeed." Mecha hissed. "You have an annoying habit of stating the obvious, brother."
Knuckles cradled Shelia's limp body, searching her face for signs of life. She lay
unmoving and silent. He crumpled over her, feeling an overwhelming sorrow. "No... No, not her..."
He whimpered.
"Pity isn't it?" Mecha said, staring unmoved at the echidna on the ground. "She would
have made a wonderful robot companion for me."
Knuckles turned to him, a raging inferno in his eyes. "You bastard..." He growled.
He readied to strike with full force, but a hand on his cheek stopped him. He turned down to
look at the girl he thought was dead.
Shelia looked up at him, alive and well.
He was shocked at first, then overjoyed. "You're alive!" He yelled happily.
"What?!" Mecha hissed in anger, his eyes flashing menacingly.
"B-but how...?" Knuckles asked shakily.
She held up her necklace. If you looked hard enough at it, you could see the dent where
the laser shot had ricocheted off of it, simply stunning her and nothing else. "My lucky charm."
She said smiling.
"Well, you won't be that lucky this time!" Mecha growled, aiming his blaster at them
again. "I'll be taking that 'charm' of yours."
But before the robot could fire, Sonic rushed him from the side, throwing him into
the trunk of a tree.
"Hurry! Everyone run! Get outta here!" Sonic yelled, as he detained Mecha momentarily.
The others rushed off behind the main hall.
"How the hell did that hunk o' junk find us here?!" Clawz asked.
"I don't know..." Sally said.
"Zis ess ze end of Knothole!" Antoine sobbed.
"What are we gonna do Sally-girl?" Bunnie asked desperately.
"We defeated him before, we can do it again." Knuckles said.
Shelia, at his side, nodded.
"Well we better do something, and quick!" Tails observed, "Even Sonic can't take on
this guy by himself!"
Indeed the young fox was right. Mecha Sonic was running the original ragged. Whatever
move Sonic would perform, Mecha would do it just as good and twice as fast. Robotnik had never
created a finer tuned robot. But it had to have a weakness...
"The amethyst." Shelia said softly.
"What?" Sally asked confused.
"The only reason Mecha is so powerful, the reason he survived our encounter last time,
is because he runs on limitless power." She strained to explain.
"Say what?" Clawz asked, "Now you're just talkin' crazy talk."
"No, we should listen to her." Sally defended.
Shelia was rather surprised at the princess' support.
"What about an amethyst?" Sally asked.
"The Hate Amethyst." Shelia said. "It was the sacred stone that Robotnik forced me to
give him in return for my family's 'safety'. It was what allowed Robotnik to create such a
powerful monster."
"So you're sayin' that the stone is what makes the 'bot tick?" Clawz said.
She nodded. "If we can remove the stone from him somehow, or neutralize it's energy,
he would be powerless."
"But how are we going to do that?" Knuckles asked.
Shelia thought a moment. She slowly picked up the locket from her neck, examining it
carefully. "I know a way." She said solemnly.
Sonic breathed heavily. He felt faint, but continued dodging and attacking. His robotic
twin mirrored his every movement with the utmost accuracy, and wasn't even winded.
"You give up yet, hedgehog?" Mecha Sonic asked.
"N-never!" Sonic managed to choke out.
"Fine." Mecha said rather contently. "Continued to exhaust yourself. It won't be long
before the troops arrive."
Sonic slumped. "T-troops?" He asked breathlessly.
"Hundreds of Combots following the signal from the tracking device I implanted on
your hover-craft way back in the desert." He said, almost laughing. "You'll all be dead in a
matter of minutes."
Sonic felt his anger rise, but his strength was waning. He couldn't let Knothole be
taken over now... Not after all the Freedom Fighters had gone through to get this far...
"Hey Mecha Sonic!"
Mecha turned to the voice.
"You want this?" Shelia said, as she stood in the center of the courtyard, holding
her necklace in the air above her head. "Come and get it!"
Sonic took the opportunity at Mecha's distraction, and spun into him with what strength
he had left. The robot tumbled forward into the snow, ramming into another tree. His chest-plate
was bent open slightly, exposing the raw black crystal inside.
'Now's my chance.' Shelia thought. 'I sure hope this works.'
She opened the locket for the first time in five hundred years then. For a moment she
was blinded in the bright red light that poured out of it, up into the sky. The power of the
sacred ruby inside was much more than she expected. She could barely control it.
