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 beside 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:
Nyx27Seth: Um, I'm pretty sure that I've covered this already when I wrote about Chuck coming to terms with being asexual. Besides, I find it very hard to picture him with a womobian. What woman wants to be with a super-smart guy who spends all day shut up in a laboratory? And I doubt a guy with his level of 'nark' status would even know if a girl came onto him. And no this Kirby is borrowed from the Archie comics but his past has been altered, like everything else…. And don't get your hopes on the jealousy is only fleeting X
Slayer 666: I am considering a couple of points. Honestly, I agree with you but this jealousy is a fleeting moment of madness rather than part of a story arc. It is merely used as an insecurity device. As for the idea of talking to the dead, to be honest I'm not sure it fits this story. Aleena doesn't have any unresolved issues with her mother, sure Queen Bernadette died bringing her into the world but the princess would know through her father and his close friends how much her mother would have wanted her and how much she was loved. And as for Jules it wouldn't work either. His mixed feelings towards his father and the way they were is an important framing device for how I imagine his character to be and how it affects his decisions in life. These issues will mostly remain unsolved but I do have some idea concerning how Jules tries to come to peace with his father and they're relationship later on.. X
Chapter Sixteen: Angel Island Adventure…
Jules Hedgehog beamed widely as he dashed over towards Alicia Chipmunk as she hurried over to him from the doorway back to the main building of Sky Base International airport. The light-tan-furred female chipmunk with red-ringlets didn't get very far before the cobalt-blue hedgehog braked to a halt in front of her. Jules was dressed in his usual navy overcoat and the same insanely old red and white-striped scarf he'd had for as long as Alicia had known him. Underneath this she could tell he was wearing his Royal Guard uniform as his trousers were navy with a red stripe on the outside of either leg and he was wearing a set of bright-red combat boots. Above his left shoulder Alicia could see the black headstock and white tuners of a guitar. She recognised it as the same guitar that Jules used to moon over whenever they had passed Hip's Music Shop, he'd always said he was going to buy it with his first pay-check. It made the female chipmunk smile to see he'd kept his promise. The cobalt-blue hedgehog immediately wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a warm, friendly embrace.
'You came to see me off..' Jules declared brightly with a smile as the female chipmunk hugged him back before pulling back slightly with her small hands resting on his broad shoulders.
'Of course I did. Cocoa and Ginger would have come too but they have mid-terms to study for and couldn't make it.' Alicia said apologetically, adjusting her white earmuffs as their hug had caused them to become a little skewwhiff.
'Well you and Lionel made it and that means a lot..' Jules replied lightly as he and Alicia pulled apart then turned around and began to walk in a slow, amiable pace back towards Charles and Lionel. 'How are things with Mr Mayor, huh?' The seventeen year old hedgehog kinked a cobalt-furred brow and narrowed his warm-hazel eyes at her.
'Things are alright.' Alicia's eyes closed briefly as she smiled, her slim pink-gloved fingers entwining affectionately with her ex-boyfriend's large red-mittened fingers. 'Max has been a little stressed in his new office, constantly in meetings with the Mobian Council trying to work out a plan of action to stabilize our economy while we're at war so we haven't been able to spend a lot of time together. I admit it can be a little frustrating but I knew what I was getting into when we were working on his campaign.' She sighed slightly before her sapphire eyes suddenly narrowed. 'I still can't believe your flying out to Angel Island, I'm so jealous! You will mail me and tell me what it's like.' The female chipmunk-mobian said excitedly.
'Alice, this isn't a vacation… I'm going to protect and serve our king. It's all business.' Jules sounded as his fingers held her small fingers, his large red-mittened thumb flicking over her pink-covered knuckles gently. It was purely a platonic gesture of affection towards the girl he had once dated and nothing more. Although they still cared for one another they were secure enough in both themselves and their friendship to know that they would never share the same attraction they had once had for each other.
'I know but you won't be working all the time..' Alicia giggled freely. 'Just promise me you'll find out if the story of the Solitary Guardian has any truth in it, then I'll be happy.' She added in a more serious tone and this caused Jules to roll his hazel eyes.
'Ok, ok, I promise if it will get you off my back-quills.' He sounded with a wry smirk, waving his free hand as he reluctantly agreed with the stubborn chipmunk still holding onto his left hand.
'So will your neighbour Missy be ok by herself for this next week while you're gone?' Alicia asked curiously, she hadn't yet had a chance to meet Jules' neighbour and friend but she'd heard how the southern rabbit had been relying on him for company while her husband was away at war.
'She'll be fine. Buck's brother Beau and his wife Lulu are coming up from the Southern Baronies for a short visit so she won't be alone for long.' Jules drawled amiably.
'Oh I'm sure it will be good for her to see some of her family again.' Alicia said lightly, smiling at the cobalt-blue hedgehog.
'Yeh. She was gonna come see me off today but apparently there's so much to do before Beau and Lulu arrive that she decided to stay home.' Jules said grinning back before his warm-hazel eyes caught his brother Charles and Lionel watching them curiously. 'Come on Alice, we better go say hi to the guys.' At the sound of these words Alicia's large sapphire eyes also noticed the two young mobian-scientists gazing at the two of them. While Lionel merely looked curious there was a hint of distrust in Charles' eyes that made Alicia's insides quiver with nerves. She and Jules' older brother had never really gotten on, things had always been strained but they'd put their differences aside for Jules when she'd be dating him… however there was no promise that he would be that accommodating now after she had broken up with him…
'Charlie!' Jules called out as is mild-blue older brother continued to walk away, stuffing his hands into the large pockets of his long brown jacket. Jules groaned inwardly as his right white-gloved hand rose to touch the right-side temple just in front his cobalt-blue-furred pointed-ear.
'I'm sorry.' Alicia Chipmunk sounded in a soft downhearted voice. 'I shouldn't have come.' The seventeen year old female mobian sighed. She knew Charles may be rude but she couldn't hide the hurt that came with being so openly snubbed. It made her feel pretty low.. The cobalt-blue hedgehog next to her swivelled his head around to her and his warm-hazel eyes widened as he saw her sapphire eyes drop to the wet asphalt ground at her feet.
'What? No Alice I'm glad you came.' Jules replied smiling. 'It means a lot. Charlie's just gonna have to learn to get used to you again.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog frowned slightly as his brother disappeared inside the main building.
'Don't worry about Chuck.' Lionel added lightly, pulling off his small circular rimmed glasses and wiping the moisture off then right-side lens before pushing his glasses back into place. 'I'll go check on him in a minute but first, guys when did you two start talking again? I distinctly remember when you broke up you said you'd never talk to each other again.' Immediately Jules' smile faltered and Alicia's sapphire eyes widened at the blonde-maned lion-mobian, their hands instantly breaking contact.
