The Guardians' Ultimatum

Before the World Senate Master Almer was delivering a similar ultimatum. Corin watched relieved as he spoke to the assembly. He knew Almer from his childhood, and was more than willing to give way to an older and more experienced Guardian. Almer had spent the first 10 minutes of his time on stage telling the audience how the Master and Chaos Emeralds needed to be reformed, and how he hoped that would ease the troubles befalling all the sentient creatures on the planet. He was undoubtedly a powerful speaker, but now his tone had changed. He was pulling out all the stops. As he watched him Corin decided that Almer was still definitely not a man to cross. Almer took a deep breath, pausing for effect, then began.
"If Chaos Controlled and his Guardian are not released before dusk tomorrow a general recall will be issued on the message network. All able bodied Guardians will return to their respective foundling schools. By noon the following day at least three thousand Guardians will be assembled on Angel Island alone. I remind you that there are twelve Guardian Schools on this planet, and Angel Island is one of the smallest. Many humans will suddenly find themselves alone, if they do not choose to join the fight. This is not a call many Guardians will refuse."
"We don't respond well to threats!" An arrogant looking senator shouted indignantly
"I am not threatening you. I am offering you an ultimatum. The Guardians will do what we believe is best to defend the interests of the general population. Release Chaos Controlled and his Guardian to us and this growing crisis can hopefully be averted, refuse, and many will die both as a result of the Shards and of the ensuing war. If they are not released by noon on Angel Island the day after tomorrow the Guardians will mobilise against key positions and no more Trainees will be released to the human population." Almer, again paused for effect "Those, are our conditions"
With that, he turned and went to walk off the stage. It was only then he noticed Corin, at the side, desperately trying to restrain a young female Echidna, just as he walked away she broke free, running onto the stage and thoroughly spoiling the effect he was going for.
"You have to let Knuckles go!" She shouted loudly, making the microphone buzz angrily as she spoke her final words into it.
Almer turned round stupefied to watch her, as Corin ran onto the stage. Evidently this girl had judged that the humans hadn't taken Almer's ultimatum too well and needed to add something of her own. His first thoughts were that this was Moonstone, going to plea for her old friend's freedom-that was the last thing they needed.
"Sure, he's made some mistakes in his time, who doesn't, but he's a good guy, you have to let them go!" she paused and collected herself a little, she was visibly shaking. Almer found he could remember her but was having trouble placing her name. "I've never met Shadow… but I know, for Knuckles' to love him he must be a good person too… I know you all say he's done some evil things in his time… but what is it you people say… let the innocent cast the first stone? Shadow can't be bad, not really, for Knuckles to be willing to associate with him…" To Almer's immense surprise the girl's words had gained silence from the assembly. She seemed to take confidence from this "Knuckles, like all Guardians is a servant. He serves all of us, protecting the Master Emerald from those who would abuse its power… for four years he sat alone beneath it, wishing each day his life had taken another path…" She paused "Think for a moment what that must be like… to be alone, with no purpose but to defend that which you despise, with no prospects other than to die at your post. That my friends, human and Shremu alike is what it is to be Guardian of the Master Emerald. There is, as in war, no glory in that." She shook her head.
Almer suddenly remembered her name-Coral, strong, resourceful and a little too clever for her own good. She was the one the Master's had watched attempt to console Knuckles the night he'd won his place. She'd failed. Clearly she seemed to be remembering back to that night now.
"You forget that it was Knuckles' using the Master Emerald that allowed the others to stop the ARK. I doubt any of us would be sitting here if he hadn't managed it… What he did was not easy… then… I doubt any of you have seen a Guardian go through the Repudiation… but I can tell you… It isn't pretty"
Almer was glad she didn't elaborate, it had more effect this way
"Now Knuckles guards the wayward one… Chaos Controlled… The Fire Daemon… Project Shadow, the human made monster. Yes, I thought I'd remind you of his origin, you couldn't even give him a real name… Again Knuckles finds himself a servant… protecting us all from Chaos Controlled, and Chaos Controlled from us and from himself… You owe him his freedom… and forgiveness for whatever it is you believe he's done. Any lives taken I believe were taken at extreme pain, and in no way outweigh those saved by their joint actions." Coral prepared to drop her bombshell, and leave many wallowing in a political mess "I'm sure Knuckles and Shadow have done far more than you're admitting to, to ensure our safety. Those of you familiar with the extent of Project Shadow, and the experiments of Robotnik's grandson will know what I mean."
With that she turned and left the stage. She walked past Corin and Almer down the steps to be met briefly by a white bat, who winked at her.
"You go girl" She said smoothly "Give Knuckles my love" she winked again, before disappearing into the backstage crowd.

