Knuckles and other characters are trademarks of SEGA,
 DIC or Archie Comics.
 Strife & Mayu-Gi are characters owned by me. The
 characters I don't mention are mine, and well they
 didn't play as big a part.
 "Yume wa Doko e Itta? (Where Have Dreams Gone?)
 (Opening theme of Tenchi in Tokyo)
 Lyrics by Natsuko Karedo
 Composed by Kyoko Matsumiya
 Arranged by Masami Kishimura
 Performed by Linda Yamamoto
 (Pioneer LDC)
 My Japanese tutor and I did the translation to the
 song. If you like the MP3 and are an AIM user I can
 send it through there. You could also try bear share
 to DL it as
 well.


 Characters:
 Knuckles
 Julie-Su
 Lara-Le
 Archimedes
 Espio
 Vector
 Ray
 Mighty
 Charmy
 Kommisar
 Kragok
 Remington
 Wynmacher
 Dimitri
 Brotherhood of Guardians
 Strife
 Mayu-Gi
 No Need For Spring!

 
******************************************************************************


 The moon was full and shinned brightly over the
 island. It gave off such a romantic glow, that it made
 every couple felt the essence of love. Even a certain
 echidna couple had fallen victim to the moon's
 romantic curse. Knuckles and Julie-Su lay down
 together on the new soft spring grass and looked at
 the stars above them.
 Each one enjoying the company the other gave while
 they were also enjoying the spring evening. Knuckles
 turned his head and sighed upon Julie-Su's beauty. He
 couldn't believe that two months ago she would have
 been out of his life forever. Everything about
 Julie-Su turned him on. Her beauty, smile, smarts, and
 attitude were all a turn on that the young echidna
 found appealing. She was strong just like him, a
 perfect woman, and his dream woman.
 Though many would denounce the idea of someone from a
 status of noble birth marrying or even dating someone
 of such low status. Oddly enough Julie-Su was not of
 such low status, as others in the populace would
 believe. She was a distant cousin of the guardian.
 They both descend from the same family tree, though
 her ancestor chose power over the safety for others,
 they were still family, descended from a highly
 respected great-grandmother, Kayla-La. It would seem
 that the populace had forgotten that part of the
 guardians genealogy, or they probably denied that the
 guardians themselves had any link to their enemies. If
 that was the case, then it could be understandable of
 how the people felt. They felt as if their current
 guardian was turning his back on them and would press
 upon them the evils that they have been taught to
 fear. For who would want a guardian married to the
 enemy, or even producing an offspring with them.
 
*****************************************************************************
 Inside Echidnaopolis, every member of high society
 meet in an elegant ballroom decorated with roses and
 carnations. Mosaics telling the story of Cinderella,
 and Snow White covered the walls of the room. The room
 itself glowed with light from the crystal chandelier
 hanging from above. All echidnas that was present in
 that room had a great deal of influence on politics.
 Some were old money and some were new money that
 attended the party. The only thing that would make
 them equal would be their prim and proper views of
 society and the way it should be governed. All of the
 echidnas in that room believed that "their" young
 guardian should marry someone of his class, someone
 who would be better welcomed by society...by them. " I
 can't believe he would associate himself with that
 girl.
 Why my daughter Katri-na, has many gentlemen callers.
 Just the other day Brombones was with her shopping. I
 wouldn't mind him marrying my daughter, but I would
 prefer the guardian himself to pay a call to her. It
 would be nice to have him in the family. He would keep
 Brombones and that disgusting low class teacher
 Ichabob in check", said snooty Lady Demeter-Re, whose
 elder daughter Persepho-Ne fell for a low class
 gravedigger named Hades, she was still furious with
 her daughter for that. " Well if you ask me, it could
 a phase. All teenagers have a phase they grow out of
 eventually. The boy will come to his senses soon
 enough. You'll see." piped old man Strife. You see
 when old man Strife talked everyone listened. His
 family had owned the same company for countless
 generations and was the wealthiest person in all of
 Echidnaopolis. It was rumored that he bought votes for
 one of his friends, but that was never proven. "What
 we can do in the mean time is try to get the guardian
 to come to our next party. There we will have him
 dance with our daughters. By then he would have
 forgotten about that brazen hussy."
 Every member in the room seemed to be in a trance at
 the thought of having the guardian grace his presence
 upon them. Maybe it was the way old Strife had said
 it, may be not. Either way they knew the guardian
 would come, because they knew that all guardians would
 eventually have to meet society. They had always known
 the guardians to be highly refined and cultured
 echidnas. Though they were taught to be those things,
 Knuckles would rather be himself and not something he
 is not.
 To the elite status it meant everything and having a
 guardian in the family was something that everyone had
 dreamed about, as well as the elevation of status and
 power. With that thought in mind they toasted.
 ******************************************************************

