Guardian Angels

by KatherineTheMoth

After saving the Sol Dimension from being taking over by Battra, Kathy the Moth teleported him and herself to Sonic's dimension where she will stay there as her new home dimension and protect it from Battra and from other evil forces. By Battra's meddling, Kathy had crash-landed on Angel Island and was found by Knuckles. But little did he realize that he had found Mothra herself.

25. TATWWY(pt 11)

Guardian Angels

S1:E7: Traveling Around the World With You (pt. 11)

Kathy said "yes" to the offer while also asking curiously as to what "ice cream" is. Knuckles simply replied with, "It's better for me to show you rather than tell you", and soon walked Kathy towards a near-by ice cream vender. An old-looking otter was selling ice cream to some kids before he saw the two teens walking towards him.

"Ah. Why hello there, young tourists. Are you enjoying your time here in Apotos? It's a beautiful city, isn't it?" the old otter said calmly with a kind smile and a nod as he waved his hand towards Kathy and Knuckles.

"It sure is, and thank you for asking, we're enjoying it just fine," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile as he walked up towards the vender while holding Kathy's hand and stood in front of it.

"I've certainly enjoyed it the most since it's my first time being here! This place is absolutely lovely, sir! Thanks for asking!" Kathy cheerfully added with a sweet smile and a nod as she stared at the old otter while standing next to Knuckles at his right.

"My, why aren't you the jovial one! Well then, do you care to have some ice cream with your friend there? Don't be shy. Have a nice snack," the old otter replied calmly yet encouragingly with a gentle smile as he adjusted his glasses a bit.

"Oh...Uhhh...Is this ice cream?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a little frown and with twinkling eyes as she looked down inside the vender and pointed at the ice cream buckets.

"What?! Have you never seen ice cream before, young miss?!" the old otter asked in surprise as he looked a bit shocked.

"No, I haven't. I haven't even eaten it before," Kathy answered calmly yet innocently with a little frown and with a headshake as she looked back up at the old otter.

"Well, I'll be...I guess that there are folks out there who hadn't even tried ice cream. But hey, everyone has their firsts, and you, young miss, are no different. So...are you curious to try one out?" the old otter replied calmly yet gently with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he scratched the top of his head before gesturing to Kathy to come closer. Kathy looked a bit nervous as she stared at Knuckles to see what he will say.

Knuckles smiled back at her as he calmly reassured, "Go on ahead, Kathy. Pick whatever it is that you want".

Kathy then beamed after hearing that and looked back at the otter as she exclaimed brightly, "Yes! I would like to try one out!".

"Splendid! Well then, allow me to show you your choices," the friendly otter replied brightly with a grin and with a little clap as he grabbed onto the vender and continued while looking down at it and pointed at the choices, "...You have the three classic flavors, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, right over here on the left. Now, on the right, you have more interesting flavors such as mint-chocolate chip, cookies 'n cream, and rocky road fudge. On the top left, there are more favorites such as cookie-dough, pistachio, and regular chocolate chip. The last three on the top right are some brand flavors such Oreo (TM) cookie, M&M (TM), and Reese's (TM) peanut butter cup. So, what would you like?".

Kathy stared curiously at the flavors as she was listening to the otter explain what each of these flavors are called. She had a hand under her chin as she tried to make her choice but to no avail. Hmmm...Do I want one that is strawberry...or chocolate...? Or maybe...rocky road fudge? That looks chocolatey enough...Hmmm...Oooh, but this mint chocolate chip one looks so good...But then again...what about Oreo cookie? Or even the cookie dough one...? Hmmm...Oooooh, I can't decide! There's just so many flavors that I don't know which one I really want! Kathy pondered calmly yet curiously with a little frown as she looked left and right at her options before she grimaced as she looked slightly frantic.

"I...I just don't know!" Kathy exclaimed in slight distraught as she grimaced and face-palmed herself while shaking her head a little.

"Relax, young miss. There's no rush. Just take your time and think it over," the old otter consoled calmly with a gentle smile while pushing his hands out in front of Kathy to settle her down.

"Oooh...Alright...Knuckles? Do you have any suggestions on what I should get? I have no clue on what I want personally," Kathy replied calmly yet a bit tiredly with a frown as she lowered her hand and looked at Knuckles for help.

"I understand on how overwhelmed you are with these choices. They all look really tasty to you, don't it?" Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod as he stared at Kathy.

"Of course, it does! That's why it makes choosing difficult!" Kathy exclaimed in frustration with a pout and with a fist up as she stared at Knuckles.

"Heheheheh...It sure does, Kathy. But I'm sure that we could narrow down your choices despite being so many of them at once. Want me to show you the best choices?" Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and a chuckle as he lets go of Kathy's hand and had just wrapped his arm around her shoulders instead.

Kathy beamed at him and nodded quickly as she exclaimed cheerfully, "Yes, please! I'm sure that your choices are the best choices!".

"Heh...We'll see. Now then, let's look at the vending machine again..." Knuckles replied calmly with a smirk and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy before looking down at the vending machine again. Kathy looked down with Knuckles and heard him continue by calmly saying, "Okay. We have twelve flavors in all. A bit too much for a beginner, huh?".

"It really is! It makes you feel like you want to try out all of the flavors at once!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles excitedly with her fists up.

"That's very true. It's quite the conundrum. But what if we narrow it down to four choices? That way we can see what you're really interested in. So, for starters, what do you see that piques your interest already?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a smile and a nod as he looked at Kathy again.

"Well...If I'm being honest here...I already like the type of ice cream that has a lot of stuff in it. Like the M&M one or the cookie dough one for example!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a little smile as she nodded while having her fingers under her chin before she pointed a finger up for emphasis while staring at Knuckles.

"I see. So, the plain-looking ones don't appeal to you then," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a wider smile and with raised eyebrows as he stared at Kathy.

"Not necessarily. I do want to try them out someday but not right now. I'm pretty sure that they are tasty though," Kathy replied calmly with a little smile and a headshake as she stared at Knuckles.

"Trust me. They are, but very well then, I guess that we can count off vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio then. That leaves us with eight. Now...what else do you see that interests you?" Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and a nod as he looked back inside the vender.

"Hmmmm..." Kathy mused quietly as she looked back down at the vender and studied each of the ice cream flavors carefully. She had her fingers under her chin again as she studied them and had soon answered calmly with a little frown, "Well...as of now...I'm not sure if I want to try out anything with the black stuff...I'm sure that it's tasty, but it's not catching my interest. Besides, it feels like a lot of these flavors have them in it".

"Oh, the black stuff is called 'chocolate chip'. It's a common ingredient in ice cream making. In fact, even rocky road fudge uses chocolate chip along with the chocolate flavor itself. That combination makes it extra tasty to eat," Knuckles explained calmly with a gentle smile as he stared at Kathy while pointing at the rocky road fudge for emphasis.

"It's rather too bad that I can't eat it for now since we're narrowing these choices down. I'm sure that I'll love it once I get the chance to eat it," Kathy replied calmly with a little, sad smile and with upward eyebrows as she looked at Knuckles again.

"Don't worry. There will be plenty of times where you'll get to eat ice cream. I'm sure that someday you will try them all," Knuckles calmly reassured with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared fondly at Kathy.

"Hehehe! I can't wait!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a silly smile and a giggle as she clasped her hands together while staring at Knuckles.

"Heh...Me neither. Anyways, let's get back to choosing. Now that we know you don't want to pick anything that has chocolate chip in them, that checks off four flavors. Now that leaves us with four choices. Does this help you now?" Knuckles replied calmly with a smirk as he briefly looked down at the vender and moved his left hand over it before looking back at Kathy.

"Definitely! It feels less stressful now! In fact...I think that I have a better idea of what I want right now!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a bright smile and with a nod as she looked at the vender quickly before looking at Knuckles again.

"Oh? Have you finally made your choice?" Knuckles asked calmly yet curiously with a grin and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Umm...Not yet! But I do feel like I know what I want! I just need some more time to think!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and with a finger up as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Very well then. Take your time, Kathy. If you really want some more tips, I can tell you if you want," Knuckles replied calmly yet encouragingly with a gentle smile and a nod as he stared at Kathy.

"Hmmmmm...Maybe I'd like to have one more tip on these flavors," Kathy replied calmly with a little frown on her thoughtful face as she stared at Knuckles while having a hand under her chin.

"Oh, why go on ahead, Kathy. Ask away. What is it that you want to know?" Knuckles replied calmly with a huge smile and with widened eyes as he stared curiously at Kathy.

"Well...You see...Do you know what's the 'in-greedy-ants' inside each of these ice cream flavors? I'm curious to know what they are," Kathy replied calmly with a little frown on her curious face as she stared at Knuckles.

Knuckles grinned in amusement when he heard Kathy trying to pronounce "ingredients" for the first time. He replied calmly to her while grinning widely in amusement, "It's called 'ingredients', Kathy, and yes, I do know what's inside each of these last four flavors. However, I'll cut to the chase and say that at least three of them have a common ingredient inside of them, and that is, of course, chocolate".

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said that chocolate is the common 'in-greedy-ent' in ice cream making! I guess that chocolate must be very popular then!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and with amused eyes as she crossed her arms while staring at Knuckles.

Knuckles smiled hugely yet proudly when he saw that Kathy had pronounced "ingredient" right the second time after she was corrected. He replied calmly with a huge smile on his face, "Heh. I told you so. But anyways, if you really want to know, all three brand flavors have chocolate in them. You just couldn't see it by looking at it. You would only know by eating them yourself".

"Oooh...I see then..." Kathy muttered in understand with a little, gaped mouth and with wide eyes as she nodded a little to Knuckles.

"Well, now that you know that fact, the last remaining question is this: would you want to eat something with chocolate in it or not?" Knuckles replied calmly with a grin and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Hmmm...What do I want?" Kathy asked curiously herself with a little frown on her thoughtful face as she looked back at the vender and stared at the ice cream flavors. Hmmmmm...I do like how colorful the M&M one looks, but then again, the peanut butter one has chocolate inside it as well...And I really wonder why the Oreo one looks similar to the cookies 'n cream one...Hmmm...If I try to choose one of these three flavors, then I'll never get to decide...however...I won't have to decide which one I want if I choose the cookie dough one...Which means...Kathy pondered calmly with a little frown on her thoughtful face before she slowly looked shocked when she realized what she truly wants.

"I...I think I got it! Yes! I got it! I know exactly what I want now!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a huge smile and with widened eyes as she looked excited. Knuckles smiled a lot in amusement as he enjoys seeing the excitement in Kathy's eyes.

"Oh? Really? You do, young miss? Well then, tell me what you want," the old otter replied calmly yet patiently with a gentle smile and with raised eyebrows as he adjusted his glasses again.

"I want that one! The cookie dough one!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as she pointed at the cookie dough flavor.

"I see. Cookie dough, huh? Not a bad choice for a first-time customer," the old otter replied calmly with a gentle smile and a nod as he gets his scooper out from under the vender.

"Hehehehe! It seems that I had made the right choice, Knuckles! I hope that it will be delicious!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a silly smile and a giggle as she looked at Knuckles with clasped hands.

"Oh, you have no idea. Anyways, two scoops of cookie dough, please. One for Kathy and one for me," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with amused eyes as he lets go of Kathy and looked back at the old otter while getting his rings out to pay.

"Ah. Of course, two scoops for the two friends. That will be four rings, please," the old otter replied calmly with a smile and a nod as he scooped up the ice cream and put the scoops onto the two cones. Knuckles then placed five rings onto the vending machine, and the old otter takes them and exchanged them for one ring as change.

Knuckles placed the one ring back into his person and grabbed his ice cream while replying calmly yet politely, "Thank you, sir".

"Ah. You're welcome, young man. Oh, and be sure to treat this young girl right. She is very lovely indeed," the old otter replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a little wink towards Knuckles while handing Kathy her ice cream. Knuckles blushed a little in embarrassment of the old otter's comments and had muttered a shy "I will" while glancing away from him and Kathy. He soon turned around and walked away from the ice cream vender, and Kathy walked with him at his right side while carrying her ice cream cone.

"See you later, you two! Enjoy your tour of the city!" the old otter exclaimed cheerfully with a broad smile as he waved the two teens "goodbye".

"We will! Bye!" Kathy exclaimed back cheerfully with a huge smile as she looked back and waved "goodbye" to the kind vender.

"Bye!" the old otter exclaimed cheerfully with a friendly smile and a wave.

Kathy beamed at him before she looked back ahead of herself with Knuckles. She then looked down at her ice cream in curiosity while also looking at Knuckles' ice cream. Knuckles saw her staring at his ice cream cone and smiled playfully as he pulled his cone away from her.

"Hey, don't you even think about eating MY ice cream. You have your own," Knuckles said calmly yet playfully with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Hehehehehehehe! I wasn't going to do that!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a sweet smile and a giggle as she stared at Knuckles while holding onto her cone.

"Oh, really? The last time I had given you some food, some of MINE had been stolen from me. So, are you sure that you don't want anything from me?" Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly with a playful smile and with amused eyes as he stared back at Kathy.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Yes! Yes! I'm sure! Hehehehehehehehe! I was just curious about something!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes while giggling a lot as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Heh...So, you're curious about something then...What is it?" Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly with a smirk and with playful eyes as he stared back at Kathy.

"Well...I was just wondering why you have gotten yourself some cookie dough ice cream. It's understandable as to why I chose it, but why you, Knuckles? Is there something about it that you like in particular?" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with a little frown and with intrigued eyes as she stared at Knuckles' ice cream and at him in confusion.

"Oh, it's no mystery as to why I bought it. This flavor of ice cream is my personal favorite. In fact, it was this exact flavor that I got the first time I've tried it. Heh. I guess that it was by pure coincidence that you would choose cookie dough as your first ice cream flavor," Knuckles answered calmly with a gentle smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Wow! I had no idea that cookie dough is your favorite! Maybe it is as good as you say it is!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles in excitement.

"Well, why don't you try it yourself to see if I'm right or not," Knuckles replied calmly with a grin and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy while pointing at her ice cream.

"O-Oh...But...Uhh...How do I eat it? I mean...I've never eaten ice cream before, and this looks so creamy...I..." Kathy muttered calmly yet quietly in confusion with a little frown on her lost face as she looked back down at her ice cream. She then noticed that a few drips of the ice cream were trailing down from her cone.

"Ah! My ice cream!" Kathy exclaimed in surprise with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes before she quickly licked off the drips from her cone to try to stop her ice cream from melting completely. Knuckles laughed loudly in amusement of Kathy's reaction to her melting ice cream while covering his mouth since his laughs sounded a little hysterical.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! (Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!) (Oh, my goodness, Kathy! That was so priceless!) (Ahahahahahahahahahahahah!) (That's just adorable!) (Hahahahahahahahahaha!)" Knuckles laughed a lot in amusement and a bit hysterically while muffling his yells and his laughs with his left hand.

"Hey! Don't laugh at me! My ice cream was at stake right there, and I didn't want to lose it immediately after I got it!" Kathy yelled in annoyance with a frown and with furrowed eyebrows after she finished licking her ice cream cone and glared at Knuckles. However, that reaction just made Knuckles laugh even harder in amusement.

