Guardian Angels
S1:E7: Traveling Around the World With You (pt. 10)
After playing in the beach for a long while, Kathy and Knuckles soon flew over to the main island of Adabat. They were still wet and hadn't gotten a chance to dry off. But they figured that the warm sunlight and weather will dry them off. Knuckles had reluctantly agreed to this plan after realizing that he had decided to play with Kathy in the ocean in the first place. So, he just shrugged to this plan and went along with it. Now, they are walking across the boardwalk and are heading into the city of Adabat.
"Ahh...Warm weather...Pleasant scenery...And inviting tourist attractions...This place really has it all!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile as she stretched her arms again.
"Yeah...This place is really nice..." Knuckles calmly agreed in fondness with a gentle smile as he looked at the city at his right before looking at Kathy. Kathy looked at Knuckles and smiled even wider in amusement when she saw that his dreadlocks were still dripping off water. She then gently combed the left side of Knuckles' dreadlocks while playing with the tips of it. Knuckles felt surprised when Kathy did that and had stared at her in shock and in confusion.
"H-Huh? ...K-Kathy...What are you doing?" Knuckles asked calmly in confusion with a surprised face while feeling part of his dreadlocks being combed on the underside.
"Hehehe...Nothing really...I'm just enjoying how wet your hair is...Hehehehehe...It's still soaked!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with an innocent smile while giggling a little as she kept combing Knuckles' dreadlocks. Knuckles raised his eyebrows at that before he smiled a lot in amusement as he saw how much Kathy is enjoying his hair.
He replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge smile, "Well...That's what I get for wanting to play with a silly girl like you...I'm bound to get in some sort of mess or another...Getting wet is just one of them...".
"Yeah...And now you're going to get crabby because you're a big baby who doesn't like getting wet...Aren't you? Hehehehehehehe!" Kathy teased playfully in amusement with a silly smile and with another giggle as she leant close towards Knuckles while ruffling his dreadlocks a little. Knuckles closed his eyes and smiled even more in fondness as he liked that Kathy is giving him attention. After Kathy stopped ruffling Knuckles' dreadlocks, he stared at her with a mischievous grin before he shook his head wildly like a dog would do in order to get Kathy wet.
"Hey! Hehehehehehehehe! Stop! Now, you're getting ME wet!" Kathy exclaimed in protest with a huge smile while giggling a little as she blocked the water with her arms.
"Aww, don't be such a baby, Kathy. It's just a tiny bit of water," Knuckles teased playfully in amusement with a coy smirk and with mischievous eyes as he stared at Kathy after he finished shaking his head.
"Yeah, but I'm already soaked as it is! I'm trying to dry off now!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile on her innocent face as she stared back at Knuckles.
"But I thought that you enjoyed my hair being wet...I just thought that you might enjoy it more if you got wet by it," Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a playful smirk and with mischievous eyes as he slightly leant his head towards Kathy in a teasing way.
"I don't want to get wet by it! I just want to admire it for how...how..." Kathy exclaimed in amusement before muttering quietly as she smiled sheepishly at Knuckles while blushing a little in embarrassment.
"...'How' what?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement and in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared closely into her eyes while leaning close towards her. Kathy blushed even more when she saw how close Knuckles is being right now. He is walking literally beside her while calmly staring at her with a warm smile.
With a shy smile and with a pink blush, Kathy answered calmly yet softly in fondness, "...For how cute it looks on you".
"'Cute'? How could that be cute?" Knuckles asked calmly in confusion with a curious look on his face while blushing a little in embarrassment.
"Weeeell..." Kathy muttered calmly yet coyly in sheepishness with a shy smile as she combed through the back of Knuckles' dreadlocks while continuing in amusement, "...The water keeps dripping from your hair despite your attempts of drying it off yourself...Not only that...but also seeing your grumpy expression with water pouring from your head is very adorable to look at...It really does look like you're mad at the rain for pouring onto you so suddenly. It's funny".
Knuckles blushed brightly in embarrassment after hearing those reasonings. He muttered shyly in confusion with a little frown on his flustered face, "'F-Funny'?".
"Oh, don't be like that, Knuckles. When I said, 'it's funny', I've meant it as a compliment. I didn't mean that I'm making fun of you or anything. Honest," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in sadness with a sympathetic frown and with concerned eyes as she stopped combing Knuckles' dreadlocks and just placed her hand onto his back instead.
"Kathy, I..." Knuckles muttered calmly in shock with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as he stared at her in surprise. But soon, he felt Kathy hugging him again at the side, and he looked both surprised and embarrassed.
"Knuckles, I'm serious. I won't make fun of you for any reason. I...I respect you very much. Whenever you are being funny, I always see you as a respectable person. Not as someone who deserves less. So please...please see that I'm complimenting you. Please..." Kathy replied calmly yet pleadingly in sympathy with a little frown and with sparkling eyes as she stared directly at Knuckles while hugging him warmly. Knuckles' face flushed into a darker shade of red when he saw Kathy's adorable, pleading face and heard her say her pleadings. He could feel his heart pounding fast as he felt both nervous and touched.
...She...She cares so much about me...That's...That's really sweet...Knuckles pondered calmly yet slowly in fondness as his shocked, flustered face changed into a warm one.
He held Kathy's left arm again and replied calmly yet gently in understanding and in gratitude with a warm smile, "Okay, Kathy. I understand. Thank you. Thanks for being respectful towards me. You're very kind".
Kathy smiled warmly at that and had hugged Knuckles even tighter while nuzzling him a little. Knuckles closed his eyes and softly chuckled as he felt Kathy nuzzling against his left cheek and neck.
"Heheheheheheheh...Kathy...Heheheheheheheh...Quit it..." Knuckles muttered calmly in amusement with a little smile while chuckling a lot.
"You just make me so happy! I like you, Knuckles!" Kathy exclaimed jovially with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she nuzzled against Knuckles' left cheek and neck.
"I...I...I...I..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in shyness with a shocked yet flustered look on his face as he stared at Kathy again after hearing her say that again. While Knuckles was distracted, Kathy soon flapped her beautiful, colorful wings towards him out of happiness. Her wings were still wet, and when they were flapped, the water flew from them and had hit Knuckles repeatedly. This action had both surprised and amused Knuckles as his expression changed from a shocked one to a happy one.
"I...I...I! I like you too, Kathy! Hahahahahahahahaha! Cut it out! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing a lot when he felt Kathy's wings and the water hitting him a lot.
"Aww, but I'm just so happy, Knuckles! I just want to share my happiness with you!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes as she stopped nuzzling Knuckles and stared at him instead.
"I'll take your happiness! Not your water! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop it! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes as he laughed a lot while cringing a bit to the little "wing attack".
"Well then...I guess that we're both wet yet again, huh?" Kathy replied calmly yet casually in playfulness with a teasing smile and with amused eyes as she stopped flapping her wings and as she released Knuckles from her hug.
"Yeah, thanks to you, silly girl," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with mischievous eyes as he stared at Kathy while still walking beside her.
"You started it," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a sly smile as she quickly poked Knuckles' left side.
"Ah! Hahahahahahahah! No, you started it," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with a chuckle as he squirmed a little at the poking before he poked Kathy back at her right side.
"Eek! Hehehehehehehe! No, you started it!" Kathy exclaimed playfully with a little shriek and with a huge smile while giggling a little at the poking and squirming a bit before poking Knuckles back.
"No, you started it! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stop! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with wide eyes as he laughed a lot to the poking before he poked Kathy back in retaliation. Kathy giggled a lot to the poking but kept poking Knuckles back in playfulness. Knuckles couldn't stop laughing to the poking either, but he refused to surrender in this little "poking war". He admits to himself that he likes being in these tickle fights with Kathy here. It's just too much fun for him to handle.
"Heheheheheheheheheh! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! Stop it! Hahahahahahahaha! Stop!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he laughed a lot while poking Kathy relentlessly.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! No, you stop!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as she poked Knuckles relentlessly.
"No, you stop! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! You're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge, playful smile while laughing and squirming a lot to the poking as he kept poking Kathy back in revenge.
"Hehehehehehehehehehe! So are you! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! So, stop it!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled and squirmed a lot to the poking while still poking Knuckles.
"No! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I'm not losing this! Ahahahahahahahahahaha! I refuse to lose to you twice! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in determination with a huge smile while laughing and squirming a lot to the poking as he continued to poke Kathy relentlessly.
"Hahahahahahahaha! Yes! You do admit it! Hehehehehehehe! You admit that I've won! Hahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot to the poking as she poked Knuckles back.
"Oh, shut up! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes as he laughed a lot to the poking while poking Kathy back.