'Well…' Jules' shoulders suddenly sagged feeling bad as he remembered the angry words he'd said to Alicia when they'd originally parted company. 'The thing is… I didn't mean everything I said.'
'Neither did I..' The female chipmunk-mobian said gently. 'I was angry and upset, I said some things that I shouldn't have..' Alicia sighed as she rested her light-furred head in her pink-gloved hand before raising it again and smiling at both her male friends. '-but that's all in the past now. I'd like to move forward and reconnect with the friends I've lost.' Her words made Lionel blink in amazement before kinking a brow.
'You want to get the old gang back together?' The blonde lion asked her and Alicia smiled.
'Cocoa has already returned to the fold and both Issy and I have missed you guys, it hasn't been the same since we all parted ways.' Alicia smiled, remembering a conversation that she and her other best friend Isabella Mungisi had shared a while back. Isabella was a blonde-furred mongoose-mobian with long purple hair in a side-parting that framed her huge sea-blue eyes and tiny black nose. She was a budding freelance artist and had gotten on especially well with Gus before he'd left.
'Hey, I don't see why the old gang can't get together for a catch up when the guys are back from their tour of duty.' Jules drawled with a casual shrug. It didn't seem like a bad idea to bring the old school crew back together and see if they all still gelled like in the old days.
'Well it sounds like an interesting idea Juice but we both know who you're gonna have to convince…' Lionel tailed off in a hinted tone, folding his arms tightly causing Jules to groan and slap his face.
'Tiger..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog uttered in a low voice. He knew Tig would not be happy with the fact that Jules was talking to Alicia again. The white and silver-striped mobian-tiger had been angry with her for hurting his best friend and had said many unpleasant things about her since. However if anyone could convince him that everything was ok it would have to be Jules..
At this point the loud voice of Captain Amadeus Prower rang out over the asphalt of the huge runway causing every member of the King's Elite Guard and their loved ones to look around.
'Officers! Those of you who haven't dropped your bags off in the cargo-bay do so now then stand in line for further instruction..' The golden-furred fox-mobian declared while the sandy-furred female fox with light-red shoulder-length head-fur smiled warmly at her husband. Rosemary Prower was wearing a large maroon overcoat which covered her bright orange suit and purple blouse. The Captain of the Royal Guard smiled at his news-reporting wife as she closed the gap and wrapped her arms around his waist, letting her sandy bushy tail with a white tip curve around his legs affectionately.
'You're so commanding 'Deus… I'm really going to miss it.' Rosemary uttered seductively before pushing her ruby painted lips to his and kissing him sweetly.
'I know and I shall miss you too.' Amadeus murmured as he hooked his golden-furred finger around her white-muzzled chin and gently broke their tender kiss. His fingers moved to stroke her white-furred cheek as she smiled up at her husband with her crystal-blue eyes.
'Mail me as soon as you can after you land.' Rosemary uttered before pulling something out of her pocket and handing it to her husband. 'And here, see if you can bring me back a quote.' She flashed him a devious smile as her husband frowned at the dictation-device his wife had handed him. Amadeus Prower gave the device a disgusted scowl before shoving it back into his wife's hands.
'Rosemary, we have discussed this many times before. I am not a tool to do your bidding, I am a professional officer of his majesty's Royal Guard and if you want a story you must find it yourself.' The golden-furred fox ran his fingers through his light-brown head-fur then turned huffily away from his wife.
'Oh come on 'Deus..' Rosemary spoke lightly as a slight titter escaped, her crystal eyes narrowing in jest at his serious nature as she pocketed her dictation-device. 'I was just kidding! I do have my integrity..' Her voice turned slightly prim as if she'd been offended by the slight implication that her principles were askew.
'Do you? That's good to know..' Amadeus turned around, kinking a brow to his wife before throwing Rosemary a suave smirk. 'I will mail you as soon as I have a chance, I promise.' He then turned his head away and stood rigidly by the aircraft, waiting for the air marshal that would be piloting the plane to Angel Island. He was due to arrive any moment now…
…At the sound of Captain Prower's voice Alicia, Jules and Lionel all swivelled around listening to his words with rapt attention. Once the golden-furred fox-mobian had turned back to his instantly recognisable wife, MNN's best field reporter Rose Prower, the cobalt-blue patrol private sighed heavily and threw his friends a smile.
'Well guys, guess that's my cue.' Jules grinned as he leant down and picked up his large navy bag by its two handles and lifting it up.
'Have a safe trip man..' Lionel said with a smile to his best friend and with his free hand Jules curled his index finger in a 'come here' as his grin twisted crookedly. The blonde-lion immediately complied with the cobalt-blue hedgehog's silent request and stepped forward and embraced his friend warmly.
'Keep an eye on my brother for me..' Jules murmured as his free arm surrounded Lionel's kaki-green overcoat.
'You got it Juice..' Lionel uttered back before pulling away. 'Speaking of whom I better go see where he disappeared off to. It was nice to see you again Alicia.' He added to the red-headed chipmunk with a smile and a small wave. Alicia immediately returned his smile.
'You too Lionel..' She added sweetly and the blonde-maned lion then took off towards Sky Base International's inside terminal. The moment he was gone Alicia turned towards the cobalt-blue hedgehog and her smile widened. 'Come on Juice, you heard your captain. Let's get your bag on the cargo bay.'
'Wait, you're walking me to my plane?' Jules kinked a brow in slight amusement at her.
'Of course..' Alicia added as her smile tweaked mischievously as her arm linked with his free arm. 'I wanna know how things are going with 'Bernadette'..' She added as her sapphire eyes flashed with curiosity. The cobalt-blue hedgehog refrained from rolling her eyes with difficulty; he should have known she would wait until they were alone to ask this.
'It's alright I guess..' Jules sounded reluctant to go into the finer details of his relationship with Princess Aleena while they were walking on a runway surrounded by just under a dozen of the king's finest guards. 'With the palace security tightening it's been really difficult to find a moment to spend with 'Bernie'. But when we do find a minute…' The seventeen year old hedgehog tailed off as his eyes seemed to cloud over, reminiscing of an illicit meeting with the princess. 'Man, oh man..' Jules sighed heavily before his warm-hazel eyes snapped back to the reality of his situation and back onto Alicia. '-I remember why she's worth the risks.' The red-headed chipmunk's smile widened at her ex-boyfriend's tender face. He didn't have to tell her how he felt about the Princess of Mobius his facial expression said it in volumes: Jules was falling for her.
