Crisis of Ivory
Chapter 49: Ragnarok's Ivory
Location: Ivory City
World's Key Plan: 7 hours, 10 minutes
The shifting clouds of the night sky parted as the five massive Tempest airships flew through them, with the Aeolus in the lead. The air was violent, but Sonic could still feel the rising chaos energies within them. It was as if Chaos Drives were floating in the air all over the world, pulsating with their energies as they called out to those who could use them. Tension filled the minds of the hundreds of heroes who were perched on the many wings of the Tempests and the roofs, as well as those inside waiting to be deployed.
But the one who had the power to change everything sat at the back of the Aeolus' roof in the lead. Sonic looked through clouds ahead, finding only glimpses o the rough waves below. The sky had an eerie fuchsia tint, probably from the great chaos energies building along the atmosphere. The stars seemed unusually bright, and the energies tingling Sonic's fur ever so slightly did not help. An uneasiness fell over him and the others as they moved closer towards Ragnarok's stronghold, knowing they were less than fifteen minutes away.
The blue hedgehog had changed his attire that day in order to be more noticeable to those on his side in the field. A navy cape wrapped itself around Sonic's neck, flapping out in the wind with the crest of the Master Emerald on it. His gloves had lines of green on them, along with his running shoes being lime where there used to be rose. White bandages wrapped themselves along his forearms, and Chip's bracelet glowed dimly on his arm from the green orb and coursing down through the stone runes along its gray structure.
Sonic looked within its depths before he stared back out ahead, thinking of everything he could lose. Amy, his friends, the world he ran on, his life, and the lives of everyone else on the planet. He would be damned in Nebula would even think of taking it all away from him. The last two days showed him that even if life isn't pure, and it's hard, those connections and experiences are precious, and no one person had the right to destroy it all, to act as if those experience meant nothing in the face of some "perfect existence".
He would put an end to it that day.
"Okay everyone, here's the plan. Stick to it if you want to leave this place alive," Tails advised over the speakers. "GUN will arrive with their greatest task forces and attack five minutes before we do, so we can get on the island alive. Once there, we will diverge to cover the most ground, and deploy the heroes within before the rest of you guys use the Tempests and the Tornadoes docked under the Tempests to attack.
"What about pilots?" Charmy asked from within the Aeolus.
"I need Luxi, Omega, Jet, Wave, and Storm to continue piloting the Tempests, and the next best pilots can use the Tornadoes. The Aeolus will be piloted by you Charmy instead of me once we arrive, which will take the two main teams into the heart of the stronghold," Tails answered. "Once that happens, Sonic with our Chaos Emeralds and Chaos Cores, Amy, Knuckles with the Master Emerald, Alice, and Gemini will go after Nebula, while myself, Cream, Espio, Vector, and Rouge will go after the rest of the gems and go to Sonic's team with them. Everyone else just needs to fight off Ragnarok in any way they can so we can have a fighting chance."
"Got it, Tails," Sonic smirked. "You sure got this together. Don't worry, leave it to me and I'll kick Nebula's butt before his plan even starts. They don't stand a chance."
"I hope you're right," Knuckles said from within the Aeolus, "cause I think we're about there."
Sonic caught the first glimpse of the city as the clouds thinned and the island came into view, and it was nothing but miraculous. Tall rocky ranges almost like mountains that were lush with plants formed a barrier around the island, decreasing in size as they moved towards the center. Among the rocky ranges were large sleek skyscrapers of ivory which rose far above the island, and ivory pathways covered the distance between them, along with glorious plazas with large fountains.
People walked around in the streets, while Ragnarok Beasts guarded every corner. And as these buildings increased in frequency and grew larger as they moved inwards, they all began to center in on a massive building in the middle of it all. The mysterious and abstract tower of white stretched up into the sky, even up to the horizon of clouds. About three quarters of the way up to the top, smaller but still massive towers of black outlined in white sprouted from the sides of the tower all the way to the top, making it appear as if a robotic hand was grasping at the moon in the fuchsia tinted sky.
