Work Text:
Knuckles the Echidna liked to believe that he had a firm grasp when it came to shenanigans related to the Master Emerald. Yes, the visions of the past had come in handy a couple times. So was the power boost. Didn't balance out all the attempts by people to steal it. Especially by Eggman. He was honestly the worst.
Yet this was very much throwing him for a loop. Between the cold, sterile environment he found himself in and all these people running away, clearly something was amiss. Beyond the obvious disaster playing out right in front of him.
“Fou?” a voice announced and Knuckles looked around. Catching a glimpse of something white, that didn’t explain the blotches of red all across their fur. By no means hurt, clearly they had found someone who was.
“I’m coming, small woodland creature!” Knuckles announced, not completely certain what he was getting himself into. Beyond being far away from home and perhaps the direct result of whatever disaster was playing out in front of him. “Oh.”
Skidding to a stop, Knuckles found himself staring down at a dead body. Taking the form of a teenage boy with spiky black hair, the remains of his clothing were on full display. Eyes closed, the massive wound in his chest was on full display. Yet, that didn’t explain why it looked like a smartphone in a blue case was held in his hand.
“You know, on second tho-” Knuckles announced, only for the phone to begin ringing. Gingerly reaching out to it, the echidna could feel an intense heat on his opposite hand. Ignoring it to the best of his abilities, he brought the phone up to his ear. “Hello?”
Laughter echoed through the other end.
“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So let’s prove that then.” the person on the other end announced and Knuckles gulped. Not completely certain what to make of this situation, he sighed. “With the master emerald in pieces, best to play along to get along. Right?”
Letting the words echo about, Knuckles sighed. This was absolutely a trap. At the same, he was lacking in real options to break out of this mess. If a break out was even possible in the first place.
“Okay. I’ll do it.” Knuckles announced, only to feel the weight of the phone fade from his hand. Bringing that appendage down, he was met with a crimson mark piercing through the glove fabric. Staring down at it for a couple seconds, the echidna couldn’t exactly make heads or tails of it. “In for a ring…”
Gazing back and forth, Knuckles eventually decided on heading to the left. Perhaps there would be something and/or someone who could clue him in on wh-
Before Knuckles could finish that thought, a microwave slammed into his frame. Crumpling to the floor, everything went dark.
.
When his eyes finally snapped open, Knuckles found himself laying in a ruined city. Flames dancing amid rubble, his head felt like it had taken a tumble off of one of Eggman’s bases.
“Ugh…” Knuckles muttered as he stood up. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he took a moment to stretch. Catching a glimpse of the white creature from before, that didn’t explain the presence of… microwaves. More specifically, people with microwaves on their head. Clearly he was missing something. But what exactly? “This is a nightmare, isn’t it?”
Slapping himself, Knuckles found himself in the same spot. Only his face hurt now and he was no closer to
“Senpai, is that you?” a voice announced and the echidna froze. There was no way that this mystery person was referring to him… right? She had to be talking about that boy. Or at least she would be, had said boy not died in that strange incident. Which just left him (annoyingly).
“Uh.. yes, mystery lady?” Knuckles announced, taking a moment to compose himself. The last thing he wanted to do was wander straight into a trap without anything in the way of a plan. Mind you, said plan was to punch everyth-
Before Knuckles had a chance to finish that thought, a woman in skimpy armor approached. Locks of purplish pink hair swayed about in the fiery breeze, making the giant cross-shaped shield all the more impractical.
“Uh ma’am, do you think you can tell me why a microwave was thrown at me?” Knuckles announced as the woman stopped. Meeting the echidna’s gaze, a confused expression hung to her face.
“Microwave?” she announced, as if the thought hadn’t occurred to her here. “I’m Mash and you must be Ritsuka.”
Knuckles raised an eyebrow. Clearly he was missing some massive piece of information that would help him make a better, more informed decision. Whether or not he got said information, remained to be seen.
“Actually, my name is Knuckles. Knuckles the Echidna.” Knuckles announced, throwing caution to the wind and holding a hand out. Feeling Mash grab hold with her free hand, it was easier said than done. “Could you tell me what’s going on?”