Mecha Sonic stood up, shaken by the hedgehog's blow, but only more angered. The black
electricity from the amethyst encircled him. He turned back to the Shelia, who was staggering
to control her own power. He grinned evilly, and zoomed towards her at an incredible speed.
Faster than darkness...
But not faster than light.
Shelia opened her eyes to find Mecha Sonic in pieces in front of her. She had been
able to direct the ruby's power just in time, but how...? She looked at her arms outstretched
in front of her, and realized another pair of hands were over hers. She looked behind her to
find Knuckles there, arms around her. She smiled weakly. He had helped her...
"Woo hoo!" Clawz yelled emerging from behind the building with the others. "What a
blast! I love the special effects!"
Sally rushed to Sonic's side, who had fallen after his last attack. After he had staggered
back to his feet, she embraced him happily.
"You were so brave..." She said.
"Hey, a guy's gotta do what he's gotta do." He mumbled weakly.
"You've really earned this today..." She said, and kissed him passionately.
A rather surprised Sonic stumbled backwards and fell in the snow, with her still
in his arms.
In the middle of the wreckage that once was Mecha Sonic lay the sparking black crystal
that had created him. Shelia walked slowly up to it, stepping over the shattered metal. Still
about a yard away from the stone, she stopped and turned her locket over in her hands. She
opened the back compartment. In less time than you could blink an eye, the amethyst was sucked
back into the necklace. Shelia closed the clasp with satisfaction. She had finally done her
mother proud...
Her duty as keeper of the sacred stone was done.
* * * * * *
"I hope Knuckles doesn't mind us crashin' in his place 'till the rain lets up." Vector
said, putting his feet on the table as he leaned back on the couch.
Espio frowned, noticing Vector's muddy shoes on the table. "Keep your feet off the
furniture! You want Knuckles to smash us when he gets back?"
The crocodile obeyed reluctantly.
"I hope Knuckles comes back soon." Charmy sighed.
"Hey guys..." A muffled voice called from the closet. "When are you gonna let me outta
here? I swear I learned my lesson!"
"Not yet, Mighty." Espio answered. "You've only been in there for five minutes!"
"But I'm closetrophobic!" He whined.
"That's claustrophobic," Espio corrected, "And you are not. You're an armadillo. You
live in an small enclosed space."
"Oh yeah..." Mighty mumbled.
Suddenly a small blast of smoke exploded on the table beside Charmy, who fell off in
fright. The smoke cleared and a red fire-ant wearing a green vest appeared.
"Hello Chaotix." He said.
"Hi, Archimedes." Charmy stuttered, climbing back onto the table.
"What's up, Archy?" Vector asked.
"Nothing, actually. I'm afraid it's rather boring around here with Knuckles gone." The
ant answered soberly.
"When do you think he'll be back?" Espio asked.
"He had some research to do, but he knows he has a responsibility here," Archimedes
said. "So he should return soon... I hope."
"I hope he didn't forget about us." Charmy said.
"I don't think Knuckles could forget you bunch even if he wanted too..." Archimedes
said looking around at them. "Hey... Aren't there usually four of you?" He asked, confused.
"I'm over here." Mighty's muffled voice called from the closet.
Archimedes jumped. "What the...? Where...?" He said looking around nervously.
"Might's in da closet." Vector said.
"Why in the world is Mighty in the closet?!"
"We put him there." Vector said simply.
Archimedes was very perplexed at this moment. "Never mind, I don't even want to know."
He sighed.
"Can I come out yet?" Mighty asked.
Espio sighed. "Fine, fine..." He said, slowly unlocking the door and releasing the
big red and yellow armadillo.
"Hey guys, the rain is starting to clear." Mighty observed as he looked out the window.
Vector and Charmy went over to the window to see for themselves.
"Yeah, you're right." Espio said.
"Hey, what's that?" Charmy said pointing at the far away horizon, where the clouds
had begun to clear.
They all squinted to see what he was talking about. In the distance, you could just barely
see a oblong black craft heading strait for the island.
"I don't know, but it doesn't look good..." Espio said, growing fearful.
"Let me see!" Archimedes said, crawling onto the window sill. He took a pair of tiny
binoculars from his vest pocket and looked out the window. "Oh no..."
"What? What is it?" Espio asked frantically.
"It... It looks like a Dark Legion Warship..." Archimedes said slowly.
"Oh, crap." Mighty said softly.
* * * * * *
Chapter fourteen : "Decisions, Decisions"
"You did it Shelia!" Knuckles said happily.
