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"For the Love of Eternity"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 2: In Want of an Escape

   Only a few days passed before Amy announced it was time for her and Delilah to go on their bi-monthly trip to Station Square for groceries and other supplies.  Now, as Mikomi and Kelsey had gotten older, Amarie too, they began to take more notice of this trip their mothers would take to this city…this place they never heard of outside of these trips taken twice a month and Amy’s reminiscing alone.  They weren’t children anymore, and after so many years on Angel Island had gone by, Mikomi and Kelsey especially began to hunger for adventure outside of their island home.

   This was their chance; with their mothers making a trip off the floating island, perhaps, just maybe, they could talk their way into going with them, so they would finally have the opportunity to see the world outside of their home, which even now, was slowly feeling like a prison.

   That morning, Amy was getting ready to go, while Delilah finished up cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  Mikomi and Kelsey talked over their plan of action in his bedroom.  Kelsey was sitting on his bed playing a video game, while Mikomi paced around his room, trying to come up with exactly what they would say.

   “Come on Kelsey!  You’re supposed to be helping me come up with how we’re gonna sweet talk our moms into taking us!  Either pause the game or cut it off alright?  We’ve put this off for too long now, and I don’t wanna wait another two weeks…,” Mikomi said.

   Kelsey paused the game, looking helplessly at her cousin; “Aww Mikomi!  I was just about to beat the level twelve boss!” she cried.  Mikomi gave her a stern look, and she sighed, smiling innocently, and said, “Hee, hee, okay Miko, I’m sorry.  I can finish it later.”  She turned the television off, but left the game on pause, and turned to Mikomi, who already had his hand over his mouth, grasping his jaw line as he went back to his thoughts.

   After a few moments, he turned to Kelsey, placing his hands on her shoulders and said, “Nah, you’re alright Kelsey…didn’t mean to be rough on ya.  Anyway, what do we have to worry about?  We’ve sweet talked both our parents into plenty of things before…heh, we both got game systems in the same month remember?  It wasn’t even our birthdays or anything…we just acted all sweet and everything, and got what we wanted.  It’ll be just the same this time.”

   “Hee, hee, but Mikomi, we also did extra chores that entire month to return the favor remember?” Kelsey said laughing.  “You’re right though, usually all we have to do is sweet talk them…and this is a pretty humble request…let’s just go out there and do it!” she continued.

   She hugged Mikomi tightly before picking up her bow and quiver off Mikomi’s well-made bed.  She slung her quiver over her shoulder, while Mikomi pulled his boots on, before putting on his black jacket.  The two exchanged grins and glances, peering out of Mikomi’s cracked bedroom door, where they could see Delilah finish getting herself ready, while Amy went down the list of what they needed from the store.

   The two teens stepped out of Mikomi’s room, walking down the hall, looking innocent enough as they walked into the living room.  Kelsey picked up her mother’s hat off an ottoman and handed it to her, sitting down beside her on the couch as she did so.  Delilah looked up at her daughter and smiled, saying, “Thank you sweetie, and I also meant to thank you for bringing me fresh flowers this morning for the dining room table.  That was very sweet of you.”

   Delilah hugged Kelsey and kissed her on the cheek before turning to pull her shoes on.  Mikomi stood nearby and said, “Yeah, well, Kelsey and I wanted to get up early to see the sunrise, so…we thought we’d pick flowers for you and Mom.  They’re always so fun to pick when they have a little dew left on them.”

   At that moment, Amy walked out of the small kitchen, catching Mikomi by surprise by being pulled into a hug from behind and like Kelsey receiving a kiss on his cheek.  Amy laughed and said, “Well goodness, why didn’t you two bring Amarie with you this morning?  She was wondering where you two went.”

   Mikomi and Kelsey glanced at each other, before Mikomi replied, “Ah, Kelsey and I just wanted it to be quiet is all…Amarie would have scared the birds away and stuff.  We might take her next time though, as long as she promises to, well…keep it down.”

   Now Amy and Delilah exchanged glances, with that motherly instinct already sensing that something was amiss; that Mikomi and Kelsey wanted something, and quite possibly went to pick flowers for them on purpose, for they always took Amarie with them to watch the sunrise, or anywhere they went on the island for that matter.  Amy and Delilah had the idea that quite possibly they were worried that Amarie might accidentally reveal to their parents what they wanted, and this is why they chose to suddenly leave her out.  Amy and Delilah smiled at each other, for they knew now that Mikomi and Kelsey wanted something.

   Kelsey looked at Mikomi nervously after neither Amy or Delilah spoke after several moments.  She looked at her mother and said, “Hey Mom…how come you and Aunt Amy never let me, Mikomi, or Amarie go to the city with you?  We’ve never been off this island…do you think maybe we could go to the city with you?  Just this once?”

   Mikomi immediately chimed in, “Please Mom!  Can’t we go with you, please?  I’m dying to see the world outside of Angel Island for a change…I mean, I love it here too, but at least you and Aunt Delilah can take a trip away sometimes!  Please let us go with you!”

   Both Amy and Delilah were right; Kelsey and Mikomi did want something, but it was something they weren’t too sure about letting them have.  Years ago they had made a conscious decision, along with Knuckles and Hidama, to do as best as they could to keep their children’s thoughts off the world outside the safe confines of Angel Island, but as time passed, they realized they could never keep them on the island forever, especially when, like Mikomi and Kelsey said, they got to leave it once and awhile, and even lived and traveled outside it before in their lives.  The time had come it seemed, for Mikomi and Kelsey to desire to see the world outside, which up until now, they knew only be name and story.

   Amy looked at Delilah helplessly, unsure of how to approach Mikomi and Kelsey with an answer.  In the end it would come down to however Hidama and Knuckles felt about the ordeal, for they were in charge of the final decision, and as much as they loved their children, Amy and Delilah were obligated to support their husbands fully in their decisions.  Both of them were confused on what to say next, but before they could speak, Hidama came in from outside, holding Amarie in the air so she could “fly”.

   “Hee, hee, higher Uncle Hidama!  Higher!” Amarie cried, giggling and squealing with delight.

   Hidama laughed warmly, but gently sat her back on her feet, before wiping his forehead.  “Phew…that’s enough for now Amarie…you can’t get much higher than that I’m afraid.  Even I have my limits,” he said, exhaling deeply.

   “Aww…hee, that’s okay Uncle Hidama!  That was really fun!” Amarie replied.  She immediately ran to Mikomi and hugged him, saying, “Did you see me Mikomi?  I was flying!  Wasn’t that cool!?”

   The hybrid echidna couldn’t help but smile at his sister, whom he loved dearly, and also remembered when Hidama would let him fly before he grew up.  He laughed, hugging her back and said, “Yeah I saw you, you looked incredible Amarie.  Really incredible.”

   Amarie looked up at her brother and laughed, saying, “I’m going to go draw a picture of me flying!  Will you come look at it later Mikomi?”

   “Heh, yeah I will, infact we’ll color together later, does that sound alright?” he asked.

