"Darkest Before the Dawn"
Love and Hate Part 4 of 4!
A Sonic/Knuckles fan-fiction story by:
Erin Lindsey
Rated PG-13 for violence, a bit of profanity, and slight sexual references.
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Hello again everyone. Thanks for coming back to read the final part of my Love and
Hate series, my second Sonic fan-fiction series! Hope you enjoy this part. After this, me
and Orona Red are co-writing a story, then I'll begin my third series, Hope and Despair.
I'm also contemplating a story about echidna history... But now, lets get on with it.
Lastish -
Mecha Sonic attacked Knothole using a tracking device that will soon lead hordes of
ComBots into the Freedom Fighters secret hideout, but Sonic took the device and a zoomed
off somewhere trying to drive the bots of track. Meanwhile the Dark Legion attacks the
Floating Island, and while Knuckles is down below! When the Chaotix calls him back, he
had to decide between duty and the beautiful Shelia ClearWaters... And he chose duty!
Is this the biggest mistake of his life, or the best decision? And what of the mysterious
new gems (the Love Ruby and the Hate Amethyst) Knux has acquired?
Read on, and find out what happens next in this exciting conclusion!
(Sorry this part is mega-late, writers block and four web-pages to maintain don't mix well...)
Hope you enjoy!
~eRiN LiNdSeY
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.furnation.com/clearwaters
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Chapter fifteen: "Far Away"
The air was hot and dry in the burning desert of Mobius. This area was called the Great
Unknown, the arid western region that lay between the mechanical city of Robotropolis and the
small green forest where the remaining citizens of Mobotropolis took refuge. No drinkable water
for miles around, and the horizon seemed to melt, as the heat played tricks on a wanderer's eyes.
The sand clung to the sweat on the young blue hedgehog's brow as he ran. He was now
miles from Knothole, with the tracer in hand, an army of ComBots hot on his heels, and they
weren't giving up. He breathed heavily. He had to get them as far away from the Great Forest as
possible. If the evil overlord Robotnik ever found out the location of their rebel base, they
would be finished. And he wasn't about to let that happen, not after all the time they had
spent fighting to get even a little bit ahead in this Great War. But the sun was beating down
on him, and he couldn't take it much longer.
Man, he wished he had thought to bring a container of water.
He thought of Sally then, and what she would say.
'Look before you leap, Sonic...'
He smiled slightly at the thought of her. She gave him a whole new strength.
Suddenly he came upon a huge crevice, arching down into a deep craggy canyon. He
screeched to a halt, practically falling down over the edge. He caught himself quickly, then
turned to watch the robotic army continued their approach. He thought fast. At first he began
to panic, but then a plan formed in his mind and a sly smile spread across his face. He looked
at the small device in his hand for a moment, then tossed it gently into the fault.
He then took a few steps backward, and digging his heels into the dry cracked earth,
sprinted towards the canyon, and in a single graceful leap, jumped over to the other side and
hid behind a large boulder. He heard the robots approach.
The army stopped at the canyon, examining it, then following the signal climbed down the
loose rock walls into the narrow valley. They searched the vicinity for a few minutes.
"ComBot 47346 calling Master Robotnik." A mechanical voice called over the communicator.
Robotnik rushed to his computer console. "Yes, yes ComBot! What have you to report? Have
you destroyed the Freedom Fighters yet?" He asked anxiously.
The robot was silent.
"WELL?!" Robotnik roared.
"Well, you see sir, we converged on the homing device signal as you ordered..."
"AND?" Robotnik growled impatiently.
"And there is nothing here, sir." The robot answered slowly.
"What?" Robotnik hissed, "What do you mean nothing is there? Where is Mecha Sonic?"
"We are in an empty canyon in the middle of the desert, sir. Coordinate N1234 W3625.
And... Commander Mecha's signal is not being picked up. He is not here." The ComBot reported.
"Well keep searching you idiot! Knothole must be there! It's probably hidden!" The obese
human ordered over the hologram communicator.
"Yes, Master Robotnik, the troops will--"
Suddenly the ComBot's conversation was cut short as Sonic pushed the big boulder off the
edge and into the canyon, smashing the bot in the middle of it's sentence.
"What the...?!" Robotnik yelled in surprise as his screen filled with static. "Eye-view
monitors on all ComBot's on now!" He roared angrily.
Snivley at the control panel, who had been half-asleep, shot up and began typing
furiously on his uncle's command. In a few seconds, dozens of screens filled with images
shot from small camera's inside the visual cavities of the army of ComBots. Robotnik could
see whatever his robots saw, and right now he was seeing red, or should I say, blue.
Sonic was looking over the edge of the crack looking down at the robots contentedly.
Knowing Robotnik must be watching, he promptly stuck up his middle finger at him.
"The hedgehog!" Robotnik snarled. "Attack him you idiots!" He yelled into the other bots
communicators.
The robots followed orders and aimed their arm-cannons at Sonic.
He just smiled.
The whole army shot at once, and Sonic jumped back to the other side, dodging the single
powerful attack easily. The sound of the shot echoed though out the sharp walls of the canyon,
causing the rocks to slide and collapse onto the robots below.
Sonic snickered with satisfaction, then raced off back towards the Great Forest.
"I hate that hedgehog..." Robotnik grumbled bitterly as his screens went black.
* * * * *
Shelia ran through the courtyard, tears running down her face, her eyes closed. In her
blind haste, she ran straight into Princess Sally.
"Hey, watch it!" Sally yelled, but then felt guilty for scolding her as she saw the
tears in the red vixen's eyes. "Oh, Shelia... Are you all right?"
Shelia just cast her eyes down to the snow and shook her head.
"Wh... What happened?" Sally asked, unsteadily.
Shelia sniffled, wiping her eyes. "He's gone..." She whimpered.
Sally sighed softly. "Knuckles you mean?" She asked.
Shelia nodded sadly. She choked and began to cry again.
Sally put a comforting arm on her shoulder and helped her up. "I suspected as much. Here,
lets get you inside..."
They walked across the courtyard and into the main building that served as a meeting hall.
Shelia stumbled up the stairs, and slumped into a chair at the bar. Sally sat beside her.
They both said nothing for a few minutes. Shelia cried, and Sally watched her, trying
to provide what comfort she could.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked finally.
Shelia shook her head.
"Are you sure? It might make you feel better..."
"Oh, God... I don't know... He..." She stuttered, rubbing her eyes. "It's just that
he said, and... I thought..."
"Hey, calm down. It's all right..." Sally reassured.
Shelia snorted indignantly. "Yeah, sure. You can say that... You have your friends and
loved ones... I don't have anyone, or anything anymore!" She sobbed.
Sally suddenly grew angry, "Oh, don't give me that!" She said sternly, "I lost my family
too, and others that I have loved! Everyday I lose someone! I am leading a war, you know!"
Shelia looked up at her in surprise. "I-I'm sorry..." She whimpered.
Sally didn't let up. "Look, everyone here has lost someone, we told you our stories
before, but we have moved on..."
"But everything was just ripped away... First my father, then my freedom, then the
rest of my family, my home, and now... The only boy I ever..." She said softly, the last word
just a whisper, "Loved..."
Sally stared at her in awe for a moment. She cooled down a bit as she thought what it
would be like to loose Sonic, but still tried to be firm with her. "Come on Shelia... You don't
need him." She said, "You could have any other guy you wanted... Just look at you, I mean--"
"But I don't want anybody else!" She cried pounding her fist on the table, "You don't
understand what it's like to be me! The way everyone sees and treats me! The way they all
stare... But not him. He treated me like an equal... When he talked to me, he looked into my
eyes, not down my shirt... It felt so good to think he wanted to know me for who I was... He
made me feel so happy, even after all that has happened to me... But now... I have nothing..."
"Well why don't you go to the Floating Island?" Sally asked, "And be with him?"
"I... I can't. I'd just be in the way up there... I'd have no purpose. I want to
fight, against Robotnik. Get revenge on the one who took my life away from me..."
Sally was silent.
Shelia looked up at her again. "What I would give to be like you Princess..."
* * * * *
Knuckles fell to his knees as the landed back on the edge of the Floating Island. He
put his hands down on the ground in front of him to steady himself. He sat there for a minute,
breathing heavily. He looked down at the objects in his right hand : a shining golden locket,
and a small bundle of brown papers. He stuffed the papers into his glove angrily as he stood up.
He stared at the locket, trying to be angry at her.
Why had she made leaving so hard?... But he just couldn't blame this on her. It wasn't
her fault... But it wasn't his fault either. What was he supposed to do? Abandon his family's
dynasty and let down the Chaotix and the others living on the Floating Island? But still, he
had made her cry... And for a second, it seemed tempting. To throw all his responsibilities into
the wind and begin a new life, with her at his side. But no, he had betrayed her when he
was all that she had... He felt sick.
He closed his fist around the necklace. But then a new emotion filled him. A burning
hatred for the ones who's fault their parting truly was...
Without warning, a dark electric light encompassed his fist.
He dropped the locket in shock.
It sparked, then settled, smoking in the grass.
"What in the world...?" He said, picking it up again. He noticed a caliginous lavender
light coming through the casing of the backside of the small innocent looking charm. Slowly
he turned it over and opened it...
* * * * *
Chapter sixteen: "Darkness and Dreams"
Suddenly the Chaotix team found themselves completely surrounded by heavily armed black
cloaked figures. The Dark Legion had reached the island, and Mighty Armadillo, Vector Crocodile,
and Charmy Bee, were there trying to defend their home. They soon realized they were thoroughly
outnumbered.
"Oh man, oh man..." Vector mumbled.
"There's too many of them!" Charmy winced.
Mighty boldly stepped up, shaking his fist at the crowd as they closed in on them.
"Hey, whatever happened to fighting fair?" He asked, "One on one, skins versus skins?"
A legionnaire pointed a gun in his face.
"Oh yeah, those rules died along with you guy's morals, eh?" Mighty sneered.
"We won't kill you if you surrender now." The one pointing the gun at Mighty said, "Do
you give up?"
"Umm..." Vector mused.
"No, never!" Mighty said bravely.
"Fine, have it your way." He answered dryly, as he cocked his gun. But as he aimed,
suddenly the gun was snatched from his hands and turned to point at him.
"What the--?!" The echidna yelped, jumping backwards in surprised.
Espio materialized in front of him, pointing the gun straight at him.
The rest of the Chaotix cheered.
"The tables have turned it seems..." The chameleon muttered.
Taking advantage of the moment of astonishment, Mighty plowed his way through the
crowd of dark echidnas. Vector and Charmy followed suit, taking down half the group. But
still there were many. Over a hundred back figures, all attacking the four of them. They
wouldn't last long, but they kept trying, endlessly fighting on.
Mighty cracked a soldier in the face with the butt of a gun. "One down, three hundred
and seventy four to go..." He said the boldness fading in his voice.
Vector socked another in the stomach. "Make that three hundred and seventy three..."
Charmy was having a bit harder time than the others, considering his combatants were
ten times his size. But soon he found this to actually be an advantage. He would dart through
the crowd, easily dodging attacks because of his size. Sometimes the legionnaires would shoot at
him, then miss, hitting one of his own on accident.
But still there were too many of them. A dozen tackled Mighty at one time, just barely
overpowering his strength. A lucky shot hit Charmy in the wing, and when Vector bent down to
help his friend, he was shot in the leg. Even stealthy Espio was caught when someone seized
him from behind. The army converged on the wounded four, slowly, as if you draw out their pain
and suffering.
