COUNCIL SANCTUARY
ONE HOUR LATER
Silver and Blaze mediated the congregation between Dr. Eggman and Emeror Nega. Bokkun was seated next to Knuckles, Vector P., Juliette and Ray, however he was confused why the echidna showed aggression his way. Across from them stood Patch, O'nux and a robotic fleet waiting while their emperor spoke before the council of Ancients. The stained glass above glimmered as asteroids and stars flared throughout deep space, creating an otherworldly atmosphere inside the sanctuary.
Dr. Eggman left the stand and rejoined his 'allies' but was received the cold shoulder. Bokkun's system automatically scanned his face and he was given basic information on the doctor so he approached.
"It appears you're the scientist who created me."
It took one glance for Eggman to realize what his messenger bot had done. "You reset your system, have you. What do you remember?"
"Booting up inside of a jail cell and escorting some acquaintances through Music City, then that guy brought me here."
The group looked over to Nega's side and Patch flipped the Warp Ring like a coin, then flipped them off.
"Fuck off!" Knuckles called out before turning to the doctor. "Y'know you caused all of this, fat man. So tell me the truth, what was it for? Why'd you force me out here?"
Vector P., Ray, Bokkun and Juliette waited to hear what his answer was.
"I haven't figured out immortality, Knuckles, and turns out being in deep space for decades isn't healthy."
"Now, who could imagine." Ray quipped.
"..so I thought, 'my world can't save me but maybe another has the technology that could' and well, here we are."
Knuckles shook his head. "You couldn't just accept it and, uh, pass?"
"Where's the dignity in that? I'm the smartest man in the galaxy! Surely I can find a cure!"
Juliette slid a few inches away from him. "You're not making it easy to root for you, pal."
"Yeah, and just so you know, the only reason you aren't eating a knuckle sandwich is because we've got Nega up on the stand!" Vector P. said. "You'd better hope we pull this off, fatso."
"Patience, crocodile. With this much evidence, these Ancients will surely banish my descendant from your planet."
Knuckles was amused by this revelation, then responded with, "It's pretty scary to think someone will get with you to conceive that waste of oxygen, eventually."
Chuckling to himself, Eggman dug through the gadgets inside his overcoat pockets. Once he felt a small USB, he faced Bokkun.
"I need the information from your drive so hold your arm out."
The black bot did as he was told but questioned him. "Okay but-"
Bokkun's yellow eyes flashed the blue screen of death, then he stiffened up as he fell to the floor.
"What'd you do to him?!" Vector P. demanded.
"Restored his system. He'll be of use this way."
Blaze looked over to their side of the sanctuary so Knuckles waved to assure her they were fine. Bokkun opened his eyes and recognized Eggman first.
"Doctor! You're alive! Your plan, we've run into a problem-"
"I'm aware, messenger bot. But thankfully, it's all coming to an end."
"So it seems." Juliette said as she pointed up to the stand.
The group watched Emperor Nega, not looking so full of himself, walk past Blaze and take the stand. He glanced at the opposing side before clearing his throat and speak.
"Given the circumstances, as well as my own desire to exit, I agree to abdicate my throne and leave Moebius, per your request."
Everyone excitedly celebrated upon hearing this decision, but Knuckles kept his eyes on the coyote and his doppelganger.
That's too easy. He has something planned.
"That being said, Patch D'Coolette will have his title of King reinstated and be sworn in as ruler of Augustine's kingdom, what you know as Moebius, seeing as he never had the opportunity during my reign."
I knew it.
"What?"
Nega's second shook his hand and they whispered to each other, then Patch winked at Knuckles' side. "I, of course, earned this title in combat many moons ago, and that would elevate me to Ruler. I would like that to be made official by the council."
Silver had to calm Knuckles' allies while Blaze grudgingly read out the Ancient's decision for the sanctuary.
"This council will recognize you, Patch D'Coolette, as King."
Ray turned away angrily. "That's bullshit!"
"It'll be no different under him, come on!"
Blaze kept her composure and addressed Knuckles next. "...this council understands you were forced here against your will, Guardian, so we will allow you safe passage back to your dimension."
Eggman stood up. "But what about me?"
Patch spoke before Blaze could. "As king, I want this invader turned over to my custody so he can face trial in MY court."
Blaze listened as an interpreter translated the Ancient's decision. "The council finds this to be a fair request."
