^_^ Hello everyone! And It's definitely great to be back again here on

First of all, I want to thank all readers (and even the critics) for taking you time to review my stories and even encouraged me to finish this story.

To be honest…and I hope you don't hate me for this…but at some point, I actually thought about discontinuing this story after what happened on chapter 7 (lots of grammatical errors and the characters were a bit too OC)…

but because of the good reviews (and encouragement that were given to me ), the show must go on!

And now without further due, here's chapter 8. Thanks for waiting, everyone!

Chapter 8

Back at Tails' workshop, Cream was on her cellphone talking to Amy who went to the floating island with Knuckles. After she was done talking to Amy, Cream checked the time on her cellphone and realized it was time to go home.

"I should get going, Tails. I promised mother that I'd be home before dinner"

"Oh sure, no problem…" Tails nodded before looking away. "Um Cream…?"

"Yes, Tails…?"

"Before you go…t-there's something I want to ask you" the kitsune responded, nervously.

"Sure, what is it?" The young rabbit's brown eyes stared at his cerulean ones as he mustered up the courage to speak up once more.

"Well…I-I was wondering…i-if…i-if m-maybe you'd…eh…if you'd… (Come on Tails, ask her already!)...if you'd…" As Tails continued trying to speak his mind, he was suddenly interrupted by Cream's voice.

"Tails…I'm sorry to interrupt, but I really have to go. I really don't want to miss my train to go back home, you know?"

"Oh…right…sure Cream… (Nice one, dumbass!)…I guess I'll talk to you later, then?"

"Sure…" Cream continued. "Of course, if you like, you can walk me to the train station. I could use some company on the way"

Tails' ears perked up in eagerness. "Yeah, sure, I don't mind…just let me grab my house keys" After Tails got his keys from his work drawer; he and Cream headed out the door and flew to the Mystic Ruins Station.

O-O-O-O-O

"THE TRAIN HEADED TO STATION SQAURE WILL BE DEPARTING SOON…"

When Tails and Cream arrive to the Mystic Ruins Station, they were thankful that they came 10 minutes before the train's departure.

"Wow, we actually made it!" Cream exclaimed as she and Tails were on the station's platform catching their breath from flying.

"Yeah, and only 9 minutes to spare" Tails replied after checking the station's clock. "It's a good thing my house isn't too far from here, or else we wasn't going to make it even if we flew here"

"Yeah…hey, I see a vending machine there" Cream pointed at the tall box next to the ticket booth. "I'm going to go grab something to drink; do you want anything?"

"No, none for me, thanks" Tails politely declined as the young rabbit headed towards the vending machine and got herself an raspberry iced tea.

Come on, Miles…this is your last chance…can't afford to wimp out, now! As Cream came back with her drink, the station's loudspeaker announced that the train will leave the station in 5 minutes.

"Well, I better get going. So…I'll call you when I get home?" Cream asked as she made her way to the train.

"Cream, WAIT!" Tails blurted out as he ran to Cream, took her by her hands, and finally said what was in his mind…and in his heart.

"Cream… (You can do this, Miles…be a man, for once!)…If you're not doing anything this weekend…m-maybe you'd like to go see a movie with me…or something"

Cream's eyes lit up in shock as Tails continued his speech. "I-I know I'm nothing like Shadow or Knuckles…or even Sonic for that matter…but the thing is…I-I really like you a lot and I like to get to know you better…but if you don't want to, I'll understand. I mean, I know I'm kind of a geek and all and…"

Tails was cut off as the cream-colored rabbit place her finger on his lips and gave him a soft, loving smile.

"Tails…I think you're the most caring, loving, and sweetest guy I ever met…and yes, I'd love to go out with you"

"Y-you really mean it?" Tails smiled while mentally doing somersaults in his head.

"Of course…and for the record, if you were anything like Sonic, I'd NEVER accept your offer, no disrespect! Besides…I like you just the way you are"

Both the rabbit and the twin-tailed kitsune blushed before hearing conductor calling for final boarding on the train to Station Square.

"Oh, the train's leaving; I better hurry up and get on board! Bye, Tails; I'll call you later" Cream said as she leaned over Tails and quickly kissed him on the cheek before running inside the train and handed the conductor her ticket.

As the train left the platform, Tails stood there with a goofy grin on his face before letting out a joyful shout and started doing his victory dance around the station, not noticing that the station custodian saw the whole scene between the two new lovebirds.

"Ah, young love…good times, good times…"The janitor smiled as he continued sweeping the station.

O-O-O-O-O

Later that night on the Angel Island, Knuckles and Amy are sitting on the steps of the altar admiring the stars that shined brightly across the night sky. The green glow from the Master Emerald illuminated across the island creating a very beautiful setting for the two.

"Wow, the stars are really beautiful, tonight" Amy sighed as she and Knuckles continued to view nature's diamonds in the heavens. "I can actually see them better from up here that down in the city"

"Yeah…I guess one good thing about being guardian of the Emerald is that you actually get closer to Mother Nature even more" Knuckles replied reclining back on the cool steps of the altar. "…Unlike those barbarians in the cities who think 'polluting our air is fun'!"

"Yeah, that's true…"

As they continued to star-gazing at the night sky, Knuckles couldn't help but noticed how the ambience of the night setting made Amy's appearance even more alluring than before.

