Chapter 12: A Song in the Dark…
The ocean air was clear and salty, to anyone else it would be a refreshing smell. However to Ty, it made no difference to mountain air or Angel Island air.
He lay in the middle of the swamp boat and tried to get some sleep like Shadow had suggested. And though he was warm under the blankets, Ty had trouble getting to sleep. He worried about home, about Joseph since he was starting to consider walking down a bad road, and about Emily. He had used up half his life trying to find his childhood friend, and now she was kidnapped by God knows who. He wasn't going to give up on her now.
When he finally did manage to go to sleep bizarre dreams plagued him. But strange dreams were better than no sleep, so Ty allowed himself to wander into the dreams.
He stood in the middle of a large room. It was dark and all he could see was himself and the floor beneath him. But the floor was different, it looked more like a stained glass window with light shining behind it.
Looking at the stained glass, it showed a scene of a lush garden, filling the room with a lush green light. In the middle of this garden was a large tree that was filled with strange fruits that Ty had never seen before. But under the tree was the largest serpent Ty had ever seen. Its scales were bright red in contrast to the lush green and a silver tongue was showing.
"In the beginning…" Said a voice that sounded more like a feeling than words. "A choice was made… This choice determined the path that Man Kind would take… But, because of the smooth words of the Evil One, Man Kind fell. Thus separating Man Kind from the Great Creator, and allowing darkness into their hearts…"/b
The scene soon started to change to a darker scene, but it was still just as beautiful as the first. It showed a small village in the dead of night. The stars were bright in the sky but only one star shinned the brightest over the little town.
"Darknesshas threatened the worlds before…" The voice explained. "But because of Mans choice, it was stronger than it is now. The Son of the Great Creator came to the people to save them from the Darkness and to show them the Light."
The scene changed again, taking on black and red colors this time. This new scene was a black hill and black colors against a red sky. Ty now recognized this story, his own mother told him this story often when he was little.
"The Darkness thought that it could destroy the Light and Hope that the Son gave to man by destroying him. But his heart was never tainted by the dark."
The scene shifted once again to a brightly colored scene, making Ty look away a moment from how bright it was. But he soon looked and saw it was a tomb among various flowers and ferns, but the tomb was open, showing it was empty.
"The Son faced the Darkness and took back the hearts that the Darkness stole, locking the door to where they kept the hearts so it could never be used again. He returned three days later, where a battle was won, but not the war. In a hidden pocket of the worlds, the darkness is trying to open the door once again. You, and the Protector of the People must seal this door until the proper time."
"How?" Ty asked.
"You will find the strength in your heart." The voice answered. "But she will be fighting the Darkness when you find her. You must give her your strength and a reason to fight the dark."
"How do I find her?!" Ty shouted at the voice. "Where is she?"
"You will find her," The voice replied. "By remaining silent and listening…"
By now the dream was starting to fade. Ty desperately grasped at the dream to try to get a clearer answer. "She could be anywhere though!" He shouted again.
The voice seemed to laugh at this statement. "Hasn't stopped you before…"
"No! Wait!..." Ty shouted, but he felt a hand gently shaking him back to wakefulness.
"Ty, Wake up pal."
Ty moaned and slowly woke up. "Wha?..."
He looked up to see Sonic was waking him up. "We've found an island. Thought you'd like to see. It has Shade excited."
Ty rubbed his eyes and got up, walking to the bow of the swamp boat. Sure enough, Shade was also there, large ears forward. He gave that piercing chirp again, much to Blades annoyance.
"He's been doing that ever since the island came into view." The half-breed said. "If his people are there, I'm going to need earplugs."
"I thought you could control sound." Shadow said.
"I can." Blade replied. "Not sonar sounds though. They're an off frequency that I can't grasp."
Ty smiled at the Mobians before walking over to the bat. "Are they there?"
Shade was silent for a moment before a broad smile appears. "I hear them!"
Ty looked toward the island and saw a few shapes flapping toward them. They were a little bigger than Knuckles, coming up to about Ty's chest. Once they were close enough, Ty could see that they were like the bats that kidnapped Emily, but these seemed… alive? Was that the word he wanted?
"Incomin'!" Mac called as he caught sight of the bats.
Three were flying in. The head bat looked about as old as Knuckles, and just as muscular, and his fur was a dark grey in contrast to Shade's lighter grey. The other two was a male and female by the look of her longer snout and somewhat longer fur. She was almost a yellow color with white hair and wing membrane. The male was almost a red color, but he also had redish brown parking's covering his body. His hair matched the color of his markings and his membranes.
The three lighted on the swamp boat and Mac brought it to a stop. The large male lighted on the bow of the boat and the other two lighted beside him on the railings.
"State your busine-" The large male started, but once the female saw Shade she Chirped loudly (making Blade cover his ears again and groan) before rushing over and hugging him.
"KAI!" She shouted. "It's you! It's really you! Thank Sphere's your okay! We thought the King of Insects got you!"
"Kai? The red male asked.
"Yes! It's Kai!" The Female exclaimed.
