Episode 22: The Tobor Mystery Part 2

Back in Lara-Le's home, everyone seems to be as calm as possible. On the ground the babies: Kneecaps, Ichigo, Dimitri, and Shun continue to play together as Jazz the Chao keeps an eye on them. At the same time, the adults gather at a table close by so they can talk.

Lara-Le brings out a teapot and asks, "Some more tea, Grandfather Tobor?"

"Yes, thank you, Lara-Lee," Tobor says.

Lara-Le pours tea into his cup as Tobor says, "It has been so long since I've experienced the warmth of home and family."

"Would you mind if I made an inquiry of a personal nature, sir?" Lara-Le asks.

"Ask me anything, child," Tobor replies and takes a sip of his tea.

"Which mattered more to you, being a guardian, or being a husband and a father?" Lara-Le asks.

Tobor stops drinking and answers, "You know, that's the one thing I never gave much thought to. I took it as a given that one day I'd be a guardian. Just as I assume having a wife and child was the normal order of things. What I never realized… were the demands and sacrifices one would impose over the other."

Meanwhile, in Kragok's cell, Knuckles and Eve are inside to confront with the Dark Legion's leader.

Knuckles sternly says, "Kragok, we need to talk!"

"Wellllll… about time you showed. I was wondering how long it would take before you decided to grace me with your presence. Of course, I never expected to bring the Hedgehog Freedom Fighter girl," Kragok says, bitter.

Eve sigh, "Kragok, we really need to talk to you about something and you're the only one who can provide us with some answers."

"Hmm, I might have something. However, if you wish to converse, it's you, the Guardian, and I only. No one else," Kragok says.

"You heard him, Constable. Lock us up!" Knuckles says to Remington.

"Knuckles! Eve! Be reasonable! I can't just lock you inside with a dangerous criminal!" Remington says.

"Eve and I won't do anything to him. If he tries anything then we'll be sure he knows first hand," Knuckles says.

"Hmph. You don't scare me, Knuckles. Nor do any of your kind and your hedgehog friend," Kragok says.

Eve crosses her arms, "Aren't you a tough guy."

"Please! I beg you to reconsider," Remington says in concern.

"No. Knuckles and I can handle Kragok. Just be sure to lock the door and be close by in case he attacks," Eve says.

Remington closes the door.

"We want completely privacy. We don't want you or your many anywhere within shouting distance," Knuckles says.

Remington sighs, "Understood."

Remington then closes the eye hatch and has his men walk away.

Knuckles turns to Kragok, "Alright, they're gone. It's just the three of us."

"I've got to hand it to you two. Very few would even consider going against me! Either you both have the biggest pair of knuckles I've ever seen, or else you both are complete fools! Which is it!"

"I guess we'll find out which," Knuckles says.

Eve walks up to Kragok, "Listen, I know that we haven't been getting along very well, but I think we can get through this without any scuffles. Cousin to cousin."

Kragok turns his head away.

Eve sighs, "This is going to be tougher to get through than I thought."

Then turns to Knuckles, "I'm starting to wonder if our family is always stubborn."

"You can say that again," Knuckles says.

Back in Haven, Locke is still working on the repairs to the powers can get on. He uses his tools at the electronics as sparks come out.

Sabre walks over and asks, "How goes the repairs, Locke?"

"Not too good, father. In trying to reconstruct the damaged circuit, I seen to be hitting the proverbial brick wall. Hard to believe a small part could put us out of commission," Locke says.

He continues to work as he says, "Even an enemy would be hard-pressed to figure out a more vulnerable place to strike."

"I don't like the sound of that. Are you suggesting foul place?" Sabre says, places his hand on his chin.

"I'm not sure," Locke says, as he turns around and stop working.

Sabre says, "Do you realize what you're saying? The list of suspects begins and ends with those who resides in Haven!"

"I haven't ruled out any possibilities, father. I merely stated the problem we've encountered has been more difficult to solve than we first thought," Locke says.

