Chapter 8:
Bloodied hands
She felt her body start forwards. She tried to grind her feet into the dirt, tried to open her fist and let the knife drop. But neither worked.
*CU!! HELP ME!!*
She was over the fat man now, her arm rising up. Light caught the blade and sparkled, then the blade was descending. There was a horrid squishing sound as the full five-inch length of the blade buried itself into the fat man's chest.
*NOOOOOOO!* Sally's eyes stared in horror at the blood welling up around her clenched hand. He grunted, eyes rolling and blood oozing between his lips.
The knife rose again and plunged. She blinked away blood, felt it settle on her hair, running down into her ears.
She felt energy flare inside her; Cu was trying to break Casssar's spell...
*CU, hurry please, I can't...I can't do this!!*... even as her body took a step backwards and drove the knife forward, throwing her body weight behind it this time. It entered his upper stomach and her weight carried it downwards, ripping him open down to the waist.
The smell of blood hit her hard and she gagged, struggling wildly to stop herself, but it was to no avail. Her eyes darted around and she was sobbing through her clenched teeth.
Snively's arms were clasped in an X around his chest. Legs were trembling. Lower lip being bitten hard by tiny teeth, nearly hard enough to draw blood. But there was plenty of it in the air. He felt it spray his face in a light mist, and his throat felt like he'd been sucking on a copper penny.
He watched Sally's attack. He saw her arm viciously raise and plunge the weapon; raise and plunge, over and over... the sound of knife entering flesh and the breathy gasps of his uncle nearly gone made his heart twist around itself painfully.
But it was too late to stop it, he knew, there was too much blood.
*I told you there'd be so much blood...* And indeed there was, it was spread out around the dying fat man, making the grass look like a crimson marsh. He could see the clouds reflected in it, and focused on them, pulsing and moving across the sky in steadily changing shapes.
His uncle's eyes locked with his.
Sally had the knife raised again, her body tense and poise savage; but her face was a mask of horror and disbelief.
The tyrant's eyes were going glassy, he couldn't see anything anymore... just a slash of bright red, with darkness fluttering around the edges. He didn't think. He didn't ponder the afterlife; if there was a hell, or pence to pay, or bliss, or if he'd just be a rotting corpse... He didn't think, didn't feel anything but the searing pain as the princess assaulted him again.
His mouth hung open slightly, and the blood ran from his throat down over his tongue and onto the ground... he knew... one more blow was going to finish him...
---Almost there, Sally--- Cu's normally neutral tone sounded enraged, and Sally felt the energy flare through her veins; almost painfully. She gave a little gasp, but still the knife raised in her fist.
Snively wished he could close his eyes. But they stayed wide open, the air drying them and stinging. The spraying blood had beaded on his face and was running down like sweat, but he refused to wipe it, his arms clasped about his body tight. He needed something to hold.
His breathing was erratic, and his eyes felt suddenly cool and moist; he felt something else spilling down his cheeks along with the blood...
*He's gone, he's gone! He's gone...!* half of his mind cheered.
The knife started its descent; the tyrant's heart its target...
The other half of him reeled... *this is sick justice, sick, what have you done...*
He saw blood beaded under his uncle's fading eyes. They looked like tears.
Those same eyes had leered at him while he'd lay bleeding from beatings. They'd glowed while his uncle had punished his nephew in most foul ways. They'd never held a single touch of praise, or love, or even gratitude.
The blood droplets fell.
Salt water dripped from Snively's chin, but his eyes were suddenly gone cold; freezing... pale face somber... and the words fell from his lips in a haunted whisper...
"This is justice..."
*******
Tails and Antoine had jumped off their blue transport, who was currently looking around with a confused expression.
"Where is everyone?"
Tails gulped.
Antoine's nose wiggled. "What ees... that smell?" he asked in a small voice, trembling with fear.
Sonic felt queasy... his stomach turning and his brows lifted worriedly. "Let's get to the villager center...fast!"
They took off running.
Sonic was there first. He halted.
The smell was so much stronger. He knew it. Blood. He'd never smelled it like this before...so thick in the air that it gagged him to breathe.
He saw a group of villagers, standing staggered around something large that lay prone upon the ground.
Sally was standing over it, and she had a knife raised. It should've been glinting in the light. But something red was smeared all over it.
He came closer, moving slowly for once.
*This is a dream!* he thought. His eyes looked downwards; the grass was wet. He could feel it squelching under his sneakers. But it hadn't rained.
Besides, rain wasn't red like this. It oozed over the white portion of his shoes.
He wondered what the big red thing in front of Sally was. It was what was making all the stinky blood smell.
His limbs seemed to move so slowly. Sally's arm holding the knife seemed to move slowly downwards too.
He was now right next to the weird red thing, his sneakers touching it. It wasn't firm against his foot's touch, it yielded like soft flesh. He looked down, gazing upon a red-smeared face; a familiar face, a face he dreamed of, a face he hated...
The face of his arch enemy.
Then the blade was fully down, sliding into the wounded chest smoothly, like the blade was made of water... it seemed that a torn heart should've bled more, but only a little scarlet oozed from the hole as Sally drew her hand away.
He heard twin gasps behind him; Tails and Antoine had just arrived. Time gave a jerk, rushing back in quickly, and Sonic emitted his own gasp.
