Authors Notes: And we're back with Sonic and the Secret of Swan Lake folks, sorry for the long update been a lot happening at home lately haven't found the time to do any writing but now without further delay heres chapter 7 and lets just say Swan Lake and Chamberg are about to get a nasty visit.
Chapter VII:
Metal Madness
Pt 1:
A calm moonlit night shines over the kingdom of Swan Lake, the midnight breeze blowing in the cool air and the trees standing still and silent as the moonlight is reflected upon the lakes surface. The castle stood still and quiet. Suddenly a large explosion emerged from one of the castle walls.
From that hole in the wall a blur of blue and violet lightning and energy sped around the castle clashing with each other. They re entered the castle almost like they were chasing each other through the castle hallways.
Elsewhere:
In a hallway not too far away running foot steps were heard echoing in the castle as lightning flashed. Bursting into the ballroom was Odette, Derek and Amy armed with her hammer and the prince armed with a sword and his bow. They looked around the room almost as if they were looking for something or someone.
"Where are they?" Amy asked hammer at the ready.
"Stay alert." Derek said with caution. "Odette stay close to me."
Odette stayed close to Derek keeping her eyes open for trouble.
All of a sudden the two trails of lightning blasted into the room practically circling the group. The lightning trails clashed against each other like they were fighting. Odette had a look of worry on her face as did Amy they were watching the blue lightning trail.
In what seems like a world of slow motion the blue trail of lightning was actually Sonic, who had a few cuts and bruises on him. His opponent slashed at him with razor sharp metal claws, he was fighting what looked to be a robotic version of him with glowing red eyes and a yellow circled hole in his chest.
He fired an energy blast at Sonic which he quickly avoided and then performed a homing attack on Metal Sonic who just repealed it with a flip kick and then sped into Sonic sending him crashing into the opposite wall. Sonic quickly recovered and as they ran on the walls of the room he could see Odette and Amy.
In realtime the trails of lightning kept blasting round the room Amy was ready to jump into help, but couldn't as the trails were zooming around so fast. Derek just readied his arrows but couldn't get a clear target. Odette still looked with worry trying to keep track but couldn't see any sign of her friend or if he was okay.
In speed time Sonic was slashed across the face by Metal Sonic's claws as he was catapulted away. Metal then sped towards Odette with the intention of hurting her however Sonic quickly performed a spin dash crashing into his opponent and away from the princess. Sonic then proceeded to kick Metal away as they continued their speed duel.
16 Hours earlier:
A bright sunny day greeted the Kingdom of Swan Lake the sun shone, birds were singing in the air. On the lake swans were sitting on the water. Near the castle, Odette and Amy were sitting at the lake side enjoying what to them was a girls day. Upon her arrival to the kingdom and hearing Odette and Dereks story Amy decided to get to know the princess better so Odette decided to spend time with Amy on a picnic.
The two were talking and even shared a laugh, as they enjoyed some tea and cake. They were gossiping and Odette even shared the story of how she and Derek fell in love and what happened after that. Amy just couldn't help but let out a laugh about certain parts of the story.
"What? 'What else is there?'" Amy said giggling. "Is that all he could say?"
"Yes not exactly his finest moment." Odette agreed. "But it wasn't the only one, a year after we were married he was so busy he couldn't make time for me or even his mothers birthday." She explained giggling.
"Then after we stopped Clauvius he said he found Rothbarts notes on the Forbidden Arts and thought we could use them for good, but it didn't work out so well especially when Zelda was after them."
Amy continued to listen with interest. "Derek may have the best intentions at times but sometimes he can be a bit stupid." Odette then said.
"Well boys often are." Amy pointed out to which they shared a laugh to that.
"So Amy, do you have someone special, like maybe a certain blue hedgehog?" Odette smiled with a knowing look.
Amy blushed at that statement and was a little surprised. "Is, is it really that obvious?"
"Yes, I could see the way you looked at him when we first met and well I also heard how you two were drawn to each other." Odette smiled.
"Oh yeah that." Amy admitted rather bashfully before she spoke again.
"Yeah I do like Sonic." Amy admitted. "You see when we first met it was when I was captured by one of Eggman's robots, he came to save me despite everything, and well it wasn't the first time he saved me either."
The pink hedgehog then explained the number of occasions that Sonic had saved her life. Such as during the Chaos creature crisis she and a small bird were captured by Eggman just so he could get the Chaos Emerald that the bird secretly had hidden in its broach. Following that was the time she had to save Sonic when he was wrongly framed, and how he saved her from Dark Gaia monsters even if she didn't recognise him as a ware-hog to which Odette laughed.
"Sounds like you two have had quite the adventure." Odette said.
"Yeah I follow Sonic no matter where he goes, and hopefully one day I'll win his heart." Amy said rather determined which Odette had to admire.
"Amy, I do admire your determination, but don't you think maybe you're trying too hard?" She then asked.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked.
"Well, you seem to be doing a lot of rather desperate things just to get his attention, but have you ever tried just being yourself?" Odette then asked.
