Something is callin' me- I don't know what.
Someone is talkin'- but I don't know who.
Something is callin' me- more and more.
No one stops Knuckles and feet!
The Marble Garden Zone: Ancient ruins that once existed near the center of Angel Island. The hundreds of fallen columns and dilapidated temples remain untouched as the lush green landscape constantly grows around them. Night had fallen at this time. The light of a full moon brightened up the darkness covering the land. Then, a shadowed figure stepped out of one of the ruin entrances. It was Knuckles, wearing his metal plated hood, and pitch black cloak that reached the ground. His face was unseen within the darkness of the hood, leaving only his eyes visible. He began to wander the fields outside the ruins. "Hmmm…I'm pretty sure one of those spirits are here somewhere. Necronos said that my negative energy can practically rival that of the forces of darkness. So, maybe I can sense them if they're nearby, like I could when the Master Emerald still existed…"
Knuckles continued to walk across the fields, and travel over and under fallen columns. Then, he felt a presence. He stopped for a moment. "One is close…" He ran across the fields until he reached another ruin entrance, surrounded by columns still standing. Knuckles looked up, and spotted a shadowed figure standing atop one column. "So, you've found me, Darconda." "Are you a spirit?" Knuckles asked. "That seems pretty obvious, doesn't it?" The figure slowly walked down from the column. It stopped a few feet away from Knuckles. He looked like a standing shadow. Completely black. "So, what's your story, gruesome?" Knuckles asked. "I am Epsilon Catalyst." the figure answered. "Nothing personal, but I must kill you now." Knuckles wasn't convinced. "Well, you don't look that tough in my opinion!" Epsilon gave off a muffled laugh. "Well, I wouldn't jump to conclusions to quickly if I were you…"
Knuckles stared at Epsilon. "And why is that, dare I ask?" "If you had been in the other chapters, you would know by now that all of us have a unique, special ability. So, I might as well reveal mine. Right now, what you see before you is, how can I put this, not the real me!" "Excuse me?" Knuckles asked confused. "You see my friend, I'm a morphological being. One who has no true form. Only whichever I chose." Epsilon explained. "Allow me to demonstrate!" Knuckles stood back, wondering what he would do. "This I gotta see." Epsilon stood still, as a dark aura began to form around him. He mumbled a few words… "Runyen Sai Ta… Runyen Sai Ta… Runyen Sai Ta…" And he slowly repeated the words faster. "Runyen Sai Ta, Runyen Sai Ta, Runyen Sai Ta…" The dark aura around him grew bigger. Knuckles stared in suspense. "What's this guy up too?" he wondered. Soon Epsilon was glowing in a dark blue energy field! "Runyen Sai Ta, Runyen Sai Ta, Runyen Sai Ta, Runyen Sai Ta. Runyen Sai Ta Runyen Sai Ta, RUNYEN SAI TAAAA!" 'BLAST!' Epsilon disappeared in a blinding flash of blue light!
Seconds later, the light finally dimmed. Knuckles uncovered his eyes. "Whoa. What the heck happened?" But before he could think of an answer for himself, he looked in front of him, and froze in shock! "I…I…what the-?" He couldn't believe it. Knuckles was looking at himself! "Are…you…?" "That's right." it said to him. "I am Epsilon Catalyst!" "But…but you're ME!" Knuckles while staring wide-eyed. "Exactly!" Epsilon answered. "I chose your form for my transformation, because I always did like having my opponents experience what it would be like to go against themselves!" Knuckles was amazed. "Interesting strategy. I've never seen anything like it." "Ah yes. Impressive, isn't it?" Epsilon boasted. "So, Darconda. Do you dare try to challenge yourself?"
Knuckles stood ready. "I may be Darconda the druid to you. But to me, I'm still Knuckles the Echidna. And I NEVER turn down a challenge! So bring it on, double ganger!" Epsilon was surprised he was so confident. "Right, then. Just remember, you asked for it!" Knuckles lunged himself toward Epsilon! "YAAAAAH!" Epsilon lunged toward Knuckles! "YAAAAAH!" The two made contact. 'WHAM!' Their hands were locked in a tight grip on one another. Knuckles then let go and spun to the ground making a leg sweep move. But Epsilon jumped just at the last moment, and somersaulted backward, and out of the way. He then lunged forward again, and tackled Knuckles while he was still on the ground! 'BAM!' "UUUGGHH!" He flew backward, and hit the ground.
