Chapter 19: Fallen Angel

Knuckles walked through the ruined streets of Echidnaopolis, still taking in the destruction and ruins that now lay before him. He kept his blaster out and at the ready, keeping an eye out for trouble. He then heard noise ahead and took cover.

"Did you hear that Echidna Splinter Group was invited to come here?"

"Yeah, the ones from that isolated region of space, the ones with the cybernetics? Some of them gimme the creeps."

"I know, I wonder if any of them even feel like people after all that."

Knuckles watched as the two Stormtroopers walked past and he clenched his fist.

"The Dark Legion...they're here too."

He slipped into a derelict alleyway and continued walking, grabbing a cloak that was hanging off the side of a wrecked window, and put it on, hoping to better mask himself from anyone who may be watching. He exited the alleyway and continued walking. He crossed streets and ruined alleyways, dodging any Stormtrooper patrols he could find. But as he got closer to the heart of the city, he saw a makeshift barrier.

"Remind me again why we can no longer go into the heart of the city?"

"Dark Legion wants this part of the city, the Government center. The Captain says the Legion has some old matters to settle in that part of the city."

"You know what that is?"

"How the hell should I know? The Legion has been an isolationist group for decades, just even trying to understand the history here makes me wanna shoot something."

Knuckles looked around, before looking up and seeing the rooftop of the nearby building was still intact. He quietly stuck his spiked fists into the wall and began using them to help him climb up the side of the building, until he reached the top. Once on the roof, Knuckles ran towards the edge and leapt off until he was gliding through the air, carefully flying over the barrier onto another rooftop behind it. He then continued running across the rooftops and headed towards the Government Building, or at least what was left of it. He looked down below and saw whole squads of Dark Legionnaires walking down the streets, searching every building.

"Keep searching. Every one of them must answer for their crimes against us."

"Who are they talking about?" Knuckles thought.

He quietly continued to make his way across the rooftops and got closer to the government building, still standing, but damaged. He made his way to one of the buildings when he saw some activity out front. He stopped and took cover behind a low wall as he saw a Dark Legionnaire with a rifle standing guard. Still crouching, he walked slowly towards the Legionnaire until he was right behind the Legionnaire, and then he punched the Legionnaire hard on the back of the head, knocking him down, and then he punched the Legionnaire again until he was unconscious. Knuckles then grabbed the rifle and slung it over his back as he took a position overlooking the entrance to the Government Building. He saw several Dark Legionnaires rallied around a female Echidna. Knuckles clenched his fists.

"Lien-Da….what are you all doing here? You're a long way from the Colony Worlds…" Knuckles said.

He watched as a whole squad led by two male Echidnas dragged what appeared to be a politician out from the building. Knuckles' stomach churned. Lien-Da stood over the politician with a smug grin on her face.

"High Councilor Pravda, I presume?"

Pravda looked up at Lien-Da in fear.

"You...you are the Dark Legion Grandmaster?!"

"I wish….but I am merely the Kommissar, High Councilor. Isn't that right, Kragok?"

"Indeed, sister."

Pravda looked up, Knuckles turned and looked from his perch at a male Echidna with a glowing cybernetic eye.

"High Councilor Pravda, you are the descendant of High Councilor Menthor, correct?"

"What of it?"

"I am Grandmaster Kragok. It seems we have quite a bit in common. And this is an ironic moment I dare say...considering your family has a debt to repay to ours…"

Pravda gasped as Kragok kneeled down in front of him, and a large bionic, three-fingered arm and hand clutched his chin.

"What do you want from me? The Empire has already brought ruin to our city...and you're what….here to pour salt in an already mortal wound?"

"Oh, quite the contrary. For all the technophobia you have shown in the past, just as your ancestor did, I'm surprised your house is the embodiment of that hypocrisy."

Pravda watched as several Dark Legionnaires with Kragok began throwing various high tech devices, each having the logo for CryonTech Corporation.

"I thought Echidnaopolis banned all further technological development from the company on this island. Yet here it is. A state-of-the-art holoprojector, a high-end security system, the list goes on," said Kragok.

"Quite a collection for such an avid technophobe," said Lien-Da.

