Guardian Angels
S1:E7: Traveling Around the World With You (pt. 9)
"So, this place is called Adabat?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity as she walked along the beach with Knuckles. They had walked for a while in blissful silence while taking time to admire the beauty of the island, and they were getting somewhat close to a cluster of boulders and rocks on the shore.
Knuckles looked at Kathy and smiled gently as he replied calmly in amusement, "Yes, it is. This place is well-known in the world for its warm climate and tourist attractions. Lots of people visit here for summer vacation, and I wouldn't blame them since it's rather beautiful and peaceful for the most part".
"I can tell! Being close to the ocean and seeing the sunsets in this tropical place must be a real treat to visitors! I'd love to see the sunset go down in this wonderful place!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a playful grin and with twinkling eyes as she looked at Knuckles.
Knuckles raised his eyebrows at that as he asked calmly in curiosity with a gentle smile, "Really then? Do you want to?".
"Yes! Can we? Please?" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in hope with a huge smile and with pleading eyes as she slightly leant towards Knuckles. Knuckles then playfully placed his right hand under his chin as he pretended to think.
With an amused grin, he replied calmly yet coyly in playfulness, "Hmmm...I don't know...There is another place that I have in mind that would be great to visit for a sunset, and I think that you would love that place very much if we go there instead".
"Oooh, really? Where is this place at?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with a little smile and with intrigued eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.
"It's at Sunset Hill. That place is on the outskirts of Sunset Heights. Those places were named after their gorgeous sunsets. You'll definitely love it. Trust me," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared closely at Kathy as well.
"Oh my! That sounds lovely! ...But I...I want to see the sunset here...I really miss seeing them when they're next to the ocean," Kathy replied brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile before calmly in sadness with a little frown as she looked down at the ground.
"You really want to be here that badly, huh? I understand. Tell you what. We'll come back here later when it's close to sunset, and for tomorrow's trip, we'll go to Sunset Hill to see the sunset there. How does that sound?" Knuckles replied calmly in understanding with a gentle smile and with a nod as he stared at Kathy.
"Ah! That's...That's much better! Thank you so much for letting me choose this place! I thought that we would be going somewhere else for the sunset!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a surprised yet happy expression on her face as she looked back up at Knuckles.
"Nonsense. I was merely suggesting. I just thought that you might be curious to see another new place. I wouldn't force you to go somewhere that you didn't want to in the first place. I would never do that," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with a headshake as he kept staring at Kathy.
"So, you're saying that...I'm free to choose whatever I want?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously in hope with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.
Knuckles nodded as he answered calmly in amusement with a warm smile, "As free as you can be".
"Aww, Knuckles! Mmm!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in fondness with a huge smile as she released Knuckles' hand and hugged him fully at his left side. Knuckles chuckled at this friendly response and hugged Kathy back with his right arm.
"Heheheheheheh! Alright, easy there, you silly. Heheheheheh! You'll be just fine," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile while chuckling a lot.
"Oh, I know that. I just love hugging you," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with sparkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles again.
"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock after hearing that and seeing Kathy's expression. He looked surprised while staring intensely at Kathy with wide eyes. He can see the warmth and care in her eyes as she stared back into his eyes. After blinking a few times, a little, shy smile grew on Knuckles' flushed face as he mumbled sheepishly, "...(M-Me t-too)…".
"What did you say, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with a confused look on her face as she tilted her head in a cute way again.
"N-Nothing! It was nothing!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in embarrassment as he smiled wider and as he blushed deeply.
"Are you sure that it's nothing? You seem to be blushing a lot," Kathy replied calmly in curiosity with a little smile on her amused face.
"Well, that's...that's...Uhhh...Ummm..." Knuckles muttered quietly yet awkwardly in shyness with a sheepish frown on his flustered face as he looked away from Kathy and rubbed his head with his right hand. He soon spotted the cluster of rocks a couple of feet from himself and Kathy and had tried to divert her attention to them instead of himself.
"S-Say...there's a nice pile of rocks over there," Knuckles muttered calmly in curiosity with a little frown on his flushed face while trying to look casual about it.
"Oh? Hey, you're right! Look at them! They're both huge and plentiful! They decorate the beach quite nicely!" Kathy replied brightly in amusement with a huge smile as she released Knuckles and stood still while pointing at the rocks.
"Y-Yeah...They do," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in agreement with a little smile on his face as he stood with Kathy and looked at her. I can't believe that worked. Whew! Knuckles thought calmly in relief as he saw that Kathy is interested in the rocks now.
"It's really impressive that these rocks fit into the beach's surroundings. However, they will pose as a threat to ships if they happen to ram into them by accident," Kathy reflected calmly in amusement and in slight somberness with a little smile before she frowned a bit as she crossed her arms. Knuckles frowned and placed his left hand on his hip as he stared at the rocks too.
"Yeah, that's true. Nature can be beautiful, but it's also dangerous. These rocks are no exception to that," Knuckles replied calmly in somberness with a solemn frown and with a nod as he stared at the rocks.
"Mmhm...True. Very true," Kathy agreed calmly in understanding with a solemn frown and with a nod as she stared at the rocks too.
…
It was rather quiet between the two guardians after that. Knuckles looked at Kathy curiously to see if there's something that she would like to say, but he was surprised when he saw her looking calm while having no desire to say anything. He then felt awkward since he doesn't know what to say or do next.
...Huh...Well then...Ummm...Hmmm...Knuckles thought calmly in awkwardness with a little frown on his sheepish face as he looked away from Kathy and stared at the rocks instead. He kept staring at them closely for a few more seconds before an idea popped into his head.
Hey! I know what we can do! This will be fun! Knuckles thought enthusiastically in excitement with a playful smirk and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy again.
"Hey, Kathy..." Knuckles muttered calmly in amusement with a playful smirk and with eager eyes.
"Yes? What is it?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with an intrigued expression on her face as she looked at Knuckles.
"Heheheh...Do you want to see how powerful I can be?" Knuckles asked calmly yet cockily in amusement with a chuckle and with a playful smirk as he winked at Kathy.
"Oh! Why of course, Knuckles! I would love to!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a playful grin and with a nod as she stared calmly at Knuckles.
"Very well. Allow me to demonstrate it by breaking those rocks over there," Knuckles replied calmly yet confidently in amusement with a determined smile as he turned around fully to face Kathy while pointing back to the rocks with his thumb.
"Is it really possible for you to break those boulders like that?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with an intrigued look on her face while having her fingers under her chin as she stared at Knuckles.
"It's totally possible. Breaking things are like my bread and butter. It comes naturally to me," Knuckles replied casually yet confidently in amusement with a playful grin as he loosens his shoulder muscles a bit before he continued in enthusiasm with a cocky smirk, "Heh. Especially since I use my punching skills to do all the work. It's a piece of cake!".
"Really then? Hmm...Well, I like to see it then if that's okay with you," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a nod as she crossed her arms again.
"Oh, with pleasure! Let me show you how it's done!" Knuckles exclaimed confidently in amusement with a cocky smirk as he put his fist up. He then turned his head around to stare at the rocks for a bit before he dashed towards them to punch them. Kathy turned her head around to watch Knuckles break the rocks. He soon reached the first boulder at the center and jumped up high to punch it.
"Rrrrrrrrraaaaaaaggggh!" Knuckles yelled fiercely with a determined face as he threw his fist towards the boulder.
POW!
CRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSHHH!
Immediately, the boulder crumbled into smaller pieces after being punched hard by Knuckles. The smaller pieces fell around the other rocks, and Knuckles had landed on top of one. Kathy gasped in surprise after seeing Knuckles do that. She looked shocked and impressed at what Knuckles had done. It was as he had said. A piece of cake.
"W-Wow...Knuckles is much stronger than I thought..." Kathy muttered calmly to herself in awe as she looked stunned.
Knuckles soon looked at another boulder and smirked at it before he jumped forward and punched it too.
"Grrrrrrrrrrraaaaahh!" Knuckles yelled fiercely again with a determined face as he swung his fist very hard towards the boulder.
POW!
CRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSHHH!
