"Knothole in Chaos"
Authors: Robert Brown and Francis Tolbert
Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of
America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case
they were created and copyrighted by us). The authors hereby give
permission for this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy
per user as long as (1) no changes to the story are made without
our express written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is
made to profit from this story. If either or both rules are
violated, it will be considered a violation of copyright law.
Author's Note: Yes! I can finally write this thing again! Hello to all you
fans out there! We're back! We took about a month off to figure out where
we were going to take the stories from here, and I think you'll be pleased.
This is the first story of _The Race for the Emeralds_, a multi-part saga
that will deal with the Chaos Emeralds and the fate of Mobius. A lot will
change in just this story, so you can imagine what the others will be like.
The title for this story was suggested by Kelly Moule, another
of our fans who helped us search for the title of "The Weight of the World".
We liked this title so much that we decided to use it here, and she has
claimed a special reward for us using it, which will be apparent in a future
story. Till next time, Happy reading!
Cast of Characters(in order of appearance)
Princess Sally Acorn
Bunnie Rabbot
Princess Sondra Acorn***
Rosie
Snively
Metal Sonic
Dorian Lexford***
Dr. Robotnik
Knuckles Echidna
Dulcy
Sonic Hedgehog
Antoine D'Coolette
Miles "Tails" Prower
Rotor
King Acorn
Maurice Hedgehog***
Patricia Hedgehog***
Ari
Lupe
Uncle Chuck
Naugus
Tanis Shi-rat***
Donovan###
Alexi Kavenoff###
#14
The day is finally here; the day everyone has been waiting for has finally
arrived. Sally looked out her window, enjoying the high spirits of her
subjects. "It's finally happening, isn't it Bunnie?" she asked her best
friend.
"You can say that again, Sally-girl!" Bunnie exclaimed. "Enough of the
waiting, let's get on with it!"
Sally smiled. "You held on for over eight years; another hour ain't gonna
kill you."
Bunnie grumbled something, but she had a smile on her face too. Sally sat
back in her chair, relaxing. She adjusted her bathrobe, waiting patiently for
Rosie and Sondra to come back. Sally and Bunnie would have preferred making
this a small affair, but Rosie wouldn't even consider it. "You're only going
to do this once, so you _will_ do it right," her nanny had said. Sally
couldn't really blame her. After all, she had been more of a mother than a
nanny to her.
"So when are they getting here?!" Bunnie asked, getting up and pacing
around the hut. "If they don't get here soon, I'll walk to Sanctuary in my
bathrobe!"
"Bunnie," Sally began in a sweet voice, "chill out and sit down! They'll
get here when they get here. Today's the one day I don't want anything getting
on my nerves."
Bunnie looked at Sally for a moment, then sat down with a "humph!" Sally
just shook her head. Truth was, she was beginning to get impatient herself,
but she didn't let it show. There would be a party in Knothole today bigger
than when her father had returned. But even that paled against her
expectations for that night. A slow smile spread across her lips.
"We're here!" Sondra exclaimed, dragging in two bags bigger than she was.
"What's all this?" Bunnie asked, getting up and helping Sondra.
"Just a couple of surprises I managed to salvage," Rosie said, walking in
behind Sondra. "Granted I had to do a bit of re-stitching, but everything
should fit."
"What's in there?" Sally asked, opening a bag, and catching a glimpse of
white satin.
Rosie slapped her hand. "No, no, Princess. First we have other things to
do. I see you've both showered, so now I take over. Please sit down, and try
not to move to much."
"I usually do my own make-up," Bunnie grumbled, sitting down in her chair.
"And I do it very well, thank you."
Rosie sighed. "Humor me, please?"
Bunnie's mouth twisted to one side, but she made no further complaint.
Sally sat back down, smiling again. "I'll be changing into my dress," Sondra
said, going to the bathroom. "I'll be out in a bit."
Sally waved as Sondra closed the door. Sondra leaned against it for a
moment and sighed. "I'm happy for them," she thought, "but I really wish it
was me out there. Oh well, maybe in another few years."
She looked at the dress hanging in front of her and frowned. "Pink? Of
all the colors Sally could have chosen, she chose pink?! She's never worn
pink as long as I've known her! Why is she making me wear it??!"
