Echoes move across the horizon as many screams are downed by the distance. So far away are such sounds that they mean little to the traveler from another plain.
She was surrounded by a world in white, and no features of malice, nor kinship offered their motives to her mind. A single piece that gleamed lay wasted on the floor. It was a dream crown piece, a thing that she must get. For her masters.
But a reach toward it was too slow, as a larger being picked it up and and placed it on a giant anvil.
The creature was white, and his head bore crown, as if part of him. A whip upon his side, and a hammer at his grasp, Suki wished to see what he might do.
A nearby table, she climbed. A nearflawed wish, she stumbled. but two, naught but three attempts would bring her to it's brim. That she might see what the piece may come of.
No such vision available. She must leap onto the edge of the anvil, and hoist up to see the product, of being's hammering.
*Clang* the hammering echoed for a second time.
For some reason, Suki was not afraid for the dream crown pieces destruction. But rather curios of it's new form.
High into the air, she jumped. And grabbing the ledge, she pulled herself up. But to diminish in strength, and not have her gloves with her, to move.
She tilted her head as she looked forward, but it appeared to be nonsensical, as the hammer came down, it struck the particle again, nearly making her fall as she slid.
Hanging on the edge of a dream, Suki gathered he strength, and pulled herself up one more time. She saw it before the hammer came crashing down and completely knocked her off.
It was a chain link.
"Hmmm?"
Suki peeked her eyes open just a bit as she read the color of the sky.
Early.
*sigh*
It was a dreamy thing to think about, the dream recieved as if a message from the purest part of heaven, mysteriously warning her in a language she could not understand. Such was fate.
*sigh*
The sun was coming up, she didn't usually get up this early, but whatever.
Time to begin another day.
Suki flew the covers off and walked downstairs turning to her left upon reaching the bottom. Once again entering that familiar room from yesterday morning.
In the kitchen she opened up the fridge and grabbed a gallon of milk. Stepping up on her little stool, she placed milk jug upon the counter, the contents slopping around inside due to the extra intertia. She picked up her stool again and then placed it before the cupboard, opening it up and reaching for the very special container.
Chaocolate.
Two, no, three spoons of powder would do the job as she mixed it all in together, making the brown swirl within the white. The problem with this powdered stuff was it liked to form clumps and didn't always want to mix, but it was a fun little thing too her. . . till you couldn't get them all. Daintily she toyed with them, until only the smallest of chunks were left. As of which, she placed it in the microwave.
Suki looked over and pressed the buttons.
*beep* *beep* *beep* the microwave sounded as she pressed buttons, 1 - 0 - 0 and selected, enter on the touchpad.
"Hhmmmmmm..." Suki mused as the microwave started humming.
What to do, what to do.
I wonder what Michad is up too. He's so. . . . weird.
Suki crossed her arms over her breast as she leaned back over the counter waiting on the common place appliance to warm up her little drink.
*sigh*
What to do, what to do indeed.
Maybe he's-
*BEEP!* The microwave beeped three times and made Suki jump a little bit. She hated being alone, and it even made her terrified, but quickly she regained herself. There was nothing to be afraid of, well nothing. . . . was. . . . something. . . . to be afraid of. . .
Michad How the name made her shiver.
*beep* *beep* the microwave finished it's call. The contents inside smooth, hot, and ready. Just the way she liked it.
But if Michad is. . . . Suki half closed her eyes as she sipped the hot chocolate having pressed the button and released the contents from the microwave. The steam poured off her face as the aura made pleasant motions through her breath and nose.
Then how can I be sure. . .
Suki pondered for a minute.
She placed the cup on the counter next to her, and scooted up onto it herself as she crossed her arms and thought about it all again.
What does the chain mean. . .
She looked over at the cup next to her. The grey steam emitting from it and floating to the ceiling of this room, but fading away before they could reach it. A lot like some people's prayers, she guessed.
*sigh*
She let out a breath.
Chryssy, what am I going to do. . .
She reached for her cup again, and took a sip.
It's cooled down some, that's how I like it. She thought to herself as the milk brought pleasantness into her mind once again.
*sigh*
Someone was coming downstairs. Suki could hear them walking down with her ears which wiggled with excitement. She set the cup down as she prepared to answer whoever it was. Folding her hands together placing them in between her legs as she looked forward.
How cute.
Mami came around the corner in the robe she was usually in. Her eyes met that of the larger mobian's. Quite a bit of difference between the two, but somehow, mobian and man -or in this case, woman- had managed to get along. Quite well, actually.
"Good morning." She spoke. Having stopped just at the entry way to greet her "child". It was a rare sight to see Suki up this early, but if it did happen, her having hot chocolate was nothing odd in such an event.
"Good morning Mami." Suki replied, happy that finally someone else was up.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Uh. . . not really." Suki shrugged. She was different with Mami around, as opposed to being by herself. Trying to be more optimistic around others for their sake and indirectly her own.
"Ahh. . . Something bothering you?" She asked as she moved toward the coffee pot. Coffee was her thing, and she usually got up right about now to make it. Suki wasn't sure if she wanted to answer, but how could she keep something from her mom?
"Ahhh. . . I've. . . . just been having nightmares."
"Nightmares?" Mami asked, surprised, replacing yesterday's coffee mix with a fresh scoop within the brewer.
"Well, yeah. . . uhhh. . . well. . . not exactly. . . " Suki scratched her head as she said this. "What I really mean is. . . strange dreams, you know?" She kindof smiled as she said this, keeping an upbeat tone in all this. It was what her parents had taught her, and kept from being depressed in trifling times. It was a good characteristic, and one she would hold onto.
Steadily.
