KnuxAmy Fan Fic: Chapter 10

"Love, Duty, and Friendship"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 10: "Beyond the Sunset, Warm on the Horizon"

    A number of months passed after Shadow and Sonic’s departure into the darkness, and this was time enough for Knuckles and Amy to set things in order, and get their life together off on the right path.  One afternoon, Knuckles was alone on Angel Island, checking up on the defense system that protected the island in his absence.  He had relied on its power a lot as of late, spending most of his time with Amy, but remaining vigilant in his position as the Guardian and checking on the Master Emerald daily.  Everything was in order, and it seemed that his retreat to the safety and haven of Angel Island would be the best thing he could do for himself, and all the sweeter with Amy choosing to accompany him.

    At that point, Amy was returning to Angel Island after another round of shopping.  Kelerai walked by her side, mewing happily, sometimes sprinting ahead of Amy, then having to dash again to catch up when Amy passed her.  Amy laughed, and said, “Settle down Kelerai.  You don’t wanna tire yourself out too much.”  Amy paused, looking into the distance, seeing Angel Island still anchored closer to the mainland than it ever had been.  Her eyes wandered out to the horizon, and the long, blue ocean racing to meet it;  she knew that once everything was in order, Angel Island would resume its dominance over that vast ocean, and the sky above it, as it floated gracefully between them.

    She let out a contented sigh, saying, “The sky, as endless as the depths of the ocean, they cradle Angel Island between them, and there is peace.  Just to ponder the days he spent between them, alone, and was even willing to return to them, just to ensure my happiness, I’d never think that this broad, vast expanse would prove to be our sanctuary.”  Kelerai had stopped with Amy, but was tired of waiting, and wanted to keep going.  She pawed at Amy’s legs, and mewed urgently.

    “Hee, hee, okay Kelerai, I’m coming,” Amy said laughing.  The two continued their trek back up to the island, and even as they did so, miles away, a cloud of fast moving dust blurred across a large area of the landscape.

    Shadow was racing so quickly to the point where he was outpacing Sonic.  Sonic was dog tired; they had been moving at this pace for weeks, not giving more than a few moments rest.  Usually this much running was nothing for him, but without any bit of rest, even Sonic found it hard to keep up with Shadow’s fast pace.  As he ran, he muttered, “How in the heck can he keep up at this wild pace?  You’d think even though he’s the ‘ultimate life form’ that he’d need a break sooner or later.  Phew.”  

    The alleged ultimate life form finally slowed down as they grew close to a line of high hills, the last thing between them and a clear shot of the horizon.  Stopping at the foot of the tallest hill, waiting for Sonic to catch up, Shadow clutched something in his hand.  He brought his clenched fist up to his face, holding it a few inches from his face, gazing at the object intently, his menacing eyes flashing.  Sonic slowed to a halt beside Shadow, doubled over and panting profusely, trying to catch his breath.

    Shadow continued to gaze at the object, saying, “You disappoint me Sonic.  You tire so quickly it seems…perhaps I should only bring Knuckles with me in my plight, and ask you only to stay and look after Amy and the Master Emerald.  He does have a bit more strength and will than you it appears; perhaps only his heart and will can win this fight.”

    The hedgehog stood up straight, still panting lightly, glaring at Shadow.  “With no pause for rest, even Knuckles would be praying for a break.  I intend to play my part, and not stand by like an innocent victim.  Another thing you misjudge is Amy.  I can guarantee you, there’s no way that Amy will let Knuckles run into so much peril without a protest.  You should count on her company as well.”

    Shadow’s eyes finally moved from his hand, towards Sonic, until he turned his head fully to look Sonic in the eyes.  He stared into them, unwavering in his coldness, and yet deep concern for matters beyond his control.  He clenched his hand around the object, saying, “That’s the wit and fearlessness I seek.  I indeed misjudge much, Sonic, but not more than I need to.”  He paused, revealing the object as the green chaos emerald, dropping it into Sonic’s hand.  He nodded at Sonic’s shocked expression, smiling confidently, and turning to leave, he said, “I’ll return before three days have passed.  Get Knuckles and make him get his act together, for we set off once I return.  You aren’t stupid, tell him what I told you, and he’s too involved to refuse me his aid.  Until I return, get things in order.”

