Well, here it is: Chapter 4, the final chapter in this story. This is my only story with chapters in it, so all of my other stories will just be one long chapter. Sorry for the long wait, and I hope you enjoy the conclusion to The Nightmare: Part 2.
The ride home was long and silent. When they arrived back at the palace, Knuckles started to get out to go around and help Sonia out, but she stopped him.
"I can do this myself, Knuckles. The more we see each other, the harder it will be for both of us," Sonia explained.
"Of course… Your Highness."
Sonia faltered, and then turned back one last time to embrace Knuckles. "Oh, Knuckles! You'll always be my friend, no matter what happens! Nothing that happens in life can prevent us from being friends! Even though this has happened, we don't have to be like strangers!" Sonia hesitated. She reached over and, gently grabbing his muzzle, turned it toward her. "You will always hold a special place in my heart, my dearest friend. Goodbye, Knuckles."
Knuckles gazed into her eyes. She's right, he realized as his face lit up. "As you will always be in my heart, Sonia. Farewell… until next time."
Sonia stood back and waved until the plane was out of sight. Then she slowly turned away and burst into tears. She ran to her room, past the breakfast room, where Aleena, Sonic, and Manic were talking. They stopped as they watched her run toward her room.
"How much ya wanna bet he finally admitted he doesn't really like her?" Manic laughed. Sonic joined in, until Aleena silenced them.
"Stop it, you two! Shame on you! Here your sister is in tears and all you can do is crack jokes about her?" Aleena scolded. She then sailed out of the room in the direction Sonia had run, leaving Sonic and Manic sitting there, silent. Something must be wrong. Aleena had never spoken to them like that before. They stood and silently followed.
Aleena knocked lightly on Sonia's door. "Sonia, my child, may I come in?"
"Mother, o-of course," Sonia sobbed in reply.
Aleena opened the door to see her daughter lying face down on the bed, sobbing into her pillow.
"Why, Sonia! Won't you tell me what's wrong?" Aleena gently prodded, walking over and sitting next to her daughter. Sonia sat up and moved closer to her mother.
"Mother, Kn-Knuckles g-gave me this t-today," Sonia said, handing Aleena the letter, trying to stop crying. "He- He told me t-that he g-got it a-a few days a-ago. It's my… w-well, my s-second worst n-nightmare c-come true!"
Aleena read it carefully and somewhat slowly, to give Sonia a chance to calm down. "Well, dear, I can certainly see why you're upset. This is a big deal. What did Knuckles say?"
Sonia, somewhat calmer now, replied, "He told me he would refuse this if he could, but he can't. He told me he never intended for this to happen to us, and that I was, and always will be, the only one he loves." She wiped away her tears. "I told him that it's just another duty, and reminded him that I have many duties, though his do shoulder more responsibility in most cases, but I had to admit that, of all my duties to citizens of Mobius, letting him go would be the hardest one of all. Then, before he left, I had to turn around and go back over to give him one final hug, and I told him that he will always be in my heart, and I reminded him that, no matter what happens, we will always be best friends."
"Good for you, Sonia! That's exactly how I would have handled it!" Aleena praised her daughter.
"I'm glad. I tried to think what you would have said or done in that situation," Sonia admitted.
"Well, you did a fine job! I am very proud of you!" Aleena said. "I am sure you will one day make a fine queen of Mobius."
"What's all the fuss about? We could hear you all the way down the hall," Sonic and Manic shouted, poking their heads in the door.
"I'll explain later. Now, you all had better get dressed for the execution/party."
"Yikes! That's right!" the triplets exclaimed, Sonic and Manic dashing to their rooms.
Aleena laughed as she left the room. Robotnik would shortly be gone forever, and all was in harmony at the palace. Well, almost. Aleena knew, though, that though it might not have seemed like it at the moment, Sonia's pain of losing Knuckles would soon pass. She would no longer feel it, and she would be happy for Knuckles and Julie-Su. Aleena was very pleased with her daughter's progress. She knew that, when she was gone, Mobius would be perfectly safe in Sonia's capable hands.
