Sonic the Hedgehog: The Phantasy of Archangelus

Paradigm Twenty-Five - Hopeful Dawn within a Merciless Dusk

ZANARKAND DOME - Shortly After the Battle…

Everything inside that chamber of the Dome had collapsed into nothingness. Multiple levels underneath had also caved from the weight of the explosion. Even some of the Dome's roofing had come down and fallen into the shadowy chasm far below.

Fortunately, Shadow, Rouge, and the Chaotix were all right.

Although, they had all fallen into the chasm as well, they were mostly unharmed due to Shadow's newly discovered Chaos Sentinel. He was able to mold another on very short notice due to the floor caving in. It was much smaller in size, but the pyramidal prism was able to keep them all from hitting the ground too hard. The bottom shattered on impact and stayed over them as Shadow and Rouge landed away from the Chaotix.

When they noticed that the rumbling crashes had stopped and Chaos Sentinel was gone, everyone recovered and got up slowly. Cautious as ever, Shadow and Espio were the firsts to get to their feet. Shadow had picked himself up from serving as Rouge's shield and started looking around.

He eyed Rouge moaning, hold her head, and painfully open her eyes. She hissed from the pain of hitting the floor, but was able to say, "Well, at least we stopped falling…"

Vector and Charmy were rubbing their heads too. They noticed where they were and blinked a little. A chill shingled up each of their spines as they noticed a large gap behind them and looked down into it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Espio warned, adjusting his gloves.

Apparently, Espio was hinting at the obvious bottomlessness below them. But Vector was frigid already by the sight, sweating and quaking in his boots, with Charmy holding his mouth together, as though ready to vomit. The junior bee keeled over onto Vector's lap, hiccupping nauseously.

"Aw no! Don't you puke on me, Charmy!" Vector shrieked angrily.

Rouge had gotten to her feet and was looking around, curious about the absence of the pyreflies. She sent her gaze upward at the massive hole above them. The pyreflies were there, seemingly fretful as they hovered around the edges and skirted across the gap. She blinked a little before smiling. 'Don't worry, we're all okay,' she wanted to say to them without sounding strange to the boys.

And the pyreflies must have heard her somehow. Some of them floated away, a bit reluctant to leave them. Others bobbed around the hole, as if wanting to keep them company.

'They're minding their distance for some reason…' Rouge looked back down and around the apparent chamber they were all in. She noted Shadow and Espio wandering around the place, both searching around for any exits, she figured. She blinked thoughtfully at them. 'I thought the pyreflies were the essences of those who had died…but they're a lot like Chao, in a weird sense. It's good that they didn't coalesce into fiends.' Her glower returned. 'I think that battle with Mephiles and the Final Lovers…scared them?' She closed her eyes. 'Both Zaon and Yunalesca's Aeonic forms oversouled…which must be the reason why they're frightened.'

Shadow and Espio were moving about in different patterns on the floor, dodging and shuffling through rubble, still curious about any possible way out.

But Shadow was more concerned about Mephiles' whereabouts.

"There's a doorway here," Espio beckoned, pointing at a slender opening in the farthest corner. He stood atop a crumbled pillar that just happened to act as a ramp. "We can leave through here."

"Check it first," Shadow instructed, crossing his arms. "We're not trying to fall into that abyss, mind you."

Espio nodded. He dashed up the makeshift ramp and peeked through the doorway.

Vector toted Charmy on his shoulder, thankful the bee child hadn't thrown up on him. But an aggravated vein throbbed at his temple. He walked over toward the Yevon glyph and noticed the Yevon Script inside numerous other circles on the chamber's floor and walls. He ignored Charmy's nauseous groans for a moment to inspect the writing, and soon noticed the tall Yevon inscription ahead of him. He had to look up high, almost at the ceiling, and blinked a little.

"This dark chasm-chamber-thingy is making me queasy still, Vector…!" Charmy complained. "Can we go now?"

"Hold on a minute, will ya?" Vector snapped. "Jeez…! I'm trying to put my Chaotix Detective skills to work here…!"

"This lettering has been in every building I've encountered," Shadow said, approaching Vector and standing beside him. The green crocodile looked over at him. "Past, present, and future…and I still have no idea what its significance is. I'm sure it's the writing of their religion, though…but what does it say? Or mean?"

"Maybe they're the words to the Hymn of the Fayth?" Rouge threw in, walking over to them. She shrugged. "But those little guys up there…" She pointed up to where those pyreflies were still watching them. "They were scared of Mephiles, especially when he forced Paragon and Chac to oversoul…! That monster…!" She huffed, gripping her hands into fists.

Espio had reappeared to inform them of a safe, albeit tight, exit, but stood to listen in on the conversation passing to and fro between Rouge and Shadow. His brows dipped downward at the sight of Rouge's clenched fists.

"Wow, you've gotten pretty familiar with everything around here, huh, Baby-Cakes?" Vector complimented, wiggling his eyebrows handsomely.

"I think that's besides the point, Boss…" Charmy threw in chidingly.

