Chapter 2! Here we go!
I forgot to mention this in the last chapter, but for those of you who don't know or have not read my other stories, any dialogue in parenthesis, (like this) means the characters are thinking instead of talking. Anything in italics means a past event or flashback is occurring.
Back with the guests, everyone was now checking in at the great hall.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Next, please.
Sonic and his siblings then came up, next in line. The receptionist looked a little surprised at the sight of the three of them before Sonic eagerly handed in a single form with a confident grin. The receptionist then smiled as she accepted the form.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Welcome to the Cold Sleep Capsule Center.
Processing the information from the form on her computer, Sonic's information was then pulled up on the screen.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Selectee Sonic the Hedgehog and his companions, Manic and Sonia the Hedgehog, correct?
Sonic – That's right!
Another worker then rolled a cart over, which held a case containing multiple bracelets inside. The receptionist reached inside for one as she gestured to Sonic.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Please stick out your left hand.
Sonic looked at his siblings confusedly, who just returned his expression before he did as instructed. The receptionist then clasped the bracelet around his wrist, showing a serial number printed on it.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Your ID code is KHC050. Only people wearing these bracelets can go further inside. Make sure you always keep it on.
Sonic held up his wrist to inspect his bracelet, as did Manic and Sonia. The receptionist then gestured to her left.
Female Mobian Receptionist – Orientation will be held in the chapel in thirty minutes. Please hurry.
A human attendant then came up to Sonic and gestured him to follow him.
Male Human Attendant – Follow me. I'll show you the way.
Sonic looked back at Manic and Sonia and smiled at them.
Sonic – You guys cool waiting up for me?
Sonia and Manic returned his smile in confirmation.
Manic – Sure thing, Dude. Might even take this time to enjoy the free range like you said.
Sonia nodded in agreement and Sonic proceeded to follow the attendant towards the chapel. As Sonia and Manic watched him go, their smiles slowly faded.
Amy – When the eleventh witch finished giving her blessing, the thirteenth witch, convinced she was being left out, interrupted the twelfth witch and said, "On her 15th birthday, the princess will be pierced by a spindle and die." They were the words of a terrible curse.
Inside the chapel, all the selectees were sitting in the rows of pews, while multiple news people and mobians along with the two people from MNN News were standing in the back, all of them clapping for Gerald Robotnik who was at the podium, finishing up a presentation on the upcoming project. Sonic looked around the room skeptically, finding it a little odd that a church was part of a science facility, but he soon started clapping as well, just to join in.
Gerald – Now, then… With that general explanation out of the way, are there any questions?
Human Selectee – I have one.
One member in the audience raised his hand, looking a little nervous as he did.
Gerald – Go ahead.
Human Selectee – What if while we're asleep, umm… I know I shouldn't say this, but…
Gerald – Go right ahead.
Human Selectee – What if the Chaos virus kills the people working here?
Gerald – I see. I understand your concern very well.
Professor Gerald snapped his fingers as the screen showed an impressive schematic of an advanced AI system along with the levels in the facility.
Gerald – Allow me to introduce M.A.R.I.A, the greatest, most cutting-edge centralized management control system! This system has been designed to perpetually maintain not only the underground cold sleep capsule room, but this castle and all peripheral equipment as well. Calculations show that its service life will last over 100 years!
The audience was completely silent despite the revelation, almost as though no one could believe it. Sonic's eyes however were wide with shock.
Sonic – 100 years…? That long…?
Sonic clenched his hands into fists as he processed the information.
Amy – However, the twelfth witch followed by saying, "I cannot lift the curse placed upon the princess, but I can put her to sleep for 100 years instead. The poison should be gone by then. You need only entrust her to one with a sound heart."
Everyone's attention turned to the pink hedgehog as she spoke, until Professor Gerald cleared his throat to bring all their focus back to him.
Gerald – There are also the bracelets you were given when you entered the facility. M.A.R.I.A has been programmed to protect everyone wearing one.
Everyone looked at their bracelets, focus particularly shifting to the amber fox, red echidna, black hedgehog, and Ivo as they each examined their own.
Gerald – Even as we speak, she is monitoring your health, mental state, and immediate circumstances.
