Trials & Tribulations

Julie-Su smiled as she dipped her toes in the artificial stream. She had to admit, she was actually beginning to like it here, despite the often intimidating presence of one or more of the Brotherhood. It was calm and peaceful...

And she had Knuckles all to herself.

Well…mostly…

He would sometimes have to spend time with one of his older family members, like he was right now. And sometimes he’d become quite absorbed in the files they brought him to read, which he seemed to be getting through at an alarming rate. And there were times when he just acted a bit…odd. Nothing truly alarming, just a little strange and out of character.

But all in all…life was good.

She sighed and lay back in the long, cool grass. She knew this couldn’t last much longer. Soon they’d be heading back to the Island, to Echidnaopolis and his over-absorbing duties as Guardian.

“Man, but you’ve got a hard life…”

She was momentarily startled by the sudden sound of his voice, even though he had spoken softly. She hated that he could get so close to her without her knowing it.

“We’ll be returning to reality soon enough.” She told him, squinting up at him, slightly blinded by the sun as it caused a bright halo about his head.

He rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me.” He groaned as he dropped down onto the grass beside her.

She smiled at him, sitting up as he sat down beside her. She snuggled up to him, her smile widening as he wrapped an arm around her. She noticed he was barefoot again, which he often was of late. She wasn’t sure if it was because he liked the feel of the grass under his feet, as he’d said, or because he didn’t like the new boots Locke had given him. But she couldn’t complain about it, after all, at the moment she was barefoot herself.

“So…they finished with you for the day?”

“Yeah.”

She twisted a thick red spine around her finger. “Whatever will we do with the rest of the day?”

“I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

~~~~~~

“They in the arboretum again?” Sojourner asked absently as he strolled into the main monitoring room to relieve Sabre whose shift was just coming to an end.

“Yes.” Sabre confirmed as he rose so his elder could take up position in front of the bank of monitor screens.

Sojourner sighed as he took his seat. “Do you think he knows that there’s no surveillance cameras in there?”

Sabre chuckled. “I wouldn’t put it past him. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t memorized the location of every piece of surveillance equipment we’ve got on the Island.” Sabre shook his head. “That boy seems to have an incredible memory. And he does like his privacy.”

Sojourner glanced at the younger, smirking echidna. “If that’s true, it’s going to make it difficult to keep tabs on him once he’s back on active duty.”

“He’s a living Chaos Emerald,” Sabre pointed out. “I really don’t think he needs us to protect him. Besides, I believe that he and his young lady friend would prefer it if we kept our beaks out of their business.”

“Yes,” Sojourner agreed. “He’s already made his opinion about THAT particular subject abundantly clear.”

“We all agreed to give him…and her…all the time they need.” Sabre pointed out. “We’ll have a little Guardian running about our feet soon enough.”

“Oh?” Sojourner raised a brow. “I didn’t think they were THAT serious.”

“They’re not. The boy is painfully shy about such matters, but it’s obvious how much they care for each other.” He chuckled. “After all, he did come back from the dead for her.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to believe that.” Sojourner shook his head. “But you’re right about their feelings…they don’t even have to say a word…” He sighed deeply, sadly.

Sabre frowned. “Is there a problem?”

“Not with them…” he smiled a little sheepishly. “Nor with any of the Brotherhood…”

Sabre raised a brow at the comment. From the start, none of the Brotherhood had truly believed in Julie-Su’s suitability for the youngest of their number. Not even as just a friend. Even without her ties to the Dark Legion, she was out spoken, strong willed and, to put it bluntly, she didn’t take grief from anybody. She would never be the proper, refined female that was all but a requirement for the Guardian Consort.

They had ignored the similar, though much less obvious, traits they’d found in Lara-Le, and though she and Locke had been happy, it was only for the shortest of times. Shortly after the hatching of their son, the fighting had begun, mostly over the centuries long traditions in his raising. Lara-Le had wanted input, which, because of tradition, had been denied her. Unlike her predecessors, she had been unable to accept being gently pushed aside, and so she had decided to end her commitment to Locke, probably not realising at the time that she was also giving up all access to her son.

So when Knuckles’ friendship with Julie-Su began to deepen, they decided to watch her more closely, and the reactions of others towards her, even though the pair seemed ideally suited. Vector didn’t like her, but they had agreed that that was a problem between the two rather volatile adolescents, and not a true judgment on the young female herself. And besides, the other, rather oddly named Chaotix had no such problems with her.

Lara-Le accepted her, perhaps as a kindred spirit, mixed up in all the Guardian secrets. It was also believed, though never confirmed, that Locke’s former wife had tried to dissuade the young female from getting involved so closely with her son, not out of any motherly disapproval, but because she didn’t want the girl to be hurt as she had been.

Locke too had accepted her fairly quickly, thinking really only of what his son wanted. Through his, and Archimedes support, the other members of the Brotherhood began to, reluctantly, consider the possibility of a pairing between the two. Having her with them in Haven for the past two weeks had helped them all in getting to know her. They had discovered her sense of humour, been introduced to her strength, and become accustomed to her presence. They could also see how strong the bond between the young pair was.

In sort, they had all grown quite fond of her.

The rest of the Island, however, was another matter.

“It’s just…” Sojourner sighed. “A lot of the citizens don’t care for her. They think he’s consorting with the enemy…imagine what they’d think if they found out about her…family ties…”

“They’re far enough removed as to not be considered related.” Sabre protested softly. “We checked into that as soon as we…”

“That’s not what I meant.” Sojourner interrupted. “If they were to find out that she’s Dimitri’s great-great-granddaughter…”

“Then we must take all necessary precautions that they don’t.”

