This story takes place during (after?) 'Unfinished Business' in Sonic #53 And I think we all know who the chars belong to by now...


Guiding Lights
By Rebecky-mo


["Son, every relationship has problems! The good ones are able to overcome them...]"

Knuckles the Echidna lay to his side in his sleeping bag, staring at the fire as he contemplated the words Sonic's father had told him earlier that day.

Dinner and the entire night had brought laughter and memories to the Freedom Fighters and himself, talking about the tiffs he'd had with Sonic, as well as all the adventures they'd gone through together; it had been a fun night, but all the while he couldn't stop thinking of what awaited him back home.

His people.

His mother.

How long has it been since I've seen her, anyway? Ten years? More? I'm surprised she even remembers me. The last vision of Lara-le had been when Locke, his father, had taken him out of the city to train on the island. They'd entered the ship, and she watched them leave, tears running down her cheeks.

I'm not her little kid anymore. What if she doesn't like who I've become? What if she's changed? She was such a great mom... There were so many questions running through his mind. How would life on the island change now that the city had rejoined it? For the better? For worse?

Everything changed so fast. Too fast.

Knuckles had never been partial to change; it seemed that every time things changed, it was for the worse. His father had left, leaving him to guard the island, not even with a goodbye. He just jumped into the firewall, leaving him alone. Then Robotnik had come to the island, and endangered his home more than anything before. Then Enerjak, then the Legion...

Then again, they weren't completely bad; in meeting Robotnik, he gained what would-eventually-wind up to be a good ally and friend in Sonic, as well as sealing his friendship with the Chaotix when Enerjak first hit the scene. But some situations were a little harder to figure out. Like the Dingos, and Julie-su...

The guardian didn't know what to make of that girl; but then, when they'd first met, he couldn't even tell she WAS a girl! The strength in the way she fought definitely told him otherwise, and he'd almost had a shock attack when he'd lifted away the hood that concealed her identity. Then she made up this story of something pulling her to him.

If anything, he could tell she was incredibly independent and quick on her feet, that showed when she had saved him from falling into the chasm that split open. If she was loyal enough, she could make a good part of the Chaotix.

IF she's loyal enough; plus, she's got an attitude, like she doesn't need anyone..


((AN: heh, talk about the pot calling the kettle black!! ^^))


Julie-su seemed awful quiet at dinner that night, save whenever someone wasn't trying to get her into the conversation. Amy Rose shouldn't have asked her that question. He turned over to where the 'former' legionaire was sleeping...

Or at least where she was SUPPOSED to be sleeping. The bag was open, empty of anyone. Man, now where'd she go!?! Knux got out of his bag and went over to the other side of the fire, careful not to step on anyone. I didn't even see her leave.

He stood over her bag, taking a quick sniff of the air around, and turned to the right. So that's where she went! He headed deeper into the Great Forest. No way is she gonna escape now.

It wasn't long before Knuckles reached a cliff overlooking the city. It was open space, surrounded by trees, so he climbed up one to get a better look. Imagine his surprise to see her, not finding a way of escape, but sparring with herself, punching the air and side-kicking the trunk of a mighty oak.

Good stamina he thought to himself, seeing the sweat glistening on her forehead She's been at it awhile Finally, Julie-su stopped her workout and stood for awhile, catching her breath. She looked over the cliff, seeming to stare into the sky, a strange look on her face.

If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she looks...sad.

********

Julie-su gave the tree one final kick for good measure, then stood over the cliff, breathing heavy after a steady hour-long workout. She was tired, but not as tired as usually was after a sparring match, her idea of mental therapy. I wish Katri-na were here. She always helped me out when something was up....but then again, that's what's bothering me in the first place--she's not here.

She sighed quietly to herself, looking out at the landscape, thinking of everything she'd seen that day, specifically what she'd seen that day, and what a young hedgehog had asked her at dinner:

======================

It was about five in the evening as Sally finished showing Julie-su the city, such as it was. "You have alot of work ahead of you princess, this place could definitely use some spring cleaning."

"Call me Sally, everyone does." The squirrel smiled "And you're right, it will be hard; but the better the city looks, the farther away Robotnik's tyranny seems behind us."

"Who was this Robotnik anyway? Knuckles mentioned him on the way here."

Julie-su noticed the sadness in the princess's eyes "Robotnik has been a terror on Mobius for a long time now, since I was a very young girl; he seemed to think he was greater than anyone else, and wanted to use us as his soldiers. That's when he began to take over the planet, reducing carefree flesh and blood mobians to robots to use at his pleasure and disposal."

The legionaire remained silent after that. Why did that seem so familiar to her?

Things didn't get much better as they joined the others for dinner. The others were laughing about thier adventures and life together, and she remained silent, listening to them. How could they be so happy? Thier city's a wreck, and so many of them have lost friends and family, yet they laugh, not even thinking about what the next attack may be. They barely even have T.V. and are in paradise, yet I've always had the best in technology, and I've never been half this happy!

The laughter was broken when a small hedgehog, Amy Rose was her name, if memory served, changed the subject after staring at her for quite some time. "Were you Roboticized, Julie-su? I've never seen robotics like that before!" Suddenly, the laughter stopped, and it seemed the entire group was staring at her.

Bunnie stepped in "Now Amy, that ain't very good mann-"

"No, I wasn't Robticized..."

Everyone was shocked to hear her break her silence, but Amy Rose kept up her curiosity, not getting the hint at all "Where'd ya get 'em then?"

"Well, it's...a part of my life, I guess. My group have always used technology on our bodies to make us stronger."

"Doesn't that make you like Robotnik?"

"AMY!! That's enough." Sonic scolded; meanwhile, Julie's eyes widened. Forcing technology against those who seemed happy, using robotic soldiers to do your bidding without asking their thoughts, but simply expecting it; refusing to take 'no' for an answer, using artificial means to strengthen yourself? No wonder Robotnik's personality seemed so familiar.

