Hello Readers!

For those of you wondering... no I am not dead... no I have not dropped my stories. Unfortunately I have been suffering from writer's block, and then this pandemic stuff happened and I lost my job. So a lot going on... But enough about me and my sob story!

I HAVE BEEN SOOOOOOOOOOO BAD ABOUT REPLYING TO COMMENTS. Like guys, I think about that all the time and I get this guilty feeling eating at my gut... I know ALL authors say this, but its true - I read each and every comment. Some times more than once, and every time I get a smile on my face, and my heart warms, and I feel motivated to write.

As always, thank you my friend Wolfsol for betaing the crap out of my crappy raws, and helping me turn this story into a golden goose.

A BIG and happy thank you to: Angel-kohai, Janttun3n, ErrieBRO, Abril378, shadamylove90, Amefloza13, Byrd3-13, Pirilaxa, justdance4ever, Dragonbornwanderer, Shadowy Chica, TinyShinyy. You all have a very special place in my heart, new or old readers each of you bring me such joy, and I truly look forward to every single reply, comment, and review. You guys keep my unpaid ass writing.

Beeeee: Always happy to meet a new reader! Your comment is so sweet! You're like a honey beeee. Please read with caution lol, I don't want you to have a heart attack now XD PLEASE WRITE! The Sonic fanchise always needs writers! Especially Shadamy! If you ever do write, please please let me know! Thank you for your more than kind comment, and I hope to hear from you again!

Guest #1: I think we are alll crying...

Anonymous: Sorry for the wait! Hope you return!

Guest #2: Your review was short, but cut me deep... in a good way! I feel so honored I was able to envoke feelings in you (and made you stay up lol) I hope you like this chapter too!

Guest #3: Wow! Thank you! And I am so happy to meet a new reader! Also I always feel proud when people say I have written Shadow well. He can be difficult to handle lol. Ad yes! I totally agree with you about Sonic! Sonic is not a mean guy, nor is he cruel. He is simply oblivious and kinda blind when it comes to Amy. I really hated how in every Shadamy I was reading in the past, he was always made into a villain. People seem to forget that people can simply grow apart without some major blow up fight. And can I just say I am IMPRESSED with your dedication lol! Staying up so late all to read my humble story? Thank you so much! And I also super apperciate your kind words of encouragement to take my time. It has been rough lately, and it is so up lifting when readers like you are supportive. Anyways, thanks for the review and I hope to hear from you again!

Guest #4 and Dedicated Reader: Thank you for the reviews! I am still alive and kicking! Sorry about the long wait, I super hope you enjoy this chapter!

ABOUT THIS CHAPTER: My beta and I feel like the first part of this chapter drags a bit... but it is important, so please bare with me. The later half is muuuuuch better lol

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Thanks for everything and HAPPY READING!

CHAPTER 32: Cleaved Flesh

Amy…

A tiny hedgehog kit was crouched down outside a small, white house. The skies above were blue and the sun shone with a burning intensity, but the young girl was protected by the arms of an oak tree that spread its branches across the yard. Only dappled sun rays filtered through its branches, covering her fuschia fur in droplets of gold. Giving off the impression that she had golden sparkles embedded in her fur.

Her clear, kiwi colored eyes were wide and focused on a patch of grass beneath her sandaled feet. A small pill bug was slowly twisting and turning through the forest of grass, forging a path away from her. A small, chubby hand reached forward and gently poked the bug on its side. Immediately, its muscles spasmed and the shiny black insect curled into a little black dot. Giggles like the bubbling of a brook rang through the summer air, and the little pink hoglet curled up into a ball of laughter of her own.

Amy... Amy Rose! Come here, my darling...

The call of her name made the little girl sit up, her chin barely visible above the tall grass, and her face split into a gaping smile. She stood, her pink dress covered with green stains and she sprinted towards the door of the white house. Her voice called out happily with the high squeak of innocence.

Momma! Momma!

Her small body vibrated with the joy of hearing her mother's voice call out to her. She anticipated the warm hug and soft pat on her head that her mother gave her whenever she came running. However, the moment she burst through the front door of the house, an odd and deep sadness filled her heart. It was a sadness that a child should not know, one that caused the room before her to shrink and stretch far away from her. A feeling that caused her stomach to dip like a sinking ship in her abdomen.

Momma?

