This story features Espio the Chameleon. My favorite Chaotix member after Julie-Su. Another sadly underutilized character, I felt that SOMEONE should try to explain his origins. So here's my take. This takes place during the "King of the Hill" Story Arc (Knuckles 30-32). In Issue #30 Julie-Su is looking for Knuckles, and Espio decides to tag along. In the next panel, it says "one hour later..." So here's a story that largely takes place in that one hour. Nothing special, just a Julie-Su\Espio friendship fic. (Not too many of THESE around are there?)
Disclaimer: I do not own Espio, Julie-Su, or any other Sonic the Hedgehog\Knuckles the Echidna character. They are copyrighted to Archie and Sega or whoever. They are not mine. Thank you.
"Secrets"
The day started ordinarily enough. Mighty had introduced me to an old friend he recently met up with again, a flying squirrel named Ray. Then Julie-Su came crashing into the forest on her pasha, looking for Knuckles. Since none of us knew where he was, I volunteered to join her in her search.
I rode behind Julie-Su on her pasha, Thunder. We rode for a few minutes in silence. I was more-or-less at a loss for what to say. None of the Chaotix, except for Knuckles, really took the time to talk with Julie-Su or get to know her outside of a mission. So I was effectively in unknown territory. Deciding to break the deadlock, I chose to speak up.
"Hey, Julie-Su?"
"Yeah?"
"Mind if I asked you something?"
"No, go ahead."
"Well..." I wasn't quite sure how to ask. "Why is it that you seem so fond of riding a pasha if you grew up in such a high-tech environment?" A flash of pain crossed her face for a moment, and I instantly regretted opening my mouth. "Sorry, I should just-" She shook her head.
"No. It's nothing, just some....unpleasant memories. I like riding Thunder because she and I are a lot alike. We're both free spirited, individualistic, solitary....."
"...Ornery and stubborn nags?" I put in. She glared.
"You want to get off right here and now?" At that, Thunder picked up the pace, going into a full-blown out run. I shook my head.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. I guess the real reason is that I just want to try something that has nothing to do with my life with the Legion. We didn't have any pashas. We just used hovercraft that had no mind or spirit. That's why I like Thunder here," she stroked the Pasha's muzzle affectionately.
I nodded. "Ah, okay then." We slipped back into silence for a while until SHE decided to ask a question.
"Since you asked me something, can I ask YOU a question?" I nodded.
"Go ahead." She seemed a bit apprehensive, which is especially odd for her, and looked as though she wasn't sure if her question was appropriate.
"Well, it's pretty obvious why other echidnas aren't that fond of me..." I nodded, understanding how she stood out, with her being an ex-Legionnaire and all.
"And?"
"Well I noticed that chameleons aren't the most social of races, you rarely see them outside of the Rainbow Valley. So why don't you seem to associate with other chameleons?" Damn. Why did she have to ask THAT question? "Unless its something too personal for you to talk about......" I shook my head.
"No, you answered my question, I'm obliged to do the same. But you're right, this is a personal subject," I paused. "Julie-Su, I am going to tell you something I never told anyone else, not even Knuckles knows about this, and I expect it to stay that way."
"I can keep a secret."
"I know. How much do you know about chameleon society?"
"Virtually nothing, nobody does."
"That's the general idea. Me people are incredibly secretive and prefer their privacy. As isolationist as echidnas can seem at times, chameleons make them look like a bunch of tour guides." She whistled appreciatively. She knew better than anyone how much echidnas liked isolation and privacy. The Dark Legion, the Brotherhood of Guardians, even Echidnaopolis, all loved their secrets.
"Anyway, here are the basics. Chameleons, like all reptiles, come from eggs. Echidnas do too but unlike the echidnas, we have no knowledge as to who our parents are."
"Why is that?"
"Chameleon eggs are placed in crèches where they are left until we hatch. It is all but impossible to determine who are parents are after that. There are rarely any kind of birth mark or distinctive marking that a parent can recognize in their child."
"But what possible purpose could that serve?"
"Since we don't know who are parents or grandparents are, we look up to our preceding generations as a kind parental figures. That way, all adults are our mothers and fathers, that way we're equally devoted to everyone."
