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Same disclaimer from Part 1 applies.
(Nyperold is relaxing along the side of the pool, watching Sue swim around. Box and Tiff are sitting in rechargers. Sue swims up to Nyperold, who picks her up.)
Sue: I'm ready for more MiST fun.
Nyperold: Okay. You ready, guys?
Tiff: Fully charged, Nyper.
Box: Same here.
(The bots head to the theater while the two meerkats dry off. Once finished, they go, as well.)
Nyperold: Okay, go!
"Second Stage, contemplation."
Knuckles sighed, sitting cross-legged in his chair.
"I'm sorry, Eliza. This is all my fault. I was trying to put too much load on you.. just like dad.."
Nyperold: Why were you trying to put too much load on her? Was it a scientific experiment?
In truth, Knux shouldn't have been surprised about Eliza's death. When she had been born, she was critically under-sized. The doctor had predicted that she wouldn't live past six months.
Knux rocked himself, lowering his head into his hand.
Box: Lower... lower... little bit more... no, no, that's too much! Up a little bit... perfect.
Ray watched this, his heart paining him.
"Oh man..." he slithered away. "This is all my fault..."
"RAY!" Tails landed his biplane, and both passengers hopped out.
Sue: You landed on a line! You have to start over!
"Hey.." his greeting died on his lips.
Tiff: There was a big funeral, and everybody mourned the loss of his greeting.
Box: And of course, they buried it in a large, expensive, ornate box which was lowered into the ground, never to be seen again.
"What's the matter, Ray?"
Ray looked into Amy's eyes, but dropped his gaze.
"This is all my fault."
"No, it's not, Ray. There was nothing you could have done!"
"No," he persisted, "I could have-"
Box: (as Ray) Dashed into the pyramid and gotten myself lost... oh wait, that's what I did do...
"Forget it," Tails interjected, "Just take us to Eliza."
"Please?" he added.
"Alright. She's in the Echidnaopolis hospital."
Once they had arrived, (and convinced the doctor to let them in), Tails knelt beside her bed.
"Eliza.." he felt a few tears well up.
Amy frowned.
"I'm still having nightmares."
Ray looked at her in surprise.
"Hmm?"
"About finding Eliza, in a puddle of her own blood, in Lava Reef. And then R.K. was nearby, laughing. And all I could see were his knuc-claws, and those freaky green eyes."
All: (singing) They're piercing and they're creepy, they're vibrant and they're freaky, They're used in being sneaky, they're Robo Knuckles's eyes! Dah-dah-dah-dah! (all snap twice)
"That's it!"
Ray pounded his fist on a nearby table, gaining the undivided attention of his companions.
"It's my fault, everyone knows it, and nobody will admit it. Something has to be done! I'm not just going to stand around here, and wait for more attacks! We have to end Robo-Knux's end of terror, right here and now!"
"And what do you suppose we do? He already took out our best fighter!"
Box: (as... whoever said that) And I don't think our bomber will do all that much good, either!
"When he was sleeping. Or atleast trying to sleep. R.K. didn't give Mighty a fighting chance. Do you know why? Because R.K. is a very smart robot. He knew Mighty had a chance at beating him in a fight, therefore, he didn't give him the chance."
"Then why didn't he take out Knux?"
"Because he's superior," Ray countered.
"Lemme ask you two this. How often does Eliza run from a fight?"
"Well... I don't ever recall her running from a fight.." Tails rubbed his chin, and Amy nodded.
"She ran now.
Nyperold: No, she's lying down now. She ran then.
She ran as if the devil were chasing her."
"R.K. is a devil," Amy folded her arms, "And he's red, too."
"Eliza was scared.. I could feel it. And I knew why. He had no weaknesses.. nothing to make him tick, nothing. It was...." he paused, struggling to find sufficient wording, "-like an ant up against a tank, even in Eliza's case."
"And what are we supposed to do?"
Box: Throw a grenade at it.
"We find out his weaknesses," Ray seemed smug.
"You're not.. proposing we..."
"-go to the creator. Robotropolis."
Tiff: An entire city built this robot? Talk about too many cooks...
Both Freedom Fighters gaped at the squirrel.
"You're joking, right?"
"Nup. You guys don't have to come with me. I can go alone.."
