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 apart from some background alterations) 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:

Slayer 666: No definitely not going to be like Saving Private Ryan but I will do my best with the war. Considering that this is a T-Rated fic and I'd like to keep it that way because I think my low amount of loyal viewers would not know where to find it if I changed the rating. There probably won't be a huge amount of gross facts about blood and guts but I think your still thinking in the terms of humans verses humans… this, when you take everything apart and look at the basic fundamentals, is humans verses animals… Once you think along those lines you may understand what I mean when I say things will be dark. After all there are better words than torture and mass graves to use that completely change the whole perception in a way even the Archie creators dared not to go x

Astroshadow: Haha, he says he'll do his best.. X

Warning: This chapter does contain singing… (well, this is a Sonic Underground-type prequel there was gonna be at least one song in it)… If you have a problem with it take it up with Jules because he's the one singing…

Chapter Twenty-One:A Song Called 'Bernadette'..

'Aleena, I do not wish to intrude on your reading but may we talk my dear?' King Ogilvie the Third said in a soft, gentle voice as he pushed the drawing room door shut so that he and his daughter were alone. In one of the plush velvet-red armchairs was the Princess of Mobius, sitting demurely with a book by the fireplace. At her father's words the blonde-quilled hedgehog lifted her emerald-green eyes from the written mobish-text of the book she was reading and looked at her father. The deep-emerald-green hedgehog was gazing at her tentatively through his expressive maroon eyes as he stood awkwardly by the door, almost as if he feared to disturb her when she was reading.

'I suppose so father.' Princess Aleena replied with reluctance in her voice, marking her place in the book with its cover before setting it down on the small round table in front of her.

'Thank you.' King Ogilvie smiled, finally moving away from the door and taking the matching-red armchair opposite his daughter and clasping his fingers together, sitting them in his lap. 'I see your reading Kirby again. You always did love those books.' The King of Mobius said conversationally, recognising the golden title-writing of the first edition book on the small table.

'Jules liked them too.' Princess Aleena said softly as her green eyes dropped to her own fingers that were sat neatly in her lap. At these words the older green-quilled hedgehog smiled sadly.

'I'm sure these stories have inspired thousands of good mobians the world over..' He said gently, reaching out and picking up the book that he too had once read as a little hedgehoglet while curled up with his own mother. When his maroon eyes looked up to his daughter, seeing a small tear appear in her eye. 'My apologies dearest, that was insensitive.' King Ogilvie's green-furred pointed-ears dipped a little in shame at his thoughtless utterance as he replaced the first edition Tales of Kirby book to the table by his daughter. There was silence for a small moment before the princess replied.

'It's fine father, I imagine that you are right. I'm sure these stories have touched may of mobian hearts.' Her voice remained soft and slightly distant. Her green eyes were filled with sadness and loss that had nothing to do with their lost Mercian family members.

'You do miss him, don't you?' The green-quilled King of Mobius said gently, his maroon eyes gazing at his only child and the princess gave a demure sigh. This made King Ogilvie click his tongue sympathetically. 'You know we had no choice but to send him away, right my darling?'

'I do understand but it doesn't heal my heart.' The lilac-furred princess with long blonde-quills said slowly, her small hand covering her bosom. Inside her chest she felt the crushing sense of numbness that could only come from a broken heart. She knew that she would never be able to see her cobalt-blue lover again and she couldn't ever imagine loving another mobian..

'I wish I had the power to make everything better but unfortunately, even I cannot bend the laws of Mobius.' The green-furred King of Mobius sighed heavily with regret before his expression turned serious. 'I will tell you that Armand has managed to convince our former captain to transfer his services over into the Mobian Army-'

'The Army?' Princess Aleena gasped out, her mind filling with all the horrific possibilities of what could happen to her beloved cobalt-blue hedgehog when the Overlanders finally landed on Mobius and the impending war for their very survival began.

'I know this must be difficult to hear Aleena darling but he has actually done you both a favour. By signing up for our armed forces he has avoided a dishonourable discharge which would have named and shamed him to our mobian public. This in turn would be have brought more backlash considering his rank and position in our guard. Not only has he saved our family further humiliation, which I respect him greatly for..' King Ogilvie paused in his words as his smile widened a little as his warm-maroon eyes glinted. He then reached over and held his daughter's hand, letting his thumb flick over her soft skin. 'He now has a chance to prove to the rest of Mobius, that he is worthy of you.'

'The rest of Mobius?' Princess Aleena queried with a slight kink in her neat eyebrow. Her expression then softened as her emerald-green eyes widened with understanding at his words. Jules had already proved his worth to her father but he wanted the rest of their kingdom to see it too before he would give them his blessing.

'The scandal has changed everything now dearest.' King Ogilvie the Third uttered, pulling his hands away from his daughter and getting up off of his plush seat and moving towards the large arched window of the drawing room. The view outside was of the enormous front grounds, the courtyard below and the city of Mobotroplis beyond that which was nothing but darkened shapes lit up by thousands of dull power-stone streetlights. 'Before it was only my favour he needed, now he needs to prove himself to them.' The green-quilled hedgehog then yanked the red-velvet curtains shut violently, blotting out the city from his sight. He then turned to his only child with sadness gleaming in his maroon eyes. 'His journey to redemption will be tough but that does not mean it cannot be done.' Princess Aleena continued to gaze silently at her father as he moved to the fireplace, leaning on the mantelpiece. There was a short pause of silence as King Ogilvie the Third looked up at the royal O'Hedge family portrait that still hung above the hearth of the room.

'So what happens now father?' Princess Aleena's voice finally spoke drawing the king's attention away from his deceased and lost family.

'Mobodoon appears in our world in a few days. I want you to go there in your capacity as princess to royally represent me. You will be escorted by our new captain Argus Fletcher and a small elite team of guards for your own safety in these uncertain times.' King Ogilvie the Third said matter-of-factly to his daughter.

