Denying My Purpose (c) 99'-00' by me, MistressAli
All "Sonic the Hedgehog" characters and related indicia (c) and TM Sega.
Packbell (c) David Pistone
All used without permission.
Ben and IT are (c) MistressAli
This document may be freely distributed, as long as it's not altered in any way.
Ok, peoples, this story contains: some violence & swearing...just a warning...
Just a note: these ** indicate thought and flashbacks...
Part One
all life will end
**Mother...father...where are you?
What are you?**
All she could recall was stars.
A flash of light...was that her birth?
A sensation of floating in space, cradled in something warm and invisible. She floated past stars and suns, nebulas, and planets, black holes and asteroids. Space debri and meteorites flew harmlessly by her.
Like a baby, she cooed and giggled, twirling around on her weightless feet, playing with the tails of comets, dancing on the rings of planets...
Benjamin.
That was her name. How it came to be, she didn't know.
**Did somebody give me that name? Or did I just pick it up myself?**
She couldn't recall anybody ever calling her that. She didn't have any friends.
**Who am I? And why am I here...?
My purpose...just what is my purpose? I know. Of course, I must guard the evil...make sure IT never gets loose again.
I will snuggle down where it is warm, right here. It's funny I can think when I dream, but I am dreaming, aren't I? Otherwise I would be awake. I can't see anything but swirling colors. I must be asleep.
The evil, IT is sleeping too. That is good. Deep down there in the black water, where nothing can touch IT. Nobody can use IT. That is good. Because all life would end if that energy got out of IT's glass box.
I will sleep now. Deeper sleep where I do not have to think. I will know if something bumps off that box, if something touches it, I will know. I would sense it, because of the connection... IT will be safe.
Nothing will happen...**
******
Robotroplian bay. So dark and deep, swirling with pollutants.
**For all my love of toxics and metals...I wouldn't set a foot in that water.**
His yellow cape flapped in the breeze behind him. He had his hands clasped behind his back. His beautiful stomach was a full round shape, starting from his chin, ending at the middle of his stubby legs.
**I look so majestic. So glorious. I should pose here...get an artistic prisoner. Make them paint me...I'd hang it in the command room. How wonderful it would look.**
His face wrinkled into a smile. There was almost a twinkle in his artificial eyes. But like his entire aura, it was menacing and wicked.
Down in those waters was a secret, and he knew he must have it. He'd seen it before...so long ago. To retrieve that secret object...it would mean the end of KnotHole. The end of the wretched children rebels that plagued him.
He turned at footsteps. He saw his beautiful android picking his way over the rocks and trash surrounding the bay. Packbell...his 'son', his creation.
**Oh...it's wonderful what these hands of mine can do. Just look at him. He's exquisite.**
Packbell came closer, his black silky hair ruffled in the breeze. Robotnik could see his brilliant red eyes from here.
Then his eyes turned to the form behind Packbell and he scowled.
**Now...he is pathetic.**
The two minions came and stood before Robotnik. Packbell was smiling. Snively looked sullen as usual, and he was limping from stumbling over the rocks.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes sir." Packbell kept grinning.
"I hate swimming," said Snively.
"Silence. Now get ready."
Packbell and Snively sat down and fitted big flippers onto their feet. They were dressed up to scuba dive, in tight-fitting black bodysuits. Packbell looked magnificent; the clothes molding to his muscular form. Sniv' looked even skinnier than usual, without any folds or loose clothing to bulk out his form.
Sniv' slipped his goggle-mask over his face, while Packbell stuck a finger in the water to test it.
"YECH, it's cold!" he complained.
"And it smells bad," said Snively. Packbell shoved him.
"No one asked you, Needlenose!"
"Silence, both of you!" Robotnik turned to look out over the bay.
**It's down there. I can feel it. It will soon be mine.**
"It will be in a glass box, I believe. I don't care how long it takes you to find it, just find it!"
"Um...what is it, anyway?"
Robotnik clasped his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Down there...is some kind of project I worked on a long long time ago. It's a powerful energy...it'll destroy those freedom fighters. I know it will."
**Who says it won't destroy us too?!** Snively squirmed out from his uncle's hand.
"I know what you're thinking," said Robotnik. "But we'll control it, m'boy. It won't hurt us."