"Hehehehehehehehe! Well, I'm not aiming to lose! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed playfully with a huge smile as she giggled a lot while poking Knuckles.
"Well, me neither! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot as he poked Kathy back.
"Hehehehehehehehehehe! I don't know about that, Knuckles! Hahahahahahahahaha! I think that you're weaker than me! Hehehehehehehehehehe! You're very ticklish after all!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as she poked Knuckles playfully.
"So what?! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I can handle it! Hehehehehehehehehe! I'm strong! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge, proud smile while laughing and squirming a lot as he kept poking Kathy.
"No, you're not! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as she kept poking Knuckles.
"Yes, I am! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot as he poked Kathy back.
"No, you are definitely not! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled a lot while poking Knuckles playfully.
"I am strong! Hahahahahahahahaha! You saw me being strong earlier! Hahahahahahahahahaha! So, what gives, Kathy?! Hahahahahahahahahaha! Why are you doubting me on this?! Heheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while laughing and squirming a lot to the poking as he kept poking Kathy playfully.
"Hehehehehehehehe! It's because of this!" Kathy exclaimed back playfully in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot as she stopped poking Knuckles' left side and started poking his armpit instead.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahahahahahap!" Knuckles shrieked a little like a girl before he laughed uncontrollably and protested playfully while trying to push Kathy away with his other hand as he clamped his left arm shut out of reflex. Of course, Knuckles failed to push Kathy away since she dodged a little and then lunged towards his waist from behind. By the time Knuckles recovered from that surprise tickle attack, Kathy had already wrapped her arms around his waist and stood behind him.
Kathy coyly smiled at Knuckles while looking at him as she replied calmly yet playfully in amusement, "You think that you're so strong, huh?".
Knuckles laughed for a little while before he stopped and looked at Kathy with a huge smile and with amused eyes. He exclaimed playfully in amusement with a huge, proud smile, "Yeah, I do! I told ya! I can handle anything! And I can take on anyone! You name it!".
"...'Anyone', huh?" Kathy repeated calmly yet coyly in amusement with a playful smirk and with mischievous eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.
"Yeah! Anyone!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes while nodding a little as he stared closely at Kathy.
"Even the...tickle monster?" Kathy asked calmly yet playfully in amusement with a knowing smile and with mischievous eyes as she gently squeezed Knuckles in affection.
"Yeah! Even the...the...the tickle monster?" Knuckles exclaimed confidently before he muttered nervously in amusement as his proud smile turned sheepish while a sweat drop fell from his head.
"What's the matter, Knuckles? Feeling nervous?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a teasing smile and with playful eyes as she got slightly closer towards Knuckles' face.
"What?! Me?! 'Nervous'?! Nuh uh! I'm not nervous! I'm not! Not even a little!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement yet in nervousness as he smiled hugely yet sheepishly at Kathy with upward eyebrows.
"Really now? Hehehehe...Then I guess that you won't be nervous then if the tickle monster comes to 'eat' your little tummy," Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a playful smirk and with a little giggle as she snuggled Knuckles a bit.
"O-O-Of course, I won't! Heheheheh! That's because...because..." Knuckles exclaimed nervously in amusement with a sheepish smile and with an awkward chuckle as he stared cautiously at Kathy.
"...'Because'?" Kathy repeated calmly yet coyly in amusement with a sly smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles. Knuckles stared back at Kathy in silence with a huge, sheepish grin on his face. He knew that he had been cornered the moment Kathy trapped him in her arms, and yet, he's having so much fun with this.
"...Because...the tickle monster doesn't exist...Right?" Knuckles muttered slowly yet nervously in amusement with a sheepish grin and with a sweat drop on his head as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes.
"..." Kathy was silent but was smiling playfully at Knuckles as her eyes twinkled.
"..." Knuckles was silent too but was grinning nervously at Kathy as his heart pounded fast in anxiousness.
…
There was another stretch of silence between the two guardians before Kathy made her move by tickling Knuckles silly in the tummy.
"Onomnomnomnomnom. Onomnomnomnomnomnom," Kathy mimicked "eating sounds" in a silly way with a playful smile while holding Knuckles tightly as she tickled him. Knuckles exploded into hysterical laughter the moment Kathy started tickling his vulnerable tummy.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAP! STAP! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Knuckles squealed loudly like a girl while laughing uncontrollably to the tickling as he squirmed backwards towards Kathy and leant against her.
"Awwww, is the big, strong warrior ticklish? Can he not save himself from 'being eaten' by the tickle monster? Hmm?" Kathy teased coyly in playfulness with a sly smile and with mischievous eyes as she stared down at Knuckles in amusement while continuing to tickle him.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! YES! I'M TICKLISH! I'M TICKLISH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I CAN'T! I CAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I CAN'T SAVE MYSELF! I'M TRAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAPPED!" Knuckles squealed some more in amusement with a huge smile while laughing hysterically to the tickling as he repeatedly stomped the ground with his heels.
"Oh no! The little doggie is trapped! The tickle monster is going to eat him all up! Like this! Nomnomnomnomnomnomnom!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a coy smile as she mimicked more "eating sounds" while she tickled Knuckles much faster.
"THAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! DOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHON'T! DON'T TICKLE ME LIKE THAT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IT TICKLES ME SOHOHOHOHOHOHO MUHUHUHUHUHUCH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed even more in amusement with a huge smile as he laughed hysterically while squirming a lot to the fast, playful tickling.
"Well, what are you going to do? Are you going to surrender? Are you going to admit that I've won?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a playful smile and with mischievous eyes as she stared at Knuckles while tickling him mercilessly.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I! I! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I REFUSE! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! I REFUSE TO LOSE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'M NOT GOING TO SURRENDER! I WILL NOT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TICKLE ME! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed even more in amusement with a huge smile while laughing helplessly to the tickling as he squirmed a lot and kicked the ground with his heels.
"Alright. You asked for it, and now, you're going to get it. Big time," Kathy replied calmly in playfulness with a mischievous smirk and with amused eyes as she kept tickling Knuckles. To make her point, she started tickling Knuckles' sides as well as his tummy, and that had elicited a strong reaction out of him.
"THAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! NOT THE SIDES! NO! NO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! QUIT IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT TICKLES! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed even more in amusement with a huge smile while laughing even more in hysterics as he squirmed left and right in a girlish way.
"Knuckles...You're weakening," Kathy teased calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she watched Knuckles writhe in her arms.
"AM NOT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'M MUCH TOUGHER THAN I LOOK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I CAN HANDLE THIS! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement while laughing hysterically as he looked up at Kathy with a huge smile and with tears in his eyes.
"Knuckles...You're crying," Kathy teased calmly yet gently in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she tilted her head a little.
"AM NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I JUST HAVE SOMETHING IN MY EYE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IT'S NOTHING! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with a headshake while laughing hysterically yet breathlessly as he kept squirming a lot. Kathy noticed that Knuckles' laughs were starting to sound breathless, so, she slowed her tickling pace so that he can regain some breath.
"Knuckles...I think that it's best if you give up now. You're driving yourself mad by letting me tickle you this much. I'm not sure how much more you can take before you completely run out of breath," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in concern with a little frown and with caring eyes as she tickled Knuckles much slower than before. Knuckles heard the concern in Kathy's tone and had decided to relent a little.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OKAY! OKAY! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! HOW ABOUT THIS?! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! LET'S CALL A TRUCE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT WAY WE BOTH WIN! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! TRUCE OR NO TRUCE?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with teary eyes as he laughed very much in hysterics. Kathy smiled in amusement of Knuckles' offer and had decided to stop tickling him.
"Oh, alright, you silly, little doggie. Truce," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stopped tickling and just hugged Knuckles dearly instead.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! TRUCE IT IS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with teary eyes while laughing hysterically as he leant back even further into Kathy and held her hands that were on his tummy. He kept laughing in amusement but had soon slowed down to finally catch his breath. Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she watched him take deep breaths and pant a lot with his tongue sticking out.
Awwwww...He really is like a dog sometimes. That's so cute! Kathy pondered calmly yet fondly in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes.
"Hahahahahahahaha...(Pant Pant Pant)...Hahahahaha...(Pant Pant Pant)…...Oh...Oh, mahahahahan...That...Heheheheh...That was too much...(Sigh)…" Knuckles muttered calmly in exhaustion with a huge smile and with a deep sigh while panting and laughing a little as he wiped the tears from his eyes. After taking a few more deep breaths, Knuckles began to relax since he's finished laughing. Kathy smiled even more in fondness as she snuggled Knuckles' left shoulder a little in comfort. Knuckles smiled even wider in fondness as well while having his eyes closed as he snuggled up against Kathy.