Vector straightened and darted his eyes over at Charmy. "Grah…! Don't make me discus-throw you, Charmy!" he roared at the boy that was still on his shoulder.

Charmy wailed, shielding his head. "Bah! Vector! You meanie-face!"

"Ya runt!"

"Ya bum!"

"Ya twerp!"

"Blockhead!"

"Scatterbrain!"

Espio couldn't find any words to use to describe how idiotic those two comrades of his looked—outside of their fighting. His eyes only loomed after the dust cloud that puffed up around their wrestling and tussling. The crocodile and the bee looked so hopeless, rolling around like that. "Really, you guys? Really?" Espio whispered, able to keep the straightest emotionless face, despite his embarrassment.

Totally ignoring another of the two's bickering matches, Shadow was still facing Rouge with a sternly thoughtful gaze. He could see the tears she was trying to hold back.

Rouge sniffled as quietly as she could. "He used…the first Summoner and her husband…just so he could…!" A soft hiccup escaped. "That heartless…! He should've left those two alone, let them rest…together." She couldn't hold back her tears anymore.

Vector and Charmy instantly froze and silenced themselves upon hearing the softest of Rouge's cries. They blinked nervously.

But Rouge's gasp was just as soft as her cries. She blinked slowly, feeling a lukewarmness suddenly embracing her. It was holding her at just the right amount of strength, some fingers combing through the back of her head even. A melancholy pulse thumped against her own as she snuggled into the side of Shadow's neck. She slipped her arms around his waist as gently as he was holding her. She bit her quivering lip.

An abrupt flash swallowed the room high above them and cascaded into the chamber they were in. Espio swapped his eyes up at the light and leapt over toward the rest of his comrades. Vector and Charmy saw this too, but yelped in terror.

"Bah! The light—It's gonna eat us!" Charmy squealed, covering his eyes.

Vector did the same. "Gah! I think you're gonna be right for once, Charmy!"

Although the flash fanned out within that chamber rather rapidly, Shadow only held Rouge closer, meaning to shield her once again. She yelped a little from the blinding fleeting brightness.

But before the nothingness her mind saw, she somehow heard the total tranquility in Shadow's next words: "As must you…for me."

FUTURE SPIRA - PALACE OF ST. BEVELLE - Moments after Restoration…

Silver and Blaze had made their way back to the Palace. The rooms and corridors were still empty; nothing but pyreflies remained. Their presence annoyed Silver, though; seeing them only made his heartache worsen. Aware that the pyreflies could sense that, Blaze trailed behind Silver and saw them float away from Silver, dodging him as he passed through. She was keeping her distance, too.

But she frowned a little. She glanced around at the pyreflies he'd passed. 'He means no disrespect, I'm sure. Please forgive his rudeness.' Blaze tacked on the emphasis, making sure the pyreflies could pick it up.

"I'm not being rude! They're in my way!" Silver yelled back at her waspishly. He assumed a quicker, more impatient pace now.

Blaze had flinched, making a flustered face. Apparently, Silver had picked it up, too, with his telepathy. And she was getting impatient and annoyed as well.

Blaze and Silver had arrived inside the Atrium Cathedrae of the Palace. Everything inside was the same as long ago, according to the remaining records Bevelle kept even now, and the legendary fables that were once told.

Just like the ones Lenne would tell to her Guardians, Silver and Blaze.

The throne room was amazing in every sense of the word: the hand-carved pools were situated on each side of the pure-white marble altar. The duly missed sunshine made the rest of the floor sparkle, as well as the gilded thrones, the silken hanging ribbons, the Yevon banners, and the sacred Yevon glyph engraved in reversed cameo within the middle of the floor. The skylight and surrounding window alcoves made the throne room look thoroughly vast and open.

And Blaze was thoroughly impressed by the sight. Her eyes glimmered in the sunlight, but her worry was threading into their brightness. She grunted a sigh.

Silver was walking up to the seat High Summoner Lenne once took. The felid Guardian noticed a glimmer had caught his eye, and he looked like he was holding something in his hands now. She blinked, seeing a gleam akin to it but in the Legendary Guardian's seat, and walked over to it.

More forlorn tears cradled the lower lids of Silver's eyes. A few spilled over and landed on the item in his hands.

"This is…Lenne's Shining Ring." Silver sniffled. He caressed the ring with a thumb. "This would've buffered the impact of Iblis' attacks by using Shell and Protect, and even Reflect…and I know she's used this to Doublecast Haste and Regen on herself, while she recuperated after every other Sealing attempt…!"

Silver gasped, his eyes widening.

Blaze stepped up to the Legendary Guardian's throne and pick up the item there. She examined it. "This would've protected her, too, Silver." She showed it to him. "Because this is her Aegis Bangle, and it would've allowed Iblis' fire magic to be absorbed and converted into vitality. That would go for water-, lightning-, and ice-based magic as well…" She lowered her gaze to the floor. She clutched the bangle tautly in between her fingers.

Silver's tears fell one by one, his fist trembling with the Shining Ring inside it.

"But she knew she wouldn't need them because…she's…!"

"Don't say it!" Silver snapped.

