Find Your Own Truth: The Path Not Taken.

by Edward Becerra.
___________________________________

   Sally was worried about Kickaha.  He was usually rather quiet, but now
he'd retreated completely into himself.  He seemed moody and depressed.  He
wouldn't speak with anyone but Davey.  The Freedom Fighters could
practically _see_ the cloud of gloom hanging over his head.

   *We know so little about him.  There's almost nothing about the Wild Pack
in the databases.  Even before the Great War, they were a private people.
Now, they're refusing to have anything to do with the rest of Mobius.  And
that thing with the stone knife and the sash.  I still don't understand
that.*

   She stood and headed for Davey's hut.  He seemed closest to Kickaha.
Perhaps he could find out what was going on.

                                   * * *

   "I'm not sure, Sally.  But I think it has something to do with the
painting he keeps on his night table.  I haven't seen it.  It's always been
turned to the wall.  But Kopter said something that makes me think that
she's seen it.  And Bookshire, too."  Davey frowned.  He'd told Sally about
Kickaha's exile after he'd recovered from being spin dashed by Sammi
Hedgehog.  But that didn't seem to bother Kickaha much.  At least, he didn't
act like it bothered him.

   "I think we should ask Kopter about the painting.  Kickaha's been down
for more than a week now.  It's getting serious."  Sally wasn't going to
take now for an answer.

   "All right, Princess.  Do you want me to come along?"

   "Yes.  Kickaha might talk to you, even if he doesn't want to talk with
anyone else.  Let's go find Kopter."

                                   * * *

   Kopter told them that the painting was a picture of Kickaha and a lady
bat.  She also told them about the words painted in the corner.  She
couldn't remember what they said.

   "But Mr. Bookshire might.  He saw the painting, too.  Just before Mr.
Kickaha woke back up that day." the little fox added.

   "Thank you, Kopter.  You've been a big help.  Come on, Davey.  We've got
a racoon to see."

   At Bookshire's place, they found the racoon busy writing a new program.
He stopped to welcome them in, and when they brought up the subject, he was
able to recall the inscription.

   "Yes.  I remember it well.  It looked like a gift from a girlfriend.  A
farewell gift.  The words went something like this:

     `"I don't believe in the Stars or the Planets,
       Or Angels watching from above.
       But I believe there's a Ghost of a Chance,
       We can find someone to love...

   	      And make it last."

	   Forever, my love.  And farewell.'

   And it was signed, "Nightsky".  At a guess, I'd say he'd lost a girl that
he loved a great deal.  But it's just a guess.  I didn't want to pry."

   "Thank you, Bookshire.  That explains a great deal.  Let's go back to my
hut, David.  I think I know what part of the problem is."

   Davey looked puzzled.  As they returned to her hut, he spoke up.  "What
could it be?  A Mobian for your thoughts."

   "Isn't that just like a man?  Here you are, so in love with Suni, and
you've forgotten what time of year it is?  What holiday comes next?"

   Davey slapped his forehead.  "D'OH!  Valentine's Day is coming!  OhMyGod!
Ah forgot!  Ah gotta get somthin' fo' Suni!"

   "Males!" Sally snorted.  "You'd forget your heads, if they weren't
attached to your necks.  But that's part of the problem.  _Some_ males don't
forget.  And with Valentine's Day coming soon, Kickaha's being reminded of
something he probably doesn't want to remember."

   "What can we do for him?"

   "Not we.  Me.  This is a female's job.  And don't try to fix him up with
a date for the Valentine's Day party behind my back.  That could just make
things worse.  I'm going to have a talk with him.  If we can find out more
about him, then we might be able to help him."

***********************************

   "Hello, Princess.  What can I do for you?"  Kickaha's voice was quiet.
"Do you need me for a mission?  I'd be happy to.  I... I need to get away
for a bit, I think."

   "No, Kickaha.  I just came over to talk with you for a while.  And you
don't have to call me Princess.  I'm Sally." She smiled at him.  "You've
been looking gloomy, lately.  I thought I'd come over and chat with you.  It
might cheer you up."

   He curled a lip, exposing a fang.  "It's that Greg Oppossum again, isn't
it?  If it's strange or unusual, then it's dangerous.  He's just as much a
bigot as Robotnik or Snivley.  The only difference is, he hates anything
new or different, where Robotnik only hates animals." He sighed.  "If I've
become a problem, Prin... err... Sally, then I can leave Knothole.  I've
left more than one home in my life."  He looked away.  "You get used to it
after a while.  No big thing."

   *Now there's a lie if I ever heard one.  But what's causing him to do
this?  And why was he exiled?*  Sally thought.  *The new roboticizer may
have taken care of his body, but it wasn't able to heal the hurt in his
soul.*

   "Do you want to talk about it, Kickaha?  It would help if we discussed
your problems.  We could help."

   "Is that an order, Princess?"

   "If I have to... Then, yes, it is."  Sally was ready to be firm with him
until she noticed the soaked fur under his eyes.  *He's crying!  I've seen
him take on a Swatbot single-handed.  He's not frightened of anything.  What
could make him cry like this?*

   He stood up.  "Stories, it is said, are best told around a crackling fire
with a good friend."  He waved at the fire pit in the center of his lodge.
"After you, my Princess.  And know this.  I do not blame you.  You are a
leader.  You must be _certain_ of your followers."

