-stretches very lonk-
Ahhhh that's the spot hehe. Morning to everyone!
So looks like the heat wave has come and passed and now it cloudy with a bit of rain... FINALLY LOL! But aside from that here's a fresh one with some rain in it as well. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.
Chapter 14: Small Revelations
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"He… the chosen…"
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"…destiny…"
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"Will save the world…"
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"…"
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"…this sickness…"
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"L… you…"
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"Soon will be the very last of us… fulfill the prophecy…Knuckles."
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"HUH?! WHA?!"
Knuckles woke up startled, looking around quickly to see where he was.
A cold wind hit his face as violet eyes took note of the dark sky with the stars and moon up above, their twinkling light being the sources of brightness within the mostly black ceiling. Knuckles took note that he was lying on a giant multicolored bird that flew within the sky with colorful wings spread, leaving a gentle streak of color behind. Its wings were spread out without the need to flap them, the wind blowing well enough to keep it airborne.
The red echidna turned to look behind him and saw the Shinjin Warriors sleeping as well. Dulcy was curled up with her dragon wings covering her form and resting her head on her forearms, Shian had her hands behind her head with legs crossed and Cinder cuddling next to her. Bunker meanwhile was inside her shell, light snoozing coming out from the hole where her head would normally be. The girls were deep in slumber and seeing the time of day and what they encountered before, it would make sense that they fully needed some rest.
Knuckles looked back ahead of him, the clear sky not showing any sign of ominous mist that they encountered back in Chun-nan.
Though the city itself was gone from the face of the earth.
And Knuckles knew why.
'I'm sure it's back, but I don't want to tell them. I'll just take them somewhere safe and I'll deal with this mess.' Knuckles raised his black hood over his head to cover his face from the cold wind, his ebony scarf flowing behind him.
'If I want to figure out my future I'll have to deal with this obstacle in my way. I won't let the girls get hurt because of my past…'
The red echidna sensed eyes on him and his own violet ones shifted their gaze towards the Gaia Phoenix who looked back at him, slight concern on its face. Knuckles simply nodded to indicate that he was doing fine, but the mythical bird gestured over in front.
Knuckles shifted his gaze to where it pointed at and saw several clouds beginning to form along with the sound of rain in the distance. Looking back at the phoenix, Knuckles was acquainted well enough with it that the large creature had a weakness to water.
Then again the red echidna did study intensely on the Gaia Phoenix and other folkloric beings to know what traits they possess and such. He didn't like it at first since he's not one to read much, but Shuifon said it is so he can have a better understanding of Chun-nan's rich history.
Pretty sure Knuckles assumed the Linshao kung fu master saw the former as not very bright, but nonetheless he hit the books… or scrolls and read through them intensely.
Knuckles petted its several feathers with the phoenix croaking softly in delight. "Alright it looks like we'll have to land somewhere. We're close to the high mountains but this storm will drag us down."
Scanning the area below him he saw a large forest, but there wasn't a clearing large enough for the Gaia Phoenix to land upon. Looking more at the surroundings, his purple orbs spotted a well-sized cave within a hilltop.
"Go there." Knuckles said to it. The phoenix did a small screech that wasn't loud to wake the Shinjin Warriors and slowly descended to the cave. The storm began coming in dangerously close and Knuckles' nose twitched at the scent of rainwater coming its way.
Luckily the Gaia Phoenix managed to fly its way into the cave.
A sudden scream coming out of it just as several bats flew out of the opening with rain pouring around the scenery.
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"Everyone doing alright?" Dulcy said walking into the cave drenched in rainwater. Knuckles walked beside her just as wet while carrying a bag over his shoulder as right in front of him sat the other Shinjin Warriors that encircled a fire. Cinder shivered rubbing her hands together then putting them near the embers while Jian and Bunker stared at it with an emotionless gaze.
"Guess that would count as a yes?" Dulcy said again while releasing a bag she held as well. "So we got plenty of food that'll last us a bit, but we don't enough that'll have us stay here for days."
"It's fine Dulcy." Knuckles muttered dropping his own bag. "We'll rest today and if next day is clear then we'll head out first thing in the morning."
The teal dragon nodded taking a seat next to the fire along with Knuckles joining in. Cinder noticed the two watching their wet clothing.
