Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Fallen ❯ Redemption ( Chapter 2 )
[ A - All Readers ]
By: Brian Bloomfield 
The second chapter in a three part series about life, war, and the suffering that both cause.
Non Anime: Sonic Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Post-apocalyptic / Sci-fi / Thriller | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.02.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 220 | Status: Work In Progress
The second chapter in a three part series about life, war, and the suffering that both cause.
Non Anime: Sonic Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Post-apocalyptic / Sci-fi / Thriller | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.02.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 220 | Status: Work In Progress
The Fallen
Chapter 2/3
Redemption
Brian Bloomfield
Knuckles breathed deeply, smelling the spicy bar s oap still on him after his shower. His bag sat on the table in front of him, containing a mini-tent, canteen, map, and other items of the similar type. He was almost ready to begin his journey. There was just one last thing to do before he sat out. He opened the cracked leather-bound book in front of him and turned to the last fresh page. He uncapped his pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write.
Journal Entry: April 18, 4371
I've just finished packing, and I'm going to set out in a few minutes. I'm still not sure if I should even do this, or what I'll find if I do somehow find all seven chaos Emerald s. The book I was reading was a guide to mythical legends, but it's a shot. It's a sound idea anyway. The Emerald s were designed by the gods to place the power of the universe into the hands of a man. Why can't a man travel through time if he has all the Emerald s? I'm afraid that's only half of my problem, though. If...when I do go back to Robotropolis in the past, how do I still complete the mission without sacrificing Rouge? It's not like I'll be pressed on time to worry about it. If I can even go through time at all.
I miss her more every day. It's painful, knowing that she had to die for everyone else to live. But did she really have to die? What would have happened between us if she had lived?
The weather keeps getting worse. I think the surface of Mobius, after 20 years with minimal sunlight, is finally starting to die. The oceans are already dead, except for the deepest spots with thermal vents.
This is my last entry to this journal. If I can succeed in my mission, this journal will never exist.
I know I can bring her back.
Knuckles
Knuckles closed the journal and sat thinking. He finally stood up, gathered his backpack, and walked outside. The dark sand-blown sky looked like the color of dark ashes from a fire that had burned brightly. The sun was barely discernable through the clouds and yet, for the first time in years, it set off a spark of hope in Knuckles. He felt alive. Pulling a map out of his pocket, he set off for a small swamp to the west of the mining town, where he knew the first Emerald would be. He hoped his sense of place as a guardian hadn't diminished over the years. He shifted his backpack and started west.
*****
Tails walked into the small mining shack where he knew Knuckles should have been. Tails had been living on Angel Island with Amy for the last 19 years, after everyone had left. While they did succeed in their mission to stop the storm that was devastating the planet, the damage had already been done. The weather patterns had changed, and the dust in the upper atmosphere would probably never come down. The decision had been made by Mobians and Overlanders , and they joined forces to build the Mountain Star, a giant colony vessel that carried 2 billion Overlanders and Mobians , 95% of them in cryogenic suspension , to their new home 20 light years away. Tails did some quick math and realized that the Mountain Star was close to the edge of the Mobian system.
"A fem more years and they'll be out." Tails said quietly to himself while rummaging through what little was left behind in the mine shack. His eyes fell across the table onto the journal that Knuckles had left behind. Tails opened the leather book and read the last entry. Without saying a word, he tucked the book into his knapsack and walked solemnly out of the hut.
Returning to Angel Island later that day, Tails showed Amy the journal. He waited quietly until she was done reading it, and then took a seat beside her on the sofa. She closed the book softly.
" Do you really thin he means to go through with it?" Amy asked softly. Tails nodded his head.
"All his belongings were gone when I got there. We hadn't seen him in 2 years, so I felt I should check on him when I went down to recharge the fuel tanks." Tails opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when Amy spoke.
"Even in the grave, she's got his heart." Tails nodded.
"If he can do it...I'd say good for him. He deserves to be happy." Amy turned when she heard a noise behind her. It was Samantha, their oldest daughter walking in to the room. She picked up her glasses, said hi to her parents, and walked out. Amy looked after her daughter with troubled eyes.
"Tails, she can't stay up here forever. What will happen to her after we're gone?" Tails shook his head.
"Amy, it's not like we're going to die tomorrow...and it's not like Knuckles and us are the only people left."
*****
Knuckles breathed in the fragrant air as he entered the swamp. All the vegetable growth had long ago died off, so the air in the swamp had just a hint of the rotting vegetation . He cautiously walked forward. Sensing no danger, he headed where he felt the Emerald to be.