   She took a seat around the pit while he laid and lit a fire.  Then he sat
across the flames from her.

   He closed his eyes, and lowered his head.  He remained that way for a few
moments, then began to speak.

                                   * * *

   Know then, my Princess, that in the days prior to the Great War, before
the evil of Robotnik stalked the land, the elders of the Coyote tribes of
the Wild Pack met in conclave.  The tribes of the Wild Pack had seen the
so-called `gifts' of the civilization of machines, and wished to have
nothing to do with it.  They chose to remain free of the fetters of the
cities.

   But if a brave so wished, he or she might choose to venture into the
lands of the city people.  The elders felt that this would help teach the
others of the evils of such a life.  The adventurers would return, in time,
speak of the foulness of the cities, and the tribes would give thanks that
they lived wild and free in the wilderness.

   But the People of Coyote went beyond that.  They chose to lay the ban
against the cities.  And they prayed, my Princess.  They prayed for a hero.

   A hero who, like the human, Quannah Parker, would rise up and lead the
Wild Pack.  A hero who would lead them against the cities, destroying them
all and teaching the foolish cityfolk the wisdom of the wild life.

   The Great War came and went.  And the tribes of Coyote waited.  They
felt, `This _must_ be the time.  The city-dwellers are divided amongst
themselves.  The war has weakened them.  Why has Coyote not sent us the
hero?'

   A lone shaman tried to tell them that Coyote did not wish for such a war
to be fought.  But the elders would not listen.  Other shamans told them the
lies that they wished to hear.  And the shaman, Walks With Stars, was told
to stop speaking of peace.

   One day, a child was born.  Edward Two Lives.  A male child, he was
strong with the power that Coyote loved.  The elders knew.  This one must be
the one.  And they took it upon themselves to plan his path through life.

   They made of him a warrior.  Teaching him the Ways of the Hunt.  Sending
him to the cities, to learn the way the cityfolk practiced the art of war.
He was taught by every tribe of the Pack.  The other tribes didn't know what
the coyote elders had planned.  They honored the request to train the child,
though.

   They had planned all of his life.  They feared that they might not be
able to control him, and so chose to bind him tightly to his people, hoping
to create blind obedience to the council of elders.  And they pushed him.
Nothing was every good enough.  He had to be perfect.  After all, they told
him, he was gifted by the spirits.  You must not rest.  You must try harder.
You are blessed by the spirits.  You _must_ succeed.  Your people depend
upon you!

   But two things ruined their plan, my Princess.  A crafty shaman, and
love.

   Old Man Coyote sent Walks With Stars to the young one.  The shaman told
him of the plans the elders had, and that Coyote did _not_ approve.  But the
elders chose to do this anyway, thinking that Coyote would change his mind,
once they had won.  The boy learned of his spirit guide, the spirit of
Coyote from the old shaman.  He became the best and brightest his people had
to offer.

   And one day, he fell in love.
   
   She was one of the Tribes of the Night.  A bat.  She was older than he,
and most beautiful.  Their love for one another was great.  And when the
elders heard of it, they ordered young Edward Coyote away.  He was to marry
a woman they chose for him, another coyote.  She was slim, lovely to look
at, everything a tribesman could want.  But young Edward's heart knew only
his love for Nightsky Windrider.

   They sent him to the city of Mobotropolis, supposedly to learn of it's
people, but in truth, to keep him away from the bat whom he had grown to
love so.  While he was there, Robotnik struck.  He joined the rebellion,
unwilling to abandon the new friends he made to this new evil.  But one day,
an accident made him a cripple, and forced him to return to the Wild Pack.

   When he reached them, the coyote elders turned upon him in rage.  He was
damaged goods, now.  How could he lead their glorious battle?  So he stayed
with friends of the other tribes until he could find his beloved Nightsky.

   The final revenge of the elders was the cruelest, my Princess.  They
spoke to the elders of the bat tribe.  Telling them that Edward was an unfit
match for a daughter of the bat.  And so he was turned away by the people of
the bat, who refused to let Edward and Nightsky see one another again.

   The coyote elders felt that now, finally, Edward would do as he was bid.
They offered to heal him, and presented him with the beautiful coyote bride
they had chosen for him.  They offered to forgive him, as a bribe, as if it
had been Edward, and not themselves, who had done wrong.

   He spat upon them and their forgiveness.  And he left his tribe, vowing
never to return.

   In the wilderness, he found a lonely hill, and chose it to be his resting
place.  He wrapped himself in his poncho, singing his death song, and waited
for Death to take him.  But Coyote came, instead, to claim him for one of
his own.  And Edward Two Lives was no more.  Now, there was only the
follower of Old Man Coyote.

   Kickaha, the Trickster.

                                   * * *

   With that, Kickaha fell silent.  Sally could hear the crackling of the
fire in the pit.  It sounded louder than thunder.  She looked at Kickaha.
He sat there, quietly.  But Sally could see the trail of tears down his
cheeks.

   "I don't know what to say, Kickaha."  Sally felt... embarassed.  He'd
revealed his innermost self to her.  And she couldn't think of a single
thing she could do to ease his pain.

   "Just... go, my Princess.  This is my burden.  And there is no easing of
it.  But I thank you, child.  You have a caring heart.  That is rare.  Now
leave me to my past."

   And with that, Sally rose and left the lodge.

***********************************

--
"Remember... Anime, it's not just for breakfast anymore!"