Surprise! I'm back! I am so sorry about all of my unfinished work and lack of updates in the past few months. I promise I had good reasoning, I had to sorta kinda maybe go to this rehab thing...but anyways! I'm back now so I needed new inspiration, so what better way to kick start my brain then putting together a new plot?
BEFORE YOU READ, please go to my DeviantArt page Anastasia921 and in my gallery is a folder called The Mind Labyrinth. In this folder, will be a Character Bio I need you to click on. Silver, Sonic, Shadow and Knuckles are all in this description, where you can read the details and info about them in this alternate universe. Some kept their original backstories, others changed. Now, as for the girls, they not only change backstories, but also alter in looks. That is why their will be three photos, Rouge, Amy and Blaze, which will show their Bio, as well as new design. If you like or dislike any of the newer designs, leave a review and respectfully leave me your opinion. Now, I didn't draw Tikal because she doesn't alter in design except for her age, so if you would like to see what she will look like visually, go into my favorites and on my second page of faves should be a picture of Tikal called One hour Sonic: Tikal. The artwork belongs to its owner, but that is how she is portrayed in this universe. Her bio will be posted soon. Thanks!
I do not own any of the Sega stuff. Enjoy!
"My plan is in motion."
The hot liquid trailed through her lips and warmed her insides with a tingling sense of caffeine that she loved, briefly letting out a contented sigh before placing the cup down and turning to her friend.
"I don't know Cosmo, I just can't seem to get a good scoop!" A bubble gum pink hedgehog babbled to her leafy friend as she began assorting the accessories for skin tone makeup and several eyeshadow shades.
"Well, maybe..."
"I mean, there seems to always be something going on in Central Square and Seaside, yet whenever I arrive, I'm either too late, or no one believes what I saw!"
The green seedrian chuckled. "You mean your imaginary hero with quills like the ocean and eyes like emeralds?"
Amy let out a giggle and playfully pushed her shoulder. "Cosmo stop! I'm being serious! And I did not imagine him. I swear, it was that Sonic guy from all the news reports, because all that was left behind as soon as he started moving was a blue streak and a gust of wind."
"Right. Now lets start talking your current job. I have no doubt you'll be a famous, hot and sexy journalist one day, but right now, I need you to help me assort all these facial assortments before the big-bag-out sale starts in an hour."
The pinkette nodded with a grin, pausing with her busy hands and running fingers through her quills as she checked her reflection in the nearby mirror. Her long lashes fluttered as she twitched her body to the right, insecurely turning this way and that. "I don't know Mo, but with how great this layout already looks, I'm pretty sure its fine. You know how popular Cosmo's Cosmetology already is!"
It was indeed a spectacular setting. Mirrors framed with intricate black marble hung on walls in geometrical patterns, the white walls flushed with the panther black tiles gave an elegant contrast to the scene, matched with all the store supplies in color coordinated orders, and columned shadings of every material. Cosmo's was the number one selling accessory supplier in all of Mobius.
"By the way, do you think these jeans look okay on me? I wasn't sure whether to wear them or not because they kind of..."
"Amy!"
"Right...sorry."
Cosmo sighed, smiling fondly at her friend. The bubbly hedgehog was an employee she adored, and reliable coworker unless distracted. Unfortunately, the seventeen year old had her quirks, such as her clumsy mannerisms and childish dramatics. But when it came to cameras and upfront conversations with strangers, the ambitious blush colored teen could plaster a smile on almost any face, as well as help out with any information needed to direct a customer to the right section that would fit for them.
Amy finished her sorting and beamed pridefully at her work, turning to her friend with an accomplished smile. "Done! How about I go get some more coffee from the lounge to boost a little more energy before the big sale, and after everything's done, we head to Grondo's for waffles, my treat?"
The seedrian laughed. "That sounds wonderful, I could never resist."
"Great! Now...caffeine. If I don't get anymore in my system soon, I'll drop!" Amy barked out a laugh as she made her way out of the main store lobby and back into the private carpeted halls before popping into the employee lounge with a small arrangement of furniture and a counter lined with coffee machines. Humming a merry tune, the pink hedgehog filled two cups with creamer, sugar and all the sweet goods to sweet the bitter taste of black coffee bean, before snapping on the plastic tops and swinging around to leave.
It just so happened she hadn't heard someone else come in.
With grace like an elephant she let out a yelp and bristled from the surprise, eyes widening and coffee splashed forward in a wave, spilling the hot contents onto the shirt of her victim.
"Woops! Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I didn't even hear you come in! I just..." Amy frantically placed her cups down and spun around in circles in search for something to help clean her mess, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder and a warm laugh.
"Hey its okay girl! It happens! I love coffee anyway."
