A Tale of Two Brothers
Hey Peeps, I don't own anything related to Sonic or his universe, that's SEGA and all other companies relevant to the creation of his various back-stories, and even though most of them have tanked it now that is besides the point… Honestly, I actually own very little in this fic (next to nothing to be exact) but this is my story and even though I am using characters from Archie, DiC and SEGA I will be fleshing many of them out because they were only 2-dimensional so in some ways they will appear very OC… hopefully you'll bear with me! Anyway, I've bored you to tears with this disclaimer so enjoy… and let me know what you think! X
Review Replies:
DanceDream: Hahaha… either that or you were just killing time! ;) And I get what you mean, I actually read a few 'parents' fics and to be honest I didn't like most of them which is why I decided to write my own. And I agree with you on the Archie front, I didn't mind it when it was all about Sonic and his friends and family taking on Robotnik but the second it changed into aliens and alternate realities it had gone to far… and I saw an interview clip on Sonic Underground that explained that the only reason they didn't give Sonic a dad was because Chuck was already his established father figure (though if that was the case what was the point in his adoptive parents at the start?). Thank you, if you're a Grammar Nazi then I guess you can call me a Detail Devil, I have this thing where I like to be as descriptive as possible but still leave subtle things to the reader's imagination. I read so many fics and think 'well you could put more detail into this' or 'your really didn't need to write that' but, hey, we're all different. As for why I use apostrophes instead of quotations, I think it's a quirk… I don't know why but I find them oddly clunky, I guess I'm weird like that. And thank you, I didn't want to make it obvious to what Lionel was inventing, I figured Sonic fans would pick that up no problem… I also agree with you on Jules, his story will probably be what most of this fic is about as how many chaps can you fill with Charlie inventing things? And as for Jules being a lot like Sonic, his character bio actually states that in his youth Jules was like his son in personality before he was robotized.. I do have some subtle character differences for them and a few things in Aleena that will relate to Sonic too (apart from the super-spin move featured in chap4)… No worries on the review front, I totally understand and can relate, and if you still reading this after the long winded reply… enjoy the new chap! X
Slayer 666: Hahaha! I'm glad you called yourself that! And this is most definitely not going to be M-Rated because I wouldn't be comfortable with that. I can't really do adult scenes without feeling awkward so the best action your going to see in this fic is a bit of first and second base and that's about it. But since this fic is mostly about the hedgehog brothers Jules is likely to be the only one you'll see any real action from (can you picture Charlie with a girl, cause I can't!).. As for your comments on what happens to the Sonic's parents I don't want to give that away but rest assured, they aren't going to die.. And at some point yes, both hedgehog families will interact some point later down the line but not any time soon. Enjoy this new chap X
Chapter Six:Trails Of A Royal Kind
Mobotroplis was a vast city which spread over a distance of approximately seven hundred and eighty kilometres squared, but with a population of just over seven million Mobians living there it was hardly surprising that it was so large. It's sheer volume of dwellers made it the largest city, not only in the Green Hill Zone but also the whole of Mobian-inhabited Mobius. Mobotroplis had been considered the capital city of Mobius ever since Thomas Hedgehog became Mobius' first king and Alexander Acorn his first minister, creating the Mobian Council to keep Hedgehog's rule in check. Today Mobotroplis was still considered a power-base for the rest of the kingdom. The palace of Hedgington Hall, where the current royals still resided today, was located to the far north of the city and it's large boundaries were marked by tall white walls that separated it from the rest of the Mobotroplis. Because of Mobius' poorly tracked history at the time of initial construction nobody was one-hundred percent certain of how long Hedgington Hall had stood there for. Clues however, indicated that it had been built sometime during the turn into the thirtieth century when the royal's surname switched from Hedgehog to Hedgington, a surname the royals had successfully managed to retain until now. This theory was only indicated by paintings of monarchs that could be found lining the main ballroom, the only real glean into the palace's long untold history along with a few whispers of reigns from this indistinct period. It was only in the past century that Mobius had started logging history down, most likely inspired by the first edition of the Tales of Kirby which had come out. Though these stories did have elements that nodded towards events that most likely happened in Mobian History, some of it seemed too fantastical to be real. In many archaeological-minded Mobians this discredited the books greatly which was why they were regarded as children's fables.
Inside the outer-walls lay acres of well-manicured grounds which travelled up to the large white-stone palace standing proudly overlooking the city. Hedgington Hall was a slight-conical-pyramid building which must have been the style in the time it was built. It's lowest floor held a vast courtyard with a large water fountain, trees and other greenery broke the otherwise dull natural white-stone backdrop. This led up to the impressive entrance archway shielding the front doors of the palace itself. The first floor held all the societal rooms which were used for royal protocol and socializing with the aristocratic society. The second floor, which was two-thirds up the building, had a sequence semi-circular balconies that ran around the large dome-shaped pyramid. Glass doors that led into private rooms along with huge windows let light flood inside the royal home and these were also protected by a white-stone archways that lipped out over the glass. In times of battle the balconies could be used to defend the palace from invaders, just like the battlements that formed the tip of this grand Mobian building.
In one of the more central semi-circular balconies that looked out to the south, taking in the beautiful scenery of the front gardens and the city beyond, stood a petit lilac-furred hedgehog. Her long blonde quills cascaded down her back, the ends forming neat out-facing curls, while a golden tiara sat neatly on top of her fringe-bangs covering her lilac-pointed ears. She was dressed in a pretty turquoise dress which formed a v-neck and hugged the upper-half of her svelte figure. The skirt of her floor-length dress balled out due to petticoats. Princess Aleena had been stood leaning on the wide semi-circular balcony of her private quarters for a while, her large emerald green eyes just gazing out towards the city with a distant look on her face. It had only been four days since her excursion into Mobotroplis with her dearest friend Lara-Le, and even though neither of their parents had discovered the truth Princess Aleena just couldn't forget the cobalt hedgehog they'd met. She couldn't understand it, as a princess she met dozens and dozens of new faces frequently and none of them had ever stuck in her mind like he was now. It wasn't just because he was good looking either, she'd seen many handsome males in her social circuit before and never gave them more than a passing glance. Upper-class males were always so full of themselves, keen to boast about themselves or their family name, they were only interested in her because of her title and not who she was inside. That was what had made this cobalt male stand out. He wasn't interested in himself, that much had been obvious from his unkempt appearance, he'd been more interested in making sure she and her friend had a good time. The funny part was that even though his social manners were nowhere near perfect and his appearance was unruly, this lower-class hedgehog had been a more considerate gentlemobian towards her than any high-society male her own age.
