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"My Boys"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl

Part Two: "When They Wandered Alone"

   “Nine years?” Meredith asked.  She held out her hand, counting the years on her fingers and said, “Oh right, they left when they were twelve and are almost twenty-one.  Gosh, they practically grew up in the wilderness.”

   Aerealei laughed softly, and replied, “Well, I guess you could say it was a little less than nine years.  It was this time nine years ago that they spent their last night with me.  They kept promising me they’d be alright.  ‘We’ve gotten used to using father’s weapons Mom,’ they would say, ‘Should something go wrong we’ll have no trouble winning the fight.’  I wanted desperately to trust them, but, in those first weeks, my dreams and waking thoughts were haunted with what I could no longer protect them from; the cold eyes of those who would judge them as my kindred had, as well as the hateful hearts of those that killed their father and his kindred.  I worried especially for how the humans would receive them.  Aranelion and Elianaron are supposedly the first hybrid souls to walk the world, and thus they’ve gotten plenty of publicity.  I find it so odd that mankind was more willing to accept them, treating them like celebrities, while the hedgehogs of Valordian hated them simply for the echidna blood they bore.

   “After they left Valordian that evening, they first made their way west, pretty much in the same way we travel now, although they remained on a more northerly path and thus missed Station Square.  They really did have their father’s spirit about them; my Armundae loved to travel.  It was his love for travel that brought us together, and in the end this love that he passed to them would set them free.  Aranelion told me they had fun those first few weeks, exploring the countryside around them, but once they caught a town called Sandysun City on the horizon, some new anxieties came to plague them.

   “‘Gee Air,’ Elianaron said to his brother, ‘Mom told us about the human race…and apparently that town, Sandysun City, is full of them.  I’m—I’m nervous.  After the way the hedgehogs back home treated us, do you think maybe the humans will be even worse?’

   “Aranelion had a smile on his face; he was more than ready to give the humans a chance, and encouraged his twin to do the same.  Putting an arm around Elianaron’s shoulder, he replied, “Aww Ell, they’ll be nothing like the hedgehogs I’m sure.  We’ve got to give this a chance.  If we don’t find acceptance here, we’ll find it somewhere.  As long as we stick together, we’ll be alright.  Now, let’s go!’

   “After this bit of encouragement from his brother, Elianaron smiled, and with a nod and a laugh, he took off for the city, calling out, ‘Race you!’ after those first steps.  The two of them ran together, only to find Sandysun City in relative chaos once they arrived there.  Even as they ran to her borders, one of the apartment buildings in the city caught fire, trapping a few of the residents within the building.  Once Aranelion and Elianaron set foot in town, a fire truck zoomed past them, sirens blaring wildly as it headed to the source of the trouble.”

   Meredith had calmed down after the few tears she shed earlier; with wide eyes she asked, “Wow, a fire?  That must have been quite an experience for them to see.”

   Laughing softly, Aerealei said, “Indeed it was, especially since that urge to do good bloomed to life inside of them and they decided to do whatever they could to help,” with a nod.

   Dylan came back with some coffee and doughnuts from the dining car, passed them out and said, “Wait a sec, having never seen something like this before, only knowing someone was in trouble, they ran to help put out the fire?”

   After taking a bit out of her doughnut, Aerealei smiled, but shook her head and said, “Oh Dylan, they did much more than that.  This was always one of their favorite stories to tell me, for without hesitation, Aranelion cried, ‘A fire!  Ell, we should go help out!’  Elianaron simply nodded, and the two of them ran in the direction of the fire, a billowing tower of smoke at last stretching to the sky to mark its location.

   “They were so focused on helping whoever they could, they had no time to think what the humans would think of them.  As they caught up with the fire truck, bystanders looked at them with wonder in their eyes.  They weren’t really afraid of them; all they knew was that these two boys looked like echidnas with hedgehog ears, and considering how little they actually knew of the other species that walked beside them, they had none of the labels for them that my kindred did.

   “Anyway, once they reached the burning building, they saw a group of people, apparently those who still had loved ones trapped in the inferno, gathered around the fire chief.  One mother in particular cried for her two small children, while the fire chief could only lower his eyes, but try his best to console the crowd.

   “The building was just too unstable.  To send any fire fighters in there to rescue those trapped inside, would only mean death for them all.

   “Elianaron and Aranelion were shocked.  They stared at the building in disbelief, realizing there were people still trapped inside, and even children.  While the two of them still didn’t know what to make of the human race, they wouldn’t let this go unjustified.  Even if it meant running head on into a deadly wave of smoke and fire, they would do their best to help however they could.

   “‘You know what we have to do…right Ell?’ Aranelion asked.

   “Elianaron replied with a nod.  As they turned to dash into the building, one of the fire fighters spotted them, and asked, ‘What are you two kids doing here?  That building is about to collapse!’

   “His sudden appearance may have startled them, but whatever the reason, they wasted no time talking to him, and simply ran straight for the building, dodging the fire fighters who tried their best to douse the flames, as well as water, smoke, and fire swirling in a torrent over their heads once they got inside.

   “They knew the smoke, and time, were their worst enemies here, and so they held their breath, splitting up as they searched the ten floors of the building.  They would duck their heads outside of windows when they needed a breath, and in this way they raced up each floor, finding all ten people trapped inside, including the two children that the mother from before was desperate to have rescued.

   “Each time they found someone, they’d call out to the fire fighters below, who would quickly ready a mat for the people to land on as they jumped, or fell, from the windows, for you see, the two of them found some of these people unconscious, but alive…their last hope for life coming to them in the form of these two little hybrid echidnas, risking their lives to save the ones of those they didn’t even know.

   “Aranelion and Elianaron came together again on the tenth floor, which was where they found the mother’s children.  The youngest was still conscious, while his older sister was knocked out and barely breathing.  Aranelion took the girl, while Elianaron scooped the boy up in his arms.  Satisfied that they had found everyone left in the building, they got one last breath from ducking outside a nearby window, before they would make their way outside the building.

   “However, before they could get started back, the building began to rumble and shake under their feet.  They could hear the studs and floorboards around them began to crack as they were finally charred too weak to support the building any longer.  They knew they had no more time left to be cautious; they ran for the side of the building facing the street so they could escape with the two children.  They were beginning to feel light-headed, already suffering burns and singed fur, and yet they had their father’s strength in them.  They were blessed with so much time to rescue these people because of their small size, whereas the larger fire fighters would have brought it down faster with their combined weight weakening the building faster as they moved through it.

   “My boys, tired, hurting, and running out of time, made it to the window at last.  While Elianaron caught his breath, Aranelion called out to them, ‘We found the last two!  Get…get ready to catch them!’  He sputtered as he tried to speak, his throat burning from inhaling so much smoke and ash, but it wasn’t time to give up yet.

   “The mother looked up to the top of the building, still panicking, but with renewed hope.  ‘Sarah!  Nick!  Hang on sweeties!’ she cried.

   “The baby boy cried out to his mother, and Elianaron, feeling just as faint as Aranelion, said, “Air, we can’t just drop them and expect them to survive the fall.  This one’s just a baby, and the little girl isn’t much older.  Even if those fire fighters catch them, they could get hurt worse…or even die.’

   “Poor Aranelion looked at the little girl as she too struggled to keep breathing.  He knew Elianaron was right, but they had no time to run down and out of the building.  Their only option now was to jump, even if it meant jumping to an uncertain landing with the two children in their arms.  He nodded, taking Elianaron’s arm with his free hand, and said, ‘Whatever you do Ell, don’t let go of the boy.  He’ll fly out of your arms as you fall if you’re not careful.  Hang on to him tightly and don’t let go.’

