WARNING: From here on out, you have my word that Storm Rider will get alot darker, being more Death/Drama/Angst type Darker, Capiche?
Now that the warning is out of the way. Heyya all ) Chapter...Errr...Four! Not much to say about this one, just that It was originally supposed to be all Sonic, but then I came up with an amazing plot twist and had to put the rest of Sonic's adventure in the NEXT chapter. So look out fer that, peoples. AS FOR YOU people with OCs in the story, do not be surprised if you're all getting picked off one by one. Most of your charries will end up on the KIA list, but some will end up going safely home )
KIA(So far): Istas (Basilisk)
Oh man, my head is killing me. I opened my eyes, only to see nothing but blackness ahead of me. What the? I lifted my hands, I could still see them. Was I dreaming? And what had happened? I scratched my head and ruffled my quills in confusion. I seemed to be floating in some sort of void. I leaned back and closed my eyes tightly, trying to bring back the previous events. Of course…
"Sorry Sonic" Canon…He'd…He'd shot me! OH MY GOD AM I DEAD? I panicked, letting my hands fly to my face again. I felt a terrible agony scream inside my chest. But a thought dawned on me as I calmed. I stopped myself in the midst of my panic attack. Okay, so what if I was dead? What was going to happen?
I tried to stand up, and to my surprise felt as if I was standing on solid ground. I looked down at myself. I looked normal enough, I still had my shoes…I wonder if dead people still wear shoes? Arg! Focus, Sonic, Focus!
"Okay, this is weird." I said aloud. I looked around, still nothing around me but that never ending darkness. I could still walk and talk. Could I jump? I tried to, and found that I could. Everything about me seemed normal, only…I couldn't see anything but my self. I shook my head, trying to see if I could shake myself from this weird reality. I tried pinching myself. It hurt, so I wasn't dreaming.
I decided to try walking, but as I took a step forward, the ground solidified beneath me. I was standing on a small piece of land, floating in this odd world. I slid a foot off my small, floating island and tapped my foot down. Okay, no, I couldn't walk on that. Bummer. So…What could I do? I looked around again, hoping that if I looked hard enough an answer would come to me. With a sigh, I realized that nothing was going to greet my eyes but the never ending black that stretched in all directions. I sat down on my little floating island of loneliness, letting my feet hang over the edge of the island. I heaved another sigh, peering over the edge. I wonder what would happen if I jumped?
"I wouldn't. You'd keep falling and falling for eternity, but I suppose you'd get very used to flying." A cheery voice spoke. At once, my ears perked up and I twisted my head to look behind me.
It was a girl, I realized. She must've been a year or so younger then me. She was also a Mobian, a hedgehog at that. She had soft orange fur and long quills that reminded me of Amy, only this hedgehog's quills hung to about her mid back. She wore only a sky-blue dress, sleeveless and cut off at the knees. But what drew me most were her eyes, beautiful bright blue eyes that were matched perfectly with a friendly smile. I didn't even notice the ivory feather wings that poked from her back.
I realized my mouth was hanging open, and I hastened to close it. I pushed myself to my feet and turned around to face her.
"Er…Hi?" I managed to say. She smiled warmly at me, and drifted closer to my little island.
"Hello, Sonic, I trust you are feeling better?" She asked, folding her hands behind her back. I stammered as I spoke, I didn't know what to think
"Uhh…I guess so." Her smile brightened and she landed softly in front of me. To my surprise, my little island grew to let the other hedgehog stand.
"That's good. I'm Teera," The girl said cheerfully, as if nothing was wrong with where they were standing.
"Oookay…I'm Sonic?"
"I know that, silly." She said, her smile turning into a playful smirk. She turned around and dove gracefully off the side of the island. I zipped to the edge and peered over it, only to hear the friendly laugh from behind me. I turned around again to see the girl floating just above where I stood before.
"Uhh. If you don't mind me asking…Where are we?" I finally got the question out. Why was I so tongue-tied?
