Title: Sonic and Time
Legal Jargon: Sonic, the Freedom Fighters, Robotnick and the rest are owned by Sega and the Archie corp. This story is for reading only not for sale.
Author's note: This story takes place after Sonic issue 121. Hershey and Geoffrey St. John look as they used to before the makeover, meaning they look like they don't have bulimia. Anyone who's seen "TRIGUN" , a Japanese anime, the human character I made in this story has two of the guns that Vash the Stampede had, but without that energy attack. If you have no idea what "TRIGUN" is, think of two extra long barreled, silver .44 magnums, that reload by opening the gun with the wheel attached to the barrel section. I will try to make the characters sound as they should for certain characters but if it doesn't come out right, sorry. Ford is copyrighted to me.
PRELUDE: UP ON THE FLOATING ISLAND
Issue 121
Knuckles the Echidna had been infused with the power of the Chaos Emeralds. He joined the Dark Legion in order to attempt bring peace between his people. Things were working out until Mammoth Monguel came along. He captured Dimitri and forced Knuckles to come to him on his terms. Mammoth demanded Knuckles give him the power of Chaos or he would kill Dimitri. Knuckles saved Dimitri by sacrificing his own life when he overloaded himself. Mammoth and Knuckles died in the explosion.
NOW...........
In a field filled with flowers and large trees, their is a clearing were Knuckles lays on a recently made stone slab. He is covered from the waist down with a yellow blanket. His hands, still in his spiked gloves, cross his chest holding yellow flowers. The Chaotix, Julie-su, and other Echidnas were their looking at him as an elderly Echidna spoke.
"We have gathered here today to pay final tribute and last respects to our fallen son, Knuckles the Echidna, who sacrificed himself for the good of many! And yet, though his actions were the ultimate measure of his devotion to others, Knuckles touched the lives of everyone more than we'll ever know!"
Vector was looking ready to cry as he spoke, "I can't handle this, guys! My main man....he's...he's..."
Next to him Mighty said, "It's okay Vec! After what he's been through!"
The elderly Echidna spoke again, "Though only of reasoning status, a few months ago, this proud man child of Echidnaopolis experienced more than most others do in a life time!"
"I can't believe he's really...and truly gone.." Julie-su said with tears.
"He was of an noble lineage, the seventeenth defender of the Chaos emerald," The elderly woman continued to say.
And probably still would be if I or my officers had intervened! Remington thought.
"A scion of the house of Edmund, beloved son of the former guardian Locke and the lady Lara-le, a brother in the broadcast sense, to a select band he traveled with, " The elderly woman continued saying.
The Chaotix just won't be the same without you Knux! Espio thought.
"And protector of all who dwelled in peace upon this land! It will be a long time indeed before his like walks among us again!" The elderly woman said.
"This is so weird, if I'm dead, how come I'm watching my own funeral?" Knuckles said watching.
"We of the brotherhood do not simply 'die' as you so crudely put it, Knuckles! We evolve to a higher plane!" Brother Steppenwolf said walking up to him. Behind him were many others like him and Knuckles that all had a faded look to them as best described to be ghost like.
"Brother Steppenwolf is correct! We are connect to the Chaos Force that which binds all together!" another Echinda walked up saying.
"If that's so, Harlan, then why can't my grandfather Sabre see me do this?" Knuckles said waving his hand in front of his grandfather.
"He is on his plane of existence as we are on ours! But just as he can't see you, so too can't you see those on the plane beyond, those which exist within the Chaos Force itself, such as Brother Athair and the Ancient Walkers!" A different Echidna said.
"And at the center of the force is Aurora herself, mother of all that lives! Only when her Heralds beckon does one claim their final rewards!" A Echidna with a hat and coat said.
"This is way too heavy for me, Tobor! Sounds like something mom tried to teach me about!" Knuckles said holding his head.
"Your father would have, but he felt it best that you seek out the answers! He was never one to impose his beliefs on others without facts!" A female Echidna said.
"Speaking of dad, how come he's over there listening to Mitre Kali- Ca, instead of hanging out here with the gang?" Knuckles said looking at his dad.
