Hello.

I'd just like to apologize for my lack of updating. I really was busy and hardly even had any chance of coming here on FF. But it's summer now and I will be updating more sooner. Please forgive me...left you all with a cliffy and nevah continued...

Anyways, about the cliffy. I was a bit shocked really! You guys kinda already figured it out! I didn't even think you guys would know who he is, but I guess I was wrong and stupid. Of course you know...you all love Sonic!!

The next chapter is going to be the last one. For sure! Onward!

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Rouge quickly backed away while turning around until she was beside Knuckles. Now everyone else down below couldn't really make out who the person was since it was dark out, but the Emerald did give off some light on him. Both Knuckles and Rouge shared a big gasp as they witnessed the person they both have never seen in years.

"It's-It's..."

Chapter 4

They both couldn't believe it. What is he doing here!? How did he get here!?

He grinned. "Long time no see, Knuckes."

Knuckles frowned. Standing in front of them is a purple anthropomorphic half-wolf, half-weasel hybrid. A competent and sneaky villain obsessed with valuables, jewels and money. He has a white and long-snouted fluffy muzzle with two pointed tufts on each side, along with a white stomach/chest with a notch at the top, green eyes, long slated ears, and a large and pointed, dark blue nose. He wears a large, brown stetson, high-stocking brown and white boots, and brown gloves with metal plates on them. He is Fang the Sniper, also known as Nack the Weasel.

"Fang..."

Fang's grin grew and looked at the emerald. "The Master Emerald. Been awhile since I've seen this baby and now I've came back to take what's mine."

Knuckles quickly took hold of the Emerald. "There's no way I'm letting you take this emerald!" He yelled.

"That's right." Rouge stepped in. "That's my job."

Knuckles glared at her.

Nack kept his smile on and turned over to Rouge. He also seemed to have a huge interest in beautiful women. "Ah! My, my! I would never forget a familiar beautiful face. Rouge the Bat. I've heard so much about you. Best jewel hunter around I hear. Heh, well...that'll change soon."

"Oh I don't think so, loverboy. You can't beat the expert."

Nack raised both his eyebrows in interest. "Expert, eh? Well...there's only one person that can come out to be a true expert, and that's me."

"You?" Rouge laughed, which made Nack scrunch his eyebrows together. "I know all about you, Hun. I've watched the way you work, and I have to say... it's not nearly as good as what I do."

"Oh? A stalker? I think someone's in love in me."

Rouge was going to retort, but Knuckles beat her to it. "Alright, enough of this frivolousness!"

"Uh-oh, my sweet. I think someone is jealous of me."

"What?! I am not!"

Nack grinned again and gave a sigh. "Same Ol' Knuckles."

Knuckles shot daggers at him. "What's that suppose to mean?"

Fang laughed. Knuckles was still as dense as ever. His laughter, though, was cut short by a yell, down from the shrine. "Hey!! What's going on up there?" Vector yelled out. "You guys okay?"

Everyone soon began running up the stairs to Knuckles, Rouge and the intruder. Annoyed, Nack glared at them. Great... looks likes he's out numbered. He stepped back a bit into more darkness and setted his distance from them.

Everyone ran up to Knuckles and Rouge's side. "Are you two okay? What happened?" Amy worriedly asked, waiting for an answer from either one.

"Dandy." Rouge spoke.

"What happened to the intruder? Is he gone?" Tails asked.

"No," Knuckles told him. "He's right there." He pointed. Everyone looked to where he pointed and saw the dark figure hiding in the shadow. Amy and Cream were very frightened and hid in the back of the group.

Sonic took a step closer. "Alright, buddy. We all can see you. Mine as well come out and show yourself to us."

Once said, Fang didn't hesitate to move back into the beautiful, green emerald's glistening light. His face was calm, and he smiled at them all. "Howdy there, partners." he placed his hand at the tip of his stetson, showing that he was greeting them.

Everyone froze and stared wide-eyed at the person in standing in front of them.

"Nack/Fang?!" Everyone yelled out the two different common names that were mostly used.

Fang chuckled. "Those are my names, don't wear them out."

"Nack? Jeez, is sure has been awhile since I've seen you." Sonic laughed. Everyone glared at him.

"Sonic, your sounding as if he's our long-time best friend. Why!" Knuckles asked him.

Amy crossed her hands. "He acts that way towards everyone!"

Knuckles rolled his eyes. "Of course only you would know something like that..."

"Shut up!"

Fang face brightened at the scene.

"How did you get here?" Tails asked suddenly.

"Heh. My air-bike of course!" he turned completely around and moved to the side to show them his flying bike, the Marvelous Queen. "This is my baby right here."

Rouge, Amy, and Espio were the only ones who gave him a weird glare.

"FANG!" Vector began, completely catching his attention. "What are YOU doing here?! I thought I said I never wanted to see your face again!" he barked at him.

"Oh, Vector. I didn't even see you there. Long time no see, eh?"

Vector growled. "I'll still never forget what you did. And for that you'll neverbecome apart of the Chaotix ever again!"

Fang scoffed. "As if I want to come back to your dumb ass group again. It was dull anyway."

This seemed to piss off Vector even more. He clamped his teeth together and lifted up his big fists. "Don't talk about our group that way you fagget!!"

