Chapter 3- True Love, False Security
------------------------------------
The twilight sky illuminated off of the two's faces. He couldn't help
but feel at awe at how beautiful the sky looked at this time of day.
The red, orange, violet, and blue colors blended together to form
unimaginable tints of color.
The city lights could be seen as they approached the mainland.
Although it was, also, a pretty sight, Knuckles felt a little queasy at
the fact that he was already getting close to their date. He felt the
blood rush to his head and his face burning. Looking over at Rouge, he
couldn't help but stare. She looked stunning in her outfit, and being
in something new was a change of pace.
Like in the Temple before, Knuckles caught himself thinking about her
this time. But for different reasons. Like the fact that she was nicer
this go-round, and, again, what a difference in clothes made her look.
But thinking about her like this made him feel weird, but in a good
sort-of way.
Time seemed to fly and they finally arrived at the pizzeria. The
sidewalks were packed with Mobians of all sorts, many of whom were teens
enjoying their weekend from school.
The strange pair walked inside and sat at a booth in the corner. Tonight
it was crowded with tons of Mobius teenagers with their friends and
dates, just like Knuckles and Rouge.
A waitress walked over and asked for their orders. Almost ten minutes
later, they got their food and began eating.
"Lucky we could get in, huh?" Knuckles smiled as he took another bite
out of his pineapple pizza and wiped his mouth with the back of his
glove, careful not to scratch himself with his sharp knuckles.
"Well, I sorta figured it would be like this, but hey. You can't back
out until you try. Or something like that."
Knuckles laughed as his thoughts drifted to the Master Emerald and back
to Rouge. "So, what have you been up to lately, if you haven't been
treasure hunting?"
"Well, not much. Just thinking about our latest adventure, playing with
Onyx, the usual." But Rouge was careful not to mention anything about
her daydreams about Knuckles.
"It has been pretty boring. But at least I live in the middle of nowhere,
and I've got it made. Sonic and Tails are constantly followed by
reporters. It does get annoying then, because I get caught in the
middle as 'the one who saved the Master Emerald.' So you can guess my
annoyance then. But have you been followed yet by reporters?"
"Yeah. GUN wants me on the front page of the news and everything. It's
so annoying. I just want to go back to how everything was before. I
don't want anything about my cover blown." She said, and winked.
Knuckles nodded in agreement. Then the awkward silence followed, and
this time, no conversation starter reached their head like they had
before. Knuckles reached down and unclipped the walkie-talkie from his
shoe that Sonic had lent him, should Knuckles have to contact Sonic for
any 'advice'.
"I'll be right back. I, uh , hafta go to the bathroom." And he dashed
from the table before she could respond.
Turning it on right in the hallway of the bathroom, Knuckles spoke
into it urgently. "Knux to Sonic. Come in Sonic!" Static crackled over
the speaker, and no voice came through. Before Knuckles could try
again, Tails answered with a hint of fear lodged into his voice.
"Knuckles. We'll get back to you later. We have our hands full at the
moment." And went dead. Staring at it confused, he walked back while
trying to put it back onto his shoe. Something nagged him in the back
of his head, saying that there was something wrong with the Master
Emerald. But yet another part of him said that it was alright, and
they were just playing a game of tag, or hide-and-seek.
"Hey Knuckles. Wow, you look upset. What happened? Someone giving
you trouble in the bathroom? No more toilet paper?" she teased.
Realizing what she meant, he laughed it off.
"Yeah, haha." Knuckles looked down at his half-eaten pizza and suddenly
didn't have an appetite anymore. There was something harassing him in
the back of his mind and he felt compelled to leave. Turning to Rouge,
he said, "Hey, wanna go take a walk now? I would like to get some
fresh air, and maybe in an hour head back to Angel Island, if that's
alright with you, that is."
"Sure. Let's go. These kids are getting on my nerves." As she grabbed
her jacket and waited for Knuckles. When they opened the door, a blast
of cool, evening air hit them and they both shivered at the same time.
They leisurely walked around the downtown area, both not having a word
to say. They wasted their whole time talking in the pizzeria; they had
nothing else to say, not like they had anything to say before.
"Knuckles, tell me why you agreed to go on this date with me. I know
you don't like me, even a little bit. So, who bribed you?" she meekly
asked, which stopped Knuckles dead in his tracks. The question hit
him hard, and he hadn't a clue on what to say.
"No one bribed me. But you can thank Sonic for convincing me to go.
He said everyone deserves a second chance. Plus, he said he'd watch
the Master Emerald for me. What brought it up?"
"The way you've been so nice to me this evening, it seems like you
were bribed to do it. Other than that, it was just a question that
popped into my head."
Knuckles shrugged and walked on with Rouge following.
Sighing, he turned around and stared back at her. "And now, my
question to you. Why did you ask me out? I mean, you have everyone in
Mobius, and you choose me?"
But as Rouge opened her mouth to reply, a voice came in through the
speaker of the walkie-talkie. "Sonic to Knux, come in Knux! We have a
huge problem. Someone was just here, and they wanted to take the
Master Emerald. I think you should come back to the island."
Knuckles stared into the walkie-talkie, and back at her. Her eyes
were narrowed and you didn't need a rocket scientist to tell that she
was angry. "Sorry Rouge, but I gotta go. I'll walk you to where you
live, if you want to. Just to make sure you get home safe." He offered.
Rouge shook her head and walked off, obviously hurt that Knuckles had
to leave so early into their 'date'. Shrugging, Knuckles reattached
the talkie and ran his hand through his dreadlocks guiltily. The guilt
followed him all the way back to Angel Island.
* * *
"Hey guys! Sonic?! Tails?! Where are you two?" he yelled down the
chambers of the temple, walking cautiously and quietly. The air was
changed somehow, almost reeking with the stench of evil. And, for
some odd reason, Knuckles could feel someone's eyes watching him
intently, boring into his thoughts.
"Knux! We gotta get outta here, or something. There's some lizard
guy walking around, and he's fixed on that emerald. I've been trying
for a while to fend him off, and I'm sorry I had to drag you away from
your date." Sonic rushed, gazing around the room wearily and holding
onto Knuckles' shoulder to keep his balance. Knuckles knew what he
meant, and sped toward the Master Emerald, sitting beside it and
narrowing his eyesight slightly, daring anyone to approach him. Tails
hovered above him and landed on the Master Emerald, yawning in the
process. Although they tried to hide it, Sonic and Tails were exhausted.
