Chapter Eight: Molten Rock From Lava Reef
Here we are at the Lava Reef, where Knuckles and Tikal are gathering some molten rocks. Knuckles used his strength to punch the molten rocks to pieces, and Tikal was right behind him, picking up the pieces that were shattered.
It was really hot where they were working, because being Lava Reef, there was lava all around this cave, and it was building up heat pretty fast But lucky for Knuckles, and Tikal, they were both use to it, as the altar is pretty close by to it.
"This job is easier than I thought." Knuckles stated, with confidence.
"Well, it's really just gathering up molten rock. So it can't be that hard at all." Tikal chuckled.
"This takes me back to the days. It was right here where eventually me and Sonic had our first encounter, and first fight. And then to realise that Sonic was not the enemy the whole time. Eggman tricked me into thinking Sonic was here to steal the Master Emerald, and then it turns out that me causing a distraction for Sonic was just a diversion for him to steal the Master Emerald behind my back." Knuckles explained.
"So many memories with you and Sonic then?" Tikal stated.
"Yep, so many fond memories. But lucky for him, he managed to recover the Master Emerald later that night. Yet somehow, many years later, Eggman tricked me again to thinking Sonic was after the Master Emerald pieces, when he was actually going for the Chaos Emeralds." Knuckles stated, embarrassed.
"Was that the time when Chaos was revived?" Tikal asked.
"It was exactly the moment when Chaos was revived." Knuckles answered.
"You get tricked so easily, Knuckles." Tikal teased.
"Hey, to be fair, he never tricked me again since." Knuckles laughed.
"That is true." Tikal smiled.
But shortly, Tikal's smile, turned into a sad frown. She then turned to face the lava. Looking at the colour of the lava, it reminded her of the day that her father wanted the Emeralds for power. This caught Knuckles off guard, and he approached Tikal.
"What's wrong, Tikal?" Knuckles wondered.
"Every time I see the colour of fire, it always reminds me of the day my father wanted to use the Emerald's powers for greed. If it weren't for then, Chaos wouldn't have became the evil monster he became, the day he came to attempt to destroy Station Square." Tikal sadly stated.
Knuckles, standing behind Tikal, he wrapped his arms around Tikal for a warm embrace. This caught Tikal by surprise, but she always enjoyed his warm, comfortable hugs. She took a hold of Knuckles' arm, and snuggled onto it.
"Now, Tikal, you can't blame yourself for what your father tried to do. You tried whatever you could to stop him. You were just a child, there wasn't much you could have done. You're not to blame for that, but him." Knuckles told her.
"I know. But, I just wish I could have done more." Tikal sadly stated again, with a tear falling from her eye.
"You done a lot more now, than you ever could then. After Sonic defeated Chaos, you came back to reason with Chaos, and took him home. And after all that, many years later, you made me the happiest echidna alive, when you came back, and told me it was permanent this time. I couldn't bare being alone on the Island any longer, and you saved me." Knuckles stated, as he embraced her tighter, and lovingly.
"It's crazy, because I'm over a centaury old, technically speaking, yet when we first met, we were physically the same age. We were both seventeen years old." Tikal smiled.
"And every day since then, I always hoped and prayed you'd come back to me." Knuckles told her.
"So life the way it was did have a purpose." Tikal stated.
"Of course. What happened in our past is gone now, we can't change that. But it had its purpose. Because, think about it, if those events never happened, where would we be now? Would we have ever met, and would we be married, and have a beautiful daughter named Amber? Good things come to those who wait, regardless of the age gap between us." Knuckles explained.
"That is very true." Tikal smiled.
.
(Tikal singing)
I'd still smell the smoke
I'd still taste the crowd
I'm feeling the line of love
The backseat, with these windows halfway down
Yeah, I'd still hear
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Pour some sugar on me' on the ocean deck
With us two singing along
(Tikal singing)
And I'd still hear me saying
Baby, not yet, not yet
.
Knuckles leaned his head against Tikal's cheek, and placed a loving kiss on her cheek. Tikal smiled warmly, as she kept holding onto Knuckles' arm, as Knuckles remained behind her, embracing her lovingly.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
We'll talk about the memories
Damn, girl, you've put a few on me, on me
.
Knuckles then lifts his head up, and rested his chin on top of Tikal's head, as he also looked towards the lava. The lava was their only source of light, while they were digging for molten rock.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Life's pulled in like a limo right on the highway, after the prom
Time's ran down like the scoreboard on the last Station Square bomb
My heart is stuck at the stop light
While you're sitting here next to me
And the red lights never turn green
Yeah, they won't turn green, damn you, seventeen
Damn you, seventeen
.
"And even after you left, Tikal, after Chaos destroyed most of Station Square, I have always felt your presence around me. It was almost like, you never left me." Knuckles mentioned.
"What do you mean by that, Knuckles? And also, how?" Tikal wondered.
