-Chapter 119-

The Chao Prince and the Guardians

Angel Island

About a week later, the others were working in the Azure Lake garden, getting a Chao Berry tree planted and erecting a comfortable cave for the Chao. A Warp Ring opened up and Sonic exited, looking much better and cleaner.

"Hey Sonic!" Keith greeted.

"Hey, Keith," Sonic waved. "Sally told me to take a break and come help with the Chao Garden. So... anything you need done?"

"Yeah, actually," Helen replied. "Could you help me loosen the soil here? I'm trying to plant some wildflowers to make the lake a bit homier."

Sonic nodded. "Sure thing."

He curled into a Spin Dash, launching himself through the dirt and tilling it for Helen.

"Careful, Sonic!" Tails objected. "You're getting dirt in the water!"

"I got it," Knuckles assured.

Cream and Cheese were near Chaos' egg, looking it over when they heard a small crack. The two looked up, seeing the egg was beginning to rock back and forth.

"Everyone!" Cream cried. "It's time!"

There was a collective gasp as everyone gathered around the lake. The egg began to rock back and forth at a rapid pace before a crack opened up, circling around the entire shell. Cream gently reached out, taking off the top and allowing the Freedom Fighters to see the child of Chaos for the first time. He was almost perfectly white, his hands a gradient to a watery blue that was matched by two fins on the sides of his head. His eyes were big and green, his head coming to a point that connected with a glowing yellow pom-pom. All and all, aside from color, he looked almost exactly like a miniature Chaos.

"Whoa…" everyone let out.

The Chao were already flocking toward him, chirping happily as the newborn beamed at everyone.

"What should we name him?" Cream asked.

"Chaos Jr.?" Sonic offered.

"We are not naming a demigod Chao Chaos Jr." Knuckles informed him.

Kat thought for a minute before snapping her fingers. "How about Drake?"

"Drake?" Keith asked.

"Yeah," Kat nodded. "We all thought that he was this massive dragon, remember? So, if this little guy is his son, then he's a drake. So, Drake."

Sonic nodded. "That's… actually the perfect name."

Kat smiled, then several of the Chao began to appear, harmonizing as they danced around Drake. Suddenly, a little blur ran past them and up to Drake. When it stopped, everyone's jaws dropped at the sight of a Chao identical to Cheese and the others except for three little points on the back of his head similar to Sonic's quills.

"What the…?" Sonic let out in shock.

"Did that thing just…" Knuckles began.

"It did... But how?" Tails questioned.

The Chao chirped, a smirk similar to Sonic's on his face as he greeted Drake. Two more Chao suddenly appeared, one flying with even more grace than the others, and one literally pushing a big rock aside to get to them. Upon closer inspection, the flying Chao had little fox-like ears on top of his head, and the strong Chao had begun to manifest twin spikes on the back of his nubs..

"Cream…" Helen began, "what happened to these Chao?"

"Nothing's happening to them," Cream explained. "They're just Character Chao."

"Character Chao?" Chris asked.

"All Chao can form bonds with other creatures and gain their traits as they grow," said Cream. "Character Chao take it up to eleven, so to speak. They're a rarer breed, though. I've never seen one before now."

"So these guys are super-rare," Sonic mused. "But why are there three of them?"

"Because of Drake," Cream replied. "He's a demigod to them, so they're drawn to him."

"And they decided to mimic us. Cute."

"Seriously cute," Hope agreed.

The Tails Chao flew over to Hope, chirping as it landed on her head. It nuzzled her, purring as he did. Within minutes, Hope felt her fears and pain begin to fade. She smiled, sighing.

"I swear these things are therapy personified," she remarked.

"They do have that effect," Kat admitted.

As if on cue, the Knuckles Chao went over to her. It chirped before jumping onto Kat's arm, clinging to it with surprising strength.

"Seems this one has claimed me," Kat petted it with her free arm. "And quite forcefully, too."

The Sonic Chao turned to Keith, walking over to him and smiling.

"Me? Seriously?" he asked.

He bent down and picked up the Chao, who nodded and chirped happily.

"They'll need names," Sonic perked. "I've already got some."

