Sonic X: Season 3: Shuffle Edition

by KatherineTheMoth

When Sonic had accidently discovered a mysterious board game, he soon asked his friends to play it with him. Little did the gang realize that the board game is cursed and that they are now forced to finish it for the curse to be over. This resulted in a crazy adventure where they have to play the game in order to save their planet, their lives, and the entire universe. Now Game On!

26. Bonus Game 3

Sonic X: Season 3: Shuffle Edition

Bonus Game #3

PIKO!

PIKO!

"Owwwwwwwwwww..." Sonic groaned slowly yet weakly in pain as he was lying on the floor with two bumps on the head.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Perfect! Absolutely perfect! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with his right hand over his eyes while laughing a lot after seeing Sonic getting bonked by Amy's hammer.

Grrrrr...Shut up, Knuckles...Sonic brooded calmly yet tiredly in annoyance with a grimace and with a closed eyelid as he laid on his stomach while looking at Knuckles and Cream.

The punishment was definitely over in like two seconds just as Amy had said, but my goodness, was it painful to endure for Sonic here. He would most certainly prefer it if he hadn't gone through with it at all. But of course, this is Amy we're talking about. Once she has something in her mind, she will go all the way with it until the very end. Makes sense why she still insists that Sonic and her should start dating soon so that they could get married soon as well.

"Now then...I hope that you had learned your lesson, Sonic. So, please be a good boy and don't do it again," Amy commented calmly yet coyly with a sweet smile and with clasped hands after putting her Piko Piko Hammer away while staring down at Sonic.

"As if I'm gonna! Uggggh! ...It still stings..." Sonic exclaimed back in annoyance before muttering a bit in agony with a groan and with a deeper grimace while looking back up at Amy as he cringed in pain.

"Poor Mr. Sonic..." Cream muttered calmly in sympathy with a little smile as she stared at Sonic while having her fingertips covering her mouth.

"Oh, he'll be fine, Cream. Hahahahahahah! He's taking this hard lesson to heart for sure. Hahahahahahah!" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a little less as he looked at Cream.

"I'm sure that you're right, Mr. Knuckles. Hehehehehe!" Cream replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile while giggling a little as she stared at Knuckles with her hands behind her back. Knuckles kept laughing in amusement with a huge smile on his face while Cream joined him by giggling a lot with a sweet smile on her face.

Hehehehehe! It's certainly a treat seeing Mr. Knuckles laugh and smile like this. I do wish that he could keep that happy look every day. It's such a shame that he had to be grumpy and serious all the time. He could use more laughs and smiles in his life. Cream pondered calmly yet fondly in amusement with a little smile as she giggled a lot while watching Knuckles laugh a lot with a huge smile on his face.

"Thanks for your sympathies, guys. I can tell that you guys really care about me," Sonic commented calmly yet sarcastically with a deep frown and with lowered eyelids as he stared at Knuckles and Cream while he propped his head up with his right hand.

"Hehehehehehe! I'm sorry, Mr. Sonic, but I can't help but giggle a lot thanks to Mr. Knuckles' contagious laughter! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Cream exclaimed jovially in amusement with a sweet smile and with her hands behind her back as she looked back at Sonic while giggling a lot.

"Hahahahahahahahahahah! And I'm sorry, Sonic, but I can't help but laugh a lot after seeing what I wanted to see! Getting your butt kicked! Or should I say...your head bonked! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! You got what you deserved! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge, mischievous smile and with his right hand on his hip as he looked back at Sonic while laughing a lot.

"Ugggh...My suffering never ends..." Sonic muttered calmly yet tiredly with a groan and with a grimace as he looked away from Knuckles and Cream and stared at the floor instead.

"Well, as much as I would love to see Sonic recover from his injuries, I have to head off to bed. I need a good nap after that exhausting adventure that we all went through today. See you later, Amy...Sonic..." Chris commented calmly with a little smile as he stretched a bit before getting up from his seat and walking towards the main deck's entrance while waving Amy and Sonic "goodbye".

"See you later, Chris! Have a nice nap!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a cheerful smile as she watched Chris leave while waving him "goodbye".

"Noooo...Don't leave me, Chris...Take me with you..." Sonic muttered calmly yet weakly with a sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Chris while reaching his hand out to him.

"Relax, Sonic. You're going to be just fine," Chris replied calmly with a gentle smile as he looked back at Sonic.

"Not. When. She's. Around!" Sonic exclaimed back through gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as he slightly glared at Chris while pointing back at Amy with his thumb.

"Hey! I heard that! Don't make me hit you a third time, Sonic!" Amy exclaimed back in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she glared hard at Sonic while having her hands on her hips.

"Nggggh! S-See what I mean, Chris?" Sonic muttered hoarsely with a loud groan and with a grimace as he cringed a lot after hearing that threat before looking back at Chris with a closed eyelid.

"Oh, don't be such a baby, Sonic. Just be nice to Amy, and you won't get yourself hurt. Now, goodbye," Chris replied calmly in slight annoyance with a little frown and with a headshake as he stared at Sonic for a while before walking away again.

"...T-Traitor..." Sonic whispered bitterly with a grimace and with lowered eyelids while having a sweat drop on his head as he watched Chris leave.

Chris then walked up to Knuckles and Cream and stopped next to them while adding calmly with a little smile, "Knuckles...Cream...I'll see you two later. I hope that you two will take the time to rest as much as possible like I am right now".

"We will. Thanks, Chris. You really did help us out a lot today. You deserve a good rest," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod as he gave Chris a brief handshake.

"Yeah! I hope that you have pleasant dreams, Chris! You did well today, after all! (Chao! Chao!)" Cream exclaimed cheerfully with a bright smile and with a nod as she had her hands clasped together while Cheese chirped happily in agreement.

"Thanks, guys. I will. Anyways, bye," Chris replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod after shaking Knuckles' hand for a bit before he released it and walked away towards the main decks' doors while waving "goodbye" to his friends.

"Bye, Chris," Knuckles and Cream replied calmly yet simultaneously with gentle smiles on their faces as they watched Chris leave while waving him "goodbye". Soon, Chris walked through the open, main deck doors and left with the doors closing behind him. After seeing Chris leave, Knuckles and Cream looked back at Sonic with amused looks on their faces.

"You know what will be a great idea, Sonic?" Amy asked calmly in cheerfulness with a bright smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared down at Sonic with clasped hands.

"(Sigh)...No. What?" Sonic replied calmly yet tiredly with a deep sigh and with a grimace as he looked back at Amy with lowered eyelids.

"Stargazing! We could go stargazing right now outside the Blue Typhoon! That'll be a relaxing activity that we could do together! What do you say, Sonic?! Do you want to go?!" Amy exclaimed brightly in excitement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as she nodded a little to Sonic while bending downwards to him.

"...I'd rather die to your hammer swings than stargaze with you..." Sonic replied calmly yet tiredly in annoyance with a deep grimace and with lowered eyelids as he stared at Amy.

PIKO!

"Owwwwwwww..." Sonic groaned again in pain with a deep grimace and with closed eyes as he cringed a lot in agony after receiving a third bonk on the head.

"Ahahahahahahaha! Priceless. Heheheheheheheh!" Knuckles commented calmly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while laughing a little as he covered his eyes with his right hand. Cream smiled a little in amusement after seeing that before looking at Knuckles and silently watching him laugh a lot.

"Don't be mean! You heard what Chris said! Just be nice to me! It's not that hard to do!" Amy exclaimed in annoyance with a pout and with furrowed eyebrows as she put her hammer away and put her hands onto her hips again.

"Uggggh...(It is for me)…" Sonic mumbled tiredly to himself while groaning a bit again in pain as he kept grimacing and kept his eyes closed.

"What was that?" Amy asked calmly in a warning tone with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she threatened to pull out her hammer again for another swing.

"Nothing. Nothing. Sheesh..." Sonic replied calmly yet tiredly with a deep frown and with lowered eyelids as he looked back at Amy. Too bad that didn't kill me...Sonic thought calmly yet tiredly in annoyance with a deep frown and with lowered eyelids as he stared back at Amy.

"Heheheheheheh! Oh, good grief, Sonic. You sure love to dig that hole of yours. Heheheheheheh! Which makes it entertaining for me. Hahahahahaha!" Knuckles commented calmly in amusement with a huge, mischievous grin and with a lowered eyebrow as he laughed a bit while staring at Sonic with his right hand on his hip. Cream quietly watched Knuckles laugh some more while having a little, coy smile on her face.

Mr. Knuckles really does have a cute laugh...I'm just happy that I got to hear it due to how rare he laughs around us...Cream pondered calmly yet fondly with a little, coy smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles while having her hands behind her back.

Knuckles laughed a little more while shaking his head before he stopped and sighed deeply in amusement. Now that he had relaxed a bit, he then realized how exhausted he is due to how his eyelids are drooping a bit and how he unconsciously nods a little.

"Awww, looks like someone is feeling sleepy too! Teehee!" Cream exclaimed cheerfully in slight fondness with a sweet smile and with a light giggle as she stared at Knuckles' tired face in amusement.

Knuckles blinked his eyes a bit before looking at Cream with a huge smile on his face as he replied calmly in amusement, "What? Me? Nah. I'm not sleepy. I'm fine".

"Oh, but I saw your eyelids drooping a little. Not to mention your head nodding a bit. I think that it's time for you to take a nap as well," Cream replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles with her hands coyly behind her back.

"Oh. Heheheheh...It's fine, Cream. It's fine. I'll admit that I'm feeling a bit tired, but I'm not exhausted enough to take a nap. That's just silly," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a snicker as he stared back at Cream.

"But Chris decided to go take a nap. So, why not you?" Cream replied calmly in amusement with a coy smile and with curious eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Because I'm not a baby! Heheheheheheheh! I'll sleep whenever I want! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a little smile and with closed eyes as he laughed a bit while still having his hand on his hip.

"Hehehehe! True, you can, but I'm sure that your body disagrees with you on that. I say that your body wants to go to sleep right now," Cream replied calmly in amusement with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she stared back at Knuckles.

"And I'm saying that my body is going to have to deal with it! Hahahahahahahah! I'm not taking a nap! Heheheheheheheh! I'm staying up!" Knuckles exclaimed back confidently in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he moved his head towards Cream while laughing a little.