But all of a suddenly, a savage cry of animosity filled the air.
All heads turned just in time to see a streak of red, slice though the multitude, taking
down one after another of the Dark army. In one second, it had floored at least twenty. Blood
spattered as his blade like claws ripped though flesh, bones cracked, and screams of pain rose
from the crowd.
The Chaotix watched in awe as the bloodthirsty warrior took out the entire regiment in
a matter of minutes. Charmy hid his eyes from the violent scene, Espio looked like he was
going to be sick, Vector was rather confused, and Mighty cheered on the mysterious mercenary.
And as quickly as it has begun, it was over. A horde of legionaries lay torpid on the
ground, while others retreated back to their ship in fear, as yet another ran off into the
forest. And in the middle of the carnage stood a familiar figure, draped in blood, but none
of it his own.
"Knuckles?" Mighty gasped.
He turned to the group, a dark light of pure hate in his eyes. But that, too soon faded.
He felt all the energy of the amethyst leave him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed on the
ground unconscious.
* * * * *
Sally sat in her room, staring out her window as she thought. It had stopped snowing and
the white dunes were begging to melt in the soft sunlight. So many things raced through her mind.
She hoped Sonic was all right. He had been gone for a while now, and she was beginning to worry.
How far had he gone? Probably all the way into the desert, knowing him. Even in the winter, it
was incredibly hot there. Mostly because of all the pollution from the nearby Robotropolis. She
had been rather surprised for it to snow in Knothole this year.
But the weather wasn't what she was contemplating so hard about. She kept on thinking
about Shelia, and what she had said. She really seemed to care about Knuckles. She was a
beautiful girl, yet she wished to be like her? Sally had always considered herself a rather
attractive young woman, but also she had always been self conscious of her figure. She was
rather skinny, especially her arms, and she wasn't exactly big busted... Not like Shelia
anyways. But the boys had always managed to notice her, so she supposed herself to have
some sex appeal.
But when it came to deepness and feelings, she was a little flat. She would always put
work before pleasure and hide her sensitivity . She was an intelligent girl, book smart and had
a mind of her own. But she very seldom cried, or showed true emotion like Shelia did. Sally
wished she hadn't been so hard on her. For god's sake, the girl's entire family had just been
killed, then she finds someone who she thought she could count on, and he abandons her. Sally
truly felt sorry for the innocent fox-squirrel. Somehow she was going to make it up to her.
'What I would give to be like you Princess...'
Shelia had said that with such sincerity. It was ironic, how Sally had wished to be
like Shelia, only to find that Shelia wished to be like her. Sally laughed at herself softly.
She guessed everyone whishes to be something else, never satisfied with what they are. But
still she felt guilty. She remembered how horrible she had felt when Julyla died... And now that
her father was trapped in the void...
She shook off the tugging sadness.
'Sonic had better come back soon.' She thought.
* * * * *
He looked up at the sky. The beautiful blue sky. The wind was blowing softly.
He looked down into water far below, feeling no fear at all. The glow from the sun
bathed him in it's warm luminescence. All the hatred was gone, but sorrow still filled
his heart.
"So finally it is time." A soft voice said.
He turned around to see a beautiful young red echidna standing there, smiling at him.
She had blue eyes, and long quills that fell all the way to her tail. She was wearing nothing,
but it seemed so natural. But what surprised him the most was the white crescent marking across
her chest.
"Who are you?" He asked in awe.
"My name is Arora-Sa." She said.
"Are... Are you a..." He began pointing at the mark.
"A guardian like you?" She finished.
He nodded.
"Yes I am, or should I say, yes I was..." She answered.
He frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I was a guardian when I was still alive."
It took a moment for her statement to sink in. "Are you saying your... Your a..."
"Ghost?" She completed
He gulped.
She laughed at his reaction. "But don't worry, I mean you know harm."
"But... But why are you here?" He asked hesitantly.
She walked closer to him, touching him softly on the arm. "I come to tell you of your
destiny..."
"My... Destiny...?"
"Yes." She said, "What do you think is your destiny?"
Knuckles shrugged. "I dunno."
"You seem indifferent to your future." She said, rather sternly.
"It's just that..." He trailed off.
"Just that what?" The girl echoed, wanting a conclusion.
Knuckles sighed again. "Well, it just seems so pointless."
She waited for him to continued, but he didn't. He was being rather inconclusive.
"What does?" She asked finally.
"Being guardian I mean." Knuckles said.
She was shocked. "WHAT?" She asked frantically, "Of course it
has a point! What all have you been taught?"
"Yeah, yeah I know." Knuckles sighed, "But it's like..." He strained for words,
"Like I'm not really significant in the whole scheme of things. Sure, I'm important
now, but... After I die, I'll just be forgotten." He snapped his fingers, "Just like that,
and a new guardian will take my place. Just like my father before me, and his father,
and so on..."
She was even more surprised. "Well, that's what being a guardian is about, sort of."
She said, "Everyone lives and dies, but guardians serve a purpose: To guard the Floating
Island, and the jewels. It's an ever changing circle, and you might just be a small piece,
but you definitely are significant!"
Knuckles didn't seem to be impacted at all. "I want to be more than
just a piece of a circle. I want to be different, not just a clone of the
one that came before me. No one remembers them, and no one will remember me."
He said sternly, but still with that same sadness in his eyes. "Why keep on
going when there is nothing worth going to? What makes it all worth it?"
"I suppose you wanting to be more is a good thing." Arora said, trying not
to smile, "But just sitting around here wasting time isn't going to accomplish anything.
If you want to be something more, you have to make yourself something more."
Knuckles turned to her slowly, frowning. "I don't know if I will ever be anything
more..." He said soberly.
She sighed. "You will... So much more..."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"First, let me tell you a story... Of one little insignificant who became a incredible
hero..." She said gently, and began.
"A thousand years ago, the world collapsed into chaos, but one, the first guardian,
known as 'the creator of the crystals', protected the essence of good, and trapped the spirits
of evil in eight sacred stones." She said softly, "The most infamous of these evil
spirits was imprisoned in a green emerald..."
"The Chaos Emerald?" Knuckles asked.
Arora nodded.
"Uh, so what does this 'creator of crystals' have anything to do with me, and my so
called destiny?" He inquired.
"You, Knuckles, are the reincarnation of the creator."
He stared at her with bewilderment. "...What?"
She smiled. "You are the one destined to once again bring together the eight stones,
and keep the evil sealed, and the good protected." She said, "Just as I did... A thousand
years ago."
He was aghast. For a long time he was speechless, lost in thought, trying to sort out
all that this mysterious girl had just said.
"Confused?" She asked finally.
"Very." He admitted.
"So was I when the spirits first confronted me... You shall learn. I have great
faith in you." She said kissing him gently on the forhead. "Learn. Read the scrolls, the
story of the elements, and find the remaining four stones... Then all will be revealed."
"Please, you must tell me more..." He begged.
"It is not yet time. For now at least, I leave you to learn own your own..."
"No wait, please!" He said.
But before he could reach out and grab her, she had vanished.
* * * * *
"Man... He don't look so good..." Vector mumbled.
"Will he be okay?" Charmy asked hopefully.
"I'm sure he'll recover fine... He's just exhausted..." Espio reassured.
"He looks like he's in pain..." Charmy said, staring down at his bedridden friend.
"Don't worry about him, Charms." Mighty said patting the young bee on the head. "Knux
has recovered from worse than this..."
Suddenly, Knuckles groaned, shifting in his bed as his the Chaotix watched over him.
He lifted a hand to his face.
"Knuckles?" Espio said quietly.
The echidna jumped, sitting up quickly. "What the--" He yelped. He opened his eyes
and stared at the group blankly. It took him a moment to focus, and realize where he was.
He tilted his head in confusion. "Where'd she go?" He asked.
"Who?" Mighty asked.
Knuckles didn't answer just continued rambling on. "It must have been a dream..."
"Are you all right?" Charmy asked.
He looked at the bee. His right wing was wrapped in bandages. Vector was on crutches,
Mighty had a black eye, and Espio had his share of cuts and bruises.
"What happened to you guys?" He asked.
The Chaotix looked at each other.
"You mean you don't remember the fight?" Espio asked.
"... Fight?" Knuckles said in puzzlement.
"Yeah, against the Dark Legion." Might said.
"Was... Was I there?" Knuckles asked.
"There? You where the one who won it for us, man!" Vector said, "You kicked some
major boo-tay."
"Uh... So the Dark Legion is gone?" Knuckles asked.
"For now." Espio said.
"They're not going to be back for a while." Vector said. "You spooked 'em pretty good."
"You were pretty scary out there, Knux." Charmy said.
"It was cool! You were a lunatic!" Mighty said.
"Huh?" Knuckles said.
"It was almost like some thing possessed you." Espio said. "There was this weird dark
glow to your eyes."
Knuckles blinked. He remembered leaving Knothole... Saying good bye to Shelia...
Landing back on the island and... Opening the locket. Then a force over took him. All
he had seen was darkness for a long time, until the white light had broken it, and he had
met the beautiful phantom...
"Hello, Mobius to Knuckles." Mighty said, snapping his fingers in front of his
friend's face.
"Oh, sorry..." He said, reverting to normal. "I was just... Thinking..."
"Well, you did get rid of the Dark Legion, and saved us." Charmy said. "So, even if
you did go kinda crazy there for a bit, you helped us out."
"Good..." He said, almost sadly. "You... You guys can leave now, if you want."
"Are you okay?" Mighty asked.
"I'm... I'm fine." He said turning away from them. "I just want to.. To sleep now..."
"Okay then..." Espio said hesitantly.
"Bye, Knux." Vector and Mighty said simultaneously.
They all left slowly. Charmy was the last to leave. He looked back a the big echidna
sensing his sadness.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked softly.
Knuckles smiled at him weakly. "Fine. I'll be fine." He said.
"All right." The bee said, heading out the door. "Pleasant dreams, then..."
* * * * *
As Sally walked out of her door, a blue flash zipped by her, practically knocking her
off her feet. Regaining her composture, she came to a conclusion.
"Sonic's back." She said.
She walked though the courtyard, searching for him. He had managed to dash right out
of sight. She walked by Tails and Clawz, who had also been blown over by the sonic boom.
The big wildcat shook the wet snow off himself. "I wish he wouldn't do that..." He
grumbled, "I hate dis slush..."
"Did you guys see where he went?" Sally asked.
"I think he went towards the Power Ring Pool, Aunt Sally." Tails answered.
"Well, I guess he got rid of 'em bots." Clawz stated, "Since we ain't seen none of
em 'round here."
"I hope so..." Sally said, walking away from them and down the path to the pond. "Thanks
guys..."
There she found Sonic with his head over the edge of the water, drinking hungrily. She
bent down beside him. He didn't seem to notice, just kept drinking. She watched him a moment,
then angry at being ignored, pushed him headfirst into the icy water.
He came sputtering to the surface, clawing his way up the shore.
"HOLY CRAP is that cold!" He yelled, shaking.
"So, how'd it go?" She asked casually.
He stared at her in stupefaction. "What'd you do that for?!" He asked.
"You looked hot." She said simply.
"Hey, I'm always hot." He said his bravado returning.
She laughed, "Yeah right..."
"What was that?" He said.
"I asked you a question." She said, "How'd it go?"
"Oh, I got them bots good!" He said proudly. "You shoulda seen me! I crushed the
whole bunch of them! And got rid of that tracker."
"Really?" She asked, "How'd you manage that?"
