(351 XD)

"You.Get.Rest." Shell continued her swimming her injured wing slightly floating.

Rebellion flashed in the Guardian's eyes for a second. "I'm not some.....! hmph....." Better not to argue, he reasoned, and she's probably right. "Alright..." he half-mumbled-half-growled. Pretty soon, he was sleeping somewhat fitfully, growling at some invisible adversary from time to time, though he remained motionless.

Shell shut her eyes for a moment then sighed, continuing towards Angel island. She could sense themselves nearing the island. Soon the geography of the island could be seen. Paddling Shell found a hunk of small island and rested there her tired eyes darting wearily until she shut them forcing herself to rest.

Knuckles twitched slightly. He opened his eyes, even though it was still night, and glanced down at the chaos emerald. It was radiating a somewhat different, more powerful energy, proof that they were close to the Master Emerald. He could make out an island in the distance, but it was in the sea. However... He put on his night-vision shades and scanned the sky beyond the island. It was only small from his point of view, but it was there. Angel Island. He took off the glasses and fell asleep once more.

Shell opened her eyes slightly thinking she heard a faint noise. She dismissed it as Knuckles probably waking up then going back to sleep. She took a close watch of her surroundings just in case.

The echidna, seemingly calmed by the familiar sight, slept soundly this time, with not much more then his breathing and slight involuntary movement.

Hours later a.k.a. the next morning

"Mmph..." Knuckles awoke, sliding off Shell's back onto the... What had she called it? an archipelago? He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head, and waited patiently for Shell to wake up.

Shell groggily stretched open her eyes. She stood up slowly and stretched her tail, wings, and legs till they shook.

Knuckles looked at Shell and nodded his greeting. "Do you beliveve that Angel Island really does float in the sky?" He inquired after a moments scilence.

"...Ye-no I... I don't really know. Ehem, didn't pay much attention to Stormy-waters lecture, Ehem." the last part she said kinda quietly.

Knuckles laughed quietly and nodded towards the eastern sky. "Kinda hard to see, since the sun's right there, but as we get closer..." he had a thought that might complicate things. "Can you fly? Or is your wing better, rather?"