The following Characters are owned by Ken Penders(King Gong, Dark Legion, and Lien-Da(referenced)), Ian Flynn(Shinobi Clan), Michael Gallagher(Barby Koala) and Frank Storm(Monkey Khan, Lau Khan, Li Yuen). Also I think the four clans are owned by all of these people one way or another. If I'm wrong on any of them, please correct me.
Chapter 1: A daring escape
Mobius, Dragon Kingdom, 14 years ago...
Crickets chirped in the night over what appeared to be a calm evening in the Dragon Kingdom. The dark green and yellowed stone infrastructure and buildings with carvings of what to the overlanders would have been known as Chinese Dragons, carved into the ancient walls and infrastructures. It gave the country a sense of culture and a peaceful vibe. Stone footpaths laid and led all around the villages and cities surrounded by lush grass any outdoors person could only dream of. The moon basked its light over the stone works and structures, creating a setting one could easily relax to. That was if any had come not knowing what had happened in recent years.
For what had once been a peaceful and harmonious city had been conquered and the throne taken by bloodshed. But not by other countries like Mobotropolis, ruled by the seemingly fair but racially and social status misguided King Maximilian Acorn. Nor the sadistic and cruel leader that was Lien-Da of the terrorist group of Echidnas that had come to make themselves known as the Dark Legion. Rather, a brutal ambush from the inside by Lau Khans own brother. A brother who had been adopted into the family by his father Guowang Khan after the conquering of the land of Da Xingxing. The towering and merciless Gorilla ruler: Gong.
Gong despised his upbringing and the humiliating defeat and execution of his village and had only sought revenge since his "adoption". Many advisors and freedom fighters in service to both Lau and Guowang had warned them of Gong's rising influence in the nation, as well as the danger he posed when he rose to the rank of general. But their warnings fell only on deaf ears to both kings. One simply desiring more power, and the other pitying his past and only wishing to make amends for the past. Amends, in turn, falling on deaf ears to the gorilla who swiftly executed his brother and his wife, Hera Khan.
Not unknown to the cruel Gorilla, the king and queen had bore a son, an infant at the time of their murder. A son Gong would spare. However, it would not be to offer mercy. But to forge him into a weapon and then belittle him, as the child's parents had once done to him. Gong consulted the expertise of many scientists. Doctors and bio-engineers who would mold him. Reconstruct him. Rebuild him into the perfect cyborg. The results were beyond pleasing to the new king, the cyber enhancements granting the child enhanced strength, durability, and agility. All the while, keeping the appearance of a monkey. Of course the child was still an infant, and the infant suffered from the initial pains he did not understand having his entire skeleton and muscle replaced by machine. But Gong would have no mercy regardless. The second the infant could walk, Gong would throw the boy into the nearest and most ruthless gladiatorial pit to prove his worth or to die. A fate that the remaining underground freedom fighters could not allow.
Alarms blared throughout the city, red lights flashing urgently as Barby Koala, donning a crimson cloak, held the small and surprisingly heavy monkeylet and rushed through the footpaths as quickly as she could. Her expression also held a sense of urgency, the situation very obvious to her: A priority one target was now on her back. To make matters worse, from nearly the entire populace of the nation. The preteen and her groups fight against the current ruler hadn't been easy. Resources were limited, and they were without a doubt outnumbered. Much like the freedom fighters of Knothole, in fact. Only in this case, they didn't have a forest to hide in. Their bases of operation were either in plain sight, or in the literal underbelly of the Country.
But regardless of how little the odds or how thin their resources were spread, Barby couldn't allow this cruelty to continue any longer. Cyborg or not, the bundle in her arms was only an infant. Undeserving of the cruelties of King Gong or the punishment for the mistakes of his grandfather. The very fact that this child had survived any of the experiments conducted on him was nothing short of a miracle. It was cruel no matter what Gong saw as right. One way or another, she was getting this child out of here. And maybe, if the Lord Jesus Christ were to bless them enough through this nightmare, the young prince could return and repay the favor.
Barby's expression became alarmed as she and gazed down at the child who began making a ruckus in her arms. On instinct, the Koala covered his mouth and hid behind a statue, not daring to move a single muscle as she heard several guards run past the very statue, all in urgent search of the young prince. AS Barby kept herself and the baby quiet, she gazed down at the boy with an attempt at sternness.
"Sh! No! Bad!", the Koala told him.