"I thought you'd never ask." The girl said kindly, jumping gracefully off the island. I thought she'd fall again, but this time another island appeared where she stepped, and another and another. She turned and motioned for me to follow. I unsteadily leapt to the next island, half expecting it to crumble underneath me, but it didn't.
Teera lead me to a slightly larger island, she was on her hands and knees and was peering over the side.
"Come see!" She said, waving me over with a hand. I walked to the edge of the island and peered downwards, dropping to my knees in fear of falling off. To my surprise, below me was some sort of round pond.
"I don't see anything…" I admitted, it seemed like an average everyday pond…at the bottom of a black pit. I looked to my left. Teera was gone. I felt her hands on my back as she pushed me over the edge. "What're you doing?!" I yelled as I lost my balance and fell off the island, heading for the pool. I closed my eyes and held my breath, terrified that the water would be real and I'd really die in it (if I wasn't dead already). There was a slight rush of air, and I felt myself hitting the water. I didn't open my eyes, and held my breath for dear life.
Shadow the Hedgehog
I was curious, had he really fallen? The entire scene of the blue hero's death had unfolded before my eyes. I was sitting on the lowest branch of an oak tree; the shadows of its leaves were hiding my dark form. I narrowed my eyes, jumping from the branch in one swift motion. I was hesitant to walk forward, to see clearly that he was really and truly gone.
His murderer was standing emotionlessly beside the hero's body, his head hung low, as was his arms. I pondered why he was in such a depressed mood. They'd fought, hadn't they? And he'd meant to kill him, and it looked like he had. The hedgehog turned his head, he was silent for another moment, unaware of my presence several paces behind him.
Without warning, the hedgehog leapt into the air, the jets on the bottom of his boots activating as he did. He headed straight up and banked in the same direction the doctor had traveled. Perhaps he was going to inform his master of his accomplishments? I snickered, but now that the murderer was gone, I couldn't help but to wonder if his target was dead or not. Was he gone for good?
I wasn't sure, but I had watched as the cobalt hedgehog had fallen at the hands of his formally robotic rival. I'd also watched the events that followed. I carefully stepped out of the comforting shadows, the noon sun instantly warming up my fur, as much as I didn't want it to. I walked slowly across the field, giving myself time to prepare to admit that the hedgehog had finally been defeated.
As I neared the body, I noticed that the hedgehog's fur was blackened in some areas, as well as open cuts and scratches leaked crimson over the hero's normally bright blue fur. There was a pang of sympathy for the dead being, but it was gone in a flash.
"So, you've finally fallen" I muttered to the hedgehog's body. I dimly wondered if he could hear me still. I crouched down, picking up his hand in mine. I felt for his wrist, even though his hand was smeared with blood.
I felt for his pulse, wondering if the hedgehog had somehow cheated his death. I waited, but nothing came. I watched the hedgehog's chest for movement. Nothing. There was no pulse and the hedgehog was not breathing. He was dead for sure, and by the amount of time he'd been lying here, there was no way he could come back now.
I was disturbed from my thoughts by a noise to my right. I lifted my eyes to the sky. I could see the hedgehog returning with his master now. My face twisted into a sneer, but I spun. If I was found, I'd likely end up in a fight for my life as well. While I may have survived, I did not feel like fighting at the site of my rival's grave.
It unsettled me that he was actually dead, it seemed unnatural. Like it or not, though, I had to flee the sight before they were close enough to see me. I spun and dashed by to my spot in the trees, there almost the I set after it. My speed made me think, now that their true-blue speedy hero was dead, would I gain that title? I snorted, I didn't very much want it. One of his little friends could assume the hero's role. I wanted nothing to do with the humans and their troubles.
I leapt back onto the branch, back in the shadows where I belonged. Perhaps after the duo left, I'd go give my rival a proper burial. He did deserve an ounce of respect, and no matter how much dislike I held for the cobalt hero, I could not let his body rot in the field while his one true enemy frolicked about, proud to have finally defeated everyone's favourite hedgehog. I settled back to watch the events unfold again. Yes, I'd go back for the hedgehog's body after his examiners had gone.
