A Tale of Two Brothers

Hey Peeps, I don't own anything related to Sonic or his universe, that's SEGA and all other companies relevant to the creation of his various back-stories, and even though most of them have tanked it now that is beside the point. Honestly, I actually own very little in this fic (next to nothing to be exact) but this is my story and even though I am using characters from Archie, DiC and SEGA I will be fleshing many of them out because they were only 2-dimensional so in some ways they will appear very OC hopefully you'll bear with me! Anyway, I've bored you to tears with this disclaimer so enjoy and let me know what you think! X

Review Replies:

Nyx27Seth: I fixed the poll by the way so voting shouldn't be a problem now. And yeh, this plot is way more complicated than anything I've written before but I think that's why my attention is so hooked on this at the moment. It's a challenge and I like it. And thank you, I'm glad you liked the twist though this chap kinda sets up the next one X

Slayer 666: Chaos Rings? I think you mean the Chaos Emeralds. And to be honest I haven't given that much thought but in all honesty I don't see Jules in super form, Aleena maybe, due to her royal background and how the Emeralds feature on the flag and crown of Mobius but I don't know, it's not something that will crop up in this story. Ok, I'm guessing you're a guy LoL.. The thing is girls always take their first 'love' pretty seriously. It's a big deal to them and it's also a very confusing time so when things turn bad (like a break up) they tend to take it very much to heart and it can often feel like the world is over… uber dramatic I know, but like I said girls are complicated. X

Dedicated to the people who've favourited and alerted this story: Thanks guys! Glad someone likes this story… don't be shy to voice an opinion though. X

Chapter Twelve: A 'Breaking' New Development

…At nine-fifteen this morning King Ogilvie declared war on the Overlanders. The decision was made after Warlord Kodos and his generals returned from the badlands with the body of a yet-to-be-identified soldier who was brutally mutilated and, apparently, sent back to Warlord Kodos along with a note. Although the exact contents of this letter have not been made public it supposedly describes Mobians as 'nothing more than primitive beasts' and goes on to claim that 'our savagery knows no bounds'. The exact injuries the solider had sustained before death will not be revealed out of respect. But we have been told they were so severe that the king himself shed a tear of sorrow for the victim expressing disbelief as to how anyone could be so callous. Warlord Kodos, who had been trying to negotiate a peace treaty with the Overlanders, was appalled and disgusted by this act of violence. He admitted that negotiations had been hard but he never imagined that they would resort to an act of violence to make their point. He made a statement earlier expressing his disgust:

'We are not the savage beasts here, they are! This is no longer about trying to resolve things peacefully this is about survival! The Overlanders seek to destroy us and all that we stand for and I for one will not let that happen!…

Almost three months had passed since Jules Hedgehog's birthday and the young cobalt-blue teenager found himself summoned into the main office of the Royal Guard. The moment his captain shut the door it silenced the rest of the radio news bulletin that had been announcing what he already knew… Mobius was going to war. It was something that his brother Charles had suspected was going to happen and once again, he'd been proven right. Jules had no strong opinion one way or the other on being at war but he fully believed that King Ogilvie the Third knew what he was doing. Having faith in the king was something that had stuck with him since he'd discontinued his friendship with Princess Aleena.

Jules' stomach twisted at the thought of the princess. Things were still felt strained and awkward between them. They seemed proper and professional on the surface but deep down he did not know how to be around her and he could sense the same uncertainty from her about him. The cobalt hedgehog felt bad because this had all been his doing; he had taken the choice to break off their relationship, trying to spare them the crushing heartache when they developed real feelings for each other then realised they could never truly be together. However, judging by the hollow pit of guilt developing in his abdomen and the stab of pain that hit his heart when he was near her... It seemed he was already too late.

'Congratulations Hedgehog, you've made private.' Captain Prower's pride-filled voice barely registered with Jules as the golden-furred fox-mobian held out his white-gloved hand towards his young charge. The cobalt-blue seventeen year old hedgehog merely sighed then shook hands half-heartedly with his commanding officer. His hazel eyes had a listless gleam in them as he did so. Amadeus Prower's smile twisted as his sky-blue eyes looked concerned by this unenthusiastic response from his newly promoted private.

'What's wrong? I thought you'd be pleased.' The Captain of the Palace Guard asked concerned, a frown knitting his brow at his downhearted officer.

'I am sir, really!' Jules flashed the golden-furred mobian-fox a brief smile that didn't quite cover the hollow pit he was trying to mask.

'So what's bothering you then?' Amadeus Prower asked the teenage hedgehog gently, he then moved around the desk so that he was now standing beside his private.

'It's nothing.' Jules replied a little too quickly in response to his captain's blue-eyed look of worry. 'Nothing you can help me with anyway sir.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog added reluctantly so that Amadeus Prower would know this was something he needed to deal with himself.

'Are you sure?' The fox-mobian said gently as he lent back on the desktop behind him. 'If there's something bothering you Hedgehog I'd like to help resolve it.'

'It's uh… not work-related sir.' Jules drawled sheepishly and at his flush Amadeus Prower couldn't help but nod as he hummed with understanding.

'Ahh… womobian troubles.' Captain Prower's mouth tweaked into a momentary smirk of amusement to the cobalt-blue hedgehog in front of him before it turned into sympathy. 'Now unfortunately, I can't offer you much on that front, but you aren't the first guy to go through it.'

'That's good to know, I suppose.' Jules sounded with a sigh.

