Hushabye Mountain by Stacey Kent.
Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee.
~~~

Little balls of ice leisurely descend from the morning sky above, settling on luscious green grass. It's rather peaceful, with the tips of mountains draped with white blankets and rivers freezing over. Apart from chilly winds, a guitar plays above the noise. A simple brown acoustic one at that, where brown gloved hands strum over the strings. Dark blue quills wave smoothly with the breeze as chocolate toned boots start to gather lumps of snow.

Hearing giggles, a snow dusted ear flickers and the mobians head lowers to see three baby hoglets beaming up at his muddy eyes. He pauses playing his instrument for a moment, watching as the youngest of the three taps a pair of sticks atop an upside down pan. Being held up by the eldest, his green fur stands out brilliantly from the snow covered land. The oldest, a pink hoglet, observes in amusement as the infant attempts to play along to the same rhythm as his father. The father who's attention gets snagged by an impatient younger look-a-like. He looks to wear his puffer vest is being tugged and smiles at pleading green eyes, the cobalt toddler who then points to the guitar.

"You wanna play?" The dark blue mobian sets his instrument down for the hoglet, who excitedly begins to lightly pull on the strings.

"Maybe when you're a bit bigger I'll get you your own one." He fiddles with his ear from the rather...unique music being played for him and disguises it with a smile.

"Manic, no!" The pink hoglet abruptly scolds, trying to take the stick out of the babies mouth.

The father, letting the middle child fall onto his back in laughter, leans forward to bring the green infant into his arms and tosses the stick onto the ground. He rocks Manic who's bundled up in a knitted scarf (one an owl friend gifted them) and red coat as the wind changes direction, allowing the neighbouring fire to reintroduce itself as the heat laps at the four. He glances at the two tents standing on the other side of the small fire prior to hearing his guitar make...new sounds. He looks down to see the blue hoglet strumming the strings again, but now sitting atop the instrument.

"Maybe one day you three'll become Christmas Island's biggest band." He snorts.

"I'll sing!" Sonia, the eldest, beams.

"Or be the boss." Olgilvie, cobalt fur bristling to remove some snow, mumbles with a cheeky grin.

"Singers are in charge." The fuchsia pink hoglet crosses her arms, sticking out her tongue.

"Who said dat?" Her brother protests, flailing his arms.

"You can all be in charge." Jules Hedgehog quickly intervenes, a bead of sweat rolling down his head.

Manic excitedly gurgles, claps and pats his front as if suggesting he'd like to be in charge. Olgilvie and Sonia immediately look horrified and the former interjects, aiming a finger at his older sister.

"I'd pick Sonia."

"Thank you." The aforementioned hoglet sighs, sounding exasperated from an apparent longtime argument Jules doesn't remember ever witnessing.

"What'd you call yourselves?" Jules questions.

"Hmm?" Sonia tilts her head.

"Your band name, what'd it be?"

Olgilvie ponders and rubs under his nose, acknowledging his sister's blue eyes watching. One thing he could appreciate about Sonia was how she let him decide on naming things (which was the only good idea in his book because he was great at that).

He grins, "Olgilvie Underground."

Sonia looks disgusted. "That's awful. Dat's why I'm in charge. Why only your name?"

The cobalt hoglet shrugs, "The coolest one."

"Pick something else."

"Otay. Um." He watches the flames beside him, letting the heat wash over his chilly form and present his fur in a warmer blue.

"Music has noise. What's a nicer word?" He glances at his father.

"Auditory?" The older blue offers.

"Owdet- oodit- awd...." Olgilvie pouts, giving up with pronunciation attempts.

Jules fails at stifling a snort, "Sonic, I guess, but that's more sound waves or something according to your Unc-."

The cobalt blue hoglet claps and looks like he's found gold at the end of a rainbow. His tail sways and he wiggles closer to his sister, flailing his arms dramatically.

"Sonic Underground."

"I like it." Sonia beams in approval, making her brothers face light up.

Jules watches the pair turn their attention back to he guitar, setting Manic down to join them in a crawl after wiggling to free himself from his father's hold. The dark blue hedgehog leans forward to tidy the older pairs coats before his ear twitches. He turns over his shoulder but Olgilvie is already there, clumsily halting to bounce in front of his mother who holds a plate of chilli dogs.

Jules double takes but quickly reminds himself of his sons newfound ability, one only recently discovered weeks ago when the ball of energy first discovered chilli dogs. Bernadette had offered him a small piece (to which he scoffed down impressively fast) prior to bouncing around the walls of their house- appearing as nothing more than a bright blue streak. The lavender mother grew more accustomed to it faster than Jules, as she usually was quicker in just about anything anyways, and chose to help Olgilvie gain control of his power.