"Sound's like you need to get to rest earlier!" Mami teased as she laughed a little bit. From there, she moved the coffee pot to the sink and started to fill it up. The water pouring out at a medium fast pace, so that it might not overfill on account of her mother's speed.
"Well, that's not it. . . . I think. . ." Suki stopped. "I think it really has to do something with. . . er. . . well. . . "
"Well?" Mami interrupted as she poured the hot water into the coffee maker.
"I'm. . . . dreaming about. . . two kings."
"Mhh hmmmm." Mami responded, to let Suki know that she was listening. She cared about her daughter's worry, and what made her sad, even if it wasn't much, but she could comfort her. It was one thing she could do.
"Kings?" She asked in a low, slower, but loving and optimistic voice, communicating that she did not look down at Suki over this dream, but was rather encouraging her to speak on. To meet the end of the story, that it may be plain, and she could understand.
"I think that they were fighting. And one of them. . . had a whip. And he. . . he brought down the other one!" Suki exclaimed.
"Hmmm." Mami stopped for a moment.
"But the King that won, was white and he. . . . Killed the black king." Suki finished quietly.
"Sounds like a good dream." Mami commented.
"But. . .what if. . . the white king was evil?" Suki asked in uncertainty.
"I don't know Suki, but usually people have a hard time keeping from people who they really are. Look at those into drugs." She started. The cup of coffee coming to her lips. "They try to look just like everyone one else, but when they take it, their addiction begins to change their bodies. Soon they can't hide the long term wear and tear of such actions, and that's how we find them out." She swallowed the drink with no enthusiasm. "If it was a dream of black and white, I imagine that you would be able to tell who is who pretty easy."
"yes but. . . what if the white king does something evil?"
"Then you can know them by their fruits." Mami finished. "Does that make sense?" She smiled subtly after saying this.
"Yeah." Suki smiled. But looking to her left she felt uncertainty. This really had just begun. The first time such a dream had come up, the dream about a white and black king, she remembered from weeks ago, but the dream crown piece being hammered into a chain. . . this was the first time. And Suki wasn't sure what to make of it. Michad seemed to better fit what Mami was saying, but there was no way of telling right now. She had to find the answers, but how? Michad. . . was hiding something! He had to be!
"Mami, I think I'm going. . . outside earlier this morning."
"Okay." Mami smiled. Suki then walked outside of the kitchen, and turned for the stairs. As she went up and into her bedroom, she though about what Mami had said about drugs, and people not being able to hide who they really were. If it was really true, then she had nothing to worry about. Time, like it does for so many other issues would bring it's solution, but she sure didn't like waiting on it. . .
A shower later and some proper clothes on, Suki went outside. It was a nice little city that they lived in which paid attention to order and decor. A tree grew just outside Suki's window and it was Suki's favorite. She had even climbed it a few times. The little mobian moved toward the trunk and hunkered her backpack into a more comfortable position on her back as she looked up.
"Huh?"
What was that in the tree? Is that a. . . . cat?
"Hmmmmm. . . . . . " Suki wondered.
A mischievous idea entered her mind.
*shake shake shake*
"Waaaaaaaaaaaa!"
*Booom!*
Narabot fell from the branches.
"Narabot!" Suki yelled.
"Directive. . . . " Narabot got up and tried to find his balance, Suki had never seen him like this before, wandering around like some drunk fool, but it was a little funny. Too bad Suki had something darker on her mind.
"WHAT WHERE YOU DOING IN THAT TREE?!" She yelled at the poor android. Narabot was still dizzy and unable to comprehend what was being stated, he floundered around like someone who had lost his balance. Finally, he started to speak- a little, and not without trouble.
"I. . . don't. . . . zzzzttttttt." Narabot shoock his head and came too.
*blink blink*
"Classified." Narabot stated.
Suki became very red in the face as she nearly exploded with anger.
"Classified?! You were spying on me weren't you!"
"Me? No! Of course not. My spying program is only directed toward enemies, I could never function like that!"
"Oh, of course you couldn't! You don't sleep outside a girl's window do you even know what you-
"Ergo!" Narabot stopped her. "I don't know what you mean!"
"It's inetiquette! I wanna know who told you to do that!" Suki was now very angry realizing what potentially was going on. If this what someone had programmed Narabot to do, she wanted to know who did it right now and end it. Immediately.
"Classified!" Narabot stated.
"AAAAUUUUUUUGGHH! That's it!" Suki exclaimed. Me and Chryssy are going to fix this. Today. Right now!"
"I'm gonna fix what?" Chryssy chimed in. Right on time, but surprised to see Suki and Narabot both outside that house. What happened here anyways?
"Narabot isn't going to do weird things anymore cause someone had him outside my window sleeping in this tree all night!" Suki exclaimed.
"What?!" Chryssy asked in shock. "What'd he do that for?"
"That's what I want to know!" Suki exclaimed.
"I do not know why you are so upset." Narabot said plainly.
"NARABOT!" Suki yelled. "You can't spy on a girl in her room during the night like that?!"
"?" Narabot stated. "I do not understand. I am not a male, and I am not even a species-"
Suki's jaw dropped as both she and Chryssy covered their own ears to avoid Narabot's inappropriate biology lesson. Once the talking was over with, Suki took her hands off and voiced her plans for the day.
"That's it! Narabot! We're gonna get you reprogrammed!"
"What do you mean you need to reprogram Narabot." The head robot programmer asked giving them a wirey expression over such a silly idea.
"Cuase, he's too inetiquette!" Chryssy exclaimed.
"And inappropriate." Suki added.
"Yeah! It's really making Michad look like some kind of perv just giving him information and not teaching him etiquette!" Suki explained as her mind slipped into a past situation.
Suki bended over a sink and began washing her hands.
"Suki" Narabot stated. "Michad is in need of you immediately."
