Chapter 26: Loyalties Tested

Throne Room, New Mobotropolis, 6:27 Am

Having heard the debrief from both missions in full, Knuckles' eyes now scan his war council, resting first on Rotor, "What are your and Nicole's preliminary findings on the data retrieved?

"We looked over what Tails and the others recovered from the factory's lab server. We didn't get much on the terminator twins, but we got a bunch of data on the chaos energy displacement device that Sonic encountered at the Iron Fortress. Based on our preliminary finding, Nicole has already mostly finished constructing a smaller version of the device so that we can begin testing its effect on you guys in your super forms. As such, in an hour or so, we need you all to report to the lab. We already contacted Blaze," Rotor turns to Shadow, "and I know that you were geared to head back after this meeting, but I'd like you to contact General Tower and ask to participate in the testing. The more data we can get on how this thing interacts with each of you will give us a better idea on how best to deal with it going forward."

Shadow scowls, "I refuse. I have no interest in becoming anyone's experiment ever again."

"I understand your misgivings given your history, but after hearing what the device did to you specifically at the factory, I must insist anyway that you participate. For one, we need to make sure that you have recovered fully from its effects, and second, we need to know what it's actually doing to you so that when you encounter them in the future, you'll know what's happening and how to proceed. I also hope to create some form of counter measures to the device, and your physiology might hold clues to those discoveries."

Shadow looks ready to say something back but Knuckles speaks first, "I also would ask that you join us for these tests. I know that Rotor isn't the type to arbitrarily push for something like this against your wishes without good reason. And you and I both know that reason all too well after dealing with them just two at a time. Imagine how unlikely it will be to stop twenty, or even a hundred or more without super forms even if they don't transform. Or how impossible it will be if you can't even stand on your own feet."

The last part bites especially deep and Shadow snarls his reply, "You've made your point. I'll be there. But there had better be some way around this machine after all this "convincing"."

Rotor smiles, "I already have a number of theories to try out. I expect to solve at least some of our issues, but time will tell how much progress we can make in the time we have."

Sally chimes in, "Especially now that we know the Iron Dominion has taken over the Dragon Kingdom and controlling Ken's mind. Their partnership with Robotnik and the fact that they're raising an army likely means they're headed here when they've finished their preparations."

Knuckles holds her hand, "We'll save them Sal, and when the Iron chumps bring their forces here, it will be their last mistake. As for now, Rotor, Chuck, we have to get going to the council building so we can get back and start testing. Sonic, Shadow, see you there. Tails, now that you're rested, head to the lab and help Nicole get things ready. Everyone else get some rest you're on standby."

Julayla Memorial Park, New Mobotropolis, 7:08 Am

Espio sits meditating under a tree as he prepares his mind for what lay ahead, only to sense a familiar presence. Springing to his feet, Espio flings a kunai at the intruder, only to be caught by Lightning.

The lynx grinned, "You're getting slow." Espio leaps into a jump kick at which Lightning narrowly dodges, "Okay maybe not that slow."

"I assume the rest of the Destuctix are up to something and you're here to keep me busy." Espio brings down a stike, but the Lynx steps back to avoid it.

"Not a bad guess, but I'm not with them anymore. I'm here on clan business," Lightning catches Espio's wrist, "brother."

"What?"

"The clan wars are over. The Bride of Four Houses rules us all now."

"…"

"So you're already aware of what's going on then?"

"I know that the Iron Queen slew the Bride of Rich Nights and took the Yagyu clan as her own. I don't know about the others, but your lies mean nothing! The Shinobi clan would never—"

"It's the truth. The other clans all fell in line. I bring orders from the Bride of Constant Vigil herself. Orders she entrusted to me." Lightning hands over a small scroll.

Espio takes it and begins reading, "But…you're not—"

"I am now. The Bride of Conquering Storm saw the value in an agent already established in the region."

"…I understand."

Lightning turns to leave. "Then I will go report in. I'll be at the rondeau point after your mission." With that, Lightning takes off, making his way to and over the city wall. Espio turns and leaves fading from sight, headed towards the castle.

