Author's Note: Hi, everyone. Sorry this took a while. I promise, I have an explanation for this. First of all, this is an original chapter that's a bit outside of the canon Kipo story. I'll return to it after the next chapter. I promise. Secondly, I had a hard time coming up with a song parody to introduce Knuckles with. Thankfully, I found something and I'm sticking with it. Also, I had a bit of a technical issue with the document, so I had to rewrite this from the beginning. Anyway, it's here and it's ready to be read.
The song featured here is a parody of "Danger, Danger" from My Little Pony: a New Generation. It's the best I could come up with, so again, I'm sticking with it.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Any and all comments are welcome.
Kipo raised her head with a face saying she understood the meaning of life. "Guys, you are not going to believe this! I just saw… a flying island!"
…
"Wait, you mean Angel Island?" Dave asked.
Kipo dropped her face noticing how no one seemed as surprised as she was. "What?"
"Angel Island." Benson said. "The mysterious flying rock hovering just a couple of miles outside of Las Vistas?"
"…I'm sorry. What?" Kipo asked. "You're saying you know what that is?"
"I'm pretty sure everyone on the surface knows." Sonic said.
"Let me stop you right there." Kipo said. "You're telling me that you guys are just used to seeing that thing?"
"Pretty much." Sonia said.
"How is this not a bigger deal?"
"Well, come on, man." Manic said. "It's been floating up there longer than we've been alive, and it's not really doing anything."
"IT'S A GIANT, FLYING ISLAND IN THE SKY!"
"And I have superspeed and our medallions can flash into weaponized instruments!" Sonic said. "That's weird too, you know!"
"…Okay. Point taken." Kipo said. "But back to the point, Scarlemagne it looks like Scarlemagne's interested in that island. But why? Perhaps we should go up there and…"
"Kipo, no!" Wolf interrupted. "I know you often ignore my advice about getting yourself involved in dangerous things, but this is the most dangerous idea you'll ever have. If we set one foot on Angel Island, we're already dead."
"Yeah, I agree with Wolf." Benson said. "That place is the home of the Echidna."
"Echidna?" Kipo asked. "Isn't that like a spiny anteater or something?"
"This guy is very different." Sonia said. "He's also called Knuckles, the strange hermit who lives on Angel Island. And he's VERY territorial. If anyone sets foot on that island without his permission, he'll beat them to death."
"And that's going to be extra painful for me." Dave said. "You know, considering that I can't die."
"I see." Kipo said. "Well, that's very good advice… but I still think we should go up there."
"Did you not hear me?" Wolf asked in exhaustion. "If we go up there, Knuckles will kill us."
"But Scarlemagne's been keeping tabs on Angel Island. He's been using this telescope to spy on it." Kipo said. "If Scarlemagne's planning to do something there, we should at least warn this Knuckles guy. Maybe if we do, he'll thank us and let us return to the ground."
"Or he'll keep trying to kill us." Wolf argued. "Remember the Newton Wolves? They tried to eat us!"
"Yeah, but this is an echidna, not another wolf." Kipo said. "I'm sorry things didn't work out with the Newton Wolves, but I feel like we have to get up there. Please."
Wolf wanted to refuse, but she knew it was pointless. "Fine. I know we're going to regret this, but let's give it a shot." Kipo smiled.
"Um, sorry for not contributing this sooner," Sonic said, "But how exactly are we supposed to get up there?"
"Tails, don't you have a plane?" Manic asked.
"My plane is left at the remains of Kipo's old home when we were kidnapped by the Timbercats." Tails said.
Suddenly, an idea lit up in Sonic's head. "I got it."
Down in the middle of a dragonfly field, one dragonfly dashed forward swerving left and right. That was because it had something on its back: Fang. The weasel struggled to latch himself on the dragonfly's back until he managed to climb to its head. He grabbed it by its head and pulled back hard. The dragon fly stopped itself right in front of Bean and Bark who applauded at their boss' work.
"And that, boys, is how you wrangle a dragonfly." Fang said proudly.
"Nice!" Bean said. "Your dragonfly looks just like the ones that Bark knocked out during the five hours we waited for you."
Fang turned his eyes to the dozen dragonflies lying on their backs unconscious. Bark gave a soft smile and shrugged making the weasel mute growl.
"Well… let's go." Fang said. "We've got a big bounty to collect and the burrow girl and her friends have a head start on us."
"But Fang, how are we going to find them?" Bean said. "They could be miles by now. They could be anywhere."
The Hooligans then heard the sound of pushing. They sneaked through a few more dragonflies until they spotted Kipo taming a dragonfly with her friends. She did so more gently to the dragonfly much like how she tamed the butterfly at Timbercat Village. Seeing her made Fang smile mischievously.
"Well, that's convenient. Keep an eye on them."
The Hooligans hid deeper within the dragonflies while Kipo and her friends got on a few of their own. Team Chaotix, however, stayed on the ground.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Kipo asked.
"Yeah. Sorry, kid, but as far as we're concerned, Team Chaotix has done their job." Vector said.