 It was late when Knuckles had walked Julie-Su back to
 her apartment. Tired the young guardian decided to
 spend the night as his mother and stepfather's
 apartment. Knuckles plopped onto the soft sofa in the
 living room. He gave a big yawn a fell asleep. A big
 smile curled around his beak as he began dreaming
 about
 Julie-Su.
 The next morning Knuckles awoke with a dreamy look in
 his face. With a stretch, he got up from the sofa and
 walked into the kitchen. Wynn was in the shower while
 his mother had already awakened and was in the middle
 of making breakfast. Knuckles came up from behind her
 and gave her a big hug. "Morning Mom," said cheerful
 Knuckles. Lara-Le turned around and gave her son a
 peck on his head and then turned around to cut up some
 fruit for breakfast." So, how was your "date""?",
 chuckled Lara-Le. Knuckles looked at wondering how she
 knew that he was with Julie-Su last night. "You were
 talking in your sleep and it sounded like it was fun."
 Knuckles blushed after what his mother had
 said."Oh.um.Er... yeah it was a fun dream", said a
 bashful Knuckles. Knuckles walked towards the kitchen
 table. He noticed that the mail had come in and on top
 of the stack of new mail was an envelope addressed to
 him. Knuckles picked it up and examine it closely. He
 took one of his sharp knuckles and began to slice a
 side of the envelope. He then took his two of his
 fingers and began to pull something out of it. Lara-Le
 had just sat down with her son after placing breakfast
 on the table."Whats that you got there"" asked his
 mother while she sat down at the table. Knuckles
 looked dumbfound at the card, while handing it to his
 mother. "Looks like you've been invited to a ball
 tonight at the Winstaff Hotel", smiled Lara-Le as she
 took a sip of tea." I'm not going," began Knuckles.
 "The people at those parties are a bunch of snobs.
 They judge people without getting to know them, its
 short notice and.. and.....""And they don't like
 Julie-Su", concluded Lara-Le. Knuckles look into his
 mother's eyes as if saying "yeah." "Knuckles, you know
 by now that not everyone treats the other the same
 way. Take the way some of the populace are treating
 the Dingoes as well as Julie-Su. In life you have to
 take things one at a time, though we may look
 different we are still the same inside", pointed out
 Lara-Le " I guess I should go then. What could go
 wrong, and maybe dad and the guys have some advice
 they're willing to share", sighed Knuckles as he began
 eating breakfast.
 
****************************************************************************
 After breakfast, Julie-Su headed out of her apartment
 towards Echidna Towers, where she knew Knuckles would
 eventually be. After what happened between
 Zagat and herself, she was glad to be back in
 Echidnaopolis and with the echidna she loved. Though
 she was only told of the events from Knuckles, she
 couldn't believe it. As she walked towards Echidna
 Towers, she heard a song coming from the radios inside
 the local electronic store and decided to stop and
 listen to it.

 By myself, I don't understand any of it! Somebody
 explain it me!
 And then once again, that person I loved so much,
 Went somewhere far away! Without anyone even noticing
 Where has the dream gone since then?
 I'm sure it must have been in this place for a very
 long time
 Even though the love was like an all-consuming flame,
 The feelings I had at that time bring them back again!
 The times with you were so nice, dreams were
 overflowing
 Painful and hurtful, a different tomorrow is here
 Just shouting, doesn't change anything in the world at
 large,
 After tomorrow, everyday tedium will surely continue
 More importantly ... even though "love" couldn't be
 said,
 Why does that love, even now, still warm my heart?
 An endless dream that I want to try to get back,
 A dream that I believed was something that would
 someday come true
 Everyone has enduring strength,
 I want to remember that again!
 Where has the dream gone since then?
 I'm sure it must have been in this place for a very
 long time
 Even though the love was like an all-consuming flame,
 The feelings I had at that time bring them back again!