Amy sighed in relief, her embarrassment flushing her cheeks. "Oh, okay. Heh, still I am so sorry." Green eyes scanned this new figure, gratitude gleaming as she took in the sight of the employee badge clipped on a forest green shirt and black slacks. The woman was a rabbit, with ears sticking high from her head, light gray fur with darker patches, and blue shining eyes. Her black button nose wiggled as she grinned.
"No need to be. Say, you're Amy right? The girl who wants to be a reporter or journalist?"
Amy raised her brows. Only Cosmo knew what her dream job was, and she was surprised to hear this new worker already knew one of her strongest ambitions. "Yes, that's me. I'm sorry, I didn't even get your name, I didn't even know Cosmo was hiring more help. When did you apply?"
The ash furred hare waved her hand. "Milly's the name. And oh it was just a recent thing. Now back to the topic, tell me...have you ever gotten a good scoop? I'm sure a bright girl like you could accomplish lots."
Wow, she's friendly. Talk about forward in conversation. Amy smiled politely, "no, not really. Not yet anyway. I plan to make it big one day. But thank you for the compliment! Now I really must be going. Coffee might get cold ya' know?"
Milly laughed loudly, much louder than required, and lightly pushed Amy's shoulder. "Ha, wow you sure are a holler Miss Rose! Now, that's all I needed to know, I'll be seeing you around! Bye now!"
With that, she pranced out of the lounge as silently as she came, leaving Amy to wonder how one could be so energized at 6:00 AM, having not even had a caffeine boost.
Shrugging, the pink hedgehog continued whistling her tune and plucking her warm cups from the counter as she made her way back to the lobby.
"Did I ever even tell her my last name?"
"I will need to eliminate that of pests. As well as manipulate those of the best."
A soft breeze sifted through his crimson dreads, violet eyes briefly peeking open on account to check his surroundings as he relaxed openly at the alter of the Master Emerald, bent on the stone stairs as his foot rocked up and down casually in rhythm.
Few grunts heaved his chest as he shifted to position more comfortably, lids sliding closed as the sun rays basked his white crescent moon and tan muzzle.
A sudden fluctuation caused his eyes to snap open.
Now fully alert, the red echidna shot in a blur to the Emerald's side, feeling its raw power radiate a tampering in its crystal shell.
Knuckles growled. "What's wrong?
The Emerald responded by glowing increasingly brighter till he couldn't bear to stare into it's luminescence and was forced to look away. He didn't know what was going on, the sudden change was not within his power to stop it seemed, as the gem's powers did not heed his inner calls and instead continued to fluctuate with a different sense, one unfamiliar to him.
"Whats...going on?" His rough voice shouted frustratedly, shielding his violet gaze with large spiked mittens as he braced himself for the unknown.
It was then that he heard it. A small whisper, feminine and sweet. Her words were soft, yet alarmed, calm but alert.
He's coming.
Knuckles slowly faced the light as he leaned farther towards the heat and power waves of the Master Emerald, his ears searching for her fluent voice.
The time has arrived. Soon I will be released.
The Master Emerald grew ever brighter, it was finally then that Knuckles felt it. He felt her presence, warm and honey sweet to the air. Whosoever spirit endured in the Master Emerald, she spoke now with a clear and twinkling tone.
Brace yourself.
With these final words, her presence disbanded. Like a vacuum the Emerald's buzz dimmed in half a second to the peak of calm, the normalcy unusually followed by such a display of event.
Knuckles gaped at the now calm jewel, his mind whirling with possibilities, an assuasive voice ringing in his mind.
One thing he could deduce; something big was soon to occur.
"Powers will be combined...dimensions will be warped.."
The red lasers intertwined in an array of lattice patterns and complicated weavings. Just a single touch of the red lights and everything was history, her goal in sight would be out of her grasp.
Standing between the intertwined lasers was a beautiful ivory bat, black hood pulled over her ears and body twisted into a pretzel. The position to any onlooker would appear difficult to undo, and manage to escape, yet Rouge felt that those red lights were as dangerous to her as Christmas bulbs. Nothing could touch her.
With agility only equipped after much practice, she flipped and ducked her way through the optical device, dodging with and jumping, giving a flap of her tucked wings before she landed safely near the glass that held her goal.
"Hm, why hello darling?" Rouge mused to the jewel, marble blue eyes glittering at the sight of the gem cut geometrically and perfect edged. It glinted off a reflection, showing a sure sign of value.
She knew exactly what this was, this was one of the legendary Chaos Emeralds. The fact that such a gem was just within her grasp made her all the more giddy.
In ease, she gently pulled the gem off its stand and glanced briefly at her watch that counted down in alarming numbers. When her watch reached zero, all power to the cameras would return, and she was sure she would be high in the clouds, far away from sight by then.
Yes, triumph was inevitable. She was Rouge, the greatest jewel thief. Her words can weave a trap, her kicks can aim, and her eye catches all that shines. It just so happens, her hands can get on anything she yearns.
