Chapter 12
The party lasted well after midnight for the gang. Once it was over, the gang was all tired and ready to hit the sack. Unfortunately for Rouge and Knuckles, Sonic, Tails, and Amy needed a place to stay while they were there, so Amy suggested that she and Rouge could stay in Rouge's and Knuckles' room, while the guys roomed with Tarosamo, so she and Rouge could have a 'girls' talk. Of course, Tarosamo wasn't too happy about that, but didn't object.
Amy sat on the bed, surrounded by dozens of pink suitcases. Rouge rolled her eyes, "Amy, do you really need all that stuff?"
Amy smiled, "Yeah! You never know what might happen. I always come extra prepare!"
"Well, mind clearing off the bed?" Rouge walked over to the bed as Amy started moving her things.
"How come you didn't bring anything, Rouge?" The pink hedgehog asked as she pushed her suitcases under the bed.
Rouge shrug, "Not much that I do need."
Amy nodded, "Hey, Rouge..."
"What is it, Amy?" Rouge was getting annoyed, all she wanted was sleep.
Amy glanced around nervously, playing with the sheets, "Uh...how was it?"
Rouge raised an eyebrow, "How was what?"
"You know...when Knuckles kissed you...how was it?" Amy said, blushing. She was curious since she had never been kiss before.
Rouge grinned, a dreamy look on her first, "It was, well, magical...nothing can really describe a kiss like that...Who would've thought that Knuckles knew how to kiss?"
Amy giggled at that, "Do you think Sonic will kiss me one day?"
Rouge winked, "I know he'll come around one day. You just got to give it time. Stop pushing yourself on him. He'll come around soon enough."
"I hope so." Amy said before tucking under the covers, Rouge doing the same. "G'Night Rouge!"
"'Night Amy." Rouge yawned before drifting off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In Tarosamo's room, the guys were having a similar discussion. Tarosamo let Knuckles have the bed since, after all, Knuckles IS his prince. Sonic was in a sleeping bag that he brought with him. Tails also had his own sleeping bag, and was fast asleep, and Tarosamo was knocked out on the couch.
Sonic was grinning from ear to ear, "Man, Knux, I would've never known that YOU of all people would actually fall in love! And with your rival of all people!"
Knuckles was too tired to do anything, he pulled the covers over his head to block out that hedgehog's annoying voice.
Sonic didn't care, he still ranted on, "So, is she a good kisser? I always thought of her as one. Don't think I want to find out though. And when did you learn to dance? I always thought you had two left feet. And than that last dance—"
Knuckles was growing red, "Sonic, shut up!" He threw a pillow at Sonic, smacking him in the face.
"Ow! What was that for?" The hedgehog shouted, holding his nose.
Knuckles turned back over, pulling the blanket over his head, "You talk too much, now go to sleep!" He growled through the sheets.
Sonic sighed, "Fine. Night Knux." He went to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sameo was grinning as Slice entered his domain, with the black jewel, and Black Light fluttering behind. He quickly snatched the jewel from Slice's hand. "Ah! Finally! I now hold the power that will make this world mine!"
Slice rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I quit. I got you the jewel, now can I leave?"
Sameo glared at her, "I have no use for you now." He waved her off, "And as for you, Black Light, as promise, you can now regain your previous form."
Black Light eyes lighten up. Slice glanced at the butterfly, "Previous form?"
The butterfly nodded, 'I'll explain later.'
Sameo grinned, "I'll turn you back, as soon as I get rid of wasted space. Slice, your services is no longer needed."
Slice eyes widen as Sameo hand snapped in front of her, forming a small blast. Slice backed up. "Wha—what are you doing?!"
Black Light eyes also widen, 'Lord Sameo! Don't kill her!'
Sameo rolled his eyes, "Be quiet, insect. Do you want me to turn you back or not?"
Black Light sighed in defeat, 'Yes...'
Slice was furious, "You can't kill me! I got you that stupid jewel!"
The dragon was getting tired with them. "I can do anything I want." And with that said, a blast shoots out from his hand hitting her square in the chest.
"Ahhh!" Slice screamed as the blast made contact, crashing her into a wall. She fell down to the ground, unmoving. "And as for you, Black Light, I will return you to your previous form."
