(((Woo, suspense, neh? Now we have a high-speed car chase/gunfight, Nikki's STILL missing, Aka's alive, Sonic and Tails are being completely neglected from the story…. Kinda hard to do since the category reads "Sonic the Hedgehog," right? Oh, and SOMETHING just happened to Tarsa and Knux. I alone know what it is, hee hee.

Sonic: for once, she knows where these strange happenings are going.

Nack: woohoo! I gots a bigger part in tha fic -does little awkward weasel dance-

Knuckles: grapes, he's weird.

-.-.-it's a little obvious that I don't own Sonic by now. And the game industries are fighting so, I'm not entirely sure who does. Look it up. I'm lazy.-.-.-

Chapter 16- Oh My Goddess!

Paranoia was thick in the air of the cool SUV. AC on full blast, some quiet rock playing, we were silent. All probably deep in thought.

I looked to Espio as I was sitting shotgun (as usual) studying his expressionless face for a hint of emotion. My satisfaction came when he looked to me and smiled, golden eyes whispering reassurance. I took his arm, nuzzling against it and sighing. That's all I needed.

"So…" Poe began, looking out the rear window cautiously. "No sign of anyone following…. You don't think they have a tracer on us?"

We didn't reply. Mainly because I'm pretty sure neither of us had a clue. Should've grabbed an extra bottle of Johnny Walker when I had the chance….. I'll need it later…

"What if…"

"Poe, truthfully, I don't want to fathom 'what if.'" And with that, I turned up the volume, the earthy voice of our late Janis Joplin soothing a few of my mental pains.

The road was clear ahead and behind. Espio kept to the lesser-used backroads to avoid unnecessary exposure. It would take a little longer, but the way was rather scenic…

I've forgotten to mention where we were headed. Well….. eh….. I wasn't quite sure. Poe had gone over the map with Espio at a previous stop, and I wasn't really paying much attention… shame on me. Well, if it came my turn to drive, I suppose I'd be filled in. Anyway I had faith in the two of them, my hubby mainly. Hubby, heh. Cute word, ain't it? That's the title I gave the strong, silent stranger sitting juxtapose from me. Not "boyfriend" or "lover." (although I suppose the latter would be appropriate now…) Just hubby. He'd look at me funny if I told him. I'll keep it to me'self.

What happened? How did I swing back into the straight lane so quickly? I thought for sure I'd sworn off men for good at age fifteen (we go through all sorts of strange stages at fifteen. Mine just happened to be permanent). I guess it was a long phase of sorts…. or maybe it just took the right man…..

I closed my eyes, resting my forehead against his arm. The cool air was beginning to make me sluggish and drowsy, and it might have been a few hours before our next stop. I dozed off to the sweet tones of Janis' "Summertime."

( AN-Both Kai and Espio are cold-blooded. Ever notice lizards get lethargic in the cold? Yeah, well, there ya have it! I bet you never thought of that, huh?)

-o-

Elsewhere, heading the opposite direction and toward oncoming traffic….

To tell the truth, I was having fun.

It had been a year or two since I'd been given a run for my money…. Not countn' the little confrontation with that Rouge….. and I hadn't given Queenie a good workout in a longer while than I'd like.

(AN- Nack calls his motorcycle the "Glorious Queen" or some equally odd name…. my version is an enhanced version of it, with wheels because the whole hover thing seems too strange for me at the moment.)

Lucky for me, I know a thing or two about maneuvering. Damn lucky. My heart was thumping in my throat as I swerved between cars, the loud blare of car horns and the screech of tires in my wake. Hell yes! What a rush!

Unfortunately, this didn't faze my new adversary. He just went ahead and plowed into a small sedan, sending it careening into the median. The other cars were smart enough to steer clear.

"Damn… persistent bastard…."

I kicked into overdrive, hearing the engine roar, satisfyingly deafening. My pursuer was left in the dust.

I swiveled around and hopped on an exit when I found one. I decided I'd be better off heading for a city. Monotreme? What kinda name is that? Ah, who gives. A city's a city. As long as there's a nice alleyway for me to hang out in 'till the coast's clear… maybe even a couple jewelry stores calling for my attention….damn that Nikki. I thought her mom woulda taught her better than-

I almost fell off my bike as that gawdamn sports car rammed into me again. He better not have left a dent…..

So, I sped ahead again. I figured I'd wasted enough bullets on this fucker, and I couldn't aim worth shit turned around on a bike. The race was on.