Feeling even more guilty than before for putting them through the
trouble they went through, Knuckles dismissed them home and took up
the guard-duty himself. He tried to act confident and strong while
Sonic and Tails sauntered away, but on the inside, deep down; he's
was petrified, and wished someone was here with him. But this wasn't
new and he had done it before, so what was the problem?
"I'm not scared. I'm not scared. I'm not scared." He chanted over and
over while comforting himself in the process.
I am scared.
* * *
Knuckles tried his hardest to keep his heavy eyes open. Many times
throughout the night, he would close his eyes and fall asleep, but
would snap awake at the first sound he heard. Once or twice, someone
from the island would pop by and see how he was holding up and ask
what they could do, but Knuckles declined any help offered. This was
his Emerald, passed down from generation to generation, the only key
to his tribe's past and only way to keep Angel Island from falling
into the sea.
Now that it was almost noon, he was desperate for a moment of shut eye.
He reached down for the walkie-talkie still attached to his shoe, and
picked it up shakily. But before he could click the button on and talk
into the speaker, he heard someone walking towards him from behind.
Knuckles' hair stood on end and his stomach felt like it was suddenly
launched into a huge tub of ice. He tensed every step taken, and for a
moment, he felt ready to pass out. And even though he had done this all
his life, almost before he could remember, Knuckles was scared to death.
This wasn't any ordinary gut reaction; it was a new type of fear.
"Stay calm. Don't let him know you're scared." He whispered.
The footsteps continued until it finally seemed like it was right
behind him. Gathering the courage to look back, he stood up and
cautiously glanced behind his shoulder, bracing himself to see in the
eyes of his lizard predator. But, instead, he only saw the tip of a
wing belonging to a certain bat. Exhaling deeply, he relaxed and
closed his eyes thankfully.
"Well, well, well. Rouge the Bat, trying to sneak up on me at work?"
he inquired. Startled, Rouge perched atop the Master Emerald and
shrugged. Her wings were tucked back in and she was wearing the usual
sexy attire, which annoyed Knuckles to no end.
"Figure I'd see what you were up to. I'm on my lunch break." She
retorted.
Knuckles was flattered. "You decided to spend your lunch break with me?
What an honor. But before we get too into a conversation," he began.
"I just wanted to say . . . I'm sorry for bailing on the date last
night. Someone was, or should I say is, after the Master Emerald, and
is so intent on the thought of getting their hands on it, I had to
come back. Plus, you already left. You don't know how guilty I felt."
Rouge pretended to be flustered. "You're too kind. Hey, the reason I
came back was to see what you were up too. You want to take a walk in
the park, or maybe see a movie? Since my lunch break isn't over for
two hours." She suggested. Knuckles frowned and looked at the Emerald
with concern in his eyes.
"It does seem like a good idea and all, but I can't just leave the
Master Emerald behind like this. I mean, Sonic and Tails are worn out
from watching it last night, and Lilac is way too young to be put in
charge of something that can put anyone's life at risk. Maybe some
other time Rouge. But not today."
"Look, I think you can leave it for just a little while. Besides, I
spent almost two minutes scanning this place, looking for you, and I
didn't see anyone in here. I think he, whoever he is, left or something.
Please Knuckles? Just for an hour, at least!" she begged. He kept
gazing back and forth, from the Emerald to Rouge, and back. His thoughts
raced ferociously and he gave in against his will.
"Alright. Maybe I can clear my head for a while. But only for an
hour. If someone takes that Emerald, the island crashes. And if Angel
Island isn't there when I get back, I'm blaming it on you." He pointed
to her, his eyes square on hers.
She nodded, obviously happy to have her way. "Fine by me. But I think
it'll be fine. Let's just go!" she smiled, walking away with Knuckles
trailing behind apprehensively. He knew something was going to happen,
but he didn't want to upset Rouge again.
But right as they flew off into the horizon and out of sight, someone
snickered malevolently and jumped from the beams atop the Temple,
pleased. This would be so much easier than he had expected, and that
naïve hedgehog and his wretched fox-friend weren't here to spoil any
of his plans. And, even better, the stupid echidna was gone, and the
Emerald was left, unguarded.
"Just like him." The voice leered. He walked over to the Emerald, the
glow illuminating his face and every grotesque feature upon him.
Licking his lips, their hands encapsulated the Emerald and snatched
it from its hold, running as fast as its legs would take them.
Immediately after jumping off and away from the island, the island
rumbled and tilted violently, plunging into the cold, dark ocean
water below.
* * *
Rouge and Knuckles sat in the park on a bench under an oak tree, full
and green from the springtime rain. In a way, it sort of reminded
Knuckles of the Chao Gardens, the peace of the atmosphere, the warmth
of the sun's rays hitting his back. This is what life should've always
been after what everyone had just been put through.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Rouge thought allowed, almost like she had
known that's what he was thinking. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the
air deeply and smiled. Knuckles just stared at her, not knowing this
side of her. Before, he had known her as a spoiled, double-crossing
jewel thief. And even while on the ARK, watching the fight, he wouldn't
have given her the benefit of doubt he had been giving her the past
two days. Now, she was just an innocent Mobian that Sonic, Tails, or
he had bothered to know.
"Rouge," Knuckles began. "You never answered my question last night."
She smiled. "Because you had to leave. And besides, I don't think the
answer is important."
"Oh, on contraire, Ms. Bat. Your answer is very important to moi."
"No, seriously, I don't think it's an important answer. Let's drop it."
"Just tell-."
"I said drop it!" she snapped as she banged her fists on the bench,
making Knuckles flinch. She inhaled deeply and sighed.
"Sorry. I was just curious. I didn't mean to make you upset." He
apologized.
"It's ok. I just don't think it's the answer you're ready to hear, if
you know what I mean."
Knuckles was slowly catching her drift. It slowly dawned on him why
she asked him out in the first place, what she was thinking of besides
jewels. And why she had been so nice. "You like me, don't you Rouge?"
She drew back and looked the other way. Knuckles reached over and
touched her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. She turned and looked
at him, holding his gaze. "I wouldn't say I like you, like a crush.
I've loved you ever since you saved me on that steel platform."