Amy took a moment to think about it and questioned some of her actions like sometimes getting in over her head and even at times has become rather obsessive. Then of course theres her short temper. She never once thought about being herself.
"Well no not really, what if Sonic doesn't like the real me?" Amy asked.
"You shouldn't be afraid, I understand where your coming from, I mean when Derek said only my beauty mattered to him I wasn't so sure if he did love me for just being who I am inside." Odette explained. " I think this same thing applies, you need to know if you love Sonic for just who he is."
Amy took a moment to think she knew that maybe she hadn't considered how Sonic really felt, as she did see that at times she did noticed the annoyed looks on his faces when she advances on him. She then wondered about loving him for who he was the hero, speed demon and the crazy dare devil. She did feel that his speeding off did leave some form of neglect in her heart.
"I.. I hadn't really thought about it like that before." Amy slowly admitted. "I mean I do like Sonic for who he is but, I don't know if he likes me more than just a friend."
Odette just placed a hand on the pink hedgehogs shoulder. "Don't worry, I know somewhere deep down Sonic does have feelings for you too even if he doesn't know it." She assured. "Call it a feeling from the heart."
Amy smiled at the Swan Princess who smiled in return knowing that Sonic may indeed have feelings for the pink hedgehog because in someway he did remind her of Derek in someways brave, strong, dedicated and sometimes a bit oblivious.
Before any more could be said they then heard something.
"No way he's gonna be able to do it." Called a voice.
"Not being too chicken are you Sonic?" Said another voice.
The girls heard a voice and it came from a certain blue hedgehog and red echidna, who were clearly bickering about something, which to Amy wasn't such a big surprise.
"Oh boy I wonder what the boys are bickering about now?" Amy rolled her eyes.
"We better go find out." Odette suggested and headed over to where the voices were coming from.
Meanwhile:
Not to far from the castle Rodgers was setting Derek and Bromley up for some target practice. Their arrows had stuffed bags on the tips and were dipped in coloured powder. Dereks were orange and Bromley's were blue.
Rodgers then placed on them blind folds in the colours of their arrows.
Their targets were actually the musicians who were dressed up as animals and had numbers on their shirts showing a scoring system. The one dressed as a duck was marked with five points, the moose two points, The bird three points, bear nine points, fox four points, rabbit one hundred points, and elephant one point.
"Honestly Lord Rodgers I thought we said goodbye to this." The duck musician complained having been through this before when the prince did nothing but practice since Odette's disappearance.
"Oh stop whining, this is a one time only thing so start acting animal like." Rodgers merely said.
He then proceeded over to Sonic and Knuckles who rather strangely were among some of the targets. Rodgers handed the two of them their own points, both were marked for one thousand points.
"One thousand points a bit over competitive don't you think Rodgers?" Sonic asked.
"Well my dear Sonic given the stakes you'll be the most elusive target to hit." Rodgers explained. "Same goes for you sir Knuckles."
"Oh please I bet I'm worth more points but eh I'm game." Knuckles shrugged.
Tails just watched a distance away with Jean Bob, Speed and Puffin who just looked with unamused looks.
"How do they get into these things?" Puffin asked.
"I honestly don't know." Tails shrugged.
"Hey guys." Tails looked over and saw Amy and Odette walking towards them. Odette noticed the musicians dressed up as animals and was surprised to see Sonic and Knuckles in the line up.
"What is going on here?" Odette asked.
"Well Derek was doing some target practice and Knuckles said he was good but doubted if he could hit a speeding target like Sonic." Tails explained.
"Yeah then Sonic said he bet Derek could hit Knuckles given he's an easy target, and well that got them into an argument." Puffin added.
"Zo just to settle zis whole thing he suggested a target practice round to see who could get hit the most and if he or Bromley over zere could hit Sonic." Jean Bob added.
"Oh boy just typical of those two." Amy said rolling her eyes.
"Are they always this competitive?" Odette wondered.
"Oh yeah." Tails and Amy said together.
"Well at least it'll be good to watch." Speed added and with that Odette and Amy sat down to watch this little target match take place.
The 'animals' all lined up ready for the target practice to begin. Knuckles was flexing his arms ready to go and Sonic was doing some stretching so he'd be ready. However some of the musicians were a little disagreeable about their participation given what they had heard of the blue hedgehogs abilities but he swore he wouldn't make it look too easy. The blue hedgehog could see an audience had gathered and that Amy and Odette had joined so he decided to give them a show they wouldn't believe.
"Right everyone ready?!" Rodgers called.
"Born ready." Sonic replied.
"Come on let's get this show on the road." Knuckles agreed.
Rodgers just rolled his eyes at that and so picked up the string that was linked to the archers blind folds.
"Archers, ready!" he called out and so Derek and Brom drew their arrows and stood in a ready position.
"Set…"
The other animal targets started running away as did Knuckles but Sonic didn't move an inch, he moved his foot in the ground ready for a running audience present looked with anxious eyes as they waited for the start.
