July 22, 2017
Howl Moon
By Rudi Galvez
Some nights ago…
It was a dark rainy night as the wind howled through the trees. Somewhere nearby, a blue hedgehog whisked past by leaving a gust of wind behind. His tracks left shoe prints on the muddy earth. The air had a musty damp smell in the atmosphere and fog clouded the woods. The hedgehog slowed a little waiting for his friend a little furry creature with pixie-like wings zoomed up ahead. As soon as the creature caught up he decided to stop for a while on an old tree branch to catch his breath.
"Gee Sonic remind me next time when we go out for a midnight run to pack some water"
"Alright Chip I guess we could stop for a while" Sonic rested against an old dead tree where leaves grew no more. The mist eventually thinned out to reveal a full moon in the night sky. In the distance, a dog barked repeatedly. Chip was stretching when a loud snap in the dark made him jump. He flew over to see what it was. A creature leaped out of the bushes suddenly startling Chip. He flew as fast as he could to safety. When Chip made it back to the old tree he gasped in surprise. Sonic was on the ground trembling violently. Chip flew closer to get a better look and let out a small whimper. Sonic's fur became a darker shade of blue and his hands swelled up so fast that the gloves he wore were shredded to pieces. Claws started to sprout from his fingers and to Chip's horror he could see fangs growing in the hedgehog's mouth. Sonic roared just as the transformation ended which echoed across the glade. Chip covered his ears trying to block out the sound, but it was useless. The roaring subdued to a tired moan as the now were hog fallen to the ground panting heavily. Chip rushed to his friend's aid.
"Sonic are you okay?" He asked desperately hoping the were-hog would respond. But Sonic had already lost consciousness.
Chip lowered himself sadly to the filthy ground. He flew slowly towards the were-hog close enough to see the fangs and claws glinting from the moonlight. Suddenly Sonic's eyes snapped open. But these weren't the friendly gaze the hedgehog usually had. Savagery blazed in those green eyes. Chip was pressed against an old tree stump by Sonic's massive claws. The were hog lumbered forward to sniff his prey. Up close Chip could see his reflection on those sharp teeth. Sonic let out a menacing growl and drool pooled out. Some of it splashed on Chip and he grimaced waiting for the cruel jaws to rip him apart…
Present day:
I yawned as I took another sip of my coffee trying to wake up as always. As such, I stayed half the night up watching video game tutorials on YouTube to find out how the game ended. I've always liked the plots more than the actual gameplay. I was in my room dozing in and out of consciousness when a feathered hand tapped lightly on my shoulder.
"Hmm?" I slurred sleepily.
It took a while for my gaze to focus but once it did I saw Sonny holding up my Starbucks coffee.
"Want some more?" He asked.
I shook my head.
"What's the point?" I said. "I'll just fall asleep again and again until someone wakes me up."
"Why not take a nap?" Sonny suggested. "Maybe you'll be more awake afterward."
I shook my head.
"I doubt that will do anything. Warm coffee just makes me sleepier. But on the bright side, it does keep me full for a while."
"That's probably the caffeine. The same thing happens to me when I drink hot chocolate."
I was about to take Sonny's suggestion when loud rock music suddenly blared loudly from the living room. The volume caused the entire house to shake and rattle. A blue cat came strutting down the hallway followed by a two-legged fish carrying a boombox on his shoulders.
"Gumball!" I shouted through the noise. "Turn down the volume!"
"What?!" Gumball shouted back dancing and swaying.
"I SAID…!" My voice cracked a little. "TURN THE VOLUME DOWN!"
"What?!" Gumball yelled. "You're feeling brown?! What the heck is that suppose to mean?!"
The music suddenly stopped and my ears felt relief.
"Phew! Thanks, Gum- "
It was actually Darwin who turned off the radio.
"Oh, uh thanks Darwin," I murmured.
"No problem Rudster," Darwin gave Gumball a dirty look.
Gumball just shrugged nonchalance.
"What are you doing anyway?" Gumball asked. He took a seat next to me.
"I'm trying to stay awake," I explained. "I was watching a game walkthrough all night."
"You're allowed to use your computer all night?" Gumball almost sounded jealous.
"Yeah?" I said awkwardly.
