Mechanical Monstrosity
Chapter 6: Origins
Sandra Prower rests this day, eternally at peace. In my heart, my mind and soul, my memories shall not cease. For when a friend so loved, so true, has passed to heaven's gate My grievances feel selfish, for though her final fate Was violent, and untimely - indeed, baseless at most I know she watches over us - to you, my friend, a toast You feared not death, nor pain or strife, for always in the end A goodness lies in every heart, and within their soul's a friend!
Memorial to Sandra Prower, written through the heart and soul of Sonar Spine, preserved forever near the fallen vixen's shrine.
*****
Sonic pressed a moist towel across the fevered brow of Miles Prower, quietly listening to the whispered conversation that his closest friend had began in his dreams. Silently, he prayed to every ancestor he knew, and hoped that Amy would be able to help the comatose fox.
*****
Mecha Sonic, whose programming had been transferred into a modified Protoss probe, was shaking slightly, affected incredibly by the lifeless body of the unknown hedgehog. Amy gasped aloud, with a sudden realization at what her mechanical companion had just said. "Mecha. this is. you?" Amy practically breathed out the question, unable to take her eyes from the dark figure. The handicapped warrior's optical receptor flashed black, the equivalent of a nod.
"How. no one knew. only my creator." The awestruck robot whispered, unable to speak properly out of sheer surprise. Fenix nodded slowly, and listened intently as Mecha Sonic began to remember his past.
*****
'I was born many years before Sonic and his siblings. in fact, I'm a little older than Queen Aleena herself. I was the youngest hedgehog of my family, with an older sister, a big brother, and my parents. Minika was always the sensible one, and always tucked me in at night. She was a pretty young lady, yet she was also tough. Nobody ever got to my big sister, without walking away bruised! Nika never yelled when I was around, though. she was always careful to keep herself in check around me.
My brother was kinda like my sister. protective and fun to be around. He was a little older than Nika, and much taller. I'd forgotten his name for almost a decade. Konokei was his full name, though he shortened it to Konei when mother died. Konei always acted like the oldest brother, standing up for me and Nika. I remember one time, when Nika and me were being bit out for coming home late. Dad was really angry that night, what with all the abductions happening. Konokei, seeing the dangerous mood our father was, stepped in and took all the blame himself.
It was late one night, though, that dad got really weird. He didn't yell or even talk, like something too terrible was happening for him to imagine. Me and Nika were told to hide in the basement, and Konokei was given an old sword to protect us with. Dad had locked the door behind us, but when the crashing and yelling and screaming started, Konei burst through. We followed close behind, and saw something terrible. Our dad was kneeling on the floor, holding his head like it was in extreme pain. When big brother got close to him, dad attacked him. They both fought for a long time, but brother's sword got broken, and he was hurt really bad.
When father looked at Nika and me, I saw a dark, crazy look in his eyes. When he started moving towards us, I picked up the broken blade and jumped on his back, driving it deep. He fell and. never got up. I killed my own father, to save my older siblings. Well. one of them, anyways. Konokei was dying, in front of our eyes. He smiled for a bit, ruffled my hair, and just fell asleep. I never managed to wake him back up. On that day, I vowed to protect my sister, and to be as strong as my brother was. That was just a couple of weeks before the Robotnik war began.
We joined up with the Freedom Fighters, and for a couple of years, we managed to hold his forces at bay. Then, during a special mission, me and Nika were sneaking into one of Robotnik's factories to blow it up. A group of Mobians ambushed us, throwing grenades and bombs. We dodged most of them, but the last one was. fated to hit. Nika knocked me out of the way, taking the blast herself. She was practically immolated. blood and fire was everywhere. I was hurt quite a bit too, but Nika was worse off. Robotnik himself came then, and took both of us.
When I woke up again, big sis was in a stasis pod. Robotnik told me that her situation was critical, and she'd have to stay in there to live, until he could create technology powerful enough to restore her. He then proceeded to tell me about how the Freedom Fighters had betrayed me, and left us to die. I was angry then, and believed every word. He offered me strength, through the use of his robotic technology. I accepted, and soon underwent vast bio-mechanical modification.
Robotnik made me stronger and faster than any Mobian had ever been before. I was his most advanced warrior, and only the idea of vengeance drove my mind. I hunted down the Mobians responsible for my sister's injury, and killed them all without remorse. However, Robotnik soon became more and more open about how he planned on using me to take over Mobius. Naturally, I didn't say anything, as the madman held my sister in stasis. It was upon meeting Sonic, though, that I knew the truth about the Freedom Fighters.
Sonic was faster than me, and definitely had a great deal of strength. No matter what I did, nothing could stop him: Not even when I was charged with the Master Emerald's energies. I realized then that the Freedom Fighters hadn't been the cause of my grief. Those Mobians had been hired by Robotnik himself. I turned on him, under the guise of a malfunction, and wreaked havoc upon his forces. I was eventually destroyed by a direct hit from his secret weapon, the Death Egg, but then my auto- repair systems kicked in.
It turned out that, for everytime I was destroyed, the auto-repairs would enhance my molecular structure, making me more organic. Also, my strength and speed enhanced dramatically with the repairs. That was when I was attacked by Chaos Wraith. It immediately took control, feeding off my hatred for Robotnik and my lack of strength compared to Sonic. I wanted power, and received it through a terrible pact. The xenomorph invasion was a device of the Chaos Wraith, designed to eliminate the stronger elements of Mobius and elevate my power through the deaths of others. Thankfully, Sonic stopped me once again, at the cost of his own life. The rest you already know. I repaired myself again, came after you guys, and Chaos Wraith took over. *****
'Now then, Mecha. it's time for you to live again.' Fenix nodded to the modified probe, and Amy respectfully took her leave of the two. Before she left, Fenix called back to her. 'Amy, you ought to return to Sonic's quarters. Something has happened. Tails is in pain.' Amy didn't reply. At the mention of her closest friend's name, she bolted, running with all the speed she could muster to discover what was happening to Tails.
*****
Soon enough, running through the corridors, driven by instinct towards her living quarters on the Gantrithor, Amy bumped forcefully into Sally. The two fell none-too-gently to the steel floor, landing with a resounding thump. Amy recovered even before the pain registered, and set off towards the Mobian dormitories, not even noticing Sally Acorn. The ground squirrel princess would have followed, but a voice began speaking to her. A voice she wanted to - needed to - listen to. This was because it was Sandra Prower's.