'I'm glad she makes you happy.' Alicia replied lightly, genuinely meaning it. She hadn't seen this look on his face for a long time and even though it was no longer aimed at her the female chipmunk felt pleased that Jules had finally moved on. Alicia knew that the odds of these two being together legitimately was a million to one. Jules had no money, no standing and he hadn't been in the Royal Guard long enough to have gained any distinction. The upper-class nobles of the king's court would rip him mercilessly to shreds just for daring to think he was worth being in their beloved princess' presence nevermind being her intended. In their eyes he was nothing more than lower-class riff-raff: a commoner. Alicia knew that her cobalt-blue ex-boyfriend was a great guy and she believed whole-heartedly that he would one day prove his worth to society. Dating the Mayor of Mobotroplis meant that she had a free-pass to 'mingle' with the nobles and get to know them on a semi-personal level. The seventeen year old chipmunk with red ringlets had found that most of them were far too snobby and condescending for her liking. Many of them were so out of touch with the real world that they frustrated her to no end, how could they be so ignorant of those they share a city with? There were also a few who were nicer, more realistic and who she knew might be open to a 'commoner' marrying their princess but they were only a select few. They'd just be a lone voice in a choir.
'Here Jules.. Gimmie your bag, Captain Prower's getting kinda tetchy..' Argus' voice suddenly sounded as the yellow-furred wolf with a tuft of red-head-fur appeared on the opposite side to him from where Alicia was standing.
'Thanks bud..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog replied as he slipped of his bag and allowed Argus to take it to the cargo-bay of the plane and put it in. 'Oh, this is Alicia Chipmunk. Alice, Argus Fletcher..' Jules added conversationally gesturing to the female mobian next to him.
'Nice to meet you..' The yellow-furred wolf said offhandedly as he set Jules' bag next to his own.
'Likewise..' Alicia replied warmly as they shook hands politely.
'So who's been yanking on Amadeus' tail?' Jules added curiously. For some reason the golden-furred fox had always been rather laid back with him, even his legendary cockiness couldn't irritate Captain Prower.
'His brother.' Argus replied with a hint of a smirk and both Alicia and Jules kinked a brow with further curiosity. The yellow-furred wolf rolled his moss-green eyes in disbelief. 'The air-marshal who's running late..' He added in a hinted tone causing Jules' hazel eyes and Alicia's sapphire ones to widen in surprise.
'Wait... what?' Jules uttered in disbelief. 'The air marshal who's taking us to Angel Island is our captain's brother?' Alicia looked just as surprised as Argus climbed back down to the asphalt.
'Apparently so..' The yellow-furred wolf grinned at them both before they saw a mobian-fox in his late-twenties with soft-golden fur wearing aviator glasses and a brown leather jacket with a white scarf. Jules couldn't help but grin at this confident Air Marshal with his wolfish smirk and the judging by the way Amadeus Prower seemed to be throwing him a murderous glare it was obvious they were related…
…Rosemary was the first to spot her brother-in-law and she immediately nudged her husband causing him to look around and glare at his older brother. If this was supposed to bother the elder Prower-brother it didn't. His grin only widened at the two of them as he made a sharp bee-line then wrapped an arm around Rosemary lazily once he was stood opposite his little brother.
'Hey Rose, how's it going..' He drawled casually as his grey eyes narrowed.
'Get off me Miles..' Rosemary scowled and pushed his arm back around her shoulders and into his chest. This only made him laugh lightly at her as he stuffed his white-gloved hands in his pockets.
'Ohhh. Feisty.' The light-golden-furred fox's grin widened over his white muzzle before his grey eye turned to his brother. Amadeus was still scowling through his sky-blue eyes. 'I can see why you married her.'
'Your late..' The slightly darker-golden-furred fox-mobian hissed in a low irate voice.
'And you need to relax little bro, the king isn't even here yet.' Miles replied airily with a dismissive shrug, clearly not bothered about his lax time-keeping. Before Amadeus could retort to this the sound of trumpets caused them all to look around with surprise. This caused Miles to grin slightly. 'Well, now he has..' He added with a wry smirk of amusement. Amadeus only rolled his eyes, his posture becoming poker-stiff before turning to his wife.
'You better be going Rose..' He added only leaning down to her slightly.
'Ok. I'll see you when you come home. Love you.' Rosemary kissed his lips compassionately before stalking off quickly.
'You too sweetheart.' Amadeus said before he added in a louder voice. 'Oh and Rose…' The sandy mobian-fox with ruby-red head-fur turn and blink at her husband. '-be a dear and take Miss Chipmunk with you.' The sandy-furred female fox with shoulder-length ruby-red head-fur smiled and nodded at her husband before turning and heading in the direction of the teenage chipmunk…
…Alicia Chipmunk turned around and her sapphire eyes widened in surprise as she found MNN news-reporter Rosemary Prower standing directly behind her.
'Alicia, it's time to go. Can I offer you a ride somewhere?' The red-headed news-reporter smiled sweetly at the Mayor's fiancé. She had gotten to know the news reporter professionally through the campaign. Rose Prower was fiercely competitive and would stop at nothing to get the inside scoop on the story. Her hungry for all the facts was insatiable. Alicia used to always think the news reporter was pushy and pretentious as she always came across that way while out on the field. But after meeting her socially through her fiancé Maximillion Acorn the red-headed chipmunk was surprised to learn Rosemary was actually very sweet when she wasn't shoving a microphone in your face and doggedly firing questions with inexplicable knowledge of private details.
'Um, yes. Thank you Rose, if you took me back to the council building that would be perfect..' Alicia replied returning the smile.
'Alright then, let's leave the guys to their duties..' Rosemary sounded with a smile. 'I have it on good authority that the royals and their entourage have already arrived.' The red-headed female fox-mobian then turned her smile to the privates staring at her. 'Nice meeting you boys.' She said lightly before turning away. Alicia smiled at Argus before turning to her ex-boyfriend and wrapping her arms warmly around his shoulders and hugging him tight. The cobalt-blue hedgehog's arms automatically wrapped around her too, pulling her into a tight embrace and holding her close.
'I gotta go.' Alicia sounded softly, their faces close to each other's now. 'Take care Juice and mail me when you get a chance.' She added then kissed his cheek.
'I always do Alice. See ya when I'm back.' He leant into her and kissed her soft-furred cheek before pulling back and winking. The two womobians then moved away from the Royal Guard Privates and allowed them to get in formation with their brethren as the King of Mobius and his daughter were approaching along with General D'Coolette, Warlord Kodos, Commander Ian St John who was the Head of the Mobotroplis Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Zayden and his family..
