On the brink of a jagged-edged cliff, Knuckles clung to both the edge and to his life as his body became sore from the constant beating caused by the regenerated Enerjak. He saw the monsterous echidna walk hastily towards him. He wanted to leap away.... he wanted to defend himself and guard the impact. But he felt so stiff he could not move. So he closed his eyes tightly and prepared for his great uncle to lay it on him. But after some seconds of feeling Enerjak’s hesitation, he opened them again. He saw the bottom those same blue and gold boots as he stood only inches from his face.
“We can end this whole conflict, grand nephew. I’ve observed your power....... you would make a perfect apprentice of mine, and together we can own Mobius all to ourselves!!”
Knuckles’ brows folded over his eyes, refusing as he did not answer to his offer. Even if it did mean he could die in the hands of his enemy.
“Think about it,” He continued, “with your power..... the whole world for yourself! We’ll bring a whole new order to the planet.... and possibly THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!!”
Interupted with gasps of breath, Knuckles tried to speak as loud and clear as he could, “It’s.....one thing....to....have inc--redible power.......but to use it agianst what I stand for....... NEVER!!!! I don’t care if you have to kill me! I swear upon Edmund’s grave I’ll never give in to you or your minions!!!”
Enerjak scoffed, “Ha ha ha! And you’ll be resting right allong side my craven brother very soon!!!”
With one eye open in a slant, Knuckles was able to watch Enerjak as zealous mounds of energy shoot like lightning all around them. Knuckles knew his life was soon to be even further at stake. He finally managed to rise up, battered with pain. When he looked high up into the sky of dark clouds, he saw a cluster of white energy shooting down. With on hand extended to the air, and his hand open wide, he guarded himself from the mighty jolt that shattered the silence of the entire Floating Island. He used both hands now, fighting against the blinding radiance that still persisted downwards. Finally, Knuckles swung and struck the powerful energy bomb and it shot high into the sky.
Instead giving in to utter rage, Enerjak seemed impressed as he rubbed the bottom of his mask with his fingers, and smerking.
“Hm hm hm hm.....” He chuckled slyly, “You ARE powerful. Even more than I estimated.”
“I’m---- just full of surprises-------- aren’t I?” Knuckles gasped for air after an exausting struggle for his life, “And........ I....have another sur----prise for....you!!”
He then weilded a great surge of elecric currents all around him. He was pushed to the far extent of his internal rage and now the energy was firing like crazy. Knuckles shot from where he stood and landed a bone crunching upper cut upon Enerjak’s jaw.
With great agony , Enerjak was ejected to the sky, with a hefty slash upon his face. If Enerjak had been any less solid, it would’ve killed him instantly. He finally came back down with a thud on the stone floor, and cried out in pain. Pieces of rock flew from the crash and his body left an imprint.
Knuckles’ fury drove him to run harder and faster. Enerjak saw him running forward.
“No!! PLEASE!”
Enerjak had never pleaded for merci, EVER. Even the greatest of enemies can always feel fear within themselves, no matter how forward they seem to be.
“YOUR beging for merci?! After all the trouble you caused! After all the lives you threatened?!” No matter how unstable he became, Knuckles still charged after him. Now it’s Enerjak’s life in jeapordy, and Knuckles as the executer. Knuckles, again, shot an electrical blast at him, sending him another 100 feet away, and he continued to run at him. Enerjak’s mask had fallen from his face. His armor had been cracked to the point of crumbling. His rubber gloves had been torn with the golden straps still ringed around his wrists.
Before Knuckles continued, he skidded to a stop. He breathed heavily, while he looked at Enerjak’s face, full of remorse.
What have I become?! I’m just like Enerjak himself!! He thought, with his eyebrows forming his eyes into pity.
Little did both know that the energy bomb was not destroyed. It had just blasted into space and now it hurtles back down to our two unaware titans. But then Enerjak saw it coming, and Knuckles didn’t, for it was behind him.
“GO!!!” Enerjak cried to Knuckles.
“What?!”
The bomb came closer to the targets. With all his might, Enerjak brought himself to his knees. Knuckles just looked up to see the electric mass falling.
Suddenly, something courageous occured....Enerjak shoved Knuckles on the shoulder so hard that he flew a good long distance. And then, when Knuckles sat up from falling to the ground, he took one last look back at Enerjak, who was on his hands and knees.
“I’m sorry!” He called with his final words.
The bomb fell, and the blast was so great, it was totally white all around for fifteen seconds. Knuckles closed his eyes to avoid becoming blind.
The intense bliss died away eventually. Knuckles still had his eyes closed, preparing himself for what ever he was going to see. But then, slowly, he looked up to where it had landed. And there layed Enerjak. It didn’t look like the bomb touched him at all, but as Knuckles came closer he saw his armor of steel and rubber torn up all over, with unhealable wounds.
With long, light steps forward, he approached Enerjak’s limp body, and locked his eyes upon his face. His eyes were closed and they did not open, and he did not move.
Only one way to know for sure..... he thought.
He took Enerjak’s wrist and pressed his thumb on the veins. After a few seconds, Knuckles sighed heavily and his eyes sank down. He layed his arm back down gently. And with a heavy heart, he picked his uncle up from the ground, and walked towards the city in reverant silance.
For 400 years, this great totalitarian had sought to rule over all that lived. For 400 years he has been determined in all he had done, fighting persistantly for his view of echidna society. for 400 years, he has lived upon Mobian surface, until it came to a courageous close.
The End
By: EMERALD
Written: 5-23-00
Sent: 5-26-00