1Knuckles is waiting on the rocks near Laura.
"Daddy..." She whispered. "I tried..."
Knuckles pulled Laura onto the higher ledge, and the two climbed back out to safety.
"Laura..." Tikal embraced her daughter once again, and Knuckles did the same. "oh."
"Thank goodness." Locke II sighed, as he, Pachacamac II, Gabor, Alma, Gideon, Emma, Jon, Demi-Na, Jani-Na, Kneecaps, Alexis and Jane join in for a family hug.
"Wow... that was really brave!" Complimented Sonic.
"Yeee-haaa!" Tails cheered.
At that moment, Laura and Rutan approach each other.
"Rutan..." He embraces her.
"Oh, Laura."
"Rutan..." Knuckles spoke "I was wrong. You belong here. I'm really sorry."
"So… does this mean…"
"Yes." Knuckles replied.
"I knew you could do it." Tikal grinned at her daughter with a wink.
"Thanks, mommy…"
"Let's go home..." The guardian smiled. "all of us."
The two tribes slowly walk back to the M.E. shrine. Upon arriving they found Lara-Le, Pachacamac, Gala-Na, Rita-Le, Komi-Ko, Mari-An, Wynmacher, George, Kate-Li, Luger, Mari-Su, Darwin, Aurora-La, Kragok, Eli-Za, Austin, Carole-Lin, Eric, Teri-Lu, Espio, Coconut, Taffy, Rosemary, Merlin, Antoine, Bunnie, Jacques, Belle and Pierre.
Espio approached Sonia, Erick and Camilla and embraced them when he found out that his wife and childrens were ok.
Eric and Teri-Lu met with their children Matthew and Jani-Lu, and were happy that their children were safe.
Rosemary and Merlin met with Tails, Cosmo, Flora and Alex and were happy that they were safe.
Kragok, Eli-Za, Darwin and Aurora-La came to their children and grandson, and were happy that no one was hurt. George, Kate-Li, Luger and Mari-Su did the same with their children and grandchildren.
Austin, Carole-Lin, Coconut and Taffy were also relived that their children and grandchildren were safe from hard.
Locke II, Pachacamac II, Gideon, Emma, Jani-Na and Jane came to their grandmothers/great aunts and grandfather/great uncle and congratulated them for having found Rutan and Laura, and helped them get home.
After that Amanda-Su approached Pachacamac II and asked if they could talk privately. Both moved away a bit of the group.
"So, what did you want to talk to me?" asked the red echidna.
"Well this is difficult to explain, since we've been friends a long time and ... well ..." the purple echidna stuttered.
"Come on, anything you tell me will not change the friendship between us."
Amanda-Su felt more insecure now, because she would not know would happen if things couldn't work out.
"Something wrong?" asked Pachacamac II.
Amanda-Su steeled himself and answered. "What I want to say is that… I like you. Not just as a friend, but… the same that Rutan and Laura feel for each other. I'm in love with you."
The red echidna's face showed no sign of reaction at what the purple one had said. He didn't realise until she took his arms and kissed him on the lips which lasted until they were both breathless.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting to say that."
"So, you really like me?"
"You talk as if that kiss wasn't enough."
"Well, maybe if there was another kiss…"
Pachacamac II turned to kiss Amanda-Su.
Locke II witnessed that. It bothered him that his younger siblings had already gotten a lover, and despite him being the oldest, he doesn't have a girlfriend.
But at that moment Riki-Le walked near to him. Although he had seen her in battle did not have much time to notice it until now realized that she was beautiful. He quickly ran to speak.
"Hello. My name is Locke." He said to the newcomer.
"Hi. My name is Riki-Le." said the female pink echidna, and she blushed when she saw him.
Knuckles, Tikal, Gabor, Alma, Jon, Demi-Na, Kneecaps and Alexis saw everything. They were happy for the three of them.
"It seems that it was yesterday when they were children." Jon whispered happily,
"And look at them now." Kneecaps sighed, "Everyone gets partner."
"Yes, my nephews and niece have grown very fast." Gabor smiled.
"You two may have grandchildren someday." Alma giggled.
Knuckles and Tikal imagined what that would be like. When they retire from being guardians, they would be taking care of their future grandchildren; while their two sons and daughter and their respective partners were performing the duties of Guardian.
Tikal smiled at the thought, while Knuckles rubbed his head while trying to get around that.
"What's wrong?" asked Tikal to her husband.
"Never mind, love." Knuckles replied, still a bit shaken, "it's fine."
Then, Vector approaches and blesses the union of Laura and Rutan with a gesture of his staff.
"Can we be bridesmaids." Amanda-Su, Bian-Ca, Jani-Lu, Emma, Jani-Na and Jane cried.
"And us?" Asked Jewel, Melody, Flora, Camilla, Belle, Casey, Susan, Lorraine and Stella.
"What about me?" Riki-Le looked up curiously.
"Yes you can." Laura giggled.
"Alright!" They all said with glee.
"Can we be best men too?" Asked Locke II, Pachacamac II, Gideon, Matthew, Rift, Henry, Jeremiah, Buddy, Speed, Alex, Nick, Erick, John, Scott, Jacques, Pierre, Mike, Silver, Boomer and Gadget.
"Yes." Rutan smiled, "you guys too."
Knuckles and Tikal lead the procession through the rest of the tribe and their friends, flanking them with bowed heads; Laura and Rutan follow. Both couples make their way to the tip of the M.E. shrine; first, Knuckles and Tikal bow down, then Rutan and Laura do the same. The whole tribe and their friends bow down as well.
The clouds part, and Knuckles is illuminated by a sunbeam; we hear the voice of Locke from the clouds.
"Well done, my son." The spirit of Locke circles around Knuckles.
Vector smiles and nods as the prophecy comes to completion.
"We are one."
THE END