Gerald then gestured to the ceiling, prompting everyone to look up and see some kind of monitoring device emerge from it, proven as such due to the image of the entire room being viewed from the ceiling appearing on the monitor behind the doctor.
Gerald – M.A.R.I.A is also an enormous databank that stores full backups of not only your personal information, but detailed bio-data and genetic information as well. Please leave everything to M.A.R.I.A and enter your sleep with an easy mind.
The BNN newswoman in the back raised her own hand.
Newswoman – I have a question!
Gerald – Yes?
Newswoman – I'm with MNN News. Will people dream during cold sleep?
Gerald was silent for a moment, though kept his smile.
Gerald – That's an interesting question, and a good one. Never fear. M.A.R.I.A can even control your dreams. Specifically, the multiple electrical currents generated by the brain are converted into patterns, modified via proprietary algorithms, then feed back into…
Gerald then cut off before he could continue, seeing that the news people in the back clearly couldn't understand what he was talking about.
Gerald – Well, technical jargon aside, you will enjoy soothing dreams on your journey to the world of the future.
A group of scientists were then shown from the side of the room, including the same mobian figure from before, who was once again clenching his necklace tightly in his hand.
Gerald – Well, it's almost time to go, but there's one last thing to mention.
Gerald picked up a medical bracelet like the ones every selectee was already wearing and gestured to the rectangular white plate located on the opposite side of the bracelet to where the serial numbers were printed.
Gerald – The bracelets you're wearing allow M.A.R.I.A to look after you, but they also serve another purpose. This white area in the center is a symptom indicator. If, by some chance, your Chaos infection enters its second stage, this area will turn black…
Suddenly a woman's scream rang out throughout the chapel, shocking Gerald and grabbing everyone's attention. A selectee woman from the audience had stood up and was desperately trying to force her bracelet off her arm while crying out in terror.
Female Human Selectee – No! No! No! No!
A bunch of security guards immediately ran over to her and grabbed her arms, seeing that black spots had appeared on the white area in her bracelet, meaning she had entered stage 2 of the Chaos virus.
Female Human Selectee – No! No!
Two of the bodyguards then picked the woman up by her arms and legs and began carrying her outside as she continued to struggle, while another one took out a walkie talkie to call for assistance.
Security Guard – Doctor to the chapel immediately.
The rest of the selectees continued to watch in pity as the woman was taken away until the doors closed. Sonic in particular looked quite shocked at the scene he just witnessed before he turned his attention back to his own bracelet, seeing that the symptom indicator on it was still pure white.
Sonic – (So we still have time…)
Sonic then reached for his medallion and clasped it close to his heart as he thought about Sonia and Manic.
Gerald – I apologize for the commotion. It's now time to go.
It was now sunset, and Sonic, Manic and Sonia were all shown standing at the edge of the cliff together, looking out at the horizon. A pink scar was also visible near Sonic's ankle on his right leg, contrasting with his blue fur.
Sonia – Wow… 100 years in a castle… It really is almost exactly like "Sleeping Beauty."
Sonic – What, are you saying that next a prince is gonna have to kiss me awake? Yeah, no thanks!
Sonia giggled but stopped once she noticed that Manic had not even uttered a sound at Sonic's joke.
Sonia – Manic?
Manic – Yeah, emphasis on the "almost" part.
Sonic looked over at his brother as well and noticed the green punk-styled hedgehog once again had a forlorn expression on his face.
Manic – In the story the princess' family falls asleep along with her… But that's not the case with us.
Sonia took in her brother's words before she looked down sadly as well. Seeing his siblings' expressions, Sonic attempted to try to reassure them.
Sonic – Guys…
Manic – What, it's true isn't it?! We've been ignoring the elephant in the room for too long!
Manic instantly turned towards Sonic and threw his arms out as he finally let out his emotions.
Manic – Let's face it! Sonia and I are gonna die here while you sleep away and wake up into a future without us!
Sonia's shoulders soon began to shake and tears began welling up in her eyes.
Sonia – He's right…
Sonic looked at his sister in shock.
Sonia – First we lost Mother, and now we're losing you too… Why is fate so cruel?!
Sonic – Sis!
Manic – We made a vow, didn't we?! That no matter what happened we would all face this together! Sonic Underground forever, right?!
Sonic took in his siblings' heartbroken expressions before he attempted to give them a reassuring smile.