Blaze glowered at the floor, her yellow eyes ready to pierce through Silver's soul. "Silver—!"

"Don't make me feel worse than I do already! Please!"

Her grip on the bangle tightened. "Silver, you're acting like a child! Now stop whining and listen!"

Silver flinched, stepping back half a step.

"Lady Lenne is no longer here, Silver, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want you behaving like this, now that she's gone! She's entrusted Spira's Eternal Calm with us now, Silver. And it's our duty to follow the decree of our Summoner…our Lady Lenne." Streaming bullets were cascading down Blaze's cheeks as well.

Silver was confused by Blaze's tears and her angry tone. He internalized her words, thinking about how selfish and childish he was being. 'I know, Blaze, but…!'

"You're not the only one with a heart that's aching, Silver."

The Psychic Guardian glanced back at his comrade, who was placing the Aegis Bangle on her wrist. He looked down at the Shining Ring and nodded to it before he placed it on his left middle finger. Its broad face looks like the milky opal silhouette of Nirvana.

Blaze's tail swayed in a serpentine motion. "Because…"

There was an all-consuming light flooding towards them in the distance. Silver gawked.

There wasn't much time to react or defend; only to hear the Pyromantic Guardian's last words.

"I loved you too…dummy."

BESAID TEMPLE - CHAMBER OF THE FAYTH - After an Interval of Solitude…

Yuna knelt in front of High Summoner Braska's statue, silently and earnestly praying. She wanted strength more than anything, at that moment. The light of the Temple's sconces kept the shadows away, so that her white gown could glow in muted ethereality. She held her hands close together.

She figured if she was too weak to even face Sonic, she would be too weak to absolve his confession. She had to keep her strength, no matter what. So she prayed to her father, wishing to receive guidance and power from him.

But the sconce flames suddenly flinched.

Her closed eyes flickered a squint and her interlaced fingers' clasp tightened.

Sonic was still sitting outside the Temple, now covered by a blanket Wakka had given to him earlier. The blitzball captain tried one more time to cheer him up, but to no avail. He even threw in a chord-struck offer of lending a tent for him to stay in, just in case he got sleepy.

However, Sonic didn't want to decline or accept the offer, so he said nothing in response.

The full-faced tears had slowed their pace considerably over the hour that passed. He never went after Yuna, nor did Yuna return to him. Their sudden separation was eerie in vibe, and it was still hurting him inside. He wished he did go after her, but dread made him stay away. He resolved to give her time to recoup and strengthen herself again.

'Maybe she'll change her mind…?'

But he was completely neglecting himself, allowing himself to fall into a strange sort of depression. He was sitting in a fetal position, arms barred around his knees and hugging them close to his chest. His face remained buried against them, and his sobbing had also diminished considerably as his mind reunified. His thoughts were starting to flow a lot better.

His heart still felt raw, however.

A distinctly cold draft breezed in from nowhere, picking up the hems of the blanket around Sonic's shoulders. He quickly noticed the odd draftiness get stronger, and soon enough it turned into a gale. He shielded his face, trying not to topple down the steps. The blanket was whipped from his shoulders and whirling through the fast-moving air. Sonic was able to look past his arms and see the massive wall of light zooming towards him and Besaid Temple.

'Oh no!' his instincts cried. "Yuna—!"

Sonic's feet weren't fast enough to make his way to Yuna in time, and all of Besaid Island was engulfed by that mysterious flash.

Once that far-reaching light died down, it left Sonic's company incapacitated for a good while. Amy, Cream and Cheese, Tails, and Knuckles appeared all together in one area, with Rouge and the Chaotix not too far off, much to both parties' unawareness.

Even Blaze had ended up within earshot of them. The Aegis Bangle was still on her wrist. Its glimmer looked eerie and disconcerting.

Yuna had remained in her previously assumed position, apparently transported to the new location without being affected by the spatiotemporal lapse in consciousness. She opened her eyes, seemingly awakening from a sleeplike trance, and looked around. The place was very familiar but utterly bizarre: she looked the place high and low, all around, and even checked to see if the details were right.

"This looks like Macalania Woods," Yuna deduced. She got up to her feet, and she quickly noticed something wrong. She lifted her staff into her hands. She frowned at the shrubs full of hibiscus flowers that blossomed the moment she looked at them. "Those flowers shouldn't be growing here…nor should they be blooming so rapidly." She looked up at the sky that was supposed to be blue, or at least gray; it was titian, with strange violet tints mixed in. She furrowed her brows suspiciously. "This isn't Macalania…! Where am I?"

A waking moan floated into the air around her. Yuna darted her heterochromous sights over her shoulder. She recognized the voice underneath the moan.

"Amy?" she cried.

She trotted in what she thought was Amy's direction, crashing through more of the hibiscus bushes and dodged the stringy vines that hung in her way. Those bushes were still budding, but the instant Yuna brushed by, they popped with life. Even the stringy vines started to flower. And a bluish-violet dust sprinkled from within all their blooms.

