Dark Genesis: Guardian Falling

Chapter Two:

The doors opened so fast, they crashed into the walls as they swung out. Three echidnas burst through and leant over his bed, their concerned faces swimming above Rex's own.
"Tobor!" One of them cried out. A girl of about, if not younger than his own age did her best to embrace him while holding a baby in her arms. Rex awkwardly returned the hug.

This is Tobor's wife, isn't it? Hmm, not a bad catch, my friend. I might get the opportunity to have a bit of fun with her… what was her name again?


"It's me, Voni-Ca! Do you remember me? Can you see me, Honey?" The girl shot out in a fit of mild hysterics.
All too easy.
 "Of course, I remember you, darling." Moritori Rex said soothingly, improvising. "How could I ever forget you? I see you clearly, love. So smile for me, will you?"

"Oh, sweetheart." Voni-Ca said, her eyes sparkling, and her lips curving upwards. It was obvious she had been crying, but she really was quite pretty when she smiled - nothing like his own Jesi-Je, of course.
"Thank the Walkers you're alright. We were so worried – It's wonderful to see you awake again – we weren't sure if – I'm just so relieved you're going to be ok!"

Voni-Ca looked down at the bundle in her arms and rocked the baby gently. She lifted her baby up to Rex, so that the infant could reach up and grab hold of the end of Rex's spines with a tiny little hand. Rex tried to look down to the baby overwhelmed with love and emotion. It wasn't easy. There was simply no connection between them.

"Spectre missed his daddy, didn't you, my love?" Voni-Ca cooed softly.
Rex looked down at the baby, not daring to speak at risk of revealing his discomfort.
This was Tobor's son.

It suddenly struck him what an immense problem this would be. He would soon be expected by Tobor's family to train the boy how to be a Guardian. Everything he'd been fighting against! Not to mention his own young son, Luger, still in the Twilight Zone, whom he had to raise to become a suitable heir to Dimitri's Dark Legion. In time, however, his own family's rightful position would be restored. It would be his own son, instead of this pup, that would live on The Floating Island. It rightfully belonged to the Dark Legion, and it was wrong that this child would be born with everything the Legion fought to someday regain.
He would have to make sure that justice was served.

However, he'd concern himself with such matters later. Right now he had to act as a convincing father of the little Guardian rat.
So Moritori Rex did his best to summon a warm, fatherly smile as he looked down at Tobor's son.

"Here, I'll let you hold him. I'm sure you missed him too." Voni-Ca said. "Your left arm is the broken one, isn't it?"
Watching out for the tube coming out of the inside of Rex's elbow, she carefully rested the baby against Rex's upper arm, supporting the baby with his forearm.

Quite unexpectedly, however, the baby began to scream bloody murder.

Rex didn't know what to do. Trying not to panic, in a calming voice, pretending the baby to be his own Luger, he said;
"Shhh… shhh, it's ok, Daddy's here…"
"We came and visited you as soon as we heard what happened." Voni-Ca said as she took the crying Spectre back into her arms. "...Oh, don't cry, Specs," She said, cradling him lovingly.
"These past couple of days - It was like a nightmare, really… I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Her voice cracked and her eyes began to leak, and Tobor's mother took Spectre from her to allow her to wipe them with her sleeve. It was obvious she really cared about her husband, and was beside herself with worry until a few minutes ago.

Sorry to disappoint you, sweet-cheeks.

"We're just so glad to see you awake, dear." Sonja-Ra said, bending down to kiss Rex's cheek while he did his best not to cringe. "Your father and I were so afraid the Dark Legion had done worse to you. But you'll be alright. I know you're strong." She finished, stroking Rex tenderly on the forehead.
Hawking put a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder then moved toward Rex's bed to speak with him in semi-private. Voni-Ca and Sonja-Ra both attempted to sooth the still agitated Spectre.