   “Elianaron nodded; sticking his head outside the window, he looked to the crowd and shouted, ‘We’re coming down with them!  Get ready!’

   “A wave of gasps and cries escaped the crowd.  The fire chief, who still had no idea who these boys were, tightened and steadied his grasp on mat, and shouted to his fellow fire fighters, ‘Hold your ground!  They’re coming down fast!’

   “The words barely had time to pass over his lips before Elianaron jumped first, holding the baby boy tightly in his arms.  He told me he closed his eyes as he fell, but knew everything would be alright once he heard the crowd let out a cheer.  He opened his eyes to see the boy’s mother rejoicing.  He got up, and though tired, ran over to her, handing her son to her as quickly as he could.

   “She held her son close, just thankful he was alive.  Before there could be any relaxing though, the fire chief asked, ‘What about your brother?  Wasn’t he jumping too?’

   “After coughing hard to catch his breath, Elianaron nodded and said, ‘Yes sir, but we decided not to jump together.  We weren’t sure if our combined weight would cause the mat to buckle.  We didn’t want to land on each other either.  He should be about to jump!’

   “Sure enough, once they looked back to the window, they saw Aranelion getting ready to jump from the window.  However, before he could start to, a loud cracking sound came from the building as the structure began to fail.  Aranelion could feel the floor dropping from underneath him.  The crowd let out a cry, including the mother, who now feared for the life of her young daughter.  ‘Sarah!’ she cried, holding her son Nick as tightly as she could.

   “Aranelion almost looked like he didn’t know what to do.  In desperation, Elianaron cried to him, ‘Jump Aranelion!  Hurry before the building crushes you!’

   “He knew he couldn’t let weakness, or even fear, stop him now, and so Aranelion took one more breath, and then jumped into the air.  It wasn’t a moment to soon, for as he fell to the earth with the little girl, who was almost as big as he was, in his arms, the building came down with him.  They both landed in synchronization; no sooner had he landed safely on the mat that the building stopped its tumble and fall to its foundations.  The remaining smoldering flames, were now easily put out in its wake.

   “The paramedics rushed to help the little girl, while the crowd let out a cheer.  Aranelion and Elianaron had managed to save everyone in the building.  It was like a miracle came to Sandysun City that day, for not a single soul was lost in the fire, all thanks to these two strange, but kind creatures.

   “Aranelion was winded and out of breath, and so Elianaron ran to help him sit up as he recovered.  Elianaron smiled and said, ‘Man Air, that was so awesome!  We actually saved everyone!’

   “As he stood up, Aranelion smiled.  His fur was smoky and singed, and his throat and eyes burned him, as they did for Elianaron, but he was happy.  Before he could reply however, the mother of the children they just saved came up to them, her son still in her arms.  Before she went off to the hospital with her daughter, she just had to thank them for what they did, for she realized now that even if the fire fighters had tried to save them that the building would have collapsed and killed them.

   “Tears were in her eyes, and without speaking she wrapped her free arm first around Aranelion, and then around Elianaron, hugging them as she whimpered, “Thank you, both of you, so, so much.  I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost them.  How can I ever thank you enough?’

   “The both of them were in shock; in all their lives no one had ever given them this much attention, or treated them so nicely, outside of their father, the echidnas, and myself, while the rest of the world it seemed lived to hate them.  Aranelion shook his head, smiled and said, ‘It’s alright ma’am; my brother and I just wanted to help however we could.  There’s no need to repay us.  It’s wonderful just to see you reunited with your kids.  We’re glad we could help.’

   “The mother it seemed didn’t know what to say.  My boys were just so humble, not wanting anything in return for the good deed they had done.  The reward for them was seeing everyone happy; of course, that time fresh air and treatment for their singed fur and burned skin was more than welcome.

   “She shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes and said, “Thank you so much; I’ll never forget this, ever.’  She then went off to ride with the ambulance to the hospital where her daughter Sarah could be treated for her injuries.  Aranelion and Elianaron then noticed the crowd looking at them, some still in shock at how they had saved the people trapped in the building, and still some who wondered who their saviors were.  Finally, one of the people approached them.  He was tall, had long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a mustache.  He spoke in an islander accent when he greeted the two of them.

   “‘My…that was very impressive.  …You two are brothers yes?  You are also twin brothers right?’ he asked.  Aranelion and Elianaron simply nodded, grinning a bit, since it was so obvious that they were identical twins.  The man chuckled too, then continued, ‘Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Antonio, and I am the mayor here in Sandysun City.  I can’t tell you how grateful we all are for your help.’

   “Aranelion smiled, but only after coughing hard again as his throat stung him.  Elianaron, who had already caught his breath once more, replied, ‘It was nothing, really.  My name is Elianaron…or Ell for short, and my brother Aranelion…his nickname is Air.  I swear, the minute we got into town and saw that fire engine race by, we wanted to see what was wrong.  The moment those fire fighters said they couldn’t make it inside, we knew we had to help, and so we did.’

   “Antonio gave them the same look of awe that the mother had only moments before.  In trying to find something to say, he noticed their reddened eyes, singed fur, and a cough that escaped Elianaron as he tried to clear his scratchy throat.  He extended his arm towards one of the ambulances nearby and said, ‘Please, at least let us help treat those burns and singes.  That can at least be a start; then you can tell me more about yourselves.’”

   Finishing her coffee, Aerealei looked back at the picture for a moment, and added, “He stuck by the boys while they had their burns treated, got drops for their eyes, and their throats and breathing were soothed, and they told him about their journey, as well as why they were even on it.  Antonio remembered when Angel Island fell from the sky, and knew quite a bit about echidnas besides.  After offering his condolences for Armundae’s death, and learning more about my boys and why they were here, he simply had to see what he could do to help them on their journey.

   “After Aranelion and Elianaron were treated and got their breath back, they walked with Antonio and were given a tour of Sandysun City.  As they approached a local Italian dinner, Antonio switched back to his thoughts from before.  ‘You know Brokenstar Twins,’ Antonio said, ‘I don’t think you can expect us to just let your heroism go unrewarded.  There simply has to be something we can help you out with.’

   “Before either of them could offer a reply, a little old grey-haired lady stepped out from the Italian diner.  It was her diner, one that she both ran and cooked for, and her name was Mrs. Caranelli.  About this time I got an earful about how much my boys loved her cooking, and apparently it was part of how they were rewarded for their help earlier that day.

   “She approached them, glancing at them but greeting Antonio first; ‘Antonio dear, are these the boys that saved my grandchildren?’

   “Aranelion and Elianaron glanced at each other, realizing she could only mean Sarah and Nick were her grandchildren.  Antonio answered her with a smile, a chuckle, and a nod, saying, ‘You betcha Mrs. Caranelli.  These are my new friends the Brokenstar Twins…or…you said your nicknames were Air and Ell right?’

   “They looked at the elderly woman again, smiled, and then Aranelion said, ‘That’s right ma’am.  I’m Aranelion, or Air, and this is my twin brother Elianaron, or Ell.’

   “With a sweet laugh, she replied, ‘Aren’t you two so precious?  Do you use those marks on your hands or your headbands to help people tell you apart?’

   “Normally, their white gloves covered their birthmarks, but while they were being treated in the ambulance, they had taken them off and stuck them in their pants pockets.  Elianaron laughed and said, “Well ma’am, normally our gloves cover our hands, so the headbands are how people who don’t know us well tell us apart…well, at least, they’re supposed to.’

   “Antonio took the cue and explained; ‘You see Mrs. Caranelli, these two are part hedgehog, part echidna.  They’re hybrids!  Their father was a victim of the Angel Island fall and since they don’t quite fit in with their mother’s kindred, they’re becoming travelers while they look for the ones who killed their father.  This is their first stop!  I was trying to figure out a way to repay them for what they did, and I was thinking maybe we could help by providing them provisions for their trips whenever they need them!’