A few minutes later, he entered a clearing astounded. A small oasis in the middle of the desolate swamp. The scent of flowers , trees, and the chirping of birds filled the air. A small spring bubbled up from underground. He walked towards the fountain and saw the Emerald immediately , resting in the center.
"If I take this...this place will die in a matter of days." Knuckles thought to himself, remembering the night he had left the greenhouse box open, where he grew Rouge's flowers. They had all been dead the next morning. He sighed ruefully, grabbing the Emerald from the cool crystal water.
"No matter what...I'll see this through." Knuckles whispered to himself as a tear streamed down his face. HE put the Emerald in his bag and started to walk away when he heard a twig crack in the underbrush behind him. He spun around to face the brush where the sound had come from, but their was nothing there. He felt the hair rise on the back of his neck and turned slowly around. His mouth dropped in surprise and his eyes widened in recognition .
"Rotor!?" He said in recognition. A look of distrust passed over the walrus' face and he pulled a gun out of his windbreaker. Before Knuckles could say anything, Rotor pulled the trigger. Knuckles felt something enter his arm, then there was nothing but blackness.
*****
When Knuckles awoke five hours later, he thought he was back in Shadow's church in Station Square. The house he was in now had that same dank quality that Knuckle's remembered about the church. He started to sit up, but his muscles screamed in agony when he tried.
"Mmmm!" Knuckles moaned loudly, his eyes snapping open in time to catch a hand coming towards his face. The unseen person struck him.
"Shut up!" A harsh voice commanded of Knuckles. Knuckles seethed at this kind of treatment, but stayed silent.
"Good. Now answer me one question." A light popped on the revel Rotor sitting on a chair next to the bed. "Why were you trying to steal my Emerald ? Don't you people give up?"
Knuckles licked his lips. "I don't know who you're referring to, but I wasn't trying to steal your Emerald . My name is Knuckles. All I know of you is that your name is Rotor."
"If what you're saying is true, how do you even know my name?"
"Your one of the people Tails and Amy told me about. They're alive." Rotor's face went a solid color of red. He spoke in a low growl.
"If you're toying with me, I will kill you. Can you prove what you just told me?" Knuckles reached over into his knapsack by the side of his bed and opened a hidden pocket on the side. He pulled out a picture of him, Tai ls, Amy, and their firstborn taken on Angel Island the very last time he visited them.
"That picture is about 15 years old. After that day, I couldn't stand going back to the island. IT was too painful for me."
Rotor sniffed quietly and tears filled his eyes. HE handed the picture back to Knuckles.
"All this time...all along I thought that I was the only one that survived in Knothole during the storm. I hid in the only place I could, the underground sea docks...." Rotor shook his head smiling. "Of course, you wouldn't remember any of this. You're not from here." Rotor offered his hand to his visitor.
"We haven't been properly introduced. My name's Rotor. What's yours?"
"Knuckles. Former guardian of Angel Island."
*****
After Knuckles took a shower and put on a fresh change of clothing borrowed from Rotor, Rotor took him into his library and they both sat down. Rotor lights a cigar, and when he was offered one, Knuckles did the same.
"I'd like to say again how sorry I am about being so savage to you earlier. That Emerald is the only thing that lets me live here."
Knuckles blew smoke out in a relaxed manor. "How did you tap the power of the Emerald s? Only Robotnik knew their secrets, and he isn't telling anyone." Rotor smiled and stood up.
"Au Contraire ." He walked over to bookshelf and pulled out a sheath of papers that looked yellowed through age. He handed then to Knuckles. "The last scientific writings of Sir Charles Hedgehog, royal scientist for the crown of Acorn. I found them, along with a geological blueprint of Mobotropolis, in the Knothole archive the day Phoenix was activated. No one had ever seen them before because they were hidden in a time-release file."
Knuckles began leafing through the papers and stopped on a page with a cylindrical object drawn on it. Underneath the drawing were the words: Possible applications on biologically weakened subjects for mechanical restoration. Knuckles head shot up.
"Is that what I think it is?" Knuckles asked shocked. Rotor nodded his head.
