Find Your Own Truth: Let Your Heart Decide by Edward Becerra __________________________________________ Kickaha stared down at his new right leg, wiggling the toes. He scratched at the floor with its claws. "Feels ... I dunno, Davey. Just feels ... like a leg, really." He swung it back and forth for a moment. "Works okay. Hard to believe that it's artificial. Even the fur seems real." "Well, we modeled it after my arm, so it looks and works just like the real thing. And you can morph it back to robotic mode if you like. I just thought you'd be more comfortable with it looking like a normal limb. You won't be able to tell the difference, if you don't want to." "Thank you. I think that was part of the reason I went so crazy there for a while. When I thought about Nightsky having been made over into some metal obscenity, I guess I just lost it." "No fooling. I _did_ like the part where you blew up your own hovercycle just to knock out Packbell. That was inspired!" Dave smirked. "Ya know, if you keep this up, yer gonna get as big a reputation as me! Kickaha, the killer psycho. Heh, heh, heh!" Kickaha groaned. "Fortuna! Please, Davey, don't remind me. I'm going to have a hard enough time living this down as is. Sonia's already teasing me about something called 'Romeo and Juliet', whatever that is. And every female in town is making jokes about how they'd like me to come romantically swooping to their rescue. Who is this 'Fabio' they keep talking about?" He buried his face in his hands. "And I still have to talk to Princess Sally about overseeing the mating ceremony between myself and Nightsky." He looked up. "I think I'd rather take on Packbell single-handed." Davey laughed. "You already done that one, Kickster. I don't see why a little wedding's got ya so upset. If you can handle the Pac-man, you can handle this." "You just don't understand, Davey. It's ... different for us. Sonia's told me what it's like for couples here in Knothole, and I've read what it's like on Earth. It's ... not quite the same, in the Pack. If I screw this up, I'm dead. Literally. It's a matter of honor." "Uhhh... maybe you better explain this to me, Kicker. Go slow, and use small words, ok?" "Hmmm... I suppose it goes something like this..." * * * Sally was talking with Nightsky, who was staying in Bunnie's hut for right now. Since she intended to marry Kickaha, they hadn't put up a hut for her, expecting her to move in with him. "So, you're saying that if he fails in this, he dishonors himself?" asked Sally. "Yes, Princess. We have fewer ... divorces, is that the word? Yes, divorces, than other peoples. We consider mating a sacred thing." answered Nightsky. "That is why we've made it so ceremonial. It isn't something done lightly, and only for those who truly love one another." "I see. But what do you need from me?" "I have been told that my Trickster has been adopted into this tribe. You are his joH, his khan'a'khanee. Since neither of us has blood kin in this tribe, I need you to stand in my family's stead. Kickaha will need someone, as well, Princess." "I told you, call me Sally. Why do you and Kickaha insist on calling me 'Princess'?" "Because you are the elder of this tribe, Princess. His chieftain, if you will. And once Kickaha and I are mated, you will be my chieftain, too." The bat smiled. "As a warrior, Kickaha takes these things more seriously than I do. But it's important to him. That makes it important to me." Sally considered that for a moment. "You love him a great deal, don't you?" "I would die for him, Princess. As he would for me." "That says it all, I think. All right, I'll do what I can. And I think I know someone who will help Kickaha. After all, they're already good friends." * * * "So, will you do this for me, Dave? Please?" Kickaha had a begging look on his face. "Jeeze, Kicker, have some pride! I'll do it for you. Just try not to look so pitiful." Davey could barely keep from laughing. The coyote he'd seen trying to take on Robotropolis single-handedly without a second thought, was now a quivering, frightened ball of nerves. *Just goes to show you. What's more terrifying, Robotnik or a woman? The Kickster's pretty much answered that question. I just hope I don't fall apart like this if and when I try to propose to Sonia.* "Thank you, Davey. You can't know how much this means to me." Kickaha sighed in relief. "She is the most important thing on Mobius to me." "Oh? I thought *I* was the most important thing in your life, young Trickster." said a voice from behind them. Kickaha's eyes went flat and cold. "If you lay a single finger on my woman, Old Coyote, I'll gut you like a carp. Get your _own_ damn girls. This one belongs to my heart." He spun around, a knife appearing in his hand so swiftly, it seemed like one of Pippkin's magic tricks. Coyote looked at the blade pointed squarely at his throat. "Little touchy, aren't you, Grandson?" said the spirit. He was in the form of a coyote, dressed in the same sort of clothing that Davey had seen on Kickaha in cyberspace. Fringed buckskins decorated with turquoise beadwork, a beaded headband of odd design and open-toed moccasins. A leather vest with silver and turquoise conchos partly covered his chest. "She's *mine*, Old Man. Don't you _ever_ forget that." snarled Kickaha. "Touch her and die." Davey was startled. He hadn't thought the Kickster had it in him. *'Course, after what he did in Robotropolis, I shouldn't be. There's more to him than I thought.