######################################### # Downloaded from The Sonic Fun Zone # # http://www.p-a-u-l.com/sonic/ # ######################################### KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA, THE CHOATIX ARE LICENSED AND TRADEMARKED TO ARICHIE COMICS AND SEGA. JUILIE-SUE,KRAGOK, THE DARK LEGION, ENERJACK, ARCHIMEDES,AND LOCKE ARE COPYWRITE TO ARCHIE COMICS. IT WAS A SUNNY AFTERNOON ON THE FLOATING ISLAND. THE CHOATIX, WERE WAITING FOR KNUCKLES TO GET BACK FROM THE MAINLAND. "Y'KNOW ITS KINDA WEIRD ON WHAT'S HAPP'INED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS." MIGHTY SAID. "YOU MEAN WITH ECHIDNAPOLIS TURN'IN UP, AND JULIE-SUE?" ANSWERED CHARMY. "EXACTLY." MIGHTY SAID. "WELL SPEAKING OF "WEIRD" THINGS, HERE COMES THE WITCH NOW!" REMARKED VECTOR. "VECTOR, HOW MANY TIMES DO WE AND KNUX, HAFFTA EXPLAIN THIS TO YOU. SHE DID NOT LIKE LIFE WITH THE DARK LEGION......" "YEAH,..YEAH, AND SHE HAD TO FIND US SO SHE CAN START CLEAN. WELL IF YOU HOME BOYS DON'T WATCH YOUR STEP, SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPENED TO US.....ESPECIALLY KNUX WHEN MARIA FINDS OUT."VECTOR SHRUGGED. JUST AS HE WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE , JULIE-SUE CAME UP RIGHT FROM BEHIND HIM. "I SOMEONE STILL IS A LITTLE CRANKY FROM OUR LITTLE MEETING." JULIE-SUE SAID AS SHE GLARED AT VECTOR. VECTOR SIMPLY JUST CRANKED UP HIS HEADPHONES. "SORRY, ABOUT THAT JULIE, VECTOR HAS BEEN A LITTLE RESTLESS ABOUT THE DARK LEGION." ESPIO EXPLAINED. "I DON'T BLAME HIM.....UNFORTUNATELY..." "UNFORTUNATELY?" CHARMY ASKED "UNFORTUNATELY... HE'S RIGHT!" AS IF ON CUE, SEVERAL DARK LEGIONARIES, JUMPED OUT OF THE BUSHES! A FEW GRABBED VECTOR BY THE TAIL AND PINNED HIM DOWN, THE REST ATTACKED THE REMAINING CHOATIX. "RUN!" CHARMY YELLED. AS MIGHTY, ESPIO,AND CHARMY FLED, JULIE-SUE TOOK OUT HER GUN AND FIRED SEVERAL STUN-BEAMS, BUT MISSED ALL THREE OF HER TARGETS. "LET THEM GO, I'LL GET THEM IN A FEW MINUETS. THEY'RE PROBABLY HEADING TOWARDS THEIR COMMAND CENTER." JULIE SAID. THEN SHE LEANED OVER TO WHERE THE LEGIONARIES HAD PINNED VECTOR. " UNF I TOLD THEM YOU WERE NO GOOD!" VECTOR SNARLED. "KUDOS, TO YOU VECTOR. DON'T WORRY THOUGH, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU AS LONG AS YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS COOPERATE. MEN TAKE HIM TO LORD ENERJACK. "ENERJACK OH MAN" VECTOR SAID TO HIMSELF AS HE WAS DRAGGED AWAY. GAZING INTO A CRYSTAL BALL AT THE END OF HIS STAFF, ENERJACK SAT LOOKING AMUSED. "KRAGOK..... THIS GIRL IS AN EXCELLENT WARRIOR. TELL HER, AS SOON AS SHE GETS THE REAMING CHOATIX, TO DESTROY THEIR HQ." "YES SIR. WHEN WILL YOU SPRING THE TRAP?" KRAGOK ASKED. "VERY SOON... VERY SOON." ENERJAK SAID EVILY. MEANWHILE, THE CHOATIX HAD GOTTEN INTO THE COMMAND CENTER." AS MUCH AS I'D HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT VECTOR WAS RIGHT." ESPIO SAID. "YEAH AND JULIE HAS BEEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES." MIGHTY ANSWERED. "BUT WE'VE GOT A FIGHTING CHANCE. IF WE CAN GET A HOLD OF OUR GIRL-FRIEND'S GUNS, WE COULD USE THEM." SUGGESTED CHARMY. "GOOD IDEA." MIGHTY SAID AS THEY HEADED TO THE SUPPLY ROOM. AFTER GRABBING THE GUNS AND LOADING THEM, THE CHOATIX WERE READY FOR ANYTHING... WELL ALMOST. "NICE GUNS FELLAS" CAME A VOICE FROM BEHIND. THEY ALL SPUN AROUND TO ONLY FIND JULIE -SUE STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM. "WE'RE WARNING YOU BABE, OR ELSE." MIGHTY SAID THROUGH HIS CLENCHED TEETH. "OR ELSE WHAT, YOUR GONNA SHOOT ME?" MOCKED JULIE. "DUH, AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?" CHARMY SAID AS HE RAISED HIS GUN. "THIS." BEFORE ANY OF THEM COULD DO ANYTHING, FOUR DARK FIGURES SLIPPED OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND GRABBED MIGHTY AND ESPIO. SILENT HANDS HELD THEIR HEADS STILL AS A COMPRESS OF HERBS AND ASHES WERE