'Sup guys! Well, I'm on my two-week break so I have plenty of time to do this fic. So lets do a quick recap. Boy prince wants to see other lands farther from his island, boy glides to land further from his island, boy tours new land, and finally boy meets girl. Well that was pretty quick wasn't it? So now lets start up this chapter shall we?
Chapter 7"Knuckles. That's a nice name. It's not stupid at all."
"Yea, that's my nickname I gave myself."
"So, Knuckles what is your name, I mean you're real name?"
"Promise not to laugh?"
Rouge held up her right hand, took her left hand and drew an invisible cross right in front of her heart. "I promise Knuckles, now tell me your name."
"Ok, my real name is...Knackuleous."
"Really?" For that second Rouge had to summon up all self-control to keep the laughter at bay. "Is that your...real name, Knuckles?"
"Yea, that's my real name. Kind of stupid, huh?"
"Well," Rouge started to say, "I don't think it's stupid."
"I think it's stupid," Knuckles said as he jumped to his feet. "It's not cool enough for me, so I gave myself a nickname where everybody can remember!" Knuckles then proceeded to show off by throwing a few punches in the air. "I gave myself the nickname Knuckles, because I'm tough, hard, and fast like my fists!" Knuckles then turned around and punched a nearby tree. At that instant, the tree shook and scared away all the creatures that resided in the wooden domicile.
"Wow," Rouge said in amazement, "You're really strong, aren't ya?"
"Yea," Knuckles said as he started to flex his muscles. "I've been training ever since I could walk and I know how to kick some butt!"
"Well, I've been training too, just like you." Rouge stood up and shot out a couple of kicks in the air. "I've been a member of my local Karate Club ever since I was five! I can kick some butt, too!" Knuckles took a look at his bent tail and gave it a little rub.
"Yea, I experienced your talents first hand."
"Oh, sorry about that," Rouge said looking at the bent tail.
"Na, it's ok. I think I like my tail this way," Knuckles said giving his tail a wag.
"He he, you're really funny Knuckles."
"Yea, so are you, Rouge. So, are there any other people like you?"
"Umm...oh yea! Wait you gotta meet my friend! She's not gonna believe this! Stay right there, Knuckles," Rouge said as she ran off into the bushes to get her friend. Knuckles stood there watching this strange creature run off until he caught something. A wonderful aroma somehow swept pass Knuckles' nose and Knuckles began to breath in deeply. "Wow! What's that smell? Man, it smells so good." Knuckles followed the aroma out of the park and into the streets.
"Mmmm, where is that coming from," Knuckles said as he looked around in anticipation. Then the source of the aroma was found in a nearby cart full of delicious pizzas, nachos, and chilidogs. Knuckles' mouth drooled with anticipation as he walked closer to the cart. As he walked closer, the aroma grew stronger and stronger. Knuckles couldn't wait to get a taste of what's new in the city. There he was, in front of the food cart, looking at all of the delicacies to offer.
"So young man," the dealer said, "what'll it be?"
"Um, give me everything on your cart," Knuckles said in anticipation.
"Everything? C'mon son, don't you think that's silly."
"Yes it does look silly, you might as well give me the whole cart then."
The dealer leaned over to take a good look at Knuckles. "Kid, I know you got yourself a healthy appetite, but this stuff ain't free. You gotta have some money if you want to get any food from me." Knuckles thought for a moment, looked at the man, and said, "Well, how much is it for everything?" The dealer gave Knuckles another look, "Well if you add up the cost of each item, times how many items I got, plus the cart would equal up to too much money. Sorry, but I don't think you have enough."
Knuckles then gave a frown and his stomach gave an angry growl. Knuckles almost walked off until he had an idea. "Wait, Mister, I have enough money." The dealer leaned back and crossed his arms. "Do ya now? This I gotta see." Knuckles then proceeded to look through his gloves for any capitol, but to no avail. Then Knuckles looked through his shoes and socks to find any money, but still no luck. Then Knuckles remembered about a secret little pocket where he keeps his allowance. He put his hand in his left shoe, went inside a secret pocket, and took out his money. He then proceeded to the dealer where Knuckles grabbed his hand and handed him five sparkling gold coins. The dealer's jaws drooped and his eyes widened as he realized that he was the beholder of these golden coins. Knuckles then put back on his stuff and looked at the dealer.