"Okay, great. . . ." Suki stated, but Narabot, can you answer one question for me. . . .
"What do you wish to know?" Narabot asked politely.
"WHY ARE YOU IN THE LADIES ROOMM!" Suki screamed.
"Well, I can understand. . . . " The black hedgehog stated. "But are you sure it's absolutely necessary?"
"YES!" Suki and Chryssy said at the same time.
"Okay!" The hedgehog got the point. "So long as Michad says so, it's fine with me, just don't repurpose him for tea parties, all right?" He warned them.
"We won't do that!" Chryssy scolded. "Just let me through already. Here's my ID card. I'm part of Michad's personal robotech programmer crew, I'm clarified!"
"Alright! alright." The hedgehog gave in. "I'll give you access to some of the. . . etiquette programs I have available. We haven't been working on them much, Michad. . .
"I know- doesn't deem them valuable." Chryssy stated. "Just, let me in there." She added as she walked past the check in and entered the robotics room.
"Wow, look at all these service droids!" Suki remarked as she viewed the many different robots sitting down on counters and such to be worked on.
"You can sit here, Narabot." Chryssy patted on a table with a nice little seat for Narabot to sit on.
"This is not my regular maintenance bay." Narabot commented.
"Okay- weerrree not playing THAT game today." Chyrssy said as she grabbed Narabot by the wrist and guided him to this seat.
"You just. . . . relax!" She stated as an arm came up behind him and touched him in the back of the head.
"I don't need to re-" Narabot's voice was cut off as the eyes died down inside his head and Suki pressed a button on the operation's table.
"I couldn't wait for that to happen." Suki commented.
"Me neither!" Chryssy smiled mischievously. "Let's see what kind of programs we can put in him."
A screen suspended from the ceiling came down via some mobile arms. A keyboard and mouse also came out from under the work table next to Narabot. Chryssy began moving the mouse and did a diagnosis first on their metal companion before checking under "programs" and looking for an appropriate list to put Narabot's social rules.
"Wow. . . . Narabot doesn't HAVE any social rules. They're all just legal stuff." Chryssy comments.
"Time to fix THAT." Suki spoke expressively.
Chryssy clicked. "Make new program folder." And prioritized it under "Legal rulings" and "Military rule".
"So. . . . what do we start with first?" Chryssy asked as she pulled up a number of etiquette program that other such service bots had a hold of who worked inside the castle.
"I think. . . " Suki started to say. "That we should. . . . ."
"Definitely Gender differences." Chryssy stated as she hovered her mouse over the folder and clicked to open it.
"All these look good." Suki commented. "Let's start with. . .
"Hold on!" Chryssy interrupted. "First we have choose his gender, for social purposes. Do we list Narabot as a boy, or a girl?"
Chryssy and Suki just look at one another and frown.
"Definitely a guy." They say at the same time as Chryssy clicks on the "Male" button for "gender association and duties."
"Now, what programs do we want to move?" Chryssy asked.
"Probably ones that keep him from entering the ladies restrooms ." Suki suggested.
"Yeah." Chryssy agreed. "That would be a good idea." And she clicked on the program.
"But. . . . what if something bad happens, and I need help?" Suki asks as she imagines something. . .
"Help!" Narabot, I'm trapped, help me!" Suki cried from within the restroom.
"I cannot enter the ladies restroom." Narabot stated. "I can save you when you come out though." He informed.
". . . . . . . . NARABOT!" Suki yelled as the fire continued to burn the building down.
"Yeah. . . . I'll make an exception. Here, now he'll only do it if you're in trouble." Chryssy informed having injected an "exception" into the program. "Now all we have to do is pass a few more things over.
"Anything to get him to NOT explain why stalking would be an impossibility?" Suki asked in a more instressed sounding voice.
"Here." Chryssy informed. "But. . . Most robots don't even have knowledge that such characteristics exist.
"So. . . . . Narabot knows about. . . . um. . . err. . . . - biology." Suki blurted out for a lack of more appropriate words. "But other robots. . . "
"- Don't." Chryssy finished. "I wonder why Narabot has information on something like that? The only robots who do are medical service ones. Oh! Some of the royal service practical droids have knowledge of, hey! I found the same program in Narabot! Apparently, just like the highest servant droids, he is to look out for "User's" who seem to have. . . . interests in interests in one another. . . "
"Uhhhhmmmmm." Suki stared blankly forward with a lopsided frown on her face.
*Shakes violently*
"I don't think I want to know why Narabot has that program." Suki told Chryssy. It wasn't desirable to really hear about.
"Maybe, since he's with you battle all the time, it's too make sure no one has a crush on you. . . " Chryssy stated. "In fact I can access his memory right here. . . . "
"Don't click it, I-"
*Chryssy clicks on the memory banks related to this program.*
_Access denied
"Aww!" Chryssy complained.
"Shewf!" Suki sweated it off. Don't want personal stuff like that being shown!
"Oh well." Said Chryssy. "I guess I'll have to check it out another time. . . . but hmmmmm. Michad sure doesn't really care to go beyond what's barely enough make a robot function."
"You mean that he doesn't like unnecessary programs." Suki corrected.
"Or what he consider's unnecessary." Chryssy added. "Oh well. If we really have to." She added a program in Narabot to not talk about that stuff.
It was a fun, and busy day after Suki and Chryssy left the robotic's recollection center and went on with their daily chores. Suki went shopping and purchased a few clothes as well as one new white purse to celebrate last week's successful mission. It was taking the Latise a while to find the last piece of the dream crown, perhaps it would be years before it popped up. But until then Suki was happy with what she was surrounded with.
