Sorry if I kept you waiting but I'm making this up as I go along. It's going to take me a while to fully sketch the robberies; so bear with me. I will try to have the story done before I have to ship off to college. If I don't, I'll make sure I still finish it. I don't start jobs and then leave them undone. Well, here's chapter 4 and the first heist.
The following night, Knuckles found himself heading back to Club Rouge. He had a suitcase with some clothes in them since Rouge said that they would be traveling around a lot. He had a week's worth of clothes, some loose money he had, and a large black box that contained his shrunken Master Emerald.
Knuckles walked to the front of the line, where Sugar Ray was waiting. Sugar Ray said nothing to Knuckles as he walked into the club. Knuckles noticed that Sugar Ray was wearing a hat. Under the hat, Knuckles could see some bandages. He smiled because he knew why they were there.
Knuckles walked up the stairs and all the way back to Rouge's office. Rouge was sitting on her desk like last night. The only thing different about her was that she was in her normal clothes tonight: her heart chest plate, skintight jumpsuit, and her iron boots.
"Hey, Knuckie. It's nice to see you again," she greeted with a wink. "Did you bring my emerald?"
Knuckles opened his suitcase and revealed a big black jewelry box. He opened it to reveal the luster of the Master Emerald.
"It's a small price to pay for your service," said Knuckles.
Rouge's eyes lit up. She finally had the gem that she had been wanting for years. For a while, she only stared at her precious gem. To her, the beauty of the Master Emerald came the closest of all gems to matching her own beauty. Rouge reached for the gem only to have the box almost slammed on her finger. Knuckles pulled the box back over to him and placed it back in his suitcase.
"Not until after we finish the job," said Knuckles.
A presence of anger slowly crept upon Rouge's face. She let out a low snarl at Knuckles. She wanted her gem, but he was forcing her to wait for it. How dare he do that? Rouge was almost tempted to force her way upon the gem, but in the end, she decided against it. If she made any movements towards it, Knuckles might back out of the whole deal. Quickly, she changed her look of anger into her usual cunning smile.
"Anything you say, sweetie. Let's just get started already," she said.
Knuckles and Rouge walked down the stairs and out the door. Before leaving, Rouge addressed Sugar Ray.
"I'll be gone for a few days; so make sure my club isn't ruined while I'm gone, okay," ordered Rouge.
Sugar Ray nodded.
With that, Rouge led Knuckles over to her car. It was her same car from Sonic Adventure 2 with a few alterations. This car was a convertible with two seats instead of one. She also had her engine changed to a V-12 so that it could keep up with Shadow's car.
Rouge popped the trunk for Knuckles to put his stuff. Then, she unlocked the doors and hopped in. Knuckles placed his suitcase in the trunk. There were a lot of things back there including money bags, theft equipment, etc. After closing the trunk, Knuckles got in the passenger's seat.
Before long, they were heading down the streets of Nights Babylon.
"So what are we going to hit first?" asked Rouge.
"How about a gas station?" replied Knuckles.
Rouge said nothing. She just stared at the dumbfounded echidna with a look that said 'Are you serious?'.
"What?"
"Is a gas station the best that you can think of?" asked Rouge.
"On such short notice, it is," Knuckles replied.
"Knuckles, we're not Bonnie and Clyde. We're not robbing a gas station! Think about it. You say that you need a million dollars. Do you honestly think that you can get that much in a week by robbing gas stations?" asked Rouge.
"Well, do you have any ideas?" asked Knuckles.
"As a matter of fact, I do. Let's head to Emerald Town. There's a jewelry store we can rob there."
"Rouge, the kidnappers don't want any jewels," said Knuckles.
Rouge slapped Knuckles upside his head.
"Ow! What was that for?" asked Knuckles.
"For talking out of turn. If you would've let me finish, I would've told you that I have a contact in Emerald Town that'll pay good money for jewelry. We can start here. He should be good for about a hundred thousand," said Rouge.
"Yeah, well, you didn't have to hit me," said Knuckles.
"I know, but I enjoy hitting you," said Rouge with a friendly smile.
Knuckles just sat back in his seat and enjoyed the ride.
Within two hours, they were in Emerald Town. The small town had settled for the night. All the businesses and homes were in darkness.
"Perfect," thought Rouge.
Rouge pulled the car into the driveway of a resident of Emerald Town.
"What are you doing?" asked Knuckles.
"I'm parking, and keep your voice down. You'll wake up the whole neighborhood with your loud mouth," said Rouge.
"I do not have a loud mouth," said Knuckles under his breath. "Why did we park in someone's driveway?"
Rouge popped the trunk and went back to it. "It would look suspicious to be the only car in town this late at night, Knucklehead." She dug through all her equipment and finally found what she was looking for.
"Ah, here they are," she said.
