smashacademy | Action -> Video

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Action -> Video

[Action!

So, you know that new Floating Island, hovering around up there above the school? Yeah, that one. Some guy just jumped off of it. And sort of floated down to the ground in a slow, spiral glide. Now he's standing there, looking around.

You might recognize him. But he, unfortunately, probably won't recognize you. (Unless you're Sonic or Eggman.)

Feel free to approach, though!]

[There's a new video on the Network.

The first twenty five seconds of it are some kind of black, triangular nose on the end of a peachy colored snout. It moves around and the microphone stutters and wheezes and whoever this nose belongs to can be heard muttering something unintelligible.

Then, a violet eye stares into the feed, blinks several times with a big, red eyelid. Then he draws back so you can see his Echidna-ey face in its full glory.]

First off, I ain't wearing this uniform thing. I was hatched with fur. It's good enough for me, it should be good enough for you.

Uh... anyway. I'm Knuckles. Knuckles the Echidna.

Hmmm...

[He's sort of run out of things to say. He has questions, but he's not really used to talking to a computer. He's used to smashing them to gain extra lives and shields and stuff.]

Anyone know anythin' about the Floating Island above this school? It's kinda important. If you've got info on it, I'd like to know.

So. Thanks in advance.

[You are now treated to over a minute of closeup footage of his white-swooshed chest as he tries to figure out how to turn the computer off.]

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I am not certain there is any specific reason you are here. Yours is not a unique case; many students and faculty at Smash Academy have similar stories. Some come here willingly, others appear here with no knowledge of how or why. Some leave in much the same way as well. Your situation may well be a case of random dimensional interference. However, if there is a purpose to your presence here, I will assist in any way that I can.

I considered your previous incarnation a very good friend of mine. I would not be averse to establishing a new friendship with you.

We were pals, huh?

[He'd been friends with robots before. Well. Robot. Emerl was his friend. A good friend. Most of the other Non-Murderbot robots he'd worked with or spent time with had retained the 'acquaintance' label more than anything. E-102 Gamma and E-123 Omega springing to mind immediately. Neither of those two had seemed as helpful as this guy, though.]

Sure thing, R.O.B - I'd be glad to have you as a friend.

[He extended a hand to the Robot so they could shake on it. Again, Knuckles was glad this guy didn't seem upset.]

I was put here by the Master Emerald. It doesn't.... It doesn't do things by accident. It's a unifier of chaos. That's why I'm pretty sure there's a reason I'm here. A purpose. I'm its Guardian, so, it wouldn't send me away unless there was something it wanted me to do.

[That was his theory and he was sticking to it.]

[He wasn't the most equipped to shake hands, but he made do, extending his gripper into Knuckles' hand.]

I will assist you in finding the reason if you require aid.

[Because that's what friends did.]

[Knuckles gave the gripper a few very gentle pumps - he didn't want to disassemble his newest buddy.]

Any help I can get'd be appreciated. Figuring out why I'm here is the first step to gettin' home, I figure. I need to get back to my duties, you know?

I comprehend.

[He knew all about one's duties...]

Oh? You got stuff you need to be doing?

[Hey, he'd blabbered about himself enough so far, and asked R.O.B. a bunch of questions about the Other Him. If they were going to be friends, it would be only polite to find out more about the robotic operating buddy.]

I am currently patrolling the campus. As I consider this place my home, I must protect it.

Huh... hey, no wonder we were pals.

It's the same for me and Angel Island. That was what I was born to do. Protect it and the Master Emerald that keeps it in the sky.

Perhaps so. Your previous incarnation took an active role as protector of the city as well. He routinely patrolled the area. I would not be surprised if you followed a similar path.

....maybe.

I mean, that guy seemed to have a lot to fight for and protect, Y'know? He was married and had a bunch of friends who I've met. They all seem pretty bummed that I'm not him. So, I think he felt a pretty strong tie to the place. If he was really here for more'n five years, it must have felt almost like home.

He was a fixture at the academy for longer than I have been present. I cannot speak to his nature in comparison to yours, however I believe you also possess a great capacity for good.

It is not fair to expect you to be identical to him, and I do not mean to imply that is what is expected of you. You have no more control over the space-time phenomenon native to this place any more than any other person here.

...thanks, man.

[He clapped R.O.B. on the shoulder. It was nice to feel like the robot had faith hin him without much expectation. Complimentary and without pressure.]

Weird to wind up in a place, not really knowin' why, and suddenly feel like you got shoes to fill. If you get what I mean. But... I'll try. I'd like t'think I got a capacity for good. And that I'm pretty OK at doing good. We'll see how it goes.

[His eyes were drawn back up to the Island.]

....you go back there at all?

...Negative. I have not returned to the island until recently. Certain... events have reduced my desire to see it again.

[Like Copy X blowing up all of his fellow robots. But he didn't exactly feel like bringing that up again.]

Oh? Worried about the monsters?

[Made sense to him. Maybe R.O.B. wasn't exactly a combat ready model.]

That is not the reason. It is difficult to discuss...

Right. Well, you don't gotta talk about it or anythin'. I didn't mean to get up in your business, man.

The reason is linked to a painful memory. I apologize for my hesitation. I just... do not wish to dwell on it at this time. Thank you for understanding.

[A painful memory, huh? Robots had painful memories. Now that was.... well, Knuckles already knew robots could achieve sentience. Why would it surprise him that they could feel that kind of pain?]

It's all good, R.O.B. - don't sweat it, guy.

[He should probably change the subject. Talk about something else. Something fun. Be comforting. Be a friend. Be... aw heck. Who was he kidding? He was no good at that stuff. Maybe just try to derail the sad train with a question, maybe?]

....so. Uh. What do you do for fun around here?

[That worked, right?]

I... am perhaps not the best person to answer that question. My idle time is spent in ways that organic beings might consider unconventional.

Hey, I'm the only Echidna left. Nothing about me is conventional. I'm not gonna judge.

I connect to the school network to download new information, and recharge myself using an electrical tap in my dormitory.

[...yeah, OK. That was pretty different to anything Knuckles might find fun.

Wait. Then again...]

I figure that's probably like the robot equivalent of havin' something to eat and reading a book. Right?

[Not that Knuckles was a big reader by any stretch of the imagination. Still. He could get behind a little quiet time to recharge yourself and learn.]

...Perhaps you are correct.

Seems pretty similar to me. I mean, you walk around the city, you see folks sittin' down at cafes, eating scones, drinking coffee and reading a paper or checking the internet on those communicators they all seem to have.

[He shrugged.]

I don't think it's real different.

Perhaps not. I had not considered it in that way.

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monotreme_101 - 2014-11-20 17:56 (UTC) - Expand

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operatingbuddy - 2014-11-21 18:26 (UTC) - Expand

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