SOOSTAV
(Knuckles)
The green echidna folded his arms as he looked down at Locke in the same way that one looked at a disobedient dog. Usagi stared at the echidna as she struggled to free herself from her confines.
That monster….from Tokyo!!!! she thought frantically as she looked back forth from him and Locke. I remember him now. I can see the scar from where Uranus scratched him. And he looks stronger than ever. I don't like this. He…was thrown down without even being touched. Locke!!! I hope you are not going to die because of me….
"To be sure, Locke," Atrava continued, "that I got what I asked for, I decided to ask around for a little bit of help. Naturally, when I found this charming boy, I couldn't resist putting him on my payroll. It doesn't hurt that he himself is….a living Chaos Emerald, in essence…you see, Knuckles has been of good use to me in certain situations."
Locke stood up, his hands clenched in a form of anger Usagi had never seen come from him.
"Why don't we wager on the outcome of a fight with you and this boy?" Atrava floated up onto the pillar once more. With a flick of his wrist a throne appeared in the middle of the six emeralds. "The fate of the Earth is the prize. The Chaos Emeralds, all seven of them, the bonus consolation." He sat down. "Winner take all. What do you say?"
"What happens," Locke reluctantly asked, "If Knuckles is to win?"
"If Knuckles wins…." Atrava folded his legs and stretched. "I win, and you will give me the location of the last Chaos Emerald, and submit your life to me to do as I please with it. Your girlfriend over there will also experience a similar fate."
Usagi looked at Knuckles, then at Locke. For some odd reason, she noticed a strange similarity between the two, even though Locke was in human form and Knuckles was green. It was something that she could not quite point out, but it was there.
"Very well." Locke knew that there was no way out of the invitation. "I accept your challenge. If I win, you will leave and never return to this planet on pain of death. And all of the Emeralds belong to me."
"Fair enough!" Atrava laughed. "Then why don't we begin our little charade. Knuckles!"
The green echidna leaped up onto the pillar next to the throne. Locke, in return, flipped backwards until he could see the top of the echidna. Without another word he threw off his top cloak, then his hat, then his kimono belt, and finally his jacket.
"Locke…."
Locke looked up at Usagi. There was a determined look on his face, but he smiled when he looked at Usagi.
"Don't worry about me, Usagi." With a quick movement his dreadlocks were loosened from the rubber band that had held them together. "Just remember our promise."
"Promise…"
Locke's head snapped back around just in time to see Knuckles as he slammed himself to the ground. Locke had been the intended target, but the former guardian dodged it, causing Knuckles to fall face first into the floor. Jamming his staff into the ground, he then proceeded to jump up onto the crucifix holding Sailor Mars.
"Knuckles!!" Atrava screamed. "Don't just stand there!! Kill him!!"
Quick as lightning, Knuckles jumped out of the hole and leaped onto the crucifix. His right fist slammed into Locke's stomach, throwing him off of the crucifix. He recovered before reaching the bottom, and he saved his head from cracking open by landing on his hands. He immediately returned the punch as Knuckles attempted to descend upon him again by giving Knuckles a roundhouse to the face.
They're almost even. Usagi's mind could still picture Haruka falling at the feet of the monster. Locke seems to be the only one who can challenge him.
As the two jumped and hit each other, Locke seized an opportunity to grab his staff and block a headbutt. As the two got close enough to touch their foreheads, Usagi heard Locke muttering Mobian to the echidna. Though she could still not understand it, she could still hear the subtle passionate plea that it seemed to imply.
"(What have you done, Knuckles?)" Locke struggled to keep Knuckles off of him. "(How could you sell yourself to this devil?! Do you even know who he is?)"
"(He is the one who discovered me, father.)" Knuckles grabbed the staff, though he was unable to get it from him. "(I have become the chosen one, the creator of the new Earth, with my power!)"
"(Are you a fool, Knuckles?!)" Locke couldn't believe his ears. "(He is using you to destroy a planet that has nothing to threaten him!)"
"(Ha. Of course you wouldn't understand.)" Knuckles snorted. "(You, the one who abandoned me and then killed everyone by bringing those humans to the island! I saw it; I was blinded by allegiance but Atrava helped me to understand. You are one to talk about idiocy! I am just doing the souls who died under your care the favor they never got to do!!)"
Locke's hands loosened their grip on the staff in shock. Suddenly, he was thrown by an unknown force to the wall. With a crackle of pure Emerald energy, the staff disintegrated in Knuckles' hands.
"LOCKE!!!!!!" Usagi screamed.
"Heheh." Atrava was enjoying the show as he watched.
"(You have been tricked.)" Locke's face was filled with complete shock. "(Can't you see that! He has put you under a spell. Knuckles….I did abandon you, but I didn't do it because I didn't care. When I did leave you, I did it because I thought I was doing the right thing. That you would understand that it was for your good that I did it. But I realize that I was wrong. But it's too late to change the past. I wanted to be there for the present, but you did not seem to need me anymore. I tried, and I failed. I see that now… Realize that even though I'm a failure, it was because I wanted to succeed)" Locke's tone became desperate. "(Please, Knuckles. Listen to me! Wake up, and realize this too!)"
