Chapter 10: Too Late:
Knuckles and Sally broke apart and whipped their heads to see Sonic and Tails standing right in front of the stairs. Knuckles quickly slid off of Sally but forgot to help her up in his surprise. "S-Sonic!" he stammered with an "oh shit!" expression. "How d-did you get on the island?" he asked.
"Doesn't matter," the hedgehog snapped, "I'm here and what do I find?" Knuckles opened his mouth to explain, but Sonic didn't give him a chance to answer. "My best friend all over MY girlfriend!"
"Sonic, I can explain," Sally began.
The seething hedgehog turned to her and began to vent his anger on her. "Tell me, how many times have you fucked him?"
Sally was at a loss for words. Why was Sonic being such a jerk? More importantly, why was he here sticking his pointy nose in her business?
When Sally didn't answer, something in Sonic snapped. It was as her inability to answer confirmed his outrageous accusation. Nevertheless, the blue blur turned back on Knuckles and launched himself at the echidna before the said victim could blink. Knuckles was knocked onto his back as Sonic straddled his chest and began to viciously swing at the defenseless echidna under him. Once Knuckles recovered enough senses to try and defend himself, he put his hands up in a silent plea for mercy. Sonic ignored his gesture and repeatedly struck the echidna's jaw.
Knuckles took a few hits with a grain of salt, since he figured he probably deserved it, but soon he found himself getting angry. How dare this insolent hedgehog come to his island and attack him like this! Knuckles reared back a fist and punched his attacker in the gut. Sonic wheezed and stopped his assault to catch his breath. But before Knuckles could strike again, two figures put their arms around Sonic's and hauled him off the echidna. With a minor start, Knuckles noticed Julie was one of them and Sally was the other. Between the two of them, they managed to pin Sonic down.
The blue hedgehog panted as he caught his breath glaring daggers at Knuckles as he got to his feet with Tails' help. "Let me go!" Sonic demanded.
"No, Sonic," Sally told him firmly then she glanced at Julie. "Thanks," she said.
Julie just shook her head, "You can thank me by telling me what the hell is going on?! I heard the fight from the cabin and came up to find Sonic on top of Knuckles beating the crap out of my boyfriend."
Before Sally could answer, Sonic spat, "Maybe you should keep your boyfriend on a shorter leash, Jules! He was sucking Sally's face just a few minutes ago."
Julie looked at her boyfriend in surprise. "Oh really? Good for you, I almost doubted that you'd do it, but I guess you proved me wrong."
Tails' jaw dropped open in shock and even Sonic looked utterly stunned. "Ya mean you knew about it?" Sonic asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
Julie loosened her grip on Sonic a little. "Well, not exactly, but I guessed it was going to happen sooner or later, I'm just surprised he took the idea so well."
"What idea?" asked Tails at last.
"Me and Sal sharing him of course," Julie answered, almost blithely.
Sonic and Tails had no response, just staring at the female echidna in astonishment. "And you're okay with that…?" Sonic breathed after a long pause.
"Sure. Why not? It's perfectly natural if you think about it," Julie replied off-handedly.
Knuckles was still rubbing his sore jaw when he walked up to Sonic and asked him, "Now, mind telling me exactly why you attacked me and how exactly you got on the island without the plane?"
Sonic's hostility began to rise again, but he had to repress his urges since Julie and Sally still held him down. "How about you getting freaky with my girlfriend for starters?" he spat.
"Ex-girlfriend," Sally reminded Sonic. "You dumped me two days ago, remember? Or have you already forgotten?"
"No, I didn't forget. I'm just regretting doing so and came to apologize. And you can't really blame me for staying at least a little possessive. I mean like you said, we just broke up only two days ago and it looks like you already moved on."
"You're right, Sonic. I have moved on. Knuckles loves me and I love him; you can't just crash in and decide you want me back now that I'm happy, it doesn't work that way."
"What do you mean, you love him? I thought you loved me," Sonic said softly, his spirit apparently shattered by Sally's words.
"I thought so too, but the last few days have taught me that you care only about yourself and I deserve someone who isn't so selfish. I'm sorry, Sonic, but you're too late."
"But he's changed!" Tails interjected on Sonic's behalf. "He's trying to atone for his mistakes and he deserves to have the chance to explain himself," he finished.
