I meant to finish and submit this last night, but I fell asleep on the job. My bed was just calling my name. Well, here's chapter 2.
Knuckles opened his eyes. It was dark at first. Then, it got brighter and brighter. Although his vision was still blurry, he could make out some of his surroundings. He knew that he was no longer on the sidewalk. He was in a room. It was a very plain room that looked a lot like a guest bedroom. There was a lamp, a bed, two dressers, and some blue wall paint. The setting sun shined dimly through the curtains. Knuckles sat up. Pains immediately went to his head as an extreme headache came into play. Knuckles let out a painstaking groan as the pain set in. Not being able to bear the pain for another second, he laid back on the bed once more. As he did, the door opened. Although his vision was still a little blurry, he could make out the figure that entered the room. It was a white hedgehog with quills that went fan-like across his head. He was wearing a black wife-beater and some baggy blue jeans.
"Look who's awake," said the white hedgehog.
"Silver? Where am I?" asked Knuckles. Even his voice was weak.
"You're at my house. Well, this is my house in your time. My house in the future is much nicer," said Silver.
"You'll have to remind me to come and visit someday," said Knuckles. He tried sitting up again and managed to. Silver helped him to prop himself against the headboard.
"What happened to you out there? I was passing by when I saw your body lying bloody and motionless. Then, I used my psychokinesis to drag you back here and cleaned you up with gauze and an icepack. Most of the swelling has subsided but you still have a few bruises on your head," said Silver.
Knuckles looked at himself in the mirror on the dresser across from him. His jaw and chest contained bruises, but the rest of him seemed to be okay.
"Some guy I used to know jumped me with some of his thugs. Then, they took your goddaughter," said Knuckles.
"They took Lara-Su?"
Knuckles nodded. Silver punched the dresser with his bare fist.
"They ought to be grateful that I wasn't there. I would've ripped them a few new assholes," said Silver. He started to glow upon saying that.
"They only did it to get at me. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to her," said Knuckles lowering his head.
"You can't blame yourself," said Silver.
"Well, I do, and I'm not going to rest until she's back with me where she belongs," said Knuckles.
"Do you have any idea where they might've taken her?" asked Silver.
As if right on cue, Knuckles' cell phone began to ring. Knuckles pulled out his Blackberry and viewed the number. The number came up as private, but Knuckles answered anyway. Besides, he had a feeling that he knew who it was.
"Hello."
"What's happening, homie? I'm glad that you finally woke up," replied the voice on the other end.
"MAGIC, I WANT MY DAUGHTER," yelled Knuckles into the phone.
"Whoa, Knuckles. You're not in any position to be giving orders here; so save your breath," said Magic.
"How'd you get my number?" asked Knuckles in a calmer, but still angry voice.
"I got it out of your phone before we left. Now, listen up. Like I said before, you owe me; so either you pay up or your little girl pays up. Got it?" asked Magic.
"What are you asking for?" asked Knuckles.
"Well, once I add up all of your expenses owed to me, it comes to a 1,000,000.00 debt for you," said Magic.
"What!" said Knuckles. "You rotten lowdown punk, if I ever find out where-"
"Daddy! Help me!"
"Lara-Su!" said Knuckles.
Silver began to glow again. Out of anger, he punched a hole in the wall with his psychokinetic knuckles.
"You know me; so you know what I am capable of doing. You have a week to bring us our money and rescue your daughter. If I do not have my money by then or call the police, I'll call you and tell you where to pick up the body of Daddy's Little Girl," said Magic.
"I don't have a million dollars," said Knuckles. "How do you suggest I get it?"
"Honestly, I don't really care what you do to get it. All I want is to have it in my hand in a week starting from the minute I hang up the phone. Bring my money to the warehouse by the Central City pier or forfeit your daughter's life. I'll be waiting."
(Click)
Knuckles laid the phone on the bed. He just stared blankly at himself in the mirror. Then, an awkward silence came into the room. It lasted until Silver finally spoke up.
"Well?" he asked.
"He wants a million dollars for her return," said Knuckles.
"Do you have a million dollars?" asked Silver.
"No."
"Well, what are you going to do?" asked Silver.
"I don't know. Money's never been something I held close. I only spent and collected what I needed to get by. Most of the money was paid to me from the President for helping Sonic and the others save the world over and over," said Knuckles. "I have a few thousands left but no other dividends."
"All I have is a few thousands myself. They're not much, but you're welcome to them," said Silver.
"Thanks buddy, but I have to get the money on my own," said Knuckles.
"How are you going to do that?" asked Silver.
"Magic's only given me one option. In order to get the funds necessary to free my daughter, I'm going to have to take the money I need," said Knuckles.
"You mean robbing right?" asked Silver.
Knuckles nodded.
"Are you crazy? There's no way that you're going to be able to steal a million dollars in a week with all the heat that'll be on you just after the first robbery," said Silver.
"I have to try. Lara-Su is depending on me," said Knuckles.
Knuckles stood on his feet for the first time since he had regained consciousness and walked out the door. He walked down the stairs and was about to head out until Silver called out to him.
"Wait."
Knuckles stopped and turned around.
"I know that you're only doing this for Lara-Su. I strongly advise against this, but I understand. Hell, I'd probably do the same thing in your place. I wish I could help you, but I'm not in favor of getting on the wrong side of the law," said Silver.
Knuckles looked at his friend and smiled.
"I wouldn't ask you to help me anyway. You're too much of a good guy to commit a crime," said Knuckles.
"You're probably right, but you have to admit that you can't do this by yourself," said Silver.
Knuckles sighed. "You're right. I do need help, but who could I ask to help me."
"Sonic?"
"Yeah, right. The world's most loved hero is going to help me steal money for a thug. I would feel silly asking his sarcastic, blue ass for help," said Knuckles.
"Tails?"
"He's even worse. I mean, he's a good kid and all, but I don't think he could handle the pressure," said Knuckles.
"Amy?"
"Hell no!"
"Cream?"
"She's twelve."
"What about Shadow?"
"Shadow probably would have helped me back in the day before he joined GUN. He's the law now; so he's out," concluded Knuckles.
"Well, there's only one more person I can think of," said Silver.
"No! Absolutely not!" yelled Knuckles.
"Knuckles, you have to face reality. She's your best shot at obtaining the money. Even though she works for GUN, she still breaks the law on occasion for her own personal gain. Plus, she's a master thief. You told me so yourself. Who better to help you to bypass alarms and things of that nature?" asked Silver.
Knuckles just stood there in thought. He really didn't want to ask her for help, but it really didn't seem like he had many options at this point. Silver was right. He couldn't do this alone. For the first time in his life, Knuckles the Echidna needed help.
"Feel like taking a trip to Club Rouge tonight?" Knuckles asked Silver.
"You bet. I'm always down for going to the club," said Silver.
"You're just down for trying to find a drunken girl who'll sleep with you," said Knuckles.
"Shut up. Let me grab my shirt and chain and I'll be ready to go. I'll get you one, too since yours is destroyed," said Silver.
Silver went upstairs and returned about seven minutes later with a Jay-Z shirt and a gold chain around his neck. He tossed Knuckles a black t-shirt. It was kind of tight of him since he was bigger than Silver.
"What took you so long?" asked Knuckles.
"I had to iron my shirt," said Silver. "Let's go."
Knuckles shook his head and followed him out the door.
I hope you like where I'm taking this and the new angle I'm putting on this. Will Rouge agree to help? Can Knuckles save his daughter? Tune in at my next update to find out.
ICY KNUCKLES