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Description
"Love That Gives True Peace"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 7: "When Everything Falls Apart"

   As the group of five companions ran in the light of the sunrise, the mutants of Olermere’s army were bustling about with activity.  As Shadow feared, the mountain kingdom of Olermere’s army was more than aware of their disappearing presence, and revenge for the massacre of Feldmort and his legions, as well as their deep hatred for the final surviving echidnas drove their desire for war and bloodshed.

   That morning, Olermere, leader of the mutant army that focused on physical strength and prowess in battle, and older brother of Lord Feldmort, received the news from one of his scouts that Hinsei Hidama was within their realm.  The mutant king grinned menacingly, and cackled wildly.  “Bah!  That nasty echidna prince has decided to show his face has he?  Fwahaha!  At last…I shall achieve victory for all mutants and destroy those filthy brothers for good.  They shall be broken and bleed for killing my brother; they shall perish as all their rotten kindred did for the transgressions against us mutants.  We prepare for war, and we will not stop until we taste their flesh, and destroy the echidna race forever!”

   At the sound of Olermere’s evil cackle, every mutant soldier made ready for all out war.  As Olermere walked the streets of his fortress, he saw his soldiers warming up for battle, polishing their battle armor, and doing everything that was necessary to hone their skills, ready to battle to the death.  As he walked to the lookout tower, his number one man, just as Zelias was to Feldmort, ran to his side.

   “Lord Olermere!  All the troops are making ready for battle; whence do we begin our march to the fray?” he asked.

   The mutant king slowed his walk only slightly, and with a soft chuckle he responded, “Just make ready for battle and do as you’re told Captain Shoban; you especially should be ready for heated combat…for the echidna prince does not travel alone.  Truly, he has some delicious companions with him, including the half echidna hybrids and Shadow the Hedgehog.”

   Captain Shoban paused for a moment, a devilish grin soon spreading across his deformed face.  He ran to catch up with Olermere and said, “Oh…that rotten pest Shadow is with him?  Oh indeed, this will be ever so fun…to destroy that rotten echidna prince, and that nasty hedgehog as well.  I cannot wait to taste their blood….fufufu….”

   Lord Olermere cackled and replied, “Mmm, yes, but to kill those meddling hybrid twins shall also be glorious, for their father…was the Captain that stood beside the Guardian as they fell.  Feh, the blasted echidnas…one of their own committed the deplorable act of mixing his blood with lower beings…I hate him so, and thus his children must be extinguished.  Too long have they roamed the wilds, covered by the silence of the night and their good fortune taking out my followers and allies to avenge their father.  To taste their blood and break them as their father was broken shall be even greater the pleasure for me…and yet one other pleasure out does all the rest.”

   Upon arriving to the look out tower, Olermere glanced in a massive telescope, pointed south in the direction of Angel Island. He could barely make out the outlines of the group of five as they ran south, and even further still he could make out the silhouette of Angel Island, still within a three day's run from the forest.  He chuckled softly, and whispered, “No…it is where they lead us…right to the doorstep of Angel Island, that gives me pleasure beyond compare…for there…dwells the only other survivor…the second son of the Guardian, Knuckles.  I shall slaughter both Hidama and Knuckles, and at last our revenge shall be complete, and we shall take back the Master Emerald, and rule all.”

   A wide-eyed Shoban stared at Olermere for a few moments.  He then regained himself, and replied, “But Lord Olermere, I hear the younger brother is expecting a child very soon…surely you don’t intend to let that go unnoticed do you?”

   The mutant king whipped around and after a few seconds, cackled wildly.  He stepped out of the lookout tower and began a walk up to the fortress walls.  As Shoban ran to keep up with his long strides, Olermere declared, “Bah!  Like I fear a brat of mixed blood.  Nothing more than a pesky nuisance like these Brokenstar Twins.  No Shoban!  I fear no nasty, hybrid, bastard child of the echidnas and that filthy hedgehog wench!  Feh, we shall destroy those dammed hybrid twins and the sons of the Guardian alone…no wait, that blasted Shadow must die as well; he is the reason for all this madness!”

   Continuing his hurried pace to the fortress wall, Shoban replied, “Yes Lord Olermere; he was captured by Zelias for questioning and his two chaos emeralds stolen.  He met Hidama while he was imprisoned and since his escape has plotted for reuniting the brothers and supplanting us all.  He’s no better than the echidnas themselves!”

   Olermere cackled wildly and said, “Do save your breath for battle Captain, for you tell me nothing that I don’t already comprehend.  Yes…that rotten hedgehog…he bothers me.  He must be extinguished, for even after we capture the Master Emerald and enslave the earth, he’s a pest I’d much rather have eliminated.  Captain Shoban, I leave the task to killing Shadow up to you…I shall handle slaughtering those echidna princes…and the rest of you can handle those dammed hybrids.”

   Captain Shoban came to a stop, watching as Olermere walked the rest of the way to the fortress walls; the eyes of all the mutant soldiers within view also fell silent on their leader.  As he gazed at the horizon, Angel Island clear within view, Shoban slowly approached the mutant king.  To his surprise, Olermere was weeping silently.  He whispered, “Those damn echidnas…how dare they exile and shun my brother and I in our time of need, instead of being the noble race they are and helping us.  Then, they rub salt in the wound by helping their only survivors kill my brother.  Some wondful master race they are, turning their backs on their own brethren because of their iniquities, not doing a thing to help us.  They brought this damnation on themselves.  These two brothers deserve death…they deserve to burn in hell forever and eternity, and I will not stop until the hearts of Hidama and Knuckles stop beating and their bodies lay broken and bleeding underneath me.”

