-Chapter 161-

Skipping Out


Station Square

A few days later, Chris, Keith, and Hope met up with their friends outside the school, waiting for Kat. A few minutes passed before she hobbled up to them, a crutch propped under her right arm.

"Whoa, you okay?" Helen asked.

"I will be," Kat assured. "Unfortunately, I'm not back to full strength yet."

"Maybe you should stay home a bit longer," Keith suggested.

"No," Kat insisted. "I need to return to my routine. Right now, I really need school to make me feel normal again."

"Is that what Dr. Sorders said?" Chris asked.

Kat nodded. With that, they headed for their homeroom. Several people were staring at Kat as they came in, especially at the crutch. Frances scowled before stepping in.

"Yes, she's on crutches!" she snapped. "Doesn't mean you can just gawk at her like a darn farm animal! Go back to what you were doing."

Everyone turned away and Kat cracked a smile.

"Thanks, Frances."

"They're all a bunch of buzzards…" Frances muttered as they took their usual seats.

Mr. Stewart walked into the classroom, looking around and spotting the kids. He gave them a small nod, then picked up some papers.

"Class, I have a special announcement today," he said. We have a new transfer student joining us today. She's from Yurashia, and this is her first time in Soumerca."

Kat perked. "Yurashian? Seriously?"

Stewart turned to the door. "You can come in now."

"You can come in now."

The door opened, and in came a girl around their age. In contrast to Kat, her heritage was perfectly shown in her appearance, possessing Yurashia facial features along with long blonde hair in a ponytail and green eyes. She was dressed in a black shirt and simple jeans with a matching denim jacket and white sneakers. All eyes followed her as she stood next to Stewart's desk, giving a small bow.

"Hi, I'm Valerie Nguyen," she said in perfect English. "You can call me Val if you want. I'm excited to be here and meet you all."

"There's a spare desk near Miss Winters," Mr. Stewart said, pointing. "If you need anything, or require anything translated, she can help you."

Valerie nodded before taking a seat next to Kat.

"Hello there, welcome to our class," Kat greeted in Chun-ese.

Valerie chuckled. "Thanks for that, but I speak English."

"Figured. I just rarely get a chance to use my native tongue. Except when dragons come knocking.

Keith leaned over. "You know about us being in the Freedom Fighters?"

"Is that really such a surprise?" Valerie questioned. "You've fought alongside Sonic the Hedgehog in front of huge crowds of people, and have been seen doing so on national television. Anyone who doesn't know has been living under a rock for the past year and a half."

"She's not wrong," Chris admitted.

"Right," Keith rubbed the back of his head. "I forget that our escapades are world wide at this point."

"So what part of Yurashia are you from?" Frances asked.

"Stormtop Village, in the Dragon Kingdom." Valerie replied.

"Dragon Kingdom. Nice." Kat mused. "My village was near the border, right by the Dragon Road."

"Shēngcún…" Valerie placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have my condolences."

Kat gave a nod. "Thanks."

"Hey Valerie, why don't you join us for lunch?" Helen requested. "We'd love to get to know you better."

Valerie smiled. "I'd like that."

-X-

Class went on as normal, then the bell rang for lunch. Everyone got up to leave, then Mr. Stewart approached Kat.

"Miss Winters, I'd like to talk to you, if you don't mind." he requested.

Kat, who had been trying to get her crutch under her, retook her seat and laid the crutch across her lap.

"As long as I get some lunch out of the talk, sure."

"It'll just take a moment," he promised.

The other students filtered out of the classroom and Mr. Stewart closed the door. Once it was closed, he took a seat across from his student/charge.

"Chris, Keith, and Hope told me you were out because you had been gravely injured during Metal Sonic's insurrection."

Kat tensed, clutching her crutch.

"Injured?" she repeated. "Yeah, you could say that…"

"If you don't mind me asking... what exactly happened?" At Kat's look, Mr. Stewart held up a hand. "I won't force you to tell me if you don't want to talk about it. Rest assured, I respect your wishes."

"Just… Metal, he…"

She tightened her grip and her breathing became somewhat labored. She didn't need to go further, Stewart realizing what had happened from her reaction.

"He tortured you…" He looked to the side, disgusted and angry "Bastard…"

Kat was shaking slightly, slipping into a bit of a panic.

"I almost died… If Shadow hadn't…"

She curled up, covering her mouth as she lost control of her breathing. Stewart sighed, pushing his glasses back up as he waited for her to calm down a bit.

"Well, you seem to be doing better. Physically, at least."

Kat let out a bitter laugh.

"Mentally... I'm a mess. More than usual. My nightmares are worse, machine noises make me jumpy as hell... and then there's Shard and Uncle Chuck. I've tried not to treat them any differently, but Uncle Chuck came up behind me in the lab the other day and I left a dent in his head and nearly ripped his arm off. My own lack of strength stopped me." She rubbed her temples. "I know they're not Metal... but I can't help but see him every time I look at them."

