Well, the miracle happened. I managed to get this story finished and posted.
For those of you who haven't seen SU, when Sonic and the gang visited Angel Island, there appeared to be no other echidnas on the island. That was the basis for this story.
The plane landed on the landing pad outside Knuckles' home on Angel Island. Knuckles got out and stepped around to help Sonia out of the plane.
"Sonia, no matter what happens after I show you what I must show you, I want you to know that I will always love you, you and no one else."
"Oh, Knuckles," Sonia cried, throwing her arms around him. The thing that made what he had just told her so touching was that he wasn't usually this open when it came to showing affection. In fact, it was difficult for him to be gentlemanly to her.
Knuckles returned her embrace, and they shared a kiss. Little did Sonia know that that kiss would be the last one they would share for a long time.
"Sonia, won't you come inside?" Knuckles encouraged her. Sonia accepted graciously.
"Now, Sonia, I really did not want this to happen to us," Knuckles began after they got inside, "but do you remember when I told you that I was the last of the Echidna?"
Sonia nodded uneasily. Where was he going with this?
"Well, I got this letter a while ago. It's the reason you didn't see me for so long, because I couldn't bring myself to tell you about it." He handed her the letter.
Sonia took it and cautiously opened it.
The letter read:
Dear Mr. Knuckles Echidna,
We are pleased to inform you that in addition to your current duties to your island, you are being kindly granted an additional duty, and a rare privilege. Most people in your area, as we're sure you're aware, believe that you are the last of the echidna. However, that myth is false. You have a duty to marry our daughter, Julie-Su, and restore the echidna to its rightful place in nature. We will be contacting you within the next few months concerning the marriage/wedding arrangements. You have no choice in the matter, as it is your destiny. And as a side note to whoever your girlfriend is, get lost! Knuckles has a duty to his kind, and you are getting in the way of that duty!
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Echidna
Sonia looked up at Knuckles, tears brimming in her eyes.
"I knew I had to tell you today because I received the letter 'concerning the marriage/wedding' arrangements' last night," Knuckles admitted, embarrassed. "I am so sorry, Sonia. Believe me, if I had the power to reject this, I would. I never thought that this would happen to us. I love you, Sonia, and I will never be able to love anyone else the way I do you."
"No, Knuckles," Sonia insisted, more bravely than she felt. "They're right. You have a duty to your kind. So do I. Though my duty shoulders fewer responsibilities, they're usually heavier, like this this one. The hardest of my many duties to citizens of Mobius is going to be letting you go."
Knuckles rushed over to her, embracing her. "Sonia, I have to thank you for how well you handled this. It makes this duty so much easier for me. Maybe someday, if Julie-Su dies, then we can be together again."
"Yeah, maybe," Sonia mumbled. "I have to get back to the palace now."
"Yeah, that's right," Knuckles remembered. "I'm not going to have a very good relationship with my in-laws. I'll make them sorry they spoke to you that way."
"NO, Knuckles! You wouldn't be doing me any favors by doing that. They are right. Think about it. I'm sure they had no idea I was a princess." Sonia took a deep breath. "I know how much this is hurting you to have to let go. Believe me, I'm feeling it, too. However, there's nothing we can do about it, unless you want to see an echidna skeleton added to the Mobian Museum of Science and History. I'm certain that's not what either of us wants. Please, Knuckles, just do your duty."
Knuckles stared at her. "All right, Sonia. Whatever you say." His voice sounded strange. "I'd best get you home."
"Yes, please do," Sonia breathed in relief.
There will be one more chapter after this, so keep watching! Hopefully I'll have it posted tomorrow!
