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Presently only Luna, Ai, and a collection of robots meant for maintaining the base live there apart from Ivo Robotnik himself. The former of whom has shut herself up in a shooting range Eggman regularly uses for testing new weapons. She however is using it for practice.\n\nLuna growls in frustration at the slab of steel that is her target a dozen meters down the range. The damnable sheet has refused to do any more than scorch mildly at her many attempts to master the Chaos Spear. \n\nDrawing back her hand she tries again, but this time only a bolt of energy from her fingertip, striking the sheet like a ray of sunshine with about as much affect. Growling she stomps her foot, “This is ridiculous! Even with the Chaos Emerald i can't do it right! If i build up enough energy then I'm basically just lobbing a grenade, and any attacks I make that actually cross the distance are pitiful!” She rubs her fingertips in her quills roughly, messing up her hair a bit as she groans her distress.\n\n“Perhaps it is your technique.”\n\nShe knows that voice, it’s the reason she's here in the first place. She whirls around to see Shadow, watching her curiously.\n\nShe jumps with eyes wide, and quills flared, at least as much as they can be given how long hers are. She spins around with her back to the wall, and stares at her brother. “What the-?! How did you get here?!” It had been a week since the news story about her getting picked up by Eggman, but she has been hoping in her heart that she had more time to improve before having to face him again.\n\nShadow tilts his head amusedly before pointing to his highlights, which upon reinspection appear to be orange. “Glad to see we’re off to a good start. I am not your brother, though I am an android made in his likeness.”\n\n“O-oh…” She puts a hand over her rapidly beating heart, and takes a few slow breaths. “Sorry about that… Um… My name is Luna, nice to meet you.” She extends a hand to him.\n\n“I am given the designation Shadow Android.” The android shakes her hand politely, his features softer than Shadow’s and appearing to be more neutral and kind. “From what the doctor told me, you are Shadow’s sister?”\n\n“Kind of,” she says. “I was cloned from him, but only came around about a week ago… What did you mean by my technique?”\n\n“You’re charging the attack properly, but you’re only using your first two fingers.” Shadow Android explains. “The attack you are performing would only stun robots and such.” Shadow moves to be at her side, raising his hand for her to see. “Charge it in your palm instead.” He focuses, his hand sparking as energy collects in his palm before he clutches the energy and hurls it at the piece of steel.\n\nShe watches as his attack burns right through it, and the automated systems replace the sheet with a fresh one. Sighing she says, “I've tried, and the best I get is…” She holds out her hand, and the energy swirls into it. She tries to shape it into the shaft of a spear, but it stubbornly takes on an orb shape. With a groan of frustration she hurls it down the range, and lands about halfway down. Then it detonates, packing an impressive force but clearly not what she had been after.\n\nShadow Android taps his chin.”Well… you’re unique to Shadow you know. Your energy seems different to him, at least. You can’t go about things the same way as him, you need to adapt your strategy to fit you.”\n\nShe sighs, and rubs the back of her neck. “Yeah maybe… Ivo ran a scan on me the other day. According to him I have just as much energy as Shadow, it just doesn't want to work the same way. It's like… Ivo said it was like I'm a square peg trying to fit in the same round hole Shadow uses.” She sighs, and folds her hands behind her head. She blushes when her stomach growls though.\n\nShadow Android smiles with amusement. “Perhaps you will solve your conundrum after lunch?”\n\nShe nods, and turns to go, “Thanks for trying to help Shadow… uh… Shadow Android…” She chews her bottom lip a bit, “That's a bit awkward. Do you have a nickname I can use?”\n\n“Admittedly, Eggman calls me by my designation, SA-01. If you have a nickname for me, I’d be glad to be referred to using it. Provided it’s decent.” He smirks.\n\nShe thinks over his name, and then over all the names she knows, mainly through the kids movies she has come to enjoy. Perking she snaps her fingers, “I got it! How about Andy? Like the short version of Android?”\n\nHe blinks and considers. “Andy… and it doesn’t have anything to do with Shadow… I will accept the nickname Andy.”\n\nShe raises an eyebrow, “You don't like him much either, huh?”\n\n“Eggman programmed me to despise my counterpart, though it is more of a disdain personally. Nothing like the rivalry between Sonic and Metal Sonic.” Andy shrugs.\n\nLuna leans on a wall, rubbing her belly to help keep it quiet while she wraps up the conversation. “I actually met Sonic. He didn't seem like a bad guy… I haven't met Metal Sonic yet, though Ivo has mentioned him a couple of times.”\n\n“They’re… opposites.” Andy muses. He doesn’t go into further detail.\n\n“Hm… well I would like to meet him at some point if I can.” She waves, “Catch you later Andy!”\n\nAndy waves. “Come find me if you want some help with Chaos training.”\n\nNodding she heads off to the dining room where she smiles at the idea of seeing her cousin again. She's not so keen on reporting her lack of success after everything he's done for her, but he's always up to something interesting in his workshop. She loves to hear him talk about it, and have Ai teach her the finer details later.\n\nA sound catches her ear, and a door opens, an annoyed looking female lynx and an echidna woman with mechanical parts come out. Seconds later, she sees a flash of light and the same sound ring from the room, two green female deer heading out. This happens a few more times, around 12 different Mobians coming out of the room and heading for Eggman.\n\nShe tilts her head curiously at all the new people, but doesn't want to draw attention to herself. She notes how they all have some pretty snazzy looking clothes too, like that lynx had something out of a cartoon Ivo had called an Anime. She looks down at her own black tank top and jeans a moment before quietly following the group from a distance. As she does so, she can hear snippets of conversation. \n\n“...All this way… like toys… just pawns…” the Lynx scowls, irritated.\n\n“...Power … means to an end.” the echidna shrugs.\n\nShe frowns softly at that, and strains her ears to hear better. She has better hearing than most folks, and even from just what she heard she can tell the speakers aren't happy. Part of her wants to reach out to them to see if she could help somehow, but then she remembers the last time she surprised a grumpy person. Not wanting a repeat she decides to just tail them to their destination. Maybe she can ask Ivo about it later.\n\n“I know… but I still feel more like a prisoner than a leader.” the lynx grumbles.\n\n“it's all perspective.” The echidna shrugs.\n\nLuna peeks around the corner to follow, but then freezes as she finds herself almost nose to nose with a pair of slitted eyes.\n\n“Just what do you think you're-?”\n\nThat's as far as the raspy voice of those eyes get, for in that moment that will haunt her for the rest of her days Luna learns what it truly means to scream like a little girl. The shrill shriek echoes in the halls well enough there's no way anyone in the base didn't hear it, let alone the group she had been following.\n\nBack to the wall with her hand over her heart Luna huffs for breath as she gets a good look at the speaker. A dark colored cobra with cybernetic arms and legs under dark armor. He has his hood flared as he recoils from the sonic attack, and then shakes his head with a scowl before flicking his tongue in irritation.\n\nLuna folds her ears back with a heavy blush. “...I'm sorry,” she whimpers.\n\n“Ow.” The lynx states irritably, looking to the two. \n\nLuna blinks, now that she can see the faces of the women that had been talking she cant help staring at the striking red eyes of the Lynx. It's such a pretty color, much like her own. Though it also makes the sharp look Luna is being given a bit more scary. Swallowing softly she fidgets before looking between the three of them. “Um… hi… I'm Luna…”\n\nThe echidna girl tilts her head. “Oh, you’re that hedgehog who calls Egghead her cousin?”\n\nLuna frowns, she doesn't especially like using his famous nickname since it seems geared towards hurting his feelings, and she certainly doesn't like people twisting it to make fun of him. Embarrassment forgotten she replies, “Well his grandfather made me which kinda makes that man my dad, so yeah Ivo is pretty much my cousin, ma'am.”\n\n“Oh wow, and you’re defending him too… makes me wonder if he has you believing he’s something he isn’t.” The echidna muses.\n\nLuna opens her mouth, but Ai appears at her shoulder saying, “I wouldn't let her behavior get under your skin, Luna. Statistically speaking Echidnas like her in general are an abrasive people as a result of their cultural conditioning.”\n\nLuna tilts her head, “So she can't help being rude?”\n\n“More or less,” he confirms. \n\nLuna sighs, and hugs herself softly. “Okay… Look, Miss, I have my reasons for standing up for him, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk bad about him while I'm around.”\n\n“So behind your back is okay then? Gotcha.” The echidna smirks.\n\nLuna scowls, “Well I can't be everywhere at once so it's not like I could stop you. But if you really think he's so bad how does being a jerk make you any better, hm?” She sticks her tongue out, proud of her sound argument as a grin touches her lips.\n\n“Because I’m the leader of over a thousand echidna soldiers, ready to flood into this world and take over with a single word. And the person who promised us revenge on the Guardian and asylum on this world also made us have cybernetic implants and put bombs in our chests.” She deadpans. “Oh, my name’s Lien-Da by the way. We can hate each other in person if you’d like.”\n\nLuna sighs, “I don't hate anyone, though my big brother comes close.” She crosses her arms with a frown, not liking the bomb comment. “And I'm sorry you had to go through that… I get the feeling Ivo doesn't trust anyone easily.” She looks down, and sighs, “I'm still trying. I mean yeah he at least tries to treat me like family, but it's like there's a wall there.”\n\nLuna blinks, and shakes her head to clear it, “Why am I telling you this? You don't care to begin with, and you'll just use it to be mean.” She looks to the lynx, but blinks when she realizes the cobra walked off without her noticing. “...Someone needs to put a bell on that guy… Sorry Ma'am, i didn't mean to ignore you. What's your name?” She tries to smile, hoping this one will be a bit more friendly.\n\n“I am known as the Bride of the Conquering Storm.” The lynx replies curtly.\n\n“Just call her Storm.” Lien-Da shrugs. “Look, I can tell you're a goodie two-shoes who wants everyone to be happy. But life doesn't always have a happy ending. I wake up every morning with the fear that I've died and went to hell. I hate having a guillotine dangling figuratively and pretty much literally over my head just because I made a deal with a devil you call an angel. So if you want to give Eggs a chance, go for it. But if he does the same thing to you as he did to us… it'll be too late for an I told you so.” She turns. “Now, we're late for our meeting with Doctor Benedict, so I'm gonna skedaddle over that way before I can breath through my stomach.” She gives a sardonic salute and heads off to catch up with the rest of the group, leaving Storm and Luna alone.\n\nLuna watches her go, and thinks about the red Chaos Emerald tucked away in her quills, a little trick she had discovered by accident when a flop on the bed made her pillow get stuck in them. The faintest of smiles touches her lips, and she looks to Storm. “Let me go with you, I can help explain why you guys fell behind… And I'd like to know what's going on. Maybe i could help somehow?”\n\nStorm shrugs. “I'm not your mother. Do as you please.” She turns and follows after Lien-Da.