"During my time here, I've had a chance to do more research on multiple fields of science then I ever had thought possible . Due to that, I've come to realize a simple truth about the Robotisizer that no one ever has, with the exception of Charles. The sine wave the Robotisizer exposes it's subject to is identical to the sine wave in a chaos Emerald . The prototype of the Robotisizer was designed to use a chaos Emerald , but when they locked onto the wave, the Emerald was no longer necessary." Rotor sighed. "That's when I realized that an Emerald could be used to feed into a natural system. That's how a derobotisizer works, and it's still based off of the same wave pattern." Rotor pulled the papers out of Knuckles hands and returned them to the shelf. "So," Rotor said smiling and sticking the cigar into his mouth, "What's your story?"
Knuckles told Rotor everything, starting when he pulled himself out of his grave at the church in Station Square, to the arrival of Rouge and company, to Rouge and Knuckles falling for each other, and finally to the voice of destiny telling Knuckles what had happened.
"Tails and Amy had to pull me out of there. They later told me I kept screaming and clawing at them, telling them that we had to go back, we had to go back and save her. I eventually calmed down when we got to a city, but I wouldn't talk to anybody. We stole a helicopter and flew up to Angel Island. Then all I did was cry. I wondered around the island during the day, trying to keep my distance from Amy and Tails. I became a recluse. After five years of this behavior, just before the Mountain Star left orbit, I-"
"What did you say? The Mountain Star?" Rotor looked totally confused.
"Most of the Overlander and Mobian population is gone. The planet is dying. Nothing can stop it, it's inevitable. They built a ship and now the entire surviving population is on its way to another star in cryogenic sleep. Anyway, I told them I was leaving to do some research, and they insisted that I take a picture with them. That's where I got the photo in my bag. After I left, I collected every book I could find. A few weeks ago, I started reading a book about the Emerald s. It said that a man named Rafasto once saved the planet Mobius by using the chaos Emerald s and the master Emerald to move the entire planet through time to avoid a giant 'boulder from the stars'. That's why I wanted your Emerald . I want to go after Rouge."
Rotor stared at him for a few moments, the look in his eyes haunted. Finally, he spoke.
"I don't know if your crazy or not, if the Emerald s really are as powerful as you say they are, but I believe you. You say you have to have all the Emerald s in order for this to work?" Knuckles nodded his head. "Ok then. Follow me."
Rotor and Knuckles stood up and went outside, where the wind was beginning to pick up. Knuckles saw a bubble of energy surrounding the building he was just in and three others just like it. Off to one side, still inside the bubble's field, was a garden with various vegetables growing.
"I keep the temperature inside the bubble around 74*F for comfort and horticulture purposes. Come." Rotor opened a steal lid in the ground in between the garden and his library.
"The Emerald you were going to steal was a fake Emerald , designed to lure in thefts from the surrounding wild tribes. The real Emerald is kept down here, in a special reaction vessel . Now I'll give it to you...but I want you to do something for me."
Knuckles nodded his head. "Anything I can. What is it?"
"Take me with you until you find the next Emerald . With the Emerald gone, my energy source is gone. I won't be able to survive here." Knuckles hesitated for less then a second.
"Ok. But what says that I know where the next Emerald is?"
"You may not, but I do. There are two Emerald s inside Lower Mobius. We'll leave in the morning." Rotor shut the lid and walked away.
*****
In the cold vast ness of space, billions of stars shone in pinpricks around the Mountain Star. It's engines had long ago been shut down to save fuel, as the ship had more then enough momentum to carry it out of the Mobian system. Everyone onboard was in cryosleep, even the system operators, who were unnecessary with the onboard computer tending to the ship. It wouldn't have made a difference anyway. A meteor the size of a small car was drifting towards the ship, the magnetic ore in the rock attracted to the hull of the Mountain Star. The meteor was accelerating.
*****
When Knuckles woke and walked into the main hut the next morning, Rotor was dressing in what looked like a rubber suit. Knuckles just stared at him blankly.
Rotor rolled his eyes. It's a Lead and Rubber Suit. It's the only way I can handle the Emerald while it's still inside the vessel. This is the third one I've made. The others were stolen by those idiots in the forest. Rotor finished putting the suit on and pulled the clear hood over his face. I'll be back in a few minutes. You can have some coffee and cereal if you'd like.
Knuckles settled down with a cup of coffee at the table and pulled the mythical text out of his bag. He sat there, reading the book and drinking his coffee until Rotor returned. Rotor handed him an Emerald .
One down, six to go. Rotor said with a sigh as he took off his suit. Now, let's call Griff and arrange a meeting before the battery backup fails.