Knuckles smiled, flattered. "Well, that's a shock. Wasn't expecting
that." He shook his head, his dreadlocks covering his smile. She
likes me? Now this is getting too freaky. I can't be her boyfriend.
Yeah, this really is getting freaky. But the other side of him denied
any negative comment. This is a good thing! You know you like her. You
remember the steel tower. You wanted her right then and there! Just
ask her out.
But she was the one that wanted to take the Master Emerald! Your past
is in that Emerald, and you'd go out with her?
Who cares about the Master Emerald right now! She's nice, fun, and
might I add, drop-dead gorgeous? Dude, ask her out! This is the perfect
opportunity. Don't let her get away!
Fine! But don't blame me when she starts to use you for the Emerald!
Knuckles had made up his mind. "Rouge, um. Well, this isn't as easy
and all, but . . . would you mind going to a movie or something right
now?"
She turned back to him, bewildered. "You mean, after what I just said?"
"I, uh. I guess you could say we share similar feelings. Same time,
same place. So how about it?"
Rouge smiled widely and let out a small laugh. "You know, for an
annoying echidna, you sure do have some cards up your sleeves."
"And for a stuck-up snob bat, you have a side I don't believe I've
seen." He replied as he stood up, helping Rouge up by the hand. When
she was stabilized, they looked at each other and smiled. Both didn't
even bother to let go of one another's hand, and walked off.
* * *
When the downtown clock struck eight o'clock, the duo had had their
share of fun for the afternoon. Not only did they walk around the
park for a little while, they went to the movies, and against his will,
Knuckles took Rouge to the jeweler store across the street. Now that
it was evening, both were, in general, pretty tired, and wanted to go
to sleep, and Knuckles wanting to check up on the Master Emerald. So,
both flew off, talking the whole way about absolute nonsense. (AN:
Funny how, immediately after they hook up, they find something to
talk about.)
As they neared the island, Knuckles started to worry. Something was
different about the whole scenery, and it wasn't good. Rouge could
sense what he too what thinking, and her heart beat began to
accelerate. Knuckles came to a screeching halt and he gasped. Where
Angel Island should have been, there was total emptiness. Nothing
remained of the island. Nothing.
"Where's the Island?!" he cried.
"You don't think . . ." she faded, flying to his side and looking
around.
Knuckles grabbed onto Rouge's shoulder and doubled over almost as if
he was in pain. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Both looked back as they heard a helicopter-like sound whirring over
to them. A purple and pink fox approached them, glassy-eyed. "Sir,
someone was in the Hidden Temple! I saw him. A large lizard, he took
the Emerald. Everyone got off of the Island safely, but it was close.
Knuckles, it's gone!" she yelled, rushing into his arms and crying
onto his chest. All Knuckles could do was hug her, but, to the very
depths of his soul, he too, wanted to cry. His Island was gone, and
unless the Emerald was found, it'd be gone forever.
Rouge stood back, something turning her stomach uneasily. She was
partly responsible for the mess, and at what cause? Gaining a boyfriend?
Just watching the scene was enough of a punishment, and she just
finished risking her life a while ago.
She whispered quietly. "I'm sorry, Knuckles. It was sort of my fault
that your island is gone."
Knuckles looked up through a part in his dreadlocks and forced a smile,
but a very bitter one at that. It was her fault, but in a sort of
sense, Knuckles had been the one who decided to go. So, in a way,
both were at fault. With Lilac still crying, and everything still a
blur, it was hard to even talk. But there was no need for words.
Another whirring helicopter-like noise and a quiet whir approached
them, and this time it was Tails and Sonic, Tails flying by his two
tails, and Sonic piloting the Cyclone. When they noticed Angel Island
gone, their expressions were that of the mirror image of Rouge and
Knuckles. Shocked, sad, and furious. Just a whirl of emotions together.
"We got here as soon as we could Knuckles. Someone from here told us
about the island crashing, the lizard guy taking the emerald.
Knuckles, if you would have called us, we would have watched the
Emerald for you. I mean, it was a special occasion." Sonic smirked at
the sight of Rouge. Tails hit Sonic upside the head, reminding him
what they came for. "Ow bro! That hurt! Oh yeah. But anyways. We just
wanted to see what was going on, and what help you needed. Anything
at all."
The only sound heard was the sobbing of Lilac, who was now being
comforted by Tails. Both were whispering to each other in such hushed
tones, it was hard to make out what they were saying. Knuckles turned
back to Sonic, sadness seen from his eyes. His chest was heaving with
the heaviness of the air he inhaled at slow, large intakes. Sonic
could tell his equanimity was plummeting at such a rapid speed. Just
like Rouge, Sonic had a hard time keeping his composure just watching
him in such agony.
"Sonic, please. If you can, get the residents of Angel Island to stay
at Knothole. I've gotta find the Master Emerald. Rouge, you should
head home. I'll holler if I need anything from you."
"Knuckles, no! I'm not leaving. This is my fault, and I should help.
Besides, it's not like I haven't been in these situations before." She
argued. Sonic kicked his feet onto the control panel of the Cyclone
and began to laugh.
"This is a really good soap opera. Don't stop, keep going!" he joked.
Rouge and Knuckles looked at him, angry. Smiling sheepishly, Sonic
tensed up. "I was just kidding!"
"Sonic, this is serious! You know how important that Emerald is to me!"
Knuckles shrieked. Sonic nodded and counted on his finger, almost
seeming like he was counting slowly in his head.
"Yea, only about a thousand times. Was it? No, wait. Yea, it was.
You've told me about a thousand times."
"What, you kept track?" Knuckles asked sarcastically. Sonic smiled wide,
nodding.
"Knuckles, before you go on your way, don't you think you should get
some rest or something?" Rouge suggested, changing the subject. He
twirled and gave her a side-longed glance before shaking his head no.
"It doesn't matter anymore. I can't even get the island back anymore.
Even if I did find that emerald." He hastily wiped a tear away because
his image was one of strength and no feelings.
"Knuckles. You just said. That emerald has your past in it. And
you're giving up now? Maybe we can use it later when we find it again
to create another Floating Island. Hop in the back Knux. I'll take you
to Knothole, and you can stay there for a while. Rouge, if you want
to, you can come also." Sonic yelled over to Tails. "Tails, Lilac,
if you can. Please find everyone and tell them they are staying at
Knothole until the Master Emerald is found."
