Book of One-Shots

Knuxouge- More than the emerald

Knuckles stood guard of the Master Emerald on Emerald Isle; looking up toward the sky above him, it was quiet and though he usually enjoyed uneventful nights, the red echidna had his suspicion and a gut feeling that tonight wasn't going to remain uneventful for long.

"Oh, Knuxie!" A sing song voice greeted.

He was right.

That name. That pet name there was only one person who called him that, and the Master Guardian knew exactly who it was.

"Well, Well, if it isn't, Rouge the Bat."

"Uh-uh. That name's off-limits slugger." The jewel thief corrected, "Because last time I checked, my new name is, Rouge the Rat." Wiggling a scolding finger.

He recalled that memory vividly, "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

Mischievousness radiated off her. From the very top of her head, down to the very bottoms of her white and pink heart shaped high heeled steel toed boots.

"I would, but what fun would that be?"

Violet eyes shot her a look, "Let me guess, you're for the Master Emerald?"

She waved her hands defensively, "Don't get all excited sweetie. While old habits do die hard, and I mean that for the both of us; you'll be happy to know that that's not why I'm here." Squashing his assumption in the process.

Knuckles raised an intriguing brow which Rouge instantly caught.

A smile plastered itself on her features, "The reason for my visit is personal."

"Personal?"

The ivory bat nodded affirmatively.

"Listen hun, I know we don't always see things eye to eye-"

"-That's an understatement." Knuckles interjected.

"And while it's true, I've tried stealing and have stolen the Master Emerald as well as all seven Chaos Emeralds from you more than once." The ivory bat confessed, motioning towards the massive green emerald that sat behind them.

"More times than not." He said, adding to the fact.

"Believe me when I say, that's not why I decided to drop in unannounced."

'Or the other times for that matter.'

There was no questioning nor denying that the red echidna enjoyed his and Rouge's playful banters -that usually turned into a heated argument between the two- and sure, he'd much rather have a conversation with the sass filled treasure hunter without having to dish out an insult every two seconds. Deep down he knew, both knew in fact, that that's how they showed they cared for along with demonstrated their deeply rooted and unspoken love for one another. Yes. Despite the pairs countless quarrels -that mad them sound like an old married couple- name calling, disagreements, unexpected run ins, constant bickering as to who The Master Emerald truly belonged to -which was one thing the former G.U.N. agent and Guardian of the Master Emerald still, to this day couldn't agree upon- and rapid fire insults. Knuckles knew his life would be dull and boring if he didn't have the sassy bat in it. The same thing could be said about, Rouge and how she felt about her hot-headed knucklehead of an echidna.

'You're just a jewel thief, you wouldn't know!' She scoffed, mocking him, red dreadlocks appearing atop her head and ears.

'Long time no see treasure hunter, are you ready to give me back my emerald?'

Her emerald? No way that was happening; how many times was he, the Master Guardian, going to have explain that to this bullheaded jewel obsessed bat until she got it through her head? His answer – 24/7.