"...Are you feeling okay, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently n concern with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she slowly nuzzled Knuckles' left cheek again.
Knuckles smiled a lot in fondness as he replied calmly yet gently in amusement, "I'm alright, Kathy. I'm fine. Really".
"That's good. I didn't want to overdo it," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in concern with a sympathetic smile and with caring eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"It's okay, Kathy. I understand, and honestly...I don't think that I would've made it if you went on much longer. ...Heheheheh...Yes, I admit it...I'm too weak," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a warm smile and with a chuckle as he stared back at Kathy with playful eyes.
"Maybe you are...But I know that deep down that you're very strong. You're just a very strong person who just so happens to be very ticklish," Kathy replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she nuzzled Knuckles' left shoulder and cheek and as she raised her arms a bit to hug his chest instead. Knuckles smiled warmly at the loving attention that he's getting and had covered Kathy's hands with his own hands.
With closed eyes and with a warm smile, Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in gratitude, "Yeah...I really am...But thank you for saying that...".
Kathy held Knuckles for a while in silence, and Knuckles held Kathy's hands and leant back towards her for a while in silence. They both had huge, warm smiles on their faces, and their eyes were closed as they felt at peace with each other's presence.
…
…
…
"...Hey, Knuckles..." Kathy muttered calmly yet playfully in amusement with a teasing smile and with closed eyes as she stopped nuzzling Knuckles after the long silence.
"...Yes, Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement and in curiosity with a huge smile as he opened his eyes and stared at Kathy.
Kathy opened her eyes too and stared at Knuckles with a teasing grin as she replied calmly yet playfully in amusement, "...You're wet...".
"..." Knuckles was silent but was staring directly at Kathy with the smuggest smile that he could muster. Before Kathy could react though, Knuckles then wrapped his left arm around her neck and pulled it down towards himself as he gave her a playful noogie. Giggles erupted from her as she struggled to get out of his headlock and noogie.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Knuckles! Stop! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled a lot while struggling to get out.
"You know...you're pretty wet too, Kathy. Did ya ever think of that?" Knuckles replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared down at Kathy while giving her a noogie.
"Hehehehehehehehehe! I know that! I just wanted to see your reaction to that obvious statement! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! It was certainly hilarious! Hahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while giggling a lot. Knuckles grinned a lot at that amusing answer and shook his head.
"Heh...You goofball," Knuckles replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stopped giving Kathy a noogie and just stroked her head instead. Kathy...This is why you make me smile...Your silliness is contagious to me...Sigh...You'll always make me smile no matter what...Knuckles pondered calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stroked Kathy's head for a while before he released her. Kathy then released Knuckles and had stood beside him while smiling warmly at him. Knuckles had the same look as Kathy as he stared fondly at her. They stared at each other with fond looks on their faces, and as if they were like magnets, they held each other's shoulders with one arm and snuggled against each other in affection. Then, in silent agreement, they continued walking across the boardwalk together while leaning their heads against each other.
[Few Minutes Later; In The City Of Adabat]
"Come on. Please give me a flight back to West Island. I need to know if Sonic's okay," Amy said calmly yet in slight desperation as she called the airport's receptionist yet again. She was walking through the busy streets of Adabat where palm trees and dozens of restaurants flourish in the block she's at. She was close to an intersection where in the left is where her hotel is at and in the right is where the boardwalk is at. Currently, she's having trouble convincing the receptionist to let her board onto any flights back to West Island, but you can clearly see for yourself that she's not making any progress with that.
"Ma'am, I understand that you are concerned, but it is for your upmost safety that you stay here for now. We are uncertain as to where the next monster attack could appear. We couldn't risk anyone's lives by having them attending our flights just so that they could be destroyed by the monsters. That's why all flights outside of Adabat are delayed until we receive an update from Neo G.U.N. HQ that we're allowed to operate again. I'm very sorry for your inconvenience, miss," the receptionist replied calmly yet patiently through the phone.
"Can you please make an exception for me?! I'm friends with the world's most famous, heroic hedgehog, Sonic! If I'm not there to help him, then who will?!" Amy exclaimed pleadingly yet in slight annoyance with a frown as she tried to stay patient.
"Well, we would still have Shad-" the receptionist countered calmly before Amy interrupted her.
"He's not the same! Sonic would be the one to save the world BEFORE it goes down in flames! Shadow, however, would save it AFTER it went down in flames! That's HOW different they are!" Amy exclaimed in annoyance with a pout as she stood still in the middle of the sidewalk while glaring at her phone.
"Ma'am...Please calm down...I know how much you want to get back home, but your safety is important to us. If there is one thing that Sonic had taught us, it's that everyone's lives deserve to be valued and protected. If he was here, he probably wouldn't want you to take our flights and get killed. You did say that you are friends with him, right?" the receptionist reasoned calmly yet patiently through the phone.
Amy sighed deeply and frowned in disappointment and in frustration as she turned her body halfway to the left and looked down at the ground. She answered calmly yet tiredly with a frown, "...Yes. I did say that...".
"And I'm sure that he's a good friend to you. He wouldn't want you to get killed, right?" the receptionist replied calmly in relief.
"...(Sigh)...No, he wouldn't. He cares about me so much that he doesn't want me to follow him in his dangerous adventures," Amy replied calmly yet tiredly with a sad frown and a sigh as she looked disappointed.
"But that's why he is a good friend to you. Maybe he wants you to stay safe so that later on he'll spend time with you," the receptionist replied calmly yet gently through the phone.
"But! ...Mmm..." Amy exclaimed in protest before she mused with a frown as she brooded to herself. If that were the case, then I wouldn't have been as persistent into going with him as I am now. I want to tag along because I feel like we don't spend enough time together as it is. However...maybe things are changing for the better. Sonic had kept his word on Valentine's Day that he would spend time with me everyday, and it's just recently that I wanted some time apart. For once, it was me who suggested that. Not Sonic. ...But now that there are monsters running rampant in the world, I'm worried now more than ever about his safety. If Sonic gets himself killed by those monsters, then...there won't be a day where we do get to spend time together...He'll be dead...and I'll be all alone...Just like before...
"Hello? Miss? Are you still there? Hello? Are you alr-?*CLICK*" the receptionist asked calmly in concern after the long silence before Amy hung up and turned off her phone. Amy then put her phone away before sighing sadly.
"I wish Sonic is here right now..." Amy muttered quietly in sadness with a little frown and with closed eyes as she balled up her hands into fists and had them down at her sides.
…
"...You know, it's certainly wonderful seeing all these new places with you, Knuckles. This new dimension isn't all that scary knowing that you're here with me. I feel much safer with you here," Kathy muttered calmly yet gently in the distance.
"H-Huh?! K-Knuckles?!" Amy exclaimed in shock and in confusion with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as she looked at her right. She was surprised when she saw Knuckles walking beside Kathy through the block ahead of herself. She can see them taking a brief stop at the intersection before they crossed the street together.
As Amy watched them go, she can hear Knuckles say in calmness, "I'm glad that you feel that way. It was certainly a pleasure showing you these places, Kathy. I've enjoyed our time together in every place we go to. Speaking of which, there is one last place that I intend to show you before we come back here to have our meal together and watch the sunset together. Do you want to know what it is?".
Amy blinked a bit in shock before she rubbed her eyes and shook her head because what she just heard was so unreal. She couldn't have imagined it, could she? The fact that KNUCKLES of all people is here, and the fact that he's having what appears to be (in her mind at least) A DATE of all things is just insane to her. She wouldn't believe it even if she WAS blind! And yet...here is Knuckles having the time of his life with this...new girl that Amy hasn't seen before...Or has she?
"Wait a minute..." Amy muttered quietly in confusion with a little frown on her shocked face before she ran towards the end of the block and turned left just to see if it is what she thinks it is. When she got to the end of the block, she turned around and gasped in shock when she saw the girl that Knuckles was with. It was the same girl that was on the news the other day. The female moth monster that had saved Central City and most notably Sonic's and Knuckles' lives. It was undoubtedly her because Amy recognized her gorgeous, colorful wings, her stunning, hot-pink dress, and her adorable face as she is currently staring at Knuckles. Amy also saw that the moth girl and Knuckles were walking very close to each other with their arms wrapped over their shoulders and with their faces leaning close to each other. Amy can't help but admit that what she's seeing is absolutely adorable.
"Yes! Of course, I want to know! Please tell me! Please?!" Kathy exclaimed happily in excitement with a sweet smile and with a nod as she stared closely at Knuckles.
"...You really want to know?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he leant his head closer to Kathy's head and stared deeply into her eyes with his own twinkling ones.
Kathy's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a little smile, "...Yes...I really do want to know...Please, Knuckles...Tell me...".