   “The boys let out a gasp, looking first to Antonio, and then immediately back to Mrs. Caranelli as she replied, ‘That sounds like a wonderful idea!  Travelers need good food and provisions for their journeys after all.  Tell me, have you two ever had Italian food?  That’s my restaurant down there, and I’d love to treat you to lunch for starters.’

   “They glanced at each other, only for Aranelion to say, ‘Sounds like a nice idea to me ma’am if you don’t mind it of course,’ as they looked back to her.

   “She let out a soft giggle and said, ‘Why would I mind?  Not only did you save my grandchildren, but you two are just precious not wanting any reward.  Think of this as a gift for good virtue.  Come along now.’”

   The train slowed down as they arrived at their first stop, none other than Sandysun City.  Aerealei looked at the town, which now sat just outside her window.  She looked back to Dylan and Meredith, pointing at the distant skyline and said, “It was one of those buildings that burned down.  They rebuilt it over the years, and I believe Aranelion and Elianaron also helped in the reconstruction.  Out of all the places they’ve visited this has become their second home.  Once they came home the first time, they raved about this town more than just about any place.  My boys apparently have a taste for Italian food, because whenever they came here Mrs. Caranelli’s restaurant was one of their first stops.”  Aerealei paused, then added, “I was so happy…that they were able to find acceptance so quickly.  The human race has flaws, just as much as our kind does, but the fact that they are so open to new things was what helped my boys get off to a good start.”

   Meredith said, “I’m happy to hear it went well too.  After all they had gone through they deserved for things to go right for a change.”

   As the train started on its way again, Dylan asked, “So, they found acceptance with mankind.  What about their revenge over the ones who killed their father?”

   His wife looked at him with almost a scolding look.  Dylan’s cheeks flushed red, and once again he tugged at his shirt collar as he looked back to Aerealei.  “Sorry ma’am,” he said.

   Aerealei glanced down at the picture again, then looked up, smiling and said, “It’s quite alright Dylan.  I was going to get to it soon, for you see, everywhere they went it was the same story.  They’ve traveled all over this continent; they’ve gone as far as you can in all directions, even conquering the Thornrush Mountains to the north, as well as riding on a yacht belonging to a friend they made to see the tropical islands to the south, including the Echo Island chain, which has become another favorite retreat of theirs.

   “Everywhere they went, they were accepted…that is, by humans.  In some places they ran into others…mainly hedgehogs and foxes.  Of course, they were more aware of what their appearance meant.  Their only consolation was by this time, as they had grown up and gotten away from Valordian, which was stuck in a time lock basically, inter-species relationships were becoming more widespread, and thus Aranelion and Elianaron became the first example of the new wave of children that would be born into the world as time passed.  The more they got around, and the older they got, they finally received the acceptance that their childhood denied them.”

   Aerealei fell silent for a moment, then added, “You asked when they got their revenge…it always troubled me…that whenever they came home, no matter what good things had happened on their journey, they could never rid the twins of that need to get justice for the death of their father and the echidnas.  Remember they didn’t know that Knuckles made it out alive until only recently, and that was just from hearing about his adventures with Sonic and the others.  They didn’t get to see Knuckles again until after they had reunited with his older brother Hidama; so for many years they believed the echidna race was gone forever.  It drove them to crave revenge, but unfortunately they had no idea where to start looking for it, as they didn’t even know who or what it was that killed them all.  It was only after the ones responsible made themselves known did that chapter of their lives get its start.

   “It wasn’t until they were fifteen years old that they would finally get their chance to fight.  After three years of wandering the world they had seen pretty much everything they could, and were about ready to start that trek again.  They were on their way home to visit me, travelling from Rockcreek Plains, along the foot of the Thornrush Mountains.  This would eventually give way to the Grey Mountains, before they turned south and ended up in Valordian again.  They had never travelled to the Northern Kingdom, the ruined home to a tribe of Greyfoxes.  By that point we had learned that a tribe of echidnas lived there as well, but were destroyed on the same night as their Angel Island brethren.  This fact persuaded Aranelion and Elianaron to go visit the kingdom.  Because some of the foxes still lived, they hoped that maybe they could tell them something about the ones responsible, hoping this would lead to the attackers of the Angel Island echidnas.

   “The night before they arrived, is when everything changed.  By now their voices had changed, and they were growing into young men, but still, sweet Elianaron was concerned, for they had not informed me of this trip to the Northern Kingdom. It was customary now for them to tell me where they planned to go until they returned home again, and this was a trip Aranelion decided to make at the last minute.  Though he still looked to his brother for guidance, he shared this concern with him as they walked along the path through the mountains.

   “‘Air, do you think Mother will worry about us?  We didn’t mention coming here, so she’ll be expecting us soon.’

   “Aranelion took a breath of the fresh, mountain air, smiled and said, ‘Aww come on Ell.  She knows we’ll be alright.  If anything we can tell her we got busy and fell behind on our schedule…but since we tell her the truth in everything, we’ll tell her we came here to find information on the ones who killed Dad.  She won’t be upset.’

   “They walked in silence after this.  Soon the ancient Northern Kingdom loomed over the horizon; it was a city carved entirely out of the stony mountain walls, and was now home to only a few Greyfoxes, now leaderless as the king was slain in the same attack on the echidnas as he tried to defend his friends and kingdom, and his two children were kidnapped by the opposition, leaving only the king’s brother to watch over what remained of their glory days.

   “Both Aranelion and Elianaron were looking forward to meeting the Greyfoxes, hoping that their echidna-like appearance would speak for them at first introductions.  They knew very little of the Greyfoxes that remained, but wanted to make sure that they knew that they came in peace, and not to hurt them.

   “However…before, …before they could make it to the Northern Kingdom, two scouts of their enemy spotted them from a high up ridge.  My boys still didn’t know who these enemies were, but on this night, they were finally going to find out.

   “They let out a terrifying screech of a cry, drawing Aranelion and Elianaron’s attention to the ridge above them.  This was in just enough time to see these two creatures flying towards them after leaping into the night sky, threatening to land on them in seconds.

   “With eyes widened in terror, Aranelion shouted, ‘Look out Ell!  Draw your weapons quickly!’

   “Poor Elianaron only had half a second to unsheathe his father’s daggers and Aranelion his father’s sword before the two creatures landed on the ground between them, and they were able to get their first look at those that would become their mortal enemies for the next few years of their lives.  They now looked into the eyes of some of the same creatures that murdered their father, and while this was a different strain of the tribe that killed the Angel Island echidnas, and instead were the ones responsible for attacking the Northern Kingdom, my boys would see to it that all of them were punished.”

   Aerealei looked up from her lap, smiling weakly as she looked at Dylan and Meredith.  “It was an interesting night; Aranelion and Elianaron are both very imaginative and creative, and not just in music.  They were able to describe these mutant creatures so well it was enough for me to create a vivid image in my mind of the ones that killed my dear Armundae.  Elianaron described for me their frightful screams, enough to crack glass, as he put it.  Aranelion told me of their dark and furless skin, and even in the dark moonlight he could see it was blotchy and discolored, covered in either warts or boils, he couldn’t say for sure.  Then Elianaron would point out the few hairs they had on their heads, their wrinkled skin, and strands of drool falling from their mouths as they growled and hissed at them, violently gnashing their crooked teeth.  They told me that these mutant creatures appeared to have been hedgehogs before they were corrupted, but over time, I learned that their leaders, were corrupted echidnas, after being exiled from Angel Island that decided to turn against their kindred for revenge.  Tonight, these two recognized the echidna features in my boys, and while they had hedgehog ears, it appeared that even a small amount of echidna blood was worth spilling out of nothing more than hatred.