"We have to go back to the office and report our findings to Arbor." Espio said.
"And get paid!" Charmy said.
"Yes, and get paid." Espio said.
"I understand." Kipo said. "Ready, guys?"
"Ready!" everyone said while Mandu snorted in agreement.
"Great! Angel Island, here we come!"
The dragonflies that Kipo Underground came in on started their ascent into the sky. When Team Chaotix headed out of the dragonfly field, the Hooligans popped their heads out in surprise.
"Those brats are heading to Angel Island?" Fang asked angrily. "If the Echidna crushes them, there goes our paycheck!"
"What do we do, Fang?" Bean asked.
"We go out for frozen yogurt."
"Really?"
"No! What do you think, genius? We gotta catch those stupid kids before they get themselves killed! Get on the dragonfly!"
Kipo Underground guided their dragonflies upwards. Kipo flew at the front keeping her eyes locked on Angel Island as they went closer. Eventually, they made it to the flying mass of land and gently placed their dragonflies on top.
Kipo got off of her dragonfly and noticed that it was shaking. She comforted it by stroking its head. "It's okay. We'll be off this island before you know it."
"We'll see about that." Wolf said. She looked around at the environment. She and the others stood just outside of a thick, very obscure forest. "So, Kipo, you still want to keep investigating this place?"
"No, but I feel like we have to." Kipo said.
"But what about Knuckles?" Benson asked. "Do we even have a plan for him?"
"I got one." Sonic said. "I'll zig-zag around him to confuse him. Then Wolf will hit him with the Deathstalker to knock him out."
"Hmm. That's actually a plan I can get behind." Wolf said.
"But I don't want to." Kipo said. "I'm sure if we convince him we're not a threat, we can…"
"Kipo, your innocence is sweet, but annoying." Wolf said. "The Echidna doesn't care whether or not we're a threat. He's very territorial. After he beats us down, he'll throw us off the island." Her eyes were fixed to a fenced area with a telescope perched on it. It was stationed at the very edge of the flying island. "And it looks like he'll be watching us hit the pavement too."
"That?" Kipo asked looking at the fence. "I'm sure that's just there because Knuckles likes… bird-watching? Look, we can just ask him when we find him." Without any more argument, Kipo headed into the forest.
"Sometimes, I feel like she's going to get us killed." Sonia said following Kipo along with the others.
"Amen." Dave said.
Kipo Underground continued to walk along the forest. They kept an eye out for something that looked dangerous to them.
"Hey, Wolf," Kipo said, "Since we're here, can I talk to you?"
"A little late for that, isn't it?" Wolf asked.
"I know. But it's about the Newton Wolves." Wolf stopped for a moment to listen. "I guess I should've been more careful about them. You know more about them than I thought, and I think I know why. You used to have a pack before us, didn't you? You were raised by wolves."
"…Yes." Wolf admitted glumly. "But that's all I can say about it."
"Kind of a touchy subject." Manic said. "Well, anyway, let's just… WHOA!"
Manic almost fell once his foot reached a piece of the ground that collapsed revealing a massive hole. Thankfully, Benson caught him and pulled him away from it.
"What was that?" Dave asked.
"Knuckles must have set a trap! Could be more traps!" Tails said.
"GAH! I knew it was a bad idea to come here!" Wolf grunted.
"Hey, don't worry." Kipo said nervously. "I'm sure if we talk to Knuckles, he can just shut off the traps."
"Oh, I seriously doubt I'll do that."
A new, unfamiliar voice echoed from above. Kipo Underground turned their heads to the top of a cliff nearby. Perched on a ridge, there stood a red mute with dreadlocks, and big, spiked gloved over his hands. Behind him was a stone wall with levers and ropes.
"Uh… Hi. What's up? I'm Kipo Oak. And you must be Knuckles the Echidna."
"And this must be a bunch of darts." Knuckles said as he reached a rope behind him and pulled it. Suddenly, a tree behind Kipo opened up followed by five red darts shooting out of it. Sonic managed to push Kipo just in time before they hit her.
"Dude!" Benson yelled out. "You really try to shoot somebody in the back? Not cool!"
"No, what's 'not cool' is a bunch of spies and thieves trying to steal the island's sacred treasure for Scarlemagne!" Knuckles retorted.
"Sacred treasure?" Sonia asked. "We don't know what you're talking about."
"You think I'm dumb enough to believe that?" Knuckles asked before gripping on a lever beside him. He flipped it which made a tree almost crush the group when it fell on them. It missed, but it scared Dave into his muscular form, and then his old man form.
"Oh, dang it." Dave groaned. "Back in my day…"
Knuckles interrupted by pulling more ropes and switches, which caused more traps to try and kill the group. Kipo Underground ran around frantically trying their best to avoid the darts, swinging blades, pitfalls, and others.
"Go ahead. Keep running." Knuckles dared. "But it's all futile. You made a big mistake setting foot on my island, and you will suffer the same fate as any thief dumb enough to try and steal from me."
