Dark Knuckles


     Sally and Sonic looked out to the stars that shown brightly on the freedom
fighter enclave of Knothole.  It had been an enduring day for the freedom
fighters.  First the sudden red energy field that had appeared and then the
sudden appearance of a human in their village.  The human was currently in
their stockade.  Sonic's first thought was that he was some how a spy for
Robotnick, but Sally stated that it seemed unlikely since the human had seemed
just as confused about what was going on as they had been.  Sonic then said,"
Sal' what a weird day it has been."
Sally turned her head and then responded," It sure has."
Sonic asked," Any idea on what the at weird red light was.  I mean its the
weirdest thing I have ever seen.  What could have caused that rift or whatever it
was?
Sally responded," I just do not know.  Nicole is currently trying to figure out what
was the rift specifically and what could have caused it."
Sonic stated," I've got a simple answer and its called Robutnick.  Plain and
simple."
Sally looking very tired responded," Its possible that Robotnick is responsible
and if he is we are in real trouble.  Its just this dosen't seem like Robotnick could
do such a thing.  I just don't think he is responsible."
"Please give a logical reason why Robotnick is not behind this rift."
"Alright smarty hog heres one; if Robotnick were responsible he eould sent a
swatbot army out to
destroy Knothole with whatever allows him to do so."
"Good point"
"The only one who may know something is the human who appeared after the
rift exploded."
Sonic then said," Then I better get over to the stockade and start to question our
friend."
" Wait!  Antoine is already doing so."
Sonic responded with a wry look on his face," I know, but somebody has to save
Antoine before
he reveals all our secrets to the human."  Sonic then leaned over kissed Sally on
the cheek and
then zoomed of  to the stockade.
***
 "Snively what is your report on that power fluctuation that was detected earlier?"
Dr. Robotnick
yelled.
"I have been unable to determine the exact location of the power surge?" Snively
spoke weakly.
"Well what about a source for the energy?"
"Scanners have detected that the energy seems to have originated from
somewhere near the
Floating Island."
"Very interesting.  Continue to monitor for any other disturbances.  With that
power source I can
finally destroy the hedgehog." Robotnick chuckled.
***
"Alright, how did you get here and what was your mission?" Sonic demanded.
"Hey! I don't know what you are talking about.  All I know is that I was walking
home and the
next thing I know I am standing in a village with a bunch of talking animals." the
human replied.
"You mean you don't know where you are."
"Correct!"
"Well you are on the planet Mobius.  Specifically you are at Knothole village."
"That's nice.  Well now can you please send me home."
0ÿÿ
ld beable to tell me how you got here."
"No luck on that one.  Well I guess I'm stuck here for now.  My name is Jake."
"The name is Sonic.  As soon as Sally comes I think we can let you out of here.
Where are you
from anyway?"
"I come from earth.  Know where that is?"
"Not exactly where, but I have heard of the planet before.  We encountered a
human from Earth
before.  Here comes Sally."
"I see you must be finished with the interrogation.  It seems your buddies
already." Sally stmated
Mockingly.
"I've found him to be an O.K. guy.  He's from Earth and friendly as far as I can
tell.  Allow me to
introduce Princess Sally Acorn of the House of Acron, rightful ruler of Mobius."
"The pleasure is all mine your highness.  The name is Jake and what do you
mean rightful ruler."
Jake asked puzzled.
"A dictator named Dr. Robotnick overthrew my father and conquered Mobius."
Sally stated.
"Well from what I see how come there are not more of you from the population
standing up tp
this Robotnick." Jake questioned.
"He roboticizer is the reason.  He used this device to turn most Mobians into
robots that obey his
commands.  We have developed a deroboticzer, but it is still experimental."
Sonic said with a
gloom look.
"I'm sorry.  I would like to help you if I could since apparently neither of us know
how I got here
and how I will get back."
"I'm still concerned about that red abberation that brought you here.  We must
determined what
caused it." Sally spoke in a serious tone.
Just then Bunny Rabbot came in.  "Sally girl sorry to interrupt, but Knuckles has
just arrived and
has something urgent he must discuss."  Bunny spoke.
"Alright lets go.  Jake would mind coming along."  Sonic asked.
"I'll follow.  I'm right behind you."  With that said the three freedom fighters exited
and Jake
followed with a terrible grin on his face.   Everything  was happening as planned.
***
The freedom fighters assembled with Knuckles at the center of Knothole.  They
all were very

concerned and wondered what the mysterious echidna had to say.  Knuckles
looked impassive as
Sonic and Sally were joined by Bunny Rabbot, Tails the fox, and Antoine.  Once
all were
assembled Sally spoke," Were all hear Knuckles what is it you need?"
Knuckles responded," I wish to inform you that on the Floating Island I have
discovered a power
source that is a danger to all of Mobius."