"We need Haven back online as soon as possible, Locke. And if something is hampering your progress, we need to discover the source and take care of it," Sabre says.

"You're right. I just hope that nothing bad happens while the monitors are offline and we're busy dealing with the situation," Locke says.

"I know. I have to wonder what your son is doing as of now," Sabre says.

Back in the prison cell, Knuckles and Eve making sure Kragok hasn't give them any trouble.

Eve steps forward and asks, "What can you tell us about a Guardian named Tobor and a Dark Legionnaire named Moritori Rex?"

"What makes you think I know?" Kragok questions.

Kragok walks over to the sink in his cell.

"As a leader of the Dark Legion, you had access to all their secrets. Secrets no everyone was let in on. Maybe others didn't know them, but we're willing to bet you do," Knuckles says.

"Even if I did know, why should I tell you? What's in it for me?" Kragok questions, and tuns on the faucet.

"Constable Remington may be bound by the Letter of the Law… but I'm not! As a Guardian," Knuckles angrily says.

He then grabs Kragok by the rob, "I'm empowered to act as judge… jury… and you get the rest."

"Uh Knuckles," Eve says, concern.

But Knuckles still interrogates Kragok, "I don't like doing the dirty jobs, bit I'm tired of the secrets and lies!"

"Isn't that too bad! I truly feel sorry for you," Kragok angrily says.

The fires at him with his robotic hand shouting, "NOT!"

The next moment, Knuckles hits the wall.

He looks at Kragok in anger, "You had your one chance, bud If that's the way you wanna play it…"

"Then it's game over for you" Knuckles says.

Before Eve can stop it, Knuckles and Kragok begins to get into a big fight. Eve shuts her eyes as the crashing sounds, punching and kicking are breaking out.

Eve mutters, "Boys."

Back in Lara-Le's home, there are some things that some are having trouble understanding.

"What I don't understand, Grandfather Tobor… is how Hawking could have mistaking Cloud-Ra's father you?" Lara-Le asks.

"As hard as it is to comprehend, it took only the cruel touch of fate to turn the unimaginable into dark reality," Tobor says.

Cloud-Ra says, "From what Knuckles and Eve explained, you and my father engaged in mortal kombat when you both found ourselves surrounded by the ruins and collapsed on you. Of course, you both didn't give up. My mother told me that my father can be very stubborn."

"That's right, I was forced to watch my father carrying away your father in his arms. It didn't dawn to me until much later," Tobor says.

"What happened?" Julie-Su asks.

"When a kindly country doctor I had stumbled across determined the full extent of my injuries, it turned out to be very serious. As the years rolled into decades. Eventually I had 'new' eyes implanted so I could see again… despite our disdain for technology. That's when it dawned on me… that I realize the nature of Rex's injuries may have allowed him to fool the family," Tobor says.

"But to fool the family for so long? How?" Obsidian asks.

"How could've feigned memory loss for starters. Becoming aloof in the process. He wouldn't be the first guardian who placed duty before family. Who'd be the wiser," Tobor says.

"What about your wife, Voni-Ca? I would think she would recognize an imposter," Lara-Le replies.

"As much as I've agonized over that point, darling Lara… that's the one piece of the puzzle I can't figure out…" Tobor says.

Julie-Su turns to Cloud-Ra, "What do you think?"

"Hmm, the Dark Legion are able to erase tracks of their existence easily, even after they've been sighted. However, they never did anything like this before. You think someone would have noticed the difference between Tobor and my father," Cloud-Ra says.

"I do have a photo album, maybe it will give us an idea," Lara-Le says.

"It's worth a try," Julie-Su says.

Then thinks, "I hope Eve and Knuckles are having better luck than we are."

Back in the jail cell, Eve stares at the two echidna who's been fighting for like fifteen minutes. And after the first five minutes, Eve has her arms crossed with an annoyed look on her face. Eve sighs and shakes her head to see the echidnas fighting.