Gumball and his fish brother Darwin were the new recruits around the year of 2011. I had met Gumball and his family in New Mexico during the family's yearly visits. He was a new character in the CN (Cartoon Network) Department just getting started on his new show. When we traveled back to Houston Gumball came along as well. In the beginning, Gumball and his family were hilarious and were always doing something ironically stupid or life-threatening. However, as the weeks went by Gumball's mischievous streak took a turn for the worse. I started to hear complaints from other toons on how strongly opinionated the blue cat was on everything. Why last week Taz nearly barreled into the young toon just because he said that a dog had fresher breath then Taz. Overall Gumball calmed down awhile later after me and Darwin had a private conversation about when and where to say unnecessarily means things. I'm not sure Gumball took heart to the conversation on account that he was texting while we talked. So anyway, I was watching yet another video game tutorial called 'Epic Mickey' an adventure that's a story for another time.
"What's up with the mouse using a paintbrush for a weapon?" Gumball said confused. "What's he gonna do? Bore the opponent with art? I'd know that would bore me."
"I'm actually waiting for the next cutscene," I told Gumball. "So, I could see what happens further in the plot."
"Oh, so basically you're more interested in the story instead of the fighting and upgrades," Darwin surmised standing next to me.
"Yep that pretty much sums it u-"I stopped suddenly when my head began that familiar vibration.
No! No! Not again! Not in front of the boys! Gritting my teeth, I clamped my eyes shut and immediately I no longer saw darkness but a flash of light. I was flying fast in the woods my white paws stretched out in terror. I had to escape from it! But escape from what? A loud menacing howl broke through the air chilling me to the bone. Whatever was after me I had to get away and find help. Faster and faster I flew until I could feel myself slowing down the images blurring until my gaze suddenly morphed into a reddish color. A dreadful growl erupted from my throat as salvia pooled out of my jaw. I slashed in fury with my massive claws searching for prey.
"Rudi!"
Hearing Gumball snapped me out of my trance. My eyes stopped glowing and I was back at my desk. Gumball and Darwin looked at me bewildered by what had happened.
"Sorry," I muttered. I never felt more awkward.
"What was that all about?" Darwin asked nervously. "You were panting really hard like you were running or something."
"Yeah," Gumball said. "Then you started snarling like a dog. I'd swear you almost sounded like a-"
"Like a what?" I tensed up feeling that Gumball had seen my vision as well.
"Like a mad dog. Duh! What did ya think I was going to say?" Gumball caught my nervous look. "Ya know maybe you should get some fresh air. Maybe the video games are starting to get to ya." Gumball made a looping circle with his finger mouthing to Darwin.
I frowned in annoyance that all Gumball saw was me making a fool of myself. I rolled outside taking up the suggestion that maybe some fresh air will do me some good. Plus, it would give me some alone time to figure out what I had just seen in my vision. I thought back to how at first it felt like I was running from an unseen creature then the next minute I was becoming the creature. As I walked past houses, I could see a flash of blue whip by followed by another flash that was rainbow-colored the wind picking up and blowing on my face. Glancing back briefly I knew it was Sonic and Rainbow Dash getting into yet another head-to-head competition as always.
"Those two will be the death of me," I murmured amused. I was heading around the corner towards the neighbor's house where a little dog barked constantly at anyone who came passing by. The sidewalks on the other side of the neighborhood were bumpy and uneven so I had to roll down the driveway to continue on the safe path of the road. As I was about to head back up on the path that lead to home, I saw a commotion of toons gathering on the lawn. In the distance I could see more characters racing to what was going on. I rolled quickly to see what the toons were huddled over, but the mass of characters barricaded me from entering into the circle. Huffing in exasperation I turned quickly only to accidentally bump into an orange bandicoot toon. The bandicoot yelped in pain and began clutching the foot I drove on and hoping on the good one. Luckily, I couldn't understand the bandicoot's undecipherable gabbling.
"Sorry Crash," I said. "I was trying to get through."
Crash grumbled good-naturedly. The bandicoot nudged the other characters away so I could get in the circle. When I made my way through, I doubled in surprise. There laying on the grass was a dead gray tabby cat that was torn to pieces in multiple places. Dried blood stained the grass beneath the poor critter and the stench was overwhelming. I didn't even need to ask if it was dead judging by the maggots and flies that swarmed over the carcass. Crash came up beside me covering his nose and blinking watery eyes from the odor. A little up in the air Quisp flew down to inspect by picking up a stick close by and poking the body. The minute the stick touched the corpse flies angrily swarmed us making everyone run for cover. I hid behind a tree while others smuggled in the bushes. Neighboring kids walked by and noticed us stopping to mess with us.
"Hey what are you hiding from?!"
"Is the media after you again?"
The kids laughed walking away though I would have loved to use my powers on them if I weren't keeping a check on my temper. Once the flies disappeared completely, I went inside to ask some of the toons a few questions. I first started with Quisp wondering if anything unusual occurred last night. We were in the kitchen drinking hot chocolate.
