Chapter 6

The Nightmare Begins

"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING!?" Sonic Yelled as he and Tails dodged a flurry of odd, acidic bursts that flew from the creatures limbs, the abomination apparently having the ability to spray such substances from it's spider like legs, despite the lack of orifices to do so.

The battle had begun immediately following the ear-piercing scream omitted by Cream as soon as she and the others had seen the creature. While the monster had an appearance resembling spider, it quickly became clear that anticipating what it could do was nearly impossible as nothing made sense for it biologically. If it wasn't the acid throwing arms it was the fact that it seemed able to sprout wings which, of course, could do the same. A freaking spider with wings that could fire acid from it's arms and (for all the group knew) other parts too….just great.

" A GIANT SPIDER MONSTER SONIC, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE!?" Tails yelled back, dodging more acid while stealing a glance in Cosmo's direction as the seedrian erected a wall of plant matter to shield herself, Lumina and Cream. While Lumina and Cream could fly thus giving them an edge in battle, every time they attempted to do so the spider would swipe at them or release more acid and thus forcing them back.

Worse still, was the fact that even when he and Sonic managed to deliver a blow to the creature, an odd greyish mist would gather around the wound and seemingly heal it. And they were starting to lose ground fast.

Sonic and Tails made another push forward, attempting another dual attack. This time however, the spider directed four of it's limbs to spray acid at them.

"Look out!" Tails called as he reached down and allowing Sonic to grab his hands as he lifted them both up higher to avoid getting hit. The spider seemed to anticipate this however, as it then directed another limb at them while they were dodging, slamming into them both and sending them flying back.

"Ugh"

"Oof!"

The two fortunately found themselves being caught in mid air by a pair of vines, being brought down behind the plant wall.

"Thanks Cos, that was a nice catch" Sonic said while rubbing his side where he'd been hit.

"Yeah it was, I thought we'd be sent into the wall there" Tails concurred as he rubbed his face, which had taken the brunt of the impact.

"I'm glad I could help…but we need a real strategy, while my powers are easier to control here, I still need to divide my focus for multiple actions. I can't keep this wall up, attack and catch you too much" Cosmo spoke, occasionally motioning towards the wall to reform parts of it as the spider threw acid at it.

"If we could counteract it's healing factor, we could take it down no problem" Tails spoke

"Yeah but how? We've just been hitting him over and over and he keeps healing before we can do so again" Sonic replied.

At this, Lumina spoke "Perhaps I can wrap the two of you in some of my magic, my magic is the opposite of Void's so perhaps this will help amplify the damage you cause"

"It's the best plan we have right now, so let's try it" Tails said.

"Agreed"

Sonic and Tails then rushed outward in opposite directions, the spider having to determine which to focus on. While this was happening , Lumina made her way out from behind the wall, carefully isolating herself in an open part of the room. Once there, she began to focus her magic between her hands.

The spider noticed immediately, it's attention taken away from Sonic and Tails and onto the increasingly bright light Lumina was emitting.

It let out a hissing roar before starting to run towards Lumina.

"Now Sonic!" Tails called out.

"Right!"

The two dashed to each other before going into a formation that turned them both into a spinning yellow and blue ball. Seeing that they were ready, Lumina quickly hurled her magic into them, enveloping them in a pinkish glowing aura. The two then took off with immense speed.

Lumina's attention was then drawn to the large, hairy growling arachnid before her as it glared down at her. Princess of Dreams she may be, but Lumina was still scared of the imminent danger she faced.

This danger was averted however, when the spider hurled it's body back as it screeched in pain, Sonic and Tails bursting out through it's upper abdomen. The two landed and emerged from their ball, briefly taken aback at what they saw. The pink magic aura surrounding them, now individually, had acid covering them. They quickly moved to shake it off just before the aura dissipated.

"Man! Good thing we had that aura! We'd have never made it through that thing otherwise" Sonic said, shivering slightly at the thought.

"Sonic, do you know what this means? That acid is that things blood!"

"What!? you mean it's been throwing it's blood at us this whole time!? that's just messed up!"

There was a brief pause before Sonic spoke again.

"Wait. Then how did we not get burned when we wounded it before?"

"I guess we weren't doing as much damage as we thought"

"Well you certainly did this time!" Lumina called over to them.

Looking towards the spider, they saw she was right: the spider had a massive hole through its thorax running through to the center of its abdomen, the creature writhing in pain as it attempted to heal its wounds.

"Alright! Now we're getting somewhere! Let's hit him again Tails!"