Miles 'Tails' Prower
Tails paused at the door to Chaotix's cabin, catching his breath. Mikey was behind him, a little less worn out.
"Should we knock?" Mikey asked, jumping up the steps to the door. Tails shook his head, still a little winded. He strode past his hedgehog companion and let his foot fly at the door
-BANG-
"No" Tails replied, wiping some of the raindrops off his 'brow. He stepped inside, the door had flung wide open "Vector?" He called into the dark cabin, turning his head to examine the dark room. Mikey followed closely behind
"Why is it so dark?" He whispered, narrowing his eyes in effort to see through the piercing blackness. There was a slight rush of wind behind him and the door slammed shut again. Tails whirled around, his ears flared instantly. He felt something brush his side, and a familiar voice breathed into his ear.
"Tails, get out of here now!" It was Espio. Tails wasn't sure if he was invisible or not, it was too dark to see, but he could instantly hear the urgency in his voice. He spun and pushed Mikey out of the way to get to the door. He planted his feet on the side and pulled as hard as he could. To his dismay the door was shut tightly.
"Yeah, that door isn't opening anytime soon." A chilly voice rang through the air, Tails recognized it instantly, much to his dismay.
"You…But you…You got thrown out into the desert!" He proclaimed, backing up against the door. He heard Mikey let out a little yelp
"Tails hel-" His voice was cut off. Tails reached forward, holding his hand out to try to feel for Mikey. Unfortunately, only cold air greeted his hands. He pressed his back to the door. He couldn't see a thing, but what was worse was that he knew the creature in the room could see him. He looked wildly around, his eyes wide in hope to see something.
"Give the kid some light." Came the voice again, cold and wiry. There was a scarping sound, like a match being lit, and a single red flame appeared in the center of the room. Tails stared at it intensely, if this was some sort of joke about light, he'd lose it. He was already terrified, he'd already had a bad experience with the owner of the voice in the room, he wasn't looking forward to another. The flame rose slightly, then dropped rapidly, as soon as it hit the floor, it ignited in an instant ring of flames. HE guessed Gasoline had previously been poured, prior to his visit.
The ring was wide, but the flames seemed to burn brighter and climb higher as time drew on. But what terrified him most were the persons inside this ring. Bound by individual ropes, Mikey and Charmy had been gagged and propped up back to back. Mikey was still conscious, and looked rather freaked out, but Charmy was bruised and damaged. Little cuts ran along his body, leaking blood. He was not awake.
Chained down onto his stomach was Vector, in a worse condition than that of Charmy's. His normally green skin was nearly died a rusty red from all the blood on his body. His eyes were open, but Tails wasn't so sure if he could see what was going on, but he knew he was alive, for he was breathing heavily. The kitsune presumed he put up quite a fight. He would've stepped back in terror if he could, however, his back was already propped up against the door.
He realized that a black figure was hanging directly above the circle, appearing to be some sort of giant black leaf, although when the kitsune squinted his eyes and focused hard on that spot, he realized that two pale blue eyes stared back at him, accompanied by a white-fanged smile.
"Hello, My young friend. It's been a while, hasn't it?" He crowed, keeping his wings tightly wrapped around himself. Miles narrowed his eyes at the Bat he knew all to well as Migro. As terrified as the little fox was, his friends were in danger. Keeping Sonic in mind to keep himself brave, the fox spoke.
"M-Migro, y-you were blown out in-into the desert!" He stammered, trying to force his lips from shaking as he talked.
"Ah, or so it may have seemed." He said, shifting slightly from his upside-down perch in the rafters. He tilted his head absently to one side, and let his eyes fall directly down to the crocodile that remained chained beneath him.
"And I would've surely died out there, If I hadn't had help…" He hissed. There was a rustle of wings to the fox's right, but he paid no attention to it. "And I would've later starved, if your friend hadn't graciously offered to assist me in my time of need.." There was a snicker, and then a dark shape fell just outside of the ring. Tails was hesitant to look forward, but he regretfully did. As soon as he recognized the pale figure lying motionless by the fire, he backed up against the door.