**So damn stupid. Thinks everything will go his way, he should've realized by now that nothing goes his way...everything he tries fails and this will fail too.**
Robotnik's small eyes, nestled under a ridge of bone and wrinkles of fat, glowed like red suns. "Get in there, and find it." He gave his nephew a shove to the small of the back, and the little man stumbled onto his knees in the water.
Packbell ran out into the water like a child at the beach for the first time. Sniv' hesitated on the shoreline.
**I don't like this. Who knows what's in that water?** He could imagine fish, mutated into monsters by the pollutants. He shivered. He turned and looked back at his uncle, who was scowling. Packbell had already dove under and was swimming away.
"Go on," said Robotnik.
Sniv' didn't move.
"Go on," repeated the tyrant, one fist clenching threateningly. His tiny kin sighed, and waded out into the water. Robotnik smiled in satisfaction as the lackey disappeared beneath the waves.
The water was deep and dark. Packbell's powerful arms thrust him forward through the black liquid. He glided like a bullet, strobe flashlight playing over the bottom of the bay. He turned in the water.
His small 'cousin' was struggling. Sniv' looked very uncomfortable as he clung to the rope attached to Packbell's waist.
**Pressure's getting to him, I bet. Freakin' little wuss.** Packbell grinned evilly.
The water was so dark. He blended in well with his black body-suit and black hair.
**Where is he?** Snively scowled heavily as the rope he was holding onto yanked out of his hands and went spinning away into the water.
He treaded for a second, looking around. **Can't see shit under here.**
Suddenly hands grabbed him around the shoulders and he found himself looking into two glowing eyes. He screamed.
Packbell's mouth opened and closed silently, body shaking. Snively knew he was laughing.
**Damn bastard.**
Packbell beckoned with one hand and swam further under.
**I don't want to. It hurts.** Sniv' remained where he was, just floating in the dark water.
Packbell swam back. He moved so easily. Like an otter. Of course, he was an android. He could adapt to any situation.
"Is the pressure hurting you?" Packbell asked via the com link in Snively's mask. It startled him because he'd forgotten about it.
"Yes," he answered back.
"Too bad." Packbell's hand clamped around Sniv's arm and he dragged the small human down with him.
"How...how far down are we?" gasped Sniv', his body aching. The pressure, it closed around him. He felt crushed.
"We're only like...fifty feet down. Stop being a wuss."
**Where the hell is the bottom? The bay can't be too much deeper.** Snively struggled out of Packbell's grip.
Packbell glanced back to see if he was still following. His shoulder sank into soft sand, and he thrust away, startled.
"Well, looks like we're at the bottom."
Sniv' nodded.
Packbell swam along the bottom, with Snively following. "Some kind of glass box, remember."
"Yes, I know."
**Just what kind of power is this anyway? Knowing Julian it'll either be something stupid, or dangerous. Or both. Something he can't control. Julian's always biting off more than his fat face can chew...**
Packbell glanced over his shoulder, taking in his 'cousin's' face. He could only see the eyes, but that was enough. Sniv' looked pissed. **I know what he's thinking. That this is stupid. Thinks everything's stupid. But he's right. Robotnik is a retard.**
He dug his hands down into the soft sand, using it to propel himself forward. The minutes whirled by.
A faint glow lit up the sand. The box, half-buried. Packbell scooted closer, taking it in. It seemed empty. But looking closer, he saw that trapped inside was a strange black shape. What shape...he couldn't tell. It shifted and moved before his eyes could take hold.
A strong shiver went through him. **Is this even right? Should I even disturb this kind of power...?**
Sniv' came up to his side, big eyes wide in awe. Packbell lifted the box out of the sand.
"Don't touch it, Packbell! Leave it!"
"So, you feel it too, then?"
"How couldn't you?"
"I know. Agree with you for once. But you know Robotnik. If we come back empty-handed..."
"He doesn't have to know...we couldn't find it, that's it. It wasn't there."
"You're such a shitty liar, Snivvy."
Packbell heard a faint snort, and fancied he saw Sniv' rolling his eyes. "Well, maybe not, but still...he won't come off this idea until we bring him something."
"Glass. A piece of glass from the broken box. Won't really break the box, of course...but we'll say we found it broken..."
