Knuckles and The Vampire

An Evermore Tale as Old as Time

After knowing of Knuckles' past Rouge decides to cheer him up with a dance and dinner. As they started to dance, Sonic had Tails play piano to set in the mood and sing for Cream despite his growling voice.

Sonic: Tale as old as time, true as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly. Just a little change, small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared.  Knuckles and the Vampire. Ever just the same. Ever a surprise. Ever as before. Ever just as sure as the Sun will rise. Tale as old as time, tune as old as song. Bittersweet and strange finding you can change, learning you were wrong. Certain as the Sun rising in the East. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Knuckles and the Vampire. (x2)

Sonic then turns to his sleepy daughter and licks her head, sweetly.

Sonic: Off to bed, little lady. It's past your bedtime. 'Night, Sweetie. 

Marine goes to bed but peeked at Knuckles and Rouge, happy. The bat sighed in glee.

Rouge: I missed dancing a lot.

Knuckles: *Chuckle then groan* Wha-? 

His memory of Rouge and the castle gets restored.

Knuckles: Rouge? I... Met you before.

???: (Off-Screen) Rouge? 

They both turn and see Chip, alive and well.

Rouge: Chip? Chip! 

She goes over and hugs him in joy.

Rouge: Guys, Chip is back!

Everyone except Knuckles go over and joins the hug. They ask him where he was and what happened to him.

Chip: It's a long story. Oh!

He then holds up a Cinderella book.

Chip: I also found this book in here.

Knuckles takes the book from Chip.

Knuckles: That's mine. Thanks for finding it. 

He smiles lightly but then looks down, sad. Rouge lets go of the group hug to see Knuckles.

Rouge: Knuckles?

Knuckles: I... Just miss the others. If only there was a way to see them.

Rouge: Maybe there is...

Later, in the West Wing; Rouge shows the mirror to Knuckles.

Rouge: This mirror will show you what you wish to see.

He holds it in his hand and and looks into it.

Knuckles: I want to see Vector, Espio and Charmy. 

The mirror then glowed and showed Vector coughing violently before passing out being held by Espio and Charmy.

Knuckles: Guys! Oh no! Father's in trouble!

Rouge then looks at the rose, it's petals on it's last legs.

Rouge: Then... Go to them.

Knuckles: What? You mean I'm free?

Rouge nods and Knuckles hugs her before handing the mirror to her.

Rouge: Keep it. It'll help you find your way back.

Knuckles: *Sigh* Hold on, guys...

He runs off not knowing Chip was in his pocket as Amy enters.

Amy: Well, Princess. I had my doubts but everything is moving like clockwork.

Rouge: I let him go.

Amy: Yeah I know, co- What!? You- Why!?

Rouge: Because... I love him.

Later...

Sonic, Marine, Sticks, and Shadow: She did what?!

Amy: Apparently...

Marine: Aww, Strewth.

Sticks: But she was so close.

Sonic: And after all this time, she finally learned to love.

Sticks: That's it then! That should break the spell!

Shadow: Sticks, it isn't enough; he needs to love her in return.

Unknown to everyone, Marine leaves.

Amy: Now, it's too late.

Meanwhile, Rouge was upset at what she did and worries that Knuckles wont return her feelings.

Rouge: I was the girl who had it all. I was the Queen of my fate. I never needed anybody in my life. I learned the truth too late. I'll never shake away the pain. I close my eyes, but he's still there. I let him steal into my melancholy heart, it's more than I can bear.

She goes to the open balcony and sees Knuckles on Fawn going quick as he can to save his father and friends.

Rouge: Now I know he'll never leave me even as he runs away; he may still torment me, calm me, hurt me, move me, come what may. Wasting in my lonely tower, waiting by an open door. I'll fool myself, he'll walk right in and be with me for evermore.

Rouge starts to feel hope that Knuckles will return her feelings.

Rouge: I rage against the trials of love! I curse the fading of the light! Though he's already flown so far beyond my reach, he's never out of sight!! Now I know he'll never leave me even as he fades from view, he will still inspire me, be a part of everything I do! Wasting in my lonely tower, waiting by an open door. I'll fool myself, he'll walk right in and as the long, long nights begin; I'll think of all that might have been, waiting here forevermore!!

As the castle got farther from distance, Knuckles went off to find his family.