He tapped the side you his head. "Strategy, Sal." He said, "I outsmarted them."
"Well there's a first," She said, "You having a plan."
"Hey, I always have a plan!" He insisted.
"You always just run around and blow things up!" She said.
"I know, that's usually my plan!" He said smartly.
She sighed, "At least you get the job done..."
"You better believe it." He said proudly.
She leaned over and kissed him softly. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Woah... I feel kinda light-headed..." He mumbled.
"My kisses can have that effect." She said smiling.
"No, I mean I think I'm gonna faint..." He said, wobbling.
"Oh!" She said, steadying him. "We better get you to the infirmary!"
"That would be good..." He stammered.
She lead him back down the path and into the courtyard and past Clawz and Tails who
were trying to touch up their melting snow man.
"Hey, can you open the door for us?" Sally asked, as Sonic leaned on her.
"Sure. L.P.," Clawz said, pushing open the medical hall doors.
"Are you okay, Sonic?" Tails asked worriedly, as he and Clawz followed them.
"I'll be okay, big guy." Sonic said weakly, "Just need some rest."
They ran into the doctor on the way in.
"Well, what do we have here?" He said, eyeing Sonic intently.
"I think it's dehydration and exhaustion, Doctor Quack." Sally said.
The doctor shook his finger at her. "I'll be the judge of that, Princess. I'm the
one with the medical degree." He said sternly.
After a Sonic was guided to a room and a thorough examination, the doctor came to his
conclusion.
"Just as I thought, dehydration and exhaustion." The doctor said.
Sally sighed.
"I suggest you get plenty of rest and drink plenty of liquids. And eat plenty of
starches and sugars to regain your energy." He said.
"Eh, right." Sonic nodded dumbly.
"Take two of these, and call me in the morning." Doctor Quack said, handing him
some lollipops and leaving the room.
After he was out of earshot, Sally began to grumble. "Where on Mobius did we pick
him up?" She asked.
"Yeah," Sonic agreed, "And what's up with him askin' me to eat that stuff you make
clothes stiff with?"
"Not that kind of starch, Sonic." Sally said, "He meant breads and noodles, and foods
that have a lot of carbohydrates."
Sonic gave her a confused look. "Carbo-what?" He asked, "Does that include chilli-dogs?"
Sally rolled her eyes.
"Hey Sonic, can I have one of your lollipops?" Tails asked.
* * * * *
Chapter 17: "Loneliness"
Shelia sat in her room across the hall, sniffling quietly as she tried to convince
herself that crying wasn't going to help anything. But she couldn't think of anything
better to do. She felt so tired, yet she couldn't sleep. He felt hurt all over, and inside.
She laid down on her bed, burying her face in her pillow. She felt so angry and so sad at
the same time.
'Why had he made a promise he knew he couldn't keep...?' She thought ruefully, which
only made her cry harder.
Now she had nothing. She felt as if her entire existence was now completely pointless.
Her family was dead, her beau had forsaken her, and he duty as keeper was done. What was
left...? Only to die?
She sat up slowly, looking at her gun on the table. She picked it up, fingering it
gently and turning over in her hands. A terrible thought crossed her mind...
Suddenly something else caught her eye. She noticed a small beautiful red blossom among
the blue buds in the pot on her bedside table. She stared at it for a moment, bewildered.
Had he put that there?
She looked down at her gun again. Her brother's gun. The one her father had given him
the winter before he died in the war. She thought of her mother. She slowly opened the
clip and let the ammunition cartridge fall into her lap. She picked it up, and threw it out
the window.
And then she prayed.
* * * * *
It was early morning over the Eastern Sea of Mobius. The clouds hung
sluggishly in the dense warm air. The sky was a light pink as the sun
began to peek it's way over the blue-green horizon, sending a sparking glow
over the waves. It was one of the few beautiful mornings the Floating Island
saw as it went wherever the wind would take it. However, the guardian,
Knuckles the echidna, seemed rather forlorn as he vacantly watched the
sunrise out his window. He sighed sadly, and slumped against the sill.
"Knuckles?" a red fire ant called as he appeared in a poof of smoke
on the table.
Knuckles didn't look up, just sighed again.
The ant stared at him sitting at the window with confusion for a
moment, then walked over to the far end of the table beside the window.
Knuckles glanced at him as the ant crawled up and sat on the widow
sill beside him. "Oh, hi Archimedes." He said turning back to the sunrise.
"Knuckles, is there something the matter?" He asked with sincere
concern.
"Not anything you can help." He mumbled.
"Are you sure?" Archimedes asked, "What's the problem?"
"It's.. It's nothing." The echidna said, "I'm just felling a little
down I guess."
"How come?" Archimedes asked.
He turned at looked at this teacher for a moment, as if contemplating to
tell him or not, but then turned back to the window. "I don't know..." He
said quietly, "Just... Lonely, I guess..."
Archimedes was a bit surprised. "Lonely? Since when do you get lonely?" He
asked, "You usually like be alone."
"I don't know..." He repeated sadly.
"Well come on then, lets go on patrol." The ant said cheerfully, "And after, we
can visit Mighty and--"
Knuckles didn't move. "Later... I don't feel that great right now."
"Are you sick or something?" He asked.
"No, no. I'll be all right." He sighed sadly, "I... I just want to
be alone."
Confused, Archimedes stood there for a moment. "But... I thought you said you
were lonely..."
"Please, leave." Knuckles said soberly.
Archimedes was rather hurt, but bowed gently and disappeared in his
gray puff of smoke. "As you say... Guardian." He whispered.
Knuckles waited until the last remnants of the smoke had cleared
before he gently withdrew the locket from his glove. He closed his hand around it
and held it tightly in his fist. Sorrow and pain washed over him like waves.
He closed his eyes, trying to hide from his emotions, but when he did all
he could see was her.
He could still feel her arms around him, her soft fur and tender
embrace. He had felt so warm and happy with her. Her beauty and gentleness
had taken him, and drew him into that passionate kiss. He could almost
feel her loving caress, but when he opened his eyes, he was alone.
Cold and alone. He felt so empty, like a hallow shell. She had become
a piece of him, and now it had been torn away.
He put his head in his hands. He felt horrible.
Suddenly a hand on his shoulder made him jump. He turned quickly to see his friend
and teammate Espio the Chameleon standing there, looking concerned.
"Archimedes sent me. Something is wrong isn't there?" He asked.
Knuckles turned away again, wiping his eyes. "Why won't anyone leave me alone?!" He
said, trying to sound fierce, but his voice cracked, ruining the effect.
"Knuckles, me and the rest of the guys are worried about you. You been like this
for days now. We're not just going to sit back and act like nothing's the matter when you're
suffering..." Espio said calmly.
"Well, there's nothing you can do about it, so why should I tell you?" Knuckles
muttered bitterly, "It'll just hurt more..."
"Why don't you try me." He said, leaning against the wall beside the window. "They
say I'm the smart one..."
Knuckles sighed. "Fine, fine... Everyone's just going to bug me until I do anyway,
apparently..."
Espio nodded. "Very correct. Now what's up? Why are you so depressed all of the sudden?"
Knuckles took a deep breath. "Well..." He paused. He looked over at him hesitantly, then
back out the window. "I met this... Um... Girl..."
"Oh ho!" Espio said, "So THAT is what this is all about!"
Knuckles frowned at him.
Espio wiped the grin off his face and tried to look serious again. "Continue." He
prompted.
Knuckles gazed out the window once more. "... And I miss her."
"Is that all?" Espio said.
"Well, there's more..." Knuckles said, "It's just complicated..."
"Uh huh." The chameleon said, "And what made this girl so special?"
"Oh, man. Just... Just everything!" Knuckles exclaimed. "She's great. Funny, sweet and..."
"Pretty?" Espio asked.
"Beautiful!" Knuckles said, rather loudly. "You should have seen her... She's like...
Like an angel..."
"She sounds wonderful, Knuckles," He said, "But why is such an incredible girl making
you so upset?"
"Like I said... I miss her..." He said softly, "When I left, she had to stay and..."
"And you are afraid you'll never see her again?"
He nodded.
"Well, earlier on I got a transmission from Knothole and--" Espio began.
"You WHAT?" Knuckles yelled, turning around.
Espio backed up a little. "Um... I received a message from Knothole..." He stuttered.
"And why didn't you tell me this earlier?" He said, rather angry.
"Well, you were still asleep and I..."
"Just get me another connection." Knuckles practically ordered.
"Okay..." Espio said slowly. "I don't know if I can re-trace the signal from so
far away..."
"Do what ever it takes!" Knuckles said.
Espio stared at him shocked, for a moment.
Knuckles sighed, cooling down. "... Please..." He mumbled.
"No problem." Espio said smiling. I'll have to bounce a signal off a satellite but I
think I'll be able to recontact Knothole."
"Thanks..."
* * * * *
Sally sat in the infirmary hall way waiting. Waiting for Sonic to wake up, waiting
for Shelia to finally come out of her room, waiting for a reply from the Floating Island.
If her plan worked, everyone would be happy again.
She stared at Shelia's door for a long time. She had been holed up in there for days.
She wouldn't let anyone in, she wouldn't eat, and everyone was worried about her. Sally
sighed. Things seemed to be getting worse and worse for Shelia...
Suddenly Nicole beeped at her side. Sally cheered up. Finally a reply!
"Hello?" She said, opening the hand-held computer.
"Oh, it's just you Sally..." Knuckles said, looking rather disappointed.
"Well it's nice to see you too!" She said, a bit hurt.
"Sorry Sally..." He said glumly. "I just thought maybe..."
"Shelia was the one who wanted to contact you?" She finished.
He nodded slowly, looking down.
"You miss her?" She asked.
He nodded again, rather embarrassed.
"She's been locked up in her room for a long time now."
Knuckles looked up at her. "Really?"
"Yeah..." She said.
"I bet she hates me." He said, sorrowfully. "I deserted her..."
"I think she may be a upset, but I don't think she hates you." Sally reassured,
"In fact, I think she has some real feelings for you, Knuckles."
He look a bit flustered at that statement. "Y-you really think so?" He asked.
She nodded.
He smiled. "Well... I've never felt like this before... About anyone..."
"...Anyone?" Sally asked, raising an eyebrow.
He flinched. He was silent for a moment. "... Why did you want to contact me?" He asked
changing the subject.
She laughed. "What's the matter, Knux? You thought I never noticed?"
"What are you talking about?" He asked, trying to sound oblivious.
"Oh come on..." She said smiling coyly, "You used to have a little crush on me."
Knuckles' face reddened. "Well... Umm... Maybe..." He said turning away, "But this
is different. What I feel for Shelia is more than that..."
Sally leaned back, satisfied.
Now Knuckles felt awkward. "Umm... Now can you tell me why you wanted to contact me?" He
asked, shaking off his uneasiness.
"I think I have a solution to all our problems." She said.
He lightened up. "What do you mean?"
"Let's make us a deal..." She began. "You do something for me, and I'll do something for
you... A mutual agreement."
"Whatever it takes to get Shelia back." He said.
"That's what I'd thought you say." She said smiling, "Well, as you might know, recent
attacks here at Knothole have damaged much of our grounds, we need room for trainees, plus
we've recently gained several new allies..."
"Yes..." He said slowly.
"So we're running out of room down here." She said, "And this is where you come in..."
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"You let the Freedom Fighters build a fort on the Floating Island where we can keep
new troops and--" She explained.
"Woah, woah! Slow down Sally!" Knuckles said waving his hands in the air. "Nothing doing!