"Hmm," Quisp thought. "Now that ya mention it I do remember seeing something in the bushes."
"Really? Like what?"
"I was out on a midnight stroll when suddenly I heard a rustling sound coming from the neighbor's house. But when I went to check it out there was nothing there. Just leaf scraps and broken twigs. It was probably a stray cat or raccoon."
I frowned thinking hard. Highly unlikely for a cat or a raccoon to be making that much noise. My next witness was Crash which in his case made the discussion harder since the marsupial spoke in gibberish words.
Luckily Martha who understood Crash's weird language agreed to translate to me when I asked the questions. Crash gabbled for a good fifteen minutes while I listened. Martha nodded in complete understanding ears pricked up and she seemed on edge shifting her paws anxiously. I privately wished I could easily know what Crash was saying so I could get some answers more quickly. When the bandicoot was finished, he took a deep breath as if talking had tired him out.
Turning to me Martha said "He said he's heard a few disturbances in one of the neighbor's yard. Crash dug into the yard and only saw a few discarded and broken furniture."
"That's it?" I was a little disappointed.
"I wasn't finished," Martha said testily.
"Sorry," I cleared my throat. "Continue."
"Crash also mentioned that he ran into a young man who appeared to be running from something."
"Really? What did the kid see?"
"Sadly, the teen never got a good look at the animal," Martha shrugged apologetically. "Sorry. That's all Crash could tell me."
We spent hours interrogating every character, but no one could give us any description in detail of the creature's appearance. When evening came and everyone went to bed I unknown to the events about to unfold was in for a rude awakening…
In the darkness of the neighborhood Crash walked on the quiet sidewalks chattering to himself. A large red fruit in his hands Crash drank the juice out with a straw. A quiet rustling sound came from the thickset bushes, but Crash seemed oblivious to it still slurping the fruit juice. In the bushes a creature glowered at the bandicoot pausing to enjoy the buzz of insects. Snarling quietly the creature stalked the marsupiel using the black of night to remain hidden. Crash's ears twitched and his fur ruffled anxiously. Something didn't feel right the pleasantness gone. A swift movement from the branches made Crash spin around but he couldn't see anything in the pitch black.
"Hello?" Crash garbled the words out.
The bandicoot backed up slowly unable to hide his skittishness. Maybe it was time to head back to his world since it was midnight. Crash ran down the sidewalk babbling frighteningly by the uneasiness in the neighborhood. Little did the bandicoot realize the creature had him right where it wanted. Crash was just almost around the block when something hurled out of the shadows and plunged its fangs and claws into Crash's orange fur. Struggling Crash yelled for help before he felt a brutal blow to the head. The creature flung its head back and howled to the full moon.
"Rudi!" Woody yelped.
The woodpecker appeared in my room with some disturbing news.
"The creature's back and he's hurt Crash!"
"What?!" My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.
I rolled quickly on the quiet streets hoping I wouldn't have to see another dead animal. Woody was at my heels keeping up as we rounded the corner. Characters were around the bandicoot whispering nervously as I rushed to him. Woody kept a safe distance back shielding behind Yugi. I lowered myself to see clumps of orange fur plastered on the grass and noticed claws marks on Crash's arms. What kind of animal did this? Wracking my brain for solutions I couldn't think of what wild animal did since we were in the city.
"Does anyone know or saw what happened?" I addressed the crowd.
"I didn't see anything," grumbled Bugs wearing a robe.
"I heard a scream," whimpered Fluttershy. The pony was hugging a white bunny tightly.
"I heard Crash too from the black hole," Yugi said. "I went to see what it was and found him out cold on the lawn."
"But did you see the beast?" I urged.
"Beast?!" Fluttershy shrieked. She dashed off into the direction of the house probably in hiding.
"No," Yugi said heavily. "Whatever it was that attacked Crash it's gone now."
Bugs grunted crossly. "Useless anime toon. I'm going back to bed."
Other characters started to leave but a few stayed to take Crash home. Crash suddenly came to surprising everyone as he fixed a blank glare on me.
"Crash," goosebumps tingled all over. "Who did this to you?"
Slowly but surely the bandicoot opened his mouth and did something he very rarely did; speak actual words.
"It…was…" unfortunately Crash never got to finish his sentence.
Eyes lolling back the bandicoot slumped back in the grass unconscious again. I sighed heavily wishing for the name of the monster but unfortunately that would have to wait until Crash recovered and hopefully remembered. Turning to Yugi I tried one more desperate attempt.
"Yugi I know you didn't see the creature," I said. "But did you see it leave something behind? Anything at all?"
