Hello! ^u^
Okay so this is technically a loose prequel to one of my other stories which is longer but decided to put it up nonetheless. Should've went with this first AND then the other one hehe.
Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.
Double Date
WHOOSH!
BAM!
POW!
SMASH!
Powerful blows rumbled in the air around a clear grassy area on the outskirts of Station Square. A rush of wind blew back and forth caused by streaks of blue and red colliding with one another at high speeds. To the average person they wouldn't recognize the streaks as they went too fast to catch a glimpse of what they are. To a heightened sense individual however, they would tell that the two flashes pounding at one another were actually one certain blue hedgehog and one certain red echidna.
"Take this!" Knuckles the Echidna threw a high speed fist at Sonic the Hedgehog who merely grinned and dodged out of the way.
"You're too slow Knucklehead! When will you learn that trying to punch me will never-."
POW!
Sonic was distracted to notice Knuckles throwing an incoming fist from his other arm, impacting the blue hero and sending him flying a few feet away and rolling violently onto the ground. Knuckles smirked back watching his longtime friend skid to a stop as the latter groaned in pain.
"Hah! Don't play dumb with me hedgehog, I learned how to counter you and your high speed tricks!" the emerald guardian stated while pumping his fists. Sonic slowly got up shaking his head and glared back. "Fine, I guess I'll go all out then!" Sonic then began glowing blue with lightning crackling around his form, green eyes turning into shining blue.
Knuckles huffed in annoyance and did the same thing, red lightning encasing his body with violet eyes turning a fierce crimson red. "I won't hold back either Sonic!"
The two opponents bolted towards another and collided, each trying to overtake the other as streaks of electricity filled the air with some impacting the ground and causing tremors. Sonic began spin dashing in place, but Knuckles reacted quickly and threw out his palm to catch the homing attack and holding the blue hedgehog in place.
"Don't think the same trick will work twice on me!" the red echidna then threw a quick uppercut with his other arm and struck Sonic, causing the Blue Blur to gasp in pain and fly into the air. A hand grabbed his foot and his eyes widened as he felt Knuckles swing him down to the ground, approaching it at breakneck speeds. He saved himself however by curling up into a ball and spinning towards the ground, rebounding and flying back up to Knuckles.
The echidna guardian crossed his arms and blocked the attack but winced as he felt the power of the spin dash. Since his gloves protected him from the intense friction from the spinning, his fur didn't do much to prevent the burning sensation of Sonic digging into his arms. Thinking quickly Knuckles moved out of the way to watch his opponent fly by.
POW!
Only to immediately feel pain as Sonic threw an overhead kick above him which made impact on his head and sent the emerald guardian towards the ground. At the last second however Knuckles threw his arms towards the ground and pushed himself across the field back on his feet. Sonic landed a few feet away from them as both gazed at each other intensely, the electricity flowing violently around their forms.
"You're getting better Sonic, I expected that after all the battles we've been through." Knuckles complimented. Sonic smiled and rubbed under his nose. "Thanks Knux, you're getting better too when you started going out on adventures with us more."
Both of them smiled and bolted towards each other once again, two battle cries emitting from the hedgehog and echidna as fierce eyes watched one another get closer to finish the fight to its exciting end…
"STOP!"
…only to turn their heads away from each other to the unknown voice at the last second.
SMASH!
And crash into each other comically landing on the floor.
"Ugh what the…" Knuckles recovered faster with Sonic getting up after him, their lightning aura fading instantly.
"Dude that was not cool!" the cobalt hero shook his head to take off the dizziness and brushed himself down. "Okay what's the big idea?!" Sonic turned towards the source of the voice, his eyes lowering in an annoyed expression. "Oh, it's you."
Amy stood there a few feet away from the two with hands on her hips and an angry expression. "Yes it's me Sonic and what ARE you two doing fighting each other?!"
