Knuckles pov

I couldn't believe my eyes. Surrounding the emerald were men and women in ninja garb simmiler to espios. Could they be?

"Fukano" espio muttered with a look of disbelief on his face. He must know these guys. Well no matter. They're touching my emerald so they're going to pay!

"Hey get the hell away from my emerald" I charged forward.

"Knuckles-sama wait!" Espio warned me but I didn't listen. I aimed for the first guys head but he disappeared before I could touch him. The second one aimed a sharp kick on my back, sending me to the cold hard floor. The third one pinned me to the ground before turning to espio.

"Camillion why has taken you so long to kill this one?" Her tone was harsh and unforgiving "this level of work is unacceptable"

"I'm not going to kill him" espio said firmly "I am honour bound to protect this man"

"You and your honour" she rolled her eyes "well if you're too weak to take care of things then I suppose I will"  she twirled a kunai in her hand before aiming it at my head.

"Yamete!" Espio blocked the kunai.

"You would dare go against the company" she was shaking in rage.

"I am honour bound to protect this man" there was a steely resolve in his eyes. Like nothing could change his mind.

"You will regret this" she glared at him before turning to the other "retreat for now" with that they all disappeared.

Espio fell to his knees "that was the scariest thing I've ever done" he laughed shakily.

I pulled him into a hug "it's alright espio. I promised I'd protect you and I mean it. They're not going to touch you"

"Arigato" he whispered as he trembling in my arms.

I don't know how long we sat there. All I know is that I felt more protective than ever..