Sonic – Manic, I meant what I said. We will always be Sonic Underground. Even if we're apart.
Manic and Sonia however did not seem to cheer up as they both just looked down sadly once again.
Sonia – We know that, but… It's not the same.
After another moment, Sonic seemed to find some kind of resolve, as a confident expression formed on his face.
Sonic – Then in that case, let's reiterate that vow right now!
Manic and Sonia looked back up at their brother in surprise.
Sonic – Listen up, the moment I wake up, I'm gonna come looking for you. So you guys better be waiting for me once I'm out.
Manic and Sonia's eyes began to fill with hope from Sonic's optimism.
Sonic – You don't really think I would go through with this if I didn't think we would see each other again, do you? Mom used to say that miracles only happen where there's a wish.
Sonia – You think if we wish it, a miracle will happen?
Sonic shrugged his shoulders.
Sonic – Who knows? But hey, in "Sleeping Beauty" the princess only survived because of the twelfth witch's wish, right?
Sonia wiped her eyes while Manic managed to give a small smile in return.
Manic – So as long as we all wish for it…
Sonic nodded determinedly.
Sonic – We can make it happen.
Sonic then reached his hand out to his siblings.
Sonic – Sonic Underground forever.
Manic and Sonia looked at each other before they both smiled and put their hands over Sonic's.
Manic – Forever.
Sonia – Forever.
The three siblings held each other's gazes as they kept their hands stacked, sealing their vow.
Sonic – (Yeah, as long as we all wish it… right?)
Back inside the castle, all the selectees were shown changing into white patient uniforms and handing in their clothes and belongings to the attendants for storage.
Male Mobian Attendant – Personal belongings are not allowed inside the capsules. We will hold on to them in the center's vault and return them to you after coming out of cold sleep.
The amber fox mobian was shown at the front of his line looking at the communicator he was working on back on the bus forlornly before he put it in the bin carrying his gloves, shoes, and tools as well.
Female Mobian Attendant – Only glasses and hearing aids are allowed inside the capsules.
The black hedgehog was then shown coming out of a changing room, having finished getting dressed in the patient uniform, though he was still wearing his golden rings. He then looked over at the attendant who just spoke from the other side of the room and gave her a scary glare.
Shadow – The rings stay! They're for medical purposes, so it's allowed right?
The other selectees and the attendant all flinched back from the hedgehog's aggressive demeanor.
Female Mobian Attendant – V-very well, Sir.
The pink female hedgehog was shown next, holding her book of "Sleeping Beauty" close to her chest, as she too was reluctant to part with it.
Amy – Are you sure they'll be safe here?
Male Attendant – Don't worry. The center's vault is completely secure.
Deciding to trust the attendant's words, the pink hedgehog put the book in the bin along with her other clothes and turned it in. Finally, Sonic was shown next up in his own line to turn in his own gloves and shoes.
Female Attendant – I'm sorry, but all personal items include your medallion as well.
Sonic looked shocked, as he had completely forgotten about his medallion. He reached up to it, hesitant to take it off.
Sonic – Isn't there any way I can take it with me? It's part of a set my mom gave to me and my siblings when we were born. We've had them as long as we can remember and they've always made us feel connected…
Female Attendant – I'm sorry, but…
Sonic looked down disappointedly before he reluctantly reached up and removed his medallion from his neck.
Sonic – Will you really give it back?
Female Attendant – We'll take full responsibility.
Sonic took one good last look at his medallion before he finally put it in the bin along with his gloves and shoes. He then walked out into the hallway, holding his hand over his chest where his medallion normally rested; he already felt much more uneasy without the familiar weight hanging from his neck.
Sonic – (This is it, then.)
Sonic was just about to head down the stairs along with other selectees until he saw his reflection in a reflective tablet statue of Venus Gate's emblem. Sonic stopped in his tracks and turned to face his reflection completely.
Sonic – (Manic… Sonia… I'm sure that every time I look in the mirror, I'll see the both of you as well… My brother and sister who came into this world alongside me…)
Sonic and multiple other selectees were then shown being scanned in an advanced looking metal detector, to make sure nobody smuggled any personal belongings inside.
