Chapter seven: "A Little Bit of Confusion"
"Yo, hold up!" Clawz said, stopping the little fox in her tracks. "You're Maria... Who?
She frowned, very agitated by this. "What, are you deaf er somethin'? ClearWaters.
Maria ClearWaters." She growled.
"ClearWaters?" Sally said, making sure everything was clear.
"Yeah..." Maria said, getting confused. "Are you people nuts or something because--"
"Are you in any way related to a certain, Shelia ClearWaters?" Sally asked.
Maria's angry expression melted off her face and was replaced with one full of horror.
"Shelia... Shelia ClearWaters...?" She mumbled.
"Yeah, do you know her?" Sonic asked.
"She... She was my sister...," She said weakly.
"Sister?" Tails asked in confused. "I didn't know Shelia had a sister."
"You know her?" Maria asked, "Shelia... Is alive?"
"Yeah..." Clawz said, "But she said all her family was dead."
"There is no record of any other family members in Nicole's files except that of her
father, mother, and older brother..." Sally said, unclipping her hand-held computer from her
boot and turning on the power switch.
"Well, why would I lie about who my sister is!?" Maria defended, "Where is she? Is she
with you? Can I see her? How do I know you're telling the truth, anyway?"
"Why would we lie about that?" Sonic asked.
"I don't know! Where's my sister?!" She growled, rather fiercely for fox no older
than eleven.
"Look, calm down kid!" Nack said, "You ain't the only one confused here."
"Wait uh second..." Bunnie interrupted, "Ah remembah, back when Shelia just regained
her memory... She told us that story 'bout her past. She said that when they fled Mobo-city,
her momma was pregnant..."
"That's right!" Sally exclaimed. "I forgot! That explains why there is no record of
you in Nicole's files. She only holds the information about beings that existed before the
take over by Robotnik. Maria was born after that!"
Maria blinked. "Yeah, I was born in the desert. How'd you know that?"
"Like Ah said," Bunnie stated, "Shelia told us."
Maria was silent for a moment. "... C-can I see her?" She asked softly.
"She ain't here," Clawz informed her. "She's on the Floatin' Island."
"The Floating Island?" Maria asked, frowning again. "You people are crazy! That's
just a dumb myth!"
"Let's just be glad Knuckles wasn't here to hear you say that..." Sally said.
"Who?" Maria asked, confused again.
"Knuckles Echidna. He's the guardian of the Floating Island."
"The... Guardian?" Maria repeated. "You mean the one of the legend?"
Sally blinked. "Uhh... I don't know about that..."
"Look, just get me my sister back... Or... Or else!" She growled.
"Or else what?" Tails confronted.
She stuck her spear in his face.
"Oh yeah..." He mumbled, stepping backwards.
* * * * * * *
He sighed softly, gazing up and the pale sapphire-blue sky above him, as it stretched
across the globe and disappeared over the horizon. His mind rested. He felt mentally exhausted,
after all that reading, and deciphering, and calculating... All he wanted to do now was just
to sit, relax, and feel the cool breeze wash over him. He wanted to think nothing of his duty or
his burdens, to just lay there and feel the wind and the sun and the grass.
Yesterday had drained him. Way too much explaining had gone on. Both by him, and by others
to him. But it was gone now, and all he could do was sit and wait for the princess to bring him
news if the gem was still in it's original location, or if even their calculations were truly
correct. One mistake in the string of numbers could...
He drove mathematics from his mind. No math. Not now. He was trying to relax. He hadn't
slept well the night before, and now was a perfect time to catch a quick nap, before his
responsibilities flooded over him once again. Thinking of equations oddly enough, woke him up
rather than put him to sleep. He turned his mind to softer, more comforting things. Such as a
certain pretty red vixen. He closed his eyes and smiled as he pictured her. One thing that
had kept him from sleeping last night had been her absence. He had gotten so used to falling
asleep in her warmth. But noooo, Archimedes had to step in and spoil everything. Some thing,
some one just had to always step in and...
But his mind had drifted. He frowned, trying to picture her again, and only her. Just
her and her warm emerald eyes, soft chestnut curls, and gentle feminine curves. There. Muuuuch
better.
