Guardian and Charge

The Fire Daemon was back. It wandered casually out of the flames and up to him. Close to it stopped so they just looked at each other. The Daemon reached out the fiery tendril that served him as a hand and stroked Knuckles' face gently, as he did so the fire changed colour to purple. The creature held himself in a way that seemed sad somehow as he stroked his cheek. Knuckles couldn't shake the sensation he was saying "goodbye". He felt his heart grow heavy at that but then the creature changed colour to brighter shades, and turned himself into shapes that gave the impression of shaking his head slowly. He dropped his tendril from his face and took up both Knuckles hands in each of his. This time Knuckles had his voice.
"Who are you?"
The Daemon did what Knuckles had come to consider a smile and raised his arm. He pointed over to the bed Shadow was sleeping in. After a few seconds the Daemon placed his hand in the centre of Knuckles' chest and tapped twice. He smiled at him and vanished into a wisp of smoke.

The bell in the centre of the school was being rung. The Trainees sharing their barrack were all getting up. Knuckles found himself doing the same. The other Trainees smiled at him. After just a few moments the first slipped quietly out the door, soon to be followed by many others. Knuckles stretched and yawned. Leaving Sonic, Shadow and the other Guardians who had found their Charges and were waiting to be Bonded to sleep he stepped outside.

He breathed in the sweet morning air. At that moment there was nothing better than the Guardian School at dawn. Trainees were moving around quickly attending to their morning chores. For a moment Knuckles just watched them, breathing in the damp air. All around him there was a rising hum of activity. In the east the sun was just burning through the morning mist, casting long shadows across the landscape, ahead of him the snow on the mountains was shaded a soft pink. The sky was clear; it was going to be a nice day. This was the life he missed. Hastily he ran forward and took his place among the Trainees. At fist they stared at him bemused, as though he were mad, but they were soon happy to allow him to help as he took up position at the main well in the centre of the School grounds hauling water to fill the pans that would be used for cooking breakfast and the large buckets that would top up the tanks with which the Trainees would wash. After about half an hour Knuckles could smell the familiar scent of wood smoke as the communal fire was established. In a few moments more he smelt the tantalising aromas of breakfast. The lasts of the Trainees seeking water had disappeared to other tasks. He was just about to leave when he saw old Master Ribern hobbling slowly across the grass.
"Good morning Knuckles, making yourself useful I see"
"Yes sir"
Ribern laughed "You've graduated Guardian; you don't have to call me sir anymore"
"Then what would you rather?"
"Hmm… just Ribern would do"
"Ok sir" Knuckles grinned
Ribern walked off and gestured for Knuckles to walk by his side.
"I trust you slept well?"
He nodded, remembering the Fire Daemon dream. "Just like I always used to."
"Good. What of your Charge?"
"Still sleeping… he's not my Charge yet you know"
"But he will be soon, once you get over your fear"
"I'm not afraid"
"Then why didn't you Bond with him sooner, you must have known for weeks now"
"I wasn't afraid… I just didn't believe"
"What was there for you not to believe in?"
"I didn't think it was possible… no Guardian has ever had 2 Charges before!"
"Just because no-one has ever done it before doesn't make it impossible"
Knuckles sighed "As far as I knew I hadn't been Repudiated from the Master Emerald"
"What did you think that was on the ARK then?"
"Space sickness? And I swallowed a lot of that funny yellow water…"
"Don't be such a fool Knuckles! The same day the ARK threatened to destroy us all was the same day as Cholra graduated and was Bonded to the Emerald, as soon as it returned to the Island. You should have known the moment it left you that your Guardianship had ended! Really did we teach you nothing?"