Black Light said nothing as a light surrounded him. He closed his eyes as the light blinded the room. Once the light cleared, Black Light opened his eyes. He looked down at himself...instead of being a butterfly; he was now...a beautiful Black Panther. No longer did he have wings, but arms. He could touch the ground! Oh, how that felt good!
Snapping out of it, he remembered Slice and hurriedly hushed over to her side. "Slice? Slice! What have you done to her?" It felt good to actually speak again, if it wasn't for the situation, he'll be dancing around.
Sameo shrugged his shoulders, not caring. "She's gone. Don't worry about her."
Black Light stood up, willing himself not to cry for the lost. He glared at Sameo, eyes narrowed. "I'll get you for this." He said; his voice deep and deadly.
The dragon smirked, "You dare to challenge me? I don't have time for you. I hold the ultimate power!" He laughed his evil laugh.
The Black Panther growled than charged at Sameo. Stupid mistake, Sameo raised his hand and Black Light stopped dead in his tracks. With a flick of his wrist, the panther went flinging into a nearby wall.
He hit the wall creating a large dent and slid down to the floor. Sameo snorted, "Take them away." He ordered two of his minions that were watching. They quickly obeyed, grabbing the unconscious panther and bat.
Sameo stood, grinning as he held the jewel in his hands. "Finally. Knuckles, prepare for the fight of your life! Muahahaha!" His evil laugh echoed throughout the dimension, sending shivers down whomever spine that heard his evil laughter.
Rouge was tired to a chair in the same room, growling at Sameo. The dragon smiled at her. "Don't worry, Princess, your prince will be here soon enough!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
It was now morning in Paris; the sun was raising high above the horizon. People awoke happily, ready for the brand new day. Everyone awoke peacefully, except for a few certain animals.
"Sonic! Time to wake up!!" Amy knocked on the door to the guys' room.
Behind the door, the guys groan as the knocking got louder. Knuckles growled, putting his head under the pillow. He wasn't exactly a morning person...The knocking soon turned into banging.
"Sonic! Get up! Open the door!" Amy yelled through the door.
"Sonic, just go see what she wants..." Tails whined, annoyed that he was woken from his peaceful slumber.
Sonic dug his head under his pillow, "No way..." His voice said, muffed by the pillow.
Tarosamo was still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the banging on the door.
"Sonic! Tell her to stop! She's your woman!" Knuckles demanded, getting frustrated with the banging.
Sonic sighed, "Fine! Ugh!" He slowly got up from his sleeping bag and disgruntling trotted to the door, opening it, "What do you wa—OW! Amy!" Sonic held his head where Amy had hit him.
"Oops! Sonic, I'm sooo sorry!" She apologized, wanting to bang on the door but hit Sonic instead.
He sighed, rubbing his now sore head, "Its fine, Amy. What do you want?"
Amy smiled sweetly, "Well, we should be getting ready to go, right? You know...to find that jewel?"
Sonic cursed under his breath, "What time is it?"
"Uh...7:40! The earlier the better! That's what Rouge said anyway." Amy said with a small smile.
Knuckles hopped out of the door, his sleep was ruin anyway, "Where is Rouge?"
The pink hedgehog thought, "Uh...I think she said that she was going to get a few things."
"What? By herself? What if something happens to her?!" Knuckles exclaimed, grabbing his shoes and quickly putting them on.
Amy once again smiled (people who smile a lot scares me...), "Rouge said don't worry, she'll be back ASAP!"
Tails was putting his sleeping bag up, "Don't worry, Knuckles. Rouge can take care of herself. And, don't you think someone should wake up Tarosamo?" Tails glanced over at the still sleeping echidna. "Gosh, he could sleep through anything."
Knuckles shrugged, "You wake him. I'm going to find Rouge."
Sonic smirked, "Wow, Knuckles, for someone who only pretends to care for the Master Emerald sure worries a lot."
"Sonic...do us all a favor and SHUT UP!" Knuckles yelled at the blue hedgehog who laughed.
"As you wish, your highness." He mocked bow the echidna.
"Whatever..." And rushed out the door to find the bat.
Amy shook her head, staring at Sonic. Sonic stared back, "What?"
She giggled, "You're so cute!"