"Y-You t-two s-should change out of th-those or y-you'll be sick!" the orange pheasant said through clattering teeth. Apparently she was very cold.
"It's fine Cinder. Since I am cold-blooded I don't catch a fever that easily." Dulcy explained.
"I have lived almost my entire life outdoors whether it be rain or shine so I developed an immunity to such illnesses." Knuckles responded.
Cinder nodded with a shaking smile, the sounds of her teeth hitting each other rapidly.
"I think you should go and sleep now. Nuzzle up next to the Gaia Phoenix so you could be warm." the teal-green dragon said. The orange pheasant nodded quickly and scampered over to the mythical bird. The Gaia Phoenix slept a few feet away at the end of the cave silently snoring. Cinder got next to it and cuddled up on its feathers, a happy smile on her face as instant warmth hit her and she was off to dreamland.
"Hehe even as a teen she's still a child." Dulcy grinned.
"Yeah, she reminds me of someone I knew long ago. Same personality, same vibrance… yet different." Knuckles added.
"You don't need to share with us more of your past Knuckles. We won't prod you into doing that." Dulcy placed a hand on his shoulder. "We're your sisters and as such we'll respect whether or not you want to tell us more about yourself."
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"What do you know about those robots?" Jian's voice was made known. Dulcy jumped in surprise releasing Knuckles with the latter watching the white tiger.
A hard silence fell afterwards, only the crackling of the fire being heard in the air. The warmth of it was good enough to keep the harsh cold air at bay but they would need to keep it lit or otherwise the harsh icy wind from the storm outside would get to them. The sounds of thunder and lightning from outside can be heard as well, heavy downpour echoing within the cave but nonetheless it did feel like a hard silence for the group.
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"You know about that vortex don't you. Whatever that strange energy was."
"Enough Jian." Bunker spoke out for the first time. "Do not question our brother Knuckles further. If he does not want to share that information with us then he does not have-."
"They are robots made from someone I knew long ago." Knuckles answered. Jian left her stare from the fire and directed it towards the red echidna. "So how'd they find out where you were?"
Knuckles took his turn to look at the fire, its yellow and orange flames dancing within the pile of wood. "The fox was the one that led them to us."
Dulcy and Bunker watched the two as they remained quiet. Knuckles and Jian were primarily the best fighters in the group, but at the same time they were also the most hard-headed. If they want an answer they would definitely get it.
Even if it means getting it from one another.
"So who was this someone that you speak of?" the white tiger continued. Knuckles silently watched the fire not saying anything for a few seconds, then gave off a small sigh. "They were robots created by Dr. Eggman."
"Dr. Eggman?" Jian said in confusion. Bunker and Dulcy continued to listen in the background.
"Yeah. He was a mad scientist that wanted to take over the world using this relic called the Master Emerald along with its servers, the Chaos Emeralds. For that reason he created a robotic army in order to steal them but so far he has failed in all his attempts." Knuckles explained.
"Well what about now? It looks like he may have pulled it off." Jian replied.
Knuckles continued to stare at the fire, his expression hardening a bit. "Thing is… this isn't something he would easily do."
Jian was slightly surprised. "…well if this wasn't Dr. Eggman then who was it?"
The red echidna then faced her. "You said that the shuriken that attacked you was green with yellow edges correct?"
"Yeah." Jian said looking at her arm which was fully covered in a wrap. Dulcy managed to patch it up completely so now all the white tiger needed was to rest up until the wound closes.
Knuckles looked over her shoulder to see the Gaia Phoenix and Cinder fast asleep. He looked back at the three with a serious expression. "Okay, what I'm about to tell you is something that many don't know. Only a few of us know and not many know of its existence."
"So if it wasn't Dr. Eggman then who was it?" Dulcy whispered. Knuckles took in a small inhale then breathed out his nose.
"To start off, the weapon that attacked you was from the Heavy Shinobi."
"Heavy Shinobi?" Bunker said questioningly.
"Yes, but fortunately it looks like you two didn't encounter it directly which is a good sign. I however had to deal with this other one."
"Which other one Knuckles?" Dulcy said to him.
