Phew! Sorry this took so long but this was a dozy to write. And too much Destiny... Not to mention that this is by far the longest chapter yet. Actually its kind of too long if I'm honest... But I had a lot to get out! Also this chapter marks the introduction of a bunch of OC's, a few of which will be prominent members of the supporting cast and one of which will be a main character. Now before anyone goes 'O ma gerd! OC's, ru1nd forevur!' just... give them a chance okay? I put a lot of thought into these guys.

And fun fact, this is uploaded on Halloween despite not being Halloween related in anyway! Other than the fact that this is by far the most violent chapter so far...

Evanescence: What You Want (Theme of Blaze)

Trapt: Echo (Theme of Silver)

Paramore: Ain't It Fun (Theme of Marine)

Crossfade: No Giving Up (Theme of Dax)

And for fun... Digital Summer: Playing the Saint

Chapter 2: Knights of Soleanna

As Sonic's world fell into chaos, a dimension away an entirely different journey was beginning. Different, but not at all separate...

XxXxXxXxX

Breep, beep.

Breep, beep.

Breep, beep.

In a bedroom in the middle of a sleepy suburb, a lumpy mass on the bed stirred, a low groan emitting from it. It ignored the incessant beeping of its alarm, before it finally poked its head from underneath the sheets, revealing a male mobian dog of taller than average height. The bleary dog fumbled at the top of his alarm, looking for the snooze button. Soon he found his goal, silencing the clock, and went back to sleep. Not a minute later, a loud rapid knocking came at his door,

"Dax? Dax? DAX!"

The final shout of the dog called Dax's name suddenly and violently roused the dog. He jumped in alarm and fell out of the bed, rubbing his head as he regained his feet.

"Oof! Oooh... C'mon Dad, just a few more minutes?"

"I'm not falling for that again," came the reply, "Get ready, we're leaving in an hour and Buster is already waiting downstairs."

The mention of his friend's name perked Dax up. He made his way to the small en suite bathroom in his room and hopped in the shower. Once done, he brushed his teeth and observed his visage in the mirror, to ensure he looked presentable for the day ahead of him. He had light brown fur and a shaggy black muzzle. Adorning his head was a mess of jet black hair, stuck in a permanent bed-head something he tried to remedy for the thousandth time using a comb, only for it to pop back right to its previous pattern. His tail was long, black at the tip and somewhat bushy, though no where near as much as a fox or raccoon. Easily the most distinguishing feature about Dax were his irises, a deep orange that was so vibrant that in the right light they even appeared to glow.

After one last attempt to tame his hair with hair gel (after which it just twanged back into place again), Dax returned to the bedroom proper and got dressed. A white t-shirt with a red silhouette of a superhero on it (with a tuft of his black chest fur poking out the top), a torn blue pair of jeans, white trainers criss-crossed with red and blue lines and brown leather fingerless gloves were what he wore. On top of that he wore his favourite jacket, a somewhat weather-worn navy blue leather jacket with red lining and the flag of his home country Soleanna, a golden flame on a black field, emblazoned on the left arm.

Dax went downstairs and into the kitchen where at the table sat Shrike, Dax's father, and Buster, his best friend feasting on toast. Shrike was very much the spitting image of his son, right down to the untameable hair, the only difference was fur colour and signs of aging. He had concrete grey fur rather than light brown, his muzzle, hair and chest were navy blue and his eyes were golden. He wore a simple white button shirt and black jeans. He also carried himself far more seriously than his son; fitting given his station.

Buster Victin meanwhile was a large mobian bear, over four feet of dirty blonde fur and muscle. His white hair and muzzle fur were trimmed short and neat in a military like fashion. He wore a red muscle shirt that only enhanced his image along with sand-coloured cargos. Despite his intimidating appearance, Dax knew that he wouldn't hurt a fly out of malice; a fact betrayed by his soft cream coloured eyes.

"Hey Dax," greeted Buster, "You ready for today?"

"Ready and raring, man!" he replied enthusiastically as he grabbed a slice of toast and sat down.

Shrike rolled his eyes, "If that were true, you would've gotten out of bed on your own for once. The Trial is serious business, Dax. If you wish to become a Sol Knight it is essential that you excel."

Dax replied with the most reassuring smile he could muster, "I know dad, I know. I'm just not a morning person."

Shrike sighed while Buster quickly tried to move the conversation on, "So Dax, what kind of Trial do you think you'll be given?"

Dax chuckled, "Dunno man, they are random after all."

"Yeah yeah, I know. I meant guess or something."

Dax sat up, "Well, Dart got a combat Trial; like last for ten minutes against a Blademaster right?"

Shrike nodded.

"Yeah. And Silver had to figure out the cause of a bunch of disappearances out in the Westtrack."

"Yes, and it was a feral needlehound, a rather easy Trial if I'm honest," Shrike nodded.