"You…You…" He couldn't say the words, for lying cold and dead against the flames was none other than his good friend, Istas. Her eyes were narrowed and her mouth was twisted in an angry frown, showing that she'd met her end with bravery. Her scales were pale, even against the glare of the fire she seemed so cold. Tails closed his eyes tightly
"Yes, yes, but I'm a vampire, remember?" The bat coolly reminded him, shaking his head from side to side. "And vampires can drink quite a lot." Tails caught him looking down at Vector, who'd finally spotted Tails huddled against the doors in the Shadows and was beginning to fight back. The chains were rattling as the weary crocodile pulled upwards, as hard as he could. Tails nearly fainted at the sight.
"D-Don't hurt them!" He said, fiercely looking up at the Bat as his body quivered. Vector was growling in his restraints, the sight of the crocodile so worked up was almost as frightening as the cool and collect bat hanging above him. He felt another brush against his arm, instantly the kitsune jumped.
"It's only me." came the hushed voice. Espio! He was still okay. The fox guessed because of his invisibility skill and the fact that he was trained to make no noise when he walked made him a hard target, even for a hunter as skilled as a Vampire bat.
"Yes, you're friend refuses to turn himself in, even for the welfare of his friends." Tails looked horridly from where Espio stood invisible beside him to the struggling crocodile in the center of the room. Was that true? Did Espio save himself and leave his friends to be prisoner? The kitsune stopped his own thoughts. No. The chameleon had too high a value of honor to do that, especially to his friends and co-workers.
"Lies." Was all the purple being said in reply. Tails was curious to the truth, but now was not the time to ask. He knew Migro hadn't killed everyone else yet because he wanted something; that was the only logical reason he'd leave them alive.
"Wh-What do you want, Migro?" He asked, taking a breath in to stop himself from quivering. Even with Espio beside him, the fox felt utterly terrified. The bat shifted, there was silence in the room and even the crocodile's grunts of effort to escape had become hushed strains. The bat's wings unfurled, and he dropped from his perch, spinning quickly in mid-air to land on his feet. He took a few steps forward until he was face-to-face with the young fox. The fox only came to about his neck in height, as the bat was a good deal taller than him.
Tails quivered, feeling a comforting squeeze on the shoulder from Espio. Tails's feeling of support vanished though, as the bat flung his right arm out and around, he heard an uncomfortable crunch and a grunt of pain. The hand on his shoulder was gone, and when he looked to his right, his terrified eyes landed upon the hunched up figure in the corner, the fire's light dimly outlineing the shape of a chameleon, curled up on the floor.
"Esp-!" The fox's cry was cut off as the bat's hand rushed to his throat. With a tight grip on Mile's neck, the bat lifted the young kitsune into the air, his feet kicking weakly, trying to reach the ground. The child's hands flew to his neck, trying to pry the older Mobian's fingers from his windpipe. The bat grinned, the light of the fire catching the ivory of his fangs as he rang his tongue along the teeth on the roof of his mouth. The bat bowed his head, bringing his mouth close to the fox's ear, his words coming out in a low whisper.
"Simple, I've had a craving for fox for a long, long time."
Footnote: I'd like to ensure the copyrights and character rights for Teera the Hedgehog to Katrina Ledeaux. She was a good friend of mine and a flat-out fan of Sonic. Teera's original Character design (It was altered to fit the story plot) was very similar to Storm Rider's Version.
Katrina Ledeaux died of the same AIDS disease that took her Mother and plauges her brother. Her brother has visisted the hospital three times, brushing by death each visit. He has returned home to his Father. They both miss thier sister, daughter, mother and wife very, very much. I write Teera's character into this story so I may forever remember the kindness she showed to everyone, even if she wasn't treated the same by others.
I cried when I wrote this chapter. This is no Joke.
