Arrrgh, 'nother Chronicler scene. Play the "Dreams" Theme from Spyro: Eternal Night.
Chapter 21: Magician Madness
Mika slowly awoke and stood up, holding her aching head as she found herself in the strange space realm. "Where am I?"
"Mikaela Corella…"
"AH! Who's there?"
"My name is The Chronicler. Spirit who watches peoples' lives. I believe Morgan referred to me as… 'The Taler' and 'The Storyteller.'"
"Are you a stalker?" Mika randomly asked.
"Ugh. Seriously? Ergh, just let me tell you why you're here. To learn the ways of The Force."
"Ooooh! I'm a Padawan! …But, wait, Mewtwo was teaching me the ways of The Force. Why you…"
"He was teaching you the physical side of psychicbending… but now you must learn the spiritual. Step ahead, into the light please…" With that, a floating rock path appeared straight ahead as Mika walked down.
She arrived at a gate of psychic energy, and in front of it was a glowing light-blue platform of psychic. Mika, feeling the need to step in the light, did so, and was shown a vision of space itself. "Psychic is the Element of Imagination. It is the most powerful of the Dark Elements. It is the main one the gods use. They use this Force to keep planets in place, it makes gravity pull downward, and is the main Force that keeps the balance. The very element is similar to Space… but they are two different powers. While many would not guess it, the power of psychic relies on the mind. Such things have only happened, because the gods imagined it to be so. And just as well, many things came to be; such as videogames or the Eifel Tower, because people imagined them to be so.
"The calm mind can imagine great things, and even envisage the best. The psychicbenders have mastered this power, and have become Jedi Knights, warriors who use their great power to protect the worlds. Their minds are calm, peaceful places… and so is yours, Mika."
The psychic girl closed her eyes, feeling several asteroids levitate around her via psychic.
"The Force is what gives a Jedi Knight their power. It surrounds us. It penetrates us. Mmmmm. This Force is Imagination. With pure imagination, anything can be possible. Now… unleash your imagination, and unleash its Force." Mika kept her eyes closed and felt the psychic force surround her. She threw her arms and legs out, unleashing an explosion of psychokinesis. Right away, the vision was gone. The psychic barrier vanished as Mika walked ahead.
The girl walked ahead and found a closed gate with a switch above it, several rocks lying around. "The most typical power of psychic is telekinesis. Telekinesis is the ability to float things in the air. See the rocks levitate in your mind… and throw them."
Mika looked down at a rock and reached her hand out, using her power to make the object float. She swung her arm at the switch, throwing the rock into it, opening the gate. Afterwards, she walked ahead to a stone wall with a steel box beside it. The path seemed to be on top of the wall.
"Now, stand on the objects, and imagine them lifting you upwards." Mika did as told and stood on the box, using her powers to make the crate float and lift her. Once she was high enough, she jumped atop the wall and continued, arriving at a rather far jump. "You can also use this power to make yourself float. Stay focused, and guide yourself to the other side."
Mika stepped back and jumped over the edge. A peaceful smile was on her face as she floated in midair. She glided to the other side before landing softly on the path. She walked further until she was at another rock wall, the path seeming to lead into a tiny hole.
"The power of psychic also enables you to change size. See yourself see things from a bug's point of view… and let your form diminish." Mika closed her eyes, picturing herself shrinking smaller and smaller. She focused her energy, and her size decreased, eyes wide with wonder as she was small enough to walk through the hole. Once on the other end, she repeated this process, imagining herself growing back to normal size.
She pressed forward until arriving at a battlefield of stone demons, who all readied for battle. "Even the greatest imagination… can be interrupted. Manipulated by dark forces. The evil ones are trying to mock you for your dreams. Show them the true power your mind possesses." With that, Mika ran ahead and threw pink psychic blasts at the demons. She also lifted them up with her mind and tossed them over the edge. A lightsaber fell onto the ground for Mika to pick up. "With the power of imagination, you don't need your eyes. Close them and sense the enemies beside you." Mika switched on her blue lightsaber as she closed her eyes, flipping behind some demons and slicing away. Five more surrounded her, but she leapt and smashed her hand to the ground, creating a Psychic Shockwave that stunned them all, allowing her to spin and slice their heads off. Three more of them came, but she caught them in a psychic grip and imagined them getting smaller, and she was able to shrink and stomp on them. Once they were gone, thousands more came.
