With the walls caving in around them Knuckles was desperate to put an end to this episode. Scaris relentlessly attacked with combinations of kicks and punches but there was no way he could keep that pace up. Blood was flying from his mouth and he hastily kept wiping his eyes as they became clouded by the falling debris. Were they going to make it out alive?

Knuckles saw his chance and leapt into action he smacked down hard on Scaris' head with enough force to hopefully knock him unconscious but not actually crack upon his skull! The bat collapsed onto the floor but he was still breathing.

"Take him back to the surface while I climb back up." Knuckles said to Rouge.

"What? Are you crazy? You won't make it back up there! We'll leave this piece of trash behind and save ourselves."

"We can't just leave him here! Just take him," Knuckles pleaded placing a shaking hand on her shoulder. "I'm exhausted I can't climb back up with him as well please Rouge?"

Reluctantly she took to the skies and disappeared amongst the falling rocks.

The lower chamber was now turning into a deadly pit filling up with boulders and larger rocks falling from the cave ceiling. The bats were leaving in their hundreds high above getting to the surface as fast as they could.

Knuckles' arms felt like jelly and his hands were aching but he couldn't pause now he had to find someway to get out. He tried digging in a clear spot to get away from the falling rocks and was met by a loud 'clang'. Knuckles retrieved his fist from the ground and brought out stones with glistening white fragments embedded inside – diamonds. This part of the floor was crammed with diamonds! If only Rouge had stuck around…

"Okay no time for treasure looks like we're going up."

He took it slowly at first getting a firm grip and laboriously began the long climb. He tried not to punch into the rock too hard as his knuckles were throbbing in agony but the rocks continued to rain down on him and if he wasn't fast enough they were going to knock him off the wall. As he dragged his weary body up the rock face he thought he might actually make it.

When Knuckles came to his senses he was at the bottom of the pit again. Having been caught by a shower of smaller stones he'd lost his grip and fell. Things were not looking promising as he began to cough and choke with the dust. This wasn't the location he had envisaged to be his final resting place and if Sonic ever found out he would have a laughing fit. Death didn't frighten Knuckles, he imagined that all the burning questions in his head about his people and the floating island would finally be answered. His spirit would become one with the master emerald but he wouldn't see Rouge ever again. This thought saddened more than he expected.

"Do you require a lift?" A familiar snotty voice shouted out amongst the filth.

Knuckles felt himself being lifted up by the stomach and flying up into the air. It was a crazy ride Chiroptera was dancing and diving all over the place to get past the shooting rocks. As they made it back onto the higher tier they spotted two familiar figures struggling. Scaris had woken up.

"Get your hands off me you stinking rat." Rouge slapped Scaris across the face but he just leered at her and smiled.

"This isn't over you bitch! You're never going to leave the bat colony – you hear me?" At this he began to drag Rouge back towards the collapsing tunnels.

"Get the hell off her!" Knuckles yelled, "That's the last time you call her a bitch. You hear me?" He knocked Scaris from his feet and pulled Rouge protectively behind him. His face was like thunder and Rouge astonished by his words couldn't help but blush.

"You should come with us Scaris if you want to save your own hide." Chiroptera reasoned with the younger bat. "It's over, you can't do anymore now. Come with me."

But Scaris shook his head and moved backwards towards the edge of the platform. The others watched in horror as he continued to walk deliberately backwards. Chiroptera turned away and with haste made her way towards the tunnel entrance. She did not wait for Rouge, the whole community would need guidance and calming down. This ordeal would come as a great shock to many.

Rouge peered over the edge and spotted Scaris falling to his death. His arms were crossed over his body and his face a picture of horrific serenity. For the first time in his troubled young life he was content to leave the world behind. She felt no regret, only pity for her former childhood friend. It was he who had taught her how to skim stones so well all those years ago. She couldn't understand what had happened to him to make him turn into such a monster. Knuckles took her hand leading her away from the mayhem and destruction, she didn't protest.

Chiroptera watched as the tunnel entrance caved in there was no way Rouge and the echidna could escape now. The young pups were whimpering as the females tried to sooth their cries. The males stood expectantly awaiting the orders of their elderly leader.

"What is to become of us now?" They asked.

"We shall build a new colony. Salvage what we can and rebuild the foundations of course. We shall also elect a new heir to take my place, but do not worry my friends there is plenty of time for all that. We need a scouting party to look for a new home any volunteers?"

All members of the colony raised their hands and Chiroptera gazed at them proudly.

It was the hour before dawn in nearby Hill Top Zone. Below a small patch of dirt began to shake and rumble, slowly at first and then with gathering momentum the whole floor shook. A single white fist pierced the ground and sent a shower of turf and mud into the air.

"Just made it." Knuckles gasped hoisting himself out of the muddy hole and collapsing on his back. He couldn't do anymore, that was it he'd have to sleep for at least a week before he could move again. Rouge slid by his side and began to caress his dreadlocks fondly. Knuckles by this point was too tired to be embarrassed, he relaxed. She let her fingers play with his hair he shivered slightly feelings of electric touch washing over his head.

The stars overhead twinkled brightly and a light breeze blew. After such a long day it was nice to take it all in. Just lying there keeping each other company felt quite natural. Knuckles sighed deeply and looked towards the bat's direction. She was looking at him intensely her aqua eyes shining in the moonlight. He smiled shyly back unsure how to respond. She rubbed her nose lightly against his and tilted her head just ever so slightly so their lips brushed against each other.

Transfixed Knuckles couldn't tear himself away. What was she playing at? He didn't want this to be another game he couldn't bear to think that she might teasing him. Inexperienced and vulnerable he was desperate to pull away and run back to the floating island with its hard stone floor and coldness of the master emerald. He didn't move Rouge pressed her lips over his and began to kiss him slowly. It was so soft and tender Knuckles couldn't hide his surprise, he put his palm between them but Rouge guided it to her waist instead.

She was still kissing him gently. Fireworks were exploding in his mind. Instinct was taking over in waves of hungry yearning but still he resisted. He didn't want to give in what would happen? These feelings were overpowering and frightening, his first kiss was turning into a battle of wills. His hands wandered to her face and began to stroke the soft white fur. She didn't flinch only responded by wrapping his strong arms around her neck and kissed him harder. His eyes were rolling into the back of his head he couldn't take it anymore. He didn't care what happened he wanted it to happen right now.

So he sat up and began to kiss her in return. It was Rouge's turn for surprise as he pulled her close his arms formed a protective cocoon around her. He caressed her long ears and for the first time during a kiss she closed her eyes allowing herself to become lost in the moment.