What Rouge did next really surprised him. He gave her a goofy stare as she removed her chest plate and leather jumpsuit. Rouge was standing before him in a bra and her thong.
"Uh, Rouge…" started Knuckles.
"Before you say anything stupid, let me explain. I only stripped down to maximize flexibility in my stealth suit," said Rouge. She eased into her stealth suit (The same one from Sonic X). "Here. I've got one for you, too," she said.
"Huh? Oh, right," said Knuckles coming out of his trance. He took the suit from Rouge.
"Don't be shy, Knuckles. Lose the shirt," she said with a curious smile. "I promise I won't peek."
Rouge placed her hands over her eyes with her same grin on her face. Knuckles looked at her strangely as he took off his shirt and wife beater. Then, he took off his pants. Rouge secretly was peeking at Knuckles when he thought she could not see him. It caused her smile to get wider.
"Not a bad package, Knucklehead. All brawn and no brain, just how I like them," she thought to herself. "Are you done?" she asked aloud.
"You know I am. I saw you peeking," said Knuckles. He stood there in his stealth suit. It had a crescent mark on the front just like he did.
Rouge removed her hands from her eyes. "Why, Knuckles, I do believe your eyes are playing tricks on you again. I swear I did not peek," said Rouge.
"Whatever. It doesn't really matter. Let's get to work," said Knuckles.
Rouge took to the air while Knuckles walked. They both had burlap bags in their hands. The jewelry store was half a block away. When they reached it, Rouge landed next to Knuckles.
"Okay, we're going through the roof. Here's a grappling hook so you won't leave your knuckle prints in the wall," said Rouge.
Knuckles tossed the grappling hook up to the roof and began to climb. Rouge watched from the ground.
"Nice butt, Knuckie. Now, I can see why you're so tight with your belongings," she said as he climbed.
Knuckles shook his head and blushed as Rouge stared at his posterior. He decided it best not to start a scene here in order to not jeopardize the mission. When he reached the roof, Rouge quickly flew up to join him.
"Okay, now let the expert take over," said Rouge.
She walked over to the glass window on the roof and pulled out a glass cutter. She cut out the entire window, and threw it to the side. She gracefully glided down to the floor of the museum. Knuckles jumped down. He made a loud impacting thud.
"Knuckles, we're breaking into a store. That calls for a little less reckless behavior," said Rouge quietly.
"Sorry bout that."
Knuckles turned on a flashlight. Rouge did not need anything because she was a bat. Jewels were everywhere: Rubies, Pearls, Rhinestones, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rouge's favorite, Diamonds.
"Now, what do I take first?" Rouge wondered.
"Just remember that we're doing this for my daughter, not your own personal greed," reminded Knuckles.
"Of course." Rouge picked up a ruby. "Sometimes, a girl has to treat herself, though." She placed the ruby in her stealth suit between her breasts.
"Take that out of your pocket," said Knuckles.
"Don't worry. We'll still have enough to make a good amount of cash from my contact," said Rouge.
"Well, I'm not taking any chances," said Knuckles.
"Party pooper," pouted Rouge.
They began cutting the glass on the display cases and putting the jewels into the burlap bags they brought with them. In thirty minutes, the entire store had been cleaned out.
"How'd you know how to use a glass cutter?" asked Rouge.
"Come on, Rouge. You didn't think that you knew everything about me, did you?" said Knuckles with a smirk.
"Well, no. It's just that you strike me as a more of a good guy than a bad guy," said Rouge.
"Even good guys can have a dark side," said Knuckles.
"True, but do you think that bad girls can have a good side?" asked Rouge.
Knuckles chuckled. "I suppose so."
Rouge giggled in her usual ardent way. There was an awkward silence after that until Rouge spoke up.
"Well, let's get out of here before we get caught."
They were about to leave when Rouge looked up at the roof. Knuckles didn't secure a grappling hook at the top.
"Knuckles, where's the grappling hook?" asked Rouge.
"I have it right here," said Knuckles, revealing the grappling hook.
"So how do you plan to get out of here if the rope is down here?" Rouge asked.
"Like this." Knuckles tossed the grappling hook at the roof, but his aim was off and he broke another window on the roof.
(Alarm)
The loud security alarm started to go off.
"Smooth move, Knucklehead. Let's get out of here before someone sees us," said Rouge.
It was too late. Two GUN mechs emerged from the back. They were both GUN Hunters. The Hunters fired gunshots from the weapons on their hands. Rouge and Knuckles both avoided.
"Give me your bag. I'll meet you with the car. You take care of these mechs," said Rouge.
Knuckles tossed Rouge the bag and she flew off through the open window. The two hunters fired nonstop at Knuckles. Knuckles took cover behind a counter. The hunters sprayed gunshots through the counters. Knuckles moved to the edge. There was a huge piece of glass lying on the floor. Knuckles picked it up.