He gestured to each Chao in turn. "Chronic, Chails, and Chuckles. Team Sonic, meet Team Chronic. Team Chronic, Team Sonic."

The Chao chirped, enjoying their names.

"Since when are we a team?" Knuckles deadpanned.

"Shhh," Sonic urged. "You're ruining the moment."

"If Chails is anything like Tails, I get the feeling he'll be right at home in the Brain Trust lab," Hope decided. "And with ready access to the Lake of Rings, it'll be perfect."

"Chuckles will be good with me," said Kat. "I can bring him to the Garden whenever he needs it."

"Not sure about Chronic, to be honest," Keith admitted. "My mom has a 'no pets' policy."

"There are pets, and then there's a Chao," Chris pointed out.

"Yeah, even Eggman has a Chao," Hope chimed in.

"Wait, he does?" Kat questioned.

Hope pulled out her phone, showing a picture of Eggatha with both Nik and Pitch

"Apparently," Chris remarked.

"Yeah," Sonic nodded. "It's why he tried to make a getaway with Cream's mom."

"Huh," Kat let out. "How could a Chao be attracted to him?"

"Those are a rarer breed," Cream explained. "Dark Chao. They're drawn to those with... less than pure hearts."

"So... they're evil too?" Knuckles asked.

"Of course not. There's a difference between 'dark' and 'evil,' Knuckles."

Knuckles nodded. "Yeah, that's a good point. Well made."

"All right," Keith conceded. "Here's hoping Mom can't say no to that face."

"If she can, there's something wrong with her." Sonic said.

Station Square

When Keith took Chronic home, Laura was almost immediately fawning over him.

"Oh my gosh, look at this little cutie!" she exclaimed.

She picked up Chronic, absolutely starstruck.

"He's one of the Chao at the Garden we've been setting up on Angel Island," Keith explained. "He took a shine to me, so I figured I'd bring him home and... well, you know."

"Of course he can stay," Laura assured him.

She playfully poked Chronic's belly, getting a cute chirp and giggle from him.

"He can stay?" Keith blinked. "But… you hate animals."

"Chao are hardly animals," Laura pointed out. "They're mostly self sufficient, and some of the cleanest beings in existence. And to clarify, I don't hate animals. They're just messy and a lot to look after, and we don't really have the time to balance caring for pets with work, you know?"

"Fair," Keith hugged his mom, smiling. "Thank you."

"Any time," Laura replied.

Angel Island

Back on the island, Kat and Knuckles headed into Echidnaopolis, Chuckles still clinging to the former's arm.

"Lara-Le!" Kat called. "Check this out!"

Lara-Le came up, seeing the Chao clinging to Kat's arm.

"Oh, that's adorable!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, he's kinda attached," Knuckles said.

Chomps came over, bending down and giving the Chao a sniff. Chuckles chirped, booping him on the nose.

"Well, glad to see you two will be getting along," Kat said, smiling.

They heard a throat clearing, and turned to see Locke approach.

"Oh, boy…" Knuckles sighed, realizing what was about to happen.

"He's here for me," Kat said. "He always is."

He stopped before them, his face stern.

"Kathryn, you've been shirking your training for over a week," Locke began. "I've been nice, I've been patient. I've been more than reasonable. But my patience for your slacking is at an end."

"Locke, be reasonable," Lara objected. "She had to be there for her friend. Her grandmother died, remember?"

"Stay out of this, Lara," Locke told her. "Kathryn, if you won't take your duties seriously, then perhaps you're simply not meant for this."

"Hey!" Kat defended. "I had other stuff to do, okay? My friend lost her only family, the Chao Garden, and relief efforts after Chaos!"

"You are a Guardian-in-training," Locke insisted. "Our priorities are to protect the Master Emerald and the island first and foremost."

"Explains your parenting skills," Knuckles muttered under his breath.

Locke turned to him. "What was that?"

"Well excuse me for putting others before myself, unlike you!" Kat snapped before Knuckles could answer.

Locke scowled. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me!" Kat spat. "Believe it or not, I do take this seriously! Do you want to know why I wanted to be a Guardian in the first place? So you would finally see me as someone worthy of respect. But all you've done is ridicule me and push me further than I have ever seen you push Knuckles! It's as if you want me -!"