"I see. Please continue."
"I was.....excommunicated, for lack of a better term, because I had nearly caused the deaths of two of my best friends when I was ten. One of them happened to be the protégé of one of our leaders. You see, our society is led by an Assembly, in which there are two members from each generation present."
"One of my friends was being groomed by one of their number to eventually take his place. When my friends and I went out one day, there was an accident and he ended up breaking every third bone in his body."
"Why did you get blamed?" She demanded angrily. I sighed.
"Because it was MY fault. I convinced him to come with me, I convinced him to journey to an old building where we shouldn't have been, and it was me who refused to listen and it was me that let him get lost. He tried to warn me, but I wouldn't listen. I dragged him out there, against his advice and then the floor collapsed under him and he fell. It was my fault," I said getting more and more agitated. "IT WAS MY DAMN FAULT!!!" I started shouting so loud that Thunder was completely spooked and started running even faster, faster than Julie-Su could mange.
"Whoa girl, whoa!" After a minute or so, Thunder had calmed down enough for Julie-Su to get back in control. Turning to me she said, "I'm sorry if I brought painful memories up. Maybe we should just drop it." I shook my head.
"No, I came this far I might as well finish." She nodded slowly, understanding the need I felt to get this off my chest. "After the accident, my friend's sponsor wanted me exiled outright. The rest of the Assembly thought it a bit extreme for a 10 year old, but agreed that I had been reckless and my cavalier attitude nearly killed my two best friends."
"So they finally settled on a compromise of sorts. I was not allowed to live with other chameleons and that's why my home is on the outskirts of Rainbow Valley. I can't live with my people, though I'm not actually denied the right to talk to and be with other chameleons outside the Valley. But as for contact with my people INSIDE the Valley is severely limited. I'm effectively a persona non grata among most of my people."
"I hear that." Julie-Su said sympathetically. "But why the big secret? It's not like Knuckles or I are that ignorant of what it's like to be alone."
"I know, but it was just too....personal."
"You know I'm here for you. If you ever want to talk some more, you know where to find me, that goes for the others too."
"Thanks, I guess I needed this. If I feel like I need to talk, I'll come to you. Until then, I'd appreciate your keeping this conversation discrete." She smiled.
"Okay, but don't feel like you need to hide from everyone, camouflage or no camouflage."
"Right."
"Just one other thing Espio."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Has Knuckles always vanished whenever he feels like it?"
"Yeah. He's the kinda guy who likes to be alone a lot...Every now and then Knuckles just goes off on his own, staying out of sight unless something happens!"
"You'd think he'd at least tell his friends where he can be found!" I was about to reply when I saw something in the bushes.
"HOLD IT, JULIE-SU!!!" I grabbed the reigns which stopped Thunder, but the scared pasha gave out a loud cry of, "EEEEEAAAHHH!" and threw us both off.
"Uughh!" I said as I landed.
"Ooof!" Julie-Su replied. "ESPIO!!! HAVE YOU GONE NUTS?!!" She demanded.
"Far from it!" I replied. "Unfortunately for you, you're not a chameleon so you haven't the means to know what to look for!" I hate being right. In the bushes, camouflaged of course, was an old chameleon I knew. "Hello, Barney! You don't look so hot! What's going on?"
He feebly got up and panted, "Get-AWAY from-here, son!"
"Get away from who?"
"I've never seen anything quite-like it! All shiny-and hard! Run-away--" He passed out.
"Barney!!! We have to get him to a doctor, Julie-Su!" She nodded.
"I can do it! Let's saddle him on my pasha! I'll take him directly to the Echidnaopolis Med Center!"
"Just be careful, Julie-Su!" If whatever attacked Barney was still around, then Julie-Su couldn't protect Barney and herself at the same time. And truth be told, she's one of the first people I've truly began to trust, hell I even started to LIKE her, which is really odd for someone as cold-blooded as me.
"No problemo! You just take care yourself!"
