Story continues.
...
Wolf Pack Nation. With Sean and Marcos. 3:10 PM.
Day 233.
Year 3237.
Sean was still studying the ring he just took out of Metal Sonic, when Marcos placed both his hands on his master's left arm.
"What do you think it is?" The cub asked as he peered closely at the object. "You think its some kind of magical amulet?"
"I doubt it's magic, Marcos." Sean pondered. "It feels more like..."
"Feels like what?" Marcos eagerly asked.
"Like... Pure energy." Sean finished as he turned to his Padawan. "Don't you sense the energy coming from this ring?"
"I... I..." The cub stammered, but suddenly felt a surge of energy go right through him. "I do! But what does it mean?"
"It means that the powers of this ring are intertwined with the Force." Sean explained. "I just need to find out what this ring really is."
"How are we gonna find out?" Marcos asked.
Sean eyed his Padawan and smirked. "I know just who to ask."
Wolf Pack Nation. Market place 3:15 PM.
"Leeta! Lyco!" Sean called as he and RB approached the twins, who were talking with Arturo. Marcos was not with them, since Sean convinced him to go play with his sisters instead and wait for his return.
"Well, I'd better go on lookout duty." Arturo said as he left. "See you later, Señoritas."
The twins waved as Arturo walked away. Lyco turned to the Jedi. "Hi Sean!" She greeted. "Arturo was just telling us that you are heading out with the guys."
"yep, that's true." Sean nodded. "But for the reason I'm here: I need you to tell us what this is."
As Sean said that, he pulled out the golden ring from his robes and held it out for the twins to see.
Leeta's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that?"
"I think it is, sister." Lyco finished, equally surprised.
"I take it you already know what it is?" Sean asked.
Lyco nodded. "That we do." She said. "It's a Power Ring."
"Power Ring?" Sean asked with interest. "Can you tell me more about it?"
"It's an object that contains a massive amount of energy." Leeta said.
"Yeah, I've noticed that." Sean said in a non amused manner. "What else can you tell me?"
"Not much." Leeta frowned. "But we know someone who can."
Sean raised his eyebrow "Who?"
"Sonic's uncle, Sir Charles Hedgehog." Lyco said.
"Sir Charles..." Sean pondered. "Is it possible that I can contact him?"
Leeta and Lyco eyed each other and nodded.
"Come with us." Leeta said as she and her sister started walking towards their home, with Sean and RB following.
New Mobotropolis. Science Center.
Tails had just explained his plans with the Krudzu and Mecha Sally to Uncle Chuck and Rotor; A plan which involved a certain Human and his abilities.
"So what do you guys think?" Tails asked.
Rotor took off his yellow cap and rubbed his head with his paw. "I don't know, Tails..."
Uncle Chuck rubbed his chin in thought. "Let's say that Sean here manages to control the Krudzu... Then what?"
"I figured that we can use the Kudzu as an adapter to the parts that Eggman modified her with." Tails explained. "Which in turn should restore Sally back to normal."
"How exactly is this Sean boy gonna control that plant?" Uncle Chuck asked.
Tails faced the older Hedgehog and said: "Probably the same method he used to make that legionnaire move away."
Rotor, still skeptic over all of this, thought back to when he, Sonic, Tails, and Amy talked about the things that has happened in the last two days: From when Team Fighters were sent off to the Wolf Pack Nation to investigate a meteor crash, to when they met Sean Dontor. The Walrus placed his cap back on his head and asked: "Do you think it's gonna work?"
Tails turned to face his friend with a sigh. "It has to, Rotor... For Sally's sake, it has to work."
Uncle Chuck placed a hand on Tails shoulder. "If you believe that this is gonna work, then you have my support, Tails"
The two-tailed fox smiled at his friends, knowing that he had their support; Now he just needed the support from one more. His ears perked up from hearing NICOLE materializing into the room.
The Holo-Lynx approached Uncle Chuck. "Excuse the intrusion, Sir Charles, but you have an incoming call from Sean Dontor."
The light-blue Hedgehog eyed Tails, who nodded. Uncle Chuck then gave NICOLE a serious look and said: "Put him through."
Leeta and Lyco's home 3:35 PM.
Sean was standing in front of RB, who showed a hologram of Sir Charles and Tails, while Leeta and Lyco stood to the side and observed the conversation. After the proper introductions were made, the older Hedgehog had told the story of how the power ring was made as a clean energy source by his mentor, Nate Morgan, and how it took the Kingdom of Acorn into a new golden age. Sean smiled impressively while holding the ring.