"So," Knuckles began to ask, "Is this enough?"
The dealer looked at the gold, still shocked, and said, "Yea, take the whole thing. It's yours." Knuckles gave a little thank you, picked the cart up over his head, and proceeded to a nice spot to enjoy his lunch.
"Rouge? Rouge where are you?" Amy said as she licked her new ice cream cone. Since Amy and Rouge got separated from the dog attack, Amy has been searching around the park for her missing comrade. Then suddenly, she noticed some movement in the bushes, which shocked her a bit. "If you're that dog," Amy began to say, "Then you better stay away or else I'll beat you down." Amy quickly grabbed a stick and moved closer to the moving bush. Suddenly from out of nowhere Amy heard a voice. "Amy, Amy! Where are you?" Amy looked around to find the source of the voice. "Rouge, is that you? Where are you?" "I'm over here in this bush," Rouge said as she emerged from the moving shrub. "Rouge, where were you! I've been looking every where for you," Amy said as she licked her ice cream cone. "Yea, but Amy, I wanna show you something, or someone."
"Someone? What you talkin' 'bout, Rouge?"
"Well while being chased by that dog, I kicked him into a tree. Then when he fell in a bush, I tried to kick him again but I kicked the wrong person. Then I helped him out, and...why am I telling you this, come on!"
Rouge grabbed Amy and led her to the area where she met the young boy. "Come on," Rouge said, "It's not that far." "Well I hope it's not, 'cause I'm getting tired of running!" Rouge then went through a bush, jumped out, and said, "And here he...is? Where is he?" The only thing that remained of the strange boy was a pair of footprints where the boy once stood. Rouge looked around frantically to see where he somehow disappeared.
"He was here! He was right here. Where did he go?"
"Rouge," Amy said while giving her a look, "You brought me out here just to show me your imaginary friend?"
"No, he's not imaginary. He was right here. He's red, has gloves, and colorful sneakers. He was standing right...
"Rouge, Rouge honey, time to go!" Rouge's mother yelled out. Rouge gave a frown and walked towards her calling mother.
"Alright, Amy, I'll see you later."
"Bye Rouge."
Rouge walked with her parents towards her home. Every step she took see seems to catch a quick glimpse of that red kid called Knuckles. She would look around for any signs of him, but to no avail. Rouge continued to walk until she finally ended up at her home.
"Come on Rouge, let's go," her father said.
"Ok."
"Honey, what's wrong."
"Daddy, today I met somebody."
"Really, who was it?"
"It was a boy who came out of nowhere. He was red, had cool looking sneakers, and was really strong too. I wanted to see him again, but then he disappeared."
"Wow, he sounds like a cool guy. Don't worry Rouge; I'm sure that you'll meet this cool boy again. Now let's hurry upstairs, it's pizza night."
The frown on Rouge's face was quickly banished by a wholesome smile. "Pizza? Oh boy!" Rouge then grabbed her father and ran upstairs.
"Man, I'm so full. I don't think I can eat anymore," Knuckles said as he scarfed down the few last slices of pizza. "Mmmm, now to work off a few pounds." Knuckles gathered himself up, took a good run and took a flying leap. He then glided to a nearby tall building where he started to climb. "Yea, a little climbing run can work off some weight," Knuckles said as he climbed. He then did some climbing maneuvers to get his heart rate up. Jumping from here and there, falling then catching himself, and hanging by one claw and doing pull ups. He then climbed faster until he reached the top of the tower. He then sat on the edge and looked around. "Now this is cool," Knuckles said as he leaned back and looked up at the starry sky.
After her pizza dinner, Rouge then proceeded to her room. Being tired from her day, she got on her pajamas and hopped into bed. As she got comfortable, her mother and father walked through the door.
"Are you comfortable, dear?"
"Yes, mommy."
"Well, we'll see you in the morning, Rouge."
"Ok, daddy. See you in the morning."
