Lost Hedgehog Tales

CHAPTER 5: KNUCKLES' QUEST PART 2

Tommy Turtle Memorial Hospital, New Mobotropolis

Thunder boomed in the sky as rain was pouring down on the kingdom of New Mobotropolis. Team Fighters had returned from their mission in Holoska and now they were going to see their friend and former freedom fighter Antoine D'Coolette, who was in a coma after saving Elias Acorn from Metal Sonic. They were walking to Tommy Turtle Memorial Hospital with Rosie Woodchuck, who was the caretaker. They reached the entrance and Amy sighed.

"Finally, I can't stand being wet", she said drying off her hair. Sonic shook himself dry too. "Ugh, yea. Water's definitly not my shtick", he said. Rosie led them to the room Antoine was in. It was very big and spacious. The bed was huge, being a queen sized and there was a flat screen TV on the side wall. There were food carts with multiple dishes of food. The window was wide open as well, which was strange considering the fact that it was raining outside. They looked around. Their coyote friend was nowhere to be seen. "Um, where's Antoine?" Tails asked. Sonic, Tails and Amy turned to Rosie hoping to know where he was. But Rosie was confused herself.

"Huh? He was here this morning. Did Dr. Quack move him to another room?" Sonic scratched his head. "Maybe. Since Ant's getting better I guess he had him moved to another room and save this room for another person", he said. "Let's go ask at the front". The four Mobians walked back to the lobby and were just about to walk up the front desk and ask the lady when they heard a voice behind them.

"Sonic! Tails! Amy!", the voice yelled. They turned to find Dr. Quack running up to them. The duck was out of breath, as he stood in front and tried to catch his breath. Amy frowned. Something definitly wasn't right. The doctor looked like he had just seen a ghost. "What's wrong Dr. Quack?" she asked. "Yeah doc, why do you look scared?" Sonic asked. Dr. Quack looked at the heroes in a worried way. "It's Antoine! He ran away!" he yelled. "WHAT?!" the three fighters yelled. Tails walked up to the doctor and put both hands on the duck's shoulders. "What do you mean ran away? How and why?" Tails asked. Dr. Quack took a breath. "Well, he woke up this morning and he was fine. He remembered everything that had happened, with Bunnie getting deroboticized and he getting in a coma. We talked and everything and then he asked where Bunnie was. When I told him she ran away, he didn't say anything but jumped out the window and ran away. He said something about finding her and making everything right. I didn't know this would happen. I'm sorry", Quack said as he broke down into tears. Everyone was shocked. Antoine had woken up finally only to run away? Tails helped Quack up.

"It's okay, doctor. You didn't know he would react like this", the fox said. "Yeah doc, its cool. I've done the same thing before, except in a different way", Sonic said. Amy put a hand on Quack's back. "Don't worry. You did your job and look. Antoine's okay", she said. Rosie then looked out the window. "Well, you guys haven't heard the full story of what's been going on here since you guys were gone so might as well explain", she said. "Let's go to my house. Quack, you can come too", she said. The others followed. Lightning flashed as the downpour continued.

Sunset Hill Zone

Sunset Hill. The place where the sun always looked like it was setting. It's beauty never ceased to surprise anyone and the sight was just so fresh. This had also become one of Mobius' finest tourist attractions. Animals roamed freely and the environment was just so friendly. All that was about to change as a ring portal opened up and out stepped Knuckles the Echidna, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. The trio had come here after finding out Thrash would hang out here everytime. They had gotten information from Downunda, stating that Thrash had blueprints for an unlimited charged warp ring. They didn't know if he had accomplished that goal, but just on the safe side, they destroyed the blueprints. Knuckles took a deep breath and sighed immediately feeling relaxed.

"This place sure is peaceful. I gotta come here sometime to take a break", Knuckles said. Mighty chuckled. "Yep, this is why we say to take a break from guarding the Master Emerald and experience things like this", the armadillo said as he stretched out. Knuckles then looked at Mighty with a frown. "Yea, but the last time I left the island, I had lost two of my friends and my father. At least we know that we can still save Julie-Su and Saffron, but dad is gone". The echidna then looked up at the sky, thinking that his father could see him now and what he thought. Mighty and Ray looked at each other. They hated seeing Knuckles like this. Before, he used to challenge Mighty to an arm wrestling contest everyday and it would end with the same: a tie. The echidna would even take Ray to explore some on Angel Island's landmarks. Heck, the entire Chaotix used to throw parties and go exploring when Locke would be guarding the Master Emerald. But, all that was gone now. The echidna was now the silent, depressed loner who preferred to be by himself. Knuckles looked around.

