Chapter 2- Unaccepted arrivals

KNUCKLES

"So who else is here?" Knuckles stood inside the lavish parlor with the old British man. It took him the whole day to arrive here. Tails had offered him a cheap room the last time he spoke. He'd be stupid not to accept. He was having Tikal watch over the master emerald, if anything were to happen she'd notify him immediately. That was one of the benefits of having a spiritual friend.

"Well sir, right now there is just master Sonic and others should arrive shortly" the old man looked frail, but stood tall like and sturdy. Although a human he reminded him of his grandfather at one point.

"Jeez Sonic eh?"

"Is there a problem sir?"

"No it's just, well we're always saving the world together. I've never really hung around him before"

"I'm sure it'll be fine sir. Shall I escort you to your room Master Knuckles?"

"I'd enjoy that Fredricks. Feel free to just call me Knuckles. I'm a servant just like you now that I think about it. I don't want you to not accomplish your duties." Fredricks smiled and took his bags up to his room. His room was across from Sonic's. His room was large and red. It actually had two large beds and a personal fireplace. Beside was a balcony with a view of the mountains.

"Was your journey long sir?" Fredricks asked as he placed his bag on the bed and went to the fireplace. There was no heating system, only the warmth of the fire. He kindled it gently as he waited for Knuckles to respond.

"It was" he sighed and took a seat.

"Pardon me for asking sir, but it something wrong?"

"Well it's just this thing."

"Women troubles" Fredricks took a guess, but sounded like he was answering for Knuckles.

"Yeah you could say that" he sighed.

"Well there are going to be plenty of young lasses arriving here tonight for you to enjoy" Fredricks said with chuckle. It didn't improve his mood, but Knuckles gave the old man a kind smile.

"Thank you" he said and laid back.

Eventually the rooms would slowly be filled one by one. Tails seemed to have invited nearly everybody he knew. This was both good and bad.. Tails would arrive next and would be in the room across from his beloved best friend Sonic. Others would arrive as well like Mighty and Espio from the chaotix, but something that Tails did not expect happened as well.

SALLY

Sally Acorn stood at the entrance of the resort with her companions: Julie Su the Echidna, Amy Rose, and Mina Mongoose. They were carrying tons of bags and they were in their finest winter coats and jackets.

"This place is great for winter break!" Mina said allowed to her acquaintances. She didn't know them that well, but to go skiing in a week for such a cheap price? Of course she had to come.

"Yeah it should be nice getting away from those boys for a while" Sally said with a sigh, but had a nice wide smile on her face. Her auburn hair drifted in the wind and she knocked on the door.

"Thanks for inviting me Julie" Amy said softly to her mentor.

"Of course I invited you Amy! You're one of my closest friends. And we all needed some serious girl time. And who knows what boys will be waiting for us inside!" It had been almost a week since she had spoken to Knuckles. There last fight really hurt her, but they needed to be apart. Fredricks entered the door without a seconds hesitation.

"Hello madams! Please come in!" he opened the door which revealed Espio and Mighty sitting beside the fireplace. At first the girls didn't notice them due to their bags in their faces, but Espio knew immediately when he saw Julie Su's pink hair. He turned invisible and ran to the stairs to inform his friend Knuckles. He opened the door in a panic and silently woke his old friend.

"Knuckles my friend do not panic there is something that may cause a disturbance" Knuckles woke from his nap with a frown.

"Is she here?" he almost whispered. Espio gave a nod and pat his head.

"Maybe she really just is your destiny Knuckles"

"If she was my destiny she wouldn't have slept with that guy" he said in disgust.

"I am truly sorry my friend" he left Knuckles alone in his dark room.

Back downstairs the girls were talking loudly by the fireplace. Mighty still wasn't noticed sitting beside the mini bar. He had that tendency to become invisible like Espio, only he didn't have to actually become invisible.

"TAILS what are you doing here?" Sally yelled when she saw him coming down the stairs.

"What? What are you doing here? I booked this place for me and the guys this week! You said it was a great place to come and relax!"

"I said it will be a great place for ME to relax this week!"

"Oh well I didn't know you meant this week!" Sally palm smacked her own face when she heard this.

"Please don't tell me you invited Knuckles" Julie Su asked very quietly.

"Yes he did" Mighty said from the back of the bar. They all almost jumped out of their skins when he spoke. "Listen guys we can all enjoy this place. It seems big enough for all of us, and it's not like anybody else is coming" he said in an optimistic tone.

"Mighty is right" Amy spoke with a cheer. "We'll all have a great time! Especially now that Sonic must be here" everybody nearly fell over from the awkwardness.

The front door slammed open with a crash when a girl with high heels and a dark figure stood behind her.

"Well if it isn't my favorite freedom fighters, looks like we are going to have a fun week coming up" Rouge spoke with a grin. Shadow appeared from behind her with a angered look on his face.

"Ah great you weaklings are here. I'm sure my favorite faker is here as well to spoil our time" he said with disgust.

Sonic could hear the yelling and crashing from downstairs, but did his best to ignore all the chaos in the air. He hesitantly went downstairs and found the room next to his was ajar. The sounds of voices were coming from up the stairs so he dashed into the dark room and shut the door.

"Oh Sonic what do you want?" Knuckles said with curiosity.

"Oh crap I'm sorry I didn't know this was your room man. I'm just hiding uh hiding from everybody else" he said with a shallow laugh.

"I know what you mean. I can't stand those psycho girls" he said softly. "Are they up here already?"

"Yeah man, but Julie Su is out there. Aren't you guys still dating?"

"Ah we uh kind of-"

"Ah it's none of my business man. Sorry though"

"It's alright. What about you and Sal-"

"I uh – "

"Nah I understand man, we don't have to talk about it"

"Thanks man. Mind if I stay awhile"

"Of course man. It's better than moping alone." He motioned for him to take a seat.

"Some vacation eh?"

TO BE CONTINUED