PART TWO:
Chaos Controlled
Coreinth Calling
"Chaos Controlled is waking…"
"Chaos Controlled is Waking…"
"His Guardian is blind…"
"His Guardian still sleeps"
"His Guardian has closed his heart"
The ancient voices of his Echidna ancestors seemed to be speaking to Master Ribern, the same voices that had spoken to his Master more than 50 years ago. Back then they had been proclaiming Chaos Controlled's creation.
"Chaos Controlled is Black. Night is coming. But his Guardian sleeps in the fading dusk, he doesn't want to see…"
"Is afraid to see"
"…open up your heart it'll be ok…"
"Let go of your fears…"
"It'll be ok"
"Night is coming"
"Chaos Controlled is rising to Power."
"The Coreinth is calling…"
"Pathfinder's sins may be repeated"
"And old scars reopened"
"Open up your heart and it'll be ok"
"Open your Heart!"
Ribern woke in the clammy darkness of the Guardian School; the name of only one of his former Trainees on his lips.
"Knuckles"
"You know where to find us if you need us" Vector said happily "The Chaotix Detective Agency is always up for an intriguing new mission"
"Careful Vector" Knuckles laughed, his head on one side "We may take you up on that offer"
"Sure, and for you guys, we won't even charge"
"You won't make Eggman work too hard will you?"
"Oh no, only till he's paid off his debt"
"In a couple years" Espio laughed softly
"Yeah! Mean old man" Charmy cried, trying his best to look threatening.
"Just remember… a lot of us owe him our lives, that goes a long way to repaying any dept"
"Don't worry Shadow, we'll take good care of him"
Shadow raised an eyebrow and laughed softly, but said no more in Eggman's defence.
"You sure you don't want to take Amy off my hands while you're at it?" Sonic asked hopefully. He received a prompt slap for his nerve.
"No thanks"
"Hey what makes you think I'd want to hang around anyway? I've got jewels to steal!"
"There's two of you!" Knuckles cried turning to face her
"Don't worry we're not after your Emerald, Rouge and I have bigger plans"
"No way!"
"Sure… the kid's got spark, I like her." Rouge came up beside Knuckles "but not as much as I like you…" She kissed his cheek "Don't stare its rude. See ya around Echidna"
With that Rouge took hold of Amy's hand and lifted her off the deck of the Airbase.
"I don't know what you're all laughing at" Knuckles growled at the rest of the group who were in fits.
Just as Amy and Rouge seemed to be getting out of range Amy called back to them "Bye Sonic… don't worry I still love you!! I'll be back for you!"
"On that note we must be going too. There's a toilet back home Eggman needs to clean" Vector laughed
Eggman grumbled and looked to the remaining members of the group for help. He received none.
"Take care of yourselves guys" Sonic offered.
"Yeah you too… try not to burn anything ok Shadow"
With that team Chaotix plus Eggman walked off across the deck.
"I've got déjà vu" Shadow commented mildly "This time round's better though… you three are going to take me with you… right?"
"Yes Shadow we're taking you with us" Sonic laughed
"Good" Shadow watched the others go. "So where are we going anyway?"
"I don't need to be going anywhere! I go where the wind takes me!" Sonic declared. Shadow was sure he saw some sorrow spread across Knuckles face before he spoke.
"I'm going back to Angel Island…" He shrugged "It's where I belong"
"I'm going back home to my place in the city. I just need to call the Tornado to come and pick me up!" Tails said happily, wagging his tails.
"What about me… where do I belong?" Shadow asked pitifully
"You're welcome to stay with me Shadow" Tails offered
Shadow looked uncertain, the idea didn't appeal to him, but he didn't know what to say not to offend the little fox
"Or me on Angel Island"
That was a better option "But won't I just get in the way?"
"I'd be glad of the company… It's a lonely life I'm going back to… the accommodation's a bit rustic, but there's nothing in the rule book about not sharing it. The only thing is you'll probably get bored stiff"
"I won't… just as long as I don't have to be on my own…"
"Well at the very least, come to Angel Island with me for a bit… I'm certain something will sort itself out" Knuckles smiled "It's the first thing I've been certain about… since you walked into our camp"
"We'll see what fortune brings huh? Who knows what's waiting on the horizon!"
"At least we know Eggman isn't going to try something" Tails chuckled
"Yeah… and you know what the best thing is… I'm going home!" Knuckles shouted
"Come on then, race ya!"
"You're on Blue Hedgehog!" Shadow shouted and they disappeared in blue and black steaks. Knuckles turned to Tails, raised an eyebrow and shook his head before following them.
The forest began to thin, and then eventually it gave way to plains. By this time Sonic and Shadow had given up their races and the four of them simply walked along, soaking up the sunshine, happy and laughing as for the first time in several weeks they didn't have disaster hanging over him. For Knuckles, the nightmare that had been haunting him since Sonic had appeared from nowhere on the ARK, spurting something about Chaos Control seemed lifted, or if not lifted, distanced a little. When Knuckles thought about it he realised that was the moment things started to get seriously unnerving… it had gone downhill since then, but now walking across the plains on the way back to his home on Angel Island life seemed sweet. Even if he didn't delight the duty he went back to Knuckles was happy and content to relish in the sunshine and the proximity of his three closest friends. He smiled; a few weeks ago Shadow had been barely more than a painful name to him. How quickly things could change…
The sun was setting before they reached Angel Island, though her massive bulk was visible in the distant sky. The sun was setting behind her, making the island a dark spot blocking a significant section of the sun's glowing orange orb. The day's travel had not been hurried. Knuckles had pointed out that one more day was unlikely to make very much difference. If the Emerald had gotten by without him this long it could stand to be without him another day. Secretly now that Knuckles was so close he again didn't want to go back, to give up the life he had been leading. It was with considerable despair that he curled up beside Shadow to sleep that night.
He heard the morning bell ring. Knuckles opened his eyes, expecting to see the Guardian School barracks around him. He was surprised to see a faintly pink sky above him. Sitting up he remembered where he was, and where he needed to be, he sighed heavily. When he looked up into the sky he realised Angel Island was significantly closer than she had been the night before. Her incessant wanderings, for once had brought her closer to him. Beside him Shadow stirred, moaning irritably as he came awake; as though he'd much rather spend the day curled up asleep in a red and black ball. Instead he rolled onto his back and looked up. He jumped slightly to find Knuckles peering down on him. Then they both laughed.
Shadow and Knuckles set off for Angel Island shortly after dawn having said their goodbyes to Sonic and Tails. Sonic was going to wait with Tails until the Tornado arrived then continue on his interrupted wanderings. Each promised to drop by on the other whenever their paths crossed.
They reached the base of Angel Island only an hour or so later. Shadow looked doubtfully up, and then turned to Knuckles.
