VOOALV
(Veil)


Flowers transcend life. Their beautiful scent carries through the centuries. This has been known to many who have touched them, smelled them. They do not change.
Even as they bloom in my hands, this power I've figured out on my own. All I do is cup my hands over a dying flower - any flower, roses or dandelions - and within an instant they are in full bloom, made young again.
I know this is part of my new power. It must course through me like Knuckles' does. Something, while Knuckles and I lingered next to each other all of those years, sharing the same space and the same power, the same warmth, somehow, like children share a mother's womb as they grow.
A ridiculously strange comparison, and a
really dumb idea, I know, but I really do feel like I've been reborn. It's almost as if breaking free from the crystalline ice was coming out of incubation. Or inoculation. I'm not sure which. Not matter which word it's supposed to be, I feel changed.
But things must change. I know this for a fact. I'm not a flower, so I know I have changed. Yet nothing else has.
I wonder why, why everything has stayed the same. What has happened? Has something happened that no one on this planet knows about? Have I, has Knuckles been transformed so much that not even our own flesh and blood…..not even Knuckles' mother…..can recognize us unless we disclose intimate words which only we could know in secret? Or….what are we missing?
I discovered my while I was with Knuckles last night. I was angered over what happened, and in my anger I had held my hands around a cracked vase. In my hand, I suddenly felt the vase glue itself together. Lo and behold, presto change-o! I felt the power surge as it completed the job. The vase looked as if it had just been bought.
I had reason to be mad, and it still lingers. We were unrecognizable to everyone we met in Knothole. Even when we went to see Lara-Le, she didn't know who we were. She didn't know her own son. It was horrible. Knuckles convinced her, but it still hurts. It's almost like the power we have is the very thing that is preventing us from being seen for who we
really are. The same people….just hopefully changed for the better.
Is this - anonymity to all - the price we have to pay for our rebirth?


----------------------

Morning began to break upon the silent populace of the city. The sun, a commodity not always loved by the people, had become a symbol of hope for the people of Albion, especially in the wake of an enemy that overrode the city with vines. Rumors had begun to circulate who was responsible - Eggman, for one. The Dark Legion, another possibility that wasn't a surprise. There was another person thought to be a possible suspect, some strange echidna whom supposedly had ties of sorts to both the Dark Legion and Eggman. But for the moment, seeking responsibility wasn't on the minds of many of the Albion echidnas. Most were simply praising the light of the sun, through their hard work in cleaning up the vines.
Even in the sunlight, however, one building seemed to be completely shuttered - the towering Albion Hall of Justice, home to both the Echidna Justices and the Albion Echidna Council. There was a score of secret activities occurring - many of them stemming from an incident with Echidnapolis that the Council wished not to leak until all of the evidence was in as to its fate. It was on the fourth floor where much of this virtually round-the-clock discussion was happening.
It was also on the fourth floor where a certain brown echidna swaggered back and forth, avoiding the oncoming hall traffic that stood between him and his intended target. After having to stand aside for others, he finally came upon an impressive set of gold-plated double doors, with frame carvings depicting heroes and villains alike. A picture of Albion's greatest hero, Steppenwolf, hung above the door, a true portrait of an echidna who truly stood for the ideals all Councilors hoped to stand by - truth, justice, peace.
The hand slowly turned the gold doorknob.
Here we go…. The brown echidna gave a sigh. Let's hope….
He slowly opened the door. Inside, the large, spacious office was shuttered to the outside world. The room was completely dark.

"Is it all affirmative?"
"Affirmative." A hazy face replied on a screen behind a large desk.
"Good." The answer came from the chair at the desk. "We'll keep in touch."
"Yes, Councilor."

The screen turned off, the lights turned on, and Gala-Na's face slowly turned in the chair to face the intruder at her door.

"Yes." The tone of her voice towards the visitor was more or less bored. "Antithesis, what do you want?"
"Gala-Na."

The brown echidna timidly walked towards the councilor, his head down. Taking a crumbled sheet of paper out of his glove, he handed it to her.

"The inquiry you ordered, Gala-Na."
"Thank you, Antithesis."

Gala-Na rudely snatched it from his hands and checked it over. Nodding as she read, she handed the paper back.

"Good. Though," the purple eyes turned up critically towards the brown echidna. "You really should consider finding a better way of transporting important documents."
"Yes, Gala-Na."
"And stop calling me Gala-Na."
"Ga-"
"Stop." The purple eyes suddenly seemed angered. "Antithesis, I order you to stop. As your boss."
"Yes….." Antithesis looked down. "……Councilor."
"It's all right." At that, the tone of his boss's voice became less condescending and more official. "Now, back to your station. I have some business to attend to."

