Chapter Eleven: Praise You In This Storm
Back with Sonic and his crew on the ship, he was now joined by Shadow and his Warriors. They were having wine and some very tasty food, while waiting for their arrival at Antitropolis.
"The food is amazing, Shadow!" Sonic exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, Cream knows her stuff." Shadow responded.
"Cream?" Sonic questioned. Shadow nodded his head towards a peach-coloured rabbit, with cinnamon coloured eyes. She made her way towards Tails.
"Oh, that's Cream! Well, remind me to thank her for this later." Sonic stated. Shadow chuckles.
"Definite." Shadow responded.
Tails who was sitting on his stool mending the swords, then looked up and saw Cream standing next to him. Tails puts the sword down, while also blushing.
"Uh, hello Madam. Can I help you with anything?" Tails asked. Cream giggles.
"I think it's you that may need some helping hand." Cream replied, as she pointed at the cut on Tails' finger.
"Oh, this? No, don't worry about it. It's just a little scratch. This happens nearly all the time, you know, me being a blacksmith." Tails explained. Cream was being stubborn, and took a look at Tails' finger.
"Well, you'll be surprised that even the littlest things can cause big damage. It can still get infected. Give it here." Cream teasingly demanded.
"Oh, fine!" Tails admitted defeat.
Tails then raised his index finger towards Cream, and Cream took a wet napkin, and wiped the blood away from the cut. After doing that, she then took out a tin of tree sap, and rubs it on the cut. Tails cringed a little at the sting.
"Oh, come on! I thought you said it's just a little scratch? Now you're whining over a little sting!" Cream teased.
"Oh, ha ha! Because you're the one that has to feel the sting, don't you?" Tails sarcastically replied, but he was joking.
"Just keep still. Nearly finished." Cream told him. After that, she takes out a bandage, and wraps it around Tails' finger. Tails just smiles at her.
"Thank you." Tails thanked.
"You're welcome. My name is Cream, by the way. What's your name?" Cream asked.
"My name is Miles, but my friends usually refer me as Tails. I was born with twin tails, I never really knew why. But I do prefer being called Tails, then Miles." Tails explained. Cream smiles.
"Alright, Tails it shall be." Cream then took a seat next to Tails, and they began to have a conversation. Sonic and Shadow were looking on at this, and laughed happily for them.
"Well, looks like love is in the air tonight for them, maybe?" Shadow teased.
"Well, we'll see. Tails had always said he wanted a woman in his life. If she's the one, I hope for the best." Sonic stated.
"By the way, Sonic. How did you learn to fight like that?" Shadow asked.
"My Father taught me. He fought a war in the Crusades many years ago. And he was the only remaining survivor. So he used whatever he knew to teach me. He tells me only to use it for good." Sonic explained.
"Ah, so kind of similar to what me and my people use them for." Shadow added.
"Yes, in a way. But what about you? How did you learn your fighting skills? Me, and you were evenly matched, there was no telling who'd win." Sonic asked.
"Well, being a Warrior and everything, this was my whole family lifeline. My Father, Grandfather, and all their Fathers before that were Warriors. I'm just continuing the family's legacy." Shadow explained.
Out of nowhere, thunder was heard. Then it started to rain heavily. Everyone was grunting in annoyance, because they were having a good time. After that, they all went into their quarters.
"Well, looks like it's time for shelter." Shadow stated.
"Absolutely. Tails, you may talk to your girlfriend later!" Sonic teased.
"Oh, stop that nonsense, Sonic!" Tails chuckles.
"Right, I'll catch you in a while, Sonic." Shadow said.
"Alright, Shadow." Sonic replied. As he was about to go inside, he saw Knuckles still standing at the edge of the ship. Sonic walked closer to him.
"Hey Knuckles, what are you doing still out here? It's raining heavily." Sonic warned him.
"I know, Sonic. I'll be in soon. I just need to clear my head for a moment." Knuckles explained. Sonic just nods.
"Alright. But don't be out here too long. You'll catch your death of cold." Sonic explained.
After that, Sonic left to his quarters. Knuckles looked at the horizon, and sighed in sorrow.
"Sonic talks about how he misses his love so much. He's not the only one. I have a wife at home, and I'm travelling to a far away place. I do this all the time while training my army, but it still makes me miss her every time. Everywhere I look, every time I dream, all I am seeing is Tikal." Knuckles stated, as a sad tear fell from his eye.
Right in front of him, he saw an illusion of Tikal standing in front of him. Tikal reached her hand towards Knuckles, and Knuckles took her hand. Knuckles misses his wife so very much.
.
(Knuckles singing)
I was sure right now
Our Lord would have reached down
And wiped the tears away
He came in and saved the day.
And once again I say "Amen," and it's still raining
.
While the thunder rolls
I hardly hear your whispers through the rain
"I'm with you"
And when your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the Lord who gives
Then takes away
.
And I will praise you in this storm
And I will raise my hands
Because of who you are
Don't matter where I am
And all the tears I've cried
You've held in your hands
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
.
I remember when
I stumbled within the wind
You heard me cry to you
And you got me up again
My strength is almost gone
How will I carry on?
If I can not find you
.
But when the thunder rolls
I just hear you whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And when your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the Lord who gives
And takes away
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
And I will praise you in this storm
And I will raise my hands
Because of who you are
Don't matter where I am
And all the tears I've cried
You've held in your hands
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
.
(Knuckles singing)
I lift my eyes towards the hills
Where did my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The creator of Heaven and Earth
.
(Knuckles singing, Tikal Improvising)
I lift my eyes towards the hills
Where did my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The creator of Heaven and Earth
(Where did my help come from? Where did my help come from?)
.
(Knuckles and Tikal singing)
And I will praise you in this storm
And I will raise my hands
Because of who you are
Don't matter where I am
And all the tears I've cried
You've held in your hands
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
.
(Knuckles singing, Tikal improvising)
And though my heart is torn (Though my heart is torn)
I will praise you in this storm (Praise you in this storm)
.
(Knuckles singing)
I will now praise you, praise you, oh
I will now praise you, in this storm
.
I will now, praise you, in this storm
I will now, praise you, in this storm
.
The illusion of Tikal evaporates from Knuckles' sight. Knuckles' head falls downwards in sadness, as more tears were flowing from his eyes. He then made his way back into his quarters.
"If I get back home, I am never leaving your side again, Tikal." Knuckles stated.