"Relax Amy we were just sparring. We gotta keep our game up if Eggman or anyone, or anything, attacks us. We haven't had some action in a couple of weeks now." Sonic explained. This didn't change the pink hedgehog's demeanor as she continued to glare at him. "And do you think Knuckles would've been the perfect sparring partner if it wasn't for Tikal to worry sick about him?!"
"Wait she's here?!" Knuckles interjected. Amy nodded as she stepped out of the way, revealing the orange echidna watching him with the most heart-breaking look that'll bring immense guilt to anyone. Knuckles was unfortunately the source of her stare and already he could feel the pressure on him as he looked away nervously.
"I-I guess you weren't lying…" he said to himself, hearing her gentle footsteps approaching him. He couldn't look away any longer as he turned and saw her with sapphire eyes glistening with moisture.
"Y-You said you were going to get something from Tails and then come back. W-Why w-would you fight a friend?" Tikal asked him. Those words made a huge impact on Knuckles; while he never got scolded by her nor did he against her, the concern and worry she gives out when it comes to him makes it feel as if he's done the most horrible thing in the world to her.
"I-I did! I went to grab a crate of guavas that Cream gave him and while I was heading back I ran into Sonic. We talked for a bit and eventually ended up doing a friendly spar. That's it." he said with the upmost truth. Tikal continued to look at him and sniffed, rubbing her eyes after and nodded. "Okay."
Knuckles knew just that one word meant that she wasn't really settling well with it. "N-No wait Tikie I won't do it again! I promise!" he panicked. The echidna princess smiled at the response, knowing that the emerald guardian normally goes by his word and wouldn't let her down.
Amy smiled in approval, then turned her attention to Sonic. "And what about you mister? Are you gonna stop fighting and just relax?"
Sonic crossed his arms and grumbled to himself. "Fine Ames I won't SPAR with Knuckles or anyone else again."
"Not even Shadow."
The latter rolled his eyes. "Yeah, not even Shadow."
"And?" Amy kept going. The cobalt hero sighed heavily and averted his eyes. "And I'm sorry."
"Good, but I don't forgive you!" she answered. Sonic raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Oookay so what will it take for you to forgive me?"
The rose-colored girl smirked deviously crossing her arms. "If you want my forgiveness, you gotta go on a date with me!"
"… that's it?" Sonic deadpanned.
"Yeah but not just a date, it'll be a double date!" she cheered.
"Double date?" Knuckles came into the conversation. Amy shook her head at the red guardian. "Yup, it'll be me and Sonic and you and Tikal!"
Tikal thought in curiosity at what she was meaning. "I have never heard of this 'date' before?"
"WHAT?! You've never went on one before?! Did you ever have a special someone in your time?!" Amy bellowed. The peached-colored girl shook her head. "No, I never had someone back in my time as my father didn't allow it. Knuckie is basically my first special someone and will always be my first and last." she finished with a blush. Knuckles got flustered as well and grinned.
"Awww that's so cute! What about you Knuckles do you know what a date is?" the pink hedgehog asked him.
"Not really, I just go with you guys on stopping Eggman and stuff so things like this I don't know much of. Heck I've never had anyone in my life until Tikie was revived and I'm very happy to be with her." Upon finishing that he felt Tikal cling onto his arm and cuddle him, hiding her face in his arm. "Do you really mean that." she muttered. Knuckles smiled and nuzzled the top of her head. "Yeah."
"Why can't we do that Sonic?!" Amy yelled at the blue hedgehog who shrugged. "I dunno, maybe because you would hug me to death with your gorilla strength." Sonic jumped out of the way in fright as he dodged her incoming hammer attack. "AND BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS TRY TO HIT ME WITH THAT DAMN HAMMER OF YOURS!"
"IT'S BECAUSE YOU KEEP SAYING HOW BAD OF A GIRLFRIEND I AM TO YOU WITH THOSE LIES YOU SAY ABOUT ME!" she screamed at him, raising her hammer once more.
"STOP IT RIGHT NOW!" Knuckles yelled, the two hedgehogs turning their heads to the red echidna who held a trembling Tikal. "You two are making Tikie cry! You know she doesn't like violence!"