'Who is that with Jules?' Lara-Le's gentle voice was low and caused the blonde-quilled Princess of Mobius to look around to where the young echidna-girl was looking. Her emerald-green eyes widened as she saw her cobalt-quilled secret-suitor was hugging another womobian. His arms were cradling her soft shoulders, pulling her against him. The chipmunk with red-ringlets then kissed his cheek. Princess Aleena felt her chest tighten uncomfortably as Jules kept his face close to this other womobian, uttering something to her before he leant into her and kissed her cheek. The tightening in her chest twisted uncomfortably around her heart. It was obvious that Jules cared a great deal for her; why else would he hold her so close to him? But Lara-Le's question was valid… who was she?
'I don't know..' Princess Aleena murmured as her pretty emerald-green eyes narrowed at the female chipmunk when she pulled away from her cobalt-suitor. The lilac-furred princess couldn't help the uneasy stab that shot down to her stomach, making her feel wary about this other womobian. Why had Jules never mentioned her before? What was she to him? Princess Aleena ripped her eyes away and her pupils snapped back towards the plane where they're party was walking to, escorted by General D'Coolette and some of the guards that weren't travelling with them.
'Maybe they're just friends..' Lara-Le murmured softly, her own minty eyes widening with concern at the suddenly dark expression on her best friend's face. She could already see the etchings of mistrust starting to bubble and longed to soothe her fears that Jules may be interested in another.
'They why has he never mentioned her before?' The princess asked her best friend with a sigh.
'I don't know. I guess you'll have to ask him..' Lara-Le replied softly as she shook her soft-red braided-quills.
'Believe me Lara I will..' Princess Aleena's voice had a steely firm edge to it and it came with a sense of finality that this conversation was over. The lilac female hedgehog's attention then switched to her father and Ambassador Zayden who were conversing with General D'Coolette, Captain Prower and Air Marshal Miles Prower about the flight plan.
Angel Island was incredibly beautiful with its imposing central mountain range, thick green vegetation that blanketed the lower grounds and ancient echidnae temples that dotted the forefront. The moment Jules Hedgehog first laid eyes on it he couldn't believe that the myth of the Floating Island was actually real but the proof was floating in huge stalagmites of mobian terrain underneath the solid airborne landmass. Below the light misty fog that was rolling around them Jules knew that the island floated above Angel's Gulch; the underwater canyon that the island left behind when it had ripped itself free of the Sapphire Ocean. The cobalt-blue hedgehog watched through the plane window of the cockpit as Angel Island revealed itself teasingly through the thin wisps of mist.
'Gentlemobians, welcome to Angel Island..' Miles Prower said in a low lazy voice and grinning as his aviator sunglasses covered his eyes, his light-golden-furred fingers holding the plane steady by the steering grips that controlled the wings. As he gently manoeuvred the steering wheel, angling it to make a gentle descend he pushed a couple buttons keeping a hand on the steering and gently moved the throttle stick to better control and slow down the plane's speed. With the plane descending nicely Jules turned his attention back towards the fox-mobian who was flying the plane as Argus leant forwards in his seat to speak with Air Marshal Prower.
'So how long have you been flying planes?' The yellow-furred wolf-mobian asked curiously.
'Our father was a Commodore Air Marshal back in his day and ever since I was a kit I knew I wanted to be a pilot just like him.' Miles reminisced with a smile. 'I remember I was only eight when he first took me inside his cockpit and by the time I was ten I was flying co-pilot next to my dad. He taught Cadmus, me and the Amadeus here..' The light-golden fox gestured to his younger brother who was flying co-pilot next to him. '-but Merlin refused to learn. Said he wouldn't need it as magic would be his wings.' Miles snickered in slightly derisive manner, proving he didn't think much of this theory. 'But then… he always was an oddball.'
'Y'know I always wanted to learn how to fly a plane but my dad said I wasn't made for flying.' Jules piped in, placing his arms on the back of Amadeus' seat and lifting himself out of his seat so he could watch Miles' actions. It had always fascinated him how planes worked. As a hedgehoglet while other kits had automobiles to play with he had model planes. He could run faster than an automobile any day.. When he was tiny he'd always wanted to be a pilot, next to a pirate of course. And while his childish pirate dream died as he got older his dream to fly hadn't. Jules sometimes ran passed the Mobotroplis Sky-Base just to see the planes take off then run behind them trying to imagine what kind of adventure they were on…
'Me too..' Argus agreed, bringing Jules out of his reminiscing. '-but I've never had the chance.' He added as if qualifying that his dad had had nothing to do with this.
'Snap.' Jules uttered in agreement as he fell back into his seat and Amadeus turned slightly as his brother had full control of the plane as he steered it into a landing.
'Well, if you boys really want to learn I suppose we could organize something, right Miles?' He added to his older brother who was frowning as the island closed in fast. The older Prower-brother pulled the steering wheel gently and this caused the plane to drop a bit more and the wheels made a smooth contact with the ground of Angel Island.
'Sure, I'd be more than happy to teach you boys when you return to Mobotroplis.' Miles sounded as he continued to slow the plane down.
'You make this look easy..' Amadeus said with a smirk as the plane came to a complete stop right where it was supposed to.
'Well dad did say that I am the best flyer out of us.' Miles replied with a self-satisfied smile twisting his white muzzle.
'Oh now your just being conceited brother.' Amadeus added dryly, rolling his sky-blue eyes knowing their father had never said anything of the sort.
It had been a few days since Jules had arrived on Angel Island and it was only now that he was starting to get used to the immense climate change. When he'd left Mobotroplis the temperature had been freezing cold but here on the floating island it was more like a Mobius summer. It was swelteringly hot and he could suddenly understand why mists were surrounding the island. This did prove a slight issue with his quills as within a few hours of being on the island Jules noticed he had started to moult as he had an already developed winter pelt. Moulting was always an uncomfortable experience for him as his cobalt-blue quills grew almost as quickly as they dropped. This meant that he itched and twitched a lot due to discomfort which made his job as patrol guard difficult. Thankfully after a few days most of his winter pelt had shed and he was starting to feel a bit better. Jules still had not met a native of Angel Island which he found incredible because he knew that some kind of community must live on this large floating island. Why else were there temples on the here? The royal family and they're large faction had been greeted by a couple of wise-looking male echidnas who were members of the Echidna Council and had already sorted things with the native echidnae. They welcomed the royal group before asking them to stay within a certain radius of their accommodation as not to disturb the Guardians from their duties. The King of Mobius had gladly accepted this rule which meant the entire of his company was subjugated into following it too. They were soon joined by Prince Robin O'Hedge of Mercia who was the King Ogilvie's brother-in-law through the late queen's younger sister, the Prime Minister of Downunda, the Efrikan President, the Sultan of Tashistan, the Leader of the Artic Regions and the Echidnae Council. They all looked tense, ready to discuss the slaughter of Efrika and Tashistan mobians and what they were going to do next as Mercia was obviously next in the Overlanders' firing line. They were also here to plead for assistance from the Echidna Council once more as they continued to remain stubborn and unwilling to get involved.