\n\nLuna smiles a bit more as she follows. It's not exactly friendly, but it isn’t hostile either. She doesn't want to risk that so she keeps quiet all the way to the meeting room.\n\nOnce in the room, she is able to more clearly see the group of Mobians who had entered.\n\nAside from Lien-Da and Storm, there were two green deer sisters who sat next to each other, a tiny pudgy yellow chinchilla, the cobra Male she saw earlier, a Male jackrabbit in a cowboy hat, a green female squid, a female… hawk she assumed, a yellow coyote Male, a purple Male walrus, a male orca, and a brown Male water buffalo. Thirteen people in all.\n\nStanding just outside the room with her head poked in she nervously searches for her cousin. Being around so many new folks has her a bit wary.\n\nA door is opened by two robots, and Ivo steps in calmly. “It is time for the monthly update.”\n\n“Can’t we just have a yearly update? This is getting excessive.” The walrus states, annoyed.\n\n“Agreed. I’m tired of seeing this oaf every month.” The orca points at the walrus with distaste.\n\n“Why don’t you come over here and say that?” The walrus stands abruptly, glaring daggers at the orca.\n\n“Settle down.” Ivo states. “I’m in no mood for your shenanigans, and I’m sure you all want to go home as fast as possible. Give me your reports, and if everything is running smoothly, you may go.”\n\n“Well then, it’s running smoothly. Meeting adjourned.” The walrus stands and turns, ready to leave.\n\n“Sit. Down.” Ivo’s voice makes Luna shiver a little. It was powerful, authorative. Even though it wasn’t directed at her, it almost made her want to sit.\n\nThe walrus is tense, slowly taking his seat again.\n\n“Excellent. Now, we’ll go down the line. Clove, Cassia, how goes the expedition?” Ivo takes his seat.\n\n“W-well, it’s going super smoothly! Yeah!” The darker green deer girl says, hiding her nervousness behind a bubbly personality. Though turning towards Ivo reveals her cybernetic face and ears.\n\n“The hunt for the cyan Chaos Emerald is indeed going smoothly. The excavation has yielded many resources for your use as we uncover your coveted jewel.” The other deer, likely older, replies seriously.\n\nLuna listens from the doorway, and muses softly in her head. So her cousin wants the other Chaos Emeralds, which doesn’t surprise her given how special he told her they are. Maybe that is why he gave her one? To get her familiar with them? He, and Ai both agree that she and Shadow have a more special bond with them than most folks, maybe he hopes she can help him finds them? The idea makes her tail wag, she likes the idea of being able to do something for the man that took her in.\n\n“Excellent. Lien-Da, Storm. How goes training your troops?” Ivo inquires.\n\n“As smooth as usual.” Lien-Da shrugs.\n\n“But since you inquired, I'm assuming you're going to demand something of us that will make our lives harder.” Storm states.\n\n“Blunt as always, hm? But you hit the nail on the head. Out of all the dozen, you two already have a trained militia each. But the other ten Egg Bosses are having trouble keeping their men in line, and your men aren't responding to orders from the other leaders. You can see how this is a problem?” Ivo leans in.\n\n“Not really. We've been training our men for years. They trust us. That is the reason anyone else's men won't trust us, and our men won't listen to anyone else.” Storm crosses her arms.\n\n“Makes sense,” Luna comments from the doorway, but then claps a hand over her mouth as she folds her ears back. She hopes she didn't disturb their meeting.\n\n“Ah Luna, welcome. Please come in, share your thoughts.” Ivo says graciously.\n\nShe blinks, and slowly steps in. All the eyes on her makes her nervous so she focuses on Ivo like she was having a talk just with him. “Well… I was just saying they made sense. You wouldn't put your neck out there for a total stranger unless you were crazy somehow.” She rubs the back of her neck, “...Maybe Linda and Madam Bride can share some pointers on how they got people to listen to them? The others could try doing the same thing?” She risks a glance around the room to see if she just stepped on some kind of land mine.\n\n“Lien-da.” Lien-da corrects.\n\n“Don't care,” she replies bluntly, though her trip of the tongue does make her blush a bit as she looks to the side. It's a total Tsundere moment.\n\n“Well, we lead by example. We spend time teaching and training with our soldiers.” Storm explains. “It takes time and effort.”\n\nLuna nods as she steps over to lean on Ivo softly. It makes sense to her. She folds her hands behind her back and eyes the floor quietly, lost in thought for the moment.\n\nIvo sighs. “then I will give you time. You will need to provide the effort.”\n\n“...Understood.” Storm says reluctantly.\n\n“Good, moving on. Mordred, any updates on the capture of that Rob outlaw?” Ivo inquires.\n\nMordred, apparently the name of the cobra snake, shakes his head. “unfortunately, he keeps evading our grasp. It is very hard to subdue him without lethal force.”\n\nLuna ponders that, “An outlaw? There's someone hurting folks?”\n\n“They’re not necessarily hurting people, but they’re stealing and pillaging the upper class.” Mordred explains. “It’s annoying more than anything, but ever since we attempted to ease this tension, Rob O’ The Hedge has been making it his mission to make my troops’ lives hell.”\n\nLuna tilts her head, and scratches behind an ear. “...Can I ask what you've tried so far? To ease tension I mean.” She was going to suggest just talking with this guy, but stopped herself at the last second. She doesn't want to sound silly with something so important.\n\n“Well, first we thought our presence would be enough to deter him. When that didn’t work, we tried chasing him off whenever we saw him. Then, we tried capturing him and seeing if we could come to some sort of agreement. But he doesn’t want anything to do with us, he knocked out my men and escaped. Multiple times.” Mordred flicks his tongue in annoyance.\n\nLuna considers that, “Well… I don't know what my opinion is worth, I've only been walking around a bit over a week after all… But it sounds like he's just being stubborn. Either that or he feels like he has a reason to just not like folks. If that's how it is then… Well, if it were me I'd send out a public invitation so he'd hear about it, someplace to talk where it is impossible to try to trap him. See if I could win his trust somehow, and work something out.”\n\nAi appears at her shoulder, “This is the logical approach. If the entire region knows about it, and he refuses or uses the chance for more thievery it will only portray him poorly. There is a chance that he has some unknown cause or agenda for his actions however which may result in him not making an appearance. I do not have enough data to properly calculate the odds for a proper prediction however, but studies show that many of those who feel they may take the law into their own hands suffer heavily from pride, an easy weakness to exploit as Doctor Robotnik can attest.”\n\n“Okay, but this is what you’d do. If I did it, he just wouldn’t show up anyways.” Mordred crosses his arms.\n\nLuna blinks, and looks up as an idea hits her. “...So what if I did do it?”\n\nAi speaks quickly. “That is ill advised. Your abilities for self-defense are still developing. This Outlaw has questionable motives, and far more experience, the odds are very high you would be needlessly putting yourself in danger.”\n\nLuna crosses her arms,”But that's just it… Until I master my powers I'm just a burden. I want to help out! It doesn't sound like anyone is being seriously hurt, and I can still teleport within my line of sight and throw light grenades. At the very least if i show up it'll catch his interest, right? He'll wanna talk to me just to see what's up, and maybe i can get the full story here.”\n\n“His interest is not the only one that will be gained,” Ai points out. “May I remind you that there is a 98% chance you are being looked for by both Sonic, and Shadow the Hedgehog? If you leave the base and word of your location in the outside world is spread they will come, and they will not treat Mordred's forces kindly.”\n\nShe looks down as she considers that, and sighs. “...Gotta see big brother again sooner or later…” She looks to Mordred, “Will you let me help? If my brother, Sonic, or anyone else comes looking for me you don't have to get in their way. Nobody needs to get hurt because of me.”\n\nMordred frowns and glances to Ivo.\n\nIvo shrugs. “She might as well see what the forces are like. Are you sure, Luna?”\n\nShe nods, and looks up at him with a nervous smile. “Yeah. I wanna do this.”\n\nIvo nods softly. “Mordred, you are dismissed. Make sure Luna stays safe.”\n\n“Yes sir.” Mordred stands and salutes before turning and walking out of the room. Luna steps to follow, but pauses to turn and give Ivo a mildly tight hug first before she jogs after the cobra.\n\nMordred watches her as he walks. “You really care for him, hm?”\n\nShe looks down, and nods. “Yeah… It's like this… When I was woke up Ai told me a lot. Among those things was that i had family, and so I wanted to reach out to them. I wanted someone to help me in a world I didn't understand… What I got was an angry Emohog shoving a pistol between my eyes.”\n\nShe looks over her shoulder, “But Ivo… He took me in, no questions… Well, actually he had a lot of questions. But he was willing to help me, and he's the first of my family to do that… That means more to me than anything really. And I know he's done bad things, but I think my being here is proof he can do good too…”\n\n“That, or he sees an easily manipulatable pawn. But you’re the judge here, not me.” Mordred shrugs as he leads her back to the room the thirteen had come from.\n\nAi states, “If this truly is the course of action we desire then there is an almost certainty that Luna will be captured by the Outlaw. The logical approach to hearing that a new player in this game of cat and mouse taking a diplomatic approach is to have talks on terms that completely favor the Outlaw, at least in the course of the Outlaw's actions.”\n\nMordred frowns. “Then… you will likely have to head out into the forest. I won’t be able to come, nor will my men be able to help you.”\n\nLuna nods, gulping softly. “...Nobody that works for you has been seriously hurt, right? Not by him anyhow?”\n\n“...Does getting shot with arrows count?” Mordred inquires as he steps on the teleporter pad.\n\nLuna whimpers as she follows, but Ai says, “Given that the default abilities for an Ultimate Lifeform include a body resistant to high caliber bullets I believe you are safe from that, Luna. Provided he does not shoot into your mouth, eyes, or other orifices.”\n\n“Not helping,” she mutters through her teeth, taking Mordred by the hand without thinking.\n\n“He usually shoots areas that will heal quickly and make a full recovery. It isn’t wise to be making contact during the teleport.” Mordred watches her amusedly.\n\nShe jerks her hand back with a blush, and laughs nervously. “Okay…”\n\nMordred chuckles and looks to the robots on the controls. “To Camelot.”\n\nThey comply, teleporting the duo to Camelot castle.\n\nMordred steps off the pad and into a room made of stone, a haphazard attempt to fit the walls with modern tech evident as he walks out. Luna gives the place a curious lookover as she follows him. She's trying to take slow breaths to calm her racing heart, mental images of assassins with bows hiding around every corner plaguing her thoughts.\n\n“I can tell what you’re thinking, his Merry Men aren’t good shots. At all. He’s usually using a crossbow.” Mordred glances back.\n\nShe sweats a little, “That obvious, huh?”\n\nAi states, “May I advise making the announcement at once that a new diplomat has arrived tk attempt negotiations with Rob O The Hedge? I would ask you keep Luna's identity a secret, and provide only a location where she plans to meet him. Based on satellite imagery of the area the crescent shaped forest clearing 20 miles south by southeast seems appropriate.”\n\n“How did you… never mind. Sure, yeah.” Mordred nods.