Sonic – (We share the bond of triplets… Even if 100 years pass, we always will… When I turn twenty, so will you…)
Next, Sonic and the other selectees were shown receiving a couple injections along their left arms and even necks. The black hedgehog also happened to be sitting in the seat right behind Sonic's; after receiving the injection in his neck he snarled at the doctor tending to him as a result of the pain.
Shadow – Ow!
Finally, Sonic and all the other selectees were shown riding the giant elevator that could fit them all down to the capsule room.
Sonic – (When I turn forty, so will you…)
The elevator had reached the bottom floor and the doors opened to reveal the cold sleep capsule room itself. It did indeed look quite impressive; all the capsules were shown to be built into the walls, allowing the entire room to still look plenty spacious. People in hazmat suits were also shown to be waiting inside, ready to help all the selectees to their respective capsules. As everyone was lead inside, they all looked around in awe at the impressive sight. Professor Gerald's voice was then heard over the speakers.
Gerald – I welcome you all once more! This is the final stop in our center and the first stop toward the future!
The elevator's doors then closed, causing everyone to look back.
Gerald – It is time for Noah's Ark to depart! May your future- and the future of human and mobiankind alike- be a glorious one!
Everyone began to get settled into their capsules, while Sonic got up onto a conveyer along with one of the hazmat people as it lifted them up towards his own capsule. Sonic had to admit, he was quite astounded as the conveyer finally stopped and he watched as the capsule he was to enter emerged from the wall before opening up.
Hazmat Person – Please step in.
Sonic climbed inside and laid down onto his back, watching the capsule close.
Sonic – (When I'm twenty, you'll both be twenty. When I'm forty, you'll both be forty.)
Sonic was startled for a moment as once the capsule had sealed completely, he was able to see his reflection once again in the glass, causing his eyes to begin to tear up. But he steeled his expression before any could fall.
Sonic – (And when I turn 100, I'll see you be 100 too… right there with me.)
Sonic's capsule then re-entered the chamber in the wall, as did all the other now occupied capsules, followed by the doors to each chamber closing and sealing shut. All the hazmat people confirmed everything was set to go, and the lights within the room were shut off. Inside his capsule, Sonic heard a young feminine voice communicate to him.
M.A.R.I.A – Hello. I'm M.A.R.I.A. I'm here to look after you. There's nothing to be afraid of. Relax and count with me. One. Two. Three.
The capsule began to freeze and Sonic started to close his eyes and relax.
M.A.R.I.A and Sonic – Four. Five. Six. Seven.
M.A.R.I.A – Good night, ID code KHC050, Sonic the Hedgehog. Pleasant dreams.
The capsule finished freezing over and Sonic drifted off to sleep. All the hazmat people left the capsule room and with the closing of the elevator doors, all was silent… At least for a moment.
Gunshots were shown being fired, soldiers attempting to ward off whatever it was they were shooting at, though they were slowly backing up as they did so.
Sonic – I've made up my mind!
What appeared to be a memory of Sonia and Manic on the cliff where Sonic last spoke with them was shown. The two hedgehogs were facing the horizon but turned around to apparently face their brother.
Sonia and Manic – Sonic, please live!
Sonic suddenly opened his eyes, waking from the dream. He then sat up and looked around in confusion; his capsule had apparently emerged from the wall and was open, but that wasn't the strangest part. What was truly odd was that there appeared to be long vines of thorns everywhere inside the cold sleep chamber; about half of the vines had red thorns, while the rest had yellowish green ones.
Sonic – What the-?! What is this?!
Sonic then looked down and saw that a figure was sprawled out on the ground directly below him; whoever it was looked small enough to be a mobian, but the upper half of their body was hidden from view by Sonic's capsule. He then looked back over at the thorns and hesitantly reached out to the ones nearest to him to see if they were real, only to prick his finger the minute his skin made contact.
Sonic – Ouch!
The thorns were real all right, and quite sharp too, which only begged the question, where had they come from? All of the other chambers suddenly unlocked, causing all the capsules to emerge from the wall and open up as well, prompting for everyone to awaken. The red echidna in particular was shown getting up, though he looked confused as to what was going on.
Knuckles – What?
Male Human Selectee – Hey, what's going on?
Female Mobian Selectee – They found a cure!
Male Mobian Selectee – They did?!
