No more big notes for this chapter except that maybe I got a bit indulgent. This one was fun to imagine. Enjoy!
Unlikely
Chapter 4
"Alright, that about wraps us up the agenda for this one. I think we can scratch this last bullet right? Espio you covered everything about the Wispon Op before right? Everything is on track for Saturday?"
"Yeah, we're good there Knux."
"Great, well we can call it then as far as I'm concerned, unless the rest of you have anything else."
"Um… I have a question actually," Charmy pipes up.
It's 22:48 on a Sunday. The Command Crew are gathered in the Staging Room for another command meeting—technically. They still do command meetings, but they've become a bit less rigid. It's a standing appointment, 2200 Sundays and Wednesdays. No squadron or civilian reps, no stiff formality—just the seven of them, in a candid conversation about the state of the resistance.
It wasn't by design, but over the course of a few weeks it has become a thing typically discussed over late dinner, because really none of them manage to keep a healthily scheduled meal routine. At the very least, each meeting finds least one of them devouring a quick bite.
They don't all make it to every meeting. That is by design. Amy and Knuckles track their moving parts, keeping all parties—Command Crew and otherwise—informed of vital information, regardless of absence or attendance. The flexibility makes it work; the company usually keeps them there well past the last agenda bullet point.
For the first time in several gatherings, all seven of them are present this evening, and the've just about reached the tail end of business. For Knuckles, somewhere along the way, these meetings became the best part of his week. It is still work. Everything is work, but this feels like something else, even when they are just reviewing inventory lists, or plotting enemy movements.
"What's up Charms," Knuckles responds to the bee's hesitant request.
"Well, uh… people keep asking me questions about you Knuckles. I'm not really sure how to answer…"
"Right. That… Look, it's not a big deal. Just… tell them the… reasonable truth. As long as it's about what is going on at the resistance here, I don't care. I trust you to handle it."
"Yeah… that's the thing though. They're about… well, like the other day a someone literally asked me if you are a mystical being and if you've been sent here to save us…" Charmy cringes uncertainly as he says it.
"A… mystical… being..." Knuckles repeats it back slowly, trying to understand why that answer feels so bizarre.
"Well they ain't wrong exactly," Vector chips in with a hint of amusement.
Silver joins in, "That may be so, but I think this is an instance where we may need to manage the public's expectation a bit."
"It's just a bit'a curiosity man," the Croc counters.
Espio volleys back, "is it though? I've heard some of the same chatter myself."
Draped in doubtful exasperation, Vector replies, "so have I, but it's nothing that's gonna cause an uprising. Just stuff like, 'the top guy is super mysterious,"
"Is it likely to effect morale," Amy asks.
"Even it if could help moral, even well intentioned, it's likely to cause more issues in the long run," Espio answers her.
"Are you sure?" Charmy asks. "It's seemed to be a real comfort to the group that asked me. I didn't tell them no, and they seemed relived. I didn't say 'yes he's magical,' either, but, they all ran off rather excited anyway."
"Wait, wait, wait, Squirt—who exactly asked you? Is this that group of hooligans I've seen you hangin' round with," Vector chides. "Cause that makes a big difference."
"That was just one example! Other people have brought it up too. Even some of the Command room operatives asked questions."
"OK, listen all of you…" Rouge waits until she has everyones attention. "Look, I've spent the least time here on base of any of us. Even I have heard everything from, 'He's a Pangolin,' to 'He's the former head of GUNN.' Kid's got a valid point in bring it up. The question is just, do we want to do something about it?"
From there the room erupts into a buzz of conversation, with questions, thoughts, and many more examples of the rumors that are circulating. It goes on for a couple of minutes before one voice rises above the rest to silence it.
"ENOUGH!"
All eyes shift back to Knuckles, but it is Amy beside him, who's done at the yelling.
"Enough, everyone." She pointedly turns to Knuckles and asks, "What do you think Knuckles."
His brow furrows, as he considers all of their comments and his own thoughts. He takes his time before finally replying, "remind me all of you… how did you first find out about Angle Island?"
The question sparks a few brow raises.
"Well…" Amy speaks up first. "Sonic told me, but it was only after I'd met you a few times. I have to imagine he must have had your permission… or your trust at least."
Knuckles nods, then looks to the Chaotix who are grouped together at the far side of the table. Vector speaks for them. "We heard it straight from your mouth bro."
"Right." He nods again. "Rouge?"
"Found the details in intel I stole from Eggman," She replies unabashedly.
Knuckles lingers only briefly with that answer. He was somewhat aware of her account. Finally he turns to Silver. "And you?"
