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Description
"Brotherly Love"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 3: "To keep a promise, to save a life"

    Dusk…and the creatures of the night were awakening from their slumber.  A small squirrel lay hidden behind a large oak tree, rooted in a thick forest, teetering on the edge of a large and stinky bog.  The tiny creature peered from behind the tree in pursuit of a fallen acorn.  He stopped, pricked up his ears, for he heard the sound of footfalls approaching from a distance.  He crouched low, only to back away quickly enough before a foot fell hard before him.  Looking up, he could see a figure he had seen many times before.  It was Shadow the Hedgehog, wandering the woods again, so the squirrel didn’t give it a second thought.

    As the squirrel retreated to its nest, Shadow crouched low, shutting his eyes, and falling silent.  After a few moments, he spoke, “It’s quiet…we’ve eluded pursuit thus far, and yet this deafening silence is no consolation to me whatsoever.”  He stood up, and looked back, extending his arm and saying, “Hurry you two, I dare not tarry longer than I must.”

    Knuckles ran up to Shadow, stopping fast and saying, “Can’t we slow down just a little Shadow?  This is wearing Amy out.  You and I can handle this sure, but this hurried pace to so much walking isn’t helping things.  It’s not like we’re being chased right?”

    Shadow narrowed his eyes, glaring at the echidna and saying, “You know nothing of the foe we face.  Your brother won’t be easy to rescue.  They’ve implanted a microchip in his neck, and until we remove it, destroy it, or otherwise dismantle it, we need fear him as much as Lord Feldmort.”

    The echidna growled in irritation saying, “Who the heck is Lord Feldmort?  Is he the leader of these guys or what?”

    As Amy struggled to catch up, Shadow looked at Knuckles, with no much gentler eyes, resting a hand on Knuckles’ shoulder saying, “Yes, Knuckles; he is their leader, as well as the one who slaughtered your father, right before Hidama’s eyes, before kidnapping Hidama himself.  This fragile peace is nothing more than the deep breath before the plunge, the calm before the storm.  Do not get comfortable…for the worse is yet to come.  Hurry!  Already we have tarried too long.”  Shadow then rushed off once more into the night.

    Knuckles was frozen with shock.  Finally he knew who murdered his father, not only chopping off his arm, but his head to finish him off.  He could feel his heart breaking, for he knew Hidama had witnessed this, as well as their mother’s death, and the rage in his heart to gain vengeance for them all was burning stronger than the dying sun.

    Yet his anger was for now dispelled, as Amy took a few steps more before falling to her knees in exhaustion.  Knuckles ran to her side, holding her in his arms, trying to comfort her.  “I can’t run like this any more Knuckles, I’m just too tired,” she cried, and as she gasped for breath, she did indeed weep a few tears.

    Knuckles hugged her, stroking her hair, and trying to calm her down.  “Amy, it’s okay.  You don’t have to run anymore.  Now I know why Sonic was so tired; Shadow doesn’t know when to quit.  I’m getting tired myself, but I’ll carry you for right now.  Everything will be okay, don’t worry.  You don’t need to cry anymore,” he said.

    It didn’t take any more than that to calm Amy down.  Her smile returned by Knuckles’ making everything okay again.  Once he kissed her on the head, he stood back up, taking her in his arms, and following Shadow’s trail.  He started to catch up to him, but hung back, enjoying the peace that he and Amy had together.  Amy looked up at him saying, “Why must Shadow keep up this horrendous pace?  How can he?  Shadow really did wear Sonic out, especially if they kept up this pace for so many months.  Why is he so rushed?”

    Knuckles shook his head, saying, “I’m not sure…but I’m as eager to rescue my brother as ever.  Come to find out he saw our mother and father be murdered, and now that same wretch is trying to wipe us out.  I swear, I intend to rescue my brother, and slaughter every last ones of these menaces with my bare hands…their blood isn’t worth dirtying clean gloves with.”

    Amy gazed up at him; she had never seen him so geared on proceeding into battle, and yet he had never had more of a reason to before now.  It wasn’t just the Master Emerald, nor vengeance on those who killed his loved ones, not even taking his brother away, and torturing him so;  it was a combination of everything, all the fears, hurts, and pain brought on by the events of that night.  It was years upon years of misery and anguish, loneliness and hatred, no knowledge of his brother’s fate…those people had been hurting him for years upon years, and now was time to end his misery.  Now was the time that that horrible night would finally come to an end.

    Perhaps it was this desire to bring an end to the pain that drove Knuckles onward.  It was beyond his abnormal strength, this will that pushed him onward, keeping him strong and able to keep up with Shadow, not needing to rest or stop.  He finally hurried his steps to walk side by side with Shadow; the hedgehog looked at the echidna out of the corner of his eyes, satisfaction clearly displayed on his face.  He knew Knuckles was strong, and had great confidence in him.

    They were approaching the edge of the woods, and Shadow said, “I apologize for our rushed pace.  I knew you could handle it though Knuckles, for you are strong-willed.  Amy, I apologize to you especially, you must pardon me, but I feel the need to rush quickly.  We’ll stop for a few minutes.”