She froze, realization hitting at that. After a minute, she scowled, angrier than she had ever been before.

"That's it, isn't it?" she demanded. "Why you've been such a slave-driving asshole to me since I started Guardian training. You've been trying to get rid of me this whole time!"

Knuckles went wide-eyed as the pieces fell into place. Lara-Le put a hand to her mouth, and even Chomps and Chuckles were scowling. Even more shocking, red lights were beginning to filter out of the Master Emerald, swirling slowly behind Kat.

"You're not fit to be a Guardian," Locke shot back. "The Guardians have always been, and always should be echidnas. There's no place for the likes of you."

Kat clenched her fists, and to everyone's surprise, her eyes began to glow a bright red as her hair flared brightly, raising up and glowing like flames. Locke gaped, and immediately backed up against the wall as Kat got in his face, letting loose.

"Not fit?" she shouted. "NOT FIT?! I have done everything you've asked of me. I have tried so many times to show you that I'm more than you thought me to be! But it was never enough! It would never be enough!"

As she ranted, the lights behind her began to coalesce, forming the translucent form of Tikal. She was unseen by all save for Locke, to whom she gave a disappointed shake of her head.

"I worked my ass off!" Kat ranted. "I helped stop Chaos! I've saved the world from Eggman ten times over, and you still treat me like crap!"

She shoved him into the wall, cracking it before turning away.

"I'm done with this, Locke. I'm done with working like a dog to earn the respect of a nasty, selfish, racist old man like you."

"Kat-" Knuckles called out.

"WHAT?!" Kat screeched, her aura flaring for a split second.

Knuckles pointed to a puddle on the ground. She took a look, gasping at the power she was giving off. In an instant, it dissipated, leaving her normal once more. Seeing she was calm once more, and reeling from shock, Knuckles quickly rushed over to her, taking her arm.

"C'mon, we're leaving," Knuckles insisted.

Before they left, Knuckles gave Locke a dirty look.

"You actually had me convinced there was a shred of decency or possible growth in you for a while. I should've known better," he shook his head in disdain. "I'm embarrassed to be related to you."

They stormed off at that. Locke tried to follow, only for Chomps to step in his way, snarling and growling at him. The threat was clear; if Locke tried to go after Knuckles and Kat, Chomps would go right for the throat. Tikal was the last to disappear, her lights fading from view as she seemed to cry.

Knothole

Knuckles and Kat soon arrived at Knothole, explaining the revelation regarding Locke that had been revealed. All the while, Sonic was completely silent. After a minute, he stood up. Everyone was immediately on edge by his attitude; while he looked calm at first glance, it was only skin-deep, and he was literally out of his mind with pure, unbridled fury (1).

"That's it," he began, his voice calm and tinged with cruel malice. "I've had it way past all I can take of that old fart. It's time he and I sat down and had a very violent talk."

"Sonic, no," Sally interjected.

"Don't try and stop me, Sal! You know he's had it coming for a long time!"

"Maybe so, but this isn't the way. You can't stoop to his level."

"Then what are we supposed to do? Let him walk over Kat and Knuckles?" Sonic was sparking with rage, lightning dancing in his eyes as he gestured to the Knuckleheads. "Kat's been through enough without putting up with his racist bullshit. So unless you have an actual alternative, I'm going to Angel Island, taking Locke outside, then I'm going to smash him into a greasy red smear on the ground!"

"Sonic!" Knuckles grabbed the irate hedgehog. "Get ahold of yourself!"

"Seriously Knux?!" Sonic snapped as he freed himself from Knuckles' grip. "You should want this more than I do! Even you can't deny your old man's an asshole who deserves the beating of his life!"

"Believe me, I don't," Knuckles replied. "He's an asshole and a racist, but he's still my father. Besides, I've already wiped my hands of him. Kat and I are not returning to the island. Not this time, not ever again."

Sonic was still angry. Sally put a hand on his shoulder.

"Why don't you go out on a run?" she suggested gently. "Help with clean-up, deal with Badniks. Do something to calm down."

After a minute, Sonic sighed and took off. Off to the side, Kat was just looking at her hands in shock.