A deep sigh escaped Princess Aleena's lips as her emerald eyes dropped from the city view to the white-stone balcony where her furless pale hands were resting comfortably. She wished she had someone to talk to about this strange mix of feelings for the cobalt hedgehog who haunted her thoughts. Unfortunately Lara-Le was not around as her father Ambassador Zayden had been called back out to Albion to convene with the Brotherhood of Guardians. So like the dutiful daughter she was Lara-Le had accompanied him along with her mother Lady Mimi-Le. There was no way the lilac-furred hedgehog was going to dare confide in any of the palace staff for fear that word would reach her father of her little excursion out, this meant that for now she was stuck trying to retain these feelings until her dearest friend returned to the mainland of Mobius.
'Aleena?' The sound of a rich familiar voice suddenly doused over the young princess causing her emerald eyes to blink as she swivelled her blonde-quilled head around to it. Standing in the doorway leading back into her huge private suite was a tall bright-green-quilled hedgehog wearing an exquisite white uniform with a red cape draped around his shoulders. The breast of his white uniform was decorated with golden buttons and a couple of medals he'd received for his combat-skills in his youth. Sitting neatly between the pointed ears of this green-quilled hedgehog was the royal crown, a couple of loose short green quills curled out of the base. It's four golden plates bent around a hat of red velvet, supporting a small green-stone replica of a Chaos Emerald and lined with a soft white fur.
'Ah, here you are my child..' King Ogilvie's deep maroon eyes flashed with kindness and the sort of relief that came with someone who had finally found what they were looking for.
'Morning father.' The lilac-furred princess sounded politely with a smile towards him, trying to mask her previous thoughts from her expression. Something of them must have lingered in her face as the King of Mobius frowned in concern at her.
'Is everything all right Aleena?' King Ogilvie the Third asked gently, walking over to his daughter and standing poker-straight beside her on the balcony with his hands clasped behind his back.
'Everything is fine father, I was just admiring the view.' Princess Aleena continued to smile sweetly as she told him this little white lie. Her eyes then turned back to look out towards the city they governed over. It was hard to say whether King Ogilvie the Third believed her or not but the fleeting glance he threw towards his only child and heir suggested a spark of doubt.
'You know you can tell me if something is bothering you dearest.' His words only highlighted the fact he didn't entirely believe her. Princess Aleena's eyes turned to her father now gazing up into his maroon ones as they took in the surrounding area, a slight hint of a smile just curving his muzzle. He seemed to be waiting for her to speak.
'It's nothing really.' The blonde-quilled hedgehog began and immediately King Ogilvie's eyes swivelled to hers. The princess' throat dried a little, knowing she was going to have to lie right to his face now. 'I was thinking about mother..' That did it. As these words left her lips the King of Mobius' slight smile vanished and his maroon eyes instantly turned away again, but not before a hint of sadness could be seen. Princess Aleena swallowed carefully before continuing, she knew she was hitting a nerve of old forgotten pain but with nobody else to turn to the lilac hedgehog needed to know something only he could tell her.
'Did you love her from the moment you met her?' The petit blonde-quilled hedgehog threw her father a searching look. King Ogilvie the Third sighed heavily, his rigid stance sagging a little as he brought his arms out from behind his back and encircled them around his daughter, grasping her shoulders comfortingly.
'To be completely honest my dear, I think my heart loved your mother long before my mind could even understand the feeling.' The green-quilled King of Mobius then rubbed her shoulders before letting go and walking back towards his daughter's private suite. Behind him Princess Aleena's neat brow kinked unsure by what he meant. She then followed her father as he stood inside her room. His maroon eyes were fixed on the portrait of the late Queen Bernadette which sat above the soft marble mantle-place. The deceased Queen of Mobius was a deep crimson-furred hedgehog and her long flowing light pink-quills had been pinned up into a bee-hive like bun which was framed by her large jewelled crown. She was dressed regally in a long flowing pastel-green dress that made her fur and quills stand out, fine jewellery sat on her fingers and wrists while an opulent necklace was draped around her neck. Her emerald eyes shone kindly towards whoever was looking at her as a gentle smile graced her soft-pink painted lips.
'I'm not sure I understand father.' Princess Aleena sounded in a confused tone from behind her father causing King Ogilvie the Third to blink before a small smile appeared, his daughter truly was innocent to the ways of love.
'It's hard to explain my child..' King Ogilvie the Third replied, his maroon eyes returning to his lilac-furred daughter who was gazing at him. 'When I first began to get to know your mother my heart seemed to flutter excitedly whenever she was in my sight, it would skip a beat whenever she got close to me and it felt heavy when we were apart.' The young princess felt her insides twinge a little as he was describing how she felt about the cobalt hedgehog she had met only days ago. The green-furred King of Mobius had turned back to gaze at his late wife so missed his daughter's discomfort. 'At first I couldn't understand what these feelings were but the more I interacted with my dear Bernadette my mind slowly began to catch up with my heart. And when I was ready to give it to your mother she took very good care of my heart until she died..' A sad smile curved King Ogilvie's lips before he turned back to his daughter. 'What is it that has brought on this curiosity Aleena?' His eyes suddenly surveying his daughter with interest.
'Oh. I was just wondering what it was like to be in love.' She sounded innocently with a gentle smile towards her father. King Ogilvie the Third narrowed his maroon eyes as his smiled widened tenderly. He walked up towards his daughter and raised a white gloved hand, the ring baring the royal hedgehog crest sitting on his middle finger, and gently stroked the edge of Princess Aleena's pale-skinned muzzle.
'You'll find out one day my child..' King Ogilvie spoke soothingly, letting his hand drop from his daughter's face. '-and whomever holds your heart will be the luckiest Mobian in the whole kingdom.' His eyes shone with the kind of wisdom and knowledge that only came from age and experience. Princess Aleena immediately hugged her father in response to these words, smiling as she leant her blonde-quilled head on his chest and felt him wrap his arms around her in a warm embrace. For a moment the two remained this way before King Ogilvie the Third pulled back, suddenly remembering why he had come to see his daughter in the first place.
'Aleena my dear, I actually came here to inform you that there is a meeting with the Council of Ministers in an hour and your presence is to be expected.' The green-furred hedgehog immediately resumed his poker-straight stance, looking more like his regal-self as he did so.
'In that case father, I shall make sure I am presentable for them.' Princess Aleena sounded politely and the King of Mobius nodded once with a slight smile.
