[Knuckles: the Gaurdian was a sonic fan movie that was going to be released by Superb! Entertainment arts in the latter part of 1999. The film was going to be directed by myself, with animation directed by the team of Camile Moroe (The Matrix masters, Beast Macines and several UK comic books) and Spice Thyme (Popular sonic fan artist and regular contributer to furry fanzines) the director of Photography Andrew Knode also directed "MARCP Extravaganza" and a myriad of short films includeing "Missing link", "Money Money", "Can't Sleep" and "Friend is a four letter Word".
The cast wasn't quite as impressive as the crew. Early atemps to Rope in Rossana Miller, the actress my brother worked with previosly on several films, as well as some of the regular "Superb Entertainment" players failed. Most of them were wary of doing a "Fan Movie" especialy an animated one with such a high risk of failure. I personaly had to voice three separate roles, Vector, Mighty, and the villian Dorn. Andrew had to voice menicker himself and inseat of Rosanna miller, my cousin Niki Shin was used for the part of Rossana. The starring role was given to director and actor Derek Fertig (Who is currently working on a remake of the cult classic "The brain that would't die") Early voice tests went well, the cast wasn't spectacular, but it was apearent that it would function well enough to finish the film.
Pre-production went smoothly, anmation models of almost all the characters exist, and several scenes exist in rough animation. However, production screeched to a halt when the main finatial backer of the film droped their investment, and we were forced to move animation progress to a signifigantly smaller system slowing things down substatialy. Eventualy Spice Tyme ran out a patience, with little word from the studio due to slowdowns with the animation system frustrated her to the point that she began to take other work, putting her contrabution to the film on the backburners. Much the same happened with Camile Moroe, who droped out soon after she found work on a mainstream project that offered far better pay than I was offering.
Production officaly closed when Superb! Entertainment pulled the plug themselves, cuting what little budjet was left and moving on to more promising projects. I was left with a half-finished voiceover, a tiny bit of art and animation, a soundtrack deal for song I'd never need ("No tomarow" from Solace as well as an orginal song "Gaurdian") and a shattered dream. Knuckles: The gaurdian will never see release in any format, but the screenplay in itself is somewhat enjoyable. For the heck of it, I've included notes in the script that reveal fun facts about this failed production. Enjoy]
Knuckles: the Gaurdian
Story by: Tiffany Knox, Spice Thyme and Joshua Knode
Screenplay by: Joshua Knode
©1998 Superb! Entertianment arts, SEGA enterprises
Scene 1: Opening
(Rough sketches in ancient medieval style dissolve one into another accompanying the speech)
TIKAL
The floating island was a utopia, a perfect intellectual society, based around the ultimate power, the Master emerald. However, where there is power there are those who seek to posses that power. To defend the emerald, I Tikal became the guardian, using the power of the chaos emeralds to ward off attackers. However Age was my enemy, and soon I was forced to move to the caverns known as Lava reef, where the power of the master emerald could keep me alive. The island would await the true guardian, the one I could never be, the echidna tought from the moment of his birth to be the ultimate warrior. The immortal guardian was my apprentice, soon to know his true destiny, he was Knuckles THE GAURDIAN
(Cue Banner credits)
Scene 2
(Knuckles crouches in the center of a massive underground room, targets begin to blast up from the floor as he punches them they return to the ground. The speed of the targets increase, Knuckles hitting them until one bursts into splinters at his blow. Tikal enters, shrouded in shadows)
TIKAL
Good score, unfortunate your dead.
KNUCKLES
I got the targets,
TIKAL
Yes, but one has got you.
(Tikal points to one target Knuckles missed)
KNCUKLES
Only one,
TIKAL
It only take one bullet, one stab, one accurate strike. Remember Knuckles, Defense is as important as offence.
(Tikal walks over to the bench and sits)
Tikal
To true for my dear diciples, the greatest figthters of all the echidnas, the Shi-Ar. They boasted power, but were stabed in the back by the greedy in power.
Kncukles
Teacher, you should't blame yourself for what the Dar-Quo did,
Tikal
I trusted them Knuckles,
Knuckles
You didn't know,
(Tikal shakes off the memory and Stands slowly)
Tikal
No point in going over old times, let us get back to your training. Purhaps, you take a threat more seriosely when it's a live target,
(Next scene: A massive airship is heading towards the flaoting island, the captain, dorn, gazes at the island in his spyglass, Menicker enters)
Dorn
Cradle of our civilizatrion, mother of us all,
Meni
Don't get all teary-eyed on me Dorn, it's just a flying lump of Rock,
Dorn
It's my home and yours Menicker,
Meni
As it will soon be again, as soon as we reach mount fate, all will fall into place.
Dorn
Yes, mount fate, the beginning and the end of the reighn of the Shi-Ar.
Meni
Soon my friend, we shall graduate from Echidnas to Gods,
Dorn
(Grabs A radio)
Kommisar, circle around the other side of the island, and scout around.
Kommisar
(On Radio)
Yes my Lord.
[Actress Jessica Ellis, who voice Kommisar often joked that her only lines were screaming and agreeing with Dorn.]
Meni
Your Ordering that child to attack, all by herself?
Dorn
She's twenty Menicker, young but no child. She's more then capable. She was to be the one to replace me, before you came along. I will die someday.
Meni
Echidnas like you don'y die, you always wind up throwing yourself into som hkind of epic sacrafice or something. I envy the place of the warrior in our culture.
(Next scene: Charmy Mighty and Espio are by trhe hydrocity lake, Mighty is loungeing on lawn chair, "Love libery Disco" IS playing on his portable radio)
Espio
Mighty, I'd get out of Vector's seat,
Mighty
(Looks around mockingly)
I Don't see vector anywhere,
Espio
Because he's diveing for Emeralds, but it never takes him long,
Charmy
Yeah to grab pebbles. I don't know if Tikal has any use for any of these little things, we got Blue grey and violet, she need any of those?