After a heated debate between Knuckles and Rouge and Sonic, Knuckles
gave in and got in the back of the Cyclone, lying down and feet
hanging lazily out the side. Rouge squeezed in next to Sonic and
watched the horizon sadly. She managed to take a glance back at Knuckles
once in a while, watching him sleep peacefully, and felt a pang of guilt.
It was her fault the Island was gone.
"How did you do it? I mean, manage to get Knuckles to leave the island?"
Sonic said with concern. Startled to hear Sonic use that tone of voice,
Rouge closed her own eyes and held her breath.
"All I did was asked him to one more date, to make up for last night.
And, I told him no one would take the Emerald, because I hadn't seen
anyone around. That's all!"
"Hey, I'm not accusing you of anything, so settle down. It's just, I
dunno. Knuckles never leaves the Island, let alone his post at the
Emerald, for no one. Surprise, surprise, you're the one who lures
him away."
There was total silence except for the wind that brushed by their
face. Sonic spoke up again. "He must really like you if you got him
to leave."
"I wouldn't say that. Yeah. We're going out and all . . ." Rouge
caught herself before she could say anything else, but it was too
late. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him smirking with his
eyes still glued straight ahead.
"So it finally happened. Knuckles the Echidna got a girlfriend. What
a shocker. And with his former enemy, might I add."
"It's not like that. We just both found out we liked each other, and
we clicked. Ok? Please don't make a big deal out of it. I'm already a
celebrity around the area, and Knuckles doesn't seem to like the
limelight. So, I don't want to drag him into it and make it a big
scene. Please don't tell anyone, ok Sonic?" she pleaded. Taking one
hand off the steering wheel, he stroked his chin in thought, like a
detective pondering a case.
"Ok, I'll keep it a secret. For a price."
"Name it."
"I'll keep your relationship with my bud, Knux, a secret. If you swear
you had nothing to do with the Emerald snatching. Furthermore, you will
have nothing to do with the Emerald, till the end of time."
"Done!" Both shook hands and sneered at each other.
But from the back seat, a red echidna could only smile. With Sonic by
his side, there was no way Rouge could take the Emerald now. He had no
fear. Getting it, though, was a different subject.
* * *
It was two in the morning at Knothole and Rouge was sitting outside by
the grotto, her knees huddled close to her chest and her chin resting
on her knees. She rocked slowly, back and forth, watching the night
sky above. A smile crept across her face, and thoughts were shifted
over to her new boyfriend. Unlike any of her other relationships, this
one was different. She wasn't dead set on using him for jealousy
purposes, or just getting something she wanted. This one came from
her heart, and she was glad for that.
The day that she first got the crush on him was out in space . . .
somewhere. They were fighting over the Master Emerald, and who
rightfully owned it. When she approached him, she had lost her
footing, and began to fall to her death in the bubbling lava a little
ways below. With her eyes closed, she was oblivious to what was
happening around her. Suddenly, someone caught her from above, and her
eyes snapped wide open. Looking up, she saw Knuckles' large hand had
enclosed hers, and was holding her by just that, her hand. When he
pulled her back, both remained stunned. Neither had expected such
action out of Knuckles. But as if she didn't like it, she threw his
hand from hers like it was poisonous.
"You just wanted to hold my hand, didn't you? You're such a creep!"
"Yeah, well is that how you say THANKS to the person who just saved
your life?"
She sighed as she made up her mind. "No matter what you say, it sounds
crazy." and tossed the Emerald shards to him. Knuckles looked taken
aback. "You can have them. They stink, like echidnas do."
"Well, if that's what you thought, you should have given them to me
in the first place." he rejected. After fixing them back together,
he checked his work and smiled. The Emerald was whole once more.
"What?!" Rouge snuffed.
"I'm sorry . . . if I hurt you." he forced, before running off,
Emerald in arm.
Rouge looked on, half smiling. As she left, she stole one last glance
at her hero, and flew off in the opposite direction.
The conversation echoed in her head indefinitely. Abruptly, her ears
perked up at the sounds of footsteps approaching her. Someone sat
next to her, and she immediately knew who it was.
"What are you doing up so late, Knuckles? Shouldn't you be asleep?"
she queried. He answered by rolling his eyes and exhaling softly.
"Knuckles, I'm really sorry about your island and all. Please, you've
gotta forgive me. I didn't mean any harm by asking you on a date."
"That's alright. I forgive you. Don't think it's all your fault. I
was the one who decided to go, am I not right?"
Both looked into the starry sky at the same time. "Whatcha thinking
about? Your island, the emerald . . ." Rouge asked.
The starlight danced in his eyes and the moonshine radiated from his
body. "None of those things. I'm thinking about you," he responded
simply. Flattered, she blushed a scarlet red, and was thankful for
the darkness of the night. "What are you thinking about?"
"Well, I was thinking about how we were before any of this. And the
first day I had a crush on you."
"Ahh, I see. Well, that's an interesting topic." He stood up and
stretched. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you later Rouge."
And proceeded to walk off.
"Wait! Knuckles, what are you doing?!" Rouge called after him.
Without turning around, he shouted back, "To find that emerald!"
"You can't go alone! You'll get hurt!"
"That's a risk I'll have to take. Please stay here, I don't want
you getting involved in my business." He forced. Rouge took a few
steps backwards and crossed her arms.
"Please Knuckles, at least get some rest. I know you're tired." She
tried convincing once more.
Knuckles sighed and turned back around. He walked over to her and
held her by her shoulders. "This is my destiny, alright? Nothing you
say is going to stop me." He kissed her softly on the cheek and
smiled. "Tell Sonic and Tails that I left, and I won't be back until
I find the Master Emerald." Both stared at each other for what seemed
like forever, lost in their own fantasy. Rouge's arms flung around
his neck as she smiled to herself. Knuckles held her by the waist and
they embraced each other for a few seconds before he pulled away
from her. She stared at him a few more seconds before planting a kiss
onto his cheek, causing him to glow a bright red.
"And I'll see you when I get back." He added, facing her while
walking away. When he got a good ten paces, he turned and ran as fast
as his legs could carry him.
Rouge watched after him, and when she could see him no longer, ran to
get Sonic. She knew Knuckles was running into trouble, and fast.
"Sonic! Knuckles left to find the Master Emerald!"
