Well it's back. Although the game was only meant to be a three part story, thanks to a large number of positive reviews, some great feedback and a break from my exams, I'm putting up part four. Honestly this has be on file for a few months now but I find that compared to part 3 I'm not overly pleased with this. Whether or not I'll continue this beyond a fourth chapter I don't know; The game is my longest running story with the first chapter being written back in 2010 and it's changed a lot since then, hopefully I've improved as a writer which is why so many people enjoyed it. Regardless I'm fond of it and really pleased to have found the time to try and bring it to a conclusion; ideally I'd love to be able to show Rouge working her way into gaining the upper hand but my schedule may mean a long wait if I do write more. Ultimately I suppose the only thing left to do is apologise for the author notes I know most people don't really want to read and hope that you find this part worth the wait even if it fails to live up to chapter 3. I don't mind getting criticism on this as long as it's constructive as I'd love to learn how to improve and would really appreciate anyone telling me what they thought of this and whether or not they would like to see any more of Shadow and Rouge's game. Thanks for all the support so far ^^

Shadow lay with his eyes shut on the roof of Club Rouge. He had no reason to go in, Rouge was out and Omega was on an assignment. A single ebony ear twitched at the sound of rushing air. Low growing emerged from the tan muzzle, if that fox thought that Shadow would help him and his 'brother' save the world again he had another thing coming. The ear twitched again and a small smile played on Shadow's face. Wing beats were a much better sound particularly the strong, steady and almost silent set that approached now. He was use to those wings bringing a sense of security; they had carried him over obstacles, reached hidden levers and switches and always meant an ally in combat. Gentle click of heel on concrete and Shadow was expressionless once more. He could hear the slight catch in her breath that suggested she'd endured quite a flight; a sign of fatigue that as the Ultimate Lifeform he himself would never experience. The sound of her landing aside the bat moved soundlessly as she sauntered over.

"Did I just see you smile Shadow?" Rouge called playfully to her current lodger.

Shadow refused to acknowledge her presence except to reply "I thought it was that damn fox at first coming to ask for help. That it turned out to be you was…pleasant"

A perfectly decorated eye arched "Is that so? Well then I bet you can't guess where I've been"

Finally the ruby eye emerged from its ebony casing "with the echidna"

Rouge pouted slightly "Have I really become so predictable?"

Now it was the hedgehog's brow which arched "Become?... I think you've always be so predictable, you love for jewels ensures your loyalty"

Eyes widening in mock injury, the bat gazed down at her companion "Well don't you know how to charm a girl." Her perfectly decorated lips pulled into a grin "Besides you've become quite predictable yourself"

A brow was cocked in question causing the red rim around those unusual ruby orbs to stretch.

With a flash of her regular seductive smile Rouge sank to the ground so that she sat beside the reclining hedgehog "When we were playing our little game I could never find you unless you wanted me to… now you turn up here regularly" She leant close so that her breath ruffled the fur on his ear "A girl would almost think you enjoyed her company"

"You intrigue me" the hedgehog confessed without shifting his position "We could call these visits research."

Sighing in a way that indicated she was weary of his nature, Rouge looked away "Has it ever occurred to you that the reason you find me fascinating is because we're opposites? You stay away from everyone whilst I like being the centre of attention; I'm expressive and you're not… honestly Shadow it's like you're an alien or something" Suddenly a playful grin lit up teal eyes and the bat laughed "Oh wait you are an alien… by blood anyway"

Narrowed ruby orbs shot to her form and the Ultimate Lifeform finally let his armour slide as he gave a low, menacing snarl.

Gently flicking his ear, Rouge smirked "Daddy still a sore point Shadow?"

His eyes were darkened by his increasing fury but Shadow fought the urge to reply.

"You won't touch me, I know that" the confidence in her tone surprised the hedgehog enough to still the blazing emotions he felt and he fell silent as she continued "If I went you'd only be left with Omega and we both know you can only take so many insults about your creator's grandson"

Closing his eyes again, Shadow again lost his expression "Are you going somewhere with this?"

"I finally got some leverage Shadow" teal orbs shone in triumph "I finally won your little game"

Rewarding her for her efforts was a smile from Shadow "And what would that leverage be?"

Closing the distance between them so that the tip of her ear brushed the top of his only downturned quill, Rouge laughed "You have a real thing for family Shadow; affection, hatred, devotion or even just a sense of responsibility it's the thing that proves you're different from all those androids Eggman made. It makes you different to Doom. It makes you like everyone else instead of some mindless creation, proves you have a will of your own and that Shadow I think is the thing you value most."

"You want me to come treasure hunting with you" Shadow astounded Rouge with a low laugh "I wonder how many weeks, months it took you to find that one little crack, that chip… I was certain I'd left you nothing but I suppose I must have grown careless" The ruby eyes were darken by an unreadable emotion.

"Or we're friends Shadow" she countered.

"Yes" finally the hedgehog took to his feet "I trust you enjoyed our last trip then, you certainly couldn't help but swoon over our finds… though if that was the case I wonder why you asked the echidna first?"

A lesser woman would have blushed in shame at the hedgehog's implications but Rouge simply smirked "He's less stubborn" Her eyes narrowed "And I for one Shadow never swoon over little finds like ours, not when there's a giant emerald with MY name on it"

The usual smirk crossed Shadow's muzzle and he ignored the later part of her statment "Not what I'd see as a good quality of the Guardian but I suppose it's better than you telling me you were visiting for his friendly nature or brilliant intelligence" He stretched and let his eyes trail back to the bat's form "I'll give you this little victory Rouge, let you have your moment of glory but I'm afraid you haven't won yet"

A blue shadowed eye was raised in amusement "You aren't tired of it yet?"

Shadow's voice was filled with an emotion she could identify "I have all eternity. The game is far from done"

As she watched him drop effortlessly to the street Rouge rolled her eyes "Stubborn, egoistic hedgehog"

The twitch of a midnight ear was the only suggestion he'd heard.

Effortlessly she flung herself backwards of the roof to fall into a rhythmic flight beside him "Well then I suppose you've left me no choice but to keep digging" She smiled at him from under her lashes "You know how I hate to lose. However Shadow I think it's about time we took this game to my turf; if you want information you'll have to go where I want you this time"

Finally Shadow's rocket skates started to spark and the hedgehog picked up his pace "Very well I'll play by your rules this time round" His piercing gaze moved to her "But you should know I never lose."

"Then let's play" She winked before wheeling away from him down a street.

Her sharp ears picked up the satisfying sound of chaos powered skates closing in. It was her game now.