The cloaked figure looked down upon the blue fox in front of him, glowering menacingly. The fox took a step back, a startled yet determined look on his face. The figure turned around to look at Sama and Phantom, and seemed to be studying them. Suddenly there was a yell from the corridor. "Sir! SIR!!" A yellow echidna raced around the corner, clearly upset about something. He looked at the cloaked figure, and then he saw Sama and stopped running suddenly. He stared straight at Sama. It was him. He lifted a shaking hand and pointed. Hawk also gaped at what he saw. He looked to Sama. He looked to the figure in the middle of the room. He looked back. Both of them…were SamaDaMana. Phantom looked just like Hawk felt. He was staring at the doppleganger open-mouthed. The only apparent differences were the clothes. Sama's head ribbon was orange and so were his socks, both of these were cyan on the doppleganger. While Sama's jeans were cyan, this doppleganger's were green. And while Sama's gloves and shoes were green, the doppleganger's were orange. The cloaked figure laughed. "Surprised, are you? Didn't your echidna friend tell you about the thing they stuck into his mouth before they dropped him in the desert?" They must have taken his DNA!?
"Who's 'they'?" Hawk asked tentatively. The cloaked figure started pulling the orb out…
"NO!" cried a familiar voice…and suddenly Black Eagle had appeared out of nowhere with a flying kick and whacked the cloaked figure away. He landed right next to the pedestal, angry and puffing. "You take that only over my DEAD BODY!"
This got the other Sama dashing straight for it with a cry. If Eagle lived here and he was guarding the orb so fiercely…there was obviously a reason. Hawk joined in and tail-whipped the fake Sama aside before lunging at the cloaked figure, who had thrown Eagle into the ice wall and was again trying to pull way the orb. But he'd gripped it hard, when Hawk pushed him away he managed to rip the orb out of its place using the momentum from the blow…he had it. Whatever would happen now…the cloaked figure grabbed the clone Sama and they were both replaced by a puff of purple smoke…he couldn't have been a chimera, chimeras teleported in a different way…Eagle stood there puffing for a second, before coming to his senses. He snapped straight. "GET OUT! QUICK! NOW!" Hawk shook his head frantically in disbelief as Phantom and Sama started making for the exit. Already Hawk could sense it getting less cold…suddenly the truth dawned on him. When one is taken, its rival flourishes…if they didn't get out immediately…Hawk dashed for the door with the others. The mountain was going to blow!
*****
Hawk desperately dived out of the cave's entrance, a look of terror on his face. It had gotten so hot in there…suddenly Eagle dived over the edge of the cliff. Hawk was stunned at his desperation to get out of there…Sama and Phantom were right behind him, as usual…no way he was going to just dive off the side, Hawk ran with immense haste down the path from which they had come…there was an explosion form above. The mountain had blown its top! Glowing yellow sludge was gushing down the side of the mountain. Hawk skidded around a corner in the path and gaped open-mouthed. He had reached the huge dip in the road he remembered from the way up…but it was now filled with lava. No way he was going to survive this one easily. There was a large flame exactly in the center of the glowing yellow pool…it seemed to be concentrating itself, getting narrower, higher and more opaque. Hawk stood there, mesmerized. It was turning into some strange kind of flame beast. Sama and Phantom rushed up behind Hawk and instantly knew they weren't getting out any time soon. Orange-yellow ooze was sliding down the mountain still, threatening to engulf…the flame was taking shape now…it was growing limbs, basically turning into a blob-shaped beast. It turned on Hawk with green glowing spots that could only be recognized as eyes. Phantom stared at it with the widest of all eyes. "The beast long sealed away…" Hawk caught among his muttering and stammering. There was nothing else to do. Hawk drew the Lazuli Blade with his concentration and prepared to fight. The flame bore down upon him, then suddenly whipped its arm sideways sending a horizontal strip of orange flame at the trio. Phantom dodged aside, Sama stood his ground, allowing the flame to pass through him with minimal damage. Hawk desperately whipped his glowing blue blade around randomly, seemingly blocking the flames. Hawk outstretched his arm suddenly, whipping out a bolt of lightning, which seemed to have an effect on the fiery foe…it flinched slightly and stepped backwards. It raised its arms, clasped them together. Hawk leapt aside just as those two arms crashed down on the rocky earth, leaving a boiling yellow puddle in its place. Phantom had teleported to the other side of the lava pool. Hawk drew out the Lazuli Blade again and sent it at his foe, levitating it…the ability Hawk had used to defeat his brother over a month ago…it whipped around inside the beast, creating a blue glow within…but Hawk didn't see it. The large fire man gripped at the blue area…trying to smite the disturbance…but he was getting smaller…weaker…there was another explosion from the mountain's peak and Hawk's concentration was broken. The Lazuli Blade disappeared and the beast glowered down at Hawk angrily...it was only half as tall now…Suddenly Hawk's eyes glowed a dazzling violet, there was a huge clap of thunder as lightning struck the giant flames…then again…then again…the beast was only Hawk's height. Suddenly Hawk realized that he had caused that lightning. He had the power to control it…as soon as he figured out how. The Lazuli Blade must have been cold, too…how else would it have drained half of this monster's power? Hawk whipped it out and drew a straight line through the pool of yellow lava…it worked! The part that the Lazuli Blade had drawn through had turned to rock. Before it could melt again, Hawk dashed across it and he, Sama and Phantom ran for freedom…the lava had reached the base of the mountain in some points now…and judging by the constant explosions and lava flinging out the top of the mountain, it would still be going for a while.