"GO!" Rodgers pulled the string removing the blind fold Broms eyes took a moment to adjust but Derek started firing arrows and fired the first one towards Sonic who didn't move.
However before the arrow hit Sonic smirked and zipped out of the way and the arrow hit the boar worth seven points instead.
Bromley was struggling to reset his arrow even getting the string caught under his neck. Derek on the other hand was firing arrows hitting target after target, the duck was constantly being hit between two statues whilst the Bear was hit from behind. In all the confusion Knuckles was moving fast to avoid being hit by the arrows from the prince.
Brom had finally gotten his bow set up and saw the white rabbit mocking him and so he fired his arrow at him but the rabbit whacked it back with a club hitting Brom in the face covering his face with blue powder. Sonic meanwhile was speeding around dodging the arrows that were coming his way and sped past the moose only for it to get hit with orange powdered arrows from Derek twice.
Knuckles and the duck were running along side each other and the echidna still hadn't been hit. However he saw an orange arrow coming his way.
"DUCK!" Knuckles exclaimed diving to the ground.
"What?" Asked the duck only for the duck to be it in the chest with an orange powdered arrow. Knuckles could see another arrow coming his way and quickly ran away to avoid being hit, though it only just skimmed his right leg.
Brom meanwhile was still aiming for the white rabbit. However when his last arrow missed, he then looked to see Sonic coming his way. Brom acted quickly and fired an arrow towards the blue hedgehog who just stopped and saw it flying towards him. However time then stood still and the arrow was inches away from Sonic's face.
"Look at that I took nine million steps today." Sonic yawned looking at a pretend watch. He then turned the arrow and pointed it at a tree at just the right angle.
Time then sped up again and the arrow bounced off a tree and back towards Brom who ducked out of the way. He then heard someone cry out and he saw it was the white rabbit, his arrow hit him on the back of the head. Brom was all but surprised he actually hit him.
"Eh might as well let him have one." Sonic smirked as he ran off.
Derek fired another arrow behind his back hitting the elephant target and then another straight at the duck again. Knuckles avoided every arrow shot at him even kicked one into another animal. Brom fired some arrows at Knuckles but he just avoided them jumping in the air and landing again. Brom fired more and more arrows only for Knuckles to move and dodge every single one until there was a shape of his body in a tree surrounded by the blue dust.
The audience continued to watch and saw how well Derek was shooting his targets, but Brom wasn't doing so well despite hitting the white rabbit only once (with some help).
"Twelve seconds left!" Rodgers called as he held an hourglass full of sand.
The animals quickly hid behind a tree only for Derek to shoot four arrows from his bow hitting every single one in the face. He then saw Sonics light trail and fired an arrow towards him but Sonic just slid to the floor as the arrow skimmed over his head. Another arrow came shooting at him but Sonic just leaped out of the way like a ballet dancer as the arrow hit a tree.
The Fox worth seven points was just being hit by arrow after arrow Knuckles then popped his head up from a bush. Suddenly he was spotted by the prince and quickly ran away as Derek fired another arrow towards Knuckles who dodged it. He was then met by Brom who was still chasing that white rabbit as it ran by. Brom quickly fired an arrow only for it to fall to the ground as he didn't pull it back further enough.
"Heh your not good at this are you." Knuckles cracked as he ran away.
"Five seconds!" Rodgers called and the animal targets started to panic running into each other as Derek fired more arrows and hit all the targets.
The white rabbit was still running only for it to be hit by Dereks arrow. Just then he turned to see Sonic who had still not been hit by either him or Brom. Sonic could see the prince looking at him and he smirked and ran towards him fast and Derek readied his arrows.
"Three…"
Sonic was speeding towards him and Derek waited to fire his arrow, Tails was rather anxious as were the others what was Derek waiting for? would he hit Sonic? Or would he miss? So many questions were running through their minds.
"Two…"
When the speeding blue hedgehog was close enough he fired his arrow and Sonic quickly slid to one side in slow motion and the arrow flew straight towards Knuckles hitting him dead in the face knocking him to the ground.
"TIME!" Rodgers exclaimed. "Animals assemble for counting." Rodgers called and all the animals came together in a line all coated from head to toe with orange spots.
Tails and the others came over to see how everyone did, and could see the musicians didn't enjoy this.
"Now let's see." Rodgers began looking at the number of hits on the animal musicians tallying up the scores for both archers.
"Well you defiantly scored 25 points on the duck thats for sure." Rodgers said before moving to the next animal the musician collapsed to the ground.
"Wow glad I didn't take part in this." Tails said.
"Tell me about it lad." Puffin agreed.
"Moose are worth two points, now let's see you got sixteen hits totally thirty two." Rodgers said tallying Dereks score.
Meanwhile whilst Rodgers was busy taking the scores Brom was discreetly hitting Knuckles with one of his arrows. Knuckles could feel someone hitting his back and he turned round only to see Bromley whistling by a tree.