*****
Within an amazingly short time, Amy had reached her destination, and was crying softly over the comatose Tails. Sonic, Bunnie and Shadow stood nearby, each of them worried. Sonic thought of Tails as his closest friend, and would have done anything to spare him this pain. Bunnie, like many of the other Freedom Fighters, had seen Tails as the innocent youth that they all fought for. Even Shadow had his own thoughts concerning Miles' condition: His connection with Gerald's Perfect Lifeform project had yielded an uncanny link between himself and his blue counterpart. He'd sacrificed himself to save Mobius, and had changed since the resurrection. One thought drove through the dark hedgehog's mind: Tails is too young. let the innocent survive.
*****
Sonar had been there as well. he felt bound to protect Miles, just as he'd supported Sandra, the kit's mother. However, something had been nagging at the back of his head, screaming for him to find Sally. Eventually, the silver hedgehog had complied, and was racing through the corridors at supersonic speed, searching for the ground squirrel. "I don't think this is coincidence. I think Sandra is guiding us, somehow!" That one thought spurred Sonar into overdrive, and he rocketed around the hallways and chambers of the carrier, following instinct to Sally's location.
*****
Amy looked to Sonic, tear-stained face paled with concern as she wordlessly asked the hedgehog for an explanation. "Amy, do you remember Sandra?" Amy nodded, recalling the strikingly-beautiful vixen that had lost her life in the forced landing of Sally's ship. "Well, Tails is grieving for the death of someone close. his mother." Sonic turned back to Tails, as Amy slowly let realization sink into herself. Without hesitation, she'd embraced Tails, crying as she tried to bring him back from his nightmares.
"Tails? Please, wake up. don't leave me alone!" Tails stirred, but it was not in response to Amy Rose's sobs. He was reliving the destruction of his village. his seperation from his parents. the death of his father. the frightening shadow called Chaos. it was a whirlwind of pain, fear and hatred. What scared Amy was the look in Tails' eyes. the beautiful, sparkling radiance of her lover were blank and cold. Amy's head rested on his white-furred chest, and she sobbed herself asleep.
*****
Sonic and Shadow left the room quietly, the former nodding to Bunnie to keep watch. Her reply was a quiet whisper, but clearly audible. "Shore thing, sugah-hog." The half-mechanized rabbot waved her real arm at the departing hedgehogs, who half-heartedly waved back as they left. Shadow gave Sonic a patronizing look, which caused Sonic to laugh pathetically.
"Bunnie's called me that since we saved her from Ro-butt-nik." Shadow himself gave a rare laugh, glad that Sonic had not lost his almost-arrogant attitude. Then, turning stone-serious again, he gave Sonic a what's-going- on-now kind of look. Sonic wordlessly produced the Chaos Emerald of Energy from his pack, which continuously crackled with electricity. "This little jewel saved countless lives today. the Zerg don't seem intelligent enough to use them, but I feel that there's something controlling them." Shadow nodded, and began relaying his own information.
"From what I've heard from Zeratul, there is an Overlander called Kerrigan, who seems to have become the Zerg's mistress." Sonic gave a light curse. Overlanders had proven to be trouble since the days of Julian Kintobor, who was better known as Ivo Robotnik. "She is cunning, but also incredibly powerful. a hybrid of Zerg and Overlander. Things get worse." He added, seeing Sonic's grim expression. "The Protoss have confirmed that Chaos is heading towards the Zerg system. it's likely that it intends to control the Zerg through Kerrigan." Now Sonic and Shadow alike shivered with the same fear: Both knew the Chaos Wraith was dangerous alone, as were the Zerg. Combining the feral alien hordes with the lethal intellect and sadism of their enemy would certainly mean the destruction of the universe!
Shadow then noticed a burning resolve behind the lightning-quick eyes. It seemed to take Sonic's fear and throw it off some immeasurable chasm. "I think we'd best start collecting Emeralds. something tells me they're going to become our ticket out of this mess!" Sonic flicked the Energy Emerald into his backpack, before the pair of hedgehogs bolted with incredible speed to Tassadar's quarters.
*****
Sonar was keenly watching and listening to the situation between Sally Acorn and Sandra Prower's spirit. The Mobian princess was wreathed in a crystalline blue aura, not unlike that heavenly energy that had surrounded Sandra. A melodious voice spoke to her, and it seemed only they could hear it. "Sally, you know of the seven Emeralds?" The speechless ground squirrel nodded, and the vixen's essence began her story. "Each Emerald is linked to a pre-ordained Chosen. These figures are Mobians of unknown and indetermined destinies, who have the ability to unlock the deepest secrets of the gems." Sally only thought for a short time, before a question escaped unbidden through her lips.
"Sonic. he is one of the Chosen?" Inwardly, she could feel that Sandra was nodding confirmation. It was obvious that Sonic had some deep affinity with the Chaos Emeralds, but she hadn't any idea before that her beloved was directly connected to one in particular. "Do I. know all the Chosen?" Again, she could feel Sandra nodding, and Sally was respectfully quiet. Already she was beginning to guess at which Freedom Fighters could hold the key to the Emerald's full potential. Sandra laughed lightly, and Lady Acorn felt that the spirit wanted her to listen again. "Sonic is indeed a Chosen, though it is uncertain which Emerald he is meant to wield." Sandra's voice softened then, and a tinge of excitement could be detected in its tone. "Sally Acorn, you also have become a Chosen." Sally's mouth went agape, but she held her silence as Sandra continued. ".for I have passed a part of my soul to you. a Chosen who dies must pass on the legacy to another." Inwardly, Lady Acorn was already mentally asking 'Why not Tails?' The vixen laughed lightly, and realization dawned on the princess.
"Miles. he is already a Chosen." It wasn't a question. she'd stated what she knew must be the truth. Sandra nodded, and Sally had another thought that crossed her mind. "The Heart of Mobius. it is a Chaos Emerald, isn't it?" How it could be possible, Sally Acorn never would know, but both Sonar and she felt what could only be an embrace. Sandra was gone, though. both realized they'd been given all the information they would need. "Sonar. I'll need your help." Sonar turned to her and nodded, understanding perfectly, before escorting her to the Shuttle hangar.