"I'll be fine!" I said, more to myself than her. 'I wish I could've said more--but my kind rarely interact with outsiders! I get enough grief as it is just hanging with the guys!' I sighed and decided to bite the bullet. "All right, guys! You can come out! The coast is clear!" Several chameleons chose to reveal themselves at that moment.
"Why did you bring that female echidna with you, Espio? Your taste in friends leave a lot to be desired!" A familiar voice said.
"Actually, I hadn't planned to drop on, but since I'm here....Perhaps someone can explain what happened to Barney, Liza."
"Maybe...But you might not like what you hear." She answered.
'Too late,' I thought with some annoyance. Out loud I said, "I don't like it already......"
************************************************************************
"I knew I wouldn't like it." I muttered. Two hours later and I found a roboticized Valdez, who in turn, roboticized Liza. I was forced to beat Valdez myself in order to save the chameleons and everyone else on the Floating Island.
Since that happened, the captive chameleons were freed and after a brief call, the EST showed up and took out the two SWATbots and managed to put the roboticized Liza in stasis. I had tried to talk to Constable Remington about what would happen to her, but had been rebuffed by some subordinate officer who was probably upset at missing his coffee break. So I just sat there, brooding.
"'You'll be fine,' huh?" I turned around to find Julie-Su standing behind me. "I don't think this came out 'fine,' do you?"
"Not now Julie-Su," I said more tired than angry. "I'm really not in the mood for this."
"Sorry. I just came to tell you that the doctors say Barney will be fine. He'll be released in a day or two."
"That's good." Relieved to hear some good news today. "You hear from the constable yet?" She nodded. "And?"
She sighed. "The EST doesn't know how to restore the will of a roboticized Mobian, let alone completely deroboticize them; any more than the Freedom Fighters do. I'm sorry. And as for Valdez, there's no sign of him at all."
"Damn it! First Valdez, then Liza, I guess someone just likes the idea of me without any friends."
"I'M your friend, Espio. So is Knuckles, Mighty, Charmy, even Vector."
"Lucky me." I muttered. "That's twice Valdez gets a trip through the wringer."
"Twice? What was the...first...time...? Valdez was the one, wasn't he? He was your best friend, his injury was the reason why you got booted out. And Liza, Liza was your other best friend, I'd bet. Am I right?" I nodded, knowing she would've put the pieces together sooner or later.
"Yeah. Valdez, Liza, and I were the best of friends when we were younger. When we went exploring, Valdez was injured and prompted the Assembly to exile me." Julie-Su was silent for a moment. Then she shook her head.
"No. I don't buy it." I looked at her. "If Valdez was as cautious as you say, then he wouldn't have joined the Secret Service and volunteered to hold back a horde of Shadow-bots, would he?" I frowned.
"People change Julie-Su. You did."
"That's a glib answer. And a poor attempt to change the subject. You weren't the one who dragged Valdez and Liza there were you? It was Valdez, wasn't it?" She demanded. I was getting angry.
"So what if it was?" I demanded hotly. She was getting upset too.
"Because it means that you were exiled for no reason! You got in trouble for someone else's actions! Why didn't you tell the Assembly?! Why are you willing to suffer the punishment for a crime you never committed?!"
"Because he's MY friend, THAT'S why! Maybe you can't appreciate that since you didn't make any in the Legion, but they are my last ties to my people! Besides! Do you know what they would have done to Valdez if I hadn't...!"
"What?! What would've happened?! A slap on the wrist?!"
"NO!!! They would've thrown him off of the Floating Island, that's what!" THAT certainly seemed to have an effect on Julie-Su.
"They would've-would've.......killed him?"
"No. But they wouldn't have let him stay ANYWHERE on the Floating Island. Not Rainbow Valley, not anywhere. The protégé to an Assembly Leader, and a prominent one at that, should not have been so reckless. It would reflect poorly on him and his mentor. They would consider it an embarrassment." Julie-Su looked ill
"They'd throw a 10-year old out on his own? That's-that's...just wrong." I nodded. I was never a fan of the Assembly's rules and there was CERTAINLY no love lost between the Assembly and myself.
"That's why I had to take the blame. I told the Assembly it was MY fault. I wasn't a protégé of any leader so my punishment wouldn't be as extreme."
