I'm sorry it took so long! Hope it was worth the wait!


Chapter 7: Kiss it Better

My entire life, I've believed that there are moments in time that measure who and what we are. I also believe that there is a moment in our lives where we choose, directly or indirectly, to become a hero or villain. Until this very moment, I had believed that the moment had already happened to me.

There, kneeling beside the Beast, healing it's wounds, was Ceaira. I felt utterly sick to my stomach. Here was the only other echidna I had ever known. I didn't know whether to be angry or sad, but I felt the rage build up inside. It didn't have a central target, it was just rising up. It scared me to know that I could get this angry.

Then, my anger, rage, pain, and sadness centered on a target. I didn't question it's path. I didn't question who it wanted to hurt. I spun around and lunged towards the one who was right all along.

Espio screamed when he realized my attack was meant for him. "Knuckles!" He yelled, but I wasn't about to listen to him. I had no idea why it was him I wanted dead. Why wasn't I attacking the enemy?

I knew why. I blamed Espio for this. I know it was harsh, but he was right all along and that made the blame go to him. He was screaming, trying to block my blows with his hands. He did a pretty good job of protecting his face, but I had him pinned. His chest and stomach got most of the beating. I heard a rib crack under the blows.

"Knuckles!" Espio sobbed. "Stop!"

I hardly heard him through the roaring in my own ears. I had my fist ready for a full blown punch square in the forehead.

Espio stared. "Knux," he whispered, voice strained with pain. "Knux, please." I could tell he was close to passing out. I lowered my fist. Espio relaxed, knowing that my rampage was over. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to be right. I wish she was who you wanted her to be."

"What about you? I'm the one who should be sorry. I almost killed you."

Espio smiled faintly. "Tell Vector the Beast did this to me. He will not know what happened here today, understood?"

I nodded and Espio passed out. "Stupid," I whispered to myself. I alone was there to fight that creature, and I was in no shape to do so. Then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. My first thought was that it was Vector. I hoped it was him. Maybe Charmy was feeling better, but I highly doubted it. Then the hand gripped my shoulder very hard and the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air.

I hit a tree with the center of my back. I heard wood splinter with the impact. I screamed, but what scared my the most was the fact that I couldn't move my legs. I could feel them though. The brought me very little comfort. I looked at my arm. It was twisted in an awkward position and waves of pain were coming from it. I cursed quietly.

"What's the matter, Knuckles?" I looked up to see Ceaira standing over me. I winced quietly. She kicked me. I yelped when the foot hit my stomach. Turning to my side, I threw up. Blood came out with bile and food. My eyes rolled.

Ceaira laughed. "Looks like this is your last day, Knuckles." She kicked me in the head. I tried to yell, but nothing came out. I took deep breath, trying to gather my scattering thoughts.

"Why?" I groaned. It was barely over a whisper.

"Why?" Ceaira echoed bitterly. "Because, Knuckles, I'm tired of the heros winning every thing! Us villains work twice as hard as you stupid heros and you come along and destroyour work!"

"But, you're an echidna. Don't you want our race to thrive?"

She laughed. Poison dripped with that laugh. "Robotnick was right, you are gullible!"

I stared, shocked. "You mean. . .?"

"I'm not an echidna, Knuckles!" She spat.

I just stared. Suddenly I felt sick. "But, what are you? You look like and echidna! That look isn't easily copied!"

"That's for me to know, Knuckles, and for you to never find out!" She yelled, kicking me again. This time I managed a scream. I felt like I was dying, though I probably was. My vision was fading slowly, but it was still going. She pulled me on my back.

I let out a yell as she roughly placed her foot on my chest and pressed. My air was cut off. Breathing was nearly impossible. My leg twitched. I had regained control over them, but I couldn't kick out. I closed my eyes and waited for the end.

The pressure stopped. I opened my eyes to see a wall of green scales. Vector? He pulled Ceaira off of me. "Knuckles, what's going on?"

I let out a small groan that meant I couldn't explain. "Look out!" I yelled. Vector swung his tail as Ceaira went for an attack on him. "The Beast! We have to kill it!" Vector nodded. He went to go towards the Beast, but Ceaira quickly tripped him to the ground. "I'll do it! Hold her down!" I yelled.

Vector nodded. He pinned Ceaira down. The struggle was very swift, considering Vector had more body mass. He looked at me. "Go!"