A good family, friends, even the weather was fabulous here within the Sol dimension. It was an ocean world after all, with several islands, though large landmasses were not unheard of. Most of Suki's education was centered around the island of the Arasian Sea. A community group, far from the world famous princess Blaze's home island. The Latise was something of a relative to that country, holding similar values- and gun against Dr. Eggman Nega.
Suki thought about all these things as she shopped and took a walk on the beach. A thought crossed her mind to see how Narabot would treat her at a more girly place. Perhaps at the school where so many girls learned ballet! Yes! Narabot would hold her hand and politely bring her into the building. Opening the door for her, and she could watch Chryssy when her big play came up! Yes, Perfect!
In fact, Narabot would even look cute, and somewhat sharp in a proper tuxedo. The idea was too good to pass up. She would try it. Later.
When lunchtime came around, Suki stopped at the Burger Block. A restaurant with red and white tiles on the floor, and which served the best burgers around, (or so it claimed.) She had met up with Chryssy on the boardwalk before reaching her destination. A conversation between two such friends for certain was sure to follow.
"So, what do you think Narabot will turn out like?" Chryssy asked enthusiastically.
"Fine. Just fine for sure." Suki said with a nod to her shorter friend.
"Oh, come on!" Chryssy teased. "I'm sure you've got lots of plans now!" She grinned excitedly. Chryssy knew Suki couldn't hold back.
"I guess so." Suki smirked at the idea of just what she would like to do with Narabot over this, but a shade of maturity had come over her since earlier that day. Almost seriousness over the thoughts of the future.
But nah, today was a time to relax. No bad thoughts today. That would just weigh her down.
"So, what are you up to now?" Suki looked down smiling at her little sister.
"Nothing really!" Chryssy answered happily. "Just waiting on Narabot to come out of his regular maintenance. I decided that it would be best to do a full defragmentation with the new programs added- for efficiency." She smiled happily at Suki's interest in her projects.
"Well, let's test him out after lunch." Suki smiled as she pushed the door open to the Burger shop. The regular raccoon seen at the counter wearing his beret was looking over at the two regular customers. Mami and Uncle Omycid were fine with Suki walking around town on her own, or with Chryssy. They often stopped here on afternoons. It was a nice place for a burger and milkshake as well after the fact. Suki walked up to the counter and made her usual order. She didn't notice a familiar face sitting at the booths not far from the window. A purple bird wearing red glasses. Kire. Jake's second captain, and part of the army which defended the Latise.
"I'll take a hamburger." Suki stated. She smiled with both hands on her purse, resting firmly on the counter as her weight came on it somewhat. Acting somewhat cute. Suki enjoyed eating here, and the cashier was kindof funny.
"Do you want cheese?" the raccoon asked in a low voice. He wore a white vest with a few grease marks and food stains started to stand out. After he finished talking, Suki made her response.
"Yes!" She replied confidentially.
"What does that make it." He asked in a low voiced, "miserable" fashion. Though Suki knew he was only teasing. He had done this before, it had given him quite a bit of character.
"A cheeseburger." Suki smiled and tipped her head slightly. As if to look cute over her verbal mistake.
"I'll get on that. And you, Christina, what do you want?" The cashier teased in a low, groggy voice. Chryssy immediately spoke up.
"I'll take a patty melt!" She said shaking her head up and down excitedly and her mouth fixated open.
"You want cheese with that?" He asked Chryssy in same manner he asked Suki earlier.
"Yes!" Chryssy exclaimed. "Isn't that-"
"What does that make it?" The raccoon asked in a groggy manner once again. Chryssy froze as she started to respond.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh-"
"A patty melt." The raccoon answered for her with a slight smile as he turned away. Having finished giving both girls their daily dose.
"I'll have them done in a minute. That'll be 8" He ordered as Suki began to open up her purse. Soon, 8 rings flickered onto the counter. She slid them to him and then smiled as she walked off and sat down at a booth not far from the door. Her and Chryssy began talking again while they waited on their order, but as they did, Suki's mind began to slip away, staring out the window and into the wild blue. He thoughts wondering somewhere Chryssy could only guess. But she wouldn't go uninterrupted.
"Hey, Suki, Wassup?" Chryssy asked, noticing Suki's odd new characteristics which she had picked up that day. "What's the bid deal with all the silence?"
Suki kept looking out into the distance. The echoing of of chains and hammers motioned throughout her mind.
"Suki?" Chryssy asked again.
"Devil!" Maugus's face flashed before Suki's in her mind, cause her to jump back.
"Hey!" A familiar voice came out, forcing Suki out of her lack of focus. The voice was not the voice of Chryssy however, but someone far more sinister. It was Kire, the purple feathered captain of Jake's command. He sounded impatient. Impatient that Suki still hadn't acknowledged his speaking to her- yet.
"Hey!" He said again. "Don't ignore me!"
Suki looked up and saw him. An upset expression on his face and a scowl written on his beak. He seemed clearly ticked off, morever, his friends had seemed to be standing behind him, as if they shared the same feelings. Suki could only guess.
"Uh. . . " Suki started to say something. But she didn't finish. It was odd that Kire would come over to speak to her. More than that. . . she felt. . . somewhat threatened by him. How he was just. . . .standing there. . . with his arms crossed just like that.
"You shouldn't steal my glory!" He scolded.
Where did that come from? Suki asked herself as Kire's anger became more and more apparent. Now he was leaning forward some, and it almost seemed as if he wanted a fight.
"Glory?" Suki asked in a single word, she had an idea of what he meant. But wasn't totally certain. . .