*****
"Yes. I agree, Sonic." Tassadar's flowing voice never ceased to bring awe to the hedgehog's voice. "Shadow and yourself would be performing a great task by retrieving the Chaos Emeralds. it could just stem the war's tide!" Sonic and Shadow grinned at each other, but Sonic's grin faded to open-mouthed fear as Tassadar delivered his own news. "One of the Emeralds, it seems, has attracted Lady Acorn's attention. she recently left for the Acorn Royal Palace with Sonar." Shadow caught Sonic, who slumped down in worry, grief and frustration.
"Sally? Why'd she leave with Sonar? What could possibly have." Before Sonic could make the wrong connection, though, Tassadar's voice cut into his thoughts. Give your beloved more credit, Sonic. just before they left, Sandra Prower's signature was detected near their location. It didn't take long for Sonic to put two and two together, after that report. ".yeah. Sally did say something about Sandra talking to her, didn't she?" Shadow nodded, and Tassadar decided to give his own opinion.
"I would suggest that you two continue with your own plans. I have sent Praetor Fenix and a regiment of our finest Zealots directly behind them." This calmed Sonic to no end. he had the utmost faith in the kind- hearted Protoss Praetor. "Also, Vector and Antoine have left to search Mobius for survivors. I believe that Lady Nightweaver is accompanying them." Sonic nodded, a little concerned for Antoine, but confident in Vector and Sandra. Before Tassadar dismissed the two, however, three familiar faces stepped into view.
"Bro, if you think you're gonna hog all the glory." Manic smirked, the mischevious glint shining in his eye. ".check behind your back an' make sure nobody's listenin'!" The green-haired hedgehog socked Sonic a tough punch to the arm, laughing with anticipation at their next adventure. Sonia pouted lightly, running a hand through her pink hair, but chose not to speak. Sonic noticed her cheeks were slightly red, and looked askance at Manic, who smiled devilishly. "Sonia's hopin' we can find the Emerald of Creation, so she can wish back her boyfriend!" All three male hedgehogs laughed, and Manic winced under the furious slap that Sonia dealt him.
"You're gonna need my help, if you're looking for Emeralds." Charmy's high-pitched voice cut the laughter short. "Nothing better to find gems of Chaos than a Chaotix!" All five of the treasure hunters nodded resolutely, and looked to Tassadar, who nodded his own assent. Wordlessly, Shadow, Sonic, Manic, Sonia and Charmy rushed through the corridors to their own shuttle. *****
Tails was no longer alone, entrapped in Sandra's memories of Chaos Wraith's assault on their village. Another presence, a separate subconscious, had found its way to his mind. Tails gasped when he realized who it was: Amy Rose had come into his nightmare.With a cry of joy and happiness, the kit dashed towards his true love, who was running towards him, sobbing with relief and concern. They embraced tightly, emotions surging between them, and a thousand thoughts entwined between their moistening eyes.
Both of them were suddenly sent hurtling backwards, thrown several feet by a terrible explosion. When they looked up, there was only darkness. the ground was blue-tinted soil, the sky a starless midnight, and the air cold and empty. A pair of eyes glowed in the dark. terrible, crimson flames of hatred. Then they both realized, as one consciousness, that Amy had not been the only one to stumble into Tails' mind. Strange cyan crystals were rising through the ground, and both Miles and Amy immediately guessed them to be Khaydarin.
Upon closer inspection, though, the couple were horrified to discover that several figures were encased in the crystals. Sally Acorn, Shadow, Knuckles. even Sonic was trapped within the beautiful prison. A fifth was holding an unfamiliar Mobian, who couldn't be seen through the Khaydarin.jewel. A horrible, cruel voice hissed to them from the darkness, seeming to be all around them. "Chaos has gathered, the spirits aligned, and the final chapter of fate has been signed!" Chaos Wraith was changed, a shapeless mass of powerful dark energy, invisible in the midnight. Then, as the entity's red core gathered black power to itself, Amy realized that the starless sky was not sky at all. it was the spreading darkness of their final foe.
Suddenly, the demonic being was completed. However, it was no Mobian that stood before them. This figure was at least twice as tall as Shadow or Mecha, and probably a full head beyond even that height. Its skin was incredibly dark, practically midnight-blue, smooth and slender, but with a defined muscular tone behind it. Its legs, which were pointing downwards, hovered gracefully above the ground. Four angel-feathered wings spread majestically, noiselessly caressing the still air to keep their master skyborne. They were all of different colour: One was fiery auburn, and seemed to be wreathed in flames; One was radiant gold, and was surging with lightning; One was blue as khaydarin, and looked frigid as ice; The last was silver, and shone lightlessly, glinting like steel. The wraith waved a hand through an unruly shock of deep chestnut hair, letting the length of it cascade down to the base of its neck.
"I.I feel. incredible!" The Chaos Wraith whispered, gazing at himself through wondrous hazel eyes. Tails was taken aback. by all means, this being didn't look sinister or evil in any way! Amy felt her breath taken by the sight of their opponent. "Yes. I see. I hear. I touch..." Then Amy noticed the Chaos Wraith's face. it was expressionless, a void of soulless body. Their eyes made contact, and she could have sworn that sadness and fear was hiding behind them. Then, they slowly turned empty again, and both Miles and Amy shivered as his cruelty and malice returned. ".but. I still don't. truly. feel."
The dark being was calm, peaceful. even as he unleashed a massive surge of dark energy towards them, a friendly smile was given to Miles Prower. Amy Rose felt, somehow, that this wraith did not fully comprehend what emotions were. but he knew what he should be feeling, were he complete. Unexpectedly, Amy felt that their enemy wanted to know sympathy, but it didn't know how. nevertheless, she found her soul and heart pulling her body in front of Tails. The smile abruptly banished, and it was definitely a pained look that the two saw on his face, before Miles yelled Amy's name, as the attack struck her. Both awoke simultaneously, one crying in imaginary pain, the other screaming out his beloved's name. Bunnie had slumped against the wall, but the noise had practically fired her into the ceiling. Before long, the sisterly rabbot was comforting Amy and Tails, gently wiping away the perspiration from their brows as she soothingly talked to them. "There, there, young'uns. only a nightmar'." The supportive half-rabbit blinked as the young Freedom Fighters shook their heads. To both the girls' surprises, though, it was Tails who spoke up first.