Yugi looked thoughtful for a moment and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a piece of fabric that had been ripped apart. Yugi handed it to Woody who put it on my lap for me to inspect.
"When I got close to Crash, I noticed it on his hand," Yugi explained. "I think it was wearing a glove. It's made from the same material as yours Woody."
The woodpecker took off his own glove and examined it with the fabric.
"He's right!" Woody proclaimed.
"He is?" I was surprised.
"Yeah, this cloth is made from the leathery material like mine except this one is 3D."
"So, what are you trying to say Yugi?" I turned to the anime toon.
"I'm saying that the creature could be one of us," Yugi said grimly.
We both gasped at this revelation. If what Yugi said was true that could mean trouble for us and probably anyone else who came unfortunately in contact with the monster. I glanced back to see Alex and Sonny carrying Crash back to my house and wondered what tomorrow might bring. Woody took hold of my chair and pushed me to where the others were heading.
The next day I was sunning myself in the patio enjoying the warm weather. Footsteps sounded from behind and Sonic padded into view. I was about to greet the hedgehog when I stopped and quietly gasped. Sonic's fur was ruffled, and his quills had seemed to droop more so than usual. He yawned enormously and I wondered if he had slept well last night.
"Hey Son, how ya feeling? Sleep well?"
"Eh it was alright," Sonic shrugged. "Kept having these strange dreams. Can't really remember them now."
"Oh, I've had restless nights like those before," I sympathized. "They go away eventually."
The hedgehog rubbed an eye trying to wake up. My face crested in concern. I was going to speak but Quisp flew up to us hovering above.
"I heard about what happened last night," he said.
"What happened last night?" Sonic asked.
"You haven't heard?" I asked incredulous.
"No. What's going on?"
"I'll fill you in," Quisp said and explained the events unfolding.
"Huh," Sonic said when the alien finished. "Sounds to me like you've got some investigating to do." The hedgehog yawned again before continuing. "I'm gonna go take a nap and leave this to you kids."
As Sonic left, I bit my lip in annoyance. Sonic always referred to us or anybody younger than him as 'kid' even though he was a kid too! A teenager to be exact but that's still a kid to me! Quisp had come to tell me Crash had recovered and awoken but didn't seem to remember anything last night.
"You should have seen him," Quisp said sadly. "Poor little guy looked scared beyond himself."
Just then another character-a smurf-walked into the patio carrying a clipboard and a pencil.
"Brainy," I greeted the smurf. "What's up? Give me the details."
"Of course," Brainy pushed up his glasses and cleared his throat. "I've smurfed with some of the local kids and they've noticed the disturbance as well."
"What they got to say?"
"Well Abby said she could hear weird howling noises coming from her neighbor's yard. Two twin boys were also in sights of other dead animals that had been left on the sidewalk or road. Depending on the circumstances."
Brainy said that everyone he interviewed couldn't give a straight answer or catch the creature. If no one was able to see the creature there could only be one solution; capture it and maybe, we could find out the culprit. That evening I talked with the others about setting a trap and asked Fred if he could build it. I had a plan that after we captured it, we could find a way to cure it so the mysterious roadkill would stop. There was only one problem; we needed someone to act as live bait to lure it in an electric fence. Everyone went quiet none too eager to volunteer or participate until one small voice spoke up.
"How about Pikachu?" said Fievel.
"Pika?!" Pikachu stared in shock at the little mouse.
Ash-Pikachu's trainer- was furious that Fievel would suggest such a thing.
"No way!" He grabbed Pikachu and hugged him protectively glaring at Fievel. "You're outta your mind! That's stupid!"
Fievel stepped back hurt. He was just trying to help.
"Aww isn't that cute," sneered Bugs. "An anime defending another anime. Yech!"
Ash swiveled around to glare at the Looney toon. "What'd you say?!"
"Don't 'what' me," Bugs retorted. "You heard me clearly."
"Pikachu is pretty fast," Yugi commented wanting to distract the others from starting an argument.
"True," agreed Daffy. "That quick attack move should help him get a head start."
"That could be a good option," I said.
Ash looked at all of us in bewildered shock. It's as if we were gonna fed Pikachu to an alligator and leave without a crumb of remorse.
"No!" Ash yelled. "I'm not gonna let you use Pikachu as bait! What about Sonic? Why can't he do it?!"
"Sonic's too tired," I answered. "He doesn't have the energy right now."
"Why not Rainbow Dash?" Ash wasn't ready to give up. "Why can't she do it? She's just as fast as Sonic!"
"Okay!" snapped Rainbow dash. The Pegasus zipped up to look Ash directly in the eye. "I'll do it."
"You will?" I said.
