Mission Impossible

Chapter.3

Knuckles, the Guardian of the Floating Island, was already up. The cool morning breeze was passing through his red dreadlocks as he glided over the tall green island foliage towards the city of Echidnaopolis. He had just finished his routine surveillance of the island and was on his way to meet with his friends the Chaotix. He was trying his hardest not to deviate from his everyday routine so as not to arise the suspicion of the Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood is made up of past Guardians of the Floating Island of which includes his father and many grandfathers. They constantly observe Knuckles' actions to make sure his evolving chaos powers are in check and that he is doing well in keeping vigilant of threats on and off the island.

Knuckles spotted his girlfriend Julie-Sue, who is a member of the Chaotix, just half a block away from the restaurant. Unbeknownst to her she was about to have a close encounter of the Knuckles kind. Swooping in directly in front of her path Julie-Sue found herself nose-to-nose with Knuckles himself.

"Hey Julie-Sue!" Knuckles said with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, "Did you have a good morning?"

Julie-Sue stared blankly for a second, unmistakably surprised at Knuckles's sudden appearance.

"Hi!" she replied, taking a step back to have a better look at her boyfriend, "My morning was just fine. How about you?"

"Much better now that I've bumped into your pretty face."Knuckles said smoothly. Did those mushy words actually come out of my mouth! Geez! thought Knuckles afterwards.

Julie-Sue blushed, turning her already pink complexion an even rosier shade as Knuckles took her hands in his.

Growing up with the Dark Legion had made her into one tough costumer who let no one push her around as well as making her a bit unaccustomed to this show of feelings. But all the same she loved the surge of emotions that it stirred in her.

Knuckles, being the tough as nails usual loner that he is, also loved the surge of emotions he felt. He leaned in, slipping his hands around her waist. Julie-Sue responded by looking coyly into his eyes and draping her arms around his neck. They kissed, lips slightly parted,eyes closed, hormones taking over.

The people in the streets gawked as they passed them by. Some smiled with happiness for them. Some sneered and whispered insulting comments, stating how they disliked their Guardian in a relationship with an ex-Legionnaire. A fact that was impossible to hide because of the bio-enhancements on Julie-Sue's dreads and arms as well as Knuckles' signature white crest on his chest. Something each and every Guardian, past and present, shares. Neither Echidna could care less about what other's thought but it still hurt Julie-Sue and angered Knuckles.

Their kiss ended with a loud smack. Knuckles took Julie-Sue's hand in his and held the door of the restaurant open for her. The Chaotix were seated at their favorite booth, sipping soda's as they waited for their friends to arrive.

"Finally! They're here!" Mighty the Armadillo said exasperatedly, giving Espio the Chameleon a sideways glance.

Seated across from him was Vector the crocodile. Vector switched off his walkman and spun around.

" Took you long enough. Man, I could have been cruz'en for chicks if it weren't for you two."

Julie-Sue shot daggers at Vector with her eyes.

"Sorry Vector, but I was under the impression that you didn't HAvE a love life." Julie-Sue replied as she and Knuckles took their seats in the booth.

"Ha, funny." Vector replied flatly as he turned his walkman back on and preceded to strum his fingers on the table. In tune to the beat of the music reverberating from his headphones. Out of respect for Knuckles, and fear of another pummeling by his friend, he decided he wouldn't start an argument with Julie-Sue. Even though he still thought she was a witch.

"Alright Knuckles," started Espio, "What was it you called us here for?"

"I've heard from a reliable source that their have been disturbances on the Northern outskirts of the city." Knuckles said with a wink of his eye, making it clear to the others that it just a cover.

Knuckles unfolded a piece of paper from his glove, motioning for the others to read it from the table. "I suggest we split up in our search so that we can cover more ground before night fall."

The note the others read said: [Top Secret Meeting with Freedom Fighter's at 10:00 am at the clearing on the South side of the island.]

"Sounds great." Julie-Sue said, playing along. The others followed suit.

"Without a doubt." Espio said.

"Yeah, you can count on us." Mighty joined in.

"Yo, so what are we all still sitting here for. Let's make tracks already." Vector said matter o'factly.

They headed out in all directions north, zigging and zagging here and there to make themselves impossible to track before doubling back to the rendezvous point.

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