Ch.10: The Sleeper Awakes

"Shadow, Rouge, let's go," said Dr. Eggman, interrupting the moment of silence.

"Where are you going?" asked Cream.

"To get the medical supplies from my ship stat" said Eggman " Amy and Knuckles are in serious condition, and I'll also have to make sure that the Chaos Drain didn't do any damage to Sonic and Shadow. Meanwhile, you can drag the Emeralds back to your ship, we won't be long,"

For once Eggman was as good as his word and soon returned with the medical supplies as promised while the others finished loading the Emeralds aboard the Blue Typhoon.

Sonic and Shadow proved a little drained, sore, and bruised, but otherwise alright. Amy had suffered a severe cut from Knuckles Chaos Blade and lost a lot of blood. With a few sitches Rouge closed the wound and cleaned up the blood.

Knuckles condition proved to be the most serious of all. Shadow determined that the echidna had entered into a coma-like state with an almost dangerous low pulse. There was no telling whether the echidna would ever awaken again.

Despite this information Sonic refused to believe the truth that Knuckles could die and stayed by the echidna's bedside all the way back to their newly restored home.

Three days passed and the stubborn blue hedgehog still refused to leave Knuckles side. Eggman offered Chris a ride back to his home dimension and with a solemn goodbye to Sonic Chris headed back to his own world.

Amy visited Sonic at the hospital whenever she could, cradling the bandage that was wrapped around her waist, and comforted Sonic in his grieving for Knuckles. The poor pink hedgehog wanted so much to end Sonic's pain, but was clueless on how to do so. Neverless she tried to spark a conversation.

"We returned all the Emeralds to the Floating Island" she said " Knuckles will be so pleased when he wakes up,"

" If he does wake up," said Sonic solemnly.

Amy couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Will you listen to yourself?" said Amy " you sound like you've already given up hope that Knuckles can survive. He's been through worse than this and so have you. I believe as long as the Master Emerald lives Knuckles will never die,"

"Better listen to her Sonic," came a weak voice from the bed.

Both hedgehogs nearly jumped in shock as they recgonized the familar voice and peered over to see a smiling Knuckles staring back at them.

"Knuckles, you're alright!" cheered Amy.

"Welcome back to the land of the living buddy," said Sonic, his cheerful attitude returning as well.

Soon everyone in town heard the news that Knuckles was awake, and soon the echidna's hospital room was crowded with every friend he had known. Cream and Cheese had brought a flower crown to give to Knuckles while Tails and Cosmo handed the echidna a smooth blue stone for good luck.

Other gifts were also presented. A pair of gold bracelets from Shadow to fit on Knuckles gloves, a kiss from Rouge, and an exploding T.V. message from Eggman. But the best gift of all came from Sonic and Amy, an invitation. At first Knuckles was a little confused when he got it.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"You have to read it," Amy said, barely managing to conceal a giggle coming from her mouth.

When Knuckles read the card he first stared in shock at Sonic and Amy, and then laughed out loud. The others were curious to what was on the card to make Knuckles laugh so much. Finally, after about two minutes Knuckles mood became serious as he turned to Sonic and Amy.

"This isn't a joke is it?" asked Knuckles.

"Nope, it's offical" said Sonic " Amy and I are getting married, and you're going to be my best man,"

For a moment everyone stood open-mouthed with shock, then they all burst into laughter.

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A few days later everyone was gathered fr the happy ocassion. Even Eggman promised to behave himself if he was invited. Knuckles was having a little trouble getting used to a tux, but Amy helped him out on that.

"I don't understand it" said Knuckles to Amy " after all these years of letting you chase him, why has he changed his mind?"

"Well I guess you can say that it's your fault" said Amy, straightening Knuckles tie " while I was recovering from your Chaos Blade attack Sonic admitted that he did have feelings for me. He was watching out for both of us in that hospital. I don't know how it would have affected him if we died,"

Before Knuckles could think of a response the wedding bells chimed signaling the start of the ceremony and all past memories were forgotten. Sonic stood at the alter, later joined by Knuckles.

"Do you have the rings?" Sonic silently asked Knuckles.

Knuckles padded the pockets of his tux to show that he did have them. Cream and Cheese came up the aisle first as the Flower Girls for the ceremony. They both took hold of thier part well, throwing flower crowns and petals in all directions.

Then Cosmo, as the maid of honor, came walking down the aisle with Amy. Knuckles tried to hide a smile as he witnessed Sonic blush, and he had to admit Amy did look quite beautiful in a white wedding dress.

After Tails, playing the role of the preacher, made the usual announcements he signaled Knuckles to present the rings, which both hedgehogs soon placed on each others fingers.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife" said Tails " you may kiss the bride,"

And for the first time and history Sonic and Amy lips met in a loving kiss. And as everyone cheered for the happy couple Knuckles just shook his head and said...

"It's about time,"

The End