Just like before, the boulder crumbled into smaller pieces and fell towards the other rocks. Knuckles landed on another rock as he stared at the rest of the boulders. While wearing a cocky smirk on his face, he bumped his fists together before dashing towards the boulders and smashing them with his fists.
"Rrrrrahh! Gah! Hah! Hmph! Yah! Grraah! Hiiah! Grrrrrruugh!" Knuckles yelled and grunted while looking fierce yet cocky as he dashed, jumped, and punched around through the pile of rocks.
POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!
CRRAAAAAASSSHHH! CRRRAAAASSSHHH! CRRAAAAASSHH! CRRRAAAAASSSHH! CRRRAAAAASSSHH! CRRRRAAAAAASSHH! CRRRAAAAAAASSSSHHH! CRRRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHH!
One by one, broken boulders crumbled and fell to the ground. Dust had risen to the sky and surrounded the rocky area. Knuckles' shadowy figure can be seen through the dust. Kathy was completely amazed with Knuckles' strength as he had broken all the boulders by himself. She had her hands over her chest, and her eyes were sparkling in awe as she watched Knuckles finish breaking the boulders.
POW! POW!
CRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHH!
The two, remaining boulders fell to the ground and broke into pieces after being punched through. Knuckles stood in the middle of the pile of rocks with his fists stretched out on both sides. He was heaving heavily since he felt tired but still looked determined as if he's ready to face another opponent. As he took deep breaths, he wiped the sweat from his forehead while smiling proudly at his effort.
Ahh...Heh...Too easy. I could punch rocks like this all day if I have to...Hmm...Knuckles thought calmly in amusement with a proud smile as he took more deep breaths before turning around halfway to look at Kathy. He can see her staring at him with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as she looked stunned. Knuckles smiled even more proudly as he felt happy that he had impressed Kathy with his skills.
Heheheh...I wonder if I had won her over with my tremendous strength and power? I think that I did...Knuckles thought calmly in amusement with a playful smirk as he stared back at Kathy. He then turned around fully and hopped back down to the ground as he walked back to Kathy.
With his hands out, Knuckles calmly commented in amusement with a proud smile, "And that's that".
"I...I...Wow...You really did that...You broke all those boulders single-handedly. Just...how?" Kathy replied calmly yet slowly in awe with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as she stared at Knuckles.
"Through years of personal training and exercise. That's how it was done," Knuckles answered calmly in amusement with a proud smile and with closed eyes after he had reached Kathy and stood in front of her.
"Boy, I'll say! Without my Sol Gems, I couldn't even break a rock, but with you, however, you can break boulders left and right effortlessly without any form of help! That's really incredible, Knuckles!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile as she looked excited.
Knuckles then rubbed the back of his head as he replied calmly in amusement with a proud smile and with closed eyes, "Aww, heh...It's noth-".
He was soon surprised when he felt Kathy ramming into him and hugging him tightly around his waist. He opened eyes and gasped when he saw Kathy hugging him dearly. He looked surprised at first but soon looked fond as he wrapped his arms around Kathy and hugged her too.
"Teehee...You like to look strong and tough towards me, don't you?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a light giggle and with a cute smile as she snuggled Knuckles a little.
"H-Huh? Wh-What? ...Whatever gave you that idea?" Knuckles asked calmly yet awkwardly in shock and in shyness with raised eyebrows and with a sheepish smile as he blushed a lot in embarrassment.
"Hehehehe! Because you like to do things yourself and show everyone what you got!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a little giggle and with a bright smile as she hugged Knuckles tightly yet warmly in affection.
"Ah! Uhh...Umm...That's...That's because...That's because they don't know who they're dealing with!" Knuckles exclaimed back in awkwardness as he stared back at Kathy while looking shocked and embarrassed.
Kathy pulled back a little to look at Knuckles and beamed at him as she confidently yet cheerfully replied in amusement, "Really? Well, I know who I'm dealing with".
Knuckles looked surprised at that response before he looked amused as he grinned at Kathy. With a playful look on his face, Knuckles asked calmly yet coyly in amusement, "Oh, really, do you? Then who do you think I am?".
Kathy grinned too as she held Knuckles' arms now and rubbed them slowly yet affectionately. She replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a playful look on her face, "Well...You're Knuckles the Echidna, Guardian of the Master Emerald. A tough, strong warrior who defends Mobians from anyone who threatens them and gets in your way...".
"That's right, and already you've given me more respect than what most people usually give me. Please. Continue," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes before he closed them and dipped his head down a little.
"Hehehehe! Okay! ...Anyways...you're very kind and honest. If anyone needs someone that they can depend on, it's you, Knuckles. You'll easily offer someone protection if they're in need," Kathy continued calmly yet brightly in amusement with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she stared closely at Knuckles.
"Of course, I will. That's just who I am. Plain and simple," Knuckles replied calmly in agreement with a proud smile and with closed eyes as he nodded his head a little while holding onto Kathy's arms.
Kathy smirked coyly as she teased playfully in amusement, "Don't you mean 'cute and handsome'?".
"I...Wh-What?! N-No! Th-Th-That's irrelevant!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment with a gaped mouth as his eyelids flung wide-open and as he blushed very brightly in red.
"Hehehehehehehe! But it's true, Knuckles! That's just who you are!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile and with twinkling eyes as she giggled a little while holding onto Knuckles' shoulders now.
"N-N-No, they are not! M-My l-looks have nothing to do with who I am! They're...They're just a part of me!" Knuckles exclaimed awkwardly in embarrassment as he looked shocked and flustered.
"Yep, they most certainly are! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily in amusement with a bright smile while giggling a lot. Knuckles blushed even more at that and had shyly looked away from Kathy in embarrassment.
"Kathy...Cut it out...You're embarrassing me," Knuckles protested weakly in shyness with a sheepish frown and with downcast eyes as he blushed deeply in red.
"Hehehehe! Awwwww...That's another thing about you, Knuckles. You're very shy," Kathy replied calmly in fondness with another giggle and with a warm smile as she massaged Knuckles' shoulders a little.
"..." Knuckles didn't say anything about that comment. However, he gave a half-smile since he secretly likes it whenever Kathy calls him "shy".
"Okay. I'll stop teasing you...You always take yourself and things seriously at times, and while that can be considered a bad thing, it's really good since it proves to others that you mean what you say and do what you say. Because of that, you're trustworthy to others," Kathy replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with gentle eyes as she held onto Knuckles' shoulders. Knuckles looked back up at Kathy and smiled a little at her. He still didn't say anything since he felt shy.
"Sure, maybe at times you're stubborn, but that's because you don't want to give up easily on anything. You always fight for what you want and what you believe in, and I admire that very much because..." Kathy continued calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes before she frowned a little and looked down as she quietly added in sadness, "...I need that reminder every day. My mom was the first person that I knew who wouldn't give up on anything. She had fought against Battra for over 13 years and had never given up fighting for what's right. ...But...since she's gone now, I have no other examples to follow other than you, Knuckles".
Knuckles had frowned a little in sadness after hearing that and had gently squeezed Kathy's shoulders to comfort her. He muttered softly in sympathy with a sad frown and with upward eyebrows, "Kathy...".
Kathy looked back up and smiled sadly at Knuckles as she saw the look of concern on his face. She continued calmly yet gently in fondness with a sad smile, "I may have known you for only a couple of days, but I have a feeling that you're very reliable. I'm sure that you'll always be there for me whenever I need you, and I truly think that is your greatest strength".
Knuckles raised his eyebrows in surprise of that last statement and had smiled a little again in fondness. With a little, shy smile, he replied calmly yet quietly in fondness, "Well...What can I say? ...I'm...I'm just doing my job as a guardian. If you need me to punch something, I'll punch something for you...and...if you need me to just stay by your side...and listen to you...I'll do that too because...I care about you...".
Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles after hearing him say that, and Knuckles smiled warmly too while also blushing a little in fondness. Kathy then nodded her head at Knuckles and replied calmly to him in relief, "Thank you, Knuckles. I'll be very grateful to you if you ever do that for me".