*****
Griff closed his bloodshot eyes and began to rub his temples. Two more Lower Mobian citizens had been killed this morning in another tunnel cave-in. At this rate, all tunnels heading west would be caved-in within three weeks. This was the second tunnel this week alone they had lost.
And it's all because of that damn earthquake He said softly to himself, sneering as the words came out of his mouth. We try and try to reinforce the tunnels to repair the damage, but eventually they're all going to give way. And my city will be dead.
Griff sat up as a knocking sounded at his door. Dirk walked in and handed Griff a clipboard. Those are the latest projections on the tunnel strength. It's accelerating.
I know. I know. Griff sighed and dropped the clipboard onto his desk. We may have to end up evacuating the remaining citizens to Angel Island. Tails and Amy of the Knothole Freedom Fighters are the only ones up there. I'm sure that if they knew of our situation, they'd offer us space on the island.
Dirk shook his head. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Griff frowned. I hope not. This place has been our home for a long time
Just then the radio on Griff's desk came to life.
Lower Mobius, this is Knothole. Come in please.
Griff grabbed the microphone and clicked the radio to send. This is Lower Mobius. Go ahead Knothole.
Griff, this is Rotor. I have something I need to discuss with you. It's very important.
A confused look passed over Griff and Dirk's faces. What is it, Rotor?
They heard him sigh heavily on the other end. Griff, what would it take for me to convince you to release to me the Chaos Emeralds you have?
Griff and Dirk just stared at each other for what seamed like forever. Finally, Griff clicked on the radio again. Um, Rotor? Say that again, please?
What would it take for you to give me your Chaos Emeralds?
I'm afraid that we couldn't do that even if we wanted to. The energy crystal is completely dead and-
I'll give you my entire harvest.
and it would be difficult to restart the entire system. Plus, the power stone you gave us won't provide enough energy to make oxygen for the colony.
I'll give you all my batteries. And the other half of the Power Stone. Can you be here tonight to pick it all up and make the trade?
Griff held his hand over the microphone. Dirk, with that much energy, we could save a few of the tunnels.
Dirk looked to be deep in thought. Finally, he looked at Griff and nodded. It would be worth it.
Griff reopened the mic. Rotor? We'll see you tonight around six with a couple of freighters to carry the stuff.
Just bring enough people to load and harvest. Rotor killed the transmission. Dirk just looked at Griff.
Is he insane?
Does it really matter?
Dirk shrugged. Not really. I'll make the arrangements. Dirk walked out of Griff's office. For the first time in weeks, Griff actually felt good.
*****
When Rotor turned the radio off, Knuckles nodded his head and smiled. Thanks Rotor, for everything.
All Rotor said was: Three down, four to go.
Suddenly Knuckles snapped his fingers. Four down, three to go! I just remembered where one Emerald is! Since I can use my Emerald tracking ability, one of the Emeralds must be near the Master Emerald.
When Rotor heard this, recognition of the words flashed across his face. Knuckles, when the transport arrives, direct their activities. I need to go check something. Without another work, Rotor left the building. He walked over to the Library and went in.
Knuckles shook his head. I wonder what that was all about?
*****
After Knuckles exchanged everything for the Emeralds, he walked into the library to find Rotor grinning like a mad fool. He was holding a piece of yellowed paper in his hands and reading by candlelight.
Rotor, what are you doing?
Rotor looked at Knuckles in surprise. I didn't hear you come in. Is the trade complete? In reply, Knuckles held up his bag.
Execlent. Now we just have to head to Angel Island.
Knuckles furrowed his forehead in deep confusion. We still have three more to pick up.
That's just it. You're a guardian. You don't have to pick them up. You can order the server emeralds to come to the Master. Read this paper:
Pouv'ir e' U'e
Pouv'ir e' Ent'er
Ve'be I'I l'e pouv'ires
Po'r le'u'l I 'I cr'i
A deman'e d' l'e U'e
Qui'i ten'r l'e cl' ee'n ent'er
A deman'e ee'n l'e ma'tr'
Fa're l'e Serve're Ve'nir
Knuckles studied the piece of paper hard for a moment, then looked up at Rotor. This is an Emerald Enchantment, and if I translated this right, it says: Power of One , Power of All , Give me the powers f or which I call , A request from the one w ho holds the key to all , A request to the Master to m ake the Servers come
Rotor nodded his head. Pray to the Master Emerald using that, and you should recall all the Chaos Emeralds to their original locations around the Master Emerald.