    Shadow took a few steps towards the edge of the woods, saying, “You two rest for awhile, sleep, I beg you.  I’ll awaken you when we need to move on.  I’ll keep watch.”

    He fell silent after this, gazing towards the bog, across the horizon.  Knuckles watched him, laying Amy down gently on the ground, leaning up against a large oak tree, and pulling her into his arms.  As Amy got comfortable, Knuckles gazed in silence at Shadow; he stood, silent and unmoving for a long time.  Amy fell asleep quickly, tired from the day’s torturous pace, warm and comfy in Knuckles’ arms.  Knuckles smiled warmly at her, and kissing her on the head he whispered, “I love you Amy.”

     Some time passed, an hour perhaps, and Knuckles could not find sleep.  He was racked with worry; he worried about the Master Emerald, he worried about Angel Island, and Sonic and Tails on it.  He worried about Amy, and especially his brother Hidama.  He held her close to him to try and find some comfort, but could not find sleep at all.  He stood up slowly, after resting Amy gently on the ground, and walked over to where Shadow stood.  His arms were folded, and his eyes closed, as if he were sleeping, but once Knuckles got to him, and before he could speak, Shadow raised a finger in the air and said, “Shh.  Don’t speak.  I’m resting my mind in preparation for our journey.  If anything mimic my method, and rest your mind as you can.”

     Knuckles opened his mouth, but said nothing, he just murmured, “Shadow…how much further must we go?  I cannot rest as long as even one day’s journey lies ahead.”  He paused, and said, “When you broke out of the prison, why didn’t you bring Hidama with you?”

     Shadow, upon hearing this, opened his eyes, looking sadly at Knuckles, saying, “It’s not that I didn’t try, Knuckles.  They had implanted that wretched mind control chip in his neck at this point, and with one switch he could slaughter who they wished him to.  He begged me leave while I could, in the promise I’d tell you he was safe, and that he was sorry, and that most of all, he loved you.  He knew things weren’t easy on you, I didn’t have to tell him that, and yet I offered him my word I’d return with you to save him, and he could tell you he loved you himself.  Yet…it went differently than I wished…”

    “I had been in that wretched cell for weeks, long enough to learn the details of that night, exactly how I told them to you.  I had also learned of the enemy’s plans, the best way to escape, and many other things.  I loved Hinsei, for he reminded me a lot of you, and I offered him escape with me.  However, once I spoke of it, he hung his head sadly and said, ‘No, save yourself, please.  Just…tell my brother I love him, and…I’m so sorry I let him down.’

    I replied, ‘Then let me return later to free you.  Then you can tell him yourself.  I’m sure once he hears of you, and knows you’re alive, he’ll want more than anything to save you like you saved him, all those years ago.’

    Then, his sapphire eyes flashed with rage, and he shouted for the first time since we were together, ‘Don’t you dare Shadow!  Even if it means my freedom, I won’t risk my brother’s death again, because of my failure.  Please, don’t lead him here.’

    I was in shock; he really felt like the entire massacre of the clan was his fault; that all his misery was brought upon himself, and all your pain was his doing.  I said, ‘I’ll save you Hidama; your brother needs you, and you know it.’

    It was then that the guards finished their final rounds, and, hanging his head, he whispered, ‘Just promise me you’ll leave Knuckles out of this.  Just because I saved his life, does not mean his should jeopardize it just to save my own.’

    Hidama beckoned me escape while I could, and I took a last look at him; as I ran to safety, I found myself weeping, unsure of whether or not to keep a promise and save him alone, even not warn you of him, or to tell you and risk getting you involved in his rescue.  I was torn in two, unsure of whether to keep a promise, or save a life.”

    “…So now you understand why I remained silent all these years.  I honored Hidama’s wish, and though I had many opportunities to speak of it to you, I remained silent.  I would have sooner, but your love for Amy began to bloom, and enchanted by your love, I did not risk disturb it.  Yet I had a gnawing feeling in my heart, that Hidama was in peril and the Master Emerald in peril, the very fate of us all hanging in the balance.  Before I’d say anything however, I asked Sonic return with me, where my suspicions were confirmed, and here we are,” Shadow explained.

    Knuckles was hushed, only nodding in response, unsure of what to say next.  He could only say, “So, you’re breaking the promise you made to him, to keep me out of this mess; why the sudden change?  It can’t just be the threat of impending doom.”

    Shadow sighed heavily, turning to Knuckles, again, placing his hand on the echidna’s shoulder and saying, “I weep for Hidama; he said himself not even the nastiest of Feldmort’s minions deserve the kind of pain they’ve inflicted upon him for countless years.  He asked me not to involve you, for he still maintained selflessness and love for you, which made any pain worth bearing as long as no harm came to you.  I cannot let him go without justice, for because of his bravery, courage, and love, love for you, you remain free, and the world safe because of that.  You’re right; we ride not to save him on the threat of death alone, but to bring an end to suffering.”