Packbell shook his head. 'Fuck that. I'll just bring it to him. Maybe whatever's inside it will kill him." And he heaved the box under one arm, and headed up for the surface.
Sniv' started after him, feeling suddenly weak. **It's going to kill us too...**
*****
She jerked awake.
**No.**
Her eyelashes batted at the darkness, but it remained. Her hand reached up, touching the smoothness of a cave wall.
**Someone's touched IT.**
She remembered. She was in a cave. Asleep. Asleep for years....
**It can't be! IT was hidden. Who knows about IT?! They haven't unleashed IT?!**
She struggled to sit up. Her body was cold and stiff. She stretched a little, feeling the muscles pull and warm up.
**My purpose... yes. To stop that thing, that evil...from being unleashed. I must go. I MUST hurry...**
She crawled on hands and knees through a cramped tunnel, and emerged out onto the black sand of a beach. Pollutants stung her nostrils and she coughed. Daylight seared her eyes, and she whimpered.
**Must hurry...must...before all life...**
She stood on shaky legs.
**...ends...**
She saw them, two creatures, struggling over the deep sands. She broke into a run, muscles groaning from their long rest. But she caught up with them. They whirled at her approach.
"Stop. You do not know what you carry." She said. Her long hands stretched out. "Give IT to me."
The taller creature
**...so flawless, so flawed...**
grinned slightly, red eyes flaring up. "Who the hell are you, missy?"
**So arrogant, thinks he's untouchable... I can sense all the pain he's caused...he revels in it...** She shook her head hard, shaking out images of agonized victims. She almost hated it...the way she could see everything. The way she could look inside of everything. It'd been that way as long as she could remember.
"I am the keeper of this evil. IT was not meant to be found. I implore you, give IT to me. IT will only bring death. To you. To everyone."
"Outta my way, lady, before I get annoyed." The tall one pushed by her rather rudely, but the smaller one stared at her.
"My...she's beautiful," he mummered, but the taller one scoffed.
"Stupid. She don't look any different than any other Mobians."
She heard his thoughts swirling...She was so attractive, but not in a blatant way. It was a subtle beauty, hinted at in the color of her eyes, slightly tilted, in the way she held her body, but moreso by the way she talked...
**I've seen her before. I'm sure of it...when? Way back...way back...must've been around my childhood...**
He could remember something...a shadow of something at least, but it wouldn't come out into the light. He remembered the shine of bright lights on glass. But when he tugged on the memory, it hid away and he blinked, and couldn't remember any more.
She furrowed her brow, finding herself caught up in his thoughts. She knew she might've seen him somewhere, sometime...
Then her eyes moved to the taller figure. He was still walking. Still carrying the box.
**No. He cannot leave. He cannot take IT.**
She raced after him, her feet sinking into the sand. Her legs trembled, nearly spilling her to the ground. She was still weak.
**It doesn't matter. I must stop him...IT...**
She moved in front of him. He halted and looked down at her, his strange red eyes narrowing. She laid her hand on his arm and then reeled back, her mind screaming.
**He isn't real. What is this?! He isn't real.** Another thought jumped in. **He's just like you, dear...just like you...**
She shook the thought away.
He smirked at her expression; opened mouth, widened eyes. She was shocked at something.
**Probably my massive muscles. Heh.**
She stared hard into his eyes, searching for the darkness that IT might have caused. Could IT be clouding his mind? Would he smash the box, let IT out? She could sense the energy, bouncing, humming. IT wasn't supposed to be able to reach through the glass.
She saw darkness in this tall being's eyes, but it was not caused by IT. The dark energy was not influencing him; rather this evilness was in this being's nature. He was made to be cruel, made to kill.
Her legs trembled again.
"I told you," his voice was as distant as the fog-shrouded land across the bay, "get outta my way."
He grabbed her arm in his fist.
Her legs trembled and gave out, and she voiced a shriek that made the little man cover his ears. Images flashed before her eyes; a mouth screaming, a woman crying, blood, blood....tears...dead children, dead men, dead women, all dead...she saw his hands, bloodied; they were all dead by his hands...
"NO!"
She jerked away.
**He is evil. I never thought I would meet an evil worse than IT. NO. He is not worse. He cannot destroy universes...**
She was kneeling on the sand. She wanted to stay there. It was warm. She laid her face upon it. It smelled of pollutants. This place was contaminated.
