Knuckles in...
A Nocturnal Conflict - Part 3
Twilight Cage - Imperator's Sanctum
*Shade bowed to Ix, her head down as she secretly cursed at what had occurred. All while Ix was giving her false praises.*
Ix: "Your ability to drop that Clansman's guard was an effective form of method acting, Shade. And you also discovered the rest of the Knuckles Clan, which greatly pleases me as well. With the Master Emerald back into our hands, we can move on to Phase 2."
Shade: "...Of course... But permit me to ask... What do you plan to do with the echidna you captured?"
*Ix looks at Shade, a glare in his eyes before he softens and smiles.*
Ix: "I plan to convert them into our side."
Shade: "C-Convert?"
Ix: "Creatures like them... They do not listen to reason. They would not see the vision I hope to impart. The vision for a better world order. An order I shall control. They will likely disagree to it so... I will convert them."
*Shade's visor hid away her expression. Her disgust. The echidna she saw were innocent. Converting them, to her, was just cruel.*
Ix: "Anything else, Shade?"
Shade: "...No sir... I will be on my way..."
*Shade stands and salutes before leaving the room, going to the Prison area.*
Twilight Cage - Prison Yard
*Within the prison yard, Shade walked out to find many of the captured echidna either glaring or cowering. She stared at the sky, seeing the barrier keeping the creatures of the Twilight Zone at bay. She walked over to her fellow Nocturnus guards and dismissed them of duty before walking up to Knuckles' cage. Knuckles had his back to Shade, arms crossed with a look of frustration.*
Shade: "...Hello, Knuckles."
Knuckles: "Hmph. What do you want? Come to rub in your victory."
Shade: "...I don't gloat. I just came to see you."
Knuckles: "Every time... I always fall for it... Trust someone and they stab me in the back. Eggman has done it to me twice, why not make it a third?"
Shade: "Knuckles. I didn't trick you. I swear, I didn't... I didn't know the Imperator was going to do this..."
Knuckles: "And how do I know I can trust you?"
*Shade removes her helmet, showing herself to Knuckles. She then tosses the helmet aside.*
Shade: "No tricks. And no more secrets... The Imperator has gone too far... If this is how he treats innocent echidna..."
*Shade pulls out her blade and stabs the controls on Knuckles' cage. Knuckles turns to see Shade offer a hand.*
"Then I no longer follow him."
*Knuckles looks at the hand before smiling, grabbing it firmly. The forced unlocking doesn't go unnoticed though as the alarms go off.*
Knuckles: "So much for getting out quietly! Shade! Can you get everyone out!?"
Shade: "I'll need cover!"
Knuckles: "No problem!"
*Shade goes to free the other echidnas in the cages as Knuckles got ready to fight the oncoming Nocturnus that entered the yard. Many swarmed in, but Knuckles' fights with Eggman's army has seemingly paid off as none of them could hold the red echidna down for long. Shade fought back against those that tried to approach her, still trying hard to free the echidnas before firing a gun at a panel to force shut the entrance doors.*
Knuckles: "Aww. And I was starting to enjoy that."
Shade: "This seems like all of them..."
Knuckles: "Wait. Where's Jani?"
Echidna: "Sh-She was taken away... Said they were going to...convert her..."
*Shade's eyes widened before growling. She then blasts the vents open.*
Shade: "Everyone, through here! Knuckles! Punch a hole in the wall! We've got to hurry!"
*Knuckles looks at Shade before nodding.*
Knuckles: "You heard her! Move it!"
*The echidnas began to crawl into the vents, the older ones needing support from the kids to get in without hurting themselves. Knuckles turns to the nearest wall and smashed it open with a single punch. He and Shade ran out, drawing more attention to themselves.*
Base Announcement: "Warning: Prisoners escaped! Nocturnus Elite Shade has been convicted of treason! Capture her and the escaped prisoners! Lethal force authorized!"
Knuckles: "I get the feeling these guys don't like you very much!"
Shade: "Yeah, what gave that away!?"
*Shade and Knuckles run through the halls, Knuckles providing muscle by punching away any Nocturnus that came close while Shade provided cover fire with her stun pistol.*
Shade: "They may be out for my head... But I refuse to shed blood over this fight. I hope...they'll understand..."
*Knuckles looks to Shade but then see to other Nocturnus approach... Shade is shocked to see them.*
Miz: "So the announcement wasn't kidding... Shade... Why are you doing this?"
Stare: "You best have a good explanation for treason."
Shade: "...Miz... Stare... You know me. I wouldn't do the things I do without a good reason. The Imperator's actions today... His capturing the echidnas despite them not fighting back - when we were negotiating a peaceful alternative... And his obtaining the Master Emerald... It isn't right... He used us to get close to those echidna, just to turn them into slaves. That isn't what I signed up for..."
Stare: "Then... What did you sign up for?"