Her voice was more hesitant at this point, and her tiny head swung from side to side, her large jade eyes worried and her pink quills whipping. But there was no one to be seen. She called out again, her toddler voice cracking at the octaves reached. Desperate to find her mother in the large empty house, but something within her said that her mother would not respond...

In here darling...

Relief hit the young one like a tsunami, washing away all her dark feelings, and she ran towards the kitchen where she heard the voice coming from. There, standing before the stove, was an adult female hedgehog. Her fur and quills were white with silver threads, and when she turned with a smile and wooden spoon in her hand, her eyes were a striking purple.

Darling! There you are! My, my, look how you've grown!

The girl looked down at herself and realized that she'd aged into her preteen body, and now wore her trademark red dress. The bizarre growth spurt seemed natural and expected and the young lady lifted her head to return her mother's smile.

Mom, stop it, you're embarrassing me!

She sat down at the table and tapped her fingers as she watched her mother move about the kitchen with grace and purpose.

Don't get snippy with me, Amy Rose, or you won't get any of your favorite dish, creamed corn soup.

Amy gave a cute, pouty look with the bottom of her lips jutting out. Her hands came up to her chin, and she tilted her head.

Come on, Mom! That's not fair!

Her mother only laughed as she placed a bowl of steaming soup in front of the pouting hedgehog. The sound of her mother's twinkling laughter caused a throbbing pain to settle in her teenage heart, and her smile slightly faltered. Why did it feel like it'd been a lifetime since the last she'd heard that wondrous sound? She'd heard it all her life, hadn't she? At the thought, Amy felt that something was wrong... but then her mother patted her shoulder before sitting down across from her. She smiled at her mother with happiness, and the dark feeling evaporated like the steam rising from her soup.

Well… what are you waiting for darling, dig in.

The girl shook her head and her spoon dipped into the creamy, golden liquid before her. When she lifted the spoon to her mouth, and when the creamy liquid touched her tongue she felt her stomach practically melt in pleasure. The savory sweet taste of corn and warmth that spread throughout her body gave her a sense of comfort that made her eyes close.

Mmmm…

She hummed, her feet kicking underneath her. When was the last time I had creamed corn soup…? I'd forgotten I liked it. She opened her eyes and lowered her spoon for a second scoop. As the metal disappeared into the hot soup, her voice came forward and she spoke without thinking about her words,

You have to teach me how to make this Mom, I've got to make it for Shadow!

Her hand froze, spoon still in soup,

Shadow? Who's that, dear?

Who was that? Why had she said that? She tried to move her hand, but it wouldn't budge, and her arm began to shake with the effort.

I-I don't know… Who is Shadow, Mom?

Her mother looked at her, and a sad smile spread across her face.

Don't worry about it dear, just take another bite, you don't want it to get cold do you?

Her arm began to move to her mouth without her will. Something felt wrong about this. Something was wrong about everything around her. She gritted her teeth, and looked up at her mother, but there was someone else in her place. A dark hedgehog with sharp blood red eyes, he was a bit older than her, and his quills bent upwards instead of the common downward curve. He was leaning back in the chair, his arms crossed beneath a patch of fluffy, white fur. Who…? His muzzle curled into a teasing smirk,

Forgotten me already, Rose?

She shut her eyes, and suddenly images and emotions flooded her senses. Her friends, her real life. Rouge laughing and showing her how to buy her first 'adult' bra - Knuckles training her, his shouts ringing through her ears - Tails excitedly showing her a new invention - Sonic… her love for him and the broken heart he had given her - Shadow, his awkward yet soft hug, his warm trembling lips against hers, the night they had just shared - everything moved at the speed of light past her vision. Her eyes shut in defiance to the onslaught of memories, tears streaming down her face. She slammed her hands onto the table and when she opened her eyes once more, her mother was back and looking at her with intense worry in her eyes.

Amy… what is it?

The spoon clattered into the bowl and she scrubbed at her eyes. She felt her whole being rejecting the reality that was trying to invade her pleasant environment, and she shook her head fiercely. Because if it were true then the hedgehog before her was a ghost… but she had felt her mother… talked with her… this had to be the real, not the painful reality where her family did not exist. And yet...

