A Twist of Fate

Chapter 1

It was well past midnight in the city of Station Square. Only a few people here and there and a minimal amount of cars drove down the streets. Stores and restaurants were closing for the night and many people were heading home. Among these night hawks was Knuckles the Echidna. He was heading home after a late-night party with all his friends. Now as tired as he could be, he just wanted to go home and rest up. Little did he know resting would soon be the last thing on his mind.

Station Square was a whole different place at night. Instead of friendly people running the streets, at night, thugs and gangs were the ones who ran the city. Crimes were constantly committed and police cars usually chased speeding cars. Knuckles always ignored all the commotion and besides, everyone knew not to mess with him.

Knuckles was walking through the train station when he was stopped by something… or someone.

"Daddy!" a voice squealed.

Knuckles felt arms being latched around his legs almost like they were hugging him. Knuckles turned around and blinked a couple times not sure if what he was seeing was real. Behind him was a small echidna who looked exactly like Knuckles himself. He even had on small boxing gloves! The only difference was the young echidna had big blue eyes and his shoes were different.

The echidna let Knuckles' legs go and looked up at him. Knuckles stared at the young echidna. What the heck was going on and why did the echidna call him 'daddy'? The young echidna cocked his head at Knuckles' stare.

"Daddy?" it asked.

Knuckles looked around, and after spotting no other echidnas, turned back to the young one. He knelt down in front of him and the echidna grabbed Knuckles in another hug. Knuckles was taken aback. He had never gotten this much attention before. People in the train station stared and some 'awwwwed'.

So, apparently this echidna was lost and he thought Knuckles was his dad. Knuckles had to admit when he first saw him, he thought he was just seeing things because he was so tired. But now this couldn't be a dream.

Knuckles pulled the echidna off him. He stared into his blue eyes as if he was trying to see who his parents were, just by staring at him. He found nothing at all.

"Kid, where are your parents?" Knuckles asked him.

The echidna pointed at Knuckles who sighed. He was about to stand up and walk away, but he knew he couldn't leave him by himself in the train station. Who knew how long he had been wandering around before he found Knuckles? He only seemed like he was 4. Before Knuckles could say anything, the echidna said something else.

"Daddy I'm hungry," he said, holding his stomach.

"Um, okay?" Knuckles said, still confused about what was going on.

He looked around and noticed a McDonalds that still appeared to be open. Knuckles had no idea what kind of food kids liked, but it was his only option for now. He looked back at the echidna who was sucking on his thumb.

"How about we go eat over there?" Knuckles asked him, pointing to the McDonalds.

The echidna nodded enthusiastically and watched Knuckles stand up. Knuckles stood up and began to walk into the McDonalds, when he felt something in his hand. Knuckles looked down to see the little echidna was holding his hand and was rather close to Knuckles.

"I don't like this place," he whispered.

Knuckles managed to smile a bit and wrapped his own hand around the smaller one. He had no idea who this echidna was or if he even had any parents, but for now, Knuckles knew he needed to take care of him. At least until he found out who his parents were.

They walked into what was pretty much a deserted McDonalds. There were still a few people sitting and eating, but it was mainly empty. Knuckles walked up to the counter, the young echidna still holding on tightly to his hand. Knuckles bent down next to the echidna again.

"Do you know what you want?" he asked him.

The echidna nodded and held up three fingers. Knuckles raised and eyebrow and looked up at the menu and saw Chicken Nuggets next to a big number three. How the young echidna knew that was a mystery to Knuckles but he shrugged and ordered Chicken Nuggets and a milkshake for himself.

After they got their food, Knuckles led the echidna over to a table in the far corner of the room and they sat down. The small echidna began eating once Knuckles set the box of food in front of him. Knuckles watched him, lazily drinking his milkshake. He was now even more tired then he was before. The echidna finished eating and looked at Knuckles.

"Daddy, where is Mommy?" he asked.

Knuckles stared at the echidna across from him. He didn't know why, but he felt like pulling the young child into a hug. He shook the thought away so he could answer.

"Listen kid, I-I'm not your dad okay? I don't know where your parents are," Knuckles told him.

"No, you are my daddy," the echidna said.

Knuckles decided it was best not to argue right now. He couldn't even come up with a good argument he was so tired.

Knuckles sighed and then asked, "What's your name?"

The echidna looked around him before picking up a napkin and a pen lying on the table. He scribbled something down on it and then held it up for Knuckles to see. Knuckles could barely make out what was written on it. He guessed it was Justin although the J was backwards and there was an e where the i should be.

"Justin?"

The echidna nodded his head. "I don't know how to spell it right though," he said.

"Oh."

Justin looked back at Knuckles. "Can you teach me?" he asked.

"Look kid, maybe tomorrow, but right now, I'm too tired to do anything," Knuckles replied.

The two soon left so Knuckles could head home and go to bed. Once they were outside the McDonalds, Justin grabbed Knuckles' hand again and put his thumb back in his mouth. They boarded the train and sat down near the door. Justin crawled into Knuckles' lap and hugged him.

"I don't like this place too," he said in a meek voice.

Knuckles smiled and wrapped one arm around him to assure him it was okay. Justin looked up at Knuckles and smiled.

"I'm glad I found you again Daddy," he said.

Knuckles didn't say anything and just stared back at him. He wanted to say something, but he had no idea what. It's not everyday you have someone latch onto your legs and call you 'Daddy'. So, Knuckles just kept silent and smiled. Justin rested his head on Knuckles' crescent and was quiet the rest of the trip.

Knuckles continued to stare at Justin. It was amazing how much they looked alike. Again, Knuckles wondered where he came from. Knuckles was supposed to be the last echidna, but if this was real and not some crazy delusion Knuckles was having, he wasn't. Knuckles knew he had to go along with being his dad until he found his real dad; if he ever did. He wondered what happened to his parents and how he got separated from them. Knuckles frowned knowing what it's like to get separated from parents. At least Justin wouldn't have to grow up by himself.

---

The train arrived in Mystic Ruins an hour later. Knuckles woke Justin up and together they walked out of the train station. Justin looked around once they were outside.

"This is not where we live Daddy," he said.

"Uh, I know. We, uh, moved," Knuckles replied.

"Oh okay!"

Knuckles continued leading Justin to Angel Island. On the way they passed Tails' workshop. The lights were still on and Knuckles thought about dropping Justin off at Tails', but thought against it. Knuckles crossed the bridge to Angel Island and looked over where the shrine was to see a faint green glow being given off by the Master Emerald. At least Eggman hadn't stolen it while Knuckles was at the party today.

Knuckles walked into a small wooden house he had built himself. It only had three rooms, a kitchen, one bedroom and the main room which had a couch, table and TV. Knuckles looked down at Justin and saw he was grinning.

"Uh, welcome home," Knuckles said.

"Cool!" Justin yelled, letting go of Knuckles' hand for the first time in an hour.

He ran over to the couch and climbed onto it. Minutes later he was sound asleep. Knuckles chuckled at how fast he fell asleep. Knuckles walked back into the bed room and pulled off the quilt from the bed and went back into the main room to cover Justin up. He left the lamp by the couch on in case Justin woke up and got scared. Knuckles then walked into the bedroom, plopped down onto the bed and fell asleep within seconds.

Well there's the first chapter of my new story. Tell me what you thought of it please. I have chapter 2 and half of 3 finished so if people like it, I should update quickly!