(Retribution)
A very long time ago, there had been a prophesy.
"The dream which you saw," he had said, "Is a sign of the Guardian Savior. Take
heed, for it will be the savior of those he touches!"
It started out with a dream. Then, came the work to create that dream. Then,
the moment when the dream was started, and ended. The day Knuckles was born. He
had thought it was over.
But the aftereffects set in.
Everything had gone all wrong. His wife left him, his family fought to a
standstill, the Dark Legion and its leader returned, stronger than ever. And
his own son, the savior, had rejected him at one point.
Yet she had been there. It had given him strength.
Now, he could never repay her. He couldn't save his son from Death Natron. From
the truth that death gave him.
But it was all that was left. To fight, to see the final truth come out. And
pray. Locke could only pray to himself for Knuckles. Then, and only then, when
the truth was brought out, could it finally end.
----------------
"…..Are we ready?"
Knuckles looked at Luger. The castle loomed above them, more menacing than
ever.
"Knuckles…" Luger looked at him. In his arms was an even more frightened
Lara-Su. "Remember. I will fight first should we both make it to Natron."
"….Riht." Knuckles looked up. "And if you don't die, I am turning you in."
"…A deal is a deal."
With that, Luger kicked open the door, and the two ran in, ready to battle.
"BOSS!!"
The guards spotted them instantly, but it was obvious that Luger was, so far, true
to his word; they did not fight back as they were knocked unconscious by the
two warriors.
"There aren't as many as I remember…."
"There aren't many at all." Luger smashed someone's face into a wall. "Natron
wanted to kill your queen before she built up her forces."
"A mistake."
Luger carefully shielded Lara-Su from each attack he made, carefully killing
his enemies, once his former colleagues. The girl squealed with fright as she
was tossed around, but Luger dug her head into his chest. It was much better
that way, especially s he got out his knife and slashed the attackers. The
blood fell all over the two.
"ARRRRRRRRRRR!!" Knuckles smashed one of the remaining troopers in the face.
"Stop!!!"
Suddenly, several other began to run from the two.
"That was too easy…." Knuckles' eyes squinted.
"They are going to Death Natron." Luger quickly smacked the wall. "Come….this
way…."
At this, a side panel opened, and the three slid in.
Hurry… Knuckles shuddered. I feel the power fading even
now…..Saturn…..why did you tell me…….
The power is fading….
I wish I had not known….found out in the heat of battle……at least, I would not
have known……that I would join my father in terrible death so soon…..
-----------------------
The survivors of the troops filed in from the salons, from the halls, from
everywhere in the castle. One thousand in all.
"Come in….."
Rania's good eye looked up at those who came in. They quietly moved into the
back of the room, near where the doors were.
"There is no way out…." She murmured. "Luger……Resin……you name doesn't matter. I
will destroy you for your betrayal…."
As if her words were godsend, a bang came from the walls. The three echidnas
suddenly came out.
"Indeed." Her lips formed a smile. "I thought you would come."
Luger was first to look up at Natron. His eyes, however, looked away from her
when the pupils met.
"You know you've betrayed." The figures of her followers were suddenly on them.
"For it, you must be killed."
"Knuckles!"
Knuckles slowly nodded. As quick as he could, he snatched the knife from
Luger's pocket and jumped away from the grabbing hands.
"Daddy!!!" Lara-Su was ripped off of Luger. She tried to get free, but there
were too many. "HELP!!"
SLASH
Luger's eyes widened, then rolled up. Quickly, Knuckles hand drove the knife up
until it went into Luger's chin. The long line of blood splattered on him, but
at the moment, he didn't care.
Sorry….I'm sorry…. Luger's eyes looked up at him as he fell down, his
body limp in his captors' arms. There was a look of strange peace on them. I
didn't want Natron to get the satisfaction….
With that, he dashed around and repeated the same to those who ran towards him.
The feeling of blood, the rush of adrenaline, the sheer feeling of control,
knowing he would stop this demon….the feeling was familiar, and Knuckles wanted
more of it. He could not understand why, since his powers were almost all but
drained from his body…
"STOP!!!!!!"
Everyone turned; even the falling dead bodies turned. Natron was at the end of
the altar, her sword drawn, pointed towards Knuckles. She stood there, slowly
turning her body to face them. Her eyes slitted at the sight of Knuckles, but
she gave a laugh either way.
"Hmph." she chuckled. "Dead people should stay dead."
"I was about to say the same for you," Knuckles spat. "Rania
Googolov."
"She is dead." Natron's eyes flashed at the name. "The timid
child who was afraid. Now, there is no inhibition to rip your heart from its
chamber."
With that, she took out a sword. Turning it, the hilt glinted in the moonlight
which came into the main hall.
"I would think that you were helped by the seed." She smiled.
"But enough. It is time for another death."
With that, the two ran to each other. The sound of the smashing swords was
invigorating to Natron; it was obvious in her eyes, and in her movements.
"Give up!"
"No."
