Knuckles conscious again and was now strapped to a gurney being carried by four soldiers with Su following behind. They were taken out of the college. Su was stopped by one of the soldiers and given a blanket. Luger stood at the exit and made the soldiers stop. He stepped around next to Knuckles and crossed his arms "If you took it from me, I'm gonna put you in a hole for the rest of your life". Knuckles didn't say anything and was taken into a large van. Su was about to go in and walked past Luger "Julie" he said to her, but she ignored him and got in the van. Luger sighed but Clove then came up to him "I've never seen anyone recover from a tranq dose like that. Why the hell aren't we keeping him under" "You want to be the one to stick a needle in his arm. Especially here in the city. She's our best insurance". They looked into the van, Su was sitting next to Knuckles holding his hand "Keep her right next to him. He knows if he transforms it's her who'll get hurt" "What do you want done with Charlie?". Luger thought for a moment "I want him pinned in that lab with you. Don't let him out to even take a piss until he's identified every bottle, box, and machine in that place. Then package it up and bring it back home. Then get aiding and abetting charges and get him turned over to us. If Knuckles won't give us answers maybe he will". They got into a different jeep and drove away followed by the van. Across the street a bat civilian watched while talking on her phone.


They arrived at a helicopter in the middle of a park. Luger stood at the entrance as Knuckles was taken off the gurney and taken inside. Su was about to follow but Luger grabbed her arm "Julie". She gave him a blank stare which he actually found worse than if she showed anger "I will never forgive what you've done to him". He stared just above her head instead of looking her in the eye "He's a fugitive. He made choices". She got closer so he wouldn't look away "You made him a fugitive. To cover your failures and to protect your career. I know what you said to him after the accident, before I woke up, what you proposed. That's why he ran away and gave up" "His work. His blood is the property of the United Federation's army. And my duty supersedes my personal feelings in this matter" he spoke as if from a script. Su scoffed "I've been hearing that all my life. Don't ever speak to me as your daughter again". She tried to move but Luger didn't let go of her arm "It's only because you're my daughter that you're not in handcuffs, too". She pushed his hand off her arm and boarded the helicopter. She sat opposite Knuckles. He looked horrified at the idea of what the government is going to do with his power. She reached over and took his hand which made him smile slightly.


Clove was talking to Charlie in his lab "Are you telling me you can make more like him?". Charlie was getting annoyed "No! Not yet. I sorted out a few pieces, but it's not like I can put together the same Humpty Dumpty if that's what you're asking. He was a freak accident! The goal is to do it better!" "So, Knuckles' the only-". There was a hit and she fell unconscious to the ground with Zavok standing behind her. He shook his head "She's an annoying bitch". Charlie backed away nervously in his chair "Why are you always hitting people?". Zavok took out a handgun scaring Charlie "Now what possibly could I have done to deserve such aggression?". Zavok was sweating and he was a paler red "It's not what you've done. It's what you're gonna do. I want what you got out of the echidna. I want that". This caught Charlie's interest and slowly stood up "You look like you've got a little something in you already, don't you?" "I wan- I want more of it. You've seen it, right? The power" "I have and it's beautiful. Godlike". Zavok gritted his teeth "Well, I want that. I need that. Give it to me" "But I don't know what you've got inside you already. The mix could be catastrophic". Zavok grabbed him by the chest and lifted him up. Charlie tried to speak "I didn't say I was unwilling. I just need informed consent. And you've given it".


Charlie placed a cylinder of Knuckles' blood in the machine. Zavok was now strapped to the table with needles in both his arms. The blood began to enter Zavok's body. At first nothing seemed to be happening, but then the machine above his head gave a flash and Zavok started to convulse. Charlie ran over to the computer trying to stop the machine "This is what I was trying to explain. I don't know what you've been ladling into yourself. But clearly it worked". Zavok began to grow in size, his muscles expanded as he screamed. His claws, fangs and horns grew. He broke through his restraints and stood up as he continued to grow taller until he was twice as tall as Charlie. Charlie cowered against the wall "Let's assume you don't understand a word I'm saying, but if you'll just get back on the table, I can fix this". Zavok punched Charlie in the head launching him backwards and into the machine. Zavok laughed before stomping out of the room. Charlie lied almost dead on the floor with a bleeding wound on his head. Suddenly drops of blood began to drip down into his wound. The blood was coming from the cylinder above him. The fur on his forehead shined green for a moment. He started to hear voices "Shoot it! AHH!" Charlie grinned.