"Your father may be aware of your new state of being, but that doesn't make it any less painful for him to deal with! He wasn't ready for your evolution just yet!" The female spoke again.
Off from them the elderly Echidna was still speaking, "And so shall it be written, so let it be said,"
As she spoke a sudden shaft of light came down on Knuckles.
"Huh? What's with the light? Anything you guys forgot to tell me?!" Knuckles said covering his eyes.
"That at the final judgment, as the angels of Aurora sound their clarion call, " the elderly woman continued on.
"Its the Heralds, Knuckles! They've come to escort one of us to the Chaos Force!" an elderly Echidna said.
"And ashes turned to ashes and dust to dust, " the elderly woman said dropping dirt from her hand.
"At long last, father you shall become one with the Force!" a Echidna with a spaceish suit said to another Echidna.
"Perhaps not, Moonwatcher! They're gesturing to another!" Harlan said.
"Shall Knuckles ascend to his eternal destiny!" the elderly woman said as she closed her book.
"It's time Knuckles! The Chaos Force has chosen you!" a voice said from the beam of light. Knuckles stepped back in surprise before disappearing completely.
"May Aurora guide and protect you!" the elderly woman said as she placed he hand on Knuckles dead body. After she finished speaking everyone departed.
Knuckles followed two strange beings in a endlessly glow looking space.
"Wait! Where are you taking me?! What about the other Guardians?!! You guys got a name? CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING?!! HOLD ON A SEC...!!! HUH?!" he said as they disappeared. "WHERE'D YOU GO?! HEY!!! ANYBODY HERE?!! WHOA! Who turned on the spotlight?!!" he said as a bright light shined into his face.
"Do not fear, Knuckles the Echidna! You are far from alone!"
"Yeah well, pardon me if I can't see the crowd!"
"Ever the doubtful one! Always existing in the here and now!"
"How would you know anything of what I'm like?"
"I know everything about you Knuckles!" a beautiful Echidna in a long white flowing dress said.
"RIIIGHT! Let me guess, you're another relative no one ever told me about!
"In a manner of speaking! I am Aurora!"
"But you're...you're.."
"An Echidna? This is what you comprehend so this is what you perceive! I am the Force and the Force is all! Chameleon, Fox, Overlander, whatever the species, they see me how they imagine me! Your father saw me in a dream!"
"Like this?" Knuckles said.
"One night when you father was deep into his slumber, I came to him as a vision of Armageddon, where he saw a monster bent on destruction and salvation in the form on his only son! Your parents were so in love then. Your father was quite attentitive to your mother when she was carrying you. Try as he might to erase any memory of the dreams, on the night your egg was laid, Locke knew what he had to do. In the dead of night, he traveled to the Chaos chamber where the Brotherhood awaited the both of you. With but a moments hesitation, Locke then threw the switch, thus subjecting your egg to the intensive energies of the Chaos emerald. Less than a day later you were hatched, your mother unaware of your true nature. Your body and mind developed more rapidly than your average Echidna, prompting concern from you mother, which she finally gave voice during your third birthday. During the next year, Lara-le and Locke would battle constantly over you! Eventually your mother bowed to the inevitable! As soon as the divorce finalized, Locke relocated back to the Floating Island with you at his side!" Aurora explained.
"So what then?"
Aurora showed him parts of his life starting back at his childhood up to where he saved Dimitri.
"I already lived my life once, Aurora...so what's with the rerun? Does it end differently the second time around?"
"Only you can determine that Knuckles! Why do you think you're here in the first place?"
"I did what I had to do! I couldn't let Dimitri die! Could I?"
"You are what you are, the sum total of genetics, teachings and life experiences! When your body began season of biological changes, only then did you become aware of how special you truly are! When Dimitri learned you possessed the power Chaos did he see a means to regain that which he had lost, all he succeeded in accomplishing was accelerating your natural chemical processes. Each time danger threatened your instincts reacted accordingly, until finally you were pushed far enough to reach critical mass, completing the process."
"So what went wrong?"
"Just as Echidnaopolis wasn't built in a day, so, too, did you need time to become accustomed to your abilities! Power to rival the Ancient Walkers is not something easily mastered!"