The cobalt-blue hedgehog had spent the first couple of days on patrol near where the G-Seven meeting was taking place. The whole thing seemed rather pointless to Jules. They had taken this meeting to a remote island high up above Mobius terrain and they hadn't even met a single native to the island… just who was going to sneak into the meeting? Soon enough the cobalt hedgehog was switched to the princess' private guard. Amadeus Prower had felt that Jules' talents were better served there. Today Jules was not with Princess Aleena but a little way away where he could keep watch on her from a distance. He didn't want her to feel like she had a permanent escort by her side and he was fast enough that at the first sign of trouble he could be with her in a heartbeat. Angel Island was home to a lot of rare and exotic flowers and at this moment Princess Aleena was touching and smelling them all. She eventually picked out a favourite, a pink marvalosia-marigoldian then she began winding the gorgeous flower in her blonde-quills. She then settled and pulled out a book on flowers then began to look up the plants around her. The lilac female hedgehog was so serene and peaceful that Jules didn't want to disturb her, he'd never realised that she had such a love of plants before. At this point the sound of little voices made the cobalt-blue hedgehog's pointed-ear twitch and he turned towards the sound; two kitons were playing nearby. One was a ten year old teal-quilled hedgehoglet with dark-green eyes holding a bow and arrow while dressed in a brown cloak that covered his brown shirt and boots. Next to him was a small red-furred echidna with clear eyes dressed in a soft green dress, she was watching him carefully as he pulled back the arrow with a grin.
'Careful Robert, thou does not wish to lose thy father's own arrow.' The little echidna-girl was saying and this caused the little hedgehog to scowl in a snooty manner.
'Fear not Mari-An for I will not lose it.' The teal hedgehoglet called Robert spoke in a voice that was far too polite for a kit his age but was still laced with the childish confidence that came with his youth. It did not stop Jules from smiling at him as he did sort of remind him of a toffee-nosed version of his younger self, cocky and not listening to others.
'Now be silent and watch this..' Robert added and aimed his bow high, pulling back the arrow further still.
'That is too far Robert.' Mari-An sounded in a slight panic as her eyes widened.
'No i'tis not.' He sounded confidently before the hood of his brown cloak fell forward and he accidently let go of the arrow and it sailed away. 'Ah! Thy hood has blinded me!' The little hedgehog cried before finally pushing it back. For a moment he blinked at his friend before the teal-quilled ten year old added, 'Mari-An where doth my arrow go?'
Jules' warm-hazel eyes widened in horror as his pupils followed the wayward arrow as it sailed through the air and right towards Princess Aleena. Immediately the seven-teen year old cobalt-quilled hedgehog dropped down from the tree he'd been sat in, alerting the two young kitons to his presence. Both Robert and Mari-An stared at this officer of the Royal Guard who immediately shot off in a north-westerly direction at an incredible speed neither of them had seen before.
'By Arthur…' The ten year old hedgehog gawped in amazement at the elder hedgehog's speed.
'He is certainly faster than thou..' Mari-An sounded in a hushed voice and this made her young companion glance back at her with a frown but he did not contradict her.
Princess Aleena didn't even notice as the silent arrow hurtled towards where she was seated in the grassy grounds. Her focus was solely devoted to the strange flower in front of her and the page she had found with the relevant information on it. The next second there was a flurry of movement and the princess gasped startled as Jules swiftly appeared, diving in front of her and grabbing something out of the air in front of her before slamming hard to the ground.
'Jules!' Princess Aleena cried out in shock, dropping her book. 'What in the world…' She added with a scowl as she picked her book up and closed it. When the cobalt-blue hedgehog sat up the princess' emerald-green eyes widened in surprise as she saw the arrow clutched in the grip of his left-hand.
'Here.' Jules immediately said passing her the arrow. 'Take this and I'll bring you the ones responsible.' He added with a stern look. Princess Aleena blinked but accepted the arrow, laying her book in the grass as she did. Jules then bounced to his feet then took off back in the direction he had come from, disappearing from sight. Curious to know who had shot an arrow at her the lilac-furred princess waited. Her emerald-eyes turned to the arrow in her hands and blinked at it. Princess Aleena frowned at it finding it oddly familiar…
…The next second Jules had reappeared beside her holding two young kitons firmly by the backs of their necks and presenting them to her.
'Your majesty..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sounded in that same polite voice that didn't suit him. '-these are the two young kitons responsible for shooting the errant arrow at you.' The moment Princess Aleena's emerald-green eyes widened as she immediately recognised the young hedgehoglet her guard was holding.
'Unhand me this instant thy good sir!' The ten year old teal-quilled hedgehog glared imperiously at the Royal Guard holding him and he pulled himself out of Jules' grip, straightening his hood.
'Cousin Robert!' Princess Aleena cried out in indignation, rising to her feet and stepping forward to the small hedgehoglet who's dark-green eyes widened in surprise.
'Cousin Aleena. Thou has found thy arrow!' Robert sounded as he spotted the arrow in her slim fingers.
'Cousin?' Jules blinked in amazement, letting go of the little girl echidna he had been holding. This young hedgehog was Prince Robert O'Hedge…
'Found it! I was almost skewered by this errant missile!' Princess Aleena screeched out in fury. 'Luckily for you Jules was here to save me.' She added with a haughty sniff and folded her arms, clutching the arrow to her bosom.
'My apologises dear cousin..' The young prince prostrated to his elder cousin and future ruler. 'I did not mean it to hitith thou. I swear it, I shall be more careful in future..'
'See to it that you are!' Princess Aleena sounded sternly. 'Does Uncle Robin know that you have this?' She added as a steely edge glittered in her emerald-green eyes as she surveyed her little cousin. Immediately the teal-quilled pre-teen hedgehog's dark-green eyes widened guiltily making him look like a rabbit caught in headlights, his silence only confirming his shame.