   The mutants watched in awe of their leader, knowing the anguish he had suffered, not only recently due to Feldmort’s death, but over the many years since he became a mutant, tossed aside in disgust by their own kindred, the echidnas not even bothering to try and help them.  Enough was enough; the echidna race had long been known as the master race, the noble race, the most beautiful, graceful, and precious examples of life on earth; they had selfishly maintained possession of the Master Emerald for far too long, only using it for their own benefit; they were wolves in sheep’s clothing, putting on the display of loving and caring for all living things, and yet they abandoned and shunned Olermere and Feldmort the minute their precious Master Emerald was threatened.  It was high time that the Master Emerald belonged to the world rather than the echidnas, and Olermere was hell bent, not just on obtaining the Master Emerald, but for killing the last two survivors of this deceitful race, and he would stop at nothing at stealing their last breaths from them all too soon.

   Olermere completely dispelled his tears, growled low, and then thrust his arm out, pointing in the direction of Angel Island, and shouted, “To war!!  Everyone make ready!  We march for Angel Island, and we shall avenge the transgressions we’ve suffered under the echidnas at long last!  The blood of the echidna princes shall at last be spilled in victory!”

   His cries were followed by the cheers of hundreds of mutants, their arms extended into the air, some holding spears, while others shouted declarations of war wearing brass knuckles with their fists clenched.  As the thunderous cheers continued and the final preparations for war and march carried out, Olermere began a slow walk to his chambers to ready for battle.  Before he left, he turned to Captain Shoban and said, “We march before dawn.  See that the troops are ready and in position at that time and no later.  We fly, and come evening to follow tomorrow’s, we’ll storm the plains that carpet Angel Island’s doorstep.  Soon, very soon…blood shall be spilled, and victory tasted.”

   With nothing more than a nod as a reply, Olermere turned from Shoban and disappeared into his chambers.  Captain Shoban stood in awe for a few moments at the tenacity of his King; they had thirsted for revenge for so many years, and even with his brother Feldmort destroyed, Olermere maintained his resolve to destroy the final living echidnas.  It was sheer exhilaration at the thought of finally achieving this goal, and this joy was felt throughout the entire legion.

   So Captain Shoban wasted no time; he took off, racing up and down the twisted, rocky streets of their mountain fortress, blowing a tarnished horn to rally the troops.  In answer to his trumpet calls, the blaring of horns came from all corners of the realm, their chorus reverberated through the air, sending a threatening warning to all within earshot.  The battles cries grew louder and more fierce, cries like, “To War!”, “Blood will be spilled in abundance!”, and “Victory is ours at last!” foreboded an ominous event that would soon sweep across the land.

   Miles away, as the group of five ran, Shadow, who was perhaps the only one who could pick up the sounds of the horn blasts, slowed his run to a stop.  He turned and looked with an uneasy eye to the mountains they left in the distance.  A gnawing warning began to fester in his heart.  He knew that no matter how far or fast they ran that Olermere’s army was coming, and they would fight to death, doing whatever it took, to kill Knuckles and Hidama.

   The hedgehog swallowed hard; his heart began to pound and his stomach ache, for at last it seemed he was up against a foe that had no further weaknesses he could exploit.  Sure, Feldmort was easy enough for Shadow to undo; it was Feldmort’s magic against Shadow’s at that point, and Shadow maintained the upper hand with his skills and wit, allowing Hidama to achieve victory.  No…Olermere was different.  Shadow had little to no experience with his kind, this was certain.

   Back in the woods where Rouge joined them, Shadow nearly succumb to the assault of this relatively small group of warriors, the kind Aranelion and Elianaron hunted and fought everyday.  He was lucky that they turned to retreat, and unbeknownst to him, it was due to the fact that the Brokenstar Twins were close by, and the warrior mutants could pick up their scent.  Shadow was lucky enough to be spared in this way, and did his best to hide his shame, to hide his sheer terror at how strong these mutants were, even more so than their magic-wielding cousins.

   Finally, Shadow stirred from his thoughts, and turned uneasily away from the gaze of the mountains and reassumed his run, catching up to the group rather easily.  Rouge ran next to him, and asked, “Shadow, are you okay?  What was with the pause back there?  Is everything alright?”

   Shadow glanced at her, shaking his head and clenching his fists.  He replied, “No, no, just thought I heard something is all.  Mmm.”  He fell silent and ran ahead of the group, wanting to run alone.  All he could do was quiver in worry; he knew that the twins, and Hidama especially would have no trouble with these flunkies.  Even Rouge would have an easy time bringing them down, as would he now that he was better prepared to fight them.  However, it was the threat that Olermere presented that frightened him the most.

   He breathed a heavy sigh as he ran, and whispered, “As much as I hate to do this, I believe that we have no choice but to bring Knuckles in to battle.  Hidama will need him before the end, I feel this in my heart.  I know that Amy is due any day…and as much as it hurts, Knuckles has no choice but to stand up and defend that which he loves.  It is finally time for the two brothers to stand together and bring honor to their kind…and bring closure to that horrible night at last.  It will be Hidama and Knuckles, who at last restore the true honor and glory to the echidna race…glory which they lost when this nightmare began, all those years ago.”

   And this point of corruption, corruption of the echidna race, was of course, the night that both Shadow and Olermere recalled with sadness, the night when Olermere and Feldmort were sent to their deaths in answer to the attack on the Master Emerald.  It was at this point that the echidnas debased their name, by having little to no consideration for life by tossing it aside in favor of the welfare of the Master Emerald.  Indeed, even Shadow knew the echidnas were too rash and harsh in their treatment of Feldmort and Olermere, condemning them as nothing but a sin instead of offering any sort of forgiveness, explaining why not only Olermere and Feldmort became mutants, hell bent on revenge, but also why the echidnas were attacked in the first place.  Truly, had the echidnas of this time just offered their forgiveness and care to the brothers in their time of need, perhaps the echidna race wouldn’t be brought to the brink of extinction and sorrow.