In all the sudden Excitement, poor Shade had frozen, not recognizing any of these bats. As for Ty and the others, they were also surprised at the sudden 'Reunion.'
"Um," Shade started, but the red male came over and looked at him hard for a moment.
"It is Kai!" He laughed before punching Shade in a friendly manner in the shoulder. "You gave those metal bugs a run for their shells eh Kai?"
"Um…" Shade said again.
"What's the matter Kai?" The female asked, now noticing Shade's hesitance.
"And what's this scar?" The male asked, inspecting the scar on Shade's head.
"Both of you give the lad some room!" The large male yelled, making Shade flinch.
Hesitantly, the two stood aside and the male came close to Shade and looked at him. Shade looked up at the large male, feeling smaller than he already was.
The male looked at Shade for a moment before turning to look at the group, a questioning look in his eyes.
"He doesn't remember much of his past." Blade explained, rubbing his ears. "We were lucky enough that he remembered that the Guardian showed the way to your island."
The large bat looked back at Shade and examined the scar behind his ear. "That scar is probably the cause." He replied. "It may be a while before your full memory returns, but the Truth Control Emerald should be able to help."
"The what?" Knuckles asked.
The big male looked at Knuckles. "Control Emeralds. Seeing you're a Guardian, I will be able to show you once we arrive."
"Who are you three anyway?" Ty asked.
"My name is Elios." The large male answered. "My companions here are my students. The red head is Alvar, and the blonde is Maia."
Alvar and Maia nodded to their names respectively. Shade smiled at them.
Elios soon spread his wings. "Follow us. We'll show you the way."
He flapped his wings and took off, persued by Alvar and Maia. Shade watched in amazement before Maia turned to look at him, flapping to hover.
"Wanna join us Kai?" She asked. "You used to love flying."
Shade looked at the others. Silver smiled and floated upwards. "It's easy Sha- I mean, Kai."
Shade looked at the bats and Silver before opening his wings and joins them.
The gang followed the bats to a cave-like cove. It was like the entire colony had built into the caves, using the massive stalactites, stalagmites and pillars. Ty looked around in amazement at the structures spiraling around the formations. It reminded him of Rivendell from the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Elios took a rope and tied the boat to the docs. "I think you can get to the upper levels using the pillars." He said. "I will let the elders know of your arrival."
With that, Elios flew away to the larger building. Maia and Alvar smile and land next to Ty and the rest of the gang with Silver and Shade.
"Nice place you got." Sonic said.
Alvar's smile soon faded and looked at the colony. "It was better…"
"What do you mean?" Shadow asked.
"It happened about a month ago…" Maia said with a sigh. She looked at Shade. "About the time you were taken by the King of Insects."
"Who's the King of Insects?" Silver asked.
"An Overlander." Alvar answered, almost growling. "He attacked our village without cause and stole the Amethyst Control Emerald. He used it against the Keepers and used them attack their own people. Now he has them fly to an island and they bring back metals and other minerals. My guess is to make more metal insects."
"What's a Control Emerald?" Knuckles asked. "Elios mentioned them before."
"You're a Guardian, right?" Alvar asked.
"Yeah."
"Then you should know," Maia answered. "They're what balances the chaos energies in the world."
Silver blinked. "So it's another set of Chaos Emeralds?"
"Not really." Alvar answered. "They're the opposites of the Chaos Emeralds. They're…. Control Emeralds."
"Can we see them?" Silver asked.
"I'm afraid not." Maia answered. "They're carefully guarded and only a Keeper is allowed in the Emerald Palace."
Ty looked at a large building further in the cave. It looked like an upside-down palace, but Ty could see multiple colors inside it.
"For now," Maia said. "How about I show you guys to your rooms? It's getting late after all, and dinner will be sent to your rooms."
"Sounds good to me." Knuckles said.
"Right this way." Alvar said and took flight, but leads them to a pillar that had rooms at the top.
Ty however, didn't want to be in a room, he wanted to be out looking for Emily. He knew Shadow had brought his bike, he could use that to take off and find her… But where?
He walked into the room he was sharing with Silver and Blade, not paying attention to the details, lays his bag on the floor next to the bed and picks up his guitar. He lays on his bed and practices the song he wanted to play for Emily, silently praying that she was okay.
I was jerked awake by Brax yelping and waking, being as I had been sleeping soundly all day, Being suddenly woken up had startled me a bit.
Brax shivered and cringed from the nightmare he had. I pulled my arms around him and tried to comfort him. "Hey… Hey…" I said. "It's okay... it was only a dream…"
"One I've lived through…" Brax said, shivering a little.
"Ah…" And that was all I could say.
Brax and I sat in the cell in the dark, with my arm gently wrapped around his thin self. Soon, I could only think of one thing to comfort him, and chase away the oppressing shadows around them.
"Worthy is the… Lamb who was slain… Holy holy is he.
Sing A new song… To him who sits on… Heavens Mercy Seat.
"Worthy is the… Lamb who was slain… Holy holy is he.
Sing A new song… To him who sits on… Heavens Mercy Seat.
