I'm no Guardian...

Move along Citizen, there's nothing to see here. Status: Fully Functional. On vacation and camping out around the Mystic Ruins. M!A Status: None.

[waterweaselmuses]

Although perhaps a foolish idea on Sly's part, he had chosen to maneuver the Ute so that he was now to Knux's left, all so he could get a better look at the action unfolding. An impressed whistle left him at the sight of the glowing green shield materializing in front of the red echidna, which repelled the burst of flame from the mounted turret (mostly) in time.

"You got chops, mate! Makes me wish I wasn't drivin' right now! Lucky lizards!"

Deliberately, he locked his ice blue eyes onto one of the Frill bikers, who shuddered briefly before shaking himself out of it. Perhaps that Frill felt lucky that Sly was forced to drive at the moment...

"Who even is this red loser??" another Frill huffed, before veering closer to the bike that Knux had hijacked, a shovel raised high into the air.

"Who cares?? He's buddies with Sly; get 'im!"

Continued from here with Knuckles [@thesixmillionringechidna]

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Once the stream of flames had stopped flowing from the bike up ahead, the Echidna would let that conjured energy shield dissipate. Just in time for that shovel to come right for his bright red head, with no time to think he just reacted. Baring his sharp teeth he chomped at the tool and ended up biting cleanly right through it in a single go.

"…Hmm?"

Everything happened so fast he actually did not realize just what he accomplished until it was already over. But putting on a smirk he stood right up on the bike and raised one of his fists, green electricity arcing between his spiked knuckles.

"You can still stop before you get hurt!"

He would then point over to the side of the road, his little bit of lightning still glowing brightly as if to further stress exactly what Knuckles would prefer they do. But he would be ready to act if they did not take the smart way.

[segacity]

Getting Air ‘Steep Slope Sliders’ SEGA Saturn

[thesilvermoonraysarchive]

"That's some laugh of y'ers. Name's Inuyasha."

What a very strange looking man. But it wasn't really his place to judge another's appearance. His large dog ears may have been hidden right now, but they would always be a part of him. He wouldn't have even bothered hiding them, if not for Kagome's insistence. Annoying as she could be, he loved her as a best friend. If it made her feel better for him to restrict his ears to the point they throbbed, so be it.

"I'd say we're about the same when it comes ta fittin' in."

But he wasn't going to go into anymore detail than that, regardless of if he was asked to elaborate. The nature of his heritage was no stranger's business. It may not have been something he could hide in his own time period, but he could take guise as a full human in the modern time period.

"What're ya doin' here, anyway? Can't a guy enjoy some warm summer rain in peace?"

Lowering himself, Inuyasha was lying flat on his back, eyes closed. The scent of fresh rain was filling his nostrils, a scent that would always be very nice to the senses. Fresh grass, muddied dirt. That was what felt like home to him.

"'S a free park, so I guess I can't stop ya if ya wanna hang around. But I ain't really got nothin' ta say."

[thesixmillionringechidna]

"Oh I'm just passing through."

Putting his hands back down he took a moment to readjust his poncho, giving back its protection against the wind the rain, as he observed this strange man. Even taking a moment to disregard that weird energy the Echidna was sensing, this Inuyasha was certainly a strange individual. He couldn't help but let out another soft little laugh as he watched them lay in the rain soaked grass.

"Although, a little break like that does seem pretty nice."

Knuckles would walk out into the grass, turn on one of his heels in order to roughly match the other's orientation, and then let himself fall right onto his back with both arms out stretched. Looking up into that cloudy sky and feeling the warm rain on his face he took in a deep breath.

"Huh, maybe I should do this next time it rains back home."

While he was close enough to still be able see and easily talk with Inuyasha he made sure not to land all that close, as to prevent alienating them too much while he was here. However it would not be before too long he would attempt to strike up some kind of conversation.

"Sooo... are you just visiting too?"

[thesilvermoonraysarchive]

"I like the old fashioned look, so what?"

He had his reasons. His kimono was stronger than any armor, fire couldn't affect it in any way. Most important, it was the only physical reminder of his mother he had. Other than his choice of clothes, he only had memories. It wasn't difficult to figure out that kimonos weren't standard style in this time. There was a light interest in what people did wear. More curiosity than anything else. Everything was so light, so few layers. People wore nothing but a shirt, a pair of pants that often hugged the skin.

