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 apart from some background alterations) 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:
Slayer 666: Yeh, that was the original plan! I was gonna take a short break over the Christmas period and then get stuck on into my fanfics and fanart. However since they surprised me with the move I couldn't and the update took longer than planned. Anyway, the answer to who got the job as well as your query on how this affected things with Aleena is also in this chapter… you may be in for a surprise as I had this planned from the very beginning. The whole focus on this story is about to change completely. Yeh, I'm excited about the introduction of Sonic's generation too, there's more mentions of Antoine and Knuckles in this chapter too. Your right, Hershey and Bunnie do appear next with Elias in Archie but I admit I'm not going to completely follow them as (to be honest here) I think Elias is one of the most pointless characters ever created in a Sonic series, he completely demeaned Sally's whole purpose in Archie and when they finally realised that they had to think of a way to get rid of him. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! X
DanceDream: Welcome back hon, it's so nice to hear from you again. I do hope your next review will be a little sooner but as long as your still reading that's all that honestly matters.. Anyway, thank you. I'm glad you're starting to like the whole Jules and Aleena pairing, there's not enough love for these two though it is non-canon so that doesn't surprise me. There's a little more with Locke here for you though it will probably be their last appearance for a while as the story is about to switch focus very soon. I hope you keep following… happy reading! X
Chapter Nineteen:A Dark Moment In Time..
'Congratulations on the promotion, Captain..' Came the high voice of Pansy Possum one of the palace's chambermaids as she greeted the brand-new Captain of the Royal Guard, pausing as she passed him in the grand foyer of Hedgington Hall. Her eyes quickly travelled the length of him, admiring how his uniform hung on his well-toned body.
'Thanks.' Came the reply as the cobalt-blue hedgehog narrowed his warm-hazel eyes amiably at the young teenage possum-mobian. She looked as if she'd been about to add something when her eyes spotted two of his Royal Guard troupe approaching with grins on their faces and she immediately waved him off and disappeared down the hall.
'Hey Jules, congratulations on getting the job.' Argus replied with a sporting handshake, feeling no resentment about losing out to his friend and now commanding officer.
'To be honest, I was a bit surprised he passed you over Arg.' Jules replied honestly as he straightened his red cravat a little.
'Are you kidding?' The yellow-furred wolf-mobian replied with a wide grin, his arm slipping around the cobalt-blue hedgehog. 'You and General Prower have a great affinity, he's been backing you since day one. Who else was he gonna pick?'
'Aw, c'mon guys. Now you make it sound like favouritism.' The eighteen year old Captain of the Royal Guard replied with a slight roll of his eyes. 'And here I thought I got in on pure moxie and talent.'
'Oh you did, there's no-one in the troupe that can do half as much as you in the time you do it in..' Jasper sounded immediately. 'But even you can't deny that Prower's fondness towards you didn't sway his decision a little, right… sir?' The black-furred cat-mobian added the last bit with a grin, testing out the word for the beginning of the their next working day together when the cobalt hedgehog would hold rank over him.
'Knock it off Jasper, you don't have to start that until I'm back in tomorrow.' Jules said brushing it off awkwardly as he was not used to being called 'sir' by those he considered friends as well as colleagues. The three of them had been together since their try outs just over a year and a half ago and despite working in different sections of the Royal Guard they had always remained close. From tomorrow onwards Jules would be the superior officer and their work-relationship would change forever.
'Hey, was just trying to get used to it, man.' The black-furred cat-mobian grinned widely with a casual shrug. 'It's gonna be so weird calling you 'sir' from this point onwards.'
'I'll say.' Argus agreed with a nod and a wide grin. 'But the best mobian got the job and we know you'll be great at it.' He added before his moss-green eyes turned to his watch before his brows raised with surprise at the time. 'Well, I better be heading, I don't want to be late for my date.'
'No you don't.' Jasper grinned widely at his yellow-furred best friend. 'You only get one shot with Kitty Carlisle..' The black-furred cat-mobian added as his grin tweaked roguishly.
'Oh. So you finally asked out Kitty?' Jules kinked a brow to Argus and the yellow-furred wolf, knowing how he had admired the white-furred cat-mobian chambermaid for a while.
'Uh.. yeh.' Argus replied scratching the back of his neck-fur with a slight grin. 'To be honest I'm surprised she accepted considering she had a thing for you.' These words made the cobalt-blue hedgehog narrow his eyes with a smirk.
'Yeh, her and most of the other chicks here, bud. What can I say? It must be the bright blue quills..' Jules' expression then turned serious as he added lightly. 'But you don't have to worry about Kitty. I've already told her that I have my eye on someone at the moment.'
'Who?' Jasper immediately asked before kinking a brow and adding. 'You're not still into 'Bernie' are you?' He adding with a sly wiggle of the eyebrows.
'Don't be daft Jacks, he finished that ages ago.' Argus waved a hand dismissively. 'He's not dumb enough to blow his 'title' of captain for a girl he can't possibly get.' The wolf-mobian chuckled at the very thought while Jules groaned inwardly at the truth.
'Don't you have a date with Kitty to be getting ready for?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sounded with a heavy hint and immediately Jasper grinned widely.
'The new captain's right Argus, we better go clock out..' He then steered Argus away from the cobalt-blue hedgehog with a smile.
'See you tomorrow, sir!' The two of them called back to Jules as they began running towards the Royal Guards private office just off the entrance hall of the palace.
'Yeh, yeh.. Get outta here you knuckle-heads.' Jules shook his blue-quilled head with slight amusement and the quiff of quills hanging across his forehead ruffled slightly as he watched them leave. The cobalt-furred hedgehog wanted to do one last security check before checking in with General Prower who was speaking with the King of Mobius right now.