PUSHED UP AGAINST MIGHTY AND ESPIO'S MOUTHS AND NOSES. MIGHTY AND ESPIO STRUGGLED, BUT THE SCENT WAS TO POWERFUL TO FIGHT AGAINST. THEN THEIR EYES GLAZED OVER AS THEIR BODIES SLUMPED AGAINST THE THE LEGIONARIES' CLOAKS. THE LEGIONARIES DRAGGED THE LIMP BODIES OF MIGHTY AND ESPIO DOWN THE CORIDOR. CHARMY WAS GRABBED AND THROWN INTO A CAGE. "TAKE THEM BACK TO HEAD QUARTERS" AS THEY WERE BEING LED AWAY, CHARMY HEARD EXPLOSIONS COMING FROM THE COMMAND CENTER. "KNUX WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED." CHARMY THOUGHT. A FEW MINUETS LATER, JULIE CAME. "SO WHAT DOES 'OL LEAD HEAD WANT?" CHARMY ASKED. "KRAGOK WANTS NOTHING OF YOU, YOUR OLD MASTER DOES." "MASTER?!" CHARMY REPLIED. "YES, LORD ENERJACK!" JULIE ANSWERED. "HOBOY" CHARMY SIGHED. MEANWHILE, KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA WAS FLYING BACK HOME. "Y'KNOW ARCHY, I'VE BEEN THINKING." HE SAID TO HIS COMPANION, ARCHIMEDES. "ITS WEIRD HOW MUCH SONIC AND I ARE ALIKE. KNUX BEGAN. "IN WHAT WAYS?" REPLIED ARCHIMEDES. "WELL HE's MAD AT HIS UNCLE FOR KEEPING THINGS FROM HIM. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US IS THAT ITS NOT MY FAMILY, ITS EVERYBODY." "THESE CAN BE HARD TIMES IN YOUR LIFE BUT DON'T WORRY THINGS WILL BEGIN TO LOOK UP." ARCHIMEDES SAID. SUDDENLY KNUCKLES FATHER BROKE THE CONVERSION. "ARCHIMEDES, COME QUICK! THERE IS SOMETHING DIRE GOING ON IN HAVEN!" "UGH KNUCKLES, WILL YOU EXCUSE ME FOR A FEW MINUETS?" "SURE THING." REPLIED KNUCKLES. THEN ARCHIMEDES VANISHED. A FEW SECONDS LATER ARRIVED IN WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAVEN. INSTEAD ARCHIMEDES, FOUND HIMSELF IN A CAGE, WITH AN EMAGNONETIC FIELD, RENDERING HIM HELPLESS. "LOCKE?" "YOU FOOL YOU NOT IN HAVEN, YOU INSTEAD JUST BECAME MY PRISONER." A VOICE SAID. "WHO ARE YOU?" ARCHIMEDES ASKED. "WHY SURLY YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ME HAVE YOU?" VOICE SAID AS A FIGURE STEPPED IN TO THE LIGHT . "DIMITRI!" "YES ITS I DIMITRI, AND YOU AND THE CHOATIX ARE THE BAIT THE WILL BRING THE GUARDIAN LINE TO AN END! HAVE A NICE STAY." KNUCKLES LANDED ON THE ISLAND, AND WENT TO FIND HIS FRIENDS. AFTER AN HOUR OF SEARCHING FOR THEM, KNUCKLES WENT TO THE COMMAND CENTER ONLY TO FIND IT IN RUINS. KNUCKLES WENT INTO A PANIC." DR. MECHS?, DR. MECHS ?!" KNUCKLES SEARCHED FOR THE DOCTOR BUT TO ONLY FIND HIS ROBOTIC BODY EVERYWHERE. "UNNNGH" CAME A MOAN FROM SOME WHERE UNDER THE BOOK SHELF. KNUCKLES LIFTED THE CASE TO FIND JULIE -SUE. "KNUCKLES I'M SO GLAD YOUR HERE!" "WHAT HAPPENED HERE?" "IT WAS AWFUL, THE CHAOTIX AND I WERE BRUTALLY AMBUSHED BY THE DARK LEGION, THEY CAPTURED THEM AND BLEW UP THE HEADQUARTERS." "HMMM, I THINK SOMETHING BAD IS GOING DOWN. LETS GO TAKE A LOOK IN ECHIDNAOPOLIS TO SEE IF ANYTHING IS HAPPENING DOWN THERE." KNUCKLES SAID AS HE HELPED JULIE-SU TO HER FEET. THE TWO STARTED TOWARDS ECHIDNAOPOLIS, FORGETTING ABOUT DR.MECHS, WHO AT THAT POINT WAS STARTING TO COME TO. "WAIT ,KNUCKLES.. BZZT.....DON'T LISTEN TO HER........CLICK, WHIRRR.... * * * MIGHTY OPENED ONE EYE. HIS VISION WAS NOTHING BUT A BLUR. HE OPENED THE OTHER, AND HIS VISION BEGAN TO COME TO A CLEAR PICTURE. HE FINALLY TOOK NOTICE TO HIS SURROUNDINGS. HE WAS CHAINED TO THE WALL BY HIS WRISTS, NECK, AND WAIST. ESPIO WAS LAYING {CHAINED} NEXT TO HIM. THEY WERE IN A COLD DARK CELL. "WELL, WELL LOOK WHO'S UP." MIGHTY STRAINED TO SEE WHO THE SPEAKER WAS. THEN HE HEARD A FAINT BUZZING NOISE. "CHARMY, VECTOR ARE YOU IN HERE?" MIGHTY SAID WEAKLY. THE MIXTURE THAT WAS USED TO KNOCK HIM OUT STILL HUNG IN HIS BREATH. "HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN A SLEEP?" "OH I'D SAY FOR AT LEAST, TWO HOURS. "CHARMY PIPED IN. "AND MAN, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN ENERJERK, HE WAS TICKED OFF AT ALL OF US, FOR NOT CARRING OUT HIS PLANS LAST TIME." VECTOR REMARKED. ALL OF A SUDDEN ESPIO