Meanwhile he wore his kimono, along with an undershirt. Thus far, it was easy to say he preferred the look. Given the culture, nobody batted an eye. Fair enough, the hat he wore along with the kimono looked completely out of place. Explaining his lack of shoes was easy, too, without even lying. He wanted his feet free, he didn't want to feel the restriction of shoes.

...His ears were already aching as they spoke, from the stupid hat. It physically hurt, his ears were very sensitive. But he had to be sure he was in complete solitude when alone here, before he could take it off. The only place he could freely show off his ears was at the Higurashi Shrine, or the Kururugi Shrine.

"Why, ya got a problem with the way I look? 'Cause I ain't gotta look too hard at you to know ya aren't a local."

[thesixmillionringechidna]

One of the Echidna's pale eyebrows raised as he further examined the other. But as the silver haired man continued on the edge's of Knuckles' mouth began to curl up slightly somewhere he let out a couple of hardy chuckles.

"I suppose no one here has to look too hard, haha!"

There was a part of him that wished he brought a certain piece of equipment out with him today, to let him get actual readings on this strange energy he was sensing. But now he knew the source was a person so putting them under the metaphorical microscope seemed far from the most appropriate thing to do.

"No, I don't have any problem, you certainly fit in here a lot more than I do."

While this man was not the only one within the Zone they've seen wearing garb like that, their combination of features were quite unique. Knuckles will have to be careful to not let his curiosity run too rampant.

"My name is Knuckles."

Deciding to give them just a bit more he opened up his forest green poncho and threw it over one of his shoulders before putting his open hands up. Revealing his own manner of dress to be quite modern, but much more importantly that he was completely unarmed.

"Now would you be willing to share yours, please?"

[thesilvermoonraysarchive]

A Burdened Heart Opened Up To See An Expression That Makes Him Feel So Free Through Day and Night Hair Like Moonlight For Truth and Peace He'll Fight @thesixmillionringechidna

Warm rain was comfortable to feel. Just one of the pleasures of the summer season. When you weren't under the water, it was actually a really nice feeling. When it was warm. Cold water was a shock to the system, that was why he'd always hated baths. When Kagome introduced him to the concept of a hot bath, it wasn't so bad at all. He wasn't going to use whatever was in those weird bottles to 'wash his hair', as she put it. Plain water could do that well enough. But warm water was nice.

The present really did have everything. Their baths were like hot springs, but you could have it in your house, rather than in the mountains. Maybe he'd visit her... now she was the focus of his thoughts. Who cared if they were from different time periods? She was his best friend in the world, and her family knew what he was. He didn't have to cover up his ears on the grounds of the Higurashi shrine.

Maybe if she wasn't busy, they could catch up. Have lunch, maybe she'd even teach him the proper stroke method of a few more Japanese characters. When someone was as patient, and kind as she was, learning something which was usually boring wasn't so bad. Inner confliction.

It would mean coming out of this comfortable, warm rain. But was that so bad, when he knew she'd let him take a hot bath? Hot water loosened the muscles, and...

The hell was that?

Whatever it was, the thing was gone. On his feet immediately, his breathing became more steady.

Sniff sniff.

What was this guy? Not a human, by looks or by scent. Must have been some kind of traveler from another time period, it wasn't like Inuyasha wasn't the same.

"Warn a guy next time ya do somethin' like that!"

[thesixmillionringechidna]

With his survey mission nearing its end the Echidna was performing a late sweep of the city, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, and keeping himself out of sight if it could be helped. All in all this had been a peaceful, if not pretty boring, mission so far. However that was exactly how he preferred them to go.

Save for the apparent total lack of Non-Humans this Zone seemed to be a rather typical one so far. Though how much of that was actually true and how much was due to the small sample size, that being only this single city, he would not have the time to figure out before he would have to return back home.

But after sensing a strange new energy that was enough evidence to point to today being different. Making the leap from the roof of a building over to a tree in the park, then going tree to tree, bush to bush, and so on. Knuckles quickly honed in onto the source, landing in a tree right next to them, before dropping to the ground.

"My apologies for startling you."

