I don't own anything related to Sonic or Sega.
The only character I own is Carla who is based on my cat, who I lost recently and looked like Jess from Postman Pat
Please enjoy and review !
Meet Carla.
The Lost Relms...
Shadow strolled into the Doctor's lab, his arms folded over his chest as he stood at the side of the table. The Doctor looked up from his work and smiled.
" I'm glad you could make it."
" You know I almost didn't. But you said this was important."
Shadow gazed at the many inventions that littered the walls and other table tops. Books were sprawled along the floor, he bent, picked one up and looked at it.
" ' The Secret Flowers of the Old Ones?' " He raised a brow, " I'm not disturbing anything, am I?"
"Oh, very funny." The Doctor scooted his chair over to a computer and typed on the keyboard. " The flowers you saw in your vision do exist, the only reference I could find of The Crystal Rose is from a story about the beings that came before us." He looked at Shadow over the rim of his glasses. " You do know about the Old Ones ,right?"
Shadow shook his shoulders. He pearched on the table top next to the computer and read over the Doctor's shoulder as he continued typing.
" Old Ones are... were mystical beings that helped forged the magcial gems that you keep calling Chaos Emeralds. The Crystal Rose is one of the guardians that disappeared when the Life Gem of the city shattered nearly fourteen years ago,"
He pointed at the gold choker around Shadow's neck, the gem pendent was glowing softly.
" The Crystal Rose fled into a different gateway, unfortunately, her body was unable to keep its corporal form.She used the last of her magic to split her spirit into two parts, male and female. She then, locked the part of the spirit we're after into a new and younger body, a body that has a 100 DNA match to the Queen."
"So you're saying what? If we find this new body, we can save the Queen?"
"It's a possibility."
" But when you say ' a different gateway ' , does that mean what I think it means?"
" Yes, you'll need to use your Chaos Control to travel between the diamension rift to this point in time and space."
He typed some more, a mini screen popped up with some co-ordinates. Shadow frowned at them.
" You are joking, right? I can't go there ! I'm wanted by the secret organization G.U.N, they'll lock me up and throw away the key. I'm not going !" The computer beeped suddenly. " What's up?"
" This is weird, a power source, unlike anything I've ever seen before, has just entered the drifting circuit. It's very unstable."
" Let me see, " Shadow typed on the keypad, a row of numbers ran along the screen. He hit enter and waited. The computer beeped again and he blinked, " It can't be...Ashura..."
He turned and faced the far wall, on it was a portrait of the lost King, he turned back to the computer and typed again, " The energy signature is the same, but how did he get lost in our diamension? Unless... it's a time rip, he's from the future, our future..."
" It seems we are faced with the old classic, a time paradox. If he's here..or was here... that means you were sucessfull in you mission."
Shadow rubbed his hand over his face, " But what is my mission ? "
The Doctor clicked on a small screen, a picture came up and Shadow stared at it. " This is the chosen vessel of the female part, of the joint spirit of The Crystal Rose, I believe you were close to her once, before you came to us."
" It can't be..."
" Your mission Shadow, is to bring the new vessel here, to our diamension. We can syphon off some of her energy and bring back the Queen, using what is left of the Life Gem. Aleena won't be alone anymore, and we will be one step closer..."
" If I'm going diamension hopping, I want back-up."
The Doctor sighed, " Very well, seeing as he's already there, why don't you take him ? As he's seen it already he can fill you in on the details." He tapped on the screen with numbers running along it. "It appears that he's travelling along the Road of Light."
" What does that mean?"
" It means Shadow, you haven't time to waste. If he fades and joins the other lost souls travelling there, you've failed."
" But I can't go now ! I haven't said goodbye to Aleena, she'll think I've deserted her."
" I'll take care of Aleena, now GO! "
Shadow stepped back and clutched the glowing pendent, his body was bathe with a green light, he nodded at the Doctor and vanished. The Doctor turned back to the computer and continued with his research. After a few seconds, he got up and ramaged around in a pile of junk. He pulled out an old video camera, set it on the table infront of him and took a deep breath. He cleared his throat, switched the camera on and started talking.
Aleena stepped back from the door, her eyes were glued to the place that her uncle Shadow had just vanished from. She wiped her cheeks and headed back to hospital, she sat on the edge of the bed where her mother was laying, and held her cold, dead hand.
" Don't worry mama, if they won't help you, I will. I'll find those magic gems and bring you back to life."