"So... where do we start looking?" he said. Ray then looked off in the distance and saw something. "Over there! What's t-that?" he said pointing. Mighty and Knuckles looked and saw that thing also. "Come on, we'll start over there", Knuckles said before leaping off and gliding to a platform. Mighty and Ray followed, with Ray flying and holding Mighty. They all landed on the ground and started running towards the direction Ray pointed to. As they got closer, they could make out a small cottage. It was on top of a hill. Knuckles jumped and grabbed the wall with his spikes and started climbing. Mighty did the same, but with his bare hands. Ray just flew up beside them. Once they got to the top, they looked at the cottage. It was small, for one person. Knuckles knocked on the door. He waited for about half a minute before knocking again. No answer.

"Huh. Nobody's home", Mighty said. Knuckles held up a hand. "Hold on". And with that, he slowly turned the knob and the door opened. They looked at each other before walking inside. It was really small inside. There was only one room with a couch that looked badly chewed up and a TV that was about a hundred years old. There was a fridge along with a mini kitchen. The bathroom had a box and a toliet. The shower was a little tub with water. Ray sniffed. There was a foul smell in the house. It was horrible. He looked behind the couch and found about a dozen pizza boxes open and half eaten. Food was everywhere. Mighty made a disgusted face. "Blleggh, this place reeks! Who would live here?" the armadillo said. Knuckles looked around. "This place looks like someone still lives here", he said. Ray shuddered. "This place is c-creepy". Mighty picked up a plastic cup that was ripped apart and had drool all over it. "Ugh, yeah well whoever lives here seriously needs to learn some manners. This place is an ugly mess", he said before tossing the cup away.

"Who're you to judge, mate?" said a voice behind them. Everyone froze. Knuckles knew that voice too well and the three turned around. There was a Mobian Devil standing behind them with his arms crossed. He was purple colored with green gloves and green boots. He had a sharp fractured crest across the upper middle. There were two other Devil Dogs beside them. "Thrash", Knuckles said bitterly. The devil chuckled. "Sup, Knuckie?" he said, grinning. "Didn't think you'd find me here". Knuckles glared at Thrash. "We had help from your former comrades in Downunda". Thrash just shrugged. "Eh, figures". He then pet both the Devil Dogs and they ran off into their beds. Knuckles cleared his throat.

"Give me the warp ring and let the girls go along with everyone else you imprisoned". "Yeah, so if you don't want to have any broken bones, I suggest you listen to Knux", Mighty said. "Yeah!" Ray exclaimed. Thrash didn't seem the slightest intimidated. He knew how strong the Chaotix were, but he could take them on. He had fought Knuckles AND Team Fighters to a stand still. These guys will be nothing. Thrash then cracked his knuckles and snorted. "Me, end up with broken bones? Nah, mate. You shouldn't make promises you can't keep", he said. Knuckles was enraged. This guy imprisons all the echidnas and when they ask him nicely, the attitude he gives! "That's it!" Knuckles yelled before charging at Thrash and tackling him out the door. Mighty and Ray ran after them. The echidna and devil were wrestling on the grass, trying to overpower the other. It seemed that Knuckles was winning since he was on the top. He held Thrash's fur with one hand and raised the other balling it into a fist.