'You will not be coming?' Princess Aleena said unsurely.

'No. I have important affairs to deal with at home.' The green-quilled hedgehog replied coolly.

'Such as?' His lilac-furred daughter asked curiously causing her father to turn his head and frown with instant disapproval at being asked such a question.

'Meetings and what-not. Mostly with Warlord Kodos, Commander Ian St John and the Mobian Council concerning preparations for war. I will not have you here for such unpleasant matters.' King Ogilvie's voice was unusually stern meaning that this was non-negotiable, she would be sent away against her will if he found it necessary.

'Very well. If royal duty calls I shall go to Mobodoon.' Princess Aleena sighed gently. 'Goodnight father, I shall need my rest if I am to take such a long journey to the site where Mobodoon appears.' The blonde-quilled princess added as she pulled herself out of her plush seat and picked up the volume of Tales of Kirby she had been reading. Princess Aleena opened the door before pausing and turning to face her father once more. The green-quilled hedgehog looked curiously at her before she spoke once more. 'You will contact me if Marie and Armand's kiton is born before my return?' The lilac-furred teenage hedgehog said hopefully, knowing that the D'Coolette infant was due to be born any day now.

'Of course my child, goodnight.' King Ogilvie the Third nodded amiably as a smile played about his nude lips.

The underground club of Macey's was jumping when Charles Hedgehog and his lab-partner and friend Lionel Lion entered the double-doors to the main floor. It had been a while since the two young scientists had been here but it hadn't changed a bit. They still had to edge their way through the packed club towards their 'usual' booth at the far end of the room where they could still see the main stage clearly. When they arrived at the booth they found it crammed with multi-species of mobians all with drinks, chatting amiably together. There was so many that they also occupied the neighbouring table in the large two-table booth.

'Hey guys..' Lionel exclaimed brightly to the group of his peers which made the incredibly large group of mobians turn around and smiled warmly at the two new arrivals. He then scratched behind one blonde-furred ear at the large group of mobians. 'Y'know it never fails to amaze me how many mobians know your brother.' He leaned into Charles and uttered these words in his mild-blue pointed-ear.

'I know what you mean..' The older Hedgehog-brother muttered back, his cobalt sibling's ability to make friends easily had always been something he had both envied and admired. Tonight was Jules' last weekend in Mobius before he was driven out into the barracks to be inducted properly into the Mobian Army and receive his rank and the basic training required to fulfil his new duties. Since this was his last night Jules had asked Charles and Lionel to meet him here along with his other friends.

'Lionel we got space over here, man..' Sherman called out to the blonde-lion and patted the space beside him and his girlfriend Gladys, a violet-skinned seal with a short blonde bob and sparkling light-blue eyes. She too gave a dazzling smile and nodded, beckoning the lion over with one pink-painted talon.

'Sure, I'll be there in a sec bud, just gonna find a seat for Chuck first.' Lionel gave his best friend a thumbs up sign.

'Chuck can hang with us.' Argus called out from his spot near Alicia Acorn and immediately the red-headed chipmunk grinned and got off her seat, moving towards the mild-blue hedgehog and grabbing his arm.

'Yeh, sure. No problem. C'mon Chuck, you can sit with Max and me.' Alicia said brightly, pulling the twenty-two year old hedgehog towards the table where her light-brown fox-mobian husband was sitting with his glass of wine and conversing with Isabelle Mungisi about the growing success of her art gallery. 'Don't worry, I think you two will really get on. Max loves science, he's always going to those gala-things you guys hold to showcase new ideas hoping to find something worth investing in.' Alicia rolled her pretty sapphire-blue eyes at this. She appreciated science as much as the next mobian but she just wasn't into it as much her husband was. Anything to do with science, art or education immediately struck a chord with Maximillion Acorn. Alicia had learnt that Professor Nate Morgan had been one of his father's greatest friends and this coupled with his years working under the Minister of Education had fuelled Max's deeply rooted interests.

'Yes, I remember seeing him at the last symposium.' Charles nodded vaguely as he recalled a brief meeting with Mayor Acorn before being whisked away to meet some other notable mobians who were curious to know what he was working on these days.

'Max dear, you remember Jules' brother-' Alicia had started to say to her husband as the light-brown-furred fox-mobian had turned around, his blue eyes widening in surprise.

'Charles Hedgehog, yes, yes of course I know him dear.' Maximillion grinned broadly, standing politely and shaking hands vigorously with the mild-blue hedgehog. 'C'mon, sit with me Doctor Hedgehog it will be good to chat without someone hauling one of us off for once. What are you drinking?' His arm slid around Charles' shoulder as the twenty-two year old hedgehog seemed suddenly overwhelmed to have the Mayor of Mobotroplis talk to him in such a friendly manner.

'Oh, you don't have to, I can get my own..' The mild-blue hedgehog began to reply.

'Nonsense. I insist..' Maximillion cut him off with a wave of his hand off before pushing him down into the seat next to him where he was now sandwiched between Alicia and yellow-furred mongoose Isabelle.

'Hey Charles, been a while..' She drawled amiably with a sweet smile before adding. 'And I wouldn't argue, he's bought every one of us a drink.' She then flicked her long purple head-fur casually and sipped her rose glass of wine.

'It has Isabelle, how's the painting going?' Charles said lightly with a smile to the bohemian mongoose.

'Alice get him whatever he's having..' Max had added to his wife slipping her another note to take with her to the bar.

'Root beer ok Chuck?' The red-headed chipmunk added with a smile causing the mild-blue to sigh.

'That would be swell, thanks Alice.' He agreed reluctantly as Maximillion sat next to him and Alicia Acorn disappeared off to the bar.

'Great girl..' The light-brown mobian-fox uttered with a slight sigh.