Sean: He must've been a great scientist.
Charles: He was the best.
Sean: And since it was made by someone from your nation, it'll only be right to return it to you.
Tails: That's great, but where did you find it?
Sean: I found it inside Metal Sonic.
RB grunted at Sean's statement.
Sean: Okay, RB found it.
Sir Charles raised an eyebrow.
Charles: RB?
Sean: My droid.
There was a minutes pause, until Tails spoke up.
Tails: Sean, we need your help.
Sean: Of course, but it'll have to wait for when I return.
Tails: (Confused) Return from where?
Sean: Lupe has assigned me, along with Lobo, Diablo and Reynard, on a mission into the jungle.
Charles: Mission? What mission?
Sean: Some freedom fighter escaped the Dark Egg Legion base and managed to demolish half of it on the way out.
Tails: WHAT!
Charles: Do you know who the freedom fighter is, Sean?
Sean: We'll find out, but enough about that. Let's talk about your problem, Tails, and what you need my help for.
Tails: Right, um... before I get to that, I have to ask you something.
Sean: Sure, go on.
The two-tailed Fox inhaled some air before he spoke.
Tails: Can you control plants with your powers?
Sean crossed his arms and thought over Tails' question. Leeta and Lyco shared concerned glances at each other.
Sean: I can, to some extent... Why?
Tails: Because I may have found a way to get Sally back to normal, and it involves you and the Krudzu.
Sean: The what now?
Tails: The Krudzu is a plant that has the ability to control machinery. We plan to use it as an adapter to the parts that Dr. Eggman modified Sally with.
Sean: But you're having problems controlling this Kudzu, am I correct?
Both Tails and Sir Charles nodded.
Sean: I see... Well, I'll see what I can do when I get there.
Charles: When can you get here, Sean?
Sean: If I can find new spare parts for my Starfighter, then I can probably be there in three days time.
Tails: That's great, Sean! The de-roboticizer won't be ready until that time.
Charles: In the meantime, I'll inform the other councilors of your arrival and the purpose of your stay.
Sean: Other councilors?
Charles: The Council of Acorn, our government; I am part of it myself... Even though you don't need their permission to enter the New Mobotropolis, they still need to be informed of your arrival, as it will make your time here easier.
Sean thought over what he said. He wasn't exactly on the best terms with politicians. He always hated following the political norms and procedures and held a sense of distaste of the Republic senators because he knew they didn't serve the people, they always served their own agenda, and he already knew that this council was no different, but he had to keep a clear head and not immediately get on their bad side.
Sean: You do that, Sir Charles.
Charles: I'm glad you agree- Hm? Yes, Rotor? Yes, I'll be right there... well I gotta go, Rotor need my help with something.
With that, Sir Charles left the chat, leaving Sean alone with Tails.
Sean: Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?
Tails: Nope, that was pretty much it.
Sean: well, with that settled, may the Force be with you, my friend... See you soon.
The Jedi gave a nod to RB who understood the message, and turned off the hologram. Sean turned to face the twins.
"Thank you for your help, girls." Sean smiled before he turned to the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go prepare for my upcoming mission."
After saying that, he left the hut with his droid, leaving Leeta and Lyco to themselves.
Sean's room 4:00 PM.
Sean and Marcos were both meditating, sitting on the floor with their legs crossed, while RB was in the process of dismantling Metal Sonic. The Wolf-cub quickly grew bored and gave out a groan.
"This is boring!" Marcos whined.
Sean opened one of his eyes. "Concentrate, Marcos." He said, calmly. "You can't expect something to happen when you want them to."
"Again, why are we doing this?" Marcos asked.
"Because your thoughts are clouded by today's events, Marcos." Sean explained. "And a little meditation usually help on that."
"What do you hope to see when you meditate, Sean?" Marcos asked again.
Sean smiled at the Wolf-cub's curiosity. "What the Force presents to me at this moment, and to help me clear my mind."
Marcos looked at his master, finally realizing the purpose of this session.
"So, you see, Marcos." Sean began. "I want you to meditate, use the Force to clear your mind... Do you understand?"
Marcos nodded. And so, both master and Padawan closed their eyes and returned to their meditation session. Sean, however, was interrupted by that same voice from earlier...
"Sean... Can you hear me?"
"I can." Sean replied. "Tell me... Who are you?"
"It is I... Qui-Gon Jinn."
Sean's eyes widened in shock. Never in a hundred years would he ever expect to speak with him. "Master Qui-Gon?!" He asked, still in shock. "How is this even possible? You're supposed to be dead!"