We have enough trouble here as is!"
"But don't you see?" She said, "If the Freedom Fighters are on the island, we could help
you better protect it, plus Shelia could come and live there, since she wants to be with you and
still be a freedom fighter..."
He stared at her for a while, in deep thought. "I... I don't know..." He mumbled
uncertainly. "What does Shelia think of all this?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Sally asked, standing up and opening a door. Shelia,
who had been listening to their conversation with her ear pressed up against the doorway, fell
out into the hallway.
Both she and Knuckles were surprised.
She stood up unsteadily, staring at his image in disbelief.
"Hi." He said softly.
She frowned, saying nothing.
Knuckles glanced at Sally uneasily.
She took the hint. "I'll leave you two alone..." Sally said, walking out of the room.
"Are you angry with me?" He asked somberly, after she was gone.
"You did break a promise." She said softly.
He felt a wave of guilt hit him. "I know... I... I never meant to hurt you..."
She held back tears. "I know..."
"Please... Don't be angry with me..." He pleaded.
She sighed.
"I... I miss you..." He said softly.
She smiled weakly. "So I heard..."
"You heard... Everything?" He asked softly.
She nodded, looking up at him with her gentle eyes.
"Do you want to come to the Floating Island...?" He asked, apprehensively.
Her expression changed from wistful back to angry again. "Are you sure you want your
precious island violated by my presence?" She asked, rather bitterly.
He cringed. "Owch." He said softly. "That's hitting below the belt..."
She stifled back a sob. "Was it you who put that flower in my room?" She asked.
He was confused for a moment, then remembered. "...Yeah..." He said slowly.
She bit her lip, saying nothing.
He sighed, thinking for a while again. "I want you to come..." He said.
"And... And I want to come." She said, smiling sadly.
"Fine then." He decided finally. "Tell the Princess I agree. You can come as soon as
possible."
The sadness left Shelia's face and was replaced with joy. "...I miss you too..."
She said quietly, putting her hand next to his hologram.
"Come soon..." He said.
She smiled. "I will..."
* * * * *
Chapter eighteen: "Reunion"
Ace looked up, feeling a new presence. "They're here..." He said, smiling.
Suddenly the ear-splitting sound of laughter filled the chaos chamber, rattling the
crystal walls. Two new gems had been placed in the large shining room. One red as blood,
the other dark as night.
Kayoss cringed, covering her ears. "Oh great hell..." She grumbled.
A small pink blur flashed in front of her.
Kayoss stood up to come face to face with a way too excited, red-head.
"HELLO KAYOSS!" She giggled happily hugging her, "It's been a long time since I've
seen you!"
"Not long enough, Venus..." The emerald-haired woman grumbled.
A tall dark woman appeared behind them. She turned to the white-clad man
beside her. "Hello again Ace." She said dully, in her mono-tone voice.
Kayoss threw the overly-zealous Venus off her in rage. "Rona!" She practically
screamed, turning to the amethyst-eyed woman. "YOU failed!" She snarled.
Ace caught Venus in mid-air. She giggled happily. "Hello to you too..."
"What do you mean I failed?" Rona spat.
"What do I mean?!" Kayoss yelled, "YOU were SUPPOSED to kill those stupid Freedom
Fighters, and your keeper, AND the GUARDIAN!!!"
Rona stared down at her unmoved. "Do you really think I listen to you?" She said. "I
was just having fun with that stupid robot. And then I played around with the guardian's
mind, which was much more entertaining..."
Kayoss was fuming. "HOW dare YOU!" She screeched.
"Oh Kayoss, don't be so negative." Venus said smiling, still in Ace's arms. "Thanks to
you, the Guardian found our keeper and now we're together again!"
Kayoss scowled at her. And seeing her diamond holding her, she grew even more angry.
"Put her down, Ace!" She ordered.
"What's the matter darling?" He said, setting the girl down. "Green with envy?"
Kayoss stared at him with humorless eyes.
"Hee hee! I get it, she's green and--" Venus said, bursting into laughter before
she could even finish her sentance.
"I hate this..." Kayoss muttered.
Rona just smiled blandly. 'I love this...' She thought.
* * * * *
"You fools!" Kragok spat, as he sat at the head of what was left of his army. "You
cowards! You... You... I can't even think of a word to describe your stupidity! How
could you be defeated!?"
The beaten and battered Dark Legionaries bowed their heads in shame.
"You are all traitors, and should be killed for your defiance to me..." Kragok growled.
"No, master please!" A voice called from the crowd.
"Who dares...?!"
Lysander made his way through the crowd. "It was not our fault!" He said.
Kragok eyed him fiercely. "You again...?"
"There was a great force, a monster that beat us!" He defended, "We were not trained
to fight against such power!"
"A great force?" Kragok said, "What are you rambling about?"
"A dark force, that the guardian possessed. He would have destroyed us all if we did
not retreat..."
"The guardian, eh?" Kragok hissed, "So he has returned... And with a new power..."
Lysander nodded and bowed before him. "Please master, if you kill us now, there will
be no army left to fight again..."
Kragok thought a moment. "You make some sense soldier, so, for now at least, you and your
comrades shall live."
Lysander sighed with relief. "Thank you, Master..."
"Troops dismissed." Kragok grumbled, "Except you..."
"M-me sir?" Lysander asked.
"Yes... You are her brother... Now where is she?" He asked solemnly.
"J-Julie-Su, Master?" He stuttered.
"Yes, do you have any other sister?!" Kragok snarled.
"Eh... No, Master... It's just that... Uh..."
"What?" Kragok spat.
"She didn't return with the others..." He stammered. "She... She must have been killed
in the fight..."
Kragok sat up straight in shock. His one normal eye narrowed, the other, flashed red.
"I'm sorry, sir." Lysander said sadly.
Kragok sneered. "Get out of my sight..."
"Y-yes Master." Lysander agreed, turning and practically running out of the great
hall in fright. He stopped outside the door and slumped against a column. He knew better
than to truly think that Julie-Su was dead. She was too smart to get caught in a death
match like that. She had to be still alive. At least he hoped she was...
* * * * * *
Knuckles sat waiting impatiently on the edge of the Floating Island. How long had
he been sitting there? It felt like years. He sighed. "What's taking them so long...?"
He looked out over the horizon. He spotted a small green craft in the distance. He
shot up. 'There they are!' He thought.
He smiled, but then he felt a wave of anxiety. What was he going to say to her? Was she
still going to be angry? What was he going to do?
He hurriedly, ran to a nearby lake and checked his appearance. He looked all right.
Smelled all right. Nothing in his teeth...
He paced nervously back and forth. He glanced back out at the craft. It would be only
minutes now. His stomach was in knots.
He tried to calm himself. 'What am I so worried about?' He thought, 'This isn't that
big of a deal.' Knuckles thought sitting down on the rock again. 'I'm only going to see the
girl whose heart I crushed into a million and a half pieces.'
He gulped.
The small green hover-craft landed on the edge of the island. The door opened and
she slowly stepped out.
He stood up.
She stared at him for a while, with an emotionless gaze. But, slowly a weak smile formed
on her lips.
He smiled too.
She ran to him and threw her arms around him.
* * * * * *
Epilogue: "A Break in the Clouds"
"Your friends are very nice..." Shelia said.
"Can't say I feel the same about yours... One in particular." Knuckles said. He had
just introduced her to the Chaotix. They had strayed away from the crowd, the rest of the
Freedom Fighters who had come to set up the fort on the island. Now they were back at Knuckles
home, sitting on the couch in front of a warm fire.
"Why do you hate Sonic so much?" She asked, holding onto his arm.
"He's a show-off. A big jerk. He never even thinks. He has no responsibilities to
worry about..." Knuckles said.
"He beat you up once, didn't he?" She asked, with a knowing smile.
He stopped looked over at her, dumbfounded.
She leaned over and kissed him. "I'm smarter than I let on." She said.
Still a bit in a daze, he stared at her. "I figured that out a while ago." He said.
She just smiled at him.
"Oh, I have something for you." He said turning and pulling something out of his glove.
He slowly drew out the golden necklace and locket and put it back around her neck.
"Oh no, Knuckles..." She said, beginning to take it off again. "I gave these stones
to you, because you are the rightful guardian..."
He stopped her. "I know. The stones aren't in there any longer." He said.
"What?" She asked confused.
"I took them out, but don't worry. They're in a safe place." He reassured. "I wanted
you to have this. I know it must mean an awful lot to you..."
She smiled again looking at him and down at the heart-shaped charm. "Thank you..."
"Well, aren't you going to look inside?" He asked playfully.
"There's something inside?" She asked.
"Go ahead and look..." He said.
A bit confused, she slowly opened the front side of the locket. Inside there were
two pictures, one of her mother and one of her father. On the other side, there was a picture
of her brother and sister. Shelia was moved to tears. "Where on earth did you get these?" She
asked, still confused, but very happy.
"They were all in that bundle of papers you gave me. I figured you didn't know they
were in there, or else you wouldn't of given it me, so I... I thought I'd surprise you..." He
explained.
"Thank you so much..." She said, hugging him. Then she pulled back, but just enough to
kiss him again. He returned the gesture fervently.
"We have a lot to talk about..." He whispered softly, as they drew apart.
"Yeah, we do..." She said smiling. She yawned and leaning on his shoulder.
"I'm just so glad you came..." He said, putting his chin on top of her head.
"Yeah me too..." She mumbled.
"I... I was so lonely without you..." He admitted.
"Mmm hmm..."
"So, well uh..." He began. "Why don't you tell me about those Lost Scrolls now?"
There was no answer.
"Shelia?"
Still no answer.
He looked down at her. Her eyes were closed. He sighed softly,
smiling. She had fallen asleep. He pulled a cover over them, and nestled into
her soft, silky fur. He took a deep breath, and he too fell asleep with his
arms around her.
* * * * * *
She took a deep breath of the salty air. She felt the soft green grass beneath
her. She looked up at the horizon, where the great fiery sun was setting in the east and
the glowing night moons of Mobius were begging to rise. She pulled back the hood of her
black cloak to let the warm breeze blow through her quills.
She sighed, brushing her feathery hair out of her violet eyes. She smiled.
"No more taking orders..." She whispered, "Finally... Freedom..."
Her fight was finally was over... For now at least.
The End
----------------
...Of the Love and Hate series. But what still lies ahead?
Knuckles still has four more crystals to find to fulfill his 'destiny'. And who exactly
was that mysterious girl in his dream? And Julie-Su is free now, but for how long? Well,
things will start up again in the next series, which is right now sceduled sometime in the
indefinate future. Probably starting up again in late summer or early fall, depending on when
me and Orona Red finish our co-written project. BTW, sorry for this part being so late
again... I know I said mid-spring, and this is early summer but... Eh heh, just be thankful
that I actually finished it at all!
~Erin Lindsey
Please mail me with your comments and questions! I always love hearing from my fans! And
even if your not a fan, I'd still probably love hearing from you...
diamondneko@mail.com
And please stop by at my 'little' furry art site ClearWater Productions!
http://www.furnation.com/clearwaters
Disclaimer:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legalities: Okay. ready, set go!!!
Sonic the Hegehog, 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, Shelia ClearWaters, Kayoss Emerald, Ace Diamond,
Rona Ameythst, Venus Ruby, and Lysander were created by
Erin Lindsey. If you want any of my stories on your site,
or want to use any of my characters, you must have written
consent of my aurthorization, beforehand.
Send any complications to:
diamondneko@mail.com
Love and Hate Part 4 of 4!