With a nod, Antithesis left. Closing the door behind him, he gave a sigh.
I wonder…is something wrong….?

"Hey!" he heard a voice down the hall. "Anti! Get in here and help me out!"
"Um…" The brown echidna tripped over himself as he ran. "Yes, sir!!!"

-

Inside the office, Gala-Na's fists clenched.

Iknew it….it is worse than I thought…
She opened a drawer and took out a piece of paper, angrily ripping it into shreds. She threw it in the garbage, the tiny pieces simply fluttering down.
I will get him…..and make him pay………….

-----------------------

Locke's feet padded silently on the floor as the sun slowly shined into the temple.
"Nothing huge." The voice of Ami's mother as she looked into the bedroom filled his ears. "Simply a broken ankle. Well, perhaps it is a terrible thing to have, but at least it wasn't her talice."
"Talice?"
"A certain connecting bone which transcends the ankle. Most people who break their talice must have surgery." Ami nodded to her mother. "Right, mother?"
"Yes. I put on some bandages, but if she needs anything with those, take care of it." Ami's mother looked at her watch and nodded. "Well. Morning comes so soon. We must be going, Ami."
"Of course, mother." Turning to Locke and Rei, "take good care of her."

With that, the two left the shrine. Rei looked at Locke, nodding.

"Interesting. Considering she got crushed by a tree."
"Indeed." Locke looked down. "She must be very strong."
"Luna seemed to have been shocked to see her."
"Luna?"
"The black cat…." Rei glanced into the room. "You said you were coming to give her something?"
"Oh. Yes, of course…."

With a sigh, Locke proceeded into the room. The girl lay on the straw bed, reading, her bandaged ankle propped up on some pillows. Her red hair cascaded down over the bed, nearly touching the floor.
Locke looked at her as she put the book down. There was something about her that made him go to her with the tea - which she didn't ask for - but nonetheless he had come to her. The feeling had set in when he rescued her, and it had not exactly died down since then. He knew he had felt the same way about another, long before, but as he tried to think of who it was he was stopped.
Forget. You said. Forget her. Forget her. Go on, you're not ready.
At Locke's entrance the girl looked up and smiled.

"Hello."
"Miss?"
"Hmm…?"
"Tea."
"Oh…thank you. I didn't ask for any…"

As Locke had predicted, the girl nevertheless took up the tea, slowly sipping it.

"Mmm." Locke watched as the girl closed her eyes, as if to savor the fumes. "I haven't had this for such a long time. Years, almost."
"It's…." Locke searched for the correct word. "A tra….relaxer."
"I can feel it working." The girl looked at Locke. "You can sit down, if you want. I'm not going to make you leave."
"Eh? Well…." For some reason, when he looked at the girl, Locke found himself short of words. "Of course…"

Locke slowly got to his knees. As he did, the pain in his stomach quietly flared up after hours of not appearing. He winced, but was easily able to hide his discomfort; the pain was brief and not severe.
Damn ants…

"You seem like a good, strong man, sir." The girl took another sip. Her voice became slightly raspy from the water. "What is your name?"
"My name?……My name is Locke."
"Locke. Do you have a last name?"
"My last…" Aino. My last name is Aino. Don't think about… "……Well, I…."
"Well, I suppose if you don't want to reveal it," The girl smiled at his seeming reluctance. "I won't ask for it. But Locke, it seems like a good name for an outsider." The girl looked down at her drink. "You can normally tell a person by their name, or the way they introduce themselves. That is what my mother taught me."
"Outsider?" Locke's eyes slightly widened at this comment.
"You seem like that type, just as I talk to you."
"Well…." Locke could feel his face turn red with slight embarrassment. This girl….putting me on the spot like this! How….. "I wouldn't say…I am that much of an outsider…"

The girl gave a laugh. Normally, Locke would have been insulted, even enraged, that someone directly called him an outsider. He hated being called an outsider, despite the fact he truly was for most of his life; he didn't like the way it singled him out. This time, however, there was something different in the way the girl said it. She said it in a playful tone; perhaps it was even respectful.