   “Yay!” Amarie cried, loving nothing more than to spend time with her big brother.  “I’ll get the crayons and everything ready okay big brother?  This will be awesome!” she continued.  She then ran down the hallway to her bedroom so she could start working on her picture.  Mikomi and Kelsey glanced at each other; they knew between the two of them, Hidama would be the easiest one to talk into letting them go with Amy and Delilah, and also being the older of them, could soothe any of Knuckles’ fears at letting them leave, so now this was perfect for them.

   After Hidama caught his breath, he laughed at everyone’s silence, hanging his cape on a peg by the door and saying, “Gosh, what did I miss?  You all look like you’ve got something on your minds.”

   Kelsey stood up, walked over to her dad and said, “Gee, Daddy, we just asked Mom and Aunt Amy if it would be okay if we went to the city with them…that’s okay with you isn’t it?  It’s not like there’s any harm in it right?”  She looked at him with pleading eyes, usually able to sweet talk her father into a lot.

   Hidama smiled thoughtfully, glancing at both Kelsey and Mikomi, then at Delilah, paying attention more to her reassuring smile than anything else.  Hidama looked at Kelsey again, at her pleading eyes, and knowing underneath her sweet talking, that this was something she genuinely wanted to do, as did Mikomi, and they couldn’t be restricted like this much longer.  He understood how as they grew up their curiosity for world beyond Angel Island, where Amy and Delilah would go shop, and Camillia and the Brokenstar Twins would leave to pay a visit, would become too great to ignore.

   Seeing four pairs of eyes on him, Kelsey’s and Mikomi’s filled with tension and pleading, he laughed warmly, placing his hands on Kelsey’s shoulders and said, “Well, gee, I don’t see why not…although I’d prefer if Amarie didn’t go, and I think Knuckles would say the same.  You and Mikomi have grown up and are more than capable of the trip now, just make sure you stick with your mothers at all times, understood?”

   Mikomi did a half leap in the air and said, “Alright!  Thanks Uncle Hidama!”  After a pause he calmed down enough to say, “Oh and you bet Uncle Hidama, we’ll stick with Mom and Aunt Delilah the whole time I promise!”

   Kelsey responded by hugging her father tightly and laughing with excitement.  “Thanks Daddy!  This is gonna be so awesome!  I’m gonna run get my tote bag!”

   Before Kelsey could bolt out the door, Hidama held her back by her arm and said, “Sweetie, I think you should leave your bow and quiver at home…nobody’s going to be walking around Station Square with weapons…and you’re not gonna need them I can assure you.”

   Nodding slowly, she replied, “Okay Daddy; I’ll put them in my room when I go to get my tote bag.”  Hidama kissed her on her cheek, hugging her once more.  She turned to look at Mikomi and said, “I’ll be back in a second Miko!” before bolting out the door for her house.

   Delilah stood up and said, “Well Amy, I’m ready to go…all except for my purse.”  She walked to the door where Hidama still stood, looking at her with a grin on his face.  Her eyes met his, and she returned his grin, looking to Amy and continuing, “So, let me just go get that, and Kelsey and I will be back in a minute.  Then we can leave.”  She turned back to Hidama, playing with the tuft of fur on his chest and whispering, “You sweet little echidna you; you always know how to make them happy.”

   Hidama kissed her gently on her brow and whispered back, “They’re not the only ones I live to please,” continuing to grin at her.

   “Oh you!” Delilah cried, still in a hushed voice but louder than before, pushing back on him a bit, but only making him take half a step back, and then pulling her into a tight hug, laughing softly.

   “You know what I mean…besides, both Knuckles and I knew they’d ask to go along eventually.  I hate to keep Amarie from going but…I don’t know…I think it would be too much for her at once.  She’d get overly excited and who knows what could happen?  Poor girl…I’ll play with her while you’re gone to cheer her up,” Hidama whispered.

   The two pulled back, looking at each other, before kissing.  Delilah gave Hidama’s hand a squeeze before she stepped outside and said, “I love you Hidama.”

   The echidna smiled at her, mouthing the words, “I love you too.”  She then disappeared inside their cottage, while Hidama turned to Mikomi.  “Hey buddy!  You’re okay with Amarie staying with me and your dad right?  I just…don’t think she’d handle it well.  Maybe when she’s older,” he said, walking into the kitchen to get a drink.

   Mikomi smiled but before he could reply, he frowned, finally realizing that Hidama did say Amarie couldn’t go.  This upset him a bit, but not enough to give up the chance to get to go to Station Square.  Amy was going over her list one more time, and Mikomi saw Hidama was preoccupied with a drink.  Taking a step into the hallway, Mikomi called, “Aww, that’s okay Uncle Hidama.  She’ll have plenty of fun hanging out with you and Dad.  She’ll be alright.”  Not getting a response from Hidama, Mikomi dashed down the hall to Amarie’s room, pulling the door closed behind him.

   Amarie looked up from her little table, where she sat in a little chair drawing her picture.  “Hi Mikomi!  Did you come to draw pictures with me?” she asked, giggling.

   He smiled weakly, wishing more than anything that his little sister could come along.  He sat down in a second chair, though this was awkward because of its small size.  He replied, “Actually, Amarie…there’s something I need to tell you.”  He looked at her, busy drawing her picture of Hidama helping her fly.  He picked up a crayon and started drawing a large bird, a crane, and said, “Kelsey and I are going shopping with Mom and Aunt Delilah…so we’ll be gone for a little while.”

   Suddenly, Amarie stopped coloring, almostv dropping her crayon and said, “What?  How come I don’t get to go with you Mikomi?  Why can’t I go with you and Kelsey, and Mommy, and Aunt Delilah?”

   “Umm…well, Uncle Hidama said you couldn’t until you were older.  The city is a big place and well…,” Mikomi started.

   “And what!?” Amarie cried, throwing her crayon on the floor.  “Just because I’m twelve years old I can’t go?!  When Mommy was my age she had her own apartment didn’t she?  Why don’t I get to go?  Just because I like to draw and color pictures doesn’t mean I’m a little kid!  This isn’t fair!”  She stomped her foot on the floor, hurt that she couldn’t come along because of her age.

   Mikomi stood up and hugged her; his sister could be so sweet and angelic, spending her time coloring and helping her mother cook.  Often times she was so sweet, kind, and polite that she seemed a bit younger than she really was, her childlike innocence doing this if nothing else.  But Amarie wasn’t just a sweet, precious little angel; when she got angry she let you know it.  Amarie even had her own little hammer just like Amy did when she was her age, and still did today, and Amarie could whack you hard; she could shatter large boulders with one swing.  While this angry, fighting side was rarely seen in her, if you treated her like a child, underestimating her skills, intelligence, or hurting her in some way, she would not hesitate to give you a thrashing.  Like Mikomi, they inherited Knuckles’ fighting spirit, and Amy’s determination to get what she wanted, ready to fight as hard as the boys, even though she was a girl at heart, loving to shop and do girly things, just like Amarie.

   “Aww Amarie…it’s okay.  I wish you could come too…but…I don’t wanna hassle Uncle Hidama.  If I do he may end up saying none of us can go,” Mikomi said.  Amarie looked almost on the verge of tears, upset more than anything that she was just too young in Hidama’s eyes to go along, and her father felt the same as well, most likely her mother and aunt did too.