"Did they know that you were lying?"
"Without a doubt. But it was an easy way out that helped the Assembly save face, prevent a major scandal, and probably saved Valdez's life." She still looked mad.
"And that makes it okay? Did Valdez ever object to you taking the blame? Or did he happily go along with this sham too?"
"For your information, both he and Liza tried to talk me out of it. They even appeared before the Assembly, but the Assembly wanted an easy solution and I offered them one. Even after a decision had been rendered, they kept trying to convince the others that I was innocent. They refused to listen. I guess that's when Valdez got fed up with the Assembly."
I continued, "So when St. John offered him a job off of the island, he took it. Valdez always grumbled about his missions, the commander, and swearing an oath to a foreign king he had no real love for, but the reality of all of it is, that he relished his life as an agent because it got him away from the Assembly. So again, it's my fault."
"You can't believe that." She said softly.
"Why not? It's true isn't it? I couldn't keep him safe when we were ten, and when I thought I was protecting him, I prompted him into joining the Secret Service that got him roboticized. Now I killed him, and got Liza involved too. So, yes it is my fault!"
"Espio...." I turned my back to her and stared straight ahead into the forest. "Please, will you listen for a moment?" I didn't answer, why should I? What could she possibly say that would make things all right again?
"Like I said before, I'm here for you. You're my friend and I'll help you. So will the others. But you have to gives us a chance. Not every problem has to be solved by yourself. That's why you have friends. Look, I know this hurts, and yes I have been where you are. And from personal experience I can tell you that blaming yourself will not help." I flinched slightly as she laid her hand on my shoulder. "Okay?"
I sighed and nodded, slowly. "Thank you, Julie-Su. I'm sorry for flying off the handle before, this is just going to take time." She nodded.
"I'm sorry too. We'll wait for however long it takes for you to sort this out. And we are ready to help at any time."
"Thank you." That was all I could manage. "You know, for a former terrorist, you seem pretty good at this whole "that's what friends are for" thing. Where'd you get THAT from?" I said smirking. She smiled back.
"That's my secret." She turned to walk away when she paused.
"Oh and if I can ask one last thing Espio?" I nodded. "Well since chameleons can change their skin color I was wondering....is that your real color or is it just what you happen to like right now?" Now I smiled.
"That's MY secret Julie-Su." I answered. 'But not my last one.'
END
Disclaimer: I do not own Espio, Julie-Su, or any other Sonic the Hedgehog\Knuckles the Echidna character. They are copyrighted to Archie and Sega or whoever. They are not mine. Thank you.
"Secrets"
The day started ordinarily enough. Mighty had introduced me to an old friend he recently met up with again, a flying squirrel named Ray. Then Julie-Su came crashing into the forest on her pasha, looking for Knuckles. Since none of us knew where he was, I volunteered to join her in her search.
I rode behind Julie-Su on her pasha, Thunder. We rode for a few minutes in silence. I was more-or-less at a loss for what to say. None of the Chaotix, except for Knuckles, really took the time to talk with Julie-Su or get to know her outside of a mission. So I was effectively in unknown territory. Deciding to break the deadlock, I chose to speak up.
"Hey, Julie-Su?"
"Yeah?"
"Mind if I asked you something?"
"No, go ahead."
"Well..." I wasn't quite sure how to ask. "Why is it that you seem so fond of riding a pasha if you grew up in such a high-tech environment?" A flash of pain crossed her face for a moment, and I instantly regretted opening my mouth. "Sorry, I should just-" She shook her head.
"No. It's nothing, just some....unpleasant memories. I like riding Thunder because she and I are a lot alike. We're both free spirited, individualistic, solitary....."
"...Ornery and stubborn nags?" I put in. She glared.
"You want to get off right here and now?" At that, Thunder picked up the pace, going into a full-blown out run. I shook my head.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. I guess the real reason is that I just want to try something that has nothing to do with my life with the Legion. We didn't have any pashas. We just used hovercraft that had no mind or spirit. That's why I like Thunder here," she stroked the Pasha's muzzle affectionately.
I nodded. "Ah, okay then." We slipped back into silence for a while until SHE decided to ask a question.
