.:she laughed:. ' 'Oh of course! I should've known! No wonder... No wonder indeed... But tell me Knux, how are you connected to that emerald of yours?' '

"W--what? What kind of question is that?" Knuckles said, sounding a bit confused. "They respond to everyone, just some better than others,"

Clik saw a blast come from ahead"Knuckles!" she started gliding/Flying

' 'To... Anyone?' ' .:she repeated, seemingly even more interested:. ' 'Well I see Maverick has warmed up to you.' '

He grunted. "That doesn't necessarily mean you can..." He glanced at Maverick and stopped himself. "Leave the dog outta this,"

' 'He was my first creation... Made to help those that can't help themselves.' ' .:she went on:. ' 'Now he can't choose if he wants to help me or you.' '

Knuckles remained silent. This whole situation was all an insult to him. Her in the tree, fighting like a coward, the tricks... He huffed, waiting for Maverick's claws. He glanced at his arm, still bandaged.

.:She clicked a button, chained bolas fell down on Knuckles:.

(Chained what now? I assume they're heavy... *googles* oh ok)

Knuckles neatly sidestepped. "Yeah, they work a lot better if you throw 'em," He said, as if he expected them. He backed up and slammed into the tree.

(Ping-der-ring)