"…The Brotherhood arrived on the scene barely a minute after you disappeared." Hawking said to his feet. His voice was quiet and hoarse and his body was stiff and shivery. "They managed to seal the Dark Legion back away into the Twilight Zone. We'll be glad to see the backs of them." Hawking said with a nervous, bittersweet laugh. "But they sure did a number on you while they stayed." Hawking sadly looked up into Rex's eyes. "I'm so sorry, lad. I should have been there for your first challenge. And look what's happened to you."
Hawking put his forehead into his hands in self-disgust and disbelief.

"Father -" Rex began, feeling distinctly odd calling this man by that name. "I'll heal. I'll be fine. The Legionnaire that kidnapped me would have probably been crushed underneath the ruins, but I'm still here. That's something to be thankful for."
Moritori Rex meant it, too. He could have easily been crushed underneath the ruins, just the Guardian presumably had.
"But your eyes-"
"Will be fine. I can still see all of you. That's all that matters, right?"
Hawking nodded, looking a little convinced.
"As always -Your mother is right. You are strong. I'm so proud of you, lad."

Moritori forced himself to smile confidently, encouraged by his 'father's' praise. Hawking seemed extremely relieved that his 'son' had forgiven him, and looked as though the entire world has been taken off his shoulders. Quite suddenly, he looked almost cheerful.

"Your grandfathers couldn't come visit you just yet. They told me to say that they're very sorry, but they're still busy working with the EST. There's still a big mess to clean up that the Dark Legion created, also rounding up the Legionnaire vehicles and weapons – or soldiers - that were left behind… Of course, Father is far too busy meditating to take much notice of what's happening on this plain of existence, but then, that's your grandfather Mathias." Hawking rolled his eyes, obviously irritated. "But Jordan and the others promised they will come as soon as they can."

Moritori nodded. He felt reasonably confident he could convince the rest of the Brotherhood he was truly Tobor if he could convince Tobor's closest family members. After all, they were the ones that knew him best. Then, once he had secured his position within the Brotherhood, he could finally come in contact the Master Emerald. Who knew how long his artificial Guardian Ring would last? Days? Weeks? Months?

However, once that had been secured, he could begin to infiltrate the Brotherhood of Guardians, and bring the Dark legion the long-overdue victory they should have had all along!

Suddenly, the doors swung open again, interrupting Moritori's thoughts.

"Speak of the devil." Hawking said, his face falling into its usual mortified state as he turned to face those that had just entered the ward.

In the doorway there stood three male echidnas. The youngest on the left – but still a good deal older than Hawking - was a harsh-looking man with maroon-red fur and a simple blue singlet. The one beside him contrasted greatly as a much kinder, most eccentrically dressed echidna, with his front two spines bent forward and a pair of large square glasses sitting across his face.

Between them, standing a little further forward was an extremely aged echidna with bushy black eyebrows, his spines decorated with three thick bands on each. Despite his age, he gave off a very powerful aura, as if he could see into your very soul just by staring into your eyes. As if was the rightful authority in any given situation, and was not one to cross. The only thing that seemed to tie this mismatched trio together was a white ring across their chests.

The mark of the Guardian.

"Explain to me what happened, Great-Grandson" said Steppenwolf loudly, in a voice that shook with what could have been anger or concern. He walked forward a little, Jordan and Rembrandt staying where they stood, clearly seeing it best to leave Steppenwolf to his own devices.

Steppenwolf was such an intimidating figure; Rex found his confidence drain away with alarming speed. This was the echidna that banished his father into the Twilight Zone back in time of the Great Dimitri! Who was to say he wouldn't see right through his disguise, and do the same to him? Was he imagining that suspicious squint, or could the old man look really see into deep his mind and uncover his dark secret? Rex could tell he would need to be on his guard around this one.

Hawking looked down miserably, like a scolded child. Despite the fact that Hawking was an adult and had a family of his own, he was still relatively young and inexperienced when compared to the rest of the Brotherhood. If he wanted to say anything in reply, it was quite clear he couldn't find the right words.
Sonja-Ra stepped towards her husband as support, while Voni-Ca crumpled back into Moritori Rex, trembling slightly, overwhelmed by the combined stress of the last couple of days, and now the frightening in-laws showing up.

