She didn't come back for two days. He'd exhausted her food supplies, seeing (to his relief) that she's a fruit bat, not a vampire bat or a carnivorous bat or… There are a lot of dangerous bat types, aren't there?
Mainly, he's taken to digging out the chains. It took a long time just to break the ground, and longer still to dig out a sizable portion of dirt. By the time he was exhausted, he's barely even scratched the permafrost, and he felt permanently frozen.
The only upside is the Emerald. It stands, unwavering in its strength, never fading, never losing light. When he finally had enough slack to move, he crawled over to the emerald and promptly fell asleep, leaning against it the same way he did on Angel Island. It wasn't far from the truth; as much as it pains him to admit it, here was almost exactly the same as the island.
His dreams were cold and dark. Instead of the scenes of horror and destruction he dreamt about on the island, he dreamed about Rouge. And that's what horrifies him most. He couldn't help but notice her grace, her strength; everything about her was on par with him.
What had she been about to say? He pondered, over and over.
"It's just, we're always even. In everything. And –"
Always even? In everything? What could she possibly have been talking about?
He was distracted by a distant clap of thunder. Dimly, he wondered if Tails heard it, whether he was already hiding out under a bed or in a closet. The kid wasn't afraid of battling entire armies, yet he was scared of a little lightning.
He couldn't blame him. After all, everyone has something they're afraid of.
He just didn't know what his was.
She perched, just outside the cave, getting drenched. She clutched something in both fists; one a flower, one a key.
The key that would unlock Knuckles.
She debated it extensively over the last couple days. Should she let him go?
If he leaves, Eggman will just try to take the emerald again, and he could get hurt his time without me around. He's better protected here; Eggman can't separate him from the emerald, or vice versa.
Besides… I'd miss him.
The last thought didn't even surprise her anymore. She'd mulled it over and over on her long, lonely flights, and realized that she'd gotten used to his companionship.
I'll think about it later, she muttered angrily to herself, and threw herself down the hole.
He'd just nodded off again when Rouge burst in through the opening and drew a rock against the opening. She shook off droplets of water from her fur and swooped low in a wide arc, careful to deposit a newly-acquired backpack in a safe location.
Still shaking off water, she glided to the opposite end of the emerald and sat down, breathing a sigh of relief, clutching something close to her chest.
There was silence for a bit, and then Knuckles got up and went through the backpack. He was disturbed to find bits and pieces of mismatched explosives in it, some still counting down rapidly, little red numbers flickering at the speed of light.
"Rouge… What did you do?" He questioned cautiously, slowly turning around. She hasn't moved from her position, though he couldn't see much to begin with.
"Let's just say Eggman's missing a few robots. And missiles. And bases," She answered nonchalantly after a brief, tense pause. Knuckles let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, and hastily kicked the backpack – and its contents – into the corner.
"It's just –" She suddenly started again, causing his fur to stand up on end, "do you ever get the feeling that you don't really have friends; that they're just using you?"
He found himself nodding before his brain could even register what she said, and slumped against the emerald, his arm resting on his knee.
She continued, "That no matter what you, no one will care, or even notice?"
"Where's this coming from?" He probed, straining to try to see around the large gem. She suddenly shifted, and his breath caught in his throat. In her hand was a crystal rose – the kind that only grew on Angel Island.
She handed it to him, and he gazed in wonder at the small flower. Its petals were still perfect, the roots still attached, and, feeling the energy of the emerald, it turned its bulb towards it, opening all the more brilliantly.
"I found your island beached not a mile from Cream's house."
He looked up suddenly. Every other time the emerald was taken, the island crashed into the ocean. She saw his expression, and amended, "The Master Emerald's power was stronger this time, like the island held on to it. I guess it kept it aloft for just a while longer.
"Anyways, I spent the rest of that day spying on Cream. Tails was visiting, and it was so infuriating to watch him and Vanilla chatting, completely unaware that their friend was kidnapped, the emerald gone, and Angel Island crashed. They were completely oblivious! You've been gone for weeks, and no one even bothered to visit! It's like they don't care if the emerald falls into Eggman's hands. Do they expect you to just be there?"
"Yes," He said quietly, still mesmerized by the flower. She had an agenda; she should hate him, and yet, she took the time to bring him this little piece of beauty from his home.
"Thank you," He whispered in wonder, and stood up. Her eyes followed him curiously as he parted the soft, warm earth beside the emerald, just a little bit, and placed the flower delicately in the hole. He worked in stoic determination, and patted the earth gently, covering up the flower's roots. He straightened, satisfied with his work. If it were possible, the already radiant flower shone even more, its petals reflecting the emerald's light, flashing and shimmering in all the colors of the rainbow.
"It's the least I can do…" Her voice trailed off, and he realized that she probably felt guilty for keeping him here.
It's funny. They both hurt each other so much, and yet, they've gone from amusement and hatred for each other to something close to admiration in days.
I guess it's true. We really are even in everything.