Hi hi! So this week I submitted two works which is a bit of an improvement but because I had time lol. Anyway here's the next chapter to the ongoing story. Please enjoy!

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

Chapter 5: Guidance II

"I thought I had him, but then he disappeared into the light?!" a rough male voice shouted.

"You let the doctor get away? Hmph! You're useless…" said a more calm yet serious voice.

"What'd you say?! What's your problem, Shadow?! Don't mess with me, I'm not in the mood! I might take it out on you, got it?" the male voice barked at Shadow.

"Whatever Knuckles… But first, I've got some business with the doctor!" Shadow replied.

"All righty then… Let's see who can catch him first!" Knuckles said.

"You're on! Let's do it!" And off they went. Both eventually found their target after some time.

"Doctor! What are you hiding!" Shadow interrogated the large man before the two.

"Hey, Shadow! Mind your own business! Yo, Eggman! You'd better hand over the Master Emerald this time!" Knuckles interrupted.

"Annoying pests! I'll crush you with my mechanical pets!" Dr. Eggman growled at the two as several of his robots came to his aid. Knuckles readied himself for battle.

"Bring it on! We'll see who crushes who!"

…

…

…

A hard silence flew within the air as Knuckles and the mysterious white tiger watched each other with a tough gaze. A breeze passed through the middle of the courtyard as they stood far apart, several leaves flowing through its current across from them. Violet eyes remained adamant on jade-colored ones while the latter did the same, silently studying one another with no animosity or hate, but of curiosity and analysis. The other three watched with Dulcy keeping Cinder's mouth shut and Bunker watching them with interest. The tortoise was curious on what will happen, sensing that both have large pride and honor. The silence was broken however as the white tiger uncrossed her arms.

"I see that you come from afar echidna and that you knew Sonic the Hedgehog. Tell me, are you as good as the famed blue hero?" she asked Knuckles. The former emerald guardian kept a hard gaze yet was becoming a bit frustrated. "I'm good my own way so don't compare me to him."

The white tiger raised an eyebrow. "Very well then, I am intrigued however that Zonshen has brought you here and I assume it is for something he only knows about."

"I don't even know why he brought me here to begin with. I was just looking around the town and when we met he started talking about the place and led me here." Knuckles explained with a sigh after. "Look I'm only exploring right now so when he comes back I'll say my goodbyes. Sound good?"

The black-striped tiger clenched her teeth at his response. "That is dishonorable echidna. There is reason Zonshen brought you here and if words won't suffice, then I guess action will." she then readied herself in a fighting stance watching him seriously. "Prove to me you are here for what you speak. If it is to be a part of the shrine then you'll have to go through me."

Knuckles rolled his eyes at this yet smirked cracking his knuckles. "Alright I guess I can play with you for a little bit. I have been training during my travels yet haven't faced any serious competition so far so let's see if you have what it takes hehe."

Cinder finally managed to free herself from Dulcy as she cheered on the two. "WOOHOO! Let's go Jian you got this! Show him what you're made of!"

"C-Cinder be quiet! You don't want to anger Master Shuifon while he's away, he'll hear you!" Dulcy said in slight panic. The pheasant girl simply giggled as they watched the two opponents. Bunker was on the side spectating silently to herself.

'Their chi has gotten stronger. Jian's is as serious and powerful to no surprise but Knuckles… is very unique. Besides the conflict he is having, he is definitely not bluffing when he has trained. Be careful Jian…' Bunker thought.

Knuckles and the white tiger known as Jian stared each other down, waiting to see who strikes first. Away from them a single blade of grass carried a small water droplet that rolled down its curved edge and began hanging on its tip.

Its clear surface formed a sphere to which little by little did it detach itself from the grass. Soundless wind passed through it and just that little nudge was enough to do it, falling serenely onto the puddle below.

DRIP.

Two sonic booms were heard in the distance.

…

…

…

"This Knuckles… he has a lot of anger and stubbornness from what I have sensed Zonshen and I do not know if he will be able to fit in with the warriors." Shuifon said to the elderly man as they walked the grounds of Shinjin Shrine.

"Of course Master Shuifon, he was pretty straightforward and demanding when I first talked to him, but that's not what the focus is about. It's about… something that he is searching for."

Shuifon raised an eyebrow at this, yet smiled. "Hehe I see and of course, I know about that."

"No surprise from you my old friend. Only you would be able to tell if one is seeking a greater purpose in life." Zonshen replied.