   “Aranelion and Elianaron, though in want of revenge, were not bloodthirsty.  They had never faced real combat before, and the idea of actually killing these two creatures was daunting at first, for they knew it was a sin to have such malicious thoughts and actions.  Still, as they were attacked, they remembered the brutal deaths of their father and his kindred on that terrible night; they remembered the bloody and broken bodies of warriors, fathers, mothers, maidens and children, and for their honor, they found the strength to fight.

   “Their father had taught them only a little before he passed away, but that knowledge, and skills they had acquired over the years saw them through the fight safely.  Aranelion thrust his sword, Akrenar, into the torso of the mutant scout he was fighting, and once he pulled it out, stained with this creature’s blackened blood, it fell to the ground, and did not get up again.  Elianaron’s opponent met the same fate to his daggers, Tempest and Twilight.  Once the battle was over, the twins looked to each other.  They could understand each other’s thoughts; who were these creatures, and why were they attacked just now?  Could these possibly be the ones linked to the death of their father?

   “Before they could regroup to continue their trek, they heard footsteps.  They reassumed battle positions, and yet before they call out to this unseen opponent, he spoke for them.  A Greyfox warrior stepped out from the darkness, held up his hand and said, ‘I come in peace.  …You are enemies of the mutant clan as well are you?’

   “Lowering his sword, Aranelion replied, ‘Mutant clan you say?  Is that what these creatures are?’  He paused, and after exchanging a glance with Elianaron, he continued, ‘I am Aranelion Brokenstar, and this is my brother Elianaron.  Are you from the Northern Kingdom?  You see, our father was a member of the Angel Island tribe of echidnas, and the two of us are seeking information on his attackers, so that we can give our father and all echidnas the justice they deserve.  We know that a group of echidnas once lived in the Northern Kingdom before they were attacked on the same night, and were hoping since some Greyfoxes survived that perhaps you could tell us more about our enemies.’

   “The Greyfox stared at them with eyes widened in hope and wonder.  He extended his hand to them, and then back towards the Northern Kingdom and said, ‘Please, you must speak to our ruler, the brother of our late king.  Any ally in the fight against the mutant armies of Olermere and Feldmort are our most honored guests and friends, and it would seem you are perhaps the last bearers of echidna blood left to fight to defeat them.  I am Eldrin; come with me and you shall learn everything you need to know.'

   “This was just what my boys had wanted to hear.  With a new light of hope in their icy blue eyes, they introduced themselves to their new friend Eldrin, and leaving the bodies of their fallen foes behind them, the three made their way to the Northern Kingdom.”

   Dylan and Meredith waited for Aerealei to continue, completely enthralled with the story, only to hear nothing but silence once she stopped speaking.  It was lunch time on the train, and Dylan stood up, saying, “I guess now is a good stopping point.  I’ll go get lunch and bring it back here.”

   After Dylan left, Meredith noticed that Aerealei’s sad smile had spread to her eyes, now lowered and steeped in misery.  Meredith reached out to touch one of Aerealei’s hands, getting her attention.  As her eyes met Meredith’s, Meredith asked, “Why are you so sad?  Did something bad happen when they got to the Northern Kingdom?”

   Aerealei sighed, looking down at the picture again.  When the picture was taken, Aranelion and Elianaron had long since defeated their enemies.  The smiles on their faces, the peace in their eyes, were just two examples of the weight that was lifted off their shoulders once their father was avenged, the mutant tribes defeated forever.  Still, when Aerealei remembered this night in her sons’ lives, she was reminded of the day that hatred first took off in their hearts.

   She finally replied, “It was both bad and good, this meeting with the Greyfoxes.  When they met the remaining Greyfoxes and their ruler, the brother of the fallen king, they learned everything about the ones who murdered their father.  It was indeed a colony of those mutant creatures they had slain in defense earlier that evening, only those two were from a different clan than the ones who killed the Angel Island echidnas.

   “The monarch explained to my boys that their were two tribes of mutant creatures planning to take over all creation.  However, their first and primary goal to start was to eradicate the echidnas, long known as the Master Race.  While little was known of the origin of the armies, mostly mutated creatures such as hedgehogs, and even echidnas that swore allegiance to their leaders in oppositions to the echidnas, the Greyfoxes were well aware of who the leaders were, for the ones that survived remembered who it was that slew their late king, kidnapped his children, and also killed the king of the echidnas.  He was a large, mutated echidna named Olermere.  It was discovered that at the same time his younger brother Feldmort and his army were attacking Angel Island.  The monarch told Aranelion and Elianaron that because Olermere took the initiative to kill the kings and take the children so the royal line would be finished that most likely Feldmort killed both the Guardian and both Captains, including Armundae, only to destroy Hidama and Knuckles for the same reason that the Greyfox children were taken away.

   “It was also discovered that Olermere and Feldmort were once high ranking echidnas on Angel Island.  Olermere was once a Captain of the Guardian, but was related to the other Captain’s family, and not Armundae’s.  Once, he tried to kill the Guardian and take the Master Emerald, and before he could stand trial, he and Feldmort tried it again, only to become mutated when exposed to the Master Emerald’s power as it tried to defend itself.  They were then banished by the Guardian, and the Captain was replaced by a cousin of Olermere’s.  Now that the echidnas were gone, they planned one day to take the Master Emerald back, use it to become pure again, and then not only become the new Master Race, but also to take over all creation.  It was then that the monarch hinted that perhaps Feldmort had not killed both of the Guardian’s children, and perhaps kidnapped one and killed the other, so that when they did capture the Master Emerald, they would have the blood and skill of a Guardian to use it.

   “This was when Aranelion and Elianaron found hope again…that perhaps their dear friend Hidama had lived, since they were never able to find his body.  They also assumed that Knuckles was kidnapped since they couldn’t find him either.  The world was fortunate enough that Knuckles remained free, but at that time all that Aranelion and Elianaron were concerned about was finding Feldmort and his tribe and killing them off first before going after Olermere.”

   Aerealei fell silent again as Dylan came back with sandwiches and drinks for lunch.  Having missed all that, he asked, “So, once they learned about the mutants, what happened next?”

   The train ride would last one more hour before it got to Starshine Town.  Aerealei sighed gently, took a bite from her sandwich, swallowed, and replied, “For the first time, they came home…and instead of raving about all the fun they had and what they had seen, they spoke only of revenge.  ‘Finally we’ll destroy the ones who killed Father, Mom.  Isn’t that wonderful?  Soon he’ll be able to rest in peace.  We’ll avenge him for you Mother.’  …I couldn’t bear to tell them I wasn’t happy at all.  They were no longer carefree and focused on building a wonderful life for themselves.  They no longer focused on growing up, finding love and their place in the world.  Instead they focused on fixing the lives of those who had already passed away.  They focused on fixing the past.  They thought their father wanted revenge, when in my heart I know that Armundae, like I, was just dying for them to let thoughts and desires like that go.  Who was I to dissuade them?  They wandered alone and would do as they desired.  …They were out for blood, and even with good intentions…I just prayed Armundae would protect them.  I prayed one day they would find the future any mother would want for her children.  I hoped that somehow they’d find a way, for these next five years of their lives would be the most dangerous of their lives…and their was nothing I could do to save them anymore.

   “They would bleed for what they loved, but because they had the spirit of their father inside them, they would make it through these dark times of their lives, years where they not only sought to avenge the echidnas, but the years they would try to find themselves and their place in the world, children of Armundae, the last breath of the Master Race.”