"He was in my mind. Chaos Wraith slipped into my dream." Bunnie gasped in fear and concern, but Tails shook his head and continued. "I'd just met my mother, and we were talking about a lot of stuff." He gave a sideways glance to Amy before going on. ".the Emeralds, Floating Island, Acorn Palace. friendship. love." Both Tails and Amy blushed, and Bunnie nodded to the two, assuring them it was well-known and alright. "Thanks. well, it all got dark after a while, and He showed up. made me relive the night our village was destroyed." He shivered, but forced himself to continue. "Forced me to watch my father die, and my mother hurt herself badly to keep me safe." He couldn't continue anymore, and tears stained his face.
Amy wiped them away with her soft hand, and gave her own account of what she'd seen. "I. I don't know how, but I was in Tails' dream too!" Bunnie gave her a shocked look, but let her talk. "We were together, alone, and He appeared out of the darkness. All our friends were trapped." She forced herself to continue her own experience in Tails' nightmare, despite the powerful images she'd witnessed. "I saw His real body. He looked like an angel, only much darker. He said something about knowing touch, but not feeling." Bunnie's eyes widened, and she thought deeply, even as Amy Rose finished. "I think that, whatever Chaos Wraith is now, He doesn't have a choice. I sensed sympathy and sadness, and an almost-friendly nature about him. hidden behind all the cruelty, malice and darkness."
Bunnie Rabbot felt a lump in her throat before she spoke her mind. "Sonia told me that evil only exists because of loneliness. people who know friendship have strength enough to resist the darkness." She gave a deep sigh, and looked deeply from Miles to Amy. "I believe the Chaos Wraith has spent so much time alone that he has lost all emotion. he came apart." The youngest of the Freedom Fighters all nodded together, and embraced as one family. Then, the door slid open hastily, and a pair of familiar Mobians stepped into the room, breathless. Rotor and Rouge took a moment to regain their ability to breathe, before giving their report.
*****
Zeratul and Tassadar stared at the split-screen that made up their view of the situation, posted on the sizable primary monitor of their stateroom. With them were several other figures, Mobians of great stature. One was a mauve-furred hedgehog, with a head of shoulder-length, deep- purple hair. She was dressed in white, underneath a hooded travelling cloak. Her eyes sparkled with wisdom and energy. Another was wearing deep purple robes, and seemed to have an air of ancient lore about him. These were counted among the wisest and fairest of all Mobian; Queen Aleena, mother of Sonic, Manic and Sonia, and the intended ruler of the magical city Mobodoon, before the first war against Robotnik; and the Oracle, probably the single most knowledgeable being on the face of the planet. indeed, likely the galaxy's most learned creature!
Others were present as well. Angela, the guardian of Tails, kept a quiet vigil beside Aleena. Geoffrey St. John looked in apparent awe at the royal figures around him. Most of his attention, though, was focused on an Overlander. This human had silver hair that fell to his knees, and sharp emerald eyes that glinted with countless secrets. He wore simple clothing: black knee-length leggings, a white sash around his waist, and a black vest. Underneath the vest was a smoke-grey tunic, which covered his arms up to his elbows, The outsider's skin was tanned, and a white scarline ran down over his left eye. Geoffrey, and indeed any Mobian, was somewhat distrustful of Overlanders. Even more so did Geoff St. John suspect him, when the human introduced himself.
"It is an honor to be counted among heroes and legends." Geoffrey's eyes narrowed a little less. The Overlander sounded sincere, but that did little to ease the suspicions of the hardened Freedom Fighter. "I am Alan Kintobor, cousin of Julian Kintobor, and nephew of Gerald Kintobor..." Immediately, the convocation rose, as Geoffrey lunged towards Alan. A flurry of fisticuffs ensued, only to be deflected by the blurring left arm of the Overlander. The right arm busied itself by taking a gentle sip of mint tea. ".leader of RUNE."
At this, several heads rose. even Aleena's. RUNE, short for the Resistance's Underground Network of Espionage, had been responsible for most of the more covert operations against Robotnik. Their work had included safeguarding those who'd defected Robotnik's armies, sabotaging the power of the most guarded cities, and it was rumored they'd even been working on devices to cure roboticized Mobians. The idea that one of Ivo Robotnik's own family was a major resistance leader stunned everyone. excepting the Oracle.
"Alan has been helpful to our cause since the beginning. It was Alan that originally learned of Julian's treacherous plans, and set the origins of the Resistance." Geoffrey looked incredulously at Kintobor, before returning to his seat. "He is present because, firstly, he is the only known survivor of RUNE." Another stunned silence, and a pained look from Alan, before Oracle continued. "Secondly, he knows an amazing number of secrets that were hidden even from ME." Aleena stared in amazement from Oracle to Alan. Geoffrey's jaw dropped in a much more active reaction. Angela was deep in thought. Only Tassadar and Zeratul seemed unfazed, though it was obvious they'd been surprised themselves. "In particular." Alan spoke up again. His voice was crystal-clear, yet barely above a whisper. "I have definite information regarding the Chaos Emeralds, the Space Marines, and. personal data. that only concerns my cousin's prodigy." Another silence followed, but before anyone could reply, Kintobor directed a question to Tassadar. "Speaking of which. how is Miikkori?"
*****
Mecha Sonic slowly came back to consciousness. When he managed to open his eyes, which felt unusually heavy, he took in the almost-blinding white with awe. They were emerald green, and the light actually caused them pain. With a number of blinks to wipe away the coloured haze that had filled his vision, he sat upright. A midnight-blue limb, long and slender, flexed experimentally, before throwing an experimental punch. It struck the air with infathomable speed, and the apparatus on the other end of the room actually shook from the vibrations. Leaping off his back to his feet, he noticed with interest that the table he'd been lying on was covered in deep scratches. They'd actually done it. Mecha Sonic was scrap metal, a piece of dented, bloodstained metal. He'd been reborn. he was Miikkori, sole survivor of his tribe, frequent victim of irreversable fate. Now Miikkori lived, and Chaos Wraith would beg forgiveness for the pain it had dealt to his family and friends. But first, Miikkori could only do what was natural: Roll up into a ball and cry real tears. Tears for the blood that had been spilled through his body. Tears for the hardships he had been unprepared to meet. Tears for the indescribable joy that had been given him, with the gift of mortal existence.