SLOWLY BEGAN TO WAKE UP. A DOOR SLAMMED IN THE DISTANCE . FOOTSTEPS CAME TOWARDS THE DOOR AND STOPPED. THE DOOR CLANKED OPEN, AND A TOUGH- LOOKING DARKLEGIONARY, WITH HUGE MUSCLES CAME IN ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS BEARING RESTRAINTS. "THE BIGGER LEGIONARY POINTED HIS GUN AT MIGHTY. "YOU GET UP, AND DON'T NOBODY TRY NOTHING!" THE OTHER LEGIONNAIRES RESTRAINED MIGHTY AND LED HIM OUT OF THE CELL. WHEN KNUX AND JULIE-SUE HAD REACHED ECHIDNAOPOLIS THEY WERE SHOCKED TO SEE IT WAS NOT EVEN TOUCHED BY THE DARK LEGION. INSTEAD ALL THE CITIZENS WERE WALKING AROUND GETTING ON WITH THEIR LIVES. "HMMM THIS IS ODD. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE HERE." JULIE SAID. "I KNOW.... WAIT WHAT IS THAT STICKING UP FROM THE GROUND? IT LOOKS LIKE A CITY KINDA SIMILAR TO ROBOTROPOLIS. C'MON JULIE LETS SNEAK AROUND THE BACK TO INVESTIGATE. WE CAN DO THIS BE CUTTING THROUGH SANDOPOLIS ZONE. KNUCKLES SAID AS HE AND JULIE RAN TOWARDS THE CITY. A HALF IN HOUR LATER THEY WERE ON THE BACK OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY. THE PLACE WAS LITERALLY CRAWLING WITH DARK LEGIONARIES. " LETS GO. JULIE YOU GO TO THE RIGHT AND I'LL TAKE LEFT GOT THAT?" "GOT IT KNUX." SHE SAID AS SHE LEPT INTO THE SHADOWS AND RAN. KNUCKLES RAN OFF THE OTHER WAY NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS INSTORE FOR HIM. "LORD ENERJACK, THE GUARDIAN HAS BEEN SIGHTED IN SECTOR FIVE!" KRAGOK SAID AS HE BUSTLED IN. "GOOD HAVE YOUR MEN CHASE HIM AND SURROUND HIM AT THE PRISON COMPOUND AT SECTOR 6. NO ONE IS TO SHOOT OR CAPTURE HIM. MAKE SURE HE CRAWLS THROUGH THE AIR DUCT. ALSO MAKE SURE ALL AIR VENTS ARE CLOSED AND SEALED EXCEPT THE ONE OVER ROOM 212. " ORDERED ENERJACK," YES MILORD." "OH AND KRAGOK, IS THE BAIT IN PLACE?" "YES SIR." "GOOD YOU MAY CARRY OUT THE PLAN." KRAGOK LEFT THE ROOM. ENERJACK WAS IN A VERY GOOD MOOD. HE WAS GOING TO GET HIS REVENGE ON HIS BROTHER AND ON HIS NEPHEW. HE MADE A VERY LOW AND FRIGHTENING CHUCKLE. HE GOT UP AND WENT TO ROOM #212 WERE MIGHTY HAD BEEN CHAINED TIGHTLY AND CRUELLY TO THE WALL. HE EYED THE HELPLESS ARMANDILLO WHO KNEW THAT IF HE WERE TO EVEN MOVE IT WOULD BE THE END OF HIM. ALL THAT ENERJAK COULD DO NOW WAS WAIT. AND HE WOULD..... KNUCKLES WAS RUNNING. HE WAS DISCOVERED BY LEGIONARIES AND WAS BEING CHASED. HE HAD TRIED TO GET AWAY BUT EVERYWHERE HE WENT MORE LEGIONARIES CAME. HE QUICKLY DUCKED INTO AN ALLY BEHIND A BUILDING. HE LOOKED AROUND AND SAW THE LEGION CLOSING IN. HE TRIED TO FIND AWAY TO GET AWAY. "WHERIS ARCHY WHEN YOU NEED HIM." KNUX THOUGHT. SUDDENLY HE SAW AN AIR DUCTAND HOPPED IN IT AND BEGAN TO CRAWL THROUGH IT. IT SEEMED LIKE HOURS SINCE KNUCKLES SAW LIGHT. THE AIR WAS BECOMING HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLY THICK. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS AN OPEN VENT UP AHEAD. KNUCKLES CRAWLED UP TO IT AND PUT HIS FACE ON IT. IT WAS RELIEF BUT ONLY FOR A MOMENT. HE LOOKED DOWNAND SAW ENERJACK AND KRAGOK QUESTIONING A TERRIFIED MIGHTY. KNUCKLES COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT ENERJACK WAS FREE AND HE KNEW THAT ENERJACK WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO MIGHTY IF HE COULD NOT GET ANY INFORMATION OUT OF HIM. HE QUIETLY BEGAN TO LOOSEN THE GRATING OVER THE VENT IN ORDER TO STRIKE.... MIGHTY GULPED AS KRAGOK REPEATED THE QUESTION. "WHERE IS YOUR GUARDIAN?" MIGHTY GAVE HIS MOST SEMI-TRUTHFUL ANSWER. "I...I DON'T KNOW." MIGHTY SENSED SOMETHING WAS SOMETHING WRONG ABOUT HIS WHOLE SCENE. IT WAS LIKE EVERYBODY WAS WAITING FOR SOMETHING . "KRAGOK, IT LOOKS LIKE OUR GUEST NEEDS TO BE PRUSUADED." ENERJACK SAID AS HE REACHED FOR A BLACK BOX AND PULLED OUT WHAT LOOKED LIKE A HAND CHIME WITH A LITTLE KNOB ON IT. ENERJACK TURNED THE KNOB A LITTLE AND SPOKE TO MIGHTY. "THIS HERE ARMADILLO, IS ONE OF MY MANY INVENTIONS. I DESIGNED