"(Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!) ('My ice cream was at stake'!) (Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!) (Kathy! You're killing me!) (Hehehehehehehehehehehe!)" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement while laughing hysterically as he muffles his laughs and yells with his left hand. Kathy frowned even more in annoyance as she lowered her eyelids at Knuckles.

"...You can be pretty cruel sometimes, Knuckles. You know that, right?" Kathy replied calmly in a monotone voice as she looked annoyed.

"(I'm sorry!) (I'm sorry!) (Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe!) (But what you just said was just too funny!) (Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!) (Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!)" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement while laughing hysterically as he muffles his laughs and yells with his left hand. He had even looked at Kathy while saying that and couldn't resist laughing some more after seeing her annoyed face.

I may be terrible, but I don't care! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! That was just hilarious! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles thought in amusement as he kept laughing hysterically while still covering his mouth with his left hand. Kathy tried to stay annoyed with Knuckles but just seeing how much he's laughing and how happy he looks despite his hand in the way made her smile a lot in amusement.

...Awwww...I can't stay mad at him...He looks so happy when he's laughing like that...He's as cute as a puppy when it comes to making trouble...Sigh...Always the troublemaker...Kathy thought in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles. Knuckles slowed his laughter down once he had noticed that his ice cream is also melting a little.

"Heheheheheheheheheh! I guess it's my turn to 'save' my ice cream!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes while chuckling a lot and while he put his hand down as he stared at his ice cream cone. He began licking his ice cream cone to stop the melted drips from coming to his gloved hand. He was smiling very much in amusement as he did this, however, he was caught off guard when Kathy said this.

"You do not deserve to save your ice cream. I forbid it," Kathy replied calmly yet casually with a playful smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles. Knuckles almost bit his tongue when he started laughing again.

"Pfffft! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Don't say things like that! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! That just tickles me! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he looked at Kathy after licking his ice cream cone.

"Hey, I mean it! After you made fun of me for saving my own ice cream, I don't think that you deserve to save yours by that logic! So, hand over your ice cream! As your Master, I forbid you from enjoying that dessert!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as she pointed at Knuckles.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Awww, come on, Kathy! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I just got this!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he laughed a lot while staring at Kathy.

"Yeah, well, now you lost it! Hand it over now!" Kathy exclaimed back with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles while having her left hand out in front of him.

"Heheheh! ...No!" Knuckles exclaimed back playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with a chuckle as he stared back at Kathy. After he said that, he immediately held the ice cream cone in his left hand instead and started eating it.

"Hey! Bad doggie! You didn't do what your Master had said!" Kathy protested playfully with a silly smile and with amused eyes as she pointed at Knuckles accusingly.

"Yeah, so what?!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a mischievous grin and with playful eyes as he glanced at Kathy after pausing from eating his ice cream. He then moved his head towards the left and continued to eat his ice cream casually.

"Geez, Knuckles! Stop being rebellious and give me your ice cream!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a grin and with amused eyes as she tried to grab Knuckles' ice cream. However, Knuckles simply moved his ice cream even more to the left while also pushing Kathy's face as a way to stop her from getting closer to his ice cream. He was smiling very widely as he did this while also eating his ice cream at the same time. Kathy can't help but giggle a lot as she struggled to reach Knuckles' ice cream.

"Hehehehehehehehehe! Knuckles! Come on! Hehehehehehehehehehe! Give me your ice cream already!" Kathy exclaimed playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she giggled a lot while trying to reach Knuckles' ice cream.

"Oh, just eat your dang ice cream already, will ya?! Heheheheheheheheh! Maybe that will help you get your mind off of that 'melting' incident!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with a chuckle as he stopped eating his ice cream and looked back at Kathy.

"...Hmm...You know...Eating your ice cream isn't that bad of an idea, Knuckles. You know what they say, 'You don't know what you got until it's gone'," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully with a smug smile and with coy eyes as she stared at Knuckles while leaning her head a little towards him.

Knuckles smiled just as smugly as Kathy as he leant his head a little towards her too and warned calmly yet playfully with mischievous eyes, "...That's right, Kathy. Hence why I've said, 'eat your dang ice cream already' because if you don't, I will instead".

"You better not," Kathy whined calmly yet playfully with a huge grin and with amused eyes as she stared carefully at Knuckles.

"...Try me," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with a smirk and with mischievous eyes as he stared back at Kathy. They stared at each other in amusement for a few moments before Kathy sighed and shook her head.

"...(Sigh)...Alright. Fine. I'll eat," Kathy replied calmly with a little smile and a sigh as she looked away from Knuckles while shaking her head.

"Heh. There you go, you silly girl. Just eat and be happy," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he gently rubbed Kathy's head a little while staring at her. Kathy smiled a lot at the gentle petting Knuckles briefly gave her before he stopped and continued to eat his ice cream. She then looked at Knuckles again and watched more closely as to how he was eating it. He was simply eating it with his fully opened mouth while not using his teeth at all to bite into it.

"...Sooo...That's how you eat ice cream, huh? All mouth, no teeth?" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with an intrigued look on her face as she stared at Knuckles.

"Mmmmm...Mmm? ...Yeah. That's it. It's not that hard. Try it yourself," Knuckles replied calmly with a little smile and with amused eyes as he happily ate his ice cream before stopping and looking at Kathy again.

"Hmmm...Okay!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with an innocent smile and a nod after thinking about it for three seconds. She then looked back at her ice cream and had slowly but carefully took a bite.

"Nom! …...Mmmm...Mmmmm! Oh, my goodness! This is like the tastiest thing that I had ever eaten!" Kathy mused contently as she ate before she exclaimed in shock and in joy as she looked happy after taking that first bite.

"So...You like it?" Knuckles asked calmly yet curiously with a wide smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy again.

"'Like it'?! I LOVE IT! I think that ice cream might be better than pancakes and bacon combined!" Kathy exclaimed loudly yet excitedly with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"My, that's quite a bold claim there! I take it that you have discovered your new favorite food?" Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with raised eyebrows as he kept staring at Kathy.

"Ummm...Well...I need more time before I could say that ice cream is my new favorite. Maybe after I have tried more flavors of ice cream, then I would change my mind. But for right now, I'm enjoying this flavor of ice cream very much!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a little smile and with upward eyebrows as she looked a little unsure before she looked happy again.

"Well, I'm glad that you do, Kathy. Thinking about finishing it yet?" Knuckles replied calmly yet casually with a gentle smile and a nod as he stared at Kathy while pointing at her ice cream for emphasis.

"Oh, I definitely am! I'm going to finish it right now! In fact, I'm going to finish mine before you finish yours!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a huge grin and a nod as she pointed at Knuckles.

"Kathy, it's not a race. There's no need to-" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a grin and with amused eyes as he stared back at Kathy. However, Kathy wasn't listening to Knuckles at that point because she started eating her ice cream ravenously. Knuckles raised his eyebrows in surprise of that response, but he smiled widely in amusement and shook his head again before he continued eating his ice cream in a more casual pace.

Heheheheh...Ridiculous...Knuckles thought in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he watched Kathy eat her ice cream quickly while eating his own ice cream.

"Mmmmm...So good...Mmm...Ah! Owwwwww! My head! It hurts!" Kathy mused and muttered happily with a cheerful smile as she ate her ice cream quickly before she yelled in pain and grabbed her head once she felt a headache. She cringed while rubbing her head as she tried to massage it.

"You shouldn't try to eat your ice cream very quickly, Kathy. It causes headaches or as people usually call them 'brain freezes'," Knuckles replied calmly with a little smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy in amusement.

"I can see that! Owwww! ...Couldn't you have warned me earlier so that I wouldn't have to deal with this right now?!" Kathy yelled back in annoyance with a grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as she glared at Knuckles while massaging her head.

"Oh, I could've, but I think that it's humorous that you had done the same thing that I did when I had my first ice cream. Except in that instance, I was tricked into doing so since Sonic challenged me to an eating contest where we have to eat our ice creams the fastest," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with lowered eyelids as he stared at Kathy.

"Really? You too? So then...who won?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with an intrigued look on her face before it changed to a sheepish one as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Well, obviously not the one who got a 'brain freeze' out of that. Sonic really loves to mess with me. It makes one wonder why we're still rivals even to this day," Knuckles replied calmly yet sarcastically with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Yeah, I really wonder. Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile and a giggle as she finished rubbing her head.

"Hmph. I'm glad to see that had made you better. Look, you're not in pain anymore," Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly with a warm smile and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy while pointing at her head for emphasis.

"Yeah, because your painful story about getting a 'brain freeze' while losing a race made me feel better!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully yet innocently with a sweet smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"Oh, gee, I wonder why that is. Perhaps the saying 'your pain gives me joy' is a lot more applicable than one might expect," Knuckles replied calmly yet sarcastically in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back at Kathy.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Awww, Knuckles! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles while laughing a lot. Knuckles grinned even more in amusement as he saw that he had made Kathy laugh again.

Kathy...You're going to make me laugh with your contagious laughter if you keep that up...Heheheheheh...Knuckles thought calmly in amusement with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he quietly stared at Kathy while coyly licking his ice cream.

"Heheheh...You silly girl..." Knuckles muttered quietly to himself with a grin and with a chuckle as he licked his ice cream. Kathy then stopped laughing and had focused onto eating her ice cream instead. As Knuckles began to eat his ice cream again, he kept staring at Kathy while looking curious and a bit coy. He stared at her jovial face as she was busy eating her ice cream; he stared at her gorgeous wings as they lay flat against her back; he stared briefly at her chest since...well...her Sol Pendant is dangling there, obviously; and lastly...he stared at her stunning hot-pink dress...Most specifically...at her stomach...

You know...I haven't fully noticed it before...But Kathy sure has a plump stomach...It's a lot more robust than most Mobian girls' stomachs...Well...at least the ones I've seen...Amy's, Blaze's, Wave's...and yes, even Rouge's stomachs are much skinnier than Kathy's...Because of that...it looks rather cute on her...Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a little smile and with intrigued eyes as he kept staring at Kathy while slowly eating his ice cream.

"Hmmm..." Knuckles quietly mused with a content smile on his face as he kept staring at Kathy's tummy in curiosity.

"Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a little smile as she stared back at Knuckles after noticing how preoccupied he is right now.

"Gah! Uhhh...Y-Yes?" Knuckles muttered awkwardly in nervousness with wide eyes and with a little, gaped mouth as he quickly looked back up to Kathy's face while blushing a lot in embarrassment.

"Were you staring at me?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly with a knowing smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles while tilting her head a little in a cute way.

"N-No! I mean...Y-Yes...Wh-Why do you ask?" Knuckles answered awkwardly yet nervously with a freaked-out expression on his face while blushing very deeply in embarrassment.

"Nothing really. I was just noticing that you were staring at my tummy earlier. Is there something about it that piques your interest?" Kathy replied calmly yet coyly with a sweet smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared gently into Knuckles' panicky eyes.

"N-N-Not really! I was just...just..." Knuckles answered awkwardly yet nervously with a panicked look on his face while blushing a lot in embarrassment.

"Do you think that it looks fat?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly with a teasing grin and with twinkling eyes as she stared curiously at Knuckles.

"HECK NO!" Knuckles blurted out nervously with a panicked, flustered look on his face as he blushed very much in dark red. He had felt his heart jump when he had heard that question.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Hehehehehehehehehehe! Gotcha, Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! I was just pulling your leg! I really don't care if you think that it's fat or not! I just wanted to see how you'll react when I had asked that! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as she giggled a lot while clutching her stomach with her left hand and while staring at Knuckles.

"O-Ohhh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in embarrassment with a sheepish frown and with lowered eyelids as he blushed very darkly while having a sweat drop on his head. I can't believe that I fell for that...Knuckles thought in annoyance while looking embarrassed.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! You know...you look really cute when you get all nervous and flustered...It's adorable that even a confident, tough guy like you could also feel nervous," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile and a giggle as she stared at Knuckles with gentle, adoring eyes.

"Ummmm...W-Well...I...I...I just...can't help it sometimes..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly yet quietly in embarrassment with a little frown and with downcast eyes as he looked down and slightly away from Kathy while blushing brightly in humiliation.

"Awwwww, don't be that way, Knuckles. Everyone gets nervous occasionally. It's a natural thing that all of us could do and feel. Besides, I really like you when you get nervous. Like I had said before, it's adorable! There's no need to feel any shame in that. Okay?" Kathy reassured calmly yet softly with a warm smile and with caring eyes as she stared at Knuckles while gently caressing his right cheek with her finger. Knuckles had closed his eyes and had blushed even more when he felt Kathy caressing his right cheek, but soon after he heard her say that, he smiled a little and opened his eyes again while shyly looking back at her in fondness.

"...Heheheh...Alright. I get it. I'll be fine, Kathy. Thank you," Knuckles replied calmly with a little smile and a chuckle as he gently grabbed Kathy's finger and slowly pushed it away while staring at her. Kathy beamed sweetly at him after seeing that he had recovered from his embarrassment, and Knuckles smiled fondly at her for reassuring him.

"Hehehe...Still, I am curious though...What do you truly think of me? Do you really think that I'm fat? Or do you think that I look skinny? I do wonder how I look towards you, Knuckles. Our body types are clearly night and day since yours is skinny and well-toned while mine is round and soft. Quite the opposite, wouldn't you say? Hehehehehe!" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with a cheerful smile and with twinkling eyes as she giggled a little while staring gently at Knuckles.

"A-Ah...Oh...Uhhhh...Ummm...You're not wrong there...Even I can see that..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly with a little, shy smile and with curious eyes as he stared sheepishly at Kathy while rubbing his head and blushing a lot.

"So, what do you think?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously again with a sweet smile and with intrigued eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.

"D-Do you really want to know?!" Knuckles exclaimed nervously with a huge, sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows as he stared back at Kathy while blushing even more in embarrassment.

"Of course, I do. It's not really a big deal or anything. Besides, you already like me for who I am. So, who cares if you think that I'm skinny or not? You still see me as your friend, right?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment after hearing Kathy say that last part. He was very surprised and very confused as to why Kathy isn't bothered about her weight. His shock to this situation is akin to culture shock. He had been taught the hard way by Amy and Rouge to never say what he truly thinks about any girls' weight. To tell Kathy now about what he thinks of her weight, it will be like running head-first into a trap.

She really is a strange girl...I can't make heads or tails from her response...But...if she's okay with it, then I should be safe...At least...I hope so...Knuckles pondered calmly with a little frown and with wide eyes as he stared at Kathy before he smiled a little at her.

"You're...You're right, Kathy. I do see you as my teammate, and as your teammate, I think that you deserve my honest opinion...if you're okay with it that is," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a little smile and a nod as he stared at Kathy.

"Of course, I'm okay with it! Besides, being blunt is one of the things that you're good at!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet innocently with a sweet smile and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"Don't count on my bluntness to give you a positive comment. Most of my comments are usually negative, and that's not me being mean either. I just see the world pessimistically," Knuckles replied calmly yet casually with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy while shrugging a little.

Kathy grinned a little teasingly at Knuckles as she replied calmly yet playfully, "Well, you see, Knuckles, if you can see the 'mist' in 'Mist-ic Ruins', then you'll be able to see the positive-".