I weaved between a few more cars and cut off a semi. Close shave….. Anyhow, the Maserati was left behind and I was on my way to safety.

I pulled into a nice dark empty ally and hopped off my prized bike, immediately checking it over for damage. A SCRATCH! Ohhh, that sonofabitch would pay…..

I sat heavily and rested against a dank brick wall, catching my breath and removing my hat. A run for my money if I ever had one. Yup. Today was a good day.

I watched the sky grow dim, the city illuminating in its nightly fluorescent glow… I was content to stay put until my stomach protested otherwise. Ah, well. He may have given up by now. I wondered which person I pissed off to deserve this. Then again, there are a few…

I reloaded my pistol, grabbed my pack from Queenie, and headed out to find some cheap food. Free preferably.

As I was stepping out of the ally, I heard a metallic click, and froze to the spot. My stomach sank, and the stab of hunger left instantly. He found me. Oh, fuck….

"You put up quite a chase. Congratulations."

The voice was feminine. Surprise there. She had a heavy accent, close to French, but there was something else to it…. I turned to have a look.

She was a cat, mauve in color, with creamy off-white tufts on her chest and tail. Her eyes shone eerily in the dimness, reflecting the dull lamplight above. (AN- you know, when light reflects off a cat's corneas? That freakish evil glowy-eye thing? Nevermind. --)

She wore a brown buttondown shirt with the sleeves pushed up and some tight, hiphugger jeans. Not bad…. I'd have hit on her if she weren't trying to kill me. Of course, it may have come to this anyway in that case. Hehe.

"I have a few questions. I'd appreciate it if you answered them."

I shrugged. "Shoot."

She stepped closer, her pistol still trained on me. She tilted her head slightly, glowing eyes narrowing as if she were sizing me up. I fought against the urge to squirm with discomfort.

"What connection do you have with the Unholy Trinity?"

"The who?" I then realized that was the wrong answer. I winced as she touched the cool barrel of her gun to my forehead.

"I will ask you again. What connection-"

"Awright! I heard ya the first time!" I twitched an ear in nervous annoyance. "Look, lady, I don't have a fucking clue what yer talkin' about! Now if you'd get that thing outa my face, I'd be obliged."

I yelped and ducked as she fired a round over my head. The bullet had grazed my ear and BOY did it sting….

"Last chance."

"Hey, what answer do you want? What do you want me to say? I don't know!"

She rammed her gun into my temple forcefully, baring her sharp teeth. How a harmless little cat could be so intimidating was beyond me… but she was. It was "yes ma'am" from then on. Yup. That's for sure.

"The lizard. You gave her something at the gas station. Where did you send them, eh? What instructions did you assign to them?"

"Who…. the… what….but…. look!" I pulled out the little wallet picture of Nikki. "I was asking her if she saw my niece! That's it, I swear! I'm just an average guy! Please believe me here…"

She took the picture from my hand to look at it, removing her gun from my head. My body slumped with relief and my knees felt a little weak. I'll be fine, I'll be fine. Whew…

"I'm inclined not to believe you, weasel." She stated simply, handing back the photo.

"Why? Seriously, I'm not the kinda guy to help people out…. If that's what you're accusin' me of."

She just stared at me narrowly for a few more minutes, then slipped her gun into a holster strapped to her leg.

"I'll be watching you. For your sake, I hope you're telling the truth."

And with that, she turned and walked away. Good riddance. Bitch…

I staggered back into the ally and sat back against the wall, waiting for the adrenalin high to wear off. I'd have to watch my back a little better from now on…..

-o-

…… remember the code……

"yes….. I shall…."

Victory warrants reward, an inner fulfillment and no more.

"Disgrace…."

Disgrace warrants duty, the duty is seppuku.

"I know…."

You cannot live with disgrace. That breaks the code. The code is bushido, and no one is above it.

"Seppuku…… duty….."

Her hand instinctively reached for her tanto, but felt damp sheets instead.

"The duty….. my duty…."

She opened a dark brown eye, wincing against the light, drawing shallow, uncertain breaths.

"W…wuh…."

"Ey! She's alive!" a skunk called to his shipmates.

"….unfortunately…"

Both eyes opened wide, taking in her surroundings. What she could see was a low room painted in tainted chipping white paint, a sink with a cracked mirror above it in the corner. A string fastened to opposing pipes on either side of the room spanned the short distance and held the weight of her drying clothes. She looked up, pointed ears flipping forward as a lemur stepped through the stout, oval door.