"This defies every law of physics I was ever taught, but somehow I am not surprised. How do we get up there?"
Knuckles took a firm hold of Shadow's arm before beginning to speak.
"Guardian Calls, Ancient Angels, help me to fly. I am Knuckles, son of the cursed Shard-Touched. I bring a friend…" Knuckles couldn't think what to call Shadow, something that would translate into the long distance language, then he grinned "I bring a friend, Fire Hedgehog I will be his Guardian while he walks on the Island of Angels"
The Ancients voices began to whisper. They'd never done that before. They started to fill Knuckles mind… were they going to reject them? The voices continued to whisper.
"He brings a danger to the sacred place… should we let him pass?"
"A grave danger"
"Chaos Controlled" A voice whispered almost noiselessly
"A grave danger to the sacred island"
"Fire Hedgehog! He will walk with me on Angel Island!" Knuckles growled irritably "He is no danger, please lift us up. Fire Hedgehog will be under my care, he is no danger"
After a few more whispers the Ancients relented. There was a blue flash.
The next thing they knew they were standing on Angel Island. The tall pale green grass swayed as though with its own heartbeat under the soft caress of the morning wind. The snow on the Island's mountains far in the distance was painted faintly pink by the early light. The air smelt fresh and clean.
"That was weird" Shadow said simply.
"Yeah…" Knuckles mumbled, Shadow seemed to be completely ignorant of the conversation that had gone on around him. Knuckles shook his head and decided to simply dispel the incident from his mind. The Ancients had given them passage onto the Island. That was all that mattered.
"Come on Shadowkin. The Shrine's this way"
They neared the Emerald. Knuckles could see the early light glinting off its green surface. Then he had a strong sense that his nightmare was coming true. Someone else was standing in his place. A pale tan Echidna stood at the top of the Shrine's steps, in front of the Master Emerald. Knuckles was surprised it hadn't greeted him by now… yet he hadn't heard its voice for months. The Echidna had spotted them. She ran down the steps. Filled with anger that someone could violate his Emerald, his position, in such a way Knuckles ran forward to meet her, leaving a confused Shadow lagging behind.
The two Echidna stopped with only a few feet between them.
"Who are you?" Knuckles growled indignantly, but in truth his heart had filled with fear. He ignored that and concentrated on the indignation.
"My name is Cholra. I am Guardian of the Master Emerald!"
"No you're not! I am!"
Shadow ran up.
"Not any more Knuckles" Cholra said softly, though her eyes were far from kind.
Knuckles stared at her, dumbstruck. He didn't see the old Echidna approaching from behind.
"Wha…" He started
"It is a relief to see you Knuckles" A voice said. Knuckles spun round. The leader of the Guardian School was walking towards him. Master Ribern. Knuckles was so overawed he forgot to bow. He didn't think Ribern noticed anyhow, ominously he was staring at Shadow.
"Master Ribern… What's going on? This Cholra says she's Guardian of the Master Emerald now!"
"Well Knuckles… you've been gone so long you've been replaced"
It all finally started to sink in, at least the parts Knuckles was willing to admit to.
"What?.. Does that mean I'm free?"
"Well… yes… of the Emerald"
Knuckles stood there for a moment, he decided to take that on face value, and not think about it. That explained why he couldn't feel the Emerald anymore, he wasn't willing to think about it any further. He turned to Shadow, took his hands in his and swung him round.
"Shadowkin I'm free!!!" Knuckles put him down again "Shadow… I'm free!!"
Shadow smiled. "Good"
"Play with me!" Knuckles shouted running off and Shadow followed.
Behind Ribern watched them disappear. He called out urgently to Knuckles, but his voice was stolen by Angel Island's winds and his limbs were too old to follow.
Shadow and Knuckles raced each other through the tall grass covering the lower plains. Knuckles had never been so happy in his life. For a moment he stopped. The dappled sunlight sauntered slowly across the pale yellow grass, the light wind brushed his fur, with it it carried all the pleasant scents of mountains, grass and for him, home. Shadow walked up beside him, Knuckles again felt the familiar tingling sensation as he approached, by now he was used to it, it wasn't unpleasant, in fact almost the opposite, he'd decided simply to accept it. Shadow stood so close at his side he brushed his arm. Knuckles got the distinct impression Shadow was trying to figure out how close was too close. Knuckled turned to him.
"Walk with me Shadowkin" He only realised the significance of what he'd said after he said it. Knuckles hastily began to walk. Shadow obediently followed.
"I meant to ask you before… You started calling me Shadowkin…" He tilted his head on one side "does that mean you consider me your… friend… your family?"
"I never had family before…" Knuckles mused "Friend yes, always a friend"
Shadow smiled and shrugged "Good enough… thank you Guardian"
"Not Guardian anymore!" Knuckles said happily.
"Once a Guardian, always a Guardian."
"Don't burst my happy bubble Shadow!"
With that they ran again.
Knuckles brought them to a loan tree in the middle of the plains, one he was familiar with, the one that had been struck by lightning in his dream. Happily the two of them retreated to the shade afforded by its leaves. Knuckles slouched down to lean against the trunk, panting and laughing happily. Shadow remained standing for a moment, watching him, before dropping to sit close at his side, his back also resting against the thick trunk. Shadow could feel that tingling, agitating, uneasy sensation he always got around him again, but it no longer worried him, he didn't understand it, but he now found it more pleasant than unnerving being familiar with the source. He wasn't about to ask questions Knuckles might not want to answer, or say anything that could ruin his one true friendship. Knuckles yawned wearily, stretched, leant more heavily against his side and closed his eyes. For the first time Shadow could remember since he'd left the ARK he was content.
"Hello Chaos Controlled… You are an intriguing creature, everything I deserve from the one who will release me"
Shadow's eyes snapped open. He stared around but could see no-one to whom the voice could belong. Knuckles was still sleeping peacefully.
"Your eyes will not find me Chaos…"
"W-Who are you?" Shadow asked aloud.
"I am Control."
"What kind of answer is that, how can you be Control? Control is an emotion, a position of power, not a person"
"I am Control, just as you are Chaos Controlled"
"I don't understand. Why do people keep calling me that? Chaos Controlled, that is a contradiction. Yes I have Chaos Control that along with life is the gift the Shards gave me, but I do not understand this… Chaos Controlled"
The mind voice seemed to pause thoughtfully for a moment "Do not fear my little creation-"
"I am not your creation. My creator is dead"
"He was executed, by humans, did you know that Chaos Controlled?... But you are my creation, you were created for me. To reunite my fractured body"
"Do you need me to heal you?"
"In a manner of speaking. You can bring back what was stolen from me generations ago. It lies within your power, if you do this for me everything will lie within our power, we will be One."
"Are you a Guardian?"