   “It’s not fair Mikomi…Mama got to go on all kinds of adventures when she was my age…how come I can’t go?  Daddy’s friend Tails was eight years old when he went on adventures with his friend Sonic, and Mommy’s friend Cream got to go on adventures when she was six!  It’s just not fair…I’m twelve years old!  Why can’t I go?  How is twelve too young?” she cried.

   Mikomi sighed, lowering his eyes, this same question burning fiercely in his own heart.  It was true; Tails and Cream were a great deal younger than Amarie, and their mother was twelve, and even younger, when she went on adventures…how come Mikomi and Kelsey had to beg to get to go, and how come Amarie was “too young” to come along?  It made Mikomi angry, and losing his better judgment, he decided that this wasn’t fair at all.

   Kelsey suddenly came in the room, closing it behind her and said, “I heard Amarie crying from outside.  Is she okay Mikomi?”

   Mikomi looked at Kelsey helplessly, and she quickly handed him a tissue out of her tote bag.  He knelt down and dried Amarie’s tears and said, “This isn’t fair.  Mom, and Tails and Cream Prower got to go on all kinds of dangerous adventures, thrashing Eggman and stuff when they were Amarie’s age and younger!  Kelsey, we had to beg Mom, Aunt Delilah and Uncle Hidama to go on this stupid day trip, and now they won’t let Amarie come along because she’s too young!  That’s stupid…it’s just…crazy!”

   This began to upset Kelsey too, who sat down on the edge of Amarie’s bed, fingering Amarie’s hammer.  She said, “I know Mikomi…where do they get off doing this to us?  Feh, it’s probably because they were lucky they didn’t have parents telling them what to do left and right.  They got to go wherever they wanted…and at least Cream’s mom loved her enough to let her leave her front yard…why can’t Amarie come?  The three of us should be able to come and go as we please…humph.”

   Suddenly, Mikomi had an idea.  He smiled, looking between Amarie and Kelsey and said, “And you know why we can’t do that Kelsey?  It’s because only our parents know how to get on and off the island…and whoever they decide to tell!  But…Mom and Aunt Delilah will have to show us how to get off this wretched floating island, and when they do, we’ll know how to get down by ourselves!  That gives me an idea…”

   Kelsey stood up, already excited by Mikomi’s words.  Amarie dried up the last of her tears and smiled, grabbing on to Mikomi’s arm and said, “What’s your idea Mikomi?  What is it?”

   He stood up, walking up to Kelsey and said, “We’ll sneak off the island!  All three of us!  Maybe, we can tell our parents we’re going on a hike around the island…wherever Uncle Hidama and Dad won’t feel the need to follow us right?  Instead, we can sneak off the island, and take Amarie with us to Station Square!”

   Amarie cheered happily, but quietly, not wanting anyone to hear her and give away the secret.  Kelsey’s eyes lit up, and she clenched her fist, thrusting it into the air and said, “That’s brilliant Mikomi!  We’ll even pack a picnic lunch to buy ourselves even more time!  We’ll tell them we’re gonna take pictures of birds, press flowers, and all that kind of stuff.  We can even buy the supplies we’d need today to get the story going!   That way it won’t be spontaneous and they’ll feel even more secure knowing we’re well prepared!”

   The three fell silent as they heard Amy calling for them.  “Mikomi!  Kelsey!  Hurry up now, we’re leaving!”

   Amarie giggled softly and said, “Go on Mikomi, Kelsey…you guys can get the ‘supplies’ we’ll need for our hike.  Hee, hee.  I’ll see you two later!”

   Mikomi hugged his sister tightly and said, “Hang in there Amarie…finish that picture you were drawing.  You’ll be as good an artist as Aunt Delilah someday!  All I can draw are birds…heh.”

   She nodded, and went back to her drawing, calling out, “Bye Mikomi, bye Kelsey!  See you when you get back, and be sure to bring me something!”  In doing this, she made it look more like Mikomi and Kelsey spent their time trying to console her, promising to bring her something to make up for it.  It was all part of their plan, and playing this, Mikomi followed Kelsey out of Amarie’s room, saying goodbye to her in return, and snickering softly between each other before they made it to the living room.

   Amy was standing in the living room, unaware of what they were planning.  She smiled at Mikomi and said, “Did Amarie take it well Mikomi?”

   He nodded, and replied, “Yes ma’am she did, and Kelsey and I promised to bring her something back to make it up to her.  We’re ready to go now.”

   “Well alright then, just make sure when we do get there that you don’t go wandering off on your own,” Amy said, walking outside to meet Delilah.  As Mikomi and Kelsey followed their mothers to the edge of the island, they walked side by side and hung a few steps back, annoyed at being treated like children.  It wasn’t just Amarie they were treating like a five year old…Mikomi and Kelsey wouldn’t have been surprised if Amy and Delilah made them hold their hands in the store…it was that ridiculous and embarrassing.

   However, any of their frustration and annoyance was dispelled the moment they stepped foot on the mainland.  After finding out the secret to getting off the island, it was a golden moment for them to be able to look above and behind them and see it continue to float gracefully in the sky, with Station Square a short distance ahead of them.  Filled with excitement and anticipation, they followed their mothers, closer now, as they entered the city of Station Square.

   At first, both Kelsey and Mikomi were a bit overwhelmed with the movements and everything around them, which is perhaps what Hidama was anticipating, and part of why he asked that Amarie stay behind.  At any rate, they were quick to get over their shock, and followed their mothers into the city.  Immediately, they started asking their mothers questions about the town, what they would see, where they would go, and what they could do in the beachside town.  Amidst their excitement, Mikomi and Kelsey did not see the many eyes that were upon them, gazing in wonder, confusion, and fear, at the hybrid echidnas.

   This was quite a shock for a city that still thought echidnas to be extinct.  At first, the bystanders assumed they were hedgehogs, but only their ears pointed to them being hedgehogs.  Everything else about them was…wrong.  The citizens of Station Square knew Amy and Delilah well, and heard Mikomi and Kelsey call them either “mom” or “aunt” from time to time, and so the citizens began to wonder, “If they aren’t hedgehogs, then what are they?  What on earth could the species of their father be?”  Nobody in the town knew what echidnas looked like, or even heard of echidnas for more than two decades, so for now, the bewildered citizens tried their best to hide their confused stares as Amy, Delilah, Mikomi and Kelsey went on their way.

   Unable to see all the strange looks they were getting, Mikomi and Kelsey didn’t have a worry or care in the world.  They were finally free from that island prison…at least that’s what it started to feel like as they got older and the adventures back home had lost their luster.  As they went from store to store getting what they needed, Mikomi and Kelsey took note of where everything was in town, for now, more than ever, they were anxious to sneak off Angel Island and bring Amarie with them to Station Square.

   This really was a shopping trip.  Amy and Delilah made sure Mikomi and Kelsey stayed with them at all times, and while they were just trying to make sure they were safe, Mikomi and Kelsey were less than gracious for their concern.  Slowly they began to feel severely wronged…why didn’t their parents trust them to go out on their own in the city, especially when they were having bigger adventures when they were the same age and younger, facing death and battling evil?  It burned both Mikomi and Kelsey inside, and while they would always love and respect their parents, they were disgusted at being given little freedom, especially, again, when their parents had so much more when they were the same age.