Description
"My Boys"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl

Part Two: "When They Wandered Alone"

   “Nine years?” Meredith asked.  She held out her hand, counting the years on her fingers and said, “Oh right, they left when they were twelve and are almost twenty-one.  Gosh, they practically grew up in the wilderness.”

   Aerealei laughed softly, and replied, “Well, I guess you could say it was a little less than nine years.  It was this time nine years ago that they spent their last night with me.  They kept promising me they’d be alright.  ‘We’ve gotten used to using father’s weapons Mom,’ they would say, ‘Should something go wrong we’ll have no trouble winning the fight.’  I wanted desperately to trust them, but, in those first weeks, my dreams and waking thoughts were haunted with what I could no longer protect them from; the cold eyes of those who would judge them as my kindred had, as well as the hateful hearts of those that killed their father and his kindred.  I worried especially for how the humans would receive them.  Aranelion and Elianaron are supposedly the first hybrid souls to walk the world, and thus they’ve gotten plenty of publicity.  I find it so odd that mankind was more willing to accept them, treating them like celebrities, while the hedgehogs of Valordian hated them simply for the echidna blood they bore.

   “After they left Valordian that evening, they first made their way west, pretty much in the same way we travel now, although they remained on a more northerly path and thus missed Station Square.  They really did have their father’s spirit about them; my Armundae loved to travel.  It was his love for travel that brought us together, and in the end this love that he passed to them would set them free.  Aranelion told me they had fun those first few weeks, exploring the countryside around them, but once they caught a town called Sandysun City on the horizon, some new anxieties came to plague them.

   “‘Gee Air,’ Elianaron said to his brother, ‘Mom told us about the human race…and apparently that town, Sandysun City, is full of them.  I’m—I’m nervous.  After the way the hedgehogs back home treated us, do you think maybe the humans will be even worse?’

   “Aranelion had a smile on his face; he was more than ready to give the humans a chance, and encouraged his twin to do the same.  Putting an arm around Elianaron’s shoulder, he replied, “Aww Ell, they’ll be nothing like the hedgehogs I’m sure.  We’ve got to give this a chance.  If we don’t find acceptance here, we’ll find it somewhere.  As long as we stick together, we’ll be alright.  Now, let’s go!’

   “After this bit of encouragement from his brother, Elianaron smiled, and with a nod and a laugh, he took off for the city, calling out, ‘Race you!’ after those first steps.  The two of them ran together, only to find Sandysun City in relative chaos once they arrived there.  Even as they ran to her borders, one of the apartment buildings in the city caught fire, trapping a few of the residents within the building.  Once Aranelion and Elianaron set foot in town, a fire truck zoomed past them, sirens blaring wildly as it headed to the source of the trouble.”

   Meredith had calmed down after the few tears she shed earlier; with wide eyes she asked, “Wow, a fire?  That must have been quite an experience for them to see.”

   Laughing softly, Aerealei said, “Indeed it was, especially since that urge to do good bloomed to life inside of them and they decided to do whatever they could to help,” with a nod.

   Dylan came back with some coffee and doughnuts from the dining car, passed them out and said, “Wait a sec, having never seen something like this before, only knowing someone was in trouble, they ran to help put out the fire?”

   After taking a bit out of her doughnut, Aerealei smiled, but shook her head and said, “Oh Dylan, they did much more than that.  This was always one of their favorite stories to tell me, for without hesitation, Aranelion cried, ‘A fire!  Ell, we should go help out!’  Elianaron simply nodded, and the two of them ran in the direction of the fire, a billowing tower of smoke at last stretching to the sky to mark its location.

   “They were so focused on helping whoever they could, they had no time to think what the humans would think of them.  As they caught up with the fire truck, bystanders looked at them with wonder in their eyes.  They weren’t really afraid of them; all they knew was that these two boys looked like echidnas with hedgehog ears, and considering how little they actually knew of the other species that walked beside them, they had none of the labels for them that my kindred did.

   “Anyway, once they reached the burning building, they saw a group of people, apparently those who still had loved ones trapped in the inferno, gathered around the fire chief.  One mother in particular cried for her two small children, while the fire chief could only lower his eyes, but try his best to console the crowd.

   “The building was just too unstable.  To send any fire fighters in there to rescue those trapped inside, would only mean death for them all.

   “Elianaron and Aranelion were shocked.  They stared at the building in disbelief, realizing there were people still trapped inside, and even children.  While the two of them still didn’t know what to make of the human race, they wouldn’t let this go unjustified.  Even if it meant running head on into a deadly wave of smoke and fire, they would do their best to help however they could.

   “‘You know what we have to do…right Ell?’ Aranelion asked.

   “Elianaron replied with a nod.  As they turned to dash into the building, one of the fire fighters spotted them, and asked, ‘What are you two kids doing here?  That building is about to collapse!’

   “His sudden appearance may have startled them, but whatever the reason, they wasted no time talking to him, and simply ran straight for the building, dodging the fire fighters who tried their best to douse the flames, as well as water, smoke, and fire swirling in a torrent over their heads once they got inside.

   “They knew the smoke, and time, were their worst enemies here, and so they held their breath, splitting up as they searched the ten floors of the building.  They would duck their heads outside of windows when they needed a breath, and in this way they raced up each floor, finding all ten people trapped inside, including the two children that the mother from before was desperate to have rescued.

   “Each time they found someone, they’d call out to the fire fighters below, who would quickly ready a mat for the people to land on as they jumped, or fell, from the windows, for you see, the two of them found some of these people unconscious, but alive…their last hope for life coming to them in the form of these two little hybrid echidnas, risking their lives to save the ones of those they didn’t even know.

   “Aranelion and Elianaron came together again on the tenth floor, which was where they found the mother’s children.  The youngest was still conscious, while his older sister was knocked out and barely breathing.  Aranelion took the girl, while Elianaron scooped the boy up in his arms.  Satisfied that they had found everyone left in the building, they got one last breath from ducking outside a nearby window, before they would make their way outside the building.

   “However, before they could get started back, the building began to rumble and shake under their feet.  They could hear the studs and floorboards around them began to crack as they were finally charred too weak to support the building any longer.  They knew they had no more time left to be cautious; they ran for the side of the building facing the street so they could escape with the two children.  They were beginning to feel light-headed, already suffering burns and singed fur, and yet they had their father’s strength in them.  They were blessed with so much time to rescue these people because of their small size, whereas the larger fire fighters would have brought it down faster with their combined weight weakening the building faster as they moved through it.

   “My boys, tired, hurting, and running out of time, made it to the window at last.  While Elianaron caught his breath, Aranelion called out to them, ‘We found the last two!  Get…get ready to catch them!’  He sputtered as he tried to speak, his throat burning from inhaling so much smoke and ash, but it wasn’t time to give up yet.

   “The mother looked up to the top of the building, still panicking, but with renewed hope.  ‘Sarah!  Nick!  Hang on sweeties!’ she cried.

   “The baby boy cried out to his mother, and Elianaron, feeling just as faint as Aranelion, said, “Air, we can’t just drop them and expect them to survive the fall.  This one’s just a baby, and the little girl isn’t much older.  Even if those fire fighters catch them, they could get hurt worse…or even die.’

   “Poor Aranelion looked at the little girl as she too struggled to keep breathing.  He knew Elianaron was right, but they had no time to run down and out of the building.  Their only option now was to jump, even if it meant jumping to an uncertain landing with the two children in their arms.  He nodded, taking Elianaron’s arm with his free hand, and said, ‘Whatever you do Ell, don’t let go of the boy.  He’ll fly out of your arms as you fall if you’re not careful.  Hang on to him tightly and don’t let go.’