'Mmm-hmm..' Charles made a noise of vague agreement, it was now that he was sat down could he really take in who was all here. At his table was Max, Alicia who was getting drinks at the minute, Isabelle, Ginger Tigris, Jasper Jacks and Cocoa Cat, Argus Fletcher and his white-cat girlfriend Kitty and her friend Pansy Possum. At the other table near to them was Lionel Lion, Buchanan Rabbot and Missy Rabbot, Sherman and Gladys, Tiger Stripes and Lionel's girlfriend Emma. It seemed like most of Jules' friends and their partners had come out to see his little brother off… but where was he?

After a while of chatting to the other mobians around him Charles was beginning to realise just how out of touch he had become with those he felt he knew almost as well as his brother. It turned out that Tiger and Ginger were no longer dating, hence why they were now sat at separate tables, although they seemed to still be on friendly terms. The mild-blue hedgehog had been surprised to hear that now both Missy Rabbot and Cocoa Cat were newly-expecting. The Rabbot's didn't surprise Charles too much as he had heard from Jules they had been considering bringing a bouncing little kiton into the world and apparently their dream had come true and he couldn't be happier for them. Cocoa and Jasper however had only been dating for a year and a half, had no plans of marrying and hadn't planned to have a kiton so soon but were both happy anyway. It was an unusual circumstance for mobians but if it made them happy he was hardly in a position to question it.. The baby talk had been difficult for Alicia and Maximillion Acorn who had just suffered through a miscarriage but they seemed to believe that perhaps in such uncertain times this was not the right moment for them to have a kiton. Gladys and Sherman who'd only recently started dating had apparently been working together for a couple of years now. Funnily enough, it was the violet-skinned seal who had asked out Sherman as she'd got tired of waiting for him to ask her.

'So where is Jules anyway?' Charles finally asked the group curiously as a whole. His little sibling still hadn't made an appearance and if he'd been going for fashionably late that time period was well over by now.

'Oh. I saw him talking to Old Man Gallagher up at the bar when I went for drinks a minute back.' Tiger said smoothly and Lionel, who had gone with him nodded in agreement. 'He said he'd be over soon there was something he wanted to do first.'

'Really?' Alicia sounded curiously. 'I wonder what that is?'

'Beats me..' Isabelle shrugged casually. 'Juice just called me and asked if I was coming out to see him off tonight.'

'Yeh, that's what he said to us too..' Argus added indifferently. 'General Prower was nice enough to give us both the night off but we have to do a couple of late nights to make up for it next week.'

'Too bad he has to work though..' Jasper said with a light sigh. 'If anyone could use a night out it's him. He's not been the same since his brother Miles died.' Cocoa rubbed his forearm slightly with a soft comforting purr in the back of her throat. Their hands then entwined as the all-black mobian-cat smiled at his black and white girlfriend.

'I guess Ol' Juice has a surprise in store for us..' Sherman smiled widely taking a swig of his root beer. At this point the attention of the room was suddenly drawn to the main stage as the stage-lights were turned on and a lone figure holding a maroon guitar was illuminated for the whole club to see. Everyone at the two-table booth instantly recognised the cobalt-blue hedgehog who reached out a large white-gloved hand to take hold of the microphone-on-a-stick and move nearer to his mouth and switch it on.

'Uh, h-hey everyone.' Jules Hedgehog sounded in a slightly nervous tone as public speaking was always something that gave him knots in his stomach. Since this was a special night he quashed his nausea and continued. 'As many of you know, tonight is my last night here in Mobotroplis before I leave for the army.' The eighteen year old hedgehog then blinked as if this was just sinking in. 'Wow, that uh, that still sounds weird to me. Anyway, I just wanted to thank my friends for comin' out..' He stopped once more and turned to the booth where everyone was sat and gave them a salute and a cheeky wink. 'Hey guys, someone get me a root beer I'll be with you real soon.'

'I'm on it!' Sherman's voice called back and he got up and moved out of the booth and towards the bar.

'Heh, thanks S-Man..' Came Jules' amplified voice as he gave the navy-skinned walrus a thumbs up sign before his attention turned to the back of the room to the club-owner who the hedgehog had known for as long as he'd been coming here. 'And thanks to 'Old Man' Gallagher for lettin' me come up here tonight since this may be my last chance to-'

'Sing us a song!' Tig suddenly roared out loud and interrupting his cobalt-blue best friend. The eighteen year old hedgehog frowned lightly and strummed his guitar once.

'I'm getting to that Tig, what did you think I was doing up here?' Jules sounded dryly.

'Boring us to tears you blue moron!' The silver-furred tiger called back and this generated a ripple of laughter from the club.

'Yeh, sing a song or get off the stage..' Argus cried out with a smirk of amusement and the rest of the group either chuckled in amusement or grinned widely at this. The cobalt-blue hedgehog lit up on stage continued to look slightly peeved by this heckling and strummed his guitar a couple more times.

'Oh nice, real nice guys. Maybe I don't want to sing my song now..' Jules pouted as his fingers continued to lightly pluck strings in a soft tune.

'Do we wanna hear his song?' Alicia got up and called out to the club as the light-brown chipmunk-mobian punched a fist in the air, her gold bracelets clinking as she did so.

'Yeh..!' The whole room seemed to respond to her words making Jules' expression immediately soften and the smile returned to his lips. At this point Alicia pumped both fists up and down and began to lead a chat. 'Sing it… Sing it… Sing it… Sing it... Sing it..' The crowd following her as they clapped their hands and stamped their feet in a droning beat to go with their chant. Sherman immediately joined in once he'd returned to his seat and .

