Order Of Priority

“Poor fellow’s seen better days.” The hedgehog commented as he sucked his thick winter coat and wrapped the strange creature in its warmth. “He’s cold as ice.”

“He?” His daughter echoed as she watched the being snuggle into her father’s coat. She would swear she heard him sigh with relief.

“Yes.” Her father nodded. “He’s definitely male. I’d guess somewhere in mid to late adolescence. It’s difficult to be sure…considering I don’t know just what he is.”

“You have no idea at all?”

“None” He admitted. “I’ve never before seen his like…” The hedgehog sighed quietly as he studied the silent scarlet creature before him. “The snout is reminiscent of a mole…but these…” He lifted one of the long tendrils that framed the creature’s face. “Are much like our own quills…

“But enough of this.” He was suddenly all business. “We need to get him indoors before he gets any worse. Come here, Tiara.”

“What for?” She asked, a little hesitant. Her father didn’t know what this creature was, and she had been certain that her father knew just about everything. What if it was dangerous?

“Come now, child.” Her father smiled as if reading her thoughts. “I hardly think the poor soul’s in any condition to cause you any harm.”

“What do you want me to do?” She asked as she crouched down beside her father in the snow.

“I want you to hold him.” He said simply.

“What?” Her eyes widened in disbelief at the suggestion.

“I believe he’s suffering from hypothermia…no doubt brought on by travelling these parts dressed so inappropriately. Through my coat and your body heat, we should be able to keep him from slipping any further until I can get the cart and we can get him home.”

“Do you think it’s wise to bring him into our home?” She asked.

“What would your mother think if we turned away a creature in need?” He asked. “She was always so kind to strangers…” He sighed deeply.

“You’re right, Daddy.” She smiled sweetly. “I’ll look after him until you fetch the cart.”

He returned her smile as he helped settle the creature in his daughter’s arms. He looked surprisingly innocent, curled up in her gentle embrace. The hedgehog rose to his feet, frowning as he looked down on the pair.

“You just make sure you keep those dangerous looking hands of your to yourself, young fellow.” He addressed the slumbering creature. “After all, that is my baby girl.”

“Daddy!” The girl protested.

“I have to protect my one and only daughter don’t I?” He chuckled. “I won’t be long, Tiara.” He headed off into the trees.

She watched him go, and then returned her attention to the stranger asleep in her arms. She feared for his well-being. He was barely breathing and he was a little blue around the lips, though he did seem to be improving since he’d been wrapped in her father’s greatcoat.

He let out a barely audible sigh, a slight smile curling his mouth. She wondered if he were dreaming, and just what he might be dreaming about.

She thought of her own dreams. Though she loved her father dearly, and a parent and child couldn’t wish for a better relationship than the one they shared, she’d always wanted friends her own age. And since she’d hit adolescence, she’d wanted to meet a male of her own age even more so.

And now one had been dropped, almost literally, in her lap.

She had no idea what he was, but she had to admit, he was attractive. She wondered for a moment if she thought so because he was the first male she’d encountered besides her father. But as she studied his peaceful face she realised that there was more to it than that. He was a genuinely handsome creature. With his graceful snout and exotically shaped eyes. She wondered what colour they were…

“Tiara?”

She looked up to see her father, dragging their small cart behind him. He dropped the long wooden handles and crouched down beside her.

“Let’s get him loaded up.”

He hefted the creature by the armpits, not a particularly dignified lifting method, but effective.

“My goodness.” He gasped. “He’s a heavy one.” He looked at the deceptively slender creature. “He must be made of nothing but muscle.” Tiara grabbed his ankles, and together they managed to shove him onto the cart.

Tiara pulled the cart’s rough canvas covering over him as a gentle snow began to fall, watching as her father took up the handles.