She fastened the straps of her shoes, pulled her hair into a ponytail and discarded her robes. She walked to the window, grunted with effort as she wretched it open. Making sure the coast was clear, she jumped, landed on the grass below and ran into the distance.
A moment later the alarms sounded and the royal guards were summonded. They hated looking for the Princess,she had the same ' I hate injustice and will do what I can to stop it ' attitude that her father had.
It was going to be a long day.
Present Time-- Mystic Ruins, Tails' workshop...
Sonic had gotten to the workshop first, he had taken dip in the lake nearby and felt like a new hedgehog. He rang the door bell, and tapped his foot as he waited. The latch unbolted and he whirled around as the door opened.
" Well , it's about ti-- " He stared opened mouthed and the sight in front of him, " Who are you? Where's Tails?"
A black cat, with white markings on her arms and legs, stood on the door step, wearing nothing but a towel, her green eyes reguarded Sonic with interest. She tossed back her damp ,shoulder length blonde hair and smiled.
" Are you expected?" Her voice sounded kind of child-like.
" Of course I am! I'm Sonic, a very good friend of Tails. He said he had something big to show us, something that could help us against Eggman. Are you gonna let me in, or are you just gonna stand there staring at me like I'm some kind of chocolate bar ?"
" Do excuse me, " she moved aside and let him in, she closed the door and lead him inside the workshop, her tail swished behind her as she walked, " we weren't expecting company untill later. My father will be with you shortly."
She indicated to the batttered couch , Sonic sat and watched her as she headed for the staircase that lead to the lower levels of the workshop, deep in the mountain.
" Do excuse me, while I finish dressing."
Sonic re-read the old comic for the tenth time, it had been at least seven minutes and neither Tails or the creepy cat had come back up. He threw the comic onto the floor, got up and flexed his tired muscles, whincing as he found a sore spot.The doorbell rang again, he went to answer it, and grinned.
" Hiya Sonnie! Have you seen her yet?" Uncle Chuck caught the expression on his nephew's face, he grinned, " Aye, you have."
"Hey Sonic," said Amy as she walked past him,Cream was behind her and gave him a shy wave. "Have you seen her ? Tails told us she's very pretty." Amy looked at him hard, "What's wrong?"
" T-that cat is the big news! I mean... I got here and all she was wearing was a towel, a towel ! Who is she?" He closed the door after Vanilla had walked in.
"Now, now Sonic, don't get all steamed up. " Vanilla put her arm across his shoulders and led him back into the workshop. " If you had stayed after your bath. Tails would've told you everything, he's been quite busy with this latest project of his. You should be greatful to have another pair of hands helping you in the fight against Eggman."
" I am, it's just---"
"Sonic !! " Tails rushed up and hugged him hard, he smiled at him, " You made it ! You left so suddenly that I couldn't tell you... I hope she didn't scare you, she'd just come out of the chamber and I was busy with the finishing touches, I didn't hear the door go, and only knew about your arrival when she told me about a blue stranger sitting up here." He took a big breath of air.
" It's cool, bud. " He grinned at him, " Who is she?"
Tails smiled at all of them, " If you could follow me, I can show you. I think you'll be impressed."
He led them down the stairwell carved into the mountain, they past a large chamber that looked like an old ruined city. Sonic surpressed a shudder. Tails led them through a small room lined with computers, he led them into a side room and kindly asked them to take a seat at the table in the middle.
He pulled Sonic to one side, " I'll need your help. I can only show Carla so much ,and you'll be a real challenge. "
" Carla? Her name's Carla?" He looked at the chamber and saw Carla, now dressed in a comfortable fitting, school dress in navy, doing some stretches. He smiled at the fox. " I'm game, what do you want me to do?"
" Wweellll..."
Five Minutes Later...
Sonic surveyed his suroundings and twitched his nose, a single bead of sweat ran up his cheek and into his ear. His arms ached from holding onto the rope that held him suspended above the floor. He checked the area once more before he let go. He dropped and calulated the precise moment to twist in midfall, his trainers made the slightest sound as he landed.
Hhhmmmm?
He stood to his full height and turned on the spot, he took something from his pocket and placed it in his ear. There was a second of static and then Tails' voice came through, loud and clear.
" How'd it go?"
" Fine, " He rubbed his arms, " alittle rough on the landing."
" I'm not apologizing, it was you who decided on the drop height."
" Yeah, yeah. " He sniffed, " Where is she then?"