After a minute, Stewart nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Go get lunch, then try and get some rest in the nurse's office," he said gently. "If you need anything, just ask."

Kat nodded, then hobbled out of the classroom. She got to their usual table, where Valerie had joined them. Keith passed her a lunch tray as she sat down next to him.

"What'd Mr. Stewart want from you?" Danny asked.

"Was just making sure I'd still be able to keep up the test passing deal," Kat replied. "I did miss alot of school after all."

Danny nodded at that. The group ate lunch in relative silence.

"Hey guys…" Hope began, "Who wants to ditch this place and go get Meh Burger?"

"You sure that's a good idea?" Chris asked.

Hope nodded before leaning in to his ear.

"Chris, you and I both know what Mr. Teacher-Spy really asked Kat," she whispered. "She could use the fresh air."

Chris glanced over, seeing that Kat hadn't eaten a bite.

"Actually, yeah," he decided. "School meatloaf sucks anyway."

"Hold on, Hope," Helen insisted. You four can leave if you want, but I'm not a Freedom Fighter, and neither are Frances, Valerie, or Danny."

"I get the feeling our teacher will make an exception," Keith remarked.

"Meh Burger does sound good," Kat admitted.

"Hey Val, you ever have Meh Burger?" Chris asked.

"Once or twice," Valerie replied. "It... definitely lives up to its name, I gotta say."

"Well it certainly beats school meatloaf," Keith insisted. "C'mon, let's go."

With that, they all walked out of the school.


Within the hour, the group was gathered in a corner booth at Meh Burger, munching away at their food. Kat gave Hope an appreciative smile as she snagged some French fries. Valerie read the box that her meal came in, then at the little toy that came with it.

"Huh," she let out. "What do you know? There's more nutritional value in the toy than the food."

"Ooh!" Frances exclaimed. "A Sonic Man action figure! Dibs!"

She snagged the toy. Valerie shrugged as they kept eating.

"So Val, what's your story?" Helen asked.

"Yeah, what brings you all the way to Station Square?" Kat questioned.

"Long story short, family drama with my folks got outta hand," Valerie answered. "So I moved in with my Aunt Mikuru here in Soumerca."

"Are you like Kat?" Helen asked. "Half-Northamerian, I mean."

"On my mom's side, yeah," Valerie confirmed. "A lot of people say I take after her in looks, and I can see it."

"For me, it was my dad," Kat said. "No one believes I'm Chun-ese, as you can tell."

Valerie grinned. "Whereas anyone who sees me can tell I'm a mutt."

The two girls shared a laugh at that. As they laughed, the door opened and a buzzing noise was heard. The group glanced up on instinct, seeing a young bee girl flying into the establishment. The bee looked to be around Charmy's age, colored yellow with blond hair, the front lifted into a high, curled bang, and blue eyes. She wore a brown bomber jacket with pale yellow cuffs, a short pink dress with flowers on the hem, pink shoes with yellow cuffs and pompoms, and gloves similar to those worn by Charmy. She also wore a choker adorned with a bee emblem just like that on Charmy's vest. She looked around, apparently looking for something, or someone.

"Huh…" Keith mused. "A bee girl."

"Wonder if she knows Charmy," Kat maneuvered herself out of the booth, approaching the bee girl. "Hey there. You look lost."

The bee girl looked up at her.

"Oh, hello," she greeted. "No, I'm not lost. I'm looking for someone. A Mobian bee around my age."

"Kid bee?" Kat asked. "Pilot hat? Vest with the same symbol on your necklace?"

"Yes! That's him!" the bee girl exclaimed excitedly before perking. "Oh, where are my manners?"

She curtsied to Kat. "My name's Saffron. You're Kat Winters of the Knothole Freedom Fighters, right?"

"That I am," Kat confirmed. "I'd curtsey too, but I'd probably fall on my face."

She escorted Saffron over to their table, where the others greeted her politely.

"So you're a friend of Charmy's?" Chris questioned.

Saffron nodded. "I really need to find him. Do you know where he is?"

"I bet he's probably at Chaotix HQ on Angel Island," Hope replied. "We'd take you there right this minute, but we left our Warp Rings at home."

Saffron's antennae drooped at that.

"Easy," Keith soothed. "We'll take you to Knothole once we're done eating and grab a Warp Ring there."

Her antennae immediately perked again.

"Really?" she asked. "Thank you so much?"


Knothole

Once they were done eating, the kids escorted Saffron to Knothole. After introductions were shared, Tails began rummaging in his pocket for a Warp Ring.

"Charmy must be a really good friend if you're going to all this trouble to find him." Sonic mused.

"The best of friends," Saffron confirmed. "After all, we're betrothed."