He saw Robotnik's eyes roll back, heard him gurgle back in his throat, body shuddering... and then still.
He saw the villagers; their dull eyes. He saw Casssar leaning in the doorframe, black fur nearly blending into the darkness of the room behind her.
He saw Snively standing statue-still, looking down at his uncle. Then raising his pale eyes to greet the hedgehog, the blue depths glinting in the light, but holding nothing...almost as expressionless as the villager's...
His eyes turned to Sally, and he screamed her name.
She gave a little jerk, her hands flying to her head and clasping. Then she screamed long and loud, throwing down the knife as if it'd burned her. It stuck point-down in the ground, quivering.
"Nooonooonooo!" She backed away from the dead man, eyes wide. "Nonononono!!"
"Sally!" Sonic sprang forwards, grabbing her in his arms. Something was wrong here. Something was so wrong.
She couldn't of done it. She would never do such a thing.
"No, Sonic," she babbled. "Don't touch me...I've sinned Sonic...I've taken a life..."
"Stop!" he shook her. "Stop!!"
Tails pointed an accusing finger at Snively. "He did it!!"
All eyes turned on the small human, who looked at them from under bloodied eyelashes, a strange smirk touching his lips.
"The debt's been paid," he said in an odd tone.
The four furries growled, advancing on the little man.
Sally's eyes glowed; fueled by her sudden rage... he'd made her do this horrid thing...made her people into killers... she wanted to spill blood again, this time willingly...
---Sally, you will regret slaying him.---
*I won't...he deserves it...*
---Sally, it is not your nature...---
*HE DESERVES IT!!! LOOK WHAT HE'S DONE TO ME!! TO MY PEOPLE!!*
---It was not their fault. Nor yours. But this slaying would be...---
Casssar suddenly charged from the doorway, coming to a stop beside Snively. Her lip curled up in a snarl as she eyed the four freedom fighters.
He'd thought about killing them all. But he saw Sally's wild eyes. She was so broken.
And that seemed worse than death.
And Sonic...how strong could his spirit last, knowing his girlfriend had brutally killed...?
And their village...they wouldn't have it for long, now that he'd found it. He'd destroy it in due time.
He gave a short laugh...yes the damage had been done... and he felt tired... he'd accomplished enough today.
"Let's go, Casssar," he said.
She looked down at him and nodded. "Yes, good, I tire of all this gore..." She eyed the corpse with a nonchalant eye. "...and I'm hungry besides."
"YOU FIEND!!" Sally's legs launched her forward, and she slammed into Snively. The human hit the ground on his rear, throwing his arms out to shove her away. Her fist flew out, cracking him across the face.
Then she kicked and howled as arms locked around her stomach and threw her away from him. She sprawled onto the ground, glaring up at Casssar.
The ermine glared back down, one hand raising, fingers splayed...around the digits white sparkles swirled...
Before she could cast, she was knocked aside roughly by Sonic.
Tails charged in, going for the human, still seated upon the ground. He did the first thing he could think of, locking his gloved paws around the human's neck.
Snively twisted around, planting both hands on the child's chest and shoving him away. The hands lost their grip on his throat. Tails stumbled backwards with a little yelp.
"Foolish whelp!" Small hand flew out, backhanding the child across the face. Tails backed away further, green eyes wide. He hadn't expected the human to be vicious...but then his gaze turned to the dead body, and he realized that no one knew what the little man was capable of... not now...
Antoine drew his sword. He was trembling in fright, but seeing Tails' being assaulted fueled him with anger. With a wild cry, he charged forwards.
Casssar shoved Sonic away. But the hedgehog was fast, zipping back in and tripping her with a sweep of one leg. She hit the ground, repeated her action of shoving and attempting to rise. But her rear connected with the ground again; she heard the hedgehog snickering as he stood over her.
He barely made it... Snively, still on the ground, scooted backwards with his hands... the fox was coming in, sword brandished. It plunged downwards, seeking to pierce the human's chest. Then found itself planted in the dirt, between the little human's legs, who gulped and raised his shocked eyes to the fox's face.
Antoine jerked the sword from the soil; Snively scrabbled to his feet, looking frightened as the fox swung again. A quick duck, and the sword slashed over his head, so close he felt the air as it passed.
Sonic laughed; he'd tripped her again. Casssar spat at him; throwing her hand out. Sonic saw red flashes swirl about it briefly...
Then he doubled over in pain, fell to the ground. He moaned, white gloves become soiled as he clutched at the earth beneath him... he felt as if a red-hot needle had just pierced his heart...
The sword thrust, the tiny human jumped back. He felt his heart flutter, feeling the tip just barely brush against his stomach... knew he would've been impaled if he hadn't moved. He let out a little cry of fear, backing away from the angry fox.
His back hit something firm, and furred. He looked up, seeing Casssar grinning down at him, her hair hanging down and shadowing her face. Then her gaze traveled to Antoine; with a flick of her fingers she'd magically jerked the sword from his paw. It flew, stuck quivering in the trunk of a nearby tree.
Antoine's boots ground into the soil, halting him... he stared at his hand in disbelief, then his shocked eyes traveled to the ermine advancing on him.