 It was as if the song was talking about Julie-Su,
 almost asking her to stop and listen. To Julie-Su it
 was flattering. Julie-Su began on her way again, as
 she began chuckle at the thought of the song. As she
 got closer to Echidna Towers she saw Knuckles sitting
 on a bench in deep thought. She came up from behind
 him and gave him a hug. Still hugging Knuckles, she
 looked at him with her loving eyes and kissed him on
 his cheek. Knuckles instantly broke from his deep
 thought and looked at her as she began to sit down
 next to him. Sighing Knuckles looked at Julie-Su, he
 wanted to say something but he didn't know where to
 start." Knuckles what's the matter? Why are you
 looking at me like that?", questioned a concerned
 Julie-Su. Knuckles handed Julie-Su the card and she
 looked at it." So, you've been invited to a Debutante
 Ball.", chuckled Julie-Su," what so funny?", asked
 Knuckles as he took back the invite. "Just the thought
 of you even going." said Julie-Su as she try to
 control her outburst." Why do you find that funny?
 These people have invited me to go their party and all
 you can do is laugh at my own expense. You know I have
 no choice in some matter!" implied Knuckles as he got
 up off the bench. Julie-Su got off the bench slowly.
 Clearly anyone could tell she was furious at Knuckles
 for both yelling at her and not thinking that she
 didn't understand. With a movement of her hand,
 Julie-Su left a side of his face with a red mark." How
 dare you accuse me of not knowing anything about you
 at all! I'm probably the only person beside your
 family who knows you better than anyone! I don't care
 if you dance with all those girls! From the look of it
 I'd say you don't even want me around cause I'd get
 you more disliked by the populace!" shouted a very
 angry
 Julie-Su. With that said she ran off in the opposite
 direction with a tears streaming from her eyes.
 Knuckles tried to go after her, but he knew he would
 make things even worse and decided to take care of it
 later. Knuckles sighed a heavy sigh as he walk east
 towards the mall where he knew the Chaotix always
 would be. He felt bad about what he said to Julie-Su.
 She was right to slap him. She knew about what he was
 going through, better then anyone else he knew.
 Sometimes Knuckles would forget about the power of the
 soul touch, and how he could feel her feelings and
 emotions and how she could feel his." Sometimes I
 wonder if the soul touch is testing", muttered
 Knuckles to him self as he kicked an empty soda can
 down the street. Sighing again Knuckles looked up and
 noticed that he had finally made it to the mall and
 began to walk inside. His mind was wandering around.
 Part of his mind was thinking about Julie-Su, while
 the other was thinking about the ball. Sneaking up
 behind him was Vector. Tip toeing behind Knuckles,
 Vector seemed to get a jump on the young echidna,
 before Knuckles reflexes kicked in and threw the
 crocodile into the fountain. Mighty who was on the
 other side of the fountain, heard a loud splashing
 sound before he got soak by the water. He turned
 around to see what happened and stood on top of the
 fountain's walkway. He saw Knuckles trying to fish
 Vector out of the fountain." Hey I just had a bath
 today!" shouted Mighty from across the fountain,
 before slipped into the fountain himself. Knuckles
 looked up and saw Mighty fall in, distracted enough
 Vector playfully pulled Knuckles into the fountain.
 Knuckles began to laugh at the sight of three very
 soaked critters in the fountain, which cause a chain
 reaction among them.
       From a far Julie-Su saw the three in the
 fountain, all soaked and trying to get out. She looked
 at Knuckles drying himself biting her lower lip as she
 notice how hot he looked with wet fur. She wanted to
 go to him and talk about the fight, but she knew that
 it wasn't the right time to talk to him yet and a part
 of herself was telling her that it was his fault and
 not hers. It was as if Knuckles was speaking to her
 heart and saying he was sorry. Julie-Su shook her head
 and began walking in another direction. The three from
 the fountain walked over towards the food court where
 Espio and Ray were already seated with everyone's
 order. Knuckles looked at the food in front of him.
 The colors of the food on his plate reminded him of
 her. He looked at the color and with his fork began to
 play with his food. He was still lost in thought, not
 even hearing what his friends had said; he got up and
 walked away from them. Espio got up and ran up to
 Knuckles, "Whoa there lover boy we know what's wrong",
 said Espio as he placed a hand on Knuckles' shoulder.
 Knuckles looked up "You do?" Espio nodded his head.
 "Julie-Su was talking with all of us
 Earlier and she mentioned about what had happened
 between the both of you. I can't say what you do was
 right, but what I can say is that she was pretty
 hurt", said
 Espio. " I know it was my fault, but I have a lot of
 thins on my mind and I guess I shouldn't have taken it
 out on her. She was trying to cheer me up after"
 
