Okay, second chapter is here! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I never thought people would like this.

Anyway, this is a Sonic the Hedgehog, and only a Sonic the Hedgehog fic, but there will be slight references to other games. See if you can spot them.

(Still don't own anything. Move along.)

Cast...

Hedgehog in black:...?

Eggman and his associates, Knuckles and Big, had carried Amy off to a small boat which was docked in Westopolis Channel.

After Big had placed her in the boat, Eggman started putting bits of a uniform wherever he could on Amy's horse.

"What are you doing?" Knuckles asked.

"This is a uniform from Hollow Bastion." Eggman replied. "And Hollow Bastion is the sworn enemy of Westopolis. By leaving this evidence, the prince will think his bride-to-be was kidnapped by enemy soldiers, and when he finds her dead body at the borders of Hollow Bastion his suspicions will be confirmed!"

"Wait," Said Big, who had just joined the other two. "You didn't say anything about killing anyone."

Eggman slapped the horse, causing it to take off toward Station Square Castle. "You were hired to help me start a war," He said. "Which is very prestigious work."

"I just don't think its right, killing an innocent girl."

"Am I going mad, or did you just say you were thinking? I didn't hire you for your brains, you walking land mass!"

"I agree with Big." Said Knuckles. "Killing her would be wrong."

"What happens to her is not you concern!" Eggman snapped. "I will kill her when the time comes. And remember this: When I found you Knuckles, you were so slobbering drunk you couldn't even buy brandy!" He turned to Big, who was actually afraid. "And you! Friendless, helpless, brainless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were, unemployed in Greenland!" Eggman stormed away and got into the boat, soon followed by Knuckles and Big.

Knuckles and Big began casting off, but Knuckles noticed Big's sad expression.

"That Dr. Eggman…" He said. "He sure can fuss."

"Fuss, fuss…" Said Big. Then he smiled. "I think he likes to scream at us."

"Probably he means no harm…" Knuckles continued.

"He's really very short on charm."

Knuckles chuckled and gave Big a friendly smile. "You've got a great gift for rhyme."

"Yes, some of the time." Big smiled back.

"Enough of that!" Eggman snapped, as he stood on another part of the ship.

But as they sailed off, Knuckles and Big continued. "Hey Big, any rocks up ahead?"

"If there are, we'll be dead."

"No more rhymes now!" Eggman shouted. "I mean it!"

"Anybody want a peanut?" Big asked.

"AAAARRRRGH!" Eggman screamed.

Later, after the sun had gone down, the boat reached foggy waters, far from Westopolis.

Knuckles stood at the helm, Big watched over Amy who had finally woken up, and Eggman sat nearby.

"We should reach the cliffs by dawn." He said.

Knuckles nodded and looked briefly behind them.

"What are you doing?" Eggman asked him.

"I'm making sure no-one is following us." Knuckles replied.

"That would be inconceivable."

"Despite what you may think," Said Amy. "You will be caught. And when you are, the prince will see you hanged!"

"The only neck on this boat you should worry about is your own!" Said Eggman.

Knuckles glanced over his shoulder again.

"Stop that!" Eggman shouted. "We can all relax. It's almost over."

"You're sure no-one is following us?" Knuckles asked.

"That would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable. No-one in Hollow Bastion knows what we've done and no-one in Westopolis could have gotten here that fast." Eggman started to relax, but looked back at Knuckles. "By the way, why do you ask?"

"No reason." Knuckles replied calmly. "It's just that I looked behind us and something was there."

"WHAT!" Eggman jumped up and ran to look out the back of the boat, as did Big and Knuckles.

They looked out into the fog, and there it was. A dark ship. It was a good distance away, but it was gaining.

Big and Knuckles seemed worried, but Eggman tried to stay calm. "Oh it's probably just a local fisherman." He explained, more for his benefit than anything else. "Yes, a local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise… at night… through eel infested waters…"

Amy didn't bother looking out at the mysterious ship. She knew now was her only chance and ran to the edge of the boat. She hesitated only a moment before she jumped.

Eggman and the others turned around when they heard the splash and saw Amy swimming away.

"AAH! GO AFTER HER!" Eggman screamed at Knuckles.

"I don't swim well." Knuckles admitted.

Eggman turned to Big. "I only dog-paddle." The cat said, not realizing how ironic such a thing was.

Eggman growled, and then bellowed out orders. "Veer left! Left! Left!"

Amy swam as fast as she could, but heard an odd sound. She stopped and looked around her.

"Do you know what that sound is Highness?" Eggman called out. "Those are the shrieking eels! They always get louder just before they feast on human—er—hedgehog flesh!" Amy looked, but couldn't yet see these eels… though she could definitely hear them. "If you swim back now, I promise no harm will come to you! I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels."