Silver matches Knuckles' furrowed expression, and seems somewhat hesitant when he speaks. "I'd… seen mention of the island in the future, before meeting any of you, but…it wasn't anything I'd payed much attention to."
"But you did know about it. Is it common knowledge then?"
Again, there is a long pause while Silver deliberates his answer. "No. I don't think so. I was a student of rather uncommon knowledge myself, so… I don't believe so. But you have to understand, the future is a fluid changing thing."
"But you studied a great number of histories correct? Did you ever cross a mention of my people?"
"Knuckles there is only so much I can say here. Hypothetically—perhaps the question is really more about modern references, as apposed to ancient ones, yes? I think it is likely; you've lived a close link to some of the most dramatic events of this time period, but… look, even here and now, an average citizen, doesn't know most of those things. It's the same for anyone in this room. The public hears whispers of legends. They don't know that those legends are all of you siting in this room. So, to answer the question I think you are asking—I don't think if you open up just a little bit… let people get to know you a bit more, not where you are from maybe, but just casually—it's not an automatic threat to the secrets you keep."
For a moment both of them are locked in a stare. Knuckles isn't sure himself if it is really the answer he was looking for.
"Maybe Silver is right Knuckles," Amy suggests gently. "Have you really gotten to know anyone here besides us?"
"No Amy." he bites back tiredly. "I've been working. You know where I am twenty-four seven. When do you think I would have gotten around to that? That aside, I know people. All the operatives on the command room crew, and I've been meeting with division and civilian leaders for weeks. Doesn't the count for something?"
"That's not exactly the same thing Gem," Rouge pops in.
"Wonderful. Rouge you told me to embrace the rumors in the first place!"
"She's right Knuckles," Amy presses again. "I think it would be good if you were a little more involved in the community."
"But that's not going to change the—" Knuckles cuts himself off, takes a long glance around the room at everyone around him, and drops a heavy breath. "I'm not going to win this argument am I?" The expressions around him range from apologetic to amused in response. He drags the palms of both mitts up over his eyes, and then down along his quills until they settle in an embrace around his neck. "Alright, alright, fine. What do I need to do about it?"
No one answers immediately.
Eventually it is Silver who speaks up. "Perhaps a first step might be to organize a small gathering made up of a wide sampling of the community. Given the opportunity to ask our Commander questions, and share any concerns, you may find, the focus will be less on you personally, and more about the state of the resistance itself."
"That's pretty good Silver," Amy responds. "It could work. I can organize something like that for sure."
"Depending on the day, we could all send a few people from our respective divisions," Espio suggests.
"Thoughts Knuckles," Rouge asks?
He has several thoughts about it, but decides to keep them to himself. "It sounds… reasonable I guess. Amy, you're going to take the lead on this? You sure that's not to much with everything else going on?"
"It should be fine. I'll enlist some help from my volunteer groups in the community to put it together."
"I'll pitch in too for the recruit side of things," Vector offers.
"Alright then. That sounds fine. How soon do we hold it? Amy?"
"Well, If it's good with you Knuckles, and nothing else major comes up, Friday evening would be a good slot."
"Ok. Good. That's fine. Just let me know what you need from me when you get that far. Alright, if we're all wrapped up here, I'm gonna head back next door and check on things."
"Oh, don't run off. It's been a quiet night," Rouge says.
"I'm just gonna check in over there. The rest of you stay. I'll drop back in a bit if you're still here.
"We'll definitely be here," Charmy replies brightly.
Knuckles give him a quick nod then makes his way out.
It's an eventful week, with a great deal of staging for upcoming operations in addition to some smaller scale defensive missions for towns under their protection. Details of his upcoming meet and greet with the community trickle in, but he has little time to focus on them, and honestly, that is a bit of a relief. It is out of his comfort zone, and he'll be happy to get it over with without much fanfare.
Friday ends up being a flurry of action. The Sentinel drillers are on the move again, and per usual, two villages are put on alert, for the potential threat. In the end both locations escape without an attack, but one of the air ships takes long range damage, resulting in a number of injuries.
About an hour before the event is supposed to start Knuckles is in the hanger bay, to oversee the arrival of the damaged ship. Once they get all the injured individuals en route to the med bay, he escorts the Falcon Squad leader, and the ship's captain over to Medical as well, while taking their account of the mission. In Medical, he does a quick check with each of the injured fighters who are in well enough condition. Thankfully everyone is expected to make a full recovery, but for the time being, some are resting or still being treated.