~~~~~~

Dimitri’s great-great-granddaughter sighed and snuggled up a little closer to Knuckles. They were lying, flat on their backs, in the long cool grass of the arboretum, staring up through the glass bubble that served as its ceiling at the clouds high above.

“That one looks like an ancient numbat.” Knuckles observed, pointing out the cloud he was referring to. She shifted her head slightly from where it was resting on his shoulder, to study his face. His eyes were wide, filled with a bright, child-like wonder. She smiled at his innocent expression.

“What’s a numbat?” She asked with a slight frown, unfamiliar with the term.

“It’s an animal found in Down Unda…where our own kind originated…they’ve evolved like we have…but they used to be these cute little critters with long snouts and strips on their butts.”

“What do they look like now?” Julie-Su enquired as she rolled over on to her stomach so she could see his face.

“Uh…” Knuckles thought for a moment. Julie-Su rested her chin on her arms, which were folded across his chest. “Cute little critters with long snouts and stripes on their butts…but they’re bigger, and they walk upright.”

“They can keep the stripy butts…” she smiled at him. “I prefer my cute little critters with long snouts to have long, red dreadlocks…” Knuckles smiled back as he realised just where her train of thought was taking her. “Beautiful violet eyes…” She leaned closer. “And…”

Knuckles suddenly sat up, sniffing the air. Julie-Su was tossed aside rather violently. She looked at him, disappointed, and more than a little annoyed.

“Though I would prefer a longer attention span.” She grumbled to herself as he tried to identify whatever it was that he was trying to sniff out.

“What was that?” He asked absently, still sniffing at whatever it was.

“Nothing.” She sighed. “What is it?” She sniffed the air, but she couldn’t smell a thing above the perfume of the wildflowers, the dankness of the rainforest and the mist from the nearby waterfall that hung in the air.

“Spectre.” He said confidently as he finally recognized his ancestor’s scent.

Julie-Su raised a sceptical brow. “Oh, really?”

“Yep.” Knuckles pointed off towards the arboretum’s distant door. “He’s making a b-line straight to us…must have infra-red visor or something.”

“He’s a Guardian,” Julie-Su shrugged as she walked over to stand next to him. She frowned as she peered into the trees, as he was. “You can all do some pretty amazing things.”

“What can I do for you, Spectre?” Knuckles asked quietly.

“I see I was expected.” Spectre said with a raised brow as he stepped into the clearing a few seconds later. “I never knew that your senses were accurate enough to discern the miniscule differences in our individual scents.”

“You’re easy,” Knuckles admitted with a shrug. “That mist of yours gives off a really sweet aroma…it completely surrounds you.”