"No. I despise Guardians above all else"
"I like the Guardians"
"I can do more for you than any pitiful Guardian. I can make you strong-"
"But I'm already strong… too strong"
"I can give you everything your heart desires"
"Really… How?" For the first time Shadow was intrigued
"It is not for you to ask how created. Only know that I can, the girl Maria you love so much, think how sweet it would feel to have her in your arms again. I can bring her back to you."
Shadow was tempted by the hope, he didn't care that what the voice said didn't seem possible, his mind was filled only with the hope of the return of his beloved. His Angel.
"I can give these fragile people all that they want too, make – them – happy… but just the ones you want… the rest we will deprive, as a punishment for their sins"
It knew it had him trapped; now it appealed to Shadow's darker side.
"The ones who hurt you, who made you suffer, like Charlton, those who executed your father for only trying to help you and the soldiers who beat you, some of them still live"
Shadow frowned "Why did they get to live when Maria and Apolloi had to die?"
"We will put right those wrongs Chaos Controlled, we can make right the injustices of the world. We will bring your Angel back to where she belongs, at your side."
"What must I do?" Shadow asked dryly. His contentment completely destroyed.
"Bring the seven Chaos Emeralds to me and rejoin them to my fractured body"
"Who…"
"I am the Master Emerald"
"You want me to make you back into the Coreinth?"
"Yes Chaos Controlled make me the Coreinth again and we will be One, our power will be beyond the realms of even your fertile imagination"
"I do not want power…"
"Then I will take it from you, and you can be just a normal hedgehog with your angelic Maria"
"Normal… I'd like to be normal…"
"Bring me the Chaos Emeralds Chaos Controlled, only you have the power to do this. Make me whole"
The voice took on a slightly demonic note, but Shadow was past hearing it.
"Yes… I'll ask Knuckles, he'll help me-"
"No! You must not tell the Guardian, tell no-one of your intentions or they will try to stop you. They will not understand the joy you intend to bring them, and if they stop you, you will never have your Maria back. The Guardian will thank us once you have made me whole, but until then he may not understand the wonder of what we hope to accomplish."
With his longing for Maria, and a sense that he would fulfil her wish all Shadow shared with Knuckles blew away.
"For my Maria… and the good people of Earth… I'll do it"
"Excellent!!! Remember Chaos Controlled tell no-one of your intentions. Do not rush and be discovered, I have waited for you a thousand years, one day from eternity will make little odds to us. Good luck my little creation."
Shadow was eager to leave, eager to do as the Master Emerald had asked of him, desperate to be with Maria again. However he also knew he had to heed the Master Emerald's warning, and not do anything out of character and risk Knuckles or one of the others figuring out what he intended to do. He wished Knuckles would wake up so they could go back to Sonic, he still had the Chaos Emeralds; he needed to get them before he could do anything else. Shadow shifted his position slightly, in what he hoped would be interpreted as simply a restless manner. Knuckles slid slightly closer to him where he leant against his arm, then with a soft moan came awake. Shadow forced a smile for him. Knuckles rubbed wearily at his eyes.
"You ok Shadowkin… you look like you've seen a ghost"
"No, no I'm fine!" Shadow said hastily. Knuckles rubbed his face again as though he had a headache. Normally Shadow would have been concerned, as it was he had other worries "why don't we go tell Sonic you're not Guardian anymore… If we hurry we'll catch him before he leaves"
"Ugh… I'm tired Shadow… we can tell him another time"
"But wont Sonic be upset if you don't tell him soon?" Shadow said getting up
"Shadow…"
"Come on Knuckles!" he took his hand and started to pull him up in a manner he hoped would be perceived as playful. Once on his feet Knuckles rubbed his face again.
"What's the rush?"
"Come on we have to tell Sonic and Tails, they'll be so pleased for you!"
"Can't they be pleased for me later?"
Shadow forced a laugh, before running off a little distance and pausing to ensure Knuckles was coming. Wearily the red Echidna followed.
Knuckles followed Shadow across Angel Island's plains. The last revelation had been a shock to him, and it along with the last few months, since Eggman had tried to steal the Master Emerald had more than taken its toll. He was exhausted. As he ran his muscles felt stiff and weary. What he needed was a holiday. Shadow's seemingly boundless energy was more than he could keep up with, nevertheless he followed the black hedgehog all the way back to the edge of the island as he set a pace far faster than he would have liked. Only at its edge did he wait, until Knuckles could ask the Ancients to lower them down again. As they did so Knuckles was left with a stinging warning. A sharp clear voice spoke to him:
"Open your eyes and look at what is in front of you, you stupid fool!"
The warning alarmed Knuckles, it was far more blatant than he was used to from the Ancients, but as Shadow again set off swiftly Knuckles could think no more on it as he was forced to concentrate on keeping pace.
They returned to Sonic and Tails at about midday. It was fair to say that they were more than a little surprised to see them.
"What are you two doing back… and why are you in such a hurry… is something wrong?" Sonic asked, suddenly concerned. Knuckles shook his head as he got his breath back.
"No… its just… I'm not Guardian anymore. I've been replaced" Events were beginning to transpire for Knuckles not to think that was as wonderful as he might once have thought. All he really wanted to do was sleep for a couple of months.
Sonic and Tails looked at one another
"That's great isn't it Knux? You can do what you like now!"
Knuckles smiled weakly "I guess it hasn't sunk in yet…"
The three of them sat down and soon became so engaged in conversation that they didn't notice Shadow slip away…
The others were talking amongst themselves. Shadow watched them carefully, fingering the Shard in his hand; he had found an opportune moment. By the time they noticed him it would be too late for them to try and stop him, to prevent him fulfilling his promise. Somehow he doubted they would just give him the Chaos Emeralds if he asked. The Master Emerald had as good as told him that. They were fools; he wouldn't let them stop him. He called the power from the Shard, and time halted. He bolted forward. The Chaos Emeralds were being stored in a small backpack, before the others had absorbed them into their bodies, but no-one could take more than two, and Shadow didn't know how to do that anyway. Sonic had said he would return them to the humans when he travelled. That was not something Shadow would allow. Hastily he swung the bag over his shoulder and headed back towards Angel Island.
"I'm a Guardian, I guard things, a Guardian is all I've ever been, so what do I do now?"
"Well Knux, you've always wanted a freer life, here's your chance"
"You could live the life of a drifter like Sonic; you could even go with him!"
He sighed wearily "I dunno Tails; I don't think Sonicu would want me tagging along, I'd only slow him down"
"I dunno, I wouldn't mind some company, it's been fun having you and Tails around"
But there wouldn't be room for anyone else, Knuckles thought sadly.
"I'm at a loss. The Guardianship is all I've ever known, the thought of actually being free of it at last is… terrifying, before recently I'd hardly left Angel Island… Now I'm homeless for one thing."