After making rounds at Medical, Knuckles decides he'll take a quick detour by the gymnasium to check on the event preparations, before making a final check back at the the Command Center. If possible, he'd like to review the event run down, and maybe the potential questions once more with Amy before they begin. As he reaches the B-deck, he rounds the corner, and discovers a hallway lined with scores of people crowded around the gymnasium doors. It's clear they are waiting for entry; the doors are sealed, and there are a few volunteers managing the crowd. The sight strikes him with a sensation he can't define. From a distance he overhears someone explain that the entire present command of troops are already gathering inside, and that they hope everyone else will fit.
He's gone in a flash, away before he can be spotted. Somehow the retreat sends him back to his quarters. He locks the door, throws down his comm, and begins to pace around the room, trying to make logical sense of the apprehension that has claimed him.
Minutes fade away in a blur, as he repeats to himself all the reason why he needs to walk back out the door, and back to the command center. His path is clear, but he remains frozen at he edge of the bed. He's not sure how much time has passed when Amy's voice calls from outside his door.
"Knuckles? Are you in there? You've gotta stop taking off your comm. Or did you bust it again?"
She must have the override code, because a moment later the door swishes open, and she marches in eyes focused down on a tablet.
"Everyone is gathering in the gymnasium. You're going to be late. "
"I can't do this." The words escape him. His hands twist into the mattress, with clenched with tension.
"So you did bust it again. Alright, hand it over. What is this, like the third comm?" she retorts smugly, swiping and tapping away on the screen. There is a little, 'bing!' tone from the tablet, then she finally looks up at him.
"Oh. Oh…" She says, expression changing immediately. "Um, okay, well… here maybe just, let's just sit here for a few minutes ok? We have some time still…"
She sits down next to him. "Did something happen Knuckles?"
He shakes his head no.
"Okay… are you… feeling sick?"
A breathy chuckle escapes him. "Yeah, but I'm not." His words are measured, slow to keep his breath at a steady pace.
"Do you nee…" Her comm beeps interrupting the question. She taps it, and turns away a bit. "Yeah I'm here. Yes. Yes he is." A short pause and then, "Well you're going to have to tell them to wait." The next response is a whisper. "…having a bit of… think. I give me a few… "
"Okay, uh, Knuckles, I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. I don't want to force you to do this, but I think… I think you should."
"I know."
She's bitting her lip and frowning at him. "Knuckles, sweetie I need you to give me more that. I can't help if I don't know what's causing this."
He hears her, but continues to focus on his measured, even breaths. He's fine. He needs to be fine. It's his job to be fine.
"Knuckles…"
He lets go in a bit of a huff, flailing one hand in frustration and faces her. "You said a small group. Not the whole…"
"Riiight… I know. It's just, word travels fast around here. There are so many questions people want answered. We didn't set it up as a big group. It just…happened."
"Amy it's the whole base!"
"I know. I know. But it doesn't change anything. It's still just answering some questions. People just want to get to know you."
"I'm not cut out for this. You know I'm terrible at relating to people. I… I'm having a really hard time believing this is a good idea. I'm just going to mess it up."
"You're not going to mess it up."
"I've been alone my whole life!"
"Oh… don't be so dramatic Knuckles. Trust me. I've got the read on exaggeration. It's been quite a few years since you've truly been alone. At least… I hope you'd feel that way by now! Anyway… there's nothing to mess up Knuckles. You just need to be yourself."
"Being myself doesn't involve crowds, or speeches or…"
"It does now."
He glares at her because it makes him feel better—slightly. He's decided he's going to do it, in-spite of himself, and knows Amy will see him through it, but he wishes desperately he could erase the anxious knot in his chest first.
Amy's comm beeps again.
"What now Vector?!" She rolls her eyes at his apparent response. "Well who's BRIGHT IDEA was it to parade him in front of the WHOLE base!? Did anyone ask him?" … "YES, well I'm pretty sure we didn't make him COMMANDER to make lofty speeches!"
He sighs a shuttered breath and stands. "Just tell him I'm coming."
"I… Okay." She taps the comm again. "We're on our way Vector… well tell them he's in high demand!… Yeah." She glances back at Knuckles, then after beat says, softer and fond, "he's alright… Yes. ETA five minutes… Mm-hm. Amy out."
She grabs his hand and squeezes it. "You'll do fine. I'll be on the comm with you the whole time. Okay? If you get stuck I'll coach you through it like we talked about."
He nods, and then they make their way to the door.
They walk to the gymnasium isn't nearly long enough to calm his nerves. It takes them up one deck, over a couple sections to the B-wing. As soon they enter its far doors, they can see the back edge of the crowd bulging out of one of the entrances. Amy leads him away to a parallel hallway where they follow a roundabout empty path to the front of the gymnasium. Vector is there waiting when they arrive.
"Finally! Crowds gettin a little stir crazy in there."