   “Elianaron nodded; sticking his head outside the window, he looked to the crowd and shouted, ‘We’re coming down with them!  Get ready!’

   “A wave of gasps and cries escaped the crowd.  The fire chief, who still had no idea who these boys were, tightened and steadied his grasp on mat, and shouted to his fellow fire fighters, ‘Hold your ground!  They’re coming down fast!’

   “The words barely had time to pass over his lips before Elianaron jumped first, holding the baby boy tightly in his arms.  He told me he closed his eyes as he fell, but knew everything would be alright once he heard the crowd let out a cheer.  He opened his eyes to see the boy’s mother rejoicing.  He got up, and though tired, ran over to her, handing her son to her as quickly as he could.

   “She held her son close, just thankful he was alive.  Before there could be any relaxing though, the fire chief asked, ‘What about your brother?  Wasn’t he jumping too?’

   “After coughing hard to catch his breath, Elianaron nodded and said, ‘Yes sir, but we decided not to jump together.  We weren’t sure if our combined weight would cause the mat to buckle.  We didn’t want to land on each other either.  He should be about to jump!’

   “Sure enough, once they looked back to the window, they saw Aranelion getting ready to jump from the window.  However, before he could start to, a loud cracking sound came from the building as the structure began to fail.  Aranelion could feel the floor dropping from underneath him.  The crowd let out a cry, including the mother, who now feared for the life of her young daughter.  ‘Sarah!’ she cried, holding her son Nick as tightly as she could.

   “Aranelion almost looked like he didn’t know what to do.  In desperation, Elianaron cried to him, ‘Jump Aranelion!  Hurry before the building crushes you!’

   “He knew he couldn’t let weakness, or even fear, stop him now, and so Aranelion took one more breath, and then jumped into the air.  It wasn’t a moment to soon, for as he fell to the earth with the little girl, who was almost as big as he was, in his arms, the building came down with him.  They both landed in synchronization; no sooner had he landed safely on the mat that the building stopped its tumble and fall to its foundations.  The remaining smoldering flames, were now easily put out in its wake.

   “The paramedics rushed to help the little girl, while the crowd let out a cheer.  Aranelion and Elianaron had managed to save everyone in the building.  It was like a miracle came to Sandysun City that day, for not a single soul was lost in the fire, all thanks to these two strange, but kind creatures.

   “Aranelion was winded and out of breath, and so Elianaron ran to help him sit up as he recovered.  Elianaron smiled and said, ‘Man Air, that was so awesome!  We actually saved everyone!’

   “As he stood up, Aranelion smiled.  His fur was smoky and singed, and his throat and eyes burned him, as they did for Elianaron, but he was happy.  Before he could reply however, the mother of the children they just saved came up to them, her son still in her arms.  Before she went off to the hospital with her daughter, she just had to thank them for what they did, for she realized now that even if the fire fighters had tried to save them that the building would have collapsed and killed them.

   “Tears were in her eyes, and without speaking she wrapped her free arm first around Aranelion, and then around Elianaron, hugging them as she whimpered, “Thank you, both of you, so, so much.  I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost them.  How can I ever thank you enough?’

   “The both of them were in shock; in all their lives no one had ever given them this much attention, or treated them so nicely, outside of their father, the echidnas, and myself, while the rest of the world it seemed lived to hate them.  Aranelion shook his head, smiled and said, ‘It’s alright ma’am; my brother and I just wanted to help however we could.  There’s no need to repay us.  It’s wonderful just to see you reunited with your kids.  We’re glad we could help.’

   “The mother it seemed didn’t know what to say.  My boys were just so humble, not wanting anything in return for the good deed they had done.  The reward for them was seeing everyone happy; of course, that time fresh air and treatment for their singed fur and burned skin was more than welcome.

   “She shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes and said, “Thank you so much; I’ll never forget this, ever.’  She then went off to ride with the ambulance to the hospital where her daughter Sarah could be treated for her injuries.  Aranelion and Elianaron then noticed the crowd looking at them, some still in shock at how they had saved the people trapped in the building, and still some who wondered who their saviors were.  Finally, one of the people approached them.  He was tall, had long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a mustache.  He spoke in an islander accent when he greeted the two of them.

   “‘My…that was very impressive.  …You two are brothers yes?  You are also twin brothers right?’ he asked.  Aranelion and Elianaron simply nodded, grinning a bit, since it was so obvious that they were identical twins.  The man chuckled too, then continued, ‘Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Antonio, and I am the mayor here in Sandysun City.  I can’t tell you how grateful we all are for your help.’

   “Aranelion smiled, but only after coughing hard again as his throat stung him.  Elianaron, who had already caught his breath once more, replied, ‘It was nothing, really.  My name is Elianaron…or Ell for short, and my brother Aranelion…his nickname is Air.  I swear, the minute we got into town and saw that fire engine race by, we wanted to see what was wrong.  The moment those fire fighters said they couldn’t make it inside, we knew we had to help, and so we did.’

   “Antonio gave them the same look of awe that the mother had only moments before.  In trying to find something to say, he noticed their reddened eyes, singed fur, and a cough that escaped Elianaron as he tried to clear his scratchy throat.  He extended his arm towards one of the ambulances nearby and said, ‘Please, at least let us help treat those burns and singes.  That can at least be a start; then you can tell me more about yourselves.’”

   Finishing her coffee, Aerealei looked back at the picture for a moment, and added, “He stuck by the boys while they had their burns treated, got drops for their eyes, and their throats and breathing were soothed, and they told him about their journey, as well as why they were even on it.  Antonio remembered when Angel Island fell from the sky, and knew quite a bit about echidnas besides.  After offering his condolences for Armundae’s death, and learning more about my boys and why they were here, he simply had to see what he could do to help them on their journey.

   “After Aranelion and Elianaron were treated and got their breath back, they walked with Antonio and were given a tour of Sandysun City.  As they approached a local Italian dinner, Antonio switched back to his thoughts from before.  ‘You know Brokenstar Twins,’ Antonio said, ‘I don’t think you can expect us to just let your heroism go unrewarded.  There simply has to be something we can help you out with.’

   “Before either of them could offer a reply, a little old grey-haired lady stepped out from the Italian diner.  It was her diner, one that she both ran and cooked for, and her name was Mrs. Caranelli.  About this time I got an earful about how much my boys loved her cooking, and apparently it was part of how they were rewarded for their help earlier that day.

   “She approached them, glancing at them but greeting Antonio first; ‘Antonio dear, are these the boys that saved my grandchildren?’

   “Aranelion and Elianaron glanced at each other, realizing she could only mean Sarah and Nick were her grandchildren.  Antonio answered her with a smile, a chuckle, and a nod, saying, ‘You betcha Mrs. Caranelli.  These are my new friends the Brokenstar Twins…or…you said your nicknames were Air and Ell right?’

   “They looked at the elderly woman again, smiled, and then Aranelion said, ‘That’s right ma’am.  I’m Aranelion, or Air, and this is my twin brother Elianaron, or Ell.’

   “With a sweet laugh, she replied, ‘Aren’t you two so precious?  Do you use those marks on your hands or your headbands to help people tell you apart?’

   “Normally, their white gloves covered their birthmarks, but while they were being treated in the ambulance, they had taken them off and stuck them in their pants pockets.  Elianaron laughed and said, “Well ma’am, normally our gloves cover our hands, so the headbands are how people who don’t know us well tell us apart…well, at least, they’re supposed to.’

   “Antonio took the cue and explained; ‘You see Mrs. Caranelli, these two are part hedgehog, part echidna.  They’re hybrids!  Their father was a victim of the Angel Island fall and since they don’t quite fit in with their mother’s kindred, they’re becoming travelers while they look for the ones who killed their father.  This is their first stop!  I was trying to figure out a way to repay them for what they did, and I was thinking maybe we could help by providing them provisions for their trips whenever they need them!’