"Your grandfathers still scare me." She whispered quietly to Rex, holding her baby close.

"Well? Answer me!" Steppenwolf demanded, a little louder, crossing his arms. "How did this happen?"
Steppenwolf relentlessly stared down at Hawking with an intense, interrogative glare. There was a long pause.

"I thought…" Hawking began eventually, not meeting Steppenwolf's eyes. ".. I thought he was ready to be a Guardian."

"I see." Steppenwolf said, cocking an eyebrow. "And that is why Tobor was rushed into intensive care?"
"……"

Hawking felt terrible. He couldn't even give the Brotherhood a decent reason why he had allowed this to happen to his son.

"You know what this is?" Jordan spoke up suddenly, looking in the very direction that averted everyone's eyes. "This is Aaron all over again, isn't it?"
Rembrandt bit his lip nervously, darting his eyes around as though he wasn't sure where to look. Steppenwolf snapped his head around to face Jordan.

Well done, father. Moritori Rex thought, pride flowing through him. The Guardian you took down hasn't soon been forgotten here!

"There are some similarities in the situations, yes. But you'll notice our beloved Great Grandson here is still alive. Aaron, however, is not." Steppenwolf said bluntly.

Jordan stepped forward gave Steppenwolf a vicious look, making it obvious he wanted to say something to him, but knew it would be unwise. Steppenwolf looked as if he knew exactly what it was that Jordan wanted to say. He probably did.

Rembrandt ignored the two, swallowed the lump in his throat, and rushed forward to Rex's bed. Voni-Ca gave off a very quiet "Eep!"

"Don't worry, little man." Rembrandt said to Rex, his voice full of emotion, taking Rex completely by surprise. "Just remember, this ain't your fault, ok? These things happen and there ain't nothin' you can do about it." Rembrandt turned to face Steppenwolf. "And it ain't Hawking's fault, either. We can't blame him if the system we set up failed him."

Steppenwolf sighed and rubbed his temples, frustrated. "Always quick to blame the system, aren't you, Rembrandt? The problem didn't lie in the system, but in the execution of it. Hawking obviously misjudged the capabilities of his son and -"

BAMF!

A puff of smoke appeared quite suddenly in the middle of the room.
Voni-Ca screeched, Spectre began to cry again, and Rex felt his heart start racing. Between having recently woken up from being out cold, and being on guard due to the presence of Steppenwolf, he found he was much jumpier then usual. What was this? Was it some kind of guardian trick?

The Guardians in the room, however, treated this strange occurrence with no signs of shock or surprise whatsoever.
"Christopheles, Deo Volente…" Steppenwolf said slowly, looking a little less than pleased.

Once the smoke had cleared, two little fire ants stood on the floor, both of which were clearly furious.
"Steppenwolf, listen to yourself!" Christopheles said, pointing an accusatory finger at his student. "This isn't about whose fault this is!"

"Can't you see that Hawking is torn up enough about this already? Take a little more interest in Tobor's welfare, rather than trying to find someone to blame for the whole fiasco!" Deo said, backing up his grandfather.
Hawking gave the ant an eternally grateful smile, while Steppenwolf looked down at the two fire ants sternly.

"Old friend, as much as I respect your opinion, I must point out that I am taking an interest in Tobor's welfare. I'm trying to find out why this happened, so that this doesn't happen again."

"Isn't it obviouswhy this happened?" said Jordan interrupted, his voice full of bitterness. "It's the Dark Legion! It always has been, it always will be! The Twilight Zone is too good for them, we should eliminate them completely the next time we have the chance!"

"Hold on there, mate!" Rembrandt said. "You can't do that! They're entitled to a fair trial just like any other criminal to the public!"

"Rembrandt is right, Jordan." Steppenwolf said. "It's not as simple as that."

"Oh? You seemed to have no qualms about sentencing them to the Twilight Zone without a fair trial, Grandfather!" Jordan retorted.