"Hmph...It'll be my pleasure," Knuckles replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with a nod as he closed his eyes.
Kathy beamed at that as she changed the subject a little, "Knuckles, I'm starting to think that you might have a soft spot for me".
"H-Huh?! H-Hey! Wh-What makes you think that?!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment as he looked alarmed and flustered.
"It's because you allow yourself to be vulnerable towards me and not towards anyone else. You've said it yourself that you do," Kathy replied calmly yet cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she had gotten a little closer to Knuckles.
"Ack! Uhhh...Ummm...J-Just because I have said that, that doesn't mean that I have a...a...'soft spot' for you..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in embarrassment while looking shy again.
"Oh, Knuckles! You silly, little doggie! Of course, it means that you do! Even the greatest, strongest defense has their weak points! It's usually right under them where they least expect it!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in playfulness with a jovial smile and with amused eyes as she gently squeezed Knuckles' shoulders.
"What?! What are you talking abo-Eek!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in confusion while shrieking a little in alarm as he looked lost before surprised when he felt his armpits being poked suddenly. He clamped his arms shut out of reflex, but to his horror, Kathy already has her fingers under his armpits and are ready to tease them.
With a mischievous smile, Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement, "This is what I'm talking about, Knuckles. They say, 'One's greatest strength can be their greatest weakness', and although your arm strength is impressive, it has this one weakness that zaps its power away. Can you guess as to what that is?".
Knuckles stared directly at Kathy while looking completely nervous. With a sheepish smile growing on his nervous face, Knuckles replied calmly yet pleadingly in amusement, "K-Kathy? ...Don't you dare...I...I beg of you...Don't do it...".
Kathy giggled a little at that response as she saw that Knuckles doesn't want to answer that question. She replied brightly yet playfully in amusement with a giggle and with a silly smile, "Hehehehehehehehe! You don't want to admit it, but it's true! Your ability to punch things can be rendered ineffective by-".
"Kathy! D-D-D-D-D!" Knuckles yelled nervously with a huge smile before he cringed as he felt Kathy's fingers digging into his vulnerable armpits.
"-tickling your little armpits! A coochie coochie coo!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she teased Knuckles by tickling him again.
"D-D-D-DON'T TICKLE MEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! KATHY! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S SO NOT FAIR! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed like a girl and laughed hysterically again to the tickling as he released Kathy and squirmed backwards from her while holding onto his own arms.
"See? Whenever there is a great strength, there will always be a great weakness, and your great weakness will always be tickling, Knuckles," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a warm smile and with playful eyes as she watched Knuckles laugh very much to the tickling.
"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OKAY! OKAY! I GET IT! I GET IT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! JUST STOP TICKLING ME! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Knuckles squealed even more in amusement with a huge smile while squirming a lot as he laughed hysterically to the tickling.
"Okay then..." Kathy replied calmly yet casually in amusement with a playful smile as she pulled her fingers away from Knuckles' armpits and coyly placed them behind her back.
"Thank yohohohohohou! Ahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles thanked in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot but not as much as before. He protected his armpits by covering them with his hands. He couldn't stop giggling as he was busy protecting himself and little does he realize what Kathy was going to do next.
"Ahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehehe! Oh, my goodness...Kathy...Don't...Hehehehehe...Ah-AAAAAAAAAAAA! NOOOOOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NO! NO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Knuckles muttered calmly yet tiredly through giggles before he squealed and laughed hysterically again when he felt his poor tummy being tickled silly by Kathy. He immediately fell backwards and landed on his bottom after being tickled in the tummy for about eight seconds. He kept laughing while holding onto his stomach now. Kathy simply smiled coyly while looking down at Knuckles with her hands behind her back.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahah! That tickled! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! Don't do that! Hehehehehehehehehehe! You know how ticklish I am! Heheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement while laughing a lot as he looked up at Kathy with a huge smile on his face.
"Awwww, what's this? Is the little doggie too weak for some tickling? Is he? Hmm?" Kathy teased playfully in amusement with a knowing smile and with mischievous eyes as she leant down towards Knuckles with her hands behind her back.
"Yes! Now, shut up! Heheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin as he chuckled a lot. It's times like these that he knows that resisting would only make things worse, and he doesn't want Kathy to tickle him even more if he had said "no". Besides, he's already having fun as it is.
"Hehehehehe! Okay. Okay. I get it. No more teasing. Here," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a little giggle and with a bright smile as she had her hands up in f mock surrender before she bent down and held her hand out to Knuckles. Knuckles soon stopped chuckling and smiled widely at Kathy before he grabbed her hand. Kathy then pulled Knuckles back up and gave him a quick hug as a way to apologize for tickling him. Knuckles smiled warmly at this hug and hugged Kathy back to show her that he forgave her. After hugging for about ten seconds, they broke apart and stood a bit away while having huge grins on their faces.
"...You know...I've showed you something impressive...Perhaps it would be fair if I see something impressive from you, Kathy. Care to 'wow' me?" Knuckles muttered calmly in playfulness with a huge grin on his amused face as he placed his hands on his hips.
Kathy nodded and grinned back at Knuckles as she exclaimed brightly in amusement, "I'm ready to 'wow' you! Mind if you stand aside for a moment?!".
"Why of course," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a little smile and with a nod as he walked towards Kathy's right side and stood a few feet from her. Kathy looked at Knuckles and smiled confidently at him as she's ready to do her own "performance".
"Ready to see some fireworks?" Kathy asked calmly yet brightly in amusement with a confident smile while staring at Knuckles.
Knuckles smiled back and nodded as he replied calmly in amusement, "Yep. Fire away. Literally".
Kathy grinned at this and winked at Knuckles as she exclaimed brightly in amusement, "Alright then! Stand back! And let a Queen show you how it's done!".
After saying that, Kathy turned her head to look at the pile of rocks again. She balled her hands into fists and readied her stance. Knuckles calmly watched her with his arms crossed and with a content smile on his face. His eyes soon lit up with intrigue when he saw Kathy's antennas glowing yellow as they were charging up. Kathy leant back her arms and her back and opened her wings as she readies her attack. Knuckles stared intensely at Kathy with twinkling eyes and with a huge, excited grin as he awaits her energy beam move. He didn't have to wait too long since Kathy's antennas are all charged up.
SCREEEEEEEEEE! (FIRE!)
Kathy screeched in her native tongue as she stomped her foot and fired her energy beams at the rocks. Two, yellow beams flew across the beach and had struck the rocks. Knuckles' head moved in the energy beams' direction and was in awe seeing Kathy's attack up close.
BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM!
Sparks and explosions came from the rocks as the beams hit them. Fire burned on top of the rocks after the explosions erupted. However, Kathy didn't stop attacking as she moved her head from side to side so that the whole pile of rocks would be set ablaze.
BOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM!
"Wow..." Knuckles muttered softly in awe with a huge smile and with amused, twinkling eyes while still having his arms crossed as he watched more sparks and explosions flying off from the rocks.
KAAAABOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! KAABOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOM!
The final sparks and explosions went off after Kathy attacked the remaining parts of the rock pile. She soon stopped attacking and smiled proudly at her effort of setting the whole pile ablaze. Flames rose from the rocks after the explosions had ended and had remained there. Knuckles was just stunned by the whole thing as his jaw was dropped and as his eyes were twinkling in astonishment. He couldn't stop smiling even if he wanted to since he was yet again amazed by Kathy's prowess. Kathy looked back at Knuckles and grinned when she saw the happy expression on his face.
"So? ...How do you like my hot performance?" Kathy asked calmly in playfulness with a huge grin and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles. Before Knuckles could reply, he saw a large wave on his right heading towards the pile of rocks and had crashed into them, putting the fire out. As the waves receded, smoke came off from the cooled off rocks with no fire in sight. Knuckles grinned in amusement of this and had looked back at Kathy.
"Oh, I've loved it before it had been watered down," Knuckles replied calmly in playfulness with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he stared back at Kathy. Kathy looked confused by that statement and had looked back at the rocks before she was surprised when she saw that the fire was gone. She then looked back at Knuckles and smiled a lot in amusement when she saw what he had meant by that.
