Chapter 10: The Legend of the Black Emerald

Sonic and Mephiles returned to Knothole only to have Nicole command them to the monitor room. Once in the Monitor room, Sonic saw Nicole and asked what was going on.

"Bunnie's trying to get in contact with us. However her distance is causing some static," One of the operators said.

"Hang on, I'll use some nanites to try and strengthen the signal," Nicole said. Her eyes closed and hands clenched into fists, then part of her body had disappeared. This had Sonic given a small look of shock, forgetting for a second that Nicole was just nanites, and Sally had the real Nicole. "Bunnie, come in Bunnie!" Nicole said. Then Bunnie appeared on screen.

"Is that you Nicole? I have news of that village you sent me the coordinates of. It's not here; all that's left is some ash and smoke," Bunnie said.

"How can that be? I know I sent them correctly." Nicole asked.

"I believe you did but I've seen talked to some passersby, and they say they saw a blue dragon fly by." Everyone gasped, even Sonic, to keep up the charade and to cover up the fact that he was the dragon. "I believe the dragon that attacked this village, attacked the one you sent me to earlier."

"I see." Nicole replied. "What do you think you should do?"

"I'm gonna head north a bit more to see if I can get more info, or even see this dragon."

"Very well, good luck Bunnie." Nicole then ended the transmission. "Sonic, what are you gonna do?" Nicole asked. "We still got some time before nightfall."

"Oh, that reminds me." Sonic said, looking at Nicole. "I was wondering, how long are your full moons around here?"

Nicole found it a bit odd, but answered anyway. "Well around here, they last for three nights a month. Why do you ask?"

"Well I just saw the moon full last night, and thought it was kinda early. It's not that quick, or long, from where I'm from." Sonic replied.

"Oh, I see." Nicole said.

"One more question." Sonic said quickly, "Any luck finding anything out about a fourth Chaos Emerald?" He asked.

"Sorry Sonic, we've got nothing so far." She told him.

"That's alright. Well then, think I'll go for a run. Are there any cities near here?"

"The closest one is 150 miles east."

Sonic nodded and ran out and found the city quickly. He walked through it, and started hearing the citizen worried thoughts.

I hear there's a dragon that feeds on fear. He roams Mobius to torture anyone he finds for power, one of the citizens said.

Sonic smirked at their thoughts enjoying how much fear he was putting into the world. He then continued walking, and found what he was looking for: a library. He entered and searched under mythical deities. He found the usual: Odin, Zeus and Hades but then one caught his attention. The legend of a black emerald, and the creature inside named Nazo.

His eyes widened and he started to read. "A long time ago, there existed a white hedgehog. His name was Nazo, and he was one of the few people not part of the Echidna tribe who could use Chaos powers. For a long time he existed and roamed Mobius, causing chaos and destruction. Eventually Nazo got his hands on one of the legendary Chaos Emeralds, and this proceeded to only strengthen him. After many years, Nazo obtained all seven Chaos Emeralds. His reign of terror was unstoppable, and he almost destroyed Mobius. However, the Echidnas devised a plan to stop him once and for all. They had created a fake Chaos Emerald that would put an end to Nazo. Once their creation was finished, they hid the original emerald and had the fake in its place. Nazo had found the emerald and tried to tried to absorb its energy but instead the emerald absorbed his energy and returned the stolen energy to the other emeralds."

Sonic looked a bit disappointed but continued, hoping to learn the location of the emerald. "Nazo's terror was put to an end and all his energy was drained. The Echidnas finished him and turned Nazo into a Chaos Emerald. They feared releasing him, so they hid him inside the Mystic Ruins in the center of their main temple."

Sonic stopped reading. He had found another Chaos Emerald, and this book just gave him its exact location. He then started communication with shadow telepathically

Shadow, can you hear me? he asked.

Yes, Sonic. How can I be of service? Shadow asked.

I want you to go to the Mystic Ruins where you'll find an eighth Chaos Emerald. It'll be in the center of the main temple.

I understand Sonic, but could you direct me to the ruins?

Ah yes, this isn't our planet. They're passed the northern mountains, Sonic told him.

I will go there right away. Shadow replied back.

Sonic closed the book, returned it, and headed back to Knothole to wait for Shadow's discovery. Eventually nightfall came. Sonic and Mephiles were in their houses and Sonic had transformed back to his Darkspine Werehog form in the night, and he had grown more. His muscles grew even bigger becoming visible through the fur. He flexed with the new muscle, feeling incredible.

I was right, the full moon does increase my power, he thought. Just then he heard Shadow's voice in his head.

Sonic, can you hear me? Shadow asked.

I can hear you loud and clear, Shadow.

I've found the emerald, he told Sonic.

Sonic chuckled. Excellent, I'll be there momentarily.

He looked at Mephiles. "I'm going to go meet Shadow, and I want you to be here in town. If anything happens, tell me." Mephiles simply nodded, obeying Sonic's command. Thanks to his telepathic communication with Shadow, Sonic could locate Shadow with ease. He then Chaos Controlled away, desiring the new emerald.