The Prophecy (Part One) (re-editing)

Chapter 8 - Traitors and Imposters, part one

~Rouge~ 

"We need you to go to this address and investigate Doctor Robotnik's whereabouts." One of the men said, handing me a folded piece of paper. I lazily saluted him.

"Yessir. I'll get right on it."

I still couldn't believe it. It was just too easy. GUN still sent me out to gather information I already knew as I used them as a cover up. Eggman still trusted me. The group still trusted me. I wasn't even trying that hard and yet everything was falling into place. How priceless.

An on top of that, Lavender was treating me as an acquaintance.

"Oh good, Rouge. You're here." The lavender-hued dog said as I walked out of the elevator and into the lounge room. The dog had turned an office building into her 'base', and therefore nobody had suspected a thing. It was pretty ingenius, actually, since she didn't make much noise.

"Howdy, pup. What's up this time?" I greeted as I plopped into the lounge chair beside her. Random little robots were scattered about the room, going about their business doing different things. They were Eggman's toys, and really, they weren't good for anything. I watched as one rolled right into Lavender's legs, and she kicked it away viciously with a look that said it wasn't the first time one had done that. "Where's Eggy?" I added curiously. Eggman wasn't there, like he usually was.

"About to come in." Lavender gestured toward the oversized flat screen monitor cross the room that had footage from the several surveillance cameras on it. On the top left, there was Eggman with a robot following him. In the robot's arms, limp and dirty, was something.. red, I think. And upon further inspection, I realized who it was.

"Knuckles," I breathed, digging my nails into the bottom of my seat. At that moment, the door at the back of the room opened and in they came.

"Eggman!" I said, flying up and over to them. "Whatcha doing with hothead there?"

Eggman chuckled. "Well, Rouge. I had just met with Sonic and his girlfriend on the roof. They were--" he glanced to Lavender, who was watching us carefully. He cleared his throat. "They were.. erhm.. sneaking around. But after they left, I found this one sneaking around."

"Isn't that the so-called guardian of the Master Emerald?" Lavender questioned.

 Eggman nodded.

"I suppose he could be of use to us.." She muttered thoughtfully, then brightened. "Okay, lock him up."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Eggman snapped.

You could feel Lavender's glare. "Do you want the chaos emeralds when all this is through or not?"

Eggman groaned in annoyance and snapped his fingers. The robot started to walk, but I stopped it by jumping in its way.

"Wait! Eggy, mind if I lock him up? I have some personal reasons to torture him." I said with a fake smirk.

"Go ahead, Rouge!" Eggman said, shooing me away, probably glad that he didn't have to burn another calorie by walking there. I took Knuckles from the robot, nearly dropping him, and dragged him off and down the hall.

I took the elevator to the basement floor, where there was a long hallway with many cells. I left him in one and flew up to a security camera which moved back and forth. I took a bobby pin an slid it in a crack so that it was stuck in the same position, facing away from Knuckles. Then I flew back down to him, knelt beside him, took him in my arms and kissed him. Of course I had only seen him a few days ago, but we hadn't even talked. Our last breakup was so bad that he probably wasn't comfortable talking to me yet. But I missed him more than I could say. His soft red quills, his warm face, his hotheaded personality.. I loved all of it.

I pulled away, wiping a tear that streamed down my cheek. "Knuckles.." I whispered, laying beside him. "I miss you."

Suddenly, he sat up, holding his head. I sat up with him, a bit startled from his sudden movement, and he turned to me slowly. "Rouge?" He said quietly. Then he fully woke up. "Rouge, where have you been?"

I shushed him. "Quiet, big guy. Don't want to draw attention."

"That's right, Eggman found me.." He stopped and looked at me. "Don't tell me you're working for him again?"

"Okay, I won't." I shrugged.

"Rouge!"

"It's for a reason!"

"'A' reason? Don't tell me it involves gems.."

I faked a gasp, putting a hand over my heart. "Knuckies, do you really think I'm that dense of a bat?"

We just looked at each other for a moment.

"Okay, I have several reasons," I said flatly. "But this time, I promise, I'm on big blue's side. Your side. I'm just gathering intel."

"How can I trust you now, Rouge!" He whisper-yelled, throwing his hands up.

"Does this help?" I reached into my shirt and pulled out a chunk of the green gem.

"A piece of the master emerald!" He exclaimed, talking a bit louder than he should have.

I shushed him again and handed it to him. "I was going to give it to you later as an apology present, but I guess this is as good a time as ever."

"Rouge.." He muttered as he took it.

"Don't tell anyone where I am, Knux," I warned, holding a finger to my lips. "Don't want them thinking of me as a traitor."

He nodded. Poor thing was so gullible, believing me already. But I guess it was good, for me. This time, anyway.

"I miss you, Knux." I said softly, leaning into him. He wrapped his arm around me and kissed my head. His arms were the only arms I ever wanted to be in. He was the only person who could see my fragile side; the only person I truly trusted. Our last fight scared me; I thought I had lost him for good. All because I made it look like I was only with him for the emeralds.. I had almost lost him. It was all my fault. I never wanted to lose him.

"Rouge, I--" He started, but stopped. He averted his gaze shyly, with a sort of rare expression that I absolutely loved out of him.

"What is it?" I asked, raising up.

"Are you really just gathering information?"

He was having doubts about my story, but I guess it was only natural. I nodded. "Lavender is working with Eggman. She's making him do all her dirty work, luring him with the emeralds and the promise to help him seek revenge on you all." I explained in a hushed tone. Then I gave him a serious look. "She has other motives than getting to Sonic. That's just an extra step to help her along the way. She wants to restore her clan. Her whole kingdom, or something like that, and expand it. That's all I know. But this peace and quiet now is for a reason. I'm not exactly sure what she's going to do but.. You need to warm the others to be careful."

"How can I when I'm here?"

"I was supposed to lock you up." I said, nuzzling into him. "How about you 'escape' in a little bit. I'll cover for you. Just make a big scene like you're busting out. I'll leave this door unlocked for ya."

He nodded and cupped my chin with his hands. "I'm so sorry, Rouge." He said, nuzzling his face into mine. "I won't ever drive you off of Angel Island again."

"I.. I don't know if I deserve to be able to go back."

He pulled back and kissed me passionately for a long moment, then looked at me, brushing his hand across the top of my head. "If you don't come back. I'll kidnap you."

A faint smile found its way to my lips as I stroked his cheek. Then, I heard Lavender calling my name. "I'll leave the door open, sugar. Wait a few minutes and bust out, just like I said. I'll take the blame of not locking you up tight. Just get out of here safely, and spread the news." I said, standing up. I shut the cell door behind me and blew a kiss, flying up the stairs and out the door.

Less than ten minutes later, he was out. It started out just as we planned. I acted as if I were surprised, and Eggman was flustered. Lavender, however, turned our plan around.

I felt like a traitor.

xoxo