Brax looked up at me as I gently sang my favorite praise song. His round furry ears turn toward me, but I could tell he was relaxing a little. And as I started the chorus, I thought I heard other voices from different cells joining and adding a beat to the song.
Holy, holy, Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty. Who Was and Is and Is To Come.
With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings… You are my everything, and I will, adore you.
Clothed in Rainbows… Of living color… Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder.
Blessing, honor, strength and… Glory, and power be… To you the only Wise King!"
By this time, there was no doubt the other captives in the cells were singing as well, with strong, clear voices; making the cells almost quiver.
"Holy, holy, Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty. Who Was and Is and Is To Come.
With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings… You are my everything, and I will, adore you!"
Ty was startled out of his practicing when Blade suddenly sat up and looked at the window. "What? He asked.
Blade was silent for a long moment, ears erect. "I hear her…"
"Hear who?" Silver asked.
Blade looked at the two. "Em."
"WHAT? Ty and Silver exclaimed, making Blade flinch.
"Hey!" Blade yelled and covered his ears.
"Sorry," Silver said. "But you can hear her?"
Blade nodded and closed his eyes, turning up the volume around them. Ty heard a noise like a constant mumble, but Blade was soon able to filter the sounds and Ty could hear Emily's voice singing a praise song among other voices singing along.
"It's her…" Ty said. "Blade, can you track her?"
"I'll try." Blade replied, and went silent for a few minutes.
Soon, a glow caught Ty's attention. He turned to see that The Control Emeralds were glowing and there was a musical ring that was in tune with Emily's voice. The sound almost entranced him, but he was more glad to hear Emily was okay.
I continued singing, enjoying the sound of the other prisoners singing my favorite praise song.
"Full of wonder… Awestruck wonder… at the mention of, Your name….
Jesus your Name is Power, Breath and Living Water! Such a Marvelous Mystery!
Holy, holy, Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty. Who Was and Is and Is To Come.
With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings… You are my everything, and I will, adore you!
Holy, holy, Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty. Who Was and Is and Is To Come.
With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings… You are my everything, and I will, adore you!
As the song came to an end, I could hear murmurs echoing around the chambers.
"Such a lot of noise from a little girl."
Brax held onto me tightly as Robert opened the door of my cell. He was dressed in a casual outfit of jeans and a sweater, but he also wore a lab coat. At his feet was a robotic beetle no bigger than my bulldogs, and he looked like something from Firefly. In his hands was a cane, but from the sound it made when he walked it was solid. He looked at me and smiled. That same wicked smiled he gave me right before he beat me to a pulp eight years ago.
He snapped his fingers and two giant Praying Mantis robots came in. They were steam-punk styled. They shoved Brax aside and undid my chains.
"Em!" Brax shouted, but the insects hissed at him, warding him back.
"Trust me kid," Robert said. "You don't want her as a friend. She'd just break your heart."
"You know I would never do that, Hopkins." I growled as the insects lifted me to my feet.
Robert laughed. "We'll see about that." He nodded to his insects and led me away, locking the door behind the insects.
Brax ran to the door and looked out the small window to watch me be led away. "Don't hurt her!"
My heart ached at hearing him. "I'll be okay Brax!" I called back. "Don't worry!"
With that, I was lead around a corner and up some stairs. I walked quietly, trying to think of a way to escape. I looked around at the stone walls around me, finding the light came from florescent lights above me. There were no windows, no drains big enough for me to go through. Besides, I wouldn't be able to get away from these Mantis; their arms had little needles in them that hurt every time I moved.
He soon led me to a large room, where a larger machine stood. My back tensed and I could tell it held Negative Chaos Energy.
"Put her in the chair." Robert said.
The bugs picked me up and set me in what looked like a dentists chair before strapping me in. As they worked, Robert and his pet bug went to a control panel, and I swear I could hear him humming "For Your Entertainment" by Adam Lambert.
"What is this thing?" I asked once the bugs backed off.
"Simple…" Robert said. "I heard you had an encounter with Positive chaos Energy and that it runs in the family. I'm curios about what would happen if your Positive Energy is replaced with Negative Chaos Energy."
My eyes widen and I squirm a little, trying to loosen the bonds.
"Now now," Robert said. "It's alright, You'll be fine. I am in control after all."
"That's what I'm afraid of." I answer.
Robert chuckled as he started up the machine. "Just close your eyes and open your mind. That's all." With that he threw a switch.
I screamed as I felt negative chaos energy flooded into me. I had indeed closed my eyes from the pain, but it also felt like I was falling into the depths of my thoughts.
I soon felt like chains were being wrapped tightly around me, so tightly that it was hard to breathe. I open my eyes and see nothing but black around me. But one thing was blacker than the rest of the dark around me. At first I thought it was Mephilis, but the figure was a little taller than him, and slimmer.
The figure turned and looked at me. I shuddered at the empty white eyes as they almost pierced through me. A dark aura surrounded the figure like she was standing in the middle of a black flame.
It turned away from me and started walking away.