"ten seven pointers and fourteen three pointers." Rodgers counted "totalling two hundred and ninety eight well done Derek very well done"
Odette, Amy and Tails gave a round of applause as Jean Bob just sat on Speeds shell and Puffin clapped his wings.
"And Bromely I can see again zero hits from you." He said smugly. Whilst Bromley just stood at the tree rather humbly.
"Now for the white rabbit." Rodgers said and noticed a blue spot on the back of the musicians head.
"Well well you actually hit him this time?" Rodgers said doubtfully.
"Yeah not sure how I did it but I hit him, impressed Rodgers." Brom said smugly whilst Sonic just rolled his eyes.
"Good shooting Brom." Derek complimented.
"Yeah good shot." Tails agreed.
"Yes yes but Derek also scored one hundred points so he's still ahead." Rodgers pointed out before moving to the final two targets.
"And last but certainly not least, the elusive echidna and hedgehog." Rodgers said and everyone saw that Knuckles had a huge orange splat on his face and much to Rodgers surprise a blue spot on his head. Knuckles was pouting in frustration.
"I believe thats one thousand one hundred Rodgers." Brom said rather smug.
"Very good shooting Brom." Derek complimented.
"Well come on write it down one thousand one hundred to three ninety eight." Brom said having Rodgers write down the score before he shoved him off.
"Bromley, Derek also scored 1000 point hit so that still puts him ahead of you!" Rodgers pointed out.
"Sorry Knuckles looks like I won this bet." Sonic chuckled in triumph.
"Uh hello he didn't hit you, that proves my point!" Knuckles exclaimed.
"Yeah but you got hit the most and as you can see not a single orange spot on me." Sonic gestured smugly.
"He does have you there." Speed pointed out, however Derek thought otherwise.
"Oh hold on a moment Sonic." He said and motioned for him to turn around and confused he turned around.
Derek used his bow to lift Sonics left spike which much to everyone's surprise had an orange spot near the end of it. Rodgers just looked smug at Brom knowing Derek had beaten him again. Tails and Amy were more than surprised.
"Sorry guys looks like you both lost the bet." Derek chuckled and Sonic couldn't believe it someone actually managed to hit him even at top speed.
"Whoa, I gotta admit it's rare someone is able to hit me even at my top speed." Sonic admitted.
"Yeah you're an amazing marksman Derek." Tails agreed.
"You said it Tails." Amy agreed to which Odette nodded in agreement.
"Oh yes Derek is one of the best marksman in the land" Brom agreed. "but when looking into the face of death it takes more than good aim, it takes courage, thats more my department." He said winking his eye.
Rodgers knew Brom was making all this up as he knew he never once showed an ounce of courage such as the night Eggman attacked or even during the whole Christmas tree hunt against a snow leopard. Then he smirked as he had an idea to test his courage.
"Well then what do you say to one round of catch and fire?" Rodgers then asked which certainly changed the look on Broms smugness.
"C,c,c,c catch and f,f,fire you mean me?!" Brom stuttered in fright.
"Why of course your the only one with enough c..c.c. ." Rodgers explained imitating his stuttering.
However the rest of Team Sonic were a little confused what were they talking about and what was Brom so afraid of?
"Uh quick question, whats catch and fire?" Sonic asked.
"Oh yes and a demonstration for our guests would be in order wouldn't it?" Rodgers then realised.
"Good idea Rodgers." Derek agreed but Brom just gulped in fright.
Moments later Knuckles and Sonic got cleaned up from all the paint and joined the others for this round of Catch and Fire. Rodgers was setting Bromley up in a suit of armour and tied an apple to his head, meanwhile Derek stood at the other end of the green field with a shield strapped to his back and had his bow but no arrows. Sonic, his friends, Odette, Puffin, Speed and Jean Bob sat at the side watching.
"I don't get what this is supposed to be?" Knuckles said confused.
"Yeah what exactly is going to happen?" Tails asked Odette.
"Just watch and you'll see." Odette said smiling.
"Ready!" Derek called as Rodgers had finished tieing on the apple to Broms head.
"Uh I'm r..r..r…r." "He's ready." Rodgers interrupted him.
"Now remember, aim straight for the heart." Rodgers explained to the shaking Bromley as the counsel slammed a helmet on his head and stepped to the side.
On the far end Derek was standing ready with his back turned wiggling his fingers ready to catch something and even had his legs apart.
Bromley still shaking was readying his arrow to shoot. "Oh please oh please."
His shaking was so bad he couldn't hold the arrow steady. Sonic just watched with interest and Tails was still trying to figure out what was going to happen. Amy could see what was going to happen.
"Wait he's not going to fire that arrow at him is he?" Amy guessed. But all Odette did was smile and motioned for them to keep watching.
Knuckles was just getting bored of seeing Bromley shaking and just wanted to see something happen.
"Oh come on, GET ON WITH IT BROM!" Knuckles groaned.
"SUSH!" Puffin hushed.