"No, Sean... I am a manifestation of the Force; A Force which consists of two parts: The living beings generate the Living Force, which in turn powers the Cosmic Force."
"I already know that, yet that doesn't explain how you're able to speak with me." Sean said, skeptically.
"All the energy from the Living Force, all that have ever lived, feeds into the Cosmic Force, binding everything, and communicating to us through the Midi-Chlorians. This is why I am able to speak with you now."
"So, that means you have found a way to live on through the Force?" Sean asked in curiosity.
"In a way... Yes."
"Is there a reason you're speaking with me?"
"I have been tasked to guide you, Sean."
"Guide me where?" Sean asked in confusion.
"You must first travel to the País Misterioso and seek out the Caves of Fate in the mountain ranges."
"And what must I do when I get to those caves?"
"Remember your training, Sean Dontor... Clear your mind, and trust your instincts..."
"Master Qui-Gon?" Sean asked again, but there was no reply.
"Who's master Qui-Gon?"
Sean snapped himself back to reality and saw that Marcos was staring at him with a child's smile of curiosity.
"Oh, um... I was just in deep meditation." Sean replied. Deciding to change subject, the Jedi asked: "So, what did you learn from meditating, young one?"
"Meditate?" Marcos asked, puzzled. "I was watching you talk to yourself."
"Of course you were." Sean muttered as there came a knock on the door.
Marcos got up from the floor and ran for the door. He opened it and saw Maria and Athena.
"Hi Marcos." Maria chirped. "Wanna come and play?"
The Wolf-cub looked back at Sean, who nodded in approval.
"Go play with your siblings, Marcos." Sean said. "I have to get going anyway."
Marcos nodded and ran out of the room, with Maria following him. Athena smiled back at Sean and closed the door. The Jedi walked over to his bed and sat down. He took his Holocron and held it firmly in his hand.
"Find the Caves of Fate, he said..." Sean pondered as he gazed at the cube.
Grand Chief's Residence. Living room 4:25 PM.
"I am worried, Lobo." Lupe sighed. She and her husband sat on the living room couch, conversing about all the current issues surrounding the Wolf Pack Nation.
"About what?" Lobo asked as he took her hand into his.
Lupe looked her husband in the eyes. "I am worried that Sean's presence here might have caused a rift in our relations with Queen Hathor and the Felidae."
The brown growled. He never held the Felidae to a high regard, nor trusted them as allies under circumstance. Ever since Lupe and the Wolf Pack had settled here, their relationship with the Felidae has been strained and tense, and it certainly got worse when one of Hathor's scouts had told her about Sean taking residence here in the Wolf Pack Nation.
Lobo cleared his throat. "So?" He asked without care. "What do they hold against him?"
"Sean is a human, Lobo, and they don't like his kind very much." Lupe explained.
"They don't like anyone from outside their boundaries, and It's not like they need to have anything to do with him." Lobo said as he crossed his arms.
"That may be so, but still, this will prove future negotiations with Queen Hathor difficult." Lupe said.
Lobo wrapped his arm around his wife. "Lupe, don't doubt yourself." He said. "I believe in your abilities to get us through this, and so does the pack."
Lupe smiled at her husband and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, honey."
She then spotted Sean emerge from an adjacent hallway with RB.
"Am I interrupting?" Sean asked as he sat on the couch opposite to the couple.
"No, you're not, in fact, I was just about to go get you." Lobo said.
"Are we heading out?" Sean asked.
Lobo nodded. "We are." He replied as he got up from the couch and faced the Jedi. "I'm gonna go get Diablo and Reynard... Meet us at the main gate."
With that said, Lobo left the home, leaving Sean alone with Lupe. The Jedi felt that now wouldn't be the best time to ask the Grand Chief about the caves in the País Misterioso. So, he he decided to tell her about the other conversation he had with New Mobotropolis earlier.
"I spoke with Sir Charles earlier." Sean said.
Lupe raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"And they may have found a way to restore Princess Sally back to normal." He explained.
Hearing Sean say that made Lupe smile with joy. "Really?" She asked eagerly.
Sean nodded. "Yes, and he told me that their plan involves me... And that is why I'll leave for New Mobotropolis in a few days."
"Those are really good news, Sean- I mean about Sally of course, but what encouraged you to make this decision?" Lupe asked.
Sean gave out a sigh and smiled at RB before he once again looked Lupe in the eyes. "Because the simplest gesture of kindness can fill a galaxy with hope." He replied. "I personally believe that it is a Jedi's responsibility to help those in need, even if it's a simple task."
