Red and The Beast (Rewrite)

Castle

Dawn breaks on the final day of the trip and knuckles wakes up feeling sad. Yet he smiled because he got to see outside of the village. He looks over at the items he collected and couldn't wait to tell Mrs. Avery everything he seen. He had such a great time and feels happy yet he was sad that it was in fact over. He looks over to the next bed and sees Locke was already out of bed. Knuckles sighs and gets up to pack up his stuff. Once he walks down the steps he sees Locke enjoying a cup of tea talking to the owner. "Ah there he is. Knuckles come meet an old friend of mine and your mother's" he said and knuckles walks up shaking the male fox's hand. "My god this is Knuckles?! You grown so much last time I saw you and your brother you were just a little baby. You have your mother's eyes dear boy." He smiled and knuckles looks at him. "What's your name sir?" "Oh where are my manners my name is Victor." "Victor? I'm sorry you wouldn't happen to know the prowler family would you?" Knuckles asked. "Yes actually my dear sister married Arthur many years ago and had my nephew Tails." He said then looks down. "It's a shame..... we never found them when the castle disappeared." He looks down. "I know... I lost my friend Tails..." Knuckles said. "He spoke highly of you in his letters." Victor said. "All good I hope" he smiled and Victor nods. "Victor will be delivering the carriage to our village for us because I wanted to extend our trip to an extra day and camp out tonight." Locke said and knuckles smiled. "I would love that father" knuckles smiled. "Alright then rest up we will leave in the evening" Locke said.

Later that night Locke added another log into the fire as a hen was cooking over the fire. Knuckles was telling him about the rock he found since his father became busy during the trip and Locke was fascinated by the crystals inside. "How is that possible?" He asked. "I read in this one book by—" knuckles goes on to explain how it was done and Locke was very impressed. Once more he saw the spark of joy in his son's eyes as he show him a rock containing a gemstone. Seeing his son so happy and having all this knowledge could change his son's world for the better. Then that spark started to fade as he puts the rock back. "Is something wrong?" He asked. "I'm just a little sad it's over father but this is the best gift you could have ever given me. Thank you" he smiled and Locke sighed then started to think. "I think in a couple of months after I take your brother I wouldn't mind you coming along next time." Locke said and knuckles eyes widen. "Really? I get to do this again?!" He smiled. Locke nods and knuckles hugs him. "Thank you!" He said and Locke chuckles. "After seeing how well you did and how knowledgeable you are I have realized that I was wrong keeping you boys from traveling with me. Not anymore so starting tonight I will be switching back and forth taking you and your brother." Locke said. Knuckles was extremely happy and couldn't believe his dream came true and gets to do this again. Then his smiled dropped seeing his father's concern face. "What is father?" He asked and turns to look at his direction. He squinted his eyes and soon saw something glowing in the darkness of the woods. "It's not wolves or any wildlife...." Locke said. "What is it then?" Knuckles asked. "Mount the horses let's go see" Locke said and knuckles nods. They pack up and left the hen cooking over the fire as they rode off to investigate to strange glow. As they gotten closer knuckles felt a sudden winter cold breeze. "Freezing wind in spring?" He said. "Strange" Locke agreed and they continue to wonder the moonlit forest. Soon they find a patch of snow that  lines a part of the forest. "Very strange...." Locke said and knuckles dismounted from his horse. Something was luring him to go closer. Then he reached out his hand and it starts to disappear. He yanked his arm away and sees it was still intact. "An invisible barrier...." Knuckles said. "Let's see behind it" Locke said and before knuckles could say a thing his father rode through. Knuckles quickly mounts his horse and follows. He was shocked being surrounded by snow and dead trees. "How is this—— oh my god..." he said. Him and his father gazed at the once bright castle that stood dark and slightly abandoned. "Father....Is that...."

"The missing royal family's castle.... We found it..."