'Chin up Hedgehog, these things usually work themselves out in the end.' Amadeus sounded lightly, the smile returning to his white-furred muzzle. He clapped one white-gloved hand on the teenage hedgehog's shoulder before it slipped to his mid-back then pushed him around to the main door. 'Y'know, it's funny. I never imagined you'd have much trouble with the ladies, always figured you'd be warding them off with a stick.' The twenty-four year old fox-mobian said lightly and this caused Jules to smirk slightly.

'Heh, yeh, you'd think huh?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog couldn't help but smirk with slight unease as he flicked his quiff of blue quills. Why did other guys think that being good-looking suddenly made you immune to all life's problems? Jules had always thought it complicated them further.

'Well, forgive me for saying so Hedgehog but womobian troubles will not get you out of your duties.' Captain Prower sounded with a more professional air as he opened the door leading back to the locker-room.

'I don't expect it to sir..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog replied seriously before heading out towards the courtyard where he was stationed.

'Blue-Blur, movement has been spotted on the outer perimeters of grounds-sector three, check out the situation.' Jules Hedgehog's hand-held radio went off halfway through his shift and the cobalt-blue teenager pulled it out from his utility belt to respond.

'This better not be a wind-up Midnight Shadow, let's just say I'm not in the mood for it.' Jules drawled in reply with narrowed hazel-eyes.

'No wind up Jules, a slim figure was spotted moving across the grass just a few seconds ago and since you're the fastest patrol private we've got-'

'Yeh, yeh… I'm on it Jasper.' Jules cut over him before stuffing his radio back in his bright-red utility-belt then pulling out his ring-restraint gun and speeding off towards grounds-sector three. Within two minutes the cobalt-blue hedgehog had arrived at the sight the figure had been spotted in, his hazel-eyes immediately looking for clues as to which way the individual had gone. Although it was almost dark too dark to see Jules refused to turn on his torch and give away his position to the unidentified intruder. Instead he used his well-honed training to look for things that would give him some hint to track. Fortunately for him the neatly cut lawn grass revealed flattened foot-shapes heading off towards the large hedges that bordered one of the secret gardens of the palace. By the looks of them the footprints in the ground were still fresh, they were still close by. With his velocity he could catch them with very little effort so the teenage hedgehog knelt down to study the footprints more closely, trying to get an idea of the one he was tracking. They were tiny, much smaller than his feet; at best he would estimate a size four. Judging by the shape of the print they were either a womobian or a kid. But whoever they were he needed to apprehend them fast and find out why they were on palace grounds.

Immediately his size eleven red combat-boots blurred into a high-speed jog as the cobalt-blue hedgehog sped off towards the short maze of evergreen hedgerows that concealed the entrance to the hidden garden inside. Once inside the mini hedge-maze Jules immediately skidded to a halt, his pointed blue-furred ears twitching and swivelling as he listened closely for movement. After a split-second his warm-hazel eyes narrowed and instantly pinpointed the sound of the trespasser's footfalls as they moved swiftly away. He followed at a fast walking pace which matched the figure on the opposite side of the hedge he was on. Jules then spotted a tall tree and smirked as an idea came to him. He could just climb up into the branches and apprehend the intruder by getting the drop on them…

…Unbeknown to him, on the other side of the hedge, the slim figure who was wearing a maroon cloak that covered her face swivelled around startled by the slight rustling noise on the other side of the evergreen hedgerow beside them. As her eyes caught sight of an indistinct shadow in the tree directly behind the hedge this slim figure bent down and picked up a fist-sized stone before straightening again. The next second she threw the grey rock towards the unknown shadow and smacked it squarely in the head causing it to cry out in shock and pain.

'Arhh!' The yell sounded strangely familiar as the shadow fell out the tree landing on the ground with a nasty sounding crack and a loud grunt of agony.

'Oh no!' The sweet voice of the unknown figure squealed out in compassion, despite this unknown shadow scaring her almost witless she didn't mean to hurt them. Immediately she darted through a nearby opening in the hedgerow. When she arrived by the slightly curled figure she recognised him instantly by his navy Royal Guard uniform and cobalt-quills.

'Jules! Oh, I am so sorry..' Her sweet voice had a regal hint to it as she lowered her hood to reveal a blonde head of quills and pointed lilac-furred ears.

'Uhh…' The seventeen year old hedgehog groaned as he rolled over onto his back, revealing the arm he had landed on which was bent at an awkward angle. His hazel eyes blinked and tried to focus on the maroon-cloaked figure that was now knelt beside him, gazing concerned with bright emerald-green eyes. After a moment his blurry vision became clear and he found himself gazing up at Princess Aleena.

'Are you ok?' The lilac-furred hedgehog frowned slightly, looking anxiously at him. Jules couldn't help but close his eyes, blotting the princess from his sight for a moment as he realised it had been her who had knocked him out of the tree… the other guards would have a field day when they found out. At the same moment he became aware that not only did his head feel lightheaded and sore but his right arm felt like a thousand pins were stabbing him at once while his hand felt oddly numb.

'I… I think so.' Jules responded quietly, finally opening his eyes to look at the lilac-furred hedgehog still knelt beside him. He then gingerly tried to sit up but only managed to lean up with his left arm before wincing in agony, keeping his teeth gritted as the pain in his right arm intensified when he tentatively tried to move it.

'Here, let me help you.' Princess Aleena suddenly said in a soft but panicked tone, her eyes widening at the agony in his expression. She leant forward and gently gripped his right arm then carefully laid it on his chest as Jules winced painfully, his eyes screwing up tight as he sucked in air through his teeth. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..' The lilac-furred female hedgehog whimpered emotionally as tears welled up in her emerald eyes, threatening to roll forth. Princess Aleena could feel her heart twisting with guilt at the pain she knew she'd caused.