Knuckles looked away "What was I supposed to think? I was Guardian of the Master Emerald; that was all I ever trained with the intention of becoming. Every Guardian before me died at their post. That was the final fate I had submitted to. I was Presenting with the same symptoms of a little Trainee ready to Bond whilst I still felt the Master Emerald in my blood and in my bones. I assumed it was my imagination. When the Master Emerald failed to return to me I told myself that was normal. What was I supposed to do? I had no reason to believe I had a new Charge, as far as I knew Shadow was dead. I put the Repudiation down to Space Sickness and grief. At the time there was no-one who could answer my questions; I did the only thing that seemed safe; I ignored it."
"Knuckles the very fact we have a word for Repudiation means that sometimes Guardians are broken from their Charges, didn't you think of that?"
"What was I to do? I tried to return to Angel Island, but by that time I was called again. Was I supposed to turn my back on Sonic and Tails?"
"No"
"The first time I could get back here was yesterday. When you told me of my release"
"If you were happy about it why did you refuse to accept that you'd been Repudiated?"
"Because if I accepted I had been broken from the Emerald I would have to accept that Shadow may be my Charge after all and that the legend of Chaos Controlled could be coming true. If you want the truth I was afraid any Guardianship may be as painful as the Master Emerald. I'm still afraid of that ok?"
Ribern tilted his head on one side and smiled.
"Huh! Why do you always do that to me?"
"Because I know that if I leave you to patter on you'll admit it to yourself eventually. What do you believe you have to fear from Shadow?"
"I don't know… I feel nothing is certain anymore… I suppose I have to come to terms with the idea of having a sentient Charge, one with thoughts and feelings of his own. I always thought that would be weird… having the Master Emerald talking to me was one thing, but this is completely different… what happens if we fight, or once we're Bonded we decide we can't stand each other? What do we do then?"
"Even a Guardian and his Charge will fight from time to time, it is the sign of a healthy relationship; do you hate each other now?"
"No, not in the slightest"
"Then I doubt your opinions will change"
"I guess not…"
"This Guardianship will be… not so much easier…. but more to your liking… Despite your determination I always thought the Master Emerald wasn't right for you. The day you arrived here I knew you were destined for great things. But I was surprised when you became its Guardian. I was not alarmed when you were reported missing; I had no hesitations in moving Cholra up to replace you"
"Why didn't you think… Did you think I wasn't good enough?"
"Heavens no! You were strong, that is not in doubt, but you were not the type, your spirit did not fit. I knew you would not return to your place. Cholra on the other hand is perfect… Arrogant, tough, stubborn, thick skinned, aloof and just a little naïve-"
"But you've just described me!"
"Only on the surface. I saw you in your first night at your post. It was horrible to watch, but I did not despair, I knew your future held something more than a lifetime beneath the Master Emerald, your future, I knew, would be more free."
"I wish you'd have told me"
"I had to let you find your own path, go through both hope and despair and deal with them in your own way. We're not supposed to have favourites, us Masters, but I always had a certain fondness for you. I liked your spirit, even though you made mistakes your heart always seemed to be in the right place. I could always count on you to do your best to help those in need, made me think that I must still be getting something right in my old age. I was very proud of you, and today I am more so."
Knuckles looked away "I really wish you'd told me when I was younger. At the time to hear you say that would have made all the difference."
"Yes… perhaps that was my mistake…" Ribern looked into the distance for a while. Then hastily spoke again "Come now little Knuckles, to breakfast, you have an important day ahead of you"
He grinned "Little Knuckles?"
Ribern cuffed him round the head "I will always have the right to call you little Knuckles"
"Ok, but you and no-one else"
Ribern grinned. "You'd better go and wake Sonic and Shadow, we have to prepare for tonight."
Knuckles suddenly realised what he was talking about "What!"
"The Bonding"
"Tonight!"
"Yes…"
"Uh I don't think I'm ready…"
"A group of Trainees and their Charges are ready to Graduate tonight, you and Shadow are going to lead them" Ribern didn't give him time to argue. "Off you go and get them Guardian"
With that Ribern walked slowly away, leaving Knuckles no choice but to do as he had been instructed.