   Around lunch time, Mikomi mentioned that the three of them wanted to make a day trip to the other side of the island for some bird watching, while Kelsey mentioned packing a picnic lunch and pressing some flowers while they were there.  Mikomi said it would be a way not only to make up missing the trip to Station Square to Amarie, but also a chance for him to practice sketching birds, which were the only thing he could actually draw and draw well.

   Working together, Mikomi and Kelsey were easily able to convince Amy and Delilah that this day hike was for real, and so with the last bit of their shopping they made sure to get supplies for their trip, including wax paper for flower pressing and a set of drawing pencils for Mikomi.  The teens spent the rest of their trip taking in the sights, making note of which ones they wanted to visit when they returned with Amarie…because now, Amy and Delilah weren’t letting them out of their sight.

   On their way home, Mikomi and Kelsey were actually kind of ticked off; sure they got to go to the city with their mothers, but couldn’t deviate at all from their errands, not in the least bit.  Anything Kelsey or Mikomi wanted to do or see, they were immediately shot down with a scolding look, and then urged on to the next store.  Sure, they were grateful to get to go, because now, they knew fully well how to get off on their own, and so, they showed this gratefulness later that night.

   Amy was busy putting away groceries, while Mikomi and Kelsey immediately went to his room to play that video game Kelsey started that morning.  Amarie joined them, and while they were waiting for dinner, they went over their plan.

   “Okay…I told Mom we wanted to go on the hike tomorrow…and I got the okay from her…now all we have to do is convince Dad and Uncle Hidama we’ll be fine on our own so they won’t feel they have to escort us like they usually do…that’s really getting old.  I’m supposedly a man in the echidna culture, and feh, I’m surprised they let us go to the bathroom on our own,” Mikomi grumbled.

   Amarie, who was laying on her stomach on Mikomi’s bed, laughed and said, “Yeah Mikomi…you are a man in the echidna culture…when Daddy was your age he had been the guardian since he was seven…and here they can’t even trust us to go on a hike.  It’s crazy…Mommy and Aunt Delilah wouldn’t even let you shop on your own huh?”

   Kelsey, concentrating more on beating a boss than the conversation at the moment, said, “That’s right…it was crazy.  I’m surprised they didn’t make us hold hands.”

   “What?  Would you not wanna hold my hand Kelsey?” Mikomi asked, grinning.

   The character Kelsey was controlling suddenly went dead, destroyed by the boss after Mikomi spoke.  She growled softly looking at Mikomi and saying, “Nice Mikomi, you distracted me and now I’m dead!”

   Mikomi and Amarie busted up laughing as Kelsey flushed red, half with anger, and half with embarrassment.  “Oh boy, I’m sorry Kelsey…just reset from your last save point and start over; that way you won’t lose any of the items you used.”

   “Eh heh…right, how silly of me to over react…,” Kelsey murmured softly, blushing solely out of embarrassment now.  As she reloaded the game, she shrugged, rubbing the back of her head and said, “Actually, Mikomi, you think you can beat the boss for me?  I’m not up to it anymore I guess.”

   Mikomi frowned, looking at her gently and said, “Gee Kelsey, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to break your concentration that badly.”  Getting off the bed and sitting on the floor next to her, he said, “Are you sure you need me to fight him?”

   Kelsey slowly handed the controller to him, the two locking eyes for a moment or so, before Kelsey blushed again and said, “Ah well…I beat the other two bosses tonight so…it’s your turn!  Besides, you know how to counter his tactics better than me.”

   She slowly turned to sit on the bed next to Amarie, but stopped, deciding to sit next Mikomi, while wondering why she suddenly felt so awkward around her own cousin…that’s right…he had asked her if she would feel stupid holding his hand.  Why was that bothering her?  Kelsey figured it was just the way their parents were treating them that had her flustered.  She sat back down next to Mikomi, and scooted a bit closer to him.

   While the cut scene before the battle played, Mikomi glanced at Kelsey as she sat back down next to him.  When she saw his questionable gaze, she laughed softly and said, “Well, actually, this guy has been giving me trouble so…I figure I should have a good look at how you beat him.”

   Mikomi smiled warmly, laughing and said, “Ah, that’s okay Kelsey…you were doing great until I had to go and mess you up.  This guy’s really easy once you get the hang of it.”  As the battle started, Kelsey paid close attention to Mikomi’s strategy.  She was eager to finally learn how to beat this boss.

   “Anyway, after dinner we have to make sure Uncle Hidama and Dad are gonna be okay with us going out on our own…gee whiz, we’re not babies anymore.  When are they gonna let up and let us go off on our own?  They were having way bigger adventures than this when they were half our age…it just burns me up,” Mikomi continued.

   “So, tomorrow we’ll start off like we’re going on our hike, and then you and Kelsey will show me how to get down, and we’ll go to Station Square!  Hee hee, this is so exciting!” Amarie exclaimed.

   “You bet Amarie…and Mikomi and I saw plenty of places we wanted to check out, so, this is gonna be awesome!  Just as long as Dad and Uncle Knuckles don’t try and come along with us tomorrow…ugh.  I love Mom and Dad, but gosh, they’re so strict and clingy,” Kelsey said.

   Mikomi continued to play his game, but laughed, saying, “Yeah…I’ll always love and respect Mom and Dad, no doubt about that, same goes for Uncle Hidama and Aunt Delilah…but…this is ridiculous…how much they’re holding us back.”  He paused, then said, “I don’t care how badly they punish us…I’m dying to see more of the world.”

   Amarie and Kelsey fell silent, nodding slowly in agreement with his words and nothing more, for they all felt the same; being trapped forever on the island, as much as they loved it, was fate worse than any punishment their parents could administer…a fate worse than death to them, and they were willing to go to any means, even disobeying and lying to their parents, to see more of the world.

   They didn’t talk about the subject anymore…at least until Amy called them to dinner.  It was one of those nights when Hidama, Delilah and Kelsey were eating over, and one of the occasions when Knuckles left the altar to join them.  As the years passed, Hidama and Knuckles felt they had little to fear in the way of attacks, so they would sometimes leave the Master Emerald unguarded for a few moments, long enough to eat dinner, but always kept the altar in sight.  Of course, the time had come when this safety would soon be blown to oblivion, and the trigger would rest in the trip Mikomi, Kelsey, and Amarie planned to take off the island that following afternoon.  Soon, everything would change, forever.

   Before dinner was over, Mikomi brought up the hike, mentioning it to his father and uncle, casually, just to see what they’d say.  To their surprise, Knuckles made little of it, wishing them a good time.  Hidama too didn’t mention being a chaperone, and that was the end of it.  That night, before they went to bed, Mikomi, Kelsey and Amarie, talked to each other with their walkie-talkies, hardly able to contain their excitement.  Finally, they went off to bed, so tomorrow would hurry up and get there.

   Yet while they saw tomorrow as an adventure, a chance to spread their wings and break free of their floating island prison, this happiness would come at a price, with very serious consequences in the days to come.  While they loved and respected their parents, they didn’t understand that Knuckles and Amy, Hidama and Delilah, were just trying to do their best to protect them from a world that would be less than willing to except them, as Aranelion and Elianaron understood all too well; even their mother’s race had trouble accepting them, but the problem did not rest entirely on acceptance, as the group of three were soon to find out.