Brom was still shaking as he pulled the arrow back and couldn't even bare to look, sure he had done this loads of times before but he still didn't like it what if he hurt his friend if he missed.
"Oh please oh please, oh please." Brom quivered. "NOW!"
He released the arrow and it flew though the air straight towards the prince Tails was wide eyed in suspense and Sonic watched with surprise whilst Amy just covered her eyes whilst keeping one open and Knuckles just watched whilst the animal friends didn't take their eyes off it. Odette had her hands clapped the arrow was close enough in one swift motion Derek grabbed the arrow and then fired it from his own bow straight back to Brom which sliced the apple on his head in half Rodgers caught one half and Sonic caught the other in surprise. Brom just fainted to the ground in relief.
"Whoa!" Tails and Sonic said in surprise. Even Knuckles was very impressed.
"Bravo bravo!" Amy clapped as did Odette.
"Well done Derek." Rodgers congratulated.
Derek then came over to join everyone and Team Sonic was just bursting with questions.
"Derek that was amazing!" Amy exclaimed.
"Yeah how the heck did you do that?" Tails asked.
"Well its all in the timing Tails, when that Arrow is fired I listen carefully for the breeze coming off the arrow and then at the right moment I grab it." Derek explained. "Move too soon and you'll get hurt, and move too late the arrow will just strike you in the heart.
"Ah I see timing is everything." Tails surmised.
"So how long did it take you to perfect that move?" Knuckles asked.
"Days and weeks of practice." Derek answered. "I needed to practice so I could be ready for the Great Animal."
"The one from your story?" Amy asked.
"Yes as a matter of fact it was this very move that helped Derek defeat Rothbart." Odette confirmed.
"I was there too and Derek was on the verge of being killed if I hadn't escaped and fired that arrow to him, that is courage." Bromely posted out as he got back up.
"Yeah courage right." Knuckles said agreeing but was still unconvinced about the whole Great Animal thing and Brom's courage.
"Man I gotta remember that one next time Eggman shows up." Sonic said.
Before anything more could be said. "Derek!" A voice cried.
Everyone turned to see Chamberlain hurry towards them he arrived out of breath and panting as he had run quite a long way to get to Swan Lake.
"Chamberlain what are you doing here?" Odette asked in surprise.
"Derek, you need to get to your mothers kingdom immediately!" Chamberlain exclaimed in breaths.
"Why whats wrong is Mother okay?" Derek said now quite worried.
"Oh she's fine but something attacked the castle!" Chamberlain explained and now everyone was very concerned Chamberg was attacked but if so by what?
Chamberg:
In the castle of Chamberg everywhere was in such a mess. vases smashed and even some of the chambers were torn apart. Derek, Odette, Rodger, Tails, Knuckles,Amy and Sonic were in the treasury with Uberta. The door to the treasury had been torn off but strangely the treasure was still there.
"I don't get it all the golds still here?" Odette questioned.
"But someone obviously went to the trouble of tearing the door of and get inside it." Knuckles said looking at the damaged doors.
"Mother what exactly happened here?" Derek asked.
"I don't really know Derek." Uberta explained. "I was just minding my own business going over royal documents when suddenly I heard a loud crashing noise then when I got down to the treasury I saw something then it blew straight past me."
"What did it look like?" Rodgers asked.
"It looked a little like him." Uberta then gestured to Sonic who just looked in shock.
"Whoa whoa hold up your not blaming me are you?" Sonic questioned.
"Well who else runs super fast?" Uberta asked.
"Mother, Sonic was with us the whole time?"Derek explained.
"I'm afraid he's right Uberta, and you said this happened about eleven minutes ago, that coincides with when we were watching Sonic participate in Dereks target practice session." Rodgers deduced.
"Yeah and look at the treasury door." Tails said looking over it and Odette could see what Tails was talking about.
"He's right it looks like the door was ripped open by something incredibly strong." Odette noticed.
"And Sonic's not really that strong in muscles anyway, thats something I can actually vouch for." Knuckles confirmed remembering all the armwrestling matches that Sonic lost.
"Besides I ain't the only fast Hedgehog where I'm from." Sonic added referring to a certain black hedgehog he knew. "Though it kills me to say it."
Uberta took a moment to think and she realised that they were all telling the truth. She also knew that Sonic wouldn't do this without a reason but the mystery remained.
"But then who would go to the trouble of trashing my castle?" Uberta asked.
"Theres something else, why break into the treasury but not take all the gold?" Amy asked.
"Maybe this guys the most stupidest criminal ever?" Knuckles shrugged.
"Doubt it." Derek said taking a look at the treasury. "The whole place looks completely ransacked like whoever was here was after something specific."
"But why?" Amy asked.
Tails took a moment to think and why would someone go to this much trouble to ransack the castle but not take anything. However when he looked at the jewellery there was only one thing he could think of.
"The Chaos Emeralds!" Tails realised getting everyones attention.
"Whatever was here was looking for the emeralds but couldn't find them among the jewels here, it's the only explanation." Tails said.
