Heyo!
Alright so basically it's Mother's Day today and since I'll be spending most of my day with my mom I took the bit of time I had before all that to make this small Knuxikal one-shot. It may seemed rushed but yeah it's because I did it this morning haha so hopefully you'll enjoy! ^u^
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.
A Mother's Legacy
The gentle flow of water can be heard coming from a small waterfall that fell upon a small lake below which surrounded a tiny island, two palm trees nestled in its center. The area around the lake encompassed lush grassland with several flowers and bushes making it look more vibrant and beautiful, showing that it was a garden scenery. At the edge of this garden was a large forest that hid many animals that roamed within with several chirps coming from birds to the sounds of insects. The forest itself wasn't very dangerous to the people that live in the area… who are pretty much anthropomorphic echidnas. If anything what was more surprising is that the area they lived in was a floating island that hovered thousands of feet into the sky that was held by a mystical power belonging to a certain green gem.
But that wasn't the main focus. It was the echidnas that protected this gem that were the primary focus, but unfortunately a catastrophic event that occurred thousands of years ago nearly wiped them all out. The last remnants of them died off over time until only one remained and for a while it stayed that way… until that last one made a wish upon the gem and it brought back another.
One that has a kind and gentle spirit.
One that was devoted to the gem, the Master Emerald.
And one that has received a second chance at life, away from the tragic past that she experienced.
The one that would also fall in love with the former last of their kind, the current guardian of the Master Emerald.
This one, who was resurrected by the mystical power, was Tikal the Echidna.
Right now she was watching the calm scenery of the lake in front of her with a gentle smile. Her presence gave off a warm feeling and comfort to many around her which was especially helpful in calming the normally hot-headed nature of the current guardian who was away for the moment. If anything the current guardian made a big change to his personality once she was resurrected and was now more easygoing. It was because he lived his entire life in solitude with no one around ever since he was born that he was the way he is, but now that Tikal has returned from the dead he no longer had to carry the burden of being the last of his kind.
Right now the focus is on Tikal however. She has been with the guardian for some time and has adjusted to the trends of the modern world, but the orange echidna likes to stick more with the nature side of it on Angel Island. The land where she grew up even though it reminded her of the dark past… was more lively when she was with him. He became the reason she now lives a happy life and couldn't be any more joyful ever since they committed further into their bond.
Having been alive for a while in the current time, Tikal has made several changes to her appearance. Her peach-colored quills were longer to the point that they reached her lower waist and her youthful face with ocean-colored eyes now expressed more wisdom; her peaceful nature if anything made her more beautiful. While she kept her jeweled headpiece and necklace on she has done away from the white blouse and tribal skirt she wore, now having a long tribal dress that hugged her form well. She retained her gloves, blue bracelets and white sandals which were hidden under the dress, but if anything she looked more mature. Anyone that approached her would see that she was one that has a strong connection to nature and wouldn't leave away from it as her people grew up within this land, and she wouldn't leave away from it anytime soon. Especially since he also lived there with her.
'It is still a blessing that I received a second chance at life.' Tikal thought to herself. The quietness of the garden besides the flow of the water kept her at ease as she looked back at the memories she made in the modern world. 'Feeling wonderful that I can feel the air again, seeing that our culture still lives on somewhat, that I made new friends, and that the Master Emerald is still in the safe hands of the guardian.'
Tikal blushed at the last part. 'My guardian… my Knuckie… thank you for the wonderful gift. Just as you have helped me let go of my past and see the future, I have helped you heal your heart and push away your feelings of solitude. You will never be alone my love, just as I will never be alone.'
"MOMMY!"
Her ears heard two small voices behind her as Tikal closed her eyes with her smile widening, a giggle escaping her. The orange echidna then turned around to see two smaller echidnas running towards Tikal. The first one was a deep red color with light blue eyes and crest on their chest with a tribal skirt covering their lower torso with sandals that had the same wrappings as in their quills. Seeing that it had no shirt on it was a boy echidna. The second one looked younger and shorter with a light peach color and light magenta eyes, white wrappings adorning their quills and a small tribal dress that covered their body with white sandals peeking out from under the dress; due to how feminine they looked it was a girl echidna. Both of them had smiles on their faces as they rushed towards Tikal with the latter kneeling down and embracing them.
"Hello Citlalee and Tayanna!" Tikal greeted with a grin. "How was your walk with daddy?"
"It was so cool mommy!" Citlalee cheered. "He showed me how to dig into the ground and how to climb up a cliff!"
Tikal sweatdropped at this but laughed softly nonetheless. "Hehe you sure do have the same interests as he does, but well done my son!"
"Mommy he also told us about this thing that 'hoomans' celebrate for their mommies!" Tayanna added in. Tikal raised an eyebrow. "Oh and what is this thing that they celebrate?"
Citlalee and Tayanna looked at each other with a grin before pulling out something from their clothing. What they pulled out made Tikal gasp.
"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMY!" they both said.
Tikal couldn't believe her eyes as they each pulled out a glowing red rose, the pedals on it illuminating with a gentle aura that brushed along its soft surface.