"Yes, the young echidna is seeking answers to what his destiny is to be. I can tell that he left something behind to find another something, yet he does not know what that something is."

"Hmm, maybe… if it's possible… his path could be…"

Shuifon's eyes widened at this. "No, he will not be that Zonshen. The students here are learning on their own aspects and training one another to defend Chun-nan, but I have sworn to myself to never teach again after… what happened last time."

Zonshen continued to look ahead unfazed. "He could be the one Shuifon. The one to carry your will and your spirit when you pass from this world. Knuckles may look short-tempered but I can tell he has a pure heart that wants to protect others."

"You're not seeing the bigger picture here. My skills are too great for him to wield even if he looks strong. I don't even know if he'll be worthy and from what I knew when Sonic was here, not even he was worthy." Shuifon said in sadness. A hand rested on his shoulder to which he looked up as Zonshen smiled.

"Knuckles didn't come here on his own accord my friend. He is looking for something that would bring purpose to his life." Zonshen tightened his grip a bit on Shuifon's shoulder. "Have him spend time here at the shrine. Show him your teachings and have him know more about the warriors. It may open his heart to what he strives to truly be." the elderly man said.

Shuifon looked at him curiously and tried to rebuttal, but no words came out of his mouth. It was a bit of a surprise that Zonshen brought an outsider to the shrine while he simply took a walk, but he didn't bring the red echidna here out of pure chance. No… Shuifon wouldn't be skeptical on why the man older than him would just bring a random stranger to the sacred grounds in the mountains without providing a good explanation. He wouldn't think seconds thoughts on why that is, having known Zonshen for years and holding great respect to the world's greatest healer.

After all, he was also the elder and guardian of Chun-nan's Gaia Temple.

"So, have you made a decision yet my young friend?" Zonshen said breaking his train of thought. Shuifon thought about it a bit more and sighed afterwards.

"Okay, I'll give Knuckles a chance. Tell me though, what makes him special besides trying to find a higher purpose?" Shuifon questioned as they continued walking. "There's many out there that try to find something in life that gives them meaning, so why this one?"

Zonshen grinned and kept his stare in front of him.

"It is because… he was the guardian of the Master Emerald."

…

…

…

Dulcy watched in shock.

Completely stunned out of her mind.

Cinder beside her was also the same way, her cheerful expression turned into one of astonishment with her normally loud personality on halt.

Bunker remained unfazed yet a smile was shown as the three looked at the scene in front of them.

"Hah… hah… hah…"

Panting was heard from two individuals staring at one another, yet only one was causing the noise.

"Wow… hah… you sure… hah… are good." Jian smirked at her opponent, ignoring the several cracks and debris that littered the courtyard around them. At the other side of the area stood Knuckles with his hands crossed, smiling back at her.

"Hehe told you I wasn't kidding. That was a good spar I'll admit and I had a great time." the red echidna stated. Jian got back onto her feet and smiled, walking over to Knuckles and extending her hand. "My name's Jian and it was a pleasure to spar with you. You fight with great honor and I respect you for it."

Knuckles look at her hand for a second and extended his own to meet hers for a handshake. "Well you already know me but again, my name is Knuckles."

"I see that you and young Jian are getting along just as well." Shuifon's voice was heard as he and Zonshen made their way to the five. Cinder ran up to them while jumping up and down cheerfully.

"You should've seen it! Jian was like POW and WHAM but Knuckles was like BOOM and KAPOW! But holy moly Knuckles was just AWESOME!" Cinder yelled happily.

"H-Hehe yeah, Jian put up a good fight but… man I wouldn't want to go up against the red guy." Dulcy smirked. Bunker nodded silently to that. "We apologize for the mess Master Shuifon. Jian greeted our visitor in her own way but we will fix it momentarily."

"Hehe that is alright Bunker, we'll deal with the matter later. For now however I would like to speak with Knuckles." Shuifon then looked at the person in question. "Care to join me?"

Knuckles was hesitant but nodded in the end. "Alright guess so I can do something and not stand here like an idiot hehe."

Zonshen smiled at that. "Well I will be taking my leave then. May your stay in Chun-nan be a pleasant one and I hope you enjoy the offerings it gives to you." With that did the elderly man headed towards the entrance as the four female warriors waved bye to him along with Shuifon.

