Story continues.
...
Wolf Pack Nation. Training fields 2:15 PM.
Day 233.
Year 3237.
Sean was having a sparring session with Leeta and Lyco. And so far, the fight was in the Jedi's favor. The twins were growing more and more frustrated, because they couldn't land a single hit on him, as he just danced in circles around them. As leeta and Lyco tried to cut after Sean's torso, he just moved his upper body backwards, before he used his footwork to sweep himself to the side. Both Wolves and the Human were clearly exhausted from their sparring session.
"Would you stop dancing around like that?!" Lyco asked, clearly frustrated.
Sean shuffled his feet before he got into his standard Form II battle stance. "Wanna call it quits?" He teased.
Leeta snorted. "Yeah! In your dreams!"
"If that's how it's going to be." Sean shrugged. "Then lets go for round two."
Lyco and Leeta got into their battle stances as Sean calmly approached them. The pink Wolf in blue tried to stab Sean, but the Jedi swept himself sideways and avoided more attempts from the pink Wolf in green.
Just like the previous session, Leeta and Lyco would try to attack Sean with their sabres, only for the Jedi to dodge their attacks, before he countered with his own sabre; making the twins stagger back. Sean's strategy was simple: exhaust the twins with his constant movements, until the point where he could beat them with his fencing skills. The twins moved in on Sean again and swung their sabres after the Jedi, but he quickly moved out of the way to avoid getting hit.
"So... When are we gonna start sparring?" Sean taunted as he avoided a kick from Leeta.
"Haha, very funny!" Lyco snorted in sarcasm. "You just wait 'till we kick your butt!"
"I'm in for a long wait." Sean thought with a smirk, which the twins caught on.
"What are you smiling at?" Leeta asked in annoyance.
"Oh nothing." Sean smirked as he pointed his sabre at her.
Leeta looked towards her sister who nodded in response, as in agreement to commence their secret attack on Sean. As the Wolves slowly closed in on the Jedi, he looked puzzled at their new tactic. Usually, they would rush at him and attempt to take him down, using their speed and agility. As Sean got ready for another attack from the twins, he heard a voice call to him.
"Sean..."
Sean whipped his head in every direction for the origin of the voice "What was that?" He thought.
With the Jedi being distracted by the voice, Leeta seized the opportunity and delivered a kick into his guts while Lyco slid behind him and kicked him in his right hind knee. The twins sudden attack made Sean let go of his sabre as he struggled to regain focus.
"Attack me while I was distracted." Sean said in a cold tone, which made Leeta and Lyco nervous. "Big mistake."
Realizing that Sean couldn't tire them out, he realized that he had to end this quickly. The Jedi grabbed his training sabre from the ground and returned to his battle stance. Before twins could respond, Sean had quickly moved in on them and unleashed a barrage of jabs on them with his sabre. Leeta and Lyco barely blocked off his attacks, when he once again attacked them the same way, trying to disarm them.
The twins grew agitated and attempted to strike him multiple times with their sabres, only for Sean to dodge their every attempt without the use of his weapon, before he leaped away from them. Leeta and Lyco once again moved in on him, but Sean was too quick on the draw and attacked them with a series of stabs and slashes, which made the twins stagger back.
"Sean..."
"Did you girls hear- ACK!"
Sean was interrupted by Leeta's flying kick to his jaw, which made him collide with the ground. The Jedi groaned in pain as he struggled to get up.
"OH MY GOSH!" Leeta panicked as she rushed over to help him up. "Sean, I'm so sorry!"
Lyco came over and assisted Sean. "Are you alright?" She asked as the Jedi stood up.
"It's alright." Sean dismissed as he rubbed his chin. "I should've paid more attention to my surroundings." He looked at the twins as he continued: "I think it is time for break."
Leeta and Lyco nodded in agreement as Sean put back the training sabre on the shelves before he sat down on a nearby log. The twins then joined him.
"So when are you heading out with Lobo and Marcos." Leeta asked.
Sean's eyes widened. "I don't know." He admitted. "Lupe must've forgotten to tell me."