    Before Sonic could reply, Shadow was gone, in a cloud of dust, leaving Sonic with a chaos emerald, and questions that would remain unanswered.  Dusk was coming, and Sonic climbed to the peak of the hill, seeing Angel Island in the distance, knowing that Amy and Knuckles were there, and that telling Knuckles of the fate of his brother, and what could be the fate of them all, wasn’t going to be easy.  He looked at the chaos emerald, holding up to the light of the setting sun.  It sparkled brightly, in one spot particular; it almost appeared as if the emerald was trying to reach the Master Emerald.  Sonic lowered the chaos emerald, remembering Shadow’s words, and set off for Angel Island.

    Back on Angel Island, Amy had long arrived what was now home for the two of them.  At this point, she and Knuckles were walking the island together, hand in hand, as they did every evening for the past few weeks.  They’d talk about things, about life, about love, and about their love and life together forever.  Everything was perfect for the two of them now; with Amy at his side, Knuckles for once began to appreciate the peace and solitude of Angel Island in a way he never could before.  Before Amy, they were his enemy, an ever-present reminder of what his life would be until he died, but now, they were the backdrop of what would become his life with Amy, one filled with love and happiness.

    As the first stars came out in the sky above, the two returned to the Master Emerald’s altar.  They had built a small, cottage-like house at the base of the altar, and furnished it with everything they would ever need.  However, they still loved resting under the stars, in each other’s arms, as the Master Emerald kept silent watch over them.  This night was no different, and after having a bit to eat, they curled up together, and counted the stars until they lost count.

    After laughing over whether the last star they counted was number two-hundred forty, or two-hundred forty-one, Amy melted into Knuckles’ embrace, sighing happily.  Knuckles nuzzled her head with his own, kissing it gently, and then saying, “Oh Amy, this is the happiest I’ve been in awhile, especially here on the island.  Before you and I rekindled our relationship, well, all the island brought me was misery and woe.  My thoughts were constantly on my death, and not how to live my life happily. The very peace and beauty we find sanctuary in, proved to be nothing more than a reminder of my loneliness, constantly needling my heart, my pain never ceasing.  Now, I think my heart is finally healed, and I’m at peace, as long as we’re together.”

    Amy’s emerald green eyes gazed up at him, glowing with the same ambience as the Master Emerald before them.  She smiled brightly, he returning her smile with his own, and Amy gently kissed Knuckles on his cheek, before cuddling up with him, yawning deeply and closing her eyes for sleep.  She whispered, “I love you Knuckles,” during a yawn.

    Knuckles chuckled softly, before kissing her gently, and after a deep yawn, he replied, “I love you too, Amy, perhaps more than words would ever say enough.”  The two slowly drifted off to sleep, as the moon rose cold above them, foretelling of the days to come in its pale, but unforgiving silence.  The moon’s light was a true beauty, but also an evil one, as it kept secrets that could break even the strongest will as it teased and eluded them.

    The secrets that the moon kept hidden in its light, were the same ones that Sonic was fated to tell to Knuckles and Amy, and he pondered the events of future days, as he almost finished his silent trek to the Floating Island.  He climbed up onto the island, and sat to rest on the edge of it.  He looked at the chaos emerald for the longest time, his gaze melting into the emerald’s pale glow.  He whispered to himself, “What am I doing, on a mission of Shadow’s, against these enemies I’ve never seen.  I’m doing it for Hidama, and Knuckles, aren’t I?  What happens if we fail, and they get the Master Emerald, only to enslave us all?”  He sighed, and got up saying, “No, that won’t happen.  Shadow said we’d save Hidama, and thus us all.  I just gotta hide my fears, and tell them what must be done.”  Sonic mustered up his confidence, and continued his trek to the altar.

    The blanket of night had covered the earth and all who inhabited it, and after one last trek, Sonic made it to the base of the altar, and could see the Master Emerald shining brightly at the top.  He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, beginning a slow walk to the top.  Knuckles and Amy had long fallen asleep, but Knuckles stirred out of his sleep enough to hear Sonic’s approach.  He gently set Amy down on the stone floor beside him, and stood up, ready to face the intruder.

    He rested a hand on the Master Emerald, and it pulsated under his touch, glowing continuously from within, enchanted by the power that flowed within him.  Sonic saw this, and knew what Shadow said was true.  Knuckles possessed great power over the Master Emerald, more than perhaps any guardian before him, and yet Hidama too had this power, and to get such a reaction just from his touch, Sonic could only shudder to think the havoc it could wreak on the world under Hidama’s control.