'May your path lead you to what is right Knuckles. I fear that since you left your duty… the world may be in great peril that not even Sonic will be able to handle.' Zonshen thought descending the stairs. 'You are of the greatest importance in this world, the last of your kind and the only one that will be able to bring peace.'

…

…

…

"Wait so you want me to do what?" Knuckles asked Shuifon.

"I want you to train here in the temple. Zonshen has recommended that we help you in your journey ahead of you by giving you more knowledge on what we offer." the middle-aged man stated. "Chun-nan may look peaceful, but it is not without its impurities."

"I'm not one to stick around in one place anymore you got that?" Knuckles voice began to get louder as he got irritated. "I've spent my whole life staying in one place before and I'm finally free from it. I can go wherever I want to without anything holding me back and that's exactly what I'm going to do." the red echidna ended it as he started walking away towards the entrance. The girls have left the courtyard to their living quarters, and it was only just the two of them. Shuifon watched him leave in silence, eyes staring at the back of the red echidna's head with a calm expression.

"You were guardian of the Master Emerald am I correct?"

Knuckles stopped, eyes widening at what he heard as he turned quickly to him.

"How did you know that…" he said through clenched teeth, visible anger apparent. "Don't you dare bring that up!"

This didn't faze Shuifon however. "Do not be upset, I only asked out of curiosity. I can tell that your destiny of protecting one of the most powerful relics in existence can be troublesome, detaching you from the many discoveries you could do in life such as exploring the world."

Knuckles kept a stern gaze. "You're right about that old man."

"I would have assumed I was but thank you. Aside from that… what are you truly looking for in your life my young child?"

Knuckles was about to speak but no words came out, his eyes lowering to the ground in sadness.

"To be honest… I really don't know. Ever since I renounced my duty to the Master Emerald I felt a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can be free and lively as Sonic in my own way and explore all the places that he explored and I haven't. I also have more time to do some treasure hunting and any other things I do on my own so there's that as well. But… I sometimes feel that I do have a destiny and I don't know what it is." Knuckles looked up at Shuifon with the same expression. "I want to be something greater than what I was before, which was just standing there guarding a large hunk of rock. I want to find a purpose that'll make me feel as if I am not the last of my kind anymore, that when I leave this world… I would leave behind something many can remember of. I want to be… something greater than what I was before and not get made fun of."

Shuifon was intrigued in all of this. "So what are you feeling now Knuckles?"

A sniff came out of the red echidna as a few tears appeared under his violet orbs. "I-I'm scared… my life has been one of living on my own with no one to look out after me. I grew up with no guidance and I was scared that I could die the next day if I wasn't careful. The Master Emerald showed me the basics on how to survive, but it isn't enough to fill that void in my heart. I want to be someone that is strong… that can do more than just guard the Master Emerald… to make my own destiny." he ended wiping his eyes and sniffing.

The middle-aged man nodded silently. 'Zonshen was right. He is lost now that he left his duty, but I sense that he strives to find greater importance in his life. I do feel that he has seen a lot that others do not normally see and grew up with no one… okay Knuckles…'

"It is your choice whether or not you want to stay at the temple and I will not force you to. I will say however that if you choose to stay, we can help you seek that purpose. I can show you what I know and teach you on how to calm your mind. Being a former guardian must've been a great task in of itself, but here we will show you peace and tranquility without restriction or bounds." Zonshen cleared his throat and continued. "If you do stay, do know that it will take time for you to seek that purpose. And maybe…"

"Maybe what?" Knuckles asked curiously. Shuifon chuckled at his expression.

"Maybe with enough training… you can reach that possibility."

"Which is?" the red echidna asked.

"If you're that curious my young child, what is your answer?"

Knuckles placed his hand under his chin in thought. What really is his answer? Does he even know what he'll be getting into? Not only that but he just met him as well! However unlike his previous role where he was alone for his whole life on a floating island, he'll be living around people who have similar traits as he does aside from being former guardians. He did enjoy his spar with Jian and the other three looked like they wouldn't bother him much unlike a certain blue hedgehog. The more important thing was if he would find a greater meaning to his life if he stayed.

So far, he's been exploring and nothing has popped out yet. Maybe settling for a bit here will give him some insight on what he's looking for so with a shrug he gave his answer with a grin.

"Alright old man, when do we start?"

…

…

…

"The plan is almost complete… however… I must find that echidna as he is the key…"

End of Chapter 5

That ending sounds suspicious... just what will happen?

Anyway til next time!