"Yeah a needlehound is no competition to a decent fighter," Dax nodded, "Anyway, I think Bret and Polla got a group Trial?"

Buster nodded, "Yeah yeah, they had to survive in the DMZ with only a basic survival kit between them for two weeks. I know all this, what's your point?"

Dax smiled, "My point dear bear-bro, is that it could be any combination of those plus a thousand more, so why ask me what I think it'll be?"

Buster shrugged, "Because your dad's talk about how tough this Trial is gonna be is making effin' petrified?"

Shrike chuckled as he stood, "Heh heh, yes I'm told I'm good at that. Now shall we head to the temple, get a head start on training?"

Dax stretched and leaned back whilst closing his eyes, "Naaah. No need, I'm gonna nail it."

The dog opened his eyes only to see his father and friend giving him a hard stare.

"Alright, alright let's go..." Dax grumbled.

The trio left the house and into Shrike's silver saloon. After pulling out of the drive way the car left the suburb and onto an overpass which gave a great view of the capital of Soleanna, High Crest. It stood by the glistening Northwash Sea, with docks and warehouses dotting the coast's edges. Further inland, the ancient spires of the Old City stood with buildings over a millenia old. In the centre of the Old City stood the Citadel of Solaris and the seat of the House of Centinae, the current rulers of Soleanna. The city streached out further towards the Minuid Mountains where the modern, towering skyscrapers of the New City reached to the feet of the mountain peaks. Some ways up one of the peaks was a lone building and their destination; the Temple of Solaris.

Soon, they arrived at the temple perimeter and, after being cleared by the gate guard, then the temple itself. The large, ancient building resonated power, it was older than High Crest itself. Its worn stone walls were covered in faded gold leaf and the old wooden banisters were a faded maroon; the temple was well maintained, but time can only be fought for so long. In front of the door to the main hall stood a statue of the long, long dead King Twilight, the first king of a unified Soleanna and the founder of High Crest. He also originally studied and trained at the Temple of Solaris for it was also a place of learning. Flanking the main hall doors were two of the temple's students, clad in ornate, but desceptively modern golden armour and wielding long intracate polearms with elegant axe-like blades.

They were Sol Knights. They were part of an elite force of around five thousand that were charged with defending the royal family, their sacred artifacts and keeping watch at the Scorched Run against Soleanna's enemies. They were all skilled fighters, be it with blade, gun, bow or even fist, as well as powerful Streamers. Sol Knights were lifers, serving for their entire professional lives, with the most skilled, tactically and physically, becoming one of ten Commanders; a distinction that Shrike had the honour of having. Dax and Buster meanwhile were about to take the final step from Squirehood to becoming full Sol Knights, the Trial.

Squires were initiated at twelve years old, with any Streamers being potential candidates. If they pass a obstacle course and psych exam they begin training until at eighteen, nineteen or twenty (whenever they are deemed ready) they face the Trial, a task, unique for each student, designed to test all of their training, skills and cunning. Pass and they became Sol Knight Initiates, the lowest rank but still held the equivailent rank of Lieutenant in the regular army.

Dax felt an all too familiar twinge when he saw the guards. He shouldn't have gotten this far... He had a rare condition amongst Streamers, Stream Instability, which suppressed the full potential of his powers and made it difficult to keep a hold of whatever he did have. The only reason he made it so far so bull-headed stubborness and a near unnatural talent with a sword. Nonetheless, in his heart of hearts, he did not expect to pass the Trial.

The trio enter the massive main hall, a bright room with a murial of an ancient battle that later saw formation of the Sol Knights on the ceiling. Many doors led off to different parts of the temple, with Knights, squires and those involved in maintaining various aspects of the temple hurrying back and forth.

Shrike turned to the two teenagers, "You boys go prep your gear and get your thoughts together. Be at the Emerald shrine in half an hour. I'll see you there."

The boys only nodded and headed off towards the armoury. Shrike meanwhile made his way into the depths of the temple until he reached a wide open room with a concave ceiling. The room appear to simply be carved roughly out of the rock aside from the neat paving on the floor and a hole in the ceiling that let in a beam of daylight onto the centre of the room. There within the light, surrounded by seven large floating jewels, was a meditating figure on its knees, eyes closed. Shrike made his way towards it but was interrupted by a shout to his right.

"Oi, oi! D'you have an appointment, mate?"

Shrike whirled on the figure, bristling. The culprit was a young female raccoon of around fifteen or sixteen. Her orange fur and chocolate brown bands around her eyes and tail only served to highlight her bright blue eyes. Her hair was tied back in a long ponytail, with long bangs hanging over the top of her eyes. She wore a squires uniform of black shirt and trousers, black boots and gloves and a gold-trimmed black tabard with the Golden Flame of Soleanna on the breast.

"Mind your tongue, squire," Shrike growled, "This temple is under my protection; I don't need an appointment to move around in it."

The raccoon merely scoffed, "Mind yourself, fella! The princess specifically asked for no interruptions and it ain't happenin' under my watch."

