Chapter 2
Shot Down
I have returned!
I'd like to thank my co-writer, Gametime99, for helping me put this chapter together. He and I are partners in multiple writing projects, including his latest Sonic fic, "Shadow The Hedgehog (Season 1), which is an alternate universe where Shadow takes over Sonic's role in the SatAM show. I highly recommend you check it out.
Gametime99 and I do not own the Sonic the Hedgehog series or the Kingdom Hearts series. OC's are ours.
Now, without further ado, enjoy.
"There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be..."
- John Lennon
Robotropolis, Mobius
It has been a week since the queen met with Yen Sid and just like he predicted, the trio of Keyblade wielders were in the Mobius orbit. However, they would find that they would get a less-than welcome reception.
Within Robotropolis' citadel, Dr. Robotnik was going over the latest schematics for a new factory when an alarm went off, causing the tyrant to jump.
"What's going on!?" he demanded angrily as he input a series of symbols on his main computer.
Soon, the screen brought up the image of a blue, black, and green ship flying outside Mobius' orbit. Robotnik snarled as he recognized the material of the ship.
"A Gummi ship? What pray tell would a Gummi ship want with my domain?"
A memory then struck the evil scientist and that made him even angrier. He then pressed the intercom button and gave out his orders.
"Attention all SWAT-BOTS on gunnery duty! Shoot the ship out of the sky at these coordinates IMMEDIATELY!"
Once he took his finger off the button, Robotnik proceeded to leave the control room and off to a secret location.
"While I make contact with more…'interested parties.'"
Aboard the Gummi Ship…
Echo was just finishing up braiding her hair when the ship's alarms went off, followed by what sounded like thunder.
"What the heck?!"
Flair came running down the hall, clearly in a panic.
"Echo, we need to get to the cockpit, now! Somebody's trying to blast us out of orbit!"
She then grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her down the hall to the cockpit, where Snow was trying desperately to evade the enemy fire.
"Well, somebody certainly likes their privacy. Either that or they've thrown in their lot with dark forces." muttered Snow as he continued to dodge cannon blast after cannon blast.
Flair and Echo took their seats and began to man the ship's turrets, trying to counterattack against the orbital guns.
It wasn't enough, however, as one of the guns managed to land a hit on one of the Gummi Ship's engines, sending it spiraling towards the planet.
"You've gotta be freaking kidding me!" Flair called out in anger.
Echo called out to Snow.
"Snow! Can you get this bird to land?"
"I'm trying!" called Snow, who was indeed trying to pull the control stick in an attempt to get the ship to stop spinning.
On the planet's surface...
Sonic, Manic, and Sonia were in the Sonic Underground van, once again on the hunt for their mother. However, none of them could stop thinking about the unusual dreams they'd been having for the past two weeks. Just what did it all mean? Who were these beings that kept saving them from the darkness?
"Maybe we should go see the Oracle. He might be able to tell us what these dreams are all about." Sonia suggested as she leaned back in her seat, failing to stifle a huge yawn as she spoke.
Sonic focused on driving the van, despite his mind remaining focused on the dreams.
"Are we sure these dreams are dreams? I don't know about you guys, but they always seem so..."
But Sonic was temporarily cut off as he shifted his gaze to the skies, noticing something was off.
"... real?"
Following Sonic's gaze, Sonia and Manic saw that there appeared to be a damaged ship heading for the planet, surrounded by SWAT-bots. Obviously that meant that it was important to Robotnik for some reason. And upon seeing the smoke coming from the strange ship, it meant that Robotnik wasn't exactly giving the ship a warm greeting.
"Dudes! Did you see that?" Manic asked, leaning forward in his seat.
His siblings nodded as Sonic began to steer towards the crash site. Noticing this, Sonia looked to her brother and spoke.
"Sonic?"
Focusing on the rising smoke ahead, Sonic spoke.
"I'm feeling something coming from that ship."
The siblings looked to their brother in shock. Despite not acknowledging it at first, they did feel something from the ship as well.
Without another word, the van sped towards the crash site.
At the crash site…
The van halted at the base of a large hill before the hedgehog siblings left it. Climbing the hill, the trio kept close to the ground as they looked over the peak of the hill. The ship that crashed was of unknown origin, but clearly not of Mobius. Parts of the ship were scattered about the area, but a good portion of the ship remained intact.
The trio frowned when they spotted the ships and teams of SWAT-bots scanning and collecting the ship's parts. The triplets' eyes widened when three bots left the ship, each of them holding an unconscious creature beneath their arms. It was only after they placed the creatures on a large metal stretcher that the triplets were able to see what they were.
And what they saw surprised them, as the creatures held the exact shape as the silhouettes from their dreams.
