Night Babylon: Club Rouge


Four Hours Ago


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Shadow slowly and lazily opened his crimson eyes to the sound of a blaring alarm clock. The morning sunlight gently creped in through the cracks of the shades on Shadow’s window, the morning light landing upon his eyes, causing him to close them again, not wanting to be disturbed by the break of daytime.

‘Morning already?’ He thought to himself glumly as he groaned imperceptibly, knowing that it was time to awaken.

Today, Shadow had a training session with Rouge that had to be done for G.U.N, and he needed to be there within two hours.

Shadow slowly began to open his eyes again, but he was so tired, he could barely even do so. However he managed to open them up after a few minutes of suffering.

At first his vision was blurred but slowly it became clearer until he was able to see every little scratch, crack, and dot on his achromatic ceiling. Shadow groaned lowly again as he weakly sat up and massaged his temples with one of his un-gloved, charcoal colored hands.

Just what time was it anyways?

The still sleepy hedgehog turned his head to face the alarm clock that rang louder and louder as the seconds passed into minutes. The clock read 10:30 in shining green numbers.

Shadow sighed as he brushed the sleepiness away from his heavy eyes and blinked before scooting out of his bed.

Once the ebony hedgehog had both feet placed on the cushy, monotone carpet, he stretched his arms high up and let out a wide-mouthed yawn. He shook his head a couple of times to fully awaken himself.

He then languorously walked into the bathroom doorway.

Once he was in the meager bathroom he reached for the handle in the shower that controlled the temperature and water pressure, turning it up almost all the way, liking his showers hot, and took a step in.

He slowly moved his hands through his quills, the warm water pressing up against his silky black and rubicund fur was a good feeling to be completely awoken by. He lathered his body all over with a bar of soap until he was squeaky clean and ready to get out. He reached his hand towards the silver, wet, lever and turned the water off. He hopped out of the shower and grabbed a fluffy, white towel and dried himself off before carelessly tossing it aside onto the toilet and walking over to the newly polished sink and taking out his tangerine toothbrush. He grabbed a tube of toothpaste and squeezed it onto his toothbrush. He brushed up and down, left to right until he spit and repeated a couple of times until he took one last spit into the sink and wiped off his face with a chalky colored face clothe as he walked out of the bathroom.

Once Shadow was out of the bathroom he walked over to the amber night stand that stood on the right hand side of his bed, and picked up his white gloves, with rose and sable markings on the wrist pads, sliding one onto each hand. He took the two golden gauntlets that had been placed to the left of his gloves. He picked up each one carefully and slipped them onto his writs. As each one was inserted into the gap that held them on his gloves, there was a high pitched, yet quiet, screeching sound that rang through out the room. A carmine light flashed as well, followed by a dull click.

The mysterious black hedgehog then slipped on two cerise colored, cotton socks onto his fast moving feet. He then made his way over to the mirror and stared into his complexion. His red and black quills were slightly out of order, so he fixed them by kneading through them a couple of times with one of his hands. He then moved his head from left to right to see if he looked alright before quickly heading downstairs.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once the ebony hedgehog walked down the stairs he saw an ivory bat, Rouge to be exact, sitting at the kitchen table sipping some coffee.

“Morning Shadow.” Rouge greeted cheerfully.

“Rouge.” Shadow said flatly in response as he nodded his head, walking over to the kitchen counter to make something for himself to eat.

The gorgeous white bat turned to her dark ally and stared at him with those sapphire eyes of hers. “You’re up late this morning.” she said as she leaned back in her chair, taking another sip of her coffee. “How come?” she asked.

Shadow pulled a box of Cheerios out of one of Rouge’s many oak kitchen cabinets. “I was up late last night...” he replied simply.

“Why so late?” Rouge asked curiously.

Shadow then made his way over to Rouge’s refrigerator, opening it up and pulling out a gallon of whole milk and pouring it slowly into his cereal bowl. “Thinking.” Shadow answered.

“About?” asked the huntress in a slight sing songy manner as she took yet another sip of her coffee.

Shadow sat down at the kitchen table and looked at Rouge solemnly. “Is it a complete necessity to stick your nose into everybody’s business?” he asked as he picked up his spoon and took a scoop of his Cheerios, placing it into his mouth.