Unsurprisingly neither Sonic nor Shadow showed any sign of waking up. The other occupants of the room had gone. Knuckles trotted up to their beds and looked at them briefly. They both looked so innocent laid there. For a moment he was tempted to jump on them, but decided he didn't want to risk burning half the best barrack to a fiery crisp, not to mention Sonic. Knuckles was fairly sure he was immune now, but it wasn't a theory he wanted to test in a hurry.
"Shadow…" He muttered softly, gently shaking his arm "Its morning"
"Knu-Knuckles?" His eyes drifted open "Will you always be here when I wake up?"
Knuckles smiled wistfully "Time to get up… I have a lot to explain to you before tonight"
His eyes drifted closed again. Knuckles shook him more forcefully
"Come on lazybones. Up!"
Shadow sat up and rubbed his eyes. Knuckles moved over to Sonic and spoke to him.
"Sonicu? Wake up Sonicu"
"ehh leave me alone Knux…" He rolled over away from him
"Amy's coming" Knuckles said casually, at which Sonic leapt out of bed and found himself standing on the floor ready to run as fast as his feet would carry him. After a confused pause he turned to glare at Shadow and Knuckles who were enjoying a good laugh at his expense.
"You threatened me with Amy again didn't you?"
"Yeah" Knuckles said trying to sound innocent
"If you weren't so much bigger than me I swear I'd kick your ass!"
Knuckles just grinned "You're awake now aren't you?" his grin faded "Come on… The Trainees are making breakfast… its better if you eat it fresh…"
"Mm breakfast! Which way?"
"Follow your nose Sonicu" At that Sonic trotted off towards the door leaving Shadow and Knuckles alone.
"What's worrying you Knuckles?" Shadow asked softly
Knuckles forced a smile "Nothing… I just have a lot on this small Echidna mind of mine"
Shadow shook his head slowly "… Do you hate me for what I did?"
"No. You did the wrong thing for the right reasons… I can't hate you for not understanding what you were doing. I don't think anyone on the island hates you. Cholra might resent you for bruising her pride, but other than that…"
Shadow sighed "I'm so stupid. My father used to say the only thing that made you stupid was if you made the same mistake twice. Twice I've nearly destroyed this planet and its people out of my own naïve ignorance"
"Ignorance is bliss Shadowkin"
"Not for me it isn't. Sometimes I envy Apolloi, being as clever as he was; he wouldn't have made my mistakes."
"You did what you believed was right. That's all any of us can do"
"But I lied to you"
Knuckles smiled "Come on… we have… a lot to talk about"
Silently Shadow followed Knuckles out the door.

