CHAPTER 25
Naugus Games Part 2

Antoine and Lupe pounded away on top of the walls testing which spot had the weakest energy but it was strong everywhere. They were becoming short of breath and feeling faint.

" Well, got any bright ideas? " asked Lupe.

Antoine gave her a dirty look. " Me? I thought you were zee wizard here. Get magical! "

" Magical? I am a shaman, not a wizard " Lupe defended. " My gifts are to help others, not for wanton destruction. "

" Vwe both know you can do more than that. Why are you hesitating to use your magic now? "

Lupe paused. She gave a sigh, letting her hands rest at her side as she sat on the ground.
" Yes, I have been self taught in the arcane magicks similar to our enemy we face here. But, I promised myself I would never need to use such destructive spells for anything and I been breaking my promise. I fear if I keep using this I will not only hurt someone but will succumb to a lust for greater power. "

Antone sat down beside her, removing his helmet. He ran his hand through his small wisps of blonde hair.
" I had a family once " he spoke, his face becoming stern. " Ma femme, and my little fille were the love of my life. I would do anything for them. Even give an arm to keep them safe " he said gesturing to his mechanical appendage. " Vwhen zee fat man and his metal men came for us I was their only hope. I used everything that was taught to me to fight to protect them, but they were snatched from me, my body broken and beaten. Ever since that day I cursed myself for not having zee power to save them. "

Lupe cringed when his eyes met hers.
" Eef their was anything I could do no matter how devastating or painful it would be I would gladly offer my very soul to have saved them. "

Lupe said nothing. For a long while their was an awkward tense silence. Finally she decided to break the silence rising to her feet.

" I'm going to try something. It will be dangerous, I can't guarantee your safety in this. Just...grab onto me " she ordered.

Antoine reluctantly obeyed, wrapping himself around her tightly feeling nervous over what was about to happen. A thought did cross his mind that she smelled quite nice.

Lupe gathered up her strength and began to concentrate slowing her breathing. She spoke in a language of the old Mobians of long long ago and waved her hammer around. The ground began to sizzle and a incredible heat began to fill the room. Antoine held fast to Lupe who seemd to be protecting him. She repeated the chant over and over until a gigantic firestorm blew about them pounding the walls. Antoine could feel the heat of the flames licking at him, noticing Lupes body was beginning to burn, her fur sizzling. Her body began to buckle and shake from the strain as blood leaked from her nostrils. She abruptly collapsed to the ground feeling very weak.

" Lupe! "

Antoine knelt down and picked her up. The walls were only slightly melted. Hardly anything more than a singe than they watched in horror as the damage seemed to vanish.

" I..I have done all I can. I'm sorry " she apologized through strained breaths.

" No! Eet iz not your fault! "

Lupe wiped the blood from her nose, her vision getting blurry.

" I apologize for not trusting you " she went on. " I have never trusted men in my life. My father abadoned me. Left my mother and me to die. I survived on my own..all other men I encountered saw me as a tool for them. "

Antoine embraced Lupe.

"Hold strong! Vwe will make it out together yet! No need for apologies, miss witch! "

" I dont see how..." she said weakly slipping in and out of conciousness.

" Hold on! "

***

Sally could only stare in horror and confusion as she saw her own face staring back at her. This other Sally was different from the dopplegangers she encountered at the start of her journey. Her red hair was black, with her chestnut fur a faded pink and white stripe. She had a deep hatred in her eyes. Sally gulped and spoke.

" Who are you? "

She gave a small smirk. " I think you know. "

" You look like me " she stated. The other nodded.

" Are you here to help? " she asked.

" Help? Why would I help you " the other Sally replied. " You stole my life from me! "

Before Sally could respond the other Sally lunged at her, cold metal hands wrapping around her throat and pinning her to the ground. Sally kicked hard pushing her off and rolling back. She would not be caught off gaurd again.

" I'm not falling for another illusion of Naugus!"

" You think I'm an illusion? Then you are even stupider than you look " the other Sally said, her smile widening. " I am the real Sally, you imposter " she stated.

Sally was stunned. She had pondered why she was able to find her friends along the way but never encountered another like her in this world. She had eventually dismissed the thought as their only being one of her. She was wrong.

" I had a life here where I fought long and hard to survive. I needed no one, and I was not weak like you. I was the strongest warrior who walked the wastelands. I've slain monsters that you would not believe. I've destroyed kingdoms and colonies that refused to swear allegiance to me. With these hands I could have conquered the world " she said, giving a toothy grin.