'Ok, ok, ok..' Jules' amplified voice sounded as his white-gloved hand left the black headstock of his guitar and moved in an up down gesture to quieten the noise of the crowd. When they stopped chanting he ran his fingers through his fringe of blue quills before his hand returned to his headstock. 'You've twisted my quills guys…' As the crowd cheered he started strumming the beginning of a melody and continued talking as he played. 'This is a story about a guy who just couldn't help but fall for the wrong girl..' He gave a wry smirk as he began to play his tune louder and the curtain of the stage reeled back and a backing band appeared showing that this had all been planned out in advance.

'I'm impressed Alicia dear, I had no idea you could lead mobians in a chant like that..' Maximillion murmured with a surprised smile as Jules and the backing band on the main-stage played their opening melody.

'Well, we should hang out with my friends more often. There's a whole side to me your missing out on Max.' The red-headed chipmunk raised her brows knowingly to her husband before her attention was caught by a tap on the shoulder and she turned to see Charles' suddenly worried expression.

'You don't think he's talking about-?' The mild-blue hedgehog leaned in to Alicia and uttered softly in her soft-brown pointed-ear, unable to finish as Jules began to sing his song:

'Mobians usually stop and stare no matter where she goh-oes…

With those emerald eyes and golden quills she could own your soh-oul..

She hangs out with uptight billionaires but isn't interested in any goh-old

She's straight up and down to Mobius, trust me guys I know-oh…'

'Yes..' Alicia's eyes widened a little as they listened to the lyrics of Jules' song. 'I think that's exactly who he's singing about..'

'Maybe so Alice..' Isabelle sounded at that moment from the other side of Charles, pushing her yellow-furred face forward while her purple long head-fur drooped sideways still framing her sea-blue eyes. 'But you gotta dig that indie-rock vibe.' She said straightening with a wide smile making the red-headed chipmunk giggle at her best friend's words.

'It is kinda catchy, isn't it Issy?' Alicia agreed as the free-spirited mongoose began snapping her lithe yellow fingers in time with the drumbeat.

'And now all of Mobius knows…. All of Mobius knows…' The cobalt-blue hedgehog sung out a chant with a lone drumbeat before he and the band immediately strummed into the chorus.

'That nobody could ever do it like Bernadette..

Bernadette, do you know what you've done to me?

You turned me into a criminal, to me this was more than physical and now this kills me..

I won't deny it if they make allegations, 'cause all of Mobius know…

That nobody could ever do it like Bernadette..

Hey Bernadette! Do you think they may be on to me…'

As the band continued playing Jules moved into another short instrumental and his older brother glanced around the club. No-one apart from those who knew who 'Bernadette' really was truly understood what Jules was singing about. This was probably a good thing. In that moment Charles suddenly understood why Jules was singing this song. Since he couldn't openly talk about his heartache he was using this song as a confession, of sorts, and a way of expressing his true feelings about the Princess of Mobius without being slated by the Mobian public. For this reason the mild-blue hedgehog gave a small smile and leaned his blue-furred head in his large white-gloved palm, he could only admire his brother's daring.

'She pulled me in with one coy smile and just like that I was guh-une…

That's right; another sucker paid the price with what he has duh-une…

I hear many mobians have tried then failed, enraptured by her hoh-old…

But I'm tellin' you with Bernadette you need to have con-trol…'

'Yah think they know who he's talkin' 'bout?' Missy uttered softly to the group of mobians sitting around her as Jules belted out the second chorus once more.

'Naw honeysuckle, they pro'bly jist think he's written sumthin' based on the latest royal scandal..' Buchanan drawled as he casually wrapped one arm around his wife's waist and stroked her shoulder gently. He was wearing a brown-leather cowboy hat and a matching leather jacket over his usual pink flannel-shirt and dark-denim dungarees. Missy snuggled into her husband with a contented smile and her honey-furred hand settled on her flat abdomen.

'I think it's very brave of him to subtly share his pain with everyone..' Gladys' soft voice sounded as the violet-skinned seal narrowed her eyes, picking up her ice-cold drink and taking a sip.

'Subtle? Juice?' Tiger snorted in amusement into his root beer. 'Not a word I'd use to describe him.'

'Know what ya mean Tig..' Sherman grinned widely as he slouched back in his seat. 'But even you gotta admit that when it comes to music Juice is pretty smart when it comes to lyrics.'

'Yup. You got me their S-Man.' Tiger drawled back in response and they chinked beers.

'Whatta guy..' Pansy sighed lightly from the other side of the booth. 'That Bernadette is a lucky girl.' Kitty made a noise of agreement and leaned into her best friend and co-worker as they both narrowed their eyes in admiration. Argus and Jasper exchanged a look which barely hid their mirth as neither of them had bothered to inform the yellow-furred wolf's new girlfriend or her best friend of who 'Bernadette' really was.

'She sure is..' They both sounded together then smirked silently while the girls had their backs to them. At this point the band on stage were playing the halfway instrumental before everyone silenced leaving only the drummer playing a steady beat.

'Alright, I wanna hear everyone..' Jules called out with the drummer still playing alone before chanting:

'They know, Mobius knows…. They know, Mobius knows…' He then stopped and held out his microphone to the crowd and suddenly everyone in the place chanted back:

'They know, Mobius knows…. They know, Mobius knows… They know, Mobius knows… They know, Mobius knows…' The band and Jules immediately began playing with the drummer once again strumming into the final chorus with the crowd still singing along loudly.

'That nobody could ever do it like Bernadette..

Bernadette, do you know what you've done to me?

You turned me into a criminal, to me this was more than physical and now this kills me..

I won't deny it if they make allegations, 'cause all of Mobius know…

That nobody could ever do it like Bernadette.. The everything stopped for Jules' last line as the cobalt-blue hedgehog sang it slowly with his eyes closed so he wouldn't reveal the true depth of the pain behind it.

Hey Bernadette, you've no idea just what you've done to me…' He kept his eyes closed as he and the band behind him strummed out of the song and the crowd and club-staff cheered and clapped.