Rouge sighed with a shrug. “Well, you know me. I’ve gotta know everything and anything.” she said as she stood up and placed her empty coffee mug into the sink and turning back Shadow. “Now hurry up, because of you and your little thinking session last night, we’re gunna be late for work!” she snapped.

Shadow rolled his eyes as he began to eat his Cheerios faster. After five minutes Shadow slurped down the entire bowl, not leaving even a speck for the mice.

He stood up and set his bowl into the sink.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

Rouge nodded as she and Shadow made their way towards the door. Shadow slipping on his red and black hover shoes in the meantime.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G.U.N. Headquarters


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright agents, it’s the first Saturday of the month. You all know what that means correct?” asked a man in a fancy navy suite, with golden buttons going down the middle, he also had several different colored metals along his jacket, this man was obviously the commander.

“Yes sir...” the crowd said dully.

“Good.” replied to commander.

The commander was a tall, tough built man. He never let one of his men go with out a good fight first, he liked to keep all of them, every single one, in their tip, top shape. He had two piercing, different colored eyes one ruby, one jade. Having two different eyes made him more of a terrifying man than he already looked. Those two eyes could pierce straight through the mind of any soldier or person who walked the streets. One of the commander’s most well known tasks was going after none other than Shadow the Hedgehog when he seemed to be a threat to the government. But now, the two only saw each other as hating rivals.

The commander began to pace back and forth. “Now, somewhere within this base is a choa. Your mission is to retrieve this choa within the three hour time limit you are given.” he boomed to his crowd.

“Oh, how cute...” Rouge muttered sarcastically.

The commander heard Rouge’s words and slowly turned his abstract eyes upon Rouge. “You shall all be put into pairs. You and your partner must work together to complete this task.” he said as he moved away from Rouge.

Rouge, sighed with slight relief.

“Who ever finds the choa first, gets the rest of the day off. But who ever doesn’t...” he said as he narrowed his eyes and scanned his employees. “Will spend the rest of the day training with me...” he growled.

There was a slight intake of breath from the array of people that soon passed.

“I will allow you to choose your partners...begin...” growled the commander as he walked away into his office.

“Come on Shadow!” Rouge said as she nodded her head towards an open door.

Shadow nodded his head as well in agreement as the two of them ran into their mission.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rouge and Shadow had been searching high and low for a good two hours, but the choa couldn’t be found anywhere.

“Hmm...” Shadow muttered to himself.

“What is it?” Rouge asked.

Shadow looked around the room they were in. It had high, metal walls surrounded by all kinds of computers and technology, all of which seemed to be turned off. The floor they were walking on was made of metal as well.

“I feel as though we’ve been in this room before...” Shadow said as he looked around the room thoughtfully.

Rouge’s ears perked up and her cerulean eyes went wide. “You mean to say that we’ve been doing nothing but running around in circles for two hours?!” she said, a tone of both shock and disappointment in her voice.

Shadow nodded. “It would appear as so.” he said.

Rouge groaned and clapped her hands over her face, slowly dragging them down. She then sighed. “Well...we can’t give up just yet.” she said as she crossed her arms and looked at Shadow. “Come on, let’s find a way out of here...” she said as she directed Shadow out of the computer lab.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Rouge and Shadow advanced down a dark hallway, something caught the corner of Shadow’s eye, a bright light that was creeping through the cracks of a partially opened door.

Shadow stopped in his tracks. “Rouge...” he began.

“Yeah?” Rouge asked casually, stopping as well.

“Have we checked in there yet?” Shadow asked as he pointed a finger towards the light.

Rouge arched an eyebrow and took a few steps closer towards the door, trying to peek her head into the doorway a little bit.

“I don’t...think so...” she said as she opened up the door and smirked. “Let’s check it out!” she said as she walked into the room, Shadow trailing behind her.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once they were inside the room with the bright light, the pair decided to take a look around.

The walls were covered in high up, beige, file cabinets. The light appeared to be coming from sort of light bulb that was screwed into the ceiling.

“We should spilt up. If you find anything then tell me.” Shadow said to the ivory bat beside him. Rouge nodded as the two of them took off.

Shadow walked along the file cabinets, searching high and low for that damn choa, for the sooner he found it, the sooner he could get the hell out of here.