A level voice broke the heated exchange, "Be calm, Marine. Commander Nalsaw does not need an appointment," the meditating figure opened her eyes, "I apologize, Commander. She was acting under my instructions."

The raccoon called Marine crossed her arms with a somewhat smug look upon her face, "'Keep anyone from disturbing my meditations', that's what you said, yep."

"It does rather defeat the purpose of your task if your method of stopping intruders is yelling at them, Marine."

The figure approached the two and now that she was out of the sunlight, the visage of Princess Blaze Centinae was clear. She was tall lavender cat with a what appeared to be a cut red ruby on her forehead; a symbol of her status. Her golden eyes were infamously soul-piercing but had gained a much softer edge to them in recent months. Her hair was tied back in a tall ponytail that had grown to a degree that it had began to slope downwards. She wore an open long purple coat with simple red embroidery, a black undershirt with a golden Sol Steel breastplate that actually looked rather light, white leggings and gloves and ornate purple shoes also of plated Sol Steel. She had gotten rid of the high heels she had worn a couple of months before due to 'impracticality'.

Marine twiddled her fingers together, "Eh heh heh... Sorry Blaze. Commander. Squire's gotta do what she's told."

Shrike raised a hand in a calming gesture, "It's alright. Why don't you go practice your water-weaving?"

"Sounds good to me!" she exclaimed, saluting, "G'day, Commander!" and with that she rushed off.

Blaze sighed whilst rubbing her head, "I'm sorry Nalsaw, she still has something of a problem with authority."

Shrike chuckled, "Like I said, it's alright your highness. That attitude might actually prove useful once she becomes a Knight."

"Perhaps, perhaps. What brings you here today then? I do not believe you were due in today."

"Yes, well, my son recieves his Trial today."

Blaze felt a twinge of guilt as she always did when she heard Dax mentioned, a sobering reminder of what her powers could do unchecked. Ever since Dax had started studying here, she made a point to avoid the training grounds. Thankfully, Blaze usually kept to herself entirely so she wasn't sure that Dax even knew she lived in the temple, given that she stuck to the Emerald shrine and Dax to the barracks, cafeteria and training grounds. For the best she had always thought, best she not bring up any bad memories and besides she was never any good in such awkward social situations.

Recently, however, ever since she had made some close friends during battles with their kingdom's single greatest enemy, Eggman Nega, she had contemplated trying to rebuild bridges between them. Apologize for what she did.

"Princess? Are you alright, you seemed a little... spaced out there?"

Blaze was yanked from her reverie by the dog's question, "Huh? Oh, uh, yes Commander I wish him the best of luck."

"Thank you," Shrike nodded, "Would you like to inspect the potential Initiates before they are tasked?"

Blaze blinked. A chance to see Dax? Right before his Trial? No, that would not be appropriate; such a distraction could prove disastrous for his performance.

"That's quite alright, I should be getting back to my meditations."

As Shrike began to leave the chamber, the ground underneath began to shake violently. Shrike spun around only to see Blaze ready in a fighting stance, glancing around the room, "Prepare yourself! I sense something coming!"

Shrike silently cursed himself for not suiting up and arming himself as soon as he had entered the temple, as protocol said he should have. Instead, he widened his stance and raised his fists whilst reaching into that familiar spot in the back of his mind; his Stream to the Sol Force. His irises began to glow and his fists alit with golden aura, "I'm ready princess."

Not a second later, the ground between the two exploded upwards in a towering pillar of rubble and dust. Once it cleared, it revealed a huge, unmarked machine sticking out of the ground, with a huge spiked drill at its apex. Lower down on the machine there were a number of doors; doors that soon after rose slowly and ominously. With a cha-chunk they came to a stop and for a moment, there was silence. Then figures advanced out of the machine at a run charging at the commander and princess. They wore simple and unmarked gunmetal grey plated armour and wielded either a vibroblade, rifle, shotgun or in some cases some sort of heavy weapon like a light machine gun or a rocket launcher.

With a battle cry on the commander's side and a silent, burning glare on the princess's, the two charged into battle.

Ten minutes earlier...

Dax and Buster arrived at the barracks and headed straight for their respective lockers. Dax arrived at his, marked 'D. Nalsaw' and Buster at his own marked 'B. Etrask'. Inside, Dax was presented with his gear; a black uniform identical to Marine's in all but size (Dax being above average height and Marine below) except for an armoured vest underneath the tabard. His weapons consisted of large revolver-like pistol with a midnight blue paint-job, a weapon dubbed Backlash by Dax, and a two and a half foot long mono-edge sword. It had a simple steel blade and rectangular block shaped guard, with the handle being wrapped in an interlocking pattern of high quality leather. At the base of the blade was an indented section that covered about a quarter of the total length with things that looked similar to nozzles. These were the conductors, an arc of electricity would run between them when the sword was activated. Indeed, the weapon was a Type-4 vibroblade, colloquially known as a 'bolt sword'; a weapon capable of being charged with electrical energy or even projecting it across short distances within a magnetic 'bottle'. It really was a crushing blow in the battle of melee versus ranged combat.