* "You and I both know that even if you tried, it wouldn't be permanent. Besides, she's the surprise I mentioned when I first sent you here, son. I discovered that she was here. I was working out a way to get the two of you together, when you went and jumped the gun. I wouldn't take her from you, Grandson. I know how much she means to you. But if the two of you ever break up..." Coyote leered suggestively. "Not a chance, Old Man. And you know that." Coyote sighed. "I suppose I do. True love, it's such a pain. But nice to see, when it happens." He smirked at the two of them. "Well, aren't you going to invite me to the ceremony?" "You really want to come?" Kickaha blinked a couple of times, trying to get around the idea. Then he smiled. "It would be good. You're the only blood kin I have here, Grandfather. It's _right_ that you be there. But touch my woman, even once, and I'll geld you on the spot." Coyote laughed. "Now _that's_ the Kickaha I took in. Good to see you're back to normal, boy. I'll be there. And I'll have a wedding present for the two of you." "What's that?" "Now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!" He gave them a wide smiled, and dropped to all fours, shifting as he did, then loped away. "I _really_ hate it when he does that." Kickaha sighed. "Morph in front of everbody, you mean?" asked Dave. "No, when he decides that I'm not being fun enough, and pulls a prank on me to put me in a good mood. I always end up with, what did you call it, Davey? Egg on my face? Oh well, he means well. He just can't help pulling pranks." He suddenly gave David an evil-looking grin. "And neither can I. Come on, Dave! I've got an *idea*! And I'll need your help. This is gonna be _fun_!" ********************************** The next day... At Kickaha's lodge: "You really think you're going to get Coyote to wear this??" "No sweat, Dave! I told you, I read about those Earth customs of yours. We just tell him that wearing this to the ceremony is an Earth tradition." "Uhhh... the Ranger's not gonna like this, Yogi!" "Yeah... ain't it *GREAT*?!" * * * At Bunnie's hut: "So the male has to offer gifts to your family, in order to marry you?" asked Bunnie. "In order to take me as his mate." Nightsky corrected. "It's to prove that he can care for me. If I return the gift, I reject him. If I simply leave the gift outside my family's lodge, it means that it isn't good enough, yet he still has a chance. He has to find a better gift, then. If I take the gift into the lodge, I accept it, and him." "That seems pretty simple." said Sally "Yes, Princess. But I cannot take the gifts myself. Only my family can do that. Were we with the Pack still, my father would examine the gifts, tell me of them, and if I loved the giver and the gift was worthy, it would be done. Since they aren't here, you must do this for me, as chieftain of the Tribe of Acorn." "It's not a tribe and I'm not..." She saw the look Nightsky gave her, and sighed. "All right. It's the Acorn tribe and I'm the chieftain. Are you happy now?" Nightsky smiled gently. "Yes, Princess. And you will stand in for my parents?" "I will. Although I feel a little odd, standing in for them when I'm less than half your age." "It's not age that matters, Princess. It is wisdom. And you have that in abundance." Bunnie interrupted. "If y'all are gettin' married, we gotta get you into a proper wedding dress. An' don't you go fightin' us on this one, sugah. Y'all just cain't get married here in Knothole if'n ya don't have a wedding dress." Nightsky looked confused. "This is a custom of the tribe?" Sally and Bunnie just rolled their eyes and sighed. "Yes, it is." said Sally. "You can't marry someone without a proper dress." "Then I must have one. Where do I get one?" "Ah'll handle this one, Sally girl." Bunnie said. "You just come along with me, Nightsky. We'll get you all fixed up..." * * * "Well, that's it, Dave. All done." Kickaha sat down with a sign. He dug at his knee with his nails. "Ouch! I know I'm healed up, but it still itches." "It's just in your mind, Kicker." Davey told him. "Mind? What mind? If I had a mind, I wouldn't be getting married. Kh'thak! Where are my brains, damn it?!" "Over in Bunnie's hut, getting ready for the ceremony." David chuckled. Kickaha snorted. "I wouldn't talk, if I were you, boy. I've _seen_ the looks Sonia's been giving you when she thinks you can't see her. A couple of years more, and _you're_ going to be in my shoes. Don't think you won't. Sonia has about as much intention of letting _you_ get away as Nightsky has of letting _me_ escape." He cocked his head to one side, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. "Come to think of it, it wouldn't surprise me if she's coaching Sonia on how to trap a male." That made Dave look rather nervous. "Sonia's still a teenager!" he protested. "So? I was only seventeen when I first met Nightsky. Didn't stop me. I knew what I wanted, and was determined to get it. Took me almost twenty years, but here I am, marrying her. Sonia isn't any less determined. She wants you, and she intends to get you. Case closed." He smiled, as he watched Davey mull these thoughts over. Fur all over Dave's body was beginning to stand on end. *That'll take the starch outta him! And now to get started.