Streets of New Mobotropolis, 1:12 Pm

Knuckles lets a yawn escape as he walks back to the castle beside Julie-Su, "Ahh, those tests took longer than I expected."

"Yeah, well at least the brain trust is done with us for today."

"Done with you for today. I gotta go back after lunch for more energy tests."

Julie-Su sighs, "Guess since I don't have anything useful to do today like Sal, I'll tag along."

"You could always go help Amy train."

"Are you trying to get rid of me lover?"

"Trying to spare you the boredom of watching us walk in and out of a room for what might be hours."

Julie-Su cringes at the mention of hours, "You make a compelling argument, but I think I'll stick it out. There will at least be this really handsome guy there to look at, so it won't be a total loss." She hugs his arm as she walks beside him.

Knuckles smiles looking over at her, before sensing someone in a near by tree. "Espio? What are you doing up there, meditating in trees n—" A kunai flies from the branch towards the King's eye only to be caught in his gloved grip. Julie-Su lets go of his arm and draws her weapon. "What's the meaning of this? If this is your idea of a joke, I'm not laughing." Still cloaked, Espio leaps from the tree and circles around to Knuckles side, the echidna's eyes locked on him the entire time. He readies and launches another knife only for it to be swatted aside. Espio, kunai in hand swipes at Knuckles' leg, but misses, pulling away just in time to avoid a heavy blow aimed at his head. Knuckles stand guarded, waiting for him to attack.

Julie-Su, tracing Knuckles' line of sight levels her gun and fires, "Enough!" the first shot clips the chameleon's side, but the next two sail wide as Espio breaks left to avoid the gunfire, putting Knuckles back between them.

"Enough indeed." Energy erupts from Knuckles as he transforms into Hyper Knuckles, blurring inches before the chameleon, a swift controlled chop to the neck hits him before he registers Knuckles closing the distance and his eyes fade to black. Knuckles catches his limp body in his other hand as he turns to Julie-Su, "I think lunch will have to wait."

"Agreed."

Feeling the spike of chaos energy from Knuckles' unexpected transformation, Nicole materializes beside them. "What's happened?"

Julie-Su answers, "Espio tried to assassinate Knuckles."

The genuinely shocked Nicole gasps, "Oh my gosh! Are you okay? Why in the world would he attack you of all people?"

Knuckles replies sternly, "I'm fine. And I intend to find out. Erect a holding cell at the lab and call Doctor Quack or one of his assistants. It's not bad, but he's wounded. Also, tell the brainy bunch what happened and have them get ready to run a battery of tests. If something forced this I wanna know what asap."

Nicole nods still wearing a worried look, "Right away." Then she vanishes.

The two quickly head back to the lab with the unconscious Espio slung over his shoulder. Knuckles sets him down in the holding cell, and a few minutes later, a doctor comes to patch up his wound. After, he is strapped down onto a table and a series of brain scans and blood work is done before he's returned to his cell nearly a half hour later. Finally, Espio begins to regain consciousness. And just beyond the clear wall is a seated Knuckles, a scowl painting his face. Putting together his situation, Espio calmly adopts the lotus position on his cot and closes his eyes. Knuckles growls, "So that's it, not a word? The scans all came back negative, and I got a feeling the blood tests won't be any different. So why? Why are you doing this? I find it hard to believe you just suddenly decided to attack me. Especially knowing how unlikely this was to succeed." Espio remains unmoving, unresponsive. "Whatever lead you to do this doesn't matter. Since I know you could have tried other more effective ways to do this if you meant it, I won't take this personally. But the fact that one of my oldest friends wouldn't find a way to confide in me what's going on, even here where we are cut off from any prying ears, you still won't talk to me. I choose to take that personally." Knuckles waits a minute longer, than stands. "You'll remain here until I decide otherwise or you've got something to say." He then turns and opens the door leading out of this single cell holding area, letting it slowly swing closed behind him, no other sound to be heard but the click of the lock.

Author Note: So kind of caught pneumonia...definitely slows down the creative process a little. Anyways, not dead. See you next time hopefully.