"Yes," her gaze never wavered from Ash's. "So, Ash can shut up and quit yelling at Fievel!"
The trainer was about to snap out a response but one sharp glare from me quickly put a stop to that. Fred drew out a blueprint on the floor explaining to the others on where the trap was going to be set and where the location it was gonna be used at. The sketches seemed big and difficult to tell in detail. I slipped into my corner leaving the instructions to Fred who would tell me the details later. The following night we set the plan into motion at the AMC cinema theater. The place would close at nine so we could have a chance to put everything into position before the creature arrived. Recent news flash revealed that the monster had been lurking around the parts in Willow Brook so we figured it wouldn't hurt to start there. Rainbow Dash was being dipped into a pool of brown creamy gravy. The yellow truck blinked apologetically as he lifted the pegasus out now dripping in the brown sludge.
"Sorry Dash," the truck said. "We don't know what the creature likes to eat."
"It's okay Scoop," Dash picked sludge out of her pointed ears.
In the center of the opening piles of leaves moss and twigs were scattered across the floor. Chicken wires were being set up while a cage was being lifted up by a rope being pulled back by Manny. The cage weighted a lot and pretty soon more cartoons had to rush forward to help the handyman pull and secure it with a tight firm knot. Everything was set in motion and just in the nick of time when a sharp howl echoed throughout the area. Everyone bristled and backed up as if the beast were already here. I quacked through my teeth since I couldn't whistle, and everyone went into hiding myself included. Rainbow Dash was left on the pile of leaf scraps wafting up a meaty scent that was thanks to the chicken broth in the gravy also. A few light steps could be heard which soon became heavy thuds that pounded the gravel. Woody peered from behind my chair to get a better look. We were hiding in the ticket booth watching through the glass as a lumbering creature padded into view. Clouds passed by as a milky light was casted on the animal making its fur silver. Snow tipped spikes etched its back and white paws with black claws flashed in the distance. I felt Woody stiffen behind me. I peered closer at the beast sniffing around. Something about it looked so familiar I could've sworn I had seen those spikes somewhere…
"It's Sonic!" Woody exclaimed.
Sure, enough he was right when the hedgehog snapped his head in our direction. Ducking lower to the ground we held our breath hoping-praying even-that the transformed hedgehog wouldn't notice us in the booth. The sniffing became dangerously close as the sound of scrapping claws made the little hairs on my neck stick up. Woody looked no better cause his feathers were ruffled up and clumped in sweat. A nose poked in through an opening on the glass. Just as we feared we were about to be discovered I heard a light thud, and something fell on the ground on the other side.
"Hey Dog breath!" I heard Rainbow dash shout, "You want an easy meal?! Come get it!"
The nose disappeared and the next thing we heard was a loud howl as the hedgehog lunged at the pegasus. Moving up we saw Rainbow dash flying fast scattering brown liquid behind as Sonic charged to our surprise on all fours. I knew Dash could easily get away in the air, but I was proven wrong when Sonic and with his beefed-up arm stretched to ridiculous lengths and grabbed the pony by the wings.
"Hey, Wha?!" Rainbow twisted trying to break free. but the hedgehog's grip was tight.
Retracting his arm Rainbow dash plunged back to earth and was slammed into the gravel by strong paws. Sonic snarled like a rabid dog and opened his jaws to reveal killer fangs. A flash of yellow light zipped by and slammed into the hedgehog driving him back stunned. The flash soon departed to reveal Pikachu sparking off electricity standing guard. The Pokemon wasn't alone as Spyro swooped and landed on Pikachu's side while Taz scampered to the other side. The werehog sprang to his feet ready to take them all on. Taz was the first to attack whirling into a furry tornado of claws and teeth. Sonic nimbly dodged the cyclone and tackled the devil to the floor roughly. The werehog raised his balls of fist to punch the devil senseless but was stopped in midair as Taz gripped both paws very tightly. Taz held on but the werehog's greater strength was making his arms grow weak. If he didn't do something quick Taz would be on a one-way ticket to black out city. Using his hindlegs Taz kicked the werehog away still clasping his arms. Spinning into a tornado again Sonic was whirled around the outer perimeter becoming a blur of blue and brown. Then the werehog stomped his spiked shoes to the ground planting himself and snaked his paws around Taz causing the devil to halt. Taz was struggling for air before he was flung harshly to the neighboring wall leaving a wide crack in it. A wave of fire hit the backside of the werehog during the distraction. Sonic snarled in anger and whipped to knock Spyro out of the air but was tackled by Pikachu who zipped and sped around avoiding the hammering paws. The Pokemon unleashed a mighty thunderbolt temporarily stunning the werehog as Spyro sprang atop him.
