-Chapter 307-

Family Drama


Echidnapolis - About 19 years ago...

It was the middle of the night. All was silent across the (as far as the rest of Mobius knew) lost city of the echidna. Many of its inhabitants had gone to sleep, allowing themselves the comfort and joy of Illumina's kingdom. All save for those sworn to keep it safe. A pair of echidna stood at the Master Emerald Shrine, their sleek, yet muscled bodies clad in the fabrics of their people and marked in white the sigils of their greatest protectors: the Brotherhood of Guardians. The pair stood at attention, not moving as much as a millimeter from their posts. Their eyes stared out into the darkness, lit only by the stars, the torches of the night watchmen making their rounds, and the distant fires of the village beyond. That, and their verdant charge…

One of the guards perked, his ears - hidden by reddish-brown spines styled into thick dreadlocks - twitching at the sound of footsteps. His blue eyes darted about, then ahead, where he saw a figure rapidly approaching the shrine, carrying something from the way his arms were positioned.

"Intruder!" he shouted, snapping his partner to attention as he pointed to the shadow. In seconds, both warriors leapt into action stopping the figure dead in their tracks.

"Halt, fiend!" the echidna shouted, his voice heavily accented. "You are trespassing on sacred, echidna ground! Turn back the way you came and do not return! Refuse and you shall feel the unbridled fury of…!"

"Stand down, Wynmacher."

Wynmacher and his partner paused, their eyes widening as the figure stepped forward.

"H-Head Guardian Locke!"

The two guardians stood at attention, then slowly brought their hands out wide. Forming a circle with their cupped hands, right on top and left on the bottom, they bowed (1).

"Apologies, sir!" Wynmacher said, hastily. "We thought…"

"At ease, both of you," Locke said, shaking his head in mild exasperation. "I'm not upset. If anything, I commend you for your vigilance."

The two echidna relaxed, Wynmacher beaming with pride before clearing his throat and snapping back to attention.

"Th-Thank you, sir! Was there something you needed?"

"Yes…" Locke began. "I need a moment to meditate with the Master Emerald, preferably alone. I need you two to patrol the border until I'm done."

Wynmacher blinked. "Meditate? At this hour? Sir, what are you…?"

It was then that he noticed what Locke had been carrying earlier, some sort of object wrapped in a bundle of cloth.

"Sir…what is…?"

"Wynmacher…"

The Guardian looked up at Locke and flinched as the Head Guardian gave him an intense stare.

"Y-Yes, apologies, Head Guardian."

With that, the two ran off, leaving Locke alone. Once they were out of sight, he visibly sagged, sighing in relief.

"Thank Aurora…"

Locke made his way inside the shrine, still clutching his cargo. His precious, precious cargo… Shaking his head, he stepped into the green light of the Master Emerald, walking up the short steps to reach it. He pulled out the cloth bundle, carefully unwrapping it to reveal an egg, roughly the size of a normal Chaos Emerald and covered in sigils from Echidna myth.

"Mighty Tikal," Locke whispered, clutching the egg tightly. "Please…let this work."

He used the cloth the egg had been wrapped in to create a small nest right where the tip of the Master Emerald was levitating. Once it was to his satisfaction, he gently placed the egg in the center, then stepped away.

"There…perfect. Now to…"

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes turning to the egg in the nest. He stared at the symbols adorning it, painted in red. Symbols of strength and perseverance. Of long life and good fortune. Of wit and intellect. And at the very tip, high above the others, was an angular fist with two, triangular spikes pointing skyward. The crest of the House of Edmund. The crest of the Knuckles Clan. His crest.

Locke swallowed nervously as he processed the gravity of what he was about to do. The madness. The blasphemy against nature he was about to commit. But the vision he had received from the Ancient Walkers that night so long ago… A horde of metal men grinning with malice. A great dragon drowning the world. An ancient sorcerer choking the heavens with the toxic breath of a great serpent. Fire. Rage. And him

"No…" He shook those thoughts from his head, and his doubts with them. "This needs to be done. I accept full responsibility for what I am about to do."

His resolve steeled, he took a deep breath, got into a meditative position, and began to pray.

"The Servers are the Seven Chaos. Chaos is power, enriched by the heart. The controller is the one to unify the Chaos."

The Master Emerald began to glow, green light flowing from it to coalesce around the egg.

"Great Tikal...Goddess Aurora...Ancient Walkers...I beseech you… grant my child your power!"