"Never bothered me!" Sonic said cheerfully
"I know, but I like to have somewhere to call home, my heart has always belonged in the mountains, I'd like to be free, but I still want somewhere to come back to."
"You could always come live with me, I've always got plenty of space and to be honest I'd be glad of the company. My neighbours aren't the most sociable of types , except for Mrs Timberlake, she just seems to think I'm some baby that needs looking after.
Knuckles grinned at Sonic "Tail's, your eight"
"I'll be nine next month, but so what?"
They laughed "It's good of you to offer Tails but to be brutally honest, I hate the city, I'd go stark raving nuts if I had to live there… well more nuts than I already am. Besides I think I would be a danger to myself and others if you left me alone with your contraptions." He grinned "I just have to look at a robot to break it"
"Shame that didn't work with Metal or Omega"
"Well Knux, the offer's always open to you and Shadow… and everyone else just in case you need somewhere to be… my house has so few furnishings there wouldn't be that much to burn and the neighbours wouldn't pay any attention…" Tails trailed off giggling "I have a good sprinkler system"
"Speak of the devil where is Shadow anyway?"
Knuckles started to scowl at Sonic. Sonic held up his hands
"Figure of speech!"
Knuckles grinned "Don't worry, he won't have gone far."
Tails' ears pricked up "Here comes my ride"
"Spect Shadow'll come back to say cheery-o"
"Hey Knuckles, before I go, there was something I meant to ask you. There was almost three months between the ARK and when we got that message… how come you hadn't made it back to Angel Island by then?"
Knuckles shrugged "I had a lot on my mind, so I wasn't exactly racing… I got distracted a couple times as well… and Angel Island kept moving away from me, maybe she didn't want me to come back…" Knuckles laughed "Even the island's trying to get rid of me!"
Sonic laughed, turning to look up into the sky. The blue form of Tails' plane the Tornado drew closer in the sky. As they watched it stopped overhead. Its engines roaring it hovered for a moment then slowly lowered itself to the ground. Once the bellow of the engines had ceased Knuckles spoke
"I'd love to know how you can make it fly itself"
"Maybe I'll explain it to you when we have a couple weeks to spare!" Tails laughed
"Take care Tails! I'll drop by and see ya next time I'm near the city… so that won't be too long!"
Tails nodded happily and began to climb up into the Tornado's cockpit. Knuckles looked round.
"I wonder where Shadow is… He must have heard the Tornado… I'd have thought he'd come back to say goodbye…"
"Don't worry Knuckles, I don't mind… I can't hang around… give him my love…" Tails dropped into the cabin.
"See ya around Tails!" Sonic yelled as the cockpit closed.
Tails started the engines again. Sonic and Knuckles backed away, putting their hands over their ears. Tails waved at them then pulled the Tornado into the sky. They watched until the blue plane became no more than a dot in the azure sky.
"Wake soon Guardian of Chaos Controlled, or all may be lost. The clock to Chaos is ticking…"
"I'm really getting worried, Shadow's been gone for ages now… When was the last time you saw him?" Knuckles asked
"I dunno" Sonic responded, distracted, he was looking at their small pile of equipment. "Have you seen the Chaos Emeralds? I was sure I put them here, with our stuff… Do you think Tails might have taken them with him by mistake when he left?"
Once again the world crumbled from beneath Knuckles feet. "Shadow is missing, and so are the Chaos Emeralds…" He put his head in his hands with such force he practically punched himself "How could I have been so stupid?"
Sonic stood up slowly, beginning to put the pieces together.
"What exactly is he going to do with them?"
Finally Knuckles admitted the truth.
"He's Chaos Controlled; he'll reunite the Coreinth… If he succeeds, we're all screwed"
"…"
"He'll rip the Shards out of our bodies, you, me, and every Echidna in the world will die!"
"What?!"
"I told you evil would spread across the world! It begins with the death of the Guardians. It will begin with me."
"What? No… Knuckles…"
"You'll be further down the line… but you are Shard-Touched, there's no way you can move so quickly otherwise. My life-force stems from the Shards. I am more them than flesh, my end will be swift… yours will be slow and filled with pain as your life-force ebbs away"
Sonic looked sick
"And it will be all my fault!! I let it take hold of him! I've failed him! I was a rubbish Guardian right from the begging! I knew who he was and I just ignored it, because I was too afraid-"
"Knuckles stop!" Sonic reached out and touched his arm "It won't come to that. We'll stop him. He won't do something that will bring evil, he'll look back, realise what he's doing is stupid and come back to you."
"What if he looks back too late?"
"He won't" Sonic smiled "Since when was I the one that had more faith in him than you? When it's come down to it Shadow has always fought for the right side, like on the ARK, even if he did cut it a little close. He wants to do the right thing… that's what drives him. Even if he doesn't always know what the right thing is to begin with he always realises just in time… he will this time. We have to have faith…"
Knuckles shook his head "This time he might be too late… Weird things happen when the Chaos and Master Emeralds come together… that's why I got scared and went a little nuts the last time you tried it… they want to be back together… they play tricks with your mind… There's a reason every Guardian is stubborn… we're trained to resist it. The Master Emerald tries to Control us. It wants its parts back, even though we could never give it back the Shards it still wants to be whole… it happens even when its just one Chaos Emerald… I think he may be under its power already. I saw it and didn't react. I'm such a fool. This will be the biggest mistake I've ever made! By the time we catch him he'll be so far under its spell that even I won't-" Knuckles stopped himself
"That even you won't be able to bring him back"
He turned away and nodded "Maybe Rouge… or Maria… but-"
"If you can't get through to him" Sonic shook his head "No-one can"
"And there'll be no future for us. My race will die… And shadow and darkness will consume the world… The legends sound so stupid now… Why'd they have to call him that?"
Sonic managed a small smile.
"If he's unhappy, the Master Emerald will be even more able to consume him…" Knuckles looked up at him sideways "It's like a drug… It offers us comfort… one of the consolations to being its Guardian… it's supposed to stop us leaving it. So we guard it as our own, unwilling to share… It will see Shadow for what he is and draw him like a moth to a flame… offering him everything he wants… Everything… That's why Guardians are taught to resist all that would make them happy… lest we should fall entirely under its Control. The Master Emerald will take hold of his soul with false promises, offering him everything and giving him nothing. He will reunite the Coreinth and it will do to him what it did to Pathfinder and with the Echidna gone there will be no-one to stop him!"
"Well what will happen if he reunites it and he's, you know good when he does it?"
Knuckles snorted "Good, evil what's the difference? They both inhabit us"
"What?"
"Sonic. I don't want him to reunite the Coreinth. I don't believe the legend. I don't think it's possible for the Coreinth not to corrupt. I don't think so much power in one thing can ever be a force for good. No-one's heart is strong enough to contain it. My ancestors broke the Coreinth to save lives, to stop anything like Pathfinder ever happening again… I don't want Shadow to do it!"