He again found himself staring into the flames, weighing up and wondering what his future was destined to hold. For the first time in his life it seemed uncertain. All through his youth he'd been determined he would be Guardian of the Master Emerald, that had all changed now. Though he didn't exactly fear what lay ahead he was definitely uncertain and uncertainty wasn't something he was used to. Knuckles was willing to admit he didn't cope well with change. For so long he'd wished for more freedom, but now that that freer life seemed within his grasp he was afraid to reach out and take it. The days spent with Sonic, Shadow and Tails and been some of the best, and some of the worst in his life, but he wouldn't have changed them for anything. Even so the thought of a lifetime's commitment frightened him, this was somehow more terrifying than Bonding to the Master Emerald. Knuckles was afraid, at the very least fear was something he was used to. He looked up, there was much laughter around the campfire. There were humans among the ranks, with their Guardians, here for the Graduation if they were already Bonded or for the Bonding itself. Knuckles sighed, it could be worse he supposed, he could have ended up with a human. The thought of that made him shudder. He'd rather be back with the Emerald again than have a human, he was old enough to remember the last time they'd stormed the island with their machines.
"Don't think so hard Knuckles, your head'll explode. It looks painful"
Knuckles' head snapped up "Tails! What are you doing here?"
Tails grinned "You didn't think I was going to miss this did you? Some Echidna flagged me down. I have to admit I wasn't going to stop but he was pretty persistent. He told me about you and Chaos Controlled, I figured he meant Shadow, so I turned the Tornado round and started to head back here. He made me give him a lift too, said his name was Custos… Sounds like a Guardian I thought-" Tails stopped looking at Knuckles expression "Take it you know him-"
"Hey Knux." A deep voice that rivalled even Knuckles himself said. A dark tan Echidna stood the other side of Knuckles' table.
"You old rogue!" Knuckles cried running forward and embracing him.
"Who you callin' rogue?" he laughed returning Knuckles' embrace for a moment before hastily shoving him away "So it's true, you have gone soft!"
"I have not gone soft! I could still kick your butt blindfolded"
Custos smiled "Probably… I take it he's yours" Custos pointed at Shadow who'd been watching the exchange with a slightly bemused expression.
Knuckles mouth hung open "How did you tell?"
"Well your buddy Tails said he was called Shadow. He looks like a Shadow, and frankly Knuckles I think he looks a little like you… poor sod"
Shadow raised a confused eyebrow, if anything he was a little overwhelmed by the spirited Echidna.
"He doesn't look like me! He's a hedgehog!"
"Yeah… physically maybe he isn't like you… but he looks like he'd belong to you… the increasingly bemused expression makes me more and more certain"
Shadow's face creased to a frown
"There we go! That's definitely a Knuckles grimace" Custos laughed "Didn't I always say you'd be better off with a person, preferably one with an equally bad attitude"
"I do not have an attitude problem!"
"Sure you do… Hey Tails" Sonic said casually walking up eating the remains of his breakfast.
"Shut up Sonic!"
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
"Custos Sonic, Sonic Custos" Knuckles growled irritably.
"Hi!"
Knuckles decided that all this was a bit too much and sat down heavily, Shadow too seemed to be coming to the same conclusion, his frown had returned to a bemused stare.
"I guess this explains all that stuff you were saying about not being able to feel the Master Emerald, and all that, at least you're not crazy huh Knux?" Tails said happily accepting a bowl of breakfast from a young Trainee.
"Shhhh don't say that too loud, I've already been lightly grilled by my Master for not realising sooner"
"Lightly grilled huh?" Sonic laughed
Knuckles realised what he'd said and smiled despite himself. "I suppose that's something I'm going to have to get used to"
"What's going on?" Shadow finally asked pitifully "Everyone keeps talking around me, people keep calling me Chaos Controlled, I still don't know what that is! This morning an Echidna asked me if I was ready for the ceremony, when I asked what ceremony she just laughed! What is going on? And why am I the only one who doesn't know?!"
"You haven't told him yet? Man Knuckles that's not a good way to start a Guardianship!-"
"You're doing it again! I have ears; I hate to be talked around like I'm not even here!!"
"Alright Shadow alright… come on, I'll explain everything"

Knuckles led Shadow to the lake where the Trainees learned to swim and washed in summer. After a long sigh he finally turned to him.
"Shadow, you are Chaos Controlled"
"I know that, but what does Chaos Controlled actually mean? It's a paradox, an impossibility, Chaos Controlled doesn't mean anything"
"You can blame the Echidna for that, Chaos Controlled is the name the ancient legends gave you. In our ancient writings Chaos Controlled is a creature created with the power to reunite the Coreinth, whether or not he did was his choice, you've chosen not to, or rather… we've chosen not to… In the legends Chaos Controlled does not operate alone, he has a Guardian… That Guardian… as it turns out… is me."
Shadow stared at him
"Believe me; no-one was more surprised than I was. But… I'm sorry Shadow, I've known for weeks… but I've been lying to myself and you… if I'd believed in myself we probably wouldn't have gotten into that mess…"
"You're my Guardian?" Shadow stammered
"Well yeah…"
Shadow stared at him for a long time and seemed at a loss for words. Finally he spoke "I knew it"
It was Knuckles turn to look bemused, and for a moment he realised what Custos meant.
"I wish to heaven you'd told me!" Knuckles finally said
Shadow smiled "I did not know it was you. That seemed too convenient even for my mind. But when I was a… child I suppose, I always thought I would have a Guardian one day… despite what my father and the scientists said… I thought you would be insulted if I suggested you could be my Guardian"
"What? No Way! I get to me Guardian of Chaos Controlled, just about the highest ranking Guardian… ever!"
"Rank means a lot to you doesn't it?"
Knuckles stopped suddenly, his smile vanishing. He sighed "I always thought that if I ranked highly as a Guardian it would mean my life was worth something…"
"Knuckles, regardless of what you guard, of your title, of you position your life will always mean something to Sonic, Tails and me"
Knuckles smiled "Thanks Shadow… that means a lot to me"
Shadow grinned "Course, I'm biased… so… what is having a Guardian actually like?"
"Well, Ribern seems desperate for us to go through the ceremony tonight so… tomorrow morning you'll know the second worse felling known to Guardian kind"
"What's the first?"
"You'll know that if I die before you"
Shadow's face grew uncertain.
"It isn't all fun and games, actually rather a small amount of it is that… The Bonding kinda screws up your senses, I'm only talking from what others have told me, it was different for me and the Master Emerald, it doesn't have senses, at least not in the way you think of them. So yes… when we Bond… its like… all your own senses get mixed up, and they get mixed with your partner…you can smell colour, taste sound, and basically its like having the worst hangover of all time."
Shadow actually giggled "I've never been drunk before"
Knuckles smiled but didn't answer "That passes in a day or so… then we'll both start to feel something like normal… Once the Bonding is complete we'll be…" Knuckles started to go pink "tied on an emotional level. That'll be a good thing for you I suppose because hopefully I should be able to help you get a handle on your flames, stop your power coming on you when you don't want it to, course if we're both furious… If you draw power from me… best not to think about it. I'll also be able to help you in other areas… I won't lie to you Shadow… As your Guardian I will have a certain degree of power over you… Not to the extent where I can make you my puppet… but…" He trailed off "It does work both ways… What I'm trying to say is… you'll have to trust me"
"I do anyway… you've earned my trust"
"And you mine… I'll tell you one thing Shadow… that's pretty hard… It took Sonic almost two and a half years to earn it"
"It would take me an eternity to trust that idiot" He said light-heartedly
"Yeah… Sometimes I think I need my head looking at!"

