[Knuckles' POV]

"So... How do you know Rouge?" I asked awkwardly to the guy sitting next to me.

"Ah, I frequent the bar often." The dark green minx smiled to me, but I could see that it was drunken.

I looked back at Rouge, who was tending the bar at her club. Was she really serious about this? She's been trying to hook me up with someone for two days now, and they were all complete failures. I feel like she's starting to get desperate now. She gave me a half real smile before turning around and making another round of drinks for others. I didn't drink.

I looked back to the minx, who was passed out. Great. Maybe now I can go home...

I stood up, trying not to alert the bat of my leaving. I could see the door just past the dance floor. Quickly, I made my way through the multicolored, filled room, only to be grabbed by a dark purple hedgehog and pulled away from the door. He struggled in the other's grasp as he was pulled on the dance floor.

"Come on and dance with me, cutie." he slurred out, holding my arm tightly.

"What!? Let go of me!" I tried to pull away, but the hedgehog was strong, pulling me closely to him. 

I kept struggling during the drunken dance, not giving up. The hedgehog seemed to tighten his grip; I kept trying to push him away.

"He said to let him go." a stern voice said, gripping onto the hedgehog's shoulder.

"Chill, man. We're just dancing." The hedgehog's grip tightened on me, and panic filled my body.

"No, you're hurting him." I could see that the one trying to help me was a light brown fox with sunset eyes.

The hedgehog just scoffed and held me tighter, causing me to struggle, it suddenly being hard to breathe. I struggled in the tight grip, gasping out for air. The fox frowned and grabbed my arm, tugging me tightly out of his grip. The hedgehog released me as the fox did so. 

"You're no fun, Devion." The hedgehog droned.

The fox named Devion rolled his eyes. "And you're trying to take someone by force. Now, goodbye."

The hedgehog glared before sparing a glance at me and walking away. Then, the fox turned to me. "I'm sorry about him; he does it every week to a newcomer. Speaking of newcomers, you don't come here often, do you?"

I shook my head. "I don't, actually. Rouge dragged me here."

"Ah, so you're a friend of the owner?"

"More or less." I shrugged as we made our way off the dance floor.

 He looked at me with a soft smile. "I'm Devion, and you?"

"Knuckles."

"Thank you for saving him, Devion." Rouge smirked to me as we walked up to her.

I crossed my arms. "I can handle myself."

"Says the one who couldn't get away, even though he claims to be so strong." Rouge taunted. I felt my face heat up as I growled. Rouge just giggled, which I was use to. But then I heard a chuckle beside me.

"You were right, Rouge. He is pretty cute." The fox smiled when I looked at him.

"Excuse me?"

Rouge smirked. "Devion here was checking you out when you were walking away."

"It sounds weird when you put it that way..." Sunset colored eyes that reminded me of Silver looked away. "I was just admiring him. I-I've never seen an echidna before, but I've heard that they are very beautiful and unique creatures." He looked back to me. "I see that what historians say is true."

My face heated up at the attempt to flirt with me. I coughed awkwardly while looking away. "Thanks, I guess, but you shouldn't do that. I'm with someone."

"Knuckles!" Rouge groaned. "You were actually getting somewhere! I know it hurts, but Silver's probably not coming back."

"I'm not giving up on him!" I growled out, anger flaring up. I was about to go into a rant, but a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Knuckles; I didn't know." Devion had a small smile, his eyes full of sincerity. "I should've asked first."

"I... Uh..." I was at a loss for words. Staring into those calm sunset eyes made all of my thoughts come to a stop.
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"Knuckles?" The young voice of Silver questioned. I looked back at him in shock.

"H-How did you find me here!?" I was deep in the cave after all.

"I could sense your sadness. Knuckles, are you crying?"

I sniffed, wiping the liquid off my cheeks. "No." I turned back around, not wanting my apprentice to see me like this. "Just go back to the emerald. I'll be there in a moment."

"Knuckles...." A gentle hand laid on my shoulder. "Please tell me what's wrong."

I stared straightforward to the cave wall, the lantern I set there brightening it up and showing the ancient writing of my people. Silver seemed to look there too.

"What is this?"

"This is where the echidnian tribe wrote their history and predictions of the future...."

"So, what does this say?"

I took a deep breath before reciting it aloud. "When times have settled, the blue hero will be at peace until an echidna steals his life. The once peaceful world will end, bringing chaos and destruction in it's wake."

"If you're the last echidna, then..."

"I'm destined to kill my best friend."

"What?" Silver looked to me, sunset eyes wide.

"The blue hero is obviously referring to my friend, Sonic...." I sighed. "I wish I could change this, bit it was predicted by the Master Emerald."

I felt my face being turned to face the hedgehog, our eyes locking. He gently wiped away the new tears rolling down my cheeks with his thumbs. "Nothing is set in stone for the future. It can always change. There's always a way to prevent something, so please don't cry, Knuckles. You'll find a way."

I stared into the optimistic eyes of my apprentice, my face heating up at his smile. Just looking at him made me feel better for some reason, and I was able to return that smile. "Thank you, Silver."

"It's nothing. I just don't like to see you sad." Silver smiled, helping me up. "Now, let's get back to the emerald."

I nodded as we walked out of the cave.

___________________________

"Knuckles! There you are!"

I snapped out of my thoughts to direct my attention to the two tailed fox that ran in. "Tails? Is everything alright?"

"Th-They're taking Shadow off life support, and Sonic's going crazy! I tried to help, but he won't let anybody get close to Shadow!" The breathless fox said worriedly.

"Devion. Hold down the fort." Devion nodded as Rouge and I shared a glance before running out to the hospital, Tails behind us.

Please don't do anything stupid, Sonic....