" But then you came to this place. I'm not sure the how or why but only one of us was allowed to exist, so you took my place here. My consciousness clung to you like a shadow and followed you all this time. I could not speak or do anything, only witness. But now the wizard has freed me it seems. If I kill you I get my life back! "

Sally put her fists up to defend herself. " I'm just trying to get home. I'll take you down just like I took down the others. "

" Don't try to act tough. You know how out of your league you have been here. You've only lasted this long because you had others to protect you. "

" I'm more than enough for you, other me! " Sally responded with determination fueling her.

The two Sallys rushed at one another, fists and elbows striking. Sally felt the hard sting of her fists and knew if she wasn't careful to dodge this fight would be over quickly. The other knew she had the advantage and did sweeping kicks, but Sally was much faster. Sally grabbed her leg and went for a roll to pin her down. The other Sally twisted around locking both legs around her neck and squeezed. Sally wrapped her muscular legs around one of her opponents and with a hard twist and a loud pop was released from the vice grip.

The other Sally let out a cry of pain, her leg discolated. Sally took this opening and tackled her opponent to the ground, feeding her fists to the face. She was given a hard fist to her jaw sending her to the ground. The other Sally let out a deranged laugh as she fumbled to her feet, pushing her leg back in its place.

" You call those punches? I've felt bee stings that hurt more than those. "

Sally could see her opponent was going to be a lot tougher than she thought. But then again so was she as she began to realize.

***

Sonic was tearing through the tunnels with both Deep Power Stones. He was in real trouble and he knew it. Not only had he failed to protect his new friends but he failed himself just when he was getting his long lost confidence back. He sat down slowly as if admitting defeat. He stared at the Deep Power Stones. Blacker than black, with a smooth polish. He noticed they had a groove on the side of each. Sonic put them together to see what would happen. Nothing.

" Dumb rocks...how could these put him away? "

Angrily he threw them at the wall which they bounced off and rolled along the ground back to him. But then he heard a soft familiar voice.

" Sonic... "

He turned and to his surprise it was Sally who seemed to somehow escaped and was running down one of the tunnels towards him. She ran up and hugged him.

" Sally! You got away? "

" Yes! I managed to stall him and run. "

" What about the others? " he asked.

Sally's eyes seemed to suddenly go cold.

" They're dead. We have to go" she said tugging on his arm.

She dragged him down one of the tunnels with strength that he didn't know she had.

" Uhh...Sally? What about Naugus? We need to seal him back up! "

She stopped.

" Oh yes thats right! Here, give me one of the Deep Power Stones. It takes two people to unlock its power and seal him back up. "

Sonic nodded and gave her one of them. Sally snickered and began to laugh. Sonic went pale in realization.

" Hey...you..you...! "

Sally's appearance began to change before his eyes. A giant horn unslid from her forehead with spikes exploding out from her back. Her right hand twisted into a claw shaping into the demon sorcerer, Naugus.

" Hahahaha...thank you quickster! Now hand me the other one! "

" You have to catch me first " he said making a mad dash for it.

Naugus' shadow cast upon the wall suddenly sprang to life and attacked the blue hedgehog. Sonic was caught by surprise and was knocked back face first into the dirt. Sonic sprang up to attack the shadow but it just changed its shape and warped itself around his speedy strikes. Sonic was getting extremely annoyed by the wizards games.

" You're a coward, Naugus! Hiding behind your dumb little magic tricks. You wouldn't last if we threw down mano-amano. "

" I don't need to prove myself to a young pipsqueak such as yourself. I should have conquered this planet 10, 000 years ago! "

Sonics ears perked up.

" You're 10, 000 years old? How's that pension plan holding up for you. "

Naugus ignored his jokes. " I was old when this planet was young. I was the most feared ruler who ever lived. I was a living god! "

" Then how'd a creep like you who's all high and mighty get locked away by two measly stones? " he said cracking a grin, waving the piece he had left in front of him.

Naugus snapped his finger, his shadow retreating behind him. " So you want to know about me, eh quickster? Very well, as a last wish I shall grant it to you. "

" Could I ask for some popcorn to go with it? "

***

Antoine felt his way along the walls checking to find weak points. Lupe had to take a swig of one of her potions to keep herself steady and concious for a little while longer.

