Chapter Eight: Daddy's Girl

Meanwhile in Angel Island, Knuckles was sitting at the alter with the Master Emerald. With the Master Emerald, he also had seven Chaos Emeralds. He was also holding his daughter Amber in his arms, who was just laying there cooing. Knuckles just chuckles.

"You look just like your mother, only with my eyes." Knuckles complimented.

Amber just laid there laughing at Knuckles. Knuckles then looks outside of the alter, and had something going through his mind.

"But it's not the same here without your mother either. She's been gone for nearly a year visiting her family in the afterlife, and I still find it hard to cope here without her. Sure she's home tomorrow night, but it just doesn't seem fast enough." Knuckles said, in sorrow. Amber was about to cry.

"Oh no! Shh! It's OK, sweetheart. Mommy won't be gone for much longer, hopefully. Daddy is here, Daddy's got you. I promise you, no matter what, I will never let anyone or anything harm you." Knuckles told her, as he kissed her forehead.

Amber just lays there cooing with joy. Knuckles then places her back in her crib. Just then, Radger walks in.

"Hello Knuckles, I'm just wondering if you need help with anything?" Radger asked.

"Uh, yeah, actually. Make sure that the guards organise a welcome home party for Tikal later. Rouge will be here soon as well, so keep an eye out for her." Knuckles told him. Radger bows.

"Right away, Knuckles." Radger replied.

After that, Radger makes his way out of the room. Knuckles walked towards the balcony to see into the horizon. It was dark, and snowy, it looked like white glitter falling from the sky.

"I really hope that you come home soon, Tikal. Right now it just feels like you won't come back, and I'll be on my own again. I can't look after Amber on my own, although I'll still try. She's the only one right now who gives me hope in life. I love our baby girl, but she needs her mommy, and I need my wife." Knuckles stated, as a sad tear fell from his eye.

"I don't care that you lived centuries ago, and you came back to fulfil a destiny you were determined to do, you were the only woman who entered my life, and would accept me for who I am. I accepted you for who you was. You helped bring back the echidna tribe, and I have been forever grateful for that. You needed a king however, and I was glad to accept your request, not just because it's to have you fulfil your destiny, but it was because I actually legitimately loved you." Knuckles whimpered.

"I know you miss your family, and you missed them so much, but you have your own family here to worry about now. But no matter what choice you make, I'll support it all the way. Otherwise I'll end up sounding selfish. Until you come back, I will do whatever I can to protect our baby. She is my princess, my angel, my world, the light of my life. I shall protect her, until she's old enough to defend herself, and until the day that I die." Knuckles stated.

Knuckles then climbed to the roof of the palace, to get a better view of the horizon. He did not care that it was cold, or snowing. He closed his eyes, and remembered the first time Tikal came back to the land of the living, and how they became one.

Only one night remains until she's home, and he also yet is waiting until Rouge arrives to the palace, along with Sonic, Tails, Amy and Cream. He also looked below and saw that Radger was talking to a few guards about organising Tikal's return. Then Radger sat on a rock, looking our for Tikal.

Knuckles just lightly sighed, and looked into the sky, and looked at the stars.

.

(Knuckles singing)

I lay awake each night and say your name

The sound of my sad voice makes me insane

I'm doing the very best I can

To face this truth and take it like a man

.

Would you say hello to Heaven for us

Tell Chaos we're not mad, but we're missing you so much

Please ask him if he comes back to take me where you are

And help me to forgive the man who lives in that star

.

Knuckles climbs down from the room of the palace, and goes back into the room to check on Amber, who was sound asleep. Knuckles was stroking her head. And smiled warmly, but still has sad tears falling from both eyes.

.

(Knuckles singing)

Still hard to believe you're still gone

But I still have one good reason to continue on

I love our baby girl more than life

But she wants her mommy, and I want my wife

.

Would you say hello to Heaven for us

Tell Chaos we're not mad, but we're missing you so much

Please ask him if he comes back to take me where you are

And help me to forgive the man who lives in that star

.

Knuckles once again walked towards the balcony, and looks into the horizon.

.

(Knuckles singing)

Oh I wish that life had known before they bowed on their knees

That it was taking your sweet love away from me

.

Knuckles laid his head against the balcony and cries uncontrollably.

.

(Knuckles singing)

Would you say hello to Heaven for us

Tell Chaos we're not mad, but we're missing you so much

Please ask him if he comes back to take me where you are

And help me to forgive the man who lives in that star

.

After that, Knuckles sat up, and wiped the tears from his eyes. He was about to walk inside to check on Amber again, but he heard loud noises coming from the horizon. He looked a few yards across the Island. He saw the forest catching fire, and rocks being smashed to pieces. This startled Knuckles, and he ran towards Radger.

"Radger, go inside the palace and look after Amber! I have to go, and have to go now!" Knuckles demanded.

"Why, what's wrong?!" Radger asked confusingly.

"Just do it! In fact, take Amber, and get away from here as far as possible! If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself. So please, Radger! Take Amber, and get away as far as you can! Danger is occurring in the forest!" Knuckles explained.

"OK, Knuckles! I'm on it!" Radger accepted.

After that, Radger went into the Palace to get Amber, and he took her as far as he could. Knuckles climbed to the roof of his balcony, and then aimed where the trouble was. Then he jumps into the air, and glides his way towards the forest.