    The echidna closed his eyes, trying to suppress his tears.  All he could say was, “Hidama, you made Shadow promise to not get me involved…and he’s kept it, for once I heard that you were alive, it was no question over whether or not I’d race to save you.  My promise to you, I’ll save your life, and then that horrible night will finally end…for the clan, for the Master Emerald, and us both.”

    He turned away, feeling the need to weep, and Shadow could only feel sympathy for him.  He walked up to Knuckles, and once Knuckles looked up at him, tears streaming down his face, Shadow said, “Hidama wants nothing more than to see you, not just to apologize, but to thank you.  Your memory has been the only thing to keep his hope alive, and whether he sees it at first or not, it’s the love for his brother, and your love for him, that will finally set you both free.”

    Knuckles’ lips quivered as he tried to speak, but he was overcome with sadness and grief, breaking down in to tears.  It was then that Shadow embraced him, knowing all too well that Knuckles had suffered his own kind of torture.  It had started when he had to bury the entire clan on his own, his friends, family, and not knowing where his brother was.  Years upon years of being alone, not knowing who to trust…both brothers had had their troubles, only Knuckles being fortunate to have precious friends, and of course Amy.  Shadow did not try to stop him from weeping, he merely held him out of kindness, almost like he had for Hidama years go, though he had not spoken of it to anyone.  The hedgehog too wept a few tears, though his were silent, going unnoticed, as did the hours of the night that passed as they stood in silence, together in remembrance of the pains and woes of years gone by.

    Truly, they did not move or speak until the dawn came to the land.  Shadow had, however, fallen from exhaustion, unlike he had ever felt before, and lay sleeping on the ground.  Knuckles in response had crawled up to a nearby tree and wept until sleep finally took him.  Shadow awoke to the streams of light on his eyes, and while the events of the night before were all too clear, he had to rid himself of this misery, for all that would do was complicate things further.

    He nudged the sleeping echidna with his foot and said, “Knuckles, awaken.  Listen to me, we must set off once more.  Already I fear we have waited too long.  The enemy is on the move no doubt, and we must hasten to their stronghold, with all speed.”

    The echidna slowly rose to his feet, rejuvenated from sleep, and upon seeing Amy dropped his sadness from the night before.  A smile came to his face, and he said, “Well, tarrying or no, that was definitely rest well needed and deserved.  I know I can keep up with your worst Shads.”

    Shadow even managed a laugh upon hearing that, once again consoled by the fact that Amy and his love for her was enough to bring Knuckles out of any sadness.  “That’s good,” he whispered to himself, “He’s gonna need her and their love before the end.”

    Amy laughed and hurried her pace to Knuckles, throwing herself into his arms and a warm embrace.  She replied, “I’ll agree with you there.  I feel much better.”

    Knuckles smiled at her and said, “Well that’s good to hear.  That’s the best I could ask for.  Anyway, how much further is this stronghold Shadow?  A rough estimate perhaps?”

    The hedgehog looked at them, awoken from his enchantment and responded, “Not much further; beyond this bog, there is a canyon, and thru it there lies a path to a gorge therein.  The enemy fortress takes up that gorge, and the Silent River, which runs through it.  Hidama is locked away with the deepest dungeons, where I was held.  Upon my escape I had to navigate through the bog, for the enemy bypasses it for miles around, and it offers the best cover under even the noonday sun.  Each time I’ve passed through it I had no trouble, except the past two times dragging Sonic through it.”

    Amy had walked close to the edge of the bog, a look of disgust on he face as she watched it bubble.  She said, “Ick, eww, do we really have to walk through this?  There’s not even a path through it…is there?”

    Knuckles had walked up to her, hugging her and saying, “It’ll be okay Amy, you can ride on my back while we go through.”  He smiled at her, and this comforted her, as she returned his smile and kissed him on the cheek.

    The two laughed, hugging each other then kissing each other.  Shadow walked up to them and said, “That’s an idea, and to boot, I assure you there is a safe path through the bog, if you’ll follow me through that is.  Sonic wasn’t sure at first either…but trust me, he made it through alright, obviously.  Now if there aren’t any more questions I’d like to make it through before the sun gets too high and the weather too warm.  Let’s move.”

    Shadow took a few steps into the bog; Knuckles and Amy looked at each other, the echidna offering her a reassuring smile before helping her onto his back and starting off after Shadow into the bog.  Shadow indeed found a dry path through the marsh, and Knuckles followed him quickly through it.  Indeed, taking the path around the bog was foolish.  The bog was quite long and wide, and the march around it was for miles.  “That is the path that Feldmort’s army will take.  They know not this path through, and are too large a mass to traipse through it besides.  Only a little while longer, and we’ll be ready to enter the canyon,” Shadow said.

    Knuckles nodded, cocking his ear, picking up what sounded like a barrage of footsteps, in tune to a march, approaching from the south, the direction they were heading.  He was sure it was Feldmort’s army, and was equally certain that Shadow was aware of this march, giving him all the more reason to move quickly.  Knuckles closed his eyes, if only for a moment, and prayed, “Please Hidama, hang in their a bit longer…please.”