God, she looks amazing…even at night… (Sighs) but she'll never be mine; her heart still belongs to Sonic…but still…she deserves better…she needs to be with someone who will treat her with all the love and respect that she deserved from that cocky bastard…

Soon, the echidna's thoughts were interrupted by Amy's voice.

"Knuckles…Can I ask you a question?

"Uh, sure Amy…what is it?"

"…Why did you leave?"

The echidna's heart skipped a beat upon hearing that question, for he knew that day would come when Amy will want to know his true reasons for leaving Station Sq.

"…I don't know what you're talking about…"

"Don't play dumb, Knuckles" Amy said now looking at the echidna in the eyes, firmly. "2 years ago at Rouge's party in her nightclub…why did you leave town without saying goodbye?"

Deep down, Knuckles wanted to tell Amy everything that's happened after he found out that Sonic finally admitted his feelings for her. Oh, how the echidna yearned so much to tell Amy exactly how he felt about her…how jealous he was when Amy was giving the cerulean hedgehog all the attention he wanted from her…how furious he was when Sonic took Amy for granted until the night at Rouge's party…and how heart-broken he was when he witness Sonic and Amy kissing for the first time and officially become a couple.

He wanted to tell her…but the echidna knew there was an 80% chance that the outcome of his decision could not only cost him his friendship with her, but can also end with Amy violently rejecting him and may never want to see him again after that.

Is Knuckles willing to make that risk? Is he willing to let his jealousy of that blue hedgehog ruin his childhood friendship with Amy?

After concluding his decision, Knuckles looked away from the female hedgehog before giving his answer.

"I… (sigh)I can't tell you that"

"Why not…?"

"(Because you are still in love with Sonic…)…I just can't"

"Knuckles, I'm your friend. It's okay; you can tell me anything"

"(That's just it, Amy; I want to be more than just friends with you…) I'm sorry, but I just can't…I don't even how to put it into words right now" Knuckles continued to decline before facing the pink hedgehog. "Look, Amy…when the time is right, I promise I'll tell you everything, okay? Just give me some time"

Amy was silent for a minute before replying. "…Alright…whenever you're ready"

And so, the matter was closed for now as the two continued star-gazing until it was time to call it a night.

"Come on, Amy, we better get some sleep. We got training in the morning, remember?"

"Right…" Both Amy and Knuckles got up and headed inside the house.

O-O-O-O-O

When they headed inside the house, Knuckles pointed to where the bathroom is so Amy can shower and change into her nightwear. Meanwhile, Knuckles headed into his room and fix it up so Amy can sleep there. When Amy emerged from the bathroom, the echidna noticed that Amy was wearing his old long t-shirt from before.

"Heh-heh, you really like that shirt, don't you?" Knuckles smiled as he watched Amy twirling around in his nightshirt before walking up to the echidna.

"Yeah, it's comfortable, and cozy, too! Since you don't wear this anymore, do you mind if I can have it?"

"Well…I don't know…"

"Pretty please…?" Amy begged while giving the echidna her best puppy-dog stare.

"(Oh great, she's giving me that puppy-eyed look! Man, why does she have to be so damn cute about it?)...Alright, alright, you can have it"

"Yea, thank you, Knuxie!" Amy clapped for joy while the echidna went to the linen closet and got out some extra sheets and a blanket.

"Anyway, my room's all fixed up for you, so can use it tonight"

"Oh, thank you, Knuckles…but where will you sleep?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll just pull out a futon mattress and just chill out on the living room.

"Oh…okay, then…" Amy went to the bedroom door before turning to the echidna. "Goodnight, Knuckles"

"See you in the morning, Amy" Knuckles replied as he made his way to the living room.

"…Knuckles, wait!"

"What is it—"Amy suddenly gives the echidna a warm embrace leaving him utterly speechless.

"I just wanted to thank you…thank you so much for helping me out. I really appreciate it, Knuckles…oh, you have no idea how much this meant to me…especially after what happened between Sonic and I…and I know you don't want me talking about him or even saying his name…but I just wanted to say thank you so much for being there for me" Amy leans over and kisses Knuckles softly on the cheek leaving them both completely flustered.

"Uh…y-you're welcome…" Knuckles shyly responded.

Amy smiled before entering Knuckles' room and shuts the door.

Knuckles, while still recovering from that kiss earlier, goes to the living room and falls down on the couch full of content and happiness. But soon his content expression was quickly replaced with a frown remembering that Amy still has feelings for the blue wonder.

As beautiful and loving as she is, she is NOT my girl…I know she still have feelings for that blue idiot…but still, how Amy forgive Sonic after what he's put her through all these years? Especially when this guy is so wound up in his fame and glory that he forgets he has a girlfriend!

Knuckles got up, pulled out the mattress, and made his bed for tonight. As he lay down on his newly-made bed, more thought about Amy came to his mind.

But still…it isn't up to me to decide who Amy should be with…and I certainly have no business to butt in on her relationship with Sonic…even though their relationship is in pieces right now…(and you wished that Amy should've choose you instead of Sonic)…

The echidna decided not to worry about this situation for now as he turned out the lights and went to sleep…for tomorrow begins a new day where Amy's training session will begin.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Chapter 9 is currently in progress and will be uploaded next week (I was going to make it tomorrow, but I got finals next Tuesday and so I needed some time to study). I'm also currently working on outlines for chapter 10 and 11, so hopefully, I'll try to get them done by the end of this mon—err, well…year, lol.

Anyway, have a Happy Holidays everyone. See you next time