I-I don't know… Mom, this isn't right… Oh, how I wish it was, but I have this feeling…

Her mother stood, a deep sadness drawing lines into her face. She walked towards her daughter, and wrapped her arms around her body. Amy was now slightly taller than her mother, but she bent her neck and buried her face in her mother's shoulder all the same. She felt the warmth of matronly love seeping into her back from a hand which patted her softly. A gentle humming took over the room, and Amy recognized the song as the lullaby her mother always sang to her. The soft rumbling of the melody vibrated against Amy's cheek, and she slowly calmed down. The humming stopped to be replaced with a voice full of forlorning,

I know, sweetheart. This has been more than I could ever ask for, seeing you one last time…

Amy blinked, her tears stopping as the cryptic words sank in. She squeezed her arms around her mother as though the female were going to disappear. The panic returned like a tidal wave, and she dug her fingers in, ignoring the fact that her mother didn't even flinch.

What are you saying?! W-we're fine! You are fine! What do you mean 'last time'?!

Her mother leaned back so that she could look her daughter in the eyes. Her hand came up slowly and cupped her daughter's cheek, her thumb rubbing it with tenderness. Her lavender eyes bright with unspilled tears, and her mouth curled in a loving smile.

It's okay dear, there are others that need your help. You have to wake up now.

No! She wanted to scream it, but when her mouth opened no sound came out. The smile on her mother's face rotted slightly, and a single salty pearl fell.

My little hoglet, do not fret. I just need to tell you one thing before you go. Life is precious, and the life you live with your loved ones is even more so. Never trade something that not even all the gold in the world, or the brightest diamond in the galaxy could buy. Don't even trade it for a star in the sky.

What do you mean?! Amy wanted to shout, and yet her lips sealed shut. Her mother leaned forward and kissed her forehead, and Amy felt a heat like a distant sun burn through her fur and into her skin, but it didn't hurt.

My beautiful rose petal, it is not yet your time.

Amy felt her body be thrown backwards, and she was being pulled away from her mother and the kitchen. Amy didn't want to go, she wanted to stay. Why should she leave? She was happy, safe, loved… and her mom was here. Her arms reached out desperately, but her mother merely watched her fly away with loving eyes.

She struggled against the force ripping her from her dream, but then metal claws burst through her mother's chest, and ruby blood poured on silver hands. She strained against the cruel hold, wanting to save her mother like she hadn't been able to all those years ago. But then the claw was replaced by a green-blackish spear of crackling energy, and her mother's body melted into the ebony hedgehog from before. His face frozen in pain, and his limbs dangling lifelessly from his torso. Then his name finally held meaning, and his importance in her heart restored. And an urgent fear enveloped her.

Shadow!

She jerked, her body finally submitting to the pull, and darkness took hold of her.

POP! "Arggggh!"

Amy jerked awake, her whole right side on fire. She punched blindly in front of her with her left hand, her quills fanning out and her eyes snapping back and forth to find the source of pain.

"Oh, thank Chaos!"

"Wow, Sticks, I didn't know you knew how to fix a dislocated shoulder!"

"When ya grow up in the jungle like I have, ya pick up a few survival tricks."

Amy's vision was blurry and she could barely make out the figures all around her. Her arm was sore and she felt an intense ringing in her head. She started to crawl backwards, barely registering that she was in an unfamiliar bed.

"Amy! It's okay, we're safe now." Rouge's voice cut through the panic and pain from right beside her ear, and Amy looked at her. Rouge looked worse than that morning, twigs and leaves speckled wind swept fur, and the relief shining in seafoam depths was burdensome. To break free of the awkward stare, Amy took deep breaths and slowly looked around the room, all of her friends were there; Tails was nervously looking at something on his CCP, Sticks flexed her hands as she looked over Amy, Cream stood next to her with her brown eyes wet with tears, and Sonic was glaring out the window, his foot tapping quickly in anticipation. Amy moaned, and rubbed at her right arm.

"What…"

"We're at Sonic and Tails' house. I grabbed your arm right before you hit the ground and it dislocated. You were hurt badly. It was the only place I could think to take you. Oh, Amy! I'm so sorry!" Rouge collapsed on the bed.

"Rouge, what happened? The last thing I -"

Then that image, that horrifying image of Shadow and green crackling Chaos energy.

"Shadow!" Amy jumped up, all pain forgotten and made a mad dash for the door. However, before she could make it, a blue blur rushed in front of her and blocked her way. He took a firm hold of her shoulders and kept her from moving past him. In her weakened state she could barely muster the strength to resist and she growled at him in frustration.