She took the dress down and looked at it. It wasn't bad as dresses went,
but Sondra just did not like the color. "Still I guess this is her day, so
what she says goes. But I still don't see why I can't wear my brown one."
As all this was going on in Knothole, Snively and his crew were making
some preparations of their own. "I want to hit Knothole fast and hard,"
Snively said to Metal Sonic and Dorian. "Take units and spread out over the
entire Great Forest. Search every square inch until we find it."
"It would be a lot easier if Dorian just told us," Metal Sonic grumbled.
"I don't see what loyalty you could possibly have to them."
"They let me live," Dorian said simply. "That's loyalty enough."
Snively sighed. This conversation was an old one, and he wanted to move
on. But just as he opened his mouth, alarms started blaring all over the
control room. "Security has been breached!" Snively exclaimed as the other
two ran to computer consoles. "Find out where, quickly."
"All sectors reporting in secure," Metal Sonic said. "I can't find any
evidence of a breach."
"I can," Dorian said slowly, staring at a monitor.
Snively and Metal Sonic rushed to his monitor, then he just pointed. A
large island, floating in mid-air, was positioning itself directly above
Robotropolis. "But that's not all," Dorian said, zooming in on the island.
As they watched, two figures became obvious on the island's beach. One was
a red-quilled echidna that no one recognized. He was dressed in only gloves
and sneakers, reminding them faintly of Sonic. The other was a rather large
and portly human that Snively recognized immediately.
"I can't believe it," he muttered, cursing. "After almost a year, my
uncle is still alive!" He ran to his chair. "All units, open fire on that
island," he ordered into his intercom. "Leave nothing but rubble!"
On the island, Robotnik watched with Knuckles as laser blasts streaked
toward the island. Neither one moved, though it seemed there were enough
lasers to vaporize the island. But about twenty meters from impact, the lasers
vanished, absorbed by the island's force field. "I am impressed," Robotnik
muttered.
"As well you should be," Knuckles replied. "Now, shall we get down to
business?"
Dulcy winged over Knothole humming to herself. She came in for a landing
right in front of Sally and Sondra's hut but landed in a nearby tree instead.
"Oh, I'll never get it right!" she said, frustrated. She disentangled herself
from the branches and fell to the ground.
She got up, muttering to herself, and walked to the door. "You guys ready
yet?" she called, knocking on the door. "Everyone's waiting!"
"Almost done, Dulcy," Rosie said from inside. "We'll be out in a few
minutes."
Dulcy sighed and sat herself down to wait. "Yeah, right," she thought.
"If they're out in less than five minutes, I'll eat this twig." She leaned
back against the wall of the hut and proceeded to fall asleep.
Back at Robotropolis, Snively watched the lasers have absolutely no effect
on the Floating Island as it stopped directly above his command center. "All
hover units, report to command center and attack the island!" Snively
commanded.
"Why, I don't think that will be necessary," a voice said behind him.
Snively and his friends turned to look and saw Robotnik standing in the doorway
with that echidna right next to him. "In fact," Robotnik continued, "I think
the only thing that will happen is me taking back control of my city!"
"Not as long as I'm here!" Dorian yelled, rushing at Robotnik.
Knuckles opened one of his gloved hands, revealing a yellow emerald. A
bolt of lightning shot out of it, striking Dorian and knocking him backward.
"No!" Metal Sonic yelled, rushing at Knuckles. A wave of Knuckles' hand
and Metal Sonic was lying beside Dorian.
Robotnik strode forward and grabbed Snively around the neck before Snively
could do much more than gasp. "As I said, I shall now take back control of my
city!" he proclaimed, eyes glowing a bright red.
Snively twisted and squirmed, but could not break out of Robotnik's death
grip. Robotnik tightened his grip further until Knuckles came up and placed
his hand on Robotnik's arm. "Remember the rules," Knuckles hissed.
Robotnik looked at Knuckles for a moment, but then released Snively. "I
hate playing by any rules but my own," Robotnik said darkly.
"Well, you'll have to make an exception this time, if you want to be
victorious. Remember, as Guardian, I can call the Emeralds to me at any time."
"I'd like to see you call them if you're dead," Robotnik muttered under
his breath.
"If I die of any but natural causes, the Emeralds will turn on my
murderer," Knuckles cautioned.