"That reminds me!" Leeta suddenly said. "What did you talk with Lupe about?"
"She just wanted to hear how my session this morning with Marcos went." Sean explained calmly. "That, and all the other stuff I already told you." He then eyed the bandage on Lyco's leg with concern. "How is your leg holding up?"
"It's holding up just fine." Lyco smiled, but remembered something. "There's something Leeta and I want you to tell us."
Sean nodded. "What is it?"
The wolf in blue eyed the Jedi in suspicion. "How did you find out about Director Who?"
"Fair enough, I'll tell you." Sean started as the twins carefully listened to him. "While I was making some repairs to the ship before Metal Sonic attacked us, RB intercepted a transmission heading into our area and played the whole thing to me."
Lyco rolled her eyes. "Figures."
"Should've known." Leeta said as she curiously looked at Sean. "Where is your droid anyway?"
"He's working on Metal Sonic." Sean explained. "To find more information on this Dr. Eggman, and how he managed to build this thing."
"Sean..."
Sean suddenly looked to his right, which confused the twins.
"What is it?" Lyco asked.
N-Nothing..." Sean sighed. "I must be hearing things-"
"Hi Sean!" A child's voice called.
The Jedi looked up to see Lupe's daughter, Maria, smiling at him.
Sean stood up and approached the Wolf-cub and knelt down to her height. "Hello Maria." He greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Mama told me to go get you." Maria beamed.
"Did she tell you why?" Sean asked.
"Nope, but I saw her talking with Arturo." Maria explained.
Sean immediately thought back the Wolf in question. He remembered how terrified he looked when he barged into the Grand Chief's chamber. The Jedi decided that if he wanted to know what was going on, he'd better talk to Lupe. His train of thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to find that Leeta had gotten up from the log and somehow approached him without he noticed.
"You'd better go, Sean." Leeta started. "You can't let Lupe wait."
Sean got up on his feet and faced the Wolf in green. "You're right um... Leeta?" He guessed and she nodded with a smile. Sean then took his leave, but not before he gestured for Maria to follow. "Come on Maria, Let's head back."
Maria nodded and followed Sean back to their home. Leeta looked towards her sister and mentally agreed that they have trained enough, and decided to leave as well.
Earlier...
"Thank you for this information, Arturo." Lupe smiled as she and the teen-Wolf exited the Grand Chief's chambers. Arturo had just told the Grand Chief about everything that unfolded at the Dark Egg Legion base. When he had seen enough, Arturo rushed back to the Wolf Pack Nation to report everything he saw; Including the escaped individual.
"I was just doing what you asked me to, Grand Chief." Arturo responded.
"Well, I'm gonna have to speak with Lobo, Reynard and Diablo about this new development." Lupe said.
"...And the Overlander? Sean was it?" Arturo asked, uneasy. "are you gonna tell him about this as well?"
"I am..." Lupe replied. "...Which means that he'll have to cancel his fishing trip with Marcos."
Arturo rose an eyebrow at his chief's suggestion. "And why's that, Grand Chief?" He asked.
Lupe abruptly stopped and faced the teen-Wolf. "If what you told me is true, then it would be too risky to let children out of the city limits as there is a high probability of Dark Egg Legionnaires patrolling the jungle." She explained as Arturo nodded in understanding. Lupe then continued: "Did you see who fled the base when it collapsed?"
Arturo shook his head. "I'm sorry, Señorita, but I didn't; The aircraft was flying too fast." He answered. "But I can only assume that it is some important Freedom Fighter, since Drago had the whole base on lockdown."
"On that I agree." Lupe nodded. "And that is why I'll assemble a squad of our best warriors to find this escaped individual and maybe help him."
As both Wolves entered the main hallway of the house, they were greeted by Maria.
"Hi Mama! Hi Arturo!" The little she-Wolf chirped.
"Hi Maria." Lupe smiled as she looked around the room. "Is Sean in his room?"
Maria shook her head. "Nope, he said he would be at the training grounds." She answered. "Why do you ask?"
"I want you to bring him here, Maria." Lupe told her daughter. "Can you do that?"