What she got in response was a fearful and almost cowering expression as his eyes swelled with tears. Immediately the koala felt a pang of guilt and lowered her head with a sigh. What was she thinking? Though this young baby was indeed the rightful heir to the throne of the nation, would it really have been right to return the boy here to reclaim the throne? Back to a nation where he was tortured and pulled apart simply for who he was? Before the age of 16 no less, when all heirs were required to take their seat? And in the middle of a war? What kind of a life would that be to throw someone into? Would it even be right?
'The walkie talkie inside of her cloak, hanging off of her red belt suddenly screeched to let her know one of her team members were trying to contact her.
"Commander Barby, this is Li Yuen. Do you copy? Did you get the child?"
Barby quickly raised the walkie talkie to her mouth, moving quickly through an alley as she responded in case the baby decided to start crying again: "The alarms, flashing lights, and guards patrolling the city didn't give you any clues?"
The Lion chuckled. "I was half hoping your driving skills finally did us a favor and caused a distraction."
Barby rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'm telling you, those trucks are poorly maintained." Her expression went back to serious. "Anyway, I'm in downtown Imogi and I might need back up. How soon can you be at the manhole."
"Espio and his crew are already on their way. They should meet you there in five!"
"Tell him to make it four!"
Barby made a quick dive and roll under a low hanging structure and flattened herself and the baby to the ground, keeping a hand over his mouth. Luckily just in time as he let out a little giggle. Barby gazed down at the child with a small smile of her own, her heart melting a little at the sight of the once terrified monkeylet now bearing a happy expression. He had liked the roll from earlier.
"Was that fun, little fella?", The Koala asked.
Almost immediately after, the ground rumbled behind her as a large gorilla in golden, gladiatorial armor landed behind her, wielding a spiked mace and gazing down at the Koala as she rushed to her feel. The gorilla overlord smirked down at the two.
"I'd like to have some fun too, Commander Koala." Gong taunted as he slammed the mace to the ground and earning an expression of terror from the young prince.
Barby maintained a fearless and angry composure. "Is your idea of fun still torturing and augmenting babies?"
Gong smirked. "That and ripping the meat off your bones".
Gong quickly swung the mace down towards the two, Barby quickly rolling out of the way and kicking a nearby brick towards his face. Gong spun the mace quickly, knocking the brick aside before then attempting an underhanded mace spin towards his smaller opponent. On top of holding the child and not having a weapon on hand, Barby couldn't do much aside from narrowly dodge each swing from her larger and more experienced opponent. But now wasn't the time to doubt herself! A life was on the line and as the princes current protector, it was her duty to ensure no further harm came to him!
Barby made her movements quick in opposition to the mace swings, all the while holding the child out of harms way and looking around for whatever she could find to use as a weapon. And there was no way a brick was about to work after the method already failed the first time. 'Heavenly Lord if you're listening, please give me a means of fighting back.', she prayed. 'At least until Espio and his squad get here.' Much to her blessing, Barby was knocked back by a hit from the blunt end of the mace, hitting a wall and loosening a rusty pipe from the wall and causing water to pour under the two warriors. With a smirk, the Koala grabbed the pipe and ran towards the gorilla with enough force to slide under him and swing at the back of his leg with as much force as she could muster. The gorilla shouted in mild irritation and lowered to a knee, Barby smacking him in the back of the head with the pipe upon rolling to her feet. Gong roared in irritation before sweeping an arm ruthlessly under her feet and using his other arm to slam her to the ground ruthlessly.
Despite the pain that surged in her body, only getting worse with each slam, Barby did her best to stay on her hands and knees over the baby to shield him from the attacks. Said pain made the young commander almost regret taking this mission on her own. Sure she didn't want to risk a sleeper agent getting his or her hands on the baby and making their efforts for nothing, but it would be a wonder if her body recovered. But somehow as she gazed down at the baby monkey underneath her, practically bawling in fear of his uncle wailing on her, the pain felt more worth it. She cringed as another slam made a deep cut into her back, Gong having now used his bladed mace. 'Okay, maybe not'! The gorilla yanked his weapon out of the wound and kicked her off, prepping a swing towards the baby next.
The Koala noticed the attempt and fought through the pain to her feet to rush towards him, though unfortunately nowhere near as fast as she needed to be. "No!"