Sonic sighed, "Lord, help me..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Knuckles was now leaving the hotel, looking for the female bat. "Now...if I were Rouge, where would I be?" He glanced around the area for any place that may give him an idea on where the bat has gone. "A jewelry store? Worth a try." He jogged over to the jewelry store that was just opening up. Walking in, he glanced around, seeing no one in there but the cashier
"Bonjour, comment peux-je vous aider?" The cashier greeted the echidna in his language.
Now Knuckles wished he took that French class..."Have you seen a bat by any chance?" He asked, hoping that the cashier knew some English.
"Non, je n'ai pas, désolé." The cashier replied back. He knew English, but didn't speak it.
"Uh...is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" Knuckles asked, confused. Now he REALLY wished he took that French class...
The cashier shook his head to conform Knuckles specious. He sighed, "Thanks anyway." And left the store. "Now where would she be? I hope Sameo didn't find her..." He continued his search with no luck. After an hour of searching for Rouge, he saw a few familiar faces, which he hasn't seen since he started this weird adventure. He instantly paled. "Oh crude..." He quickly glanced around for a quick hiding spot, but was too late. They spotted him.
"Hey! It's that red echidna!" One yelled. Yes...the bat minion...
The bats all turned to Knuckles who had a panicked look on his face. "Please, lord, save me! I promise I'll never do wrong again!" Knuckles fell to his knees, praying towards the heavens above. Unfortunately for him, god was taking a vacation.
The bats ran towards Knuckles. His eyes widen and he jumped up from his praying position and begins to run, but he wasn't fast enough...all ten bats grabbed him.
"Ah! Let me go! What do you want from me?!" Knuckles yelled, struggling to break free.
Panada shook her head, "Nope, cutie, you are gonna tell us where Slice is."
"I don't know where she is! Let me go!" Both of his arms were pinned and his legs, and even his poor defenseless tail. One of the bats pulled his tail a little two hard, "YOUCH! DON'T TOUCH MY TAIL!!" He yelped, trying harder than ever to get free from their grasp.
Betsey stepped fourth, "Where is Rouge?"
Knuckles stopped struggling, "Rouge? I don't know! I was looking for her before you all grabbed me like I'm a wanted convict!"
"You don't know where Rouge is?" Betsey asked again.
"Look, I said I didn't know. Now let me go you Big Cat wannabe!" Knuckles was growing frustrated, as always. Now they were forming a small crowd.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Sonic yelled, running over to the group, followed by Tails, Amy, and Tarosamo.
Knuckles sighed in relief; he never thought he'll be so happy seeing Sonic.
The bats let Knuckles go, staring at the blue hedgehog. Knuckles ran over to the gang.
"Hey...hedgehog! Isn't he cute?" One of the bats said.
Everyone sweat dropped.
Knuckles was slowly backing away, "Uh, guys. I think it'll be wise to...RUN!" He took off, Sonic and the others right behind him, with the bats chasing after them.
Sonic was now in the lead, but not too far ahead of the others. After ten minutes of running, Sonic looked behind him to see if the bats were still chasing. No signed of them, he slowed down before stopping completely. The others stopped as well. "Who were they?" Sonic asked, looking at Knuckles.
Knuckles shrugged, "It's a long story, believe me."
"Right..." The blue hedgehog said when suddenly the wind started to pick up around them. The streets were deserted as leaves swirled around them.
"What's going on? Is there a storm coming in?" Amy asked while the wind picked up even stronger.
Thunder clashed as a figure appeared in front of them.
"Sameo!" Knuckles and Tarosamo exclaimed in unison.
"So this is Sameo? He doesn't look so tough." Sonic smirked at the dragon.
Sameo smirked as well, "Why, hello again, Knuckles, Tarosamo. I see that you gathered some friends? Sonic the hedgehog, I presume?"
"The one and only!" Sonic gave him the peace sign.
"Good. And you must be Miles, or shall I say, Tails Prower?" Tails nodded his confirm, Sameo continued, "And....Amy Rose...."
Amy hid behind Sonic, "How do you know our names?"
"You all are famous around the world. And not only that, I've been watching you all."
Knuckles growled, "Leave us alone, Sameo! We haven't done anything to you! And GIVE ME BACK MY EMERALD!!" He was ready to charge at him, when Sameo pulled out a black jewel.