"Forget it! Heheheheheheheh!" Knuckles interrupted in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he chuckled a lot at that and waved his hand down at Kathy since he saw what she did there.

"But Knuckles! I'm making a point here!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with an innocent smile and with cheerful eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"And your point is making me laugh! Hahahahahahahahaha! You're very silly, Kathy! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy while laughing a little.

"Well, it's better to be silly and happy than be angry and mopey all the time," Kathy responded calmly yet casually with a gentle smile and a shrug as she kept staring at Knuckles.

"Tell that to Shadow. Heheheheheheheheh! I'm pretty sure he needs to know that the most," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy while chuckling a little.

"Hehehehehehehehe! I may not know who Shadow is, but I'll tell him once I meet him!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully yet innocently in amusement with a huge smile and a giggle as she stared at Knuckles.

"Please do! That will be great! Heheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he stared at Kathy while chuckling some more. I'm not that hard-pressed to mess with Shadow as much as I am with Sonic, but it is still hilarious to see him get so fed up with everything. Besides, it's nice to not be the target of one's amusement for once. Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a huge smile as he chuckled a lot before he stopped and stared fondly at Kathy.

"But anyways...if you really want to hear my true thoughts about your weight, I'll say them right now..." Knuckles added calmly with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared fondly at Kathy while getting a little closer towards her. Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she awaited his answer.

Knuckles smiled fondly at Kathy before he looked shy as he blushed a lot while he calmly continued, "...Honestly...I think...I think that you're overestimating your weight here...You're not fat at all...In fact, you're rather...plump...".

"'Plump', huh? You know, Blaze said something like that too when she pointed it out," Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a little smile and with intrigued eyes as she stared closely at Knuckles.

"Well, uh, that's because she's right! Besides, your outward belly really suits you, Kathy. It really does add to your...uhh...cuteness..." Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly with a huge smile and with raised eyebrows as he stared curiously at Kathy while blushing very much in embarrassment.

"Awww, thank you! I'm glad that you like it!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and a nod as she stared at Knuckles.

"Oh, uh, no problem...Heh..." Knuckles muttered shyly with a sheepish grin and with upward eyebrows as he rubbed his head again while blushing deeply in embarrassment. She could make my heart melt with that smile...Knuckles thought fondly with a sheepish look on his face while staring at Kathy in shyness. He then looked curious as he continued calmly, "...You know, there is one thing that I'm curious about, and that is...uhhh...your plumpness in general. Since you have lived in a tropical island while having nothing but fruits and vegetables everywhere, how did you gain any weight?".

"Simple. I didn't do any exercise while I was growing up. Even if I had, it was only minimal. Nothing too strenuous really," Kathy answered calmly yet casually with a little smile and a shrug as she stared at Knuckles.

"I...R-Really? You mean...Is that why you can't run really well? Simply because you chose not to exercise?" Knuckles replied calmly yet curiously in amusement with a surprised look on his face before it changed into a smug one as he kept staring at Kathy.

"Well, duh! I was a kid! I wanted to have fun! Not work myself to death by running! What kind of kid would voluntarily choose to exercise every day over relaxing and playing?!" Kathy exclaimed back in annoyance with a frown and with lowered eyelids while shrugging again as she kept staring at Knuckles.

"I was that kind of kid, thank you very much, and I did so because I wanted to protect my emerald and my island," Knuckles replied calmly with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy in amusement.

"O-Oh...Umm...Okay, any kid besides you would be weird if they did that," Kathy corrected herself with a sheepish smile and with a little sweat drop as she stared back at Knuckles in awkwardness. Knuckles simply chuckled in amusement of that response. Nice save, Kathy. Nice save...Heheheheheheh...Knuckles thought in amusement with a huge smile and a chuckle while staring fondly at Kathy.

"Listen, Knuckles, if you were a silkworm like I was back then, you'll be amazed on how large your appetite is since you need food to grow," Kathy replied calmly with a little smile and with a lowered eyebrow as she pointed at Knuckles and briefly at herself while staring at him.

"Well, yeah, that's basic knowledge. I grew up too thanks to food," Knuckles replied calmly with a little frown and with a raised eyebrow as he stared at Kathy confusion.

"Yeah, I know, but that's not what I mean. I really do mean that you eat A LOT of food as a silkworm. It's the same thing with caterpillars too. We eat and eat and eat and eat until we have reached our Metamorphosis Stage, and any weight gained in our Larval Stage is postponed until after we are in our Adult Stage. Food is very essential to our growth as moths, and if we don't eat a lot of food, then we'll surely not survive. That is what my mom had told me. So, I did what she had told me to and ate a lot of food in the process," Kathy explained calmly with a little smile and another shrug as she stared at Knuckles.

"Huh. I see. I guess that explains why you're so plump," Knuckles replied calmly in understanding with a little smile and a nod as he stared at Kathy.

"Yep! My life was almost completely sedentary! I eat, sleep, play, and relax almost every day! The only times where I was really active was when I was with my mom on her adventures! And those were the times where I really tried to run!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and a nod while still casually shrugging as she stared at Knuckles.

"That I can believe. Heheheheheheheheh! But still, wow, it's amazing how similar our lives are and yet be so different at the same time. It's incredible to me," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement and in astonishment with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared curiously at Kathy while chuckling a little.

"I agree. It's crazy to think that you had been working out your whole life just to protect a huge emerald. That must have been exhausting to do faithfully each day," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles in astonishment.

"Hey, you get used to it. All it takes is some endurance and dedication in order to get a body like mine," Knuckles replied calmly yet casually with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he shrugged while staring at Kathy.

"True, but have you really exercised though?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly with a teasing grin and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"Are you doubting me?" Knuckles asked back in amusement with a playful grin and with a lowered eyelid while still shrugging as he calmly stared at Kathy.

"Maybe, but unless you do a backflip, then a handstand, and then finish it off with a split, I won't believe that you had exercised your whole life," Kathy joked with a teasing grin and with amused eyes as she shrugged again while staring calmly at Knuckles.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! You're ridiculous, Kathy! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with amused eyes while laughing a lot as he put his arms down and shook his head.

"Aha! A deflection! So, you do admit that you hadn't exercised your whole life! You're just as lazy as me!" Kathy exclaimed playfully with a teasing grin and with amused eyes as she pointed at Knuckles while staring at him.

"Oh, just finish your stupid ice cream already! Heheheheheheheheh! You're being lazy for not eating it!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with a chuckle as he waved his hand down at Kathy again while looking away from her.

"Yeah...Well...So are you," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully with a teasing grin and with amused eyes as she stared at Knuckles while shrugging again. Knuckles looked back at Kathy while grinning a lot at her since he's so amused with her. He felt very happy that she's making him laugh and smile a lot. He's even glad that her sense of humor brings him joy especially since he needs it right now.

...Sigh...Oh, Kathy...Again...it's one of those times where I wish I could say "I love you" because...your sense of humor makes me happy...So much so that...it makes me forget about my depression at times...Knuckles pondered fondly with a grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy in affection.

"Yeah...Well...Shut up," Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in amusement with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he blushed a little in fondness while shyly staring at Kathy. Kathy grinned even more at Knuckles in amusement; and Knuckles just grinned back at Kathy in amusement while blushing a lot in fondness. They stared each other in fondness while having amused grins on their faces, and soon enough, they both got closer towards the other and wrapped one arm around each other's shoulders. They both silently agreed to stay together like this while looking back ahead and eating their ice cream together. They were quiet the rest of the walk through the city.

---

[Few Minutes Later; In One of The City's Alleyways]

"Man, this stinks! We flew here in order to rob Apotos' most famous and expensive jewelry store, but suddenly, the word of monsters got out and now our means of escape are blocked off by the Neo G.U.N. forces and the airport being shut down! How could a simple jewel heist plan backfire the moment we arrive here?!" Fang yelled in frustration with a grimace as he, Bean, and Bark walked through one of the dark alleyways of Apotos.

"I don't think that it's completely backfired, boss. I mean. We could escape by swimming across the ocean," Bean suggested calmly with a sheepish smile and a shrug as he stared at Fang while walking behind him.

"Yeah, we could, but none of us have the strength to swim miles upon miles of water to get back to West Island!" Fang yelled back in irritation as he looked back at Bean and barred his teeth at him.

"Who said it has to be West Island we swim towards? We could swim towards Spagonia and try to find a better getaway than swimming," Bean suggested again calmly with a sheepish look on his face.

"Just because the sea route is shorter, it does not mean we could still escape by swimming!" Fang argued back in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows.

"Uhhh...Bark? What do you think? Should we try to swim or not?" Bean asked calmly yet curiously with an awkward look on his face as he looked up at his left. Bark was carrying three empty sacks around his right shoulder and had briefly left them there so that he could look at Bean and communicate with him through sign language. Bean frowned even more in disappointment after seeing what Bark had quickly said through his hands and arm gestures.

"Oh. Fine. Bark says, 'we'd have a better chance into getting away through boating than by swimming'," Bean replied calmly yet sadly with a frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared back at Fang.

"Argh! See?! Our plan was ruined by day one! If I had known that crazy monsters would show up to destroy Central City, then I would've cancelled our jewelry heist plan right away! Grrrr! Why did we come here?!" Fang yelled even more in annoyance with a facepalm and a stomp as he grabbed his hat and threw it on the ground in frustration while grimacing.

"Uhhh...To steal some jewels?" Bean answered hesitatingly in confusion with a frown and a shrug as he stared at Fang in pity.

"I was being rhetorical!" Fang yelled in frustration with a grimace and with closed eyes as he grabbed his head with one hand since he's having a minor headache. Bean frowned even more in sympathy for his thieving comrade in arms and had slowly bent down to pick up his hat.

Once he got back up, he looked to Bark again and asked calmly, "Hey, Bark? Got any ideas at what we should do now?".

Bark had quickly answered that with more arm and hand gestures before nodding to Bean. After seeing what Bark had said through sign language, Bean looked back at Fang and calmly replied, "Bark suggests that we should go back to our hotel room for now. It is close to 5 PM after all".

Fang sighed deeply in frustration and looked back at Bean and Bark in annoyance. Bean flinched a bit when he saw Fang glaring at him and had quickly given him back his hat as a result. Fang swiped his hat back from Bean while giving him a curt nod as he puts the hat back on.

"Alright, mates. If you want to rest, then we can rest. But by tomorrow, we're searching the city again to find a way to leave this dump. Maybe finding a boat like Bark says would be the smart move here. For now, let's head back," Fang replied calmly in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he glared at Bean and Bark while adjusting his hat.

"Sure thing, boss!" Bean exclaimed brightly with a grin and a thumbs-up as he stared back at Fang. Bark agreed with Bean by nodding to Fang and giving him a thumbs-up too.

"Good. Now, let's get back to our hotel room and rest. I'm bu-Hello!" Fang replied calmly in tiredness with a frown and a nod before looked back ahead and exclaimed in shock while looking surprised. He can see Kathy and Knuckles walking through the streets while being close together. At this time, they had finished their ice cream and were just casually walking together in silence. Fang was in awe with the girl Knuckles was with and can't help but follow her as his eyes moved from right to left.

"Hey, boss? What are you looking at?" Bean asked curiously while looking at Fang with a confused look on his face.

"Shut it, Bean," Fang replied curtly with a gaped mouth as he put a hand in front of Bean's face while staring at Kathy.

"Oh, come on, boss! Let me see! Let me...whoa..." Bean exclaimed in annoyance with a frown as he quickly shoved Fang's hand away and got next to him before muttering in awe as he looked stunned. He along with Fang saw Kathy walking happily beside Knuckles while having peaceful look on her face. Fang's and Bean's eyes were filled with lust as they took in Kathy's natural beauty. Meanwhile, Bark looks unimpressed as he had his arms crossed while staring at Fang and Bean, patiently waiting for them to move and not ogle onto the unsuspecting moth girl.

"She's beautiful..." Bean muttered in awe with wide eyes and with a slack-jawed smile as he kept staring at Kathy.

"Yeah...And it seems that she's wearing some pretty jewelry around her neck...Heh..." Fang added calmly yet deviously with a smirk and with mischievous eyes as he tipped his hat before continuing, "...Beautiful and laced with jewelry...My kind of lady...".

After seeing Kathy and Knuckles walk past the alleyway, Fang turned around and exclaimed proudly with a smirk, "Alright, boys! It seems that now we're going to take a detour on our way back to our hotel! In fact, we might even bring along a guest!".

"Oooh! Really, boss?! Who's this guest?!" Bean exclaimed excitedly with a grin and with wide eyes as he turned around and looked at Fang in curiosity. Bark also looked curious as he stared at Fang.

Fang smirked even more deviously as he answered calmly, "...That pretty little babe that the gullible echidna is with...".

---

[Few More Minutes Later; With Kathy And Knuckles]

Kathy and Knuckles were still walking through the streets of Apotos while being close together. They were content with being silent together as they enjoyed the other's presence very much. Kathy was leaning her head on top of Knuckles' right shoulder while smiling calmly in contentment with her eyes closed. Knuckles was smiling calmly too in contentment as he held Kathy with one arm and enjoyed her holding him with one arm too. They felt very comfortable being together like this. They were simply...in bliss.

...I...I really don't want this to end...Having Kathy at my side feels like a dream...I'm...I'm just so happy right now...I just hope that...nothing else will interrupt this blissful moment...Knuckles pondered fondly with a huge, warm smile and with adoring eyes as he slightly looked at Kathy and stared at her.

But of course, as soon as Knuckles thought that, some ruffians showed up to disturb this peaceful scene.

"Well, well, well, it seems that we're interrupting a sweet moment here! Hope you guys don't mind as we butt in into your date!" Fang exclaimed proudly with a mischievous grin as he stood a few feet ahead of Kathy and Knuckles while having his arms crossed. Bean and Bark stood behind him while having the same pose as him.

"Ah! You!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock as he quickly looked back ahead of himself and stared at Fang with a surprised look on his face.

"Huh?" Kathy muttered curiously yet softly in confusion as she opened her eyes and looked at what Knuckles was seeing while having an intrigued look on her face. Kathy and Knuckles soon stopped walking immediately after seeing Fang, Bean, and Bark blocking their path.

"Yeah, that's right, slowpoke knucklehead! Me and my gang here were just taking a casual stroll across the city too until we ran into you! And what, oh what, a surprise! You're not even alone this time around!" Fang exclaimed proudly with a smirk and with mischievous eyes as he pointed at himself and at Bean and Bark with his thumb before finger-gunning at Knuckles and Kathy.

"...! Grrrr...What do you want, Fang? You know that I don't have the Master Emerald or any of the Chaos Emeralds on me right now, and even if I did, I'll never give them to you for anything. You and your thieving buddies have messed with me long enough. So, just scram and leave us alone!" Knuckles replied sternly with a gasp and a growl as he gritted his teeth and furrowed his eyebrows while holding Kathy close with one arm and while shooing Fang away with the other.

"Fang"? Is that who that purple weasel is? And who is that green duck and polar bear behind him? They seem to be staring at me for some reason...Kathy pondered curiously in confusion while having an intrigued look on her face as she stared at Bean and Bark. Bean was staring adoringly at Kathy while having a shy look on his face. Bark, however, was just staring at Kathy while having a bored look on his face as he stood behind Fang.