Sandra Prower rests this day, eternally at peace. In my heart, my mind and soul, my memories shall not cease. For when a friend so loved, so true, has passed to heaven's gate My grievances feel selfish, for though her final fate Was violent, and untimely - indeed, baseless at most I know she watches over us - to you, my friend, a toast You feared not death, nor pain or strife, for always in the end A goodness lies in every heart, and within their soul's a friend!
Memorial to Sandra Prower, written through the heart and soul of Sonar Spine, preserved forever near the fallen vixen's shrine.
*****
Sonic pressed a moist towel across the fevered brow of Miles Prower, quietly listening to the whispered conversation that his closest friend had began in his dreams. Silently, he prayed to every ancestor he knew, and hoped that Amy would be able to help the comatose fox.
*****
Mecha Sonic, whose programming had been transferred into a modified Protoss probe, was shaking slightly, affected incredibly by the lifeless body of the unknown hedgehog. Amy gasped aloud, with a sudden realization at what her mechanical companion had just said. "Mecha. this is. you?" Amy practically breathed out the question, unable to take her eyes from the dark figure. The handicapped warrior's optical receptor flashed black, the equivalent of a nod.
"How. no one knew. only my creator." The awestruck robot whispered, unable to speak properly out of sheer surprise. Fenix nodded slowly, and listened intently as Mecha Sonic began to remember his past.
*****
'I was born many years before Sonic and his siblings. in fact, I'm a little older than Queen Aleena herself. I was the youngest hedgehog of my family, with an older sister, a big brother, and my parents. Minika was always the sensible one, and always tucked me in at night. She was a pretty young lady, yet she was also tough. Nobody ever got to my big sister, without walking away bruised! Nika never yelled when I was around, though. she was always careful to keep herself in check around me.
My brother was kinda like my sister. protective and fun to be around. He was a little older than Nika, and much taller. I'd forgotten his name for almost a decade. Konokei was his full name, though he shortened it to Konei when mother died. Konei always acted like the oldest brother, standing up for me and Nika. I remember one time, when Nika and me were being bit out for coming home late. Dad was really angry that night, what with all the abductions happening. Konokei, seeing the dangerous mood our father was, stepped in and took all the blame himself.
It was late one night, though, that dad got really weird. He didn't yell or even talk, like something too terrible was happening for him to imagine. Me and Nika were told to hide in the basement, and Konokei was given an old sword to protect us with. Dad had locked the door behind us, but when the crashing and yelling and screaming started, Konei burst through. We followed close behind, and saw something terrible. Our dad was kneeling on the floor, holding his head like it was in extreme pain. When big brother got close to him, dad attacked him. They both fought for a long time, but brother's sword got broken, and he was hurt really bad.
When father looked at Nika and me, I saw a dark, crazy look in his eyes. When he started moving towards us, I picked up the broken blade and jumped on his back, driving it deep. He fell and. never got up. I killed my own father, to save my older siblings. Well. one of them, anyways. Konokei was dying, in front of our eyes. He smiled for a bit, ruffled my hair, and just fell asleep. I never managed to wake him back up. On that day, I vowed to protect my sister, and to be as strong as my brother was. That was just a couple of weeks before the Robotnik war began.
We joined up with the Freedom Fighters, and for a couple of years, we managed to hold his forces at bay. Then, during a special mission, me and Nika were sneaking into one of Robotnik's factories to blow it up. A group of Mobians ambushed us, throwing grenades and bombs. We dodged most of them, but the last one was. fated to hit. Nika knocked me out of the way, taking the blast herself. She was practically immolated. blood and fire was everywhere. I was hurt quite a bit too, but Nika was worse off. Robotnik himself came then, and took both of us.
When I woke up again, big sis was in a stasis pod. Robotnik told me that her situation was critical, and she'd have to stay in there to live, until he could create technology powerful enough to restore her. He then proceeded to tell me about how the Freedom Fighters had betrayed me, and left us to die. I was angry then, and believed every word. He offered me strength, through the use of his robotic technology. I accepted, and soon underwent vast bio-mechanical modification.
Robotnik made me stronger and faster than any Mobian had ever been before. I was his most advanced warrior, and only the idea of vengeance drove my mind. I hunted down the Mobians responsible for my sister's injury, and killed them all without remorse. However, Robotnik soon became more and more open about how he planned on using me to take over Mobius. Naturally, I didn't say anything, as the madman held my sister in stasis. It was upon meeting Sonic, though, that I knew the truth about the Freedom Fighters.
Sonic was faster than me, and definitely had a great deal of strength. No matter what I did, nothing could stop him: Not even when I was charged with the Master Emerald's energies. I realized then that the Freedom Fighters hadn't been the cause of my grief. Those Mobians had been hired by Robotnik himself. I turned on him, under the guise of a malfunction, and wreaked havoc upon his forces. I was eventually destroyed by a direct hit from his secret weapon, the Death Egg, but then my auto- repair systems kicked in.
It turned out that, for everytime I was destroyed, the auto-repairs would enhance my molecular structure, making me more organic. Also, my strength and speed enhanced dramatically with the repairs. That was when I was attacked by Chaos Wraith. It immediately took control, feeding off my hatred for Robotnik and my lack of strength compared to Sonic. I wanted power, and received it through a terrible pact. The xenomorph invasion was a device of the Chaos Wraith, designed to eliminate the stronger elements of Mobius and elevate my power through the deaths of others. Thankfully, Sonic stopped me once again, at the cost of his own life. The rest you already know. I repaired myself again, came after you guys, and Chaos Wraith took over. *****
'Now then, Mecha. it's time for you to live again.' Fenix nodded to the modified probe, and Amy respectfully took her leave of the two. Before she left, Fenix called back to her. 'Amy, you ought to return to Sonic's quarters. Something has happened. Tails is in pain.' Amy didn't reply. At the mention of her closest friend's name, she bolted, running with all the speed she could muster to discover what was happening to Tails.
*****
Soon enough, running through the corridors, driven by instinct towards her living quarters on the Gantrithor, Amy bumped forcefully into Sally. The two fell none-too-gently to the steel floor, landing with a resounding thump. Amy recovered even before the pain registered, and set off towards the Mobian dormitories, not even noticing Sally Acorn. The ground squirrel princess would have followed, but a voice began speaking to her. A voice she wanted to - needed to - listen to. This was because it was Sandra Prower's.