"Mon Dieu!" He let out a squeal and fled.
Casssar let out a sniff. "He's quite pathetic."
The tiny human nodded in agreement, but his body shivered in knowing he could've ended up torn and dead-eyed like his uncle. A quick glance over to his fallen kin... the fat man hadn't moved... he was truly gone from this world...
Casssar was suddenly thrown forward; the hedgehog had recovered from the brief magical stint and was now pummeling her with his fists. A crude style of fighting from him, but her magic had frightened him. He just wanted her down, knocked out.
Snively nearly ignored the attack. His eyes were focused on the dead man, focused on that pile of torn flesh and flab; the gore and blood spread out about him; the foul odor of blood and death in the air. He clenched his teeth, a wave of nausea hitting him. Closed his eyes tight, trying with all his might to block out the image.
But it lingered; draped across the backs of his closed eyelids as if stamped there. He could see the blood; streaked and drying on the dead flesh; the uniform torn and frayed, the guts spilling from an enormous stomach where the knife had carved its silver path.
"Stop it. Stop it, please..." he squeaked out between his tightly closed teeth. "I don't want to see anymore..."
"Murderer." A voice hissed, low and in front of his face.
"Stop it. Stop it." He tried to silence his mind.
"Murderer!! You corrupted my people!!"
His eyes flew open.
Sally stood before him. Her fur was damp with blood, lips curled in a feral snarl. Her fists were clenched tight, hard knuckles standing out in the curled hands... and her face promised she would use them.
---Sally, this is not you. You are not a killer.---
*Shut up, Cu...* And then aloud, whimpered: "I want to kill him."
Something shifted in the tiny human's mind. Those bloody wounds of his uncle's hadn't been from his hand. No, those cruel knife tracks had been driven by this squirrel's arm, and hers alone.
*She* was the guilty party...
He lowered his head, glowering at her from underneath his eyelashes. "You won't get a chance, Princess," he spat. His eyes flicked to the zombie villagers, still standing nearby the corpse. "KILL HER!! KILL THEM ALL!!"
They blinked and took shambling steps towards Sally. One broke away, heading for the trembling Antoine, still tucked behind a tree, another towards the young Tails.
Casssar looked over, trying to fend off Sonic's fists, and managed a sick grin before it was knocked off her face by a vicious backhand.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" The scream burst from Sally's mouth, a bloodcurdling thing that pierced the air, making it shiver away. An incoherent animalistic sound came next, her hands flying out, still slimy with gore, and seized upon the tiny human's throat.
He gagged, trying to pry them off. Her thumbs dug into the hollow of his throat. The pressure made him panic, gasping desperately for breath. He slammed a booted foot upon hers. She didn't flinch, didn't even blink to the blow. Eyes were wide, rage-filled, her hands tightened further.
"Llllet g..g...gooo.." A weak gasp, and he brought his hands up between her arms, trying to break her grip. He struggled viciously, but her arms were like strong tree limbs, refusing to yield. Hands dug further, her thumb claws piercing his flesh...he felt rivulets of blood trickling down into his collar, rolling down his skinny chest.
She slammed her knee up, vicious and sudden, the bony joint caught him in the groin. His eyes went wide with pain, legs gave in, body sagged. The hands about his throat were the only thing that held him up.
"Die...die...oh gods, please, make him die.." She was suddenly pleading, whimpering. "Please die...please die..."
His lungs ached, tears stung his eyes. He couldn't fight. Too weak.
*Oh, it hurts. It hurts, please no...it hurts...* Her face blurred before him, he wanted to curl and hide, wanted to cup his hands to where she'd struck him, wanted to breathe.
He attempted a weak struggle, hands floating up, pushing at her chest. But no, no result; only a tightening of her hands and another soft plea, begging him to slip from this world.
---Sally, do not do this...---
*I want to, Cu...* She tightened her hands on the creature before her. Wetness hit her hands, not blood this time, but tainted liquid from his eyes. He'd closed them and gone limp in her grasp, his hands still on her chest, but not pushing anymore.
*I want to Cu...!* The thought was edged with panic, and then she screamed at something sharp sinking into her shoulder. She jerked around, not releasing Snively. A villager stood before her, vacant eyes unfocused. His mouth was bloody; she felt something oozing from her shoulder.
---Sally, please. I must stop this!! Let there be no more death!!---
*I want to kill...to kill him...* Thoughts bubbled like wine...indeed she felt intoxicated, light-headed. She focused her gaze on Snively, his face was placid, but mouth still open, struggling to draw breath...she could feel his pulse pounding wild in his throat.
*I...no Cu please...* Her eyes burned. She took a step back from the villager...a man she didn't know too well. But he'd been an acquaintance. Someone friendly, someone not capable of murder like this. This was all so wrong. This blood, her hands around the neck of a fellow living being...yes, no matter how evil he might be. She was not like him...this was wrong.
*No more death, CU! PLEASE!* A shriek ripped from her mouth and she threw the human away from her.
********
He felt something hit him. Just barely. His body felt sort of numb. Maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he'd hit something. It felt like he'd been flying, but now he'd crashed.
*Am I in hell...?*
But the wind that breezed over his flesh was cool.
