So it took longer than I expected to get this out but I hope your all happy with the end result. I may write more to do with this universe in the future but for now I'm planning on turning my attention to some new one shots and requests.
I hope you are all doing okay in these trying times, that your all safe and healthy. We are in a time of our lives where things are uncertain and scary but remember that just because we are in quarantine doesn't mean we are alone. I feel like platforms like Fanfiction are so much more important now than they have ever been. Its a way for us to connect with others, a way for us to find joy and happiness, a way to spread positive and hopeful ideas and feelings. We will get through this and I believe we as a world will be better, wiser, cleaner, healthier and happier on the other side. So hang in there everyone.
The earth is screaming as it burns. Every gallop of coal-black hoves across its surface ignites more flames that cut vicious paths through valleys and forest, towns and cities. The energy of the planet trembles and twists, crying out in anger, grief and hatred. It's enough to almost knock Sonic clean from the sky but he holds steady, wings flared out and catching the warm air currents created by the flames below. His friends are down there, fighting the fires and helping to evacuate people to safer ground. It's all they can do to help, they stand no chance against Ishum and his rage.
The demi-god glides up into a soft white cloud, allowing the cool mist like water to collect along his snow-white feathers, hiding him from view yet still allowing him to peer down at the world below. Green eyes scan the surface of the planet with purpose, energy stretching out to find its other half that is hurting so much. Sonic has to focus and push past the energy of the planet that reaches out desperately towards him, seeking comfort and healing from Chaos and Gia's child.
'Be still, be patient. I will heal your hurt, will put right this wrong' It's not said so much in words but through energy and intent. He sends it out into the earth, promising the pain will end soon. The planet's energy ripples once in pain before pulling away from him, understanding that he must be left alone to focus and fix what is broken.
Relaxed once more, Sonic presses onward, searching with his eyes, mind and soul for his twin. Without interfering energies, he is quick to pinpoint Ishum's location, the inferno that is his brother's energy flaring brightly in anger and warning.
"I'm coming, Ishum, I'm here now." Sonic breathes softly, urging the wind to carry the words and love towards his twin. Wings folding close to his back, Sonic dives towards the burning earth, the skin of his physical form tingling as the heat grows more intense. When he lands there is only ash for miles around. Trees, grass, shrubs and homes have all been reduced the burning rubble in a matter of seconds, yellow hot embers drifting in the gentle breeze created by his wings. The utter destruction is enough to bring a tear to his eyes, soul aching for the loss and death around him. Sonic remembers every forest, every valley, every desert, every river, lake, ocean, mountain range, jungle and savanna he helped his parents create alongside his brother. He remembers this one fondly, how Ishum had delighted in pushing the earth up into the tall ridges and cliffs that boarded this particular valley.
"You were so happy back then, always wanting to move on to the next project, always wanting to create more beautiful landscapes," Sonic muttered, not turning to face the presence that now stood behind him. "I remember when you made this place, how you laughed and cheered as those ridges to the south rose up at the barest of touches from you."
With a sigh, Sonic finally turned to face his brother. The great black stallion stood only ten meters away, flaming mane and tail moving softly in the wind that follow the blue hedgehog everywhere he went. Blazing orange eyes gazed back into emerald green, silent, judging. Sonic smiles, however weak it is, wings drooping ever so slightly behind him. "Does it hurt you to see this place reduced to such a state? Do you mourn for it as I do?"
Coal-black hoves stamp angrily into the ash-covered ground, kicking up clouds as they do. Ishum lowers his head, ears laid flat against his skull in anger while the flames along his mane and tail flare ever so slightly.
"I am death, I brought death into this world. Why should I mourn for it? Why should you care how I feel. You never did before."
The words burn as hot as his fire, searing into Sonic's heart and soul. Guilt rises up like a tidal wave inside him, threatening to swallow him whole as he bows his head in shame.