All eyes turned to her at that.

"Say what?" Johnny let out. "Aren't you and him like seven?"

Saffron blinked. "Then... you don't know where Charmy's from?"

"I thought he was just the Chaotix's charity case," Knuckles admitted.

"Where is he from?" Amy asked.

"Goldenhive Colony, northwest of the Mystic Ruins."

"The kingdom of bees?" Sally questioned.

Saffron nodded. "And Charmy is our prince."

A dead silence followed at that. Sonic held up a finger.

"Um… just a second."

He went into the kitchen, getting a glass of water. He slowly took a sip... and then spit it out in shock. "What?!"

"He's the Crown Prince Charmont, firstborn son of the queen," Saffron confirmed. "But he disappeared a long time ago. We've all been very worried."

"Charmy's a prince?" Cream questioned. "Wow... I never would've guessed."

"Oh man, this is gonna be good," Sonic chuckled.

"I came here looking for him after seeing news reports of the Chaos and ARK incidents," Saffron went on. "Charmy was with all of you during both attacks, so I figured Station Square was the best place to start looking."

"Guess we picked a good day to ditch school and get burgers," Helen mused.

"Before we take you to Angel Island, what exactly do you plan to do?" Hope questioned. "He probably had his reasons for leaving. Are you gonna make him come back?"

"No, of course not," Saffron assured. "I just want to see him, and give him a message from the queen. I won't make him do anything he doesn't want to do. What kind of friend would I be if I did?"

With that confirmation, Tails nodded, pulling out a Warp Ring.


Angel Island

At Chaotix HQ, Vector and Mighty were in the middle of an arm wrestling contest. Espio was meditating, and Ray and Charmy were playing video games. Julie-Su was polishing her gun when they heard the familiar sound of a Warp Ring open, followed by a knock on the door.

"I got it!" Julie opened the door, seeing the kids, Sonic, Knuckles, and Saffron.

"Hey Julie, is Charmy here?" Knuckles asked. "This bee girl here is a friend of his."

"Yeah, he's here." Julie-Su turned back into the house. "Charmy, you have a visitor!"

"Aw, but I'm winning!" Charmy whined.

"In your dreams, bee-boy," Ray scoffed.

"Now, Charmy," Julie-Su ordered.

A sigh followed before Charmy buzzed over. He stopped short when he saw Saffron, the two locking eyes and staring for a few moments, as if unable to believe the other was there.

"Charmy!" Saffron cheered as she rushed forward, hugging him.

After a minute of surprise, Charmy returned the hug. The two pulled away.

"I've been looking all over for you!" Saffron told him. "We've been so worried back at the colony!"

"Uh..."

"Your mom's been beside herself!"

"Um…"

"She misses you so much and wants you to come home!"

"Saff…" Charmy began. "I can't. I don't want to…"

"Just who is this girl?" Julie asked.

"I'm his be-"

"Best friend!" Charmy interrupted. "My best friend since we hatched. I just haven't found the time to get in contact with her."

Sonic sighed. "Charmy, cut the act. Saffron already told us everything."

Charmy turned red. "You what?"

"Of course I told them everything," Saffron said matter-of-factly.

"Just what is going on here?" Julie-Su demanded.

Charmy sighed, realizing there was no way out.

"You... might all wanna sit down."

-X-

Sometime later, Charmy sat the Chaotix down.

"Everybody, there's something you need to know about me." he began.

"You mean that you're the runaway prince of Goldenhive Colony?" Vector asked.

All eyes turned to him. Charmy gasped.

"You knew?"

"Master detective, remember?" Vector pointed out. "I mean, come on. When a random kid shows up and asks to stay, of course I run a background check and make sure you're good. I figured someone would eventually come for you, and if you were with us, you were safe. I've been sending anonymous tips to your ma so she knows you're safe and happy. As for why I didn't bring it up sooner, I just figured I'd wait until you were ready to tell us."

Charmy buried his face in his hands. "I can't believe this…"

Saffron took a seat next to him.

"Charmy, please... just answer me this," she began. "Why did you run away?"

"And why didn't you tell us you were a prince?" Mighty added.

"Because I never wanted to be one," Charmy answered. "All the courts could talk about was how one day, I'd be king. The responsibilities that I'd have to shoulder. I just wanted to be myself, have fun like any other kid. That's why I left, Saffron."

"So you pulled a Peter Panda," Keith realized. "Understandable, I guess."

Saffron placed a hand on Charmy's arm.

"The Queen just wants to see you and talk to you, Charmy. She's not going to force you into coming back if you don't want to. She gave me her word on that."

Charmy sighed. "I... I guess I do owe her a visit." He turned to the rest of the Chaotix. "Can you... come with me?"

"Gladly, kiddo," Vector assured. "You're one of us after all."