* He stood and walked over to a small chest. "I've had a lot of time while the leg healed to think this over. There's only one gift that I can give her. One gift that's _right_." He pulled a small wooden box out of the chest. "Take this to Sally for me, Dave. I'll be waiting here." * * * Sally saw David approaching Bunnie's hut with the small package, and went to meet him. "Is that the gift?" she asked. "I think so. Kicker gave it to me and told me to take it to you for Nightsky." "All right." She took the box. "Do you want to wait for the answer?" "I think I'd better. The way the Kickster looked, he's about to fall apart if he doesn't get her answer soon." As she walked into the hut, Sally wondered what could be in the box. It wasn't that large. *Jewelry? Gold? Money? No, money wouldn't be like Kickaha. I'll just have to wait until Nightsky opens it.* A few moments later, the box was sitting on a table, in front of Nightsky. She looked calm as she reached for the clasp. But when she raised the lid, she let out a gasp. She reached into the box and pulled out... *... a knife??* thought Sally. She looked closer and noticed that it looked very much like the broken knife that Kickaha had received in the mail. The blade was made of chipped obsidian, lashed with thongs to a handle made of horn. A strange looking glyph was carved into the hilt. Nightsky was crying and smiling at the same time. Then she rose from her chair and motioned for Sally and Bunnie to follow her. She headed straight for the Power Ring pool and the path to Kickaha's lodge. As they left the hut, Davey, with a curious look on his face, fell in step with them. By the time they had reached the pool, half of Knothole was trailing along behind them. Everyone who knew what had happened in Robotropolis was curious. When they reached the small clearing around Kickaha's lodge, Sally, David and Bunnie received a shock. Kickaha was sitting, legs crossed, in front of his lodge, wearing only his loincloth. Again, his hair was woven into a long braid. Underneath him was a large white blanket. Nightsky walked up to him and held up the knife. He looked up at her, his expression serene. "I give my life freely. It will not return to me except from the hand of the woman I choose as my wife." "I give it only to the male I choose as my husband." Her face was distant and calm, despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Take your honor from my hand. In so doing, may it become at last one with my own." She took his hand and placed the knife in his palm, wrapping his fingers around it. "" "" She turned, and walked back down the trail to Bunnie's hut. The others, confused, followed her. Dave remained behind. "What was that about, Kicker?" "I placed my life in her hands, David. Hers to take with the knife, if she wished. I would not have resisted. Instead, she accepted me." He closed his eyes. "I think I need to rest now, my friend. Would you invite the others to our ruStay? It will take place at sunset." He rose and entered the lodge. ********************************** The wedding was taking place in the clearing around Kickaha's lodge. "Are you sure this is a tradition in St. Louis, Davey?" Coyote tugged at the bow tie he was wearing. "Yup. Honest And it makes you look good, Gramps." Dave laughed quietly to himself. The tuxedo they'd talked Coyote into wearing would have embarassed Liberace himself. If it had been any brighter, the people of Knothole would have thought there'd been a radiation leak somewhere. "Humph. I'm not so sure. I'm not about to ruin Kickaha's wedding. Later, though..." "Hey, they're here! Come on, Gramps." Davey waved him to the front. Kickaha walked slowly down the aisle. He was wearing the Acorn vest that Sally had given him. When he reached where Sally was standing, he stopped. David stood by his side as the best man. Sonic's band played the wedding march. They were having a little trouble with it. They were used to rock and roll. But they managed. Nightsky came down the path, with Bunnie and Sonia at her side. She was wearing a dress covered in lace and sequins that glittered like the starry night she was named for. Kickaha caught his breath. He'd never seen her look quite so beautiful. Sally began. "The two of you have declared your love for one another, and your desire to join your lives in marriage. Do you, Kickaha, take Nightsky Windrider to be your lawfully wedded mate?" "I do." She turned to