He heard something stir in the brush behind him. He sat up, his muscles tensing. Ever
since there had been newcomers on his island, it made him become incredibly paranoid. It was
like he could feel an odd presence. It was almost like the gems were telling him that someone
was here that didn't belong.
"Who's there?" He asked to the forest, darkly.
"Knuckles?" Shelia called softly, stepping out of the undergrowth.
He relaxed. "Oh, it's just you." He said, relieved.
She frowned slightly. "Just me?"
He stood up. "I didn't mean it like that," He said, "I've just been getting bad vibes
lately. It feels like there are intruders..."
"You think of me as an intruder?" She asked, still frowning.
"No, no." He said, stepping towards her and taking her hand, "I want you here."
"Oh?" She said smiling coyly.
"Yeah. I like having you here Shelia." He said, "It's just gonna take me a little while
to get used to all the others..."
"I guess that'll do." She said, accepting this excuse and allowing herself to be
drawn into a warm embrace.
"I'm really glad we can be together," He said softly, "Even if it means using my
island for a 'freedom fighter play ground'."
She frowned up at him.
He winked. "Just kidding. You know I'm as dedicated to stopping Robotnik as you are.
He's almost killed me, not to mention almost sinking my entire island, more than once."
Her frown melted again back into a smile. "Yeah... I just wish our being together
could be under better circumstances. I mean if Robotnik had never killed my family," She said,
her eyes beginning to tear up, "I would have never met you and sometimes... I just feel a little
guilty enjoying our relationship..."
"Hey," He said reassuringly, "You family would want you to have a happy life. Just
because they're gone, doesn't mean you have to be sad all the time. You don't have to forget
them either, but just try to remember them in the good times instead of the bad... And... And...
And I've run out of philosophical things to say."
She giggled softly, wiping away a tear. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry about all this
crying all the time, it's just that I get so worked up and--"
"Don't apologize, Shelia," He interrupted, "I don't mind. I know it's hard for you
right now. Just remember that I'll always be your shoulder to cry on..."
She smiled weakly and hugged him. "Yeah..."
"C'mon," He said leading her over to a small cliff overlooking the island's edge. "Come
and sit with me and watch the sunset."
Her smile broadened. "Okay..." She sniffed. As she actually realized how close to the
edge he was taking her she squeezed his hand.
He stopped and noticed her fear. "Oh, don't worry." He said, "C'mon, just sit right
here and hang your feet off."
"A-Are you sure?" She asked, frightened, "We're awful high up..."
"Positive." He said sitting down and dangling his legs over the ledge, and patting
a space beside him.
"All right," She said shakily sitting down, "But if I fall and die, I'm gonna kill you."
He laughed. "Don't worry," He said putting an arm around her. "I won't let you fall."
She looked down. "Oh... Woah..." She whimpered, clutching onto him tightly. "W-we
really ARE high!"
"Isn't it great?" He asked happily, "You can see for miles around up here."
"It's kinda like sitting on top of the world..." She whispered in awe.
They sat in a contented silence for few minutes, not needing any more words. It felt
good not to speak for a while, just still in the warm air and hold each other and watch the
ground below slip under them. From above, you could barely tell Mobius was a planet at war.
Up there it just seemed so beautiful and peaceful.
Shelia sighed finally, "I really love it here."
"Do you really?" Knuckles asked.
"Of course I do." She said looking up at him. "Up here I have practically everything
I've ever wanted..."
"Yeah?" He mumbled, his eyes glazing over slightly. The fact was he hadn't heard a word
she said. The moment she looked up at him he became lost in her sparkling green eyes.
"Yeah." She said softly, touching his face gently.
"Yeah?" He asked again, dreamily.
She laughed. "Yeah."
"Yeah?" He asked, for the third time.
She laughed again, and leaned up and kissed him.
* * * * * * *
"WHAT?!" Locke cried in astonishment, as Archimedes recounted him the findings of the
morning, specifically the event of him bursting in on Knuckles and Shelia's "slumber party".
"Now, now sir!" Archimedes pleaded, trying to calm his master. "They both tell me that
it was purely innocent..."
"Innocent, my foot!" Locke growled, "When a boy of Knuckles' age has a girl spend the
night with him, it's on the grounds of something far from innocence!"