Outside three soldiers saw a hole get blown open at the side of the wall. A soldier was thrown out and into another building. They watched as the now super powered Zavok jumped down and ran into a busy street and started rampaging. "We gotta go after that thing. You drive!" a hedgehog said to a lemur. The three of them got in a Humvee and chased the creature. As they drove away the bat civilian ran into the building. The third soldier, a hyena got on the radio "We need backup. Something big just went down here! Knuckles is on the street. I repeat, Knuckles is in the street".


Luger was listening to this on the helicopter "That's impossible. You get a hold of yourself. What's your position?" "121st Street, heading north on Speed Highway!". Luger turned to the pilot "Turn us around". Knuckles could feel the helicopter turning "We're going back. Why are we going back?". Luger was still on the radio "Damn it! Give me eyes down there" "Yes, sir". On the screen in front of him he saw three POV cameras coming from the soldiers. There was a loud bang "What the hell was that?". They were driving across a destroyed street covered in destroyed cars and fleeing civilians. They kept going and could see Zavok lifting a car and throwing it before growling at the civilians. "One of yours?" Luger realised Knuckles and Su were watching as well "Oh, Gaia. What have you done?". Luger looked back to the screen, one of them used a rocket launcher and fired at Zavok when his back was turned. The rocket was about to hit him, but Zavok turned around and caught the rocket. He then hit himself with the rocket anyway, but it just made him laugh. He started walking towards the Humvee "Get out of there, soldier!" Luger ordered. The Humvee started to reverse at top speed, but Zavok started running after them.

The Humvee crashed into something behind them stopping it. Zavok stood in front of them when a car drove up and was about to hit his side. He smashed his foot down on the front of the car launching it up and he caught it. He grinned down sadistically at the soldiers "Give me a real fight!". He brought the car down on the soldiers. Luger heard the screaming of his men before the cameras went out. There was silence in the helicopter, "Sir?" the pilot asked Luger. He looked lost "Tell them to bring everything they've got and head for Thornton". Knuckles sighed "It has to be me. You have to take me back there". Su stared at him in disbelief "What're you saying? You think you can control it?" "I don't know. Even if I can't I think I'll be aiming for that thing when I get down there" "And what if you can't?" Luger said sceptically. Knuckles looked between the two of them "We made this. All of us did. Please". Luger stared at him for a moment and then "Land us near it" "No. No, keep us high. Open the back door". Luger nodded to the pilot and the back door opened. Knuckles walked towards it, but Su went after him "Knuckles! Stop! Stop! What're you doing?". She turned him around "Think about this! You don't even know if you'll change!". Knuckles didn't say anything and tried to move but she didn't let go of his hand "You don't have to do this! Please, this is insane!" "Su, I've got to try. I'm sorry". He kissed her on the lips before leaning back and falling off the helicopter. Su watched him as he fell towards the city. Knuckles closed his eyes terrified of the fall and prepared to change. He then started to realise that despite all his fear, he wasn't changing. His eyes opened wide "Oh, shit!".


Knuckles' body hit the road creating a large hole. Su watched from the helicopter "Get her in here!" Luger ordered. A lion soldier went over to Su "Come on, Miss". He helped her in as she continued to watch where Knuckles landed. She and Luger watched from the windows. A gloved hand suddenly punched out of the hole; the arm flashed green for a moment before turning red. Luger looked to his daughter making sure she was okay. On the ground Knuckles climbed out of the hole. He saw Zavok at the end of the road and roared as loud as he could. Zavok who was carrying a large bear suddenly threw him aside and grinned "Knuckles" he said excitedly. He started to charge, and Knuckles did the same. Once close enough they both jumped, Zavok was twice the size of Knuckles and managed to tackle him back. They landed and he threw Knuckles through a destroyed bus. Knuckles landed on the ground uninjured and stood back up. He looked and saw Zavok standing on top of the flaming bus laughing. He made a mocking gesture with his hands "Come on!". Knuckles saw a car next to him. He started to smash it apart seemingly in anger before picking up the two largest pieces and using them as large boxing gloves. Zavok charged but Knuckles just growled and punched him with his new gloves. Knuckles beat him down and Zavok's body was literally pushed into the ground. Once his new gloves broke, he used his fists and punched Zavok in the face. Zavok spat out some blood before looking up at Knuckles "Is that all you've got".