"My name is Kakyuu." The girl held out her hand. "It is wonderful to meet you, Locke, you who have been so kind to me these past hours."
"Yes…" Locke shook her hand. The girl smiled at his approach. "You…seemed to have traveling clothes on when I found you."
"Well," Kakyuu sipped her tea. "I am not from these parts. I came here to find a friend of mine….a friend who needs my help."
"Is that so?"
"Yes." Kakyuu looked at her foot, frowning. "I'm sorry. The doctor put the bandage on too tight. I know this will sound horrible of me…"
"I'd be happy to do it."

With speed that stunned him, given the situation he was asked to partake, Locke found himself at the foot of the bed, carefully taking Kakyuu's foot into his hands.

"Oooh…."
"Oh, dear." Locke looked up at the girl. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No…..my foot is painful, either way."
"Very well. So…" Locke unwrapped the bandages. "Your name is Kakyuu."
"Yes."
"You have come to the aid of a friend, you say?"
"Indeed." Kakyuu smiled. "Indeed."
"Who?"
"No one you might know of," the girl softly replied. "Someone to whom I owe a great debt."

The bandage was off, and Locke carefully looked at her ankle. It was puffy and red. As he began to wrap her ankle, he bent in closer, and found himself sniffing her foot as he worked.
Her foot smells….like some sort of flower…

"You….have lovely feet, Miss Kakyuu."
"Thank you." The compliment was obviously unexpected.
"They smell nice as well." Locke slowly rotated around the ankle. "Did you put something on?"
"No….that is….how I normally smell."
"……….Really….." Locke looked at Kakyuu, his face confused. "I….didn't know anyone could smell like this on a normal basis without any type of perfume."
"It…it takes some work…"

Kakyuu seemed to shift uncomfortably. Though he was normally slow with picking up signs of a bad conversation, Locke understood by her body language that her peculiar (Delicious, he involuntarily thought) body odor was a subject she would rather not talk of.

"So, you came here to look for your friend?" He immediately changed the subject.
"…..Yes."
"And, being a friend, that is how you knew to come here?"
"Yes. This was a place she frequented."
"She?"
"Yes."
"How did you come to this city on such short notice?"
"I…do not live so far away. I live in the countryside."
"I see…" Locke looked up at Kakyuu. "How does your ankle feel?"
"It feels much better."
"That's good." Locke wrapped another bandage around it. "Do you need anything else right now?"
"No." Kakyuu smiled again. "I'm fine. Thank you so much….Locke."
"Of…of course."

Feeling his face turn red, for reasons he couldn't quite figure out, Locke excused himself from the girl's presence.

------------------------

"How many more do we really have to do?"
"This is the last one, Knuckles. I promise."

The scan laser slowly rotated around Knuckles' body, powerful robot eyes only millimeters away from the echidna's skin. Dr. Quack watched as information began to pour in. Sighing, as he only could turn his head from side to side, Knuckles stared at the ceiling.

"I must find out how you aged so rapidly in such a short amount of time." Code numbers began to appear on the computer screen. "It's imperative that I find no side effects…"
"Doctor." Knuckles looked at the duck. "I told you before. This isn't premature aging, and there aren't any side effects."
"How do you know, Knuckles? Anything is possible."
"I…." Know because I know the power which transformed me is contains no malicious radiation? Know because something in that power lets me know that it's all right? How would I explain? "I just know." Looking back at the ceiling, "You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Maybe. Maybe not. But….Julie-Su as well…"
"Please. Don't experiment on her."
"This….well, I guess it is an experiment." Dr Quack sighed. "But there must be some way in knowing what is not allowing anyone to recognize you at first sight. Like if there was some sort of toxin that allowed you to age and change, or if the effects of the aging will wear off, or if it's the beginning of irreversible and rapid aging….from something."
"Doc!"

A loud voice from the hall suddenly came into the room. Reggae music filled the air, as did some off-beat humming and buzzing.

"Huh?" No way…..Oh no…..
"Hey!" Vector's voice was all too familiar, even after years of cyrogenic dormancy. "Doc, you called us in?"
"No, Vector…"
"It was Lara-Le, Vector." Mighty's voice penetrated. "She told us to come in here."
"What?" Dr. Quack seemed upset.
"She told us something was in here that we wanted to…" Espio's voice trailed off, only to reform into a gasp. "Great shades of …!!"
"Charmy?!"
"It……..KNUCKLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Chaotix turned to see Knuckles on the table. Dr. Quack saw their reaction as they stared - confused, then certain, then horrified.
Unusual….it's as if they didn't recognize him at all…. Dr. Quack silently noted. Very similar reactions to the mother and step-father…

"Kn……Knuckles?!"

