Chapter Two

Scaris had caught up to them.

"Been twelve years hasn't it Rougie? Long time no see, not even a postcard."

In this particular chamber it was significantly brighter than before and at last they could see Rouge's fiancé Scaris in all his batty glory. He was an extravert in every way. A green furred bat with black stripes on his enormous ears and well toned body. He wore a bandana and even sported a solid gold tooth when he smiled. A black leather belt hung around his waist with a silver dagger swinging precariously with every step he took. Whereas Rouge covered herself with defensive body armour Scaris held no such worries about his own mortal being. A deep black scar ran from the top left of his ear to his cheek.

"Not long enough for me," Rouge snapped back. "I've moved on."

Scaris hammered a closed fist into the female bat's ribcage and patiently caught her as she fell. He took a deep breath and smelt her fur grinning to himself.

Rouge caught by surprise was gasping for air and threw her arms out between their two bodies trying to escape.

Scaris pressed her against the wall, pinning her ears back and rubbing his nose against hers.

"You're mine," He whispered savagely. "Now watch the show like a good girl while I finish off your little friend."

Scaris made a charge at Knuckles with frightening determination. He unsheathed his dagger and began carving up the air in front of him.

The echidna somersaulted backwards and watched out the corner of his eye as the bat quickly changed direction to follow him. As he landed the bat was mere seconds behind him and formulated a new plan of attack.

Knuckles headed for open ground further up the tunnel. There was no point trapping himself with no space to manoeuvre in these caves. Scaris followed and smirked as his opponent climbed onto the walls far above him.

"Running away up there are we? Don't know much about bats do you?" His black wings exploded into action taking off with immense speed.

This however was what Knuckles had been banking on and he glided to a nearby stalactite hanging from the ceiling. As Scaris drew near he began to punch the centre making it crack in the middle. The spike was now hanging by on a thread he let go and glided back to the side wall as Scaris was caught full in the face.

The stalactite and the bat fell awkwardly tangled up together. The impact sent a cloud of dust in the air and caught the attention of a number of other bats nearby. Suddenly Knuckles was surrounded by hundreds of pairs of beady little eyes and sharp white teeth.

Scaris had survived but the golden tooth which he prided himself on was missing. He crawled out from underneath the debris and shakily got to his feet. He glared at the echidna with his sky blue eyes intent on revenge.

"This is nothing to do with you outsider and don't waste your breath or energy on that bitch. She's nothing but a traitor, she deserves what she gets."

"That is enough Scaris."

All the bats gasped and instantly dispersed back to their everyday business. Scaris spat and tried to stop the bleeding from where his tooth had been 'removed'.

"My name is Chiroptera," The elder female said. "I am the chieftain of the Mystic Cave bats. Those spike formations are well over three hundred years old I would ask you not to remove anymore young man, or you could find yourself facing the wrath of the whole colony," She turned to two bigger male bats and pointed to Knuckles. "Take our spirited red friend to the stream to cool off."

Rouge opened her eyes and upon seeing Chiroptera instantly moaned.

"You have quite the gift Rouge," Chiroptera grinned slyly. "Only you could cause so much trouble in so little time."