"If I was....am...whatever..THAT powerful, then how come I died?"
"Think or yourself as a sun going supernova, one final burst before it's flame extinguishes forever! You are still of mortal coil..with all the limitations it entails! And now Knuckles, it is time!"
"Time? Time for what?"
"To advance into the Chaos Force and take your place in the cosmos naturally!"
"THAT'S IT?!! I don't get any say?!!"
"What more is there to discuss? There is no greater calling!"
"What about the rest of my life? Don't I get to GROW UP? Go steady with JULIE-SU? ANY of that jazz?!!"
"I'm sorry Knuckles! One life is all anyone has! The portal is opening! You must now step through!" she said pointing at a forming portal.
"One thing?"
"Yes?"
"Can I at least become my normal red self?"
"You don't need me for that!"
"YOUR'RE RIGHT!!! WHAT A DUMMY I AM!!"
"Hardly that!"
"Will I see you around?"
"From time to time! But for now, farewell!" she said watching him vanish into the portal.
"One life is all anyone has! Hah! You only live twice Aurora, you know that!" a voice said from behind her.
"Not everyone is worthy of a second chance Athair! Of which you're well aware!"
"You knew hew was worthy from the start, so why the charade?"
"Charade Athair? You were a lost soul until the Walkers provided guidance! That is all I did for him. Now Knuckles finally knows his path!"
--------------------------------CHAPTER 1-----------------------------------
Sally, Sonic, Geoffrey and Hershey were on there way back to Knothole after they had stayed for dinner and the night at the village they found Sally's brother in. He told them that he wanted to stay and raise the child he and Meg was having soon in the peaceful forest. Sally was reluctant to leave him but did and said she would pass on the message to father. Geoffrey and Hershey were able to get the plane working again enough to possibly get them home, or so Geoffrey said. Sally and Sonic left the same way they came. Him carrying her while he ran. They were a few hours from Knothole when Sally asked him to put her down so they could talk awhile.
"Sure Sal. What's on your mind." he said putting her on her feet.
"I've been wondering about my personal future lately. When I turn eighteen I have to have....found a suitable mate to become the new king later or I could lose my..."
"I know Sal. I've been thinking about it too, sometimes, especially since your brother practically renounced his right. I had trouble sleeping last night because I thought about it."
A smile crept across Sally's face as he spoke. "So I wasn't the only one who had " trouble sleeping. or a moment I thought those chilly dog you had last night were getting to you."
"Haha, very funny...I'll have you know that this stomach is made of iron....NO stronger than iron. There hasn't been a hot chilly or otherwise that has ever hurt me. I admit I've burned my tongue a few times but that's it." he said giving her a sarcastic look.
With a short laugh Sally said, "Your right but if it weren't for your speed you'd be as big as Dulcy. Your the only one I know who can pack away 15 plus chilly dogs and still keep that figure."
"I'm just way to cool to look fat."
"Whatever Sonic...now back to what I was saying earlier."
"Okay...ummm...Do we have to talk about this now?"
"Knothole's still about a mile or so away and this is important Sonic."
"Well we can make it there in a Sonic second. Climb on."
"No Sonic we need to talk about this. Besides I'm going to have to spend several hours getting all this dirt and twigs out of my hair." she said untangling a small branch.
"You do have a few noticeable things in your hair. Maybe Rosie could make one of those hair things that keeps the hair in place...uh." he stopped as he saw her stop.
Her eyes narrowed as she gave him a look that sent a chill up his spine.
"Sonic your not helping."
"Sorry Sal. I was not thinking first before...oh you missed a few places."
"SONIC!....." Fuming she ran after him as he dashed off. Luckily they were close enough to Knothole that Bunnie could see them from the hidden lookout. She watched Sonic dash by sending up a cloud of dust. Climbing down she saw a angry Sally.
"Hey Sally girl. What did sugar-hog say this time to make you upset?"
"How my hair looked, but that's not it."
"Then I'm guessing you tried having that talk with him and he ran."
"More like avoided then ran." Sally said with a sigh.
"You'll have to try something else then. I know Sally-girl. Nothing catches them off guard like jealousy."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Come here and well plan ah surprise on that hedgehog that he'll never forget or resist."