"Sir, come now. Knuckles is a well brought up boy, and he knows his moral limits set
as a guardian..." Archimedes began.
"Hmmph." Locke snorted, "You forget how morals are often forgotten when there are
hormones involved."
"Look sir, I'm practically positive that... Nothing transpired between them beyond
that of a bit of harmless romance." The ant defended. "I did not perceive the
female to be eh, 'that kind of girl'."
"Oh?" Locke said, his interest growing. "Romance eh...?"
"Knuckles seems very attached to her at least. I haven't exactly confronted him about
the seriousness of the relationship as of yet..."
"What did you say her name was?" The elder echidna asked, leaning back in his chair
slightly.
"Shelia ClearWaters, I believe master..." Archimedes said. "I find her a quite pleasant
girl actually. Physically attractive, I would venture to say. A hard worker, too, and a mighty
good cook if I don't say so myself."
"Shelia..." Locke mumbled thoughtfully.
"Oh, and I think Knuckles could definitely benefit somehow from the relationship,
considering her origins."
Locke raised an eyebrow. "Explain." He said simply.
Archimedes cleared his throat. "You see Master, Ms. ClearWaters is a descendant of two
of the original keepers, whom Aurora-Sa gave one of the eight crystals to attain the balance..."
"Fascinating." Locke mumbled, staring at the ceiling as he thought. "What is she?" He
asked absentmindedly.
"Pardon, sir?"
"I mean, what species is she? This girl. What kind of animal?" Locke clarified.
"Oh, well..." Archimedes said unsure, "To tell you the truth Master, I don't know. She
seems to have very vulpine characteristics, but not the distinctive white tail tip. Her features
aren't as sharp as a fox's either. I suspect that she is a hybrid of some sort."
Locke's frown deepened. "Ah." He grunted.
Archimedes was silent a moment as he studied his master's reaction. "You... Disapprove?"
He asked finally.
Locke closed his eyes. "I'm not sure."
Archimedes sighed softly and bowed his head. "Do you wish for me to speak to Knuckles
about this subject?" He asked solemnly.
Locke didn't answer for a few seconds. "Not yet," He concluded finally, "Not until we're
sure of the severity of the case. Just have him continue studying The Scrolls and the book, for
now. And I would ask if you would question him on his feelings for this girl... If we can stop
it before it starts, we would save him a lot of pain..."
"Yes sir." Archimedes said slowly, frowning slightly.
"Go now." Locke said, waving his hand and swiveling around in his chair so his back
faced his comrade. "I want to be alone to think."
"Yes sir." Archimedes repeated, and disappeared in a small puff of smoke.
Locke sighed grimly. So his son was in love, huh? And with a hybrid at that. Poor boy,
he thought sadly. He too has fallen into their trap. Well, it had to happen sooner or later.
Locke preferred later. Even though Knuckles didn't know it, he was still in his apprenticeship
stage, and he lacked development of a full-fledged guardian. Although, Locke had to admit, his
son's abilities all ready far surpassed his own, he was not ready to take on his destiny as
Aurora-Sa's reincarnation. He had the spirit for it, just not enough knowledge yet. He was
learning quickly though. Now, Locke feared, his learning would be impaired by his attachment
to this female.
He sighed again, remembering how he felt when he was his son's age about
Knuckles' mother. He frowned slightly. Back then, he she had been all he could think about.
It wasn't until they were married and Knuckles was born when he realized how much he had been
denying his duty. He closed his eyes again. Then when she couldn't understand his obligation,
she left. Knuckles was still just a baby then. He remembered next to nothing of her. She had
wanted to take him with her, but of course the fates ruled in Locke's favor, as Knuckles was
to be trained as the next guardian. Unable to cope with the emptiness of the home in
Echidnaopolis, Locke broke through Haven's shield and took his son to live on the outside on
the real Floating Island. Knuckles thought his mother was dead. Knuckles thought Echidnaopolis
was destroyed. Knuckles thought he had abandoned him...
Slowly, Locke bent down and buried his face in his hands.
* * * * * *
The wind blew softly through the fronds of the damp trees, creating a cool breeze. Mixing
with the hot fumes from the dozens of clean sulfur springs in the thick swamp, the wind pulled
a warm mist into the air. Despite the slightly wet ground underfoot, the area far east of
Robotropolis was very beautiful. And the company wasn't exactly that bad either.