Tarosamo eyes widen, "That's...the Joya De La Oscuridad!" Everyone gasped.
"So, that is the Joya De La Oscuridad..." Tails said in thought, looking at the jewel that Sameo held.
Sameo smirked evilly at them, "Ah...I see that you are one member short..."
Knuckles then remembered the white bat. "Rouge! What have you done to her?! Tell me!"
"What makes you think that I have her?"
"You don't have her...?" The red echidna asked in disbelief.
"Of course I do." He laughed, snapping his fingers. Rouge appeared a second later gagged and bond, struggling to break free.
"Rouge!" They all yelled, Knuckles ran to her, jumping at her, but before he could get her, she disappeared.
"Give her back to me!" Knuckles demanded.
"Come and get her." Sameo said before disappearing too.
"Ugh! When I get my hands on him, I'll kill him!" Needless to say, Knuckles was P'Oed.
"Calm down, man. We'll get her back." Sonic said, trying to calm his friend down.
Tails turned to Tarosamo, "Tarosamo, do you know where Sameo could be?"
The other echidna nodded, "Yes, I do. He resides in another dimension. In order to get there, we need the Joya De La Luz."
Knuckles groan, "Not another treasure hunt!"
Amy frown, "Knuckles, do you want to save Rouge or not?"
He sighed, "I do..."
"Then stop complaining."
He said nothing to that, but said, "Let's go. I don't want her there any longer than she has to be. Where's this jewel, Tarosamo?" Knuckles asked his companion, though he won't let Taro know that he thinks of him as a companion, let alone his friend.
Tarosamo placed a hand under his chin, in deep thought. "It's been centuries since the last time I've lead eyes on those jewels..."
"Centuries?" Tails asked, "How old are you, Tarosamo?"
Tarosamo smirked lightly, "I am actually a thousand years old but I appear to be 21."
"WHAT?!?!" Everyone exclaimed, their eyes popping out of their heads. "How do you get to leave so long?" The young fox asked, as he was the first to recover from the shock.
Tarosamo begun to explained, "The echidnas on my home planet can life for a very long time. I have actually been your family ambassador for 700 years, Knuckles."
"How long do they live for?" Sonic asked him.
"They could live as long as life. Some are known to live for a couple million years." Tarosamo continued.
"What!?! Why the hell haven't you told me this before?!" Knuckles yelled, "There's no way someone could live that long! Then how did my father and mother died?"
"Unfortunately, Prince, before they left, they were struck with a deadly disease that could even perish the strongest of species."
"So...what you're trying to say is that Knuckles can practically live forever? Like almost immortal?" Amy asked.
"That is correct, Amy."
"I can't live that long...it's not fair!" Knuckles was about ready to pull out his dreadlocks, "What about Rouge, then?" He asked, the idea of Rouge leaving him was too much. He couldn't bear the thought of her leaving him.
Tarosamo wasn't sure if he wanted to tell him about that, but he had the right to know. "Knuckles...I'll tell you what would happen...but it would be best if I told you in private."
"What do you have to tell him that you can't tell us?" Sonic asked, crossing his arms.
Tarosamo said nothing. He left, telling Knuckles to follow him. Knuckles sighed, "I'll be back guys." He jogged after the other echidna.
Sonic rolled his eyes, "Can you believe that? Knuckles can live almost forever? I don't really believe that echidna..."
Amy giggled, "But what if he is telling the truth? What if Knuckles really is from a planet that only have echidnas and that Tarosamo is a thousand years old and has been serving Knuckles family for seven hundred years and that Knuckles really can live that long!"
"It still sounds fishy to me." Sonic said, still unconvinced, "What do you think, little buddy?"
Tails smiled sheepishly, "He could be telling the truth...I don't think Tarosamo could make up something like that..."
Sonic sighed, "Fine, fine. If you say so..." They waited for the two to return.
~*~*~*~*~
That's it for chapter twelve. Who would've thought that Knuckles could live so long? And a prince? Sorry, but I think I was thinking about Tenchi when I was writing this fic...eh...oh well. This story is taking all kinds of twists and turns! This seems like it has...I dunno...a little fantasy in it? Totally AU now...Review please!
PS: Unfortunately, Shadow won't be appearing in this story. ( I have my reasons...^_^ I hope you enjoy it anyway!
