Knuckles starring in...
A Nocturnal Conflict - Part 2
Twilight Cage - Imperator's Sanctum
*Within the inner sanctum of a hidden, long forgotten Echidna Clan's base of operations, Shade, the one who assaulted Knuckles when she studied the Master Emerald, bowed her head to an elderly albino Echidna who had a long-grown beard and a staff he wielded.*
Shade: "It is as you confirmed, Imperator Ix... The breach in the Twilight Cage was indeed caused by the Controller. It had exerted such incredible amounts of energy that it went beyond the dimensional barriers of Mobius, breaking through to the outside. We do not know how long we were away, but scouts have confirmed unfamiliar structures in many different locations."
Ix: "...And, of the Knuckles Clan?"
Shade: "We aren't sure, but we did come across an Echidna who bore similarities to them."
Ix: "Hmph. It can be assumed Pachacamac is long silenced then. Very well... Shade! Take your team and subdue this Echidna. Make him feel...welcomed..."
*Shade bows her head before leaving. Outside the chamber, her teammates Stare, the larger and more muscular male Echidna, and Miz, the smaller female Echidna with two cybernetic dreadlocks on both sides of her head, waited for Shade to come out.*
Stare: "'Bout time. I was getting a bit angsty that the Imperator wouldn't let us back into the action."
Miz: "Calm yourself, honey. We'll get back at that Echidna for knocking us out. But, what did the Imperator say?"
*The trio start walking down the hall as Shade talks.*
Shade: "We're to bring in the Echidna. Alive, it seems."
Stare: "Tch. Of course. Can't even take out the Knuckles Clan trash... So non-lethal force I assume?"
Shade: "Correct. We grab him, take him with us, and the Imperator does what he needs to."
Miz: "And if he decides to kill one of us?"
Shade: "Then the Imperator will have to settle for a brain damaged Clansman. That's all. Either way, our Imperator's word is law."
Stare: "As long as I get a chance to slug him once, I'm fine with subduing that poor runt."
*Stare starts popping his knuckles as he seemed eager to punch Knuckles. Miz only sighs before the trio grab their helmets, Shade getting a replacement after losing her original in the fight, putting them on. The trio then leave by the push of a button on their utility belts.*
Angel Island - Mushroom Hill Zone
*Some distance away from the Master Emerald Chamber, Knuckles and Jani were discussing the recent encounter with the Nocturnus, with Jani further explaining about them.*
Jani: "According to what my mother told me, the Knuckles Clan had met with the Nocturnus Clan many thousands of years ago. The leader of the Knuckles Clan at the time, Chief Poduze, had faced the chief of the Nocturnus to claim the Master Emerald. Poduze won, and the honor bound chief of Nocturnus made no attempt to go back on his word. During this time, Chaos had not been conceived - rather he was still a normal Chao... According to my mom at least..."
Knuckles: "I see... That gives a time frame of how long ago this is... Alright, but why did the Nocturnus and Knuckles Clans fight each other when Pachy was leader?"
Jani: "That was due to their new leader, Imperator Ix. A sort of power hungry echidna who wished to reclaim the Master Emerald. Pachacamac attempted to use it and the Chaos Emeralds to try and defeat the Nocturnus in their war, but... Well..."
Knuckles: "Chaos happened... Right..."
Jani: "From there, everything gets a little blank. Its mostly theories, ranging from 'their kind wiped out from Chaos' attack' to 'they being sealed away forever'."
Knuckles: "Hmm... Alright. That settles it then."
*Knuckles stands up, Jani looking at him with a confused look.*
Jani: "Settles...what...?"
Knuckles: "Look... This may sound strange, but... Considering our situation, it may be best to...well..."
Jani: "...No. I get it. And you are right... There are so few of us... We cannot afford to hold onto a life long grudge..."
*Jani stands as well, nodding.*
Jani: "If we can talk them out of fighting then... I say we give it a shot..."
*Knuckles smiles before his senses flair up.*
Knuckles: "Speak of the devilfish..."
Jani: "Are they nearby?"
Knuckles: "Considering the timing, I definitely think so..."