Meanwhile, Fang retorted with a casual shrug and a smirk, "My, my, leaving us off with a warning this time, eh? That's a first. I thought that you might've blown a gasket and throw your fists at us instead".

"Trust me. The thought was tempting," Knuckles growled out through gritted teeth as he glared hard at Fang and his gang while clenching his left fist.

"Hmph. Whatever. Anyways, for your information, I was just thinking about inviting your new 'girlfriend' over there to hang out with us for a little while. I have to say, little missy. You seem pretty new around here. Care to introduce yourself, miss?" Fang replied calmly yet casually with a smirk and with closed eyes as he cocked his head away from Knuckles and Kathy while having his hands onto his hips before opening one eye and stared at Kathy flirtatiously. Knuckles looked surprised when he heard that before he looked irritated again and growled even more in frustration.

Oh, he is NOT going to do what I think he's going to do, is he?! Knuckles thought irritably in frustration with barred teeth and with a cold glare as he growled a lot.

"Oh! Uhhh...Hmmm..." Kathy muttered awkwardly in surprise while looking rather shy as she got closer to Knuckles and wrapped her other arm over his chest to hold him properly. Knuckles instinctively squeezed Kathy closer to himself since he felt very protective suddenly.

"Aww, don't be shy. You can tell us your name at least. There's no harm in that," Fang replied calmly yet friendly-like with a coy smile and amused eyes as he stared at Kathy fully.

"Yeah! There's nothing wrong with telling somebody your name! Look! I'll tell you mine right now! My name is Bean the 'Dynamite' Duck! And my big, burly friend next to me is Bark the Polar Bear! See?! That wasn't so bad, right?!" Bean exclaimed brightly with a huge, excited grin and with a thumbs-up as he placed a hand upon his chest before gesturing it over to Bark. Bark looked at Bean briefly with a little frown before looking back at Kathy and just shrugged to her.

"Well...I guess not...I suppose that telling you my name won't be so bad," Kathy replied calmly yet slowly with a little frown and with curious eyes as she stood up much straighter and had released Knuckles from her hug. Knuckles cringed at Kathy's response as he felt more irritated at Fang and his gang for encouraging her to engage with them further.

If that blasted duck still had his bombs with him, I would've taken one from him and shove it down his throat! Knuckles thought irritably with gritted teeth and with a vein bulging from his head as he glared at Bean while clenching his fists in frustration.

Fang briefly looked back at Bean and smirked at him while giving him a thumbs-up as he quietly complimented, "Nice one, Bean. You've really reeled her in".

Bean grinned at Fang and gave him a thumbs-up as he replied brightly, "It was no trouble!".

They both looked back at Kathy as they waited for her to say her name. As Kathy looked a bit more comfortable by having a hand on her chest, she smiled a little at the gang as she calmly yet gently answered, "My name is Kathy the Moth. It's a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. If you could be so kind to let us leave in peace, we might consider hanging out with you guys in the future".

Knuckles cringed again after hearing Kathy say that and had grimaced even further as he briefly glared at her. Kathy, I get that you want to be polite and civil, but these guys do NOT deserve any respect given to them. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Your innocent mind is going to drive me insane. I swear. Knuckles brooded in annoyance with a grimace and a glare as he clenched his fists even tighter.

"Well, Kathy, it's a pleasure to meet you too, but I think that you're better off hanging out with us instead of sticking with that hot-headed echidna. We have no interest in people who beat us up for no good reason," Fang replied calmly yet cockily with a smirk and with devious eyes as he stared at Kathy while having his hands on his hips.

"'No good reason'!? Oh, give me a break! I have plenty of reasons to beat you up for trying to steal something that is rightfully mine!" Knuckles exclaimed in annoyance with gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as he glared at Fang while pointing at him before placing his hand to his chest.

"Yeah. Like your dignity," Fang quipped teasingly with a grin and with mischievous eyes as he held his hat. Bean snickered in amusement after hearing Fang say that. Bark smirked a little too after hearing that quip. Knuckles was briefly taken aback before he growled a lot in anger as he hated being mocked.

"Grrrrrrrr! Oh, very funny, Fang! It's about as funny as ME breaking your teeth with my fists!" Knuckles yelled back in irritation with a loud growl and with barred teeth as his vein popped in his head and as he put his fists up.

"Knuckles! Please! Calm down! There's no need to go overboard here!" Kathy exclaimed in alarm as she looked at Knuckles and grabbed his right shoulder while looking concerned.

"Argh! Kathy! I-!" Knuckles yelled in frustration with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he glared back at Kathy. But he soon cut himself off when he saw the concerned, pleading look on Kathy's face. His face quickly changed from an angry one to a surprised and concerned one instead.

With pleading, sparkling eyes, Kathy softly begged with a little frown on her sad face, "...Please calm down...Please...I don't want you to be mad again...".

"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock when he heard that plea and immediately looked guilty as he realized what Kathy is saying here. He knows that he'll scare her again if he completely loses it, and that thought makes him sick to his stomach.

...I...I don't want to scare Kathy again...I don't want to upset her again...To see her cry...and be afraid of me...is the last thing that I want to happen...Kathy...I care about you so much...Perhaps even more so than my anger for these idiots...I should try to take more control over myself...I shouldn't let my anger get the best of me...After all...it's all for Kathy's sake...Knuckles brooded with a huge, sad frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at Kathy while lowering his fists back down to his sides.

With a deep, tired sigh, Knuckles muttered calmly with a little frown and with closed eyes, "...(Sigh)...Alright, Kathy. I'll calm down. I'll try to control myself".

Kathy smiled a little in relief as she softly whispered, "Thank you, Knuckles...".

Knuckles opened his eyes halfway and smiled a little at her as he softly whispered back, "Your welcome, Kathy. It's no problem".

Kathy sweetly beamed at him after hearing that, and Knuckles smiled fondly at her after seeing that he had made her happy. But of course, Fang quipped teasingly with an amused grin, "Awww, what's this? Has the hard-headed echidna gone soft? Is he backing down from a fight over some girl? Geez, Knuckles, you're losing your touch".

"Yeah! What's the matter, Knuckles?! Are you not going to pick a fight with us just like you always do?!" Bean teased playfully with a grin and with amused eyes as he taunted Knuckles by waving his fingers next to his head.

Knuckles immediately looked back at Fang and his gang while frowning deeply in annoyance as he glared hard at them. Kathy also looked back at Fang too while also frowning in annoyance. You know what? These guys aren't very gentleman-like at all! How could they be so rude?! Kathy thought in annoyance as she frowned deeply.

"Sirs, if this is how you normally treat people, then I'm declining your offer into spending time with you. You have no right to treat my friend that way. So, either leave now or apologize to him for behaving so rudely to him," Kathy replied calmly yet solemnly with a deep frown and with serious eyes as she stared at Fang and his gang while still holding onto Knuckles' right shoulder.

"Hmmm...Maybe we should apologize, boss. I mean. She won't go with us unless we-Mmmf!" Bean muttered calmly with a frown on his thoughtful expression as he looked at Fang while having a hand under his chin.

"Shut it, Bean. We ain't apologizing for nothing. We're thieves, remember?" Fang replied sternly with a frown and with a glare as he slapped his hand over of Bean's mouth.

"(Oh, yeah)," Bean mumbled with a nod and a frown as he still had his beak shut.

Fang soon looked back at Kathy and Knuckles and lets go of Bean's mouth as he replied sternly with a frown, "Look, sweetheart, we're here to show you a good time. Not act like knights in shining armor. Besides, I'm sure that you have better things to do than hang around with a boring loser like that knucklehead there".

"What?! 'Loser'?! What do you mean by 'loser'?!" Kathy exclaimed in surprise and in frustration as she looked shocked before looking irritated.

"Kathy, it's fine," Knuckles muttered calmly with a deep frown and with a solemn stare as he glanced at Kathy while gently patting her hand in support. Kathy, of course, ignored this as she glared at Fang now.

"What I mean, pretty lady, is that your 'friend' there is nothing more than a shadow of its former self. People nowadays rarely see him do something heroic like saving the world and all that jazz. Sure, many months ago he had helped Sonic and his bundle of buddies save the world a couple of times, but at some point, he practically just dropped off from the face of the earth, doing nothing but guarding the Master Emerald all day long. Some even say that he had quit helping Sonic since he was gaining more popularity by having his 'buddies' around to help him save the day. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case since he and Sonic are long-time rivals. In fact, I bet my own money that Knuckles purposefully distanced himself from his 'friends' because he felt that they were using him to get what they want," Fang replied calmly yet casually with a sly smirk and with mischievous eyes as he turned around halfway and crossed his arms while staring at her and Knuckles.

"...! Wh-What?! That...That can't be right! Sonic, Tails, Amy...They all cared about him! I've heard it myself!" Kathy exclaimed in shock with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as she gasped a little.

"Kathy...It...is...fine..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet slowly through gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as he glared coldly at Fang while squeezing onto Kathy's hand very tightly in frustration. Knuckles knew that Fang had hit a sore spot when he had talked about his strained relationship between Sonic and his friends. Even when Fang hadn't seen him in a long time, he was still on the mark thanks to his keen observation skills and his quick wit.

Just stay calm, Knuckles. Don't let your anger get to you...Although...now that I'm holding myself back, Fang is taking the chance to hit me where it hurts...at my own self-worth...Knuckles brooded with a grimace and with a cold glare as he clenched his other fist hard.

Meanwhile, Fang continued calmly while staring at Kathy with a smug smile and with a casual shrug, "Maybe they did or maybe they didn't. Who knows? Except for Knuckles over there. Regardless of how they truly felt about him, Knuckles still distanced himself from them for some reason. He probably knew that Sonic could take care of himself and his own problems, and that's why he stayed behind and let him and maybe Tails to do all the work. Because of that decision, the press rarely mentions Knuckles being there in Sonic's current adventures. If Knuckles wasn't there to play a key role in saving the world, then it's obvious to everyone that Sonic is the main hero again just like the good old days".

Kathy now looked distraught at hearing this piece of news. She was shocked to hear and see that the citizens of the Chaos Dimension have little respect for one of their former heroes of Mobius. In fact, by how bitter the tone was in Fang's voice, it had only reminded her of...how her own people had treated her late mother.

"N-No..." Kathy whispered softly with wide, shaky eyes and with a gaped mouth as she stared at Fang while being in shock.

"Yeah, that's right. With Knuckles not being around anymore, people had forgotten about his existence, and that's why I had called him a 'loser' because it's true. He's nothing more than a washed-up hero who has no place in this world anymore. The only place that he belongs in is up in the sky, far away from civilization as possible. Being a guardian is what he was known for anyway. Not as a full-time savior of the world. That is Sonic's job. Not Knuckles' job. Get the picture, little lady?" Fang continued calmly yet cockily with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes as he crossed his arms.

"No...Not...Not again..." Kathy whispered softly with a gaped mouth and with wide, shaky eyes as she slowly looked at Knuckles. Her eyes had widened even more when she saw Knuckles grimacing deeply in pain while looking down and away from her. She had even felt him move his hand down from her hand and had seen him close his eyes while he tightly clenched his fists. She had never seen Knuckles look so defeated and in anguish than right now, and because of that...it hurts her soul.

Knuckles...Kathy thought in sympathy as she looked shocked and sad. While she stares deeply into Knuckles' pained expression, she listened to Fang finishing his speech.

"Don't you see, little missy? Your so-called friend is useless as far as the world is concerned. As long as Sonic exists to protect it, there won't be a time when he alone will become a hero to this world. Especially when there's the Master Emerald to account for. His loyalty to it is more important than the world itself. Why waste your time on someone like him when you got the three of us who has plenty of time on their hands? Because unlike that moronic echidna, we know how to make use of our time," Fang finished calmly yet a bit haughtily.

"Yeah! We're like party animals! I'm sure that a sweet girl such as you likes to party too! Probably more so than that loser echidna over there! Heheheheh!" Bean exclaimed brightly yet teasingly with a chuckle.

"You got that right, Bean! As if he knows what 'parties' mean anyway! Hahahahahahahah!" Fang added teasingly with a haughty laugh. Bean laughed with Fang in amusement while Bark just rolled his eyes and had his arms crossed since he doesn't care.

Meanwhile, Kathy saw that Knuckles grimaced deeper and deeper as he heard Fang's and Bean's teasing and mockery. As she stared deeply into Knuckles' pained expression with wide, shaky eyes, her mind flashed back to the multiple times she saw her mother being teased and mocked by her own people.

"Is this really the best that you can do?! Save a few people and yet let hundreds of others be left to die?! You're not a hero if you can't save us all!".

…

"You and your daughter are the bottom-barrel of the Mothra Clan despite being in the main blood line! Your title as Queen is nothing more than a joke!".

…

"You promise that you will save us?! Ha! That's a laugh! Say that to all the people who had died due to your failure as the Guardian of the Sol Dimension!".

…

"You're better off doing nothing rather than pretending to be a hero! Just stay at your worthless island and never try to help us again!".

…

"We had so much faith in you, and yet, you've let us down multiple times! You've said that you will protect us from Battra's monsters, and yet, you let the monsters destroy us and our village yet again! We've used to look up to you as our Queen, but now, you're just a joke! You're useless to us! Leave so that we can defend our own island ourselves no thanks to you!".

…

"Hey! Everyone! I'm going to go out into the world and let everybody die! Aren't I great hero?! NOT! Hahahahahahahahahaha!".

...

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahaha...Wait. Is she gone? Oh! Wait! Nevermind! She's still here! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!".

…

...Mother...You've always stood tall in the face of mockery...and yet...I still saw you looking ashamed through your eyes and through your frown...Just seeing that look pains me so much because you were always so calm yet content with hope in your eyes...Seeing that defeated look just...just upsets me so much that I wish...no one else would suffer the same fate as we do...

…

…

...But now...with Knuckles here...

Kathy then stopped brooding and frowned very much in anger as she looked away from Knuckles and glared very coldly at Fang and his gang. She can see and hear that they are laughing since they were still mocking Knuckles.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Heheheheheheheheh! Hey! Fang! Guess what letter I'm making with my hand on my forehead!" Bean exclaimed playfully with a huge smile and with amused eyes as he laughed a lot while having a hand on his forehead.

"Hahahahahahahaha! That's looks like a 'L' to me! A BIG 'L' IN FACT! Ahahahahahahahahah!" Fang exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he laughed a lot while looking at Bean and while holding onto his hat.

"Yeah! That's right! Because it's the only letter Knuckles can make without even trying thanks to his big, spiky hands! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Bean exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he laughed a lot while holding onto his stomach.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! That's a good one, Bean! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! You're as witty as ever! Heheheheheheheheh!" Fang exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with a knee slap as he kept laughing in scorn.

"Grrrrrrr..." Kathy growled in anger as she kept glaring hard at Fang and Bean while gritting her teeth.

"Kathy..." Knuckles muttered calmly with a deep frown and with closed eyes as he still had his head down in shame.

"..." Kathy was silent as she glanced at Knuckles while still looking angry.

