Angel Island, Knuckles' home his own little slice of paradise, where he could be alone with his thoughts, harmonize with nature and above all take a moment to relax. Which he sorely needed after being stuck in cyberspace for so long. He had a lot to think about the Chaos Emeralds were Extraterrestrial, but the Master Emerald isn't? If that's the case, why did it have power over them? He decided not to think too hard about it. He could think about it all day and it wouldn't change the fact he didn't know the answer.
Once Sonic, Tails, Amy and himself had arrived back at Tails workshop he had almost immediately said his goodbyes and taken off home. He was planning to explore the world, of course, but for now, he still had the master emerald to guard.
He'd need to find someone to cover for him while he was away. Maybe Sonic, or Tails - He'd ask Rouge if he didn't think she'd steal it, she'd defend it tooth and claw. Speaking of whom, as he approached the top of the steps leading to the master emerald shrine, he stopped when he caught sight of the spy sitting atop the mystical gem. How long has she even been here?
"This really isn't a good time, batgirl. Don't you have somewhere better to be?" Knuckles spoke up; he was a little too tired to argue with rouge at the moment he'd just gotten back.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Rouge demanded as she got up jumping down, landing just in front of him, pointing towards him accusingly. "You disappeared for five days without a word! What's that about!?"
"It's not like I did that by choice." Knuckles began before being cut off again.
"Isn't it your job to stay here!? You're the guardian of this rock, aren't you!?" Rouge shouted as she got a little closer, Knuckles was about a second from yelling at her when she pulled him into a hug. "You had me worried, you idiot."
Her tone was more genuine than he'd ever heard her. He couldn't even be mad at her. She was worried over him? She was the last person he'd expected to be worried he'd expected to come back to find she'd made off with the Master emerald, and now he just felt like a jerk for thinking that.
Finally, Rouge pulled away before looking him dead in the eye. "You'd better have a good explanation."
"Sorry to make you worry, it's a long story." Knuckles sat down on the steps, motioning for Rouge to sit next to him before beginning to explain.
He told her everything about being stuck in cyberspace, starfall islands, Sage, Sonic fighting the Guardians, and the truth about the Chaos Emeralds.
"Sounds like you've been through a lot. Though you were just sitting around waiting for Sonic to save you, huh?" Rouge teased seemingly back to her normal self already.
"That was hardly my fault, I could've smashed those guardians just fine as Super Knuckles. I was trapped in Cyberspace." Knuckles boasted, puffing out his chest. Anything Sonic could do he could do!
"Sure, Knuckie, you don't need to prove how big and strong you are to me of all people." Rouge laughed jokingly, flexing her muscles as if she was imitating him.
"Yeah, well. I'm just saying I could…" Knuckles trailed off, looking to the side out over the forests of Angel Island.
"Still, it's weird to think that the emeralds are alien, that's going to take some getting used to, how are they connected to this one then?" Rouge leaned back against the master emerald, scratching her chin in thought.
"No idea. Honestly, I doubt we'll ever know the only people who'd be able to answer that are all long gone. The emeralds have always been a mystery. Even knowing where they come from doesn't mean we know how they work, and we know even less about the master emerald." Knuckles lamented though he didn't sound too frustrated he wasn't going to stress about something he'd never get answers to though he couldn't deny he was a little disappointed.
"I'm the guardian of this emerald. You'd think I'd know more, but I barely understand anything." He sighed before looking back to Rouge "Sorry you don't wanna hear me complaining about this."
"I don't mind at all Knuckles. It's not often I get to see you being so self reflective." She took a moment to reassure him before going straight back to messing with him. "Makes a nice change of pace. You're usually so grumpy and serious, no fun to hang out with at all."
"Guess that means you don't have many friends if I'm your best option then." She could tell she wasn't being serious, so he decided to playfully bite back for once.
"How rude, I've got tons of friends besides you." Rouge feigned offence at his remark. Which managed to get a short chuckle out of him.
"I don't doubt it." He conceded. It was sort of relaxing to just joke around with her like this, and he really needed a laugh after Starfall Island.
"I'm actually thinking of going away for a little while, I wanna get out there and see the world like Sonic does. I can't exactly spend my whole life up here. I want to see other countries like Atopos or Mazuri." Knuckles spoke absentmindedly, staring up at the sky.
"Sounds like a good time, I'm guessing while you're away, you're going to need someone to keep an eye on the Master Emerald, huh? I'd be happy to volunteer my services." Rouge offered batting her eyelashes, earning a side eye from the echidna.
"And I'm sure it would still be here when I got back," He mused sarcastically, Rouge simply pouted in response. "I was actually kind of hoping you'd come with me. It wouldn't be much fun if I went by myself."
Rouge blinked slowly, seeming surprised by the request after a moment though her lips curled into a playful grin. "Why Knuckles, that sounds like a honeymoon. How romantic, but I think you've skipped a few steps, sweetie."
Knuckles went red before turning away to hide his face. "Never mind, you can't come," he mumbled under his breath.
"Oh, come on, I'm just Teasing. I'd love to go with you, Knucklehead." She punched him on the shoulder playfully, a gesture he was hesitant to return as he had trouble gauging his strength eventually he decided against it lest he send her to the other side of the island by mistake.
"Well, that's fine with me, but just so we're clear, it's only so I can keep an eye on you and make sure you don't steal my emerald." Knuckles added, doing his damnedest to look serious. Though Rouge just laughed at him.
"Who are you trying to convince, Knuckles me or yourself?" She wiped away a tear of laughter before standing up her heels clicking against the marble of the altar as she did so. "Well, I think I oughta go pack then, don't you? Three days long enough for you to find someone to guard this rock?" The bat asked as she took off waiting for his response.
"It should be, but when did I say we're leaving so soon?" Why was she already planning this? He hadn't meant so soon.
"Hmm? Oh, you didn't, but I'm not a patient, kinda girl. Why did you have something important to do?" She cocked her head to the side as if his response was somehow weird.
"Well… I don't." Before Knuckles could continue, Rouge piped up again.
"Perfect, then there's no problem. See you, then Knuckles~. " She blew him a kiss before taking off in the other direction. He'd just told her about it, and somehow Rouge had taken over his vacation plans that bats' ability to get whatever she wants out of him is truly terrifying.
--
Hey, new story. I'm just kinda rolling the dice on this idea.
It isn't really gonna be very plot focused, just a series of laid-back stories about the places these two visit.
If that sounds like something you're into, then stick around. Any and all reviews are appreciated as always.