"Ok. This has gone from suspicious to Mondo freaky." Sonic whispered as he looked at the red-haired girl from the binoculars he brought with him.
"I'll say. That boy fits the shape of the one in my dream." Sonia replied as she set her binoculars on the white-haired boy.
"Yeah. And who knew my dream girl would be this cute?" Manic replied as a faint tint of red appeared on his cheeks whilst looking at the brunette.
The two older triplets gave their brother in a deadpan look. Their gaze was broken when the trio of dream-made-real people were taken aboard one of the ships. Sonic sped back to the van and got out the listening device. After setting it up, the hedgehogs were able to get something.
"Unidentified craft, shot down successfully. Prisoners on their way to Robotropolis. Securing craft. Further orders?"
"Just one. Don't, I repeat, don't roboticize the prisoners until after I've question them. I will see to them at Trapper's Snare Prison in Sector 245." The hedgehogs heard Robotnik command.
"Affirmative, Dr. Robotnik," the SWAT-bot said.
The triplets looked at each other, concern evident on their faces. Trapper's Snare was of the most formidable maximum security prisons in the world. It was where the high profile prisoners, usually ranging from political enemies from other regions like the Acorn Kingdom and high-ranking members of the Resistance, were sent. Not many Mobians went in there... even fewer came out as Mobians. At least, not as flesh, blood, or even breathing.
There was only one good thing about the prison, though. They had never once held Queen Aleena, the biggest threat to the Robotnik Regime aside from her children.
"Well, guys? Any ideas for saving the Dude-and-Damsels-in-Distress like the Princes and Princess Charmings we are?" asked Manic as he removed his binoculars from his eyes.
Sonic thought for a moment. He didn't know exactly how or why this was happening, but now that he saw the heroine of his dreams in real life... His heart felt as though it had been asleep for as long he'd lived, and it was just now starting to wake.
"We'll do what we always do when it comes to breaking in somewhere: sneak in, get what we're after, and wing it back out," said Sonic.
"Easier said than done, Sonic. This is Trapper's Snare Prison we're talking about here. It won't be as easy as any of our stealthiest missions have been in the past." said Sonia, a touch of worry in her voice.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way. So, what are we standing around here for? Let's sweep 'em off their feet already!" Manic exclaimed as he hopped into the van, sporting a mischievous grin.
Sonic and Sonia sighed and looked at each other. That Manic often thought of himself as a real dashing swashbuckler sometimes.
"Although... I will admit that redhead is really quite...cute." Sonic thought.
Little did he know, his sister was thinking something similar about the boy.
"I must say that white hair is quite something. Not that it's a bad thing."
Shaking the thought out of her head, at least for the moment, Sonia reached the communications section of the van and began to make contact with nearby Resistance groups. Seeing this, Sonic spoke.
"What are you doing, Sonia?"
Sonia answered him as she began to tune the dial on a large radio.
"Probably be best if their ship doesn't get into Robotnik's greasy fingers. While we get those three out of Trapper's Snare, the local Resistance groups will recover their ship and stash it somewhere safe."
Sonic nodded as Sonia returned to her duties before sitting next to Manic, who was behind the wheel.
"Ready, bro?" Sonic asked.
Manic grinned as he put the pedal to the metal.
"To Trapper's Snare Prison!"
Unknown…
Echo remembered nothing about the crash when she stirred. However, she found herself in a place that was definitely not the ship or the crash site. Instead, she found herself in a dark void, the only light came from somewhere above and from the ground beneath her. As she stood up, she took a look at the ground and saw something incredible.
She was standing on a lime and yellow-colored form of stain glass, an image of a forested mountain was the centerpiece. There were rings around the edges of the platform and had various jewels that Echo could recognize. Echo frowned as she looked around the area. The more she looked around, the more she began to recognize what this place was.
"Th-this looks just like the place where I took my Deep Dive! When I unlocked my heart and got my Keyblade!" She gasped in shock, barely able to comprehend what was going on.
It was then that two voices called out.
"Echo?"
"Echo! Is that you?"
Echo looked to the void and found two more platforms, each having one of her friends on it.
The platform Flair was on was a mixture of blue and red, the latter being one of her signature colors. The centerpiece of the platform was an image of pale blue wind and crimson fire, intertwining together like ribbons in the form of a spiral. The rings around the edges held feathers of various designs.
Snow's platform was a combination of pale pink and ice blue. The centerpiece looked like a storm of lightning bolts and snowflakes, with a ring of fog between the centerpiece and the rings, which held various designs of snowflakes. Upon looking at his platform, Snow voiced out his concerns.
"Where the heck are we?"
"Is this...a Deep Dive? Why are we having another one of these when we've got our Keyblades already?" Flair asked as she noticed her platform.