"...Let's...(Sigh)...Let's just leave...Let's just fly away from here and not deal with these guys...It...really doesn't matter here...So...come on..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet tiredly with a deep sigh and with closed eyes as he grimaced again while slowly yet gently grabbing Kathy's hand to take it off his shoulder. But then, to Knuckles' surprise, Kathy just yanked him a bit closer to herself through the shoulder. Knuckles immediately blinked in surprise before he quickly looked at Kathy in shock after feeling her yanking him by the shoulder.

"K-Kathy! What's gotten into you?!" Knuckles exclaimed in surprise and in confusion as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes and with a wide-open mouth.

"Stay...here," Kathy muttered calmly yet sternly with a deep frown and with a cold glare as she kept looking at Fang and Bean and not at Knuckles.

"...! Wh-What?" Knuckles muttered quietly in surprise with a gasp and with a gaped mouth as he watched Kathy let go of his shoulder and walk closer towards Fang and Bean.

"Hahahahahahahaha! Well, well, well, lookie here. It seems that you've finally realized who's the better choice here. So, do you want to come with us or-?" Fang said calmly in amusement with a huge, mischievous smile and with playful eyes as he laughed a little while looking back at Kathy.

"No! I don't want to be anywhere near you! You're just horrible! Spiteful even! You're not even once appreciative for what Knuckles had done to save this world alongside Sonic! I don't even care that it has been months since he had done that! You guys are awful for being so selfish and ungrateful towards him!" Kathy yelled back in anger with gritted teeth and with fiery eyes as she glared at Fang while having a fist up and while standing a few feet in front of him.

"Boy, you sure are new here. Sorry little missy, but no can do. We're his enemies. Thieves to be more specific," Fang replied calmly yet haughtily with a smirk and with half-lidded eyes as he cocked his head at her while adjusting his hat.

"It's true! Even if we could be nice to him, we won't because it's so much fun to mess with him! He's even a bigger punching bag than me!" Bean exclaimed brightly with a grin and with amused eyes as he stood next to Fang while also looking at Kathy.

"You couldn't be bothered to just give him a 'thank you'? Or say that you appreciate him for protecting you alongside everyone else? Is that really that hard for you guys to do?! Just this once?!" Kathy replied calmly with a solemn frown before she yelled again in anger as she glared even harder at the two thieves.

"Well...I mean...It's not that it's hard...It's just that...we just don't care..." Fang replied calmly yet awkwardly with a frown and with a shrug as he glanced a bit to the left in sheepishness.

"Yeah...Uhhh...Sorry...No hard feelings, right?" Bean muttered awkwardly too with a sheepish smile and a shrug as he looked slightly guilty in front of Kathy.

"Grrrrrr...Un-freaking-believable..." Kathy muttered harshly through gritted teeth while growling a little in anger as she closed her eyes and held her head down. She clenched her fists and shook them in anger as she couldn't believe the amount of disrespect they have for her dear friend. In fact, she felt so angry that she can't even think straight. Knuckles, however, was just shocked and confused as to why Kathy is trying to stand up for him. He's looking rather concerned for Kathy as he's seeing her hands shake in anger.

What's going on with her all of a sudden? Why is she so angry? Knuckles pondered curiously in confusion while looking worried.

"Hey, what's the matter, little lady? Do you think that a little walk would make you feel better?" Fang asked calmly in confusion as he walked up in front of her and grabbed her shoulder.

And thus, that little touch was what had set Kathy off.

"Don't..." Kathy muttered darkly with a grimace and with a hard glare as she opened her eyes and immediately eyed Fang's long tail. Fang didn't have any time to react as Kathy quickly grabbed his shoulders and immediately turned them around so that she could reach his tail.

As she did this, she yelled loudly in anger, "Don't you ever touch me, you creep!".

"Woah! Hey! What the heck are you do-?!" Fang exclaimed in shock and in confusion as he looked surprised since Kathy caught him off guard. However, he was certainly not prepared for Kathy's painful attack...the classic, kaiju tail-slam.

"Rrrrrrrrrrrgh! Hiya! Grrrr! Huunnnnggh! Hah! Hiya!" Kathy grunted and yelled in determination and in anger as she grabbed Fang's tail and flung it up and down.

"Yooooooooowwww! Ow! Ow! Ugh! Ow! Owwww! Stop! Stop!" Fang yelled in pain as his bottom was slammed down repeatedly. Bean and Bark stared at Kathy and Fang in shock and in horror since they were caught off guard by Kathy's strength. Knuckles was very shocked into seeing Kathy attacking Fang like this. He had even cringed a lot as he watched Fang getting his tail yanked and being flung up and down.

Ooooh...That's gotta hurt...I sure hope that Kathy doesn't do THAT to me...Ugggh...Knuckles thought in pity and in slight agony with a grimace and with upward eyebrows as he cringed a lot.

After slamming Fang on the ground a few more times, Kathy then swung him around in the air like a lasso before she released him and let him fly towards the building across the street.

"Wooooooaaaah! Uncle! Uncle! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!" Fang yelled in pain and in panic as he flew around in circles before flying towards the building.

SLAM!

"UGH!" Fang yelped in pain as he cringed a lot after hitting his body against the building and slid to the ground.

"Fang! Hang on! I'm coming! I'm-! Eeep!" Bean exclaimed in shock before in panic as he stared at Fang and tried to run before feeling Kathy's hands onto his shoulders. Bark was then very startled when he saw Kathy quickly fly up into the air with Bean in her hands before throwing him hard into the building too.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" Bean screamed in panic as he flew head-first into the building below.

SLAM!

"OOF!" Bean yelped in pain as he cringed a lot when he hit his head hard into the building and slid down too. Both Fang and Bean were laying on the ground completely unconscious.

Knuckles was just flabbergasted at what he just saw now. Fang and Bean were taken out by Kathy in just mere seconds. He can't help but feel a little more respect for Kathy after seeing that. Kathy then slowly flew back down and landed a few feet in front of Bark. She glared at Fang and Bean with a little frown on her face before she looked at Bark. Bark was just stunned and frightened of what Kathy had done. He quickly glanced at Fang and Bean before looking back at Kathy. He can see the fury in her eyes and the disgusted expression on her face. Out of nervousness, he quickly waved his hands in a "no" sign before quickly running towards Fang and Bean to aid them. Kathy said and did nothing as she watched Bark run away in terror. She watched him trying to wake up Fang and Bean, but when he saw that he can't wake them up, he tried waving his arms at people walking towards him as a way to send them a message that he needs help.

"..." Kathy was deadly silent as she watched Bark trying to show to a small group of people what had happened. When he pointed back to Kathy, the surrounding people looked towards her in shock as they couldn't believe that's what had happened. When Kathy saw the concerned and surprised looks on their faces, she had finally snapped out of her seething state and looked horrified and guilty at what she had done. She slowly looked down at her hands in horror as she realized the harm that she had done with her immense power.

...What...have I...done? Kathy thought in horror and in guilt as she stared at her hands with wide, shaky eyes and with a gaped mouth as she sweated a bit.

"Kathy! What was that just now?! What have you done?!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in concern as he ran towards Kathy and grabbed her left shoulder while looking alarmed.

Immediately, panic surged through Kathy's body as she quickly yanked her shoulder away from Knuckles while shouting in fear, "GET AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU TOO!".

"Ah! Kathy! Calm down! I just want to know what-!" Knuckles exclaimed in surprise and in even more concern as he tried holding her hand to calm her down.

"DON'T TOUCH ME! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, KNUCKLES!" Kathy shouted in panic and in pain as she looked upset while yanking her hand away from Knuckles' grip and backed a bit away from him.

Knuckles stared closely at Kathy in worry as he looked very concerned. With wide, sympathetic eyes and with a little, sad frown, Knuckles muttered quietly yet gently, "...Kathy...Please...Listen to me...What's going on?".

Tears began to fill up Kathy's eyes as she stared back at him in guilt. The only thoughts that she has in her mind right is how terrified and disgusted Knuckles is with her for behaving like a monster. She felt ashamed of herself that she failed to be a positive representation of kaiju monsters. The fact that she went out of line and behaved unnaturally for the normally peaceful, gentle Queen of the Monsters, Mothra, had crushed her soul. She felt that...even her own Queen persona is ashamed of her for being destructive and childish.

...Why? ...Why did I do this? What is wrong with me? I...I...I wasn't even violent when I was younger...Why did I lash out? And of all times to boot? I just...I just don't know anymore...I don't even know myself anymore! Why do I have to act like a monster in front of these people?! Why can't I just be...normal? Kathy brooded in sadness as she looked guilty while staring deeply into Knuckles' concerned eyes.

"Kathy...Please say something...Anything...Why are you upse-?" Knuckles muttered softly in concern with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as he slowly walked closer to Kathy and grabbed her shoulders.

"GET BACK! GET BACK! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Kathy shouted in panic with tears in her eyes and with a huge frown as she quickly shoved Knuckles away from herself. However, Kathy might've pushed too hard since Knuckles fell backwards and landed on the ground on his back.

"Ouch! Uggh..." Knuckles yelped in pain as he landed on the hard ground and cringed a bit in pain. The people who saw that were alarmed and even more confused of the strange moth girl. Kathy gasped in shock as she quickly covered her mouth with her hands as she stared down at Knuckles in panic.

N-No...Not you too, Knuckles...Kathy thought in sadness with wide, teary eyes and with a gaped mouth while still covering her mouth with her hands. Knuckles soon sat back up while cringing a little in pain before he looked up at Kathy in shock and in concern. Kathy stared back at him with panic and guilt written across her face.

"Knuckles..." Kathy whispered softly in sadness with watery, sparkling eyes as she stared down at Knuckles.

"Kathy...You...shoved me...Wh-Why?" Knuckles muttered slowly in shock and in confusion as he looked greatly concerned for Kathy while staring deeply at her with a gaped mouth and with twinkling eyes.

"I...I'M SO SORRY, KNUCKLES! JUST GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE! (SOB! SOB! SOB! SOB!)" Kathy shouted in panic and in sadness as she turned around and ran away from Knuckles before she flew away again this time through the streets of Apotos while loudly sobbing.

"Kathy! Wait! Don't go!" Knuckles exclaimed in concern with a surprised look on his face while holding out a hand towards Kathy. Unfortunately, his cries went unheard since she flew left towards an alleyway and disappeared afterward. Knuckles frowned sadly as he saw that Kathy had separated from him again. He had hoped that this would not happen again, but he supposed that anything is possible. To be fair, he didn't expect that it would come from this scenario though.

What just happened? I've never seen Kathy behave that way before...And the way that she looked at me with those terrified eyes...It felt as if it wasn't me that she's afraid of...but rather...herself...Hmmm...I better find her fast and get to the bottom of this...Knuckles pondered calmly yet curiously in confusion with a sad frown and with pitiful eyes before he looked solemn and determined as he slowly brought himself back up to his feet and ran after Kathy. Meanwhile, the people watched Knuckles run after the moth girl in surprise and in confusion before they looked back at Bark and tried to help him aid his friends.

---

[Ten Minutes Later; Somewhere In The Middle Of Apotos]

Once again, Knuckles was running fast after Kathy while he panted a lot. He kept looking through alleyway after alleyway to see where Kathy went. He felt worried that he had lost track of her in the intricate city since he can't see her in either the open streets or in the alleyways. But as soon as he began to lose hope, he soon heard some quiet sobbing and sniffling at a nearby building. He slowed down his running speed until he had started walking. He walked straight past a large house before he stopped and looked at his right to see Kathy crying on top of the front steps of a large house.

"(Sob Sob Sob)…(Sniff)…(Sob Sob Sob Sob)…" Kathy softly cried while sniffling a little as she had covered her face with her hands and had bent forwards with her elbows on her lap. Knuckles frowned sadly in sympathy for Kathy as he watched her cry softly.

Poor Kathy...I couldn't even imagine what she's thinking right now...Well...Might as well find out...Knuckles pondered calmly in sadness as he looked sympathetic while silently staring at Kathy before walking over to her.

"Hey..." Knuckles muttered softly with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as he stood next to Kathy and looked down at her. Kathy soon stopped crying for a moment to look up at Knuckles while having a pitiful look on her face.

"...H-Hey..." Kathy muttered softly in a broken tone of voice with a little, sad frown and with sparkly, teary eyes as she stared at Knuckles. Knuckles briefly looked surprised when he heard that response in that sad tone of voice before he looked even more sympathetic since hearing that had broken his heart.

"Kathy...Come here..." Knuckles softly whispered in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as he slowly sat down next to Kathy and opened his arms to her to encourage her to hug him. Kathy nodded in understanding and immediately leant towards Knuckles to hug him. Once she got her arms around his waist, she hugged him very tightly in comfort while burying her face into his chest as she continued to cry softly. He hugged her back very tightly with one of his hands holding the back of her head. He stared down at her while frowning very much in sadness as he tried comforting her by hugging her tightly yet warmly.

"There, there, Kathy...Shhh...I'm here now...I'm here..." Knuckles whispered softly in a consoling way with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as he gently rubbed the back of Kathy's head while hugging her. Kathy didn't respond as she just continued to sob quietly for a while. Knuckles hadn't said anything else besides that and had simply stayed quiet while comforting Kathy as he listened to her sobbing. He may not know how long it was for her to settle down her crying, but he didn't care because what matters to him is her happiness. He could sit here all day and hug her tightly in his arms if it will get her to stop crying. Anything else besides her is only secondary.

The only thing that I ever want from you is to be happy, and I'll do my very best to make you happy...No matter what...I'll always stay by your side and cheer you up...Knuckles brooded calmly with a solemn frown and with determined eyes as he silently stared at Kathy while comforting her. Eventually, Kathy stopped sobbing and moved her head a little to the right to rest on Knuckles' chest. She was still frowning in sadness and still had tears in her eyes, but she had stopped sobbing regardless.

Knuckles recognized this and asked Kathy softly with a sympathetic frown, "Are you feeling better?".

"...I don't know..." Kathy muttered lowly yet sadly with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she blinked away her tears a little.

"Hmm...It's okay if you still don't feel better...I'm not rushing you...Still...I wonder what had gotten you upset in the first place...I mean...What happened back there? If you could tell me what had happened, I'd...I'd probably understand..." Knuckles muttered softly yet gently with a sympathetic frown and with downcast eyes as he stared down at Kathy while slowly rubbing her back. Kathy frowned even deeper in sadness after hearing that and closed her eyes as she snugged Knuckles a little in comfort.

"...No...You wouldn't understand...You wouldn't understand how hard it is for me as a supposedly docile monster to not...to not...behave as a monster...(Sob Sob Sob)…" Kathy muttered softly with a sad frown and with closed eyes as she sobbed a little again. Knuckles grimaced at that response as he cringed a little while he brooded to himself. You're wrong there, Kathy. I do understand how hard it is to not behave as a monster. After all...I'm a monster myself...

But of course, Knuckles instead replied calmly with, "...You don't know that...I might understand it if you could only explain further...Please...I want to help you...".

"..." Kathy was silent on that as she slowly opened her eyes halfway in sadness while having tears in her eyes. She can feel the lump in her throat as she decides whether to tell Knuckles the truth or not, but eventually, she swallowed hard as she did her best to tell him what happened.