'Thank you!' Jules called over the crowd as his warm-hazel eyes opened and the hedgehog grinned widely. 'A big hand to tonight's entertainment who were nice enough to let me sit in with them. I give you The Forest Critters!' Jules immediately turned his deep-maroon acoustic-guitar around so it was now resting against his back-quills, handed the microphone to the lead guitarist of the band and hopped off stage to join his friends at their booth. Leaving with a smile as The Forest Critters made everyone give an extra round of applause to the cobalt-blue hedgehog, this came with plenty of girlish screams of adoration and cheering from the guys in the club. The band then fired into their planned set of music for that night…

The night passed quickly for Jules while he sat and enjoyed himself with his brother and friends, laughing, dancing and drinking. The highlight of the evening turned out to be a surprise appearance from the members of The Forest Critters band who had approached Jules during one of their set-breaks and complimented the cobalt-blue hedgehog on such a unique and currently relevant song. They had then immediately asked for the permission to record it and turn it into a single and give him a percentage of the profits. The eighteen year old hedgehog was flattered by their offer but he didn't get much of a chance to mull the proposal over properly as immediately his friends began nodding their heads vigorously, a chorus of mixed voices telling him to do it. One of their arguments being that if it was made into a single it would be played on the radio and the real 'Bernadette' could hear it for herself.. Jules had glanced over at his older brother, seeing him as one of the few who didn't crowd around but remained in his seat. Charles only gave him a non-committal shrug and a slight smile as if deciding to let his little sibling make the decision on his own, for once. In the end the cobalt-blue hedgehog agreed to allow The Forest Critters to use the lyrics to the song that he'd simply entitled: 'Bernadette'.

But all too soon the night was over and Jules Hedgehog found himself on the bus riding into the barracks located in Green Woods not far outside the city limits. This was a little wooded area that was on the perimeter of the Green Hill valley the perfect place to defend Mobotroplis from either eastern attack from the Sapphire Ocean or western attack from the badlands further inland that led out to the Great Desert and Lake Valley beyond that. The steep terrain of the Green Hill mountain range in the far south, where the tiny hidden hamlet of Knothole was located, had been ruled out for the moment as the huge peaks were practically inaccessible cliff-edges from the other side where the land changed to huge gorges and sandy desert. This meant that the Overlanders would be forced to come through the badlands of the valley and straight into military owned and operated grounds.

Once the bus had rolled into the army campus in Green Woods Jules glanced around the huge complex with surprise and interest, for some reason this place was even bigger than he'd ever imagined. A tap on the shoulder brought the cobalt-blue hedgehog's attention to his oldest friend Lieutenant Tiger Stripes and the white-furred tiger with silver stripes grinned and pointed a white-furred finger in the direction of the main building.

'You better go to Colonel Somersby and report for duty Juice. He's in the third door from the left. See you around bud.' Tiger then picked up his duffle-bag and began heading over to a group of guys that were calling out to him, receiving a high-five from an eight-foot purple giraffe with cream spots. Jules watched as his best friend disappeared off with his army buddies before sighing heavily and picking up his own duffle-bag and headed into the main building, his hazel eyes taking in the platoons that were all being put through their paces in drill-marches, assault courses and firing ranges. So far this place was looking like an even more neurotic version of his old job..

'You must be Hedgehog.' The grey-furred bull-dog mobian with neat white head-fur said plainly without even looking up from Jules' file as the cobalt-blue hedgehog opened the door. 'Shut the door and take a seat son, we need to talk.' He added as he continued mulling over the file and Jules obeyed these orders, sitting in the seat allocated for him and leaving his bag by the shut door. There was a short pause of silence as Somersby finished reading the file and set it down in front of him with the details face up so he could look over them when needed.

'I've heard quite a bit about you from General D'Coolette. He speaks highly of your abilities but we are concerned about how D'Coolette describes you..' The bulldog broke off to glance back at the quotation written down in front of him. ''A loose cannon who tends to take off on his own'. Now son, we at the army enforce a strict code of teamwork. I don't know how things are done in the Royal Guard and I don't care but in the army we stand together as one. We are at war and if we expect to survive then your gonna have to start playing by the rules or you're gonna end up getting your whole unit killed.' His cold grey eyes scrutinized Jules as if already seeing him as bad news.

'I understand that sir.' The eighteen year old hedgehog said carefully, knowing that his reckless behaviour in the Royal Guard was going to work against him here as he had heard from friends that the Mobian Army was much stricter than the Royal Guard. 'I admit I do act on instinct on occasion but-' Colonel Somersby held up a thick grey-furred hand before Jules could finish.

'If you're gonna make it in the army I want you to act as your commanding officer directs you to and repress the instinct to go off on your own.' He said in a reprimanding tone and immediately Jules closed his hazel eyes for a moment accepting this before nodding and looking the colonel straight in the eyes.

'Ok.' It was the only word to come out of the cobalt-blue hedgehog, his tone was compliant as well as musing. It was almost as if he was just submitting to the whims of the army and Colonel Somersby's jowl tweaked into a smile before he pressed forward as they had yet to discuss his rank and his unit placement.

'It says here you were a captain before your dismissal..' The bulldog-mobian raised a brow at this information before his sharp grey eyes looked up from Jules' file to the hedgehog before him. For a moment the cobalt-blue hedgehog wondered if he knew why he had been dismissed from the Royal Guard but if he did know Colonel Somersby didn't give away anything.

'That is correct sir.' Jules replied respectfully with his hands sitting comfortably in his blue-furred lap in front of him.

'You have experience commanding lower officers, running exercise drills and leading patrols. Despite your reputation as a 'loose cannon' your work record is flawless. Had you not been dismissed from the Royal Guard I'd have said you'd easily be looking at Lieutenant but as your record stands I'm afraid you will be demoted to Sargent.' Colonel Somersby said calmly and immediately Jules blinked slightly stunned. Although he knew that he was going to be demoted as a penalisation for his actions concerning the Princess of Mobius he was stunned that he was still going to be given the right to control a unit's actions, even with his maverick tendencies.