"So Eggman is behind this?" Odette wondered.
"Yep I'm afraid so." Tails confirmed.
"Only he would stoop so low as to tarnish my way past cool name!" Sonic growled.
"So whatever did this might go to Swan Lake next." Derek guessed. "We better get back and see if everything is okay."
"But what about me!" Uberta exclaimed. "You can't possibly leave me here alone Derek what happens if this thing comes back again!"
"Calm yourself Uberta, if your that concern you can come back with us and I'll have the guards here be especially vigilant." Rodgers assured.
"Well thats assuring." Uberta said a little doubtful as they left the treasury leaving Team Sonic alone. They all looked at each other wondering which of Eggman's robots could possibly do this but Sonic had a bit of an idea he just hope it wasn't.
Elsewhere:
Meanwhile in the deep dark mountains Eggman with Orbot and Cubot were speaking with the so called voice the doctor had been hearing and it turned turned out to be the long since dead explained his whole story of how he once had great power but it was taken from him by Derek and Odette twice, and the pitiful fools he called his apprentices did nothing but disappoint him after his death. Eggman was talking with him whilst Orbot and Cubot watched from afar.
"So he wasn't hearing a voice in his head just a ghost?" Cubot wondered.
"Yeah and here I thought things couldn't get any weirder." Orbot agreed.
"You told me you could reconstitute my lost power and revive me!" Rothbarts ghost yelled. "But all it did was bring me back as a ghost!"
"Hey it's not my fault you didn't get what you want!" Eggman exclaimed. "Clearly this requires more power to reconstitute this energy and to fully restore you."
"Then how do we get that energy exactly?!" Rothbart asked.
"By gathering the remaining Chaos Emeralds, they not only have great power rivalling your so called Forbidden Arts but are capable of even greater feats manipulate time and space and turning ones thoughts into power." Eggman explained. "If we gather the remaining emeralds I can revive you and your so called power then with your help I will finally be rid of Sonic and rule my world!"
"Don't forget doctor you still need to help me even the score with Derek and Odette!" Rothbart's ghost reminded.
"Oh yes yes that too." Eggman said.
"Then find those emeralds!" Rothbart then said.
"Patience my good man I already have sent one of my robots to handle that." Eggman said rather confidently.
"What makes you think this one will succeed where your other minions have failed?!" Rothbart questioned.
Eggman just smirked at that question. "Heheh well if you want to eliminate an annoying rodent, you send a vicious predator and I can assure you tonight Sonic and that Prince will meet their match!"
Swan Lake:
As the night began to draw in storm clouds began gathering around Swan Lake even the clouds covered the moon. The faint sounds of thunder could be heard from a distance. Meanwhile in Lord Rodgers workshop Tails, Sonic and Rodgers himself were making sure that the emeralds were still safe. The three emeralds they had were kept in a metal box but separated. Rodgers closed the safe and Tails did the combination.
"The emeralds are safe for now." Rodgers said.
"Yeah but still we can't be too safe, especially if Eggman is involved." Tails said pulling out his Miles Electric. "I've recalibrated the electric to scan for more emeralds thanks to our signal expanding device, but so far nothing."
They could faintly hear the sound of thunder which did cause the fox to jump in fright. He was breathing a little loud until Rodgers kneeled down to his height.
"Tails calm down its just some thunder, sounds like a storm is coming in." Rodgers said.
"Sorry Lord Rodgers just a little jumpy when it comes to lightning." Tails explained.
"Oh thats only natural dear boy." Rodgers comforted. "Everyone is afraid of something."
"Yeah I know." Tails said. "Still it's hard to get over right Sonic?"
However Sonic didn't answer he wasn't even listening. Tails could see the look on his face that he was lost in thought. But what could he be thinking about.
"Sonic?" Tails called but still got no answer. "Sonic!" He called again.
"Huh what?" Sonic eventually replied. "Whats up Tails?"
"You okay, you seem a little distracted?" Tails asked.
"He's right is something wrong?" Rodgers asked.
In truth Sonic did have something on his mind something thats been bothering him for some time now. He just couldn't get it out of his mind, its happened to him upon his arrival to the kingdom and even yesterday when getting the Chaos Emerald.
"Well, I.. I've got something thats been bugging me." Sonic admitted.
"What is it?" Tails asked in concern.
The blue blur took a moment to think before he spoke again. "I.. I've been having these dreams, sometimes at night but also during the day, but the weird thing is they don't feel like dreams they almost feel super real." He explained.
Rodgers and Tails listened with interest why would dreams be troubling him.
"Okay well tell us what happens in these dreams?" Rodgers asked.
"Well there isn't much to put a story together," Sonic pointed out. "But, theres one where I'm in what looks like some kind of kingdom on the sea, Eggman's there with his bots and he was threatening someone." He explained. "It was a red haired girl, she was dressed like a princess in a white dress."