" We're running out of time, Antoine. "

" I are to be knowing that! "

Antoine turned to her.

" Zees wall eez made of magic. My sword cannot break it. "

" I already tried my magic, Antoine. It couldn't do a thing to this " Lupe replied.

" I cannot find a weak point, but perhaps you can. Is there anywhere you can sense zee the magic is not as strong? "

Lupe hadn't thought of that. She knew his attention must be elsewhere so the spell he cast would not be fully complete. Their had to be a weak spot he left. Lupe concentrated on sensing the magical energies swirling around them. She could sense a elaborate network of energies protecting the walls like a web. However she could sense the magic seemed to weaken towards the top. The ceiling was open!

She directed Antoine to the ceiling up above.

" It's weakest up there, but we must be careful to not bring the whole mountain down on us. "
Lupe took another swig at her potion and tossed one to Antoine.

" Use it sparingly. It restores stamina but it won't heal our wounds. Be careful. "

Antoine aimed his sword at the cieling. He then charged up a shot and took shots peppering the crystal surface. Lupe joined in taking large leaps and striking her hammer in a concentrated spot. The crystal began to crack and splinter, with shards raining down as a large glowing rock was now exposed. Lupe gave a wry smile.

" Bingo! "

***

The more Sally fought against this pink doppleganger of hers the more she knew this was not just a mere duplicate of her. She lowered her fists to the others surprise.

" You're surrendering already? "

Sally smiled. " A battle against myself is a fight I can never win. "

The other Sally paused, frozen in place. She angrily yelled. " You can't just give up now. I won't have it! I won't have someone who looks like me wimp out. "

" I know why Naugus cast this illusion " said Sally. " I can't help anyone if I am fighting myself. You are the part of me I been fighting against this entire journey. The part I been rejecting. You have been the one giving me the strength to keep fighting, but I have been afraid I would become cold and bitter like the rest of this world. "

The other Sally gave a haughty laugh. " Ah! So you admit it! That I am the true Sally! That I am the only one who can survive in this world. I am your true face here! "

" And you are my true face " she replied.

The other Sally scowled. She picked up a large crystal fragment.

" If you don't start fighting me I will kill you " she warned, pointing the jagged rock at her. " I'll drive this through your pretty little eyes and make you hurt " she threatened again as she stepped closer.

Sally let her arms lay at her said letting her approach. The other Sally seemed to become more angry and nervous the closer she approached, arm raised with the crystal shard over her head.

"I'll do it! I'll put this through your eyes! You better stop me! "

Sally continued to stand still, not moving from her spot. Tears began to well up, she clenched the crystal harder as her palm began to bleed. With an angry shout she threw the rock to her feet in defeat.

" Damn you! "

Sally rested her hands on the other Sally's shoulders.

" I need you " she said. " I can't make it out of this if I continue to deny what I am. I am a princess, but I am also a warrior. My friends have protected me, but they also need my protection. Please, help me. "

She roared. " Why do you have to be here?! Why did you have to come to this world and ruin everything for me?!" she shouted. " I wanted to rule this world, I could have beaten Robotnik on my own if I just had more time! "

Sally didn't speak, letting her other self talk.

" Do you know how hard it has been for me to live in this world and have nothing but death surrounding you? That no matter what you do to make things better it only stays the same. To fight and fight and gain no joy, only sorrow and pain. "

The other Sally looked up at her in sadness, tears welling up. " Please don't leave me here. I want to go home with you. Take me with you, take me away from this world. "

Sally embraced herself. " We will make that journey, together. I promise you. "

When Sally opened her eyes she suddenly found herself back in the cave. She touched her chest, feeling a warm spot. ' Thank you' she could hear as a distant thought in the back of her mind.

" A little help here please? " said Rotor still stuck in the wall.

She now found herself back in the room where Naugus first attacked, Bunnie and Rotor left hanging. Sally rushed over to their aid, their bodies stuck in the wall. Sally pried at the crystals cutting her hands but she ignored the pain. Bunnie looked very concerned at Sally.

" What are you doing? Stop, Sally girl! Ya'll hurting yourself! "

" I may not be strong as the rest of you, but I can do this! " Sally said, pulling with all the strength she said. A large chunk came loose freeing Bunnie's arm. Bunnie smashed the rock prison from her body and went to work freeing Rotor. They both seemed very impressed.