------------------------------------
The twilight sky illuminated off of the two's faces. He couldn't help
but feel at awe at how beautiful the sky looked at this time of day.
The red, orange, violet, and blue colors blended together to form
unimaginable tints of color.
The city lights could be seen as they approached the mainland.
Although it was, also, a pretty sight, Knuckles felt a little queasy at
the fact that he was already getting close to their date. He felt the
blood rush to his head and his face burning. Looking over at Rouge, he
couldn't help but stare. She looked stunning in her outfit, and being
in something new was a change of pace.
Like in the Temple before, Knuckles caught himself thinking about her
this time. But for different reasons. Like the fact that she was nicer
this go-round, and, again, what a difference in clothes made her look.
But thinking about her like this made him feel weird, but in a good
sort-of way.
Time seemed to fly and they finally arrived at the pizzeria. The
sidewalks were packed with Mobians of all sorts, many of whom were teens
enjoying their weekend from school.
The strange pair walked inside and sat at a booth in the corner. Tonight
it was crowded with tons of Mobius teenagers with their friends and
dates, just like Knuckles and Rouge.
A waitress walked over and asked for their orders. Almost ten minutes
later, they got their food and began eating.
"Lucky we could get in, huh?" Knuckles smiled as he took another bite
out of his pineapple pizza and wiped his mouth with the back of his
glove, careful not to scratch himself with his sharp knuckles.
"Well, I sorta figured it would be like this, but hey. You can't back
out until you try. Or something like that."
Knuckles laughed as his thoughts drifted to the Master Emerald and back
to Rouge. "So, what have you been up to lately, if you haven't been
treasure hunting?"
"Well, not much. Just thinking about our latest adventure, playing with
Onyx, the usual." But Rouge was careful not to mention anything about
her daydreams about Knuckles.
"It has been pretty boring. But at least I live in the middle of nowhere,
and I've got it made. Sonic and Tails are constantly followed by
reporters. It does get annoying then, because I get caught in the
middle as 'the one who saved the Master Emerald.' So you can guess my
annoyance then. But have you been followed yet by reporters?"
"Yeah. GUN wants me on the front page of the news and everything. It's
so annoying. I just want to go back to how everything was before. I
don't want anything about my cover blown." She said, and winked.
Knuckles nodded in agreement. Then the awkward silence followed, and
this time, no conversation starter reached their head like they had
before. Knuckles reached down and unclipped the walkie-talkie from his
shoe that Sonic had lent him, should Knuckles have to contact Sonic for
any 'advice'.
"I'll be right back. I, uh , hafta go to the bathroom." And he dashed
from the table before she could respond.
Turning it on right in the hallway of the bathroom, Knuckles spoke
into it urgently. "Knux to Sonic. Come in Sonic!" Static crackled over
the speaker, and no voice came through. Before Knuckles could try
again, Tails answered with a hint of fear lodged into his voice.
"Knuckles. We'll get back to you later. We have our hands full at the
moment." And went dead. Staring at it confused, he walked back while
trying to put it back onto his shoe. Something nagged him in the back
of his head, saying that there was something wrong with the Master
Emerald. But yet another part of him said that it was alright, and
they were just playing a game of tag, or hide-and-seek.
"Hey Knuckles. Wow, you look upset. What happened? Someone giving
you trouble in the bathroom? No more toilet paper?" she teased.
Realizing what she meant, he laughed it off.
"Yeah, haha." Knuckles looked down at his half-eaten pizza and suddenly
didn't have an appetite anymore. There was something harassing him in
the back of his mind and he felt compelled to leave. Turning to Rouge,
he said, "Hey, wanna go take a walk now? I would like to get some
fresh air, and maybe in an hour head back to Angel Island, if that's
alright with you, that is."
"Sure. Let's go. These kids are getting on my nerves." As she grabbed
her jacket and waited for Knuckles. When they opened the door, a blast
of cool, evening air hit them and they both shivered at the same time.
They leisurely walked around the downtown area, both not having a word
to say. They wasted their whole time talking in the pizzeria; they had
nothing else to say, not like they had anything to say before.
"Knuckles, tell me why you agreed to go on this date with me. I know
you don't like me, even a little bit. So, who bribed you?" she meekly
asked, which stopped Knuckles dead in his tracks. The question hit
him hard, and he hadn't a clue on what to say.
"No one bribed me. But you can thank Sonic for convincing me to go.
He said everyone deserves a second chance. Plus, he said he'd watch
the Master Emerald for me. What brought it up?"
"The way you've been so nice to me this evening, it seems like you
were bribed to do it. Other than that, it was just a question that
popped into my head."
Knuckles shrugged and walked on with Rouge following.
Sighing, he turned around and stared back at her. "And now, my
question to you. Why did you ask me out? I mean, you have everyone in
Mobius, and you choose me?"
But as Rouge opened her mouth to reply, a voice came in through the
speaker of the walkie-talkie. "Sonic to Knux, come in Knux! We have a
huge problem. Someone was just here, and they wanted to take the
Master Emerald. I think you should come back to the island."
Knuckles stared into the walkie-talkie, and back at her. Her eyes
were narrowed and you didn't need a rocket scientist to tell that she
was angry. "Sorry Rouge, but I gotta go. I'll walk you to where you
live, if you want to. Just to make sure you get home safe." He offered.
Rouge shook her head and walked off, obviously hurt that Knuckles had
to leave so early into their 'date'. Shrugging, Knuckles reattached
the talkie and ran his hand through his dreadlocks guiltily. The guilt
followed him all the way back to Angel Island.
* * *
"Hey guys! Sonic?! Tails?! Where are you two?" he yelled down the
chambers of the temple, walking cautiously and quietly. The air was
changed somehow, almost reeking with the stench of evil. And, for
some odd reason, Knuckles could feel someone's eyes watching him
intently, boring into his thoughts.
"Knux! We gotta get outta here, or something. There's some lizard
guy walking around, and he's fixed on that emerald. I've been trying
for a while to fend him off, and I'm sorry I had to drag you away from
your date." Sonic rushed, gazing around the room wearily and holding
onto Knuckles' shoulder to keep his balance. Knuckles knew what he
meant, and sped toward the Master Emerald, sitting beside it and
narrowing his eyesight slightly, daring anyone to approach him. Tails
hovered above him and landed on the Master Emerald, yawning in the
process. Although they tried to hide it, Sonic and Tails were exhausted.