    Little did Knuckles, or any of them, know at that point was that Hidama was almost beyond help.  Feldmort had not turned off the mind control chip as he usually did after he got tired of ordering Hidama around.  This time, he had no intention of turning off the chip until Hidama had killed Knuckles, just to let him be in pain from killing his brother, just long enough before he killed him.  Then he would be rid of the last two things that stood between him and the Master Emerald.

    Lord Feldmort had just finished seeing Zelias and his armies off, and had returned to his chambers where the captive and controlled Hidama was performing tasks for him.  Feldmort retired to his throne and, taking the control, said, “Hinsei, oh Hinsei, bring me my glass ball…if you will,” with an evil snicker.

    Hidama, completely under Feldmort’s persuasion, presented him with a glass ball, of which, like many, allowed for Feldmort to see things, whatever it was he wished to see.  “Ah, excellent.  Now…let me see.  I wish to see Angel Island, the altar of the Master Emerald to be exact.  I want to see how relaxed Sonic and Miles are.”  In a flash of light, the glass ball revealed Angel Island in its core.  Feldmort sneered as he saw Sonic, kicked back in the noonday sun relaxing, and Tails with a pencil and clipboard in hand, scrawling out some equations on it.  “Feh, the great guardian leaves these two to protect the Master?  Psh…this will be easier than I thought.  Implant the chips, and they’re no threat.  Humph, seems even the witch hedgehog Shadow has underestimated me.  Yet, he has strange power, I still fear him, and that echidna, Hidama’s brother, he is too quite powerful.  You can’t say you’re the guardian of the Master Emerald, and brother of Hinsei Hidama and not have considerable strength to show for it.”

    Lord Feldmort arose from his throne, walking over to a balcony, which looked over an arena.  Below, Lord Feldmort’s servants were busy preparing the arena for the battle…the battle between Hidama and Knuckles, where only one would emerge victorious, only one would survive it.  Feldmort laughed and said, “Humph, why should I worry?  That fool Shadow knows very well where I implanted the chip, but not well enough how to remove it.  Why should I expect Knuckles to have a good hold on things?  He’ll defend against Hidama, his strength in turn will rise, and Knuckles slain.  But…why should he have to fight Hidama?  I’m worried; Knuckles will certainly resist…but how…to make him duel rather than be directly murdered?”

    Feldmort had a problem.  Knuckles wouldn’t fight Hidama, even if his brother swung at him.  Knuckles would follow Shadow’s advice and only seek to get the chip out of Hidama’s neck or the controller destroyed.  Feldmort did not know how to fix this, until, he looked at the crystal ball again.  It had switched to Shadow, Knuckles and Amy, who were now emerging from the bog.  A wry smile appeared on Feldmort’s face, as he saw Knuckles set Amy on her feet, followed up by smiles, a hug and a kiss.  “That’s it!” Feldmort shouted, “That hedgehog girl, Amy, he’d give his life for her…should she be in danger.  Heh, heh, I know how to break both that echidna, and Shadow.  Shockfire, come to me!”

    A mutated crow flew into the room, landing on Feldmort’s shoulder.  “How’s daddy’s little pet…heh, heh.  I have a job for you Shockfire.  You must fly to Captain Zelias,” he started, holding up a scroll of paper, and wrapping it around the crow’s leg continued, “With this message.  Fly quickly Shockfire, and do not fail me.”

    The crow squawked twice before flying off towards the army in the distance.  Feldmort cackled evilly and said, “Ha!  I’ll bring that foolish echidna down to his knees…and then…six feet under!  Ah hah!  I win, at long last.  Those two echidnas can finally be reunited, and sent to hell with the rest of their kind.  Mwahaha!!”

    Feldmort, so pleased with his new plan, carelessly tossed the controller onto the seat of his throne, before running off to soak in a bath.  Hidama, still under the control of the chip, cringed as the controller fell hard on the stone chair, swatting at his neck as if a mosquito had bitten it.  As he did so, his eyes flashed back to normal for only a moment, and for those seconds where he was free, he cried, “Please, if anything, I don’t care if I die, just protect my brother…please.”

    It was in vain however, for the chip took him over once more.  Knuckles was determined to rescue his brother.  Even now the group had gotten out of the bog, and were waiting in a grove of sycamore trees for the cover of darkness, as Zelias’ army continued onward.  As the army passed the grove slowly, Captain Zelias received the message from Lord Feldmort, and snickered as Feldmort had.  He said nothing, and followed the last of his men as they began the long trip around the marsh, just as Shadow had said.

    It had grown late as they waited, and as they took their first few paces into the canyon, Amy, whom Knuckles was carrying, thought, “I hope Sonic and Tails will be okay.  At least the security system will keep them and the Master Emerald safe.  She looked over Knuckles’ shoulder, at the blanket of stars, and could only pray for their safety, miles away.

