Yo! Here's the next chapter to the story! It's a bit of a slow progress on my end but don't worry it'll pick up steam soon enough... as I complete any other tasks that I normally do aside from fanfiction stuffs hehe. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or locations. They all belong to Sega.

Chapter 4: Guidance I

"Dang it… I came all the way to this island looking for the Master Emerald, but there's no sign of it here… Something about this island feels really familiar, though." the individual then spots a middle-aged man in the distance. "Hey! Isn't that… Eggman! That's it! He must be involved in this again! Hey Eggman! The Master Emerald is gone… I'll bet you're behind this, aren't you?!"

Dr. Eggman cackles at the individual. "Heh heh heh… Yes, that's right!" he says pulling out a card. "The Master Emerald you're looking for is right here, locked away in this card."

Another individual suddenly approaches near them. "Hey Eggman! What have you done with Any and Tails?!"

The overweight man then takes out two more cards. "Not to worry, they're sound asleep inside these cards. If either of you want these cards, you'll have to catch me first! Ho ho ho ho!" Dr. Eggman then runs off from the scene.

"Wait! Come back here!" the individual turns towards the other. "No hard feeling, Sonic, but this time there's no way you're gonna beat me."

"Okay, Knuckles… Then let's race for it! First one who gets to Eggman takes all!"

…

…

…

"Thank you so much mister! I'm finally cured of my cold!" a young boy cheered while waving to an elderly man behind him.

"It was my pleasure young man, now be careful and drink plenty of tea okay!" the old man responded in kindness. His gaze watched the boy run off to his home, a smile etched on his face as he chuckled to himself. "Ahh the wonders of youth. So quick to recover but just as delicate as old timers like myself."

Turning around the old man headed back inside his home and sighed. "Another miracle performed. This old bag of bones still has it in him hehe." he said to himself as he peered out his window. It was a mostly cloudy day, yet it was still pretty early. "I think I'll take a small stroll and then rest."

Gathering whatever he needs to head out, the old man walked out of his abode and onto the stoned streets of the small town he lived in. Various canals ran among its roads which were split by the running water, yet bridges were built in order to accommodate this. The buildings themselves were mainly red in color with artistic roofs over them and paper lanterns on each corner below. Pedestrians walked around as well going about their day, with some greeting the old man.

"Good day Master Zonshen!" a man in his thirties said.

"I hope you're doing well today Zonshen!" a lady in her mid-fifties.

"Master Zonshen thank you for treating my injuries yesterday!" a young girl hopped by in cheerfulness.

"Master Zonshen, I have a student who has injured himself while sparring and requires your assistance. Will you be available today sometime?" a middle-aged man asked the person in question.

"Why yes, I'll be happy to treat them. We can do it now if you'd like however." the old man named Zonshen stated.

"Oh no Master Zonshen I could not interrupt your walk, I do not wish to impose right now. My student is a stubborn one and sees himself to heal naturally with no medical treatment. I'm only saying later today because eventually he'll give into his pain." the man informed. Zonshen raised an eyebrow but simply nodded, the round glasses on his face moving slightly. "Very well, I'll await your arrival once I return home."

"Oh thank you Master and my apologies!" he said as he walked away. Zonshen chuckled to himself and continued his walk. This was daily life for him as the people within the town knew him fairly well as a master healer.

Well to some he was recognized as the world's best doctor and master healer. His near limitless knowledge of physical illnesses made him sought after by many around the globe. Using medicines made of herbs and natural ingredients, he mixes them with ancient medical techniques to make them more effective at healing his patients. Due to how gifted he was in the field, he was described as one that can create miracles on the body. Not only were his techniques unmatched, but his determined and confident personality were liked by the townsfolk as he prioritizes anyone no matter how grave their illnesses are. He has never turned his back on anyone whether they'd be good or evil, as long as they do not threaten the peace and tranquility of his home within the mountains where he lives among its residents. He was very popular with everyone because of these qualities, though for many they do not know of his real position…

"Hmm?" he stopped, taking interest at a certain person that walked by him. He glanced at them through his peripheral vision, noticing that they were taking in the sights with how their eyes looked around in curiosity and wonder. They intrigued Zonshen as he fully turned to see them approaching a small store with antiques of old and new. For the old man, he knew everyone in the village and to him this was a newcomer he has not seen before. What interested him however were the features of this person.