\n\nLuna gently takes Mordred's hand in both of hers as she trembles softly. “...I'm going to do my best to solve this, Mordred… I promise.”\n\n“Just don’t die, that would be very bad for both of us.” Mordred comments.\n\nShe nods, thinking of the bombs in Mordred and those other folks. Somehow that lights a gentle fire in her chest that starts to melt away the terror.\n\n-----\n\nThe next day Luna is alone in the clearing they discussed yesterday, with the exception of Ai of course. She's been there for nearly an hour waiting to see if this guy is even going to show up. In hindsight him hearing of it would have required him knowing folks in town, or having people that could enter town unnoticed. In the end she's having doubts that he is coming, but resolves herself to wait until sunset as she starts counting blades of grass to pass the time.\n\n“I doth was expecting a foul mechanoid, not a fair maiden.” A tree shudders, and a hooded figure lands casually, crossbow perched on their shoulder.\n\nLuna jumps, surprised she hadn't heard him. But then again with the wind rustling the trees it could probably mask the sound of someone climbing around in them. Slowly she stands from the boulder she had been sitting on, and waves shyly. “H-hi… I'm Luna?”\n\n“I am the dashing rogue, Rob O’ The Hedge!” he bows grandly. “What doth thou seek from me?”\n\n“...Huh?” She tilts her head.\n\nAi appears, “He is asking what you came to him for.”\n\n“Oh!” She clears her throat softly, and folds her hands behind her back. “Well… I met Mordred recently, and he told me that you were an outlaw here. He told me his side of things… I wanted to hear your side though.”\n\nHe taps his crossbow on his shoulder. “That scoundrel likely spat out some cockamamey yarn about me being a bad guy. But I simply steal from the rich, and give to the poor. The taxes be far too high for thine simple people. They can’t keep up thine high taxes, and can’t afford food nor clothing.”\n\nAi translates for her, and she replies, “Well… he told me that he came to the region to try to ease tensions, but… you kinda got in the way…” She scuffs a foot in the dirt, “And yeah he tried to catch you… but wouldn't you do the same if some stranger was running around shooting folks, and taking their stuff?” She gulps softly, ears back as she hopes she didn't offend him.\n\n“Thou art right I supposeth. But still, all thine newfangled machines art disturbing the locale ecosystem, with their fumes and cuttingeth the trees.” He sounds annoyed under his hood. “Perhapseth Mordred Hood hath good intentions, but in thine process he art also destroying the natural way of lifeth in this part of the world.”\n\nShe considers that quietly. “...Would you be willing to show me?” She takes a slow breath, and says, “Look Rob… Mordred is literally on the chopping block… If he can't carry out his mission there's a bomb in him someplace with his name on it… So what if you showed me what you're talking about?”\n\nShe gestures to Ai, “My friend here can record it, and we show it to him. We can start smoothing things over maybe, and no one else has to get hurt…”\n\nHe considers, pulling back his hood. He’s the spitting image of Sonic the Hedgehog, except his fur is more of a sea green. “Aye, I supposeth I can do that.”\n\nLuna can't help but stare at him now, and then blinks a few times. “Right… um… I don't suppose you know a hedgehog named Sonic, do you?”\n\n“Thine chap mine cousin Amy keeps sending letters about?” Rob tilts his head.\n\nShe stiffens, “You know Amy?” She smiles softly, “Wow… small world…”\n\n“Indeed, she doth go on long tirades about thine hedgehog knight filled with valor.” Rob shrugs.\n\n“Okay,” she says as she walks closer, trying to relax a bit. “Um… if you write her back could you not mention me for now? I'm sort of… in hiding…”\n\n“Doth thou kill a man?” He inquires.\n\n“What?! No!” She waves her hands, “It's… it's like this…”\n\nAs she follows Rob through the woods she tells him about waking up in the ARK, and coming down to Mobius. Then she tells him about meeting Amy in Station Square, and how she helped her get in touch with Shadow.\n\n“And I almost got shot trying to hug him, so I ran off,” she says. “So I reached out to my cousin Ivo, Mordred's boss, and he took me in. But someone with a smartphone took a video of me getting picked up, and it almost looks like a kidnapping. I'm just worried that if Sonic and Shadow find where I am it'll cause a lot of trouble.”\n\n“I see. Thou art aware of the negative connotations being aligned with Robotnik entails, right?” Rob questions as they walk.\n\nShe sighs, “Yeah… But he's family, and the only dependable member of mine I've met. He's been good to me. That's why I asked to come out and resolve all this.”\n\n“Well thou seem reasonable, if naive. I am willing to see how this turneth out.” Rob comments.\n\n“Thanks… I think?”\n\nShe follows him to a nearby village, and Ai confirms that he is recording as she follows Rob to see what he's talking about.\n\nRob reverses his cloak, putting his quiver and crossbow under it to resemble a hunchback as he puts on beggar sunglasses and grabs a stick to walk on, hobbling into town and appearing like an old man. It was rather impressive to see such a transformation. Luna makes sure to tuck that little trick away in the back of her head for later, and follows him into town.\n\nWhat she finds there disturbs her. The houses don't look too well maintained, barely livable really. She doesn't see anyone there smiling which upsets her a bit, but what really gets her is when she sees a mother mongoose comforting her sniffling daughter on their doorstep, the both of them dressed in tattered rags of clothing. She sees a vendor at his stand for food with only a couple carrots, and an apple to sell. \n\n“It's like the town itself is almost dead,” she mutters to herself.\n\n“This is normal.” Rob says in a deep gravelly voice to maintain his cover. “Whileth the peasants live here just trying to get by, thine fat cats in Camelot and Avalon dineth like royalty. When I cameth to do my whole Robin Hood schtick, they criedeth foul and summoned Robotnik. Mordred was an innocent member of thine upper class, did what he couldeth to maintain the peace. But then he wath drafted into the Dark Legion. He hadeth rules to follow and orders to giveth. He had to “protecteth” the ones who needed “protecting”. Perhapseth my methods are not thine best, but it be a solution that works.”\n\nHe sighs. “How I wist for thine olden days of knights and kings… perhaps then it wouldeth be different. But… now thine previously noble cities of Camelot and Avalon are overrun by corrupt pigs…”\n\nLuna looks around at the village. “...Let me see what's going on in the big cities. I might not be that smart, but Ai is. We can try to find the root of all this.” She steps over, and gives Rob a gentle hug. “...I'm sorry i thought you were a trigger happy psychopath…”\n\n“Careful, I have a disguise to maintain.” He hobbles out of the village, changing back before taking her to Avalon and changing again. After all, Camelot was where Mordred and his men held most of their forces.\n\nLuna says, “Maybe I should just go in alone? I can move around more freely if I'm not worried for you.”\n\nRob nods. “Sure. I’ll need to hide.”\n\nShe nods, and heads into Avalon herself with a sigh.\n\nInside, people on the outskirts still wear tattered clothes, but they’re patched and kept relatively well made. Food is a bit more diverse, though still scarce. She shakes her head a bit at that as she wanders the marketplace. She decides to pay a visit to one of the Nobles then to see exactly what these “fat cats” Rob spoke of are like.\n\nThe housing gets better, and she starts seeing people in actual clothing and jewelry, bright and colorful. They don’t look necessarily snooty or anything, but she doesn’t actually know them. She decides to try talking to one of them, walking over with a smile.\n\n“Hello there!”\n\n A beaver woman pauses and turns to her, blinking at her attire. “Yes?”\n\n“Hi, I'm new to the area,” she says. “I was wondering if you could point me towards one of the more important nobles?”\n\nThe woman stares at her, appraising her. “...I suppose it’s none of my business to ask what you intend to do with them, but certainly.”\n\n“Thank you,” she says kindly, and once she has her directions she heads off.\n\nThe beaver watches her. “I hope they use protection…”\n\nLuna heads further into town to one of the towering manors, and waves to the guards as she approaches. “Hi there! I'm here with Mordred to see how folks are doing. Is It okay if I meet your boss?”\n\nThey blink, studying her. “...Sure, you can go in.” They step aside to let her in.\n\nShe nods her thanks before headed in, humming softly to herself. “What nice people.”\n\nAs she walks inside, she can kind of hear them talking to each other behind her. “She seems too nice for that… is she really…?” One of the guards murmurs.\n\n“Well, maybe it’s her act?” The other supplies. “I can’t see any other reason she’d be dressed like… that.”\n\nStepping into the manor proper she looks around and calls, “Hello? Anyone home?” Walking further in she spots a butler, and waves with a smile. \n\nHe tenses up. “Oh dear madame, what are you wearing? Surely you’re not… a summon girl, are you?”\n\nShe blinks, and looks down at her clothes. Maybe it's time for a different wardrobe? She's seen a lot of people wearing nicer things after all, especially those that work for Ivo. “Um… Not sure what that is so no, I'm not. I'm just here to see the owner? Mordred let me tag along to see if I could help solve the outlaw issues so I'm trying to get all the information I can.”\n\n“Ah, an associate of Sir Mordred? Very well, come.” He leads her up there stairs. “I take it you are from outside Mercia then?”\n\nShe nods, not having known the name of the region and feeling rather silly for not having asked ahead of time. She had been so focused on the needs of her new friend that it hadn't even crossed her mind. She feels it might be rude to mention that now though.\n\n“Yeah,” she says as she follows. “Anything you could tell me about how things are here?”\n\n“We prefer to keep things here old fashioned. Camelot is attempting retrofitting tech into the buildings, but they are the only ones. It is easier to maintain niceties when they cost less after all. Commoners work for the nobles, and the nobles pay them for their time and effort. Some commoners dislike that and riot. Most have accepted their roles… like me.” He shrugs. “I live a simple life. I care for Master Lance, and in turn he ensures I have a roof over my head, three square meals a day, clothing on my body, and a reason to live. I am content.” \n\nShe frowns softly, and follows without comment. Maybe she can get some information out of this Lance fellow.\n\n“What about you? What is it like outside Mercia? More freeing, it seems.” He comments, not turning his gaze away from the path he leads her on.\n\n“Well I haven't actually had the chance to see much of it. That's probably something I should look at doing after I'm done helping Mordred out here. Have you heard of any places that might be fun to go? You know, so I can start making a list or something?”\n\n“No, I'm afraid not. I do not confess to know much about the outside world.” he replies and stops in front of a door and knocking. “Master Lance, you have a guest.”\n\n“Enter.” a bored voice replies. It sounds familiar … \n\nLuna opens the door with a smile, and steps in, “Hi, I'm-” She jerks to a stop with eyes wide, and jumps back. “THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE SHADOW?!”\n\nShadow, wearing a rather regal white shirt and green pants, frowns at her. “Excuse you, Knave? I am thine direct descendant of Sir Lancelot himself! Compose thineself, and do not address me in such a tone.”\n\n“I don't give a damn if you're the king of the whole world,” she snaps back, quills rising a bit. “Guys who try to shoot their sisters don't get room make demands!”\n\n“Cedric, get this insane strumpet out of mine sight at once.” Lance waves his hand with annoyance.