Legal Jargon: Sonic, the Freedom Fighters, Robotnick and the rest are owned by Sega and the Archie corp. This story is for reading only not for sale.
Author's note: This story takes place after Sonic issue 121. Hershey and Geoffrey St. John look as they used to before the makeover, meaning they look like they don't have bulimia. Anyone who's seen "TRIGUN" , a Japanese anime, the human character I made in this story has two of the guns that Vash the Stampede had, but without that energy attack. If you have no idea what "TRIGUN" is, think of two extra long barreled, silver .44 magnums, that reload by opening the gun with the wheel attached to the barrel section. I will try to make the characters sound as they should for certain characters but if it doesn't come out right, sorry. Ford is copyrighted to me.
PRELUDE: UP ON THE FLOATING ISLAND
Issue 121
Knuckles the Echidna had been infused with the power of the Chaos Emeralds. He joined the Dark Legion in order to attempt bring peace between his people. Things were working out until Mammoth Monguel came along. He captured Dimitri and forced Knuckles to come to him on his terms. Mammoth demanded Knuckles give him the power of Chaos or he would kill Dimitri. Knuckles saved Dimitri by sacrificing his own life when he overloaded himself. Mammoth and Knuckles died in the explosion.
NOW...........
In a field filled with flowers and large trees, their is a clearing were Knuckles lays on a recently made stone slab. He is covered from the waist down with a yellow blanket. His hands, still in his spiked gloves, cross his chest holding yellow flowers. The Chaotix, Julie-su, and other Echidnas were their looking at him as an elderly Echidna spoke.
"We have gathered here today to pay final tribute and last respects to our fallen son, Knuckles the Echidna, who sacrificed himself for the good of many! And yet, though his actions were the ultimate measure of his devotion to others, Knuckles touched the lives of everyone more than we'll ever know!"
Vector was looking ready to cry as he spoke, "I can't handle this, guys! My main man....he's...he's..."
Next to him Mighty said, "It's okay Vec! After what he's been through!"
The elderly Echidna spoke again, "Though only of reasoning status, a few months ago, this proud man child of Echidnaopolis experienced more than most others do in a life time!"
"I can't believe he's really...and truly gone.." Julie-su said with tears.
"He was of an noble lineage, the seventeenth defender of the Chaos emerald," The elderly woman continued to say.
And probably still would be if I or my officers had intervened! Remington thought.
"A scion of the house of Edmund, beloved son of the former guardian Locke and the lady Lara-le, a brother in the broadcast sense, to a select band he traveled with, " The elderly woman continued saying.
The Chaotix just won't be the same without you Knux! Espio thought.
"And protector of all who dwelled in peace upon this land! It will be a long time indeed before his like walks among us again!" The elderly woman said.
"This is so weird, if I'm dead, how come I'm watching my own funeral?" Knuckles said watching.
"We of the brotherhood do not simply 'die' as you so crudely put it, Knuckles! We evolve to a higher plane!" Brother Steppenwolf said walking up to him. Behind him were many others like him and Knuckles that all had a faded look to them as best described to be ghost like.
"Brother Steppenwolf is correct! We are connect to the Chaos Force that which binds all together!" another Echinda walked up saying.
"If that's so, Harlan, then why can't my grandfather Sabre see me do this?" Knuckles said waving his hand in front of his grandfather.
"He is on his plane of existence as we are on ours! But just as he can't see you, so too can't you see those on the plane beyond, those which exist within the Chaos Force itself, such as Brother Athair and the Ancient Walkers!" A different Echidna said.
"And at the center of the force is Aurora herself, mother of all that lives! Only when her Heralds beckon does one claim their final rewards!" A Echidna with a hat and coat said.
"This is way too heavy for me, Tobor! Sounds like something mom tried to teach me about!" Knuckles said holding his head.
"Your father would have, but he felt it best that you seek out the answers! He was never one to impose his beliefs on others without facts!" A female Echidna said.
"Speaking of dad, how come he's over there listening to Mitre Kali- Ca, instead of hanging out here with the gang?" Knuckles said looking at his dad.