"(Sniff)…When I saw you being teased and mocked by those stupid thieves...I...I...Ah...(Sob Sob Sob)…I was reminded of my mom for when she...she...(Sniff)...for when she was being mocked by my own people...(Sob Sob Sob Sob)…" Kathy answered sadly in a broken tone of voice with a little, sad frown and with downcast, teary eyes as she sobbed softly and sniffled a little.

"...! ...Your...Your mother?" Knuckles muttered softly in surprise with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as he gasped a little in shock.

"...Uh huh...(Sniff)...My mother was mocked countless times for failing to save our people from Battra's monsters...(Sniff)...She may have saved dozens of lives, but...but...(Sob Sob Sob)...but they did not care about that...(Sob Sob Sob Sob)...They were angry and hurt that she hadn't saved their loved ones in time...(Sniff)...So they mocked her and teased her for being a useless hero...(Sob Sob Sob Sob)" Kathy continued sadly with a depressed frown and with closed eyes as she nodded her head a little while sobbing and sniffling a lot.

"..." Knuckles was speechless as he silently stared at Kathy with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth.

"...(Sniff)...Whenever I see her getting mocked, she would keep her head high...but even then...I would see the shame in her eyes and on her frown as she stared back at our people. (Sniff)...It had pained me to see that defeated expression on her face...I...(Sob Sob Sob)...I didn't want her to feel ashamed of what she had done...I want her to be proud...and content...Just like I always see her...(Sob Sob Sob Sob)…" Kathy continued sadly with a little frown and with half-lidded, teary eyes as she opened her eyes again while sobbing and sniffling softly. Knuckles frowned sadly in sympathy for Kathy as he listened to her. Instinctively, he hugged her tighter as a way to protect her.

"(Sniff)...So...when I saw you looking ashamed and defeated...I...I...(Sob Sob Sob)...I got upset...You were clearly hurting on the inside...just like my mom was...and I...I...I couldn't take it anymore! I hated that they were mocking her for doing a good thing! I hated that they had made her feel sad and ashamed! And...And...(Sniff)...And I hate that the people in this dimension do the same freaking thing too! How could they disrespect you like that?! How dare they say that you are useless to them now?! And how dare they remind me of how much my mother and I had been called 'useless'! They are horrible! Absolutely horrible! (Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!)" Kathy continued sadly with a frown and with downcast eyes before angrily with a grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as she sniffled a little while sobbing softly then loudly at the end. She then buried her face into Knuckles' chest again and kept crying in sadness as she couldn't go on much further than that.

"Oh, Kathy..." Knuckles muttered softly in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at Kathy while hugging her tightly and while rubbing her back and head. That must've been the last straw for her. Just hearing someone calling another person 'useless' must've triggered her bad memories. Thus...she lashed out as a result...Knuckles brooded calmly with a sad, solemn frown and with sympathetic eyes as he silently comforted Kathy.

"(Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!)...I couldn't control myself! No matter how much I wanted to remain civil and peaceful just like my mom and my ancestor was, I just couldn't do it in that moment! (Sob! Sob! Sob!)...I was so fed up with it! I'm tired of seeing people mocking and teasing those that I care about! I'm tired of putting up with disrespectful people all for the sake of maintaining my ancestor's benevolent reputation! And I'm sick of failing to be a positive representation of Kaiju monsters like myself! I'm just sick of it all! (Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!)" Kathy continued angrily with a grimace and with closed eyes as she moved her head to side while sobbing loudly in sadness. Knuckles frowned solemnly in empathy as he understood that feeling all too well.

I know what you mean...It's not easy trying to be responsible and maintaining a good reputation for yourself...You will do foolish things eventually, and everyone will make fun of you for it...It's a very cruel thing to do, but that's because people won't forget the mistakes that you had done and won't forgive you easily for them either...It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's the truth...And that's why...I get teased and mocked constantly for the things that I do...Like...not guarding the Master Emerald when I should be or...getting tricked easily by others...If you make a mistake in either of these areas, then you're guaranteed to be teased and mocked for a long time from your enemies...and sadly...from your friends...Knuckles brooded calmly in sadness with a solemn frown and with sympathetic, half-lidded eyes as he stared down at Kathy while comforting her.

"(Sob! Sob! Sob!)...And you know what's the worst part?! Because I've purposefully hurt a civilian, I've ruined my reputation! I've tarnished Mothra's good name and became just another regular monster! (Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!) I've ruined everything that my mom wanted to happen! To have Mobians trust monsters again! I've ruined that by making them fear us again! (Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!) It's all my fault! (Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob! Sob!)" Kathy finished sadly with a huge frown and with closed eyes as she kept sobbing loudly while hugging Knuckles tightly in comfort.

"Hey...Take it easy, Kathy...Those people who saw you didn't know that you were a monster..." Knuckles consoled calmly yet gently with a little frown and with sympathetic eyes as he gently rubbed Kathy's back with both hands.

"But how could they not?! They could have seen me on the news! Amy saw me on the news yesterday, and she knew that I was a monster! So those people should've recognized me!" Kathy yelled back in sadness and in anger with a grimace and with closed eyes as tears went down her face.

"You'd think but not everybody watches the news! I'm very sure that those people we're just confused as to who you are and what you had done! That's all there is! No one knew that you were a monster!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a gaped mouth and with wide eyes as he looked sympathetic.

"Except you! You knew that I was a monster! So, me attacking those thieves was of no surprise to you! I even attacked you by shoving you down to the ground! To say that people won't see me as a monster after that is ludicrous! Those people have every right to judge me as a monster, and you saying that they won't is just the stupidest thing that I have ever heard you say!" Kathy yelled in anger with gritted teeth and with irritated, teary eyes as she quickly sat straight back up and glared directly at Knuckles while poking at his chest a lot out of frustration.

"Kathy! Are you even listening to yourself right now?! All those people who saw you shove me into the ground just saw you as a regular girl who's being scared and upset! They weren't there when you had attacked Fang and Bean! Only Bark and I saw you do that! The people only came after you had attacked them! What they saw was no monster! What they saw was a normal person who looked like they were having a huge fight with me! At this point, I'm going to get seen as the monster here! Not you!" Knuckles yelled back in frustration with gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as he slightly glared at Kathy while holding onto her shoulders.

"Wh-What?! But! But! But surely, they must've seen me! I mean! They were there when I-!" Kathy exclaimed in shock and in confusion as she looked surprised while having tears in her eyes.

"Kathy, you were blind with fury when you had attacked those thieves! You couldn't even see the people walking by after you had attacked them! The only thing that was on your mind at that moment was giving those thieves what for! Nothing else mattered to you! You couldn't even think about your reputation at that moment! Once you've finally released your pent-up anger, nothing will hold you back! Not even...!" Knuckles yelled back in frustration with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he interrupted Kathy before he paused for a bit and looked solemn as he finished calmly, "...Not even your friends will you hold back...If you're going to stop someone from becoming furious, you stop them at the very beginning when they're just starting to get angry...Just like what you did to me...".

"...!" Kathy gasped in shock as she looked surprised while some tears were in her eyes. She stared at Knuckles in shock while he just stared calmly back at her with a solemn look on his face. After staring at him for a few more seconds, her expression changed from a shocked look to a sad look as she closed her eyes and bowed her head down a little with tears falling from her face.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Knuckles...I'm sorry that I had snapped at you...I was just...just..." Kathy whispered softly yet sadly in guilt with a grimace and with closed eyes as she swallowed another hard lump in her throat. She then felt Knuckles pulling her shoulders towards himself as he wrapped his arms around her again in another warm hug.

As Kathy wrapped her arms around Knuckles' waist again, he whispered softly yet gently with a solemn frown and with sympathetic eyes, "I know. I know. You were just upset...I was upset too. I was upset that you still think that I judge you just because you are a monster. You couldn't be any more wrong than that. I see you not as a monster...but rather...as a person...A person who has feelings and emotions just like anyone else on this planet...Especially to someone like me...".

"(Sniff)...Knuckles..." Kathy muttered sadly in a broken tone of voice with a little frown and with sparkly, tear-filled eyes as she looked at Knuckles again while sniffling a little. Knuckles held Kathy very tightly in his arms while staring solemnly at her in sympathy.

He stared at her for a few more seconds before he closed his eyes and continued to whisper softly, "Kathy...You are no different than me...I get upset...You get upset...I get sad...You get sad...I get afraid...You get afraid...I get happy...You get happy...These emotions make us alive...We are driven by our conscious which controls our emotions...Without it...we would actually become monsters...".

"...!" Kathy gasped again in shock after hearing that and stared curiously at Knuckles now because of it.

"We would hurt others purposefully without feeling any remorse or guilt...We would thoughtlessly destroy a person's self-esteem while relishing it...We would ruin people's livelihoods in one fell swoop, and we would sleep well at night because of it...That is what happens when you don't have a conscious...But you and I have one, and that what makes us separate from the people who don't..." Knuckles continued whispering softly with a solemn frown and with closed eyes as he gently rubbed Kathy's back.

"..." Kathy was speechless as she stared at Knuckles with a gaped mouth and with teary eyes.

Knuckles soon opened his eyes and stared at Kathy with caring eyes as he finished softly in a whisper, "...Do you understand now, Kathy? You may have hurt those thieves; but you didn't kill them, nor did you feel happy for doing so. You felt scared and guilty for what you did. I can't ever see you as a monster because of that. You'll always be a person to me no matter how strong or powerful you are".

Kathy kept staring at Knuckles with a shocked look on her face before she grimaced and closed her eyes again as she silently cried over his shoulder this time. As Knuckles heard her sniffle a little, he kept rubbing her back while hugging her tightly in his arms. He figured that she got the message and was just crying it out. So, he was silent as he waited for her to either speak up or stop crying again.

"(Sniff)…...I...I understand, Knuckles...and...I'm sorry..." Kathy whispered softly yet slowly with a grimace and with closed eyes as she sniffled a little and cried silently with tears flowing down from her cheeks.

"It's okay, Kathy. It's okay. Everything is alright now," Knuckles gently consoled with a little frown and with closed eyes as he kept rubbing Kathy's back. Kathy was quiet on that as she kept crying silently while feeling Knuckles gently rub her back in comfort. They've both grown silent as they hugged each other very tightly for a very long time.

…

…

…

"...Hey, Kathy?" Knuckles asked gently with a little frown as he opened his eyes and stared at Kathy again.

"...(Sniff)...Yes?" Kathy asked softly with a little frown and with a sniffle as she wiped her tears away and looked at Knuckles.

"...Are you feeling better now?" Knuckles asked again with a little frown and with concerned eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"...A little..." Kathy answered sadly with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"Hmmm..." Knuckles mused quietly with a solemn frown and with caring eyes as he pondered to himself. Well... At least, she's not crying now... That's a relief... But still... I don't think that our talk is over yet...

He then pulled away from Kathy and readjusted his sitting position so that he could hug her with only one arm. Kathy briefly released Knuckles to allow him to get himself comfortable before hugging him again at the waist. She leant her head onto his right shoulder and snuggled into him out of comfort. He held her tightly with his right arm and gently rubbed her right arm while staring calmly at her with a little frown on his face.

"...Listen, Kathy...I understand why you had hurt those thieves, but...it still wasn't right for you to hurt them though...You should've listened to me instead..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet gently with a little, sympathetic frown and with caring eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"But...you would've done the same thing had I not stopped you," Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as she gently squeezed Knuckles in comfort.

"You're right. I would've, but even I know that it was wrong," Knuckles agreed calmly with a little frown and with a nod as he kept staring at Kathy.

"So then why...did you not hurt them? I may have stopped you, but...I'm sure that you would've gotten violent if you chose to. So why didn't you?" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with a little frown and with intrigued eyes as she looked up at Knuckles while still leaning her head on top of his shoulder.

"It's because I...(Sigh)…...It's because I have believed in your words, Kathy...I believed that...I can control myself and become a better person," Knuckles answered calmly yet quietly with a deep sigh and with a solemn frown as he moved his head away from Kathy and closed his eyes.

"What? My words?" Kathy asked calmly in confusion with a surprised look on her face as she moved her head up from Knuckles' shoulder and stared at him in curiosity.

"Yes, Kathy. Your words. I believed that you would have taught me on how to control my temper and behave more civilly. When you had stopped me from getting angry, I took it as my chance to learn to control my anger. I may have wanted to punch those idiots so badly for teasing me and for making fun of me, but...I didn't...because I thought that...you would stand strong with me as I endure the pain and the humiliation of being mocked..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a solemn frown and with closed eyes as he kept his head away from Kathy.

Kathy looked surprised at that reason but soon looked sad as she replied softly in guilt, "Oh, Knuckles...I...I'm so sorry that I had let you down...I wasn't being a good role model to you...I hadn't even tried to behave in a gentlewomanly manner...I gave up the moment they started teasing you and putting you down...".

"It's quite alright, Kathy. You weren't the only one who was being a hypocrite. I was being one as well," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a solemn frown and with closed eyes as he nodded his head a little.

"What do you mean?" Kathy asked calmly in confusion as she stared curiously at Knuckles while having a little frown on her face.

"What I mean is...I wasn't smiling or laughing at all while I was being teased," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly with a solemn frown on his shameful face as he dipped his head down.

"Huh? But...that's a normal reaction, right? People don't smile or laugh when they're being teased, right?" Kathy replied calmly in confusion with a little frown and with curious eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"No, they don't...but I still taught you that you should, remember?" Knuckles replied calmly with a solemn frown as he opened his eyes and looked at Kathy.

"O-Oh...Yeah, you did," Kathy answered quietly yet slowly in realization as she frowned even deeper and as her antennas went down in sadness.

Knuckles nodded his head as he replied calmly yet quietly with a solemn frown, "Yeah, I did...Which is why I'm a hypocrite to begin with...I may have said that because I wanted to encourage you to be more resilient towards cruel and mean people, but...I know how difficult it is to do so...Especially with me since...I get upset every time somebody teases me or mocks me...I can't help it...I just...".

He then looked back down at his lap with a depressed look on his face as he quietly added, "...I just don't want to be seen as a joke anymore...".

"...!" Kathy gasped a little in shock as she looked very sad when she heard Knuckles say that. She then hugged him even tighter and snuggled her head onto his right shoulder to comfort him before replying calmly yet softly with a sad frown and with closed eyes, "Aww, Knuckles...It's okay...I understand why you would get upset by that...I don't want to be seen as a joke either...".

"Hmph...I guess that makes two of us..." Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly with a depressed frown and with downcast eyes as he looked at Kathy in sympathy. He hugged her even tighter just as well to comfort her.

"Hmmm...You know...I wasn't smiling or laughing either when those guys had teased you...So...I guess you can say that we both failed at being good examples to each other..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a little frown and with caring eyes as she lifted her head up and stared at Knuckles in concern.

"...Huh...Ditto..." Knuckles muttered calmly in realization with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as he stared back at Kathy with wide eyes. Kathy stared back at Knuckles with a little frown just as he stared at her with a little frown. But soon, she saw Knuckles smile a little in relief and smiled a little too.

"...Heh...I guess that we're both screw-ups then..." Knuckles joked a little in amusement with a small smile and with calm eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Yeah...Hehehe...We like to run our BIG, fat mouths until we mess up like a couple of goofs," Kathy joked a little in amusement with a small smile and a light giggle as she stared back at Knuckles.