"Right!"

At the two prepared to spin again, the spider sprouted it's odd, cicada like wings and flew up into the air, seemingly searching for something.

Its many eyes then fell on the area where Cosmo and Cream were, Cosmo starting to lose focus due to having to reform the barrier so many times.

"FEAR" it growled.

Sonic and Tails stopped spinning and Tails' eyes widened in horror.

"COSMO!" he cried.

Cosmo immediately knew, seeing the spider lift its thorax to spray webbing at her and Cream. At least, she hoped it would just be webbing, who knew with this thing?

"Cream! We have to-" Cosmo began, stopping short as she turned to Cream and found the rabbit cowering behind the wall at her side. How long had she been that way? Cosmo though she'd been making attempts to attack alongside Lumina. Had she been wrong? An illusion perhaps? Or perhaps she, like the others, had been so focused on the battle she'd simply not noticed.

Cosmo did not have time to question further or speak to Cream however, as the spider then fired from its thorax, a large projectile that, while thankfully just webbing, had been formed into a ball somehow before even being excreted.

Acting on instinct, Cosmo divided her focus to reinforcing the barrier and attempting to push Cream away with another vine.

She halfway succeeded. The large ball of webbing slammed into the wall, breaking through and slamming into Cosmo, the impact being somewhat lessened by the wall beforehand. Cream took significantly less damage, having been move somewhat out of the way before the impact with her instead being knocked away from Cosmo.

Tails screamed as he, Sonic and Lumina rushed toward them, Sonic rushing to attack the spider and Tails and Lumina to rescue the two.

The spider stared down at Cream, who looked up with terrified eyes at it.

"FOOD!" the spider roared as Cream screamed.

Using the split second decision making he'd perfected during his many adventures, Tails rushed toward Cream rather than Cosmo. For one, the monster seemed focused solely on Cream, and for two, Lumina wasn't fast enough to get to her before the spider did as it descended towards her.

Tails just barely managed to grab Cream and get out of the way before a pair of pincers closed down on the where they'd been.

Lumina on the other hand, had gotten Cosmo a safe distance, the seedrian disoriented a moment before regaining her senses. Concerned a moment, Cosmo looked to find Tails landing with Cream as the rabbit held him tightly and seemingly nuzzled into his chest, even smiling while doing so.

Cosmo's eyes narrowed slightly. That didn't seem like a grateful smile…more like…a content one.

Dismissing it for now, Cosmo called out to Tails and Cream to warn them, as the spider had just fended off Sonic and was now redoubling it's efforts to get at them.

Cream screamed as Tails flew past the spiders arms which were making swipes at them.

"Hey! Over here spidey!" Sonic called as he made to homing attack it's eyes. The spiders eyes flashed gray a moment before it flew upwards to shift its position then slammed Sonic back in the direction of Cosmo and Lumina. Cosmo attempted to catch him with a vine again only for him to tear through it due to how fast he was going. Just before he hit the wall however, Lumina barely managed to catch him with her magic before putting him down.

Falling to his knees slightly, Sonic spoke. "Agh! What the heck? It didn't hit that hard a moment ago!"

"Look! It's starting to heal again!" Cosmo cried.

Sure enough, the greyish mist was forming around it's wound once more and was beginning to heal it.

"Aw come on! How does it keep doing that? We just had it where it couldn't! what changed!?" Sonic yelled.

Everyone then heard Cream scream out again, turning to see the rabbit crying in Tails arms.

Moving to comfort her, Tails attempted to calm her to no avail.

"I h-hate spi-ders m-mister Tails! I k-know it's silly but I-I c-cant help it!"

"FOOD" the spider roared as it seemed to prepare another attack.

Then it clicked for everyone.

This creature was created by Void, the prince of nightmares.

Void utilized fear.

Cream had arachnophobia. So long as she was afraid of it, the spider could heal itself and grow stronger as well.

Dodging a web attack, Tails carried Cream over to the others while Cosmo created another barrier to buy them time.

"I'm guessing everyone else figured it out too?" Tails spoke.

"That hairy and ugly over there is feeding off of Cream's fear? Yeah, got that" Sonic replied.

"Well people don't just get over there fears in a few minutes, so what can we do?" Cosmo asked.

"I'm s-sorry" Cream whimpered.

"Don't be sorry Cream, it's not your fault" Cosmo soothed.

"I think I may have a solution" Lumina spoke up as she kneeled down in front of Cream "Please forgive me for this Cream".