Knuckles then places his face on top of Tikal's head, and he was smelling Tikal's hair. He loved the scent that she used, as it smelled like strawberries.
.
(Knuckles singing)
I'd still smell your hair
I'd still taste the salt
Mixed with the cherry on these lips
Afraid your father might come home
(Tikal singing)
I'd be seeing all of your vintage Ange Island t-shirts
That hangs on your closet door
Back when we never really knew what we were
We were
.
Tikal then turns around, and faces Knuckles. They look into one another's eyes, lovingly. Knuckles' purple eyes, looking into Tikal's cobalt blue ones, as they both smile warmly at one another.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
We'd talk about our heartache
I still need another replay
Replay
.
As Knuckles embraced Tikal closely, and Tikal does the same, they playfully danced on the spot.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Life's pulled in like a limo right on the highway, after the prom
Time's ran down like the scoreboard on the last Station Square bomb
My heart is stuck at the stop light
While you're sitting here next to me
And the red lights never turn green
Yeah, they won't turn green
Damn you, seventeen
Damn you, seventeen
.
They stopped their playful dance, and Knuckles had a sad frown on his face.
"The sad part was, after you left, I didn't know if there was a way to contact you, or even see you again. It was like if you moved away, changed your cell phone number, and I had no way of reaching you." Knuckles stated.
"You have been wanting to contact me, since I left?" Tikal asked in surprise.
"Every single day." Knuckles stated.
.
(Knuckles singing)
Well, I want to call
But I knew your number's changed quite a few times
(Tikal singing)
A couple times ago
.
Tikal then smiles warmly, and she placed a hand on Knuckles' cheek, for comfort. Knuckles couldn't help but smile, as her touch always brings a smile to his face.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
But I can't let you go
.
Knuckles out of nowhere, embraced Tikal out of nowhere, and he playfully lifts her up, and swings her around, which Tikal laughs in surprise. Knuckles then puts her down, and Knuckles wrapped his arms around her head, and Tikal wrapped her arms around Knuckles' waist.
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Life's pulled in like a limo right on the highway, after the prom
Time's ran down like the scoreboard on the last Station Square bomb
My heart is stuck at the stop light
While you're sitting here next to me
And the red lights never turn green
(Knuckles singing)
No, they won't turn green
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Damn you, seventeen
.
(Tikal singing)
Damn you, seventeen
Oh, oh
.
(Knuckles singing)
Damn you, seventeen
Oh
.
(Knuckles' mind singing)
Still stuck at the stop light
While you're sitting here next to me
.
(Tikal singing)
And on, and on, and on, and on
.
(Tikal singing)
Yeah, I want to call you
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh, oh
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
Damn you seventeen
.
(Knuckles singing)
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah
.
After that, Knuckles then leaned his head towards Tikal, and placed his lips on Tikal's for a loving passionate kiss. They have been married a for a long time, and it didn't matter how many times they kissed, it always felt just as magical as their first. They then break the kiss, and embrace one another close.
"I love you, Knuckles." Tikal smiled.
"I love you too, Tikal. And our baby girl, very much. And for as long as I am around, I will always be here to protect you, and her. That is a promise I am willing to take." Knuckles responded.
They both break the embrace, and Knuckles wipes the tears away from Tikal's eyes. Tikal smiles warmly, and so does Knuckles.
"Anyway, Knuckles, do you think we have more than enough molten rock for this lie detector? We've been digging around here for over an hour." Tikal wondered.
"Yeah, I suppose we have done our fair share of digging some molten rock, up. I mean, I don't think Tails needs this much for his lie detector, but I am certain that it couldn't hurt for him to have extra for it." Knuckles replied.
"It's amazing how your heart has changed after all these years. I remember you saying you didn't get along with Sonic when you were younger, and now as adults, you and him get along fine." Tikal smiled.
"Well, I guess that's what maturity, and becoming a father does to you. Plus, we're not getting any younger, so it'd be silly to keep acting like how we use to. Besides, Sonic isn't such a bad guy after all, once I got to know him better." Knuckles replied.
"Alright, well, I have all the bags sitting right there, Knuckles. I have been collecting as much as I could, when you started showing off with your strong muscles, and breaking all the molten rock." Tikal teased.
"Well, I can't help that I am so strong. Look at these muscles. Who wouldn't want the strength I have?" Knuckles joked.
"OK, Hercules, settle down. Right now, I think we really should worry about bringing these back home. Tails is probably home now, waiting for these." Tikal mentioned.
"Alright, let's go home, then. Lava Reef does grow quite weary to be in after a while, as it is roasting hot down here." Knuckles stated.
And then after they agreed with that, both Knuckles and Tikal made their way towards the exit of Lava Reef, and made their way home. Tails and Cream have the dirt from Red Mountain, Knuckles and Tikal have the molten rock from Lava Reef, Shadow and Rouge have the sand from Sandopolis, and now it is up to Sonic and Amy to retrieve the mushroom from Mushroom Hill.