Spectre looked down at the soft white fog that drifted about his ankles. “Really?” He quirked an eyebrow at his distant grandson. “I’ll have to remember that.”

“So what was it you wanted?” Knuckles asked. “You’re not exactly the type to make social calls…but then, none of the family is…”

“True enough,” Spectre almost chuckled. “You’re completely up to date with Island happenings over the past year…”

“Ah,” Knuckles smiled. “Time to go back to work?”

“Yes.” Spectre nodded. “And we have the perfect job for your return to duty.”

~~~~~~

Spectre led the pair back to Haven’s conference room. Knuckles sat in the seat Spectre gestured towards, Julie-Su took the seat beside him, while Spectre himself sat opposite them both.

He pushed three, non-descript files across the table towards the youngest Guardian. Knuckles opened the top most file to be greeted with what could only be described as a mug shot of a rather ordinary looking brown echidna. But there was something familiar about his eyes. Coal black, almost soulless. Knuckles frowned. He ran a gloved finger across the faint scars on the echidna’s cheek. He looked up at Spectre, who was watching him almost expectantly.

“Is this…” he gestured towards the photograph, “Xenin?”

Spectre smiled proudly, though it still caused Julie-Su to shiver slightly, involuntarily. No matter how friendly he seemed, Spectre’s smiles always seemed threatening.

“Very good.”

Knuckles flipped open the remaining files to find similar, un-enhanced photographs of Kommisar and Moritori Rex, the latter wearing a pair of thick-lens spectacles. Kommisar, he noticed, looked rather despondent, almost frightened.

“My, how they’ve changed.” Knuckles said softly.

“For the past year, they’ve all been in solitary confinement…” Spectre began. “It’s time to review their cases.”

“Parole hearing?” Knuckles arched a brow.

“Yes.” Spectre confirmed with a curt nod. “In cases such as these…” he gestured at the three photographs, “they each face the Island Tribunal…a trio of echidnas…from what are basically our three main governing bodies…The Council of Elders…The Echidna Security Team…and The Brotherhood of Guardians.” The dark-robed echidna explained. “In this particular hearing, Councillor Darwin, Constable Remington and…”

“Me.” Knuckles finished. He cocked his head to one side. “But don’t you think that the sight of me might…well…be like waving a red flag to a bull?”

“Somehow, I get the feeling that that’s exactly what they’re hoping for.” Julie-Su said softly.

“Not exactly.” Spectre admitted. “But we’re hoping that the shock might have a positive effect on them.”

“Positive?” Knuckles asked incredulously.

“We conducted extensive interviews with them, and several of your friends, when they were first incarcerated.” Spectre began. “We discovered that Xenin had a great respect for you…”

Knuckles frowned as he remembered his brief time as the cyborg’s commanding officer. “Yeah…I guess he did…” He admitted.

“And Kommisar…well…” Spectre smiled wickedly at his grandson.

Knuckles’ jaw dropped at his unspoken insinuation. “I’m sure she only did that to be hurtful.”

“Did what?” Julie-Su asked a little nervously.

“She just flirted a bit, that’s all.” Knuckles smiled at her, squeezing her hand for reassurance.

Spectre chuckled. “That’s not how it was described to us. It was more an attempted seduction.” He noticed the worried, horrified look on Julie-Su’s face. His own expression softened. “But we were also unanimously informed that you turned her down flat.”

“Of course I did.” Knuckles growled. He glanced at Julie-Su, smiling that little shy smile of his. “What possible reason would I have to look elsewhere?”

Spectre smiled to himself at the expressions on the young pair’s faces. ‘Boy’s got a way with words.’ He admitted. ‘He certainly didn’t inherit THAT from his father…’

“You better get a move on.” Spectre informed him. “The trial’s in an hour.”

“Yeah,” Knuckles mumbled as he rose to his feet. “I guess we better…”

Spectre frowned as his distant grandson made for the door. “Knuckles…don’t forget to put your boots on…” He hadn’t noticed before that the young Guardian was barefoot.

“Why?” Knuckles looked down at his bare feet. “It’s so much more comfortable like this.” He had every intention of retrieving his boots before returning to the city, but he just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to tease one of his stuffy ancestors.

“Perhaps.” Spectre agreed. “But all civilized beings were footwear when they’re out in public.”

Knuckles arched a brow and smiled at his elder. “And your point is…?”

“Just set a good example.” Spectre sighed. “You ARE a Guardian…”

~~~~~~

Remington watched as Councillor Darwin paced back and forth in front of him. The elderly red echidna seemed unusually nervous.