The light began to flow into the egg.

"My word...it's working."

The glow caused the shell to become semi-opaque, allowing Locke to see the fetus within. Locke gasped.

"My child… My son..."

Locke stared in a mix of awe and relief. He could see the fetus twitch, see its heartbeat. Proof his child was alive.

"It's working…" He nearly collapsed to the ground, unable to contain his relief. "Oh, thank goodness, it's-"

"LOCKE!"

Locke froze as he looked over his shoulder to see a red echidna woman clad in nothing but a loose-fitting, cloth robe standing at the entrance. She was pale in the face with bags over her eyes, her robes haphazardly thrown on.

"Lara!?" Locke cried out. "What are you doing here? You should be resting! You just laid!"

"I couldn't sleep," she said, leaning against the frame of the temple. "I woke up, and you were gone… and… and so was…"

Locke's breathing intensified. This was all wrong. She wasn't supposed to be here! She wasn't supposed to see this!

"Lara…listen," Locke began slowly. "I…"

Just then, a bright flash and a low thrum filled the shrine, startling Locke and his wife.

"What the…!?" Locke turned around to the Master Emerald and what he saw made his blood run cold. The Master Emerald's light was flowing into the egg even faster, making it glow even brighter.

"By Aurora…" Locke let out, his voice filled with dread.

Lara gaped, seeing the egg.

"My baby!"

Lara attempted to run to the Emerald, only to stumble and fall over.

"Lara, no!" Locke cried as he caught her.

"What have you done…" Lara pulled herself up weakly. "Locke, in the name of Aurora, what have you DONE?! "

"Lara, calm down! I promise you, our child is fine! I…"

Once more, a thrum echoed through the shrine. Once more, the parents-to-be turned to their egg. Once more, they looked on in horror. The fetus in the egg began to stir even more, seemingly in pain as green veins of energy grew around it, pulsing and glowing to its rapidly quickening heartbeat.

"Gods…" Locke let out.

Lara frantically tried to scramble toward the egg, desperate tears flowing from her eyes, but Locke held her back.

"NO!" Lara shrieked. "My baby!"

"Lara, stop! You mustn't!"

"Locke! It's killing him! It's killing our baby! You have to stop it!"

"If I stop the process now, it will kill him! Just have faith, Lara! The Walkers have never been wrong before and they won't be wrong now!"

Lara continued struggling against Locke. As she did, Locke looked at their child's egg, the fetus still being bombarded with energy. He looked on in terror, subtly hyperventilating.

"They won't be wrong now…" he whispered desperately. "They won't…"

"...Dad?"

"They won't…"

"Dad?"

"They won't…"

"Dad…"

"They…won't…"

"DAD!"


Angel Island, Present Day

Knuckles shook his father's shoulder, the older echidna's gaze hazy and distant, like he was looking at something far away. After a minute of shaking and calling for his father, Locke blinked and seemed to come out of whatever was going on with him. He groaned slightly, rubbing his face as he blinked a bit more.

"Huh? What?" the elder echidna let out, finally acknowledging his son's presence.

"Dad, are you okay?" Knuckles asked, slowly backing away. He was joined by his sister, both of them looking concerned. "You looked like you were having some sort of attack."

"Uh, yes. Sorry, I was just… lost in thought."

"Was it a vision?" Kat questioned, recalling the elder's mention of receiving visions from the Walkers or spirits of past Guardians.

Locke shook his head. "No…just…memories…old, nasty memories…" He cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Anyway, was there something you needed?"

Knuckles and Kat stared awkwardly.

"Uhhh…we're here because you said you wanted to talk to us," Knuckles reminded.

Locke blinked. "I did?"

"Yeah, you said it concerned all of Echidnapolis," Kat added.

"Ah, yes, now I remember," Locke said in realization. "Please, have a seat, you two."

Knuckles and Kat turned to each other again, unable to shake their concern for their father's state of mind. But, given the lateness of the hour and Locke's stubborn nature, they decided not to press the issue and simply sat down on the woven cushions before him.

"Now then," Locke began, looking right at the two of them. "Let's get down to business."

"Dad, is everything alright?" Knuckles asked. "You look…what's the word…Serious."

"I am always serious, son."

"Well, you look seriouser than usual. What's up?"

"I have a rather…pressing issue I need to discuss with the two of you." He turned to his adoptive daughter. "Specifically you, Kathryn."

