BONUS CHAPTER: Ghosts of Twilight (Rouge)

Rouge stood before the mirror in her private quarters, the casino’s distant thrum muted by thick walls. Soft blue light from the hallway spilled across her skin. She wore only a thin sleeping dress that clung to her curves, the fabric shifting with every breath. Her reflection caught the sway of her breasts as she adjusted the straps, and a small, satisfied smirk curved her lips.

“And people say I show too much skin,” she murmured, turning slightly. “If you got it, flaunt it.”

The room felt too quiet. She let out a soft chuckle, then paused. Her friends were dancing in the center of the floor, bodies moving in slow, dreamlike rhythm. Sonic twirled Amy with playful ease. Blaze guided a flustered Silver through hesitant steps. Tails and Cream stood close, heads bent together in quiet conversation. Vanilla moved with deliberate, sensual grace around Vector, whose eyes followed every sway.

Rouge’s smile faded. She sank onto the edge of the bed, one hand pressed to her chest. The dream felt warm and heavy, the kind of dream that left you flushed and restless. Would Knuckles burst through the door, silent and fierce, lifting her onto the sheets before either of them could speak? Would Shadow appear instead, taking her hand with that careful tenderness he rarely showed, whispering things she had only imagined? Or would both men come for her, and would she let them have her, greedy and unafraid?

She kicked her heel lightly against the bedframe. “I can’t believe I’m having a wet dream right now. Of all times.” Her voice dropped. “It’s the Ruby. Has to be. Shadow’s probably walking into something just like this, saying every sweet, stupid thing I wish he’d actually say. And I’d let him. I’d let him have all of me.”

She lay back, staring at the ceiling. “I really am a stupid harlot sometimes, aren’t I?”

A younger voice answered from the doorway. “You’re being too hard on yourself, Ms. Rouge.”

Rouge sat up fast. Maria Robotnik stood there in her blue dress, blonde hair bright, eyes full of life that the old recordings had never captured. The girl smiled, shy but warm.

“It’s nice to meet you, Rouge. Even in a place like this, your club feels more alive than the ARK labs ever did. I wish this were real.”

Rouge’s throat tightened. “I would never dream of you like this. It doesn’t make sense.”

Maria crossed the room and sat beside her, small hand resting on Rouge’s shoulder. “The Love Ruby is ruled by two lovers who died long ago. The veil between worlds is thin here. Strong spirits can cross. With you and Shadow still living, it’s easier for me and Noir to reach you.”

Rouge’s eyes widened. “Mom’s here? Where? I’ve missed her so much.”

Maria’s face fell. “She’s with Shadow. We thought it would be **** this way. You might accept me as part of a dream. Noir thought it was a bad idea, but…” She trailed off.

Rouge touched Maria’s lips with one fingertip. “Your heart’s in the right place. Besides, if Mom were here I’d probably convince myself it was just the Ruby playing tricks.” She drew a slow breath. “I’ve always wanted to meet you. You’re the only person Shadow ever let himself be open with.”

Maria shook her head. “He’s open with you.”

“Not the way he was with you.” Rouge looked down at her own body, at the suggestive nightgown. “I wish I were a little more decent right now.”

“Oh, you’re fine,” Maria said softly. “I always admired how confident you are about your body. Fifty years ago that kind of attitude would have gotten a girl in serious trouble. I’m not sure I’d know how to wear something like that even now.”

Rouge snapped her fingers. Maria’s dress shimmered into a modest nightgown. The girl stared at herself in the mirror, cheeks pink.

“When you got older you would have turned heads,” Rouge said with a grin. “Key word being when. And please don’t tell Shadow I did this to you.”

Maria pressed a finger to her lips. Both of them giggled.

“You’re exactly as wonderful as he said you were,” Rouge whispered, then hesitated. “S-sorry, I—”

“It’s all right.” Maria’s voice grew quiet. “I was angry for a long time after what they did to Shadow and Grandfather. But being a spirit means I’m no longer sick. I can see farther than I ever could. After Shadow escaped, I was scared of what he might become. Now I just want to tell him how proud I am.”

Rouge looked away. “He’s come a long way since we first met.” She glanced back. “You’re here to help me sort out my love life, aren’t you?”

Maria nodded. “I’ll admit I’m biased toward Shadow, but Knuckles seems kind too. Tell me what you like about both of them.”

Rouge studied the girl’s steady eyes and decided she had nothing left to hide.

“Knuckles is strong. Brave. He guards the most powerful jewel in the world and still finds time to argue with me. He looks adorable when he’s flustered. I’ll never forget the way he saved me from that pit on the ARK. Our eyes met. His hand lingered. He was my knight in red armor.” She smiled faintly. “I even flirted with him up there. He didn’t understand a word of it.”

Her voice softened. “But he’s bound to that emerald. Stubborn. Oblivious. Sometimes I think he knows exactly how I feel and pretends he doesn’t because duty comes first. Still… being with him would feel safe. Simple.”

Maria’s smile turned knowing. “And Shadow?”

“Shadow trusts me when no one else does. He’s smarter than he lets on. When he lets his guard down he’s the sweetest person I know. I let him stay here sometimes because I hate the thought of him sleeping outside. I admire him the way Amy admires Sonic. His attitude should push people away, but it only pulls me closer.” Rouge’s fingers tightened on the blanket. “He frustrates me too. I wish he’d move on. Enjoy his life instead of carrying every scar like it’s still bleeding. He’s so reckless it terrifies me. But there’s a spark there I can’t ignore.”

She leaned closer. “Before we got pulled into the Ruby, he touched it and looked at me with real hunger. I’ve never felt so happy. I almost gave him everything right there, but I stopped myself. I want my first time to mean something.”

Maria’s expression grew gentle. “Did talking help?”

“It did.” Rouge sat cross-legged, heart steady now. “I have more moments with Shadow. More memories. The flirting that stopped feeling playful. The way I believe in him even when he doesn’t believe in himself. My heart belongs to him. Even if the whole world turns its back, I’ll stay by his side. That’s how much I care.”

Maria stood, the borrowed nightgown shifting back into her blue dress. “You should tell him. You might be surprised by what he says.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “You won’t be here much longer. Tell Shadow I said hello, all right?”

Rouge nodded, already feeling the dream thin around her. “Of course. Thank you for visiting.”

She woke to the quiet room. Shadow stirred on the floor, eyes opening slowly. The first words out of her mouth were the ones she had promised to deliver.

“Maria says hi.”

She smiled, small and warm. “She’s every bit as wonderful as you said.”

Shadow looked exhausted. So was she. Speaking with the dead clearly took its toll. Rouge scooted over on the bed, heart beating faster than she wanted to admit.

“All of today was… a lot,” she said quietly. “Do you want to lie next to me?”

He slid in without hesitation. His shoulders relaxed as her arms came around him. She held him close, breathing in the faint scent of metal and ozone that always clung to him. One thought settled deep in her chest and refused to leave.

She would stay by his side. No matter what came next.