Mash nodded.
“We’re currently in an alternate version of 2004 during the Fuyuki Holy Grail War.” Mash explained, only for Knuckles’ eyebrows to go up. While clearly a different dating system from that of Mobius, it no doubt followed similar rules…
“And we’re here to… correct that?” the echidna announced and Mash nodded. Letting his eyebrows come down, a sigh followed. Just in time for shadowy figures to approach. A mix of heights and sizes, that didn’t explain why one of them was further back had a microwave on their head. No doubt the leader, it brought with it further questions. Questions that Knuckles let fade to the back of his mind.
“Correct. Though you’ll need more than me to fend off these shadow servants heading our way.” Mash explained as she reached behind herself. Rifling about for a couple seconds, out came three rather spiky crystals. Shining all the colors of the rainbow, it drew Knuckles’ gaze in. “These are Saint Quartz. If you set them on my shield, a heroic spirit will come to our aid.”
Knuckles’ eyebrows went back up.
“So are you one of these ‘heroic spirits’ as well or is the armor just for show?” Knuckles inquired as he accepted the quartz. Mash looked away, but nodded nonetheless. Setting the shield down, the echidna took care setting them down on it. Taking a tentative step back, bright light erupted forth from the circle. “This is normal, right?”
Mash nodded, watching a magic circle rise out of the shield. The light intensified, a rather tall figure now within. Looking quite feminine, their gaze was split between Mash and Knuckles.
“Lilith, Berserker.” the figure announced as the light dissipated. A teenage girl no taller than Mash, locks of pale violet hair with hot pink tips swayed about. A black hoodie barely covering her privates was on full display, the hood pulled up for good measure. Black socks led into a rather unremarkable pair of shoes. The finishing touch was the massive pair of scissors at her side. “I trust that the oversized rat is my master?”
Knuckles nodded. Doing his best to compose himself, that was easier said than done. Especially with so many prying eyes on the trio.
“I assume so? I don’t see anyone else.” Knuckles answered as the shadow servants stepped forward. In turn, Mash picked her shield up. “I trust you’re both ready to fight with me?”
Lilith and Mash nodded, sneaking in a glare at each other for good measure.
.
“That isn't Anchin-sama! That's a rat cosplaying as my beloved! Liar!” a voice announced and Knuckles raised from his slumber. Meeting Kiyohime’s gaze, he let out a yawn. Business as usual for Chaldea, it didn't make it any better.
“Good morning to you as well, Kiyohime.” the echidna greeted and stretched. Eyes remaining on Kiyohime, it did little to smooth over this misunderstanding. “I trust that you're here to let me know that something is wrong?”
Kiyohime nodded.
“Da Vinci wants you in the rayshifting chamber. Right now.” Kiyohime announced as Knuckles jumped down. Sticking the landing with the grace expected of his kind, he received nothing in the way of applause.
“Did she say why exactly?” Knuckles inquired, his gaze shifting ahead. Taking the lead, it was a short walk over to the door for the pair.
Passing into the hallway, servants were going about their day. Paying Knuckles and Kiyohime little mind, it was for the best. Bad enough Kiyohime was in a mood, she was also ‘guarding’ the master. Even if the innkeeper would deny it and then accuse said servant of lying.
“Something about pieces of a large gemstone appearing… I think.” Kiyohime answered, only for Knuckles to grab hold of her hand. Shooting down the hallway, care was taken to ensure that Kiyohime didn’t trip and/or fall. “Give me a heads-up before you do that!”
Knuckles nodded.
“Sorry. Just got a touch excited.” the echidna announced as their destination came into view. There, the pair could make out Lilith and Mash. Very much trying to come across like they weren’t shooting each other looks, it came through all the same. “I trust Da Vinci called for you as well?”
Mash and Lilith nodded, trying their hardest to remain out of each other’s personal space. Or at least, that was what they attempted to do. Instead, they managed to kiss. A very awkward and no way intentional kiss in the slightest. Yep, not one bit.