The psychic girl closed her eyes once more, feeling the imagination flowing, the psychic energy surrounding her. "When your imagination is at its greatest… your power is at its full potential. Now… unleash the full Force of your power." Mika felt her body alight as the power flowed into her. With a great burst of power, she unleashed a massive explosion of pink psychic energy, forcing the demons over the edge. When it was all done, she opened her eyes and took a breath. "Good… but remember: people who face great anger are bound to imagine horrible, dark things. Your worst enemy being choked around the neck, for instance. Sith is a kind of dark psychic power. Psychicbenders who imagine dark thoughts… are called Sith Lords. With such great power, it is so easy to be manipulated by evil. But… we need not fear this from you."
"Theeen why'd you tell me?" she asked cluelessly.
"As you know, Mewtwo is training new apprentices. In time… one of them will need you. But first… there is another destiny you must fulfill. Look into the Pool of Light." A floating stairway appeared to take Mika to the temple. She stepped through the psychic gate and stared at the Reflecting Pool in the temple's center. The Philippine girl held her breath and stuck her face into the pool. (Stop the music.)
An enormous tree stood perched at the top of a wide mountain range. But Mika's vision was suddenly blocked by flames. Helicopters and cop cars roamed the streets, and strange, mutated people were handcuffed and led into vans. The flames burned brighter with the great "G" logo stationed firm on the wall behind them.
New Island
"AHH!" Mika gasped, finding herself in Mewtwo's room.
She heard someone coming up the stairs outside, looking to see Morgan. "Oh, hey! You're awake!" Mika stood up as Morgan walked in. "Mewtwo sent me to check on you. What happened?"
"Oh… just some weird dream." Mika responded. "Hey, Morgan… you heard of the Chronicler, right?"
"The Chronicler?"
"He said you called him 'The Taler' and 'Storyteller'."
"Oh yeah!" Morgan smiled with remembrance. "He was the one that wrote the book I read."
"What book?"
"Um, I'll explain later. Anyway, my siblings have gone to sleep for the night. We should, too. In a more… comfortable room."
"Hehehe. Good idea." Mika grinned, getting up. Morgan walked downstairs, followed by the mocha-skinned girl.
Outside
Outside, the rest of the gang was waiting down in Facilier's yacht while Marine was speeding around the island on her waterbike. "Oi, this place is gihugic! Ah'll bet that Mewtwo bloke 'as some treasure lying around 'ere somewhere. Oh?" She then spotted a strange green light below the surface. She dove underwater and found a green, rectangle-shaped glowing gem, sitting on a rock. She swam further and grabbed the gem, swimming back up. "Oi, mates! 'ave a gander at this!"
Blaze looked at the stone, immediately recognizing it. "It's… A SOL EMERALD!"
Marine looked at the stone once more, recognizing it as well. "Oh… well, 'ow did it get here?"
"I used the Sol Emeralds to warp myself to Sonic's world to assist them. They must've scattered into this world somehow." Blaze explained.
"Hehe. Guess we have to find them, too." Sonic figured.
"What are Sol Emeralds?" Nigel asked.
"The Sol Emeralds are the most treasured gems in my kingdom." Blaze explained. "They are said to be given to us by the sun itself. As the princess, it is my job to protect them. But I was never sure of their entire history…"
"Hmm… perhaps we should… find out?" Nigel raised a brow.
"Find out? How?"
"Last night, I dreamed that a spirit told me to come to the Sun Temple in Dusty Desert to speak with the Sun God."
"The Sun God? !" Blaze exclaimed. "I must come with you."
"Hm, just what I hoped!" Nigel smiled. "Anyone else wanna come?"
"I know I am." Eva said. "If we're just waiting for THOSE guys to get back."
"I'm with Eva." Kade said.
"So am I." Sonic said. "Anything to get away from this water."
"Ah-huh." Mario nodded.
"I'm with you." Violet said.
"We'll stay here, just in case we're attacked again." Tails said as the rest of their friends nodded.
"Be careful, Sonic." Amy cautioned with a frown.
"You too, Mario." Peach followed. Both men smiled to their girlfriends and gave them thumbs-ups.
"Well, now that that matter is taken care of: ahem, GRIIIIM!" Nigel yelled.
The reaper POOFED out of thin air, looking angry as he was naked, except for a shower cap and towel around his waist, and a scrub brush in his right hand. "Siiigh. You kids may be nicer than MANDY, but you're STILL just as annoying!"