Hehehehehehe! Mr. Knuckles sure acts like a little kid sometimes. It's quite funny. Hehehehehehehe! Cream thought calmly in amusement with a sweet smile while giggling a lot as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Hehehehehehe! Sure, you may say that, but I think that you're ready to yawn, Mr. Knuckles. It's just a matter of time until you do," Cream replied calmly in amusement with another giggle and with a bright smile as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Hahahahahahaha! Nice try, Cream, but that's not going to...to...ha-(Yawn)-ppen..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a confident laugh and with a huge smile as he stared at Cream before yawning and stretching a little while frowning a bit and while waving a hand towards his mouth.

"Hehehehehehehehe! See?! I told you so! Hehehehehehehe!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as she giggled a lot. Knuckles frowned a bit in annoyance before he smiled smugly in amusement and gently stroked Cream's head.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he gently stroked Cream's head.

"Hehehehehehe! Maybe. Hehehehehehehe!" Cream calmly yet coyly answered with an innocent smile and with amused eyes as she stared back at Knuckles while giggling a lot.

"Hmph. I figured," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a quiet grunt and with a smug smile as he stared back at Cream while gently stroking her head.

"Ooooh, Sonic! Why can't you be like Knuckles?! I mean! Look at him! He's being nice to Cream! Why can't you behave like that towards me?!" Amy exclaimed in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she glared at Sonic while pointing at Knuckles after briefly looking at him and Cream.

"That's different, Amy. You're not a six-year-old kid like Cream is here. Heck, even I'm nice to Cream because of how young and innocent she is," Sonic replied calmly in amusement with a grin and with a lowered eyebrow as he stared up at Amy after briefly looking at Knuckles and Cream.

"But I'm young and innocent too!" Amy exclaimed back in frustration with a grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as she held a finger up while leaning a bit forward towards Sonic.

"Yeah, but Cream is younger and...(probably much more innocent than you are)…" Sonic replied calmly with a sheepish smile and with a lowered eyebrow as he stared at Amy before looking away and mumbling to himself at the end.

"What was that?! If it's something mean again, then you leave me no choice but to hit you on the back this time!" Amy yelled back in frustration with a deep frown and with a vein bulging in her head as she pulled out her hammer again and threatened Sonic with it.

"Ack! It's nothing! It's nothing! I swear! It's not mean or anything! Honest!" Sonic exclaimed back in panic with an alarmed look on his face as he waved his hand at Amy while sweating a lot.

"Oh, really?" Amy asked calmly yet sternly with a skeptical look on her face as she stared down at Sonic with her hands on her hips.

"Yes, really! Why don't you believe me?!" Sonic exclaimed back in exasperation with a nervous look on his face as he stared back at Amy.

"Because I'm very sure that you have a lot of mean thoughts about me, don't you, Sonic?" Amy replied calmly in annoyance with a deep frown and with narrowed eyelids as she stared at Sonic with scrutiny.

"What?! No!" Sonic exclaimed back in shock and in exasperation as he stared back at Amy with a surprised look on his face while shaking his head a little.

"Sonic..." Amy muttered irritably in annoyance with a grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as she stared back at Sonic.

"Come on! Amy! Come on! That's not true! I mean...I mean...Ummm..." Sonic exclaimed back in exasperation before muttering calmly yet awkwardly with a sheepish frown on his face as he stared back at Amy in nervousness.

"..." Amy was silent while glaring hard at Sonic with an annoyed look on her face.

"...Yeah, okay, maybe I do have some mean thoughts about you in my mind..." Sonic muttered calmly yet quietly with a sheepish frown and with a sweat drop on his head as he looked away from Amy and stared at the floor instead.

PIKO!

"Ugggggggggh..." Sonic groaned again in pain after feeling his back being struck hard by Amy's hammer.

"Heheheheheheh...Every time man...Heheheheheheh...Every time..." Knuckles muttered calmly in amusement with a mischievous grin and with a headshake while stroking Cream's head as he snickered a bit after watching Sonic getting hit by Amy's hammer again. He then yawned again as he felt even more exhausted than before.

Cream smiled gently at Knuckles after seeing him yawn again. She then coyly grabbed his hand to stop him from petting her and just held it gently in her hands while staring caringly at him. Knuckles immediately looked back at Cream after feeling her grabbing his hand.

"Hmm? Cream? What is it?" Knuckles asked calmly yet curiously with a confused look on his face as he stared back at Cream.

"Mr. Knuckles? ...Can you please take a nap in my room? I think that you'll be much more comfortable if you had slept in my bed," Cream asked calmly yet politely in eagerness with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles while holding onto his hand.

"Huh? Why? Why do I have to take a nap in your room? I could take a nap in my own room whenever I wanted to," Knuckles replied calmly in confusion with a baffled look on his face as he stared back at Cream.

"You don't have to take a nap in my room if you don't want to, Mr. Knuckles. I was only asking. I just...wanted to be kind to you," Cream replied calmly yet a bit sadly with a little frown as she stared at Knuckles for a while before she looked down at the floor.

Knuckles suddenly looked sheepish and felt awkward after hearing Cream say that. He knows that Cream likes to be kind to everybody, including him, however, he can't help but feel embarrassed every time he gets treated kindly by others, especially by Cream most of all. He felt as if Cream is the only person here who knows how to truly respect him as he is, and every time she does something sweet or kind to him, he can't resist but feel warm inside. His heart melts bit by bit for every kind act Cream does for him, and of course, because of that, it makes it hard for him to say "no" to these acts of kindness no matter how silly or ridiculous they may be. After all, he has a soft spot for the sweet kid.

"Uhhhh...Ummmm...H-Hey, it's okay, Cream. I understand. If you want me to take a nap in your room, then I'll do it...if it makes you happy," Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in understanding with a sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream.

"Ah! Really?! You will?!" Cream exclaimed brightly in excitement with a cheerful smile and with twinkling eyes as she looked back up at Knuckles.

"Of course, I will. I mean...I do feel rather tired, after all," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a nod before he grinned sheepishly as he stared back at Cream.

"You mean 'you feel sleepy', right?" Cream calmly yet coyly corrected with a playful grin and with amused eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"I've meant what I've said," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back at Cream.

"Hehehehehehehehe! You're so funny, Mr. Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehe!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she giggled a lot while still holding onto Knuckles' hand.

"Oh, yeah, yeah," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a playful grin and with a slight eyeroll as he stared back at Cream. Cream giggled some more before she stopped and released Knuckles' hand. Knuckles was then surprised when he felt Cream hugging him around his waist.

"Aww, Mr. Knuckles, I'm so glad that you're willing to sleep in my room. I promise that you will have a good rest there," Cream replied calmly in fondness with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she warmly hugged Knuckles while snuggling a little into his stomach.

Knuckles raised his eyebrows at Cream after hearing her say that and feeling her hugging him. He stared down at her with a shocked expression on his face before it turned into a warm one instead as he felt touched by this sweet gesture.

"Aww, heck, it was nothing, Cream. It was nothing, and I'm sure that I will rest well. Thank you for your consideration, Cream. You're very sweet as usual," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared down at Cream while stroking the back of her head.

"Teehee! You're welcome, Mr. Knuckles! Now, come on! Let's get you to bed already!" Cream exclaimed brightly in excitement with a light giggle and with a sweet smile as she pulled away from Knuckles to look at him before grabbing his right hand again and tugging him a little while walking towards the main deck's entrance.

"H-Hey! Don't say it like that! It's embarra-A-Ah! Okay! Okay! I'm going! I'm going! Easy, Cream! Easy!" Knuckles exclaimed back in shock with a humiliated look on his face before it turned surprised while feeling his right arm being tugged a bit as he turned around and followed Cream towards the main deck's doors.

Cheese contently followed Cream and Knuckles with a happy smile and with his arms raised as he cheerfully chirped, "Chao!".

"Ah! Hey! Where are ya guys going?!" Sonic exclaimed in surprise with an alarmed look on his face as he watched Cream, Cheese, and Knuckles leaving the main deck.

"Uhhhh...To Cream's roo-" Knuckles answered calmly in awkwardness with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as he looked back at Sonic with wide eyes.

"To bed! Come on, Mr. Knuckles! It's beddie bye for you!" Cream answered brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile as she looked back at Sonic before looking back at Knuckles and kept tugging him along towards the main deck's doors.

"Ack! Cream! Again! Don't say things like tha-Ah!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes while blushing a lot as he quickly looked back at Cream before feeling her tugging him towards the main deck's doors. As they both leave the main deck by walking through the open doors, they had only heard the first few sentences of Sonic's yells before the doors closed behind them.

"Wait! No! Come back! Guys! Don't leave me too! Don't leave me with...with..." Sonic quickly yelled back in shock with a surprised look on his face before he muttered weakly with a worried yet sheepish expression on his face as he slowly looked back at Amy.

"Care to finish that sentence, Sonic?" Amy asked calmly in a warning tone with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she stared down at Sonic while her hands are still on her hips.

"...No..." Sonic answered calmly yet weakly with a sheepish frown and with lowered eyelids as he stared back at Amy while having a sweat drop on his head.

"Hmph. I thought so," Amy replied calmly in annoyance with a grunt and with a deep frown as she looked away from Sonic while having her eyes closed.

"Uggggh..." Sonic groaned in annoyance with a grimace and with closed eyes as he cringed at that stern response. Knuckles...Wherever you are going, you should be grateful that you aren't dealing with this crazy girl right now because I feel like I'm going to be knocked unconscious in the next few seconds. Tch. And you say that you're the toughest fighter. Please. One good swing with that hammer and you'll be knocked out for a week. Sigh...I could use a good rest right about now...Sonic brooded calmly in annoyance with a tired look on his face as he opened his eyes halfway and stared at the floor.

---

-Later At Cream's Room-

"Here we are, Mr. Knuckles! My nice, relaxing room! So, what do you think?!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement and in curiosity with a cheerful smile on her face as she led Knuckles into her room before letting go of his hand and putting her hands behind her back. Knuckles looked around the room in curiosity as he walked into the room with Cream before standing in the middle of it.

He saw that Cream's was slightly different than his room since there was a single bed instead of two beds on each side of the room, a potted plant on the right side of the room along with the bed, a small toy chest on the left side of the room, a big, rectangular table with some paper and crayons on it, and a wooden chair next to the table which was also on the left side of the room. Even with the minor additions to the room, it was rather cozy-looking. Fitting since everything in Cream's home environment was cozy to begin with.