Knuckles genuinely chuckled at that as he replied calmly in amusement, "Heheheheheheheheheh...Couldn't said it better myself...Heheheheheheheheh...".

Kathy beamed sweetly at Knuckles as she watched him a chuckle a lot in amusement. She felt happy that she had cheered him up a little at least. Knuckles soon stopped chuckling and smiled fondly at Kathy in amusement. He then held her much closer to himself and rested his right cheek against her head as she rested her head onto his right shoulder. They were both smiling fondly as they cuddled a little in affection.

Kathy smiled a little for a few moments before she frowned a little as she replied softly, "...Still...I can't believe those guys had said those awful things to you...Surely that can't be true, right, Knuckles?".

Knuckles soon frowned solemnly as he stared straight ahead while calmly answering, "...It's...It's complicated...A lot of things that Fang had said were true in some regard like how I wasn't involved in much of Sonic's current adventures for example...But the details of why I have not been in those adventures is...well...not easy to explain...I just...wasn't involved as much as I used to...That's all...".

"But why? Why weren't you involved? What changed that?" Kathy asked curiously yet gently with a little frown and with intrigued eyes as she looked up at Knuckles.

Knuckles frowned even deeper in sadness and gently squeezed Kathy with one arm in comfort as he quietly answered, "...I...I can't answer that...It's too personal for me to say out loud...".

"Oh...I'm sorry," Kathy apologized quietly in disappointment with a sad frown and with upward eyebrows as she looked down at the ground.

"It's okay, Kathy. You didn't know..." Knuckles consoled calmly yet gently with a little frown and with half-lidded eyes as he looked at Kathy again while gently rubbing her right arm. Kathy simply closed her eyes and snuggled Knuckles a little to comfort him. He appreciated her comforting tactics and hugged her very tightly in response.

With a little frown on her sad face, Kathy muttered softly, "...Why do people in this dimension have to be the same in the Sol Dimension? I thought that...the people here would be nicer...".

Knuckles frowned in sympathy for Kathy as he stared at her before looking ahead again while replying calmly yet solemnly, "...Not everything in this dimension is going to be great...Just because you left one terrible dimension for a different one, it doesn't mean that it's going to be all sunshine and rainbows...You're still going to meet selfish people every now and then, and you'll still have to face people who are judgmental and spiteful towards you...That's just how the world works no matter which dimension you're on...".

"Hmmm..." Kathy mused quietly in understanding with a disappointed look on her face as she stared at the ground.

Knuckles gently squeezed Kathy again in comfort as he continued calmly yet solemnly, "...I'm sorry that you have to hear that, but it's the truth. Your new life here isn't going to be easy. Sure, you may have gotten a fresh start by meeting me and my acquaintances, but it's not like everyone here will accept you. Heck, they might not even care that you exist just like how the people are with me...".

He then looked at Kathy again in empathy with a little frown and with caring eyes as he finished calmly yet solemnly, "...But that doesn't mean that you're alone in this. There's a reason why Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream, and I have become the group that we are today, and that is because we have bonded over similar hardships and grievances that the world had given us. We've grown compassionate towards one another and even towards strangers who are in need of our help. It's the only thing that we could do to make the world a better place to live in. It's not like it will get better, but it will be less agonizing to be in though".

"..." Kathy was silent as she had listened to Knuckles' speech. She understood now that her plan to move to a new place was a rather foolish since she thought that a better world exists. She thought that she wouldn't have to deal with selfish, inconsiderate people anymore if she had left. But now...it seems that she will have to face the truth.

"Al-Alright, Knuckles. I understand now...Thanks...Thanks for telling me this...even though it hurts to hear it out loud..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a little frown and with half-lidded eyes as she hugged Knuckles tightly in comfort.

"I know. I didn't want to tell you either...but it'll be alright. I'm here for you, okay?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a little frown and with sympathetic eyes as he affectionately rubbed Kathy's right arm in comfort.

"Okay," Kathy muttered calmly with a little frown and with a nod as she gently squeezed Knuckles. Knuckles gently squeezed Kathy back to comfort her. He calmly stared at her while having a solemn look on his face. He hated that he had to bring her back to reality, but he knew that it was for her own good. At the very least...she won't have to face it alone...I'll be here comforting her until she smiles again...Knuckles brooded calmly with a solemn frown and with determined eyes as he hugged Kathy tightly with one arm. Once again, he had no idea how long she was holding him for while having her head on his right shoulder, but eventually, she lifted her head up and stared at him.

"..." Knuckles was silent as he stared back at Kathy while having a solemn frown on his determined face. His solemn stare is making Kathy's heart beat a little faster as she saw how serious he looks. As she stared innocently at him with twinkling eyes, he kept staring silently at her with a serious look on his face as he observed her to see if she's still sad or not.

"...Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently with a solemn frown and with determined eyes as he stared at her.

"Yes? What is it, Knuckles?" Kathy asked softly yet curiously with a little frown and with twinkling eyes as she stared innocently at him.

"...Are you going to be alright?" Knuckles asked again in concern with a solemn frown and with caring eyes as he stared calmly at Kathy. Kathy stared back at him with twinkling eyes and with a little frown while her heart pounded faster as she blushed a little in shyness.

Eventually, she smiled a little at him while answering calmly yet shyly with a pink blush, "...Yes...Yes, I'll be alright...Especially with you staring at me like that with that serious look of yours...It's very cute...".

Knuckles immediately blushed in embarrassment after hearing that as he was caught off guard by Kathy's statements. He looked surprised yet flustered as his blush kept glowing redder. Kathy smiled even more at Knuckles in amusement as she slowly yet gently held his flushed cheeks with her hands while staring at him in fondness.

"You always like to look serious in front of me, don't you? Is it your way to show off how manly you are?" Kathy asked playfully with a sweet smile and with innocent eyes as she stared directly at Knuckles.

"Wh-What?! I...I..." Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth as his blush went darker and as his heart started beating faster. As he stared calmly at Kathy with wide eyes, he can see how happy and relaxed she looks now as she stared back at him. It was very clear to him that she had cheered up fully. So, with a growing, sheepish smile and with a dark blush, he held Kathy fully with both arms as he adjusted his sitting position again.

"...I...I'm doing no such thing...Heh...I'm just being serious because I care about ya...Heheh...It's just...something that I do naturally...Heheheh...I'm a serious guy after all...Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly with a huge, sheepish smile and with a deep blush as he stared closely at Kathy while chuckling nervously.

"If you're so serious, then why are you chuckling?" Kathy asked teasingly with a coy smile and with intrigued eyes as she stared at Knuckles while massaging his face a little in affection.

"It's because I'm feeling nervous! Heheheheheheheheh! I can't help it! Hahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge, sheepish smile and with playful eyes as he stared at Kathy while chuckling some more in nervousness.

"Oh, really? What are you nervous for?" Kathy asked coyly with a little smile and with curious eyes as she stared at Knuckles while putting her hands down to his shoulders.

"I'm not telling you! Heheheheheheheheheh! It's a secret! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he blushed a lot in embarrassment and chuckled a lot in nervousness.

"Awwww...Someone's being shy again...You're that nervous, huh? Hehehehe...Maybe we can fix that..." Kathy replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with a sweet smile and with a giggle as she stared at Knuckles. She soon started crawling her fingers down Knuckles' sensitive body in a playful way starting from his shoulders, down to his armpits, to his sides, and finally to his tummy. Knuckles spurt out dozens of cute giggles from his mouth when he felt Kathy's playful fingers gently touch his sensitive spots.

"H-Hey! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Kathy! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Quit it! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Stahahahahahahahahahahahap it!" Knuckles protested playfully to the gentle tickling with a huge smile and with closed eyes while giggling a lot as he cringed and squirmed a lot when he felt his tickle spots being touched softly.

"Hehehehe! Not feeling so nervous now, are you?" Kathy replied playfully with a giggle and with a warm smile as she stared at Knuckles while teasingly crawling her fingers up and down his body.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Not anymore! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Now that you're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! But now! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I can't stop giggling! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Stop! Plehehehehehehehehehehease!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he giggled cutely yet silly while cringing and squirming a lot.

"Hahahahaha! Okay, that's enough, you silly, little doggie. You're lucky that I wasn't that interested into hearing your little secret. I just wanted to play with you a little to get you to smile," Kathy replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with another giggle and with a warm smile as she stopped tickling Knuckles and just held gently onto his sides.

"You definitely got me to smile again! Heheheheheheheheh! By making me giggle on purpose! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes as he stared fondly at Kathy while chuckling a lot.

"Yeah, I did...But now you can't get back into being serious again," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully with a grin and with half-lidded eyes as she stared directly at Knuckles.

"What are you talking about?! Heheheheheheheh! I can easily get serious again! Heheheheheheh! It's in my blood! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes as he stared back at Kathy while chuckling a lot.

"Really? Even while I'm...smiling at you?" Kathy replied curiously in amusement with a huge, innocent smile and with twinkling eyes as she slightly got closer towards Knuckles.

"Uh...Of course! Even while you're smiling at me, I'll stay serious! Heheheheh! It's not that hard!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with raised eyebrows as he chuckled a little while blushing a lot in embarrassment.

"'Not that hard', huh? So...if I...tickle you...you'll stay serious? Hmmm? Is that what you're telling me?" Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly with a coy smile and with playful eyes as she snuggled close against Knuckles' body while drumming her fingers against his sides.

Knuckles grinned a lot in amusement as he felt his sides being tapped by Kathy's playful fingers. He can tell that Kathy is warning him but in a playful way, and secretly, he really likes it whenever she does that to him. He is starting to realize how much he enjoys Kathy playing with him. He feels like a little child whenever she plays with him, and maybe...that's because he sees her as a little child. It certainly does explain why he likes her so much.

"Heheheh...Okay, that's going to be very hard to do. Heheheheheheh! Considering that tickling is my one weakness. Heheheheh!" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he chuckled a lot while pulling Kathy much closer to himself so that he could stare at her face-to-face.

"More like...I'm your one weakness," Kathy replied calmly yet gently with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she leant against his body and stared fondly at Knuckles' face. Knuckles stopped chuckling and stared fondly at Kathy's face while beaming at her with twinkling eyes.

"Y-Yeah..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly with a huge, warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared fondly at Kathy while being rather close to her. They both smiled fondly at each other while staring silently into each other's eyes. As they stared at each other for a minute, they can feel their hearts beating in unison since their chests are close to each other. They could see the care in each other's twinkling eyes while they smiled fondly at each other. They could feel the bubbling joy rising in their hearts as they stared at each other, and when they couldn't take it anymore, they quickly embraced each other out of happiness. They hugged each other for a very long time in silence while wearing fond smiles on their faces.

…

…

…

---

CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHH!

"Ah! What the-?! What was that?!" Knuckles yelled in surprise as he immediately pulled away from Kathy and looked around quickly with a startled look on his face.

"I don't know! Maybe a building had-!" Kathy exclaimed in surprise as she looked around quickly too with a startled look on her face.

CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAASSSH! CRAAAAAAAAAAAASSHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAASSSHHH!

Knuckles and Kathy cringed in shock when they heard more loud crashes in the distance. Just as when they we're going to ask each other if Battra had showed up with his monsters, they soon heard loud screams in horror from the townsfolk.

"Aaaaaah! Giant monsters are falling from the sky! Run! Everybody! Run!" a man screamed in fear.

"Let's get out of here! We must evacuate before the monsters kill us!" a woman screamed in panic.

"Where's Neo G.U.N.'s forces when you need them?! The monsters are quickly destroying the city! Somebody, help us!" another man screamed in fear.

CRRRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSHHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHHH! CRRRAAAAAAAASSSHHH! CRRAAAAAAAAASSSSHHH!

After Knuckles and Kathy cringed again at the loud crashes, they soon looked at each other with solemn looks on their faces and nodded together in unison.

"Let's go," Knuckles muttered calmly yet solemnly with a deep frown and with determined eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Right," Kathy replied calmly yet solemnly with a frown and with another nod as she lets go of Knuckles and stood back up. Knuckles stood back up after Kathy got back up and grabbed her hand before he ran back to where he came from. Kathy had no objections to this as she assumed that the monsters are in a different section of the city.

While Knuckles and Kathy ran through the city to find the monsters, Bark had finally managed to wake Fang and Bean back up and literally just in time too since the monsters started attacking the city.

"Uggghh...Geez...What the heck just happened?" Fang groaned in agony with a grimace and with closed eyes as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah...Oooggh...I feel dizzy..." Bean groaned in agony with a grimace and with a closed eyelid as he rubbed his head. Fang and Bean were suddenly surprised when Bark quickly grabbed their necks and lifted them back up to their feet.

"Woah! Take it easy, Bark! What's the big idea trying to choke us to death?!" Fang exclaimed in shock and in annoyance with gritted teeth and with a glare as he looked up at Bark while shaking his fist at him.

"Yeah! What's the matter with you, Bark?! Is there something going on?!" Bean exclaimed in shock and in concern as he looked up at Bark while looking worried. Bark nodded to Bean as he quickly got the message across through sign language.

"What?! You mean to tell us that there's monsters running loose in the city?! And that we need to evacuate?!" Bean exclaimed in shock as he flinched in surprise while looking frightened as he waved his arms around.

"What a load of baloney! There's no monsters around! As if I'm going to believe anything that news says! You're just trying to scare us, Bark! I won't fall for it!" Fang exclaimed in annoyance with a deep frown and with a glare as he looked at his left while holding onto his hat. Bark frowned in annoyance before he grabbed Fang's head and make him look in the right direction.

"Hey! What are ya-?! …!" Fang exclaimed in annoyance with a frown before he gasped loudly in shock as he looked surprised.

"Huh? What are you looking at, b-Ack!" Bean asked curiously in confusion as he looked to where Fang was looking at and exclaimed in shock since he looked surprised as well.

They can see three, huge, spiky balls falling down from the sky and crushed more buildings when they had landed.

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSH! CRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSH! CRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSHH!

While rubble scattered everywhere, the three, spiky balls continued to bowl through the buildings, wrecking them as they rammed into them.

CRRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHH! CRRAAAAAAAAASSH! CRRRAAAAAAAAAASSSH! CRRAAAAAAAASSSHH!

More buildings collapsed as the three, spiky balls bulldoze them over as if they were paper mâché. Two of the three balls turned left while the remaining one made a U-turn and had crushed more buildings as a result.

CRAAAAAAAAAASSSH! CRAAAAAAAAASSSH! CRAAAAAAAAAAASSH! CRAAAAAAAASSSH! CRAAAAAASSH!

As rubble fell and as dust rise to the air, the destroyed buildings were laid to waste as the remaining spiky ball uncurled itself and revealed the monster(s) in question: Anguirus.

EEEEUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHH! EEEEUUUUUUUUUGGGHHH!

The Anguirus monster roared loudly as he stood upon the pile of rubble. This Anguirus monster is about 18 feet tall (AKA: approx. 6 meters), and his body is completely black with red and yellow streaks on his spiky back. His eyes are completely red too just like Battra's eyes. Fang's jaw had dropped to the ground after seeing the huge monster, and he realized now that the news was not joking when they said that monsters could appear anywhere, any time.