"Saving Jake!" He yelled as he slammed both fists on the table. "He's MY responsibility. And you can't do ANYTHING like that as long as you're a support class unit. GOT IT?" He asked, beak pointing down at her. A cruel look in his face might be seen, as the frown had stayed unmoving. Suki couldn't understand what he was so upset about, but one thing she did know, is that a lot of people at the Latise, particularly the mobian soldiers, didn't like her for some reason. This however, was a lot more serious. Shouldn't Kire be glad that Jake was saved irregardless? Or was he actually just angry that he wasn't the one who defeated Maugus? Maugus might have killed her as well. In fact, if it weren't for a close mistake, he would have, or it very well may have been that way!
"I. . ." Suki was about to explain that she didn't understand, however, she realized that just going along with it might be better. But as she looked into his sunglasses, His face morphed into the image of Maugus looking at her angrly.
"-Have no idea what's going on." Maugus finished Suki's sentence as he faded away, leaving Kire behind in his place.
Suki was just stunned, there was nothing she could say. Maugus was still alive, or his ghost was haunting her, or he always was a ghost. Maybe they all were? She tried to shake it off and deal with the situation in hand, but her unfinished phrase lingered in his ears. An answer was in the demanding, Kire would speak again!
"What?" Kire stated. He was growing impatient with the little girl, his anger growing. And Suki was unsure of what she should do in this situation. She looked at Kire's pistol. It made her want to carry her phychokinesis rings with her wherever she went, even if she were a bit paranoid to think that an ally would actually attack her.
"I'm fine." Suki stated. Finally giving her answer.
"What did you just say?" Kire asked in suspicion.
"-With that." She added. Quickly, but still trying to keep her cool. Finally accepting that this did just happen. And she had to deal it.
"Good." Kire stated as he leaned backwards a little bit. "And if you don't get it, then I'll get you." He finished. Moving his hands away from the table and mostly just standing in one place, arms crossed. Then he walked off.
Having been left alone, Chryssy finally spoke up, ending the pressure of the silence.
"That was odd." She said.
"Yeah." Suki commented. "Really odd."
"What's been going on?" Chryssy exclaimed. "You've been acting all weird lately!" Chryssy exclaimed as the waiter came over and brought the two their drinks. "It's like you. . . "
"Have no idea what's going on." Suki finished.
"Well, that was a nice lunch!" Chryssy surmised as she and Suki waltzed outside. "So, you still not gonna tell me what's goin on? Or what?" Chryssy froze after letting these words slip from her mouth. She didn't like seeing Suki dismayed.
"I can't. . . . tell you." Suki stated, remembering the visions of Maugus that she had encountered. It seemed that Her mind could be linked to his, or that he could input what he wanted in her mind- Even before Suki had met her. She wondered if it had to do with her sensitivity to the dream crown pieces. Perhaps the only way to know, would be to ask him. Unless it was her own mind playing tricks on her. Perhaps it was nothing but reminiscence, But Maugus seemed to have some unfinished business with her. Even after he had been. . . . destroyed.
"Why?!" Chryssy asked frustratedly.
"Cuase! It's too much for you too handle." Suki finally let out. Almost immediately regretting the information she had just given her. Chryssy might deem this as too serious, and drag someone else into help. Or worse, might tie this in with Kire's incident, and think that Suki was holding information from her regarding why Kire was so angry with her.
"Just. . . . don't worry about it." Suki affirmed again. "It has to do with. . . . my dream crown sensing. . . stuff."
"Stuff?! Sounds more like a mystery!" Chryssy cried. "And you know how much I just loooooovvvee those!" She added optimistically.
"No, Chryssy." Suki kindof smiled back. "I just need to. . . . get it all sorted in my head that's all." And Suki continued to walk down the streets. Wondering if she could find something, somewhere, who could help explain her dreams. Help her find out what Kire had against her, and others. Teach her who Maugus was, why he had a dream crown piece of all people, and how it was that he could connect to her mind. Someone who knew if the lava echidna's were just ghosts?
As the moments went on, and Suki became more silent, Chryssy's babbling became more. . . . disregardable. The problems forming upon the surface where becoming deeper. And Suki knew that ignoring these issues up front would not cause them to disappear later. Finally.
She stopped.
"Chryssy?" Suki began. "Could you. . . leave me alone for a bit?"
"-And then Narabot would even be able to enjoy eating food but that would take-" Chryssy stopped in her place and blinked frankly at this statement.
"Well. . . . sure. . . " She started to say. "I mean. . . . if I really am that annoying."
"No, it's not that." Suki started to smile again as she grabbed Chryssy and rubbed her knuckles into her head. "I just need a while alone. That's all." She giggled.
"Ow, ow, Stop it!" Chryssy let out before giggling herself and then pulling away. "Oh- okay." She added trying not to laugh. "I guess I'll go off an do my own thing then. Be back in . . . . one hour sound good?"
"Yeah. You can come get me then. I'm going to the park gazebo. You can find me there." Suki informed. And she walked off. Chryssy saying one more thing before they parted, eagerly telling of her plans to do with Narabot.
"I'll be back with Narabot then. The full system cleaning should be done at this point, maybe I can try and get him to do something fun!"
"Okay, see you then!" Suki cheered as she picked up the pace and started to run. It was an entry into her profession. A dream crown seeker. To be one with her mind.
As Suki walked up the path in the beautiful garden are of the town. A serenity seemed to fall upon her. She had powers that other people didn't have, powers of the mind. But it seemed to only be in connection to the Dream Crown, and possibly the Phykosis Emerald, which Michad couldn't let her have. Suki was referred to as a rare breed, how finding her was valuable, even if sensing things was her only power. However, Suki was told she may have more dormant abilities than she imagined. With visions from Maugus, and having been hearing his voice. Suki began wondering if speaking to the dead was one of them. Or if there were others whom she could connect to like this. Perhaps this was Magus's ability, but it had happened once before.
It was probably her own- or both of them.