\n\n“Let’s take a moment to simmer down.” Cedric, the butler, moves between them and attempts to defuse the situation. “Sir Lance, this girl is an associate of Sir Mordred’s. She wishes to speak with you regarding that I assume. Miss, this is Sir Lance Galahad, descendent of Sir Lancelot. Please speak to him with dignity and respect.”\n\nLuna glances between them, “But-!”\n\nAi appears, “I believe apologies are in order, Luna. Public surveillance shows Shadow the Hedgehog in Station Square fifteen seconds ago.” He shows her the footage of her older brother following Rouge to a quick service coffee shop. Ai then turns to Lance, “Please forgive the misunderstanding, you are the spitting image of her elder brother, with whom you can imagine she has quarrel with.” He displays a holographic screen which shows her first encounter with the dark savior of Mobius.\n\n“I do not appreciate being verbally abused for something I hath not done.” Lance states, placing his hands on his hips.\n\nLuna slumps, ears folding back. “...I'm so sorry… I've been avoiding him since that day, and when I saw you it freaked me out. I swear my life flashed before my eyes…”\n\nHe huffs. “I will overlook thine transgression. But thou hadst better have something interesting to say.”\n\nCedric sighs with relief. “I’ll go brew some tea.” He retreats to go fetch some.\n\nLuna has a seat in a nearby armchair, and clears her throat softly. “Well… Cedric was right. Mordred brought me here to see if I could help with his issues with Rob O the Hedge. I'm just going around gathering information now… I actually met with Rob, and it sounds like if things get handled right he's willing to stop the attacks, maybe even work with Mordred.”\n\n“Rob’s heart is in the right place, but how he’s doing it… it’s sketchy at best.” Lance sits across from her.\n\nLuna nods, “I won't agree what he's doing is right either… Neither side is right really. Rob believes though that the taxes are the issues.”\n\n“And he isn't wrong,” Ai adds in. “During our travels I was monitoring conversations going on around us through audio filters. Rough calculations based on figures discussed by merchants in the market, and compared against the resources allowed to Mordred by the Dark Legion suggest that the current tax rates are three times what they need to be. That is to say if taxes were cut down by two thirds the country could still function comfortably, and have some spare to set aside every year for catastrophe relief.”\n\nHe puts up a few displays in front of Lance to prove his findings, styling it to look as though it were done with quill and parchment for his familiarity. Above them though he plays the footage of their trip through the desolate village.\n\nLance’s features soften as Cedric comes back, serving them tea.\n\nLuna fidgets a bit, “So… Ai? What did you need Lance's help with?”\n\n“I merely want to confirm the details of tax laws in this country so we may draft a revision to them for Mordred. If handled delicately Rob O the Hedge may actually accept the proverbial olive branch when offered.”\n\nLuna tilts her head, “Olive branch…?”\n\n“It is a universal sign of peacemaking, or rather it was back in the Bronze Age,” Ai explains.\n\n“Perhaps it will suffice. I doubt thine upper class will appreciate their income being reduced, but no one doth.” Lance muses.\n\n“Sir Lance, are you familiar with the tale of the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg,” Ai asks.\n\n“I hath, when I was but a hoglet.” He nods.\n\n“I'm not,” Luna says, tilting her head.\n\n“Of course,” Ai states. “The tale goes that a farmer one morning while collecting eggs from his chickens and geese discovered that one of his geese had laid an egg of pure gold. Naturally it was worth more than the farmer earned in a month, and so he sold it to make his life a bit easier. Every day that goose would lay another golden egg, and every day the farmer sold it so he could buy things he needed. Life became easy for the farmer, so easy that he no longer struggled for a living, and began to use the eggs for petty wants and desires. Then one day when he was overcome by greed he decided that instead of settling for one egg a day he wanted them all at once. So he chased down the goose, killed it, and cut it open. However there were no eggs to be found, and because of what he had done he would never again have the eggs of gold he had come to rely on.”\n\nLance sighs. “Insightful, but the greed of nobelmen hath no bounds.”\n\nLuna thinks it over, and then it clicks. “So… the lower class is like the golden goose. They're the ones that make it possible for the upper class to have an income… and if they keep making the lower class suffer they could die out, and the upper class could lose everything altogether.”\n\n“Correct,” Ai says. “But Lance is also correct, not every noble will care, or even properly go along with it. However I believe that is a problem Mordred can handle, especially if Rob, and perhaps Sir Lance are willing to offer assistance.”\n\nLance nods softly. “I doth be listening.”\n\nAi states, “I do not have enough data to say precisely how you can help Mordred, but I can say with certainty that the more allies he has the better. He can coordinate with you on the finer details.”\n\n“Well, I have skills, but they apply more to combat.” Lance muses.\n\nLuna smiles, “I'm sure he'll help you find a way to put them to use.”\n\nLance nods and sips his tea. “In the meantime, doth thou hast a place to stay? We will need to findeth you some less revealing attire, lest you be mistaken for a prostitute.”\n\nShe tilts her head in confusion, “For a what…?” She blinks several times in confusion. Looking down at her tank top she pulls the neckline to look at the fabric, flashing a tit at the men in the room by accident as she muses that she probably does need new clothes it it's such a big deal to everyone. Funny how Ivo never said anything though.\n\nLance’s jaw drops as he eyes up her single breast, blushing. “Ahem… perhaps… we should take the chance to give you said clothes. Cedric… leave me. I shall… attend to her clothing needs.”\n\nCedric composes himself and bows. “Of course. Excuse me.” He quickly leaves the room.\n\nLance stands. “I will let thou borrow some of mine ex’s old dresses. Please, get out of thine clothes while I fetcheth them.” He lingers in the hopes of seeing any more skin.\n\nLuna frowns a bit as she stands and starts to pull off her top, leaving her upper half exposed. “So many new words,” she muses as she strips off her pants to reveal white panties with little pink hearts, something generic that Ivo helped her find. She never did find out how he got them though, and makes a note to ask when she gets back as she strips off the undergarments.\n\nLance takes in her C cup breasts and pink pussy lips, swallowing. He slowly walks to his closet, digging through it before soon coming back with a pile of dresses. “Please, try these on. Let’s findeth you something that fits.” He’s hesitant to stop staring, not really offering the clothes to her so much as using it to cover his crotch.\n\nShe looks them over curiously, deciding to go by the only criteria she knows, which is which colors she likes. One item catches her eye, and lucky for her it's the one item any woman with a social life has in her closet: the Little Black Dress.\n\nTaking the item gently she gives it a look over as she turns away from Lance. The sleeves on it are long, and falling in with the time's sense of modesty it would reach down past her knees. The neckline is a bit risque though, being a sharp V neck that will offer a decent view of her cleavage. Shrugging she slips into the dress, struggling just a little by how snuggly it fits her like it was designed to, leaving little to the imagination towards her sizes and figure. She wiggles it down over her legs, and turns a slow circle. “Better?”\n\nLance swallows. “Hot-I mean, er… still risque for the area… but otherwise, looks greateth on you!”\n\nShe frowns at that, “You're using a lot of words I don't know. Like what's a prosta-whatsit? What's an Ex? What is risky?” She sighs, “I'm so confused…”\n\nLance rubs his neck. “Let’s see… a prostitute doth be someone who selleth their bodies for a certain amount of time to perform… sexual acts. Exes doth be short for ex-girlfriends or boyfriends, girlfriends in my case. And risque… means sexy in a slightly negative connotation.”\n\nShe pouts, the explanation not quite enough to cure her curiosity. But Ai jumps in saying, “This is a discussion that can be had at any time, however lives are at stake the longer this mission continues.”\n\nLuna blinks, and nods, “Right, Ai you go ahead and get your answers from Lance… I need to call Ivo.”\n\n“Opening a channel,” Ai says, and Luna nods as she takes her video chat out of earshot of Lance while he and Ai talk.\n\n“Luna, how goes the mission?” Ivo greets. He blinks and tilts his head. “And… are you wearing a dress?”\n\nShe nods, and looks down at it, “Yeah, one of the nobles gave it to me. For some reason my other outfit made folks think I was a Summon Girl, or something called a prostitute.” She shrugs, and smiles. “At least now I have something nice to wear like everyone else that works for you.”\n\n“If you want something to wear that fits the Dozen, I can have a jumpsuit like Lien-Da’s made for you.” Ivo comments.\n\nLuna considers, “...Well it is a nice outfit. But I don't know how she'd take it if she thought I was copying her. She doesn't really care for me much…”\n\n“You just need to talk to her about common things you two share. Like… being red. And girls. Just find some neutral ground, and endear yourself to her.” He shrugs. “And if anyone calls you a prostitute, I’ll come over there and disintegrate them in person.”\n\nShe doesn't really get why it's a bad thing since it seems to upset Ivo, but she smiles at the idea he wants to protect her in some way. “That's okay. Anyways we have a game plan for how to handle all this. Basically cutting down on taxes by a lot so nobody starves to death. It'll be rough getting the nobles on board, but if it helps the lower class I think Rob would lend a hand. I've already got one noble in on the action.”\n\n“Good luck then. In the meantime, I’ll start on your suit.” Ivo nods. “It might make you look like a call girl to Mercian standards, but otherwise I think you will look stunning.”\n\n“Thanks,” she says softly. “Also… I… I've been thinking… about Shadow.” She sighs, “I met Andy, um, SA-01, and freaked out. The same with this noble, he looks and sounds just like him… I'm thinking I'll stay in Mercia, and face Shadow here. If i don't do something about this anxiety i feel towards him I'll never stop jumping at shadows…”\n\nIvo taps his chin. “Mm… I suppose exposure is good in small doses. Very well, but don’t let him take advantage of you. Okay?”\n\nShe blinks in confusion, before it clicks. “Oh… I'm not talking about Lance. I mean my actual brother. Rob is a cousin to Amy who knows how to reach him… Best I try to settle things away from you and the rest of your people. The idea scares me, but I'm scared anyways that he'll find me when i least expect it… One way or another I need to put an end to that.”\n\n“I’m not so sure Mercia would be the best place… you’re already less trained than him, and you’d be dealing with a populace adverse to what you normally wear, which is what you’re used to fighting him in. Fighting in a dress would only make your battle even more uphill. And I feel like we both know this will end in a fight.” Ivo sighs. “But… I trust your judgement. If you think Mercia is a good spot, I won’t stop you. Just be careful, okay?”\n\nShe nods, and smiles. “And no matter what, cousin, I'll come home to you. That's a promise, okay? I love you!” She tries to hug the screen, but it just ghosts around her.\n\nIvo chuckles and waves. “See you soon.” He ends the call.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Eggman's lair has many amenities to those who call it home. Presently only Luna, Ai, and a collection of robots meant for maintaining the base live there apart from Ivo Robotnik himself. The former of whom has shut herself up in a shooting range Eggman regularly uses for testing new weapons. She however is using it for practice.

