Chapter 6 (Emeral): To the Skies

"So you didn't get the sword," Adam stated.

"Yes," I replied annoyed.

"But that-"

"Adam, give it a rest," Rusty intervened. "Emeral did what he could."

"Yeah, but-"

"Adam."

Adam sighed. "Fine."

We were meeting in Artemis's house. Storm's hover board had giving Sapphire an injury and a pounding headache, so she was resting in Artemis's room while we talked about what happened at the sword shrine.

The injury on Sapphire was small, but still, if there was anything I needed to do to those bird thieves (besides get the sword back), it was take them down for hurting my friend.

"There's only one thing about this that bothers me," Artemis said. "Why know?"

"What do you mean?" Sapphire asked.

"We've had attacks before, but not since the island joined as a territory for the United Nations and G.U.N., and no one has gone after the sword for long time. And I'm mean a long time. The last time someone tried to take, it was before my parents were even born!"

"That is a long time."

Adam leaned forward. "You don't think..."

"Think what?" I asked.

"Emeral," Rusty replied, "Samuel told you the story of the Phoenix, right? When he fought the invaders, he left his stuff behind, only bringing his sword."

"Sounds logical. Go on."

"When he died, the leader of the island searched through it, trying to find anything that would link to him, to be used as a memorial piece."

"What was in there?" Sapphire asked.

"Glad you asked," Rusty continued, "most of it was the things he collected on his travels, plus a few traveling items. But there was this one thing he found in there... a scroll."

"Scroll?"

"Yes. Written on it was a prophecy. It was etched into the stones at the shrine. But you wouldn't have seen it. It was on the doors, and it would be impossible to see while they were opened."

"Which they were," I replied.

"Many people have tried to decipher it," Artemis said, "as the island psychic and clairvoyant, I tried to do the same."

"Did you do it?" Sapphire asked.

"No. No one has. But I have fully memorized."

"Alright then, tell this prophecy, if you would" I said.

She nodded and began reciting it:

A dark reflection that wishes to see the world torn
Faced by the ultimate warrior reborn
Duel forgers, future's embrace, to find the memories lost
Two twins search because of conquest's cost
The fallen trinity, now young and fair
Their life hidden away in the traveler's square
The lost star, the decedent of wind, and the metallic double
Join the new hero in his struggle
The power of the phoenix's blade shall awaken
When a new beginning comes, shall it be taken

"That's it," Artemis said.

"Every time I hear it," Adam replied, "I think to myself 'makes about has much sense as a prophecy in a storybook'."

"And no one has deciphered it yet?" I asked.

"Not a one," Artemis answered. "But now I think it's coming to pass."

"Why?" Sapphire asked.

"Well, first off Sapphire, you have amnesia and you came to me to find you memories. I tried to read your future to do it. That would fit into the line 'future's embrace, to find the memories lost'."

"I guess, thinking about the full line," I replied, "that the 'duel forgers' would I apply here, too, in my case. I came to Rusty and Adam to find my lost memories, so they could be the duel forgers. A mechanic is technically a 'forger'."

"Wait, so you think we're in the prophecy, Emeral?" Adam asked.

"Yes, but it's only a guess."

"I agree. But there is one more line I think applies right now, to our current situation," Artemis replied. "'The power of the phoenix's blade shall awaken. When a new beginning comes, shall it be taken.' Phoenix's blade, the 'Phoenix Talon', has been taken. Stolen, even."

"But its power can't be awakened," Adam said, "not without Phoenix's Emblem, which has been lost."

"True, but maybe this means Phoenix's Emblem will be found."

"And that this is a 'new beginning'," Rusty stated, "but a new beginning to what, exactly?"

"That is a good question," Artemis replied.

I immediately thought about the strange golden fire eagle that Jet dropped, the one I put on my cloak and thought it was an eagle. It couldn't be...

"Well the blade's power didn't awaken," Adam said, "so if you guys are right, they didn't have it then."