"Where are you?" Suki asked as she climbed up the steps of the white Gazebo. Finding a nice spot on the edge of the fence to sit down on. The gazebo had two exits, the rest of it was surrounded by the white fencing, to keep people from falling a whole, entire, foot she guessed. But oh well. As she looked around, her head was attracted to the ceiling of the structure. Her eyes scanning the top for almost. . . . the sound of a spirit moving. As if Maugus's soul had been flying over her this entire time. The being who had sought to destroy her.
To bring her to the grave.
"I am here. . . ." The spirit started to speak. "There. . . . everywhere. . . . . . . . ." He finished with a long deep pause between the last two words. Such a saying might be expected as far as Suki was concerned, but she did buy it, and questioned him once more. . .
"I want to know what you're up to." She stated. Like a girl demanding to know what a younger boy might be planning for his scheme. Maugus obliged in giving her no information whatsoever, and Suki continued to muse away. Figuring what Maugus had truly intended with her. Perhaps his plans were nothing more than to haunt her. Even so.
She wouldn't be scared.
"My plans, are to lead you astray. And to show you. . . . the day which you will die in. . . . " Maugus added in contempt.
Suki wanted to say something, but a funny feeling came over her, like the wind was blowing through her body, and all was being performed. Moments later, Suki slowly awoke, but she couldn't move, or get up. She was heavily injured, lying on a white plain. Her head was on it's side, and she could see a black arm connected to a glove like her own lying on the floor. It was connected to the body, and a red streak was painted upon it, Suki almost thought it was blood, but she was uncertain of this speculation's validity. She heard the moans of a young boy coming from next to her, and attempted to turn it as heavy as it was to see him. But all she could see was a white glove with a black ring on it. Connected to a light orange arm. Then the sound became apparent. The crackling sound of burning, with also the feeling of heat from it, as if the heat had come from very far away, but was still powerful and could be felt even at this distance. As she looked up in front of where she was laying, she saw something in the sky. What she was was an eternal flame, the size of an entire moon moving through the atmosphere, scarcely 500 feet above the ground. This whole world was white like in her dreams. And so was the flaming sphere above them, grey and black fire also emitting off it. In the center of the orb, Suki started to make out something. It was spiny, it was great. He was posing in a form of epic power.
It was a Fox. . . ?
"And this. . . . " Suki heard as she suddenly was pulled out of her vision. "Is it." He completed. Pulling her out of that realm. His mystery had been revealed, in part, but not fully, and Suki still contemplated answers. But even so, it was not possible to get more, for Maugus was a grudging giver. And Suki. . . . would have to find her own solutions to this mystery. The mystery of the dream crown, and of it's keepers.
"And. . . . . . that's it?" Suki asked, her breath being a little short, and her mind became somewhat light headed. She was stressing out, maybe even passing out, but her eyes kept moving back and forth searching for Maugus's voice. But it always seemed to come up from behind her.
"Yeeessssssss." Maugus added. "It cannot be evaded."
Suki took it in, and thought about it for several moments. She compared this vision to her earlier dreams and noticed the severe differences. Earlier she had seen a white king of sorts, bearing the dream crown parts into something more. Now she had seen her death among two others in another world much like in the first dream. The future had already been written? Nay, she did not believe that. Maugus had said that he desired to lead her astray, however, he may have done that with that very phrase already. Who was Maugus, what was his creed.
"Who are you!?" Suki suddenly demanded, a little angerly at the lack of information and Maugus's games. But there would be no answer to her satisfaction. Only the echoing of his laughs, and single phrase emitted earlier. One that would haunt her to this day.
"ha ha ha ha ha. . . I. . . . ." He started.
"Am the keeper. . . . . . !"
"Suki!" A familiar voice came from behind her! As this happened, It seemed the echoes in side of Suki's mind from talking to Maugus had disappeared and She had been pulled outside of some plastic box where everything sounds funny. The voice was Chryssy's, and she sounded really happy.
"H-Huh?" Suki stared forward blankly.
"Suki. . . . " Chryssy said as if in shock. "What's wrong with you. . . ?"
"Um. . . . . Nothing. . . . . I think. . . . " Suki remarked as she said that last part to herself kindof.
"Um. . . . what's. . . up?" She added hoping to not get Chryssy caught up in her own troubles.
"You looked like you just staring forward into blank space. . . . " Chryssy started to comment as she walked up the edge of the gazebo. Suki was still looking outward as she said so, but she finally turned her head to face her younger companion- and try to shake it off.
"Oh. . . . I. . . " Suki stopped, she had to change moods immediately, or else. So that's exactly what she did.
"Ugh!" She yelled, as she shook her head back and forth really quickly like they do in the cartoons. Finally she had reformed herself and was ready for a normal conversation. At last.
"So!' Suki said normally. "What's up with you, did you get-"
"-Narabot? Oh yeah! Chryssy exclaimed. "That's exactly why I was here, you have to come quick. Come on!" Chryssy grabbed Suki's arm and pulled her down from the fence and into the city.
"Ohhh boy, now what's going on?" Suki asked in a pessimistic tone, but almost with a smile too. She knew how Narabot was.
Suki was ushered in inside by Chryssy as they came up to the arcade. Suki was surprised by this location of all places, now she really wanted to know what Narabot had done.
Upon coming inside, Suki found Narabot standing in front on an arcade machine. The screen flashing. "NEW HIGH SCORE." on the game titled, Galaxy Bugs. Narabot stood in front of it seemly unable to decide what to to do. A crowd had surrounded Narabot, adding to Suki's suspense. As she approached the area, she had to wonder, just how high the score was. Apparently Narabot had taken up gaming, and he was doing good.