" I don't know ! I lost her signal, that means she's on the move. You'll have move fast if you want the prize first."
" Great, just perfect."
He sprinted ahead, going left to dodge a metal pillar, then right. He suddenly had a glimpse of something navy and pushed himself harder. He heard Carla scream somewhere in front of him, and screeched to a halt.
" Carla !? CARLA ! "
He dashed forward and found her face down on the floor. He knelt beside her and went to shake her shoulders. She sprang up and knocked him backwards, he stumbled and fell on his backside.
" Never trust a pretty face, hedgehog ! "
" Hey !"
Carla laughed as she vaulted onto a burnt out car, and onto the roof of a building. Sonic quickly followed on the ground, he watched her as she jumped down the other side and vanish into the smoke. He rounded the corner and there is was, the prize : A Chaos Emerald !
He put on an extra burst of speed and used the bench infront as a springboard, he jumped, stretched his hand out, his fingers were inches away from the jewel...
A flash of black and navy crossed his vision, he fell again and landed flat on his face. He looked up and saw Carla swinging away on an unused power cable. She looked back at him and smiled sweetly, the Chaos Emerald safe in her hand. He growled.
" I'm not going to loose that easily."
He crouched into a ball and started rolling on the spot, he waited for the right moment and... Whhooosshh! He rolled at super speed, along the ground and up the side of the wall. He could just make out Carla as she turned at the noise, her eyes widened. He crashed into her and the two of them landed on the floor with a bump.
" That's mine ! " Screamed Carla ,as Sonic snatched the gem from her. " I found it first, give it back ! "
" Never trust a pretty face, Carla ." He said, throwing her words back at her.
She pouted, crossed her arms and sat on the floor, she looked like she was going to cry.
Sonic crouched next to her, " Hey now, no tears. Smile ! " He smiled at her warmly and held his hand out.
Carla looked at her own, before reaching out to grasp Sonic's. The blue hedgehog pulled her to her feet. The hedgehog was looking at the gem in his hands, he peered at the bottom. With a snort he tossed at her.
" Fake. "
" I know, daddy won't let me use real ones." She wiped her face and put the fake Emerald in its box. " That was good fun, you're really fast ! "
Sonic looked at his shoes, shrugged and went, " Aaahhh. " Embarrassed.
Carla stepped up to him and held her hand out, " I'm Chaos-- Animated--Recording--Learning-- Android. Carla. I hope to join you on one of your missions soon, I am programmed to learn from the best and improve my skills. It's a pleasure to meet you Sonic the Hedgehog, again."
" Nice to meet you, again,Carla. This time fully clothed."
Carla blushed as they shook hands.She picked up the box and headed for the doors leading out of the training area. Sonic followed closely behind. They talked as they headed back to Tails and the others.
" So Tails made you, huh ?" Sonic rubbed the back of his neck, he chuckled. " The gang's never gonna let me live this down. I got my butt kicked by a girl ! "
" But a very pretty girl, I'm better looking than you."
"Not !"
" Am !"
" Lets say we're both good looking and everyone else isn't ?"
"Deal."
They joined the others at the large table. Tails took the Emerald and put it in a safe place. Carla sat with Amy and Cream.The two girls oohhed and aaahhhed at her, she blushed and giggled.
She caught Sonic's gaze and smiled at him, he winked back and gave her a thumbs-up. She winked in return.
Vanilla reached into her purse and pulled out a very fancy looking envelope.She placed in the center of the table. " Now, to the reason we're all here."
Tails came back in and paled at it. " Oohh nnoo ! Not again !"
Sonic cringed in his seat and held his head in his hands. His uncle Chuck patted his arm in a sympathetic gesture.
Amy and Cream smiled and clapped their hands with glee.
Carla read the invite, she looked up. " A ball ? What does one do at a ball ?"
Amy answered in a dreamy voice, " You get to dress up in really, fancy gowns. Eat nice food, dance with the one you love, and basically have a good time."
" Sounds like fun. Does that mean I get to dance with Sonic ?"
Sonic lifted his head, ignoring Amy's glare, he grinned at her, " I'll save you a dance."
Carla blushed, next to her, Amy sulked.
Oh thank you, thank you ! I have a review !
I am sorting out any mistakes as i go along, hopefully i did a bit better in this chapter. Please keep your reviews coming.
So does Amy have another rival for Sonic's affections?
Will Shadow complete his mission ?
Next chapt coming soon.