Nonetheless, the group entered the rayshifting chamber. Finding Da Vinci and Roman there, the pair’s gaze was split between them. Yet, that paled in comparison to the two massive emerald pieces between them.
“The master emerald…” Knuckles whispered, trying his hardest to remain focused on Da Vinci over his prized possession. “When did these pieces get here?”
Da Vinci sighed.
“This morning, we believe.” Dr Roman announced and Knuckles raised an eyebrow. Letting it stay there for a couple seconds, he forced it back down. “Likely the result of claiming the grail from the singularities so far. But that’s speculation and nothing more.”
Knuckles’ eyebrow went back up.
“So if I continue dealing with these, I’ll eventually get the rest of my gem back?” Knuckles announced and caught a shrug from his boss.
“I assume so. If you’re willing to work with us.” Da Vinci explained and Knuckles nodded. Looking over to Mash and Lilith, they were trying to pretend to be buddy-buddy. Even if it was quite obvious their real feelings.
.
Altera wasn’t completely certain what to make of the fuzzy red creature that stood opposite of her. At least beyond the innate need to pick it up and admire it. So what if she was supposed to slice them down by way of the weird man with a microwave on his head? That was small potatoes in comparison to the real prize.
“Mo- Ma’am, may I have that small red creature?” Altera greeted and Nero raised an eyebrow. For a brief moment, the Roman emperor raised an eyebrow. Clearly this strange and mysterious woman was connected to her… somehow. How exactly, remains to be seen. Or if at all. Faith worked in mysterious ways like that.
“No.” Mash announced, Lilith oddly nodding in agreement. Gazes shifting to Altera, effort was made to not intersect. Wouldn’t want to look like they were on the same side, after all.
“Cute as you are, I suspect that there is something else going on that would require me to fight y-” Nero added, only for Lev Lainur to be sliced in half. Gaze snapping directly over to Altera, out came Aestus Estus. In turn, Altera pulled out the Sword of Mars. Staring each other down, alien humming echoed forth from both blades.
“Wait. With Lev dead, couldn’t we just claim both the grail and the Master Emerald piece?” Knuckles announced, bracing himself for the ensuing fight. As much as the echidna wanted to intervene, he knew best to just to let both of these women get it out of their syst-
Before Knuckles could finish that thought, Aestus Estus and the Sword of Mars met. Knocking the other occupants to the ground, the shockwave had the added benefit of ripping the roof clean off. The sun now on full display, it did little to change the fight at hand. If anything, it served to provide a little bit more energy to both fighters.
“Should we intervene, senpai?” Mash inquired and Knuckles shook his head. Splitting focus between the swordsight and that of the shielder, it was eventually the latter who got the lion share of the attention.
“Best case scenario, we wait until Altera tires out and then we strike her down.” Knuckles remarked and caught a look from Lilith. Shooting the fallen angel a look back, a sigh followed. “No, you cannot shoot them. I would prefer you not make the situation worse. Okay?”
Lilith rolled her eyes.
“Buzzkill.” the fallen angel muttered as both swordswomen continued their fight. All the while, the alien humming continued. While not really sounding like anything, there was something oddly soothing to it. Sooner or later, this stalemate would end with their victory.
.
Of all the things to come up, swimming was quite low on Knuckles’ list. Compared to someone like Sonic, he very much knew how to do it. At the same time, it was something he preferred to avoid.
Yet as he surveyed the waters of the Okeanos Singularity, a tiny part of the echidna would rather be flying through the air than treading water
“Ugh…” he thought, mentally preparing himself for the mess that needed to be cleaned up here. On the bright side, an island was out in the distance. Clearly tropical, it brought with it all manner of questions. Questions that annoyingly remained out of reach (per usual) in the echidna’s mind. “At least it’s not space.”
Shoving those thoughts away, Knuckles swam over. Shaking himself off right after, he took a breath. Perhaps this would be the perfect opportunity to attempt to contact Da Vi-
Before Knuckles could finish that thought, he was met with arrows. Clearly of the divine variety, there weren’t many people or beings that the echidna could think of here. At least, beyond his own people. While there was a small chance of one of them being here, Knuckles knew better.