"I have to say, it looks more like a beautiful future instead of the base of evil," Knuckles shared. "Hell, those people look alright."
"Don't be fooled," Gemini told him. "Nebula used this isolated city as a test for his 'perfect world' theory. These people are kind of like the way I was before Virgo died, blissfully ignoring what they're doing to the rest of the world."
"Well, it looks like GUN is finally here. I thought they would never show," Vector huffed.
His words ran true as the side they were not approaching from fell into chaos. Ragnarok Beasts filled the air as GUN Walkers dropped into the streets and GUN Helicopters deployed squads of specialized GUN agents wielding Assault Rifles and light armor. Bursts of energy and flames suddenly clashed against each other as smoke rose from that side of the city-the battle was on. Only seconds had passed, and the sounds of chaos filled the air, even high in the sky as the heroes' ships began to descend and approach the island. One helicopter landed silently in the mountains far away from the others, but the blue hedgehog paid no attention to it.
Sonic looked at the Ivory Tower and instantly knew Nebula would be there-it easily loomed over even the tallest skyscrapers in the city from the massive plaza it stood within. Pure white orbs of light floated at the top of each street, illuminating the city's buildings even in the darkness of the night. It would be only about a minute before they crossed the barrier of mountains. Then, there would be no turning back, and Sonic was all too aware of that. It was if the chaos energies in the air could sense the great events that would take place there that day, and was attempting to to warn the last Chosen of that fact.
"Sonic..." Rouge said as she climbed onto the roof of the Aeolus, grabbing onto the top wing as Sonic did so as not to fall off as the Aeolus descended through the winds. "You can't tell Tails, but I'm not staying."
"Why? I don't want you running off on your own and getting blown to kingdom come. This isn't Eggman," Sonic responded.
"If you tried, you can feel him too," Rouge said. "My tracker detects Shadow somewhere in that city. I can't ignore that. You guys will be fine without me. I'm a GUN spy, so I think I can handle myself even in this."
"I don't know. Shadow's my friend, but we have a world to save," Sonic doubted.
"If you weren't in this Chosen business, I know you would be doing what I'm doing too," Rouge countered. "And besides, if something happened to you, who do you think would be the next person to count on to save the world?"
"Shadow..." Sonic grumbled admittedly.
"Yeah, I thought so," Rouge snickered. "If I can find Shadow, we'll meet up with you if we can and help out. See you later hopefully, speedy."
Rouge then leaped off the back of the Aeolus before anyone could notice, swooping down to the mountains that were almost directly below them. Sonic watched her free fall for a moment, and then he looked forward again. The ships passed through the mountains, descending slightly as they made their way over the first few ivory colored skyscrapers. For a moment the world was still, and the tension built up as the Tempests separated and cruised over the city with the heroes in tow. And then hell fell over them.
"Whoa! Watch out, Tails!" Sonic said, panicked by what was being launched at them in an instant.
The aircrafts weaved in all directions as bolts of energy, black and white flames, and automated turrets on the roofs attempted to shoot them down. At that moment the Tornado fighter planes deployed, shooting through the air as they unleashed waves of gunfire and missiles upon the Aerux, Executioners, and Airborne, while waves of chain gun fire came upon the beasts. But they had numbers on their side, as swarms of beasts tossed their weapons and energy attacks at the heroes and GUN as the battle raged throughout the city, the heroes deploying from the Tempests while those on the turrets stayed behind.
To Sonic it was as if the entire world was shaking. Blasts hammered into the earth, crumbling everything it touched as pathways over beautiful gardens and sprawling plazas were filled with GUN soldiers and heroes attacking the beasts. Civilians ran in all directions for safety, but found none as missiles and gunfire rained down from above while clashing against white and black bolts of energy from the Ragnarok Beasts. But even in the thick of it Tails weaved the Aeolus through the destructive array towards the tower in the middle of it all, looming before them like a pathway to the heavens. Black lines spread along its surface, as if the tower was struggling to truly be free from the dark.