"Calm down, Amy. You're injured."His voice came out low and calm, but his emerald eyes shone with naked concern.

"I don't care!" She screamed, looking past the hedgehog in front of her and to her only escape. She did not register the worried mummers that filtered through the room, nor the urgent plea in Sonic's expression. All she cared about was tracking that fucking degernerate Paul down, and getting to Shadow as quickly as possible. That horrible image of his body impaled would not leave her mind, it was there reflected in the black when she blinked.

"Ames… please," Sonic tried again with gentle force, and his thumbs rubbed her shoulders where they held her.

"I know you want to go help him right now, believe me I -"

"You don't understand, Sonic," Amy growled, her anger and fear drowning any common sense that she had, "You don't have anyone you're in love with!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a cold wash of regret fizz out the lava of wrath within her. Sonic's bright composure cracked. His arms fell from her shoulder to hang loosely at his sides, and he pulled his gaze away, unable to look her in the eyes. Everyone in the room held their breath, Sonic's hurt fresh in the air and tangible enough to feel.

"I -" Amy tried, but Sonic's hand rose.

"Amy, I know you're not seeing straight right now, and whether you believe me or not, I've been in your position more times than I count… thanks to you."

Amy flinched at the implied meaning behind the last three words, and Sonic merely stared at her with a somber expression, his lips curled downwards as he spoke.

"So please know that when I say we need to wait and plan this out, I have my reasons. We barely know what the Temple we saw yesterday contains. Not to mention that the crazy snake has all the emeralds, including the Master Emerald. We have no idea what to expect. And going in there without a plan is a recipe for disaster. I'd rather not have to save you as well."

She flinched at the last sentence, and any desire she still had to resist him disappeared. She knew he was right, going without a plan would do more harm than good. Had she really thought she could just go by herself, hammer blazing, and expect to win against hundreds of robots, Lyric, Paul and Chaos knows what else? As she watched Sonic brush past her, she felt an odd emotion prickle the back of her neck. When had he gotten so mature… so dependable? It wasn't just today, but yesterday he'd been the one to talk her from the ledge. He'd been the one to fix the screwed up emotions within her. And how had she repaid him?

She turned, ready to apologize, but was met with several pairs of eyes, and suddenly the words died in her throat from embarrassment. Had she really done all of that in front of all their friends? Rouge in particular was a mess, her large ears folded back, and she sat staring out the window, her fingers digging into her arm. She had lost Knuckles too, but she hadn't abandoned everyone to go be a 'hero.' She had taken the time to bring Amy to help, and sat there in silence, most likely as worried as Amy was about not only Shadow but Knuckles too.

"I'm sorry, everyone…" Amy announced, her eyes tearing up, and her arms shaking with raw emotion.

"I wasn't thinking… I -"

Arms wrapped around her, and she blinked in surprise before her own arms came up to return the hug. Rouge squeezed her friend tightly, and the girls held onto each other, desperate for any feeling of security that they could get from the simple action.

"We'll get them back, Amy. I promise… my Knucklehead and your Ultimate Doofus."

Amy tried to return words of comfort, but found her throat plugged and her ears burning, so all she could do was nod into her friend's chest.

Knuckles was awoken when a bucket of cold water was poured over his head. Coughing and gasping like a drowning victim, he looked around in confusion at the foreign environment. He heard an evil laugh in front of him and looked up to see Paul standing over him with a smirk. Instinctively he growled and lunged for the wolf, only to be shot backward by the Chaos infused bars of a cage. This only caused the wolf to laugh deeper, and he gave a mocking look of pity.

"Look at that! The famous Guardian of the Master Emerald can't handle a bit of dark Chaos Energy! It's quite humorous really."

Knuckles growled in response, spat towards the canine, and it splashed onto Paul's cheek. The laughter immediately stopped, and a dangerous look flickered to life in the wolf's yellow orbs. His muzzle split, and he practically punched himself to rid the spit from his purple fur. His voice came forth just an octave higher than a whisper, but the tone was thick with venom.

"You're lucky Lyric wants you two alive, otherwise I'd open this door and finish you right here and now."

Knuckles felt a cold shudder claw painfully up his spine. But he stayed silent, his expression stoic. He had been taught as a young echidna to never show his enemy weakness, to have dignity in the face of evil. An echidna warrior had to keep their emotions in check, never give in, never surrender.