**Get up. You must stop him. You are the guardian of IT. This is your purpose.**
She stood up. Her legs held her.
The fake man was walking away again. The little one was trailing after him. She could feel the fear in his body. He was afraid of many things, that one. She could sense it even without touching him.
She was up and running again. The fake man looked angry now.
"Ok lady, you had your chance," he growled. He dropped the box down on the sand, and she was frozen with terror for a moment.
**It isn't broke... it isn't broke...** Her breath blew out in a relieved sigh.
The fake man's fist clenched. The little one took a step back, not wanting to get involved. She found herself retreating also; the fake man was big.
**I cannot beat him.
You can.
I can't.
YES. You can.**
She nodded slightly, and stood still, just waiting. The fake man came towards her, leering. She could feel his false pulse speeding up; strange excitement coursing through him.
**He would enjoy my pain. Enjoy it like sex.**
He lunged. She leapt out of the way. Her muscles screamed from the sudden movement.
He had her. She struggled in his grip. He clamped one hand around her throat, the other roughly caressing her breast.
He threw her down and ran a hand down the lower part of his body in a sexual manner. "Maybe I should teach her a lesson. Hmmm?" He looked over at his short companion.
"No, Packbell, just leave her alone." The smaller man's voice came out weary.
**He's seen it all before. All the horror. All the pain.**
"Why? I could take her, hell, you could have a turn, if you want."
"No, just leave her."
"You're no fun, Sniv'," growled the android. His eyes traveled over her, and then moved to the box. He reached down and grabbed it, and tossed it towards the small man.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The box landed squarely in the little man's arms. It was big. He held it awkwardly, but didn't drop it.
The fake man snatched her by the arm. "I'll leave her alone, for now," he said. "But later..." He ran his tongue along his lips suggestively.
The smaller man, Sniv', she supposed his name was, looked disgusted. She agreed. The fake man was a terrible being.
**I shall have to destroy him.**
&&&&&&&&&&
"What will you do with IT?" she asked, as he dragged her along.
The fake man, Packbell, looked down at her. "It?"
She motioned towards the box.
"Ah, that. Our big ole boss is gonna play around with it, I guess. Thinks it'll kill the freedom fighters."
"He will release IT?!" Her voice came out as a scream.
The fake man looked startled for a second, then regained his arrogant demeanor. "Damned if I know. Probably."
"He cannot!"
"Hey, according to him, he can do anything he damn well pleases."
Sniv' muttered something under his breath.
She wrenched free from his grip. He looked startled again.
**She's strong!**
"I cannot allow this to happen. You must not release IT. You must give IT to me."
"I'll gladly give it to you," Sniv' said. He moved as if to hand it to her, something curling and swimming in his eyes.
**He feels IT. Even through the glass, he can feel IT. Terrified. He's terrified.**
Packbell grabbed Sniv' roughly by the arm, almost making him drop the box. Her heart skipped a beat for the third time, but the box did not fall.
"You ain't giving her shit."
**Enough games. I must get IT back NOW. Before they break it. Before they let IT out.**
She could sense Packbell's arrogance. It hovered over him like fog. She knew what to do.
"I challenge you."
"Oh really? To what?"
"I will fight you for the box."
Packbell cracked his knuckles. "You really are a dumb bitch, aren't you?"
"Do you or do you not accept the challenge?"
Packbell took the box from Sniv' and hefted it in his hand for a moment. Then he set it down on the sand. "Fine. I accept. But you're gonna end up dead, you know."
She stared him in the eye, and he smiled a bit at her fearlessness.
He stood for a moment, flexing his muscles, showing off. Then he lunged at her. She threw her hand out, pressing her palm flat to his chest as he came near to her.
She felt the universe inside her, the stars, planets. She felt the power tingling her veins, rushing out towards her hand, but it was too late. He grabbed her arms and threw her onto the sand. The last thing she saw were his silvery teeth. Then her head hit a rock, and she was out cold.
*****
She awoke.
She was cold. She shivered.
She sat up. Her surroundings were metal. She saw bars in front of her.
**I am captured.**
The bars were no match for her. She put her hands to them and closed her eyes. She felt the surge of the universe, the ground underneath this tremendous metal building feeding her its power. When she opened her eyes, the bars were bent far enough apart for her to squeeze through.