'I will see you in the throne room when you are ready.' He replied before leaving her quarters and allowing his daughter the privacy to preen herself for the meeting. Instantly Princess Aleena headed over to her ornate dresser and sat down on the neat little stool in front of it. She had no intentions of changing her dress, with it's modest cut and long sleeves it was acceptable attire to wear in the presence of the council. Instead the princess opened the top middle drawer of her dresser to reveal her designer range of make-up. Pulling out a few choice pieces that would compliment her outfit and fur-colour Princess Aleena set them carefully on the desk before closing the drawer again. It took her a little while to get her make-up just right but it was worth the effort when she admired herself in the mirror. She was wearing a soft shade of turquoise eye-shadow and thick black kohl eyeliner which complimented her dress and made her emerald green eyes stand out against the soft lilac of her fur and blonde quills. Satisfied that she was now presentable for the Mobian Council the princess packed her make-up away before turning to pick up her bottle of exclusive perfume. After spraying herself in the fresh fragrance she replaced the bottle and turned her attention to a tall but slim glass vase. Sitting in this slender vase was the single cobalt-blue quill that the hedgehog named Jules had given her when they parted company. The lilac-furred princess touched the quill, letting her fingers run over it's smooth cylindrical edge and wondered idly what he was doing now…
…Screeeeeeeeeeeeech!
Jules' brown combat-boots made a high-pitched squeal as he slammed his heels against the dark grey asphalt, skidding to a halt across the parking lot of Mobotroplis University. The moment the cobalt teen finally slid to a stop he glanced behind him at the long skid-marks his boots had left on the ground.
'How's that guys?' Jules declared brightly as he flashed a wide grin towards both Lionel Lion and his brother Charles who were now stood just a foot in front of him.
'Very nice.' The mild-blue hedgehog replied as he stepped beside his brother. 'Now show me your boots.' He added and immediately Jules complied, cocking the cobalt-furred leg nearest his brother at a one-hundred and thirty-five degree angle. The tough beige-rubber sole was now sitting steadily in Charles' eye-line as his little brother balanced perfectly well on one foot with his bare arms crossed over his bright red vest.
'Mmm hmm.' Charles hummed with satisfaction as he measured the wear and tear of rubber with a long spindly metal structure with a small digital monitor which displayed both the corrosion and temperature of the boot. 'Zero-point-zero-two-five millimetres and seventy-five degrees..' The mild-blue hedgehog blinked at this temperature reading, his pale-blue eyes widening with surprise. 'Seventy-five? That can't be right, can it?' He turned his gaze back to his little brother who merely shrugged casually at these words.
'I dunno Charlie, sounds about right to me.' The cobalt teen didn't look too concerned by this which was odd since the idea of that kind of blistering heat on the bottom of his feet should have been a cause for concern.
'But that kind of heat could burn your feet!' The older hedgehog exclaimed as he released his brother's foot allowing Jules to set it back on the ground.
'And now you know why I stopped wearing hi-tops..' The cobalt sixteen year old hedgehog sounded matter-of-factly with a smirk as he closed his eyes briefly. He then crouched down and began unlacing his other boot. 'Besides, I put extra cushioning in the bottom of my boots which keeps most of the heat contained.' Jules added pulling off his boot and setting his white-socked foot on the warm asphalt then straightened with his left-side boot in his hands. The cobalt teen reached inside the brown and beige combat-boot and pulled out two insoles, the bottom one looking slightly more compressed than the top. Unfortunately thanks to the build up of heat inside the boot they did smell strongly of foot odour.
Charles immediately recoiled away holding his black nose.
'Yeh, sorry. It smells kinda fierce, huh?' Jules sounded apologetically before stuffing the insoles back into his boot which had already cooled down considerably.
'I'll say! But if this is the kind of temperature your boots get to I shouldn't be surprised.' Charles replied before taking the boot off of his brother and noting the corrosion of rubber, the temperature had dropped considerably now and was sitting at a warm-but-comfortable thirty-four degrees. Once the test was done he handed it back to Jules and the younger hedgehog slipped the boot back onto his foot, wriggling his socked-toes to make sure the insoles were comfortable before lacing it up. The cobalt hedgehog straightened in time for Lionel returning with the samples of deposited rubber from the parking lot asphalt and some notes he'd taken down on a notepad.
'So what results did you get from his boots Chuck?' The blonde lion asked straightening his spectacles with a smile to his lab-partner.
'A corrosion of zero-point-zero-two-five millimetres on the right foot and a zero-point-zero-two-eight on the left.' Chuck replied casually after bringing up the results on the display monitor.
'Well that checks out with the results I got from the road.' He then turned to Jules smiling. 'From what I collected you start the break off with your heels then control the skid with your toes. Judging by the lining of rubber-deposit I'd say you lean slightly more to the left, does that make sense?' The blonde lion asked his best friend and the cobalt-blue hedgehog only smiled in response.
'Well I was left-handed as a hedgehoglet so that does kinda make sense..' He winked at the lion but this made Lionel blink in amazement,
'You are? But you write with your right hand.' The blonde-furred lion pointed out bluntly.
'I can write with both hands. Our old Knothole Kindergarten teacher Mrs Squirrel used to force me to write with my right, if I used my left hand she'd rap my knuckles with a meter-stick.' Jules sounded grimly as his hazel eyes seemed to drift off, distantly remembering the pain and discomfort he'd gone through at the time just to 'conform' with the rest of the class.
'Oh she was an old battleaxe..' Charles groaned inwardly, recalling their old teacher with a slight frown. Lionel raised his brows at this, if his lab-partner didn't like her she must have been awful. 'But enough about her, did you get the samples we need?' The mild-blue hedgehog quickly changed the subject back to the task at hand and turned to the blonde lion.
'Sure did.' Lionel exclaimed holding up test-tubes of the deformed bits of broken and half-melted rubber-shavings that he'd scraped off the asphalt.
'What do you need that for?' Jules asked curiously.
'So we can determine exactly how much the heat and friction affect the rubber deposited by your boots..' Lionel said matter-of-factly. 'Once we've analysed all the data thoroughly we can come up with a durable rubber-compound that will work better with your speed.' The blonde lion added as he tucked the test-tubes, notepad and other scientific gear away in various pockets of his white lab-coat.
'Far out!' Jules declared brightly flashing his best friend two thumbs up, his chipped tooth appearing in his wide grin.
'Incidentally Chuck, I was thinking that we should try and see about muffling that hideous screeching noise..' The blonde lion added to the older mild-blue hedgehog as they both walked off towards the Mobotroplis University main building.
'I agree Lionel, that can't be doing my brother's hearing any favours..' Charles said in an agreeable tone and this caused the cobalt teenage hedgehog to frown slightly as he was walking between the pair. His eyes narrowed in irritation as his older brother and his best friend carried on oblivious to him, still comparing notes.