"P-Please s-stop…" she pleaded clutching onto Knuckles and hiding her face in his chest, whimpering as the emerald guardian shushed her and rubbed her back. Sonic and Amy watched with guilt and looked at each other sadly.
"Sorry…" they both said.
"Good because even watching you two fight gets me annoyed." Knuckles added.
Sonic let out a small sigh. "Okay I guess we can go on a date. So when do we start?"
"We'll be starting today!" Amy answered. The Blue Blur smirked and nodded. "Alright so where we off too?"
"Here!" the pink hedgehog pulled out a brochure that showed a city with a dome-shaped building and a tall belltower with several canals running around the many buildings inhabiting it. What was noticeable on it was the large eagle statue that was shown on top of the dome-shaped building as Sonic's eyes widened. "I haven't been there in a while!"
Knuckles took a look as well and he was also surprised. "Isn't this the place where we saved that one girl from that evil monster or something?"
"Yup, we're going to Soleanna! While we went there last time to save the princess, this time we're going because it's the most romantic city I know of!" Amy jumped up and down in excitement. "I also did say before that we would have a hedgehog and echidna double date and now we can make that happen!"
Tikal looked at the pamphlet in wonder, seeing the pictures of various building and sights. "I've never been here; it looks so beautiful."
"Yeah because it's a coastal city just like Station Square, but it's kind of far away from here." Amy replied.
"No worries, I'll just get two Chaos Emeralds and we can Chaos Control over there." Knuckles stated, taking out a blue gem from his person. "I have one with me to get to Tails but going back I decided to walk."
"Great! So it's settled then, we meet over there in an hour to get ourselves ready." Amy explained. Sonic thought about it and actually smiled. "You know what I did like the sights there and it wouldn't be too bad just taking a stroll there to enjoy them."
"This would be great for Tikie to explore more outside the island as well." Knuckles added grinning, feeling Tikal's tug on his arm as he turned his gaze to her with the latter beaming up at him. "Especially with you Knuckie. This would be our first official date as Amy calls it."
"Perfect, so in an hour okay?" Amy said to the group as they nodded. The couples split up with Knuckles chaos controlling away with Tikal and the crate while Sonic carried Amy and ran towards their homes.
As the speedster headed towards Amy's place first, the pink hedgehog got close to his ear.
"I still remember what she gave you when you played dead… don't think I won't forget."
Sonic feared for his life for that moment in time.
In Soleanna Castle Town…
Blue skies cast its endless stretch above the many buildings of the island-nation, the sun's rays casting its glow on their old architecture. Several canals ran through its brick-laden roads where pedestrians walked to do their daily tasks or enjoy the vibrant weather that came with a nice breeze. Several well-known structures were also present such as the bell tower at the corner of the town along with a dome-shaped building near the middle. Several shops were open with a couple of vendors attracting tourists to observe their merchandise and whatever else they were selling. A cheerful scenery ran among its denizens due to the colorful environment that was presented to them on a great day such as this, and it wouldn't be one to miss out for our two couples currently walking on the road.
"It's great to be back here again! Ooooh look Sonic they're selling caramel apples there!" Amy's voice rang out as she pulled the blue speedster towards the stand, a nervous look on his face as he laughed it off.
Knuckles closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air that passed by. "This kind of beats the breeze back in the altar." he said, opening his violet orbs and looking around the scenery. Tikal herself watched in awe at the various buildings that told of its ancient origins, its architecture reminiscent to gothic-like culture. "This is incredible Knuckie. I never seen anything like this before."
"Well you'll see it more often the more we go out. I'm just glad that you're enjoying it." the emerald guardian replied. The orange echidna smiled and nodded, gripping his hand a little tighter as they had them entwined with one another. "Yes I am most certainly enjoying it, though I am interested in those apples Amy is talking about and wondering what this 'caramel' is."