Shade: "...To better our future."
*Knuckles turns and sees a large group of Princeps behind them. Miz looks at Shade before firing off an EMP at the group of enemies, with Stare charging at the stunned Princeps to knock them down.*
Shade: "Uh? Miz?"
Miz: "You're much like your mother, Shade. And I promised her I'd protect you. Even from our own if need be."
*Miz moves to a door and pushes a button to open it to another hall.*
"Go down this way. Its the fastest route to the R&D division. We'll hold the opposition here."
*Shade looks at Miz and hugs her closely before leaving her and Stare.*
Shade: "Knuckles! Come on!"
Stare: "Hey. Knuckles. If we get out of this alive... Let's you and I have a match to see who's stronger. I still owe you for last time."
Knuckles: "...Sure."
*The two share a smile before fist bumping. Knuckles then ran through the door just as Miz shoots it close. She activates a welding laser from her gun to weld the door shut.*
Miz: "That should give them the time they need."
Stare: "Then I guess its time to give these punks a training regime they won't forget!"
*Miz and Stare get ready as Praetorians were being sent out to intervene.*
Twilight Cage - Research and Development Wing
*Knuckles and Shade ran through the halls, noticing the lack of security following them. But Knuckles also notices Shade's tears. She doesn't show much emotion, but to see her cry... He stops.*
Knuckles: "Hey. You alright?"
Shade: "...Yeah. Just... I'm happy I got through to Miz and Stare... I... I didn't think they'd listen to reason... Part of me hopes I can do the same for the rest of the Nocturnus..."
*Knuckles looks at Shade before closing his eyes in thought. But as he does, he suddenly hears shouting coming from one of the rooms nearby.*
Knuckles: "Jani!"
Shade: "This way!"
*Running down the halls, they see Jani struggling against a few Nocturnus scientists, she trying to kick a few of them away with her still free legs.*
Jani: "Get off me, you jerks!"
Scientist: "Someone get the sedatives! If she will not cooperate willingly, then we'll have to-"
*A "DONG!" is heard as the head scientist issuing orders is knocked out by Knuckles from behind. Shade enters and points her gun at the others present.*
Shade: "Don't make any sudden moves."
*Knuckles walks up to Jani's binds and smashes them off.*
Jani: "Urgh... Thanks, Knuckles... And..."
*Jani glares at Shade, her one eye digging that glare directly into Shade's subconscious.*
Shade: "Look. I know what it looks like, but..."
*Jani walks up and knees Shade right in the gut before walking by without another word. Knuckles was about to say something, but then Jani interrupts.*
Jani: "Are the others safe?"
Knuckles: "Yeah. Shade released them too."
Jani: "I'm not trusting that she-devil. Its her fault we got caught in the first place. We were too trust. And now look at the situation we're in."
Knuckles: "Jani!"
*The two glare at each other before Shade steps in, though holding her stomach.*
Shade: "It's fine, Knuckles... I'd do the same if I were in her position... But now we should get out while we can."
Knuckles: "...You two get out then. I have some complaints I'd like to be heard by the Imperator."
Shade: "Are you nuts!? The Imperator may be old, but he isn't without protection!"
Knuckles: "It's fine. I've got this. Get going."
*Shade turns to Jani before the two left down the opposite way. Knuckles then turns to the head scientist and wakes him up.*
Knuckles: "Hey. Which way to the Imperator's room? And if you try to lie, you'll be seeing a lot more red once I find you again."
Scientist: "Ack! C-Central Elevator! Top floor!"
*Knuckles drops the scientist and punches the door closed, keeping them locked in until things were sorted out.*
Twilight Cage - Central Elevator
*Knuckles found himself at the Central Elevator, which would lead him to the Imperator's Sanctum. As he approached, two High Praetorians appeared, blades drawn.*
High Praetorian: "Halt! You will go no further! We have been given orders to kill if necessary!"
Knuckles: "Yeah? Too bad. I have an appointment with your head honcho."
High Praetorian: "Very well. Try your hardest then!"
*The elevator doors open moments later, Knuckles sweeping off some dust from his shoulders as the two guards lay on the ground, completely beaten and unconscious. Knuckles presses a button and ascends to his destination, but he takes a moment to reflect.*
Knuckles: "I have to be smart about this... Whoever this Imperator is, I have to approach this calmly. For Shade... And for the future of what remains of the Echidna Race... Tikal... Pray I succeed..."
Twilight Cage - Imperator's Sanctum
*The doors to the elevator open and Knuckles walks out, seeing a large room that housed only a single figure. A figure holding a staff and dressed in regal battle armor. An elderly echidna, much like the rest.*
Ix: "So... The Clansman has made it to my lair. I welcome you, Guardian. And I also bid you farewell... I am Imperator Pir'Oth Ix... And I shall grant you death as an act of mercy."
To be concluded...