Yuna made her way into a clearing and found not only Amy, but Tails, Knuckles, and Cream and Cheese as well. She glanced around cautiously, seeing more and more of the same flower bursting into life in various arrays of colors. Busy colors popped at the sight of the Summoner, releasing a fine powder from within their blossoms. Confused a little, Yuna blinked while managing to hear the five of them waking up. She shifted a little in her stance; the blue grass crunched under her feet.

'Something's definitely not right here…!' the suspicion sprang at her.

Amy had rubbed her eyes a little before she spotted Yuna. She gasped a little nervously. "L-Lady Yuna!" She blinked rapidly.

The pink hedgehog's soft outburst spurred the others awake: Tails looked back and saw Yuna, too; Cream hugged Cheese once he'd made his way into her arms. "Chao-chao…?" he cooed in a sad tone; Knuckles rubbed his head a bit and got to his feet. He eyed Yuna as well and crossed his arms.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Knuckles' acknowledgement sounded acerbic.

Yuna hesitated in speaking her return, but her gentle bow was able to suffice it.

Knuckles snarled a little.

Or she'd hoped it would have.

"Please pardon Knuckles, Lady Yuna," Tails apologized on Knuckles' behalf. And before Knuckles had a chance to retaliate, he went on to explain, "But there's something we need to discuss with you."

Cream shyly stepped closer to the High Summoner, paused, and skirted over to Amy and clasped onto her hand. Cheese hid behind Cream, covering his eyes and cooing sadly; Cream peeked from behind Amy to gaze downheartedly at Yuna.

"Please proceed." Yuna nodded to him.

Amy tried to push back the tears demanding to scramble out of her eyes as Tails began to explain their predicament to the young Lady.

"Lady Yuna, prior to this…weird occurrence, the five of us had been imprisoned in Via Purifico, underneath the Bevelle Temple. It was most definitely because of our unexpected appearance here in Spira, and the Praetorian Guard even presented us with an Inspector's Warrant, read us our 'Miranda rights,' and everything before they arrested us." Tails' gaze had lowered. He blinked out of his daydream and resumed his explanation. "But that's all understandable and within good reason, mind you…!" He waved defensively, chuckling shyly.

"That's not what's bothering the five of you, is it?"

Feeling caught red-handed and in the act, Amy gulped a little loudly. Cream flinched a little, with her Chao shivered against her back. Both girls clasped each other's hands tighter.

Knuckles shot his glare at Tails. He bared a defeated fang. "You should just tell her already," he spat out impatiently. He turned his back and leaned his shoulder against the tree he was standing next to.

Tails blinked more slowly now. He had flinched from the definiteness of her doubt in the motive behind the subject. He was trying to mask it for as long as he could, build up to it, and tell her when he found the right timing and appropriate words. But now those first and middle steps were cut from the queue, and he had no choice but to heed Knuckles' acidic advice. His brows made an indecisive slide downward as he huffed an identical sigh.

"I am fully capable of explaining myself, Tails…"

Tails threw his eyes on Yuna, wide and more unsure. His hands grappled into little fists. He watched her honest and permissive nod.

"So ask away."

Her smile was filled with guilt, and Tails could tell. His own eyes gleamed with hesitance and anxiousness, but he gulped and nodded. He raised a fist up to his chest. 'I can feel that strange resonance coming from Yuna again…' Tails thought. 'But this time, it feels like an even heavier sadness—like remorse, specifically.'

"Gahh…what happened? What's the big idea, huh?"

Knuckles huffed a growl. "Sounds like the Chaotix are up."

Amy, Tails, and Cream looked toward the source of Vector's voice. They all blinked. Cheese floated from behind Cream and cooed wonderingly.

Amy tilted her head to one side. "They made it here, too?"

Tails frowned a little in confusion. "I didn't even know they were here. They sound like they're really close by, too."

"Let's see if they're all right," Yuna suggested.

She motioned into leading them back to them. Her gown fluttered after her hasty stride, but rustled to a stop. She saw that the others weren't following her. She could sense their reluctance, and different manners of agitation from both Knuckles and Amy. She knitted her brows together by the slightest bit.

"I will explain as we continue to move on."

Vector and Charmy were the first ones to rise from the strange trance they found themselves under. Charmy shook his head rigorously from side to side. Vector rubbed his head gently as his gingery eyes searched around for Rouge, and Espio to a lesser degree.

"Wow, I feel funny…" Charmy said, yawning a little. "It felt like I was sleeping, but I wasn't…?" He batted another yawn from his mouth.

"Gyah! Where's Rouge-Baby? Aw no!" Vector frantically waddled around. "Oh no—Oh no—Oh no—!"

Then a mischievous grin crept along the bee's lips. "Found her, Boss!" He chuckled impishly. "But you're not gonna like where…!"

"Bah, shut it, Charmy! At least you found her, right—!"

Vector's heart sank into a thousand fiery abysses at the sight of Espio underneath Rouge. Both of them were somewhat conscious, as they appeared to be awakening to Charmy's devious snickering. Familiar crocodile tears poured out of the boss detective's eyes, his fingers wiggling menacingly and getting ready to throttle Espio.

