Ch.3: Lost Contact, Forbidden Soul
" Oh my gosh Claw " said Manic rushing over to the dead cat's body " are you alright?"
"Is she alright?" said Sonic sarcastically " she'd be lucky enough to even survive this,"
"Wait a minute" said Sonia "Manic, you and Claw were sleeping in the same room. How come Claw's killer didn't see you?"
"How do I know?" said Manic " I didn't even hear anybody come in, and they sure didn't make enough sound to wake me up,"
"Then there's only one possibility" said Sonic "this was an inside job. And everyone, including us are suspects,"
"We need proof," said Sonia.
"What do you want as proof?" said Manic "the sleepies under my eyelids?"
"Sonia and me were tired so we went to bed early, Manic was wounded..." Sonic stopped, staring at Manic's back "Manic, your wound, it's gone,"
Manic and Sonia stared, Sonic was right, the wound on Manic's back was completely gone. Before anyone could guess at this development however Trevor came in puffing from exhaustion.
"Trevor, what's wrong?" asked Sonic, noticing the serious look on his friend's face.
"Five freedom fighters were murdered this morning" said Trevor, then noticed the state of the Sonic Underground's apartment, his eyes landing on Claw "make that six. Tell the others to meet in the great room, we need to talk about this,"
Minutes later all the Freedom Fighters were gathered in the great room. It didn't take the expertise of Sherlock Holmes to see that everyone was on thier nerves. Any one of them could have committed the murders.
Trevor finally arrived saying "Okay, we've been all over the security footage, and we think we know who committed the crime,"
Sonia noticed that Trevor's hands were shaking as he held the tape. Who could the killer be to make Trevor so nervous. Trevor's eyes threw a pity glance in the Sonic Underground's direction as he pushed the tape into the VCR.
An image appeared showing a dog-like freedom fighter sneaking into the kitchen. Light flooded from the doorway illuminating the room. Suddenly a shadow blocked the light, looking the form of a hedgehog.
The dog guy seemed to relax in his prensence, obivously it was someone he knew that was standing in the doorway. But then, when the figure stepped into the light the guy gasped and his eyes shown fear. Seconds laters the guy was dead.
Trevor stopped the tape just when the figure stepped into the light once more, his eyes glued on the security camera. Every freedom fighter gasped, they were staring at one of the faces of one of thier most trusted Freedom Fighters, Manic the Hedgehog.
--
Later, Manic was back on the couch his eyes turned down to the ground while his brother and sister paced around the room making his head sink deeper.
"I can't believe it" said Sonic " I won't believe it!"
"Then how can you explian Manic's picture on the security cameras?" said Sonia " the Oracle warned us that Manic's test between good v.s. evil has only just begun. Well maybe this is what he meant,"
"But I don't get it" said Sonic "Manic's a hedgehog that would never hurt a fly, let alone commit murder. What's he getting tested for anyway?"
"I wish I knew Sonic" said Sonia " it wouldn't be a good idea to visit the Oracle and find out, chances are he won't give us an answer, but perhaps someone else can,"
"Who?" asked Manic.
--
Minutes later the trio arrived at the Floating Island seeking answers from thier friend Knuckles, who was roasting dinner for his pet dinosuar Chomps by the time they arrived.
"So what brings you here?" asked Knuckles.
"We need to talk to your grandfather" said Sonia " do you think he'll see us?"
"I don't see why not" said Knuckles " but what's the problem?"
"I think my medallion is going nuts" said Manic " it felt dark after I left the hospital and last night I committed six murders when I thought I was asleep,"
"That is serious" said Knuckles, his mouth open wide at Manic's news " I'll take you to Athiar at once,"
Seconds later Knuckles and the three hedgehogs were outside of Athiar's cave. The Sonic Underground had met Athiar once when the choas emerald from Floating Island was stolen by Robotnink putting Mobious in peril. The old echidna imedately sensed thier presence.
"Athiar" said Knuckles bowing as a sign of respect " my friend Manic needs your help. He cliams that his medallion has grown...dark,"
"Bring the hedgehog to me," said Athiar.
Manic approached Athiar and made the same bow Knuckles did to show respect to the old echidna and his mystical ways. Athiar motioned for Manic to give him the medallion and Manic gladly obilged, putting the medallion in Athiar's hand.
Athiar studied it for a second then said " Your soul has been tainted with darkness by a power that has been dormant in you for many years. The power is angry that you neglected it for so long and desires to get even with you,"
"But I didn't even though I had it until now" said Manic " so how could I have known back then?"
"I have no advice to give" said Athiar giving the medallion back to Manic " just know that if it's anger grows everyone you care about will be paying the price,"
--
Meanwhile Doctor Robotnink was waiting for Claw to bring in Manic as planned. But hours had gone by and the black cat still failed to appear. Growing angry and impatient Robotnink punched the vid-link on Claw's intercom and was shocked when he saw a dead body covered in blood.
"Sleet! Dingo! Report! Now!" shouted Robotnink.
Soon Sleet and Dingo rushed seeing the very same disturbing image that Robotnink had just seen.
"Find out who did this" said Robotnink " and when you do report back to me. I want to deal this killer personally,"