Knuckles smiled even more fondly as his eyes sparkled with joy since he's happy that Kathy is still curious about his traveling plans. He replied calmly yet softly in adoration with a fond smile, "Alright, Kathy. I'll tell you...Especially since I've kept most of the locations a secret from you...It's fair that you know the last one...".
"...So...what is it? Where are we going?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a warm smile and with sparkling eyes as she gently grabbed Knuckles' chest with her left hand. Knuckles soon stopped walking and held Kathy's left hand with his right hand while gently staring at her with a warm smile on his face. He then leant his forehead against Kathy's forehead and stared deeply into her sparkly light-blue eyes with his own sparkly, half-lidded, violet eyes.
"...It is Apotos. We're going to Apotos next," Knuckles whispered softly in fondness with a warm smile and with sparkling, half-lidded eyes as he stared deeply at Kathy. Kathy's eyes then widened with shock and with joy as she felt excited again.
"...! Yay! I can't wait!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully yet excitedly in amusement with a gasp and with a huge smile as she hugged Knuckles tightly again. Knuckles softly chuckled at this as he readjusted his standing position so that Kathy could hug him properly. As he hugged Kathy back after readjusting himself, he stared fondly at her with a warm smile on his face.
With another soft chuckle, he replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile, "Heheheheh...I can't wait either, Kathy. I can't wait either...".
Meanwhile, Amy was both stunned and amused after seeing Knuckles behave in that way towards the new moth girl. She can just tell by how he's speaking and acting that he's infatuated with the moth girl, and that fact just amuses her so much since she remembered dozens of times where he criticizes her for having her head stuck in the clouds all the time. But now that he has his own crush to deal with, he has no room to speak in regard to "staying focused".
Oh...my...gosh...This is so adorable! I didn't know that Knuckles has another crush on someone other than Rouge! How long has he been dating this moth girl?! Or is this his first date with her?! Oooh, whatever it is, this is just incredible! I've got to go meet this new girl right away! I hope that Knuckles doesn't mind if I...temporarily interrupt his date for a little bit...Amy pondered excitedly in amusement with a huge smile and with widened eyes as she covered her chin with her right hand. After she thought that, she quickly ran across the street and got to the other side before slowing down a bit as she coyly snuck up behind Kathy and Knuckles.
Meanwhile, Knuckles was happily stroking Kathy's back while hugging her tightly with a warm smile on his face as he mused contently with closed eyes, "Mmmm...".
"Hey, Knuckles...What 'cha doing?" Amy asked coyly in amusement with a sly smile and with playful eyes as she stood next to Kathy and tilted her head towards the left while having her hands behind her back.
"Ah, hey, Amy...Mmm...HUH?! ACK! A-A-AMY?! WH-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Knuckles muttered calmly with a warm smile and with closed eyes before he suddenly opened his eyes and quickly looked at Amy while shouting in surprise and in confusion. As he shouted this, he quickly released Kathy from his hold and lightly pushed her away to gain some space from her since he felt very embarrassed that he had been caught doing something romantic in front of Amy of all people. Kathy was rather surprised when she felt Knuckles push her away as she stared at his shocked, flustered face in confusion.
Huh? What's with Knuckles all of a sudden? Is he being shy again? Kathy pondered curiously in confusion with a little, gaped mouth and with twinkling eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.
Knuckles stared directly at Amy while looking both surprised and embarrassed. His eyes were wide; his jaw was dropped; and his muzzle was completely red in embarrassment. He felt completely humiliated that he was seen being affectionate towards someone. He felt as if his vulnerability had been exposed, and he hated it.
Why?! Oh, WHY did Amy have to see that?! How long was she standing around for?! Ugh! This is so embarrassing! I bet that she thinks that Kathy and I are dating! I guarantee that's what she's thinking! She's so predictable sometimes! Knuckles brooded irritably in humiliation and in annoyance as he gritted his teeth and glared at Amy while blushing bright red and clenching his fists.
Meanwhile, Amy was just smiling coyly at Knuckles as she replied calmly yet brightly in amusement, "Oh, you knucklehead! Don't you remember that I wanted to go to Adabat for summer vacation? I've left West Island three days ago and got here by flying in the X-Tornado. Why else did Ms. Vanilla host a 'farewell' party for me three days ago if not for this?".
"Uhhhh...Ummm...I...I...I knew that! I was just asking specifically why you are HERE of all places! Like...Uhhh...shouldn't you be in your hotel room or something?! Or...Or...go swimming perhaps?! I don't know! Just SOMEWHERE that's NOT HERE at this point in time!" Knuckles yelled back in embarrassment and in irritation with gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as he glanced at Kathy before glaring back at Amy while blushing furiously in humiliation. Kathy then felt surprised at Knuckles' harsh response and had finally looked to the right to see who he's talking with.
Amy just casually shrugged as she replied calmly in amusement with a coy smile while glancing at Kathy, "Well, I was taking another walk around town until suddenly I noticed that you were with this moth girl over there. Care to explain why YOU of all people are here with this cute girl?".
"D-Duhhhhhhh...Uhhhhhh...Ummmmm..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in embarrassment with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he slowly looked back at Kathy while blushing dark red. He can feel his heart racing again since he's now caught in this embarrassing situation. He can see that Kathy is staring back at him with a curious expression on her face after looking at Amy for a moment. He felt like his blush is glowing redder and redder the more he stares at Kathy's adorable, curious face.
…...Don't...Don't look at me like that...Please...Anything but that curious face...Knuckles thought calmly in shyness with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Well, Knuckles? Don't keep me waiting. Why are you here with this girl? Are you...Hehe...Are you on a date?" Amy replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a playful smile and with a light giggle as she placed her fingertips on her chin.
"WE'RE NOT ON A DATE!" Knuckles immediately blurted out after hearing that while looking both flustered and irritated. I KNEW IT! I FREAKING KNEW IT! OF COURSE, SHE WOULD ASK THAT! OF COURSE! WHY WOULD I THINK OTHERWISE?! Knuckles brooded in irritation with a grimace and with closed eyes as he growled a little in frustration and as he blushed very much in humiliation.
Amy quickly covered her mouth with her right hand as she giggled a lot to Knuckles' reaction and his flustered face. I figured that he would get embarrassed when I had asked that question. He's always so stubborn and shy when it comes to romance. It probably explains why his relationship with Rouge didn't last very long. Rouge could only push him so far before he decides to make his own move himself. But alas, he didn't...Anyways, it seems that he had moved on from Rouge and is now interested in this moth girl...I wonder who she is? Amy pondered calmly in amusement as she giggled while watching Knuckles rubbed his face down in frustration before looking at Kathy again.
"Hehehe...You know, I haven't gotten the chance to introduce myself to you. Sorry about that. But anyways, hi, my name is Amy Rose! What's your name, miss?" Amy replied calmly in amusement with a little giggle and with a bright smile as she stared at Kathy and gave out her hand.
"Oh! Uhh...Why hello there, Miss Amy Rose, my name is Kathy the Moth. It's very nice to meet you. Do you per chance know Knuckles, miss?" Kathy greeted calmly yet politely in amusement with a little smile and with a nod as she looked back at Amy and shook her hand. Knuckles looked at Kathy and silently took a deep sigh as he felt slightly relieved that she had distracted Amy for a moment.
Kathy...You're a lifesaver yet again...Knuckles thought calmly in relief with a sheepish frown and with downcast eyes as he kept blushing in embarrassment.
"My! You're rather polite! Just like how me and Cream are! Oh, and of course, I know Knuckles! I'm one of his friends!" Amy exclaimed brightly with a little grin and with a nod as she shook Kathy's hand back before letting go of it.
"Really then? Knuckles, how come you didn't mention Amy earlier? She is one of your friends, right?" Kathy asked calmly in curiosity with wide eyes and with a little frown as she looked back at Knuckles in confusion.
"Ack! Uhhhh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in embarrassment with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he stared back at Kathy with an even deeper blush. I stand corrected. Kathy, you are going to drive me insane with your innocent mind...Gosh dang it...Knuckles brooded calmly in humiliation as he mentally cringed at himself.
"Oh, I'm not surprised that he hadn't mentioned me as one of his friends. In fact, I'm pretty sure that he hasn't addressed any of us as his 'friends' but as his 'acquaintances' because he's all tough and stuff. But I personally think that he's being shy. Hehehehe!" Amy replied calmly in amusement with a bright smile and with a little giggle as she looked at Knuckles too while having a hand under her chin again.
"H-Hey! Th-Th-That's totally not it!" Knuckles yelled back in embarrassment with a shocked, flustered expression on his face as he quickly looked back at Amy.