The party lasted well after midnight for the gang. Once it was over, the gang was all tired and ready to hit the sack. Unfortunately for Rouge and Knuckles, Sonic, Tails, and Amy needed a place to stay while they were there, so Amy suggested that she and Rouge could stay in Rouge's and Knuckles' room, while the guys roomed with Tarosamo, so she and Rouge could have a 'girls' talk. Of course, Tarosamo wasn't too happy about that, but didn't object.
Amy sat on the bed, surrounded by dozens of pink suitcases. Rouge rolled her eyes, "Amy, do you really need all that stuff?"
Amy smiled, "Yeah! You never know what might happen. I always come extra prepare!"
"Well, mind clearing off the bed?" Rouge walked over to the bed as Amy started moving her things.
"How come you didn't bring anything, Rouge?" The pink hedgehog asked as she pushed her suitcases under the bed.
Rouge shrug, "Not much that I do need."
Amy nodded, "Hey, Rouge..."
"What is it, Amy?" Rouge was getting annoyed, all she wanted was sleep.
Amy glanced around nervously, playing with the sheets, "Uh...how was it?"
Rouge raised an eyebrow, "How was what?"
"You know...when Knuckles kissed you...how was it?" Amy said, blushing. She was curious since she had never been kiss before.
Rouge grinned, a dreamy look on her first, "It was, well, magical...nothing can really describe a kiss like that...Who would've thought that Knuckles knew how to kiss?"
Amy giggled at that, "Do you think Sonic will kiss me one day?"
Rouge winked, "I know he'll come around one day. You just got to give it time. Stop pushing yourself on him. He'll come around soon enough."
"I hope so." Amy said before tucking under the covers, Rouge doing the same. "G'Night Rouge!"
"'Night Amy." Rouge yawned before drifting off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In Tarosamo's room, the guys were having a similar discussion. Tarosamo let Knuckles have the bed since, after all, Knuckles IS his prince. Sonic was in a sleeping bag that he brought with him. Tails also had his own sleeping bag, and was fast asleep, and Tarosamo was knocked out on the couch.
Sonic was grinning from ear to ear, "Man, Knux, I would've never known that YOU of all people would actually fall in love! And with your rival of all people!"
Knuckles was too tired to do anything, he pulled the covers over his head to block out that hedgehog's annoying voice.
Sonic didn't care, he still ranted on, "So, is she a good kisser? I always thought of her as one. Don't think I want to find out though. And when did you learn to dance? I always thought you had two left feet. And than that last dance—"
Knuckles was growing red, "Sonic, shut up!" He threw a pillow at Sonic, smacking him in the face.
"Ow! What was that for?" The hedgehog shouted, holding his nose.
Knuckles turned back over, pulling the blanket over his head, "You talk too much, now go to sleep!" He growled through the sheets.
Sonic sighed, "Fine. Night Knux." He went to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sameo was grinning as Slice entered his domain, with the black jewel, and Black Light fluttering behind. He quickly snatched the jewel from Slice's hand. "Ah! Finally! I now hold the power that will make this world mine!"
Slice rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I quit. I got you the jewel, now can I leave?"
Sameo glared at her, "I have no use for you now." He waved her off, "And as for you, Black Light, as promise, you can now regain your previous form."
Black Light eyes lighten up. Slice glanced at the butterfly, "Previous form?"
The butterfly nodded, 'I'll explain later.'
Sameo grinned, "I'll turn you back, as soon as I get rid of wasted space. Slice, your services is no longer needed."
Slice eyes widen as Sameo hand snapped in front of her, forming a small blast. Slice backed up. "Wha—what are you doing?!"
Black Light eyes also widen, 'Lord Sameo! Don't kill her!'
Sameo rolled his eyes, "Be quiet, insect. Do you want me to turn you back or not?"
Black Light sighed in defeat, 'Yes...'
Slice was furious, "You can't kill me! I got you that stupid jewel!"
The dragon was getting tired with them. "I can do anything I want." And with that said, a blast shoots out from his hand hitting her square in the chest.
"Ahhh!" Slice screamed as the blast made contact, crashing her into a wall. She fell down to the ground, unmoving. "And as for you, Black Light, I will return you to your previous form."
