EXT. EMERALD SHRINE - DAY
In the ocean, an island floats above the water. Somewhere on it a stone shrine is located. Sitting in the shrine is the Master Emerald. On the steps in front of it a young man sits. His appearance resemble that of Tikal's. The man has long dark crimson dreads along with red, yellow and grey shoes. He wears white gloves like many Mobians. These ones have two spikes on their knuckles. A similar larger pair of boxing gloves hang from his waist. Echidna's posses human over animal ears unlike many other human-animal beings.
KNUCKLES
Do you think we'll ever leave Angel
Island?
Knuckles' father is starting a fire. He has a spear strapped to his back. The resemblance to his son is striking apart from his outfit.
EMERL
I don't know. I'm not sure how our
ancestors even got here.
KNUCKLES
All this just to still be the only
ones left.
His mother is preparing food. Her hair is tied up neatly. She has large earrings along with other jewelry.
GAIA
That's what happens when you live
in one remote location for over a
thousand years.
KNUCKLES
Why did we come to Angel Island
anyway?
GAIA
None of the tribes liked each other
much. The Hedgehog and Cat Clans
hated each other. Maybe for safety
and security.
EMERL
Don't forget a giant gem that
controls the universe.
KNUCKLES
That gem made this island float.
And no one found us ever since.
EMERL
I don't think so. An floating
island is hard to miss. I think
everyone on Mobius knows we're
here.
KNUCKLES
Than why don't they come here?
EMERL
Couldn't tell you. Maybe they just
leave us on our own. Don't want to
bother us.
GAIA
You never know. Things can change.
There could still be history left
for us echidna's.
KNUCKLES
Except I can't leave. The Emerald
has already made me it's guardian.
I have to protect it with my life.
GAIA
We might be here until we die. And
then, no more Echidna Tribe.
Knuckles stares into the fire his father made. His face is visible from behind the flame. He gets up from the shrine.
KNUCKLES
While I have time I'll go inspect
the ruins again. Just to be safe.
GAIA
Just don't take too long. We'll be
ready soon enough.
He leaves into the island jungle.
EXT. MARBLE GARDENS - CONTINUOUS
Knuckles crosses the jungle. He isn't nearly as fast though he is experienced and powerful.
KNUCKLES (V.O.)
This is my fate. Trapped here
forever. Destined to protect the
Emerald against anyone or anything.
If more people knew about it they
would want to abuse it's power.
I am the echidna guarding against
that. I've never even known a human
being other than my family.
Knuckles leaps of a cliff and stretches out his body. He glides through the air and lands in front of a ruins. Around the area small, blue, round creatures play with each other. Some are happy to see him. They crawl and run towards Knuckles.
KNUCKLES
What have you guys been up to since
I've been gone? Don't worry, I'll
still be here tomorrow.
He picks fruit from a nearby tree and gives it to them. He also takes some grapes from a vine.
KNUCKLES (CONT'D)
Wouldn't hurt to take a few.
A marble temple sits on the ruins. Knuckles goes inside. Drawings are carved along the walls. He picks a stone tablet off the ground.
KNUCKLES (V.O.)
I know almost nothing about my own
history. That scares me. I want to
understand more about me but I
can't. Is the world keeping things
from me? Would I hate the truth?
He places the tablet down with others. He picks up a different one and examines it.
KNUCKLES
You find something new every day. A
place of worship. But they couldn't
even protect themselves.
Knuckles puts it back down and leaves the temple. Outside he sits with the creatures.
KNUCKLES (CONT'D)
At least the Chao are happy as
always. Makes it feel like life is
really worth it.
Knuckles plays with the Chao for a moment before he suddenly gets up and runs off. He switches out his pairs of gloves.
KNUCKLES (CONT'D)
The Emerald cries. Of course
something happens when I turn my
back! What could be going on?
Knuckles takes a different path back as he runs, climbs and glides. More Chao reside in this area of the jungle. He hears shouting and commotion in the distance.
KNUCKLES (CONT'D)
Don't worry, I'm coming!
Metal capsules fall from the sky and open up. The Empire's badniks surround him.
KNUCKLES (CONT'D)
What's the meaning of this!?
Visitors?