It didn't take the cobalt-blue hedgehog more than four minutes to complete his final security sweep, checking the perimeters and locking the rear and servants entrances into the palace before checking in with Madame D'Coolette and the rest of the live-in staff on their first-floor semi-circular wing of Hedgington Hall. Once he'd completed this Jules zipped into the Royal Guard office switching on the security system and filling in the necessary paperwork so he could then go home. The cobalt-blue hedgehog wandered out of the office five minutes later moving his left wrist in a circular motion as he'd gotten a slight cramp from speed-writing. Inwardly cursing his stiff wrist Jules was about to go searching for General Prower to inform him that he was going home when the sound of voices caught his attention.
'And your quite sure about your decision General Prower, after all Hedgehog is still very young to be placed in such a position.' The King of Mobius was saying matter-of-factly, his maroon-eyes flashed with concern as the two of them walked down the hall together.
'I know that he's only eighteen and that by giving him a promotion he's the youngest captain that the Royal Guard has seen. But to be fair, I didn't get much of a choice as many of our more experienced boys who would have gotten the job before him have transferred out into the Mobian Army to help out our boys in green abroad. I assure you your majesty, Jules can handle this position. He is one of the hardest working officers I have left and I have complete faith in his abilities.' The golden-furred fox-mobian with neat curls of light-brown head-fur added with a slight frown.
'Oh I understand your decision behind the promotion Amadeus, do not get me wrong. I just wanted to be sure that our new captain could handle his new duties.' King Ogilvie the Third spoke kindly, patting the General of the Royal Guard on the shoulder. They were dealing with the royal security and the King of Mobius just wanted to be sure they were promoting the right mobian.
'He can handle it sire.' General Prower replied with a confident smile and at this point Jules decided to let his presence be known to the two that had been discussing him so openly.
'Alright sir, final checks have been done. Both the rear and servant's entrances are locked and everyone has settled for the night. Security system is online and the monitors of the control room are up and running. Paperwork's on your desk just waiting for your signature along with the keys..' Jules paused at this point and barely managed to stifle a yawn as it had been a busy day before continuing on. '-and I'm gonna head on home unless you need anything else.'
'No, no Hedgehog, just head off. I can take it from here, thank you.' The golden-furred fox-mobian smiled warmly at his lower-ranking officer and the cobalt-blue hedgehog grinned back widely.
'Alright, far out. See you later sir.' Jules responded cheerily before suddenly remembering that he was in the presence of the emerald-green-quilled king and his demeanour instantly became more polished. 'Ahem. Good night to you too, your majesty.' He added feeling rather sheepish about acting so casual in front of his ruler. King Ogilvie the Third chuckled in amusement at the eighteen year old Captain of the Royal Guard.
'Good night, young sir.' He said in his high-polished regal tone with a serene smile and a polite nod.
'Er. Right. I'm just gonna.. leave now. Bye.' Jules sounded awkwardly as he scratched the back curve of his top cobalt-quill before waving them off and walking away. King Ogilvie the Third kinked a brow in slight intrigue at the young hedgehog.
'I apologise your majesty..' Amadeus spoke softly towards his king. 'I think he's just a little overwhelmed about speaking to you directly.' King Ogilvie grinned widely at his general at these words.
'No need for apologises, he was just a little overwhelmed that's all.' The green-quilled royal hedgehog said wisely before his maroon eyes narrowed warmly towards Amadeus. 'It wasn't so long ago that you did not know how to act around me either.' King Ogilvie clapped the twenty-six year old fox-mobian hard on the back of the shoulder before turning away as one white-gloved hand moved to his lower back, his posture strong and regal.
'I remember.' The twenty-six year old General of the Royal Guard replied with a light chortle, he could still recall how nervous the royal hedgehog had made him when King Ogilvie had first spoken to him properly as a captain five years ago.
'Hedgehog will do fine. He just needs to get used to my more direct presence in his working life.' The green-quilled hedgehog said. 'Now, I will leave my palace in your capable hands Prower and retire to the drawing room. Goodnight.' He added before walking away from the twenty-six year old fox-mobian alone.
'Goodnight sire.' Amadeus replied before heading along to the security control room opposite the Royal Guard's office and locker area…
As the new year rolled on into spring the snow melted away to the warmth of the sun and the infamously bright greenery of the Green Hill Zone returned. It was only now that Jules was slowly beginning to get used to his new rank and privileges in the Royal Guard. As the Captain he was second in charge and answered to only General Amadeus Prower and the King of Mobius directly. Being in such a high position also meant that he was able to spend time with Princess Aleena as he was solely in charge of her personal security. Out of respect for both his king and general Jules tried his hardest to be as professional as possible while on duty with the her and downplay his feelings towards the blonde-quilled royal hedgehog. This was proving to be difficult as the seventeen year old princess had already declared her own feelings towards him and when they were alone had no problems expressing them to him..
'Al, please..' Jules murmured as he disentangled himself from her arms as she'd tried to pull him into an embrace. '-we've discussed this already darlin'. Not while I'm on duty..' Princess Aleena only smiled in response to his words, bright emerald-green eyes turned and scanned the surrounding outside grounds that Jules had been escorting her around on her morning walk.
'There's no-one around..' She sounded in a soft sultry tone as the princess edged a little closer to her cobalt-blue-quilled escort and Captain of the Royal Guard. Her soft flowery perfume hitting his long black nose and her eyes narrowed enticingly. Jules could feel himself getting hot under the collar but he'd made a promise to be professional on the job and not let Princess Aleena's charms get the better of him.
'Princess..' Jules responded with a hint of pleading in his tone as he took a step backwards and throwing her a slightly uncomfortable gaze. 'Anyone could appear around a corner at any given moment..'
'Jules..' The lilac-furred princess sounded gently, stretching out her dainty pale-skinned fingers to his pale-skinned muzzle. 'I know you want to do right by my father by being as professional as possible while on duty. I love that your taking him into consideration but..' Princess Aleena gave a little sigh as her eyes dropped down before returning to his. '-now that I've told you how I truly feel I just can't bare you distancing yourself from me.' The cobalt-blue male hedgehog dressed head-to-toe in his Royal Guard's uniform gently took her slim fingers in his much larger white-gloved fingers and pulled her hand away from his face. Jules did however keep a grip on her once he'd lowered their arms to their sides.