"Since you asked me something, can I ask YOU a question?" I nodded.
"Go ahead." She seemed a bit apprehensive, which is especially odd for her, and looked as though she wasn't sure if her question was appropriate.
"Well, it's pretty obvious why other echidnas aren't that fond of me..." I nodded, understanding how she stood out, with her being an ex-Legionnaire and all.
"And?"
"Well I noticed that chameleons aren't the most social of races, you rarely see them outside of the Rainbow Valley. So why don't you seem to associate with other chameleons?" Damn. Why did she have to ask THAT question? "Unless its something too personal for you to talk about......" I shook my head.
"No, you answered my question, I'm obliged to do the same. But you're right, this is a personal subject," I paused. "Julie-Su, I am going to tell you something I never told anyone else, not even Knuckles knows about this, and I expect it to stay that way."
"I can keep a secret."
"I know. How much do you know about chameleon society?"
"Virtually nothing, nobody does."
"That's the general idea. Me people are incredibly secretive and prefer their privacy. As isolationist as echidnas can seem at times, chameleons make them look like a bunch of tour guides." She whistled appreciatively. She knew better than anyone how much echidnas liked isolation and privacy. The Dark Legion, the Brotherhood of Guardians, even Echidnaopolis, all loved their secrets.
"Anyway, here are the basics. Chameleons, like all reptiles, come from eggs. Echidnas do too but unlike the echidnas, we have no knowledge as to who our parents are."
"Why is that?"
"Chameleon eggs are placed in crèches where they are left until we hatch. It is all but impossible to determine who are parents are after that. There are rarely any kind of birth mark or distinctive marking that a parent can recognize in their child."
"But what possible purpose could that serve?"
"Since we don't know who are parents or grandparents are, we look up to our preceding generations as a kind parental figures. That way, all adults are our mothers and fathers, that way we're equally devoted to everyone."
"I see. Please continue."
"I was.....excommunicated, for lack of a better term, because I had nearly caused the deaths of two of my best friends when I was ten. One of them happened to be the protégé of one of our leaders. You see, our society is led by an Assembly, in which there are two members from each generation present."
"One of my friends was being groomed by one of their number to eventually take his place. When my friends and I went out one day, there was an accident and he ended up breaking every third bone in his body."
"Why did you get blamed?" She demanded angrily. I sighed.
"Because it was MY fault. I convinced him to come with me, I convinced him to journey to an old building where we shouldn't have been, and it was me who refused to listen and it was me that let him get lost. He tried to warn me, but I wouldn't listen. I dragged him out there, against his advice and then the floor collapsed under him and he fell. It was my fault," I said getting more and more agitated. "IT WAS MY DAMN FAULT!!!" I started shouting so loud that Thunder was completely spooked and started running even faster, faster than Julie-Su could mange.
"Whoa girl, whoa!" After a minute or so, Thunder had calmed down enough for Julie-Su to get back in control. Turning to me she said, "I'm sorry if I brought painful memories up. Maybe we should just drop it." I shook my head.
"No, I came this far I might as well finish." She nodded slowly, understanding the need I felt to get this off my chest. "After the accident, my friend's sponsor wanted me exiled outright. The rest of the Assembly thought it a bit extreme for a 10 year old, but agreed that I had been reckless and my cavalier attitude nearly killed my two best friends."
"So they finally settled on a compromise of sorts. I was not allowed to live with other chameleons and that's why my home is on the outskirts of Rainbow Valley. I can't live with my people, though I'm not actually denied the right to talk to and be with other chameleons outside the Valley. But as for contact with my people INSIDE the Valley is severely limited. I'm effectively a persona non grata among most of my people."
"I hear that." Julie-Su said sympathetically. "But why the big secret? It's not like Knuckles or I are that ignorant of what it's like to be alone."
"I know, but it was just too....personal."
"You know I'm here for you. If you ever want to talk some more, you know where to find me, that goes for the others too."
"Thanks, I guess I needed this. If I feel like I need to talk, I'll come to you. Until then, I'd appreciate your keeping this conversation discrete." She smiled.
"Okay, but don't feel like you need to hide from everyone, camouflage or no camouflage."