“Let’s get him inside.” He said, heading for home.

~~~~~~

“You sure this is where we left him?” Sonic asked. The softly falling snow had changed the look of the area rather quickly.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Tails said. “And you said he wouldn’t go anywhere.” There was a certain amount of irritated blame in the young fox’s tone, something that wasn’t lost on his hedgehog companion.

“Well, he was hardly in the condition to go traipsing off through the woods, now was he?” Sonic shot back.

“So something dragged him off?” The irritation in Tails’ voice was now replaced with a genuine fear. “He was in no condition to fight either.”

“Jeez…I hope not.”

~~~~~~

It had taken quite a bit of effort on their part, but the hedgehogs had finally managed to settle their guest on a comfortable sleeping pallet. Tiara was about to pile blankets on him when her father stopped her.

“No, Tiara.” He shook his head. “One at a time. We have to bring his temperature up slowly or we’ll do more harm than good.”

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” She asked.

“I think so.” He placed a finger to the stranger’s throat. “His pulse is up…he’s breathing’s more regular…and his colour’s better. We’ll have to keep a good eye on him though.” He rose, pulling the blankets tighter about the creature’s neck. “He’s not out of the woods yet.”

He glanced at the fire, and the rather small amount of wood piled beside it. He sighed. “I better go find some more firewood.” He said. “Won’t do our guest much good if we freeze too.” He pulled on his coat, watching as his daughter pulled a seat up beside the sleeping pallet.

He quirked an eyebrow at the expression on her face. She was intrigued by this creature, as he was, but he got the feeling that it was for an entirely different reason.

~~~~~~

“Sonic?” Tails called out.

“What?” The hedgehog answered from across the clearing. He glanced in his friend’s direction, moving towards him when he found the little fox engrossed in something he’d found in the snow.

“Is it me…or do these look like wheel tracks?”

“Hmmm…” Sonic mused as he studied Tails’ discovery. He followed the general direction in which they led. Though mostly covered with the new, and still falling snow, there was a fairly obvious track through the trees. Tails noticed it too.

“At least he wasn’t dragged off by predators…” Sonic mumbled.

“Think we should follow it?” Tails asked.

“Got a better idea?”

~~~~~~

Tiara continued to watch her slumbering guest, intrigued and terrified at the same time.

Before putting him to bed, she and her father had removed his soaking, ice-filled clothing, a suggestion that had caused her much embarrassment until her father had pointed out that he was entirely covered with fur, and leaving him in wet clothing would not help to improve his condition.

They had both been a little concerned when they had discovered the sharp, talon-like claws on his toes and fingers, and even more-so with the pair of sickle-shaped spurs on the back of both hands. They had both assumed they were part of the mittens he’d been wearing, not a part of him himself.

They had bandaged his hands and feet quite tightly, because of the possible risk of frostbite, but also to keep him from accidentally, or even deliberately, tearing the bedding, himself, or either of them with his nasty set of natural weaponry.

Tiara had found herself wondering why he had come to evolve such defences. What kind of environment would necessitate them? Were they even for defence? Or would this apparently gentle looking creature murder them in their sleep?

And then there’s been the sword in his boot…

She found, despite his attractive face and impressively built body, she didn’t like being alone with him. She desperately wanted her father to come back.

~~~~~~

“You know…?” Sonic commented as he squinted up at the building before them. “I bet this place was pretty impressive once.”

“A long time ago, maybe.” Tails countered as he too surveyed their discovery.

It was a huge structure, and could only truly be described as a castle, though it had definitely seen better days. It was quite decrepit now, its towers crumbling, its moss-covered walls leaning dangerously.

“Think anybody’s home?” Sonic asked as he tapped on the huge oak door. It was still surprisingly sturdy. The pair waited for a long moment but received no answer. “Guess not.”

“Should I fly us in?” Tails asked, looking up at the parapets.

“That would be called ‘breaking and entering’.” Sonic pointed out.

“But Knux could be in trouble.” Tails protested.

“We don’t even know if he’s in there.” Sonic countered. “We don’t even know if there’s ANYBODY in there.”

“Well…if there’s nobody in there…” Tails began.

“Then it wouldn’t be breaking and entering.”