"GIVE ME THE WARP RING THRASH! STOP MAKING THIS HARD ON YOURSELF!" Knuckles shouted. Thrash just punched Knuckles off him and kicked the echidna away. "Fat chance, mate! Your kind did this to my kind! As a punishment, this is what you get! We're even anyways, I'm the last of my kind and your the last of your kind!" Thrash yelled before punching Knuckles in the face. "Alright that's enought!" Mighty yelled as he slammed into Thrash, knocking him down. Mighty then grabbed him and threw him across the field. Thrash just got back up and charged at Mighty. Mighty blocked Thrash's punch and countered with his own punch followed by a kick to the side. Thrash fell down on one knee and Mighty was about the punch the living daylight out of Thrash when the devil let out a sonic scream that blasted Mighty away. Thrash then picked himself up and ran towards the armadillo, but was halted by Ray who kicked him in the face. Thrash just punched Ray away, and dodged Knuckles' punch, grabbed him and flipped the echidna on his back. Thrash then began punching Knuckles repeatedly before he was kicked off by Ray. Thrash tried to attack Ray again, but the squirrel was too fast for him. Ray flew behind Thrash and gave the devil and solid kick to the back making the devil fall face front on the ground. Grumbling to himself, Thrash picked himself up and blasted Ray with a sonic scream. Knuckles then charged at Thrash and punched him across the face. He then gave the devil a hard uppercut that sent nearly sent Thrash flying off the hill. Thrash then blasted Knuckles with a sonic scream and threw him into Ray. He failed to notice Mighty rip a tree off the ground and smacked Thrash into the cottage. The devil dogs ran out in fear as the whole cottage came crumbling down. Thrash picked himself up and glowered at Mighty.

"Alright, now you've made me mad!" He then blasted Mighty with a more powerful sonic scream, sending the armadillo skidding across the ground on his side. Thrash then grabbed Mighty and slammed him into a rock. He then threw Mighty into the rubble of the cottage. Before Thrash could continue, he was knocked backwards by Knuckles. "I'm not letting you hurt any more of my friends", Knuckles said before punching Thrash and knocking him down. He then grabbed Thrash and threw him into a tree. Thrash just charged at Knuckles and the two ended up in a brawl with punches and kicks. Both were shouting curses at each other. Suddenly Thrash nailed Knuckles in the gut and blasted him away with a sonic scream. Mighty and Ray charged towards Thrash but Thrash just grabbed them both and bashed their heads together. He then kicked Mighty and grabbed him by the neck before chucking him off the hill.

"MIGHTY!" Ray yelled before he was pinned to the ground. Thrash sneered. "See? I'm more than a match for you. You stand no chance, so just surrender and I'll let you leave alive". "NEVER!" Knuckles yelled before punching Thrash. The devil stumbled and Knuckles rushed at him. He landed a blow to Thrash's stomach, then punched him with the spiky end of his fist. He then kicked Thrash on the side and sweeped his legs, knocking Thrash down. Knuckles then grabbed Thrash by the legs and spun him around in a circle. "HHRRAAAUUUGGGH!" Knuckles yelled. He then let go and Thrash was sent hurtling into the cottage. The rubble exploded upon impact and pieces went flying everywhere. Knuckles panted heavily. Thrash slowly got out of the rubble and wobbled to Knuckles. Despite the injuries, the devil could still stand and looked like he could still put up a good fight. Enough is enough. Knuckles then charged at Thrash and gave him a solid uppercut that sent the devil flying off the hill and landed in a pond. Ray looked at Knuckles.

"Is... is he..?" Ray wondered, not sure what happened to Thrash. Knuckles shook his head. "No, he's still up! Thrash won't go down that easily!" "YER DAMN RIGHT I WON'T!" Thrash yelled before climbing out the pond and taking off in the opposite direction. "No! Come one, we can't let him escape!" Knuckles yelled before he and Ray leapt off and chased Thrash. I can't let him escape this time. I'm so close!

Rosie's House, New Mobotropolis

It was still raining in New Mobotropolis. The downpour had increased and it was raining hard. Rosie sighed as she lit a candle and placed it on the table. Due to the lightning, the power had been cut. The gang was now at Rosie's house, since she was going to explain everything that had happened in the week while Team Fighters were gone. She, along with Dr. Quack folded their hands together and looked at Team Fighters. Sonic cleared his throat.

"Okay, so now care to explain what happened?". Rosie nodded. "Yes. I'll start with how Team Freedom had disbanded. The reason is they had taken on a powerful foe and had barely beaten it. That foe was the Tails Doll. Tails and Amy gasped. Sonic just shrugged. "Eh, thing was creepy, so I expected that to happen". Tails shook his head. "I thought it was a harmless doll, made by some fan company or something". Amy then spoke. "Cream had that doll, didn't she?". Dr. Quack nodded.