"Well, I'm just glad that something can be done to help Sally." Lupe smiled. "Something to end her suffering."
Sean only looked towards the floor, but nodded in agreement. He got up from the couch and faced Lupe.
"In the meantime, I'll go with Lobo on our mission- Oh, and RB?"
RB beeped in response.
"I want you to stay here." Sean instructed and got into a whisper. "And just in case, prepare the medical kit for when we return... Do you understand, my friend?"
RB whirled and clicked in confirmation and rolled away in the direction of the room that he shared with his Jedi friend.
"I'll see you later, Grand Chief."
Sean then approached the exit and left to meet up with Lobo and the others.
Finally being alone, Lupe leaned herself back on the couch and gave a out a relaxing sigh. She began to wonder what Sean told his droid. She wanted to ask him, but decided that he needed to focus on his mission. Feeling tired from all of today's work, Lupe decided to rest her eyes and started to nod off.
CRASH!
Startled, Lupe jumped off the couch in the response to the sound, and judging from the sound, it came from the kitchen. She then heard Maria's voice call out.
"Marcos! What did you do?!"
"I-It was an accident, Maria, I swear!"
"Ma is gonna flip when she sees this!"
Lupe sighed and headed for the kitchen to see what has happened.
Shazamazon Jungle 5:00 PM.
The jungle was still occupied by the Dark Egg legionnaires who, unsuccessfully, were still searching for the missing freedom fighter. Earlier, Lobo and his team were searching as well, but they weren't doing any better.
"Where could he be?" Lobo asked himself while pushing away a tree branch and looked around. He then turned to the group which consisted Reynard, Diablo, and Sean. "It will not be long before the Dark Egg Legion will be aware of our presence; We need to hurry." He then eyed the Jedi. "Sean, you take the lead."
Sean nodded in confirmation as did the other Wolves. As they were walking through the jungle, Reynard started a conversation with Lobo.
"I got a bad feeling about this, Chief." Reynard said.
"Something wrong, old friend?" Lobo asked.
"More like someone." Reynard replied, glaring at Sean who was seen talking with Diablo.
Lobo followed Reynard gaze and rolled his eyes. "Sean?" He asked and the orange Wolf nodded. "Reynard, you need to cut him some slack."
"Cut him some slack?" Reynard scoffed. "Why the hell should I?"
Lobo abruptly stopped walking and placed a hand on Reynard's shoulder and pulled him away from the others. "Because Sean has been through a lot of hardships and he is trying his best to make a living here, and in case you failed to realize, Reynard, we are in the middle of a search here, and the last thing we need right now is for you and Sean to get locked in a round of fisticuffs, understood?"
Gritting his teeth, Reynard said: "I am not gonna start anything as long as he stays away from me."
Lobo ignored Reynard's attitude and smirked. "Good, then there is no problem at all." He then let go of the orange Wolf and started walking.
Reynard looked puzzled at his Chief's statement, but decided that it was better to focus on their mission instead.
Sean only heard bits of the conversation between Lobo and Reynard. The orange Wolf had seriously given the Jedi a hard time since he came here and he knew that Reynard wouldn't ease up on him anytime soon. Sean's train of thoughts were interrupted when Diablo spoke to him.
"Sean?" Diablo asked. "Something on your mind?"
Sean turned to the older brown Wolf. "Yes... Just curious to find out who we are looking for." He sighed. "Also, something else made me wonder: Why aren't Leeta and Lyco with us?"
"Because, if you remember, Lyco is still injured and Lupe needed them to guard the Wolf Pack Nation in case of an attack." Diablo replied.
"I see..." Sean said, rubbing his chin, but suddenly stopped walking which confused the Wolves.
Lobo approached Sean. "Sean?"
"Everyone stop." Sean whispered, and they did.
"Why, what's going on?" Lobo asked.
Sean didn't respond at first, but turned to face Lobo. "Don't you guys hear it?"
The Wolves tried to listen to what Sean heard. Reynard was the first to hear a faint voice from the distance.
"Let go of me, you bastards!"
"It sounds like it came from a woman, Chief." Reynard stated.
Lobo eyed the group with a determined. "Then she's probably the one we're looking for!" He then motioned for everyone to follow. "Let's go!"
And with that, the group left to find the source of the voice.
Later...
After many hours of searching, the legionnaires finally found and captured Hershey St. John. Two legionnaires held the feline by her arms to prevent her from escaping... Again.
"I said, let go of me!"
Hershey struggled to free herself from their grip. Not far away, the squad leader was talking to Grandmaster Drago.