The only thing he focused on was Julian. *I'm coming to join you uncle...and so soon too... I thought maybe I could've gotten away from you longer than this... but you'll always be there hovering over my shoulder. Or crushing me underfoot. Does it matter...?*
These thoughts spun behind his glassy eyes, but his body ignored it all. It gave a sudden jerk, grabbed ahold of air and pulled it in with a ragged gasp, filling his agonized lungs.
Another gasp and he stopped thinking, thoughts and images fleeing him. Air. Sweet air!! He gulped it greedily. The ache left him and he felt dizzy suddenly.
The sky was spinning, tilting. He closed his eyes, feeling sick.
*******
---Sally. Let me possess you. Let me stop this.---
Sally's eyes drifted, seeing Casssar. She remembered the magical fire. How it'd burned. She shivered.
She saw Antoine running, screaming in panic from his fellow villagers, who shambled after him, mouths drooling for the taste of his blood, their hands hooked like claws.
She saw Sonic lying on the ground in a weird pile, shuddering... Casssar had zapped him with magic again and the ermine stood over him with something evil glittering in her eyes.
It made her shake with fear. It made her teeth clench with anger.
---Don't fear Sally. I will protect you from her. You must allow me to help you to beat them.---
She shivered... the fire...it had hurt so bad...
---Sally, this MUST BE STOPPED!---
She clutched her head. Watched Casssar raise her hand; the magic that swirled around it was a murky red color, most unpleasant. Sonic whimpered and tried to crawl away from her feet.
Her Sonic. Her Sonic... that woman WOULD NOT hurt her Sonic...! She let out a snarling cry and rushed her.
As her booted feet hit the ground, she shot the thought to Cu, furious. *Do it, Cu. Do it!*
She opened her mind, relaxed it, allowing the entity to take over. She tucked her fear away, although some lingered... but if she had to suffer, then so be it... this madness was going to stop...
Like warm fingers, Cu spread across Sally's mind. Gripping lightly, the entity was now able to control Sally's body. Fueled by Sally's sudden anger and willingness, Cu knew it would have enough power to stop this...
A scream rang out, emitted from Antoine's throat. He was pinned to the ground, a villager atop him, teeth sank into the fox's shoulder.
Blue-booted foot turned; Sally faced the attack on the French one. Her blue eyes held no unearthly glow, but still, something was different. She seemed to draw in on herself, as if gathering strength from the very air that swirled her fur in sudden and strange currents, and then arms flung out. The air rippled in a wide arc, the outward spreading ripples slamming into the villagers.
They stopped, raising hands to their heads, knees touched ground as they screamed.
Casssar doubled over as well, and Sonic used her distraction to scramble away from her, his green eyes frightened. The ermine clasped her paws to her head, teeth clenched, as she fought a silent battle, struggling to keep the villagers under her command. But Cu was there, throwing mental punches and blocks, driving her back.
Casssar snarled; she was losing, and she felt the villagers slip from her grasp. Their eyes filled with life again, and they collapsed down, exhausted from their previous actions.
Antoine sat with his arms wrapped around the woman villager for consolation; he knew the threat from her was over... somehow... He whimpered softly, his shoulder stinging.
*CUUUUUU!* Sally mind-screamed in panic. She saw a burst of magic blaze from Casssar's fingertips, barreling towards her.
---It is all right, Sally.---
Sally's arm flew out, hand flat in a 'stop' motion. The ermine's energy hit like a burning wind, slamming full force into Sally's hand. It blazed out around the squirrel, ruffling her fur and hair backwards, but not hurting. She felt a vague burning sensation in her palm, but that was it, and then the attack was finished and Casssar stood staring with her mouth slightly open.
"Block this, Cu!" she snarled, taking a deep breath and sending a white-hot ball of energy towards Sally.
She heard the crackle of electricity in the air. Every instinct urged her to run, but Cu was in control of her legs... which braced themselves on the ground. Hands flew out again, and the air rippled, an invisible force slamming into Casssar's magic to counteract.
*Wow!* Sally mind-cheered; the electricity was driven away, thrown directly back towards its owner. Casssar's eyes widened and she dove for cover. The electrical ball hit a small tree behind her, sending up splinters of wood and scorching leaves. A blackened stump was all that remained.
The ermine sat up, shaking bits of debris from her fur, snarling. "Nice trick, Cu!"
"Cease the attack, or suffer." Sally's voice came out deep, powerful.
"You don't scare me, Cu!" Casssar spat, rising to her feet. Her olive eyes narrowed, smoldering with some inner heat, and locked on the calm dark depths of Sally's. She stared as if trying to pierce Sally's very soul, pupils gone to small points of black.
Sally's body remained standing solidly. But inside, Sally screamed. Pain stabbed like knives... not into her body, but her very mind itself. Her body wanted to run, but couldn't.
*Cuuuu...oh gods...Cu!! Help me...! Help me!!*
It felt as if a razor blade was ripping through her, slicing apart the delicate layers of her mind, scattering her very soul into pieces. Her inner voice dissolved into weak sobbing.
---It is a mind attack. I will stop her...---
Sally clasped her arms to her chest, limbs crossed over one another, eyes closed. Her hair spun around in a breeze that didn't exist, and then she snapped her head up, eyes locked on her enemy.