She closed her eyes again, and let her mind flow out. She felt the walls without touching them. Her mind spread out around her, searching. She heard the humming of IT inside her head.
**The evil is here. In this building. Up!** She looked around for stairs, found none. There was an elevator instead. She entered and pressed the highest number. There was a whir and then the small box was shooting upwards into the building.
She crouched down on the floor. **My stomach. Ooh, feels weird!**
The elevator stopped suddenly, making her fall over. She pushed herself up and exited.
She spread her mind out again.
**Yes. IT is on this floor. Somewhere.**
"HEY!" The voice startled her and she turned.
Packbell was standing there. "How'd you get outta your cell?"
"I pushed the bars apart."
Her voice was so simple, so matter-of-fact, that Packbell laughed. "You couldn't stay away from me, could you?" He struck a pose and looked at his distorted reflection in the metal wall. "I am irresistible, aren't I?"
"Where is the box?"
His smile twisted into a snarl. "I think it's time you go back to your cell."
"I must have the box. You must not release the energy."
"Lady, I've had about enough." The fake man drew out a gun and pointed it at her. "Now come on. I'll put you in a cell you can't get out of."
**He will not listen. Fine.**
She closed her eyes briefly. She saw the stars, saw asteroids, planets, galaxies. She felt them in her mind, flowing through her veins. **Is that what I'm made of...?**
He came towards her. She felt the power surge up and she threw her hand out towards him. The energy burst out of her fingertips. The force of it made her scream.
Packbell saw her fling her hand out. He smiled at the pitiful attempt to defend herself. She shrieked suddenly, and he saw a ball of light coming towards him. There was a strange glitter within it, like stars. Then it slammed into him, and he flew backwards into the wall. His metal skull left a huge dent. He slid down to the floor, stunned.
**Destroy.** She hummed the thought, threw out the energy with an almost casual gesture. His body jerked on the floor, and then his limbs flew off, going in all directions. He howled. Oil formed a puddle around his wrecked body.
She stared at him for a long second. Normally, killing would be the last thing she would do. But this man...wasn't real. So it was not really death she had caused...more of just a halt to something unnatural and false.
Something tugged at her. **Just like him, you are just like him...**
She shook the thought away and spread her mind out again. She could feel the energy. IT was humming, bouncing faster.
**IT is excited. IT wants out. IT cannot be released!**
She began to search the floor, following the humming in her mind. She was almost there. She turned a corner and stopped.
The short man was coming down the hallway. He halted when he saw her.
"What are you doing out?"
She sighed. "The box. Where is the box?" She walked towards him as she talked.
He looked behind her, seeing a trail of oily footprints. She was leaving them. She must've destroyed a SWATbot or some such thing. He took a step away from her, and then grabbed the laser pistol out of his belt.
"Stop right there!" His voice was high; she knew he was afraid.
"I will not harm you. I only need the box."
She came closer, and he held his ground, holding the pistol unwavering.
**His aura. So sad. So bitter. Angry.** She stared into his eyes, which were a shade of light blue, pale and cold. **He will shoot, I am sure of it.**
"Don't move," he growled.
"You are so hurt," she said.
He glared at her.
She dug inside her, seeing the imagery of universes, of night skies.
She spread her arms out, very slowly. **Mustn't frighten him.**
The hallway darkened suddenly. From the walls and air, stars gleamed. He gasped. She lifted her voice up into sweet wordless song. She could sing beautifully. She could entice birds to her hand with her voice. **Who taught me this?** She tried to think of a mother, but couldn't. Like so many times before, she could not imagine what her mother looked like, or sounded like. Or if she even had a mother.
Around her, colors shimmered in the air.
Sniv's mouth dropped open.
She gleamed light, lit up like the aurora borealis, only ten times more brilliant. She leaned forward and touched his shoulders, and he trembled.
"How beautiful," he mummered.
She saw tears shining in his eyes. She put her hands up to his face. He laughed softly, warmth in his eyes. He was enjoying her show. The feel of enjoyment was unfamiliar in his aura; awkward.
**He does not enjoy much. Does not love much. Hates very much. Hates this life.**
"It's beautiful," he said again.