"You bet, ma!" Maria complied happily as she ran out of the house to look for the Jedi. With the little Wolf out, Arturo turned to face Lupe.
"Is there anything else you want me to do, Grand Chief?" He asked.
Lupe turned to the teen-Wolf in question. "I want you to head over to the lookout tower and stand guard." She instructed. "If anyone or anything strange turns up, alert us."
"Will do, Grand Chief!" Arturo complied as he turned to leave, but Lupe put a firm hand on his shoulder.
"But before you do... I need you to find Lobo, Reynard, and Diablo and send them here." She further instructed.
"Yes Grand Chief!" He said as he left the residence to go find the Wolves in question.
After Arturo had left, Lupe decided to find Marcos and talk with him about his upcoming trip with Sean.
With Sean and Maria 2:30 PM.
"Sean?" Maria suddenly asked as she and the Jedi were walking towards their home. Due to Maria's height, Sean had to walk at a slower pace so she could keep up.
"Yes Maria?"
Maria fiddled her fingers as she looked up at the tall Jedi. "I was wondering about something."
Sean decided to stop walking and kneel down to Maria's height. "About what?" He asked. The little Wolf cub was too timid to immediately answer Sean's question. The Jedi then placed his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. "Maria." He sighed. "You can tell me everything... I won't get mad at you."
"P-Promise?" She squeaked.
"I promise." He said.
"I was wondering why you asked for Ma's permission to train Marcos? But not me?" Maria asked with slight disappointment, clearly interested in the fact that Sean is training Marcos in the ways of the Jedi.
Sean sighed. He knew this question would come up sooner or later. He could clearly see the disappointment on Maria's snout.
"Don't you like me?" She suddenly asked.
The Jedi gave Maria a perplexed look. "What?"
Maria had tears welling up in her eyes. "Y-You don't think that I can do as good as Marcos?"
Sean eyes widened at Maria's statement. He immediately gripped her arms and looked into her eyes.
"No Maria, it is nothing like that." Sean firmly stated. "Listen to me; The reason I didn't ask you or your sisters, is because you are not strong with the force, like your brother is."
Maria wiped the tears out of her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Sean's look softened. "The Force resides in all living things, but only those who are strong enough with it can tap into it and connect with it." He explained. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand." The Wolf-cub nodded sadly. "But..."
"But what?" Sean asked.
Maria frowned and looked down at the ground. "But if I'm not to be trained like Marcos, then what will happen to me?"
"Maria, listen to me for a minute." Sean gently started. "Everyone has path to follow. Don't try to compare your journey to the one of others, because you will be traveling in a shadow that you may never shake off. Think only about moving forward and stay on your path no matter the hardships that may come ahead. And when the day comes when you get to prove yourself, well... I hope I'm still around to see you make good." The Jedi gently turned Maria's head so he looked her in the eyes. "Your time will come, Maria. Just be patient."
"You really think so?" Maria sniffled.
"I don't think so; I know so." Sean stated confidently. "And for the record, I firmly believe that you would've made a great Jedi, had the circumstances been otherwise."
Maria smiled at the Jedi. "Really?"
"Really." Sean smirked as he got up on his feet. "Come on, let's go. We can't keep your mother waiting."
As Sean started walking, Maria suddenly ran up and hugged his right leg.
"Thank you." She whispered.
The Jedi only smiled as he scooped the little Wolf up into his arms. "You're welcome." He whispered back as he headed towards their home, with Maria still in his arms.
Grand Chief's chambers 2:40 PM.
"So, why did you call us here, Grand Chief?" Reynard asked. He, Lupe, Lobo, and Diablo were sitting cross legged by the fire pit, waiting to begin the meeting.
Lupe eyed the orange Wolf. "I'll tell you, but we're still waiting for Sean to arrive." She replied.
Reynard's eyes widened to the point they could pop out of their sockets. "The Overlander?!" He questioned with surprise. "Why do we need to wait for him?"
"That I'd like to know as well." Diablo cut in, which surprised Lupe and Lobo. "It's not that I hate him, but it seems strange that you are willing to trust him so easily."