Bloodied hands
She felt her body start forwards. She tried to grind her feet into the dirt, tried to open her fist and let the knife drop. But neither worked.
*CU!! HELP ME!!*
She was over the fat man now, her arm rising up. Light caught the blade and sparkled, then the blade was descending. There was a horrid squishing sound as the full five-inch length of the blade buried itself into the fat man's chest.
*NOOOOOOO!* Sally's eyes stared in horror at the blood welling up around her clenched hand. He grunted, eyes rolling and blood oozing between his lips.
The knife rose again and plunged. She blinked away blood, felt it settle on her hair, running down into her ears.
She felt energy flare inside her; Cu was trying to break Casssar's spell...
*CU, hurry please, I can't...I can't do this!!*... even as her body took a step backwards and drove the knife forward, throwing her body weight behind it this time. It entered his upper stomach and her weight carried it downwards, ripping him open down to the waist.
The smell of blood hit her hard and she gagged, struggling wildly to stop herself, but it was to no avail. Her eyes darted around and she was sobbing through her clenched teeth.
Snively's arms were clasped in an X around his chest. Legs were trembling. Lower lip being bitten hard by tiny teeth, nearly hard enough to draw blood. But there was plenty of it in the air. He felt it spray his face in a light mist, and his throat felt like he'd been sucking on a copper penny.
He watched Sally's attack. He saw her arm viciously raise and plunge the weapon; raise and plunge, over and over... the sound of knife entering flesh and the breathy gasps of his uncle nearly gone made his heart twist around itself painfully.
But it was too late to stop it, he knew, there was too much blood.
*I told you there'd be so much blood...* And indeed there was, it was spread out around the dying fat man, making the grass look like a crimson marsh. He could see the clouds reflected in it, and focused on them, pulsing and moving across the sky in steadily changing shapes.
His uncle's eyes locked with his.
Sally had the knife raised again, her body tense and poise savage; but her face was a mask of horror and disbelief.
The tyrant's eyes were going glassy, he couldn't see anything anymore... just a slash of bright red, with darkness fluttering around the edges. He didn't think. He didn't ponder the afterlife; if there was a hell, or pence to pay, or bliss, or if he'd just be a rotting corpse... He didn't think, didn't feel anything but the searing pain as the princess assaulted him again.
His mouth hung open slightly, and the blood ran from his throat down over his tongue and onto the ground... he knew... one more blow was going to finish him...
---Almost there, Sally--- Cu's normally neutral tone sounded enraged, and Sally felt the energy flare through her veins; almost painfully. She gave a little gasp, but still the knife raised in her fist.
Snively wished he could close his eyes. But they stayed wide open, the air drying them and stinging. The spraying blood had beaded on his face and was running down like sweat, but he refused to wipe it, his arms clasped about his body tight. He needed something to hold.
His breathing was erratic, and his eyes felt suddenly cool and moist; he felt something else spilling down his cheeks along with the blood...
*He's gone, he's gone! He's gone...!* half of his mind cheered.
The knife started its descent; the tyrant's heart its target...
The other half of him reeled... *this is sick justice, sick, what have you done...*
He saw blood beaded under his uncle's fading eyes. They looked like tears.
Those same eyes had leered at him while he'd lay bleeding from beatings. They'd glowed while his uncle had punished his nephew in most foul ways. They'd never held a single touch of praise, or love, or even gratitude.
The blood droplets fell.
Salt water dripped from Snively's chin, but his eyes were suddenly gone cold; freezing... pale face somber... and the words fell from his lips in a haunted whisper...
"This is justice..."
*******
Tails and Antoine had jumped off their blue transport, who was currently looking around with a confused expression.
"Where is everyone?"
Tails gulped.
Antoine's nose wiggled. "What ees... that smell?" he asked in a small voice, trembling with fear.
Sonic felt queasy... his stomach turning and his brows lifted worriedly. "Let's get to the villager center...fast!"
They took off running.
Sonic was there first. He halted.
The smell was so much stronger. He knew it. Blood. He'd never smelled it like this before...so thick in the air that it gagged him to breathe.
He saw a group of villagers, standing staggered around something large that lay prone upon the ground.
Sally was standing over it, and she had a knife raised. It should've been glinting in the light. But something red was smeared all over it.
He came closer, moving slowly for once.
*This is a dream!* he thought. His eyes looked downwards; the grass was wet. He could feel it squelching under his sneakers. But it hadn't rained.
Besides, rain wasn't red like this. It oozed over the white portion of his shoes.
He wondered what the big red thing in front of Sally was. It was what was making all the stinky blood smell.
His limbs seemed to move so slowly. Sally's arm holding the knife seemed to move slowly downwards too.
He was now right next to the weird red thing, his sneakers touching it. It wasn't firm against his foot's touch, it yielded like soft flesh. He looked down, gazing upon a red-smeared face; a familiar face, a face he dreamed of, a face he hated...
The face of his arch enemy.
Then the blade was fully down, sliding into the wounded chest smoothly, like the blade was made of water... it seemed that a torn heart should've bled more, but only a little scarlet oozed from the hole as Sally drew her hand away.
He heard twin gasps behind him; Tails and Antoine had just arrived. Time gave a jerk, rushing back in quickly, and Sonic emitted his own gasp.