The trio then looked to each other with blatant confusion on their faces.
"And more importantly, why are we all having the same Dive?"
A thought occurred in Echo and she became pale.
"Are we...are we dead?!"
A chuckle suddenly echoed in the void, causing the three friends to look around with caution.
"You need not worry about that, young Keyblade wielders. You are still very much alive."
Raising an eyebrow, Snow called out to the void.
"Is that so, huh? Then why are we here?"
The voice once again answered.
"Destiny has brought you to Mobius with a purpose. You three have been chosen to become the guardian knights of the children of Queen Aleena, the true ruler of Mobius."
It was then an image appeared in the center of the triangle that the platforms made, showing a beautiful land surrounded by greenery and light.
"Long ago, Mobius used to be like this. It was a world that thrived in the light. Its rulers, the royal Hedgehog family, governed the planet with compassion and justice."
The image then changed to a desolate land where everything was polluted or made of steel. Standing at the center of the image was a rotund man with a red moustache, dressed in black, yellow, and red. His very visage made the triad eager to hurl.
"But that changed when Dr. Robotnik, a scientist once employed by the Royal Family, initiated a coup d'état. Using his technology, he overthrew the royal family and became the evil overlord of Mobius. He was the one who ordered your ship to be shot down."
The image then shifted into two separate images. One held what looked like nobility enjoying themselves at a party.
"As the source of Robotnik's money, the aristocrats were left to play."
The trio then focus their collective gaze towards the darker image, showing a line of prisoners being lead to a metal platform.
"While the people were roboticized…"
One unfortunate soul disappeared behind a cylindrical wall. There were lights that shown themselves in the cracks of the machine before the wall fell, revealing the image of a robot in the person's place. The trio was horrified
"...and became slaves."
The image then changed again to show a beautiful violet hedgehog woman tending to three babies. One pink, one green, and one blue.
"The royal family was forced into exile, Robotnik having placed a heavy bounty on their heads."
The image then vanished as the voice continued.
"Soon after, I, the Oracle of Delphius, foretold a prophecy to the queen. That one day, she and her children would unite to form the Council of Four and end Robotnik's rule. But there was a price."
"And that price was?" Flair asked, keeping on her toes.
The Oracle's voice answered her.
"For the prophecy to be fulfilled, the queen had to give up her children. That was sixteen years ago. Now, the princes and princess had reunited and are currently leading the resistance against Robotnik; while at the same time, searching for their mother."
"But why haven't they found her yet?" Snow asked, curious.
"Many trials and tribulations litter the path. One such obstacle is the possibility of dooming the royal family should they reunite too soon. But I believe now is the time to answer your original question."
It was then nine pedestal appeared, three on each glass platform. Each of the pedestals had an instrument made of light on it. A bass, an electric violin, and tambourine.
"Such as when you've sought to unlock your Keyblades, you must unlock your special powers within you. For that, you must choose."
The warriors looked at the items before turning their attention to each other.
"What do you guys think about this?" Flair asked.
Echo placed her hands on her hips before answering her friend.
"After what we've went through and what we've just seen, I don't think we can just stand by."
"That may be true, but don't forget the number one rule in world traveling." Snow told them.
The girls sighed as they recited the law.
"Never meddle with the affairs of other worlds."
Flair then spoke out with a determined look on her face.
"We know that, Snow. But my gut's telling me that whether we like it or not, we need to get involved. Otherwise, the situation could only get worse."
"Indeed it will, young ones."
The Oracle spoke again, bringing the trio to attention.
"As each day passes, Robotnik's technologies become more and more advanced. If he is not stopped, he will seek to conquer other worlds. And they will fall like Mobius unless he is stopped. So this is that one time where the law must be broken. For everyone's sake."
The trio looked to each other again before Flair decided to make the first move.
"I'll go first."
She then listened to her heart. It was telling her to move towards one particular instrument. Without another word, Flair walked up to the pedestal and picked up the bass. The Oracle's voice returned.
"The Power of Tempo. Shifting in speeds to pace the melody. Is this the power your heart calls for, Flair?"
Flair nodded.
"It is."
With that, the bass vanished and an aura of orange light surrounded Flair. As she turned around to look to her friends, the basses on their platforms vanished. Perhaps it meant only one separate power per person.
Snow was next. Like Flair with her own, he trusted his heart to point him in the right direction. And it lead him to the violin.
"The Power of Rhythm. The heartbeat of music. Filled with unbridled passion. Is this your choice, Snow?"
Snow nodded as the violin vanished, a violet light surrounding him.
"It is."
Echo was the last one and she had long made her choice. Without even looking to the empty pedestals, she approached the lonely tambourine. She picked it up without hesitation.
"The Power of Timbre. The uniqueness of each note is richly painted in a wondrous portrait. Is this yours, Echo?"