"Whatever. Look, Grim, we need to go to Dusty Desert in South America. Can you take us?"
"Siiigh. Well, someone has to keep you safe, what with Ganon running around. Buckle in, kids." The aforementioned characters gathered close to Grim as he waved his scythe, warping them all instantaneously.
"Oh man…" Wally groaned as he just woke up, walking outside. "Hey, where's Numbuh 1? I was wondering if he had more of that deodorant ice cream."
"Grim just warped him, Eva, and some others off to some desert in South America." Numbuh 5 answered simply.
"WHAT? I wanna come, too! ! Facilier! Get me off this boat!"
"Sorry, kid. Ah'm savin' this magic for some real danger." The voodoo man smirked.
"NOOOO!"
Mumbo Madness
Team Leader, Team Dark, and Sector W finally arrived at an amusement park, decorated with a red and white color scheme. "I'm sure those guys took your brother somewhere through here." Rouge said.
"I think they have. What is this place?" Rachel asked.
"AH hahahahaha!"
The team readied their guard at the mysterious cackle. "What was that?" Patton asked.
"Welcome, Kids Next Door, to the carnival of danger and fantastication!" A bunch of searchlights aimed at a small stage. "Please, enter the marvelously wonderful circus, owned by the one and only amazing…" a man rose from below the stage, a magician with light-blue skin, white hair, black tux, red cape, and a magic hat, "MUMBO JUMBO!"
"Mumbo Jumbo?" Rachel questioned.
"AND his newfound assistant, KNIGHTBRACE!" The evil dentist hopped up on stage as well, beside Mumbo.
"KNIGHTBRACE!" Rachel exclaimed, aiming her sword. "What are you doing here? !"
"Me and Mumbo met sometime after me and the other villains were recruited." Knightbrace answered.
"We started a quick friendship and are now doing evil schemes together." Mumbo continued.
"In this circus, you can have fun on rides AND have good dental hygiene!"
"Aw, look. The kids are already having fun." The operatives looked around the amusement park, which seemed littered with Mumbo and dental-themed decorations. Many kids were tied up on roller coasters and other rides, forcibly sprayed with toothpaste and cavity drills. "We strongly hope YOU kids have fun, too! AHH HAHA HAHA!" Both villains cackled as Mumbo warped them off.
Fi then emerged from Rachel's sword and said, "Master, I sense your brother's presence here. I calculate a 90% chance he and his accomplices have been through here."
"No duh, Sherlock." Patton remarked.
"Rachel, shouldn't we save these kids first?" Fanny asked.
"You're right, Fanny. We're still Kids Next Door operatives, one way or another, so we have to save them from these hygiene-happy freaks."
"Further analysis indicates that the rides in this park are specifically designed for good dental hygiene." Fi said.
"She sure points out the obvious a lot, huh?" Paddy said.
"Hm. I can clear this park, no problem." Shadow smirked cockily.
"The rides do look fun, at least." Sonya smiled.
"Eh… I got a bad feeling about this." Was all Lee could say. (Play the "Circus Park" Theme from Shadow the Hedgehog!)
Stage 17: Mumbo Madness
Mission: Save the kids in the park and find Harvey!
Shadow immediately sped into the park, already Spin Dashing over several carnival stands. He stopped at a group of Stormtroopers that tried to shoot him, but the black hedgehog simply Home Attacked them, knocking them out. Meanwhile, Rachel, Fanny, and Patton were fighting with evil ninja bunnies, who threw egg grenades and carrot darts. "Bunnies? Is that the best this stoopid magician can do?" Fanny asked, throwing fireballs at them.
"You're no prize yourself, Fanny." Patton remarked.
Sector W ran through another end of the park, spotting several Stormtroopers putting mechanical braces into kids, making them into zombies. "They're Denta Drones!" Sonya exclaimed.
"Let's help them out." Paddy said, taking out a S.C.A.M.P.P. and shooting the Stormtroopers. Lee swung his yo-yo and wrapped around the braces, pulling back and ripping them out, the kids jumping for joy after being freed. The kids kept going and saw a bunch of kids tied up in spinning cups, mechanical arms forcibly brushing their teeth while water poured on them, supposedly washing their mouths clean. The team saw a clown controlling the machine in a booth and ran to attack him. The clown blew a bunch of balloon animal snakes, which came to life and slithered to them, but Angie jumped and stomped them while Sonya ran to knock out the clown. Paddy then shot and destroyed the controls, releasing the kids.