Espio
Nope, Tikal wants a medium sized Green choas emerald, like the one on her necklace.
Mighty
(Looking through Vector's icebox)
I don't know what she need with another one, I mean how many dose she have already?
Espio
Three, but they run out of power after a few years and she needs new ones, the one on her necklace is just running a bit low.
Mighty
We've been working with Tikal for a while and I've never seen her go through Choas emeralds so Quick before, I mean she's not in battle, but her emeralds are weakening, supose their's something wrong?
Espio
Like I know,
Mighty
Maybie she's just getting older,
Espio
She's around two hundred years old Already Mighty, I don't think age affects her mutch,
Charmy
You never know, I mean the emeralds keep her young right? Maybie the older she gets the more emeralds she needs,
Mighty
Don't think like that Charmy, Tikal's fine,
(Vector Splashes up holding a nice sized green chaos emerald)
Vector
Check it out my brothers, The vec man comes through again! (Notices Mighty) What exactly are you doing? (Dumps him out) Don't touch my stuff mighty man,
Espio
Good going vector, that's just the right size, let's take it back to Tikal.
(Vector tosses it to Espio who mises it and it goes tumbleing to the feet of a young lady Echidna)
Espio
You there, little help?
(The young girl grabs the Emrald and runs off)
Espio
Hey! Get back here with that! Come on guy's let's get her!
(The give chase, Roseanna uses the enregy to knock over a tree and Mighty lifts it effortlessly)
Mighty
Who do you think they call me "Mighty" sister? Ain't for my looks,
(Roseanna runs off again, this time leaing against a tree only to find Espio comoflased against it)
Espio
Gotcha!
(Roseanna is scared and runs again and stumbles over a brach and falls off a small cliff)
Vector
Nice going Espy you killed her,
Espio
I didn't kill her, I just,
Charmy
Yeah I know you killed her,
Espio
Oh shut up and go down to see if she's allright,
Mighty
What are we gonna do with her?
Esipo
Take her back to Tikal I guess, Tikal's probably gonna wanna know this,
Vector
Pluss she's probably injured from you throwing her off that cliff,
[the preceeding scene was written by Andrew Knode, who said the script needed some "mindless finger pointing" it closely resembles back and forths in his other films.]
Espio
I didn't. . I mean I. . OH just help me down you Crazy Croc!
(Espio climb down)
Vector
You sure Tikal's gonna wanna know about this? I mean she's just a girl,
Espio
She Might be a Shi-Ar if she can use the choas emerald, Tikal will definitely want to know.
Vector
Think She'll wanna know about that?
Espio
What?
(Shot of Huge Airship brushing the trees as it flies by, it's obviosely Dorn and Menicker's ship, cut to shot of the command platform)
Dorn
I thought you said this island was unpopulated,
Menicker
I thought it was, seems their a few inhabitants left
Dorn
Not for long, (Grabs Radio) Gunnery, kill those animals.
(Back on the surface bullets begin raining down)
Vector
Dousn't seem their here on a peacefull visit,
Espio
Mighty! Little backup!
Mighty
Right!
(Mighty grabs the fallen tree and hurls it onto the deack of the Ship, the Choatix run. Cut to scene of Menicker looking over the tree trunk on his deck)
Dorn
(Looking over his trashed ship)
My Ship! My beautiful ship!
Menicker
These Animals might be. . .trouble,
Dorn
(looks at tree and looks back at Menicker)
(No Duh Voice)
You think?!?!
(Scene: Rosena Awakens in a room, Tikal shrouded in shadow tends her wounds)
Rose
Where am I? It's so hot in here,
Tikal
This is my dwelling in Lava reef, and it's always hot.
Rose
How did I get here?
Tikal
The chaotix brought you here after you fell
Rose
Who?
Tikal
The Chamelion, Armadilo, bee, and Crocadile, their Known as the Choatix. They are my friends.
Rose
Who are you?
(Tikal flips on a light)
Rose
(With reverence)Gaurdian. .
Tikal
Yes my dear, I am Tikal, but I am no longer the gaurdian, I've become to old for the task,
Rose
You don't look so old,
Tikal
(Laughs) My exposure to Chaos enrgy keeps me looking and feeling about thirty, but I assure I'm much much older, say around two centurys,
Rose
Where's my choas belt?
Tikal
I have it my dear, exelent craftsmanship,
Rose
My mother made it,
Tikal
She must have been one of my Shi-Ar,
Rose
She was,
Tikal
She apearently didn't teach you mutch, you've stolen from my friends and even attcked them, while you seem to be nice enough, I'm not sure your behavior warrents trust as of yet.
Rose
I didn't mean to steal, I just needed a new emerald,
Tikal
The Chaotix had many emreads, If you asked I'm sure they would have given you one, IN fact, they've grafted one onto your belt already. Their very agreeable indivviduals, if you give them a chance.
Rose
I didn't know that,
Tikal
One of the more sacred laws of the Shi-ar is to work with things, not agaist them to aceive a goal. Violence is your weakest weapon.
(Mighty enters)
Tikal
Ah Mighty, thank you for comeing, could you keep and eye on our guest here, make sure she's comphtorable.
Mighty
Sure Ma'am,
Tikal
Thank you, now I must be attending to other matters, adue.
Rose
Tikal, I've always wanted to be A shi-Ar in your service, Protect the Emreld, it's all I wanted since the Dara-Quo killed my family, can you teah me?
Tikal
It takes decades to master the emrelds My dear, and I don't' have any years left.
(Tikal Exits, switch to Controll Room, Choatix Minus mighty and Knuckles present Tikal Enters)
Knuckles
Allright Tikal, who are the guys in the airships?
Tikal
They, are the Dara-Quo, the air dwellers.
Vector
Say what?
Tikal
The Air dwellers, the masters of the air. Not long before Knuckles Hatched I banished them with my power, and they reatreated. Apearently they've been prepareing to invade all this time.
Charmy
Why exactly?