    Sonic then hurried to the top saying, “Easy Knuckles, it’s just me, Sonic.  I have something I need to tell you, and it’s urgent.”

    Knuckles, upon discovering the intruder’s identity, lowered his arms and unclenched his fists.  He said, “Oh…well, hush up Sonic.  You’ll wake up Amy…and, well,” he paused, and then said laughing, putting an arm around Sonic, “Then I’ll have to make ya pay for it, if ya catch my drift.”  Knuckles grinned and messed up Sonic’s hair.

    Sonic laughed weakly, and said, “Hey, hands off the hair…the wind already does it enough damage.”  He fixed his hair, putting it back in place, and just looked at Knuckles.  Sonic felt a lump in his throat; Knuckles, for the first time in, well, forever, looked truly happy.  He was finally with the one he loved, and in a place where he could finally have peace and true happiness.  Here he was, with grave news from Shadow, which would ultimately ruin and disrupt Knuckles’ happiness all over again.  He felt awful, and for a few fleeting moments, he thought of fleeing and lying to Knuckles about his presence.  Then Shadow’s words rang in his head once more, how he thought Sonic was too weak for such a mission…and this was why.  He took a deep breath, and knew he had to tell Knuckles what had to be done.

    By this time, Knuckles had tucked a blanket in around Amy, still in a good mood, smiling more than ever.  He started down the stairs and said, “Come on, let’s go down to the bottom and chat.  That way we won’t wake her up.  Whatever it is, it must be important; I’ve never seen you act this serious and silent before.”  

    Again, Sonic almost felt sick.  It was almost as if he and Knuckles had exchanged dispositions.  Knuckles was light-hearted and happy unlike he ever had been before, and all Sonic felt was frustration and sadness towards something he had no power to change, just like Knuckles felt towards the Master Emerald at times.  Sonic slowly followed Knuckles down the stairs, trying to figure out how to break the news to him, news that would only cause more trouble for Knuckles and his future.

    Once they got to the bottom, Sonic said, “Eh heh, I’ve never seen you so happy before Knux.  I’m just glad everything is working out for you.  Anyway, what’s all this mess about me being serious?  That’s nothing but a false assumption on your part.  I’m just tired, and therefore, not as, well, light-hearted as I usually am.  I’ve been doing a lot of moving lately, and just came to get a break.”

    Knuckles laughed, and eyed him suspiciously, “You?  Tired after a few weeks journey?  It’s not like you couldn’t stop to rest.  Anyway, you had something you said you had to tell me, and well, the whole, ‘It’s urgent thing’ sounded serious.  Ha, who died?”

    Sonic cringed at Knuckles’ choice for words.  He decided all he could do was tell the truth, and nothing more.  “Well, you’d be right.  Thing was, I ran into an old friend on the way, and didn’t have time for much else really.”

    The two had started to walk together as they talked, and Knuckles asked, “Oh?  Who was it?”

    “It was Shadow, you remember, Shadow the Hedgehog?  He ran into me, well, actually, was looking for me, and said he needed me to come with him, saying it was urgent.  Knuckles, for once, I really am being serious.  I’m using Shadow’s name here, and you know him, he doesn’t joke about anything.  We really do have a problem, and it concerns you most importantly, and the people who killed off your clan,” Sonic said.

    Knuckles stopped, the smile disappearing from his face, and the light in his eyes going dull at Sonic’s words.  He said, “What—What about those evil creatures?  No, Sonic, I don’t wanna hear about it.  Not only is everything from Shadow depressing and troublesome, it’s also painful, and I don’t wanna mess with it.”

    Knuckles started to run off, but Sonic caught up and held him back, pinning him to a tree when he resisted.  “Listen to me Knuckles.  If anything, tell me one thing.  Did you ever have a brother named Hidama?”

    The echidna immediately stopped struggling.  “You…you…,” he started, then he growled angrily and said, “Shut up!!  How do you know about Hidama?!  Just shut up Sonic, and let me go darn you!!”  Knuckles tore away from Sonic, wrestling him to the ground, ready to smite him with one blow.

    Sonic closed his eyes and cried, “Please, Knuckles, stop!  Shadow told me to tell you.  Those people are the same ones who did him wrong years ago, and he went to exact his revenge, but discovered…well, they have Hidama.  He says Hidama is alive, and well, Shadow needs your help!”