He saw Robotnik's eyes roll back, heard him gurgle back in his throat, body shuddering... and then still.
He saw the villagers; their dull eyes. He saw Casssar leaning in the doorframe, black fur nearly blending into the darkness of the room behind her.
He saw Snively standing statue-still, looking down at his uncle. Then raising his pale eyes to greet the hedgehog, the blue depths glinting in the light, but holding nothing...almost as expressionless as the villager's...
His eyes turned to Sally, and he screamed her name.
She gave a little jerk, her hands flying to her head and clasping. Then she screamed long and loud, throwing down the knife as if it'd burned her. It stuck point-down in the ground, quivering.
"Nooonooonooo!" She backed away from the dead man, eyes wide. "Nonononono!!"
"Sally!" Sonic sprang forwards, grabbing her in his arms. Something was wrong here. Something was so wrong.
She couldn't of done it. She would never do such a thing.
"No, Sonic," she babbled. "Don't touch me...I've sinned Sonic...I've taken a life..."
"Stop!" he shook her. "Stop!!"
Tails pointed an accusing finger at Snively. "He did it!!"
All eyes turned on the small human, who looked at them from under bloodied eyelashes, a strange smirk touching his lips.
"The debt's been paid," he said in an odd tone.
The four furries growled, advancing on the little man.
Sally's eyes glowed; fueled by her sudden rage... he'd made her do this horrid thing...made her people into killers... she wanted to spill blood again, this time willingly...
---Sally, you will regret slaying him.---
*I won't...he deserves it...*
---Sally, it is not your nature...---
*HE DESERVES IT!!! LOOK WHAT HE'S DONE TO ME!! TO MY PEOPLE!!*
---It was not their fault. Nor yours. But this slaying would be...---
Casssar suddenly charged from the doorway, coming to a stop beside Snively. Her lip curled up in a snarl as she eyed the four freedom fighters.
He'd thought about killing them all. But he saw Sally's wild eyes. She was so broken.
And that seemed worse than death.
And Sonic...how strong could his spirit last, knowing his girlfriend had brutally killed...?
And their village...they wouldn't have it for long, now that he'd found it. He'd destroy it in due time.
He gave a short laugh...yes the damage had been done... and he felt tired... he'd accomplished enough today.
"Let's go, Casssar," he said.
She looked down at him and nodded. "Yes, good, I tire of all this gore..." She eyed the corpse with a nonchalant eye. "...and I'm hungry besides."
"YOU FIEND!!" Sally's legs launched her forward, and she slammed into Snively. The human hit the ground on his rear, throwing his arms out to shove her away. Her fist flew out, cracking him across the face.
Then she kicked and howled as arms locked around her stomach and threw her away from him. She sprawled onto the ground, glaring up at Casssar.
The ermine glared back down, one hand raising, fingers splayed...around the digits white sparkles swirled...
Before she could cast, she was knocked aside roughly by Sonic.
Tails charged in, going for the human, still seated upon the ground. He did the first thing he could think of, locking his gloved paws around the human's neck.
Snively twisted around, planting both hands on the child's chest and shoving him away. The hands lost their grip on his throat. Tails stumbled backwards with a little yelp.
"Foolish whelp!" Small hand flew out, backhanding the child across the face. Tails backed away further, green eyes wide. He hadn't expected the human to be vicious...but then his gaze turned to the dead body, and he realized that no one knew what the little man was capable of... not now...
Antoine drew his sword. He was trembling in fright, but seeing Tails' being assaulted fueled him with anger. With a wild cry, he charged forwards.
Casssar shoved Sonic away. But the hedgehog was fast, zipping back in and tripping her with a sweep of one leg. She hit the ground, repeated her action of shoving and attempting to rise. But her rear connected with the ground again; she heard the hedgehog snickering as he stood over her.
He barely made it... Snively, still on the ground, scooted backwards with his hands... the fox was coming in, sword brandished. It plunged downwards, seeking to pierce the human's chest. Then found itself planted in the dirt, between the little human's legs, who gulped and raised his shocked eyes to the fox's face.
Antoine jerked the sword from the soil; Snively scrabbled to his feet, looking frightened as the fox swung again. A quick duck, and the sword slashed over his head, so close he felt the air as it passed.
Sonic laughed; he'd tripped her again. Casssar spat at him; throwing her hand out. Sonic saw red flashes swirl about it briefly...
Then he doubled over in pain, fell to the ground. He moaned, white gloves become soiled as he clutched at the earth beneath him... he felt as if a red-hot needle had just pierced his heart...
The sword thrust, the tiny human jumped back. He felt his heart flutter, feeling the tip just barely brush against his stomach... knew he would've been impaled if he hadn't moved. He let out a little cry of fear, backing away from the angry fox.
His back hit something firm, and furred. He looked up, seeing Casssar grinning down at him, her hair hanging down and shadowing her face. Then her gaze traveled to Antoine; with a flick of her fingers she'd magically jerked the sword from his paw. It flew, stuck quivering in the trunk of a nearby tree.
Antoine's boots ground into the soil, halting him... he stared at his hand in disbelief, then his shocked eyes traveled to the ermine advancing on him.