Tikal
You'd have to know their leaders. The ones you saw were Dorn, the lord high general and Menicker one of the last of the Echidna nobles. They both have diferent plans for the island, and the emerald.
Vector
What about the Chick?
Tikal
The woman is most likely Kommisar, High capatian of the fleet, Dorn's second in command. Dorn and Menicker were in a majoyr power struggle when I banihed them, apearently they've put their differences behind them and formed an alliance.
Knuckes
Good for them, bad for us. What comes next?
Tikal
We fend off an invation. I must prepare.
Espio
You must prepare? What about the rest of us? We want to defend the emrald to,
Tikal
Oh I'm not prepareing to defend the emerald, I'm prepareing to defend myself.
(Dorn Menicker and countless trooper on the deck of the airship)
Meni
Allright Dorn, here's the plan, we hit Lava-reef at four points, when we find Tikal's dwelling we kill anyone who's there to guard, but Tikal Lives, you understand? I want her alive.
Dorn
Should't be a problem,
Meni
Yes it should, Tikal whiped both of us when we were banished,
Dorn
Purhaps Menicker, but it's been fifteen years and two hundred year old woman probably isn't going to be able to fend off our combind forces.
Meni
You fool, she's the gaurdian, she dousn't age!
Dorn
Listen, I don't belive in all this immortal gaurdian crap Menicker, she's just an old Shi-Ar. Their can't be more then two echidnas still alive on this island, Those weird animals we met with are probably will be the only trouble we face.
Meni
(Shruging off the conversation)
Just remember Tikal is to be taken alive,
(Knuckles: Rushing down the corridor souting tikal's name)
Kncukles
Tikal! Tikal!! We spotted them! Their in Lava reef! We need to hurry!
(He finds her in her room, fationing a choas emerald on a grindstone, she then stand silently, as if he's not there and puts the green emerald around her neack, also palceing a red one around her belt, then a tiara with a blue emerald I it. She slips on steel gloves, and stands there, ready for battle)
Tikal
I already know my aprentice, prepare to defend the island,
Kncukles
Should I go to the chaos Chamber?
Tikal
No my child, they want me this time.
Knuckles
You said that before! but why would they. . .
Tikal
No time for questions Knuckles. As you've noticed, They're already in Lava reef.
(Switch to a legion of the black robed troops chargeing Lava reef)
Dorn
Go go go! And remember, Menicker wants the Garidian alive!
(Inside Tikal's home, the Choatix and Kncukles are preaptreing to fight, rushing around, Roseanna glances around)
Rose
Give me my belt I can fight! I'll help! (She Grab's knuckles shoulder) Listen you have to trust me, I took the emrald because I want to be a Shi-Ar, I want to defend this island! I want to help Tikal!
Knuckles
You went about it the wrong way Rosanna,
Rose
Please, you've gotta belive me,
Kncukles
(Pause) Allright, Espio, get Rossanna her belt,
Espio
But she's.. .
Knuckles
Do it! We need all the help we can get!
Tikal
Knuckles, before the battle, I must speak with you. . .
Knuckles
Right, (To Chaotix) Kepep setting up guys, their comeing up fast.
(Switch to shot outside the dwelling, Dorn's men are setting up Gatling guns)
Dorn
If anyone tried to get out fill `em full of holes,
Trooper
Yes my lord,
(Huge boulder smashes one of the Guns)
Dorn
What was that?!?!
(Show Mighty on the roof gleefully tossing boulders at the attackers)
Dorn
Blast him!
(The Gatling guns open up, and might dashes inside the dwelling, switch to internal shot, Knuckles and Tikal have finished with tehri talk, mighty wenters and shout to them)
Mighty
They got some kind of machine guns,
Tikal
They'll be inside soon Knuckles, Escape while you can, they don't want you!
Knuckls
NO! Mighty, take Tikal to her chambers, if anyoone tried to get at her break their neck,
Mighty
but. . .
Knuckles
DO IT MIGHTY!
(Two troopers are chargeing into the buiolding, a long tounge wraps around of of the troopers legs and gets them pulled out from under him, Vector puts his headphone of the other one and blairs his brains out, Espio and Vector High five)
Trooper
Get those animals!
Vector
Come get some!
(Vector ring dashes the troopers, Espio tornadoes, but they both are caught off guard and get knocked out, Back to Knuckles, who fights a massive group of troopers alone, Roseanna joining in, zapping several of them with choas evergy)
Knuckles
Not bad at all,
Roseanna
I'll hold them off here, you protect Tikal!
Kncukles
Right,
(Switch to Mighty helping out Tikal, two troopers surprise him, he tosees one effortlessly, then kicks the other, more come, tikal sends a wall of flame against the group incenerateing some, she slashes other with her gloves, she give an awesome display of her coas power, Mighty gets grabed and clubed out cold by Dorn. Tikal fights like Mad, but Dorn soon arives with re-enforcements)
Dorn
Stun arrows! She needs to live!
(The arrows are lauched and hit the ground with a bacng and flash, Kncoking Tikal out completely)
Dorn
(Rolls over Tikal with his foot)
Pretty well preserved, I hope I look that good when I'm two hundred,,
Knuckles
Stay away from her!
Dorn
Well, who is this? Daughter of the great Tikal?
(Dorn's troopers laugh)
Knuckles
I am Knuckles, the gaurdian,
Dorn
Well, well well. A gaurdian wanna-be, (Turns to troopers) Watch me take this inposter apart.
(Dorn and Knuckles Fight, Dorn get his Butt kicked royaly, but Dorn's men jumpin and hit pin Knuckles to the wall with catch ropes, beating him senceless)
Dorn
Good fight boy, but you played by the rules, and I cheated. Let's get Tikal here back to Menicker boys.
(thay all leave, we go to a shot of the apearently dead Kncukles, after all the troopers are gone he opens his eyes slowly, the scowels with rage. HE slams his hand into the ground, gritting his teeth, Roseanna enters)
Knuckles
They have Tikal, I failed,
(Knuckles Heads off)
Roseanna
Knuckles, wait!