Nightsky. "Do you, Nightsky Windrider, take Kickaha to be your lawfully wedded mate?" "I do." "Then by the power vested in me by the Acorn throne, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." She was a little late. They'd already hugged one another so tightly, the onlookers were certain it'd take a crane to pry them apart. * * * Several minutes later, the guests were beginning if they'd even come up for air. Ryan stepped up and tapped them on the shoulder. "Hey, it's time to open your presents. Take a break, already." The happy couple looked around, confused. Then Kickaha gave an embarassed laugh. "I'm sorry! We were... uhh..." "That's okay. It was kinda obvious. Come on, there's presents to open." He led them over to a table set up near the lodge. "There's a little something from everyone here." Most of the gifts were the standard fare, things to set the two of them up in housekeeping, and such. But there were a couple of unusual presents. MechTail and Foxglove brought a large bundle over. "What's this?" asked Kickaha. "Well," said Foxglove, "since you've married a bat, I thought this would be fitting. I gave something like this to Dale, back on Earth. MechTail helped me with this one." Nightsky opened the package. "A hang glider? How thoughtful! Now you can come flying with me, my love!" Kickaha wrung MechTail's hand. "Thank you, my friend. This means a great deal to us." Coyote approached. "I've got a little something for you, as well, Grandson." He opened his hand, and held out two small amulets. From one chain hung the head of a coyote, forged from silver. The other held the image of a bat, in gold. Kickaha looked at them in astonishment. "This one," he poked at the coyote amulet, "I understand. But how in the world did you get Bat to agree to the other??" Coyote roared with laughter. "He never could play dice worth a damn, boy. He owed me. Now you do." "I thought we'd have to forgo this part of the ritual. Now..." He looked up at the spirit. "Thank you, Grandfather." "Go and have some fun, boy. And keep her happy. Remember, if you ever break up, I'll be waiting." "Not a chance, Old Man. Not a chance in the world." He turned to Nightsky. "" "" "" he asked. "" Nightsky called to David. "Could you help us, David?" He walked over. "Sure. What do you need?" "Just count to three for us. We have a choice to make." David looke curious. "All right." They both made a fist as David counted. At three, Kickaha held out a clenched fist, and Nightsky an open palm. "Paper wraps stone. You know me better than I know myself, my love." Kickaha grinned. "You go first." He called everyone's attention. "Nightsky and I are about to go on our ... honeymoon, you'd call it. But we need Sonia's help." He held up the two amulets, one in each hand. "Sunny, would you take these, and place them together when we ask you to?" "Okay, Vavoy, SoSoy." But when she touched them, she frowned. "These are magic. I can feel it. What do they do?" He smiled widely. "You'll see, child. Just do it for us, and watch over them until we get back." By now, a crowd had gathered around them. They kissed again, and held hands. "To the Chase, beloved." "To the Chase!" Kickaha turned to Sonia. "Now, child. Do it now!" Sonia placed the amulets together. A bright light began to shine from them. Kickaha and Nightsky began to glow, as well. The light grew so bright, no one could look at them. When it faded, the couple was gone. Where they had been standing was a four-legged coyote. In the air above it circled a desert bat. The coyote dashed for the forest. After a wait of several minutes, the bat followed after. * * * Everyone in clearing was left speechless. Sally turned to David and Old Man Coyote. "_WHAT_ was THAT??" Coyote shook his head. "Something private. If they want to tell you, they will. It's not for me to speak of. They'll be back soon. Ask them then." He shifted into a raven and flew up and away. "And before I forget..." A bouquet of flowers fell from the sky, right in front of Sonia, who caught it without thinking. A small circle of cloth landed on Dave's shoulder. He picked it off and looked at it. A garter. He grimaced. "I'm gonna get you for this, Old Man. I am." But when he looked down again and saw Sonia looking at him thoughtfully, thoughts of revenge fled. *I got the sneaking suspicion the Kickster was right. Nightsky _was_ coaching her on how to catch a male.* He shivered. *And it looks like I might be the next on the list.* * * * ----------------------------------- Now for the legal stuff. Sonic the Hedgehog, Princess Sally, Knothole, et cetera, (c) by Sega of America Davey Crockett, Blood and Metal, and The Wild Pack (c) 1995 David Gonterman [DGONTERMAN@aol.com] Ryan Nightweaver (c) by Ryan Huber Sonia Hedgehog (c) by Emily S. Smith [SoniadaH@aol.com] MechTail (c) by Paul Lapensee [butcher@iaw.on.ca] BAM version of Foxglove Wingtail created by Paul Lapensee. Kickaha and Nightsky Windrider (c) by Edward Becerra Coyote is a spirit of the native peoples of the Americas. Please respect him as you would your own beliefs.