Sally sniffed, "What do I care? Clearly he's not going to change. Knuckles and I were about to share something special and he ruins it than tries to make it all about himself like we're betraying his trust! He doesn't own me and as I recall he himself said, 'It's over.' Why should I give one iota about what he has to say? Nothing he says could ever erase the hurt he's caused us. Not only me, but you and Amy too."
Tails cleared his throat and answered, "I honestly believe he wants to try. Please find it in your heart to at least listen to him. You two have been through so much together to let it fall apart just because of a petty squabble."
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here," Sonic grumbled. He looked up at Sally. "Listen, Sal. I know I said some things I might regret, but just hear me out."
Sally looked from Julie to Knuckles. Julie nodded while Knuckles looked away. "Alright, I'll listen," she agreed, "but that doesn't mean I forgive you."
Sonic bowed his head then began, "I'm sorry for what I did and I realize no amount of words or actions could ever fix the damage I've done. But I'd like to try. I've made more mistakes then I care to think about, but my biggest one is leaving you, all of you, like I did. And on top of that, I broke up with you and that is the worst personal choice I've ever made. I don't expect you to forgive me right away and you might not ever and you may be well within your rights, but I'd at least like to give us another chance. All I need is for you to say, 'okay'."
Sally hesitated. Sonic seemed sincere in his attempt to ask for forgiveness, but Sally wasn't so quick to forget all the times where Sonic ignored others feelings. Always putting himself in danger and leaving her hoping he's fine, but fearing he's not. It seemed every time things got tough, he'd flake out and try to outrun his problems. Knuckles at least could be relied on; whenever she had needed him, he was there no questions asked. She felt sorry that it had taken this to realize that Knuckles could ever be more than just a friend. Still, despite whatever Sonic did, she always forgave him only to have him screw up again. Perhaps that was true love, forgiving his transgressions because no matter what he did, she'd always love him.
She sighed and looked at Julie. The echidna just looked back at her as if telling her, "follow your heart." She looked over at Knuckles. The other echidna avoided her eyes, but spoke to Sonic. "Tell me, Sonic. Are you doing this because you really love her, or is it just your pride speaking? Are you really going to change or are you going to break her heart again once she forgives you?"
Sonic looked up at the red one and met his eyes. "I do. I never meant… You know what? Sally," he turned to her. "Do whatever makes you happy. All I want is for you to be happy and I hope that Knuckles can make you that way. I hope he can succeed where I've failed." Knuckles turned his head to face Knuckles. "Knux… Take care of her alright? Treat her better than I did, because believe me, you never know what you have till it's gone…"
Knuckles' expression didn't change as he maintained a stern expression. Sally felt something stir inside her. If Sonic was willing to let her go, the he must've changed. Although she should happy that she was free to choose, she suddenly felt a deep sadness. Sonic really did love her, even if he forgot to show it at times. On the other hand, she also loved Knuckles and apparently, he loved her right back. Would she really have to choose? Choose one over the other? Make one happy while breaking the other's heart? What would be the right choice? Was there even a right choice?
Sally shook her head and let Sonic go. There were too many questions and not enough answers. She looked from Julie to Knuckles to Tails to Sonic. Each responded with varying expressions. Julie still emanated an aura of freedom of choice, Knuckles appeared unwilling to come to terms with this, Tails had a hopeful expression, and finally Sonic looked utterly defeated in body and spirit. At length, she gave her decision. "I need time to think this over, but for now, I think it would be best to go back to the mainland."
Julie nodded and Tails looked ready to burst with joy. Knuckles however revealed little, as if he built a brand new wall around him and Sally knew things would never go back to the things were between them. He made a move to leave the area and she caught his arm. He looked at her with surprise, but sadness filled his eyes. He realized this and averted his gaze away from hers. "Knuckles, I want you to know this doesn't mean I'm getting back with Sonic. I need time to figure things out… You understand that don't you?"
"Yeah, sure…" he murmured as his voice cracked. Sally felt like her heart was being torn to shreds as he walked away, but didn't stop him this time. In time, she would make it up to him, but she couldn't afford to be hasty in deciding anything right now. She was too caught up in emotion and that's exactly what got her in this mess in the first place.
Julie spoke. "I'm gonna go find Knux and have him juice the plane so ya guys can go home." With that, she jogged after her boyfriend and disappeared into the jungle.