…
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Heheheheheheheheheh!" Kathy and Knuckles laughed a lot in unison after that brief silence.
[Few Minutes Later]
Kathy and Knuckles are now sitting on the beach while on their knees as they were busy building sandcastles together. Kathy dug through the sand and moved it towards her little sandcastle while smiling calmly. Knuckles sat next to Kathy on her right and was just building a simple mound for himself. He was also smiling calmly as he built his own sandcastle.
Kathy soon looked at Knuckles and smiled brightly at him as she replied calmly in amusement, "I really didn't think that you would want to build a sandcastle with me. I thought that you would just stand and watch".
Knuckles soon stopped and looked at Kathy with a gentle smile as he replied calmly in amusement, "Well...admittingly, I did hesitate at the offer, but when I had been reminded that I had agreed to have a second childhood with you, you could say that it had given me courage to do something that I'm not used to doing before. Such as building sandcastles for instance".
"It gave you courage? Hehehehe! Were you scared of building sandcastles with me?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously in playfulness with a sweet smile and with amused eyes as she giggled a little.
"What?! D-Don't be ridiculous! I wasn't...'scared' per se...I was just...Umm...awkward is all...You know...nervous..." Knuckles replied awkwardly in surprise and in embarrassment with a huge blush as he looked shocked yet sheepish.
"'Nervous'? About what?" Kathy asked curiously yet innocently in confusion with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles with intrigue. Knuckles blushed even deeper at that question and frowned a bit in sheepishness.
"I...I...Uhhh..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he blushed a lot in embarrassment. He looked down at his sandcastle and stared at it with downcast eyes as he answered calmly yet sadly in shame, "...I...I was nervous because I thought that you would laugh at me for doing something as childish as this. I just...didn't want to appear foolish in front of you".
Kathy frowned a little in sadness after hearing that and held Knuckles' left arm in concern. She replied calmly yet quietly with a sad frown in sympathy, "Oh, Knuckles. I wouldn't laugh. I'm just happy that you're playing with me like this. I wouldn't make fun of you for doing things like this. That's why I had asked you to have a second childhood with me. So that...neither of us would laugh at the other or look down upon the other for doing childish things. I just want you to play...That's all I'm ever asking of you to do...Just play...".
Knuckles frowned even deeper in sadness as he looked back at Kathy while he asked calmly yet drearily in a quiet tone of voice, "'Just play'? Do you have any idea how much I have wanted to do that? Do you have any idea how many years it's been for me to not play? ...But just work instead? Do you, Kathy?".
"..." Kathy was silent but looked sympathetic towards Knuckles as she gently placed her right hand onto his back and slowly rubbed it in comfort.
Knuckles saw that Kathy wanted him to continue and so he did, "...It's not easy trying to maintain a tough, strong persona, Kathy. Most people don't have to worry about freely enjoying the things that they love because they don't have a reputation to keep maintaining. But I do, and that reputation is simply being the Guardian of the Master Emerald. Doing childish activities like making sandcastles for example doesn't suit the guardian image that I have made for myself. So, because of that...I...I mostly turn down fun activities to maintain my image...".
"Oh, Knuckles..." Kathy muttered calmly in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as she gently rubbed Knuckles' back in comfort. Knuckles frowned even deeper in depression as he looked away from Kathy.
He muttered calmly yet quietly in a depressed tone of voice, "I know...It's vain of me to think like that, but...I can't help it. I've always seen myself as nothing else but a guardian. But if I'm not that, then who am I really? A boring, serious echidna who knows nothing about having fun? A loser who would rather stay back and look after a huge, dumb emerald than hang out with his acquaintances? A worthless idiot who is just wasting his life away protecting something...that anyone else could do? I...Just who am I really? And what purpose do I serve in this world? I just...don't know".
He was soon surprised when he felt Kathy's arms wrapped around him as she hugged him. Kathy snuggled her head onto his left shoulder and hugged him very tightly to comfort him. He glanced at her with widened eyes and with a gaped mouth. He hugged her left arm back with his hands while staring at her in shock.
"K-Kathy...I..." Knuckles muttered quietly in shock as he looked stunned.
"Knuckles...It's okay...It's okay if you feel sad and hurt...Just...allow me to comfort you," Kathy replied calmly yet softly in consolation with a little frown and with closed eyes as she snuggled her head against Knuckles' left shoulder. Knuckles gasped in surprise when he heard Kathy say that and had looked both sad yet touched.
With a growing, sad smile, Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in understanding and in gratitude, "Al-Alright, Kathy. You may. Thank you. I...really do need a hug right now".
He soon readjusted his sitting position so that Kathy could give him a real hug. Kathy released Knuckles for a bit to allow him to face her fully. After she saw that he is facing her fully, she leant forward and hugged him very tightly again. He hugged her back very tightly as well while smiling very much in relief. For how much negativity exists in Knuckles' heart, there is one positive spot that lies deeply in his heart, and that is Kathy. No matter how much despair he may feel in his heart, Kathy gives him hope in the smallest of ways, and one of those ways...is by simply hugging him. It somehow makes him feel a little better about himself. Just knowing that someone cares about him is enough for him to keep going forward.
"...Feeling better, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in fondness with a little smile and with caring eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.
"Yes. Just a bit. Thank you," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in relief with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he fondly stared back at Kathy. He and Kathy hugged each other for a few more seconds before they broke apart and smiled warmly at each other.
Kathy then grabbed Knuckles' hands and held them as she replied calmly yet gently in fondness and in wisdom, "There you go, Knuckles. Just smile and relax. I honestly can't help you find your identity or purpose, but I do know one thing that is important to be reminded of occasionally. ...And that would be what you have said yourself yesterday...'Your happiness is important'. As long as you keep that in mind, you might find the answer to your questions. Understand?".
Knuckles smiled even wider in fondness and gently squeezed Kathy's hands to show his gratitude to her. He replied calmly yet gently with a warm smile and with a nod, "I understand, Kathy. Again, thank you. You've comforted me yet again. I'm...very glad that I could just vent about my depressing feelings and thoughts like this and be comforted by you. It helps me a lot".
Kathy nodded and smiled cheerfully at Knuckles as she replied calmly yet brightly in reassurance, "I'm happy to help you whenever you need it, Knuckles! If you're feeling down or frustrated, you can always talk to me. I'll listen to you".
"I know that you will, and I'm grateful that you do," Knuckles replied calmly in adoration with a warm smile as he released Kathy's hands and gently stroked her head a little in fondness. Kathy beamed at this sweet, little action and had grabbed Knuckles' hand with both of her hands. He raised his eyebrows at this and had smiled very much in amusement.
"Come on, Knuckles! Why don't we continue building sandcastles together?! Let's build yours first!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with excited eyes as she shook Knuckles' hand a little in enthusiasm.
Knuckles grinned a little in amusement as he replied calmly in playfulness, "Alright. Fine. We'll keep building sandcastles together but let me remind you that I've already finished mine".
Kathy released Knuckles' hand and had pointed at his sandcastle while asking calmly yet coyly in amusement with a jovial smile, "What? You mean this?".
"Yes. That is mine," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile as he pointed at his sandcastle too.
"But it's just a little hill!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in playfulness with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"It's actually 'a mound', Kathy, and it's more than enough for a sandcastle," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with playful eyes as he stared back at Kathy.
"No, it's not! Sandcastles are supposed to be BIG and look like REAL castles! That's the whole point of making sandcastles!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in slight annoyance with a little frown and with a headshake as she put her fists up.
"Oh, you mean like yours over there?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he pointed at Kathy's sandcastle.
"Yes! This is what a sandcastle looks like! It's big...and tall...and has some defenses too! Yours is too small and defenseless!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a proud grin as she put her hands towards her sandcastle and moved them around for emphasis on her points.
"So, it's defenseless, eh?" Knuckles asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy.
"Uh huh! You certainly can't win at anything with that poor excuse of a sandcastle! You might as well be better off with nothing than with that!" Kathy exclaimed confidently in amusement with a proud smile and with closed eyes as she crossed her arms and nodded a little.