The waking chameleon was slowly rising beneath Rouge. He hissed from a pang of pain in his head, but when he reached for his head he noticed two supple mounds against his chest.

He knew what they were, and he definitely knew they weren't his.

But he noticed Rouge rising in sync with him, they both blinked rapidly. Although, Rouge shifted her sights from their connected chests and alluringly back up to the full flush on Espio's strangely straight face.

'Why me…? Why do these things always happen to me?' Espio screamed in his mind, his face still straight and still piping hot-red.

She giggled. "Well well…" she teased. "Didn't think you had it in you…Ero-Nin." She winked playfully, pinching his cheek.

Vector bellowed in defeat, holding his head as if it was likely to explode. Charmy just laughed up a storm, flipping around in midair, laughter-induced tears spraying all over like a sprinkler.

"This is just too rich, oh my gosh, my sides hurt again!" Charmy coughed hysterically.

"How dare you…! Espio, how couldja?" Vector yelled.

Espio's expression was still crimson, straight-faced, and being playfully pinched by Rouge as he blinked rapidly. "This isn't my doing, I swear—!"

Vector cracked his knuckles. "Since Shadow's not here to kill ya, I'll do it for him…ya jerk!" Vector bellowed vehemently, lunging out and grasping Espio's neck.

"There shall be no killing so long as I am here, sir."

Vector was shaking Espio by the neck when Yuna's voice echoed into the clearing he, his comrades, and Rouge were in. Vector stopped throttling the chameleon at the High Summoner's command; unfortunately for his victim, dizzy spirals—where his eyes were supposed to be—indicated his condition. Charmy stifled his impish laughter and lowered himself to the ground.

"Total epic fail, Boss," Charmy snickered. "Busted…!"

Vector snarled and snapped his crocodile jaw at the boy, who buzzed out of its way, yelping. He bumped right into Rouge's bosom, face-first, and hid there. Much to Rouge's displeasure. "That is not a good hiding place for you, y'know," she vaguely threatened, sounding obvious and sort of annoyed. One eyebrow peaked higher than the other; so did the anger vein at her temple.

Yuna and her passel of newcomers moved into the clearing. Amy and Cream held hands, with Cheese being cradled in Cream's arm again; Tails and Knuckles kept their distance from the High Summoner.

Vector was the first to eye Yuna, and he dropped Espio like a log and clambered into a suddenly modest bow. "My apologies, m'dear. Ever so sorry for such terrible and embarrassing antics my comrades here have displayed."

"Says you, Mr. Fail Boss…!" Charmy stuck his tongue out at Vector before nestling his face back into Rouge's cleavage. He snuggled against it. "At least Momma Rouge here is being nice to me."

"Oh, please! I'm not your mother!" Rouge plucked Charmy out of her cleavage by the wings. "So speak for yourself, kid! And stay out of there!" She punted him, avoiding his stinger completely, and sent him crashing into the brush. She huffed upon hearing his sneeze and painful groan.

"Hey, that's Lady Yuna to you, bub!" Amy snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at Vector.

"Amy, please no…!" Cream whined in embarrassment. "Chao, Chao-chao…!" Cheese pleaded with Cream.

"Hey! What're getting mad at me for, huh?" Vector pumped an irritated fist. "I didn't do anything!"

"Because you're acting like an idiot again…" Knuckles threw in rather evidently, standing akimbo.

"When is he not…?" Espio rasped, caressing the sore throbbing all around his neck.

"Shut it, Espio, or I'll kill ya, I swear!"

"What you saw wasn't what you thought, Vector…!"

"Keep blabbing, ya jerk, and I'll really knock your block off!"

Tails' face remained blank. "I don't know exactly what happened here, but…sorry you have to witness this, Lady Yuna…!" He waved his hands out of discomfiture for all of them.

"Tails…?"

"Hmm?" Tails blinked up at Yuna in response. "Yes?"

Yuna's expression remained serious. "This wasn't the field I found myself in." She peered around at the hibiscus flowers. They were a completely different color. Even the dust popping forth from the blossoms was a different color. She frowned at them. "The flowers here are of different shades…and they all bloom the instant I look at them. The landscape has changed…eerily changed."

"Really? Are you sure?" Tails' tone bore a cross between intrigue and nervousness. "These flowers are everywhere, you know? Maybe they're just disorienting you somehow…?"

But Yuna was certain. "No, the landscape has changed. Because these flowers aren't even supposed to be here." She was looking around carefully as she explained. "This place is supposed to be Macalania Woods, which is primarily composed of ice and frost, but these hibiscuses can only thrive on Besaid and Kilika…and neither of those places are anywhere near us."

"Then what could be causing the scenery to shift like this, Lady Yuna?"

Everyone had homed in on the question between the fox boy and the Spiran Summoner. They had crowded around her, curious and worried. The children blinked in confusion, while Knuckles, Rouge, Espio and Vector pondered about it themselves.

Tails' twin appendages flared around nervously. "Unless it's supposed to change…?"