Knuckles opened his eyes, and saw Epsilon in the air, about to land right on top of him! "HIYAAAA!" Epsilon jabbed with his fist, but Knuckles rolled to the right, causing him to punch nothing but the ground. "Wha-?" Knuckles got up, and countered with a straight punch to the head! 'POW!' "UUGHH!" But Epsilon recovered quickly. The two combatants stood still for a moment, waiting patiently for the other to make a move. Ten seconds later, the two leaped into the air, and began a lightning fast fist to fist battle! Just like what you see on DBZ all the time. Allow me to narrate: Knuckles fired and energy blast, but Epsilon quickly punched it out of the way! Epsilon tried a reverse roundhouse kick, and Knuckles blocked easily with a strong guard! Knuckles then throws punches like a machine gun, but Epsilon moves so fast in response, he hardly made contact! And Epsilon fired a barrage of energy blasts, only to have Knuckles avoid every shot with his swiftness! 'Whew'. That's a lot of fighting in only five seconds, ain't it!
After two straight minutes of super fast fighting, the two combatants stopped for a moment, staring at each other while levitating above the field. The two of them were panting silently. "I must admit, your fighting skills are almost as good as mine." Knuckles said to his opponent. "What can I say? It's all thanks to you finding me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you and taken your form, or gained all this new strength!" Epsilon answered. Knuckles soon realized. "Wait. So you're saying that when you copied my form, you were also able to copy my powers as well?" he asked in surprise. Epsilon muffled a laugh again. "You mean your abilities to perform every martial art known in history, as well as fueling yourself with negative energy by using the light of the full moon hanging above us?……No. Why would I?" Knuckles sweat dropped. "Ha, ha, ha."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to resume our battle!" The two once again, spent ten minutes in high speed combat, with lightning fast punches and kicks, and energy blasts. The ruins of the Zone were crumbling around them. Eventually, they both landed on the ground again. Knuckles began to focus his energy, as a ray of moonlight began to shine upon him. He then held his hands outward, as a red colored energy orb formed in front of him. "LUNAR PLASMA!" Knuckles fired a beam of red energy, right at Epsilon! But he didn't move! He put his arms up in an 'X' shaped guard, and took the shot head on! The hit pushed him back a few yards, but it looked like he remained unharmed. "Not bad, but how about this?" Soon, Epsilon was surrounded by a beam of moonlight. "ECLIPSE SHADOW!" A black wave surrounded Knuckles, and blocked out the moonlight shining on him! Knuckles tried to move, but he suddenly felt incredibly weak, and fell to the ground! "Hey! What did you just do?" he demanded. "I simply separated you from the light of the moon, my friend." Epsilon explained. "No more energy absorbing for you, I'm afraid."
"I'll make you pay for that!" Knuckles said loudly. Epsilon didn't look worried. "Ha, ha, ha! Not if I finish you first, Knucklehead!" Now Knuckles was angry! "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Then a voice came out of nowhere. "Yeah! Only I can call him that!" Epsilon was surprised! "Who said that? Who's there?" Epsilon look behind him, and saw four figures standing on top of a still standing column. I'm sure you know who! "Well, well, well. If it isn't the other ancient warriors. Tomias, Celestia, Jurik, and Saiuka!" That's right. Espio, Rouge, Vector, and Amy had just arrived! "So, you all dare to challenge me, eh?" Epsilon asked. "Got that right, imposter!" Vector snapped back. "Guys! Take out that copycat! I'll go and free Knux!" "Right!" the three said in unison. Vector jumped down to the dark barrier imprisoning Knuckles. "Vector…hurry. This thing… is sucking me dry!" Knuckles said weakly. "Hang on, budsman!" Vector raised his sword. "ELECTRIC SLASH!" Vector struck against the barrier wall. 'WHAM!' But it had no effect! "That won't stop me!" he insisted. He began to strike the barrier wall with his blade over and over again, like a hammer. But not even a dent was made!