"Hmmm...Nice potted plant you have there," Knuckles complimented calmly with a little frown and with curious eyes as he stared at the potted plant.

"Oh, why thank you, Mr. Knuckles! It was Miss Amy's idea to have some flora in this ship! She says that it'll make the metal environment more homely, and I think that it does! I almost feel like I'm back in my old room again! Teehee!" Cream exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and with a light giggle as she clasped her hands together and leant a little forward towards Knuckles.

"Yeah...I can see how you would feel that way. It does make the place much more comfortable to be in. It feels less like a prison and more like a home," Knuckles replied calmly in agreement with a gentle smile as he stared at the plant some more before looking at Cream.

"Yeah! Like a futuristic home! Teehee!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with an innocent smile and with another giggle as she stared up at Knuckles.

"Heh...I guess..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a grin on his relaxed face as he stared at Cream briefly before looking around the room again. He soon walked a bit closer towards the bed before looking at the toy chest on the left side of the room.

He then looked back at Cream with a slightly confused expression on his face as he asked calmly in curiosity, "Had you brought your entire toy collection with you from your old room?".

"Of course not, silly! I've only brought along a few toys along with some books, paper, crayons, colored pencils, paint, and paintbrushes! These toys, books, and arts and crafts tools are enough to keep me preoccupied most of the time whenever things get boring on the ship!" Cream exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile as she turned around and put her hands behind her back while staring at Knuckles.

"Ah. So, basically, you brought the essentials. Got it," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a nod as he stared back at Cream.

"Pretty much, yeah! Hehehehehehehe!" Cream exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with a nod as she giggled a little.

"Hmph. Well, that explains why you're one of the few quieter people on this ship. You really don't make much noise while you're busy doing something. In fact..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile on his face as he glanced at the toy chest again before turning around and sitting down on the edge of Cream's bed while he continued, "...you hardly ever bother me while we're all traveling together. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but I do wonder why that is though. Why didn't you come to me whenever you wanted us to do something together or wanted to show me something? Honestly, I half expected you to do that ever since I've joined you guys in this crazy adventure. I mean...".

He then rubbed the back of his head as he finished calmly in curiosity with a sheepish smile and with a lowered eyebrow, "...You had done that a lot while I had to babysit you a few times during that six-month incident. So, I figured that since we're traveling in space for a long time, you would eventually do that again. But you didn't, and I wonder why that is".

"W-Well...The thing is, Mr. Knuckles..." Cream replied calmly yet slowly in shame with a little frown on her guilty face as she stared at Knuckles before looking downwards and towards the left as she answered quietly in sadness, "...I had realized too late that you weren't having fun during that six-month vacation all of us took together, and it is clear now that it wasn't fun for you since you refer it as an 'incident' rather than a 'vacation'. Since you hadn't enjoyed our company or our vacation together, I figured that it's for the best that I don't bother you anymore. Besides, you have the Master Emerald to take care of. So, I'm very sure that you're rather busy doing that rather than playing with your friends. Because of that, I've left you alone".

"...! ...C-Cream..." Knuckles gasped in shock with a surprised look on his face before muttering calmly yet softly in sympathy with a sad one instead. He wasn't sure why but hearing that sad reason had made his heart twinge a bit in pain. He won't lie though; as much as he hates that six-month incident (or vacation as Cream calls it) with a burning passion, he had enjoyed his time babysitting Cream...for the most part. Whenever he and Cream play together, he feels reminiscent about something that he had lost, and that is the innocence of his childhood.

...I could never wrap my head around as to why I feel like that whenever I'm playing with Cream...For some strange reason...I feel a sense of déjà vu whenever I play with Cream and take care of her...That sweet innocence...That childlike demeanor...It feels familiar to me somehow, and I don't know why it is...But that's why I tolerate Cream the most...It's because she gives me something that the others couldn't possibly give...and that is a warm, familiar feeling inside my heart...Knuckles brooded calmly in sympathy with a sad frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream with guilt in his eyes.

"I always had wanted to play with you ever since this trip had started, but I didn't want to annoy you again like I did last time. I'm very sorry that I was an annoyance to you, Mr. Knuckles. I'm sorry," Cream replied calmly yet softly in guilt with a sad look on her face as she closed her eyes and bowed her head a little to Knuckles.

"Chao..." Cheese chirped sadly in agreement with Cream as he bowed his head to Knuckles too.

"Hey, you weren't an annoyance, Cream. I...I...Uhhh...I...actually enjoyed your company and the time that we had spent together. Playing with you wasn't always bad. In fact, it was...rather enjoyable and relaxing at times," Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in sympathy with a sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream for a bit before he shyly looked away in embarrassment while rubbing the back of his head.

"R-Really? You truly mean that, Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet tentatively in hope with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as she looked back up at Knuckles while having her hands clasped together.

Knuckles looked back at Cream and saw the sparkles in her hopeful eyes. He truly did feel guilty for making Cream think that she was an annoyance during his time in that six-month incident. He knows how much she likes having him around during those babysitting episodes, and he hates that his cynicism had skewed her perception of herself.

He frowned a bit in guilt before he smiled a little in gentleness as he consoled calmly, "Really, Cream. Really. I had fun reading books with you and making arts and crafts with you. Those were quiet, relaxing activities to do as a way to pass the time. I loved it every time you showed me what you had made whether it be a drawing, a painting, or something along those lines. It was always a treat to see the proud work that you had made in those art pieces. I do wish that you could do that more often, Cream. Really".

"O-Oh! You...You really like my art?" Cream asked calmly yet shyly in curiosity with a coy smile and with a little blush as she stared back at Knuckles with twinkling eyes and with her hands behind her back.

"Of course, I do. What you make is really creative and a bit skillful as well. I do think that you have a knack for arts and crafts, Cream. I really do. Honest," Knuckles replied calmly in encouragement with a gentle smile and with a nod as he complimented Cream a bit.

"Ah! …...Aww, Mr. Knuckles, I don't know what to say," Cream exclaimed in surprise before she muttered calmly in fondness with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes as she held her bashful cheeks while shyly glancing at Knuckles.

"Say nothing, Cream. Just knowing that you'll continue to make art will be a good enough 'thank you' to me. You...You will continue to make art, right, Cream?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in consolation with a warm smile and with a wave as he closed his eyes briefly before he opened them halfway in a caring way.

"..." Cream was speechless as she stared at Knuckles with a fond look on her face. She can see that Knuckles was smiling fondly back at her to show that he does care for her. She could feel her heart soar just knowing that Knuckles fully supports her for doing what she likes and for what she might be good at, and she just can't get happier than that. She then looked at Cheese to see what he thinks that she should do.

Cheese looked at Cream and nodded to her in understanding while chirping happily, "Chao!".

"Oh, Cheese...Mr. Knuckles..." Cream muttered calmly yet gently in fondness with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Cheese before looking at Knuckles.

Knuckles smiled even more fondly as he asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with half-lidded eyes, "Yes? What is it, Cream?".

Cream stared a bit at Knuckles in warmth before she ran towards him and hugged him again since she couldn't contain her happiness anymore. Knuckles was pleasantly surprised when he felt Cream hugging his waist again and burrowing her head into his tummy. He hugged Cream back by wrapping the back of her head with his right arm. He stared fondly at Cream with a huge grin on his face while trying his hardest to suppress his snickers from escaping his lips since what Cream is doing tickles him a little.

"O-O-Okay, C-Cream. E-E-Easy th-there...(Keheheheh)...Easy...(Heheheh)…Easy..." Knuckles muttered calmly in amusement while stuttering a little with a huge grin as he muffled his snickers a bit with his left hand.

"Aww, thank you, Mr. Knuckles. Thank you so much for encouraging me to continue making art. I really do love making art for others. I always see them having huge smiles on their faces after seeing what I've made just like what you do after seeing my drawings," Cream replied calmly in gratitude and in amusement with a gentle smile and with closed eyes as she nuzzled her head against Knuckles' stomach while hugging him warmly.

"Oh, I sure do...(Heheheheh)...They're just so...s-so...(Heheheheheh)...so imaginative and fun...(Heheheheh)...Of course, I would smile a-a-after s-s-seeing them because they l-l-look so n-n-nice...(Keheheheh)…" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement while stuttering slightly with a huge grin and with closed eyes as he kept muffling his snickers with his left hand.

"You really do smile whenever I show my drawings to you. That's why I like making art so much. I make art so that I could make you smile," Cream replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with a gentle smile and with closed eyes as she kept hugging and nuzzling Knuckles.

"And you're definitely making me smile, Cream. (Heheheheh)...Really. You are...(Heheheheheh...Stop it. Please...Heheheheheh)..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while gently stroking Cream's head as he muffled his snickers and protests with his left hand.

Fortunately for Knuckles, Cream then stopping nuzzling his tummy and just hugged him tightly instead. Knuckles soon stopped snickering and hugged Cream back just as tightly while having a warm look on his face.

"Mmm...You're so sweet, Cream," Knuckles complimented calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he hugged Cream with both arms this time.

"Teehee! I know, and you're sweet too, Mr. Knuckles. It's too bad that the others can't see it at times though," Cream replied calmly in fondness with a light giggle and with a warm smile as she kept hugging Knuckles while having her eyes closed.

"Yeah...Well...I'd like to keep it that way...personally speaking..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge, sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows as he awkwardly glanced away from Cream.

Cream giggled a little at that as she pulled her head back from Knuckles' stomach and looked at him while replying calmly in amusement with a sweet smile, "Hehehehehehe! You just saying that you want to look tough to others, aren't you? Hehehehehe!".

Knuckles looked back at Cream and grinned at her in amusement as he replied calmly yet playfully in denial, "I didn't say that".

"Yes, you did," Cream replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles.

"Did not," Knuckles argued calmly in amusement with a playful grin as he stared back at Cream.

"Did too!" Cream argued back brightly in playfulness with a cheerful smile and with amused eyes as she kept staring at Knuckles.

"Name one word in that sentence that shows that I want to look tough," Knuckles calmly argued back in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back at Cream while holding her warmly.

"It's not your words specifically that shows it, but rather, it's your words being implied that shows it," Cream calmly argued back in amusement with a bright smile and with a little headshake as she stared at Knuckles.

