Julayla
Julayla Chipmunk was a learned and wise personal friend of the House of Acorn and Rosie's cousin. She also helped to teach the young Sally Acorn many important philosophies and lessons which aided the young princess in becoming a successful leader, while also teaching her combat skills such as the flip back kick. Julayla and Rosie were entrusted with the safety of the lives of Sally and her friends during Dr. Ivo Robotnik's military coup against the Kingdom of Acorn, and as such protected them in the sanctuary of Knothole Village. Eventually, with Julayla and Rosie's protection and guidance, and inspiration from the Original Freedom Fighters, the children grew up to be the Knothole Freedom Fighters to oppose Dr. Robotnik's rule. (StH: #43, SSS: #5, #9)
For years she was charged with holding on to a special acorn that contained the Royal Signet ring, which she used to test Sally. She would have Sally snatch it from her hand but failed. On Julayla's deathbed, Sally figured out how to snatch it from her hand by bumping the bottom of her hand with her knee, and snatching it in the air. Learning this lesson convinced Julayla that Sally was ready for the challenges ahead and wished Sally goodbye as she passed away. Julayla also left Sally many of her possessions, including her hope chest that was meant for Sally's Wedding. In the chest contained Sally's trademark blue vest and a map that led her on a quest to Quest's End in a temple in the badlands with her friends and recently discovered computer Nicole. (StH: #18, IYF)
The following year, Sally, Rosie and Queen Alicia visited Julayla's grave site on her birthday. (StH: #120)
A hospital in Knothole was named after her, but after its destruction, a memorial garden in her memory was made in New Mobotropolis.
Background Information
Appearance
Julayla's cat look from her first appearance in StH #18
- In Julayla's initial appearances in StH #18 and Sonic In Your Face she was given a mobian-cat design. However, in her later appearances in StH #43, SSS #5 and SSS #9 she appeared as a mobian-squirrel/chipmunk much like Rosie, her cousin. In StH #120 she once again had her cat design. In her final appearance in StH #143 she was once again a squirrel/chipmunk.
- During the ten-year interum between the beginning of Robotnik's coup and her death, Julayla appears to have aged way too drastically within the span of ten years, given how youthful she looked. It is possible she could have prematurely aged from a terminal disease that took her life, or maybe an oversight on previous editor's parts.