Timeless Bonds

Teaser: A Loss of a Rainbow

By Chicobo329 and Debbie (Dai-chan)

A calm moment . . .

Nothing appeared to trouble the scenery.

Gurgles were heard as a large river flowed in its banks, the water surface disturbed by smooth rocks sitting in the riverbed. Like a water serpent, the river winded through the island of South Hill, weaving around palm trees and secluded areas of meadows. Leaves were sleepily swaying in a breeze, as if they were stirring happily from a dream. The atmosphere was so quiet that nearby animals and birds made no sounds, perhaps basking in the peaceful silence. Nothing could disturb the peace.

The river held secrets.

Underneath the calm surface, there laid the sleeping Chaos Emeralds.

Carefully concealed, by a watchful hand, the stones were nearly buried, the mud coating the brightness underneath. Also, large stones were also added to the pile to prevent a suspicious eye. The mud cover wasn't necessary, though, for the Chaos Emeralds already knew they were at last content to be hidden, no longer coveted. Their inner lights, which were always shining, were muted, blinking in and out of existence. The stones rested in a circle, a symbol of their unbreakable bond, nestled close and yet careful not to touch the facets.

Garnet red. Topaz yellow. Jade green. Lapis lazui blue. Sapphire blue. Amethyst purple. Diamond clear.

Content at last . . .

But during this peaceful moment . . .

A sensation of danger was expected.

At the instant of sensing it, the Chaos Emeralds woke.

The mud peeled off the brilliant facets, revealing such a light that when the seven stones were together, the light was dazzling. Although, just then, the rays darkened, and the powerful stones remained silent, as if they were listening to the sensation. It took only less than a second, but to the Chaos Emeralds, it was an eternity.

The stones didn't need mouths to speak. They were psychic, sharing words in an instant. Yet, even powerful, ageless objects are comfortable to speak.

'This is worse than we suspect,' the pale green stone stated.

The Chaos Emeralds didn't shift physically, but the shifting of their rays seemed to be that they were turning around to each other.

Sparks played around the topaz Emerald. 'We have been expecting it.'

'Yet, it is worse,' the purple stone explained. 'We must leave.'

The red Chaos Emerald seemed to show concern. 'It is not easy. We need stability. Stability is difficult to find.'

The dark blue stone gave reassurance, an unusual reaction of the expressionless Chaos Emeralds. 'Stability will be easy once you know where to look.'

'Ah, yes,' the diamond-like stone's rays landed upon the cobalt facets. 'Transfusing. You have done this, correct?'

'Incorrect. I have only come in contact.'

'You have suffered unusual effects while you came in contact,' the amethyst-colored Emerald doubtfully mentioned. 'I see no purpose of transfusing where there is a risk of becoming flawed.'

The pale blue rays of the smallest stone thickened, as though it frowned. 'Do you not sense it already? It is already flawed.'

The purple streaks stiffened, and then softened. 'Yes, and must we be flawed as well?'

'Transfusing does not flaw you. It teaches you.' Once again, the cobalt Emerald attempted to comfort its companions.

'Teach us what?' The garnet-faceted stone seemed to be surprised. 'We are Chaos Emeralds. We are powerful. We do not need teaching.'

'This is different.'

'How different?' the pale green Emerald dared to challenge.

If the cobalt stone would have a head, it would shake it. 'I cannot tell you. It is a personal experience.'

'We do not have personalities,' the green stone retorted.

The purple Emerald darkened its rays in disapproval. 'You already sound like one of them.'

The Chaos Emeralds were powerful enough to destroy one other, but yet they knew they needed each other to control stability. Even with the fact, it didn't stop the dark blue facets from blackening as the stone glared back. 'It is a part of the experience. You know as well as I that transfusing is the only way to keep us stable. You cannot deny that.'

The diamond lastly spoke, perhaps to attempt easing the growing tension. 'I do not deny it. I will welcome it. I have to admit that I am curious about how they live. I am curious about how they keep living through despair and still find hope to move on.'

The yellow Emerald seemed to nod. 'I also welcome it. I do not wish to be seen as a pretty stone.'

The green rays dimmed, hesitantly. 'I prefer to be a pretty stone. It keeps them away from us.'

'Even a pretty stone attracts a greedy eye,' the dark red stone pointed out. Its rays brightened. 'I will transfuse.'

The purple Chaos Emerald gazed to its companions who agreed with the dark blue one and expressed a sigh. 'I cannot deny transfusing, but it does not mean I will like it.'

'You will like it.'

'It will be up to me,' the amethyst stone informed the cobalt one. Then its rays seemed to be gone, leaving the facets oddly dull and monotone, before the rays returned, although too dim to be noticed. The stone seemed to shudder. 'I must leave . . . Already, second by second, I become unstable. We must hurry.'

'Correct,' the clear Emerald understood. 'We must hurry. Remember, once we transfuse, we must stay together.'

'Acknowledged,' the other Emeralds uttered in unison.

One by one, the Chaos Emeralds vanished out of sight, their purposes hidden to none but themselves. Yet, there were hints happening within the facets of the rainbow stones.

Flames seemed to dance from inside the garnet-red stone.

A globe of pure white light was seen around the clear stone.

Jolts of electricity winked around the topaz stone.

The purple Emerald was simply darkened into a shadow.

Instead of the mud, a dry coat of soil covered the facets of the pale green stone.

As the five vanished, two remained, one concerned of the other.

'You are quiet,' the dark blue stone simply remarked.

The sapphire-like stone seemed to be irritated. 'You do not need to acknowledge it.'

The cobalt Emerald shifted itself to seat beside the smaller stone. 'What are you thinking about?'

'I am thinking about transfusing. I do not deny it, but I wonder what will happen once we transfuse. Will it affect us?'

'You already know that coming in contact affected me.'

'Yes . . . you are flawed. But . . .' the pale rays hesitantly touched the dark facets. 'You do not act like you are flawed. You appear to be happy.'

'Unusual for a Chaos Emerald to have emotions?' For an instant, the pale stone sensed faint contentment in the dark stone.

The small Chaos Emerald seemed to nod. 'It is unusual, but I am also curious.'

'And afraid.'

The pale rays swiftly darkened, and the stone voiced, 'We do not have fear.'

The dark blue Chaos Emerald moved its rays to shine upon the smaller stone and seemed to inspect it with such an expression that was almost disquieting. 'If I am organic, I will express surprise that you said a lie.'

The sapphire expressed nothing. It was almost like it knew that it lied.

The cobalt stone then became gentle, encouraging. 'Transfuse. It does not flaw you. It teaches you.' Before it vanished, its facets seemed to freeze over with frost.

A real breeze was seen, its winds colored the same as the last stone, glaring around it, then stopped. The pale blue Chaos Emerald paused, its rays softened in thought.

Stability is important. The only way to stay stable is to transfuse. The other Chaos Emeralds already know how and where to transfuse themselves. They already chose their hosts. The pale stone had, already. It waited for a moment, listening. If the stone could, it would've smiled.

'I think I will stay.'

To be continued in 'Timeless Bonds'...