Robotnik sighed. He'd already tried to take the Emeralds by force once,
and was not about to try again. "Very well. I assume you will go and inform
my 'opponents' of my return?"
"Indeed I will," Knuckles said. "After you choose your three Emeralds."
He held out his hands, displaying all seven Emeralds.
As Robotnik was considering, Snively crawled into his chair and pressed
a button. Explosions shook Robotropolis to the core. "What have you done?"
Robotnik thundered, picking Snively up by the back of his jacket.
"Just undone everything I have done in your absence," Snively sneered.
"All my work: the AI SWATbots, the roboticization gun, everything gone!"
Robotnik glanced over at Metal Sonic, who was still in one piece.
"Everything?" he inquired.
Snively shrugged. "Everything you could possibly use against me."
Robotnik walked over to Metal Sonic and dragged the robot to its feet.
"You have a choice, robot, serve me or get scrapped!"
Metal Sonic looked at Snively for a moment and Snively just lowered his
eyes. "Very well, sir," Metal Sonic said. "I will serve you."
"Excellent. Now, take this traitor and the other--" Robotnik cut off,
just now realizing that Dorian had vanished. "Aargh! Where did he go?! No
matter. Take this traitor to a holding cell until he can be roboticized. I'll
get all of his secrets then." He tossed Snively to Metal Sonic, who dragged
him out of the room. "Now, where were we Knuckles?"
"You were about to choose your three Emeralds to defend," Knuckles said,
unmoved by what he had just seen.
Robotnik walked over to him and chose the yellow, grey, and white
Emeralds. "These three will do nicely."
Knuckles nodded, closing his hands around the other four. "I will inform
you when the others have been hidden. In the meantime, my Island will move to
a neutral point. Good day, Doctor." With that, he vanished.
Robotnik set his Emeralds aside for the moment and saw about returning
control of Robotropolis to him. "I wonder if that fool removed all my failsafe
codes," he thought.
Dulcy was sound asleep when the door opened and Rosie stepped out. "Wake
up, Dulcy," Rosie said, shaking her. "We're ready."
"Huh? Wha'?" Dulcy said sleepily. "Oh, five more minutes, ma."
Rosie grabbed one of Dulcy's ears and twisted it. "Owww!" Dulcy moaned.
"All right, I'm up!"
"Come on out!" Rosie called into the hut.
Sondra came out first. She was dressed in a pink off-the-shoulder dress
that accentuated her light blue fur very nicely. It came down to her ankles
but was hemmed in such a way that it never touched the ground. She had on a
slight bit of makeup, but not enough to notice unless you really looked at her.
In her hands she held a bouquet of pink and red roses. "I still don't like
pink," she muttered.
"Oh, but you look so cute!" Rosie and Dulcy said together.
Sondra tried to grimace, but it didn't come out right, and ended up
smiling in spite of herself. "And now, the brides-to-be," she said, moving
out of the way.
Dulcy caught her breath as Sally and Bunnie walked out of the hut
together. Both had on white off-the-shoulder dresses, and it made each look
somewhat older and more mature than they really were. Bunnie's was rather
plain, but had some dark blue and purple designs stitched in the train.
Sally's was a bit fancier, with the symbol of the House of Acorn displayed
prominently on the front of the dress. Both had on gauzy veils which somewhat
hid their faces, but everyone there knew that they were smiling and even
crying.
"Wow," Dulcy said in awe. "You two look gorgeous!"
"Thanks, Dulcy-gal!" Bunnie said. "We're ready anytime you are."
"Hold on a sec," Sally said. "I meant to ask you, how did you get these
dresses together in such a short time, Rosie?"
"I sewed them a long time ago, Princess," Rosie said. "The dresses each
of you are wearing are the same ones that your mothers wore when they got
married."
Sally and Bunnie grew very quiet. "I had no idea," Bunnie said softly.
"You fill it out just as they did," Rosie said, beaming with pride.
"They'd be so glad to see you like this."
"We'd better get going," Sally said, choking back more tears.
"Think you can get it right?" Rosie asked as the brides-to-be climbed
up on Dulcy's back.
"Piece of cake, Rosie," Dulcy said and took off.
"Grab on, Rosie," Sondra said, revving up her legs as best she could.
"I'm not going to let them get there before us!"