*Knuckles and Jani run in toward the main Angel Island Zone, soon finding the Nocturnus trio pop in as expected. The two hide and listen in.*
Shade: "Alright. Find that Echidna and detain him. Weaken him, but don't kill."
*Miz pushes a button on her visor and notices something through them. Jani glares as she suspects they have been spotted.*
Miz: "Well, they made the work short for us."
*Miz fires off a laser blaster at the bush Knuckles and Jani were hiding in, but the two didn't jump out like she thought.*
Miz: "Huh? Where did they...?"
Shade: "Miz?"
Miz: "My visor picked up their heat signature, I'm sure of it."
Jani: "Yeah. You just missed."
*Jani and Knuckles appear on a branch above the trio before jumping off and landing in front of them.*
Shade: "Two Echidnas? There are more of the Knuckles Clan?"
Jani: "Haven't been called that in a very long time. Still, I know you guys very much. Hard not to notice the armor."
Stare: "Tch. You really want to taunt our fashion sense? I'd be willing to smash you into paste if you do."
Knuckles: "Touch her and you'll find me not very friendly. But I'm willing to drop my fists and talk."
*Shade looks at Knuckles before gesturing her comrades to lower their weapons.*
Shade: "Talk about what, Clansman?"
Knuckles: "The name's Knuckles. And I'm not a member of the Knuckles Clan, or any clan. I'm just a guy who protects a big jewel of unforeseen power."
Shade: "The Master Emerald..."
Stare: "Which you took from us!"
Miz: "Stare, please!"
Jani: "We didn't steal it. Leader Poduze won that jewel fair and square. I'm not sure what your leader, Ix, has told you, but its a bunch of dung."
Shade: "..."
Stare: "You are really making negotiations really hard here, girl."
Knuckles: "Easy, Jani. The less we have to fight, the better we can save our species..."
Shade: "What was that?"
*Knuckles turns to Shade before approaching a bit, though still keeping some distance.*
Knuckles: "Our species, the echidna, are dying. A great tragedy occurred not long ago that has brought our very race to the brink. What little that remains of them are here on Angel Island, which is kept aloft above Mobius by the Master Emerald."
*Shade stares at Knuckles before thinking. She then turns to her teammates.*
Shade: "I am going to confirm his story. You two stay here and make sure there isn't an ambush somewhere."
Miz: "Yes, Shade."
*Shade then approaches Knuckles before gesturing him to move.*
Jani: "Knuckles, are you sure about this?"
Knuckles: "We both agreed, remember? If we can do this without a fight, then..."
Jani: "...Alright. I trust you to protect them..."
*Knuckles nods before leading Shade to the village, leaving Jani with Miz and Stare.*
Shade: "So you claim there are very little of you now."
Knuckles: "Yes."
Shade: "Are they of various clans?"
Knuckles: "Dunno. I was never part of any."
Shade: "...I see... And this great tragedy... Was it that water monster?"
Knuckles: "Chaos? No. He's been very calm for a while. It was actually another tragedy..."
Shade: "..."
*Shade looked down, starting to piece something together. She then looked up and stopped Knuckles.*
Shade: "Answer me this. How long have we the Nocturnus been gone for?"
Knuckles: "...For four thousand years at least..."
*Shade took a step back, seemingly shocked, though Knuckles could not see it through her mask.*
Shade: "...That means... A lot of echidna have passed away over the years... For us... It has been...only forty years..."
Knuckles: "Really? You don't look a day over your teens."
*The two continue walking, though Shade doesn't seem to laugh at the joke.*
Shade: "I'm not... I was born in the Twilight Cage... Born and raised... I'm only aware of the outside world because my mother lived in it... She...is gone now though..."
Knuckles: "...Boy, a lot of mothers seem to be going away..."
*The conversation falls deathly silent afterwards.*
*With Jani, she was sitting on a rock, glaring at the remaining duo as they seem to stare back. Or at least Stare did, keeping to his namesake.*
Miz: "So... You are the male one's mate?"
Jani: "What? No. Me and Knuckles aren't dating. We're just friends..."
Miz: "Oh. My apologies..."