"We're back!" Chryssy said happily. "Show Suki what. . . . oh!"
Chryssy hadn't noticed that Narabot had actually beat the game, and gotten the high score. No one in the vicinity had gotten past level 12, and Narabot had reached 13! It was at that moment Chryssy could hardly take it in and she knew she had to get Narabot. Then he passed level 13 and reached the number in line!
"You. . . . . . . . . . died?" Chryssy asked.
"No. I won." Narabot stated. "Now what do I do?"
"Put your name in!" Chryssy cried.
"But there are only three slots. If this is for people's names, then the maker's shouldn't be so cheap."
"No, it's for your initials." Suki corrected. Just finally looking at Narabot's score on the arcade machine.
226,524!
"Wow!" She stated.
"There." Narabot confirmed as he pressed end after putting in only one initial and submitted the score.
A
"A?!" Chryssy asked in surprise. "Just A?!"
"Exactly." Narabot stated. "My appropriate name is Aranoid MK II." Unlike you, I do not have a middle and last name, therefore, I only put down A."
Chryssy started to cover her mouth as big smile began to spread across her face. "A" had beaten everyone, but "A" made it look like who ever had made the high score had made either the rookie mistake of pressing the button's on accident while at the high score screen. Or they simply didn't care and just choose "A" and submitted it to get it over with.
"Umm. . . . Narabot. . . ."
"Yes Suki?" Narabot asked.
"Why. . . . didn't you use and "N" then?"
"Very easy." Narabot explained. "You see, 'Narabot' is the name you have given me, not my appropriate name. Something such as an arcade game high score would require a proper listing. So I choose 'A' as was appropriate to match my real name." He finished as the crowd around him started snickering.
"Oh, well. . . . Jake won't be happy."
"Jake, the squad commander?" Narabot started to ask as Jake pushed his way through the crowd.
"Hey!" Who beat my high score!?" He asked as he looked at the high score listing screen.
Jake sees the letter "A" taking the number one slot above the the "initials" JCE
"Oh, a wise guy eh?" He added, feathers in a rough. He crossed his arms as he said so, and looked onward. "I can't believe it. . . somebody actually did it. . . " He muttered.
"No, not a wise guy. A robot." Narabot corrected. He turned to face Jake, who wore a surprised expression on his face.
"What?!" He exclaimed in response. "No one can beat me. . . . I . . . I've been playing that blasted thing for six months!" Jake really didn't like to lose.
Ever.
"But I did just beat you. My score is higher than yours." Narabot stated. Suki could only think one thing in her mind.
"Ohhhhhh boy. . . ."
"Well YEAH bot boy!" Jake got upset. "You apparently just did, but I want you to know that you can't sneak up on me! I can always win, no matter what! And if you think you can beat me. . . .
- You've got another think coming!" Jake stated as he started to walk off.
"Incorrect." Narobot stated, getting Jake to stop in his tracks and listen to what he had to say.
"Of course I have another think coming." Narabot agreed. "Why would I only think about the same thing over and over and over again? I beat you, but thinking about that all day would be faulty. I need to think about other more important things that games. It is in my programming. Particularly what is happening right now. Why do you mobians always state the obvious?"
. . . .
Jake started to shake.
"THAT's it! You wanna talk about arcade games and my score as if it's nothing?! I'll show you! Tomorrow, and we'll do a 2P bug duel! Got it?"
"I'm busy tomorrow." Narabot stated. "Also, I do not have this 'free time' Chryssy speaks of. The only time I can play this game is when Chryssy want's me too. Apparently, I am supposed to 'enjoy' it.
"Well. . . . yeah. Wasn't that fun?" Chryssy asked, trying to shake her head with her mouth open and a smiling expression.
"Fun? Do people play this game to have fun?" Narabot asked.
"Yeah!" Chryssy exclaimed.
"STUPID MACHINE!" They heard a voice yell. Chryssy and Narabot looked over and saw a mobian raging at a copy of Super Monkey Ball for arcade. Kicking it twice before storming off.
"People have fun by getting angry." Narabot stated as if he had discovered a great secret in life. "Therefore, if happiness gives self meaning, as does having fun, and enjoyment, no wonder Jake is the greatest of all Latise Mobian Commanders." Narabot announced. "He's always upset with things."
"Huh?" Jake dropped his jaw at the comment and wavered at Narabot with a flinching open mouth.
"COUGH" Suki let out in purpose to distort what Narabot was saying, she then gave a mean look at Narabot, which cause him to step back and put his hands in front of him, as if to keep someone away.
"But no worries." Narabot contemplated having decided his resolve. "I do not need to enjoy this game. It does not make me angry. Maybe we can find something else that makes me angry Chryssy?"
"Oh. . . . . . . . brother." Chryssy started to sink away as she let out that last comment.
"And that's that!" Chryssy exclaimed as she, Narabot, and Suki walked outside the arcade house.
"Wow. It sure seems like you've gotten Narabot to. . . . do. . . . something." Suki lamented. Narabot had actually played an arcade game. Wowed the arcade house, and made Jake throw a fit. All in one day. Suki almost liked the old Narabot better, but that was the thing. He didn't seem any different- now anyways.
"Is. . . that all you did?" Suki started to ask. A little bit of a smile spreading across her face as she did.
"Nope!" Chryssy exclaimed. "And I've got lot's more too! I can't wait to put some more in him! So, what do you think. Like what you see so far? How about you Narabot?" She asked both her companions enthusiastically. "Do you like all the changes that I added?"
"How should I know?" Narabot complained. "I could not tell you because the changes are relative to me, and the more you ask me about things like. . . 'liking' or 'enjoying', or 'happiness' it seems like they mean what they don't. Like stalking someone who makes you feel terrible. Or enjoying arcade machines that make you upset. You are very much confusing me." He finished.