"Where was the emblem lost?" I asked. "Do you know what it looked like?"

"I wouldn't know the answer to your second question, because no one on the island knows," Artemis stated, "but to the first one, people believe that the last one to take Phoenix's power kept the emblem with him, and lost it while doing something off the island, losing it to a group of thieves."

"Well, it doesn't matter where it is now, we need to worry about who took the sword," Rusty said, looking at something on a laptop. "And I think I just found out who. Jet, Wave, and Storm... they're all part of a group called the Babylon Rouges."

"Babylon... Rouges..." Sapphire replied. She looked confused about something.

"Yeah. Apparently, they're descendants of an ancient civilization of the same name, who somehow achieved the power of flight, and used it to go around the world to take treasure."

"So things haven't changed for them," Adam replied.

"Yes, but that's not the only thing they do. Those Extreme Gear boards they have, they use those things for races, like most Extreme Gear users. Particularly... at the World Grand Prix."

"What's that?" Sapphire said, getting over her confusion.

"It's a worldwide Extreme Gear race where tons of competitors come and take part," Adam replied, "it's only been around for a few years, but the Babylon Rouges haven't missed a one."

"And, luckily, the next one is starting this week," Rusty finished.

"So we go to the site of the first race, confront the Babylons..." I started.

"And force them to give the sword back," Adam finished.

"And what if they don't have it?" Artemis asked.

"Then I'll make them tell me where to find it!" I replied.

"Where's the first race going to happen, Rusty?" Adam asked.

"It says here... Station Square!"

"Lucky me!"

"Okay, how is that lucky?" Artemis asked.

"Conveniently, I have a family reunion happening there. I was going to go tomorrow. I can bring some of us along, so while I go have some quality time with my cousin, you guys can find those bird thieves."

"So you're just going make us do all the work?"

"Let him, Artemis," I replied. "I want to face the Babylons personally, preferably alone."

"Are you sure?" Rusty asked.

"Yes, now where is this 'Station Square'?"

"It's on the mainland, next to the sea. It's one of the biggest cities in the world," Adam told me.
"City..." Sapphire looked at Artemis, who nodded in reply. "I want to go, too!"

"What... why?" I said.

"I... I think I may be able to find a clue to my brother."

I remembered that Artemis talked to Sapphire about him. I'm guess whatever Sapphire hasn't told me yet had to do with this.

"Alright, but we have a few things we need to do first," I said. "We need to get ready for the trip. We still haven't bought supplies for our home, Sapphire, and while we won't need to since we won't be here, one thing we still need to get you... is more clothing. Food can come later."

"I'll take you shopping myself, Sapphire," Artemis said, "I even pay for them and lunch. It's my treat!"

"Thank you!" Sapphire replied.

"Alright, we're going to be flying my biplane to the city, so make sure you buy warm clothing, and maybe a pair of aviator googles. Oh, and speaking of which, my plane normally can seat only two people, but I have a harness that'll let someone stand on the wings. Normally, it's used for short flights, stunts, but if we put you on top of there, Emeral, we should be able to safely fly all the way there. But I'm leaving first thing in the morning, so we should make sure the harness fits you now."

I nodded in response.

"Alright, then, we'll be leaving, now," Artemis said. "Sapphire, let's go."

"Coming!" Sapphire replied.

"Rusty, we have some spare money from purchasing the house," I said, "I don't know if it's be delivered to us yet, but could go retrieve it for me, while I' m working with Adam? We could use it during the trip for a hotel and stuff."

"Of course!" he replied.

After that, it was just me and Adam.

"Okay. Let's set that harness."


It was an about an hour since everyone left. It didn't take long to set the harness and to make sure it fit me. It was a simple leather and iron contraption that was made to latch on to someone's feet to keep them from falling off the plane.

After we were done, I spent some time practicing my combat ability on the roof. I had no doubt in my mind that I was built for combat, so I wanted to make sure I was ready.