Luna growls in frustration at the slab of steel that is her target a dozen meters down the range. The damnable sheet has refused to do any more than scorch mildly at her many attempts to master the Chaos Spear.

Drawing back her hand she tries again, but this time only a bolt of energy from her fingertip, striking the sheet like a ray of sunshine with about as much affect. Growling she stomps her foot, “This is ridiculous! Even with the Chaos Emerald i can't do it right! If i build up enough energy then I'm basically just lobbing a grenade, and any attacks I make that actually cross the distance are pitiful!” She rubs her fingertips in her quills roughly, messing up her hair a bit as she groans her distress.

“Perhaps it is your technique.”

She knows that voice, it’s the reason she's here in the first place. She whirls around to see Shadow, watching her curiously.

She jumps with eyes wide, and quills flared, at least as much as they can be given how long hers are. She spins around with her back to the wall, and stares at her brother. “What the-?! How did you get here?!” It had been a week since the news story about her getting picked up by Eggman, but she has been hoping in her heart that she had more time to improve before having to face him again.

Shadow tilts his head amusedly before pointing to his highlights, which upon reinspection appear to be orange. “Glad to see we’re off to a good start. I am not your brother, though I am an android made in his likeness.”

“O-oh…” She puts a hand over her rapidly beating heart, and takes a few slow breaths. “Sorry about that… Um… My name is Luna, nice to meet you.” She extends a hand to him.

“I am given the designation Shadow Android.” The android shakes her hand politely, his features softer than Shadow’s and appearing to be more neutral and kind. “From what the doctor told me, you are Shadow’s sister?”

“Kind of,” she says. “I was cloned from him, but only came around about a week ago… What did you mean by my technique?”

“You’re charging the attack properly, but you’re only using your first two fingers.” Shadow Android explains. “The attack you are performing would only stun robots and such.” Shadow moves to be at her side, raising his hand for her to see. “Charge it in your palm instead.” He focuses, his hand sparking as energy collects in his palm before he clutches the energy and hurls it at the piece of steel.

She watches as his attack burns right through it, and the automated systems replace the sheet with a fresh one. Sighing she says, “I've tried, and the best I get is…” She holds out her hand, and the energy swirls into it. She tries to shape it into the shaft of a spear, but it stubbornly takes on an orb shape. With a groan of frustration she hurls it down the range, and lands about halfway down. Then it detonates, packing an impressive force but clearly not what she had been after.

Shadow Android taps his chin.”Well… you’re unique to Shadow you know. Your energy seems different to him, at least. You can’t go about things the same way as him, you need to adapt your strategy to fit you.”

She sighs, and rubs the back of her neck. “Yeah maybe… Ivo ran a scan on me the other day. According to him I have just as much energy as Shadow, it just doesn't want to work the same way. It's like… Ivo said it was like I'm a square peg trying to fit in the same round hole Shadow uses.” She sighs, and folds her hands behind her head. She blushes when her stomach growls though.

Shadow Android smiles with amusement. “Perhaps you will solve your conundrum after lunch?”

She nods, and turns to go, “Thanks for trying to help Shadow… uh… Shadow Android…” She chews her bottom lip a bit, “That's a bit awkward. Do you have a nickname I can use?”

“Admittedly, Eggman calls me by my designation, SA-01. If you have a nickname for me, I’d be glad to be referred to using it. Provided it’s decent.” He smirks.

She thinks over his name, and then over all the names she knows, mainly through the kids movies she has come to enjoy. Perking she snaps her fingers, “I got it! How about Andy? Like the short version of Android?”

He blinks and considers. “Andy… and it doesn’t have anything to do with Shadow… I will accept the nickname Andy.”

She raises an eyebrow, “You don't like him much either, huh?”

“Eggman programmed me to despise my counterpart, though it is more of a disdain personally. Nothing like the rivalry between Sonic and Metal Sonic.” Andy shrugs.

Luna leans on a wall, rubbing her belly to help keep it quiet while she wraps up the conversation. “I actually met Sonic. He didn't seem like a bad guy… I haven't met Metal Sonic yet, though Ivo has mentioned him a couple of times.”

“They’re… opposites.” Andy muses. He doesn’t go into further detail.

“Hm… well I would like to meet him at some point if I can.” She waves, “Catch you later Andy!”

Andy waves. “Come find me if you want some help with Chaos training.”

Nodding she heads off to the dining room where she smiles at the idea of seeing her cousin again. She's not so keen on reporting her lack of success after everything he's done for her, but he's always up to something interesting in his workshop. She loves to hear him talk about it, and have Ai teach her the finer details later.

A sound catches her ear, and a door opens, an annoyed looking female lynx and an echidna woman with mechanical parts come out. Seconds later, she sees a flash of light and the same sound ring from the room, two green female deer heading out. This happens a few more times, around 12 different Mobians coming out of the room and heading for Eggman.

She tilts her head curiously at all the new people, but doesn't want to draw attention to herself. She notes how they all have some pretty snazzy looking clothes too, like that lynx had something out of a cartoon Ivo had called an Anime. She looks down at her own black tank top and jeans a moment before quietly following the group from a distance. As she does so, she can hear snippets of conversation.

“...All this way… like toys… just pawns…” the Lynx scowls, irritated.

“...Power … means to an end.” the echidna shrugs.

She frowns softly at that, and strains her ears to hear better. She has better hearing than most folks, and even from just what she heard she can tell the speakers aren't happy. Part of her wants to reach out to them to see if she could help somehow, but then she remembers the last time she surprised a grumpy person. Not wanting a repeat she decides to just tail them to their destination. Maybe she can ask Ivo about it later.

“I know… but I still feel more like a prisoner than a leader.” the lynx grumbles.

“it's all perspective.” The echidna shrugs.

Luna peeks around the corner to follow, but then freezes as she finds herself almost nose to nose with a pair of slitted eyes.

“Just what do you think you're-?”

That's as far as the raspy voice of those eyes get, for in that moment that will haunt her for the rest of her days Luna learns what it truly means to scream like a little girl. The shrill shriek echoes in the halls well enough there's no way anyone in the base didn't hear it, let alone the group she had been following.

Back to the wall with her hand over her heart Luna huffs for breath as she gets a good look at the speaker. A dark colored cobra with cybernetic arms and legs under dark armor. He has his hood flared as he recoils from the sonic attack, and then shakes his head with a scowl before flicking his tongue in irritation.

Luna folds her ears back with a heavy blush. “...I'm sorry,” she whimpers.

“Ow.” The lynx states irritably, looking to the two.

Luna blinks, now that she can see the faces of the women that had been talking she cant help staring at the striking red eyes of the Lynx. It's such a pretty color, much like her own. Though it also makes the sharp look Luna is being given a bit more scary. Swallowing softly she fidgets before looking between the three of them. “Um… hi… I'm Luna…”

The echidna girl tilts her head. “Oh, you’re that hedgehog who calls Egghead her cousin?”

Luna frowns, she doesn't especially like using his famous nickname since it seems geared towards hurting his feelings, and she certainly doesn't like people twisting it to make fun of him. Embarrassment forgotten she replies, “Well his grandfather made me which kinda makes that man my dad, so yeah Ivo is pretty much my cousin, ma'am.”

“Oh wow, and you’re defending him too… makes me wonder if he has you believing he’s something he isn’t.” The echidna muses.

Luna opens her mouth, but Ai appears at her shoulder saying, “I wouldn't let her behavior get under your skin, Luna. Statistically speaking Echidnas like her in general are an abrasive people as a result of their cultural conditioning.”

Luna tilts her head, “So she can't help being rude?”

“More or less,” he confirms.

Luna sighs, and hugs herself softly. “Okay… Look, Miss, I have my reasons for standing up for him, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk bad about him while I'm around.”

“So behind your back is okay then? Gotcha.” The echidna smirks.

Luna scowls, “Well I can't be everywhere at once so it's not like I could stop you. But if you really think he's so bad how does being a jerk make you any better, hm?” She sticks her tongue out, proud of her sound argument as a grin touches her lips.

“Because I’m the leader of over a thousand echidna soldiers, ready to flood into this world and take over with a single word. And the person who promised us revenge on the Guardian and asylum on this world also made us have cybernetic implants and put bombs in our chests.” She deadpans. “Oh, my name’s Lien-Da by the way. We can hate each other in person if you’d like.”

Luna sighs, “I don't hate anyone, though my big brother comes close.” She crosses her arms with a frown, not liking the bomb comment. “And I'm sorry you had to go through that… I get the feeling Ivo doesn't trust anyone easily.” She looks down, and sighs, “I'm still trying. I mean yeah he at least tries to treat me like family, but it's like there's a wall there.”

Luna blinks, and shakes her head to clear it, “Why am I telling you this? You don't care to begin with, and you'll just use it to be mean.” She looks to the lynx, but blinks when she realizes the cobra walked off without her noticing. “...Someone needs to put a bell on that guy… Sorry Ma'am, i didn't mean to ignore you. What's your name?” She tries to smile, hoping this one will be a bit more friendly.

“I am known as the Bride of the Conquering Storm.” The lynx replies curtly.

“Just call her Storm.” Lien-Da shrugs. “Look, I can tell you're a goodie two-shoes who wants everyone to be happy. But life doesn't always have a happy ending. I wake up every morning with the fear that I've died and went to hell. I hate having a guillotine dangling figuratively and pretty much literally over my head just because I made a deal with a devil you call an angel. So if you want to give Eggs a chance, go for it. But if he does the same thing to you as he did to us… it'll be too late for an I told you so.” She turns. “Now, we're late for our meeting with Doctor Benedict, so I'm gonna skedaddle over that way before I can breath through my stomach.” She gives a sardonic salute and heads off to catch up with the rest of the group, leaving Storm and Luna alone.