'It's alright.' The cobalt-blue male hedgehog eventually managed to utter, taking deep ragged breaths as the sudden flash of pain that had licked his arm ebbed to a dull ache. The pins and needles in his injured limb still stabbing him as it rested against his chest. 'Think you could give me a hand up, princess.' Jules added once he'd struggled to lift himself into a sitting position, keeping his right arm cradled to his chest.

'Yes, of course I will.' The lilac-furred female hedgehog responded immediately. There was a desperate undertone to her sweet voice showing she felt wholly responsible for his predicament and was eager make sure he received the help he needed. Princess Aleena then tucked a stray lock of blonde quills behind a pointed ear. She instantly swivelled around and got into a crouch position on Jules' right side and throwing him a curious yet concerned look. 'What do you need me to do?'

'Just slip an arm around me..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sounded then tailed off as Princess Aleena complied with his request. He could feel her slim arm sliding around his back and resting on his waist for support. As her fingers slid over his body it felt like her touch was burning into his blue-furred back. The sensitive nerves which let Jules feel touch through his fur and quills tingled warmly, heightened by his inner-feelings for the princess beside him. The cobalt-blue hedgehog could smell the sweet floral scent of her perfume now but ignored the sudden skip in his heartbeat at her closeness; he was determined to get up off the ground of the garden maze. 'Yeh, that's good, now just go with me, ok?' His hazel eyes locked steadily with her green ones, his voice staying calm so he wouldn't upset her any more than she was.

'Ok.' The lilac-furred hedgehog sounded nervously, nodding her head as her bright emerald-green eyes still flashed with concern, her other hand resting on his chest.

'Alright, let's do this.' Jules grunted as a glint of steely grit appeared in his hazel eyes. The cobalt-blue hedgehog then placed his left hand on the ground beside him and slowly pulled himself upright with the princess' help. Once on his feet the seventeen year old male hedgehog felt a light dizzy spell and let out a slight gasp and raised his left white-gloved hand to his head and gently rubbed the temple where the rock had struck him, finding a small lump had formed just in front of his pointed blue-furred ear.

'Jules..' Princess Aleena said in a soft caring voice as her green eyes looked up into his handsome face with anxiety; her fingers that had still been resting against his chest were stroking him gently. '-are you feeling alright?'

'Yeh, its justa little dizzy spell Ali, no worries.' The cobalt-blue male hedgehog murmured lightly as he and the princess felt her heart quiver with hope, he hadn't called her by that nickname since he'd told her that 'they' could never be. Did this mean he still thought about her? She still thought about him all the time. The royal hedgehog had tried very hard to forget about him but she couldn't. Even after how much the initial 'split' had hurt her, all the tears and sadness she had gone through Princess Aleena still cared deeply for him…

As Jules tentatively touched the bump on his left temple, his left eye momentarily closed as he inwardly winced before lowering the fingers of his uninjured arm and turning his hazel eyes to the princess. Her arm was still wrapped around his waist, supporting him even though he had both his feet firmly on the ground. The cobalt-blue hedgehog could easily have told the petit blonde-quilled hedgehog to let go of him but once his eyes locked with her wide and emotionally-heightened emerald-green eyes he merely let her cling to him, flashing a smile in the hopes of reassuring her that he was fine. For a further moment they said nothing, their eyes locked as the air around them seemed to thicken as the undeniable chemistry between them stirred irresistibly. Jules felt his heart flutter and a slight sting of regret for breaking things off. She was holding him close to her and Jules could feel her body pressed into his, her fingers still running tenderly over the gold buttons of his broad chest. The cobalt-blue hedgehog wanted to kiss her again; the urge was pressing heavily on his mind as his hazel eyes narrowed towards her. But sense and reason were quick to step up and remind him of his duty…

'Um, princess.' Jules sounded gently, finally managing to break the growing silence and subdue of his pent-up tension.

'Yes Jules?' Princess Aleena replied, her thick black-mascaraed eyelashes batting with innocent allure.

'Could you… pass me my radio, please?' The cobalt hedgehog sounded with a slight grin, keeping his injured arm locked against his chest protectively. 'I need to call this in.'

'Oh.' The princess blinked, immediately the moment was gone and the chemistry evaporated with it. She smiled sheepishly up at him, feeling a little embarrassed now. 'Sure..' The lilac-furred hedgehog then slipped her hand into his utility belt and pulled out his radio, passing it to his uninjured left arm. 'Here you go.'

'Thanks.' The hedgehog replied politely before turning away with a serious expression as he raised his radio to his mouth. 'This is Blue-Blur… anybody copy?' Jules sounded, pressing the 'talk' button.

'I hear you Jules..' Jasper's voice came out of the radio-speaker. '-did you neutralize the threat?' Immediately the cobalt male hedgehog exchanged a glance with the lilac female hedgehog beside him and they both exchanged a slight smirk of amusement at the cat-mobian's words.

'Jasper, you are not gonna believe this…'

'Well Jules..' Doctor Quack, the palace physician sounded once he'd finished examining the cobalt-blue hedgehog's x-ray then lifting it to the lit up white-screen so Jules could see the neat black lines in his arm bones. '-it looks like you've a couple of closed fractures, one in your radius and the other in your ulna. I'm afraid you'll be in a cast for at least six weeks while your bones reset.' The white-feathered duck-mobian threw the now-shirtless teenage hedgehog a pitying look. Jules Hedgehog blinked, not following the doctor's technical jargon despite the obvious hint now pinned to the wall behind them.