A red echidna with dreadlock quills, white gloved hands with two pointed knuckles on each and red and yellow shoes with green cuffs around them and a metal plate on top of each. They didn't come with nothing as he noticed a satchel hoisted upon his shoulder, seeing that this individual traveled from afar.

'That's odd. The last time I seen something like them before was when… he was here.' Zonshen started walking towards the red echidna and cleared his throat. "Excuse me young fellow, are you new here?" he asked.

The red echidna turned to see him, sharp violet eyes looking up at Zonshen as they nodded. "Yes, I arrived here today to explore. I came from a place far away from here and just looking around."

The old man hummed at his response. "I see, though I am curious and I may not be sure if you know."

"Know of what?" the red echidna asked.

"Do you know who Sonic is?" Zonshen replied.

Violet eyes widened yet narrowed after as a peeved expression was formed on his face. "Yes, I knew who he was and don't plan on knowing him more." he said with anger.

'Interesting. I can tell that he comes from afar but is in turmoil from something and I don't think Sonic is the cause…' Zonshen simply nodded and smiled. "Well I will not pry any further than that. Why don't you walk with me and I'll tell you all about our village?"

The red echidna looked at him suspiciously but seeing him as no threat, nodded in return. "Okay old man, but anything you do against me and I won't hesitate to beat you into the ground."

'He has immense anger. Whatever conflictl he is feeling is greater than I can anticipate. Maybe he… and them… can help him…'

…

…

…

"So this place is called Chun-nan huh? Also why do they have to have a ton of stairs going up a mountain?!" the red echidna asked Zonshen who nodded as they walked up a long flight of stairs up a mountain.

"They say that temples built upon the mountaintops are more in tune with the tranquility of this world. It also provides its residents with more peace and focus to find their inner purpose." Zonshen answered. The red echidna stayed quiet and simply nodded, not wanting to cause another outburst.

Eventually did they reach the top and were greeted by the main entrance that had two red pillars with two white ones connecting them horizontally to one another. Beyond it was a large courtyard that had a small structure made from stone in the middle with a grand temple behind it. Several trees covered the perimeter around it, giving it the scenery of a majestic yet peaceful setting. The red echidna watched in awe as Zonshen looked at him with a grin.

"Welcome Knuckles, to the Shijin Shrine." the old man announced.

Knuckles turned towards him. "I actually feel less angry now. The stairs weren't so tough."

'He's very stubborn too. I do hope they'll be able to guide him to what he seeks.' the elderly man thought.

POW!

SMASH!

CRACK!

"Hiyah!" a shout of fury was heard as the two approached the courtyard. They saw four individuals sparring with one another in two two-versus-two matches with another man observing opposite of the area. The first two fighting each other was a teal-green anthropomorphic dragon with a slender body, long tail, golden horns, a set of wings, and a blue gown with black shoulder pads and a black belt with a blue cloth hanging from the front, black pants, blue and gold gauntlets, and blue, white and gold boots. Their opponent was a short light green anthropomorphic tortoise with a stocky body, short tail, large black shell with a green swirl in the middle, a yellow gi with red trim and obi, yellow gloves with white cuffs and red-ruffed trim, and black shoes with red and white accents.

"Take this!" another shout was let off by one of the other two sparring against each other. In this one was a white anthropomorphic tiger with black stripes on their arms, back, muzzle and tail with two black eyebrow-like markings and black ears with white canals that droop; they also had jade green eyes, a black nose and two pigtails that are black in the middle held together by jade green scrunchies with attire composing of a red tube top, a red bandana, black tracksuit paints with a white lace, red and black gloves with jade green bracelets around their wrists, and red shoes with black soles. The final individual looked much younger than the others, a small orange anthropomorphic feathered pheasant with a teal beak, vermillion markings around their eyes, a tail with vermillion stripes in one feather and vermillion hands as well, a small tapered tuft on the top of their head and green eyes with one long eyelash on each one.