"Aww, I think so too, Miss Rose. He is pretty shy. Teehee!" Kathy agreed sweetly in amusement with a warm smile and with a light giggle as she looked at Knuckles while having her hands behind her back.
"Ack! ...Uhh...Uhh...K-Kathy...Not you too..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly yet weakly in embarrassment with a sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he looked back at Kathy while blushing deeply.
"Hehehehe! Boy, somebody's blushing a lot today! Is it because of they're in front of someone they like?!" Amy teased playfully in amusement with another giggle and with a sweet smile as she leant a bit closer towards Knuckles while having her fingertips onto her mouth.
"Ah! Stop! Stop! Stop it!" Knuckles yelled back in embarrassment with a freaked-out face as he flinched backwards before he covered his face with his hands while blushing very much in dark red. Amy and Kathy looked at each other in amusement before they giggled simultaneously at Knuckles' cute reaction. Knuckles slowly moved his hands down a bit so that he can see the girls giggling a lot in amusement and just sighed deeply in exhaustion while frowning a lot in annoyance.
...Sigh...Girls...Knuckles brooded tiredly in annoyance with a deep frown and with lowered eyelids while still covering his face up with his hands.
"Hehehehehehe! Wow, I have to say, Miss Rose. I didn't expect to meet another friend of Knuckles here. Are you also friends with Sonic and Tails by any chance?" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a giggle and with a cheerful smile as she stared at Amy while having her hand out.
"Hehehe! Oh, there's no need to be so formal, Kathy. Just call me Amy, and yes, I am friends with Sonic and Tails. Especially with Sonic! Ooooh, I say that Sonic and I are very close! The best of friends! (Sigh)...If only we could start dating, then I'll feel complete," Amy replied calmly yet brightly with a little giggle and with a playful grin while sighing fondly and clasping her hands together as her eyes sparkled a bit.
Here we go again...Sigh...Knuckles thought tiredly in annoyance with a solemn frown and with an eyeroll as he lowered his hands and just crossed his arms since he recovered from his embarrassment.
"I...I see. Boy, Amy, you really do have your sights on Sonic. Have you ever tried asking him out on a daytime-hangout?" Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a nod as she crossed her arms.
"'A daytime'...Huh? What are you talking about, Kathy?" Amy asked calmly in confusion with a little frown and with an eyebrow raised as she had a finger on her right cheek. Knuckles cringed after hearing that embarrassing exchange since he was the one who had taught Kathy that.
"Oh, uh, I meant 'a date'. That's what 'daytime-hangout' means, right? A date!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a little grin as she lifted a finger up for emphasis.
...Kathy...I know that you're innocent...but please...stop...You're embarrassing me again...Knuckles pondered calmly in embarrassment and in slight annoyance with a grimace as he blushed again. Luckily for Knuckles, Amy doesn't press this topic any further, but instead, continued the conversation.
"Oh! So that's what you had meant earlier! And yes, I HAD tried asking Sonic out on a date, but he refuses every time I ask!" Amy exclaimed brightly in understanding with a huge grin before frowning in annoyance as she clenched her fists next to her sides. She then looked thoughtful with a finger next to her cheek as she continued calmly in curiosity, "...Although I wonder if he will say 'yes' after I save him from a dangerous situation like almost getting blown up or something like that because I hear that your adrenaline is tied to attraction, and if you get rescued from danger, you'll feel very attracted to your savior due to the rush of adrenaline in your system. Maybe by then I could ask him out on a date".
"Hmmm...It's possible that could work. But then again, I've also saved him a few days ago, so, I wonder if he had grown more attracted to me instead of you," Kathy replied calmly in curiosity with a little smile before she frowned a bit as she had her fingers under her chin.
"Impossible! I've saved him many times than I could count! You've only saved him once! I saw it on the news a few days ago!" Amy exclaimed back in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she had her fists at her sides.
"O-Oh! You did?!" Kathy exclaimed in surprise as she looked alarmed.
"You did?" Knuckles asked calmly in confusion as he looked surprised as well.
"Of course, I did! How could I ever forget that a beautiful-looking, colorful, moth monster had saved Central City from an ugly, black, moth monster named Battra?! That monster had harmed my Sonic! And you showed him his place by beating him up! I would have done the same thing too if I was there that day!" Amy yelled passionately in anger with a determined look on her face as she raised her fists up.
And you would've...No surprises there...Knuckles thought calmly in slight annoyance with a solemn frown and with lowered eyelids as he already pictured Amy in his mind giving Battra an earful while getting her hammer out.
"A-Ah...So...you are aware that I'm a monster, am I correct?" Kathy asked calmly in surprise with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as she nodded to Amy a little.
"Well, of course, it's not like I'm purposefully ignoring that fact. I just think that it's not that necessary to bring it up," Amy replied calmly in somberness with a little frown and with a nod as she had her finger on her right cheek again.
"I...I see. So, you're saying that you're completely comfortable with me being a Kaiju monster and all that, right?" Kathy replied calmly in hope with another nod and with a gentle smile as she felt relieved that Amy accepts her for who she is.
Amy smiled a lot as she answered calmly yet brightly in amusement, "That's right! It doesn't matter if you're different or not! Accepting people who they are is just the right thing to do! I've met all sorts of people in my adventures with Sonic and his friends, and we've all learned to have an open mind about them and what they do! Most of the strange allies that we have met are usually good! So, there's no reason for us to judge others for who they are but only for their actions! If Sonic thinks that way, then all of us should too!".
Kathy smiled very much at this as she felt accepted by Amy here. She had never thought that there are people out in the world who are open-minded and accepting like Amy, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles here. Her expectations were low the first time she had set foot into this dimension, but those expectations keep getting surpassed the more she meets Knuckles' (and equivocally Sonic's) friends.
Blaze was right. Sonic's friends really are kind and accepting. I'm so thankful that Blaze had encouraged me to find them and make friends with them because I feel very loved with their openness and kindness. I couldn't ever ask for more better friends than them. Kathy pondered calmly in relief with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she placed a hand over her chest. Knuckles smiled too as he felt glad that Kathy is being accepted here. He knew without a doubt that Amy would accept Kathy easily. He even silently agreed on Amy's small speech about acceptance and open-mindedness.
She takes it after Sonic...Again, no surprises there...Knuckles calmly thought in amusement with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he looked slightly smug.
With a cheerful smile and with a nod, Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement, "I certainly agree! Thank you, Amy! I'm very happy that you accept me as I am! I do think that we're going to get along just great! I'm glad to have met another wonderful friend!".
Amy nodded and smiled cheerfully as well as she grabbed Kathy's hand and shook it while exclaiming brightly in amusement, "Me too, Kathy! I can't wait to have another best friend! Especially someone who's close to my age! We're going to be like sisters, Kathy! It's going to be great!".
"Yeah! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a little grin and with a nod while giggling a lot in happiness. Amy joined her by giggling a lot too as she felt happy as well. Knuckles smiled even wider in amusement as he saw that Kathy is already getting along well with Amy.
Oh, good grief. They're going to be more like twins at this rate...Knuckles thought calmly in amusement with a huge smile and with a headshake as he kept staring at Amy and Kathy while still having his arms crossed.
Amy then stopped giggling and looked intrigued instead as she replied calmly in curiosity, "Well, anyways, there is one thing that I'm still curious about, and that is you saying that you're a 'Kaiju' monster. What do you mean by that?".
Kathy also stopped giggling and looked relaxed instead as she explained calmly in amusement with her arms crossed, "It's very simple, Amy. The word 'Kaiju' means 'titan' or 'gigantic', so, in other words, I'm basically a 'titan' monster".
"But you don't look like a gigantic monster. You're at least around my size or Knuckles' size," Amy replied calmly in confusion as she stared closely at Kathy with a bewildered look on her face.
"True, but that's because I'm a descendant of my Kaiju ancestor, Mothra. Centuries ago, Mothra was a huge, divine moth who had protected my old dimension from danger. She was a good, friendly monster who had protected both humans and Mobians alike. She was basically a hero or a heroine as you might call it," Kathy explained calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with her hand out as she stared at Amy.
"Wow, 'Mothra', huh? Say now that you have mentioned it, what dimension are you from, Kathy? You did say 'old dimension', right? So, what was it exactly?" Amy asked calmly in curiosity with an intrigued expression on her face as she nodded a little and as she placed a hand under her chin. She was then very surprised when Kathy answered her question.
"Oh, I'm from the Sol Dimension! I've moved to the Chaos Dimension three days ago!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a cute smile and with twinkling eyes as she nodded at Amy while having her hand over her chest.
"Wh-What?! 'The Sol Dimension'?! You mean the same one from Blaze's world?!" Amy exclaimed back in shock as she flinched back in surprise while looking alarmed.