'Aleena, I'm not distancing myself because I want to.' The eighteen year old Captain of the Royal Guard said delicately, his gaze holding hers steadily as he spoke. 'I'm doing this because it's the only thing that's going to keep your father's respect when he finally discovers the truth.' Princess Aleena's emerald-green eyes widened at his words and her fingers tightened in his.
'But I can reason with him, I'm his daughter-' The lilac-furred royal hedgehog started but Jules cut her off before she could finish.
'It's not your father I'm worried about Aleena. It's his vicious little circle of snooty high-class friends. They're the ones that will be vying for my dismissal.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog frowned at the thought. The princess sighed at his words knowing he was right. There would be plenty of uproar when the two of them were inevitably caught out, the only way to stop this happening was to break off the relationship now. Unfortunately the two of them were now too deeply involved for that to be an option.
'I know.' Princess Aleena said gently. 'I wish there was something I could do to prevent it but they've lost their common touch. They won't see you for you, just that commoner who defiled their princess. I know this is selfish of me to ask and it's a huge risk to everything but..' She paused then bit her bottom lip before her eyes narrowed, revealing her light-turquoise eyeshadow. 'Can I just have one little kiss?' She asked tentatively. Jules let out a slight exhale of breath at her words. His mind running through the pros and cons of a simple kiss in broad daylight of the open palace grounds…
The risks were massive. If they were caught he would lose everything he had worked so hard for up until this point. His job, his title, the respect of his fellow guard-mobians… and her. As the cobalt-blue hedgehog grimaced uneasily the pupils of his warm-hazel eyes swivelled to the known look-out points of the sentry guards. They wouldn't see anything considering their angle in comparison to where the two of them were stood right now. His blue-quilled head then swivelled left then right, the only directions that grounds patrol could find them in, they appeared clear and he knew that they weren't due to do another sweep for a little while yet.
His eyes then returned to her deep emerald-green eyes and immediately the eighteen year old hedgehog found himself being pulled in by them…
… It couldn't hurt to let her have one little kiss?
'Alright darlin'.' Jules murmured as he let go of her hand and slipped it around her svelte waist and pulled her closer to him as the familiar hum filled his head as the undeniable chemistry stirred between them. 'But just one..' He added with a slightly breathless hitch in his voice as his other hand brushed a stray blonde quill-curl out of her face. She smiled in response before they're lips touched together in a sweet embrace…
'Please father. I know times are difficult with Mercia still battling on but Lara-Le has laid her egg and she and Locke are desperate for me to visit before they leave for Echidnaoplis.' Princess Aleena sounded pleadingly with King Ogilvie the Third as he strode on purposely through the palace towards the throne room, his daughter hurrying along with her skirt in her fingers to aid her footing. She had sought her father out immediately after receiving the holophone-call from the red-quilled female echidna who had lost her egg-belly after laying her egg. Lara-Le was practically glowing with joy as she spoke keenly to Princess Aleena about how Locke's grandfather Athair had finally convinced his son that he could leave Angel Island for Echidnaoplis. She didn't know what he had actually said but it was certainly enough for Locke to change his tune. It was then that Princess Aleena had learnt that they were going to leave within the next week..
'My child, I understand that they are your friends but it would be highly irresponsible of me to just send you off to Angel Island by yourself. Especially not without giving the Leader of the Brotherhood any notice..' The King of Mobius responded gruffly to his daughter. His mind wasn't really on her words it was still on the Great War that was raging on abroad. He had had no contact from Mercia in nearly three weeks neither from his own Warlord and generals or any of Mercia's. This was worrying him now as he was beginning to wonder what was going on. Were they all dead or were they engaged in battle at this moment and unable to contact him… things were becoming very tense indeed.. He needed answers.
'Then give him notice and don't send me alone..' Princess Aleena replied sharply, scowling at her father. She was seriously disliking this more protective side of him more and more with passing days. Ever since he'd lost contact with Mercia her green-quilled father had been keeping a closer eye on her movements. The middle-aged royal hedgehog barely allowed his daughter to leave his sight without first knowing where she was going to be and insisting an escort be present, even if she was only going for a wander around her own home. It was getting ridiculous. Princess Aleena often felt like a prisoner in her own home but she knew he wouldn't listen so she'd allowed him until this point. 'I will go regardless of your answer father but I would rather have your consent.' She added in a low but passionate voice which spoke volumes about the lengths she was prepared to go to see her friends before they left for the main echidnae colony further overseas.
King Ogilvie paused before the huge double doors of the throne-room that were close at this moment. The green-quilled thirty-seven year old hedgehog sighed and let his shoulders sag before he turned to face his daughter, seeing the venom in her green-eyed glare. She was clearly prepared to defy his order if he told her she couldn't go. His own maroon eyes softened slightly at her in a silent apology as he knew that his daughter and Lara-Le had been friends since they'd met as little girls.
'Alright, fine dearest I'll let you go but not without an escort..' The King of Mobius relented, thinking that perhaps getting his daughter out of the way might be a good idea. At least this way he and General Prower could figure out what had become of Mercia and the Mobian Army while she was gone. He then entered the throne room to ponder on who to send with his daughter...
…the next day..
'I still can't believe that your father asked me to fly you to Angel Island..' Jules said with a slight grimace as he pulled gently on the controls of the two-seater Prower-family plane he'd borrowed to fly himself and Princess Aleena over to Angel Island.
'What do you mean? You are the Captain of the Royal Guard, you're a trained pilot and you're on good terms with the local echidnae here. Why wouldn't he pick you, you're the best officer for the job and Sabre said he would only allow one officer onto the island which probably means he's expecting you to escort me.' Princess Aleena stated in a matter-of-fact voice that sounded slightly condescending due to her naturally sweet regal accent.
