Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Sonic and the characters used in this fan fiction are copyrighted by SEGA, Sonic Team Corp., DHX Media, and Archie Comics.

What's good, people? Looks like it's time for another update! On the last exciting (not really) episode of "Fist of Chaos", Sonic was relieved to know that he made the cut as one of the participants. He and 15 other competitors were given the rundown of the tournaments rules and regulations (yawn) and proceeded to a data processing procedure. However, Sonic runs into a familiar face he wishes he hadn't recognized. And just who could THAT be?!

Tournament Start: A Bitter Reunion

It seemed as though fate was playing a sick joke on the pitiful hedgehog that day. "Knuckles the Echidna?!" Sonic exclaimed in disbelief. A red, dread-locked echidna looked in the direction his name was spoken. The instant sight of Sonic nearly made him burst a brain vessel from sheer rage. Knuckles abruptly stood from his seat. The 18-year-old echidna stood 5 feet 10 inches tall with the physique of a light heavyweight boxer. Knuckles was well fitted with a crimson gakuran, but it was much different than its traditional design. The sleeves of his shirt were completely ripped off, exposing his toned, muscular arms. The shirt itself was left unbuttoned, revealing a white crescent across Knuckles' pectoral muscles, as well as a series of bandage wraps around his chiseled abs. On the back of the shirt was a green cobra in all its intimidating glory. Boxing tape wrapped around half of Knuckles' forearms and covered his sharp, pointy knuckles. The trousers were no exception to a modification. On the left pant leg was a large orange flame design. In that very flame was the word "CHAOTIX" airbrushed in green and yellow. The last 2 inches of each pant leg were neatly tucked into each of Knuckles' red, green, yellow, and metal plated boots.

Knuckles angrily approached Sonic and questioned, "Just what the hell are YOU doin' here, chump?" Sonic playfully twiddled his thumbs and replied, "Oh, nothing special. I just figured I'd catch a movie, maybe make some new friends, and bake cookies and cupcakes. Who knows? Maybe we can even sing songs around a bonfire and tell ghost stories. What do you THINK I'm here for, genius?!" It instantly registered in Knuckles' mind that Sonic was competing in the tournament. "Look, I dunno what kinda dope you're on that made you think about signing up, but keep in mind that this is a FIGHTING tournament. You'd better take ya dumb ass to a dance contest with those bullshit moves of yours." Knuckles irritably commented, referring to Sonic's unique, flashy fighting style. Offended by his rival's remarks, Sonic snapped "Dumb ass? Look who's talking! And I gotta say, that's some awfully big talk, coming from somebody that barely held his own against my so-called 'bullshit moves!'" Knuckles growled in anger, remembering the fateful night he and Sonic first bumped heads.

FLASHBACK- 2 YEARS AGO…

Nestled deep in the city of Westopolis, there lies a venue where a secret fighting federation was founded. The federation has been under investigation of law for scheduling illegal cage fights, supposedly run by a nationwide crime organization. No matter how much research was conducted, little to no evidence led to this rumor being true. The cage matches were held under one simple rule: Two competitors entered, but only one exited. The victor would be rewarded small cut of the funds earned by the federation that night. The loser would be banished from returning to the venue and forever shamed- this was if they actually LIVED through the brawl, of course. Some brawlers would fight to make a reputation for themselves. Others would fight to fatten their wallets. In a certain echidna's case, it was for both reasons. Knuckles, who was 16 years old at the time, had visited this venue and emerged victorious many a night. Such victories have earned him a list of aliases, such as "Kid Chaotix", "Rad Red", and "Angel Island Demon." Knuckles was known in every corner of his city for his hardcore demeanor, lightning speed, solid form, and above all, his abnormally super strength for someone his age and size.

To Knuckles, this didn't come as a big deal. Since the age of 4, his father trained him in Boxing and Kickboxing on a level competing with that of a world professional. At an early age he made superb progress. During his youth, he was told of his lineage to the planet's most feared and respected warrior race in history; the Knuckles Clan. Howbeit, Knuckles, his father, and his mother were the last living descendants. Because of the legacy his ancestors have left before their near extinction, Knuckles fought vigorously in every battle, ensuring that the honor of the majestic tribe would live on. One day, Knuckles' father left him at age 11 after an argument with his mother, concerning something about a "guardian." Aside from partaking in fisticuffs for his heritage and self-pride, Knuckles used the fight money he earned to financially help his mother at home (unbeknownst to many).