" Thank you, Sally " Rotor said. " You were brave to come back for us. "

" I know you would have done the same for me " Sally said with a smile.

" How's about a little reward for our hero then? " said Bunnie, planting a deep kiss on Sally's lips. It was warm, and welcome, and seemed to make the pain fade. Rotor looked away, embaressed.

" Feel better? " she asked.

Sally smiled blushing abit.

" Yes, thank you. "

Rotor picked Sally up and propped her on his shoulder.

" It's easy for someone as big as me to seem strong, but I know now why you make such a good team leader. I'll help you finish your mission and get you home. "

" You guys...I..thank you" she said hugging Rotor.

Bunnie smiled in approval. " Now ain't that a sweet moment. "

Rotor adjusted his hat, feeling a renewed sense of vigor. Having friends wasn't so bad he thought.

" We need to find Sonic. He must have the Deep Power Stones that Naugus will be after. "

" You're right! C'mon!"

***

Naugus snapped his fingers and a chair formed out for the ground in which he plopped himself on. Naugus froze Sonic's feet so he couldnt escape.

" I have lived for millenias. I was the first and last of my kind. I was born during a time when the surface of this world burned and cracked, the air thick with sulfur and smoke. Hardly anything was alive then " he began, stroking his beard.

" Then Mobius slept, and when she slept the surface cooled and formed great deserts of ice. I learned the secrets of fire and ice through these periods. Other creatures born of fire and ice battled through these long forgotten moments in time. Their wars petty and forgotten, along with their kind. In this period I decided to slumber and awake when Mobius itself would have awoke, when it shook off the ice and let the great lands rise from its black oceans. "

" You know I did have a joke about you being a dinosaur but I think at this point it would be a compliment " Sonic said.

" A good student knows when to listen and when to speak" Naugus said, a spike rising from the ground to rest on Sonic's chin. He paused taking a deep breath recollecting his library of thoughts picking out the right book in his mind to remember and tell. He began to speak once again.

" Many centuries ago I came and found a Mobius ravaged by war, disease, famine, and death. Thousands were dying every day all for of the ancestors of this planet fighting over who's royal family was superior and should be the rightful kings of Mobius. I came one day and I stopped the fighting.

On the first dawn on the second day I entered a great and bloody battle unnoticed and I outstretched my hand and called down thunder to punish them for their ignorance. Once I had their attention they stopped fighting and listened to what I had to say. I told them that I was a wizard who wishes for all fighting to end and peace to be forever brought to Mobius. I convinced them to stop their wars and they made me their king of Mobius."

" Heh, so you were a king once eh? Sure dont act very royal to me, King Horny. "

Naugus ignored that and continued.

" For a very long time I made Mobius prosper. I made long dead crops explode with fruits and vegetables. I had made dry and poisoned rivers flow pure once again. In their grattitude they named cities after me and built statues in my honor.

But then soon their were fools who denied my abilities and thought to me being a charlatan. That the great replenishment and peace was all a coincidence that I took advantage of. Then they accused me of being the one responsible for starting all the wars in the first place" Naugus said, hammering his fist in anger down on his arm chair. He then smiled a wide toothy grin.

" So I had to punish them for their insolence. If they wanted me to act as a god I punished them like one. But those ingrates began to rise up against me after I had done so much for them. Soon all of Mobius declared war against me no longer calling me their god but merely their enemy " he said spitting.

" Every kingdom that rose against me I destroyed. In their fear of my power they were the cause of their own destruction. I did not enjoy killing them, quickster " he said, trying to show remorse. " But I had no choice. "

But one day things changed. Something from space seemed to answer their prayers. Something that had the power to lock me away " he said, holding up one of the Deep Power Stones. " By the time I knew what they could do it was too late. They drove me back into my castle and used the Deep Power Stones and locked me away in this...place. But I knew one day I would return and finish my work. "

He ended his tale bowing his head reflecting upon his memories in deep thought .He lifted his head up snapping his fingers letting the spike pinned against Sonic's throat retract into the ground. He began his approach.

" I have granted your last wish of curiousity quickster. Now, I will have that last stone and your life. "

He pointed his claw at him, it shimmering with magical energy. He seemed to be enjoying this moment making Sonic sweat.

" There are so many ways I could destroy you, but which one should I choose? Do I want you to die quick or slow? So many decisions! "

" Gotta say Horny, sure was one story you laid it on there but their was one thing you overlooked in all your great power and knowledge. "

" Oh? And what would that be? "

" That you underestimate us Mobians! " he said as he broke free of the ice that bound him and lunged for the Deep Power Stone snatching it away from him.

