Author's note: Here it is! The second to last chapter! Are you ready for it? Well, this answers a few questions. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 9: A Funeral Reunion

Tails' funeral was three weeks later. There is a reason why I say only Tails' funeral. You see, I didn't get the full story with that one phone message. Sonic managed to survive his own attack. He faired better than I did.

About a week after Espio told me about Ceaira, Sonic walked in. I was reading a gaming magazine (I think it was Charmy's). I jolted and told him, thinking it to be Vector trying to get me to eat his home-made soup again, to go away. (Allow me tell you something, that detective of a croc can't cook worth did-ally-squat.)

"Fine, Knux, I'll leave." Recognizing the voice as the one who had kept me from dying, I looked up.

"Sonic?" I asked, utterly confused. "I thought you were. . ."

"I could say the same thing about you!" Sonic retorted. "Espio and Vector explained everything to me. Knuckles, I do believe I should have been there. I brought this for you." He handed me the damaged body of Backdrop.

I looked at it carefully. Then I shrugged. "There are some things that never change. So, what happened anyway?"

Sonic forced a smile. "I take it you heard the message I left Tails." I nodded. "Well, in effect, I was under attack, but I could clearly out run that monster. A green echidna was riding it. Vector told me about her. Anyway, I quickly out ran the Beast and its rider. The message you heard was a warning to Tails to get out of his home, though I believe the Beast got to him before it went after me. I panicked. The only thing I worried about was getting to you before anything bad happened. When I saw that Angle Island had fallen, I figured all hope was lost. Then I remembered Team Chaotix, knowing somewhat about your history with them, I went to find the team. By the time I found their awkward placed office, you guys had gone already. I left numerous messages and waited on the porch for your return. Needless to say, I got worried when you never showed up. By the time I located your fight, you were already engaged in the Sudden Death match with the Beast. I could see you were dieing. I tried to get into the ring, but Vector held me back. I was prepared to knock him out to keep you from dieing. I wasn't about to lose you as well as Tails. (I felt very flattered at that.) He held me strong, saying this was something you had to do on your own. I accepted that, but still wanted to help. Right when the Beast fell, Vector let me go. I stayed away, allowing you to kill the monster on your own. (In case you are wondering, Ceaira was also being contained by the one and only Vector!) After we were sure it was dead, I came over to you. Your arm was slit open and broken in three places. Later, other damages were discovered. Vector still can't figure out Espio got his ribs broken by the Beast and not his back as well. I waited until Vector said it was okay for me to come in here, but you were asleep. You know, they called a doctor to help you, Espio and Charmy."

I nodded. "I owe them my life now." (And Espio's. but we agreed not to tell anyone that!) After comparing times and junk, we figured out that in Sonic's mad rush to Angle Island, and my own, pain filled journey to Tails' workshop, we passed right be each other. To tell you the truth, looking back, I do remember a misplaced breeze. At that particular moment in time, I didn't care about it. Looking back, I wished I had cared a tad bit more about that breeze. It might have saved me a lot of trouble and heart ache.

Vector told me that Ceaira was taken care of. No one would tell me where she was. Even Sonic, though I knew he knew what happened to her, wouldn't tell me. I slowly forgot about it. What's that point anyway? Why should I care? But I did and that was final. Deep down, that hope she brought me still flickered with a tiny flame. I wanted to feed it, even if the fuel would only last for a short time. Some say it's better to have no hope than false hope. I can't tell you which is better, because it depends on what the hope is on.

Well, as I was saying (before I so rudely interrupted myself!), Tails' funeral was held three weeks after the fight. Sonic asked me to speak at it. I told him I couldn't, but being me, and Sonic being him, I was convinced that I could speak.

It was a small funeral. Amy, Sonic, Vector, Charmy, Espio, Cream, Cheese and I were the only ones who showed up. That was okay with us; a small collection of his friends and an even smaller collection of mine. We hadn't told the media about his death yet. We wanted a private funeral and than anyone who wanted to, could grieve over the loss of the fox.

