Mobius Future: Hope

Wind blows stirring up the dust from the ground. The sun covered by clouds, it has been this way for years... the world has become a desolate wasteland. The power wrought by Nazo destroyed the world and left little. In a ruined city where the debris cover everything, abandoned vehicles are scattered some even destroyed by fallen rubble. This was once the great booming city known as Westside however now it is nothing more than a bunch of destroyed buildings reminding those who still live what has happened.

A lone hedgehog walks down the ruined street. He was a crimson red color and his body was covered in a long black coat that want all the way to his feet which stirred in the wind. He was Rage Chaotic. Once a great hero but...now only a shell of his former self. Ever since Nazo and a dark being called Vlagh destroyed Mobius nobody was able to find any hope or happiness...even those who were great heroes.

Vlagh betrayed Nazo and now rules both Mobius and Dark Mobius a dark counterpart of Mobius where he is from. However he wishes to rule all versions of Mobius. So his ambition is ongoing...

I knew Rage, I trained him or helped him at least. He is powerful but now...he refuses his power. To him all he can see is the dark world that now lies before him. He wasn't always like this, I remember a time he was cheerful and outgoing. Like a child, now though he is nothing more than an old hedgehog who has lost his way...but he lives on. I know you might be thinking why this matters? Who and why we should care at all about him? Where are Sonic and his pals? Well...they're all dead. They stood as long as they could against Nazo and Vlagh and failed...even Eggman tried. But all is not lost...there is still hope and it lies in a child...A child whom is son of an enemy of our hero...

A scream was heard and Rage looked up to see a small black fox covered in a cloke running at him, behind him were strange creatures. They were Dark Spawns. Beasts that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, powers and abilities. Rage sighs and puts the child behind some debris that was also behind him. "Don't worry" he says to the child. The Dark Spawns he was dealing with were Class B, intellectual, human in appearance, capable of communication. Anything lesser aside from the large S Class Dark Spawn were primal and could follow orders and kill, not much else.

"You there!" one shouts. "Did you see a child run through here?"

"Child? I have seen plenty of children come this way." Rage replies "You'd have to be more specific."

"Small, black fox like creature. We have orders to capture him alive." it replies.

"Well that's and odd description." Rage sighs. "I haven't seen him."

"How did you know it was a he?" the dark spawn questions.

"I was guessing." Rage bluffs.

"You're hiding something..." the other says as it points an assault rifle at Rage. "Where is he?"

"I would advise you to lower your weapon." Rage warns.

"Is that a threat hedgehog?" it replies as the other draws its gun.

"Tell us where he is." the other demands.

"Make me." Rage replies. At that moment the two open fire but Rage was too fast as he leaps over them and summons a sword out of thin air. He then lands behind the dark spawns and looks at them.

The child looked at the scene wide eyed in amazement as thoughts raced through his head. 'Wow he is awesome! He can avoid machine gun fire like that? And that sword...it's so cool! Who is this guy?"

It was by now the Dark Spawns had turned and looked at Rage once more. They however looked a lot less aggressive and more squeamish. "Could it be?" one of them gasps.

"Be gone!" Rage yells charging. The sudden move spooked the two and they struggled to keep their composure as they dropped their weapons. By the time they had picked them up they saw the last thing they ever would before their demise... Rage's infuriated eyes as he sliced them clean with one simple blow. Right as the two sections of their body began to slide apart they vanished into a black smoke. Rage stood there a minute before addressing the kid. "you can come out now."

Swiftly the kid does so and runs up to Rage. He now got a good look at him. About 13, wearing a long trench coat similar to the one an old enemy of his wore. "Wow that was amazing mister."

"Who are you and why where those Dark Spawn looking for you?" Rage asks,

"I am...my name is Nox...They are after me because I ran away from home." the kid replies.

"Why would they chase a run away?" Rage asks himself.

"Who are you mister?" Nox asks Rage. Rage looks at him and sighs.

"I am what is left." he answers.

"I want your name not some stupid cryptic answer." Nox scoffs.

"I have many." Rage answers again trying to avoid answering with his real name. This kid reeked of darkness, Rage could tell and he didn't want him to know who he was.

"Stop beating around the bush I want your name, the one your mom and dad gave you!" Nox complains.

"Fine. I am Rage Chaotic happy?" Rage replies,

"Rage Chaotic?" the kid looks wide eyed. "The Chaos Guardian? That means...where have you been?! Youre a hero and now the whole world is total shit! Why haven't you stopped it?!"

"I don't do that any more!" Rage yells "I wasn't here when the world needed me and now look at what has happened! I cannot do anything for it now! I failed!"

"What makes you think that?" Nox asks a little surprised by the sudden outburst from the hedgehog.

"You wouldn't understand..." Rage replies turning away. "Run on home now Nox."

"So that's it?" Nox asks. "You just gave up? Because of that my father Vlagh is the tyrannical ruler of both this world and Dark Mobius?"