******************************************************************************
 Still feeling hurt Julie-Su walked around town trying
 not to think about Knuckles. It was so much easier
 when she was in the Legion and not thinking about ever
 finding true love. All she was concerned about at the
 time was doing her duty, being faithful, and the best
 soldier she could be. Love was never on her mind,
 never an issue, until she meet Knuckles. When she had
 her first confutation with him, she could as if
 something hidden was there. At the time she didn't
 know what it was and neither did he, but with time the
 feelings were nurtured and blossomed. She didn't want
 to throw that away. The sun began to set as Julie-Su
 walked back to her apartment. On her way back she
 bumped into Remington, who was finishing up his
 patrol. Remington saw a sign of sadness on her face;
 he placed a hand on her shoulder" Penny for your
 thoughts, Julie-Su?" hinted Remington. Julie-Su looked
 at him and smiled "Just thinking about what if I never
 had met Knuckles. What if I was still following
 Kommisar and Kragok's orders? Following the ideals
 left by Dimitri." began Julie-Su. " I just don't know
 how to act with "your kind". To me it would be easier
 to be a soldier, following orders, then to follow my
 heart. If Knuckles only knew how hard it was for me to
 show my feelings, to even share them. I guess I'm not
 truly the right person for him", sighed Julie-Su as
 she lowered her head to her chest. Remington took his
 hand and began to raise her head with it till
 Julie-Su was looking directly at his "The guardian
 cares for you more than anything else in this world.
 I've never seen him act that way with anyone before,
 nor has any one of his friends. You're his world, his
 everything. I just can't bear to see you two fighting
 or not together. You two have so much in common",
 noted Remington. Julie-Su looked at Remington. She
 knew he was right and she hoped everything would be
 fine." But how long will it last", frowned Julie-Su as
 she walked away and into her apartment.
 
************************************************************************
       With the sun setting in the horizon and the
 islanders getting on with their lives, Knuckles was in
 Haven getting fitted into a tuxedo. Sabre had just
 placed the finishing touches onto Knuckles' tuxedo
 before Locke and Spectre had walked in the room with
 Archimedes on his shoulder. The three members of the
 Brotherhood looked at their young guardian and were
 pleased at how refined and regal he looked. Not in
 their wildest dreams could they've thought that
 Knuckles could pull this off. Knuckles was still
 wondering about Julie-Su and the party when he lost
 his train of thought." Knuckles, my lad", said Spectre
 as he looked over Knuckles once more." These people
 may rub you the wrong way, but please try to act on
 your best behavior." Locke eyed his son as he picked
 up a red rose and placed it into lapel." Have fun and
 be yourself", said Locke. Knuckles smiled and hugged
 his father. Archimedes jumped onto Knuckles shoulder
 "And now if you excuse us, I must say this boy has a
 party to go to and we wouldn't want him to be late",
 with that Knuckles and Archimedes disappeared into a
 pouf of smoke.
 
******************************************************************************
 Julie-Su sat down on her big soft sofa wearing nothing
 but a blue bathrobe. The room was dark but it glowed
 from the light of the moon. Her locks were dripping
 wet from the shower she had just taken. She looked out
 her sliding glass door to where she had placed her new
 potted plants. Her mind was still on Knuckles and
 nothing else. She picked up a picture of Knuckles and
 herself off of the table next to her, trying to hold
 back her tears." Why do you have to be difficult, huh?
 I thought I could handle you, but I guess I was wrong.
 He never acted like that towards me. He never yelled
 at me in that manner at all." sighed Julie-Su as she
 took her ring finger and drew Knuckles outline with it
 on photo before her tears fells onto it. Julie-Su
 placed the picture faced down as she buried her face
 in her hands.
 She loved him more than anything else in the world.
 Julie-Su feared that she might never know the love
 that she had with him ever again. Any of the male
 populous of
 Echidnaopolis would reject her, because of her past.
 She already had people spitting at her, blaming her
 for things, and just plan hurting her feelings.
 