As Shadow examined the file cabinets, he saw one that caught his particular interest. On the worn out, nearly tan, pealing label on one of the cabinets read the too familiar words to the black wind: Project SHADOW.

Shadow gazed at the cabinet for a while before deciding to make an attempt at opening it. He had a feeling that it would be lock, but to the Ultimate Life Form’s surprise and slight pleasure, it wasn’t. Once it was open Shadow saw files upon files of information stacked on top of each other.

“Hmm...” Shadow thought aloud as he picked up one of the old, worn, files and began to flip through all of the paper work until he decided to stop and read one page.

24th of May

Entry: 02394

Residence: Space Colony ARK

Subject: Project TERIOS

Project Terios has done it again! He nearly destroyed one of my laboratories today while I was in the middle of checking upon Project SHADOW. Terios is obviously far more powerful than Shadow will ever be, he is truly the ultimate lifeform, and his stats are unbelievable seeing he, as well as Shadow, are only in their early development stages. However, Terios is far too violent and has many errors within himself. But unlike the prototype of Shadow, the Biolizard, Terios is smaller, far less destructive, and can control his thoughts and mind.

But Terios was only a minor experiment, a test, to see if the Ultimate Life Form could be cloned which was a success. I shall be putting Terios to sleep soon enough.

Professor Gerald Robotnik

Shadow’s eyes widened. ‘What is this?’ he thought to himself odd thoughts beginning to run through his mind.

“SHADOW I FOUND IT!” called Rouge’s voice in the distance.

Shadow shook the thought off for now and put the file back into file cabinet, closing it securely before running off to Rouge.

Rouge carried the small, white choa in her arms the whole way back.

“I’m calling it Little Treasure Huntress The Second” Rouge said as she pet the choa’s head slowly.

Shadow arched an eyebrow at her. “We aren’t keeping that thing, Rouge...” he said.

Rouge rolled her eyes and waved a hand at him. “I know, I know! Don’t jump out of your shoes. Having something to take care of would be too much work for me! I mean, I’m always up and about. Where would I ever find the time to feed it and bathe it, and play with it anyways? Too much work for me!” she said happily.

“Why would you call it The Second anyways?” Shadow asked after a brief silence.

Rouge laughed nervously. “Well, back in high school me and some of my friends thought it’d be cool to...well...never mind...” Rouge said as the room where the had met the commander came into view.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Well done you two. You may now have the rest of today off.” the commander said as he accepted the choa from Shadow and Rouge. The commander then turned and glared at his army of men and women. “As for the rest of you.” he began. “You get to spend the rest of your day here with me, training till you bleed. Are we understood?” he snapped.

“SIR YES SIR!” The crowed chimed.

“Good-day to the two of you. I expect to see you on Monday. Have a nice weekend.” the commander said as he turned his back to the bat and the hedgehog.

Rouge gave the group a toothy smirk and saluted. “Have a nice day...” she said with a chuckle as she and Shadow left the building.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Station Square: Main Street


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow and Rouge walked along the side walk of the busy street. It was a beautiful day, the birds were singing, flowers were blooming and children were outside playing all different kinds of games.

“Isn’t it such a lovely day Shadow?” Rouge asked as she took in a swiff of the mid afternoon breeze.

But Shadow wasn’t really listening to Rouge, he had his mind focused on that article he had read earlier.

‘Project Terios...just who...or what is it?’ Shadow thought to himself as he tried to figure out yet another mystery of his confusing past that could have even Tails dumbfounded.

“Shadow? Hello? Anyone home?” Rouge asked as she waved a face in front of Shadow, trying to get his attention.

Shadow then blinked and looked up at Rouge. “Huh?” he questioned.

Rouge stared at him for a second with slight concern, but then ‘hmpfed’, crossed her arms and turned in the other direction.

“Ya know.” Rouge began. “It’s rude to tune out on a lady like that.” she said, not really expecting a full apology.

Shadow looked down at his shoes and then back up at Rouge. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. What were saying?” he asked.

Rouge blinked and the smiled. “It was nothing.” She then turned to Shadow that beautiful smile still plastered on her face. “I was thinking, seeing we have the day off, I thought you and I could go and--” but Rouge was cut off in mid sentence when she heard something.

“I’d better go find that bat girl and get my emerald back...” growled and angry, familiar voice.

Rouge’s smile went wider. “Knucklehead...” she said as she ran up from behind the scarlet echidna.