Paul stared at the guardian for a long time, irritated that it seemed his threat had no effect on the indifferent male. But a gruesome joy filled his chest as he heard a pained moan from the back of the cell. Knuckles saw the look and turned his head to look in the direction of the sound. He almost gasped aloud with shock at what he saw. Shadow was curled into a fetal position in the far corner, his body wrapped around a flickering spear of dark Chaos power. His lips were trembling in pain, and his breath came forth ragged and uneven. Blood was spilling from the wound and Knuckles realized the floor of the cell was slowly filling with a sea of red liquid.

"I would tend to that wound if I were you," Paul advised with a tone of fake concern, "Lyric doesn't want one of his guests of honor to die before the main event."

Knuckles growled in response, and Paul smirked in satisfaction that he'd finally been able to break his sober demeanor. His finger came forward and he pulled it along the bars, his claws clinking horribly on the metal. The crackling evil energy was whipped into a frenzy, and it licked and climbed the wolf's fingers. Paul didn't even flinch, in fact it even looked like the energy was happy that he was touching it, as if it were welcoming its master. Knuckles stared at the scene with a mixture of horrified shock and disgust.

"Well I would love to stay and keep you boys company, but I have chores to do and Daddy Lyric wouldn't want me to fall behind."

Without waiting for a response the wolf gave a patronizing bow before turning, leaving the two injured heroes in their cell.

Only once the wolf had disappeared from view did Knuckles crumple to the ground. His whole body ached, and he could feel the tenderness of freshly mended bones. The last thing he remembered was being thrown to the ground from hundreds of feet in the air by the very hedgehog who was now curled up next to him. He could see that some of his wounds had been healed and he felt the faint touch of the Master Emerald flowing through his veins. His only thought was that Rouge had tried to heal him with the gem; she was the only one he had shared that knowledge with. Rouge.

Suddenly he felt panic grip his heart. If he was captured, and Rouge had been with him, where was she? He shot up, his senses straining to try and pick up any sign of her in the dungeon. He didn't smell her, and when he shouted her name there was no answer. Despite the low possibility of success, he was about to attempt bending the metal bars when another pained moan. It was a sound he had never expected to hear from the Ultimate Lifeform, and it brought him back to his senses.

He breathed in deeply, held his breath for four beats of his heart, and released it. Just like Rouge had taught him. 'It's no use letting that rage of yours take control, babe.' He heard her voice softly whisper in his ear, 'You're no good to me when you can't think straight.' He went through the exercise one more time, and turned towards the twitching hedgehog. She was always right. He didn't know if she was captured or not, but as far as he could tell, she was not near him nor in immediate danger. The one that needed his help though was Shadow.

Knuckles knelt beside him to have a closer look at his condition. It was jarring to see the strong hedgehog reduced to a groaning puddle of pain, especially considering the beat down he had received from Shadow mere hours ago. A small part of Knuckles felt a dark pleasure at Shadow's pain, it served him right. However, he shook that feeling away and allowed the much stronger desire to help his (sort of) friend overtake it.

He removed his bloody, spiked gloves, and as gently as he could, pulled Shadow's limbs from around the spear. The reaction was instantaneous; Shadow let out a fur-raising yowl, and his limbs twitched with the need to curl back up. Knuckles firmly planted his knees onto Shadow's legs and with one hand he pinned Shadow's wrists above his head. The action caused a wave of blood to burst from the wound and spill onto Knuckles legs. The echidna flinched in sympathy, and bent down to get a good look.

Shadow's flesh was pushed up against the spear, and where it was in direct contact with the evil energy, it bubbled. A faint scent of burning muscle and skin was turning Knuckles stomach upside down. Knuckles gulped, but his mouth was dry so it was more like a choke. Blood was flowing unabated, and Knuckles knew that if Shadow wasn't genetically enhanced like he always claimed to be, he would've been long dead. The fact that he is still breathing makes it hard to believe this guy is Mobian. Remembering what Rouge had told him about Shadow's abilities, Knuckles knew the hedgehog had an otherworldly ability to heal himself, but the echidna was worried about the evil Chaos Energy and its effects on that ability.

Shadow wasn't fully affiliated with what Knuckles called 'light' Chaos Energy, but it was obvious that he also didn't use 'dark' Chaos Energy either, otherwise his flesh would be healing around the spear instead of rejecting it. A brief curiosity at Shadow's alignment filtered through the Guardian's mind, but it quickly disappeared as Shadow twitched aggressively in his hold.