'Uh guys.. I'm not deaf and I'm still here!' Jules declared with a hint of annoyance lacing his tone. This was exactly why he hated hanging out with 'narks'..
As the two students showed Jules around the campus the cobalt hedgehog was suitably impressed by what he saw and was starting to see why Charles was always hanging round Mobotroplis University. Since this was Mobius' capital city institute it was the most state of the art and provided the best education mobiums could buy. Any Mobian who seriously wanted to be the best in their field of studying came here. Though the campus had everything a Mobian could dream of it did not make Jules regret his decision to throw in the towel and not become an Ivy-League hedgehog like his brother. The cobalt hedgehog had always struggled to stay focused in school, he often bunked off with his friends instead of studying and this resulted in his lack of grades. Naturally, Maurice Hedgehog was less than impressed when Jules would bring his report-card home and somehow manage to beat his own lack-of-attendance record every time. At the same time Jules was only just scraping the pass grades needed to advance forward. But the cobalt hedgehog had never really been cut out for school, he wasn't like his older brother..
As Charles and Lionel lead Jules through the Science and Technology department the cobalt hedgehog looked around with mild interest, noting the directions they were going in rather than the sights itself. Memorising his way around in case he ever needed to find his brother on campus. Jules had been surprised but pleased when his brother had asked him to come to Mobotroplis University to conduct some speed tests for both Lionel and himself. The cobalt-blue hedgehog had always been curious about the campus that Charles went to everyday but he never broached the subject hoping that the older hedgehog would come to him. Just when it seemed that Charles would graduate before Jules even got the chance to see his older brother's campus the mild-blue hedgehog asked him. The cobalt sixteen year old had jumped at the chance and the two brothers had laughed about how the idea had never been raised before.
'Ah, so you must be Jules..' Professor Nate Morgan smiled kindly and shook the cobalt-blue hedgehog's white-gloved hand. 'Charles has told me lots about you..'
'Nothin' bad I hope..' Jules replied folding his arms and crossing one foot over the other, lancing his older brother with a fleeting suspicious glare.
'That depends on your definition of 'bad'.' The dark-skinned man with blue eyes smiled and this caused Jules to throw the aging professor a bemused look. 'Can I offer you a coffee?' Professor Morgan asked politely, gesturing to the coffee machine in the corner.
'No thanks, I don't drink coffee.' The cobalt teen replied before slouching in the spare white swivel-seat next to his older brother.
'Caffeine makes him hyperactive.' Charles added lightly as he typed up the results onto his Holographic-Computer-System. As Professor Morgan kinked a brow intrigued, pouring himself a black coffee, Jules' hazel eyes narrowed at his brother's comment.
'Appreciated bro, now he's gonna think I belong in a nut-house.' The cobalt teen sounded sarcastically as he stretched out and casually lent his boots on the edge of his brother's lab-desk. Professor Morgan only chuckled lightly at these words which caused both Hedgehog brothers and Lionel to blink at the man before them.
'Now Jules I would never presume such a thing about someone I'd just met.' Nate Morgan said calmly as he sat in the fourth white swivel-seat near Lionel's workspace. 'But if you wish me to give you a psychological evaluation I'd be happy to comply.' He smiled with a twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes. For a moment the three teenage Mobians gazed in surprise at the old professor, none of them expected him to fire a quip at the cobalt hedgehog.
'Uhh… I think I'd prefer to keep my mental issues just between me and myself, if you don't mind Prof..' Jules smirked widely, the chip in his tooth making an appearance again.
'Suit yourself..' Nate Morgan sounded with a light smile back before drinking his coffee then turned to Lionel Lion, who was performing tests with the misshapen rubber-shavings they'd taken from the asphalt outside using a chemistry set and a digital analyser. While Professor Nate Morgan had his back turned, assisting the blonde lion with his task while quizzing him on his 'other project', Jules immediately sat up and wheeled his chair closer to his older brother. Charles' attention was fully focused on his Holographic-Computer-System and he gave a slight start when his little brother placed a gloved hand on his shoulder.
'This guy's sharp, eh Charlie?' The cobalt hedgehog leaned on the backrest of his brother's swivel-seat causing it to become ridged, rooted to the spot by Jules' weight.
'Well he was the Minister of Science for well over thirty years Jules, what did you expect?' His mild-blue older brother sounded in an offhanded tone, his pale-blue eyes only glancing briefly away from his computer screen. Jules' hazel eyes rolled up in slight confusion as the sixteen year old cobalt-blue hedgehog considered this, one gloved finger scratched his the space just above his right-side pointed ear.
'I dunno. But he's pretty cool, for a nark..' The younger hedgehog brother eventually replied with a wry smile and Charles merely lifted his eyes momentary up in an 'unbelievable' manner before his pupils refocused on the screen.
'So are you coming back here or heading home after your try-outs?' Charles asked his little brother as he climbed off of his motorbike and pulled his backpack out of the sidecar where it had been sitting. It was the morning of Charles' IQ test and Jules' physical trial with the Royal Guard and although it had been a slow start for both Hedgehog brothers they were now stood together outside Mobotroplis University.
'Oh I am definitely coming back here afterwards.' Jules responded instantly with a gleeful look which clearly showed he couldn't wait for Charles to come home to find out about his IQ test. 'And when I get out I'll buy us some chilidogs on the way.' The cobalt hedgehog threw his brother a cocky grin.
'Well ok then, I'll just wait to have lunch with you then..' Charles said with a smile, he had packed himself a lunch but what his little brother was offering did sound more appealing than what he had brought with him.
'Awesome.' The cobalt teenage hedgehog grinned widely back at his brother. 'Now I better boost before I'm late for my physical trial.' He lifted his cobalt-furred leg, intending to take off down the road when his older brother gripped his shoulder stopping him from moving.
'Hold on Jules, your not even going to wish me luck with my IQ test?' Charles asked while looking slightly nervous, as if needing to hear something positive from his little brother.
'You don't need it bro, your gonna blow this nark away with your vast knowledge.' The cobalt hedgehog replied his grin widening into a highly cocky smirk.
'You really think so?' The mild-blue hedgehog asked his little brother doubtfully, wishing he could have his entusiasm and confidence.
'Charlie..' Jules immediately recognised his brother's need for reassurance, his smile softening as his hazel eyes looked solemn. 'I'm your little brother, I've been running around in your shadow for years. Who knows you better than I?' As soon as he had said his piece the cobalt teen's cocky bravado returned along with his cheeky grin. 'Now go knock the socks off the Minister of Science bro!' Jules winked, flashing his brother a thumbs up making his older brother smile.