'I'm sorry doc; you wanna try that again in basic Mobish.' The seventeen year old hedgehog said, looking slightly confused.

'You've fractured both bones in the lower part of your right arm. It's going to take some time to heal, hence the cast.' Doctor Quack replied, his bright blue eyes twinkling kindly as a light smile remained on his square bill. He then kinked a brow at the young hedgehog before him. 'How did you say this happened again?' Jules couldn't help a groan of shame and raised his left hand to his face, shaking his head.

'I told you already doc; the princess nailed me with a rock and I fell out a tree, landing on my arm. I know it's hard to believe but it's the truth..' The cobalt-blue teenager had a hint of a lamenting whine in his tone before adding, removing his left hand from his face. 'When the other guards find out about this tomorrow I'll be the laughing stock of the palace..'

'By which time, you will be on statutory sick leave and unable to hear their taunts.' Doctor Quack responded lightly as he turned away to prepare the dressing and plaster of anais bandages that would form the hard plaster cast for the hedgehog's broken arm.

'What?' Jules nearly choked on his own tongue at this information, flicking his blue quiff out of his face then scowling in concern. 'For how long?'

'About six weeks is the standard-' Doctor Quack began but found himself cut off.

'No!' The seventeen year old hedgehog exclaimed with slight panic. 'I can't be off that long.'

'You can discuss that fully with Captain Prower Jules..' The palace physician replied calmly as he picked up the cotton wading and soft dressing that would begin Jules' cast. '-I'm merely here to provide medical attention. Now keep still, you may feel a slight pinch at first.' The white-feathered duck-mobian then snapped on a pair of light green gloves before covering the now-bruised area of Jules' right forearm in cotton wading then binding it tightly with the soft gauze-dressing. The cobalt-blue teenager winced uncomfortably as it felt like his arm was being constricted.

'Ah! Does it have to be so tight?' Jules hissed as the mobian doctor skilfully wrapped his arm up then wound the finishing binding in the gap between his still-gloved thumb and fingers, securing it tightly.

'Unfortunately yes, we need to keep the bindings tight to insure your bones heal correctly.' The white-feathered duck responded before swivelling around in his seat and picking out the wet plaster of anais covered bandages that would form the hard shell of his arm-cast and carefully covering the dry wading already on Jules' arm. 'Now, once this sets you mustn't get it wet, keep it dry at all times and the bones should heal up nicely..' The mobian doctor instructed as he continued working on the arm-cast while the cobalt-blue teenage hedgehog beside him watched intently..

'Doctor Charles Hedgehog? This is Captain Prower of his majesty's Royal Guard, do forgive me for ringing you so late but I'm afraid your brother Jules has been injured at work… No, no, we suspect he's merely broken an arm, he's with our palace physician right now.' The blonde-quilled princess could hear Amadeus' telephone call to who must be Jules' older brother as she waited for the Captain of the Palace Guard. He wanted to notify Jules' next of kin of the situation before escorting her personally back to her chambers. The twenty-four year old fox-mobian had been less than impressed to discover that it was her who had been sneaking around the grounds at night. Princess Aleena knew she would be in trouble but at this moment it wasn't her most pressing concern, her mind was still racked with guilt about causing Jules' injury. Amadeus was stroking his white-furred chin as Charles was speaking on the other end of the phone.

'Well I was going to bring him to you but if you'd prefer to come here and pick him up then I will meet you out front in twenty minutes.' The golden-furred fox-mobian said and after listening to the reply he nodded serenely. 'It would've been no trouble doctor but I understand, yes, see you then. Goodbye.' He placed the handset back in its holder on the desk before his sky-blue eyes returned to the almost sixteen year old Princess of Mobius. 'Alright your highness, I'll escort you back to your chambers now.' The Captain of the Royal Guard immediately strode around the desk to the side she was stood at and stopped beside her, his expression sombre and almost unreadable.

'Can I see him first?' Princess Aleena immediately and the mobian-fox kinked a brow.

'See who your majesty?' Amadeus replied politely, his expression twisting with curiosity at her now.

'Private Hedgehog. I would like to see him before I return to my chambers.' The lilac-furred hedgehog responded to his question, her green eyes looking up pleadingly at him. Amadeus Prower sighed heavily at this request before rubbing the bridge of his nose.

'Princess, I don't think that's such a good idea-' He lowered his hand again as he replied only to find himself cut off as the royal hedgehog gripped his arm intensely.

'Please Captain… I must see him, it's important.' Princess Aleena now looked almost desperate now, still clutching him by his arm though her grip had loosened slightly now. 'I promise you, if you let me speak with him I will go straight to my chambers with no arguments. Please… just let me see him.' She added in one final attempt to sway him and the Captain of the Royal Guard's shoulders sagged slightly, his stance suggesting he was about to relent to her.

'Oh. Alright, fine..' Amadeus sounded with an air of reluctance, pulling his arm free of her grip as he scowled with disapproval. He would rather just take her to her chambers but she obviously wouldn't go willingly without seeing his newest patrol private first. '-but we make this quick.'

'Understood Captain..' The blonde-quilled princess smiled sweetly up at him and linked her slim arm around his forearm and allowed him to lead her out of the Royal Guard's main office and back towards the main entrance hall of the palace. As the two of them turned off towards the medical bay the Captain of the Royal Guard spoke again, breaking the short silence.