All was not right with the world. Sonic's face seemed to say it all. Then he looked ahead, and saw the reason for his anxiety. The ranks of the Thousand were rising again, worst of all they were led by a flaming black hedgehog.

Knuckles snapped awake shouting "but they're gone!"
"What?" A strange voice asked
"My Guardian was sleeping…" Shadow's voice said
Knuckles tried to push past the confusion and work out to whom the voice belonged. He drew a blank, and for some reason, his eyes didn't seem to want to open. He lifted his hand and rubbed at his eyes until the layer of muck gluing them shut was removed. When he looked around he found he was laid on the floor, Shadow was on his feet, between him and a new human. Immediately Knuckles was on his own feet trying to put himself between them. His efforts only wrenched the ropes round his legs, bringing him screaming to the floor. For a moment he groaned in pain, under the stares of both Shadow and the new human
"Foolish Guardian…" Shadow said softly to him "This human is here to help us"
"I hate humans"
"Yes…" Shadow crooned
"Don't." Knuckles shouted as forcefully as he could "I have reason's you cannot comprehend"
"This human has come to release us… this base is being shut down… we're free Knuckles"
Knuckles snorted
"Well not precisely free…"
"Told you… we're just being transferred" Knuckles sighed bitterly.
More humans came into the cell
"We will make you more comfortable" The woman's voice said.
A human bent down at Knuckles' side, and picked him up. He protested as violently as he could but was restrained. He watched as another human bent beside Shadow, who raised his arms to be carried. Knuckles felt angry and betrayed as dark and pain swept over him.

The welcoming committee outside the facility noticed a disturbance. There seemed to be a great deal of activity somewhere. Then as they all began to question what was going on a shout drew them to the rear exit. Of course Sonic was among the first to reach it. Here there was a single ambulance, its doors agape surrounded by several military vehicles. Sonic arrived just in time to see a human with a dark pair of arms wrapped around his neck enter the ambulance. He tried to push forward towards it, but was restrained.
"Shadow!" He shouted, but from inside the ambulance there was no response. A moment later that same human got out of the back and closed the doors. With that the ambulance sped away, watched by many of the Guardians, and a few film crews.

The world seemed to dribble back into focus. He slowly became aware of the world around him again. First of warmth, a kind of floating sensation, then the gentle sound of a low humming rumble, which he couldn't quite place. Then light began to penetrate his closed eyelids, white light, and with it he was aware of a new smell, fresh and clean. Then suddenly Knuckles was hit by a strange sense of terror. For a sudden moment he wondered if he was dead. He sat up and looked around; panting hard and listening to his shout reverberate off the nearby walls.
"Calm yourself Guardian" a female voice beside him was saying, it belonged to a pale blue Kitsune, though Knuckles couldn't see her.
"'s alright Knuckles… we're safe enough…" Shadow's sleepy voice said
He tried to make his eyes adjust, but only managed to discern a blurred outline.
"You have been sedated; we thought it best considering your condition and your destructive attitude towards my human counterparts"
Knuckles' hand reached out and grabbed the Kitsune by the throat. She squeaked in alarm.
"Let us go!"
The blue fox tried to scream, but Knuckles' un-gloved fist simply tightened its grip.
"Knuckles stop!" Shadow shouted, sitting up in a bed opposite
It was only then through his blurred vision and hazy mind he noticed the large human coming towards him. He growled loudly and threw the Kitsune to the floor, towards Shadow's grasping arms. Knuckles succeeded in throwing only one punch before he was restrained; snarling and growling like an animal. The Kitsune climbed to her feet, rubbing her throat, watched by a concerned Shadow.
"Use the restraints on the bed; I can't give him anymore sedative if he's going to be awake when we arrive"
Knuckles continued to struggle as he was pressed down on the mattress and his hands and legs were bound by leather straps. He pulled against them, but couldn't break them, and only succeeded in paining the wounds on his wrists.
"Calm down Knuckles…" Shadow's voice almost snarled "You aren't making us any friends"
With that something dark was placed over Knuckles eyes, and he was left with no option but to calm himself.