"The one that I fought was called the Heavy Gunner. Different than the one you faced and this one fires off missiles from all directions. The difference is that it used Chaos Control to teleport the missiles instantly. It was a tough fight but I managed to destroy it." the red echidna explained.
"So Chaos Control was what the shuriken was doing?" Jian asked. Knuckles nodded. "Yeah and it's a good thing you were able to sense it. The issue is that they were empowered by something I thought was destroyed…"
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"So what was it?" Bunker said to Knuckles. The latter remained silent, internally having a hard time letting it out.
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His willpower always comes through though.
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"The Phantom Ruby…"
"Phantom Ruby?" the three said at the same time.
'It looks like they don't know. Good this will be easier to explain but I can't reveal much.' Knuckles thought. "Yeah, the Phantom Ruby. It is a gem of incredible energy than can change the shape of reality as we know it and give those who wield it unlimited power… but it comes at a cost."
"What cost?" asked Jian.
"The Phantom Ruby corrupts anyone and anything that uses it and can bend the fabric of time and space around it, which is why you three saw the vortex growing inside Chun-nan. The Heavy Gunner I was battling was imbued with this energy and by defeating it did this energy release and engulf our home." he said in sadness. Dulcy noticed and patted his back. "It's okay Knuckles, you didn't know."
"Yeah but I wasn't able to stop it from taking Chun-nan. The energy of the Phantom Ruby cannot be stopped that easily which is why we had to run away." the red echidna replied.
"Are there more of these robots with this energy?" Jian asked.
Knuckles nodded. "Yeah, there's the Shinobi and four others. If my guess is correct we'll have to find them and defeat them in order to find out where the Phantom Ruby is."
"Well alright so first thing in the morning we'll get right to it!" Jian said with a smirk and pumping her fists. Knuckles shook his head to her. "It's not that easy. You said Bunker almost died by its weapon so at our current strength it won't be enough, even I had trouble with the Gunner."
"Hmm well that's a bummer." the white tiger replied crossing her arms behind her head.
"So what can we do to stop this threat?" Bunker said.
"I don't know, but if anything the best course of action would be to find the nearest city and keep low for some time. We first have to make sure that Master Shuifon and Zonshen are safe." Knuckles replied.
"Well alright Knuckles we'll follow your word on it. So you said you knew them from before right? Did you find a way to defeat this Phantom Ruby back then?" Dulcy said.
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"…I do not know. That part is hazy to me and since it was a very long time ago, I don't remember." Knuckles muttered.
Dulcy watched in concern along with Jian and Bunker. Another silence fell upon the group with only the crackling of the fire and sounds of lightning, thunder and heavy rain being heard from outside the cave.
A yawn made itself known from Dulcy however. "Well looks like it's time for some shuteye. Goodnight everyone!"
Another yawn came from Bunker. "Just as you I will also join you. Pleasant dreams as well and may peace be eternal in your slumber."
A third yawn came out of Jian. "Ugh fine I'll head off with you girls." the white tiger picked herself up along with everyone else.
Except she turned her head to see Knuckles hasn't moved from his spot. "You coming Knux?" Jian asked.
"It's alright. Someone's got to keep the fire going so I'll make sure you girls don't get frostbite or anything hehe." Knuckles grinned. Jian returned the expression and gave a thumbs up, turning around and joining the others sleeping next to the Gaia Phoenix.
Knuckles stared at the fire with thoughts going through his head.
'I should've told them everything. How I was guardian of the Master Emerald. How the Phantom Ruby is stronger than it and can negate its power. How… Sonic didn't stand a chance against it.' Knuckles watched the flames with a frown. 'The Chaos Emeralds aren't enough to beat it so I'll have to find another way… but first we need to find Shuifon and Zonshen.'
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'Lastly… what was that dream from before…?'
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A cloaked hooded figure hovered in the sky overlooking a deep purple mist that covered the area where Chun-nan used to be.
Glowing red eyes took in the sight… then it vanished into thin air.
End of Chapter 14
And that should do it!
So the Phantom Ruby is the cause behind this huh, so it looks like for some you may already know who it is hehe, but don't get too ahead of yourself as it is still too early in the story.
Will Knuckles and co. save Chun-nan and find Shuifon and Zonshen? Who was that at the end of the chapter as well?
Stay tuned! ^u^