Back at the former site of knothole Sally: Oh my god, it's all gone. Rotor: I'll draw up some specs for the new village. Sally: (to the echnidas) Who do I talk to out of your group. Lara-Le: Knuckles, but he's out. Sally: Ok we'll get a camp set up in a day. We'll work from there. Lara-Le: Ok. Sally looked at herself as well as the others. The skin was beginning to heal. Sally: At least we're all getting better. Dr. Quack, I want you to focus on these four. Quack: Gotcha Sal. I'll set up the tents right now. Could I get some help setting up? Sally: You four over there! Help Quack with the tents. Two figures appear from the bushes. It's Bunnie and Antione. Sally: Bunnie!? Antione!? Where were you two? Bunnie: We ran as soon as we saw the invasion. Antoine: How iz everybody? Sally: The hostages, meaning everyone but Sonic, Knuckles, Geoffry, and Kodra, are healing quite well. Those 4 are unconscious, but if we get Kodra conscious, he can heal the others. Bunnie: Ya mean, Geoffry's alive? Sally: Apparently he played possom. Another interesting side note: somehow Sonic, Knuckles, and Geoffry have powers that resemble Kodra's. Antione: Could zees Kodra ave' trained the others? Sally: That's the only reasonable answer there is! Quack finished setting up and places the patients on the medical cots. He begins examining Kodra. Quack: Now let's take a look at you... After examining Kodra for 5 minutes, the Kodraich snaps into consciousness. Kodra: Where am I? Quack: What!? How'd you do that? Kodra: Oh! I just sprung into consciousness. Quack: That quickly? Kodra: I heal fast. Sally walks into the tent. Sally: Didn't take to long to revive this one. Kodra: I told you! I heal quickly! Sally: I've seen your healing abilities. How bout' using them on Sonic, Knuckles, and Geoffry. Kodra: How bout' we start with me. I can't heal others in this condition. Kodra closed his eyes and began to concentrate. His body turned bright green. A few seconds later it turned back to normal. He stood and faced Sally. Kodra: Now Sally, healing people doesn't only tax my strength, but also the strength of the person I'm healing. It's your call. Julie-Su walks in. Julie-Su: I don't care what the Princess says. Your gonna heal Knuckles! Kodra: Have we met? Julie-Su: I'm Knuckles...friend. Kodra: I'll heal Knuckles. Now Princess... Sally: Sally. Call me Sally. Kodra: Sally, what shall I do with Sonic and Geoffry? Sally: They'd rather risk the healing process than the effects of their fight. Kodra walked over to Sonic's cot. He placed his hand on Sonic's underbelly. Sonic's hand turned a bright green color. Then he returned to normal. He repeated the process with Knuckles and Geoffry. Sally: Now what? Kodra: We wait. Sally: I've got one question... Kodra: Only one! Geez, normally people swarm me with questions! Sally: What happened to those three? Kodra: I taught them how to fight. Sally: Can you teach anyone? Kodra: You said one question... Sally gave Kodra a look that said 'get serious'. Kodra:...but I can make an exception. Yes, but I get better results with battle experienced people. Also the training is sometimes lethal if the trainee isn't ready. Sally: I've a request. After the new city's pretty much built or we can find some time, could you train or elite freedom fighters? Kodra: Of course. But now, we must build a city. Sally: Right! Rotor, get over here! Rotor walks over. Sally: Have you got the blueprints. Rotor: Yes, but I need to know some things. First, where are the echnidas staying? Sally: We haven't decided yet. We're waiting for Knuckles to wake up. Rotor: Before the invasion, I was working on a cloaking device. It should work and render our city invisible. By the way what is the name of the new city? Sally: Another unknown. But the cloaking device would be great. I'll help you with that. Kodra: I'll help set up the temporary shelters. The group went their separate ways. Kodra walked up to the group that was setting up tents. Kodra began to help. The rest stopped what they were doing and watched. Kodra: Am I gonna set these up all by myself or are you gonna help? A pig spoke up. Snout: Ya right! Like we're gonna help an Overlander! Kodra: I'm not an Overlander! This time it was a buffalo that spoke out. Daniel: That's right, guys. He's a Kodraich, ya know, the guys that destroyed knothole, captured us, and tortured us. Kodra: I'm also the guy that saved you from Dracaris and destroyed their fortress. Snout: So you're a traitor. Kodra: I betrayed my kind because they took pleasure in death and pain. Daniel: And you do too! We should get rid of him before he betrays us as well! With that Daniel picked up a rock and threw it at Kodra. Kodra grabbed the stone and crushed it in his bare hands. He let the dust drop to the group. Snout: St-stay back...MONSTER! Sally: What's going on here? Daniel: That MONSTER threatened our very lives. Sandra: Oh, shut up you two! Suddenly, all eyes went on a young squirrel. She was about the same age as Kodra, brown fur with black dots. She wore a pink shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Snout: Stay out of this Sandra! Sandra: You pig! That man was only trying to help and you attacked him! Snout: I said stay out! He threatened us. Sandra: Sally, don't listen to Snout. He's just trying to make trouble for...umm... Kodra: Kodra. Sandra: Kodra. Daniel was the one who throw the first stone. Daniel: Who do you trust? Us or her? Sally: Her. You guys are always trying to make trouble. Now get to work! After some complaining, Snout and Daniel carried on with their work. Kodra decided to leave them and find out more about his helper. He followed her to where she originally was. Kodra: Need a hand? Sandra smiled. Sandra: Thanks. He begins helping Sandra setting up tents. Kodra: I'm beginning to think I'm not wanted. Sandra: Ha! What tipped you off? Kodra: Actually that was my first bad experience. Well with other villagers at least. Sandra: Well you were only here for what 4 days. You got lucky! Kodra: So your name's Sandra? Sandra: Yup! Kodra: Sandra...That name brings back memories. Sandra: You know