Ch.2: Trail of Darkness

Two hours passed before the doctor declared Manic was well enough to return home. The hugs never seemed to end and Sonic and Sonia were on thier hands and knees just to make sure that Manic was alright.

All the while Manic kept on staring at his medallion. Something didn't feel quite right.

"You sure you're okay Bro?" asked Sonic, noticing Manic's zoned out look.

"Huh?" asked Manic as if he had just woken up from a dream.

"You've been staring at your medallion ever since you came back" said Sonia "is anything wrong?"

Manic sighed and said "I don't know. Something feels different about it today. It feels...dark,"

"That is because young hedgehog" came a sudden voice from out of nowhere "your test has only just begun,"

All eyes turned to see the Oracle of Delfiair hovering around the center of the room. The old, green ardvvark only appeared when the matter was of a grave importance to the hedgehogs.

Sonic confronted the old ardvvark and asked "What test?"

"A test between good and evil" said the Oracle his eyes moving over to Manic "you must prove yourself before the war ends,"

With that final statement the Oracle disappeared.

"Wait a minute!" shouted Sonic "what war?"

But it was to late the Oracle had vanished leaving the hedgehogs to wonder about their most recent message. The only question was, what would happen now?

--

The nest day Knuckles arrived to see if Manic's wound was doing any better. Needless to say the Sonic Underground was happy that the echidna decided to pay a visit. After looking over Manic's back wound the echidna happily declared...

" A few more days of rest and you'll be back to your old self in no time,"

Sonia kissed Knuckles on the cheek making the echidna blush. Both Manic and Sonic smiled at this. Ever since she had broken up with her orginal boyfriend Bartelby it was obivous just how interested Sonia was with Knuckles.

"I better get back to Floating Island" said Knuckles looking for an excuse to leave " Chomps can't stand guard forever,"

Just before Knuckles reached the door however a new face entered the room. A tall, female, black cat stood in the doorway her mouth caught between a smile and a frown. Two golden v-shaped bands encircled her wrists giving off a bright gleam of flashing gold.

Pushing past Knuckles Sonic sped up to face thier strange visitor.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Everyone saw her mouth move in order to answer Sonic's question, but no words emerged. Suddenly what felt like a gigantic shock went up thier visitors spine causing her to fall. Luckily, Knuckles, being the closest, caught her before she fell all the way to the ground.

Sonia rushed up and helped Knuckles lay the black cat down on the floor beside Manic, who was recovering on the couch.

"Oh man" said Sonic "I didn't notice before, but look, she got all kinds of scrapes on her body,"

"Some of them are very old" said Knuckles looking over his new patient "but this one looks like it only happened a little while ago,"

Everyone's eyes seemed glued to a long, straight gash mark encrusted with blood on the black cat's back. Probably the reason why she fell.

"Looks as if I have a roommate," said Manic.

"And I have more work to do" said Knuckles "unless you guys can handle this yourselves,"

"Sure Knuckles" said Sonic " you get back to Floating Island, we'll take care of her,"

As soon as Knuckles left Manic noticed that one of thier guests hands was closed tight as if holding something. Hopping off the couch Manic uncurled each of the finger to reveal a single piece of parchment.

But that's not what caught Manic's eye right away, it was the seal on the parchment. A golden letter "Q" and "A" were embriodered in red sealing wax. Sonic and Sonia noticed it too as thier brother opened the letter and began to read.

"My Dear Children,

Dark forces plague the day until the prochecy can finally be fulfilled. Right now Claw will join to help in your war againist Robotnink. Be careful. I love you.

QA"

After Manic had finished reading the letter Claw slowly started to wake up.

"Wha..where am I?" came her mumbled words.

"You can talk?" said Sonic surprised.

Getting up Claw looked at Sonic in annoyance.

"Of course I can talk" said Claw, then she saw the letter in Manic's hand "glad you got the letter. Your mom really is a fun person to talk to,"

"You've seen her?" asked Sonia "where is she?"

" Sorry" said Claw " but I don't know. She just to deliever this letter to you. Don't ask me why,"

Struggling to stand up Claw soon found herself back on the floor. This time though Manic stopped her fall.

"Take it easy" said Manic "I don't someone else taking my place now that my wound's almost gone,"

Claw smiled and said "Kindness can be tested young hedgehog, but in your case I guess its already happened,"

With that she drifted back to sleep.

--

Later that same night Sonic and Sonia went to bed leaving Claw and Manic to sleep in the living room. Manic didn't mind being stuck on the couch again, plus he liked being near Claw.

But as the green hedgehog's eyes drifted off to the land of sleep Claw awoke and stood up. Banging her two bands together the cat-like figure disappeared to form a tall, raven-haired female, with voilet eyes and a flowing black robe.

Chanting something underneath her breath a dark, shadowy cloud billowed up from behind her and surrounded the lone green hedgehog in front of her. Soon enough Manic's medallion began to glow, drinking in the darkness that surrounded it's host.

As soon as the last bit of darkness disappeared the hedgehog's color breifly flashed from green to black. Claw grinned and quickly changed back into her cat form.

"That spell should keep him asleep long enough for me to deliver him to Robotnink," said Claw to herself.

But as soon as she tried to grab Manic the young hedgehog's hand caught her wrist. Shocked Claw looked down at the sleeping Manic only to discover that he wasn't asleep anymore. His eyes were open and were gleaming brightly in this eerie night.

Claw struggled to get free of Manic's grip, but the young hedgehog proved stronger than she thought. Without warning Manic stood up surrounded by a dark aura. Claw felt her body start to rip apart as she stared into Manic's eyes.

One look in those eyes was all she needed to know. It's over.

--

When morning came Sonic and Manic woke up to hear Sonia's scream. Blood was splattered againist the walls and Claw's body was right in the center of the living room where she and Manic had slept.

"Who could have done this?" said Sonic.

A dark heartbeat from Manic's medallion was thier only answer.