She hears Knuckles screaming, "I'm through playing games with you, Kragok!"

"So am I, Guardian," Kragok retaliate.

Eve sighs, "This is getting ridiculous."

Eve angrily walks towards the fighting echidnas, and smacks them both on the head with her fist, and harder than she ever does. They both yelp and they rub their heads.

Knuckles glares at Eve, "Why'd you do that?!"

"Because we're trying to get some answers not fight like a pair of children. Now we're going to sit down and discuss this calmly. Otherwise, I'm going to punch you both in the face!"

Kragok rubs her head muttering, "She hits as hard as Lien-Da."

"She can actually hit harder," Knuckles mutters.

Knuckles and Kragok stands up as they both rub their heads.

"Alright, I think it's about time you tell us about Tobor and Moritori Rex, and what really happened during their fight all those decades ago," Eve sternly says.

Suddenly, something opens right from under them and the next moment. The three look down to see the strange vortex opening from under their feet. They are sucked inside in a matter of seconds, and the vortex closes up.

Back in Haven, Sabre and the other Guardians are talking about the situation with the circuits. The echidna, that claims to be Tobor is sitting away from the others and where the Monitors are. He places his hand under his chin as he thinks of something.

"Don't you find it a little too convenient that one component takes out an entire complex?" Sabre asks.

"It's not surprising at all to me, Sabre. I've studied the layout for Haven thoroughly, and its efficiency is derived from its simplicity. What I find troubling is our vulnerability to enemy attack at the moment," Sojourner says.

"Fortunately, Grandfather Sojourner, there hasn't been any intruders so far, and the sanctity of Haven has yet to be violated," Sabre says.

"There is still the Dark Legion on reckon with. They should not be taken lightly," Spectre says.

"They are at a low point at this moment themselves, Grandfather Spectre, but… I'll concede you this thought… if they were to sense weakness, they would not hesitate to strike!" Sabre says.

Meanwhile, in a strange zone, a vortex opens up and the three who enter the hole comes out. They all fall out of the vortex and it closes behind them. They all three look around to see that they're not on Mobius anymore.

"What is this place?" Eve asks.

However, they hear Kragok shouting, "Not here! Not again! I swore I'd never return here again!"

"Well it looks like we ended up getting sent to the Twilight Zone," Knuckles angrily says.

"You mean the place your ancestor banished the Dark Legion?" Eve asks.

"That's the same," Knuckles says.

"Sound good to know," Eve calmly says.

Then shouts, "How do we get out of here?!"

"I'm not sure. If a portal opens up and we're sucked into it, then another can get us out," Knuckles says.

"In the meantime, we'll deal with you," Eve says, grabbing Kragok.

Then sternly says, "Start talking."

"I'll talk alright. Not that I'll do you much good," Kragok angrily says.

Then asks, "What do you know of the story of Dimitir?"

"Well, we were told that he attempted to use the Power of the Chaos Emeralds for his own purpose until his brother, Edmund opposed him. Edmund Ended up becoming the first Guardian, and my ancestors. As for Dimitri, he wound up into Enerjak," Knuckles says.

"He attacked us for his revenge until he got sent to space. Mogul somehow was able to get him out and send him to you. That way, he can use the Sword of the Acorns to drain his powers," Eve adds.

"And that's it?" Kragok asks.

"That's all we got. History is not my strong point," Knuckles says.

"We know that Dimitri and Edmund were also scientists and they were planning on using some kind of syphon to bring the island back to the ground. However, the council turned the project down, so Dimitri took it in his hands to do it himself, and that's how he ended up becoming Enerjak," Eve says.

Then says, "Now what about you?"

"Hmph, our history is well known in our Legion. Dimitri'sson had a son, Menniker, who founded the Dark Legion and took his revenge on Edmund! Unfortunately for him. However, Edmund's son, Steppenwolf, mastered the Power of the Chaos Energy, using it to exiled Menniker and the Dark Legion into the Twilight Zone. The zone we're in now," Kragok says.