His sheathed sword slung across his back and his pistol holstered at his side, Dax closed his locker and turned to see Buster similarly suited up, only he wielded a standard issue Flurry machine pistol and a long halberd in a similar style to Dax's sword, right down to the conductors for it was too a bolt-blade.

"Ready, bud?" asked Dax.

"As I'll ever be," replied a worried looking Buster.

Dax grinned and slapped his friend on the back, "Don't worry. Like I said earlier, we'll nail it."

Despite his 'confidence', he secretly felt like his heart was about to leap out of his throat, flee the temple and carve out a life as a crazy hermit in the mountains. In spite of this, the two left the lockers and left towards the emerald shrine to meet Shrike.

The duo did not make it far however when the entire world seemed to shake around them. They heard roars and crashes and shouts and screams of alarm all around them. The two soon lost their footing fell to the ground and they instinctively covered their heads with their arms. After a few seconds, which seemed like an eternity, the shaking stopped.

Buster was the first to emerge from his position, "It's stopped... You okay Dax?"

Dax rose to his feet, dusting off his tabard, "Yeah I'm fine. But seriously what the fuck? We don't get earthquakes here..."

"Yeah. Weird."

The two then froze when they heard the sounds of fighting, gunshots and clashing blades, shouts of anger and screams of pain, worryingly close. Dax immediately drew his sword and flipped it on, an arc of electricity angrily pulsing between the two conductors at the base of the blade as a low hum rose higher and higher only to disappate. The infamous sound of a vibroblade being activated.

Having done the same with his halberd, Buster advanced forwards to the corner of the branching corridor they were in. The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps could be heard. Buster peeked around the corner; only to instantly flinch back as a bullet whizzed by.

"Shit. Dax we've got company. Four of them, no markings. Two with rifles, two with blades."

"In the temple? This isn't going to go down well. Suppress them, I'll try and flank them."

Buster nodded and drew his machine pistol. He fired blindly down the hall at the four intruders, the fire felling one rifleman and forcing the bladesmen and the remaining rifleman to press themselves against the corridor wall in an attempt to avoid the blindfire. Dax used this opportunity to sprint down the other hallway and hang a left to loop back around. Soon, he was behind them, watching the rifleman vainly return fire at Buster. Once Dax moved forward, the three noticed him. The rifleman raised his weapon but Dax quickly cast his sword forward, sending a ball of electrical energy at him, striking him in his chest. He was thrown back against the wall and slumped to the floor, twitching and blood leaking from his helmet.

That still left the two others who had closed in, swinging their swords down as one. Dax raised his sword to block and buckled slightly under the weight of two opponents. Dax gave a hard push which forced them back. By this time Buster had barrelled around the corner, his halberd ready. One of the attackers spun to face him and their weapons clashed, the attacker being forced to his knees by the sheer power of Buster's swing. Buster quickly grabbed the enemy's sword arm and yanked him forward, then dropped his weapon and grabbed the attacker's face with his now free hand, his hand glowing with violet energy. The mobian twitched once and then fell motionless.

Dax meanwhile had his own opponent on the back foot thanks to Buster's intervention. The masked mobian was parrying desperately as Dax pressed his attack, his seven years of experience of swordsmanship shining through. Soon, with one arcing slice, the mobian's hand flew through the air, blood spraying through the air. He screamed for a moment before Dax's sword embedded itself through his helmet before being yanked out and being finished off by a spinning slice that removed his head.

Buster observed his friend's handiwork, "Y'know that stab probably killed him. Didn't need to take his head off."

Dax rolled his eyes, "Yeah, 'cause that's just brimming with flair."

"Yes, but it is efficient."

"Stow the 'e' word around me, pal," Dax replied wagging his finger before motioning to the attacker that Buster had felled, "Did you kill him?"

"Him? No, just knocked him out. Figured the Commanders would want prisoners for questioning."

Dax nodded, "Good thinking."

"That's what I'm here for," Buster smiled, "Solaris knows you won't do it yourself. Anyway, we should keep heading to the emerald shrine. Find your dad."

"If he's alive..." Dax mumbled in a sudden moment of pessimism.

Buster shook his head, "He is. I'm sure of it. We mopped the floor with these guys and they clearly aren't Streamers. They'll be no competition to someone like your dad."

Meanwhile...

Buster's prediction shone true as the Commander and the Princess were beginning to find it difficult to move from the sheer amount of enemies they had slain. Shrike had since acquired a vibroblade from one of the attackers and was carving through any who came close, and blocking incoming weapons fire by spinning his sword so quickly that it formed a makeshift shield. Blaze meanwhile had both her hands engulfed in flame and her razor sharp claws extended. Those she didn't engulf in large balls of flame or pillars of fire, had their throats ripped out by her sharp claws or their bones shattered by her powerful kicks.