    Knuckles stopped, his heart melting with fragile joy at Sonic’s words.  He did indeed have a brother named Hinsei Hidama, whose body he had never found after the attack.  For years he was tormented at not knowing his brother’s fate, only hanging onto his cape, which Hidama wrapped him in last time he saw him.  He was ready to break into tears, falling away from Sonic, and landing hard on a tree, falling to the ground, weeping.  “I—I’m sorry Sonic, it’s just, I’ve never known what had happened to my brother.  He promised to come back to me…and I never found his body, so…I’ve never had full closure.  Now to hear that he’s alive, but in the control of those evil creatures,…I don’t know what to think of feel.  What exactly did Shadow say about him?”

    Sonic was unsure of how to respond; he was in shock of this outpouring of emotion from Knuckles at the mention of his brother.  Knuckles could have cried himself into a river of tears; Sonic could never remember a time when Knuckles had shed even more than a few tears.  He always released his feelings through anger, never sadness.  The thing was, Sonic knew how to handle the anger, not the woe.  He spoke, “Shadow had gone to get his revenge, only to find out they had captured Hidama years ago, and well…were using him for their own needs.  They’ve…well,” Sonic started.  Knuckles looked up at him, tears pouring from his eyes, and Sonic found it hard to continue.

    “Well, they’ve beaten and tortured him into submission, and have him under some sort of mind control, Shadow told me.  They’re planning to use him to wrestle control of the Master Emerald from you, which once it reacts to Hidama’s control…”

    “I’ll no longer have control over, since he is two years my elder.  I know…,” Knuckles interrupted.  His tears continued to fall, but it was now that the rage came.  His low growl turned into a deafening scream, as he shouted to the heavens, “How dare they!!  I swear, on my father’s and mother’s graves, I…will…kill them!!”

    Sonic cringed, and for some reason, shared in Knuckles’ rage.  The same people that had already all but ruined Knuckles’ life, were still around, and threatening to ruin it again, agitating an already painful wound in Knuckles’ heart.  Sonic felt Knuckles’ pain; he thought how hard it must have been to continue, after burying his entire clan body by body, and yet never knowing what happened to his beloved brother, and protector.  Now, the best he could hope for had happened, and yet was accompanied by his worst fears.  This rage that Shadow spoke of, it awoke in Sonic’s heart at that moment, and now he felt too involved to let events go without his involvement.

    He turned to Knuckles, who was down on his knees, still weeping, but fallen silent.  By this point, Amy had awoken, and ran up to them upon hearing Knuckles’ cries.  Sonic knelt down next to him, as did Amy, who immediately pulled him into a hug.  Knuckles was beyond comfort at this point, and while Amy held him, Sonic explained everything to her, just as Shadow had told him.

    What the enemy was doing, was they had brought Hidama under their control.  Once they captured the Master Emerald, and it responded to Hidama’s control, Knuckles would have no control over it, since Hidama was older than him, and was meant to be the guardian all along.  This would mean that the enemy could do what they wanted with the Master Emerald, as long Hidama remained under their influence, which meant certain doom for all creatures.  Shadow knew that the only way to ensure this doom did not happen, would be to rescue Hidama, and that Knuckles was probably the only one he’d respond to in this brutal state.

    “So…what does this mean Sonic?  Are we going to have to go after these people?” Amy asked.

    Finally, Knuckles spoke, “It means I’ll be going after them Amy.  Shadow’s gonna be the only one to accompany me, cause I want Sonic to stay here with you and the island…just incase these infidels really do try to attack.  Saving Hidama and stopping these people is my duty, since I’m the Guardian.  I don’t want either of you involved in this mess.”  He stood up and said, I’ll be leaving with Shadow, and if something goes wrong, I want you to take care of Amy for me.”

    Sonic was in shock, and Amy in tears.  She stood up, and ran up to him, latching on and shouting, “No Knuckles!  I won’t let you go alone, or without me!  I’m going with you, and Sonic is too!  I won’t stay behind, I have to make sure you’re okay!”  She continued to cry, and a shocked Knuckles wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, trying to comfort her.

    It was then that Sonic said, “I don’t think either of us want to stay behind, but what is gonna be done about the Master Emerald in our absence I have no idea.  Seems to me Shadow doesn’t have all his ideas in order.”

