Yo yo, what up my dudes! Who is ready for the next installment of "In the Wind"
I hoping to have this little series wrapped up soon so that it stands as a 3 part story. Then, once this is finished I'll try and get to work on some of your requests which by the way I am still taking so if you have an idea feel free to send it my way. Hopefully you all enjoy this chapter so happy reading everyone!
With a blinding flash of light, the group finds themselves safely standing upon the floating island. In an instant, Sonic is stepping back, wings flared out and feathers ruffling in agitation. His eyes are laser focused, scanning all around them while his ears flick back and forth catching every little sound carried on the wind that seems to caress his body.
"The island, its off-balance." Knuckles chocked out suddenly, face drawn and tight. The others blink in horror while Sonic gives a low hiss, lips pulled back to bare his fangs. Beside him, Tikal trembles and shudders along with all the other spirits that inhabit the island, all of them rushing to the pulsing aura that is the child of Chaos and Gia.
"He's grown stronger," Sonic mutters, a hand reaching out to gently run along the sphere that is Tikal, projecting calming and soothing energy to her. The other spirits draw closer, their normally soft bell-like language now a cacophony of shrill rings that speak of fear, panic and distress. It has Sonic shuddering where he stands, wings stretching out wide to allow the spirits to take shelter under them, to allow them to bask in his own Chaos Energy so that they may feel safe for a moment. He draws at his centre, where his power and essence pulses and flows, and he pulls. It is not a painful feeling but it still has him shifting uncomfortably where he stands. When his hand pulls away from his chest he holds raw Chaos Energy, a mass of shifting colours that twist and bend to his will. Aware of the eyes watching him, Sonic leans down and presses the Energy into the earth, urging it to stretch spread across the island so that the spirits can feel safe and protected.
Tikal softens beside him while the spirits that had been huddling under his wings relax and slowly disperse, soothed by his Chaos. From the corner of his eye, Sonic can see Knuckles staring wide-eyed, face regaining colour as he too feels the balancing of energy within the island. Shadow and Silver also send him looks, feeling the shift in the earth beneath their feet but not understanding it like the Guardian of the Master Emerald does. He knows he's run out of time to stall the inevitable, his very being growing heavy with sadness and fear.
"Tikal," He calls gently for his friend, watching as she glows brighter under his attention. "I need you to head to the Shrine, father will be agitated and you've always had a calming effect on him. Let him know I am fine and will be with him shortly."
The little spirit chimes softly, brushing up against his arm for a moment, offering comfort where she can before dashing off through the trees, the last few spirits that had remained behind quickly following after her.
"Sonic?" A blue ear flicks, wings arching ever so slightly before they curl to rest against their owners back. Green eyes quickly find baby blue, soul settling when they find no trace of fear in them.
"We don't have much time so I'll try and answer your questions as quickly as possible." Sonic sighs softly, resigning himself to his fate.
"You have wings." Its Amy who says this, her voice breathy with shock and awe. Said wings ruffle, the white feathers gleaming in the sunlight.
"Yes, I do." They all stare and Sonic considers tucking them away in the astral plane but eventually decides against this as it would probably confuse them all even more. "I kept them hidden to help hide my true self."
"Your true self?" Blaze narrows her eyes, tail twitching in agitation behind her.
This has Sonic wincing, eyes moving to stare down at the grass that sways with the gentle breeze that hasn't left his side since Ishum awoke. "I'm not who you think I am, I've lied to you all and I'm sorry for that, truly I am. But please understand, I did it to protect you and myself. If anyone had found out…well, bad things would have happened."
"And who are?" Shadow asks, ruby eyes piercing.
Sonic stares back at them before stretching his wings out to their full length. Slowly, he releases the hold he keeps on his Chaos, allowing it to flow freely through his body. It starts with his shoes that begin to dissolve in golden flames. When they vanish swirling golden patterns stretch up from his feet to his hips, curling elegantly around his thin yet powerful legs. Next, his gloves dissolve as glowing silver patterns begin to snake their way from the tips of his fingers to curl across his shoulders and collar bone. The sky blue trimmings along his wings flash and glow, radiating power while his quills begin to glow. The very top quill on his head becomes tipped with molten gold, stopping about a third of the way up the cobalt appendage. The two beside that quill become tipped with sterling silver that shimmers under the hot sun. Finally, the two bottom ones become tipped with the same molten gold as the top one while the middle one turns silver.
Sonic stands before them, his Chaos no longer held back to allow his true self to be revealed. All of them, even those that don't possess the gift of Chaos step back at the immense wave of power they feel radiating off him in waves. Knuckles has gone ghost white again, tears glistening in the corners of his violet eyes. The echidna takes a shuddering breath before falling to his knees, bowing his head much to everyone's shock and confusion, all but Sonic who gazes down at his kneeling friend with pained filled eyes.
"Please don't Knuckles, I'm still me." He whispers, watching as those tearful violet eyes lift up to lock with his bright green ones.