"Be careful you don't rip that dress," Rosie said, hanging on to Sondra's
waist. "It took me a long time to finish it."
"I'll be careful!" Sondra promised, running off.
Just in front of Sanctuary, Sonic was pacing the ground nervously. "What
is keeping them?" Sonic asked, checking his watch. "I hope they didn't change
their minds."
"Do not be a fool, Sonic," Antoine said calmly, sitting down on the steps.
"They would never change their minds after everything that has happened."
"Yeah, Sonic," Tails said. "Why else would you be in a tuxedo again and
not complaining?"
Sonic smiled at that. "Very true, little bro. I guess I'm just getting
cold feet."
"Everything will be fine, Sonic," Antoine said. He cocked his head to one
side. "In fact, I believe I hear them now."
Sonic listened, and he too heard an approaching sonic boom. But then he
saw it was only Sondra and Rosie and he sighed. "Oh, it's only you two," he
said.
"Don't look so happy to see us," Sondra said sarcastically as Rosie let
go.
"Since when do you wear--" Tails began.
"Don't say it!" Sondra yelled, marching over to Tails.
Tails opened his mouth again, but decided to grab Sondra and kiss her
instead of saying anything. "I hate when you do that," Sondra murmured when he
let her go.
"You look beautiful," Tails said, smiling.
"Here they come!" Rotor said, pointing up to the sky.
Everyone looked and saw Dulcy bearing down on them. They all ran for the
safety of the building. "I'll show them!" Dulcy muttered.
"Take it easy, Dulcy!" Sally yelled, holding on to Dulcy's back as she
went into a dive.
"Don't worry, Sally. Everything is under control." A few feet before she
hit the ground, Dulcy spread her wings, using them as a brake. She turned
right-side up and touched down lightly. "Like I said: under control." She
carefully placed Sally and Bunnie down on the ground.
"Thanks a lot, Dulcy," Sally said.
"No prob, Sal," Dulcy said, giving a thumbs-up. "I'll just wait out here;
I don't like enclosed places too much."
"Hey, where'd everyone go?" Bunnie asked, looking around.
"We're all waiting inside!" Sondra called from the doorway. "Hurry up!"
"Waiting's over," Sally murmured as she walked up the stairs with Bunnie.
Bunnie just nodded as they entered Sanctuary. Every citizen of Knothole,
with the exception of the guards, had jammed into the benches. King Acorn,
Maurice and Patricia, the only living relatives of any members of the wedding
party, were seated on the front benches by themselves. Ari and Lupe had come
in with what was left of their groups. Uncle Chuck had left his post in
Robotropolis for the occasion. Even Naugus was in attendance. The only one
not in attendance, it seemed, was Donovan. Bunnie felt a little disapponited
at that, looking briefly at her left arm. "I'll bet he won't even show up at
the party afterwards," she thought.
Tanis took his place by the altar as Sonic and Antoine walked up just in
front of him. Antoine stood just to the right, and Sonic stood just to the
left. Bunnie thought she had never seen Antoine look more handsome, and Sally
felt the same about Sonic. "Everything's finally coming together," Sally
whispered.
Beautiful organ music filled the building. Rosie was sitting at a large
organ, playing a traditional wedding theme. "That's our cue," Sondra whispered
from in front of them. She started to walk down the aisle to the beat of the
music. Tails joined her after a couple of steps and escorted her up to the
altar. Sondra moved to the right while Tails moved to the left.
The music swelled, signifying the entrance of the brides. Bunnie and
Sally moved down the aisle slowly, one step at a time. Everyone's eyes turned
to follow them as they passed, making each a little nervous. In a few moments,
they reached their prospective husbands and stopped. Sonic lifted Sally's veil
away from her face and Antoine did the same for Bunnie's.
"Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this double union," Tanis
said, his voice resonating throughout the building. "Even in this time of war,
these two couples have managed to grow, learn, and love each other, until they
have come to this junction in their lives.
"I know this is a formality, but I must ask. If any creature here today
has a just reason why these two couples should not wed, let them speak now or
forever hold their peace."
"I have just cause!" a strong voice called behind them. Everyone turned
to look at the red-quilled echidna who had suddenly appeared in the doorway of
Sanctuary.