Description
"Brotherly Love"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 3: "To keep a promise, to save a life"

    Dusk…and the creatures of the night were awakening from their slumber.  A small squirrel lay hidden behind a large oak tree, rooted in a thick forest, teetering on the edge of a large and stinky bog.  The tiny creature peered from behind the tree in pursuit of a fallen acorn.  He stopped, pricked up his ears, for he heard the sound of footfalls approaching from a distance.  He crouched low, only to back away quickly enough before a foot fell hard before him.  Looking up, he could see a figure he had seen many times before.  It was Shadow the Hedgehog, wandering the woods again, so the squirrel didn’t give it a second thought.

    As the squirrel retreated to its nest, Shadow crouched low, shutting his eyes, and falling silent.  After a few moments, he spoke, “It’s quiet…we’ve eluded pursuit thus far, and yet this deafening silence is no consolation to me whatsoever.”  He stood up, and looked back, extending his arm and saying, “Hurry you two, I dare not tarry longer than I must.”

    Knuckles ran up to Shadow, stopping fast and saying, “Can’t we slow down just a little Shadow?  This is wearing Amy out.  You and I can handle this sure, but this hurried pace to so much walking isn’t helping things.  It’s not like we’re being chased right?”

    Shadow narrowed his eyes, glaring at the echidna and saying, “You know nothing of the foe we face.  Your brother won’t be easy to rescue.  They’ve implanted a microchip in his neck, and until we remove it, destroy it, or otherwise dismantle it, we need fear him as much as Lord Feldmort.”

    The echidna growled in irritation saying, “Who the heck is Lord Feldmort?  Is he the leader of these guys or what?”

    As Amy struggled to catch up, Shadow looked at Knuckles, with no much gentler eyes, resting a hand on Knuckles’ shoulder saying, “Yes, Knuckles; he is their leader, as well as the one who slaughtered your father, right before Hidama’s eyes, before kidnapping Hidama himself.  This fragile peace is nothing more than the deep breath before the plunge, the calm before the storm.  Do not get comfortable…for the worse is yet to come.  Hurry!  Already we have tarried too long.”  Shadow then rushed off once more into the night.

    Knuckles was frozen with shock.  Finally he knew who murdered his father, not only chopping off his arm, but his head to finish him off.  He could feel his heart breaking, for he knew Hidama had witnessed this, as well as their mother’s death, and the rage in his heart to gain vengeance for them all was burning stronger than the dying sun.

    Yet his anger was for now dispelled, as Amy took a few steps more before falling to her knees in exhaustion.  Knuckles ran to her side, holding her in his arms, trying to comfort her.  “I can’t run like this any more Knuckles, I’m just too tired,” she cried, and as she gasped for breath, she did indeed weep a few tears.

    Knuckles hugged her, stroking her hair, and trying to calm her down.  “Amy, it’s okay.  You don’t have to run anymore.  Now I know why Sonic was so tired; Shadow doesn’t know when to quit.  I’m getting tired myself, but I’ll carry you for right now.  Everything will be okay, don’t worry.  You don’t need to cry anymore,” he said.

    It didn’t take any more than that to calm Amy down.  Her smile returned by Knuckles’ making everything okay again.  Once he kissed her on the head, he stood back up, taking her in his arms, and following Shadow’s trail.  He started to catch up to him, but hung back, enjoying the peace that he and Amy had together.  Amy looked up at him saying, “Why must Shadow keep up this horrendous pace?  How can he?  Shadow really did wear Sonic out, especially if they kept up this pace for so many months.  Why is he so rushed?”

    Knuckles shook his head, saying, “I’m not sure…but I’m as eager to rescue my brother as ever.  Come to find out he saw our mother and father be murdered, and now that same wretch is trying to wipe us out.  I swear, I intend to rescue my brother, and slaughter every last ones of these menaces with my bare hands…their blood isn’t worth dirtying clean gloves with.”

    Amy gazed up at him; she had never seen him so geared on proceeding into battle, and yet he had never had more of a reason to before now.  It wasn’t just the Master Emerald, nor vengeance on those who killed his loved ones, not even taking his brother away, and torturing him so;  it was a combination of everything, all the fears, hurts, and pain brought on by the events of that night.  It was years upon years of misery and anguish, loneliness and hatred, no knowledge of his brother’s fate…those people had been hurting him for years upon years, and now was time to end his misery.  Now was the time that that horrible night would finally come to an end.

    Perhaps it was this desire to bring an end to the pain that drove Knuckles onward.  It was beyond his abnormal strength, this will that pushed him onward, keeping him strong and able to keep up with Shadow, not needing to rest or stop.  He finally hurried his steps to walk side by side with Shadow; the hedgehog looked at the echidna out of the corner of his eyes, satisfaction clearly displayed on his face.  He knew Knuckles was strong, and had great confidence in him.

    They were approaching the edge of the woods, and Shadow said, “I apologize for our rushed pace.  I knew you could handle it though Knuckles, for you are strong-willed.  Amy, I apologize to you especially, you must pardon me, but I feel the need to rush quickly.  We’ll stop for a few minutes.”

