A/N: Um…Nothing here to say. Rouge's POV this chapter. The characters are property of Sega, except for Sara the Hedgehog. She's going to come soon! I just can't find a place… Dang it all… Anyway enjoy!
* * * *
Rouge's POV
* * * *
Chapter 2 – Betrayal
I run a hand through my white fur and growl with frustration. I'm careful not to stumble on the rocks of this remote location, which is almost impossible with these white boots. I am lost in my own thoughts as I creep along the terrain.
My mind wheels back to that day. That scarlet, blood red echidna glared daggers at me with those purple eyes. I stepped forward, but my footing was off, and I slipped, almost to my fiery death. But then…the echidna saved me. After all I did to him, he saved me. No hesitation. I was at a loss for words, so I acted like a snob. That cost me a friend…or even more than a friend.
I shivered.
And then there was that black and red hedgehog. Sexy and mysterious… But why am I wasting my time? That hedgehog is dead. Gone.
I growl in frustration and stared at the tiny black radar in my hand, willing the stupid thing to give a tiny beep.
It, of course, stayed still and silent as a rock.
* * * * *
Two hours later
* * * * *
I think I've worn holes through these stupid boots looking for this jewel. But the radar is finally beeping like mad, and I think I've finally found it. My paws are blurs as they cut through the clay covering this place, shifted rock already over to the side.
Finally, I see a dirt-covered jewel. Placing my hands around it, I pull it up. The jewel is now out of its hole, and I look at it in wonder. My glove brushes away the dirt and clay, reveling the jewel's dark purple color.
Odd. It looks almost black.
A new feeling fills me. Strength. Now I know why my boss wants this emerald. A little voice seemed to reawaken in the back of my head.
Why give it to him? You can have this all to yourself.
Where did that come from? I shake my head and shove the emerald into my black knapsack. A dull throbbing awakened in the back of my head, and I ignored it. A little headache, that's all.
But five minutes later it was claiming my whole head. Relenting, I sit on a particularly large rock and drop my head in my hands.
Suddenly, the throbbing takes over. My pulse is thrumming and I've lost control. My hands flip my bag over with ease and take out that emerald.
What am I doing?
A grin replaces the pain etched on my face. I raise the emerald over my head.
I think I've lost control.
"CHAOS CONTROL!" the words come forced through my lips. I'm engulfed in a dark purple beam and I warp.
* * * * *
The first words out of my mouth: "What the hell is going on?"
Great question.
I'm in Station Square.
A plus.
It's 10:30, judging by that clock on the pole.
Great. Now where have I been for the last 2 hours?
Memories skimmed at the edge of her brain.
"Hunting for an emerald," I remembered, and she also remembered the purple emerald in her bag. I don't take it out though. What use? Closing my eyes, I decide to go to my apartment. Why worry?
Why not?
I see a scarlet echidna scanning the streets and I sigh with relief. A familiar face…Knuckles the echidna.
"Rouge?" he asks in disbelief as I walk up to him. I smile.
"Yeah…"
Silence overcomes.
"Uh… What are you doing out here?" he asks.
"Just…out," I mutter. Great answer, Rouge, I think to myself.
He arches an eyebrow over his lavender eyes. "Hunting for jewels or working for the government?" he replies.
A steady throb awakens in the back of my head.
I wince silently as the throb intensified.
"Government," I whisper.
God, my head hurt like heck.
"You look beat," the echidna stated.
"Yeah. Long day," I whisper back. I can hardly manage the words out, my throat is constricting.
What the heck is happening?
My hand reaches into my bag and touches the emerald. I feel a sense of power through me.
Why does this feel like déjà vu?
And it's gone…the pain, the worrying…everything except that power feeling.
"Want me to take you home?" Knuckles asks.
I can swear the echidna is nervous. Surprise, surprise.
"Sure," I answer. I tell him my apartment building's name, and he recognizes it and we head off into the darkness.
"So…" he mutters. I tilt my head up at him.
"How's life going?" I ask, meaning it as a sort of joke.
"Great…" he mutters. "Guarding the Master 24-7."
"Must be lonely," I answer, and slide up shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
Where did that come from?
I command my mouth to open and say something else, but my body no longer listens.
Déjà vu all over.
My hand reaches over and slips into his.
He is uncomfortable. I can feel it. He's never been in this kind of situation.
I'll soon change that.
What? I'm losing it, I swear. I can't control my body or my thoughts. WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING TO ME?
And why can't I remember what happened to me?
My mind strays to the emerald. Maybe that…?
I grab his hand and pull him into a random club, flashing my ID to the guard and rushing in before Knuckles knew what was going on.
"What the heck?" he whispered angrily to me.
"C'mon, Knux," I whisper into his ear. "Let's party." I pull him out onto the dance floor and dance.
Dirty Dancing.
Knuckles stands stiff as a board, wondering what the heck to say.
"Rouge," he begins harshly and starts to tell me off.
I frown, slip my arms around his neck, and silence him with a kiss.
I can't move. It's like I'm watching a movie. A very bad movie. That throb in my head is returning.
Knuckles shoves me away. "What the hell?" he shouts at me through the music.
And I suddenly have control.
"Knuckles," I whisper, knowing my face shows what I feel.
I'm freaked out.
No, scratch that. I'm petrified.
I