Luna watches her go, and thinks about the red Chaos Emerald tucked away in her quills, a little trick she had discovered by accident when a flop on the bed made her pillow get stuck in them. The faintest of smiles touches her lips, and she looks to Storm. “Let me go with you, I can help explain why you guys fell behind… And I'd like to know what's going on. Maybe i could help somehow?”

Storm shrugs. “I'm not your mother. Do as you please.” She turns and follows after Lien-Da.

Luna smiles a bit more as she follows. It's not exactly friendly, but it isn’t hostile either. She doesn't want to risk that so she keeps quiet all the way to the meeting room.

Once in the room, she is able to more clearly see the group of Mobians who had entered.

Aside from Lien-Da and Storm, there were two green deer sisters who sat next to each other, a tiny pudgy yellow chinchilla, the cobra Male she saw earlier, a Male jackrabbit in a cowboy hat, a green female squid, a female… hawk she assumed, a yellow coyote Male, a purple Male walrus, a male orca, and a brown Male water buffalo. Thirteen people in all.

Standing just outside the room with her head poked in she nervously searches for her cousin. Being around so many new folks has her a bit wary.

A door is opened by two robots, and Ivo steps in calmly. “It is time for the monthly update.”

“Can’t we just have a yearly update? This is getting excessive.” The walrus states, annoyed.

“Agreed. I’m tired of seeing this oaf every month.” The orca points at the walrus with distaste.

“Why don’t you come over here and say that?” The walrus stands abruptly, glaring daggers at the orca.

“Settle down.” Ivo states. “I’m in no mood for your shenanigans, and I’m sure you all want to go home as fast as possible. Give me your reports, and if everything is running smoothly, you may go.”

“Well then, it’s running smoothly. Meeting adjourned.” The walrus stands and turns, ready to leave.

“Sit. Down.” Ivo’s voice makes Luna shiver a little. It was powerful, authorative. Even though it wasn’t directed at her, it almost made her want to sit.

The walrus is tense, slowly taking his seat again.

“Excellent. Now, we’ll go down the line. Clove, Cassia, how goes the expedition?” Ivo takes his seat.

“W-well, it’s going super smoothly! Yeah!” The darker green deer girl says, hiding her nervousness behind a bubbly personality. Though turning towards Ivo reveals her cybernetic face and ears.

“The hunt for the cyan Chaos Emerald is indeed going smoothly. The excavation has yielded many resources for your use as we uncover your coveted jewel.” The other deer, likely older, replies seriously.

Luna listens from the doorway, and muses softly in her head. So her cousin wants the other Chaos Emeralds, which doesn’t surprise her given how special he told her they are. Maybe that is why he gave her one? To get her familiar with them? He, and Ai both agree that she and Shadow have a more special bond with them than most folks, maybe he hopes she can help him finds them? The idea makes her tail wag, she likes the idea of being able to do something for the man that took her in.

“Excellent. Lien-Da, Storm. How goes training your troops?” Ivo inquires.

“As smooth as usual.” Lien-Da shrugs.

“But since you inquired, I'm assuming you're going to demand something of us that will make our lives harder.” Storm states.

“Blunt as always, hm? But you hit the nail on the head. Out of all the dozen, you two already have a trained militia each. But the other ten Egg Bosses are having trouble keeping their men in line, and your men aren't responding to orders from the other leaders. You can see how this is a problem?” Ivo leans in.

“Not really. We've been training our men for years. They trust us. That is the reason anyone else's men won't trust us, and our men won't listen to anyone else.” Storm crosses her arms.

“Makes sense,” Luna comments from the doorway, but then claps a hand over her mouth as she folds her ears back. She hopes she didn't disturb their meeting.

“Ah Luna, welcome. Please come in, share your thoughts.” Ivo says graciously.

She blinks, and slowly steps in. All the eyes on her makes her nervous so she focuses on Ivo like she was having a talk just with him. “Well… I was just saying they made sense. You wouldn't put your neck out there for a total stranger unless you were crazy somehow.” She rubs the back of her neck, “...Maybe Linda and Madam Bride can share some pointers on how they got people to listen to them? The others could try doing the same thing?” She risks a glance around the room to see if she just stepped on some kind of land mine.

“Lien-da.” Lien-da corrects.

“Don't care,” she replies bluntly, though her trip of the tongue does make her blush a bit as she looks to the side. It's a total Tsundere moment.

“Well, we lead by example. We spend time teaching and training with our soldiers.” Storm explains. “It takes time and effort.”

Luna nods as she steps over to lean on Ivo softly. It makes sense to her. She folds her hands behind her back and eyes the floor quietly, lost in thought for the moment.

Ivo sighs. “then I will give you time. You will need to provide the effort.”

“...Understood.” Storm says reluctantly.

“Good, moving on. Mordred, any updates on the capture of that Rob outlaw?” Ivo inquires.

Mordred, apparently the name of the cobra snake, shakes his head. “unfortunately, he keeps evading our grasp. It is very hard to subdue him without lethal force.”

Luna ponders that, “An outlaw? There's someone hurting folks?”

“They’re not necessarily hurting people, but they’re stealing and pillaging the upper class.” Mordred explains. “It’s annoying more than anything, but ever since we attempted to ease this tension, Rob O’ The Hedge has been making it his mission to make my troops’ lives hell.”

Luna tilts her head, and scratches behind an ear. “...Can I ask what you've tried so far? To ease tension I mean.” She was going to suggest just talking with this guy, but stopped herself at the last second. She doesn't want to sound silly with something so important.

“Well, first we thought our presence would be enough to deter him. When that didn’t work, we tried chasing him off whenever we saw him. Then, we tried capturing him and seeing if we could come to some sort of agreement. But he doesn’t want anything to do with us, he knocked out my men and escaped. Multiple times.” Mordred flicks his tongue in annoyance.

Luna considers that, “Well… I don't know what my opinion is worth, I've only been walking around a bit over a week after all… But it sounds like he's just being stubborn. Either that or he feels like he has a reason to just not like folks. If that's how it is then… Well, if it were me I'd send out a public invitation so he'd hear about it, someplace to talk where it is impossible to try to trap him. See if I could win his trust somehow, and work something out.”

Ai appears at her shoulder, “This is the logical approach. If the entire region knows about it, and he refuses or uses the chance for more thievery it will only portray him poorly. There is a chance that he has some unknown cause or agenda for his actions however which may result in him not making an appearance. I do not have enough data to properly calculate the odds for a proper prediction however, but studies show that many of those who feel they may take the law into their own hands suffer heavily from pride, an easy weakness to exploit as Doctor Robotnik can attest.”

“Okay, but this is what you’d do. If I did it, he just wouldn’t show up anyways.” Mordred crosses his arms.

Luna blinks, and looks up as an idea hits her. “...So what if I did do it?”

Ai speaks quickly. “That is ill advised. Your abilities for self-defense are still developing. This Outlaw has questionable motives, and far more experience, the odds are very high you would be needlessly putting yourself in danger.”

Luna crosses her arms,”But that's just it… Until I master my powers I'm just a burden. I want to help out! It doesn't sound like anyone is being seriously hurt, and I can still teleport within my line of sight and throw light grenades. At the very least if i show up it'll catch his interest, right? He'll wanna talk to me just to see what's up, and maybe i can get the full story here.”

“His interest is not the only one that will be gained,” Ai points out. “May I remind you that there is a 98% chance you are being looked for by both Sonic, and Shadow the Hedgehog? If you leave the base and word of your location in the outside world is spread they will come, and they will not treat Mordred's forces kindly.”

She looks down as she considers that, and sighs. “...Gotta see big brother again sooner or later…” She looks to Mordred, “Will you let me help? If my brother, Sonic, or anyone else comes looking for me you don't have to get in their way. Nobody needs to get hurt because of me.”

Mordred frowns and glances to Ivo.

Ivo shrugs. “She might as well see what the forces are like. Are you sure, Luna?”

She nods, and looks up at him with a nervous smile. “Yeah. I wanna do this.”

Ivo nods softly. “Mordred, you are dismissed. Make sure Luna stays safe.”

“Yes sir.” Mordred stands and salutes before turning and walking out of the room. Luna steps to follow, but pauses to turn and give Ivo a mildly tight hug first before she jogs after the cobra.

Mordred watches her as he walks. “You really care for him, hm?”

She looks down, and nods. “Yeah… It's like this… When I was woke up Ai told me a lot. Among those things was that i had family, and so I wanted to reach out to them. I wanted someone to help me in a world I didn't understand… What I got was an angry Emohog shoving a pistol between my eyes.”

She looks over her shoulder, “But Ivo… He took me in, no questions… Well, actually he had a lot of questions. But he was willing to help me, and he's the first of my family to do that… That means more to me than anything really. And I know he's done bad things, but I think my being here is proof he can do good too…”

“That, or he sees an easily manipulatable pawn. But you’re the judge here, not me.” Mordred shrugs as he leads her back to the room the thirteen had come from.

Ai states, “If this truly is the course of action we desire then there is an almost certainty that Luna will be captured by the Outlaw. The logical approach to hearing that a new player in this game of cat and mouse taking a diplomatic approach is to have talks on terms that completely favor the Outlaw, at least in the course of the Outlaw's actions.”

Mordred frowns. “Then… you will likely have to head out into the forest. I won’t be able to come, nor will my men be able to help you.”

Luna nods, gulping softly. “...Nobody that works for you has been seriously hurt, right? Not by him anyhow?”

“...Does getting shot with arrows count?” Mordred inquires as he steps on the teleporter pad.

Luna whimpers as she follows, but Ai says, “Given that the default abilities for an Ultimate Lifeform include a body resistant to high caliber bullets I believe you are safe from that, Luna. Provided he does not shoot into your mouth, eyes, or other orifices.”

“Not helping,” she mutters through her teeth, taking Mordred by the hand without thinking.

“He usually shoots areas that will heal quickly and make a full recovery. It isn’t wise to be making contact during the teleport.” Mordred watches her amusedly.

She jerks her hand back with a blush, and laughs nervously. “Okay…”

Mordred chuckles and looks to the robots on the controls. “To Camelot.”

They comply, teleporting the duo to Camelot castle.

Mordred steps off the pad and into a room made of stone, a haphazard attempt to fit the walls with modern tech evident as he walks out. Luna gives the place a curious lookover as she follows him. She's trying to take slow breaths to calm her racing heart, mental images of assassins with bows hiding around every corner plaguing her thoughts.

