Chapter 4: Drink to your cure

The night traveled slowly in its length of time, and after the rain stopped, there was a calm. The stillness brought not peace to Knuckles the Echidna, but only uneasiness. After what he had seen, he realized that something unexplainable had happened in his town. Knuckles and his brother Billy were determined to uncover this mystery, and to discover a truth that was hidden.

"This is really starting to tick me off!" Knuckles said, in the dark street, someone in town.

"On the contrary, my dear Knuckles," said Billy. "There are no ticks this time of the year."

"Never mind," Knuckles sighed, shaking his head. "We better go find Dr. Robotnik."

"Oh, that dislikable man!" Billy gasped. "Why must we search for him?"

"Because I think he's behind all this nonsense of a Coke Conspiracy."

"Perhaps you're correct, Knuckles. But first, I should find a cure for the infection."

"How long will that take?" Knuckles asked him, and Billy adjusted his eyeglasses.

"Well, according to my calculations and speculations so far in this journey, I believe--"

"Forget it," Knuckles interrupted. "We don't have much time. I'll go find that mad scientist."

"That's sad," Billy said quietly. "All scientists should be happy, not mad about their work."

"Bill, if you please," Knuckles cleared his throat. "Go invent something to save the world!"

"Very well, indeed, I shall," Billy said, and he turned to leave. "Farewell!" And he ran.

"Yeah, bye." Knuckles waved his hand, and then he turned to another street, running.

Billy ran for his laboratory, and while traveling, he was careful not to be seen. He was unsure who was infected and who was not, but most of the town seemed to be under its control. When he was near his house, something landed in front of the echidna, bringing him to a complete stop. Billy gasped, and he stumbled backward slightly, almost falling, and then he saw his robot.

"Zack 505, reporting," said the lamp-bot. "I have escaped the coke zombies."

"That's delightful news," Billy said, calm now. "But we must hurry to my laboratory."

"Why? Is there an idea tickling you again?" Zack asked.

"Something like that," Billy replied, and then he began to run again.

Zack followed the echidna scientist into the laboratory, and they searched for a cure.

= = = = =

Meanwhile…

Leaving Billy and Zack to work, we turn now to Knuckles the Echidna. He was daring enough to go to Robotnik's evil fortress, a dark and cold place. He had to find a way to set the others free, those who were held captive in mind. Carefully, the red echidna approached a window that was slightly opened. Inside, robot slaves worked, carrying cases of coke, and filling bottles.

"So, this is how it all started," Knuckles whispered, and then a finger tapped his shoulder. Knuckles turned around, and then he saw not a foe, but at least someone familiar.

"Mister Knuckles," Robocop asked, "What ever are you doing out here?"

"I can't imagine," Knuckles said, calming down. "But you scared the red outta me."

Robocop shrugged. "Sorry, but I'm on duty. A good officer is a watchful one."

"Then take a vacation," Knuckles said.

"That would be very nice, but I can't do that, not till next summer."

"Whatever," said Knuckles, sighing. "Never mind that now. I have to find my family."

Then suddenly, a robotic voice said, "Freeze, intruders!"

Knuckles and Robocop looked up, and a Spy Eye, one of Eggman's hovering security cameras was above them. Knuckles saw a weapon on it, and he raised his hands. Robocop did likewise.

"Robocop, what are you doing?!" Knuckles said, "You're a cyborg cop, so shoot!"

"Oh, right," said Robocop, and he took his handgun, aimed, and he fired, destroying it.

"Uh-oh, have we been spotted?" Knuckles asked.

"Not spotted, but sighted perhaps." Robocop corrected him. Then they escaped.

= = = = =

Later…

After Robocop went to the police station for duties, Knuckles was alone again. He did not mind to be alone, but he worried about his family. He walked down the street, deep in thought, and he stopped when he heard music. He looked to the right, and he saw a store window. There were TVs inside, and he gasped with horror when a coke commercial was on at that moment. He backed away, slowly at first, but when the bottle was opened, he turned away, running. On the same sidewalk, Billy was running, holding something in his hand. He was excited about it.