    Shadow took a few steps towards the edge of the woods, saying, “You two rest for awhile, sleep, I beg you.  I’ll awaken you when we need to move on.  I’ll keep watch.”

    He fell silent after this, gazing towards the bog, across the horizon.  Knuckles watched him, laying Amy down gently on the ground, leaning up against a large oak tree, and pulling her into his arms.  As Amy got comfortable, Knuckles gazed in silence at Shadow; he stood, silent and unmoving for a long time.  Amy fell asleep quickly, tired from the day’s torturous pace, warm and comfy in Knuckles’ arms.  Knuckles smiled warmly at her, and kissing her on the head he whispered, “I love you Amy.”

     Some time passed, an hour perhaps, and Knuckles could not find sleep.  He was racked with worry; he worried about the Master Emerald, he worried about Angel Island, and Sonic and Tails on it.  He worried about Amy, and especially his brother Hidama.  He held her close to him to try and find some comfort, but could not find sleep at all.  He stood up slowly, after resting Amy gently on the ground, and walked over to where Shadow stood.  His arms were folded, and his eyes closed, as if he were sleeping, but once Knuckles got to him, and before he could speak, Shadow raised a finger in the air and said, “Shh.  Don’t speak.  I’m resting my mind in preparation for our journey.  If anything mimic my method, and rest your mind as you can.”

     Knuckles opened his mouth, but said nothing, he just murmured, “Shadow…how much further must we go?  I cannot rest as long as even one day’s journey lies ahead.”  He paused, and said, “When you broke out of the prison, why didn’t you bring Hidama with you?”

     Shadow, upon hearing this, opened his eyes, looking sadly at Knuckles, saying, “It’s not that I didn’t try, Knuckles.  They had implanted that wretched mind control chip in his neck at this point, and with one switch he could slaughter who they wished him to.  He begged me leave while I could, in the promise I’d tell you he was safe, and that he was sorry, and that most of all, he loved you.  He knew things weren’t easy on you, I didn’t have to tell him that, and yet I offered him my word I’d return with you to save him, and he could tell you he loved you himself.  Yet…it went differently than I wished…”

    “I had been in that wretched cell for weeks, long enough to learn the details of that night, exactly how I told them to you.  I had also learned of the enemy’s plans, the best way to escape, and many other things.  I loved Hinsei, for he reminded me a lot of you, and I offered him escape with me.  However, once I spoke of it, he hung his head sadly and said, ‘No, save yourself, please.  Just…tell my brother I love him, and…I’m so sorry I let him down.’

    I replied, ‘Then let me return later to free you.  Then you can tell him yourself.  I’m sure once he hears of you, and knows you’re alive, he’ll want more than anything to save you like you saved him, all those years ago.’

    Then, his sapphire eyes flashed with rage, and he shouted for the first time since we were together, ‘Don’t you dare Shadow!  Even if it means my freedom, I won’t risk my brother’s death again, because of my failure.  Please, don’t lead him here.’

    I was in shock; he really felt like the entire massacre of the clan was his fault; that all his misery was brought upon himself, and all your pain was his doing.  I said, ‘I’ll save you Hidama; your brother needs you, and you know it.’

    It was then that the guards finished their final rounds, and, hanging his head, he whispered, ‘Just promise me you’ll leave Knuckles out of this.  Just because I saved his life, does not mean his should jeopardize it just to save my own.’

    Hidama beckoned me escape while I could, and I took a last look at him; as I ran to safety, I found myself weeping, unsure of whether or not to keep a promise and save him alone, even not warn you of him, or to tell you and risk getting you involved in his rescue.  I was torn in two, unsure of whether to keep a promise, or save a life.”

    “…So now you understand why I remained silent all these years.  I honored Hidama’s wish, and though I had many opportunities to speak of it to you, I remained silent.  I would have sooner, but your love for Amy began to bloom, and enchanted by your love, I did not risk disturb it.  Yet I had a gnawing feeling in my heart, that Hidama was in peril and the Master Emerald in peril, the very fate of us all hanging in the balance.  Before I’d say anything however, I asked Sonic return with me, where my suspicions were confirmed, and here we are,” Shadow explained.

    Knuckles was hushed, only nodding in response, unsure of what to say next.  He could only say, “So, you’re breaking the promise you made to him, to keep me out of this mess; why the sudden change?  It can’t just be the threat of impending doom.”

    Shadow sighed heavily, turning to Knuckles, again, placing his hand on the echidna’s shoulder and saying, “I weep for Hidama; he said himself not even the nastiest of Feldmort’s minions deserve the kind of pain they’ve inflicted upon him for countless years.  He asked me not to involve you, for he still maintained selflessness and love for you, which made any pain worth bearing as long as no harm came to you.  I cannot let him go without justice, for because of his bravery, courage, and love, love for you, you remain free, and the world safe because of that.  You’re right; we ride not to save him on the threat of death alone, but to bring an end to suffering.”