   “The boys let out a gasp, looking first to Antonio, and then immediately back to Mrs. Caranelli as she replied, ‘That sounds like a wonderful idea!  Travelers need good food and provisions for their journeys after all.  Tell me, have you two ever had Italian food?  That’s my restaurant down there, and I’d love to treat you to lunch for starters.’

   “They glanced at each other, only for Aranelion to say, ‘Sounds like a nice idea to me ma’am if you don’t mind it of course,’ as they looked back to her.

   “She let out a soft giggle and said, ‘Why would I mind?  Not only did you save my grandchildren, but you two are just precious not wanting any reward.  Think of this as a gift for good virtue.  Come along now.’”

   The train slowed down as they arrived at their first stop, none other than Sandysun City.  Aerealei looked at the town, which now sat just outside her window.  She looked back to Dylan and Meredith, pointing at the distant skyline and said, “It was one of those buildings that burned down.  They rebuilt it over the years, and I believe Aranelion and Elianaron also helped in the reconstruction.  Out of all the places they’ve visited this has become their second home.  Once they came home the first time, they raved about this town more than just about any place.  My boys apparently have a taste for Italian food, because whenever they came here Mrs. Caranelli’s restaurant was one of their first stops.”  Aerealei paused, then added, “I was so happy…that they were able to find acceptance so quickly.  The human race has flaws, just as much as our kind does, but the fact that they are so open to new things was what helped my boys get off to a good start.”

   Meredith said, “I’m happy to hear it went well too.  After all they had gone through they deserved for things to go right for a change.”

   As the train started on its way again, Dylan asked, “So, they found acceptance with mankind.  What about their revenge over the ones who killed their father?”

   His wife looked at him with almost a scolding look.  Dylan’s cheeks flushed red, and once again he tugged at his shirt collar as he looked back to Aerealei.  “Sorry ma’am,” he said.

   Aerealei glanced down at the picture again, then looked up, smiling and said, “It’s quite alright Dylan.  I was going to get to it soon, for you see, everywhere they went it was the same story.  They’ve traveled all over this continent; they’ve gone as far as you can in all directions, even conquering the Thornrush Mountains to the north, as well as riding on a yacht belonging to a friend they made to see the tropical islands to the south, including the Echo Island chain, which has become another favorite retreat of theirs.

   “Everywhere they went, they were accepted…that is, by humans.  In some places they ran into others…mainly hedgehogs and foxes.  Of course, they were more aware of what their appearance meant.  Their only consolation was by this time, as they had grown up and gotten away from Valordian, which was stuck in a time lock basically, inter-species relationships were becoming more widespread, and thus Aranelion and Elianaron became the first example of the new wave of children that would be born into the world as time passed.  The more they got around, and the older they got, they finally received the acceptance that their childhood denied them.”

   Aerealei fell silent for a moment, then added, “You asked when they got their revenge…it always troubled me…that whenever they came home, no matter what good things had happened on their journey, they could never rid the twins of that need to get justice for the death of their father and the echidnas.  Remember they didn’t know that Knuckles made it out alive until only recently, and that was just from hearing about his adventures with Sonic and the others.  They didn’t get to see Knuckles again until after they had reunited with his older brother Hidama; so for many years they believed the echidna race was gone forever.  It drove them to crave revenge, but unfortunately they had no idea where to start looking for it, as they didn’t even know who or what it was that killed them all.  It was only after the ones responsible made themselves known did that chapter of their lives get its start.

   “It wasn’t until they were fifteen years old that they would finally get their chance to fight.  After three years of wandering the world they had seen pretty much everything they could, and were about ready to start that trek again.  They were on their way home to visit me, travelling from Rockcreek Plains, along the foot of the Thornrush Mountains.  This would eventually give way to the Grey Mountains, before they turned south and ended up in Valordian again.  They had never travelled to the Northern Kingdom, the ruined home to a tribe of Greyfoxes.  By that point we had learned that a tribe of echidnas lived there as well, but were destroyed on the same night as their Angel Island brethren.  This fact persuaded Aranelion and Elianaron to go visit the kingdom.  Because some of the foxes still lived, they hoped that maybe they could tell them something about the ones responsible, hoping this would lead to the attackers of the Angel Island echidnas.

   “The night before they arrived, is when everything changed.  By now their voices had changed, and they were growing into young men, but still, sweet Elianaron was concerned, for they had not informed me of this trip to the Northern Kingdom. It was customary now for them to tell me where they planned to go until they returned home again, and this was a trip Aranelion decided to make at the last minute.  Though he still looked to his brother for guidance, he shared this concern with him as they walked along the path through the mountains.

   “‘Air, do you think Mother will worry about us?  We didn’t mention coming here, so she’ll be expecting us soon.’

   “Aranelion took a breath of the fresh, mountain air, smiled and said, ‘Aww come on Ell.  She knows we’ll be alright.  If anything we can tell her we got busy and fell behind on our schedule…but since we tell her the truth in everything, we’ll tell her we came here to find information on the ones who killed Dad.  She won’t be upset.’

   “They walked in silence after this.  Soon the ancient Northern Kingdom loomed over the horizon; it was a city carved entirely out of the stony mountain walls, and was now home to only a few Greyfoxes, now leaderless as the king was slain in the same attack on the echidnas as he tried to defend his friends and kingdom, and his two children were kidnapped by the opposition, leaving only the king’s brother to watch over what remained of their glory days.

   “Both Aranelion and Elianaron were looking forward to meeting the Greyfoxes, hoping that their echidna-like appearance would speak for them at first introductions.  They knew very little of the Greyfoxes that remained, but wanted to make sure that they knew that they came in peace, and not to hurt them.

   “However…before, …before they could make it to the Northern Kingdom, two scouts of their enemy spotted them from a high up ridge.  My boys still didn’t know who these enemies were, but on this night, they were finally going to find out.

   “They let out a terrifying screech of a cry, drawing Aranelion and Elianaron’s attention to the ridge above them.  This was in just enough time to see these two creatures flying towards them after leaping into the night sky, threatening to land on them in seconds.

   “With eyes widened in terror, Aranelion shouted, ‘Look out Ell!  Draw your weapons quickly!’

   “Poor Elianaron only had half a second to unsheathe his father’s daggers and Aranelion his father’s sword before the two creatures landed on the ground between them, and they were able to get their first look at those that would become their mortal enemies for the next few years of their lives.  They now looked into the eyes of some of the same creatures that murdered their father, and while this was a different strain of the tribe that killed the Angel Island echidnas, and instead were the ones responsible for attacking the Northern Kingdom, my boys would see to it that all of them were punished.”

   Aerealei looked up from her lap, smiling weakly as she looked at Dylan and Meredith.  “It was an interesting night; Aranelion and Elianaron are both very imaginative and creative, and not just in music.  They were able to describe these mutant creatures so well it was enough for me to create a vivid image in my mind of the ones that killed my dear Armundae.  Elianaron described for me their frightful screams, enough to crack glass, as he put it.  Aranelion told me of their dark and furless skin, and even in the dark moonlight he could see it was blotchy and discolored, covered in either warts or boils, he couldn’t say for sure.  Then Elianaron would point out the few hairs they had on their heads, their wrinkled skin, and strands of drool falling from their mouths as they growled and hissed at them, violently gnashing their crooked teeth.  They told me that these mutant creatures appeared to have been hedgehogs before they were corrupted, but over time, I learned that their leaders, were corrupted echidnas, after being exiled from Angel Island that decided to turn against their kindred for revenge.  Tonight, these two recognized the echidna features in my boys, and while they had hedgehog ears, it appeared that even a small amount of echidna blood was worth spilling out of nothing more than hatred.