She'd been living that life. She was that life.

"I.. guess I am..."

"Not exactly, Amy Rose!!"

All eyes suddenly turned from one echidna to another over to Knuckles. He blushed slightly, realizing just how loud he'd spoken. "There are a few differences; the legion uses technology to willingly mend thier bodies from serious injuries and fight for what they believe in, while Robotnik uses the Roboticizer to make slaves that aren't alive at all, not giving them a choice in what they fight for."

The hedgehog mulled over this for a moment, taking it all in "Oh! Okay then!" She grinned and went back to her chili dog, but conversation was pretty dead from then on...

==============================

The girl had made a point; just how similar was she to the tyrant? Where did she fit in now that she knew so much more of life here?

Julie lost her train of thought as her cybernetics picked up the crack of a branch; she turned to face the dark forest. Nothing I can see...

"Awful late for a walk, isn't it?"

Knux lept down from his place in the trees, just a few metres from where she stood. He casually walked over to her "Funny time to do some sightseeing. What are you doing out here?"

The legionaire raised an eyebrow, "I could ask you the same thing now, couldn't I? Besides, it's none of your business."

"I'm out here because I'm responsible for you right now, so if you're planning to escape, I have to stop you..."

"I wasn't escaping!! I was...thinking." Julie-su slid her back down the tree trunk until she was sitting on the ground. She had no idea what this guy's problem was; one minute he was defending her, the next he thought she was sneaking away!

"I noticed. You've been quiet all night" Knux replied "and it seems you've been contemplating about a few things." She's not the only one he thought to himself. "Listen, I'm sorry about what Amy Rose said earlier. Hedgehogs seem to have big mouths, and--"

"Why did you defend me?"

"HUH?!"

"Why did you defend me?" Julie-su asked again.

Knuckles sat alongside her, looking up. "I dunno; I just didn't think Robotnik and the legion had that much in common. Plus, you looked more than a little uncomfortable at the fire."

"They're your friends, not mine." Julie-su muttered, thinking of how much fun she'd always had with Katri-na. "Who knows where mine are right now..."

Bingo. Knuckles thought "Are you homesick?"

The female chuckled slightly "You need a home to be homesick."

"I thought the Dark Legion was your home."

"It was a place I lived; plus, I had no choice, did I?"

"So..what's the problem, girl?"

"This. Something I never had before," Julie-su pointed out towards the landscape. "Another choice of life. Everything's so different from the life I know; the people, the climate, even the environment!"

Knuckles gave her a strange look; she'd never talked like this before, especially her life before meeting him. "Where did you grow up?"

Julie-su closed her eyes. "It was a place called the 'Twilight Zone', a different plane from Mobius. There was no vegitation, no animals, no sun; just emptiness. Then I came to the Island with the legion, and almost went into shock! Everything was so colorful, things I'd never seen before, like trees..."

"You've NEVER seen trees before?!?! How did you breathe?!?"

"Outside from pictures files on the computer, no, and we used recycled air to breathe."

"Damn, you do come from another world, don't you?" Knuckles thought about this for a second; this wasn't too different from his own problems; both trying to adjust to a world they never expected to find. "And coming here was a bad thing?"

Julie opened her eyes again and looked at him, "Honestly, I would have been perfectly happy if we'd never left the zone. It's what I knew...it's all I knew. Now, with all this about Robotnik, makes me wonder about the only morals I've ever had."

"Maybe you're just not giving it a good enough chance. Are you afraid of what you'll choose?"

"No, I just...don't want to give up the only thing close to a home I've ever had."

Knux looked up at the stars for a minute "Have you asked them yet?"

"Who?"

"The stars. They do alot more than just blink, you know. They're able to show you the way home." Knuckles turned to Julie-su, and almost burst into laughter at the look she was giving him. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"They're stars, Knuckles. Nothing more."

"Fine, I'll prove it. Find the North Star."

"The what?"

Knux blinked, "You don't know about the North Star? The constellations?" He watched as Julie shook her head. "What would you do if you got lost?"

"Contact my group."

"If that doesn't work?"

"I'd use my visor."

"If that didn't work?!"

"...I don't know"

Knux sighed, "I thought so. Here, I'll show you how to find it. Look at the sky. Okay, now, look for the Big Dipper; it's a soup ladle made of stars."

"A WHAT?!"

"A soup ladle. See, it's right over there; see it yet?"

Julie-su shook her head "Nope, not one bit."

"Oh--kay, um, try squinting so the stars blend together...they should connect so you see the outline of..."

"What the-I see it!" Julie-su opened her eyes fully again."I can't believe there's a soup ladle in the sky!" Knux couldn't help grinning Maybe I'll reason with her after all.

He told her to find it again, "Now see the very top star on the handle of it? That's the North Star, the very brightest in the sky. Now you know where North is compared to where you are."

"Which means...the Island is over there! Right?"

"Right!"

Julie-su laughed "This is easy; I can't believe they never taught us this in survival training!! So all you have to do is find that star, and it'll help you find home, huh?"

"Yep, that's it. Maybe it'll help you too." Knuckles told her. "You have a Guiding Star to help you in your choice; you just haven't found it yet."

"So...I guess I should give things a shot, even if it is risky."

"Exactly." Hmm, maybe I should be taking my own advice Knux thought to himself as he stood. "It's going to be dawn soon, and we need some sleep before we go back. Coming?"

"In a minute."

Julie-su turned back to the stars, then watched the guardian leave the clearing, his back to her. 'You have a guiding star.. you just haven't found it yet' Julie-su got up on her feet and headed back. Maybe I'm alot closer to home than I thought....