*****
Within an amazingly short time, Amy had reached her destination, and was crying softly over the comatose Tails. Sonic, Bunnie and Shadow stood nearby, each of them worried. Sonic thought of Tails as his closest friend, and would have done anything to spare him this pain. Bunnie, like many of the other Freedom Fighters, had seen Tails as the innocent youth that they all fought for. Even Shadow had his own thoughts concerning Miles' condition: His connection with Gerald's Perfect Lifeform project had yielded an uncanny link between himself and his blue counterpart. He'd sacrificed himself to save Mobius, and had changed since the resurrection. One thought drove through the dark hedgehog's mind: Tails is too young. let the innocent survive.
*****
Sonar had been there as well. he felt bound to protect Miles, just as he'd supported Sandra, the kit's mother. However, something had been nagging at the back of his head, screaming for him to find Sally. Eventually, the silver hedgehog had complied, and was racing through the corridors at supersonic speed, searching for the ground squirrel. "I don't think this is coincidence. I think Sandra is guiding us, somehow!" That one thought spurred Sonar into overdrive, and he rocketed around the hallways and chambers of the carrier, following instinct to Sally's location.
*****
Amy looked to Sonic, tear-stained face paled with concern as she wordlessly asked the hedgehog for an explanation. "Amy, do you remember Sandra?" Amy nodded, recalling the strikingly-beautiful vixen that had lost her life in the forced landing of Sally's ship. "Well, Tails is grieving for the death of someone close. his mother." Sonic turned back to Tails, as Amy slowly let realization sink into herself. Without hesitation, she'd embraced Tails, crying as she tried to bring him back from his nightmares.
"Tails? Please, wake up. don't leave me alone!" Tails stirred, but it was not in response to Amy Rose's sobs. He was reliving the destruction of his village. his seperation from his parents. the death of his father. the frightening shadow called Chaos. it was a whirlwind of pain, fear and hatred. What scared Amy was the look in Tails' eyes. the beautiful, sparkling radiance of her lover were blank and cold. Amy's head rested on his white-furred chest, and she sobbed herself asleep.
*****
Sonic and Shadow left the room quietly, the former nodding to Bunnie to keep watch. Her reply was a quiet whisper, but clearly audible. "Shore thing, sugah-hog." The half-mechanized rabbot waved her real arm at the departing hedgehogs, who half-heartedly waved back as they left. Shadow gave Sonic a patronizing look, which caused Sonic to laugh pathetically.
"Bunnie's called me that since we saved her from Ro-butt-nik." Shadow himself gave a rare laugh, glad that Sonic had not lost his almost-arrogant attitude. Then, turning stone-serious again, he gave Sonic a what's-going- on-now kind of look. Sonic wordlessly produced the Chaos Emerald of Energy from his pack, which continuously crackled with electricity. "This little jewel saved countless lives today. the Zerg don't seem intelligent enough to use them, but I feel that there's something controlling them." Shadow nodded, and began relaying his own information.
"From what I've heard from Zeratul, there is an Overlander called Kerrigan, who seems to have become the Zerg's mistress." Sonic gave a light curse. Overlanders had proven to be trouble since the days of Julian Kintobor, who was better known as Ivo Robotnik. "She is cunning, but also incredibly powerful. a hybrid of Zerg and Overlander. Things get worse." He added, seeing Sonic's grim expression. "The Protoss have confirmed that Chaos is heading towards the Zerg system. it's likely that it intends to control the Zerg through Kerrigan." Now Sonic and Shadow alike shivered with the same fear: Both knew the Chaos Wraith was dangerous alone, as were the Zerg. Combining the feral alien hordes with the lethal intellect and sadism of their enemy would certainly mean the destruction of the universe!
Shadow then noticed a burning resolve behind the lightning-quick eyes. It seemed to take Sonic's fear and throw it off some immeasurable chasm. "I think we'd best start collecting Emeralds. something tells me they're going to become our ticket out of this mess!" Sonic flicked the Energy Emerald into his backpack, before the pair of hedgehogs bolted with incredible speed to Tassadar's quarters.
*****
Sonar was keenly watching and listening to the situation between Sally Acorn and Sandra Prower's spirit. The Mobian princess was wreathed in a crystalline blue aura, not unlike that heavenly energy that had surrounded Sandra. A melodious voice spoke to her, and it seemed only they could hear it. "Sally, you know of the seven Emeralds?" The speechless ground squirrel nodded, and the vixen's essence began her story. "Each Emerald is linked to a pre-ordained Chosen. These figures are Mobians of unknown and indetermined destinies, who have the ability to unlock the deepest secrets of the gems." Sally only thought for a short time, before a question escaped unbidden through her lips.
"Sonic. he is one of the Chosen?" Inwardly, she could feel that Sandra was nodding confirmation. It was obvious that Sonic had some deep affinity with the Chaos Emeralds, but she hadn't any idea before that her beloved was directly connected to one in particular. "Do I. know all the Chosen?" Again, she could feel Sandra nodding, and Sally was respectfully quiet. Already she was beginning to guess at which Freedom Fighters could hold the key to the Emerald's full potential. Sandra laughed lightly, and Lady Acorn felt that the spirit wanted her to listen again. "Sonic is indeed a Chosen, though it is uncertain which Emerald he is meant to wield." Sandra's voice softened then, and a tinge of excitement could be detected in its tone. "Sally Acorn, you also have become a Chosen." Sally's mouth went agape, but she held her silence as Sandra continued. ".for I have passed a part of my soul to you. a Chosen who dies must pass on the legacy to another." Inwardly, Lady Acorn was already mentally asking 'Why not Tails?' The vixen laughed lightly, and realization dawned on the princess.
"Miles. he is already a Chosen." It wasn't a question. she'd stated what she knew must be the truth. Sandra nodded, and Sally had another thought that crossed her mind. "The Heart of Mobius. it is a Chaos Emerald, isn't it?" How it could be possible, Sally Acorn never would know, but both Sonar and she felt what could only be an embrace. Sandra was gone, though. both realized they'd been given all the information they would need. "Sonar. I'll need your help." Sonar turned to her and nodded, understanding perfectly, before escorting her to the Shuttle hangar.