Shadow the Hedgehog fought through more Troopers, making his way to a roller coaster. He stole one of their guns and proceeded to shoot any more. Afterwards, he hopped in the coaster and took off, going uphill, downhill, then over a loop-di-loop. A couple of Stormtroopers tried to shoot him, but he shot back. He was then speeding beside another coaster, then had to hop between the two to avoid toothpaste waterfalls on either side. When some cavity drills tried to cut him on the track, he shot and destroyed them.
"Shadow, jump!" Rouge called from below. Shadow saw the track broken ahead and decided to jump off, Home Attacking off a series of Mumbo balloons nearby. He was soon over a circus tent and decided to pierce through, landing inside where several more Stormtroopers were holding an elephant hostage. Sector W ran in just then to watch Shadow Home Attack and shoot all the troops. He was about to shoot the elephant when-
"WAIT!" Sonya called, making him stop. She then walked over and borrowed his gun, proceeding to shoot off the shackles holding the elephant. The large animal hollered as it walked over and rubbed Sonya with its trunk. "Hm hm hm! He's not evil. He was just being forced to work by Mumbo. WHOA." The elephant grabbed her with its trunk and tossed her on its back.
"'Guess you're going for a ride." Lee observed.
"Aw man! I'm jealous!" Paddy pouted.
Sonya rode the large animal, charging out and running over more Stormtroopers. Rachel saw her riding it under an upside-down roller coaster, so the leader ran and leapt onto the elephant, grabbing the coaster as it passed by. She held onto the coaster as it zoomed through the park, some clowns on balloons trying to blast her, but Rachel swung her sword and sliced them. The track ended when they were hundreds of feet in the air, so Rachel let go, screaming as she fell the long drop.
Seeing this, Shadow ran to a firework rocket, grabbing on and flying up, letting go to drop and grab Rachel, then falling through three fire rings before landing them safely on the ground. They saw more Stormtroopers and Denta Drones ahead, but Shadow Home Attacked the troops while Rachel cut the braces off the Drones. The two ran ahead and started going down a long slide, jumping any pitfalls in it.
At the end of the slide, the two shot into a spring that shot them into a gong up above. The two bounced off the gong to a series of Mumbo balloons, bouncing their way across before landing atop a circus tent. The two grinded a rope down and off the tent, landing on an elephant that just ran out, rode on by Patton and Fanny.
"Turns out, Fanny has a thing with these guys." Patton said. "She probably-"
"SHUT UP!" she yelled at him. The four rode the elephant into a larger circus tent, which had several swinging men and tightropes. Below them was a net, unsurprisingly made of floss.
The elephant ran over more Stormtroopers before Rachel and Shadow hopped off and ran into a cannon, firing their selves up to one of the platforms on the poles. They kicked off more Stormtroopers and balanced along the tightrope, which was also made of floss. Some Denta Drones came after them from the other end, but Rachel sliced their braces and knocked them off. Once across, the two were at the swinging clowns. They looked up and saw Paddy and Rouge breaking in the tent and coming down the two swings, knocking the clowns off and swinging their selves.
Rouge reached her arms out to grab Shadow and Rachel, swinging them over to Paddy, who grabbed and swung them across. They reached and balanced across another tightrope floss, but saw an angry group of clowns on a unicycle pedaling toward them. Shadow and Rachel grabbed onto the tightrope as Rachel cut it, making both ends drop down, the clowns falling off. The two started climbing up their end as the clowns climbed after them. They reached the top and Rachel cut the rope, making the clowns drop.
The two then saw a rope leading up and out of the tent, proceeding to climb up. Once at the top, they grinded over another rope over the roof, coming to another series of Mumbo balloons and bouncing across. They arrived at a Ferris wheel that had kids trapped in cages. As the wheel went clockwise upwards, Rachel cut open the cages, the kids jumping out.
Once they were all saved, they rode the wheel to the top where some larger Mumbo balloons floated above them, their floss strings dangling. Rachel and Shadow grabbed and swung across the ropes, landing on another roller coaster and zooming down. Before the ride crashed into a wall, Shadow grabbed onto Rachel as he Home Attacked off some flying clowns. Afterwards, they landed on another elephant with Sector W, charging over more Stormtroopers. "Great! We're almost there!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Let's get moving." Shadow followed.