Knuckles:
Someone is springing all of my traps
If they're meant to die, let them, let them
That's what they get for being cocky saps
It's up to me to get them, get them
They deserve to die by my hand
For trespassing onto my land
They should've minded their own business
Oh, yes
They've come to take what isn't theirs
This is sacred ground, but they have no cares
They should've known better and started thinking twice
Now, they will pay the ultimate price
Come here, you fools. Step to your fate
The reaper's waiting. No hesitation
Don't try to run. It's already too late
So be prepared for devastation
Thieves. Thieves. Th-Th-Th-Thieves
Thieves. Thieves. Underhanded
Thieves. Thieves. Th-Th-Th-Thieves
Thieves. Thieves. Underhanded
You shouldn't have come to Angel Island
You shouldn't have given into your greed
You're asking for trouble stepping on my land
And that's a promise guaranteed
Thieves. Thieves. Th-Th-Th-Thieves
Thieves. Thieves. Underhanded
Thieves. Thieves. Th-Th-Th-Thieves
Thieves. Thieves. Underhanded
CRUSH
Beat them into mush
Add the Knuckles touch
To protect this sacred ground
SMASH
Thief heads into bash
Leave them to in the trash
'Til there are no desecrators left around
Did you think you'd leave without a scar
Sorry to destroy you after coming so far
But unfortunately, that's the way things are
So let me show you what I will do
To low-down, no-good criminals like yoooouuuu
What are you? You're rotten thieves
How will I treat you? Like doomed thieves
I'll leave you buried under those leaves
When I destroy you, no one grieves
THIEVES! THIEVES! TH-TH-TH-THIEVES
THIEVES! THIEVES! UNDERHANDED
THIEVES! THIEVES! TH-TH-TH-THIEVES
THIEVES! THIEVES! UNDERHANDED
THIEVES! THIEVES! TH-TH-TH-THIEVES
THIEVES! THIEVES! UNDERHANDED
THIEVES! THIEVES! TH-TH-TH-THIEVES
THIEVES! THIEVES! UNDERHANDED THIEVES
Immediately after Knuckles finished singing, Sonic found his chance. With his speed, he scaled up the side of the cliff and did a spin dash that sent Knuckles falling over. He was still on the ridge, but he growled at the hedgehog who attacked him.
"Hi. Don't think we officially met. I'm Sonic."
"I don't care."
Knuckles ran forward to crush Sonic to the ground, but the blue hedgehog dodged onto the wall and bounced off finally getting Knuckles off of the cliff. They got up, but the Echidna suddenly found himself surrounded by all of Kipo Underground.
"You think this changes anything?" Knuckles asked. "I'll destroy you all with my bare hands if I have to!"
"Please, Knuckles." Kipo said carefully getting closer to him. "We don't mean any harm. If we just talk…"
"Talk to the fist!" Knuckles said as he threw a very hard punch. Thankfully, Wolf pushed Kipo down to avoid it.
When Kipo hit the dirt, her bag opened up. The two Chaos Emeralds that Kipo Underground had (the purple one and the blue one) were laid out on the ground for Knuckles to see and gasp at the sight.
"Where did you get those Chaos Emeralds?" the Echidna asked stunned.
Kipo widened her eyes noticing Knuckles' excitement. "You know what they are?"
"Of course, I do." Knuckles said. "Didn't Scarlemagne tell you anything about this place before he sent you?"
"Oh, my goodness! We don't work for Scarlemagne!" Manic cried out. "We never even met him! That jerk's been hunting us for years!"
Knuckles looked at everyone confusingly. "If you don't work for Scarlemagne, then why are you here?"
"To warn you." Kipo said. "Scarlemagne used one of these Chaos Emeralds to power a machine so he can spy on this island. I think he was waiting for you to drop your guard somehow. When we found out, we stole the Emerald he was using and we thought we had to warn you."
Knuckles looked at Kipo suspiciously. He crossed his arms in thought. "I always suspected that Scarlemagne wasn't done with me. He's so relentless. He won't stop until he takes the sacred treasure."
"Uh, yeah, about that," Benson said as old Dave changed into his baby form, "What is this sacred treasure that Scarlemagne is after?"
"Is it worth a lot of money?" Manic asked.
"It's worth a lot more than just money." Knuckles said with a sigh. "Well, it's clear that you people aren't thieves. You're just a bunch of idiots."
"Hey!" Sonic called out.
"So I suppose you at least deserve to know what Scarlemagne is after. Come with me and I'll show you."
"That's it?" Wolf asked. "You're just going to show us?"
Knuckles looked at Wolf with a glare. "Don't get me wrong. If any of you even thinks about betraying my trust, I won't hesitate to destroy you. Let's go." He walked deeper into the forest. Everyone else gulped and followed.
Another set of dragonflies landed on the island. This time, the Hooligans set foot on Angel Island. The three of them were armed and ready
"Here we are, boys." Fang said. "Now, let the hunt begin."