THE LEGEND
Author's Note: Alright, this one's a shorty. Only 3 chapters. However, this one is packed up tightly. As I said in Ch. 6 of 'Break Up, Break Down', that was the stepping stone for this. Hope you enjoy!
"Dad, will you tell me a story?" "Sure, son. Hmmm...How about the Legend of Eclipse: The Legendary Echidna?" "Sounds good!" "Okay. According to the Legend, a powerful entity will arise one day with the power to destroy all life on Mobius. This creature is a green echidna known as Eclipse." "Green? That's a weird color." "Well, it is believed that his power comes from chaos emeralds." "But why would he want to destroy all life?" "No one knows. The legend says that when the crescent moon becomes eclipsed, he will arise and bring Mobius to its knees through his awesome might. He will destroy his enemies, and then the world after that." "When is the eclipse supposed to happen?" "Oh, don't worry. It won't happen any time soon. It can't. The crescent moon cannot become eclipsed. It can be the stage of an eclipse, but nothing else." "Well, if he ever did show up, I'd kick his butt, right dad?" "You bet, son. Time for you to go to sleep. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." "Okay. Goodnight dad. I love you." "I love you, too. Goodnight, Knuckles."
Knuckles slowly opened his eyes to see that he was lying on the floor of his bedroom. He took off his left glove and wiped his finger under his nose. There was dried blood from his nose down to his upper lip. "Uhhh...another one of those 'flashback attacks'", he groaned as he stood up and went to wash his face. Not too long after he got up, Knuckles headed out the front door of his cave and walked through the woods towards Echidnapolis. As he stopped to grab an apple from a tree for breakfast, he paused. 'Why do I have the strangest notion to get there quickly?' he asked himself. 'Don't sense anything wrong...but maybe..." he thought as he quickly grabbed an apple and began to hurry towards the city.
It was a pretty average day in Echidnapolis. The streets were busy as usual, hover-cars driving by as pedestrians crowded the sidewalks. Lana-Ca had been up for about an hour now. She had three children, so she had a lot of work around the house. Her husband, Raynor had left for work not too long ago, so she decided to get some laundry done before the children woke up. The bus for school would be at the corner in an hour and a half. She was young, beautiful, and happy. She had a loving husband, two beautiful daughters and a handsome son. Sure life wasn't perfect, but it didn't have to be. She opened up the window to put some of the laundry out on the line. From here she could see the High Council building across the street. It was a beautiful day. She looked up at the sky and saw the white, puffy clouds, the clear blue sky, the bright green sun. "What in the world?" she asked herself. Suddenly, the green sun came closer and closer. Her eyes widened and she screamed, but no one heard her over their own shrieks.
"Downtown Echidnapolis was devastated today when the High Council building, along with everything else in a one-block radius, was destroyed in an explosion. No one knows what happened, because it was over as quickly as it happened. Fortunately, the High Council was not in session today. The Guardian arrived on the scene not too long after, but could do nothing in the aftermath of this devastation. The death count is not official, but it is estimated to be around four hundred. Is the Dark Legion to blame? Or is it perhaps Robotnik testing some new weapon? We'll have more details as they come in."
Locke had to sneak past the other members of the Brotherhood to get here. They were all arguing about what had happened and what needed to be done. Locke just wanted to see Knuckles. He found him standing before a crater in the middle of the city. EST units were positioned around the blast sight as family and friends of those lost in the explosion wept and mourned. The smell of burnt wood, metal and flesh was in the air to the point that it was nauseating. Smoke rose up into the sky, casting a shadow over the unholy graveyard. There were no remains of the buildings at all. The crater was filled with ash. "Son?" Locke said as he stopped behind Knuckles. "I-it's all my fault..." Knuckles whispered. Locke's eyes widened in surprise. "Son, no it's not. You couldn't have predicted this was going to happen," Locke said, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. Locke was stunned when Knuckles quickly spun around and swatted away his father's hand. "Don't you get it?!?! It's all my fault! I couldn't stop him!!!" Knuckles yelled, his eyes appearing to be very glossy. "Couldn't stop who? Who???" Knuckles slowly backed away, a strange look of horror on his face. Finally, he whispered, "Eclipse," before he ran off.