As Gong began to bring the mace down towards the bawling and terrified infant, he was struck in the face with a smoke bomb, causing him to cough and drop the mace inches from the monkey. As the gorillas vision was obstructed by the thick smoke, multiple chameleons in purple robes rushed around him, making gashes or whipping him from multiple directions with their kunais. As Gong roared in frustration and swung around randomly in hopes to kill them, another chameleon, un-robed and with more recently era body armor, dashed under the conqueror and grabbed the crying infant, dashing away and over to the much relieved commander. Though Barby gave her chameleon ally a snarky smile.
"That would've been really helpful earlier, you know."
Espio placed the baby back into her arms, his expression a slight smile though not entirely giving way to his serious demeanor. "Your instructions were four minutes. I provided."
Barby smiled a bit through the pain. "Would it kill you to lighten up a little?"
"In our line of work, very possibly."
Barby's expression went flat. "Just get us back to base."
Espio swept up the koala bridal style as she continued to hold the child. "At once, commander." Espio threw down another smoke bomb in case the smoke from his students had dissipated as he made his escape.
As the smoke did indeed begin to clear, Gong caught sight of a kunai flying towards his face. With a smirk, Gong grabbed the handle of the blade and yanked at the rope. "GET OVER HERE!"
Immediately, a chameleon was yanked towards him into a brutal punch that knocked her into the ground with enough force to cause a crater. The female chameleon gasped and took deep breaths in pain as blood soaked her clothes as Gong looked around quickly for any sign of the girl or the brat. But the area had been cleared. As if no one else had been there. One definitely would've believed it if not for the damage surrounding him. With a growl, Gong stomped on the chameleon, right where she had been bleeding, earning a scream of pain. Gong glared down at the chameleon and leaned down towards her, removing her mask and revealing her pained and navy blue face.
"Bring me to your base." Gong growled. "Now".
In response, the chameleon spit in his face and slumped in the gorillas tight grip around her neck as she was lifted above the dictator. "Long live... the line of Khan-.", was all the chameleon could get out before Gong snapped her neck and tossed her aside carelessly.
The king visibly seethed in rage, shaking and tightening his fists as his soldiers rushed over, having heard the prior commotion only to arrive too late.
"King Gong, sir! Any sign of the boy?"
Gong turned slowly to the squad, his eyes displaying his rage and visibly shaking up the soldiers.
"Our apologies, your majesty." The soldier stammered, avoiding Gong's gaze occasionally.
"If you wish to see the dawning light of tomorrow, you will all find the boy and bring him to me." Gong growled.
Barby cringed as the wound in her back was stitched up by Li Yuen, a large but older lion in a blue robe. T make matters worse, Li had bruised purple tissue to work with and no painkillers, making the pain that more unbearable. Not much the lion could do about it though. With the nations entire militia looking for them, and being forced to live in a literal sewer, not a lot of resources were open to them. It was nothing short of a miracle that the group had been able to manage with a total of forty people both in their war efforts and retrieval of resources via petty theft. '39 now with the loss of Amanda.' Li reminded himself somberly as he noticed Espio leaning against the doorway in silent mourning as Charmy Bee placed a hand against his arm in quiet support, a rare thing for the child.
Barby hissed. "Ow, careful with the claws please."
Li smiled apologetically and detracted his claws, having accidentally pushed them out slightly at the somber note. "My apologies, commander. If it makes you feel any better, I'm nearly done."
"It helps a little." Barby admitted.
Admittedly only a little. Not at all due to any effort on the lions part however. The loss of Amanda had clearly been great to Espio. Both due to their cause and the bond he shared with everyone who came to learn his teachings as an effort to be a line of defense against the Brides or the Four Clans should they be requested to aid Gong. Barby understood it though, frowning in sympathy at the chameleon master. Much like him, not a single person under her command was a mere soldier or necessary resource. From day one, the unit had been nothing short of a family. Metaphorical family, but still a family. And each loss hit the same every time. Especially now. Not to mention she blamed herself for the casualty. She had been careless and reckless with her plan. She practically ran out in plain sight before Gong found her. With both that and the blaring alarms and flashing lights, it was a wonder more people didn't catch her.
"Espio-." Barby started to say.
"Don't." The chameleon responded with restrained emotion. "You did the best you could in a situation with limited resources and means of escape." Espio gazed at her, a warning in his eyes to not argue. "And we accomplished our mission. There is nothing more to discuss."
Barby frowned a little, gazing outside the room as a couple doctors monitored the now sleeping child. "That might not be entirely true."
The lion tilted his head as he finished stitching the wound and severed the string before using a damp cloth to wipe away the blood. "What's on your mind?"