"Why, your average citizen barely has much of the basics," said Kragok.

"Xenin, did the other squads find the same in every one of the Councils' homes?" said Lien-Da.

A large, heavily augmented Echidna who looked more droid than organic, stepped forward.

"Yes," said Xenin.

"Murdock? Care to explain why from what your men gathered?" said Kragok.

Kragok turned to another male Echidna who held up a datapad.

"Grandmaster, it seems they made these purchases through straw buyers and special order from CryonTech Corp., all in clear violation of the law. But then again, most of them are wealthy and upper crust, so it's no surprise those who enforce the law are the first to break it. Some of it appears hereditary," said Murdock.

"Oh, Pravda, Pravda….why? Why endorse a platform out of blatant hypocrisy like the Old Republic did? Ego? Power? Or simply because you could?"

"You abomination against nature….you're talking to me about hypocrisy? You Dark Legion types are all the same, you augment yourselves to the point you're not even real Echidna! You're the embodiment of unethical science and the loss of our identity as a species!" said Pravda.

"Kind of hard to take that argument seriously," said Lien-Da.

"You claim to be for the betterment of our species, but you think you can extort me to your whims because of some crime I allegedly committed? You're using blackmail and violence to gain power, I earned it!" said Pravda.

"You inherited power. You never truly earned it. If you were to have power, you'd have fought and struggled for it, as I have, High Councilor. And who says you're worth anything to us? " said Kragok.

Pravda's anger turned to confusion as Kragok used a communicator. Murdock directed an astromech droid to begin broadcasting Pravda. Kragok then spoke into his communicator.

"His fate is in your hands."

"Whose hands? Who are you talking to?"

Lien-Da simply pressed her heel against Pravda's neck.

"Do not speak, this is no political nerf-trade," said Lien-Da.

"Are you sure? It would be….of course. The punishment must fit his crime," said Kragok.

"So? What did he say?" said Lien-Da.

"He wants him to feel every agonizing moment," said Kragok.

"Oooh, the slow death. By what means?" said Lien-Da.

"Murdock….summon your friend," said Kragok.

"At once, Grandmaster. Sicaria? Give him the slow and painful method," said Murdock.

Knuckles didn't see anyone move until he saw a large Mobian Giant Anaconda snake come slithering out of the building. Pravda looked at the sight, and he began to panic.

"No...no...not that! PLEASE! NOT THAT! GET THAT THING AWAY! GET IT AWAY!"

Sicaria opened her mouth, revealing a set of cybernetic fangs and Pravda's struggles grew worse as he tried to escape Lien-Da's grip but then he felt a sharp pain in his back as Sicaria bit down. Pravda then found it harder to breathe. He also felt a grueling pain all over his body as whatever poison he was infused with started to take effect. Pravda writhed in pain and screamed loudly as Kragok, Lien-Da, and their fellow Legionnaires watched gleefully. Knuckles could only barely contain his lunch as Pravda finally died. Kragok and Lien-Da simply looked at each other and nodded.

"What do we do with him, Grandmaster?" said Xenin.

"Destroy the body. You can't make a martyr out of a man who you can't find," said Kragok.

Sicaria then flicked her tongue and smelled the air. She then turned towards the direction where Knuckles was hiding, but Knuckles then hid from sight. Sicaria flicked her tongue again.

"Sicaria? What is it?"

Sicaria snarled.

"I smell the presence of someone. One who is not supposed to be here...one who is...valuable prey…"

Xenin looked up.

"Legionnaire 603-A-5, report. Legionnaire 603-A-5, report. No response, Grandmaster," said Xenin.

"Only one group would be so bold as to get this close to me and the Kommissar. A Guardian has finally shown his face. Find him and bring him in alive," said Kragok.

Xenin led several Legionnaires to get up to Knuckles' spot.

"Uh oh, time to go," said Knuckles.

He crouched and ran as quickly as he could. He saw a drainpipe and slid down to street level, and he ran as fast as he could through the ruined alleys, but his progress was slowed by the presence of various Dark Legionnaire squads. He hid in a cranny of the alley wall, trying to wait it out.

