Red and the Beast

The visit

Knuckles smiles seeing his father and hugs him. "KNUCKLES YOU ESCAPED!!!" Locke said hugging his son. "I didn't escape dad he let me go to visit as long as I return in a week" knuckles smiled and Locke was in disbelief. "That's monster let you go?" "Dad he's not a monster just misunderstood and he's really sweet and my friend" knuckles smiled. "Here he wanted me to give you this." Locke watches his son who was dressed well, fed and was better than he was before. "He takes care of you..." "yes he is father" knuckles smiled and placed a gold box in his hands. "It's an apology gift from him and something the queen left for you after mother passed away." He said and his father opened the box seeing gold and a silver. He then sees a note that was written by the queen herself.

Mr. Echidna,

My condolences of the lost of your wife. She was a very sweet and kind woman. She was also my very good friend and I hope this helps with providing for your sons.

Queen Maria

Locke smiles seeing a painting he knew was done by his wife that was framed in the box. "Tell him I said thank you" Locke smiled. Knuckles makes dinner and the three men sat at the table. Knuckles tells them all that shadow has done for him and how well he is treated. Yet unknown to him his brother was slowly becoming jealous of his brothers new wealthier lifestyle. "Perhaps I could persuade him to stay longer and maybe shadow will have him for dinner" he thought wickedly. The next day as knuckles walks through town he noticed how much attention he's gotten. Some people who turned away from him actually greeted him and asked where he had been. Knuckles ignores them knowing they only want to speak with him for money. Knuckles continue to walk until he reached the library. "Mrs. Avery?" Knuckles said walking in and was suddenly hugged by the older woman. "Oh thank god you're ok I know in your letters you say you are but—" "it's ok I get it do you like the bracelet?" He smiles and she nods. "Yes it's very nice knuckles. My you look well taken care of" she smiled. "Yeah Shadow isn't a monster he's actually really nice and my friend." He said. Mrs. Avery looks deeper in knuckles eyes and can tell he has feelings for shadow but isn't aware of it yet. "Well a friend of yours is a friend of mine perhaps someday I could come and visit to meet him?" She asked. "I'm sure he's quite lonely in that place and I think another friend would be nice" she finished. "I can ask him he's got the huge library with more books you've ever seen" knuckles said and tells her everything. She smiles seeing that familiar spark in his eyes that was once in Ellen. "He's in love with the beast but doesn't even know it yet. Hopefully he will figure it out soon." she thought.

Days later

Knuckles and his father enjoy a drink before knuckles heads to bed for his trip back to the castle as promised. Yet in the other room Manson puts onions to his eyes to produce tears. "Show time" he grins. Knuckles heads to his room where he starts packing until Manson walks in and he sees him in tears. "Manson what's wrong?" Knuckles asked unknown of his brothers false tears. "Knuckles you can't go back the him! Please after all this time you been gone I realize how much of a terrible brother I been to you and I love you. Please don't go back!" Manson begged. "But I promised Manson...." "Then please stay a bit longer I missed you baby brother" knuckles couldn't resist the tears and sighs. "I don't think two days would hurt...." He said making Manson smiled. "Oh thank you!!!" He hugs knuckles who hugs him back.

"Hook line and sinker. Now that he broken his promise he will for sure be killed by the beast."