(Kncukels is in the Choas chamber, sitting and starreing at the Emerald, Rossanna Enters and sits next to him)
Knuckles
For some reason Roseanna, everytime I don't know what to do next I come here.
Rose
What's this place?
Knuckles
"Du-hardu-palente'" The hidden palace.
Rose
Looks more like a temple,
Knuckles
It used to be, before Tikal, Echidnas mostly worshiped the master emerald, now, with her, they learned about the ancheint scripture, there is a creator, God. I don't belive in him really, I come here to look at the banners.
Rose
So what do they mean?
Knuckles
Tikal had these put of to honer her greatest wariors, each one has a scripture that applies to them on it. Those two over there were for my parents, Locke and Larale, I never met them, they died before I hatched. This one here is mine.
Rose
What does it say?
Knuckles
You don't read ancehint echidna?
Rose
I never learned to read, been on my own since my mother died when I was ten, and my father died before I hatched. I grew up during the war with the Dara-Quo, didn't learn much but how to fight.
[Sound editor Tiffany Knox often expressed her discontent on the includtion an actualy Bible scripture in the script, she was the only Atheist on the production cast. Later the references to the Echidna God were toned down, includeing an older scene where Tikal refereds to Chrsit.]
Knuckles
Well, it says, "Fedro nor anas akay watoo don Loray." That means "Fear not for I am with you says the Lord."
[An limited vocabulary was actualy developed to use as "Ancheint Echidna" we planed to use it more in the script than we actualy did.]
Rose
That's scripture,
Knuckles
I know, I picked it out.
Rose
I thought you said you don't belive in God,
Knuckles
I belive in that verse, kinda makes me feel better, you know, in tight spots.
Rose
So what's next?
Knuckels
We Get Tikal back.
(Scene, the Dar-Quo camp in Lava reef, Dorn sets up a comlink and calls up Menicker)
Meni
(On screen)
Yes Dorn?
Dorn
We have the gaurdian, alive and uninjured,
Meni
Wonderful my friend, remind me to give you a raise, is she as I requested?
Dorn
We bound her with chains and gave her some muscle relaxers like you told us, but we can't get the Chaos emeralds off her,
Meni
You won't be able to, their links to her so tightly your strongest man could't pull them off. Don't worry, she needs to tence her muscles tightly to focus the Chaos energy, with the muscle relaxer that's comepletely imposible.
Dorn
Purhaps you can tell me what the plan is, for when we reach Mount Fate.
Meni
Very well, you've earned as much. (Screen shows scematic choresponding with Menicker's speech) Tikal's life force it intetwined with the Master emerald, and with the island's computer systems. If she is killed, the computer will know. The island then enters a fail safe mode where the emerald is encased in a steel shell and ejected into the nearest Echidna fortification on the surface. In about three hours, that will be mount fate.
Dorn
So the island links with Mount fate, and the emreald is ejected into the stronghold?
Meni
Where it is comepletely imposible to reach, exept by the next gaurdian.
Dorn
Who would that be?
Meni
The next echidna to draw close enough to the Master Emerald.
Dorn
Wich would be you I suppose,
Meni
And why not? I am of Noble blood. Once I harness the power of the emrald, We can turn this miserible island into a fortress to conqer all of Mobius in the name of the Dara-Quo. You Dorn, will be my head of state.
Dorn
And I suppose you'll be king. What make you think I won't put my hand on that emerald first?
Meni
Two reasons Dorn, one, you don't belive in the immortal gauridian and you think what I'm doing is nothing but superstciose mish mash, and two, your not as full blooded Echidna as myself. Like All Dra-Quo you've been crossbred with Crocadile genes to make you stronger. I'm mostly echidna, your mostly crocadile, If you come to close to the emrerald it will cosider you a threat and reduce you to a pastey goo.
Dorn
Your right, it is mish mash. . .whatever that is. Your also right about this island being a fortress, Mt. Fate used to be an ehcidna storehose for weapons, and those are the only things I'm interested in. You can play with Rocks all you want while I collect enough firepower to take over Mobius. I don't mind having you around Menicker, your useful, but we'll discuss who can be king when this planet is ours.
Meni
Whatever floats your island Dorn, but don't say I didn't warn you.
(Dorn turns the screen off)
Dorn
You gotta hate that guy to like him,
(Hits a few uttons and Kommisar apears onscreen)
Kommisar
Yes m'lord?
Dorn
Kommisar my dear, I want you to bring the rest of the fleet to Mt. Fate, we're about to moove back to the Island.
Kommisar
Yes sir.
Dorn
Home sweet home once again.
(Scene: Knuckles walks back into the controll room in Tikal's dwelling where The Chaotix, and Roseanna are waiting)
Knuckles
Allright, we've got an evil presence in the Lava reef, the gaurdian is captured, and we don't know where she is,
Espio
Not true Knux, we've travced Tikal's chaos enrgy, their in this cavern near the bottom of the island.
Knuckles
Good, how many?
Espio
Their's about twenty of those weirdos garrisoned there, but their's hundreds more of those airships circleing the island now,
Roseanna
Wonder why that is?
Knuckles
I think I know,
Vector
Mind letting us in?
Knuckles
The gaurdian prophesy say a new gaurdian will be found at Mt. Fate, we're about two hours from Mt. Fate now, they've taken over the connection cavern, they plan to kill Tikal when we're in in range of Mt. Fate so the emerald is fortified, they can crissson one of their chosen as gaurdian. I bet it'll be that Slimeball of a Noble Menicker,
Espio
But the emrald will be in Fail-safe mode, it'll be surounded by a six-inch steel wall, how will they close enough touch it?
Knuckles
The walls are only made to keep out outsiders, Echidnas can get in.
Espio
That means Tikal's only got two hours to live,
Knuckles
If we don't work fast. Here's the plan, Dorn has left his personal Airship with a skeleton crew of about six, you get on his ship and cause ehough mayhem with the other ships to they'll ignore me and Roseanna. And make sure they don't get any re-enforcements to the island!
