Everchanging Destiny

Chapter 2

Mikee VS Scorch: A Heated Rivalry


Both hedgehogs stood against each other, looking right at each other. Scorch had a strong front-standing stance as Mikee stood there, looking right at Scorch. Dawn and Apricot were both watching the two of them, the Persian looking a little excited to see this fight. Scorch put up a fight last night against the robot that attacked her, but Mikee was the one who ultimately finished it off and beat it with a single attack.

"You watch yourself, Mikee. I'm prepared to bring you down this time!" Scorch declared, sparking his fists to be engulfed in flames. Mikee smirked at his declaration as he finally made a battle stance, his hands formed as palms. He seemed really confident against Scorch as he beckoned to Scorch for him to make the first move.

"Tch, fine, I'll start us off!" Scorch yelled as he made a power-up stance, both his fists still burning as he began yelling out, which surprised Mikee as the fire user's body began to shimmer until his entire body was engulfed in red flames. Scorch didn't seem to be affected by the flames he created as it seemed to be a sort of cloak all around his body. Dawn looked surprised too at Scorch's move.

"Whoa, that's new from Scorch. Usually he attacks head-on, but this is different." Dawn said out loud, mainly to tell Apricot. She was just paying attention as Scorch lifted off the ground and rushed at Mike this time, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. Mikee guarded swiftly at all of Scorch's punches, but they were still doing damage as his entire body was hot. It started to burn his arms as Mikee countered his punch and hit Scorch's chest, but the fire was hot as his punch barely connected. Scorch returned the attack by slamming Mikee back. Both hedgehogs entered a fast close-combat with each other, but in the end, Mikee was receiving the most damage due to the flames as he backed off of Scorch.

"Not bad, Scorch, not bad at all. Cloaking yourself in a constant fire makes my physical attacks have a backlash. You're getting better, I'll give you that much." Mikee told Scorch as he looked to his condition. Scorch was starting to get a bit tired as the hedgehog was breathing hard. His fire was also beginning to fade slightly as he took notice of that as well. "But, I wonder how long you can keep your fire cloak going. You're not exactly a special fighter, but more physical. Once that cloak wears off, you're done." Mikee told him, looking at Scorch as he looked angry at this remark.

"Ha, we'll see about that!" The arrogant hedgehog yelled as he rushed at Mikee again, swinging his fists at Mikee, who he couldn't make contact with. Every time he swung, he'd move so fast at blurring speeds. Apricot seemed impressed at Mikee's speed when he was dodging the attacks, as Scorch was beginning to slow down, the fire cloak plan he had starting to seem like a bad idea. Soon enough, after one more close swing, the fire was cut off and Scorch stood there, breathing hard from exhaustion as steam hissed from his fur. Mikee stood a considerable distance away from the worn out fighter, looking as if he didn't even take a single hit despite the numerous burn marks from before.

"You've lasted longer than I thought using your fire cloak. I'm surprised, Scorch, but it still won't be enough to defeat me." Mikee told him as Scorch growled in anger. His red eyes glared at brown as Scorch's fists sparked again, burning brightly as he rushed straight at Mikee again, still raring to go despite the exhausted reserves.

There was a quick movement and a heavy impact as Scorch was stopped cold, his body in the air a few inches as his eyes were wide and he coughed out slight blood. Apricot had to blink to see again as Mikee was in front of Scorch, his right fist landing in Scorch's stomach as the Fire Hedgehog stumbled back, holding his gut, groaning in pain as he fell down to his knees. Dawn shook her head as Apricot, on instinct, ran over to Scorch. "This battle is over." Mikee told him coldly as he walked past Apricot and into the Mansion. Dawn looked to them as she went inside as well. The Persian cat knelt down to the defeated hedgehog as he didn't acknowledge her presence. "Hey, you did great! I guess you were just out of your league with him." Apricot told him as Scorch got up to one foot. He turned his head quickly to face her and he looked scary for a second. "Shut up! Ugh…I don't need your help! I…just need to get stronger!" Scorch yelled to her as he rose to his feet, "One day, I'll beat him…I just need to make my fire attack last longer."

Apricot scoffed as she looked to him, standing up. "You think that would work? Look, you put too much into your strength, but Mikee puts more into not only his strength, but his speed too." She explained as Scorch shrugged off, leaving away from the Mansion as Apricot put a hand to her hip. A sigh escaped from her lips as she walked back to the Mansion. Now that was all done and over with, she could leave and not bring these people trouble, as she thought. She opened the door and saw Mikee sitting with Dawn as she was healing his burned arms. "You need to stop being so reckless. Scorch might have hurt you back there." Dawn warned him as she held his arm. Mikee scoffed a bit as he cracked his knuckles with loud sounding cracks. "Please, he can't beat me with that attitude. If he keeps thinking he alone can get stronger, he has another thing coming." Mikee told her as he had a smirk. Dawn sighed, but she smiled too. They seemed so cute together as Apricot cleared her throat to make them aware of her presence.