"Definitely not! I'm coming!" Amy's face lit up.
Box: AHHH! ROBO AMY!
Tiff: (as Robo Amy) Hey wait! Self-unit wants to help Sonic, too!
"Yeah!" Miles chimed in, grinning.
Nyperold: He had just destroyed 6 robots with one use of the laser.
"Then what are we waiting for?! COME ON!"
All three youngsters sped off, in the direction of the Com Room.
******
Nyperold: Shot into space, and left my home, At least with friends, and I'm not all alone...
Box: Oddly appropriate, considering that this is a MiST fic...
"Mr. Guardian, Mr. Guardian?"
"What?" Knux was tired of attacks being reported in.
"If I hear one more.. I think I'll scream."
"Robo-Knux was been sited in the outskirts of Echidnaopolis."
Nyperold: So somebody placed him there? Who?
Tiff: I'm thinking it should be "sighted".
Knuckles perked up.
This was his chance to get revenge. He marched off, head up, fists clenched.
"I'll get him good... Eliza.. for you."
Tiff: (as Eliza) You're not really talking about me -- are you?
Nyperold: Okay, I call no more "Eliza as psychologist program" riffs!
Tiff: Yeesh, fine...
"Ah, hello Knuxie!"
Robo-Knux was standing, arms folded. He was smiling.
"At last I meet the famous Guardian."
Knuckles narrowed his eyes, balled hands at sides.
"Tough crowd, eh?" R.K. chuckled.
"Listen here, buddy. You mess with my family, you mess with my friends, you mess with my island, you mess, with me!" he raised his fists, and slid into a battle stance.
"Bring it on," Knux growled.
Nyperold: (as Judge Mills Lane) Let's get it on!
Meanwhile..
"Are you sure you want to do this, Ray?"
Tails's voice was a little shaky. He had had bad experiences with Robotropolis.
Ray gave a little nod, and kicked the grating open. He plunged down, from the vent, and landed, on two feet, in Robotnik's main chamber.
Nyperold: And--
Box: Were you about to say something about the Egg Chamber or Death Chamber level, Nyp?
Nyperold: (sighs)
There was nobody. Not even a SWATbot.
Nyperold: Wait a minute, wait a minute! Where is everybody? There's nobody here!
Box: ...there's nobody here!
Nyperold: I just said that. That's the point! I thought the whole town would turn out. You know, there's something here I don't like!
"It's clear!" the other two were with him, in less than a minute.
"Where is everyone?" Amy gazed around, pointlessly.
Tiff: You mean, like that adverb?
Ray didn't answer. He was at the main computer, booting it up.
"Ray, whatcha doing?"
"Tapping into the security cameras."
Nyperold: It's the right time to get security syrup.
There was no sound, except for mad typing, and then Ray stepped away from the computer, permitting a clear view of the screen.
Nyperold: Master, sir, did you just see my MAD SKILLZ?
"Watch."
The tape showed SWATbots, dragging a rather angry Robotnik away. Snively was being held by one, as well.
"..You will be brought to one of your emergency bases, and contained by your own SWATbots."
Box: I'd have that security camera checked. I mean, at least "be taken to" means the same thing, but what if someday it changes something so that it doesn't make sense? or worse: makes sense, but is incorrect even in meaning?
Tiff: At least it dealt with the extra comma after "contained"...
Ray scuttled back to the computer, and switched the tape off. The other two only gaped.
"We've been trying, for who knows how long, to drive Robotnik out of Robotropolis, and here, R.K. does it in a matter of minutes." Shamefully, the kitsune lowered his head.
"Oh man.." Amy whispered, "Robo-Knux is in control of Robotropolis. Who knows what terrible things he'll do with the power given to him."
All three children froze.
Tiff: One of those robots from Crazy Gadget shot them?
Box: Or the Ice Queen?
Nyperold: or Mr. Freeze? "Have an ice day!"
"It won't happen." They titled their heads
Sue: The Three Little Heads. In this story, the one little head makes his hat out of straw, and--
Nyperold: That's probably "tilted".
towards Ray, who had his back to them. He was still pressing keys at an incredible rate.
"As we speak, I'm locating the base RK sent them to. "
"Ray.. how are you doing that?"
"You gotta hand it to Ray, he really knows his stuff."