    The echidna closed his eyes, trying to suppress his tears.  All he could say was, “Hidama, you made Shadow promise to not get me involved…and he’s kept it, for once I heard that you were alive, it was no question over whether or not I’d race to save you.  My promise to you, I’ll save your life, and then that horrible night will finally end…for the clan, for the Master Emerald, and us both.”

    He turned away, feeling the need to weep, and Shadow could only feel sympathy for him.  He walked up to Knuckles, and once Knuckles looked up at him, tears streaming down his face, Shadow said, “Hidama wants nothing more than to see you, not just to apologize, but to thank you.  Your memory has been the only thing to keep his hope alive, and whether he sees it at first or not, it’s the love for his brother, and your love for him, that will finally set you both free.”

    Knuckles’ lips quivered as he tried to speak, but he was overcome with sadness and grief, breaking down in to tears.  It was then that Shadow embraced him, knowing all too well that Knuckles had suffered his own kind of torture.  It had started when he had to bury the entire clan on his own, his friends, family, and not knowing where his brother was.  Years upon years of being alone, not knowing who to trust…both brothers had had their troubles, only Knuckles being fortunate to have precious friends, and of course Amy.  Shadow did not try to stop him from weeping, he merely held him out of kindness, almost like he had for Hidama years go, though he had not spoken of it to anyone.  The hedgehog too wept a few tears, though his were silent, going unnoticed, as did the hours of the night that passed as they stood in silence, together in remembrance of the pains and woes of years gone by.

    Truly, they did not move or speak until the dawn came to the land.  Shadow had, however, fallen from exhaustion, unlike he had ever felt before, and lay sleeping on the ground.  Knuckles in response had crawled up to a nearby tree and wept until sleep finally took him.  Shadow awoke to the streams of light on his eyes, and while the events of the night before were all too clear, he had to rid himself of this misery, for all that would do was complicate things further.

    He nudged the sleeping echidna with his foot and said, “Knuckles, awaken.  Listen to me, we must set off once more.  Already I fear we have waited too long.  The enemy is on the move no doubt, and we must hasten to their stronghold, with all speed.”

    The echidna slowly rose to his feet, rejuvenated from sleep, and upon seeing Amy dropped his sadness from the night before.  A smile came to his face, and he said, “Well, tarrying or no, that was definitely rest well needed and deserved.  I know I can keep up with your worst Shads.”

    Shadow even managed a laugh upon hearing that, once again consoled by the fact that Amy and his love for her was enough to bring Knuckles out of any sadness.  “That’s good,” he whispered to himself, “He’s gonna need her and their love before the end.”

    Amy laughed and hurried her pace to Knuckles, throwing herself into his arms and a warm embrace.  She replied, “I’ll agree with you there.  I feel much better.”

    Knuckles smiled at her and said, “Well that’s good to hear.  That’s the best I could ask for.  Anyway, how much further is this stronghold Shadow?  A rough estimate perhaps?”

    The hedgehog looked at them, awoken from his enchantment and responded, “Not much further; beyond this bog, there is a canyon, and thru it there lies a path to a gorge therein.  The enemy fortress takes up that gorge, and the Silent River, which runs through it.  Hidama is locked away with the deepest dungeons, where I was held.  Upon my escape I had to navigate through the bog, for the enemy bypasses it for miles around, and it offers the best cover under even the noonday sun.  Each time I’ve passed through it I had no trouble, except the past two times dragging Sonic through it.”

    Amy had walked close to the edge of the bog, a look of disgust on he face as she watched it bubble.  She said, “Ick, eww, do we really have to walk through this?  There’s not even a path through it…is there?”

    Knuckles had walked up to her, hugging her and saying, “It’ll be okay Amy, you can ride on my back while we go through.”  He smiled at her, and this comforted her, as she returned his smile and kissed him on the cheek.

    The two laughed, hugging each other then kissing each other.  Shadow walked up to them and said, “That’s an idea, and to boot, I assure you there is a safe path through the bog, if you’ll follow me through that is.  Sonic wasn’t sure at first either…but trust me, he made it through alright, obviously.  Now if there aren’t any more questions I’d like to make it through before the sun gets too high and the weather too warm.  Let’s move.”

    Shadow took a few steps into the bog; Knuckles and Amy looked at each other, the echidna offering her a reassuring smile before helping her onto his back and starting off after Shadow into the bog.  Shadow indeed found a dry path through the marsh, and Knuckles followed him quickly through it.  Indeed, taking the path around the bog was foolish.  The bog was quite long and wide, and the march around it was for miles.  “That is the path that Feldmort’s army will take.  They know not this path through, and are too large a mass to traipse through it besides.  Only a little while longer, and we’ll be ready to enter the canyon,” Shadow said.

    Knuckles nodded, cocking his ear, picking up what sounded like a barrage of footsteps, in tune to a march, approaching from the south, the direction they were heading.  He was sure it was Feldmort’s army, and was equally certain that Shadow was aware of this march, giving him all the more reason to move quickly.  Knuckles closed his eyes, if only for a moment, and prayed, “Please Hidama, hang in their a bit longer…please.”