"I was glowing, my hair was sticking up like flames…" she mused. "It was… terrifying."

"Her prolonged exposure to the Master Emerald, maybe?" Sally suggested.

"Perhaps," Knuckles mused. "It's the best we can figure. I mean, Sonic manifested power because of all the Power Rings and Emeralds he's used. So it makes sense she could do the same. I just wish we knew why the Master Emerald liked her so much."

Angel Island

Back on Angel Island, Locke was seated before the Master Emerald. Lara came up behind him.

"Well, you've finally done it, Locke," she said in discontent. "You drove Kathryn off the island, and our son along with her. Was it worth it?"

Locke said nothing. Lara sighed and turned away, Chomps following after her. Once they were gone, Locke looked up at the Emerald.

"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did you choose her? I don't understand it."

He was met with silence.

"She's a human, an outsider," Locke went on. "She does not belong in the Brotherhood."

"Then you forget your own history, Locke."

Locke perked as the red orbs materialized from the Emerald, swirling around until they formed Tikal. She appeared in front of him, her disappointment and sorrow evident.

"Tikal?" he let out in awe before shaking his head. "What do you mean?"

"Contrary to what you believe, the Brotherhood of Guardians has not always consisted of echidnas," Tikal informed him.

Locke blinked. "What?"

"The founder of our Brotherhood was not an echidna, but a hedgehog,"Tikal said. "Solaran. He founded the Brotherhood after my sacrifice, alongside your ancestor Edmund."

"What...?" Locke let out. "But... But I thought-"

"And he was not the only 'outsider' to be in the order," Tikal went on, ignoring him. "Many creatures from all over Mobius were in the Brotherhood. Come Ascension Day, the Echidnas took the Master Emerald with them when Angel Island rose into the sky, and effectively rewrote history to claim they have always been the sole Guardians. And since that day, I have watched our people revert to how they were while under my father's rule: cold, cruel, and believing themselves superior to all. Up until the day Kathryn Winters arrived on this island."

"Her?" Locke questioned. "How could she have changed anything?"

"Your son," Tikal answered. "He saw a scared, wounded young girl who had escaped enslavement and a massacre, and he took her under his wing and cared for her without a second thought. He fed her, clothed her, made her feel safe. He invited her to live here and opened his home to her. And with her, I saw my chance to restore the true Brotherhood."

She paused for a moment, letting out a shuddering breath.

"Do you see now? I chose Kathryn to be the bridge between Angel Island and the surface."

"That's why the Emerald connected with her," Locke realized. "Why she gained so much power so fast." He met Tikal's eyes. "Because of you."

"Precisely. Though you may very well have burned that bridge due to your stubbornness and pride."

Locke fell back as the realization hit. He pinched the bridge of his snout with a sigh.

"I'm a fool," he let out.

"Indeed," Tikal confirmed bluntly.

"What should I do?" Locke asked. "How can I make things right?"

"That, Locke, is up to you to figure out," Tikal answered.

She disappeared into red light at that. After a few minutes of debate, Locke made his decision, standing up.

Mobotropolis

Mina was gathering some supplies, Bunnie, Shorty, and Antoine with her.

"Is this the last of it?" Bunnie asked.

"I think so," Mina nodded. "Did we get that polish you like, Shorty?"

"Yeah," Shorty confirmed. "Shard's been mooching off of me. Now he'll have his own can."

"Hang on…" Antoine perked, looking through the crowd to see a familiar face. "Isn't that... an echidna?"

The others looked, seeing Locke wandering around looking for something.

"Not just any echidna," Mina said. "It's Knuckles' dad. What's he doing down here?"

"Don't know, don't care," Shorty said bluntly. "Let's split before I give into my urges and shoot him in the foot."

"Now hang on, the guy never leaves the island," Bunnie pointed out. "So what is he doing in Mobotropolis?"

"Probably looking for Kat so he can rag on her some more," Shorty theorized. "Who cares? He's an asshole."

"Still, maybe we should see what he's doing," Mina insisted.

Shorty was clearly against it, but gave in when he realized Mina wouldn't be persuaded otherwise.

"Ugh… fine," he sighed. "Hey! Locke!"

Locke perked, turning in their direction before hurrying over.