Meanwhile, the rest of the gang had surrounded Epsilon! "THREE STAR STRIKE!" "CHARM OF HEAVEN!" "RADIANCE ENERGY!" Their attacks hit head on with a 'BOOOOM!' The dust cleared slowly. But as soon as it did, Epsilon was gone! "Did it work?" Amy asked. "Guess again, missy!" The three looked up, and saw Epsilon hovering right above him! He pointed his hands down toward them. Espio jumped aside. "Everyone! Scatter!" Too late… "NIGHTMARE CHAINS!" Black bolts of lightning shot from Epsilons hands, and tied up Amy, Espio, and Rouge like restraints! "AAAGGHH! We can't move!" Rouge shouted. "HA! Glad to hear it!" Epsilon cackled. Then he glance at Vector. He was still hammering away at the dark barrier draining Knuckles' energy! "I almost got it, bro!" "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Epsilon shouted. He grabbed Vector by the neck! "AAACK!" And threw him into the others, who were still tied up. "HE'S MINE!" "Leave him alone, creep!" Rouge shouted to him. "Ha, ha, ha! I think not, missy. However, lets make your final hour interesting, shall we?" Epsilon held out his hand, and what happened next shocked everyone! The four Cataclysmic Emerald shards that had been gathered, flew away from the gang, and into his hands!
" 'Gasp' NOOOO!" They all shouted in unison. Epsilon held the shards in his hands. "My brethren, you have failed to survive your battles, but you will still help me destroy these cursed warriors!" Knuckles was getting weaker by the second, but could still see what had happened. "Don't count on winning, freak! I'll destroy you first!" "HA! You foolish little gnat!" Epsilon boasted. "Maybe if you had used your negative energy for evil like all the other minions of darkness, you wouldn't be near death right now!" Knuckles' eyes gave a stern gaze of disgust. "I would rather die, than become the likes of YOU!" "HA HA HA HA HA! That's fine with me, because now I have these!" The shards of the emerald vanished, as Epsilon slowly absorbed them into his body! He let out a massive shock wave of energy! 'FWAAAAAAAMMM!' "Whoa!" But Vector had stood up. "ASTRAL SHIELD!" His sword had created a shield just in time, protecting Amy, Rouge, Espio, and himself from the shock wave! But the ruins began to crumble from the force! Epsilon was now surrounded by a large energy aura! And his form began to change. He still looked like Darconda, but his shoulder became spiked, and his eyes glowed bright red! His body grew half his original size, too! "HA HA HA HA HA! MARVOLOUS POWER, ALL AT MY COMAND! SOON YOUR PRECIOUS WORLDS WILL BE AT MY MERCY! HA HA HA HA HA!"
Knuckles had too much of his energy drained. He fell, unconscious. "KNUCKLES!" Rouge shouted toward him. She looked up at Vector, as he still held his sword holding up the barrier. "Hey, you! You're not tied up like us! Do something! Help Knuckles!" Vector struggled. "Ican't! This guy's energy waves are too powerful! I'm using all I've gotjust to shield it!" "You'd be wise to give up, weaklings!" Epsilon said in a new, deeper voice. "Soon no one will be able to match my strength! AND YOUR WORLDS WILL BE OURS, AT LAST!" Amy trembled in fear. "Now I REALLY wish Sonic was hear…" Knuckles still laid in the dark barrier, motionless. All he could do, was hear his own thoughts… 'I'm sorry, everyone…I've failed…I gave that jerk all I had…And it wasn't enough…I have no strength left………It's over…'
'I have faith in you, Knuckles…' "What?" Knuckles heard a faint voice. 'Please don't give up…' "……Julie-Su?" Back on Mobius, in Echidnaopolis, Julie-Su stood on top of the same building from where Knuckles had first teleported away from. She gazed up at the full moon hanging in the night sky. "Knuckles, I don't know where you've disappeared to. But if you've been gone this long, I know it must be important. Whatever you're doing, I have faith in you, that you will succeed. Please come back to me safely…I know you will……" Knuckles' eyes suddenly opened! He gathered whatever strength remained within him, and stood up. He then clenched his fist, and punched directly at the dark barrier. It shattered on contact! 'KKSSSSHHHH!' Everyone turned around, and saw Knuckles up on his feet. Epsilon stared in amazement. "How could you have any energy, left?"
I have no such things as weak spots.
The blood of my ancestors flows inside me.
My duty is to save the flower,
From evil deterioration!
Knuckles didn't answer him. He just gave him an angry glare. Epsilon grinned menacingly. "So, you want to go down fighting, eh?" Knuckles still didn't answer. He stood perfectly still, glaring at him. "Fine then." Epsilon said. "Just stand there. At least it'll be easier for me to finish you off!" Rouge struggled in her restraints. "Knuckles! RUN! GET AWAY!" She could see he was still not strong enough to hold his own. "Wait! Please don't!" she begged to Epsilon. "You've already proved your stronger than him! And the one he loves is waiting for him! Please……spare his life…" She felt so weak. Epsilon turned his focus to Rouge. "Can this pathetic quitter really mean that much to all of you?" "You have no idea HOW MUCH!" Vector shouted at him. "Same here!" said Amy and Espio in unison. Epsilon paid no attention to them. "Well, don't be worried. You'll all be joining him, very soon! It appears he won't be alone, IN DEATH! HA HA HA HA HA!" "NOOOOOOOOO!" Rouge shouted at the top of her lungs!