However, the parents both soon realised this was far grander than a mere boost. Bernadette had always been...fast, just crossing the borders of natural running speed, but even on the "edges of discovery" (Uncle Charles had once said) of Olgilvie's powers did they learn that his limit could be greater than, well, just about anything. Of course, the blue hoglet (not fully understanding much of this) was excited and with that came a promise from Bernadette, specifically she promised him they'd visit a place called Green Hills where she first learnt of her speed. There, she claimed, he would have all the freedom to run as much and as fast as he wanted.

"Honey?"

Jules shook his head and looked beside him to see a sitting Bernie, who smiled and offered a chilli dog. He accepted and watched the three hoglets who were already munching on one that had been cut into thirds (Manic's then chopped into bite size  pieces).

"You alright?" Bernadette asked.

"Yeah. Is Charles joining us?" The dark blue father looked to the second tent.

"Soon. I think he just wants a minute of peace."

"Mm. We all need this vacation, so I get that."

A gentle breeze....

"Anyways, I'll go bug him if he takes too long."

Bernie laughed, "That is your speciality."

Waiting to sail your worries away....

Jules takes a bite of the juicy chilli dog prior to observing his children, who've finished with their portions and have decided to return playing with the guitar and upside down pan.

So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain-

—————

"Wave goodbye to carers of the day."

Jules blinked a few times to collect himself, noting he was leaning against a heavily scratched doorway. With one wrist bandaged, his arms were crossed over his chest, plus him looking into the dark room of a makeshift nursery. With one mattress on the floor, three hoglets snored soundly as the gentle voice of a lavender hedgehog sung them into their slumber.

"Sail far away from Lullaby Bay." Bernie tucked the three under a torn, hole filled blanket and rubbed her thumb against Sonia's chin.

"Sleepin'?" Jules asked in a hushed voice as his partner neared him.

"Finally." She pecked his cheek and exited the room, allowing the father to close the door.

The pair manoeuvred outside, careful to not wake the Rabbits that slept in the common room. The two families shared a small home, one for current use as they continued to rebuild Mobotropilis. Two weeks had passed since Robotnik's devastating battle, thus rumours of his next move and GUN's counterattack followed. Jules had been swept up with plans and ideas, most falling short whilst Bernie took to healing the injured. Chocola and Vanilla assisting respectively.

The lavender mother tore her eyes from the late night sky and observed her husband, who watched the blanket of dust above with firmly crossed arms.

"Remember when we saw twinkling stars and bright spirals clearly?"

"We will again soon, Hun. Robotnik's pollution can't last forever. Not if we have anything to say about it." She grinned.

"We keep saying that."

Bernie blinked and watched the other more carefully, noticing dim eyes, a frown and rather moody posture. "Any progress with the plan?" She asked cautiously.

Jules exhaled and pinched his nose, "Apart from deciding to take the fight to him, not really. We're all just...over our heads I think."

"Nonsense. That's already a good start."

"I'm growing tired and-."

"Impatient? You never liked this part." The mother snickered, gaining her partners full attention.

"What do you mean?"

"Past fights. Battles. Wars. You liked the action, never wanted to sit around and mull things over."

"You weren't much better." Jules began to smirk.

"I was better than you." Bernie scoffed, resting her hands on hips.

"Hardly."

"Well, I'm built to go quickly. What's you excuse?"

"My partner forces me to go fast." Jules grinned, eyelids lowered as he leaned closer with arms crossed.

"Not my fault you're so slow."

"I don't mind you dragging me along for the ride." He shrugged.

"I like to think it's more so...making sure you keep up rather than dragging." Bernie giggled.

"Either way's fine by me."

"Good." She softly smiled prior to yelping from her partner lifting her up bridal style to spin around.

"But I'll always sweep you off your feet." Jules laughed just before he received a kiss from the other.

"That is true." Bernie twirled a finger through bouncy chocolate hair. "You know, maybe speed is the key."

"Of course you'd say that." The father snorted and stopped spinning. "A-about what?"

"The plan, Hun. We charge at him full force, full power and fast. He'll never see it coming."

"That's great and all but...he has a large base with an even larger army and somehow even more traps and protection. We can't just show up at his front door."

Bernie chewed her lip for a moment, eyes darting around at nothing in particular in thought. Then, she snapped her fingers.