"Right."
"Just one other thing Espio."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Has Knuckles always vanished whenever he feels like it?"
"Yeah. He's the kinda guy who likes to be alone a lot...Every now and then Knuckles just goes off on his own, staying out of sight unless something happens!"
"You'd think he'd at least tell his friends where he can be found!" I was about to reply when I saw something in the bushes.
"HOLD IT, JULIE-SU!!!" I grabbed the reigns which stopped Thunder, but the scared pasha gave out a loud cry of, "EEEEEAAAHHH!" and threw us both off.
"Uughh!" I said as I landed.
"Ooof!" Julie-Su replied. "ESPIO!!! HAVE YOU GONE NUTS?!!" She demanded.
"Far from it!" I replied. "Unfortunately for you, you're not a chameleon so you haven't the means to know what to look for!" I hate being right. In the bushes, camouflaged of course, was an old chameleon I knew. "Hello, Barney! You don't look so hot! What's going on?"
He feebly got up and panted, "Get-AWAY from-here, son!"
"Get away from who?"
"I've never seen anything quite-like it! All shiny-and hard! Run-away--" He passed out.
"Barney!!! We have to get him to a doctor, Julie-Su!" She nodded.
"I can do it! Let's saddle him on my pasha! I'll take him directly to the Echidnaopolis Med Center!"
"Just be careful, Julie-Su!" If whatever attacked Barney was still around, then Julie-Su couldn't protect Barney and herself at the same time. And truth be told, she's one of the first people I've truly began to trust, hell I even started to LIKE her, which is really odd for someone as cold-blooded as me.
"No problemo! You just take care yourself!"
"I'll be fine!" I said, more to myself than her. 'I wish I could've said more--but my kind rarely interact with outsiders! I get enough grief as it is just hanging with the guys!' I sighed and decided to bite the bullet. "All right, guys! You can come out! The coast is clear!" Several chameleons chose to reveal themselves at that moment.
"Why did you bring that female echidna with you, Espio? Your taste in friends leave a lot to be desired!" A familiar voice said.
"Actually, I hadn't planned to drop on, but since I'm here....Perhaps someone can explain what happened to Barney, Liza."
"Maybe...But you might not like what you hear." She answered.
'Too late,' I thought with some annoyance. Out loud I said, "I don't like it already......"
************************************************************************
"I knew I wouldn't like it." I muttered. Two hours later and I found a roboticized Valdez, who in turn, roboticized Liza. I was forced to beat Valdez myself in order to save the chameleons and everyone else on the Floating Island.
Since that happened, the captive chameleons were freed and after a brief call, the EST showed up and took out the two SWATbots and managed to put the roboticized Liza in stasis. I had tried to talk to Constable Remington about what would happen to her, but had been rebuffed by some subordinate officer who was probably upset at missing his coffee break. So I just sat there, brooding.
"'You'll be fine,' huh?" I turned around to find Julie-Su standing behind me. "I don't think this came out 'fine,' do you?"
"Not now Julie-Su," I said more tired than angry. "I'm really not in the mood for this."
"Sorry. I just came to tell you that the doctors say Barney will be fine. He'll be released in a day or two."
"That's good." Relieved to hear some good news today. "You hear from the constable yet?" She nodded. "And?"
She sighed. "The EST doesn't know how to restore the will of a roboticized Mobian, let alone completely deroboticize them; any more than the Freedom Fighters do. I'm sorry. And as for Valdez, there's no sign of him at all."
"Damn it! First Valdez, then Liza, I guess someone just likes the idea of me without any friends."
"I'M your friend, Espio. So is Knuckles, Mighty, Charmy, even Vector."
"Lucky me." I muttered. "That's twice Valdez gets a trip through the wringer."
"Twice? What was the...first...time...? Valdez was the one, wasn't he? He was your best friend, his injury was the reason why you got booted out. And Liza, Liza was your other best friend, I'd bet. Am I right?" I nodded, knowing she would've put the pieces together sooner or later.
"Yeah. Valdez, Liza, and I were the best of friends when we were younger. When we went exploring, Valdez was injured and prompted the Assembly to exile me." Julie-Su was silent for a moment. Then she shook her head.