Knuckles sighed. After fifteen years, I'm finally going to see Amy and Tails again
Rotor laughed. Hey, it's been twenty years for me!
Knuckles smiled. It will be so good to see them again
Rotor closed his eyes. Let's go home.
End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3: The Forgiven will be coming soon. Please R&R. Keep good Fanfiction alive!
Chapter 2/3
Redemption
Brian Bloomfield
Knuckles breathed deeply, smelling the spicy bar s oap still on him after his shower. His bag sat on the table in front of him, containing a mini-tent, canteen, map, and other items of the similar type. He was almost ready to begin his journey. There was just one last thing to do before he sat out. He opened the cracked leather-bound book in front of him and turned to the last fresh page. He uncapped his pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write.
Journal Entry: April 18, 4371
I've just finished packing, and I'm going to set out in a few minutes. I'm still not sure if I should even do this, or what I'll find if I do somehow find all seven chaos Emerald s. The book I was reading was a guide to mythical legends, but it's a shot. It's a sound idea anyway. The Emerald s were designed by the gods to place the power of the universe into the hands of a man. Why can't a man travel through time if he has all the Emerald s? I'm afraid that's only half of my problem, though. If...when I do go back to Robotropolis in the past, how do I still complete the mission without sacrificing Rouge? It's not like I'll be pressed on time to worry about it. If I can even go through time at all.
I miss her more every day. It's painful, knowing that she had to die for everyone else to live. But did she really have to die? What would have happened between us if she had lived?
The weather keeps getting worse. I think the surface of Mobius, after 20 years with minimal sunlight, is finally starting to die. The oceans are already dead, except for the deepest spots with thermal vents.
This is my last entry to this journal. If I can succeed in my mission, this journal will never exist.
I know I can bring her back.
Knuckles
Knuckles closed the journal and sat thinking. He finally stood up, gathered his backpack, and walked outside. The dark sand-blown sky looked like the color of dark ashes from a fire that had burned brightly. The sun was barely discernable through the clouds and yet, for the first time in years, it set off a spark of hope in Knuckles. He felt alive. Pulling a map out of his pocket, he set off for a small swamp to the west of the mining town, where he knew the first Emerald would be. He hoped his sense of place as a guardian hadn't diminished over the years. He shifted his backpack and started west.
*****
Tails walked into the small mining shack where he knew Knuckles should have been. Tails had been living on Angel Island with Amy for the last 19 years, after everyone had left. While they did succeed in their mission to stop the storm that was devastating the planet, the damage had already been done. The weather patterns had changed, and the dust in the upper atmosphere would probably never come down. The decision had been made by Mobians and Overlanders , and they joined forces to build the Mountain Star, a giant colony vessel that carried 2 billion Overlanders and Mobians , 95% of them in cryogenic suspension , to their new home 20 light years away. Tails did some quick math and realized that the Mountain Star was close to the edge of the Mobian system.
"A fem more years and they'll be out." Tails said quietly to himself while rummaging through what little was left behind in the mine shack. His eyes fell across the table onto the journal that Knuckles had left behind. Tails opened the leather book and read the last entry. Without saying a word, he tucked the book into his knapsack and walked solemnly out of the hut.
Returning to Angel Island later that day, Tails showed Amy the journal. He waited quietly until she was done reading it, and then took a seat beside her on the sofa. She closed the book softly.
" Do you really thin he means to go through with it?" Amy asked softly. Tails nodded his head.
"All his belongings were gone when I got there. We hadn't seen him in 2 years, so I felt I should check on him when I went down to recharge the fuel tanks." Tails opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when Amy spoke.
"Even in the grave, she's got his heart." Tails nodded.
"If he can do it...I'd say good for him. He deserves to be happy." Amy turned when she heard a noise behind her. It was Samantha, their oldest daughter walking in to the room. She picked up her glasses, said hi to her parents, and walked out. Amy looked after her daughter with troubled eyes.
"Tails, she can't stay up here forever. What will happen to her after we're gone?" Tails shook his head.
"Amy, it's not like we're going to die tomorrow...and it's not like Knuckles and us are the only people left."
*****
Knuckles breathed in the fragrant air as he entered the swamp. All the vegetable growth had long ago died off, so the air in the swamp had just a hint of the rotting vegetation . He cautiously walked forward. Sensing no danger, he headed where he felt the Emerald to be.
A few minutes later, he entered a clearing astounded. A small oasis in the middle of the desolate swamp. The scent of flowers , trees, and the chirping of birds filled the air. A small spring bubbled up from underground. He walked towards the fountain and saw the Emerald immediately , resting in the center.