Mighty
Cause mayhem? That's what the Chatix do best,
Vector
You can count on us.
Roseoanna
What are we going to be doing?
Knuckles
We go in and rescue Tikal.
Roseanna
That's it? No plan?
Knuckles
My mentor, the woman I love like a mother has been captured so they can use her to take the position that is rightfully mine, (Claps fist into his hand) I don't need any plan.
(Scene: in the Airdweller's camp, Tikal is chained to a post when Menicker enters, Dorn is checking on her medivcation)
Dorn
A Menicker, glad you can make it, we're nearing the attack window and I wanted to go over the strategy with you. . .
Menicker
Leave me with her Dorn,
Dorn
Excuse me?
Menicker
I want to speak to Tikal alone,
Dorn
Very well,
(Leaves)
Menicker
Well, how long has it been, Ten, fifteen years since the last of us were Banished? A bit of genis linking your life force with the Master emerald, made you immencely powerful, of corse now you've drained your life force. As I see it, you would only have a few more months to live anyway.
(NO answer)
Menicker
I suppose your still not speaking to me, all that "Trying to wipe out your civilization" thing, you do know how to hold a grudge Tikal. Try not to look at is if I wasn't killing anyone, we live in an age where things like love and Comaption are Obselete, only power matters now, and your Shi-Ar could't have existed here. I suppose you know to become the new gaurdian I have to kill the current one, wich would be you. And I can tell you honestly Tikal, I'll enjoy it. I'll saver every twist of the dagger, beacue Tikal, you see, I thoughroly hate you. I hate you with a passion most men only know in love. You exist to destroy ever dream I've ever had. And as for you boy aprentice, if he's still alive, wich I'd guess he is, He will be dead as you if he tries to stop me.
[Actor Andrew Knode, who voiced the Character insisted on recording this monologue first, because in his words "It just plain rocks".]
Tikal
Your wrong.
Menicker
Pardon me?
Tikal
You wrong about Knuckles,
Menicker
Oh really?
Tikal
Don't you get it Menicker? The power of the gaurdian is God-given, the Master emrald is only a rock. Not only is Knuckles stronger and faster then ten of you, he's pure. He's got a heart, a pure. Not only an explosive fighter, but one that will never acept or offer surender, if you face him, your faceing three thousand years of controlled breeding and fifteen years of training, he's unstobable, unbeatable, indestructible, invincible and Immortal!
Menicker
THAT'S ENOUGH! I'll tear that miserable boy limb from limb and build my palace on the fresh dirt of his grave! To bad you won't be around to see it! You've got about an hour to live,
(Scene: On Menicker's Airship, The Chatix take out the few guards and tie them up on the island,)
Espio
Allright, Mighty, you get the engine started.
Mighty
Right,
(Runs off and messes with engine)
Charmy
where's Our destination?
Espio
(Looks through spyglass)
Those ships are still pertty far off, but we could guard all the entraces underneath the island to stop those creeps from senidng in re-enforcements.
Vector
Things should be quiet untill Knuckes and Roseanna make their moove,
Espio
right, but we gotta get ready, things will get ugly really fast. Luckyly this is some kinda super ship, since it's Dorn's, the other Guys seem to have the plain wrap models.
Mighty
Engines running, You got any idea how to fly one of these?
Espio
No, but how hard can it be?
(Starts playing with levers, and a part of the ship scrapes a tree knocking off a cannon)
Espio
We got plenty of guns,
(Scapes bottan tearing off an antenna)
Charmy
Well we only had ONE of those,
[Recording this line took 18 takes since the Actress speaking Charmy continualy cracked up during recording sessions. As she said "It's just a funny line!"]
Vector
Let's just hope we didn't need it, whatever it was,
(Scene: A screen pops on with Kommisar on it surpiresing Dorn)
Kommisar
Lord Dorn? I thought you were on your ship!
Dorn
Why is that?
Kommisar
Beacasue it's mooveing sir!
Dorn
What? I gave no order to moove my ship! Who's abord?
Kommisar
Aprently not our men sir, a Chamelion is at the Helm,
Dorn
What? It must be the one we saw on the surface,
Kommisar
Do you want me to shoot them down?
Dorn
NO! For one their on my ship, and another, the apearently want to distract you or else they would've attacked you. No, just make sure they don't leave the area of the island. We'll prepare down here.
Meni
What's the mattter Dorn?
Dorn
It's Tikal's friends Menicker, their takeing my ship for a joyride.
Meni
A decoy no dobt,
Dorn
Exactly, we should expect Tikal's young diciple any moment now.
Meni
Tell your men to. . . .
(On screen a trooper suddenly apears)
Troop
Lord Dorn, we've spoted an echidna in the south cavern,
Meni
What is he doing private?
Troop
Nothing, he's spotted us on guard and he's apearently planning his next moove,
Dorn
Menicker, call all my Macine gunners and Archers, tell them to meet me at the south cavern, I'll take care of Knuckles while you take care of Tikal,
Menicker
Gladly my frend, make haste.
(Dorn runs off)
(Scene: Roseanna and Knuckles are haideing from the Dara-Quo troopers, Roseanna peeks out to see them setting up Macine guns)
Rose
Oh man, they've got macine guns AND archers, their's no way we'll make it though,
Dorn
(Yelling) Knuckes! I know your out there, this is Lord Dorn of the Dara-Quo, I am giving you one chance at redemption, leave this place and the floating island and you will live! Otherwise, my troopers will kill you and the girl,
Knuckles
You know I can't do that!
Dorn
Don't answer me unitl you've thought it over boy! You have thirty seconds.
Rose
What are you gonna do Knuckles?
Knuckles
I'm gonna walk up there and punch 'em out.
Rose
That's a plan? That's dumb! Their's gotta be fifty of those guys, and four of them have macine guns! I've sene thos thing go to work Knuckles, ther made for shooting down airships! They can peirce an inch of solid steel armor! they'll tear you apart before you take two steps!