"Wait, surely this isn't right!"
"No more excuses, Robotnik! You've got no one left to hide behind!" Patch said.
"You take him, you take me!" Bokkun shouted.
"Sounds like a grand idea, we've got room. If that will be all, we'll take these two and be on our way."
Blaze motioned for him to leave, but Patch had some final words for the echidna.
"You don't have to worry about a thing, bud! Things will be just fine under my watch! So long Knuckles!"
Satisfied with this outcome, Nega activated his shield and floated into deep space, while Patch ordered his fleet to take their prisoners. Silver made his way over to the burly echidna and opened a vortex before him. Knuckles saw Angel Island on the other side along with Sonic, Tails and the rest of his friends. He tried to ignore his allies' voices inside the sanctuary as he stepped forward, but he knew he couldn't leave things like this.
"You terrorized this place with Nega, you should join him in defeat. You don't get to stay in power."
The sanctuary was silenced by this declaration, and Blaze grinned when Knuckles pushed the robotic fleet back so he could face off with the coyote.
"You're free so get lost! Hey, do your job and take him home! You've got no say here!.."
Silver walked toward them. "Do you wish to challenge the king?"
He answered with a simple nod. Patch cursed aloud and O'nux hid his laughter. Silver closed the vortex and Blaze stepped forward.
"What are your terms?"
"He's not from here, he doesn't get shit!"
Silver warned Patch with his index finger, then Knuckles spoke.
"I win, Patch leaves with Nega."
Eggman piped in with, "You're forgetting about us!"
"And I guess I'll take these two home."
Blaze turned to the coyote. "And your terms?"
"Yeah, he's not bumping me outta nothing! Knuckles isn't from SOL so he can't take my title!"
Both sides waited while Blaze was given instruction from the interpreter.
"Patch is right. You'll need to defeat a member of his cabinet before you can challenge for the throne."
"I don't want his throne, I just want him gone." Knuckles said as he glared into the king's eyes. "Name anyone and I'll take 'em."
While pausing for dramatic effect, Patch revealed a toothy grin before uttering the name, "O'nux."
Knuckles met his doppelganger's gaze for a moment, then turned back to Blaze.
"Weapons?" She asked.
"Unlike your kind, I've never liked squeezing a trigger. You like fair fights, right Knuckles? What do you say we break out the sabers?"
"Won't save you. Sure."
"Rules of engagement?"
Patch shook his head and looked at the ground while pacing around. "I don't think you deserve the honor of dying in battle. I was thinking first blood. It'll be fun watching you scramble for dear life again."
Knuckles clinched his fists and nodded.
"When and where?"
"Demon Island. Midnight. You aren't scared of the dark, are ya?"
Knuckles agreed to the terms and ignored Patch's taunts. "Robotnik is my second, he stays with me."
Eggman smirked as he rejoined the echidna's side. "Great choice!"
"Well then I'm taking the bot as my prisoner. It's only fair, after all."
They looked at Blaze and she just shrugged, not that Knuckles cared to have him.
"Uh, doctor? Hey!"
"You'll be fine, Bokkun! He can't do anything to us until this is over!" Eggman lied.
"Sir! Wait!"
Patch's fleet grasped the bot and dragged him toward their awaiting ship outside.
"Duel is set, gentlemen. If Knuckles defeats O'nux, he can challenge Patch. See you at the appointed location." Blaze said.
"You had your ride home, Knuckles. Shoulda took it 'cause you're not walking away from this one." Patch said.
The echidna ripped the tape off of his scarred fist and flipped him off before exiting with his allies. O'nux quickly joined his king inside the massive ship and expressed his anger.
"Get someone else to fight Knuckles, you chicken shit joke. I'm not doing it."
Patch raised his broadsword to his throat. "Actually, I think you are fighting him. Nega might've been forced out but that doesn't mean his fleet left with him. Get where I'm going with this?"
O'nux knew as long as Patch was in power, his friends were always at his mercy. The coyote shoved him back into his seat and turned away in disgust.
"Slice him up and get outta there. I'll take what's left..." Patch looked at his robotic driver. "Take me to the Palace, and arrange a welcoming party for Knuckles. No doubt he'll arrive early so let's wake up the Boneyard for him."
Inside the Dream Nights Condominium, Knuckles stretched out, ate the large meal Ledian brought down and drank plenty of water. Word spread of the duel, so Charmy Bee skipped his last class so he could see his friend before he left.