Description
"For the Love of Eternity"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 2: In Want of an Escape

   Only a few days passed before Amy announced it was time for her and Delilah to go on their bi-monthly trip to Station Square for groceries and other supplies.  Now, as Mikomi and Kelsey had gotten older, Amarie too, they began to take more notice of this trip their mothers would take to this city…this place they never heard of outside of these trips taken twice a month and Amy’s reminiscing alone.  They weren’t children anymore, and after so many years on Angel Island had gone by, Mikomi and Kelsey especially began to hunger for adventure outside of their island home.

   This was their chance; with their mothers making a trip off the floating island, perhaps, just maybe, they could talk their way into going with them, so they would finally have the opportunity to see the world outside of their home, which even now, was slowly feeling like a prison.

   That morning, Amy was getting ready to go, while Delilah finished up cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  Mikomi and Kelsey talked over their plan of action in his bedroom.  Kelsey was sitting on his bed playing a video game, while Mikomi paced around his room, trying to come up with exactly what they would say.

   “Come on Kelsey!  You’re supposed to be helping me come up with how we’re gonna sweet talk our moms into taking us!  Either pause the game or cut it off alright?  We’ve put this off for too long now, and I don’t wanna wait another two weeks…,” Mikomi said.

   Kelsey paused the game, looking helplessly at her cousin; “Aww Mikomi!  I was just about to beat the level twelve boss!” she cried.  Mikomi gave her a stern look, and she sighed, smiling innocently, and said, “Hee, hee, okay Miko, I’m sorry.  I can finish it later.”  She turned the television off, but left the game on pause, and turned to Mikomi, who already had his hand over his mouth, grasping his jaw line as he went back to his thoughts.

   After a few moments, he turned to Kelsey, placing his hands on her shoulders and said, “Nah, you’re alright Kelsey…didn’t mean to be rough on ya.  Anyway, what do we have to worry about?  We’ve sweet talked both our parents into plenty of things before…heh, we both got game systems in the same month remember?  It wasn’t even our birthdays or anything…we just acted all sweet and everything, and got what we wanted.  It’ll be just the same this time.”

   “Hee, hee, but Mikomi, we also did extra chores that entire month to return the favor remember?” Kelsey said laughing.  “You’re right though, usually all we have to do is sweet talk them…and this is a pretty humble request…let’s just go out there and do it!” she continued.

   She hugged Mikomi tightly before picking up her bow and quiver off Mikomi’s well-made bed.  She slung her quiver over her shoulder, while Mikomi pulled his boots on, before putting on his black jacket.  The two exchanged grins and glances, peering out of Mikomi’s cracked bedroom door, where they could see Delilah finish getting herself ready, while Amy went down the list of what they needed from the store.

   The two teens stepped out of Mikomi’s room, walking down the hall, looking innocent enough as they walked into the living room.  Kelsey picked up her mother’s hat off an ottoman and handed it to her, sitting down beside her on the couch as she did so.  Delilah looked up at her daughter and smiled, saying, “Thank you sweetie, and I also meant to thank you for bringing me fresh flowers this morning for the dining room table.  That was very sweet of you.”

   Delilah hugged Kelsey and kissed her on the cheek before turning to pull her shoes on.  Mikomi stood nearby and said, “Yeah, well, Kelsey and I wanted to get up early to see the sunrise, so…we thought we’d pick flowers for you and Mom.  They’re always so fun to pick when they have a little dew left on them.”

   At that moment, Amy walked out of the small kitchen, catching Mikomi by surprise by being pulled into a hug from behind and like Kelsey receiving a kiss on his cheek.  Amy laughed and said, “Well goodness, why didn’t you two bring Amarie with you this morning?  She was wondering where you two went.”

   Mikomi and Kelsey glanced at each other, before Mikomi replied, “Ah, Kelsey and I just wanted it to be quiet is all…Amarie would have scared the birds away and stuff.  We might take her next time though, as long as she promises to, well…keep it down.”

   Now Amy and Delilah exchanged glances, with that motherly instinct already sensing that something was amiss; that Mikomi and Kelsey wanted something, and quite possibly went to pick flowers for them on purpose, for they always took Amarie with them to watch the sunrise, or anywhere they went on the island for that matter.  Amy and Delilah had the idea that quite possibly they were worried that Amarie might accidentally reveal to their parents what they wanted, and this is why they chose to suddenly leave her out.  Amy and Delilah smiled at each other, for they knew now that Mikomi and Kelsey wanted something.

   Kelsey looked at Mikomi nervously after neither Amy or Delilah spoke after several moments.  She looked at her mother and said, “Hey Mom…how come you and Aunt Amy never let me, Mikomi, or Amarie go to the city with you?  We’ve never been off this island…do you think maybe we could go to the city with you?  Just this once?”

   Mikomi immediately chimed in, “Please Mom!  Can’t we go with you, please?  I’m dying to see the world outside of Angel Island for a change…I mean, I love it here too, but at least you and Aunt Delilah can take a trip away sometimes!  Please let us go with you!”

   Both Amy and Delilah were right; Kelsey and Mikomi did want something, but it was something they weren’t too sure about letting them have.  Years ago they had made a conscious decision, along with Knuckles and Hidama, to do as best as they could to keep their children’s thoughts off the world outside the safe confines of Angel Island, but as time passed, they realized they could never keep them on the island forever, especially when, like Mikomi and Kelsey said, they got to leave it once and awhile, and even lived and traveled outside it before in their lives.  The time had come it seemed, for Mikomi and Kelsey to desire to see the world outside, which up until now, they knew only be name and story.

   Amy looked at Delilah helplessly, unsure of how to approach Mikomi and Kelsey with an answer.  In the end it would come down to however Hidama and Knuckles felt about the ordeal, for they were in charge of the final decision, and as much as they loved their children, Amy and Delilah were obligated to support their husbands fully in their decisions.  Both of them were confused on what to say next, but before they could speak, Hidama came in from outside, holding Amarie in the air so she could “fly”.

   “Hee, hee, higher Uncle Hidama!  Higher!” Amarie cried, giggling and squealing with delight.

   Hidama laughed warmly, but gently sat her back on her feet, before wiping his forehead.  “Phew…that’s enough for now Amarie…you can’t get much higher than that I’m afraid.  Even I have my limits,” he said, exhaling deeply.

   “Aww…hee, that’s okay Uncle Hidama!  That was really fun!” Amarie replied.  She immediately ran to Mikomi and hugged him, saying, “Did you see me Mikomi?  I was flying!  Wasn’t that cool!?”

   The hybrid echidna couldn’t help but smile at his sister, whom he loved dearly, and also remembered when Hidama would let him fly before he grew up.  He laughed, hugging her back and said, “Yeah I saw you, you looked incredible Amarie.  Really incredible.”

   Amarie looked up at her brother and laughed, saying, “I’m going to go draw a picture of me flying!  Will you come look at it later Mikomi?”

   “Heh, yeah I will, infact we’ll color together later, does that sound alright?” he asked.