"I know, but I still must apologise for the pain my ancestors caused you and your own." Red trembles, knowing the being before him could end his life with the snap of his fingers. But Sonic shakes his head, stepping forward to kneel before him and that has something inside the echidna leaping with shock. A literal God was kneeling before him!
"I forgave your people a long time ago. I have seen what fear can do to good people, have seen how it can twist and change them. I never blamed them for what they did." Sonic says with a gentle smile, silver and peach hand reaching out to rest on a trembling shoulder. Knuckles near enough buckles under the touch, feeling the immense power but also love that flows out from that single touch.
"Thank you my friend." He smiles back, watching as those green eyes positively sparkle with joy at his words.
"Knuckles?" He turns to their friends, to Rouge who had spoken and sees them all staring in confusion. He feels Sonic retreat slightly but not fully leaving his side, gently guiding him back to his shaky feet. Knuckles stares at them all and can't help but give a breathy laugh.
"You have no idea who he is, do you?" He questions softly electing confused frowns and shakes of the head. Beside him, Sonic huffs quietly, eyes tender and soft.
"Many have forgotten what my form and presence feels like Knuckles. Your people are probably the only ones who would know me on sight." He explains and that has Knuckles feeling both proud and slightly angry. He doesn't understand how Mobians could forget their creators felt like, feels insulted that they would forget.
"Can someone please explain then?" Silver speaks up looking flustered so Sonic takes pity on him, on them all.
"My name isn't really Sonic, though I have a feeling you all probably know my true one. While most have forgotten our forms and energies, our names remain well known." He smiles, looking to Knuckles briefly who nods in encouragement. "My name, my true name, is Era."
The effect is instant. Gasps ring out as eyes widen to the point of looking like they will pop from their respective owner's heads. Rouge has gone pale while Shadow just blinks owlishly beside her. Blaze has dropped to her knees in a bow, Silver looking between her and Sonic as if trying to decide whether he should follow her example. Cream and Tails are shocked but still gaze at him as the elder brother he had become to them while Amy looks a few seconds away from passing out.
"Blaze, you don't need to bow to me." Sonic insists, liking the sight of his friends kneeling before him.
"You are the child of Chaos and Gia, the ones who created our world. You are their child! The one who helped breath life into Mobians and Humans! How can I not bow?" Blaze asks, golden eyes wide and awed which just has Sonic flinching slightly, features constricted and uncomfortable.
"Because your my friend and friends don't kneel before each other." He says it so surely with such authority in his voice that it leaves no room for doubt. Slowly, the group relaxes moves in and hugs their friend. Sonic melts into their touch, wings coming to wrap almost protectively around them and thus covering them with his power and essence. They all shudder at it, basking in the love that pours out from him. When they all step back there are tears in all their eyes and Sonic is beaming like they've hung the stars for him. "Thank you for accepting me and not treating me differently."
"You'll always be my big brother." Tails hugs him again, nuzzling into the elder's chest to assure him that he will never feel differently about him. The hedgehog ruffles the fur on his little brother's head, soul light and free before a frown mars his face, wings pulling back to rest tensely against his back.
"What's wrong?" Amy asks, watching as he turns gaze towards the centre of the Island.
"Tikal has kept Chaos calm for as long as she can but he's restless. We must go to him before he starts to tear the Island apart to find me." He mutters and starts walking, his friends falling into step beside him.
"He'd really do that?" Knuckles looks shocked as Angel Island is one of Chaos' favourite places. His friend grimaces, face flushing slightly with heat.
"He can be slightly overprotective at times." Is all that is said and suddenly, everyone is reminded that Sonic isn't just a God in his own right but is the child of two Gods, the child of Chaos and Gia. It would make sense Chaos would be worried for him and would possibly go on a rampage to find him.
They walk for a good few minutes before the Shrine comes into view, the Master Emerald glowing brightly from its resting place. Knuckles, Shadow and Silver all shudder at the waves of energy radiating from the Shrine, feeling the fear, panic, anger and sadness that cling to the energy. Sonic doesn't falter, he strides confidently up the stone steps, head held high and posture straight and proud. In the blink of an eye, Chaos stands before the hedgehog, glowing yellow eyes boring into him while a single watery hand rises to rest against his head. The group of Mobians watch as Sonic closes his eyes, leaning into the soothing touch while his wings flex and ruffle. The Gold and Silver markings along his body seem to pulse with power as Chaos moves his hand to cup the side of his child's face, eyes softening in what could only be described as relief at seeing Sonic safe and unharmed before him.
"I am alright." Sonic's voice is soft, eyes opening to gaze into those bright yellow orbs that had been filled with such fear and despair. "Is mother coming?"
Chaos pulls back, body rippling as a low humming sound fills the air. The Mobians frown, not understanding what is happening but Sonic smiles, bowing his head slightly to the water God in acknowledgement. He turns back to his friends, gesturing them closer. They are hesitant, especially when Chaos turns his yellow eyes onto them, watching them unblinkingly as they move towards the pair.
"You have nothing to fear, he won't hurt you," Sonic assures, a statement which is followed by another low hum as Chaos bows his head at them. "He says you are welcomed here."