"NO!" Knuckles shouted, running from the TV store.

"YES!" Billy shouted, and then suddenly, they crashed into each other, unexpectedly.

The two dizzy echidnas were on their backs, on the sidewalk with birds, stars, and even planets flying around their heads. For Billy, it was a great astronaut experience. For Knuckles, it was just plain dizzy. Knuckles sat up, held his head, and he opened his eyes, looking.

"Surprise, Knuckles!" Billy said happily, and Knuckles' vision made him see three brothers.

"I knew it," Knuckles said, closing his eyes. "You cloned yourself, didn't you?"

"Why, no, I did not, my good Knuckles, but something far better!"

"Or worse," Knuckles whispered.

Billy continued. "Lo, and behold, I found a cure!" He held a glass bottle in his hand.

"How do you know for sure that it works?" Knuckles asked, doubting.

"I tested it," Billy answered simply. "It's already being put to good use, don't worry."

"I'm worrying," said Knuckles, and then he asked, "Hey, what did you test it on?"

Billy shocked his brother when he pointed to himself. "Yes, indeed, myself."

"Bill Nine, you're helplessly hopeless!" Knuckles shouted in frustration.

"Fear not," Billy said, standing up with his brother. "But I still must use it in the restaurant."

"You mean, McDonald's, right?" Knuckles asked to be sure of it.

"Correct," Billy replied, nodding. "We must make haste while the sun shines."

Then Knuckles shook his head. "But Bill, there is no sunlight now."

Billy shrugged. "It's only a saying."

"Well, you still got it wrong." Knuckles snorted, and then he ran. "Come on, let's go!"

"On the double!" Billy said, and he ran, following after the speeding red echidna.

"Wait for Zack 505!" the little robot called, and he wheeled away, following them.

= = = = =

It was a short time later, and the echidna brothers arrived. The infected restaurant was empty, which was strange. Zack hurried until he made it to Billy's side. Knuckles hardly understood what his scientific brother had in mind, but Billy told him everything. Hearing Billy's explanations often made Knuckles feel worse in the lost world. It was mind scrambling.

"My brain feels like a cooked egg," Knuckles groaned, recovering from Billy's sayings.

"Oh, my!" Billy gasped. "Knuckles, we must hurry and heal this place before sunrise!"

Knuckles blinked his eyes, and then he looked at him, curiously. "Why?" he asked.

"Because if my studies prove to be correct, they will never be cured after that time."

"Uh-oh! Bad…very bad," said Zack, and Knuckles agreed with a silent nod.

"For once, I hope I'm wrong in my research," Billy added quietly.

Knuckles looked up at the building. He was brave. "Let's go, Billy. Time to finish this!"

"But we didn't start it!" Billy said, running after Knuckles to the restaurant.

"Somebody is going to clean up this mess!" Zack said, following.

Knuckles did not stop running until he reached a door, which was closed. He opened it, stepped inside, and Billy followed him, carefully and quietly. Zack entered the place, cautiously. Suddenly, the robot stopped, and the two echidnas turned, wondering what was wrong.

"Zack 505, what ever is the matter? Why won't you come in?" Billy asked in a whisper.

"I can't do it," Zack said, barely at the entrance. "It's against the rules. No robots are allowed."

"Zack, this is life and death, something bigger than rules now," Knuckles whispered.

Billy smiled slightly. "Oh, Zack, come along. I need your help with the cure."

Then Zack followed, nervously at first, but he steadied himself. "Very well," he said.

Billy gave Zack a bottle of the cure, and he held the other. Knuckles began to walk toward the coke machine, slowly and yet steadily, and while he walked, he thought of his family. Zack came right up to the red echidna's side, but Knuckles hardly noticed the little robot's presence. Billy was behind them, and when he moved to follow, someone caught him from behind. Billy tried to call for help, but he was quickly silenced with a strong hand on his mouth. He felt someone take away his cure bottle, stealing it from him. Billy opened his eyes, and afraid, he saw Sonic. Knuckles stopped when he reached the coke machine, and then Zack looked behind.