"Vector, settle." Espio tried calming down his partner/friend.

"Espio..."

Espio looked over to Nack and frowned. "Fang..."

Nack glared at Charmy with creepy grin that scared him a bit. "Charmles."

"Nackles."

Espio slapped his hand over his face. He always hated it when they said that to each other. Way back when Nack used to be apart of the Chaotix team, Charmy and Fang have always used goofy names to each other, even when in dangerous situations. Mainly used to annoy Espio and also because they enjoyed it. I guess even now that they are no longer friends, but rivals they still use it.

"Fang." Tails chipped in suddenly again, trying to look as serious as he can.

Fang stared at him for a moment. He raised an eyebrow. "Who're you?"

Tails lost it and anime fell.

"Alright, alright! Enough with these pointless introductions! Fang!" Vector started again. "I believe I remember telling you that if I ever see your face again I'm gonna have to kick your ass, right?" and before Nack can say anything he spoke again. "Right! Here I come!" Vector snapped all of his fingers together before stomping towards his prey.

Nack smirked. Silently, he reached into the side of his brown belt and pulled out a very powerful, dangerous weapon.

Vector froze as he saw the shiny, white magnum in his hand and was directed towards him. "You were saying?" his smirk turned into a grin as he saw Vector's shocked eyes.

"U-Uh...d-d-did I say I was going to kick your ass? Oh hohoho, I meant that I was uh... g-gonna give you a hug! I-I mean it's been such a long time since I've seen you!! And I really did miss you a whole lot since you've been gone, really!!"

Fang stared at him for a moment. Vector's eyes kept twitching with the look on Fang's face. In a matter of seconds Fang burst out laughing. Vector jumped and quickly ran back to the others and hid behind Espio, much Espio's disappointment.

Everyone could only stare at the slighty-crazed anthropromorphic hybrid. Literally! He has a freaken magnum pointing at all of there heads now!

"Ahahaha...you guys are really somethin'." Nack chuckled. "A part of me is really glad to actually see you guys again," he laughed some more. "haha...but, most of me is not." his face immediately fell into a serious one. "Your only going to be in my way. Back up, now."

Everyone did exactly as they were told, except Sonic, Rouge, and Knuckles. As soon as the others were back enough, Fang pointed the weapon towards the three who refused to move an inch from the Master Emerald. Fang took a step forward them. "Didn't you three hear me? I said back up!"

Knuckles spread both his hands out and stood in front of the M.E. "No way a little pistol is going to make me move. Your not getting your hands on this emerald!"

"Right there with ya, Knux." Sonic spoke as he, too, stood beside him guarding the Emerald.

Nack's face scrunched up, showing he was clearly pissed off by this. He turned over to Rouge who was looking at Knuckles and Sonic with an un-identified look on her face. An idea immediately flashed through his brain as soon as he set his eyes on her. He smiled again. "What's the matter, Beautiful? Lookin' a bit hesitant over there."

Rouge snapped out of her thoughts and stared over at Nack who was looking right at her with a smile and a slight smirk. She raised one of her thin eyebrows and crossed her hands. "Hesitant? About what?"

"Well...I don't see you helping them defend that jewel over there."

"Why should I?"

Knuckles and Sonic glared at her. Oh boy...this doesn't seem good.

"Well...I figured that you would help since your on there side and all..."

Rouge placed her hands on her hips. "Whoever said that I was even on there side?"

"Rouge..." Knuckles started. "Don't..."

"Oh? So...your not on there side?"

Rouge looked away. "I am most certainly not."

"Don't listen to him, Rouge!" Sonic told her.

"Tell me, Gorgeous. How long have you been going after this emerald?"

Rouge cringed and frowned. "...That's...none of your business."

"Been that long, huh? Well, have I got a proposition for you! Please...join me. With me by your-side, that emerald will be ours in an instant! Think of all the money we'll get from it. We'll be set for life!"

Everyone in the back stared wide-eyed. Surely...Rouge wouldn't...

"Don't listen to him!" Amy called out as everyone else looked with worried eyes. Knuckles could only frown.

Rouge stared back at him for a bit.

Sonic couldn't help but let out a small smile. As soon as he said 'ours' he just knew Rouge would not accept that. Because Rouge the Bat does not share when it comes to jewels. That's just how she is.

"Well? What do you say, Rouge?"

Rouge's frown deepened. She looked over to Knuckles who seemed to have the same expression on his face. She looked deep into his eyes as he to hers. They both stayed that way for...who know how long! For them at least. It's only been a single minute. And when her facial expression changed completely into a different one, Knuckles closed his eyes knowing exactly what she's going to say next.

"I accept."

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End of chapter! The next one is the LAST chapter! Wooo!! Omg, ANOTHER cliffhanger?!

Rouge has joined Fang?! What the f-! Why the hell did she do that! And her saying yes obviously took Sonic off guard, too! And made Knuckles all sad...he doesn't want to have to hurt her and now he has no choice...

Your probably wondering why she accepted so...easily. Well, you will see why in the last chapter.

Glad to have finally finished this chapter! Finally get on to the final and last!! And end this already!

One more thing before I leave, please review? PWEASE!