"I'm no plan fanatic like Charles but what if we trick him."

Jules raised a brow. "How'd we do that?"

"We have one group of us show up as a distraction whilst others infiltrate the base. We have loads of Robotnik scrap, surely we can put that to some use. Mobotropilis is so set on defences they're forgetting about weapons. We use his own stuff against him. You of course being the main bait."

"Me?"

"Hun, I love you but if there's one thing you're good at it's ticking someone off. You keep him occupied, obviously with others at your side, and we go in to set the prisoners free."

"Right. Okay. First of all, we? Second of all, set who free?"

"You think I'm letting you do this alone? I've sat on the sidelines long enough. We're in this together, remember? Because everything's okay then. And, think about it. If Charles is locked up somewhere we can guess there's others. Either way we need an aim. That might help with setting up a plan." She snorted. "And that aim? Free anyone who's inside. That's a pretty good first step to taking down that lousy old coot don't you think?"

"You're brilliant you know that?" Jules' eyes almost looked like they sparkled.

Bernie turned a touch pink, "Don't compliment me yet. We don't know if the people up top'll agree."

"They called me here for a reason right? I'm sure they'll listen to what I have to say. And if you keep spewing out genius things like that then we definitely have a chance."

"See? It's not so dire after all hmm? We'll get to see twinkling stars and bright spirals again soon, my love."

—————

Sally Acorn awoke excitedly the next morning. She hadn't felt so thrilled in a while and it showed as she dashed through castle halls and bounced down splintered stairs. The Acorn Castle itself had received the most attention after Robotnik's...unexpected arrival and now looked a lot more put together than it had been. There was still much work needed, but at least it was liveable and safe- well, safe enough.

Sally whirled around a sharp corner and almost bumped into her older brother Elias, who watched on in confusion as she shouted an apology and continued on her way. Part of her felt foolish almost for being so excited, but she refused to ruin this good mood. Excited why? Well, her father had stated the previous night he had a surprise for her, and not only that the Hedgehog's were invited for dinner later in the evening.

Of course, she had her suspicions as to why. According to her mother, Jules had requested to visit her father, to which the King decided the whole family come around instead. Obviously, the pair were planning to discuss recent events but Sally didn't have that as her top concern. No, she was more occupied with the idea that a certain fast paced blue hoglet was visiting.

Chaos, she hated her mind sometimes. She sounded like a child (to which she very much was), but she couldn't help herself. Despite only having small interactions thus far, the blue ball of energy always brought something exhilarating to their next conversation. She was intrigued, not just by him but all three hoglets- for they had seen so much whilst she was stuck in the confines of Mobotropilis.

She slowed, Chaos did she sound spoiled. She was thankful, obviously, but sometimes she wondered what more was out there in Mobius. Okay. Now she sounds cliche. And way over her head. Perhaps she really was being foolish, to be excited at a time like this felt...wrong, yet so overdue. She shook her head. She was excited to see the Hedgehog's (No one in particular it's all the same she's thrilled to see them all the same-) and curious to what her father had in store for her.

Her father who she just bumped into, falling onto her behind with a complaint. "Sorry." She awkwardly smiled.

King Maximilian laughed, "No need. Your mind seems elsewhere. What are you preoccupied with, Bean?"

Sally scrambled up quickly. "Nothing. Just...thinking about the day ahead."

"If you think too much about it you'll miss out on what's happening now." The King scooped her up and began walking.

The princess pouted, "I'm no-."

"I know your mind, Bean. Don't let yourself get too wrapped up in the what if's alright? Now, I believe I had something to show you?"

She couldn't help but wiggle in exhilaration. "If memory serves me right. And it does."

"You sound like your mother." Max laughed prior to setting the young Princess down on a step.

He then went to retrieve something from under his cape, which was soon revealed as a little grey rectangle. From the position of the slit, it appeared to have the ability to slide out and become something longer. Sally tilted her head in confusion as the small...thing was handed to her.

"Go on." Max nodded.

A moment slipped by in advance to the chipmunk sliding the rectangle away from her and towards her father. There, many yellow buttons (circular, triangular and square) were revealed and a light green screen on the other side greeted her. This part of the device now aimed upward, forming what was most similar to a mini sized computer.

"What-?"

"You have activated N.I.C.O.L.E. Please state your name."

"H-huh?" Sally almost dropped the device in pure surprise.

"N.I.C.O.L.E. I had it made for you."

"Why?"

"To offer assistance. When you're older you may find yourself needing some help. Well, that's what it's for."