The Chaotix simply kept staring at him. Knuckles turned his head on the table to look at them. Charmy, Vector and Mighty's eyes were wide with shock. Espio was nowhere to be seen.

"Uh…..hi, guys."
"Knuckles?!?" Vector's eyes grew wider. "Man, you look…..you look older!!!"
"I don't see a difference…" Mighty cocked his head. "Well….not from this angle…."
"Weird." Charmy looked at the others. "But at least he's alive."
"Yeah, that's good!" Vector laughed uneasily. "Say, I guess he's…sort of back to normal……of course, when we return to the island you'll have a lot of explaining to do with your dad and those guardians!"

Dad. The Brotherhood. The Island. Knuckles grimaced at the words.

"I don't know."
"What do you mean?" Espio's voice came out. "Your dad is probably worried with you in this form, wandering on Mobius. Does he even know you're off the island?"
"Y-yes…." Knuckles was barely able to keep his voice from shaking.
"Knuckles, you ok?" Charmy's face was concerned.
"Knuckles…"
"I'm fine, Doc." Knuckles quickly looked back up to the ceiling. "Just perfect. I'm sorry, but….I don't want to be rude, guys, but…"
"You want us to leave." Mighty's voice sunk. "Ok. It's fine with us."
"Hope you feel better." Charmy smiled.
"Yeah." Vector's sarcastic tone made Knuckles wince. "Good luck."

With that, the three left. Knuckles' dreadlocks twitched slightly.
They don't know….. Knuckles forced back his anger. It could be rectified later. They don't know….

"Espio?"
"Hm!!" The tone was surprised.
"You too."

----------------------------

"Mmmmmm…."

Julie-Su stretched as she submerged herself into the lake water. Her body had been completely dirty, bloodied and salty from the past several days of trekking - through the warp, then in the ocean, then the barbs that had held her on her way to Knothole. It was a relief to finally be alone with her thoughts, cleaning herself. She noticed also, as she stayed in the water, the water itself began to ripple around her, cleaning itself, until the entire lake was completely clear. Fish began to jump up into the sky.
Haaaaaah….

"Are you mocking me?"

I don't understand…..

With a sigh, Julie-Su stood up in the water, reaching for her towel on one of the rocks as she began to walk towards land.
We are the same… Julie-Su rubbed her hair dry. We are the same….only older…..but no one…..when we came he-

"HEEEEY!!!!!!"

The loud shout caused her to scream, dropping her towel from her hands. The shout also caused several nesting birds to fly away, scared by the broken silence of their sanctuary.

"Uaaaaah!!!"
"Yo!!!" The voice's origin came from above. "Julie-Su! Up here!!"

Julie-Su looked up over her head to see a blue hedgehog on one of the higher rocks. Her eyes widened in shock.

"S-Sonic?!?"
"WOW!!!" Sonic whistled. "Someone's been using Miracle-Gro on their unmentionables!"
"What?!?!"
"Hah!!! What are you doing off the Island?!"
"What are you talking about? And…." A thought suddenly dawned on Julie-Su as she picked up her towel. "Wait! How did you know it was me?!"
"Huh? What kind of question is that?!" Sonic jumped off the rock, landing in front of Julie-Su. "How else would I have known it was you?"
"Well, I…..did Sally tell you who I was?!"
"Uh….no?" Sonic's eyebrow crimped. "I figured it out on my own while I was watching you."
"How long have you been watching me?"
"Weeell…" Sonic scratched his head. "I don't know. But the moment I saw you bathing….which was a pleasurable experience, I must admit…"
"D'oh!"
"Yee!" Sonic ducked Julie-Su's hand. "I knew it was you, right? Why would Sally need to tell me something I can figure out on my own?"
"Why would….."Julie-Su stared at Sonic.
"What's wrong?"
"How…..how…" Julie-Su shook her head. "It doesn't make sense! How is it you can instantly recognize me, but almost everyone else in Knothole thought Knuckles and I were imposters?!"
"Huh? Knux, here?" Sonic's smile twitched. "Well, if you ask me I think what threw them off about you-"
"Don't even." Julie-Su glared at the hedgehog.
"Well," Sonic looked confused. "Seriously…yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense. I haven't been around you as long as she has. Did, uh, Knux's mom and Watch Maker know who you guys were?"
"You mean Wynmacher. And no, they didn't recognize us either."
"Wow." Sonic's eyes widened. "That's unusual. Maybe I should talk to Sal about that, cause that's just….weird."
"She seems stressed. Considering how she might feel about that, it might not be the best idea.-"
"Now, Julie-Su, you know how I am around her."