"Oh, Apricot, did you need something?" Dawn asked as she finished healing Mikee. The Persian cat rubbed the back of her head, past her ears. It was hard to tell people like these two, but she had to leave. If 'he' found her with them…no. She shook her head as she answered Dawn's question after a moment of silence. "Um…well…I want to say thank you for letting me sleep here, but I have to get moving…" Apricot answered, her tail swaying a bit nervously.

"Oh, but I was about to make breakfast. You sure you want to leave on an empty stomach?" Dawn asked. Apricot wanted to get out, the sooner the better, but at the moment, breakfast sounded like a good idea. "All right, all right…I'll stay for breakfast, but I have to go after that…" Apricot told them. Mikee raised an eyebrow in suspicion for a moment as he nodded, getting up. "I'll be back. Got some work to do." He told the two women as he headed back upstairs.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Scorch was sitting on a Cliffside, looking down at the forest below him. He was still furious at his most recent loss against Mikee, his gut still in pain from that attack. Damn him, I had him. My plan was perfect, and yet he surpassed me yet again. Scorch thought as he held his hand to his face. His palm turned into a fist as he gritted his teeth and stood up, feeling the warm sun on him. It always helped him try to relax, but now he was more determined than ever. He remembered that day when Mikee defeated him. It was a year or two back then, at Casino Zone Stadium where he was competing for who knew how long. It was the finals of the fighting tournament, and it was where he first met Mikee.


"Let the finals of the Casino Zone Finals begin! Each fighter will proceed to fight each other until the other is unconscious. We have Scorch, the Fire Champion for five years in a row! This hedgehog has been winning the local tournaments and now he aims to take another championship under his belt, or whatever he uses." The announcer declared as Scorch walked into the battlefield, still looking stern, yet confident. The other side opened up as Mikee walked into the stadium, hearing a lot of cheers, especially from Dawn, who was at the closest seat possible. "And here is our surprise newcomer, who for his first time in the tournament flattened every fighter who opposed him, it's Mikee Aeros!" The announcer declared as Scorch made a battle stance, looking ready to face this newcomer. He didn't feel threatening at all as the both of them made their way to the center of the battlefield.

"Remember, no killing, only make your opponent unconscious! Same rules apply as always. The audience is protected by a force field, so all long ranged attacks are usable, and air battles are allowed as well. Now, without further delay, let the Championship Finals, commence!" The announcer yelled.

"Let's go, you don't stand a chance against me!" Scorch yelled as he rushed right in right at Mikee, swinging his fist as Mikee guarded quickly. He retaliated by grabbing said fist and throwing Scorch over his shoulder with ease as Scorch was surprised at this, landing on his feet as Mikee rushed at him, bringing the attack straight to Scorch as he entered fierce close-combat. Scorch put up a guard to block his punches, but it couldn't help much as Mikee vanished instantly and appeared behind Scorch, landing a perfect double kick onto Scorch's back. This sent the hedgehog right into the wall as it cracked underneath the pressure. He yelled out from this as Scorch stood back up, freeing himself from the wall as Mikee stood his ground, ready for anything Scorch was going to throw at him.

"Tch, that one hurt! You'll pay for that!" Scorch yelled as he aimed a palm forward. It glowed red as fire engulfed into a condensed fireball from his palm. "Searing Flame!" Scorch yelled as the fireball increased in size instantly and lashed out as a powerful stream of fire. Mikee jumped out of the way as the fire followed right after him. Mikee noticed this as his palms shone in a white light. He jumped up and aimed his palms to the ground as he fired off a white blast, rocketing him straight up as the stream of fire couldn't keep up. Scorch looked up as Mikee held back his palms and started firing a barrage of shining blasts. Scorch cut off the fire attack and nimbly jumped out of the way. He didn't see that Mikee stopped and lunged down to slam him hard across the face with a fist that knocked Scorch back hard. As the Fire Hedgehog stumbled back, Mikee rushed in and delivered a powerful barrage of punches and finished it up with a clean uppercut onto the fire hedgehog's chin, knocking him into the air and landing on his back. Mikee took this chance as he leaped up in the air, slamming both his arms to one side of his body as he started charging Light energy in between both his palms.

"Shine Beam!" Mikee yelled out as he slammed them forward, firing off his attack at Scorch, which hit its target as an explosion took place, sending Scorch flying and slamming into the wall. The Fire Hedgehog was knocked clean out at that point, and when he woke up, Mikee was the Champion fighter.


Scorch's fists engulfed themselves in flames as his fire burned brightly, showing off his inner anger and hatred as his fire burned red for a split second. "Damn it, Mikee! I will defeat you! I don't care if I exhaust all my energy in my soul, I will defeat you!" Scorch yelled out loud.

Meanwhile, back at the Mansion, Apricot and the others finished breakfast, the Persian stood near the doorway, Mikee and Dawn looking to her, saying their short farewells. "W-well, I guess I'll be heading out then? Thank you for everything." Apricot thanked them, which brought a smile to their faces.

