The past months the guardian and the ultimate life form communicated every single day, they talked for hours! At first they just checked on each other, but then they started to talk about how their day was and suddenly they were sharing stories about their past, their interests, what they liked and disliked and they somehow became long-distance good friends.

Shadow surely had changed a lot, been a G. U. N. agent had showed him the good side of team work, he felt useful and he loved to help others, he just felt that he was fulfilling his promise to Maria. Knuckles knew all that, because Shadow told him every single thing that happened in his life. He trusted the echidna more than anyone and felt that his day wasn't complete if he didn't have the red head's point of view or advice.

On the other hand Knuckles loved to talk with Shadow, he felt kind of trapped in the island, so knowing about what was happening in the city or Shadow relating his adventures gave him some sort of "freedom feeling". Also he loved the way Shadow told his stories, filled with sarcasm and funny-kind of mean-quotes. Most of the time Shadow was the one who called, but if it was late and Knuckles didn't had a call of him he will do it just in case something was wrong.

There were a few times that Knuckles felt asleep talking with Shadow in the communicator, because of them doing it at late hours. Shadow thought that it was cute, but he'll never admit it. The sole fact of him thinking that the guardian was somehow cute gave him the chills. But he knew…deep inside he knew that something was wrong with him, but he couldn't let it go. It will have to rest inside of him, preferably for eternity.

-Guardian guess what? G. U. N. gave me my first top secret mission today…
-Really?! It was about time, what will you do?
-Well…you know…It's TOP SECRET-Shadow smirked, he felt so important.
-True…-Knuckles said shyly, feeling kind of dumb for asking-Well, I wish you good luck… and be safe.
-Nah, don't worry about that, I'm the ultimate, remember? Living weapon, meant to seek and destroy…
-Blah, blah, blah more that you're the ultimate jerk!-Knuckles chuckled (A/N: although his song says he can't).
-Well, I just wanted you to know in case you wondered why I am not calling.
-Don't worry, I will survive-Knuckles smiled-Well, you should rest, you're having a big day tomorrow and I don't want you to fall asleep in the middle of your mission.
-Sure mom-said Shadow sarcastically-Well, sleep tight.
-You too, and remember, don't be stupid.
-Don't worry, is not like I'm an echidna or anything.
-You wish, bye.
-Bye.

Shadow hung up, but he just couldn't stop thinking about Knuckles-Silly red head, hope he'll be fine while I'm off.

Shadow woke up early the next morning and went to his "Top secret" mission. He should approach to Dr. Ivo's base and find out what he was up to, Shadow loved the idea since he wasn't able to forget the time his robots were attacking Knuckles in Angel Island, and he was going to find out what Eggman wanted with the emerald.

He managed to enter the base without been noticed, and since his mission was just reporting what Eggman was up to, he infiltrated in the Doctor's computer system-There's a lot of folders in this computer-Shadow opened one who said "M. E. project" and his eyes opened wide, he put his hand on his mouth, unable to believe what he was seeing. In the screen there were thousands of pictures of Knuckles, mostly of him fighting, using his powers to seek and control the emerald. And next to the pictures there was a prototype of a big machine, and another one, small and anthropomorphic-this one seems like metal sonic…but, somehow, better-Shadow started searching for both machines in Doctor's computer and what he saw made him wanted to run to Angel Island immediately-This can't be…-he thought. He left things just the way they were before his research and leaved the lab as soon as he could.

He made his way to Angel Island, and he found Knuckles training, it was past sunrise-GUARDIAN!-Shadow screamed at the top of his lungs, Knuckles turned his sight at him, at first scared because of the yelling but when he recognized that voice…-Shadow! You are here! How come?! Did your "top secret mission" headed you to Angel Island?-Knuckles!-he took the guardian by the shoulders-listen to me please, open your mind, what I'm about to tell you…you have to trust me on this one!-the hedgehog was almost yelling, he seemed really anxious.

