"I like that idea. And the first one goes to Knuckles. Your dare is to kiss Rouge as soon as she comes down."
"Too easy." He sneered, leaning against the wall. "She's putting the maid outfit away."
Sonic watched observantly as Knuckles waited for Rouge to return. Banging his knuckles on the wall, tapping his foot, whatever it was, Sonic enjoyed it; it unnerved him.
Finally, Rouge arrived. Knuckles turned the corner, set his comically oversized hands on her shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Oh my, Knuckles." Rouge laughed. "You really are coming on strong." They heard another kiss. "Your confidence suits you."
"I always thought so. We've already decided it's your turn. Let's go back."
"Okay, but I won't play nice."
"I didn't expect you to." They returned to the room.
"It's dares only." Charmy reminded them.
"Ooh, I see. I dare you to do a hundred pushups with me on your back. I'll make it quick and painless for you."
"This may take a while. But it's far too easy. Get on then." Knuckles took his position with Rouge on his back. He then began cranking out pushups left and right. Sonic started counting, then almost everyone began counting as Knuckles reached fifty.
"That's impressive, Knuckie!" Rouge complimented him on reaching fifty.
"Haha, get ready for the same exact thing!"
The players cheered as Knuckles neared a hundred. When he did, Rouge helped him up. "I suppose I underestimated you."
"Yeah, you did." Knuckles sat back down. "And now it's my turn again. Rouge, your dare is to do a hundred pushups, unassisted with no disadvantages."
"You know this isn't my thing, but I'll still try."
Rouge got into position and started her set. She was going strong until she reached fifty. As she approached seventy, it was obvious she was struggling. She finally collapsed after eighty four. "Ugh, I don't think I can finish."
"It's okay, Rouge. This 140 pound jackpot will be my birthday present."
Sonic interrupted. "Sorry to say this, but it's almost eleven at night now, and if we're gonna work out in the morning, I'll need to sleep. A lot. We had a good time, though." He and Knuckles had a fist pound, and Sonic took Sally home.
Amy yawned. "Sorry, I'm tired too."
"It's okay, Amy." Rouge replied. "I think people are starting to consider leaving."
Knuckles shouted to the whole room. "Did you all have a good time?"
He was overwhelmed with positive responses.
"Good night, guys." Amy said. "I'm going home. It's really late."
"Me too." Blaze agreed. "I'm exhausted."
"Me three." Silver chimed in.
They said their goodbyes and left. Team Chaotix lined up by the door.
"Good night, y'all." Vector said. "It's been a good time. I'll see to it that Cream gets home safely." Espio said nothing, but gestured his thanks and goodbye. Vector allowed Cream to hug Charmy before they left.
Shadow left with a simple "Thanks for everything."
Knuckles and Rouge returned to the huge room where they found Zooey asleep with her head on Tails' lap. Tails motioned to them not to wake her up. He slowly lifted her head and pulled her to him. Zooey slowly woke up.
"It's time to go home, sweetie."
"What happened? Is everyone gone?"
"Yeah, they're gone. Knuckles won."
Zooey reluctantly stood up, and so did Tails. "Good night." Zooey said.
"Good night!" The other three said in unison.
Tails noticed that Knuckles was leaving behind them. "Hey, where you going?"
"You talking to me?"
"Aren't you supposed to spend the night here?"
"Yes, I am. I'm just gonna do a few things at my place before returning. I unfortunately haven't forgotten. Just like I didn't forget that you have to shut your power off. Like I didn't forget Sonic and I are having a weightlifting competition tomorrow. Good night."
Tails cringed at being reminded of what he feared doing. "Good night."
{PM: Thanks so much for reading! This is chapter 14 out of 15. I think that the final chapter may take me a week to write. It should be the length of 4 or 5 normal chapters, I hope. It's the conclusion to all the previous night's events. Considering how you stuck around until the fourteenth chapter, could you leave a review?}