Locke talked to the Chaotix to try and get them to talk to Knuckles about the explosion, but every time they came near him, he quickly ran off and disappeared. Something was clearly bothering him. However, Mighty found him at home later that evening. He was sitting on his bed staring into space, growling in anger with his teeth and fists clenched tightly. Mighty quickly rushed in and slammed the door behind him. "Knux, Listen up! Enough running off! I'm sick of it! You're gonna sit down and tell me what's going on!" Mighty yelled. Knuckles stood up quickly, seeming more scared than anything else. "Mighty...I-I had another flashback last night. It was my dad telling me a story about an echidna named Eclipse. It's all my fault! I couldn't stop him! They're all dead because of me!!!" Mighty didn't know what to say or do. Knuckles seemed so...strange. There was something that he had never seen in him before. Was it fear? He couldn't be sure. "Knux...what is going-" "Just leave! Leave me alone!" Knuckles yelled. Mighty was a bit shocked, but nodded and slowly walked out the door. 'What is wrong with him? What is he not telling us?' Mighty thought as he headed towards the city.
"Eclipse? You mean that Legendary Echidna nonsense?" Sabre asked as he chuckled. "I'm serious, father," Locke said. "Oh, come! That's just an old story made to frighten children. A myth! There's no fact to it at all!" Spectre said to Locke, almost like he was scolding him. "Knuckles said something about Eclipse. To me and to Mighty. He's spooked out of his mind! He hasn't spoken to anyone at all today!" Locke said. "This is complete lunacy! There is no such thing as Eclipse. Spectre is right. We simply have to force Knuckles to tell us what he knows," Thunderhawk suggested. Suddenly, a siren started to go off with flashing red lights, alerting the Brotherhood to a present danger. "What is happening?" Sabre asked. "Locke rushed over to the computer consul and began to rapidly type. "There's a large energy spike in Cat Country!" Locke yelled. "It looks like it's coming from their capital city," Thunderhawk said as he pointed to the screen, "Show a satellite image!" Locke continued to type until a window popped up on the monitor, causing them all to gasp. There, on the screen, was Cat Country's capital. And, in the middle of it, was a crater. "By the Walkers..." Sabre whispered.
King Acorn was wishing he had stayed in bed. First, he received reports of an explosion in Echidnapolis, and now one in Cat Country. The whole world was in a state of panic. "Are the Freedom Fighters here yet?" the king asked. "Right here, your majesty," Sonic said as they rushed into the room. "What's the situation, Dad?" Sally asked her father. "It's unbelievable! Two major cities in only a few hours! Who is responsible for all of this? I want Robotipolis searched! You are in and out. If you find any strange energy readings, then search and destroy the cause of this...this destruction!" the king yelled. Before anyone could respond, a messenger ran up to the king. As he whispered something in his ear, the king's eyes widened with horror as his mouth dropped. "What is it, dad?" Sally asked. The king stared into space for a moment, then stood up from his throne. "Cancel your mission," he said, "I have just received word that Robotipolis has been almost completely destroyed." Their eyes widened in shock and surprise. "What on Mobius is going on?" Tails said.
"Max! How are you old friend?" Locke asked the king. "It has been quite some time since we have spoken, though I wish it were under better circumstances," King Acorn replied. "I know. First Echidnapolis, then Cat Country," "Then Robotipolis," "And it doesn't stop there. Downunda and Station Square have also become victims," Locke said grimly. "Good lord in Heaven! What madness is this, Locke? And better yet, where will this happen next so we can prevent it?" King Acorn asked. "Using our satellites, we've traced out the attack pattern...and it leads to one conclusion," Locke said. "What?" King Acorn asked, the suspension tearing him apart. "Your Kingdom is next," Locke said just above a whisper. King acorn flopped down into his chair. "I was afraid of this. How long?" he asked. "A few hours. About sundown," Locke said. King Acorn sighed as he thought of his wife, his son, and his daughter. "You are not in this alone, Max. The Brotherhood is coming to assist you. As are the EST, the Chaotix, and Lieutenant Stryker's best troops. We have a score to settle for what happened in Echidnapolis yesterday," Locke said. King Acorn took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Fine, then! Let it come! I will ready my troops! We will not yield! We shall meet it head on! Together, we will avenge the thousands that were lost today." "So we shall," Locke said.