   So as the group of five raced into the horizon and the night, the mutant army set ready its march.  As Olermere decreed, before the sun rose that next morning, Shoban led the mutant army, ten thousand strong, out onto the vast wastelands that surrounded their mountain abode.  All ranks lined up in position, ready to stampede into battle.  All stood in salute and silence as King Olermere surveyed the troops.  He was dressed in his battle armor, brass knuckles on his hands, sharp daggers sheathed ready in long gloves that he wore, a weatherworn belt holding a scabbard with sword to his side, and a long, tattered black cloak and hood, nothing more, as his battle outfit of choice.

   Olermere walked to the front of the line of soldiers, where two flag bearers, holding proudly the flag of the mutant race, stood with two horn blowers and Captain Shoban waiting the command to march.  Olermere grinned deviously in satisfaction at the readied troops.  Captain Shoban bowed low and said, “I hope this is met with your pleasure and satisfaction my lord; your army is ready to unleash death and destruction on all who stand before us.  Victory and revenge shall be ours at last!”

   To this, Olermere replied with an even more twisted, devilish grin.  He nodded and said, “Indeed, I am filled with satisfaction; sound the call!  We march with all speed!”

   Captain Shoban nodded, signaling the four mutants beside him to ready the army for the march.  The flag bearers held their flags high, and the horn blowers began to blow the shrill notes of their trumpets, rallying the troops to a fiercesome cry, and signaling the start of the march.  Olermere took his place a few paces before the first row, as Shoban shouted, “Warriors, lend me your allegiance!  We march!  Come tomorrow’s eve, revenge and victory shall be ours at last!  Ready to march!?”

   This was answered by a thunderous roar of cries and trumpet blasts.  Shoban turned and stood in the middle of the first row, between the horn blowers and flag bearers with one on each side.  As the final trumpet blasts were played and the march ready to begin, Lord Olermere turned, his arms stretched to the heavens, and shouted, “To War!”  His cries were echoed in turn by the soldiers, and the march started at last.

   Now this march wasn’t a slow march; rather, it was an organized marathon as the soldiers ran in line and step with the speed of birds flying with the wind.  It wouldn’t be long before they overtook the group of five, even though they were a day behind them, and with Olermere’s calculations played out correctly, this point would occur within a short mile of Angel Island, with the Master Emerald in full view of all.

   Shadow knew this; in his heart he knew that Olermere was clever enough to have this all thought out, and knowing he was correct he gave another uneasy eye back to the mountains at the sound of the trumpet blasts and echoes of the mutants cries.  There was a storm coming to greet them, and would arrive by tomorrow’s eve, the same time when this battle for death and glory would commence.

   As the mutant army began its run, shortly after the group of five resumed their journey, Shadow slowed his run until he was caught up with Rouge.  As Hidama and the Brokenstar Twins ran ahead of them, Shadow whispered to Rouge, “I’m going to need you to fly ahead to Angel Island Rouge.  I—I need you to send Knuckles to meet us.  We’ll be within five miles of Angel Island before tomorrow’s sunset, and…so will our enemy, and war.”

   Rouge gave a worried eye to Shadow, and replied, “But Shadow, I thought their child was due any day…how can you separate them at a time like this?”

   The hedgehog glared at Rouge, scaring her a bit, and he shouted in an intense whisper, “It’s not my choice!  This is out of my hands!  Now either Knuckles can bear to be separated her for a short time, or he can choose to do nothing and we all succumb to death!  None of this was going to be easy, I told them that in the beginning!  Now that war is on their doorstep Knuckles and Hidama have no choice but to stand together and make things right!”

   Rouge lowered her eyes, unable to look Shadow in the eyes when he spoke, for when he got like this, his eyes blazed with a fire rivaling that of the sun, and he was very frightful.  She looked away from him, and said, “I’m sorry Shadow…you can count on me.  I’ll fly and give Knuckles the news.”

   Shadow’s eyes softened, as did his whole face, and he sighed, replying, “I’m sorry Rouge, there’s no need for you to apologize, for I was in error, not you.  Don’t leave yet…it’s too soon to get Hidama worried.  No, by tomorrow morning I think you shall fly, and the morning after this battle should be complete.  Make sure Knuckles knows that.”

   Rouge looked back at Shadow, who at this point was the one who could not look her in the eyes.  He whispered, “If left up to me none of this would be happening…if left up to them, had they had the chance to walk in the shoes of their ancestors, I’m sure this wouldn’t be happening either.  Yet then the lives of many would be obscured, so perhaps while this is a life that is troubling, it’s perhaps the only one we’d ever wish to know.”

   It was at this point that Shadow ran ahead of Rouge once more; as she watched him, she pondered what he had just said to her.  The first part of his statement made enough sense, but what had he meant about Knuckles and Hidama not making the mistakes of their ancestors?  Was it really just the harsh treatment that the echidnas dealt to Feldmort and Olermere that drove the mutant king to wanting to extinguish them for good?  Really, if a little kindness were extended to them in their time of need, would they all be leading radically different lives?

   So, as Rouge understood it, Shadow’s heart was at war with itself.  He detested having to get Knuckles, Hidama, and so many others involved in such trial, and yet it was something that couldn’t be helped.  None of them had any choice in the matter, but as Shadow had said it, if they could change things, the way things happened, and their lives as they lived them eradicated and twisted, would they really want to change them at all?  Would Knuckles trade in his love for Amy for the chance to have his family and tribe back? Would Hidama be able to make the correct choices in place of his ancestor for the chance to grow up and lead the life he was promised as the eldest son of the Guardian?

