Hey. Hope 2025 is treating you well.

i can't remember if Shadow actually talked to Sonic or the others about Maria. I know there were lots of flashbacks to happier times with her and Shadow though.

Just a nice quiet chapter. I do not own Sonic or any associated characters.

Knuckles regularly got up at dawn to watch the sun rise. Maddie had been concerned, but eventually stopped trying to get him to stay in bed. As long as he was quiet, she was happy.

Today was no different. He got up stretched and went to head downstairs, but paused at the top of them as the sounds of the TV hit him. He could hear Sonic snoring from here. Tails was unlikely to be out of bed at this time. Maybe Maddie or Donut Lord? It might be nice to spend some time with them one on one.

He headed downstairs and was about to open the door when a deep voice said, grumpily. "Sonic, if that's you, I swear I will murder you myself."

Knuckles smiled and opened the door. "It is just I." He said. "Knuckles the Echidna. May I join you in your early morning pursuit of clues?"

Shadow gave him a look and turned back to the screen that was playing Scooby Doo. "It was one of the only names I recognised." He said, quietly.

Undaunted Knuckles sat next to him. "I like this. The bad guys always get what is coming to them. And Scooby of the Doo and Shaggy of Rodger's are very funny to watch. Although I suggest you don't watch it with Tails." He added. "The little fox will tell you all about how the traps wouldn't work in real life."

Shadow didn't take his eyes of the telly. "Don't bother to be nice to me." He said.

"Why not?"

"Im not staying."

Knuckles frowned slightly. "I thought Donut Lord and Pretzal-Women hadn't decided that yet?"

Shaidw shifted slightly. "Doesn't matter. I know they won't want me. I've destroyed Sonic's guardians ribs. Why would they want me after that?"

The echidna thought for a few moments, then said slowly. "You know…I first met Sonic when I was sent after him by Doctor Robotnic - who had lied to me about Sonic's charector. I destroyed his house. They had to have it rebuilt. I was certain they wouldn't want me either. But Sonic forgave me. And so did Tom and Maddie. Now I am part of their family."

Shadow snorted, still not looking at the other. "Sounds like a fairy tale."

Knuckles considered. "Maybe. I am fond of these tales of fairies. The charectors often show wit and cunning, like I have had to have to survive. You have not been on other planets?"

Shadow took a moment. "No, just earth. Thought with the amount of time that's passed it feels like a different planet. Like this." He waved a hand at the TV. "So thin. So many channels. I remember…" he trailed off. "Never mind."

"I remember many things about my own planet to. The fallen members of my tribe."

Shadow shuddered and got up, flinging the remote at him.

Knuckles caught it easily - gently like Sonic had showed him - and watched in confusion as Shadow stormed into the kitchen.

What had he said?