"It wasn't as easy as you think, Diablo." Lupe said. "But you two need to know that Sean earned my trust the moment he successfully rescued the twins from the Dark Egg Legion."
Lobo decided speak: "And as you already know, Reynard, he is not from Mobius nor had he any part in the Great War."
"You already told me that, Chief." Reynard replied with a scoff. "And all of that won't change my mind about him."
Lobo turned to to the older Wolf. "And you, Diablo?" He asked.
"I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt." Diablo sighed. "But I believe that he should start to earn his keep, since he's going to stay here."
I agree, Diablo." Lupe said, while looking at her husband, who nodded in agreement. She then concluded: "I believe that someone with Sean's abilities could contribute greatly to our pack."
"Really?" A voice suddenly said. "How so?"
All four Wolves turned their heads and saw the Jedi in question lean against the doorway.
"Sorry I'm late." Sean apologized as he made his way over to the fire pit and next to Diablo with crossed legs. "I didn't miss anything, did I?"
"No you didn't." Lobo assured with a smile. "We were waiting for you to arrive, so we could begin the meeting."
Reynard glared at Sean. "And you sure took your sweet time, Hairless!" He remarked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Reynard." Sean apologized with a grin. "I didn't worry you, did I?"
"HAH!" Reynard faked a laugh. "You must be imagining things!"
"I must be." Sean agreed. "Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for anyone in this room."
Reynard snarled at the Jedi. "You think you're having a fun time, Overlander?" He asked, clearly insulted by Sean's remark.
Sean rolled his eyes. "yeah, Well, I'm having a hard time taking you seriously, Rey-Rey."
Reynard whipped his head and sent a harsh glare at Sean, before he eyed Lupe. "Please tell me why he's here, Grand Chief." He asked. "He'll cause nothing but trouble for all of us!"
"Yeah, because he has caused anything but trouble since he got here, 'Rey-Rey'." Diablo said with a sarcastic tone, which prompted a snort from Sean.
Reynard growled and barred his teeth at Diablo's comment. He slowly got up from his sitting position and approached the old Wolf.
"Listen here, you-!" The orange Wolf exploded.
"Simmer down, Reynard." Lupe commanded with a firm voice.
Reynard only complied with a growl and went back to his spot, but not before he gave Sean a suspicious glare. With his little dispute with Reynard over, Sean decided to Speak.
"Grand Chief?" He asked.
Lupe turned her attention towards the Jedi. "Something on you mind, Sean?" She asked.
"Probably hot air." Reynard sniped. "Because that's all I've felt since he came here."
Sean fixed an annoyed glare at the orange Wolf. "Gee Reynard, you must've had everything figured out in your life, since you appear to know so much about me-"
"The both of you! Enough with this nonsense!" Lupe snapped, Finally having enough of the Wolf and Human's exchange of insults and remarks. "Understood?"
Reynard only huffed in annoyance, but didn't dare challenge the Grand Chief. Sean bowed his head in compliance.
"Now, Sean." Lupe began. "You were saying?"
Sean looked between Diablo and Lobo, before he said: "I wanted to ask you what the purpose of this meeting is."
"I understand your confusion, Sean." Lupe replied with a calm tone before she turned her attention to everyone in the chambers and explained: "The reason I called all of you here is because Arturo told me that there has been an incident at the Dark Egg Legion base."
Diablo raised an eyebrow. "What kind of incident?" He asked.
"There has been a prisoner escape, and Drago had the whole base under full lockdown." Lupe further explained. "Furthermore, Arturo said that he heard explosions inside the main hangar before it collapsed."
The three Wolves and Jedi had a look of shock on their faces.
"When did this happen?" Sean asked.
Lupe took a deep breath and exhaled. "I happened an hour ago." She replied.
"you said it was a prisoner escape, my dear." Lobo began. "Can we be sure that this is the case?"
Lupe turned to her husband. "We can, Lobo. Arturo said he there was someone who escaped in an aircraft before the base collapsed."
"Did he see who it was?" Reynard questioned.