"You understand him?" Knuckles asks in amazement, knowing the humming is some form of language used by the God of chaos.
"It was one of the first languages I ever learnt." Sonic laughs. His laughter has them all relaxing, settling down on the cool stone of the Shrine as Sonic launches into tales of watching language evolve and change over time. It's a sobering experience for them all, helps them to understand that their friend, despite how he looks and acts is in fact far older than all of them, has been around since the very beginning of their world's creation. It should have probably frightened them or unnerved them, but it only helps them to understand Sonic all the better, helps soothe their frazzled nerves all the more. About halfway through a story for befriending a princess of the last echidna tribe, Sonic stops, head swinging around to stare at the far tree line along with Chaos.
Everyone watches as, from the trees steps a creature none had ever seen before, a creature that had no name. The shape was that of a horse, though black stripes that belonged to a zebra adored the body. Its belly was white while the colouring on his back and sides between the black strips was soft forest green. The mane, that was also stripes and sticking up like a mohawk like a zebras was a light brown. From the centre of the creatures head sprouted a long slightly curved golden horn, a coloure that matched the burning gold of its eyes. Black socks climbed up its legs, covered its tail and muzzle while a white pinstripe ran from the muzzle up to the beginnings of the mane. Despite looking much like a zebra, it stood as tall as a champion racehorse, body slim and elegant as it cantered over to the group.
The strange horse-like creature came to a stop at the bottom of the Shrines steps and quick as a flash Sonic was before it, a gentle hand running along its head. "Hello, mother."
They all stared at what could only be the physical form of the Goddess Gia who leaned down to nuzzle Sonic's face, her golden eyes closing as she breathed in the scent of her child. She raised her head, nickering a soft greeting when Chaos approached, the pair pressing their foreheads together in an intimate gesture. The group of Mobians didn't think anything else could shock them today, so they were all beyond surprised when Gia looked down at Sonic and actually spoke.
It is good to see you my child, though I wish it was under better circumstances.
Sonic nodded, eyes downcast and filled with pain. "A part of me has always longed for this day, for I have missed him so much. But another part has always wished this day never would come. Is this wrong?"
Gia moves closer, putting her head over Sonic's shoulder and pulling him into a strange version of a hug that he is quick to melt into, arms moving to wrap themselves around her neck while he presses his back into the soft fur near her shoulder.
Never think it is wrong to miss him my sweetling. You were both born from myself and Chaos within seconds of each other. You are each others half, two sides of the same coin. You are twins, it is natural to miss him. But, it is also natural to fear his return after all that has happened.
Sonic shuddered against her, eyes filling with tears as he fights to push back the painful memories from so long ago. Chaos moves in, pressing a cool hand against his son's back while humming low and soothingly, yellow orbs pinched with understanding and pain. Gia flicks her head, gazing at her Husband as a single tear slides down the side of her beautiful face which he is quick to catch and wipe away. He ripples, humming growing slightly louder and Sonic shifts to face him while still pressing up against his mother.
"I understand what needs to be done father, have known it for centuries now." Sonic sighs, his words sending a thrill down the mortal's spines at the reminder of his longevity. "But I don't think I'm strong enough for this task. Ishum was always stronger than I was, always a faster learner. And I don't think, even after all that has happened, that I could bring myself to harm him."
Chaos nodded, hand coming to press against Sonic's face. The hedgehog sighed shakily, pressing into the touch while Chaos hummed softly. Green eyes blinked, gazing up at their father in surprise before a weak smile began to tug at peach lips.
Your father is right little one. You are far stronger than you believe you are. You hold within you great power, and great love
Here, Gia turned to gaze at the watching Mobians who shifted under her golden eyes. If a horse could smile then that would be precisely what she'd be doing in that moment. She turned back to her son, breathing warm air over his quills pulling a gentle laugh from him.
You have learnt so much by living among mortals. By far, the most important and valuable thing you have learnt is the power of love, a love that transcends blood and stardust. Ishum never learnt this love, but perhaps it is not too late for him to do so. He just needs a little help. I know you can do this, we believe in you, Era.
Sonic seemed to glow under the sound of his real name, watching as his parents moved to stand side by side before him, their eyes filled with love and pride. He then turned to face his friends who, despite the shock of everything they had learned in the last few hours, were looking at him willing and ready to help in any way they could. He knew at that moment they would follow him no matter what, would stand by his side and defend both him and the world till their last breath. The knowledge filled him with confidence and hope, a feeling that grew when Tikal appeared by his side, offering up her silent support and love. And as corny as it might sound, Sonic knew that with love, hope and friendship they would always come out on top.
"Right then, who's ready to face a God?" He smirked, wings flaring behind him while his friends laughed loudly, ready to face the unknown together.
Will admit, I struggled on how to end this chapter but I think it turned out okay. Btw, what did you all think of Gia's form? Took me a while to settle on what she would look like in a physical form but I think what I came up with suited her very well. Got my fingers crossed part 3 and possibly the final part will be out in the next week or two. It its not, feel free to send me virtual slaps.
Until then have a wondrous day, week, month, year and life