'Th-thank you sir..' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said but didn't get the chance to finish as Colonel Somersby continued to speak as if he'd barely heard Jules at all.

'I'm placing you under the care of Lieutenant Rabbit who runs unit delta on the frontline inventory.'

'Frontline inventory?' Jules repeated these words, practically choking out the words as he knew that this would mean that the moment the Overlanders landed he would be amongst the first units on the scene. Colonel Somersby kinked a brow at his outburst of surprise but his grey eyes turned down to his papers as he immediately pulled out a copy-sheet for Jules, filing in the details of the hedgehog's new placement and rank in his unit.

'They call themselves the 'Knothole Dandies' and they're a tough unit to impress so you better be as good as D'Coolette says you are.' The bulldog sounded seriously but the only thing that really registered with Jules was the name that unit delta called themselves… the Knothole Dandies? No.. It couldn't be…

'Well gahzooks! Lookie what the polecat dragged in'ta mah unit..' The wide buck-toothed grin of Buchanan Rabbot met Jules Hedgehog once he'd knocked on the door of unit delta's billet. 'Yah mah new sargent? Ah did not see that comin'..' The light-brown-furred rabbit drawled good-naturedly, shaking his head with disbelief at how everything had worked out as he leant against the doorway of the building behind him.

'Buck? Your my lieutenant? But Somersby told me I was under a Lieutenant Rabbit..' Jules frowned slightly at his copy-sheet.

'Lemmie see that li'l partnah.' Buchanan snatched the sheet of paper off of his neighbour and best friend, scanning the information on the sheet then frowning at the misspelling of his own name. 'Pffft… Damn Colonel's always writin' the northan equivalent of mah name. I'll jist fix that foh yah good 'n' propah.' He then scratched out the mistake and rewrote his name in properly before handing the sheet back to the cobalt-blue hedgehog. The light-brown furred rabbit then invited Jules inside the building which only seemed to house a series of bunked cot-beds with trunks at the foot of the bed for personal effects. A number of these beds had photos pinned to the wall beside them of friends, girlfriends and family, another had a dartboard with darts embedded in it and at the back of the room was a door. Buchanan opened this door to reveal a separate room with two more bunked cot-beds in it and a picture of Missy was pinned to the lower bed.

'Yah can bunk with me good buddy. Jist dump yah bag anywheha yah want, we'll deal with it latah..' He said winking one of his deep-green eyes at the cobalt-blue hedgehog. 'Now, how's about Ah introduce you to the fellahs in ouah unit?' He added jauntily, wrapping an arm around Jules once the cobalt-blue hedgehog had dumped his duffle-bag down. Buchanan then began leading his friend and lower-ranking officer out of the billet and along to the exercise area where the Knothole Dandies were working out…

...'This is gonna be our new Sargent?' Came the disapproving sneer of a dark-yellow-furred mongoose with a mop of slicked-back dark-brown head-fur. 'Some preppy pretty-boy they drafted in from the Royal Guard..' He kinked a brow, his light-green eyes scrutinising the hedgehog before him who was only two inches taller in height. The rest of unit delta began snickering in amusement at the fact that the new sargent was already getting shown the business.

'Corporal Mongoose I reckon yah oughta remembah that yah talkin' to a commandin' officah..' Buchanan Rabbot drawled in a warning tone, frowning slightly at his corporal.

'I'm just seein' if our new sargent can handle his new charges..' Corporal Mongoose's grin widened into a leer as he continued to eye his new commanding officer judgementally.

'It's fine Buck..' Jules added calmly with an offhanded wave causing Buchanan to roll his deep-green eyes as the cobalt-blue hedgehog turned back to the dark-yellow mongoose. 'I can handle anything you, or these any of these boys can dish out, bud. So you better shut up and put up before I think your all mouth and no action..' The second Jules said these words his own cobalt-blue brow kinked as his grin twisted . Mongoose's brows instantly lifted in intrigue.

'Ooooooohhhh!' The rest of the unit delta boys sounded together in a jeer as Corporal Mongoose continued to gaze at the cobalt-quilled hedgehog for a further moment. Behind Jules, who had narrowed eyes directed towards the mobian-mongoose, Buchanan Rabbot groaned inwardly and rubbed his soft-brown forehead underneath his fringe.

'Oh mah stars, not again..' The southern rabbit sighed heavily to himself. Every time this unit got a new member they instantly had to prove themselves to the group in some kind of initiation right.

'Alright Sarge, you're on. How about a little race?' The dark-yellow mongoose suddenly grinned widely.

'In your face in any place Corporal..' Jules smirked widely, he'd never met anyone that had been dumb enough to challenge him to a foot race before.

'Alright, if we'reh gonna do this properly then Ah reckon that Ah bettah mediate this 'un..' Buchanan Rabbot sounded with a slight frown before using his large size-thirteen rabbit foot to score a line in the dirt. 'Yah see that li'l ol' pine-tree in the distance boys..' The rabbit drawled as he pointed to a lone pine tree on the far edge of the clearing as the military base was hidden deep within Green Woods. 'Yah both will run t'that tree an' back. Oh, an' bring back a pinecone while yah there, 'kay.' Both Jules and Corporal Mongoose nodded silently to show that they understood this as they took their starting positions.

'Yah both ready?' Buchanan drawled, checking that they were set as the rest of the Knothole Dandies crowded behind their corporal and new sargent, eager to watch the race. The light-brown-furred rabbit then pulled out his gun and fired a laser shot into the air to signal the beginning of the race. While Corporal Mongoose took off immediately on the gunshot Jules' warm-hazel eyes had caught sight of a familiar-looking soft-blue flower growing not too far from his reach, so instead of racing he picked it and smelled the flower instead.

