Chapter 14: Espio vs. Knuckles:

Knuckles' POV:

I was guarding the Master Emerald. If anyone comes to take it, I will be ready!

Dr. Robotnik's POV:

"Why do we keep relying on this imbecile," asks Snively.

"He has power beyond anything the Freedom Fighters can throw," I said, "there is just one flaw..."

"Is it the fact that he won't attack them unless they're on Angel Island," asks Snively.

"Yes, that is a problem," I said, "the irony. The only way we can use him to defeat Sonic is to have Sonic come over to his island, but Sonic wouldn't just go willingly."

"Dr. Robotnik," says Sleet, "we found one a freedom fighter!"

"It's thaht neenja lizahd guy," says Dingo.

"We could use that," I said.

"So, what's the bait," asks Snively.

"I'm the bait," I said.

Espio's POV:

I was meditating outside of Knothole. Sometimes, I like the peace and quiet. Then I saw Robotnik. The man who killed my clan... my family... and he will pay! Robotnik then ran and I chased after him.

. . .

I then had Robotnik cornered. "It's time I avenge my clan," I said. I then sliced him in half and... he's a robot! I have been tricked!

"Like my little toy," asks Robotnik.

"Show yourself you coward," I said. The robot then sprayed me with some sort of knock out gas...

. . .

I woke up and saw I was on Angel Island. "What," I asked. I was chained to the ground.

"Don't worry, my ninja friend." I then realized he put a communicator in my ear. "You're just there to lure Sonic so that Knuckles can tear him apart!"

"I am not bait," I said. I then sliced my chains. "You probably shouldn't have let me keep my katana."

"Actually, I told Sleet and Dingo to take it, but they said you're a sleep slicer," says Robotnik, "oh well."

I needed to find a way off this island.

. . .

There doesn't seem to be a way off. Then I ran into Knuckles. "Have you come to steal the Master Emerald?"

"I have no time for this," I said. I then leaped over him, but he leaped and knocked me down.

"Then fit me into your schedule," says Knuckles.

I then stood up. Knuckles attempted to punch me, but I dodged. "You seem to rely more on brute force then tactics," I said. Knuckles tries again, but I dodge. "Strength is one thing, but it cannot compete with the power of the mind." Knuckles tries again, but I dodge. "Might is not always right."

"What are you a teacher," asks Knuckles, "I was trained by my family to be the best warrior! To guard the Master Emerald!"

"I was trained in the way of the ninja," I said.

"Well, guess what," says Knuckles, "I have something ninjas lack, honor!"

The fight continued on. What I needed was a way off this island. I then stuck my tongue to his eyes, and he was distracted, allowing me to camouflage and escape.

. . .

I was traveling the island, looking for something. "I'LL FIND YOU!" That was Knuckles. How does one escape from a floating island? I had to move!

. . .

I then found an alter and I saw the Master Emerald, as well as seven smaller emeralds, each of a different color. I was curious, so I stepped forward.

"So, you did come to steal the Master Emerald," says Knuckles.

"All I want is to get off this island," I said.

"Doesn't look like it," says Knuckles.

We then fought again.

"Do you really believe Robotnik's lies," I asked.

"Honestly, I don't know what to believe," says Knuckles, "but you don't seem that honest right now!"

"Robotnik's the one who brought me here," I said, "if I had a way to come here, then wouldn't I have a way to leave?"

"You have a point," says Knuckles, "but then why were you walking towards the Master Emerald?"

"I was curious," I said, but that doesn't really help my case.

Knuckles then manages to lay a hit on me, and I was knocked to a tree. "I thought curiosity killed the cat, not the chameleon," says Knuckles.

"You really are a brute," I said, "let me guess, you're an only child."

Knuckles then gets mad and starts beating me. "I am the last of the echidnas!"

I then got out. "Wait, what," I asked.

"I don't know," says Knuckles, "something happened, and they're all gone!"

He... he is not that different from me! Knuckles was about to attack. "Wait, I am alone as well," I said.

Knuckles then stops. "What," asks Knuckles.

"My clan is all gone," I said, "they were taken by the man you have worked with!"

Knuckles then looks down. "I had no idea," says Knuckles.

"Many in the Freedom Fighters have lost their families," I said, "Tails never even knew his!"

Knuckles looked like he was beginning to think. "Maybe I was wrong," says Knuckles.

I then looked at the Master Emerald. I wonder what secrets it holds. Then I thought I saw someone inside it. I was confused. I then touched it and the emerald and I both disappeared...

. . .

I was back at Knothole. "Espio," says Sonic, "where have you been... and what is that?"

I looked and realized I brought the Master Emerald with me! I knew what this meant!

Knuckles' POV:

It was a trick! He took the Master Emerald and activated Chaos Control! Robotnik then came. "So, can we count on you in the future," asks Robotnik.

"Looks like it," I said. I then slammed my fist on the ground.

In the next chapter, Sonic finds his long-lost uncle, Sir Charles.