Shadow frowned slightly. He was hoping that he and Rouge might be able to spend the day together...not being a date...but it seemed as though she would rather spend it with Knuckles...not Shadow...

Shadow then slowly followed Rouge.

“Well I’d say you’ve already found her...” Rouge said to Knuckles in a seductive tone.

After that Rouge and Knuckles got into a long fight over the Master Emerald as Sonic got kicked in the nose for making a sad attempt at stopping the battle. Both Rouge and Shadow decided to take off after being proven as innocent.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angel Island

Two Hours before the fight between Knuckles and Rouge


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Knuckles stood on the edge of the shrine of the Master Emerald. The shrine was old and crumbling. The once bright green, painted designs along it’s walls were now black and slowly beginning to wear and chip away. But one thing stood out over all, a large, kelly green emerald that gleamed in pride, placed in the center of the shrine. This stone was known as the Master Emerald. The Master Emerald kept the island of which it was protected on, Angel Island, floating in the sky. The duty to protect it was passed down from generation to generation of echidna tribes. The current guardian was a crimson echidna by the name of Knuckles, also, the last echidna to inhabit Angel Island. Knuckles was a strong built, lean guardian who never let down on his duties. He had violet eyes that were always on watch for intruders. He stood his ground and wasn’t afraid to pick a fight, not even with a girl. He always remained loyal to his duties day in and day out, not matter what the circumstances should be.

Knuckles’ stunning amethyst eyes darted from left to right as he stood on top of the shrine with his arms crossed, watching for anyone who might be lurking in the woods somewhere. Nowadays was starting to get somewhat tough with the ferocious protector’s new and beautiful rival, Rouge the bat, strutting around, always trying to take the Master Emerald from under nose when she thought he wasn’t looking.

Knuckles took in a deep breath and let it out in a low sigh. It was a gorgeous day and he would much rather be spending it someplace else. The guardian then focused his attention on a large waterfall. The waterfall roared loudly as it crashed into lake below it. White foam rose high into the air from the bottom and slowly made it’s way to the top, evaporating in the process. Knuckles sighed again, the waterfall was so mystifying, it relaxed him and cleared his mind with just one glace. But it was then when he heard something, a rustling of some sort.

Knuckles turned his head to his left sharply.

“WHO’S THERE?!” The guardian roared viciously.

But it was just then when managed to catch the silhouette of a very grown woman in the distance with a large sack on her back, in this sack was obviously the Master Emerald. She blew Knuckles a kiss and jumped up into the tree right above her.

“HEY! COME BACK HERE!” Knuckles roared as he went chasing after the girl. But it was no use, she had already made her escape.

Knuckles glared angrily towards the powder blue sky. “I’ll get you back Master Emerald...even if it’s the last thing I do...” he growled as he began to glide off of the island.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Station Square: Main Street

Right After Knuckles and Rouge’s fight

With Shadow and Rouge


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


“So Shads?” Rouge began.

Shadow arched an eyebrow at the treasure huntress.

Rouge smiled at him. “How bout the two of us do something today?” she said.

“Like what?” Shadow asked flatly.

Rouge shrugged. “I dunno, maybe we could go and get some lunch or something.” she suggested.

Shadow had no response.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Rouge said as she sighed slightly. “Let’s go!” she said as she directed Shadow into the Amethyst Bar and Grill; where Sonic and Knuckles had eaten earlier.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Sonic and Knuckles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonic had a hand cupped on his nose as Knuckles watched the azure hero whimper slightly in pain.

“Maybe Tails can fix your nose?” Knuckles suggested.

Sonic arched an eyebrow questionably at Knuckles. “The little guy is no doctor Knux.” he said.

Knuckles crossed his arms and glared at Sonic. “Yeah but that kid is always coming up with crazy gadgets and nick knacks of sorts, so it’s worth a shot!” he growled.

“Why can’t I just see a doctor or something?” Sonic asked.

“Because doctors will charge you and Tails wont! That’s why!” Knuckles snapped angrily.

Sonic winked at his crimson friend. “Good point, let’s pay little dude a visit shall we?” he said.

Knuckles nodded as the two of them ran off to Tails’ workshop in Emerald Town.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Shadow and Rouge


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow and Rouge were sitting at a small round table. Shadow had one hand placed on his chin as he drummed his fingers on the table while gazing out the window at a repair shop across the street. Rouge on the other hand was skimming through her menu.