"Yep! The very same!" Kathy answered cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile and with a nod as she looked pleased. Amy stared at Kathy with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth before she felt a little startled when Knuckles spoke up after being quiet for a while.
"It's true, Amy. Kathy had crash landed onto my island the first day she got here into our dimension. She simply wanted to live here in peace while protecting it from Battra. In a way, she brought Battra here just so that she could protect Blaze's kingdom from being taken over again. She did this to protect her friend, you see," Knuckles calmly explained in somberness with a solemn frown and with a nod as he stared at Amy. Amy quickly looked back at Knuckles in shock of that reason before she looked back at Kathy. She can see that Kathy was looking a little sheepish since she understood the harsh repercussions of her decision into bringing Battra here into their world. However, she also understood that it was a sacrifice to make in order to protect Blaze's world.
So, she smiled a little in understanding as she replied calmly in agreement, "I can see why you did that, Kathy. I would have done the same thing too if I was in your position. After all, Blaze is my friend too".
"Well, I'm glad that you understand, Amy, and don't worry, I'll do my best to end Battra's tyranny once and for all! It's a promise that I intend to keep as the Guardian of the Sol Pendant!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in determination with a proud smile and with a nod as she adjusted her pendant for emphasis.
"Oooh, so you're a guardian, huh? No wonder Knuckles was with you all this time," Amy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a coy smile and with clasped hands as she slyly glanced at Knuckles when she said "guardian".
Knuckles, however, caught on to Amy's coyness as he exclaimed in embarrassment with a shocked, flustered expression on his face, "H-Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!".
Kathy ignored this as she replied calmly in amusement with a gentle smile, "Well, of course, he was. He had promised me that he would protect me and take care of me while I live here in this dimension. He had even promised me two days ago that he would show me around this world and help me get familiar with it since it's my first week here. He was quite the gentleman when he had offered me his help".
"Oh, really now?! Awwwwww! Knuckles! You're so sweet! I should've known that you had a soft side! Of course, you would go soft for someone that you like! You're very blunt, after all!" Amy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles while having her clasped hands close to her face.
"A-Ah! Th-Th-That wasn't why I had made those promises! I-I-I had done that out of necessity! K-K-Kathy needs to be protected or else the world would get d-destroyed by B-B-Battra! I didn't do it out of p-personal reasons! I did n-not!" Knuckles yelled back in embarrassment with a huge, sheepish frown and with upward eyebrows as he blushed deeply.
"Knuckles...you're stuttering," Amy replied calmly in a teasing tone with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"A-A-Am n-n-not! Hmph!" Knuckles stuttered in embarrassment before he grunted with a pout and with closed eyes as he crossed his arms again while blushing even darker than before. He even moved his head away from Amy and Kathy while he said that.
"...(Sigh)...Always the stubborn one," Amy commented calmly yet playfully in amusement with a sigh and with a smug smile as she rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders while looking back at Kathy.
"Yeah! Hehehehehehehehe! He's very cute when he gets like that! He's such a big softie but also a big baby! It's adorable!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a huge smile and with a giggle as she had a hand on her right cheek while looking at both Amy and Knuckles.
"Oh, I totally agree one-hundred percent! He's a BIG, cranky baby! Aren't you, Knuckles?! Yes, you are! Oh, yes, you are!" Amy exclaimed cheerfully yet teasingly in amusement with a huge smile and with mischievous eyes as she looked back at Knuckles and gently pulled his left cheek a little in playfulness.
Knuckles cringed in humiliation of those teasing statements and muttered irritably in frustration with a grimace and with closed eyes as he growled lowly in annoyance, "Grrrr...I'm not a baby...".
Kathy then looked a little sympathetic as she replied calmly yet gently in empathy, "Aww, I think that Knuckles needs a hug".
"Hehehehehe! I think so too, Kathy! Come on, let's give him some love!" Amy exclaimed brightly in playfulness with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she quickly glanced back at Kathy before looking back at Knuckles and being prepared to hug him. Kathy nodded in agreement and moved much closer towards Knuckles to hug him. Knuckles then felt alarmed after hearing that and had quickly opened his eyes to look at Amy and Kathy coming towards him for a hug.
"G-G-Girls?! H-Hey! C-Come on, now! Th-There's no need for that!" Knuckles exclaimed nervously in panic as he looked alarmed and flustered while staring both at Amy and at Kathy after they had hugged him at his left and right sides.
As Kathy hugged Knuckles from the right, she replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes, "Aww, don't be so shy, Knuckles. There's nothing wrong with a group hug".
"Yeah. We're just showing you how much we care for you no matter how much we tease you. We do care about you, Knuckles. Really," Amy added calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she hugged Knuckles from the left. Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment after hearing that and had just stared at Amy and Kathy while having a little frown on his shy face. Even he knows that he's just acting tough so that neither of them wouldn't dare to touch him. However, he had forgotten for a second who he's dealing with currently. On his right side, there is an adorable, affectionate moth who adores silly things like a child does, and on his left side, there is an energetic, eleemosynary hedgehog who adores Sonic as much as life itself. Of course, their bounds of affection have no limits because there were none to begin with.
I...I shouldn't be surprised. Their bubbly bodies won't stop until the entire planet is filled with warmth. Sigh...It's official. They're going to get along very well with each other. I'm calling it now. Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a little smile on his sheepish face as he looked at both Kathy and Amy with care in his eyes.
"Aw, alright. Thanks, you two. You're both very sweet," Knuckles replied calmly in fondness and in gratitude with a warm smile and with upward eyebrows as he glanced at both Kathy and Amy. They both giggled happily in amusement before they looked up at Knuckles and nodded to him as they released him.
Then, Amy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a bright smile and with clasped hands, "So you and Kathy are on a date, right?!".
"Ah! No, we're n-!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment with a surprised, flustered look on his face as he stared at Amy before he felt Kathy grabbing his right hand and holding it in her hands.
"Yes, we are! And it's the best date that we ever had! Right, Knuckles?!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a cute, innocent smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Amy before looking at Knuckles.
Knuckles quickly looked at Kathy with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as he blushed very deeply in embarrassment. As much as he knows that it's not a date technically, he can't help but agree that he had so much fun on this supposed date with Kathy here. He certainly can't remember the last time he had smiled so much on a date before. His first "date" was certainly the happiest that he had ever been on.
...I...I just had to open my big, fat mouth, hadn't I? Sigh...Aw well. I've already dug my hole, and now, it's time for me to bury myself in it. Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly in amusement with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared caringly at Kathy while blushing a lot.
"...Y-Yeah...It certainly is, and it's still not over yet. We have one more place to go before we come back here at sunset. Ready to go, Kathy?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in adoration with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared fondly at Kathy while putting his left hand on top of her left hand.
"Teehee! I'm most certainly ready!" Kathy exclaimed excitedly in amusement with a light giggle and with a little grin as she nodded to Knuckles.
"Hmph. Well then, I guess that we should get going. Of course, if you don't mind, Amy," Knuckles replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile as he stared at Kathy for a bit before looking back at Amy.
Amy beamed at this while putting her hands onto her cheeks as she exclaimed brightly in amusement, "Oooh, why of course, I don't mind! It's rather romantic of you Knuckles to ever want to continue your date! Sonic can learn a thing or two from you! But anyways, you two go off to your next romantic spot then! It's really wonderful to see you again, Knuckles! You enjoy the rest of your evening! I'll be heading back to the hotel for the time being!".
"I will, and it's good to see again, Amy. Enjoy the rest of your vacation then. I'll see you later," Knuckles replied calmly in fondness with a little smile and with a nod as he stared at Amy while waving her "goodbye".
"Yeah, I'll try. Goodbye, Knuckles. Oh! And goodbye to you too, Kathy! It's really nice meeting you for the first time! I can't wait to hang out with you sometime! It'll be great!" Amy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with a nod as she stared at Knuckles before looking at Kathy with her hands clasped together again.
"Oh, I agree! You're a really nice person, Amy! I would like to have a gal pal such as yourself that is close to my age! I think that we might learn a thing or two from each other! I certainly can't wait as well!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Amy.
"That's just super, Kathy! I'll see you later then!" Amy exclaimed brightly in excitement with a little grin and with a nod as she waved her hand "goodbye" to Kathy.
"See you later, Amy! Oh! And stay safe! You'll never know when Battra will show up and destroy this place with his own monster minions!" Kathy exclaimed brightly back in amusement with a huge smile as she waved Amy "goodbye" as well.
