Sonic the Hedgehog

Honor

It's been a long night of shattered bones, constant reactions from the surrounding crowd, endless commentating, and the ever-so-familiar sight of two rightfully stressed paramedics rushing to snuff out a potential investigation. Each time a match wrapped up, Knuckles awaited his name being called, only for it to be someone else's. Just like in the diner, he has no idea what could be making him so nervous.

An echidna never buckles under pressure… he reminds himself, clenching his fists.

The reminder does little to settle his nerves. So far, no one from Eggman's team of hired hands has been called down to enter the ring. If one of them registered before he did, and the match-ups are going by the order of when the fighters signed on, he'll inevitably be facing one of them. He alone will determine if the emerald falls into Eggman's nasty palm.

"You okay, Knux?" Sonic asks, turning away from the current fight that's nearing its end, with a male tiger receiving the full might of a pink male hippopotamus's fury.

"I'm fine, there's no need to check up on me."

"Hey, it's okay if you're nervous."

"I am not…!"

Knuckles gives up, releasing a deep exhale. He grabs his forehead, watching as the referee proclaims the hippo as the obvious winner.

"Truth is, I'd be nervous too," Sonic admits.

"Psst, you're never nervous," Knuckles says, leaning back.

"Oh, you'd be surprised," Sonic chuckles.

"How do you always seem… so sure of yourself, Sonic? Especially with our current struggle? Our shared enemy has four of the emeralds and knows exactly where the last three are. We have no means of transport, we've been beaten at every turn… why are you not scared?"

"That's an easy one, Knux. I am. Truthfully, I've been scared to death ever since this adventure started. Even before that, actually."

"Then how do you do it? How do you find the strength to keep pushing? Even when everything seems so… impossible."

"You already know the answer to that. After all, it's why you're still here. Because we have no other option. Yeah, things may seem uncertain, and our circumstances may be dire. But what's the point of harping on the bad? Why focus on what could go wrong? I'm sitting with three amazing friends in Mobius's most gorgeous city. We have a plan on how to obtain this emerald and keep it from Robotnik's grasp. All that's left is to wait and execute it. Why not make the most of it?"

Knuckles chuckles.

"You make it sound so easy."

"Maybe," Sonic shrugs. "Or maybe you're making it harder. We could both be right. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that you'll do great out there, Knuckles. You don't have anything to prove to anyone."

That last comment catches Knuckles off guard. In fact, it makes him flinch. It's an idea he's never so much as considered before. It goes against everything he's trained for. Everything he's trained to be. Worthy. If Sonic is right, and this quest of his is pointless, then what was it all for?

"WE'VE HAD A FUN NIGHT, EVERYONE!" the referee announces, bringing an end to the excited chatter at the last match's end. "BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR ONE FINAL SHOWDOWN! IT'S TIME FOR THE FINAL TWO FIGHTERS TO STEP UP!"

He'll have time to think on Sonic's words later. The fired-up echidna rises from his seat. Across from him, he watches as the bat stands and begins making her way down the bleachers. It looks as though his rematch with the black hedgehog will have to wait. Part of him is relieved. Another part is deeply disappointed.