'Sup everyone? I hope all are well, as am I right now (well, mostly).
First off, I'm sorry if over the next couple of weeks I'm somewhat lagging in accuracy of chapter postings. My teachers gave my class a math project and a language arts/social studies project that's going to be worth 15% of our grade. :P But I still will post chapters. But for now, enjoy!
Chapter 14
Royal Family and Explanations
Azalea's P.O.V.
One day went by. One day of relaxation and a chance to take everything in.
Man, heroes really have it tough, huh?
The day after the fight, I awoke first to find a bundled-up newspaper sitting in front of our doorstep. The newspaper, New Mobotropolis Gazette, had my eyes widened as I read the bolded headline on the front page:
NEW MYSTERIOUS GROUP REVEALED! WHO ARE THEY?
Under the headline was a black-and-white photo of the three of us, Freedom Fighters and Ivy's friends talking in front of the school a couple days ago. I walked back inside the hut and into my room, quickly showering and dressing in a white tee, jean shorts, and tan sandals, then back out to see Pansy and Ivy awake and moving groggily towards the fridge to get some breakfast.
"Guys!" I called to them as they turned and saw me, Their faces brightened as they saw me.
"Hi," Pansy yawned, wiping the sleep from her eyes and reaching into the fridge to grab a jug of milk. "Wassup?"
"Look at the front page of this newspaper," I told them, handing the paper to Ivy. Pansy leaned over from the milk she was pouring into a cup and read the headline. Their reactions were similar to mine, and Pansy narrowly avoided spilling the milk.
"What?" Ivy exclaimed, scanning the article with her eyes. "Listen to this: 'After the defeat of the unknown enemy yesterday, it was confirmed that a group of five was sighted with our local Freedom Fighters, helping them fight. The teenage, blue chinchilla, decided as the team's leader, found on the team has no records of any appearances on this planet, while the purple fox has many recordings of appearances in various areas globally. The purple fox, Pansy, is on Robotnik's most wanted list and is to be treated with extreme caution. Ivy Mongoose, an academic prodigy who had highest test scores in the entire class of New Mobotropolis High, and her two friends were also found associating the team. The Acorn Republic has posted an order to this group, strongly requesting the Freedom Fighters and this new team to come in and be questioned for the safety of the kingdom and its people.'"
"Geez, they make us sound like criminals," Pansy commented, chugging down the drink.
"You are technically a criminal," Ivy said to Pansy (she glared in response), tossing the paper onto the dinner room table, "But we should tell the others and then plan to head in today."
"Get dressed and I'll tell the others," I told them. They thanked me and headed into their rooms to change as I glanced at a nearby clock. 7:15.
The Freedom Fighters should been up by this time. I thought as I walked out of the hut and to Freedom HQ. As I went in through the door, I smirked at the fact that Ivy had probably read Pansy's mind and learned of her position on Robotnik's danger meter. Ivy would definitely be of use to our team. I also made a quick mental note to keep my mind blank when I was around her. Who knows what info she might be able to find in my head.
"-and we really should go in. Elias would want to know about-" Sally paused her discussion as I strolled into the main room, where everyone was dressed and listening to Sally talk.
"Hi," I greeted them. "You heard."
"Yes, Elias contacted me this morning," Sally answered.
I gave her a questioning look.
"Elias is my brother and king."
Pause. "Wait, king?"
"King of the Acorn lineage? Rules over New Mobotropolis?"
I shook my head.
She turned to Sonic. "Didn't you explain any of this to them?"
He raised up his hands in a surrendering gesture. "I did! I guess they didn't hear me while I was speed-explaining."
Sally rolled her eyes in frustration. "You know that not everyone can move as fast as you, right?"
The two began arguing and the others began to leave the table with their dishes. I just stood there, feeling a little guilty and watching the two arguing.
"Don't ya worry, they're always like this," Bunnie whispered as she walked by. "It'll take a couple minutes, but just give 'em some time." She winked and began washing her dishes in the sink. I supposed Bunnie was right, and spent the next couple minutes ignoring them and practically begging to help wash dishes ("No, you don't need to help. Let us take care of it," said Amy.).
Once the dishes were squeaky clean, the princess and the hero stopped arguing, and everyone had just finished dressing, the front door opened, revealing Pansy and Ivy waiting for us in casual attire.