A Sonic/Knuckles fan-fiction story by:
Erin Lindsey
Rated PG-13 for violence, a bit of profanity, and slight sexual references.
----------------
Hello again everyone. Thanks for coming back to read the final part of my Love and
Hate series, my second Sonic fan-fiction series! Hope you enjoy this part. After this, me
and Orona Red are co-writing a story, then I'll begin my third series, Hope and Despair.
I'm also contemplating a story about echidna history... But now, lets get on with it.
Lastish -
Mecha Sonic attacked Knothole using a tracking device that will soon lead hordes of
ComBots into the Freedom Fighters secret hideout, but Sonic took the device and a zoomed
off somewhere trying to drive the bots of track. Meanwhile the Dark Legion attacks the
Floating Island, and while Knuckles is down below! When the Chaotix calls him back, he
had to decide between duty and the beautiful Shelia ClearWaters... And he chose duty!
Is this the biggest mistake of his life, or the best decision? And what of the mysterious
new gems (the Love Ruby and the Hate Amethyst) Knux has acquired?
Read on, and find out what happens next in this exciting conclusion!
(Sorry this part is mega-late, writers block and four web-pages to maintain don't mix well...)
Hope you enjoy!
~eRiN LiNdSeY
diamondneko@mail.com
http://www.furnation.com/clearwaters
-----------------
Chapter fifteen: "Far Away"
The air was hot and dry in the burning desert of Mobius. This area was called the Great
Unknown, the arid western region that lay between the mechanical city of Robotropolis and the
small green forest where the remaining citizens of Mobotropolis took refuge. No drinkable water
for miles around, and the horizon seemed to melt, as the heat played tricks on a wanderer's eyes.
The sand clung to the sweat on the young blue hedgehog's brow as he ran. He was now
miles from Knothole, with the tracer in hand, an army of ComBots hot on his heels, and they
weren't giving up. He breathed heavily. He had to get them as far away from the Great Forest as
possible. If the evil overlord Robotnik ever found out the location of their rebel base, they
would be finished. And he wasn't about to let that happen, not after all the time they had
spent fighting to get even a little bit ahead in this Great War. But the sun was beating down
on him, and he couldn't take it much longer.
Man, he wished he had thought to bring a container of water.
He thought of Sally then, and what she would say.
'Look before you leap, Sonic...'
He smiled slightly at the thought of her. She gave him a whole new strength.
Suddenly he came upon a huge crevice, arching down into a deep craggy canyon. He
screeched to a halt, practically falling down over the edge. He caught himself quickly, then
turned to watch the robotic army continued their approach. He thought fast. At first he began
to panic, but then a plan formed in his mind and a sly smile spread across his face. He looked
at the small device in his hand for a moment, then tossed it gently into the fault.
He then took a few steps backward, and digging his heels into the dry cracked earth,
sprinted towards the canyon, and in a single graceful leap, jumped over to the other side and
hid behind a large boulder. He heard the robots approach.
The army stopped at the canyon, examining it, then following the signal climbed down the
loose rock walls into the narrow valley. They searched the vicinity for a few minutes.
"ComBot 47346 calling Master Robotnik." A mechanical voice called over the communicator.
Robotnik rushed to his computer console. "Yes, yes ComBot! What have you to report? Have
you destroyed the Freedom Fighters yet?" He asked anxiously.
The robot was silent.
"WELL?!" Robotnik roared.
"Well, you see sir, we converged on the homing device signal as you ordered..."
"AND?" Robotnik growled impatiently.
"And there is nothing here, sir." The robot answered slowly.
"What?" Robotnik hissed, "What do you mean nothing is there? Where is Mecha Sonic?"
"We are in an empty canyon in the middle of the desert, sir. Coordinate N1234 W3625.
And... Commander Mecha's signal is not being picked up. He is not here." The ComBot reported.
"Well keep searching you idiot! Knothole must be there! It's probably hidden!" The obese
human ordered over the hologram communicator.
"Yes, Master Robotnik, the troops will--"
Suddenly the ComBot's conversation was cut short as Sonic pushed the big boulder off the
edge and into the canyon, smashing the bot in the middle of it's sentence.
"What the...?!" Robotnik yelled in surprise as his screen filled with static. "Eye-view
monitors on all ComBot's on now!" He roared angrily.
Snivley at the control panel, who had been half-asleep, shot up and began typing
furiously on his uncle's command. In a few seconds, dozens of screens filled with images
shot from small camera's inside the visual cavities of the army of ComBots. Robotnik could
see whatever his robots saw, and right now he was seeing red, or should I say, blue.
Sonic was looking over the edge of the crack looking down at the robots contentedly.
Knowing Robotnik must be watching, he promptly stuck up his middle finger at him.
"The hedgehog!" Robotnik snarled. "Attack him you idiots!" He yelled into the other bots
communicators.
The robots followed orders and aimed their arm-cannons at Sonic.
He just smiled.
The whole army shot at once, and Sonic jumped back to the other side, dodging the single
powerful attack easily. The sound of the shot echoed though out the sharp walls of the canyon,
causing the rocks to slide and collapse onto the robots below.
Sonic snickered with satisfaction, then raced off back towards the Great Forest.
"I hate that hedgehog..." Robotnik grumbled bitterly as his screens went black.
* * * * *
Shelia ran through the courtyard, tears running down her face, her eyes closed. In her
blind haste, she ran straight into Princess Sally.
"Hey, watch it!" Sally yelled, but then felt guilty for scolding her as she saw the
tears in the red vixen's eyes. "Oh, Shelia... Are you all right?"
Shelia just cast her eyes down to the snow and shook her head.
"Wh... What happened?" Sally asked, unsteadily.
Shelia sniffled, wiping her eyes. "He's gone..." She whimpered.
Sally sighed softly. "Knuckles you mean?" She asked.
Shelia nodded sadly. She choked and began to cry again.
Sally put a comforting arm on her shoulder and helped her up. "I suspected as much. Here,
lets get you inside..."
They walked across the courtyard and into the main building that served as a meeting hall.
Shelia stumbled up the stairs, and slumped into a chair at the bar. Sally sat beside her.
They both said nothing for a few minutes. Shelia cried, and Sally watched her, trying
to provide what comfort she could.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked finally.
Shelia shook her head.
"Are you sure? It might make you feel better..."
"Oh, God... I don't know... He..." She stuttered, rubbing her eyes. "It's just that
he said, and... I thought..."
"Hey, calm down. It's all right..." Sally reassured.
Shelia snorted indignantly. "Yeah, sure. You can say that... You have your friends and
loved ones... I don't have anyone, or anything anymore!" She sobbed.
Sally suddenly grew angry, "Oh, don't give me that!" She said sternly, "I lost my family
too, and others that I have loved! Everyday I lose someone! I am leading a war, you know!"
Shelia looked up at her in surprise. "I-I'm sorry..." She whimpered.
Sally didn't let up. "Look, everyone here has lost someone, we told you our stories
before, but we have moved on..."
"But everything was just ripped away... First my father, then my freedom, then the
rest of my family, my home, and now... The only boy I ever..." She said softly, the last word
just a whisper, "Loved..."
Sally stared at her in awe for a moment. She cooled down a bit as she thought what it
would be like to loose Sonic, but still tried to be firm with her. "Come on Shelia... You don't
need him." She said, "You could have any other guy you wanted... Just look at you, I mean--"
"But I don't want anybody else!" She cried pounding her fist on the table, "You don't
understand what it's like to be me! The way everyone sees and treats me! The way they all
stare... But not him. He treated me like an equal... When he talked to me, he looked into my
eyes, not down my shirt... It felt so good to think he wanted to know me for who I was... He
made me feel so happy, even after all that has happened to me... But now... I have nothing..."
"Well why don't you go to the Floating Island?" Sally asked, "And be with him?"
"I... I can't. I'd just be in the way up there... I'd have no purpose. I want to
fight, against Robotnik. Get revenge on the one who took my life away from me..."
Sally was silent.
Shelia looked up at her again. "What I would give to be like you Princess..."
* * * * *
Knuckles fell to his knees as the landed back on the edge of the Floating Island. He
put his hands down on the ground in front of him to steady himself. He sat there for a minute,
breathing heavily. He looked down at the objects in his right hand : a shining golden locket,
and a small bundle of brown papers. He stuffed the papers into his glove angrily as he stood up.
He stared at the locket, trying to be angry at her.
Why had she made leaving so hard?... But he just couldn't blame this on her. It wasn't
her fault... But it wasn't his fault either. What was he supposed to do? Abandon his family's
dynasty and let down the Chaotix and the others living on the Floating Island? But still, he
had made her cry... And for a second, it seemed tempting. To throw all his responsibilities into
the wind and begin a new life, with her at his side. But no, he had betrayed her when he
was all that she had... He felt sick.
He closed his fist around the necklace. But then a new emotion filled him. A burning
hatred for the ones who's fault their parting truly was...
Without warning, a dark electric light encompassed his fist.
He dropped the locket in shock.
It sparked, then settled, smoking in the grass.
"What in the world...?" He said, picking it up again. He noticed a caliginous lavender
light coming through the casing of the backside of the small innocent looking charm. Slowly
he turned it over and opened it...
* * * * *
Chapter sixteen: "Darkness and Dreams"
Suddenly the Chaotix team found themselves completely surrounded by heavily armed black
cloaked figures. The Dark Legion had reached the island, and Mighty Armadillo, Vector Crocodile,
and Charmy Bee, were there trying to defend their home. They soon realized they were thoroughly
outnumbered.
"Oh man, oh man..." Vector mumbled.
"There's too many of them!" Charmy winced.
Mighty boldly stepped up, shaking his fist at the crowd as they closed in on them.
"Hey, whatever happened to fighting fair?" He asked, "One on one, skins versus skins?"
A legionnaire pointed a gun in his face.
"Oh yeah, those rules died along with you guy's morals, eh?" Mighty sneered.
"We won't kill you if you surrender now." The one pointing the gun at Mighty said, "Do
you give up?"
"Umm..." Vector mused.
"No, never!" Mighty said bravely.
"Fine, have it your way." He answered dryly, as he cocked his gun. But as he aimed,
suddenly the gun was snatched from his hands and turned to point at him.
"What the--?!" The echidna yelped, jumping backwards in surprised.
Espio materialized in front of him, pointing the gun straight at him.
The rest of the Chaotix cheered.
"The tables have turned it seems..." The chameleon muttered.
Taking advantage of the moment of astonishment, Mighty plowed his way through the
crowd of dark echidnas. Vector and Charmy followed suit, taking down half the group. But
still there were many. Over a hundred back figures, all attacking the four of them. They
wouldn't last long, but they kept trying, endlessly fighting on.
Mighty cracked a soldier in the face with the butt of a gun. "One down, three hundred
and seventy four to go..." He said the boldness fading in his voice.
Vector socked another in the stomach. "Make that three hundred and seventy three..."
Charmy was having a bit harder time than the others, considering his combatants were
ten times his size. But soon he found this to actually be an advantage. He would dart through
the crowd, easily dodging attacks because of his size. Sometimes the legionnaires would shoot at
him, then miss, hitting one of his own on accident.
But still there were too many of them. A dozen tackled Mighty at one time, just barely
overpowering his strength. A lucky shot hit Charmy in the wing, and when Vector bent down to
help his friend, he was shot in the leg. Even stealthy Espio was caught when someone seized
him from behind. The army converged on the wounded four, slowly, as if you draw out their pain
and suffering.