She smiled. "Not without a little help..."
"But if it wasn't for your idea, we'd all be toast by now." He said.
All she could do was smile.
"Wait you guys, this thing isn't over yet..." Sonic said.
"What do you mean Sonic?" Sally asked.
He turned to her and took her hand. "Mecha said that he put a tracking device on the
hover-craft we flew to the desert." Sonic said soberly, "That's how he found us here. He also
said that an army of Robotnik's ComBots are on the way, following that signal..."
"Oh no!" Sally said, "We've got to get rid of that tracking device before the robots
find Knothole!"
"Don't worry Sal, I'm already on it." Rotor said, running out of his workshop with
something in his hand. He held it out to them. "This is the tracking device I found on the
hover-unit." He said.
"Well, quick! Let's smash it then!" Knuckles suggested.
"No!" Rotor said, "If we do that, the robots will just keep heading for the last
coordinate they were given. We have to get it as far away from Knothole as we can, and fast!"
"Leave that to me." Sonic said, snatching from his hand. "I'll be there and back before
you even know I'm gone."
"Be careful Sonic!" Sally yelled, as he zoomed off and away from Knothole at mach 3.
"I sure hope he's not to late..." Shelia said.
"Yeah... If a whole army of robots like Mecha-Sonic showed up..." Tails mumbled.
"We'd be how you zay, dead meets." Antoine finished.
"Don't worry y'all..." Bunnie reassured. "I'm sure ol' Sugah-hog will get the job done."
"I hope you're right." Shelia said softly leaning on Knuckles shoulder. He put his
arm around her.
* * * * * *
"Man, oh man!" Vector said hysterically. "Whatta we gonna do?!"
"The Dark Legion is attacking the Floating Island while the guardian's away." Espio
said, trying to stay calm and reason. "What a predicament."
"Well, we better hurry and do SOMETHING!" Mighty yelled, "They're getting closer!"
"Archimedes, what should we do?" Charmy asked fearfully.
The ant looked a bit scared himself, but tried to take charge. "You three," He said
pointing to Mighty, Vector, and Charmy, "Go to the edge of the island and try and hold them
off."
"Right." They all said in usion.
"And what about me?" Espio asked.
"We've got to send a distress message to Knuckles down in Knothole and get him back up
here, pronto!" Archimedes said. "Can you get a message there through your computer?"
"I think so. Knuckles used it before to contact Princess Sally. I think I can still
establish the link, even though we are farther away now..." Espio said.
"Fine. Get to work all of you!" The ant ordered.
They all rushed off in their different directions.
Archimedes was left alone on the window sill, watching their impending doom approach.
The rain had stopped, but the storm had only just begun.
* * * * * *
Sally was startled by a sudden beeping coming from Nicole, her handheld computer that
was attached to her boot.
"What's up L.P.?" Clawz asked, as she bent down and opened it.
"Another message." Sally said curiously.
"From who?" Shelia asked.
Sally scanned the screen. "The signal's source is from... The Floating Island." She said
slowly. She looked up at Knuckles.
He looked more surprised than anyone.
Sally pushed a button, and a hologram burst out of the computer's back compartment
and was cast onto the snow.
A rather stressed looking purple chameleon appeared.
"...Espio?" Knuckles asked softly.
"Oh Knuckles, thank God I reached you." He said frantically.
"Why? What's wrong?" Knuckles asked, feeling tense.
"Oh it's horrible..." The chameleon stuttered, "We're under attack! Any time now they're
going to--"
"Attack? By who?" Knuckles interrupted.
"The Dark Legion." Espio said, "A warship. There must be hundreds of them... We need
you back here, and fast!"
Knuckles sneered. "Don't worry, I'm on my way." He said sternly.
The hologram flickered, then went dead, as Nicole lost the signal.
Without so much as a word to anyone, Knuckles dashed off into the woods. He didn't stop
until he reached a cliff overhanging the sea. He looked up into the clouds. He could see the
Floating Island in the distance. He was about to jump and begin his flight, when a voice
stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Knuckles wait!" Shelia called.
He turned around to see her running towards him.
"Aren't you even going to say goodbye?" She asked.
He was silent a moment. "Oh... I-I'm sorry..." He said softly. "Goodbye..."
She smiled and hugged him. He returned the gesture hesitantly.
"... So when are you coming back?" She asked, still hugging him.