Barby sighed a little. "We may need to rethink our plans with him."
Espio's expression turned curious. "On what grounds, commander?"
"In its entirety, actually." Barby informed him. "I want to send the boy to Mobotropolis, give him the chance to live a normal life."
Charmy's eyes widened, Espio's expression one of slight unease and Li's concerned. "What?!"
Espio gave the bee a stern look. "Charmy, quiet."
Li placed a paw on the Koala's shoulder. "Commander, surely you understand this would bring a massive blow to us?"
Barby sighed. "Yes, I understand."
"What about the dragons?!" Charmy shouted. "Or the atom bat they've been guarding?! Without the heir to the throne, they might never aid us!"
Espio once again gave the bee a stern look, the bee cringing back and quieting this time before he added: "With the blows we have taken, the aid of the Bride of Roaring Skies and her armies would be a great benefit to our efforts."
"I know that"! Barby shouted back before taking a deep breath to regain her composure. "But none of you were there with me when I retrieved him. You didn't see the fear in his eyes. Heck, the doctors out there showed us the scars on his body. Believe me, I know how much we need this and I wish circumstances were different... but the boy's been through enough. I don't want to raise a child with his experience into our war. At least not yet."
"All due respect, commander, this is a very bad idea." Espio told her.
"Look at his scars, Espio." Barby responded, bearing a firm expression. "Look into his eyes with the same look you give Charmy to make him quiet down. Are you gonna tell me then that taking him in is a better idea?"
Li, Charmy, and Espio all gazed back at the baby that began to cry again as he woke up again. Though the aid of the true king and the dragons were something everyone desperately needed, none of them could really deny Barby's logic. On any count. If it had been any of them in the boys place, they were uncertain they'd want a place in this war either. Nor the courage to one day face the tyrant king who had inflicted all of the physical and emotional trauma upon him. Perhaps not even the strength to wield the atom bat against him, or the heart to convince the Bride of Roaring Skies that he was anymore worthy of the throne than his ancestors who had caused their departure.
In defeat, everyone in the room remained silent but for a moment, Espio voicing their reluctant agreement with a nod. "Very well. But if Gong expands his search outside of the Dragon Kingdom, we need to place him in a household where he will be both protected and nurtured."
Barby nodded. "Don't worry. I know just the couple".
Thunder roared and rain poured down on a slightly larger than typical two story cottage, the two current residents sound asleep and cuddled together in the master bedroom, decorated with medals, a wedding photo, and older paintings and drawings taken by the residents of Knothole from the days in the war with Jullian Robotnik, having now been deceased for five years. The hard wood floors were partially covered with rugs of cotton, oak dresser drawers sitting on either side of the room, and a bookshelf to the left of the room containing a Bible, various volumes on jujitsu, and other books based on the D'coolette family history. Centered in the master bedroom was a queen size bed, also cotton, with a wool comforter and gray silk sheets. Laying together in the bed were a brown coyote with blonde hair in navy blue pajamas, and a yellow rabbit with dark purple cybernetic legs and left arm, said rabbit wearing pink and white dotted pajamas.
Both awoke quickly to the sound of a loud knock, sitting up with Antoine holding up a dagger and Bunnie aiming her metal arm ahead with the forearm now shifted into a cannon that powered up with an orange energy. When nothing else followed, the married couple shared a glance and a nod before proceeding quietly out of their bedroom. Both walked slowly and carefully towards the front door, lighting flashes occasionally lighting up the room as the pouring rain echoed on the roof to create what to them would normally be a soothing melody. Between their room and the front door was a small hallway with light green paint with two doors, one leading into a spare bedroom, and the other into a bathroom, followed by a larger space fitting a small kitchen and spacious living room. Hard wood covered the hall and kitchen floors while the floor to the living room was a bright gray carpet. In the kitchen was a wooden set of table and chairs with a stove, white with black metal burners, sink, tall white pantry, and a small green refrigerator. In the living room was a long couch to help separate it from the kitchen, an oak coffee table, small shelf with more books, a sword rack, a television on a TV stand, and a door leading to the couples shared private dojo.
As the two got closer, their expressions became concerned, ears raising as they heard what sounded like whimpering. Maybe crying? Of course this had been used by Jullian Robotnik before to take advantage of their sympathies so they weren't about to fall for that too easily. Or at the very least let their guards down. Upon reaching the door, the two shared a glance, Antoine's hand around the door handle and Bunnie's cannon arm pointed ahead. Bunnie nodded before Antoine quickly opened the door and both gazed ahead, ready for anything that might be on the other side... only to find nothing? Both lowered their weapons, both in slight disappointment or annoyance, though Antoine's gaze stuck to the floor with a surprised expression as Bunnie spoke first.