"But before…"
"I've only just stared to understand… before I trusted the legends to the letter… but deep inside I've always thought that the Coreinth being reunited would be a terrible thing… I know the Master Emerald too well. It is a thing of evil. No one else seems to understand that but… Maybe that's why I had to be its Guardian first… I think I have to trust my feelings this time… If we let it, it will take Shadow, consume his soul, and we'll lose our lives and… him forever…" Knuckles looked away "My heart chose a really bad time to melt…"
Sonic put his hand on his back "It's taken far too long" Sonic sighed "We'll stop him. I won't let you lose him"
Knuckles looked up at him and frowned.
"If he reunites the Coreinth… he'll know what he's done as soon as its complete… but it will be too late, it wont be a senseless demise, he'll see us die and know he was the cause, he could be trapped for an eternity watching his body deal out suffering and pain and be unable to stop it… I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone… we have to save him…"
"Yes…" Sonic paused "Knuckles… why will it start with you?"
"Because I was Guardian of the Master Emerald, just about the highest rank you can get, the most Shard-Touched"
"But you aren't any more… you were replaced, right?"
"Yes… but I was the Guardian, usually we are only replaced when we die, I am the only Guardian of the Master Emerald to ever be replaced other than in death… I'm the only one that ever decided they didn't want the job… I've moved on from the Emerald… up the ranking system… I've become the Guardian of something else…" Knuckles paused and trailed off, he hunched himself up and inhaled as though he'd been hurt "I think I'm Guardian of Chaos Controlled…"
Sonic stared at him "What? Chaos Controlled? What's Chaos Controlled?"
"Shadow"
"What!! Shadow? Wait back up a bit! I thought the Guardians guarded things, not people."
"No, I told you, the Guardians guard all kind of things, other than the Master Emerald… Lower down the ranks we guard more and more people, traditionally it's the weaker Guardians who have the better people skills, and could stand to be Bound to a person. Lots of Guardians watch over people… heads of state, sages, politicians, even some of the Shard-touched… We also guard things… powerful objects… known, and secret, some of us even have to guard graves… It's a boring life, being a Guardian. Like I said, it's basically a means of keeping the thugs out of the way."
"But you're hardly a thug"
"Maybe not, but I am too strong for my own good… I hurt people by mistake because I forget… I've done it to you… Tails… When I was younger I did something terrible… I should be kept out of the way, along with those like me. We serve others, we don't interact with them, or get in their way. That's why the lower ranking ones are better with people"
"What does this have to do with you, Shadow, and Chaos… Controlled?"
"… Err… I could be getting in over my head… being arrogant…"
"Just say what you're thinking, I don't care if you're wrong! In fact I really hope you are"
"Chaos Controlled, the creature holding both halves of the balance in them… not just Shard-Touched. The one able to reunite the Coreinth, we call him, Chaos Controlled… you know I said about an Guardian who would help decide the outcome… there is also a legend that says he would become the Guardian of Chaos Controlled… to watch over and guide him… and balance the battle going on in his heart… If he isn't Chaos Controlled we don't have a problem because he won't be able to do it. But if he isn't I'll eat Espio!" Knuckles trailed off. Sonic looked sad "Why the sad face?" Knuckles asked
Sonic looked up sheepishly "I always thought of you as mine and Tails' Guardian… if you belong to Shadow… you wont be my Guardian anymore"
Knuckles smiled "As long as I have eyes to see I'll always have an eye on you Sonicu"
"But that's not true… If you have to guard Shadow you'll have to go where he leads, you won't be with me anymore"
"I left the Master Emerald behind to follow you"
"I know… and I'm grateful for that… I know how much it cost you… But you won't leave Shadow"
"You may find that we end up closer than you think, besides, you'll always have Amy." He grinned "Don't worry Sonicu, in a few more years, you wont want me anymore."
"I'd rather you than Amy any day"
Knuckles smiled weakly "It might all become academic anyway… if Shadow reunites the Coreinth… I won't be around for either of you, neither of us will be around."
"Then we have to stop him"
"And we don't have a moment to loose" Knuckles started to move off
"Do you know where he's going?"
"Angel Island! Where else?"
"Why did Tails have to leave in the Tornado so soon? We could have done with a lift"
"Never mind now, come on Sonicu!"
They ran. Knuckles decided to be grateful for small mercies, and thanked heaven that Angel Island wasn't too far away. The undulating hills gradually rising upwards passed in a blur, Knuckles thought they crossed a river, but he couldn't really be sure. At some point Sonic took up his hand and pulled him with him, but even so their progress was slow and Knuckles was aware that Shadow was moving further and further ahead.
Suddenly they came to a stop. His heart rate resembled that of a mouse. Knuckles' vision was blurred and tunnelled. His head pounded with angry ferocity. Every bone in his body felt as though it was split in two and every muscle as though it would rip free of those bones. He was drenched in sweat. Echidna were not made to run. He would have collapsed had Sonic not held him up.
"Just breathe Knux"
Sonic held him and waited patiently for him to regain some of his senses and for his heart and breathing rate to fall.
"We're at the fringes of Angel Island" Sonic said
Knuckles looked up to see the familiar bulk of his old home hanging in the sky.
"I hope you have some fancy way of getting up there Knuckles, because it's a long way to jump and you're not fit to fly"
Knuckles smiled.
"Guardian Calls, Ancient Angels, help me to fly. I am Knuckles, son of the cursed Shard-Touched. I bring a friend, Faster than Sound, I will be his Guardian while he walks on the Island of Angels" he stopped but pulled Sonic's hand which was on his shoulder further round his neck. He knew the Ancients wouldn't have a problem with lifting Sonic up. "Hold on tight Sonicu"
Sonic was about to ask him what he meant, when he heard a rumble, like an avalanche in the mountains storming closer, growing, increasing in power. Just as the noise was about to grow unbearable it stopped and suddenly a blue flash lit the shadowy plains. Sonic squeezed his eyes shut.
When he looked around and managed to clear the pink spot from the centre of his vision he found he was standing on the plains of Angel Island. The wind was stronger here, sharper, colder; it smelt faintly of ice and water. The waist high grass seemed to have its own voice almost whistling and dancing in the gusting wind. The grey sky above was growing ominously dark, heavy cloud pressing down on them, the first heavy spots of rain threatening to fall. Far in the distance the island's mountains vanished into the cloud, their lower reaches shrouded in cold grey mist.
"Welcome to Angel Island" Knuckles said gently, despite everything smiling as he looked around.
"Doesn't change much does it?"
"Nope, but neither do the Guardians."
With that Knuckles pushed away again.