"Oh, really, huh?" Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a smug grin and with mischievous eyes as he stared at Kathy.
"Yes, really!" Kathy exclaimed back confidently in amusement with a bright smile and with another nod as she still had her eyes closed.
"Ah...Well then..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet playfully in amusement with a smug grin as he looked at Kathy's sandcastle again. While looking mischievous, he balled his right hand into a fist and pounded Kathy's sandcastle into the ground. Kathy soon opened her eyes when she heard a soft "THUD!" sound from her left and looked in that direction.
She gasped when she saw that her sandcastle was destroyed and exclaimed in alarm, "My sandcastle!".
"Well, what do you know? It seems that now MY sandcastle is the bigger and better one of the two. I wonder why it is," Knuckles replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a playful smirk and with half-lidded eyes as he's enjoying Kathy's surprised face. Kathy looked back at Knuckles in shock and saw him raising his eyebrows in a playful way to indirectly tell her that he did it.
"You...You destroyed my sandcastle! How could you?!" Kathy exclaimed back in shock and in sadness with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Simple. Because I wanted my sandcastle to be the superior one of the two," Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a devious smirk and with mischievous eyes as he stared back at Kathy.
"..." Kathy said nothing since she was in shock. She just stared at Knuckles with the most shocked face imaginable. Knuckles stared back at Kathy while smiling very much in amusement as he adored her shocked face before he burst into laughter since he couldn't take it anymore.
"Pffffahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! You should've seen the look on your face because it was priceless! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Gotcha, Kathy! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile as he laughed a lot. Kathy stared at Knuckles in shock for a few more seconds before she pouted in disapproval.
"You're mean!" Kathy exclaimed in protest with a pout and with furrowed eyebrows as she glared at Knuckles while having her arms crossed.
"I know! I know! But that was so worth it! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I...I love messing with you, Kathy. I really do. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! You're just so funny! Hehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles replied brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing a lot and while shaking his head a little. Kathy tried to stay irritated at Knuckles, but she soon smiled as she looked mischievous instead.
"So, you love messing with me, huh?" Kathy asked calmly yet playfully in amusement with a mischievous smile and with twinkling eyes.
"Yes! Heheheheheheheheh! I do! I really do! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! It's just too much fun for mehehehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with a nod as he kept laughing.
"You know...It's certainly fun when I mess with you too. Do you want to know why?" Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a coy smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Yeah! Heheheheheheheheh! Why?! Hahahahahahahahahahahahah!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as he laughed a lot. Kathy smirked mischievously at Knuckles and leapt at him while he was not looking. She knocked him down onto his back and was on top of his stomach.
She replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a mischievous smirk, "It's because you're completely defenseless whenever I mess with you. Like so...".
Kathy then started tickling Knuckles' tummy again after saying that, and the already laughing echidna was thrown into another fit of laughter more hysterically than the last.
"AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOP! STOP IT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE TICKLING ME AGAIN! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed like a girl and laughed hysterically again when he felt Kathy's fingers scribbling fast on his tummy. He squirmed and kicked his feet a bit while Kathy tickled him silly.
"This is what you get for destroying my sandcastle!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a teasing grin as she kept tickling Knuckles a lot.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OKAY! OKAY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! I WAS ASKING FOR IT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AND I GOT IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! JUST PLEASE! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!" Knuckles squealed some more with a huge smile as he laughed hysterically while squirming a lot and holding onto Kathy with one arm.
"Okay. Okay. I think that you had enough," Kathy replied calmly in fondness with a gentle smile and with forgiving eyes as she stopped tickling Knuckles and just laid on top of him instead. Knuckles laughed and giggled a lot while calming down as he held Kathy more dearly this time with his arm.
"Hehehehehehehehehehe...(Sigh)...That was fun..." Knuckles muttered calmly in relief with a deep sigh with and a relaxed smile as he finished giggling. Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she rested her arms on his chest and looked down at him. Knuckles smiled back just as warmly as he enjoyed Kathy being on top of him. They stared at each other for a while in silence.
…
…
...
"...Now can we build a sandcastle together?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously in amusement with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she broke the serene silence.
Knuckles grinned a little as he replied calmly in amusement, "Aw, alright. We'll do it. For real this time. We can even rebuild my sandcastle and make it into our sandcastle. What do you say? Want to rebuild it with me?".
Kathy beamed sweetly at Knuckles and nodded to him as she exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a giggle, "Yes! Hehehehehehehehe! I'd love to rebuild it with you! I'll even show you how to build it right!".
Knuckles playfully rolled his eyes at that and replied calmly yet jokingly in amusement with a coy smile, "Oh, brother. Fine. Show me how it's done, Master".
Kathy giggled sweetly at that and had pushed herself up from Knuckles. Knuckles sat back up while dusting off the sand from his back with his right hand. After he was done, he readjusted his sitting position again so that he's facing his own sandcastle. Kathy scooted a little closer to Knuckles and sat next to him and his little sandcastle.
Knuckles looked at Kathy and smiled calmly at her as he asked curiously in amusement, "Soo...What do you have in mind?".
Kathy looked at Knuckles and smiled brightly at him as she exclaimed something that he didn't even expect, "We're going to make a BIGGER mound than this!".
"Wh-What?! But you said that it doesn't look like a castle earlier!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin as he almost laughed again.
Kathy shrugged casually at him as she replied calmly in amusement with a little smile, "Well, duh. It's just not big enough".
That time, however, Knuckles had genuinely laughed since it's both frank and silly at the same time. He exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot, "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Well, why didn't you just say so earlier?! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Let's start building then! Heheheheheheheheh!".
Kathy nodded happily at that and had started moving a lot of sand towards the small mound. She was smiling happily as she does this. Knuckles stopped laughing and had started gathering sand as well with a huge smile on his face. As he worked on his and Kathy's sandcastle, he had this one thought while smiling broadly in amusement. Heheheh...Silly girl...
[Few Minutes Later]
After working hard on their sandcastle, Kathy and Knuckles stared at it with huge smiles on their faces. They were standing now since they've built the mound so high that it's practically half their height.
Kathy beamed brightly at this and looked at Knuckles as she clasped her hands together while exclaiming excitedly in amusement, "Now, THIS is a sandcastle! Look at how BIG it is!".
"Yeah...But now it looks like a hill," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with a hand on his right hip as he looked at Kathy.
"No, it's not...It's just a tall mound," Kathy replied calmly yet innocently in playfulness with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she had her hands behind her back.
"..." Knuckles said nothing to that but smiled smugly at Kathy while lowering his eyelids halfway in amusement. Kathy giggled a lot at Knuckles' smug look and reaction yet again. If there is one thing that Knuckles loved to do the most, then it's making Kathy giggle by just staring at her smugly. Because it works every single time.
"...I'm going to destroy it now," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes after being silent for a moment.
"No! I want to destroy it!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a playful grin as she had her fists out.
"No way. I'm destroying it because you're being ridiculous. So, stand aside, Kathy, and let me handle it," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a playful smile as he put his hand out at Kathy.
"Nuh uh! I want to destroy it too! It's fun!" Kathy exclaimed excitedly in amusement with a bright grin and with a headshake as she stared at Knuckles.
"..." Knuckles said nothing to that and just grinned at her instead. Even he admits deep down that it's fun, which is why he wanted to do it in the first place. He and Kathy stared at each other with playful grins for a moment before they both turned around and dove into the large mound together.
POOF!
The large pile of sand was moved quickly after Kathy and Knuckles dove into it simultaneously. It fell on the other side, and Kathy and Knuckles landed on their stomachs with their arms stretched out and overlapping each other while being covered with sand. Kathy and Knuckles had their eyes closed the moment they embraced the sand mound to avoid getting dust and sand into their eyes. They soon opened their eyes and looked amused when they saw how close they are to each other and that their arms had overlapped each other. They smiled warmly yet widely at each other due to how amusing it is and had soon laughed together yet again.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy and Knuckles laughed happily together in amusement.
[Few More Minutes Later]
Kathy and Knuckles were now just standing together next to the ocean with their arms crossed. They had already dusted the sand off their bodies and arms after they had gotten back up. Despite this, Knuckles can't help but complain.