"Again, I'll try! But don't worry! Whether I do get cornered by those bad monsters or not, I'll just whack them away with my Piko Piko Hammer! Self-defense acquired!" Amy exclaimed brightly in determination with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she pulled out her hammer for emphasis. Kathy and Knuckles looked at each other with amused looks on their faces before they smiled a lot in understanding as they saw that Amy has it under control.
"Well, if you say so, then I guess that I won't stop you from fighting then!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in eagerness with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she looked at Amy again.
"Thanks! But anyways, I should get going now! ...Enjoy your date!" Amy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a sweet smile as she put her hammer away before running off while waving "goodbye" one last time to Kathy and Knuckles.
"We will! Bye!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully yet innocently in joy with a sweet smile and with amused eyes as she looked back at Amy and waved "goodbye" to her again. Knuckles silently joined Kathy by waving "goodbye" to Amy too while smiling calmly in amusement. They watched her run all the way to her hotel and entered it before they looked back at each other.
…
After staring at each other for a moment, they both grinned a little in amusement while blushing a bit in shyness.
"...Heh...Soooo...You ready to leave this place?" Knuckles asked calmly yet coyly in curiosity with a small grin and with amused eyes as his cheeks blushed a little.
"Yeah! Hehehe!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a small grin and with a little giggle as her cheeks blushed pink.
[Few Minutes Later; At Apotos]
After arriving at Apotos, Kathy and Knuckles walked through the small, quaint city in peace while quietly observing the mountains at the distance and the seas below the city. Once again, Kathy felt impressed with the lovely sights of the white city scape and its atmospheric elements. The experience was certainly unforgettable to her.
"Boy, this place is amazing! Who would've thought that every place in this dimension is fantastic?!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge grin as she and Knuckles walked to a railing that is next to a cliff and leant against it with their arms overlapping each other.
"Yeah...It is very amazing alright. It's certainly not something that you see every day," Knuckles calmly agreed in fondness with a gentle smile and with amused eyes as he stared at the horizon for a bit before looking at Kathy at his left.
"You can say that again! It makes you want to just get out and go on adventures like this!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in excitement with a sweet smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Heheheh...It really does...I can certainly see why Sonic likes adventuring so much. You get the opportunity to see new places and beautiful scenery that you can't get back home because you've already seen it all..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement and in adoration with a little chuckle and with a fond smile as he looked back down at the sea with half-lidded eyes. He then closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he wanted to enjoy the fresh air. Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she saw that he was enjoying himself and being completely relaxed.
After taking in a few deep breaths, Knuckles opened his eyes again halfway in a sad way and continued calmly in somberness with a little frown on his face, "...I'll be honest with you, Kathy...I think that...this trip...has really opened my eyes on how much I truly enjoy traveling. Although I rarely get to enjoy it due to how much I'm worrying about the Master Emerald or whether Dr. Eggman is on another conquest for world domination or not...In those situations, I'm always on edge and couldn't afford to relax...Not for one second...".
Kathy frowned a little too and had gently rubbed Knuckles' left arm to comfort him. Knuckles silently allowed Kathy to do this as he continued calmly yet solemnly in sadness with a little frown, "...Not to mention...the fact that I have to guard the Master Emerald every single day on that island really stifles my chances into visiting the mainland. I usually go to the mainland only for emergencies...Rarely do I leave because I wanted to have fun and relax...Like I am right now...".
"Oh, Knuckles...I had no idea..." Kathy muttered softly in sympathy with a sad frown and with twinkling eyes as she kept gently rubbing Knuckles' left arm.
"Hmmm..." Knuckles mused quietly with a solemn frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at the ocean below. He can see the waves crashing into the rocks and cliffs below, and he can't help but remind himself of...well...himself on how he tends to the Master Emerald daily.
...Back and forth...Back and forth...Leaving and coming back...Leaving and coming back...Like a bird to its nest or a boomerang to its owner...It has always been like this...At first, I've always stayed on the island because it was my only home and way of life...But after Sonic and his friends entered into my life, I've felt like my way of life had been wrong from the start. Being completely isolated from everyone had never been seen as wrong to me...It felt natural to me...Like...it's how life is supposed to be...But never have I realized why it was wrong to begin with...Because without people like Kathy here, I would've never experience something like...like...Knuckles brooded calmly in somberness with a solemn frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at the ocean before he looked sheepish at the end as his cheeks glowed bright red with embarrassment. He then moved his head a little towards the right as his blush intensifies while having a little frown on his sheepish face.
...I have always never understood why Sonic likes traveling around the world so much...Back then, in my mind, I thought that it was just a waste of time...I would always say to him, "You've run around the world 500 times already! Why can't you do something more productive like finding the Chaos Emeralds or helping Tails build some of his gadgets or whatever?! At least, those activities are WAY more important than running around like a headless chicken!" ...But of course, like the know-it-all that he is, he always responds with...
"Trust me, Knucklehead. Once you have traveled around the world AT LEAST 500 times, then you would understand why I would want to run around it again one more time! This world is way more fun than you think! Of course, you don't see it that way since you're busy guarding that huge emerald all the time on this isolated island! I know that I had joked about it in the past, but seriously, Knuckles...you need to get out more!".
...Sigh...I hate to admit it...I really, really, really hate to admit it...but Sonic was right...By going on this little adventure with Kathy here...I felt...really happy...I was given a chance to appreciate the beauty of this world and genuinely enjoy its wonderous locations...For the first time in a long while, I hadn't felt worried or tense about anything...It was just me...and Kathy...Just the two of us...in the midst of a huge, mysterious, wonderful, beautiful world...Knuckles brooded some more in somberness with a little frown and with downcast eyes while cringing a little at himself before he slowly looked back at Kathy. He can see her staring at him in sympathy while rubbing his left arm tenderly. He kept staring at her with a little frown on his depressed face before he slowly smiled a little at her as he finished brooding with these thoughts.
...Heh...Figures that I would finally see what Sonic was talking about through Kathy here...Just seeing her being happy while showing her this world makes me happy too...She reminded me of what excitement felt like and what peace felt like too...I felt comfortable being myself in front of her and felt relieved by doing childish things with her...Because I choose to spend time with her like this, I was able to see what makes the world beautiful to look at, and that is...through seeing another person's reaction to it...
"Kathy..." Knuckles whispered softly in fondness with a little smile and with half-lidded eyes as he slowly but gently grabbed Kathy's right arm and rubbed it back to say, "thank you". Kathy immediately stopped rubbing Knuckles' arm the moment he grabbed hers. She just stared at Knuckles while having a curious look on her face.
As Knuckles continued to gently rub Kathy's arm, he kept whispering softly in fondness with a little smile on his face, "...I'm very glad that I was able to show you these places. You have given me the opportunity to leave my island and do something that's worth while...This little adventure...was the best adventure that I've ever been on...and I'm sure that it'll only get better from here...Especially since...".
He then lowered his eyelids in an even more fond way as he finished softly in adoration, "...we'll be going everywhere together...".
Kathy softly gasped when Knuckles said that last part and had beamed warmly at him in joy and in amusement. Knuckles smiled even wider in amusement when he saw that happy look on Kathy's face. His heart just flutters every time he sees that precious smile on that adorable face, and he knows that he'll never get tired of seeing it.
"Awwww, Knuckles..." Kathy cooed fondly in adoration with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she slightly leant towards Knuckles.
"Hmm? Yes?" Knuckles asked calmly in curiosity with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stopped rubbing Kathy's arm and slightly leant towards her instead. They stared fondly at each other with warm smiles on their faces before Kathy giggled and lightly pushed Knuckles at his left arm.
"Hehehehehe! You're too sweet! Quit it! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled a little while lightly pushing Knuckles. Knuckles looked slightly surprised at that reaction before he looked amused after being pushed a few times.
"Heheheh...You quit it. Don't push me," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a chuckle and with a huge smile as he lightly pushed Kathy back at her right arm.
"Hehehe...Make me," Kathy teased playfully in amusement with a little giggle and with a coy grin as she kept pushing Knuckles lightly. Knuckles chuckled at this and had lightly pushed Kathy back in a playful way. Kathy giggled a lot as she playfully pushed Knuckles a lot. They both had huge smiles on their faces as they pushed each other playfully while giggling and chuckling.
"Heheheheheheh! Come on, Kathy! Cut it out! Heheheheheheheheh! Stop it!" Knuckles protested brightly in playfulness with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he chuckled a lot while gently pushing Kathy a lot and while being pushed a lot.
"No! Because you keep making me smile with your hidden sweetness! Hehehehehehehe! So, you stop it! Stop being sweet, you silly, little doggie!" Kathy exclaimed back brightly in playfulness with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she giggled a little while gently pushing Knuckles a lot and while being pushed as well.