"There you are," he greeted. "You're Knuckles and Kat's friends, right? I've been looking for someone to take me to Knothole Village."

"Why do you want to go to Knothole?" Bunnie asked.

"To make amends," Locke replied. "I know you think very little of me and have no reason to believe me, and I don't blame you. But I swear on my honor as a Guardian I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to talk to Kathryn and my son."

The four Freedom Fighters exchanged looks, genuinely surprised.

"Guys…" Mina said after a minute, "what should we do?"

"I think we should take him back," Bunnie decided. "He wouldn't leave Angel Island and come all this way if he wasn't serious, right?"

"Indeed," Antoine agreed. "I'll vote yes."

"If he truly wants to make amends, who are we to get in his way?" Mina added.

Shorty sighed.

"You guys do know the minute Sonic sees Locke, he'll be out for blood," he pointed out. "Sally just barely managed to talk him down from going straight to the island and tearing his freaking head off less than an hour ago, in case you've forgotten."

"Perhaps one of us should go first," Antoine suggested. "Let them know he's coming."

"True," Bunnie agreed. "I mean, Knuckles made it clear he wanted nothing to do with his father."

"I'll go," Mina offered.

She pulled out a Warp Ring, turning to Locke.

"Give us a minute to get everyone ready," she said.

Locke nodded, and with that, Mina threw the Ring.

Knothole

Back at Knothole, Knuckles and Kat were getting settled in with the others' help when Mina appeared.

"Guys…" she began, "you won't believe who we ran into back in Mobotropolis."

"Who?" Sally asked.

"Locke."

Instantly, Knuckles and Kat's moods soured at the mention of Locke's name.

"What the hell does he want?" Knuckles growled.

"He came all this way to make amends," Mina explained. "He just wants to talk to you two."

"Is that what he told you, Mina?" Knuckles questioned. "And you bought it?"

"He did come down from Angel Island personally," Mina pointed out.

"Yeah, well, it's not the first time he's tried to make amends," Kat shot back. "I mean, he's apologized so many times."

"Tell him to go back to Angel Island, and to please let the door hit him on the way out," Knuckles spat. "I'm done with him and his shit, Mina. I don't want him in my life."

"Knuckles... he left the island to talk to you personally," Mina said. "He wouldn't do that unless he really meant it."

"Then you obviously don't know who you're talking about," Knuckles answered.

"Knux... he's your dad," Mina pointed out. "Do you really want to end things like this?"

Knuckles paused for a moment.

"Look…" Mina sighed, "I know he wasn't a particularly good father to you, but he wants to make it up to you, and came all this way. At least hear him out. You never know when the next time you see him might be the last."

She looked down at that moment, clearly thinking about her mother.

"Ugh… fine," Knuckles gave in. "I'll talk to him."

Mina smiled before peeking her head through the still-open Warp Ring.

"He'll talk to you," she informed Locke. "Come on in."

Locke stepped through, followed by the others. The tension could be cut with a knife, but just as he opened his mouth to say something, they heard the front door open.

"Well, that was just what I needed," Sonic remarked as he entered the room. "Nothing like a good run to clear... your…"

He trailed off as he looked up and saw Locke. Immediately, everyone was on edge.

"Hello, Sonic," Locke greeted. "I'm-"

Suddenly, a sonic boom sounded and several items were blown and scattered across the room as Sonic tackled Locke to the ground at super-speed. He pinned the echidna down, the pure hatred in his gaze enough to kill.

"You've got some nerve showing your face around here, you racist jackass!" He snarled.

"Sonic!" Sally cried out. "Sonic, let him go!"

"Why should I?"

"Because you're better than that. Now let. Him. Go."

After a tense moment or two, Sonic sighed before backing off. He shoved himself off of Locke, the echidna grunting in pain as Sonic glared at him.

"Consider yourself lucky Sally was here to stop me, Locke. Now, out with it. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to make amends, if it's not too late," Locke replied.

"Less than an hour ago, you burned that bridge by saying Kat had no place in the Brotherhood, Dad," Knuckles told him. "Why the sudden shift in tone?"

"I was paid a visit by Tikal," Locke answered.