When he awoke again he was only a little more at ease. The room he was in was dull, but not dark. He couldn't sense any presence other than Shadow's. As he cautiously moved each of his limbs he realised with some relief that he was not restrained. Cautiously he opened his eyes and sat up. The dull light in the room was coming from a square window in one wall; outside it appeared to be dusk. The top of the window was open, filling the room with the smell of damp grass. Knuckles looked more keenly around the room; the window offered a useful means of escape. There was a door at one end of the room. He spotted Shadow, laid on his back on a bed just below the window, apparently reading, seemingly utterly relaxed.
"That was some display in the ambulance" Shadow said, not looking away from his book "I was almost ashamed of you"
"You might like being the humans' lapdog, but I don't" Knuckles snarled back
"That door isn't locked. We've been released"
"I'll believe that when I see it" Knuckles said, getting up. He swung his legs down from the Shremu sized bed and put his bare feet on the cold floor, watched all the while by Shadow, who'd put his book down and matched his movements. Knuckles put weight on his feet, and promptly collapsed into Shadow's waiting arms.
"Are you going to try that again or will you desist in your stubbornness?" Shadow asked "Just so I know whether to be ready to catch you again, or can I go back to my book?"
Knuckles snorted and again attempted to stand. Again his feet refused to support him. He crumpled to his knees, staring ahead at the door. It was so close, but he couldn't reach it. Desperation almost overwhelmed him. He wanted to scream.
"I-I can't walk"
"That, is evident"
"Shadow…"
"Yes?" Shadow, his hands on Knuckles shoulder and chest realised he was shaking. He frowned.
"I-I can't walk!" An element of bemused terror crept into his voice and across the Bond, Shadow's mood swiftly changed.
"Your wounds will heal-"
"What if they don't? The humans… what are they going to do to us? They-they… I can't fight them if I can't stand up!"
Shadow had never known Knuckles to panic before, he was alarmed, fear began to rise in him.
"It's alright Knuckles; they aren't going to hurt us" Shadow dropped to his knees by his side "Are you really that frightened of them?"
Knuckles just nodded; his eyes wide. Shadow was at a loss, he didn't know what to do.
"They aren't here now, and I'll protect us if they come"
"Even you can't stop them… not with their guns and their machines and and-"
Shadow was getting no-where. He was tempted to call for help, maybe the humans could sedate him, but he would have to wake up at some point.
"Shut up Knuckles, your frightening me" Shadow finally heard himself say.
Knuckles stopped his tirade of gibberish. He looked up at him
"I've never met a nice human…" With that Knuckles actually broke down in front of him. Shadow sighed, took his Guardian in his arms and did his best to comfort him and his broken will. In some ways it was a relief to see, Knuckles had been balancing on a knife edge for days, Shadow knew, maybe now he'd slipped it was a sign of relief, maybe inside he did trust Shadow in his word for the humans. He couldn't deny it though, Shadow had never seen Knuckles like this before, he was frightened. Knuckles was more vulnerable than even he'd realised.

After an uncertain amount of time Knuckles exhausted himself and Shadow succeeded, through a feet of strength that surprised him a great deal, to get him back into his bed. With that Shadow went back to reading Frankenstein.