"If I take this...this place will die in a matter of days." Knuckles thought to himself, remembering the night he had left the greenhouse box open, where he grew Rouge's flowers. They had all been dead the next morning. He sighed ruefully, grabbing the Emerald from the cool crystal water.
"No matter what...I'll see this through." Knuckles whispered to himself as a tear streamed down his face. HE put the Emerald in his bag and started to walk away when he heard a twig crack in the underbrush behind him. He spun around to face the brush where the sound had come from, but their was nothing there. He felt the hair rise on the back of his neck and turned slowly around. His mouth dropped in surprise and his eyes widened in recognition .
"Rotor!?" He said in recognition. A look of distrust passed over the walrus' face and he pulled a gun out of his windbreaker. Before Knuckles could say anything, Rotor pulled the trigger. Knuckles felt something enter his arm, then there was nothing but blackness.
*****
When Knuckles awoke five hours later, he thought he was back in Shadow's church in Station Square. The house he was in now had that same dank quality that Knuckle's remembered about the church. He started to sit up, but his muscles screamed in agony when he tried.
"Mmmm!" Knuckles moaned loudly, his eyes snapping open in time to catch a hand coming towards his face. The unseen person struck him.
"Shut up!" A harsh voice commanded of Knuckles. Knuckles seethed at this kind of treatment, but stayed silent.
"Good. Now answer me one question." A light popped on the revel Rotor sitting on a chair next to the bed. "Why were you trying to steal my Emerald ? Don't you people give up?"
Knuckles licked his lips. "I don't know who you're referring to, but I wasn't trying to steal your Emerald . My name is Knuckles. All I know of you is that your name is Rotor."
"If what you're saying is true, how do you even know my name?"
"Your one of the people Tails and Amy told me about. They're alive." Rotor's face went a solid color of red. He spoke in a low growl.
"If you're toying with me, I will kill you. Can you prove what you just told me?" Knuckles reached over into his knapsack by the side of his bed and opened a hidden pocket on the side. He pulled out a picture of him, Tai ls, Amy, and their firstborn taken on Angel Island the very last time he visited them.
"That picture is about 15 years old. After that day, I couldn't stand going back to the island. IT was too painful for me."
Rotor sniffed quietly and tears filled his eyes. HE handed the picture back to Knuckles.
"All this time...all along I thought that I was the only one that survived in Knothole during the storm. I hid in the only place I could, the underground sea docks...." Rotor shook his head smiling. "Of course, you wouldn't remember any of this. You're not from here." Rotor offered his hand to his visitor.
"We haven't been properly introduced. My name's Rotor. What's yours?"
"Knuckles. Former guardian of Angel Island."
*****
After Knuckles took a shower and put on a fresh change of clothing borrowed from Rotor, Rotor took him into his library and they both sat down. Rotor lights a cigar, and when he was offered one, Knuckles did the same.
"I'd like to say again how sorry I am about being so savage to you earlier. That Emerald is the only thing that lets me live here."
Knuckles blew smoke out in a relaxed manor. "How did you tap the power of the Emerald s? Only Robotnik knew their secrets, and he isn't telling anyone." Rotor smiled and stood up.
"Au Contraire ." He walked over to bookshelf and pulled out a sheath of papers that looked yellowed through age. He handed then to Knuckles. "The last scientific writings of Sir Charles Hedgehog, royal scientist for the crown of Acorn. I found them, along with a geological blueprint of Mobotropolis, in the Knothole archive the day Phoenix was activated. No one had ever seen them before because they were hidden in a time-release file."
Knuckles began leafing through the papers and stopped on a page with a cylindrical object drawn on it. Underneath the drawing were the words: Possible applications on biologically weakened subjects for mechanical restoration. Knuckles head shot up.
"Is that what I think it is?" Knuckles asked shocked. Rotor nodded his head.
"During my time here, I've had a chance to do more research on multiple fields of science then I ever had thought possible . Due to that, I've come to realize a simple truth about the Robotisizer that no one ever has, with the exception of Charles. The sine wave the Robotisizer exposes it's subject to is identical to the sine wave in a chaos Emerald . The prototype of the Robotisizer was designed to use a chaos Emerald , but when they locked onto the wave, the Emerald was no longer necessary." Rotor sighed. "That's when I realized that an Emerald could be used to feed into a natural system. That's how a derobotisizer works, and it's still based off of the same wave pattern." Rotor pulled the papers out of Knuckles hands and returned them to the shelf. "So," Rotor said smiling and sticking the cigar into his mouth, "What's your story?"