"Oh you'll love it Tikie, I tried it before and it tastes great!" Knuckles answered as the pair headed towards the stand where Amy had two on sticks and handed Sonic one of them.
"Here Sonic try it out!" the pink hedgehog said. Sonic grabbed it and looking at it curiously he took a bite. Green eyes lit up as he took another bite and chewed happily. "This tastes great Ames!"
"Oh Sonic I knew you'd love it~!" Amy replied happily before she took a bite off his apple. The Blue Blur was confused. "Hey wait why bite off mine when you have your own?" he questioned.
"I know, but it tastes better when I bite at the same place you did~." she replied.
'Okay take it easy Sonic. Remember she can be cuckoo at times but just play along.' Sonic thought as he nervously chuckled.
"I'll take two of the ones they have please." Knuckles asked the vendor who was a lady that looked like she was in her fifties. A vibrant smile answered him back as she clasps her hands. "Oh no problem young man and oh my goodness is she your girlfriend?" she said pointing at Tikal who blushed looking shyly at the ground.
Knuckles flustered as well but nodded. "Y-Yeah, she is."
"Aww she's so adorable! You two look like a lovely couple unlike my ex who never took me out anywhere." the vendor grumbled the last part. The emerald guardian sweatdropped and nervously grinned. "O-Okay well we'll just take two like I said."
"You got it young man! You look like someone that'll take great care of her so please don't hurt her." she handed the caramel apples to Knuckles only to grip one of his wrists quickly. "If you do then I'll hurt YOU…" she whispered giving him a death glare. The red echidna shivered a bit and nodded. "Y-Yeah, okay."
Tikal made herself known by hugging him and placing her head on his shoulder with a frown. "My Knuckie will never hurt me. Please don't say such things." she said.
"Of course young lady where are my manners! You are just simply so cute that I'm sure this strong young man will definitely care for you. Just wanted to make sure he's the right person for you." the vendor explained.
"He is and always will be, so please never say anything like that to him again." Tikal stated as Knuckles simply watched amazed.
"Alright well I don't want to keep you two from your date so run along hehe." she smiled at the echidna couple as Tikal pulled Knuckles away, the larger of the two feeling her stare behind him.
"Geez what's her problem? First she calls you cute then she threatens me not to break your heart or else?" Knuckles says irritably. Tikal hugged him tighter and nuzzled his neck. "It's okay my love, I know you'll never hurt me."
"Hey you two c'mon we gotta do more sightseeing!" Amy waved a few feet away with Sonic smirking back at them. The echidna pair smiled and walked towards them with the peach-colored girl taking a bite off her apple, sapphire eyes widening.
"This tastes delicious Knuckie!" she gasped and nibbled more at the sweet. The emerald guardian grinned and bit his own. "Tastes great, though next time we won't go to that stall hehe."
The two couples walked through several of the bridges that connected the pathways together as they took in the sights. Sonic at times sped up buildings to look from above while Amy shouted at him to get down and not cause a scene; at times did he also take Amy up with him to which her temper died down immediately and she marveled at how everything looked different from above.
Knuckles and Tikal took interest in whatever else went on at the ground, watching the several performers that added entertainment to the crowds below. The red echidna was curious at a mime that was acting in which the latter called upon the emerald guardian to step right up. Knuckles stood there confused as the mime placed his hands over him and moved them in a way that is shaped like a container, silently pushing against the imaginary walls he placed and struggling which made the crowd laugh. Tikal also watched curiously at what the mime was doing while Knuckles rolled his eyes in annoyance in which the mime gestured him to walk forward with a finger. Following his order the male echidna did such thing.
POW!
And fell back onto his rear. Knuckles rubbed his face and glared at the performer, placing his palm in front of him and was surprised to actually feel something physical even though it was only plain air. Sonic and Amy walked and stood next to Tikal as they see Knuckles get mad and began punching the invisible container he was in. The mime started looking worried as in his vision did the imaginary box fill with cracks from the impacts. A particularly strong punch broke through and caused an air burst to hit the mime, having him land on the ground and watch in horror at the seething echidna who ran a hand up one arm with electricity being let out in the other which formed a fist. Tikal intervened upon noticing and glomped him to stop his advance; Sonic and Amy also pulled him back as they apologized quickly and ran away, the crowd bewildered but nonetheless cheered.