Amy hesitated, not sure what to do. Then, she froze in fear, for a gigantic eel, with razor-sharp teeth had surfaced, and was coming straight towards her! Closer, and closer, and closer…...

Suddenly, Sonic put the book down again. "She doesn't get eaten by the eels you know." He said to the kids, who looked worried.

"Huh?" Charmy asked.

"She doesn't get eaten by the eels." Sonic repeated. "I was telling you that because you guys looked worried.

"I wasn't worried!" Charmy lied.

"Well… maybe we were… concerned." Tails admitted meekly.

"Yes, but we're fine now." Said Cream, finally loosening the grip she had on her pillow. "You can continue."

"You sure?" Sonic asked. The three kids nodded. "Okay then. Now let's see..." He picked the book up again. "Okay, as I was saying… 'Do you know what that sound is Highness?' Eggman called out. 'Those are the shrieking eels!'"

"No, no," Said Charmy. "We're past that part.

"Oh yeah." Said Sonic. Okay then, let me get back to where we were. okay. Closer, and closer, and closer…

The eel was almost upon Amy. She closed her eyes and said a final prayer, but a strong arm lifted her out of the water just in time.

Big lifted her up and set her back down in the boat.

Knuckles looked out and pointed to the dark ship. "I think he's getting closer." He said.

"Never mind!" Eggman snapped, as he tied Amy's hands. "He's no concern of ours. Sail on!" He turned to Amy. "As for you, you must think you're pretty brave, eh?"

Amy glared back. "Only compared to some." She said defiantly.

Dawn finally came, and the dark boat was still following them. In the morning light, Knuckles saw that the ship was being sailed by a hedgehog in black. He also wore a mask.

"He's almost on top of us now!" Said Knuckles. "I wonder if he's even using the same wind as us."

"Whoever he is," Said Eggman. "He's too late! Look!" He pointed to some impossibly high cliffs. "The cliffs of insanity!" Eggman quickly got the other two working to make it to the base of the cliffs. "Hurry! Move the thing! …the- the other thing! Move it!" He looked back at the mysterious hedgehog's boat. "We're safe. Only Big is strong enough to climb those cliffs. It'll take that meddler hours to sail around and find a harbor!"

The ship stops and Eggman, Knuckles, Big, and Amy get off.

Big strapped a harness to his back, which Knuckles secured Eggman, Amy, and even himself to.

Big found a rope that had been left hanging from the top of the cliffs and began to climb swiftly.

Big and the others were already far above ground when the hedgehog in black (I'll just call him the Hedgehog from now on.) finally reached the cliffs and got out of his boat.

He looked up at the giant figure carrying three people up the cliff. Then he grabbed the rope and climbed after them.

He may have been far behind, but at the speed he was climbing he was gaining fast.

"He's climbing the rope…" Knuckles said, as he noticed their follower, hardly believing it himself. "And he's gaining!"

"Inconceivable!" Eggman screamed. "Faster!"

"I thought I was going faster." Said Big.

"You were supposed to be this colossus, this great legendary thing! And yet he gains!"

"Well, I'm carrying three people, and he's only got himself."

"I don't want excuses! I'll just have to get myself another giant cat, that's all!"

"Don't say that Doctor. Please?"

The Hedgehog was still gaining, getting closer and closer.

"Did I mention your job is at stake?" Eggman shouted.

Big finally made it to the top and everyone was glad to be back on solid ground.

As soon as he was out of the harness Eggman looked over the side of the cliff. The Hedgehog was still there. He took out a knife and quickly cut through the rope.

The rope fell and everyone looked over the side, expecting to see the Hedgehog falling as well.

But no! The Hedgehog was still there! He was holding on to some loose rocks and began to climb up without the rope.

"He didn't fall!" Eggman turned red as a tomato and screamed "INCONCEIVABLE!"

"You keep using that word…" Said Knuckles. "I don't think it means what you think it means."

"Whoever this hedgehog is he's obviously seen us with the princess, and therefore must die!" He turned to Big. "You, carry her!" He looked at Knuckles next. "And you, we're going ahead. Stay here and make sure he dies. If he falls, good. If he makes it to the top, kill him!"

Eggman was about to walk away but Knuckles stopped him. "I want to duel him left-handed." He said, placing a hand on the sword he has been carrying this whole time.

"You know what a hurry we're in!" Eggman shouted.

"If I fight him with my right hand it'll be over too quickly."

"Oh fine! Have it your way!" Eggman turned away again.

Big put a hand on Knuckles' shoulder. "Be careful." He said. "A man in a mask can't be trusted." Knuckles nodded to his friend.

"I'm waiting!" Eggman shouted.

Big picked up Amy and walked away.

Knuckles briefly looked over the cliff to see if the Hedgehog was at the top yet. He wasn't.

Knuckles began to pace impatiently.