The gang rode into another circus tent, the biggest of them all. Inside, they found a gargantuan green balloon dinosaur, covered in patches, who seemed to be inhaling kids through his mouth of toothbrush teeth. "Ahh! What is that thing?!" Sonya yelled.
"Master." Fi spoke from the sword. "Subject identified as Mr. Patch. Its weak points appear to be the patches."
"Funny how names give weak spots away." Paddy replied.
"Let's just take it out." Shadow said.
"AHH ha ha, ha ha!" Knightbrace laughed, controlling the balloon monster from above. "Have a taste of my fluoride drool!" With that, Mr. Patch aimed at them and sprayed fluoride from its mouth.
"Look out!" Rachel called, jumping off the elephant with the others, the animal taking the hit.
Rouge flew into the tent from the ceiling and spotted them running from the monster's blows. "Shadow! Hang on!" Rouge yelled, performing a Screw Kick into the patch on its neck, letting some air out. Rachel climbed one of the poles to a platform with a firework, lighting the fuse and shooting it into another patch.
Sonya saw a patch on its tail and grabbed on, hanging on as the tail swung and crawling to the patch, ripping it off. Lee saw more patches up his back and used his yo-yo to grab the tail and haul himself up, then wrapped it around its back spines, bringing him up further. He then threw a yo-yo into a patch, pulling it out.
Mr. Patch saw Paddy climb to Rachel's platform, then the two of them balance their way to another one across a tightrope. He launched giant beachballs at the girls, but Rachel sliced them away while Paddy went ahead, reaching a platform with another firework. She shot the firework lit the fuse, sending the missile into another patch.
The balloon beast looked down and noticed Shadow, spitting giant beachballs at him, but Shadow Home Attacked off them to his mouth, then destroyed another patch. On the other end, Paddy climbed another pole to a platform, grabbing a swing and swinging into another patch on its back, ripping it off.
The gang then noticed one of the walls burn down, seeing Fanny and Patton run in. "There they are!" Patton pointed to their friends fighting the monster. Fanny kicked on her own rocket shoes and flew toward its mouth. Mr. Patch shot exploding beachballs at her, but she avoided and threw a fireball at another patch by his nose. Patton hopped into a cannon as Fanny flew back down, lighting the cannon's fuse and blasting him into another stomach patch.
Angie spotted a patch on his neck, stomping a sharp boulder out of the ground and kicking it to the patch, puncturing it. "Is that all of them?" Rachel asked.
"The last one is on his head." Rouge pointed out. "I'll destroy it." The bat flew to the final patch, spinning rapidly with her sharp heels aimed.
"No! Wait-" But to the dentist's dismay, the batgirl pierced through the top patch, then straight down the middle. The trapped children started to drop out of the bottom as Mr. Patch blew fast around the tent, Knightbrace hanging on to him. "AAHHHH!" The large balloon flew and bounced around the tent, slowly making the whole tent collapse. As the whole tent lay flat on the ground, the team cut or shot their way out (depending on their weapon), looking to a dizzy Knightbrace. "Ooohhh…" he fainted.
"YAAAY!" the kids cheered, jumping around in joy. Rachel and Shadow smirked and high-fived after completing their mission. The team then headed away from the tent, with Paddy tripping on a rope tied around his foot, shaking it off and hurrying after them. (Stop the music.)
"Aside from all the evil scheming, this circus wasn't half bad." Sonya said.
"Cool." Lee smiled at the circus.
"Still not one I prefer." Rachel said. "Hopefully, all these kids can get to safety. This place is a nuthouse."
"AHHH ha ha, ha ha, ha ha! It's still the last one YOU'LL see, my friends!"
The gang kept their guard up, hearing the cackle. "Grrr. Where are you?" Rachel shouted.
"SURPRISE!" Mumbo exclaimed, poofing in front of them. "Mumbo JUMBO!" With that, the magician's hat enlarged and caught them all inside.
Mumbo's Hat
The group found their selves in a pitch-black chamber. "Where are we?" Rachel asked. Just then, a bunch of spotlights came on, lighting up the stage, and a large audience gave their applause, all of the people resembling Mumbo Jumbo.
"AHH ha ha ha ha!" The gang turned to a platform on stage, Mumbo appearing from a puff of smoke. "WELCOME to my SHOW! Where I will make the Kids Next Door, plus their two otherworldly friends DISAPPEAR!... forever!"