"No. I don't buy it." I looked at her. "If Valdez was as cautious as you say, then he wouldn't have joined the Secret Service and volunteered to hold back a horde of Shadow-bots, would he?" I frowned.
"People change Julie-Su. You did."
"That's a glib answer. And a poor attempt to change the subject. You weren't the one who dragged Valdez and Liza there were you? It was Valdez, wasn't it?" She demanded. I was getting angry.
"So what if it was?" I demanded hotly. She was getting upset too.
"Because it means that you were exiled for no reason! You got in trouble for someone else's actions! Why didn't you tell the Assembly?! Why are you willing to suffer the punishment for a crime you never committed?!"
"Because he's MY friend, THAT'S why! Maybe you can't appreciate that since you didn't make any in the Legion, but they are my last ties to my people! Besides! Do you know what they would have done to Valdez if I hadn't...!"
"What?! What would've happened?! A slap on the wrist?!"
"NO!!! They would've thrown him off of the Floating Island, that's what!" THAT certainly seemed to have an effect on Julie-Su.
"They would've-would've.......killed him?"
"No. But they wouldn't have let him stay ANYWHERE on the Floating Island. Not Rainbow Valley, not anywhere. The protégé to an Assembly Leader, and a prominent one at that, should not have been so reckless. It would reflect poorly on him and his mentor. They would consider it an embarrassment." Julie-Su looked ill
"They'd throw a 10-year old out on his own? That's-that's...just wrong." I nodded. I was never a fan of the Assembly's rules and there was CERTAINLY no love lost between the Assembly and myself.
"That's why I had to take the blame. I told the Assembly it was MY fault. I wasn't a protégé of any leader so my punishment wouldn't be as extreme."
"Did they know that you were lying?"
"Without a doubt. But it was an easy way out that helped the Assembly save face, prevent a major scandal, and probably saved Valdez's life." She still looked mad.
"And that makes it okay? Did Valdez ever object to you taking the blame? Or did he happily go along with this sham too?"
"For your information, both he and Liza tried to talk me out of it. They even appeared before the Assembly, but the Assembly wanted an easy solution and I offered them one. Even after a decision had been rendered, they kept trying to convince the others that I was innocent. They refused to listen. I guess that's when Valdez got fed up with the Assembly."
I continued, "So when St. John offered him a job off of the island, he took it. Valdez always grumbled about his missions, the commander, and swearing an oath to a foreign king he had no real love for, but the reality of all of it is, that he relished his life as an agent because it got him away from the Assembly. So again, it's my fault."
"You can't believe that." She said softly.
"Why not? It's true isn't it? I couldn't keep him safe when we were ten, and when I thought I was protecting him, I prompted him into joining the Secret Service that got him roboticized. Now I killed him, and got Liza involved too. So, yes it is my fault!"
"Espio...." I turned my back to her and stared straight ahead into the forest. "Please, will you listen for a moment?" I didn't answer, why should I? What could she possibly say that would make things all right again?
"Like I said before, I'm here for you. You're my friend and I'll help you. So will the others. But you have to gives us a chance. Not every problem has to be solved by yourself. That's why you have friends. Look, I know this hurts, and yes I have been where you are. And from personal experience I can tell you that blaming yourself will not help." I flinched slightly as she laid her hand on my shoulder. "Okay?"
I sighed and nodded, slowly. "Thank you, Julie-Su. I'm sorry for flying off the handle before, this is just going to take time." She nodded.
"I'm sorry too. We'll wait for however long it takes for you to sort this out. And we are ready to help at any time."
"Thank you." That was all I could manage. "You know, for a former terrorist, you seem pretty good at this whole "that's what friends are for" thing. Where'd you get THAT from?" I said smirking. She smiled back.
"That's my secret." She turned to walk away when she paused.
"Oh and if I can ask one last thing Espio?" I nodded. "Well since chameleons can change their skin color I was wondering....is that your real color or is it just what you happen to like right now?" Now I smiled.
"That's MY secret Julie-Su." I answered. 'But not my last one.'
END