But he got tired of waiting, so he looked over the edge again. "Hello there!" He called, in a casual manner. The Hedgehog looked up briefly and grunted. "Slow going?" Knuckles asked.

"Look, I don't mean to be rude," Said the Hedgehog. "But this isn't as easy as it looks. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't distract me."

"Sorry."

"Thank you."

Knuckles walked away from the edge and began to practice his sword fighting techniques. But he got impatient again and went back to the edge. "I don't suppose you could speed it up?"

"If you're in such a hurry," The Hedgehog replied. "You could either lower me a rope or find something useful to do!"

"I do have some rope, but I doubt you'd want my help, since I'm just waiting around to kill you anyway."

"That does put a damper on our relationship."

"Look, I promise not to kill you till you reach the top."

"That's comforting, but you're just going to have to wait."

"What if I gave you my word as an Echidna?"

"No good. I've known too many echidnas."

"Isn't there anything I could say to make you trust me?"

"Nothing comes to mind."

Knuckles pondered a moment, but then his face became serious and he looked down at the Hedgehog. "I swear on the soul of my father, Locke the Echidna, you will reach the top alive."

The Hedgehog looked back up at Knuckles for a moment. He nodded finally and said "Lower the rope."

Knuckles lowered the rope immediately, and the Hedgehog quickly climbed to the top.

No sooner had he gotten both feet on the ground then he drew his Samurai Katana. Knuckles shook his head. "Rest first. We'll start when you're ready." He said.

"Thank you." Said the Hedgehog. He went over to a large rock and sat down, immediately pulling off his shoe and dumping out the huge rocks that had somehow gotten in there during his climb.

Knuckles sat down nearby and tried to get a good look at the Hedgehog's hand. "Excuse me," He said. "But you wouldn't happen to have six fingers on your left hand, would you?"

"Do you always begin conversations like that?" The hedgehog asked.

"Sorry. It's just that I'm looking for a hedgehog with six fingers."

The Hedgehog raised his left hand. There were only five fingers.

"Ah, I didn't think so." Knuckles said, somewhat disheartened.

"Why are you looking for a six-fingered hedgehog?" The Hedgehog asked.

"(Sigh) you see, ten years ago my father was slaughtered by a six-fingered hedgehog. I've been searching for him to get my revenge."

"Really?"

Knuckles nodded. "My father, Locke, was the greatest sword maker on all of Angel Island, where I'm from. One day, a six-fingered hired him to make a sword—the finest he'd ever made." Knuckles drew his sword and handed it to the Hedgehog. "This is the sword my father slaved to make. His best sword… and last."

The Hedgehog looked closely at the sword. It was magnificently crafted, and had a golden handle, with what looked like little Chaos Emeralds decorating it. "I've never seen its equal." Said the Hedgehog, honestly impressed beyond words at the beautiful sword.

Knuckles took it back and looked at it. "My father slaved for a year before it was done. The six-fingered hedgehog came back for the sword, but at one-tenth his promised price. My father refused… so the six-fingered hedgehog stabbed him in the heart… and killed him. I sought him out and challenged him to a duel."

"And..?"

"And… I lost. The six-fingered hedgehog left me alive, but gave me this," He pointed to a scar on the side of his face. "And this." He pointed to an identical scar on the other side.

"How old were you?"

"Ten years old. When I was strong enough, I devoted my life to the study of sword fighting. So that when I find the six-fingered hedgehog I can say to him, 'Hello. My name is Knuckles the Echidna. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'"

"You've done nothing but study swordplay?"

Knuckles chuckled, but without humor. "It's more pursuit than study lately. It's been ten years, and I still haven't found him. I'm beginning to lose confidence. I've just work for Dr. Eggman to pay the bills. Not a lot of money in revenge."

The Hedgehog gave a small, brief, but friendly smile. "Well, I certainly hope you find him someday." He stood up, so Knuckles did the same.

"You are ready then?" Knuckles asked.

"Whether I am or not, you've been more than fair." The Hedgehog replied, drawing his katana.

Knuckles prepared himself and smiled. "You seem like a decent guy. I'll hate to kill you."

"You seem like a decent guy. I'll hate to die." The Hedgehog said that, but clearly had no intention of dying that day.

"Very well." Said Knuckles. "Begin!"

Okay, I hope you liked this chapter.

By the way, my girlfriend, Princess of stars, drew a pic of Amy which pertains to this fic. If anyone wants to see it, usethis link: http /deviantart. com / view / 27107879 but remember not to use spaces and to use a : and2 /'s after http.

this is a really awsome pic, and I'm sure you'll like it! And I'm not saying you have to see it or anything, but just remember, Shadow and I are close friends so I do have access to all his swords and guns.

Shadow: Stop lying. They know I'd never let you anywhere near those weapons.

Me(Sarcastically):Thanks a lot Shadow. Anyway, see ya next time!