"Shucks. We really gotta get some kinda security in place for late knight knockers, don't we, sugar-twan"? Bunnie noticed Antoine's expression, then gazed down in a shock of her own down at the wrapped and crying bundle at their doorstep. "Oh maw stars, sugar"! The rabbit made quick to pick up the crying child and hold him close to herself in an attempt to warm him. "What're ya doing out here in the cold, little one?" She gave a somewhat stern look to her husband as he closed the door. "And why didn't you grab him? You just stared at the poor thang".
Antoine gave an embarrassed smile. "I was obsessing ze danger"?
Bunnie rolled her eyes and set the baby down on the couch. "Accessing, sugar-twan. Now go get me a towel."
Antoine made no delay in walking off to grab said cloth as Bunnie took a seat next to the baby and picked him up once again, holding him to her chest and rocking him gently as he continued crying. Bunnie frowned in sympathy and pet the boys tiny head.
"Aw now what's the matter little fella?" Not two seconds later a stench hit the rabbits nose, causing her to cough but also chuckle a little. "Yeah, I guess that'd do it." Bunnie set the baby down on the coffee table and began to undo his onesie. "Better bring some wet wipes and whatever we can use as a makeshift diaper! This lillun's got quite a-!", She began to call before being stopped short and widening her eyes at a large T-shaped scar on his chest, followed by other scars on other parts of his body. Bunnie covered her mouth with both hands and gazed in momentary horror at the crying child before placing a hand on his chest to make sure the scar wasn't too fresh. Fortunately, the scar seemed aged, leading to a sigh of relief from the rabbit... although she couldn't help noticing how the skeleton felt a little cold. A familiar kind of cold. Bunnie gazed at her own metallic arm a moment, then back at Antoine with a confused concern in her eyes.
Sometime later, Bunnie and Antoine sat up in their bed, gazing down at the small monkey who was now asleep between the two's chests, both holding him close in an attempt to keep him warm.
Bunnie sighed and frowned in pity. "I just don't get it, Sugar-twan. How could somebody do this to a littlun?"
Antoine had a similar gaze as he responded: "Your guess is being as good as mine, my love. And it does not make my stomach be sitting any easier."
Bunnie looked down at the asleep child, both ears drooping at the thought that wherever this child came from, someone actually had the nerve to cut him open and turn him into what she could only guess was a cyborg. What with the metal skeleton and somewhat stronger grip than what an average baby would normally have. It would've been a wonder to her how something like that even worked without killing the child if she wasn't more concerned for their well being. If she didn't sympathize more maybe. While the yellow rabbit definitely couldn't say her half roboticization happened in a similar manner, she more than most knew what it was like to have to life like this. Having mechanically engineered parts in replacement for other body parts. It was definitely a struggle at first and not something she would wish on anyone not in her line of work or otherwise. Least of all like this.
But maybe there was some good in this. The fact that a child like this was dropped off at her doorstep in particular. Aside from her and maybe Rotor, who else could really understand the struggle of having to manage something like this? Better yet, how would other families react to something like this considering how little robians were trusted? Would they trust a biomechanical being more? Would they trust him less? Regardless, Bunnie couldn't see herself letting this kid go to anyone else. Maybe Sally-girl if it weren't for her technophobic dad. Or Sonic's reckless behavior that would only end so well for a child like this.
With a smile, the two looked at each other and asked: "Do you think we can keep him?"
Both went quiet for a moment before sharing a quiet chuckle.
"I am guessing zat is answering zat question.", Antoine said with a smile.
Bunnie smiled back down at the sleeping baby monkey for a moment before smiling brightly back at her husband.
"So what do we name im?"
Thank you all very much for reading. That is chapter 1 of the newest story I have been blessed with by The Lord Jesus Christ, based on the Archie comics and an RP in the Sonic's Family Life Discord. What did you all think and what are your expectations for the next chapter? Please feel free to let me know in the form of a review and may The Lord Jesus Christ bless, protect, and watch over you all with happiness, good tidings and health, and that you would all come to know and love Him as your Lord and Savior if you haven't already, and that everyone who does would use all their means, including FanFiction to preach the Gospel. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. ^^