"I swear when I get my hands on him I'll tear off his-." Knuckles heard Tikal whimper and immediately ceased, the emerald guardian breathing in deeply and exhaling the same way. "Never mind, I'm sorry for how I acted Tikie." he said looking down sadly. The orange echidna clung his arm tighter and ran a hand down it. "Please don't get angry Knuckie, and it's okay."
"You're lucky we got there in time or otherwise he'd be toast hehe." Sonic snickered. Amy rolled her eyes and tugged him. "Leave him alone Sonic, you know how he gets so let's not work him up more."
"Getting away from all of that where do we go now?" Knuckles questioned.
"Next destination is in New City!" Amy cheered. "If you two minus Tikal remember it's the coastal part of town where everything's more modern. I've been dying to check out their shops!"
"Well let's not waste any time then and get going!" Sonic added. Knuckles smirked in approval while Tikal cheerfully nodded. "I cannot wait to see more of this lovely city!" she said.
"It's kind of a ways away Tikal and we have to go through this pathway that's near the cathedral." Amy stated. "Hopefully it won't take loooAAHHH!" she yelled in surprise as Sonic carried her bridal style.
"Luckily you have the great Sonic the Hedgehog, fastest thing alive, as your boyfriend to get from point A to point B as quick as a flash!"
"UWAH?!" Tikal also shouted feeling Knuckles carry her the same way. "K-Knuckie?!"
"Don't think I can't keep up with you hedgehog." the emerald guardian smirked. Sonic gave the same expression as the duo began letting out chaos energy, blue and red lightning covering their forms.
"On the count of three." Sonic kept his stare on Knuckles as he readied himself as well.
"WAIT WAIT!" Amy hollered but it fell on deaf ears.
"Three." Knuckles started off.
"K-Knuckie h-hold on I'm n-not ready!" Tikal also let out but her voice also didn't go through.
"Two." Sonic said afterwards.
"BOYS STOP!" both Amy and Tikal shouted.
This still didn't stop them.
"ONE!"
"KYAAAAAHHHHHH!" Amy and Tikal screamed feeling the intense rush of both Sonic and Knuckles blasting away at high speeds towards their next destination, streaks mixed of blue with pink and red with orange in their wake.
In Soleanna New City…
"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO WAIT UNTIL I'M READY!" Amy shouted at the top of her lungs. Several pedestrians looked at her either in confusion, fright or with a grin knowing that it wasn't directed at them. Her vicious glare laid upon the two males that were sitting on one of the benches in the town plaza while her and Tikal stood in front of them.
"Sorry Ames, just wanted to get here quick that's all." Sonic muttered while avoiding her intense stare.
"We could've walked here you dummy! It's a date so no rush you know, we can take our time!" the pink hedgehog yelled again. Tikal on her part looked at Knuckles worriedly with the latter looking at the ground in shame.
"Sorry Tikie, I just got really into it for Sonic to beat me at something. I'm too competitive." he softly said. The orange echidna walked up to him and brought a hand under his chin to raise it up, blue eyes gazing at violet ones.
"Please give me some time to adjust before you do that. I wasn't able to calm myself after that." From there she softly squeezed his cheek in a soft pinch that wasn't enough to hurt him. "I know you don't want to hurt me, but don't try to frighten me like that."
Knuckles felt the pinch and while it didn't hurt, it was enough to indicate that she was a bit upset. "Of course, I'll let you know next time." he replied. Both smiled at one another with Tikal helping Knuckles to his feet with their hands entwined.
"Okay so are we cool now?" Sonic asked with Amy hugging his arm but kept a suspicious look towards him. "I dunno, you and Knucklehead might pull off something again."