   “Aranelion and Elianaron, though in want of revenge, were not bloodthirsty.  They had never faced real combat before, and the idea of actually killing these two creatures was daunting at first, for they knew it was a sin to have such malicious thoughts and actions.  Still, as they were attacked, they remembered the brutal deaths of their father and his kindred on that terrible night; they remembered the bloody and broken bodies of warriors, fathers, mothers, maidens and children, and for their honor, they found the strength to fight.

   “Their father had taught them only a little before he passed away, but that knowledge, and skills they had acquired over the years saw them through the fight safely.  Aranelion thrust his sword, Akrenar, into the torso of the mutant scout he was fighting, and once he pulled it out, stained with this creature’s blackened blood, it fell to the ground, and did not get up again.  Elianaron’s opponent met the same fate to his daggers, Tempest and Twilight.  Once the battle was over, the twins looked to each other.  They could understand each other’s thoughts; who were these creatures, and why were they attacked just now?  Could these possibly be the ones linked to the death of their father?

   “Before they could regroup to continue their trek, they heard footsteps.  They reassumed battle positions, and yet before they call out to this unseen opponent, he spoke for them.  A Greyfox warrior stepped out from the darkness, held up his hand and said, ‘I come in peace.  …You are enemies of the mutant clan as well are you?’

   “Lowering his sword, Aranelion replied, ‘Mutant clan you say?  Is that what these creatures are?’  He paused, and after exchanging a glance with Elianaron, he continued, ‘I am Aranelion Brokenstar, and this is my brother Elianaron.  Are you from the Northern Kingdom?  You see, our father was a member of the Angel Island tribe of echidnas, and the two of us are seeking information on his attackers, so that we can give our father and all echidnas the justice they deserve.  We know that a group of echidnas once lived in the Northern Kingdom before they were attacked on the same night, and were hoping since some Greyfoxes survived that perhaps you could tell us more about our enemies.’

   “The Greyfox stared at them with eyes widened in hope and wonder.  He extended his hand to them, and then back towards the Northern Kingdom and said, ‘Please, you must speak to our ruler, the brother of our late king.  Any ally in the fight against the mutant armies of Olermere and Feldmort are our most honored guests and friends, and it would seem you are perhaps the last bearers of echidna blood left to fight to defeat them.  I am Eldrin; come with me and you shall learn everything you need to know.'

   “This was just what my boys had wanted to hear.  With a new light of hope in their icy blue eyes, they introduced themselves to their new friend Eldrin, and leaving the bodies of their fallen foes behind them, the three made their way to the Northern Kingdom.”

   Dylan and Meredith waited for Aerealei to continue, completely enthralled with the story, only to hear nothing but silence once she stopped speaking.  It was lunch time on the train, and Dylan stood up, saying, “I guess now is a good stopping point.  I’ll go get lunch and bring it back here.”

   After Dylan left, Meredith noticed that Aerealei’s sad smile had spread to her eyes, now lowered and steeped in misery.  Meredith reached out to touch one of Aerealei’s hands, getting her attention.  As her eyes met Meredith’s, Meredith asked, “Why are you so sad?  Did something bad happen when they got to the Northern Kingdom?”

   Aerealei sighed, looking down at the picture again.  When the picture was taken, Aranelion and Elianaron had long since defeated their enemies.  The smiles on their faces, the peace in their eyes, were just two examples of the weight that was lifted off their shoulders once their father was avenged, the mutant tribes defeated forever.  Still, when Aerealei remembered this night in her sons’ lives, she was reminded of the day that hatred first took off in their hearts.

   She finally replied, “It was both bad and good, this meeting with the Greyfoxes.  When they met the remaining Greyfoxes and their ruler, the brother of the fallen king, they learned everything about the ones who murdered their father.  It was indeed a colony of those mutant creatures they had slain in defense earlier that evening, only those two were from a different clan than the ones who killed the Angel Island echidnas.

   “The monarch explained to my boys that their were two tribes of mutant creatures planning to take over all creation.  However, their first and primary goal to start was to eradicate the echidnas, long known as the Master Race.  While little was known of the origin of the armies, mostly mutated creatures such as hedgehogs, and even echidnas that swore allegiance to their leaders in oppositions to the echidnas, the Greyfoxes were well aware of who the leaders were, for the ones that survived remembered who it was that slew their late king, kidnapped his children, and also killed the king of the echidnas.  He was a large, mutated echidna named Olermere.  It was discovered that at the same time his younger brother Feldmort and his army were attacking Angel Island.  The monarch told Aranelion and Elianaron that because Olermere took the initiative to kill the kings and take the children so the royal line would be finished that most likely Feldmort killed both the Guardian and both Captains, including Armundae, only to destroy Hidama and Knuckles for the same reason that the Greyfox children were taken away.

   “It was also discovered that Olermere and Feldmort were once high ranking echidnas on Angel Island.  Olermere was once a Captain of the Guardian, but was related to the other Captain’s family, and not Armundae’s.  Once, he tried to kill the Guardian and take the Master Emerald, and before he could stand trial, he and Feldmort tried it again, only to become mutated when exposed to the Master Emerald’s power as it tried to defend itself.  They were then banished by the Guardian, and the Captain was replaced by a cousin of Olermere’s.  Now that the echidnas were gone, they planned one day to take the Master Emerald back, use it to become pure again, and then not only become the new Master Race, but also to take over all creation.  It was then that the monarch hinted that perhaps Feldmort had not killed both of the Guardian’s children, and perhaps kidnapped one and killed the other, so that when they did capture the Master Emerald, they would have the blood and skill of a Guardian to use it.

   “This was when Aranelion and Elianaron found hope again…that perhaps their dear friend Hidama had lived, since they were never able to find his body.  They also assumed that Knuckles was kidnapped since they couldn’t find him either.  The world was fortunate enough that Knuckles remained free, but at that time all that Aranelion and Elianaron were concerned about was finding Feldmort and his tribe and killing them off first before going after Olermere.”

   Aerealei fell silent again as Dylan came back with sandwiches and drinks for lunch.  Having missed all that, he asked, “So, once they learned about the mutants, what happened next?”

   The train ride would last one more hour before it got to Starshine Town.  Aerealei sighed gently, took a bite from her sandwich, swallowed, and replied, “For the first time, they came home…and instead of raving about all the fun they had and what they had seen, they spoke only of revenge.  ‘Finally we’ll destroy the ones who killed Father, Mom.  Isn’t that wonderful?  Soon he’ll be able to rest in peace.  We’ll avenge him for you Mother.’  …I couldn’t bear to tell them I wasn’t happy at all.  They were no longer carefree and focused on building a wonderful life for themselves.  They no longer focused on growing up, finding love and their place in the world.  Instead they focused on fixing the lives of those who had already passed away.  They focused on fixing the past.  They thought their father wanted revenge, when in my heart I know that Armundae, like I, was just dying for them to let thoughts and desires like that go.  Who was I to dissuade them?  They wandered alone and would do as they desired.  …They were out for blood, and even with good intentions…I just prayed Armundae would protect them.  I prayed one day they would find the future any mother would want for her children.  I hoped that somehow they’d find a way, for these next five years of their lives would be the most dangerous of their lives…and their was nothing I could do to save them anymore.

   “They would bleed for what they loved, but because they had the spirit of their father inside them, they would make it through these dark times of their lives, years where they not only sought to avenge the echidnas, but the years they would try to find themselves and their place in the world, children of Armundae, the last breath of the Master Race.”