"Well what is it?" asked Sonic.
"In ancient echidna lore it was said that other than the Green Chaos emeralds
there was a legend
of an evil emrald, the Red Chaos Emerald.  The power of this emerald was said
to be strong
enough to conquer Mobius.  Until recently it was only a myth until I and a friend
discovered the
emerald in the Cave of Ruin.  We need some help in deciding what to do with it
and I thought you
might be able to help."
Sally took a few moments to take in what she had been told.  She knew
Knuckles gaurded the last
Chaos Emerald and felt shiver up her fur at the thought of such a power.  "If
Robotnick learns of
it you can bet he'll try to get it.  We must make sure he does not.  If we can lets
go and see this
emerald."  Sally spoke.
Sonic than shout," Hey Sal I had an idea.  What if the emerald were responsible
for bringing our
guess here."
Knuckles inquired," What guess would that be?"  With that Jake came out into
the open and saw
Knuckles. "I believe he would referring to me.  The name is Jake."  Jake then
reached out and
shook the echidna's gloved hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well."  Knuckles stated humbly.
"If the emerald is responsible for Jake being here he should accompany us to
the floating island."
Sonic stated.
"I agree; Bunny, Antoine you remain here at Knothole we need to keep everyone
up and ready for
the raid on Robotnicks sixth power generator."
"You can count on us Sally.  Keep in touch."  Bunny stated.
"Lets get moving.  I can't stand waiting around any longer."  Sonic blurted out.
The freedom
fighters prepared for the trip to the Floating Island.  As they were leaving Bunny
couln't help but
notice that she thought she saw Knuckles's eyes glow red for just a second.
***
The freedom fighters were very careful as they entered the Cave of Ruin.  The
freedom fighters
finally entered into the main chamber of the cave and spotted the crimson glow
of the Red Chaos
Emerald filled the chamber.  All were on guard as Tails noticed s shadow move
and yelled,"Hey I
saw something move."Within a heartbeat Sonic was moving towards the area
were Tails pointed
to and caught up with the moving shadow.
"Well who do we have here?" Sonic stated as he held up a small looking ant.
"Put him down Sonic.  That's the friend I mentioned earlier.  Allow me to
introduce Archimedes."
Knuckles commented.
"So these are the friends who are going to help us.  I'm not impressed."
Archimedes spoke.  The
freedom fighters crowded around Archimedes and did not notice Jake moving
toward the Red
Chaos Emerald.
"We came because we experienced a sort of red rift in our reality at Knothole
and believe the
emerald is responsible."  Sally exclaimed
"That is impossible.  According to my people's history the emerald on works if it
touched."
Archimedes shouted as fear overcame him.
"We had a person come through the rift and hoped the emerald could send him
home.  He's
right...  Where is Jake?"  The group turned to see Knuckles holding the Red
Chaos Emerald and
handing it to Jake.
"Stop them for all of Mobius."  Archimedes cried.  Even before the words were
fully out Sonic
sped towards the two.  He was to late.  Jake gripped the Red Chaos Emerald
and a blinding red
light stopped Sonic in his tracks.  When the light dimmed Knuckles was at the
ground
unconscious and the human form of Jake was no longer standing in the spot he
was last seen.
Instead a dark figure stood in his place.  The figure was in the shape of an
echidna.  The freedom
fighters stared into the red eyes of the dark figure.
"At last I am born.  Mobius will soon be mine.  Freedom Fighters I thank you for
allowing me to
finally be born.  I will reward you by not destroying you now.  Soon you will bow
down to me
and so shall all of Mobius." the dark figure exclaimed.
 Don't bet on it chump.  Your not getting away."  Sonic yelled.  He was in
motion, but was to
late as the dark echidna vanished in a puff or red smoke.
***
Robotnick stared out his view port as the mighty factories of Robotropolis
worked away.  A
moment later Robotnick was blinded by a crimson flash and stared face first into
a black figure
with glaring red eyes.  "Swatbots to the command center now."  Robotnick
shouted.
"Sorry Robotnick, but the Red Chaos Emerald has already overridden your
programing of the
Swatbots and they now only obey me." the dark figure retorted.  Just then six
Swatbots came in
and surronded Robotnick.  "Remove Robotnick from Robotropolis and dump
him in the forest.
Then monitor for any freedom fighter activity."
"You will not get away with this.  I will get you." Robotnick screamed as he was
hauled out of the command center.
"Snively please come out from behind the chair.  I have some assignments for
you."  the dark
figure spoke.
"You are not going to harm me or remove me." Snively said coming out from
benind Robotnick's
former command chair.
"Not at all.  Just like Robotnick I to need a boot licker." the dark echidna
chuckled.
"What should I call you master?" Snively asked shyly.
"I am Blast, Snively.  The name is Blast."
The End