-Shads, calm down, you're talking nonsense. What's happening?-The guardian lifted an eyebrow.
-Knuckles, I know that what I'm about to ask you may seem odd to you, but believe me, It's the only way to keep you and your island safe!-he looked at the red head deeply in the eyes, Knuckles could seem that the living weapon was really concerned.

-Ok, you have to tell me what's going on because you're creeping me out.
-I can't tell you, because I found out in my secret mission, but I can do my best trying to protect you and your people, so, remember, keep your mind open, ready?-Knuckles nodded and Shadow took a deep breath-We need to put the emerald on a vault.

By the way Knuckles looked at him, he knew it will not be an easy task-You…what…I…I don't understand why well NEED to do such thing, I'm guarding it, there's no need for that…
-Knuckles, you don't understand, what I saw in my mission, is too much for you to handle, maybe even for both of us! We need to prevent it so we don't have to fight it, and the only way to do it is securing the Master Emerald.

-Enough!-Knuckles yelled-the emerald will stay put! Whatever comes I'm sure I'll be able to handle it. If you want to join that's fine, but moving the emerald from its shrine is out of discussion.
Why are you so stubborn?!-Shadow growled-We are no match for this! Believe me, for once in your life listen to me! If I'm caring long enough to admit that even I can't handle this situation, me, the ultimate life form, is because it is a big menace-Knuckles thought about it, it was true, it was so unlikely of Shadow to admit that something was bigger or stronger than him. But still, Knuckles purpose in life was guarding the emerald, and if he had to die in his duty, he was totally fine with it.

-Well, Shadow you're my friend, but if you want to take the emerald to a vault, you must know that it will be over my dead body.

-I was afraid that you'll say that…-Shadow adopted a fighting pose-People in this island doesn't have to suffer because of your stubbornness-Knuckles followed with the fighting attitude, and again, they both stared at each other, not moving a muscle.

-It doesn't have to be this way-Said Shadow-I don't want to hurt you.
-Well, soon you won't have another choice-Knuckles threw a punch towards Shadow's face, but the hedgehog managed to avoid it-If he really wanted to hurt me, that hit will had landed on my face…We're just making a fool of ourselves-Shadow thought, avoiding the guardian's punches-and we're also losing time.

-What's wrong ultimate? Do you surrender?-Knuckles smirked, but his smirked suddenly turned into a gasp because Shadow hit him in the stomach-I'm so sorry Knux, but you leave me no choice-he picked the guardian in his arms and chaos controlled to another place with him.

They appeared in a place where a snow storm was raging, Shadow held Knuckles closer to his chest, to keep him warm (of course) and the echidna suddenly opened his eyes and started to cough, when his sight was back to normal, he jumped out of Shadow's arms and looked at him in the eyes, he was furious-WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?! WHERE ARE WE!?

-I did what I must-Shadow's gaze turned sad, he knew that the guardian will never forgive him, but he had to protect him from what he saw in Eggman's base.

Knuckles made a snow ball and threw it directly in Shadow's face-You idiot! Without me the Master Emerald is helpless!-he kneeled, growling in despair.
Don't worry about that… G. U. N.'s agents are already taking it to a vault, and for the habitants in the island, they're evacuating to a safe place that G. U. N. will provide. So, as I told you, you don't have to worry about anything.

Knuckles growled in rage, clenched his fists and stared at Shadow in a way that if his gaze was a sword, Shadow will be thrown in the floor in little cube-shaped pieces-I can't believe you betrayed me this way, you! My so called best friend! How dare you?!
-Knuckles, this is going out of control! We needed to put that emerald on a vault!-Shadow said, with an exasperated look.

-No way! I'm its guardian, that's the way it is, and it's never going to change!-screamed Knuckles, his dreadlocks were moving to all directions with the cold snowy breeze.

-Your family did well the past years Knux, but in that time there weren't such technologic weapons as today, nor Dr. Ivo existed to steal the emerald from your family, please, you've got to listen to me!-Shadow putted both of his hands on Knuckle's arms, holding him and shaking him slightly, trying to enter some reason on him.