"Geez, the beach may be great and all, but getting sand everywhere on you is a bit annoying," Knuckles complained calmly in annoyance with a solemn frown and with lowered eyelids as he stared at the sea.
"Well...You could always wash the sand off with the ocean here," Kathy suggested calmly in understanding with a little frown and with a shrug as she looked at Knuckles.
"Yeah, I could, but then I would be wet," Knuckles replied calmly in slight exhaustion with a nod before he looked at Kathy with an annoyed expression on his face.
"...Do you...not like the beach, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with a little frown and with a raised eyebrow as she stared at Knuckles in confusion.
"Look, it's complicated. I do like how beautiful it is, how peaceful it can be at times, how relaxing playing in the sand can be, and how I can easily be in the mood to swim, however...what I don't like is being covered in sand and water when I don't want it on me. When it does, it's irritating to me," Knuckles explained calmly in exhaustion with a solemn frown and with a headshake while looking annoyed as he stared at Kathy.
"So basically, you're saying that you don't like the beach when it's being...the beach," Kathy replied calmly in slight confusion with a little frown and with an eyebrow raised as she continued to stare at Knuckles.
"Pretty much," Knuckles replied calmly in slight agreement with a solemn frown and with a casual shrug as he stared back at Kathy.
Kathy kept staring at Knuckles with a small frown before she smiled a little in amusement as she replied calmly yet coyly in slight playfulness, "Knuckles...I think that you're making a big deal over nothing here".
"What?! What are you talking about?! Surely having sand all over yourself and getting wet gets under your skin too, right, Kathy?!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in annoyance with a deeper frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he slightly glared at Kathy.
"Knuckles, I've used to live on an island surrounded by beaches and oceans. I'm used to having sand on me sometimes and getting wet as well. It doesn't bother me very much," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a little grin and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Oh, come on! Not even a little?!" Knuckles yelled in exasperation as he looked even more annoyed after hearing that.
"Nope. It's really not a big deal, Knuckles," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a casual shrug.
"Oh, yeah?! Well, what about when you have sand in your shoes or when your socks have been soaked with water?! Doesn't it bother you a little then?!" Knuckles yelled back in annoyance with gritted teeth and with a vein bulging in his head as he glared hard at Kathy.
Kathy grinned a lot in amusement as she saw how worked up Knuckles is being right now. Boy, he dislikes the beach way more than he lets on. I'm starting to wonder if that's part of the reason why he was hesitant to build sandcastles with me. Those two things probably had happened to him at some point or another. That's hilarious! Kathy pondered calmly in amusement while grinning a lot at Knuckles.
"Listen, Knuckles, I don't know what the sand or the water did to deserve this seething hatred from you, but I really don't mind either of those things happening to me. If I have sand in my shoes, I'll just deal with it and wait until I have the time to get rid of it; and if I get wet, once again, I'll just deal with it and wait until my body and my clothes dry off. It's not the end of the world if there's tiny bits of sand in my shoes or a part of my dress gets wet. Those little problems will resolve themselves eventually," Kathy replied calmly yet wisely in slight amusement with a little grin on her relaxed face.
"Oh, don't tell me that they will resolve on their own! Tell that to all the little problems that I have to deal with daily!" Knuckles yelled in frustration with a grimace and with a hard glare as he swung his fist sideways.
"I...I beg your pardon?" Kathy calmly asked in alarm and in confusion as she looked surprised and concerned.
"I...N-Never mind...(Sigh)…" Knuckles muttered calmly yet tiredly in exhaustion and in frustration with a grimace and with a sigh as he looked away and closed his eyes while grabbing his head.
"K-Knuckles? Are you...okay?" Kathy asked calmly yet tentatively in concern as she stared at Knuckles in worry.
Knuckles took a deep breath while rubbing his head in annoyance. After calming down, he looked back at Kathy with a solemn frown as he replied calmly yet a bit apologetically in exhaustion, "Ugh. Sorry about that, Kathy. I didn't mean to snap at you. I was just feeling frustrated".
"Really? About what?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with a surprised yet intrigued look on her face as she leant slightly closer to Knuckles while having a hand under her chin.
"Just...a lot of things personally. Mostly the little things. I just don't know what it is about those little things that gets me all riled up, but somehow...it always does...and I just don't know how to 'deal' with them half of the time," Knuckles relented calmly yet tiredly in sadness with a solemn frown on his depressed face as he turned halfway towards Kathy.
"Oh...I see...Is there any advice that you need for help?" Kathy replied calmly in sympathy with a little frown on her concerned face as she nodded a little in understanding.
"Not really. I know what to do, but the hard part just comes in doing it," Knuckles replied calmly in exhaustion with a solemn frown and with a headshake.
"Wait...Huh?" Kathy muttered calmly in confusion as she looked lost.
"Look...I mean...I know that I should be patient on certain problems, but actually being patient is very hard for me to do. If I was patient, then...most of my problems won't be much of an issue to me. Know what I mean?" Knuckles explained calmly in exhaustion with a solemn frown as he put his hands out.
"Oh, now, I understand. So, you're saying that all of your little problems would've been resolved if you were more patient, right?" Kathy replied calmly in understanding with a little frown and with a nod as she crossed her arms again.
"More or less, yeah," Knuckles replied calmly in slight agreement with a solemn frown and with a nod.
"Hmmm...Sorry. I really don't think that I could be of much help here," Kathy replied calmly in sympathy with a little frown on her disappointed face as she stared sadly at Knuckles.
"It's fine. I already know that this problem can be resolved with me alone, but it's such a struggle to do so at times. I just wish that I have your mindset, Kathy. You're more focused on the big picture rather than on the little things so much so that you're either blissfully unaware of them or are just simply tolerant of them. Your positive outlook on life would be so beneficial to me right now. It's not even funny," Knuckles replied calmly yet tiredly in exhaustion with a depressed look on his face as he stared sadly at Kathy.
Kathy frowned even deeper in sadness, and her eyes sparkled in sadness as well. She placed her hand over her chest while muttering quietly in sympathy, "...Knuckles...".
Knuckles frowned even deeper in sadness too as his eyelids went down halfway. He soon looked down at the ground and muttered quietly in sadness with a depressed frown, "...I wish that I can see the world in your eyes, Kathy. I bet that...it's a much better place than the one that I'm seeing with my own eyes. Perhaps...even more beautiful too...".
"..." Kathy was silent on that as she stared at Knuckles with a sympathetic look on her face.
"..." Knuckles was silent too after that. He stared at the ground with a depressed look on his face. Neither of them budged from their spots as they stared either at the ground or at the other. They could only hear the waves crashing into the beach.
Kathy stared at Knuckles in sadness for a few more seconds before she walked over to him and lifted his head up. Knuckles looked both sad and intrigued when he felt Kathy's hand lifting his head up and saw her concerned face. He had wondered if Kathy was going to say something but was soon surprised when she hugged him tightly again. With a shocked look on his face, Knuckles hugged Kathy back just as tightly as her while staring at her in surprise. He felt speechless to her consideration and kindness.
"K-Kathy..." Knuckles muttered softly in awe as he hugged Kathy very tightly.
"Oh, Knuckles...The world is a beautiful place...It just takes more effort for you to see it than with me...That's all..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in sadness with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she snuggled Knuckles a little again.
"..." Knuckles was speechless at that as he stared at Kathy with a gaped mouth before he frowned a lot in sadness.
"...The only thing that you can do right now is look harder for the positives...It won't be easy to find, but they do exist...You just have to believe in their existence...Alright?" Kathy finished calmly in wisdom with a little frown and with caring eyes as she pulled away from Knuckles to look at him directly. Knuckles was silent as he stared back at Kathy's face with downcast eyes. He can see the hope and care in her eyes, and he felt a little relieved after seeing them.
He solemnly nodded to her with a little frown as he replied calmly in understanding, "Alright. I'll try".
Then, he smiled a little to her as he softly added in gratitude, "Thank you".