Echo nodded as a yellow light enveloped her.
"It is."
It was then that their newly-acquired auras began to shine brightly. As they did, three medallions appeared around their necks. A bass hung around Flair's neck on an orange string. An electric violin appeared around Snow's neck, hanging from a violet string. And a tambourine rested on Echo's neck, hanging from a green string.
As the lights faded, the Keyblade wielders touched their new accessories with wonder and awe as the Oracle spoke again.
"You have been granted the means to use those powers to aid the people of Mobius. The medallions, once solely used by members of the royal family, have been passed on to you three. The royal siblings also possess similar medallions. They will be your teachers for as long as you protect each other. But now, you must wake. For you are in terrible danger. And if you do not wake, I fear the hedgehogs will end up where you are. In Robotnik's Snare."
Just then, everything began to fade for the trio. Before losing consciousness, the Oracle spoke one last time.
"May your journey be rich in harmony and light."
Snow groaned as he began to stir, before noticing that he appeared to be suspended by his wrists in what appeared to be a prison cell of some type.
"Is this that 'Snare' the Oracle was talking about?" thought Snow as he began to look around.
It didn't take him long to realized that he was alone in his cell. His mind raced as he struggled in his chains. Where were Flair and Echo? And what happened to the ship?
It wasn't long, however, before the cell door opened, and through it came two large beings, both bipedal animals. One of them was what Snow recognized as a dingo, clad in green shorts and brown boots with matching gloves, and judging by the expression on his face, he was about as dumb as a box of rocks.
His comrade, a wolf, on the other hand, appeared to be at least at the other end of the intellect spectrum. Though he was a head shorter than the dingo, the wolf's attire helped gave of the impression that he was the brains of the pair. With leather light armor and a mauve cloak with golden rat's skulls at the shoulders and collar, Snow was definitely made aware that this was an imposing character.
The wolf spoke as he grinned wickedly.
"Well, well, well. It seems one of our little jailbirds has woken up at last."
The dingo then looked to the wolf in confusion.
"That's funny. He doesn't look like a bird to me."
The wolf glared at the dingo in annoyance as Snow glowered at them both.
"Where am I? Where are my friends?"
The pair turned their attention to the pale-haired boy as the wolf spoke.
"I'd watch that tongue if I were you, boy. We happen to be Special Agents of the lord of all Mobius: Doctor Robotnik. One wrong word and…"
He then let out a sinister chuckle.
"...well, why don't we leave that something to stew in your mind."
The wolf then walked to the other side of the room, where a barred window was.
"You and your lovely companions are the newest 'guests' in Trapper's Snare; the most secure maximum security prison in all of Mobius. They are in separate cells in two other cell blocks."
"Then why stop here?" Snow asked, not taking his eyes off the pair.
"Because you are closer to the exit than the other two." The dingo answered nonchalantly.
The wolf angrily smacked the dingo on the head.
"There's no need to tell him that, Dingo!"
He then calmed down and returned his gaze to the boy.
"Regardless, there's no way any of you can escape. The only way to get yourselves out is under Robotnik's orders."
The wolf then leaned forward towards Snow until they were face to face.
"Needless to say, this is your new home. I suggest you get used to it, boy."
Snow continued to snarl at the wolf.
"The name's Snow, you cretin. And I can assure you that my friends and I will get out of here."
The wolf laughed at the boy's declaration.
"We'll see about that, Beau-"
"It's Snow!" Snow growled.
"Whatever, Moe."
The wolf then motioned Dingo to leave the cell as he followed. The wolf stopped once more at the door and returned his gaze to Snow.
"We'll be back later. Doctor Robotnik will want to question the three of you in the morning. That'll give you plenty of time to think about what are you going to say to him."
"Oh, I have plenty of things to say to him alright. And none of them are pleasant!" Snow retorted as the door closed, leaving him alone again.
Once the footsteps fell silent, Snow gave a sigh as he looked to the window. The sun was setting. At least, that's what it looked like under all the smog. Looking down, he noticed a violet string around his neck. Using his teeth, he pulled the string to reveal a violin-shaped medallion around his neck. Releasing the medallion, Snow kept his gaze on it.
"I need to get out of these chains and get out of here with Flair and Echo."
He then sighed sadly as he struggled to move his wrists. To his dismay, his arms were fastened to the wall, making him unable to use his Keyblade on his chains. After about the tenth time he struggle to get either of his hands free, Snow leaned back to the wall as sleep started to take him, unaware that his medallion started to glow a faint shade of violet.
"Someone...help us… Please…"
Unbeknownst to Snow, a certain pink hedgehog heard his plea as she and her brothers made their way to the infamous Trapper's Snare Prison.
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