'I'll do my best little brother..' Charles grinned back, his cobalt little brother's optimism was infectious and just the encouragement he needed.
'Alright!' Jules grinned before checking the pocket-watch he'd inherited from his father by pulling it out of his red vest pocket, his eyes widening at the time it read. 'Oh shoot! Gotta jam Charlie, catcha later!' He then stuffed the golden timepiece away before turning away from his brother.
'Good luck..' Charles called out as Jules took off down the road.
'Thanks but I won't need it!' The cobalt teen hollered back hitting a comfortable running speed of eighty kilometres an hour, passing the Minister of Science who had just gotten out of his vehicle. The brown and white tawny owl gasped as many of his papers fluttered in the upwind from the speedy cobalt hedgehog but fortunately none of them left his hand.
'Wow! What was that?' The Minister of Science blinked his huge yellow eyes in shock, turning around too late to actually see what had blown passed him.
'Professor Owl, so good to see you.' Charles said as he jogged up to where the Minister of Science was stood looking confused in the direction Jules had run off in. 'I do hope my brother didn't startle you too much.'
'That was your brother?' The Minister of Science asked, his black pupils widening in disbelief. 'Incredible. I wish I could move that fast.' The tawny owl declared brightly.
'You and me both sir..' Charles smiled widely. 'Shall we head inside?'
'Of course..' The Minister of Science snapped his head around to the mild-blue hedgehog and the pair headed towards Mobotroplis University together..
Jules skidded into the courtyard of the royal palace two seconds before the second-hand of his golden pocket-watch switched to ten o'clock. He wasn't exactly sure where the try-outs were being held but he figured that a whole bunch of Mobians and some kind of assault course couldn't be that hard to find. Fortunately he was spared looking as the sound of movement came from behind him causing Jules to turn his head and cobalt-blue quills to face whatever was coming. His hazel eyes immediately caught sight of the same golden-furred Mobian fox with sky blue eyes and light-brown curls who had conducted his first interview nearly three weeks ago.
'Ah, Hedgehog..' Amadeus Prower sounded with a smile towards the cobalt-blue teen before him. 'Cutting it a little fine, don't you think?' The twenty-something year old fox sounded as he checked his own digital-watch that had been concealed under the sleave of his navy and red Royal Guard uniform.
'Only by a few seconds sir..' Jules grinned widely as he stuck his hands in his vest front pockets.
'In any case your just in time, follow me..' Amadeus replied beckoning the younger Mobian to follow him and Jules immediately followed his heel as the golden-furred fox lead him out of the courtyard of Hedgington Hall palace and around the rear to where the Royal Guard soldiers had set up their assault course for the potential new cadets. For a little while they walked in silence before Amadeus Prower broke it.
'Since you're the last one here, let me bring you up to speed..' The golden-furred fox spoke quickly and Jules' hazel eyes instantly locked onto his face, listening intently. 'General D'Coolette is overseeing the trails himself. He is one of our highest ranking officers and is the one you will need to impress to be accepted into the Royal Guard.'
'No problemo..' Jules replied airily, his eyes closing momentarily as he sliced his gloved hand through the air in front of him. Amadeus Prower kinked a brow, slightly perturbed by this hedgehog's unfazed attitude but continued briefing him on what would be happening.
'You will be tested on strength, speed and agility using a standard issue Mobian Army assault course which we have rigged up just in this next clearing.'
'Can I ask you something?' Jules asked seriously almost immediately after the golden-furred fox finished speaking and Amadeus raised both his brows.
'Go ahead Hedgehog.' A small smile curved it's way across his white muzzle as he spoke.
'What rank do you hold?' The cobalt hedgehog casually flicked his blue quilled-quiff out of his face as a sudden breeze had caused it to shift into his eyes.
'Captain. I will be charged with all the new recruits from this trail so it's imperative I be here to see who I will be getting.' Amadeus Prower replied amiably.
'No way! You're a captain..' Jules instantly stopped in his tracks staring at the golden-furred fox in disbelief. 'But you must only be about twenty-two!' The cobalt-blue hedgehog exclaimed in shock before his feet began moving to catch up with Captain Prower, who had not stopped walking.
'Twenty-four actually.' There was a hint of pride in Amadeus' voice as he said this.
'Still, a captain at twenty-four is pretty impressive.' Jules added with a smirk towards the older Mobian and the golden-furred fox returned it. The two of them turned into the open clearing where the tough assault course was laid out, spanning almost the whole of the open space. At the start of the course were a line of assorted Mobians who were all performing warm-up stretches, limbering up for the course. Standing with a clipboard, a stopwatch and a slightly irritable scowl on his face was a pale-tan-furred Mobian-coyote with light blonde muzzle and a crop of blonde fur cut and styled into two smart parted curls. His sharp deep-blue eyes instantly clocked the sixteen year old hedgehog walking with Captain Prower, his thin but neat moustache twitched with exasperation at the sight of this late-comer.
'Capteen Prower, who is zees lolling-gagger you 'ave brought in my presence?' General D'Coolette spoke in a thick foreign accent that Jules had to really listen to just to try and understand, which was hard enough without the language barrier. It was clear to Jules that this guy originally hailed from somewhere in the Gaul Providence, judging by his care and attention to his appearance most likely Anais.
'Hedgehog sir, Jules Hedgehog.' Amadeus supplied his cobalt candidate's name to his higher-ranking officer and immediately General D'Coolette's deep blue eyes trailed down the list of applicants on his clipboard before eventually finding the teenage hedgehog's name. He tapped it with a slight twitch in his otherwise expressionless mouth before his eyes swivelled to survey the cobalt-blue hedgehog before him.
'Tu is cutting with the fine, no?' The Royal Guard General narrowed his eyes tediously at the teenager in front of him, disliking him already for his tardiness as he liked his cadets to be prompt.
'What?' Jules blurted out in confusion and blinked his hazel eyes, blatantly not following what this high-ranking officer had just asked him. Captain Amadeus Prower, who was still standing with the young hedgehog, merely shook his head ruefully not daring to intervene and become next in General D'Coolette's firing line. He knew from experience how hot-blooded the foreign coyote could be.
'Jus' get in ze line wit ze ozzers 'Edgehog!' General D'Coolette glared at the impertinent hedgehog before him, his white-gloved finger jabbing in the direction of the others who had only just started limbering up before he arrived.
'Ok, ok. No need to bust a tick bud.' Jules replied in a compliant tone, raising his hands at this furious looking coyote. He immediately turned away from the Royal Guard General and walked over to the others.
'Tout de suite 'Edgehog, dépêchez toi!' The irked sounding voice of the French-speaking general hit his pointed-ears making them twitch.