But all of a suddenly, a savage cry of animosity filled the air.
All heads turned just in time to see a streak of red, slice though the multitude, taking
down one after another of the Dark army. In one second, it had floored at least twenty. Blood
spattered as his blade like claws ripped though flesh, bones cracked, and screams of pain rose
from the crowd.
The Chaotix watched in awe as the bloodthirsty warrior took out the entire regiment in
a matter of minutes. Charmy hid his eyes from the violent scene, Espio looked like he was
going to be sick, Vector was rather confused, and Mighty cheered on the mysterious mercenary.
And as quickly as it has begun, it was over. A horde of legionaries lay torpid on the
ground, while others retreated back to their ship in fear, as yet another ran off into the
forest. And in the middle of the carnage stood a familiar figure, draped in blood, but none
of it his own.
"Knuckles?" Mighty gasped.
He turned to the group, a dark light of pure hate in his eyes. But that, too soon faded.
He felt all the energy of the amethyst leave him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed on the
ground unconscious.
* * * * *
Sally sat in her room, staring out her window as she thought. It had stopped snowing and
the white dunes were begging to melt in the soft sunlight. So many things raced through her mind.
She hoped Sonic was all right. He had been gone for a while now, and she was beginning to worry.
How far had he gone? Probably all the way into the desert, knowing him. Even in the winter, it
was incredibly hot there. Mostly because of all the pollution from the nearby Robotropolis. She
had been rather surprised for it to snow in Knothole this year.
But the weather wasn't what she was contemplating so hard about. She kept on thinking
about Shelia, and what she had said. She really seemed to care about Knuckles. She was a
beautiful girl, yet she wished to be like her? Sally had always considered herself a rather
attractive young woman, but also she had always been self conscious of her figure. She was
rather skinny, especially her arms, and she wasn't exactly big busted... Not like Shelia
anyways. But the boys had always managed to notice her, so she supposed herself to have
some sex appeal.
But when it came to deepness and feelings, she was a little flat. She would always put
work before pleasure and hide her sensitivity . She was an intelligent girl, book smart and had
a mind of her own. But she very seldom cried, or showed true emotion like Shelia did. Sally
wished she hadn't been so hard on her. For god's sake, the girl's entire family had just been
killed, then she finds someone who she thought she could count on, and he abandons her. Sally
truly felt sorry for the innocent fox-squirrel. Somehow she was going to make it up to her.
'What I would give to be like you Princess...'
Shelia had said that with such sincerity. It was ironic, how Sally had wished to be
like Shelia, only to find that Shelia wished to be like her. Sally laughed at herself softly.
She guessed everyone whishes to be something else, never satisfied with what they are. But
still she felt guilty. She remembered how horrible she had felt when Julyla died... And now that
her father was trapped in the void...
She shook off the tugging sadness.
'Sonic had better come back soon.' She thought.
* * * * *
He looked up at the sky. The beautiful blue sky. The wind was blowing softly.
He looked down into water far below, feeling no fear at all. The glow from the sun
bathed him in it's warm luminescence. All the hatred was gone, but sorrow still filled
his heart.
"So finally it is time." A soft voice said.
He turned around to see a beautiful young red echidna standing there, smiling at him.
She had blue eyes, and long quills that fell all the way to her tail. She was wearing nothing,
but it seemed so natural. But what surprised him the most was the white crescent marking across
her chest.
"Who are you?" He asked in awe.
"My name is Arora-Sa." She said.
"Are... Are you a..." He began pointing at the mark.
"A guardian like you?" She finished.
He nodded.
"Yes I am, or should I say, yes I was..." She answered.
He frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I was a guardian when I was still alive."
It took a moment for her statement to sink in. "Are you saying your... Your a..."
"Ghost?" She completed
He gulped.
She laughed at his reaction. "But don't worry, I mean you know harm."
"But... But why are you here?" He asked hesitantly.
She walked closer to him, touching him softly on the arm. "I come to tell you of your
destiny..."
"My... Destiny...?"
"Yes." She said, "What do you think is your destiny?"
Knuckles shrugged. "I dunno."
"You seem indifferent to your future." She said, rather sternly.
"It's just that..." He trailed off.
"Just that what?" The girl echoed, wanting a conclusion.
Knuckles sighed again. "Well, it just seems so pointless."
She waited for him to continued, but he didn't. He was being rather inconclusive.
"What does?" She asked finally.
"Being guardian I mean." Knuckles said.
She was shocked. "WHAT?" She asked frantically, "Of course it
has a point! What all have you been taught?"
"Yeah, yeah I know." Knuckles sighed, "But it's like..." He strained for words,
"Like I'm not really significant in the whole scheme of things. Sure, I'm important
now, but... After I die, I'll just be forgotten." He snapped his fingers, "Just like that,
and a new guardian will take my place. Just like my father before me, and his father,
and so on..."
She was even more surprised. "Well, that's what being a guardian is about, sort of."
She said, "Everyone lives and dies, but guardians serve a purpose: To guard the Floating
Island, and the jewels. It's an ever changing circle, and you might just be a small piece,
but you definitely are significant!"
Knuckles didn't seem to be impacted at all. "I want to be more than
just a piece of a circle. I want to be different, not just a clone of the
one that came before me. No one remembers them, and no one will remember me."
He said sternly, but still with that same sadness in his eyes. "Why keep on
going when there is nothing worth going to? What makes it all worth it?"
"I suppose you wanting to be more is a good thing." Arora said, trying not
to smile, "But just sitting around here wasting time isn't going to accomplish anything.
If you want to be something more, you have to make yourself something more."
Knuckles turned to her slowly, frowning. "I don't know if I will ever be anything
more..." He said soberly.
She sighed. "You will... So much more..."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"First, let me tell you a story... Of one little insignificant who became a incredible
hero..." She said gently, and began.
"A thousand years ago, the world collapsed into chaos, but one, the first guardian,
known as 'the creator of the crystals', protected the essence of good, and trapped the spirits
of evil in eight sacred stones." She said softly, "The most infamous of these evil
spirits was imprisoned in a green emerald..."
"The Chaos Emerald?" Knuckles asked.
Arora nodded.
"Uh, so what does this 'creator of crystals' have anything to do with me, and my so
called destiny?" He inquired.
"You, Knuckles, are the reincarnation of the creator."
He stared at her with bewilderment. "...What?"
She smiled. "You are the one destined to once again bring together the eight stones,
and keep the evil sealed, and the good protected." She said, "Just as I did... A thousand
years ago."
He was aghast. For a long time he was speechless, lost in thought, trying to sort out
all that this mysterious girl had just said.
"Confused?" She asked finally.
"Very." He admitted.
"So was I when the spirits first confronted me... You shall learn. I have great
faith in you." She said kissing him gently on the forhead. "Learn. Read the scrolls, the
story of the elements, and find the remaining four stones... Then all will be revealed."
"Please, you must tell me more..." He begged.
"It is not yet time. For now at least, I leave you to learn own your own..."
"No wait, please!" He said.
But before he could reach out and grab her, she had vanished.
* * * * *
"Man... He don't look so good..." Vector mumbled.
"Will he be okay?" Charmy asked hopefully.
"I'm sure he'll recover fine... He's just exhausted..." Espio reassured.
"He looks like he's in pain..." Charmy said, staring down at his bedridden friend.
"Don't worry about him, Charms." Mighty said patting the young bee on the head. "Knux
has recovered from worse than this..."
Suddenly, Knuckles groaned, shifting in his bed as his the Chaotix watched over him.
He lifted a hand to his face.
"Knuckles?" Espio said quietly.
The echidna jumped, sitting up quickly. "What the--" He yelped. He opened his eyes
and stared at the group blankly. It took him a moment to focus, and realize where he was.
He tilted his head in confusion. "Where'd she go?" He asked.
"Who?" Mighty asked.
Knuckles didn't answer just continued rambling on. "It must have been a dream..."
"Are you all right?" Charmy asked.
He looked at the bee. His right wing was wrapped in bandages. Vector was on crutches,
Mighty had a black eye, and Espio had his share of cuts and bruises.
"What happened to you guys?" He asked.
The Chaotix looked at each other.
"You mean you don't remember the fight?" Espio asked.
"... Fight?" Knuckles said in puzzlement.
"Yeah, against the Dark Legion." Might said.
"Was... Was I there?" Knuckles asked.
"There? You where the one who won it for us, man!" Vector said, "You kicked some
major boo-tay."
"Uh... So the Dark Legion is gone?" Knuckles asked.
"For now." Espio said.
"They're not going to be back for a while." Vector said. "You spooked 'em pretty good."
"You were pretty scary out there, Knux." Charmy said.
"It was cool! You were a lunatic!" Mighty said.
"Huh?" Knuckles said.
"It was almost like some thing possessed you." Espio said. "There was this weird dark
glow to your eyes."
Knuckles blinked. He remembered leaving Knothole... Saying good bye to Shelia...
Landing back on the island and... Opening the locket. Then a force over took him. All
he had seen was darkness for a long time, until the white light had broken it, and he had
met the beautiful phantom...
"Hello, Mobius to Knuckles." Mighty said, snapping his fingers in front of his
friend's face.
"Oh, sorry..." He said, reverting to normal. "I was just... Thinking..."
"Well, you did get rid of the Dark Legion, and saved us." Charmy said. "So, even if
you did go kinda crazy there for a bit, you helped us out."
"Good..." He said, almost sadly. "You... You guys can leave now, if you want."
"Are you okay?" Mighty asked.
"I'm... I'm fine." He said turning away from them. "I just want to.. To sleep now..."
"Okay then..." Espio said hesitantly.
"Bye, Knux." Vector and Mighty said simultaneously.
They all left slowly. Charmy was the last to leave. He looked back a the big echidna
sensing his sadness.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked softly.
Knuckles smiled at him weakly. "Fine. I'll be fine." He said.
"All right." The bee said, heading out the door. "Pleasant dreams, then..."
* * * * *
As Sally walked out of her door, a blue flash zipped by her, practically knocking her
off her feet. Regaining her composture, she came to a conclusion.
"Sonic's back." She said.
She walked though the courtyard, searching for him. He had managed to dash right out
of sight. She walked by Tails and Clawz, who had also been blown over by the sonic boom.
The big wildcat shook the wet snow off himself. "I wish he wouldn't do that..." He
grumbled, "I hate dis slush..."
"Did you guys see where he went?" Sally asked.
"I think he went towards the Power Ring Pool, Aunt Sally." Tails answered.
"Well, I guess he got rid of 'em bots." Clawz stated, "Since we ain't seen none of
em 'round here."
"I hope so..." Sally said, walking away from them and down the path to the pond. "Thanks
guys..."
There she found Sonic with his head over the edge of the water, drinking hungrily. She
bent down beside him. He didn't seem to notice, just kept drinking. She watched him a moment,
then angry at being ignored, pushed him headfirst into the icy water.
He came sputtering to the surface, clawing his way up the shore.
"HOLY CRAP is that cold!" He yelled, shaking.
"So, how'd it go?" She asked casually.
He stared at her in stupefaction. "What'd you do that for?!" He asked.
"You looked hot." She said simply.
"Hey, I'm always hot." He said his bravado returning.
She laughed, "Yeah right..."
"What was that?" He said.
"I asked you a question." She said, "How'd it go?"
"Oh, I got them bots good!" He said proudly. "You shoulda seen me! I crushed the
whole bunch of them! And got rid of that tracker."
"Really?" She asked, "How'd you manage that?"