Before Julie-Su could rebut his idea, Sonic sped off in a burst of speed. Shaking her head, Julie-Su slapped her forehead.

"That's……what I'm talking about……"

----------------------------

"What?!?"
"The injured girl…." Luna took a breath. "Is indeed a friend of Usagi's."
"Truly?" Rei looked at Luna as the inners walked towards Crown Arcade. "I never saw her before."
"I have." Luna gave a sigh. "I think I will explain when the time is right. Now, however, is not the time."
"Right." Ami looked at the sky. "Will this fog ever clear up? Will people ever be on the streets again?"
"Eventually. But maybe it might get better when Usagi returns…."
"We shouldn't exactly pin all of our hopes to her."
"It might be our only thing to do, Luna…."

Rei's voice trailed off, and a hint of sadness crept into it as well.

"Rei…."
"…..How is…..Locke doing?" Minako quickly changed the subject. "He's taking care of Usagi's friend?"
"Yeah." Rei sighed. "I don't know why, but I've been feeling something around him. I….I think something is wrong with him."
"Wrong with him?"
"Well…..not………I'm not sure what…."
"That's not a shock."

The new voice started the group, who looked behind them. Haruka leaned on a lamp post, her head down.

"Given that he's responsible for the debacle that destroyed our planet, Rei." Haruka looked up. "I'd see something wrong with him as well."
"Haruka!" Makoto's eyes squinted in shock. "It wasn't him. It was Atrava."
"Maybe so," Haruka shook her head. "But you 'inner guardians' are forgetting, he led us to his son, and a trap, as well as kidnapped our princess with the intention of harming her."
"He must have had his reasons. Usagi wouldn't have trusted him otherwise."
"You don't get it, do you?!" Haruka's eyes furrowed. "He attacked us. He insulted us. He hurt our princess, dragged her halfway around the world and nearly had her killed! He has put this planet in such grave peril! And Usagi trusts everyone she meets, so it's not a surprise tha-"
"I wouldn't speak such things of that man."

Haruka turned to see Luna. Her red eyes squinted angrily at the soldier.

"Luna! You, as well?!"
"Yes." The cat kept her eyes on Haruka. "He is a man who would risk himself before risking others. His life is in grave turmoil right now, and I don't think blaming him for every wrong in the world will help."
"How would you know, Luna!" Haruka's mouth nearly dropped in shock. "He is from another world; he obviously came here to save us for a reason other than those he stated. I can sense it in him; he is dangerous, he has a darkness around him that is fearful and foreboding. He's cursed with his own incurable vices. Surely you must see this, Luna!"
"You don't think I can see that?" Luna's head shook. "But you are overlooking other things. The blood that courses through his veins, that is noble and righteous."
"Don't be a philosopher, Luna!" Haruka turned away. "What does his blood have to do with anything good? How will his blood help the crying families who have to live in the streets?! The people who spent more time working honestly than that…that….sugar daddy ever could have?!"
"It has everything to do with it!" Luna raised her voice in a way the soldiers never heard before. "What was instilled in his blood before his conception was even thought of is the key to saving those families, those hard-working people!"

Haruka turned back to Luna, her expression shocked. The inners looked at Luna as well, their faces distorted with confusion.

"What…?"
"Luna, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing." Luna turned away. "It is nothing you would be interested in."
"I am interested. Tell me."
"Haruka."

Everyone turned to see Setsuna standing on the sidewalk.

"We all have a right to be angry." Setsuna was obviously upset, though her voice did not reflect it. "Our city is devastated by power. But you have no right to talk about that man like that behind his back."
"Setsuna-"
"I would have thought better of your handling this, Haruka." Setsuna closed her eyes. "But hatred isn't going to lead you anywhere. It will only make it worse."
"Setsuna…." Haruka's eyes furrowed again. "I understand you're trying to help me. But you saw what that man did. I can never forgive him, no matter what. And I'll let that old man know every time I see him."
"That's your business, I suppose, if you never want to see him in a better light." Setsuna opened her eyes again, her pupils almost seeming to have a look of pity in them. "But hear me out. This is blind hate, disregarding of other elements of circumstance. You can't let it consume you. It has consumed so many, here and in other places, and it will never lead to anything but tragic consequences. If you start down that path…"

Setsuna's words trailed off.

"Setsuna?"
"I'll be fine." Haruka simply turned away. "Mark my words. I'll be proven right."

With an angry huff, Haruka marched off.