someone named Sandra before? Kodra: She was my first love. Sandra: Ahhh... Kodra: We had to conceal our love or else my father would have to 'initiate' her. A cruel, inhuman process. Unfortunately, Dracaris, my brother, found out. Since she wasn't technically my 'woman', she was allowed to be treated as any normal person. So, Dracaris slaughtered her and her entire village. Sandra: What!? Kodra: Now you understand what a horrible race they are. Somehow, I resisted and ran away. Only one other is like me. Sandra: I'm so sorry... Kodra: That is why I fled. At least here they only annoy me, not torture me. Sandra: You've gone through a lot, haven't you? Kodra: I've had my share of troubles. Sandra: How bout' now. Have you been away from the Kodraichs long, or is this your first, semi-positive time? Kodra: I just left the Kodraichs before coming here. Kodra pounds the final stake of a tent into the ground. A stone hits him in the back of the head. He turns to see Snout and a crowd of other people. Snout: See! Just look at him! He's one of those that tortured us! I say we repay the favor! Sandra: I say you already have! You are torturing the one who saved us. He shouldn't be discriminated against! Daniel: Shut up Sandra! With that he throws another stone, but this time it hits Sandra. She falls over and blood trickles from her forehead. Kodra: You...You Bastards! I'm the one you hate! Leave Sandra out of this! Kodra was fuming. He began to concentrate, as if to fight. Daniel: Serves her right! Helping the enemy is called treachery. Kodra: You! Leave! Now! All of you! Before I really go off the deep end. Snout: You're just afraid to face us. The to antagonists throw another volley of stone at the two, but Kodra holds up his hand. The rocks bounce off an invisible wall. He launches two energy beams at Snout and Daniel. The beam was of low power, but still knocked the two of their feet. Daniel: See he's a monster, ready to fight at the drop of a hat! No matter what side he's on. He could've killed us. Kodra looked at his hands in terror. Kodra: What have I done? Sally runs up hearing the commotion. Sally: What happened? Snout: The monster attacked us. Sally: Kodra, is this true. Kodra was walking away when she said this. He lowered his head. Kodra: Yes. It's true. Daniel: See! He admitted it. Now banish him or something. Kodra began to cry. Kodra: Sandra (sniff) needs some medical attention. Snout: Maybe something's wrong with her head. She did trust you. She's probably insane or something. Sally: What's wrong with her, Kodra? Kodra: She took a blow to the head. I'm so sorry. Daniel: Apology, denied! You'll pay for your crimes. Snout: Your treachery will not go unpunished. Kodra: Please, I must help her. Daniel: Since when did you start to care. Kodra ignored the last comment and trudged off to the med tents. Sally: I'm not finished interviewing you two, but I need to talk to Kodra first. With that Sally followed Kodra to the med tents. They entered at the same time. Kodra: Dr. Quack, Sandra suffered a blow to the head from a rock. She needs some help quick. Quack: What happened? Sally: I'll ask the questions as this one is officially under arrest for assault. What do you plea? Kodra: What, no rights to read? I'm not allowed to stay silent? Sally: Not during interrogation. Kodra: I did attack the two Mobians named Snout and Daniel with a 2 class 2 energy beams to the intestinal region. Sally: Did you have motive? Or was this just senseless violence. Kodra: I was upset that the two had harassed me, but it was the fact that they threw a stone at Sandra that pushed me over the deep end. However, that still doesn't explain what I did. And the fact that I'm Kodraich doesn't help much either. Sally: They attacked Sandra? I could consider it a selfless act of defense for Sandra, but... Kodra: Then you'd have a huge mob on your hands. Do what you wish, Sally. Just let me stay here for now. I need to talk to Sandra. Sally: Ok. Quack let's give him some time. The two leave the tent. Kodra begins to cry. Kodra: Sandra, I'm sorry. I lost control. I wanted to kill them. It's amazing I didn't. Maybe I've regressed a bit from being a Kodraich. However, I still think I'm going to have to leave. The Princess will have to banish me or be attacked by a mob. I just want to say...you were my best friend while I was here. He kissed her on the mark of the stone. As if on cue she awoke. Sandra: What happened? Kodra: The name Sandra must be cursed. Dracaris destroyed my relationship with my former love and I destroyed my relationship with you. I'm sorry. I know it will be hard, but one day I hope you'll understand. I think will be forced to leave her very soon. Sandra: We'll fight it. You won't leave without me! Kodra: Ha! In a few days I'll be just a memory. Sandra: No! This is about Snout and Daniel, isn't it? They started it. Whatever you did will be excused. Kodra: That is possible, if Sally wants a mob on her hands. Those are two influential idiots. Sandra: But... Kodra: Hush. Here. Kodra pulled a medallion like the one he gave to Sonic and Knuckles. He broke it in two. Energy radiated from the tent. As the light dimmed he gave half to Sandra, and kept the other half. Kodra: Take this as a memento of me. Sandra said nothing as Kodra solemnly left the tent. The next day... Sally is standing with a shackled Kodra in front of her. Sandra was watching from her medical cot holding her memento. Daniel and Snout were sneering at Kodra. Sally: Due to the conduct that Kodra displayed yesterday, I hear by exile him for a year. You are dismissed Kodra. With that Kodra broke the shackles that bound his hands together. He flew out of sight. Sandra looked at Daniel and Snout. Sandra: I hope you're proud! Snout: Of course we are! Our city is a safer place thanks to us. In an open meadow, a mile from the City... Kodra: I guess it's time to stop sulking and start training. With that he smeared a gray substance on his 4 shackles. As it dried he started to flex. The shackles each weighed at least 20 pounds. Kodra: This is good enough for now. He began his training.