She nodded, then whispered. "Forgive me."
She saw something register in his eyes, some understanding, but it was too late. She jerked his head hard to the side, snapping his delicate neck. Her arms gently lowered him to the floor, where he lay still, eyes wide open.
**I know I know...death is the last resort...but...**
He seemed just too hurt to live...
**It is for the better.** She closed his eyes and then continued her search.
She stopped a few minutes later, in front of double doors. The humming was loud in her head. She rubbed her temples, grimacing.
**The evil is definitely in there.**
There was a button near the door. She pressed her hand against it and the doors opened.
She walked in.
There was a large green chair in the center of the room. It was turned away from her. She drew in a deep breath, and felt her skin shiver. There was so much evil in this room. And it wasn't just from IT.
A voice came the chair. Low, rumbling...wicked. "Snively, is that you? Packbell?"
She said nothing, but took a step closer. Now she could see more of the room. The box was sitting in front of the chair. She saw the shapeless blackness inside, bouncing. **IT's so excited. Is IT manipulating this man? I know how badly IT wants out.**
The chair turned and a fat man glared at her.
**He is so terrible. So evil!** Her thoughts flashed back to the fake man. **He created him. What kind of mind could create that horror?**
He had eyes like smoldering red coals. The evil that burned in them was intense...and endless.
**He will never love again...if he ever did. He could never be turned back.**
"How did you get in here?" he growled. His voice sent shivers through her.
**He is a man who understands logic. But not mercy.**
"That box you have there..."
"Yes, what of it?"
"It cannot be opened."
He had his gloved hands on it, prying at it. "Oh, and why not?"
"IT is a dangerous energy. IT cannot be released."
"Oh, but that's good," he chuckled. "It must be dangerous enough to wipe out those rebels!"
She stepped closer to his throne. "You do not understand. It will kill everyone."
He raised his fist to smash the box.
She leapt forward, but it was too late.
His fist smashed down...
**OH NO!**
...the box shattered...
**ALL LIFE...**
IT seeped out like fog, freezing and scalding simultaneously.
**...WILL END!**
IT gathered into a mass, hovering over the evil man's head. He looked up at IT, mouth gaped open.
"You see, dear," he began, but she screamed, "IT WILL KILL YOU!"
"What?" he sputtered, and like a hunting bird, IT swooped upon him.
There was no scream. He clattered down, a pile of bones and flesh. IT hovered over him, sucking out the last bits of his life force. The bones crumbled to fine powder, dissipating into the air.
She turned and fled. IT tracked her, like a magnet to metal. She ran blindly.
**No, stop, stop! You have to fight IT!!
NO! I MUST RUN! I do not want to die...**
She ran faster, going past the small man. She could sense IT pause at his body, ripping the last bits of his energy. She felt IT search for his soul.
**It has already flown, thank the Gods.**
The fat man hadn't been so lucky.
She kept going, clear into the forest. Thorns tore at her fur; small animals startled and fled, sensing danger. She stumbled over roots and rocks, still weary from her long sleep.
She could sense life. There was a grouping of beings in this forest. She could feel them inside her; hear their laughter, see their memories. They were good.
**The rebels? I must warn them.**
Over logs and bushes she went, her breathing ragged. She could feel IT behind her, cackling and bouncing with glee. IT wanted her. Wanted the sweet taste of her soul.
**IT is a long way behind, but gaining...
I should stop and fight IT...
NO! I must warn the rebels first!
But you can beat IT, you must!!
To fight IT would mean my death! I cannot!**
She stopped before a hollow log. The feel of life was close here. She crawled into it, and found herself sliding downwards. She tried to grab the sides of the log, but her claws wouldn't hold.
Her landing was soft. She stood up, seeing a pile of hay beneath her. Before her was the startled faces of the forest villagers.
"Run from this place!" she screamed. "IT is coming!"
"Hey!" A big skunk grabbed her roughly. "What are you talking about? Whatsa matter with you?"
*****
Sonic held a cloth bag in his hand. Within it were the Time Stones. Tails had gotten a hold of them earlier.
