The air was stiff and cool, mid afternoon breeze blowing threw the trees in the Mystic Ruins. Knuckles the Echidna ran by a shallow streem.

"I have to get to Tails Lab before Eggman finds me." Knuckles said to himself. Too late. Knuckles was running into a clearing when he heard the sounds of jets coming this way. He knew who it was.

"Why, hello Knucklehead." Eggman pronounced cheerfully.

"Eggman. Do yourself a big favor and leave right now." Knuckles threatened.

"What? And leave my chip in the hands of a Echidna? No way." Eggman said with a grin.

"Prepare yourself." Knuckles said raising his fists in the air, ready to fight. He lunged fists first at Eggman's ship and dug into the metal, leaving a gash in the nose.

"Grrr... I've had enough! Lets see how you do against my new robots." Eggman chuckled. He tapped a red button, sending 3 robots repelling off the ship to floating right next to it.

Knuckles growled. Then suddenly, to his supprize, a yong female bat came running into the clearing.

"Rouge! Get out of here before you get involved!" Knuckles screamed.

"Oh? And why should I?" She asked angrily.

"Just run!" He yelled, showing some worry.

"Hehe... So the Echidna doesn't want me to hurt the little bat? To bad." Eggman said with a smirk. He lifted his right hand and extended his index finger in Rouge's direction.

"Uh Oh..." Rouge said as she saw 2 robots charging her way.

"Eggman, your fight is with me, leave her alone." Knuckles shouted.

"Well, my fight may be with you, but my victory comes with her demise." Eggman proclaimed.

Knuckles growled angrily and started to run to Rouge, only to be cut off by the biggest robot keeping him out of the fight.

Rouge was hardly managing to block the hits from one of the super fast robots, let alone two. She kicked the smaller one to the ground, only to find herself being kicked down herself. The two robots came closer, holding gun less than a meter away from her face. She thought she was surly a goner, when out of nowhere, Knuckles slammed himself into the robots, knocking both to the ground with mighty power. He wasted no time. He threw his fists darting upon them, punching with hard barbs. The smaller robot blew up after being throw against a near by tree. Knuckles slammed his foot into the other, braking it completely.

"You may have defended yourself from this wave, Echidna, but your victory shall not last long." Eggman said starting up his jets. Knuckles knew he had to follow him, but he couldn't, he knew he had to get Rouge medical help.

"I'll be waiting, Eggman." Knuckles barked. As soon as he saw Eggman disaper into the distance, he raced over to Rouge. "Rouge? Are you okay?" He asked softly. She lifted her head and looked at him, with much effort.

"Those robots really did a number on me..." She managed to say, trying to stand but feeling a jolt of pain course threw her body.

"Don't worry, I'll get you to help right now." he said bending down to her level. "I promise." He finished, putting one hand on her back and the other under her legs, carrying her bridal style.

"Thanks, Knuckles." she said before cuddling close to his chest for comfort and support. He blushed and ran in the direction of Tails Lab.