"Oh really?" Kat asked. "I'm surprised she's still sticking around."

"Solaran did say she and Chaos would be trapped in the Emerald for all time," Knuckles pointed out.

"Now that Chaos' rage has abated, they choose to remain in it," Locke clarified. "But that's not the point."

Locke proceeded to explain what Tikal had told him. How Solaran was one of the founders of the Brotherhood of Guardians, how they used to be a mixed race group, and how the echidnas hijacked the Master Emerald and the guardianship for their own ends; he left out no detail. As he came to the part of Kat's role, and the reason behind her power, everything began to make sense.

"That's why you got so strong so fast," Keith realized.

"Exactly," Locke nodded. "Tikal chose Kathryn to be her means of bringing back the original Brotherhood, and to serve as the bridge to reconnect the echidnas of Angel Island to the surface. But my pride and old views blinded me to that truth for so long... until she informed me as such. I know I've apologized and promised change many times over the past year. I know you have no reason to believe this time will be any different."

He sighed before dropping to his knees. Everyone was absolutely shocked as he bowed low, his head to the ground.

"But could you two find it in your heart to give this old fool one last chance?" he asked.

Knuckles and Kat looked at each other uncertainly.

"I... don't know what to say," Kat admitted.

"You don't need to answer right away, or return to the island immediately," Locke assured. "All I ask is that you consider it."

He rose to his feet, letting out a thready breath.

"I am... truly sorry for everything I said," he told them. "And how I treated you. I don't expect you to believe me, but it's true."

A moment of silence followed, and Locke turned away.

"I've said what I came to say. I'll... just be going now." He turned to Mina. "Would you kindly return me to Mobotropolis? I can find my way back to the island from there."

Mina nodded. "Yes, of course."

She opened the Warp Ring, allowing Locke to pass through. Once he was gone, the two Knuckleheads were left stunned.

"Knuckles? Kat?" Sally asked. "You two okay?"

"I… I'm not sure," Knuckles confessed.

"Me neither," said Kat. "I think this time... he was genuine."

"Right, and I'm a Badnik," Sonic scoffed. "He's done this before, and I say you two have been burned enough."

"Sonic, anyone can change for the better," Sally insisted. "You know that."

"Yeah, but they have to want to," Sonic countered. "You can't make them."

"Just like you can't make this choice for them," Sally pointed out. "It's their decision whether or not to give Locke another chance."

"Not yet," Kat decided. "Not right now."

"Agreed," Knuckles nodded. "We need some time to think."

Sonic shrugged. "Your old man, your call."

Angel Island

That evening, Locke had taken up his post at the Master Emerald shrine. As he stood there, the familiar light of a Warp Ring opened up at the base. He gasped in disbelief as Knuckles and Kat stepped out

"You came back…" Locke managed.

"It is our shift," Knuckles pointed out.

"We do take our duties seriously," Kat added as they took up their positions.

"We're staying through our shift, then heading back," Knuckles informed Locke. "We're... not ready to come back to the island full time yet."

"Understandable," Locke nodded.

"I hope you really mean it this time, dad, because the first sign of your usual shit, and we're gone for good," Knuckles warned. "No more second chances."

"I'm well aware of that," Locke replied.

He began walking away, pausing at the bottom of the shrine.

"I... will do everything in my power to earn your forgiveness," he answered. "No matter how long it takes."

"I'm not sure yet if we can forgive you, Dad," After a minute, Knuckles gave a small smile. "Doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

From behind them, Tikal's shimmering form peeked out from the Emerald. She smiled at Locke, giving an approving nod before vanishing. Locke gave a smile of his own before walking off.

Author's Note:

(1): One thing I decided on, taken from Spider-Man's depiction. Enemies and allies alike know Sonic is a bigmouthed showboat who spends his time joking around and not taking things seriously, and as long as he's quipping and cracking jokes, all is right with the world. The minute Sonic stops the quips and showboating, he's really pissed off, done holding back… and you're gonna have a really bad day.

Another one down, and Locke seems finally done with being a jackass.

Chronic, Chails, and Chuckles are all taken from Archie, whereas Drake is based on the Chaos Chao you can make in both Adventure games.

Please R&R. Until next time!