A dire revelation made its way into Yuna's expression, pulling her brows downward more. "It is supposed to change, Tails, you're right…because we're in the Farplane." She gripped her Summoner's staff closer to her body. Sharply, she turned to see a freakish vine winding up a bluish-green tree's trunk. It curved and coiled, creeping sinisterly before bursting into bloom.

Rouge gasped softly. 'No way…!' Her hands had covered her mouth, hiding her gasp. "It's Mephiles!" she spat out, sure of herself. "Mephiles must be involved in this! He has to be!"

"Please, if you would, miss." Yuna faced Rouge. Both the women's faces were deadlocked and serious. "Please tell me everything you know about this Mephiles. From where have you seen this flower?"

Rouge nodded. "I would see it whenever Mephiles appeared. It's a lotus of some kind, but I can't name the exact specie. It seems to be a 'motif' of his, amongst other poisonous plants, powders, gases, miasma, and different kinds of toxic substances."

"Which means…!" Tails said under his breath in order not to create panic within the group. He glanced at the lotuses again, examining the fine powder that coated their stamen and petals. 'This entire field could be rigged with poison!'

"Mephiles is a wicked individual who's stolen Shadow's image, but he definitely can't be confused with Shadow. He's…!" Rouge shivered. "Even scarier than Shadow—especially if you've encountered him on a bad day."

"And that's scary in itself," Knuckles tossed in.

"But Mephiles is a whole new brand of terrifying, regardless of what level I try to put him on! Shadow can't even resemble that brand. Shadow's signature malice and balefulness aren't anywhere close to Mephiles'; he's on the total opposite end of the spectrum!"

"That is because 'Mephiles' is the Mystic Illumine of Solaris."

The sound of rustling bush leaves crashed into the clearing. The older newcomers threw themselves into defensive stances around Yuna, ready to protect her and the smaller children.

"Who's there?" Knuckles snarled, ready to lunge out at the intruder.

"Come out and show yourself!" Amy kept Cream and Cheese and Tails close behind her.

"Yeah!" Charmy agreed. He demonstrated a couple of kidlike jabs. "So we can clobber ya!"

"Fall back, everyone." Yuna was stepping closer to the nearing rustles. She stopped in front of the group of newcomers to greet the newest one of them all. Yuna smiled. "This one is a friend."

A lavender cat somersaulted over the remaining bushes and landed on all fours in front of the trusting Summoner. Everyone gawked in astonishment at the sight of her. The strange newcomer looked similar to the others. She got up and faced Yuna, who smiled trustingly at her.

The cat gestured the Yevon prayer circle with her hands to the Summoner and kneeled in deep respect. "I am relieved to see you unharmed, My Lady Yuna," the stranger addressed to her, greatly regarding her. "Please forgive my interference."

"All is forgiven, Blaze," Yuna returned, gesturing back to her. "You may relieve yourself from kneeling."

Blaze nodded "Thank you" and got up from the ground. She brushed herself off and glanced over at everyone else that was present.

"Wait." Amy trotted closer. She pointed back and forth between Yuna and the newly arrived Blaze. "How do you two know each other?"

Blaze crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

'That was definitely a Shadow mannerism…' Rouge thought, smirking at Blaze.

"Well, we don't, really—at least not on a personal level. It is rather complicated to explain in detail, but to put it simply…" Yuna blinked slowly, bringing her staff into one arm and her hands into a prayerful clasp. "It is 'the bond between a Guardian and a Summoner that transcends all time.' It is one that cannot be forcefully severed nor naturally broken, so long as a Summoner exists and a Guardian is present to protect them. Regardless of where they've been stitched into the fabric of time."

Rouge found tears beading along her eyelids. "Like Yunalesca and Zaon…?"

"Yes."

Rouge gawked at Blaze, who nodded to her. Strangely, tears were misting in her gaze as well. The bat girl blinked wildly, still a bit startled.

"Just like the first…and last High Summoners."

"Wait…! 'Last'? What are you talking about?" Amy exclaimed, frightened all of a sudden.

Blaze flinched a bit. "It's not whom you think! It isn't Lady Yuna, but someone…much further down the line." She sighed awkwardly, glancing up at the current High Summoner. She placed a hand on her chest, smirking quietly to herself. 'And she's borne your likeness strikingly well, Lady Yuna,' she added in her silence.

"Now, going back to Mephiles…"

Everyone glanced back at Tails, who was toying with the furry tuft on his cheek. Blaze frowned a little.

"Or the 'Mystic Illumine of Solaris,' as Blaze has proclaimed." Tails eyed Yuna again. "What connection does he have with you, Lady Yuna? And maybe even with the rest of us?"

Yuna didn't really have a concrete response, since she had seen neither Shadow nor Mephiles in person. She pondered on a response, in attempts to allay everyone's worries.

"If Mephiles is the Mystic Illumine as Blaze says, then he must be after his Carnal Fervor counterpart, 'Iblis'," Yuna said as definitely as she could.

Guilt, regret and fear made shallow marks on Yuna's visage, and Blaze felt them without glimpsing back. The grip on her crossed arms clenched slightly.