Placing the blue gem into a simple black pouch, she hastily slung it over her shoulder and ran, dodging all extra securities and flew through thin glass just as the alarms began to blare as red lights flared.
"So long, losers!" In a leap, she flew. Tonight, she would return to her apartment. By five, any sign or record of her living in the current city would disappear, and she would once again be on the move with more treasure in hand.
Rouge smirked to herself amongst the clouds, her head swelling with pride as she pulled out the gem and marveled at its glittering beauty.
"My, you certainly are a pretty one. Its a shame I have to give you away."
With a twist of her leathery limbs, her direction dropped to the empty streets below, as she ducked into a building and saw the shadow of the figure she was in search for.
He was a black panther, greedy green eyes glittering with a lust for value. His course voice filled the damp night air as he stepped into a sheet of moonlight that swam in a silver stream through the window pane.
"Did you get it?"
Rouge scoffed, pulling forward her pouch as she revealed her prize, watching with a smug expression as her dealers eyes grew to a deadly need as he peered hungrily at the gem. Almost insanely, he leaped forward, but Rouge proved to be quicker.
Jolting back with a steady step, she stayed just out of reach, pulling the gem closer to her chest as she waved her finger at him. "Nuh-uh-uh! Sorry buddy. We had a deal. You don't give me something, I keep the precious gem." Pink glossed lips curled into a sickeningly sweet smile, her hip jutting to the side as she tilted her head tauntingly. "Wouldya say boy?"
The panther sneered angrily. "Fine. Here is your price." With dramatic flare, the feline pulled forth a small chest, opening it to reveal five jewels, each the size of two thumbs. Rouge's eyes widened.
Aggressively they made the swap, each studying their prize with a vigorous glee, offering a short salute in their dealing before Rouge flew away with her claim, chuckling quietly to herself.
It was his loss. Five gems each of high value, for one stupid Chaos Emerald? Was he that gullible?
She could only shrug. It was rare in the business one would be so ignorant to their study.
With a devious smile, she headed home.
"Time to disappear."
"My plan is in motion. I will rule. Time and space within my hands..."
Silver sang softly as he walked around cheerfully, a spring in his step and a smile stretching his muzzle. Sunshine yellow eyes scanned the assortment of items that were splayed neatly across the tables as he enjoyed the sunny summer day by watching both children and adults walk around in search of a good bargain.
This garage sale was set to donate to the Children's Orphanage, so any buyer could place any price and still share a small amount of their fortunes to the orphans on Second Street.
Just as he began to observe a rather strange object, looking rather like a blanket with sleeves, a blue streak sped up to his side and halted in blink, showing no other than his friend.
"Hey! Sonic I'm glad you could help. You have no idea how much business this gets me for charities when you offer to come to events. Almost everyone here would want an autograph!" The young white hedgehog moved his hands enthusiastically as he spoke, grinning boyishly as he did so.
The cobalt hero waved a dismissive hand, "no problem bro! Besides, I love fans! And charities! Why wouldn't I help?"
Silver clapped his hands gratefully. "Well thanks anyways. How bout' after this you, me and Tails go get chili dogs in appreciation for all you've done for me and the city."
Sonic laughed, walking with his friend towards where a crowd began to eagerly form in wait to take pictures and get anything signed by the great and well known hero of Mobius. Countless times, the blue blur had saved the city from wreckage by his nemesis Dr. Eggman, a scientist with an ambition to take over the world.
"You know me well Silv. By the way, did you hear about last night? Another Chaos Emerald was stolen from a jewelry shop with high security. Looks like I have a few things to do before the day ends."
Silver shook his head, fists on hips as his crown of quills quivered. "I don't see why we can't find anywhere safe for them. It seems like everyone wants one for their own purposes. Why can't they just leave them be? Everyone knows how dangerous that energy can be if not used properly..."
Sonic nodded in agreement, lips pursed as he clapped his friends shoulder. "If the world was like you ol' buddy, it would be a better place. Now come on, lets get this charity thing rollin' so we have more time for that lunch and search afterwords."
Pulling on a cheeky grin, he walked to the crowd and began the pictures and signings, flashing smiles and winks in several directions, and letting his naturally charming attitude take wheel.
Right then, almost all was right in the world. And Silver only hoped that after the day was done, the serenity would last.
"Like moth to a flame, instinct is inevitable. And these pathetic beings will fall to one greater than they."
Shadow's ruby eyes scanned the long prairie below. He had been searching for two hours now, still not able to locate any of the Chaos Emeralds that were scattered around the country. His frustration rose with his impatience.
Humphing in irritation, he pivoted to the right,peering at the horizon in a forceful manner. Still, the damp fog that clung just above the ground shrouded nothing but the stretch of green that leveled across the field. Once again he would be forced to report a negative to the agency.