“What troubles you, Councillor?” Remington asked in an effort to stop his pacing.

“These three…” he gestured at a trio of files almost identical to the ones Spectre had presented to Knuckles. “None of them are what you’d describe as your common criminal.”

Remington frowned. “And what exactly IS your ‘common criminal’?”

“Well…I don’t know…” Darwin stumbled. “Just not them.”

“They’ve been rather model prisoners, actually.” The dark brown echidna informed him. “Moritori Rex was a bit troublesome to begin with, making demands and carrying on…but he calmed down…especially after his meeting with the Guardian.”

“And where is Locke anyway?” Darwin asked, wringing his hands. “He should have been here by now.”

“My father is no longer the active Guardian.” A voice spoke so close behind the nervous councillor that he almost jumped out of his fur.

Remington tried to keep his face passive as he studied the newly arrived Guardian. He had only seen him briefly since his return, and he hadn’t, at the time, noticed how much the boy had changed.

He was obviously taller. And despite the fact that he still looked rather thin, he appeared to have filled out considerably muscle wise. His spines were longer, too long for Remington’s rather regimental taste. There was the change in his attire, the simple vest, boots and hat made him look more adult than his rather garish shoes had.

But it was his eyes that had changed most. There was a sadness there that hadn’t been there before. A sadness that shouldn’t be reflected in the eyes of one so young. He claimed ignorance of where he’d been for the past four seasons, but his eyes betrayed him. Those eyes had witnessed events that had irreversibly changed him. Events he refused to talk about.

“Welcome back.” Remington said formally, with a tip of his hat.

Knuckles smiled ruefully and tipped his own hat in return.

Councillor Darwin’s reaction was not quite so calm. He had been informed of Knuckles’ return, but, like most of the Island, still questioned it. In his heart and mind, he had refused to truly accept it. But now, with the young Guardian standing before him, very much in the flesh, it was impossible not to.

“Uh…” he managed, his eyes wide. “I…”