They all drew out and aimed their weapons at the crazy magician. "Sorry, Mumbo, but one of us is getting cancelled, and it won't be us." Rachel told him.
"Well, we'll soon see about THAT, little girl! OH, moments like this make me SO happy, I FEEL LIKE SINGING! Mmmaestro?" A Mumbo sitting at a piano grinned as he began to play. "A 5-6-7-8!" The music started playing, and they all went to battle.
Boss fight: Mumbo Jumbo
Mumbo: Don't bother getting up, you're in my control.
No way for you to fuss and fiiight!
As Mumbo sang, a bunch of giant cards came to life and stood.
My cards are ready to fight, SO lucky you!
You'll be destroyed in here toniiight!
Rachel: Are cards the best you have, OH how very sad!
Rachel sang as she sliced some cards away.
Mumbo, you truly are a cad!
Mumbo: You have your combat. But I have powers!
By the end of this, you will be HAD!
The operatives fought back as a bunch of clowns appeared on stage.
Mumbo: I am the Master of CEREMONIES
So let me SET you STRAAAIGHT. (He is the sorcerer!)
The audience chorused as Mumbo waved his wand around.
With just a WAVE of my MAGIC wand, I'm
Master of your Fate.
Mumbo used his magic to make that phrase appear, but Shadow and Rouge dashed up to lay some kicks upon him. Shadow threw him to Rouge, who kicked him to a wall. The magician shook his head and stood back up.
Shadow: HA, this is so pathetic, you and this whole plan!
I'm the ultimate life form, Foolish Man! Shadow smirked.
Mumbo smirked as well.
Mumbo: Foolish, I am not.
But rather very MAD!
Though this magic right here
Is totally a FAD!
Mumbo women then walked on stage, singing as well.
Women: He is the Master of CEREMONIES
So let him SET you STRAIGHT! (He is the sorcerer!)
Rouge and Fanny, disgusted, attacked the Mumbo women. More clowns floated down on stage, but Paddy jumped around and kicked them.
Women: With just a WAVE of his MAGIC wand, he's
Master of your fate
Lee and Sonya ran, grabbed his cape, and flipped it over his head while Patton kicked him down, blowing punches across his face. Mumbo kicked them away and stood up, but his butt was burned by Fanny's fire, the magician gripping it and running around. A clown hit his butt with pie, then sprayed water on it. Mumbo smacked the clown and went back to sing.
Mumbo: Well, kids, it's closing time, SO let's make this fast
You meddling children will not last
Angie: I wanted ta see a bunny
PULLED out his hat!
Mumbo: Well, why did you nooot just say that?
"Eek!" Angie yelped when a bunch of ninja bunnies hopped out his hat, throwing carrots at the little girl. Angie narrowly flipped and dodged the carrots, grabbing one, biting it, then throwing it at a bunny. She repeated this process and took out the other ones.
Fi: Chances of you winning are
Kajillion to one.
Mumbo growled at the spirit.
Mumbo: Well then, just, listen to THIS, Hun!
I am the Master of CEREMONIES
The one who SETS you STRAAAIGHT! (He is the sorcerer!)
With just a wave of my MAGIC wand, I'm
Master of your Fate!
Lee wrapped his yo-yo around and tripped more Mumbo ladies.
(Master of your Fate!)
Shadow shot two more clowns with Chaos Spears.
(Master of your FATE!)
Fanny burned three more cards.
(Master of your Fate.)
Mumbo danced his way up some stairs, Rachel chasing after him.
Mumbo: NOW for the BIG finale
And the reason why we're HEEERRRRE!
"To shut your big mouth UP!" Mumbo looked in horror as Rachel leapt above him, her sword raised.
"Oh no! OH DEAR!"
Rachel immediately landed, sticking Mumbo's cape to the floor, then kicking him off. Mumbo dangled from the stairs by his cape as Rachel flipped and kicked him down, his cape ripping as the magician landed on the floor with a thud. Rachel jumped back as Shadow charged his Home Attack, forcing him through the floor. The entire gigantic hat flipped and knocked them back outside.
"Ohhh…" Mumbo groaned, dizzily. "Show's over, kids… maybe next time… d'oh!" He fainted.
Rachel smiled, twirled, and sheathed her sword. She then picked up the now-smaller hat and looked inside with the others, the tiny Mumbo audience cheering away. "Yay! I love magic shows!" Angie exclaimed.