"Those are some big words there, little missy. Now, where did you hear them from? Hmm? From Chris? Tails? Maybe your mother? Hmm? Hmmm?" Knuckles replied calmly yet curiously in amusement with a huge, playful smile and with mischievous eyes as he started tickling Cream while staring gently at her.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! Mr. Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehehehe! Stop! Hahahahahahahahaha! You're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehe!" Cream protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile while giggling hard as she quickly released from Knuckles and squirmed a lot since she felt her armpits and sides being tickled a lot. She tried to run away from Knuckles, but he quickly grabbed her and lifted her up before placing her onto his lap as he continued to tickle her.

"Trying to run away from me, huh?! Heheheheh! Looks like you leave me no choice but to teach you a lesson on cowardice, you silly, little rabbit!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge, playful grin and with a devious chuckle as he stared at Cream while tickling her some more on her sides and tummy. Since he was also holding her, it was easy for him to trap her in this little tickle assault.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Mr. Knuckles! Stop! Stop! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Stop it! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Cream protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile while she giggled much harder as she squirmed and kicked her feet a lot since she felt very tickled.

"No way! I'm not letting a coward get off the hook that easily! You're learning this lesson the hard way whether you like it or not! So, in other words...a coochie coochie coo!" Knuckles exclaimed back teasingly in amusement with a huge, playful grin and with mischievous eyes as he stared at Cream while he kept tickling her silly.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Mr. Knuckles! Please! Plehehehehehehehehehease! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahahahap! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! I'm sorry for running away! Hehehehehehehehe! Just please! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahahap! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Cream protested and apologized playfully in amusement with a huge smile while laughing and squirming a lot now since Knuckles tickled her a bit faster than before.

"Heheheheh! Alright. Alright. I'll stop. I'll stop. I was only messing around. Heheheheh!" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge, playful smile while chuckling a bit as he stopped tickling Cream and just held her tightly yet warmly instead. Cream kept giggling for a while as she enjoyed Knuckles holding her in his strong, protective arms before she stopped and just leant back against him instead.

"Mmm...You're so warm, Mr. Knuckles," Cream complimented calmly in fondness with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared up at Knuckles while holding onto his arms.

"Aww, am I?" Knuckles asked calmly yet fondly in amusement with a gentle smile and with caring eyes as he stared back at Cream while holding her tightly.

"Yeah! And comfortable too!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge grin and with a nod as she turned over to her right side and leant against Knuckles' stomach and chest. She then wrapped her arms around Knuckles as if he was a pillow and rested onto him.

"Hey, now, don't you go sleeping on me, little missy. I'm not your bed," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with mischievous eyes as he stared at Cream while he held her.

"Awwwww! But you're so comfy, Mr. Knuckles! I like cuddling you!" Cream exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she held Knuckles warmly while snuggling a little against him.

"Heh. That may be true, but I like sleeping more. Come on, Cream. Please get up. I...(Yawn)...I'd like to take my nap now," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes while yawning a little as he briefly stroked Cream's left arm and side before shaking her a bit.

"Awww...Alright. I guess I had kept you up for a little while. I'm sorry, Mr. Knuckles. Really. I'm sorry," Cream replied calmly yet sadly in disappointment with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she looked back up at Knuckles before releasing him and getting off from him.

"Aw, it's okay, Cream. You didn't mean any harm. You just wanted to be sweet towards me. That's all," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile as he tenderly stroked Cream's head after she got off from him and stood in front of him.

"Oh, why thank you, Mr. Knuckles! I'm glad that you were okay with it!" Cream exclaimed brightly in relief with cheerful smile and with closed eyes as she clasped her hands together again while feeling Knuckles' hand stroking her head.

"Hmph. You're welcome, Cream. It was no trouble," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as he stopped stroking Cream's head and held onto the bedside instead.

Cream opened her eyes and smiled warmly at Knuckles, and Knuckles smiled warmly back at Cream as he stared caringly at her. He had always liked it whenever Cream smiles to him like that. It had always felt familiar to him. He doesn't know why it is, but it does.

That kind of smile is always so calming for some reason...I never knew why it is...But it makes me rather happy to see it whenever she does smile at me...Knuckles pondered calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared at Cream. He kept staring at Cream for a little while in silence before he yawned and waved his hand towards his mouth again.

"Awwww...Looks like someone's ready for bed. Come on, Mr. Knuckles. It's time for me to tuck you in for your nap," Cream commented calmly yet gently in amusement with a sweet smile and with clasped hands as she slightly leant forward towards Knuckles.

"Oh...Uhhh...Uhhh...Th-There's no need for that. I'll...Uhhh...t-tuck myself in...Y-Yeah..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in embarrassment with a little, sheepish frown and with wide eyes as he waved a little at Cream before scooting towards the pillows while blushing a lot in humiliation.

Cream giggled a little after seeing Knuckles' reaction to her comment about tucking him in for bed. She pondered calmly in amusement with a little smile as she has her fingers on her mouth. Hehehehehe! Awwww, Mr. Knuckles is so grown up. It's so cute that he gets embarrassed easily whenever he gets treated like a little kid. He can be so shy sometimes. It's adorable!

Geez, talk about embarrassing. It's not like I'm a little kid anymore...Knuckles brooded calmly in humiliation with a sheepish frown and with a deep blush as he scooted towards the pillows. Once he got towards the pillows, he pulled the covers away before getting inside them as he turned his body around and laid down on the bed. As he pulled the covers back towards himself, Cream walked towards him and proceeded to finish tucking him into bed.

"Ah...Uhhh...Cream? You don't have to-Ah! Hey! Hey! Heheheheh! Careful! Watch it! Heheheheh!" Knuckles muttered calmly in awkwardness with a little, sheepish smile before exclaiming and protesting in surprise while chuckling a little in amusement with a huge smile as he felt Cream firmly tucking the covers into his entire left side. He squirmed a little when he felt his left side and left ribcage being jabbed gently when Cream tucked him in.

"There you go, Mr. Knuckles! Now, you're nice and cozy under those covers!" Cream exclaimed brightly yet innocently in amusement with a sweet smile while gently stroking Knuckles' head as she finished tucking him in.

"Heheheheheh...Cream...You didn't really have to do that...You know that I could take care of myself..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a chuckle and with a little smile as he stared up at Cream while enjoying her tenderly stroking his head.

"I know! That's because you're a big boy now!" Cream exclaimed back innocently in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she kept gently stroking Knuckles' head.

"Yeah...I'm a big boy now..." Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a gentle smile and with an eyeroll as he held onto the covers with his arms while still enjoying Cream stroking his head.

"Yeah, you are...but I still want to take care of you...just a little bit...Just because you could take care of yourself, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't let others take care of you. You're still dependable even when you receive help from others...or kindness from others...That's what my mama had always told me..." Cream replied calmly yet softly with a little smile before she frowned a bit as she stared at Knuckles in concern while she gently stroked his head until she stopped halfway through.

Knuckles looked back at Cream in surprise with a shocked expression on his face after hearing that. He then felt a little embarrassed after realizing that was the reason why Cream had tucked him in. She simply wanted to help him out even if it's for the littlest things like tucking him in for bed for example. He can tell that Cream is trying to be responsible if not helpful towards him, and he can't help but feel very warm inside since he thinks that what Cream is doing is rather adorable.

"Awwwwwww...Cream...That's...That's so sweet...That's a very sweet thing to do...Th-Thank you, Cream...Thank you for tucking me in...and...for reminding me that...it's okay to receive help from others...I guess I...kinda forgot about that..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream with half-lidded eyes.

Cream smiled warmly at Knuckles as she saw that he had appreciated her help. She replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles, "...I'm glad that I had helped you out, Mr. Knuckles. Even though it's only little, I think that I had done a good deed".

"...Yes...You did...You had given me a good memory...I'd say that is a good deed..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as he stared back at Cream.

"..." Cream was silent as she stared at Knuckles with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

"..." Knuckles was silent too as he stared back at Cream with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes. They stared silently for a little while until Knuckles spoken up with another yawn.

…

"...So...(Yawn)...What are you going to do while I rest here? Are you going to go talk to the others or...?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with a little smile and with another yawn while staring at Cream with droopy eyes after breaking the brief silence. He is certainly feeling sleepy now after laying comfortably in bed for a bit.

"Oh, no. I'm not going anywhere. I'm just going to draw quietly at the table over there while you sleep. I hope that you don't mind me staying here while I draw. I promise that Cheese and I will be very quiet," Cream replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little smile and with a headshake as she stared back at Knuckles while looking at the table behind herself and pointing at it for emphasis.

"Heheheh...Of course, I don't mind, Cream. You may stay here and draw as you please. Besides, I know that you can stay quiet. After all, I had babysat you in the past. So, I know that I could fall asleep even with you here," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a snicker and with a gentle smile as he stared back at Cream.

"Aww, thank you, Mr. Knuckles! Thank you for letting me draw here! Just have a good rest, okay?!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she leant forward and hugged Knuckles again.

"You're welcome, Cream, and I will," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with closed eyes as he hugged Cream back. They hugged each other warmly for a couple more seconds before they broke apart as Cream turns around and walks to her table while Knuckles pulls the covers a little closer to himself to feel even more comfortable.

"Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped happily in amusement with a bright smile while waving his arms a bit after seeing Cream and Knuckles bond a little together.

"Shhh...Be quiet, Cheese. You mustn't disturb Mr. Knuckles while he takes his nap. Understand?" Cream muttered calmly yet softly in amusement with a little smile as she hushed Cheese while having a finger to her lips. Cheese stared at Cream for a little bit before looking at Knuckles. Cream looked at Knuckles too and saw that he was smiling calmly yet gently at them in silence as he was ready to go to sleep. Cheese can see where Cream is getting at and looked back her.

"Chao..." Cheese chirped much more quietly this time in understanding with a little smile while nodding to Cream.

"That's it, Cheese. Let's stay quiet while we go draw together. Shall we?" Cream replied calmly yet softly in amusement with a little smile as she looked back at Cheese before walking towards the table.

Cheese followed her to the table and soon sat on top of it. Cream soon reached the table and sat in her chair as she gets her crayons out before starting to draw on one of her papers. Cheese soon grabbed one of the crayons and started to draw on his own paper himself.