Never before had there been such a gathering. Dingoes, echidnas, the king's royal guard, the Freedom Fighters, and the Chaotix...all ready to stop the oncoming threat. A literal wall before the castle. "Man," Sonic said with a smirk as he surveyed the castle's defenses, "I almost feel sorry for this thing!" "Where's Knux?" Tails asked. The Freedom Fighters popped their heads up in realization, finally noticing that Knuckles wasn't there. "He's...not doing to well," Espio answered. Sally glanced over at Julie-Su, wondering if the end of his relationship with her had something to do with this. "He's really spooked. He keeps saying that it's all his fault for what happened in Echidnapolis," Rouge said, putting her head down as she mentioned it. "I bet he's just scared," Sonic grunted. Everyone glared at him, but he shrugged his shoulders and turned around. "He'll be here!" Vector yelled. "Sure," Sonic snorted.
"Our combined might will surly be enough to stop this!" King Acorn said proudly as he glanced off his balcony. With him were the Brotherhood, Constable Remington, and Lieutenant Stryker. "Where is your son?" King Acorn asked as he saw the Chaotix, Julie-Su and Rouge with the Freedom Fighters. Locke looked down and said, "He is...not well. He blames himself for Echidnapolis and hasn't spoken to anyone since then. But he knows we are here, so he will surly come to help us," Locke said. "You should be very proud of your son. He is a very respectable young echidna," King Acorn commented. Locke smiled and replied, "I am proud of him."
"Speak of the devil, here he comes," Stryker said as he put down his binoculars. Everyone looked to see Knuckles gliding towards them in the distance, but for some odd reason, he stopped in the center of the field in front of them."Told ya, loser!" Vector said to Sonic as he sneered. Sonic just ignored him. After a few seconds, they began to wonder why Knuckles wasn't walking to them. He was just standing there. "What's he doing?" Spectre asked. No one answered. Finally, Knuckles began to walk towards them until he stopped about a hundred feet away from them. He appeared to be very angry for some reason. "He's lookin' for some payback," Mighty said with a smile. The smile faded from his face when Knuckles yelled, "I won't let you do this!" There was mass confusion all around. No one spoke. "Not again! You hear me Dimitri?!?! NOT AGAIN!!!" Knuckles yelled, at the sky. "Dimitri? Here? Where? I don't see-" Sabre began, until Knuckles cut him off with loud growling.
From there they could see his body tense up. He had his hands on his head as if he were suffering from a powerful migraine as he growled. "Knuckles! What's wrong, son?" Locke yelled out. They were all shocked at what Knuckles said next. His voice was different. Completely. The Chaotix, the Freedom Fighters, and the Brotherhood all knew the voice well. It was the voice of Dimitri. "Locke! Be proud of what you see before you! This is your creation! Witness now, the result of your work!" Knuckles yelled. Knuckles' eyes were filled with rage. He took a step forward and transformed into Hyper Knuckles, shocking everyone. "He did it at will!" Tails yelled. "He's a living chaos emerald! It's energy runs through his veins!" Espio yelled. Knuckles continued to walk forward. As he walked, he growled, "Locke...LOCKE!!!" Although it was his own voice, why had they heard Dimitri's before? He stopped and appeared to be struggling with something. "N-NO! Not again! Y-Yes...YES!!!" He growled as he looked up into the sky, yelling as he concentrated his energy. "KNUCKLES! STOP!" Sally, yelled, but Knuckles didn't hear her. "He did all this?!?! It can't be true!" Mighty yelled.
Knuckles was laughing now. An evil, sinister laugh that chilled everyone to the bone. The ground shook. Lightning erupted from the sky. Tiny rocks and fragments began to float into the air.A strange green energy flowed around him as his violet eyes began to fade away, leaving his eyes a pale white. Suddenly, they noticed the Guardian ring on his chest. It was getting smaller! "The crescent moon! It's becoming eclipsed! That's what it meant!" Locke yelled. The Brotherhood, along with everyone else, looked on in awe as Knuckles continued to concentrate his energy. His skin began to tear, and a green light emitted from the tears. Finally, it appeared as if his body exploded, leaving a green ball of energy behind. Everyone watched in horror as the energy faded and a figure stood before them. Knuckles was now green, the Guardian ring gone, his eyes pale white, and his face filled with anger.
Spectre fell to his knees. "He's the one...He's the Legendary Echidna! He'll kill us all!!!" he yelled. Knuckles continued to growl until he pointed up to the balcony, smiling. "You, Locke!" he yelled, "I choose you to be the first of my victims!" Locke looked at his son in disbelief. What had just happened to him? Suddenly, Knuckles began to growl again. His violet eyes began to re-appear as did the Guardian symbol. !!!" He growled again as his eyes and chest reverted back to their previous blankness. "Come, Locke! Time for you to meet your real son."