Black Light said nothing as a light surrounded him. He closed his eyes as the light blinded the room. Once the light cleared, Black Light opened his eyes. He looked down at himself...instead of being a butterfly; he was now...a beautiful Black Panther. No longer did he have wings, but arms. He could touch the ground! Oh, how that felt good!
Snapping out of it, he remembered Slice and hurriedly hushed over to her side. "Slice? Slice! What have you done to her?" It felt good to actually speak again, if it wasn't for the situation, he'll be dancing around.
Sameo shrugged his shoulders, not caring. "She's gone. Don't worry about her."
Black Light stood up, willing himself not to cry for the lost. He glared at Sameo, eyes narrowed. "I'll get you for this." He said; his voice deep and deadly.
The dragon smirked, "You dare to challenge me? I don't have time for you. I hold the ultimate power!" He laughed his evil laugh.
The Black Panther growled than charged at Sameo. Stupid mistake, Sameo raised his hand and Black Light stopped dead in his tracks. With a flick of his wrist, the panther went flinging into a nearby wall.
He hit the wall creating a large dent and slid down to the floor. Sameo snorted, "Take them away." He ordered two of his minions that were watching. They quickly obeyed, grabbing the unconscious panther and bat.
Sameo stood, grinning as he held the jewel in his hands. "Finally. Knuckles, prepare for the fight of your life! Muahahaha!" His evil laugh echoed throughout the dimension, sending shivers down whomever spine that heard his evil laughter.
Rouge was tired to a chair in the same room, growling at Sameo. The dragon smiled at her. "Don't worry, Princess, your prince will be here soon enough!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
It was now morning in Paris; the sun was raising high above the horizon. People awoke happily, ready for the brand new day. Everyone awoke peacefully, except for a few certain animals.
"Sonic! Time to wake up!!" Amy knocked on the door to the guys' room.
Behind the door, the guys groan as the knocking got louder. Knuckles growled, putting his head under the pillow. He wasn't exactly a morning person...The knocking soon turned into banging.
"Sonic! Get up! Open the door!" Amy yelled through the door.
"Sonic, just go see what she wants..." Tails whined, annoyed that he was woken from his peaceful slumber.
Sonic dug his head under his pillow, "No way..." His voice said, muffed by the pillow.
Tarosamo was still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the banging on the door.
"Sonic! Tell her to stop! She's your woman!" Knuckles demanded, getting frustrated with the banging.
Sonic sighed, "Fine! Ugh!" He slowly got up from his sleeping bag and disgruntling trotted to the door, opening it, "What do you wa—OW! Amy!" Sonic held his head where Amy had hit him.
"Oops! Sonic, I'm sooo sorry!" She apologized, wanting to bang on the door but hit Sonic instead.
He sighed, rubbing his now sore head, "Its fine, Amy. What do you want?"
Amy smiled sweetly, "Well, we should be getting ready to go, right? You know...to find that jewel?"
Sonic cursed under his breath, "What time is it?"
"Uh...7:40! The earlier the better! That's what Rouge said anyway." Amy said with a small smile.
Knuckles hopped out of the door, his sleep was ruin anyway, "Where is Rouge?"
The pink hedgehog thought, "Uh...I think she said that she was going to get a few things."
"What? By herself? What if something happens to her?!" Knuckles exclaimed, grabbing his shoes and quickly putting them on.
Amy once again smiled (people who smile a lot scares me...), "Rouge said don't worry, she'll be back ASAP!"
Tails was putting his sleeping bag up, "Don't worry, Knuckles. Rouge can take care of herself. And, don't you think someone should wake up Tarosamo?" Tails glanced over at the still sleeping echidna. "Gosh, he could sleep through anything."
Knuckles shrugged, "You wake him. I'm going to find Rouge."
Sonic smirked, "Wow, Knuckles, for someone who only pretends to care for the Master Emerald sure worries a lot."
"Sonic...do us all a favor and SHUT UP!" Knuckles yelled at the blue hedgehog who laughed.
"As you wish, your highness." He mocked bow the echidna.
"Whatever..." And rushed out the door to find the bat.
Amy shook her head, staring at Sonic. Sonic stared back, "What?"
She giggled, "You're so cute!"