She then touched two fingers to Cream's forehead, the rabbit's eyes suddenly glazing over as she instantly calmed down.

"What was that?" Cosmo asked.

"You are correct Cosmo, one doesn't just overcome a long held fear in a few minutes, especially at her age. So I've put her in a trance, she may not be able to dream, but she can't feel fear or experience nightmares either. This will wear off in a bit though so we must act fast"

"ARGRAAAGH"

Looking out behind the barrier, the group saw the spider writhing once more, its wounds no longer healing nor finished healing. Further, its wings seemed to give out and tearing as it fell to the floor.

"Alright! This is our chance!" lets go!" Sonic cheered.

With him and Tails rushing forward, Lumina wrapped them in her magic once more while Cosmo grabbed it's legs with her vines and holding it in place. The creature had lost its added strength as now it could no longer tear through the vines. Opting instead to melt through them, it began spitting acid on them to try and break free.

It did not have enough time however, as Sonic and Tails flew through the center of its abdomen, creating another hole and causing it to fall onto its back with the sheer force breaking the vines.

Landing, Sonic and Tails could see it was no longer healing, preparing to strike again.

Desperate, the spider flung its arms outward and throwing its acidic blood in multiple directions and forcing everyone to dodge or defend. Taking advantage of this, it fired a string of webbing up to the ceiling, spitting a large amount of acid onto it near where its webbing attaches.

Rising up and attempting to flee, the spider growled once more.

"HUNGRY. NEED FOOD. FEAR. FEARFEARFEARFEARFEARFEARFEARFEARFEARFEAR-"

Its eye then suddenly locked onto Cosmo's staring down at the seedrian as it neared the ceiling.

"...DOUBT"

Cosmo's eyes flashed a moment, unsure of what she was doing, as she suddenly barred her teeth before thrusting both hands upward angrily. A massive vine covered in large thorns burst forth from the ground, shooting up and impaling the spider in multiple areas. The creature screeched loudly before suddenly beginning to crumble as though made of clay.

Cosmo retracted the vine, suddenly aware of the brutality of what she'd just done, the crumbling remains of the spider falling to the floor and completely reducing to dust upon impact.

Moments passed in silence, the others staring at her in shock. While they all knew Cosmo was powerful, maybe being among the most powerful in their group in terms of potential, they had never seen her use such a display of said power.

Except for Tails. He'd seen this kind of raw power from her before, when she held off Super Meta Sonic. He also knew that such actions usually came at an emotional cost. Cosmo was upset about something. Very upset.

"Cosmo?" he softly called to her as he made his way over.

Cosmo did not respond, instead running up to embrace him which he eagerly returned. Though he tried to look into her eyes she would have none of it, shame and emotion preventing her from allowing it. Tails knew her well enough however, and quickly picked up that this was an issue she was not ready to discuss. Turning, he gave the others a look that said to drop it for now.

Lumina spoke first "Any second now the next fragments should appear, they were in that spider after all"

Moments passed, and eventually the area where the spider had crumbled started glowing a pinkish color before five more fragments emerged from the nearly dissipated dust.

Calling them over with her magic, Lumina held them close before making them seemingly disappear, storing them away in the strange, magical manner she had the others.

"We now have seven fragments, though we still have significantly more to collect"

"How many do we have left? Is there any way to know?" Cream asked.

Lumina paused a moment, unsure of the answer.

"I…think there might be a way…though using it could alert Void"

"Well, he already said he'd be watching us. May as well go for it" Sonic said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Nodding, Lumina summoned the fragments they had. While each fragments shape implied they would never fit together even with the others, this was a magical dream stone. It was likely they would be re-merged through magic, not piecing them together.

The glow from the fragments intensified as they closed together as well as inched closer to Lumina, who closed her eyes and focused as she held her hands out to the fragments. After several moments, the fragments glow softened and Lumina opened her eyes as she put them away.

"We have twenty five fragments left to collect, though there are no more in this part of Maginaryworld"

"Then I'm guessing we have to travel to the other worlds here to find them?" Tails asked.

"Yes, each realm will hold some fragments I'm sure, though I cannot be certain of the amount. Further, I can almost guarantee Void will have overseers there too"

"Correct sister"

Everyone jumped and turned slightly to their left, finding Void sitting casually on the broken throne.

"Hello again, I commend you for putting on a good show. You felled my first overseer so wonderfully. I do hope you are beginning to understand just how important fear is in our little struggle. You honestly don't think this is the last time you will need to deal with your demons do you?"