Unlike the scant few other people here that have caught sight of him this person was not running, they didn't even seem all that on edge as they... just walked right up and sniffed them? All of this combined with just how out of place they also looked only made the Echidna's curiosity grow.

"You're an interesting fellow."

Through his dark goggles he eyed the other from their silver haired head to their bare toes the part that visually stood out the most to him about this strange person was that dark hat. Knuckles may been probably the furthest thing from being a fashion expert but even he could tell that certainly did not fit the rest of their ensemble.

"Like me you don't look like a local."

[orxnge-rxt]

💀⍾⍽ “They’re th'primary goons of Boss Cass, our local tryhard “tyrant” and bird-brained moron.“

Those words were spat with a surprising amount of venom; clearly Sly wasn’t a fan of whoever this ‘Boss Cass’ was…

Sharp eyes glared into the rear-view mirror as the biker Frills drew closer, gesturing and jeering at the Ute and its occupants. It was pretty obvious that they wanted to cause trouble.

💀⍾⍽ “Oh will ya now? What’ you got a gun or somethin’? Or are you gonna jump right out th'car at ‘em?”

He chuckled, his expression suddenly growing serious as he met Knuckles’ eyes.

💀⍾⍽ “Y'better not break any of th'windows if you do, mate.”

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Without a word he would do just that; scramble right out of the side window and jump over onto one of the Frills’ bikes. A turret had deployed out of the vehicle and was aimed right at Sly’s Ute, but Knuckles was able to knock its aim clear just in time for its stream of fire to only hit asphalt. With any luck it would not spread and cause a wild fire out here, they had enough problems already.

"You got one chance to stand dow-”

Knuckles would be interrupted by the lizard quickly pulling out a baseball bat and breaking it right over his head, although to no noticeable effect. Since their answer was clear he would respond in kind, delivering a single punch to the now panicking biker’s head that would be enough to knock them out. Taking control of the awkward machine he would bring it up along side the Ute and toss the limp unconscious Frill into its bed.

“They should be out for a while. One down, five to go…”

“THE REST OF YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO LEAVE UNHURT!”

[orxnge-rxts]

The thylacine blinked in mild surprise as the echidna proceeded to, indeed, roll down the side window and climb right out it, before leaping onto the closest motorcycle.

💀⍾⍽ "Well damn, I didn’t think he’d actually do it, th'mad lad! I gotta see this.”

Well, he certainly didn’t mind playing chicken with one of Boss Cass’ biker gangs for a bit, slowing down slightly now. As much as he really wanted to watch the action, he also couldn’t really afford to slow down much; there were still Frill bikers behind him, after all.

💀⍾⍽ “Haha, fuck ‘em up, mate!”

Sly couldn’t help but smirk as he watched the first hapless Frill be chucked into the back of the Ute through the rear-view mirror; maybe Sergeant Bluey would pay him and Knuckles a few opals for turning in some of Boss Cass’ goons.

The other bikers were starting to close in, with one of them readying what looked like some kind of mounted turret.

[thesixmillionringechidna]

It appeared that they all gave their answer. Such a shame the Echidna thought, they had the chance to spare themselves so much pain. Still, as he always did, he would endeavor to keep himself from going too far.

"You all asked for this!"

Eying that turret popping out of the back of that bike, Knuckles closed in, quickly putting himself between it and his new Thylacine companion. Being showered in flames was the last thing he expected from it. As one of his hands came up a glowing green shield made out of energy would form in the air in front of him, and singed as he may have been it was just in time to prevent any of his clothes from fully catching fire. Strangely he put on a smile and laughed at the Frill attempting to attack him.

"Oh, you're really gonna get it!"

[echidnawarrior94]

"What's wrong with pants?"

they’re uncomfortable.

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Looking the other echidna, the other much less clothed Knuckles, over. He figured that this new alternate must have just been having the same problems that others like them did when shopping for clothes.

"Are you trying clothes made for human children or something? If you get something actually made for someone your size and shape you would probably have a much better time."

[echidnawarrior94]

“you will never catch me with a pair of pants on. i don’t need pants.”

he scoffs.

“what’s so appealing about pants, anyway?”