Feeling even more guilty than before for putting them through the
trouble they went through, Knuckles dismissed them home and took up
the guard-duty himself. He tried to act confident and strong while
Sonic and Tails sauntered away, but on the inside, deep down; he's
was petrified, and wished someone was here with him. But this wasn't
new and he had done it before, so what was the problem?
"I'm not scared. I'm not scared. I'm not scared." He chanted over and
over while comforting himself in the process.
I am scared.
* * *
Knuckles tried his hardest to keep his heavy eyes open. Many times
throughout the night, he would close his eyes and fall asleep, but
would snap awake at the first sound he heard. Once or twice, someone
from the island would pop by and see how he was holding up and ask
what they could do, but Knuckles declined any help offered. This was
his Emerald, passed down from generation to generation, the only key
to his tribe's past and only way to keep Angel Island from falling
into the sea.
Now that it was almost noon, he was desperate for a moment of shut eye.
He reached down for the walkie-talkie still attached to his shoe, and
picked it up shakily. But before he could click the button on and talk
into the speaker, he heard someone walking towards him from behind.
Knuckles' hair stood on end and his stomach felt like it was suddenly
launched into a huge tub of ice. He tensed every step taken, and for a
moment, he felt ready to pass out. And even though he had done this all
his life, almost before he could remember, Knuckles was scared to death.
This wasn't any ordinary gut reaction; it was a new type of fear.
"Stay calm. Don't let him know you're scared." He whispered.
The footsteps continued until it finally seemed like it was right
behind him. Gathering the courage to look back, he stood up and
cautiously glanced behind his shoulder, bracing himself to see in the
eyes of his lizard predator. But, instead, he only saw the tip of a
wing belonging to a certain bat. Exhaling deeply, he relaxed and
closed his eyes thankfully.
"Well, well, well. Rouge the Bat, trying to sneak up on me at work?"
he inquired. Startled, Rouge perched atop the Master Emerald and
shrugged. Her wings were tucked back in and she was wearing the usual
sexy attire, which annoyed Knuckles to no end.
"Figure I'd see what you were up to. I'm on my lunch break." She
retorted.
Knuckles was flattered. "You decided to spend your lunch break with me?
What an honor. But before we get too into a conversation," he began.
"I just wanted to say . . . I'm sorry for bailing on the date last
night. Someone was, or should I say is, after the Master Emerald, and
is so intent on the thought of getting their hands on it, I had to
come back. Plus, you already left. You don't know how guilty I felt."
Rouge pretended to be flustered. "You're too kind. Hey, the reason I
came back was to see what you were up too. You want to take a walk in
the park, or maybe see a movie? Since my lunch break isn't over for
two hours." She suggested. Knuckles frowned and looked at the Emerald
with concern in his eyes.
"It does seem like a good idea and all, but I can't just leave the
Master Emerald behind like this. I mean, Sonic and Tails are worn out
from watching it last night, and Lilac is way too young to be put in
charge of something that can put anyone's life at risk. Maybe some
other time Rouge. But not today."
"Look, I think you can leave it for just a little while. Besides, I
spent almost two minutes scanning this place, looking for you, and I
didn't see anyone in here. I think he, whoever he is, left or something.
Please Knuckles? Just for an hour, at least!" she begged. He kept
gazing back and forth, from the Emerald to Rouge, and back. His thoughts
raced ferociously and he gave in against his will.
"Alright. Maybe I can clear my head for a while. But only for an
hour. If someone takes that Emerald, the island crashes. And if Angel
Island isn't there when I get back, I'm blaming it on you." He pointed
to her, his eyes square on hers.
She nodded, obviously happy to have her way. "Fine by me. But I think
it'll be fine. Let's just go!" she smiled, walking away with Knuckles
trailing behind apprehensively. He knew something was going to happen,
but he didn't want to upset Rouge again.
But right as they flew off into the horizon and out of sight, someone
snickered malevolently and jumped from the beams atop the Temple,
pleased. This would be so much easier than he had expected, and that
naïve hedgehog and his wretched fox-friend weren't here to spoil any
of his plans. And, even better, the stupid echidna was gone, and the
Emerald was left, unguarded.
"Just like him." The voice leered. He walked over to the Emerald, the
glow illuminating his face and every grotesque feature upon him.
Licking his lips, their hands encapsulated the Emerald and snatched
it from its hold, running as fast as its legs would take them.
Immediately after jumping off and away from the island, the island
rumbled and tilted violently, plunging into the cold, dark ocean
water below.
* * *
Rouge and Knuckles sat in the park on a bench under an oak tree, full
and green from the springtime rain. In a way, it sort of reminded
Knuckles of the Chao Gardens, the peace of the atmosphere, the warmth
of the sun's rays hitting his back. This is what life should've always
been after what everyone had just been put through.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Rouge thought allowed, almost like she had
known that's what he was thinking. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the
air deeply and smiled. Knuckles just stared at her, not knowing this
side of her. Before, he had known her as a spoiled, double-crossing
jewel thief. And even while on the ARK, watching the fight, he wouldn't
have given her the benefit of doubt he had been giving her the past
two days. Now, she was just an innocent Mobian that Sonic, Tails, or
he had bothered to know.
"Rouge," Knuckles began. "You never answered my question last night."
She smiled. "Because you had to leave. And besides, I don't think the
answer is important."
"Oh, on contraire, Ms. Bat. Your answer is very important to moi."
"No, seriously, I don't think it's an important answer. Let's drop it."
"Just tell-."
"I said drop it!" she snapped as she banged her fists on the bench,
making Knuckles flinch. She inhaled deeply and sighed.
"Sorry. I was just curious. I didn't mean to make you upset." He
apologized.
"It's ok. I just don't think it's the answer you're ready to hear, if
you know what I mean."
Knuckles was slowly catching her drift. It slowly dawned on him why
she asked him out in the first place, what she was thinking of besides
jewels. And why she had been so nice. "You like me, don't you Rouge?"
She drew back and looked the other way. Knuckles reached over and
touched her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. She turned and looked
at him, holding his gaze. "I wouldn't say I like you, like a crush.
I've loved you ever since you saved me on that steel platform."