"Sonic!" Spyro shouted trying to get through to him. "What's happened to you?! Are you under some spell?!"
Sonic just glared at the dragon gaze glittering crazily. Spyro shook the werehog by the shoulders.
"Sonic can you hear me?! Answer me!"
But Sonic didn't answer if anything he snarled in reply and kicked the dragon in the stomach with a spiked shoe. Spyro let go clutching his stomach as beads of blood dropped out. Taz recovered instantly and plunged into the werehog while Pikachu tackled him from the other side. Electricity and fur flew all over the place as the characters battled it all out. Everybody abandoned their hiding spots and hurried over to hold down Sonic. When I got close enough to the scene, I dodged to the left quickly when Taz was flung away and crashed into three toons. Pikachu was thrown in the other direction and crashed through the glass into the theater. Shards of broken glass spattered across the carpet as the Pokemon hung limp motionless. A group of the strongest characters barreled into Sonic driving him in the building and dogpiled.
"We got him!" shouted Sonny grappling with the others. "I think we can-"
A ball of fist gripped Sonny by the neck choking him. I gasped when I saw Sonny turning blue scrambling to get loose. A dog character(Bolt) sprang up and sank his fangs into Sonic's stronghold. This did nothing but irritate the monster. Sonny strained his gaze on the little dog and tried to speak but was too out of breath to get the words out. Power crackled at the top of my head and just when I was about to blast the werehog to smithereens a savage snarl echoed from outside making me lose my concentration. Everyone tensed up and I turned around to see a bruised and beraggled Taz lumbering inside but something didn't look right. Taz's eyes were deeply red and his fur stood on end. Drool bubbled on his lips and claws scrapped aggressively on the carpeted floor. My vision flashed suddenly, and I could glimpse red highlights in Taz's gaze. I could feel the fury and bruised pride as my gaze landed on Sonic still strangling Sonny. I blinked again and I was seeing through my own eyes. Taz babbled and roared loudly challenging the werehog to face him. Unfortunately, it worked as Sonic let go of Sonny as he thumped down gasping for air. Flinging Bolt away Sonic whirled to charge into the devil but was surprised when Taz plunged first head-on. Sonic was forcefully plunged into the hallway colliding into the wall with a massive crash. Toons rushed forward to the mayhem to see Taz biting viciously and tearing out huge clumps of dark fur. I dared to roll closer and stopped when I could see blood trickling down Sonic's chest as Taz continued to attack.
"Taz stop!" I yelled. "You're going to end up hurting him!"
Taz gave no response that he had heard if anything he slashed with more fury. I rolled forward to drive the devil away when Taz lashed out near me. I doubled back before the claws could prick me. My chair was roughly kicked aside as the taller toons worked together to drag the crazed looney toon away. A flash of brown fur whipped in front of the devil and sprang up to glance at Taz eye level. I realized the blur was Speedy who pointed two fingers at Taz making a chuffing sound and the devil immediately regained his composure. The toons holding on to Taz instantly let go of him when they realized he was tamed. I turned my attention back to the werehog who was now gasping loudly taking heavy breaths that sent chills down my crooked spine. For a second I thought he was choking but relaxed when he breathed more evenly. Then Sonic's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped on the ground out cold.
"Oh my gosh!" shrieked someone from the back, "He's dead!"
This sent off a crescendo of fear.
"What?!"
"We killed a good toon!"
"How could this have happened?!"
I whirled around to see Courage pointing a shaking finger at the wounded werehog.
"He's dead!" shrieked the dog again.
Toons were starting to panic and blunder into each other. If I didn't take charge soon there were be another accident.
"Quiet!" I projected startling everyone.
Once everybody settled down, I spoke again.
"I don't think Sonic's dead. I think he's just unconscious at the moment."
Characters murmured quietly to one another anxiously.
I turned towards to Bugs to ask a request. "Can you check to see if Sonic's still with us?"
The bunny's ears bucked up stiffly. Bugs opened his mouth to argue but I was out of patience for the night.
"That's an order," I growled, "Now!"
Scowling Bugs padded towards the werehog and bent down to place his head on the chest. We all waited nervously for his report and I held my breath. When Bugs lifted his head, we were literally on pins and needles for the answer.
"The kid's alive," Bugs announced, "You're lucky Taz didn't reach anything vital."
"So, what do we do with him now?" Woody padded up next to me.
"Take Sonic back to the house. We'll put him in the patio for safekeeping,"
"What'll happen when he wakes up?" Courage asked anxiously, "How do we know he won't attack the minute he comes to?"