'Huh?' Jules made a noise of confusion pausing in his tracks.
'He wants you to pick up the pace.' A voice sounded from the line and the cobalt hedgehog's attention was drawn to a friendly-looking blonde wolf-Mobian with a crop of red fur and mossy green eyes. Immediately Jules jogged over to him and stood in line beside him.
'Well why didn't he just say that then?' Jules responded as he joined in with the lunging and stretching warm-up combination the potential-cadets were doing.
'He did, he said it in French..' The blonde wolf replied back.
'Well I don't speak French..' Jules said back as the line continued with their stretching before alternating back into lunges.
'I figured as much..' The wolf sounded before adding with a smile. '-the name's Argus Fletcher.'
'Nice to meet'cha Argus, I'm Jules Hedgehog.' The cobalt hedgehog flashed him a wide grin, he would have shook his hand if they weren't in the middle of their warm up exercises… and they weren't being supervised by both Captain Prower and General D'Coolette.
'What do you make of zees 'Edgehog, Prower?' General D'Coolette threw these words towards his lower-ranking officer and Amadeus Prower was grateful that the two of them were stood out of ear-shot of the potential new cadets. The golden-furred fox' sky blue eyes turned to glance at the cobalt-blue teen who was now doing his warm-up exercises with the rest of them.
'Sir?' Amadeus' eyes returned to his senior officer with a slightly bewildered look, not understanding why General D'Coolette was asking such a thing.
'You know what I see? I see a fuel..' His deep-blue eyes narrowed towards the cobalt-blue hedgehog before him.
'A fuel sir?' Captain Amadeus Prower blinked in further confusion, sometimes even he had understanding his commanding officer's thick accent.
'You know, an eediot.' The French-speaking officer qualified what he meant and immediately Amadeus Prower made a sound of understanding.
'Oh a fool..' He said before throwing his comanding officer an unsure look. 'With all due respect sir, aren't you being a little harsh? I mean, ok I admit he's a little rough around the edges but when I interviewed him with the others I got the distinct impression that Hedgehog has something to prove.' At Amadeus' words General D'Coolette, who had been observing the cadets, glanced around to his lower officer.
'You are quite, how you say, awaring on what you say Capteen Prower.' The light-tanned coyote sounded, kinking a brow to the golden-furred fox. 'Eef zees 'Edgehog does well enough to join, 'e will becoming your charge. You are quite prepare-ed to take on zees loose canon?' Amadeus Prower's eyes studied the cobalt-blue hedgehog as he was now doing his warm-up exercises with the others, not looking one bit out of place. He could definitely see potential in this outspoken young Mobian and with training he could become a great cadet.
'Yes sir, I am!' The golden-furred fox' voice immediately sounded with clear cut conviction, Amadeus' fists were balled and his sky blue eyes had a steely glaze to them. He stood behind his own words one-hundred percent.
'Très bon..' General D'Coolette said a wry smile twisting across his mouth, unlike his lower officer he very much doubted the hedgehog's chances. '-zen let us see just 'ow well zees 'Edgehog does, hmm?' The two commanding officers then immediately began walking forwards to the line of potential new cadets.
'At ease gentlemobians..' The golden-furred fox stated and immediately everyone stopped, standing to attention in a neat line. 'Before we begin our general would like to say a few words.' Captain Prower immediately stood to the side and allowed his higher-ranking officer to speak to the potential new cadets.
'Merci Capteen Prower..' General D'Coolette sounded as his lower-officer stood back in position with his arms behind his back. 'As you all know, we are only taking ze crème de la crème of you on board and zere is only un way of deciding zees..' The light-tanned coyote broke off for dramatic effect then smiled. 'Ze first tree of you to cross ze finishing line will be joining ze Royal Guard.' Immediately He backed in line with Captain Prower near the starting line and smiled to the golden-fox now stood beside him.
'Eef you aren't minding doing ze honours Capteen Prower..' General D'Coolette signalled for his lower-ranking officer to start the race across the assault course as he held his stopwatch in his hand.
'Alright cadets..' Amadeus Prower sounded in an strong athoritive voice, which was a lot more firm than the tone of voice he'd been speaking to Jules with earlier. 'On your marks..' Immediately every one of the Mobians along the line moved to a starting position. While Argus' green eyes focused solely on the track in front of him, like every one on the other side of him, Jules merely paused from his starting position to pull his golden pocket-watch out of his red vest. Whenever he had been training he had used the watch he'd inherited from his father to time himself just to see if he could better himself later. This time however, since the course rigged up was very similar to the one that the Stripes Family had in their backyard he wanted to see if he could beat his time.
'Get set..' Amadeus' voice hollered and the potential cadets readied themselves to run down the course. Except Jules, who was frowning at his pocket watch, the second-hand was ticking dangerously close to the number twelve at the top.
'Go!' As Amadeus bellowed this last word every cadet rushed forwards to the first obstacle… or at least all except Jules who swore loudly.
'Oh for the love of Mobius!' The cobalt hedgehog's hazel eyes blazed with annoyance as his second hand had passed the number twelve before Captain Prower had started of the race. Jules straightened once more without taking his eyes away from his pocket-watch. Now he was just going to have to wait for that pesky little hand to get back there again..
'Hedgehog!' Amadeus roared out in a mixture of shock and annoyance. 'Go!' The golden-furred fox was jabbing desperately towards the finish.
'Yeh, yeh..' Jules uttered with a flippant wave of his hand. '-in a minute..' Amadeus Prower blinked in amazement at the hedgehog's attitude, he couldn't believe that he was just going to throw the race away. Even after the golden-furred fox had actually stood up for him when the general called him a fool.
'Don't been an idiot Hedgehog! Go!' Amadeus called out again, hoping to push him into racing. The others were already one third of the way down the course now with a couple of faster ones just in front.
'You see..' General D'Coolette sounded in a smug manner. 'Even 'e knows he cannot do eet. I told you 'e is a fuel, a spine-headed coward..' The tanned coyote folded his arms with a wide pompous smirk. Jules glanced up from his pocket-watch which was just about to pass the number six.
'Oh..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog's hazel eyes narrowed towards the coyote. '-you just keep talkin' Frenchie cause in thirty seconds I am gonna make you eat those words..' His eyes immediately swivelled back as his pocket-watch reached number seven. Amadeus Prower blinked in amazement, how could this hedgehog still think he had a chance when everybody was approaching the halfway mark of the course in front of him? General D'Coolette on the other hand smirked wider at the cobalt-blue hedgehog's nerve.