*****
"Yes. I agree, Sonic." Tassadar's flowing voice never ceased to bring awe to the hedgehog's voice. "Shadow and yourself would be performing a great task by retrieving the Chaos Emeralds. it could just stem the war's tide!" Sonic and Shadow grinned at each other, but Sonic's grin faded to open-mouthed fear as Tassadar delivered his own news. "One of the Emeralds, it seems, has attracted Lady Acorn's attention. she recently left for the Acorn Royal Palace with Sonar." Shadow caught Sonic, who slumped down in worry, grief and frustration.
"Sally? Why'd she leave with Sonar? What could possibly have." Before Sonic could make the wrong connection, though, Tassadar's voice cut into his thoughts. Give your beloved more credit, Sonic. just before they left, Sandra Prower's signature was detected near their location. It didn't take long for Sonic to put two and two together, after that report. ".yeah. Sally did say something about Sandra talking to her, didn't she?" Shadow nodded, and Tassadar decided to give his own opinion.
"I would suggest that you two continue with your own plans. I have sent Praetor Fenix and a regiment of our finest Zealots directly behind them." This calmed Sonic to no end. he had the utmost faith in the kind- hearted Protoss Praetor. "Also, Vector and Antoine have left to search Mobius for survivors. I believe that Lady Nightweaver is accompanying them." Sonic nodded, a little concerned for Antoine, but confident in Vector and Sandra. Before Tassadar dismissed the two, however, three familiar faces stepped into view.
"Bro, if you think you're gonna hog all the glory." Manic smirked, the mischevious glint shining in his eye. ".check behind your back an' make sure nobody's listenin'!" The green-haired hedgehog socked Sonic a tough punch to the arm, laughing with anticipation at their next adventure. Sonia pouted lightly, running a hand through her pink hair, but chose not to speak. Sonic noticed her cheeks were slightly red, and looked askance at Manic, who smiled devilishly. "Sonia's hopin' we can find the Emerald of Creation, so she can wish back her boyfriend!" All three male hedgehogs laughed, and Manic winced under the furious slap that Sonia dealt him.
"You're gonna need my help, if you're looking for Emeralds." Charmy's high-pitched voice cut the laughter short. "Nothing better to find gems of Chaos than a Chaotix!" All five of the treasure hunters nodded resolutely, and looked to Tassadar, who nodded his own assent. Wordlessly, Shadow, Sonic, Manic, Sonia and Charmy rushed through the corridors to their own shuttle. *****
Tails was no longer alone, entrapped in Sandra's memories of Chaos Wraith's assault on their village. Another presence, a separate subconscious, had found its way to his mind. Tails gasped when he realized who it was: Amy Rose had come into his nightmare.With a cry of joy and happiness, the kit dashed towards his true love, who was running towards him, sobbing with relief and concern. They embraced tightly, emotions surging between them, and a thousand thoughts entwined between their moistening eyes.
Both of them were suddenly sent hurtling backwards, thrown several feet by a terrible explosion. When they looked up, there was only darkness. the ground was blue-tinted soil, the sky a starless midnight, and the air cold and empty. A pair of eyes glowed in the dark. terrible, crimson flames of hatred. Then they both realized, as one consciousness, that Amy had not been the only one to stumble into Tails' mind. Strange cyan crystals were rising through the ground, and both Miles and Amy immediately guessed them to be Khaydarin.
Upon closer inspection, though, the couple were horrified to discover that several figures were encased in the crystals. Sally Acorn, Shadow, Knuckles. even Sonic was trapped within the beautiful prison. A fifth was holding an unfamiliar Mobian, who couldn't be seen through the Khaydarin.jewel. A horrible, cruel voice hissed to them from the darkness, seeming to be all around them. "Chaos has gathered, the spirits aligned, and the final chapter of fate has been signed!" Chaos Wraith was changed, a shapeless mass of powerful dark energy, invisible in the midnight. Then, as the entity's red core gathered black power to itself, Amy realized that the starless sky was not sky at all. it was the spreading darkness of their final foe.
Suddenly, the demonic being was completed. However, it was no Mobian that stood before them. This figure was at least twice as tall as Shadow or Mecha, and probably a full head beyond even that height. Its skin was incredibly dark, practically midnight-blue, smooth and slender, but with a defined muscular tone behind it. Its legs, which were pointing downwards, hovered gracefully above the ground. Four angel-feathered wings spread majestically, noiselessly caressing the still air to keep their master skyborne. They were all of different colour: One was fiery auburn, and seemed to be wreathed in flames; One was radiant gold, and was surging with lightning; One was blue as khaydarin, and looked frigid as ice; The last was silver, and shone lightlessly, glinting like steel. The wraith waved a hand through an unruly shock of deep chestnut hair, letting the length of it cascade down to the base of its neck.
"I.I feel. incredible!" The Chaos Wraith whispered, gazing at himself through wondrous hazel eyes. Tails was taken aback. by all means, this being didn't look sinister or evil in any way! Amy felt her breath taken by the sight of their opponent. "Yes. I see. I hear. I touch..." Then Amy noticed the Chaos Wraith's face. it was expressionless, a void of soulless body. Their eyes made contact, and she could have sworn that sadness and fear was hiding behind them. Then, they slowly turned empty again, and both Miles and Amy shivered as his cruelty and malice returned. ".but. I still don't. truly. feel."
The dark being was calm, peaceful. even as he unleashed a massive surge of dark energy towards them, a friendly smile was given to Miles Prower. Amy Rose felt, somehow, that this wraith did not fully comprehend what emotions were. but he knew what he should be feeling, were he complete. Unexpectedly, Amy felt that their enemy wanted to know sympathy, but it didn't know how. nevertheless, she found her soul and heart pulling her body in front of Tails. The smile abruptly banished, and it was definitely a pained look that the two saw on his face, before Miles yelled Amy's name, as the attack struck her. Both awoke simultaneously, one crying in imaginary pain, the other screaming out his beloved's name. Bunnie had slumped against the wall, but the noise had practically fired her into the ceiling. Before long, the sisterly rabbot was comforting Amy and Tails, gently wiping away the perspiration from their brows as she soothingly talked to them. "There, there, young'uns. only a nightmar'." The supportive half-rabbit blinked as the young Freedom Fighters shook their heads. To both the girls' surprises, though, it was Tails who spoke up first.