"People were getting suspicious of the thing since it always appeared someplace random. Cream had told Rotor and his team made a plan to dupe the Tails Doll and they followed it. Once they encountered it however, it went beserk and transformed into a hideous monster", he said. "But thanks to Team Freedom's efforts, the doll was destroyed. It however, crippled the team. They were weak from fighting it and right after that, Geoffrey attacked them", Rosie said. Sonic grew frustrated. "What? Why does that skunk have a problem with everything we do?" he said.

"Apparently, he saw this as an act of treason. Team Freedom was given specific orders from the council to immobilize the doll and use it against Eggman. But Team Freedom destroyed the creepy thing and Geoffrey got mad and fought them", Rosie said as she passed cups of tea to everyone. "And he put up a damn well fight, I tell ya. He destroyed Heavy and Bomb with his crossbow and nearly burned Cream alive with his Fire Magic. That skunk's dangerous as he is", Dr. Quack added as he sipped some tea. "But when did he get this powerful?" Amy asked. "He was only able to Shadow Meld and use Wind Magic before". "And what about Naugus? Whatever happened to him?" Tails added. "Well Geoffrey had explained in the council's meeting that Naugus had given him some more ixis powers since he was sick and wouldn't have the energy to lead. He told Geoffrey to watch the city while he was gone into hiding until he got better. And how Naugus got ill, nobody knows anything except..." she trailed off. Team Fighters looked at her.

"Except?" Sonic asked. Rosie then looked at Quack in worry, but the duck nodded. "They need to know", he said. Rosie then gulped and looked at the heroes. "Except that there was another group of people that rallied against Naugus. They took him and Geoffrey on at the same time and defeated them. Naugus was planning something and everyone knows that now but Geoffrey is dictating this kingdom so no one can do anything about. All we know is, whatever Naugus was planning was stopped by these mysteerious people that night and that dreaded wizard was left weak since he had used so much power. Funny thing is, those people disapeared after and haven't shown their face yet", she finished and took a deep breath. Sonic, Tails and Amy looked at each other in shock. Whoever these people were they meant business. To take on Naugus when he is at alot of power and defeat him and his little right hand man, they must be really powerful.

"It can't be Team Freedom since they aren't that powerful", Tails said. "And we were away, so who could it be?" Sonic shook his head. "I dunno. All I hope is that these guys are on the same side as us. I wouldn't wanna fight them". Amy then saw Dr. Quack holding something. "Hey, what is that?" she asked. Dr. Quack took the thing out and placed it on the table. "This is all that the authorities found during the investigation. It appears that these people had left this in the pit" he said. "How do you know it was from those guys?" Sonic asked. "Look at the name." Quack said. They looked at the coin. "SFF?" Tails asked. "Yes, this is the name of their group. It was found lying next to the alter in the pit." Sonic put a finger on his chin. "Well, these guys sound good. Hopefully like I said, they're on our side". Suddenly, there was a crash outside. Everyone jumped. "Man, that's some thunder!" Amy said. Tails suddenly knew what that was. "That's no thunder! It's the sound of an explosion! Come on!" he said as he ran out the door and everyone followed him. As soon as they reached the sight, they gasped. Lying in a crater was the Tornado in pieces. It was on fire and smoke was dangerously rising up. Tails was heartbroken.

"The Tornado... who would d-do this?" he said. "I would, as a matter of fact", said a voice behind them. Standing there with his arms crossed was Geoffrey St. John. Sonic shook with rage. As if he hadn't hated this guy already, he decides it would be funny to break Tails' contraptions. "YOU ASSHOLE! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS!" Sonic yelled before charging at Geoffrey, who just got in a battle stance. He then sidestepped Sonic, who was about to boost into him. Sonic skidded to a stop and tried to punch Geoffrey but the skunk just dodged it. He then kicked Sonic in side, causing the blue hedgehog to fall down. Sonic just got up and punched Geoffrey in the face before dropkicking the skunk down. Sonic then tried to stomp Geoffrey, but he rolled out the way and stuck his legs out causing Sonic to stumble. Geoffrey then grabbed Sonic and kneed him. He then elbowed him in the head and face and roundhouse kicked Sonic a far distance. Geoffrey smirked.