Typically one would not remove the object that was impaling the wounded to prevent further blood loss, but it was painfully obvious that the Chaos energy was doing more harm than good. Knuckles could still feel a thin thread of energy from the Master Emerald swimming in his blood, slowly moving through his body and healing his own injuries. It wasn't much, but if he could use it on Shadow, maybe he could clot the blood in his wound so that he wouldn't bleed to death after the spear was removed.

Knuckles closed his eyes, and began whispering an ancient santra in his extinct tribe's language. He felt the energy within him spark, and move quickly through his veins to tangle in a ball in his stomach. He felt a pain like intense hunger, but he gritted his teeth and moved his free hand to grip the spear.

As soon as his bare skin touched the rod of Chaos Energy, a pain like a thousand suns burned his hand. He yelled in pain, but only tightened his grip on the spear. Breathing heavily, he pulled with all the strength he could muster and with a sickening, squelching pop, he removed the spear from Shadow's torso and threw it into the bars. It shattered into sparks of crackling energy and disappeared. Shadow yelled at it's removal, and without the object damming the flow, his blood washed over the echidna in a warm gush. Without wasting a beat, Knuckles slapped his hand to the wound, and frantically whispered the incantation once more.

The energy within him snapped from his stomach, prickled along his arm and flowed into Shadow. The bright green energy curled around his fingers and blossomed in Shadow's blood. The blood stopped flowing and gathered around the energy, and where the electricity touched crimson liquid, it turned to thick jelly, and then hardened like cement. As Knuckles had suspected, it was only enough to coagulate the blood and prevent Shadow from bleeding out. He knew the hedgehog had pudding for internal organs, and he only hoped that the light energy had been enough to push out the remaining tendrils of dark.

Once the deed was done, Knuckles unwrapped the bindings from his arms, and wrapped them around Shadow's slim torso. He pulled them as tightly as he could, and when he was finished he fell back onto the side of a cot that was pushed up against the back bars of the cell. Now that the remaining Chaos Energy within him was gone, his pain intensified as though strong pain killers had worn off.

His head slowly fell back, and his eyes closed. Now that the immediate danger was past, he felt intense exhaustion push on him like gravity. The impossibility of their situation weighed on him, and tortured his mind. He had no idea where he was, why Shadow of all people was with him, or how he was going to escape this dungeon. And another concerning thought was nagging him. The dark Chaos Energy he'd pulled out of Shadow, and the energy that crackled around the metal bars preventing him from bending them, felt suspiciously like the Master Emerald. Knuckles had spent hundreds of years guarding the gem, and it's vibrations and aura was known to him like his own. It was twisted, but the energy snapping all around him felt familiar. This meant only one thing… Lyric now had the Master Emerald.

Knuckles hadn't realized he'd been sleeping until he was awoken by a loud groan beside him. His head snapped up and looked over to see Shadow growling in pain, his arms locked in straight poles on the cot as he attempted to stand. Knuckles eyes widened when he saw a small dot of red peek out from the white of the bandages around the hedgehog.

"Stop moving you idiot, you'll undo all the hard work I put into healing you."

Shadow didn't move his head, but his ruby iris snapped to the corner of his lids and narrowed on the echidna.

"You call this healed?" He grumbled through clenched teeth.

Knuckles growled in response and stood up. Shadow visibly flinched as the large guardian reached for him with his massive arms. However, Knuckles merely lifted the hedgehog into the air like a toddler and set him up against the cot in a sitting position.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay still until you heal a bit more."

Shadow huffed and looked away, but he didn't argue. His pride was hurt, but he knew Knuckles was right and he wasn't a fool to disregard the warning. Knuckles sighed and plopped down beside the hedgehog. For a long moment there was silence between them, and the only sounds that could be heard were the scratching of rats scurrying along the dungeon floor, and the steady dripping of water from somewhere deep in the cell.

"What the hell is going on, Shadow? The last thing I remember is fighting you on Angel Island."

Shadow didn't respond at first and Knuckles almost thought the male was going to give him the cold shoulder when he heard another growl.

"I don't remember much, but I do know that Paul appeared when I took you to the Master Emerald."