“I can tell what you’re thinking, his Merry Men aren’t good shots. At all. He’s usually using a crossbow.” Mordred glances back.

She sweats a little, “That obvious, huh?”

Ai states, “May I advise making the announcement at once that a new diplomat has arrived tk attempt negotiations with Rob O The Hedge? I would ask you keep Luna's identity a secret, and provide only a location where she plans to meet him. Based on satellite imagery of the area the crescent shaped forest clearing 20 miles south by southeast seems appropriate.”

“How did you… never mind. Sure, yeah.” Mordred nods.

Luna gently takes Mordred's hand in both of hers as she trembles softly. “...I'm going to do my best to solve this, Mordred… I promise.”

“Just don’t die, that would be very bad for both of us.” Mordred comments.

She nods, thinking of the bombs in Mordred and those other folks. Somehow that lights a gentle fire in her chest that starts to melt away the terror.

-----

The next day Luna is alone in the clearing they discussed yesterday, with the exception of Ai of course. She's been there for nearly an hour waiting to see if this guy is even going to show up. In hindsight him hearing of it would have required him knowing folks in town, or having people that could enter town unnoticed. In the end she's having doubts that he is coming, but resolves herself to wait until sunset as she starts counting blades of grass to pass the time.

“I doth was expecting a foul mechanoid, not a fair maiden.” A tree shudders, and a hooded figure lands casually, crossbow perched on their shoulder.

Luna jumps, surprised she hadn't heard him. But then again with the wind rustling the trees it could probably mask the sound of someone climbing around in them. Slowly she stands from the boulder she had been sitting on, and waves shyly. “H-hi… I'm Luna?”

“I am the dashing rogue, Rob O’ The Hedge!” he bows grandly. “What doth thou seek from me?”

“...Huh?” She tilts her head.

Ai appears, “He is asking what you came to him for.”

“Oh!” She clears her throat softly, and folds her hands behind her back. “Well… I met Mordred recently, and he told me that you were an outlaw here. He told me his side of things… I wanted to hear your side though.”

He taps his crossbow on his shoulder. “That scoundrel likely spat out some cockamamey yarn about me being a bad guy. But I simply steal from the rich, and give to the poor. The taxes be far too high for thine simple people. They can’t keep up thine high taxes, and can’t afford food nor clothing.”

Ai translates for her, and she replies, “Well… he told me that he came to the region to try to ease tensions, but… you kinda got in the way…” She scuffs a foot in the dirt, “And yeah he tried to catch you… but wouldn't you do the same if some stranger was running around shooting folks, and taking their stuff?” She gulps softly, ears back as she hopes she didn't offend him.

“Thou art right I supposeth. But still, all thine newfangled machines art disturbing the locale ecosystem, with their fumes and cuttingeth the trees.” He sounds annoyed under his hood. “Perhapseth Mordred Hood hath good intentions, but in thine process he art also destroying the natural way of lifeth in this part of the world.”

She considers that quietly. “...Would you be willing to show me?” She takes a slow breath, and says, “Look Rob… Mordred is literally on the chopping block… If he can't carry out his mission there's a bomb in him someplace with his name on it… So what if you showed me what you're talking about?”

She gestures to Ai, “My friend here can record it, and we show it to him. We can start smoothing things over maybe, and no one else has to get hurt…”

He considers, pulling back his hood. He’s the spitting image of Sonic the Hedgehog, except his fur is more of a sea green. “Aye, I supposeth I can do that.”

Luna can't help but stare at him now, and then blinks a few times. “Right… um… I don't suppose you know a hedgehog named Sonic, do you?”

“Thine chap mine cousin Amy keeps sending letters about?” Rob tilts his head.

She stiffens, “You know Amy?” She smiles softly, “Wow… small world…”

“Indeed, she doth go on long tirades about thine hedgehog knight filled with valor.” Rob shrugs.

“Okay,” she says as she walks closer, trying to relax a bit. “Um… if you write her back could you not mention me for now? I'm sort of… in hiding…”

“Doth thou kill a man?” He inquires.

“What?! No!” She waves her hands, “It's… it's like this…”

As she follows Rob through the woods she tells him about waking up in the ARK, and coming down to Mobius. Then she tells him about meeting Amy in Station Square, and how she helped her get in touch with Shadow.

“And I almost got shot trying to hug him, so I ran off,” she says. “So I reached out to my cousin Ivo, Mordred's boss, and he took me in. But someone with a smartphone took a video of me getting picked up, and it almost looks like a kidnapping. I'm just worried that if Sonic and Shadow find where I am it'll cause a lot of trouble.”

“I see. Thou art aware of the negative connotations being aligned with Robotnik entails, right?” Rob questions as they walk.

She sighs, “Yeah… But he's family, and the only dependable member of mine I've met. He's been good to me. That's why I asked to come out and resolve all this.”

“Well thou seem reasonable, if naive. I am willing to see how this turneth out.” Rob comments.

“Thanks… I think?”

She follows him to a nearby village, and Ai confirms that he is recording as she follows Rob to see what he's talking about.

Rob reverses his cloak, putting his quiver and crossbow under it to resemble a hunchback as he puts on beggar sunglasses and grabs a stick to walk on, hobbling into town and appearing like an old man. It was rather impressive to see such a transformation. Luna makes sure to tuck that little trick away in the back of her head for later, and follows him into town.

What she finds there disturbs her. The houses don't look too well maintained, barely livable really. She doesn't see anyone there smiling which upsets her a bit, but what really gets her is when she sees a mother mongoose comforting her sniffling daughter on their doorstep, the both of them dressed in tattered rags of clothing. She sees a vendor at his stand for food with only a couple carrots, and an apple to sell.

“It's like the town itself is almost dead,” she mutters to herself.

“This is normal.” Rob says in a deep gravelly voice to maintain his cover. “Whileth the peasants live here just trying to get by, thine fat cats in Camelot and Avalon dineth like royalty. When I cameth to do my whole Robin Hood schtick, they criedeth foul and summoned Robotnik. Mordred was an innocent member of thine upper class, did what he couldeth to maintain the peace. But then he wath drafted into the Dark Legion. He hadeth rules to follow and orders to giveth. He had to “protecteth” the ones who needed “protecting”. Perhapseth my methods are not thine best, but it be a solution that works.”

He sighs. “How I wist for thine olden days of knights and kings… perhaps then it wouldeth be different. But… now thine previously noble cities of Camelot and Avalon are overrun by corrupt pigs…”

Luna looks around at the village. “...Let me see what's going on in the big cities. I might not be that smart, but Ai is. We can try to find the root of all this.” She steps over, and gives Rob a gentle hug. “...I'm sorry i thought you were a trigger happy psychopath…”

“Careful, I have a disguise to maintain.” He hobbles out of the village, changing back before taking her to Avalon and changing again. After all, Camelot was where Mordred and his men held most of their forces.

Luna says, “Maybe I should just go in alone? I can move around more freely if I'm not worried for you.”

Rob nods. “Sure. I’ll need to hide.”

She nods, and heads into Avalon herself with a sigh.

Inside, people on the outskirts still wear tattered clothes, but they’re patched and kept relatively well made. Food is a bit more diverse, though still scarce. She shakes her head a bit at that as she wanders the marketplace. She decides to pay a visit to one of the Nobles then to see exactly what these “fat cats” Rob spoke of are like.

The housing gets better, and she starts seeing people in actual clothing and jewelry, bright and colorful. They don’t look necessarily snooty or anything, but she doesn’t actually know them. She decides to try talking to one of them, walking over with a smile.

“Hello there!”

 A beaver woman pauses and turns to her, blinking at her attire. “Yes?”

“Hi, I'm new to the area,” she says. “I was wondering if you could point me towards one of the more important nobles?”

The woman stares at her, appraising her. “...I suppose it’s none of my business to ask what you intend to do with them, but certainly.”

“Thank you,” she says kindly, and once she has her directions she heads off.

The beaver watches her. “I hope they use protection…”

Luna heads further into town to one of the towering manors, and waves to the guards as she approaches. “Hi there! I'm here with Mordred to see how folks are doing. Is It okay if I meet your boss?”

They blink, studying her. “...Sure, you can go in.” They step aside to let her in.

She nods her thanks before headed in, humming softly to herself. “What nice people.”

As she walks inside, she can kind of hear them talking to each other behind her. “She seems too nice for that… is she really…?” One of the guards murmurs.

“Well, maybe it’s her act?” The other supplies. “I can’t see any other reason she’d be dressed like… that.”

Stepping into the manor proper she looks around and calls, “Hello? Anyone home?” Walking further in she spots a butler, and waves with a smile.

He tenses up. “Oh dear madame, what are you wearing? Surely you’re not… a summon girl, are you?”

She blinks, and looks down at her clothes. Maybe it's time for a different wardrobe? She's seen a lot of people wearing nicer things after all, especially those that work for Ivo. “Um… Not sure what that is so no, I'm not. I'm just here to see the owner? Mordred let me tag along to see if I could help solve the outlaw issues so I'm trying to get all the information I can.”

“Ah, an associate of Sir Mordred? Very well, come.” He leads her up there stairs. “I take it you are from outside Mercia then?”

She nods, not having known the name of the region and feeling rather silly for not having asked ahead of time. She had been so focused on the needs of her new friend that it hadn't even crossed her mind. She feels it might be rude to mention that now though.

“Yeah,” she says as she follows. “Anything you could tell me about how things are here?”

“We prefer to keep things here old fashioned. Camelot is attempting retrofitting tech into the buildings, but they are the only ones. It is easier to maintain niceties when they cost less after all. Commoners work for the nobles, and the nobles pay them for their time and effort. Some commoners dislike that and riot. Most have accepted their roles… like me.” He shrugs. “I live a simple life. I care for Master Lance, and in turn he ensures I have a roof over my head, three square meals a day, clothing on my body, and a reason to live. I am content.”

She frowns softly, and follows without comment. Maybe she can get some information out of this Lance fellow.

“What about you? What is it like outside Mercia? More freeing, it seems.” He comments, not turning his gaze away from the path he leads her on.

“Well I haven't actually had the chance to see much of it. That's probably something I should look at doing after I'm done helping Mordred out here. Have you heard of any places that might be fun to go? You know, so I can start making a list or something?”

“No, I'm afraid not. I do not confess to know much about the outside world.” he replies and stops in front of a door and knocking. “Master Lance, you have a guest.”

“Enter.” a bored voice replies. It sounds familiar …

Luna opens the door with a smile, and steps in, “Hi, I'm-” She jerks to a stop with eyes wide, and jumps back. “THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE SHADOW?!”