Suddenly, an black emerald-tipped staff was thrown in front of Locke.
"Atrava…?" Locke looked up at the gatekeeper.
"Use it, old man." Atrava sat back in his throne. "My syphon staff. Created by my knowledge. It would help you greatly against this powerful adversary. Besides, I have heard that you echidnas are excellent in the art of the Chaos Emeralds and syphons. I would give you a sword," and as he said this, his hand whisked over in the direction of Vanguard's body, "but as you can see, it's yet to be cleaned."
Locke's face darkened as his glance varied from Atrava to Knuckles. Usagi could see him as he clenched his fists to the point where his palms began to bleed.
"What's the matter, Locke?" Atrava began to chuckle. "You don't know how to use a syphon? I figured you would, though. Or…..do you still have some kind of problem with killing your son?"
Usagi's eyes widened as she heard this. His…son? Knuckles is….Locke's son?!? The child he left!! The Guardian Savior!! This is him?!?
"Hehehehee." Atrava's laugh made her blood cold. "Don't be stupid, guardian. The son has no remorse to regret killing the father."
With a shout, Knuckles dashed at Locke, his green eyes intent on shredding his father into a million pieces with his bare hands. Locke made no move to stop him. Instead, his head went down.
"Locke!!!" Usagi screamed at the top of his lungs. "You've got to fight!!!"
"Heheheheheh…"
Usagi looked up at Atrava. It was obvious that he was enjoying it, the fact that Locke wasn't going to fight Knuckles. It made her hair stand on end, and she shut her eyes tightly for a moment.
"Sorry, Dad." Knuckles snickered. "Looks like you lose."
No…….nooo……… she could feel the scream coming on, and nothing was going to stop it. She opened her eyes with dispair.
It was at that moment that Locke turned to Usagi. The look of hopelessness on his face stunned her. And there were tears in his eyes.
I'm sorry, Usagi. This is the one person I cannot fight. How can I inflict more injury to him, after what I did already…?
Usagi looked at his face, and her heart froze.
-----------------------
The dripping of blood. The taste of fear. Usagi had watched as Locke was pummeled with punches by Knuckles. But it was not real. It was a dream. It had to be a dream. It could not be real.
"I will not let it happen." Usagi had said to herself after the night she had dream. "No matter what happens, I won't let you die, Locke!!"
"Usagi."
Locke's head went down as she said it. It cocked to one side as he spoke.
"If I must die, I must die. But you must promise me something as well."
"What?"
"You must promise me that you will protect the Emeralds if I die."
The flashback dissipated to nothing, just Usagi holding herself in her chair. Everything around her was black as she shuddered.
"Protect the Emeralds….become the guardian of them….because their power is unparalleled. Because I promised." Usagi rubbed her eyes. "But does it allow me to stand and watch as a man is killed? Even if he believes that there is no future for him? Why can't….why can't he just start over? Why must he be defeated even before he fights?"
"What are you suggesting?"
Usagi suddenly whirled around to confront the owner of the voice that suddenly permeated into the dark. However, she only found a small beam of light trickling through the blackness.
"Are you suggesting that Locke forfeit himself?" The voice continued. "His guardianship, his family, his soul, to a force that he has never known, the force of normalcy, a force that you yourself only recently gave up?"
Usagi could herald no reply. She found that she had no voice to reply to the sound.
"But what about those who fought before him?" the voice continued. "Are you suggesting that the echidnas and the humans who fought before him - the ones who began the tradition on both planets - are you saying that they were wrong? They gave their lives up to fight for a cause they felt was right - the protection of the Emeralds. It is only natural that the guardianship comes back to Locke in full circle - the same duty that gave him life is the same that will give him death. Are you saying that you want to stop the cycle? That you would abolish the guardians? Or perhaps you wish to abolish the Emeralds altogether, and begin anew?"
"If abolishing the Emeralds will stop the killing," Usagi sat up in her chair, "if it will save Locke and Knuckles, and Earth, I would do it in an instant! It's not fair that normal people whose destinies do not remotely relate to the sailor soldiers must give their entire lives up just to hide something they know can never truly be hidden! It's caused to much heartbreak. There must be a way."
"But you know it is not that easy."
A misty yellow figure suddenly floated from the light. As it came down to the ground, it became redder as the light diminished. Usagi's eyes grew wide.
"You are…."
The figure finally touched ground. It was a red echidna, just like Locke as he had been in the hotel. However, he wore a dark cloak, a pair of wings adorned his back, and a halo was around his head.
"Destroying the Emeralds might not stop the cycle, Usagi," the echidna softly said. "It might only make it worse then before. But, you are right, the Emeralds cannot be hidden forever. There must be an equilibrium of power if there is ever to be peace."