"Heheheheheheh! Well, you stop making me smile with your sweetness, silly girl! I can't be the only one who gets to do all the work!" Knuckles exclaimed back playfully in amusement with a chuckle and with a huge smile as he kept pushing Kathy.
"That may be true, but it's easy for you to stop because you're also mean!" Kathy exclaimed back cheerfully in playfulness with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she finally stopped pushing and just crossed her arms instead.
"You're mean," Knuckles replied calmly yet teasingly in a playful way with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he stopped pushing too and just crossed his arms as well.
"No, I'm not," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Yes, you are," Knuckles calmly argued back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stared back at Kathy.
"No, I'm not!" Kathy argued back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as she kept staring at Knuckles.
"Yes, you are!" Knuckles teasingly argued back in playfulness with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he kept staring at Kathy.
"Prove it!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as she leant her head a little towards Knuckles.
"Prove it!" Knuckles mimicked playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as he leant his head a little towards Kathy.
"Hey! Don't copy me!" Kathy exclaimed back playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes.
"Hey! Don't copy me!" Knuckles mimicked playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes.
"Stop it!" Kathy protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as she leant her body closer to Knuckles.
"Stop it!" Knuckles mimicked playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as he leant his body closer to Kathy. Their arms and elbows were touching the moment Knuckles leant his body against Kathy's body.
"See?! You're mean!" Kathy exclaimed back playfully with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as she stared deeply into Knuckles' amused face.
"See?! You're mean!" Knuckles mimicked playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as he stared deeply into Kathy's amused face.
"Hmph!" Kathy grunted playfully in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"Hmph!" Knuckles grunted playfully too in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy.
"..." Kathy was silent but still had that smug look on her face as she quietly stares at Knuckles.
"..." Knuckles was silent too but also had that smug look on his face as he quietly stares at Kathy.
…
"...Mmm!" Kathy mused playfully with a silly smile on her face as she stuck her tongue out at Knuckles after the brief silence.
"...Mmm!" Knuckles mused playfully a little smile on his face as he stuck his tongue out at Kathy.
"Mmm!" Kathy mused again playfully with a silly smile as she stuck her tongue out at Knuckles again.
"Mmm!" Knuckles mused again playfully with a wider smile as he stuck his tongue out at Kathy again.
"Hehehehe!" Kathy giggled sweetly with a silly smile as she saw that Knuckles was still on this. Knuckles smiled very much in amusement as he was enjoying teasing Kathy like this. He then saw that Kathy looked more playful than before, and he shared that same look as her as he had a feeling on what they would do next.
It was as he had predicated...sticking each other's tongue out repeatedly.
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!" Kathy and Knuckles mused playfully yet simultaneously as they both stuck their tongues out at each other. They kept at it for a few more seconds before they stopped and grinned a lot at each other instead.
"...Pttthh!" Kathy childishly blew a raspberry at Knuckles while sticking her tongue out again.
"...Pttthh!" Knuckles childishly blew a raspberry at Kathy while sticking his tongue out again. They both grinned even wider after doing that, and after staring calmly at each other for a few seconds, they both burst out into full-blown laughter since they were so amused with each other.
"Pffffahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy and Knuckles laughed loudly in amusement while having huge smiles on their faces.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! You're such a silly girl! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Why do I always do this with you?! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! You're just ridiculous! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile as he laughed a lot.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! That's because you're a silly boy! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! You like being around me and being playful with me! Hehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully in amusement with a huge smile as she laughed a lot.
"Sounds like it! Heheheheheheheheheh! It seems that I can't resist ya! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile as he kept laughing.
"Yep! You sure can't! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back cheerfully with a huge smile while laughing a lot in amusement.
"Oh, shut up! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile while laughing a lot. Kathy and Knuckles kept laughing for a couple more minutes before they calmed down again and smiled warmly at each other instead.
"...I like you, Knuckles..." Kathy muttered softly in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles.
"...I...I like you too, Kathy..." Knuckles muttered softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he shyly glanced down and away from Kathy while blushing a little in embarrassment. Kathy smiled even wider in amusement after hearing Knuckles say that again while also looking shy.
Knuckles kept looking downwards as he muttered shyly in fondness with a little smile and with a blush, "Kathy, I...".
"Yes?" Kathy asked softly in curiosity with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as she gently wrapped her right arm over Knuckles' shoulders and leant a little closer to him. Knuckles quickly looked back up at Kathy after feeling her arm being around his shoulders, and his eyes had widened in surprise when he saw how close she is to him now. He can see her eyes sparkling and her gentle smile broadening as she kept staring at him. His mouth gaped a little in shock when he saw that look, and he could feel his blush deepen as he stared back at her. His heart was pounding fast again while his stomach was turning into knots as he felt incredibly nervous again. Once again...he felt very shy of Kathy.
"I...Ummm...I...I...Uhhh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in shyness with a little, gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he blushed very much in embarrassment. Kathy was just staring patiently at Knuckles while feeling calm and composed, very much the opposite of what Knuckles was feeling right now. He stared back at Kathy with a shocked, flustered look on his face before he smiled shyly at her as he muttered softly in fondness, "...Umm...N-Nothing...It's nothing...".
"Are you sure? You look like you wanted to tell me something," Kathy replied softly in curiosity and in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she slowly yet gently grabbed Knuckles' chest with her left hand.
"Wh-What? N-No, no, it's nothing. Honest. Heheheheh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly yet shyly in embarrassment with a broad smile and with a nervous chuckle as he closed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows upward in sheepishness while blushing a lot.
"..." Kathy was silent as she had an amused yet curious expression on her face while she stared at Knuckles' chest.
"H-Hey! Don't give me the silent treatment! I swear! I've got nothing to...Huh? What are you doing, Kathy?" Knuckles exclaimed quickly in nervousness before he muttered in confusion when he looked at Kathy and frowned a little as he looked bewildered.
"I can feel...your heart, Knuckles...It's beating rather fast," Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with an innocent smile and with twinkling eyes as she looked back up at Knuckles after staring at his chest for a while. Knuckles blinked a bit at Kathy in confusion before he blushed even more in embarrassment as he gaped a bit in shock.
"Uhhhh...Uhhh...Y-Yeah...Heh...It is...It...beats fast sometimes whenever I...Ummm...look at you," Knuckles muttered slowly in shyness with a little smile and with upward eyebrows as he blushed deeply in embarrassment while staring at Kathy.
"...! Really? Like right now?" Kathy asked softly in curiosity with a gasp and with a warm smile as she stared closely at Knuckles.
"Y-Yep...Like right now...Heh...I...I just don't know what it is about you that makes my heart beat fast, but it does...Just like...whenever my mind blanks every time you look at me with that...that...cute face of yours..." Knuckles replied awkwardly yet shyly in fondness with a warm smile and with flushed cheeks as he slowly cupped Kathy's left cheek with his right hand.
"Awwww, you think that it's cute?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared into Knuckles' eyes. Knuckles smiled warmly at Kathy before he closed his eyes and moved his head downwards towards the side in shyness.
"Yes...I admit it...I think that it's cute...You're...really adorable, Kathy. I know that I had said that yesterday, but...it's true...I really do think that you're adorable...I simply...can't resist looking at you..." Knuckles replied calmly yet shyly in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes while blushing a lot in embarrassment.
"Awwwwwww, Knuckles..." Kathy cooed sweetly in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she embraced Knuckles in a hug. Knuckles smiled a lot from this and had hugged Kathy back while stroking her back with his hands.
"...Heheheheh...I know. I know...I'm sweet..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a chuckle and with a warm smile as he stared at Kathy while hugging her tightly.
"You really are..." Kathy replied calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as she snuggled a little against Knuckles. Knuckles hugged Kathy for a long time while having a fond look on his face as he hoped that he could hold her forever in his arms. But soon enough, he quietly asked Kathy this.
"Hey, Kathy? ...Want some ice cream?".
This whole chapter is nothing but sweetness, and I love it! Unfortunately, I have to cut this at an awkward part, but it will continue in the next part. The next chapter will be extra-long since I want to keep the friendship bonding between Kathy and Knuckles while also getting the monster fights started. Yes, I had planned to have some monster fights in this episode, but I didn't think that it would take this long to get there. Regardless, we finally reached the last chapters of this episode! Can't wait to write the other episodes once this is over, and hopefully, it will be significantly less longer than this episode! Anyways, I hope that you had enjoyed this chapter! Please R&R and continue reading once the next chapter comes out! I'll see you all next time!
P.S. The word "eleemosynary" means "charitable". It is synonymous with the word "kind". Same thing with the word "affectionate" when relating to kindness. So, if you were wondering what "eleemosynary" means, there you go. That's your word for the day. The more you know!