It was yet another night for Knuckles to showcase his skills. As he walked down the dark hallway of the building, he could feel his adrenaline pumping the closer he got to the entrance of the venue. The bass of the aggressive, grimy hip-hop beat he chose as his intro was so heavy that it shook the walls of the narrow passage. "IIIINNN THE LEFT CORNER, STANDING AT 5'9", WEIGHING A SOLID 160 POUNDS, THE YOUNG KING OF THE RING, BACK TO RAISE HELL IN THE CELL; KNNNNNUCKLLLLLLES THE ECHIIIIIDNAAAAAAAA!" The crowd roared with uncontrollable anticipation as Knuckles entered the cage and casually leaned in the corner with his arms crossed. In Knuckles' mind, this evening wouldn't be any different than the others. His opponent would enter the ring with an immediate fear or underestimation. Once the bell rung, Knuckles would make quick and easy work of his unsuspecting adversary, attacking with speedy but super powerful strikes. It would be a typical night for him. Suddenly, the music switched to a thrilling rock instrumental as the announcer blazoned, "AAAAND IN THE RIGHT CORNER, A NEW CHALLENGER, STANDING 5' 7.5" AND WEIGHING 146 POUNDS, THE 'BLUE BLUR' OF CENTRAL CITY; SOOONIIIIIIIIIIIC THE HEEEEDGEHOOOOOOOOOG!" As Knuckles watched Sonic enter the ring, a red flag was raised in his brain. Westopolis High School and Central City High School's sports teams and student bodies had an unbelievably hostile relationship for years. Each of their supporting fan bases only fanned the flames, which would occasionally result in huge brawls at their sporting events. This served as icing on the cake, as two representatives from two rival schools would battle for dominance.

Both Knuckles and Sonic walked to the center of the ring for a quick exchange of words. Knuckles chuckled and said, "So, one of you Central City cowards finally had the nerve to step on OUR turf, huh? ALONE, at that. You've got balls- I'll give ya that. But you're just as stupid, 'cause now, you have to go back to Central City after I embarrass you in front of the whole damn crowd." Rolling his eyes, Sonic scoffed, "Embarrassed? Moi? Tch. Don't get ahead of yourself, dude. Last time I checked, your basketball team hasn't been doing too well this year. CCH set me here to save THEM the trouble of kicking your school's ass, again." Knuckles sucked his teeth in annoyance. "All jokes aside- not that those were jokes- I'm just here to have a little fun n' make some extra pocket change," said Sonic. Knuckles grew irritated with his opponent's cavalier perspective on something he was so passionate about. How dare this simple minded oaf refer to a sport that Knuckles constantly put his reputation, finance, and even his life on the line for as "a little fun?" Knuckles inched closer to Sonic. "Fun?! If you're lookin' for fun, then take a trip to a carnival or somethin'. You ain't gonna find nothin' here but a quick boot up ya ass!" he hissed. Sonic whistled and replied, "Seems like SOMEBODY'S got a stick up theirs', from what I'm seeing. Tell you what: How 'bout we raise the stakes a bit? We'll fight to see who the better school is. The loser either transfers to another school, or tells every student that the winner's school is Numero Uno." Knuckles was getting disgusted with Sonic's mockery. Nevertheless, this was an offer he wouldn't refuse. "Hmph! Alright. Deal! This'll give me a LEGIT reason to whoop your ass, now!" "You really think it's gonna be that easy, don't ya, Dreads?" Sonic retorted. Knuckles cracked his knuckles and neck and replied, "Give me 30 seconds. I'll show better than I can tell you. C'mon!" Knuckles raised his guard and assumed his fighting stance, with Sonic following suit.

*DING!*

At the immediate sound of the bell, Sonic and Knuckles charged at each other. Both fighters threw a single punch, but ended up with their forearms clashing like blades in a sword fight. The two teens side-stepped each other and prepared for their next attacks. Sonic threw a roundhouse kick, then a spinning reverse roundhouse kick from his other leg. Both of which were easily dodged by Knuckles. "Let's see how you like THIS!" said Sonic. Next, he crouched down and attacked with a low roundhouse kick aimed at the side of Knuckles' rib cage. Knuckles was able to block the surprise attack, but narrowly escaped the halo windmill sweep that followed. Sonic spun around in a one-armed handstand and asked, "What's the matter? Is this 'Central City coward' shakin' you up?" Unfazed by his opponent's taunt, Knuckles confidently answered, "Hmph! That wasn't even a warm up! I have yet to show you what I got!" "Well then, show me, O' atrocious one," said Sonic, flipping back to his feet. Knuckles scowled and replied, "Ain't gotta tell ME twice!" Knuckles aggressed, full throttle, with a quick combination of punches. Sonic avoided all strikes with grace and agility. "Hehehe. I'll admit you're pretty fast, but you've got NOTHIN' on me when it comes to speed," he commented. "What's that supposed to mean?" Knuckles replied in aggravation. "Here; let me show you how it SHOULD be done!" Sonic said as a devious smirk crept upon his face.

