Healing Hearts Chapter 25
Mist Forest...
"Bunnie! Bunnie, answer me!"
Amber scoured the area, frantically searching for any sign of her missing friend. How had she disappeared so fast? She had been right behind her just a few seconds ago. Amber parted some bushes, checking for clues. Then she stopped, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
"Calm down," she scolded herself. "Panic will accomplish nothing."
Amber sniffed the air, trying to get Bunnie's scent. She traced it right back to where they had entered the forest. The clearing! Somehow, they had ended up back at the beginning of their trek. No matter which way they had gone, they had found themselves right back here. Something was behind this...or someone. Amber remembered the mysterious hooded figures she and Bunnie had seen earlier. They had something to do with this. Of that she was certain. Did they have Bunnie? If so, she hoped her friend was alright. If they had harmed her...
"I've been trusting my eyes," Amber murmured. "I need to trust my other senses."
Closing her eyes, Amber stretched out with her senses. Bunnie's scent was close. Pinpointing it, she set out and followed it. Whatever tricks these mysterious figures were using, she wouldn't fall for it this time. They could deceive her eyes, but they couldn't deceive her sense of smell. Plowing through the bushes, Amber continued following the trail. She would find Bunnie, even if she had to search every inch of this forest.
Bunnie stirred and opened her eyes. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was following Amber, in search of the temple, then...she had blacked out.
"Amber," she called out drowsily.
Then she noticed she was alone. Amber was nowhere in sight. Bunnie lept to her feet, looking around.
"Amber," she shouted. "Where are ya?"
She fell silent as her shout faded into the forest. Surely Amber hadn't just abandoned her. No, that couldn't be it. Amber was an honorable person. Somehow they had gotten separated. Perhaps she was searching for Bunnie right now.
"Well, this is a right ol' pickle I'm in," Bunnie said.
Now the question was, should she wait where she was and hope Amber found her? Or, should she try and make her way to the clearing? After a moment, she decided to head for the clearing. Considering they kept ending up back there, that seemed to be a safe bet. She set off, making her way south. She passed under the trees, past bushes and...
...found herself right back where she had awakened.
"Ohhhh, this is gettin' downright ridiculous," Bunnie growled. She suddenly remembered the figures she had seen earlier. Were they responsible for this? "Alright! If ya'll can hear me, then come on out and no more 'o' yer mumbo jumbo!"
The woods remained silent. No one showed up.
"I know yer out there," Bunnie shouted out. "I'm warnin' ya, either ya'll show yerselves, or so help me, I'm gonna start tearin' this place apart!"
She moved to the nearest tree. Flexing her cybernetic arm, she grabbed hold and prepared to uproot it, when...
"No need for violence. We are here."
Bunnie whirled around. Standing a few feet away, as if appearing from the very mist itself, were five hooded figures.
"So, ya'll decided to show yerselves after all," Bunnie said. "I don't know who you are or what yer game is, but I don't appreciate gettin' turned around in this here maze."
"It was necessary," one figure said. "We had to get you away from the Overlander."
"She ain't no Overlander," Bunnie protested. "Her name's Amber, and she's my friend. If ya'll did somethin' to her..."
"She is unharmed," the figure said. "However, we don't tolerate trespassers in our forest. Be it Overlander or someone else."
"Just who the heck are ya," Bunnie demanded.
"We are Druids," the figure replied. "This forest is our ancestral home. We are the Guardians of the Temple that lies deep within the woods. For countless centuries, we have used our magic to keep intruders away."
"So yer the reason Amber and I kept gettin' lost," Bunnie said.
"Correct," the Druid replied. "Misdirection is easy enough in this place. Now there is the matter of what to do with you and your companion."
Bunnie felt a chill run down her spine. "W-What do ya'll mean," she asked. "Yer not palnnin' on...killin' us, are ya?"
"That depends," the Druid replied.
"Look, we mean no harm," Bunnie said. "We're..."
"I know what you're searching for," the Druid interrupted. "You seek to desecrate our temple."
"No, no," Bunnie said. "We're lookin' for an emerald. It's very important that we find it."