"I'm right here, metal head," said Knuckles.
One of the hunters fired a laser at Knuckles. He held up the glass. The laser reflected and skewered the other hunter.
"Watch where you're aiming that thing," Knuckles teased.
He ran over to the remaining hunter and dismantled it with his fists. Every punch tore a piece off the hunter until it was scrap. Knuckles burst out the front door just as Rouge came around.
"Hop in, Knucklehead," said Rouge.
Knuckles jumped into the passenger's seat, and Rouge took off at an alarming speed. She turned onto the highway and sped out of Emerald Town.
"You just had to go and screw up, Knuckles," said Rouge.
"It was an accident. Get over it," said Knuckles.
"Get over it? Now, I've got to reschedule the meeting with my contact. We can't stay in Emerald Town any longer because of you," Rouge scolded him.
"I'm sure that you'll figure something out," said Knuckles.
"Damn right. I'm way ahead of the game. I expected you to mess up. That's why I have a plan B. We're going to Station Square. We'll get checked into the hotel there, and I'll handle the rest without you," said Rouge.
"Hey, this is my daughter on the line here," said Knuckles.
"If you ever want to see her again, you're going to have to trust me," Rouge replied.
Rouge turned on the radio. Oddly enough, this song was on the radio. Knuckles looked over at Rouge.
"Bonnie & Clyde"
(Verse 1: Jay-Z)
Look for me! Young, B
Cruisin down the westside - high, way
Doing what we like to do - our, way
Eyes behind shades, this necklace the reason
all of my dates been blind dates
But today, I got my thoroughest girl wit me
I'm mashin the gas, she's grabbin the wheel, it's trippy how hard
She rides with me - the new Bobby and Whitney
Only time we don't speak is during "Sex and the City"
She gets Carrie fever, but soon as the show is over
She's right back to being my soldier
Cuz mami's a rider, and I'm a roller
Put us together, how they gon' stop both us?
What ever she lacks, I'm right over her shoulder
When I'm off track mami is keepin me focused
So let's, lock this down like it's supposed to be
The '03 Bonnie and Clyde, Hov' and B
(Chorus)
Jay All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend.
Bey Down to ride 'til the very end, it's me and my boyfriend.
Jay All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend.
Bey Down to ride 'til the very end, it's me and my boyfriend.
(Verse 2: Jay-Z)
The problem is, you dudes treat the one that you lovin
with the same respect that you treat the one that you humpin
Now they 'bout nothin - if ever you mad about somethin
It won't be that; oh no it won't be that
I don't be at, places where we comfy at
With no be-atch; oh no you won't see that
And no, I ain't perfect - nobody walkin this earth's surface is
But girlfriend, work with the kid
I keep you workin' at Hermes, Birkin Bag
Manolo Blahnik, Timbs, aviator lens
600 drops, Mercedes Benz
The only time you wear Burberry to swim
And I don't have to worry, only worry is him
She do anything necessary for him
And I do anything necessary for her
so don't let the necessary occur, yep!
(Chorus)
(Beyonce)
(Talk to 'em B)
If I was your girlfriend
I'll be there for you, if somebody hurts you
Even if that sombody's me
Yeah-hee (break it down for 'em)
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be
And so I put this on my life
Nobody or nothing will ever come between us
And I promise I'll give my life
my love and my trust if you was my boyfriend
Put this on my life
The air that I breathe in, all that I believe in
I promise I'll give my life
my love and my trust if you was my boyfriend
(Chorus)
Knuckles and Rouge walked into the lobby of the Station Square Hotel. It was very exquisite with golden chandeliers and a fountain. They approached the counter in the lobby.
"Welcome to Station Square Hotel. How may I serve you?" said the attendant.
"We'd like a two bedroom suite," said Knuckles.
"Um, why do you need two beds?" asked the attendant.
Knuckles looked over at Rouge, who just shrugged with a smile. "She's not my girlfriend."
The attendant shrugged it off and handed Knuckles the room key.
"Here you are. That'll be one hundred seventy-five dollars," said the attendant.
Knuckles reached for his wallet, but Rouge went ahead of him and handed the attendant a gold card. The attendant swiped the card before Knuckles could object.
"Thank you, ma'am. Enjoy your stay."
Rouge strutted back past Knuckles.
"It's on the house," she said.
"Thanks."
"Eh, I feel that you ought to enjoy the luxuries while you can because when this thing is all over with, that Master Emerald is coming with me," said Rouge. "Now, be a dear and bring the bags, Knuckie."
"Jay-Z gets Beyonce for his Bonnie, but I'm stuck with London from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody," said Knuckles. "How do I get myself into these things?
He staggered all the way into the room.
Okay. I'll stop there for now. Thanks for waiting. I hope it was worth the wait.
Song was by Jay-Z.
ICY KNUCKLES