Dark Times: Part 2

Knuckles knew he was going to die if he didn't try something. If only he had wings or something. That's it, wings. Knuckles spread out his wings as if he were a bird and began flapping. It didn't even work, so he flapped even harder.

"C'mon," Knuckles said in his mind. "Fly!"

Then all of the sudden everything went dark. Knuckles stopped flapping his wings. He wasn't falling anymore. Knuckles looked to see he was standing on solid….. darkness? Where was he? Was he dead? How did he get there?

"Hello Knuckles," echoed a soft voice. "So you are the guardian of the Chaos Emerald."

Knuckles looked over his shoulder and he could see a bright, golden light. "Approach the light," came the voice again. Knuckles hesitated for a moment and took a deep breath and with out anymore thinking he walked into the light. As he drew closer Knuckles could see a strange figure. It appeared to be an echidna like him and was obviously a girl since judging by the voice.

"Hello?" Knuckles called. "Someone there?"

"But of course," the mysterious woman finally revealed herself. She was bright orange and she wore a head band, a tank top and an ancient looking skirt. Like an Indian or something. "Hello young one. My name is Tikal."

"Tikal?" Knuckles asked in extreme astonishment. "I've been told many stories about you." And with that, Knuckles took a bow.

"Rise noble guardian. Now is not the time for that, I am here to tell you something. It's about your teacher, Moon-Hawk."

"What about him?"

"He will die tonight. I'm sorry."

"No I won't let him."

"I'm sorry Knuckles but you can not change fait. He will die tonight by the hands of the dingoes. They are the same source of your parent's death."

Knuckles fell silent. He couldn't believe his ears. After tonight he was going to be alone, all alone. A tear ran down the side of his face. Already knowing the future. "And also Knuckles, I am here to help you. The only way you can prevent yourself from falling to your doom is if you listen to my instructions."

Knuckles wiped off the tears and sniffed. He new now wasn't the time to be crying. "Okay," he quickly replied. "Tell me what I need to know."

"First you need to clear you mind. Then you extend your arms for balance and finally let yourself soar."

"Is that all?" Knuckles said softly. Tikal replied with a nod.

"Good luck Knuckles and I'm sorry young one. You will have your chance to avenge him." And without anything else to say, Tikal disappeared and everything returned to the way they previous were. Knuckles was still falling towards the floating island.

"Okay," he said in his mind. "just do what Tikal said. First clear my mind and extend my arms. Then…" Knuckles closed his eyes and waited for something to happen. Within seconds he could fell the air blowing in his face instead of hitting him from below. Knuckles opened his eyes to see he was…

"Flying," he said. "I'm flying."

"No Knuckles," came Tikal's voice. "You are gliding. Now go and return to the floating island."

Knuckles nodded to himself and flew(err.. glided) to Angel Island. He had never experienced anything so wonderful before. It was fun. But now was not the time to having fun. He had to return to Moon-Hawk and his camp. He looked over the forests.

Sensei!" Knuckles called. "Sensei where are you?"

Knuckles called and called but there was no respond. Then the aroma of burn wood filled the air. It was coming from Knuckles' left side. He looked over in that direction to see there was a forest fire.

"Sensei!"