"Tails, there's a spike of energy somewhere in the tower. It has to be where Nebula is," Sonic stated.
"Yeah, I know!" Tails called out. "Hang tight, I'm gonna swoop up for a moment."
The Aeolus ascended quickly and just in time as a massive burst of white flames from a Death Wyvern flew past where they once were. The dragon like Ragnarok Beast shirked as it circled around the plane before unleashing a powerful stream of black flames. Sonic leaped off of the Aeolus and spun into a ball before smashing with full force against the Death Wyvern's head, causing it to shriek out as it's head was pounded inwards. A storm of black and white particles washed across the Aeolus harmlessly as Sonic fell back down onto it, but before he did that, he looked up momentarily.
Even though the top of the Ivory Tower was so far above him, Sonic could still see Nebula. Though he was so far above that his figure was unclear and Sonic couldn't tell what form he was in, for a moment Sonic's emerald eyes stared into Nebula's crimson ringed ones. Time seemed to slow as the mortal enemies looked upon each other, and then Sonic fell back onto the Aeolus, finding himself too far below to even see his tiny figure on the skyline.
"Nebula's at the top of the tower," Sonic told Tails. "We're gonna have to go from the bottom up. We'll get slaughtered out here in the air."
"That's what I thought," Tails nodded as the Aeolus dived through the chaos and hovered just above the white walkways and plants of the main plaza. "Charmy, you take over. Take Silver and Blaze to the rest of the city so they can help the heroes and GUN. As of now, Silver is the leader of this operation until we leave the Ivory Tower."
"I won't let you guys down!" Silver promised, Blaze smiling at him to see that he had finally been given a chance. "Ready Charmy?"
"Yup!" Charmy said as the heroes leaped out of the Aeolus and onto the ground in front of one of the entrances, which were two black double doors that towered over the heroes. "Good luck, call me when you need to leave!"
"Take care of the Aeolus," Tails grumbled as Charmy flew away in the Aeolus. "Well now I'm assuming it's basically dead in that hyperactive kid's hands."
"Don't worry. He can get like that, but he's a good pilot," Vector assured.
"I think we should focus on bigger problems. The Spring Equinox has been happening for ten minutes. We need to get to the top of this thing before Nebula's plan is ready," Knuckles reminded them, facing the door. "I'll take care of the door. Deep Impact!"
The red echidna punched forward with a powerful scarlet force surrounding his fist. And the moment he made contact with the door a powerful explosion radiated out from the contact, punching a giant hole in the door. The other heroes looked impressed at Knuckles' great strength, but a Guardian turned around to face them and they knew they would just waste time sticking around. Without any hesitation the group of nine heroes jumped through the hole Knuckles made, entering Nebula's sanctuary as their ascension began.
Location: Sacred Canopy
World's Key Plan: 6 hours, 45 minutes
"I wish you all could feel these energies like I do," Combat Nebula stated from the roof of the Ivory Tower. The clouds seemed to be only a leap's length from the roof, and the sprouting black towers ended just a little bit higher than the main roof. Down below them the chaos was still clearly visible, the clash between the great forces echoing even to where Nebula looked over at it all. "It is so close now...Ragnarok's ambitions are about to be fulfilled."
"I cannot wait, Master Nebula. I know you will make this world one where we will all have a second chance," Typhoon said confidently, standing behind him along with Mintra and Nightmare.
"I will, Typhoon. You three have survived this far because you are truly dedicated to the vision, to seeing this world be reincarnated into something pure and beautiful," Nebula said.
"Thank you, Master, but the heroes have already entered the Ivory Tower," Mintra questioned. "At this rate, they will make it here in time."
"I have taken that into account," Nebula told him. "You will go and intercept the heroes. Keep them away from the main machine, and impede their progress if you cannot kill them. Consider this your final test, to defy your own daughter."
"Yes Master," Mintra nodded, vanishing through his own portal.
"And what of the rest of us Master?" Nightmare asked.