"How exactly did you even got out?" Eve asks.

"For years since we were banished, the Dark Legion worked hard to work on a device that could help us escape from the Twilight Zone. They were able to make a prototype that can send one of our legionnaires at a time. That is the one your father was tested before the accident. No one knew what became of him, but after our encounter, we discovered that he was set here decades ago and was raised by a scientist," Kragok says.

Then continues, "One day, our grandfather, Moritori Rex, while in this particular zone, discovered that he was able to watch others in another zone. Since he could see them, but they couldn't see him, he took advantage of this discovery… The Guardian he watched was then lured into a trap and defeated, leaving our grandfather in the position impersonating him and conquer from within."

"Tell me, was the guardian your grandfather defeated… it was Tobor, wasn't it?! Knuckles asks.

"Yes. things were a mess on the Floating Island back then, so who would know?" Kragok says.

Then says, "It's interesting. My father Luger also told me there was another reason he decided to infiltrate the Brotherhood."

"Why?" Knuckles asks.

Kragok turns to Eve, "Our grandfather never gave up hope that your father is still alive and possibility got to Mobius since they never found his body. He decided to use the Brotherhood to find him while trying to destroy them from within."

"My father?" Eve asks.

"Yes. I wouldn't be surprised if he found out about your father living himself. Even though he might not be in the league, I'm sure he's be relieved to know that he's still alive," Kragok says.

"And our grandfather, Moritori Rex? Do you know where he is now?" Eve asks.

Kragok smirks, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yes. I really want to know," Eve replies.

"Then look behind you," Kragok says.

"Huh?" Knuckles and Eve say, confused.

Just then, Knuckles punches Knuckles and electrocutes Eve as he shout, "Suckers!"

"Now then, please excuse me while I take advantage of the natural phenomenon now occurring!" Kragok begins to travel through the space.

Knuckles and Eve resign themselves to see Kragok heading toward another open portal.

"After him!" Knuckles shouts.

Knuckles and Eve begins to follow Kragok to the portal. The last thing they want is to get trapped here.

Meanwhile, Lara-Le and Julie-Su are looking at the photo album and even they don't have any leads.

"This is incredible! I've been looking through the family albums, and there's not a trace of you or Voni-Ca anywhere," Lara-Le says.

"That's to be expected. The enemy would have been most thorough in fact, Id…" Tobor says.

Suddenly, he can sense something. He can feel Knuckles and Eve.

Soon, Tobor panics, "Knuckles! Eve1 They're in trouble!"

"What?" Cloud-Ra says, shocked.

"Where?" Lara-Le asks.

"How do you know?" Julie-Su asks.

Tobor opens the window as he says, "I just do! Take my word for it! Now, step aside."

He then flies off, "While I go to their aid!"

Lara-Le hurries to the window and calls out, "WAIT! What's happening to our children?!"

Soon, the four watch the Guardian leaves to aid Knuckles and Eve.

"Not even an 'excuse me!' Is this always like this?" Julie-Su asks.

Lara-Le turns to Julie-Su, "Julie-Su... I think we have to talk!"

Meanwhile, Tobor is flying through the sky. Through his cybernetic eyes he can see both Knuckles and Eve.

He is astonished by it, "Astonishing. Knuckles and Eve are projecting from another zone so intensely that my cybernetic vision implants can red their image."

He continues to fly through the sky, "I'm registering so much Chaos energy. It's as if Knuckles were a living Chaos Emerald. I can't recall any Guardian being able to wield that much power. And Eve, her Chaos Energy is different, yet similar to a Guardian's."

He then looks up to notice a portal beginning to open, "What the…"

The first one to come out of the vortex is Kragok.

Tobor quickly recognize him, "A Dark Legionnaire?!"

"Sweet irony! Of all the echidnas to run into!" Kragok smirks.