Knuckles could see that Cream and Cheese are already busy drawing together. He smiled gently at the two some more while feeling his eyelids droop slowly again as he is finally ready to sleep. After yawning one more time, he soon closed his eyes and rested quietly in bed. He can hear Cream quietly humming to herself, but it wasn't loud enough that it would distract him from going to sleep. Besides, it was a nice, soothing tune that she was humming to, so, it made resting much easier to do.

(Cream hums to the tune of "The Rabbit Show" from Professor Layton and The Miracle Mask)

Soon, after resting for ten minutes, Knuckles fell asleep and was having a nice dream. He was smiling contently as he was dreaming about his long-lost, strange friend. He was ten-years-old again while he was chasing this strange friend through Angel Island in his dream. As he kept dreaming, he then started to talk quietly to himself as he chuckled a little while smiling hugely yet contently in amusement.

"Come here, you silly girl...Heheheheh...Get back here...Heheheheheh..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in amusement with a huge, content smile and with closed eyes as he chuckled a bit.

Cream quickly stopped drawing in surprise after hearing Knuckles talking in his sleep. She looked back at Knuckles and saw him smiling contently while he slept. She stared at him in confusion before smiling a little in amusement as she looked at Cheese and whispered to him.

"Do you think that Mr. Knuckles is dreaming about me, Cheese?" Cream whispered softly in curiosity with a little smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Cheese.

"Chao. Chao. Chao..." Cheese chirped softly in a whisper with an amused smile as he looked up from his drawing and stared at Cream.

"Hehe...I think so too, Cheese," Cream whispered softly in amusement with a quiet giggle and with a sweet smile as she stared at Cheese. She then focused back onto drawing again while feeling amused every time Knuckles talks a little out loud from his sweet dream.

"...I...I...I got you, you silly girl...Can't escape from me now..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in amusement with a huge, content smile and with closed eyes as he lifted his arms a bit before hugging himself while he dreamt that he caught his long-lost, strange friend in his arms.

Hehehe! It really must be a fun dream that Mr. Knuckles is having. If only I knew what it is...Cream pondered calmly in amusement with a little smile as she was busy drawing her picture. She then switched to a different crayon after finishing what she wanted to draw in that previous color.

"...No...No...Don't...Dohohohohon't...Heheheheheh...Stop...Stop it...Heheheheh...My one weakness...Heheheheh..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in amusement with a huge, content smile and with closed eyes as he held himself and the covers much tighter while he chuckled a lot since his long-lost, strange friend was tickling him silly in his dream.

...It certainly must be a fun dream indeed if Mr. Knuckles is chuckling a lot. He must be feeling very relaxed for sure...Cream calmly pondered some more in amusement with a sweet smile as she glanced at Knuckles again before looking back at her drawing.

"...Heheheheh...Ahh...Mmm...Oh, Angel, what would I do without you?" Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in amusement and in fondness with a chuckle and with a huge, content smile on his face as he still had his eyes closed while holding himself rather tightly since he was dearly holding his long-lost, strange friend again in his dream.

"Huh? …'Angel'?" Cream repeated calmly yet softly in confusion with a baffled expression on her face as she looked at Knuckles again after hearing him say that out loud from his dream. That can't be me he's dreaming of, can it? Mr. Knuckles had never called me "Angel" or even nicknamed me that...So, who is he dreaming about then? Hmm...It couldn't be Miss Rouge, could it? Cream pondered calmly yet curiously in confusion as she stared at Knuckles with a baffled look on her face.

"Let's never be apart again, Angel. I've missed you so much. Please...Stay in my arms forever, Angel. Let's stay here...forever...Let's stay...together forever...You and me...on Angel Island forever...in our home together...Our home..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in fondness with a huge, content smile and with closed eyes as he hugged himself and the covers tightly while he kept hugging his long-lost, strange friend in his dream.

"..." Cream was just speechless since she has no idea on how to respond to that. It's clear to her now that it couldn't be Rouge that Knuckles is dreaming of. He would never talk like that towards Rouge or even consider having her live with him on Angel Island forever. Although he could maybe dream about that since one's true feelings and dreams are hidden in the subconscious part of the brain, however, that's a HUGE maybe and possibly not very likely to be the case. So, if that's not it, then...who is Knuckles dreaming about anyway?

...You know what? ...I'm not going to question it anymore. It's only a dream. It's doesn't always have to make sense to others. Besides, I couldn't possibly know what Mr. Knuckles is dreaming about even if I wanted to. Sigh...Oh, well...I guess I'll just focus on my drawing then...Cream pondered calmly in slight disappointment with a little frown and with a sigh as she stared at Knuckles before looking back at her drawing and continued to draw on it.

"Mmm...Angel...Mmm..." Knuckles mused and muttered calmly in fondness with a huge, content smile and with closed eyes as he snuggled the covers a bit while he kept hugging his long-lost, strange friend in his dream.

He didn't say anything out loud after that. Instead, he was smiling contently as he kept dreaming this nice dream for about twenty minutes. However, his content smile soon changed to a grimace as his nice dream turned into a nightmare. He cringed a lot in distress and was sweating a lot as he tossed and turned in his dream as if he's trying to get out from this nightmare and get back to that nice, lovely dream that he had earlier.

But of course, no amount of tossing and turning will let him escape from his absolute worst nightmare.

...The one with the Master Emerald...

---

-Knuckles' Dream-

Knuckles, the young, ten-year-old echidna, was lying stomach first onto the floor of a wooden gazebo which was near the top of a lighthouse. He was completely unconscious with his body stretched out on the floor. Eventually, he was feeling drowsy as he started to regain consciousness. He has no idea where he is or how much time had passed since he had gone unconscious. He stirred a little as he slowly opened his eyes. While he opened his eyes, he coughed a lot since he inhaled so much smoke. His vision was blurred not only because he was waking up but also because tons of smoke was blocking his vision. As he slowly struggled to get onto his knees, he rubbed his eyes with his right hand.

Just what...what happened to me? Did I...pass out? I...I think that I did...but why? What happened exactly that made me-Ugh! Knuckles pondered calmly yet wearily in confusion with a grimace and with closed eyes as he gripped his head after rubbing his eyes before he coughed a lot again since more smoke came into his lungs.

Uggggh...Geez...Why is there so much smoke here? Just where am I exactly? Knuckles pondered calmly some more in confusion and in slight annoyance with a deep grimace as he shook his head after coughing for a bit.

But when he decided to open his eyes again to see where he's at exactly, he'd quickly wished that he hadn't opened them at all. Because what he saw...was just simply horrific.

A-A-A-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Knuckles thought in shock and in alarm with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he saw the most terrifying scene.

The entire oriental town was burning under a sea of flames. Fire and smoke were everywhere. The people who had lived in and/or visiting the town had been killed thanks to the hot flames. It was such a grisly sight to the poor echidna that all he could do was just gape and stare in shock at the horrifying scene. He then quickly shook his head and rubbed his eyes again since he couldn't believe what he just saw was real.

It-It-It can't be true! This can't be real! None of it is real! It shouldn't be! Just HOW did THIS happen?! Knuckles brooded in desperation and in confusion with a fearful look on his face as he begged in his heart that what he just saw was only an illusion.

He DEFINITELY wished that was the case when he had opened his eyes again.

"N-Nooo..." Knuckles whispered softly in terror with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he was shell-shocked by what he saw next. His hands were on the floor, and his back was leaning forward as he was stunned by this unbelievable scene.

He saw the Master Emerald itself in the middle of the gazebo. With the burning town in the distance, the whole scene was petrifying to the young, echidna guardian. The raging, hot flames, the devastated, oriental town, the thick smoke, and the Master Emerald itself all had contributed to this horror-inducing scene. It was just unbearable for the poor ten-year-old guardian to witness himself because it was so life-scarring.

"...The...Master...Emerald..." Knuckles muttered slowly yet softly in shock with a gaped mouth and with wide, slightly darkened irises as he stared at the Master Emerald in horror. As quickly as the horrendous image was literally burned into his mind, his imagination went wild as he pictured the Master Emerald releasing the legendary water monster, Chaos, and seeing it destroy more of the town by firing its laser beam from its mouth.

GAAAARRRRYYYYUUUUUUUUUU!

Chaos roared fiercely before firing its laser beam towards some buildings. Another row of buildings exploded and burst into flames after the beam had hit them.

BOOOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM!

GAAAARRRRRYYYYYUUUUUUUU!

Chaos roared again in fury after destroying the buildings, and Knuckles was just terrified beyond belief after envisioning it in his mind. He knows that someone must've used the Master Emerald for nefarious purposes like the one that he had produced in his mind. But who was the one who did it? And secondly, why was the Master Emerald here in the first place?

WH-WH-WHY?! WHY IS THE MASTER EMERALD HERE?! IT SHOULD BE BACK ON ANGEL ISLAND WHERE IT BELONGS! WH-WHO TOOK IT?! WHO TOOK IT WHILE I WAS HERE?! IT'S...IT'S...IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I...I DIDN'T FAIL! THIS CAN'T BE REAL! IF IT WAS, THEN...THEN...I'VE JUST FAILED MY MISSION TO PROTECT THE EMERALD FROM BEING USED FOR EVIL! I'VE LET THIS TOWN TO DIE BECAUSE OF MY NEGLEGANCE! BUT! BUT! IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I...I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS! JUST...JUST...JUST WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?! Knuckles brooded with a petrified look on his face as his mind was screaming in shock and in fear. He can feel himself hyperventilating as he kept staring at the scarring scene. He just can't look away from it. He felt frozen solid as he stared at the Master Emerald. He can feel sweat coming down from his head and face since it was so hot. The rising fear in his heart was reaching its limit, and it was ready to burst.

And sadly...it was about to burst in less than ten seconds.

No...NO...NOOOOOOOOOOO! Knuckles thought in panic with a frightful look on his face as he then saw two, small, gloved hands holding the huge emerald. His jaw just dropped to the floor as he was completely fearful from this awful sight, and his eyes were as wide as saucers as he stared at this whole scene in complete terror.

And just like that...Knuckles' heart had been broken into pieces. The only thing that the young echidna could do was scream in absolute terror.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!".

-Knuckles' Dream Ends-

"GAH! (Pant pant pant pant pant pant)…" Knuckles shouted in shock and in fear with a frightened look on his face before he quickly panted a lot while clutching his chest with his right hand. He immediately sat up after waking up from his nightmare. His face and head were sweating profusely while he panted a lot in panic.

