a/n: And here's another...eh. Felt like I had to get this one off, despite sacrificing some hours of shut-eye before work. Anyways, hope you all enjoy.

Question on the side, here: wondering if it matters whether I put the chapter titles inside the chapters as opposed to just having them in the list up top. Curious to know which looks better to y'all. Answer if you feel like it.


Sonic shuffled himself forward, running low on energy but unable to stop moving. He had no time to rest himself right now – Kiriko was in danger, and he promised himself that he would rescue her. Every moment counted.

To his surprise, one of the dragons didn't guard the next room, and it wasn't an open plain. Instead, a pathway of black stone led him to a large circle in the ground ahead, symbols carved into it at regular intervals.

"West…East…North…South…Center…"

The space around him darkened and filled with stars, and soon Sonic found himself floating in the air, the inscriptions in the circle below starting to glow brightly.

Four hooded figures appeared in front of him, standing in the positions outlined by the symbols and wearing different colours.

"Azure Dragon of the East," he said as the first removed his hood, revealing himself.

"Vermillion Bird of the South," he continued, the woman removing her covering.

"White Tiger of the West," he said as the next removed his hood.

"Black Tortoise of the North," he finished as the last removed her hood.

"So, you know of us," the Azure Dragon said. "That makes things much easier on our part, I believe. We are humans, as you can see. I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable."

"It doesn't, but thanks for asking," Sonic replied.

"I'm guessing you know why you're here?" the blue-haired Quing Long asked next.

"No. But I guess that I'll figure it out in the time that I'm here."

"Eh? In the time that you're here, you say? What makes you think you'll be able to leave unless we say so?" Zhu Que queried, her red eyes staring down the hedgehog. "Look at you! You're a sorry sight!"

"Go easy on him," the white-haired Bai Hu said. "He's still getting adjusted to his abilities."

"That's a dumb excuse! Especially when he destroyed the help we left him!"

"There…is good reason for him…to be wary of the dragons' power…" The soft voice of Xuan Wu interrupted, her messy black hair obscuring her eyes from view.

"Oh, shut up! Always a goody-two shoes!" Zhu Que shot back.

"…"

"Please forgive Zhu Que's temper," Quing Long said. The hedgehog shook his head.

"Don't worry about that. I'm not taking it personally."

"You should," she muttered under her breath.

"Xuan Wu brings up an interesting point," Bai Hu noted. "The power of the Five Dragons comes with risks-"

"The imbalance of yin yang," Sonic interrupted.

Quing Long stroked his chin. "How did you deduce this?"

"The reaction with my left hand was strong, far too strong. The dragons have been corrupted by an overabundance of either yin or yang natures."

"That…is correct," Xuan Wu said. "And absorbing those energies…would endanger you as well…there would need to be a proper collection of the abilities in order to use them properly. But the design of these tombs only allows…one direction of movement. You would be overwhelmed by yang and most likely killed."

"So…why not just purify them? You're the new God of Wind, right? What about the Left Hand of Redemption?" Zhu Que asked, now considerably calmed down.

"I used that power, and it either burned or destroyed the dragons completely. They're beyond rescue, and so is their power."

"Another force may have pushed them over the edge," Bai Hu commented. "At least, it seems that way to me. What say you, Xuan Wu?"

"It…would be the correct answer. Another, more sinister force has blackened the souls of the dragons. It may be the same one...that holds the servant of Water in the darkness of these tombs."

"You know about Kiriko?" Sonic asked.

"Kiriko…? An interesting name, but why give a servant a name?" Quing Long asked.

"It's obvious."

Everyone turned to the red-head as she spoke. "He sees her as more than just a tool to complete a mission. She means something to him, as another living being. That's why he's here, and that's why he wants to save her. I get your comment from earlier now…you don't think that you have much time, do you…um…?"

"Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog," he said.

"Right, Sonic. This must be frustrating for you. I know I'd be busting out of here as soon as possible," Zhu Que said with a thoughtful nod.

"I know that I'm here for a reason, so I'm fine with waiting."

"Wisdom beyond your years…and a resolve stronger than iron. I like this kid already," Bai Hu said with a laugh.

"You will succeed…as you carry a part of each of us with you," Xuan Wu said with a smile. "And your pure heart will carry you…through any difficulty. You were not born as the God of Wind…"

"And neither were you simply chosen."

A new voice spoke up, and a man in a golden robe appeared in the middle of the group. The others bowed their heads in reverence, and Sonic followed suit as the man removed his hood, revealing his spiky gold hair.

"At ease, everyone. You as well, Sonic the Hedgehog."

"Eh? What's this all about, Huang Long?" Zhu Que asked, incredulous.

The Yellow Dragon of the Center simply smiled and answered. "It is as I said. He was not born a god, nor did an outside force choose him. The potential has always been inside of him as a hero of justice, defender of the weak, and light in times of darkness."

"Is that to say…the legend exists because he…made it so?" Xuan Wu asked.

"Well, that's never happened before," Quing Long said, scratching his head. "A self-made legend…huh."

"Story of my life," Sonic said with a shrug.

"Confident, too. What's not to love?" Zhu Que quipped with a smirk.

"As we speak, one of the Chosen has made their way into the tombs," Huang Long said.

"The Chosen are those who have come in contact with a god at some point in their lives," Bai Hu explained. "They also have the distinction of carrying an item that connects them to that god."

"Bracelet from Mazuri. Has to be Yilin," Sonic replied. "What's her role?"

"She won't enter the tombs, but she'll be dropped off somewhere else. The Chosen are protected by the power of the god they came in contact with, so she should be fine from the darkness around her."

"…And she'll run into Kiriko, as well."

"Yeah. Of course, you should hope that she doesn't run into the ones manipulating your servant, or she'll be next. The Chosen Item only holds so much power," Zhu Que noted. "So you're still up against the clock, it seems."

"But you must rest…you are in no condition to continue as…you are," Xuan Wu said with worry.

"I don't have the time to rest…I'm sorry," Sonic said to her apologetically. "The more time I sit here-"

"The less time that she has. We know. But the road ahead is treacherous, Sonic. You need preparation in order to make your way further…and towards the final duel," Huang Long said.

"It's sure to be her," Zhu Que said. "A cheap shot like that is too hard to resist, whoever these guys are. By passing up the power of the Five Dragons, you open the door for them to be used against you in the end…no doubt that your servant Kiriko will be used as a vessel for their twisted power. The God of Water's will to destroy you still remains inside of her."

"You must rest," Xuan Wu said again, a little more forcefully. "We will prepare you for the road ahead…give me your sword."

Sonic unsheathed his blade, surprised at the fact that it remained white-hot after the last battle.

"The elements have great effect here…" She touched the sword, dousing it instantly in water and cooling it down to a reasonable temperature.

"Gutsy kid," Bai Hu said. "Using Metal to defeat Fire…"

"Could have backfired," Quing Long said.

"But it didn't. Gotta roll the dice sometimes," Zhu Que replied, brushing back her red hair. "Anyways, let's get started, huh? We'll start with the-"

"Left Hand of Redemption," Huang Long finished. The red-head huffed.

"Can't have any fun, can I?"

"Not yet, kiddo. You'll get your chance," Bai Hu said.

"…" Xuan Wu stood by patiently, aiming to go last herself. The blade repulsed the water she had used extremely quickly, as if on a reflex. Looking at the sword's owner, she came to a conclusion, and resolved to try and fix the problem.

She hoped his patience was still intact when her turn came…they would both need it.