"Me?" Kat asked before grimacing. "Locke, If this is about my Guardian duty attendance…"

"No, no, not that," Locke cut in, holding up a hand to stop her. "While this problem does concern you, it has nothing to do with your Guardian duties."

Knuckles visibly tensed, his fists tightening. However, Kat just shook her head slightly, not sensing any malice or ill intent from the elder echidna. So, she met his eye and gave him a nod.

"Alright. What's the issue?"

Locke looked Kat right in the eyes, his gaze as dead serious as it was when he called her Knuckles' pet that day so many years ago. She flinched at the memory but tried to shake it off. Things were different now. Locke had proven that. If he was like this, whatever issue he had must be big.
"I need you to tell us more about Chun-nan."

The room went silent as Knuckles and Kat sat there, completely motionless.

"Chun-nan?" Kat repeated.

Locke nodded. "Ever since you've returned from your medical sabbatical, you've been engaging more and more in the customs of your birth people. Customs my people have taken notice of and, more importantly, an interest in."

That threw Knuckles for a loop. "Wait, really?"

"Really," Locke repeated. "Those who have witnessed Kathryn's 'Qi cultivation' techniques have enjoyed and even attempted to replicate them on their own. When it's her turn to prepare meals for the Guardians, she cooks her native cuisine and there's nary a noodle or dumpling left. I've even caught several of the younger members attempting to 'borrow' some of her books. Not that they could read them since they're in Chun-ese characters, but that hasn't stopped them from trying."

"Wait…" Kat perked up slightly. "Is that why I lost book 3 of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation?"

"Yes. Simply put, Echidnapolis has…" Locke paused, his brow furrowing. "How did that crocodile describe it again?" He then perked in remembrance. "Ah! It has come down with a serious case of 'Chunamania'."

The knuckleheads both snorted.

"Yeah, that sounds like something Vector would say," Knuckles said with a chuckle. "Still, this is…wow."

"I didn't realize I was that popular," Kat said, as she processed what she'd just heard.

"You would if you two spent a little more time up here than with your friends on the surface," Locke explained as he massaged his temples. "Anyway, since then, I've been near-constantly bombarded with villagers asking me questions about your homeland or when you'll be back when I tell them to ask you." Locke coughed as he looked to the side slightly. "And…I would be lying if I did not include myself among them."

And with that, the last active brain cells Knuckles and Kat had left the building. Their jaws hit the floor and they were left gobsmacked. Something that did not go unnoticed by Locke.

"Would you stop that!?" he snapped, bringing them back to reality.

"Sorry, sorry," Kat apologized. "It's just... this is a major detour from everything I've come to expect from you."

Knuckles nodded. "The others being curious I can understand, but you? Yeah, you took some interest in Chun-ese proverbs and quotes, but this!? Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my dad?"

Locke rumbled with annoyance as his exasperated expression grew even more exasperated. Fortunately, he took a deep breath and kept his cool.

"Anyway… I've called you two here because I require your help in satiating the tribe's curiosity."

"Okay then... what do you suggest?" Kat asked. "Cooking lessons? Me doing some sort of Qi course?"

"Maybe you could do a live reading of some of your books," Knuckles offered. "They're inspired by Chun-nese myth and history, right?"

"Well, yeah…" Kat pauses awkwardly, biting her lower lip. "But…"

She pulled Knuckles closer and whispered in his ear. Locke was unable to make it out, but whatever she'd told his son, it left him beet red in the face.

"Ooh…" Knuckles took a sharp, hissing breath, looking to the side awkwardly. "Yeeeeeah… Nevermind."

"Those are some good ideas," Locke said, nodding sagely. "But I was hoping for something more...direct. Earlier, you asked for permission to take time off your duties to attend an event in Kathryn's old hometown. Some sort... dragon festival, I believe?"

Kat perked at that. "Oh, the Dragon Boat Festival. It's a holiday back in my hometown with food, stalls, and large dragon boat races."

"Interesting..." Locke grinned with interest. "Tell me, would you be willing to take a small group with you? You could act as a guide and they could take notes to share with the others. That way, they could assist you in those courses in the future."

Knuckles and Kat paused at Locke's suggestion, unsure of what to make of it.

"Hmmm…" Knuckles let out, his expression conflicted.

"Is something wrong?" Locke asked.

"I dunno. It's not a bad idea, but… This festival is rather important to Kat. I don't know if she'd be comfortable with everyone intruding."