Kathy smiled a little too as she saw that she had cheered up Knuckles a bit. With a playful look on her face, she then slowly moved a finger towards Knuckles' collarbone and gently traced across it. Knuckles instinctively flinched at the soft touch and can't help but smile a lot in amusement of it.
"Kathy...Come on...Quit it..." Knuckles whined calmly in amusement with a huge, fixed smile and with closed eyes as he cringed when Kathy's finger started digging playfully into his neck.
"Knuckles...I think that what you need to do here is smile more...This will help you do it..." Kathy replied calmly in playfulness with a gentle smile and with amused eyes as she kept tickling Knuckles' neck with one finger.
"But that's cheating! Hehehehehehe! Stop it! Hehehehehehe!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge, fixed smile and with upward eyebrows as he squirmed and giggled a little at the light tickling.
"Aww, but you're still smiling, and that's what matters here. If I have to tickle you to get you to smile, then I'll do it...just so that you can be happy again," Kathy replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stopped tickling Knuckles and just held his shoulders instead. Knuckles stopped giggling and just smiled warmly at Kathy as he felt touched by her sentiments.
"Kathy...I...Thanks...I'm glad that you do make me smile...everyday..." Knuckles replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he slightly leant forward towards Kathy while holding onto her. Kathy beamed sweetly at Knuckles while he smiled warmly back at her with half-lidded, twinkling eyes. The warmth in their hearts keeps getting hotter and hotter the more they stare at each other with warm smiles on their faces. They can't help but feel that there is a strong bond between them that's preventing the other from escaping, and strangely enough, they don't want to escape. They want to...stay bounded together forever.
…
"...Still though, it is a little silly that you get bothered by having sand on you or getting wet by the ocean. For how tough you are, you're bit of a pansy, Knuckles," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes on her cheerful face after the brief silence.
Knuckles looked surprised yet amused after hearing that and yelled back in playfulness with a huge smile, "H-Hey! You take that back! I'm not a pansy!".
"Well, if you want to prove it to me that you're not a pansy, then you'll have to play with me in the ocean!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully yet coyly in amusement with a sly smile and with eager eyes as she released herself from Knuckles' hold before grabbing his hands and swinging his arms around in a playful way.
Knuckles lets Kathy swing his arms around while exclaiming playfully in amusement with a confident grin, "Heh! Is that all?! That's too-!".
"-While keeping your shoes and socks on!" Kathy finished brightly in amusement with a coy grin and with playful eyes as she cut Knuckles off.
"O-Oh...Uhhh...Heheh...On second thought, maybe it's better if I sit this one out..." Knuckles muttered calmly in awkwardness with a sheepish smile and with a nervous chuckle as a sweat drop fell from his head.
"Hehehehehehe! Awwww, don't be such a baby, Knuckles! Come on in with me!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a giggle and with a sweet smile while she pulled Knuckles' hands a bit to encourage him to follow her into the ocean. Knuckles didn't budge from his spot while holding Kathy back from going into the ocean.
With a sheepish grin and with upward eyebrows, he exclaimed playfully yet nervously in amusement, "I'm not being a baby! I'm just not in the mood for swimming!".
"I didn't say anything about swimming! I meant playing in the water! You know...knee-deep water! So that our feet would be wet!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with an excited grin as she tried to drag Knuckles towards the ocean but failing to do so thanks to his firm stance and sturdy grip.
"Oh, well...I see...but still! I'm not in the mood for getting my feet wet! I want my shoes and socks to be clean and dry today!" Knuckles exclaimed back in protest with a little frown and with an eyebrow raised while holding Kathy back.
"Oh, I see! So then...Ah! You could just leave your shoes and socks behind and be barefoot instead! How's that?!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in understanding and in amusement with a thoughtful look before a cheerful one after thinking it over for a moment.
"Ack! ...'B-Barefoot'?" Knuckles exclaimed and muttered nervously in sheepishness with a panicked look on his face as another sweat drop fell from his head while leaning a bit back from Kathy.
"Yeah! Barefoot! What?! Is there a problem with that?!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet innocently in amusement and in curiosity with a sweet smile and with gentle eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
Knuckles stared back at Kathy while looking nervous and (as silly as it sounds) a bit scared. If there is one thing that scares Knuckles more than anything (aside from ghosts), then it is exposing his bare hands and feet towards others. As much as it pains him to admit this, he feels insecure about having others stare at his body (mostly at his hands) due to how strange and bizarre it looks compared to everyone else. It's also due to a lack of trust he feels towards everyone. He feels that he can't show off his hands or feet towards others without being mocked and ridiculed. The only time that he would show them off is when he feels intimate with the person whom he likes and respects. However, the level of intimacy one should get for that to happen is very high, and it is something Knuckles doubts that will ever happen to him. Sadly, he even doubts that he will ever get that close to Kathy.
I...I know that Kathy and I are getting along quite well...and we are getting somewhat close to each other...But...it's still not enough...I don't...feel comfortable enough exposing myself in front of Kathy here...Hopefully, I will...Someday...Knuckles brooded calmly in sadness with a depressed frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared back at Kathy.
"Knuckles? Are you going to be alright?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in concern with a little frown and with worried eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.
"..." Knuckles was still silent as he stared back at Kathy with a little frown and with sad eyes. But soon enough, he smiled a little in playfulness as he had this last, amusing thought.
Besides...I don't want her tickling my feet if she ever gets the chance. I've been tickled enough from her as it is. I'm...just not ready for her to do that to me.
"I'll...I'll be fine, Kathy. In fact, I take back what I had said. I'm going into the ocean with you...while having my shoes and socks on," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a little smile before he smirked at the end. Kathy raised her eyebrows at that and beamed widely at Knuckles after seeing how ready he is for doing the challenge.
"Great! Now, come on, Knuckles! Let's not stand around here any longer! Let's play in the water! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet excitedly in amusement with a huge grin and with a little giggle as she quickly dragged Knuckles into the ocean while running towards it.
"Ah! Okay! Okay! I'm going! I'm going! Heheheheheheh! Easy, Kathy! I'm coming with you! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with raised eyebrows as he chuckled a lot while running behind Kathy towards the ocean. They kept running into the ocean until their knees have been covered with water. Kathy soon released Knuckles' hands and had started splashing the water around in amusement.
"Hehehehehehehehe! Ahh...Now, this is refreshing!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in playfulness with a little grin and with amused eyes as she giggled a little while splashing the water around herself. Knuckles stared at Kathy with a calm smile while standing a bit beside her. He looked down at the water and scooped some up with his right hand before splashing it over his head and rubbed it.
As he did this, he replied calmly in agreement with a relaxed smile and with closed eyes, "You know what? …...Ahh...I agree. This feels very refreshing indeed".
"Teehee! Soo...you're not going to cry about it? How it's killing you to have your shoes and socks soaked? Hmm?" Kathy asked calmly yet playfully in amusement with a light giggle and with a coy grin as she placed her hands behind her back while staring at Knuckles.
Knuckles then smiled smugly at Kathy after hearing that tease and had splashed her with water while exclaiming playfully in amusement, "Shut up!".
"Hey! Hehehehehehehe! Bad doggie! Bad!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with another giggle as she got splashed before splashing Knuckles back.
"Hey! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop it! Take that! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot as he defended himself from the water before splashing Kathy back.
Kathy giggled a lot when she was getting splashed by Knuckles and had splashed him back. Knuckles couldn't stop laughing at this as he and Kathy got themselves into a water fight. He and Kathy kept splashing each other in playfulness while giggling and laughing in amusement. Knuckles then leapt at Kathy and got her into a headlock position before dunking her head into the water. Kathy flailed her arms around, splashing water left and right as her head is being dunked into the water. Knuckles laughed very much at this as he deviously lifted Kathy's head back up to give her a moment to breathe before dunking her head down into the water again and again. After having her head being lifted back up again, Kathy spits out some water before wrestling Knuckles out of his headlock hold.
"Heheheheh...Trying to get out, huh?" Knuckles asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a mischievous chuckle and with a devious smirk as he wrestled Kathy.