Epsilon held out his hand! "PYRO TORRENT!" A blast of fire shot from his arm! "That's Delta's attack!" Vector shouted. It hit Knuckles head on, as he disappeared within the flames! He didn't move an inch. Soon, only smoke was left. Rouge and Amy stared in shock, and began to cry. Espio and Vector fell to the ground, feeling that they had lost their good friend. "Now it's your turn…" Epsilon said evilly. But just then… 'KKSSSSSHHHH!' "WHAT?" Suddenly, two of the emerald shards Epsilon absorbed, shot out of his body! "AAAAGGHH!" And they disappeared into the smoke. "Impossible! The shards powers should only respond to ME!" But everyone looked up as the smoke cleared. Knuckles stood before them, unharmed! He was glowing within a golden yellow aura! And he was holding the green and indigo shards! "IT'S YOU!" Epsilon shouted in surprise! "IT'S YOU! YOUR CAUSING THIS!" "Got that right, shady! Now how about I pay you back for making me look like a weakling?" He held up the indigo shard. "DARKNESS WAVE!" A black energy beam struck Epsilon head on! 'BAAM!' "AAAAAGGHH!" "That was Beta's attack!" Rouge noticed.
Epsilon began to look reeeaaally angry! "You…YOU WILL NOT DEFEAT ME! DARKNESS CAN NEVER BEAT DARKNESS!" "Let's just see about that!" Knuckles said strongly. Epsilon then formed and black, onyx sword in his right hand! Knuckles did the same, as a yellow, golden sword formed in his hand as well! The two stood still……then, "SPIRE BARRAGE!" Suddenly, a wall of spiked stone spears appeared behind Epsilon! "Hey! Now he's using Alpha's attack!" Espio saw. "TAKE THIS!" Epsilon shouted. But all Knuckles did was make a swift slash with his sword! "HIYAAA!" All the spears had broken apart in front of him! "LOOK OUT!" Amy screamed! Knuckles saw Epsilon running straight toward him! "I'VE GOT YOU!" The two slashed their blades at each other simultaneously! They screamed in unison! "SPECTRE SWORD!" "HIYAAA!" "HIYAAA!" 'SLASH!'
The two combatants stood perfectly stiff, backs to one another. Vector, Amy, Espio, and Rouge stared in shock, and a large cut was shown on Knuckles' cloak! "No…" Rouge whispered, as a small tear formed in her eye. But just then, the gang's eyes widened, as the cut suddenly vanished! "What the?" Knuckles couldn't believe it. He was unharmed! "Then that must mean…" Everyone turned their focus to Epsilon, who was still standing stiff. He muttered a few words to himself. "…Darconda…Fueled by darkness, yet sides with the light…Well done, White Wizard…" he slowly turned around, facing Knuckles and his friends. "A warrior of the dark, that can fight for what's right…that IS clever." Everyone looked as his body began to deteriorate before them! "Well done…You've won, boy…" As soon as he was gone, a yellow shard appeared in his place.
Knuckles walked over, and picked up the shard, as the others ran toward him. "My budsman! Ya did it!" Vector said. "Now THAT was impressive!" Espio admitted. Rouge and Amy were too busy laughing with relief and hugging him to say anything. Rouge looked into Knuckles' eyes. "How did you DO that?" "Yeah! What made you get all hyped up, Knux?" Amy asked. Knuckles smirked, and muttered a laugh. "Let's just say that a cheerleader from the sidelines gave me the pep talk I needed!" The five of them each held up the jewel shards they had gathered. "Were almost done!" Vector said feeling pleased. Knuckles began to walk. "Now, let's go find Sonic and Tails, guys!" "YEEAAH!"
I was born like this, to fear no one.
I'm straight thugged out, I only live to my ones.
Diamonds and gems, we can battle to the end.
You best to be aware of the Knuckles that I send.
Once they penetrate, they'll punch you to your death.
Their hard as iron, and my feet are like fire.
You'll never see me run, and I won't surrender.
I'll just fly away, like it's no other contender!
Five spirits defeated, two remaining. This is getting good… (A/N: Lyrics from "Unknown From M.E." Sonic Adventure 2 Soundtrack)