~~~~~~

Tiara was brought from her reverie by a sudden hushed sound. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it sounded like…voices? She glanced at her guest.

‘Maybe he has friends…’ She mused.

Her eyes widened.

‘Maybe he has big, mean, ANGRY friends…’

She reached for the sword…

~~~~~~

“Man…” Sonic commented as they began looking around. “I wouldn’t want to pay the heating bill…” The place was huge.

“I don’t think they do.” Tails added, rubbing his arms. The place was cold too.

“Definitely signs of habitation, though.” Sonic said as he poked about some spindly looking vegetables, growing despite the cold.

“Does that mean we’re gonna get in trouble?” Tails asked.

“You better believe it, buster.” A new voice growled.

The pair spun to find themselves facing a rather terrified, but still angry looking, female hedgehog. They froze when they saw the weapon she had poised over her head. They recognised it immediately.

The Blade of Order.

~~~~~~

Tiara felt like her heart was in her throat. Alone, confronted with two more strangers, their intentions unknown. But at least she knew what these two were. The smaller was obviously a fox, despite the presence of two tails, and the other, one of her own kind. And both, she noted, quite attractive in their own right, though the fox cub was a little young.

But the hedgehog...

Cobalt quills…

Vibrant green eyes…

‘Keep your mind on the business at hand, Tiara.’ She chided herself. ‘They may be cute but they’re invaders in your home.’

“What do you want?” She demanded of them, trying desperately to keep the fear out of her voice.

“What we’d really like would be for you to put that blade down.” The hedgehog said.

“Really slowly…” The fox added.

“I just bet you would.” She snarled, eyes darting from one to the other.

Her grip tightened as the hedgehog began to move slowly towards her, hands held out in front of him in a placating manner.

“We’re not gonna hurt you…” He began.

She tensed, frightened by his advance. She was about to swing the sword to ward him off, when it was suddenly yanked from her grasp. She was spun with the sudden movement, finding herself face to face with the red-furred creature.

“You could hurt somebody with that.” He said softy.

“Knuckles!” The little fox all but squealed as he propelled himself towards the creature, throwing his arms around him in a ferocious hug. “You’re okay!”

“Knuckles?” She echoed softly, her eyes travelling to the thick bandages on his hands, thinking of the wicked looking spurs beneath.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He questioned, looking a little confused by the fox’s display of affection.

“Man, you had us scared to death.” The hedgehog breathed with relief.

Tiara looked from one to the other. It would seem that they’d forgotten all about her. The one called Knuckles suddenly fixed her with a deep violet gaze, frowning slightly at the sight of her.

The hedgehog followed his gaze. “So, who’s your friend?” He asked with a wicked smile.

“Beats me.” He shrugged. His attention was suddenly drawn somewhere else.

“Ah…” A familiar voice spoke. “We have more guests.” Tiara sighed with relief as her father entered their midst.

“Allow me to introduce myself.” He smiled, ever the proper host. “I am Gazebo Boobowiski.” He placed a hand on his chest, then glanced towards Tiara. “I believe you’ve already met my daughter…” he indicated the rather startled looking female. “Tiara.”

“I’m known as Sonic.” The hedgehog announced. “This…” he ruffled the fox’s hair. “Is my best buddy, Tails…and I believe that you’ve already met Knuckles.”

Gazebo studied the indicated red creature. “It’s good to see you’re feeling better. But I must say you recovered rather quickly.”

“I always was a fast healer.” Knuckles said softly.

“Pardon me for asking…” Gazebo said haltingly. “But just what manner of Mobian are you? I’ve never before encounter your like.”

“I’m an echidna.” Knuckles said matter-of-factly.

“You can’t be.” Tiara said with a nervous chuckle as she found his almond shaped eyes suddenly trained on her again.

“And why is that?” He questioned.

“Well…” she shrugged a little sheepishly. “Echidnas aren’t real. They’re creatures of legend…like unicorns, dragons and griffins…” She trailed of when she saw just how taken aback he was at this news.

