Knuxade-Rise of the Nocturn 1

                           CHAPTER 1
                      (Knuckle's POV)


        A chilling wind slowly swept through the cold prison cell I was being kept in. I shivered a little, half from cold, half from hunger and exhaustion. I had been captive in this strange camp for over a week now, without food or rest in the meantime. I tried to move and find some comfort. No luck. My shackles
held me fast. My stomach roared at me. My red fur ruffled in agreement. I began to try and find some answers in my memories of my capture. Most of them wanted me dead. Their leader, on the other hand, wanted to keep me alive, for whatever reason. Shade. That was her name. I began to drift into a much-needed sleep when there was a noise at my cell door. I forced my eyes open to see a shadowy figure suited in heavy armor. Shade! "So," My voice rasped as I spoke, "You just gonna kill me now or wait for me to die of boredom?"

       I heard a light snort of annoyance. "You ought to be thankful I'm doing this. Stand up so I can unlock your ankle shackles, Guardian."

       Suspicion dominated my thoughts as I obeyed her orders. Was she simply leading me to my death? Once she had finished unlocking my shackles, she blindfolded me and led me into darkness. "Tense, aren't we Guardian?" Shade spoke in whispers.

       "Kinda hard not to be when you don't know if you're being led to death, isn't it?" I replied boldly.

       I heard a small laugh of amusement. "You don't trust me when I say that MY leader commanded me to have you killed, yet I spare you and keep you here?" She said in a frightening tone.

       "Why would you want me alive? I probably wouldn't get in your way if I was dead." I questioned.
       
        "You don't get it, do you?" Shade murmured.

        "No, I don't," I admitted, "But who are you? And why have you taken all the Chaos Emeralds?"

        "Like I said, you just don't get it. Then again, no boy does..." She sighed softly.

        I wasn't sure quite what to think of that comment. After a few moments, she stopped me. "Wha- where are we?" I asked, tensing my muscles.
        "Relax, Knuckles. We're just in my studies." She replied softly.

        Now I was even more confused. She had never called me by my real name! It was always "Guardian" or "worthless" or "weak", never "Knuckles"!! Shade removed the blindfold and revealed to me a large table with all sorts of tasty foods to eat. My mouth watered and my stomach roared loudly and plainly audibly. Shade removed her mask. The biggest surprise came next. SHE WAS AN ECHIDNA LIKE ME!!! "Well? I brought you food! I figure it must be better that that prison food garbage..." She said sitting and taking a big fat bunch of juicy-looking grapes. Mmm...Can't resist such good looking grapes! I thought, my stomach growling again.