"But…?" Cream blinked a little. Cheese curiously looked from one face to another until landing on Yuna's. "What is Iblis?" Cream asked nervously.

"And where is it?" Amy asked next.

Blaze lowered her arms and her eyes, sighing forlornly. Yuna placed a hand subconsciously on her stomach. She felt Blaze take her other hand and rub it soothingly. The cat Guardian's touch was very warm, warmer than she thought. But she remembered something, and listened in on Blaze's explanation.

"I have the power to sense fire energies, allowing me to detect the Carnal Fervor's presence. He has been sealed within numerous Human vessels, more specifically within each succeeding heir that is born into Bevelle's Triarchal Sovereignty…ever since the first Sealing that was placed on High Summoner Yuna."

Everyone gasped slowly.

Espio had a look of astonishment, while Charmy's lips curled into a frightened boyish smirk. "Wha—? No way!" Vector exclaimed, taking a step back.

Rouge tensed up, her fists interlocked at her chest; Knuckles and Tails blinked wildly, shocked that such a thing still could and would be happening in such a progressive place like Spira.

"So…that terrible Iblis monster is…?" Tears dripped from Cream's eyes as she clutched Cheese closer.

"Inside…you?" Amy was pointing at Yuna. Watching Yuna solemnly nod cued more of her tears to arise. "But…! Does Sonic know? Did you tell him?"

"Or did you conveniently leave that out, too?" Knuckles growled, fists at his sides.

There was a brief sparkle of fear in her eyes before she looked away from the fiery-red echidna.

But Blaze stepped up in her defense. "Watch your tone, back-talker! You will address Her Highness with nothing but respect!"

"It's all right, Blaze."

Blaze flared her eyes wider as she felt the Summoner move her hand. She darted her eyes up at her. "Milady…?" she couldn't help whispering as she watched Yuna stride closer to the others. The Summoner's inner strength was shining away her own insecurity, so she decided to stay quiet and bask in the hopeful rays. She raised her hand up to her chest as well. The Aegis Bangle glimmered prettily.

"Sonic is aware that I am the keeper of Iblis' power, Amy, but he doesn't know that it's in the form of a sacred Embodiment Seal"—she smoothed a hand over her abdomen—"here, inside me."

"She is the very first of Bevelle's Sovereigns to have an aspect of Solaris imprisoned within one's body through a magic seal," Blaze added, trying not to be too invasive. "Since she was the only heir that survived the Solaris Project tragedy and the destruction of the Bevelle Underground…as well as the only heir born to High Summoner Braska, the mainspring of the Project."

"The very first, hmm?" Espio hummed. "Astonishing…"

"The Iblis monster sounds really scary…!" Cream cringed next to Amy. "Chao-chao chao-chao," her Chao agreed.

"Can't we just go back in time and stop the accident from happening?" Knuckles demanded. "If we go back and stop it, none of this will be happening right now—!"

"We would leave too big of an imprint on their universe, Knuckles," Tails intervened. "If we went back and changed the stream of time here, we'd be forced to stay here longer than we have to. And the longer we stay, the bigger our imprint will get."

"Plus, we'd need to perform Chaos Control here right now, even if we did decide to do that," Rouge added, gesturing accordingly with her hand. "And we don't have any of the Chaos Emeralds or anyone who can even perform it here."

"Oh no! We don't have any?" Tails was looking around from group to group, suddenly frantic. All of their responses were shaking heads. "Gah! That means this Mephiles person could've taken them!"

"And I'm guessing that's super-duper-bad, you guys!" Charmy whined.

"Then we have to get them back now!" Knuckles said, pumping his fists. "Before it's too late!"

"We'll need to find Sonic, too, you guys!" Amy tossed in. "Maybe even Silver and Shadow along with!"

Yuna was going to attest, but something stopped her in her tracks. A sense of dread fell over and silenced her. She hesitated, stifling her rebuttal.

And Blaze sensed it immediately.

"What is it?" Knuckles was getting impatient. "Why are you hesitating?" he barked at her. "This is serious!"

"Don't you think she knows that, loudmouth?" Amy yelled at the echidna defensively. She quickly wiped the spilling teardrops away. "Just give her a minute, will ya?" She felt Cream hugging onto her waist. She laid a hand on Cream's shoulder. Cheese plopped himself on top of Amy's head, cooing despondently.

The High Summoner clasped her staff tighter against her chest.

Blaze gazed at Amy as the pink hedgehog was trying so hard to keep her tears at bay. 'Amy…?' she sighed in her mind.

"It's just that…I cannot approach the Illumine."

As Blaze lowered her sights once again, everyone else darted their own back at her charge.

"What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?" Espio asked.

Yuna smiled sadly. "Exactly as I said it, young sir. In the most literal sense."

Espio blinked a little, before bringing a hand to his chin. He hummed in questioning interest. "For true, now?"

"Yes, indeed."

"But why can't you, Lady Yuna?" asked Tails, purely worried but still curious.

"Is is because he's so scary?" Cream asked after him.