"Mon Dieu!" He let out a squeal and fled.
Casssar let out a sniff. "He's quite pathetic."
The tiny human nodded in agreement, but his body shivered in knowing he could've ended up torn and dead-eyed like his uncle. A quick glance over to his fallen kin... the fat man hadn't moved... he was truly gone from this world...
Casssar was suddenly thrown forward; the hedgehog had recovered from the brief magical stint and was now pummeling her with his fists. A crude style of fighting from him, but her magic had frightened him. He just wanted her down, knocked out.
Snively nearly ignored the attack. His eyes were focused on the dead man, focused on that pile of torn flesh and flab; the gore and blood spread out about him; the foul odor of blood and death in the air. He clenched his teeth, a wave of nausea hitting him. Closed his eyes tight, trying with all his might to block out the image.
But it lingered; draped across the backs of his closed eyelids as if stamped there. He could see the blood; streaked and drying on the dead flesh; the uniform torn and frayed, the guts spilling from an enormous stomach where the knife had carved its silver path.
"Stop it. Stop it, please..." he squeaked out between his tightly closed teeth. "I don't want to see anymore..."
"Murderer." A voice hissed, low and in front of his face.
"Stop it. Stop it." He tried to silence his mind.
"Murderer!! You corrupted my people!!"
His eyes flew open.
Sally stood before him. Her fur was damp with blood, lips curled in a feral snarl. Her fists were clenched tight, hard knuckles standing out in the curled hands... and her face promised she would use them.
---Sally, this is not you. You are not a killer.---
*Shut up, Cu...* And then aloud, whimpered: "I want to kill him."
Something shifted in the tiny human's mind. Those bloody wounds of his uncle's hadn't been from his hand. No, those cruel knife tracks had been driven by this squirrel's arm, and hers alone.
*She* was the guilty party...
He lowered his head, glowering at her from underneath his eyelashes. "You won't get a chance, Princess," he spat. His eyes flicked to the zombie villagers, still standing nearby the corpse. "KILL HER!! KILL THEM ALL!!"
They blinked and took shambling steps towards Sally. One broke away, heading for the trembling Antoine, still tucked behind a tree, another towards the young Tails.
Casssar looked over, trying to fend off Sonic's fists, and managed a sick grin before it was knocked off her face by a vicious backhand.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" The scream burst from Sally's mouth, a bloodcurdling thing that pierced the air, making it shiver away. An incoherent animalistic sound came next, her hands flying out, still slimy with gore, and seized upon the tiny human's throat.
He gagged, trying to pry them off. Her thumbs dug into the hollow of his throat. The pressure made him panic, gasping desperately for breath. He slammed a booted foot upon hers. She didn't flinch, didn't even blink to the blow. Eyes were wide, rage-filled, her hands tightened further.
"Llllet g..g...gooo.." A weak gasp, and he brought his hands up between her arms, trying to break her grip. He struggled viciously, but her arms were like strong tree limbs, refusing to yield. Hands dug further, her thumb claws piercing his flesh...he felt rivulets of blood trickling down into his collar, rolling down his skinny chest.
She slammed her knee up, vicious and sudden, the bony joint caught him in the groin. His eyes went wide with pain, legs gave in, body sagged. The hands about his throat were the only thing that held him up.
"Die...die...oh gods, please, make him die.." She was suddenly pleading, whimpering. "Please die...please die..."
His lungs ached, tears stung his eyes. He couldn't fight. Too weak.
*Oh, it hurts. It hurts, please no...it hurts...* Her face blurred before him, he wanted to curl and hide, wanted to cup his hands to where she'd struck him, wanted to breathe.
He attempted a weak struggle, hands floating up, pushing at her chest. But no, no result; only a tightening of her hands and another soft plea, begging him to slip from this world.
---Sally, do not do this...---
*I want to, Cu...* She tightened her hands on the creature before her. Wetness hit her hands, not blood this time, but tainted liquid from his eyes. He'd closed them and gone limp in her grasp, his hands still on her chest, but not pushing anymore.
*I want to Cu...!* The thought was edged with panic, and then she screamed at something sharp sinking into her shoulder. She jerked around, not releasing Snively. A villager stood before her, vacant eyes unfocused. His mouth was bloody; she felt something oozing from her shoulder.
---Sally, please. I must stop this!! Let there be no more death!!---
*I want to kill...to kill him...* Thoughts bubbled like wine...indeed she felt intoxicated, light-headed. She focused her gaze on Snively, his face was placid, but mouth still open, struggling to draw breath...she could feel his pulse pounding wild in his throat.
*I...no Cu please...* Her eyes burned. She took a step back from the villager...a man she didn't know too well. But he'd been an acquaintance. Someone friendly, someone not capable of murder like this. This was all so wrong. This blood, her hands around the neck of a fellow living being...yes, no matter how evil he might be. She was not like him...this was wrong.
*No more death, CU! PLEASE!* A shriek ripped from her mouth and she threw the human away from her.
********
He felt something hit him. Just barely. His body felt sort of numb. Maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he'd hit something. It felt like he'd been flying, but now he'd crashed.
*Am I in hell...?*
But the wind that breezed over his flesh was cool.