“Whatta ya know, Knux.” Sonic chuckled. “You’re unreal.”

“And we happen to know a dragon.” Tails added.

“I assure you…” Knuckles said evenly. “I am quite real. As is my family and the rest of my people.”

“I admit we have been rather cut off here.” Gazebo said. “We weren’t aware that your race still existed.”

“We felt the same way when we met him.” Sonic said. “We didn’t know what the heck to make of him.”

“So what’s the legend?” Tails asked. The hedgehog pair looked at him blankly. “You said echidnas were creatures of legend.”

“Oh…” Tiara whispered. “The echidnas were this highly advanced race, with all kinds of machines and magic. They felt they really didn’t fit in on Mobius, because the other races were fighting amongst themselves, for land and power. The echidnas, who were a peace loving race, feared that one of the other races would seek them out, try to use their machines for bad, so they decided to leave Mobius, they had the means, and so, they just…disappeared…” She looked at the others. “I have the story book…if you’d like to read it…”

“I guess it’s not that far from the truth.” Knuckles said. “We do have a fairly advanced society, and we have distanced ourselves from the rest of the planet…don’t know about the magic though…”

“I’ve seen you do some pretty wild things, Knux.” Sonic pointed out.

“That’s manipulating Chaos energy…” Knuckles shook his head. “It’s got nothing to do with magic.”

“Maybe…” Sonic admitted. “But it LOOKS like magic…”

“You can manipulate Chaos energy?” Gazebo asked in awe. He glanced at the sword in the echidna’s hand. “Then why do you carry the Blade of Order? Surely you have no need of it. And the two don’t mix…”

“Tell me about it.” Knuckles mumbled.

“Wait a minute.” Sonic said. “You know what that is?”

“Of course.” Gazebo said. “My family has been forging Power Rings for generations. It’s made of the originals…those which we used for the initial design.”

“You MAKE Power Rings?” Tails asked.

“Indeed.” Gazebo smiled. “They’re not quite as powerful as those that occur naturally. They are, quite literally, the offspring of those ones.” He pointed at the Blade. “But they’re still quite powerful. Haven’t had much call for them lately. I’m beginning to think the King has forgotten we’re here.”

“Well…” Sonic sighed, speaking up in defence of the King. “Things are pretty nuts…what with Robotnik and all…”

“Who?” Gazebo queried.

“You don’t know about Robotnik?” Sonic asked incredulously. “Just how long have you been out here?”

“We have always been here.” He shrugged. “We used to live in the village, and I’d come out here to work, but since Tiara’s mother…well…there were too many memories…so we’ve both been out here.” He turned to his daughter. “How long has it been?”

“About fifteen years.” She told him. “Since I was two.”

“And you’ve had no contact with the outside world?” Sonic asked.

“Well…we’re pretty much self sufficient…” he indicated their vegetable garden. “And I can teach Tiara everything she needs to know…the usual…maths…reading…writing…and how to make the Rings…”

“It’s my legacy.” She said softly.

“We used to get visitors…family…friends…but not for a long time…” He sighed. “I always thought it was due to distance, and because it’s not the friendliest of places…”

“So you know nothing about the war with Robotnik?” Tails asked.

“War?” The pair were aghast.

“And I though the Island was out of touch.” Knuckles mumbled.

~~~~~~

As Sonic settled in to tell Gazebo and Tiara of the occurrences for the past fifteen years, Knuckles took to the parapets. Sonic, of course, was in his element. The hedgehog loved to hear the sound of his own voice.

Tiara watched with concern as the echidna scaled the heights of the castle walls, but Sonic assured her that he’d be fine, and she was soon wrapped around his charismatic, and rather flirtatious tongue.

Knuckles could still see them, hear them, down in the castle’s main courtyard, but he knew the story, and was in one of his more solitary moods. He pulled out his sketchpad and began working on a new piece, trying to capture the form of the decrepit castle for Julie-Su. He sighed as he thought about her, how the Walkers seemed to keep dragging him away from her…

‘Even ancient deities are against us…’

~~~~~~

Gazebo and Tiara sat in silence as they absorbed all that Sonic had told them.