Both of Rouge's parents gave Rouge a nice kiss and a hug and proceeded through the door where they gently closed it. Rouge then turned around in her bed, facing the window. She wondered to herself if she'll ever see that boy again. She got out of bed and went to the window, where she opened it up. She leaned against it and looked outside.
"Where are you, Knuckles? I know you're out there somewhere."
She then turned around back to her bed until she saw something red at the corner of her eye. She looked out across the way and smiled. There he was, Knuckles, lounging on a rooftop of the building. She then took a deep breath and gave out a yell.
"Knuckles!! Knuckles!!!"
Knuckles was then jolted out of his sleep and look up to find the source of the yells. He looked to the right, and saw her, Rouge, yelling out his name from an open window.
"Hi Rouge!!"
"Knuckles, what are you doing over there?!"
"Just relaxing."
"How did you get on top of the building in the first place?"
"I climbed up."
"You climbed up?"
"Yea," Knuckles said as he showed off his knuckle barbs, "My knuckles aren't just for beating up people."
"Wow. Hey Knuckles, stay right there. I'm gonna go downstairs and go over to where you are."
"Why, I can get there."
"How, are you gonna try and jump?"
"Actually, yea!" Knuckles then hopped a few steps back and got himself set for the big jump.
"Wait a minute! You can't jump that far!"
"Yes I can, Rouge! Just watch!"
"No, you'll fall!!"
Knuckles, ignoring Rouge's pleas, leaned back and started to run off the ledge. Rouge can only scream in horror as Knuckles jumped. She closed her eyes because of fear seeing Knuckles fall to his death, but out of the sky came a voice.
"Rouge, watch out. I'm coming in."
Rouge looked on with amazement as she looked at Knuckles, gliding smoothly towards her window. As Knuckles got close enough, he planted himself on the wall with his knuckles and climbed up to her window.
"Umm, so can I come in?"
"Yes, come in, come in," Rouge said as she backed up a few steps. Knuckles then pulled himself through the window and dusted himself. Knuckles gave a confusing look as Rouge looked on in amazement at Knuckles' special feat.
"How did you do that?"
"How I did what?"
"Fly! How did you fly like that?"
"What? Fly? No I glided."
"Well how did you do that?"
"Well, it's kinda difficult to explain. How about if I show you?"
"You'll show me?" Rouge asked.
"Yea," Knuckles said, "Just stand there for a second."
Knuckles walked behind Rouge and looked at her back. He touched, messaged, and examined Rouge's wings. Rouge could only look back and blush.
"Umm, Knuckles," Rouge began to say, "What are you doing back there."
"I'm checking out your wings to see if they're strong enough." Knuckles then let go of her wings and walked towards the window.
"Well since you've been training, your wings have developed nicely. Well, these are nice conditions for your first gliding lesson. Well come on, Rouge."
Knuckles took a hold of Rouge's hand and walked towards the window. Rouge blushed a little more as Knuckles exited the window. Knuckles took a little hop and got a hold of the wall. "Ok, Rouge, now take my hand and hold on," Knuckles said as he reached out to her. Rouge grabbed Knuckles hand, and Knuckles swung her on his back. Rouge got a good hold around Knuckles neck as he climbed higher up the building. Rouge looked down at the city street below. She cringed and held tighter onto Knuckles.
"Don't worry, Rouge. We're almost to the top," Knuckles said as he continued climbing.
"Good, I wanna touch something solid."
Knuckles continued his climb until he reached the top. Rouge got off his back and looked onward into the city.
"Wow, I never knew the city looked this beautiful from my window."
"Yea, it's kinda different from another perspective. Now come on."
"Knuckles, what are you doing?"
Knuckles grabbed Rouge, got her on his back, and said, "I'm giving you your first gliding lesson."
Knuckles then took his mandatory steps back. Rouge's eyes widen as she held on tighter and spoke.
"Umm, are you sure about this Knuckles?"
"Yea, this is how my dad taught me. Now let's go!"
Knuckles then ran off the building with Rouge on his back. Rouge held on tighter and closed her eyes as Knuckles leaped off the edge and glided into the city.
"C'mon Rouge, you can open your eyes now."
Rouge couldn't help but to keep them closed and hold on for dear life. Without knowing, Rouge was choking the life out of Knuckles.
