The trio enter the castle after finding some stables for Fawn. Espio opens the door.
Espio: Hello?
He enters with the others.
Charmy: Vector! Are you in here!?
Espio quickly covered Charmy's mouth.
Espio: Keep it down, you never know what could be lurking in here...
Meanwhile, Amy was talking Sticks out.
Amy: I can't believe you let in a stranger!
Sticks: Come on, Amy. He needed help!
Amy: Really? By scaring him?!
Knuckles hears this and goes to where they are.
Sticks: Well, sor-ry. I was only trying to help. That could've been someone's-.
Knuckles: (Off-Screen) Father?
Sticks: Did you hear that?
She and Amy see Knuckles.
Sticks: It's a male echidna!
Amy: Sticks, I know it is... A familiar one too.
Sticks: Oh quiet, there were lots of men that night. Now, come on!
She goes after the trio but Amy's voice stops her.
Amy: Wait, do want to make her Highness mad again?!
Sticks: I'll take my chances.
She then goes after them without the trio knowing.
Espio: Vector!
Vector: (Off-Screen) G-guys?
Charmy: Vector!
They 3 go up the stairs to the dungeon and see Vector in a cage.
Knuckles: *Sigh* Thank goodness you're okay. A little cold, but okay.
Charmy: Hang on, we'll get you out!
He goes to the door latch to free him but Vector grabs Charmy's hands.
Vector: Knuckles, get outta here with the others! The castle's dangerous! Go, before the monster finds you all here!
Espio: Who?
A hiss is heard echoing the walls.
Knuckles: Who's there?
???: The Princess of the castle.
Charmy: Let him outta here!
???: Why? He trespassed my home and broke in.
Charmy: For trying to stay warm!
???: Can it, little bug! I don't take orders from anyone.
Knuckles: We find him dying and you have the guts tell us the he tresspassed?!
Knuckles gets caught in the throat by a clawed hand and pins him to the wall and Rouge revealed herself in the moonlight holding Knuckles. Knuckles gasps at this and Charmy hides behind Espio in fear.
Rouge: Don't talk to me like that, knowing your in my home.
Vector: Please... Don't hurt him... Let him go... *Cough* *Cough*
Knuckles struggles to get out of Rouge's grip.
Knuckles: We won't... Leave you... Take me instead...
Vector, Espio and Charmy: What?!
Charmy faints in shock as Rouge releases her grip on Knuckles.
Rouge: You'd take his place? If so, then swear you'll be here.
Knuckles: I-I swear...
Rouge opens the cage and Knuckles goes in and hugs the others.
Vector: Knuckles, you don't have to do this.
His pleas were unheard as he gets grabbed by Rouge along with Espio and Charmy.
Vector: Knuckles!
Knuckles: Wait...!!
The door slams before he could do anything.
Knuckles: Father, I love you!
He starts to cry.
Outside...
Espio: Please spare him and his life.
Rouge: He made his choice.
She harshly throws them out as a werecreature takes them to the village. Knuckles saw this and finally let's his tears flow and didn't bother to wipe them knowing he'll be in his prison for a long time.
YOU ARE READING
Knuckles and The Vampire
FantasyOnce there was a young bat princess, a spoiled and mean one. An Enchantress turns her into a vampire and puts a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. A handsome red echidna finds a castle where his adoptive father is held a prisoner...