The person behind them all was a slightly elderly man with a white long-sleeved buttoned down shirt, a brown vest, black pants and black slip-ons. He noticed the duo at the entrance and raised a hand, the four individuals ceasing their sparring and lowering their stances. "We have visitors my pupils." he said eyeing Zonshen and Knuckles.

"Hello Shuifon, how are your students doing?" Zonshen asked the other. With a happy laugh Shuifon made his way towards him as they both bowed to each other.

"They are doing well Zonshen. Little Cinder is improving quickly on her martial arts while Dulcy is doing better on avoiding her clumsiness. So far she hasn't caused any major accidents." Shuifon stated.

"H-HEY! I heard that!" the teal-green dragon shouted in annoyance with a stutter. The small pheasant laughed happily at her misfortune while the white tiger smirked. The small tortoise simply closed her eyes in joy.

"You heard him Dulcy, make sure you don't hurt yourself again like last time. We are a team and have to work like one so we can't have any mishaps." the white tiger explained.

"It's okay Dulcy, just as long as you're having fun!" the pheasant said then looked at the two near the entrance. "Hello Mr. Zonshen and oooooh who's that?!" she asked with glee. Shuifon also looked at Knuckles in interest. "And who may you be?"

The red echidna pumped his fists together. "I am Knuckles the Echidna. I have traveled far from home and currently exploring what the world offers to me."

The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow at his answer. "Do you happen to know who Sonic was?" he asked back.

A tick mark appeared upon Knuckles' forehead as he glared in anger. "Yes, I knew him." he seethed through clenched teeth.

Shuifon smiled and nodded. "That's great to meet a friend of Sonic's. That blue hedgehog was an energetic one and saved us all from Dark Gaia's influence. He is truly a hero to the world." he said. Knuckles huffed in annoyance to himself.

"Yes he was a remarkable young fellow as well. I did come here however to speak with you on a matter that we must discuss in private. Why don't your students get to know Knuckles more as we walk the grounds."

The middle-aged man smiled. "I accept your offer and of course. Everyone, make sure you welcome our new visitor with respect and please, do not cause any major disturbance while we're gone." Shuifon ordered. The four bowed respectfully as the older duo walked away, leaving the five individuals alone with one another.

"HELLO~! So you knew Sonic the Hedgehog?! Oh how I wished to meet him but I wasn't allowed to fight alongside him as it was dangerous and we couldn't got in the way and such and-MPHGHHGHGP!" the pheasant had their beak shut by the teal-green dragon as they smiled nervously. "Hehe sorry about that. Cinder can get a little energetic when she meets new people. Master Shuifon hasn't said it, but welcome to the Shinjin Shrine and may your stay be a pleasant one!"

Knuckles sweatdropped in confusion but smiled back and nodded. "Thank you and I hope I don't intrude on whatever you guys were doing."

"We're all girls, so no worries hehe." the dragon said to him. "Oh before we forget I'm Dulcy and this is-."

"I'm Cinder! Nice to meet you~!" the pheasant shoved Dulcy's reptilian hand away and grabbed Knuckles' hand, shaking it cheerfully. Knuckles raised an eyebrow. 'She's just like Cream… hehe.'

"Hello. Welcome to our home, I am Bunker." the tortoise who stayed silent in the background walked up to him and bowed. Knuckles felt a gentle presence upon seeing her and returned the gesture. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

The red echidna tensed a bit, feeling heavy eyes on his being. He shifted his own to see the white tiger looking at him intensely with crossed arms. Knuckles steeled his own gaze, silently watching each other.

…

…

…

"Do you two know each other?!" Cinder jumped in. Dulcy grabbed her in panic. "Cinder! Don't be rude!"

Bunker observed the echidna and tiger. 'I sense Knuckles' chi is incredibly powerful. Not only that… but I also sense… his heart and mind are in conflict. Is he searching for purpose?' she thought.

'What are you truly looking for?'

End of Chapter 4

And that's the chapter! I wonder what Knuckles is truly looking for as well... it is a mystery... Anyway til next time! ouo/