"Actually…" Kat cut in. "I kinda like the idea."

Both echidnas perked in surprise.

"Kat, are you sure?" Knuckles asked.

Kat nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! The festival's always been a family thing, and you guys are my family now. Plus, the whole reason Tikal made me a Guardian was so I could help Angel Island reconnect with the surface. Having some of them participate in the Dragon Boat Festival sounds like a good place to start. We may need to arrange accommodations at the inn and dip into the Guardian treasury, but it could be fun."

Knuckles thought for a moment, still skeptical about all this. Ultimately…

"Well, as long as you're okay with this, so am I."

"Excellent!" Locke cried out. "Now all that's left is to decide who to bring…"

"Well, you're coming, obviously," Kat said.

Locke froze, his mood sagging.

"I mean, this was your idea, after all. Plus, you'd be better equipped to handle all the villagers' questions."

Locke grimaced and cursed himself as Kat grinned at him. He knew this would happen the moment he thought up this proposal, but he still wasn't looking forward to it. Still, he couldn't argue with Kathryn's reasoning. Besides, it's not as though he'd have to do this too often.

"Very well," Locke replied with a sigh. "This is an important diplomatic trip, after all."

"Mmhmm…diplomacy," Kat replied with a hint of smugness.

Knuckles blushed slightly as he got an idea, sweat trickling down his face. "Maybe…I could talk to Julie-Su. She's enjoyed exploring with Chaotix, so maybe…"

"Already texted her."

Knuckles froze, turning to see Kat had just sent off a text. A second later, her phone buzzed in her hand and she checked it.

"She says she's free."

"You WHAT!?" the younger echidna shouted.

"Hey, she's your soulbonded," Kat explained. "That makes her family."

"Yeah, my soulbonded! I wanted to be the one to ask her!"

"Like you were actually gonna ask her. Knowing you, you'd fumble over your words, say something stupid, then run off in embarrassment before tripping over your own feet and falling flat on your face."

Knuckles sputtered indignantly at Kat's summation. "That's not the point! You can't just do that without my say-so!"!

"But I can," Locke cut in. "And by my authority as Head Guardian, her attendance on this trip is mandatory."

"DAD!"

"Sorry, son. Consider this payback for all the 'what have you done with my father'? cracks."

Kat snorted hard. "He's got you there, Knux."

Knuckles growled in frustration and embarrassment. "Okay, fine. But, I get to be the one who tells Mom."

Locke perked again. "Lara?"

Kat nodded. "She's been trying to learn some of the recipes I've been using. Plus, she's been so curious about where I grew up. She's gonna be tickled pink about being able to stay in my childhood home."

"I see…" Locke smiled as he thought about his ex-wife joining them on the trip and enjoying it. It had been years since he'd seen her truly happy, not the least because he was responsible for that. But with any luck, this would allow them to sit down and finally work things out, without worry of dire prophecies and ancient traditions. A chance to truly make things right. A chance to…

"Oh!" Kat interjected, sounding excited. "What about Mom's boyfriend?"

What?

"Boyfriend?" Locke and Knuckles repeated.

"Wait, you seriously hadn't noticed?" Kat asked, slightly exasperated. "All those times she's been going out? Those nice robes she's been wearing? All that new, hand-carved jewelry?"

"I-I just thought she wanted to look nice," Knuckles stammered.

Kat facepalmed. "Aiya , Knuckles, for someone with a Master Emerald-powered superbrain, you're a real bonehead."

"I-I…!"

"Ahem!" Locke cut in. "Kathryn, what's this about Lara seeing someone? How long has this been going on?"

"A couple months now? Maybe a year? Time's weird."

"I see…" Locke's smile faltered. "And would you happen to know the identity of this new suitor?"

"Well, she hasn't exactly introduced him to us and I wasn't about to pry into her personal life until she was ready to tell us, so-"

"Solicitations, Head Guardian!" a heavily accented voice called out, startling everyone in the tent; especially Locke, who fell over backward.

The trio looked up to see another echidna standing at the entrance of the hut. He was around the same age as Locke, but his eyes were blue and his fur had a more brown tinge to it. Like most of his people, his spines had been styled into thick dreadlocks, the two closest to his face having distinctive black bands with white outlines. He wore a pair of woven sandals, a set of blue robes with white accents, and a darker-colored belt. Most of his body was covered by the robe, but his head and what little could be seen had several white markings, mostly circles and triangles.