“Artemis dear, I believe that isn’t a regular rodent at all.” a masculine yet cute voice announced and Knuckles froze. Gaze bouncing about, he found himself still alone. Which just left one option - the skies.
“I’m an echidna, not a rodent! Big difference!” Knuckles announced and gazed upwards. Expecting nothing, he was instead met with a rather tall woman. Almost statuesque in stature, locks of rather rough white hair hung down to her back. Pale blue eyes stared down at the echidna, making the bear companion on her shoulder all the more confusing. Especially with the strange caveman attire they were wearing.
In comparison, the woman had chosen to go for an a-line dress with quite a bit of cleavage. Done up with a gradient from orange to white, Knuckles was oddly reminded of a sunrise. Or would it be a sunset? He oddly wasn’t certain. Could be both.
“Are you by any chance a heroic spirit?” Knuckles called out, watching the woman descend. Taking care to ensure that her bear companion didn’t fall off, her gaze remained on the echidna.
“Technically? Orion is the main heroic spirit, I’m just here to prevent him from breaking his promise.” the woman explained, her odd halfmoon-shaped quiver shifting about ever so slightly. In turn, the bear sat up.
“Dear, couldn’t you have done something similar to Heracles?” the bear inquired and caught a slap.
“Don't you dare compare me to that brute. Just because my stepsister has that pretty maid to herself doesn't mean that I can do something similar.” Artemis claimed and Knuckles raised an eyebrow.
“Uh… good to know?” Knuckles answered, the sound of labored breathing flooding his eardrums. Slowly turning behind him, he was met with the towering body of Heracles. Unamused by Artemis’ comment, his gaze was split between both parties. “Hi big guy. How are you?”
Heracles nodded and gazed at his sister. Hands raised up, a series of hand gestures followed.
“No comment.” Artemis announced and reached over to Orion. Pulling him off of her shoulder, she threw the poor bear in Heracles’ direction. Managing to connect with the Greek Hero, he caught Orion all the same.
“Oh. You smell nice. Like a young lady who’s rich to the gills. Do you think that you could introduce me to her? Does she like men? Bears?” Orion announced, only to be spiked right into the sand. Red eyes on full display, it almost like the expression of a man who had made a mistake in Knuckles’ book. In this case, a mistake that he would not make again.
.
“I should’ve kept my mouth shut.” Knuckles’ thought as he floated about space. While a step up from Okeanos, that wasn’t really saying much. Anything was better than that shitshow. Even the vacuum of space. Good things his kind could breathe in said vacuum.
“Echiidna detected.” a voice announced as a microwave headed his way. Dodging out of the way in time, he smashed it in a single punch. Shifting his attention in the general direction of where it had come from, he was met with a barrage of microwaves. Clearly on the war path, that didn't explain why exactly. Even if he did, said explanation would no doubt go over his head.
Shoving that thought away, Knuckles’ gaze bounced about. Searching for anything in the way of a heroic spirit, he was met with a strange woman. Dressed in a skimpy blue outfit, her blue eyes oddly reminded Knuckles of Sonic. Not that he could put a finger on what exactly gave him that impression in the first place. Sonic was, well, a hedgehog. Nothing close to a human. Let alone a heroic spirit.
“Can I help you?” Knuckles greeted, his words falling flat in the face of the vacuum of space. Yet, the woman noticed. Floating her way over, she wasted little time in scooping the echidna up. Floating over to a nearby ship, a second woman waited in front of it. Dressed in black, she looked to be going through her edgy phase. Reminded Knuckles of Shadow… for some reason. Not that he could put his finger on why exactly that was the first thing to come to mind. It didn't matter.
“Is she a friend of yours?” Knuckles thought, just on the off chance that the blue woman had the ability to telepathically communicate with him. Sadly, she did not. Instead, she pulled out a sword. Pointing it at the emo woman, that was her cue to pull out a sword as well. “Ladies?”