"What can it do?" The Princess watched the invention curiously.

"Ask it yourself." Max smiled.

"Okay. Um. Hello Nicole. I'm Sally, by the way. Um. What stuff can you do?"

"Hello Sally." A list appeared on the screen. "I have a wide range of abilities you can select from. I can offer you information on any questions you have. I have a built in laser in case of emergencies. Many defence mechanisms, for example electric shocks which range in damage. I can hack almost any computer you wish. I have the ability to manipulate nanites-."

"What are nanites?"

"Originally created by Dr Robotnik, nanites are microscopic robots with the ability to restructure themselves into any creation requested."

"Dr Robotnik?" Sally gulped, looking to her father.

Max crouched on one knee. "Years ago, Dr Robotnik created these things in an attempt to destroy Mobotropilis, and Mobius itself in fact. Destroy or take over it didn't matter to him. However, N.I.C.O.L.E here was able to take control and use them for more beneficial purposes."

"How do they...you know, show up?"

"Like this, Sally." Nicole interjected prior to a green light shooting out the other side of the device, appearing to scan the wall opposite. Then, small little green cubes began to form- only briefly as all green light soon fizzled out.

The young chipmunk looked both mesmerised and a bit overwhelmed. "Wow. You're amazing Nicole!"

"That is my programme."

"Still." Sally bounced up to give her father a hug.

"Thank you, father! I love them!"

"Glad you like the gift." Max chuckled and scooped his daughter up, allowing her to converse with the device as he walked.

—————

Two sunflowers were entrapped between two small gloved hands. A little black nose took a sniff of their scent and hummed, leisurely manoeuvring through vast city clean up. Green eyes observed shovels, scaffolding, building tools and materials as he walked by. Mobotropilis had taken to create more defences around the city's edges, according to the small hoglet's father anyway. The dark blue hedgehog in fact had requested the small mobian to visit him beside the almost completely built Civic Center, for he had something to give.

Olgilvie was curious more than anything, for after being introduced to the Tornado he wasn't sure what else his father had in mind. In any case, it didn't stop the hoglet from picking up sunflowers along his journey. He had six originally, but gifted four to his mother, a rabbit and his siblings. He found the lavender hedgehog conversing with Vanilla (he could only pick up something about future plans) and left once Bernie had gave his forehead a kiss. Thus, he seeked out his siblings where Manic had been discovered playing the 'drums' with sticks and a pot from Chaos knows where (honestly, he had a habit for finding shiny things from just about anywhere), and Sonia beside him with paper and crayons- drawing the regrowing forest ahead.

Sonia had asked for some tips from her blue brother, who happily delivered and promptly gifted her the sunflower. Manic then had requested for them to play some music or go running soon, and again Olgilvie was quick to accept. The idea had gotten the oldest of the three excited and they set out a plan to spend some time together soon.

But now Olgilvie made his way towards the Civic Center, which was temporarily being used for citizens without homes and the upper Royal Army staff to converse. The hoglet only noticed then that he was skipping, which was odd. Perhaps it was seeing the hopeful expressions of passers by, or the regrowing greenery surrounding the city or maybe, he was feeling hopeful too.

"There you are, Little Buddy!"

The blue hoglet beamed and excitedly waved to his father who rose from a step leading to the Civic Center. He received a salute in response prior to Jules holding his arms out, thus the youngster zoomed over in a blue blur and leaped into the other's arms.

"You seem to be in a good mood." The older blue hedgehog chuckled and sat with his son on his lap.

Olgilvie shrugged, "Things look like they're turning around for us."

"You got that right-."

"You said you had something for me?"

Jules snorted at the others quick attention span and hummed prior to digging within his puffer vest. "Just a little something. I used to wear it a lot when I was younger."

He soon revealed a shimmering green jewelled bracelet, with a slick silver band and etched in details. Olgilvie's similar toned eyes brightened as he allowed his father to snap it in place around his wrist (huffing from Jules snickering at the far too large fit).

"An old friend gave it to me." The father spoke rather thoughtfully.

"Who?" The hoglet looked up at his parent.

"I'll tell you about him one day. He adored chocolate though." Came a snort.

"Chilli's better. Sally reminds me of chilli."

Jules quirked an eye ridge, "Oh?"

"I think it's her hair. Or how she acts...nah, it's the hair." Olgilvie laughed.

"You been thinking about tonight much?" The father almost teased.

"A little." The youngster shrugged. "Are you gonna be talking to Max more? You've been gone a lot lately. I...I didn't see you leave this morning."