   As far as Rouge could venture a guess, Knuckles certainly wouldn’t give up Amy for anything, as she was the love and light of his life, convinced that he’d be dead without her, and while Hidama would most likely do anything to have his parents back, the steps it would take to achieve this were too much for him to handle at this point, and she knew that in Hidama’s heart, he’d be happy just to be with his brother again.

   Even so, changing the past would be impossible.  Even if Knuckles and Hidama could be sent back to the night when everything began to fall apart, it was pretty unlikely that the actions of their ancestors could be reversed…at least, in their time.  Maybe, just maybe, Knuckles and Hidama could heal the hurts that their ancestors inflicted on the lives of these mutants, who deep down, they most likely had their desire for revenge fueled by the hurts they were dealt in life.

   However, it was too late for a peaceful reconciliation, at least for now.  As Olermere and his army raced across the landscape and the last full day of the journey for Hidama and his companions came to an end, war and a storm grew ever closer on the horizon, for as the storm grew closer to Angel Island, Olermere’s army raced on through the night, even as Hidama, Shadow, Rouge and the twins stopped to rest.  With Angel Island only half a day’s run away, Hidama more than any of them began to grow anxious.  That night as their campfire faded away, he lay quiet, trying to sleep, and at the same time struggled to remember his brother’s face.  Finally, his last thoughts before dream and sleep overtook him, provided him at last with a picture of the brother he loved above all.

   **His thoughts bordering on waking dream transported him back to another time.  A time when things were peaceful, the last day he and Knuckles were together before everything fell apart and came crashing down around them.  On the eve of the day the mutants attacked, Hidama and Knuckles had finally gotten to see the Master Emerald up close, spending some special, final moments with their father before they lost him forever.

   “Wow Father…the Master Emerald really is awesome…and, magnificent.  I’m honored to know that someday I shall be its guardian, though I don’t think I’ll ever be as great a guardian as you,” Hidama said.

   Their father laughed warmly, and kneeling down to embrace his sons, he replied, “You’ll be a wonderful guardian my son.  You’ll grow and learn how to master the Master Emerald’s amazing and limitless powers.  You will grow and learn to fight to protect it, as well as your family, and your tribe.  You’ll come into your own someday, dear Hinsei, and will be perhaps the greatest guardian this tribe will ever know.”

   Hidama’s eyes brightened, and he said, “Really!?  Yeah!  Oh!  Oh don’t forget Knuckles!  He’ll be my Captain…or at least one of them.  Maybe Aranelion or Elianaron can be the others…I dunno, but yeah!  Knuckles will be a great captain, right daddy?”

   To this, an excited Knuckles began to giggle wildly, nodding his head and grinning saying, “Yep, yep, Hidama, you know I’ll be a good captain, hee, hee!”

   Their father laughed again at their joy, and withdrawing from embracing them for a moment to look at them, he smiled and said, “Of course he will; he’s your brother, and I can assure you this Hidama, to you too Knuckles; no matter what happens you two will always have each other.  Always remember to love each other, help each other, and take care of each other no matter what.  I’ll tell you this as well; your brother is the best friend you will ever have, and the last you will ever lose.”  He hugged his sons tightly, for what would be the last time, and as he stood up, he continued, “Now, I have to get back to my watch, so you two go on back to your mother for supper and I’ll see you tonight before bedtime okay?  I love you.”

   Hidama and Knuckles hugged their father, that is, they each hugged one of his legs, and laughed.  Hidama said, “We love you too Daddy.  Hee, we’ll see you later!”

   A young Knuckles continued to giggle quietly, and hugged his father’s leg tightly once more, before drawing back and latching onto Hidama’s arm instead.  He said, “Love you Daddy!  Hee, hee.”

   After kissing both Hidama and Knuckles once on the head, their father sent them on their way.  After getting down the steps from the altar, Hidama let go of Knuckles’ hand and tickled him until they were both on the ground laughing.  After a few moments they both stopped to catch their breath, and a joyful Knuckles said, “I’m tired now Hidama…you tickle and make me out of breath.”

   Hidama laughed a bit more, rising to his knees, and said, “Gee I didn’t mean to tire ya out buddy.  Hmm, climb on my back and I’ll carry you home okay?”

   In response, Knuckles only smiled and nodded.  He was still young and spoke very little, but when he did speak, he spoke more to Hidama than even his mother and father.  Yet now was one of those times when he maintained his silence, his smile enough to warm Hidama’s heart.  Knuckles crawled over to Hidama and then onto his back, and as Hidama stood up slowly steadying Knuckles on his back and shoulders, anyone in the village stopped to watch and smile.  The two brothers had a way of making anyone smile when they would laugh, play, and show how much they loved each other.

   As Hidama carried Knuckles home, the young and tired Knuckles yawned deeply, resting his head partly on Hidama’s neck and left shoulder, saying in a sleepy voice, “I love you Hidama…you’re the best brother in the whole, wide world.”

   Knowing full well Knuckles wasn’t ready for bed, Hidama laughed softly to himself, and said, “Sleep well Knuxie, and I love you too.  You’re the best brother anybody could ask for, and I’m so lucky that you’re my brother.”

   That was perhaps the last time either of them would be that happy for years to come.  For that night, Hidama left Knuckles to save his mother and father, and never came back; yet the brotherly love the brothers shared never died, and now it was finally going to bring them back together for good.**

   As Hidama drifted off to sleep, he finally remembered his brother’s face, and a smile crept across his face in his dreams.  He couldn’t wait to get back home, embrace his brother once more, and tell him how truly lucky he was, to have such an awesome brother like him; how lucky they both were, to have each other.