"Mr. Knuckles! What's wrong?!" Cream exclaimed in shock and in alarm with a surprised yet worried look on her face as she quickly got off from her chair and ran towards Knuckles after hearing him shout like that in fear.

"Chao! Chao!" Cheese exclaimed in worry as he immediately stopped drawing and flew over to Knuckles.

"(Pant pant pant pant pant)…(Pant pant pant pant pant)…" Knuckles panted a lot in fear while having a purely terrified look on his face as more sweat came down from his head and face. He could feel his heart pounding fast as he kept replaying those horrifying images repeatedly in his mind while he panted a lot.

It's not real. It's not real. It's not real, Knuckles. Just calm down. It's only a nightmare. It didn't happen. It...It didn't happen. There's no way that had happened. It's simply impossible. Knuckles brooded calmly with a petrified look on his face while panting a lot and while slowly breathing in and out as he went through his mantra that he always had whenever that particular nightmare came up in his dreams.

"Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet softly in concern with a worried look on her face as she sat down next to Knuckles and gently held his left arm.

"(Pant pant pant)…(Pant pant pant)…" Knuckles panted much more slowly with gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he calmed himself down. He could feel Cream gently rubbing his left arm, but he didn't care. He was still reeling in from the shock of his nightmare.

It's not real. It's not real. It's not real, Knuckles. Just calm down. It's only a nightmare. It didn't happen. It...It didn't happen. There's no way that had happened. It's simply impossible. Knuckles brooded calmly again as he repeated his mantra with a frightened look on his face while he slowly breathed in and out.

"Chao...Chao..." Cheese chirped sadly in concern with a little frown on his face as he slowly flew down towards Knuckles' lap and sat on it before lying forward on his stomach and looking up at Knuckles.

"(Pant pant pant)…(Pant pant pant)…" Knuckles slowly panted with a gaped mouth and with wide, shaky eyes as he still replayed those horrifying images in his mind while being unfazed by Cream's and Cheese's presence.

It's not real. It's not real. It's not real, Knuckles. Just calm down. It's only a nightmare. It didn't happen. It...It didn't happen. There's no way that had happened. It's simply impossible. Knuckles brooded calmly again as he repeated his mantra with slightly less frightened look on his face since he is slowly recovering from his nightmare.

"Poor Mr. Knuckles. He's not paying attention to us, Cheese. Maybe we should show him that he's safe with us," Cream muttered calmly yet sadly in concern with a worried look on her face as she stared at Knuckles briefly before staring at Cheese.

"Chao. Chao..." Cheese chirped sadly in agreement as he nodded a little to Cream. Cheese then flew up again and went towards Knuckles' right side while Cream sat herself closer to Knuckles' left side.

With a nod in understanding, they both hugged Knuckles on both sides so that they can show him that he's safe. Knuckles panted a bit before gasping a little in surprise when he felt Cream and Cheese tightly yet warmly hugging him on both sides. He then slowly looked at the both of them with a shocked expression on his face. Cream and Cheese were quiet as they simply hugged Knuckles in comfort. He had to admit that having them hugging him warmly had snapped him back to reality. He now remembered why he was here and what had taken place before he had fallen asleep.

"...Cream...Cheese..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in shock with a surprised expression on his face as he looked at Cream before at Cheese.

"Yes?" Cream asked calmly yet softly with a little frown and with concerned, curious eyes as she looked up at Knuckles.

"Chao?" Cheese chirped calmly yet softly in confusion as he looked up at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles was speechless as he stared at Cheese for a bit before looking at Cream. He could see that Cream and Cheese were staring at him with concerned looks on their faces. He can see that yet again Cream was trying to help him calm down by hugging him. Because of that, he can't help but feel both touched and relieved.

"...G-Guys..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in fondness with a relieved expression on his face as he looked at Cream and Cheese again. He was smiling hugely yet warmly now out of relief as he looked at the two of them. Cream and Cheese simply smiled back at him to reassure him that he's safe. Knuckles saw those gentle smiles on their faces and finally felt safe again.

He then tightly hugged the two of them as he thanked softly with a huge, relieved smile and with closed eyes, "...Thank you...".

"You're welcome, Mr. Knuckles," Cream replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she hugged Knuckles back just as tightly as him.

"Chao!" Cheese chirped happily in amusement with a warm smile as he hugged Knuckles back just as tightly too.

"Hmph...(Sigh)..." Knuckles grunted quietly in contentment with a warm smile and with closed eyes before sighing a little in relief.

See, Knuckles? The nightmare is over and done with. It's okay. You're okay now. You're...You're okay now...You're safe...You're...You're safe...Knuckles pondered calmly in relief with a warm smile as he slowly took deep breaths while hugging Cream and Cheese for comfort. He could feel his heart slowly beating back to normal as he had recovered from his nightmare. He felt peace at last.

---

…

"...Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little smile and with closed eyes as she warmly hugged Knuckles after being silent for a while.

"Hmm? Yes, Cream?" Knuckles asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little smile and with closed eyes as he warmly hugged back Cream.

Cream then opened her eyes and looked up at Knuckles with a little frown on her face as she calmly yet softly asked in concern, "...Were you experiencing a nightmare? You sounded like you were having a nice dream at first, but then suddenly, you woke up shouting while being drenched in sweat. Did something happen in your dream, Mr. Knuckles? What kind of nightmare did you have to make you wake up like that?".

Knuckles then looked surprised and embarrassed after hearing Cream's questions. He stared at her with wide eyes and with a little frown while he blushed a lot since those questions had caught him off guard.

"...Uhhh...Ummm...I...I...Well..." Knuckles muttered calmly in awkwardness with a little frown and with wide eyes as he blushed deeply in embarrassment before he looked down at his lap and frowned much more sadly as he answered quietly in shame, "...It's...It's nothing, Cream...Really...It's nothing...".

"'Nothing'? Come on, Mr. Knuckles. You can tell me. You can tell me what that nightmare is about. I'll understand once you tell me," Cream replied calmly yet softly in concern with a little frown and with downcast, twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles while hugging him tightly to comfort him.

"No...No, you can't understand, Cream. You just can't...It's...not any sort of nightmare that you experience sometimes...It's...It's much worse...So much worse than that..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in sadness with a deep frown and with downcast eyes as he shook his head while staring at his lap.

"...'Much...worse'? Like how?" Cream asked calmly yet softly in confusion and in curiosity with a little frown and with twinkling eyes as she stared innocently at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles was silent as he was frowning sadly while staring at his lap with downcast eyes. He then tightly squeezed Cream and Cheese in comfort as he finally answered in a quiet yet grave tone of voice after being silent for a moment, "...Like the kind worseness that is so terrifying that you could've sworn that it had happened in your life. It's the kind of nightmare that you couldn't live your life without being reminded of it occasionally...But in my case...it's almost like every day that I keep being reminded of it...In fact...I...I...".

Knuckles then closed his eyes shut and grimaced deeply as he felt afraid of that nightmare again. His body subconsciously shook a little as he continued quietly in graveness, "...I have this sort of nightmare almost every time I go to sleep...Sadly...it's a regular occurrence for me...It's because of this nightmare that I stay up most of the night...Even when I thought that I could get a good night's sleep by having good dreams, it always...always ends with me having a nightmare...I can't tell you how many times that I had woken up shouting with sweat drenched all over my face and head...It's because of that particular nightmare that puts me in a bad mood every morning...Because I fear that...that...".

He then held Cream and Cheese in a more protective way as he continued quietly in graveness with a deep grimace and with closed eyes, "...that it might become a reality in the future...I know that it's just a dream and that I shouldn't look much deeper into it...But I can't help but worry what would happen to all of you if I don't...don't...".

He then opened his eyes halfway in a sad way while grimacing deeply as he finished his answer in a quiet yet grave tone of voice, "...protect the Master Emerald perfectly at all times...".

"...! ...Oh, Mr. Knuckles...That's...That's so awful...I...I feel so sorry for you...I'm sorry that you had to experience that nightmare every night...It must've been so awful for you to deal with that sort of thing alone..." Cream replied calmly yet sadly in sympathy with a gasp and with little frown on her concerned face as she closed her eyes and snuggled Knuckles a little in comfort.

"Chao. Chao. Chao..." Cheese chirped sadly in agreement as he snuggled Knuckles a little too in comfort.

"(Sigh)...It is, Cream. It is. Which is why I can't tell you what my dream was. Just telling you how terrible it is was already difficult enough for me to say out loud...Telling you what my dream actually was...would be unbearable for me to say out loud and describe in much detail...That's why I...couldn't say..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in somberness with a tired sigh and with a sad frown as he kept staring at his lap with downcast eyes while hugging Cream and Cheese back out of comfort.

"Mr. Knuckles...I'm so sorry...I'm sorry that I had asked...I didn't know how painful it was for you to answer that...Please forgive me, Mr. Knuckles. Please..." Cream replied calmly yet sadly in sympathy with a little frown and with closed eyes as she snuggled Knuckles while hugging him tightly.

"It's okay, Cream. You didn't know. There's nothing wrong in asking me that. You were simply curious and concerned about me. That's all," Knuckles replied calmly yet sadly in sympathy with a deep frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream with downcast eyes while gently rubbing her back in comfort.

"Oh, okay...Hmmm...Then...could you answer me as to why you had that nightmare in the first place?" Cream replied calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little frown as she opened her eyes and looked at Knuckles again.

"I honestly couldn't tell you even if I had tried. To tell you the truth, I...have no idea as to why I have that nightmare in the first place. I had it ever since I was ten, and it kept occurring in my dreams for at least six years. I highly doubt that it will ever go away for as long as I live," Knuckles answered calmly in somberness with a deep frown and with a headshake as he stared gravely at his lap.

"Oh, my...For six years? That's...That's so sad..." Cream replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as she stared at Knuckles with twinkling eyes.

"I know. I know. It is sad, Cream. It's something that you should be grateful for since you don't get it frequently like I do," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in understanding with a depressed frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at Cream while nodding a little to her.

"Y-Yeah...You're right, Mr. Knuckles...You're right..." Cream replied calmly yet softly in understanding with a little frown and with a slow nod as she stared at Knuckles' sad face with sympathetic eyes.

"..." Knuckles was silent as he stared at Cream's sympathetic face with a sad look on his face.