Quickly closing the distance, Sonic unleashed a barrage of super speedy strikes upon Knuckles. Although some were blocked, most of them made full contact at a number of ranges. "Damn it! This guy's way faster than I thought. I dunno if I can block any more of these!" Knuckles thought as he held his guard. In spite of the great endurance Knuckles had against Sonic's moderately damaging strikes, the quantity of blows landed quickly caused wear and tear on the echidna. "What was that about 30 seconds? Heh. You'd better set a clock for 30 MINUTES dealing with ME!" Sonic bragged as he threw a spinning reverse roundhouse kick. To Sonic's bewilderment, Knuckles weaved to avoid the kick, leaving Sonic open for an offensive! "DON'T SCREW WITH ME!" barked a furious Knuckles. He instantly counter attacked with a heavy jab in Sonic's face, a body shot, and a hook to his jaw. Sonic staggered back, his vision blurred and head ringing. "Maybe I underestimated this guy. Sure, he might not be as fast as me, but MAN, is he strong! His punches felt like I got clocked with bricks of lead," Sonic thought as he wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth.

Sonic quickly regained composure as Knuckles came at him with a spinning back fist, which he barely evaded. Knuckles' onrush continued with a spinning side kick to a roundhouse kick on the same leg. Sonic eluded both kicks with a precisely timed back flip, but took a side kick to the chest, courtesy of Knuckles' free leg. The kick was so powerful that it knocked Sonic into the fence of the cage, sending him into a momentary daze. Sonic may have been down, but he was certainly not out. "Ggh. T-there's no way in hell I'm gonna lose to this creep," he said to himself as he struggled to his feet. Refusing to let up, Knuckles attempted to throw a punch at Sonic while he was down, but Sonic rolled to the middle of the ring to escape the trap. Knuckles rushed to the center, throwing a jump roundhouse kick. In that instant, Sonic dodged the kick by lying on his back in a tucked position. As Knuckles' leg swung over him, Sonic spun on his back, awaiting an opening in Knuckles' defense. Once an opening was found, Sonic launched himself off the floor and, while upside down, planted a dynamic kick directly into Knuckles' chin, knocking him off his feet. Still in mid-air, Sonic performed a half backflip and landed a dropkick into the echidna's chest, sending him crashing to the floor. The audience went wild from witnessing the feat. In defiance of Knuckles being the #1 contender of the ring, no one had ever seen a fighter hold his own against him for as long as Sonic did. "Okay. I'm done playing around. Let's get serious," said Sonic, a solemn glare in his eyes. Rising back to his feet, Knuckles spat out a gob of blood and replied, "Glad to know we're finally on the same page. Now, I don't have to hold back!"

As the fight progressed, the two continued to contend with each other, blow for blow, for what felt like hours. With every passing second, Sonic and Knuckles damaged each other, but kept fighting. With every moment, the two teenaged warriors would deceive one another in an ongoing battle of wits, finesse, and technique. All the while, they continued to trade arrogant remarks. Both were built to go the distance: One person's strength would rival the other, while one's speed would rival that of his opponent's. Sonic and Knuckles' most powerful physical assets seemed to be evenly matched in way that was incomprehensible. Finally, the battle's longevity had begun to diminish, as both Sonic AND Knuckles had beaten each other to the brink of exhaustion. Battered, bruised, and bloodied, the two fighters were barely able to remain standing. Be that as it may, the fact that both had found an adversary that would push them to their limits made them want to continue. "Hahaha. I can't lie: I'm impressed. This guy is the real deal. I'm surprised I made it THIS long against him," Sonic thought as he panted forcefully and observed his rival from afar. Knuckles, equally drained of his energy, thought, "Man. Never in my life have I fought somebody like him. THIS must be what a TRUE brawl feels like. Nonetheless…"

"…this is where it ends!"