As they ran Knuckles knew it was an increasingly hopeless task. Shadow was moving ahead in sudden bursts that could only be explained by Chaos Control. He was pushing himself to exhaustion; or rather the Coreinth was pushing him. Secretly Knuckles found himself wishing it would push him too far. Knuckles could feel him moving further away, so he supposed Shadow and the Coreinth must be aware they were being followed. He looked across at Sonic, he was slowing him down; he didn't need him as a guide any farther. Time was running out. He shouted Sonic's name over the whistling wind and they came to a halt.
Knuckles chest was heaving painfully. Sonic didn't even seem out of breath, but his face was drawn and worried. It took Knuckles what seemed like an eternity to catch his breath enough to speak.
"Sonic… go… on… without me…" He gasped
"What? No!"
"You know… the way… to the shrine… Please Sonic… before it's too late… buy us time, you can move faster without me. I'll catch you up"
"But-" If he went it would mean a confrontation with Shadow… alone.
"There's no time to argue… just go! Make him pause… give him something to consider… I know you'll find the words… Time to save the day Sonicu; it's what you're good at… Now GO!"
With only one glance back Sonic raced away, Angel Island's tall, thick, tangled grass impeding his top speeds. The cold damp wind ripped at his face, stinging his eyes, making him feel as though he was pushing through an icy wall or a torrent from a waterfall. He pushed himself hard, perhaps harder than he ever had before. As he ran he was forced to admit something to himself, with the use of Chaos Control Shadow was faster than him, far faster. He wished more strongly than ever that he could have retained that stolen gift. Sonic gasped for breath, a sensation that was new to him in the context. Angel Island was bigger than he thought. To his right, behind the clouds the sun was sinking behind the horizon, ahead mountains scowled ominously down on him from within their blanket of mist. Somewhere a rumbling voice broke out and others answered.
"Chaos Rising!" Knuckles shouted into the winds with all the breath he could summon. It was the greatest of the Echidna alarm calls, understood even by non-Echidna Guardians. "Chaos Rising!" he called again, battling on against the wind and grass.
"Chaos Rising!" Mercifully someone answered. Then the whole island seemed to shudder with the call of hundreds of voices. "Chaos Rising! Chaos Rising!" The message must have reached the Guardian School. Trainees and Guardians were calling out alike.
"Coreinth Uniting!" Knuckles called with the lasts of his breath, then bowed his head and put all his ebbing strength into running the distance. At that moment he'd have given just about anything to be someone else.
"Chaos Rising… Chaos Rising"
Therumbling voices seemed to travel up his legs, up his spine and around his jaw, finally reaching his brain and translating into words he understood. Why were the Guardians in such a state of panic? The reuniting of the Coreinth was surely something they had been waiting for for generations. Why was it something they feared? For a moment Shadow slowed, and was seized by an inexplicable urge to return to Knuckles. Something else made him move on. He shook his head, and pushed on against the wind.
Cholra heard the call and her heart filled with terror. If the Coreinth was to be reunited then she would face none other than Chaos Controlled himself, and clearly his heart was black. Who was she to stand up to the likes of him? But she was Guardian, and it was her duty. Purposefully she descended the steps…
Shadow recognised the shape standing at the base of the stairs. Guardian of the Master Emerald though he couldn't recall her name. If she was anything near as stubborn as Knuckles she would try to oppose him. He raced close to her and stopped.
"Step aside Guardian. I have no wish to harm you" But he would not let her prevent him fulfilling his promise.
She couldn't believe it… this creature, she'd seen him before, surely no…
"I cannot. It is my duty to protect the Master Emerald from all who would abuse its power"
"Please step aside" Shadow repeated
"Guard you Charge Cholra Faster than Sound few walks. I come"
Cholra frowned she thought she recognised the voice, but it couldn't be… surely… well maybe…
"Please… or I will be forced to remove you"
"I will not" She raised her fists, she had only to buy time, but against Chaos Controlled that was a paradox in itself.
Shadow rolled his eyes helplessly, were all Guardians this stubborn? He ran forwards, hoping to be able to dart round the slower Echidna, but he knew she wouldn't leave
him alone until she was incapacitated.
"Guardian Shield!"
Blue walls suddenly blocked Shadow on every side. He looked back over his shoulder. Cholra was standing in the middle of the blue cage glaring at him.
"Clever girl" Shadow mused. He trotted up to the glowing barrier and pushed against it. The blue flashed to red and a fierce spark like lightning drove him back. Shadow pushed again coming to the full realisation that he was trapped.
"Release me!"
"No"
"I will not be imprisoned again!" Shadow cried letting the flames rip forth. They reached the blue edges of the shield and could go no further, but inevitably they found Cholra. They hit her and threw her back as the shield vanished. Cholra thudded to the ground at the base of the steps as Shadow raced past.
"Guardian, Guardian, my old love… you know over all the millennia I loved you best of all… you had such an interesting mind, such wonderful dreams"
Knuckles frowned; he hadn't heard the Master Emerald's voice since that day on the ARK. He knew it must want something.
"I love you my Guardian, I will give you more than just dreams, I will give you your every wish. Let me become whole again and I will give you the world if you want it. I will give you the one you desire, the Bat Girl Rouge to be with you and use as you will. I have always loved you Guardian. Let me be whole and we can be One again."
Knuckles scowled as he ran. The words he responded with were thought not spoken.
"The best moment of my life was when I realised I was rid of you. The pain of the Bonding never went away until that day. The last thing I want is to be your Guardian again."
"Instead you will be Guardian of a monster? I hurt you when you Repudiated me for him. The pain he will give you is greater even than the breaking of the Bond. You will go into that willingly?"
The voice had lost all its sweetness.
"Yes."
"Even though he will cause you grief you never knew?"
"I never believed you before Emerald, why would I start now?"
"Then I will give you a more painful death than you expect, I will not tear the Shards from you rancid Echidna I will make you watch, all that I will do to this world, you Guardians have held me apart for too long. I will make you watch the suffering of your Charge. I will destroy Chaos Controlled, but only over an eternity"
Knuckles knew he was no longer talking to the Master Emerald. He was talking to the waking Coreinth. Even now he could feel the Shards in his blood pulling as though to escape his body. The voice was now trying only to distract him, to slow him down; he couldn't believe he'd fallen for it. He just hoped that while the Coreinth was focusing on him Sonic could sneak past unmolested. Shadow couldn't feel his presence.
"Sonic?"
At that moment Knuckles felt an entirely new sensation, it came weakly from his Charge, the feeling was recognition and surprise.
"Too late Coreinth. Faster than Sound has arrived!"
"Do it! Do it now" the Coreinth whispered
"Shadow please don't!" Sonic screamed up at him. Shadow barely acknowledged his presence "If you do you'll kill Knuckles!" That made Shadow pause and turn his ruby eyes on him "I don't want to lose him anymore than you do!"
"Ignore him, do it!"