"Ah.. here it is."
It was then the squirrel who froze.
Nyperold: Again. Seriously, is Razhar from TMNT 3: The Manhattan Project here? or Tokka from TMNT IV: Turtles In Time?
"Ray.. what is it?"
"I know that base.."
He looked down at the keyboard.
"That's the base Mighty trashed, years ago, when he, Sonic and I were in the camp."
Knuckles lunged at the Mecha-bot, knocking him down. He wasted no time on pouncing on R.K.
The echidna unbridled his fury, letting his clenched hands fly at the robot's chest.
Box: Knuckles the Echidna IS Plok!
"I'll teach... you... to hurt.. sister..
Nyperold: (as Knux) Mary... Catherine...
you worthless piece of scrap! How.. dare... you..!" Robo-Knux watched this, unphased.
Nyperold: You know what he needs? The--
Box: Ohhhh, no. No more SA2. No one's going to say: "The Iron Gloves"!
Nyperold: Thank you!
Box: D'oh! I give up...
His hand flashed out, catching Knux's fist in mid-punch. He then gave a tight squeeze.
Tiff: (as Rouge) I'll bet you just wanted to hold my hand, you creep.
Knuckles cried out in pain, and recoiled his hand.
Nyperold: (as Knuckles) Do you KNOW how LONG it TAKES to COIL your HAND? Yeesh!
RK swiped at his organic counterpart with his knuc-claws, but Knux pulled back, out of the path of the deadly blades.
The Mecha-Bot leapt to his feet.
Knuckles, heaving with rage, shot at him, fists outstretched.
R.K simply stepped out of the way, and Knuckles collided with the wall. He whirled around, furiously.
Mecha Bot 4 flexed his wrists, his knuc-claws glinting in Knux's direction. Just before he attacked, Knuckles scooped up a copper pipe, and held it out.
Box: Yeah, like RK needs another weapon.
Nyperold: (as Omochao) There may be an animal hidden in the pipe! Try whistling!
It vibrated as the spikes on Robo-Knux's hand smashed against it. Knux, taking advantage of the free second, bashed R.K. in the face. Robo-Knux was sent flying
Box: Looks like Robo-Knux is blasting off again!
back, but immediately recovered his footing, charging, arms ahead of him.
Knux ran to meet him, and blocked the blows with his pipe.
"Very clever," Robo-Knux snorted, making another scrape on the pipe.
"I try," the retort was hard, and the Guardian was gritting his teeth so hard, he thought he would chip them.
"..Unfortunately, not clever enough."
Instantly, the pipe was ripped from the echidna's grasp, and R.K. crushed it effortlessly in one hand, tossing it over his shoulder.
"Great.." Knux, eyes flaming, lifted them, and fixed his murderous gaze on the Mecha Bot.
"He'll pay."
Nyperold: (as Knux) That cost $10.00 at Lowe's!
*****
Box: It's not as bad as Sonic Runs Around In Circles, but it's not that good!
Robotnik paced around his cell.
Sue: And Snively Old-El-Pasoed around his.
How could Robo-Knux have outsmarted him so easily?
Box: (as Robotnik) I have an I.Q. of 300!
Nyperold: (as QUEEG 500) It has a 3 in it, but it's not 300.
Box: (as Robotnik) What is it, then?
Nyperold: (as QUEEG 500) 3.
Box: (as Robotnik) Three? Do me a lemon! That's a poor IQ for a glass of water!
Nyperold: (as QUEEG 500) No way, man, there are too many Sonic lemons out there already!
He closed his fists, and opened them, trying to drive his rage away. No use.
Box: A cell you can drive?
Nyperold: It's that lorry from The Prisoner episodes Once Upon A Time and Fallout!
There was the sound of a door opening, and the evil doctor whirled his head around, searching for the new presence.
"YOU!" he spat, to not quite the person he was expecting.
"Me.." Ray's voice was calm. He peeked around the base.
"This place brings back some memories, no?"
Robotnik seethed, not enjoying the squirrel gloat. The tables had been turned on
Box: Which is why the Victorians were right to cover furniture legs, after all.
Nyperold: Box...
him.
"I see it wasn't quite repaired.."