Knuckles felt a sudden dread wash over him. "... I don't know..." He said softly.
She looked up at him. "Well you don't have to say exactly. Just guess." She said, still
smiling. "A few hours, a few days?"
Knuckles was frowning. He said nothing.
Shelia felt confused. "What's the matter?" She asked, feeling the same sudden dread.
"You... You are coming back aren't you?"
Knuckles turned away.
Shelia felt tears well in her eyes. "B-but you have to..."
"I... I'm sorry, Shelia..." He said softly, still facing away from her.
"No!" She said, grabbing his hand. "You... You can't just leave now... I... We just..."
He shook his head. "I have to go... Maybe when the island comes back this way next year..."
"Next year!" She yelled.
"I've spent way too much time down here... My duty lies on the Floating Island..." He
said gently.
"But... What about... Us...?" She said, softly. "You're the only one I have left... You
promised..."
His heart ached. He looked back at her.
A tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
He closed his eyes and cast his head down. Looking at her was making this even harder.
"I have to go..." He said.
"Why?" She asked, gripping his hand tighter.
"It's my duty." He said stiffly, "If I don't go back... "
"I know... But..." She stammered, "I..."
"I'm so sorry..." Knuckles said.
She was silent.
"I've got to hurry..." He said.
"Fine." She said, turning around. "Go ahead and leave. Leave me all alone again..."
"Shelia, please don't do this!" He said, "It's hard enough as it is!"
"What was I?" She sobbed, "Some kind of fling? I thought that maybe... Maybe you really
cared..."
"Shelia, I do... I do care about you... A lot..." He said, putting his hands on her
shoulders from the back.
"Then why are you breaking your promise?"
"Because I have to!" He said sternly, "Would you rather I stay here, and let all those
on the Floating Island who are counting on me just die?"
She was silent. She turned around and looked at him with those emerald eyes. Tears
streaked down her face. "... Will I ever see you again?" She asked quietly.
He sighed sadly. "... I sure hope so."
"B-before you go..." She whispered gently, "I want you to have something..."
He stared at her in awe as she gently lifted her necklace from around her neck and
up over her head, then placed it delicately in his hand.
"Oh Shelia... I... I can't take this..." He said, pushing it back towards her.
"Yes you can." She said. "The sacred stones are yours now."
"But..."
"My job as a keeper is done." She said quietly, "It's time for you to take over, guardian."
He was stunned. "You mean... You knew all this time?" He asked.
"Of course I did." She said, smiling weakly. "I know the words of the scrolls... I can
recognize a guardian when I see one... Besides, the mark kind of gave you away."
He looked down at his chest, and the white collar marking across it. He looked back
up her with confusion. "But... Why didn't you ever say anything?"
She sighed. "It was fun living in a lie wasn't it...?"
He felt his heart sink. He reached out for her.
But she was reaching in her pocket for something else. She pulled out a small bundle
of papers. She handed it to him.
"What's this?" He asked.
"The lost scrolls. I don't need them any longer..." She said.
He stared at her with a mixture of such strong emotions.
"You can go now." She said, almost bitterly. She turned, as if to walk away, but didn't
take a single step.
He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. She looked down,
crying softly. He stroked her head affectionately, then leaned forward and kissed her tenderly.
And when she opened her eyes, he was gone.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued...
::sighs::
Three down, one to go!
::brings out the tissue boxes:: What a sad ending!
What's next? Will Sonic be able to get rid of the tracking device before it's
too late? Knuckles is on his way back to the Floating Island, but will he
have the strength to fight of the entire Dark Legion? Will he and Shelia
see each other ever again? Will the mysterious Julie-Su get her freedom?
Will I stop asking these annoying plot questions once again? Well, I guess
you're gonna have to wait until the next part of the Love and Hate series
comes out!
Let's hope it's soon!
=^.^=
~Erin Lindsey
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.FurNation.com/clearwaters
Please visit my Sonic and furry art site at FurNation!
yay yay yay
Disclaimer:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legalities: Okay. ready, set go!!!
Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, the Freedom
fighters, the Chaotix, Dr. Robotnik, and any related
characters are licensed characters of SEGA and Co.
and/or DIC and Archie Adventure series Comics. Clawz the
Wildcat and Shelia ClearWaters were created by Erin
Lindsey. If you want any of my stories on your site,
want to use any of my characters, you must have written
consent of my authorization, beforehand.
Send any questions, comments, or complications to:
diamondneko@mail.com