"She was hiding in that tree over there." The squad leader explained while pointing at the tree in question. "We heard a branch break, and before we knew it, she fell right on top of me."
"Good." Drago snarled as he formed a deranged grin on his face. "Then there's only one thing left to do before we can call off the search."
The Wolf Grandmaster drew out his metallic claws as he slowly approached Hershey. The Cat could see the saliva run out of Drago's mouth through his razor sharp teeth, indicating that the Wolf was out for blood...
Her blood!
She felt Drago's hand wrap itself around her neck, lifting her up from the ground and started chocking her. With all of her strength, Hershey tried to break free from his grip, but his claw was too powerful.
"Shouldn't we legionize her instead of just killing her?" A legionnaire asked in a whisper to the squad leader.
The squad leader turned his attention to the legionnaire and said: "You wanna interrupt the Grandmaster with your 'brilliant' idea, then please, go ahead."
The legionnaire could clearly hear the sarcasm seethe out of his leader's mouth. He took a second to rethink his idea. Coming to a conclusion, he said: "On second thoughts, I take it back."
"Good. And next time, leave the thinking to me." The squad leader said.
"Yes sir." The legionnaire saluted.
Hershey struggled to breathe as she felt Drago's fingertips dig into her throat. She started to lose consciousness as oxygen was unable to enter her lungs.
"Say goodbye toots!" Drago grinned as he prepared to strike her with his claw.
Hershey was about to meet her inevitable end, when a voice came from some bushes.
"Hello, fellers!"
Drago, with a surprised look on his face, dropped Hershey, but his look quickly turned into one of anger. Hershey tried to catch her breath as the two legionnaires once again grabbed her by her arms.
With a growl, Drago turned around and saw that Sean was standing six meters from him with a cheeky smile on his face.
With all the legionnaires pointing their weapons at Sean, the Jedi calmly approached Drago and said: "Now, if you don't mind, I'll take this lady with me and we can all walk away alive."
"I got a better proposition, Hairless." Drago Growled. "I'll take you in, then I'm gonna kill her."
Sean shook his head and said: "You might want to reconsider that, Grandmaster Drago."
"And why would I do that?" The Wolf snarled as he prepared to attack the Jedi.
All the legionnaires in the clearing, excluding those guarding Hershey, slowly approached Sean, with their blasters still aimed at him. The Jedi anticipated this and drew his hand towards his lightsaber. Sean looked around and saw that he was encircled by legionnaires, meaning that he will be gunned down the second he ignited his lightsaber. So, he had to take a different approach, in form of a distraction. He took a second look and saw a little rock on the ground just a foot away from him.
"Because things are about to get ugly from here on out."
And with that, Sean used the Force and directed the rock at one of the legionnaires who held Hershey. The rock collided with the poor legionnaire's temple and knocked him unconscious. With only one legionnaire holding the Feline, Hershey used the confusion to her advantage and broke free from his grip. She kicked him in the jaw, which knocked him out and sent him into the ground.
Drago saw all of this happening in the span of six seconds. He grew angry and roared. "KILL THEM! KILL THEM BOTH!"
Sean turned to some bushes behind him and yelled: "It's now or never, guys!"
Instantly, Lobo and the Wolves jumped out of the bushes and began fighting the legionnaires with their weapons and with brute force. the legionnaires opened fire on the three wolves, as well as on Sean and Hershey, but the Jedi ignited his lightsaber just in time and began to deflect the blaster bolts headed towards him.
Hershey evaded the shots and used her slick moves to beat up some of the legionnaires with success. The Feline turned and saw Drago on his communicator, probably calling for reinforcements.
Drago: (Desperate) I need Reinforcements immediately! We're under-
"Oh no you don't!"
Hershey came flying and sent a kick into Drago's Arm, which made him drop his communicator. The white Wolf did not hesitate, and with a roar, he tackled Hershey into the ground. Drago only had the upper hand in a few seconds, as Hershey kicked the Wolf off her. They both jumped up instantly and got into their battle stances. A second passed and they both lunged at each other and started exchanging punches, And with Sean occupied with the legionnaires shooting at him, while Lobo, Reynard and Diablo fighting them as well, a battle in the Shazamazon has begun.
Author's note: Well, that was chapter 19. I hope you enjoyed it as much as i did writing it. The reason for this chapters delay is that I have moved into a new apartment and had to deal with a new living situation. I hope that you are all staying safe in these difficult times and had the vaccines when they became available. Let me hear what you think of this chapter in the reviews, and I'll see you in chapter 20.