"We won't Ames. Just tell us where to go next."
The couples then began heading towards several shops that sold clothing and native jewelry that fascinated the pink hedgehog, dragging Sonic towards them unfortunately. Tikal and Knuckles looked around in awe at the vendors with the female echidna pointing towards some of the merchandise that interested her with Knuckles nodding at her choices. He even bought some that were to her liking such as new blouses, skirts and decorative charms that she plans on putting back at their little home and emerald altar.
Afterwards they made their way towards the coastal part of the town where the vast blue sea greeted them. Waves splashed upon the edge of the light sand as Amy and Tikal took off their footwear to dip themselves in the cool water.
"C'mon Sonic the water's great!" Amy called out to him as the cobalt hedgehog and the red echidna stood a few feet away watching their girlfriends. Tikal crouched down a bit to feel the water with her hands as she smiled, turning to the emerald guardian. "Knuckie please join us!"
Knuckles nodded and began taking off his shoes. He also placed on swim trunks he got during their shopping so they wouldn't feel 'naked'. "Don't tell me you're still scared of the sea right?"
"I'M NOT!" Sonic blurted out, glaring at him with vicious green eyes. Knuckles simply rolled his eyes as he placed his shoes next to the girls' and walked over to them. Tikal immediately latched onto him as they ran towards the waves laughing.
'Why are you being a wuss Sonic?! Get out there even if you can't swim!" the blue hedgehog thought as he looked at the ocean, his form trembling at the sight. 'World's greatest hero who can't even face water…'
"Sonic?"
The hedgehog male jumped at the voice and turned his head, seeing Amy standing close to him in concern. "Are you still afraid that you can't swim?"
"W-What n-no?! I-I can do this I-I j-just need to w-warm up!" Sonic began stretching to distract them both but the rose-colored girl wasn't phased by it. "It's okay my love, we won't actually swim. I'll hold onto you so you don't have to be scared."
Sonic lowered his ears in shame with a distraught expression, his pride hurt. However Amy simply kissed him softly and grabbed his arms as she led him to the water. Eventually did she end the kiss and Sonic relished the feeling, until he felt a cold sensation on his feet and opening his eyes he looked down to see the clear water hit his legs. Luckily he also put on swim trunks so if anything he wouldn't be like the red echidna as well.
"See, you don't have to be afraid. We won't be swimming, just taking a nice walk along the coast." Amy explained with a smile. Sonic returned the gesture as well in which both began splashing at one another while laughing.
Knuckles and Tikal on their part were spinning around while holding onto each other. They got dizzy eventually and fell backwards with the smaller echidna landing onto the larger one. Fits of giggles came out of them with Tikal looking down at Knuckles, the latter doing the same. Slowly did the distance between them got smaller and their lips met in a passionate exchange. They fit each other perfectly with both of their eyes closed, tongues caressing one another and pouring as much love as they can to each other. A few seconds after they released and gazed at each other lovingly.
"This is one the happiest moments of my life Knuckie. I love you so much." Tikal said rubbing her nose with his. Knuckles grinned and returned the gesture. "And I love you too Tikie, so so much."
"Hey you two why don't we build sand castles?" Amy and Sonic said to the echidna pair. Knuckles smirked and nodded. "Alright let's try it!"
"What's a sand castle?" Tikal asked him as they got up.
"You'll see, just watch and learn from the expert hehe." Knuckles replied.
The four began making their sand castles as best they can, with Sonic and Amy doing a good attempt at one that's almost as tall as them. For Knuckles and Tikal, they had a huge advantage… mainly on Knuckles' part.
"Knuckles this is incredible!" Sonic watched in awe at his and Tikal's sand castle. It looked almost like the one in Soleanna that was abandoned after the Solaris incident, with the spires and towers made in great detail. Amy herself was dumbstruck that they were able to pull it off even though the emerald guardian himself wasn't physically there in the area during the time.