Description
"Love That Gives True Peace"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 7: "When Everything Falls Apart"

   As the group of five companions ran in the light of the sunrise, the mutants of Olermere’s army were bustling about with activity.  As Shadow feared, the mountain kingdom of Olermere’s army was more than aware of their disappearing presence, and revenge for the massacre of Feldmort and his legions, as well as their deep hatred for the final surviving echidnas drove their desire for war and bloodshed.

   That morning, Olermere, leader of the mutant army that focused on physical strength and prowess in battle, and older brother of Lord Feldmort, received the news from one of his scouts that Hinsei Hidama was within their realm.  The mutant king grinned menacingly, and cackled wildly.  “Bah!  That nasty echidna prince has decided to show his face has he?  Fwahaha!  At last…I shall achieve victory for all mutants and destroy those filthy brothers for good.  They shall be broken and bleed for killing my brother; they shall perish as all their rotten kindred did for the transgressions against us mutants.  We prepare for war, and we will not stop until we taste their flesh, and destroy the echidna race forever!”

   At the sound of Olermere’s evil cackle, every mutant soldier made ready for all out war.  As Olermere walked the streets of his fortress, he saw his soldiers warming up for battle, polishing their battle armor, and doing everything that was necessary to hone their skills, ready to battle to the death.  As he walked to the lookout tower, his number one man, just as Zelias was to Feldmort, ran to his side.

   “Lord Olermere!  All the troops are making ready for battle; whence do we begin our march to the fray?” he asked.

   The mutant king slowed his walk only slightly, and with a soft chuckle he responded, “Just make ready for battle and do as you’re told Captain Shoban; you especially should be ready for heated combat…for the echidna prince does not travel alone.  Truly, he has some delicious companions with him, including the half echidna hybrids and Shadow the Hedgehog.”

   Captain Shoban paused for a moment, a devilish grin soon spreading across his deformed face.  He ran to catch up with Olermere and said, “Oh…that rotten pest Shadow is with him?  Oh indeed, this will be ever so fun…to destroy that rotten echidna prince, and that nasty hedgehog as well.  I cannot wait to taste their blood….fufufu….”

   Lord Olermere cackled and replied, “Mmm, yes, but to kill those meddling hybrid twins shall also be glorious, for their father…was the Captain that stood beside the Guardian as they fell.  Feh, the blasted echidnas…one of their own committed the deplorable act of mixing his blood with lower beings…I hate him so, and thus his children must be extinguished.  Too long have they roamed the wilds, covered by the silence of the night and their good fortune taking out my followers and allies to avenge their father.  To taste their blood and break them as their father was broken shall be even greater the pleasure for me…and yet one other pleasure out does all the rest.”

   Upon arriving to the look out tower, Olermere glanced in a massive telescope, pointed south in the direction of Angel Island. He could barely make out the outlines of the group of five as they ran south, and even further still he could make out the silhouette of Angel Island, still within a three day's run from the forest.  He chuckled softly, and whispered, “No…it is where they lead us…right to the doorstep of Angel Island, that gives me pleasure beyond compare…for there…dwells the only other survivor…the second son of the Guardian, Knuckles.  I shall slaughter both Hidama and Knuckles, and at last our revenge shall be complete, and we shall take back the Master Emerald, and rule all.”

   A wide-eyed Shoban stared at Olermere for a few moments.  He then regained himself, and replied, “But Lord Olermere, I hear the younger brother is expecting a child very soon…surely you don’t intend to let that go unnoticed do you?”

   The mutant king whipped around and after a few seconds, cackled wildly.  He stepped out of the lookout tower and began a walk up to the fortress walls.  As Shoban ran to keep up with his long strides, Olermere declared, “Bah!  Like I fear a brat of mixed blood.  Nothing more than a pesky nuisance like these Brokenstar Twins.  No Shoban!  I fear no nasty, hybrid, bastard child of the echidnas and that filthy hedgehog wench!  Feh, we shall destroy those dammed hybrid twins and the sons of the Guardian alone…no wait, that blasted Shadow must die as well; he is the reason for all this madness!”

   Continuing his hurried pace to the fortress wall, Shoban replied, “Yes Lord Olermere; he was captured by Zelias for questioning and his two chaos emeralds stolen.  He met Hidama while he was imprisoned and since his escape has plotted for reuniting the brothers and supplanting us all.  He’s no better than the echidnas themselves!”

   Olermere cackled wildly and said, “Do save your breath for battle Captain, for you tell me nothing that I don’t already comprehend.  Yes…that rotten hedgehog…he bothers me.  He must be extinguished, for even after we capture the Master Emerald and enslave the earth, he’s a pest I’d much rather have eliminated.  Captain Shoban, I leave the task to killing Shadow up to you…I shall handle slaughtering those echidna princes…and the rest of you can handle those dammed hybrids.”

   Captain Shoban came to a stop, watching as Olermere walked the rest of the way to the fortress walls; the eyes of all the mutant soldiers within view also fell silent on their leader.  As he gazed at the horizon, Angel Island clear within view, Shoban slowly approached the mutant king.  To his surprise, Olermere was weeping silently.  He whispered, “Those damn echidnas…how dare they exile and shun my brother and I in our time of need, instead of being the noble race they are and helping us.  Then, they rub salt in the wound by helping their only survivors kill my brother.  Some wondful master race they are, turning their backs on their own brethren because of their iniquities, not doing a thing to help us.  They brought this damnation on themselves.  These two brothers deserve death…they deserve to burn in hell forever and eternity, and I will not stop until the hearts of Hidama and Knuckles stop beating and their bodies lay broken and bleeding underneath me.”