A low murmur of anger swiftly spread through all present. All that is,
except Tanis, who had suddenly grown quite sad. "The time is at hand," he
whispered softly. "Oh that I had prayed it would not happen in my lifetime."
The echidna advanced down the aisle, ignoring the glances hurled at him
by the crowd. "Well met, Shi-rat," he said authoritatively.
"Well met, Guardian," Tanis returned with a sigh.
"Guardian?" Sonic asked. "You know this joker?"
"I don't care if he knows him or not," Sally said angrily. "He better
have a good excuse for interrupting our wedding!"
"Is the fate of Mobius cause enough?" the echidna asked, turning a cool
gaze on the princess.
The murmuring changed in an instant from one of anger to one of shock.
"You better explain yourself, and quickly," Sally said, her voice low and dark.
"If you can't back up your words, I will--"
"Princess!" Tanis said sharply. "Remember where you are!"
Sally flushed for a moment, but retained her composure. "I'm waiting,
echidna," she said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.
"I think you've been hanging around Sonic too long, Sally-girl," Bunnie
whispered. "Now _you're_ starting to act like him."
"If you wish to address me, my name is Knuckles," the echidna said. "And
I cannot say anything until all interested parties are present."
"Everyone's here!" Sally snapped.
"Not quite everyone."
"He's right, my princess," Antoine said. "I do not see Donovan here."
Sally looked around and nodded hesitantly. "OK," she said. "Sondra, have
Nadia contact Donovan and tell him to get here."
"I will Sally," Sondra said, reaching under her dress and taking Nadia
from her boot.
Donovan stood in the middle of what had once been a village. Everything
had been destroyed or burned by the Kavenoff. Fortunately, Donovan had been
able to warn everyone of his approach, and they had reached the safety of their
underground tunnels. But everything above ground had been destroyed.
He sighed. "How I wish the time would come when we could destroy the
Kavenoff," he thought. "But that won't be for a long while yet. Until then,
I'll just have to keep the damage he causes to a minimum."
"Hey, Squirrel-boy!" Nadia's voice came over his communicator. "You
there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," Donovan said, taking his communicator out of his pocket.
"Good. Sally wants you in Sanctuary, five minutes ago."
"I have more important things to do than attend her wedding," he said.
Nadia made some reply, but Donovan didn't hear it. For at that moment, a
black-furred hand grabbed him around his throat. "There was a party going on,
and you didn't bother to tell me?" asked a pained voice accompained by a sick
chuckling. "Well what's a party without the crash? Unfortunately for you,
your attendance is no longer possible. For your participation in my game ends
NOW!"
"Oh great!" Nadia yelled, hearing Alexi. "Hey, stinky! Yeah, you skunk-
boy! I'm talking to you!"
Alexi grabbed the communicator from Donovan's hand while still holding him
in a death-grip. "Don't worry there," he said, "you will join him soon. For
when I find you, you too will be out of the game!"
"Not likely!" Nadia said. There was a sudden flash of light, and Donovan
disappeared. "Looks like you lose this round!"
"But there will be many more," Alexi cackled. "For I have much more
misery to give. And next time, I won't be as merciful!" He crushed the
communicator in his hand, letting the parts fall to the ground.
Donovan dropped to the floor, gagging and coughing. "Wanna cut it any
closer next time, Nadine?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"Be glad I got you out of there, Squirrel-boy," Nadia said. When Sondra
tried to close her, she sent a low-level shock out to stop her. "I'm not
finished yet!"
"I think this computer's getting too big for her casing," Sondra muttered,
shaking her hand.
Nadia was immediately contrite. "I'm sorry, Sondra," she said. "I don't
know what came over me."
Sondra looked at Nadia for a second. "We'll talk later." She closed her
up and put her back on her boot.
Once Donovan caught his breath, he began, "So what is it that you want..."
Then he looked at Sondra. "Since when did you start wearing--"
"Don't say it!" Sondra yelled. "I'm not happy about this, and I don't
want to be reminded. Besides, we're not in Sanctuary yet, and Tanis is inside,
so I will shove a crystal up your nose!"
"Point made," Donovan said, standing. He walked into Sanctuary with
Sondra right behind him. As soon as they stepped through the doors, he said,
"...Pink."
Sondra looked at him hard, her eyes glowing crystalline momentarily. "You
can't stay in here forever," she said softly, brushing past him.