"You will guard the Angel's Skyline, so that no one will be able to higher and reach here," Nebula ordered. "Typhoon will stay here with me, to guard this area from above and help me prepare. When the time comes, I will call you two up here through the portals."
Nightmare did not say another word, nodding and leaping through another portal. Typhoon's cloak waved about in the wind as a GUN Walker approached from the air, only for a massive tornado the size of a skyscraper to tear it and the other GUN Helicopters to shreds. As the shards of metal surrounded by fire descended like fiery hail towards the ground, Nebula smiled a toothy grin. It wouldn't be too long before 4,000 years of suffering paid off.
And he would be damned if Sonic could stop him.
Location: Ivory Tower
World's Key Plan: 6 hours, 41 minutes
The heroes all ran to the massive floating platform in the middle of the room, jumping on it before it ascended through a long tunnel of black with repeating white lights. As the group of nine looked up a massive Guardian landed on the platform, rocking it as it unsheathed its large blades. Espio and Tails nodded to each other, launching forward at the beast from different sides. The Guardian shirked as it unleashed sword swipes in every direction, but to no avail as Tails flew around them and Espio flipped through each strike.
"He's far more aggressive," Espio said. "Nebula's desperate to keep you guys from getting all the way to the top."
"Well, that won't stop us!" Gemini said.
"Yeah, don't you have some sort of ninja trick to beat this guy?" Alice asked.
"I have just the one. Let's do this!" Espio declared.
The chameleon kicked off of the Guardian's sword as it tried to slice him again, and as Tails flew past him he tossed a chain full of ninja tags to him. The yellow fox flew all around the Guardian, ensnaring it while dodging its powerful attacks, and Espio fell into a meditative pose. Before the beast could hit Tails the fox flew away, leaving powerful metal chains that caught the Guardian and rooted it to the ground.
Before it could break free Espio used his Ninja Art: Trigger technique, forming a tiger hand sign before rippling explosions from the ninja tags tore the Guardian apart into a storm of black and white particles. Tails landed on the ground and Espio got up from his meditative pose as the elevator finally slowed down, the heroes preparing for another fight. The elevator platform then came to a stop, allowing the heroes to step off onto solid floor, which almost felt like a relief except for the room that they were now in.
"So confusing!" Cream squealed.
"God, I hate this place," Amy whined.
"Me too. I used to have the luxury of the Ragnarok portals, as they would just take me to where I want to go, but there was no way I could really figure out which places leaded where," Gemini responded.
Even Sonic could feel the strife everyone else did despite his speed. The platform they were on was the top of the white elevator shaft, but the shaft sunk down into the abysses far below and above. The walls were a deep turquoise, with abstract white staircases spiraling in all directions and to all different areas within the room, forming its own unique labyrinth. To add to their misery, vortexes of black and white released swarms of Nerux on the stairs and Renux on the walls, all moving slowly towards them to give them the fight of their lives.
"We need to split up here," Sonic realized. "Nebula would still be up above on the roof, but the Chaos Emeralds and Chaos Cores are clearly below, in the underground levels of the tower."
"Good point. Me, Cream, Espio, and Vector are going down. See you guys on the outside," Tails debriefed before the four leaped off of the shaft, landing on a staircase far down below before they ran away from the Nerux and Renux pursuing them.
"Well, it looks like it's just the four of us now, huh?" Gemini smirked. "The final stretch, with Nebula at the top waiting for us. All we have to do is take any pathway, because they all go to the same place: the Sacred Canopy."
"You ready?" Sonic asked tauntingly. "I mean, you really just gained your memories."
"Underestimating me will leave you disappointed. I never lose a bet," Gemini said. "I can handle this."
"It's a bet, then!" Sonic grinned, running across the staircase directly ahead of them followed by the other heroes as they cut through the Ragnarok Beasts in their path.