"Knuckles your anxiety is frightening the other Trainees, contain it"
Knuckles was visibly trembling. Again he'd chewed on his lip so hard he'd made it bleed. In the end he'd resorted to asking Custos to take Shadow away, as he'd been making him so nervous there had been a danger Shadow would flame someone. Ribern looked at him for a long moment "Would you like us to sedate you?" He laughed. Knuckles just groaned.

He found himself running again. His weary muscles protested angrily but he ignored them. Angel Island's familiar territory passed him by unnoticed. Knuckles ran because that way he didn't have to think, he didn't have to feel, he was simply aware of the sound of his heartbeat and his heavy footfalls against the earth. Everything became a blur, a rhythm, his footsteps, his heart, like a drumbeat, or persistent rain. When he finally came to a halt he stood at the top of a hill, looking down on the School. This time the buildings weren't on fire, all below was calm. He watched the grey clouds cast dark shapes across the plains. Then as his eyes returned to the School he watched a group of Trainees go through their combat moves, punching bags or each other under the watchful gaze of old Master Drew and his Guardian apprentice Cypher. Master Drew was definitely getting past it, he wasn't up to dealing with the challenges of cocky young Trainees like Knuckles had been anymore, but what Drew had lacked in physical power he more than made up for in experience. Knuckles expected him to still have a few new tricks up his sleeve.

He jumped when he heard someone shouting his name. He was startled to see Moonstone running up to him.
"Blimey Knux ya sure ga' me the old run 'round!" She panted
"Moonstone? What do you want?"
"They sent me to come get ya. Its time ya prepared fer the ceremony!"
Knuckles felt sick "Really?" He looked up at the sky and couldn't deny she was right.
"Yep! C'mon! We need t' get ya ready, and Custos is gettin' sick a Chargesittin' f' ya!"
Knuckles groaned and began to follow her back towards the school, his overworked muscles again complaining irritably.
"Moony… what have you done with your Charge?"
"I left 'er at the School"
Knuckles trotted up beside her "What's she called… I've never met her… have I?"
"No, she's called Jessica, she's the daugh'er of a human politician, very powerful, good guy t' 'ave on yur side. She's goin' through those awkwa'd teenage years at the mo' uncomfortable like"
"I bet…" Knuckles laughed
"Bless 'er" Moonstone said fondly "C'mon Knux 'urry up! We can't 'ave ya being late fur ya Graduation… again"
Knuckles laughed softly, maybe Ribern had sent her because he was afraid he'd try and run away. Moonstone picked up the pace and he was obliged to follow suit.