'H-How did they do that? I-I could sense similar energy to the Chaos Emeralds… but how did they-?'
"Looks like Mommy loves it!" Tayanna yipped in joy with Citlalee grinning in triumph. "I told you she'd like it sis! With Daddy's help haha!"
The soft crunch of footsteps on grass can be heard as Citlalee and Tayanna looked to the source, their eyes widening in joy. "DADDY!"
Tikal looked up and gasped again to see a familiar red echidna standing there. Holding a bouquet of glowing flowers of many varieties within a handmade basket. A smile was present on his sharp face with violet eyes showing care and love. "Happy Mother's Day Tikie." he said gently.
The orange echidna was shocked at all of this, tears beginning to come out of her eyes as she started shaking. Nonetheless it was a good thing as her smile grew bigger and bigger with sniffs coming out of her which concerned the two younger echidnas.
"Mommy… p-please don't cry…" Tayanna comforted while giving a hug.
"Y-Yeah m-mommy… i-if you d-don't like it-." Citlalee was cut off by Tikal giving them a tighter hug as she laughed.
"D-Do not b-be concerned m-my children… I-I a-am c-crying because I-I am so happy… t-thank you my loves!" Tikal said in glee before kissing both their foreheads. The two young echidnas smiled as well and laughed happily.
Tikal then looked up at the red echidna. "T-Thank you my love, for the wonderful gifts. Come here Knuckie."
Knuckles the Echidna grinned wider and walked over to them as Tikal let go of her children and embraced Knuckles. For the current guardian of the Master Emerald he has changed in appearance as well: his body is now slightly taller and bulkier and his red quills grew long until they reached his mid-back and instead of white boxing gloves he now sports black ones with metal spikes, black shoes with red and yellow highlights while keeping the metal plate on the top, and he now wears a black poncho over his body with glowing runic markings as Knuckles has become fully entuned with the emeralds' powers.
From there they looked at each other tenderly before leaning in and sharing a kiss.
"EW THEY'RE DOING IT AGAIN SIS!" Citlalee said looking away in disgust. Tayanna merely laughed clapping her hands. "YAY GO MOMMY AND DADDY!"
Knuckles and Tikal separated with a blush on their cheeks but if anything they shared a laugh as they looked at their kids. "You'll understand when you get older." Knuckles smirked.
"He is right my loves. Tayanna looks like she is understanding." Tikal added. Citlalee was shocked for a moment before crossing his arms and huffing. "W-Well I still see it icky!"
Tayanna giggled at his reply. "Big brother you're so silly!"
Knuckles nodded once and looked back to Tikal. "I hope you liked the gifts my love. Thank you for being a wonderful mother to our children and for making everything brighter. Especially in becoming the brightness in my life."
Tikal nodded happily getting ready to cry again as she brushed away her tears. "I-It i-is alright K-Knuckie… I-I love it so much!"
The emerald guardian nodded again and the two shared another kiss, separating moments later. Knuckles then began harnessing energy into his right palm and another basket materialized into physical form on it.
"The kids and I made a picnic for us. I hope you don't mind the food I tried making hehe." Knuckles said scratching his head sheepishly. Tayanna and Citlalee shook their head with a smile. "Daddy is hopeless when he cooks so we had to help him Mommy. Thank you for showing us how haha!" Citlalee said with the younger female echidna nodded in approval.
Tikal giggled and simply petted their heads. "I will love it no matter what my loves, and do not worry I will also love your Daddy's cooking." the echidna princess looked to Knuckles and placed her hand on his cheek. "Effort is what matters."
Knuckles nodded to that and smiled. "Well then let's eat!"
"YEAH!" both echidna kids cheered as the group readied their picnic. Once they had everything settled with blanket on the ground and the food laid out did Knuckles and the children place the flowers next to Tikal and admired how it looked.
"Wow Mommy looks so beautiful!" Tayanna said with Citlalee grinning with a thumbs up. "Yeah Mommy's awesome!"
Knuckles on his part blushed and rubbed his neck nervously. "Y-You look wonderful Tikie."
Tikal looked down beet red but nonetheless laughed. "Thank you everyone. Thank you for the gifts and your kindness. Please, let us eat haha!"
The family shared another laugh and began eating. For the echidna princess, this was something she truly strived for and if anything she no longer had to experience a tragic life. She is with her kind that showed her love and compassion, and she is with the one that she loved ever since they met in her visions. Tikal couldn't be any happier than she is right now and the Master Emerald provided her with the wish that she always wanted.
A second chance as a better person, as a lover, and as a mother to a new generation.
…
…
…
Her grandmother watched from above with a smile on her face.
"May you live a good life with the current guardian my granddaughter and may you and Knuckles raise the next generation of our culture well so that they can live wonderous lives and be peaceful with all."
Fin.
And that is it!
So if you have read the Father's Day version of this then basically their kids are named the same way. In terms of continuity this is basically at what-if in the future so it doesn't correlate to the works going on momentarily. Regardless it a small one-shot so it's about being creative haha!
Aside from that I'll be off now so have a great Mother's Day and til next time! ouo/