Knuckles smiled, flattered. "Well, that's a shock. Wasn't expecting
that." He shook his head, his dreadlocks covering his smile. She
likes me? Now this is getting too freaky. I can't be her boyfriend.
Yeah, this really is getting freaky. But the other side of him denied
any negative comment. This is a good thing! You know you like her. You
remember the steel tower. You wanted her right then and there! Just
ask her out.
But she was the one that wanted to take the Master Emerald! Your past
is in that Emerald, and you'd go out with her?
Who cares about the Master Emerald right now! She's nice, fun, and
might I add, drop-dead gorgeous? Dude, ask her out! This is the perfect
opportunity. Don't let her get away!
Fine! But don't blame me when she starts to use you for the Emerald!
Knuckles had made up his mind. "Rouge, um. Well, this isn't as easy
and all, but . . . would you mind going to a movie or something right
now?"
She turned back to him, bewildered. "You mean, after what I just said?"
"I, uh. I guess you could say we share similar feelings. Same time,
same place. So how about it?"
Rouge smiled widely and let out a small laugh. "You know, for an
annoying echidna, you sure do have some cards up your sleeves."
"And for a stuck-up snob bat, you have a side I don't believe I've
seen." He replied as he stood up, helping Rouge up by the hand. When
she was stabilized, they looked at each other and smiled. Both didn't
even bother to let go of one another's hand, and walked off.
* * *
When the downtown clock struck eight o'clock, the duo had had their
share of fun for the afternoon. Not only did they walk around the
park for a little while, they went to the movies, and against his will,
Knuckles took Rouge to the jeweler store across the street. Now that
it was evening, both were, in general, pretty tired, and wanted to go
to sleep, and Knuckles wanting to check up on the Master Emerald. So,
both flew off, talking the whole way about absolute nonsense. (AN:
Funny how, immediately after they hook up, they find something to
talk about.)
As they neared the island, Knuckles started to worry. Something was
different about the whole scenery, and it wasn't good. Rouge could
sense what he too what thinking, and her heart beat began to
accelerate. Knuckles came to a screeching halt and he gasped. Where
Angel Island should have been, there was total emptiness. Nothing
remained of the island. Nothing.
"Where's the Island?!" he cried.
"You don't think . . ." she faded, flying to his side and looking
around.
Knuckles grabbed onto Rouge's shoulder and doubled over almost as if
he was in pain. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Both looked back as they heard a helicopter-like sound whirring over
to them. A purple and pink fox approached them, glassy-eyed. "Sir,
someone was in the Hidden Temple! I saw him. A large lizard, he took
the Emerald. Everyone got off of the Island safely, but it was close.
Knuckles, it's gone!" she yelled, rushing into his arms and crying
onto his chest. All Knuckles could do was hug her, but, to the very
depths of his soul, he too, wanted to cry. His Island was gone, and
unless the Emerald was found, it'd be gone forever.
Rouge stood back, something turning her stomach uneasily. She was
partly responsible for the mess, and at what cause? Gaining a boyfriend?
Just watching the scene was enough of a punishment, and she just
finished risking her life a while ago.
She whispered quietly. "I'm sorry, Knuckles. It was sort of my fault
that your island is gone."
Knuckles looked up through a part in his dreadlocks and forced a smile,
but a very bitter one at that. It was her fault, but in a sort of
sense, Knuckles had been the one who decided to go. So, in a way,
both were at fault. With Lilac still crying, and everything still a
blur, it was hard to even talk. But there was no need for words.
Another whirring helicopter-like noise and a quiet whir approached
them, and this time it was Tails and Sonic, Tails flying by his two
tails, and Sonic piloting the Cyclone. When they noticed Angel Island
gone, their expressions were that of the mirror image of Rouge and
Knuckles. Shocked, sad, and furious. Just a whirl of emotions together.
"We got here as soon as we could Knuckles. Someone from here told us
about the island crashing, the lizard guy taking the emerald.
Knuckles, if you would have called us, we would have watched the
Emerald for you. I mean, it was a special occasion." Sonic smirked at
the sight of Rouge. Tails hit Sonic upside the head, reminding him
what they came for. "Ow bro! That hurt! Oh yeah. But anyways. We just
wanted to see what was going on, and what help you needed. Anything
at all."
The only sound heard was the sobbing of Lilac, who was now being
comforted by Tails. Both were whispering to each other in such hushed
tones, it was hard to make out what they were saying. Knuckles turned
back to Sonic, sadness seen from his eyes. His chest was heaving with
the heaviness of the air he inhaled at slow, large intakes. Sonic
could tell his equanimity was plummeting at such a rapid speed. Just
like Rouge, Sonic had a hard time keeping his composure just watching
him in such agony.
"Sonic, please. If you can, get the residents of Angel Island to stay
at Knothole. I've gotta find the Master Emerald. Rouge, you should
head home. I'll holler if I need anything from you."
"Knuckles, no! I'm not leaving. This is my fault, and I should help.
Besides, it's not like I haven't been in these situations before." She
argued. Sonic kicked his feet onto the control panel of the Cyclone
and began to laugh.
"This is a really good soap opera. Don't stop, keep going!" he joked.
Rouge and Knuckles looked at him, angry. Smiling sheepishly, Sonic
tensed up. "I was just kidding!"
"Sonic, this is serious! You know how important that Emerald is to me!"
Knuckles shrieked. Sonic nodded and counted on his finger, almost
seeming like he was counting slowly in his head.
"Yea, only about a thousand times. Was it? No, wait. Yea, it was.
You've told me about a thousand times."
"What, you kept track?" Knuckles asked sarcastically. Sonic smiled wide,
nodding.
"Knuckles, before you go on your way, don't you think you should get
some rest or something?" Rouge suggested, changing the subject. He
twirled and gave her a side-longed glance before shaking his head no.
"It doesn't matter anymore. I can't even get the island back anymore.
Even if I did find that emerald." He hastily wiped a tear away because
his image was one of strength and no feelings.
"Knuckles. You just said. That emerald has your past in it. And
you're giving up now? Maybe we can use it later when we find it again
to create another Floating Island. Hop in the back Knux. I'll take you
to Knothole, and you can stay there for a while. Rouge, if you want
to, you can come also." Sonic yelled over to Tails. "Tails, Lilac,
if you can. Please find everyone and tell them they are staying at
Knothole until the Master Emerald is found."