A large group of Trainees were all preparing to go through with the ceremony. They stood uncomfortably with their Charges, the girls tying the ceremonial ribbons to their spines and fur respectively. Knuckles watched them, there was a good range, twelve in total, including him, with three non-Echidna trainees. These were a female hedgehog, who seemed to be giving an oblivious Shadow the eye, a male rabbit and a nervous looking fox that reminded him of Tails. The new Charges were even more varied, four humans, paired with the hedgehog and three Echidna. Two rabbits with the rabbit Guardian and another Echidna. Two Echidna, both bonded to other Echidna of the same sex. The fox seemed to be going to a small creature baring a striking resemblance to Espio. The final two Charges were hedgehogs and then there was of course Shadow himself. Knuckles couldn't help but think he was the most impressive of the lot as he ran up to them. Shadow greeted him happily, Custos with relief.
"Remind me to never ever Chargesit for you again!"
"Why? Shadow have you been being a naughty boy for uncle Custos?" Knuckles laughed.
Shadow didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted so just stuck with what was safe and looked unsociable, which made Knuckles laugh all the more. At that moment however Master Ribern appeared. Knuckles couldn't help but think he looked relieved to see him. Behind Ribern came an entourage of four Trainees all carrying something white… The Graduation uniforms. Knuckles groaned inwardly, he'd looked like an idiot last time, and somehow he didn't think Shadow would approve either.

Shadow was staring at the Trainee holding up the white gown with a look of disgust on his face. Knuckles took his own without question, continuing to watch them. Knuckles had to admire the bravery of the Trainee, as after Shadow had refused to take the garment for a long moment he squeaked:
"Please Mr Shadow… er Chaos Controlled… your supposed to wear this for the ceremony…" The small Echidna cringed away a little.
Looking marginally less disgusted Shadow took the gown and the Trainee hastily moved away. Shadow turned to Knuckles and raised an eyebrow.
"Sonic, is going to laugh at us" Shadow said simply, holding the shapeless white gown up in front of him "Especially if I trip over the edge of this thing and fall on my face. The others say I am not allowed to wear my shoes… It has been a while since I walked on my own feet… Fifty years I think. Sonic will laugh"
"If he does I'll kick his butt" Knuckles muttered.
"You will not be kicking anyone's butt!" Ribern said firmly, making both Shadow and Knuckles jump. "Knuckles I have something for you" Ribern held out a deep blue, faintly shiny coil of rope. "It goes over your left shoulder"
Knuckles took the rope in his hands "What is this? To hang myself with?"
Ribern didn't laugh "You have been bonded before; you must wear this to show that."
Knuckles gazed at the rope "But the white is supposed to be purity… What does this mean?"
"Simply that you have been Bonded before, the blue symbolises age, and experience"
Knuckles frowned doubtfully, but relented.

Presently a group of chattering Trainees to help them dress. Knuckles watched mildly amused as the females in the group fawned in the attention of the younger Trainees, the males on the other hand simply submitted with varying degrees of grace. Knuckles, suddenly beset by a deep weariness, obeyed meekly as Custos and Moonstone prepared him.
"No offence Knux, but yur filthy and ya smell" Moonstone said simply as she walked up behind him and tipped a bucket of cold soapy water over his head. Simultaneously Shadow suffered the same fate.
"Ah that's cold!!" Knuckles objected loudly, standing up and spraying water over Custos and Moonstone.
"It wus warm when I go' it…" She mussed as Custos descended on him with a scrubbing brush.
"Ow! Custos would you be careful, I still got a few painful bruises under there!"
"Sorry Knux!"
"Knuckles…." Shadow moaned helplessly just across from him. "Do I really have to go through this… I'm cold"
"Me too… just don't flame anyone ok"
Shadow just made a face as a young female hedgehog brushed the fur on his back the wrong way.
"Knuckles what is this?" Custos held up a small shard of burnt metal in front of his damp face. He took it.
"Hmm, must be a piece of Metal, look Shadow, you didn't get all of him!"
Shivering Shadow turned to look, snorted angrily and looked away, he couldn't find talking about the machine that had come so close to killing Knuckles funny, he'd wanted nothing more than to wipe every relic of him off the planet.
"Cheerful guy 'in' 'e?" Moonstone laughed as she dragged a brush through Knuckles fur. Now that he was almost dry Knuckles couldn't help but enjoy their attention. It felt good to be rid of the layer of dirt that had clogged his fur for what felt like weeks, to finally be thoroughly rid of the blood of the Thousand and his companions, not to mention his own. He hadn't been groomed since he was small, or since his last distant and short lived relationship. He didn't notice himself emitting a low rumble that served as a purr until he realised Custos, Moonstone and Shadow were all laughing at him.