Tobor punches Kragok, "I wouldn't be so smug villain! I'll make you wish you stay under the rock you crawled out from!"

"Out of my way, old man! You can join your brat descendent in the Twilight Zone after I'm long gone!" Kragok angrily says.

Just then, Knuckles and Eve hurry out of the vortex.

"Get back here Kragok!" Eve angrily says.

"We're not through with you!" Knuckles adds.

Tobor then grabs Kragok and says, "No! Get out of here! This is my fight!"

Knuckles and Eve move out of the way to see Tobor dragging Kragok to the vortex.

Kragok struggles, "Are you insane, old man?! What do you think you're doing?!"

"Settling a few scores… starting with you…" Tobor angrily says.

He then flies through the vortex through the Vortex and Kragok screams, "Noooooooo!"

Soon, the flight of light disappears and Tobor and Kragok are nowhere in sight. Eve and Knuckles know that they're both trapped in the Twilight Zone.

Eve sadly says, "I hope he'll be alright."

"I'm sure he will. So long as he knows where home is," Knuckles says.

Back in Lara-Le's home, Lara is explaining to Julie about the life she had of being the guardian's wife.

Lara says, "And while I'm sure he's been a great friend to you, Julie-Su, don't get your hopes up for more."

"That's the furthest thing from my mind, ma'am. I'm happy with the way things are now," Julie-Su panics.

Just then, Knuckles and Eve fly through the windows and land on the ground.

"Knuckles!" Lara happily says.

The next moment, Julie-Su and Lara-Le are hugging him.

"About time you both got back!" Julie-Su says.

"Thank goodness you're alright," Lara-Le says.

"Hey! Easy with the choke hold here!" Knuckles says.

Eve looks down to see her baby siblings looking at her with smiles.

Cloud-Ra kneels down and gives her a hug, "We were worried."

"Where's Tobor?" Obsidian asks.

"He's taking care of business at the moment," Knuckles says.

"We hope he's alright," Eve replies.

Meanwhile, Haven is up and running. The lights turn on and the screen are turning on.

"At last! All systems are a go!" Sojourner says.

"Bringing up the monitors online! I'd like to see if the situation has remained status quo…" Locke says.

The monitors shows Knuckles being hugged by Lara and Julie-Su. Julie even gives Knuckles kiss. Eve is holding Shun, Dimtri, and Ichigo while Jazz sits on her head. Cloud-Ra and Obsidian greet her as well.

"Especially in regards to Knuckles! Wouldn't you say, grandfather Thunderhawk?" Lock replies.

"Given the evidence before us, I'd say we have a most interesting development, Locke," Thunderhawk says.

"A paring between a Guardian and a Dark Legionnaire?" Spectre questions.

"Now that could present some intriguing possibilities," Locke says.

"There is a pair of a Dark Legionnaire and a child of a former Clan leader. They were able to make it work," Sabre says.

The one taken Tobor's identity thinks, "Not if the Dark Legion has anything to say about it. Whatever could've possessed Julie-Su to behave in such a bizarre manner?"

"I'm just glad that everything is calm and peaceful for the time being. Even after the power has gone out in Haven," Locke says.

Unknown to the Guardians, the Guardian who they believe is Tobor leaves the room and walks down the hall. Unknown to them, the echidna is an imposter.

He thinks, "Maybe you can relax, Locke, but I can't! Not when that old fool, Tobor, is nowhere in sight. As of now, I'd better be ready for every contingency as anything could happen next.

He then looks around to see that no one is around. He then takes out what looks like a locket from under the shirt. He opens it to reveal Moritori Rex before taking Tobor's identity. There is also a grown purple female echidna and she has red stripes. There is young purple boy echidna with blue eyes and wears white gloves. Next to young purple echidna is a red boy echidna with red eyes, and wears a lab coat.

He thinks, "Could… Cloud-Ra Don' worry, we'll see each other again soon. I promise."

He then scratch the locket under his shirt and walks down the hall.