Shadow scowled at him for a moment then went back to the Master Emerald
"Please Shadow! Knuckles says that if you reunite the Coreinth you'll tear the Shards out of our bodies. You'll kill us! Knuckles will die first, you won't even have time to say goodbye!"
Shadow paused, and let the Chaos Emerald in his hand down to his side.
"Lies! All lies!" The Coreinth cried, uncertainty crackling in its voice
"Just wait! Wait! Hear what Knuckles has to say, don't condemn yourself to an eternity under the Coreinth's control, don't make Knuckles loose his place in the heavens!"
"Where is he?"
"He's coming, as fast as he can!"
Shadow paused for a moment, looking across the horizon
"The Guardian is not coming. Finish what you came here to do!"
"I cannot see him. He has abandoned me. I will finish what I came here to do. Then I can have my Maria back"
"What!?... Is that what the Master Emerald promised you? It won't give her back to you Shadow! I swear it won't! Knuckles hasn't abandoned you! He won't. Don't turn your back on him now. He's willing to give up his freedom to be your Guardian. To watch over you, to always be with you, to take care of you! Please Shadow just give him a chance!"
Shadow stared at Sonic "I will fulfil my promise"
"Are you sure this is the right way!? You thought Maria wanted you to get revenge on the people of Earth, you only just realised in time! Can you afford to be wrong now?"
"But…"
"Would you rather listen to that lump of rock than Knuckles. Your Guardian? Regardless of what you feel for me, he deserves your ear; he'd give up everything for you! Everything for us! Just wait, a moment or two isn't going to make much difference to your promise if reuniting the Coreinth is right, if it's wrong, it could just save millions of lives, and give you the hope of a bright future, rather than the friendless one that awaits you! You're heart's so full of hate; I wanted to set you free of that. Back on the ARK I felt sorry for you; I wanted to be able to see you happy! I wanted to be us to be friends, and for a moment we were. Then you made me watch you die, and you did die to us, we all grieved for you! That's why I couldn't like you before, because all I could remember was the look in your eyes as you just gave up. If I managed to make my Chaos Control return me to the ARK you certainly should have been able to. I couldn't forgive you for that. I didn't want to care about you because I knew you would hurt me again. You're about to. You'll take two of the only people in the world I care about away. Then I'll have to watch Tails die too… I'd be glad to die then…"
"Burn him burn him burn him!!" the Coreinth was chanting
Shadow looked at him for a long moment "You are a proficient liar Sonic the Hedgehog. You have done little more than the Coreinth; you promise me everything I desire. But I know you are lying. If you wanted me to be happy you would not be trying to stop me fulfilling my promise." He lifted up the Chaos Emeralds again "I will fulfil my promise to Maria… and in doing so I will be with her again"
"Burn him!"
"Please Shad-" A blast of flame aimed in Sonic's direction silenced him. Terrified Sonic watched as Shadow prepared to place the first of the Chaos Emeralds back with the Master Emerald. Sonic shook his head, and sighed. For the future…
He leapt at Shadow. Sonic was surprised when his fist met flesh. They tumbled to the ground together. Sonic knew the element of surprise wouldn't last long. He'd have to render Shadow unconscious before he could barbeque him. He kicked out as they tumbled, falling down the stairs of the pedestal on which the Master Emerald sat. At the bottom it was Shadow who finished on top. Sonic was held by the pain in his limbs and his smaller counterpart sitting on top of him.
"You are even more arrogant than I thought; you think you can challenge me?"
Sonic looked up at him; his eyes pleading for him to see sense, Shadow scowled down angrily, blindly. Sonic was sure he was about to kill him.
"You're in my way"
Sonic closed his eyes and prepared to be burned to death.
"Shadow stop!"
Sonic heard a familiar voice, he'd never been so glad to hear it. He opened his eyes again in time to see a red streak fly across him and feel Shadow's weight pull away. Sonic watched Knuckles and Shadow roll across the dusty ground at the foot of the Master Emerald. This time Knuckles emerged above, pinning Shadow to the ground.
"No" Knuckles said firmly, almost as though he were chiding a child.
"I will fulfil my promise!" Shadow roared. He prepared to turn Knuckles to ash.
Every muscle in Shadow's body pulsed with energy. He called up the flame… and nothing happened. He tried again, and again no fire came. Knuckles holding him against the ground remained untouched.
"Let me fulfil my promise!"
"You already have" Knuckles said softly "Let go Shadowkin… You couldn't burn me before… you can't now, and you won't ever be able to" He relaxed his grip a little. "Don't do it… It's a mistake… you won't be fulfilling your promise this way…"
"But it said-"
"The Coreinth is a thing of lies and corruption, nothing it told you is true…"
"It said it would give me my Maria back" he whimpered
Oddly enough the voice had vanished from his mind with Knuckles' arrival
"Even the Master Emerald will promise us whatever we want most. We have to resist it"
"I'd have done anything…"
"I know… so would I. Stronger, older and wiser people have been bent to the Master Emerald's will. You did well to resist it as you did."
"What did it promise you?"
"It could never offer me what I wanted most before… my freedom from it. But today it offered me something different… my friends' happiness… and something else, but that's not for your ears, it couldn't give me either. I knew that, and that prevented it controlling me"
At that moment Sonic came up beside them.
"Nice timing Knuckles!"
"You ok Sonicu?" Knuckles asked letting Shadow go.
Sonic rubbed at his arms, at a long deep gash down one of them "Yeah. Been better, but I'm ok"
Shadow looked up "I'm sorry Sonic I'll heal you… Wait!" Shadow leapt to his feet "The Echidna… the new Guardian… I burned her!" Shadow raced to the bottom of the stairs where she had met him, Knuckles and Sonic following closely behind.
She was unconscious, though her injuries were light. Shadow knelt down by her side. He put his hands on her. As Sonic and Knuckles watched him he emitted a silver glow. The burns and bruising on the Echidna's body healed and went away. Slowly her eyes opened. Shadow fell back a little. She looked up at Knuckles standing over her.
"Kn-Knuckles? Am I dead?"
"Nope, at least I hope not, coz that would make me dead too"
"What just happened?"
"Long story"
She sat up and looked around "You!" She struck out at Shadow who was knocked away and onto his back.
"Cholra! That's enough. Shadow won't hurt you" Knuckles moved across to where he lay, together with Sonic he eased him to sit up.
"So it is true…" Cholra mumbled to herself
Whilst supporting the weak Shadow Knuckles suddenly emitted a deep resonating cry from the depths of his chest, it rumbled over the mountainous landscape, seeming to echo off the peaks. It was a sound Sonic felt more than heard. Knuckles was calling the Guardians to him, he suddenly understood what the calls he'd heard before had been. Only once before had Sonic known him to do it, in desperation, but this time the Guardians answered his call. They began to appear from near by, emerging from hiding places, the few local buildings, and coming running over the hills, Knuckles was sounding the all clear, telling them it was safe to approach, and that the danger had passed. In a moment the three of them were surrounded by faces, mainly those of Echidna, but there were others among the ranks. One Echidna in particular forced her way through the crowd.