"You feared me, were horrified and disgusted. You didn't care, why would you care now!" Ishum screamed in anguish, rearing up on his hind legs before smashing his front ones down with force. Sonic yelped, wings snap out and rocketing him into the sky just as the earth beneath his feet splits open to release a wave of fire. Still surging with hate and century-old hurt, Ishum galloped after his brother, throwing his head upwards as he went. Sonic suddenly found himself having to swoop, twist and spin between pillars of fire, hissing as the flames licked and singed his feathers. Bellow him, the Stallion gave a thundering call, a wall of fire rising at his command and rushing towards the winged demi-god. With a cry, Sonic banked left, screaming as his right-wing got caught by the flames, the once pure white and sky blue feathers now either completely burned away or blackened.
One wing down, the blue hero found himself hurtling back towards the ground, barely registering when he crashed into it as the pain in his wing took over his entire being. Eyes glazed with pain, Sonic watched as Ishum came to a stop before him, nostrils flared and teeth gnashing.
"The mortals, they all hated me. They called me a monster, evil, wanted to destroy me. And you, you said nothing in my defence. You hid away like a coward. You hated me too."
The words are filled with bitterness and hate, yet Sonic can still hear the undertones of betrayal, hurt and sadness. 'I did this' he thinks to himself, 'I drove him away because of my own fear.'
"They called me a monster, so I'll give them what they wanted, will make them pay and suffer for all they have done."
He's turning away, energy flaring, ready to tear and destroy everything that lays before them, and Sonic wonders if he should let him, let Ishum have his revenge so that he and their parents may start again and create a world where his brother is not hated or feared. As quickly as the thought enters his head, it vanishes replaced by memories of his mortal friends, of all the love, happiness, joy and kindness he has witnessed throughout his long life.
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.
The words of his mother echo through his mind, filling him up with hope, determination, and most importantly, love. He abandoned his twin in his time of need, showed him nothing but fear and horror when he should have shown him love and support. He made a mistake, and now it was time to fix it, to show his brother he wasn't alone, wasn't hated or feared, to show his brother that he was love.
With great effort, Sonic pulled himself to his feet, burnt wing hanging uselessly by his side. Somewhere in his chest, a sharp pain makes itself known, a shattered rib he suspects as blood slides down the side of his face from a head wound. With staggering steps, he makes his way towards his brother who has turned back to watch him, mane and tail flaring in warning.
"Your not a monster, Ishum." Sonic wheezes out, making sure to look the other in the eye. A snort of disbelief bursts from the stallion, ears flicking to lay flat once more but Sonic presses on, radiating peace, calm and love. "Your not a monster, nor are you evil. You are my brother, my twin brother who I abandoned when you needed me most."
Ishum wickered, pawing restlessly at the ground while his tail flicked. "You left me, you hated me, you hate me."
Sonic shook his head, eyes haunted and sad. "No, I never hated you, I could never hate you."
"Lier!" It's hissed out between clenched teeth, eyes glaring and accusing.
"I never hated you. But I was afraid of you." Sonic admits, watching as Ishum rears back, stunned by his confession. "I didn't understand death back then, neither did you. We were both young, only children, still are, and I reacted poorly. It's no excuse for leaving you though. I should have tried to understand, tried to help you."
"What could you have done? You couldn't have helped me! I am death! I cursed all life to end! I AM A MONSTER!" Fire is sparking all around them, reacting to Ishum's distress, confusion and anger. Sonic doesn't care about the flames that brush against his legs leaving stinging burns in their wake. He ignores it all in favour of walking to his brother, resting a soothing hand on his wither, pressing his face into the soft black fur as silent tears spill from his eyes.
"No your not. You are the god of fire and earth and death, all three things that are needed." Sonic whispers into his brother's neck, body shaking from pain and emotion. He feels the muscles along Ishum's neck quiver, breath catching in his chest. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see dear brother, am sorry for being blind for so long. For what is the meaning of life without death. Where is the significance of life, without there being an end? Death gives life meaning Ishum, you give life meaning. All things live, and all things must die, but that is why life is beautiful and precious, why its important."