He punches through destroying the robots with little effort. Knuckles moves on and the trees clear out.
EXT. EMERALD SHRINE - CONTINUOUS
Knuckles is now back in front of the sacred shrine. The echidna faces Doctor Robotnik. His usual flying mobile has armor around it with large metal arms on the sides. Each hand holds the bodies of Emerl and Gaia.
ROBOTNIK
Ah, a son.
KNUCKLES
Who are you? What have you done!?
ROBOTNIK
First impressions matter young man.
The Doctor throws the bodies away.
KNUCKLES
I'm killing you!
He leaps forward and lands a few hits on the main body. Robotnik's metal arms fling Knuckles around. He lands on the steps of the shrine.
ROBOTNIK
I'm quite impressed by your
Emerald. I won't need the others
once I get yours.
KNUCKLES
You'll never take the Master
Emerald! I've been made to protect
it from people like you!
He goes to attack again. This time Knuckles makes an effort to dodge.
ROBOTNIK
We'll see about that.
KNUCKLES
Why are you here?!
Knuckles catches the metal fists and pushes back against his foe.
ROBOTNIK
Angel Island will greatly increase
the strength of my Empire. You'll
make a great servant.
KNUCKLES
You'll never make me join you!
The Doctor uppercuts Knuckles down.
ROBOTNIK
Your home is my property. You have
a new life now.
KNUCKLES
You'll just control my future!
Robotnik beats him on the ground.
ROBOTNIK
I'll give you power, freedom!
He floats over the guardian.
KNUCKLES
None of these things the Emerald
wants.
He picks Knuckles up and holds him.
ROBOTNIK
You don't have a choice young man.
He breaks free and keeps fighting.
KNUCKLES
I am the last of my kind. My
destiny is my choice!
ROBOTNIK
I will make you my puppet!
Other badniks surround the area. Knuckles grabs one of the arms and smashes the Doctor around.
KNUCKLES
I'm stronger than an army!
ROBOTNIK
There is no point in fighting. You
can't destroy my whole Empire
yourself. I'll simply kill you.
Then I'll take everything you have.
Knuckles drops to his knees.
ROBOTNIK (CONT'D)
You'll be one of the best weapons
in my army.
KNUCKLES
You said something about other
Emeralds. Are there more?
ROBOTNIK
You still have much to learn young
man.
EXT. SUNSET CITY - NIGHT
The Blue Blur moves across the snow covered rooftops of the city. He has a black jacket with jeans and his red sneakers.
SONIC (V.O.)
It's December and I'm still not
wearing boots. I mean, these shoes
are one of the few things I still
have left from mom and dad. I know
Eve only invited me and Tails over
because she feels bad about what
happened last month. Don't forget
that Sally also dumped you without
a second thought. I don't need a
girl who can't keep up with me.
Tails can and that's what makes him
so great. I feel like a weight was
lifted. I want to hate her so much.
But I know Sally just wanted to
protect herself.
Sonic goes down into the street and runs into a city park. He searches around.
SONIC
Tails said this is where we would
meet up. He knows this place better
than I do. After all, he does live
here. I just have to find him. I
don't want to be late.
He stops when he finds Tails laying down on a park bench.
TAILS
Took you long enough.
SONIC
I tried to leave early but got
sidetracked.
TAILS
I think their place is just down
the block.
Tails gets up and they walk through the park.
SONIC
At least they didn't want us at a
specific time. It is almost
Christmas. Eve probably made a huge
dinner all day.
TAILS
Hey Sonic, what are the Rose's
like?
SONIC
Man, I completely forgot you
haven't met them yet.
TAILS
Amy's that girl who liked you
right?
SONIC
Yeah, she isn't very discrete about
that. I can tell she has a lot of
potential like you. I think you'll
like her a lot more than I do.
TAILS
Girls can be crazy sometimes. And
that's coming from us.
SONIC
I've been fighting bad guys and
girls are still a bigger pain in
the ass.
TAILS
Than what about her mom?
SONIC
It's like, she never actually left.
They're still with you. Just in a
different way.
TAILS
I get what you mean. Sometimes I
forget how bad it is without them.
The scene cuts to them at the front door to an apartment building.
SONIC
This should be the right place.