"Gaakk, ...Rouge...you're choking...me."
Rouge opened her eyes and looked to see Knuckles all blue in the face.
"Oh, OH! Sorry," Rouge said as she loosened her grip.
"Ah, thanks. Ok, now just take it easy and listen to me"
"Ok."
"Alright, Rouge, now spread your wings as wide as you can."
"Um, alright," Rouge said as she spread her wings. She felt a little tug on her wings as she spread them wide.
"Hey, I feel something."
"Don't worry, that's natural. If you can feel air on your wings and can take it, then you can glide. Alright now take a hold of my hand and don't let go."
Rouge did as she's told and grabbed Knuckles' hand. Knuckles then took a good grip and said, "Alright, now spread your wings, look forward, and don't let go."
Rouge did what Knuckles instructed and got ready. As she looked forward, she felt herself lifting up from Knuckles' back. Knuckles held her hand and glided right beside her.
"That's it, you're doing it!"
"I am ain't I?" Rouge said as she looked down. "I am! I'm flying! I'm flying!"
"You're doing good for your first time, now here's the real challenge."
Knuckles then looked at Rouge and slowly let go. Rouge's eyes widen as her safe haven is gliding further away from her.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"Don't worry, you can do it. Now follow me," Knuckles said as he glided further. Rouge followed Knuckles through the city skies. Knuckles then glided down to a building and said, "Ok, I think you got it, now glide down and I'll take you home." Rouge looked at Knuckles and gave a nod. Rouge then proceeded to the building for a landing, but then she felt a sudden updraft. Rouge was scared as she overshot the building and started to slow down.
"Knuckles! Help me!!"
"Rouge! Hold on, I'm coming!!"
Rouge knew she was in trouble 'cause she slowed to a stall in midair and suddenly fell. Knuckles just jumped off the building towards the plummeting Rouge in order to save her. As Knuckles got closer, Rouge let out her hand in order to get a life saving grab.
"Knuckles!!"
"Rouge!! I'm almost there!!"
Knuckles let out his hand and...missed Rouge by inches. Knuckles looked down at the falling angel and chased her by a high-speed dive. Diving through the air, Knuckles sped up his decent to get closer to Rouge. He got closer and closer to Rouge and reached out his hand.
"Rouge!! I got you!"
"Knuckles!!"
Just at that instant, Knuckles caught Rouge right in his arms, and then he got himself situated and glided towards a nearby building. Rouge held on tightly to Knuckles as he made a landing on the building. Knuckles sat Rouge down gently and helped her gain her breath.
"Rouge, are you ok?"
Rouge looked up at Knuckles with wide eyes and heavy breaths.
"Knuckles, thank you. Thank you for saving me."
Rouge got up and gave Knuckles a loving hug to thank her hero for the life rescue. "Uh, Rouge," Knuckles said blushing, "You're welcome. Come on, let's take you home."
Knuckles picked her up in his arms and jumped off the building where he glided back Rouge back to her home. On the way home, Rouge looked up at Knuckles and held tighter.
"I thought I was going to die," Rouge said, "But you saved me just like a hero. Thank you Knuckles."
"You're welcome Rouge," Knuckles said as he glided towards Rouge's window. He climbed into her window gently and walked towards the bed with Rouge in arms. He eased her down gently and covered her up. Knuckles then walked toward the window and was about to exit until Rouge said something.
"Knuckles?"
"Yes Rouge," Knuckles said as he looked back.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"We probably might, Rouge. I still want you to show me around the city like you promised."
"Ok, it's a date. I'll see you here tomorrow afternoon."
"Ok Rouge. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See ya, Knuckles."
Knuckles gave a wink and a wave and jumped out the window. As Rouge lay in her bed, her heart skipped a beat as she watched her red hero glide majestically out of the window. She got comfortable in her bed and blushed gently.
"See you later, my hero."
From Moegedow:
Well, that's was a long chapter now wasn't it. Yep, I took some time with this chapter, and I know it's worth it. It's because of ya'll that this story's continuing. Well, Chapter 8 will be coming up, and I hope this'll keep ya'll busy until then. Well I gotta bounce, so give your comments and I'll see ya later.
Moegedow