Donovan smiled briefly, then followed her to the altar where everyone was
gathered. "I know everyone here, but one," he said, looking at Knuckles.
Tanis walked over to Donovan. "Permit me to introduce Knuckles Echidna,
Guardian of the Chaos Emeralds."
Donovan took off his shades and looked at Knuckles in surprise. "You mean
it is happening?" he asked, his gaze shifting to Tanis.
Both Tanis and Knuckles nodded gravely. "Please, everyone make yourselves
comfortable, and I will explain the history of my race and of the Emeralds,"
Knuckles said.
Those that were already seated remained so, but those who were standing
either leaned against a wall or sat on the floor. "It is hard to know where to
begin," Knuckles said. "Bear with me a moment, and I will try to cover
everything."
* * *
In ages past, centuries before the covenant of Tanak' Shi-rat, a powerful
creature known only as Chaos held all of Mobius in its grip. It was not known
if this creature was a god, demon, or entity, but its power could not be
denied. Every creature on Mobius knew fear then, and their fear served only
to strengthen their oppressor.
Time and again, animals banded together to face Chaos. But no matter
how many, or how skilled they were, their bodies littered the halls of Chaos'
great palace. In time, all who could dare oppose it were gone. And so to
did hope disappear.
Then one creature came, an echidna whose name has been swallowed up by
the passage of time, to challenge Chaos. Chaos laughed derisively. Surely no
one creature could get past all its defenses, let alone defeat it. But this
echidna was different. He was a Holy One and had the power of the Almighty
behind him. He was able to fight through all of Chaos' defenses until he stood
face-to-face with the evil being.
Their battle raged for many days, neither one giving ground, nor gaining.
The countryside was ravaged with the awesome powers these two foes unleashed.
Finally, summoning up all the power at his disposal, the echidna defeated
Chaos, shattering its hold on Mobius.
But Chaos was more than it appeared to be. Not even the omnipotence of
the Almighty could destroy the beast. Instead, the echidna was forced to lock
it away in seven emeralds, each one holding a different aspect of Chaos' power.
Five emeralds would hold Chaos' power over the elements. Green held power over
earth, red controlled fire, white contained wind, blue held water, and yellow
tapped lightning. The two other emeralds, slightly larger then the rest, were
very special. The purple emerald, whose size difference was so slight that to
all but those most in tune with their senses did it appear equal to the other
five, was created to hold the shadow of evil that resided in Chaos. The grey
emerald, by far the largest, was entrusted with its life force to keep safe.
A special fortress was created to keep the Emeralds safe: an island that
drew on the power of the Emeralds to float in mid-air. It became known as the
Floating Island and was spelled with magics specifically designed to hide it
from all forms of detection. The echidna was given the special honor of
watching over the Emeralds, becoming the Guardian, as all his descendents would
be. A few favored by the Guardian were chosen to live on the Island and
populate it. And so it has remained for almost 1,000 years.
A legend has been passed down through the lines of the Guardians, telling
of a time when a great evil would come of an attempted good that would once
more plague Mobius. During that time, the fate of the Emeralds, and indeed the
entire planet, would be determined. Battles would be raged according to the
ancient laws. He who first found the Island could choose three emeralds to
guard himself, though he may not lay any claim to them until they were
defended. He could also choose those who would become his main opponents for
control of the Emeralds, though anyone may vie for their power. The Guardian
would then scatter the other four, hiding them carefully in remote places,
accessible only to those with great skill and determination. The battles would
only begin then and continue until one side held all seven.
The Guardian would preside over all battles, remaining neutral in all.
But this particular line of Holy Ones would be exempt from the covenant of
Tanak' Shi-rat because of the special job they have been given. They could do
whatever it took to make sure that the issue was decided within a year of the
first battle.
For it is written that if the Emeralds are ever assembled with the Life
Emerald at the center, a powerful force for good would be bestowed upon their
owner. But, if the Emeralds are assembled with the Shadow Emerald at its core,
then whoever had assembled the Emeralds would gain all of Chaos' powers. But,
if the emeralds were fought over for more than one year without being assembled
or returned, then Chaos would be reborn, and Mobius would return to darkness.