And s they fought; for a whole hour, they fought non-stop in that hall, with
everyone watching. Knuckles heard Lara-Su cry as he jumped away from each
swipe; after an hour, her voice was hoarse, but still, he heard it.
Lara-Su……I will stop her….
*SMASH!*
"ARGH!!" Natron swore. "Dam you, why don't you just lay down like your
father?!"
"Never!" Knuckles managed to block off another swipe. "You leech, all you do is
prey off of innocents!"
"No one I have destroyed was innocent!" Natron fought harder. "They destroyed
the original project! Earth could have been great in the universe, its people
everywhere. That was what he wanted! But then your @#%$ father ruined it
all!!!"
She caught Knuckles on the arm; bleeding, Knuckles smacked her in the side.
Gasping she jumped back.
"I am only wishing to fulfill his dream." Natron pointed the sword at him.
"Just like you want to fulfill your father's silly dream of being Guardian
Savior! But you are nothing!"
"What?!"
Knuckles almost missed the sword; he managed to block it, and jump back, his
sword pointing to Natron.
"What are you saying? You wouldn't know anything about it!"
"Cretin!!" Natron charged. "If it hadn't been for your father, none of this
would have happened!!!"
Knuckles pointed his sword at her, but suddenly stopped. Her words began to
echo into his brain. Then, came the dawning.
If it hadn't been for your father, none of this would have happened.
None of it…….
None…..
That's not true. It was partially your fault.
He is dead because of you.
My father….all he did was create me…..with the Chaos power…..that
uncontrollable power…..it made me…..crazy…….
My insanity….the street war……the island……the princess…..Her.
Then…….
The world……..
My father made me. I went crazy. Then everything…..
No.
My father.
My God. NO.
All of it happened……because of him…..
The deaths……and rebirths…..
If all that happened……..then……
He is……..
He is…….
He…..
"The Guardian Savior." Athair looked at Locke. "The creature who's actions will
save this world from destruction. He will unite the people together. From your
actions must spring the Savior!"
No!
No! NO!! NO!!!
NOT MY FATHER! THAT CAN'T BE WHY!!!!
The truth was so unexpected, yet it brought Knuckles to his knees.
My father……
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
Knuckles almost didn't have time to move back as the sword came down. He could
only bend back, hope that she didn't smash his skull.
But it was too late to escape all that Natron had, and the sharp pain came with
no mercy.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!"
His vision suddenly skewed; for the moment, he saw two swords, one hanging
down, the one at eye level. Blood began gushing, and his right eye vision began
to turn red. The pain, from his right eye, which suddenly hung by such a thin
strand from his sockets….
"DAAAAADDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Knuckles screamed even louder as Natron's hand came upon him and tugged; she
pulled so violently that he was sure his brains would come ripping out with his
eyeball. He gasped, and cried as best he could; but only his left eye could do
it; the other eye was no longer there.
"AAAAAAAAAAH!! AAAAAAAAAH………"
His pain gave way to a sick wretching of his stomach as he fell backwards and
to his right; a strange new sound came to his ears. The sound of sucking. Slurping.
And more screaming from his daughter, who began to cry harder than ever before.
With a hard slam he landed on his side.
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD…."
"Miserable bastard….."
Knuckles focused his left eye in horror at Natron. She had not even wiped up
the salty water of his tear ducts from her mouth. For now she stood over him,
her sword at his neck, a cluck in her throat.
"I thought you would have been a better fight." Natron simply shook her head.
"I didn't think you would give up so easily." He lips curled into a smile. "All
the better. Now, you are go-"
"DAAAAAAAAAAAADYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!"
He saw Lara-Su approach; she had gotten free and was crying. With not so much
as a blink, Natron raised the sword.
"No…….." Anger, fear, and the thought of living without her suddenly welled up.
"N….NO!!"
There is still a small bit of power left within you…….you must….be careful……
Suddenly, he had it again. It was back. One final time.
Stop……stop…….
"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The power blasted out. His anger overflowed. He wouldn't stand for it, not
here, not now. They could kill his father…..they could kill the Savior……they
could kill Knuckles….
But never his child.
If it hadn't been for your father, none of this would have happened.
My child.
He glowed green, more brilliantly then he ever did on the Island, or with Atrava.
He felt the power helix into the utmost reaches within his body. In front of
him, Natron drew back in horror, and others began to run.
"(My terms.)" Knuckles spoke. His voice blazed like back in the days of
Atrava as he glared. "(Its my turn now.)"
He clenched his fists as Natron started to run, his body sizzling even more so
than ever. The power was there, and he knew what he had to do.
---------------
The soldiers, and Kiyone got to the palace just as it exploded.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!*
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!"
The group was thrown back into the trees; it seemed impossible, but the castle,
the screams, everything – exploded in a hot green light. The final power of the
Chaos Emeralds.
"KNUCKLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Pluto was the first on her feet. She ran towards
the unholy green fire as the other began to recover. "KNUCKLES!! NOOOOOOO!!!!!"
All of those years, marked by deception, betrayal, anger, hate. All erased in
an instant. All erased by an act of true piety.