"Bill Nine is missing," Zack reported, and Knuckles turned around in an instant.

"Billy!" Knuckles called, and for a moment, there was silence. "Bill?"

Then Billy was heard behind him. "Yes?" he asked.

Knuckles turned to look, and Billy was standing next to the machine. "You okay, Bill?"

"We were worried," Zack added, pointing. "Where were you?"

Billy stood without blinking, and he lifted a coke can into view. "It's your turn, Knuckles."

"Oh no, not you," Knuckles said, backing away. "No way! Billy, please, no!"

Then Sonic and Tails caught him from behind. "You've caused enough trouble," said Sonic.

Billy approached with the coke in his hand. "It won't hurt, I assure you."

"NO!" Knuckles yelled, shaking Tails off, and then he turned to Sonic. "I'm sorry," he said, and then he punched the hedgehog's face, freeing himself from capture. Knuckles ran from his brother, heading for the exit, but then he saw his family. He stopped, frozen with shock.

"Knuckles," Nickel called for him with a smile. "Over here," she signaled with her hand.

"No, stop!" Knuckles said, shaking his head.

"Hey, you don't know what you're missing," Keith said, smiling.

Knuckles gulped, and he began to sweat. "Oh, yes, I do."

"Come with us," Nickel said, stepping toward him, and then Knuckles backed away.

"Nickel…Keith…" he said. "Please understand that I can't come with you."

Then Nickel glared at him, angrily. "Knuckles," she said through her teeth.

Knuckles quickly turned to escape, but Sonic and Billy caught him. Tails took a cup of coke, which Amy Rose had prepared from the machine, and then the fox approached.

"No, Sonic!" Knuckles cried, struggling against him. "Bill, wake up! Stop this! Stop! No!"

Knuckles turned his head away when Tails lifted the cup to his mouth. Then he closed his eyes when Nickel held his head still. No matter how hard Knuckles tried, he could not escape. Knuckles' mouth was forced open slightly, and the wet drink entered. Knuckles spit out what he could, but he still tasted it. He was surprised at what his tongue told him. It was not coke.

"Huh? Wha…?" Knuckles said quietly, looking at his hand. "It…it's milk."

Tails took a sip of the drink, and then he passed it to Amy. Everyone that was there had a little sip of the white drink, which was milk without a doubt. Billy was the last to have a sip, and then he blinked his eyes, holding his head. Sonic rubbed his green eyes, and then he yawned.

"Oh, boy, I had the strangest dream," he said sleepily.

"Oh, Sonic, what happened?" Tails asked him.

Sonic shrugged. "Last thing I remember, we were drinking coke. It must've packed a punch."

"No kidding," Knuckles said, twitching his nose.

"How wonderful!" Billy said, who recovered in a short time. "My experiment really worked!"

"Um…I'm confused," said Amy, blinking her sleepy eyes.

"Allow me to explain," said a voice, and the crew turned to see the owner of the voice.

"Zack 505, you saved the day!" Billy cheered when the little robot revealed himself.

"The day has only begun," Zack said. "And besides, I did not do it alone."

"What do you mean?" Knuckles asked.

"I was too short to reach the machine's opening, so a friendly police officer helped me."

"Police officer?" The team asked, and Zack nodded when the officer appeared behind him.

Knuckles' eyes widened with surprise. "Robocop!" he said, pointing to the cyborg cop.

"Yes," Robocop said, nodding. "Here to serve and to protect." He smiled.

"That won't do you any good," said a voice, and they looked, knowing the man.

"Eggman!" Sonic shouted angrily, and Tails stood beside him, glaring.

"Ah, this town is mine, and so is the world. Good job, Sonic, and thanks for your help."

Hearing that from his foe, Sonic was quite angry. "You won't have your own way!"

"Let's get 'em!" Tails said, and he followed the running hedgehog.

"Hedgehog Hammer time!" Amy said, and she went after them.

"Don't panic," said Robocop, holding handcuffs. "Murphy always gets his man."

"Oh, my!" Eggman gasped, and he saw that he was outnumbered and surrounded.

