The streets of Mearyn were the most crowded that Rouge had ever seen. Granted, she hadn't been here that long but it was a sight still a bit overwhelming to see nonetheless. Countless impoverished families, military officials, and government delegates swarmed all around just outside of Phaidra's home. Orders were being shouted over the confusion and slight panic that had engulfed the city.
"What do ya think's going on?" Vector asked her. He was standing a few feet behind her, and for the first time since he had been rescued, he was paying attention to something other than his headset.
"They're trying to rush everyone in one direction," Rouge observed, lifting up corner of a window curtain and peering outside. "It looks like some kind of city-wide gathering." Draping the curtain back over the window, she turned to face Vector. "I don't know about you, croc-face, but I've had just about enough of being kept in the dark about what's really happening. I say we follow everyone and see what's up."
"Are you kiddin'?" Vector roused. "There ain't no way I'm throwing myself in that cesspool! Besides, Phaidra told us to stay here!"
"Which is why we keep out of sight," Rouge reasoned. "If we stay off the main routes, we should be perfectly fine."
"We don't know the main routes, Rouge!" Vector protested. "We go out there, we're takin' a serious risk. We can't help Knuckles if we're captive again!"
"Yea, and hiding like lost little bunnies is really helping," Rouge answered sarcastically. "Stay if here if you want, I'm going out there and seeing what this is all about." Rouge turned to the stairs leading up to the roof of the house, and Vector heard the ceiling trap door open a few seconds after. Sighing heavily, he followed her with discontent.
"When she's right, she's right," he grumbled.
The noise of the large crowd outside radiated an energy that Phaidra had never witnessed before. Roaring, shouting, cheering all at once just beyond Targes' estate boundaries.
What has he done? Phaidra asked himself over and over again as he and Esmee approached the front gates. They were heavily guarded, with several Echidnas demanding to know what was going on. Sadly, none of them had any political influence, and it was only when Phaidra managed to make his way through the crowd did the guards move to open the gate.
"High seer Phaidra will enter! Everyone else stay back!"
The officials had their weapons ready and despite outnumbering them, the civilians did as they were told, though with much unrest and impatience.
"She will come too," Phaidra motioned toward Esmee. "She is his niece, after all." The guard just nodded and let them through. They were subsequently escorted by four guards into the front of the mansion, and through to the back courtyard. It was covered by thick vines and mint-like grasses on its side walls, and was decorated by marble-esque statues of past important political figures from Mearyn's history.
"Did you see the atrium?" Esmee whispered to Phaidra as they stepped outside. "It's such an awful mess. What could have happened?"
"What happened, you ask?" a confident voice boasted from the small cluster of figures in the centre of the courtyard. Esmee flinched at the realization that she had been heard. Several seers and elites stepped aside to reveal Dr. Eggman, Targes, and another white colored Echidna with a slender yet fit looking frame. It was Eggman who had spoke, and he continued.
"An event that will guide several generations. A beginning of new era. A new Mearyn. One that will take back its glory days," Eggman stated triumphantly.
"By bringing someone back from those times," Targes interjected. "It was difficult, but we have persevered. Through all our planning and obstacles, we have accomplished the near impossible." His face looked to everyone when he said this, and although Phaidra had not taken his eyes off the white Echidna, Esmee looked around and saw every member of the seers' council, including the third high seer Xanthe, was present. Phaidra continued to look in both recognition and fear at what Targes and his followers had resurrected.
"Targes," he said slowly and barely above a whisper. "What…what did you do?" Targes, who had now been looking in deep admiration at the white echidna, moved his eyes on Phaidra and narrowed them in irritation and anger.
"I have done what was necessary, you incompetent old fool," he snapped, aggression stinging in his voice. "I will not pussyfoot with you in the political arena anymore. You will submit to what must come to pass, or you will be-"
"That will be enough," the white echidna spoke gracefully, and Targes was immediately silent. She moved from Targes' side toward the direct center of the courtyard, slightly closer to where Phaidra and Esmee were standing. "My name is Vesper. Many of you may know of me from a different time. A time where not one Mearyn child went hungry. A time where minimal Mearyn blood was spilt on the battlefield. This was my reality," she spoke with a raised, clear tone.
"However, this land is not how I left it," Vesper went on. "War, destruction, and societal decay has plagued this realm and eroded away its very foundations. I have seen this from afar, and though I wanted to intervene, but was unable. My essence was trapped in limbo within the ether for centuries. I was powerless in this form. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Eggman and Targes, I have been able to enter this world once again."
"And you…intend to make this territory as it was in your day? And what of the Gorbies?" Xanthe asked her. Vesper looked over at her and flashed an affectionate smile.
"That is indeed my intention. But I alone will not do this. Together, we can overcome our tribulations. I have faced the cold darkness of other territories and all sorts of creatures and…I have won. And now, if you'll have me, I will do so again. I have an everlasting bond with the energy of time and space, and Dr. Eggman has chaos conversion and immense machinery at his disposal. The very fact that I stand resurrected before you is proof of this. With our abilities and your strength and determination, we can take back what is ours!"There were murmurs of agreement and excitement from the crowd, while only Phaidra and Xanthe looked unsure of how to respond.