"Wynmacher…" Locke gritted out as he pulled himself up. "What have I told you about just barging into my hut like that!?"

"Apologies, Head Guardian, sir," Wynmacher said with a bow. "But I needed to ask if you had seen…" It was then that he noticed Locke's guests. "Ahh! Young Kathryn, there you are!"

"Uhhh…hi?" Kat replied.

"I was just looking for you. I believe I have something of yours."

He reached into his robes and pulled out a paperback novel.

"My book!" She was quick to take it from Wynmacher, sighing in relief. "Thanks for this. Where'd you find it?"

"I stumbled upon a group of children attempting to read it. Apparently, one of them had absconded with it from your home while you were away. I apologize for not returning it to you immediately, but I saw the illustrations on the cover and they…spoke to me. Next thing I knew, I couldn't put it down!"

Wynmacher laughed heartily as Kat gave him an odd expression.

"They spoke to you?" she asked. "But, it's just two men in flowing robes."

"Yes… But what power they exude! What tenacity! What passion! Absolutely magnificent!"

The echidna's eyes were practically blazing. Kat glanced at the cover, mulling on it a bit before nodding.

"Okay, fair. I can see it."

"Wyn!" another voice called out, startling the others again, despite them recognizing it.

"What are you screaming about?" Lara-Le asked crossly as she entered the tent. "You said you were just going to return Kathryn's book."

"My apologies, Lara dearest," Wyn replied sheepishly. "I suppose I still need to work on my inside voice."

Lara sighed as she shook her head. "Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"Mom?" Knuckles said, grabbing Lara's attention.

"Oh, hello there, you two!" she greeted. "I didn't know you were stopping by. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Sorry… must've slipped our minds."

"Lara…" Locke cut in, grabbing his wife's attention.

"Locke…" Lara replied neutrally, complete with a matching expression.

"Uhhh…So, Mom, who is this guy?" Kat asked, though she already had an inkling as to his relationship with Lara-Le.

"And why did he call you 'dearest'?" Knuckles added, not quite as quick to catch on.

Lara blinked. "Oh, did I not tell you two?"

The two shook their heads.

"Oh! Right…" she chuckled awkwardly. "Knuckles, Kathryn, I'd like you to meet…"

"Guardian Wynmacher of the House of Mace!" Wyn cut in, stepping forward. "Proud Echidna Warrior! Slayer of Monsters! Vanquisher of Foes!"

"Destroyer of Eardrums," Locke grumbled as he picked his ear.

"And…" Lara cut in, hugging his arm. "My new sweetheart!"

The entire hut went quiet as Knuckles, Kat, and Locke's jaws dropped.

"Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?" the two echidnas shouted.

"I knew it!" Kat cheered, punching the air in victory. "See? I told you she had a boyfriend!"

"But… I… you… he… whaaaaa… ?" Knuckles sputtered out.

"Oh my… Lara, I fear we may have broken your son," Wyn said, his gaze drifting to Locke. "And the Head Guardian as well."

"Wynmacher…" Locke let out. "How…? When…? Why…?"

"Did this happen? We've been seeing each other for quite a while."

"Not long after our divorce, actually," Lara chimed in. "Though, we didn't start dating until after what happened with Chaos."

"And neither of you thought to tell me!?" Locke demanded incredulously.

Lara shrugged nonchalantly. "I wasn't aware we had to."

"Wait a minute…" Knuckles cut in. "Mom, how is this even possible? What about the Soultouch?"

"That's a good point," Kat cut in. "Weren't you and Locke destined to be together?"

Lara-Le chuckled slightly, ruffling the heads of both of her kids.

"You two have done so much that I forget you're still children." She lowered her hands, giving them a gentle smile. "Yes, the Soultouch does connect our hearts and minds, but it does not mean we are forced to remain together. While I will always share a bond with your father, I fell out of love with him a long time ago. Locke has changed and I admit things are better, but what Wyn and I have… it's something just as special."

"Indeed!" Wyn chimed in. "Many echidna go their whole lives without finding their soulbound partner." He reached over and wrapped his arm around Lara. "But, I do not need one to tell me who mine is."

"Wyn, please!" Lara laughed. "Not in front of the children."

"Great Gaia," Kat sighed. "They're worse than my mama and baba were…"

Locke grimaced as he watched the display of affection play out. Wynmacher was one of his most trusted Guardians. And here he was laughing with his wife, calling her silly pet names, putting his hands on her waist. And they'd been doing this since Chaos' rampage!? What else have they been doing? What if they'd…?