* * *
"And that is the story of the Emeralds," Knuckles concluded. "The time is
at hand for the Race for the Emeralds to begin."
"If I may ask," Sally said thoughtfully, "what is this great evil that has
come from an attempted good?"
"Do you really have to ask, Sally?" Uncle Chuck asked heavily. "He must
be talking about my roboticizer. Remember, I originally designed it to help
animals live longer."
Knuckles nodded. "You are correct, Charles Hedgehog. But do not blame
yourself. Some items in destiny are preordained; how they come about is of no
consequence, they will come about."
"So Snively found the Floating Island," Sonic said. "Man, I thought he
had been a little too quiet lately."
"It was not Snively that found it," Knuckles said slowly. "No, it was an
enemy long thought dead, but who never was."
Fear and apprehension spread across everyone's face as an understanding
took hold. "You can't possibly mean..." Sally began, but could not finish.
Knuckles nodded again. "Dr. Robotnik has returned, and is once more in
control of Robotropolis."
Sally seemed about to faint, and Sonic had to hurry to catch her.
Everyone started talking at once. Everyone, but two. Both Tanis and Donovan
had their heads bowed and eyes closed. They, more than anyone else, knew the
full impact of this news.
Antoine was the first to notice the change in their demeanors. "What is
the matter with you two?" he asked. "We are all upset about this, but you
seem more saddened then upset."
All of Sanctuary grew quiet and turned to look at them. Tanis spoke
first. "With Snively out of power, I am once more bound by the covenant of
Tanak' Shi-rat," he said in a choked voice. "By that covenant, I must move
Sanctuary back to its former location, and can no longer aid you in any way."
Rosie looked stricken at this, and Sally paled further. Sondra's eyes
widened suddenly, and she looked at Donovan in fear. "Oh, no," she thought.
Donovan read the look on Sondra's face perfectly. "Oh, yes," he said
slowly. "With Snively out of power, the roboticization gun and the AI
SWATbots will no longer have any effect. I must return to maintaining the
balance, as was before Snively came to power."
"But 'Buttnik still has his technology," Sonic protested. "Doesn't that
count?"
"Not in the case of this race," Donovan said after some thought. "The
only thing that can possibly affect this balance now is ownership of the
Emeralds. Though Robotnik has three Emeralds, he does not technically own
them."
"And even so," Knuckles added, "Snively destroyed all of his technology
before Robotnik could stop him. All that is, except for the one called Metal
Sonic. And above that, neither of the two main sides can attack the other for
the sole purpose of attacking or weakening until the ownership of each Emerald
is decided."
"Then what of our food?" Patricia asked. "A great deal of our supply
comes from raids on Robotropolis. Remember, I'm eating for two here!"
Knuckles smiled. "I will always be available if you have any unrelated
needs or questions. As such, I will provide you with the fruits and other
foodstuffs found on my Floating Island. All you need do is ask Tanis to
contact me. That he can do without violating the covenant."
"And what of the Emeralds he has?" Tails asked. "How can we get them if
we can not attack him?"
"You cannot attack for the sole purpose of attacking him or weakening him.
Remember, he cannot lay claim to the Emeralds until he has defended them. You
would not be weakening him by getting something in his domain which he does not
control."
"Then I truly must go," Donovan said. "I will inform Robotnik about the
new state of things. Oh, and don't try to contact me on the old frequency. I
am building a new communicator on a different frequency, one that both you and
Robotnik will have to find in order to contact me. And even then, I will only
help if the balance of power is not in your favor."
He walked to the doors, but stopped just inside. "By the way, Sondra,
please apologize to Nadia for me. I had no right to snap at her after she had
just saved my life." Then, without so much as a goodbye, he activated his
rocket boots and took off.
"This...is too much...too fast," Sally whispered. "I...need some time..."
"And you shall have it," Knuckles said. "I shall hide the remaining four
Emeralds within the span of one month. I will come to Knothole to let you know
when the Race is beginning. Until then, I take my leave."
"Wait!" Sondra said just as Knuckles prepared to go. "Can you tell us
which Emeralds Robotnik has chosen to defend?"
Knuckles considered that briefly. "That much, you do have a right to
know. Robotnik is defending the Lightning, Wind, and Life Emeralds. If there
is nothing else." Knuckles waved his hands and disappeared in a flash of
light.
