Treasure hunters Knuckles and Rouge are walking into the sand for hours and they start to feel the effort of that long day out in a mission.
The two of them are searching for a rare jewel who was always considered a legend... Until now.
They got reasons to think it was not and found out were it could be.
Unfortunately Sandopolis is a large area to search for something so small. Moreover, it is almost the same horizon for kilometres.
ROUGE
Is that a water fountain over there?
KNUCKLES
No, Rouge. How can it be? It's just
another mirage...
The hot sand starts burning so hard that they continuously have to make little ups and downs with their feet.
KNUCKLES
Isn't it...
ROUGE
Not yet. Just another mirage.
They stop amazed looking at what their minds are now proposing to them: a peaceful slice of world where birds are singing, water is crystal and there are plenty of chests containing shiny treasures. But nothing of those are real.
ROUGE
What do you think about living inside a mirage?
KNUCKLES
-What? Are you ok?!
Answers Knuckles confused. He starts to think that maybe Rouge is progressively losing her mind.
ROUGE (relaxed)
I mean, who dare to self proclaim themselves as much superior as to affirm what's right and what's wrong in this world? What's real and what is fantasy?
KNUCKLES (worried)
What are you talking about? If you need some rest, we can...
Rouge stops her walk and stares at him with a foul gaze.
ROUGE (hands on hips)
Are you saying I'm acting crazy, maybe, Knux? Come on, just say it.
KNUCKLES
W-well... You're not the person from whom I expect to hear such opinions...
ROUGE
Oh, this is it, then! Because I always think and talk about stealing jewels and superficial stuff? I'm not capable to think deeper?
Knuckles pants.
"The desert thing was not enough a problem, I needed some crazy bat to complicate the situation even more."
He thinks while searching for a way to solve the situation.
Luckily he doesn't have to search a lot for it...
KNUCKLES
Rouge! Look here. Is that...
ROUGE
It looks like the treasure we are searching for. Our researches say the chest is half a meter large, of mahogany wood and with a golden lock. So...
They get closer to the chest and open it with a key they' ve found days before. When it opens, they can't believe their eyes.
No treasure is inside of it. Instead, they find a piece of paper saying that:
"the real treasure is the journey you have the privilege to take with your mate"
ROUGE (angrily)
What?! What kind of joke is it?!?
Don't tell me that we take a week long trip after a week long research just to find this?!?
Knuckles, behind her, remains silent.
KNUCKLES (smiles quietly)
Weren't you the one who was wondering what's like to be living in a mirage? Maybe someone just heard your desire.
ROUGE
But! Aren't you angry?! Knux, we literally have lost tons of time for nothing!!
Knuckles giggles and turns around, way back home.
Rouge keeps on looking at him confused and wonders why he is acting relaxed and cool after having... Loose?
After few moments, Rouge turns her back to that treasure and follows him.
Once she reaches him, Rouge smirks.
ROUGE
Oh, I see. You agree with the message in the paper. You enjoyed the trip with me! Am I wrong?
KNUCKLES (blushing)
N-no way! You keep on having weird ideas.
Rouge now laughs, forgetting easily the anger of just some moments ago.
Knuckles follows her laugh, keep on believing that after all, a mirage is better than nothing.