"You never were one for showing awareness of your surroundings, Knuckles."

Knuckles felt relaxed at the sound of that voice on his shoulder.

"Archimedes, I was wondering what happened to you," said Knuckles.

A small male Mobian Fire Ant stood on Knuckles' shoulder with his arms crossed.

"Glad to see you too, m'boy. But obviously, we need to find safer surroundings."

"You know a spot?"

"Follow my guidance. Go right down this alleyway then cut through this storefront."

Knuckles followed Archimedes' directions to the letter as he ran through a storefront. He then walked out onto the street.

"Make your way towards the canal."

Knuckles ran down the streets as Dark Legionnaires patrolled the street, looking for him.

"Don't move. Let them pass."

Knuckles held his blaster pistol at the ready as the Legionnaires passed by, looking for him. When their backs were turned, Knuckles slipped past them and headed towards a large canal. He then slid down the embankment and landed at the bottom. He then took cover under a bridge, where nobody could see him.

"I wish you'd taken infiltration and meditation more seriously, Knuckles," said Archimedes.

"One is against my style, the other, it's a load of mystical mumbo jumbo that hasn't any benefits I can see," said Knuckles.

"Regardless, I presume that based on the Legion's reaction, you witnessed what happened?"

"Yeah. Not a good way to go out," said Knuckles.

"The Legion only just recently arrived here, Knuckles, the Empire ran over this place and left the Government district to them," said Archimedes.

"Ran over? More like erased. Barely anything is left standing."

"It was a mess. The Echidna Security Team never stood a chance against the Imperials' armor and bombers. They're lucky they didn't take off this chunk of the island, much less destroy it," said Archimedes.

"Yeah," said Knuckles.

"I heard what happened to you down on the surface. Nobody could've predicted the Empire would've reacted as they did after what your friend Sonic did," said Archimedes.

"You think? That's why I came back, to tie up some loose ends," said Knuckles.

"I'm not surprised, you're a wanted man here, Knuckles. I'd hate to see you captured again, or worse. The Brotherhood will want to know your intention," said Archimedes.

"I intend to speak with my father and the others, I need you to let them know I'm coming. But first, I need-"

"To find your mother? I figured that was one reason you came into the city first. Your mother is safe, Knuckles. She's hiding with the Constable and the others that managed to escape, including your Detective friends," said Archimedes.

"The Chaotix?! Good, I have a feeling they're gonna be valuable allies," said Knuckles.

"I presume your Freedom Fighter friends have joined up with the Rebellion? That's why you're back?" said Archimedes.

"Yeah. It's not safe for anyone. I'm gonna save as many as I can. Somehow," said Knuckles.

"I tracked them to an old water treatment facility under the city, you can get there via the sewers," said Archimedes.

"Sewers….great. Why is it always that way?" said Knuckles.

"You should relax a bit, even in times like this, Knuckles, because if you don't your spirit-HOLD!" said Archimedes.

"...What?" whispered Knuckles.

"Enemy approaching from behind. Blaster in one hand. Keep your cool and don't make sudden movements."

"Don't move." said the lone Legionnaire, standing behind Knuckles.

Knuckles kept his hands up, calm.

"Easy, buddy. Easy," said Knuckles.

"Shut up. Walk towards me. Slowly. Don't reach," said the Legionnaire.

"...Wait...wait…" said Archimedes.

Knuckles walked slowly as close to the Legionnaire as he could.

"STRIKE!" said Archimedes.

Knuckles leapt back with a headbutt, hitting and disarming the Legionnaire. Knuckles tried to draw his weapon, but the Legionnaire kicked it out of his hand in turn. The two of them stood off with fists at the ready.

"You know, I was wondering when you guys were going to crawl out of the woodwork, with all that's going on," said Knuckles.

Knuckles leapt for a strike, but the Legionnaire struck him in the face with the butt of a backup blaster.

"Speak for yourself! You're all so typical! You think you're such hot stuff, well, lemme tell you-"

Knuckles kicked the Legionnaire again and got back to his feet.

"You got that backwards! And nobody takes over my island and gets away with it! You're going down, punk!"

"You think you're Echidna enough to do it?"