'Princess, you do understand that I will have to inform General D'Coolette of tonight's incident.' Amadeus Prower sounded solemnly, a flash of concern shone briefly in his eyes as he looked over to the teenage royal beside him. 'It would be unethical of me to conceal your involvement and you and I both know that when the general learns of this he will no doubt inform your father.'

'I know that Captain.' The Princess of Mobius said with a gentle exhale. 'I don't expect you to cover for me but thank you for your concern.' The blonde-quilled female hedgehog had a serious look in her emerald green eyes as she spoke.

'You also understand that since your father has now declared the nation at war he is not likely to be lenient with you. Times are becoming dangerous princess, your safety as well as his is now an even higher priority than ever before.'

'Spare me the lecture Captain.' Princess Aleena's pretty face suddenly twisted into frown of annoyance. 'I'm sure I will be hearing all of this again tomorrow.' The fox-mobian sighed inwardly at the princess' stubbornness but could not deny that there was some truth in her words.

'My apologies your highness, I did not mean to speak out of turn.' He replied humbly, hoping a compliant tone might placate her frustration. It seemed to work as the lilac-furred princess' scowl melted into a slightly apologetic look.

'Captain, please just take me to Jules as I asked you to.' She finally spoke in a calm yet authoritative voice. The sense of finality in her tone meant she was not prepared to argue anymore on the subject.

'As you wish princess.' Captain Prower responded with a nod and they continued on towards Doctor Quack's examination office in silence. Upon arriving outside it the golden-furred fox-mobian with light brown curls turned to the royal hedgehog waiting anxiously beside him.

'Wait here one moment, princess.' He requested in a gentle tone and the blonde-quilled hedgehog shifted her weight from one hip to the other, said nothing but folded her arms tightly across her maroon-cloaked bosom. Her emerald-green eyes seemed to be waiting for him to make his move and so Captain Prower knocked smartly on Doctor Quack's door…

'Come in.' The white-feathered palace physician called out in response to the sharp rap on the door. Doctor Quack had just finished checking over the now rock-solid orthopaedic-cast on Jules' broken right arm and had moved over to retrieve an arm sling for the cobalt-blue hedgehog. Jules' hazel eyes immediately swivelled around to the door.

'Ahh… Captain Prower, come in. Your just in time to help Hedgehog here back into his shirt.' Doctor Quack said warmly with a wide smile on his beak as Jules lifted his navy shirt and held it out toward his commanding officer.

'So what's the verdict doctor?' Amadeus said lightly as he took the cobalt-blue hedgehog's shirt and held it up to Jules' right arm, allowing the seventeen year old to slip his arm in then bringing the shirt around his back and letting his back-quills slip through the slots cut out in the shirt.

'Slight concussion, a bump to the left temple and a few bruised ribs, nothing couple days rest can't fix..' Doctor Quack began casually. 'His arm is another story, closed fractures through both his radius and ulna means he's going to be in a cast for six weeks.' The white-feathered doctor picked a green-coloured sling as Jules smiled at his commanding officer, watching as he carefully coaxed the hedgehog's bandaged right arm into his shirt then rolled it up over his cast.

'And if you follow that then you're obviously smarter than me.' Jules snorted in amusement at Captain Prower before turning to Doctor Quack adding, 'By the way doc; green just isn't my colour. You got anything else?' The mobian-doctor then turned back to the slings and pulled a yellow one out.

'This is your only other option Jules.' Doctor Quack replied lightly and this caused the cobalt hedgehog to roll his hazel eyes, he wasn't especially fond of yellow either.

'It's better than green, I suppose.' He said softly as Captain Prower slipped his red cravat around the neck of his shirt but didn't tie it once he'd tucked the navy collar down. Doctor Quack then gently manoeuvred the yellow sling around the cobalt-blue hedgehog's arm-cast then secured it at the front using a simple button fastening.

'I told your private here, that six weeks is how long he will be in a cast for but I'd recommend at least a two weeks sick leave to allow his ribs to heal and the swelling and pain in his arm should have decreased as the bone fractures stiffen and heal.' The white-feathered duck-mobian said to the Captain of the Palace Guard and the fox-mobian nodded thoughtfully before moving towards the palace physician and clasping him around the shoulders.

'Doctor Quack, why don't we discuss this in more detail in your office? I would like to have all the facts for General D'Coolette when he comes in tomorrow.' He then glanced at Jules as the cobalt-blue hedgehog kinked a brow in slight confusion. 'Oh and Hedgehog, you have a visitor… but make try to make it quick, won't you?' Doctor Quack threw Amadeus Prower a curious look before the fox-mobian smiled warmly at him. He then pulled the examination room door open. 'You may go in now..' He added to whoever was waiting outside as he and the white-feathered mobian-doctor passed, heading for Doctor Quack's private office across the hall.

'Visitor?' Jules murmured in confusion, his hazel eyes turned curiously towards the door. The moment the two older mobians had gone a petit lilac-furred hedgehog with long blonde-quills that had a slight curl at the end gingerly stepped up to the doorway. Her emerald-green eyes flashed with concern and nerves as they scanned his face then flicked over his yellow sling and cast.

'Hello.' She uttered in a soft hushed tone.

'Princess?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog gasped out in surprise. 'What are you doing here? I thought Captain Prower was escorting you to your chambers.' His neat brows lifted as the royal hedgehog remained in the doorway, almost as if she were afraid to come inside the room.

'He is. May I come in?' Princess Aleena asked in a nervous yet polite voice.

'Of course..' The cobalt-blue seventeen year old hedgehog sounded lightly and the moment she had his permission to enter the princess moved swiftly over to the empty chair and sat down next to him and took hold of his unbound hand.