'Ye will not speakth of this, wouldst thou?' He suddenly sounded pleadingly, his white-gloved fingers clasping together in a prayer gesture.
'I don't know Cousin Robert..' Princess Aleena replied narrowing her eyes to him, still smarting about almost being stabbed by her cousin. He would certainly deserve whatever telling off her uncle gave him. She suddenly turned to Jules who had been watching the whole thing from the side-lines with little Mari-An. 'What do you think I should do?' She suddenly asked him and immediately the young prince looked terrified as he gazed at the older cobalt-blue hedgehog. Prince Robert wasn't usually scared of his cousin's guards because he could out run them easily but he knew that he had no chance against this swift-footed guard… he was going to be in so much trouble when his father learned of his misdeeds.
'This is entirely your call your majesty..' Jules replied trying to keep a professional edge as he did not want to give away the true nature of their relationship in front of the young prince.
'I know that my good sir..' Princess Aleena narrowed her eyes dissatisfied with his answer. 'I want your opinion: should I tell my uncle of this or not?'
'It would be the right thing to do..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said and Prince Robert's heart sank as his ears drooped to the side of his head. Princess Aleena smiled at her guard about to speak when Jules forestalled her. 'However, what he says is true.' Prince Robert blinked then raised both his ears and head to the guard in amazement as he continued. 'He didn't mean to hit you it was an accident. I saw him shoot it and as they say in my neck of the woods: Boys will be boys..' Jules shrugged with a smile at the princess and Prince Robert suddenly smiled at the guard, this guy was nowhere near as strict as the other guys who guarded his cousin.
'What does that mean?' Princess Aleena kinked a brow slightly confused.
'It meanith that thou should not tell Rob's father of this.' Mari-An sounded gently with a placating smile to the royal blonde-quilled hedgehog.
'Yes but it also means that I was no angel as a kit so I can kinda relate.' Jules replied with a smile to the young echidna-girl with the long fringe-bangs. Prince Robert beamed widely at the cobalt-blue hedgehog at the guard who was defending him.
'Ye were a rapscallion at my age too?' The teal-quilled hedgehog exclaimed brightly. Jules chuckled lightly at his words.
'Cousin Robert, what my guard was like as a kiton is hardly the topic up for discussion here.' Princess Aleena cut in at this point drawing the pre-teen hedgehog's attention back to his older cousin who was still holding his arrow. Her expression softened into a smile. 'But I guess since there was no harm done I will not say anything to Uncle Robin.' She said lightly handing the arrow back to her little cousin.
'Oh thank ye Cousin Aleena.' Prince Robert said with a smile taking his father's arrow back. 'I will grant thee one favour in payment for this noble deed. Ye need only ask and it shall be done.' He added politely holding his arrow and bow in one hand. Aleena giggled at her little cousin as he bowed low to her and she smiled sweetly.
'Thank you dear cousin I will remember it.' The lilac-furred female hedgehog said softly before loosening the deep-red cloak that had been covering her light, floaty white dress. She dropped her cloak beside her book on the grass.
'So Rob, what shall we do now?' Little Mari-An asked the young prince and the teal-quilled hedgehog thought for a moment before smiling widely.
'I know Mari-An, let's play a game of Knights and Damsels!' Prince Robert exclaimed, his fingers balling in excitement. The little girl echidna screwed up her small black nose in disgust.
'Eurgh! I am no damsel Rob..' Mari-An scowled and folded her arms tightly across her chest, pouting.
'Nay, ye are not thy damsel. Ye are thy loyal esquire who will aid me in saving her..' The ten year old teal-furred hedgehog declared and immediately the girl-echidna's smile returned and she narrowed her eyes like a warrior preparing for battle.
'Oh yeh?' Jules drawled lazily at the preteen hedgehoglet with his hands on his hips. 'And just what are you saving your lady-fair from?' He said curiously as his brows kinked curiously. Princess Aleena suddenly blinked, only realising that her little cousin meant for them both to join in and she was obviously going to be the damsel. This was new… her cousin usually didn't let the guards in on his games because he didn't think they were 'fun' enough.
'The dreaded werehog!' Prince Robert declared while jabbing an index finger at Jules and in immediate response the cobalt-blue older hedgehog started making hideous snarling noises before raising his head and letting out a bone-chilling howl.
'Julius! Really…' Princess Aleena sounded in a disapproving voice as he started spitting saliva but both Prince Robert and little Mari-An started chortling in amusement at his performance. He was better at this than they'd expected.
'Ah, lighten up Ali…' Jules murmured in her ear as he swiftly stalked around her and wiped the drool from his mouth. 'They're just kits, play along.' He then started spitting and snarling again before lifting the princess up with one arm causing her to shriek in surprise as he put her in a firemobian's lift and let out another howl. He then darted down the field of grass using his two feet and his free hand in a kind of animal bound, not going nearly as fast as he usually would as this was just a game.
'Oh, put me down! Put me down!' Princess Aleena cried out as she jolted while lying against Jules' back beside his row of back-quills.
'Come loyal Mari-An..' Prince Robert declared brightly. 'We must save thy damsel from this accursed beast..' Both the teal-quilled hedgehoglet and the red-quilled echidna pulled out little wooden swords and ran after Jules and the princess crying out war cries…
…This game of Knights and Damsels carried on for a while as Jules evaded the capture of the young prince and his female echidna friend, weaving in and out of them until he finally allowed himself to get caught. With Princess Aleena still playing the damsel the 'knight' and his 'loyal esquire' pulled her away from Jules before turning their 'silver' arrow on him and stabbing him with the poisonous tip, really just sliding it under his arm. The seventeen year old hedgehog made some horrible snarling groans before collapsing into the grass pretending to be dead.
'The werehog is vanquished!' Mari-An declared brightly, raising her sword in victory and grinning.
'My hero..' Princess Aleena pretended to swoon. At these words Jules lightly tapped Prince Robert's boot causing the young hedgehoglet to turn and look at him.
'That's your cue to take her to safety..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog winked before going back to pretending to be dead.
'Oh yea..' Robert sounded with realisation hitting him then jogged over to his cousin and grabbed Princess Aleena's hand. 'This way fair maiden, follow me..' The lilac-quilled princess followed him behind some nearby shrubbery where they were hidden from view.
'What are they doing?' Little Mari-An asked Jules and immediately the cobalt-hedgehog opened his hazel eyes and sat up.
