Chapter 4: The Proclamation
Back on Angel Island, Knuckles is trapped within the storm surrounding the altar. No matter how hard he fights to escape, the strong winds keep pushing him back. Seeing no other course of action, he calls out to the mysterious voice in the wind.
"Who are you?" Knuckles cried. "What do you want from me?"
"The beings on this planet are feeble and weak," the voice responded. "They are an eyesore and must be destroyed…"
"Destroyed…? No, I won't let you destroy this planet!"
Then, the voice addressed him by name. "You have no power over my decision, Knuckles the Echidna… In one year, I will come to destroy this planet… Enjoy your peace… while it still lasts…Ha ha ha ha ha!"
With those last words, the voice faded away and the wind calmed. Knuckles, still shocked by the voice's proclamation, fell to his knees.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out. "Daddy, are you okay?"
As he turned around to see who the voice was, he was slapped across the face as another voice brought him to his senses. "Snap out of it, Knuclehead."
Sure enough, Rouge and Ruby were standing next to him. Ruby, with a happy look on her face, ran over to Knuckles and hugged him.
"Daddy, you're all better!" said Ruby cheerfully.
"Hey, Ruby! How's my little girl today?"
"Ruby, run along now," said Rouge. "Daddy and I need to talk alone, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy, I'll leave you alone. Bye-bye!"
With that, Ruby flew off into the clouds. Rouge made sure she was safe before turning around.
"What the hell happened to you just now? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I think I have… a ghost from my ancestor's past…"
Knuckles then explained to his wife what he saw. She looked at him like he was crazy, but she knew it was the truth.
"If this is all true, you better go and warn Blue Boy and his friends. We're gonna need all the help we can get if this thing is that powerful."
"But what about Ruby?" Knuckles said. "We can't just leave her here alone!"
Don't worry, honey," Rouge replied. "I'll make sure she's safe. Just go warn him and come back."
"But-"
Suddenly, he was interrupted by Rouge's lips on his. After a long, passionate kiss, he left without saying a word.