'Jules..' Her voice came out in a tentative rush as her slim pale-skinned fingers rubbed his much larger white-gloved hands. '-I am so sorry about breaking your arm. Can you ever forgive me?' Her pupils looked up into his hazel eyes imploringly as watery tears brimmed her lower eyelids. Her fingers tightened on his hand. Jules threw her a reassuring smile and swivelled his wrist, taking Princess Aleena's fingers in his and stroked her hand with his thumb.

'It's alright. Really...' He sounded warmly but her worried green eyes flicked over his injured arm in the yellow sling once more.

'I didn't mean to, I- I would never intentionally hurt you... I thought, I thought..' She trailed off in a slightly choked up voice, shaking with the weight of guilt burdening her heart. Her green eyes closed tightly and the tears rolled forth down her pale-skinned cheeks. Princess Aleena gave a stifled gasp before ripping her hand out of his then immediately trying to stem her tears with her fingers.

'Hey, hey…' Jules suddenly crooned gently, his unbound hand immediately raised up, his fingers gently hooking her chin and carefully tilting her face to him. 'It's fine, Ali. There's no need to cry over this. It was just an accident. I don't blame you so there's nothing to forgive.' He lent in, resting his yellow sling and cast gently on the table as he did. The cobalt-blue hedgehog's hazel eyes scanned her face concerned as the lilac female hedgehog wiped the last of her tears away. Princess Aleena's watery green eyes looked up into his handsome face, dry sniffing a couple of times as she felt herself calming down a little from her emotional outburst.

'Does your arm hurt?' The royal hedgehog asked gently and at her words Jules smirked with slight amusement at the question before slumping back into his own chair as his left hand now resting on the table as his cast arm laid across his stomach.

'Nah..' Jules drawled carelessly with a half glance down to his bound and slung arm. 'The doc injected me with enough painkillers to numb it so I don't have to worry about it until they wear off later on.' Princess Aleena's eyes flashed with concern at his words.

'I'm sorry.' She uttered softly.

'Heh, you don't have to keep apologising.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said unable to stop himself from smiling at her.

'I can't help it.' The blonde-quilled hedgehog replied softly. 'I still care for you.' At her words Jules' expression softened at her words.

'I know.' He uttered with a short sigh. 'But this is just the way things have to be.' The blonde-quilled Princess of Mobius threw him a questioning look, about to ask him why but at that moment the door to Doctor Quack's private office opened and both the palace physician and Captain Prower appeared.

'Alright Princess, we had an agreement. It's time for me to escort you back to your chambers.' The golden-furred mobian-fox stated plainly.

'Very well Captain.' Princess Aleena nodded reluctantly, her voice sounding a little regal as she stood up then smiled in a little disappointment at the cobalt hedgehog. 'Take it easy, won't you?' She added sweetly unable to hide the hint of worry in the questioning inflection of her tone.

'Sure thing, princess.' He said with a shadow of a wink and a laid back smile. 'Night.' He added carelessly as she turned away from him, heading towards the Captain of the Royal Guard. Princess Aleena paused at the doorway and threw him a gentle smile back.

'Goodnight.' The lilac-furred said lightly before leaving the room and linking arms with the mobian-fox who was a whole head and shoulders taller than her.

'Your brother should be here to pick you up soon Hedgehog, just sit tight until I return.' Captain Prower said and Jules gave him a mock-salute with his left hand.

'Can do sir..'

Once he had picked his little brother up from Hedgington Hall palace Charles Hedgehog had taken him straight back to his studio-lab. Doctor Quack had discouraged Jules from running at full-velocity for a few days to be sure that his brain recovered properly from the concussion of his fall, so this meant that the cobalt-blue hedgehog would not be returning to Knothole any time soon. It had been a good few hours since Jules had left his work on immediate sick leave and after discussing his options he had agreed to two weeks leave then Captain Prower would check in with him and see how his injury was progressing. They would then determine from that when the hedgehog could return to work on lightened duties. Until then, all the cobalt-blue hedgehog could do was relax and let his bones heal. After Charles had helped Jules pull off his work uniform the cobalt hedgehog laid down on the left side of his brother's wall-bed in nothing but his white-ribbed sports socks and yellow sling. Jules' eyes were closed as his fringe of blue quills just covered the edge of his matching eyelids but although he appeared to be resting he wasn't. Unlike Knothole, which made no noise at night, the slight hum of Mobotroplis could dimly be heard through the thick moldavite which formed the huge glass-windows of Charles' studio-lab. Thankfully the brilliant mild-blue hedgehog had installed large metal blinds that blotted out the streetlights. Now the only light in the whole open-plan apartment was coming from the power-stone powered light that was sitting on Charles' desk as the older hedgehog brother continued to tinker with the metal and wires littering his workspace.

Jules could feel the dull ache becoming noticeably fierier in his right arm which meant he clearly wasn't going to sleep now. His hazel eyes opened and he winced slightly before levering himself upright using his left hand then slumped back against the pillows once more. His movement was not missed by his older brother who immediately swivelled around on his white swivel-seat to face him, still holding the chipboard and wiring he had been working on.

'Can't sleep?' Charles said sympathetically as he surveyed his brother from behind his small spectacles and Jules shook his head roughly. 'Didn't think you would. How's your arm feeling?'

'Hurts a quite a bit now.' The younger hedgehog replied with another wince as he gently moved his cast into a better position on his tanned stomach. At his words Charles looked at the time on the display screen of his little red radio then smiling and getting off his seat.

