zero | prologue

He hated her at first.

They were in the 3rd grade. She threw ice-cream on his favourite sneakers. She laughed, he was angry, the two exchanged insults and Knuckles believed from that day, the ivory bat with the blueish-green eyes would never be his friend.

They were partners for a history project in the fourth grade. Knuckles argued with the teacher and begged her for a trade, but the teacher refused, claiming that they should all be friends. Knuckles frowned, glancing at the annoying bat that ruined his favourite sneakers. He scowled about how much he hated history. And she agreed. And while the two were stuck inside for break as they didn't do the work they were supposed to, he learnt that her eyes were actually teal.

They became inseparable from the fifth grade. It was odd how two years ago, he would have never pictured being friends with someone like her, and now, he couldn't picture his life without her. She infuriated him, insulted him and made him want to kill her every minute of the day, but yet, he was still proud to call her his best friend.

They were some weird feelings he got from the start of freshmen year. She had changed physically. She had always been pretty, but she looked prettier. The normal things they used to do like holding hands and sleeping on the same bed felt weird. Her smile felt different, made his heart flutter a bit and he was liking the feeling.

It wasn't until sophomore year that he knew. He knew that he was completely, head over heels for his best friend. He was denying his feeling during the summer of freshmen year. Arguing that this was Rouge, the girl who ruined his sneakers. The girl who called him Knucklehead and Doofus everyday. The girl who snuck into his window and watching a cheesy Disney movie when her parents were fighting. The girl who dragged him shopping everyday.

This was not the girl that he was in love with. And yet, it was.

It was also the year that she started dating Shadow. It hurt, it physically and emotionally hurt to watch the two together. To watch Shadow's hand, hold her hand the way they used to like kids; the way Shadow pecked her lips the way that he had dreamed to. The way she looked at Shadow, wishing that she could even glance at him just the same.

And now it was junior year. And Knuckles knew that he and Rouge would simply just be him and Rouge. Nothing more and nothing less.

But love is a crazy ride. And maybe this year, he and Rouge were about to enter theirs.

~xxx~

Warnings & Disclaimers

Omg, is this actually a good prologue? I have to clap for myself, wow! Okay, so welcome to the refurnished Coaster, which is now called, Ivory and Ruby. I've been trying to name a Knuxouge story that and I figured, why not make it this one!

Anyway, I haven't written this story in a while and it's mainly because I've had writer's block and I also feel like some areas needed a little bit of improvement so we're having a re-writing session y'all! My usual messages

a.This story is NO LONGER A TRILOGY! The love chronicles has finally been made! So this is just a stand-alone

b.I use British English. Sometimes people ask me why I spell things weird or interpret things different (football/soccer) and that's because I use British English. So don't be surprised at some of the things that you see!

c.You can still read the story as it will take me some time it edit each chapter. I will try to edit as well as add more chapters as quickly as I can!

d.Please note that this story is rated M and know that this story doescontain topics that would make people feel uncomfortable so just to let you know, this story is notuncensored to mature topics including; sexual content, use of alcohol and drugs, explicit language, violence, sensitive topics (mental illnesses), etc. I will put a warning (apart from explicit language) about these topics so if you feel uncomfortable, you can just skip the chapter

e.Couples (aside from Knuckles/Rouge) would include, Shadow/Tikal, Sonic/Amy, Tails/Cosmo, Silver/Blaze, Manic/Sally, Scourge/Sonia and Charmy/Cream. If you don't like these couples, don't hate on them/don't read this story

f.There will be some OCs that I will like for you to give me credit (you don't have to ask me to use them) and there will be OOCness. No writer is perfect in avoiding this but for the sake of the story, especially since it is not only around the 'main' characters, please expect someOOCness but not a lot

g.This story does notconsist of one point of view. Honestly, I can't write a story in one persons point of view only because I feel like there should be more happening beside the 'main' characters and their problems. So expect long chapters (if you're not a fan, please leave)

h.Finally, most of the characters do not belong to me. The locations used DO NOT belong to me. They all belong to Archie/SEGA/IDW Publishing. The only thing that I own is the plot.

~xxx~

PLAYLIST

I. Coaster – Khalid

II. Drive – Halsey

III. Figures – Jessie Reyez featuring Daniel Caesar

IV. FOOLS – Troye Sivan

V. TALK ME DOWN – Troye Sivan

VI. Roman Holiday– Halsey

VII. Provider – Frank Ocean

VIII. Water Under the Bridge – Adele

IX. Bloodsport – Raleigh Ritchie

X. Quit — Cashmere Cat featuring Ariana Grande

XI. I Miss You – Clean Bandit featuring Julia Michaels

XII. Made Love First – Marc E Bassy featuring Kehlani

XIII. Quicksand – SZA

XIV. All the Stars – Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA

XV. Feeling – Justin Bieber featuring Halsey

XVI. Lost – Frank Ocean

XVII. IDFC – Blackbear

XVIII. Fumes – EDEN featuring Gnash

XIX. Chasing Pavements – Adele

XX. Moments – Jhené Aiko featuring Big Sean

XXI. Honey — Kehlani

XXII. In the Dark — Camila Cabello

XXIII. Roman Holiday — Halsey

XXIV. Tell Me You Love Me — Demi Lovato

XXV. Roller Coaster — Justin Bieber

XXVI. Never Be the Same — Camila Cabello

XXVII. WILD — Troye Sivan featuring Alessia Cara

XXVIII. Chateau — Blackbear

XXIX. Not Over You – Gavin DeGraw

XXX. Love Story – Taylor Swift

XXXI. Like I Can – Sam Smith

XXXII. Transform – Daniel Caesar

XXXIII. Memphis — Justin Bieber featuring Big Sean

XXXIV. Adore — Cashmere Cat featuring Ariana Grande

~XXX~

Lol, I went over board with the playlist a little but I'm really excited right now! YAY!