TAILS
Wait, why are we going in from
downstairs? Can't we just go in
through their window?
SONIC
See, that's what we would normally
do. However, this time we're trying
to be formal.
An elevator opens inside the lobby and Evelyn Rose steps out. She opens the door for them and hugs Sonic.
EVELYN
Merry Christmas Sonic.
SONIC
It's been a while for sure.
The three step inside. Eve goes back to the elevator.
SONIC (CONT'D)
What floor?
EVELYN
Eighth.
She turns around and the duo have already left for the stairwell.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
It's the same kid alright.
INT. ROSE APARTMENT - LATER
Sonic leans against the kitchen counter. Eve is cleaning up from dinner. Amy leaves for the living room. Tails sits on the couch when Amy comes in.
AMY
You don't seem to talk a lot.
TAILS
I do that often.
AMY
What was your name again?
TAILS
I'm Miles. People usually call me
Tails.
AMY
I wonder why.
She giggles and sits with him. The scene cuts back to Sonic and Eve.
EVELYN
I'm glad Tails and Amy got to
finally meet.
SONIC
I know why you invited us.
EVELYN
I know it's hard to be who you are
Sonic.
SONIC
Before I couldn't relate. But know
I understand your pain. I hate that
any of us have to deal with this.
EVELYN
So what are you going to do now?
Cut back to Tails and Amy.
TAILS
I'm a mutant, just like Sonic.
AMY
I wish I was too. I don't know
what's taking you guys so long. If
I had super powers Eggman would've
been finished by now.
TAILS
Sonic once said that they're like
comic book villains. They'll always
come back eventually.
AMY
How did you meet him anyway? You're
like his best friend.
TAILS
I just found him one day. I thought
he wouldn't like me because I was a
big fan. But it went fine.
AMY
Me and my mom met him when we tried
to go to Little Planet one time.
Eggman kidnapped us but Sonic also
happened to showed up that day.
Cut back to the kitchen.
SONIC
Next time I see him, I'm gonna
fucking kill him.
EVELYN
None of this was your fault.
SONIC
Yes it was. Ivo did all these
things because we hate each other.
EVELYN
I'm sure it doesn't have to be like
this.
SONIC
You're right. Before I was fighting
because I wanted to be the hero.
Now it's personal.
Cut back to the living room.
TAILS
You got saved by him. At least I
get to fight with him.
AMY
I'm a lot more than a damsel in
distress you know. When I grow up,
I want to change the world.
TAILS
I've found out it's a lot easier
than you think. You just have to
figure out how.
AMY
I guessing you go to a different
school because we've never met.
Cut back to the kitchen.
EVELYN
I don't want you to go down this
path Sonic.
SONIC
Oh what, your or Tails' families
don't matter anymore? He killed
part of you too. Don't forget that.
EVELYN
I do miss my husband. But I'm not
vengeful over his death.
SONIC
Because you can't do anything about
it. I can, that's the difference.
EVELYN
I know it's hard but don't focus on
the past.
Cut back to Amy and Tails.
TAILS
Yeah, I live across town.
AMY
This whole time? I can't believe
we've never met before.
TAILS
It's a small world.
AMY
Since you're Sonic's best friend
you talk to a lot of girls right?
TAILS
Actually no. I don't have many
friends at school. I cling to Sonic
because I feel like he's all I've
ever had.
AMY
Well, there's a first for
everything. I'd love for you to
come over again.
TAILS
Thanks Amy, it means a lot.
AMY
You should really smile more Miles.
You look cute when you do it.
They smile at each other. Cut back to Sonic and Eve.
SONIC
You don't understand. Everything
I've done has been for nothing. No
matter how hard I could've tried to
save them, Ivo would've kept
trying. He was going to kill them
eventually.
EVELYN
We have to accept that we won't
always achieve victory. Our flaws
can break us.
SONIC
You know, there's this thing that
scares the shit out of me. After
they died I got trapped. I keep
having this nightmare where I'm not
strong enough to free myself. And
than I drown. I wake up in a cold
sweat wondering if I'm really dead
this time. It happens over and over
again.
Neither of them speak for a moment.
SONIC (CONT'D)
I just want to feel like a person
again.
They hug each other. The camera moves to outside the window.