'Well, the doctor said you could have a couple Mobazien tablets to ease the pain.' The mild-blue hedgehog picked up a glass tumbler and filled it halfway with water before turning, picking up the packet of painkillers that Jules had been prescribed and headed back to his injured little brother. 'Here.' Charles passed his younger cobalt sibling the two painkillers he snapped out of their packet and Jules immediately popped them in his mouth before accepting the glass of water and chugging it down.

'Thanks Charlie.' He gasped as he passed the empty glass back to his brother and allowed himself to sink back into the pillows, closing his eyes again. As the mild-blue hedgehog set the glass on the side his little brother let out a snort of amusement as a slight smirk twisted his mouth.

'What's so funny?' Charles asked, kinking a bushy brow curiously towards his cobalt sibling.

'Today was my first day as a private Charlie, and what happens?' Jules spoke, one hazel eye momentarily opening again just to look at him before closing again. 'I get my arm broken.'

'It was an accident Jules, just be grateful it wasn't your leg.' The mild-blue hedgehog uttered before getting up from the bed and moving back to his workbench.

'Oh yeh, six weeks with no running…' The cobalt-blue hedgehog's hazel eyes snapped open at this point, his cast slipping a little and causing him to wince as another jolt of pain shot through his arm. He grimaced through it until his flash of agony passed before continuing. 'Ouch. That does sound much worse..' Charles' mouth smiled for a split-second but since his focus was more on the tweaking of his latest 'idea' he was a little distracted from his brother.

'What're you working on?' Jules said after a moment of silence then frowned, tapping the index-finger of his left hand lightly on the top of his cast where his hand was. 'It's not the robot-thing is it?'

'Huh?' Charles sounded a little side-tracked as his attention turned to his brother, seeing the disapproving scowl that marred his handsome face. 'Oh. What? No. This is something else… I'm still trying to work out the kinks in the robotics equation.' Jules had made his personal feelings very plain about what he thought of his brother's idea of transforming flesh into metal. So he couldn't help but feel a small twinge of satisfaction that it wasn't going well, perhaps his brother had finally bitten off more than he could feasibly do?

'Something else? You mean like a side-project?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said curiously, his brown eyes widening and his pointed ears twitched as his interest peaked by this new idea his brother had.

'That's right; it occurred to me that with all out advancements in technology over the years we are still using the same digital phone technology that was discovered nearly a century and a half ago. So I was inspired to take holovision and apply it to the phone to create a way of talking to another mobian face to face.' Charles said excitedly as he quickly finished of the complicated circuitry-chipboard he'd been fiddling with then moved to install it in the large flat-screen that had been laid face down on the work bench.

'You mean kinda like a holophone? Far out..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog gave his brother the thumbs up sign with his only free hand, approving of the idea his brother was offering him. For a moment Charles stared at his little brother in amazement before grinning at what he'd just said.

'Yes! Exactly like that and that's what I'm going to call it!' He then dropped the tools he'd been using and grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down 'holophone' at the top of his blue-prints and design specs. 'You always were good at pitching names for my projects.' He murmured as he turned his attention back to installing the chipboard into the flat-screen.

'So… how exactly does this 'holophone idea' work?' Jules sounded as he untied his sling and dumped the yellow cloth on the side. He then carefully moved his arm and hissing slightly as a lick of pain washed over him as he laid his arm down on the bed beside him.

'It basically works along the same line as a phone but instead of holding a handset you look at a large screen like this. And by using a live-video feed you can view the mobian whose number you punched into the keypad.' The mild-blue hedgehog replied with a smile and Jules nodded feeling a little drowsy now, his arm's pain had died from the sharp sting of needles to a dull ache as his painkillers finally kicked in. Now the pain had almost dissipated completely he would be able to sleep and talking about high-minded science stuff usually helped send him off.

'Sounds impressive but won't you have to build two of those things just to test it out?' The cobalt-blue seventeen year old hedgehog stifled a yawn with his uninjured hand then blinked his now heavy eyes.

'Yeh, I will build a second once I've finished this then Lionel and I are going to install it in the science lab at Mobotroplis University for the test call.' The twenty year old mild-blue hedgehog replied as his little brother yawned once more and stretched his uninjured arm out while his back arched to compensate for the fact his other arm couldn't move.

'That's just swell Charlie…' Jules drawled sleepily as his unfocused hazel eyes finally closed, his blue-furred head slumping sideways into the pillow as he fell into an exhausted sleep. Charles looked up from his busywork and threw an affectionate smile at his little brother who had finally dropped off with his fringe of blue quills splayed over his pillow. He then gently placed his tools down and moved over to the wall-bed and pulled the covers over Jules' sleeping form.

'Sleep tight little brother..' He murmured before returning to his desk, determined to finish installing the chipboard before he too would retire for the night.

The next morning in Hedgington Hall..

The echoing clash of swords filled the enormous ballroom as a light-tanned coyote-mobian in navy and red Royal Guard uniform duelled a green-quilled hedgehog wearing a sharp white uniform and wearing a gold and red-velvet crown. As deep-blue eyes locked with bright maroon eyes the two old friends raised their fencing-swords and repositioned their feet.

'Tu are getting a little rusty, mon ami.' General D'Coolette's French accent drawled in a slightly confident tone which caused the King of Mobius to kink a brow in slight amusement.