'I guess that kinda makes sense..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog replied with a slight understanding behind King Ogilvie's way of thinking, he was the logical choice if they could only send one guard.
'Isn't this exciting?' The lilac-furred hedgehog sounded from her seat right behind him, her slim fingers reaching around his seat and gripping his shoulder keenly. 'I've never seen an echidnae egg before.' Jules' mouth curved a little in a small smile as his hazel eyes narrowed behind his aviator sunglasses. He used the controls to shift the plane's wing-angles, straightening the plane out into a better landing position as Angel Island was appearing into view very quickly through the mists surrounding it.
'Me neither, but then I never knew they laid eggs so what chance did I have.' Jules grinned widely in response before lifting the throttle and letting the plane descend gradually onto the island's grassy surface. 'Locke said they'd meet us at Mystic Ruins.' He added lightly once the engine had ceased and the plane propellers had stopped spinning. He then turning slightly to face Princess Aleena as he snapped his seatbelt loose.
'And you know the way from here, do you?' The blonde-quilled princess asked gently as she released her own seatbelt, looking curiously at Jules as he leant forward and pushed a button that released the clear hatch of the plane allowing the tropical smells of Angel Island's native flora to hit their black noses.
'Course I do darlin'. Locke showed me all the island last time I was here, remember?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog replied unconcerned as he lifted himself up onto the plane's yellow-painted body and hopped down onto the grassland below. He then moved a little to the left and stretched out his arms willing her to do what he had done. 'C'mon Al, we don't wanna be late. Just hop over, I'll catch you.' Princess Aleena glanced over the side of the plane, taking in the large gap between the cock-pit of the plane and the ground where it's wheels stood.
'You cannot be serious..' The lilac-furred female hedgehog sniffed with disapproval at the very idea of jumping from the plane. Her eyes closed as a small furrow marred the pretty scowl developing on her face.
'You've got nothin' to worry about Aleena. You just sit up on the edge there, swing your feet down onto the wing and then hop down. I promise you, your safe. I'm right here.' Jules continued coaxingly, his fingers beckoning her to do what he asked.
'You know, a normal guard would escort a lady down with a ladder.' Princess Aleena opened her emerald-green eyes and glared down in a haughty fashion, clearly disapproving of this way of getting off a plane.
'Yeh, well, I'm glad we've established that I'm not normal and we're fresh outta ladders so you've got no choice Ali.' Jules responded brightly, not perturbed by her annoyance at all, in fact he found it slightly amusing.
'Humph.. I can't believe your making me do this.' The blonde-quilled Princess of Mobius huffed moodily as she pulled herself up onto the edge of the plane and swung her legs out, resting her petite white high-heeled feet on the plane wing just below and then fishing the skirt of her simple white dress out of the cock-pit.
'That's it darlin' you're doing great. Now just hop down off the wing..' The eighteen year old hedgehog below her said calmly with an encouraging smile.
'You swear you'll catch me Jules? You won't let me drop..' The lilac-furred seventeen year old female hedgehog said unsurely as she gauged the distance that she'd have to jump. The princess then lowered herself slowly further down so she was now sat on the edge of the yellow plane's wing, her willowy lilac-furred legs, dainty ankles and tiny white heeled feet hanging over the edge as the skirt of her dress bunched at her knees.
'I swear it, you've nothin' to fear.' Jules replied moving a little closer to her so he was almost below her now, his arms outstretched and poised to catch her the moment she dropped down from the wing.
'Alright then..' Princess Aleena replied with a ghost of a smile tweaking her pink-painted lips before pushing herself forward and dropping down. She immediately shut her eyes and a small squeal escaped her mouth as she fell through the air only to be stopped suddenly by a set of arms hooking around her at just the right moment. Her emerald-green eyes opened to find that she was securely being held by Jules. While one white-gloved hand was wrapped securely around her back his other was hooked around her legs and her head was level with his.
'I promised I'd catch you.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said with a bright smile and in response to his words Princess Aleena leant in and pecked him on the lips sweetly to show her appreciation. She then straightened her silver tiara as it had slipped a little in the jump down before fluffing her soft blonde-quills. 'Hold on tight Al, I'll have us at Mystic Falls lickety-split..' Jules added, tightening his grip on her waist and feeling her dainty fingers slip around his neck and tensing up as his red-booted feet blurred and they shot off…
'We're so happy that you guys could come out and see the egg before we left for Echidnaoplis in Albion.' Lara-Le sounded sweetly with a light smile as she led Princess Aleena down towards the nesting crèche where they were holding their precious egg for the moment. Behind the two girls Locke and Jules were talking while following at a small distance.
'Of course Lara. How could we not?' Princess Aleena replied with a sweet smile.
'Well the little one is right in here..' Lara sounded lightly gesturing to the doorway to the temporary crèche. The room was light but bare. There was nothing in it except a nest of warm blankets with a large round egg with a pearl-like marble-effect on the surface of its shell.
'Oh. It's so beautiful. But big.. Lara, how did you ever lay this? Did it hurt?' The blonde-quilled female hedgehog exclaimed in shock. Marvelling at the very idea of squeezing something this large out of her body.
'To be honest Aleena I don't remember much pain. I remember it feeling like a lot of pressure and the pushing was exhausting but I had my mother, Locke's mother Jenna-Li and matron Crystal-La to help me through it. And when I finally got to hold my egg for the first time I felt this incredible burst of love and in that moment I knew I was a mother.' The ruby-furred female echidna smiled warmly at the memory. She had traded her fancy dresses for a simple yellow dress with matching ribbons braided through her quills and a pair of simple brown sandals. 'Would you like to hold it?' She added with a bright smile to her best friend.
'Oh I'd love too.' The Princess of Mobius trilled keenly and the female echidna lifted the large round egg carefully out of the nest of warm blankets and gently passed it to the lilac-furred female hedgehog. Princess Aleena cradled the egg in both her arms surprised at the fact that this large ovule weighed about the same as a new-born kiton.