Jules' expression softened from the other's rather shy demeanour. "I'm sorry Little Buddy. I'm just a little...busy right now."

"With what?"

"That doesn't matter. It's not an excuse. I promise, I'll try and-."

"You and Ma did this a lot in Knothole. Kept a lot of secrets. You said you wouldn't do that anymore." Olgilvie pouted, his sunflowers falling from his hold.

Jules' ears almost folded back. "I-I know. It's just to keep you safe. And only for a little while."

"You asked me to keep everyone safe in case you couldn't. So I gotta know so I can do a good job."

He exhaled and briefly pinched his nose (pretending to not see his son's triumphant grin), for sometimes he regretted his stubbornness that was passed on to seemingly all three of his children.

"Fine. Your mother posed a good basis for a plan. Me and Max are meeting a lot to...polish up the details."

"What plan?"

Jules grinned, rubbing the underside of his nose- plus his chest was now puffed forward. "We're taking the fight to Robuttnik."

Olgilvie's eyes sparkled as his father continued, "Can't say much. But once Mobotropilis is built, we're gonna head out with GUN to his base and break free the Robians. Including your Uncle. It's gonna be a multiple teams worth operation. Obviously, some of the Royal Army will remain here just in case. But that's where we're at right now."

"So cool. No." The green eyed hoglet shook his head. "It's cooler than cool. It's...way past cool!"

Jules laughed before his son asked, "Will you be leaving too?"

"Ah. 'Fraid so, Buddy."

"Just be safe then."

"Where's the fun in that?"

—————

Schematics lay ruthlessly across a staggeringly long desk. Scrawly writing and rough sketches of machines and weapons covered them all. Distant cries and screams hung heavily within the dimly lit room. Silky white gloves rested atop some of the blueprints, and although flat it was clear through the material the fingers were tense. In fact, broad shoulders were stiffly risen and brows were sharply scrunched together, with deep blue glasses hiding monstrous black and red eyes.

Attempting to block out the pleas and terror beyond these walls, The End Of The World by the Carpenters plays elegantly atop a rustic gramophone. Television screens plastered across the walls show a wide variation of angles of Robians, Badniks, prisoners, storage rooms and construction stations.

Light simmers into the room as the door opens, allowing a raspy yet cautious voice speak. "Doctor Robotnik, Sir?"

A frowning head lifts and watches the small silhouetted man in the doorway. "Have you washed?"

"Y-yes."

"Changed?"

"Of course, Sir."

"Adequate. Perhaps you won't be so repulsive to be around now. Or, traitorous."

"Never again, Sir."

"Obviously you buffoon!" The larger man bellows, hands leaving his comically long desk. "You think I'd be so stupid to give you that chance again?"

The long nosed man bows, "O-of course not, Sir!"

"Good. Because you work for me."

Snively Robotnik warily lifts his head to watch gleaming glasses and a sneering, toothy grin. A golden tooth sparkles in the midst of the dark room and Snively begins to question if this second chance is worth it already.

"Y-you asked for me to see you o-once I was ready?" He hesitated before closing the door behind him.

Ivo brought his hands together as he scanned his countless documents atop the desk. "That I did, Snively. After my...initial setback, I've conjured up another plan. This time, it's foolproof." His hands disappeared behind his back. "And you're the centre of it."

Snively swallowed, "I-I am?"

"Yes. Are you deaf? Those idiotic animals won't suspect you. Thus, me and my brilliant mind concluded that whilst I capture, or kill whichever comes first, those fools you'll capture the King. My Robians and Badniks will cause chaos wherever else possible in the meanwhile."

"Ohhhh. I understand now." The small man grinned such a grin it rivalled the notorious Ivo Robotnik's.

"Once you have him, we've won. Mobotropilis will be mine and the rest of Mobius will fall easily into place!"

"Brilliant plan, Sir."

"I know."

"I only have one request, Sir."

Ivo Robotnik's eyes almost lit up in furious flames, "What?" He hissed.

Snively began to sweat. "O-of course I k-know I'm not in a-a place to say such thing b-b-but-."

"Spit it out! I have a world to conquer!"

"Sorry, Sir! I was just wondering if I...if maybe I could have the rest of the Acorn's to myself?"

Ivo nastily grinned, "Fancy yourself some revenge, Snively? You know I'm always supportive of that, otherwise you wouldn't have been in a cell for the past decade! Do with them as you please."

He leaned forward, forcing a sinister shine across his glasses as his grin stretched terribly. "Jules and his pesky family however, are all mine."