Rouge then lowered her menu a little bit so she could let her aqua eyes ley upon the ultimate life form.

“Aren’t ya getting anything Shadow?” Rouge asked.

Shadow looked over at the ivory bat. “Nope.” he said simply.

Rouge put her menu down on her table and rolled her eyes at Shadow.

“What is it?” Shadow asked.

“You need to get something! It’ll look silly if you just sit here doing nothing!” Rouge snapped.

“I can look as “silly” as I want to, so what if I’m not hungry? You’re the one that dragged me here!” Shadow growled as he crossed his arms and looked out the window. It’s funny, seeing how he was the one that wanted to spend the day with Rouge a little earlier when she saw Knuckles. But now it seems as though he’d rather have spent it by himself.

“Please Shadow, just get something!” Rouge scoffed as she went back to flipping through her menu.

Shadow sighed. “Fine! I’ll get a water. Happy?” he snarled.

Rouge was about to say something until a bell rang.

Rouge and Shadow both looked over and realized that a large robot had clopped it’s way into the bar. The robot stood at almost five feet. It had glowing garnet colored eyes that it would use to scan living organisms. The top of his head was topaz yellow while other various parts were charcoal and rose. On its left shoulder pad, in red, was the symbol that meant “the end” or other wise known as OMEGA. And surely enough this was the creation of Dr. Eggman, E-123 Omega.

“Omega?” Shadow said just above a whisper.

Rouge turned to Shadow. “What’s he doing here?” she questioned.

Shadow shook his head as if not knowing.

“Hey Omega!” Rouge called.

Omega stopped walking and slowly turned his head over to Shadow and Rouge’s direction. He said nothing for a moment, as he his scanned their bodies. But he soon turned his head away.

“Greetings, Shadow and Rouge.” Omega said in his low mechanical voice as he began to walk towards the bar.

Shadow and Rouge watched Omega curiously as he walked away from them.

“I have come here to speak with Caroline the Hawk.” Omega roared as he approached the bar and stopped.

Seconds later, a light blue hawk that had severed Sonic earlier that day walked out of the kitchen.

Caroline nodded. “E-123, it’s good to see you again.” she said before poking her head into the kitchen window. “Yo! Kelly, Mary! Serve our customers. Miranda, come with Omega and I, there are some matters that must be discussed.” she said.

A few moments later a forest green fox, Kelly, a lavender echidna, Miranda, and a pale yellow fox, Mary stepped out of the kitchen.

“Omega, we’ll speak in the other room. Come on Miranda.” Caroline ordered as she, the echidna, and E-123 walked through a large wooden door, out of eye shot.

Kelly and Mary then turned their attention to a slightly baffled Shadow and Rouge.

“Hi!” Kelly greeted happily.

Rouge and Shadow nodded as their greeting.

“How may we help you?” Mary asked politely.

Rouge then looked at her menu and then back up at the two fox girls.

“I’m going to have a salad.” Rouge said.

Mary quickly scratched that onto a piece of paper. “Good choice! That’s what I would choose!” she said joyfully.

“That’s cause you’re a vegetarian.” Kelly said as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

Mary glared at her co-worker. “Whats wrong with being a vegetarian?” she growled.

Kelly blinked. “Nothing!” she said.

Mary scoffed. “Good!” she said.

Kelly then chuckled slightly as she turned back to Rouge. “Sorry ‘bout that.” she said.

Rouge smiled a little bit.

“Would you like anything else?” Kelly asked.

Rouge shook her head. “No thank you.” she said.

Mary then turned to Shadow. “And you sir?” she asked.

Shadow looked back out the window and crossed his arms. “I’m just going to have a glass of water...” he said lowly.

Mary nodded. “Okay!” she said as she wrote down Shadow’s order as well.

“Your orders will be ready momentarily.” Kelly said as Mary had already headed into the kitchen.

Kelly was about to turn around until Shadow stopped her.

“Waitress!” Shadow barked.

Kelly turned around. “Yeah?” she asked.

Shadow looked over at her. “What’s up with Omega?” he asked.

Kelly frowned a little. “Um...what do you mean?” she asked.