Standing behind Amy, Knuckles can't make out her expression, but he assumes she must be glaring at Vector for the comment, because he cringes and a says, "Errrr, don't worry, they're just really excited to hear what you have to say."
"Vector," Amy snaps.
"What? I'm being positive."
"Can we just get this over with," Knuckles grinds out.
"Here." Amy takes his hand and presses a comm into his palm. "We're linked on a private channel. You don't have to do anything, I'll just be in your ear with advice if you need it."
He nods, and slips it on, then waits for her next instructions.
"Alright. I'm going to go out there and introduce you. And hey, just be yourself."
She steps through the doors, and addresses the crowd.
Knuckles folds his arms over his chest, and lets his eyes fall closed, and listens to Amy speak without focusing to closely on the words.
She hasn't yet introduced him moments later, when a blaring noise suddenly overtakes everything. A jolt of surprise sends him to the floor, and a moment later Vector is standing over him, one hand plastered over each temple, wearing an expression equal parts horrified and bemused. "Oh man! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry man! I did not mean for that to go that way." Another beat and Knuckles realizes the noise is music, blaring out of Vector's headphones, which have been placed onto his head. Knuckles yanks them off, and glares up at the crocodile who now has both hands covering his snout. It is an attempt to mask a slew of giggles, but he is failing horribly.
"Dude I'm so sorry... heh... you just... you just looked so tense. I was trying to... heh-heh... to... but I didn't mean to... scare you... sorry... heh-heh!"
An angry retort dies on Knuckles' lips, when a tiny laugh slips out instead. He slaps a hand over his face and drags it down, as his own bemusement an chuckles grow. Vector grabs him by the wrists and pulls him back up in one swoop.
"Up'n'at'em Commander. She's gonna call you out any second now."
Knuckles groans over fading giggles. "Ugg... Vector, why did I agree to this?"
"Because you care. Don't worry man. You're gonna knock it outta' the park."
Right on cue, they hear Amy's voice stream out, "—so please help me welcome Commander Knuckles!"
He stares at the door long enough that Vector leans in at his shoulder, "Amy is right. They just want to get to know you. Just be yourself," then he gives Knuckle's shoulder a gentle nudge. Knuckles nods once over his shoulder, then pushes his way through the double doors. It's a few paces out to a makeshift stage, and a couple steps up to climb it.
As he walks up and witnesses the size of the crowd—he can't see any opens space— Knuckles is struck with the thought that he has never had so many eyes directed at him before. He reaches Amy, shakes her hand, then looks out at the crows with what he hopes is a smile.
"Thank you Amy. Hello everyone." His voice sounds deeper to his own ears as he attempts to force casual confidence. "It's good to… see you all here. Thank you for coming."
He glances at Amy to his right. She nods to him encouragingly, before stepping back and exiting to the back of the stage.
"This is a difficult time. I know there have been many questions. I hope by meeting with you all today, I can answer some of them, and… address your concerns…"
For a moment he's unsure whether he needs to offer more information about himself than Amy has already provided. That was how the event was described to him, but what would he say to a group this large? The thought of attempting to describe his life—even the basic details—seem absurd now that he's standing there.
To Knuckles' relief, the crowd appears to have taken his pause as an invitation to start asking questions. Several hands raise. He scans briefly across the audience, and picks someone, a civilian falcon, a few rows back.
"Yes, you there. You have a question? What is your name?"
"Hi. Name's Elroy. Nice ta'meet'cha. So, aren't you the fella who the guards marched in, in cuffs a few weeks ago?"
Knuckles blinks, slightly thrown by the question. He glances back directing the slightest glare at Vector and Amy, who now stand inside the double doors, with a desire to snap something like—'Oh this is off to great start'—at them.
He refocuses on the Falcon. Tries a polite smile.
"I did arrive just over a month ago. Yes. There was... some confusion as I arrived. I had no means of notifying the base of my arrival, so... rather than cause issue, I agreed to be detained until the situation could be sorted out here within the base. It did involve hand cuffs, but was a civil matter. Understandably it may have caused some… trepidation."
The falcon seems satisfied with the reply, and thanks him. Hands raise again. He selects a civilian cat towards the back of the room.
"There seem to be a lot of rumors about what is going on outside. Some people say our forces are strong, and others say we're never going to go back home. What's the truth?"
Amy is already in his ear. "Don't make any promises. Just be honest, but don't scare them." He does his best to keep a neutral face, despite frustration with the conflicting advice.
