Chapter 15; Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles groaned in pain and started to stir. Eragon, Saphira and Sonic looked at him with concern. When the echidna was fully awake, he blinked and looked around. Then he saw Eragon and a curious expression formed on his face.
"Who are you?" Knuckles asked.
"I am Eragon, and you are in the land of Alagaesia. You were brought here by a Chaos Emerald."
Knuckles tensed up. "How do you know about the Chaos Emeralds? Have you taken the Master Emerald, because it's missing! You took it, didn't you? How else would you know about the Chaos Emeralds, you little thief!"
Eragon looked at Knuckles. "I didn't steal anything, so don't blame any of this on me! Have Sonic talk to you."
"Sonic is here? Where?"
Suddenly a blue dragon walked towards him and grinned. Hey, Knuckles. How are you?
Knuckles' eyes widened. "Sonic? is that you?"
The one and only.
"What happened to you? Why are you a dragon?"
It's a long story, so I better explain, Sonic said.
He told Knuckles everything that had happened since he arrived here, and how he became a dragon. Knuckles listened in rapt attention as Sonic told the echidna about his quest here and how he had to defeat Galbatorix. Once Sonic was done telling his tale, Knuckles sighed and looked at him.
"That's quite a story," he said. "So you're a dragon forever? That's pretty cool."
Sonic nodded. How did you get to Alagaesia, anyway?
Knuckles shrugged. "I am not exactly sure. When I was guarding the Master Emerald at Angel Island on Earth, it started glowing and opened a portal, sending me straight here. I assume the Chaos Emeralds had something to do with it."
"I'm pretty sure they did," Eragon told him. "A few seconds before you arrived here, they started to glow, causing a portal to open up in the sky."
"That explains it then," Knuckles said. He looked at Eragon with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for accusing you of stealing the Master Emerald; I'm very protective of it."
Eragon nodded and Sonic snorted in amusement.
You're such a knucklehead, the dragon said. I see you haven't changed one bit.
Knuckles glared at Sonic and clenched his fists. "Looking for a fight, are you?"
Even if I was, I'd easily beat you. Now that I am a dragon, I have new powers you couldn't even imagine. Also, I'd win anyway because even in this form I still have my super speed.
I have a feeling you two are rivals? Glaedr asked.
Yeah, Sonic told him. But we've teamed up on occasion.
Knuckles calmed down and looked at Sonic. "So what can I do while I am here? Do you want me to help?"
Sure, Sonic said. Shadow's here also, but he was taken by Galbatorix who transformed him into a dragon and is no under his control. We were thinking of attacking Galbatorix's castle soon anyway. Once the Varden contact us, we'll head to Uru'baen.
"Galbatorix has captured Shadow?" Knuckles asked, surprised. Then a look of confusion formed on his face. "Who are the Varden?"
A group of fighters dedicated to overthrow Galbatorix, Saphira said.
"Fair enough. I need to look for the Master Emerald, though. I can sense it somewhere on this planet."
Sonic and Saphira looked at Knuckles in surprise.
If the Chaos Emeralds are here, then it would make sense that the Master Emerald is also, Sonic told him. Where can you sense it?
"I have a feeling it is near a mountain range. I could lead it to you if you wish," Knuckles told him.
Sonic nodded. We shall leave to look for it in the morning; the Chaos Emeralds need to be searched for also. Meanwhile... he looked at Saphira, blushing. Saphira and I will be...talking in private.
He walked away into the woods, followed by Saphira. Knuckles watched the two dragons leave and looked at Eragon.
"I have a feeling those two like each other," he said.
Eragon nodded. "So do I. It is almost dragon mating season, so the two might choose each other as mates soon. Meanwhile, we should get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
Knuckles nodded and lay against a tree, yawning. He closed his eyes to rest, thinking about ways he could help now that he was here in Alagaesia.