"Did you say Vlagh?" Rage asks turning looking at the kid summoning his sword. "You are his son?!" he points the blade's tip to Nox. "How could you stand being with such a heartless shell of a man?"

"I...I am...but why do you think I ran away?! I HATE him! Ever since I was born he has been infusing dark power in my body and trying to make me a vessel for his power so I may succeed him and rule one of the planets...he acts like he is giving me a divine gift..." Nox looks down. "I don't want it...ANY of it...That is why I ran..."

Rage looks at Nox and puts his sword down. He felt sorry for him, darkness born yet he hates it... and he was honest about his malice for Vlagh. Rage knew he couldn't just leave the kid like this. For the better of Nox, himself and the worlds. Rage then hands Nox a piece of paper. "Look kid I won't beat around the bush this time. I can't trust you...yet. So listen well and listen good. Go home...if you are true to what you say run away again and come to the location marked on that map got it? I will be there." he instructs Nox as he starts to walk away.

Nox thinks for a minute then sighs. "Yes...Mr. Chaotic..." he sighs as Rage was nearly too far to hear.

Rage however turns his head "Oh and Nox," he says making the kid look up at him. "It's Rage." he states before he departs.

Nox smiles softly and hides the small piece of paper before walking back to the large fortress skyscraper that his father called home. On the way more guards like the B Class Dark Spawns who had been pursuing him before found and took him home.

They arrived and he was escorted inside to the main opening of the building. One of his friends Jackyl who had helped in his escape wars standing by and elevator. Jackyl was a 16 year old grey wolf who stood at a muscular 6 foot and around 3 inches tall. He wore a dark blue tee shirt and combat pants. His large ears had some black stripes and his eyes were a deep blue. Some silver hair extened well past his shoulders and banged just over his eyes. He was almost like a mentor to Nox as well as he had taught Nox how to wield the dark power he had like a weapon. Jackyl released the guards and lead Nox into an elevator before inputting the code for the 'CEO Office' Or in this case Vlaghs throne room.

Before Vlagh took over Mobius this was a building that was A) the largest in the world and B) a PMC (Private Military Company) that ran the metropolis city known as Neo Metropolis bellow. However now it was a nigh impenetrable fortrees

"You're dad is going to be furious." Jackyl sighs "We're both going to be in big trouble this time."

"Hold on Jackyl...you hate my father as much as I do right?" Nox asks.

"Of course I do!" He scoffs. "What are you getting on about now?"

"I met a guy..." Nox begins "He-"

"What have I told you about talking to the people down there?" Jackyl shouts "They're crazy!"

"His name was Rage Chaotic." Nox continues.

"Rage Chaotic? The old hero?" Jackyl asks surprised. "Are you sure?" he asks and Nox nods.

"He gave me a slip of paper. He told me If I was serious about a rebellion against my father to meet him there..." Nox replies "This is our chance!"

"Nox...are you sure?" Jackyl asks.

"Of course!" he replies "So you're with me right?"

"Nox..." Jackyl sighs. "It's crazy but...I promised to never leave your side what does the paper say?" he asks. Nox shrugs and takes it out opening it to show a map. Circled in red was the 'Crimson Forest' a forest of Red Oak trees that was only a couple miles south of the city. "Okay I can get us there later. We will leave after all of this. Okay?"

"Yeah." Nox agrees as the elevator arrives and the doors open into the large room where Vlagh stood looking out over the city.

"Hello Nox..." he says without turning.

"Hi father." Nox responds.

"Do you have any idea how angry I am?" Vlagh growls turning. "You are my son and that means you do as I SAY! You do not ever leave this place without my permission! You do not ever consider crossing me! I am the reason you are living so well! I am the one who is shaping your future so it may be as bright as it could be! Yet this is how you repay me?!" he screams slapping him across the face.

"You tell to do what is right!" Nox yells back "Are you doing what is right?! There are people who you are supposed to rule over who are starving and dying! Is that right?!"

"I am the GOD of this world and Dark Mobius boy, I DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG!" Vlagh yells again.

"Lord Vlagh please, calm down." Jackyl says calmly.

"Be quiet!" Vlagh yells "You helped him escape! You two are more trouble then those damned Chaos Guardians were...always in the way with feeble attempts to stop me...then there was that one red pest..." he starts rambling.

"You know what dad..." Nox pants trying not to get angry. "Maybe those Chaos Guardians were doing the right thing...they were only protecting this world from your insanity!"

"What did you say boy?" Vlagh yells in question to Nox as a mist of dark energy began to slowly form around him. "That is enough it's time I just infuse you with enough dark energy to turn you into a full fledged denizen of the dark!" he screams.

"Run!" Jackyl shouts pushing Nox back into the elevator right as his father fires a blast of energy which hit Jackyl instead as they tumbled into the elevator. Jackyl screamed in pain and crouched down before he collapses.