'Hey Buck, doesn't your wife like these flowers?' Jules immediately asked Lieutenant Rabbot while tossing him the flower that he had plucked.

'She sure does, why yah askin'?' Buchanan asked curiously as he caught the blue flower, wondering why he was stalling with this question.

'Was thinking we could press it and you could send it with your next letter if you want, show her your thinking of her.' Jules suggested with a smile, seemingly ignoring the fact that Corporal Mongoose, who was pretty fast on his feet, was now just leaving the pine tree after collecting his pinecone.

'I'll consider it if yah quit stallin' an' start racin'. The fellahs here are already insinuatin' that yah gotta yellah-furred belly.' Buchanan added with smirk as some of the unit delta mobians behind him muttered to themselves about their reluctant sargent.

'Oh they are, are they?' Jules glanced at the mobians behind Buchanan who were snickering and grinning to themselves at their new sargent's reluctance to race. 'Fine.. Have it your way.' He added then took off down the grass at an incredible speed causing the other unit delta boys to instantly stop speaking. Now they just gawped mindlessly as their new sargent swerved around the pine-tree and blurred passed Corporal Mongoose, crossing the dirt line first and tossing Buchanan his pinecone with a lazy smile before his hazel eyes turned to the unit staring speechless behind the brown-furred lieutenant.

'Was that fast enough for you boys or you want me to see if I can do it twice before your corporal crosses the line?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog kinked an amused brow at his new unit who were still staring at him in shock. The only thing that the small group of mobians did was glance at each other before their eyes turned back to their new sargent. 'That's what I thought..' The eighteen year old hedgehog uttered as he flicked his quiff of quills absent-mindedly.

When the dark-yellow-furred mongoose crossed the dirt-line he dropped his pinecone and doubled over gasping for breath. Jules immediately moved over to him with a wide smile and sportingly patted him on the back.

'Don't feel bad about losing, your still pretty fast for a mobian. You gotta first name Corporal?' The cobalt-blue hedgehog said lightly, flicking his quiff of quills out of his face.

'My first name is Arthur sir, but most folk just know me as Artie.' Corporal Mongoose sounded in a respectful voice as he finally straightened and regained his breath, it seemed that Jules had just earned the corporal's respect.

'My name's Jules Hedgehog, nice to meet you.' The cobalt-blue hedgehog offered the dark-yellow-furred mongoose his hand in a friendly hands, introducing himself properly as Buchanan hadn't gotten the chance as his unit had known beforehand that they were getting a new sargent that was a former Royal Guard officer. Corporal Mongoose looked down at the large white-gloved hand for a moment before his smaller brown-fingerless-gloved hand enclosed around it. The corporal and sargent shook hands firmly as Arthur Mongoose threw his new commanding officer a wry smirk.

'Nice to meet you too Sarge, now let me introduce you to the rest of the boys..' The dark-yellow-furred mongoose said lightly, slipping an arm around the blue-furred hedgehog's shoulders and gesturing to the rest of the delta unit in front of them…

It had been three days since Charles Hedgehog had seen his little brother leave on the army bus, heading for the Mobian Army base camp which was located out in Green Woods. He was a little worried as he hadn't heard from Jules as of yet but he assumed that the Mobian Army was just working his younger sibling incredibly hard. The mild-blue-quilled hedgehog knew that he was fretting over nothing but it felt so strange not to hear from or see his brother on a daily basis. There was a plus point to not having Jules in his lab. The mild-blue hedgehog could now get on with completing his droid without his little sibling to distract him and begin to write the software for his Robotic Transformation Device. This state-of-the-art program would store the droid's robotic make-up and use it as a guide when analysing and altering the molecular structure of whatever mobosapien was being scanned in the processing chamber. Charles could not build his prototype until the programming's basic specifics were outlined and functioning at a rudimentary level, so this meant that the next phase of his Robotic Transformation Device would all be done from his Holographic Computer System. With this being the case it was probably a blessing in disguise that Jules was not around to disrupt him as the mild-blue hedgehog hated it when his brother bugged him while on his computer doing important work..

…At this point the holophone that Charles had installed himself in his studio-lab began ringing and the mild-blue hedgehog rolled his pale-blue eyes with distain at the noise. Then again, who needed Jules to distract him when someone else could do it? He waited by his workbench for a few rings to pass, hoping that whoever was trying to contact him would take the hint and disconnect but it soon became clear by the constant ringing the mobian on the other end was annoyingly persistent. Sighing heavily Charles picked up his half-drunk coffee and wheeled himself over in his white swivel-seat to the holophone and clicked the 'answer' button. Immediately the image of Maximillion Acorn appeared on the huge screen and the light-brown-furred fox-mobian grinned widely at the nearly twenty-two year old hedgehog.

'Ah, Charles… Good, your home. I was beginning to wonder if you would answer, this isn't a bad time is it?' Maximillion said brightly in his upper-class drawl.

'Um… No, now's as good as anytime Mayor Acorn what can I do for you?' Charles asked curiously, wondering why the mayor would want to talk to him and how he had gotten hold of his holophone number.

'Well, I'm actually calling because I'm holding a dinner at the end of the week for a few of the council members and I want you to join us.' The light-brown-furred fox said casually which sounded strange considering his noble accent.

'You want me to join you?' Charles blinked at the Mayor of Mobotroplis in surprise at this request.

'Of course, you are the Undersecretary for the Minister of Science are you not? This would be a good opportunity for you to get to know some of the other ministers on the Mobian Council.' Maximillion said matter-of-factly.

'Well, I don't know if I'll make it. I have a few patents to research for Professor Owl, a proposal to write out on an idea and I have my research..' Charles tailed off the moment Maximillion raised a hand to stop him, a light smile still playing about his pale-beige muzzle.