Tails wasn't sure what to think about these dreams but Lord Rodgers began thinking about what he was something hit him."Sonic, from what you say it sounds like you're describing repressed memories." He explained. "images of a forgotten time in your life thats trying to resurface."
"But why I mean it happened again after we faced Eggman and got the Chaos Emerald.?" Sonic explained.
"Well maybe something that happened triggered these dreams to happen." Tails guessed.
"Indeed certain things or people can trigger hidden memories to reveal themselves." Rodgers agreed.
Regardless Sonic still couldn't get the thought of these memories or dreams out of his head. Who was the girl in the dreams? and why was this even happening to him? All he had were too many questions with not that many answers.
Meanwhile:
In the castle hallway Odette was wandering the hallways and she looked out the window to hear the sound of thunder strike down from the sky, which did spook her a little. It wasn't just the surprise it was also some personal memories, it was a stormy night like this when Rothbart had attacked, took her prisoner and killed her father. Memories like that can never be forgotten.
"Hey you okay?" Odette was startled she turned to see Amy next to her.
"Oh it's only you Amy." She said.
"Sorry if I startled you" Amy apologised. "I just noticed you were looking out the window and I was wondering if there was something wrong?"
Odette was silent for a few minutes before she responded. "I'm okay its just, stormy nights like this remind me of the night I lost my father."
Amy just looked saddened by that she remembered the story, that was told about King William and how Rothbart had enacted his revenge on him by taking his daughter from him. She still couldn't get over how it was the saddest thing she had ever heard.
"Oh I'm so sorry." Amy consoled.
"Its alright." Odette assured. "but even after all thats happened I still can't get that thought out of my mind and every time I see a storm in the sky I remember that very night."
The pink Hedgehog was saddened by all this the Princess had been through so much even close to death but still decided to stay strong.
"I know something like that isn't easy to get over." she said. "But do you want to know a secret?"
Odette just nodded in response to that. "Well sometimes whenever me or Sonic face Eggman, I can get scared." She said to which the princess was more than surprised. "Sometimes I can get in a little too over my head, and get caught and I get scared that I'll never see my friends again or if Sonic would get here in time to save me. But I realised that sometimes I need to be brave and remind myself that no matter what my friends are still there for me no matter what."
Odette had to admit she did start to admire Amy's bravery, how even in the face of adversity she can still be strong for those she loves. In a way she'd found someone who she could relate too.
"I understand that, when I was held captive I sometimes doubted if I would ever be free from that spell." Odette understood. "But I decided to stay strong and hoped that someday Derek would find me and break the spell."
"Even if it involved breaking into an evil sorcerers castle to get a map?" Amy guessed.
"Yes." Odette giggled.
"You know Sonic once said that nothing starts until you take action." Amy pointed out.
"And if you have time to worry then run?" Odette asked.
"Yep thats Sonic alright." The two shared a giggle but it was sadly ruined when they heard something.
"KNUCKLES, CHAMBERLAIN!" It was Ubertas voice.
"Coming your highness!" Chamberlain was running down the hall with a tray of tea whilst Knuckles was trailing behind with a rather disgruntled look on his face.
"Knuckles?" Amy asked. "Whats going on?"
"Oh well if you want to know Uberta asked me to be her body guard in case that speeding assailant returns!" Knuckles explained. "But man she is so demanding go here go there! Not to mention I have to stand outside her door on call!"
"Well look on the bright side, you're good at guarding things, like the Master Emerald back home." Amy pointed out. "Providing he doesn't lose it." She said to the fourth wall.
"Yeah except the Master Emerald doesn't make me run backwards and forwards all evening!" Knuckles said as he walked away grumbling.
"Oh I should have warned him Uberta could be a bit demanding." Odette admitted.
"Eh we learn as we always do the hard way." Amy said and the two shared a giggle as they walked down the hallway in the opposite direction.
However the lightning struck again and briefly illuminated something standing in the hallway with glowing red eyes.
Elsewhere:
In another hallway Brom was walking down to the kitchen to get a snack before he went to help Rodgers and Tails look for clues to the mysterious assailant who attacked Uberta's was whistling a happy tune as he did, suddenly lightning struck and he jumped in fright and was shaking like crazy.
"Oh pull yourself together Bromley." he said scolding himself. "Its only a little lightning.
He continued to walk down the hallway still a little uneasy. He still couldn't help but wonder if he was being watched. Lightning flashed to illuminate something with glowing red eyes in the shadows. Brom soon reached a door at the end of the hall and was about to open it until. It opened on its own. Someone stood on the other side covered in shadows and the lightning flashed to show something holding a candle in the dark.
"GAHHHHHHHHHH!" Brom screamed in terror tumbling to the ground. However the figure stepped forwards to reveal it was only Bridget with a candle in hand.
"Oh Brom okay?" Bridget asked.
"Oh it's only you." Brom breathed in relief as he stood back up.
"You scared of lightning?" She then asked.
"Me scared oh please I'm not scared of…" Lightning flashed and spooked Bromley in fright. Bridget did giggle a little until he saw something.