"Lies," another Druid spoke up. "We shall not permit you to trespass in our temple."
"We just thought the emerald might be in there," Bunnie protested.
"Enough," the lead Druid said. "We will determine your intentions for ourselves."
He raised his hand and Bunnie felt an overwhelming weariness come over her. Then, everything went black...
Amber felt she was actually making progress. So far, the scent trail hadn't led her back to the clearing, meaning she was on the right track. At some point, she had picked up the scents of several other individuals. No doubt the mystery figures. That only confirmed Amber's suspicions they had kidnapped Bunnie in the first place. She only hoped her friend was unharmed.
She stopped suddenly. Standing a few feet from her, was a shrouded figure. Amber stood staring at the figure. She resisted the urge to draw her blade. Best to try and negotiate first.
"Where is my friend," Amber asked. "I know you have her. Please, let her go."
The figure remained silent. Then he/she motioned for Amber to follow.
"How do I know you won't lead me astray," Amber asked.
The figure turned and began walking away, seeming to not care one way or the other whether she trusted him/her. Stifling a sigh of frustration, Amber reluctantly followed the figure. She managed to keep a steady enough pace to keep the figure in sight and yet not overtake him/her. So far, nothing had happened, but Amber was still on alert, watching for any deceptions.
After a while, they came to a large clearing. A stone structure stood just before them. Amber realized this had to be the temple she had heard about. Standing near the temple, was a large gathering of hooded figures. Amber spotted Bunnie on the ground in front of the group.
"Bunnie," she said.
She rushed forward and knelt down next to her. She glanced at the hooded figures watching her.
"What have you done to her," she demanded, anger tinging her voice. "If you've harmed her..."
"She is merely asleep," one of the figures spoke.
Amber stood up and eyed the gathered figures. "Who are you?"
"We are Druids," the same figure replied. "I am the Chief Druid."
"Druids," Amber mused. "I've heard of Druids. They're known even where I come from. Now, answer me this. Why did you kidnap my friend? We've done nothing to you."
"You and your friend have trespassed in our domain," the Chief Druid said.
"We had no idea this forest was inhabited," Amber protested.
"And yet when you learned of us, you chose to continue through the forest," the Chief replied. "We had tried to dissuade you by guiding you back to the entrance of the forest. But still you persisted. We were forced to take your friend..."
"Kidnapping Bunnie was unnecessary," Amber interrupted. "If you had wished to speak with us, you only had to ask."
"Fair point," the Chief conceded. "Now, I have answered your questions. It is time for you to answer mine. Why have you come here?"
"My friend and I are searching for a gem known as a Chaos Emerald," Amber explained. "We knew one was here and thought perhaps it might be inside the temple."
"We know of the Chaos Emeralds," the Chief said. "Gems of incredible power. Why do you seek it?"
"It's obvious," one Druid spoke up. "They crave it's power. All who seek the emeralds want only it's power."
"That's not true," Amber replied. "We're looking for them to keep them out of the hands of Dr. Robotnik. We have no intention of using them."
"So you say," the Chief replied. "But there have been others who have claimed to have no desire for their power, and yet when they claim the emerald, that changes."
"I do not crave nor seek power," Amber insisted. "I simply do not wish to see that power fall into the hands of someone like Robotnik. Surely you know of him."
"We do," the Chief said. "Though we never wander from this forest, word has reached us regarding this Robotnik character. What we have heard is terrible."
"Then you understand why we're trying to keep the emeralds away from him," Amber said.
The Chief Druid remained silent. Amber hoped they would believe her, but she suspected they weren't exactly trusting towards strangers.
Finally, the Chief spoke again. "The emerald you seek is indeed here. We found it months ago and stored it inside the temple. But, I am still not entirely convinced of your intentions. Therefore, we shall test you. Pass the test, and you and your friend may leave, with the emerald. Fail, and you will remain here, doomed to wander the forest until the end of your lives. What say you?"
Amber nodded. "If that's what it will take, then so be it. However, I have one request: Should I fail, please, release Bunnie. She need not suffer if I fail. That will be my burden alone."
The Chief nodded. "Very well. We shall grant her safe passage out of the forest. Now, if you are ready, enter the temple."