*****
Nambuk slowly set two iced-chocolate drinks on the coffee table, one for him, one for Suga, who was sitting on the couch, and glanced up at the TV that his hedgehog girlfriend was transfixed on…it was certainly odd, the night had been fairly cool before, but now it was a hot night…10 degrees to 25 in less than half an hour…Nambuk sat happily down on the couch next to the pink hedgie and started watching the spontaneous news flash, showing footage of a exploding volcano, lava reaching about halfway down it…and then there were two flashes of lightning, both striking in the same place. Nambuk glanced to Suga, who already seemed to know what he was about to say. "I'm wondering the same thing." She said concernedly. That mountain hadn't even been known as a volcano until just now…
*****
If anyone in the town who were watching the eruption from the gates had looked behind them, they would have seen it. A shadow slinking along a rooftop, heading for the nearest chimney and wearing all black. The eruption sent everybody outside, which meant that none were in their houses…it was the perfect time to steal some valuables…natural disasters were so handy! But…what was up with the lightning? Something weird was going down…and that wasn't what was entering a chimney…
*****
Bright red light just over the horizon. What was that about? Minimaniac pondered as he ran forward, trying to get a better view, unobscoured by buildings. There was a flash reaching across the sky as he ran. What the heck was going on!? Then he reached the top of the hill and stood, in the middle of the road, beholding. If this wasn't really weird it would be a magnificent sight to behold…but it was suddenly quite hot, Mini realized. He pried his jacket from his shoulders to let a little fresh air in. Suddenly he realized something-those red flashes…the red glow emanating from somewhere just beyond the horizon…was in the direction that Hawk had been heading…and about where he would have reached by now, too…Hawk was involved. Plain and simple. If only I could tell KK I was going and go! He thought. But…she's expecting me…if I disappear now she'll be scared out of her mind for me…no, Hawk's capable. He'll be fine. And coming to his senses, he quickly jogged down the hill, his eye on the spectacular sight of the flashes.
*****
Eagle rolled down the side of the mountain, the one part that was safe: the west side. It had a barrier of rock that would hold the lava for a while…but the entire scene was engulfed in red light. He had failed. Failed in the one duty he had placed upon himself. Protecting the mysterious sphere of ice…he had understood the prophecy. One is taken, its rival flourishes. The orb was there to keep the fire beast sealed away under the mountain. There were others…three others, the whereabouts of which he didn't know except for their general directions. All he could do was keep moving, rolling down the slope. There was still the ability to fix what had just been destroyed, it would be difficult, but still possible…I just hope I can do it in time…he thought. But for this point in time, he would have to quick-smart get to the Squall on the next mountain…
*****
"Kawaii, have you heard about the eruption and the lightning flashes?" Mini asked, getting right to the point.
"That was just on the news…it was broadcasting from the nearby town…" The purple Kitsune answered.
"That's where Bluehawk, Sama and Phantom were headed. It's also about where they would be by now." Mini half-interrupted.
KK didn't reply in speech, but simply looked back at him, wide-eyed. She didn't know any of them well, but that didn't really matter. Hawk was Mini's friend, so that naturally sparked much more concern than it would if it was someone she'd never heard of. "What are you saying? They're in trouble or they're involved somehow?"
"Could be either, could be both. If they're involved, they couldn't have caused it deliberately. An unknown factor is in there somewhere…I just hope it has nothing to do with-" He cut himself off, just in time. Hawk didn't want anyone to know about his brother…At least I don't think he would… Mini thought.
KK raised an eyebrow. There was something she wasn't supposed to know, and she had twigged. Mini stood there, anxiously. No, She thought. Mini wouldn't keep secrets of himself from me. It's something to do with Hawk and his friends. And so she decided not to pry. "So, what are you suggesting? We go after them?"
Mini thought for a second, brushing some sweat off his forehead. "Maybe. I'm just worried…if there are two things Hawk fears, it's flames and heights. He will have been forced to face both tonight, as well as a powerful adversary." Mini was sure…that Hawk's brother was back.
