Finding someone to take care of the master emerald has been difficult. He couldn't ask Sonic. He'd earned a break after fighting the titans, Tails was out on his own adventures, and Amy was on some trip with Cream and Sticks. Who else did he even know? He'd asked Team Chaotix, but they were busy with some case.

It had taken some doing, but eventually, he found two people he trusted enough to leave it with, and once he had filled Mighty and Ray in on what they'd have to do, he got ready to go. He even found his old hat he used to wear while treasure hunting.

A detail Rouge immediately took notice of upon her arrival. "What on earth is on your head?" She asked in a deadpan tone, pointing to the hat.

"It's a Stetson, I think it looks cool." Knuckles defended, ducking rouge as she tried to swipe his head wear.

"It does not," Rouge replied flatly. She actually thought it suited him, but she wasn't going to give him a big head.

"Mighty, Ray, you guys think it looks good, right?" Knuckles turned to the duo expecting them to back him up, but Mighty just gave a thumbs down while Ray offered a slightly more positive So-So.

Before he could say anything else, Rouge managed to grab the hat, putting it on herself. "How do I look?"

"Sorry man, she wears it better than you." Mighty put a hand on Knuckles' shoulder as if this was some big revelation.

"Mmhmm." Ray simply nodded in agreement.

"That's sweet, you two, but I wanna hear It from Knuckie, so how do I look?" Rouge was mainly messing with him; she didn't really expect a response.

"You look nice, I guess," the Echidna admitted under his breath before snapping out of it. "Aren't we supposed to be leaving anyway?"

"Always such a spoilsport, can't believe I'm stuck with you for a little while." Rouge teased, acting as if he'd forced her to come along.

"Yeah, well, why did you agree to come then!?" Knuckles snapped, but in response, Rouge simply laughed at him. The pair bid Mighty and Ray goodbye before setting off.

"So wait, those two aren't together?" Ray asked, leaning against the master emerald.

"I know, right? They act like an old married couple." Mighty joked once he was sure they were out of earshot.

--

They'd arrived at their first destination before too long and honestly he was glad Rouge was here; she'd handled booking a place for them to stay as well as 'borrowing' a plane from G.U.N to help them get around, though she had made him carry all the luggage, he complained of course but it was really a small price to pay.

Apotos a quaint little port town Knuckles' had heard Sonic mention before, his friend spoke of the place fondly so Knuckles wanted to see it for himself. It didn't disappoint. The ocean side scenery was breathtaking, and the architecture here was amazing.

Eventually, the pair came to an ice cream stall he felt like Sonic had also mentioned before he even had the chance to remember Rouge spoke up

"All the travel guides say the ice cream here is absolutely to die for," Rouge proclaimed before dragging Knuckles over to the stall. "Apparently, we've just got to try -"

"The Chocolate Chipped Cream Sundae Supreme" The vendor finished for her already making the sundae. All the tourists wanted to try it, so he knew to make it the second they approached his cart. "People come from miles to get a taste, and who can blame them? I like to think I make the best ice cream in the world." The short stocky man boasted with a smile as he finished making the dessert "and a few extra strawberries for such a lovely couple."

"Well thanks but-" Knuckles began before being cut off by Rouge.

"Oh, thank you! He's still so shy about us dating. He might even deny it to a stranger." Rouge interrupted before paying for the ice cream.

"No need to be so nervous, buddy," the man replied with a friendly smile. Knuckles only managed to nod in response.

Once they'd gotten the ice cream, they found a bench to sit on, and Rouge began to eat. "Why'd you lie back there?"

"Why? Because he was giving us free stuff, why else? Is the idea of me being your girlfriend really that terrible?" Rouge ate one of the strawberries before pouting and looking away.

"Well, it's not that bad…" Knuckles admitted before snapping out of it almost immediately. "Wait! He gave us six strawberries, that's three each, but you just ate a fourth!"

"Huh?" Rouge replied nonchalantly, wiping some ice cream off her cheek. "Oh well, you should have been faster instead of worrying about nothing." She replied with a shrug. Knuckles was about to yell back, but she shut him up by unceremoniously feeding him one of the remaining strawberries. "You should really hurry up before I eat the last one as well,"

Knuckles couldn't help but feel like he'd lost that one, but even so, he did as he was told and took a spoonful of the ice cream as well as the strawberry.

The Duo continued to explore the town for the next couple of hours. Knuckles seemed utterly fascinated by the windmills, which Rouge found more charming than she'd like to admit to herself. They'd decided to take a break on a cliff overlooking the ocean just as the sun was setting.

"This place is beautiful." Knuckles sighed, watching the orange light reflect off the surface of the water. "I mean Angel Island is too, but it's nice to be someplace new."

"I kinda get what you mean. It's not often I get a chance to stop and admire the scenery. It's nice." Rouge agreed as she sat perhaps a little closer to him than she needed to. Still, Knuckles knew if he mentioned it, she'd tease him again. He didn't need to give her more ammunition.

"So, why did you agree to come with me anyway?" It had been bugging him for a while, sure he'd asked, but honestly, he'd expected her to say no.

"We both know you wouldn't be able to enjoy your vacation if i'd said no, you'd be too worried about me taking your emerald." Rouge reasoned. He couldn't exactly say she was wrong. "And besides, you enjoy my company, even if you won't admit it." He couldn't really argue with that either. "We should get going, though. I didn't book a room at that inn for nothing.

"Knuckles nodded before realising what she had actually said "Wait Room, as in singular!?" His tone came out a little more flustered than he had meant it too.

"Relax Knux, there's two beds, it was just cheaper to book one room." The spy replied, trying her best to prevent herself from laughing at him.

"Well, why didn't you say that in the first place!" Knuckles yelled in a flustered tone. This was the last straw, and Rouge lost her composure. She couldn't help but laugh at how easily flustered he was

--

You probably guessed by this first chapter being Apotos, but each chapter will be about them visiting the different places from Sonic Unleashed.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Any and all reviews are appreciated as always