Chapter 3: Knuckles' Blunder
Last time: Team Pain's fighter; Terror was on the verge of securing a victory for his team. With Knuckles being punched up into the air and away from the arena, Team Sonic deparately watched as their teammate nearly hit the floor. Is there anything Knuckles can do to stop this?
As Sonic watched Knuckles descend lower and lower to the ground, he was riled up, "Come on Knuckles! Damnit we can't lose now! Do something!"
Knuckles was in middair, well aware that if he did not get back on to the stone arena, he would lose for the team. Using all of his weight, he pushed himself sideways in middair, and began to glide down. He was tearing through the air, aiming directly at Terror who was busy fighting off Clash.
Tails' smiled with relief, "Alright Knuckles! Show them how to win this."
Knuckles narrowed his eyes, and gather all of his energy into one single attack. His fists began to ignite with burning fire. "Time to take taste of my Amber Glide, Terror."
Without suspecting Knuckles coming, Terror was open for a direct hit on the back. It was a sucessful blow, and Terror was sent sprawling across the arena. Knuckles had missed Clash, who was too quick for him.
Knuckles dropped to the arena, and stared back at the yellow hedgehog before him. Clash spit to his side, and put his right arm on his left shoulder. "I thought for sure Terror had eliminated you. No worries, I already won our team entrance to the tournament by defeating the other two in this round."
"It's nice to know I'll probably get a chance to fight you in the tournament," Knuckles spoke sharply.
"That is," Clash let out a silent chuckle, "if your team survives this round."
From behind Clash, Knuckles spotted Terror readying to strike Clash. His fist dropped down, and smashed the yellow hedgehog forward. Knuckles had to flip sideways in order to dodge the on coming hedgehog.
"Nice try Terror, but you can't get me again," Knuckles taunted.
He lunged forward with his fists fastened into balls. As soon as he was in range, he began unleashing a rapid mix of jabs and uppercuts. Each hit sent Terror walking backwards, and he was soon near the edge.
"Time to finish what you started Terror," Knuckles' face was only about an inch from Terror's face. He smiled, and Terror knew he was about to be eliminated. Knuckles let lose his fist, and landed a straight on punch that sent Team Pain's first fighter out of the arena.
Team Sonic had gotten one win. They were half way to the Primo Battle Tournament.
A shock of pain surged through Knuckles' back, and the ground seemed to be lifting itself up. It only took him a split second to realize it was not the floor lifting, it was him about ready to smack directly on to the grass out of the arena.
A familiar voice hovered above him with a tone of self-assureness, "See you at the tournament, echnida."
Knuckles fell to the ground, and turned around just in time to see Clash roll out of a ball and smirk down at him. He let his head hang loose with the expression of defeat. He knew he had put his team in peril of being eliminated. All they needed was to lose once more, and they could kiss their chances of saving Chris good bye.
Both Sonic and Tails came rushing at his side. They both picked up one arm and helped him to his feet.
"You did great," Sonic reassured him. But the tone he used wasn't a very content one.
Tails smiled at him and flipped two fingers up, "Alright Knuckles! All we need is one more win and we're in!"
Brutis tilted his head down in a bowing fashion, "That was a great fight you put up there, Knuckles."
Knuckles forced a weak and pseudo grin, "Damn right, Team Sonic is on their way to winning this thing." His words were contradicting his feeling.
The announcer was back into the middle of the arena, "Team Cuff wins round 1! Team Cuff's Clash eliminated Glory and Macario, giving them access to the Primo Battle Tournament. Team Sonic has one victory, one more and they're in the tournament! All other teams are for 0."
Across the vibrant grass, over the hard floor arena, Knuckles could see Clash and his teammated congradulating him for their victory. At the corner of his eye, Clash saw Knuckles eyeing him, and returned the stare. An arrogant smile spread across his face.
It was almost as if Knuckles' could hear him whispering in his ear, saying, "I was the one to defeat you."
Everything seemed to be zoning out around Knuckles, everything except Clash. It was as if they were both in cased in a haze of black, with nothing stopping them from fighting.
Knuckles' looked away, and under his breath whispered, "Get cocky while you can Clash, because next time we meet, it'll be the last time."
Next time: With Round 2 preliminary rounds on the way, who will Team Sonic send in? Knuckles is out of the pick, so it's between Tails and Sonic! And can Team Sonic gain entrance to the tournament, or will they go home with only one victory? Find out in the next intense chapter!