'Zees is a joke, right? Eet has to be, you are thinking you can still win zees? You 'aven't a hoping Chaos 'Edgehog..' The light-tanned coyote actually laughed in amusement now. The idea of this Mobian actually catching up to his opponents when they were so far ahead of him now was so ridiculous it was hysterical.
'Forfeit Hedgehog! You can still duck out with honour..' Amadeus sounded sternly, scowling angrily. He was annoyed with the hedgehog for not even trying but he was more angry with himself for daring to defend him when he was being this blasé.
'No, auchun moyen.. I am wanting very much to see 'ow 'e is planning to pull zees out.' General D'Coolette sounded, barely stifling his snorts of laughter as he said this. The second hand was ticking closer and closer towards the top of the clock while the other cadets were just crossing the multi-rope swing across mud before the high-net which led up to the mad sprint at the end. Argus Fletcher was leading the potential cadets, as the second hand ticked towards the number twelve he stretched his hand out to grip the net… Jules was now mentally counting down the ticks left.
…Four… Three… Two…
'Watch this!' Jules declared boldly as he flashed a devious smirk at the Royal Guard General who doubted his abilities. The second the littlest hand hit twelve the cobalt-blue hedgehog took off at a terrific speed, hurtling down the course to the first obstacle, the low horizontal net.
'Sacredieu!' The smile instantly vanished off of General D'Coolette's face as the sixteen year old blue hedgehog moved in a blur across the course, making easy work of the low-horizontal net.
'Oh sweet Sauna, look at him go!' Amadeus actually gawped in a stunned silence as he'd never seen a Mobian move so fast in his life. In mere seconds Jules Hedgehog had popped out from underneath the net and was hurtling down towards the tyres, hopping speedily from one tyre to the next without even causing them to move as he lifted his brown combat boots.
As the cobalt-blue hedgehog quickly closed the gap on his rivals Amadeus Prower couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face, the spiny blue idiot was actually going to do it! He could feel the excitement of what he was witnessing building up in his stomach, spreading to his heart. The muscle instantly swelled with pleasure, his judgement had not been wrong.. this hedgehog would make an excellent cadet and he'd be proud to train him. The sixteen year old hedgehog swiftly tottered over the tight-rope to the multi-rope swings, the only thing now separating him from his other rivals who were scrambling with the net on the other side. At this point Amadeus turned his sky blue eyes to his commanding officer only to note gleefully that General D'Coolette was staring looking both flabbergasted and deflated. The coyote's deep blue eyes were running with the hedgehog as he was now swinging his way towards the net, his rivals were only now approaching the top.
The golden-furred fox with light-brown curls of fur atop of his head actually couldn't believe what he was feeling.. He hadn't been this exhilarated since his teenage years. Amadeus thought the stint he had done within the Mobian Army had smacked it out of him. He'd only joined in the first place to please his father as his first two brothers had proudly joined the family tradition, he too thought he had to try and embrace them despite his disapproval of guns. However when the time came for his brother Merlin to join the youngest Prower refused. Openly defying their father with courage and conviction that Amadeus admired. His youngest brother then left home to go and seek his future by way of studying the ancient ways of Mobian-magic. Although their father had been shocked he took the news better than Amadeus thought he would. Finding himself suddenly inspired by his youngest brother's daring the golden-furred fox transferred from the Mobian Army to the Royal Guard, not wanting to completely waste his few years of army training. And amazingly his father had been completely fine with it.. Amadeus' grin widened as the cobalt-blue hedgehog was now approaching the high-net, just as his comrades were crossing the wide beam at the top, Argus Fletcher was already scaling the other side. Though he tried his best to remain professional the golden-furred fox wanted to see the plucky sixteen year old wipe the smile clean off of his commanding officer's face.
With only a very breif pause to see where everybody was on the high-net Jules Hedgehog shot up the web of rope, choosing a path where he wasn't going to accidentally bump into another Mobian. He quickly overtook everybody, sliding down the opposite side of the net landing with both boots on the bald grassland. Immediately Jules' fast feet drummed the ground, blurring his brown combat boots as he gave one final burst of speed, sprinting to the finishing line as he whipped out his pocket-watch. His hazel eyes locking onto his finishing time.
The second the blue-blurred hedgehog crossed the finish line and skidded to a stop Amadeus Prower lost a bit of his professional decorum, unable to completely contain his excitement anymore.
'Yes…' The golden-furred fox hissed as his white-gloved fist pumped the air, his grin still wide across his face as he momentarily shut his eyes.
'Tu say somesing Capteen Prower?' General D'Coolette's voice sounded in a slightly miffed tone drawing his young captain's attention. Though the light-tanned coyote's face was set, his eyes narrowed at the cobalt-hedgehog as he skidded to a halt and proceeded to whoop, in what the general thought, was an inappropriate manner.
'Oh yeh!' Jules called out the second he stopped skidding, bouncing around to face the course once more just in time for Argus to begin leading the sprint towards him. 'Fifty-eight seconds! A personal best!' He then proceeded to bounce from one brown-booted foot to the other in a happy sort-of-jig.
'What was his time, sir?' Amadeus Prower sounded, resuming his professional air.
'Un meenute, fiftee-four seconds.' General D'Coolette responded to his lower-ranking officer, still sounding slightly bitter about the hedgehog beating him. 'It would seem zat I am, how you say, 'aving a slice of ze 'umble cake.'
'You mean your admitting defeat?' Captain Amadeus Prower raised his brows to his comanding officer in disbelief, in all the time he had known General Armand D'Coolette he had never admitted to being bested, especially by a newbie. This was new..
'Oui, but 'Edgehog will not be besting me again, I am assuring you of zat!' The coyote's blue eyes narrowed at the hedgehog who was still fooling around as Argus Fletcher approached the finish line. The Royal Guard General then wiped the angry look from his face and resumed a well-practised professional façade as he noted the time.
'Two meenutes, thirtee-tree seconds..' A smile appeared on his face of the light-tanned coyote. 'Bon oui Mousier Fletcher..' This was a cadet he liked…
'Alright Argus..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog grinned at the blonde-furred wolf who was stood panting, a little out of breath. '-two-minutes and thirty seconds. Not bad for a slow guy..' He stuck out both thumbs with a wink. Argus flashed a momentary smile before straightening and throwing the teenage hedgehog a curious look.
'Thanks, but how did you get so fast?' The wolf asked, he'd never met anybody who could move as quick as Jules before.
'Eh, was just born with it..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog shrugged as he ran a white-gloved hand casually through his quiff of blue quills.