…Out in the hall the two male-mobians hung back, still deep in discussion.
'So what convinced you to leave the island? You said you'd never go.' Jules asked the red-furred male echidna curiously, a slight smile playing on his lips.
'I know, I know but grandfather Athair told me to go with my family to Echidnaoplis. He said that I must leave the island and that it would ultimately affect my son's destiny.'
'Destiny?' Jules kinked a questioning brow at Locke. Surely it was up to this kit if it wanted to carry on tradition and not be forced into it. The cobalt-blue hedgehog couldn't help but be reminded of how his own father had just expected him to follow his steps into engineering at the power-stone plant and had been sorely disappointed when his son had refused… this was a choice, not a demand to be made.
'Yes. He will carry on as I have for my father and his father before him, right back to when Angel Island first ascended. It's his destiny to. I will do what I can to ensure that he carries on tradition.' The red-furred echidna responded seriously a slightly confident gleam appeared in his deep purple eyes.
'Uh, sure, carrying on tradition, that's great..' Jules sounded offhandedly, deciding just to brush his own personal feelings about this aside. After all, Locke's family did serve a higher power, it was probably considered a great honour to be a guardian in echidnae culture.
'Locke dear, aren't you going to let Jules see our egg?' Lara-Le's soft voice sounded as the ruby-furred female echidnae poked her head through the doorway at this moment as her minty-green eyes blinked submissively.
'Oh. Right, yes of course. Come on. Our little one is right in here..' Locke sounded with a smile to his wife before raising a white-mittened hand to Jules' blue-quilled back and gently guiding him into the room where Princess Aleena stood with the large round egg cradled in her arms and a contented smile on her pink-painted lips. The egg was just a shade of green darker than the princess' narrowed emerald-green eyes with a pearly sheen from the light hitting its smooth surface. Jules' lips tweaked into a smile as he saw this heart-warming scene..
'Anything General Prower?' King Ogilvie the Third asked the twenty-six year old fox-mobian as he paused in his relentless pacing in front of his throne. A little way away the Royal Guard General was trying to use the holophone to make contact with Warlord Kodos, Commander St John or any of the Military Generals in Mercia. So far they had been unsuccessful in making contact with anyone overseas..
'Nothing sire.' Amadeus responded flatly, pulling away from the number-pad of the holophone. The screen still displaying nothing more than a simple green line showing that the signal was inactive, no-one was picking them up on the other side. 'I cannot reach anybody and I've exhausted all contacts. I'm afraid that we may have lost them.' The golden-furred fox-mobian added grimly, not wishing to believe it but unable to make any other conclusions based on the lack of response from his calls.
'No!' The green-quilled royal hedgehog declared sharply. 'I won't believe it until I have undeniable proof.' The King of Mobius glared stubbornly at his Royal Guard General. Amadeus Prower frowned back at his ruler, about to open his mouth and retort to his words but a ball of blue light appeared in the large gap between them and slowly twisted into the spectral-form of a translucent blue fox-mobian with a wiry white-furred beard wearing a long, dark cloak and carrying a large staff. His facial features were similar to Amadeus and even his eyes reflected a similar shade of sky-blue to the Royal Guard General.
'Merlin?' Amadeus sounded in disbelief at the astral-projection of his younger brother while King Ogilvie merely gazed in quiet awe at this feat of magic. The younger fox-mobian wizard turned his translucent sky-blue eyes to the King of Mobius and spoke directly to him without acknowledging his older brother.
'What is left of your Mobian Army is retreating home. Mercia has fallen. Both Prince Robin and Princess Sybil are dead..' The astral Merlin Prower closed his eyes momentarily and bowed his head respectfully before his head swivelled towards his brother, acknowledging his presence finally. 'As is Miles..' He was silent for a moment to allow this news to digest with his brother and the king before his translucent blue eyes looked ominous and his next words were chilling. 'Now, they are coming…' His astral-self then vanished into nothingness before either the Royal Guard General or the King of Mobius could say anything else.
For a long moment a horrible gut-wrenching silence spiralled through the large throne room allowing Merlin's last word to echo softly, drumming the truth home.
'Is that 'undeniable' enough for you, your majesty?' Amadeus sounded in a cold voice, his mouth set in a hard line as his eyes fixed sharply on King Ogilvie the Third. The thirty-six year old hedgehog wearing the crown blinked before his own expression turned serious.
'Call Captain Hedgehog and have him bring my daughter home immediately..' The green-quilled King of Mobius declared, jabbing a gold-ringed finger sharply towards his general…
'Sir?' Jules' brow furrowed in confusion when he placed his red communicator to his cobalt-furred pointed-ear and spoke directly into the voice receiver. He was still inside the echidnae mountain home with Princess Aleena, Locke, Lara-Le and the bright-green ovule with the embryo of their kiton growing inside. All three of the young adult mobians were looking questioningly at him now as Locke was still holding his egg he'd been about to pass to the cobalt-blue hedgehog before he'd gotten this call. However due to the distortion caused by the Master Emerald's natural power-pulse he was having difficulty understanding General Prower on the other end of the digital-line. 'I-I'm sorry sir, I'm not catching you I'm gonna have to move outside for a better signal.' He added before holding up two white-gloved fingers to Locke as the red-furred male echidna had quirked a quizzical brow at him. Locke's expression softened and he nodded with understanding that his friend would be back in two and cradled his precious egg closer to him as Jules vanished outside the room in a speedy blur.
'What do you think they want?' Lara-Le asked softly as her white-mittened fingers clasped together.
'I don't know but must be important.' Locke replied grimly as one of his white-mittened hands stroked the green pearly shell of his kiton's egg. His deep purple eyes remained fixed on the doorway waiting for Jules to return. After a little while the cobalt-blue eighteen year old hedgehog returned but it seemed that he had walked back rather than hurry. His expression did not fill the room with confidence as his ears were slightly bent and his usually warm hazel eyes seemed to be more distant and missing their usual bright twinkle.