"I like them, too!" Sonya smiled. "Only… without all the evilness involved."
"…Huh? What's this?" Shadow asked, noticing one of the Mumbo women with a glowing white gem on a ring. The hedgehog reached in as the lady held it up, and Shadow pulled out the white Chaos Emerald. "A Chaos Emerald!"
"My, my, that was a clever way to hide it." Rouge said.
"It seems the Brotherhood is collecting them as well." Shadow deduced. "We need to find them."
Mumbo woke up and smirked, leaping back on his feet and whipping out a Darkness Cannon from his sleeve. "Not so fast, kiddies!" They faced him. "A magician always has tricks up his sleeve! Now about a taste of your BAD side? Hocus…" he charged the cannon, "DARKNESS!"
He aimed and fired the cannon directly toward Rachel, who was frozen in fear. Shadow, thinking fast, pushed the girl out of the way, taking the hit himself.
"SHADOW!" Rouge yelled.
"AHHH ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Mumbo flipped beside Knightbrace, who recovered as well. The magician waved his wand and warped them.
Shadow found himself surrounded by darkness, gripping his head as he looked around. "Ugh… where am I?"
"Shadow…"
"OHN?" He shot his attention to some shadowy, exoskeleton-like form of himself. (Play "Mephiles' Theme" from Sonic 2006!)
The figure slowly walked closer. "It is I, Mephiles…Mephiles the Dark! It's a pleasure to see you again, Shadow."
"N-No. We destroyed you. You aren't supposed to exist anymore!" Shadow exclaimed, sounding afraid.
"Ha ha HA HA ha ha! I will always exist in your mind, Shadow. After all… we are… one." The evil being looked dead into Shadow's frightened eyes.
"Argh!... No… you won't get to me."
"Oh, won't I, Shadow? Different world, different timeline… but it'll all end the same. It's only a matter of time before humanity goes against you…"
"I don't care. Rouge promised she-"
"She… what? Always remain by your side? That's just all talk. A promise says nothing. When the time comes, she will betray you, too. They all will. It is futile. It is pointless to risk your life for those who will persecute you later. Just like the Dark Master. He learned that the all-powerful ones were never meant to be loved by humanity. He knew they were meant to rule them. And that is what you must do, too, Shadow. You are the ultimate life form. With the Chaos Emeralds, you control the powers of Time and Space. You are made from the blood of Black Arms, created to bring destruction to the world. It is your destiny. You cannot decide around it!"
"NO! I-It's not true!"
"Do not deny, Shadow! AWAKEN, and realize your true calling! REALIZE your true destiny, and TAKE YOUR REVENGE!"
"NOOO! !"
"MWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" (Stop the music.)
"Shadow?... Shadow! Get up!" Rouge yelled, shaking the hedgehog's unconscious form.
"Er… Arrr…" Shadow bore an angry expression as he panted and shivered. In an instant, his blood-red eyes shot open, glowing a darker red as his body brimmed with a deathly red aura. "Death to all who oppose me!" The gang jumped back as Shadow curled into a pinball and shot into the park. "Chaos… BLAST! !" He erupted in a massive explosion, destroying several stands and Stormtroopers, as many frightened kids cowered away.
"Oh no! He's transformed into Dark Super Shadow!" Rouge exclaimed.
"Shadow! Stop!" Rachel yelled as they ran to help him.
The angered hedgehog erupted more Chaos Blasts and destroyed more rides. He swiped a machinegun from a Stormtrooper and started blasting away. He gritted his teeth when he felt his left arm grabbed, turning to see Rouge holding him back. "Shadow. I don't know what's happened, but you have to get control of yourself. Stop this, now."
The hedgehog continued to stare angrily into the bat's worried eyes. After a few seconds, the hedgehog sighed, and his redness vanished as he calmed down. "Rouge…"
"There. You better now?" she smiled.
"Yeah…" The others joined them as they looked around the park. Many rides were torn down, and many stands burned, thanks to Shadow's outburst.
"Well, we don't have to worry 'bout THIS place anymore." Rouge concluded.
"Then we have to keep going." Rachel decided. "The exit to the park is that way. Let's go." With that, the operatives and Team Dark dashed out of the park.
And there we go. I was going to make this longer and put another level with Ava, Kami, and Kweeb, but you know what? Screw it, this has gone on long enough. I'll do them next time, I wanna get this uploaded. Later.