   “Yay!” Amarie cried, loving nothing more than to spend time with her big brother.  “I’ll get the crayons and everything ready okay big brother?  This will be awesome!” she continued.  She then ran down the hallway to her bedroom so she could start working on her picture.  Mikomi and Kelsey glanced at each other; they knew between the two of them, Hidama would be the easiest one to talk into letting them go with Amy and Delilah, and also being the older of them, could soothe any of Knuckles’ fears at letting them leave, so now this was perfect for them.

   After Hidama caught his breath, he laughed at everyone’s silence, hanging his cape on a peg by the door and saying, “Gosh, what did I miss?  You all look like you’ve got something on your minds.”

   Kelsey stood up, walked over to her dad and said, “Gee, Daddy, we just asked Mom and Aunt Amy if it would be okay if we went to the city with them…that’s okay with you isn’t it?  It’s not like there’s any harm in it right?”  She looked at him with pleading eyes, usually able to sweet talk her father into a lot.

   Hidama smiled thoughtfully, glancing at both Kelsey and Mikomi, then at Delilah, paying attention more to her reassuring smile than anything else.  Hidama looked at Kelsey again, at her pleading eyes, and knowing underneath her sweet talking, that this was something she genuinely wanted to do, as did Mikomi, and they couldn’t be restricted like this much longer.  He understood how as they grew up their curiosity for world beyond Angel Island, where Amy and Delilah would go shop, and Camillia and the Brokenstar Twins would leave to pay a visit, would become too great to ignore.

   Seeing four pairs of eyes on him, Kelsey’s and Mikomi’s filled with tension and pleading, he laughed warmly, placing his hands on Kelsey’s shoulders and said, “Well, gee, I don’t see why not…although I’d prefer if Amarie didn’t go, and I think Knuckles would say the same.  You and Mikomi have grown up and are more than capable of the trip now, just make sure you stick with your mothers at all times, understood?”

   Mikomi did a half leap in the air and said, “Alright!  Thanks Uncle Hidama!”  After a pause he calmed down enough to say, “Oh and you bet Uncle Hidama, we’ll stick with Mom and Aunt Delilah the whole time I promise!”

   Kelsey responded by hugging her father tightly and laughing with excitement.  “Thanks Daddy!  This is gonna be so awesome!  I’m gonna run get my tote bag!”

   Before Kelsey could bolt out the door, Hidama held her back by her arm and said, “Sweetie, I think you should leave your bow and quiver at home…nobody’s going to be walking around Station Square with weapons…and you’re not gonna need them I can assure you.”

   Nodding slowly, she replied, “Okay Daddy; I’ll put them in my room when I go to get my tote bag.”  Hidama kissed her on her cheek, hugging her once more.  She turned to look at Mikomi and said, “I’ll be back in a second Miko!” before bolting out the door for her house.

   Delilah stood up and said, “Well Amy, I’m ready to go…all except for my purse.”  She walked to the door where Hidama still stood, looking at her with a grin on his face.  Her eyes met his, and she returned his grin, looking to Amy and continuing, “So, let me just go get that, and Kelsey and I will be back in a minute.  Then we can leave.”  She turned back to Hidama, playing with the tuft of fur on his chest and whispering, “You sweet little echidna you; you always know how to make them happy.”

   Hidama kissed her gently on her brow and whispered back, “They’re not the only ones I live to please,” continuing to grin at her.

   “Oh you!” Delilah cried, still in a hushed voice but louder than before, pushing back on him a bit, but only making him take half a step back, and then pulling her into a tight hug, laughing softly.

   “You know what I mean…besides, both Knuckles and I knew they’d ask to go along eventually.  I hate to keep Amarie from going but…I don’t know…I think it would be too much for her at once.  She’d get overly excited and who knows what could happen?  Poor girl…I’ll play with her while you’re gone to cheer her up,” Hidama whispered.

   The two pulled back, looking at each other, before kissing.  Delilah gave Hidama’s hand a squeeze before she stepped outside and said, “I love you Hidama.”

   The echidna smiled at her, mouthing the words, “I love you too.”  She then disappeared inside their cottage, while Hidama turned to Mikomi.  “Hey buddy!  You’re okay with Amarie staying with me and your dad right?  I just…don’t think she’d handle it well.  Maybe when she’s older,” he said, walking into the kitchen to get a drink.

   Mikomi smiled but before he could reply, he frowned, finally realizing that Hidama did say Amarie couldn’t go.  This upset him a bit, but not enough to give up the chance to get to go to Station Square.  Amy was going over her list one more time, and Mikomi saw Hidama was preoccupied with a drink.  Taking a step into the hallway, Mikomi called, “Aww, that’s okay Uncle Hidama.  She’ll have plenty of fun hanging out with you and Dad.  She’ll be alright.”  Not getting a response from Hidama, Mikomi dashed down the hall to Amarie’s room, pulling the door closed behind him.

   Amarie looked up from her little table, where she sat in a little chair drawing her picture.  “Hi Mikomi!  Did you come to draw pictures with me?” she asked, giggling.

   He smiled weakly, wishing more than anything that his little sister could come along.  He sat down in a second chair, though this was awkward because of its small size.  He replied, “Actually, Amarie…there’s something I need to tell you.”  He looked at her, busy drawing her picture of Hidama helping her fly.  He picked up a crayon and started drawing a large bird, a crane, and said, “Kelsey and I are going shopping with Mom and Aunt Delilah…so we’ll be gone for a little while.”

   Suddenly, Amarie stopped coloring, almostv dropping her crayon and said, “What?  How come I don’t get to go with you Mikomi?  Why can’t I go with you and Kelsey, and Mommy, and Aunt Delilah?”

   “Umm…well, Uncle Hidama said you couldn’t until you were older.  The city is a big place and well…,” Mikomi started.

   “And what!?” Amarie cried, throwing her crayon on the floor.  “Just because I’m twelve years old I can’t go?!  When Mommy was my age she had her own apartment didn’t she?  Why don’t I get to go?  Just because I like to draw and color pictures doesn’t mean I’m a little kid!  This isn’t fair!”  She stomped her foot on the floor, hurt that she couldn’t come along because of her age.

   Mikomi stood up and hugged her; his sister could be so sweet and angelic, spending her time coloring and helping her mother cook.  Often times she was so sweet, kind, and polite that she seemed a bit younger than she really was, her childlike innocence doing this if nothing else.  But Amarie wasn’t just a sweet, precious little angel; when she got angry she let you know it.  Amarie even had her own little hammer just like Amy did when she was her age, and still did today, and Amarie could whack you hard; she could shatter large boulders with one swing.  While this angry, fighting side was rarely seen in her, if you treated her like a child, underestimating her skills, intelligence, or hurting her in some way, she would not hesitate to give you a thrashing.  Like Mikomi, they inherited Knuckles’ fighting spirit, and Amy’s determination to get what she wanted, ready to fight as hard as the boys, even though she was a girl at heart, loving to shop and do girly things, just like Amarie.

   “Aww Amarie…it’s okay.  I wish you could come too…but…I don’t wanna hassle Uncle Hidama.  If I do he may end up saying none of us can go,” Mikomi said.  Amarie looked almost on the verge of tears, upset more than anything that she was just too young in Hidama’s eyes to go along, and her father felt the same as well, most likely her mother and aunt did too.