"I'm afraid he didn't; The Air craft was going to fast." Lupe answered. "But he has a theory that it is a Freedom Fighter who, until recently, has been held captive by the Dark Egg Legion."
Lobo cleared his throat. "And with a Freedom Fighter alone in the jungle, He's bound to be recaptured soon." He said. "So he'll need our help."
"And that's why I wanted you present at this meeting, Sean." Lupe explained, gaining the Jedi's attention. "Lobo and I are assembling a group of our best warriors, and you're in it."
Sean bowed his head. "Alright, Grand Chief, I'm game."
"With respect, Lupe, I thought you wanted to help this Freedom Fighter, not decapitate him." Reynard questioned in a snarky tone.
Lupe raised a skeptical eyebrow at the orange Wolf. "What do you mean by that, Reynard?"
"I mean, letting this hairless come along on this mission." He replied while jabbing a thumb at Sean. "He'll most likely behead someone with that laser sword of his."
The Jedi eyed the orange Wolf with a non-amused expression. "It's called a Lightsaber, 'Rey-Rey'." He corrected. Reynard only growled at his new nickname.
"Now you listen here-!"
"-And for your information." Sean interrupted as he took out his Lightsaber hilt. "I have wielded this very weapon since I was a small child, and I have been trained to avoid such accidents."
Reynard barred his teeth at the Jedi, but calmed himself. "And I assume that you will get Marcos one of those?" He asked with a skeptical tone.
Now all heads were turned towards Sean. The Jedi realized that Reynard was trying to put him in an uncomfortable position by mentioning Lupe's only son. This time, Sean had to be really careful with his response to Reynard. In situations like these, most Jedi knights would defend their ways in training younglings, but when it came to Sean, this would always mean a different approach.
"What's it to you, Reynard?" Sean asked in a flat tone.
"Oh, you know..." Reynard began. "...Just curious."
"That's a first." The Jedi smirked.
Reynard whipped his head at Sean's direction in anger, while Diablo snorted at the orange Wolf's misfortune.
"Ahem!"
Reynard, Diablo, and Sean turned their attention towards the Grand Chief, who didn't look like someone who had the time for these silly feuds.
"If you two are done." Lupe began. She inhaled deeply, before she continued: "Like I said before: you three will accompany Lobo into the jungle, locate the freedom fighter and find out why the Dark Egg Legion is after him. Is that clear?"
"Aye, Grand Chief!"
"Then you all know what to do; You'll leave in two hours... Everyone, you are all dismissed; Everyone except Sean!"
Both Reynard and Diablo nodded and exited the chambers, leaving Sean alone with the Wolf couple.
"You probably already know why we want you to remain here." Lobo began, while Lupe eyed the chamber's entrance.
"I have to guess that it's about that trip with you and Marcos." Sean guessed. "Cause I sense a feeling of distress from Lupe."
The Grand Chief nodded. "I spoke with Marcos before the meeting." She explained as her gaze met Sean's. "And I told him that your trip with him and Canus has been cancelled."
Sean nodded in understanding and said: "Considering the current circumstances, you made the right call, Lupe." There was a short pause before the Jedi spoke again: "But I suppose that he didn't take it well?"
Lupe shook her head. "He was disappointed, of course, but I explained to him that letting children into the jungle is too much of a security risk that I'm not willing to take."
"You think he'll accept that?" Sean gently asked.
The Grand Chief eyed Sean and said: "You forget that I'm his mother, Sean. He'll understand in due time."
The Jedi only nodded in response. He certainly didn't want to question Lupe's abilities as a mother. Furthermore, he never had a mother himself, nor anyone he regarded as such, so he didn't have an opinion on the matter. A minute of silence passed, Sean decided to speak.
"Anything else I'm needed for?" He asked.
Lupe shook her head. "No, that is all." She smiled. "You may leave, Sean."
Sean bowed his head before he stood up and took his leave.
"Sean..."
Sean abruptly stopped and looked around for the voice, which confused the Wolf couple. The Jedi shook off it off and left the chambers
After Sean had left, Lupe gazed at her husband.
"What was that about?" She asked. Lobo shrugged in response as they eyed the chamber entrance.