    Little did Knuckles, or any of them, know at that point was that Hidama was almost beyond help.  Feldmort had not turned off the mind control chip as he usually did after he got tired of ordering Hidama around.  This time, he had no intention of turning off the chip until Hidama had killed Knuckles, just to let him be in pain from killing his brother, just long enough before he killed him.  Then he would be rid of the last two things that stood between him and the Master Emerald.

    Lord Feldmort had just finished seeing Zelias and his armies off, and had returned to his chambers where the captive and controlled Hidama was performing tasks for him.  Feldmort retired to his throne and, taking the control, said, “Hinsei, oh Hinsei, bring me my glass ball…if you will,” with an evil snicker.

    Hidama, completely under Feldmort’s persuasion, presented him with a glass ball, of which, like many, allowed for Feldmort to see things, whatever it was he wished to see.  “Ah, excellent.  Now…let me see.  I wish to see Angel Island, the altar of the Master Emerald to be exact.  I want to see how relaxed Sonic and Miles are.”  In a flash of light, the glass ball revealed Angel Island in its core.  Feldmort sneered as he saw Sonic, kicked back in the noonday sun relaxing, and Tails with a pencil and clipboard in hand, scrawling out some equations on it.  “Feh, the great guardian leaves these two to protect the Master?  Psh…this will be easier than I thought.  Implant the chips, and they’re no threat.  Humph, seems even the witch hedgehog Shadow has underestimated me.  Yet, he has strange power, I still fear him, and that echidna, Hidama’s brother, he is too quite powerful.  You can’t say you’re the guardian of the Master Emerald, and brother of Hinsei Hidama and not have considerable strength to show for it.”

    Lord Feldmort arose from his throne, walking over to a balcony, which looked over an arena.  Below, Lord Feldmort’s servants were busy preparing the arena for the battle…the battle between Hidama and Knuckles, where only one would emerge victorious, only one would survive it.  Feldmort laughed and said, “Humph, why should I worry?  That fool Shadow knows very well where I implanted the chip, but not well enough how to remove it.  Why should I expect Knuckles to have a good hold on things?  He’ll defend against Hidama, his strength in turn will rise, and Knuckles slain.  But…why should he have to fight Hidama?  I’m worried; Knuckles will certainly resist…but how…to make him duel rather than be directly murdered?”

    Feldmort had a problem.  Knuckles wouldn’t fight Hidama, even if his brother swung at him.  Knuckles would follow Shadow’s advice and only seek to get the chip out of Hidama’s neck or the controller destroyed.  Feldmort did not know how to fix this, until, he looked at the crystal ball again.  It had switched to Shadow, Knuckles and Amy, who were now emerging from the bog.  A wry smile appeared on Feldmort’s face, as he saw Knuckles set Amy on her feet, followed up by smiles, a hug and a kiss.  “That’s it!” Feldmort shouted, “That hedgehog girl, Amy, he’d give his life for her…should she be in danger.  Heh, heh, I know how to break both that echidna, and Shadow.  Shockfire, come to me!”

    A mutated crow flew into the room, landing on Feldmort’s shoulder.  “How’s daddy’s little pet…heh, heh.  I have a job for you Shockfire.  You must fly to Captain Zelias,” he started, holding up a scroll of paper, and wrapping it around the crow’s leg continued, “With this message.  Fly quickly Shockfire, and do not fail me.”

    The crow squawked twice before flying off towards the army in the distance.  Feldmort cackled evilly and said, “Ha!  I’ll bring that foolish echidna down to his knees…and then…six feet under!  Ah hah!  I win, at long last.  Those two echidnas can finally be reunited, and sent to hell with the rest of their kind.  Mwahaha!!”

    Feldmort, so pleased with his new plan, carelessly tossed the controller onto the seat of his throne, before running off to soak in a bath.  Hidama, still under the control of the chip, cringed as the controller fell hard on the stone chair, swatting at his neck as if a mosquito had bitten it.  As he did so, his eyes flashed back to normal for only a moment, and for those seconds where he was free, he cried, “Please, if anything, I don’t care if I die, just protect my brother…please.”

    It was in vain however, for the chip took him over once more.  Knuckles was determined to rescue his brother.  Even now the group had gotten out of the bog, and were waiting in a grove of sycamore trees for the cover of darkness, as Zelias’ army continued onward.  As the army passed the grove slowly, Captain Zelias received the message from Lord Feldmort, and snickered as Feldmort had.  He said nothing, and followed the last of his men as they began the long trip around the marsh, just as Shadow had said.

    It had grown late as they waited, and as they took their first few paces into the canyon, Amy, whom Knuckles was carrying, thought, “I hope Sonic and Tails will be okay.  At least the security system will keep them and the Master Emerald safe.  She looked over Knuckles’ shoulder, at the blanket of stars, and could only pray for their safety, miles away.