******************************************************************************
 Inside of the Winstaff Ball Room, all of high society
 meet with their daughters. The room looked the same as
 the night before but with one big difference...the
 guardian would soon arrive. In the middle of the room
 a great big puff of smoke appeared in front of
 Echidnaopolis elite. All in the room were amazed at
 the sight of smoke, thinking it sort of rude for
 someone to do such a tacky thing. The smoke cleared
 and out stepped Knuckles, looking very handsome and
 somehow gentle. All the young girls in the room look
 at Knuckles as if he was a tasty piece of Godiva
 chocolate. Knuckles looked at the crowd of people in
 front of him and then he looked at Archimedes as if
 saying "thanks a lot" Out of the crowd appeared Strife
 and his extending hand. "Good evening guardian, glad
 you could make it", said Strife as he shook his hand
 and patting him on the back. Strife walked Knuckles
 over to a buffet table where they would talk some
 more." It is such an honor that you could came and
 hang out with "us" ", said old man Strife as he tried
 to act like a youngster again. ""Uh...yeah it is",
 said Knuckles as he looked around the room staring at
 he pictures on the wall, " I hope..." began Strife as
 he was cut off by his granddaughter Mayu-Gi and a
 bunch of her friends. "You shouldn't have him all to
 yourself grandfather", cooed Mayu-Gi as she took
 Knuckles' right arm. Knuckles looked at her and was
 speechless. She looked like Julie-Su except for her
 eyes, which were hazel. Knuckles closed his eyes and
 shook his head. * I can't be going crazy. Do I miss
 her that much*, thought Knuckles to himself. Mayu-Gi
 smiled as he saw Knuckles shake his head and began
 pulling him to the dance floor.
       Hours had past by and Knuckles had danced with
 every girl in the room. It didn't feel right to be
 there with these people. All through the night he
 heard them talking about what they thought was best
 for him and that, which made him uncomfortable.  
 Money, politics, Dingoes, and the Dark Legion were all
 a hot topic among the older members in the room. Among
 the girls were topics like clothes, money, boys and
 Julie-Su. This made Knuckles frown when he heard them
 talking about her in such a hurtful way. What hurt him
 the most was when he danced with the girls and how
 they ask him hurtful questions about Julie-Su. All
 through the night he couldn't take his eyes off of
 Mayu-Gi, that he danced with her for most of the
 night. He was never asked by her to dance with him,
 but the other way around. Maybe it was because how he
 felt about Julie-Su and the way he wanted to make up
 with her.
 It was close to midnight when Mayu-Gi brought Knuckles
 out on to the balcony. The view was amazing from where
 they were. It seemed endless from where they stood.
 Knuckles looked at Mayu-Gi in what was left of the
 moonlight's glow. He placed his hands on her face and
 kissed her passionately, but felt nothing. He didn't
 get the feeling he got from kissing Julie-Su, which he
 got from Mayu-Gi. Whenever he kissed Julie-Su he felt
 full of life, full of happiness, the happiness that he
 always wanted. Knuckles took his hands off her face.
 Upon taking them off he noticed he left purple
 handprints on Mayu-Gi's face. Knuckles looked at his
 hands, "What the?", said a confused Knuckles. Mayu-Gi
 looked him all teary eyed and placed her hands on her
 head taking off her wig. Then she took out a tissue
 from out of her glove, wiping off the face paint. "I'm
 sorry that I did this, but grandfather made me do
 this. He wanted a way to make you forget about that
 girl. He thought it best if I looked like her."
 confessed Mayu-Gi. Knuckles couldn't believe what he
 was hearing. "Please don't leave me", pleaded Mayu-Gi.
 Knuckles looked at her "You played with my feelings
 and thought that by dressing up as her could change my
 mind. I admit that it almost worked, but it didn't. I
 still love her more than ever now."
 With saying that Knuckles jump off from the balcony
 and caught a rather strong breeze that carried him far
 away from the ball room.
             Still feeling bad, Knuckles glided towards
 Julie-Su's apartment. He didn't know what to say or if
 she was still awake. Instead of buzzing her on the
 intercom,
 Knuckles picked up some pebbles and threw it against
 the glass of the sliding door. Julie-Su, still laying
 on the sofa awoke to the sound of something hitting
 glass.
 She noticed something or someone was throwing pebbles
 at her glass door. Julie-Su got up and walked over to
 the door so she could yell at the person who was doing
 it. She began to open the sliding door and walked out
 onto her terrace. Knuckles stood there watching her
 coming out of her apartment. Julie-Su saw Knuckles
 standing below, she stood there almost about to smile
 when she noticed lipstick on Knuckles' lips. Feeling
 crushed and betrayed Julie-Su picked up a watering can
 next to her potted plants and threw the remaining cold
 water at Knuckles and walked away. Knuckles
 dumbfounded and drenched stared at his love returning
 back inside of her apartment. He began whipping his
 face dry when upon his cuff he noticed pink lipstick,
 the same that Mayu-Gi was wearing when he kissed her.