-------------------------

Knuckles' feet shuffled through the forest, his head down. The sun was to the east, slowly beginning its day trek. The echidna's mind, however, lay in thoughts of the night.
Recognition incognito…

"Knuckles."

Knuckles felt a push on his back. He turned to see Tails looking up at him.

"It's about time you came back. What are you doing?"
"T-Tails?!" Knuckles' eyes widened. "You…knew who I was…"
"Of course I did." Tails looked confused. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I…well…….never mind." No use trying to explain. "I'm looking for something out of place to prove…..a point."
"A point?"
"Yeah."
"What kind of point?"
"No point, kid. Just….well, no point you'd be interested in."
"So you're just looking for something."
"….Yeah."
"Something like this?"

Tails bent down and picked something up, handing it to Knuckles. Knuckles stared at it for a moment, silently analyzing it.

"Something…….." Knuckles' eyes widened, amazed. "Yeah, kid."
"Honestly?"
"This is exactly what I needed."
"That's good to know."
"I……I……thanks!"

Without another word, Knuckles bolted away from Tails and ran towards Knothole.

-----------------------

The clicking of the keyboard was all that was in the room for almost an hour.

HELLO, SALLY.
"Hi, Nicole."
IS SOMETHING WRONG?
"No….nothing, Nicole."
I THINK YOU'RE LYING TO ME, SALLY. IT'S ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN TELL ME.

Tell, you what, Nicole? The thoughts of the past night rankled in Sally's head. That I almost killed Knuckles? That something's wrong with both him and Julie-Su? That a friend I parted from with slight animosity is now……..different? For no reason I can figure out?

"Well….I-"
"HEY, SAL!!!!"

Sally jumped up and screamed as the hands came down on her shoulders. She turned around, throwing a punch as she did. Nicole dropped to the floor, clattering across as she did.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?!?"
"Woah, WOAH!!!" Sonic jumped back. "I was just coming in to see you."
"That is NOT the way to come see me!" Sally's teeth were clenched. "I'm sorry, but I'm under a lot of stress, and I don't need you popping in at any given time and scaring me, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I….um, I apologize." Sonic looked uneasily at the princess. "But…this is something that kind of can't wait."
"What is it?"
"Um……you know Julie-Su's here, right?"

Sally's face fell at Sonic's words. She shook her head and picked up Nicole.

"Yes. I know."
"And you know Knuckles is too."
"Yes." Sally turned away. "Let me guess. Someone told you, and you're going to complain about Knuckles."
"………No." Sonic's stunned and indignant tone surprised the princess. "Actually, I could care less that Knuckles is here. I'm actually worried about you. Julie-Su told me you couldn't recognize them when they came here."
"………..No. No one in Knothole could."
"I could."
"Really."
"Yeah." Sonic looked down. "I saw Julie-Su a little while ago. I knew who she was. I didn't need any flashing neon signs to figure out who she was. But she told me that I was the first one to know who she was without her having to beg recognition out of her."

The last sentence was slightly sharp coming out of Sonic's mouth.

"Oh…..that's……" Sally shook her head again. "Look. I………"
"Sal…all I want to know is-"
"Why I didn't know who they were?" Sally turned back around. "You saw Julie-Su! She looked so different. She's aged six years; that's what she told me."
"Yeah, but I still knew who she was."
INDEED. THAT IS MOST UNUSUAL THAT YOU RECOGNIZED THE PINK ECHIDNA, SONIC.
"I…I don't know…." Sally plopped down. "I……it……it was just so weird."
"What was weird?"
"…….Their appearance." Sally looked down, rubbing her hands through her hair. "It……when I saw them for the first time I……it was completely gone from me. They looked nothing like themselves. And then Knuckles started talking, and……it was like…..shifting."
"Shifting?"
"Their faces. Like a shadow of a face….a magic, a veil." Sally shuddered. "Then, Knuckles mentioned ….something that only I knew…..and suddenly, when I opened the door of the tent, it was almost as if……."
"Yeah?"
"Now this is going to sound crazy if it didn't before….." Sally chuckled. "It was as if the moon shined on his face and…melted whatever was covering his face. And then I saw who he really was."
"Mmm hmm."
"Crazy, yeah. I know."
"Mmmmm hmmmmmmm……."

Sonic put his arm around Sally, and the two leaned back on the seat. Staring up at the tent ceiling, Sonic's mind doubted that Sally's notion was really all that crazy. In fact, it almost seemed, as Sonic felt in his gut, to be the only thing out of everything that made sense.