'Oh. Am I?' The green-quilled thirty-six year old royal hedgehog then jabbed his fencing-sword in an attacking move which made the thirty-seven year old mobian-coyote jump to the side and respond with a fleche movement of his own. 'Good show old sport, but let's see how you fair against my next advance..' King Ogilvie declared with confidence before moving forward with swift and precise footsteps and swinging his fencing sword around to meet his friend's blade. Both General Armand D'Coolette and King Ogilvie Hedgington the Third had been friends for years. Back when Prince Ogilvie and Corporal D'Coolette had first met they'd bonded over their fondness of fencing and even now, twenty years later, the pair still enjoyed nothing more than clashing swords and exchanging banter.

'So, were tu speaking to your daughter?' General D'Coolette asked his oldest friend in a slightly concerned tone as their blades continued to bat off each other. The King of Mobius suddenly sighed as his sword-blade hung limply to the floor.

'Yes I spoke to her Armand and I assure you that she will not be sneaking out of her chamber again. I made my disappointment with her behaviour quite plain on that front.' The king's maroon eyes narrowed before he tucked a stray green quill under his crowd. 'I guess my daughter is just going through a wilful stage..'

'Well, Princesse Aleena is almost sixteen, no? Perhaps eet is time to find her a potential suitor.' General D'Coolette suggested as he sheathed his own sword then threw his friend a sympathetic look, thinking that maybe a gentlemobian would be able to rein in her wayward behaviour.

'I could never pick out a suitor for her Armand and I wouldn't want to try. Aleena would no doubt hate anybody I thought was worthy of her.' King Ogilvie sighed heavily. It had come as quite a shock to him when the Ruler of Mobius had discovered that his daughter had been sneaking out of her chambers at night. He had always respected Princess Aleena's sense of independence but if this wilful behaviour continued he'd be forced to step up her personal security. These were dangerous times they were living in and as the future of Mobius he needed to keep his daughter safe, as his only child and heir he simply could not allow her to be reckless.

'Perhaps tu will not be needing to pick for 'er your majeste.' General D'Coolette replied as he stroked his short blonde goatee in a musing manner. 'Tu could simply be creating ze right conditions for amour. Tu remember 'ow tu was meeting Bernadette, oui?' The green-quilled King of Mobius had been reattaching his red cape, which he had discarded while they'd been fencing. King Ogilvie the Third paused in his fastening and turned his maroon eyes back towards his oldest friend, staring at him in disbelief at his words. He could remember the day he had met the late Queen of Mobius as vividly as if it had only been yesterday. They had innocently bumped into each other at one of the royal debutante balls. Their eyes had met and in that split second of meeting they knew they were destined to be together…

'Yes old friend..' King Ogilvie sounded in a quiet voice as he finished tying his bright red cape. '-I remember.' His shoulders sagged slightly as his eyes turned to the portrait on the wall which showed him standing by his seated wife.

'I was not meaning to bring back ze pain, mon vieil ami.' Armand D'Coolette stepped up to his sovereign and friend, clapping a hand reassuringly on King Ogilvie's shoulder. 'What I was trying to suggest was zat if we were to be holding zees year's debutant then perhaps ze princesse could pick 'er own suitor.' The light-tan furred mobian-coyote said with the hint of a smirk twisting his smile.

'Hmmm…' King Ogilvie rubbed his clean-shaven muzzle thoughtfully at the idea before lowering his white-gloved hand and turning his gaze to General D'Coolette. 'Perhaps you have something there old boy.' He grinned back, finally coming around to the idea. 'Aleena would be safe in the comfort of her own home and with all the eligible young gentlemobians in Mobius here one is bound to spark her interest.'

'Precisement tu majeste.' General D'Coolette said brightly in French, not that it made any difference to the Ruler of Mobius which language he spoke in as they'd known each other so long and understood each other perfectly.

'We'll set the date for right after Aleena's sixteenth birthday in a few weeks and make sure that the invites demand a mandatory attendance..' The King of Mobius was stating as he paced back and forth. 'I'll oversee the details myself and Armand; I'll leave you to handle the details on security.' He turned his attention back to his oldest friend and the mobian-coyote smiled, pleased to see a spark of enthusiasm back in the king's face.

'But of course, I'll make sure I 'ave my best guards on zat night.' He replied with a slight bow.

'Now if you'll excuse me I have to speak with Lord Montclair, he's usually the one who spearheads our debutant balls.' The green-quilled King of Mobius sounded politely, handing his sheathed sword to General D'Coolette before leaving the ballroom through the huge double doors and disappearing quickly out of sight.

Little Notes:

Hey peeps… ok, seriously, I have no idea what the hell this chapter title is about. All I know is: it's 4AM and my housemates are keeping me awake with loud music and pointless dancing on squeaky floorboards. As you can imagine I'm tired and cranky and totally fed up but since I'm not sleeping I figured I may as well make good use of my time by updating my fic. So yeh… don't ask about the title, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Alright, the broken arm thing… yeh, I kinda like the idea of Jules getting hurt, am I a sadist? Probably. I was thinking for ages on the funniest way for him to break his arm and then this sort of hit me… hope you like it. And obviously King Ogilvie's reaction to it is kind of understandable but at the same time why do guys usually think all their daughter's 'wilful problems' can be solved by finding them a husband? Seriously, what is that? However it really fits with the idea I have for the next chapter so bear with me..

Ok, Charles is back and inventing something else. Surprise, surprise… well, the guy has to fund his research somehow, right? I always figured that the robotisizer was a seriously complicated piece of kit and probably would've taken a long time to piece together, even though Archie says he had it built in a few short years (I don't think so)… it'll probably be a long arduous project in this fic so he'll be inventing other stuff on the side as well as moving through the scientific ladder, so to speak…

Stay tuned for more soon…

~Ditzy x