Already, they had called him in to evacuate the search and select another objective, but he refused to return to HQ when such a strong radiation hung in the air. Something was shifting in time or space, the ozone was crisp to his lungs, and a potent shift seemed to tilt his gut sideways.
It was all very off putting. All wrong.
It was like the atmosphere was being cut through and trampled on, peaking the hedgehog's curiosity and suspicion.
The only plausible answer would be that someone was using a great amount of Chaos energy, but this solution was improbable, for very few could harness the emerald's power, and still the tingling in his stomach felt, different. He could sense Chaos with ease, but whatever was changing the continuum in the region was not familiar.
One thought he had, was that it may be the lost Master Emerald many legends speak of. The lost gem has mass power of Chaos, and can even heighten the power of its' smaller cousins, the Chaos Emeralds when nearby. But that did not ease his conscience any more than the eerie fog that filtered the summer day.
His wrist watch crackled to life. "Agent Shadow. The Commander wishes to talk with you about a new objective. Please report to the main office immediately."
Shadow resisted the urge to growl back. He was on the brink of finding something, he knew it. But the Commander's direct order of confrontation meant something of higher priority must have come up.
"Be there in five. Over."
With a final huff, he sent one last leery glance to the clouded landscape ahead, before skating over the hump of a hill and on his way back to GUN.
This better be important, he thought irately.
"I will find those I need, and twist them into a game they cannot win..."
A young raccoon stumbled across the dry land and toward the demolished buildings that lay in rust and a heap of boards and debris. The ground was cracked and thirsty, sand and dust drifting on a light breeze and clinging to the brown girl's lashes.
She covered her face as best she could with a small green shawl that hung over her shoulders, blue eyes fluttering from the particles that clung to her fur.
Finally she saw it. A crooked tree standing amongst the desert, its limbs bare and shell black as ash. Its silhouette contrasted darkly against the blazing heat of the evening sun.
With a sigh of relief, Marine jogged to the trunk of the tree, circling around once before raising her voice as she called for her friend. "Blaaaze! Blaze! You here sheila?"
The juvenile raccoon sucked in deeply and was about to yell at the top of her lungs when a gloved hand covered her mouth, causing her to give a muffled shriek and jolt in surprise.
"Sh. Not so loud Marine. You could have been followed, or worse, heard by a nearby camp and shot."
Marine withdrew the hand from her mouth and turned to the cloaked figure that appeared so suddenly behind her. She beamed brightly, throwing her hands in the air animatedly as she spoke. "There ye' are Blazey! I was startin' to figger you'd be a no show."
The tall regal figure pulled the black cloak from her head, revealing the lavender face and furry stark muzzle, with hair that fell around her shoulders and bangs that hung in her face. Golden eyes pierced her straightly. "I wouldn't bail unless I were detained, Marine. Thank you for visiting."
"Ah, its no problem buddy! I been meanin' to come round ere' yesterday, but them adults of ma' group wouldn't allow us kiddies to go a travelin' after hours."
Blaze blew her bangs from her face, only to have them fall right back in place. "It is all in good timing I suppose. Marine...I will be leaving soon. There is something I have to do, something I am not sure I will return from." She spoke smoothly, as if rehearsed. Her monotony was a normalcy to the feline the raccoon had learned to overlook.
Ocean blue eyes took upon a startle look, worry creasing her features. "What'ya mean Blazey? Y...you're leavin'?"
The lavender she-cat nodded. "This world is ending, and no solution will come of this realm. That is why I must seek beyond the borders of space. If I return...I will find you again, and bring you a better life."
Blaze knelt, her ebony cloak draping to the dirt ground as she peered into the watering eyes of her young friend. "If I do not, then I want you to know that I am very grateful for your companionship." Slowly, she revealed a dagger in her left hand, its hilt carved in organic shapes and a jewel glistening at the base. The blade gleamed, a treasure of such worth rarely found in the rustic time of the dying world. Marine gaped in awe, as the words floated from the feline's mouth. "I want you to have this. Protect yourself and your family, Marine. Live a full life."
The jubilant raccoon shakily gripped the glistening weapon, turning it carefully in her hands as she examined the gift and bowed her head in thanks. "Do you have to Blaze? I'm yer' Captain, what'er you gonna do without ol' me to guide ya?"
A small smile graced her lips. "I'll find my way Marine. Now this is farewell."
As she rose from her knees and stood to her full height, she gently caressed her friends chin in her hand and softly nodded her head.
Marine could only watch with a trembling lip, as her friend faded into the rippling horizon. Her small fingers held with tightened knuckles onto her present, just as her heart hung onto the hope that she would see the exiled Queen once again.
"A game where the only way to win, is to escape yourself."