"Well when I looked at it from that brochure Amy had I remembered how it looked like and from there I was able to recreate it." Knuckles grinned in pride, Tikal hugging his arm happily as well. "And I touched it up with the extra details!" she beamed.
Amy sighed in defeat and smiled at the two. "It looks wonderful and you two did a great job."
"Yeah it's not bad. I'll let you take the win today echidna." Sonic said crossing his arms. Knuckles did the same thing and huffed in victory. "And I'll have something to brag about this time hedgehog."
Amy and Tikal rolled their eyes. "Men."
In Soleanna Forest…
After spending more time at the coast the two couples headed to the train station and hopped aboard the next departure towards the forest just outside the city. Upon arriving they were greeted with large grasslands under incredibly tall trees with green leaves that covered most of the sun's rays, giving off a gentle yet vibrant glow upon entering the area. Sonic and Amy looked around at its majestic display, hearing the sounds of animals and gentle wind flowing through the branches up above. Knuckles and Tikal did the same thing in which the latter pulled the emerald guardian towards some of the ancient ruins that laid abandoned there. Apparently she was into the very old architecture due to how it may resemble the ones in her past, but Knuckles didn't question it as his girlfriend pointed towards some of the things that caught her eye to him.
"I see that they worshipped the eagle here, while with us we honored the snake as one of the gods. It feels very different here compared to my time back then." Tikal asked Knuckles. While the male echidna didn't really care much about his tribe's past, he was curious on what she had to say regarding it as she made it more interesting.
"Well Soleanna is told to be a free-spirited city. Their god Solaris also looked like one as well which is why it's worshipped here." Knuckles informed with Tikal taking this new information happily.
Sonic and Amy walked along a pathway that led to the altar where the blue hedgehog passed the three trials in order to gain access to the castle. The former looked at the entryway with sadness as he recalled the events that happened here. Especially the time that he died.
Amy noticed his down expression and rubbed a hand down his quills. "I remember that as well Sonic. When you… left us…" she began sniffing. "I felt like I lost all meaning to my life when you died, and I didn't want to believe it… *sniff*"
The blue hedgehog turned around and hugged Amy, a fresh set of tears going down his face. "I'm sorry I worried you Ames. The fact is that when I got hit by Mephiles, the last thing I thought about was you… I didn't want to lose you… I just can't…" he then started sobbing lightly.
"I-It's okay S-Sonic. I-I'm just h-happy you're a-alive again. I love you my handsome hero…" she dug her face into his neck and sobbed as well. Sonic smiled and nuzzled the top of her head. "I love you too my beautiful Rose."
Knuckles and Tikal looked at them smiling, the emerald guardian explaining to the female echidna on what happened back then. She was shocked that Sonic was stabbed by Mephiles but was relieved when he was revived to live once more. In the end she was happy that it turned out well and that the world was safe.
They spent more time walking through the forest, enjoying the calm scenery and comfortable silence. Sonic and Amy had their heads together while they swung their entwined hands while Knuckles and Tikal were playfully tickling one another with the larger male hugging the smaller female from behind, setting off a barrage of giggles from the orange princess as the red guardian told a few jokes that made her laugh.
"Haha Knuckie please haha." Tikal quietly laughed trying to pry his wiggling fingers off her waist. Knuckles grinned and obliged, stopping his ministrations and simply keeping his hands there. "I just want my princess to enjoy herself that's all."
"Well you are doing amazing my guardian, but I do need to breathe you know hehe." Tikal leaned herself more into Knuckles and sighed. "I'm having so much fun right now that I really do not want this day to end."
"We can come here again if you'd like. Just say the word and I'll take us here." Knuckles stated. Tikal nodded and looked around the forest more, eyeing a batch of flowers nearby. "Look Knuckie I want to take some of those! Can we pretty please?" she said with puppy dog eyes. Due to his weakness of cute things and girls, his defenses evaporated immediately.