Sonic sighed, "Lord, help me..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Knuckles was now leaving the hotel, looking for the female bat. "Now...if I were Rouge, where would I be?" He glanced around the area for any place that may give him an idea on where the bat has gone. "A jewelry store? Worth a try." He jogged over to the jewelry store that was just opening up. Walking in, he glanced around, seeing no one in there but the cashier
"Bonjour, comment peux-je vous aider?" The cashier greeted the echidna in his language.
Now Knuckles wished he took that French class..."Have you seen a bat by any chance?" He asked, hoping that the cashier knew some English.
"Non, je n'ai pas, désolé." The cashier replied back. He knew English, but didn't speak it.
"Uh...is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" Knuckles asked, confused. Now he REALLY wished he took that French class...
The cashier shook his head to conform Knuckles specious. He sighed, "Thanks anyway." And left the store. "Now where would she be? I hope Sameo didn't find her..." He continued his search with no luck. After an hour of searching for Rouge, he saw a few familiar faces, which he hasn't seen since he started this weird adventure. He instantly paled. "Oh crude..." He quickly glanced around for a quick hiding spot, but was too late. They spotted him.
"Hey! It's that red echidna!" One yelled. Yes...the bat minion...
The bats all turned to Knuckles who had a panicked look on his face. "Please, lord, save me! I promise I'll never do wrong again!" Knuckles fell to his knees, praying towards the heavens above. Unfortunately for him, god was taking a vacation.
The bats ran towards Knuckles. His eyes widen and he jumped up from his praying position and begins to run, but he wasn't fast enough...all ten bats grabbed him.
"Ah! Let me go! What do you want from me?!" Knuckles yelled, struggling to break free.
Panada shook her head, "Nope, cutie, you are gonna tell us where Slice is."
"I don't know where she is! Let me go!" Both of his arms were pinned and his legs, and even his poor defenseless tail. One of the bats pulled his tail a little two hard, "YOUCH! DON'T TOUCH MY TAIL!!" He yelped, trying harder than ever to get free from their grasp.
Betsey stepped fourth, "Where is Rouge?"
Knuckles stopped struggling, "Rouge? I don't know! I was looking for her before you all grabbed me like I'm a wanted convict!"
"You don't know where Rouge is?" Betsey asked again.
"Look, I said I didn't know. Now let me go you Big Cat wannabe!" Knuckles was growing frustrated, as always. Now they were forming a small crowd.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Sonic yelled, running over to the group, followed by Tails, Amy, and Tarosamo.
Knuckles sighed in relief; he never thought he'll be so happy seeing Sonic.
The bats let Knuckles go, staring at the blue hedgehog. Knuckles ran over to the gang.
"Hey...hedgehog! Isn't he cute?" One of the bats said.
Everyone sweat dropped.
Knuckles was slowly backing away, "Uh, guys. I think it'll be wise to...RUN!" He took off, Sonic and the others right behind him, with the bats chasing after them.
Sonic was now in the lead, but not too far ahead of the others. After ten minutes of running, Sonic looked behind him to see if the bats were still chasing. No signed of them, he slowed down before stopping completely. The others stopped as well. "Who were they?" Sonic asked, looking at Knuckles.
Knuckles shrugged, "It's a long story, believe me."
"Right..." The blue hedgehog said when suddenly the wind started to pick up around them. The streets were deserted as leaves swirled around them.
"What's going on? Is there a storm coming in?" Amy asked while the wind picked up even stronger.
Thunder clashed as a figure appeared in front of them.
"Sameo!" Knuckles and Tarosamo exclaimed in unison.
"So this is Sameo? He doesn't look so tough." Sonic smirked at the dragon.
Sameo smirked as well, "Why, hello again, Knuckles, Tarosamo. I see that you gathered some friends? Sonic the hedgehog, I presume?"
"The one and only!" Sonic gave him the peace sign.
"Good. And you must be Miles, or shall I say, Tails Prower?" Tails nodded his confirm, Sameo continued, "And....Amy Rose...."
Amy hid behind Sonic, "How do you know our names?"
"You all are famous around the world. And not only that, I've been watching you all."
Knuckles growled, "Leave us alone, Sameo! We haven't done anything to you! And GIVE ME BACK MY EMERALD!!" He was ready to charge at him, when Sameo pulled out a black jewel.