Another selectee exited their capsule but before they could even take a step forward, they pricked their toe on the thorns.
Female Human Selectee – Ow!
Soon enough everyone began exiting their capsules and observing the thorns all around the room.
Female Human Selectee 2 – What is this doing here?
Male Human Selectee 2 – What are they, weeds? Vines?
Male Mobian Selectee 2 – Be careful! They have thorns!
Female Mobian Selectee 2 – What in the world is going on?!
Male Mobian Selectee 3 – What year is it?! How many years have passed?!
Ivo – How am I supposed to know?!
Selectees who were in the capsules higher above the floor began climbing down the ladders upon the walls to get down, the selectees on the ground helping them as they reached the floor. A couple others went to a phone placed on the wall next to the elevator, trying to use it to get in touch with anyone, to no avail.
Female Human Selectee 3 – Hello?! Hello?!
Male Human Selectee 3 – Where's the Venus Gate staff?!
Male Mobian Selectee 4 – Hey! Someone's lying on the ground here!
Male Mobian Selectee 5 – Hey! You all right?!
Sonic looked down to see two mobian selectees kneeling next to the figure on the ground. He then started to reach over to the ladder to climb down himself, when some sort of dinosaur bird-like creature flew by him and landed on his capsule. Sonic looked at it confusedly for a moment before the creature lifted its face and screeched at him, revealing its terrifying face and teeth. Sonic was so startled he let out a scream and lost his balance, falling over. Everyone heard his cry and the two mobians that were checking up on the fallen figure on the floor looked up to see that Sonic was hanging onto the edges of his capsule, but quickly slipping. He then fell and tried to grab onto each capsule underneath his on his way down, but lost his grip just as fast and continued to fall. Luckily, the two mobians on the ground managed to catch him.
Male Mobian Selectee 5 – What happened?!
Sonic pointed up.
Sonic – There's something up there!
All of a sudden, hundreds of the same creatures began flying around the ceiling before swarming the room. One of them landed on the arm of the woman by the phone and screeched at her before attacking her face, causing her to cry out in pain. More and more selectees were being attacked by the ravenous creatures, to the horror of everyone. Most of them tried ducking for cover underneath the capsules or diving to the floor and using their arms to shield their heads, while others were not so lucky.
Cyrus – The elevator! Get into the elevator! The elevator!
Everyone began running towards the elevator, while the one who had advised them to do so was revealed to be a lion mobian wearing a patient uniform covered in blood. It was absolute anarchy as everyone desperately ran towards the elevator doors, nearly trampling over each other in the process. The pink female hedgehog however remained in her hiding spot underneath a capsule, holding her head in fear. Sonic was shown running to the elevator as well until he tripped over a body. He quickly went over to the fallen figure and attempted to help them up.
Sonic – Sorry! Hey, you okay?
The figure turned out to be the black hedgehog, who's eyes widened in shock once he saw Sonic, much to the blue hedgehog's confusion. Though he had to admit, the other hedgehog did look quite a bit like him, is that why he looks surprised? The black hedgehog then grimaced and pushed Sonic aside before he stood up and watched the bird-creatures flying around the room. The lion mobian was then shown, for some reason running in the opposite direction of everyone else. Back with the pink hedgehog, who still hadn't moved from her spot, the young amber fox suddenly ran up to her.
Tails – What are you doing?! We have to leave!
Amy – No! Those things will get us!
The fox tried to calm her down and then looked back at the creatures. He stared at them for a moment before his eyes narrowed and he turned back to the girl.
Tails – Listen, they're aerial monsters! As long as we stay somewhere with limited space, they're less likely to reach us!
The female hedgehog looked at the young fox as she took in his words, before the two of them looked up in fear as they heard the screech of an incoming bird-creature diving towards them.
Amy – Watch out!
The pink hedgehog pulled the young fox further underneath the capsule along with her, evading the creature just in time. Back at the elevator one selectee was continuing to push the OPEN button, but the elevator wasn't responding; everyone was pushing against one another as they crowded the entrance to the doors, desperate to get inside.
Male Human Selectee 4 – Come on! Hurry up!
Male Mobian Selectee 6 – What's wrong with this elevator?!
The red echidna was shown being pushed around in the crowd as well, trying to keep things under control.