Both Captain Prower and General D'Collette remained into position until the very last runner was across the finish line, only then did the two Royal Guard officers head over to the group of Mobians at the end of the course. When they got close the Royal Guard General politely dismissed those who had not made the cut before turning his attention to the slightly shorter cobalt-blue hedgehog in front of him.
'Eef I was you 'Edgehog. I'd be watching my feet as I will be seeing you very close-like..' The light-tanned coyote threw him a scrutinizing glare before turning to away and suddenly looking more cheerful, shaking Argus Fletcher's hand and congratulating him on his run.
'Watch his feet?' Jules sounded with vague bemusement, not completely following what the general meant.
'I think what General D'Coolette meant was: Welcome aboard, Hedgehog.' The sound of Amadeus' voice caused the sixteen year old hedgehog to turn to see the golden-furred fox standing behind him with his gloved hand outstretched.
'Thank you, sir.' Jules replied raising his hand to shake his new comanding officer in gratitude, however before he could remove his hand again Amadeus Prower gripped him more tightly and pulled the hedgehog towards him. The cobalt sixteen year old gasped in surprise as the golden-fox' sky-blue eyes blazed with sincerity.
'Do not make an example of me like that again Hedgehog, are we clear?' The Captain of the Palace's Guard sounded sternly. Though he was pleased that the hedgehog had been accepted into the Royal Guard he would not let him make a fool of him twice.
'Hedgehog's honour sir, it will not happen again..' Jules replied honestly, raising his other hand in a kind of silent oath. Immediately he was released from the golden-furred fox' vice-like grip and the cobalt teenager flexed his slightly aching hand.
'It better not..' Amadeus sounded grimly before suddenly brightening. 'Now, let's get you measured up for your uniform.'
It was almost half past twelve by the time Jules Hedgehog raced into the Mobotroplis University campus with his takeaway bag. He hurtled through the various corridors towards the Science and Technology department where he'd find his older brother. His speed was partly because he was elated over his success, he was starving and because he couldn't wait to hear how his brother had faired on his IQ test… not that he was worried in the slightest as Charles was the smartest Mobian he knew. As Jules rounded the last corner he skidded to a halt before banging open the door to his brother's science laboratory.
'Julius!' The mild-blue hedgehog jumped in his seat, his pale-blue eyes wide with shock as he whipped around to the door. Immediately the older Hedgehog brother sank back in his chair, clutching his chest with relief. 'You nearly gave me a heart-attack..' He said with a short sigh.
'Heh, sorry bro, didn't mean to scare you.' Jules sounded apologetically, completely ruining it with the smirk of amusement which was crossing his face. The sixteen year old cobalt hedgehog immediately took the spare seat opposite his brother.
'So how did you do in the try-outs?' Charles asked his brother lightly and his little brother smirked widely, flashing the chip in his tooth.
'I nailed it. Start next week when my new uniform arrives..' The cobalt hedgehog sounded pleased with himself, deliberately deciding to miss out the part where he'd irritated his commander and chief already. He didn't need his brother to lecture him on respecting the chain of command.
'That's great news Jules..' The older Hedgehog brother smiled widely. 'I'm really pleased.'
'Where's Lionel?' Jules asked curiously as he dumped the brown paper bag onto the work-desk, noting that the blonde lion was nowhere to be seen.
'I think he's in the library trying to work up the courage to speak to that Emma-girl that's taken his fancy..' Charles replied casually as he fished out a chilidog from the bag and Jules' eyes narrowed in slight amusement.
'Oh really..' The cobalt teenager drawled with a suggestive grin. '-he should've said, I'd have given him some tips..' Jules replied lightly, he'd never had any problems talking to girls before. Charles' pale-blue eyes narrowed as his little brother helped himself to a chilidog and took a large bite.
'You could give him something that's not going to earn him a slap around the jaw?' Charles replied with a smirk of amusement privately thinking that the last thing Lionel needed was tips on how to be cocky with the ladies. Jules hazel eyes narrowed at his brother's wit.
'I got more experience than you Charlie..' The cobalt sixteen year old hit back and his mild-blue brother continued to smile.
'Cheep shot..' Charles replied with a tisk before taking another bite and chewing his chilidog more slowly.
'Eh, I can't outsmart you so what else can I throw at you?' Jules shrugged casually, not affected by his words.
'That's true..' Charles laughed lightly.
'So, how'd you do on your IQ test?' The younger Hedgehog brother asked, barely able to retain his excitement. 'Did the Minister of Science tell you if you got this grant yet or not?'
'He did..' Charles replied gently. '-he and Professor Morgan graded it together after I completed it.' The mild-blue hedgehog casually finished his chilidog, helping himself to a second as Jules chewed on his.
'So…' Jules prompted before swallowing his mouthful. 'Don't keep me in suspense bro, how'd you do?' The cobalt teen finished his first and took the last chilidog out of the bag, crumpling up the waste paper and dumping it in the bin nearby.
'Well my IQ is sitting at two-hundred and ninety-six, which is an improvement since my freshman year..' The mild-blue hedgehog twiddled his moustache proudly before realising by his brother's bewildered expression that this meant nothing to him. Charles' bushy mild-blue brows raised before he illuminated what this meant. 'I qualified for the grant.'
'Aww Charlie, that's awesome!' Jules sounded genuinely pleased, a huge smile curving his mouth. 'And hey, you know what this means, right?'
'What's that?' Charles blinked confused as his little brother polished off his chilidog.
'After next month, I don't have to support your sorry quills anymore..' The cobalt hedgehog put his feet up on the desk in front and lent back in his seat with a wide smirk.
Little Notes:
Hey peeps, this chapter has to be my favourite so far! It was fun to write and probably the first really light-hearted chapter I've written for this story. I must admit I'm not entirely sure yet where I stand on Sonic's siblings Manic and Sonia but I wanted to create an opening for myself in case I do use them, hence why the parents of both Jules and Aleena hint towards them. An introduction to King Ogilvie the Third here, who is obviously based very loosely on Manic look-wise as I wanted to give a reference to where his fur-colour may come from. Same reason Queen Bernadette, again Archie Sonic's mom's name coming into play, has Sonia's colouring while her name is used on Jules' mother.
Ok, I admit it… I love the idea of General D'Coolette being a stricter version of Antoine. In the SATAM series and Archie comics Antoine makes numerous references to the fact that he wanted to be just like his dad, so it made sense that they'd be similar in personality too. Also I wanted this to be a character that Jules could really bounce with, after all he'd be waay too perfect if he got on with everybody, right?
And also another Sonic Underground character Argus sneaking his way into the story, those who ever saw the episode: 'To Catch A Queen' will understand why he's featured here..
Anyway, stay tuned for more soon…
~Ditzy x