Chapter 6: Knuckles and Rouge

Author's Note: Okay, seriously this time, there is one more chapter after THIS one. Then no more. But this one is short. Sorry.

Another Note: Where are my reviewers? To all my faithful reviewers (Summer/Kal0, Knux Girl, and "mdizzle") out there, I appreciate it.

Third Note: This chapter is really, really sad. Or at least it better be. If not, I'm not a good author.

A crowd of citizens circled around the entrance to the building - Knuckles' point of impact with the sidewalk. Knuckles lay on the ground without motion. The blood that was visible was minimal, yet it was suspected multiple parts of his body were broken. Some assumed he was unconscious, somethought he had deceased. But whatever his condition, no one had touched him or gone near him. An ambulance was called not too long ago, but with the city half-way evacuated, it would be about five or ten minutes before its arrival.

Rouge busted out of the building entrance and shoved her way through the crowd. The sight of Knuckles was a shock. He lay on his back, his eyes closed, his head turned to the right.

Rouge immediately ran to him and kneeled down by his side. She looked over him "Knuckles?" she asked him softly. She didn't get a response. She tilted his head upright. "Knuckles?" she asked again. "Say something..." Knuckles still did not reply. She softly put her hand on his chest. No heartbeat. No signs of breathing.

Her heart sank. Her voice became lost. Her eyes began to burn. The world around her slowly vanished into darkness. It was only her and Knuckles. Her head hung low over him. Why him? Why must Knuckles be the one to die? Knuckles had left his life on the line for everyone else. To save his island, to save the city, to save Rouge.

The painful memory of the Meteor Herd struck. Even after they had fought savagely over the emerald, Knuckles wouldn't let Rouge go. She had to do the same for him.

"Knuckles," she said softly, "wake up. We want you back. We need you back!" She curled her arms around his neck and hugged him warmly. "I need you back, Knuckles."

She slowly uncurled her arms and watched him. Knuckles had never wanted anyone to know who he really was. He had always shown a tough,fearless echidna.Rouge had always been the one to see through him. Deep down, Knuckles was just as caring and sympathetic as anyone else, if not more. That's just what Rouge saw laying in front of her: The sweet, innocent side of Knuckles. This had always been what she wanted.

She hesitantly laid a hand on his cold cheek. She closed her eyes,leaned overand kissed him softly on his lips.

The slow pain finally hit. Her burning eyes couldn't hold anymore. Rouge blinked away a small tear that crawled slowly down her cheek, across her nose, and dripped onto Knuckles' forehead.

She immediately threw herself away from his face and buried her face into his chest. She quietly sobbed and wept for his loss. A distant ambulance siren could now be heard.

She felt Sonic's hand pat her gently on the back. "Not now, Sonic," she said without turning to him. She soon felt another hand on her back, but its arm was on the other side. They both seemed to press her gently into Knuckles more. This seems strange, she thought. How can the same person have both of these arms unless...

She stopped sobbing. She pulled her heavy head up. "Knuckles?"

"Rouge...?"

Knuckles' eyes slowly opened. Rouge quickly wiped away her tears. "Knuckles?" she asked again. "Are... are you okay?"

Knuckles carefully pulled his arms back and lifted himself upright. He smiled. "I'm fine."

Rouge threw her arms around him and quickly squeezed him. "Knuckles, you're alive!" The crowd she had forgotten about cheered and clapped.

Knuckles chuckled and hugged her back. "Yeah, I should be okay." The ambulance siren was now wailing. The ambulance revealed itself from a nearby street corner and halted beside the crowd. Two medics rushed out and helped him to his feet. Knuckles repeatedly told the two he felt fine, but the medics told him it was for is own health.

They lead him through two double doors in the back of the ambulance. Rouge tried to go in with him, but was immidiately ushered out by the medics.

"Rouge!" Knuckles shouted from the back of the ambulance. "I've gotta ask, why did you stand in the missile's way?"

"Because then I knew you'd save me,"Rouge said with a smile and a wink.

Knuckles smiled too.