I tried to activate the nano-bots again, and recreate my Phoenix Talon copy, but they wouldn't activate, no matter what I did.

After the twelfth time trying (yes, I was counting my attempts), I was about ready to give up.

"Emeral," someone said behind me.

I looked over to see who it was. Standing at the roof entrance was Rusty

"Practicing for a fight, eh?" he said.

"I want to try and activate those nano-bots again," I said. "I've seen what they can do, now I want to be able to make sure I can use them at any time. But I just can't do it."

"I remember you were saying you found that new ability during the attack. Maybe they only activate when you're in a dangerous situation," Rusty said.

I sighed. "Perhaps."

"I have to wonder though, why did make a copy of the Phoenix Talon."

"Heck if I know."

"Well, here's that spare money." Rusty handed me the bag. "You should start getting ready."

"I should, but I don't really have anything I really need."

"Alright. Hey, you should get Adam in on this. He'd love to spare with you with that hammer of his."

"He's still got work to do, you know, packing up for the trip."

"Of course he is. Doesn't do it until the last minute."

"Hey, can I ask about that hammer. When I first met him, he had that hammer in his hands, and then he made it... I don't know, really."

"Oh, that. He can summon that hammers whenever he wants, and vice versa. He says it's a family ability."

I knew mobians could have special abilities, but that seemed like an odd one, especially for a family trait, summoning your own hammer.

"Well, I've got some work to do. Since I'm going to be working alone for a while, I've got to prepare for that."

"Alright, I'm heading home. Tell Adam that I'll be here at six o'clock tomorrow morning. And tell Sapphire that I went back, and have her come back too."

"Alright. See you tomorrow."


That night, I had another strange dream. Again, it was in dark area, but this time there was a large fire in front of me. Standing in front the flames was the silhouette of a mobian bird, though I couldn't tell which species of bird he was.

"Another dream," I said, but this time I noticed I had completely control of myself, not like the past dreams where I couldn't control myself but felt like I could, which I thought were supposed to be memories.

"That's right," said the bird, "but this isn't a dream, nor is it a memory of the past. This is a message from me to you."

"What?"

"Dark times are coming. A new enemy approaches, and he has already gotten rid of Sonic and the rest of the great heroes. The prophecy is indeed, coming to pass."

"I don't believe in prophecies."

"Good, neither did I. I'd rather forge my own destiny, and that's what I'd like you to do to. Whether the prophecy is real or not, you should make the decision for what happens to you, not it."

"Do I know you?"

"No, I don't, but I've heard of you. And I am closerthan you think." He looked up, is if looking to the sky, through there was no sky in this black void. "I have heard that the spirit guardian of the Master Emerald herself has selected you to fight this new evil, and to protect your friend, Sapphire."

"What... you know Sapphire, too..."

"Again, no, but I've heard of her. But that isn't what I'm wanted to tell you."

"Then what do you want to say?"

"I want to lend you my power for this battle, just as the spirit guardian has for Sapphire, so to speak."

I stared at him for a few seconds. "Who are you?" I finally asked.

He grinned. "Hm, how rude of me. My name is Flame... And Emeral, it's time you to wake up." He waved his hand and the dream faded.

I woke up instantly. I got up and checked the time. 4:02 a.m. I still have time to get ready for the trip.

This when I realized, unlike the last few dreams, I remember this one perfectly.

I am closer than you think, he had said.

I didn't know why, but I immediately thought of the emblem on my cloak.


We were standing on the docks, wait for Adam to bring his plane out. It was a clear day with few clouds, and no one was around, aside from us.

"Oh, this is going to be so scary," she told me.

"Just don't look down, okay," I replied, trying to comfort her.

"I'm not worried about the heights. I'm worried about what might happen. What if we crash?"

"It will be fine," I told her, though I myself wasn't too sure about Adam's mechanical ability. He was great, but not perfect. "I'll be right there, trust me."