Knuckles didn't get an answer, instead getting dropped. Getting out of the way, the echidna took care to right his rotation. Once he had done so, his gaze split between both fighters. Clearly evenly matched, they were no doubt rivals. To what extent, remains to be seen.
Yet as the echidna continued watching, a tiny part of him felt sorry for the emo woman. Not that he could place why. Slowly approaching, Knuckles searched for an opening. Finding one, he dived in.
“Enough!” Knuckles screeched, smashing his fist into both swords. Knocking their wielders back, that made him the center of attention. “I don't care which one of you started this mess. I could care less. Now is not the time!”
Even without his words having any sound, the message came through loud and clear. Bringing their swords down, their weapons shot them a look. Then it’s over to Knuckles. The owners gave a nod, the blue woman picked him up.
.
Of all the things that Knuckles expected himself to do, holding a sword was also very much not on that list. Didn’t even come close. Dreams notwithstanding.
Yet here in the desert with Mash and Lilith, damn near anything seemed possible at this point. Probably not actually the case here.
“I would like my sword back.” Gawain announced, Knuckles’ gaze falling on Galatine. Clearly uninterested in going back to their original owner, his gaze returned to the knight of the sun.
“No.” Knuckles countered as he shifted his grip on Galatine. In turn, Gawain pulled out another sword. Pointing it at the echidna, both fighters approached.
Gawain took the first swing, attempting to disarm the echidna. In turn, Knuckles aimed to block it. Neither was quite successful on either front. Blades locked in combat, neither fighter budged. All the while, Mash and Lilith watched on.
“Get me an opening, Kyrielight.” Lilith barked and Mash rolled her eyes. Shield coming out, she made a beeline for both fighters. Managing to connect with Gawain, Knuckles dodged off to the side. Just in time for one of Lilith's babies to connect with the knight of the sun. Knocking him down, that caught the fallen angel a look. Lilith laughed.
“Do you think that the Lion King lady has Longinus around? I would love to get their shaft on me.” Lilith added and caught a look from Mash. Face beet red, a look of jealousy hung tightly to her face. Muttering something under her breath, she forced her gaze back over to Knuckles and Gawain.
“A demon. Wonderful. Where's Galahad when you need him?” Gawain muttered, only for Mash's gaze to snap over. Eyes glazing over, her movements were oddly calculated and robotic. Approaching Gawain, that was Lilith and Knuckles’ cue to approach.
“There. You got what you wanted. Are you happy, traitor?” ‘Mash’ announced as she balled her fist. Smashing it into Gawain's neck and then promptly grabbing hold, Lilith's tail wrapped around her body. “What? He asked for it. Don’t make me purge you from this existence.”
A smile formed on Lilith’s face.
“I would love that.” Lilith announced as she met Mash’s gaze. Trying to come across as stoic, whatever was possessing Mash didn’t quite have as complete control as it thought it did. Eyes regaining her luster, the shielder let go of Gawain’s neck.
“Okay. I very much brought that one on myself here.” Gawain muttered and looked over to Galatine. Then it was over to Knuckles.
“I’m still not giving you your sword back… yet.” Knuckles announced and Gawain shot him a look. Taking a swipe, the knight of the sun was unsuccessful on that front. Not that he was expecting to in this case. Perhaps if he hung around long enough, he could get it back.
.
As Knuckles approached Tiamat, he wasn’t completely certain what to make of this situation. Yes, he needed to very much calm her down. At the same time, the echidna was very much aware that he was not hum-
“So this is Gaia’s attempt at replacing my creation. I’m honestly unimpressed.” Tiamat announced, Knuckles stopping in his tracks.
“What?” Knuckles announced, trying to make sense of what he had just heard. There was no way that she had actually said that. “Hold up. My world… is an alternate version of this one?”
Tiamat nodded.
“Correct. Momma would give you a gold star, but she doesn’t have any. Nor would Alaya let her swing by the store.” Tiamat continued and Knuckles raised an eyebrow. So many questions rang across his mind and yet, only one of them really seemed to matter here.
“As in this form or the one currently trying to destroy the singularity?” Knuckles countered and caught a smile
“They thought they were so smart putting a building over where the stickers are. But momma is even smarter! She ripped the building off and took what she needs!”