Knuckles – Calm down! Just stay calm! Everyone stay calm!
Finally, the elevator signaled to go up and the doors opened, prompting everyone to instantly rush forwards.
Knuckles – Wait! Women and children first!
No one listened to the echidna however and brushed past him while he managed to keep himself from being caught up in the crowd. Ivo was shown also trying to shove other selectees out of his way as he attempted to reach the elevator, with Sonic directly behind him.
Ivo – Out of my way!
Male Human Selectee 5 – Don't push me!
One of the selectees in front of Ivo elbowed him in the chin, causing him to fall backwards, knocking Sonic down as well.
Ivo – Why you!
Ivo got back up and continued onwards. However, as everyone rushed through the elevator doors, they all promptly plummeted down the shaft, as the elevator turned out to be missing. One by one, almost every selectee that crowded around the door had fallen down, only a few who were in the back of the group being able to keep themselves from being shoved through. Ivo was shown hanging from the edge of the elevator entrance, having luckily caught himself just in time, and fearfully looked down as he watched all the other selectees who had fallen disappear into the darkness. That is until the mouth of a giant worm-like monster with tentacles emerged from the depths of the shaft, closing around all the fallen selectees and chomping down, resulting in a loud crunching sound as it devoured them all. Ivo's eyes widened even further in fear and the monster opened its mouth once again as it started coming for him next.
Ivo – Help me!
Sonic and another human patient who managed not to fall down the shaft ran over to Ivo and began helping him back up, going as fast as they could as they saw the monster climbing up the shaft towards them.
Male Mobian Selectee 6 – Hurry! Hurry!
They managed to pull Ivo up just in time while the mobian who had opened the elevator before was now pounding on the button again, causing the elevator doors to begin closing. However, one the of monster's tentacles suddenly shot out and wrapped around the human that helped Sonic pull Ivo back up, lifting him through the doors and into its mouth. Ivo and Sonic quickly got up on their feet and began to run just as another tentacle emerged and grabbed the mobian by the elevator as well. The elevator doors were nearly shut however, and as the tentacle retracted, the captured mobian's body got stuck, pressed against the tiny opening as the monster continued to pull on him. The echidna quickly raced over to the elevator button in an attempt to help the mobian literally being squeezed and crushed to death. Meanwhile, the black hedgehog was shown fighting off the bird monsters before calling out to the echidna.
Shadow – Don't!
The echidna halted in his tracks and looked over at Sonic and Ivo.
Ivo – You open it and we all die!
Sonic looked over at Ivo in shock, knowing he was right but unable to fathom the idea of doing nothing while someone was in danger. The red echidna was also clearly having the same dilemma, as he remained frozen in his tracks while debating what to do. However, the decision was made for him, as with a final tug, the mobian's body was practically snapped in half before being pulled the rest of the way through the narrow opening, allowing the doors to fully close and leaving a large splatter of blood on it. Finally it was silent again, but the remaining few within the room could only stare at the elevator doors in horror as the reality of what just happened settled in. Suddenly, the sound of another door being opened was heard, and everyone looked over to see that the lion mobian had just opened what appeared to be an emergency exit.
Shadow – And where do you think you're going?!
The black hedgehog started walking towards the lion mobian, smacking down one last bird creature that came charging at him. The amber fox and pink hedgehog soon began running towards the exit as well.
Amy – This way, everyone!
Tails – Hurry!
Ivo and Sonic got up from the floor, the egg-shaped human instantly heading towards the door, but the blue hedgehog stopped and turned around towards the red echidna, waiting for him.
And there we are! The drama begins! I apologize for not referring to everyone by their names except when they speak, it's because to the audience's point of view, no one other than Sonic has been introduced yet. Believe me, it was exhausting to write, but it should get easier once the characters actually learn each other's names.
If anyone needs clarification on each character's roles so far:
Sonic - Kasumi Ishiki
Sonia and Manic - Shizuku Ishiki
Shadow - Marco Owen
Tails - Tim/Timothy Laisenbach
Amy - Katherine Turner
Knuckles - Ron Portman
Cyrus - Peter Stevens
Eggman - Alexandro Pecchino
Gerald Robotnik - Mr. Vega
That's all I'll say for now! Please comment or ask if you have any questions! Thank you and until the next chapter!