But still they kept coming.

Shrike raised his free hand, glowing with golden energy.

"Sol Arrow!"

A sharp, short dart of energy shot from his hand into the nearest enemy, leaving a large smoking hole in his torso.

Not to be out done, the fires in Blaze's hands intensified as she shouted, "Scattershot!"

Blaze threw a fireball into a poor soul in the middle of a squad of riflemen. The ball ended the mobian but it then exploded sending tiny fragments flying out, having a similar effect to shrapnel, decimating the entire squad.

Shrike wouldn't have that, "Sol Singularity!"

A golden ball appeared in a group of enemies which suddenly and violently sucked them all inside. The singularity then disappeared, leaving no trace of the attackers. They hadn't gone anywhere, they had just been crushed into their component atoms.

Blaze was impressed, but still it lacked something. 'Time to break out something I learned from sparring with Sonic.'

"Homing Burst!"

Blaze leapt into air, spinning as she surrounded herself in a vortex of flames. She then shot towards an attacker, the force breaking his neck. She shot towards another, leaving a trial of fire behind her, burning a group of attackers. She kept repeating this until she had wiped out most of the attackers on her side of the machine. The rest immediately threw their weapons and raised their hands.

Shrike sighed. He didn't have many attacks that could match that in terms of sheer shock value. Except perhaps one.

Shrike drove his sword into one attacker's skull and shouted, "Bloody Sunday!"

Energy pulsed down the sword, into the poor soul's head and with a blast (and a pop) it exploded, showering his companions with blood and bone. They froze as Shrike pointed his sword at them, "I suggest you surrender."

They immediately complied, "Good boys," Shrike praised.

Rapidly approaching footsteps brought Blaze and Shrike's attention towards the door. In burst Marine and a dozen or so Sol Knights, all spattered with varying quantities of blood. One of the Knights approached Shrike, a white hedgehog with golden eyes, a distinctive fern like quill pattern, dressed in Sol Knight battle armour and a short sword at his side that seemed entirely clean, implying that he had not used it. The hedgehog saluted, "The temple is secure, sir. These... soldiers, if you can call them that, came up all over the place."

Shrike nodded, "Very well Knight Tuyrin."

"Excellent, Silver," added Blaze before turning to the some what shaken looking raccoon, "Are you all right Marine?"

"Yeah, yeah no drama," waved Marine.

Blaze a concerned glance at Marine, feeling she wasn't be entirely sincere, but she let it go. Two more sets of footsteps were then heard and in came Dax and Buster.

"Dax!" Shrike called, rapidly closing the distance and pulling his son into a hug, "Thank Solaris you're safe."

Dax struggled briefly then returned the hug, "Glad you're okay too dad but, uh, everyone's staring."

"Let them," Shrike chuckled.

The three were walking towards the other Knights when they noticed a shimmering just behind the group. They immediately realised what this meant and broke into a run. Just as they did, a dozen armoured figures, much more advanced armour than the other attackers, decloaked right behind them, next to the floating Sol Emeralds. As one made a grab for them, the others drew bolt swords, axes and spears and charged.

Shrike and Buster immediately ran for the emerald thief and Dax was about to follow them when he noticed something. Blaze was duking it out with one of the attackers, a group of Streamers considering how much more bothersome they were proving, not noticing another enemy closing in behind her, axe raised. Dax desperately reached for the Sol Force, silently praying it wouldn't slip away like it so often did. After some struggle, he reached the Sol Force and Sol energy surged through his body as he yelled out, "S-sol Shift!"

Dax instantly teleported next to the princess where he immediately tackled her to the ground, the axeman half way through his swing. Before he could finish it, he was struck down by the sickening crack of a piece of debris being hurled at his head with telekinesis, curtesy of Silver.

Meanwhile, Shrike and Buster had reached the thief who had just stowed the emeralds away in backpack. Shrike closed first, swinging his sword but the thief blocked and immediately kicked the dog between his legs, causing him to double over. The thief then followed up this underhanded blow with a blast of Sol energy, sending Shrike flying backwards. Buster then arrived and their blades clashed. They fought for a moment, matching each other blow for blow until the thief suddenly pulled a quick riposte disarming the bear. He then grabbed the bear and pressed his weapon to his throat.

"We are done here, brothers!" the thief called out. His companions quickly cloaked and disappeared. Dax saw the peril his best friend was in.

"Buster!"

The thief pressed the blade tighter to the bear's neck, "No, no, no little Knight. Any closer and you'll never get the stain out of this lovely floor. And so sorry to take the emeralds, but then they're not rightfully yours are they?"

Blaze shoved Dax off of her and dashed towards the thief.

"Ta-ta, Sol Knights!" taunted the thief as he used Sol Shift, teleporting away and taking Buster with him.