   “It’s not fair Mikomi…Mama got to go on all kinds of adventures when she was my age…how come I can’t go?  Daddy’s friend Tails was eight years old when he went on adventures with his friend Sonic, and Mommy’s friend Cream got to go on adventures when she was six!  It’s just not fair…I’m twelve years old!  Why can’t I go?  How is twelve too young?” she cried.

   Mikomi sighed, lowering his eyes, this same question burning fiercely in his own heart.  It was true; Tails and Cream were a great deal younger than Amarie, and their mother was twelve, and even younger, when she went on adventures…how come Mikomi and Kelsey had to beg to get to go, and how come Amarie was “too young” to come along?  It made Mikomi angry, and losing his better judgment, he decided that this wasn’t fair at all.

   Kelsey suddenly came in the room, closing it behind her and said, “I heard Amarie crying from outside.  Is she okay Mikomi?”

   Mikomi looked at Kelsey helplessly, and she quickly handed him a tissue out of her tote bag.  He knelt down and dried Amarie’s tears and said, “This isn’t fair.  Mom, and Tails and Cream Prower got to go on all kinds of dangerous adventures, thrashing Eggman and stuff when they were Amarie’s age and younger!  Kelsey, we had to beg Mom, Aunt Delilah and Uncle Hidama to go on this stupid day trip, and now they won’t let Amarie come along because she’s too young!  That’s stupid…it’s just…crazy!”

   This began to upset Kelsey too, who sat down on the edge of Amarie’s bed, fingering Amarie’s hammer.  She said, “I know Mikomi…where do they get off doing this to us?  Feh, it’s probably because they were lucky they didn’t have parents telling them what to do left and right.  They got to go wherever they wanted…and at least Cream’s mom loved her enough to let her leave her front yard…why can’t Amarie come?  The three of us should be able to come and go as we please…humph.”

   Suddenly, Mikomi had an idea.  He smiled, looking between Amarie and Kelsey and said, “And you know why we can’t do that Kelsey?  It’s because only our parents know how to get on and off the island…and whoever they decide to tell!  But…Mom and Aunt Delilah will have to show us how to get off this wretched floating island, and when they do, we’ll know how to get down by ourselves!  That gives me an idea…”

   Kelsey stood up, already excited by Mikomi’s words.  Amarie dried up the last of her tears and smiled, grabbing on to Mikomi’s arm and said, “What’s your idea Mikomi?  What is it?”

   He stood up, walking up to Kelsey and said, “We’ll sneak off the island!  All three of us!  Maybe, we can tell our parents we’re going on a hike around the island…wherever Uncle Hidama and Dad won’t feel the need to follow us right?  Instead, we can sneak off the island, and take Amarie with us to Station Square!”

   Amarie cheered happily, but quietly, not wanting anyone to hear her and give away the secret.  Kelsey’s eyes lit up, and she clenched her fist, thrusting it into the air and said, “That’s brilliant Mikomi!  We’ll even pack a picnic lunch to buy ourselves even more time!  We’ll tell them we’re gonna take pictures of birds, press flowers, and all that kind of stuff.  We can even buy the supplies we’d need today to get the story going!   That way it won’t be spontaneous and they’ll feel even more secure knowing we’re well prepared!”

   The three fell silent as they heard Amy calling for them.  “Mikomi!  Kelsey!  Hurry up now, we’re leaving!”

   Amarie giggled softly and said, “Go on Mikomi, Kelsey…you guys can get the ‘supplies’ we’ll need for our hike.  Hee, hee.  I’ll see you two later!”

   Mikomi hugged his sister tightly and said, “Hang in there Amarie…finish that picture you were drawing.  You’ll be as good an artist as Aunt Delilah someday!  All I can draw are birds…heh.”

   She nodded, and went back to her drawing, calling out, “Bye Mikomi, bye Kelsey!  See you when you get back, and be sure to bring me something!”  In doing this, she made it look more like Mikomi and Kelsey spent their time trying to console her, promising to bring her something to make up for it.  It was all part of their plan, and playing this, Mikomi followed Kelsey out of Amarie’s room, saying goodbye to her in return, and snickering softly between each other before they made it to the living room.

   Amy was standing in the living room, unaware of what they were planning.  She smiled at Mikomi and said, “Did Amarie take it well Mikomi?”

   He nodded, and replied, “Yes ma’am she did, and Kelsey and I promised to bring her something back to make it up to her.  We’re ready to go now.”

   “Well alright then, just make sure when we do get there that you don’t go wandering off on your own,” Amy said, walking outside to meet Delilah.  As Mikomi and Kelsey followed their mothers to the edge of the island, they walked side by side and hung a few steps back, annoyed at being treated like children.  It wasn’t just Amarie they were treating like a five year old…Mikomi and Kelsey wouldn’t have been surprised if Amy and Delilah made them hold their hands in the store…it was that ridiculous and embarrassing.

   However, any of their frustration and annoyance was dispelled the moment they stepped foot on the mainland.  After finding out the secret to getting off the island, it was a golden moment for them to be able to look above and behind them and see it continue to float gracefully in the sky, with Station Square a short distance ahead of them.  Filled with excitement and anticipation, they followed their mothers, closer now, as they entered the city of Station Square.

   At first, both Kelsey and Mikomi were a bit overwhelmed with the movements and everything around them, which is perhaps what Hidama was anticipating, and part of why he asked that Amarie stay behind.  At any rate, they were quick to get over their shock, and followed their mothers into the city.  Immediately, they started asking their mothers questions about the town, what they would see, where they would go, and what they could do in the beachside town.  Amidst their excitement, Mikomi and Kelsey did not see the many eyes that were upon them, gazing in wonder, confusion, and fear, at the hybrid echidnas.

   This was quite a shock for a city that still thought echidnas to be extinct.  At first, the bystanders assumed they were hedgehogs, but only their ears pointed to them being hedgehogs.  Everything else about them was…wrong.  The citizens of Station Square knew Amy and Delilah well, and heard Mikomi and Kelsey call them either “mom” or “aunt” from time to time, and so the citizens began to wonder, “If they aren’t hedgehogs, then what are they?  What on earth could the species of their father be?”  Nobody in the town knew what echidnas looked like, or even heard of echidnas for more than two decades, so for now, the bewildered citizens tried their best to hide their confused stares as Amy, Delilah, Mikomi and Kelsey went on their way.

   Unable to see all the strange looks they were getting, Mikomi and Kelsey didn’t have a worry or care in the world.  They were finally free from that island prison…at least that’s what it started to feel like as they got older and the adventures back home had lost their luster.  As they went from store to store getting what they needed, Mikomi and Kelsey took note of where everything was in town, for now, more than ever, they were anxious to sneak off Angel Island and bring Amarie with them to Station Square.

   This really was a shopping trip.  Amy and Delilah made sure Mikomi and Kelsey stayed with them at all times, and while they were just trying to make sure they were safe, Mikomi and Kelsey were less than gracious for their concern.  Slowly they began to feel severely wronged…why didn’t their parents trust them to go out on their own in the city, especially when they were having bigger adventures when they were the same age and younger, facing death and battling evil?  It burned both Mikomi and Kelsey inside, and while they would always love and respect their parents, they were disgusted at being given little freedom, especially, again, when their parents had so much more when they were the same age.

