Red and the Beast

Breakfast

It was morning and the servants were excited about making breakfast for their new guest. "Oh I hope he enjoys!" Said a clock. "Me too Silver" sonic smiled. Shadow the beast walks into the dining room and sits at the table. Yet after 30 mins knuckles had yet to show up. This angered shadow and he storms to knuckles room getting ready to burst through. Yet he stopped and took a breath before walking to the north wing to his room where the crystal ball was. "Show me the echidna" he said and the crystal ball glows showing knuckles was still asleep. "That is all" shadow said. "Amy" he said to the silver harp. "Yes sir?" "Inform Blaze and Cream to deliver knuckles his breakfast or lunch whenever he wakes up." Shadow said and she nods.
"He's really calming himself down ever since knuckles arrived." She thought hopping to the kitchen. Shadow was sad to eat alone once more but he understands that knuckles needs time to adjust. He wishes he could write a bit but his claws and bushy fur makes it hard to write. "I just hope he sees past this.... Monster" he growled.
Knuckles finally wakes up feeling hungry and panicked when he realized what time it was. "Oh shit..." he gets up and dressed quickly out of fear of what the beast would do if he doesn't show up for breakfast. Yet once he enters the dining room he finds it empty. "Ah knuckles you're awake" said Amy. Knuckles jumps back seeing the talking harp. "Right talking objects..." he said. "Please have a seat the master said to make sure you eat once you wake up." She smiled as he lead him to the chair. "Now for your brunch" she claps her silver hands. Suddenly food appears at the table more than what he expects. "Um wow... that's a lot of food..." he said a bit overwhelmed by the amount than what he's use to. "But thank you" he smiled. He places the oats in a bowl and pours the hot milk inside letting it cook as he plates the berries, toast, and ham. "Let me know if you desire anything else the master wants you to feel comfortable here." She smiled before hopping away. "Ok maybe... maybe he isn't a monster.... Maybe he's like me.. he's just misunderstood." He thought smiling and enjoys the meal. After that he walks back to his room to grab his but he didn't know where to go. He remembered what Blaze and Sonic told him and pulled the rope. Right away Blaze arrived on her dining cart but she had two new friends with her, a clock and a feather duster. "You called Knuckles?" She smiled. "Yes Umm I was wondering where a good place would be to read." He said and the duster smiled. "Oh the garden! Come let us show you!" "Wait isn't the garden covered in snow?" Knuckles wonders as he follows them. To his surprise it was sunny and warm like the weather changed. He was amazing by the stunning flowers as he followed his somewhat new friends. They lead him to a bench under a stunning gazebo of roses and lilies. "Wow it's perfect thank you" he smiled and sat down getting lost in his favorite book. "He likes the same story as master oh we must get him!" Silver thought and they others had the same idea. Yet Shadow was already in his way. Once the three left Shadow breathed and slowly approached the echidna who was lost in the story. "Are you adjusting well Knuckles?" He asked keeping his distance. Knuckles looks up seeing shadow and noticed he wasn't as scary in the light. "All things considering I guess" he replied. "Im sorry about breakfast..." knuckles looks down. "It's quiet alright it was wrong of me to assume you be up. That's why I made sure you did eat when you woke up." Shadow smiled a bit. "I appreciated that very much....umm would you like to sit down?" Knuckles asked scooting over in the bench. "Im ok thank you.... So that book of yours do you like it?" Shadow asked. "Yeah it's my favorite story and a old friend of my mothers gave it to me since it has my mother's initials she wrote in." Knuckles said. "Im sure she probably misses you..." shadow said with guilt in his eyes. "Actually.... My mother died 11 years ago...." He looks down. "Im so sorry... may I ask what happened?" Shadow asked and sat down as knuckles told him. "How awful...." "Yeah but she passed in her sleep so she went peacefully which she always wanted." Knuckles said. "But anyways have you read this book Shadow?" Knuckles asked looking up at the wolflike hedgehog that seemed familiar to him. "It's actually my favorite as well." Shadow replied. Knuckles decided to test him and asked questions about the book which Shadow got right. "That's awesome I don't think I ever met anyone else who read this book besides my moms friend and myself!" Knuckles smiled genuinely making shadow's heart flutter. "Well I'm glad." Shadow said and they continued to talk.

Meanwhile back at the village

"Father you can't be serious" Manson crossed his arms. "I saw it with my own two eyes! A beast and he has your brother! Oh god the horrible things he must be doing to him!!!" Locke worries.

Back at the castle

Knuckles laughs as birds land all over shadow after they decide to feed them. Shadow was annoyed by all the birds but seeing Knuckles smile made him tolerate it.

"Perhaps he is the one to break the curse"