"You guys ready to head out?" Pansy inquired, pushing stray velvet-purple locks behind her ears.
"Yep," Sally answered. "I'll lead you guys to Castle Acorn, and will be sure to explain everything once we're there." She glared at Sonic, who grinned cockily, and headed forward, leading the way.
(insert line here)
After clearing the front gates into New Mobotropolis, with the help of Nicole, the people (or animals) around us while we walked, seemed uneasy. As we walked to the center of the city, where the castle was located, I heard whispers and saw fingers pointing at us.
"Hey, aren't those the kids who helped Sally and her friends yesterday?" I heard one whisper.
"Only some of them," another responded. "The blue bat and red hedgehog aren't with them."
I frowned as we continued walking. "I guess we're not very popular here."
"Well, since you guys are a new team with an unknown purpose," Sonic said.
Things stayed silent as we ignored the gossiping citizens and approached the gates to the royal household.
"Whoa."
I gawked at the huge palace. No, forget "huge"; enormous, gargantuan, larger than life. Those are probably better terms to describe the proportions of the castle. I mean, sure, I had seen it off in the distance before, but this was just plain ridiculous. In addition to its size, the nanite construction was almost completely identical to brick and mortar it probably modeled after. Towers rose high into the air, and red flags with an acorn symbol sketched into the design waved proudly in the wind. Moss lightly covered the roof of the middle building, and a steady stream of water flowed through openings in the building into a small lake. The door was almost as tall as the entering building, reaching well above all our heights.
"Dang," I exhaled, my jaw dropped open and eyes taking in the sight. Even the Golden Gate Bridge wasn't as breathtaking as this, in my opinion.
"Isn't it amazing what technology can do?" Ivy smiled. "I love how the school has a large window on the top floor, so I can see everything there is to see."
Amy giggled. "Yeah, it sure is quite a sight, isn't it?"
Sally rapped the door, and said, "Elias, we need to speak to you. It's Sally."
The door opened, revealing two, bulky, bulldog guards, well taller than us (probably my height of 5'5'' back home, but they still looked tall), in green and acorn-woven uniform. They bowed down respectfully, and stood back up to full height.
"Hello, Your Highness. King Elias is currently residing in the throne-room, so we will bring you to him." The speaking guard paused a moment to look at Pansy, Ivy, and I. "And be sure to keep your… guests under control.?"
I frowned a little. What are we, animals? I thought, a little miffed.
Well, technically, yes, Ivy responded in my head. She looked a little uncomfortable. Don't worry, they're just taking some precautions is all.
We traveled into the castle and took a few turns down corridors just as huge as the exterior. Portraits of chipmunks and squirrels lined the walls, along with the other doors and spare pieces of furniture.
"The ones on these portraits are past rulers of my family," Sally explained when I had asked about the pictures.
"Yes, her family goes back multiple generations," one of the guards added, watching us three non-Freedom Fighters with careful eyes.
We stopped in front of another door, taller than the rest and decorated with a beautiful acorn-shaped banner. The guard who wasn't watching over us knocked on the door, and a response came from the other side. "Come in."
He opened the door, and, when I thought I couldn't be more shocked in the beauty of the palace, my eyes bulged wider. The room was much like the throne we had entered when our mothers had taken Pansy and I for a little ride a few days ago. White walls and pillars covered the interior, along with a portrait of another royal leader, and a small throne in the very front of the room. In the chair, a young Mobian close to our age sat proudly in the seat. He looked much like Sally, except he had shorter red hair, a long squirrel tail, and flashing blue eyes. He wore a blue soldier's uniform, similar to Antoine's, but with colorful badges, a flowing red cape, blue boots, and a golden crown.
"Your Majesty, your sister has arrived," one of the guards informed him, bowing. Unsure of what to do in the presence of the Mobian leader, I followed similar actions.
"Thanks, you two. You may go back to your duties."
"Of course." The two guards quickly departed, leaving us with the king.
"Hello Sally," Elias greeted, beaming. He stepped down from his throne and hugged Sally warmly.
"Hi Elias," she responded, her grin just as wide as his.
They pulled away and Elias asked, "So what do I have the honor of seeing the Freedom Fighters again?"
"We've come here to talk about the incident that occurred yesterday." She gestured to Pansy, Ivy, and I. Ivy and I bowed in respect, while Pansy held up a peace sign in response.