Tarosamo eyes widen, "That's...the Joya De La Oscuridad!" Everyone gasped.
"So, that is the Joya De La Oscuridad..." Tails said in thought, looking at the jewel that Sameo held.
Sameo smirked evilly at them, "Ah...I see that you are one member short..."
Knuckles then remembered the white bat. "Rouge! What have you done to her?! Tell me!"
"What makes you think that I have her?"
"You don't have her...?" The red echidna asked in disbelief.
"Of course I do." He laughed, snapping his fingers. Rouge appeared a second later gagged and bond, struggling to break free.
"Rouge!" They all yelled, Knuckles ran to her, jumping at her, but before he could get her, she disappeared.
"Give her back to me!" Knuckles demanded.
"Come and get her." Sameo said before disappearing too.
"Ugh! When I get my hands on him, I'll kill him!" Needless to say, Knuckles was P'Oed.
"Calm down, man. We'll get her back." Sonic said, trying to calm his friend down.
Tails turned to Tarosamo, "Tarosamo, do you know where Sameo could be?"
The other echidna nodded, "Yes, I do. He resides in another dimension. In order to get there, we need the Joya De La Luz."
Knuckles groan, "Not another treasure hunt!"
Amy frown, "Knuckles, do you want to save Rouge or not?"
He sighed, "I do..."
"Then stop complaining."
He said nothing to that, but said, "Let's go. I don't want her there any longer than she has to be. Where's this jewel, Tarosamo?" Knuckles asked his companion, though he won't let Taro know that he thinks of him as a companion, let alone his friend.
Tarosamo placed a hand under his chin, in deep thought. "It's been centuries since the last time I've lead eyes on those jewels..."
"Centuries?" Tails asked, "How old are you, Tarosamo?"
Tarosamo smirked lightly, "I am actually a thousand years old but I appear to be 21."
"WHAT?!?!" Everyone exclaimed, their eyes popping out of their heads. "How do you get to leave so long?" The young fox asked, as he was the first to recover from the shock.
Tarosamo begun to explained, "The echidnas on my home planet can life for a very long time. I have actually been your family ambassador for 700 years, Knuckles."
"How long do they live for?" Sonic asked him.
"They could live as long as life. Some are known to live for a couple million years." Tarosamo continued.
"What!?! Why the hell haven't you told me this before?!" Knuckles yelled, "There's no way someone could live that long! Then how did my father and mother died?"
"Unfortunately, Prince, before they left, they were struck with a deadly disease that could even perish the strongest of species."
"So...what you're trying to say is that Knuckles can practically live forever? Like almost immortal?" Amy asked.
"That is correct, Amy."
"I can't live that long...it's not fair!" Knuckles was about ready to pull out his dreadlocks, "What about Rouge, then?" He asked, the idea of Rouge leaving him was too much. He couldn't bear the thought of her leaving him.
Tarosamo wasn't sure if he wanted to tell him about that, but he had the right to know. "Knuckles...I'll tell you what would happen...but it would be best if I told you in private."
"What do you have to tell him that you can't tell us?" Sonic asked, crossing his arms.
Tarosamo said nothing. He left, telling Knuckles to follow him. Knuckles sighed, "I'll be back guys." He jogged after the other echidna.
Sonic rolled his eyes, "Can you believe that? Knuckles can live almost forever? I don't really believe that echidna..."
Amy giggled, "But what if he is telling the truth? What if Knuckles really is from a planet that only have echidnas and that Tarosamo is a thousand years old and has been serving Knuckles family for seven hundred years and that Knuckles really can live that long!"
"It still sounds fishy to me." Sonic said, still unconvinced, "What do you think, little buddy?"
Tails smiled sheepishly, "He could be telling the truth...I don't think Tarosamo could make up something like that..."
Sonic sighed, "Fine, fine. If you say so..." They waited for the two to return.
~*~*~*~*~
That's it for chapter twelve. Who would've thought that Knuckles could live so long? And a prince? Sorry, but I think I was thinking about Tenchi when I was writing this fic...eh...oh well. This story is taking all kinds of twists and turns! This seems like it has...I dunno...a little fantasy in it? Totally AU now...Review please!
PS: Unfortunately, Shadow won't be appearing in this story. ( I have my reasons...^_^ I hope you enjoy it anyway!