   Around lunch time, Mikomi mentioned that the three of them wanted to make a day trip to the other side of the island for some bird watching, while Kelsey mentioned packing a picnic lunch and pressing some flowers while they were there.  Mikomi said it would be a way not only to make up missing the trip to Station Square to Amarie, but also a chance for him to practice sketching birds, which were the only thing he could actually draw and draw well.

   Working together, Mikomi and Kelsey were easily able to convince Amy and Delilah that this day hike was for real, and so with the last bit of their shopping they made sure to get supplies for their trip, including wax paper for flower pressing and a set of drawing pencils for Mikomi.  The teens spent the rest of their trip taking in the sights, making note of which ones they wanted to visit when they returned with Amarie…because now, Amy and Delilah weren’t letting them out of their sight.

   On their way home, Mikomi and Kelsey were actually kind of ticked off; sure they got to go to the city with their mothers, but couldn’t deviate at all from their errands, not in the least bit.  Anything Kelsey or Mikomi wanted to do or see, they were immediately shot down with a scolding look, and then urged on to the next store.  Sure, they were grateful to get to go, because now, they knew fully well how to get off on their own, and so, they showed this gratefulness later that night.

   Amy was busy putting away groceries, while Mikomi and Kelsey immediately went to his room to play that video game Kelsey started that morning.  Amarie joined them, and while they were waiting for dinner, they went over their plan.

   “Okay…I told Mom we wanted to go on the hike tomorrow…and I got the okay from her…now all we have to do is convince Dad and Uncle Hidama we’ll be fine on our own so they won’t feel they have to escort us like they usually do…that’s really getting old.  I’m supposedly a man in the echidna culture, and feh, I’m surprised they let us go to the bathroom on our own,” Mikomi grumbled.

   Amarie, who was laying on her stomach on Mikomi’s bed, laughed and said, “Yeah Mikomi…you are a man in the echidna culture…when Daddy was your age he had been the guardian since he was seven…and here they can’t even trust us to go on a hike.  It’s crazy…Mommy and Aunt Delilah wouldn’t even let you shop on your own huh?”

   Kelsey, concentrating more on beating a boss than the conversation at the moment, said, “That’s right…it was crazy.  I’m surprised they didn’t make us hold hands.”

   “What?  Would you not wanna hold my hand Kelsey?” Mikomi asked, grinning.

   The character Kelsey was controlling suddenly went dead, destroyed by the boss after Mikomi spoke.  She growled softly looking at Mikomi and saying, “Nice Mikomi, you distracted me and now I’m dead!”

   Mikomi and Amarie busted up laughing as Kelsey flushed red, half with anger, and half with embarrassment.  “Oh boy, I’m sorry Kelsey…just reset from your last save point and start over; that way you won’t lose any of the items you used.”

   “Eh heh…right, how silly of me to over react…,” Kelsey murmured softly, blushing solely out of embarrassment now.  As she reloaded the game, she shrugged, rubbing the back of her head and said, “Actually, Mikomi, you think you can beat the boss for me?  I’m not up to it anymore I guess.”

   Mikomi frowned, looking at her gently and said, “Gee Kelsey, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to break your concentration that badly.”  Getting off the bed and sitting on the floor next to her, he said, “Are you sure you need me to fight him?”

   Kelsey slowly handed the controller to him, the two locking eyes for a moment or so, before Kelsey blushed again and said, “Ah well…I beat the other two bosses tonight so…it’s your turn!  Besides, you know how to counter his tactics better than me.”

   She slowly turned to sit on the bed next to Amarie, but stopped, deciding to sit next Mikomi, while wondering why she suddenly felt so awkward around her own cousin…that’s right…he had asked her if she would feel stupid holding his hand.  Why was that bothering her?  Kelsey figured it was just the way their parents were treating them that had her flustered.  She sat back down next to Mikomi, and scooted a bit closer to him.

   While the cut scene before the battle played, Mikomi glanced at Kelsey as she sat back down next to him.  When she saw his questionable gaze, she laughed softly and said, “Well, actually, this guy has been giving me trouble so…I figure I should have a good look at how you beat him.”

   Mikomi smiled warmly, laughing and said, “Ah, that’s okay Kelsey…you were doing great until I had to go and mess you up.  This guy’s really easy once you get the hang of it.”  As the battle started, Kelsey paid close attention to Mikomi’s strategy.  She was eager to finally learn how to beat this boss.

   “Anyway, after dinner we have to make sure Uncle Hidama and Dad are gonna be okay with us going out on our own…gee whiz, we’re not babies anymore.  When are they gonna let up and let us go off on our own?  They were having way bigger adventures than this when they were half our age…it just burns me up,” Mikomi continued.

   “So, tomorrow we’ll start off like we’re going on our hike, and then you and Kelsey will show me how to get down, and we’ll go to Station Square!  Hee hee, this is so exciting!” Amarie exclaimed.

   “You bet Amarie…and Mikomi and I saw plenty of places we wanted to check out, so, this is gonna be awesome!  Just as long as Dad and Uncle Knuckles don’t try and come along with us tomorrow…ugh.  I love Mom and Dad, but gosh, they’re so strict and clingy,” Kelsey said.

   Mikomi continued to play his game, but laughed, saying, “Yeah…I’ll always love and respect Mom and Dad, no doubt about that, same goes for Uncle Hidama and Aunt Delilah…but…this is ridiculous…how much they’re holding us back.”  He paused, then said, “I don’t care how badly they punish us…I’m dying to see more of the world.”

   Amarie and Kelsey fell silent, nodding slowly in agreement with his words and nothing more, for they all felt the same; being trapped forever on the island, as much as they loved it, was fate worse than any punishment their parents could administer…a fate worse than death to them, and they were willing to go to any means, even disobeying and lying to their parents, to see more of the world.

   They didn’t talk about the subject anymore…at least until Amy called them to dinner.  It was one of those nights when Hidama, Delilah and Kelsey were eating over, and one of the occasions when Knuckles left the altar to join them.  As the years passed, Hidama and Knuckles felt they had little to fear in the way of attacks, so they would sometimes leave the Master Emerald unguarded for a few moments, long enough to eat dinner, but always kept the altar in sight.  Of course, the time had come when this safety would soon be blown to oblivion, and the trigger would rest in the trip Mikomi, Kelsey, and Amarie planned to take off the island that following afternoon.  Soon, everything would change, forever.

   Before dinner was over, Mikomi brought up the hike, mentioning it to his father and uncle, casually, just to see what they’d say.  To their surprise, Knuckles made little of it, wishing them a good time.  Hidama too didn’t mention being a chaperone, and that was the end of it.  That night, before they went to bed, Mikomi, Kelsey and Amarie, talked to each other with their walkie-talkies, hardly able to contain their excitement.  Finally, they went off to bed, so tomorrow would hurry up and get there.

   Yet while they saw tomorrow as an adventure, a chance to spread their wings and break free of their floating island prison, this happiness would come at a price, with very serious consequences in the days to come.  While they loved and respected their parents, they didn’t understand that Knuckles and Amy, Hidama and Delilah, were just trying to do their best to protect them from a world that would be less than willing to except them, as Aranelion and Elianaron understood all too well; even their mother’s race had trouble accepting them, but the problem did not rest entirely on acceptance, as the group of three were soon to find out.