Knuckles told Rotor everything, starting when he pulled himself out of his grave at the church in Station Square, to the arrival of Rouge and company, to Rouge and Knuckles falling for each other, and finally to the voice of destiny telling Knuckles what had happened.
"Tails and Amy had to pull me out of there. They later told me I kept screaming and clawing at them, telling them that we had to go back, we had to go back and save her. I eventually calmed down when we got to a city, but I wouldn't talk to anybody. We stole a helicopter and flew up to Angel Island. Then all I did was cry. I wondered around the island during the day, trying to keep my distance from Amy and Tails. I became a recluse. After five years of this behavior, just before the Mountain Star left orbit, I-"
"What did you say? The Mountain Star?" Rotor looked totally confused.
"Most of the Overlander and Mobian population is gone. The planet is dying. Nothing can stop it, it's inevitable. They built a ship and now the entire surviving population is on its way to another star in cryogenic sleep. Anyway, I told them I was leaving to do some research, and they insisted that I take a picture with them. That's where I got the photo in my bag. After I left, I collected every book I could find. A few weeks ago, I started reading a book about the Emerald s. It said that a man named Rafasto once saved the planet Mobius by using the chaos Emerald s and the master Emerald to move the entire planet through time to avoid a giant 'boulder from the stars'. That's why I wanted your Emerald . I want to go after Rouge."
Rotor stared at him for a few moments, the look in his eyes haunted. Finally, he spoke.
"I don't know if your crazy or not, if the Emerald s really are as powerful as you say they are, but I believe you. You say you have to have all the Emerald s in order for this to work?" Knuckles nodded his head. "Ok then. Follow me."
Rotor and Knuckles stood up and went outside, where the wind was beginning to pick up. Knuckles saw a bubble of energy surrounding the building he was just in and three others just like it. Off to one side, still inside the bubble's field, was a garden with various vegetables growing.
"I keep the temperature inside the bubble around 74*F for comfort and horticulture purposes. Come." Rotor opened a steal lid in the ground in between the garden and his library.
"The Emerald you were going to steal was a fake Emerald , designed to lure in thefts from the surrounding wild tribes. The real Emerald is kept down here, in a special reaction vessel . Now I'll give it to you...but I want you to do something for me."
Knuckles nodded his head. "Anything I can. What is it?"
"Take me with you until you find the next Emerald . With the Emerald gone, my energy source is gone. I won't be able to survive here." Knuckles hesitated for less then a second.
"Ok. But what says that I know where the next Emerald is?"
"You may not, but I do. There are two Emerald s inside Lower Mobius. We'll leave in the morning." Rotor shut the lid and walked away.
*****
In the cold vast ness of space, billions of stars shone in pinpricks around the Mountain Star. It's engines had long ago been shut down to save fuel, as the ship had more then enough momentum to carry it out of the Mobian system. Everyone onboard was in cryosleep, even the system operators, who were unnecessary with the onboard computer tending to the ship. It wouldn't have made a difference anyway. A meteor the size of a small car was drifting towards the ship, the magnetic ore in the rock attracted to the hull of the Mountain Star. The meteor was accelerating.
*****
When Knuckles woke and walked into the main hut the next morning, Rotor was dressing in what looked like a rubber suit. Knuckles just stared at him blankly.
Rotor rolled his eyes. It's a Lead and Rubber Suit. It's the only way I can handle the Emerald while it's still inside the vessel. This is the third one I've made. The others were stolen by those idiots in the forest. Rotor finished putting the suit on and pulled the clear hood over his face. I'll be back in a few minutes. You can have some coffee and cereal if you'd like.
Knuckles settled down with a cup of coffee at the table and pulled the mythical text out of his bag. He sat there, reading the book and drinking his coffee until Rotor returned. Rotor handed him an Emerald .
One down, six to go. Rotor said with a sigh as he took off his suit. Now, let's call Griff and arrange a meeting before the battery backup fails.
*****
Griff closed his bloodshot eyes and began to rub his temples. Two more Lower Mobian citizens had been killed this morning in another tunnel cave-in. At this rate, all tunnels heading west would be caved-in within three weeks. This was the second tunnel this week alone they had lost.