IT FOR THE EST. THIS LITTLE THING IS ADJUSTED TO THE RIGHT PITCH OF THE RELUCTANT SUSPECT'S HEARING, DEPENDING ON WHAT SPECIES IT WAS AND IT WAS GIVEN A WHACK FROM THE MALLE ATTACHED, AND A SHARP PITCH IS ADMINISTERED THAT ONLY THE ANIMAL CAN HEAR."ENERNJACK EXPLAINED. THEN WITH A FLICK OF THE WRIST HE PLAYED A SINGLE NOTE HELD IT UP TO MIGHTY'S EAR. MIGHTY'S FACE BECAME A TWISTED EXPRESSION OF PAIN AS THE SOUND RIPPED THROUGH HIS BRAIN. HE PULLED AT HIS CHAINS WEAKLY IN ORDER TO GET AWAY FROM THE SOUND. ENERJACK MUFFLED THE CHIME AND SAID "WEHERE IS THE GUARDIAN." MIGH! TY HESITATED BUT FINALLY SAID " I TRUTHFULLY DO NOT KNOW. AND IF I DID I WOULD'NT TELL YOU." ENERJACK SNEERED AT MIGHTY. "LETS JUST SEE HOW TRUTHFUL YOU ARE AFTER YOU GO WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO TALK!!" THEN HE STORMED OUT. MIGHTY HUNG HIS HEAD AND SAW THE GUARDS LIFT THEIR STUN RAYS UP TOWARD AN OPEN GRATE IN THE CEILING. THEN HIS MIND CLICKED .... THIS WAS ALL A SETUP! HE KNEW EXACTLY WHO HAD TO BE UP THERE....KNUCKLES! "KNUCKLES GET OUT OF HERE ITS A TRAP!!" BUT IT WAS TO LATE THE GUARDS FIRED AND A LIMP FORM CAME THROUGH THE GRATE ....KNUCKLES WAS CAPTURED. THE GUARDS QUICKLY RESTRAINED HIM. KRAGOK QUICKLEY SHOUTED ORDERS "YOU THREE MAKE SURE THAT HE IS TIED DOWN TIGHTLY. THEN THE REST OF YOU TAKE HIM TO LORD ENERJACK." "BUT SIR WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE ARMANDILLO?" A GUARD SAID. "OH AND AS FOR YOU, MIGHTY, YOU WILL BE PERSONALLY ESCORTED BY ME TO THE TORTURE CHAMBERS FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! KNUCKLES WOKE UP A WHILE LATER. HE AWOKE TO FIND HIMSELF CHAINED BY THE ANKLE INSIDE A SOME SORT OF GREAT HALL. " WELL, IT SEEMS YOU'VE AWAKEN." A VOICE CAME. "ENERJACK!WHAT DO YOU WANT?" KNUCKLES CRIED. "OH NOTHING, I JUST WANT A LITTLE REVENGE ON YOU AND YOUR STUPID FRIENDS." KNUCKLES PULLED AT THE CHAIN IN ATTEMPT TO BREAK IT. "DON'T BOTHER, YOU WON'T BE GOING ANYWHERE. NOW THEN WERE SHOULD I START?" "RIGHT HERE, WITH A BROKEN JAW!" KNUCKLES YELLED AS HE FLUG HIMSELF AT ENERJACK. ENERJACK JUST SIMPELY STEPPED OUT OF THE WAY AND KNUCKLES FELL FLAT ON HIS FACE. "WELL ARENT YOU A CHEEKY ROUGE?" ENERJACK SAID AS HE MAGICALLY LIFTED KNUCKLES OFF THE GROUND. "NOW LISTEN GOOD I'M GONING TO BREAK YOU TOTALLY AND MERCILESSLY WETHER OR NOT I HAVE TO KILL YOU. AND ITS A SURE THING YOUR NOT GOING TO LIVE. I'M GOING TO FIRST TORTURE YOU UNTILL YOU SCREAM FOR MY MERCY. THEN I WILL KILL YOU SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY. THEN I'LL MOVE ONTO YOUR FRIENDS. I'LL MAKE THEM PATHETIC SLAVES AND WILL BE TORTURED DAILY STARVED UNTIL THEY ARE LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT THE FEAR OF ME AND MY LEGION!OF COURSE AFTER MY SATISFACTION OF THEIR PATHETICNESS I'LL KILL THEM TOO. THEN THE ISLAND WILL BE MINE!" ENERJACK DROPPED KNUCKLES."YEAH DIMITRI? WELL I'M NOT G'WAN WITHOUT A FIGHT/" KNUCKLES YELLED AS ONCE AGAIN HE MADE A LEAP AT ENERJACK. THIS TIME ENERJACK, MADE AN ENERGY BALL AND HURLD IT AT KNUCKLES. IT HIT HIM AND WAS PROPELLED BACKWARD. KNUCKLES HIT THE FLOOR UNCONOUS. THEN WITH THE SNAP OF HIS FINGERS , ENERJACK MADE CHAINS APPEAR AND WRAP THEMSELVES AROUND THE ECHIDNA'S BODY AND DISSAPEAR. HE LAUGHED CRUILY AND WENT TO DO SOME PLANING ON HOW TO EXECUTE HIS NEPHEW. MEANWHILE THE CHAOTIX WERE NOW AWERE HOW MAD ENERJACK WAS. ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AGO DARK LEGIONARES CAME IN A DUMPED MIGHTY ON THE FLOOR. MIGHTY WAS COVERED IN BRUISES AND WOUNDS. THE Y HAD BECOME AWERE THAT THEY NEEDED AWAY TO ESCAPE, GET KNUCKLES, AND DIVISE A COUNTER ATTACK. VECTOR WAS GOOFING AROUND BY THE CELL DOOR. ESPIO HAD SENT HIM TO STUDY THE LOCKS WHILE HE PATCHED UP MIGHTY. "FIND ANYTHING?" CHARMY ASKED "NOO..WHOAH!" VECTOR WHO HAD BEEN LEANING ON THE DOOR SUDDENLY FOUND THAT THE GUARDS HAD NOT LOCKED THE CELL AND FELL BACKWARDS! "UMM.. GO TELL ESP AND MIGHTY TO COME HERE!" CHARMY WENT AND CAME BACK WITH ESPIO AND MIGHTY. "WELL FOR ONCE YOU DID SOMETHING BENAFCTUAL FOR US, VECTOR" ESPIO REMARKED. "LEAVE HIM ALONE ESPIO." MIGHTY SAID HARSHLY. THE FRIENDS MADE THEIR WAY TO A SUPPLIE ROOM AND CUT THEIR SHACKLES WITH PHASER KNIVES. "HEY LOOK GUNS!" CHARMY CALLED. "ALRIGHT CHARM, LETS SEE OL' MASK FACE PUT US BACK INTO THOSE CELLS AGAIN!" VECTOR CRIED. THEY EACH TOOK A GUN {EXCEPT CHARMY DUE TO HIS SIZE.} AND WENT TO FIND KNUCKLES. ENERJACK WAS FRUSTERATED. HE HAD ASKED KRAGOK'S CHIEF ADVISERS TO PLAN TOURTERUS, SLOW DEATHS FOR KNUCKLES. HERE ARE THEIR PLANS. PLAN A: HAVE KNUCKLES ESCORTED ON A TWO DAY HIKE THROUGH THE DESERT WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER. IF HE SURVIES, HAVE A TEAM OF LEGIONARES WAITING WITH A 2 TON OBJECT TO BE DROPED ON HIM, THUS CRUSHING HIM TO DEATH. ENERJACK DID NOT LIKE THIS .HE WAS NOT PACIENT ENOUGH. PLAN B: CHAIN KNUCKLES TO THE FLOOR OF A CELL IN THE LOWER GALLERIES. THEN HAVE FREEZING COLD WATER FLOOD THE GALLERIES. ENERJACK DID NOT LIKE THIS ONE. TO QUICK. PLANC: TIE HIM IN A ROOM AND BURN IT. IT WAS A GOOD PLAN BUT, HE WOULD'NT BE ABLE TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE. "HMMH I'LL JUST USE THESE ON THE CHAOTIX." HE THOUGHT. ENERJACK WAS JUSTABOUT TO SCREAM WHEN THE LAST PLAN CAUGHT HIS EYE. HE LOOKED IT OVER AND GAVE A WICKED GRIN. THIS PLAN WAS SLOW BUT NOT THAT TOURTOUSE." NO MATTER THATS WHAT TORTURE CHAMBERS ARE FOR." KNUCKLES GROGELY OPENED AND EYE. HE ACHED ALL OVER FROM THE BLAST AND THE PREVIOUS TOURTOR. HE TRIED TO LIFT HIS ARM BUT HE WAS TO WEAK TO LIFT IT. HE WAS COVERED IN CHAINS HEAD TO TOE. HE STRAINED TO PULL HIMSELF UP AND LEAN HIM SELF AGAIST THE WALL. HE DID IT SLOWLY AND FINALLY SUCCEDED. THE WALLWAS COOL AND FELT GOOD AGAIST HIS BACK WICH HAD GOTTEN FULL BRUNT OF THE BEATING. HE CLOSED HIS EYES AGAIN. KNUCKLES NOW SAW HIMSELF BEING HELD DOWN TO A TABLE WHILE LEGIONARIES RESTRAINED HIM WITH CHAINS, SHACKELS,AND NUMEROUSE TYPES OF MANICALS. THEN HE WAS LED TO A DARK CHAMBER. DOWNTHERE FIRES BURED HEATING MANY NASTY LOOKING BRANDS THAT WERE USED TO MAKE SOMEONE TALK. KNUCKLES HAD CHILLES RUNNING UP AND DOWN HIS SPINE AS HE LOOKED AT THE PAINFUL, AWFUL MACHINES THEY USED ON HELPLESS PRISONERS.THEY PASSED BY A WINDOW AND HE LOOKED OUT. KNUCKLES REGRETED HIS MOVE . HE SAW MIGHTY TETHERED BY CHAINS WITH HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK. HE WAS KNEELING DOUBLED OVER WITH WHIPS COMING DOWN FAST ON HIS BACK. BLOOD WAS POURING DOWN HIS BACK BUT MIGHTY DIDN'T EVEN MOVE. KNUCKLES WANTED TO CALL OUT TO MIGHTY, BUT HE WAS YANKED ALONG TO ANOTHER CHAMBER, AND TIED DOWN LIKE MIGHTY. THEN THERE WAS A CRACK AND A LASH OF FIRE WENT DOWN KNUCKELES' BACK. THEN ANOTHER THEN ANOTHER. HE WAS MOCKED AND HUMILATED UNTIL HE BLACKED OUT. KNUCKLES PUSHED THAT ENTIRE ENCIDENT INTO THE BACK OF HIS MIND. THEN THE DOOR OF HIS CELL OPENED AND JULIE -SUE WALKED IN CARRING SOMETHING. SHE PLACED WHAT IT SEEMED TO BE A BIRD CAGE NEXT TO HIM AND WALKED OUT. "SO M'LAD HOW ARE YOU. I GUESS DIMITRI GOT YOU HUH?" IT WAS ARCHIMEDES. " YES I GUESS FOR ONCE VECTOR WAS RIGHT ABOUT HER. I SHOULD 'T HAVE TRUST ED HER. LOOK WHERE IT GOT US. THIS WHOLE TIME ENERJACK HAS BEEN SPYING ON US." KNUCKLES REPLAID. "AYE, SO I GUESS UNLESS SOME MIRICALE HAPPENS, WE BOTH KNOW WHAT ENERJACK HAS IN STORE FOR US ........" THAT WAS ALL THAT THE FRIENDS GOT TO SAY. THE DOOR BANGED OPENED AND LEGIONARIES CAME IN. "THIS IS IT ARCHIMEDES." KNUCKLES SAID QUIETLY. "KNUCKLES T. ECHIDNA.........." THE FISRT LEGIONARY SAID "... ITS JUDGEMENT DAY FOR YOU!" KNUCKLES WAS LED TO A SMALL ROOM. ENERJACK WAS WAITING. THEIR EYES MET AND LOCKED. BOTH BURNING WITH RELENTLESS HATE FOR EACH OTHER. THERE WAS A TABLE TO WICH KNUCKLES WAS