He takes a breath. "Thank you. I'm sure that is a question on a lot of your minds. Our forces are… resilient. The situation is very serious, but we are seeing some progress. In the past weeks we've manage to hold some townships against the enemy rather than just evacuating them. We've increased training, and are gathering vital intel. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to say now when this will be over. Going home right now isn't an option for anyone. We are safe here, and we'll continue to strengthen ourselves until we can change that."
He's not sure if that answer was too roundabout, trying to stay within Amy's parameters. Despite his uncertainty the cat nods and replies, "thank you."
Thereafter it feels like the questions come rapid fire for bit. He forgets to be nervous, as the rhythm of relaying information takes over. The topics jump all over: "What happened to my village; Do we have enough supplies; Are we going to keep taking in more people; Is there anywhere that hasn't been taken over; Did you work for GUNN; Are there other bases or resistance groups; Does Eggman know where we are; Can we schedule meeting with you personally; Can we start this or that program; Do we have this kind of food; Are Wispons safe weapons?" Amy is there all along, jumping in with helpful names, locations, stats, and guidance. He does his best to answer each query carefully with and patients so that the individuals feel acknowledged.
A hand near the font raises among a group of squads fighters; Knuckles selects, and welcomes a bear to speak.
"You there. Yes. How are you doing? What is your name and question?
"Hey Commander. Name's Bax. So, yeah, sorry to be rude," he begins, "but are you a Hedgehog? We never seen nobody who looks you."
Instantly it ticks a nerve. Knuckles' fists clench at the ridiculous query, and he feels the sudden scrutiny of hundreds of eyes in the crowd on him. He waits a moment to see what Amy will say, but it seems she doesn't have any instant advice for this turn. Her silence leaves him guessing what to say.
He takes a long slow breath before continuing. "No... I'm not a hedgehog." He answers, with an edge of finality, though attempting also not to sound curt. He begins to scan the crowd for another raised hand, but the bear speaks up again. "So what are you then?"
A murmur of chatter washes over the crowd, full of whispers and questions. Apparently, this has been a prime topic of rumor, Knuckles realizes. He doesn't want to answer—not for sake of secrecy, but because it isn't productive to any cause. For a moment he deliberates back and forth, but decides that perhaps, what he wants shouldn't matter; transparency should out weigh his reluctance in this instance. The rumors will only get worse if he refuses the question.
He looks back a the bear, then out at the crowd. "I am an echidna."
This time the wave of chatter that rolls through the audience is rather dramatic.
He turns back to Amy searching for guidance, but she's turned away animatedly flailing and harshly whispering with Vector. Knuckles turns to the audience again, and pushes away the urge to walk out immediately.
The reactions become rowdy. Several people in the crowd call out: "WHAT?" ; "Is he for real? ; "This is nonsense! Who is this guy?" ; "I've never meet an echidna." ; "Are we supposed to believe that?" ; "Like from the children stories?" ; "What's an Echidna?" ; Why it this dude in charge?"
And then the bear again. "Who even put you in charge? This is dumb. Echidnas are made up."
Knuckles hears those last four words and forgets himself. They spark a fiery rage within him that boils right over the edge.
"MADE UP? Right. Echidnas don't exist, and yet here I am standing in front of you—"
Immediately Amy is buzzing in his ear, "Wait, wait, wait! Knuckles don't get angry. Please don't start yelling. They just don't know. They just don't k…"
"—NONE of you have ever met an echidna before, because the others are GONE. I am the last of my kind. And none of you have ever seen me before, because I don't belong HERE. I'm from a place… very far away."
The bear who seems intent on taunting him speaks once more, "Then why are you even here?"
The regret is instant.
The chatter has gone stock-still. The crowd is all wide eyes and nervous movement. A few people are shaking their heads. Even Amy in his ear has gone silent again. Distantly he can hear her frantic hushed whispers far behind him exchanging with Vector.
The silence hangs heavy with tension, ready to burst. He doesn't know what will fix it, but decides the answer is probably furthest from of his base instincts.
His heart is thumping rapidly as a knot of anxieties threatens to unravel into full panic, but he forces it down and away. 'Do something crazy.' he thinks. 'Do what HE would do.'
He pulls his earpiece off, walks cautiously up to the very front of the makeshift stage keeping his eyes on the crowd, and takes a seat, feet dangled off the edge—deep breath, eyes closed. When they open he speaks.
"When… when I was around sixteen I joined forces with Dr. Robotnik… Some of you just know him as Eggman… I know that sounds… treasonous now, but at the time, I simply didn't understand why anyone might not tell the truth. He crash landed near my home, and asked for my help. It wasn't a long standing thing, our alliance, but it was costly. I was betrayed. He tried to kill me. He damaged much of my home—a... hallowed place, which I am meant to protect. And he destroyed a sacred remnant of my long departed people.
