Sonic the Hedgehog

Lost

The worst was supposed to be over. When Knuckles witnessed the slow, devastating extinction of his community as a mere child, he was confident that it was all over for him. That no matter where he went or what he did, none of it would bring any happiness. Any purpose. That was until he stumbled upon it on his first morning of being completely alone. The emerald shrine that had been the sole cause of his clan's immense misfortune. He almost grabbed the remaining green emerald and threw it to the sea, but when his gloved hand neared the shining stone, it stopped. Looking at the emerald, the mournful echidna realized that the mystical gem is all that was left. He and it alone are the only evidence that his family ever existed at all.

That moment brought him happiness. With it, it brought him purpose. If he could just hold onto the one remnant of his family's accomplishments, his home will stay alive. His legacy will stay alive. That very thought is what kept the proud warrior content as he spent all of his days exploring the island and protecting the emerald from any who would dare threaten it. How he went from such a simple task to wandering alone in the snow eludes him.

Back home, the high-altitude winds and chilly air would result in freezing temperatures, so the coldness of Ice Cap barely phases him. However, Knuckles wishes that was his main concern. No, as he drifts aimlessly through the barren terrain, his mind thinks about how far his emerald is getting from him. With it, his family's legacy also becomes unreachable. When he yelled at the blue bafoon, all that consumed him was anger and insatiable frustration. But after a long walk, the defeated echidna has calmed down, and instead, his previous anger has been replaced with a deep vacuum of hopelessness.

As annoying as Sonic was, it wasn't him who got tricked by Eggman. It wasn't him who lost to that black hedgehog. It wasn't him who was responsible for the emerald's safety. Knuckles tearfully accepts that the blame falls on non-other than him. What's worse is his one chance to win back his honor and make his clan proud is gone. When he left Sonic, he left the one person who could catch up to Eggman and his forces. He gave up his one opportunity to make things right.

This is all my fault. He thinks to himself as he stops in his tracks.

He looks up at the cloudy gray sky, deep in thought over what to do. He can't go back to a home that's dead. A home that he killed. However, he can't go after Eggman by himself. There is nothing to do. Nowhere to go.

"No," Knuckles says aloud, a stern frown appearing on his face. "No, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. Too many of my people died for me to give up now. I'll return to that hedgehog. And whether he likes it or not, we're going to stop Eggman and get my emerald back... together."

With a renewed, fiery determination, Knuckles turns back the way he came and runs as fast as his legs will let him.

...