Knuckles was about to punch him again but Zavok then kicked him with all his strength launching Knuckles into a building. Zavok climbed up the building looking for Knuckles. Behind him the helicopter appeared, Luger was standing next to a cheetah on a mini gun "Use that thing, soldier! Give him some help!" "Which one?" "Help the echidna, damn it! Which one do you think? Cut the other one in half!". The cheetah fired at Zavok, it barley hurt him "Luger!" he said angrily. He started to climb the building and ran as the helicopter chased him. Knuckles was lying on the ground when he saw Zavok jumping over head. He climbed up the building and chased after them. He saw Zavok about to leap towards the helicopter. Knuckles jumped as well, he grabbed onto Zavok's leg the same time he grabbed onto the side of the helicopter. The helicopter began to lose control. Knuckles climbed up Zavok and pulled out his blue hair. Zavok elbowed him off and Knuckles fell before grabbing back onto to his foot. The helicopter started to spin before crashing onto a roof top. Knuckles lied face down on the ground. He for once felt drained in this form, he picked himself back up. In the helicopter Su was lying on the floor surrounded by dead soldiers. She opened her eyes and looked around. She saw her father still breathing "Dad? Are you hurt? Let me help you" "I'm alright. You have to get out". Knuckles walked up to the helicopter, but Zavok suddenly appeared and jumped on top of it. Knuckles looked tired but then growled and charged forward. Zavok jumped down and effortlessly pushed Knuckles back. He threw him into a wall and pinned against it. Su tried to climb out of the helicopter and saw that fuel was leaking out near sparks. Zavok held Knuckles by the throat keeping him against the wall. Knuckles tried to punch Zavok, but he just pushed him deeper into the wall "You don't deserve this power! Now watch her die!".

Zavok used his free hand to slash at Knuckles' stomach with his claws actually piercing his skin. Knuckles screamed in pain, but he then saw Su stuck in the helicopter. He desperately reached out and grabbed one of Zavok's horns and with struggle breaking it. He then stabbed Zavok's chest with it making him release Knuckles. He punched Zavok in the stomach and throwing him headfirst into the wall. He then saw the fuel ignite and envelop the helicopter in fire. Knuckles ran forward and clapped his hands together. The force created a shockwave which blew out the fire. Su and Luger were knocked back. She picked herself back up and looked out to him. The two shared a look but then Su saw Zavok stand back up carrying a large stone cylinder attached to a chain "Look out!". Zavok swung the chain causing the stone to hit Knuckles to the ground. Zavok hit him again before he could even get up and Knuckles lied on the ground looking done. Zavok grinned and then saw Luger and Su trying to climb out of the helicopter "General" he nodded to him. He then looked down at Knuckles as he rose the chain above him "Any last words?". Zavok brought the chain down as Knuckles stood up and caught it. Zavok tried to pull it back but Knuckles kept it in his hand "NOT COOL!". He slammed his fist into the ground causing it to break around Zavok's feet. He let go of the chains, Knuckles rushed forward with the chain and wrapped around Zavok's neck. Knuckles got behind Zavok then pulled on the chain with all his strength strangling him. Zavok tried to punch him and get to Su and Luger, but Knuckles beat him down despite being only half his size. Knuckles then tore off his remaining horn and this time stabbed him in the back. He then wrapped the chains tighter around Zavok who was roaring trying to get free. Knuckles went completely animalistic as he killed Zavok but then "STOP!". Knuckles looked over to Su who stared at him pleadingly. Knuckles calmed down and gave an exhausted sigh before he released Zavok. More soldiers and police arrived and raised their weapons but then saw Knuckles throw Zavok aside and pressed his foot on his chest. He screamed up at the sky victorious. Luger made the soldier next to him lower his gun. Everyone else did the same. Su ran up to Knuckles, he calmly advanced on her. She started to cry "It's okay". Knuckles reached out and wiped the tear from her face "Su" he said. A light suddenly shined down on him. Another helicopter had arrived. Even in this form Knuckles knew what that meant. He ran on top of the crashed helicopter, took one last look at Su and then leaped to the next building and out of sight.


Sometime later Su was still in Station Square staring at the water at Emerald Coast. She looked at her camera and the picture she took of Knuckles. On the other side of the planet inside an isolated log cabin Knuckles was sitting at a table, he put a small silver ring inside an envelope. He then wrote on the envelope for it to go to Julie-Su from a Travis Willingham. Not long later Knuckles was meditating in the middle of the room. He clenched his fist and opened his eyes. They were green once again, but he didn't look feral this time. Aside from the eyes Knuckles expression was completely calm, he started to smile.