'Princess, I'm afraid your father has demanded that I return you home.' Jules sounded in a serious tone, whatever bad news he had just received seemed to just be squashed down by this professional mask.
'Why?' The blonde-quilled princess blinked in bemusement at these words, her green eyes trying to search for some clue to what was going on in his face but he seemed to have closed up.
'I… I'm not at liberty to say.' The young Captain of the Royal Guard stated as his hazel eyes remained detached. 'This is a royal order and one I cannot disobey..' He frowned slightly now and folded his arms tightly over his chest. Princess Aleena sighed at this response deciding that since she had no say in the matter she'd just have to demand her father to explain his reason for cutting her visit short.
'Fine.' She sounded in a haughty tone, a slight frown of annoyance on her face at the aloofness of her guard and secret suitor. 'But I'm saying my goodbyes first. One mustn't be rude, Captain.' She added in a snooty manner, clearly have a dig at him for his own rudeness towards her.
'Of course not your highness.' Jules responded automatically earning himself a frown from the Princess of Mobius before she turned and apologised to Lara-Le and the two girls left the room to find Locke's family and inform them that they were departing the island.
'What's going on?' Locke asked immediately the moment the womobians were out of sight. The red-furred male echidna moved to the blanket-nest and placed his egg back into the warmth and wrapped it tenderly up once more.
'The Overlanders have seized Mercia.' Jules replied with a heavy sigh. 'The king wishes to tell the princess himself.'
'That must be why grandfather Athair talked me into going to Albion with Lara and our egg. The island will no longer be safe for an infant.' Locke reasoned to himself as he scratched his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully.
'What about the Master Emerald and your duty to it?' Jules asked curiously.
'The Brotherhood will watch over it until I return to train the new guardian.' The red-furred echidna replied seriously. 'Right now my priority is protecting my family.'
A few days later the image of King Ogilvie the Third was on every holovision screen in Mobius and every mobian in the country seemed to find themselves drawn to the nearest set. Some watched from the comfort of their own home, others from their work stations and many had even paused in the streets to stop and take in the king's announcement. Inside the large studio-lab in Fountain Square Doctor Charles Hedgehog and fellow scientist Lionel Lion had even frozen in the middle of testing Lionel's newly completed hover-board. The board was now simply hovering two feet in the air above them as the two friends moved closer together, their eyes glued to the screen like every other mobian in the city. On the holoscreen the king's stance was regal and calm as the crown of Mobius was gleaming on his head, his maroon eyes were filled with sorrow as he gripped the side of the podium in front of him. After a deep sigh the thirty-seven year old emerald-green quilled hedgehog began addressing the mobians under his rule.
'Citizens of Mobius, this is truly a dark moment in Mobian history. The Overlanders have taken Mercia. Most of our kind have been slaughtered and since we can no longer enter Mercian soil we have no way of tracing any survivors or reclaiming our dead. Amongst the many thousands lost were the Prince and Princess of Mercia themselves..' The King of Mobius faltered as his green-furred ears dipped further, a tear forming at the loss of his family members. Demurely he wiped it away before summoning the strength to carry on addressing the whole of Mobius. 'I want us as a nation to give a minute of silence to honour and mourn all those who have lost their lives..' At this point the only sound that came from the holovision set was the lone sound of Sophia's bell which tolled sombrely from its position in the Mobotroplis Clock Tower. As the King of Mobius folded his hands neatly in front of him, closed his eyes and hung his head in respect for the dead the rest of Mobius itself followed. Those who wore hats even removed them from their heads as the whole of the country stood, or sat, in respectful silence. Sophia's bell did not stop tolling until the minute was up and only then did the green-quilled king resume speaking. When the King of Mobius had finished he stood aside from the podium and passed focus to his Prime Minister Stryker Wolf, a middle-aged grey wolf-mobian with purple head-fur that had silver streaks through it. He was well-dressed in a sharp black suit and high polished shoes. His yellow eyes focused squarely on the cameras that were being shoved in his personal space and began to speak to the public about the seriousness of their situation now. Stryker began to speak of preapproved plans that the Mobian Council had already set in motion concerning shelters, war-sirens and a country-wide blackout, adding that pamphlets would be sent out explaining everything in further detail. It wasn't until he moved onto the subject of rationing and food stamps did Lionel Lion turn to the older mild-blue-quilled hedgehog with a nervous expression.
'Things are about to turn really ugly, aren't they Chuck?' His voice wavered with uncertainty and unease at the situation that their country was in now.
'It would seem so Lionel..' Charles responded grimly before forcing his attention away from the holovision set and back onto Lionel's hovering board. 'But as scientists we must find a way to help the Mobian Army defend our country.' His pale-blue eyes then began studying the board as it continued to float between them. 'I wonder…' He uttered mindlessly as his sharp brain considered exactly what Lionel had just perfected in front of them.
'What is it Chuck? You have an idea?' The blonde-maned lion-mobian asked as his brows contracted curiously at the Undersecretary to the Minister of Science.
'No..' Charles replied turning back to the young lion inventor beside him. 'The idea is yours Lionel, I just need a chance to explore it..' He smirked slightly at his friend and college… Mobius may not have any allies left to call upon but there was still hope for them yet..
'I still can't believe that they're really gone..' Princess Aleena said in a voice choked with grief before wiping her tears away only for new ones to form instantly. Ever since the Captain of the Royal Guard had returned her to Mobius and King Ogilvie the Third had sat her down and gently broke the news of her aunt and uncle's untimely demise the lilac-furred royal female hedgehog had been grief-stricken. Princess Aleena sniffed before reaching out a quivering hand and gripping Jules' larger white-gloved one and holding it securely as they stood together in the drawing room which had a portrait of Prince Robin the Brave, Princess Sybil and an infant Prince Robert on the wall. Since no-one could predict when and where the Overlanders would strike the Princess of Mobius was no longer able to leave the safety of the palace. This meant the blonde-quilled princess had been seeking both refuge and comfort in Captain Jules Hedgehog as she had no-one to turn to. Her father was often busy with Warlord Kodos and the rest of the Mobian Council discussing evacuation procedures and defensive strategies for the protection of the city if and when their situation turned dire. The D'Coolette's who was originally from Mercia themselves were also grieving as they had now lost the rest of their family back in their native homeland. The pain of loss for them stung even more knowing that their unborn kiton would never know his grandparents now. This grief had given General D'Coolette strength, making the light-tanned coyote-mobian even more determined to see this war through to the end and secure a future for his kiton.