"Knuckles!!" She threw herself on him, narrowly avoiding Shadow who had hastily moved away.
"Ugh! …Moonstone?!" Knuckles gasped, trying to disentangle himself from her embrace "What are you doing here?"
"Wot, you not pleased t' see me?"
"Of course I am!" He took her hands in his "But I thought they sent you to watch a human"
"Yeah they did. Bu' when I 'eard wat was 'appening I brought 'er 'ere. I was so worried 'bout you when they sed you'd disappeared. I knew there musta been summin big goin' down for ya to leave your post"
Knuckles didn't answer that one "… I missed you Moonstone" For a moment he pressed his face against hers and whispered something no-one else heard.
"Knuckles!" She said incredulously pulling away form him "'Ave you gone soft?"
"Uh…"
She laughed at him and gave him a playful slap "Neva thought I'd see t' day!"
"Hey I've not gone-"
"Well done Knuckles"
Suddenly the crowd was silenced and parted to allow someone through. Knuckles looked up. Sonic watched him turn to face an old Echidna walking towards him. To Sonic's immense surprise he dropped to his knee before him. Knuckles, who he had never even seen so much as lower his head was bowing to this person. Sonic was suddenly unsure as to whether he should do the same. A glance from Shadow said he was thinking likewise.
"Get up off the ground you silly thing!" The old Echidna laughed, coming up to Knuckles and helping him to his feet. Knuckles looked as though he'd swallowed his tongue and was for once rendered utterly speechless and stupefied. "My, my Knux you do look worse for wear…"
"Ugh… It's been a difficult few months sir…"
"That, appears to be an understatement"
"Uh… maybe just a little" Knuckles laughed and managed to recapture some of his casual calm. "But I had a little help along the way… Master Ribern, this is Sonic, and Shadow… there are others, and judging by the way word spreads out from here, they'll be along shortly… Wouldn't be standing here without them… Sonic's the real hero of the day…"
"And I'm the villain" Shadow muttered angrily "I nearly did it again"
"Cheer up Shadowkin! You didn't, that's what matters! You didn't kill anyone, and I'm sure Cholra will forgive you"
"I didn't kill anyone this time, but I tried"
Knuckles clouted him gently round the head with his big hand. "Stop it. Don't embarrass me in front of my Master."
Shadow fell silent; it took him a while to notice that both Knuckles and Ribern were laughing silently at him.
"Well, well Project Shadow…" The old Echidna put his hand which seemed even bigger than Knuckles' under Shadow's jaw and raised his head so he looked up at him "We are an enigma aren't we?"
"Please don't call me by that name. I am no-ones property, and I am more than just a science experiment"
"I apologise, I meant no offence"
Shadow actually smiled. "None taken"
The old Echidna turned to the crowd "You have seen all you wanted. If you would kindly stop gawking I'm sure Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow are tired. When their friends arrive on the island direct them to the School. For now return to your duties."
Once they were gone Ribern turned to the three of them severely.
"One duty still awaits us" Ribern held out his hand, in it was the green Chaos Emerald. "These rocks must again be scattered to the corners of the globe" Ribern sighed "One day it may be right to destroy them and the Master Emerald once and for all, but for now the fragile structure of our society relies upon their existence. Another of our gifts to humanity, a power source they can use… we give them the gift…" he pointed over his shoulder at the Shrine where Cholra sat "While we deal with the curse" He sighed heavily "I long to see the day when only the Shards of the Coreinth will remain, but that day is not today, and I fear it will not be in my lifetime"
Ribern raised his arms above his head and the seven Chaos Emeralds rose up from where they lay to circle round his head.
"Knuckles, a young Guardian's hand to help an old one?"
Knuckles closed his eyes and raised his hands above his head, gently brushing Shadow's as he did so. Ribern muttered something, which Knuckles repeated and all seven Emeralds vanished.
"I'm sure the human population will be glad to have them back. At the very least it may stop them invading the Island for a while, although I'm sure there will be the usual entourage over the latest incident" he frowned "Where are the days when humans had faith in the Guardianship?"
Ribern watched as a group of Trainees scuttled past to light the torches around the Master Emerald Shrine. Normally that would be the Guardian's job but the torch bearers did it seeing as though they were close. Chattering and giggling merrily with sideways glances towards the gathered group they headed off back in the direction of the School. Ribern smiled.
"No matter. Children it seems are one thing that don't change. Are your tired legs up for one walk back home?"
"Always Master. Tonight I feel I could carry Angel Island on my back"
Ribern smiled "Well you look like Angel Island has crushed you" Knuckles looked crestfallen "And so do you" Ribern said turning to Sonic.
"Thanks"
A gust of wind blew up and across the island Shadow shivered audibly.
"It is getting dark, we'd best be going, warm beds all round I think"
The children had left them a torch they took it up and followed their receding lights across the rapidly darkening plains.
"Take care Cholra!" Knuckles waved up at her
"You too Knuckles"
"You don't need to feel guilty about leaving her, she enjoys her job. Like most Guardians"
"Good…" Knuckles smiled and followed Sonic and Shadow into the darkness.
Like the rest of Angel Island the Trainee barracks hadn't changed much. They were plain, with rows of beds stretched up either side. At the base of each was a small chest in which the respective Trainee kept their few personal belongings. They still smelt of damp stone and wood. Despite this they managed to feel cosy, in the rough centre of one of the walls a large open fire still burned, the same one Knuckles had constantly dreamt of, where the flames would reach out to embrace him. The Trainees had always fought for the best beds in their respective barrack, one not too close to the heat or too far away. Knuckles had always occupied the best. Ribern had taken them into the barrack belonging to the oldest Trainees, filled with those on the final stages of the training, or waiting to locate their Charges. As Knuckles looked around he thought that it was only the occupants that had changed.
"Somewhat utilitarian accommodation, but I thought you would be at home here."
Knuckles nodded eagerly. This barrack had been his home during one of the best years of his life.
"I've never been more at home"
Ribern smiled pleased "We don't have many Trainees here at the moment. Most of the final form have moved to a new building, we're mainly using this to house Graduates and their Charges, we've had to, the Graduation ceremony has been held off for the last few weeks or so… under the circumstances, we've got quite a few ready. Now that this little incident is over we should be able to proceed. You can tell the beds that are in use." He gestured at unmade sheets and human shaped personal items on the floor "Make yourselves at home. Goodnight" With that Ribern hobbled away.
Sonic, Shadow and Knuckles did no more than find three beds together and collapse into them. With that, the heavens finally opened.