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(A/N): So far all my reviews have asked me not to kill Rouge and I want becuase I am a die hard KnucklesXRouge fan, oh and a special thanks to my most loyal reviewer ShadowIsCool you have done great reviewing my stortys and I thank you for that, and the rest of you reviews out there had done good to.

AND THEN SHE WAS THERE

As they all stood close by watching Knuckles weep over Rouge's dead body, the orb appeared. "It is time." "Chosen one you must face the final test, the choice." Amy let go of Shadow and he stepped forward.

With that two bubbles appeared in front of Shadow each one glowed and each held a diffent picture, the first was a picture of Tartress being destroyed, the other held a picture of Rouge as she lay on the floor after the sword had hit her. Then the orb spoke once more.

"You must make the choice, pick the first bubble and Tartress will be gone forever and you may all go home with the forgotten gem, pick the second and Rouge's soul may return to her and your journey may become even more treacherous and life threading for your friends and the ones you love."

Shadow glanced back at Amy, and then to Knuckles who still held Rouge's lifeless body close. "There isn't even a choice." "Bring Rouge back."

"As you wish, you were given the choice between your own desirers and your friends, and you chose your friends, you have proven that your heart over time has remained good and pure, and that you are still the chosen one that you once and always were."

Then Rouge's body began to glow as it was lifted from Knuckle's arms and into the air where it was consumed by a bright light and the others had to shield their eyes from it. After that the light disappeared, and Rouge's body slowly lowered back into Knuckle's arms, he looked at her his eyes were still teary. He shut them wishing the tears would stop then he felt a warm hand on his face it belonged to Rouge.

"Knuckles you are beautiful, when you cry." She said with a smile.

Knuckles gave her a weak smile, as she came closer and whispered into his ear.

"Knuckles can I keep you?" She asked in a soft sweet voice.

Knuckles pulled her closer and whispered into her ear. "Can I kiss you?"

Rouge rapped her arms around Knuckles and gave him a nod. He brought her closer still, and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet and passionate kiss. The others watched, Eclipse crossed his arms and let a small smile appear on his face, Amy was leaning back into Shadow's arms, while her head rested on his shoulder, as they watched the new lovers. They were all still unaware of the Shadowy figure that was watching over them from a dark corner in the rafters. The figure's eyes narrowed on Eclipse, as their eyes became watery. Then the wall began to move it was lowering and there behind it was an alter and sitting on it was a black emerald, it glowed a bright red. When Shadow approached it the glow became stronger. When he touched it he was engulfed in a red light and when it disappeared he also was glowing red, he turned and gave the others an 'its ok' look. But their success was soon interrupted by a huge creature that burst threw the wall of the temple, stone and flames covered parts of its body and hovering next to it was none other than Tartress.

"Thank you for finding the 8th emerald for me Shadow, now hand it over." He said as he eyed Shadow.

"Sorry Tartress but this time you lose." Shadow said as he gave Tartress and evil smile.

"As you wish, if you want give it to me then I will take it from you." With that the monster began to attack the others and Shadow and Tartress were about to go head to head in a battle that would change their lives for ever.

Knuckles was jumping around trying find a weak spot in the monsters defenses but having no luck. Rouge flew in the air giving it kicks also trying to find a weak point also not having any luck. Eclipse pulled out his blade.

"Rouge Knuckles get of the way." With that he shouted an attack "Dark blade." With that streams of dark energy came from the sword and hit the monster, taking a lot out of it but not killing it. The monster was still standing and was about to smash Eclipse with a fiery fist and Eclipse was still trying to regain his strength from the his last attack and didn't have time to get out of the way. Then just as the monster was about to destroy Eclipse the dark figure, that had been following them, jumped from the rafters and pushed themselves and Eclipse out of the way. The dark blue cloak that had covered their face fell, and reviled a beautiful girl fox with creamish colored fur only her tail was tipped white and she wore a small crown on her head and she was wearing a long sleeved shirt that was white and she wore a tan brown skirt that had long splits on each side and a pair of knee high boots witch were a lighter tan than her skirt. She had a sweet smile and her voice sounded as if it was an angle's. Eclipse looked at her with wide eyes.

Eclipse looked at her with wide eyes. "Princess what are you doing here?"