"BUSTER!" screamed Dax as he dashed towards the spot the bear had once occupied and cast his head around, looking for some hint of where he had been taken whilst Blaze did the same, seeking her emeralds.

Shrike on the other hand had a firmer hold on the situation, "SECURE THE TEMPLE, LOCK DOWN ALL EXITS! They will NOT leave!"

Blaze turned a murderous gaze to the panicked dog next to her, "You... You lost the emeralds!"

Dax didn't even notice her, muttering under his breath as he began to pace, "Damn it, damn it, damn it..."

"You lost them!" Blaze suddenly tackled Dax to the ground, and raised her claws ready to end the squire, "IF YOU HADN'T TACKLED ME I COULD'VE STOPPED HIM! ITS YOUR FAULT! YOURS!"

Blaze might have finished the dog right there, if Silver and Marine had rushed towards the pair and pulled Blaze off of Dax.

"Blaze, enough!" barked Silver, "I saw the whole thing, he saved your life!"

Steam spewed from Blaze's mouth as she replied with heat befitting her name, "You really think I would miss such a poor sneak attack. I could sense him, I was drawing him in!"

"And how the chuff was he supposed ta know that, shiela?" cried Marine.

Blaze shook her head, "I won't make exceptions for some squire who has no faith in the abilities of his future queen, no matter our history!" Blaze fixed her gaze on Dax, just now staggering to his feet, whilst Silver and Marine exchanged glances over the 'history' part, "He must be punished."

"Perhaps there is another way," said a voice.

The four turned around to see an elderly panda entering the chamber, dressed in black and gold robes with a silverly beard falling out from his hood. He was Master Damokiri, overall leader of the Sol Knights and only person the Knight Commanders answered to, aside from the king and queen.

"Young Blaze, you may have some darkness in your heart but it is by far outshone by the light. You will not murder anyone in cold blood, we both know this. Only those you meet in battle should fear you."

Blaze froze for a moment, then retracted her claws.

"That's better," nodded Damokiri, "Now, as I said, there is a better way. Young Dax did what he thought was best, despite it being... ill advised. Therefore he should make amends, not face punishment. You are awaiting your Trial, are you not young man?"

"Y-yes, master," stuttered Dax, still shaken by his brush with fiery death.

"Then that is perfect! You will be given one of the most difficult Trials given to any of this year's graduates in compensation. You will assist Princess Blaze in retrieving the Sol Emeralds."

Blaze broke free from her friend's grasp, "What?! He's inexperienced! Not to mention his Instability! He'll just slow us down!"

Damokiri just smiled, "Now, Blaze aren't you being tad hypocritical about 'inexperience', considering you will almost certainly bring your little protege with you? One who is about four years less experienced than Dax? Ah, no offence intended, squire."

"None taken, Master," grinned Marine, rubbing her finger under a nose in a very reminiscent of a friend of hers.

Silver stepped, "As for his instability, I fought beside him on the way here and he's no slouch. He's very nearly as skilled as his father with a blade."

"Too right!" added Marine, "You always told me that skill would always trounce power!"

Dax took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Your highness? With all due respect, whether you want me to or not, I'm going with you. Whoever those guys were, they took my friend. We've always had each other's back, ever since we were kids and I'm not letting him down now. The same guy that took the emeralds took Buster so I figure where we found one, we'll find the other and I'll do everything in my power to bring them back. Bring them both back. I'm ready for this princess, I've never been more ready for anything in my life."

Blaze thought for moment, taking in the conviction in his voice, hardly believing that this the same boy she used to know, "Very well..."

Marine hopped in the air in joy, "Ripper! But... where do we start?"

Damokiri nodded, "I can help there. During the battle, we captured a number of prisoners. They will be interrogated to find you your first lead. Now, princess will you be taking anyone other than the two squires? For a mission of such importance, all our resources are open to you but I suggest you travel in a small group, quickly and quietly."

"Agreed. I will take Knight Silver with me in addition to Marine and Dax."

"Excellent. Now I suggest you youngsters go get some rest. We will let you know as soon as we have a lead."

Without another word, the newly formed team shuffled out of the chamber. Dax took one last glance at the spot that used to contain his friend and left after his new comrades.

Two days later in the Citadel of Solaris...

The mobian sparrow was on his knees, hands tied behind his back. At his neck was a knife held by Shrike. He was covered in cuts and bruises, his left eye was blackened, his beak was cracked, his clothes were torn. He knelt in a bare and shadowed room, he could barely see the Sol Knight who held him. Skulking around the perimeter of the room was a shadowed figure with the profile of a male mobian. He observed the sparrow with his hands behind his back, his stance relaxed.

The figure spoke, "Where are the emeralds?" he asked calmly.

The sparrow remained silent. The figure persisted, speaking more forcefully this time, "Where are the emeralds?"

The sparrow spat a globule of blood towards the figure that landed short. The figure sighed, "Commander, if you would?"