"Who that?" Bridget asked.
Bromely saw that the shadow looked a little like Sonic the only difference was he had glowing red eyes.
"Oh Sonic its only you I thought you were with Derek?" Brom asked.
The figure approached the two of them with clanking metal foot steps and his eyes glowed brighter. Brom was getting a little worried as was Bridget she could see something wasn't right.
"S,Sonic you feeling okay?" Brom asked.
"Blue spiky thing?" Bridget asked with worry.
Suddenly loud screams echo all over the corridors of the castle alerting everyone in the castle, Knuckles was closest to the scream as was Lord Rodgers who was heading to meet with Derek. Quickly he changed direction heading for the source of the arrived on the scene first and found Brom fainted on the ground and Bridget frozen on the spot in fright with shrunken pupils.
"Bromley? Wake up man!" Rodgers slapped his face but it didn't wake him up he was completely unconscious. He then noticed Bridget completely frozen in fright quivering.
"Bridget, what happened?" He said coming over to her but she said nothing.
"Bridget whats wrong say something." Bridget could only point to something that made her shake in fright.
Rodgers turned round to see something with glowing red eyes flying towards him at top speed he was about to cry in fright. Suddenly the shadowed figure was catapulted to the side by Knuckles who landed a punch to its face.
"Knuckles incredible timing sir!" Rodgers complimented.
"Rodgers!" Everyone turned to see Odette arrive on the scene with Amy and saw what was happening in front of them. They then took notice of the shadowy figure standing in the shadows. A brief flash of lightning exposes him as what looked like Sonic made of metal with glowing red eyes.
"S, Sonic?" Odette said in shock. Why would her friend attack Brom and Bridget she knew that he would never do this not without good however could see this wasn't Sonic at all but a robot she and the others suspected was the one behind the attack on Uberta's castle.
"Odette thats not Sonic!" Amy said readying her hammer.
The robot then fired a jet in his back which blasted him forwards towards the group. Knuckles quickly launches forwards and swings his fists round and launched a strike at this robot knocking him back but he quickly recovers. The robot then shoots forwards and lashes at the echidna with his sharp metal claws. Knuckles manages to avoid it then suddenly the robot goes into what looks like a spin ball and charges at Knuckles who uses every effort to hold it back. However the robot unraveled and kicked Knuckles in the face then sped around him slashing at him with his metal clawed hands then performed a homing attack catapulting Knuckles across the room towards the group.
Odette was horrified to see her friend getting beaten like this Rodgers still couldn't believe how strong this robot mustered what strength he had left to get back up on his feet and stand with his fists up ready to fight.
"That all you got metal head?" Knuckles smirked The robots eyes glowed and charged straight towards Knuckles.
Before he could reach them a blue spin ball of energy charged straight into the robots attack catapulting it across the room. The ball uncurls to reveal its Sonic (The Real one).
"Sonic!" Amy cried with joy and Odette was both surprised and glad to see the real blue blur was here.
Sonic then turns to Rodgers. "Rodgers get everyone one out of here I'll handle this guy!" He said.
"What?!" Rodgers questioned.
"Sonic you can't be serious he's too strong for you to fight alone?!" Odette said to him.
"Just go and get to safety!" Sonic exclaimed and Amy knew what to do.
"Come on guys we need to let him handle this." Amy insisted. Rodgers quickly picked Bromley up and carried him out of the hallway with Bridget close behind. Knuckles limped away until Odette came over and helped support him with Amy, but she couldn't help but turn back to the blue hedgehog before the door in the hallway closed behind her.
The hallway went quiet as the two stood silently staring at each other.
"Some how I knew you'd be here Metal Sonic!" Sonic smirked "So how was being deactivated?"
Metal just beeped in response almost as if he was saying "Cocky as ever rodent, now where are the Chaos Emeralds?"
"Please like I'm gonna tell you that chrome dome" Sonic said brushing his nose, "so unless you want a serious beat down you best give up now!"
"Give up?! This world is not bigger enough for the both of us!" Metal beeped.
"Well I agree!" Sonic exclaimed as energy charged off his spikes and he charged forwards at top speed.
Metal Sonics eyes glowed red as he charged forwards at an equal speed the two approached each other head on as a clash between the two speedsters had begun! The question was who would come out victorious?
To Be Continued
Authors Notes: Oh boy Metal Sonics here and now he and Sonic are in a clash of speedsters you can expect to see the outcome in the next chapter. Now if you've played close attention I referenced Tails fear of lightning from the anime Sonic film. Also I thought it would be a creative idea, for Sonic to participate in Dereks animal target practice its also funny to see how he would handle it especially when using inspiration from the 2020 live action film, Knuckles involvement as well as the bet came in later production.
Now to those who follow my more popular stories I will update when I can but everythings been a little busy lately and soon we'll be in December close to the holidays, and who knows I may have a surprise early gift for my followers near Christmas Eve all I'm saying.
Until the next chapter which I promise won't be far longer than forever.