Goldenhive Colony

Sometime later, Knuckles and the Chaotix arrived at Goldenhive Colony. The buildings were all honeycomb structures, built into the walls and trees surrounding the area; all in all, it was in perfect harmony with nature. Up ahead, in the center of the colony, was a structure resembling a mix between a medieval castle and a giant beehive.

"Whoa," Kat whistled. "Nice place."

"Yeah, this is pretty much exactly how I pictured it would look," Knuckles remarked.

They headed for the castle, where the guards parted to allow them entry, and Saffron led them to the throne room. At the throne sat an older female bee resembling Charmy, but with long green hair, blue eyes, and donned in a regal-looking red dress, a crown atop her head. In her lap was a female bee around four years old, resembling her but with blonde hair and wearing a purple dress. As she turned to them, Saffron bowed, motioning for the Chaotix to do the same as Charmy took a few steps forward. The Queen gasped as she laid eyes on her son, her antennae perking in surprise.

"Charmy?" she let out, almost in disbelief.

Charmy's own antennae drooped slightly as he awkwardly lifted his arm in greeting.

"H-Hi, Mom…" he let out nervously.

The Queen rose from her throne, walking towards Charmy and scooping him up into her arms.

"Oh Charmy, you're finally home," she let out. "My baby boy…"

After a minute, Charmy returned the hug. She pulled away, setting him down before kneeling to his level.

"First and foremost, I owe you an apology."

Charmy blinked. "Huh?"

"I know why you left. After your father... The court put so much pressure on you to be King. But you're just a boy, a child that deserves a chance to be one."

She sighed. "I was the first to realize that, and the court did the same when the man who took you in sent his letters. He assured us you were safe, and included photos of you playing and relaxing. You looked so much happier there than you ever were here."

Charmy looked back at Vector, who shrugged.

"I am so sorry," the Queen let out. "Please… forgive me."

Charmy had a tear in his eye, then he started bawling before burying his face in his mom's dress. Everyone watched, smiling. After a few minutes, the little bee girl climbed off the throne and toddled over to them, joining the hug. Charmy turned to the girl, undoubtedly his sister, and hugged her as well.

"I missed you Bea…" he remarked.

Mighty blinked. "Your sister's name is Bee?"

"Beatrice." the Queen clarified.

"Oh…"

Once things had settled down, the Queen sat back in her throne, Team Chaotix lined up before her.

"All of you... thank you for taking care of my son." she told them.

"It was nothing, ma'am," Vector assured. "Charmy's a good kid."

"I know," the Queen smiled before turning to Charmy. "What I told Saffron was true. I sent her to find you so I could see you again and apologize. I'm not going to force you to stay in the castle if you don't want to."

"Then, I can stay with the Chaotix?!" Charmy exclaimed.

"Conditionally," the Queen clarified. "All I ask is that you visit every now and then. Or at the very least, write."

Charmy nodded. "Okay, I will."

The Queen smiled.

"I'd also like to add my own condition," Saffron said, getting their attention. "I want to come with you. What Charmy said on the island was true. He's my best friend. I've missed him so much. Please, let me stay."

"Man, we're gonna need a bigger headquarters if we keep adding members like this," Vector muttered before shrugging. "Alright, you can stay."

"Thank you!" Saffron cheered. "I promise you won't regret it."

"Of course, that does add some issues," Vector remarked. "Affording another mouth to feed, for one."

"Oh, that's taken care of," Saffron assured. "I landed a job at Honey Clothing in Station Square while I was searching. The owner saw my outfit, said I had an eye for fashion, and gave me a job application."

Ray blinked. "Seriously?"

"Yep!" Saffron confirmed. "Been there about a week or so now. I'll gladly help out with expenses."

"Well, that settles that, I suppose." Espio remarked.

"Alright everyone, let's go home!" Vector declared.

Everyone headed off, Kat smiling at the scene.

"You alright?" Knuckles asked.

"Yeah," Kat nodded. "I just... I really needed this."

Knuckles smiled, then wrapped an arm around her as they followed Chaotix back home.


Author's Note:

Yep! We learn Charmy's backstory and family life, and we get his future girlfriend Saffron in the bargain, both taken from Archie. His sister Beatrice is also from Archie, though there she was just called Princess Bee.

The character of Valerie Nguyen is my OC. She'll play a part in future arcs; you'll have to wait and see what.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Queen Bee - Tara Platt (Kali Belladonna from RWBY, Mitsuru Kirijo from Persona 3, Temari from Naruto)

* Saffron - Abby Trott (Maya Fey from Ace Attorney, Nezuko Kamado from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Tae Takemi from Persona 5 Royal)

* Valerie - Cherami Leigh (Asuna from Sword Art Online, Patty Thompson from Soul Eater, Makoto Niijima from Persona 5)

Please R&R. Until next time!