A Shooting Star ~Kirby and Sonic crossover~

Chapter 24: A New Enemy

Disclaimer:
Do not fear, Yokai is here! Just a warning, mild swearing up ahead.

Knuckles pounded his powerful fists on Sonic's chest in a rhythmic pattern, desperate for any signs of life that might still be dwelling in the hedgehog. However, the blue mobian lay under his hands; cold and stiff.

Knuckles' eyes narrowed in frustration. In an attempt to play 'hero', Sonic had handed himself over to Eggman in exchange for Kirby or the Master Emerald. Eggman, obviously still holding a very heavy grudge against his long time nemesis (who wouldn't?) agreed to the exchange and had taken the hedgehog away.

After taking Sonic away however, instead of locking him up or even roboticizing him, the evil doctor had planned to drown him, knowing about Sonic's fear and terrible experience with water. Hadn't it been for Meta Knight, it might have been too late for the blue hero.

Knuckles clenched his jaws, trying to restrain himself from blowing Sonic into a million blue and peach pieces. He, Knuckles The Echidna, had failed to protect the Master Emerald in a desperate time of need. He was responsible for the lifeless body of Sonic laying just underneath him, and for the terrified stare of Kirby when Eggman had demanded them to hand him over.

I thought Eggman was cruel, but this just escalated to a whole other level, Knuckles thought grimly.

Knuckles nodded to Tails, ordering him to breathe into Sonic's mouth. But even with the life of his closest friend at stake, the guardian couldn't help but wonder: Why was Eggman after Kirby?

To go as far as to destroy the Master Emerald rather than using its power to destroy them all... Knuckles didn't understand why the pink marshmallow was so important. Sure, the alien was strong, for he left Knuckles a painful bruise on their last encounter—but he was a baby! In Knuckles' mind, it made far more sense for Eggman to go after a chao instead.

Maybe Kirby has something we don't know yet, Knuckles thought as he began to pump Sonic's chest after waiting for Tails to finish breathing into Sonic. And maybe the doctor wants to witness it, to prove it's possible before attempting to do it for himself. How the hell should I know? I only signed up to have a little talk, not a half-dead hedgehog in my arms, nor an alien mystery!

After being tricked by Eggman more times than he could count, Knuckles was forced to think harder and quicker in dire and confusing situations. However, even his growing knowledge did not help his situation one bit.

And I even attacked Kirby! Curses, can't I do anything right?

Knuckles couldn't help but apply some of his rage into his tightened fists. Why? Why was he so gullible? Why couldn't he protect Sonic like the hedgehog protected Mobius?

Am I too weak?

Knuckles' vision began to go hazy red, his grief for his fallen friend fading away as it was soon replaced by his own anger and disappointment. Everyone around the echinda began to stare at him with wide, fearful stares, with Kirby flinching as blue tears started to fall down his starry eyes.

I'm not going to give up on you!

The echidna pounded faster and faster into Sonic's stomach, not aware of the commotion around him. Tails backed away, his ears flattened ontop of his head as he desperately tried calling out to the red mobian, but to no avail.

C'mon! Breathe, you cocky blue pineapple!

With one booming roar, Knuckles slammed a heavy fist into Sonic's stomach, causing the land around to rumble and rock. The trees shook with their leaves just barely clinging on, and the mobians and Dreamlanders held out their arms to regain balance, yelling and screaming in shock and terror as the ground trembled from the echinda's powerful punch.