Chapter 2 – The Challenge of Knuckles
The birds were chirping happily as the sun shone brightly during the day, and the dragon village was much active than ever. Since the affair with the snare drum and magic shako, Bowser began to spend more time with Draco, and Cynder balanced the times she would hang out with him and then teach Ash. The Charizard felt much more at ease now that he got to spend more time with his beloved ones.
It was a lovely morning, and Lily, with the help of Amy, has served a large breakfast, for Jimmy, the Kremlings, and even the Daring Dragon Dynamos stopped by to visit their friends, though Charonus and Jeremy were staying at the Anthro League. While everyone was enjoying breakfast, Draco, Darky, Bowser and Percival told them all about their adventure from yesterday.
"And after taking in Bowser and Draco's advice with so much thought, I've learned not to let others push me around and denounce my faith," said Percival. "I know that I should be proud of where I stand, and what others might say has more to do with them than it is to do with me."
"Sounds like you really learned something from the whole experience, Percival," said Jimmy. "But at least, everyone understood what you and Draco had been going through, and it's good to see them trying their best to make compromises so the both of you would be satisfied."
"Well, Bowser's been giving me the time I needed from him," said Draco. "He and I talked things over last night after we gave the shako and snare drum to the museum."
"I wish I could have seen them," said Klump. "Being a former general of the Kremling Krew, I would lead the Kritter troops to march back when we used to invade Kongo Island."
"Even though we could have kept it, it was definitely for the best," replied Percival. "After nearly losing the shako and snare drum to Eggman's Robot Master, we couldn't afford to allow the chance that another one, or even the Pyre Squad, to steal it, since next time we might not be so lucky."
As Tails was munching on his bowl of macaroni and cheese, he was taking a look at his phone, watching his avatar playing the guitar with the Nightriders. He found the app very amusing. Just then, his phone started to ring, and it was from a rather mysterious number.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Hello, Tails," replied a deep and suspicious voice. "Just thought I'd let you in that you'll be having a visitor coming to your base of operations. I suggest that you have the two Chaos Emeralds in your possession ready for display when he arrives."
"What do you mean?" he asked. "Who are you, and who is this visitor you're speaking of? As a matter of fact, why should the Chaos Emeralds be on display?"
"Let's just say that he happens to be an old friend of yours, somewhat," replied the voice. "I won't be revealing anything more information, as this is going to be a surprise for you, Blaze and Sonic. All I know is that he is extremely eager to see you three again, and possibly even get acquainted your dragon friends, which I guarantee."
And with that, the call ended, leaving Tails feeling very puzzled. Blaze and Sonic could only wonder what was going on.
"I don't know about this," said Blaze. "This setup seems very fishy to me, and I've a hunch that this could actually be a trap or something."
Tails picked up the Chaos Emeralds and looked at them, pondering on whether he should leave them on the table so they could be on sight for the mysterious visitor.
"Don't worry about it, buddy," said Sonic. "If this guy, whoever he is, comes to do something with the Chaos Emeralds, I'm going to show him that no one can best me and my speed."
Everyone gathered around as they looked at the Chaos Emeralds.
"These are really beautiful gems," remarked Zippy. "I can only imagine on what kind of mystical power they must contain."
"Believe me, Zippy, they are extremely powerful," said Sonic. "And when all seven are collected, it enables me to ascend to a stronger form."
"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, Sonic," said Tails. "We need to get the other five emeralds first, hopefully before Eggman takes them to his, well, you know."
"That egg belly won't be able to accomplish his dream as long as I'm around!" declared Sonic. "Once we've outsmarted him and got all of them in our possession, he will be history!"
From a distance, just outside the dragon village, Knuckles was hiding in the bushes after being shown the way with the help of Sharkinator, who had the location on his memory after receiving it from Cybird earlier before his destruction. Although he did not grasp everything from the discussion, he was able to pick up what Sonic had been saying, and as he remembered Eggman's words, the echidna came to the conclusion that what the doctor said was true.