"Ha! If they're as lame as that one then we'll have no problem taking them down. I mean come on, a spider? I understand the classics but seriously" Sonic chided.

"Oh but this wasn't about the classics Sonic, this was about prepping you for what is to come. This overseer only took the form of a spider once you entered the temple and it sensed the strongest phobia from your group"

"Creams fear of spiders" Cosmo spoke up, glaring at Void.

Void's eyes caught Cosmo's a moment, his smile fading momentarily as he scrutinized her before regaining is grin.

"Precisely. Though it also sensed Tails' astraphobia or fear of lightning, it preferred to take on the spider from as it's power was not great enough to sustain a lightning based form. Lucky you Miles."

"So do you plan to fight us now Void? Settle this conflict at last?" Lumina spoke spitefully.

"oh but why would I do that? The nightmare has only just begun sister, and it will not end until you and your friends are whimpering and cowering at my feet, begging me to make the demons and terror go away"

Void stood, his form becoming transparent.

"Keep fighting on heroes, keep attempting to push back the fear that slowly crawls over your skin like a…swarm of spiders"

Tilting his head slightly, Void's gaze fell slightly upon Cosmo, who looked at him apprehensively.

"And know that when you have a dark or doubtful thought I will be with you, whispering in your ear as I further nurture your uncertainty. I'll be in touch"

With that, Void disappeared, leaving behind a shaken but still driven group of heroes.

"A projection" Lumina explained.

"So every time we face one of the overseers they'll take forms based on our fears?" Tails questioned.

"Perhaps, Void will likely employ tactics other than combat suited fear as well. They make take other forms or they may mess with you psychologically"

No one said a word at this. Tails turned to Cosmo and, seeing her in an uncertain state once more, took her hand in his for comfort.

"Princess!"

As they heard this call, the group found sprites, led by the old sprite named Gerald, entering the throne room while the dark clouds outside dissipated and allowed the light to shine through the stained glass windows.

"You did it! Our world is freed! The light is vanquishing Void's remaining forces around the world!"

Lumina smiled "I am glad to hear that Gerald, but our task is still incomplete, their are other fragments to find and other worlds we must free. I am afraid I must leave you for a while longer while I help the rest of Maginaryworld"

"Think nothing of it Princess. It is unlikely Void will attempt to reconquer us until he has the fragments you now hold. We will be okay in your absence"

Lumina nodded as she smiled gratefully.

Having been observing the old sprite as he spoke with Lumina, Tails finally spoke up.

"Excuse me, Gerald?"

Returning his gaze, Gerald replied "Yes young man? Tails I believe you call yourself?"

"Yes, that's correct. I'm sorry to ask, but I wish to confirm or disprove a theory of mine. By chance, what is your last name?"

"Oh, very few of us have last names dear boy. My name however, comes from a being in the waking world, as does my identity and to a degree my appearance"

Tails smiled triumphantly "Yes! I knew it! Your Professor Gerald Robotnik's counterpart here aren't you?"

Chuckling softly, Gerald replied. "Sorry Tails, but no. We sprites aren't counterparts of the waking world inhabitants we resemble. Rather we take these forms as reflections of the memories of those who dream of them the most."

Tails and the others stood in surprise for a moment.

"Wait, so you weren't created from Professor Gerald's dreams?" Cosmo asked.

"That's correct. I and one other sprite were created by the dreams of another person entirely"

Gerald turned his gaze back to Lumina.

"Please forgive me Princess for not informing you sooner, but you have another ally here as well, though not by them coming here physically like the others"

"They are here through dreaming then?" Lumina asked

"Yes, but not here in this world, I believe he is in the next world over: the Sapphire Course"

"Wait" Sonic chimed "who is it?"

"He is effectively the creator of myself and, though I have no actual children of my own, my granddaughter. You know him as Shadow the Hedgehog"

"…..WHAT!?"

"Yes…did you see how Cosmo reacted my minions? She will be of great use to me. Lumina thinks I do not realize what she is planning. Foolish girl, I have known from the start. Woe to you dear sister, your champion will yet be your end. her uncertainty and envy will be the perfect pyre upon which you will burn."

Boom! Next big reveal! Shadow is in this story, Void and Lumina both have plans involving Cosmo, and she herself seems to be dealing with some emotional issue. But what caused this envy to suddenly arise? Why would Lumina be planning something for Cosmo? If Gerald is a creation of Shadow, what does this mean for Celeste? Why am I asking when I already know the answer? Is this joke cliche or not? Until next time. See ya!