"Blimey! Just look at the size of that armadillo! He's going to flatten the entire city with that spiky back of his!" Fang exclaimed in shock as he stared at the Anguirus monster with wide eyes and with a gaped mouth.

"Yeah! He's even giving Mighty a run for his money on how powerful he can roll! Let's get out of here, boss!" Bean exclaimed in shock as he looked back at Fang with a panicked look on his face.

"That's exactly what I had in mind, Bean! Come on, boys! Let's book it!" Fang exclaimed in shock as he quickly looked back at Bean before nodded to him and Bark while waving a hand over to himself and turning around as he ran as fast as can in the opposite direction. Bean and Bark followed him as they ran for their lives and away from the monsters. Coincidentally, they happened to run past the alleyway that Knuckles and Kathy were running in.

As Knuckles looked surprised after seeing Fang, Bean, and Bark running away, he exclaimed in confusion while looking at Kathy, "What's up with them?!".

"My intuition is telling me that they saw the monsters that we'll be facing next," Kathy replied calmly with a frown and a shrug as she looked at Knuckles while running beside him with her hand clasped with his.

"Hmm...Sounds like it. But still, I wonder what kind of monster it is that we'll be facing this time," Knuckles replied calmly yet curiously as he looked ahead again while looking serious.

"Well, judging by that roar that we had heard earlier, there could only be one monster that it could be..." Kathy replied calmly with a solemn frown and with determined eyes as she looked ahead too before stopping with Knuckles at the alleyway's exit and looked into the street with him.

"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock when he saw the Anguirus monster thrashing about in the city by crushing buildings with his feet and with his head.

CRRRAAAAAAAASSSSHH! CRRRAAAAAAAAASSSHHH! CRRAAAAAAASSSSHHH! CRRRRAAAAAASSSH!

Rubble fell from the buildings after being hit by the monster's feet and head, and the monster roared again in victory after destroying more buildings,

EEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHH!

"...What is that?" Knuckles asked in shock and in awe as he looked stunned while staring at the Anguirus monster.

"Anguirus..." Kathy answered calmly yet solemnly with a frown and with determined eyes as she adjusted her pendant a little with her other hand.

"'Anguirus'?! Just what is that guy's deal?! He's got spikes all over his back just like Sonic!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in confusion as he looked back at Kathy with a surprised look on his face.

"Well, you see, Knuckles, Anguirus is like a combined, prehistoric version of an armadillo and a hedgehog. His spikes on his back are used as his defense as well as his offense since he can roll into a ball. He could even bounce like a ball if he wants to," Kathy explained calmly with a little smile and with gentle eyes as she stared at Knuckles.

"Well, that's just great. It sounds to me that this monster is going to be as annoying as Sonic is when you fight him. Let's just hope that he doesn't talk too," Knuckles replied calmly in annoyance with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he lets go of Kathy's hand before he crosses his arms and glares slightly at Kathy.

"It certainly does look troubling, however, as long as we attack his stomach, we'll certainly beat him," Kathy replied calmly yet gently with a little frown and with her fingers under her chin as she nodded to Knuckles before she smiled a lot and raised a finger up for emphasis.

"Right. As long as we work together, no monster will be any match to us. Let's go, Kathy. I'm itching for another monster fight. I'm curious to see how this monster will fight me," Knuckles replied calmly with a huge smile and with determined eyes as he uncrosses his arms while staring at Kathy.

"Well, your itch will certainly be scratched indeed cause it's showdown time!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a huge smile and with a nod as she stared at Knuckles before looking ahead and running towards the Anguirus monster.

"Heck yeah! Let's beat this thing!" Knuckles exclaimed excitedly with a devious smirk and with amused eyes as he watched Kathy go before tagging along with clenched fists. He felt pumped up to fight another monster, and it's very clear that he is since he already ran past Kathy and gone after the Anguirus monster as he was busy attacking two buildings with his tail.

SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!

CRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHH!

SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!

CRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHH!

EEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!

The monster roared again after wrecking the two buildings with his tail. He was about to destroy the rest of the buildings adjacent to it until he heard Knuckles yelling at him.

"Hey! Think that you're going to wreck this place yourself?! Then leave some room for one more as I WRECK YOU UP!" Knuckles yelled loudly with a deep frown before he shouted in determination as he tightly clenched his fists. The Anguirus monster looked at his right and narrowed his eyes at his opponent who's running towards him. The monster stepped away from the buildings before he quickly swung his tail and his back around as he fights defensively. He was very close to whacking Knuckles with his tail, but Knuckles luckily dodged at the last minute by jumping backwards in shock.

"Ack!" Knuckles yelped in shock with a surprised look on his face as he quickly stopped running and jumped backwards instead.

"Knuckles! Be careful!" Kathy exclaimed in shock and in worry as she looked surprised while catching up to Knuckles and the Anguirus monster. Knuckles landed on his feet but soon yelled in shock again when he saw that the monster had started swinging his tail more in the vertical direction, making his tail attack the ground.

SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!

"Ack! Eep! Gah! Woah! Aaaah! K-K-Kathy?! A little help here!" Knuckles yelled in shock and in worry with a surprised look on his face as he quickly jumped around to dodge the tail attacks.

"On it!" Kathy exclaimed in determination with a solemn frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she quickly started flying over the ground and had made her attack by firing her yellow energy beams at the monster's spiky back.

BOOOOOOOOM! KAABOOOOOOOM!

Sparks and explosions came off from the Anguirus monster's back, and the monster stopped attacking and roared instead in pain.

EEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHH!

Knuckles landed on his feet again and had bended forward to grab his knees since he's out of breath from dodging a lot. As he panted, he looked up and saw that Kathy's energy beams were still hitting the monster's back.

KAAABOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! KAAAABOOOOOM!

More sparks and explosions came off from the monster's back, and Knuckles can't help but smile a little in astonishment of that strong attack. I don't think that I'll ever get tired of seeing that. A powerful move like that isn't something that you come across so easily. Knuckles pondered in amusement with a little smile as he regained his breath and stood up much straighter.

"Knuckles! Are you alright?!" Kathy yelled in concern with a solemn frown on her determined face.

"Hmph! Never better! Thanks for the save, Kathy! Now let's start this fight for real!" Knuckles yelled back in determination with a smirk and with a fist up as he's ready to fight again.

"Agreed! Let's attack this monster while he's distracted!" Kathy exclaimed back with a grin on her determined face as she flew upwards into the air.

"Fair plan! But how are we going to do that?! It looks like this monster is on the defensive at the moment!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a smirk before he frowned a bit as he looked up at his left and watched Kathy fly past him before looking back at the monster and saw him walk a bit away from him.

"Then we'll have to make the monster go on the offensive! Leave this to me!" Kathy exclaimed back confidently with a grin as she quickly flew past the monster and flew in front of him. The Anguirus monster stopped in his tracks and roared at the new opponent facing him.

EEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHHH!

"Hey, Anguirus! Recognize this?!" Kathy taunted playfully with a smirk and with a wave as she flew in place. She then fired her energy beams at the monster's face, and immediately, sparks and explosions came off from his face.

BOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOOM!

EEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHH!

The Anguirus monster roared while quickly shaking his head after feeling that painful attack. After Kathy stopped firing her energy beams at the monster, she waited for his reaction. The monster glared at her before he tried ramming his head at her as he quickly charged after her. But of course, Kathy dodged the attack by flying backwards.

"Haha! Nice try, slowpoke! But you have to do better than that!" Kathy taunted playfully with a smirk and with a chuckle as she kept flying backwards from the charging monster while having her arms crossed. The monster then tried to chomp at her with his huge mouth as he jumped up a bit to eat her. Kathy dodged these attacks as she flew upwards, left, and right while having a confident look on her face. She even completely turned left and right as she wanted to keep the Anguirus monster on his toes while also giving Knuckles time to catch up to them. Knuckles saw what Kathy was doing and had smirked a bit before he ran as fast as he could towards Kathy and the Angurius monster.

SCREEEEEEEEEE! KIIIIIIOOOOOOOOO! SCREEEEEEEE! (Come on, you overgrown armadillo! Fight better!)

Kathy taunted the Angurius monster in her native language while dodging the monster's chomping attacks by flying towards the left or towards the right. This action of course infuriated the Anguirus monster since he kept turning around to try to attack his little opponent.

EEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH! EEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!

The Anguirus monster roared in anger as he tried attacking Kathy with his feet. Unfortunately for the monster, he missed her as he hind kicked the air instead. Kathy grinned a little as she dodged again by flying towards the left and was in front of the monster's line of sight.

"That's the spirit! Now if only you can aim better!" Kathy taunted playfully with a grin as she flew above the monster. The monster looked back up at her and glared fiercely at her in fury. He then turned around and tried to hind kick her again while roaring in anger.

EEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHH!

Kathy dodged the attack yet again by flying to the right. The monster missed her and had attacked the building instead.

SLAM!

CRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSHHHH!

The building crumbled to the ground after being struck hard by the monster's strong hind kick. The monster still refused to give up as he kept hind kicking Kathy until he had hit her. Luckily, Knuckles was getting rather close to the monster and had noticed that Kathy had actually gotten the Anguirus monster distracted.

"Hey! Kathy! I can see that you got the monster distracted! Now what?!" Knuckles yelled out to her with a solemn frown on his determined face as he ran towards the monster and Kathy while looking up at her.

"Punch the monster's stomach while he's doing his hind kick attack!" Kathy yelled back with a confident smile as she dodged to the left again.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?!" Knuckles exclaimed back in concern with a hesitant look on his face as he skidded to a stop and got into a battle pose while being a couple feet away from the monster.

"It is rather dangerous! I can see that! But as long as you stay careful, you'll hit him in no time!" Kathy reassured brightly yet understandingly with a grin and with determined eyes as she stared at Knuckles while flying on the opposite side.

"Ah...Hmm...Alright, Kathy! I'll trust you! Just be careful yourself, okay?!" Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a hesitant look on his face before he exclaimed back with a nod and with a confident smile as he stared at her.

"Will do! Now then, let's try to knock this ancient armadillo on his back!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and with a thumbs-up as she stared at Knuckles for a bit before focusing onto the monster again and dodging another one of his powerful hind kicks.

"Right!" Knuckles exclaimed back in determination with a nod and with a frown as he focused onto the monster too. He watched the monster turning around and repeatedly attacking Kathy left and right. He had his fists up and had furrowed his eyebrows as he focused intensely at the monster's attack pattern. Once Knuckles had pinpointed the right moment to attack the monster, he wasted no time to run towards him and jump up to punch his huge stomach.

"Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhh!" Knuckles screamed fiercely as he dashed towards the Anguirus monster, got under him while he was in the middle of his hind kick attack, quickly jumped up and punched very hard at the monster's stomach.

POW!

EEEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHH!

The Anguirus monster roared in pain as he fell forwards onto his back. Knuckles landed back onto his feet and stood triumphantly with a proud grin on his mischievous face while staring at Kathy with a fist up.

"Ha! Got him!" Knuckles exclaimed proudly with a huge, mischievous grin and with determined eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Great! Now we can put this monster out of his misery!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin and with determined eyes as she stared back at Knuckles while taking her Sol Gems out and holding them in her hands.

"Now that's what I like to hear! Heheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a mischievous smirk and with a devious chuckle as he quickly ran around the monster before jumping onto the monster's stomach. At the same time Knuckles was running and jumping up onto the monster, Kathy quickly flew down and landed onto the monster's stomach. Meanwhile, the Anguirus monster was flailing his legs around while roaring in anger.

EEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHH! EEEEEUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!

Kathy and Knuckles looked down at the monster briefly before looking at each other with their backs facing the other. They stared at each other briefly in understanding before they grinned widely at each other and nodded in agreement.

"Let's end this!" Kathy and Knuckles yelled victoriously yet simultaneously with wide grins and with amused eyes as they stared at each other with raised fists. They then quickly looked back down at the monster and had started punching at his stomach.

POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!

EEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! EEEEEUUUUUUUUUGGGHHH!

The Anguirus monster roared in pain while thrashing his head and legs a lot as he writhed on the ground. Kathy kept punching the monster's stomach with her glowing, light-blue fists as she held her Sol Gems while having a solemn look on her face. Knuckles also punched furiously with his spiked fists while wearing a solemn look on his face.

POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!

EEEEEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!

POOF!

The defeated Anguirus monster roared one last time in pain before he exploded into dark particles. Kathy and Knuckles landed back down to the ground and looked back at each other with proud smiles on their faces.

"Well...That's one down," Knuckles said calmly with a proud smile and with a hand on his hip as he turned around fully to face Kathy.

"Yeah...And it seems that the rest of the Dark Thoughts are here in this city..." Kathy replied calmly with a proud smile and with determined eyes as she turned around fully too.

"But where could we find them? They could be anywhere in this city," Knuckles replied calmly with a little frown and with wide eyes as he put his other hand onto his hip while staring at Kathy.

EEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH! EEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH! EEEEEUUUUUUGGHH!

"Welp. Looks like we have our answer," Kathy commented calmly yet casually with a little smile and with amused eyes as she looked at her left. Knuckles looked at his right with a little frown on his stunned face. He and Kathy can see two Anguirus monsters in the distance destroying multiple buildings with their feet and tails.

"...Oh boy," Knuckles muttered tiredly with a little frown on his stunned face and with a sweat drop on his head as he stared at the vicious monsters.

"Oh, yeah," Kathy replied calmly with a little smile and a nod as she also stared at the monsters.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Apotos, one lone hedgehog is seen standing on a cliff with his arms crossed as he glared at the six other Anguirus monsters rampaging through the city. He watches the tanks of the Neo G.U.N. forces attacking the monsters, but as usual, their frontal attacks were ineffective as the monsters were immune to them. The monsters attacked back by either ramming into them with their heads, whacking them with their tails, or bowling into them as they rolled into spikey balls. Sparks and explosions can be seen and heard even from a distance.

BOOOOOOM! KAABOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOOM! KAAABOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOM! KAAABOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! KAABOOOOOM!

EEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHH!

"...(Sigh)…" the lone hedgehog sighed as he shook his head and grimaced in disappointment after seeing the Anguirus monsters destroy all the tanks and roared victoriously in unison. He then glared at the monsters as he muttered to himself with a solemn frown.

"Never send an army to do the Ultimate Lifeform's job".

Well, I told you that this chapter would be long, but I didn't think that it would at least reach 27,000 words. Luckily for you guys, the next chapter's length will be back to normal at approximately around 15,000 words or less. Anyways, you guys got a sneak preview of what the monster fights are this time. It is Anguirus this time around! And when there's monsters like him, Battra is just around the corner! He really likes to show up and cause trouble at the most unexpected moments! But that's just kaijus for you! Also, yes, Team Hooligan (Fang, Bean, and Bark) are in this story but mostly serve as minor characters for comedy relief. You might see them here and there throughout this story including other minor Sonic characters. P. S. Just to make it clear to you all that in this story's timeline, Sonic Forces hadn't happened yet, so Fang's harsh speech is still technically correct. But anyways, I do hope that you're enjoying this so far! The next two chapters will have lots of monster fights since we're at the climax of this episode! Until next time, please R&R, and I'll see you next chapter!