After Sonic gave his account of Tails' life, I stood up. I was gripping the small robot. I didn't believe in luck, but it sure helped me to have something to hold on to. "Sonic asked me to talk to you today," I began. "I can surely tell you I never dreamed that I would speak at Tails' funeral. I spent all last night writing a long speech about him and his life, but I lost it. This is strait from the heart, okay?" Everyone nodded. "I'm not about to sit here and do a day-by-day recount of his life. I'm going to tell you what he was. Tails was, frankly and simply, a hero. He didn't have much to live for, other than a great friend and his love of machines. I can tell you, lesser people would have given up. Sure, he was born with a mutation, but instead of moping around about it, he learned to fly with it, quite literally. The word 'hero' is a term used so lightly in this world. A 'hero' is anyone who saves people's lives, but what truly makes some one a real hero? This is something I remember from long ago, the real definition of hero. A hero is anyone and anything that makes a positive difference in ANYONE'S life. A hero doesn't have to save the world in a solo mission, he, or she, just needs to make a difference in one man's life. I don't believe in side-kicks, because no one is a side-kick. Tails proved that the word side-kick didn't mean anything. It was a word made up by the big-headed, fat-ego-ed 'heroes' who wanted to degrade their partner's position. I don't play second best to anyone, and neither did Tails and neither should any of you! There is a hero in all of us, no matter the age, size or even the intelligence; as Sonic has so kindly demonstrated so many times." A ripple of slight laughter broke out. Sonic glared at me and blushed. I shrugged. "This is a new beginning for all of us! Tails may be gone, but he will surely live on in our hearts as one of the greatest heroes, the real definition of hero, that ever lived!"

The laughter was gone. No one moved from their spots. No one said anything. I watched to audience. Were they so shocked that I said something intelligent that they couldn't even clap?

Suddenly, from the way back, clapping started. No one looked around to see who was doing it. Only I saw the truth of who was giving me their personal standing ovation. "Tails learned early on that he was going to be a hero," I whispered. The clapper nodded. I caught his eye.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Sonic follow my shocked gaze. I didn't see his face, but I knew his face was reflected in the clapper's own eyes. "TAILS," Sonic screamed and jumped up, running to the clapper in the back. Everyone spun to look. People these days need to see the proof. Everyone gasped together as the hedgehog and fox embraced.

"And when daylight breaks the night, the Heroes will rise again," I whispered. I highly doubted anyone heard the small comment. I all my days, I had never seen the two friends and partners hug. If anything was said between them, I didn't hear it.

Their embrace lasted for a very long time. After they finished, everyone went up to the fox. When Team Chaotix talked with him, I figured they would give him my story. I held back as long as I could. What do you say to some one who you though had just died? I stroked the cold, metal body of Backdrop and watched as everyone hugged and greeted the fox.

After a good while, Tails approached me. "Hi," he whispered.

"Hey," I said back. I wanted his story. I wanted to know how he was still breathing.

He sensed this. "I'm not sure what happened, Knuckles. One minute I was sleeping and the next this . . . Thing had me in its mouth. I watched my room as it was destroyed. I hardly had a chance to fight. But near the end, I was able to get away. I was cut up and fed up. I ran, and for a very long time, I just slept near the river, unable to do much. I heard Sonic talking about me and came to se my own funeral. I listened to you speak. Did you really mean all of that?"

I nodded. "Tails, I would have loved to have your life, and you know it," I said with a smile. "I have something for you!" I handed him Backdrop. "He's one of Eggman's, but I'm sure you can reprogram it. His name is Backdrop."

Tails looked at the robot. "Thanks Knuckles! I'll fix him up. Do you want the memory erased?"

I looked at him. Backdrop had all the answers to Ceaira! Backdrop was my chance to know who and what she was! I thought about it. Did I really want to know? I knew the answer to that question. "Yes Tails, erase his memory."