'Charles…' The mobian-fox tweaked his pencil-thin moustache as he spoke. 'I respect your scientific career and interests but this isn't about that, this is about establishing connections to boost your political career. I wish to help you do that so I expect you to come, alright?' Maximillion winked as he threw the mild-blue hedgehog a smile. 'I won't take no for an answer..' He added in a mock-stern voice.

'My political career? I hadn't really thought about that..' Charles said as he scratched his smooth pale-skinned chin thoughtfully. He knew that if Jules were around he would tell him to go, his little sibling always thought that he spent too much time cooped up inside his lab. But the truth was that Charles had never even considered having a career in politics before, he'd only agreed to be the Minister of Science's undersecretary because he thought it was a good way to get to know those better in the science community and gain access to more materials that would help him in his own research… politics had never even come into the equation.

'Precisely, which is why I wish to help you there..' Maximillion Acorn said immediately. 'As Undersecretary for the Minister of Science it will be you that takes over for Professor Owl when he eventually retires his post, just as I am poised to take over for the Minister of Education someday. I only wish to aid you in meeting the right mobians who will be able to help you when the time comes..' The light-brown-furred fox-mobian spoke smoothly, his words making some sense to Charles. The mild-blue-quilled hedgehog stroked his chin thoughtfully as he considered Maximillion's words, he knew that it would be handy to have contacts that could help him prepare for his future as Minister of Science.. This thought made him nervous as he wasn't sure if he would be any good at the job but apparently both Professor Morgan and Professor Owl had complete faith in him.

'I suppose that makes sense..' Charles began but was cut off by Maximillion.

'Of course it does. Now I will (d)mail you later on with the particulars and what not, supposed to be writing a requisition at the moment, naughty me..' He waggled a finger as he mock-reprimanded himself before ploughing on. 'Anyway, mail me if you have any queries and I will see you soon old chap, ta-ta for now.' Without giving Charles a chance to bid him goodbye Maximillion Acorn had disconnected himself from the line leaving the mild-blue hedgehog blinking stunned by the conversation that had just taken place. He then frowned to himself and shook his blue-quilled head roughly before wheeling himself back over to his computer and setting his coffee down. The almost twenty-two year old hedgehog only managed to click a few keys before he paused in his typing.

'Ta-ta?' He uttered as his bushy brow twisted in confusion. 'Who says 'ta-ta'?'

Night was drawing in over Mobotroplis and in the throne room of Hedgington Hall the emerald-green King of Mobius was sat alone, brooding on his gold and red-velvet throne. His maroon eyes were lost deep within his own thoughts that he didn't even notice when the huge heavy-set mahogany double-doors of the throne room were pushed open and a four-foot one mobian-skunk dressed in a smart black suit entered. Behind him was the towering and well-muscled form of a seven-foot tall mobian lion with brown fur and a long blonde mane. The two highest ranking officers of the Mobian Army stopped before the throne.

'Sire…' The coarse tones of Warlord Kodos' gruff voice spoke calmly causing King Ogilvie the Third to look around to his massive warlord and sigh heavily, finally acknowledging the pair in his presence. 'The Overlanders have been sighted in the badlands between Green Hill and the Great Desert..'

'Well, it was only a matter of time before they arrived on our soil.' The green-quilled King of Mobius said in a soft musing tone to his most loyal solider. 'Do we have any idea of their strategies?' His maroon eyes gave nothing about how the king was feeling inside, they merely looked plainly to Ian St John for an answer.

'No..' The mobian-skunk replied with a composed drawl. 'Unfortunately due to the badlands harsh terrain we cannot get close to them without being detected. It would be suicide to send agents out on reconnaissance in such a desolate wasteland. This is probably the reason they have chosen to make base there.' Ian St John concluded grimly.

'We have had success convincing the Southern Confederacy Regiment to fight alongside us, providing that we aid them should the Overlanders chose to attack them first..' Warlord Kodos said with a slight smirk of disdain on his lips.

'Of course we would aid our southern brothers if that was the case but I am quite sure that they are more interested in attacking us than them at this precise moment.' King Ogilvie stated plainly with a slight flick of his wrist.

'That's exactly what I said to them sire but they were still adamant that we should assure their safety before they aided us.' The tall blonde-maned lion stated plainly.

'And did you assure their safety?' King Ogilvie the Third kinked a neat brow at his Minister of Mobian Defence, Ian St John too seemed to look interested in this answer as well.

'I simply told them that if they fought alongside us them we would fight alongside them as true brothers in arms do. This is about uniting against a threat that could consume us all..' The blonde mobian-lion puffed out his chest with pride, making his war medals glisten in the light of the throne room.

'That was surprisingly eloquent of you Kodos..' Ian St John stated with slight surprise at these words, he had not expected such well-expressed words to come from the brutish warlord.

'Indeed. Bravo Kodos on convincing the South to join us in this battle.' The green-quilled King of Mobius clapped his hands at his warlord's brilliance. 'But do you think having them aid us will be enough?' His maroon eyes suddenly filled with unease at this point as he was concerned about the very future of his kingdom.

'I honestly don't know your highness..' Kodos replied seriously, clenching his massive fist tight shut. 'We will just have to wait and see..'

Little Notes:

Hey peeps, ok I know… I know… the most annoying thing about the Sonic Underground was the relentless amount of songs (some which were pretty iffy to be fair but hey, what can you do).. I will confess that the song 'Bernadette' wasn't particularly hard to write, I took inspiration from a few other songs that were knocking about at the minute. I have a full original draft of the song written out but it has been cut and altered slightly for this fic I only really had it as a reference..

I did try my best to research a few basics in the army but of course because Jules' situation is so unique I felt that it needed a little tweaking. The army saying that Colonel Somersby say to Jules about going off on his own is based off of a few army sayings that promote teamwork…

Anyway, don't want to bore you with this section completely but more coming soon..

Stay tuned…

~Ditzy x