Shrike raised his sword and struck the sparrow on the shoulder with the pommel of his knife sending a sickening crack echoing around the room. The sparrow yelled in pain as he fell. Shrike grabbed a handful of the feathers on his head and dragged him back up into their previous position.

"I suggest you cooperate," advised the figure, "Your body will break long before the Commander here gets bored."

Shrike leaned in, next to the sparrow's ear, "Long before."

"Now, who hired you, why and where are the emeralds," the figure pressed.

"I don't know..." the sparrow mumbled.

This time, Shrike simply punched him, lengthening the crack in the sparrow's beak.

"You and your pals attacked some of the most skilled warriors on our planet and you don't know why?" snarled Shrike, "Bullcrap."

"Agreed," said the figure, "You are lying."

The sparrow barked out a derisive laugh, "Ha! What's it to you bub?"

The figure laughed in turn, a dark and deeply unsettling sound, "Who have no idea who I am, do you?"

The sparrow put on a brave face, "Buddy, you could be the janitor for all I care."

With that, at a speed that shouldn't be possible, the figure rushed out of the shadows, pushed Shrike away and grabbed the sparrow by the throat revealing him to be an indigo cat with a circular golden gem on his forehead, golden eyes and sharp features. He wore an ornate black coat and trousers and his claws were extended, his free hand holding them up threateningly.

"I'll tell you who I am, scum. I am King Dusk Centinae, I am your master and I am one who does not suffer fools lightly! Now tell me what you know!"

The sparrow seemed to lose all power of coherant speech, spluttering and stammering his response, "The-the king? But, you, uh, you-you can't... AW FUCK DON'T HURT ME!"

A deep blue flame appeared in Dusk's clawed hand, "Speak!"

"Alright, alright!" the sparrow relented, "Just don't fry me or claw me or whatever it is you do!"

Shrike stepped forward, "Tell us everything and we'll think about it."

The sparrow took a deep breath and spoke in an unsteady voice, "I'm part of the Steel Fist merc group. About a month back we got a contract. The client wouldn't meet us in person, wouldn't even give his name."

"This client," Shrike asked, "Would he happen to be the same freak that stole the emeralds and captured one of our men?"

The sparrow nodded, "That's what I heard anyway. Like I said, he never gave up his identity."

The king nodded, "Continue."

"Yeah. Okay, the contract stated that the mission was of utmost secrecy and that the full skinny wouldn't be given until a few days before the mission. We were only told that our entire force would be required and to train with the new equipment he provided. Those drill machines we used, never seen anything like 'em. New weapons and armor too; military grade."

"So whoever is responsible has access to vast resources. Likely a nation?" the king pondered to himself.

"Hell if I know," snarked the sparrow, "We got told we were hitting the Temple of Solaris about five days ago now. The entire group almost walked out when we heard, figured it was suicide."

"And that's the only time you've sounded smart throughout this whole interrogation," quipped Shrike.

The sparrow ignored him, "Then we saw the plan. Bust through in the drills, grab the emeralds and get out. No reason for any casualities. But what he didn't tell us was that we were cannon fodder. We were sent in early and all over the place, didn't know what the fuck was going on. Turns out we were just a distraction. Our client came in and you know the rest."

"Where were you based?" asked Dusk.

"Aqui Island out in the Northwash. Won't be much there though, most of the Steel Fist was wiped out so we left the camp deserted. You gotta know how many pirates are out in those waters, they would've moved in and trashed the place by now."

Shrike looked up at Dusk, "Nonetheless, sire, it is a lead."

"Indeed," nodded the king and before anyone could so much as blink, the king extended his claws and swiped them across the sparrow's neck, sending him to the floor gurgling as blood poured out of the fatal wound.

Shrike took a step back, "Why did you do that? I said we'd let him live if he cooperated."

"You said we might. I can't have those who invade our territory and defile our holy places going on to live anything other than short and bloody lives. Inform my daughter that we have a lead and prepare her team for a long and perilous journey."

Shrike froze for a moment at the sheer ruthlessness of what he just heard and witnessed before bowing, "Yes sire."

The next day, at High Crest's military dockyards...

Dax stood, sword on his back, pistol at his side, backpack over his sword and wearing the same attire had been wearing when he first arrived at the Temple on that fateful day. Beside him stood his father, in a Soleannan army officer's uniform. The two observed the trio of Blaze, Silver and Marine; all suitably equipped for a long and dangerous journey and waiting for the final member of their team. Shrike put his hand on Dax's shoulder,

"Y'know you can still back out. I'm sure those three can handle this. The princess has retrieved the emeralds with less help than this."

Dax turned to his father, "I'm not going for the emeralds, I'm going for Buster. I can't help shake the feeling that if I had his back, if I hadn't leapt before I looked with that stupid impulsive move, he might still be around."

Shrike shook his head, "That thief was a powerful and underhanded fighter. You would have been taken too."