"Face it, mate. I'm stronger than you now with my enhanced powers. You blokes can't stop me". "We'll see about that!" Amy yelled before smacking Geoffrey with her hammer. The skunk stumbled, trying to regain his balance, but Amy walloped Geoffrey with her hammer in the face and then the side. The skunk fell down hard. Before he could get back up, he was spindashed by Sonic and kicked aside. Geoffrey slowly stood up and shook himself. "Well, you blokes certainly are more of a challenge then Team Freedom. But your victory won't last long", he said before stretching his arm out which was crackling with electricity. Sonic and Amy just glared at the skunk. "We'll see about that!" Sonic yelled before he and Amy charged at Geoffrey.

Sunset Hill

Thrash jumped from a ledge to a platform and landed on his feet. He then turned around and blasted some huge trees with a sonic scream and sent them crashing down blocking his pursuers before turning around and running. Suddenly, Knuckles smashed through the blockade and he and Ray chased after their fleeing opponent. "GET BACK HERE!" Knuckles yelled. Thrash didn't say anything, but jumped to another platform and stomped it hard before leaping off. The platform gave away and collapsed, but Knuckles just punched his way through. The devil was pretty fast and Knuckles was far off from catching him. Damn it, you'd think all the times I'd raced Sonic would've helped by now, Knuckles though before speeding up. Ray flew beside him. Thrash was just about to jump again, but was tackled from the side by Mighty. The armadillo had recovered from the flight off the hill and he rolled around with Thrash throwing punches and kicks. Thrash pinned Mighty to the ground, but the armadillo just headbutted the devil off. Thrash clutched his head in pain before he was knocked backwards by a punch. Mighty charged at Thrash and tackled him, but Thrash threw Mighty off and kicked him. He then blasted Mighty with a sonic scream that sent the armadillo off his feet and into a bush. But he just leapt out a second later and dropkicked Thrash. Knuckles and Ray arrived and Ray was relieved that his big brother was okay. The two ran to help Mighty. Knuckles smashed his fist into Thrash's face sending the devil flying across the field. The trio then charged at Thrash, but he just blasted them with an overpowered sonic scream. Mighty and Ray were swept off their feet and sent careening back, screaming. Knuckles just grabbed the ground with his spikes and slowly made his way through Thrash, fighting the sonic scream. Thrash saw Knuckles was coming and put more power into his scream. Knuckles was nearly swept off his feet, but stuck to the ground and inched closer. Once he was close enough, Knuckles lunged forward and punched Thrash in the face. The devil stumbled and Knuckles then uppercut him. Thrash fell down on his back and groaned in pain.

"Damn, you are one tough son of a gun", he said. Knuckles just put a foot on Thrash's chest. "Good to know. Now, I'm gonna ask you one last time to give me the warp ring and let my kind come back, or else", Knuckles snarled holding up his spiked fist. Thrash didn't seem fazed at all and he just grinned. "Never, mate". He then blasted Knuckles off with a sonic scream and slammed on the ground with both hands. He then pinned Knuckles down and glared at the echidna. "Y'wanna know where I sent your kind? Fine! I imprisoned them in the Twilight Cage!" he yelled in the echidna's face. Knuckles was shocked. "The T-Twilight Cage?" he asked. "Yes! And now you're gonna join them!" Thrash hissed before tossing a warp ring and opening up a ring portal to the dimension. He then threw Knuckles in the ring but the echidna just grabbed Thrash's fur and took the devil with him. Both screamed as they fell in the ring. Mighty gasped. "Knuckles!" he shouted before taking off after his friend. "Mighty!" Ray yelled as he flew after Mighty and into the warp ring...

TO BE CONTINUED

*Author's note: Well that's surprising. Thrash has sent all the echidnas to the Twilight Cage? And just what is going on at New Mobotropolis? Join us next time as Team Fighters face off against Geoffrey St. John and Knuckles and his team journey through the nightmarish Twilight Cage!

EPIC Out!