“Perhaps it was fate that led you here, then.” Gazebo said, finally breaking the silence. “It would seem you could really use our Power Rings.”

“Yeah.” Sonic agreed. “Nothing like a little unfair advantage.”

Gazebo looked up at the sky. It had gotten quite dark during their discussion. “Looks like we should start thinking about some dinner.”

“It’s your turn to cook, Daddy.” Tiara said with a mischievous smile.

“I am well aware of that child.” He said.

“I’ll help.” Tails piped up, rising to follow the hedgehog inside.

“Since when did you cook?” Sonic smirked.

“I can peel a potato.” Tails countered.

“Don’t forget we’ve got a vegetarian in our midst.” Sonic pointed to where Knuckles was perched on the parapets, staring up into the darkening sky.

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” Gazebo smile. “Shall we, my little dual-tailed companion?”

Tiara barely noticed the pair make their way past her to the kitchen. She couldn’t help but stare at the enigmatic echidna. Sonic noticed her gaze. It was just a little too wistful.

“Is he always like that?” She asked.

“What do you mean?” Sonic quirked an eyebrow.

“He seems so sad.”

“I’ve known the guy for a couple of years now,” Sonic said, scratching his quills. “And I still don’t know what makes him tick…I doubt even Julie-Su does…”

“Julie-Su?”

“She’s kinda his girlfriend.” Sonic informed her. “Though girlfriend’s probably not the right term. They’re this close to being engaged.”

“Oh…” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“What say we go help Tails and your dad with dinner?” Sonic suggested.

“Okay.”

~~~~~~

Dinner was a simple but tasty affair, though Sonic was a little disappointed with the total lack of anything even slightly resembling a chilli dog. But the presence of the rather beautiful Tiara seemed to make up for it. He flirted with her all through dinner, delighting in making her blush. He remembered Julie-Su saying how much she liked to tease Knuckles in such a way, and he had to admit, there was a certain amount of thrill in causing the flush in another’s cheeks. He either didn’t notice, or paid no heed to the venomous glare he was getting from Tails.

Knuckles seemed not to notice the hedgehog’s amorous, even unfaithful attentions to the pretty young female. Surprisingly, the echidna actually ate without having to be told to, though far less than either of his companions.

“Need to fuel up after your little bout of hypothermia, huh?” Sonic asked, taking a break from Tiara to tease his scarlet-furred friend.

“It wasn’t hypothermia.” Knuckles said. “It was torpor.”

“It was what?” Sonic asked.

“Torpor.” Knuckles repeated. “It’s an echidna thing. When we get too cold, we kinda shut down…”

“Like hibernation?” Tails asked.

“Kinda.” Knuckles nodded. “Though we come out of torpor a lot quicker…as soon as our temperature comes back up enough.”

“That would explain why you recovered so quickly.” Gazebo nodded. “And why you didn’t have a problem with frostbite or chilblains.”

“You haven’t explained just why you were out there in the snow dressed for summer.” Tiara said.

“Well…it wasn’t so cold when we left.” Tails said. “But we should have been better prepared. We were warned about a trial by ice.”

“Warned by who?” Gazebo asked.

“The Ancient Walkers.” He said cheerfully. “We’ve been charged by them to get rid…ow!” He rubbed his shin where Sonic had kicked him. He looked from Sonic to Knuckles, receiving a rather stern look from both of them. He may be the Chosen One, but he was still just a kid, with a kid’s failings. “Opps…”

“So you’re taking the Blade back to the temple, huh?” Gazebo said with a smirk.

The trio stared at him in stunned silence.

“I know all about the Blade, boys.” He pointed out. “I can point you where you need to go.”

~~~~~~

Tails decided to turn in early, the Boobowskis being gracious enough to offer the trio lodgings for the night, mumbling something about not being able to stand Sonic’s behaviour any longer.