Knuckles’ smile didn’t falter. “Don’t worry…” he said reassuringly. “I’ve been getting that a lot.”

~~~~~~

Moritori Rex studied the crowd as he was led into the courtroom. Behind him, Kommisar shuffled along quietly, the only one of the trio not in handcuffs. Behind her, Xenin, barely recognisable now, marched with his usual stoic expression.

The gallery was quite full, the citizens no doubt expecting quite a show, or else concerned as to what was going to be done with the Legion’s two remaining Grand Masters and their warrior elite.

Some cowered, some sneered, some mocked. There were few he recognised. But he did recognise his son’s third child, sitting quietly, neither fearful nor vindictive, she met his gaze with a calm expression.

“Seems little sister’s come to gloat.” He said quietly to the unusually meek Kommisar behind him.

The red female lifted her head to her grandfather’s comment, following his gaze to the pink echidna. Julie-Su didn’t appear to be gloating at all, if anything it was pity Kommisar saw in her lavender eyes.

Kommisar didn’t know about her grandfather, nor the silent warrior behind her, but she didn’t want to go back to that awful cell. It was cramped, it was drab, but most of all, it was lonely.

Kommisar had never been alone in her life. Even when she’d come into the world it had been with her brother, long lost now. Twins were an extreme rarity amongst echidnas, there had only been one other pair hatched to the Legion since she and Kragok. She momentarily wondered what had become of them, born around the same time as her younger sister, they had been a rather striking pair. The male with shiny, jet black fur, his sister, pure white, each with bangs of the opposite colour…

The trio were ushered to their seats, well away from the audience, but still close enough to hear every scathing comment. Moritori Rex glanced at the seats opposite, to be filled with the Tribunal that were to hear their case.

“Judge…jury…and executioner…” He snarled as he counted off the chairs, one by one.

“You don’t really think they plan to execute us, do you?” Kommisar asked in a frightened whisper.

“Of course not.” He said, glancing at her. She could see the disapproval in his eyes at her timid behaviour. “If they planned to, they’d have done it by now.”

“What do you think they DO plan to do?”

“Put us right back in our cages.” He said. “They’ll never let us go.”

Kommisar tried to remain calm as she heard the audiences’ murmur, which heralded the arrival of the Tribunal. She raised her head to face them and let out an involuntary gasp. She glanced quickly to her left and right in time to see a similar reaction from both her grandfather and the up until that moment, silent Xenin.

The crowd, too, could be heard to make their own startled comments.

“By the Walkers…”

“I heard the rumours…”

“It’s impossible…”

The dark furred constable and the red furred councillor glanced at the young Guardian who seemed to be taking it all in his stride.

Kommisar too watched him, taking in the subtle changes in his appearance. She was vaguely aware of the smile that curled her mouth.

‘And I thought he looked good before…’ She thought as her eyes travelled down the full length of his body. He was still too thin, but his muscle mass had obviously increased. She returned her attention to his face to discover that he was looking straight at her. Her somewhat lurid thoughts dissipated as his dark eyes seemed to look right into the very depths of her soul.

“Not in this, or any other lifetime.” He said softly, coldly, though loudly enough for her to hear.

She was startled by the comment, not because it was unexpected, but because it seemed to be in response to her less than wholesome thoughts of scant seconds before. That, coupled with the look in his eyes made her wonder…

‘Can he read my mind?’

~~~~~~

Julie-Su noticed the look on her half-sister’s face as she studied Knuckles. She could guess what was going through her mind by the expression. Spectre had mentioned her attempted seduction, but this was the first time she’d seen it. She didn’t like it.

‘She doesn’t give up.’

Then her expression suddenly changed to one of shock and fear. Julie-Su hadn’t heard what Knuckles had said, in truth, very few present had, but it certainly had an impact.

~~~~~~

Knuckles took his seat, slightly above and behind Darwin and Remington.

‘Oh, great,’ he thought. ‘Make the newly returned freak of nature even more obvious.’

He had learned during his recent stay in Haven that, despite the fact that the populace had been made aware of his return, and been fed the line about massive injuries and false hopes, many still took the news rather…badly. Not that they weren’t glad to have him back, they were just angry at the fact they hadn’t been told that he survived, those that believed the explanation anyway. The former Legionnaires that now inhabited the Island had witnessed the event, and very few of them had accepted the lie they’d been told.

He glanced briefly at the gallery, noticed Julie-Su, who tried to smile reassuringly at him, before turning his attention to the trio on trial. Kommisar still looked a little stunned, Xenin was his usual emotionless self, but Moritori Rex was glaring at him through his thick lenses, obvious anger in his eyes.

“Well…” Darwin began. “Let us begin…”

He began reading off the list of the charges against the trio but Knuckles wasn’t listening. Moritori Rex had not taken his eyes off the young Guardian, neither had his expression altered.

“Where’s Dimitri?!” He suddenly demanded of Knuckles, rising swiftly to his feet.

Darwin halted in his speech, glancing quickly from one to the other. All other eyes were on Moritori Rex as he advanced on the silent Guardian.

“You survived…” he went on. “Surely Dimitri did too. Unless…” He smiled wickedly. “You made certain that he didn’t.”

The audience was aghast at the elderly Legionnaire’s accusation.

“The Guardian is not on trial here.” Remington warned, gesturing to several of his troops as they advanced should they be needed to restrain either accused or accuser.

“Maybe he should be.” Moritori Rex turned on the dark brown constable. “Murder is far more heinous a crime than any we have committed.” He gestured towards his companions.

Knuckles sat up a little taller in his seat as all eyes turned to him. He met Moritori Rex’ accusation with a calm façade. “I do not know Dimitri’s fate.” He said coolly. “Only that it was of his own making.”

“Really?” The elderly echidna’s smirk didn’t falter. “And why should we believe your words?”

“Who was it that bore the Blade?” Knuckles countered. “And who was the one it was used upon?”

“Moritori Rex…” Darwin said formally as he rose from his seat. “Your unfounded accusation is NOT helping your case. Now return to your seat…or this hearing is over.”