"No way to know. Look, dad, I gotta do this."

"I know son," Shrike pulled Dax into a hug, "I've tried to fill the role of two parents to make up for the fact that you never got to know your mother. Its been hard. But I'm proud to see that I must have done something right to have someone like you as a son."

Dax felt a lump rising in his throat, "I love you, dad."

"I love you too Dax. Now go on and bring me back something shiny!"

Dax grinned, "I'll bring you seven!"

With that he jogged towards the trio that awaited him. Marine gave a cheery wave, Silver a regular one whilst Dax's arrival only illicited a nod from Blaze.

Still pissed at me then. Damn, thought Dax.

"All done?" asked Blaze, nodding towards Shrike who hadn't moved from where Dax had left him.

"I guess," replied Dax rubbing the back of his neck.

Blaze shook her head, "You must be entirely focused on this mission. In a group as small as this we all rely on each other. So there is no 'I guess'. You either are or you aren't."

"Take it easy Blaze," smiled Silver, "He doesn't need the kind of lecture you give to a fresh squire. He's a Sol Knight."

"Not yet. Come, let's get underway."

The four entered a nearby enclosed dock, where a large ship was berthed. Its sleek metal hull was painted in blue, red and bronze. It appeared to be propelled by a combination of sails, that formed a roof over the main deck and a pair 'wings', and a pair of paddle wheels. At the bow was the carving of an albatross whilst the rest of the ship was bristling with weapons, from machine gun turrets, to flame throwers, to a massive rail gun poking out of the bow just below the ship's avian mascot.

Marine jogged forward and posed in front of Dax, "May I present, the Ocean Tornado!"

Dax was whistled appreciatively, "No idea we would be taking a warship. So's who the captain, do I know him?"

Marine grinned, "Oh ya know her."

Dax tilted his head in confusion, "I don't follow..."

The two stared at each other for a moment, Marine's grin and Dax's nonplussed expression growing larger by the second. Before long, Blaze decided to put a stop to this increasingly unusual situation.

"Dax, Marine is the Ocean Tornado's captain."

Dax stared for a moment, then burst out laughing, "No, really, who's captain?"

Suddenly, Dax felt like he been hit square between the eyes by a water balloon and in a way he had as when looked around for the source he saw an angry Marine with a ball of water floating in her hand that was surrounded by a shimmering green light.

"You take that back, mate," she said in a surprisingly dangerous tone.

Silver decided to douse the situation, "Dax, Marine is actually a very accomplished sailor and no one knows the Ocean Tornado better. We couldn't ask for a better captain for this journey. And Marine, cool it. For all he knew, you were just a squire."

Dax rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh. Right, uh, sorry Marine."

A somewhat embarrassed Marine waved it off, "No drama mate, and sorry for the drink."

Blaze wouldn't say it but she was very proud of Marine. Just a year ago Marine would have pressed the issue and caused quite the incident. Now she just let it go, even admitting wrong doing herself. She had certainly come far from the excitable, accident prone and rather annoying preteen that Blaze had found her as.

It was such optimistic thoughts that helped balance the sense of tremendous worry she had about this mission. Something just felt off about all this. How could a group so easily launch a surprise attack on the Temple of Solaris, as ineffectual as it may have been? And the thief. Who could have overpowered Shrike, one of the most powerful Knights still in service, so easily, even if it was with underhanded tactics?

There were greater powers at work here, and Blaze had every intention of finding out what they were so that she could swiftly and decisively end them. Blaze was more determined than ever as she and her team boarded the Ocean Tornado and it cast off towards Aqui Island.

Royal Codex circa 1273 AU (2584 AD)

Entry: Mobian Naming Habits

Mobians tend to have varied and sometimes unusual names to an overlander observer. Most mobian family names (their second name) have their roots in the ancient mobian language, Mobynan (mo-BI-nan). Names given in this way were often words that represented a significant aspect of that family, for example the original family name of the Acorns, Nyeri, which roughly translates as 'rulers' or 'leaders'. Family names are the only place where Mobynan frequently appears in the present day since the Great War as most of the then subjugated mobians were forced to speak English by the overlanders and their native language is today all but dead. Family names also often have their basis in the overlander language English and you will often mobians with overlander family names like Anderson and Smith.

As for first names, these are usually also found in Mobynan or from English. However, unique to first names amoungst mobians is the use of objects, forces or concepts as names. This usually happens in the case of newborn Streamers where an experienced Streamer can determine the powers that a young Streamer will develop through a process known as Stream Temporal Divination. Once the child's powers are known, the parents will often choose that befits their ability, such as an ice-wielder being named Frost or something similar.

Yeah. LONG. Hope you enjoyed it either way and as always any reviews or questions are much appreciated.

One last thing, this mother needs a cover! Unfortunately, I have no artisitic talent. If you or someone you know is willing to help me out, please send me a message.

Anyhow, until next time!