'I dunno, let's go spy on them..' Jules replied with a smile, this made the tiny red-furred echidna smile widely then grab his hand and pull him eagerly along the grass before he could properly get up. He had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen but he wasn't about to ruin it for little Mari-An. The two of them then crouched lower on the other side of the bush where Prince Robert had dragged his cousin. They were sat side by side next to each other in the cool shade.
'So what happens now?' The teal-quilled hedgehog asked his older cousin innocently and the Princess of Mobius smiled sweetly.
'Well usually the knight gives his fair maiden a kiss..' She sounded lightly, clasping her hands together and fluttering her eyelashes.
'A kiss?' Prince Robert wrinkled his black nose in disgust. 'Yuk. Tis for sissies..' He stuck out his tongue repulsed by the idea of kissing his older cousin.
'Very well.' Princess Aleena sighed. 'If you won't I will.' She declared before grabbing her little cousin and pressing her lips to his pale-skinned cheek.
'They're kissing..' Little Mari-An exclaimed in delight at the sight of her best friend's discomfort as Prince Robert was being kissed by his older cousin.
'Nay! Nay!' The ten year old hedgehog squirmed until he was released by a giggling Princess Aleena. Once free the little teal-furred hedgehog immediately ran and hid behind a smirking Jules. 'Next time ye can be the hero and I'll be thy nemesis..' He said huffily to the cobalt hedgehog wiping the horrible kiss off of his cheek with the sleeve of his shirt.
'Whatever you say little hog, whatever you say..' Jules drawled sympathetically as the girls continued to laugh at him.
As nightfall fell over the floating island the imposing central mountains seemed to take on a more ominous presence when cast in a nightly shadow. On the lower grounds it was now easier to see why the Echidna Council had been so keen to keep everybody in one radius. The dark of night completely transformed the island so it now looked more hostile than in daylight, the greenery seemed thicker and there were areas that were just completely pitch-black. The temperature had also dropped and the mists had cleared away to allow the dozens of evening stars to light up the sky. Despite the darkened island's lack of hospitality it didn't stop Jules and Aleena from taking a stroll around the floating island's land-edge.
'Cousin Robert certainly took quite a shine to you today.' 'Princess Aleena was saying a gentle smile at the cobalt-blue hedgehog as they walked hand in hand. 'He was gushing to Uncle Robin about your running speed at dinner. I think you may have a new fan.' She raised her free hand to her pink-painted mouth and giggled lightly as her emerald-eyes closed briefly. Jules half rolled his warm-hazel eyes before looking out and down to the huge watery body that made up the Sapphire Ocean below them. It was now as the waters glittered and sparkled with the light of the moon hovering above the far horizon-line.
'Rob's a good kit, a little stuck-up but I think that's just part of his charm.' Jules said in response and the princess' smile twisted as her brows kinked slightly upwards.
'I shall tell him you said so..' The lilac-furred hedgehog sounded with a slightly mischievous and haughty tone.
'What… that he's stuck-up?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog joked with a roguish smirk.
'No… that you think he's a good kit.' Princess Aleena replied, slapping his forearm with her free hand but ruining the reprisal with her light-hearted giggling. 'Anyway Uncle Robin, of course, then asked my father a few questions about you..' The blonde-quilled hedgehog continued conversationally.
'Uh-oh..' Jules intoned at this point. Princess Aleena frowned slightly at the interruption but continued anyway.
'Father admitted that he did not know you on any personal level, he only knew what General D'Coolette told him but apparently he finds you quite intriguing.' The sixteen year old princess squeezed his fingers affectionately.
'Intriguing?' Jules blinked in surprise and his warm-hazel eyes widened. 'Why would he- Oh wait, this isn't still about my middle name being the same as the 'missing' prince's, is it?' He asked curiously, remembering how King Ogilvie had once shown interest in his middle name of Theodore.
'I wouldn't know.' Princess Aleena replied in a soft voice. She and her father had never discussed how he felt about Jules. Why would they? To King Ogilvie the Third he was a low-level guard that happened to be a hedgehog who could run with incredible speed and was given a middle name that just happened to be the first name of King Thomas' missing son… that in itself could fascinate anyone. They continued to walk hand-in-hand further along the land-edge of Angel Island as a spell of silence fell over them.
'So… I'm guessing you never told Prince Robin about the arrow then?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog spoke after a moment, his eyes only briefly glancing to where the princess as they stopped then turned outward towards the edge of the floating island. Jules' hazel eyes were finally able to take in the enormous drop down towards the Sapphire Ocean below them, there had to be at least a six-hundred foot drop down into the rippling waters below… what kept this hunk of terra airborne?
'Of course not, I promised I wouldn't.' Princess Aleena replied moving over beside him and following his gaze. There was a short moment of silence before the cobalt hedgehog broke it, not tearing his eyes away from the waters miles below them, looking at the reflections of the moon and stars..
'Have you heard from Lara-Le?' Jules asked curiously. The princess' best friends had not long turned sixteen and Ambassador Zayden had brought her here to meet her future 'provider' at the request of his father. The three echidnae of the House of Arian had disappeared into the vegetation of Angel Island the day they had arrived and had not been seen since.
'No, I haven't but I'm sure she is alright. She's with her father.' Princess Aleena replied primly. Ambassador Zayden might be cool and aloof with his daughter but the lilac-furred hedgehog knew he was also a fierce warrior and protective over his family. Jules was still gazing at the ocean before his eyes travelled upwards to gaze at the stars above them. There were lots of the tiny white lights smattered across the dark night's sky then he spotted them, the only three stars that were different. Every month these stars seemed to change position as their constellation's moved. The one nearest the moon was shining a bright azure colour and was known as Sonus; considered in the stories as the star of speed due to its inability to stay in one place for long. Furthest away from it was the luminous green star of Manus; shining the brightest and considered the star of power due to its ability to outshine the others. The last was a pink star which was the highest one of the trio and named Sonori; known as the star of love mostly due to its colour but also because of its listlessness and reluctance to move. There was an old mobian myth that those who consummated their union while she was at her highest point would know only true love and happiness.
'Jules…' Princess Aleena's voice sounded tentatively, as if she was hardly daring to interrupt him from his star-gazing. 'Who was that girl at Sky Base?' This made Jules blink and wrench his eyes away from the bright stars shining above them.
'What girl at Sky Base?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sounded in confusion as the princess folded her arms and threw him a steely look. Jules wondered idly in the back of his mind what he had done to upset her as she wasn't looking like her usual sweet self.
'The one you seemed awfully close with.' Her voice had a slightly accusatory hard edge to it and her pink-painted mouth set in an unhappy line.