Everyone just looked at each other, their spirits dampened. "All of a
sudden, I'm not in much of a mood to get married," Sonic said.
"Oh come on, sugarhog," Bunnie said. "Yes, this is a big problem, but I
see no reason to put all our lives on hold for this!"
"Don't you see, Bunnie," Sally said weakly, "this is the only reason why
we should. We have less than a month to prepare for who knows what. We can't
put our desires ahead of Mobius'. Especially me, as the princess."
"She is right," King Acorn said. "I must remain with Tanis until the evil
within me is gone. She must lead you to the Emeralds."
"But what about us?" Bunnie pleaded to Antoine. "We shouldn't have to!"
"Listen to yourself, Bunnie," Antoine said. "I know it is important to
you that we get married; it's just as important to me! But what kind of future
will we give our children if we allow Robotnik to win? The Emeralds must be
the only thing on our minds."
"I know," Bunnie whispered brokenly. "It's just that I've waited so long
for this, and to have it all snatched away...."
"I am not going anywhere," Antoine said, hugging her. "If you will wait
for me, I will always wait for you."
Bunnie could say nothing more, but just sobbed quietly into Antoine's
shoulder. "I think it's best that we return to Knothole," Sonic said. He
picked Sally up in his arms and solemnly walked from Sanctuary. Antoine picked
Bunnie up and followed, as did the rest of those who were going.
The only ones who stayed behind with Tanis were King Acorn, Naugus, and
Rosie. "I think we should retire to our rooms," Naugus said to the king. "I
believe these two have something they wish to discuss."
"Yes," the king agreed. "We will await your summons." He bowed and both
he and Naugus headed to the back.
"Rosie...." Tanis began.
"No, don't say anything," Rosie said. "I know this is not your choice."
"You could stay with me, here."
Rosie shook her head. "My first duty is to Sally and the others, just as
yours is to the covenant, and hers is to the planet. Now more than ever they
need someone there to comfort and talk to them."
Tanis nodded. "I understand. You will always be welcome here."
Rosie smiled. She walked up to him and kissed his cheek. "I will be
around," she said, then quickly left, tears in her eyes.
Tanis called upon his magic to transport Sanctuary back to its original
location. When the magical whirlwind ended, all that was left was a single
tear, and that was quickly swallowed up by the ground.
In Robotropolis, Snively sat patiently in his cell while Metal Sonic paced
outside it. "Would you please stop pacing!" Snively said. "It's really
beginning to annoy me."
"I can't help it," Metal Sonic said. "I've got a lot to think about."
"Like what?"
"Yes, like what?" Dorian asked, walking out of the shadows.
Metal Sonic looked at him. "Just what I've been waiting for." He threw
something at the security camera and knocked it out of commission. "I just
hope he wasn't watching," Metal Sonic said, opening the cell.
"What are you doing?" Dorian and Snively demanded together.
"Letting you go. I couldn't figure out a way to let you go before, but
now I can tell Robotnik that you jumped me from behind and freed him."
Snively ran out of the cell. "It seems I have made you well," Snively
said. He and Dorian took one of the many secret passages out of Robotropolis
as Metal Sonic slammed himself into a wall a few times, then went to report to
Robotnik.
The next morning, Sally aroused herself from a deep and dreamless slumber
that had been caused by three hours of non-stop crying. She threw on her
vest and boots just as Sonic walked in. "How'd you sleep?" he asked.
"From the looks of it, as well as you," Sally answered.
Sonic rubbed his eyes and looked around. "Hey, what's that doing up
there for?" Sonic asked, pointing to Sally's wedding dress which was hung
above the head of her bed.
"I put it there as a reminder that my life is on hold. Until we know
the fate of Mobius, I'm not free to do anything I want to. Now, more than
ever, everyone will be looking to us to lead them."
"I know," Sonic said. He sat down on her bed and sat her down on his
lap. They just sat there, hugging and crying, finding comfort in each other
when they knew there was little to offer.
Sondra watched them from her bed, eyelids half-closed. Her heart went
out to them, as it did to everyone. But she knew there was nothing she could
do until the Race began. And so she waited, as did all of Knothole, for the
time when Knuckles would come to them and tell them it was time to begin:
THE RACE FOR THE EMERALDS
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