"What do you want?!" Robotnik demanded, his voice razor-sharp, "Or did you just come here to gloat over my capture?"
"Actually, I didn't. I came to ask for your help."
Robotnik snorted.
"Why should I help you, squirrel?"
Sue: (as Ray) Because someday, I might be able to help you!
"Because we have the same problem."
The Doctor jolted upright, interested.
"It looks like my new little pet has caused some trouble," he sniggered, not unlike a child.
Nyperold: He certainly doesn't sound Sorry! about it!
"Yeah," Ray's annoyance was barely visible. He frowned.
"Will you help me?"
"What do I get in return, squirrel?"
"We've already destroyed the SWATbots. In return for your help, you'll be granted your freedom."
We?!
Nyperold: Oui.
"RAY!" Tails protested.
Ray turned to him.
"Right now, RK's our main problem. He's more dangerous than Robotnik, at this point in time."
Robotnik glared at the young Freedom Fighters, but held his tongue.
Tails gave him a fierce look.
Box: He hadn't had one before, you see.
"Done." Ivo's gaze flickered to Ray.
"Now," supplied Ray, "Tell us about R.K."
"He has no weaknesses, at all."
"Wonderful," Ray mumbled.
Tiff: (singing) Marvelous, that you could care, for me...
"Where's Mighty?"
"R.K. got him."
Robotnik frowned, and furrowed his brow.
"It doesn't look good, then."
"Isn't there something that can stop him?" Ray inquired, almost desperately.
"Well.." the evil genius rubbed his chin reflectively.
Nyperold: No, that's the top of his head.
"Don't you have a virus that can bring him down."
Box: Don't you have a question mark you can use there.
"Ah! Yes!"
The children's hearts leapt.
"But.. Robo-Knux is a very powerful robot."
"We noticed," Tails muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Robotnik ignored the statement, and went on.
Nyperold: It started with REM, C, `, //, or was surrounded by {*this*}.
Box: How...? Never mind.
"Too powerful for a virus..." he trailed off.
Nyperold: He takes Vitamin C++ every day.
All except Nyperold: (groan)
Tiff: Now, wait a minute. No matter how powerful a computer is, doesn't it actually have to have good anti-virus software to be secure against viruses?
All three felt as though they'd been hit in the chest, their hope deflated. Robotnik smirked contemptuously, almost enjoying toying with their feelings. But not now. Some other time.
"However.. there is one, that can bring him down. My most powerful virus."
Nyperold: So what exactly did he mean by "too powerful for a virus"? Did he mean, "a virus in particular", such as ILOVEYOU?
Ray's face lit up.
"Which one's it called."
"Pah," Robotnik scoffed, "I'll give you the codename. It's nature is too complicated for idiotic children like you."
Box: And the nature of the virus is... IRREPRESSIBLE!
(A/N: And that goes for you readers, too! Nonono, get that gun away from my
All: SPLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!
face! I was just kidding!)
Tails felt himself boil, and wisely controlled his temper. Amy put a gentle, yet stern hand on his shoulder.
Nyperold: Take a bow, Tails; that must've been difficult.
The bots: (groan)
"The Delta 1.01."
Ray nodded, sagely.
"It shuts down any machine, in a matter of minutes... Nothing, not even a robot, no matter how powerful, can stand against it."
The bots: Booooo!
Nyperold: So even machines without computers in them would be affected? Sounds like that metal virus. (as Doctor Who, Tom Baker version) Looks like our little problem has grown. (normal) And guys, they're going to fight a rogue robot with whatever that is, so it's okay.
"Where is it?"
"Go to the storage room, and into the virus area. Second cabinet."
Ray followed the instructions, and produced a black box, with, "Restricted!" written over it in, thick, red print.
Sue: Ummm... should I go?
Nyperold: Nah, it's a virus, not a video.
"Just attack it to any part of him.
Nyperold: You don't even have to use up SP by casting a spell.
It's in the transmitter. Don't open the
Tiff: --camera! You'll expose the-- (as if too late) --film.
Box: --box! If you do, you'll release all kinds of evil into the world!
Nyperold: --treasure chest without first casting DISARM on it, unless you're a Rogue.
Sue: (giggles) Appropriate for all of you.
box
Box: See?
until R.K. is near you."