Yuna giggled gently at Cream's innocent concern. "No, it's not that he's scary, although he is fabled to be quite terrifying." She caressed her abdomen again, where the invisible seal was. "The reason why the Mystic Illumine was never sealed within a human vessel is because it would've been too risky: The Mystic Illumine's power is far too great to seal within a living being, let alone a human one. If he were sealed within a human vessel, he would simply possess them and use them as a living puppet. Then, eventually, he'd seek out Iblis and rejoin with him. He would subject them to treacherous acts and torture them with his manipulative abilities. And soon enough lead them to their death by driving them into insanity."

"He tried to do that to Shadow," Rouge interjected somberly. "But, oddly…it didn't work on him at all." There was thankfulness in her tone at the end.

"His powers are strongest against those who believe in the doctrines of others, either more than or instead of their own. He'll feed off someone's uncertainty and despair, and his powers grow stronger because he fills his victims' minds with self-fulfilling prophecies and bad omens, enough to throw them into a downward spiral…and he fatally strikes them when their guard's been shattered."

"Not just lowered or completely down…but shattered? As in gone?" Tails was in disbelief. "That sounds so terrible…!"

"His manipulative prowess is so sophisticated that he not only discourages his victim from resisting, but he physically and psychologically disables them from fighting back," Yuna went on. "Although I have never seen him, I would advise myself never to go near him, not without a Guardian present."

"So you're afraid that he'll sweet-talk you into releasing Iblis and kill you afterwards?" Knuckles tossed out the question, still acidic-sounding.

Blaze's whiskers prickled, incensed by Knuckles' attitude. She growled lowly.

"Yes I am, sorry to say," Yuna replied with a heavy heart and a soothing hand on Blaze's ear. "I'm aware that my human mind is exceedingly fragile, and I cannot contest his magical abilities. So, the best move for me is to stay away from him."

"Unless he attempts to draw you in somehow…?" Espio pondered. He glared thoughtfully at the High Summoner. His comrades looked at him and shrugged at each other, clearly and obviously unsure themselves.

"That's where I come in." Blaze thumped a brave fist against her chest. "It is my sworn duty as the Guardian to this Summoner, as decreed by the transcendent bond between us." She nodded faithfully up at Yuna. "I promise that I will protect you, 32nd High Summoner Yuna. That I solemnly swear upon this bond." She gesticulated the Yevon prayer before bowing formally to Yuna.

Impressed by Blaze's knowledge of her placement in royal lineage, Yuna smiled grandly.

"I am honored to be of assistance to you, My Lady."

"And it is greatly appreciated, Pyromantic Guardian, Blaze the Cat." She returned the Guardian's bow with a just-as-deep curtsy.

Charmy laced his fingers behind his head, bobbing up and down in the air. He shrugged. "Are the super-fancy titles really necessary? 'Princess' and 'Queen' are good enough for me."

Tails smiled gently, feeling an aura of confidence emanate from Yuna's smile. He blushed coy pink, scratching his cheek lightly. 'Is this the feeling Sonic had whenever he was around Yuna?' he asked himself. He stopped to poke his cheek. 'Not that I blame him or anything…'

Rouge had ambled a little ways from the grouping to analyze the lotus blooms and the sparkling dust on their tiny stamen and broad sword-shaped petals. She crossed her arms and sneered at them, reluctant to touch one, remembering everything the entity they represented had put her and Shadow through.

'Both Shadow and Sonic are missing from our group. I hope they're okay…' Her sigh sounded exasperated, though—like it was full of concern.

'I'm sorry for being so pushy, Lady Yuna.' Tails wanted to say to her. 'I hope…I didn't make you want to cry.' He twiddled his forefingers around each other.

And seemingly out of the blue, Yuna knelt down in front of Tails and hugged him. Tails gasped softly.

"Don't fret. All is forgiven, little one."

The little fox was unsure of how to return it, but he was sure that her embrace felt like motherly forgiveness. So he slowly wrapped his arms around the human woman's neck and nestled his head against her shoulder.

'But because…I sort of like this feeling too.'

That coy blush never left Tails' face.

M.P. Lilith: I wanted to let the world end while leaving this story hanging from such a heartbreaking plotcliff? Oh~, I is so cuh-ru-ell~! XP

But since the world didn't end, looks like I'll have to finish this thing...which is not a bad thing! *noodlearmflail*

For those who may have noticed, you might have spotted some foreshadowing and trivia from both games' fanon (for this fic) and canon. Like Blaze's "Shadow mannerism" and some truth in the Solaris counterparts. More of that will be explained in, rather fast-approaching, upcoming chapters. And if you're wondering where our three main hedgies went, don't worry. They'll reappear in the next Paradigm. It'll be the longest Paradigm I've written so far, super-close to a whopping 8,000 words! Woot~! I've been working uber-hard on this masterpiece for an ungodly unnecessary amount of time, though. But with about 20 writing projects mulling around in mah head, too...? Aye-yah~!

Anyway. I digress. *getssuperserious?* Prepare thyself for another dose of angsty suspense, twisted revelations, and my exceedingly creepy Mephiles. He awaits thee in Paradigm Twenty-Six...