An hour or so later, as the sun was just beginning to sink in the western sky Shadow and Knuckles stood dressed in their white robes. They stared at each other, both consumed by a sensation of sick unreality. Shadow found himself thinking sadly of Maria, and wishing she could see him now. Knuckles wondered about the future, what their futures held, and whether that future could possibly be bright.

They looked bizarre. Sonic and Tails didn't laugh at them, they simply stared, speechless. Knuckles glanced uncertainly at Sonic for a moment, seeking reassurance, after a short pause Sonic smiled broadly and gave them a thumbs up, before running with Tails to find a good place in the gathering crowd.

"She's watching you, you know… from the Heavens, and I bet she's smiling" Knuckles face broke into a strange soft smile, one Shadow had never seen before. "And if I was her I'd be thinking how proud I am of you, and what a wonderful creature you are"
Tears entered Shadow's eyes as he smiled weakly, his body convulsed once in a stifled sob as Knuckles took up his hand, squeezed it reassuringly, and led him forwards.

They walked between the two ranks of Trainees followed by all the other new Guardians. The Guardian always on the left, his or her Charge on the right. Knuckles seemed to have gotten over his case of the shakes, though to those who knew him his nervousness was still apparent. He now walked tall, his head held high, the white gown that had looked so bizarre on him before looking almost majestic. Knuckles alone wore the blue mark across his chest. Shadow walking at his side seemed to be taking his lead from him. His head was held high, but for some unknown reason there were tears in his eyes. When they reached Ribern, Knuckles bowed deeply. Ribern touched the back of his head. Shadow remained standing. The other Trainees and their Charges fanned out around them.
"Gathered Trainees, today we witness the passing of a legend" Ribern chuckled. The colour drained out of Knuckles face and his hands started trembling again. "Today of all days the importance of the Guardianship is made clear… Trainees today you become Guardians and your new lives begin!
"We are bound by love to those we loyally serve, we have the courage to stand strong when our duty requires us to fight, be we must always know when to bow our heads. Love, loyalty, courage and submission are the qualities demanded of a Guardian. Through this service the curse of the Shards can become a blessing as they give us the strength to uphold that which we hold dear…
"Witnessing Trainees, I give you Knuckles, appointed Guardian of Shadow, Chaos Controlled!"
There was a deafening roar of cheers from the assembled Trainees. It just made Knuckles feel even more sick. Mirroring the other Trainees Knuckles turned to Shadow and began to speak:
"Walk with me Shadow, and I will be your guide, to see in the dark and avoid the mire. We will ride the greatest storms and together shelter from their force. Not beast, burden nor beauty will divide us. When darkness encroaches do not fear, for I will stand at your side, always your Guardian, until death parts us and our Bond is Broken. If I am destined to leave you behind my heart will be broken same as yours. Know I will be waiting for you among the Heavens; my spirit will never leave you. Forever your guide, forever your companion, forever your Guardian."
Knuckles lifted his hand to touch the side of Shadow's face.
"One last chance to say no, only you can decide, my fate is already bound to you. The choice is yours my Charge… not mine. Will you accept me?"
Shadow nodded "Yes" his voice squeaked
Knuckles laughed softly, but only Shadow could feel the tremor that had returned to his hands
"Open your heart… You don't have to be alone anymore-"
Shadow was suddenly compelled by a sense that he needed to tell Knuckles something before he committed himself to becoming his Guardian.
"Knuckles wait…"
Knuckles paused, gazing at him
"There's something I need to tell you first… I didn't fall… I jumped"
A small smile touched Knuckles' lips. "I know"
A moment later Shadow and Knuckles' worlds turned upside down.