-This is out of discussion Shadow!-Knuckles got loose of the hedgehogs hold and took a few steps back, as he was trying to run away from the situation.
-Guardian, you have to think of those who you've always protected, by leaving the emerald in the shrine you were putting them in danger, all because of your stubbornness! Please, reconsider your thoughts!

-Knuckles smirked, but his gaze reflected sadness-See? What you told about me wasn't true after all! I'm just like everyone else!-Knuckles clenched his fists and his voice trembled-I'm selfish-his eyes started to water, he took a deep breath and continued-I don't want to put the emerald on a vault because if I do so…I'm afraid I will no longer have a purpose…without the emerald I'll be nothing! I've always been its guardian, since I was a child!-tears stream down Knuckles face without him been able to do anything to stop them; they were caught in his eyes for so long.

Shadow looked at him, Knuckles was standing still and had his eyes shut, as trying to hold the tears, but they wouldn't obey him. The hedgehog smiled and leaned towards him and wiped the echidna's eyes with his fingers, the wind was starting to blow smoothly by that time. Knuckles opened his eyes in surprise as he felt Shadow's hand on his cheek -Don't be silly, you can't be "nothing" because you are the world to me…

Knuckles' eyes opened wide and blushed, like a tomato-W…What did you just said?-Shadow looked away and rubbed the back of his head, he felt how his cheeks turned a bright red too-Sorry, I got carried away, never mind what I said.

-Well, I don't want to-Knuckles smiled-is it true? Or is a shitty attempt to make me feel better?
-It is true-said Shadow, shyly, almost like a whisper-you are my best friend, I wouldn't know what to do without you…-Knuckles blushed and avoided the hedgehog's sight-I'm afraid I wasn't a good friend today. You were only trying to protect me and the island, and I was so stubborn that I was even willing to fight with you to death because of it-Knuckles took a deep breath, clenched his fists, like he was doing a really big effort, and finally mumbled-I'm sorry.

Shadow smiled, it was so unlikely of Knuckles to apologize, the hedgehog felt something warm inside him, without even noticing he leaned towards the echidna and kissed him on the lips. Knuckles opened his eyes wide, but didn't put an effort to break free. When Shadow broke the kiss, Knuckles stood still for a second and with the remaining air that he had (because of the kiss, and because he was in shock) he said-I guess you accept my apology-then he looked away, embarrassed-What did just happened?-he asked, while his eyes were set on a meaningless point.

-I'm not quite sure-replied Shadow, he felt kind of dizzy because all his blood was on his cheeks. They remained silent for a couple of seconds, the snow storm suddenly started to rage again.

We should return to Angel Island!-screamed Shadow, the blowing wind wouldn't let them listen to each other-It's freezing!
-Shadow…What happened here, stays in here!-Knuckles screamed back and started to walk on the snow, walking away from the hedgehog.
-Is that what you really want?-Shadow was standing a few steps back of Knuckles, he could feel the cold breeze moving his quills, but right now he was more concerned about the echidna's feelings.

-Knuckles stopped walking, he stood in his place for a couple of seconds, which for Shadow seemed like an eternity, and finally he said-No-then he turned his face at the ultimate life form, he first sighed and then he smiled-I want to be with you, can't live without you…you jerk!-the red head ran towards the hedgehog and threw himself into his arms, hugging him. Shadow stood a second with his arms wide open, unable to believe what was happening, and then, he just hugged the guardian back and rested his head against his.

They remained like this for a couple of minutes, in complete silence, just feeling the other one's heat in contrast with the icy cold storm, then Knuckles lifted his head and looked directly into Shadow's eyes-We should get back-he said with a slight smile and pink cheeks.
-Yeah you're right-he smiled at the echidna and grabbed him by the waist to hold him closer to his body-Chaos control!

tbc