"How about we use chains?" suggested Shrek holding up some chains and a steel collar.
"Good idea," I acknowledged the ogre.
I was about to speak again when I noticed Courage pointing shakily again.
"What now Courage?" I said exasperated.
"T-T-The purple smoke!" stammered Courage.
I followed his gaze and sure enough was violet smoke emanating from the werehog. A shadow creature of some sort appeared out of the haze and plopped on the ground snarling. Everyone who had powers were ready and before long a green blast from Bolt's eyes disintegrated the creature into a wisp of purple energy that soon faded away.
"What was that?" Fievel peeped. The little mouse peered out from Taz's leg trembling.
"I don't know," Daffy shrugged. "But I got a picture of it before it disappeared."
"You do?" My head shot up instantly. "Let's see it but first let's get out of here."
No sooner had I said that a beam of light flashed from behind. I twisted around to see the security guard holding the flashlight in our direction a look of shock on his face. We had been discovered!
"What the-?!" The guard shouted but stopped when Toothless a dragon toon blasted a fireball in the man's direction.
The man ducked for cover fumbling with a walkie-talkie. "Officer Andrews quick send in backup! I repeat send in-"
But by the time the cop was making his request we had rushed by him heading for the van. Given the fact that toons were crappy drivers it was a heck of time getting out of that parking lot. When we finally managed to get on the road, I could hear sirens in the back rushing forward to the path of the cinema but luckily, we were already out of sight and out of mind. The van swayed and jerked making my head and senses dizzy. The others weren't doing so hot as of some vomited in or out of the vehicle. Others were soiling uncontrollably on the already filthy floor (How do I know this? Cause that many figments were in the van!). The van went up on the highway and we were on the road to home.
Sonic struggled against the tentacles that were snaked around him. Dark Gaia a monstrous creature towered over the hedgehog grimacing in his grip. Opening its wide mouth, a haze of dark purple smoke whirled out of its throat and spun around Sonic. Realizing what the creature was going to do Sonic fought harder with all his might, but it was pointless. The dark smoke was suddenly absorbed into the hedgehog and he was transformed into the monster he once was. Suddenly everything went pitch black and Sonic thought he could hear voices but couldn't distinguish who they belonged to.
"Clumsy I don't think that's a good idea," fretted a female voice. "What if he attacks you?"
"I don't believe it," argued a male voice. "Sonic would never hurt anyone deliberately. He's not that kind of toon."
"But we don't know that!" exclaimed another voice.
"I'm going to see if I can get through to him," Clumsy said stubbornly.
Light footsteps could be heard but they halted.
"Clumsy wait!" said a Scottish voice. "At least let me come with you. Just in case."
"Thanks, Gutsy." Clumsy said.
All was quiet after that. Sonic could feel something light crawling up on him. The werehog was too out of it to even notice a small finger touch him. In the distance voices murmured anxiously but they were starting to become distorted and low. Suddenly a single voice called out his name.
"Sonic?" Clumsy said his voice sounding echoed. "Can you hear me?"
The hedgehog felt little hands nudging his face. Groaning quietly Sonic tried to lift his gaze but it was too much, and his eyes clamped shut.
"Come on Sonic!" Clumsy shouted nudging more roughly this time. "I know you're in there somewhere and I know you can fight this spell!"
Clumsy's determination gave strength to the werehog and sure enough he slowly opened his eyes again gazing at two blurry shapes. One figure waved a blue hand back and forth.
"I think he's coming out of it," Clumsy murmured.
"Careful laddie," Gutsy said.
Gaze clearing the two smurfs were perched on the werehog's shoulder waiting to see what happened. Gutsy had placed himself protectively in front of Clumsy in case anything went wrong. Then to their surprise and relief Sonic didn't lung. However, when he tried to move something tightened around his wrists jerking Sonic back to the ground. Realizing the chains hooked to him Sonic couldn't blame the smurf's skittishness. The characters were in the patio where crickets could be heard chirping in the distance. In the night sky clouds parted revealing a full moon shining a white glow in the area. Somewhere in the streets a dog barked and howled.
"Sonic what happened to you?" Clumsy sat on the werehog's leg while Gutsy landed back on the wooden floor. Sonic closed his eyes trying to remember the last few hours before the transformation hit.
"I…I remember going to take a nap," Sonic began. "I remember telling Rudi and Quisp this before leaving. I chose to nap on the roof where it was shaded by the trees."
"And then what laddie?" Gutsy pressed.
"I must've fallen asleep for a while because when I woke up the sun was already going down. Then before I knew it, I turned into…this!"