"You're actually doing it? Fighting Patch?" He excitedly asked while putting his backpack on the nearby table.
"I've gotta get past O'nux first. And I KNOW that cheating asshole will have goons waiting for me." The burly echidna said.
Ray stood up. "We'll back you up, man."
Vector P. nodded in agreement. "This is our chance to save Moebius. Patch isn't winning."
"I'm coming too!" Charmy added.
"No, Demon Island is way too dangerous-"
"I'm not a child, Ray! I can throwdown just as well as you guys! Come on!"
The flying squirrel shook his head. "Sorry, Charm. I don't want you anywhere near these bastards."
The teenager left the room angrily and Juliette went to calm him down.
Eggman finished his glass of water and sat up in his chair. "You know, Knuckles.. I never wanted things to come down to this. Truthfully."
He exhaled passively in response. "You intended to screw me over somehow so congrats."
"I was a dying, desperate old fool. Unless I get back to my lab, I'm finished. My life is in your hands quite literally and trust me, I'm just as thrilled about it as you are... I've got a little request-"
Knuckles spun around in an instant. "You think you get to ask anything of me?! I should knock your lights out permanently for everything you've done! The only reason I took you is 'cause you've got the key to that cage on the Master Emerald!"
The room stayed silent while waiting for Eggman's response. He pulled the small USB drive from his pocket and showed it to the echidna.
"...I need you to bring this to Bokkun, in the event I don't make it back with you."
"What is it?"
"The key is on this drive. Everything else is just complicated code that only Tails could decipher."
"...if I win and you croak on me, I'll tear that from your cold, dead hands."
Knuckles turned his back to Eggman, and he chuckled while putting the drive away.
By sundown, all of Music City was buzzing about the duel for the throne of Augustine's Kingdom. With Nega no longer Emperor of Moebius, the next King would take his place. The civilians desperately wanted Patch removed from power, but for now they had to resume their lives as usual and await the outcome.
Espio Ocelot went with Susan to the hospital to make sure she was taken care of. Saffron and Sticks sat by her bedside, but the chameleon couldn't sit for long. His favorite lounge was burned down so he needed to raise the money to rebuild. He met with Mina Mongoose's management, signed to their label and agreed to every date they proposed, including tonight.
"You're opening, Ocelot, you got fifteen minutes so play the hits and wait for your cue." The stage manager said while walking behind the curtain.
"Fifteen minutes..." Espio mumbled while lighting a cigarette.
"No smoking in the building, it's a family show!"
He butted out the smoke and tossed it away. "We used to have standards..."
Having been told the venue would be packed, Espio Ocelot was a bit confused when only the floor seats were filled and the arena sat in darkness. Being that he was a massive solo act, his surprise appearance was met with cheers from the smaller crowd, though the chameleon questioned whether he made the right choice to join.
An emcee welcomed him to the stage and shook his hand while whispering, "How's it feel to be on the big stage for once?"
"That big dude better put a whooping on Patch, man. And I ain't impressed."
The crowd was surprised when he dragged the microphone stand to his seat, seeing as he wasn't known as a singer. He sat at the massive grand piano, jokingly flipped through some music sheets, and cracked his knuckles.
The arena rumbled as he performed a darker rendition of the song "Bad Company" by Bad Company. He repeated a few bars as he felt the floor shake, then the crowd nearly erupted when he came in with his haunting vocal delivery.
A company, always on the run.
Destiny, is the rising sun.
Walking through the light evening rain, Knuckles led the way across the skybridge connecting to Demon Island. Vector P. told him of the island's alleged hauntings from prisoners over the years, but the echidna wasn't stopping. Ray and Juliette spoke quietly while trailing behind, but the group knew they were expected, and an attack could come at anytime.
"You see 'em? I can." The crocodile said.
The further he traversed, the more Knuckles could physically feel 'their' presence. One glance over the railing and he was met by the reflective iris of obscured figures along the icy, blackened river.
"You don't have to join if you don't want to."
Ray laughed nervously. "Yeah, I definitely don't WANT to enter haunted grounds, but we NEED to rid Moebius of Patch. Let's do this."
The silhouette of O'nux could be seen in the distance, and Knuckles led the group forward. The low growls became louder and more threatening with each step, and the time to clash had come.