"So, Sonic plans to use the Chaos Emeralds to overthrow Eggman and then rule the world," he said to himself as he felt his anger swelling inside of him. "Not if I have anything to say about it, and the rest of his collaborators shall pay as well!"
Pounding his fists, Knuckles stomped forward towards the village. The group were still chattering away, so he figured that he would have to bring their attention to him.
"YOU!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
This made everyone turn around and face their new arrival. While the dragons and the kremlings had never met the red scar-faced echidna, Sonic, Tails and Blaze instantly recognised the visitor.
"Knuckles!" exclaimed Tails cheerfully. "It has certainly been a long time, old friend! What brings you here to the dragon village?"
Cynder, however, noticed that there was something in Knuckles' expression that hinted that he was not there for a friendly greeting. "Just a minute, Tails," she said quickly. "There's something not quite right about this."
"Hey, no need to be so paranoid, Cynder," said Tails. "Knuckles may seem a little intimidating, especially with those scars in his face, but he's a good guy and at times will help us out whenever we need him, isn't that right, Knuckles?"
"Shut your mouth, Poindexter!" snapped Knuckles. "I'm not in the mood to hear your boring rambles about me, you babbling nerd!"
Tails was shocked and offended by Knuckles' harsh words, and then, without wasting a second, Knuckles charged towards the village, ready to attack everyone.
"I'm coming after you, Sonic!" he shouted as he set his sights on the blue hedgehog.
Quickly, Sonic jumped out of the way, and Knuckles knocked the table over. Food flew everywhere, and the dragons were bewildered at what was going on.
"Holy smokes!" exclaimed Jeremy. "That's one mad echidna!"
"What do you say, shall we teach this crasher some manners?" asked Torden as he wanted to give Knuckles a piece of his mind.
"No, there's no need," said Tails grimly, knowing all too well what it meant. "Leave this to Sonic. It seems that Eggman has tricked him again."
"Tricked him, how?" asked Draco.
"Knuckles is a very gullible echidna and takes everything he hears to heart," replied Tails. "It's no doubt that Eggman must have told him lies about us in order to make him fight Sonic and get the Chaos Emeralds for him. It always happens, and it's been like this since the first time we met Knuckles."
"Then we better do something!" said Lily. "We should tell him that he was deceived by Eggman!"
"It's not going to be easy," said Blaze. "Once Knuckles is riled up, there is no way you can be able to reason with him, and the only thing we could do now is let him and Sonic have their pointless altercation."
Knuckles glared angrily at Sonic, who just faced him with a displeased look on his face.
"Alright, Sonic, this is it!" he growled. "The jig is up! We're going to have it out, you and me, in a one-on-one fight!"
"Tell me, Knuckles," said Sonic. "What bogus story has Eggman told you about me this time?"
"Don't play coy with me, you loathsome clown!" bellowed Knuckles. "I've had it with you! I know your plot with the Chaos Emeralds, as Eggman has warned me, and I'm going to make sure that is never going to happen! You disgust me! You blue spiky-haired swine!"
"And just how do I disgust you?" asked Sonic.
"Well, how about that I'm all by myself in the Angel Island guarding the Master Emerald, while you do nothing but coast through life and seeking pleasure like the miserable little worm that you are!" said Knuckles. "I dedicate my life to my duty, yet I have never been credited as a hero or for what I contribute! You, on the other hand, are nothing but a joke! Yet, you accomplished much more than I could ever dream of, and saved my life and my island. If there's one trait that I have which you obviously lack, it is honour, and you stole it from me! You even robbed me of my dignity and pride! Now that you have plans to take over the world, this is moment that I've been waiting for so long, to finally get my due, and make you repay your debts to me!"
Author's Note: It looks like Sonic and Knuckles are going to have yet another duel! Talk about deja vu! Can Sonic make Knuckles see sense? And what will become of the Chaos Emeralds? The next chapter shall reveal more!