Sean's room 3:05 PM.
The Jedi was currently meditating on his bed to help him calm his nerves before his upcoming mission, while his droid, RB-1N, was still working on Metal Sonic.
"Sean..."
"I hear you." Sean replied. "But... Who are you?" He then asked, but there was no reply.
His meditation was interrupted, when he heard someone knock on the door.
"Come in." Sean responded.
The door opened, and it revealed to be Marcos. The Wolf-cub climbed his master's bed and sat next to the Human.
"Dad said you were heading into the jungle with the others." Marcos said, looking up at Sean.
The Jedi nodded. "I am." He said. "There is someone in the jungle who'll need our help."
Marcos sighed. "I wish I could come with you." He said, sadly.
"Still sad about our cancelled trip with your father and Canus?" Sean asked.
Marcos only plopped down on the bed with a groan.
"It's not the end of the world, you know." Sean reminded the frustrated cub, which elicited a grunt from Marcos. The Jedi sighed as he continued: "I understand your frustrations, Marcos, but given the current circumstances, there was no other choice."
Marcos growled at Sean's statement.
Sean suddenly grabbed Marcos by his shoulders and sat him up. "Lose the attitude, Marcos!" He lightly scolded. The cub's ears folded back at the Jedi's tone. Sean cleared his throat as he continued: "I know you're angry, but growling at me won't help your case in any way!"
Marcos looked at his master. "Can't you make my mom reconsider?" He pleaded.
Sean shook his head. "You know I can't do that, Marcos." He replied.
"But why not?" Marcos pleaded, again.
"Why? Because I said so!" Sean finally said.
Marcos' ears lowers in sadness, which Sean noticed. The Jedi placed his hand on the cub's shoulder.
"It's gonna be alright, Marcos." Sean said. "Do not dwell over this anymore, as I need your full focus for while I'm gone."
Marcos looked confused at Sean. "Why is that?" He asked.
Sean stood up from the bed and faced his Padawan. "These turn of events may have pushed you to the point where rational thinking has clouded your judgement." He said. "And I'm going to help you control those said thoughts."
Marcos jumped off the bed. "What do you want me to do?" He asked with curiosity.
Before Sean could reply, RB beeped something to him.
"What is it, buddy?" Sean asked as he approached the Astromech. "Found something?"
RB beeped and clicked in reply.
"Check Metal Sonic's back?" Sean wondered, kneeling down to the disabled robot. He grabbed hold of the robot and flipped it onto it's torso. Sean looked puzzled at Metal Sonic, before he faced his droid and asked: "Anything particular you wanted me to see, RB?"
Marcos crawled over and sat next to Sean, as RB whirled and beeped some instructions to the Jedi. The Wolf cub gave Sean a confused look.
"What did he say?" Marcos asked.
"He want's me to check out this little container on Metal Sonic." Sean replied as he pointed to a small box that was attached to the robot's back. "RB says that whatever is in this box, it's emitting a large amount of energy." He then looked at his robot. "Think you can unlock this lid, RB?"
The Astromech beeped in confirmation and began to carry out the Jedi's request. RB got out his buzz saw and began to cut the lid on the container. After finishing his work, RB rolled a bit away from Metal Sonic so Sean could get to the robot.
"Alright... Let's see what we're dealing with here." He said as he moved his hand towards the lid and removed it from the container. Sean and Marcos were blinded by a sudden golden light coming from the container. The Jedi and his Padawan quickly closed their eyes and turned their heads away from the light. After a few seconds, the light died down and the two slowly reopened their eyes. Sean looked into the newly opened container and saw a golden colored object lying within. The Jedi picked it up and carefully studied it. To Sean, the object appeared to be some kind of golden ring.
"Just what is this?" Sean asked himself, while studying the ring.
Author's note: Merry Christmas, everyone! This is my Christmas present from me to all of you! What will Sean make of his discovery? Who is trying to call to him? And will Hershey hold out long enough for Sean and the Wolf Pack find her? These questions and more will be answered... In the next chapter, but until then, merry Christmas and may the Force be with you.
Wassy96.