"Ladies, ladies! How about you and me, go out back and--" Clawz said, grinning his
ever-present grin, and putting his hand somewhere where it didn't belong. Namely on the leg
of a pretty gray-furred squirrel femme.
He was instantly smacked over the head with a large, cherry blossom-painted fan.
"HENTAI!" She screamed, then ran off to the other side of the clearing.
"Heh, heh. You d'served it Yankee!" Bunnie laughed.
"Shut-up, 'Usagi'..." He grumbled, rubbing his head.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" She growled, shaking her metallic fist at him threateningly.
"UsagiUsagiUsagiUsagiUsagiUsai..." He chanted, teasingly.
Before Bunnie could clobber him, Sally stepped between the two. "Cut it out you guys,"
She scolded. "We've got a big problem here."
"Tell me about it." Sonic grumbled. "What are we going to tell their queen about
how we just stumbled upon them taking a bath? They didn't believe me earlier!"
Sally turned and frowned at him. "I was talking about our problem with Shelia's
sister." She said, "But about that. Don't worry, I'll be able to talk you guys out of that.
I think they'll believe me."
"Why would they believe you over me?" He asked, rather huffily.
"Well, for one Sonic," She said matter-of-factly, "I'm a Princess. And secondly I'm
a female."
"What does you being a female have anything to do with anything?" He asked.
"Well, if you haven't noticed, this whole tribe is made of females." Sally said.
"Yeah." Sonic returned, "So what?"
"Sonic..." She grumbled growing agitated, "If my research of the many types of Mobian
civilizations serves me right, they're Amazons. Female warriors. They practically hate males.
They almost think they're evil."
He blinked. "I knew that."
"Sure you did." She sighed.
"So you're saying... There's not one guy in this entire group?" Clawz asked.
"Nope." Sally answered.
"Woah." Nack said grinning, "Bunch of girls livin' together, with no guys at all...
That's kinda kinky don't ya think?"
Clawz laughed. Everyone else gave him dirty looks.
"I don't like it here Aunt Sally..." Tails whined.
"Don't worry," She reassured, "We'll be out of here once everyone apologizes to the
queen and I ask her some questions."
"What about the little fox chick?" Clawz asked. "Don't cha think we should call up
Shelia and tell her?"
Sally looked unsure. "I don't know. I'm afraid of how to tell her. I'm afraid of how
she'll react... You know, after her accident."
Bunnie nodded. "That's right." She said, "We don't want her goin' inta anuder one uh
her faintin' spells."
"Well we have to tell her sometime!" Sonic said. "It might as well be now."
"You're right." Sally said, pulling Nicole from her boot, "I'll call the Floating
Island right now and tell her to come down. You guys go find out anything you can about the
'elemental crystal' Knuckles is looking for."
"Oh yeah..." Sonic said, "That's what we came out here for..."
Sally gave him an odd look before walking off, back inside the hut to set up the
mini-computer's satellite messenger. In Knothole it wasn't necessary, because Nicole had a
wireless hookup to the satellite in Rotor's workshop, but out here, that was out of range and
Sally had to use the portable one.
"C'mon guys," Sonic suggested, "Let's split up and snoop around. Me, Clawz and Nack
will go right, and Bunnie, Antoine and Tails will go left."
"Aye aye mon capeetan," Antoine said, saluting. He turned to leave, Bunnie and Tails
following him them stopped and turned back. "You ess telling us to go left, right?" He asked.
"Right." Sonic said.
"Oh, so we go right?" He asked.
"No, no. You go left." Sonic corrected.
"Right, left." Antoine said, then began heading right.
"No, Ant!" Sonic stopped him, "You're supposed to go left!"
"I thought I was going the right way!" He said.
"No! The right way is left!" Sonic said.
"What?" Antoine asked, frowning. "I am theenking you ess a little mixed uped, Sonique."
Before Sonic could strangle the French fox's accent out of him, Clawz intervened.
"Just go that way, Tony." He said, pointing down the path to the left.
"Merci Monsuire Wildcat, finally someone with a senses of directions." Antoine said,
then turned and marched down the path with Bunnie and Tails following him with silent smiles
on their faces.
* * * * * *