Knuckels
If the prophesys are right, I'm immortal,
Rose
The prophesy of the immortal gaurdian comes from God! You don't bleive in God!
Knuckles
If I walk out there Roseanna, I gotta belive in something, and if It's God that's gonna keep me alive, then he's it.
(Knuckles emerges, and walks slowly towards the troopers, Dorn laughes at first, then gets a little fearful)
Dorn
Fool, he's going to die, unless. . .no, it can't be true. (To his men) Alright, looks like He made his destion! Open fire!
(Knuckles trembles slightly as the macine gunners and Archers line up their shots, sweap rolls down his face)
Knuckles
(Quietly)
Fear not, for I am with you. . .says the Lord,
(Knuckles continues walking, repeating the scripture, bullets spray dirt and stone around him, arrows stick in the ground inches from his feet, but never hit him. As he gets closer he holds out both arms, closes his eyes, now grenades are spruting explostions around him as Dorn and the other men start to panick, Knuckles recites the verse louder)
Dorn
(Enraged and Panicked)
KILL HIM! HE'S RIGHT THERE! STOP HIM! KILL HIM!!
(Dorn tosses his own grenades, none of them even scratceing Knuckles, now yelling the verse at the top of his lungs, the men petrified, stop fireing)
Rose
(With reverence)
You are the gaurdian,
(Knuckles fightes a few of te troopers whiping them severely,)
Dorn
Retreat! Fall back and regroup in the master chamber!
[This scene was very unpopular with the cast, since it didn't wind up having the emotonal impact that the director planed, it was most likely going to be removed before it was animated..]
(The troops run off)
Knuckles
(Last time) Fear not, for I am with you,
Roseanna
So that's what your banner means huh?
Knuckles
let's moove.
(Menicker is sharpening his dagger, Tikal watches from where she is bound, Dorn enters)
Menicker
What are you doing here wihtout Knuckles's head?
Dorn
We could't kill him,
Menicker
Pardon me?
Dorn
I had twenty men, bows, meacine guns, grenades, he came strait at us and we could't kill him, he didn't even get scratched,
Menicker
Imposible, your men are the best marksmen of the Dara-Quo,
Dorn
I know that, something about him is just. . .Unatural,
(Menickers glances over to Tikal)
Tikal
Afraid?
Menicker
(Ignoreing her)
Dorn, contact Kommisar, tell her to get some extra men in here,
Dorn
Should't be a problem.
Tikal
That can't save your life Menicker,
Menicker
Or yours, you've got. . .Ten minutes,
Dorn
Once we have more men, he should't be to much more trouble,
(An explotion euptes in the chamber pan up to Roseanna and Knuckles stading hiogh above the Dara-Quo camp on the ledge)
Knuckles
Their will be no re-enforcement's Menicker, I made sure of that,
(Menicker grabs Tikal, riping the chains off her and placeing the knife to her throat)
Menicker
Don't moove child,
Knuckles
You won't kill her yet,
Menicker
Your smarter then I gave you credit for boy, you understand my plan then?
Knuckles
I know what you think, Killing Tikal's not gonna help anyhtng Menicker,
Menicker
NO! This is between me and her, not you! You go home boy! Before you get hurt,
Knuckels
I'd rather beat you to a bloody pulp if you don't mind!
Menicker
(Looks at clock)
Well well well, look what time it is, time to die Tikal!
Knuckles
NO!!
(Roseanna fires a few bolts At menicker and the rest of them causeing confution, Knuckles jumps down and fights like mad, but in the confution Menicker get the knife and kills Tikal, she falls and Knuckles Goes to her)
Knuckles
No,
Tikal
WE must all Die Knuckles, even those of us who are immortal, (She pulls off her necklace and Tosses it to Roseanna) you've earned my trust, use it wisely,
Knuckles
Tikal, I've gotta do something,
Tikal
My time is long overdue, I must meet my Lord now. Purhaps you cannot save me Knuckles, but you can avenge me,
(She dies)
Knuckles
MENICKER!!
Menicker
Come on boy, let's see how legendary you really are,
(The island begins to go into fail-safe mode, mooveing near Mt. Fate, in the process Knuckles and Menicker are seperated, Menicker doroping o a platform like an elivater down to the platform)
Menicker
Well knuckles, It seems our situation hand changed, I'd love to stay around and gloat, but I've got a date with an emreald!
(He and Dorn Laugh and walk off)
Roseanna
How do we get Up?
(Knuckles Grabs Roseanna and Climbs with his claws dramticly.)
Knuckles
This isn't over Menicker,
(To chaotix aabrd Dorn's ship watch Kommisar's ship draw near the island)
Espio
That's our cue, Open fire on that ship!
(No response)
Espio
Who here knows how to fire a cannon?
Mighty
Don't you know how to fire one?
Espio
I'm steering,
Vector
I got the macine gun!
Charmy
I can use a catapult,
Espio
That leaves you mighty.
Mighty
Allright, I'll figure it out,
(Show Charmy trying to push down the basket of the catapult, but gets laugheed himself. Vector turns the crank on the macine gun, then Espio hands him an ammo belt wich he forgot. Mighty is trying to figure out the cannon, he finaly gives up and begins throwing cannonbals at the enemy ship, swtich to enemy ship, Kommisar, a Female Dara-Quo watches a cannonboll hit the deck beside her)
Komm
What was that?!
Trooper
WE're under fire Kommisar!
Komm
How is that possible? I hear no cannon fire!
(Looks at mighty throwing cannonballs thrihg a spyglass)
Trooper
You would't belive me if I told you Ma'am,
[This scene was never recorded, since no one wanred to speak for the "trooper".]