"He was in my mind. Chaos Wraith slipped into my dream." Bunnie gasped in fear and concern, but Tails shook his head and continued. "I'd just met my mother, and we were talking about a lot of stuff." He gave a sideways glance to Amy before going on. ".the Emeralds, Floating Island, Acorn Palace. friendship. love." Both Tails and Amy blushed, and Bunnie nodded to the two, assuring them it was well-known and alright. "Thanks. well, it all got dark after a while, and He showed up. made me relive the night our village was destroyed." He shivered, but forced himself to continue. "Forced me to watch my father die, and my mother hurt herself badly to keep me safe." He couldn't continue anymore, and tears stained his face.
Amy wiped them away with her soft hand, and gave her own account of what she'd seen. "I. I don't know how, but I was in Tails' dream too!" Bunnie gave her a shocked look, but let her talk. "We were together, alone, and He appeared out of the darkness. All our friends were trapped." She forced herself to continue her own experience in Tails' nightmare, despite the powerful images she'd witnessed. "I saw His real body. He looked like an angel, only much darker. He said something about knowing touch, but not feeling." Bunnie's eyes widened, and she thought deeply, even as Amy Rose finished. "I think that, whatever Chaos Wraith is now, He doesn't have a choice. I sensed sympathy and sadness, and an almost-friendly nature about him. hidden behind all the cruelty, malice and darkness."
Bunnie Rabbot felt a lump in her throat before she spoke her mind. "Sonia told me that evil only exists because of loneliness. people who know friendship have strength enough to resist the darkness." She gave a deep sigh, and looked deeply from Miles to Amy. "I believe the Chaos Wraith has spent so much time alone that he has lost all emotion. he came apart." The youngest of the Freedom Fighters all nodded together, and embraced as one family. Then, the door slid open hastily, and a pair of familiar Mobians stepped into the room, breathless. Rotor and Rouge took a moment to regain their ability to breathe, before giving their report.
*****
Zeratul and Tassadar stared at the split-screen that made up their view of the situation, posted on the sizable primary monitor of their stateroom. With them were several other figures, Mobians of great stature. One was a mauve-furred hedgehog, with a head of shoulder-length, deep- purple hair. She was dressed in white, underneath a hooded travelling cloak. Her eyes sparkled with wisdom and energy. Another was wearing deep purple robes, and seemed to have an air of ancient lore about him. These were counted among the wisest and fairest of all Mobian; Queen Aleena, mother of Sonic, Manic and Sonia, and the intended ruler of the magical city Mobodoon, before the first war against Robotnik; and the Oracle, probably the single most knowledgeable being on the face of the planet. indeed, likely the galaxy's most learned creature!
Others were present as well. Angela, the guardian of Tails, kept a quiet vigil beside Aleena. Geoffrey St. John looked in apparent awe at the royal figures around him. Most of his attention, though, was focused on an Overlander. This human had silver hair that fell to his knees, and sharp emerald eyes that glinted with countless secrets. He wore simple clothing: black knee-length leggings, a white sash around his waist, and a black vest. Underneath the vest was a smoke-grey tunic, which covered his arms up to his elbows, The outsider's skin was tanned, and a white scarline ran down over his left eye. Geoffrey, and indeed any Mobian, was somewhat distrustful of Overlanders. Even more so did Geoff St. John suspect him, when the human introduced himself.
"It is an honor to be counted among heroes and legends." Geoffrey's eyes narrowed a little less. The Overlander sounded sincere, but that did little to ease the suspicions of the hardened Freedom Fighter. "I am Alan Kintobor, cousin of Julian Kintobor, and nephew of Gerald Kintobor..." Immediately, the convocation rose, as Geoffrey lunged towards Alan. A flurry of fisticuffs ensued, only to be deflected by the blurring left arm of the Overlander. The right arm busied itself by taking a gentle sip of mint tea. ".leader of RUNE."
At this, several heads rose. even Aleena's. RUNE, short for the Resistance's Underground Network of Espionage, had been responsible for most of the more covert operations against Robotnik. Their work had included safeguarding those who'd defected Robotnik's armies, sabotaging the power of the most guarded cities, and it was rumored they'd even been working on devices to cure roboticized Mobians. The idea that one of Ivo Robotnik's own family was a major resistance leader stunned everyone. excepting the Oracle.
"Alan has been helpful to our cause since the beginning. It was Alan that originally learned of Julian's treacherous plans, and set the origins of the Resistance." Geoffrey looked incredulously at Kintobor, before returning to his seat. "He is present because, firstly, he is the only known survivor of RUNE." Another stunned silence, and a pained look from Alan, before Oracle continued. "Secondly, he knows an amazing number of secrets that were hidden even from ME." Aleena stared in amazement from Oracle to Alan. Geoffrey's jaw dropped in a much more active reaction. Angela was deep in thought. Only Tassadar and Zeratul seemed unfazed, though it was obvious they'd been surprised themselves. "In particular." Alan spoke up again. His voice was crystal-clear, yet barely above a whisper. "I have definite information regarding the Chaos Emeralds, the Space Marines, and. personal data. that only concerns my cousin's prodigy." Another silence followed, but before anyone could reply, Kintobor directed a question to Tassadar. "Speaking of which. how is Miikkori?"
*****
Mecha Sonic slowly came back to consciousness. When he managed to open his eyes, which felt unusually heavy, he took in the almost-blinding white with awe. They were emerald green, and the light actually caused them pain. With a number of blinks to wipe away the coloured haze that had filled his vision, he sat upright. A midnight-blue limb, long and slender, flexed experimentally, before throwing an experimental punch. It struck the air with infathomable speed, and the apparatus on the other end of the room actually shook from the vibrations. Leaping off his back to his feet, he noticed with interest that the table he'd been lying on was covered in deep scratches. They'd actually done it. Mecha Sonic was scrap metal, a piece of dented, bloodstained metal. He'd been reborn. he was Miikkori, sole survivor of his tribe, frequent victim of irreversable fate. Now Miikkori lived, and Chaos Wraith would beg forgiveness for the pain it had dealt to his family and friends. But first, Miikkori could only do what was natural: Roll up into a ball and cry real tears. Tears for the blood that had been spilled through his body. Tears for the hardships he had been unprepared to meet. Tears for the indescribable joy that had been given him, with the gift of mortal existence.