"You're going down, man, big time!" Sonic pointed up to the enemy ship.

"This can't be happening!" Eggman said, "How did you ever awake from my control?!"

"Got milk?" Tails grinned, and then the scientist began to sweat.

"Must retreat!" Eggman said in a panic, and he barely escaped attacks. He vanished.

Outside, in a tree, Metal Sonic watched the ship leave the area. "Too bad."

"You know, Metal, you should have gone to help him," said Silver, in the same tree.

"I am not always available, and besides, he said it was a one-man mission."

"Right," Silver said, remembering. The two robots left the area for the enemy fortress.

= = = = =

Knuckles hugged his family tight, so happy again to have them back. The cure was sent everywhere around, and all those who were infected were free. The land was safe again, and the skies were friendly with blue colors and birds flying with songs. Freedom was restored.

"It's good to have you all back," Knuckles said, in his living room with the crew.

"Double," Sonic said. "I hardly remember what happened, but it must have been wild."

"Yeah, but it was Billy who made the cure," Knuckles pointed.

"But Zack helped me," Billy said, and the lamp robot nodded.

"It really boils down to one thing," said Tails. "It took some good teamwork."

Sonic smiled. "Right on," he said.

"For a while, I thought I would never see you again," Knuckles admitted.

Nickel shook her head, smiling. "Never say never, Knuckles."

"There's always a way," Robocop said.

"After that, I may never drink coke again," Sally said, and Bunnie nodded.

"Well, I will not fear it any longer," Billy said calmly. "It's not a threat."

"Not anymore," Knuckles said, and he shocked everyone when he held a can of coke.

"It's coke!" Amy gasped, and she hid behind her red umbrella for cover.

Sonic and Tails ran, and Billy backed away, Sally and Bunnie gasped, covering their eyes, Robocop held his handcuffs, and Zack was calm, watching the red echidna drink.

"Actually, it's just lemonade," Knuckles whispered to the little robot.

Zack turned his head slightly. "I will never quite understand life."

"Take your time," Knuckles said.

And so it was, after that adventure, Knuckles and his friends were safe, together again, and no need to worry. The next day was like any other day. Knuckles came in with a wet newspaper, the one Tails delivered and Muttski drooled on, Sonic challenged Knuckles in a race, and the toy trucks were in the front yard again. It was just like he remembered, and maybe better. With some help from Sonic and Tails, Knuckles bought wood and he built a nice toy box for Keith. That was something he wanted to change, for the good. Keith loved the gift, and with lots of leftover wood, Knuckles and Sonic were surprised that there was enough to build a tree house. Of course, with good working hands, they had it up in no time. Knuckles' neighborhood and his life were great.

= = = = =

THE END

End credits…

Cast of SEGA characters…

Sonic the Hedgehog

Miles Tails Prower

Knuckles the Echidna

Amy Rose

Dr. Eggman Robotnik

Metal Sonic

Silver Sonic

Special Guest stars…

Bill Nine the Echidna [Billy] ---C. E. Rodriguez

Zack 505 the Lamp-Bot ---C. E. Rodriguez

Nickel the Echidna --- C. E. Rodriguez

Keith the Echidna --- C. E. Rodriguez

Sally Alicia Acorn ---Archie Comics

Bunnie Rabbot ---Archie Comics

Muttski --- Archie Comics

Robocop ---Orion Pictures Corporation

Ed Cook ---As himself

[And Coke is a trademark of its company. No offence intended in this story]

Care note: No critters or robots were harmed during the making of this story. Each one was handled with tenderness and carefulness. The fighting and combat scenes were preformed after special training. The actors and actresses did great. Thanks, Sonic Team.

Special thanks to…

My sisters: Monique, Bijou, Colette and Beau. My brothers: Lorran and Einnar. My parents.

And I thank all my readers, adventurous to read and travel along in my written work.

A new day brings a new adventure… but for now… Rest easy, heroes.

Copyright: Sonic the Hedgehog and his crew belong to SEGA. I do not own him, but I do own Scotty the crime fighter and his team. Thanks for reading. Sayonara, my readers.