(Menicker and comapany head to the Emerald, wich is surounded by really old mecanical things and "forbidden tecnoligys)
Dorn
The great conservatory, the storehouse for the Forbidden technoligy,
Menicker
I hardly see any value in any of this,
Dorn
Then your blind. Thse are some of the most deviose weapons ever developed by the echidnas, for instance, this one, an atomic bomb, now their's a failsafe. This thing could destroy this entire mountain and anything withing ten miles, it could wipe out an entire city while we would be proteted safely on the island.
Menicker
I see your point, (Grabs a remote) Might come in handy, (puts the remote in his pocket.
(Memnicker Notices the Steel shell of the emrald)
Menicker
Yes, there's what I'm looking for, The Master Emrald,
Dorn
Looks like a big piece of metal,
Menicker
that's the blast sheild stupid, It's compeltely impermiable, but if I know my history, I should be able to. . .
(The Steel shell around the emreald folds off)
Menicker
Yes, Stay back Dorn, It'll kill if you come to close, I must. . . .commune with it,
Dorn
(Spooked)
You talk about that thing Like it'sa living thing,
Menicker
More then just a living things Dorn, A god. . .
(Menicker touches the Emmerald changing him, his eyes turn deep green, his fist grow razor-sharp barbs, he's blownover by the power and stands up still smookening from the blast)
Dorn
Menicker? Are you okay?
Menicker
Better then ever you idiot,
[This scene is a referece to a similar scne in "the Mask" however no one in the voice cast realized it during readings .]
Dorn
You don't. . .look right,
Menicker
QUIET!
(holds out his hand and Dorn is blasted into the oppnate wall)
Dorn
(Weakened)
Good King acorn, their must be something to this Emerald stuff after all!
Menicker
Yes my loyal vassal, I feel the power flwong through me, I am one with the emrald, I a Menicker The Gaurdi-UHG!
(Menicker is interupted by a fist to the face from Knuckles)
Knuckles
Don't you dare finish that sentence,
Menicker
you've got a heck of a puch, but you forget boy, I'm immortal now,
(Dorn puls out a crossbow aiming it at Knuckles, but roseanna snaks up behind him)
Rose
(In dorn's ear)
Go ahead punk, make my day,
Menicker
So it's down to you and me, Tikal told me I would have to face you boy,
Knuckles
You've killed the only person I've ever loved, the only person in my life that mattered,
Menicker
In the name of progress child, she and I just could't exist on the same world. As you and I.
Knuckles
I'll agree with that,
Menicker
The come to me boy, and taste the fury of the new gaurdian, MENICKER!
(They clash, sending us to a shot of The Chaotix, Vector is fireing the maince gun and Troopers on hangliders, Mighty is throwing cannonballs, Espio is getting used to the controlls)
Charmy
Where are we going anyway Espy?
Esipo
To the top of that mountain, just in case Knuckles needs a way out,
Vector
We ain't gonna be able to hold off this entire fleet forever, something's gotta give!
Esipo
In know, I just hope it isn't us. . .
(Knuckles and Menicker are fighitng, devistateing the room around them, it is a titanic battle between two seemingly indestructable fighters. Menicker Get Knuckles in a headlock, pressing him agianst a wall)
Menicker
The entire civilisation of the Dara-Quo exist just beyond this mountain Knuckles, it's hopeless!
Knuckles
I'll decide that,
Menicker
What are you going to do? Destry our entire race?
Knuckles
If that's what it takes!!
(Knuckles Throws menicker across the temple, slaming him into the opposite wall. Meenwhile Dorn spins and Pulls off Roseanna's chaos belt, throwing it across the room)
Dorn
(pulling out sword)
On thing I learned aobut your Kind, they're nothing without their emeralds,
Roseanna
(Pulls out her own sword)
We'll see about that,
[Animation director Spice Tyme hated drawing swords, so it was agreed during animation sequnce the two would be fighitng hand-to-hand. However, production ended before the scripts were changed..]
(They exchange blows, Roseanna realizeinf Dorn is a master swordsman)
Dorn
I've seen many of your kind die on the end of this blade,
Roseanna
And many of your kind on mine, (She delivers a pair of high Kicks to Dorn knockeing him back, the brings her sword around slashing him acoss hi face)
Dorn
(Surprised)
Looks like this is gonna be more fun then I thought,
(Back to the Chaotix, Kommosar's ship draws Very close)
Espio
(Into radio)
Mighty, try and keep them back,
Mighty
I'm triyng their's only one of me!
Espio
Vector, make sure nobody boards us,
Vector
Sure thing, aslong as the Vec man's at the helm Nobodys getting on!
(Kommisar herself launches a line into the Chaotix's baloon, she swings over and knockes over Vector, She faces Espio, drawing out a long sword, she takes a few swings and Espy climbs up oto the baloon sickey-like, he runs along an upper catwalk trying to get to a gatling gun but Kommisar cuts him off. He runs around the edge of the Baloon and Disaperas, when Kommisar some around he shoves he over the railing)
Espio
That time, I killed her,
(The Airship, with no one at the Helm Aslams into the mountain and The Baloon is ruptured)
Charmy
Look's like where headed nowhere fast,
Espio
Don't worry Charmy, we're rigt where we need to be.
(Back to Knuckles and Menicker, Knuckles Puches menicker once more after a breif battle scene, slaming him into a pillar, demolishing it)
Menicker
(Weakly)
Why don't you. . .just give up boy? You know I can never die,
Knuckes
We'll see,
(They fight more, Menicker feircely tryint to get the upper hand but he's constantly beaten)
Menicker
How. . .can you still be stnading? No man could live agianst power of the Emrald,
Knuckles
(Picks Menicker up by his throat)
The Emerald is the beging of power, not the end of it, and if I am to defend this island, I've gott be able to beat even it,
Menicker
Well met. . boy,
(Pan to Dorn and roseanna, Dorn seems to get eh upper hand, severly wounding Roseanna taughintgly, slashing her amrs and legs, completely immobilizeing her, she crawls acorss the floor)
Dorn
Such a shame, you're a very beautiful young lady, but when you butt heads with a maser you can't exactly expect to win wihout you precious emeralds.