Sonic got to his feet with Tails's help and walked over to Sally. He stood by the chipmunk and attempted to put his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off and refused to look at him. Sonic exchanged a concerned look with Tails, but didn't try to make contact again and just stood beside her
A few minutes later, Julie called for the trio to meet them at the Tornado. Sonic and Tails followed Sally to the Tornado not far from the shrine. Once they got there, Knuckles had a hand on the engine of the craft and murmured something inaudibly. A green light glowed for a few seconds then faded. He opened his eyes and turned to the newcomers. He seemed to have regained his composure and looked evenly at the trio. "That should get you back to the mainland and the base, but no further," he informed them.
Julie looked on from the edge of the clearing. Knuckles sighed then started talking again. "Sal, I know that whatever you choose is for the best. No one knows your heart better than you do. And no matter what choice you make, it will be the right one."
Sally nodded acknowledging his words. Turning to Sonic, Knuckles added, "And Sonic, if she does choose you, if you hurt her ever again, I'll kick your ass."
Sonic smiled halfheartedly. "I wouldn't have it any other way." His smile faded and he grew a little more serious once again. "I'm sorry I attacked you like that, buddy."
Knuckles shook his head, "No, Sonic, if I had been in your place I probably would've done the same."
"All the same, it was wrong of me and I'm sorry."
"Don't sweat it," Knuckles affirmed. He took Sonic's arm and pulled the hedgehog closer in a manhug and patted the blue one's back gently. "Take care of her, I mean it."
"I'll try, if she has me."
Tails climbed into the cockpit and started to check dials and stuff before starting it up. Sonic backed away as Sally stepped up to Knuckles. "Thank you, for understanding," Sally said, "I don't deserve a good friend like you."
"No one earns good friends, they're just there for one another, regardless of what either has done for right or wrong," Knuckles told her.
Sally stood on her toes long enough to plant a kiss on Knuckles' lips for a brief moment. Sonic and Julie watched but didn't say anything. "We ready to go then?" Tails asked, as he turned on the ignition. The noise of the engine powering up and the blades beginning to spin drowned out any verbal answer and Sally nodded. She looked up into Knuckles' eyes for a heartbeat longer then climbed into the passenger seat while Sonic perched himself on the wing like he typically did. Knuckles backed up to stand beside Julie and watched Tails taxi and take off.
On impulse, Knuckles ran after the rising craft and Julie followed closely behind. The two were forced to stop at the edge of the island and watched the plane fade into a tiny speck in the horizon until it disappeared altogether. Knuckles was reminded of his childhood and how Sally left before. He felt similar to how he felt then, but oddly was also at peace. He wasn't alone, beside him stood his soul mate. Maybe not his only one, but one nevertheless and no one ever really knew what the future held. Someday, Sally might come back and join with him after all. But until then all he needed was beside him.
Julie sat down on the edge of the island. He sat beside her and put his arm around her and leaned against her. She rested her head on his shoulder and watched the horizon with him in silence until the sun set over the mainland and the sky darkened. Things would work out like they were meant to. Ultimately, love couldn't be planned. It happened unexpectedly and could happen to anyone. It could be gentle or it could be cruel. But in the end, everyone would find the one (or ones) they were meant to be with somehow in this vast world; that one person who cared and completed the other. Love was strange indeed. Of that, Knuckles was sure.
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Author's Note: This is the last chapter of Promises, but not the official end of the story. There will be an epilogue added at the end that ties things up. However, I would like to take a moment to thank you the readers for being with me on this journey. It was brief, true, but an emotional one for me at least. I appreciate all your reviews and support throughout. Without you, I would've likely abandoned this a while back. I admit that this wasn't perfect but I believe it's not bad for my first fanfic. Right, now that's over, I'm proud I've nearly finished this and will be changing my focus to my third story "The Mobian Experience (Working Title)". If any of you have a suggestion for a better title, I welcome them. You can find the story and summary on my profile. Again, thank you for your support. Special thanks to SoulEnder for being a good sport about me taking a leaf from his work. Shout out to werewolf lover99, GoldenBullet, and NataNegra for letting me know your opinions, I appreciate that and to werewolf lover99 for lending me his OCs for the cameo. Rinay, I look forward to whatever fanart you might fashion after this fanfic and my other. If you like this story, be sure to check my others and favorite/follow me as the author. Oh and be sure to keep an eye out for my proposed prequel in the making. Thank you!