The werehog looked at his claws trembling as if they belonged to someone else. Sensing his discomfort Clumsy placed a comforting hand on Sonic's shoulder. "If there's any detail you want to smurf that's okay with us."
Brainy scoffed at this. "I would've liked all the details," he grumbled, "But whatever."
"No," Sonic shook his head. "I'll tell you guys everything. You deserve to know."
The other Smurfs sat down their skittishness at ease.
"After the transformation was finished, I saw this haze of purple smoke. I knew it had to be a Dark Gaia creature forming."
"Dark Gaia?" Clumsy said, "What's that?"
"A shadowed monster found deep within the bowls of earth. It's dark energies are able to do all kinds of things."
"Whoa," murmured Clumsy. "Did he do this to you?" Gesturing towards the shaggy fur.
"Yeah," Sonic flexed his arms testing them out. "But if it weren't for the guys, I wouldn't be free."
"Huh?" Clumsy glanced at Gutsy confused. "What are you talking about? What do you mean by 'free'?"
"Dark Gaia tried to control me," Sonic rasped his voice growing angry. "After I transformed one of those shadow beasts materialized from the roof and took control of me. I could see what I was doing," Sonic's gaze was horrified, and his breathing quickened, "But I couldn't free myself no matter how much I resisted." Groaning a little Sonic slumped to the left almost collapsing but Quisp who had been watching from the window hurried outside and righted the hedgehog.
"Careful bud," Quisp said, "You've been through an ordeal tonight."
"Ya think?" Sonic replied dully with a blank stare.
I rolled into the patio catching the last few words of the toons.
"You mean that shadow creature was controlling you this whole time?" I asked.
Sonic nodded wearily too exhausted to answer.
Suddenly everything clicked from what I'd witnessed. The shredded fabric, the dead animals, the eerie howling. I rushed back to my room and came back out with the shredded fabric that Yugi had given me earlier. I showed it to the werehog.
"This is a piece of your glove isn't it?"
Sonic glanced at the fabric blankly. "Yeah that was mine or at least it was."
"And the dead animals?" I pressed.
"Yes, that was me," Sonic shuddered at the gruesome memory. "I'd rather forget that if you don't mind."
"But one question remains: How the heck do we fix or cure you or whatever?!"
"I can handle this," said a new voice. A pale purple unicorn walked out into the patio and stood in front of the werehog.
"Twilight!" I exclaimed. "Do you know how to reverse the effects on this?"
Twilight glanced back at me with confidence. "Don't worry Rudster, I'm a student in magic. Watch this."
Twilight lowered her head so her horn could touch Sonic on the chest. The horn started to glow faint purple colors shimmering and Sonic grimaced as if in pain. The same violet smoke from before wisped out of the werehog's body and curled into a purple orb. Sweat poured down Twilight's face but she remained strong and continued. Sonic glowed suddenly a purple light enveloped him as we shielded our eyes. When the brightness diminished completely Twilight slouched panting heavily from the ordeal. Between her hooves laid a violet orb sparking off dark energy. I lifted my gaze and gasped. Sonic was back in his hedgehog form! Twilight had done it! Sonic sat up and glanced at himself making sure this was really happening.
"Quisp," Sonic said. "If I'm dreaming do something to wake me up."
Quisp paused briefly before raising his hand and smacked Sonic hard across the face.
"Ow!" Sonic drew back and glared at the alien. "Did you have to hit so hard?! Man!"
"Hey, you told me to do something, in case this was a dream," Quisp defended himself.
"The good news is you're cured," Twilight stood up. "And now to get rid of these chains."
Horn glowing Twilight blasted the chains apart with her magic so the hedgehog could roam freely. Clumsy approached the shiny orb.
"What do we do with this now?" Clumsy reached out to touch it but Twilight stopped him with a hoof.
"Careful!" she snapped, "After what Dark Gaia can do to any being and alter their appearances it might not be a good idea to come in contact with its dark energies."
The Smurf stepped back almost stumbling over his own feet.
Picking up the orb telekinetically Twilight turned to me. "Do you have anything I can put this in?"
I zoomed in the kitchen and hurried back out holding an empty jar in my jaws. Spitting it out onto my lap Twilight grabbed the jar and placed the orb in it closing the lid.
"What do you plan on doing with it?" Clumsy asked after a pause.
"I'm going to study these energies," Twilight said, "There's probably more to this Dark Gaia magic then what we've just witnessed tonight." The pony left carrying the glowing jar back inside.
"I'd preferred it if she got rid of that stuff," Brainy shuddered.
Looking back at the eerie substance I couldn't help but agree with the Smurf.
The End?