All is silent and still until the soft sizzle of water on hot coals reaches Sonic's ears. He turns ever so slightly to see the tears falling down Ishum's face, hitting the hot ground that slowly cools under the liquid.
"They despised me for creating death, the mortals. They shunned me wherever I went." The words are barely above a whisper yet still Sonic hears, still feels his own soul throb with hurt and sadness.
"People are frightened by things they don't understand and will act in ways they normally wouldn't, will do horrible things just because they are scared. I should know better than anyone." Sonic muttered shamefully. He stretches out spiritually, hesitant in approaching the hot twisting mass that is his other half. But to his surprise, Ishum reaches out towards him, pulling him close and curling around him, protective and weeping at the hurt he has caused to both their world and his twin. Sonic shudders, guilt welling up through his vessel, hating how his ignorance and fear has led to such a state between them. But the guilt does not consume him, Ishum makes sure of that. The stallion lifts his majestic head, dropping it low over his brother's back to pull him into an armless hug, offering comfort and most of all, forgiveness.
"I am so sorry, for all the pain and fear I have brought to our home. I am sorry for hurting you."
"I'm sorry too. We were both at fault, but I forgive you and I know you forgive me."
They drift between the spiritual and mortal plane, Ishum pushing his Chaos towards Sonic's wings, healing the damage he caused while Sonic guides gentle air currents along Ishum's body, helping to cool the raging fire inside him. They could have stayed as they were for centuries, curled and wrapped so tightly around one another it was hard to even tell if they were separate beings at all. The gentle calling of a soft voice pulls them back to themselves, green and orange eyes turning to gaze at their mother who wastes no time in pressing up against her eldest.
My little star, how I have missed you
Gia nuzzles at her son, diamond-like tears cutting little streams down her elegant face. Ishum crooned sadly, rubbing his face against her's, brushing her tears away while soaking in her love and joy.
"Mother, I've missed you too. I am so sorry." He would have said more had Gia not given him a nip on the side of his neck, her eyes stern yet still filled with love.
No more of that my child. I know you regret and mourn, you need not tell me any more. I forgive you, as does your father. You are our son and we will love you no matter what. As Era said, the fault is shared by the two of you, and by your father and myself. We should have taught you of balance, should have been there in both of your times of need. We share this guilt as a family, and we will emerge stronger from this as a family.
Mother and sons smile, pressing in close, feeling the energy of their father and husband pulsing through the earth, healing the damage done. Gia reared up, a delight whinny echoing across the valley. When her hooves hit the ground lush green grass exploded into bloom, rushing outward to cover the ash cover land. Ishum gave a whinny of his own, kicking out his back legs to seal the cracks in the earth while Sonic laughed in pure joy. Healed wings snapped to attention, rocketing him up into the sky's embrace. In the wind he carried seeds and pollen, spreading Gia and Ishum's greenery as far as the eye could see. A gentle bell-like laugh filled the air as a little orange sphere appeared beside him, glowing with happiness.
"Hi Tikal, wanna help?" Sonic questioned, watching as the spirit hovered under his extended right-wing, brushing up against the soft white and blue feathers. She gave a soft tinkle, pulsing in excitement. "Alright, here goes nothing."
Hand extended, Sonic pushed some of his Chaos into his friend, watching as her bright orange changed into an aqua blue. Tikal twirled in the air, little droplets of water falling in her wake as she did so causing Sonic to smile. "Go on then, bring some much-needed rain."
Almost as fast as the speedster could run the spirit was off, bringing rain to the smouldering land, extinguishing fires and helping the new plants to grow and flourish. Slowly, Sonic feels the energy of the planet settle and relax, feels the way it rejoices at Ishum's return, feels how his brother's energy fits back into the earth so perfectly. For the first time in forever, Sonic feels at peace, he feels like Era once more.
As you can see I've left it a little open ended so that if I do come back to this universe later I'll be able to pick it back up easily. Hope you've all enjoyed this one shot series and don't forget to send in requests if you have them.
Until then have a safe day, week, month, year and life