"Oh, I nearly forgot," Vesper laughed softly. "There is someone else I need to recognize here tonight." She turned to her left and outstretched her delicate-looking hand. "Knuckles," she beckoned gently. Phaidra widened his eyes at the sight of Knuckles appearing between two of the onlooking seers, and walking towards Vesper. He took her and raised both their arms towards the sky.
"You see?" Vesper told them. "When Knuckles first arrived here, he was as aggressive and pessimistic as any of you. But he has embraced the purpose of his arrival; to help his own kind. He and I are twins in our mission to guide and protect Mearyn."
"And soon, we will not only be twins, but one completely," Knuckles expressed calmly. As Phaidra looked at him more closely, he fully noticed how different the once brash, slightly naïve Knuckles had changed since the last time he saw him. There was little to no emotion in his voice at all, and his eyes had a glazed over appearance to them. "I finally know now. This is why I was brought here."
"Knuckles…you don't remember?" Phaidra asked desparingly, after a few seconds of silence. Knuckles looked at him blankly.
"You tried to set me loose when I first arrived. You tried to stop me from restoring this place," Knuckles recapped. "You will not be able to interfere anymore. Vesper and I will fulfill our destiny."
"But she is working with Dr. Eggman!" Esmee cried out. "He's your enemy! He's tried to kill you and your friends many times! Rouge told me all-"
"Rouge?" Targes roared. "That-that foreigner bitch is still alive? And you've been talking to her!" Esmee promptly shut her mouth as Phaidra looked from Targes and the others back to Esmee while backing himself and her away slowly.
No sooner had Targes finished talking about Rouge then out of the corner of Phaidra's eye, she appeared. She had her spy mask on, and had Phaidra not sent her to rescue Vector, he very well might not have recognized her at all. She was crawling stealthily along the thick vine growth of the high stand stone walls, and because of the cover of darkness, she actually blended in quite well. She looked over and winked at him before jumping off the wall into a front handspring behind one of the many statues without making a sound. Phaidra only looked at her for a second so as to not draw attention, and moved his gaze back to Targes, who continued to rant.
"You are just like your stubborn, delinquent sister!" Targes fumed. "I should have had you both exiled!"
"But you will not exile her," Vesper said. "Not without giving her a choice. All will have a choice. Join us, young one, or be against us. It is your decision."
"And indeed, it isn't a smart move to oppose us," Eggman coaxed sneeringly. "Trust me, I'm a winning team kind of guy."
"A choice?" Phaidra disdained. "And what if we decline your offer? I know all about you, Vesper. I am fully aware of the things you've done for the so-called 'greater good,' and I will not be a part of it."
"Neither will I," Esmee added. There was a flash of intensity in Vesper's body composure at this, a sort of murderous impulse that came and went as quick as lightening, but when she spoke, the flowing sincerity remained.
"Then I am sorry," she cooed. "You knowledge would have been a great asset. Imprison them until they feel…enlightened," she told the guards that had led them in.
At that moment, Rouge sprang forth from her hiding place, flip-flopping past the small crowd of seers, and placed herself in front of Phaidra and Esmee. Removing her mask, she addressed the startled group standing in the middle of the courtyard.
"Aww Targes, throwing a get-together and you didn't bother to invite me? I'm crushed," Rouge said with a slight laugh before going into a defensive stance. "You're not taking them anywhere."
"How are you still alive?" Eggman demanded. "Can't I ever be rid of you people?"
"We just keep comin' back for more!" a new voice said. Eggman whipped his head around as Vector appeared in the courtyard, fully ready to defend Phaidra and Esmee as well.
"You-How can-kill them! Kill them now!"Targes shrieked at the guards.
"No," Vesper commanded coolly. "This is an excellent opportunity for Knuckles to prove himself." She turned toward her newfound "brother", who took a few steps towards Phaidra and Esmee.
"Vector, get them out of here," Rouge whispered to him. "I'll try to get through to Knuckles." Vector sighed and nodded.
"He doesn't look himself Rouge. Be careful," he warned, before abruptly picking up the two echidnas, and plowing through a bunch of guards back the way he came with ease. Targes looked like he was about to call for backup, when both Eggman and Vesper stopped him.
"Let them go," she said. "We will deal with them in due time." She turned again to Knuckles, who was now closing in on Rouge.
"Knuckles, if you have any sense left at all, then listen to me!" Rouge urged. "Think about what you're doing! Do you really think a promise from Eggman about some kind of utopia will come without a price?"
"How dare you?" Knuckles chided. "You will not prevent our grand design. We will stop this world's suffering, one way or another."
"At what cost? You know there are other ways!"
"This is the only way," Knuckles reaffirmed. "We will help others, not do harm. You have caused enough trouble here already by just thinking about yourself, as usual." Rouge paused for a moment and then shook her head.
"I don't know what they did to you, but I am sorry," Rouge answered with regret. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything."
"So am I," Knuckles said, crouching down. "I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner."
With that, he sprung forward with his right fist outstretched, slamming it into the ground where Rouge stood.
AN: So, all the OC's have finally been introduced. And it looks like Rouge is in a bit of trouble! Oh, and you know that review button at the bottom of the page? It makes me so very happy when you press it :D