   The mutants watched in awe of their leader, knowing the anguish he had suffered, not only recently due to Feldmort’s death, but over the many years since he became a mutant, tossed aside in disgust by their own kindred, the echidnas not even bothering to try and help them.  Enough was enough; the echidna race had long been known as the master race, the noble race, the most beautiful, graceful, and precious examples of life on earth; they had selfishly maintained possession of the Master Emerald for far too long, only using it for their own benefit; they were wolves in sheep’s clothing, putting on the display of loving and caring for all living things, and yet they abandoned and shunned Olermere and Feldmort the minute their precious Master Emerald was threatened.  It was high time that the Master Emerald belonged to the world rather than the echidnas, and Olermere was hell bent, not just on obtaining the Master Emerald, but for killing the last two survivors of this deceitful race, and he would stop at nothing at stealing their last breaths from them all too soon.

   Olermere completely dispelled his tears, growled low, and then thrust his arm out, pointing in the direction of Angel Island, and shouted, “To war!!  Everyone make ready!  We march for Angel Island, and we shall avenge the transgressions we’ve suffered under the echidnas at long last!  The blood of the echidna princes shall at last be spilled in victory!”

   His cries were followed by the cheers of hundreds of mutants, their arms extended into the air, some holding spears, while others shouted declarations of war wearing brass knuckles with their fists clenched.  As the thunderous cheers continued and the final preparations for war and march carried out, Olermere began a slow walk to his chambers to ready for battle.  Before he left, he turned to Captain Shoban and said, “We march before dawn.  See that the troops are ready and in position at that time and no later.  We fly, and come evening to follow tomorrow’s, we’ll storm the plains that carpet Angel Island’s doorstep.  Soon, very soon…blood shall be spilled, and victory tasted.”

   With nothing more than a nod as a reply, Olermere turned from Shoban and disappeared into his chambers.  Captain Shoban stood in awe for a few moments at the tenacity of his King; they had thirsted for revenge for so many years, and even with his brother Feldmort destroyed, Olermere maintained his resolve to destroy the final living echidnas.  It was sheer exhilaration at the thought of finally achieving this goal, and this joy was felt throughout the entire legion.

   So Captain Shoban wasted no time; he took off, racing up and down the twisted, rocky streets of their mountain fortress, blowing a tarnished horn to rally the troops.  In answer to his trumpet calls, the blaring of horns came from all corners of the realm, their chorus reverberated through the air, sending a threatening warning to all within earshot.  The battles cries grew louder and more fierce, cries like, “To War!”, “Blood will be spilled in abundance!”, and “Victory is ours at last!” foreboded an ominous event that would soon sweep across the land.

   Miles away, as the group of five ran, Shadow, who was perhaps the only one who could pick up the sounds of the horn blasts, slowed his run to a stop.  He turned and looked with an uneasy eye to the mountains they left in the distance.  A gnawing warning began to fester in his heart.  He knew that no matter how far or fast they ran that Olermere’s army was coming, and they would fight to death, doing whatever it took, to kill Knuckles and Hidama.

   The hedgehog swallowed hard; his heart began to pound and his stomach ache, for at last it seemed he was up against a foe that had no further weaknesses he could exploit.  Sure, Feldmort was easy enough for Shadow to undo; it was Feldmort’s magic against Shadow’s at that point, and Shadow maintained the upper hand with his skills and wit, allowing Hidama to achieve victory.  No…Olermere was different.  Shadow had little to no experience with his kind, this was certain.

   Back in the woods where Rouge joined them, Shadow nearly succumb to the assault of this relatively small group of warriors, the kind Aranelion and Elianaron hunted and fought everyday.  He was lucky that they turned to retreat, and unbeknownst to him, it was due to the fact that the Brokenstar Twins were close by, and the warrior mutants could pick up their scent.  Shadow was lucky enough to be spared in this way, and did his best to hide his shame, to hide his sheer terror at how strong these mutants were, even more so than their magic-wielding cousins.

   Finally, Shadow stirred from his thoughts, and turned uneasily away from the gaze of the mountains and reassumed his run, catching up to the group rather easily.  Rouge ran next to him, and asked, “Shadow, are you okay?  What was with the pause back there?  Is everything alright?”

   Shadow glanced at her, shaking his head and clenching his fists.  He replied, “No, no, just thought I heard something is all.  Mmm.”  He fell silent and ran ahead of the group, wanting to run alone.  All he could do was quiver in worry; he knew that the twins, and Hidama especially would have no trouble with these flunkies.  Even Rouge would have an easy time bringing them down, as would he now that he was better prepared to fight them.  However, it was the threat that Olermere presented that frightened him the most.

   He breathed a heavy sigh as he ran, and whispered, “As much as I hate to do this, I believe that we have no choice but to bring Knuckles in to battle.  Hidama will need him before the end, I feel this in my heart.  I know that Amy is due any day…and as much as it hurts, Knuckles has no choice but to stand up and defend that which he loves.  It is finally time for the two brothers to stand together and bring honor to their kind…and bring closure to that horrible night at last.  It will be Hidama and Knuckles, who at last restore the true honor and glory to the echidna race…glory which they lost when this nightmare began, all those years ago.”

   And this point of corruption, corruption of the echidna race, was of course, the night that both Shadow and Olermere recalled with sadness, the night when Olermere and Feldmort were sent to their deaths in answer to the attack on the Master Emerald.  It was at this point that the echidnas debased their name, by having little to no consideration for life by tossing it aside in favor of the welfare of the Master Emerald.  Indeed, even Shadow knew the echidnas were too rash and harsh in their treatment of Feldmort and Olermere, condemning them as nothing but a sin instead of offering any sort of forgiveness, explaining why not only Olermere and Feldmort became mutants, hell bent on revenge, but also why the echidnas were attacked in the first place.  Truly, had the echidnas of this time just offered their forgiveness and care to the brothers in their time of need, perhaps the echidna race wouldn’t be brought to the brink of extinction and sorrow.