"If we're going to have a fight, can we save it for later, or at least outside? My son needs peace and quiet in order to recover!" Hawking said loudly, seething. It seemed he'd found his bravery again, and was using it to stand up to his forefathers.

The room buzzed silent for a few seconds. The other five echidnas and two fire ants in the room looked at each other uncomfortably, not wanting to be first to speak.

"… You're right, we're sorry." Rembrandt said eventually, pushing his glasses back up his snout with his finger and turning to leave. "Get well soon, buddy."

"Get well soon, Grandson." Jordan said, holding the door open for Steppenwolf and Rembrandt.

"Yes, Get well soon." Steppenwolf said with a nod. "We had better return to Moonwatcher and Harlan. There's still much damage to sort out before nightfall." Steppenwolf paused.
"Would you like to join us, Hawking?" he added with a kind smile, to ensure there were no ill feelings between them. Christopheles beamed, victorious.

"…O-Of course." Hawking stammered, clearly surprised. "I'll come and visit you later, Tobor." Hawking said to Rex, who nodded in reply. "Hang in there."

Hawking gave Sonja-Ra a long hug, Spectre a quick kiss on the forehead, and headed out the door with Jordan closing the door behind them. With another 'Bamf!' Deo Volente and Christopheles left, feeling their job here was done. However, The Brotherhood's continued bickering could be heard moving down the corridor until out of earshot.

"Really, those grandfathers of Hawking's," Sonja-Ra said to no-one in particular, sitting down in a nearby chair, exhausted. "They can't do anything together without causing an argument and making a scene. They ought to take a look at the way they behave sometimes. I do hope Hawking never becomes like that. Nor you, Tobor dear."

Rather than worry about the Brotherhood's behavior, Rex could barely suppress the immense relief that flooded through him.
The initial meeting was over, and he'd survived! Surely this was worth more than surviving the collapsing ruins! There were still two more members of the Brotherhood to meet, but he now had the majority of the family convinced, and the other two had no reason not to trust him in the first place. He had it all set up perfectly!

It seemed the Brotherhood were easier to fool than Moritori Rex could have ever hoped for. Once Rex had fed the Dark Legion inside information about the Brotherhood, what hope did they have against his impending army, hardened by decades surviving in a barren wasteland?

"…Tobor, darling?" Voni-Ca said turning to Rex, and taking his hand with her free one. "We best be going now, too. We'll leave you to rest. Aurora knows you need it, after all you've been though."

"We'll come back tomorrow, dear - and every day as long as you are in here. Hopefully you'll be able to come home soon." Sonja-Ra added, getting to her feet.

"I hope so too." Rex said, not at all acting. The sooner he could get out of this hospital, the sooner he could get to the Master Emerald.
"But don't worry about me, make sure you remember to take care of yourselves." He added, as it seemed the kind of thing Tobor might say.

Voni-Ca laughed. "And the same to you, sweetie." She said, giving Moritori Rex a kiss on the cheek, before heading towards the door after Tobor's mother. Sonja-Ra put her arm around Voni-Ca's shoulder, and gave her a tight squeeze, and walked with her out the door. Before they passed through, Voni-Ca turned back to Rex.

"Say goodbye to Daddy, Specs." She said, lifting the baby's little arm and making it wave. "We love you!"
Voni-Ca smiled and turned back around, and walked into the corridor with her mother-in-law.

Rex felt his entire body relax. Even if it was still aching, he felt like he could breathe freely again. The ordeal had taken a lot out of him - and by ordeal, he meant meeting the family, not the accident.
He felt his eyelids grow heavier and heavier, until he couldn't keep them open any longer. His body began to sink deep into the mattress beneath him – a mattress softer than anything he'd ever felt before. The sun was lower in the sky now, the room wasn't so bright. Why fight it? He let the waves of sleep wash over him….

You were a lucky man, Tobor. You lived a wonderful life, and barring the old men, you had a truly delightful family.
It will be my pleasure to take all that away from you. Thank you for this, my friend...