"Oh…" he muttered, all happiness fading. "Yes. Of course. Well, the other two members are here."
"Really?" Ivy perked up, looking around.
He nodded grimly. "They are here, but against their will."
Ivy froze. "What?"
"Father had the guards extract the two from their studies, but they refused and retaliated when the guards apparently began to threaten them. Father urged them on, and we had an argument."
The spiritedness faded from the room, and Ivy seemed to get hit the hardest. "What happened?!"
As if the guards were listening through the door, the foursome opened up the throne, bringing in an angry, thrashing Maroon and unconscious Wendell.
"Get your crummy mitts offa me, you walking bricks!" Maroon was yelling furiously, trying to worm his way out of the tight grip of the guard.
"Release them!" Elias ordered angrily. The guards dropped Maroon and Wendell onto the floor gruffly. Maroon popped up onto his feet the second he hit the floor and began storming in pursuit of the guards.
"Maroon, wait!" Ivy exclaimed and ran over to him, stopping him from attacking the guards. "They aren't worth it." The guards looked uneasy as Pan, Elias, and I advanced on them.
"You know your place, you four. Why did you do this?" Elias questioned crossly.
"King Maximillian gave us orders, sire," one stuttered.
Elias sighed in frustration. "We will discuss this later. For now, resume your positions."
They nodded nervously and hurriedly left the throne-room, closing the door behind them.
"Is he alright?" I asked nervously to Ivy, when we heard a small groan from Wendell.
"Ives…" he muttered, opening his eyes at my new friend. Her smile returned, and she helped him to his feet.
"Thank goodness you're OK," she exhaled, hugging him tightly.
"Uggh, I guess I am doing well for a guy who took a fist to the back of his head," he grumbled. "Now, please let go. You're suffocating me."
"Sorry," Ivy apologized, pulling away. Pansy chuckled at their blushing and I rolled my eyes.
"Glad to see you're fine, though," I commented.
"I'm so sorry about the trouble the guards caused you two," Elias said with sincerity.
Wendell smiled. "No, it's fine. Besides, science was fairly boring. I mean, when are we ever going to have to use our knowledge on different chemical properties?"
"You never know when knowledge may come in handy," Ivy lectured him jokingly. All of us laughed at her teasing, and Elias invited us into another room connected to ruling room.
This place was much more inviting than the other hallways we traveled down. A plentiful portion of colorful couches and armchairs were arranged in a tight circle and the walls were lined with huge, wooden bookshelves. A fan spun overhead, keeping the room cool in the morning summer's heat. We all settled into the cushiony chairs and watched Elias speak.
"I truly am sorry to have caused you all so much trouble," he began sadly. "Father gave me advice as to what I should do to help the people of this city understand who this new group was. I figured that I should follow his advice, reluctantly, and send a message of interrogation to you."
"Why put it in a newspaper, though?" Pansy interrupted, folding her arms.
"To make it publicly aware that I was going to discover who you were, to have the people stop worrying about the incident and know that you were safe enough to be questioned. Now, what I need, is an explanation as to who you are. And if that is too revealing, a cover story to keep you safe. Just for now, anyways."
Pansy looked at Ivy, and Ivy mentally said, Azalea, you're the leader. What do you think?
I nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, I think that we should tell you everything. But first, we need one of you to get that book."
"Done!" Sonic exclaimed, dashing out the door and coming back five seconds later with the book in his hands, picking up a wind draft in his wake.
And so, the long, long, LONG explanation began, as each of us took turns as to how we were introduced into this whole situation, our heritage, extreme abilities, and the new enemies beginning to form. We used the book to provide evidence in further details, like our supposed abilities to go super with certain stones (the one we found was being safely kept in a security, energy chamber) whenever Elias asked us questions about this and that. The discussion was, what, three hours at most? Somewhere close to that.
"I only have one more question," Elias said, after we finished explaining the incident. "What are Ivy's, Maroon's, and Wendell's background stories?"
I had never thought of that before. We had never asked them about their history, and who knows, maybe their past experiences had important clues to some questions we had. The three looked a little worried, until Wendell finally uttered, "I'll go first. But be warned, this stuff could get ugly, real fast."
Ah, isn't it great when I leave you on cliffies? Anyways, the background story for these three will cover the next chapter, and a special surprise will be at the end of the next one. Just an FYI. S.C.27 out!