*****
Hawk kept on running, followed closely by Phantom and Sama, away from the mountain that looked like a giant blaze of fire, lighting the entire landscape. The lava had blocked them and forced them to detour right round to the other side. They couldn't get back to the town for a while as the pass was blocked. At least the mountain had stopped exploding…but it looked as though it was still pumping out lava, forcing them to keep moving…the townspeople would be fine, the lava was coming out slow now. It would reach them by morning, but they would have plenty of time to escape. There was no wind whatsoever, Hawk noticed as he stopped for Sama and Phantom to have a breather. Sama's mind seemed completely unharmed by the events. Anyone else would take a while to take in the idea that they had a clone that had been around for more than a year. Sama seemed to think nothing of it. "C'mon, guys. We have to put as much ground as possible between us and the-" suddenly there was a loud boom coming from the volcano and there was a new fountain of glowing red lava spurting out the top. Phantom reacted by immediately starting to run off again. Hawk gave a sly grin. Fear was an amazing motivation at times…hopefully it would be a while to the next town, but not too long-far enough so that it was safe, close enough for Phantom and Sama to survive the trip…they ran across flat grass with the occasional tree. The landscape was easy to understand, but then again it felt like they were getting nowhere…then Hawk had an idea. He felt the power drain out of him as the chaos emerald formed in his hand. He gave it to Phantom, who was puffing…and suddenly he seemed to have all the energy he needed. Then he passed it to Sama, who in turn passed it to Hawk, who instantly noticed a change in pace…they had regained their strength. "C'mon. Let's see if there are any towns nearby." Hawk urged. "We might find one just over that hill, or even beside it!"
*****
A young squirrel boy peeked over the top of the fence that surrounded his village and was amazed and terrified at what he saw. So that was what the fuss was about? An erupting volcano? He looked down at the plain to see three figures making haste for the town. The area around the mountain itself had been drenched in rock. Hawk looked up at the village he hadn't noticed the night before: It had been hidden in the shadows. But there it was, in plain view…dang, he was hungry. The trio reached the top of the hill as the sky was starting to go grey from all the smoke. It was much darker a day than usual, and hardly surprising…"The gate's closed." Phantom grimaced.
"To think that towns still use gates…" Hawk muttered.
Skeeter hovering at his ear, Hawk pounded on the gate with his fist. "Let us in!"
"No!" came the reply.
Hawk stepped back slightly. "Why not? We just need a place to stop for food, then we can go!"
The keeper of the gate didn't reply for a few seconds, then he shouted "Go away!"
Hawk gave the others a put out expression. Paladin and Skeeter had already eaten all of their provisions, so there was no food left. Suddenly Phantom wasn't there anymore and there was a cry from the other side of the gate. "Whattaya think you're-" in seconds, Phantom Falcon was being thrown over the fence, and landed face down in the mud with a splat. Sama helped him up by the shoulders and he just lay there, letting the mud drip off his face, before shaking his head. "What's the point? C'mon, let's go guys." Phantom suggested. It was the only choice they had, they couldn't just sit there, waiting for someone to let them in. That was mad! Not only would it waste time, but they would waste away. So on they moved, leaving the still-erupting volcano behind them.
*****
Minimaniac gave a relieved sigh as he broke out of the forest and into the town, in which most of the buildings were one, by the looks, followed closely by KawaiiKitsune, and that was when they noticed the mountain. It was still spurting lava…and some of it had come seriously close to the town…but it had all stopped at a certain point, before turning to rock. He was going to have to examine that later…for one thing, he and KK needed some food and a breather… "You ok?" Mini asked his girlfriend.
"I'm…*puff* fine…" she replied, catching her breath.
Hope the natives are friendly…Mini thought to himself, walking between the houses. There was no-one outside, strangely, and no-one had fled, either by the looks. They were all locking up their windows and doors, from what he could see inside. KK followed closely behind him nervously, occasionally shifting her jacket slightly. Her eyes started to wander absently as she followed behind Minimaniac…there was a monument further down the road, the symbol of which was hard to define due to the heat causing the light to become distorted…then she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. Then she looked again. Nothing there. I could've sworn there was someone running…then she went to catch up with Minimaniac, who was standing on the cobblestone, facing the monument, and looking around cautiously. "Someone…is watching us." He said, not averting his gaze from the rooftops. The town was eerily silent, but there was no doubt. There was someone nearby…watching…watching…watching… "DOWN!" Mini screamed, diving upon his girlfriend in protection, sending both of them to the ground at the same time that there was a loud bang from the left facing the monument, like that of a gun, and a bullet hit the cobblestones with a ping noise. White dust rose gradually from the ground as Minimaniac helped Kawaii Kitsune up and they rushed to the left wall, where the sniper, in his or her position, couldn't hit them, and stood there leaning on the hot wall, panting. That had been a close call…Then KK saw it again. A silhouetted figure, running across the rooftops in front of them…it was hard to define, so she didn't bother to share it with her boyfriend…it was too trivial at a time like this.
*****
Hawk, Sama and Phantom simply kept going, walking along a huge grassy plain away from the volcano. It wasn't such a pretty sight anymore, basically just a mountain with huge blobs of glowing yellow to red on it and splashing out the top. Funnily enough there was a complete lack of earthquakes…it had a lot to do with that old legend, it seemed…the power of fire…that was what was causing that mountain to keep on spurting…it could go on forever for al they knew…and what was that thing, the thing he had faced on the way down? Some kind of flame beast…but was it something long sealed away, or something that simply liked flames? The answers would have to wait…hopefully not for too long. The current priority was getting away from the volcano, then they would figure out where they were and where they would go…but where had Black Eagle gone, in his haste to escape? Probably to the town of humans, left far behind them now…a more important task seemed to lie in finding the rest of the orbs…the cloaked one and Sama's clone couldn't have only taken it to cause the eruption…