Box: (starts to play music)
Nyperold: Box, if that's I'm In The Mood For Love, just... don't.
Ray tucked the box away.
"Thanks, doctor."
"Now let me out."
Ray reached into his backpack, and produced a card key. He swiped it through the mechanism near the cell, and punched in some numbers. The cell opened, slowly but surely.
Tiff: (as Amy, stepping into the cell) Wow, Eggman! Did you write all this yourself?
Tails airlifted Amy to the vent, and then Ray. They fitted the grating back into place, and were gone.
"I can't believe you let him go free, Ray."
"Who said I did?"
Tails blinked, you mean.. you didn't?
Ray smiled slyly.
"I said I'd let him out of the cell. I never said I'd let him out of the base."
Sue: ONE TWO THREE! BASE ALL OVER ME!
Nyperold: ... Ow.
Box: Actually, you said that Robotnik would be granted his freedom. If you're trying to make it look like you did what you promised...
Tails snickered.
"Ray.. you dog!
Box: (as Tails) And that's saying something coming from a member of a species that's closer to a dog than a flying squirrel is!
He's gonna be so mad at you."
"I know."
"What did you do?"
"I locked him in. And, I destroyed the main computer, so he can't hack in, and reverse the command."
Robotnik let out a bellow of pure rage.
Box: (as the arcade game Primal Rage) Rage!
Nyperold: So he's the announcer? I would've thought that he would try to roboticize Vertigo or something!
Tiff: Nyp, he's having enough trouble with his robotic version of Knuckles!
Nyperold: That's true.
"HOW DARE HE?! When I get my hands on that squirrel.... I swear..."
Nyperold: (as Boris) He and that moose are goink to pay!
Robotnik went on to curse, kicking pieces of scrap metal.
Snively cowered, not wanting to get in the way of his uncle's rampage.
Box: He really gets into the game.
Nyperold: Yeah, he's jealous of George's looks.
Tiff: At least you didn't say "Lizzie!"
It took about half an hour for Robotnik to calm down.
"Hello.. what's this.."
A metal skeleton was lying, limp on the floor. Robotnik expected it.
"Metal Mighty. How could I forget..."
He closed his eyes, remembering the events, five years ago, that caused him to want to build Metal Mighty. The metallic armadillo had been a failure. It came nowhere near close to the real thing. Robotnik groped around his pocket in his reverie, and his hands touched something. Chips. A wicked smile curled around the mad doctor's lips.
Box: (as Robotnik) I don't care what the doctor says about my salt intake! I will eat these chips!
He opened his eyes, and was greeted with Metal Sonic's chips.
"Oh yes..."
He found something else. Mecha's smashed hull.
"Excellent. Snively, this way."
Doctor Robotnik marched off, a brilliant scheme forming in his head. He would not be contained for much longer.
*****
Nyperold: Metal Sonic learns to count.
Box: (as Metal Sonic) Uh... 4 stars?
Knuckles decked the robot in the stomach, and R.K. staggered back a bit, from the force.
Tiff: Y'know, maybe Anthony and the Arcadians should've done this one.
Nyperold: Well, hey, he can meta-MiST this one if he wants. If he wants to MiST the original, though, that's between him and Dr. Sipp.
Fueled by the successful attack, Knuckles swiped again. Robo-Knux ducked, and back-handed the echidna hard. Knuckles was sent flying, into a wall. He coughed, and stood up, while RK approached.
RK lunged, but Knuckles side-stepped, and Mecha Bot 4's fist instead encountered brick. He grunted, trying to pull his fist out, but Knux shoved him hard, into the wall. It broke, and started to crumble around him.
Nyperold: (singing) Everyone's got to crawl when you know that you're up against a wall, it's about to fall... (gets looks) What?
The Guardian prepared for another blow, but R.K. whirled around, dealing a
Nyperold: Two of a kind (thinks) Hey, that works better than I figured for!
strong blow to Knuckles's chest in the process.
Again, the echidna was sent soaring through the air. He landed, face first, on the ground, gasping for air. Robo-Knux paced his way, a bit faster than a walk, as Knuckles spluttered, at pushed himself up. He was in kneeling position, when he received a kick in the back from Robo-Knux.