'Oh.. You mean Alice?' Jules sounded as he slapped his blue-furred forehead with understanding. Suddenly clicking at who she was talking about and… was she jealous? It certain looked like it to the cobalt-blue hedgehog. The idea of him and Alicia together might have been serious once but now it was so far from the truth it was actually laughable… and without realising it he did let out a low chuckle.
'What's so funny?' Princess Aleena asked, slightly put out as her hands sat angrily on her hips. The cobalt-blue hedgehog had just started chuckling in amusement to himself. Jules immediately gave a soft sigh and stopped laughing, realising that he was going to have to reassure her.
'Ali, you don't have to worry about Alicia...' The seventeen year old hedgehog let his hand reach out and clasp hers gently. 'She and I used to date in school but those feelings died a long time ago. Alicia is nothing more than a good friend now and I know she feels the same way about me..' His narrowed hazel eyes were gazing into her emerald-green ones.
'You promise?' She sounded unsurely, feeling a little guilty for suddenly jumping to such a conclusion, he had been straight with her from the very beginning why would he start lying to her now? Still… why would he kiss her?
'Yeh, I swear there's nothing between us now.' Jules replied softly with an assuring smile.
'But the kiss-'
'-was a friendly peck goodbye, that's it.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sighed and wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Her emerald-green eyes were still wide with worry as her fingers seemed to clutch the navy shirt of his uniform nervously. 'Al…' He sighed heavily, realising that he was going to come clean about how he felt about her as it was the only way to truly soothe her fears. 'I only have eyes for one girl..' He uttered feeling so incredibly stupid for saying these words as it was the lamest sounding sentence that he could have said without saying 'I love you' which he wasn't ready to admit to himself nevermind her. His words had the desired effect as immediately Princess Aleena's bright green eyes sparkled and a small smile curved her lips. Her slim furless fingers clutching him then loosened their grip on his shirt and she lovingly caressed the slight creases smooth.
'Oh Jules..' She let out a little gasp and her eyes narrowed as her hands slid around the back of his neck. 'I'm really the only girl?' The princess asked, biting her lip as her emerald-green eyes looked hopefully up into his warm-hazel eyes. Jules' white-gloved fingers caressed her back slowly up and down before one hand slipped up her smooth lilac-furred back and his fingers snared themselves into the blonde-quills at the back of her head. His other hand slid down Princess Aleena's back to the base of her small lilac-furred tail then held her firm, forcing her to remain pressed to his body. As the fingers of the hand behind her head tilted the princess' head gently back Jules pushed his face closer to hers, his pupils dilated as his breath quickened.
'I swear it darlin'..' He murmured in a hushed breathless whisper before his lips covered hers in a passionate kiss and his eyes closed in sync with hers as she responded fervently. The intense burning of their desire for each other as this had been their first chance to be alone together in a long while meant that their kiss escalated quickly. Within only a minute of locking lips the two were desperately swapping saliva as their tongues danced wildly..
Suddenly the sound of rustling caused the two star-crossed hedgehog lovers to wrench their lips apart and swivel around with wide eyes, startled by this sudden and unexpected interruption. While Princess Aleena looked petrified and clutched his arm, fearing that someone from her father's entourage had caught them, Jules' hazel eyes narrowed and he unsheathed his sword from his scabbard. He raised it high and moved forward slowly with the princess still holding him and following, shielded protectively by her guard. The cobalt-blue hedgehog's pupils scanned the foreboding-looking darkened greenery around them, the blade of his sword moving with his eyes as they tried to see what had disturbed them.
'Show yourself in the name of the king..' Jules cried out angrily when he could see no hint of their prowler. The two hedgehogs waited with bated breath for some kind of movement…
…Nothing.
'It musta just been an animal..' Jules exhaled, lowering his sword before swinging it back to his scabbard and sheathing it once more. Princess Aleena nodded slowly before loosening her tight grip on his arm, something he had not noticed before due to the adrenaline pumping through his own body. 'You alright Ali..' The seventeen year old Royal Guard officer asked tenderly, placing a hand to her cheek and stroking her pale-skinned muzzle affectionately with his thumb.
'I'm fine..' The princess uttered in a short burst as she tried to control her breathing before wrapping her cloak better around her body.
'C'mon, I better get you back to your room before your dad finds out you're not in it..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog let go of her face then took hold of her hand and began to lead her back the way they had come…
…As the two teenage hedgehogs moved away a set of deep purple eyes appeared in the bushes that had rustled only moments before, watching them leave…
Little Notes:
Hey peeps, amazingly I have actually finished a chapter inside of two weeks. I really pushed myself to finish and it's paid off! Ok, firstly this is just one half of a two-part Angel Island chapter.
For describing Angel Island I have decided to go with the only consistent source, the Sonic games. We all know that Sonic Underground did kind of mess up the whole thing as the island looked like it had been designed by someone who had never played a Sonic game in their life! As for Archie, I never much liked the idea of Angel Island ripping away from Downunda. It's always pictured with a mass expanse of water under it. And for an island supposedly 'bursting' with many species you only ever see Knuckles as a native so once more I will be following the game history on this, of course, with a few twists of my own. I will be writing some history on the floating island in my next chapter and explain some more then.
Anyway, as you've noticed the whole jealousy thing wasn't a plot device but merely a small little story ruse on my behalf… could the story be done without it? Probably but I like it in as it give a little depth into Princess Aleena… what girl wouldn't get jealous if they saw their man peck an unknown girl on the cheek? I don't really go for storylines that drag out jealousy without resolving it quickly, it's a poor choice of story plot if there is nothing else going. This kinda thing has to be blended ii subtly to even have I chance of working…. So, fingers crossed!
Since it was Halloween (one of my fav times of year!) I couldn't resist throwing in a few spooky hints in this chapter. The legendary werehog creature that Jules pretends to be during his play-acting with little Rob O'Hedge and the fright that our star-crossed lovers get at the end of the chapter…. Hope you had a good one!
Ok, Rob O'Hedge belongs to Archie and is Amy Rose's older cousin; my twist is also making him a cousin of Princess Aleena. Don't even go 'but Ditzy, that would make Sonic and Amy cousins'… no, they aren't. The link is on Rob's mother's side while the link to Amy is on his father's side; that would make them second cousins once removed… I actually quite like Rob as a character although I do think they kind of did the whole Robin Hood idea with him. He brings some much needed stability to Amy and appears to be the only one she truly listens to and not act like some insane hammer-swinging lunatic. His friendship with Jules is important as he signifies the first step in the next big arc… once I've finished with Angel Island we're going to do a serious time jump to push the story forward! :) X
Until next time…
~Ditzy x