**Gotta put 'em in a safe place. Hmph, thought my sock drawer was safe enough. Sally'll have a place for 'em.**
He frowned. **What's all that screaming?**
He zoomed to the spot, near the oak slide. His eyes took in the sky, black and gray. **Storm coming?**
Then he saw Geoffrey, holding a basenji woman by the arm. She looked unfamiliar. Her fur was tan, with accents of white, from a streak down her face that spilled over her chest and belly, and spread to the insides of her thighs. She had green eyes, and dark brown headfur, unkempt and wild. She wore no clothing.
She was screaming. "You have to run! IT's coming!"
"Lady, you're nuts. Shut up." Geoff shoved her away.
"HEY!" Sonic yelled.
"Pincushion, you stay outta this. She's crazy AND she's an intruder."
She sensed something in the young blue hedgehog. Heroics. A deep sense of loyalty. And that bag he was holding...a powerful energy. The energy to move back and forth in time.
"Blue one, you are the only one. Use that energy...go back before the evil...you must stop the fat man from getting IT!"
Geoff grabbed her by the arm. "Ok, mate, I think we can find you someplace to stay; a nice dry cell."
Sonic's eyes traveled to the sky again. He saw some of the other villagers looking at it too. But it was most unusual.
The sky was getting black. Not black from clouds, in fact, he couldn't see any clouds at all. No, the sky itself was darkening, like nighttime. Except it was afternoon.
**Is this one of those things...an ellipse...no, an eclipse.**
But it wasn't like that, not exactly. It was like it was traveling over the forest. Right towards them. It made his stomach feel queasy for some reason.
She broke free from Geoffrey and ran towards him.
Sonic took a step back as she clutched at his hands, shaking the Timestone bag in her fist. "Use these, blue one! Go now! Hurry! IT's coming...and IT mustn't get you..."
The blackness was coming closer. Moving fast. Very fast. The nauseous feeling increased. Sonic gulped and breathed in deep.
"GO NOW!" She screamed. "IT's almost here!"
He heard a terrible sound. It wasn't in the air exactly. It was more like...through everything. Rumbling in the earth, and the air, and his bones...and it made him almost scream in panic. He heard gasps and looked around. Everyone in Knothole looked the same...
Terrified.
They felt it.
"Mon dieu! Mon dieu!" They heard Antoine screaming, and the fox came hurtling from the direction of the lookout tower. "Something eez coming theese way! Eet ees horrible!"
Antoine stopped and looked behind him. They saw him stiffen. Then a scream came from his mouth such as they'd never heard before.
"Go now, blue one." The hedgehog barely heard the girl's whisper.
"IT's here."
Blackness rushed from the woods. The trees crumpled into dust. Villagers screamed and scattered, but not before seeing the blackness catch up to Antoine. There was a short yelp, and then...
Just bones, and then dust...and then nothing. Except for the blackness. It filled the air, shriveling the grass it passed over, coming towards them. Too fast for them to even run.
Except for one.
"GO NOW!" The girl screamed, grabbing Sonic by the hand. She dragged him along.
He broke free and ran, scared silly. He didn't know where she went. But he didn't wait to find out.
He shot by Sally's hut, and then went back. Sally was in her garden, and she looked up just in time to see the blackness reach her.
"NOOOO!!! SALLLYYYYY!!!"
His chest heaved and he screamed. Where Sally had stood was now bones. And now, as the blackness hovered over...just dust. He thought he saw a bright light, traveling upwards...
Then the blackness reached up, like a tendril, and snatched the spark. Swallowed it. Devoured it.
**Oh something is mondo wrong with that... Oh Gods something is really wrong wrong wrong with that...**
He thought he heard a silent scream, echoing in the air, in his bones. Much like the terrible sound from before had. He realized, it was coming from the blackness. The blackness was making that terrible sound. And from within the blackness, he could hear screaming...though not with his ears. With his very soul.
Something hit him. **My soul. It wants...my soul...**
He screamed then, in incredible panic. And ran. IT traveled like black air behind him.
In his soul, he heard one scream clearly.
A female. One he loved. Gone. But not.
Trapped. She was trapped. In the worst sort of way. Worse than hell, even.
**NOOOOOSALLLYYYY!!!!**
He ripped the bag away from the Timestones and pressed them together.
"Take me back to...to..."
It was almost upon him...
"to...before the evil! BEFORE THE EVIL!!"
"Take him back to me..." He heard the crazy girl's voice mummer.
Then he was swept away.