Chapter 2: A fight and a trade

We ran after Demon, I took with the element of the ground and my ally took the element of the forest, he was using the environment to his advantage, jumping and flipping from branch to branch.

Demons' voice echoed and this caught my attention.

"The cemetery is were we will set are differences and you will die upon this very night"

Demon had lost interest in Knuckles, but how can one get interested if one cannot see the foe, quite simple…he was using his stealth and speed to remain hidden amongst the foliage.

I gained speed.

Demon decided to use a different battle tactic; he was wading in and out of the trees…

I lost sight of him.

Then a long dagger like thorn flew with great accuracy and couldn't be avoided in time…

"Huh!"

Before it made contact with my furred flesh a silver light clashed with the weapon, I eyed the trees, knuckles used a black flamed scorpion throwing star, the weapon was indeed powerful but lacked in agility.

"Knuckles" my voice was dark and questioning.

"Keep your eyes off of me and use your power"

In response I nodded my head.

It wasn't long before we were at the demonic burial grounds. The moonless night, the darkness and the ghostly fog was cruel and you could say I even enjoyed the scene.

"So, we meet for the final show down Shadow"

"ha, watch your self porcupine because your death won't be quick"

I didn't hesitate and sent a charged energy sphere at him…but alas it had no effect.

Demon turned his back at me revealing his dagger like thorns. They were facing me and I new if Knuckles wasn't careful a stray thorn would hit him. But that was the least of my problems.

One by one his weapons flew at me with great force.

"Dance with the wind"

That was my only thought and as if in slow motion I weaved like a needle and dodged with ease. The porcupine had more tricks under is so called coat… but I was ready…

"EPIPHANY "

A wave of dark energy sped towards him. If the attack hit him he would be nothing more then a pile of ash, bit it took great practice to master this attack to its full pretension.

He dodged.

"Still not enough"

Demons only words were "how pathetic" His was preparing his most powerful attack… eclipse.

"Oh shit!" was my only answer.

"Prepare to die hedgehog"

An energy force was delivered to me with such impact it caused a sever wound, blood dripped from my side. I fell to my knees and held the future scar; the smell of blood was unmistakable. The parasite walked up to me but it was a very slow pace. I was patient.

"Some power you have" was his only remark and I wasn't going to give up, his guard was let down…I TOOK MY CHANCE and swiftly got my venomous shot guns out and fired at his head.

"BASTARED"

"NOOOOOOOOOOO"

And the monster fell face first on the ground. His body transformed into ash as was expected of a weak heart, humph not even worthy. In his place remained 5 gold blocks and his coat.

"Hmmmm Hunter will want a trade"

Of course Hunter was a blacksmith and mastered the art, he made my shot guns and when the ammo hit its target the victim would be sent back with such force it meant certain death.

My partner appeared behind me, that power was teleportation and was one of the tricks of the trade, a vampire's quick move I suppose.

"Let me guess, you are going to take the booty to the blacksmith and get more weaponry?"

"Knuckles, you are quite right and you know as well as me he is vital to our mission"

"Lets see if his new blade stars are finished, a quick kill should satisfy my hunger."

"I guess blood has a new meaning to you"

"it gives me pleasure"

"Ditto"

Colour was drained from our faces and we needed energy, blood. The sun was rising and if we didn't hurry to the blacksmiths we would burn, it was a race for life.

We charged in and it was a good thing that the cabin/workshop was dark and the only light was the fire.

"I see you've made it?"

No answer, we were on the verge of collapse.

"Here, drink this and I'll get your harvest"

I took a wooden mug from his matted paw and drank the liquid; my crimson partner did the same. The drink was indeed plasma but it was fresh meat and blood I desired, the red ooze gave me energy and slowly colour came back into our loathsome bodies.

Hunter came back into view, he was carrying two night snipers and they struggled from his tight grasp in vain. How he obtained these creatures was beyond knowledge.

"Eat" hunter's facial expression was plain but his eyes said more words then what the mouth could ever do.

The victims were placed before us, we licked our teeth. Then the feed began. Because of our hunger, we were more savage into consuming the prey and there howls were indeed pleasurable. The blood, the flesh and there screams were enjoyable. My partner always had the stubborn morsels and he used his dagger like claws(knuckles) to hold them down. Knuckles liked to toy with his victims but I liked to take'em down

with as much pain as possible. Blood was smeared all over the floor and the smell was intoxicating.

In seconds the prey was devoured and nothing was left.

"I see you liked them then"

My ally wiped his mouth and answered Hunter's question.

"What do you think? You know why were here"

He nodded.

"Come with me"

We both followed.

We came to his work bench and there he gave my partner a throwing star, Knuckles looked at him in bewilderment.

"Throw it" was hunter's remark.

Knuckles did as he was told…….

The iron star flew with great speed it took the shape of a silver shine …then it opened forming a more complex star, it's speed was indeed formidable and when it made a target it completely destroyed the shattered mantle piece. Knuckles' eyes showed that he was pleased with the new toy.

"Hunter….."

"You pleased with the sword then?"

Knuckles' only reply to that matter was "I"

Hunter turned his attention to me.

"Shadow, knowing that your more familiar with technology I give you this item it's

a small handheld computer which is attached to your ear and the glass covers your eye, the glass is a screen and you can use it to identify unknown prey.

"weapons?"

"that project my friend is not ready…pay?"

I him the gold and the coat…our next destination awaits……………

Knuckles' barbs on his hands have evolved into sword like daggers dew to his vampire evolution.