After a heated debate between Knuckles and Rouge and Sonic, Knuckles
gave in and got in the back of the Cyclone, lying down and feet
hanging lazily out the side. Rouge squeezed in next to Sonic and
watched the horizon sadly. She managed to take a glance back at Knuckles
once in a while, watching him sleep peacefully, and felt a pang of guilt.
It was her fault the Island was gone.
"How did you do it? I mean, manage to get Knuckles to leave the island?"
Sonic said with concern. Startled to hear Sonic use that tone of voice,
Rouge closed her own eyes and held her breath.
"All I did was asked him to one more date, to make up for last night.
And, I told him no one would take the Emerald, because I hadn't seen
anyone around. That's all!"
"Hey, I'm not accusing you of anything, so settle down. It's just, I
dunno. Knuckles never leaves the Island, let alone his post at the
Emerald, for no one. Surprise, surprise, you're the one who lures
him away."
There was total silence except for the wind that brushed by their
face. Sonic spoke up again. "He must really like you if you got him
to leave."
"I wouldn't say that. Yeah. We're going out and all . . ." Rouge
caught herself before she could say anything else, but it was too
late. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him smirking with his
eyes still glued straight ahead.
"So it finally happened. Knuckles the Echidna got a girlfriend. What
a shocker. And with his former enemy, might I add."
"It's not like that. We just both found out we liked each other, and
we clicked. Ok? Please don't make a big deal out of it. I'm already a
celebrity around the area, and Knuckles doesn't seem to like the
limelight. So, I don't want to drag him into it and make it a big
scene. Please don't tell anyone, ok Sonic?" she pleaded. Taking one
hand off the steering wheel, he stroked his chin in thought, like a
detective pondering a case.
"Ok, I'll keep it a secret. For a price."
"Name it."
"I'll keep your relationship with my bud, Knux, a secret. If you swear
you had nothing to do with the Emerald snatching. Furthermore, you will
have nothing to do with the Emerald, till the end of time."
"Done!" Both shook hands and sneered at each other.
But from the back seat, a red echidna could only smile. With Sonic by
his side, there was no way Rouge could take the Emerald now. He had no
fear. Getting it, though, was a different subject.
* * *
It was two in the morning at Knothole and Rouge was sitting outside by
the grotto, her knees huddled close to her chest and her chin resting
on her knees. She rocked slowly, back and forth, watching the night
sky above. A smile crept across her face, and thoughts were shifted
over to her new boyfriend. Unlike any of her other relationships, this
one was different. She wasn't dead set on using him for jealousy
purposes, or just getting something she wanted. This one came from
her heart, and she was glad for that.
The day that she first got the crush on him was out in space . . .
somewhere. They were fighting over the Master Emerald, and who
rightfully owned it. When she approached him, she had lost her
footing, and began to fall to her death in the bubbling lava a little
ways below. With her eyes closed, she was oblivious to what was
happening around her. Suddenly, someone caught her from above, and her
eyes snapped wide open. Looking up, she saw Knuckles' large hand had
enclosed hers, and was holding her by just that, her hand. When he
pulled her back, both remained stunned. Neither had expected such
action out of Knuckles. But as if she didn't like it, she threw his
hand from hers like it was poisonous.
"You just wanted to hold my hand, didn't you? You're such a creep!"
"Yeah, well is that how you say THANKS to the person who just saved
your life?"
She sighed as she made up her mind. "No matter what you say, it sounds
crazy." and tossed the Emerald shards to him. Knuckles looked taken
aback. "You can have them. They stink, like echidnas do."
"Well, if that's what you thought, you should have given them to me
in the first place." he rejected. After fixing them back together,
he checked his work and smiled. The Emerald was whole once more.
"What?!" Rouge snuffed.
"I'm sorry . . . if I hurt you." he forced, before running off,
Emerald in arm.
Rouge looked on, half smiling. As she left, she stole one last glance
at her hero, and flew off in the opposite direction.
The conversation echoed in her head indefinitely. Abruptly, her ears
perked up at the sounds of footsteps approaching her. Someone sat
next to her, and she immediately knew who it was.
"What are you doing up so late, Knuckles? Shouldn't you be asleep?"
she queried. He answered by rolling his eyes and exhaling softly.
"Knuckles, I'm really sorry about your island and all. Please, you've
gotta forgive me. I didn't mean any harm by asking you on a date."
"That's alright. I forgive you. Don't think it's all your fault. I
was the one who decided to go, am I not right?"
Both looked into the starry sky at the same time. "Whatcha thinking
about? Your island, the emerald . . ." Rouge asked.
The starlight danced in his eyes and the moonshine radiated from his
body. "None of those things. I'm thinking about you," he responded
simply. Flattered, she blushed a scarlet red, and was thankful for
the darkness of the night. "What are you thinking about?"
"Well, I was thinking about how we were before any of this. And the
first day I had a crush on you."
"Ahh, I see. Well, that's an interesting topic." He stood up and
stretched. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you later Rouge."
And proceeded to walk off.
"Wait! Knuckles, what are you doing?!" Rouge called after him.
Without turning around, he shouted back, "To find that emerald!"
"You can't go alone! You'll get hurt!"
"That's a risk I'll have to take. Please stay here, I don't want
you getting involved in my business." He forced. Rouge took a few
steps backwards and crossed her arms.
"Please Knuckles, at least get some rest. I know you're tired." She
tried convincing once more.
Knuckles sighed and turned back around. He walked over to her and
held her by her shoulders. "This is my destiny, alright? Nothing you
say is going to stop me." He kissed her softly on the cheek and
smiled. "Tell Sonic and Tails that I left, and I won't be back until
I find the Master Emerald." Both stared at each other for what seemed
like forever, lost in their own fantasy. Rouge's arms flung around
his neck as she smiled to herself. Knuckles held her by the waist and
they embraced each other for a few seconds before he pulled away
from her. She stared at him a few more seconds before planting a kiss
onto his cheek, causing him to glow a bright red.
"And I'll see you when I get back." He added, facing her while
walking away. When he got a good ten paces, he turned and ran as fast
as his legs could carry him.
Rouge watched after him, and when she could see him no longer, ran to
get Sonic. She knew Knuckles was running into trouble, and fast.
"Sonic! Knuckles left to find the Master Emerald!"