"Your father may be aware of your new state of being, but that doesn't make it any less painful for him to deal with! He wasn't ready for your evolution just yet!" The female spoke again.
Off from them the elderly Echidna was still speaking, "And so shall it be written, so let it be said,"
As she spoke a sudden shaft of light came down on Knuckles.
"Huh? What's with the light? Anything you guys forgot to tell me?!" Knuckles said covering his eyes.
"That at the final judgment, as the angels of Aurora sound their clarion call, " the elderly woman continued on.
"Its the Heralds, Knuckles! They've come to escort one of us to the Chaos Force!" an elderly Echidna said.
"And ashes turned to ashes and dust to dust, " the elderly woman said dropping dirt from her hand.
"At long last, father you shall become one with the Force!" a Echidna with a spaceish suit said to another Echidna.
"Perhaps not, Moonwatcher! They're gesturing to another!" Harlan said.
"Shall Knuckles ascend to his eternal destiny!" the elderly woman said as she closed her book.
"It's time Knuckles! The Chaos Force has chosen you!" a voice said from the beam of light. Knuckles stepped back in surprise before disappearing completely.
"May Aurora guide and protect you!" the elderly woman said as she placed he hand on Knuckles dead body. After she finished speaking everyone departed.
Knuckles followed two strange beings in a endlessly glow looking space.
"Wait! Where are you taking me?! What about the other Guardians?!! You guys got a name? CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING?!! HOLD ON A SEC...!!! HUH?!" he said as they disappeared. "WHERE'D YOU GO?! HEY!!! ANYBODY HERE?!! WHOA! Who turned on the spotlight?!!" he said as a bright light shined into his face.
"Do not fear, Knuckles the Echidna! You are far from alone!"
"Yeah well, pardon me if I can't see the crowd!"
"Ever the doubtful one! Always existing in the here and now!"
"How would you know anything of what I'm like?"
"I know everything about you Knuckles!" a beautiful Echidna in a long white flowing dress said.
"RIIIGHT! Let me guess, you're another relative no one ever told me about!
"In a manner of speaking! I am Aurora!"
"But you're...you're.."
"An Echidna? This is what you comprehend so this is what you perceive! I am the Force and the Force is all! Chameleon, Fox, Overlander, whatever the species, they see me how they imagine me! Your father saw me in a dream!"
"Like this?" Knuckles said.
"One night when you father was deep into his slumber, I came to him as a vision of Armageddon, where he saw a monster bent on destruction and salvation in the form on his only son! Your parents were so in love then. Your father was quite attentitive to your mother when she was carrying you. Try as he might to erase any memory of the dreams, on the night your egg was laid, Locke knew what he had to do. In the dead of night, he traveled to the Chaos chamber where the Brotherhood awaited the both of you. With but a moments hesitation, Locke then threw the switch, thus subjecting your egg to the intensive energies of the Chaos emerald. Less than a day later you were hatched, your mother unaware of your true nature. Your body and mind developed more rapidly than your average Echidna, prompting concern from you mother, which she finally gave voice during your third birthday. During the next year, Lara-le and Locke would battle constantly over you! Eventually your mother bowed to the inevitable! As soon as the divorce finalized, Locke relocated back to the Floating Island with you at his side!" Aurora explained.
"So what then?"
Aurora showed him parts of his life starting back at his childhood up to where he saved Dimitri.
"I already lived my life once, Aurora...so what's with the rerun? Does it end differently the second time around?"
"Only you can determine that Knuckles! Why do you think you're here in the first place?"
"I did what I had to do! I couldn't let Dimitri die! Could I?"
"You are what you are, the sum total of genetics, teachings and life experiences! When your body began season of biological changes, only then did you become aware of how special you truly are! When Dimitri learned you possessed the power Chaos did he see a means to regain that which he had lost, all he succeeded in accomplishing was accelerating your natural chemical processes. Each time danger threatened your instincts reacted accordingly, until finally you were pushed far enough to reach critical mass, completing the process."
"So what went wrong?"
"Just as Echidnaopolis wasn't built in a day, so, too, did you need time to become accustomed to your abilities! Power to rival the Ancient Walkers is not something easily mastered!"
"If I was....am...whatever..THAT powerful, then how come I died?"