[thesixmillionringechidna]

A hand came up to cover his muzzle and mouth as he thought. But this did appear to be an alternate of himself and he knew just how stubborn they and he could be. All he could do really was laugh as he realized he was most likely not going to make any headway on this subject.

"For being a Knuckles, you really remind me of a Sonic I know."

While the laughter quickly stopped the friendly smile on his face remained.

"You are a Knuckles alternate, right? You got a nickname to tell you apart from the others or are you still just Knuckles?"

[southernpacificlines]

[echidnawarrior94]

"What's wrong with pants?"

they’re uncomfortable.

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Looking the other echidna, the other much less clothed Knuckles, over. He figured that this new alternate must have just been having the same problems that others like them did when shopping for clothes.

"Are you trying clothes made for human children or something? If you get something actually made for someone your size and shape you would probably have a much better time."

[thesixmillionringechidna]

The Echidna was silent and momentarily lost in thought, his gaze looking out to nothing in particular. Seeing an alternate of himself and a Sonic be so friendly, not to mention other things, towards each other always got him thinking about how things could have been different within his home Zone, what events could have been stopped before they even begun. If only he ever had the chance to meet his Sonic before they had... regressed.

This was a rare moment were Knuckles was so lost within his own mind that it would be relatively easy to sneak up on him, perhaps even to the point where someone could take him by surprise.

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Karma Ivara, 2024. A new multi-terrain 4-seat electric coupé is the latest example of Karma Automotive's Comet Line styling. Described as a GT-UV (Grand Touring Utility Vehicle) the Ivara's front fascia reflects the new face of Karma. Underneath there's a protective matte undertray finished with self-healing paint

[5carlet-chaos]

"For real. I don't even know what the fuck this is from" Scarlet tosses the package to his counterpart to check out.

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Catching the group of boxes he took a moment to make sure they were divided into two even stacks. Before he gingerly set them down upon his table.

"I was referring to the anon that said you were too straight. They're obviously lacking something up there."

Turning his attention from his guest back over to the large boxes, he quickly went through them, but not wanting to damage the contents was quite gentle about it. Lifting the top one to see the art on the front of the kit below, repeating the step with the next down, and going from top to bottom through the whole stack like that.

"I don't know what this R-Type thing is either, but the designs are certainly out there. Like something out of one of the games down at the You Arcade or Rouge's club."

[thesixmillionringechidna]

"For being completely grey they certainly lack grey matter."

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Mazda R360 Coupé, 1960. The R360 was Mazda’s first production car. It was powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled 356 cc V-twin engine producing 16 hp

[yodaprod]

Nissan 300 ZX (1986)

[orxnge-rxt]

💀⍾⍽ “They’re th'primary goons of Boss Cass, our local tryhard "tyrant” and bird-brained moron.“

Those words were spat with a surprising amount of venom; clearly Sly wasn’t a fan of whoever this ‘Boss Cass’ was…

Sharp eyes glared into the rear-view mirror as the biker Frills drew closer, gesturing and jeering at the Ute and its occupants. It was pretty obvious that they wanted to cause trouble.

💀⍾⍽ "Oh will ya now? What’ you got a gun or somethin’? Or are you gonna jump right out th'car at 'em?”

He chuckled, his expression suddenly growing serious as he met Knuckles’ eyes.

💀⍾⍽ “Y'better not break any of th'windows if you do, mate.”

[thesixmillionringechidna]

Without a word he would do just that; scramble right out of the side window and jump over onto one of the Frills' bikes. A turret had deployed out of the vehicle and was aimed right at Sly's Ute, but Knuckles was able to knock its aim clear just in time for its stream of fire to only hit asphalt. With any luck it would not spread and cause a wild fire out here, they had enough problems already.

"You got one chance to stand dow-"

Knuckles would be interrupted by the lizard quickly pulling out a baseball bat and breaking it right over his head, although to no noticeable effect. Since their answer was clear he would respond in kind, delivering a single punch to the now panicking biker's head that would be enough to knock them out. Taking control of the awkward machine he would bring it up along side the Ute and toss the limp unconscious Frill into its bed.

"They should be out for a while. One down, five to go..."

"THE REST OF YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO LEAVE UNHURT!"

[retrowar]

M8 quad-.50 version