Knuckles saw the Legionnaire eying the backup blaster.

"More than enough for you!"

"In your dreams!"

The Legionnaire lunged for the blaster, but Knuckles tackled the Legionnaire, grabbing the mask.

"Not bragging! Just stating fact!"

Knuckles and the Legionnaire struggled as Knuckles removed the mask.

"Now, you've got some explaining to do…..boy?"

Knuckles removed the Legionnaire's mask, revealing a pink female Echidna's face beneath it, glaring at him.

"Guess again! You should be able to get it right this time...sucker!"

The Legionnaire punched Knuckles in the face and knocked him down on the ground, and she grabbed her backup blaster.

"You men are all alike! Always falling for a pretty face!"

Knuckles looked and saw the barrel in his face, but he also saw Archimedes hiding nearby, who subtly winked at him.

"No, actually, I thought it was a neat move on your part...using the element of surprise!"

The Legionnaire was confused, but soon, Archimedes unleashed a small blast of flame from his mouth and struck her hand. The Legionnaire yelped in pain, dropping the blaster on the ground as Knuckles quickly grabbed it, her primary blaster, and his own blaster off the ground, before holding his own on the Legionnaire.

"Thanks, Archy. I owe you. Now then...whatever your name is...what's with the sneak attack...and how many more of you are coming?"

"The name's Julie-Su. And nobody else is coming."

Archimedes looked suspicious.

"You expect us to believe that?"

"You weren't exactly hiding from my watch tower. Thought I could take you. I hadn't seen any action since deploying here."

"Yeah, right. Your point?" said Knuckles

"Point is, idiot, they don't know it's you and I think we can help each other," said Julie-Su.

"You? A Dark Legionnaire, helping her sworn enemy?" said Archimedes.

"Will you shut up and listen? Look, it's that simple. I want out of this. Yesterday, I was just a systems technician who got assigned routine guard duty away from the action. Kragok and the Kommissar look at me funny like I'm some butt of a joke, I'm fed up with the monotony. It's my first real deployment outside the colonies," said Julie-Su.

"Wait a sec, you just met me, I beat you up, and now you wanna desert?"

Julie-Su nodded.

"Look, my life sucks, your situation is desperate, you see where this is going," she said.

Knuckles and Archimedes looked at each other before turning back to Julie-Su.

"Look, I don't care what you're here for. I just want out of this crazy dead-end life, is that too much to ask? Do you have to look for context or some underlying motive for what I want?" she said.

"I dunno. The fact it's out of the blue, I got no reason to trust you, and the fact you came close to shooting me, that's a few good reasons in my book," said Knuckles.

"Check that weapon. It was set for stun. If I'd won, I'd have taken you in, maybe that would've bought me some good will with Kragok, but since you won, I'm going with my next best option. Can't exactly go back saying the Guardian got the better of me, it won't make my situation any better. My first option is still good if you wanna try something, idiot," said Julie-Su.

Knuckles looked to Archimedes.

"...Careful boy. Remember what happened with Robotnik when you first met Sonic?"

"...I know, Archy. I don't trust her. But we can't afford not to leave her behind. And besides, I don't execute unarmed people," said Knuckles.

Archimedes gave Knuckles a look of concern.

"...It's your decision. Just be ready for anything," he said.

Knuckles nodded, and turned back to Julie-Su.

"Alright. You want out of the Legion? That's fine with me. But we're not friends."

"I don't want friends. I don't need 'em right now. As long as you get me off this planet, I'll be fine," said Julie-Su.

Julie-Su reached for her weapons, but Knuckles kept them out of her reach.

"Uh-uh. You're not carrying these."

"Come on, you think I'm gonna try anything cause I'm a girl?"

"I dunno. Are you?"

Julie-Su snarled.

"Fine."

"Good. That's settled. Now, let's go," said Knuckles.

The Star Tornado and the Storm Ranger made their way through hyperspace; soon, they exited hyperspace near an Asteroid field. They saw Sol and it's moons beyond.

"Sol is just beyond this small asteroid field," said Jericho.

"Hang on, Blaze, we're coming for you," said Sonic.