STRAPPED DOWN TO. "SO...GREAT UNCLE WHATS IT GOING TO BE? STRANDED IN THE DESERT OR WHAT?" KNUCKLES SAID AS HIS VOICE DRIPPED WITH SARCASIM. "WELL, SMART MOUTH IF I TOULD YOU WERE WHAT FUN WOULD THAT BE?" ENERJACK ANSWERED AS LEANED OVER KNUCKLES UNTIL THEY WERE NOSE TO NOSE. KNUCKLES WAS TEMPTED TO SPIT RIGHT IN ENERJACKS FACE, BUT ENERJACK DREW AWAY QUICKLY. "SHAME..." ENERJACK SAID. KNUCKLES WAS ABOUT TO QUESTION WHEN ENERJACK STROLLED TO HIS SIDE. KNUCKLES TARGETED ENERJACK'S EVERY MOVE. "ITS A SHAME TO SEE SOMEONE SO YOUNG DIE." HE SAID AS HE RUBBED THE TIP OF ONE OF KNUCKLES' DREADS BETWEEN HIS THUMB. "I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU AN OFFER MY DEAR NEPHEW, JOIN ME AND MY FORCES AND HELP ME TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE MOBIAN REALM AND I'LL LET YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS LIVE. WHAT DO YOU SAY?" "NEVER!!" KNUCKLES SPAT. "SO BE IT." ENER JACK TOOK A BOTTLE OF CHLORAFORM AND A RAG, WET IT AND HELD IT OVER KNUCKLES' MOUTH AND NOSE. WITHIN SECEONDS THE ECHIDNA SUCUMDED TO THE SWEET SMELL OF FORCED SLEEP. AS HIS VISIONS CLOUDED AND THE COLORFUL WORLD BEGAN TO GO BLACK HE HEARD ENERJACK SAY "ITS TIME TO HAVE ALITTLE FUN...." KNUCKLES WAS RECLINING. HE SAT UP. HE WAS IN HIS ROOM IN HIS HOUSE. "WHEW..IT WAS ALL A DREAM." KNUCKLES SAID WITH RELIFE. KNUCKLES LOOKED AT THE CLOCK BY HIS BED. IT READ 10:30 AM. "OH NO.. I OVER SLEPT! ARCHIMEDES IS GOING TO BE MAD.." HE SAID AS HE STUMBLED OUT OF THE COVERS. FRANTICLY LOOKED FOR SHOES WHEN...... THE FLOOR UNDERNETH HIM DISSAPEERED! NOW HE WAS FALLING TWORDS THE EARTH, THE GROUND GETTTING CLOSER. KNUCKLES LET OUT A SCREAM OF FRIGHT..... THE GROUND WAS NOW CLOSE HE PREPARED TO CRASH WHEN.......... KNUCKLES WOKE UP IN THE JUNGLE. RELIVED IT AD BEEN A DREAM BOTH TIMES. HE GOT UP WHEN HE FELL INTO A PIT.! KNUCKLES GAVE A BARK OF ALARM AS HE FELL. HE LOOKED DONW AND SHUDERED. THERE AWAITING HIM AT THE BOTTEM WERE TEN SHARP STAKES STICKING UP WAITING FOR KNUCKLES TO BECOME AN ECHIDNA SHISCABOB! KNUCKLES BRACED HIM SELF WHEN......... KNUCKLES WOKE UP ON THE SOLID GROUND. THERE WAS A SOFT RUMBEL. IT WAS GETTING LOUDER...AND CLOSER. KNUCKLES TURNED TO SEE A HUGE CLOUD A DUST COMING TWORDS HIM. HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A STAMPED! IT CAME CLOSER AND CLOSER WHEN.......... ARCHIMEDES WAS BEING LED TO THE GRAND HALL. HE WAS SOON MET BY ENERJACK. WHO ESCORTED ARCHIMEDES TO A ROOM WERE A HUGE GENORATOR WAS KEPT. THEY WENT TO THE NEXT ROOM WERE TV MONITORS AND A WHOLE SORT OF EQUIPMENT WAS KEPT. "THIS FIRE ANT IS WERE THE LATEST VIRTUAL REALITY EQUIPMENT IS KEPT AND THIS IS HOW IT IS USED UNDER MY WILL." ENERJACK OPENED ANOTHER DOOR WHICH REVIELD KNUCKLES STRAPPED TO A TABLE WITH A VIRTUAL MONITOR OVER HIS EYES. THE ECHIDNA WAS STRUGLING, SCREAMING AND TWISTING AROUND IN ANY WAY HE COULD. THEN HE CALMED DOWN FOR A FEW MINUETS. CHILL SWEAT POURING FROM HIS FORHEAD. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?!" ARCHIMEDES ASKED. "OH I'M LITERALY HAVING HIM DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS BEFORE I REALLY KILL HIM." ENERJCK CHUCKLED. ARCHIMEDES LOOKED AT KNUCKLES. HE WISHED THERE WAS SOMETHING HE COULD DO TO SOOTHE HIS YOUNG FRIEND, BUT HE COULD'NT. HE STOOD THERE WATCHING HELPLESSLY. "I SAID THERE WAS GOING TO BE MENTAL AND PSYSICAL TORTURE. THIS ARCHIMEDES IS YOURS." ENERJACK SAID. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" ARCHIMEDES ASKED. "YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A SUCKER FOR THE YOUNG'INS. YOU CAN'T STAND TO SEE ANYONE BE TORTURED. SO YOUR TORTURE IS TO SEE YOUR YOUNG FRIENDS BE TORTURED AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS SIT HERE AND WATCH. YOU CAN'T HELP THEM. YOU CAN ONLY WATCH THE BLOODSHED, THE TEARS THE SCREAMS AND THE SLOW SUCCUMBN! ATION TO ME. AND WITH EACH DAY DEATH WILL CLAIM ONE OF THEM, AS THEY FINALLY GIVE IN AFTER A LONG SLOW PROCESSE.... STARTING WITH THAT ONE!" ENERJACK POINTED TO KNUCKLES. "YOU CAN'T..." "I CAN... THERES NO HOPE FOR THAT ONE I'VE ALREADY ORDERED KRAGOK TO SIGN THE PAPERS FOR HIS TERMINATION." "LORD ENERJACK, THE SUBJECT IS WAKING UP." A LEGIONIRE WHO WAS WORKING THE CONTROLS TO THE VR MACHINE SAID." THEY ALL WATCHED AS THE GARDIAN SLOWLY WOKE UP. "NOW THEN, BECAUSE I'M SUCH A NICE PERSON, I'LL LET YOU SAY GOOD BYE TO YOUR PATHETIC FRIENDS. " ENERJACK SAID AS KNUCKLES WAS FINALLY RESTORED TO CONCIOUSENESS. "REAL NICE " KNUCKLES MUTTERED. ENERJACK FACED HIM."I WOULD'NT SAY ANYTHING. I'VE GOT YOUR FRIENDS LOCKED UP AND GUARDED. AND BESIDES THE TORTURE CHAMBERS ARE'NT TO FAR AWAY. ON SECOND THOUGHT I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE THEM BE TORTURED. SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT A LIVING HECK{AUTHOR'S NOTE- I'M NOT ALLOWED TO CUSS.SO HEY USE YOUR IMAGINATION!} I'M GOING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES FROM NOW ON." ENERJACK CUNNIGLY SMIRKED AS HE WENT TO A TELE-COM IN THE CORNER. A CELL GUARD APEARED ON THE SCREEN. "YES LORD ENERJACK." "TAKE THE CHAOTIX TO THE TORTURE CHAMBERS AND CONNECT THE TELE -COM TO THE VR ROOM WHEN YOUR ABOUT TO BEGIN THE SESION." A SHEEPISH LOOK CAME A CROSS THE GUARD'S FACE . HE MUMBLED SOMETHING TO ENERJACK . ENERJACK LOST HIS TEMPER. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY'VE ESCAPED? HOW COULD THEY? " ENERJACK SCREAMED KNUCKLES COULD'NT HELP TO SUPRESS A SMILE. HE HEARD ARCHIMEDES MUMBLE"LOCKED UP AND GUARDED...HAH." ENERJACK WENT ON RANTING AND CURSING THE GUARD OUT. "LOOK YOU BETTER FIND THEM OR I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THIS!" ENERJACK SAID AS HE HUNG UP. "GUARDS TAKE THE GUARDIAN AND PREPARE HIM FOR EXICUTION! THE OPERATION WILL COMENCE IN TEN MINUETS!" ENERJACK ORDER AS THE GUARDS TOOK THE GUARDIAN AWAY. ARCHIMEDES GAVE A WORRIED GLANCE TO KNUCKLES. KNUCKLES LOOKED AT THE GROUND WITH AN UNEASY LOOK ON HIS FACE AS THE GUARD TOOK HIM INTO THE HALL AND DOWN A CORRIDOOR. ARCHIMEDES LOOKED AT ENERJACK. HE HAD A LOOK OF RELIFE ON HIS FACE. "WHY SO SOON, DIMITRI? AFRAID THAT HIS PATHETIC FRIENDS ARE GOING TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR PLANS." ARCHIMEDES SAID SMUGLY. "SHUT UP YOU . AS A MATTER OF FACT I 'M HOPING THE CHAOTIX WILL TRY TO RESCUE HIM. IF THEY DO I GET THEM AND KNUCKLES DIES. ITS QUITE SIMPLE REALLY." ENERJACK WALKED OUT THE DOOR. "I THINK I'LL GIVE MY NEPHEW A LAST VIST BEFORE HIS EXECUTION." KNUCKLES GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW OF HIS CELL. HE WATCHED THE CROWD OUT SIDE . THE WHOLE DARK LEGION WAS GATHERED LISTENING TO KRAGOK GIVE ONE OF HIS STUPID SPEECHES ABOUT HOW THEY'VE ACHIEVED OF FINALLY GETTING RID OF THE LINE OF EDMUND. HE LOOKED AND SAW JULIE-SU STANDING NEXT TO KRAGOK ON THE STAGE. HE FELT BETRAYED, HURT, AND SCARED ON THE INSIDE. VECTOR WAS SO RIGHT ABOUT HER. HE COULD'NT BELIVE THAT HE HAD HELPED HER GET SETTLED ON THE FLOATING ISLAND. MIGHTY, ESPIO, AND CHARMY EVEN HUNG OUT AND SHOWED HER AROUND SO SHE WOULD'NT FEEL LONELY. AND THIS IS HOW SHE REPAID THEM. A CLANK FROM THE DOOR OF HIS CELL AWOKE HIM FROM HIS REVERIE. HE TURNED AND SAW ENERJACK STANDING BEFORE HIM ALONG WITH TWO GUARDS. "NOW THEM MY DEAR NEPHEW, IT COMES DOWN TO YOUR FINAL CHOICE. EITHER SUCCUMB TO ME , OR GO THROUGH WITH THE EXICUTION." ENERJACK SMILED. KNUCKLES LOOKED AT THE GUARDS THEN AT ENERJACK. THEN HE HEARD THE IMPATENT CRIES OF THE LEGION CALLING FOR THE GUARDS TO BRING HIM OUT. FOR A SPLIT SECOND HE REMEBERED A LESSON HIS FATHER HAD TAUGHT HIM. HE COULD HEAR THE WORDS. "IF IT SHOULD EVER HAPPEN MY SON, AND YOU ARE CAPTURED BY AN ENEMY, NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN IN. EVEN IF IT