*Moooaaaaaaaannn* Chryssy let out with a big sigh. "Maybe advanced programming isn't my thing. . . ."
"Don't say that." Suki responded. "Narabot is just. . . . . weird. That's all.
"What does it mean if I am weird?" Narabot tried to get in. "If I am weird, then-" Suki began to talk over him and cut off her metal friend voice.
"You just gotta keep at it. Emotions in robots has always been a hard thing to do. And I have a feeling that Narabot know's more about emotions and what they are then he's letting on. . . " Suki put down. "So. . . wanna go to the library? We can eat out at Tech OZ's and then go home to my place! I'm sure my parents would let you sleep over!"
"Sure, that sounds great!" Chryssy cheered.
"Are you inviting me too?" Narabot asked.
It was a full day for Suki the hedgehog. After checking in with her parents, and picking up a few due novels, Suki and Chryssy went to the library. Of course the days that she would not be needed would mean more literature would be needed to take up all that free time, so she had to pick up more to replace the ones she had finished, along with a handful of comics, so spectacular. Suki felt satisfied. She had a stack of books with her, and she realized that perhaps she had picked up too many. Though Chryssy didn't think so. Either way, she could take the ones that wouldn't fit in her backpack home tomorrow. After all, it wasn't like she had anything to vicarious going on tomorrow.
After eating at Tech OZ's, she checked out some of the malls, and then finally trekked home. Her parents wanted her home by 8:00. And Suki didn't want to lose any privileges. So it was earlier than that Suki began to head home. She and Chryssy parted ways and said their goodbyes. Both with backpacks stuffed with books and pencils. Narabot had been bid off earlier, and sent home, to base. There he might get recharged and have a data synchronization with the main computer for research purposes. At any rate, it was kindof nice to have him gone the rest of the day. But now it was over, and Suki was off.
Time for the long walk home.
So Suki traversed the dark streets of the city, an normally, she would have felt nearly, perfectly safe. But as she walked alone, she felt a tinging feeling in her backside, like something sickly was behind her. She hated that. . . scary touch, as though someone were watching her, and she knew that when alone her mind could play tricks on her, but not today.
This time.
It was real. . .
"Hey you. . . . ." A voice came from behind. It made Suki stop, for the voice sounded evil, and hate filled. But even moreso, it was familiar. . . voice she had heard before. . . .but never in a way like this. Slowly Suki turned around, but her guess to who it was struck frighteningly. It was Kire.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" He yelled out in an emotion of anger, and angst. A great crying in his voice as Suki saw him clutching a weapon of death. A pistol. And he was holding it with to hands. Suki became a little bit afraid, but what was happening was beyond her. She hadn't had the slightest idea. She started to speak as if to calm him down, swallowing a little before she would go.
"Kire. . . . I"
"SHUT UP!" The bird scowled. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY OF US! And what I'm doing doesn't make sense. . . . but boy I'll tell you, I can't WAIT to see you die!"
Suki just frowned and opened her mouth a little bit over these words. She say Kire was breathing heavily, but she didn't understand, she tried to ask again, in hope. . .
"I . . . don't-"
"SHUT- UP!" Kire wailed.
"You won't understand. . . . any of us. You were too well off." Kire finished in a heavy breathing fashion as two other birds came out of the alleys and backed him up, readying their own guns, but not pointing them at Suki. Not yet. . .
Kire continued.
"Too Well off to leave your family. . . . to have them. . . . . killed. . . ." He struggled. "Our families. . . they. . . . sent us. . . . all of us here. To the Latise. To become soldiers. . . . . Soldiers. . . . so we wouldn't live in poverty like they did. And the Latise . . . . they. . . . they killed them as if there WAS NOTHING TO IT!" He exasperated as if someone about to cry.
At that moment. Suki would have felt for him, in the back of her mind, she did in fact. But the pale fear of dying still petrified her, even still, it all seemed wrong. Even as this conversation took place, it was too bright out, the sky was not black, but a dark blue, and the star were hardly out. This was happening in the middle of a well lit street, and Suki could hear the gigging of playing children through the closed windows of a nearby building. It wasn't matching up.
Anywhere.
How anyone could do this.
But it was happening, and all Suki could do was wait. But before she could make up a plan, Kire spoke again, her moment of rationing cut off the bleakness of this seemingly death threat. Now Kire was getting serious about this, and pieces to the puzzle began falling in place.
Or was the puzzle merely getting larger.
"And I. . . have to kill you. . . " He stated. "I have to kill you because that, is what will save us. . . . . I hate YOU! YOUR PEOPLE! EVERYTHING ABOUT AAAAAHHHHHH!"
His voice suddenly sounded like that of a screeching animal. His despair being something Suki could somehow feel in her own heart, as Kire pulled the trigger. The laser blast hit the floor, and missed by 8 inches- on the ground next to Suki's feet. She flinched to avoid the blast, and as a result, his two buddies joined in in the fire. Suki was so shocked by these actions that she had trouble even reacting for her life. But as she did, a powerful energy blast came from the sky and knocked Kire forward, and disrupted his two wing men as well.
As Narabot came down, it became apparent that Suki had been rescued. His blows were fast and the homing attack was enough to make one of the two birds eat pavement. The last one was subdued in a fist fight, knocked out after a punch to the gut. Kire attempted to get up, but Narabot approached him from behind and kicked him the back of the head. Suki just looked at him in horror over what had just happened. It didn't make sense to her. None of it did. And now answers would be appreciated more than ever. Narabot just placed his foot atop Kire's head pulled out his arm communicator. As he pointed it to his face, he looked over at Suki and gave her one phrase that would echo in her mind all night.
"Go home Suki."