I grew up alone so... Eggman is the first person I recall ever meeting.
The second person was Sonic.
I wish it were a great story. It's not. I thought he was my enemy thanks to Eggman. I nearly got him killed too, and… honestly, I would't be sitting here in front of you today if not for Sonic's… unrelenting… benevolence.
This, here, is a far cry from where I belong… but none of us do I suppose. We have lives outside, waiting for our return.
So… I am here, because in the past I made the mistake of trusting Eggman. It's... a scar I've been chasing... ever since. There is no assault by that mad man that I can ignore.
I'm here… because Sonic isn't. I wish he were the one standing here right now. He'd tell you that there's nothing to worry about. He'd say something about dumb old egg-fart, and make you all laugh, and he'd tell me to loosen up or—'Stop being such a knuckle-head.'
I miss him.
And… I'm here because I've seen what… what the end of civilization looks like. I grew up alone in that dark reality. I don't want to witness how it falls too."
At some point Knuckles had stopped looking at the crowd. He's staring at his knees now. Silence draws his eyes back up, to a sea of wide eyes and suspiciously tender expressions. He pushes on.
"I won't lie to you all. This is the worst I've ever seen it. I can't say that it'll be better tomorrow or next week, or tell you when the tide will turn so you can go back to your lives—but I do know that it will turn.
Dr Robotnik…Eggman, believes in technology, he seeks power, and relishes in control. But, for all his genius—and he is truly a brilliant man—Eggman has never understood why he has always, and will always loose.
There is nothi—" He gets hung up on the words for a moment, because in his head he hears them in Sonic's voice. How Sonic said them first.
"…There's nothing stronger than heart, soul and the bonds of friendship.
They empower us to achieve feats otherwise unimaginable—like… facing down failures of past and turning them into strength, or continuing to thrive together even when we've lost so much, or like toppling a dark empire. Sonic… Sonic has shown me this truth time and again.
I see it here daily in my friends—they who were here before I, giving all they could to create this safe-haven. I've seen it in all of you too. It's how you sit together in the evenings, just talking. Or how freely you offer your talents to help each other. It's how the long lines at meal time are always neat and orderly. And how quickly you organize to provide for those who arrive after loosing everything. You cry together. And share what little you have. You care for those who are hurting. You volunteer, even risk your lives to fight and defend your loved ones.
It is altogether foreign to Eggman—these bonds give us a strength that he can neither fathom or defeat.
Hold on to each other... The road is long, but… we will get there together."
The crowd is captivated for moments beyond his last words. It takes several beats before they realize he's done. They stir then, like waking from a trance, cautiously, all whispers at first. Then someone in the back starts to clap.
Knuckles is quite enchanted in his own way, watching the crowd come back to life. He's almost startled when the clap echos through the hall. He eye's shoot to the back, following the sound, but soon enough, it has rippled throughout the whole space. It leaves him a bit in awe. The sound grows louder and louder with the sound of clapping—some holler and whoop even. The noise grows to an overwhelming degree, and suddenly the spell is over for him. He returns to his feet, steadily trying not to seem rushed. He nods once to the audience, makes one last attempt at a smile, takes a step back, then turns and lets his feet carry him back towards where Amy and Vector and now Silver are standing.
"Knuckles… " is all Amy manages, with a stunned expression when he reaches them.
Vector seems stunned too, while Silver is somewhere between awed or confused.
Knuckles takes Vectors hand as though for a hand shake, but discreetly forces over his comm instead, then he leans in and breathes out, "block out rest of my shift."
It takes a beat, but Vector seems to come back to himself. "Uh…yeah of course. Consider it done." Then turns to Amy. "Hey, miss moderator! Go talk to the audience. Tell'em Knux is done. "
"Oh! Right." She shakes her head as if to snap herself out of it, rushes up to the front of the stage, and begins with something like, "All right folks, how about another round of applause for our Commander!"
Knuckles drowns it out. He turns to head out the double doors, just as Vector is whispering, 'Holy shit Knuckles. That was…"
But he lets his feet carry him away and doesn't look back.
An hour later finds Knuckles hidden away in the soaring reaches of Mystic Jungle's canopy.
The forest here feels different than home. There is an essence that hangs about in the shimmering mist—pollen, fragrance, drifting tufts of seed, tiny bugs, dust—altogether the energy it emits feels immediately different than home, but the ambience is still a pleasant thing.
The thrall of panic released its grip on him some time ago. His intention was to meditate thereafter. He really did try. It would be nice to loose himself in the forest's gently whispered song. This place is serene, but he is not. The calm just highlights the empty space at his center that should fill him to the brim with warm energy. With that constant gone, whatever he was seeking in meditation remains elusive. He has moved on to something different entirely. Now he's aiming for comfortably numb. Or maybe just intentionally so.