"Oh yeah, I just remembered!" Kat cut in. "Mom, Wynmacher…"

"Just Wyn will suffice, Young Kathryn."

"Alright, Wyn… you remember that vacation Knuckles and I are taking?"

"To your homeland?" Lara asked.

"Ahh, yes, your voyage to the land of dragons and rice…" Wyn stopped to think. "Whose name currently escapes me."

"Chun-nan," Knuckles whispered.

"Yes! That place."

"Well…" Kat continued. "We were just wondering…would you two like to come too?"

This time, it was Lara and Wyn's turn to freeze.

"Come with you… to see Chun-nan?" Wyn let out in disbelief.

"Kathryn…" Lara whispered. "I-I…"

"I-If you can't, that's fine," Kat cut in. "It was kind of spur of the moment thing. I-I'm sure you're busy or have plans already. I…"

She was cut off when Lara rushed forward and pulled her into a crushing embrace.

"Oh, sweetheart, I would love to!" she cried out.

"The same!" Wyn cried out. "A chance to see the surface world, and the very place told of in your sacred tomes, no less? We would be fools to say no!"

"Great…" Kat let out, struggling to breathe. "Mom… Too… Tight…"

"Ah! Oh my!" Lara quickly released her adoptive daughter, who gasped for breath upon release.

"Oh, thank Gaia…"

"I am so, sorry, dear!" Lara said. "I thought your powers would've been enough to protect you."

"I thought the same…" Kat took a few deep breaths. "Jeez Mom, where are you hiding all that muscle?"

"All echidnas have enhanced strength, dear," Lara explained. "Again, I'm sorry, I'm just so excited."

"Uhh…yeah, quick warning," Knuckles cut in. "Julie-Su's also coming along."

"Oh, that's alright, son," Lara replied. "You two hardly ever get a chance to spend together, between missions, your duties, and her cases and all. It will be nice for you two to spend some time together."

"Yeah…" Knuckles nodded. "Also, Dad's coming too."

Lara paused at that. "Locke?"

Locke cleared his throat, pointedly looking away. "As the Head of the Guardians, I should lead by example when it comes to opening our minds to the outside world. That and Kathryn is just as much my daughter as she is yours. I would be remiss to turn down the opportunity."

From the corner of his eye, Locke could see Lara looking over him appraisingly, her expression unreadable. She remained silent for a good while, not even making so much as a grunt of consideration, before letting out a short sigh.

"Well, if nothing else, it will get you out of the shrine and off the island for a little while."

Locke winced, clutching his chest as if an arrow had pierced his heart.

"Then it's settled!" Wyn cried out, thrusting a fist into the air. "This marks a great historic event! Our people's first expedition to the lower world in millennia! We set off at dawn!"

"Uhhhh…actually, we've got a couple days," Kat corrected. "The festival is on the 10th. It's only the 2nd."

"Ahh, I see…" Wyn thought for a moment before thrusting his fist back into place. "We set off in a week!"

Wyn held his pose for several seconds as everyone regarded him with various emotions.

"Wow," Knuckles let out. "Someone's enthusiastic."

"Honestly, I find it quite refreshing," Lara said. "Compared to your father, he's quite the forthcoming and honest man."

Locke flinched and grunted in pain as he felt another arrow pierce his heart.

"Come now, Lara Dearest, don't say such things," Wyn lightly chastised.

"You're right, that was inappropriate."

"No, it was rude," Wyn corrected. " This is inappropriate."

Wyn then proceeded to throw his arms around Lara and began playfully nibbling at her neck, causing her to laugh out loud.

"Wyn! Stop it, that tickles!"

"Enthusiastic and affectionate," Kat said, not noticing Locke feeling the sting of yet another arrow.

Knuckles groaned in disgust. "If I ever get that lovey-dovey, slap me."

"Oh come on, that's the happiest I've seen Mom since…well, ever!"

"Yeah…" Knuckles said, a smile coming over his face. "That's true."

Another arrow for Locke.

"You think I could talk mom into wearing some Chun-ese robes during their big day? I think she'd look beautiful in red on her wedding day."