Knuckles opened his mouth, but closed it right after. No use in arguing on that front. Instead, his thoughts turned to that of something far greater. Something that had been bothering him this entire time but he could only now put into words.
“So are the microwaves related or is that all some big coincidence?” Knuckles continued, only for Tiamat to nod. Taking a step back, Knuckles composed himself.
“The invention of the microwave was an attempt by Gaia to work around the rules put in place by Alaya.” Tiamat continued, only for a rather low ‘rip’ sound to echo forth. “You are not welcome here, traitor. Leave.”
Knuckles' gaze snapped over and did a double take.
At the far edge of this containment zone, stood a young girl. Dressed in Japanese gym clothes unfitting for someone her age, that didn’t explain the lack of an arm. Unless one was supposed to assume that the sword she was holding in her other hand to be said appendage.
“Oh please. Can a mother not care for her child?” the girl announced, her voice very much betraying her possession.
“Yes, but you copied mother’s work and looked at what happened.” Tiamat countered and the young girl rolled her eyes. Stepping closer, their gazes met. “Go ahead, Gaia. Strike me down. Alaya would love to see dear mother’s light be snuffed out in an inst-”
Before Tiamat could finish that sentence, Knuckles stepped between the pair. Feeling Galatine in his hands, he pointed it in the direction of Gaia’s blade.
“So even my own child chooses to stand against me.” Gaia announced and was met with silence. Meeting her child’s gaze, their swords met. Locked in conflict, neither fighter budged. Trying their hardest to look like they had the upper hand, it was clear they both didn’t. “I would think you would be happy to still exist. You know, with no world to go back too.”
The worlds rolled out and yet, Knuckles’ expression remained unchanged. If anything, it almost looked like a smirk formed on the echidna’s face.
“Why the fuck would I ever want to go back to that floating rock?” Knuckles countered as the pair’s blades clashed once more. Managing to get ever so slightly the upper hand here, Knuckles snuck a punch in. Connecting with Gaia’s rather diminutive form, it got the job done. “Yes, I lost Sonic and company. But at the same time, I’ve found a bunch of new friends and have a job that doesn’t put me at as great of a risk of getting taken advantage of.”
Gaia rolled her eyes.
“Fine then. But don’t come crawling back to me when the Velbers or whatever else in the known galaxy decides that it wants to use the earth as a punchline for some joke.” Gaia announced, her sword shooting her a look.
‘I get that you’re mad, but this is absurd. At least attempt to act like the steward of your own creation.’ Gaia’s Blade announced, only to catch a look from their holder. Galatine was not that far behind, very much unamused by this shitshow she had been thrust upon. Not that Knuckles was really paying attention on that front. Instead, his focus remained on Gaia.
“Fine. I’ll leave. Go off and be Alaya’s little lap rat or something.” Gaia snarled and made her exit. As she did so, the entity took the time to flip Knuckles and Tiamat off for good measure.
“Would you like a hug?” Knuckles announced as he focused back on the mother. Catching a reluctant nod, he made his way over. Taking care to not hurt Tiamat any more than she already was (outside), the embrace that followed was awkward and perhaps a touch frustrating. Yet necessary all the same.
.
As Knuckles flew through the air, a tiny part of him pitied Solomon.
“All of this work, just to get trounced by an echidna.” he thought, trying to keep the smirk off of his face. Yes, a tiny part of him understood the irony at play. Didn’t make it any less funny in his book.
Shoving those thoughts away for now, Knuckles scanned the area for Solomon. Thankfully quite easy to find, mostly on account of the microwave over his head. A tiny part of the echidna had hoped that this was just a case of forced possession rather than that of someone more… natural. Hard to say.
Thankfully, Knuckles didn’t need to look that far for his target. Slowly landing on the landmass his target was floating over, the echidna took a moment to compose himself and met Solomon’s gaze.
