It had been weeks since the strange day at Angel Island. He and Knuckles had gone their separate ways, not for the first time, and honestly, Sonic was a little relieved. He didn't know what Knuckles's deal was, and he wasn't sure he wanted to. It was easier to just pretend it had never happened.
Sonic constantly felt drawn back to the forest they'd flown over on the way to the island. This was the second time in the last three days that he'd come back here. He stood just outside the woods and clenched his fists. He resisted the insistent tugs he felt, defied them, denied them, tried to leave. He clenched his teeth. His feet wouldn't move even a millimeter away from the trees. He let out a soft growl, a sound he rarely made, and fought to move any direction but forward. A scowl on his face, he growled again, irritably, and allowed himself to take a step forward. Of course he could move this way. Of course.
He wasn't in the mood for this. Robotnik had ticked him off yesterday, and he was still steaming. He couldn't believe the fat man had had the gall to insinuate such an aggravating thing. He pushed the thought away, having no desire to remember the conversation, and looked around to see where his feet were carrying him. The woods were still dripping after last night's rain and the clouds still darkened the sky. The forest continued on for miles in all directions, even going up the mountains he'd seen in the distance. As he walked, his feet squished in mud and mush, creating disgusting squelching sounds with every step. Water seeped into his shoes and soaked his sock-covered feet. Rivulets of water flowed off of leaves and branches and onto his head, further worsening his mood. Small streams and brooks that had formed because of the rain flowed long distances to his left and right. He couldn't force himself to go around. Straight ahead was his only option. He muttered crossly to himself as he trudged through the icy-cold water. He shook his feet ineffectively one at a time as though he thought it would help dry them, all the while continuing on his path. More water poured onto his head from a large, almost bowl-shaped leaf. He glared up at it, lasers practically shooting from his eyes. He was not in the mood for this.
Sonic pressed on, forcing his way through a thicket and wincing when a thorny branch scraped against his arm. Tendrils snagged his feet and caused him to trip, and he face-planted in the mud outside the bushes. He spat and wiped fiercely at his tongue in an attempt to banish the horrible taste that remained in his mouth. He pushed himself to his feet and resumed his slow walk. He walked through a cluster of trees, forced to climb over abnormally growing roots that hindered his process. Just as he was nearly free, his foot got caught again and he fell for the second time. Then, as if to add to his misery, the skies opened up and the rain returned. He bit back the loud verbal outburst that threatened to escape his lips, wary of potential dangers, though he allowed a small growl to bubble forth. Today was just not his day.
Lightning flashed in the sky and illuminated the area for a brief moment as Sonic stood once again. He was somewhat thankful for the rain. At least it cleared the mud off of him. Still, it was cold and he hated getting wet. He ignored the urge to curse at the heavens and continued onward. The pull felt stronger now, the object at its source seeming closer than before. As he stepped over a rock, he prayed this wasn't some sort of a trap. If it was, he decided it wasn't a very good one. He doubted that any robots would last long in this weather. If they were even there in the first place. But what if Robotnik didn't have something to do with this? Then who or what was leading him through the trees?
Another flash, and Sonic glanced at the sky. A storm was coming, and it was going to be big. And worse yet, at this rate, he was going to get caught in it. Lovely. A second flash gave him pause when he noticed something reflect the light on the ground. He stopped walking and searched the ground intently. When he saw nothing on the dark ground, he waited for another lightning strike. It came moments later and he quickly located the area in which the object he'd seen before was located. He knelt near the spot where he was sure he'd seen it and began sifting reluctantly through the mud. Whatever this was, he didn't want it. But, for some odd reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that it wanted him. When his fingers brushed against something hard, he grabbed it and pulled it free of the filth. As the rain washed away all traces of mud from it and his hands, yet another lightning bolt struck. The light reflected brightly off the shiny surface. In his hands was a dark blue gem that was otherwise exactly identical to the green and white gems he already had. As he stared in wide-eyed wonder at it, a strange thought entered his mind. It was waiting for me.
Posted 02-06-15.