Wedding day… Wedding day… Wedding day…

Time froze and the world grew dark as the words echoed through Locke's mind. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak. All he could do was sit there in disbelief, his mind racing a mile a minute. Distantly, he could hear the drumming and ancient chants performed at his own wedding. He could see Lara in her white robes, but rather than walking toward him, she was making her way toward a smiling Wyn. His ears were ringing as he imagined it all, his heart shattering into a million pieces.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he finally shouted, making one last attempt to reach out and stop the events unfolding before him, only for some unknown force to pull him away. He watched as everything faded into the distance as he returned to the void, and then he began to fall.

"Locke?"

Faster…

"Locke…"

And faster…

"Locke."

And faster and faster still…until…"

"LOCKE!"

Locke let out a short scream as the world returned around him, revealing Kat and the others standing around him, all with looks of concern.

"Locke, what is going on?" Kat asked. "This is the second time you've spaced out like that."

"I…" Locke shook his head, trying to regain his bearings. "I…I'm sorry, I think I need to lie down for a moment."

"It is getting rather late," Wyn said, then he visibly brightened. "Oh! It's Kathryn's night to cook!"

"Need any help, dear?" Lara asked, looking at her daughter expectantly.

"Well, I suppose extra hands wouldn't hurt," Kat said.

"Very well then," Wyn said, suddenly grabbing her by the hands. "Let us be off! I am eager to see what culinary adventure awaits us this eve. To the kitchen!"

Kat cried out as Wyn whisked her away.

"Wyn, wait!" Lara cried out as she chased after him.

"Mom, hold up!" Knuckles called out, going after her, leaving Locke alone with his thoughts and the new information he had just learned.

"Lara… has a new lover?" he whispered in disbelief. "A… A new husband?"

His hands trembled as his mind struggled to piece everything together.

"No!" Locke said, shaking off these thoughts. "This was always a possibility. You knew that the moment you agreed to the divorce. You accepted that, made peace with it." His resolve, much like his serious expression, began to falter at that. "Even still, I always…"

He tried to say it, but the words died on his tongue before he could speak them. Words that, for years, he dared not speak, lest his heart burst from the sheer hopelessness.

"Wait…" he said, perking up. "Think about this logically. They're still only dating. Dating . That means they're not married yet . Which means…"

His mind turned to the wedding again, except this time, Locke was back in the position of the groom (as it should be).

"Yes… Yes, there's still a chance, still hope. I can still do this." Locke smiled. "I can get Lara back."


Suzaku Castle

Though it was evening in Angel Island, it was morning in the kingdom of Suzaku. The city had been nearly fully rebuilt since Zan's attack, and order had been restored. But despite this, or perhaps because of this, the royal guard's vigilance had only increased in the ensuing months.

"Hey! Wake up!"

"Huh!?"

…for the most part.

"Oi, snap out of it!" a guard at the front gate snapped at his partner. "If the Entei catches you sleeping on the job, you'll be thrown out for sure."

"I can't help it!" the other guard complained. "We've been standing around nearly all night without a single break! How does Flare-sama expect us to do this with such few people?"

"We're soldiers of the Suzaku Kingdom, it's our sworn duty to protect the city with our lives," the other guard said proudly. "A night or two without sleep is nothing to us."

"Except back then, there used to be more of us. Since Princess Ember and her followers were executed for treason, we've been spread thinner than nori." The guard grimaced, shuddering in dread. "And don't even get me started on the Entei's new friend."

"Quit your complaining! Our shift ends in one more hour. Once we're done, we…"

Just then something zoomed past the guards and into the castle, startling and knocking them over.

"What the hell was that!?" one of the guards asked fearfully.

"Looks like Flare-sama's new friend came over to visit." The other guard grimaced in disgust and fear. "Wonderful…"

-X-

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Flare the Pheasant, Entei of Suzaku was in the middle of his morning training. The young lord sat in a seiza position, stripped down to his fundoshi; his eyes closed. Resting in his talons was his family's ancestral blade, a katana with an obsidian grip, a crossguard that resembled the kanji for fire, and a blade of scarlet steel and flame-like engravings.

He took a deep breath, slow and measured, his body barely moving as he held the blade perfectly level.

"Moeagaru…" he recited. "Goshiki Enchou." (2)

The blade's flame engravings began to glow, the air around it shimmering with heat. Flare smiled as he felt its warmth, proof of the spiritual bond with his weapon. Proof of his sovereignty as Entei.

Just then, his eyes sprang open, he wasn't alone.

He grabbed his sword and quickly turned around, just in time to block a sword strike that would have cleaved his head from his body.