...My childlike innocence was killed thanks to that nightmare...On the day that I had that nightmare for the first time, my life had changed completely...No longer was I the curious, naïve, little boy that I once was...But rather...a serious, hardworking, tough guardian who looks after an emerald as if his own life is dependent on it...Simple, child-like fun was a thing of the past for me ever since that day...and I can't go back to it without the fear of failing my duty as a guardian...In other words...I just don't have time for fun and games anymore...It's only...work...and nothing but work...Knuckles brooded calmly in sadness with a deep frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at Cream while gently stroking her back.

"...Oh, Cream...You're lucky that you don't live like me...Because of your child-like innocence, you are free to play and hang out with your friends...You don't have to worry about guarding an emerald 24/7...You're free to do whatever you want to do and be happy with yourself and your life...How I wish...(Sigh)...How I wish I could live a life like yours, Cream...How I wish..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast eyes while sighing a little as he kept gently stroking Cream's back.

"Awww...Mr. Knuckles...Come here...Mmm..." Cream replied calmly yet sympathetically in concern with a sad frown and with upward eyebrows as she stared at Knuckles before closing her eyes and snuggling him again while hugging him much tighter than before. Knuckles then stopped stroking Cream's back and just hugged her back just as tightly as her in response. He closed his eyes and allowed Cream to hug him as much as she wants to. He and Cream grew silent again as they tightly yet warmly hugged each other for a long time.

---

…

…

…

"...Say...Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little frown and with closed eyes as she broke the long silence.

"Hmm? Yes, Cream? What is it?" Knuckles asked calmly in curiosity with a little frown as he opened his eyes and stared down at Cream.

Cream opened her eyes again and looked up at Knuckles again as she asked calmly in curiosity with a little frown, "...Did you know what had triggered that nightmare?".

"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock as he looked slightly surprised by that question. He then frowned sadly as he felt guilty again.

He looked back down at his lap as he answered calmly yet quietly in sadness with a deep frown, "...Yes...I do, Cream. I do...and it's all my fault...".

"Huh? Your fault? Just what did you do, Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet softly in confusion with a little frown and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"I...I..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet slowly in guilt with a sad frown and with downcast, twinkling eyes before he grimaced deeply and closed his eyes as he hung his head low while answering gravely, "...I took my turn on the board game and got the black hole card...The whole thing with the black hole earlier...was all my fault...I almost got everybody killed because of my turn...".

"...! Really?! That was you?!" Cream exclaimed in surprise and in confusion with a gasp and with a little, gaped mouth as she stared at Knuckles with wide eyes.

"Yes, Cream...It was me...I was the one who got that card...Not Sonic...Sonic may have made things worse for himself...but his card was nothing compared to the one that I got...The one that almost destroyed us..." Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in guilt with a deep grimace and with closed eyes while holding Cream and Cheese much more tightly as his body shook a little again out of fear.

"...Oh, Mr. Knuckles...I had no idea..." Cream replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a sad look on her face as she stared at Knuckles for a bit before closing her eyes and snuggling him again while hugging him back just as tightly.

"Yeah...I had no idea that would happen either...I wouldn't have thought...that I would be the one who almost got all of us killed...I almost got this whole ship destroyed...along with the Master Emerald...I hadn't protected anyone at all...But rather...I did the opposite...I've endangered them including myself...I've even endangered you, Cream. I'm so, so sorry..." Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in guilt with a deep grimace and with downcast eyes as he stared at his lap before looking at Cream with an apologetic expression on his face.

"Awwww...Mr. Knuckles...It's okay. I forgive you. I know that you didn't mean to hurt us. You just got very unlucky with your turn is all. None of this was really your fault," Cream replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with sad frown and with closed eyes as she kept snuggling Knuckles to comfort him.

"No, it is my fault. Truth be told, I took my turn out of desperation. I was being selfish with my roll and wasn't thinking about what others would want in that situation. My desperation was the reason why all of us almost got killed. I...I...I shouldn't have rolled...I shouldn't have taken my turn...Now because of that...I feel incredibly guilty for my rash actions..." Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in guilt with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as he shook his head and looked back down at his lap.

"Ooooh...Mr. Knuckles...There's no reason to feel guilty for something that's outside your control. You know that the first time we played that board game everything had been outside our control. Anything good or bad happening to us was completely random, and the only thing that we could do is cope and accept things as it is," Cream replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as she looked up at Knuckles again.

"I...I know that, Cream. I know...But still, I...I..." Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in guilt with a grimace and with a headshake as he glanced at Cream with downcast eyes.

"If you say that everything that you roll is your fault, then that kind of logic should apply to all of us. Basically, everyone besides Chris and Cosmo is at fault here for playing the board game and getting all the terrible cards. I got a terrible card too, you know. Remember? The one with the Metarex armada? Yeah, I was the one who had also made things worse for you and the team. You guys almost got destroyed because of them. If you're going to feel sorry for yourself, then at least invite me too in your pity party...After all, I...I...(Sniff)...I feel rather guilty too..." Cream replied calmly in somberness with a determined look on her face before it turned sad as she sniffled a little since she felt like crying.

"...! ...Oh...Oh, Cream...Don't cry...I forgive you. Really...Please...Please don't cry...It's going to be alright..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a gasp and with a sad frown as he stared at Cream with downcast eyes while pushing the back of her head towards his left side and gently rubbing it in comfort. Cream closed her eyes and cried silently as she hugged Knuckles tightly for comfort while feeling him gently rubbing her head.

"(Sniff)...I almost got everyone killed too with my roll...(Sniff)...I was the one who had brought everyone in that scary situation...(Sniff)...I'm...I'm just so sorry, Mr. Knuckles...I really am..." Cream replied calmly yet softly in guilt with a sad frown and with closed, teary eyes as she sniffled a lot while letting her tears fall from her face.

"Chao. Chao..." Cheese chirped sadly in agreement as he snuggled Knuckles a bit.

"Cream...Really...I forgive you...Honest...There's no need to apologize here...I mean..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in sympathy with a sad frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Cream while hugging her tightly and stroking her head before he looked back at his lap as he continued calmly yet softly in somberness with a little frown, "...Yeah, we almost got our team killed with our turns...But in the end...in the end...".

He then smiled a little in hope as he continued calmly yet softly in consolation while he stared at Cream, "...we still made it out okay...Sure, it was through a miracle that we had survived together, but we're still alive regardless...Isn't that what matters here? That we're all staying strong despite our bad luck?".

"...(Sniff)...I...I guess so...(Sniff)...We were kinda lucky in the end, weren't we?" Cream replied calmly yet softly in agreement with a little frown before smiling a little as she looked up at Knuckles with some tears in her eyes while sniffling a little.

Knuckles smiled warmly at Cream as he gently wiped her tears away with his left thumb while replying calmly yet softly in consolation with half-lidded eyes, "Yeah...We were, Cream. We were lucky...and I'm relieved that you are safe".

"(Sniff)...I'm relieved that you are safe too, Mr. Knuckles!" Cream exclaimed brightly in relief with a final sniffle and with a sweet smile as she hugged Knuckles tightly yet warmly in happiness.

"Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped cheerfully in agreement while also hugging Knuckles tightly yet warmly in happiness.

"Teehee! Even Cheese is relieved that you are safe too, Mr. Knuckles!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a light giggle and with a sweet smile as she looked at Knuckles.

"Heheheh...I can see that...Hmmm..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little chuckle and with a warm smile as he looked at Cheese and hugged him back a bit tighter before looking back at Cream. He can see that she is smiling hugely yet warmly at him, and he can't help but share that same expression too.

He then gently squeezed Cream and Cheese as he added calmly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with closed eyes, "...Awww...Come here, you two...Mmm...".

"Mmm..." Cream mused quietly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with closed eyes as she and Cheese squeezed Knuckles back just as gently. The three of them were silent as they hugged together in blissful silence. They felt such relief after discussing such burdensome topics.

---

…

…

…

"...Hey...Mr. Knuckles?" Cream asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she broke the long silence again.

"Yes, Cream?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with a warm smile and with closed eyes.

Cream opened her eyes once again and looked at Knuckles while asking calmly yet gently in curiosity with a sweet smile, "...Do you feel much better now?".

Knuckles opened his eyes and stared fondly at Cream as he answered calmly yet gently in relief with a warm smile, "...Yes...Yes, I feel much better...Thanks for asking...".

"You're welcome, Mr. Knuckles, and honestly, I'm glad because...it just proves that hugs do make people feel better...People like you, Mr. Knuckles..." Cream replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

Knuckles raised his eyebrows after hearing Cream say that last part and had looked confused for a moment before smiling warmly again in fondness.

He replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Cream, "Heh...Yeah...Hugs do make me feel better...and probably...just getting things off of my chest...I feel a lot better than I was before...and it's all thanks to you, Cream...Thanks for listening to me talk about my troubled feelings...and for comforting me about it through hugging and snuggling me...It really did help a lot...Thank you...".

Cream beamed sweetly at Knuckles as she exclaimed brightly in amusement while hugging and snuggling him again in fondness, "You're welcome, Mr. Knuckles! Cheese and I are grateful for helping you! I'm just glad that you are happy and smiling again!".

"Heheheh...Me too, Cream. Me too..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a little chuckle and with a warm smile as he stared at Cream with half-lidded eyes while stroking her back.

"Oh! That reminds me! Since you're awake again, I can show you my drawing! I've completed it around the time that you had woken up from your nightmare! Let me go get it quick!" Cream exclaimed brightly in surprise and in excitement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as she pulled away from Knuckles before releasing him and getting off from the bed.

"Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped excitedly in agreement as he released from Knuckles too and quickly flew to the table to get his drawing as well.

Knuckles watched Cream dash towards the table while having a surprised yet amused look on his face. He smiled hugely yet contently in amusement as he watched Cream and Cheese grab their drawings before returning to bed. He then scooted a bit towards the right as he allowed Cream to get on the bed and sit next to him. Cheese flew towards them and sat back down on the bed while hiding his drawing behind his back.

"Alright, Cream. Show me what you got," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with curious eyes as he stared at Cream.

"Teehee! Here you go, Mr. Knuckles! This is what I had made!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a light giggle and with a cheerful smile as she gave Knuckles her picture.

"...! A-Ah..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in surprise with a gasp and with a gaped mouth as he stared at the picture with wide eyes while grabbing it.