"Jackyl no!" Nox yells "Please..." he cries. "You have to fight it!" he begs watching his best friend slowly become consumed... a dark aura surrounded similar to the one Vlagh always had. Soon the doors of the elevator open to the ground level.

"Nox...run..." Jackyl struggles to say "before...it's t-t-too late."

"No Jackyl I won't leave you!" Nox yells "You're my only friend! Please you have to fight it!"

"Nox..." Jackyl begins but he stops...

"What? What is it?" Nox begs to know.

"You need to join us..." Jackyl chuckles as his head shoots a glance at Nox. Jackyl's eyes had turned a blood red...they glowed with a insane glare. Nox's face went pale from fear but he got up and ran as Jackyl leaps at him. Nox ran out of the building and into the streets bellow the large staircase leading up to the entrance.

No matter how fast he ran Jackyl was faster and he slowly was creeping up on Nox. After a while they made it out of the city and to the Primordial Plane. That lay between the city and the Crimson Forest. Soon he came up to the river that divided Primordial Plane and the Crimson Forest.

"Where are you going?" Jackyl asks as he leaps onto Nox pinning him to the ground. By now Jackyl had grown claws and they dug into Nox's shoulders. The pain stung as blood dripped from Nox's shoulders. Nox was now in a panic. He wasn't sure what to do! He wasn't in the forest yet so until he was...he was on his own. Without warning, or the desire to Nox releases of pulse of dark energy which forced Jackyl off and a few feet away.

Taking the chance Nox gets up and runs across the bride into the Crimson Forest. Then he hears a loud banging sound. He looks back and sees Jackyl hitting what appeared to be an invisible barrier. That was why Rage wanted him to come here...so he wasn't followed by any one who had given their heart to darkness...

"You can't run forever Nox!" Jackyl yells "This Forest may protect you from me but it has things in there that will kill you just as well..." he laughs before running back to to Neo Metropolis. The whole time Nox watched before the set his gaze to the tower where Vlagh called home and clenched his fists in anger.

Vlagh had taked his best friend from him...that was unforgivable...There was no going back for him now. He was no longer Vlagh's son, nor did he want to be. Not only that but he had no idea what to do next.

After doing some thinking he walks into the trees deeper and deeper before he came upon a clearing. "You came..." a familiar voice sounds as Rage walks out of the shadows no longer wearing the cloak. Now he was in a dark green shirt that was covered by an open dark gray jacket that cut off just bellow his waist. Two vivid red striped ran in the center of the jacket. He was wearing navy blue jeans and a tan leather belt that held multiple pouches and one that stood out. A darker gray color made up his fingerless gloves which had two golden inhibitor rings above them. His pants lead down to a pair of dark red shoes with a black strip running from right to left. Nox however was unsure it was Rage and put his fists up.

"Who are you?" Nox asks

"It's me, Rage." he replies summoning his sword "See?" Nox sighs and put his fists down. "So you sure you want to walk this path? If you start down it there is know going back."

"Yes..." Nox says, his voice filled with determination. "Vlagh crossed the line...he...he corrupted my best friend Jackyl."

"So that was the dark energy signature I sensed." Rage sighs. "Very well. Before we go I am going to need you to take that cloak off."

"Why?" Nox asks.

"It will frighten the animals where we are going." Rage replies.

"Animals?" Nox asks wide eyed "There will be animals?"

"You act like you've never seen one." Rage scoffs.

"I haven't..." Nox sighs "Vlagh doesn't let anything like that live near Neo Metropolis..." he explains taking the cloak off. Underneath Nox had on light leather protection armor dyed dark red. A sword sheath was hoisted on his back.

"Alright, come on next stop Angel Island." Rage says extending his arm for Nox to take. Hesitantly Nox takes it and Rage pulls him in close getting a surprised "Wah!" from Nox as he took out a glowing green gem from the pouch in his free hand "Hold on!" Rage says "Chaos Control!" he shouts and they vanished in a green light...no trace of them ever being there...

Meanwhile Jackyl had returned to Vlagh and was kneel before him. "I am sorry Lord Vlagh but Nox crossed into the Crimson Forest after repelling me with a darkness blast." he says

"What the hell would he be doing in the Crimson Forest? In fact how did he get in there?" Vlagh asks "Only those with light in their hearts can enter that forest ever since that damn pest made it a protected area..."

"Perhaps because he is going to meet with Rage Chaotic...he mentioned it before we arrived." Jackyl answers.

"He what?!" Vlagh yells "My son is with that rat?!" he screams in anger "Nox...you have crossed the line...this means...I am going to kill you! Jackyl send out a scouting party to search the perimeter of the Crimson Forest. They can't of gone far!"

"As you wish Lord Vlagh." he says before standing back up and leaving the room as Vlagh turned back to the large glass window that provided an overview of the city.

"So Rage you really are out there after all this time...well then come get me then..." he chuckles.

To be continued