Location: Ivory City
World's Key Plan: 6 hours, 18 minutes
Rouge ran through the streets, dodging a streaking missile from a Big Walker followed by the crash of a GUN Helicopter against the ground, releasing a burst of flames. The bat dashed across a plaza, helping out a hero by kicking two Aerux into submission before she hovered over a garden and kicked one off the mysterious light orbs into a Airborne, causing it to explode in a release of light. The bat could feel Shadow's powerful energies-after scouring many blocks for him she would finally be reunited with him again.
"Get out of the way!" Rouge roared as two Guardians landed in front of her, their swords held out intimidatingly. "Bother someone else!"
But she received no reply as the first Guardian lunged and smashed its powerful sword into the concrete, fracturing it. The bat flipped back and tossed a volley of bombs forward, but the Guardians blocked it with their swords. Glaring in frustration, the bat summoned a Black Wave into her hands, the ebony pulses rippling through the air on their way to the Guardian. The Ragnarok Beast was pushed across the street by the attack, though it still stood.
The other leaped into the air despite its bulk and fired off two blue crescents in the shape of an X from its blades, which Rouge dodged only to have the Guardian crash next to her and knock her away with the edge of one of its large swords. The bat flew through the air before landing in an intersection, groaning before she got to her feet and found one of the Guardians standing before her. Just as it attacked again she dodged a wave of stray gunfire before she leaped up and used a Slicing Kick. The Guardian's head fell off and dissolved, followed by the rest of its body.
"That's how it's done!" Rouge boasted before the other Guardian landed in the intersection, followed by two Executioners and a Death Wyvern. Though a squad of GUN soldiers were there along with two other heroes, she doubted their chances of survival. "I spoke too soon."
But as the Ragnarok Beasts prepared to attack, a powerful directed wave of red chaos energy overtook the Death Wyvern, causing its wings to burn off. And as the powerful Ragnarok Beast fell through the air a blurry figure leaped on its back before a wave of sharp yellow projectiles cut through the beast's chest. Rouge looked in shock-it could only be one person. The Executioners turned towards the attacker, but in that instant a sharp crimson bolt of light cut through each of their chests. The Guardian turned as well, but in that instant a GUN Helicopter mowed it down with chain gun fire.
"It can't be..." Rouge said in shock as the ebony furred hedgehog landed before her, his crimson eyes peering into her turquoise ones. "...you're really back."
"I wouldn't just leave you and Omega...and Sonic," Shadow stated. In addition to his regular clothing, the black hedgehog wore a scarlet vest, and he had bandages wrapped around his arms all the way around his shoulders, while the unwrapped part fell down his back. "All I needed was some soul searching."
"We missed you so much," Rouge said, embracing him tightly for a moment before realizing in the chaos what their job was. "Sonic and the others are going after Nebula at the top of the Ivory Tower before he starts his plan. That's what all of this chaos is about."
"Then they're probably going to need some backup," Shadow decided as they got into the GUN Helicopter, where a group of heroes were waiting inside, two at mounted chain guns and two waiting inside. "We need to help out everyone we can on the way to the tower, and then we'll find a way up. There's chaos fields around the tower's exterior, so I can't Chaos Control through the tower or up into the sky."
"Sounds like the only good plan we can really muster right now," Rouge admitted.
"Also, I'm not sure if I took in what I really saw, but I swear to everything I saw Lance and Cyrus walking through the fighting towards the Ivory Tower," Shadow stated to Rouge's shock. "We have to let the heroes know. Whatever he's up to can't be good."
"Then let's go!" Rouge said.
The GUN Helicopter then took off across the Ivory City towards the Ivory Tower, raining gunfire down upon the army of Ragnarok Beasts on the way.
To Be Continued...
A/N: And so the last battle of the Ivory War begins! Can the heroes make it to Nebula before he unleashes the World's Key Plan? Who will die in the chaos of the war? What was Shadow doing in his soul searching? What do Cyrus and Lance want with those in the Ivory Tower in the middle of everything? And what is Nebula's World's Key Plan? Hang tight for next chapter, Perfect Unity, which will continue the Ragnarok Arc.
Also, please review. The five hundred mark made made especially happy, and I can't wait to still hear what you guys think of everything that's happening! :D