"Well done…" his assailant said, leaping backward and sheathing her weapon. "Not very many people can sense my presence when I use Arashi Zensei (3), let alone block the attack."

Flare narrowed his eyes as he looked upon the one who dared attack him: an orange-furred, Mobian lynx with black hair. She had tufted ears that ended in black, pushed down by her straw conical hat; the left ear having a nick in it. Her black bangs hung over her face below her hat, partly covering one of her orange eyes. She had purple eyeshadow, the same color as her gi-like outfit, which was trimmed in gold and belted at the waist. She also wore heavy gloves and boots with metal reinforcements, along with a short ninjato on the back of her belt, which she currently held in her hand.

"Yamaneko Rantao," Flare snarled as he glared at his attacker. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I received a report that the Entei was out without clothes on and was ordered to take pictures." She looked over his blue-feathered body with a smug grin as she sheathed her blade. "Yes… not a bad specimen."

Flare's irritable glare gave way to startled embarrassment as he blushed…only to return full force once he remembered who he was speaking to.

"And without the jokes?" he asked testily.

Rantao's expression turned serious. "I've concluded my investigation of the girl known as Kathryn Winters."

Flare paused. "And?"

Rantao looked Flare right in the eyes. "It's just as you thought."

Flare tensed, his eyes widening as his expression became unreadable. His hands trembled as he strangled Goshiki Enchou, from fear or rage, nobody could tell. Flare's body was enveloped in a fiery aura, which began to flood into his sword, causing the blade to glow red-hot. Realizing what was happening, Flare took a breath and regained his composure, dispelling the aura.

"I see… good work." He gave his blade a quick wave, shaking off the heat.

"So, now that the source of Winters' powers is confirmed, what is the plan now?" Rantao asked.

"The same as when I released you from the dungeon," Flare explained as he walked over to where he'd set his sheathe and picked it up. "You kill her."

"Yes, but how?" Rantao asked.

"I might have a suggestion," Flare cut in. "There's a festival being held in Winters' old home village. The Dragon Boat Festival I believe it's called. Given how close the place is to her heart…"

"Ahhh…" A smile crept over Rantao's face. "Crowded, noisy, and right in the middle of nowhere Wu Ming, it's perfect."

Flare nodded. "That reminds me…" He snapped his fingers, conjuring a neatly folded piece of paper in a puff of smoke and sparks. "She's not the only one who will be there."

Flare held out the paper, prompting Rantao to walk over and take it. She unfolded the paper and began looking it over, her eyes growing wider and wider as she did.

"Oh yes…" she let out with a predatory grin. "This is definitely perfect."

"The festival begins in one week," Flare said as he picked up his sheathe and began sliding his sword inside. "As soon as you get dressed and gather your belongings, you are to leave immediately."

"Undertood, Entei-sama." Rantao made to get ready, only pause. "Wait, get dressed?"

Flare looked at Rantao out of the corner of his eye, flashing her a smug grin of his own. With a loud click, he finished sheathing his sword. As soon as he did, the lynx's outfit spontaneously burst into flames and her sword fell to the ground, leaving her in nothing but her fundoshi and sarashi, but miraculously unharmed.

She cried out as she covered herself, blushing in embarrassment as she glared at the pheasant.

"I must admit, you aren't that bad a specimen yourself, Yamaneko Rantao," Flare said. "A pity you weren't born a bird."

Rantao let out a furious growl as she picked up her blade and stormed off, leaving Flare alone.

"Such a pity," the young Entei said as he shook his head.

He turned to a nearby tree in the garden. Taking a moment to watch the way its branches gently swayed in the wind. How its orange petals shimmered in the morning sun. Shimmering like sparks. Embers. Cinders.

"Enjoy your little festival while you can, Kathryn Winters." With blinding speed, he drew his sword and sliced at the tree. "Because this year…" He sheathed his sword, the tree bursting into flames as soon as he did. "...it will be your last."


Author's Note:

(1): The Yevon salute/prayer stance from Final Fantasy X

(2) 燃え上がる...五色火鳥 (Japanese: Flare up...Five-Colored Firebird)

(3) 嵐前静 (Japanese: Calm before the storm)

Well.. seems things are heating up for Kat. What will happen next?

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Wynmacher- Idris Elba (Fluke from Finding Dory, Knuckles in the live action Sonic movies, Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Please R&R. Until next time!