'And poor Cousin Robert. I don't know where he is or if he even knows about the death of his parents yet. He must feel so alone right now..' Princess Aleena said in a low upset voice before her tears began rolling down her mascara streaked cheeks and matting the lilac fur around them. Her green eyes looked up at the portrait of her newly deceased family and their missing son. 'I-I just wish those horrible Overlanders had never started this war..' She suddenly clung onto the cobalt-quilled Captain of the Royal Guard and buried her blonde head in his chest as she sobbed. The male hedgehog threw her a pitying look as he pulled his hand out of her grip then slipped it around her back and rubbed her shoulders in a comforting manner.
'It'll be alright, Al. We may not know his exact location but at least we know Prince Robert is alive and being taken care of, that's the main thing right now..' Jules said gently before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a large white handkerchief and offering it to the distraught princess. Princess Aleena lifted her head at his words and accepted the handkerchief with a teary smile. She then wiped her make-up smeared face clean but made no attempt to smooth her slightly matted blonde quills.
'That's true.' She said softly before holding his large cotton handkerchief up to the cobalt-blue male hedgehog as she leant into his shoulder with a sigh.
'Oh, you can just keep hold of that for now darlin'.' The cobalt-male hedgehog replied with a slight smile and the princess immediately stuffed it into the bosom of her dress. Her dainty fingers then ran slowly over his chest and snuggled closer into him.
'Jules, thank you for listening to me talk. With my father so busy all the time I just didn't really know who else to turn to..' She said sniffing slightly, tears threatening to come forth once more. Her fingers sliding up his chest again and turned to face him and look into his narrowed hazel eyes. Immediately the fingers of both hands moved to cup his rounded jaw-line and cradle his face. 'You're so sweet..' She added before closing her emerald-green eyes, moving in and kissing his lips with gentle passion. Jules barely responded to her kiss and his eyes did not fully either and after a moment she pulled back with narrowed eyes still slightly blood-shot and watery.
'Is something wrong?' She murmured softly.
'Al…' Jules muttered, pulling her fingers away from his face. 'We shouldn't do this.'
'What?' Her emerald-green eyes widened a little.
'You're really vulnerable right now..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog uttered in response as he held her tiny hands in his large white-gloved fingers. 'It wouldn't be right to take advantage of you while you're so emotionally fragile.' The blonde-quilled female hedgehog's confusion suddenly melted away realising that this was proof of how much he cared about her even though he hadn't yet openly admitted his feelings to her.
'Jules.. You won't be taking advantage of me. Right now, I just want to feel close to you my love.' Princess Aleena said gently, her slightly pinked emerald-green eyes narrowed with pleading as she cuddled in closer to the cobalt-blue hedgehog.
'Alright, if you're sure darlin'.' Jules replied before letting go of her fingers then sliding his arms around her back, pulling her close to him and kissing her fiercely. For a long moment the two star-crossed couple were alone embracing tenderly in the drawing room until the main door opened.
'Princess, your father wishes for you to-' General Prower had begun before he faltered mid-sentence at the scene playing out right before him. 'Jules! What is the meaning of this?!' The young lovers sprang apart as if they'd been electrocuted and gazed horrified at General Amadeus Prower as the twenty-six year old fox-mobian folded his arms and waited for an explanation. A deep flush of embarrassment at being caught spread over both Princess Aleena and the young Captain of the Royal Guard.
'Well, y'see sir..' Jules started to respond, feeling himself perspire a little as his cobalt pointed-ears drooped down in slight shame. '-this is kinda hard to explain.' General Prower sighed heavily at his officer before he shut his sky-blue eyes for a brief moment as if collecting his thoughts then opened them again.
'How long has this been going on?' The fox-mobian asked in a calmer voice, deciding to get all of the facts before taking action. Both Princess Aleena and Captain Jules exchanged an unease look before Jules' shoulders sagged with his ears.
'About a year and a half, sir..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog replied in a soft voice before his hazel-eyes dropped to the floor so he wouldn't have to see Amadeus' response to his words. For a split-second General Prower did nothing before his expression twisted into a mixture of disbelief and outrage.
'What? That's almost the whole time you've been with us. How could you be so irresponsible?' The fox-mobian's voice exploded with his response and at this point Princess Aleena stepped forward, determined not to let her cobalt-blue lover take the full blame for this by himself.
'General please, Jules did not mean for this to happen. It's not his fault. When we first discovered we had feelings for each other he tried to break it off. He said we could never be together because this is exactly how everyone would respond..' The lilac-furred princess sounded in a fiercely passionate voice to show the General of the Royal Guard exactly how much Jules meant to her. '-but neither of us could deny how we felt for one another.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog moved forward and seized her arm, pulling her back slightly.
'I can't let you take the fall for this. I knew that this was bound to happen if I entered a relationship with you and I'm prepared to take responsibility for those actions.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sounded with a solemn gleam in his hazel eyes. Princess Aleena's green eyes widened in fear as she recognised that he was intending to take the fall for her, to shoulder all responsibility for their secret affair.
'Jules.. Please.. I can't lose you too.' She uttered softly, gripping his arm tighter and pleading with him silently, the tears that had ceased only moments before threatening to return tenfold at such a personal loss. 'You know I love you..' The blonde-quilled princess sounded as her voice seemed to choke slightly now. Jules sighed heavily and pulled her hand lose from him and dropped it, he then gently cupped her face and stroked her wet cheeks with both thumbs.