"O-Okay, we can take some home." he muttered with a blush. She cheered and grabbed his hands to pull them towards the small garden, Tikal wasting no time in collecting a couple while Knuckles stood by and looked around with a smile. The scene looked very cute in how a calm and serene girl was collecting flowers while a strong and serious guy stood by on guard. Befitting for a princess and a guardian.
Eventually the day began getting darker as the signs of sunset started appearing with the sky turning a nice shade of orange. The hedgehog and echidna couples walked back towards the train station with smiles on their faces.
"That was a great day don't you think?" Amy said to everyone as they all nodded.
"Yeah it sure was awesome! I actually want to do something like this again." Sonic answered back.
"I love the calmness and scenery of the forest. I would love to come back and experience it again with more time as well." Tikal said.
"It was sort of crazy at times but I don't mind something like this again. Beats guarding the Master Emerald at times hehe."
"Oh you and your duties Knuckles, just take time to know your friends want you to go out more." Amy playfully said. "We don't want you to disappear on us."
Tikal clutched Knuckles' arm and smiled. "Don't worry Amy, I'll make sure he doesn't forget about his friends now that he has me."
"Hey I'm not forgetting anyone!" Knuckles shouted as everyone else laughed. Sonic smirked and gave a thumbs up. "I know you won't Knucklehead, but next time I won't let you beat me on whatever challenge we do."
Knuckles smirked and gave his own thumbs up. "Try to keep up then."
Both Amy and Tikal sighed at their competitive natures. "Anyway guess it's time to go home then." the rose-colored girl said.
"Yup and next time let's bring Tails and Cream. I know Tails has to get out of the workshop more and Cream is dying to spend more time with him." Sonic explained.
"Sounds like a plan." Knuckles grinned with Tikal nodding happily on her part, hugging the bouquet she collected earlier.
"Aww Sonic we should've collected flowers too!" Amy whined shaking the blue hedgehog back and forth.
"N-Next t-time!" he replied with swirly eyes.
Knuckles laughed and pulled out a Chaos Emerald from his person. "We'll take the shorter route from here and you guys can take the train. There's no way the tracks lead up to Angel Island hehe."
"That's fine, it gives us time to be alone with each other." Sonic said hugging Amy close to him with he latter smiling like an idiot.
"Please enjoy yourselves on the way back and may we see each other again!" Tikal waved at them as the hedgehog pair headed towards the arriving train.
"Take care you two and make sure Knuckles doesn't do anything dumb!" Amy replied. Knuckles huffed in annoyance as he held Tikal close to him and raised the emerald. In a flash of light they disappeared from view back to their home.
The train ride back to Soleanna was a peaceful one for the two hedgehogs. They sat down and slept leaning on each other as the sun lowered further down the horizon and revealed the night sky up above with the moon making itself known along with the numerous amount of stars. On Angel Island the echidna couple decided to bask themselves in the gentle breeze outside their dome-shaped home and sleep next to the Master Emerald on a patch of grass. Tikal slept on top of Knuckles cuddling up to him while the red guardian hugged her close, his own eyes closed in slumber with smiles on their faces.
For the two couples, it was a great experience to go back to places where old memories laid and turn them into new ones that help them strengthen their bond to one another. The future itself looked bright and promised one another that more events like this will happen so that newer memories can be forged.
…
…
…
"Haha Shadow c'mon you're being too affectionate. Really now, I know we're working right now but you don't have to make it too noticeable~." Rouge said to her partner and boyfriend. Shadow smirked and continued digging his face into her shoulder, hearing her gasp as he bit it with the pair sitting on a rooftop in Soleanna doing reconnaissance.
"It's night time Rouge, no one will see us." the dark hedgehog whispered, running his hands behind her and grabbing the end of the zipper to her jumpsuit. "Now stay quiet and enjoy this."
Fin.
So yeah as mentioned, it's sort of like a loose prequel. Honestly I felt like I could've added more to it but then it'll be another 10k+ word story if anything hehe. This is good practice so I can put as much as I can within a short one-shot yet not lose much of the focus within them. I'm still improving and will keep going at it! :3
Til next time! ^u^/