Shadow, wearing a rather regal white shirt and green pants, frowns at her. “Excuse you, Knave? I am thine direct descendant of Sir Lancelot himself! Compose thineself, and do not address me in such a tone.”

“I don't give a damn if you're the king of the whole world,” she snaps back, quills rising a bit. “Guys who try to shoot their sisters don't get room make demands!”

“Cedric, get this insane strumpet out of mine sight at once.” Lance waves his hand with annoyance.

“Let’s take a moment to simmer down.” Cedric, the butler, moves between them and attempts to defuse the situation. “Sir Lance, this girl is an associate of Sir Mordred’s. She wishes to speak with you regarding that I assume. Miss, this is Sir Lance Galahad, descendent of Sir Lancelot. Please speak to him with dignity and respect.”

Luna glances between them, “But-!”

Ai appears, “I believe apologies are in order, Luna. Public surveillance shows Shadow the Hedgehog in Station Square fifteen seconds ago.” He shows her the footage of her older brother following Rouge to a quick service coffee shop. Ai then turns to Lance, “Please forgive the misunderstanding, you are the spitting image of her elder brother, with whom you can imagine she has quarrel with.” He displays a holographic screen which shows her first encounter with the dark savior of Mobius.

“I do not appreciate being verbally abused for something I hath not done.” Lance states, placing his hands on his hips.

Luna slumps, ears folding back. “...I'm so sorry… I've been avoiding him since that day, and when I saw you it freaked me out. I swear my life flashed before my eyes…”

He huffs. “I will overlook thine transgression. But thou hadst better have something interesting to say.”

Cedric sighs with relief. “I’ll go brew some tea.” He retreats to go fetch some.

Luna has a seat in a nearby armchair, and clears her throat softly. “Well… Cedric was right. Mordred brought me here to see if I could help with his issues with Rob O the Hedge. I'm just going around gathering information now… I actually met with Rob, and it sounds like if things get handled right he's willing to stop the attacks, maybe even work with Mordred.”

“Rob’s heart is in the right place, but how he’s doing it… it’s sketchy at best.” Lance sits across from her.

Luna nods, “I won't agree what he's doing is right either… Neither side is right really. Rob believes though that the taxes are the issues.”

“And he isn't wrong,” Ai adds in. “During our travels I was monitoring conversations going on around us through audio filters. Rough calculations based on figures discussed by merchants in the market, and compared against the resources allowed to Mordred by the Dark Legion suggest that the current tax rates are three times what they need to be. That is to say if taxes were cut down by two thirds the country could still function comfortably, and have some spare to set aside every year for catastrophe relief.”

He puts up a few displays in front of Lance to prove his findings, styling it to look as though it were done with quill and parchment for his familiarity. Above them though he plays the footage of their trip through the desolate village.

Lance’s features soften as Cedric comes back, serving them tea.

Luna fidgets a bit, “So… Ai? What did you need Lance's help with?”

“I merely want to confirm the details of tax laws in this country so we may draft a revision to them for Mordred. If handled delicately Rob O the Hedge may actually accept the proverbial olive branch when offered.”

Luna tilts her head, “Olive branch…?”

“It is a universal sign of peacemaking, or rather it was back in the Bronze Age,” Ai explains.

“Perhaps it will suffice. I doubt thine upper class will appreciate their income being reduced, but no one doth.” Lance muses.

“Sir Lance, are you familiar with the tale of the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg,” Ai asks.

“I hath, when I was but a hoglet.” He nods.

“I'm not,” Luna says, tilting her head.

“Of course,” Ai states. “The tale goes that a farmer one morning while collecting eggs from his chickens and geese discovered that one of his geese had laid an egg of pure gold. Naturally it was worth more than the farmer earned in a month, and so he sold it to make his life a bit easier. Every day that goose would lay another golden egg, and every day the farmer sold it so he could buy things he needed. Life became easy for the farmer, so easy that he no longer struggled for a living, and began to use the eggs for petty wants and desires. Then one day when he was overcome by greed he decided that instead of settling for one egg a day he wanted them all at once. So he chased down the goose, killed it, and cut it open. However there were no eggs to be found, and because of what he had done he would never again have the eggs of gold he had come to rely on.”

Lance sighs. “Insightful, but the greed of nobelmen hath no bounds.”

Luna thinks it over, and then it clicks. “So… the lower class is like the golden goose. They're the ones that make it possible for the upper class to have an income… and if they keep making the lower class suffer they could die out, and the upper class could lose everything altogether.”

“Correct,” Ai says. “But Lance is also correct, not every noble will care, or even properly go along with it. However I believe that is a problem Mordred can handle, especially if Rob, and perhaps Sir Lance are willing to offer assistance.”

Lance nods softly. “I doth be listening.”

Ai states, “I do not have enough data to say precisely how you can help Mordred, but I can say with certainty that the more allies he has the better. He can coordinate with you on the finer details.”

“Well, I have skills, but they apply more to combat.” Lance muses.

Luna smiles, “I'm sure he'll help you find a way to put them to use.”

Lance nods and sips his tea. “In the meantime, doth thou hast a place to stay? We will need to findeth you some less revealing attire, lest you be mistaken for a prostitute.”

She tilts her head in confusion, “For a what…?” She blinks several times in confusion. Looking down at her tank top she pulls the neckline to look at the fabric, flashing a tit at the men in the room by accident as she muses that she probably does need new clothes it it's such a big deal to everyone. Funny how Ivo never said anything though.

Lance’s jaw drops as he eyes up her single breast, blushing. “Ahem… perhaps… we should take the chance to give you said clothes. Cedric… leave me. I shall… attend to her clothing needs.”

Cedric composes himself and bows. “Of course. Excuse me.” He quickly leaves the room.

Lance stands. “I will let thou borrow some of mine ex’s old dresses. Please, get out of thine clothes while I fetcheth them.” He lingers in the hopes of seeing any more skin.

Luna frowns a bit as she stands and starts to pull off her top, leaving her upper half exposed. “So many new words,” she muses as she strips off her pants to reveal white panties with little pink hearts, something generic that Ivo helped her find. She never did find out how he got them though, and makes a note to ask when she gets back as she strips off the undergarments.

Lance takes in her C cup breasts and pink pussy lips, swallowing. He slowly walks to his closet, digging through it before soon coming back with a pile of dresses. “Please, try these on. Let’s findeth you something that fits.” He’s hesitant to stop staring, not really offering the clothes to her so much as using it to cover his crotch.

She looks them over curiously, deciding to go by the only criteria she knows, which is which colors she likes. One item catches her eye, and lucky for her it's the one item any woman with a social life has in her closet: the Little Black Dress.

Taking the item gently she gives it a look over as she turns away from Lance. The sleeves on it are long, and falling in with the time's sense of modesty it would reach down past her knees. The neckline is a bit risque though, being a sharp V neck that will offer a decent view of her cleavage. Shrugging she slips into the dress, struggling just a little by how snuggly it fits her like it was designed to, leaving little to the imagination towards her sizes and figure. She wiggles it down over her legs, and turns a slow circle. “Better?”

Lance swallows. “Hot-I mean, er… still risque for the area… but otherwise, looks greateth on you!”

She frowns at that, “You're using a lot of words I don't know. Like what's a prosta-whatsit? What's an Ex? What is risky?” She sighs, “I'm so confused…”

Lance rubs his neck. “Let’s see… a prostitute doth be someone who selleth their bodies for a certain amount of time to perform… sexual acts. Exes doth be short for ex-girlfriends or boyfriends, girlfriends in my case. And risque… means sexy in a slightly negative connotation.”

She pouts, the explanation not quite enough to cure her curiosity. But Ai jumps in saying, “This is a discussion that can be had at any time, however lives are at stake the longer this mission continues.”

Luna blinks, and nods, “Right, Ai you go ahead and get your answers from Lance… I need to call Ivo.”

“Opening a channel,” Ai says, and Luna nods as she takes her video chat out of earshot of Lance while he and Ai talk.

“Luna, how goes the mission?” Ivo greets. He blinks and tilts his head. “And… are you wearing a dress?”

She nods, and looks down at it, “Yeah, one of the nobles gave it to me. For some reason my other outfit made folks think I was a Summon Girl, or something called a prostitute.” She shrugs, and smiles. “At least now I have something nice to wear like everyone else that works for you.”

“If you want something to wear that fits the Dozen, I can have a jumpsuit like Lien-Da’s made for you.” Ivo comments.

Luna considers, “...Well it is a nice outfit. But I don't know how she'd take it if she thought I was copying her. She doesn't really care for me much…”

“You just need to talk to her about common things you two share. Like… being red. And girls. Just find some neutral ground, and endear yourself to her.” He shrugs. “And if anyone calls you a prostitute, I’ll come over there and disintegrate them in person.”

She doesn't really get why it's a bad thing since it seems to upset Ivo, but she smiles at the idea he wants to protect her in some way. “That's okay. Anyways we have a game plan for how to handle all this. Basically cutting down on taxes by a lot so nobody starves to death. It'll be rough getting the nobles on board, but if it helps the lower class I think Rob would lend a hand. I've already got one noble in on the action.”

“Good luck then. In the meantime, I’ll start on your suit.” Ivo nods. “It might make you look like a call girl to Mercian standards, but otherwise I think you will look stunning.”

“Thanks,” she says softly. “Also… I… I've been thinking… about Shadow.” She sighs, “I met Andy, um, SA-01, and freaked out. The same with this noble, he looks and sounds just like him… I'm thinking I'll stay in Mercia, and face Shadow here. If i don't do something about this anxiety i feel towards him I'll never stop jumping at shadows…”

Ivo taps his chin. “Mm… I suppose exposure is good in small doses. Very well, but don’t let him take advantage of you. Okay?”

She blinks in confusion, before it clicks. “Oh… I'm not talking about Lance. I mean my actual brother. Rob is a cousin to Amy who knows how to reach him… Best I try to settle things away from you and the rest of your people. The idea scares me, but I'm scared anyways that he'll find me when i least expect it… One way or another I need to put an end to that.”

“I’m not so sure Mercia would be the best place… you’re already less trained than him, and you’d be dealing with a populace adverse to what you normally wear, which is what you’re used to fighting him in. Fighting in a dress would only make your battle even more uphill. And I feel like we both know this will end in a fight.” Ivo sighs. “But… I trust your judgement. If you think Mercia is a good spot, I won’t stop you. Just be careful, okay?”

She nods, and smiles. “And no matter what, cousin, I'll come home to you. That's a promise, okay? I love you!” She tries to hug the screen, but it just ghosts around her.

Ivo chuckles and waves. “See you soon.” He ends the call.", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Sister Mine, Chapter 4: \"Legion\"", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "image/png", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" }, { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "151" }