A New Generation - Knuckles and Rouge oneshot

This is a past preview of a series I might create. You could call this an introduction, but it's not. It takes place back on Mobious after Sonic and his friends left Earth (back to the good old days, I'd say). You are reading in the perspective of Knuckles and Rouge. No bashing, flaming, re-posting, or using without my permission.

Enjoy.

~ Raven-OMEN

A red echidna stood on a balcony, staring out at the star-filled sky. It was good to be back on Mobious…back on Angel Island. He and the other Freedom Fighters had finally left Earth; this was almost three years ago. He had no knowledge of Eggman and what the wretched overlander would do since he had just learned of the Freedom Fighters' return. All they could do was wait…

"Can't sleep?" a voice asked softly behind him. The echidna turned around to see his wife, a white bat, walking towards him. "Don't worry; the kids are fast asleep. I woke up and saw you weren't there, so I just came to check on you."

The echidna chuckled. "You sure you're not just checking for the Master Emerald?" he asked, a hint of humor in his voice.

His wife chuckled and took place beside him. "Those days are done, Knuckles; now I have you."

"And I have you." the echidna, Knuckles, returned warmly. He hugged his wife to him in a loving embrace and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. His wife giggled lightly. He let go of her and put his arm around her as she leaned against the rail.

"Can you believe it?" she asked him while staring out at the sky. "Just years ago, we were feuding over the Master Emerald and now we're parents." She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, smiling. "What changed your mind?"

Knuckles stared back at her, and then back at the sky. '"I guess I decided to admit you were right all along."

"Oh? Right about what?"

"I was always attracted to you, Rouge. You knew that." Knuckles hesitated for a moment. "I'm actually surprised that you wanted to settle down with me."

Rouge smirked playfully. "Don't be too surprised." She pressed herself closer to him and for a moment they were both admiring the sky. Rouge then broke the silence. "What's on your mind, by the way?"

Knuckles' expression turned serious as he answered, "The future…what might happen with Eggman…"

"You're a tough guy; I'm sure he won't be too much to handle."

"Yeah, but…Mobious will never be safe…it doesn't matter what we do…this is why the Freedom Fighters still stand." Knuckles frowned and then sighed. "Our kids are going to have to face the facts when they're old enough…we can't shelter them from the truth; it's not safe."

Rouge gave her husband's words a thought. She gently grasped his hand, making him turn his gaze towards her. She looked up at him, defiance and love within her teal-colored irises. "You're right to worry…but you forget; there's always hope. We'll teach our kids what we know and they'll grow up and become a reflection of what we taught them. They'll be brave…just like we were when we were younger." There was pure confidence and truth in her words. "Have faith in them. They're little now, but they'll grow up and make us proud. You'll see."

Knuckles let these words sink into his head, and then nodded. "You're right, Rouge…" he said. He smiled. "That's another thing I love about you; you speak your mind and you mean what you say."

Rouge grinned and gently pulled her husband with her. "Come on, you should get some shut-eye, babe."

"Alright, I'm coming." Knuckles said, chuckling as he allowed his wife to lead him to their bedroom…