And it's all because of that damn earthquake He said softly to himself, sneering as the words came out of his mouth. We try and try to reinforce the tunnels to repair the damage, but eventually they're all going to give way. And my city will be dead.
Griff sat up as a knocking sounded at his door. Dirk walked in and handed Griff a clipboard. Those are the latest projections on the tunnel strength. It's accelerating.
I know. I know. Griff sighed and dropped the clipboard onto his desk. We may have to end up evacuating the remaining citizens to Angel Island. Tails and Amy of the Knothole Freedom Fighters are the only ones up there. I'm sure that if they knew of our situation, they'd offer us space on the island.
Dirk shook his head. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Griff frowned. I hope not. This place has been our home for a long time
Just then the radio on Griff's desk came to life.
Lower Mobius, this is Knothole. Come in please.
Griff grabbed the microphone and clicked the radio to send. This is Lower Mobius. Go ahead Knothole.
Griff, this is Rotor. I have something I need to discuss with you. It's very important.
A confused look passed over Griff and Dirk's faces. What is it, Rotor?
They heard him sigh heavily on the other end. Griff, what would it take for me to convince you to release to me the Chaos Emeralds you have?
Griff and Dirk just stared at each other for what seamed like forever. Finally, Griff clicked on the radio again. Um, Rotor? Say that again, please?
What would it take for you to give me your Chaos Emeralds?
I'm afraid that we couldn't do that even if we wanted to. The energy crystal is completely dead and-
I'll give you my entire harvest.
and it would be difficult to restart the entire system. Plus, the power stone you gave us won't provide enough energy to make oxygen for the colony.
I'll give you all my batteries. And the other half of the Power Stone. Can you be here tonight to pick it all up and make the trade?
Griff held his hand over the microphone. Dirk, with that much energy, we could save a few of the tunnels.
Dirk looked to be deep in thought. Finally, he looked at Griff and nodded. It would be worth it.
Griff reopened the mic. Rotor? We'll see you tonight around six with a couple of freighters to carry the stuff.
Just bring enough people to load and harvest. Rotor killed the transmission. Dirk just looked at Griff.
Is he insane?
Does it really matter?
Dirk shrugged. Not really. I'll make the arrangements. Dirk walked out of Griff's office. For the first time in weeks, Griff actually felt good.
*****
When Rotor turned the radio off, Knuckles nodded his head and smiled. Thanks Rotor, for everything.
All Rotor said was: Three down, four to go.
Suddenly Knuckles snapped his fingers. Four down, three to go! I just remembered where one Emerald is! Since I can use my Emerald tracking ability, one of the Emeralds must be near the Master Emerald.
When Rotor heard this, recognition of the words flashed across his face. Knuckles, when the transport arrives, direct their activities. I need to go check something. Without another work, Rotor left the building. He walked over to the Library and went in.
Knuckles shook his head. I wonder what that was all about?
*****
After Knuckles exchanged everything for the Emeralds, he walked into the library to find Rotor grinning like a mad fool. He was holding a piece of yellowed paper in his hands and reading by candlelight.
Rotor, what are you doing?
Rotor looked at Knuckles in surprise. I didn't hear you come in. Is the trade complete? In reply, Knuckles held up his bag.
Execlent. Now we just have to head to Angel Island.
Knuckles furrowed his forehead in deep confusion. We still have three more to pick up.
That's just it. You're a guardian. You don't have to pick them up. You can order the server emeralds to come to the Master. Read this paper:
Pouv'ir e' U'e
Pouv'ir e' Ent'er
Ve'be I'I l'e pouv'ires
Po'r le'u'l I 'I cr'i
A deman'e d' l'e U'e
Qui'i ten'r l'e cl' ee'n ent'er
A deman'e ee'n l'e ma'tr'
Fa're l'e Serve're Ve'nir
Knuckles studied the piece of paper hard for a moment, then looked up at Rotor. This is an Emerald Enchantment, and if I translated this right, it says: Power of One , Power of All , Give me the powers f or which I call , A request from the one w ho holds the key to all , A request to the Master to m ake the Servers come
Rotor nodded his head. Pray to the Master Emerald using that, and you should recall all the Chaos Emeralds to their original locations around the Master Emerald.
Knuckles sighed. After fifteen years, I'm finally going to see Amy and Tails again
Rotor laughed. Hey, it's been twenty years for me!
Knuckles smiled. It will be so good to see them again
Rotor closed his eyes. Let's go home.
End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3: The Forgiven will be coming soon. Please R&R. Keep good Fanfiction alive!