The picture showed the Master Emerald altar itself with Knuckles sitting at the steps while guarding the emerald behind himself. He can be seen smiling contently as if he is enjoying his job. There are also some flowers, birds, butterflies, and white clouds in the background to give the picture a much more peaceful look to it.

"It's your home, Mr. Knuckles! Isn't it nice? I think that your home is very lovely, and I want to show it by giving the picture some flowers, birds, butterflies, and white, puffy clouds. I'm sure that you must've felt homesick ever since we left for space, so, I drew this just to make you feel better. Do you like it?" Cream replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles before at the picture and pointing at it a few times for emphasis on her points.

"'L-Like it'? I...I..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in shock with a gaped mouth and with wide, shaky eyes as he held the picture and stared at it some more.

He can tell that the drawing was the best that Cream had drawn so far. It has so many details and bright colors that it felt it's showing Knuckles that his life could be much happier than it is right now. That there is a possibility that he could be content with his life as a guardian, and that he could...smile more. Though he doubts that he could be content with his life, he does admit that he could smile more in the future if he tries a bit. Who knows? Maybe life will throw him a bone and make him much happier than he could do on his own. But of course, that sort of thing won't happen to him anytime soon. Regardless, he can't help but feel touched by this child-like drawing. He's touched by Cream's thoughtfulness and sympathy for him. Simply put, he felt cared for.

"C-Cream..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in awe with a little, gaped mouth and with wide, twinkling eyes as he looked at Cream while still holding onto the picture.

"Hmm? Yes?" Cream asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles was speechless as he stared at Cream with a little, gaped mouth and with wide, twinkling eyes. But ever so slowly, his gaped mouth turned into a huge, warm smile, and his eyes turned much fonder as his eyelids went down halfway. Then, without giving Cream any sort of warning, he quickly hugged her tightly yet warmly with his left arm.

"...I...I love it, Cream...I love it so much...Thank you for drawing this for me...Personally, I think that this is your best work...I'm...I'm really impressed with what you had made, Cream...Thank you for sharing it with me..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as he held Cream very close to himself.

"Aww, you're welcome, Mr. Knuckles. I'm glad that you had liked it," Cream replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she hugged Knuckles back just as tightly. Knuckles and Cream hugged each other warmly with huge smiles on their faces as they both felt happy together.

"Chao! Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped happily in amusement with a bright smile while waving his arms around as he got up and tapped his feet on the bed to get Knuckles' and Cream's attention.

"Oh. It seems that Cheese wants to show his drawing next," Cream commented calmly yet gently in amusement with a bright smile as she looked at Cheese while holding Knuckles.

"Hmm? Do you really, Cheese?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with raised eyebrows as he looked at Cheese too while holding onto Cream with one arm.

"Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped happily in amusement with a bright smile and with a nod as he looked at Knuckles.

Knuckles and Cream looked at each other with amused smiles on their faces and nodded in agreement before looking back at Cheese.

"Well then, go ahead, Cheese. Show us what you had made," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge smile and with a nod as he stared at Cheese.

Cheese nodded again in understanding before he pulled out his picture behind his back and showed to Knuckles and Cream while chirping happily in amusement, "Chao! Chao! Chao! Chao! Chao! Chao!".

"Ah!" Knuckles and Cream exclaimed simultaneously in surprise with shocked looks on their faces after seeing the picture.

The picture was simply just Knuckles and Cream holding hands together in a friendly way while having huge smiles on their faces. Nothing else was drawn there since it was a simple rough sketch of the two together. It was simply a picture symbolizing nothing but pure friendship.

Knuckles and Cream looked rather surprised at first after seeing the picture before looking rather amused if not slightly sheepish.

...Okay...That is very cute...Knuckles thought calmly in amusement with a little, sheepish grin and with a lowered eyebrow as he stared at the picture.

Ooooh...I do like the idea of holding Knuckles' hand in a dear way. Cheese, have you been reading my thoughts? Cream pondered calmly yet fondly in slight embarrassment with a little, shy smile and with small, pink blush as she stared at the picture.

"Awww, Cheese...You drew us on there. That's so sweet," Cream commented calmly yet gently in fondness with a little, shy smile and with upward eyebrows as she then stared at Cheese while blushing a bit in embarrassment.

"Y-Yeah...That is rather sweet. Thanks, Cheese. Thank you for showing it to us," Knuckles added calmly yet gently in fondness with a little, sheepish grin and with a lowered eyebrow as he stared at Cheese too.

"Chao! Chao! Chao!" Cheese chirped happily in amusement with a bright smile while waving his arms and tapping his feet on the bed again in joy.

Knuckles and Cream looked at each other again and smiled hugely in amusement as they saw how happy Cheese was.

"...(Yawn)…" Cheese then yawned tiredly as he stretched his arms a bit.

"Awww...Someone's tired..." Knuckles commented calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge smile as glanced at Cheese for a bit to see him rub his eyes before looking at Cream.

"Yeah, I think that Cheese is ready to take a nap too, and...and...(Yawn)…" Cream replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sweet smile before frowning a bit as she yawned too while rubbing her eyes as well.

"Heheheh...And I think that somebody is ready to take a nap too..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little chuckle and with a huge, warm smile as he stroked Cream's head.

"(Yawn)...Hehehehe...I guess I am...Hmmm...Ummm...Say...Ummm...Mr. Knuckles?" Cream replied calmly yet awkwardly in amusement with another yawn and with a giggle as she smiled a little sheepishly at Knuckles while blushing a bit.

"Hmm? Yes, Cream? What is it?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with a little smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Cream while stroking her head.

"Uhhh...Ummm...You...You wouldn't mind if Cheese and I...sleep here with you...would you?" Cream asked calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a coy smile and with hopeful eyes as she stared at Knuckles while blushing a lot.

Knuckles raised his eyebrows in surprise of that question and looked slightly shocked. But he soon smiled warmly again as he replied calmly yet gently in amusement, "Of course, I wouldn't mind. I mean. This is your room, after all. I'm just simply a guest here. Feel free to sleep with me whenever you want to, Cream. I'll welcome it".

"Awwww! Why thank you, Mr. Knuckles! Thanks for letting me sleep with you! You're so kind!" Cream exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as she hugged Knuckles tightly one more time.

"Heheheheheh...Anytime, Cream. Anytime..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he chuckled a little while hugging Cream back just as tightly.

After hugging each other for a couple more seconds, they broke apart and scooted a bit away from each other. Cream quickly got off the bed and ran back towards the table to put her picture back after Knuckles gave it back to her. Cheese also flew back towards the table to put his picture back. After doing that, Cream walked towards the light switch and turned it off. Cheese flew back towards the bed and laid himself down onto the left pillow. Cream then walked back towards the bed and sat back down on it. Knuckles scooted more towards the right and laid down on the right side of the bed.

While putting his right hand underneath the right pillow, he commented calmly yet gently in amusement with a playful smile, "Heh. Looks like Cheese got to your spot first, Cream. I'm pretty sure that you could move him just fine and hold him like a plush toy or something like that while you sleep. Think that you're going to do that?".

Cream shook her head before she smiled coyly at Knuckles as she answered calmly yet shyly in amusement, "Umm...Actually...I was thinking about...holding you while I sleep, Mr. Knuckles...".

"O-Oh...Uhhh...Ummm...Well then...Errr...How exactly?" Knuckles replied calmly in awkwardness with a sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he coyly looked away from Cream while blushing a little in embarrassment.

"Simple...Like...this..." Cream answered calmly yet slowly in fondness with a little smile and with half-lidded eyes as she scooted over towards Knuckles and got underneath the covers before laying her head onto his left shoulder and wrapping her arms around his chest.

Knuckles blushed some more in embarrassment since he felt awkward in this situation. It's not that he's uncomfortable with Cream sleeping with him in that way, but rather, he's not used to people being too close to him like that. So, he felt rather awkward with this whole thing to begin with, however, he won't stop Cream from doing this sort of thing. Because in the end, it's rather harmless.

"Ummm...Okay...So...Uhh...Sleep well, Cream," Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in embarrassment with a little, sheepish frown as he held Cream back with his left arm while shyly glancing away from her.

"Mmhm...Sleep well, Mr. Knuckles. If you ever run into some more nightmares, feel free to wake me up and talk to me. Okay?" Cream replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a little smile and with closed eyes as she snuggled Knuckles' left shoulder a bit while gently holding onto his chest.

"Uhhh...Yeah, okay. I will, and...same thing to you too, Cream. If you ever run into some nightmares, then you can wake me up and talk to me about it. I'm all ears. Okay?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in consolation with a little, awkward frown and with slightly raised eyebrows while nodding a bit before smiling a little warmly as his eyelids went down halfway in fondness.

"Okay...Well...Sleep tight, Mr. Knuckles. Have a good nap," Cream replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little smile and with closed eyes as she snuggled Knuckles again before resting quietly.

"...Yeah...Sleep tight, Cream...Have a good nap..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Cream while tightly holding onto her before he closed his eyes and rested quietly.

Knuckles, Cream, and Cheese rested quietly together with Knuckles and Cream closely holding each other on the right side of the bed while Cheese slept on top of the left pillow on his stomach. After dealing with such an intense situation like almost getting killed, a good nap is what these two heroes needed the most; and after getting these troubled, negative feelings off their chests, a peaceful rest is what they earned; and luckily for Knuckles and Cream, they are getting their peaceful rest since they're smiling contently after falling asleep.

Only good dreams await these two heroes as they slept together in peaceful silence.

And that wraps up Bonus Game #3! I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit long. The other two bonus games will be shorter than this one. I made this chapter a bit long because I wanted to fill in a lot of sweet moments between Knuckles and Cream since it's so cute! I do love the platonic bond that I had made with them and yes, you'll see more of that in future bonus games as well as the main storyline just like I had hinted in the previous chapters.

Also, disclaimer: Yes, Cream does have a crush on Knuckles, BUT it is completely one-sided because of the age gap between them. Their relationship is mostly platonic. Because of that, yes, Knuckles can still feel awkward or embarrassed with Cream at times, but that's mostly due to the slightly weird situations that he's in as well as his natural shyness toward girls. With that out of the way, let's get on with more adorableness in the future for them! But first, we got two more bonus games to go on before we continue! Anyways, if you like this chapter and story so far, please R&R, and I'll see you guys in the next chapter! Time for Bonus Game #4!