"Did… What about Rouge?" Knuckles hated the tremble in his voice, he hated showing this hedgehog any sort of weakness. But surprisingly Shadow's demeanor seemed to relax slightly, and although he still didn't look at Knuckles his voice came forth less aggressively than before.

"She's safe. At least I think so. It's fuzzy but when Paul impaled me, I could see her and Amy quite a distance away. It looked like they were immobilized somehow, but they were out of reach."

Knuckles sighed, and relief flowed through him. She's safe. He felt his throat tighten and his eyes burn. It was odd that the knowledge of her safety would tear at his composure. He gulped, and closed his eyes.

"That's good… as long as she is okay, I'll be fine."

Shadow glanced over at the echidna, before looking down at the cracks in the floor. He wouldn't admit it, but he felt the same as Knuckles. Amy was safe. At least as far as he could tell. He could see her face as clear as the dirt specks on the ground, her face torn and twisted in fear, her voice screeching forth like a banshee from hell as she screamed his name. He cursed Paul. He'd been forced to tell his weaknesses to Amy, and since she knew, it was very possible that she thought he was dead.

"Do you know where we are?"

The question sounded like nails on a chalkboard, but Shadow replied all the same.

"My guess would be the Temple that Lyric built in the jungle."

"What temple?"

Shadow tried to reign in his rage, knowing that it wasn't the echidna's fault, and that the anger was meant for his enemies. But he couldn't stop the small tone of annoyance from entering his voice as he replied,

"I don't really know the specifics, but Sonic, Tails and I found a temple yesterday that looked to be modeled after a Skye Arc tribe city."

On any other day, Knuckles would've punched the hedgehog for his tone of voice, but he gritted his teeth and looked away. The answer was intriguing and he remained quiet as he thought about the information. Skye Arc Tribe. It was civilization that he knew of, but hadn't thought deeply about. He knew it was Amy's main point of study, but he'd had little interest in deepening his own knowledge of the subject. What he did remember, was that it was a tribe older than his own. One that had faded away before his tribe had turned to dust and before he'd been born. He also knew that it'd been highly advanced and had been a powerful leader in Mobius' history.

After moments of silence, Shadow was finally able to gain control over his emotions, and he finally looked over to Knuckles.

"Look, I'll tell you what happened yesterday. It'd be better if you knew everything, especially since you might know more about ancient culture than I do."

Knuckles looked at Shadow, surprised. He hadn't expected the hedgehog to offer help, let alone willingly speak to him. Shadow felt annoyed with the look, but he just narrowed his eyes. Knuckles blinked and hummed for a moment in thought, before he shrugged.

"To be honest, a lot of my early life is foggy and hard to remember. Living for hundreds of years, isolated on a floating island will do that to you... but I'll try."

Shadow nodded solemnly, and relayed the events of the previous day. When he was done, Knuckles was sitting straighter and his hand was rubbing his chin as he thought deeply.

"The Festival of Khras…" Knuckles murmured, and Shadow perked his ears. He found it odd that of all the things he'd mentioned that Knuckles would hone in on that particular detail. It had been one he'd personally felt was irrelevant compared to the location of all the emeralds. However, since it had earned such a reaction from the guardian Shadow was curious to its meaning.

"If I remember correctly Khras is the Ancient's word for sun. Our tribe had a different word for it, but if the translation is Festival of the Sun, then they must've been talking about the Summer Solstice."

"Summer Solstice?" Shadow pondered, his head tilting slightly.

"It's the day of the year when the sun is in the sky for the longest. Meaning the longest day of the year. In my tribe it was a day of festive celebration and revered as a joyous event."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Shadow grumbled, but his ruby irises glanced at Knuckles from the corner of his eyes, "How come I feel like a 'but' is coming?"

Knuckles chuckled darkly and grimaced.

"But, it was also a day that was able to strengthen the power of warlocks. All solstices do this, and my tribe was always careful to make sure no dark powers tried to take advantage of it. There were always bedtime stories and fairytales which warned that should an evil force use the power of the sun for evil, then the world would sink into eternal darkness."

Shadow scoffed and rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

"Just wonderful… They're obviously planning something dastardly for the day. When is this supposed to happen?"

Shadow felt a chill run up his spine as the words left his lips, and he realized that Knuckles was looking at him with pure dread in his eyes. And he knew the answer even before Knuckles muttered them with resignation.

"June 21st, tomorrow."

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