" Nooo! You tricked me! You stalled for time while the ice melted. That's why you wanted me to talk, you little bastard! "

" Aw, don't feel too bad. Least you got what you deserve and I got what I deserve! " he said flashing both rocks.

" Then I will tear you apart " he howled in fury hurtling fireballs at him but Sonic racing off

***

Lupe and Antoine pounded away on their crystal cage fighting for their lives to break free. They had cracked the cieling and broke off some chunks but it still was not enough to escape. The exposed cieling gave way to show a large rock that seemed to be pulsing with magical energy.

" That there is what we need to destroy. If we can break that the spell will be broken and we'll finally be out of this " said Lupe.

" I am to be having an idea. Grab me and throw me at it! " said Antoine.

Lupe trusted in Antoine at this moment rather than object and obeyed. With her mighty strength she hurled Antoine like a rag doll to the top as his sword sliced itself into the glowing rock.

" Full power! " he yelled unleashing a surge of power from his mechanical arm into the blade.

Their was an ear piercing scream that seemed to come from the rock that Lupe winced from covering her ears. The walls began to vibrate and crack, with an explosion of crystal shards showering them. The cage had been broken, the spell undone.

Lupe caught Antoine when he fell back down to the ground, the two now exhausted with the ground littered in glittering crystals. They shared a laugh now hugging one another.

" That was insane what you did! How did you know that would work? "

" I didn't. All I know is zat if I were to die here it would be a disgrace to my family. They would not want me to end up in some accursed hole. "

" There seems to more to you than I thought " Lupe said, looking at him with newfound respect.

This moment of calm was interrupted as the shards began to vibrate on the ground. They began to come together and formed large humanoid shaped golems.

" Damn eet! Not more of this! "

Lupe took her hammer and with ease smashed one to pieces. But as soon as the shards fell it reformed into two.

" This does not look good. Not at all. "

Antoine tryed firing some energy out of his sword but realized he had used up all his power.

" Shoot! I need time to be recharging! "

" How much time?! "

" Err...10 minutes at least. "

Lupe watched as more poured out from the walls and began to circle around them.

" I don't think we have 10 minutes! "

They lunged at them but Antoine and Lupe still had plenty of fight left in them. They made short work by smashing and cutting them down but they kept coming. In only five minutes the room was beginning to fill with more golems with the two feeling exhausted.

" This is just a distraction to keep us busy. We need to get to Naugus! "

" But how are we going to get past all of these? "

Lupe spotted the entrance they came into and grabbed Antoines collar and flung him way over there. Lupe sprang up and stepped over the crystal soldiers heads and they ran as fast as they could.

" Lupe! Try to see if you can shatter zee walls now! "

She took her hammer and struck the cave walls. To her surprise the walls broke, letting the entrance collapse in on itself behind them. The entire room collapsed in on itself as the crystal golems lay buried under the mountain. Lupe and Antoine were now closing in on Sallys direction. Where she was Naugus would not be far off.

***

" Sheesh! This plaze is like a maze aint it? So many tunnels all over the dang place! " commented Bunnie.

" Wait! Whats that light up ahead? " said Sally pointing.

The light was getting brighter. They could then make out something blue heading their way fast with a gigantic wall of fire keeping up with it. It was Sonic!

" Get out of the way! " he yelled.

Like a bullet he zoomed past them with them quickly turning to run. Bunnie activated her jet thrusters and plowed Rotor back up to escape the fire. A huge explosion ripped through the tunnels with the mountain trembling like it was going to erupt. The flames pursued them until Sally dismounted from Rotor and stood directly in the path. She stared down the oncoming flames and put out her hands.

" You will come no farther! " she ordered.

The flames came to a halt before her, swirling about in a fiery twister before forming itself back into Naugus. He looked at her for a moment with genuine confusion and hate.

" I want those stones! " he demanded.

" You're not going to get them " said Lupe charging in with Antoine. Naugus was shocked.

" Whaaat?! How did you escape my spell? That wall was unbreakable. You should have never.. "

" Guess you underestimated us Mobians once again, Naugy " said Sonic.

They all stood together prepared to face down this demon of disaster.

" Who are you all? " he asked.

" We're Freedom Fighters " they all said in one voice.