Knuckles yelped out in pain, as he veered forwards, landing, in a similar position. His chest heaved with strain, as he attempted to push himself upright. There were vibrations under his feet, as R.K. came his way.
Before Knux knew what hit him, he was in the air again.
He grunted as he impacted with the ground. He tried to push himself upright, but had no strength. He let himself slump further onto the ground. The edge of the platform was near, and another kick would send him over. He gave one last
shudder, let his eyelids fall, and lay still. Not dead, but too drained to move. Everything hurt. He was still aware of Robo-Knux's clanking footsteps, getting louder by the second.
"This is the end," he thought.
Box: (as the announcer guy on Underdog) Looks like this is the end...
R.K. looked at his opponent intently.
"This is the end, for you my friend."
Suddenly, something crashed into him, nearly knocking him over. He felt something being attached to the back of his neck.
A terrible shock passed through him, and he resisted the necessity to cry out. He ripped the thing from his neck.
"A virus. Delta101."
Nyperold: It's ready when you are.
He crushed it in his hand, and spun around, seeking the insolent creature who had officially ended his reign of terror.
"It's only a matter of minutes before it shuts down your systems, R.K."
It was Ray.
Tiff: Oh, everybody loves him.
Nyperold: That would be Ray Romano.
"You..."
The squirrel was looking exceptionally smug.
"That's the problem with computer, R.K. THEY CRASH!"
Box: There's only one computer, but he refers to it as a collective?
Before he knew what hit him, Ray was pinned to the wall, RK's monstrous hand clamped around his neck.
"This isn't over, squirrel. Not by a long shot." He tightened his grip, cutting off Ray's air supply.
"There is a known cure to the Delta virus. I will find it, and I will be back, don't you worry."
Box: But of course, Eggs-For-Brains didn't know about it.
Nyperold: You ever figure that your return might be something for them to worry about, Arkay?
Ray wheezed, gaping desperately for oxygen. Robo-Knux was crushing his windpipe.
"You, on the other hand, will not be around to witness my return. You die, now."
And he pressed harder. Normally, he would have uttered a quip during someone's last minutes, but he was too intent on his prey. Too intent, to notice someone behind him.
WHAM!
Ray was torn out of his grip, and he flew through the air, and into empty space.
He landed, several meters below, and lay, unmoving, on the cold ground. His systems shut down, announcing the end of his lethal exploit.
Box: Ray's systems shut down?
Nyperold: Maybe that's a way of saying he went into a comma.
All: (groan)
Box: Okay, then: Ray went on a lethal exploit?
Nyperold: Hmm. Looks like somebody forget to reset the antecedent...
Knuckles stood, panting. He dropped to his knees, and shook Ray with whatever effort he could muster.
"Ray! Speak to me! Please, be alive!" Ray slowly opened his eyes, spluttering.
"Knux.." he managed, his breathing laboured.
"Ray.. are you okay?"
He took two minutes to respond.
Nyperold: I'm not surprised, what with Mr. I-Can't-Wait-For-A-Response there.
"Nice.. hit... Knux."
"Ray, you did it! You killed R.K!"
"We...killed R.K."
Knuckles was exited.
Box: Through which orifice?
Tiff: ... Let's not speculate on that...
He forgot his pain.
"How'd you do it?! Where'd you get that virus from?!"
"Robotnik.."
Knuckles looked down at him in surprise.
"What?"
Nyperold: The second baseman?
"I'll explain later."
Knuckles pulled him to his feet, and supported him.
"You know, kid... you're okay."
"Thanks."
It took about 15 minutes for them to make it to the hospital. Ray sat down in the Waiting Room, and Knuckles scampered over to Eliza's room. The doctor wasn't around. Not like he cared.
"Ray!" the doctor called out to him. Ray tilted his head.
Sue: (as Ray) Why are you calling Knuckles by my name?
"Yeah?"
"Where's the Guardian?"
Nyperold: Trying to get information from Fong, probably. That game of his...
"He went.. to see Eliza.."
"Oh.. he may be in for a shock."
Box: (as the doctor) Electra's there, too!
The doctor took a closer look at Ray, then grabbed him by the arm.
"Come with me, young squirrel."
"I'm fine!" Ray protested, as the doctor dragged him to a room.
Nyperold: (as Ray) It's TEH ROOM! NOOOOOooooo...