~~~~~~

Several hours later, after all had been said, after all had been heard, the Tribunal retired to discuss their options.

“We can’t release them.” Darwin shook his head.

“We can’t release Moritori Rex, anyway.” Remington said behind his steepled fingers. “Especially after his attack on the Guardian…”

“You think locking them up again will make things any better?” Knuckles asked. “They’re not going to change if we don’t give them the chance.”

“Are you suggesting that we just let them go?” Darwin was flabbergasted. “Think of all the havoc they could cause. Not to mention the fact that Moritori Rex obviously has some kind of vendetta against you.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that we let them go…Kommisar and Xenin don’t seem to be much of a threat…” He looked at Remington. “Think they’d survive in general population?”

Remington arched a brow. “They’re not very popular,” he admitted. “But they’re not exactly pushovers either…social interaction could be good for them. What about Moritori Rex?”

“We can’t keep him locked up forever either…and giving them all some measure of freedom would certainly reflect well on us. What do you think, Councillor?”

“I think you’re playing with fire even considering letting any of them out of solitary…but you’re right…they won’t change if we don’t give them the chance to…”

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements.” Remington nodded, moving to the other side of the room as he pulled out his communicator.

“Now, Councillor…” Knuckles said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I think you and I should discuss the housing situation for the Dingoes…”

~~~~~~

Kommisar was absently twisting a spine in her fingers. She knew this hearing was a farce, she knew she’d be back in solitary confinement by nightfall. She looked up as the Tribunal returned to their seats. Darwin remained standing, preparing to deliver their sentence.

‘Here it comes…’

“We have discussed your case at length…” he said to them. “And though we believe that you would still pose a threat to society, we also believe that there has been an improvement in your overall, undesirable behaviour…so…” He glanced back at Knuckles and Remington. “You will not be returned to solitary confinement, but rather to general confinement, where you will partake of rehabilitation for eventual release back into society.”

It was hard to judge who was more stunned, the audience or the accused trio.

“Return them to temporary confinement while we ready their new accommodation.” Remington ordered his men.

Kommisar shot a quick, grateful look at Knuckles. She knew this decision had to have come from him. Darwin was renowned for his feelings against the Legion. And she’d had enough contact with Remington to know he wouldn’t have suggested it.

Knuckles smiled slightly, before turning his attention elsewhere.

~~~~~~

“I saw it, you know.” Julie-Su said as Knuckles joined her as the audience began to shuffle out.

“Saw what?” He asked.

“You smiled at her.”

“Oh, for crying out loud…”

“It was nice of you to give them a chance…and rather surprising considering all they’ve put you through.” She said. “But you know that decision won’t make you very popular…the populace were all but howling for their blood a year ago.”

“It wasn’t made to make us popular.” Knuckles informed her. “They deserve a chance…they screw it up and they’ll be right back in solitary.”

“You think they will?”

“I’m not sure about Moritori Rex, I think he might be too old to change.” Knuckles frowned. “But it’s pretty obvious that Kommisar hates solitary. She was nothing like the female I knew when I was…” he paused, taking a deep breath as he remembered the things he’d done. “It seems so long ago…” He said in a whisper.

Julie-Su looked at him with concern. She’d never heard him talk about his time with the Legion. It hadn’t been his fault, but it obviously still pained him to think about it. She smiled.

“C’mon…I’ll buy you a drink…”

“Julie-Su!” His eyes widened. “I can’t have a drink! I’m only six…uh…seventeen!”

“I wasn’t suggesting alcohol you ninny.” She smiled at him. “I thought a hot chocolate might be nice…it’s a little chilly today…”

“Oh.” Knuckles lowered his head a little shyly. “I guess that’d be nice then.”

“Don’t worry.” She smiled wickedly. “I won’t try to get you drunk until at least your eighteenth birthday.”