    Knuckles frowned and said, “There’s an ancient security system if something like this happened.  Heck, without it, I could never have left the island at all, even with it as close as it was.  It can fend off intruders at its optimal performance, and for now, it’s in good shape.  I don’t think I could trust it to itself for too long…but that doesn’t matter.  Either way, all they need to do is capture it.  Hidama is no pushover, because he has all the power of a master guardian, and the blood of the true guardian in him.  We’re gonna have to free Hidama anyway.  There’s no way around it.”

    Amy looked up at him and said, “Please, don’t make me stay behind.  Sonic’s no guardian, but perhaps he could stay behind just incase things came to worse.  I’m definitely no help staying here.”  She held on to him, letting the last of her tears flow into his fur.

    Knuckles laughed quietly and said, “Neither would it be easy for me to leave you…,” he started.  He then sighed and said, “I dunno, Sonic, when did Shadow say he’d be back?”

    Before Sonic could speak, a figure appeared from the shadows.  “Humph, I said three days…but now I suppose I was in error, eh?”  Shadow again stepped into the moonlight and said, “I don’t have my ideas in order, my foot.  I had intended for you and Amy to stay behind from the beginning, and that’s the way it should be.  I hate to say it but you’ll weigh us down, and leaving the island and Master unprotected is lunacy.”

    Sonic was frozen, having a loss for words.  Amy, however, stood up, and stomped up to Shadow, shouting, “I don’t care who you think you are, but I refuse, I repeat, refuse to stay behind while my sweetheart goes off to certain doom with only you to save him.  Sonic can stay here all you want him to with the security system up, but I will not stay behind.  Wherever Knuckles goes, I go too, no matter what.”

    Shadow glared at her, his red eyes flashing from within, as a sly smile spread across his face.  He laughed low and slyly, saying, “I like that, Amy Rose.  You have a fire in your heart that if stoked enough burns with a rage that makes dark things cower in fear.  You’re the fire that feeds Knuckles’ rage, the light that keeps him strong, the love that keeps him going.  Very well, you shall accompany us, and I do hope Sonic is not sore with me and my, ‘unorganized’ ideas.”

    Sonic grinned sheepishly and said, “Eh heh…not at all…I just hope all goes well.”

    Knuckles stood up, and walked up to Shadow and Amy, saying, “When do we depart Shadow?  I’m eager to know more about my brother, no matter how grave the news.  Anything right now for me is better than death.”

    For one of the first times in anyone’s memory, Shadow looked at Knuckles with gentle, sympathetic eyes, rather than a harsh and cold glare.   He shook his head, bringing a finger to his lips and saying, “No more…not under this moon at least.  We sleep for now, and then, before sunrise, I shall tell you of Hidama’s fate.”  He then turned and led the group back to the altar.

    Half the night had passed, and Knuckles and Amy again curled up together by the Master Emerald, still glowing from Knuckles’ touch.  Before the echidna could rest, he said, “You did…you promised me weeks ago, you’d follow me to the ends of the earth.  I—I just hope Hidama isn’t beyond help.”

    Amy opened her eyes, and kissed Knuckles gently.  “Knuckles, he’s your brother, and I know we can save him, especially if he’s anything like you.  Right now, more doors have been opened for us, another journey beyond the sunrise, and as long as we’re together, and our love holds strong, the journey will be a fruitful one.  Anything is better as long as we’re together don’t you think?”

   Knuckles smiled, returning her kiss and said, “Yeah…I think now, that everything in my life is in order, except for my brother, and once he’s alright, then we can build our life together.”  He paused, and then said, “I love you Amy.”
    
   Amy was almost asleep at this point, but with the breath of a yawn, she replied, “I love you too.”

    Down at the bottom of the altar, Sonic slept at the base of the stairs.  Shadow needed no sleep, and gaze up at the couple as they rested.  He nodded, closing his eyes and said, “They’re unique, Amy and Knuckles, for they have a love that I have only seen maybe once in my life outside of theirs.  They can survive anything I’ll warrant, and, well…Knuckles may have thought all was lost, but I see a new line of guardians in the making, one that will do both their ancestries proud, I don’t care what they say.  Stay strong you two…and good night.”

    Shadow closed his eyes, and said, “We’re coming to save you, Hinsei Hidama, blood of the Guardian, and child of the stars.”