Box: Always room for messageboard in-jokes, I guess...
Knuckles bustled into Eliza's room, then slowed down. Eliza was sleeping. Or dead. There were no machinery hooked up to her anymore. He scooped her up in his arms.
"We got him.. Eliza.. he got him good. He's gone."
"Cool."
Knuckles almost dropped her in surprise.
"You're alive?!"
Tiff: (as Eliza) No, my corpse said that!
"I think.. so. Poke me, just to be sure." (A/N: Did you really think I'd kill off my cute little echidna?)
Nyperold: Nope.
Knuckles was too overcome with joy, to be annoyed. He gaped, totally speechless.
"But.. how..?"
"Ah, Guardian. Just the echidna I was looking for."
The doctor stepped into the room.
"The most amazing thing happened..."
"Her body started to accept the medicine."
Box: (as the doctor) It was as if somebody was rewriting her physiological characteristics so that the medicine would take effect!
The doctor smiled to himself.
"I guess you could say that. All she needs now is to be hooked up the Master Emerald, just like last time.
Nyperold: (as Knux) So you want somebody to single-handedly throw her at the bottom of the Master Emerald? Won't that hurt?
(A/N: Duty Calls, Part 2) She'll be good as knew."
Nyperold: RK is gone, but extra "k"s still lurk...
"Sweet," came Eliza's weak, yet happy voice. The doctor slid out of the room, and Knuckles raised her body.
"You were.. right."
"I'm sorry."
"There's...nothing...to be sorry for, Nashi."
Knuckles embraced her.
Nyperold: (sighs and happily hugs his sister)
"I'm.. so glad you're alive."
Eliza smirked.
"Yeah, right."
Knuckles, being as gentle as possible, pulled her in closer.
"I love you, Eliza."
A pause.
"I love you too, Nashi."
Normally, he would have objected to being called 'Nashi', but, right now, he didn't care.
******
Box: Especially since he was subsequently hit by 6 tranquilizer darts in a row.
The SWATbot closed it's metallic hands around the lifeless hull of R.K., lifting him.
>Mecha bot four has been located. Retrieval in process< It placed the robot in the hovercraft, and entered, driving away.
The End.
The bots: Yahoo!
Nyperold: (eyes glazed over, smiling)
Box: Um, Nyp?
Tiff: Oh dear... I think he's on a "sugar high".
Box: Ladies and gentlemen, I feel I should explain what's going on here. The author kind of has a soft spot for good, clean, brotherly/sisterly affection. Thus, the existence of Sue in his fictional universe. Further, when this (motions to a few lines back) happens, the character of Nyperold goes into a happy state of tranquility, such as this.
Tiff: Which is all well and good, but we can't do anything with him when he's like this! So...
The bots: (emit a high-pitched frequency)
Nyperold: (snapping out of it) Huh? Wha? What did I miss?
Box: A SWATbot just picked up RK, reported to somebody, and took him away in a hovercraft. Then it was "The End."
Nyperold: Well, there's usually a bit more after this, so let's see what we have...
And the moral of this story is... Robo-Knux is cool.
Box: I'd be cool, too, if I had been deactivated.
Author's Notes: Had enough of me yet?
Nyperold: Well, it is about time I move to another fic...
And so ends another story. This is kind of a monthly release thing.. or it will be. Except for Second Nature. It'll (hopefully) come out right after Behind Steel Doors, which I'll try to get out before February.
Box: It's about what happens when you gene-splice Superman with The Doors.
(Wish meh luck) The website.. don't ask. Yes, yes, I said Armour of an Echidna would be the last fic in which I'd place a Timeline.. but.. I just want to put it anyway! My fics aren't in order on FanFiction.Net, you know.
Nyperold: What say we skip that?
Box: I'll go for that.
Sue: Me too!
Tiff: Sounds good to me!
(They exit the theater.)
Sue: (yawns) After MiSTing two fics, I'm tired.
Nyperold: (chuckles) C'mon, Sue, I'll take you home.
Box: Time for us to hit the rechargers, as well.
Nyperold and Sue: Seeya later! Bye!
The Bots: Seeya!
(They part, for now.)
Coming... someday: Lost by Kiwi Wolf!
Knuckles was exited.