“So you’ve finally arrived, child of Gaia.” Solomon announced, his voice oddly clear for having a microwave on his head. “You know, we could ha-”
Solomon’s offer was swiftly cut off by way of Knuckles smashing his fist into Solomon’s chest. Wasting little time in getting to the beating, the sound of pained grunts mixed with wings flapping echoing in the distance.
“I don’t care what you’re offering!” Knuckles screeched, just on the off-chance his actions simply weren’t speaking loud enough. “Whether or not this is truly the end of my journey or a small stepping stone for my future, you will not hurt my friends. Do I make myself clear?”
Solomon’s microwave head door opened. Attempting to connect with the echidna’s head, he was unsuccessful on that front. Especially since Knuckles ripped it off and threw it over the edge. Just in time for Lilith and a very tired Mash to touch down. Meeting Solomon’s gaze, a mixture of disgust and confusion hung to their faces.
“Wait. That’s him?” Mash announced and Knuckles nodded. Shifting her attention over to Lilith, she caught a nod from the fallen angel. “In that case, please forgive us for what we’re about to do.”
Solomon didn’t answer, raising an eyebrow. Even more so when Lilith brought forth an extremely long barrel. Pointing it at Solomon, that was met with an awkward raised eyebrow. Especially as Mash got into position to support said barrel.
“Fire.” Mash announced and Lilith pulled the trigger. Watching one of the fallen angel's children shoot out and pierce through Solomon's body. Just in time for Roman to show up and act as the climatic finish for the fight.
~
As Knuckles opened his eyes, he could tell something was off.
“Ugh…” the echidna muttered as his gaze fell upon his body. Instead of seeing just his shoes, he was met with the outfit of a familiar gem thief. “Da Vinci, I thought that we had put in a security system to prevent Tanaka from getting in here!”
Knuckles was met with silence.
“Figures.” the echidna muttered as he got out of bed. Clapping his hands, he watched Serenity materialize.
“Beowulf.” the poisoner announced and Knuckles nodded. Watching her jump down, that was his cue to stretch. Once he felt composed enough to start out today, that was Kiyohime’s cue to enter. Holding what looked to be a tanuki, they were oddly dressed in the robes of an eastern monk. Carrying a message, that brought with it even more questions.
“We have a problem.” the innkeeper announced as her captive attempted to get out of her grip. In turn, Kiyohime tightened her grip. Letting out a sigh, she met the echidna’s gaze. “Me and my big mouth…”
Knuckles raised an eyebrow. Cautiously stepping forward, his focus was mainly on the tanuki rather than Kiyohime.
“I assume that this is Anchin?” the echidna announced as he brought his eyebrow back down. Catching a nod from Kiyohime, that brought all eyes to the tanuki.
“You could say that. It was a good disguise too.” ‘Anchin’ announced, their tone oddly more feminine than one would expect a talking tanuki to be. “Though, I probably should’ve planned around her.”
Kiyohime raised an eyebrow and let out a puff of smoke. Then it was back to glaring down at her supposed lover.
“Oh right. Here’s an invitation to a tournament that is totally in no way a trap.” Anchin announced and threw the scroll in Knuckles’ direction. Managing to catch it, the echidna’s gaze shifted to it.
“Let’s see here…” Knuckles whispered as he unrolled the scroll. Looking it over, a tiny part of him wondered why someone would go through all of this trouble. Had to be easier ways to go about this simple task.
“Couldn’t the servant who put you up to this just hacked Chaldea’s communications and let us know?” Knuckles announced as he looked up from the scroll. Catching a shrug from Anchin, another attempt at escape was made. Unsuccessful on that front, that caught him a tiny plume of flame, that was enough to make Anchin reconsider. “We're still going to come, of course.”
Kiyohime and Serenity raised an eyebrow, but nodded nonetheless. Just in time for Lilith to arrive.
“Aw. No rest for the wicked.” Lilith announced and Knuckles looked her way. “Mash still needs some time to rest. Especially with my kids now being… you know.”
Knuckles nodded and watched his servant look him over. Holding in laughter, it took everything in Knuckles’ power to not shoot her a look. There was work to be done and he was the echidna for the job… for better or worse.