   So as the group of five raced into the horizon and the night, the mutant army set ready its march.  As Olermere decreed, before the sun rose that next morning, Shoban led the mutant army, ten thousand strong, out onto the vast wastelands that surrounded their mountain abode.  All ranks lined up in position, ready to stampede into battle.  All stood in salute and silence as King Olermere surveyed the troops.  He was dressed in his battle armor, brass knuckles on his hands, sharp daggers sheathed ready in long gloves that he wore, a weatherworn belt holding a scabbard with sword to his side, and a long, tattered black cloak and hood, nothing more, as his battle outfit of choice.

   Olermere walked to the front of the line of soldiers, where two flag bearers, holding proudly the flag of the mutant race, stood with two horn blowers and Captain Shoban waiting the command to march.  Olermere grinned deviously in satisfaction at the readied troops.  Captain Shoban bowed low and said, “I hope this is met with your pleasure and satisfaction my lord; your army is ready to unleash death and destruction on all who stand before us.  Victory and revenge shall be ours at last!”

   To this, Olermere replied with an even more twisted, devilish grin.  He nodded and said, “Indeed, I am filled with satisfaction; sound the call!  We march with all speed!”

   Captain Shoban nodded, signaling the four mutants beside him to ready the army for the march.  The flag bearers held their flags high, and the horn blowers began to blow the shrill notes of their trumpets, rallying the troops to a fiercesome cry, and signaling the start of the march.  Olermere took his place a few paces before the first row, as Shoban shouted, “Warriors, lend me your allegiance!  We march!  Come tomorrow’s eve, revenge and victory shall be ours at last!  Ready to march!?”

   This was answered by a thunderous roar of cries and trumpet blasts.  Shoban turned and stood in the middle of the first row, between the horn blowers and flag bearers with one on each side.  As the final trumpet blasts were played and the march ready to begin, Lord Olermere turned, his arms stretched to the heavens, and shouted, “To War!”  His cries were echoed in turn by the soldiers, and the march started at last.

   Now this march wasn’t a slow march; rather, it was an organized marathon as the soldiers ran in line and step with the speed of birds flying with the wind.  It wouldn’t be long before they overtook the group of five, even though they were a day behind them, and with Olermere’s calculations played out correctly, this point would occur within a short mile of Angel Island, with the Master Emerald in full view of all.

   Shadow knew this; in his heart he knew that Olermere was clever enough to have this all thought out, and knowing he was correct he gave another uneasy eye back to the mountains at the sound of the trumpet blasts and echoes of the mutants cries.  There was a storm coming to greet them, and would arrive by tomorrow’s eve, the same time when this battle for death and glory would commence.

   As the mutant army began its run, shortly after the group of five resumed their journey, Shadow slowed his run until he was caught up with Rouge.  As Hidama and the Brokenstar Twins ran ahead of them, Shadow whispered to Rouge, “I’m going to need you to fly ahead to Angel Island Rouge.  I—I need you to send Knuckles to meet us.  We’ll be within five miles of Angel Island before tomorrow’s sunset, and…so will our enemy, and war.”

   Rouge gave a worried eye to Shadow, and replied, “But Shadow, I thought their child was due any day…how can you separate them at a time like this?”

   The hedgehog glared at Rouge, scaring her a bit, and he shouted in an intense whisper, “It’s not my choice!  This is out of my hands!  Now either Knuckles can bear to be separated her for a short time, or he can choose to do nothing and we all succumb to death!  None of this was going to be easy, I told them that in the beginning!  Now that war is on their doorstep Knuckles and Hidama have no choice but to stand together and make things right!”

   Rouge lowered her eyes, unable to look Shadow in the eyes when he spoke, for when he got like this, his eyes blazed with a fire rivaling that of the sun, and he was very frightful.  She looked away from him, and said, “I’m sorry Shadow…you can count on me.  I’ll fly and give Knuckles the news.”

   Shadow’s eyes softened, as did his whole face, and he sighed, replying, “I’m sorry Rouge, there’s no need for you to apologize, for I was in error, not you.  Don’t leave yet…it’s too soon to get Hidama worried.  No, by tomorrow morning I think you shall fly, and the morning after this battle should be complete.  Make sure Knuckles knows that.”

   Rouge looked back at Shadow, who at this point was the one who could not look her in the eyes.  He whispered, “If left up to me none of this would be happening…if left up to them, had they had the chance to walk in the shoes of their ancestors, I’m sure this wouldn’t be happening either.  Yet then the lives of many would be obscured, so perhaps while this is a life that is troubling, it’s perhaps the only one we’d ever wish to know.”

   It was at this point that Shadow ran ahead of Rouge once more; as she watched him, she pondered what he had just said to her.  The first part of his statement made enough sense, but what had he meant about Knuckles and Hidama not making the mistakes of their ancestors?  Was it really just the harsh treatment that the echidnas dealt to Feldmort and Olermere that drove the mutant king to wanting to extinguish them for good?  Really, if a little kindness were extended to them in their time of need, would they all be leading radically different lives?

   So, as Rouge understood it, Shadow’s heart was at war with itself.  He detested having to get Knuckles, Hidama, and so many others involved in such trial, and yet it was something that couldn’t be helped.  None of them had any choice in the matter, but as Shadow had said it, if they could change things, the way things happened, and their lives as they lived them eradicated and twisted, would they really want to change them at all?  Would Knuckles trade in his love for Amy for the chance to have his family and tribe back? Would Hidama be able to make the correct choices in place of his ancestor for the chance to grow up and lead the life he was promised as the eldest son of the Guardian?