"You have a safe journey, all right?" Dawn asked.

"Make sure you don't get attacked by any more crazy robots, and remember, if you're in the neighborhood and need a place to stay, you're always welcome here." Mikee told her reassuringly. This put a smile to Apricot's face as she nodded, turned around and opened the door to leave. As the doors closed, Dawn sighed. "Well, guess it wasn't meant to happen. She couldn't stay after all." She told Mikee, her head lying against his shoulder.

"She's a traveler, they go everywhere. You know that. We were like that for a time, remember?" He reminded her. She still didn't look too happy as they were walking back to the kitchen. Before they could even set foot on the tile, they both heard a piercing scream. On pure instinct, both of them dashed out of the house to see Apricot backing up from another robot. This one, however was a different and sleeker type and held two long swords in its hands. Its target was obviously the female Persian as she was still backing up. "Apricot!" Dawn cried out as the robot held a sword up high and swung down only to come into contact with Mikee's fist as he defended Apricot, his fist covered in white energy. "Dawn, move Apricot! Hurry!" The Light warrior yelled as the robot swung its other sword. Mikee grabbed onto that on as well, feeling the overwhelming strength of the robot. This one was much stronger than before, that was for sure. Apricot saw Dawn run to her as Mikee shoved the robot off balance. He followed it up with a quick white blast, knocking the robot back far enough to fight head on. His glance went back to the two girls, making sure they're not in the way. He didn't see the robot rush straight at him and slam him hard with the blunt edge of the sword with enough force to send him skidding back hard and off his feet. The hedgehog fighter fired another blast at the ground to rocket skyward, but the robot jumped up with him and swung at his quick enough guard, Mikee having to block all the attacks coming at him.

Damn, this robot is different from the other one last night! It's much faster! Mikee thought as his hand was deflected away and a sword barely slashed at his cheek before slamming the hedgehog down into the ground. Mikee took the impact hard as he swiftly rolled away from the incoming stab. Along the roll, Mikee flipped around and kicked the robot hard into the chest as Mikee got up and fired off another blast at the robot who simply took its sword and cut it straight in half.

Dawn was watching as Mikee still confronted the robot as she put up another shield around them as Apricot was shaking. The Persian was holding her head as she was letting out some dark energy, which was odd coming from her as Dawn looked at the Persian. "Apricot? What's wrong?" Dawn asked, coming closer to her. She pushed her away as her eyes were red and black cracks were appearing all over her. "D-Dawn, please…you have to knock me out, hurry!" She asked the hedgehog as Dawn looked shocked at her request. Mikee hit against the shield as he quickly deflected a sword lunge as he rammed and dragged the robot along the ground. "Listen, Dawn, you have to! I'm…absorbing negative energy! Please, before something bad happens!" Apricot begged her.

"Apricot, I…I can't knock you out, are you crazy?" Dawn told her. The Persian looked dead serious at this request as Dawn didn't have any other choice.

"A...all right…prepare yourself…" Dawn said, biting her lip as she opened up her palm and her hair shone to a bright white. Floating in the hedgehog's palm was a white sphere which was swirling with energy. Dawn closed her eyes as the shield she was in exploded with white light. Dawn let out a concussive blast which did knock out Apricot as the Persian was on the ground. Mikee saw this as he took another slash from the robot across his chest, his anger at this thing rising.

"Apricot!" Mikee called out loud as he jumped back, his quills glowing again as Mikee rushed at the robot at an even faster speed, the ground cracking in its wake as the robot swung its sword. It went right through Mikee as the hedgehog vanished, the robot swinging at a very convincing after image. Before the robot could react, the after image he swung at rematerialized as Mikee landed a shining fist right into the robot's face as Mikee followed up with a fast barrage of punches, not giving the machine a chance to counter at all. The Light Warrior finished it with a solid double kick hard enough to knock it right through a tree as it dropped the swords. This was Mikee's chance as he took a stance and held his palms in a firing position, aimed at the robot.

"Shine Beam!" Mikee yelled as he fired off a white burst of Light energy, it exploding and destroying the robot once more. The explosion took out the next few trees around the center of the explosion as Mikee stood there, his palms still sparking with energy as he was almost out of breath. Dawn took down the shields as Mikee ran over to them, Apricot still knocked out cold. As Mikee got closer, he started to feel something really…off. He had to shake it off as he looked to the nervous Dawn. "I…I don't…she asked me to do it…" Dawn told Mikee as he picked up Apricot.

Meanwhile, as Mikee and Dawn brought the unconscious girl into the Mansion, Scorch watched them go inside as he was shocked at the display of power Mikee showed to this robot. How much power was this guy really hiding? He didn't see Mikee use this kind of strength before or even this speed. What the hell is up with this guy? How much power does this guy have? Scorch thought to himself as he flew down to the spot where the robot exploded. There was literally nothing left; only a charred crater and a few split trees remained. The former champion looked back to the Mansion again as his stare was intended to Mikee.

How strong are you? He thought.