Fueled by their burning fury, as well as their egos, it was as if the two shared the exact same thoughts. Both prepared for one final attack that would seal the outcome of the match. As Sonic and Knuckles charged at each other, passionate battle cries escaping the very depths of their souls, both combatants simultaneously struck one another. Sonic landed a devastating roundhouse kick on Knuckles' head, whereas Knuckles landed an equally power-packed cross jab on Sonic's face. As a result, both fighters fell on their backs from the exchanged blows.

*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*

The bell had rung. The match was over. The entire venue was left awestruck from a shocking conclusion that never occurred. Neither Sonic nor Knuckles were able to stand and proclaim victory. The final result was officially confirmed as a draw! In anguish, Sonic laughed, "I-I wonder which one our schools is the b-best, now…eheheheh…uuuh." With his energy completely depleted, Sonic passed out. Knuckles, on the other hand, wasn't as pleased with the outcome. "T-this isn't over, hedgehog. N-not by a long shot," Knuckles moaned as he, too, faded into a state of unconsciousness.

END OF FLASHBACK

Knuckles was seething after the haunting stroll down memory lane. "Let's get one thing understood: what happened 2 years back won't happen again. THAT much I can guarantee! Then again, why wait for the tournament to start when we can settle this right here and NOW?!" Knuckles challenged as he shoved Sonic. Far from intimidated by Knuckles' aggression, Sonic was willing to go toe-to-toe at a moment's notice. "Well, there's no time like the present!" replied Sonic. Before an outright brawl could commence, security rushed over to the two teens and separated them. "Hey! HEY! COOL IT! BOTH OF YOU!" A massive rhinoceros commanded. "YEAH! BREAK IT UP, YOU TWO! SAVE THAT CRAP FOR THE TOURNAMENT!" An equally large gorilla remarked. The fight ended before it could start, yet there was still evident animosity between Sonic and Knuckles. "Your ass is grass, Sonic. Bet on it!" The rugged echidna vowed as he departed for his processing. Although his resolve was not swayed, Sonic realized that the mission to rescue Uncle Chuck was nevertheless jeopardized. "If he's competing in the tournament, then winning may be tougher than I thought. And I haven't even seen what the other fighters can do, yet," Sonic said to himself.

2 Weeks Later…

Kyutozaka Perfecture- Crimson Cloak Enterprise Headquarters 8:40 p.m.

Another day has ended. Crimson Cloak Enterprise has seen yet another day of hard work. Everyone has left the office to enjoy what's left of the evening; everyone except for a few security guards and two employees. On one of the highest tiers of the large corporate establishment, a lime green hedgehog walks into an information system laboratory to check on one of its top associates. "Pulling another all-nighter, Mai?" the hedgehog said to a female red panda. Mai spun from her computer to face him. "Mm-hmm. The day would have been over hours ago if we weren't holding this tournament." The hedgehog hunched his shoulders. "Hey, don't blame me. I'm just the assistant. Take it up to the top dog," he stated, sipping from his can of soda. Mai sighed, "I know. I know. This database of files is just so extensive for only 16 entries. It's taken me all day to get the travel arrangements, battlegrounds and so many other things organized and locked in the system." Not wanting to see the beautiful red panda suffer any longer, the hedgehog commented, "Listen, Mai. You've been working too hard on this ever since they made the announcement. You keep this up any longer n' you're gonna burn yourself out." "I understand, but-"

"Ah, ah, ah. No 'buts,'" the hedgehog interrupted. "Tell you what: I'll take care of the rest of the work for you. How bad could it be?" Flabbergasted by his suggestion, Mai replied, "A-are you sure? I mean, it would be greatly appreciated, but there's a lot of information that needs to be reviewed before it's finalized and sent away." "Not a problem. Just head home for the day. You've done enough. And hey. If you need a little extra 'stress relief', I'm always willing to lend a hand… or two," said the hedgehog with an amorous smirk. The red panda returned a devilish smile of her own and teased, "Now, now. You must remember: business before pleasure." "True, but who ever said we can't find pleasure doing 'business?'" The hedgehog seductively replied, coming within an inch of distance to her lovely visage. Mai sensually placed her index finger on his lips before he could proceed. "We'll have to save this for another time." "Aww, you're no fun!" the hedgehog playfully pouted, "Don't sweat it, Mai. You're in good hands. Just rest up, 'kay?" With a nod and a wink, Mai gratefully replied, "I know I am. Thanks again, Manic. Goodnight!"