"Hey, well waddaya know. Yoko's come-to after all. You hungry, lil' lady?"

She sneered at his tone, painfully rolling onto her side. She didn't deserve to eat.

"Ah, Jonesy, bring her around some oatmeal and eggs. Coffee if we still have it."

"Aye aye." The skunk dubbed Jonesy stood and exited. The lemur sighed, rubbing at his disheveled hair and switching his tail before stepping over and sitting in the folding chair next to the cot.

"Do you remember what happened to you?" his rasped voice asked with concern.

She shuddered bitterly. She hadn't expected any of this to happen. If only her skull had been crushed with the impact, if only the boat hadn't even been there…

"Okaaay, let's start with your name. I doubt it's Yoko…."

"I am nameless." she snapped, her bare back to him. She pulled the thin sheets tightly around her, curling her tail more closely to her body.

"…..alright. Yoko it is, then. Remember anything? Like, who dropped you….?"

"I wasn't dropped, imbecile…." She hissed. She left it at that. They might try to stop her from fulfilling her duty if she divulged her true intentions.

"Fine, then. The bump on your head must be getting to you. I'll see if I can get more painkillers." He stood.

"Don't bother. I deserve the pain."

He eyed her uneasily before ducking out the door.

-o-

"Knux? duuuuuude? Hellooooooooooooooo?" Sonic called, walking the vast halls of the Fairchild mansion.

He peeked through the door of Knuckles' room, ears twitching.

"Helloo?"

"Who goes?" asked a light, crystalline voice.

"eh…. I do. I guess…. Who….where…"

The speaker appeared in a flash of white, ethereal smoke directly in front of him. This caused him to squeak, trip over his own feet, and land on his backside on the cool marble.

"What the hell….?"

The white echidna smiled knowingly, offering a hand.

"Don't be frightened."

He hesitatingly took the delicate hand and allowed her to pull him to his feet.

"You must be the one called Sonic." She stated.

He blinked, confused by the awkward situation and nodded dumbly.

"I am Lumina." She touched a thin white hand to her chest. He noticed she was wearing gauze-like fabric that glowed slightly against her own brightness. She had slivery hair trailing silkily over her forehead and long, thin tendrils. Her blue eyes reminded him of cloudless sky….

"…… nice to…. meet you? Eh…. where's Knux?"

Her pristine brow furrowed slightly. "The one called Knuckles?"

"Yeah, eh, that's the one…."

She smiled knowingly again, eyes closing mirthfully as she placed her fingers to her mouth, giggling.

"The one called Knuckles is no longer."

Sonic's ears twitched with suspicion. "….. no longer than what? I don't get it. What the hell's going on anyway?"

His eyes widened as he spotted a dark form behind her. He yelped as it opened its glowing green eyes and began to advance to the two.

"Lady, look out!" he grasped her hand, only for it to dematerialize along with the rest of her. She appeared behind him, her large wings sprouted, opened and draped around the hedgehog protectively. He was thoroughly surprised, but allowed this, not knowing what else to do.

"Emris, desist at once! He is not a foe." Lumina ordered.

Sonic gasped. Standing before them was a green echidna dressed in brown leather. Two straps spanned his muscular chest, and he wore a gladiator-style kilt studded with black metal. Spiked locks of hair hung down over his eyes, and his tendrils were netted with Mayan designs made from the same black metal. His knuckle barbs were long and menacing; three-inch bone protruding through the fur.

"You." he rumbled.

"m….m….me?" Sonic ducked farther beneath the feathery barricade.

"I've seen you before."

"Really? Cause I'd remember you…."

"Silence, mortal!"

"eek…. Silencing." He gulped audibly.

The deity smirked, thumping his chest with a fist. "I am Myrthin Emris, master of the Emeralds." he executed a curt bow.

"Nifty. Hey, it's been fun, but I think I left a stove on somewhere and…"

"He lies in his fright." Lumina chuckled.

"Gee, that wasn't obvious." He lightly pushed aside the angelic wings and regarded Emris with a skeptical frown. He proceeded to walk around the echidna in close observation.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you looked exactly like Knuckles…. super Knuckles actually. Yeah, he turns green. That's right!" he snapped his fingers in discovery.