The only thing he focused on was Julian. *I'm coming to join you uncle...and so soon too... I thought maybe I could've gotten away from you longer than this... but you'll always be there hovering over my shoulder. Or crushing me underfoot. Does it matter...?*
These thoughts spun behind his glassy eyes, but his body ignored it all. It gave a sudden jerk, grabbed ahold of air and pulled it in with a ragged gasp, filling his agonized lungs.
Another gasp and he stopped thinking, thoughts and images fleeing him. Air. Sweet air!! He gulped it greedily. The ache left him and he felt dizzy suddenly.
The sky was spinning, tilting. He closed his eyes, feeling sick.
*******
---Sally. Let me possess you. Let me stop this.---
Sally's eyes drifted, seeing Casssar. She remembered the magical fire. How it'd burned. She shivered.
She saw Antoine running, screaming in panic from his fellow villagers, who shambled after him, mouths drooling for the taste of his blood, their hands hooked like claws.
She saw Sonic lying on the ground in a weird pile, shuddering... Casssar had zapped him with magic again and the ermine stood over him with something evil glittering in her eyes.
It made her shake with fear. It made her teeth clench with anger.
---Don't fear Sally. I will protect you from her. You must allow me to help you to beat them.---
She shivered... the fire...it had hurt so bad...
---Sally, this MUST BE STOPPED!---
She clutched her head. Watched Casssar raise her hand; the magic that swirled around it was a murky red color, most unpleasant. Sonic whimpered and tried to crawl away from her feet.
Her Sonic. Her Sonic... that woman WOULD NOT hurt her Sonic...! She let out a snarling cry and rushed her.
As her booted feet hit the ground, she shot the thought to Cu, furious. *Do it, Cu. Do it!*
She opened her mind, relaxed it, allowing the entity to take over. She tucked her fear away, although some lingered... but if she had to suffer, then so be it... this madness was going to stop...
Like warm fingers, Cu spread across Sally's mind. Gripping lightly, the entity was now able to control Sally's body. Fueled by Sally's sudden anger and willingness, Cu knew it would have enough power to stop this...
A scream rang out, emitted from Antoine's throat. He was pinned to the ground, a villager atop him, teeth sank into the fox's shoulder.
Blue-booted foot turned; Sally faced the attack on the French one. Her blue eyes held no unearthly glow, but still, something was different. She seemed to draw in on herself, as if gathering strength from the very air that swirled her fur in sudden and strange currents, and then arms flung out. The air rippled in a wide arc, the outward spreading ripples slamming into the villagers.
They stopped, raising hands to their heads, knees touched ground as they screamed.
Casssar doubled over as well, and Sonic used her distraction to scramble away from her, his green eyes frightened. The ermine clasped her paws to her head, teeth clenched, as she fought a silent battle, struggling to keep the villagers under her command. But Cu was there, throwing mental punches and blocks, driving her back.
Casssar snarled; she was losing, and she felt the villagers slip from her grasp. Their eyes filled with life again, and they collapsed down, exhausted from their previous actions.
Antoine sat with his arms wrapped around the woman villager for consolation; he knew the threat from her was over... somehow... He whimpered softly, his shoulder stinging.
*CUUUUUU!* Sally mind-screamed in panic. She saw a burst of magic blaze from Casssar's fingertips, barreling towards her.
---It is all right, Sally.---
Sally's arm flew out, hand flat in a 'stop' motion. The ermine's energy hit like a burning wind, slamming full force into Sally's hand. It blazed out around the squirrel, ruffling her fur and hair backwards, but not hurting. She felt a vague burning sensation in her palm, but that was it, and then the attack was finished and Casssar stood staring with her mouth slightly open.
"Block this, Cu!" she snarled, taking a deep breath and sending a white-hot ball of energy towards Sally.
She heard the crackle of electricity in the air. Every instinct urged her to run, but Cu was in control of her legs... which braced themselves on the ground. Hands flew out again, and the air rippled, an invisible force slamming into Casssar's magic to counteract.
*Wow!* Sally mind-cheered; the electricity was driven away, thrown directly back towards its owner. Casssar's eyes widened and she dove for cover. The electrical ball hit a small tree behind her, sending up splinters of wood and scorching leaves. A blackened stump was all that remained.
The ermine sat up, shaking bits of debris from her fur, snarling. "Nice trick, Cu!"
"Cease the attack, or suffer." Sally's voice came out deep, powerful.
"You don't scare me, Cu!" Casssar spat, rising to her feet. Her olive eyes narrowed, smoldering with some inner heat, and locked on the calm dark depths of Sally's. She stared as if trying to pierce Sally's very soul, pupils gone to small points of black.
Sally's body remained standing solidly. But inside, Sally screamed. Pain stabbed like knives... not into her body, but her very mind itself. Her body wanted to run, but couldn't.
*Cuuuu...oh gods...Cu!! Help me...! Help me!!*
It felt as if a razor blade was ripping through her, slicing apart the delicate layers of her mind, scattering her very soul into pieces. Her inner voice dissolved into weak sobbing.
---It is a mind attack. I will stop her...---
Sally clasped her arms to her chest, limbs crossed over one another, eyes closed. Her hair spun around in a breeze that didn't exist, and then she snapped her head up, eyes locked on her enemy.