He tapped the side you his head. "Strategy, Sal." He said, "I outsmarted them."
"Well there's a first," She said, "You having a plan."
"Hey, I always have a plan!" He insisted.
"You always just run around and blow things up!" She said.
"I know, that's usually my plan!" He said smartly.
She sighed, "At least you get the job done..."
"You better believe it." He said proudly.
She leaned over and kissed him softly. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Woah... I feel kinda light-headed..." He mumbled.
"My kisses can have that effect." She said smiling.
"No, I mean I think I'm gonna faint..." He said, wobbling.
"Oh!" She said, steadying him. "We better get you to the infirmary!"
"That would be good..." He stammered.
She lead him back down the path and into the courtyard and past Clawz and Tails who
were trying to touch up their melting snow man.
"Hey, can you open the door for us?" Sally asked, as Sonic leaned on her.
"Sure. L.P.," Clawz said, pushing open the medical hall doors.
"Are you okay, Sonic?" Tails asked worriedly, as he and Clawz followed them.
"I'll be okay, big guy." Sonic said weakly, "Just need some rest."
They ran into the doctor on the way in.
"Well, what do we have here?" He said, eyeing Sonic intently.
"I think it's dehydration and exhaustion, Doctor Quack." Sally said.
The doctor shook his finger at her. "I'll be the judge of that, Princess. I'm the
one with the medical degree." He said sternly.
After a Sonic was guided to a room and a thorough examination, the doctor came to his
conclusion.
"Just as I thought, dehydration and exhaustion." The doctor said.
Sally sighed.
"I suggest you get plenty of rest and drink plenty of liquids. And eat plenty of
starches and sugars to regain your energy." He said.
"Eh, right." Sonic nodded dumbly.
"Take two of these, and call me in the morning." Doctor Quack said, handing him
some lollipops and leaving the room.
After he was out of earshot, Sally began to grumble. "Where on Mobius did we pick
him up?" She asked.
"Yeah," Sonic agreed, "And what's up with him askin' me to eat that stuff you make
clothes stiff with?"
"Not that kind of starch, Sonic." Sally said, "He meant breads and noodles, and foods
that have a lot of carbohydrates."
Sonic gave her a confused look. "Carbo-what?" He asked, "Does that include chilli-dogs?"
Sally rolled her eyes.
"Hey Sonic, can I have one of your lollipops?" Tails asked.
* * * * *
Chapter 17: "Loneliness"
Shelia sat in her room across the hall, sniffling quietly as she tried to convince
herself that crying wasn't going to help anything. But she couldn't think of anything
better to do. She felt so tired, yet she couldn't sleep. He felt hurt all over, and inside.
She laid down on her bed, burying her face in her pillow. She felt so angry and so sad at
the same time.
'Why had he made a promise he knew he couldn't keep...?' She thought ruefully, which
only made her cry harder.
Now she had nothing. She felt as if her entire existence was now completely pointless.
Her family was dead, her beau had forsaken her, and he duty as keeper was done. What was
left...? Only to die?
She sat up slowly, looking at her gun on the table. She picked it up, fingering it
gently and turning over in her hands. A terrible thought crossed her mind...
Suddenly something else caught her eye. She noticed a small beautiful red blossom among
the blue buds in the pot on her bedside table. She stared at it for a moment, bewildered.
Had he put that there?
She looked down at her gun again. Her brother's gun. The one her father had given him
the winter before he died in the war. She thought of her mother. She slowly opened the
clip and let the ammunition cartridge fall into her lap. She picked it up, and threw it out
the window.
And then she prayed.
* * * * *
It was early morning over the Eastern Sea of Mobius. The clouds hung
sluggishly in the dense warm air. The sky was a light pink as the sun
began to peek it's way over the blue-green horizon, sending a sparking glow
over the waves. It was one of the few beautiful mornings the Floating Island
saw as it went wherever the wind would take it. However, the guardian,
Knuckles the echidna, seemed rather forlorn as he vacantly watched the
sunrise out his window. He sighed sadly, and slumped against the sill.
"Knuckles?" a red fire ant called as he appeared in a poof of smoke
on the table.
Knuckles didn't look up, just sighed again.
The ant stared at him sitting at the window with confusion for a
moment, then walked over to the far end of the table beside the window.
Knuckles glanced at him as the ant crawled up and sat on the widow
sill beside him. "Oh, hi Archimedes." He said turning back to the sunrise.
"Knuckles, is there something the matter?" He asked with sincere
concern.
"Not anything you can help." He mumbled.
"Are you sure?" Archimedes asked, "What's the problem?"
"It's.. It's nothing." The echidna said, "I'm just felling a little
down I guess."
"How come?" Archimedes asked.
He turned at looked at this teacher for a moment, as if contemplating to
tell him or not, but then turned back to the window. "I don't know..." He
said quietly, "Just... Lonely, I guess..."
Archimedes was a bit surprised. "Lonely? Since when do you get lonely?" He
asked, "You usually like be alone."
"I don't know..." He repeated sadly.
"Well come on then, lets go on patrol." The ant said cheerfully, "And after, we
can visit Mighty and--"
Knuckles didn't move. "Later... I don't feel that great right now."
"Are you sick or something?" He asked.
"No, no. I'll be all right." He sighed sadly, "I... I just want to
be alone."
Confused, Archimedes stood there for a moment. "But... I thought you said you
were lonely..."
"Please, leave." Knuckles said soberly.
Archimedes was rather hurt, but bowed gently and disappeared in his
gray puff of smoke. "As you say... Guardian." He whispered.
Knuckles waited until the last remnants of the smoke had cleared
before he gently withdrew the locket from his glove. He closed his hand around it
and held it tightly in his fist. Sorrow and pain washed over him like waves.
He closed his eyes, trying to hide from his emotions, but when he did all
he could see was her.
He could still feel her arms around him, her soft fur and tender
embrace. He had felt so warm and happy with her. Her beauty and gentleness
had taken him, and drew him into that passionate kiss. He could almost
feel her loving caress, but when he opened his eyes, he was alone.
Cold and alone. He felt so empty, like a hallow shell. She had become
a piece of him, and now it had been torn away.
He put his head in his hands. He felt horrible.
Suddenly a hand on his shoulder made him jump. He turned quickly to see his friend
and teammate Espio the Chameleon standing there, looking concerned.
"Archimedes sent me. Something is wrong isn't there?" He asked.
Knuckles turned away again, wiping his eyes. "Why won't anyone leave me alone?!" He
said, trying to sound fierce, but his voice cracked, ruining the effect.
"Knuckles, me and the rest of the guys are worried about you. You been like this
for days now. We're not just going to sit back and act like nothing's the matter when you're
suffering..." Espio said calmly.
"Well, there's nothing you can do about it, so why should I tell you?" Knuckles
muttered bitterly, "It'll just hurt more..."
"Why don't you try me." He said, leaning against the wall beside the window. "They
say I'm the smart one..."
Knuckles sighed. "Fine, fine... Everyone's just going to bug me until I do anyway,
apparently..."
Espio nodded. "Very correct. Now what's up? Why are you so depressed all of the sudden?"
Knuckles took a deep breath. "Well..." He paused. He looked over at him hesitantly, then
back out the window. "I met this... Um... Girl..."
"Oh ho!" Espio said, "So THAT is what this is all about!"
Knuckles frowned at him.
Espio wiped the grin off his face and tried to look serious again. "Continue." He
prompted.
Knuckles gazed out the window once more. "... And I miss her."
"Is that all?" Espio said.
"Well, there's more..." Knuckles said, "It's just complicated..."
"Uh huh." The chameleon said, "And what made this girl so special?"
"Oh, man. Just... Just everything!" Knuckles exclaimed. "She's great. Funny, sweet and..."
"Pretty?" Espio asked.
"Beautiful!" Knuckles said, rather loudly. "You should have seen her... She's like...
Like an angel..."
"She sounds wonderful, Knuckles," He said, "But why is such an incredible girl making
you so upset?"
"Like I said... I miss her..." He said softly, "When I left, she had to stay and..."
"And you are afraid you'll never see her again?"
He nodded.
"Well, earlier on I got a transmission from Knothole and--" Espio began.
"You WHAT?" Knuckles yelled, turning around.
Espio backed up a little. "Um... I received a message from Knothole..." He stuttered.
"And why didn't you tell me this earlier?" He said, rather angry.
"Well, you were still asleep and I..."
"Just get me another connection." Knuckles practically ordered.
"Okay..." Espio said slowly. "I don't know if I can re-trace the signal from so
far away..."
"Do what ever it takes!" Knuckles said.
Espio stared at him shocked, for a moment.
Knuckles sighed, cooling down. "... Please..." He mumbled.
"No problem." Espio said smiling. I'll have to bounce a signal off a satellite but I
think I'll be able to recontact Knothole."
"Thanks..."
* * * * *
Sally sat in the infirmary hall way waiting. Waiting for Sonic to wake up, waiting
for Shelia to finally come out of her room, waiting for a reply from the Floating Island.
If her plan worked, everyone would be happy again.
She stared at Shelia's door for a long time. She had been holed up in there for days.
She wouldn't let anyone in, she wouldn't eat, and everyone was worried about her. Sally
sighed. Things seemed to be getting worse and worse for Shelia...
Suddenly Nicole beeped at her side. Sally cheered up. Finally a reply!
"Hello?" She said, opening the hand-held computer.
"Oh, it's just you Sally..." Knuckles said, looking rather disappointed.
"Well it's nice to see you too!" She said, a bit hurt.
"Sorry Sally..." He said glumly. "I just thought maybe..."
"Shelia was the one who wanted to contact you?" She finished.
He nodded slowly, looking down.
"You miss her?" She asked.
He nodded again, rather embarrassed.
"She's been locked up in her room for a long time now."
Knuckles looked up at her. "Really?"
"Yeah..." She said.
"I bet she hates me." He said, sorrowfully. "I deserted her..."
"I think she may be a upset, but I don't think she hates you." Sally reassured,
"In fact, I think she has some real feelings for you, Knuckles."
He look a bit flustered at that statement. "Y-you really think so?" He asked.
She nodded.
He smiled. "Well... I've never felt like this before... About anyone..."
"...Anyone?" Sally asked, raising an eyebrow.
He flinched. He was silent for a moment. "... Why did you want to contact me?" He asked
changing the subject.
She laughed. "What's the matter, Knux? You thought I never noticed?"
"What are you talking about?" He asked, trying to sound oblivious.
"Oh come on..." She said smiling coyly, "You used to have a little crush on me."
Knuckles' face reddened. "Well... Umm... Maybe..." He said turning away, "But this
is different. What I feel for Shelia is more than that..."
Sally leaned back, satisfied.
Now Knuckles felt awkward. "Umm... Now can you tell me why you wanted to contact me?" He
asked, shaking off his uneasiness.
"I think I have a solution to all our problems." She said.
He lightened up. "What do you mean?"
"Let's make us a deal..." She began. "You do something for me, and I'll do something for
you... A mutual agreement."
"Whatever it takes to get Shelia back." He said.
"That's what I'd thought you say." She said smiling, "Well, as you might know, recent
attacks here at Knothole have damaged much of our grounds, we need room for trainees, plus
we've recently gained several new allies..."
"Yes..." He said slowly.
"So we're running out of room down here." She said, "And this is where you come in..."
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"You let the Freedom Fighters build a fort on the Floating Island where we can keep
new troops and--" She explained.
"Woah, woah! Slow down Sally!" Knuckles said waving his hands in the air. "Nothing doing!