For a while that works. He's like a speck in the myst—just part of it—simply existing.
Then something shifts.
Someone is approaching. He can feel their presence nearing, but his reflex for such astral knowledge is strained. What is left of his link to the Master Emerald is in a bereft state. With a directed effort he could probably work it out on experience alone, but he doesn't really care to stretch the muscle. It hurts. Two or three minutes pass before that someone steps up onto a branch behind him.
"How does that silly old idiom go? Something about finding what you're looking for in the last place you checked… though I suppose if I had actually given it some thought, I'd have searched out here much sooner."
It's Silver.
Knuckles just waits at first on the assumption that the hedgehog will share whatever it is he needs. A minute passes, then two, then three without any further attempt at conversation. "Sorry. Did you need something? I left my comm inside." Knuckles admits.
Silver doesn't answer; instead takes a seat next to Knuckles.
"I'm curious… how did you learn to seal Chaos Emeralds? I thought your abilities only activate the Master Emerald."
Knuckles looks up, brow raised. It's not the kind of thing he is expecting to be asked. An answer though a bit arduous, is ready on his tongue. He speaks automatically without much thought or cadence.
"Only is too strong a word… Chaos, Controller, the energies exist on a spectrum. It's all connected. I am an extension of the Master Emerald, the controller, which you know can neutralize the Chaos Emeralds. It's less of a direct use of chaos energy, and more like a reaction between the two. Chaos will always try to resist control, so by forcing some of my energy on it, I can trigger a reactive state—a melding of the two energies which I can harness. The sealing away itself requires a great deal of knowledge of chaos reactive properties, and gateways, and the special zone."
"I see. Is that what you did with the Master Emerald too?"
Knuckles realizes he's been caught in a trap. He should have seen that lead in coming.
"If that's what you came to talk about Silver, you're welcome to just leave." He's not mean about it, just firm.
"I didn't really." Silver says. "I just thought maybe you'd like to talk about something… important to you."
Knuckles looks up at that. He isn't sure how to reply. It is an odd sentiment, but not altogether unwelcome.
"I really just came out here to see if you're alright Knuckles. The whole place is reeling from that speech—in a good way, I should add."
Knuckles isn't sure what to say to that either. The urge to plug his ears for the rest of whatever Silver might say is strong. Numb felt good. Just for a bit not anguishing about his actions. He feels no credit is due for something that was an accident—a guess at best on the right thing to say. He still feels unsure about it. Did he reveal to much, or perhaps share too little?
"It was… powerful, what you did in there today."
Knuckles thinks his uncertainty must show.
Silver continues. "I don't think the significance of what you revealed was lost on anyone, whether they knew you before today or not. It was courageous, and I believe it garnered enormous respect from our citizenry."
Silver's words threaten to untether the anxieties he'd hoped settled. He decides he'd rather talk about something else. "Did anything happen—while I've been out here," he asks abruptly.
"A 'code-gefforey'—some kid got lost in the crowd after the event. We found him pretty quick. That parent-group Amy has been training in crisis response—it's on point. No doubt they'll be ready to go in an emergency. Anyway, that's all. It's been a quiet night. All a—"
"Who's covering 'Swings'?"
"Espio jumped in for a bit, but had to shift to prepping for tomorrows op. Charmy is covering now, and l intend to relieve him, at my earliest availability, and will stay through 'Midds'."
"Right, the wispon op tomorrow. Sorry…you were saying?"
"Yes… all divisions have checked in. No enemy movement on radar. Our outlying stations report the same."
"What about Medical? Any status changes?"
"All stable and recovering."
Knuckles nods in thanks. Exhaustion had begun to set in. He considers making an excuse to depart.
"So… are you—alright, Knuckles?"
"I'm fi…" He stops mid-snap and decides Silver really hasn't done anything to deserve such ire. He looks over at the hedgehog who is watching him closely. "I'm… alright." After a moment he adds, "the day was… challenging."
Silver nods, understanding.
"If you need more time I'll cover for you tomorrow."
"No… That isn't necessary."
"Knuckles…" The hedgehog waits for Knuckles to look his way, "It seems I've been doing nothing but offering you apologies since you arrived. I'm about to offer one more I think, but maybe this is what they all lead to." He pauses collecting his thoughts. "I know it's a lot to shoulder—command. It's no secret between us that I had a large part in pushing this on you, even though it isn't anything you wanted, or expected to be doing here." He kind of chuckles before continuing. "You really threw me for a loop when you refused, you know? I guess in keeping with how easily you put us all in our place that first day, I assumed the position would be natural and easy for you; I thought it would be something you'd want." He pauses again, choosing his next words. "You… weald it well though. I'm not surprised by that fact, but I think… maybe you still are?" His head tilts, like he's searching for the answer in Knuckles' eyes. "Especially in moments of pressure, your instinct is… steadfast."
