Rouge sailed through the violet skies, like an intimidating, sexy pirate traveling the wavy entrapment of the heavens, towards the wretched castle of the Umbrian monarchs. Her curvaceous outline against the sun kissed horizon built up a terrifying image of an ominous witch that frightens young children even in their nightmares. Outlooking the twilight sky, she longed for the twinkling stars that look so similar to small diamonds in the rough.

Knuckles notified her earlier that King Opaque desired to request a favor for a certain job he needs her to do. Rouge wondered and pondered at this: since when did the king ask for her to do a favor? Most of the time who they really ask is the fantastic, marvelous Knuckles who do most of the special missions. She thought of this with no remorse and despised the idea of her jobs concerning…well, sensuous situations.

On the other hand, if it involved some jewels of course, I'm sure he wouldn't comply with it. Her lips licked at the thought of laying her parsimonious hands on the Umbrian Emerald.

Landing at the large, bolted oak doors, Rouge the Bat tidied herself up to make sure she made at least a presentable appearance. Although she is aware of the king's temper, there are some exceptions to her attitude when she knows she is being disrespected - just because she is not wealthy.

One day when I have all the treasures in the world…Rouge promised herself.

"Really, I've got nothing to worry about. If I let some foolish, thick man scold me because I don't want to subject to a certain job, then he's got another thing coming."

She knocked on the doors, waiting patiently for them to open. Now, normally she'd kick the doors down if she doesn't have the time of day, but tonight she had the consideration of how much this would cost to fix these barriers…and her life.

When the doors came loose, she waltzed in the black hall, her aquamarine irises aware of any fishy movements in the darkness. The screams from down below haunted her and made her spine tingle. It gave her the feeling to evade to the dark shadows, to blend in and never come out. Be a part of the silenced community of obscurity.

Damn, this place gives me the creeps. I sure wish Prince Shadow was here with me…Nevertheless, she found the strength to go on ahead, before she changes her mind and scamper out of here.

It wasn't long before she reached the throne room, where she could see glowing red eyes staring back at her. As she got closer, the outline of a large, masculine body sitting in a chair became obvious to her sense, so she felt relaxed.

"Well, well Rouge, you came. I'm not surprised," King Opaque deeply expressed. He later stood up and walked closer to her supple image.

"Yes, I'm here your Majesty," she said, bowing low at his feet. "Here to inquire what proposition you wish to make with me."

Opaque chuckled at this. The white bat's eyes directed to the shadow next to him. It was then that Knuckles walked up towards the little light from the window above. Rouge's eyes flashed with fright and animosity when she saw that Knuckles' expression was the exact same as Opaque.

"What is this, some kind of sick joke?" she said angrily. "I knew you needed me to do something, but I didn't think that we need him to accompany me. If so, then you probably don't need me at all! Just leave me be."

Her wings came alive with frustration, but then Knuckles spoke up to make sure she didn't leave.

"Rouge, wait! This is very important, so you have to stay here until we can explain it to you." He grumbled at how she was overreacting to this and always wanted to quit when she doesn't get her damn way.

Rouge regained her composure and landed again, waiting for an explanation as to the requests of her mission. "Well? I'm waiting." She said patiently, but poisonous honey was laced with her tone.

Grimacing, King Opaque walked around the bat girl, making her mind and thoughts dizzy.

"Alright…remember that interpretation that oracle made, about seven jewels combining incredible powers with our Umbrian emerald?"

She nodded in understanding.

"Well, I tried to get a hold of them long ago, but I failed to do so. Knuckles can't go there because he has to keep watch of the Umbrian Jewel, and never leave its sight. The one problem is that nobody has any idea of where those seven jewels are in the Flora Kingdom, which makes the search more difficult than I thought.

"On your account however, since you are a treasure hunter, it gives me the convenience to think over an idea I had."

"Which is?"

"I thought, why not? It would work, if she can pull it off without blowing it out of proportion. And then again, I knew you wouldn't do anything without some kind of…agreement. So I had it settled."

Rouge's normally suspicious grimace grew into a knowing, satisfied smile. "So, you do acknowledge me after all." She said with a suave tone.

"But," she held one finger up. "As usual with my clients, what are the rewards if I succeed?"

That was when Knuckles came in the bargain of the deal. "Well, I and the king talked about this. And, we came to the conclusion that…you would…" For a reason, his mouth constricted him to say the whole synopsis. Opaque finished it for him.

"In other words, you can have the Umbrian Gem, all to yourself."

Suddenly, Rouge's mind went wild with luscious dreams of luxury, treatment, and the similar feelings of heaven. The Gem, all to herself! This is a dream come true! All her wishes can be fulfilled; she can be capable to flaunt it off to the world. Her, just to possess something she thought always as so beautiful and powerful.

Well, unanimously the answer to her job is –

"Your Majesty, I would gladly oblige to what you request of my services."

Knuckles made a hollow laugh. "Oh, how ironic as to how you would say that, since you would say it for the rest of your mission…"

Rouge lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that, Knuckie?"

The king, unafraid as usual, never hesitated to tell her the mission.

"Rouge the Bat; you are to go undercover in the Flora Kingdom to find the seven ancient Chaos Emeralds and, when retrieved in secrecy, retreat to me at once. Understand?"

She nodded, but still didn't understand what Knuckles meant when he said –

"Ummm…Your Majesty? It doesn't concern me as to how I'm going to work; I can handle that. It only puzzles me as to who I go under cover as."

"You are going undercover as…a…well, it's Knuckles' idea, not mine!"

"Knuckles?" she glared back at him.

Knuckles, with beads of sweat coming down on him, held up an outfit that looked so strangely like a…

"WHAT! KNUCKLES, YOU –"

An echoing crack sliced the night, which most people could mistake for the whip, but it was actually Rouge's hand meeting Knuckles' poor face. Hard.

Is King Opaque really going to give Rouge the Umbrian Gem? I smell a trick coming on... ;)