Roseanna
(finds the emrald Tikal gave her in her pocket)
You mean, one of these?
(Dorn removes his sunglasses as Roseanna blows a hole through him, after he is dead, she put on his classes Cherry-Coke style)
["Cherry Coke style" refers to Andrew Knode file "MARCP Extravaganza" when the character "Cherry coke" a super Heroine powered by the berry-flavored soda, defeats a villian she slips the glasses on and makes fun of him. This was meant to refer to his film.]
(Back to Knuckles and Menicker, they are both near death, beaten and bloody)
Menicker
It appears I was wrong Knuckles, it seems both of us die together, My emerald and your God, my evil and your purity, in the end aren't they all the same? Faith is what makes them real, and when none live to have faith in them, they cese to exist.
Knuckles
I don't think so,
(Knuckles Knocks Menicker back, he flies into the emrald, frying him thiroghly, he lays on the ground, sizzleing a smokeing)
Knuckles
End of the road.
Menicker
(Weakly)
Yes,
(Pulls out Remote and hits it)
For us both,
(Diabolical laugh)
(Knuckles glances over to the Atom bomb, it lurches to life, aiming strait at the ceiling, He grabs Roseanna and runs)
Roseanna
What?
Knuckels
It's an Atomic Bomb, we need to get the the island and de-activate fail-safe mode, the Emrald will protect us from the blast if we can get it back in the island,
(They emerger, Vector helping them up)
Vector
Where's Tikal?
Knuckles
Menicker got her,
Vector
OH, man,
Charmy
Where's Menicker?
Knuckles
(Punches his fist into his other hand and says with spite)
I got him.
Roseanna
I'm hopeing you kow how to De-activate Fail safe?
Knuckels
(Hits some keys on a nearby keypad)
There,
(Cut to emerald returing to the hidden palace)
Knuckles
Something's wrong, These brackets should let the island go now that it can fly,
Vector
Their hundred of years old man, probably just stuck,
Esipo
Somebody's is gonna have to go below and De-actiavate them manualy,
Mighty
Then won't the island float away?
Charmy
I could do it and fly back,
Knuckels
No Charmy, your to little, those levers are hard to moove, whoever does it is gonna have to stay. .
(Pan to shot a shot of each of their faces, when it reaches Roseanna she steps foreward)
Roseanna
I'll do it,
Knucekls
No,
Roseanna
No time to argue, we don't know how short the fuse is on that Bomb,
Knuckles
NO! I'll do it! Me!!
Roseanna
You have to live! You are the gaurdian!
(She kisses him lightly)
Get back to your island,
(The Chaotix start pulling Knuckles off)
Vector
Come on man, we gotta get to the surface and we gotta hustle!
Knuckles
(Being drug off)
NO! I can't be the last one! No!!
(Cut to scene of the Bobm counting down, the Roseanna pushing off the brackets manualy, as soon as the Brackets are gone the island mooves away to fast for roseanna to keep up, Show knuckels and the Chaotix wathinc roseanna, now standing on the top of Mt.Fate, she waves at them, zoom in to show her say one last line)
Roseanna
Take me home,
(The Mountain blows, subsuquently destroying the entire Dara-Quo fleet in a classic anime style fireball, the island is engulfed, but an invisible sheild protects it comepletely, the screen goes white, wich changes into the light of a candal, zooming out we see there are many candles, around a picture of Tikal and another of Roseanna. Knuckles Is sitting there in the Hidden palace, tending the candles. Espio enters)
Espio
You wanted to see me Knux?
Knuckles
I want you and the rest of the Choatix to go home, leave me on the island alone.
Espio
What? We can't do that, we're in this together, we're a team, I mean. . .
Knuckles
Espio, you and the guys have familys, friends, a home. I don't have any of that, I only have this.
(Points to emerald)
Espio
Come on man, that's just a rock!
Knuckles
My entire race was sacraficed to protect it. It's all I have.
Espio
Allrigt man, if that's what you really want, but if you need us you'll know where to find us.
(Leaves)
(Switch to an overshot of the island, slowly zoom to acamodate the speech)
Knuckles
(V/O)
I am the ultimate warrior. Born to the most knoble of Echidna houses, trained from the beging of my life to fight like mad untill the end of it. I don't have family, friends, a home, All I have is my duty, my sacred Duty. Apointed by God to defend the master emerald for the rest of time. So, if your comeing the the floating island, and your not invited, then prepare to face me,
I am Unbeatable, I am unstopable, I am Indestructible, invicible and Immortal, I am Knuckles, The GAUIRDIAN.
[This monologue was originaly intended for a custom T-shirt, and by itself inspired the rest of the screenplay. I never did make the t-shirt.]
(Lighitng stikes and the shadow of Knuckels is seen in front of the emerald, he apears to stand in the "Sonic adventure" pose, he puches the Camera turning it back, roll banner credits)
Screenplay by Joshua Knode
SUPERB ENTERTAINMENT presents, a JOSHUA KNODE film,
"KNUCKLES: THE GAURDIAN" starring ANDREW KNODE, ANGIE MILLER, NIKKI SHIN and introducing DERREK FERTIG as Knuckles
featuring the artwork of SPICE THYME and CAMILE MOROU
directed by JOSHUA KNODE produced by JOSHUA KNODE and ANDREW KNODE
director of photography ANDREW KNODE
***
[What did I learn from this hole ordeal? Don't try to make an unoffical fan movie. And if you do, don't spend money on named actors and animators because you'll wind up looseing it.
Before anyone asks, no I cannot release any of the voice overs, concept art, or rough animation from the movie. Why not? Becase Superb! Entetainment offical still owns the rights to this script along with SEGA and neither has given me permiton to show it to ANYONE. This screenplay is the only part I still own. Maybie somday I'll get them to release it, and I'll put them all on a website but until then please don't send me a thousnad e-mails asking me to do it anyway, unless you want to defend me in court.
Thanks your for reading.]