'I know darlin'… but I'm prepared to do this for you.' He replied before gently leaning in and kissing her lilac-furred forehead then let go of her, pulling away and moving towards General Prower.
'Jules, I will have to inform the king about this and suspend you from duties until further notice.' The twenty-six year old fox-mobian said calmly but his eyes revealed the disappointment of betrayal that Jules' actions had brought to him.
'Yeh, I know..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said calmly. 'You better take the princess to her father yourself. I'll just get out of my uniform and turn in my turn in my utility belt and sword.' He then left the drawing room with a blank expression as General Prower sighed and the Princess of Mobius shook and began to cry once more..
'Mobotroplis was shocked today when it was discovered last night that a member of the Royal Guard had been having a secret affair with the Princess of Mobius. The King of Mobius is refusing to make a statement about his daughter's indiscretion of even release the name of the Royal Guard member in question. Despite his silence it seems that many the King Ogilvie's closest friends and supporters are horrified that such a thing could happen. Lord Henley Montclair who has known the King of Mobius for years had this to say:
'Well I think it's an utter disgrace that this kind of behaviour could carry on right under our noses. To think that a member of the king's guard could even defile our princess' good name is an outrage-' At this moment the little red radio in Charles' studio-lab clicked off and the twenty-two year old mild-blue hedgehog folded his arms tightly over his chest and glared down at his little brother.
'What is wrong with you?' The older Hedgehog-brother snapped irritably. 'You had a promising career and a future and you just throw it all away… for what? A fling with a girl you know you can never be with?' Charles snorted with a mixture of disgust and disapproval, looking suddenly more like their father than ever before. 'Jules, this was why dad was always having a go at you. You never think about what you're doing, you just do it without considering the consequences or the mobians it affects along the way.' The mild-blue-quilled hedgehog closed his eyes but kept the frown on his face.
'Charlie..' His cobalt-blue-furred younger sibling groaned heavily.
'No. You assured me that this relationship with Princess Aleena was over! How do you think it feels to find out a year and three months later that it's not!' Charles snapped angrily, slapping his hand down on the desk in front of him and momentarily startling his little brother. It was in this moment that Jules realised that his brother wasn't just upset with the fact that he'd been continuing the affair with Princess Aleena but the fact that he'd kept the truth from him all this time.
'Your right Charlie..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said seriously, throwing his older brother an apologetic look. 'I'm sorry I kept the truth from you all this time, I shouldn't have done that but I never sought to hurt you. Charlie, I got myself into this mess and I will take whatever punishment they give me and accept it like the mobian I am. I just ask that you forgive me for lying to you. I could really use your support..' Charles sighed at his brother's words and instantly his frown melted away before he sighed heavily and slumped down in the seat on the opposite side of the workbench to his cobalt-quilled brother.
'I'm sorry for flying off the handle like that..' The twenty-two year old hedgehog said calmly, gripping his brother's hand.
'It's ok Charlie, you were within your rights as I did kinda deserve it, didn't I?' Jules replied lightly smiling weakly back at his older sibling as he gripped him back.
'Yeh, I think so. You can be a real dumbass sometimes..' The mild-blue hedgehog said with a slight edge of amusement behind his voice.
'And you can be a real smartass..' Jules replied with a slight chuckle of laughter. The two Hedgehog brothers shared a moment of laughter together at each other's expense before it died quickly.
'So when do you hear back from the palace concerning your job?' Charles asked gently as he joined his hands together and rested them on the table-top in front of him.
'Not sure. Whenever they've come to a final decision, I guess. Considering how this story had both high society and the press' interest they'll probably come up with a verdict pretty soon..' Jules sighed as he leaned his cobalt-blue furred head in on large palm and balanced his elbow on the table.
'Well, in the meantime Lionel and I could actually use your help, if you're up for it?' Charles said, thinking that this might be just the thing to take Jules' mind of the incessant waiting around.
'Sure thing Charlie, what is it you guys need?' Jules sounded as his hazel eyes looked up as his older broth got out of his seat once more. It wasn't as if the cobalt-hedgehog had anything better to do so he may as well play lab-rat for his older brother once more.
'We could use a test boarder for Lionel's hovering board, now that he's got it working we need someone who doesn't have vertigo to really put it through its paces..' Charles grinned widely, a gleam appearing on the edge of his specticals as he spoke. These words made Jules' smile appear and he instantly moved his head upright and stood up… finally, a test he wanted to be a part of.
'Far out! Charlie-boy… I'm your hedgehog..' He replied keenly at these words.
Little Notes:
Ok peeps, first off I want to admit that recently I went through kinda a rough patch with a former friend of mine who tried to emotionally blackmail me into being friends with her (didn't work).. I've been in kinda a funk but to be honest being in that black place has really paid off when coming to this chapter because I think it shows in the writing here. Anyway, I wrote most of this while trying to deal with some old insecurities that the whole thing brought back but it's fine now so no need to worry…
Ok, I've noticed that when people write about war they tend to skip over the little details of what happens back home when the actual war is taking place. I'm fortunate enough to live in the UK where the events at home in World War II were just as important as what was going on abroad so when writing this chapter I can find out with ease examples of how a government deals with war in the city. I have researched both 'The Blitz' and 'The Blackout' history and plan to use some of it when projecting war on Mobius while using both Word War II and Vietnam as a reference for other sections as Archie appeared to use Vietnam as it's basis for the Great War (though personally it doesn't give me enough direction and insight to use hence the need to research further back).
A notable fact in this chapter: This is the first time I've mentioned the Prime Minister of Mobius in this story. Smart people with realise that I sent King Ogilvie to the summit meeting instead.. a slight error on my account but I have come up with a reason to explain that which will be coming into the story later with the introduction of a certain Sonic character. You may be already able to guess who just from the huge clue I have given you when describing Stryker Wolf's appearance but I won't be confirming it until later on..
Tune in next time to find out what's going to happen to Jules now…
~Ditzy X