   As far as Rouge could venture a guess, Knuckles certainly wouldn’t give up Amy for anything, as she was the love and light of his life, convinced that he’d be dead without her, and while Hidama would most likely do anything to have his parents back, the steps it would take to achieve this were too much for him to handle at this point, and she knew that in Hidama’s heart, he’d be happy just to be with his brother again.

   Even so, changing the past would be impossible.  Even if Knuckles and Hidama could be sent back to the night when everything began to fall apart, it was pretty unlikely that the actions of their ancestors could be reversed…at least, in their time.  Maybe, just maybe, Knuckles and Hidama could heal the hurts that their ancestors inflicted on the lives of these mutants, who deep down, they most likely had their desire for revenge fueled by the hurts they were dealt in life.

   However, it was too late for a peaceful reconciliation, at least for now.  As Olermere and his army raced across the landscape and the last full day of the journey for Hidama and his companions came to an end, war and a storm grew ever closer on the horizon, for as the storm grew closer to Angel Island, Olermere’s army raced on through the night, even as Hidama, Shadow, Rouge and the twins stopped to rest.  With Angel Island only half a day’s run away, Hidama more than any of them began to grow anxious.  That night as their campfire faded away, he lay quiet, trying to sleep, and at the same time struggled to remember his brother’s face.  Finally, his last thoughts before dream and sleep overtook him, provided him at last with a picture of the brother he loved above all.

   **His thoughts bordering on waking dream transported him back to another time.  A time when things were peaceful, the last day he and Knuckles were together before everything fell apart and came crashing down around them.  On the eve of the day the mutants attacked, Hidama and Knuckles had finally gotten to see the Master Emerald up close, spending some special, final moments with their father before they lost him forever.

   “Wow Father…the Master Emerald really is awesome…and, magnificent.  I’m honored to know that someday I shall be its guardian, though I don’t think I’ll ever be as great a guardian as you,” Hidama said.

   Their father laughed warmly, and kneeling down to embrace his sons, he replied, “You’ll be a wonderful guardian my son.  You’ll grow and learn how to master the Master Emerald’s amazing and limitless powers.  You will grow and learn to fight to protect it, as well as your family, and your tribe.  You’ll come into your own someday, dear Hinsei, and will be perhaps the greatest guardian this tribe will ever know.”

   Hidama’s eyes brightened, and he said, “Really!?  Yeah!  Oh!  Oh don’t forget Knuckles!  He’ll be my Captain…or at least one of them.  Maybe Aranelion or Elianaron can be the others…I dunno, but yeah!  Knuckles will be a great captain, right daddy?”

   To this, an excited Knuckles began to giggle wildly, nodding his head and grinning saying, “Yep, yep, Hidama, you know I’ll be a good captain, hee, hee!”

   Their father laughed again at their joy, and withdrawing from embracing them for a moment to look at them, he smiled and said, “Of course he will; he’s your brother, and I can assure you this Hidama, to you too Knuckles; no matter what happens you two will always have each other.  Always remember to love each other, help each other, and take care of each other no matter what.  I’ll tell you this as well; your brother is the best friend you will ever have, and the last you will ever lose.”  He hugged his sons tightly, for what would be the last time, and as he stood up, he continued, “Now, I have to get back to my watch, so you two go on back to your mother for supper and I’ll see you tonight before bedtime okay?  I love you.”

   Hidama and Knuckles hugged their father, that is, they each hugged one of his legs, and laughed.  Hidama said, “We love you too Daddy.  Hee, we’ll see you later!”

   A young Knuckles continued to giggle quietly, and hugged his father’s leg tightly once more, before drawing back and latching onto Hidama’s arm instead.  He said, “Love you Daddy!  Hee, hee.”

   After kissing both Hidama and Knuckles once on the head, their father sent them on their way.  After getting down the steps from the altar, Hidama let go of Knuckles’ hand and tickled him until they were both on the ground laughing.  After a few moments they both stopped to catch their breath, and a joyful Knuckles said, “I’m tired now Hidama…you tickle and make me out of breath.”

   Hidama laughed a bit more, rising to his knees, and said, “Gee I didn’t mean to tire ya out buddy.  Hmm, climb on my back and I’ll carry you home okay?”

   In response, Knuckles only smiled and nodded.  He was still young and spoke very little, but when he did speak, he spoke more to Hidama than even his mother and father.  Yet now was one of those times when he maintained his silence, his smile enough to warm Hidama’s heart.  Knuckles crawled over to Hidama and then onto his back, and as Hidama stood up slowly steadying Knuckles on his back and shoulders, anyone in the village stopped to watch and smile.  The two brothers had a way of making anyone smile when they would laugh, play, and show how much they loved each other.

   As Hidama carried Knuckles home, the young and tired Knuckles yawned deeply, resting his head partly on Hidama’s neck and left shoulder, saying in a sleepy voice, “I love you Hidama…you’re the best brother in the whole, wide world.”

   Knowing full well Knuckles wasn’t ready for bed, Hidama laughed softly to himself, and said, “Sleep well Knuxie, and I love you too.  You’re the best brother anybody could ask for, and I’m so lucky that you’re my brother.”

   That was perhaps the last time either of them would be that happy for years to come.  For that night, Hidama left Knuckles to save his mother and father, and never came back; yet the brotherly love the brothers shared never died, and now it was finally going to bring them back together for good.**

   As Hidama drifted off to sleep, he finally remembered his brother’s face, and a smile crept across his face in his dreams.  He couldn’t wait to get back home, embrace his brother once more, and tell him how truly lucky he was, to have such an awesome brother like him; how lucky they both were, to have each other.