Manic the Hedgehog, 24, is the vice president of Crimson Cloak Enterprise. Several years ago Manic was confronted by a childhood friend who asked him to join the corporate world. He initially refused the proposition, wishing to stay with his family. However, once his old acquaintance threatened the very people Manic held dearly, he reluctantly decided to join forces, leaving his home without warning. Throughout the years of his affiliation with Crimson Cloak Enterprise, Manic has been one of the top officers of the mega-corporation. Next to the CEO himself, Manic has been responsible for the expansion and stabilization of the company. With a savvy laid back demeanor and intelligence in a diverse range of skill sets, he has the uncanny ability to oversee any department Crimson Cloak Enterprise operates with ease (even members of Kyutozaka's military). With not only great leadership skills, but an open mind and heart, Manic garnered the respect and admiration of thousands (especially females). In spite of his hand in the empire's consistent growth, Manic felt guilt and discontent with the measures he would often have to resort to for successful results. He had to constantly force himself to believe that it was all part of the job.

The hedgehog took his seat in front of the computer, stretching his fingers as he prepared for the moderate work load. "Let's get this party started," Manic said as he clicked on the files of the first competitor. "Hm. She's pretty cute. Waaaaay below the age limit, though," Manic commented on the picture of a pink teenage hedgehog. 15 minutes later, he looked into the profile of an enormous beige polar bear. "Hoooooly hell! HE'S gonna be in the tournament? I haven't seen this guy fight in years! Boy, do I feel sorry for the poor bastard HE has to fight!" Manic exclaimed in excitement. For over 2 hours, he reviewed each contestant's profile thoroughly to ensure all the arrangements and information was correct. Rest assured; the administrative division had exceeded the company's expectations. Manic was pleased with the roster (somewhat). "Geez. Another one? What's up with all these kids entering a friggin' blood sport?" he commented as he viewed the files of a yellow adolescent squirrel. As another 20 minutes passed, Manic began to review the profile of a sexy white bat that earned an uncontainable cat call. "HOT DAMN! If I knew a babe like her would be entering, I would've signed up, myself," he remarked, taking a few extra minutes of thorough insight.

Finally, Manic was down to the last three contestants. Having just finished reviewing the files of a silver combatant that looked more like a comic book super hero, he scrolled to see who the following entry was. The next name Manic saw, however, nearly made his heart stop beating. "S-SONIC?!" He couldn't believe his eyes, but it was true. His long-lost little brother, Sonic the Hedgehog, was one of the competitors of the Fists of Chaos tournament. "God, he's grown so much. I haven't seen his face since I…" Manic, instantly recollecting the events of his childhood leading to the trials, tribulations, and misdeeds of his current line of employment, realized that Sonic was in grave danger. He knew not of Sonic's motives for his entry, but had a hunch that they were of dire urgency. Seeing and experiencing the immeasurable deviance of Crimson Cloak Enterprise and Robotnik Technology Group, first-hand, Manic knew no good would come of this. Should Sonic make it to the final battle of the tournament, he would face an opponent so powerful and ruthless that his survival against them would not be promised. This was an outcome Manic could not allow! Upon finishing his work, Manic immediately departed from the corporate headquarters. "Even if I have to chase him around the world, I'm gonna find Sonic and stop him. I've got to end this before it all begins," Manic vowed, "I just hope I can reach him in time. Still, the hardest part will be showing my face after all these years…"

Whelp, that's about it for this chapter, ladies n' gents. Figured I go back to the old days where Knux was the ORIGINAL rival (O.G., son). Stay tuned, 'cause now things are REALLY gonna kick up since the tournament officially starts! If it was too lengthy, my apologies, but I can only make these chapters as long or short as they're envisioned.

By the way, as far as that "halo windmill" is concerned, that's actually a breakdancing move. If anyone doesn't know what it looks like, look up the video "Windmill Variations Breakdance" on YouTube. Just wanted Sonic's fighting style to stay true to its "b-boy" roots. Anyways, leave a review with the good, bad and ugly. As always, constructive criticism is welcome. Hope you all enjoyed and thanks for reading! Deuces, silly gooses!

Author's inspirational playlist:

Unknown from M.E (instrumental) - Sonic Adventure 2 Ost

Neck uv da Woods (instrumental) - Mystikal ft. Outkast

Night of Tempest- Dragonball Z Budokai 3 Ost

Dante's Office 7 Hell's Battle- Devil May Cry 3 Ost

Authentic Sky- Tekken 4 Ost

Fetus- Tekken 4 Ost

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