"Yes! Hehehehehehehehe! Let me out!" Kathy exclaimed back cheerfully in amusement with a huge smile and with a giggle while trying hard to get out of Knuckles' strong hold.
"Not a chance! If this doesn't prove to you how strong I am, then I don't know what will!" Knuckles exclaimed playfully in amusement with a huge grin as he kept holding onto Kathy's neck and head.
"Urrgh! Nggh! You let go of me or else!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a determined grin while grunting a little as she struggled get out of Knuckles' hold.
"'Or else' what?!" Knuckles exclaimed back daringly in amusement with devious grin as he leant his head down close to Kathy's head.
"...Or else...I'll do this!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a playful smirk and with a wink as she stared at Knuckles. She then playfully poked Knuckles at his left side as a way to tickle him, and it had easily worked since he burst into tons of giggles upon response.
"Ah! Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Quit it! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! That's not fair! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles protested in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as he squirmed to the right to try to avoid Kathy's playful pokes. Of course, it doesn't work since Kathy was still able to poke his left side. She even started to poke his tummy, and that had easily gotten him going.
"Hehehehehehehehehe! Come on, Kathy! Hahahahahahaha! Cut it out! Hehehehehehehehe! Aaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Okay! Okay! I'll let go! I'll let go! Stahahahahahahahahahahahap! Hehehehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile as he giggled a lot before he started laughing when he felt his left side and his tummy being poked a lot. He immediately released Kathy from his grip while jumping a bit as he tried to get away from her and her devious pokes. Kathy smirked mischievously when she saw Knuckles distancing himself away from her and had made her move to push him down into the water. As Knuckles held himself while recovering from that brief tickle attack, he hadn't noticed that Kathy moved over to him and pushed him at his chest.
"Hehehehehehehe! Kathy! Don't...Oof!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he giggled a little before being surprised when Kathy pushed his chest hard. Knuckles fell backwards and landed into the knee-deep water with a splash.
SPLASH!
Knuckles landed on his back and was under the low water briefly before he quickly sat back up so that his head is above the water. He shook his head after being soaked in the water and looked up to glare at Kathy. Kathy looked down at him with a coy smile while her hands were behind her back. Knuckles tried to look peeved at her, but he couldn't resist grinning at her in amusement.
"Did you just...?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stared at Kathy.
"Yes, I did! I knocked you down! So that means I'm the winner here!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a silly smile and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Oh, you are soooo not the winner here! You totally cheated!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin as he pointed at her.
"No, I didn't!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a sweet smile while shaking her head.
"You sure did! You tickled me and pushed me down while I wasn't looking! I want a rematch!" Knuckles argued back in amusement with a huge grin as he kept pointing at Kathy for emphasis on his points.
"Correction. I 'poked' you and then pushed you down because you were too slow," Kathy calmly argued back in amusement with a playful grin while having a finger up and pointing at Knuckles for emphasis.
"That's because I was busy laughing due to how much you were poking me! I felt like I was being tickled! And you know how sensitive I am with that! H-How dare you! Hahahahahahaha!" Knuckles argued back in amusement with a huge grin and with a laugh while still pointing at Kathy.
"Well, you only have yourself to blame for that. If you have heeded my warning, you wouldn't have lost," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a coy smile and with a shrug as she stared at Knuckles.
"I have not lost! I...This battle isn't over! When I get back up, you are in so much trouble!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with mischievous eyes as he placed his hand back down. Kathy then glanced at the ocean and grinned in amusement.
"I don't know about that, Knuckles. It seems that even the sea agrees with me," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a coy grin as she stared at the ocean while having her hands behind her back.
"Huh? What are talking ab-Aaaaaaaaah!" Knuckles replied calmly in confusion as he looked lost before he looked to his right and screamed in panic when he saw a wave coming towards him and Kathy. Without having any time to get back up, the wave crashed down onto him and Kathy. Kathy was soaked but was still standing above the water. Knuckles, however, was temporarily underwater before the wave receded and that the water level was back to normal after it left. Knuckles' head was on top of the water yet again as he gasped briefly for air. He was frowning deeply in annoyance as he felt more soaked than before. Kathy was smiling very much after seeing Knuckles getting buried in water, and after seeing the displeased look on his face, she burst into bubbly giggles.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! See?! Told ya that the sea agrees with me! Hehehehehehehehe! Give it up, Knuckles! I've won! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled a lot while holding onto herself. Knuckles looked up and glared at Kathy again after hearing that. Again, he tried to look annoyed, but then he smiled deviously as a mischievous idea came into his head.
"You know what, Kathy? Come here..." Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a devious smile and with mischievous eyes as he waved his hand towards himself.
"No...Hehehehehehe...I don't want to...Hehehehe..." Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a silly smile and with a headshake as she giggled a little while having her hands behind her back.
"Kathy...Come here..." Knuckles calmly replied in amusement with a devious smile as he slowly gets up. Kathy, however, backed away as quickly as she can while trying to get back to the shore.
"No way...Leave me alone...Hehehehehe...Stay away from me, Knuckles..." Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a silly smile and with cute giggle as she walked away from Knuckles.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Why don't you come over here and tell me?" Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a devious smile and with mischievous eyes as he walked over to Kathy while having his hands behind his back.
"No! You can't make me! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with another giggle as she walked backwards towards the shore. She and Knuckles were out from the knee-deep water and were walking across the ankle-deep water.
"What's the problem, Kathy? I just want you to come over here to me. I'm not going to hurt ya," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a devious smile and with raised eyebrows while walking a little closer towards Kathy.
"I...I know that you won't, but..." Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a little smile as she stood still with her hands behind her back.
"...'But' what, Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a devious smile and with twinkling eyes as he stood still too with his hands also behind his back.
"..." Kathy was silent but was smiling a lot in amusement as she stared at Knuckles with twinkling eyes.
"..." Knuckles was silent as well while also smiling a lot in amusement as he stared back at Kathy with his own twinkling eyes.
The sound of waves crashing was heard while the two guardians stared at each other with playful smiles on their faces.
…
"Hehehehe! Get away from me, Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as she turned to her right and ran away from Knuckles. Knuckles stared at Kathy in amusement with a huge grin on his face as he watched her run away.
"Get back here!" Knuckles yelled in amusement with a huge grin and with his hands to his sides before he turned to his left and ran after Kathy. He and Kathy ran across the shore with their feet still being covered in water. Kathy was giggling a lot while running as fast as she could from Knuckles. She ran in a zig-zag pattern from the shore to the beach itself as if she's following the receding waves. Knuckles followed after her while chuckling a lot in amusement. They ran and ran while giggling and chuckling together.
From an onlooker's standpoint, they have run so far away that their giggles and chuckles can't be heard anymore, and the sounds of waves crashing were heard instead. While still seen from a distance, Knuckles eventually caught Kathy and lifted her up in a playful way while turning to the left. Although it's a bit hard to tell, Knuckles had started prodding Kathy in the stomach with both of his hands after putting her back down. It is clear even from a distance that Kathy was laughing due to the huge smile on her cheerful face. Knuckles was smiling hugely too as he held Kathy from behind and playfully prodded her. What can also be seen is Kathy cowering backwards towards Knuckles while laughing a lot, and Knuckles can be seen towering over Kathy with a huge, warm smile on his face as he stared down at her. Soon, he stopped prodding her and just held her warmly in his arms instead with his head on top of her head. Kathy stopped laughing and just held onto Knuckles' hands while leaning against his body. As she moved her head to look at Knuckles, she smiled warmly at him, and he looked down and smiled warmly at her too. After that, they simply held each other for a long time with Knuckles nuzzling against Kathy's head with his own head.
One may not know the full story between two people from afar. But people's actions and reactions can reveal more feelings than their words can, and it's obvious from an onlooker's standpoint that what these two teens feel is love.
Well, I was going to add one more part to the Adabat section and then finish that place off in this chapter, but this ending is so adorable that I have to extend it on the next chapter. This should prove to you that I'm back and ready to post more chapters! The next chapter will involve the last part of Adabat and then we'll head off to the final location in this little adventure! What will happen in the final chapters of episode 7? Who knows? But we'll find out together in the end! Please R&R if you had enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all next time!