Good Morning!

Well, this has been a long time coming! I'm grateful for all of you and your patience with my writing. I appreciate you all

Hope you are having a good week!

Also, I totally note I have no experience with law practice and/or court procedures, so I'll keep it brief.

Because I have a bunch of small ideas in my head before we head up to the big event, this chapter will feature a lot of changing scenes

Sincerely,

Gatekeeper

Chapter 19: Of Judgement, Justice, and Jury. Two days Before Trial

At the Palace. Morning

"I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS!" Sally roared from the throne.

Minister Beakett adjusted his bifocals again. "We understand your recent *ahem* rescue by Eggman might have shifted your viewpoints, Your Highness, but as it is we cannot simply allow such a man as this to go free-"

The parrot withered underneath her glare, closed his beak. He sat down in his seat.

"I will decide if my viewpoints have shifted, Minister Beakett. My point is that we have the opportunity to have Eggman repair what was destroyed by his own doing. Wouldn't it be better to have him be with us instead of beheaded? We have evidence of some sort of change in him, why not leverage it for our own advantage?"

Prime Minister Wouldruff stood and adjusted his jacket before bowing. "Your Highness, please understand. We all would like to regain the lost time that was caused by Eggman's insurrection. But the Council will not be swayed on this; Eggman will die. We might be poorer for it, but we will be safe. For now... that is what we wish."

Princess Sally sighed and resisted the urge to bury her head in her hands. Normally, she would accept the Council's decision and be done with it; external problems were already enough of a strain on Mobius, they didn't need internal strife.

Normally, she didn't hold the life of the man who could rebuild everything in her hand.

She would not fail, not here. Not now.

At the hospital. Morning

"So Boss-man... you do realize that, uh, they might kill you, right?"

Clink was sitting in a plastic chair in Eggman's room, nervously wringing his hands together. His slicked-back quills had lost their sheen and he looked quite frazzled.

"They might." Eggman acknowledged, never looking up from his newspaper. A "accidental" fire had broken out in one of the main buildings of Eggcellent Thinkers after the announcement of his reappearance a week ago. Such a unexpected development.

Clink made a rolling motion with his hands as he urged Eggman to continue his explanation. "So you're just going to... sit here?"

"Yes." he replied, turning a page. Oh, looks like Minister Xain's trial was today. That would be interesting.

Clink sighed and smooshed his face between his hands and ran them through his quills. "...Why?"

"Why?" Eggman put down the paper and looked at Clink intently. "For the same reason I came here to Mobotropolis. The same reason I saved Mrs. Vanilla. The same reason I hired you and your brother. I've come to pay back what I have taken, whatever it takes."

Clink looked straight at Eggman before returning his gaze to the floor. His breathing got heavy and he balled his hands together into a inter clasped fist. "So that's what we are to you, huh? Just another fucking charity case?"

Eggman grew concerned and he frowned. "Clink, you know that's not what I-"

Clink stood up and turned away, storming out of the room.

At a hotel downtown. Afternoon

Vanilla held Cream as they watched an old movie in their hotel room. Cheese was napping on the bed as the vintage music washed over them.

"Mommy?" Cream asked as she tilted her head back to look at her mother. "Will Mr. K be ok? A lot of people seem really angry at him."

"That's because he was a really bad man for a long time, dear."

"But it's not fair! He's been trying to be a good guy!"

"I know, Cream, I know. He's been doing really good."

"So he'll be okay, right? He saved the Princess! Why would they hurt him?"

"Cream..." Vanilla took her daughter into her arms and pulled her close.

"He'll be safe, right Mommy?"

Vanilla pulled her daughter into a tight hug, holding her so she wouldn't see the pained look on her mothers' face. Vanilla heaved a sigh as she got choked up.

"I...I don't know, Cream."

On a mountain ridge to the north of Mobotropolis. Evening.

Stone saw fire coming from the city, but he didn't stop. If he did, he might not be able to continue on.

He'd traveled this far, after leaving Ivo at the hospital with the brown Igel. Seeing Ivo's determination had sparked an idea long dormant in Stone's own mind.

He was nearing the peaks, past the cabin that had been his home for so long. Too long.

It was time he faced his own past.

Mobotropolis. Evening

A fire raged on a home that was too large for Mobians, built by a villain and lived in by a recluse.

Clink raced towards the scene, pushing past the ring of onlookers, hearing some cheer. And the assembled fire brigade. And the police, keeping back the crowd

None were helping.

"Clank!" He called out, pushing past the final line. He sprinted to the blaze, his heart pounding.

"Hey!" called out a officer as he advanced, noticing that Clank had gotten through. "Get away! That's a condemned house!"

"My brother's inside! Help!" Clink shouted as he ran, trying to get to the blazing front door.

He had to know, he couldn't lose his family.

Not again.

A figure stumbled out of the door way, clothes singed, clutching something to his chest.

A beam cracked, and the house fell, covering the figure.

Clink screamed, and barks of command echoed as police lights flared and fire hoses burst open.

Now the crowds cheers turned to silence, as they stood in the quiet. The roar of the fire and the screams of two said enough.

At the Palace, Evening

Princess Sally stood from the table, and the Council stood with her.

She cleared her throat, her heart racing as she chose her next words carefully.

"Gentlemen and ladies of the Council, thank you for your time. I know that what we have discussed today has been hard for us all. Please, let us reconvene tomorrow to discuss the official statement. I ask that you humbly ponder upon my suggestion."

She bowed, her head parallel to the floor. Too much for royalty. But perhaps, enough for a desperate daughter.

"I beg of you."

The Council shifted, and slowly they all bowed back.