Just as the stars were coming out a human and the Kitsune doctor came into the room. Shadow moved across the room at a frankly alarming speed to meet them just beyond the door. With a combination of hand gestures and noises that couldn't be called speech he forced them back outside. Once outside he pulled the door partially closed, fearful that Knuckles would hear the human's voice or catch his scent.
"Urr we've come to collect you both to stand before the Senate-"
Shadow, violently shaking his head stopped him mid-sentence.
"My Guardian is not fit, especially not to stand before a room of people, it must wait at least until tomorrow"
"Urr time is pressing" The human objected.
Shadow frowned and attempted to make himself look intimidating, which wasn't really necessary. "As an act of faith! Especially considering his illness is your doing, this will wait until tomorrow."
Shadow started to go back into the room, wondering if he'd pulled it off, at this point he would do more or less anything for Knuckles. It was the Kitsune's voice that stopped him.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Shadow paused "A lightweight sedative… for both of us… and painkillers I can administer for him would be appreciated"
She frowned for a moment, then nodded "I'll bring some along shortly"
She went to go but Shadow reached out and touched her arm, she actually flinched from his touch, leaving them both startled.
"Come alone? At the very least, no humans"
She frowned, uncertain, then answered "I'll come without a human"
Shadow nodded and went back inside.

A soft knock warned of her return about five minutes later. Shadow opened the door for her, true to word she was accompanied only by a large and burly looking Echidna.
"Do you know how to inject intravenous drugs?"
"Yes but I said light sedative…" Shadow said as she walked past him, he hadn't invited her in.
"That's the painkiller"
She walked over to Knuckles bed, found his arm and started looking for a pulse.
"You might not want to do that" Shadow warned, but fortunately Knuckles remained facing the wall, unheeding her touch on his arm.
"Was he always this thin?" She asked.
"Ugh…" Shadow had to think about it "I guess not…"
"What about you?" She turned round and started examining him in a way Shadow didn't entirely like.
"Me?" Shadow looked down on himself and shrugged "The scientists always made sure I was the right weight…"
She just stared at him for a moment, as though embarrassed. She handed him two tablets, the syringe and a small glass bottle containing the drugs.
"I'll assume you know what to do with that?"
Shadow looked at the label; it was a drug he was distantly familiar with.
"You can give him all of that if he needs it"
With that she left the room, taking her burly escort, who'd waited just inside the door with her.

Knuckles' whimpers in his sleep woke Shadow from a dark and empty slumber. His first assumption was that he was having a nightmare, but as he watched his shifting body he gathered that it was his wrists and ankles that were paining him. He climbed out of his own bed to his side, fumbled in the dark for the syringe, drew the liquid into it, tapped it, and dispelled the air bubbles, took his arm, found a vein and injected it, all as though in a dream, if Shadow had been more awake he would have been surprised at himself. But he'd done it enough times on the ARK. With a thumb over the wound in Knuckles arm and the other resting lightly on his chest he watched him for a moment, hoping he would settle, then returned to his bunk.

Shadow felt absolutely wretched when he woke up. Sleeping in a bed for the first time in what felt like months had left his limbs seized. Every muscle in his body ached, and didn't want to move. For a long time he lay on his back, with the blankets pulled up over his head, unable to move his arms to pull them away from his face. Eventually he emerged from under the covers. Surprisingly Knuckles wasn't up before him. He was equally hidden amongst a tangle of blankets. For a moment Shadow worried that he'd wrapped the sheet around his neck, however he did appear to be breathing. Outside the window the sun was shining weakly through a thick layer of cloud. Shadow peered curiously out, pressing his nose against the glass. The day didn't look too promising. In the other bed Knuckles groaned, shifted position, and fell onto the floor.
"Oow…" he moaned indignantly.
Shadow turned round, the blankets still wrapped around him, to watch Knuckles untangle himself from his own. That done he sat in a huddle on the floor rubbing despondently at his bandaged wrists. For a long moment Shadow felt very sorry for him. Then Knuckles looked up at him, and forced a weary smile.
"Mornin'"
"I think it's going to rain" Shadow stated gently
Knuckles groaned "Maybe it'll be a good day regardless…"
Shadow smiled a little and dropped to the floor beside Knuckles. He watched him for a moment, then wordlessly wrapped his arms round him. Knuckles returned his embrace, giving him a soft and reassuring purr. Despite always being told not to make such noises, Shadow answered it.