Amber gazed at the entrance. The opening was dark and mist flowed out from it.
"What is the test," Amber asked.
"You will see inside," the Chief replied. "One more thing, you must leave your sword outside. No weapons are permitted inside the temple."
Amber removed her sword and set it on the ground. Then she moved towards the entrance. Standing at the thresh hold, she took a moment to glance back at Bunnie and then she entered.
The temple was dimly lit with torches and mist covered the ground. She made her way down the narrow corridor, watching for anything that might indicate the test. So far, it was deathly quiet, the air damp and stale. Soon the corridor opened up into a large chamber. Stone pillars stood along the walls and a pedestal could be seen at the end of the chamber. Something sat upon it. Amber saw it was the Chaos Emerald. She made her way over and then stopped. It couldn't be that easy. She hadn't even undergone the test. Something wasn't right.
"Why do you hesitate? Take it."
Amber whirled around, trying to locate the speaker. She saw nothing. Had she imagined the voice? It had sounded eerily familiar. Suddenly, a fireball streaked towards her. Amber dodged aside, feeling the heat as the projectile zoomed past her. The fireball crashed into the wall and fizzled out. Amber scanned the room, trying to locate her assailant. There! Someone moved in the misty shadows near the pillars.
"Whoever you are, come out and face me," Amber said.
She reached for her weapon, only to remember she had left it outside. Had the Druids set her up? Had they lured her down here, weaponless, to be destroyed by some guardian? The figure stepped out and Amber gasped in horror. Standing before her, clad in dark robes and a cloak, face hidden from view by a hood, red eyes glowing a deep crimson, tall and menacing, was a figure she never thought she'd ever see again.
"Erian," she gasped. "No, it can't be! You're dead! I saw you perish!"
"Evil never truly dies, Amber," Erian replied, his voice cold as winter.
'No. You can't be real," Amber said. "You're gone. You were defeated. Shade killed you!"
"Just as I killed your friend," Erian laughed. "How is Austin coping, by the way?"
Amber's fear was immediately replaced by anger at the callousness of his tone. "How dare you speak like that about Jill," she raged.
"And what will you do," Erian asked. "You're all alone, without your sword. Of course, even with your friends and weapon, it still wouldn't matter."
"I don't need my weapon," Amber said. "I'm a capable fighter without it."
She charged at him. Erian raised his hand and launched a volley of energy orbs at her. Amber dodged the attack and continued her charge. She closed the distance and threw a punch. Erian easily deflected the hit. Amber kept up her assault, only to have Erian block her attacks. Then he lashed out, sending her crashing into a nearby pillar. Amber crashed to the floor, gasping. Staggering to her feet, she charged again, only to be repelled by a blast of power from Erian.
"Come now, Amber," the Entity admonished. "You can do better than that."
Amber summoned up her own energy and unleashed her Thousand Stars technique. Thousands of silver lights shot towards Erian, only to be deflected by a shield of dark fire.
"Pathetic," Erian said. "You seem to have lost your touch. But then, you never stood a chance against me to begin with. I am on a level far above you."
Amber gritted her teeth. She refused to be defeated. She charged again, determined to to beat him. Erian dodged backwards as she lashed out at him.
"Really, Amber," he said. "You already tried this."
He grabbed her fist and applied pressure. Amber cried out as he crushed her hand.
"You don't stand a chance," Erian said.
Then he picked her up and threw her across the room. Amber crashed to the ground near the pedestal. Pain wracked her body and she was certain she had broken something. She stood up, staggering as she tried to regain her footing. She stumbled and leaned against the pedestal. Then she remembered: The Chaos Emerald! Turning, she glanced at the gem resting on the pedestal. The emerald could help her. If she utilized it's power, then she'd have a fighting chance. She could feel it's energy pulsing.
"So, what now, Amber," Erian asked, making his way over. "Whatever you have planned won't help you. Unless...Ahhh, I see. You're thinking of using the emerald to strengthen yourself. Do go on. I'm curious to see how well this will work."
Amber gazed at the emerald. It could work. She had to use it. If Erian defeated her, then her mission would fail. She had to. She reached for the emerald...
