Chapter 2:

The night was still and the sky clear. The stars shone brightly but very few could be seen past the city lights. Norrisville was laid out peacefully, the majority of its citizens sleeping quietly unaware of the world around them and the darkness that was gathered in the forest just within the tree line by the city.

A figure seemed to rise from the shadows. She was tall and thin with long skeletal arms and claw-like hands showing from her draping garments. Demonic yellow eyes glowed brightly and were the only thing that could be seen clearly as the figure moved through the shadows. She paused at the edge of the forest glaring at the city before her.

This was the city that had kept her love captive, trapped within the ground for over 800 years. Her love had attempted to escape constantly throughout those long years and she was only able to attempt to help occasionally as she herself had been sealed away for a time. She had felt her love's glorious power when he had finally escape only to despair as it soon disappeared soon afterward. Already the explosion of energy only left the barest traits now.

No doubt the crusaded guardian, that Ninja, was behind it. She sneered at the thought of her love's foe. The Ninja had been a thorn in their side for far too long and now he had dared to send her love away. No, this would not be allowed; she would get her love back, but to do that she would need power. Soon though… soon this town would feel the wrath of the SOURCRESS!

Sonic awoke with a gasp, jolting into a sitting position. His hand flew to his chest in a subconscious attempt to calm his racing heart, his breathing coming in rapid bursts.

Sonic! Purity's voice echoed in his head, sounding both worried and comforting. Are you alright?

Yeah… Sonic replied, breathing deeply to calm down and running a hand through his hair. I just sensed something…

Ever since Sonic joined with the emeralds, his energy would subconsciously stretch out whenever he sleeps. There his energy would help maintain the world's natural balance and search for any negative pockets or dangers he would need to be aware of. Normally this process wouldn't really affect him though occasionally his dreams would be affected by what he was sensing. Here in Norrisville, the high concentration of negative chaos energy would often make his sleep restless with the occasional bad dream. Tonight he sensed something even worse, though he couldn't remember any details about it. All he knew for sure was that it was powerful and very malicious.

Be careful Sonic, Purity warned. There are many that still reside in this world that would try and stop the work you are doing. You must tread carefully.

I know and I will. Sonic replied firmly. He sensed Purity's approval before she withdrew from his mind. With a sigh Sonic flopped back down on his bed, clutching his cloak tighter around him where he had been using it as a blanket as he slept.

Purity hadn't been joking when she said he needed to wear the cloak constantly here. The negative energy in the area was enough to make is skin crawl even with its protection. The apartment he was now in had been shielded with Purity's help so he could take off his cloak when he needed to, but having it around him still gave him comfort.

With a sigh, Sonic rose from his bed, knowing he wouldn't be getting any more sleep tonight. After a quick shower and breakfast, Sonic decide to go for a jog around the city. Transforming his cloak into a leather jacket, Sonic made sure it was secure before dashing out the door and jumping up to the closest roof top. Now out of sight from any possible early morning citizens, Sonic set off at a normal, for him at least, pace across the rooftops. Enjoying the wind blowing through his hair and the view of the sunrise, Sonic felt himself finally relax completely. There was nothing he loved more then to run.

Running through the city did more for than just burn off energy and relax Sonic, it also helped the city itself. As Sonic ran, he would carefully his energy to leak into the world around him and begins purifying all the negative energy. It was a slow process, even with him going out every night since he arrived in this world, but progress was being made and it wouldn't be long before it was safe for him to purify the power orbs sealed beneath the school.

Speaking of which, the sun was now fully in the sky and school was going to begin soon. With a groan, Sonic made his way back to his apartment, grabbed his backpack, and stopped a few blocks away from the school so he could arrive at a normal pace. He hated having to attend classes, but he understood the necessity. It was the best way to keep an eye on the power orbs' resting place and their current guardian without raising any suspicions.

He really wanted to punch the idiot who thought it was a good idea to put all the school over basically the source of all evil. Really, with all the hormonal teenage drama happing in a place that feeds off of and amplifies any negative feelings, they were just asking for trouble.

The sounds of fighting and shouting drew Sonic from his thoughts as he neared the school. The Ninja, who Sonic knew to be Randy, was engaged with a pack of wolf-like robots in the school parking lot. The students and teachers stood nearby, watching carefully and cheering loudly whenever the Ninja got a good hit. Sonic leaned against a tree at the edge of the scene to watch it play out and possibly step in if necessary.

Though he was still young and relatively inexperienced, Sonic was impressed by how well Randy was doing. If he focused, Sonic could see the positive chaos energy guiding Randy. Why the energy took the form of childish doodles was beyond him, but whatever. Soon Randy was able to defeat the robots and, after waving to the crowd, disappeared in a cloud of smoke. With the show over, Sonic and the rest of the students made their way into the building.

Sonic shuddered slightly as he entered, the negative energy increasing exponentially. It amazed Sonic how one kid was able to keep this place from destroying itself completely. Not only did he actively combat the negative energy, but he inspired hope and positive emotions in the people that helped keep the negative influence at bay. Sonic wondered if Randy realized just how important his role as the Ninja truly was. Probably not with how naive he could be at times, but either way Sonic was determine to help him.