We have enough trouble here as is!"
"But don't you see?" She said, "If the Freedom Fighters are on the island, we could help
you better protect it, plus Shelia could come and live there, since she wants to be with you and
still be a freedom fighter..."
He stared at her for a while, in deep thought. "I... I don't know..." He mumbled
uncertainly. "What does Shelia think of all this?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Sally asked, standing up and opening a door. Shelia,
who had been listening to their conversation with her ear pressed up against the doorway, fell
out into the hallway.
Both she and Knuckles were surprised.
She stood up unsteadily, staring at his image in disbelief.
"Hi." He said softly.
She frowned, saying nothing.
Knuckles glanced at Sally uneasily.
She took the hint. "I'll leave you two alone..." Sally said, walking out of the room.
"Are you angry with me?" He asked somberly, after she was gone.
"You did break a promise." She said softly.
He felt a wave of guilt hit him. "I know... I... I never meant to hurt you..."
She held back tears. "I know..."
"Please... Don't be angry with me..." He pleaded.
She sighed.
"I... I miss you..." He said softly.
She smiled weakly. "So I heard..."
"You heard... Everything?" He asked softly.
She nodded, looking up at him with her gentle eyes.
"Do you want to come to the Floating Island...?" He asked, apprehensively.
Her expression changed from wistful back to angry again. "Are you sure you want your
precious island violated by my presence?" She asked, rather bitterly.
He cringed. "Owch." He said softly. "That's hitting below the belt..."
She stifled back a sob. "Was it you who put that flower in my room?" She asked.
He was confused for a moment, then remembered. "...Yeah..." He said slowly.
She bit her lip, saying nothing.
He sighed, thinking for a while again. "I want you to come..." He said.
"And... And I want to come." She said, smiling sadly.
"Fine then." He decided finally. "Tell the Princess I agree. You can come as soon as
possible."
The sadness left Shelia's face and was replaced with joy. "...I miss you too..."
She said quietly, putting her hand next to his hologram.
"Come soon..." He said.
She smiled. "I will..."
* * * * *
Chapter eighteen: "Reunion"
Ace looked up, feeling a new presence. "They're here..." He said, smiling.
Suddenly the ear-splitting sound of laughter filled the chaos chamber, rattling the
crystal walls. Two new gems had been placed in the large shining room. One red as blood,
the other dark as night.
Kayoss cringed, covering her ears. "Oh great hell..." She grumbled.
A small pink blur flashed in front of her.
Kayoss stood up to come face to face with a way too excited, red-head.
"HELLO KAYOSS!" She giggled happily hugging her, "It's been a long time since I've
seen you!"
"Not long enough, Venus..." The emerald-haired woman grumbled.
A tall dark woman appeared behind them. She turned to the white-clad man
beside her. "Hello again Ace." She said dully, in her mono-tone voice.
Kayoss threw the overly-zealous Venus off her in rage. "Rona!" She practically
screamed, turning to the amethyst-eyed woman. "YOU failed!" She snarled.
Ace caught Venus in mid-air. She giggled happily. "Hello to you too..."
"What do you mean I failed?" Rona spat.
"What do I mean?!" Kayoss yelled, "YOU were SUPPOSED to kill those stupid Freedom
Fighters, and your keeper, AND the GUARDIAN!!!"
Rona stared down at her unmoved. "Do you really think I listen to you?" She said. "I
was just having fun with that stupid robot. And then I played around with the guardian's
mind, which was much more entertaining..."
Kayoss was fuming. "HOW dare YOU!" She screeched.
"Oh Kayoss, don't be so negative." Venus said smiling, still in Ace's arms. "Thanks to
you, the Guardian found our keeper and now we're together again!"
Kayoss scowled at her. And seeing her diamond holding her, she grew even more angry.
"Put her down, Ace!" She ordered.
"What's the matter darling?" He said, setting the girl down. "Green with envy?"
Kayoss stared at him with humorless eyes.
"Hee hee! I get it, she's green and--" Venus said, bursting into laughter before
she could even finish her sentance.
"I hate this..." Kayoss muttered.
Rona just smiled blandly. 'I love this...' She thought.
* * * * *
"You fools!" Kragok spat, as he sat at the head of what was left of his army. "You
cowards! You... You... I can't even think of a word to describe your stupidity! How
could you be defeated!?"
The beaten and battered Dark Legionaries bowed their heads in shame.
"You are all traitors, and should be killed for your defiance to me..." Kragok growled.
"No, master please!" A voice called from the crowd.
"Who dares...?!"
Lysander made his way through the crowd. "It was not our fault!" He said.
Kragok eyed him fiercely. "You again...?"
"There was a great force, a monster that beat us!" He defended, "We were not trained
to fight against such power!"
"A great force?" Kragok said, "What are you rambling about?"
"A dark force, that the guardian possessed. He would have destroyed us all if we did
not retreat..."
"The guardian, eh?" Kragok hissed, "So he has returned... And with a new power..."
Lysander nodded and bowed before him. "Please master, if you kill us now, there will
be no army left to fight again..."
Kragok thought a moment. "You make some sense soldier, so, for now at least, you and your
comrades shall live."
Lysander sighed with relief. "Thank you, Master..."
"Troops dismissed." Kragok grumbled, "Except you..."
"M-me sir?" Lysander asked.
"Yes... You are her brother... Now where is she?" He asked solemnly.
"J-Julie-Su, Master?" He stuttered.
"Yes, do you have any other sister?!" Kragok snarled.
"Eh... No, Master... It's just that... Uh..."
"What?" Kragok spat.
"She didn't return with the others..." He stammered. "She... She must have been killed
in the fight..."
Kragok sat up straight in shock. His one normal eye narrowed, the other, flashed red.
"I'm sorry, sir." Lysander said sadly.
Kragok sneered. "Get out of my sight..."
"Y-yes Master." Lysander agreed, turning and practically running out of the great
hall in fright. He stopped outside the door and slumped against a column. He knew better
than to truly think that Julie-Su was dead. She was too smart to get caught in a death
match like that. She had to be still alive. At least he hoped she was...
* * * * * *
Knuckles sat waiting impatiently on the edge of the Floating Island. How long had
he been sitting there? It felt like years. He sighed. "What's taking them so long...?"
He looked out over the horizon. He spotted a small green craft in the distance. He
shot up. 'There they are!' He thought.
He smiled, but then he felt a wave of anxiety. What was he going to say to her? Was she
still going to be angry? What was he going to do?
He hurriedly, ran to a nearby lake and checked his appearance. He looked all right.
Smelled all right. Nothing in his teeth...
He paced nervously back and forth. He glanced back out at the craft. It would be only
minutes now. His stomach was in knots.
He tried to calm himself. 'What am I so worried about?' He thought, 'This isn't that
big of a deal.' Knuckles thought sitting down on the rock again. 'I'm only going to see the
girl whose heart I crushed into a million and a half pieces.'
He gulped.
The small green hover-craft landed on the edge of the island. The door opened and
she slowly stepped out.
He stood up.
She stared at him for a while, with an emotionless gaze. But, slowly a weak smile formed
on her lips.
He smiled too.
She ran to him and threw her arms around him.
* * * * * *
Epilogue: "A Break in the Clouds"
"Your friends are very nice..." Shelia said.
"Can't say I feel the same about yours... One in particular." Knuckles said. He had
just introduced her to the Chaotix. They had strayed away from the crowd, the rest of the
Freedom Fighters who had come to set up the fort on the island. Now they were back at Knuckles
home, sitting on the couch in front of a warm fire.
"Why do you hate Sonic so much?" She asked, holding onto his arm.
"He's a show-off. A big jerk. He never even thinks. He has no responsibilities to
worry about..." Knuckles said.
"He beat you up once, didn't he?" She asked, with a knowing smile.
He stopped looked over at her, dumbfounded.
She leaned over and kissed him. "I'm smarter than I let on." She said.
Still a bit in a daze, he stared at her. "I figured that out a while ago." He said.
She just smiled at him.
"Oh, I have something for you." He said turning and pulling something out of his glove.
He slowly drew out the golden necklace and locket and put it back around her neck.
"Oh no, Knuckles..." She said, beginning to take it off again. "I gave these stones
to you, because you are the rightful guardian..."
He stopped her. "I know. The stones aren't in there any longer." He said.
"What?" She asked confused.
"I took them out, but don't worry. They're in a safe place." He reassured. "I wanted
you to have this. I know it must mean an awful lot to you..."
She smiled again looking at him and down at the heart-shaped charm. "Thank you..."
"Well, aren't you going to look inside?" He asked playfully.
"There's something inside?" She asked.
"Go ahead and look..." He said.
A bit confused, she slowly opened the front side of the locket. Inside there were
two pictures, one of her mother and one of her father. On the other side, there was a picture
of her brother and sister. Shelia was moved to tears. "Where on earth did you get these?" She
asked, still confused, but very happy.
"They were all in that bundle of papers you gave me. I figured you didn't know they
were in there, or else you wouldn't of given it me, so I... I thought I'd surprise you..." He
explained.
"Thank you so much..." She said, hugging him. Then she pulled back, but just enough to
kiss him again. He returned the gesture fervently.
"We have a lot to talk about..." He whispered softly, as they drew apart.
"Yeah, we do..." She said smiling. She yawned and leaning on his shoulder.
"I'm just so glad you came..." He said, putting his chin on top of her head.
"Yeah me too..." She mumbled.
"I... I was so lonely without you..." He admitted.
"Mmm hmm..."
"So, well uh..." He began. "Why don't you tell me about those Lost Scrolls now?"
There was no answer.
"Shelia?"
Still no answer.
He looked down at her. Her eyes were closed. He sighed softly,
smiling. She had fallen asleep. He pulled a cover over them, and nestled into
her soft, silky fur. He took a deep breath, and he too fell asleep with his
arms around her.
* * * * * *
She took a deep breath of the salty air. She felt the soft green grass beneath
her. She looked up at the horizon, where the great fiery sun was setting in the east and
the glowing night moons of Mobius were begging to rise. She pulled back the hood of her
black cloak to let the warm breeze blow through her quills.
She sighed, brushing her feathery hair out of her violet eyes. She smiled.
"No more taking orders..." She whispered, "Finally... Freedom..."
Her fight was finally was over... For now at least.
The End
----------------
...Of the Love and Hate series. But what still lies ahead?
Knuckles still has four more crystals to find to fulfill his 'destiny'. And who exactly
was that mysterious girl in his dream? And Julie-Su is free now, but for how long? Well,
things will start up again in the next series, which is right now sceduled sometime in the
indefinate future. Probably starting up again in late summer or early fall, depending on when
me and Orona Red finish our co-written project. BTW, sorry for this part being so late
again... I know I said mid-spring, and this is early summer but... Eh heh, just be thankful
that I actually finished it at all!
~Erin Lindsey
Please mail me with your comments and questions! I always love hearing from my fans! And
even if your not a fan, I'd still probably love hearing from you...
diamondneko@mail.com
And please stop by at my 'little' furry art site ClearWater Productions!
http://www.furnation.com/clearwaters
Disclaimer:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legalities: Okay. ready, set go!!!
Sonic the Hegehog, 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, Shelia ClearWaters, Kayoss Emerald, Ace Diamond,
Rona Ameythst, Venus Ruby, and Lysander were created by
Erin Lindsey. If you want any of my stories on your site,
or want to use any of my characters, you must have written
consent of my aurthorization, beforehand.
Send any complications to:
diamondneko@mail.com