"I want to help!" Usagi stood up. "I want to create that equilibrium, so that people may have a chance to have real peace and hope!"
"Now, there is a way to do that. We must find a Controller."
"But Atrava said-"
"What he wanted you to hear. There must be a Controller, because no emerald can exist without it. But that, that must be later. Now….."
The echidna walked over to Usagi and quietly sat her back down. He leaned over and began to whisper in her ear.
"Always remember this: it's the left you will have to watch out for."
---------------------
Usagi's eyes jerked open. She saw Locke as Knuckles charged him.
"NO!!!!" With a sudden burst of energy, Usagi's hands clenched in their restraints. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
With a strength that wasn't human, she ripped her hands out of the shackles and fell to the ground below. With a speed and frenzy she never knew she possessed, Usagi charged as hard as she could at the green echidna. With a loud scream she could feel her shoulder crunch as she rammed Knuckles, throwing out of Locke's path.
"Nnnngh!!!!"
"Usagi!!!!"
Locke started to run towards her, but stopped. He stared at her as she stood back up. The ribbons rematerialized into the sailor suit, and she was Sailor Moon again. But Locke noticed that her wings had changed - the feathers seemed plucked off like a dead bird's - and that the locket had not mended.
"Usagi…..you are Usagi, aren't you?"
Sailor Moon turned to Locke, her face confused. She held her shoulder as it screamed in pain from the punch.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I-"
"HALT!!"
Suddenly, a barricade of emerald energy surrounded Locke, separating him from Sailor Moon. Slamming his hand on his throne, Atrava glared down.
"This is one-on-one, Sailor Moon." The barricade around Locke flew up to the ceiling, hanging over the room. "I do not prefer two people ganging up on my trusted warrior. Knuckles, destroy her, than I'll give Locke back to you!!"
"YAAAAH!!!!!!!!"
Knuckles flipped off of his back and threw a punch at the sailor. With a quick movement, Sailor Moon leaped up into the air, landing on Knuckles' arm before flipping back onto the ground.
"Dammit!!" Knuckles screamed. "Hold still, stupid girl!!"
Knuckles grabbed the staff and stabbed at Sailor Moon, only to have her dodge each of his attacks with a grace and agility never seen before from her. With a bounce she jumped up onto one of the crucifixes and scratched her head.
Woah. Where did that come from?!
I can answer that question, Sailor Moon. The voice of the mysterious echidna suddenly filled her head. It is coming from me.
Huh?! You?!
That is correct.
Knuckles leaped up onto the crucifix and swiped at Sailor Moon's head. Once again, she dodged, and jumped off of the crucifix, floating on the way down.
We have never been properly introduced, Sailor Moon, the voice continued. My name is Tobor.
Tobor!! The name somehow rang a very loud bell in Sailor Moon's head as she landed softly on the ground.
I am the relative whose death prompted Locke's son….Knuckles….to join the dark side.
"Sailor Moon!!" Locke shouted through the barricade. "The staff!! Watch out for it!!"
Sailor Moon saw it, and leaped onto another platform above to dodge it. She gave a few quick gasps to clear her mind.
What was it that Tobor said? she though as she quietly closed her eyes. Something about Knuckles favoring his left.
With an angry shout, Knuckles threw a left punch at her. As quick as she could she dodged it, allowing him to hit the wall. She returned with another kick, which caused the staff to spiral out of his hands.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!"
I can feel him... Sailor Moon's eyes opened. I can feel what happened.
Suddenly, her arms opened up, and the Silver Crystal reacted, glowing brightly.
"THIS IS THE END OF THIS!!"
Knuckles glowed, and with an angry yell charged at Sailor Moon as she began to power up.
"I'll stop you!!" Teeth clenched, he hurtled towards the sailor. "I'll put an end to your crystal and its power!!!!!!!"
Be careful, Sailor Moon! Tobor's voice spoke warningly. In his rage, it might not work!
I must....try......
*KA-POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!*
Knuckles' fist plowed through the barrier of the crystal, and his hand grabbed the gem. The glow began fade under Knuckles' hand.
"USAGI!!!!" Locke screamed.
"Please…..
The instant the glow of the gem faded completely, however, Knuckles' hand suddenly turned white. The white crept over his entire body, and his hand ripped off of the crystal. He began to scream as his entire body turned white.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Remember!" Sailor Moon took out the crystal and held it out. "We're not the enemy! Awaken! Real son of Locke! You've been tricked!!!!"
"Let…..let me go!!!" Knuckles' eyes became wild. "N-no….."
A blast of pure energy then crackled from the crystal, blinding Atrava and Locke from seeing the two combatants.
"Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Atrava covered his eyes as he glared. His teeth clenched down until his tongue bled. "Princess!! Overriding his power!!!!! How can this be!?!?!?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