"Wait," she whispered, her hand inches from the emerald.
"What's wrong, Amber," Erian asked. "Take it. It's your only hope against me."
"No," Amber said. "That's just it." She turned to face him. "There is no reason to use it against you, because you aren't really here. The real Erian is dead. And he certainly wouldn't encourage me to use the emerald if it meant defeating him. This is the test, and you're part of it."
Erian remained silent. Then he nodded. "Well played, Amber," he said. "You figured it out."
The Entity disappeared and Amber noticed that all the damage done by the battle was gone. Moreover, her injuries were gone as well. It had all been an illusion. As the specter of her opponent vanished, she saw the Chief Druid standing in his place.
"I take it I passed the test," Amber asked.
"Indeed," the Chief said. "Had you given in and used the emerald, you would have failed."
"But, how did you know about Erian," Amber asked.
"I had nothing to do with what you saw," the Chief said. "The temple conjured up the phantom you fought to test you. Powerful magic resides in this place."
"For a moment, I thought it was him," Amber said. "When you think about it, what the illusion said is true. Evil never truly dies."
"In this case, however, that particular evil is gone," the Chief said. "And since you have passed, as promised, the emerald is yours."
Amber turned and took the emerald from the pedestal.
Outside, Amber saw Bunnie was wide awake and waiting for Amber.
"Amber," Bunnie exclaimed. She ran forward and hugged her. "Am I glad to see you."
"I'm glad to see you, too," Amber said. She held up the emerald. "Look. I found the emerald."
"Nicely done, sugar," Bunnie said. "But what happened in there?"
"I'll tell you later," Amber said. She turned to the Chief Druid. "As promised, we will take our leave."
The Chief nodded. "It seems we misjudged you, Lady Amber. I believe you and your friends will succeed in your mission. Remember what you learned in the temple. No matter what, never give in to the temptation of power."
"I understand, thank you," Amber said.
She reached into her pocket and withdrew the teleportation ring Knuckles had given them. She activated it and the ring expanded in size. Through the center, they saw Knothole Village.
"Time to go," Amber said. "Farewell, Druids."
"Bye, everyone," Bunnie said.
Together, they entered the ring and found themselves back at the village. The ring shrunk back to it's smaller size and fell to the ground.
"Well, that certainly was a lark," Bunnie said.
"Let's just hope the others are doing alright," Amber said. She looked up and spotted Darren and Rotor nearby. Neither one looked particularly happy. "Looks like Darren and Rotor made it back. But something seems off."
They walked over towards them. "Hey, boys," Bunnie greeted. "Why the long faces? Did you find the emerald?"
"Oh, we found it alright," Darren said.
"But, unfortunately, Rouge swooped in and took it," Rotor added.
"Ooohhh, that connivin' witch," Bunnie growled.
"Well, all is not lost," Amber said. "We managed to obtain this emerald." She held up the emerald for all to see.
"And we still have the green emerald," Bunnie said. "We'll find a way to retrieve the one Rouge stole."
Darren nodded. "You're right. This is just a minor setback."
Elsewhere in the village, Cream was walking along. She didn't notice two figures approaching her.
"Hey, kid. Got a minute?"
Cream turned around and saw a human girl with shoulder length black hair standing nearby. She stared at Cream with a prominent frown on her face. At her sides were two guns and perched on her shoulder was a raven. Standing next to her was a cheerful looking human boy with reddish-orange hair. He smiled at Cream and knelt down in front of her.
"Hello, there," he greeted. "I wonder if maybe you could help us. We're looking for some friends of ours. My name is Vahn. And this is Shade."
Mist Forest...
Following Amber and Bunnie's departure, the Druids went about their business. The Chief Druid remained at the temple, staring at the stone structure. He sensed someone approach him.
"It seems you were correct about Amber," the Chief said. "I had doubts she would pass the test."
"I had faith in her."
The Chief turned to face his visitor. "So, what now?"
"I will be there to help guide them. That being said, I will take my leave. Farewell."
The Chief watched his guest disappear. Then he turned and walked off, vanishing into the mists.
End of Chapter 25...