"Think or yourself as a sun going supernova, one final burst before it's flame extinguishes forever! You are still of mortal coil..with all the limitations it entails! And now Knuckles, it is time!"
"Time? Time for what?"
"To advance into the Chaos Force and take your place in the cosmos naturally!"
"THAT'S IT?!! I don't get any say?!!"
"What more is there to discuss? There is no greater calling!"
"What about the rest of my life? Don't I get to GROW UP? Go steady with JULIE-SU? ANY of that jazz?!!"
"I'm sorry Knuckles! One life is all anyone has! The portal is opening! You must now step through!" she said pointing at a forming portal.
"One thing?"
"Yes?"
"Can I at least become my normal red self?"
"You don't need me for that!"
"YOUR'RE RIGHT!!! WHAT A DUMMY I AM!!"
"Hardly that!"
"Will I see you around?"
"From time to time! But for now, farewell!" she said watching him vanish into the portal.
"One life is all anyone has! Hah! You only live twice Aurora, you know that!" a voice said from behind her.
"Not everyone is worthy of a second chance Athair! Of which you're well aware!"
"You knew hew was worthy from the start, so why the charade?"
"Charade Athair? You were a lost soul until the Walkers provided guidance! That is all I did for him. Now Knuckles finally knows his path!"
--------------------------------CHAPTER 1-----------------------------------
Sally, Sonic, Geoffrey and Hershey were on there way back to Knothole after they had stayed for dinner and the night at the village they found Sally's brother in. He told them that he wanted to stay and raise the child he and Meg was having soon in the peaceful forest. Sally was reluctant to leave him but did and said she would pass on the message to father. Geoffrey and Hershey were able to get the plane working again enough to possibly get them home, or so Geoffrey said. Sally and Sonic left the same way they came. Him carrying her while he ran. They were a few hours from Knothole when Sally asked him to put her down so they could talk awhile.
"Sure Sal. What's on your mind." he said putting her on her feet.
"I've been wondering about my personal future lately. When I turn eighteen I have to have....found a suitable mate to become the new king later or I could lose my..."
"I know Sal. I've been thinking about it too, sometimes, especially since your brother practically renounced his right. I had trouble sleeping last night because I thought about it."
A smile crept across Sally's face as he spoke. "So I wasn't the only one who had " trouble sleeping. or a moment I thought those chilly dog you had last night were getting to you."
"Haha, very funny...I'll have you know that this stomach is made of iron....NO stronger than iron. There hasn't been a hot chilly or otherwise that has ever hurt me. I admit I've burned my tongue a few times but that's it." he said giving her a sarcastic look.
With a short laugh Sally said, "Your right but if it weren't for your speed you'd be as big as Dulcy. Your the only one I know who can pack away 15 plus chilly dogs and still keep that figure."
"I'm just way to cool to look fat."
"Whatever Sonic...now back to what I was saying earlier."
"Okay...ummm...Do we have to talk about this now?"
"Knothole's still about a mile or so away and this is important Sonic."
"Well we can make it there in a Sonic second. Climb on."
"No Sonic we need to talk about this. Besides I'm going to have to spend several hours getting all this dirt and twigs out of my hair." she said untangling a small branch.
"You do have a few noticeable things in your hair. Maybe Rosie could make one of those hair things that keeps the hair in place...uh." he stopped as he saw her stop.
Her eyes narrowed as she gave him a look that sent a chill up his spine.
"Sonic your not helping."
"Sorry Sal. I was not thinking first before...oh you missed a few places."
"SONIC!....." Fuming she ran after him as he dashed off. Luckily they were close enough to Knothole that Bunnie could see them from the hidden lookout. She watched Sonic dash by sending up a cloud of dust. Climbing down she saw a angry Sally.
"Hey Sally girl. What did sugar-hog say this time to make you upset?"
"How my hair looked, but that's not it."
"Then I'm guessing you tried having that talk with him and he ran."
"More like avoided then ran." Sally said with a sigh.
"You'll have to try something else then. I know Sally-girl. Nothing catches them off guard like jealousy."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Come here and well plan ah surprise on that hedgehog that he'll never forget or resist."