"So, are you Knuckles, or…." he scratched at an ear. Emris looked to Lumina frowning slightly in confusion.

She sighed, wings drooping. "We must find the elders of the estate. They were expecting this."

"SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK'S GOIN' ON HERE!"

Lumina took the hedgehog's arm in her own.

"The elders will explain."

Both deities looked up in alarm as a shrill voice called down the corridor.

"SOOOONIIIIC! Wait up! I-"

The fox, mid-flight, stopped short, dropping to his feet and staring widely at the two new faces. His ears flattened to his head in fear.

"Hey, it's fine. They're friendly….. or so I've gathered…. Anyway, you might as well tag along…… as usual…." He glanced to Lumina. "Lead the way!"

She nodded happily and the four strode down the corridor. Tails scooted close to Lumina, eyeing Emris with distrust.

"How weird could it possibly get?" he squeaked.

Don't worry, Tails. It's about to get a whole lot weirder.

-o-

The sand sprayed out in the wake of my jets, a rythmic rushing sound the only one made in the dense midday…. aside from the surf….. and my own loud thoughts…..

I pushed faster…. faster…. the salty air held me back. I strived faster still.

What's the point?

No one's gonna change my world…….

She did.

I swerved suddenly, halting. The breeze from my wake rushed to greet me, tasseling my quills wildly. I stared out at the ocean, eyes stinging from the dry air…. perhaps from hidden tears….

No more. No more. I'm done. Leave me be….

The cliff face rose high before me. I stepped to it, placing a hand to the warm, rough surface. I could feel the vibrations of the incoming train high above.

Why can't I stop thinking about her?

I screamed in rage, burying my fist in the rock, causing a spiderweb of cracks to branch from the abrasion. I punched again with the other fist, screaming again. gawdamnit…. Gawdamnit, forget about her!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" again and again, I released my wrath upon the cliff face, seeing those scarlet eyes through the rising, burning tears.

Sobbing, I staggered backward, tripping over a large rock and landing in the surf. I didn't care.
I loved her. I truly did. I realized then that I couldn't live without her. My life would only return to its empty, useless existence. I didn't think I'd mind…. I didn't mind before…. That was before I knew there was something to live for.

I stood, clenching my fists. I had to go back to her. I had to be there for her. SHE was my concern…. My child…… my responsibility….. my reason to live….

I felt the warmth of the emerald in my hand. The energy was close to spent…. I hoped I had enough…… I had to….. it was worth the risk, regardless.

Without further parry, I closed my eyes….. and concentrated on her face…. her room….her scent….

The yellow-golden essence engulfed me, and I teleported.

Her sleeping quarters melted into view. The minute my feet touched the ground, I called her name.

"Karpa! I'm back! Karpa?"

I sped off looking for her. Bathroom, empty…. Balcony, empty…. Closet, empty…hallway…..empty…. room after room I searched. I strained to smell her perfume, my eyes begged to catch a hint of gold….. none was found.

Hours passed. I was on my second search of the estate, skating through the halls at medium speed. Nothing….. nothing…. Where are you?

"KARPAAAAAAAAA!"

"Sir…?" a servant asked timidly. I swerved to a stop, panting and glaring at the grey raccoon.

"What?"

"Uh… you're looking for the heiress?"

"WHO ELSE?"

He fidgeted, looking away nervously.

"She… she left. Packed her bags… she didn't say where she was going… she just said she couldn't stay. She looked really sad….."

I was upon him in a second, my hands around his neck. I couldn't think straight. I wanted her back… I wanted someone to pay…. My vision clouded with red….. I slipped into instinct, gladly left my mind behind and allowed my bloodthirsty carnal propensities to take over…..

"s…s.….p….agck!...please…..n..no..nnnnh…" he rasped through his slowly-collapsing trachea. His hands helplessly clawed at the backs of mine… his eyes rolled back in his head….

A smile crept across my face as I felt the vertebrae separate, the flesh tear…. The warm blood seeped through my gloves, splattered my face….. calmed my soul. I let the body and head drop now as separate objects. The blood pooled around my feet.

….. what have I done?

(( FINALLY finished. Waa. This leaves suspense, it do. Unfortunately, the "enter deities" scene was a little more brief and corny than I'd have liked. I'll give a more descriptive introduction to the two probably in the next chappy. Anyway, Emris is Knux "possessed" by the Master Emerald. Possessed in the "nicer" sense. I'll explain later. Seeya.))