Jani: "What about you two?"
Miz: "Happily married."
Stare: "Not that its your business. Stop speaking with her, Miz!"
Miz: "Don't yell at me! I'm just making small talk!"
Jani: "...I guess I can see the happily part."
Miz: "Oh, young lady. Once you're married, you'll know the joys and sorrows of being married."
Jani: "And... Shade, was it? She doesn't really look that old compared to you two. How come she's your leader?"
Miz: "A...complicated story... Her mother was a friend of mine and...after her death, Shade managed to rise through the ranks and become captain of our squad in her mother's place... I don't remember the last time she smiled..."
*Stare says nothing, crossing his arms in silence.*
Miz: "So... Miss..."
Jani: "Jani-Ca. You can call me Jani though..."
Miz: "Jani... How...did you vanish like you did?"
Jani: "...Chaos Control. I can slow down time and move in the time it takes for you to blink."
Miz: "Chaos Control? My, that's interesting."
*Jani continues to watch over the two before hearing some noises. She jumps off her rock, alerting Miz and Stare as a laser blast destroys Jani's rock. Jani herself lands in front of the duo before a figure appears in front of her, cloaked in invisibility, and kicks her in the stomach.*
Jani: "GAH!"
*The new Nocturnus then punches her on the side with an eye patch and shocks her using a tesla laser, knocking her out.*
Miz: "A... A High Praetorian!?"
Stare: "What are you doing here!?"
High Praetorian: "...Doing my mission. Imperator Ix wishes for all echidna to be captured and for the Master Emerald to be extracted. You three have done well."
Miz: "But... I thought we were supposed to be non-lethal. We were trying to settle matters diplomatically."
High Praetorian: "...Imperator Ix had other ideas. Now carry the female to the Twilight Cage."
*Stare just shrugs before lifting Jani over his shoulder and walking by Miz, who seemed steamed over this change. She does join Stare though and re-enters the Twilight Cage with their Warp Belt.*
Angel Island - Echidna Site
*Knuckles brings Shade to the village, though stayed hidden as to not disturb their business as Shade scans the area.*
Shade: "This is all of them?"
Knuckles: "It is. What remains of our species... No clans... No tribes... Just a tiny village that was once a big city..."
Shade: "...How the mighty have fallen... It...must have been a great tragedy indeed..."
Knuckles: "...I hope we can end this feud between you guys and the Knuckles Clan enough to at least rebuild... I'd rather us be friends than enemies..."
Shade: "Friends...?"
*Knuckles extends a hand out, smiling softly at Shade who looks at the hand, then at Knuckles. But before Shade could respond, Knuckles sees someone aiming a laser at Shade and immediately jumps in to save her, taking a tesla blast that shocks him into submission.*
Shade: "Knuckles!"
*Shade looks around before seeing a High Praetorian approach.*
High Praetorian: "Your acting is surprisingly effective, Shade. You dropped the echidna's guard enough for us to detain him."
Shade: "What...? What are you doing here? This is MY mission, not your's."
High Praetorian: "Irrelevant. The echidnas here are coming to the Twilight Cage as prisoners."
Shade: "What!? But..."
High Praetorian: "An order by Imperator Ix. You know disobedience is punishable by death... His word is law."
*Shade says nothing and doesn't try stopping the Nocturnus forces as they charge into the screaming village as they echidna are abducted. Knuckles included... All Shade could do was clench her fist tightly as she too left back to the Twilight Cage.*
Angel Island - Master Emerald Chamber
*Within the now unguarded Emerald Chamber, Ix enters from a portal with a few Nocturnus soldiers and High Praetorian following him. He lets out a laugh as he approaches the Emerald, his reflection on it.*
Ix: "Finally. After all these years, our birthright is returned to us. Poduze was a fool for thinking his clan would keep it forever... With it... Mobius will soon fall as well..."
*Ix then orders the Nocturnus to take Emerald, they doing so through a floating platform. Once on, the Emerald is taken in through the portal, which closes afterwards. The entire island soon shakes, the energy from the Master Emerald cut off fully, leading it to sink...into the ocean below.*
To be continued...