"O-okay," she replied.

She was wear a sky blue aviator jacket and regular jeans. She had new boots and gloves on, but they looked the same as her others ones (well, almost the same for her boots), and she still had her blue rings on her wrists. Replacing her head band was a regular, brown leather aviator goggles built for mobians with blue glass pieces, and her blonde hair was tied into a pony tail with a blue band.

She also had a music player and headphones, which Artemis got for her yesterday, but it wasn't on. The music player was a small medium blue device that was clipped on her pants pocket. The headphones were small, white ear buds, but they had covers Sapphire could put on them to drown out sounds around her, like the plane we were going to get on.

At her side was a large suitcase full of Sapphire's clothes for the next week, as well as the bag of money. I put it in there for safe keeping.

I looked around the docks, making sure no one had arrived yet. The main boardwalk here was wide enough, long enough, and strong enough for Adam's biplane to take-off right here, but he had to do either early morning before the fishermen got here, or in the evening after they left, because the sound of the plane would probably scare off the fish.

No one was around, so I called inside, "okay Adam, we're good to go!"

The large garage door opened, and Adam's biplane rolled out onto the docks, already revving up for take-off.

"Oh, wow, it's amazing," Sapphire said.

It was a cloudy-white biplane with golden yellow-orange stripes on the front of the wings, around the front plane (near the propeller), and along the sides. The entire back end was also painted in the same yellow color as the stripes, wings and all. Above the stripe going along the side, near the back, were the words 'Sunset Cloud', painted half in sky blue, and half in the golden-yellow color that was everywhere else on the vehicle... it was the name of the biplane.

"The Sunset Cloud is ready to take off," Adam said.

He was simply wearing a brown aviator jacket and a pair of aviator goggles that were exactly like Sapphires, except the glass pieces were not colored. He also had his white-gloves and sneakers on like normal.

Rusty came out, following the biplane, making sure it didn't fall off the docks, and was positioned just right. "Alright, buddy, you can take off at any time."

Adam gave him a thumbs up.

"Hey!" a voice behind us called out.

Artemis ran up, holding a bow and quiver of arrows in a travel case.

She came up to Sapphire and handed her the case. "If figured you would want to practice archery while you were there, Saph. You told me you wanted to get stronger. Well, you looked pretty good with archery, so I think you should practice. There should be a place you can practice there, and the arrows are made of a special light-weight metal. They'll shoot just fine, but won't break as easily."

"Thank you, Arrie," Sapphire replied, taking the case. Then the two of them giggled.

"Good luck."

"Thanks, again."

Rusty walked over to me and whispered, "Saph. Arrie. I knew it, didn't I?"

Like I really cared what nicknames they gave each other. If Rusty really did need to know more about people, one thing he needed to know was what didn't really needed to be mentioned, because I could see that.

"Alright, load up, guys," Adam called out.

I loaded up Sapphire's suitcase and archery kit, as well as my cloak (for safety reasons) in the plane's trunk with Adam's suitcase and toolbox, which he already loaded up prior. Why he needed to bring a toolbox, I didn't know, but it didn't matter to me.

While I was closing the latch to the trunk, Adam helped Sapphire into the plane.

"I'm so scared," she told him as she fastened her seat belt.

"Of, come on. It's going to fun, I tell ya," Adam replied. "I have done this many times before, for both travelling and for fun! I know what I'm doing."

"For our sake, I hope you do," I said as I climbed onto the wings and started latching onto my feet.

"Well, just wait and see, Emeral."

With the plane already having been ready for lift off for a few minutes, Adam waved to Rusty and Artemis, moved his goggles over his eyes, and started the moving forward. Within seconds, we were in the air, ascending into the clouds.

I looked back at Sapphire to how she was doing. The look of nervousness was quickly being replaced excitement.

"This is AWESOME!" she finally screamed.

"What did I tell you!?" Adam yelled over the wind, "next stop, Station Square!"