Shadow glared at her. “I mean what’s he doing here?” he asked a little bit impatiently.

By now Kelly’s smile had completely vanished.

“I’m sorry sir, but that’s private business...” Kelly said as she drooped her ears a little bit.

Shadow rolled his eyes and looked back out the window as Kelly strolled away after Mary.

Rouge looked a Shadow with a slight hint of worry in her face, but not for Shadow, but for Omega. She had no idea of what he could be getting himself into.

‘Omega, what’s going on?’ Shadow thought to himself.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Tails’ Workshop


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So Sonic, is that any better?” asked a golden-yellow, two tailed fox boy with beryl colored eyes. This fox boy was Sonic’s best friend, or known as Miles Prower, only he went by thee nick name that Sonic had given him longa ago, back when the two first met, Tails.

Sonic gave tails a thumbs up. “Much! Thanks big guy!” he said as he gave Tails a high five.

The walls of the workshop were covered in all different kinds of books and posters of complicated looking machine and air planes. The floor was made completely of hardwood and with scattered furniture here and there such as chairs and a emerald sofa. The size of the workshop was good for such a small fox boy.

Seconds later the door to Tails’ workshop slammed open.

Everyone turned their heads around and saw a panting, blush pink hedgehog. Her apparel was a dahlia-red dress with white trimming along the bottom, with matching boots. Around the rim of her gloves were two golden bracelets. And on her head was a vermeil head band, causing three pink bangs to stick out of her head. She had the same emerald green eyes as Sonic. This hedgehog girl was known as Amy Rose.

“Hey Tails!” Amy greeted happily in her high-pitched voice.

Sonic gulped as he shifted on his toes a little bit. If there was one thing that everyone knew about Amy, it was that she had an undying love for Sonic the Hedgehog, and she would never give up on her dream of being married to the blue blur.

Amy then noticed that Sonic was standing almost right next her.

“Sonic!” Amy said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“It’s...nice...to...see...you...too...Amy...But...do...you...think...that...you...could...let...go...of...me...I...can’t...breath!” Sonic chocked as Amy loosened her grip on Sonic.

Sonic began gasping for air as he slowly rubbed his sore neck.

“Sorry!” Amy apologized.

Knuckles, who was standing in a corner with his arms crossed looked up at the three friends.

“I’d better get going.” he said lowly.

Tails looked over at Knuckles and frowned. “Why so soon?” he asked.

“The Master Emerald was stolen and I’d better go and get it back before this all gets too out of hand.” he said.

“Stolen?” Amy questioned.

Knuckles glared at her. “It’s when something’s taken with out permission.” he snapped.

Amy placed her hands on her hips and returned Knuckles’ glare. “I know what stolen means thank you very much!” she growled.

Knuckles rolled his plum eyes.

“Wait a sec. Knuckles, just when was the Master Emerald stolen?” Tails asked.

“About three hours ago. Why?” Knuckles said as he took a few steps closer to Tails.

Tails placed a hand on his chin. “Hmm, that’s funny...” he said thoughtfully.

“What’s up Tails?” Sonic asked.

Tails looked up at his three friends. “Well, I heard on the news about an hour ago that a chaos Emerald was stolen from Station Square Museum late last night.” he said.

Sonic chuckled slightly. “Sound familiar eh?” he said, recalling as to when Shadow had stole a chaos emerald about a year ago when he was working for Eggman.

Tails nodded. “Yeah. A little creepy huh? That it happened almost exactly a year later?” he said with a slight laugh.

Amy and Sonic nodded.

“Stop getting off topic!” Knuckles snapped.

“Sorry...” Tails said as he dropped his ears.

Knuckles crossed his arms again. “Now, did they any other information on the thief?” he asked.

Tails placed a hand on his chin. “Well, all they got was that it was stolen by a woman, but that’s it.” he said.

Knuckles’ eyes widened. “A woman stole the Master Emerald!” he said.

Sonic looked over at Knuckles. “Sounds like a case! Tell ya what why don’t Amy, Tails and I help you find the Master Emerald?” he asked.

“No way!” Knuckles snapped, startling everyone.

“Why not?” Amy asked.

“Because, it’s my duty to protect the Master Emerald, and no one else’s.” he said as he made his way to the door.

“Now, I’m going out to find it, good bye!” he said as he opened the door and left.