He stormed off towards their rooms, pausing when he noticed Knuckles once again perched on the parapets, this time sketching the full moon as it rose above the dazzling snowscape. The echidna raised a brow at the young fox’s dark expression.

“Something amiss?”

“It’s Sonic.” Tails growled. “They way he’s carrying on…you’d think there was no Sally.”

“It’s his path, Tails.” Knuckles said sagely, noticing the pair of young hedgehogs in the courtyard below. “We can’t choose it for him.”

“I thought Sally was your friend.” Tails protested at the echidna’s apparent lack of concern.

“She is.” Knuckles confirmed. “An if this is the way he’s gonna act…if he goes off chasing the first pretty face that comes along…” he sighed. “Maybe she’s better off without him…”

Sonic bid Tiara goodnight and leapt easily up the stairs to where his companions contemplated.

“Nice night.” He commented absently. Tails glared at him.

“See you in the morning, Knuckles.” Tails said, pointedly turning his back on the hedgehog.

“Night, Tails.” The echidna replied with a wave of his hand, not looking up from his sketchpad.

“What’s with him?” Sonic asked jerking a thumb after the fox cub.

“He doesn’t approve of the way you’re acting.” Knuckles said simply.

“Huh?”

“All the goo-goo eyes you were making at Tiara.” Knuckles explained.

“Oh, c’mon… I can’t compliment the girl?” Sonic chuckled. “It was nothing serious…”

“Not to you, maybe…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sonic demanded, balling his hands on his hips.

“For you it might have been just a bit of harmless fun.” Knuckles said, finally looking up from his sketch. “But what do you think it meant to her?” Sonic looked at him blankly. Knuckles sighed. “She’s been here on her own for fifteen years…with nobody her own age…then you come along…same age, opposite gender…sprouting all this glub about how beautiful she is…what is she supposed to think?”

“Oh, c’mon…” Sonic groaned. “She’s not stupid…”

“I didn’t say she was.” Knuckles countered. “But she might be a little naive. When you’ve been alone for so long, with hardly any other sentients to talk to, you pretty much take the word of anybody you do meet as gospel…” he lowered his head, sighing deeply.

“Why do you think I listened to Robotnik?” He said softly.

Sonic sat down heavily on the parapets. He had considered his flirting with Tiara as completely harmless, just a bit of fun after what the trio had been through, but what the echidna said made sense. And maybe it wasn’t as harmless as he thought. He and Sally had hit a bit of a rough patch lately, hardly seeing each other…

Maybe he WAS looking for something, or rather, SOMEONE else…

“Julie-Su told me that you told Sally how you feel…” Knuckles said softly. “Have your feelings changed?”

“No…” Sonic sighed. “At least…I don’t think they have…well…it’s easy for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“With that whole Soultouch thing.” Sonic said. “You and Jules have known each other for…what…five minutes…and you’ve already gotten further than Sal and I who’ve known each other since for ever.”

“Believe me, Sonic.” Knuckles said, a slight flush to his cheeks. “We haven’t gotten THAT far.”

“But you know she’s the one…” Sonic protested. “I’ve seen what you two are like when you’re together. I saw what she was like when you were apart. You two are two halves of the same whole…”

“The Soultouch isn’t perfect, Sonic.” Knuckles pointed out. “If it was, I wouldn’t have a step-father.”

“Maybe…” Sonic admitted. “But it still gives you a pretty good idea. I mean…what if Sally and I…aren’t…” He sighed and looked down at the stones beneath his feet.

“I can’t tell you what to do, Sonic.” Knuckles said, jumping down from his perch to land silently beside the hedgehog. “But after all the pair of you have been through…if you walk away from her just because things have gotten a little tough…then you’re a bigger fool than I used to think you were.”

Sonic looked up sharply, a little startled by the echidna’s statement. But then, Knuckles had never been one to mince words.

“Now, I suggest we both get some sleep.” He turned towards his room. “We still have a long journey ahead of us.”