Knuckles got off of Rouge and stood up with a confused look on his face. Rouge stood up as well and dusted herself off. "I'm not going to accept your apology so easily. You're gonna have to prove that you love me." Rouge replied with an attitude.
"A-are you serious?" Knuckles questioned.
"I'm very serious. You deeply hurt me Knuckles. Now you have to prove how much you really love me. Once you find the ultimate way to prove that you love me, maybe I'll consider your forgiveness."
"But how can I prove that I truly love you."
"That's for you to decide. You can think of any way to prove it, but you only have 3 chances." Rouge stated with a frightening tone. Knuckles felt like he was 7 years old. Little did Knuckles know, the worse was yet to come. "Also, if you can't prove that you love me, then I'm leaving you forever. When I leave, I never want to hear from you again." Knuckles was heartbroken. He couldn't believe that Rouge was so upset that she would even think that as an option. This proved to Knuckles that she was serious and that she was pissed.
"But… Rouge" Knuckles pleaded.
"But nothing. Now, prove how much you care about me." Rouge demanded
"Rouge… I would put my life on the line for you."
"… Not buying it. Most of our friends would do the same for either one of us. That's strike one.
"Dammit. I messed this one up." Knuckles thought furiously. "I have to think. What could I do to show that I love her? Wait, I think I have an idea, but it requires the Master Emerald."
"Ok Rouge, I have an idea but I need you to meet me at the Master Emerald shrine." Knuckles begged.
"Whatever." Rouge replied, acting like she didn't care. "Also, I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I invite our friends."
"Uhh… why would you bring them?"
"Because if you truly love me, then you shouldn't be ashamed to admit it in front of everyone. See you there."
With that, Rouge left. Knuckles was alone once again to think to himself. "Damn, I'm in deep shit." Knuckles admitted as he ran out the room.
-25 Minutes Later-
-Angel Island, Master Emerald Shrine-
"I wonder where Knuckles is." amy asked, sounding concerned
"For his sake, I hope he's thinking of a way to show Rouge that he loves her. If not, he's toast." Sonic replied.
"Rouge!" Shadow howled, trying to console his friend. "Don't you think that you're overdoing it? This nonsense has to stop."
"No!" Rouge responded, not willing to give up her debate. "I am so tired of putting my emotions out in the open and he shows nothing in return. I gave everything for him and he can't even realize how I feel about him." Rouge was trying her best to hold back her tears. Luckily, it worked considering the fact that her eyes were now filled with anger instead of tears. "Now it's his turn to show his emotions."
"Well, when you put it that way, carry on" Shadow said.
Sonic looked at Shadow as if he was crazy. "Yea Shadow, that sounds just right." Sonic responded sarcastically.
"C'mon guys, give Knuckles a break. You know Knuckles isn't the smartest person in the world. He doesn't know anything about women. He shouldn't be punished like this." Tails pleaded. "Tails is right Ms. Rouge. Knuckles deserves a second chance." Cream added.
"He deserves nothing but a swift kick in the ass!" Rouge retorted
"A powerful kick + Knuckles' ass = a whole mess of pain. Boy am I sure glad I'm not Knuckles." Sonic replied jokingly
"Stop it Sonic" Amy squealed, pinching her azure hero and boyfriend on the arm. "Here he comes. Hi Knuckles!"
The crimson arrived on the scene while holding a big bag. "Hello Amy. What's up guys. Nice to see you Rouge." Knuckles replied, trying to sound nice.
"So what's your next attempt?" Rouge demanded, acting like she had no interest.
"Ok, straight to the point. Rouge, for you, I would give you all the jewels in the world. That includes the Master Emerald" Knuckles revealed the bag which contained multiple jewels consisting of many different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Everyone was surprised at Knuckles decision, even Rouge. Realizing what he said, Sonic, Tails, and Shadow slapped their foreheads in disappointment, simultaneously. They knew what Rouge wanted and what Knuckles said was good but it was worded wrong. Knuckles continued to look into Rouge's eyes, as if to beg her for forgiveness. Rouge just stared back at Knuckles with unreadable eyes.
"Wow Knuckles. I'll admit that I'm impressed that you WOULD give up the Master Emerald. Unfortunately, that isn't enough. That's strike two." Rouge responded coldly. She turned her back on him. Knuckles' life was in shambles. "Swing and a miss." Shadow replied. "And Knuckles' pride is going, going, gone." Sonic added. Amy gave a death glare to the two hedgehogs, which caused them to turn away in fear.
"Wha-what?! But how?" Knuckles questioned.
"It was a nice try." Rouge responded. "However, that's not what I'm looking for. I want your all. Now, try again." She noticed that Knuckles looked at Sonic and Shadow. They seemed to be trying to make gestures on what to do. "Hey, there is no helping him. He has to do this by himself."
Knuckles put his head down in disappointment. Everyone started to feel bad for him. Rouge was trying her best not to care, but it didn't work. She started to feel guilty for putting him through this. "Maybe I should ease up on him. Knuckles is really becoming distressed." Rouge thought to herself. She knew, however, that she wouldn't get what she wanted out of Knuckles if she didn't go through with it. Despite the fact that she felt this way, she wanted Knuckles to say the right thing so they could be together. The truth was that she still loved him. "Knuckles, I know you can think of the one way to prove that you love me. Cause I still love you. Please, just think." Rouge pleaded in her mind.
Sonic, Tails, and Shadow were worried about Knuckles. They were all thinking the same thing. They didn't know if he would be able to pull it off. "C'mon Knuckles, you have to think. What is the one thing Rouge wants from you?" Tails thought. "Hurry up Knux! Tell Rouge that one thing that will prove you love her." Sonic pleaded in his mind. "Dammit Knuckles! Think about the hints Rouge has given you. Give her you." Shadow demanded in his head.
Knuckles was in deep thought. "What else can I possibly do? I'm at a loss here. What is it that she wants?" He then remembered back to the things Rouge said to him
-Flashback-
"Do you know how much courage I had to build up before I could come see you?! I wanted to tell you that I loved you and I always have. I was going to tell you that I gave up my whole life for you. I quit my thieving ways and I no longer work for G.U.N. I lust wanted to start a new life with you, but you broke my heart."
"Because if you truly love me, then you shouldn't be ashamed to admit it in front of everyone."
"I'll admit that I'm impressed that you WOULD give up the Master Emerald. Unfortunately, that isn't enough."
-End of Flashback-
Suddenly, it hit Knuckles. His eyes widened. He knew what he had to do. After thinking about what Rouge has been saying, he finally understood what he had to do. "Knuckles!" Knuckles was brought back into reality by Rouge's voice. He turned to face the snow colored bat. "Last chance!" Rouge said.
Preview of Chapter 5
Next time, on the season finale of "Repairing His Mistake", Knuckles has one chance left to show that he loves Rouge before she is out of his life for good. It turns out that he finally found out what to do. Is he willing to go through with it, considering that he won't be himself after he does it? If he goes through with it, will Rouge finally forgive him and return his love. If she doesn't, that means bye bye Rouge and hello loneliness. Can Knuckles use his last chance properly and prove to Rouge that he loves her? See what happens by tuning in next time on "Repairing His Mistake." Episode 5: Last Chance: The Ultimate Sacrifice