Silver grins, then his eyes fall away again, to stare at point past the horizon.
"For me… Living between two time periods, it is sometimes difficult to know exactly where my influence is warranted. I don't know anymore if, in the end, I'll stay here… or in the future. I'm not sure I belong properly to either time period anymore. As such… there is a level of involvement, or… like a threshold I feel I can't cross. Call it temporally and ethically unsound. It is one thing to act as a gear in a machine, and yet another to be the crank that turns the gears."
"You don't think you're already in that position by always getting involved here?"
"Honestly? I don't know. I've been on this path so long now… I do my best to walk a narrow road. I think that has kept me honest."
"The fourth Hiplatian theorem might disagree."
"The fou—Knuckles… You know Hiplaties' theorems!?" Silver's face is awash with surprise.
Knuckles laughs despite himself, "My people theorized, and wrote a great deal about time travel. It is regarded as a pillar of ultimate power in chaos theory."
"I see… I suppose I don't really need to be explaining any of this to you then."
Knuckles releases a breath slowly, considering an answer. "Theory… doesn't always hold to reality. I do appreciate your perspective Silver."
"Thank you Knuckles… I'd certainly understand if you… resent me… for my position on this. This mess… this war… we're in deep this time, and to approach it—command—with such reservation… I've added to your burdens."
Knuckles can't find words to diminish this claim of burdens. It holds truth. It does not however, require a verbal confirmation, he decides. The admission is enough.
Silver stirs restlessly beside him; something has been left unsaid.
"We've known each other for some time now Knuckles." He begins. "About as long as I've known all of you I suppose, but… you and I haven't spent much time together. There is no question we are allies, but I hope… given some time, we can become good friends. My timing here is poor at best, given the circumstance, but I can't leave it unsaid—I'm here. I'll help you any way I can. Please don't hesitate to rely on me, despite this fault."
Something between laugh and a sigh escapes him. "You don't need to ask for my friendship Silver. You already have it. I'm more than thankful you are here with us—grateful that you were here before me. And… what you described of us is true, but… if I've been… distant, with you these past weeks… it wasn't meant as a judgment. You do know my history now, if you didn't before. I'm… not quick to trust… Not anymore—trust in myself included. So with you… I've kept you at arms length. Perhaps that was more unkind than I intended." He looks up and hopes Silver can read the apology in his eyes. "What I want… I need for you to counter me Silver. With Sonic gone… I need to know someone here will challenge me... on principle alone… if I'm wrong, if you disagree with me; I need you to be that person."
"You doubt that the others would?"
He's a little hesitant to answer. His eyes fall, searching for the explanation. "They are... forgiving. I know... I've been forgiven more times than... well... It's probably something—a doubt—that I just carry, but...''
He releases a breath and collects his thoughts to make a point.
"I can shoulder leadership, but I don't want unchecked power."
Now, Knuckles is the one who stares out past the horizon.
"Command… has been a shift, but the parallels to the duty I've lived with are strong. Leadership isn't the burden Silver. The burden is knowing that what I am protecting now is so much more important, more precious, than any emerald."
Beside him Silver thoughtfully nods. "You sacrificed what you protect, to protect something greater... where I chose to protect without sacrifice. I never doubted it, but you continue to make me believe we were right to choose you for this." He holds out a hand in offering then. "If the day ever comes where I don't agree with your direction, I will tell you—AND— I'll see you through it Commander."
Knuckles smiles, tips his head, and accepts the gesture, his own fist dwarfing Silver's as they shake. When they've let go Knuckles stands slowly, taking care to keep his balance on the narrow branch.
"Turning in then?"
Knuckles nods. "It's not quite like you said though—that you didn't sacrifice. The way you spoke about it—it was all theory. That doesn't hold. You're here. That is reality. You paid a price to be here that I'm sure I can't truly know; but, I understand what it costs to pay it."
Silver's eyes widen a little as he considerers this. Knuckles reaches down and gives him it a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.
"Silver... I would have followed you too, you know."
Then he drops down to a lower branch, and on through the understory, to return back to base for the night.
TBC
Be sure to check out Chatter, a new short companion story to Unlikely. Fits in some time after chapter 4.
Chapter 5 may take a while. Need to give the ideas some time to blossom. I'm jumping back into FF next. ;)
Thanks for reading!