MEANS THE COST OF YOUR VERY LIFE." "I'LL GO ON WITH IT." ENERJACK HAD A SURPRISED LOOK ON HIS FACE, ASIF HE EXPECTED TO CHOOSE HIM OVER EXICUTION. "ARE YOU SURE" ENERJACK ASKED AS IF HE WAS A CONCERED PARENT. "OH I'M SURE ENERJACK, THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD GIVE INTO YOU ARE COWARDS LIKE YOURSELF!" IN RESPONSE ENERJACK GRABED KNUCKLES BY THE ARM A DRAGGED HIM DOWN THE HALLWAY. THEY CAME TO A ROOM THAT HAD A HUGE MONITOR AND A CATWALK EXTENDING FORM THE DOOR WAY WTO THE WALL UNDER THE CATWALK WAS A HUGE TANK FULL OF WATER. AN UNDER WATER PROBE WAS WAITING ON THE SIDE TO BE LOWERED IN TO THE TANK. CARFULLY BALANCED ON THE RAILING WAS ! THE CAGE THAT CONTAINED ARCHIMEDES. A SMALL FLOATING CAMERA CAME UP AND HOVERED IN FRONT OF ENERJACK. "LOYAL SOILDERS, YOU HAVE COME FAR IN BELIVING IN ME . NOW IT IS TIME FOR OUR REVENGE ON EDMUND'S FAMILY TO BE COME PLETE WITH THE END OF THE GUARDINIAN LINE. TONIGHT THE LAST SON OF EDMUND WILL BE EXICUTED, LEAVING THE FLOATING ISLAND AND THE CITY OF ECIDNAOPOLIS TO US. AND WHEN THE GUARDIANS FRIENDS ARE FOUND THEY WILL BE DELT WITH IN THE SAME WAY."ENERJACK SPOKE. OUTSIDE KNUCKLES HEARD THE SOUNDS OF CHEERING FOR THE LEGION. "PUT HIM IN." ENERJACK ORDERED. THE GAUARDS GRABBED KNUCKLES AND PUT HIM IN SIDE THE PROBE. THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND THE PROBE WAS LOWARD INTO THE WATER. ENERJACK LOOKED ON A LITTLE MONITOR ON THE RAILING OF THE CATWALK. HE TUNED THE INTER COM TO THE PROBE'S P.A.SYSTEM. "HELLO KNUCKLES...." KNUCKLES WATCHED A THE MURCKY WATER ENCLOSED ON HIM IN THE PROBE , UNTILL HE COULD'NT SEE THE LIGHT. 'HELLO KNUCKLES, INCASE YOU WERE WONDERING. THIS PROBE ONLY HAS 15MINUETS OF AIR IN IT.AND IT WILL RUN OUT. I'LL SEE YOU WHEN THEY BRING YOUR COLD DEAD BODY OUT LATER ON. BYE, HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE LIFE....WHATS LEFT OF IT. " KNUCKLES FELT CUT. IT WAS THE END FOR HIM. HE DID'NT EVEN SAY GOOD BYE TO ACHIMEDES WHO WAS THE ONLY THING HE HAD CLOSE TO A FATHER. THEN THE AIR BEGAIN TO GROW THICK AND UNCONFORTABLE ...... ARCHIMEDES WATCHED ON THE MONITOR AS HE SAW HS STUDENT BEGING TO FEEL FAINT. HE WAITED FOR ENERJACK TO LOCK IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. SUMMONING HIS POWER HE TELEPATHICLY SENT A MESSAGE . HOPEFULLY WOULD SEE THE S.O.S AND COME TO KNUCKLES RESCUE....... ON THE ROOF TOPS OF THE CITY THE CHAOTIX SAW THE CEROMONY ENERJACK WAS HOLDING FOR KNUCKLES' EXICUTION. "OHMAN RED'S GONNA BE PUSHING UP DAISIES IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING.' VECTOR EXCLAIMED."C'MON ESPIO SAID AS HE RAN OFF...... SOME WHERE OF THE COST OF THE DOWNUNDA. A FEMALE DOG TYPED MADLY AT HER COPUTER . SHE WAS ABOUT 18. SUDDENLY SHE FELT HER HEAD THROB. SHE PUT HER HAND TO HER FOREHEAD. SHE HEARD A TELEPATIC .SO.S. "MARIANA, MAKE HASTE! WE HAVE A LIFE TO SAVE!"......... KNUCKLES WAS IN AGONY. HE COULD BEARLY BREATHE. THE AIR HAD BECOME SO THICK. HIS VISION DIMMED EVER ONCE IN A WHILE , BUT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE STAYING COUNSIOUSE. "THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE ECHIDNA SUCCUMB TO ME OR DIE!" ENERJACK YELLED OVE RTHE P.A SYSTEM. ARCHIMEDES WATCHED AS KNUCKLES STRUGGLED TO STAND UP BUT WENT DOWN AGAIN. KNUCKLES BREATHING COULD BE HEARD OVER THE INTERCOM. HE LAID ON THE FLOOR GOING THROUGH THE FINALLY STAGES OF DEATH. SUDDENLY A SHIVER WENT THROUGH HIS BODY AND HE WENT STILL. THE SMALL MEATER ON THE MONITOR READ: NO OXYGEON. "NO." ARCHIMEDES SAID. THEN HE HEARD AFEMALE VOICE SAY "HE'S ALRIGHT." JUST THE DOOR BROKE DOWN AND THE CHAOTIX STOOD THERE HOLDING GUNS. "SO THE CHAOTIX FINALLY SHOW THEIR FACES. TOO BAD BOYS, YOUR TOO LATE, YOUR GUARDIAN IS DEAD."ENERJACK SNARELED. A HORFIED LOOK CAME ACROSS THE CHAOTIX FACES. "GUARDS SEIZE THEM !".......... TO BE COUNTIUED..........